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4 mine own wickedness; (Psalm xviii. 23;) or, as it might be better rendered, I will be perfect before Him, and will keep myself from mine own wickedness. From these words it should appear that purity or perfection of the life doth not consist in a pure and perfect freedom from evil suggestions, but in eschewing, or keeping ourselves from consenting to them. In other words,—the temptation to sin is not of itself sin. Man’s wickedness is not his, unless he makes it so by delighting in it; and the utmost perfection of the human character is consistent with the utmost sense of imperfection arising from the opposition made in the ungodly or corrupt nature to the better dispositions and thoughts of that part which is above corruption.

10. We may cast into the divine treasury from our abundance, and we may cast in from our want. The Lord teaches us, (Mark xii. 41–44,) that what is cast in in the latter case, is more than what is cast in in the former.

11. When Judas was gone out, (John xiii. 31,) Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, &c., whereby it should appear, that under every removal or ejection of evil there is a glorification of the principles of holy truth, through a closer and more intimate conjunction with heavenly good.

12. The disciples had forgotten to take bread. (Mark viii. 14.) How often is this the case with all succeeding disciples! We are apt to drink plentifully with our understandings of the water of truth and