The Gospel in Ezekiel - Monergism Gospel in... · borne in mind, that while the Gospel has shallows through which a child may wade and walk on his way to heaven, it has deep, dark,

TheGospelinEzekiel

IllustratedinaSeriesofDiscourses

byThomasGuthrie,D.D.

TableofContents

TheMessenger

TheDefiler

ManSinning

ManSuffering

God'sPunitiveJustice

God'sMotiveinSalvaiton

MananObjectofDivineMercy

GodGlorifiedinRedemption

TheWisdomandHolinessofGodIllustratedinSalvation

TheMercyofGodIllustratedinSalvation

TheBenefitsFlowingfromRedemption

ManJustified

ManJustifiedThroughtheRighteousnessofJesusChrist

ManConverted

TheHeartofStone

TheNewHeart

TheRenovator

TheNewLife,Part1

TheNewLife,Part2

TheNature,NecessityandPowerofPrayer

TheBlessednessoftheSaints

TheSecurityoftheBeliever

TheMessenger

Moreover, thewordof theLordcameuntome,saying,Sonofman(Ezekiel36:16,17).

Having scattered over an open field the bones of thehumanbody,bring an anatomist to the scene. Conduct him to the valley whereEzekielstood,withhiseyeontheskullsanddismemberedskeletonsofanunburiedhost.

Observethemanofsciencehowhefitsbonetoboneandparttopart,tillfromthosescatteredmembersheconstructsaframework,which,apart from our horror at the eyeless sockets and fleshless form,appears perfectly, divinely beautiful. In hands which have thepatience to collect, and the skill to arrange these materials, howperfectlytheyfitbonetobone,andjointtojoint,tillthewholefigurerises to thepolisheddome,andthedumbskeletonseemstosay, "Iamfearfullyandwonderfullymade."

Now as with these parts of the human frame, so is it with the

doctrines of the Gospel, in so far as they are intelligible to ourunderstandings.

Scattered over the pages of sacred Scripture, let them also becollectedandarrangedinsystematicorder,andhowbeautifullytheyfit! doctrine to doctrine, duty to duty; till, all connected with eachother, all "members one of another," they rise up into a form ofperfectsymmetry, andpresent that very systemwhich,withminordifferences but substantial unity, is embodied in the confessions,creedsandcatechismsofEvangelicalChristendom.

I have said, so far as they are intelligible to us; for it is ever to beborneinmind,thatwhiletheGospelhasshallows throughwhichachildmaywade andwalk on hisway to heaven, it has deep, dark,unfathomedpools,whichnoeyecanpenetrate,andwhere the firststeptakesagiantbeyondhisdepth.

Thereisadifference,whichevenchildhoodmaydiscern,betweenthemannerinwhichthedoctrinesanddutiesoftheGospelaresetforthin the Word of God, and their more formal arrangement in ourcatechismsandconfessions.Theyarescatteredhereandthereoverthe face of Scripture, much as the plants of nature are upon thesurfaceoftheglobe.

There, for example, we meet with nothing corresponding to theformal order, systematic classification, and rectangular beds of abotanical garden; on the contrary, the creations of the vegetablekingdombemingled inwhat, although beautiful, seems to bewildconfusion. Within the limits of the same moor or meadow thenaturalistgathersgrassesofmanyforms,hefinds itenameledwithflowersofeveryhue;andinthoseforestswhichhavebeenplantedbythehandofGod,andbeneathwhosedeepshadesmanstillwalksinrudeandsavagefreedom,treesofeveryformandfoliagestandsidebysidelikebrothers.

With the Sabbath hills around us, far from the dust and din, thesplendor and squalor of the city, we have sat on a rocky bank, towonderatthevariedandrichprofusionwithwhichGodhadclothed

thescene.Nature,likeJoseph,wasdressedinacoatofmanycolors—lichens, gray,black and yellow, clad the rock; the glossy ivy, like achildofambition,hadplanteditsfootonthecrag,and,hangingonby a hundred arms, had climbed to its stormy summit;mosses, ofhuessurpassing all the colors of the loom, spread an elastic carpetroundthegushingfountain;thewildthymelentabedtotheweary,and itsperfumeto theair;heathsopenedtheirblushingbosoms tothe bee; the primrose, like modesty shrinking from observation,lookedoutfromitsleafyshade;atthefootoftheweatheredstonethefern raised its plumes, and on its summit the foxglove rang hisbeautifulbells;whilethebirchbenttokissthestream,asitranawaylaughingtohideitselfinthelakebelow,orstretchedoutherarmstoembracethemountainashandevergreenpine.

By a very slight exercise of fancy, in such a scene one could seeNatureengagedinheradorations,andhearhersinging,"Theearthisfall of the glory of God," "Howmanifold are thy works. Lord GodAlmighty,inwisdomthouhastmadethemall."

Now,althoughover thewhole surfaceofourglobe,as in that spot,plantsofallformaandfamiliesseemconfusedlyscattered,amidthisapparentdisordertheeyeofsciencediscoversaperfectsysteminthefloral kingdom; and just as—although God has certainly scatteredtheseformaoverthefaceofnaturewithoutapparentarrangement—there is a botanical system, so there is as certainly a theologicalsystem, although its doctrines and duties are not classified in theBibleaccordingtodogmaticrules.

Does it not appear from this circumstance, that God intended hisWordtobeasubjectofstudyaswellas faith,andthatmanshouldfindinitssavingpagesafieldfortheexerciseofhisfaculties?Wearecommanded to compare "spiritual thingswith spiritual;"we are to"search the Scriptures," to dig for their treasures, to dive for thepearls.Hence the prayer ofDavid, "Giveme understanding, that Imaylearnthycommandments."

While the trees and flowers that clothe the fields of nature arescatteredwithoutmuchapparentorderoverthewidesurfaceofthe

earth, still there are mountain regions lying within the tropics,where,inthecourseofasingleday,thetravelermayfindlaidoutinregulararrangement,everyvegetable formpeculiar to every lineoflatitudebetweentheequatorandthepoles.Leavingthepalmswhichcover themountain's feet, he ascends into the regions of the olive;fromthese,toamoretemperateclimate,wherethevinefestoonsthetrees,ortrailsitslimbsalongthenakedrock;stillascending,henextreachesabeltofoaksandchestnuts;fromthathepassestoheightsshaggywiththehardypine;byandby,heentersaregionwheretreesaredwarfedintobushes.

Rising above that, his foot presses a carpet of lowly mosses; till,climbing the rocks where only the lichen lives, he leaves all lifebeneathhim;andnow,shiveringinthecold,pantinginthethinairfor breath, he stands on those dreary elevations, where eternalwintersitsonathroneofsnow,and,wavinghericyscepter,saystovegetation,"Hithershaltthoucome,andnofarther."Likesomesuchloftymountainofthetropics,thereareportionsoftheDivineWord,where,inaspacealsooflimitedextent—withintheshortcompassofa chapter, or even part of it—the more prominent doctrines ofSalvationarebroughtintojuxtaposition,andsetsidebyside,almostinsystematic order. This chapter offers to our attention one of themostremarkableofthese;andinillustrationofthat,Iremark—

I. That this portion of Scripture, extending onwards from the 16thverse,presentsanepitomeoroutlineoftheGospel.Itsdetails,withtheirvariedbeauties,arehere,so tospeak, inshade;but thegrandtruthsofredemptionstandboldlyup,muchaswehaveseenfromseatheloftyheadlandsofadimanddistantcoast.WeareawarethattheMosaic economy, and many of God's dealings with his ancientpeople,werebuttheshadowsofgoodthingstocome;andthat,whenthethingsarecome,ascometheycertainlyare,youmaymeetusontheverythresholdwiththisquestion,Whylookattheshadowwhenyoupossessthesubstance?

However valued in his absence the portrait of a sonmay be, whatmother,whenheisfoldedinherarms,andshehashislivingfacetolookon,turnstothepicture?Whatartiststudiesasubjectintwilight,

when he may see it in the blaze of day? True— true at least ingeneral. Yet such study has its advantages. It not seldom happensthataportraitbringstoviewsomeshadeofexpressionwhichwehadnotpreviouslyobserved in the faceof theveritableman;andwhensome magnificent form of architecture, or the serried ridges androckyneedlesofamountain,havestoodupbetweenusandthelastlights of day, we have found, that although the details, the minorbeauties,offlutedcolumnsorfrowningcragswerelostintheshadesofevening,yet,drawninsharpandsimpleoutlineagainstatwilightsky,theeffectofthewholewasmoreimpressivethenwheneyedintheglareofday.

Thus itmaybewell,occasionallyat least, toexaminetheGospel inthebroadshadowsandstronglydefinedoutlinesofanoldeconomy;and through God's government of his ancient people, to study themotives, thenature,andtheendsofhisdealingswithourselves. Inthis way the passage before us has peculiar claims upon ourattention. Applicable, in the first instance, to the condition of theJews, it presents a remarkable summary of Gospel doctrines, andthatinaformapproachingatleasttosystematicorder.

- In the 17th verse, we haveman sinning—"Son ofman, when thehouseofIsraeldweltintheirownland,theydefiled itbytheirownway,andbytheirdoings."-Inthe18thverse,wehavemansuffering—"WhereforeIpouredmyfuryuponthem."-Inthe21stverse,manappearsanobjectofmercy—"butIhadpity."-Inthe22dverse,manis anobject of freemercy—mercywithoutmerit—"Idonot this foryoursakes,O,houseofIsrael."-Inthe24thverse,man'ssalvationisresolved on—"I will bring you into your own land." - In the 25thverse,man is justified—"Thenwill I sprinklecleanwateruponyou,andyeshallbeclean."-Inthe26thand27thverses,manisrenewedandsanctified—"AnewheartalsowillIgiveyou,andanewspiritwillI put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of yourflesh,andIwillgiveyouanheartof flesh.AndIwillputmyspiritwithinyou,andcauseyoutowalkinmystatutes,andyoushallkeepmyjudgments,anddothem."-Inthe28thverse,manisrestoredtotheplaceandprivilegeswhichheforfeitedbyhissins—"Yeshallbe

mypeople,andIwillbeyourGod.""Thislandthatwasdesolate,isbecomelikethegardenoftheLord."Wehaveoursecurityfortheseblessings in the assurance of the 36th verse— "I the Lord havespokenit,andIwilldoit;"andthemeansofobtainingtheminthedeclarationof the37thverse—"Iwillyet for thisbeenquiredofbythehouseofIsrael,todoitforthem."

Suchisthewideandinterestingfieldthatliesbeforeus.Butbeforeenteringuponit,letusconsider—

II.ThepartywhoiscommissionedtodeliverGod'smessage."Who,whatisthisambassadorofHeaven?Anangel?No;butaman."Sonofman," says the Lord. In the first verse of this chapter he says—"Sonofman,prophesyunto themountains." In the3dverseof thefollowingoneheasks—"Sonofman,cantheseboneslive?"Again,inthe9thverseofthesamechapter,hesays—"Sonofman,prophesyunto thewind." And, still addressing him by the same title, in the11th verse, he tells the prophet—"Son ofman, these bones are thewhole house of Israel." By this title Ezekiel is so often addressed,"Sonofman,""Sonofman,"issoconstantlysoundedbothinhisearsand ours, that it forces on our attention this remarkable fact, thatGoddealswithmanthroughtheinstrumentalityofman,andbymencommunicateshiswilltomen.

Therainwhichdescends fromheaven fallsupon thesurfaceofourearth, sinks through the porous soil, and, flowing along rockyAssuresorveinsof sand, isconveyedbelowground to the fountainwhenceitsprings.Now,althoughoutoftheearth,thatwaterisnot"oftheearth,earthy."

The world's deepest well owes its treasures to the skies. So it waswiththerevealedwillofGod.Itflowedalonghumanchannels,yetitsoriginwasmorethancelestial—itwasdivine.Thosewaters,atwhosesprings Faith drinks and lives,while conveyed toman through theinstrumentality ofman, had their source far away in the throne ofGod;theirfountainheadistheGodhead.

Nodoubt,Godcouldhaveusedotherinstrumentality,Hemighthave

commissionedangelsonhiserrandsofmercy,andspokeatalltimes,ashedidsometimes,bytheirlips.Withrareexceptions,however,hisambassadorsweremen. The patriarchs, prophets, and apostles, bywhom in days of old he revealed his will—those missionaries ofheaven—wereallsonsofman.Nowinthisarrangementobserve, inthefirstplace—

ThekindnessofGodtoman.

WhohasreadthestoryofMoseswithoutfeelingthat itwasagreatkindness,bothtohimandhismother,thathehadamother'sbosomto lie on—thatGod in his providence so arrangedmatters that themotherwashired tobe thenurseofher son?whoelsewouldhavetreated theoutcast so lovinglyandkindly?And Ihold it a singularkindnesstomanthatheisselectedtobetheinstrumentofsavinghisfellowmen.TheGodofsalvation,theauthorandfinisherofourfaith,mighthavearrangeditotherwise."Whoshall limittheHolyOneofIsrael?"

Thefieldistheworld;andasthehusbandmanploughshisfieldsandsowshis seed in springby the veryhands that bind the sheaves ofautumn;Godmighthave sent thoseangels to sow theGospel,whoshall descend at judgment to reap the harvest. But although theseblessedandbenevolentspiritstakealivelyinterestinthework,andare sent forth to minister to them that are heirs of salvation—although watching from on high the progress of the Redeemer'scause,theyrejoiceineachnewjewelthatisaddedtohiscrown,andin every new province that is won for his kingdom; and althoughtherehemorejoyeveninheaventhanonearthwhenmanissaved—ahigherjoyamongtheseangels"overonesinnerthatrepenteththanoverninetyandninejustpersons"—yettheirsislittlemorethanthepleasureofspectators.Theirsisthejoyofthosewho,occupyingtheshore,orcrowdedon itsheights,witheagereyesandbeatingheartfollowtheboldswimmer'smovements,andwatchinghisheadas itrisesandsinksamong thewaves, seehimnearthedrowningchild,andpluckitshalf-drownedpreyfromthebillow;and,stilltremblinglest strength should fail him, look on with anxious hearts, till,buffetinghiswayback,hereachesthestrand,andamidtheirshouts

andsympathiesrestoresherboytothearmsofafaintingmother.

Toman,however,insalvation,it isgiventoshare,notaspectator'sbut a Saviour's joy; and with his lips at least to taste the cup forwhich Jesus endured the cross and despised the shame. If thatparentishappywhosnatchesachildfromthefloodorfire,andthechild, thus saved, and twice givenhim,becomesdoublydear,whathappinessinpurityorpermanencetobecomparedwithhis,whoisalaborerwithGodinsavingsouls?Letmeinviteyoutoshareinthesepleasures,thesweetest,Iassureyou,outofheaven.

This is a privilege and a pleasure free to all. It is onewhich kingscannotpurchase,andyetbeggarsmayenjoy;andonealso(andwhatmorecouldbesaidof it?)whichenhancesthe joyofheaven.Whileeverysaintshallhaveoneheaven,someshallhavemore;thosewhohavehelpedto fill itsmansionsshallpossessmanyheavens inone.InproportiontothenumbertheyhavebroughttoChrist,theyshallmultiplytheirjoys—thejoyswhicheyehathnotseen,norearheard,and which entereth not into the heart of man to conceive. In thisarrangementIobserveagain—

Thehonorconferredonman.

DidMoses occupy a noble position when he stood aloft on a rockamidthedyingIsraelites,andthere, thecentral figureof thecamp,onwhomalleyeswereturned,raisedthatserpent,tolookonwhichwaslife?

Nobler stillhisattitudeandoffice,who,withhis footon thisdyingworld, lifts up the cross— "Jesus Christ and him crucified"—that,whosoeverlookethandbelievethonhim,mightnotperish,huthaveeverlastinglife.

GivemethebleedingSaviour,makemetheinstrumentofconvertingasinglesoul,andIgrudgenotMoseshis"pieceofbrass;"norenvyhimthehonorofsavingathousandlives,thatarenowallquenchedindeath.Greathonortothememoryofthemightymenwhosweptlike a hurricane through the camp of the Philistines, and, cleaving

theirway through opposing foes, drew thewater of Bethlehem fortheirking;yet, rather thanbeoneofDavid'smightymen, itwouldcontentmetobeoneofChrist'shumblest,andholdthecupoflifetoapauper'slips.

Allhonortotheprophetwhowentuptoheaveninachariotoffire;but nobler still his departure, who, as he ascends to glory, leavesspiritualsonsbehindhimtoweepbythecastoffmantleofhisflesh,and cry, "My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and thehorsementhereof!"

Whathonorsdoesthisworldoffer?whatstars,whatjeweledhonorsflash onher swelling breast, to be for onemoment comparedwiththosewhichtheywinonearth,andwearinheaven,whohaveturnedsoulsfromdarknesstolight—fromthecursedpowerofSatantothelivingGod?

Each soul a gem in their crown, they that have turned many torighteousness shall shine with the brightness of the firmament, asthestars,foreverandever.Howhasthehopeofthistouched,aswithfire, thepreacher's lips, sustainedhisheart,heldupprayer'swearyhands, and proved an ample recompense for those scanty rewardswhichGod'sservantstoooftenreceivedatthehandsofmen,forthepenurywhichhasembittered,andthehardshipswhichhavepressedontheirlot!

Theirmasterwas rejected anddespised ofmen—amanof sorrowsandacquaintedwithgrief,andthedisciplebeingnobetterthanhisLord,theyhavesharedinhissufferings.But,iffellow-sufferers,theyare fellow-laborers with Christ—his associates in the noblest workbeneaththesun.

DespisedastheteacheroftheGospelmaybe,theapostleraiseshimtoaneminencefromwhichhemaycontemplatethisworld,withallitsgrandeurandglory,rollingawayintodarkoblivion.Viewedinthelight of eternity, the church stands on a loftier elevation than thepalace,andthepulpitoffersmanagranderpositionthanthethroneofempires.ToministersoftheGospelbelongsthehighpreeminence

of being able to say, "we are fellow laborers with God;" and, withsuchanassociate—insuchloftycompany,devotinghislifetosuchacause—nowonderthatPaulconfrontedaskeptic,sneering,scoffingworld,andbravelysaid,"IamnotashamedoftheGospelofChrist."

IamanxiousthatyoushouldunderstandthatthehonorsthatIhavespoken of are not reserved for pulpits. The youth who, findingSabbathrestinChristianlabors,holdshisSabbath-class;themother,withherchildrengroupedaroundher,sweetsolemnitysittinginherface, and the Bible resting on her knee; the friend who dealsfaithfully with another's soul; any man who kindly takes a poorsinnerbythehand,andseekingtoconducthimtotheSaviour,says,"Comewithus, andwewilldoyougood;" "Arise, forwehave seentheland,andbeholditisverygood;"these,notlessthanministersoftheGospel,arefellow-laborerswithGod.

Thinknotthatthisnoblestworkisourexclusiveprivilege,orstandback as if you had neither right or call to set to your hand.Whatalthoughinthechurchyouholdnorank?Nomoredoestheprivatewhowearsneitherstripesonhisarmnorepaulettesonhisshoulder;butalthoughaprivate,mayhenotdieforthecolorswhichit isnothisprivilegetocarry?Ifitisnothisbusinesstotrainrecruits,itishisbusiness,andshallbehisrewardtoenlistthem.Nowtothisoffice,torecruittheranksofthecross,theGospelcallsyou—callsall—callsthemeanestsoldierinthearmyofthefaith.

"TheSpiritandthebridesaycome."Butmorethantheyshouldcall.Wheresinnersareperishing,whereopportunityoffers,whereadooris open, where the rule, "Let all things be done decently and inorder,"isnotoutragedandviolated—callitpreachingifyouchoose,butinGod'snamelethearerspreach.

HasGodgiftedanywithpowertospeakofChrist?Then,withsuchhighinterestsatstake,fromformswhichchurches,nottheirHead—man,notGod,hasestablished,wesay, "loosehimand lethimgo.""Lethimthathearethsaycome,andlethimthatisathirstcome;andwhosoeverwill,lethimtakeofthewateroflifefreely."

Thou art a "son of man;" you bear the prophet's title, whatsoeverotherwise youmaybe. Letme call you to the prophet's office. TheMasterhathneed—muchneedofyou.Thousands,tensofthousands,aredyingintheirsins.Althougheveryministerwereasaflamingfirein the service of his God, every bishop were a Latimer, everyreformer were a Knox, every preacher were a Whitefield, everymissionary were a Martyr, the work is greater than ministers canaccomplish;andifmenwillnotsubmitthattheinterestsofnationsandthesuccessofarmiesshallbesacrificedtoroutineandformsofoffice,muchlessshouldthesebetoleratedwherethecauseofsoulsisatstake.Isay,therefore,toeveryChristian,"theMasterhathneed"ofyou.

Takealiving,lovinginterestinsouls.Don'tleavethemtoperish.Itmaybethedutyofotherspermanentlyandformallytoinstruct,butit is yours to enlist. "This honor have all his saints." And inattemptingtoengageyouintheworkatleastofenlistingothers,andofrecruiting,outofyourfamily,andfriends,andneighborhood,thearmiesofthefaith,Icallyoutoaworkinwhicheverymanmaybearhisshare,andonewhichoffershonorasexaltedasitspleasuresarepure.

ItwasnohonortoElijahtogirduphisloins,andwiththestormathis back to run abreast of the smoking horses of Ahab's chariot.Consideringwhothepartieswere,ithadbeenasmeet,Ithink,thatthekingshouldhaverunandtheprophetridden.ButtorunbythechariotwhereJesussits,hiscrownonhishead,hisbowinhishand,andhis swordbyhis thigh; to employ our feet in offices that haveemployedangels'wings;tobearthenewsofmercytoadyingsinner;and to gather crowds around the Saviour, that theymay strew hispathwithpalms,andswellthesongofHosannatotheSonofDavid—forsuchaworkakingmightcastoffrotesandcrown.

Yes—Ithinkthathewouldnotdemean,butratherdignifyhisoffice,whoshoulddescendfromathronewheresubjectskneel,tobendhiskneebeforeGodbyapeasant'sbed,orleavehispalaceforacell,towatch,andweep,andpraywithonewhomcrimehadconsigned todeath.

And,assurelyasyonplanetworldsthatrollandshineaboveusdrawradiancefromthesunaroundwhichtheymove,sosurelyshalltheyshinewhospendandarespentinJesus'service;theyshallsharehishonors,andshineinhisluster.

Theman,however lowlyhiscondition,who,somewaybetweenhiscradle and the tomb, has converted even one soul toGod, has notlivedinvain,norlaboredfornought;buthasachievedagreatwork.Hemaybewellcontenttogodownintothegravebymenunpraised,bytheworldunknown.Hisworks,iftheyhavenotproceeded,shallfollow him; and needing no tablet raised among moldering bonesandtombstones,hehasamonumenttohismemory,wherethereareneithergriefsnorgraves,more costly thanbrassormarble.Othersmay have filled the world with the breath of their name; he hashelpedto fillheaven.Othersmayhavewonanearthlyrenown; buthe who, one himself, has sought to make others Christians—who,reachingtherockhimself,drawsanother,aperishingchild,brother,friend,neighbor,up—plucked fromthe floodhimself,pullsanotherout—whohasleapedintothedepthsthathemightrisewithapearl,and set it lustrous in Jesus' crown—he is theman who shall wearheaven'sbrightesthonors,andtowhom,beforeallelse,theLordwillsay,"Welldone,goodandfaithfulservant,enterthouintothejoyofthyLord."

Weak in yourselves, but strong inGod, go forthon this enterprise,yourprayerthewishofBrainerd,"OhthatIwereaflamingfireintheserviceofmyGod!"Inthisarrangementwesee,lastly,

ThewisdomofGod.

Howeverhighlygiftedhemayotherwisebe,itisavalidobjectiontoapreacher, thathedoesnot feelwhathe says; that spoilsmore thanhis oratory. An obscure man rose up to address the FrenchConvention.Atthecloseofhisoration,Mirabeau,thegiantgeniusofthe Revolution, turned round to his neighbor, and eagerly asked,"Whoisthat?Theother,whohadbeeninnowayinterestedbytheaddress,wonderedatMirabeau'scuriosity.

"Whereuponthelattersaid,Thatmanwillyetactagreatpart;and,askedtoexplainhimself,added,hespeaksasonewhobelieveseverywordhesays.

Much of pulpit power under God depends on that—admits of thatexplanation, or one allied to it. They make others feel who feelthemselves.Howcanhepleadforsoulswhodoesnotknowthevalueofhisown?HowcanherecommendaSaviourtootherswhohimselfpersonally despises and rejects him? Unhappy indeed, and doublyblindthosewhoseleaderisasblindastheyare;andunhappiestofalltheblindpreacher;forwhileleaderandledshallfall intotheditch,hefallsundermost—histheheaviestcondemnation,thedeepestandmostdamnedperdition.

Inpossessionofsuchaman—ofonewhohasadoptedthechurchasothermenthelaw,orarmy,ornavy,asamereprofession,andgoesthroughtheroutineofitsdutieswiththecoldnessofanofficial—thepulpitseemsfilledwiththeghastlyformofaskeleton,thatinitscoldandbonyfingersholdsaburninglamp.

Itistruethatamanmayimpartlighttootherswhodoesnothimselfseethelight.

Itistruethat,likeaconcavespeculumcutfromablockofice,which,concentratingtheraysofthesun,kindlestouchwoodorgunpowder,apreachermaykindle fire inothers,whenhisownheart is coldasfrost.

Itisalsotruethathemaystandlikeafingerpostonaroad,whereheneitherleadsnorfollows;andGodmaythusinhissovereignmercyblessothersbyonewhoishimselfunblessed.

Yet commonly it happens, that it is what comes from the heart ofpreachersthatreachestheheartofhearers.Likeaballredhotfromthecannon'smouth,hemustburnhimselfwhowouldsetothersonfire.Still,althoughtheministryofmenwhoarethemselvesstrangersto piety, although a Judas or SimonMagus in office—is an evil towhichthechurch,ineveryageandundereveryformofgovernment,

standsmoreorlessexposed,itwereapoorrefugetoseekexemptionfromsuchanevil,evenintheministryofangels;because,whilemanmaynotfeelwhathepreaches,angelscouldnot.Howcouldthey?

-They never felt the stings of conscience; - They never hung overhell's fierygulf, andsaw thenarrow ledge theystoodoncrumblingaway beneath their feet, and sent up to heaven the piercing cry,"Lord,saveme, Iperish;" -Theynever felt thepowerandpeaceofJesus'blood;pursuedbyastormofwrath,-TheyneverflewtotheRockofAges,andfoldedtheirwingsinthesweetandsafeserenityofitswelcomeclefts;-Theyneverthirstedforsalvation;- Inanagonyfor pardon theynever felt ready to give a thousandworlds for oneChrist;-Theynever,aswehavedone,trodthevalleyofhumiliation,and walked with bleeding feet and weeping eyes its flinty path; -They never knew what it is, "between them and their home inheaven, to seedeath's gloomypassage.And,more appalling still, aflightwhichmakesthesaintgrasphisswordwithafirmerhand,andlift up his shield on high—Satan, the enemy, posted there, andstridingacrossthepassagetodisputetheway—neverknowingwhatit is to have been in bondage, having neither country nor kindredhere,howcouldtheypreachlikePaul?howcouldtheirbosomsburnwith this apostolic fire—"I could wish that I myself were accursedfromChristformybrethren,mykinsmenaccordingtotheflesh?"

"Wehavesomewherereadofatravelerwhostoodonedaybesidethecages of some birds, that, exposed for sale, ruffled their sunnyplumageonthewires,andstruggledtobefree.Away-wornandsun-browned man, like one returned from foreign lands, he lookedwistfullyandsadlyonthesecaptives,tilltearsstartedinhiseye,andturning roundon theirowner,heasked thepriceofone, paid it instrange gold, and opening the cage set the prisoner free; and thusandthushedidwithcaptiveaftercaptive, tilleverybirdwasaway,soaringtotheskiesandsingingonthewingsofliberty.

The crowd staredand stoodamazed; they thoughthimmad, till tothe question of their curiosity he replied— "I was once myself acaptive;Iknowthesweetsofliberty."

