The Twenty Seventh of April.

GOD BE MERCIFUL TO ME --- Luke 18:13.

"God be merciful to me a sinner." --- Luke 18:13.

Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins." --- Psalm 25:18.

Divine Answer: "The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all; and his tender mercies are over all his works." --- Psalm 145:8, 9.

"Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee." --- Matthew 9:2.

Justification, or remission of sins before the tribunal of God, and the comfortable assurance of it in the heart, do not always go together. The pardon is passed in heaven at once, and in the most perfect manner; yet the sense of it may be wanting, for the assurance of that pardon is mostly given in degrees, as believers are able to receive it.

Feeble glimpses appear now and then; and many love tokens usually pass between Christ and a believing soul, before the Spirit gives a full and clear witness to his conscience. Therefore, a penitent soul must converse much with the gospel, and pray continually for more light, and a greater degree of faith and peace.

O God of mercy, hear my call; My load of guilt remove; Break down the separating wall That bars me from thy love.

Give me the presence of thy grace; Then my rejoicing tongue Shall speak aloud thy righteousness, And make thy praise my song.

A soul oppress'd with sin's desert, My God will ne'er despise; A humble groan, a broken heart, Is our best sacrifice.