Psalms 26

REFLECTIONS UPON PSALM XXVI.—While here we behold Jesus Christ, in a figure, as holy, harmless, undefiled, and separated from sinners, and wash our heart and hands in his blood and grace, let us observe how comfortable, under calumny, it is to possess conscious innocence. They, who trust in God, are kept by his mighty power through faith unto salvation: and the faith or sense of Jesus’ love, and a due regard to his word, will effectually restrain from sin. But nothing is more dangerous to souls than fellowship with the ungodly. To sit long amidst light, vain, and unprofitable, discourse, perhaps more deadens the heart than that which is notoriously profane. No man appears really gracious who does not study to avoid the company of the wicked. No man rightly approaches God’s ordinances but in the way of washing his heart and life in the sin-expiating and subduing fountain of Jesus’ blood and Spirit. None can love God without loving his ordinances, and counting his service perfect freedom, and his works of grace inexpressibly marvellous.—However joyous the assemblies of sinners may be now, it will be infinitely dreadful to be gathered with them in death or in the last judgment. And even those, who walk in their uprightness, must before God stand on the foundation of Jesus’ redeeming blood and infinite mercy; and all their stedfastness in Christ, or his way, must be thankfully ascribed to their God