Andsotheywhohaveexperienceofguilt,havefelttheserpent'sbite,theburningpoisonintheirveins,whoontheonehandhavefeltthestingof conscience, andon theother thepeaceof faith, the joysofhope,thelove,thelight,theliberty,thelife,thatarefoundinJesus—they,notexceptingheaven'shighestangels,arethefittesttopreachaSaviour,topleadwithmanforGod,orpleadwithGodforman.

EachSabbathmorningthegatesofheavenmighthaveopened,and,sent by God on amission worthy of seraphic lire, an angel mighthave lighted downupon this sanctuary, and, flying into the pulpit,when he had folded his wings and used them to vail his glory, hemighthavetakenupthewondrousthemeofsalvationandthecross.

No angelwould leave heaven to be a king and fill a throne; but, Ibelieve, were it God's will, there is no angel there but would holdhimselfhonoredtobeapreacherandfillapulpit.Anotherandverydifferentmessengerappears—afrail,dying,sinfulman—onewhoisboneofyourbone,andfleshofyourflesh;andifhishumanitymadeJesus the better Saviour, it makes his servants the betterambassadors, that they also are touched with their people'sinfirmities,andaremadeinallpointsLikeastheyare,andespeciallyinthispoint,thatwecannotadd,"yetwithoutsin."

It istruethat inustheinstrumentwhichGodemploysis in itselfahumble one—in itself worthy neither of honor nor respect: thetreasure is committed to earthen vessels, sometimes of the rudestformandthecoarsestclay.Whatofthat?Iftheletterfromaforeignlandbringsgoodtidingsofhisson,doesthefatherquarrelwiththemeannessofthepaper?Whiletearsofjoyandgratitudedroponthepage,doeshesomuchasnotice it?If thedishofferssafeorsavorymeat,astarvingmanenjoysitnonethelessthatit isnotservedupongoldorporcelain.AnointmentworthyoftheMaster'shead,andexhalingodorsthatfillthehouse,isaswelcomefromasinner'sasanangel's hand—from a vessel of the poorest earth as of the purestalabaster.

Evensowillsavingtruthbetoyou,ifGod'speople.Withoutturninghimintoanidol,andgivingthehonortotheservantwhichisdueto

theMaster, I am sure youwill respect the servant for hisMaster'ssake.Aresomeofyouyetsinnersinthegallofbitternessandbondofiniquity?Becausewe are ourselves sinners, and knowwhat it is tohavebeencaptives,wearethefittertoaddressyou.

"We know that you are not happy, nor can be happy in sin; itspleasuresperish intheusing,andpain in therecollection;and it ismadness,theheightofmadness—foramantostakeeternityonthechances of a to-morrow, and purchase sin's short-lived joys at theexpense of eternal happiness. We know that out of Christ, as youhavenosafety,youcanfindnotruepeace.

"There isnopeace,saithmyGod,tothewicked;""theyare likethetroubled sea which cannot rest;" in storms a raging ocean, and insummer's serenest day ebbing or flowing, and breaking itsbillows,like the world's joys and happiness, on a beach of wrecks andwitheredweeds. Seek Christ, seek your peace through him and inhim; and, saved your self—yourself plucked from the wreck—oh,remember the perishing, and let the first breath and effort of yournewlifebespentforothers.

Igiveyouanexample;andinthewordsspokenforafellow-sufferer'slife,seewhatyoushoulddoforafellow-sinner'ssoul.

During a heavy storm off the coast of Spain, a dismastedmerchantmanwas observed by a British frigate drifting before thegale.Everyeyeandglasswereonher,andacanvasshelteronadeckalmost levelwiththeseasuggestedtheideathatthereyetmightbelifeonboard.Withallhis faults,nomanismorealivetohumanitythantheroughandhardymariner;andsotheorderinstantlysoundstoputtheshipabout,andpresentlyaboatputsoffwithinstructionstobeardownuponthewreck.

Awayafterthatdriftinghulkgothesegallantmenthroughtheswellofaroaringsea;theyreachit;theyshout;andnowastrangeobjectrolls out of that canvas screen against the lee shroud of a brokenmast.Hauledintotheboat,itprovestobethetrunkofaman,bentheadandkneestogether,sodriedandshriveledastobehardlyfelt

within the ample clothes, and so light that amere boy lifted it onboard.Itislaidonthedeck,inhorrorandpitythecrewgatherroundit;itshowssignsoflife;theydrawnearer;itmoves,andthenmutters—muttersinadeep,sepulchralvoice—"Thereisanotherman."

Savedhimself,thefirstusethesavedonemadeofspeechwastoseektosaveanother.

Oh!learnthatblessedlesson.Bedailypracticingit.Andsolongasinour homes, among our friends, in this wreck of a world which isdrifting down to ruin, there lives an unconverted one, there is"another man," let us go to that man, and plead for Christ; go toChrist and plead for that man; the cry, "Lord save me, I perish,"changed into one as welcome to a Saviour's ear, "Lord save them,theyperish."

~endofchapter1~

TheDefiler

Sonofman,whenthehouseofIsraeldwelt in theirownland, theydefileditbytheirownway,andbytheirdoings(Ezekiel36:11).

"Thyholycitiesareawilderness;Zionisawilderness;Jerusalemisadesolation."SolowasthishadthefortunesofIsraelebbed,whenthewordsofmytextwerepenned.Judahwasinchains;thepeoplewerecaptivesinthehandsofheathen—exilesinthelandofBabylon.

Jerusalemlayinruins;thegrassgrewlongandrankinherdesertedstreets;anawfulsilencefilled the temple; the fox lookedoutof thewindow, and the foul satyr had her den in theHoly ofHolies. Noploughturnedafurrowinthefield;thevinesgrewwildandtangledon thecrumbling terraces;norcockcrew,nordogbayed,nor flockbleated, normaid sang, nor shepherd piped, nor smoke curled upfromhomesteadamongthelonelyhills.

The land was desolate, almost utterly desolate. She now enjoyed

whattheloveofpleasureandthegreedofgainhaddeniedher;sherested,andhadalongSabbath;whileoveranexpatriatedpeople,faraway beyond the desert, and beside the river, the Seventy years'captivityrolledwearilyon.Afewpiousmen,whohadinvaintriedtostem the floodtide of sin which swept the nation on to ruin, weremourning over the guilt of which captivity was the punishment.Wearyingtobehomeagaintheycried,"Howlong,OLord,howlong?Wiltthoubeangryforever?Shallthyjealousybumlikefire?"

"Benotwroth very sore, Lord, neither remember iniquity for ever.Behold,see,webeseechthee,weareallthypeople;thyholycitiesareawilderness;Zionisawilderness;Jerusalemadesolation."

"Turnusagain,LordGodofHosts,andcausethyfacetoshineonus,andsoweshallbesaved."

So they felt and prayed who were as salt in the putrid mass. Thelargerportion,however,ashastoooftenbeenthecaseinthevisiblechurch, livedonly todishonor their faith, theircreed, theircountryandtheirrace.

Likemanystillwhogoabroad,andinleavingtheirnativelandleavebehindthemallappearanceofpiety,theyprofanedGod'sholyname,and gave the scoffer abundant occasion for this bitter and bitingsneer—"ThesearethepeopleoftheLord!"

In its application to the contemporaries of Ezekiel, the prophetbriefly describes those sad and sinful days, and also refers to thatprecedingperiodofdeepandwidedegeneracy,whenthecorruptionofkings,princes,priestsandpeople,hadgrownsogreat,that,tousethe words of Scripture, Their "trespass was grown up to theheavens."

ThepatienceofGodatlengthexhausted,ashe"drove"themanandwomanfromthegarden,hedroveIsraelfromalandwhichtheirsinshaddefiled.

Howevermuchwemay abhor their crimes, it is impossible not to

pitythesufferers—inasensetosympathizewiththem.Arewemenwho, in the ease of an invasion,would take a bold position on theshore,andfightevery inchofground,andwhendrivenbackwouldtakeourlaststandinourowndoorway,norallowthefootoffoetopass there but over our dead body? If our bosom burns with anypatrioticfire,ifwehavethecommonaffectionsofmenforfamilyandfriends, it is impossible to look with insensibility at that bleedingfragment of a nation gathered for themarch toBabylon, amid theblackenedandblood-stainedruinsoftheircapital.

Whatamournfulcompany!Thesick,thebedrid,theblind,oldmentotteringforthonthestaffofage,andpluckingtheirgraybeardswithgrief;theskeletoninfanthangingonabreastthatfamineandsorrowhave dried; mothers with terror-stricken children clinging to theirsides,or,worsestill,withgentledaughtersimploringtheirprotectionfromtheserudeandruffiansoldiers;afewgallantmen,thesurvivorsof the fight,wastedby famine,bleeding fromunbandagedwounds,theirarmsbound,andburningtearsstreamingdowntheircheeks,asthey looked on wives and daughters shrieking and helpless in thearmsofbrutalpassion;howtheystrainat theirbonds!andbitterlyenvytheirmorefortunatecompanionswholayinthebloodybreach,norhadsurvivedtoseethehorrorsofthatday!

Thepietythatabhorsthesinsofthispeopleisnotincompatiblewiththepitythatsympathizeswiththeirsorrows;andcouldsitdownandweep with Jeremiah, as, seated on a broken pillar of the temple,desolation aroundhim, andno sound in his ear but the long,wildwailofthecaptiveband,hewrunghishands,raisedthemtoheaven,andcried,"Ohthatmyheadwerewaters,andmineeyesafountainoftears,thatImightweepdayandnightfortheslainofthedaughterofmypeople."

There was a home-leaving, however, in which we feel a nearerinterest.Idonotrefertothateventfulmorningwhensomeofusleftafather'shouse;andthegatesofthathappysanctuaryopened,amidtears and fears andmany a kind farewell—andwhenwatchedby afather'seye,andfollowedbyamother'sprayers,wepushedoutourbarkontheswelloflife'streacheroussea.Theturningtimeofmany

ayoungman'shistory—thecrisisofhisdestiny—thatdaymayhaveexerted an influence as permanent on our fate as its impressionremains indelible on ourmemory. I refer to a home-leaving of farolderdate;toone,notofpersonal,norofnational,butofuniversalinterest.

My eye is turnedbackon thedaywhenour first parents,whohadfallen into sin and forfeited their inheritance, were expelled fromman'sfirsthome.And,recollectingthereluctancewithwhichIhaveseen a heart-broken mother make up her mind to disown theprodigal, and drive him from her door—knowing, when with slowandtremblingbandshehadbarredhimout,howitseemedtoherasif in that horrid sound she had heard the door of heaven boltedagainsthim—andfeelinghowmuchprovocationweourselvescouldsuffer,ereableedingheartwouldconsent to turnachildoutupontheopenstreets.

Believingalso thatourFather inheaven iskinder thanthekindest,andbetterthanthebestofus,andthatthefondest,fullestheartistohis, but as the rocky pool—the lodge of some tiny creature—to thegreat ocean which has filled it with a wave; no demonstration ofGod's abhorrence of sin (always excepting the cross of Calvary)comessoimpressivelytoourheartsashisexpulsionofourunhappyparents from his own blissful presence and their sweet home inEden.

Whenwith slow and lingering steps Adam and Eve cameweepingforthfromParadise,andthegatewaslockedbehindthem,thatwasthe bitterest home-leaving the world ever saw. Adam, the federalheadofhisfamily—theycamenotalone,butarefollowedbyalongerand sadder procession than went weeping on the way to Babylon:theyarefollowedbyaworldintears.

Cast out in them— in them condemned and expatriated— we alldefiledthelandwhereinwedwelt.InthissensetheworldsinnedinAdam,anddefiledthehappybowersofEden;andtheuniversalityofsinstandsfirmontheuniversalityofthesentence,"Deathhaspasseduponallmen,forthatallhavesinned."

I. Let us look at man sinning. "Ye have defiled the land." Sin ispresentedhere in theaspectofadefilement.Butbefore fixingyourattentiononthisfeature,Imayremark,thatitoffersbutoneofmanyaspectsinwhichsinappears;allalarming,allhateful,alldetestable.

As opposed to sin and its consequences, heaven and holiness arepictured forth in the Bible in colors that glow upon the canvas,throughtheemblemsofeverythingweholdmostdearanddesirable.Raiseyoureyes, forexample, to theNewJerusalem,Goldpaves itsstreets, and around them risewalls of jasper. Earth holds no suchcity,northedepthsofoceansuchpearlsasformitsgates;nostormssweepitssea:nowinterstrips.itstrees;nothundershakesitssereneandcloudlesssky;thedaythereneverdarkensintonight;harpsandpalmsare in thehands,whilecrownsofglory flashandblazeuponthe heads of its sinless inhabitants. From this distant and stormyorb, as the dove eyed the ark, faith eyes this glorious vision, and,wearyofthestrife,longingtobegone,ones,"OhthatIhadthewingsofadove,thatImightflyawayandbeatrest!"

Andhowdifficultwoulditbetonameanoblefigure,asweetsimile,atenderorattractiverelationship,inwhichJesusisnotsetforthtowooareluctantsinnerandcheeradespondingsaint!

-Am Iwounded?He isbalm. -Am I sick?He ismedicine. - Am Inaked?Heisclothing.-AmIpoor?Heiswealth.-AmIhungry?Heisbread.-AmIthirsty?Heiswater.-AmIindebt?Heisasurety.-Am I indarkness?He is a sun. -Have I a house to build?He is arock.-MustIfacethatblackandgatheringstorm?Heisananchorsure and steadfast. - Am I to be tried? He is an advocate. - Issentencepassed,andamIcondemned?He ispardon.Todeckhimout, and set him forth, Nature culls her finest flowers, brings herchoicest ornaments, and lays these treasures at his feet. The skiescontribute their stars.The sea givesup its pearls. From fields, andmines, and mountains, Earth brings the tribute of her gold, andgems, and myrrh, and frankincense; the lily of the valley, theclustered vine, and the fragrant rose of Sharon.He is "the chiefestamongtenthousand,andaltogetherlovely;""inHimdwellethallthefullnessoftheGodheadbodily."

I offer him to you—make a free offer of him, and doing so willchallengeyoutonameawantforwhichIshallnot findasupply inChrist,somethingthatfitsyourwantasaccurately,astheworksofakeythewardsofitslock.

"AWayheistolostonesthathavestrayed;

ARobeheistosuchasnakedbe;

Isanyhungry,toallsuchheisBread;

Isanyweak,inHimhowstrongishe!

Tohimthat'sdeadhe'sLife;tosickmen,Health;

Eyestotheblind,andtothepoorman.Wealth."

Looknowatsin;pluckoffthatpaintedmask,andturnuponherfacethelampoftheBible.Westart;itrevealsadeath'shead.Istaynottoquote texts descriptive of sin; it is a debt, a burden, a thief, asickness,aleprosy,aplague,apoison,aserpent,asting—everythingthatman hates it is; a load of evils beneathwhosemost crushing,intolerablepressure,"thewholecreationgroaneth,"

Namemetheevilthatspringsnotfromthisroot—thecrimethatliesnotatthisdoor.

-Whoisthehoarysextonthatdigsmanagrave?—Sin.-Whoisthepainted temptress that steals his virtue?—Sin. - Who is themurderessthatdestroyshislife?—Sin.-Whoisthesorcererthatfirstdeceives and then damns his soul?—Sin. - Who, with icy breath,blights thesweetblossomsofyouth?—Sin. -Whobreakstheheartsofparents?—Sin.-Whobringsgrayhairswithsorrowtothegrave?—Sin. - Who, by a more hideous metamorphosis than Ovid everfancied, changes sweet children into vipers, tender mothers intomonsters,andtheirfathersintoworsethanHerods,themurderersoftheirowninnocents?—Sin.-Whocaststheappleofdiscordonhomehearths?—Sin. - Who lights the torch of war, and carries it over

happylands?—Sin.-Who,bydivisionsintheChurch,rendsChrist'sseamless robe?—Sin. - Who is this Delilah that sings the Nazariteasleep, and delivers the strength of God into the hands of theuncircumcised?—Sin.-Who,with smiles onher face, andhoneyedflatteryonhertongue,standsinthedoortoofferthesacredritesofhospitality, and when suspicion sleeps, pierces our temples with anail?—Sin.-WhatSirenisthis,who,seatedonarockbythedeadlypool,smilestodeceive,singstolure,kissestobetray,andflingsherarmsaroundourneck, to leapwithus intoperdition?—Sin. -Whopetrifiesthesoftandgentleheart,hurlsreasonfromherthrone,andimpelssinners,madasGadareneswine,downtheprecipice,intothelakeoffire?—Sin.-Who,havingbroughtthecriminaltothegallows,persuadeshimtorefuseapardon,andwithhisownhandtobarthedooragainstthemessengerofmercy?—Sin.-Whatwitchofhellisit,that thusbewitchesus?—Sin. -Whonailed theSonofGod to thatbloody tree?andwho,as if itwerenotadovedescendingwith theolive, but a vulture swooping down to devour the dying, vexes,grieves,thwarts,repels,drivesofftheSpiritofGod?—Sin.-Whoisitthatmakesmaninhisheartandhabitsbaserthanabeast;andhim,whowasoncebut little lowerthananangel,but littlebetter thanadevil?—Sin. Sin! Thou art a hateful and horrible thing; that"abominablethingwhichGodhates."Andwhatwonder?

-Thouhast insultedhisHolyMajesty?-Thouhastbereavedhimofbelovedchildren;-ThouhastcrucifiedtheSonofhisinfinitelove;-ThouhastvexedhisgraciousSpirit; -Thouhastdefiedhispower; -Thouhastdespisedhisgrace;-InthebodyandbloodofJesus,asifthat were a common thing, thou hast trodden under foot hismatchlessmercy.Surely,brethren,thewonderofwondersis,thatsinisnotthatabominablethingwhichwealsohate.

Butletusleavewhatisgeneral,tofixourattentionontheviewofsinwhichthetextpresents.

It issetbeforeushereasadefilement;andImayremark,thatit istheonlythingthatintheeyeofGoddoesdeformanddefileus.Yethowstrangeitis,thatsomedeformityofbodyshallprovethesubjectof more parental regrets and personal mortification than this foul

deformityof soul. It ismiserable to thinkhowheartshavegrieved,andeveneyes,whichgottheirtearssurelyforbetteruses,haveweptover the stain of some costly dress,whichnever grieved andneverweptforasin-stainedsoul.

Whatpainsare taken,whatcostsandcares incurred, tobedeckthebody for thehouseofGod,as if that flimsy finery could concealorcompensateforafoulheartwithin!

Yourmannersmayhave acquired a courtly polish; your dressmayrival the winter's snow; unaccustomed to menial offices, andsparklingwithIndiangems,yourhandsmaybearnostainonthem,yet they are not clean; nay, beneath this graceful exterior may lieconcealedmorefoulpollutionthaniscoveredbyabeggar'srags.Thissonoftoil,fromwhoseverytouchyourdelicacyshrinks,andwho,tillSabbathstopsthewheelsofbusiness,andwithherkindhandwipesthesweatof laborfromhisbrow,neverknowsthefullcomfortofacleanlyhabit,mayhaveaheartwithin,which,comparedwithyours,ispurityitself.

Beneaththissoiledraiment,allunseenbytheworld'seye,hewearsthe"cleanlinen"ofaRedeemer'srighteousness.Hisspeechmayberude, his accent vulgar; but let him open his heart, unbosom itssecrets, and from these there come forth such gracious thoughts,suchholydesires,suchheavenlyaspirations,suchhallowedjoys,thatit seems as if we had opened some rude sea- chest, brought by aforeignship fromsouthern lands,which, full to the lidwithpearls,andgold,anddiamonds, loadstheairwithfloatingodorsofcassia,andmyrrh,andfrankincense.

Hypocrite, and dead professor! let us open thy bosom: full of allcorruption,howitsmellslikeacharnel-house!Wearedrivenbackbythenoisomestench—wehastentoclosethedoor;itisapaintedbutputrid sepulcher, whose fair exterior but aggravates the foulnesswithin.Itisnotwhatlieswithout,butwithin,thatdefilesaman.Andit is well all should remember, when you wash on a Sabbathmorning, thatyoursoulneedswashinginanother laver;and,whenyourpersonisdeckedforchurch,thatyouneedotherrobes—robes

fairerthanwormspinsorshuttlesweave,orthewealthofbankscanbuy. See that by faith ye put on that righteousness, even thatrighteousness of JesusChrist, inwhichGodBeesneither spot, norstain,noranysuchthing.

II.Thenatureofthisdefilement.Itisinternal.Likesnowdriftwhenithas leveled thechurchyardmounds,and,glistening in thewintersun, liessopure,andfair,andbeautifulabovethedead,whofesterandrotbelow,averyplausibleprofession,wearingthesemblanceofinnocence, may conceal from human eyes the foulest heart-corruption.

Thegrassgrowsgreenuponamountain thatholdsavolcano in itsbowels.Behindtherosycheekandsoft lustrouseyeofbeauty,howoftendoestherelurkadeadlydisease,thedeadliestofall!Internal,butallthemoredangerousthattheyareinternal,suchdiseasesarethe last to be suspected or believed in by their victims, and thehardest to cure.Toother thana skillful eye, or amother's anxiouslook,thisfairandgracefulformneverwearsbloomofhigherhealth,normovesinmorefascinatingcharms,norwinsmoreadmiringeyes,thanwhen fell consumption, like aminer working on in darkness,has penetrated the vital organs, and is quietly sapping thefoundationsoflife.

Likethesemaladies,sinhasitsseatwithin.

It is a disease of the heart, and the worst of all heart-complaints.Theremay be do very alarming appearance on the surface; in theconduct that lies exposed to the eyes of man there may be littleoffensive to holiness, yet this fair exterior affords no criterion, nosureorcertaintestbywhichtojudgeofmatterswithin.

Thanks indeed be to God, and praise to his sovereign grace, if sindoesnotfindunchallengedentrance,andmeetacordialwelcomeinourinnerman;yethowconstantandarduousisthefightwhichevengraciousmenhavetomaintainagainstthetendencytosecreterrors!Theoldmanhas been nailed to the tree, but howdifficult to keephimthere!

Howdifficulttokeeppollutiondown,andmaintainacurrentofpureandhalloweddesires flowing through the channelsof theheart! Injudging ourselves that we be not judged, beware how you trust tooutwardappearances.Whatifitshouldbewithusaswiththiscalmpool,whichseemssoclean,nay,withheavenmirroredinitsface,sobeautiful?Letsometemptationstirupourpassions,(andhowlittledoesitneedtostirthem!)andthosepure,pellucidwatersnowgrowfoulandnoisome;and,sendingforththemostoffensiveodors,provewhatvilepollutionmayliebeneaththefairestsurface.

Think not that the evil is accidental— that it lies, as some say, ineducation, in temptation, in eternal causes: it is traceable to theheart itself.Whatmore harmless than temptations—this fiery dartlaunchedbySatan'shand—thatflamingarrowfromhisbow—iftheyfell like sparks in water? But alas! they fall like a torch into amagazineofcombustibles.

Knowingthis,andjealousofthemselves,letGod'speoplewatchandpraythattheyenternotintotemptation.Tolife'slaststep,withlife'slatestbreath,bethisyourprayer,"Leadusnotintotemptation,butdeliverusfromevil."Itisanotherprayer,indeed,thatthesinnerhasto offer. He has not to seek that his heartmay be kept clean, butmadeclean; it isnothealthpreserved,but restored, youwant; youneednotfood,butmedicine;anewnature,heart,life:thistheprayerthatsuitsyourlipsandease:"Createinmeacleanheart,OGod,andrenewarightspiritwithinme."

Thisdefilementisuniversal.

Our world is inhabited by various races of men— differentspecimens,notdifferentspecies.TheMalay,theNegro,theraceearlycradled among Caucasian mountains, and the Red Indians of theNewWorld;thesealldifferfromeachotherinthecoloroftheskin,inthecontouroftheskull,inthecastandcharacteroftheirfeatures.Whencecamethesedifferentraces?TheBiblesaysthat"Godmadeofonebloodallthefamiliesoftheearth."

Accordingtoitsauthoritytheyareallsprungofonepair,whowere

located in a garden somewhere in the distant east. There, in thatcentralandelevatedregionoftheoldworld,manwasbothmadeandredeemed;therethecradleofourracewasrocked,andthecrossofsalvationraised;and,breakingforthinaneasternregion,thelightsof knowledge and religion, learning human and divine, letters,science,andartshave,asbyalawofnature,followedthetrackofthesun.

The origin of these different races is a question of no smallimportance, and has formed a battleground between the enemiesanddefendersofourfaith;onelongandobstinatelycontested.

If, inorder toaccount for thesedifferent raceson theprinciplesofunchallengeablephysiology,itcouldbeproved,thatEurope,Africa,andAmericamust,aswellasAsia,havehadtheirparentpairs; if itcould be proved that there must of necessity have been as manyAdamsasthereareracesofmen,thenitisplainthatwemustyieldupthedivineauthorityof theBible,andreadthestoryofMosesasan old-world fable—some fragment of Egyptian wisdom which hehadembalmedinthepageofGenesis.

Infidelity,quicktoseewhatwouldserveherpurpose,hasattemptedto prove this, and challenged religion to meet her on the field ofscience.Herchallengehasbeenaccepted.Men-atarms in the ranksof the faithhave takenup thegauntlet; thebattlehasbeen fought,andfoughtout;andnow,totheconfusionandcompletediscomfitureof the infidel, it stands demonstrated, that in this question as inothers,scienceisinperfectharmonywithrevelation.

DismissingallAdamsbutone,shedemandsnomorethantheBiblegrants,will receivenomore than it offers, believe nomore than itreveals;concludingthatall thesevarietiesof thehumanfamilyare,intheprovidenceofGod,andinthehandsofanOmnipotencewhichdelightsinvariety,theoffspringofasinglepair.

There is one argument which these unhired, impartial, andindependentdefendersofourfaith—thesehigh-priestsofscience—-didnot,perhaps,feelwarrantedtoemploy,butwhichpresentstous

themostconvincingevidenceofacommonorigin.It lieswherethetests of chemistry cannot detect it, nor the knife of the anatomistreach it, nor the eye of the physiognomist discover it, nor theinstrumentsof thephrenologistmeasure it. Itsplace is inthe innerman; it lies in the depths of the soul; and comes out in thisremarkable fact, that, although thehues of the skin differ, and theform of the skull and the features of the face are cast in differentmoulds,thefeatures,color,andcharacterof theheartarethesameinallmen.

Behepale-facedorred,tawnyorblack,Jew,Greek,Scythian,bondorfree;whetherhebethecivilizedinhabitantofEurope,orroamapainted savage inAmericanwoods, pant beneath the burning line,or,wrapt in furs, shiver amid theArctic snows; as in all classes ofsociety,soinallracesofmen,toquotethewordsoftheprophet,"theheartisdeceitfulaboveallthings,anddesperatelywicked;"or,inthenolessemphaticlanguageoftheApostle,"thecarnalmindisenmityagainstGod."

The pendulum vibrates slower at the equator than the pole; thefurthernorthwepushourwayoverthick-ribbedice, theclockgoesthe faster; but parallels of latitude have nomodifying influence onthe motions of the heart. It beats the same in all men; nor, tillrepairedbygrace,doesitinanybeattruetoGod.InAdamallhavedied—havesinned,andthereforedied.

Sin, like our atmosphere, embraces the world. Like death, it isuniversal;itsempireiscoevalandco-extensivewiththatofthekingofterrors.Andhowcanitbeotherwise?Ifmanisthechildofunholyparents,howcanacleanthingcomeoutofanunclean?

Whenwaterofitsownaccordshallriseaboveitsfountain,thenmayAdam'schildrenpossessanatureloftierthanhisown.

Thetreeisdiseased,notatthetop,butattheroot;and,therefore,nobranchofthehumanfamilycanbypossibilityescapebeingaffectedby sin. Is anything more plain and palpable than this, that if thefountainwaspolluted,towhateverquarteroftheworldthestreamof

population flowed, it must have borne pollution in its bosom? Issufferingthesureindexofsin?Then,iftherebenocountrybeneaththesunwheresignsofsufferingarenotseen,anditssoundsarenotheard,siniseverywhere—isineveryman.

BetheyduginArcticsnows,orinthedesertsands,thereisnolandwithout its graves; nor, wherever it stands, a city without itscemetery. Be they monarchies or republics, unaffected by therevolutionsthatcastdownotherdynasties,deathreignsinthemall—akingofkingsDeathsitsontheworld'soldestthrone.

