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I ask you to come with me through a spiritual palace, and I will describe the several apartments.

I. WE TURN ASIDE INTO A WIDE AND SPACIOUS HALL. Before us is a throne, high and lifted up, — it is the throne of grace. Watch the comers as they enter; their penitential aspect, humility, solicitude; listen to their confessions and their requests. They have come with woe, care, perplexity, sin. But they all fear Him, and so are admitted to the secret of prayer.

II. ANOTHER CHAMBER — THE ARMOURY OF LIGHT. Nations boast their arsenals, but there is none like this. Watch those who are coining in and being armed.

III. THE TREASURE ROOM WHICH CONTAINS THE BOOK OF LIFE. Old books are counted as treasures. Here is one of the oldest, and it is indestructible. Let Mosaic chronology be mistaken, it only makes this book a little more venerable; for it was made ere the foundations of the earth. Whose names are in it? This is one of the Lord's secrets. But all those who have been born again of the Spirit of God are written there.

IV. THE CHAMBER OF CONSOLATION. Numerous visitors come crowding in. Heavily laden, worn-out, exhausted, fainting ones. They have all come to the right place. Here are staffs, cordials, medicines, anchors, lights, garments of praise.

V. THE ROOM NAMED "CROSS OF LOVE." This is the highest of all. Here is revealed the secret of secrets. A soft and heavenly light fills the whole chamber. St. Paul was often in this room; it had a special charm for him.

VI. THE TOWER OF THE PALACE. It is the "Tower of Vision." Winding up its alabaster stairs, well-worn but ever-renewed, we at last reach the lofty summit. Below us is the world, half hidden by the mist, its hum scarcely audible. Our eyes climb up to the regions of serene and perpetual light, to the holy splendours of the city of our God.

(W. A. Essery.)

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KJV: The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

WEB: The friendship of Yahweh is with those who fear him. He will show them his covenant.