Morning “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.” / Isaiah 54:17

 This day is notable in English history for two great deliverances wrought by

God for us. On this day the plot of the Papists to destroy our Houses of

Parliament was discovered, 1605.

 “While for our princes they prepare

 In caverns deep a burning snare,

 He shot from heaven a piercing ray,

 And the dark treachery brought to day.”

 And secondly–today is the anniversary of the landing of King William III, at

Torbay, by which the hope of Popish ascendancy was quashed, and religious

liberty was secured, 1688.

 This day ought to be celebrated, not by the saturnalia of striplings, but by

the songs of saints. Our Puritan forefathers most devoutly made it a special

time of thanksgiving. There is extant a record of the annual sermons preached

by Matthew Henry on this day. Our Protestant feeling, and our love of liberty,

should make us regard its anniversary with holy gratitude. Let our hearts and

lips exclaim, “We have heard with our ears, and our fathers have told us the

wondrous things which thou didst in their day, and in the old time before

them.” Thou hast made this nation the home of the gospel; and when the foe has

risen against her, thou hast shielded her. Help us to offer repeated songs for

repeated deliverances. Grant us more and more a hatred of Antichrist, and

hasten on the day of her entire extinction. Till then and ever, we believe the

promise, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.” Should it not

be laid upon the heart of every lover of the gospel of Jesus on this day to

plead for the overturning of false doctrines and the extension of divine

truth? Would it not be well to search our own hearts, and turn out any of the

Popish lumber of self-righteousness which may lie concealed therein?

 

Evening “Be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” / Psalm 100:4

 Our Lord would have all his people rich in high and happy thoughts concerning

his blessed person. Jesus is not content that his brethren should think meanly

of him; it is his pleasure that his espoused ones should be delighted with his

beauty. We are not to regard him as a bare necessary, like to bread and water,

but as a luxurious delicacy, as a rare and ravishing delight. To this end he

has revealed himself as the “pearl of great price” in its peerless beauty, as

the “bundle of myrrh” in its refreshing fragrance, as the “rose of Sharon” in

its lasting perfume, as the “lily” in its spotless purity.

 As a help to high thoughts of Christ, remember the estimation that Christ is

had in beyond the skies, where things are measured by the right standard.

Think how God esteems the Only Begotten, his unspeakable gift to us. Consider

what the angels think of him, as they count it their highest honour to veil

their faces at his feet. Consider what the blood-washed think of him, as day

without night they sing his well deserved praises. High thoughts of Christ

will enable us to act consistently with our relations towards him. The more

loftily we see Christ enthroned, and the more lowly we are when bowing before

the foot of the throne, the more truly shall we be prepared to act our part

towards him. Our Lord Jesus desires us to think well of him, that we may

submit cheerfully to his authority. High thoughts of him increase our love.

Love and esteem go together. Therefore, believer, think much of your Master’s

excellencies. Study him in his primeval glory, before he took upon himself

your nature! Think of the mighty love which drew him from his throne to die

upon the cross! Admire him as he conquers all the powers of hell! See him

risen, crowned, glorified! Bow before him as the Wonderful, the Counsellor,

the mighty God, for only thus will your love to him be what it should.