Suffering the stings of conscience, sin and serpent-bitten, man iscondemnedbyavoicewithinhim;theresitsadivinityenthronedineveryman'ssoul,whosevoiceistheclear,articulateandsolemnechoof this judgment, "All have sinned, and come short of the glory ofGod."

Thisevilisincurable.

HeartheWordoftheLord:"Thoughthouwashtheewithnitre,andtake theemuch soap, yet thine iniquity ismarkedbeforeme, saiththeLord."

Again,

"Can theEthiopianchangehis skin,or the leopardhisspots?Thenmayyethathavebeenaccustomed,todoevillearntodowell."

Again,

"Whyshouldyebestrickenanymore,yewillrevoltmoreandmore?"

Of these solemn and humbling truths I know nomore remarkableillustrationthanthatbeforeus.

What effect had God's judgments on his ancient people? Somechildren owe their ruin to excessive indulgence; others are thevictimsofanextremeseverity,whichdrivesthemfirsttofalsehood,andthenfromthatontoothercrimes.Thusmismanagementmaybe

laidatourdoor;butwhowill imputeerrortoGod,orchallengethewisdomofhisways?

Now, when the scourge was in the hands of a God all wise, whateffecthaditonhispeople?

-Weretheycuredbytheirafflictions,trials,andyearsofsuffering?-Didthesearrestthemalady?-Hadtheyeventheeffectofpreventingtheir sinking deeper into sin? By nomeans. As always happens inincurable diseases, the patient grew worse instead of better."Seducerswasworseandworse."

Asalwayshappenswhenlifeisgone,thedeadgrewmoreandmoreoffensive.Themore itshines,andthemore itrains, thethickerthedewsofnight,andthehotterthesunofday,thefasterthedeadtreerots; for those agents in nature which promote the vegetation anddevelopthebeautyoflife,thesoundingshower,thesilentdews,thesummer heat, have no other effect on death than to hasten itsputridityanddecay.

And even so, famishing us with an impressive lesson of theimpotency of all means that are unaccompanied by the divineblessing—was itwithGod's ancient people.He sent them servants,and he sent them sufferings; but, until the Spirit of life descendedfromonhigh,theirhabitsonlygrewmoredepraved,theirconditionmore desperate, their profanity more profane; they but laidthemselves more and more open to the charge—"The last state ofthatmanisworsethanthefirst."

Wherever on weary feet they wandered, they dishonored religion,disgraced the faith; and, instead of extorting the respect of theiroppressors, they exposed both themselves and their God tocontempt.

Theheathen sneered and said, "These are thepeople of theLord!"and,whatislesscommon,thesedown-troddenexiles,thesedebasedand degraded sinners, seem themselves to have felt the desperatecharacteroftheircase;theysaid,"Ourbonesaredried,andourhope

islost."

Now, aswemay learn from the caseof the Jews, the caseof everysinner,apartfromdivineassistance,isadesperateone.Thisinternalanduniversaldefilementisonewhichneithersorrowsnorsufferingscanremove.God, inapassagewhichwehavealreadyquoted,says,"Though thou wash thee with nitre, and take theemuch soap, yetthine iniquity ismarked beforeme;" sorrows have nomore virtuethansoap,tearsthannitrehere.Trustnot,therefore, inanymerelyunsanctified afflictions, as if these could permanently and reallychangethetruecharacteroftheheart.

-Ihaveseenthecharactersofthewritingremainonpaperthattheflames had turned into a film of buoyant coal; - I have seen thethreadthathadbeenpassedthroughthefire,retain,initscoldgrayashes, the twistwhich it had got in spinning; - I have found everyshiveredsplinteroftheflintashardastheunbrokenstone:and,lettrials come, in providence, sharp as the fire and ponderous as thecrushinghammer,unlessGodsendwith these somethingelse thanthese,bruised,broken,bleedingastheheartmaybe, itremainsthesame.Youmayweepforyoursins;and,sinceallofushaveneedtoseek amore tender conscience, and that this too cold and callousheart were warmed and softened, sorry should I be to atop yourweeping.Shouldamoteofdustgetintothenaturaleye,theirritationinducedwillweepouttheevil;andso,inaway,withsininatenderandholyconscience.

Buttears—anoceanoftears—washnotouttheguiltofsin.Alltearsare lost that fall not at the feet of Jesus. But even the tearswhichbatheaSaviour'sfeetwashnotawayoursins.Whenfalling—flowingfastest,wearetorememberthatit isnotthetearsweshed,butthebloodheshed,whichisthepriceofpardon;andthatguiltysoulsarenowhere tobe cleansedbut in thatbathofbloodwhere the foulestarefreetowashandcertaintobecleansed.FromitscrimsonmarginaMagdaleneandaManassehhavegoneuptoglory;andsincetheirtimes,succeedingageshavebeendailyandmorefullyproving,thatgraceisstillfree,salvationstillfull,andthatstillthebloodofChristcleansethfromallsin.

"Thereisafountainfilledwithblood,DrawnfromEmmanuel'svein,Andsinnersplungedbeneaththatflood,Losealltheirguiltystains."

~endofchapter2~

ManSinning

WhenthehouseofIsraeldwelt intheirownland,theydefileditbytheirownway,andbytheirdoings—Ezekiel36:11.

"I HAVE dreamed a dream," said Joseph, "and behold the Sun,moon,andelevenstarsmadeobeisancetome."

Ourearthwasoncesupposed tooccupyaplaceofno lesshonor increation. Turning daily on its axis, and performing also an annualrevolutionroundthesun,ourglobeisinincessantmotion;butitwasoncebelievedthatitsstatewasoneofperfectrest,andthat,likethesmallpivotonwhichsomegreatwheelrevolves, it formedacenter,around which went rolling the whole machinery of heaven, thosesunsandplanets,bothfixedandwanderingstars.

ThisdreamofsciencemetahappierfatethanJoseph's;believedinthecredulousagesoftheworld'schildhood,itwasobstinatelyclungtoasanarticleof faithdown tonoverydistantperiod. It isnot sovery long ago since the telescope ofGalileo demonstrated that ourearth,whateverthePopemightsay,isasatelliteofthesun,andbutoneofmanyorbsthatrollaroundhim;andhebutoneofmanysuns,which,takingmillionsofyearstocompletetheircircle,revolveaboutsomegreatercenter.

Atsomeperiodprecedingthephilosopher'sdiscovery,thethroneof

Spainissaidtohavebeenoccupiedbyamanwhowasacuteenoughtoperceive,thatifallthesevastsystems,suns,planets,andcomets,were daily turning round this earth, then, in making the greatersubservienttotheless,theCreatoroftheuniversehadconstructedavery clumsy and cumbersome piece of mechanism. History haspreservedtheprofanelanguageofhisdissentfromthescienceofhisown day. It was something to the effect that if God had consultedhim when he made the worlds, they would have been betterdesigned.

Far be it from us, under any perplexity felt in contemplating themysterieseitherofcreationorprovidence,toquestionthewisdomofGod, to cherish a thought so daring, or utter an expression soprofane.Inhisdealingswithus,hiswaymaybeinthesea,andhispathinthemightywaters,andhisfootstepsnotknown;"byterriblethingsinrighteousness,"hemayanswerus.

Let him dash the cup from our hand, or fill it brimful of "wine ofastonishment," we shall never deem it right to think that God hasdonewrong.Whatever appearance of error hisways orworksmaypresent, be assured that the defect is not in the object, but in thespectator,intheeyethatsees,notinthethingthatisseen;notintheplans of infinitewisdom, but in the finite and falliblemind,whichhas the folly to condemn what it has not the understanding tocomprehend.

"Manifold are thyworks,LordGodAlmighty; inwisdomhast thoumadethemall."

SuchisthejudgmentofthePsalmist;andfromthisnoworkofGod'sso strongly tempts us to dissent as the condition and character ofmanhimself;andIknownowayofsowellmeetingthistemptationasbyreceivingintoourcreedthedoctrineoftheFall.

Ifwithsomewerejectthisdoctrine—ifweholdthatthechildrenarenot in any sense implicated in their parents' sin— then, in theprovidence of God, and in the government of the world, thereappearstobenothing—Ishallnotsaysodeficientinwisdom,butso

obscure, inscrutable, painfully and fearfully mysterious, as theposition, condition, and character of man; for, on the suppositionthatmanhasnever fallen—that thevessel isaspureandperfectaswhen it passed from the potter's hand—these questions are everrising,and,dismissthemaswemay,areeverreturning

-HowcouldagoodGodmakesuchawickedcreature?-HowcouldakindGodmakesuchanunhappycreature?-HowcouldawiseGodmakesuchafoolishcreature?-HowcouldaholyGodmakesuchasinfulcreature?If it is impossible forapurestreamtobebornofapolluted fountain, is it not as impossible to believe that a crystalfountain can be the parent of a polluted stream? If a clean thingcannot come out of an unclean, is not the conclusion as fair, aslogical, as inevitable, that an unclean thing cannot come out of aclean?

NowletusshuttheBible—excludeeveryrayofinspiredandcelestiallight; we stand in darkness and yet it seems to me like the deadsubstance,thedecayingwood,theputridanimalmatterwhichgrowsluminous through its decay, and emits in death a phosphorescentlight:by thehelpofman'sverycorruptionwehave lightenough tosee his fallen, dead, degraded state. Indeed, I would a thousandtimes sooner believe, thatmanmadehimselfwhat he is, than thatGodmadehimso;forintheonecaseIshouldthinkillofmanonly;intheotherIamtemptedtoblamehisMaker.

Justthink,Iprayyou,towhatconclusionourreasonwouldconductus in any analogous case. You see, for example, a beautiful capitalstill bearing some of the flowers and foliage which the chisel of amasterhadcarveduponthemarble.Itliesprostrateontheground,half-buriedamongweedsandnettles;whilebesideitthererisesfromits pedestal the headless shaft of a noble pillar. Would you notconclude at once that its present position, so base, mean, andprostrate,wasnotitsoriginalposition?Youwouldsaythelightningmusthavestruckitdown;oranearthquakehaveshakenit,orsomeignorantbarbarianhad climbed the shaft, andwith rudehandhadhurledittotheground.

Well, we look at man, and come to a similar conclusion. There issomething, there is much that is wrong, both in his state andcondition. His mind is carnal, and at enmity with God; the"imaginations of his heart are only evil continually," so says theBible.Hisbodyistheseatofdisease;hiseyesareoftenswimmingintears;care,anticipatingage,hasdrawndeepfurrowsonhisbrow;hepossessesnoblefaculties,but,likepeopleofhighdescent,whohavesunk into a low estate and become menials, they drudge in theserviceofthemeanestpassions.

He has an immortal soul, but it is clogged by the infirmities, andimprisonedwithinthewallsofa"bodyofdeath."Hislifeisvanity;heiseverseekinghappiness,butlikethechildwhopursuesthehorizon,chasestherainbow,orclimbsthehillstocatchthesilverymoon,heneverfindstheobjectofhissearch.

Insomerespects—manifestlymadeforaspherehigherthanhefills—heappearstouslikeacreatureoftheairwhichsomecruelhandhasstrippedofitssilkenwings.Howlikehelookstothishaplessobjectwhich has just fallen on the pages of a book that we read by thecandle on an autumn evening! it retains thewish, but has lost thepower to fly; alluredby the taper's glare, it has brushed the flame,burned its wings, and, dropping with a heavy fall, it now crawlswingless across the page, and seeks the finger ofmercy to end itsmisery.

Compare man with any of the other creatures of God, and howdirectly we come to the conclusion that he is not the creature hecamefromhisMaker'shands!

Whohasnothadthisborneinuponhismindwhenhisfeetcarriedhim forth into the fields of nature? I pass out among our sylvanscenes;andhere,onthesprayofthetasseledbroom,theresitsandsingsa littlebird; it fills theglenwithmelody; fromhis throatandthrobbingbreastheringsoutthesweetestmusic,aswithkeenbrighteyehenow looksup toGodandnowdownon thebushwherehismatesitswithwingsextendedovertheirunfeatherednestlings;withsongshecheershermaternalcares,andisthenawayonbusywingto

caterformotherandheryoung.

Next,Iturnmystepstotheopenmoor;andsosoonastheintruderappears on her lonely domain, the lapwing comes down upon thewind; brave and venturesome she sweeps us with her wing, andshrieksoutherdistressasshewheelsroundandroundourhead;herbroodarecoweringonthatnakedwaste;nordoessherestuntilourfootisofftheground,andeventhen,whenthecoastisclear,wehearherlong,wildscreams,likethebeatingofamother'sheartwhenherchildissaved;likethemournfuldashofwavesupontheshorelongafterthewindisdown.

Next I climb the mountain, when snowdrifts thick from murkyheavens,and, likeSatan, takingadvantageofabeliever's trials, thewily fox is out upon the hunt; everymother of the flock lies therewithhertenderlambbehindher;withherbodyshescreensitfromthe rudeness of the storm, and with her head to the wind, andexpanded nostrils snuffling the distant danger, she lies ready, themomenthereyecatchesthestealthyfoe,toreceivehimonherfeet,anddie,likeatruemother,inherlamb'sdefence.

SuchareGod'screatures.

The work is unmarred; the workmanship what it came from theMaker's hand; and away among these oldhoaryhills, remote fromman,hiscities,hissins,hisworks,hissorrows,weareoutofbearingof thegroansofcreation;and,but for thecorruptionwecarrywithandwithinus,wecouldalmostforgettheFall.

Stretchedonaflowerybank,withthehumofbees,thesongofbirds,and the chirp of themerry grasshopper in our ear, heaven sereneabove us, and beneath us the placid lake, where every flower andbushandbirchtreeoftherocklooksdownintothemirrorofitsownbeauty,themurmurofthewaterfallsoundstous,likeanechofromthecragsoftheCreator'svoice,"Allisverygood."

But let us retrace our steps along the dusty road from the broomwherethelittlebirdsings,andthemoorwherethelapwingscreams

hermaternalfears,andthebillwherethetimidsheepfacesthefoxtodie for her offspring; or the forest, where the bear with her cubsbehindher,offersher shaggybosom to the spear.Enter this town.Look at this mother, as we saw her when Sabbath bells rungworshipers toprayer, andGodwas calling sinners to the throneofmercy.Her back is against the church's wall; she has sunk on thecold pavement; her senses are steeped in drink, and on her lap—pitifulsight!liesanemaciated,half-nakedinfant,withthechill,coldrainsoakingitsscantyrags,andlashingitspallidface.IsthisGod'shandiwork?Isthistheclayasitcamefromthepotter'swheel?WasthistheshapeinwhichwomancamefromherMaker'shand?WhenAdamwoke,was ourmotherEve such as this her daughter? If so,better he had never woke; it had been good for him to be alone,Nature,tosaynothingofreligion,revoltsfromthethought.

Now, it iscommon,enoughtocall suchspectaclesbrutal; languagewhich is a libel on creation, and a blasphemy against the Creator,Such scenes arenot brutal.My very argument lies in this, that thebrute beasts never present themselves in such a repulsive andrevolting aspect.Under the impulse of instincts necessary for theirwell-being, for theduebalanceof races, and thegeneralwelfareoftheworld,theymay,andindeedmustpreyuponeachother;butdidanymaneverfindthemcommittingself-destruction?

Dotheyeverpursuesuchsuicidalconduct?Rangethewidefieldsofnature,travelfromtheequatortothepoles,risefromthewormthatcrawlsonearthtotheeaglethatcleavestheclouds,andwhereshallyoufindanythingcorrespondingtoourscenesofdissipation,orthebloodyfieldsofwar?Suppose,thatonhisreturnfromAfrica,somePark,orBruce,orCampbell,weretotellhowhehadseenthelionsofthe desert leave their prey, and,meeting face to face inmarshaledbands,amidroarsthatdrownedthethunder,engageindeadlybattle,hewouldfindnonesocredulousastobelievehim;theworldwouldlaughthetravelerandhistaletoscorn.Butshouldathingsostrangeandmonstrousoccur—shouldwesee thecattle,while theairshookwiththeirbellowings,andthegroundtrembledbeneaththeirhoofs,rush from their distant pastures, to form two vast, black, solid

columns;andshould theseherds,withheads leveled to thecharge,dash forward to bury their horns in each other's bodies,wewouldproclaimaprodigy,andaskwhatmadnesshadseizedcreation.Well,isnotsintheparentofmoreawfulprodigies?Lookhere—turntothehorrors of this battlefield. This is no fancy, but a fact—a bloody,sickeningfact.

Thegroundliesthickwiththemangledbrave;theairisshakenwiththemosthorriblesounds;everycountenanceexpressesthepassionsofafiend.Humanityfliesshrinkingfromthescene,andleavesittorage, revenge, and agony. Fiercer than the cannon's flash shootflames of wrath from brother's eyes; they sheathe their swords ineachother'sbowels:everystrokemakesawidow,andeveryringingvolleyscattersahundredorphansonahomelessworld.

Iwouldsoonerbelieve that therewasnoGodatall, than thatmanappears in this scene as he came from the hand of a benignantDivinity. Man must have fallen; nature, society, the state of theworld,aresomanyechoesofthevoiceofRevelation;theyproclaimthatman is fallen—that thegoldhasbecomedim— that themuchfine gold has perished; and, inwords towhichwe again turn yourattention, thatwe have defiled the land inwhichwe dwell, by ourways and by our doings. Now, leaving the subject of Original, tospeakofActualSin,weremark—

I.Apartfromderivedsinfulness,wehavepersonalsinstoanswerfor,Dispose of the doctrine of original sin as you please; suppose thatyoucoulddisproveit;whenthatcountoftheindictmentiscanceled,whathaveyougained?

Enough, more than enough, remains to convict us of guilt, andcondemnallwithinthesewalls.YoumaydenyOriginal,butcananymandenyActualSin?formightaswelldenyyourexistence;itstickstoyou likeyourshadow."Ifweshouldsay thatwehavenosin,wemakeGodaliar,andthetruthisnotinus."IsaywithGod,"Come,letusreasontogether,"Doyoumeantoaffirm,ontheonehand,thatyouhaveneverbeenguiltyofdoingwhatyoushouldnothavedone?or, on the other, never guilty of not doing what you should have

done?

Livesthereamansohappyas to lookbackonthepastandfeelnoremorse,orforwardtothefutureandfeelnofear?What?istherenopage of your history that youwould obliterate— no leaf that, withGod'spermissionyouwouldtearfromthebook?Istherenoaction,norword,norwishofdaysgoneby,thatyouwouldnot,ifyoucould,recall?ToDavid'sprayer,"Lord,remembernotthesinsofmyyouth,normytransgressions,"haveyounosolemnandheartyAmen?

If you could be carried back to the starting pest, and leant againagainst the cradle, and stood again at yourmother's knee, and satagainattheoldschooldesk,withcompanionsthatarenowchanged,orscattered,ordeadandgone—wereyoutobeginlifeanew—wouldyouruntheselfsamecourse;wouldyouliveovertheself-samelife?What!istherenospeechthatyouwouldunsay?istherenoactthatyouwouldundo?noSabbaththatyouwouldspendbetter?noneyetalive, nonemoldering in the grave, nonenow in heaven or hell, towhomyouwouldbearyourselfotherwisethanyouhavedone?

Are there none among the dead whose memory stings you, andwhoseeverlastingstatetillsyouwithanxiety?Didyounevershareinsins thatmayhaveproved their ruin?andnever fail in faithfulnessthatmight have saved their souls? Oh! if every thread of our webwereyettoweave,whatmanwouldmatethefutureafaithful—Iwilladd,fearfulcopyofthepast?

Iwillventuretosaythatnomanlivingwould;andthattheApostlehasuniversalconscienceonhisaide,whenhesays,"Ifwesaythatwehave no sin, we deceive ourselves," Our sins are more in numberthanthehairsuponourhead;andIknownolanguagenorattitudesobecomingus as those ofEzra,when, rendinghismantle, he felluponhiskneesandcried,"Oh,myGod,Iamashamed,andblushtolift up my face to thee; for our iniquities are increased over ourheada,andourtrespassisgoneupintotheheavens."

II.Theguiltoftheseactualsinsisourown."Hastthoueatenofthetree?"Godputs thequestion, andman replies, "Thewomanwhom

thougavest tobewithme, shegavemeof the tree, and Idid eat."Adam points an accusing finger at Eve, and turning round to thewoman,God says, "What is this that thouhast done?" She in turnlaystheblameontheserpent,saying,"Theserpentbeguiledme,andIdideat."Andthusandthustheyshiftthesin.Wehave"eatenofthetree;"and—unlessitbetorolltheguiltonChrist—weattemptinvaintoscreenourselvesbehindanother'sback—tolaytheburdenonanyshouldersbutourown.

There are strong pleas which the poor heathen may advance inextenuation of their guilt; and, stepping forward with someconfidencetojudgment—mayurgeuponajustandmercifulaswellasholyGod.

Theymaysay,weknewnobetter;nomancaredforoursouls.GreatGod!Whenthyfollowerslandedonourhappyshores,theybroughtnoolivebranchorBible,butfire,and.sword,andslavery;andontheback of those who, bearing thy name, oppressed us, robbed us,enslavedus,andleftustodieignorantofthylove,welayourguilt.

Letthemanswerforus;placetheseChristiansatthybar;askthem"whereisthybrotherAbel?"andontheirheads,notonours,letthydread justice fall.Thiswretched, raggedchild, thevictimof crueltyandneglect,wholeaveshungerandabedofstrawtostandatthebarofGod,mayliftuphisheadatthataugusttribunal,andstandonhisdefencewithmorecertaintybothofjusticeandpitythanhehasevermetherebelow.Incoldandnakedness,inhungerandthirst,inragsandignorance,hewaslefttowanderourhardstreets,and,amongalltheChristiansofthiscity,therewasnotonekindhandtoguidehisnakedfeettoSabbathchurchorinfantschool.

Poorwretch! The house of Godwas not for him; and now that headdressesonewhowillnotrefusetohearhim—childofmisfortune!—nowmayhesay,MercifulLord!Mymothertaughtmetosteal,myfather taughtme toswear.Howcould IobeyaBiblewhich Ineverlearned to read?Howcould Ibelieve in thee,whomnoone taughtmetoknow?

Saviourofsinners!Condemnmenot;howwasItoavoidsinsagainstwhich Iwasneverwarned? I did not knowwhat I did. Seizing thycross, I claimthebenefitof itsdyingprayer, "Father, forgivethem,fortheyknownotwhattheydo."

Whatvaluemaybegiventothesepleas—whatweighttheymaycarryat a tribunal where much will be exacted of those who have gotmuch,andlittleaskedwherelittlehasbeengiven—itisnotforustosay.

TheJudgeof all the earthwill do right.But thisweknow, thatwehavenosuchexcusetoplead.Nosuchpleatourgeinextenuationofoneofathousandofouroffences.Some,indeed,pleadtheirnaturalproneness to sin; they excuse themselves to conscience on thatground,oronthisorthatthetemptationbeforewhichtheyfell,fellon them with the suddenness and vehemence of a hurricane. Thecommand, however, to watch and pray leaves you without excuse.Youwerefullywarned,andshouldhavebeenontheoutlookforthewhitesquall.

Thesentinelisrighteouslyshotwhoallowshimselftosleepuponhispost. Supposing, however, that the plea were accepted; I repeat,enough,andmorethanenough,remainstocondemnus,andleavesguiltnorefugeoutofChrist.Wetalkofthestrengthandsuddennessof temptation; but how often have we sinned designedly,deliberately,repeatedly?Wetalkofourbiastosin;butwhohasnotcommitted sins that he could have avoided— sins which he couldhave abstained from, and sins which he did abstain from, when itservedsomepresentpurposetodoso?

This reeling sot and slave of drunkenness keeps sober at acommunion season; and the swearer, who alleges that he cannotrefrainfromoaths,putsabridleonhistongueinthepresenceofhisminister.It isuselessforthesinnertosaythatheissweptawaybytemptation; "he conceiveth mischief, and he bringeth forthfalsehood;"andifsweptaway,itisasthesuicidewhoseekstheriver,standsonitsbrink,and,leapingin,issweptofftohiswaterygrave.IknowthatSatangoesaboutseekingwhomhemaydevour;but,while

he tempts us, how often have we tempted him? Stealing onunawares, and, like a lion crouching to the leap, with sudden andunlookedforspringhemaycasthimselfuponus;buthowoftenhavewecastourselvesishisway?

WehavegonedowntoDelilah,wehavestoodinthewayofsinners,wehavesinnedwhenweknewthatweweresinning;wehavegonewhere we knew that we were to sin; and, in pursuit of its guiltypleasures—trampling conscience beneath our feet, and more thanthat, the body and blood of Jesus Christ—we have done what theheathenneverdid,whatSodomandGomorrahneverdid,whatTyreandSidonneverdid—wehaverejectedaSaviour,andmadlyrefusedeternallife.Thereishopeforusinthebloodofhiscross,butnoneinitsprayer.Weknewwhatwedid.

Some years ago, on a great public occasion, a distinguishedstatesmanroseup in thepresenceofassembled thousands, and, inreply to certain calumnious and dishonorable charges, raised hishands in the vast assembly, exclaiming, "These hands are clean."Now,ifyouorI,oranyofourfallenracedidentertainahopethatwecould act over this scene before God in judgment, I couldcomprehend the calm and unimpassioned indifference with whichmensit inchurchonsuccessiveSabbaths, eye the crossofCalvary,andlistentotheoverturesofmercy.

Arethesematterswithwhichyouhavenothingtodo?If,indeed,youhavenosinstoanswerfor—ifbeforethisworld'sgreatassizeyouareprepared not only to plead, but to prove your innocence—ifconscienceaccusesyou innothing,andexcusesyou ineverything—thensleepon,inGod'snamesleepon,andtakeyourrest.Butwhenthe heavens over men are clothed in thunders, and hell yawnsbeneath their feet, and both God's law and their own consciencecondemnthem,suchindifferenceismadness!

Beware!Playwithno fire; leastofall,with fireunquenchable.Playwithnoedgedsword;leastofall,withthatwhichJusticesheathedinaSaviour'sbosom.Delaybythemouthofnopit;leastofall,onthebrink of a bottomless one, the smoke of whoso torment goeth up

forever and ever. Think of those things. Incalculable issues are atstake;youreverlastingdestinymayturnuponthishour.

Do you feel under condemnation? Are you really anxious to besaved?Benot turned fromyourpurposeby the jeersand tauntsoftheungodly.Itisaverycommonthingwithscoffers,andwiththosewhosetheirreligionasacloakalwayswornloosely,noreverdrawncloselyround,save,sotospeak,ininclementweather,whendistresstroubles,ordeathalarms them; it isnouncommonthing toeyeallmen of zealous duty with cold suspicion, and represent them aseitherroguesorfools,fanaticsorhypocrites.

Inanswertothechargeofweaknessorfolly,IthinkIcouldproduceanarrayofbrilliant and immortal names—names ofmen inwhomduty has been associated with the highest intellect, the loftiestgenius,themostprofoundandstatesman-likesagacity—menbesideswhommostofyourscoffers,skeptics,andworldlingswereasdwarfsinthecompanyofgiants.

Folly!ifChristiansreallysucharechargeablewithanyfolly,itiswiththatofnotbeingzealousenough—withthatofbeing,nottoomuch,but too little religious. In the name both of common sense andreligion, Iask, is itpossible, if therebeahell, tobe tooanxious toescape it? If men are perishing, how can I, with my children,brothers,sisters,friendsintheburning,betooanxioustosavethem?The man who rises at mirk midnight to quench the flames in aneighbor's house, is no fool surely; but he who can coolly eat hismeals beside the sea or go singing about his common avocationsalongtheshore,whenthewreckisinhiseye,andtheroarofthesurfand the shrieks of the drowning are in his ear, he is a fool, orsomethingworse.

As to the insinuationofgeneralhypocrisy, thewretchedchargegotup against all religion, when some specious professor standsunmaskedbeforetheworld,howabsurditis!Istherenograininourbarnyards,becausethereissomuchchaff?Areallpatriots—Wallaceand the Bruce, Tell, Kussel, and Washington—deceivers and liars,becausesomemenhavevillainouslybetrayedtheircountry?Isthere

nohonorintheBritisharmy,becausesomesoldiers,thesweepingsprobably of our city streets, have left the lines, and leaped thetrenches,anddesertedtotheenemy?

IstherenointegrityamongBritishmerchants,becausenowandthenwe hear of a fraudulent bankruptcy? Because some religiousprofessors prove hypocrites, is therefore all ardent piety hollowhypocrisy?Toreasonso,argueseitheradisorderedintellectoraverydepraved heart—is a conclusion, indeed, as contrary to logic as tolove.Whenwerehypocriteseverknowntosufferfortheirprinciples?YetisthereacountryinChristendomthathasnotbeenstrewedthickwith the ashes and dyed red with the blood ofmartyrs? Have nottheir heads in ghastly rows stood on our city gates? Two hundredyearsago,and thewindowsof theveryhouses still standing roundthischurchwerecrowdedwitheager faces, taking their last lookofmenwhowentwithfirmstepandloftycarriagetodieforprinciple—lovingChristmorethantheirlives,andready,asonesaidbeforetheythrew him off—had they as many lives as they had hairs on theirhead,tolaythemalldownforChrist.

Religion isanhonest thing,and truewisdom.Godworking inyou,workout thereforeyoursalvation.Theway to the refuge liesopen;withthefeetofAzazelhastetoJesus.

Once in him, you can turn on the avenger, saying, I fear thee not;herethoucomest,butnofarther;thisblood-redlinethoucanstnotpass—"ThereisthereforenownocondemnationforthemwhoareinChristJesus."

Doyouseethatsinstainsyourholiestservices,defilinghead,heart,hands, feet—thewholeman?Haste to the fountainwhere sins arelost and souls are cleansed. With its base ingratitude to yourheavenlyFather—with thewounds ithas inflictedonamost lovingSaviour—withthegriefithascaused,andtheresistanceithasmade,toamostgentleandHolySpirit—withthedeepinjuriesithasdonetoyourownsoul,andsoulswhich,loving,youshouldhavesoughttosave—Oh, let sin be your deepest sorrow, your heaviest grief, thespringofmanytears,theburdenofmanysighs,theoccasionofdaily

visitstothecrossofCalvary.

"Weep not for broad lands lost; Weep not for fair hopes crossed;Weep notwhen limbswax old;Weep notwhen friends grow cold;Weep not, that death must part Thine and the best-loved heart;Weep,weep—weep all thou can—Weep,weep, because thou art Asin-defiledman."

~endofchapter3~

ManSuffering

WhereforeIpouredmyfuryuponthemforthebloodthattheyhadshedupontheland,andfortheiridolswherewiththeyhadpollutedit:AndIscatteredthemamongtheheathen,andtheyweredispersedthroughthecountries:accordingtotheirwayandaccordingtotheirdoingsIjudgedthem(Ezekiel36:18-19).

Itappearsaveryeasythingtosaywhataplantoranimalis.Itisnotso.There aremyriadsof living creatures that occupy thedebatablegroundbetweenthevegetableandanimalkingdoms,andnaturalistshavenotyetdeterminedonwhichsideofthebordertoassignthemaplace—whethertorankthemamongplantsoranimals.

What is man? You would think it an easy thing to answer thatquestion;yetIamnotsurethat,evenatthisday,wehaveanycorrectdefinition which— distinguishing him on the one hand from theangelicraceandontheotherhandfromthehigherordersofinferiorcreatures—isatoncebriefandcomprehensive.Now,itwehavesuchdifficulty in defining even ourselves, or those objects that, beingpatent to the senses, may be made the subject of searching andprolongedexperiment,weneednotwonderthat,whenweriseabovehis works to their Maker, from things finite to things infinite, itshouldbefoundmucheasiertoaskthananswerthequestion,"WhatisGod?"

The telescopebywhichwe conversewith the stars, themicroscope

which unveil the secrets of nature, the crucible of the chemist, theknifeoftheanatomist,thereflectivefacultiesofthephilosopher,allthecommoninstrumentsofscienceavailnothere.Onthethresholdofthatimpenetrablemystery,fromoutthecloudsanddarknessthatare round about God's throne, a voice arrests our steps; and thequestioncomes,"WhocanbysearchingfindoutGod,whocanfindouttheAlmightytoperfection?"

Divines,notwithstanding,haveventuredonadefinitionofGod;and,accordingtotheCatechismoftheWestminsterAssembly,"Godisaspirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom,power,holiness,justice,goodness,andtruth."Averycomprehensivedefinition,nodoubt;yetdiditneverstrikeyouasstrange,thatthereis no mention of love here, and that that is a very remarkableomission?

Anomissionasremarkableasifamanwhodescribedthefirmamentwere to leave out the sun, or, painting the human face, made itsightless, and gave no place on the canvas to those beaming eyeswhichgivelifeandanimationtothefeatures.

Whydid an assembly, forpiety, learning, and talents, the greatest,perhaps, that evermet in England, or anywhere else, give us thatcatalogueof thedivineattributes,anddenyaplaceamongthemtolove?Wethinktheomissionmaybethusexplainedandillustrated.

Takeaglobe,andobservingtheirnaturalorder,layonitssurfacethecolorsoftherainbow;gaveitarapidmotionrounditsaxis;andnowyouno longer secblue, red, yellow,and theothers.As ifbymagic,thewhirlingspherechangesintopurestwhite,presentingtooureyesandunderstandingavisibleproofthatthesunbeamisnotasimple,but compound body, woven of various rays, and forming, whenblendedintoone,whatwecalllight.

Now, may it not be, that these divines make no mention of love(otherwiseanunaccountableomission)justbecausetheyheldthatasallthecolorstogethermakelight,soalltheattributesactingtogethermake love; and that thug, because God is justice, is wisdom, is

power, is holiness, is goodness, and is truth, God therefore ofnecessity,andintheexpresswordsofJohn,"Godislove."

This is thebriefest andbest definitionofDivinity, andwouldhavebeenJohn'sanswertothequestion,"WhatisGod?"

Itmaybesaid,and isnodoubt true, thatobjects takeacolor fromtheeyesthat lookat them;all things—sun,andsea,andmountainslookyellowtothejaundicedeye;allthingslookgloomytoagloomymind;whileacheerfultempergildstheedgesoflife'sblackestcloud,and flings a path of light across a sea of danger; contentment sitsdowntoacrustofbreadandacupofwater,andgivesGodthanks;andtheplainestpersonisbeautifulintheeyesoffondaffection.

Now it may be thought, to John's loving eye, his heavenly Fatherseemed so lovingand so lovely, that itwas verynatural for him togive thecolorofhisowneyes to thisdivineobject,andsay,God islove. But it is to be remembered, that when he gave this shortest,sweetest definition of divinity, he was not painting objects only astheyappearedtohim;hewasapeninthehandofinspiration—likethekeysofamusical instrument,he sounded to themovementsofanother'swill,andthetouchofanother'sfinger;andthat—oneoftheholymenofold,whospakeastheyweremovedbytheHolyGhost—it was not he, but God himself, who thus described and definedhimself, "God is love"; then thatGod is love, itmaybeasked,howdoes thatharmonizewith the text?How is it to be reconciledwithwordswhereGodrepresentshimselfaspouringdownhisfurylikeathundershower,and,scatteringhispeople,inastormofindignation,aslightandworthlesschaffblownawayuponthewind.How,itmaybeasked,doesthisconsistwithGod'sloveandmercy?

Now,thereisnogreatermistakethantosupposethatGod,asaGodofjusticeandaGodofmercy,standsinantagonismtohimself.Itisnot mercy, but injustice, which is irreconcilable with justice. It iscruelty,notjustice,thatstandsopposedtomercy.

These attributes of the Godhead are not 'contrary the one to theother,'asarelightanddarkness,fireandwater,truthandfalsehood,

right andwrong. No; like two streamswhich unite theirwaters toformacommonriver,justiceandmercyarecombinedintheworkofredemption.

Likethetwocherubimswhosewingsmetabovetheark—likethetwodevout and holy men who drew the nails from Christ's body, andbore it to the grave—like the two angelswho received it in charge,and, seated, the one at the head, the other at the feet, kept silentwatchovertheprecioustreasure—justiceandmercyareassociatedintheworkofChrist;theyarethesupportersoftheshieldonwhichthecrossisemblazoned;theysustainthearmsofourheavenlyAdvocate;theyformthetwosolidandeternalpillarsoftheMediator'sthrone.OnCalvarymercyandtruthmeettogether,righteousnessandpeaceembraceeachother.

Theseremarksmayprepareourminds forenteringwithadvantageonthesolemnsubjectofGod'spunitivejustice;but,ereweopentheprison, and look down into the pit, I would further bespeak yourcandidandaffectionateconsiderationoftheveryaffectingandawfulsubject,byremarking—

I.ThatGodisslowtopunish."Heexecutethnot judgmentspeedilyagainst the workers of iniquity." He does punish; he shall punish;withreverencebeitspoken,hemustpunish.

Yet no hand of clock goes so slow asGod's hand of vengeance.Ofthat,theworld,thiscity,andthischurch,arewitnesses;eachandall,speaker and hearer, are living witnesses. It is too common tooverlookthis fact;and,overlookingthekindness, longsufferingandwarningswhichprecedethepunishment,wearetooapttogivethepunishment itself our exclusive attention. We see his kindnessimpressedonallhisworks.Eventheliongrowlsbeforeheleaps,andbeforethesnakestrikesshespringsherrattle.

Look, for example,on the catastropheof theDeluge.Wemayhaveourattentionsoengrossedbythedreadandawfulcharacterof thisjudgment, as to overlook all that preceded it, and see nothing butthesedevouringwaters.

Thewaters rise till rivers swell into lakes, and lakes into seas, andalongfertileplainstheseastretchesoutherarmstoseizetheirflyingpopulation.Still thewatersrise;andnow,mingledwithbeaststhatterrorhastamed,menclimbtothemountaintops,thefloodroaringattheirheels.

-Stillthewatersrise;andnoweachsummitstandsabovethemlikeaseparateandsea-girtisle.-Stillthewatersrise;and,crowdingcloseronthenarrowspacesoftheirlesseningtops,menandbeastsfightforstandingroom.-Still thethundersroarandthewatersrise, till thelastsurvivoroftheshriekingcrowdiswashedoff,andtheheadofthehighestAlpgoesdownbeneaththewave.Andnowthewatersrisenomore;God'sservanthasdonehiswork;herestsfromhislabors;and,alllanddrowned—alllifedestroyed—anawfulsilencereigning,andashorelessoceanrolling.

Deathforoncehasnothingtodo,butrideintriumphonthetopofsomegiantbillow,which,meetingnocoast,nocontinent,noAlp,noAndes,tobreakupon,sweepsroundandroundtheworld.

Westandaghastatthisscene;and,asthecorpsesofgentlechildrenandsweetinfantsarefloatingby,weexclaim,"HasGodforgottentobegracious...ishismercycleangoneforever?"No;assuredlynot.Where,then,ishismercy?Lookhere;lookatthisarkwhich,steeredby an invisible hand, comes dimly through the gloom. That lonelyshiponashorelessseacarriesmercyonboard;andwithinwallsthatare pitchedwithout andwithin, she holds the costliest freight thateversailedthesea.Thegermsofthechurcharethere—thepatriarchsof the old world, and the fathers of the new. Suddenly, amid theawful gloom, as she drifts over that dead and silent sea, a gratingnoise isheard; shehas groundedon the topofArarat.Thedoor isopened; and beneath the sign of the olive branch, they come forthfrom their baptismal burial, like life from the dead—like soulspassingfromnatureintoastateofgrace—likethesaintswhentheyshallriseatthesummonsofthetrumpettobeholdanewheavenandanewearth,and to see the sign,which these "gray fathers"hailed,encirclingtheheadthatwascrownedwiththorns.

Nor is thisall,ourHeavenlyFather's character isdear tous;and Imustremindyouthateremercyflew, likethedove,tothatasylum,shehadswepttheworldwithherwings.Weretherebuteight,onlyeightsaved?Therewerethousands,millionssought.NorisitjusticetoGod to forget how long a period of patience, andpreaching andwarning, and compassion, preceded that dreadful deluge. Longbefore the lightning flashed from angry heavens; long beforethundersrolledalongdissolvingskies;longbeforethecloudsraineddowndeath; longbeforethefloorandsolidpavementof thisearth,under theprodigiousagenciesatwork,brokeup, like thedeckofaleakingship,and thewaters rushed frombelow tomeet thewatersfromabove,andsinkaguiltyworld; longbefore the timewhentheark floated away by tower and town, and those crowded hill-tops,where frantic groups had clustered, and amid prayers and curses,andshrieksandshouts,hungouttheirsignalsofdistress—verylongbeforethis,Godhadbeencallinganimpenitentworldtorepentance.

Had they no warning in Noah's preaching? Was there nothing toalarmthemintheverysightofthearkasstoryroseuponstory;andnothinginthesoundofthoseceaselesshammerstowakenallbutthedead? It was not tillMercy's arm grewweary ringing the warninghell,that,tousethewordsofmytext,God"pouredouthisfury"onthem. I appeal to the story of this awful judgment. True, for fortydaysitrainedincessantly,andforonehundredandfiftydaysmore"the waters prevailed on the earth;" but while the period of God'sjusticeisreckonedbydays,theperiodofhislongsufferingwasdrawnout into years; and there was a truce of one hundred and twentyyears between the first stroke of the bell and the first crash of thethunder. Noah grew gray preaching repentance. The ark stooduselessforyears,ahugelaughingstockforthescoffer'swit; itstoodtill itwas coveredwith themarks of age, and its builderswith thecontemptoftheworld;andmanyasneerhadthesementobear,as,pointing to the sereneheavens above and an empty ark below, thequestionwasput,"Whereisthepromiseofhiscoming?"

MostpatientGod!Then,asnow,thouwertslowtopunish—"waitingtobegracious."

Asthatcatastropheandmanyotherjudgmentsprove—heisslowtoanger.Godpouredouthisfury;buthisindignationwasthevolcanothatgroansfordaysbeforeitdischargestheelementsofdestruction,and pours out its lavas on the vineyards at its feet. Where, whenGod's anger has burned hottest, was it ever known that judgmenttrodontheheelsofsin?

Aperiodalwaysintervenes;roomisgivenforremonstranceonGod'spart, and repentanceuponours.The strokeof judgment is indeed,like the stroke of lightning, irresistible, fatal; it kills— Skills in thetwinklingofaneye.Butthecloudsfromwhichitflashesareslowtogather,andthickenbydegrees;andhemustbedeeplyengagedwiththepleasures,orengrossed in thebusinessof theworld,whomtheflashandpealsurprise.Thegatheringclouds,thedeepeninggloom,thestillandsultryair,theawfulsilence,thebigpatteringraindrops—these revealhisdanger to the traveler, andwarnhim from river,road,orhill,tothenearestrefuge.

Heededorunheeded,manyarethewarningsyougetfromGod.Hehas"nopleasureinthedeathof thewicked;"he is"notwillingthatanyshouldperish,but thatall should turn tohimand live;andnoman ever yet went to hell, but trampling under foot ten thousandwarnings—tentimestenthousandmercies.

Whatever injusticemenmaydo themselves—however reckless theymay cast away salvation and their souls, I demand justice for himwhoseambassadorIam—forthesemysteriesofsalvationofwhichIamasteward.Nodoubthesays,"Ipouredoutmyfuryuponthem;"butwhenwasthisdone?Nottilldivinepatiencewasexhausted,andasuccessionofservantshadbeencommissionedtowarn,topreach,andpleadwiththem.

RememberthewordsofaweepingSaviour,ashelookedonthecityfromthetopofOlivet—

"O,Jerusalem,Jerusalem,thouthatkillesttheprophets,andstonestthemwhicharesentuntothee,howoftenwouldIhavegatheredthychildren together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her

wings,andyewouldnot!"

Couldlanguagefurnishtermsmoretenderorpatheticthanthese?Orthose, in which God pours forth his affection for this very people—"WhenIsraelwasachild,thenIlovedhim:ItaughtEphraimalsoto go: taking themby their arms, I drew themwith the cords of aman,andwithbondsoflove?"

Thislanguagecarriesusintothetenderestscenesofdomesticlife;itremindsusofamother,who,whentellingushowonechildhadbeenblightedinthebud,andhowanotherhadstrayedfromthepathsofvirtue,andhowallthesweetflowersofherhomehadwitheredaway,bitterly looked back on departed joys, and cried, as shewrung herhands in a lonely cottage—"Ah! thesewere happy days,when theywerechildrenatmyknee."

Like a father who hangs over some unworthy son, and, while hisheartistornbycontendingemotions,hesitateswhattodo—whetheronceandforever todismisshim,or togivehimanother trial—it ismost touching to see God bending over sinners, and this flood ofmeltingpathosburstingfromhisheart—

"HowshallIgivetheeup,Ephraim?howshallIdeliverthee,Israel?How shall Imake thee asAdmah,how shall I set thee asZeboim?Mineheartisturnedwithinme;myrepentingsarekindledtogether.Iwillnot execute the fiercenessofmineanger; Iwill not return todestroyEphraim,forIamGodandnotman."

Let us do the same justice to our Father in heaven that wewouldrendertoanearthlyparent.Woulditbedoingafatherjusticetolookathimonlywhentherodisraisedinhishand,andthechildisonhisknees,andalthoughthetremblinglip,andweepingeyes,andchokedutteranceofhisboy,andafondmother'sintercessionalso,allpleadwithhimtospare,herefuses.Inthis,howsternhelooks!Butbeforeyou can know that father, or judge his heart aright, you ought toknowhowoftenere this theoffencehadbeen forgiven;youshouldhaveheardwithwhattenderaffectionhehadwarnedhischild;andaboveall,youshouldhavestoodat thebackofhisclosetdoor,and

listenedwhenhepleadedwithGodinhisbehalf.

Justice to him requires, that you should have seenwithwhat slowand lingering stepshewent for the rod, the tremblingofhishand,and how, as the tears fell fromhis eye, he raised it to heaven andsought strength to inflict a punishmentwhich,were it to serve thepurpose,hewouldahundredtimessoonerbearthaninflict.

When— nursing his rage for months, and coolly planning theatrociousmurder—Absalomslewhisbrother,Davidwassoshockedat thishorriblecrime, that,althoughhepermittedhimtoreturn toJerusalem,yetfortwowholeyearsherefusedtoseehim.Hisson,hiseldest son, his favorite son, he would hold no intercourse withAbsalom,norspeaktohim,norlookonhim.Woulditbe justicetoDavidtoconfineourattentiontothis?

Under that averted eye, and cold and stern aspect, what a heart!Goaded on by ambition, this guilty Son next aims a blow at hisfather's life, and falls; then the fountains of the great deep areopened, and what a flood of feeling!What is it now to David, hiscrownissafe,histhronesecure?Absalomisdead!"OhAbsalom!myson,mysonAbsalom!wouldGodIhaddiedforthee.OhAbsalom,myson,myson!"And,wouldwedoourheavenlyfatherjustice,wemustlookonCalvaryaswellasonEden,TheSonofGodindeeddoesnotgoupanddownheavenweeping,wringinghishands,and,totheamazement of silent angels, crying,WouldGod that I haddied forman!

Amoreamazingspectacle ishere.Heturnshisbackonheaven;heleaves the bosom and happy fellowship of his Father, he bares hisownbreasttotheswordofjustice,andinthedepthsofalovenevertobefathomed,hediesonthataccursedtree,"thejustfortheunjustthatwemightbesaved!"

Through this vestibule of love, mercy, and longsuffering, we havethought it well to introduce you into the scenes of God's punitivejustice. It is on iron, softenedby theglowing fire, that impressionsaremadeandleft;andexpectinggoodonlywhenwhatisterribleis

associated with what is tender, we have thought it well that youshouldseeattheveryoutsethowslowGodistosmite,howswifttosave.Swiftflythewingsofmercy.Slowgoesthehandofjustice;likethe shadow on the sun-dial, ever moving, yet creeping slowly on,withamotionallbutimperceptible.Stillletsinnersstandinawe.

The hand of justice has not stopped; although imperceptibly, itsteadily advances; by and by, having reached the tenth, eleventh,twelfthhour,thebellstrikes.Then,unlessyounowfleetoChrist,theblow which was so slow to fall, shall descend on the head ofimpenitencewithaccumulated force.Let itneverbe forgotten, thatalthoughGod'spatienceislasting,itisnoteverlasting.

Observe—

II. How he punished his ancient people. This is furnished to ourhandinmanyportionsofScripture.Forexample,"Now,becauseyehave done all these works, saith the Lord, and I spake unto you,risingupearlyandspeaking,butyeheardnot;andIcalledyou,butyeanswerednot; thereforewillIdountothishousewhichiscalledbymyname,whereinyetrust,anduntotheplacewhichIgavetoyouandtoyourfathers,asIhavedonetoShiloh.

"And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all yourbrethren,eventhewholeseedofAbraham.Therefore,praynotthouforthispeople,neitherliftupcrynorprayerforthem,neithermakeintercession to me; for I will not hear thee. The carcasses of thispeopleshallbemeatforthefowlsoftheheaven,andforthebeastsoftheearth;andnoneshallfraythemaway.ThenwillIcausetoceasefromthecitiesofJudah,andfromthestreetsofJerusalem,thevoiceofmirth,andthevoiceofgladness,thevoiceofthebridegroom,andthevoiceof thebride; for the landshallbedesolate . . .Anddeathshallbechosenratherthanlifebyalltheresidueofthemthatremainof this evil family, which remain in all the places whither I havedriventhem,saiththeLordofHosts...Iwillsurelyconsumethem,saiththeLord;thereshallbenograpesonthevine,norfigsonthefigtree,andtheleafshallfade;andthethingsthatIhavegiventhemshall pass away from them . . . The Lord our God hath put us to

silence,andgivenuswaterofgalltodrink,becausewehavesinnedagainsttheLord.Welookedforpeace,butnogoodcame;andforatimeofhealth, and behold trouble! The snorting of his horseswasheard from Dan; the whole land trembled at the sound of theneighing of his strong ones: for they are come, andhave devouredtheland,andallthatisinit,thecity,andthosethatdwelltherein...Theharvestispast,thesummerisended,andwearenotsaved.Iamblack; astonishment hath taken hold on me. Is there no balm inGilead?Istherenophysicianthere?Why,then, isnotthehealthofthedaughterofmypeoplerecovered?"

ThesewerethechildrenofAbraham,belovedforthefather'ssake—thesoledepositoriesofdivinetruth—God'schosenpeople,throughwhose line and lineage his Sonwas to appear. How solemn, then,andhowappropriatethequestion—"Ifsuchthingsweredoneinthegreentree,whatshallbedoneinthedry?"

Look at Judah sitting amid the ruins of Jerusalem, her templewithoutaworshiper, andher streets chokedwith thedead: lookatthatbound,weeping,bleeding remnantof thenation toiling,on itswaytoBabylon:lookatthesebroken,peeled,rivenboughs;andmayI not warn you with the Apostle—"If God spared not the naturalbranches,takeheedlesthesparenotthee."

We have seen an ancient mirror from the sepulchers of Egypt, inwhich, some three thousandyears ago, the swathedandmummiedform beside whose dust it lay looked upon her face, to nurse hervanity,ormournherdeformity.

Intheversesquotedwehaveamirrorwellnighasold,inwhichtheprophet showedGod's ancient people their likeness and their sins;andwhen I take it from thedeadman'shand, tohold itupbeforeyou,donotsomeofyourecognize,inthefeatureswhichitpresents,those of your own state and character? Are they not to be seen insuchwordsasthese,forinstance—"Ispakeuntoyou,risingupearly,butyeheardnot;Icalledyou,butyeanswerednot:"orthese—"Theharvestispast,thesummerisended,andwearenotsaved."

Arenoneofusthedegenerateplantsofanoblevine?Aretherenoneof uswho, although trained to respect the Sabbath, have forgottenthe lessonofourchildhood?nonewithapictureof theirearlydaysyet fresh inmemory, that exhibits a venerable father bending overthe Bible, and, with his family around him, leading the domesticdevotions,whohavethemselvesnoaltarintheirhomes;—whohaveahouse, but no household God? Have none of us defrauded ourchildren, not of ancestral lands, but of what is infinitely morevaluable, an ancestral piety? On the walls of many a house fromwhich piety has been expelledmaywenot read thewords— "Theydidworsethantheirfathers?"

If we speak thus, it is for your good.Wewould not arm ourselveswiththeseharshthundersofthelaw,except,inthewordsofPaul,"topersuadeyoubytheterrorsoftheLord."Wehavenofaithinterrordisassociated from tenderness. Trusting more to the process ofdrawingthandrivingmentoJesus,weprayyou toobserve thathewhoisthegoodisalsoamosttenderShepherd.

AmongthehillsofournativelandIhavemetashepherdfarfromthefolds,drivinghomealostsheep—onewhichhad"goneastray"—asacreature panting for breath, amazed, alarmed, foot sore; andwhenthe rocks around rang loud to the baying of the dogs, I have seenthem,whenever it offered to turn from the path,with openmouthdashing fiercely at its sides, and thus hounding it home. Howdifferently Jesus brings home his lost ones! The lost sheep soughtandfound,heliftsit,tenderlylaysitonhisshoulder,and,retracinghissteps,returnswithjoy,andinviteshisneighborstorejoicealongwithhim.

The"greenpastures"wherehefeedshisflock,therocksunderwhosegratefulshadowstheyreposeinnoontideoftheday,thefloweryandfragrantbanksofthestreamswheretheydrink,aredisturbedbynosoundsofviolencenorvoiceofterror.

Yea;Jesusruleshisflockbylove,notbyfear;andamidtheholycalmofsweetSabbathmornings,gentleofcountenance,hemaybeseenattheir head, conducting them forth to pastures sparkling with the

dewsofheaven,somesweetlambinhisarms,itsmotherathisside,andallhisflockbehindhim;hisrodtheirguard,andhisvoicetheirguide.Catchinggracefromhislips,andtendernessfromhislooks,Iwouldspeak toyouasbecomes theservantof suchagentle, lowly,lovingMaster.Yet,shallIconcealGod'sverity,andruinmen'ssoulstosparetheirfeelings?ShallIsacrificetruthattheshrineofafalsepoliteness?

To hide what Jesus revealed were not to bemore tender, but lessfaithful thanHe.If thetasteof thesedaysweresodegenerateas tofrowndown thehonestpreacherwho shouldpronounce that awfulword"Hell,"andleavehimtovacantpews,itwerebetter,farbetter,thathe shouldbeas "onecrying in thewilderness,"andgettingnoresponse but the echo of empty walls, than that he should fail inproclaiming"thewholecounselofGod."Apart fromyour interests,and looking only atmy own, how could I otherwise hold up thesehands,andsay,"Theyarecleanfromthebloodofallmen?"

Howotherwisecould thepreacher turn fromhisunhappyheadtheBible'sclosingcurse—"Ifanymanshalltakeawayfromthewordsofthis book, God shall take away his part out of the book of life."Regard to myself, to you— regard to a gracious God, to a blessedSaviour— regard to all that is precious, solemn, sacred, eternal—thesenowcompelme,althoughwithtremblinghands,toliftthevail.

If any are livingwithout God, and hope, and Christ, and prayer, Iimplore themto lookhere: turnto thisdreadfulpit.Howitgleamswithfire!Howitresoundswithwoefulgroans!Now,whenwestandtogetheronitsmargin,orrathershrinkbackwithhorror,lookthere,andsay,"Whocanliedownineverlastingburnings?"

It is alleged by travelers, that the ostrich, when pursued by itshunters,willthrustitsheadintoabush,and,withoutfurtherattempteither at flight or resistance, quietly submit to the stroke of death.Mensaythat,havingthussucceededinshuttingthepursuersoutofitsownsight,thebirdisstupidenoughtofancythatithasshutitselfout of theirs, and that the danger,which it has concealed from itseyes, has ceased to exist.We doubt that. Godmakes nomistakes;

and,guidedastheloweranimalsareinalltheirinstinctsbyinfiniteWisdom, I fancy that a more correct knowledge of that creaturewouldshow,thatwhateverstupiditytheremaybeinthematter,liesnotinthepoorbird,butinman'srashconclusionregardingit.Mantrusts to hopes which fail him: the spider never; she commits herweighttonothreadwhichshehasspun,tillshehaspulledonitwithherarms,andproveditsstrength.

Misfortune overtakes man unprovided and unprepared for it: notwinterthebusybee.Amidtheblazeofgospel light,manmisseshisroadtoheaven:withoutanylightwhatever,inthedarkestnight,theswallowscleavetheirwaythroughthepathlessair,returningtothewindow-nookwhere they were nestled; and through the depths ofocean the fish steer their course back to the riverwhere theywerespawned.

If wewould find folly, Solomon tells us where to seek it:—"Folly,"saysthewiseman,"isboundupintheheartofachild;"andwhatisfoldedupthere,likeleavesintheirbud,blowsoutinthedeedsandhabits of men. This poor bird, which has thrust its head into thebush, and stands quietly to receive the shot, has been hunted todeath.Forhoursthecryof itspursuershasrungin itsstartledear;for hours their feet have been on itsweary track; it has exhaustedstrength,andbreath,andcraft,andcunning,toescape;andevenyet,giveittimetobreathe—giveitanotherchance—andit isawaywiththe wind; and with wings outspread, on rapid feet it spurns theburning sand. It is because escape is hopeless anddeath is certainthat it has buried its head in that bush, and shut its eyes to a fatewhichitcannotavert.

Toman—rationalandresponsibleman—belongsthefollyofclosinghiseyestoafatewhichhemayavert,andthrustinghisheadintothebushwhile escape is possible; and, because he can put death, andjudgment,andeternityoutofmind,livingasiftherewereneitherabedofdeathnorbarofjudgment.

Bewise: bemen. Look your danger in the face.Anticipate the daywhenyoushallbeholdaGodinjudgmentandaworldinflames;and

nowfleetoJesusfromthewrathtocome.Tocome!Inasensewrathhasalreadycome.Thefirehascaught, ithasseizedyourgarments;you are in flames. Oh! away then, and cast yourselves into thatfountain which has power to quench these fires, and cleanse youfromallyoursins.

~endofchapter4~

God'sPunitiveJustice

WhereforeIpouredmyfuryuponthemforthebloodthattheyhadshedupontheland,andfortheiridolswherewiththeyhadpollutedit:AndIscatteredthemamongtheheathen,andtheyweredispersedthroughthecountries:accordingtotheirwayandaccordingtotheirdoingsIjudgedthem(Ezekiel36:18-19).

Thedankmossyswardisdeceitful:itsfreshandglossycarpetinvitesthetravelertoleavetheroughmoorlandtrack;and,atthefirststep,horseandriderareburiedinthemorass.Theseaisdeceitful.Whatrage, what furious passions sleep in that placid bosom! and howoften—asViceservesherused-upvictims—doesshe throwthebarkthatshereceivedintoherwantonarms,awreckupontheshore.Themorning is oft deceitful. With bright promise of a brilliant day itluresusfromhome;erenoontheskybeginstothicken,thesunlookssickly, thesluggish,heavily- ladencloudsgatheruponthehill-tops,the landscapeall aroundcloses in; the larkdrops songless intohernest; the wind rises, blowing cold and chill; and at length—likeadversitiesgathering round the grey head of age—tempests, storm,andrain,thickenonthedyingday.Thedesertisdeceitful: itmocksthetravelerwithitsmirage.Howlifekindlesinhisdroopingeye,ashe sees the playful waves chase each other to the, shore, and theplumes of the palm waving in the watery mirror! Faint, weary,perishingwith thirst, he turns tobathe anddrink; and, exhaustinghisremainingstrengthinpursuitofaphantom,finds,unhappyman!thathehasturnedtodie.

Deceitful above sward, or sea, or sky, or enchanted desert, is the

heartofman;nordoIknowamoremarkedormelancholyproofofthis thanthatwhichour light treatmentofsuchweightymattersassinandjudgmentaffords.Thereisnoexaggerationintheprophet'slanguage—"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperatelywicked."

Putacase:—Theflameshavebrokenoutinsomehouse,andthefirespreads fast; atmidnight the roll of the drumwakens the sleepingstreets—afearfulsound!soonfollowedbythehurriedyetmeasuredtrampofarmedmen,andtherushofacrowd,who,guidedbyaglarethat illuminesthesky,and turnsnight into ruddyday,pouron thescene of danger; andwhere the flames, bursting out fromcellar toroof,shedtheirluridlightonglancingbayonets,strongarmsbelowareworking as for life, and daringmen above, ever and anon lostamongcloudsofsmoke,turnthestreamuponthehissingfire.

In this stirring scene,where is the tenant of thehouse?How is heengaged?Theythunderatthe'door;theycallhisname;theyreartheladderagainstthewindow;andnowtheyshouttohimtowake,andhaste, and flee, leaving house and furniture to the flames. Theylisten,butnoanswer.Alas!hehasperished?Helphascometoolate?No;helives:hehasheardallthathorriddin.Hesmells thesmoke;hefeelsthefloorgrowhot,andhotter,beneathhisfeet;andamidthethickandsuffocatingairthemangaspsforbreath.Hehasheardthecriesofkindlyneighbors;theglassofthewindow,asastronghanddashesitin,fallsathisfeet,andheseestheveryladderrestingonitssill.Well;hassomeruffianhandboundhimneckandheel, thathedoesnotmove?orgaggedhim,thathegivesbacknoanswer?Notatall.Themanisbusy,verybusy,ruminatingonthequestionhowthefirebegan;orwithsomepugnaciousneighbor,asinsaneashimself,heisengagedinkeendiscussionaboutwhenandwhereitfirstbrokeout. Incredible! yet incredible as that appears, this heart is sodeceitful, that something less excusable and more incredible stilldaily meets us in (what shall I call it?) the folly, the insanity, ofthousands.

God has sounded the alarm. Roused from sleep—in some senseconvincedofsin—insomemeasureawaketodanger—thedreamof

safetybrokeninupon—warnedthatthereisnotimetoSpare—withthe flames of wrath above, beneath, around, blocking up all thecommonavenuesofescape—thefirst,ifnottheonlyquestion,shouldbe, "Oh, Sirs,what shall I do?Where shall I turn?Quick; say, thismomentsay,'WhatshallIdotobesaved?'

"Yet, when the only question is, how to escape from impending,imminent danger, hours, days, years, are wasted in inquiries anddiscussionssuchasthis—Howtheracecametobeexposedtoit.

LettheologianssettlethemetaphysicsoftheFall;theirbusinessmaybetoknowhowwebecamesinners;ourfirstbusinessistoknowhowwearetobesaved.Leavethosewhohavereachedthelandtosettlehowandonwhat reef the vessel struck; thequestionwithus,whostillclingtotheshrouds,orarebattlingwiththesurf,is,howtogainyoublessedshore.InGod'sname,andbyGod'shelp,getthefireputout;andthen,whentheflamesarequenched,itwillbetimeenoughtoconsiderhowtheywerekindled.

Tiethebleedingartery;andwhenlifeissaved,settle,ifyoucan,howitwaswounded.Whenyouhavepluckedthedrowningmanfromthewater,andlaidhimonthebank,andthecolorflushesagainonhischeek, and the pulse beats again at his wrist, and speech againreturnstotheseblueandlivid lips, thenyoumayspeculateonhowhefellintotheflood.When,inspiteofSatan,andbyGod'shelp,wehavewakenedsomecarelessone tocareabouthissoul, it isoneofthedevil'swilestodistracthisattentionbysuchsubjects,andamidthemazesoftheirinextricablelabyrinthtobewilderhim,whoshouldbepressingontosalvationatthetopofhisspeed.

Iwouldhave themanwho isengaged insuchanenterprise togivethesequestionsinthemeanwhilethego-by—foroncetoapplywell,words so often applied ill—"Iwill hear thee again on thismatter:""whenIhaveamoreconvenientseasonIwillsendforthee."Theseare profound subjects, worthy of the investigations of angels andexalted saints. We could not apply to their study the words ofNehemiah—"I have a great work to do; therefore I can not comedown."

Butinsavingourselvesandothers,Iamsurethatthereisenoughtodo,withoutoccupyingourattentionwithunsatisfactoryspeculationsonmoral evil, and the entrance of sin into our world. In the firstplace, fewhavetimeortalentforsuchstudies.Inthesecondplace,althoughwehad,weshouldfindthat,likegoingdownintoacoal-pit,orthedepthsofocean,thefurther,wedescendedthedarkeritgrew:we should fare no better than the fallen intelligences described byMilton:—

"Others apart sate on a hill retired, In thoughtsmore elevate, andreasoned high Of Providence, foreknowledge, will, and me— fixedfate, free will foreknowledge absolute— And found no end, inwanderingmazes lost. Of good and evilmuch they argued there—Vainwisdomall,andfalsephilosophy."

And in the thirdplace,wemaypostpone these speculations tillweenjoytheleisureofeternity,andcanexaminesubjectssoobscureintheclearlightofheaven.Meanwhile,letitcontentustobeassured,that the extent of our knowledge shall correspond to the height ofour elevation; and that, as aman, from the bartizan of some loftytower,or the summitof some loftiermountain, commandsawiderviewandbroaderlandscape,and,inthecourseofrivers,therangesofhills,theoutlinesandindentationsofthecoast,obtainsafarmoreextensive view of objects, and a much clearer conception of theirrelativehearings,thanheenjoyedintheplainbelow;so,whilesomesubjects, like the snowy summits of theHimalayas or Andes,mayremain forever inaccessible, yet, once raised to heaven, we shallunderstandmany mysteries, and solve many questions, connectedwith sin and its sorrows, of which it is best now to say, "Suchknowledgeistoohighforme;Icannotattainuntoit."

Achildseatedontheshouldersofagiantmaysee further thanthegianthimself;andaninfantstandingonthetopofamountainverymuchfurtherthanthegiantatitsfeet:andevenso,thelispingbabe,whomJesushastakenfromamother'sbosomtohisown,excelsinknowledge the profoundest of philosophers and the greatest ofdivines.

In heaven we shall see as we are seen—we shall know as we areknown:there"thelightofthemoonshallbeasthelightofthesun,andthelightofthesunshallbesevenfold."

InconsideringatgreaterlengththepunitivejusticeofGod,Istallnotattempttoofferanyfullorsatisfactoryexplanationofwhatisbeyondour understanding. How a wise, holy, good and gracious Godpermittedwhathecertainlycouldhaveprevented—permittedsintoexistatall—isatpresentamystery,andmayforeverremainone.

With others, I might contribute some attempts to solve thatdifficulty; but I believe that, like all preceding efforts, these wouldthrow no more light on this vast and mysterious subject than acandle sheds on a widely extended landscape clothed in mist orwrapped inmidnightdarkness.Amidtheseawfulandoftenpainfulmysteries,we can only cling to the faith, and cherish an unshakenconfidence in this, that the Judge of all the earth doeth right, thatGodatleastisaKingwhocandonowrong.

Totheman,then,whoasks.WhyamIbornwithabiastosin?Whyhasanother'shandbeenpermittedtosowgermsofevilinme?Whyshould I, who was no party to the first covenant, be buried in itsruins?iftheBiblesaysinreplytothequery—"Whatmeanye,thatyeusethisproverbconcerningthelandofIsrael;thefathershaveeatensourgrapes,andthechildren'steetharesetonedge?"

"AsIlive,saiththeLordGod,yeshallnothaveoccasionanylongertousethisproverbinIsrael,"why,then,doIsufferforAdam'ssin?Why,mostvirulentofpoisons!shouldthissin infect thebloodofahundredgenerations?WhyshouldIsufferforacrimecommittedsolongago as six thousand years, and towhich I nomore consentedthantoCain'smurderofAbel,orHerod'smassacreoftheinnocents?

Tothesequestionsthisismyreply:IshrinkfromsittinginjudgmentuponmyJudge.CloudsanddarknessareroundabouttheLordnow;but I am confident that,when expiringTime cries, "It is finished,"and the vail of a present economy is rent, it shall he seen thatrighteousnessandjudgmentarethepillarsofhisthrone—that"there

isnounrighteousnesswithGod."

Thesequestionsopenupanabyssrespectingwhichman'sbusinessistoadore,andnotexplore;andtothem,meanwhile,Ihavenootheranswer than the great Apostle's, "Who art thou,man! that repliestagainst thyMaker? Shall the thingmade say to himwhomade it,whyhastthoumademethus?"

But although the permission of sin is a mystery, the fact of itspunishment is no mystery at all; for, while every answer to thequestion,HowdidGodpermitsin?leavesusunsatiated,tomymindnothing is plainer than this, that, whatever was his reason forpermittingittoexist,Godcouldnotpermitittoexistunpunished.

Inproofofthat,Iobserve—

I.The truthofGod requires thepunishment of sin. "Takenow thyson, thine only son, Isaac, whom thou lovest, and offer him for aburntofferingonamountainthatIwilltelltheeof."

Startling announcement!— so startling, that it is not possible tosupposethatthealarmed,amazed,confoundedpatriarchreceiveditatonce—believeditwithoutadreadfulstruggle.No;thereneverrungfrommailedhandorbattle-axesuchastunningblow.Whatman,orfather,doubtsthatitmadeAbrahamstagger,andbroughthimtohisknees?IthinkIhearhimsaying,

"TakeIsaac—takemyson,thesonofmylove,thesonofpromise,themiraculousgiftofheaven—offer Isaac foraburnt-offering!Surely Idream.What a dreadful fancy!Didmy ears deceiveme?No: therewasavoice;Iheardit.ItsoundedlikethevoiceofGod:coulditbeso?Wasitforthisthatangelsannouncedhisbirth?Wasittobethusrudelyshakenoff,thattheoldstockwasmadetoblossom,andthissweetfruittogrowonawitheredtree?

"Although this trembling hand could plunge the knife into Isaac'sbosom, would it not bemost honor to God to conclude that somedemon, with false and wicked mimicry, had borrowed the Lord's

voicetoluremeintoafoulandmonstrouscrime,and,gettingmetoimbuethesehandsinIsaac'sblood,bythishorridsacrificetoquenchthelightofheavenandthehopeofearth—inthissweetbudtocrushanunblownsalvationandunbornSaviour?"

Now,whateverroomAbrahammighthavehadfordoubt—whateverstruggle faith hadwith unbelief in that father's heart—we have noroomnor pretence to doubt that, however terrible its punishment,Godhasthreatenedtopunishsin,and, truetohisword,shallpourout his fury on the sinner's head. Christ is offered; and ye cannotescape,ifyeneglectthisgreatsalvation.

Hadthattruthbeenwrittenonlyinonesolitarypassage—withinthewholecompassoftheBiblehadtherebeenbutonelinetothateffect—wemight have succeeded in persuading ourselves that its sensewas mistaken, and its terms misunderstood. But is it so? Ah! no:thereisletteruponletter,"lineuponline,preceptuponprecept,herea little and there a little." God has recorded his irrevocableresolution,notinone,butinahundredpassages;andreiteratedinathousandways the awful sentence—"The soul that sinneth, it shalldie."

SomehavefanciedthattheyhonorGodmostwhen,sinkingallotherattributesinmercy—indiscriminatingmercy—theyrepresenthimasembracing theworld inhisarms—andreceiving tohisbottomwithequal affection the sinners thathate, and the saints that loveHim.Theycannotclaimoriginalityforthisidea:itsauthorshipbelongstothe"fatheroflies."

Satan said sobefore them. It is theverydoctrine thatdamned thisworld.Theserpentsaid to thewoman, "Thou shaltnot surelydie."Doyou rest yourhopeof salvationon suchabaseless fancy? If so,haveyouseriouslyconsideredinwhataspectthistheorypresentstheGod for whose honor you profess such tender regard. We almostshrinkfromexplainingit.

Yousave thecreature,butatapricemorecostly thanwaspaid forsinnersuponthecrossofCalvary.Istheresomethingdearerthanlife

tome?—toGod therewas somethingmore precious than even thebloodofJesus.Icanpartwithmylife,butnotmyhonor—andGodcouldpartwithhisSon,butnotwithhistruth.

But letsingounpunished,either inpersonorsubstitute: thissavesthe sinner—no doubt of that; but at what price? You save thecreature's life at the expense of the Creator's honor. Your schemeexaltsman; but farmore thanman is exalted isGod degraded.Bythis scheme noman is lost; but there is a greater loss—somethingmore awful happens: the truth of God is lost; his crown loses itstopmost jewel, and the throne of the universe is shaken to itsfoundations. It isasmanifestasdaylight thatGod's truthandyourscheme cannot stand together. "Liar" stands against either God oryou;and,inthewordsoftheApostle,you"makeGodaliar."

Noristhatall:myfaithhaslosttheveryrockitstoodon,andstoodon—asIflatteredmyself—steadfast,immovable;for,howeverawfulthethreateningsinhisWordmaybe,ifGodisnottruetothem,whatsecurity have I, or any man, that he will be true to its graciouspromises?Therodwhichbendsinonedirectionwillproveassuppleinanother.

And, since the truth of a Heaven stands upon the very samefoundation as the truth of aHell— the one upon the promise, theotheruponthethreatening,andbothalikeuponthesimplewordofGod—why,then,theschemewhichquenchesthefearsofthewickedextinguishesthehopesofthejust.

Ifhethatbelievethnotshallnotbecondemned,farewell—alongandsadfarewell—tomyhappyconfidencethathethatbelievethshallbesaved. I cannot consent that you should pull downmy heaven, tobuildwithitsruins,notatempletojustice,butanasylumforcrime.Awaywithsuchascheme.ItisfataltothepeaceofGod'speople.ItisessentiallyblasphemousanddishonoringtotheirGod.ItmakesGoda liar. Making him do wrong, how can it be right? making himuntrue,itmustbeitselfuntrue.Werejectitwithhorror.ItisasnareoftheEvilOne;andhappyshouldwebetothinkthatwehadhelpedanyofhiscaptivesout,andsent themsinging,asonwingsof faith

theysoaredawaytoheaven,"Mysoulisescapedasabirdoutofthefowler'ssnare:thesnareisbroken,andIamescaped."

II.The loveofGod requires that sin shouldbepunished.Youmaystartatthis.Loverequirespunishment?Hadwesaidthejustice,orholiness, or purity of God, we, no doubt, should have used anexpressionlessstartling,andmoresuretocommandareadyassentThese attributes present strong positions, within which it may beadmitted that we could entrench this doctrine—impregnable to allassaults.

Onthatveryaccountitisthatinthisbriefdiscussionwepasstheseby, and, confident in the strength of our cause, select, of verypurpose, although some may think unwisely, what they deem theweakestargumentandpointofdefense.

Now I find one of the strongest andmost affecting proofs that theimpenitent and unbelieving shall not go unpunished, just in thattenderest of all subjects, the love of God; and I think that I couldclose with the man who uses this love to prove that sin shall gounpunished;andhavingwrestedthatweaponfromhishand,takeoffthehead of his argumentwithhis own sword. I say of this love ofGod,whatDavidsaidofGoliath'ssword,"thereisnonelikethat,giveitme."

Lendme your candid attention— open yourminds—and I think itwillnotbedifficulttoconvinceyou,thattheloveofGod—whichisasevenfold shield to the believer—not merely consents, to, butdemands, the condemnation, as it aggravates the guilt, of theimpenitent.

Let me at once prove and illustrate the point by a piece of plainanalogy:—This city, nay, the whole land, is shaken by the news ofsomemost cruel, bloody,monstrous crime. Fear seizes hold of thepublic mind; pale horror sits on all men's faces; doors are doublebarred;and justice lets loose thehoundsof lawon the trackof thecriminal.At length, to thereliefand joyofallhonestcitizens,he iscaught. He is tried, condemned, laid in irons, and waits but the

sentence tobesigned.Tosaveor slay—tohangorpardon—isnowthe questionwith himwhose prerogative it is to do either; and bywhatmotiveisthesovereignimpelledtoshutuphisbowelsofmercy.andsignthewarrantforexecution?Isitwantofpity?No;thepenistaken with reluctance; it trembles in his hand, and tears ofcompassionforthisguiltywretchdroponthepagehesigns.

Now it is not so much abhorrence of the guilty, as love of theinnocent,andregardfortheirpeace,purity,andhonor,thatdoomsthisman to die. If hewere pardoned, and his crime allowed to gounpunished,neitherman'slifenorwoman'svirtueweresafe;unlessthisfelondies,thepeaceandpurityofathousandhappyfamilieslieopentofoulattack;andthus,loveforthosewhohavethebestclaimon a sovereign's protection, requires that the guilty die. That thecommunitymayliveinpeace,eachmansittingbeneathhisownvineandfigtree,thatthecitizenmayfeelhimselfsafeinthebosomofhisfamily—thatstreetsmaybesafetowalkon—thatbedsmaybesafetoliein—thatourlandmaybeacountryfittolivein—crimemustbepunished.

Themagistratewhowouldrewardobediencemustpunishrebellion;norcanhebeapraiseandprotectionto themthatdogood,butbymakinghimselfaterrortothemthatdoevil.

There are scenes of domestic suffering which present another, noless convincing, and more touching analogy. I refer to thosedistressing cases where natural affection yields to the holiestparentalduty;andwhere,althoughshe thereby inflictsonherownbosomawoundtimeneverheals,Loveseizestheknife,and,lestthecanker should extend to the other branches, lops off some oncepleasantboughfromthefamilytree.Ithashappenedthat,fromloveandregardtotheinterestofhisotherchildren—tosavethemfromabrother's contamination—a kind parent has felt constrained tobanishhis son, and forbidhimamother'shouse. It is sad to thinkthathemaybelost;thedreadofthatgoeslikeaknifeintotheheart;yet,bittertruth!painfulconclusion!itisbetterthatonechildbelostthanawhole familybe lost.These lambsclaimprotection fromthewolf;hemustbedrivenforthfromthefold;weeping.

Love herself demands this sacrifice; and, just because it is mostlacerating,mostexcruciating,toaparent'sheart,itisinsuchaeasethe highest and holiest exercise of parental love to bar the dooragainstachild.

Therehavebeenparentssoweakandfoolishastoperilthemorals,the fortunes, the souls of their other children, rather than punishone;and in consequenceof this Ihave seen sin, likea fever, infecteverymemberofthefamily,andvicefermentandspreadtill ithadleavenedthewholelump.

Divine Love, however, is no blind Divinity: and that love being aswise as tender, sinnersmay rest assured, that out ofmere pity tothem,Godwillneithersacrificetheinterests,norperilthehappinessof his people. Love herself—bleeding, dying, redeeming love—withherownhandwillbarthedoorofheaven,andfromitshappy,holyprecincts,excludeallthatcouldhurtordefile.

Stern words these I and when Love puts on her armor, to fightagainst,him,whathopeforthemanwhohascompelledhertobehisenemy?HavingarmedLoveagainstyou,wherenowareyouflying?Lookat thissceneof judgment.Hewhodiedon thecrossoccupiesthethrone.Loveincarnatepresidesatthataugusttribunal.Theprintof the nail is on the very hand which waves away the lost intoperdition. The voice which so often invited the impenitent is thatwhich now condemns and commands them to depart. Calmly,serenely anticipating thatday,Faith says, "It isGod that justifieth;whoishethatshallcondemn?"

Butoh! ifJesusChristcondemn,whoshall justify?Ifhesparenot,whoshallsave?FromthewrathoftheLambwhichimpenitencehaschangedintothewrathofaLion,despairturnsawayafacecoveredwiththeblacknessofdarkness,tocryasshewringsherhands,"Thegreatdayofhiswrathiscome,andwhoshallbeabletostand?"

IftheLambofGod—iftheLoveofGodbeouradversary,ourcaseisdesperate.Oh!takewarningintime,thatyoubenotlostforEternity.

"KisstheSon,lesthebeangry,andyeperishfromtheway,whenhiswrathiskindledbutalittle.""Blessedarealltheythatputtheirtrustinhim."

III.Unless sin is to be awfully punished, the language of Scriptureappears extravagant.Next to the suffering is the sight of pain to amanoftenderfeelings:nor,butforyourgood,wouldIaskanyonetocast even a hurried glance on those appalling pictures which theBiblereveals. But ifmen, for themere gratification of taste—if thelovers of the fine arts—crowd to Some picture of the damned—ascene of the last Judgment painted by a master's hand, wherehideous demons torment shrieking victims, and drag the sevendeadlysinsdownintothegulfoffire—when,asfarastheheavensdothe earth, the preacher's object transcends the painter's, and thesalvationofsoulsthegratificationoftaste—whenmyobjectis,nottopleaseyourfancy,butprofityoursouls—shallthatbecondemnedinthepulpitwhichissomuchapplaudedinthepainting?

Wherethehighestinterestsareatstake,shallIbejudgedharsh,andshowingnoregardtofeelingandpropriety,becauseIaskyoutoturnyoureyesonthisspectacle—onawormthatneverdieth,andthisfirethat is never quenched? Oh! let me beseech, implore you, to readwith tears and prayers those passages of Scripture that reveal themiseriesofthelost.BlotnotfromyourmindswhatyoucannotblotoutoftheBookofGod.

What is so sad—what so strongly and sadly illustrates the wickeddeceitfulnessofthisheart—astheentertainmentwhichmenextractfrom the solemnities of judgment? Only think of those, who turnaway with ill-disguised distaste from the very mention of suchsubjectsinthehouseofGod,crowdingabrilliantsaloontohearthissame judgment set to music, and listen with loud and rapturousapplauses to the hired musicians, who give a bold (shall I sayprofane) imitation of the trumpet that rends the grave, of thethunders that announce the Judge, the song of adoring angels, theshouts of ransomed saints, and—for any thing I know—the awfulshrieksofthedamned!

Thinkofthis;thinkofcriminalsleavingthebartosettheirsentencetomusic!Whentheirlifeisamatterofhours,anditsfewremainingsands shouldbegiven toprayerandGod'shookofmercy, thinkofmen,shutupinacell,anddrawingonitswallsawretchedcaricatureof their judge, the gallows, the mighty crowd, the victim turningroundonhiscord,witheyeballsthatprotrudebeneaththecap,andlimbsconvulsedintheveryagonyofdeath!

The sufferings and misery which awaits the impenitent andunbelieving,Godhaspaintedinmostappallingcolors.

Tosaveusfromthem,hisSonlefttheheavensanddiedonacross.WhenPaulthoughtofthese,heweptlikeawoman.Adauntlessman,whoshookhischaininthefaceofkings—whosespiritnosufferingscouldsubdue,andwhoseheartnodangerscouldappall—whostoodas unmoved amid a thousand perils as ever rock amid a thousandbillows, he could not contemplate these without the deepestemotion;histearsfellfastandthickuponthepagewherehewrote,"of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping,whosegodistheirbelly,whoseendisdestruction."

WhathorrordidDavidfeelatthesightandfateofsinners?Withhisblindfaceturneduptoheaven,youseeamanapproachtheedgeofan awful precipice: every step brings him nearer— still nearer, thebrink.Nowhereachesit:hestandsonthegrassyedge.Ohforanarmto reach him—for a voice to warn him— for a blow to send himstaggering back upon the ground! But he has lifted his foot; it isprojectedbeyondthebrink;anothermoment,abreathofwind,theleast change of balance, and he is whirling twenty fathoms down.Youstopyourears,closeyoureyes,turnawayyourhead;horrorhastakenholdofyou.

AndsuchwereDavid's feelingswhenhecontemplated thesinsandfateofthewicked:"Horrorhathtakenholduponme,becauseofthewicked that forsake thy law: rivers of water run down mine eyes,becausetheykeepnotthylaw,OGod."

ThewrathofGodisthekeytoDavid'ssorrow,toanApostle'stears,

to the bloodymysteries of theCross.Thatwas thenecessitywhichdrewaSaviourdown.Hadthatwrathbeentolerableorterminable,the sword of Justice had never been dyed with the blood, norsheathedinthebodyofsuchanoblevictim;andifthereisaneedbefor the lightest cross that lies on a good man's lot, how great thenecessity for that uponwhich the Saviour died! God is not willingthat you should perish, and by these terrors of the Lordwewouldpersuadeyou.Meditateonthesewords:prayoverthem—

-"WoetothemanthatstrivethwithhisMaker!"-"Whocanliedownineverlastingburnings?"-"Thewickedshallbecastintohell,andallthenations that forgetGod."Rather than that you shouldperish, Iwouldeven thuspersuadeyou.Oh! thereare terrorsenough intheBible tomakeaman'shair standonend.Surely,wereGodbut foronemomenttoletthisworldheartheweepingandwailofthelost,thatsound,moreterriblethanEgypt'smidnightcry,wouldrousethestudentathisbooks,arrestthefootofdancerintheball,stoparmiesintheveryfuryofthefight,and,callingasleepingworldfromtheirbeds,wouldbendthemoststubbornknees,andextort fromall theoneloudcry,"Lord,saveme,Iperish!"

Still it isnot terrorwhich is themightypowerofGod.TheGospel,like most medicines for the body, is of a compound nature; but,whateverelseentersintoitscomposition,itscurativeelementislove.

Nomanyetwaseverdriventoheaven:hemustbedrawntoit;andIwishtodrawyou.

TheGospelhasterrorinit,nodoubt.Butitislikeouratmosphere—occasionallyrivenbythethunder,andilluminatedbythefatalflash—it is at times the path of the stealthy pestilence— charged withelementsofdestruction,andimpregnatedwiththeseedsofdisease;buthowmuchmoreisnotagreatmagazineofhealth,filledwiththemost harmonious sounds, fragrant with the sweetest odors, hung.with golden drapery, the pathway of sunbeams, the womb ofshowers, the feederof flowing streams, full ofGod'sgoodness, andthefountainofallEarth'slife!

And,justasinthatatmosphere,whichGodhaswrappedroundthisworld, there is muchmore health than sickness, muchmore foodthan famine, much more life than death, so in the Bible there ismuchmorelovethanterror.

Theterrorisnotonlysubordinatetolove,butsubservienttoit,God,indeed,tellsusofhell,butitistopersuadeustogotoheaven;and,asaskillfulpainterfillsthebackgroundofhispicturewithhisdarkercolors, God puts in the smoke of torment and the black clouds ofSinai,togivebrighterprominencetoJesus,thecrossofCalvary,andhislovetothechiefofsinners.

His voice of terror is like the scream of themother birdwhen thehawkisinthesky.Shealarmsherbroodthattheymayrunandhidebeneathherfeathers;andasIbelievethatGodhadleftthatmotherdumbunless he had given herwings to cover her little ones, I amsure that He, who is very "pitiful," and has no pleasure in anycreature'spain,hadneverturnedoureyestothehorriblegulfunlessfor the voice that cries, "Deliver from going down to the pit, for Ihavefoundaransom."

"Wehadneverheardof sinhad therebeennoSaviour;norofhellhadtherebeennoheaven.

"Sufficientforthedayistheevilthereof;"andneverhadBiblelightbeenflashedbeforetheeyesofthesleepingfelontowakehimfromhishappydream,but thathemightsee thesmiling formofMercy,and hear her, as she sayswith pointing finger, "Behold, I have setbeforetheeanopendoor."

~endofchapter5~

God'sMotiveinSalvation

Ido...formineholyname'ssake(Ezekiel36:22).

There is a land lying beneath a burning sky, where the fields areseldomscreenedbyacloud,andalmostneverrefreshedbyashower;andyetEgypt—foritisofitIspeak—isasremarkableforthefertilecharacterofitssoilasforthehoarantiquityofitshistory.Atleast,itwassoindaysofold,whenhungrynationswerefedbyitsharvests,anditsfieldswerethegranariesofancientRome.PowerssoprolificEgypt owed to the Nile— that river whose associations carry usupwardto thebeginningofallhumanhistory—uponwhosebanks,inthesepulchersofforgottenkings,standtheproudestmonumentsofhumanvanity—ariver,theverynameofwhichrecallssomeofthegrandestscenesthathavebeenactedonthestageoftime.

TheNileisEgypt;inthecourseoflongagesithasdepositedhersoil,and by an annual overflow it maintains her fertility. The limits ofthat floodare the limitsof lifeandverdure;andwithoutherNile—thatgreatarteryofvegetable life—shewouldbeanotherSahara—avastexpanseofburningandbarrensands.Humbledasshenow is,letthisgiftofheavenbeimproved,asofold,bytheskillandindustryofherinhabitants,and,vivifiedbyafreeandChristiangovernment,Egyptwouldrisefromthesepulchersofherkings,andtakeaplaceoncemoreinthevanofnations.

TheTruthshallproveherresurrection.TheGospelshallrestoreherto life and prosperity; and the day is comingwhen that land—richnowonlyinmemoriesofthepast,famousnowonlyforhertemplesand gods, her pyramids and dusty tombs, for her throne of thePharaohs,forhersacredstream,forthewondersGodwroughtofoldinthefieldofZoan,and,mostdearabovealltoChristianhearts,forthe asylum she opened to an infant Saviour— shall fulfill a nobledestiny. Her day approaches. These prophecies regarding her waittheiraccomplishment—

"The Lord shall be known in Egypt;" and, "Blessed be Egypt, my

people."

Fromtheearliestagesthesourceofthisfamousriverwasregardedwith intensest interest.Whence itsprung,andhowitsannual floodwasswelled,werethesubjectsofeagerbutungratifiedcuriosity.

Onetravelerafteranotherhadattemptedtoreachitscradle,andhadfailedor fallen in theattempt; andwhen—forcinghiswayupwardsthroughmanydifficulties,andtravelingalongitsbanks,fromwhere,bymanymouths, it disgorged itswaters into the sea, till its amplevolumehadshrunkintothenarrownessofamountainstream—ourhardy countryman at length stood beside the long sought forfountain, he won for himself, by the achievement, an immortalreputation. I can fancy the pride with which, first of travelers, helooked on that mysterious fountain. How sweet its waters tasted!Howheenjoyedhistriumph,ashesatdownbythecradleofariver,which had fed the millions of successive generations, and in dayslonggonebyhadsavedinfaminetheracewhichgaveaRedeemertotheworld.

Now,whatthisriver,whichturnsbarrensandsintotherichestsoil,is to Egypt, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to the world. It flowsthroughtheearth,the"riverofthewatersoflife."Whethertheynowbloominheaven,orarestillinthenurseriesofearth,everyplantofgraceowestotheGospelitsexistenceandrenown.

Observe,however,that—althoughtheparentofthoseharvestswhichangelsshallreapandtheheavensreceive—nomoreinthecaseoftheGospel than of the Nile does the bounty of heaven suspend orsupersede human exertions. No; but on earth's improvement ofheaven'sbountytheblessingofbotharecommonlysuspended.

"Thehandofthediligentmakethrich:"andasitisaccordingtotheindustryorindolenceoftheinhabitants,thattheNileflowsthroughbarrensands,orwaterssmilingfields,soisitwiththeGospel.Itisablessing onlywhere it is sedulously and prayerfully improved, andwhen, like theoverflowings of theNile,which are conducted alongtheirchannelstoirrigateitsshores,thoselivingwaters,throughthe

useofmeans,areturnedonourheartsandhabits."Notthehearersof the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall bejustified."

Now,ifitisinterestingtotraceaNileorAmazontoitssource,howmuchmoreinterestingtoaChristiantoexplorethestreamofeternallife, and trace it upward till we have reached the fountain. Brucediscovered—or thought he had discovered—the springs of Egypt'sriver: he found them away among cloud-capped mountains, at anelevationofmanythousandfeetabovetheplainstheywatered.

Greatmen have been born in humble circumstances; but all greatrivers boast of their lofty descent. It is when the traveler has leftsmilingvalleysfarbeneathhim,andtoilingalongruggedglens,and,pressing through deep mountain gorges, he at length reaches thechillshoresofan icysea, thathestandsat thesourceof theAlpineriver,which,coldasthesnowsthatfeedit,andafullgrownstreamatitsbirth,rushesoutfromthecavernsofthehollowedglacier.

Butwiththatloftybirthplaceitisonlyahumbleimageofsalvation.How high its source! "He showedme a pure river of water of life,clearascrystal,precedingoutofthethroneofGodandoftheLamb."ThestreamofmercyflowsfromthethroneoftheEternal;andherewe seem to stand by itsmysterious fountain: in contemplating thewordsof the text,we lookupon its spring—"Ido this . . . formineholyname'ssake."

Innowenteringonthequestion,WhatmovedGodtosaveman?letus—

I. Attend to the expression, "my name's sake." This is a mostcomprehensiveterm.Itindicatesmuchmorethanwhat,incommonlanguage, is involved in a name.Nodoubt a namemay sometimesconveymuchmeaning.

-"Adam," for instance, means "clay;" made of earth, he receives aname that reminds him of his origin. -"Isaac," again, means"laughter;" and in her son's name God rebuked Sarah for the

merriment with which, when listening with a woman's curiositybehindthedoor,sheheardofhercomingchild,andoffruitgrowingon such an old and withered stock as she was. -"Moses," again,means "drawn from thewater;" and his name reminded him,whowastodeliverothers,howhehimselfhadbeendeliveredfromdeath.Andinthename"Jesus,"ourLordreceivedanamethatrevealedhisofficeandanticipatedhiswork—theangelsaid,"ThoushaltcallhisnameJesus,forheshallsavehispeoplefromtheirsins."

Commonly,however,aman'snamegivesno ideaofhisproperties,character, history, works, or life, and is nothing more than anappellation which he receives in infancy, and receives—since theflower is still in the bud—before his fortune can be told, or hischaracterevenguessedat."What'sinaname?"Itschiefendisjusttopreventconfusion,anddistinguishonepersonfromanother.

ThenameofGod,however,asemployedby thesacredwriters,hasmanyandmostimportantmeanings.Inthe20thPsalm,forinstance,itembracesalltheattributesoftheGodhead."ThenameoftheGodof Jacob defend thee;" that is—if paraphrased—may his arms bearound thee; may his wisdom guide thee; may his power supportthee;thebountyofGodsupplythywants;themercyofGodforgivethysins;theshieldofheavenbeover,andallitsblessingsonthee.

Inthedaysofmiracles,again,thenameofJesuscarriedwithittheideaofhisauthority,andoftheefficacyofhispower.Utteredbythelips of faith, that name was a word of resistless might. It healeddisease,shedlightondarkness,andbreathedlifeintocolddeath;itmastereddevils,controlledthepowersofhell,andcommandedintoimmediateobediencetherudestelementsofnature.LikePharaoh'ssignetonJoseph'shand,hewhousedthatnameinfaith,wasforthetimegiftedwithhisMaster'spower;whateverheloosedonearthwasloosed in heaven; and whatever he bound on earth, was bound inheaven.

Standing over a cripple— one impotent fromhismother'swomb—Peter looked on his deformity, and said, "In the name of Jesus ofNazareth,riseupandwalk."

And, lo! hewho had never stood erect till now, bounded from theearth,and,inthejoyfulplayofnew-bornfaculties,walking,leaping,dancingandsinging.

Heushered theApostles into the astonished temple.Powerful, likeprayer,oranyothermeansofgrace,aswasthisnamewhenusedbyfaith,yetonthelipsoftheunbelievingnonamemoreuseless;likearesiduum from which the spirit had been evaporated, or a bodybereftoflife,itpossessednovirtueorpoweratall.

TherewasnocharminthemerenameofJesus,eithertopourlightonablindman'seyeball,orrestorevigortoawitheredlimb.SeehowSceva'ssevensonslearnthattotheircost!Profaningthisholyname,andemployingit intheirartsofwitchcraft,theyuseittocastoutadevil;and—themselvesSatan's servants—they find that "Beelzebubcastsnotoutdevils.""JesusIknow,andPaulIknow,"saystheEvilOne, "but who are ye?" Hell disowns their authority; the Demondefiesthem;heleapsonthemwiththefuryofasavagebeast;and—theirsthefateoftheengineerwhoishoistedonhisownpetard—theyaredrivenoff,disgracedandwounded,fromthefield.

Again,inMicah4:5,whereitissaid,"WewillwalkinthenameoftheLord," the expression assumes a new meaning, and indicates thelaws, statutes, and commandments of God. Again, in the beautifulandblessedpromise, "In all placeswhere I recordmyname, therewill I come unto thee and bless thee," the expression bears yetanother meaning: it stands for God's ordinances and worship—rearing, as it were, by the hands of faith, a holy temple out of therudest edifice, and converting into heaven-consecrated churchesthoserockyfastnessesandlonelymoorswhereourfathersworshipedinthedarkdaysofold.

ContentingourselveswiththeseillustrationsofthevariousmeaningsofthisexpressioninScripture,Inowremark,thatherethe"name"ofGodcomprehendseverything,whichdirectlyorremotelyaffectsthedivine honor and glory;whatever touches, to use thewords of ourcatechism, "His titles, attributes, ordinances, word, or works; oranythingwherebyGodmakethhimselfknown."

II.Weare tounderstandthat themotivewhichmovedGodtosavemanwasregardtohisownglory."Whereisboastingthen?"wemayask with the Apostle, and leave him to answer, "it is excluded," Ifsalvation is not of merit, but of mercy—not of earth, but heaven—"notofblood,norofthewilloftheflesh,norofthewillofman,butofGod"—"Notbymightnorbypower,butmySpirit,saiththeLordofHosts,"itisbeyondalldoubt"excluded."

-Graceglorifiesman,nodoubt;butforwhatpurpose?thathemayglorifyGod.-Gracesavesman,butsaveshimthathemaysing,nothisownpraises,butaSaviour's.-Graceexaltsman,butexaltshim,that, like an exhalation, sun-drawn from the ground, and raisedtoheaven, each of us may form a sparkling drop in the bow, whichencircles the head that God crowns with glory, and man oncecrownedwiththorns.EvenourLordhimself,althoughinasensethe"fellow"ofhisFather,andreckoningitnorobbery tomakehimselfequalwithGod,kepthiseyesteadilyonthatloftymark.HisFather's,nothisownglory,was theburdenofJesus'prayersand theendofJesus'sufferings:bornforitinastable,hebledforitonacross,andwasburiedforitinasepulcher.

When, on the solemn eve of his last and awful sufferings, ourchampion buckled on his armor for the closing struggle, ere hejoinedbattlewithmen,withdeath,andwithhimthathadthepowerofdeath,thatis,thedevil,wasnotthishisprayer—"Father,glorifythySon,thatthySonalsomayglorifythee?"DutifulSon!Patterntoallchildrenoffilialpiety!Thoudidstforgetthineownsufferingsinamother's;andwasmoreconcernedforthyFather'shonorthanthineown.

Thisdoctrine,thatGodsavesmenforhisownglory,isagrandandveryprecious truth; yet there is away of stating itwhich seems asoffensiveasitisunscriptural.Concavemirrorsmagnifythefeaturesnearest to them into undue and monstrous size; and in commonmirrors, ill cast and of uneven surface, the most beautiful face isdistortedintodeformity.

And, as if theirmindswereof such a cast and character, there are

some good men who, not exhibiting Bible truth in its properharmony and proportions, represent Jesus Christ in thismatter ofsalvation as affected by no motive whatever but a regard to hisFather'sglory,andevenGodhimselfasmovedonlybyrespecttohisown.ExcludingfromtheirviewthecommiserationandloveofGod,or reducing these into very shrunk dimensions, they magnify onedoctrineattheexpenseofanother,and,indeed,gotoseversomeofthemostsacredandtendertieswhichbindabelievertohisGod.

Now, it appears to us that this ill-proportioned theology— thedoctrine that theonlymotive in redemptionwas a regard toGod'sglory—receivesno countenance from theBible.DoesnotGod "pityus, as a fatherpitiethhis children?"Taught to addressHimby theendearing appellation of Father, Oh what affection, love, andlovingkindness,areexpressedinthattenderterm!Andif,onseeingsomeearthlyfather,whomachild'sscreamhasreachedandroused,rush up the blazing stairs, or leap into the boiling flood, it werewrong, it were cruel, it were a shame, to suspect him of beingdestituteofaffection—ofbeingmoved to thisnobleactbynoothermotivethanaregardtohisownhonor—andbynoothervoicethanthecalmcommandofduty—howmuchmorewrongwereittoharborsuchsuspicionsof"ourFatherwhoisinheaven."

I know thatwe should approach sohigh a themewith the greatestreverence, and that it becomesus to speak on such a subject, and,indeed,onanythingthattouchesthesecretmovementsoftheDivinemind,withmostprofoundhumility.Yet,reasoningfromtheformofthe shadow to the object which projects it—from man to God—Iwould venture to say, that it iswithHim aswith us,whenwe aremovedtoasingleactionbytheunitedinfluenceofvariousmotives.

ToborrowanexamplefromtheplaceIfill:—Theminister,worthyofhis office, appears before his assembled people to preach; and, indoingso,he ismovedbyavarietyofmotives.Love toGod, lovetoJesus, love to sinners, love to saints, a regard to God's glory, andregardtoman'sgood;these,liketheair,water,light,heat,electricity,gravitation,whichact together intheprocessofvegetation,mayallcombine to form one sermon. They are present, and act not as

conflicting but concurring motives in the preacher's breast. Thisdifference, however, there always is between us and God, thatalthoughourmotives—liketheRhone,whichisformedoftworivers,theonepureastheskyaboveit,theotherturbidanddiscolored—areevermixturesofgoodandevil,alltheemotionsoftheDivinemind,alltheinfluencesthatmoveGodtoaction,areofthepurestnature.

Godcherishes, indeed, such respect tohisownglory, that,had thesalvationoftheworldbeenincompatiblewiththat—thisworldhadbeenlefttoperish.Dreadfulthought!HowshouldweadoreandextolthewisdomwhichdiscoveredawaytoharmonizethegloryofGod,and the good of men. He was moved by regard to both. It is animperfect vision that sees but one motive. This lofty subjectresemblesthosebinarystarswhichlooktothenakedeyeasbutone,butwhich,broughtintothefieldofthetelescope,resolvethemselvesinto two orbs, rolling in their brightness and beauty around acommoncenter.Blessedbehisholyname!

-"He so loved the world, thatHe gave his only begotten Son, thatwhosoeverbelievethon.Himshouldnotperish,buthaveeverlastinglife." -"He commendeth his love to us, in that, while we were yetsinners, Christ died for us." Never, therefore, let us exalt thisdoctrineofthedivineglory,attheexpenseofthedivinelove.God'slovetosinnersishismightiest,hisheart-softeningargument;anditweredoingHim,hisgospel,andourownsoulsgreatinjustice,ifweshould overlook the love that gives Divinity its name, and which,sendinginhisSonaSaviourfromtheFather'sbosom,waseulogizedbyanApostleaspossessedofa"height,anddepth,andbreadth,andlength,whichpassethknowledge."

III.Observe,thatinsavingmanforhis"holyname'ssake,"orforhisown honor and glory, God exhibits the mercy, holiness, love, andotherattributesoftheGodhead.Thetruthis,thatGodsavesmanformuchthesamereasonsasatfirsthemadehim.WhydidGodmakeman?WhatmovedGodtomakehim?Theballrollsforwardovertheground,andtheshipmovesonwardthroughthesea,byvirtueofanexternal force—the hand projects the one, and thewind, caught inhersails,impelstheother.Butnoforeignagentimpartedanimpulse

tocreatingpower;nordidanyonecommandorcompelGodtomakeman.Itishisprerogativetocommand—thecreature'sdutytoobey.

Why, then, didHemakeman?DidHe need tomake him?Was itwithHimaswithsomelordlymaster,whodependsforhiscomfortonhisservants?—aswithaking,whosegloryliesinthenumbersofhis courtiers, or the brilliancy of his court?—as with the greatestgeneral, who owes his victories to the bravery of his soldiers, andwho,whateverhismilitary skill,wouldwinnobattles andwearnolaurelswithout anarmyathisback?Assuredlynot. "OurgoodnessextendethnottoThee;"ourwealth,makesGodnoricher,ourpraisemakesHim no happier. "Hear,my people, and I will speak, I willtakenobullockoutofthyhouse,orhegoatoutofthyfold;foreverybeast of the forest ismine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. Iknowallthefowlsofthemountainsandthewildbeastsofthefieldaremine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee, for the world ismine,andthefullnessthereof."

WhatmovedGod,then,tomakeman?or,toenlargethequestionsoas to embrace creation, when there was neither world rolling, norsun shining, nor angel singing—when there was neither life nordeath, nor birthnor burial, nor sightnor sound,nowave of oceanbreaking,nowingofangelmoving—when,asinapasteternity,Goddweltaloneinsilent,solemn,awful,buthappysolitude,whatmovedHimtomakecreaturesatall?

Orwiththeseworlds,sunsandsystems,togarnishtheheavens,andpeopleanemptyuniverse?

ThesearethedeepthingsofGod,anditbecomesfiniteandfallibleminds such as ours to approach them modestly. If the fabric ofnature, if themachineofProvidence,with itswheels rollingwithinwheels inmanyandcomplicatedparts—if these,andtheschemeofredemption, are full of inscrutablemysteries—howmuchmore thevastmindthatdesignedandexecutedthem?

ThemeanestofhisworksarefullofHimself,andofmysterieswhich,whenapprehended,arenotcomprehended.IfIadoredivinityinthe

humbledaisy;andifinthecreature,thatlivesforadayanddancesin a sunbeam, I see thewisdom thatmade the sun—how can I layasidethetelescopebywhichIhaveheldcommunionwiththedistantheavens, or themicroscope that reveals aworld ofwonders in cuedrop ofwater,without concluding that, if theworks ofGod are sowonderful, howmuchmorewonderfulhis own infinite and eternalmind?

"Thoseare thygloriousworks,Parentofgood.Almighty! thinethisuniversal frame, Thus wondrous fair; thyself how wondrous thenUnspeakable! who sitt'st above these heavens, To us invisible, ordimlyseenInthesethylowestworks;yetthesedeclareThygoodnessbeyondthought,andpowerdivine."

Byturningtheeyeinward,however,onourownmind,wecanformsome conception of the divinemind, even as a captive child, bornandretained inadarkdungeon,may learnsomenotionof the sunfrom the beam that, streaming through a chink of the riven wall,travelsthegraylonelyfloor;orevenas,althoughIhadneverwalkeditspebblyshore,norheardthevoiceofitsthunderingbreakers,norplayed with its swelling waves, I could still form some feebleconceptionoftheoceanfromalake,fromapool,fromalittledropofwater, even from this sparkling dew-drop, which, born from thewombof night, and cradled in the bosomof a flower, lieswaiting,likeasoulunderthesunofrighteousness,tobeexhaledtoheaven.

Lookatman, then:beheapoetor amanofmechanical geniusorartistic skill, a statesman or a philanthropist, or, better than all, amanwhoglowswithpiety:weseethathishappinessdoesnotlieinindolence,butinthegratificationofhistastesandfeelings,andtheactiveexerciseofhisfaculties.

Assume the same to be true ofGod— a conceptionwhich,while itexalts, endears ourHeavenly Father. It presents Him in thismostwinning and attractive aspect, that the very happiness of Godheadlies in the forth-putting— along with other attributes— of hisgoodness,love,andmercy.

Now, we may be mistaken, and I would not venture to speakdogmaticallyhere;yetthisdoesappeartoshedaray—abeam,ifnota flood of light, on somemysterious passages in the providence ofGod.

Shoresonwhichmanhasnever landed liepavedwithshells; fieldswhichhisfoothasnevertrodarecarpetedwithflowers;seaswherehehasneverdivedareinlaidwithpearls;andcavernsintowhichhehas nevermined are radiant with gems of the finest form and thefairestcolors.Well,itmaybe,andhasbeenasked,forwhatpurposethis lavishexpenditureof skillandbeautyonscenes,when there isneither an eye of intelligence to admire, nor piety to adore theMaker?

Thepoet,lamentinggeniusunknown,unpatronized,sinkingintoanignoblegrave,hassungof"flowersthatwastetheirsweetnessonthedesertair;"andupontheunfrequentedshelfofamountainrock,orrootedinthecreviceofanoldcastlewall,Ihavefoundsuchaflower,opening its modest beauty to the sun, and putting to shame theproudesteffortsofhumanskill.

Didyouneversitdownbesidesuchaflower,andcourtingitsgentlecompany, ask the question, Fair creature! for what end were youmade,andmadesoverybeautiful?Itcertainlydoeslookawasteofpowerandskilldivine.Yetmayitnotbe,thatangels,astheyflybyon theirmissions ofmercy, have stayed theirwing over that lowlyflower,andhoveredthereawhile, toadmire itscolorsandadore itsMaker?ButwhetherornotGodhimselfisthere.Invisible,Hewalkstheseunfrequentedsolitudes,andwith ineffablecomplacency lookson this little flowerashisownmightywork,andasamirrorofhisinfiniteperfections,"God,"itissaid,"shallrejoiceinhiswork,""TheLORDhathmadeallthingsforhimself:yea,eventhewickedforthedayofevil."

Theminnowplaysinashallowpool,andleviathancleavesthedepthsofocean—wingedinsectssportinasunbeam,andwingedangelssingbefore the throne; and whether we fix our eye on the one or theother, the whole fabric of creation appears to prove that the Lord

delightsintheevolutionofhispowers,inthedisplayofhiswisdom,love,andgoodness;and,justasitistothedelightwhichGodenjoysintheexerciseofthemthatweowethisbeautifulcreation,soitistohisdelight in theexerciseofhispity, love,andmercy, thatweowesalvation,withallitsblessings.

Letusbehumbleandthankful.Manhadaslittletodowithsavingaswithmakinghimself: thecreationofEdenand thecrossofCalvaryare equally thework ofGod; and the Lord stands forth before theuniverseasnotbyonetittlelesstheSaviourthantheCreatoroftheworld.Todisplayhisglory in radianteffulgence—toblaze itoutonthe eyes of delighted and adoring angels—to evoke the hiddenattribute of mercy—to give expression to his love and pity—Godresolvedtosave,and,insavingman,toturnthisworldintoatheaterforthemostaffectingtragedyandamazinglove.

Salvationisfinished.Itisoffered.Shallitberejected?Takethegoodof it, and giveHim the glory. "He is theGod of salvation;" "in hisnamewewillsetupourbanners."

-Inthatladderwherebyfaithclimbsherwayalofttoheaven,thereisnotaroundthatwecancallourown.-Inthisarkwhich,withopendoor, offers an asylum in the coming storm, a refuge in the risingflood—fromstemtosternandkeeltodeckthereisneithernail,norplank,norbeam,thatwecanclaimasours.Theplanofredemptionwas the design of infinite wisdom; its execution was left to dyinglove;anditisMercy,generousMercy,whosefairformstandsintheopendoor,bidding,entreating,beseechingyoualltocomein.

ListentothevoiceofJesus,"Comeuntome,allyethatlaborandareheavyladen,andIwillgiveyourest."Andlethismotherteachyouhow to speak, and learn from angels how to sing. With her—thecasketofadivinejewel,whoheldthebabeyetunborninhervirginwomb—withMary say, "My soul dothmagnify the Lord;my spirithath rejoiced in Godmy Saviour; for he that is mighty hath donegreatthingstome,andholyishisname."

Or, hark to the angels' song! glowing with seraphic fire, borrow

seraphic words; and sing with them, ere they wheel their brightranksforupwardflight,"GlorytoGodinthehighest;onearth,peaceandgoodwilltomen."

~endofchapter6~

MananObjectofDivineMercy

Thereforesayunto thehouseof Israel,Thussaith theLordGOD;Ido not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holyname'ssake,whichyehaveprofanedamongtheheathen,whitheryewent(Ezekiel36:22).

Wehaveseenasereandyellow leaf, tenaciousof itshold,hangonthe tree all the winter through; and there it kept dancing andwhirlingidlyinthewind,notbeautifulorgraceful,outofplaceandseason, inhumblingcontrastwiththeyoungandfreshcompanionswhichbuddingspringhadhungaroundit.

Likethatwrinkledandwitheredthing,somemen(whowerebetterin their graves) hang too longupon thisworld. They live too long;theydie too late, for themselvesat least.Half-deadandhalf- alive,mind and memory faded, surviving both their faculties andusefulness, and butmerewrecks of what once they were, they taxaffection,toconcealfromstrangers'eyesthesadravagesoftime,anddo for them the tender office of the ivy, when she kindly hidesbeneath her green and glossy mantle the crumbling ruin or oldhollowtree.

Itwas thehappy fateofMoses—andonemostsingularathisage—

neithertooutlivehishonornorusefulness:thedayhelaiddownhisleadership sawhim laydownhis life: death foundhimat his post.Palinuruswassweptfromthehelm.WhenHeavensawmeettotakeMoses, hewas onewhom the earth and churchwould have gladlyretained:butthetimehasarrivedwhenthepilot,who,incalmandstorm, through winter and summer seas, has steered thecommonwealthofIsraelforwellnighhalfacentury,istoresignthehelm intootherhands.A faithfulGodcallsa faithful servant tohisreward and rest. He did not leave them, however, till these wearyvoyagers were brought within sight of land, and, indeed, to themonthoftheveryhaventheyhadsolongdesiredandlookedtosee.

The children of Israel have reached the banks of Jordan, and—gratefulsighttoeyeswearyofthesenakedmountainsandthedeadflat level of barren sands—the people cluster with eager looks onevery summit, and, scatteredalong thebanks, theygaze across thefloodon theLandofPromise.How they feed their eyes, andneverwearylookingontheverdantpastures,thegoldenharvests,therocksclothedwithvines,theswellinghillscrownedwithwood,theplainsstuddedwithvillagesandcitiesteemingwithapopulationthattoldhowrichthesoil.

Andhowwelldescribed,thelandasone"fullofcornandwine,andflowingwithmilk and honey." In this posture of affairs, before heascendstohisrest,MosessummonsthetribesofIsrael;and,likethemembers of a family who gather from their different and distanthomes around a father's death-bed, they come to receive the oldman'sblessing,hispartingcounsels,andlast,longfarewell.

Propped upon pillows, bending on his staff, panting for breath,speakinginbriefandbrokensentences,bythosegropinghandsthatfelt for Ephraim's and Manasseh's head betraying the stone-blindness of a great old age, Jacob gave his blessing to the twelvesons, who all— uncommon fortune in so large a family—survivedtheirparent, andwere themselves the fathersof the livingmillionsnowswarmingbeneaththeeyeofMoses.

Buthowdifferent thebearingandaspectofMoses fromthatof the

hoarypatriarch!Anoldman! ifnotasoldaman,of agenotmuchshortofJacob's!

Onehundredandtwentyyearshadpassedonhishead,buttheyhadneither blanched his beard nor thinned his locks, nor drawn awrinkleonhisloftybrow:thateyehadlostnoneofitsfire,northatarmanyof its force, since thedaywhen, striking in forabrother'scause,hebestrodeaprostrateHebrew,and,parryingtheblowoftheEgyptian,gaveitback,likeabattle-axe,onhishead.Nearlythesameage as Jacob,whose bent and venerable appearance, as be enteredleaningonJoseph'sarm,ledPharaohtoask,"Howoldartthou?"

Mosesborehimselferect,and lookedthesameasontheday, fortyyearsbefore,whenhestrode intoPharaoh'shall, anddemandedofan angry king that theHebrews should go free. The sun thatwentdownintheeveningofsummer'slongestday,sunkasfullandbright,as if it had set at noon; "his eyewas not dim, norwas his naturalstrengthabated."Hislifeclosedamidtherichgloriesofthenoblestaddressthatgrace,genius,patriotism,andpietyeveruttered.

Standingonsomerockyplatform,withhisback to thesky,andhisfacetothepeople,Mosesdeliveredanaddressneverforgotten,andthatforlongagescontinuedtosounditstrumpetechoesintheears,andtobreathecourageintotheheartsofIsrael.Heblessedthetribesin succession, and— charged with inspiration, as a cloud withlightning—heburstforthatthecloseintotheseglowingexclamations—"ThereisnonelikeuntotheGodofJeshurun,whoridethupontheheavens in thy help; thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thydays,soshallthystrengthbe.

"The eternalGod is thy refuge, andunderneath are the everlastingarms."Jordangleamedinhiseye,andstretchingouthisarmstotheland across its flood, he cried—"Israel then shall dwell in safetyalone;thefountainofJacobshallbeuponalandofcornandwine;hisheavenshalldropdowndew.Happyartthou,Israel:whoislikeunto thee, O people saved by the Lord?"— Glorious words to theHebrews!andmostgraciousinChristianeyes.

Faith claims them as part of her inheritance, and looking on thatmightymultitudeas thedying typeofanever-dyingchurch, servesus heirs of entail to the spiritual blessings which lay concealedbeneaththevailoftheseearthlypromises.

Itisnot,however,somuchofthecloseasofthecommencementofMoses'speech,thatIwouldspeak.Theirdelivererfromthehouseofbondage,andleaderoftheirexodustothepromisedland,hewasatypeofJesus.Thathost,suppliedwithstreamsfromtheflintyrock,guidedby theShekinah, and fedwithmanna from the skies, in itsgrievousbondageandgreatdeliverance, itspilgrimwanderingsandhard-fought battles, its trials and crowning triumph,was a type oftheChurchofChrist.

Weareundoubtedlyheirsofall itspromises;butaswecannottakethesweetandreject thebitter, in servingourselvesheirs to Israel'spromises,webecomeheirsalso toherchastisements,herguilt andsin,herwarningsandrebukes.

Now, listen to Moses as he addressed the very people of whosecomingfortuneshespokesuchgloriousthings:—"Hear,Israel:ThouarttopassoverJordanthisday,togointopossessnationsgreaterand mightier than thyself: Not for thy righteousness, or for theuprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land.Understand,therefore,thatthougoestnotinforyourownsakes.TheLord thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thyrighteousness; for thou art a stiff-necked people, and hast beenrebelliousagainsttheLordfromthedaythatIknewyou."

Iftherebeamanstillonearth,inasituationcorrespondingtotheirswho stood on the brink of the flood, and saw Canaan's fair fieldsinviting them to cross, thatman isadyingChristian.With life fastebbing—hisbattlefought,thejourneyfinished,thedeserttraveled,the world with its rough paths and vanities behind him, heavenopeningitsgloriestohiseye,anddeath'scold,darkstreamrollingathis feet—he stands on the bank of the river and, ready to pass onwhentheHighPriesthasgonedowntodividetheflood,hewaitsbutthesummonstogo.

Well—Irepairtothechamberwherethisgoodmandies,and,sittingdownbesidehisbed, Iopen theBible,andread thesewords inhislisteningears,"Thouart topassJordanthisday.Speaknotthouinthineheart,saying,formyownrighteousnesstheLordhathbroughtmeintopossesstheland.Understand,thattheLordgiveththeenotthis good land for thy righteousness and uprightness; for thou artstiffnecked,andhastbeenrebelliousagainsttheLord."

To some, who, taking compassion on our ignorance, might turnroundtotellus,whatagoodmanhehadbeen,whatanexampleofpiety,howbrighthehadshone,howmuchthechurchwouldlamenthis death, and how much the poor would miss his charity, thesewords would sound hard and harsh, unseasonable and mostuncharitable.Butwhateverharshnessmightappeartoothersinsuchan address, this, I am sure, would be that Christian's humble,prompt, hearty response:— How true! how characteristic! what afaithful picture! how descriptive alike of my original unregeneratestate, and themany short-comings ofmy renewed nature! Raisinghis dying eye to heaven, and clasping his hands, he hushes intosilencetheill-timedpraiseofhisfriends,andrepeatsashisown,theconfessionofJob—"Ihaveheardoftheewiththehearingoftheear,butnowmineeyeseeththee;whereforeIabhormyselfandrepentindustandashes."

HeclingslikePetertothehandofJesus.Mercyisallhisprayer,andmercyallhispraise;hopesofmercy in the futurekindle inhiseye,andgratefulthanksformerciesinthepastemployhislatestbreath,anddwellonhisfalteringtongue.Hislastconsciouslookturnsawayfromhisownworkstofixitselfuponthecross,andthelastwordthattremblesonhisquiveringlipis,Jesus!

Itwerenoteasy to findabetterexampleof this, thanonewhich isrecordedinthehistoryofEngland'sgreatestapostle.Whenhelayonanexpecteddeathbed(thoughGodsparedhimsomeyearslongertothe world and church), his attendants asked John Wesley, whatwherehishopesforeternity?Andsomething likethiswashisreply—"ForfiftyyearsIhavebeentravelingupanddownthisworld,amidscornandhardship,topreachJesusChrist:andIhavedonewhatin

melaytoservemyblessedMaster."

What he had done, how poor he lived, how hard he labored, withwhat holy fire his bosom burned, with what success he preached,how brilliantly he illustrated the character—"dying, and beholdwelive; unknown, and yet well known; poor, yet making many rich;havingnothing,yetpossessingallthings;"—thesethingshislifeandworksattest.Theyareseeninhischurch'shistory,andinthecrownhe wears in heaven so bright with a blaze of jewels—the savedthroughhis agency.Yet thushe spake, "Myhopes for eternity?myonly hopes rest on Christ;" and as the confession of his faith, herepeatedthesewords:—

"Ithechiefofsinnersam,ButJesusdiedforme."

Thisconfession,soredolentofWesley'spiety,andhonorable tohismemory,andthewordsofMosestoIsrael,are inperfectharmony;andbothare inharmonywith thisgreat truthof the text, thatGodsaves sinners,not for their sakes, oroutof any regardwhatever totheirworthormerits.

We have already dwelt at some length on this truth.Why, then, itmaybeasked,choosethesametext,andexpatiateagainonthesametheme? If I needed apology or defense for lingering on thishumbling,butmostsalutaryandimportantsubject,Iwouldfinditinahighexample.ObservehowMoses, inhisdyingaddresstoIsrael,repeats and repeats, iterates and reiterates, this very truth—"Speaknot thou inthineheart,saying, formyrighteousness theLordhathbroughtme in topossess this land;but for thewickednessof thesenationstheLorddothdrivethemoutfrombeforethee."

Again—"Notforthyrighteousness,ortheuprightnessofthineheart,dostthougotopossesstheirland."

Again—"Understand,therefore,thattheLordthyGodgiveththeenotthisgoodlandtopossessitforthyrighteousness,forthouartastiff-neckedpeople."

Again— "Remember, forget not how thou provokedst the Lord thyGodtowrathinthewilderness;fromthedaythatthoudidstdepartoutofthelandofEgypt,untilyecameuntothisplace,yehavebeenrebelliousagainsttheLord."

Again—"InHoreb ye provoked theLord towrath, so that theLordwasangrywithyou,tohavedestroyedyou."

Again— "TheLord spake untome, saying, I have seen this people,and behold, it is a stiffnecked people; let me alone, that I maydestroythem."

Andagain—"Yehavebeenrebelliousagainst theLord fromthedaythatIknewyou."

ThusMoses.

A master, who charges his servant with some important message,repeats,andreiteratesitinhisear.Theteacher,whocommunicatessome leading rule in grammar to his pupils, or some fundamentaltruthinsciencetohisstudents,comesoveritagainandagain;justasacarpenter,byrepeatedblowsdriveshomethenail,andfixesitfirmin its place. For the same endwe resume our study of the text. Itdividesitselfintotwobranches;first,whatdoesnot;secondly,whatdoesmoveGodtosaveus.

Tothefirstquestionouransweris—Notanythinginus;tothesecond—Hisregardtohisownholyname.Now,inspeakingonthefirstoftheseIremark—

I.Thedoctrine thatGod isnotmovedtosavemanbyanymeritorexcellence of his, is a truth of the highest importance andconsequence to sinners. This doctrine has a direct and mostimportant bearing on the salvation of sinners. like the rough andsternBaptistitpreparesthewayforChrist.

-Wemustbeemptiedofselfbeforewecanbefilledwithgrace;-Wemust be stripped of our rags before we can he clothed with

righteousness; - We must be unclothed, that we may be clothedupon;-Wemustbewounded,thatwemaybehealed;-Wemustbekilled,thatwemaybemadealive;-Wemustbeburiedindisgrace,thatwemayriseingrace.Thesewordsareastrueofthesoulasthebody—"Sown in corruption, thatwemaybe raised in incorruption;sownindishonor,thatwemayberaisedinglory;sowninweakness,thatwemayberaisedinpower."

To borrow an illustration from the surgeon's art, the ill-set bonemusthebrokenagain, that itmaybe set aright. Iwouldpress thistruthonyourattention,becauseasoul filledwithselfhasnoroomfor God; and, like the inn of Bethlehem, given to lodge meanerguests,aheartfullofpridehasnochamber,withinwhichChristmaybeborn"inusthehopeofglory."

Totellmanthathehasnomeritis,nodoubt,ahumblingstatement,andonethatlaystheloftiestsinnerinthedust.Thisdoctrineisthetrue leveler, it puts allmen on the same degraded platformbeforeGod; sets kings as low as beggars, and the strictest virtue— virtuewhich thebreathof suspicionnever sullied—withbaseandbrazen-facediniquity.

Iadmitthat,ifwehadnobetterrighteousnessthanourowntoreston,weshoulddoourbesttoestablishitsclaims,andmayhapasserttherightofdecencytosaytoharlots,publicans,andsinners,"Standaside,Iamholierthanthou."Butwhyclingtothatwhenwehaveabetter righteousness in our offer? No wonder at all that themendicant,whosetimidknockhascalledustothedoor,standsthereshiveringinfilthyrags.Poorwretch!Hiscrimesormisfortuneshavereduced him to these; he has no change of raiment nor choice ofclothing; and so—with none kind or rich enough to help him—hemustmakethebestofwhathehastorobehisnakednessandprotectanemaciatedframefromthebitingcold.

No wonder also, that the prodigal, having spent all his portion inriotous living, in suchdress—ifdress it couldbe called—soughthisfather'shouse;noranywonderthathisfather,sosoonasthequickeyesofloveespiedhimfromafar,rantomeetthepenitent,fellonhis

neck, and kissed him in that ragged and loathsome attire. To saynothingofthosewhohaveyearnedoversomeunworthychild—everyfatherunderstandsthat.Buthowhadthewonderofthestorygrown,howhad son, servants, andneighbors concluded that thewretchedyouthhaddrunkawayhissensesaswellasmoney,hadhesolovedhisrags,astodeclinetopartwiththem,and,clingingtothesewrecksof better days—these sad memorials of his sin and folly—had herefusedtoputthefoulragsoff,thathemightputthefairrobeon!

He did nothing so foolish; and why should we? Now since Godpronouncesourrighteousness—observe,notourwickednesses,butour devotions, our charities, our costliest sacrifices, our mostapplaudedservices—tobe"filthyrags,"trustnottothem.

Whatman inhissenseswould thinkofgoing tocourt inrags?Northink that the righteousness of the cross was wrought to patch upthese;tomakeup,assomesay,forwhatisdefectiveandwantinginourownmerits.Norfancy,likesomewhowouldhaveaSaviourandyet keep their sins, that you may wear the rags beneath thisrighteousness. Put them away; not as a dress, which a man laysaside, tobeafterwards resumed;but cast themaway, likeabeggarwho,havinggotabetterattire,flingshisragsintothenearestditch,andleavesthemthereintheirfoulnesstorottennessanddecay.GodsaysofthesoulwhichFaithhasconductedtoJesus—"takeawaythefilthygarmentsfromhim,BeholdIhavecausedthineiniquitytopassfromthee,andIwillclothetheewithchangeofraiment."

Ifthisdoctrineishumblingtoourpride,itisfullofencouragementto a poor sinner's hope. It laysmedown, but it is to liftme up. Itthrowsmeontheground,that,likeAntæus,thegiantoffable,Imayrise stronger than I fell. It isnot forour sake thatweare saved. IfMercystoopstothe lowestguilt,Ohthenthere ishopeofsalvationfor me—for a man who has nothing that he can call his own butmiseryandsin;Iwillnotsitheretoperish;butfollowingaManassehandaMagdalene,adyingthief,andablood-stainedSaul,Iwilljointhe throng that, called from highways and hedges, are pouring—araggedcrowd—intothemarriagesupperoftheLamb.

Areanyamongyouholdingback,till,bythisorthatimprovementinyourhabits,youconsideryourselves fit togotoChrist?Fit togotoChrist?—fit togo toChrist you shallneverbe,butonlybygoing tohim.

Yourwarrant lies inyourwants; yourplea formercy inhismerits;your plea for an interest in hismerits in your own demerits.HearandadopttheprayerofDavid—"Forthineownname'ssake,pardonmine iniquity;" that is his prayer; now what is his plea? "for it islittle,""verylittle,"or"lessthanothers?"No,Headdsandurgesthis,"foritisgreat."

Was there ever an invalid so senseless as to say, when I amsomewhatbetter,when this feverburns less fierce, thispulsebeatsmore calm, this running nicer has a less loathsome and offensivedischarge,Iwillrepairtothehospital?Yetsuchistheirfollywhosay,whenIamholier,IwillgotoJesus.

Go to him as you are; show the physician your wounds, bruises,putrifyingsores—howthewholeheadissick,andthewholeheartisfaint,nowheistotakeyouinasyouare—justasyouare.Youcannotbemadeholytillyougotohim?Andwhathindersyoutogoandgonow?

Whatdoeshesay?Hearhim—"Icamenottocalltherighteous,butsinnerstorepentance."Andtheworseyourcaseis,thegreater,inasense, is your certainty of immediate salvation—yours the hope ofthemaimed and bleeding soldier, whom kind comrades bear fromthe deadly trench, and who knows that the worse his wound, themoresureisheofthesurgeon'searliestcare;andthatfromtheverycouch,wherenoblestbirthorhighestrankliesstretchedundersomeless serious injury, that man of humanity—image of the greatPhysician—will turnawaytokneeldownbyapoororphanboy, themeanestprivate,aye,evenamutilatedenemy,inhastetotieuptheseveredvessels,andstemthetidethatpourshislife'sbloodupontheground.GodhelpyoutosaywithPaul—

"It is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus

Christcameintotheworldtosavesinners,ofwhomIamchief,"andbelieving that, crywithDavid, "MakeHasteuntome,God.O lord,makenotarrying."

II.Itisasimportantforthesaintasforthesinnertoremember,thathe isnot saved throughpersonalmerit, or forhisown sake.Whenagehasstiffeneditsbarkandfibers,ifyoubendabranchintoanewdirection,eitherturnthattotherighthandwhichhadgrowntotheleft, or raise the bough to the skies which had been bent on theground, it is long before it loses the tendency to resume its oldposition.Andmanyyearsafteritscoursehasbeenchanged,andtheart, that conquer nature, has turned itswaters into a new cut, theriverneedscarefulwatching;else,whenswollenbywintersnowsorsummerfloods, it bursts our barriers, sweeps dyke and bulwark tothesea,and,intheprideofvictory,foams,androars,andrages, initsoldaccustomedchannel.

Evenso,whenGodhaslaidhandsuponus,andgracehasgivenourearthlysoulaheavenwardbent,howproneitistostartbackagain!Whenhethatsittethupontheflood,andturneththeheartsofmenlike the rivers of water, hath sent the current of our tastes andfeelings in a new direction, how apt are they, especially in someoutburst of sudden temptation that comes down like a thunder-spout,toflowbackintotheoldanddeep-wornchannelsofacorruptnature! Of this, David and Peter are memorable and dreadfulexamples.

Andwho, thathasendeavoredtokeephisheartwithdiligence,hasnot felt, and mourned over the tendency to be working out arighteousnessofhisown,tobepleasedwithhimself,and,bytakingsomesatisfactioninhisownmerits,toundervaluethoseofChrist.

So was it with that godly man who, on one occasion—most rareachievement!—offeredupaprayerwithoutonewandering thought;anddescribeditastheworstwhichhehadeveroffered,because,ashe said, the Devil made him proud of it. So was it also with theminister, who, upon being told by one—more ready to praise thepreacher than profit by the sermon—that he had delivered an

excellent discourse, replied, "You need not tellme that; Satan toldmesobeforeIleftthepulpit."Oh!itwerewellforthebestofusthatwecouldsaywithPaul,"wearenotignorantofhisdevices."

Stepintothisroom,wherethegreatestScotchmanliesadying,andseeanexamplemorestriking,warning,alarmingstill.Fromtheirongraspofkingsandprinces,Knoxhaswrung the rights of Scotland.Readytocontendevenuntothedeath,hehadbeardedproudnoblesand prouder churchmen; he had stood under the fire of battle; hehadbeenchainedtothegalley'soar;hehadoccupiedthepulpitwithacarbine leveledathis fearlesshead;andtoplantGod'struth,andthat tree of civil and religious libertywhich has struck its roots sodeepinoursoil,andunderwhoseshadowwearethisdaysitting,hehadfoughtmanyahard-foughtbattle;buthishardestwasfoughtinthesolitudeofthenight,andamidthequietnessofadyingchamber.

Onemorning his friends enter his apartment. They find him faintandpallid,wearingthelookofonewhohadpassedatroublednight.Sohehad;hehadbeenfighting,notsleeping;wrestling,notresting;and it required all God's grace to bring him off a conqueror. Tilldaybreak,Jacobwrestledwith theAngel of theCovenant; and thatlongnightKnox'hadpassedwrestlingwith thePrinceofDarkness.Like Bunyan's Pilgrim, he met Apollyon in the valley, and theirswordsstruckfireintheshadowofdeath.

Thelionissaidtobeboldestinthestorm.Hisroarisneversoloudas is the pauses of the thunder, and when the lightning flashes,brightestare the flashesofhiscrueleye;andevensohe,who,asaroaringlion,goethaboutseeking-whomhemaydevour,oftenseizesthe hour of nature's distress to assault us with his fiercesttemptations.

- Satan tempted Jobwhen hewas bowed downwith grief. - SatantemptedJesuswhenhewasfaintwithhunger.-SatantemptedPeterwhen he was weary with watching and heart-broken with sorrow.And, reservingperhapshis grandassaultonus for times thatofferhimagreat advantage, itwaswhenKnoxwaswornout, left alone,hishead laid lowonadyingpillow, thatSatan, like a roaring lion,

leapeduponhisbed.IntothatroomtheEnemyhadcome;hestandsbyhisbed—heremindshim thathehadbeena standard-bearerofthetruth—areformer;aboldconfessor;adistinguishedsufferer;theveryforemostmanofhistimeandcountry;heattemptstopersuadehim, that surely such raremeritsdeserve the crown.TheChristianconquered—but hard put to it—only conquered through Him thatloved him. His shield was the truth of my test; he had been lost,wrecked at themouth of the very harbor, had he lost sight of thisbeacon—"Idonotthisforyoursake,butformineholyname'ssake."

Andseeing,asthesecasesshow,theremaybesuchdangerlurking—likeasnakeamongflowers—underourbestattainments;seeingthat,liketheinflammatoryattackstowhichthosearemostliablewhoarehighest fed,whosebonesaremost fullofmarrow,andwhoseveinsaregorgedwithblood,wemaybeexposedtospiritualpridethroughtheveryfullnessofourgraces;seeingthathe,whocantwisttheBibleintoargumentsforsin,canuseourbestworksasfueltothefiresofvanity,letuswatchandprayandlearntobehumble.

Oh,it isneedfulfortheholiesttoremember,thatman'sbestworksarebadatthebest;andthat,tousethewordsofPaul, it is"Notbyworksofrighteousnessthatwehavedone,butaccordingtohismercyhe hath saved us, through the washing of regeneration, and therenewingoftheHolyGhost."

III.Thisdoctrine,whileitkeepsthesainthumble,willhelptomakehimholy.Here—noornamenttoparkorgarden—standsadwarfed,stunted,bark-bound tree.Howam I todevelop thatdwarfish steminto tall and graceful beauty—to clothewith blossoms these nakedbranches,andhangthem,tilltheybend,withclusteredfruit?

Changesuchasthatisnottobeeffectedbysurfacedressing,oranycare bestowed on the upper soil. The remedymust go to the root,Youcannotmakethattreegrowupwardstillyoubreakupthecrust—pulverizethehardsubsoil,andgivetherootsroomandwaytostrikedeeperdown—for,thedeepertheroot,andthewiderspreadthefinefilamentsofitsrootlets,thehigherthetreeliftsanumbrageousbeadtoheaven,andspreadsoutitshundredarms,tocatch,indews,rain-

drops,andsunbeams,theblessingsofthesky.

Thebeliever—

- in respect of character, "a tree of righteousness of the Lord'splanting,"-inrespectofstrength,"acedarofLebanon,"- inrespectoffruitfulness,anolive,-inrespectofposition,"apalmtreeplantedinthecourtsofGod'shouse,"-inrespectoffullsuppliesofgrace,atree"bytheriversofwaterwhichyieldethitsfruitinitsseason,andwhoseleafdothnotwither"—offersthisanalogybetweengraceandnature.Asthetreegrowsbestskywardthatgrowsmostdownward,the lower the saint grows in humility, the higher he grows inholiness.Thesoaringcorrespondstothesinking,Iwishyoutothinklittle,verylittleofyourselves;butwhy?becausethelessyouthinkofyourselves,themorewillyouesteemChrist;andthehumbleryouareinyourowneyes,thehigheryouwillstandinGod's.Theguest,who,comingmodestlyin,takesthelowestplaceatthetable,iscalleduptotheseatofhonor;andIhavealwaysthought,thatnonearesosuretolie inJesus'bosomas those Ihave seen lying lowest at Jesus' feet.Was it not over one,who content to be spoken of as "a dog," heldherself well served with crumbs, and asked nothing but thesweepings of the table, that Jesus pronounced this superlativeeulogium— "I have not found such faith; no, not in Israel." "Godexalteththehumble,andabaseththeproud."

Howimportant,therefore,thesentimentofmytext?Receiveit,"andthe loftiness ofman shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness ofmenshallhemade low;andtheLordaloneshallbeexalted inthatday."

Piety and pride are not less opposed to each other than light anddarkness.Nodoubtstrangethings—singularconjunctions—areseeningraceaswellasinnature.Likeanill-assortedmarriage,youmayfindasourandascetictemperalliedtogenuinefaith.Eminentpietyhas stood blushing in sackcloth on a pillory of shame. The sun ofsaintshiphasundergoneadreadfulandunlooked foreclipse.Goodand great men have fallen into gross sin, causing God's people tohangdowntheirheads,andcry,astheyweptinsecret,"Howarethe

mighty fallen!" In short, the grace of God has been found in suchstrangecompanyastogiveoccasionfortheremarkofone,whosaid,"thegraceofGodwill livewhereneitheryounorIcould live."But,among these anomalies, amounting sometimes almost tomonstrosities, I will venture to say you never saw, no, nor thechurch, nor world, nor any eye nor age over yet saw— a saintdistinguished forhisholiness,whowasnotalso remarkable forhishumility.Thegrandestedifices,thetallesttowers,theloftiestspires,rest on deep foundations. The very safety of eminent gifts andpreeminentgracesliesintheirassociationwithdeephumility.Theyweredangerouswithoutit.Greatmenneedtobegoodmen.

Lookatthismightyship—aleviathanonthedeep;withhertoweringmasts, and carrying a cloud of canvas, how she steadies herself onthewaves, andwalks erect upon the rollingwaters, like a thing ofinherent, self-regulating life!Why—when corn iswaving, and treesarebending,andfoamingbillows rollbefore theblastandbreak inthunders on the beach, is she not flung on her beam-ends—sentdown—founderingintothedeep?Why,becauseunseenbeneaththesurface,avast,well-ballastedhullgivesherbalance,and,takingholdofthewater,keepshersteadyunderapressofsail,andonthebosomoftheswellingsea.

Even so, that the saint may be preserved upright, erect, and keptfromfalling,Godgiveshimbalanceandballast—givingtheman,onwhom he has bestowed lofty endowments, the grace of aproportionatehumility.

Wehavewonderedatthelowlinessofaman,whostoodamonghiscompeers likeSaulamong thepeople—to findhimsimple,gentle,generous, docile, humble as a little child—tillwe found that itwaswith great mea as with great trees. What giant tree has not giantroots?Whenthetempesthasblownoversomesuchmonarchoftheforest,andhelies indeathstretchedoutathisfull lengthupontheground,onseeing themighty roots that fedhim—thestrongcablesthatmooredhimtothesoil—weceasetowonderathisnoblestem,and the broad, leafy, lofty head he raised to heaven, defiant ofstorms.

Even so, when death has struck down some distinguished saint—whoseremoval,likethatofagreattree,leavesavastgapbelow,andwhom, brought down now, as it were, to our own level, we canmeasure betterwhenhehas fallen thanwhenhe stood—andwhenthefuneralisover,andhisrepositoriesareopened,andthesecretsofhisheartareunlockedandbroughttolight,ah!now,intheprofoundhumilitytheyreveal—inthespectacleofthathonoredgrayhead,laidsolowinthedustbeforeGod—weseethegreatrootsandstrengthofhisloftypiety.

Wouldyoubeholy?learntobehumble.Wouldyoubehumble?takemytext,and,withapenofironandthepointofadiamond,engraveituponyourheart;orratherpray—HolySpirit,fountainoflight,andgiverofallgrace,withthineowndivinefingerinscribeitthere!

Wouldyoubeholy?youmustbehumble.Wouldyoubehumble?Oh!never forget that themagnetwhichdrewaSaviour from the skies,wasnotyourmeritbutyourmisery."Beclothedwithhumility,"andere longyoushallexchangethesackclothforashiningrobe.What!althoughthisgracemayimparttoyourfeelingsasomberhue?Graymorningsare theprecursorsofbrightestdays;weepingspringsarefollowedbysunnysummersandautumnsofrichestharvest;andinthespiritualasinthenaturalkingdom—"Theythatsowintearsshallreapinjoy."

~endofchapter7~

GodGlorifiedinRedemption

And Iwill sanctifymygreatname,whichwasprofanedamong theheathen(Ezekiel36:23,24).

The character of a governmentmay be read in the condition of itssubjects.Aretheyturbulent,intheirhabitslawless,intheirreligionsuperstitious? with coasts full of harbors, and mountains rich inminerals, with a genial climate and a productive soil, are they yet

clothedinrags,housedincabins,steepedtothelipsinpoverty?

Theseare thecertainsignsofbadgovernment.Fieldsoverrunwithweeds—fences falling into ruins— theplough rotting in the floodedfurrow—and hungry cattle bellowing on scanty pastures—these arethesuresignsofbadhusbandry.Andyonderraggedfamily,whoatschool hours are roaming our streets— the unwashed face andtangledhairbespeakingnomother'skindness—hungerintheholloweye, and pale, emaciated features— these are the sure and toocommonsignsofanunhappyparentage.heysuggestthepictureofahomeatthetopofsomefilthystair,orinsomefouldenofacellar,where a miserable father, the neglected victim of disease andpoverty,liesstretcheduponthefloor,erasisstillmorelikely—whereabrutaldrunkard lives, the tyrantofhischildren,andtheterrorofhiswife.Thuswe judgeofasovereignbyhissubjects,andthusweseethehusbandmaninhisfarm,andthefatherinhisfamily.

Itmaybe—itwereindeedunfair—toapplythisruletoourfaithanditsFounder.Yetmenhavedoneso,andwilldoso;andthusthecauseofGodandreligionismadetosuffergrievousinjuryatthehandofits nominal friends. By their coldness, their worldliness, theirselfishness, their open sinfulness, the little apparent differencebetween them and those who make no profession at all—nay,sometimes,by theirglaring inferiority to the latter in theblowandfruitofthenaturalvirtues—professingChristians—likeTendersofabadcoinage,haveexposedgenuinepiety tosuspicion, and inflicteditsdeepestwoundsonthecauseofChrist.

Seeing how, in natural races—kindness of heart— sweetness oftemper—generosity—thecommoncharitiesoflife;meremenoftheworldlosenothingbycomparisonwithsuchprofessors,howareyoutokeeptheworldfromsaying,"Ah!yourmanofreligionisnobetterthanothers;nay,heissometimesworse?"

Withwhatfrightfulprominencedoesthisstandoutintheanswer—nevertobeforgottenanswer—ofanIndianchief to themissionarywho urged him to be a Christian. The plumed and painted savagedrewhimselfupintheconsciousnessofsuperiorrectitude,and,with

indignationquiveringonhislipandflashinginhiseagleeye,replied,"Christian lie! Christian cheat! Christian steal!—drink!— murder!Christianhasrobbedmeofmylandsandslainmytribe!"adding,ashe turned haughtily on his heel, "theDevil, Christian! Iwill be noChristian."

Letsuchreflections teachus tobecarefulhowwemakeareligiousprofession;buthavingmadeit—costwhatitmaycost—tobecarefulinactinguptoit,for"Itisbetternottovow,than,havingvowed,nottopay."

These remarks are suggestedby the fact alreadyadverted to in thepreviousdiscourses—thattheinterestsoftruthandthenameofGodsuffered inBabylon, in consequencebothof themiserableoutwardconditionandstillmoremiserablemoralconditionof thepeopleofIsrael. Reduced to bondage, sunk lower still— for, compared to asinner, how free is a slave?—they exceeded theirmasters in crime,andwenttogreaterexcessofriot.

Theheathen—whooverlookedthesinsofwhichtheirmiserywastherighteouspunishment—naturallyenoughconcluded,thattheGodofapeoplesowretchedandsoworthless,mustbeaweak—perchanceawicked one. ThusGod's namewas profaned, and the Lord himselfdishonored, till the time arrived, when, arising to plead the causethatwashisown,Godsanctifiedhisgreatnameinthefortunesofhispeople,andinthesightoftheheathen.

PassingoverthespecialapplicationofthesewordstotheJews,andlookingat them in theirprophetical connectionwith the schemeofredemption,Inowremark—

I.ThatGodmighthavevindicatedhishonorandsanctifiedhisnameinourdestruction.Hesanctifiedhisnameintheemancipationofhisancient people. When by one blow he struck the fetters from anation'slimbs,baptizedthemwithhisSpirit,gavethemfavorinthesightofkings,andbroughtbackthesewearyexiles,withsongsandgladness, to Jerusalem, thenGodwas sanctified in themidstof alltheheathen.

Hispower,wisdom,holiness, andgoodness,were illustrated in therenewedcharacter,joyoushomes,andhappyfortunesofhispeople.Now, God might undoubtedly have sanctified himself in themotherwise—vindicatinghischaracter insuchdestructionuponZion,as he here threatens upon Sidon—"Behold, I am against thee, OSidon, and I will be glorified in the midst of thee, and they shallknowthatIamtheLordwhenIshallhaveexecutedjudgmentinher,and shall be sanctified in her; I will send with her pestilence andbloodintoherstreets;andtheyshallknowthatIamtheLord."

Twomethodsofglorifyinghisnameareopen toGod.He is free tochooseeither;butbytheoneor theotherwayhewillexacthis fulltaleofgloryfromeveryman.InEgypt,forinstance,hewasglorifiedin the high-handed destruction of his enemies; and, in the sameland,bythehigh-handedsalvationofhispeople.

In theonecaseheprovedhowstronghisarmwas tosmite,and intheotherhowstrongitwastosave.HegaveEgypt'sking—erehewasdonewithhim—a terrible answer tohis insolentquestion, "Who istheLordthatIshouldservehim?"

-GodwassanctifiedbeforePharaoh,when,hurryingtothebanksoftheNile,andturningpaleatthesight,hesawthemfilledwithblood—blood brimming in every goblet, and blood flowing in everychannel.-GodwasagainsanctifiedbeforePharaoh,whenhesawthesame skies rain ice and fire, - God was again sanctified beforePharaoh, when, startled at midnight by a nation's wail, andsummonedto thebedofhisheirandeldestborn,hesawhim,stiffand dead—smitten by the angel of death. And God was againsanctifiedbeforePharaoh,when—ashelookedalongthewateryvista—hesawMosescomedowninthegreyofmorningtotheshore,andwatchingthelastHebrewsafeonland,stretchhisrodoutuponthedeep,whosewaves,roaringontheirprey,nowrushfromeitherflankonthepowerofEgypt,andburypaleriderandsnortinghorse—allthatbanneredarmy—intheirwhirlingwaters.

ThesearefusedGod'senemiesagrave.Sheflungthemoutuponhershore.Moses standsover the body of the king; and as he gazes on

thatglassyeye,whichhadlostitshaughtiness,andthoselips,whoseinsolence thewaters hadwashed away, howmight he stoop down,andsay,NowyouknowwhoistheLord!Oh!Hadthesealofdeathbeenbroken—removedfromtheseblue,discoloredlips—theirshadbeen this solemn utterance, "Let the potsherds strive with thepotsherdsoftheearth;woetothemanthatstrivethwithhisMaker."

In likemanner,GodsanctifiedhisnamentheplainsofSodom.Hesanctifiedit,ontheonehand,inthedestructionofhisenemies,andon the other, in the salvation of Lot. Ah! then theworld ceased todoubthischaracter,andperhapsangelsceasedtowonderthatsuchwickednesswasallowedonearth.Thelightofthecity'sconflagrationilluminatedhisholiness,andhisthroneroseupindreadandawfulmajestyamidthesmokingruins.

Andhowwashesanctifiedinthatwretchedfugitive,whohascrossedbut half the plain; a wife, she comes not to a husband's calls—amother, she stirs not to her children's piercing cry. Look at thatspectral form with head turned on the burning ruins— a woman,stiffenedintostone,withhercoldgreyeyesstaringlargeonSodom,and the surprise—horror—that had seized her soul, as she felt herwarmfleshhardeningintostone,carvedontheserigidfeatures!

"RememberLot'swife."ShestandsthereanexampleofGod'spowertosanctifyhisname,andanawfullessontotheendoftime.Deeponthestatue'sstonybrowthesewordsareengraven—"Nomanhavingputhishandtotheplough,andlookingback,isfitforthekingdomofGod."

Since there are two ways open to God, by either of which hemaysanctify his great name, he might therefore, at the Pall, havevindicated his justice by swift and unsparing vengeance—bydestroyingthewholehumanfamily.Hedidso, intheeaseof fallenangels.

Ofthese,therewasnowreckorremnantsaved.Notoneescaped.Noarkfloatedonthewaters,towhich—likeNoah's,dove—aflyingangelpursuedbywrathmightturnhiswearywing.Canitbedoubted,that

themeasuremetedouttofallenangels,Godmighthavemetedouttofallenmen?—sanctifyinghisgreatnameinourruin,ratherthaninourredemption.

Now,before I showhowhe sanctifieshimself in the redemptionofhispeople,letmewarnyou,thatwhatGodmighthavedonewithall,he shall do with some—with all indeed who despise, or refuse, orneglect this great salvation. Yes; the trees shall burn that will notbear.Beassured,thatGodlosesnothingintheend.Hewillmakehisown use of every man, extracting glory out of all—even fromcumberersoftheground.Ifyouarenotgoodforfruit,youshallservefor fuel. God is not willing that any should perish; willing, mostwilling,ratherthatthesinnershouldlive,hefollowshimtotheverygateofhell,crying,"turnye,turnye,whywillyedie?"

Yetbewarnedintime;youcannotescapethealternative;thisorthatyou must choose—to honor God by your active or your passiveobedience.Godhelpyou, likeMary, tochoose thebetterpart! Thisday,Isetbeforeyou"lifeanddeath."Willyoudohiswillinheaven,or suffer it in hell? How terrible the words! "God hath made allthingsforhimself,yea,eventhewickedforthedayofwrath."

II.Godsanctifieshisname,andglorifieshimselfinourredemption.It is easy to destroy—to destroy character, virtue, life, anything.Falling withmurderous strokes on you noble tree, the woodman'saxedestroys ina fewhours,what ithasrequiredcenturiestoraise.Lookatthatbeautifulgourd,underwhosegreenandgratefulshadetheprophetsits!

Emblemofallhappinessthathasitsrootinearth,itfallsbymeansasweakasaworm's teeth; thepoisonouseastwindbreatheson itsleaves,thehotsunglaresonthem,andtheywitheraway.Anounceoflead,oneinchofsteel,adropdistilledfromaserpent'sfang,evena grain of sand lodged in the passages of life—any one of these isfatal.Theyturnthis living,delicate,wondrous fabric intoaheapofundistinguishabledust—ahandfulofcold,blackashes.

InthebodymandestroyswhatGodonlycanmake,andinthismore

preciousandimmortalsoul,SatandestroyswhatGodonlycansave.It needs but a devil to ruin the spirit, but it needs a Divinity toredeem it. It needs but a villain to steal virtue, it needs a divinepowertorestorethestolenjewel.Howmucheasierisittokillamanthancurehim?

Tobeanexecutionerthanaphysician?Tositrobedonthebenchofjustice, and, assuming her fatal cap, to condemn a poor wretch todie;todrawtheboltandlaunchasoulintoanotherworld;tostandonthe fieldofbattle,andwith leveledmusket—byamotionof thefinger—todashafellowcreatureintoeternity—theseareeasierthantoblesswithonehour'ssleepabedofpain,It iseasiertostopthispulse forever, than bring down its death gallop to the calm andmeasuredmarchofhealth.Andas,insuchcases,man'sgloryismoreillustrated by curing than by killing, so God's glory is morepreeminent in our redemption than it had been in our final andeverlastingruin.

Excepting of course the preacher's—for with Paul we magnify ouroffice—of all earthly employments it appears to me that thephysician's is thenoblest, and that of all arts thehealing art is thehighest,andofferstogeniusandbenevolencetheirnoblestfield.

Castingnodisparagementonthebraveandgallantspiritswhohaveguardedacountry'sshores—andsomeofwhomfalling intheranksof battle have offered noble examples of soldiers, true both to anearthlycrownandaSaviour'scross—yetweknowthat theaimofawarrior is ingeniously to invent,andhisbusinesseffectively touse,instrumentsofdestruction.

His greatest achievements are wrought where deadly wounds aresuffered;hisproudest triumphsarewonwhereburningcitiesblazeoverblood-stainedhearths,and,horribletothinkof!wherefieldsarefattened with human gore; his laurels are watered with tears; hiscourse, like the hurricane, is marked by destruction; and it is hisunhappylot—perhapstheunhappiestviewofarmsasaprofession—thathecannotconquerfoesbutatthesacrificeoffriends.

Now, in the eye of reason, and of a humanity that weeps over asufferingworld,his is surely thenobler vocation—and, if notmorehonored—themore honorable callingwho sheds blood, not to kill,butcure;whowoundsnot that thewoundedmaydie,but live;andwhosegeniusransacksearthand.ocean insearchofmeans tosavelife, to remove deformity, to repair decay, to invigorate failingpowers,andrestoretheroseofhealthtopallidcheeks.

Hisaimisnottoinflictpain,butrelieveit—nottodestroyafather,but—standing between him and death— to save his tremblingwifefromwidowhood,andtheselittlechildrenfromanorphan'slot.

Andif,althoughtheybewoveroundnocoronet,thosearefairerandfresher laurels which are won by saving than by slaying; if it is anoblerthingtorescuelifethandestroyit,evenwhenitsdestructionisanactofjustice;then,on.thesameprinciple,Godmostglorifiedhimself when revealed in the flesh, and speaking by his Son, hedescendedonaguiltyworld—thishispurpose—"Icamenottojudgetheworld, but to save it,"—and this his character—"TheLordGod,mercifulandgracious,longsuffering,andabundantingoodnessandtruth."

Apart, however, from this general consideration, I remark that thescheme of redemption is eminently illustrative of the attributes oftheLord.Forexample—

I.Hispowerisglorifiedintheworkofsalvation.Itspathismarked,and its pages are crowded with stupendous miracles. At one timeGodstaysthewavesofthesea,atanotherhestopsthewheelsofthesun, and, now reversing the machinery of heaven to confirm hisword,hemakestheshadowtravelbackwardsonthedialofAhab.

Heaven descends to earth, and its inhabitants walk the stage of aworld's redemption.Here one angel speaks out of a burning bush,and there another leaps on a burning altar, and, with wingunscorched, ascends to heaven in its flame. Here a prophet,exemptedfromthe lawofdeath,goesuptoglory ina fierychariot,andthereanotherinthebellyofawhalegoesdownintothedepths

ofocean.

In contradiction of the laws of nature, a body that should havegravitatedtotheearth,floats,fromthetopofOlivet,upwardintotheambientair.Acrossalakewhichfrostneverbound,andwinterneverpaved with ice, walks a human form, stepping on from billow tobillow.

The tenant of the grave becomes its conqueror, and, laying by itscerements as nightclothes left in bed, he walks forth on the dewygrass at the break of day; the prisoner has bound his jailer andcarriedoffthekeys.OverBethlehem'sfields,angelswiththelightoftheir wings turn night into day, and shepherds, who watch theirflocks,areregaledbyvoicesoftheskies—thesongofheavenoverababe, who has a poor woman for his mother, and a stable for hisbirthplace.Norlessremarkable,thedeafarelisteningtothesongsofthedumb,andtheblindaregazingonthedeadalive;adumbbeasttakeshumanspeechandrebukes thehoarysage;ravens leavetheiryoungtocater inthefieldsforman;andangelsabandonheaventobold sentinel watch by the grave of One whom God forsook, hiscountryrejected,friendsrepudiated,andnonebutathiefconfessed.

And amid these wonders and thousandsmore, acted beforemen'seyes on the stage of redemption, and all so illustrative of thepresence and power of God, the greatest wonder—the wonder ofwonders—is He that works them; the Son of a virgin! dust andDivinity! Creator and Creature! "the mystery of godliness, Godmanifestintheflesh."Truly,"ThisistheLord'sdoing;itismarvelousinoureyes."

Buttoglanceatthechangewroughtinredemptiononmanhimself,whatamazingpowerdoesitdisplay!Whatagloriouscombinationofbenevolence and omnipotence! Punishment is confessedly easierthan reformation. Nothing is more easy than to rid society of acriminalbythehandofanexecutioner;buttosoftenhisstonyheart,to get him to fall in love with virtue, to make him an honest,honorable,kind,andtenderman,toguidehiserringstepsfromthepathsofcrime—ah!thatisanotherthing.

Hence,bymencallousofheart,anddeaf to thegroansofsufferinghumanity, the preference given to prisons over schools, topunishmentoverprevention.Well,then,sinceitisconfessedlyeasier—easier, not better; easier, not in the end cheaper—topunish thanreform, I say that God's power is more illustriously displayed inpardoningoneguilty—inpurifyingonepollutedman,thanifthelawhadbeen left to takehersternestcourse,andourentire familyhadbeenburiedintheruinsofthefall.

Wehonorjusticewhensheholdsthebalanceeven,andbeforealandthatcries forblood,bringsoutthemurderertohanghimupinthefaceofthesun:"whososheddethman'sblood,bymanshallhisbloodbe shed." Yet, like the Romans, who decreed a crown to him thatsaved a citizen, we would hold himworthy of highest honors whobringsforthacriminalfromhiscell,sochangedastobeworthy,notonlyofbeingrestoredtothebosomofsociety,butofholdingaplaceinthesenate,orsomepostofdignitybesidethethrone.Thatwereanachievementofbrilliantrenown—avictoryoverwhichhumanityandpietywouldshedtearsofjoy.

To compare small things with great, something like this—butunspeakablynoblerandgreater—Godworksinsalvation.

For example—In John Bunyan, he calls the bold leader of villagereprobatestopreachthegospel;ablasphemingtinkertobecomeoneof England's famous confessors; and from the gloomy portals ofBedfordjail,toshedforththelusterofhissanctifiedandresplendentgeniustothefartherlimitsoftheworld,andadownthewholecourseoftime.

From the deck of a slave ship he summons John Newton to thepulpit;andbyhandsdefiledwithMammon'smostnefarioustraffic,he brings them that are bound out of darkness, and smitesadamantinefettersfromtheslavesofsin.

InPaul, theApostle of theGentiles, he converts his Son's bitterestenemy into his warmest friend. To the man whom a tremblingchurch held most in dread, she comes to owe, under God, the

weightiest obligations. In Paul she has her boldest champion, hergreatest logician, the most gallant of her defenders, her grandestpreacher, the prince of Apostles, the largest contributor to thisimperishable volume.Howmuch better for these three stars to beshininginheaven,thanquenchedintheblacknessofdarkness.

Betterforthegoodofman—betterforthegloryofGod.Inthem,andinallthesaintedthrongaroundthem,hasnotGodmoreillustriouslydisplayedhispower,thanifhehadcrushedthembythethundersofhisvengeance,andburiedtheminthedepthsofhell?

ThepowerofDivinityculminatesingrace.Oh,thatwemaybecomeitsmonuments,andbebuiltupbythehandsofaneternalSpirit,tothegloryofthecross!Andwhynot?Lookatthesemen!Thinkwhattheywere;beholdwhattheyare!and,addressingyourprayerstohimwhoseearisneverheavythatitcannothear,norhishandshortenedthat it cannot save, be this your earnest, your urgent cry, "Awake,awake,putonstrength,OarmoftheLord,Awake,asintheancientdaysinthegenerationsofold."

~endofchapter8~

TheWisdomandHolinessofGodIllustratedinSalvation

And Iwill sanctifymygreatname,whichwasprofanedamong theheathen(Ezekiel36:23).

The effect of thewind is visible, not the element itself. The cloudsscudacrossthesky,thetreesswingtheirarmswildlyintheair,aerialwaves chase each other in sport across the corn, and the boat,catchingthegaleinherflowingsheet,goesdancingoverthebillows.So— although in a sense infinitely higher—the Invisible is visible;and in his works we see God, who, seeing all, remains himselfunseen. He is lost, not in darkness, but in light; He is a sun thatblindstheeyewhichisturnedonitsburningdisc.Angelsthemselvesare unable to sustain his glory. They cover their faces with theirwings,andusethem,asamanhishand,toscreentheireyesfromtheineffableeffulgence.

Suppose that we ascend the steps of creation, from matter in itscrudest form to nature's highest andmost beautiful arrangements;fromthelichenthatclothesarocktotheoakthatstandsrootedinitscrevices; from the dull coal to the same mineral crystallized in aflashingdiamond;fromadew-drop, lying in thecupofa flower, tothe great ocean that lies in the hollow of itsMater's hand; from aspark thatexpires in themomentof itsbirth, to thesunwhichhasrisen and set with unabated splendor on the graves of a hundredgenerations; from the instinct of the moth, that flutters round ataper,totheintellectofanangel,whohoversbeforethethrone;froma grain of sand to this vast globe; from thisworld to a creation inextent,perhaps,asmuchgreaterthanourplanetasitisgreaterthanthegrainof sand:Aswe climbupwards, stepby step, our viewsofGod's glory enlarge. They risewith our elevation, and expandwiththe widening prospect. At length we reach a pinnacle where thewholeheavensandearthHespreadoutbeneathourfeet—andreachittofallonourknees,and,catchingthestrainofadoringseraphim,

toexclaim,"Holy,holy,holy,istheLordofHosts,thewholeearthisfullofhisglory!"

ItisnotgiventomantodiscoveralltheworksandwaysofGod.No;withourboasteddiscoveriesandprideofscience,perhapstheseareaslittleknowntousastheunbrokenforesttothemicroscopicinsect,whose life is a day, andwhose world is a leaf—that little decayingleaf,thesceneofitsmostdistantjourneys,itscountry,itscradle,itsgrave. With what modesty, then, should the highest intellect bowdownandbearitselfinpresenceofitsCreator!Letthepatriarch,inlanguageworthyofsohighatheme,describehismajesty.

"Hestretchethoutthenorthovertheemptyplace,andhangeththeearth upon nothing. He holdeth back the face of his throne, andspreadeth his cloud upon it. He hath compassed the waters withbounds,untilthedayandnightcometoanend.Thepillarsofheaventrembleandareastonishedathis reproof;hedivideth theseawithhispower,andbyhisunderstandinghesmiteththroughtheproud;by his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formedthecrookedserpent; lo,thesearepartsofhisways;buthowlittleaportion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who canunderstand?"

Unbelieverashewas, thegreatLaplaceechoedthesesentimentsofJob,inthis,oneofhislastandnotleastmemorableutterances—"Itisthelittlethatweknow;itisthegreatthatremainsunknown."Andintheconfessionofhisignorance,hasnotaChristian,andstillgreaterphilosopher, left us perhaps the finest illustration of his wisdom?Newton's most brilliant discoveries reflect no brighter luster onNewton'snamethanhiswellknowncomparisonofhimselftoalittlechild—achildwhohadgatheredsomefewpebblesontheshoresofavastandunexploredocean.

Man, however— although comprehending but little of the ways ofGod—is privileged to contemplate, and is in himself honored toillustrate, thenoblestof themall.Hemaybeabeggar,but, ifgracehasmadehimanewcreature,thereismoreofGodseenbeneathhisragsthaninthesunitself;nordoesthatbrilliantskystuddedthick

with stars reveal theglorious fullnessofDivinity that shines in thecross of Calvary and the face of Jesus. Bethlehem Ephratah was"littleamongthecitiesofJudah,"Ourworldalsoseemslittleamongthesunsandsystemsofcreation—adark,dim,insignificantspot;yettheeyesoftheuniversehavebeenturnedonourplanet.Ithasalltheimportance spiritually, which physically was attributed to it, whenmensupposedittobethepivotandcenterofcreation.

Man'sworld is theplace in thegreatuniverse fromwhichGodandhisattributesmaybebestbeheldandstudied.Itcorrespondstothatone spot in a noble temple— lying right beneath the lofty dome—where the spectator, commanding all the grandest features of theedifice, is instructed to look around him, if he would see themonumentof itsarchitect.ForwherecanweseeGodaswebeholdhim on the cross and in the gospel? I scale bartizan or tower toembraceatone view themapof amighty city. I climb the sidesofsomeloftyhill tosurveythe landthat lies inbeautyat its feet.Andhad I the universe to range over, where should I go to obtain thefullest exhibition of theGodhead?Would I soar on angel-wings totheheightsofheavento lookonitshappiness,and listen toangel'shymns?"WouldIcleavethedarkness,and—sailingroundtheedgeofthe fiery gulf—listen to the wail, and weep over the misery of thelost?

No;turningawayalikefromthesesunnyheightsanddolefulregions,I would remain in this world of ours; and, traveling to Palestine,wouldstandbeneaththedomeofheavenwithmyfeetonCalvary—onthatconsecratedspot,wherethecrossofsalvationrose,andtheblood of a Redeemer fell. Here I find the center of a spiritualuniverse.Herethehostsofheavendescendedtoacquaintthemselveswith God in Christ; here, in a completed arch, if I may so speak,locked fast by the key, all the properties of Divinity meet; here,concentrated as in a burning focus, its varied attributes blend andshine.

We had begun to show how these attributes were exhibited in theworkofredemption;andhavingillustratedthisinthepowerofGod,wenowremarkthat—

I.ThewisdomofGodisglorifiedinredemption.TheBritishMuseumpossesses in thePortlandVaseoneof the finest remainsofancientart;anditmayberememberedhow—someyearsago—theworldoftastewasshockedtohearthatthispreciousrelichadbeenshatteredby a maniac's hand. Without disparaging classic taste or thisexquisite example of it, I venture to say, that there is not a poorwormwhichwe treadupon,nor a sere leaf, that, like a ruined butrecklessman,dancesmerrilyinitsfallenstatetotheautumnwinds,buthassuperiorclaimsuponourstudyandadmiration.

The childwhoplucks a lily or rose topieces, or crushes the fragileform of a fluttering insect, destroys a work which the highest artcouldnotinvent,norman'sbestskilledhandconstruct.

Andtherewasnotaleafquiveredonthetreeswhichstoodunderthedomesofthecrystalpalace,buteclipsedthebrightestgloriesofloomorchisel; ithadnorivalamong the triumphsof invention,whichaworldwent there to see.Yes; inhishumblestworks,God infinitelysurpassesthehighesteffortsofcreatedskill."Wisdomisjustifiedofherchildren;"norshallourGodbeleftwithoutawitnesssolongasthunders peal and lightnings flash, and breakers beat upon theshore;solongasaflowerbloomsinthefield,afincleavesthedeep,orawingcutstheair;solongasglowingsunsblazeabove,ordyingglow-worms shine below. That man gave the Atheist a crushinganswer,whotoldhimthattheveryfeatherwithwhichhepennedthewords,"ThereisnoGod,"refutedtheaudaciouslie.

Inredemptionthiswisdomispreeminent.Thatworkassociatessuchamazingwisdomwithlove,andpower,andmercy, thattheSaviourofmaniscalled"thewisdomofGod."TheApostleselectsthedefinitearticle, and pronounces Christ to be the power of God and thewisdomofGod."Cananydoubt theproprietyof the language,whoreflectsbutforamomentonwhatahardtaskwisdomwasset—whata difficult problem she was called to solve—when man was to besaved?Shehadtoforgeakeythatshouldunlockthegrave;shehadto build a lifeboat that should live in a sea of fire; she had toconstructaladderlongenoughandstrongenoughtoscaletheskies;

she was called on to invent a plan whereby justice might be fullysatisfied,andyettheguiltysaved.Thehighestintelligenceshadbeenatfaulthere,theymightwellhaveasked,whoissufficientforthesethings?"Hesawthattherewasnoman,andwonderedthattherewasnointercessor."

Insuchanemergency—forsuchatask—wisdomsufficientdweltonlywith the Godhead—in him in whom "are hid all the treasures ofwisdom and knowledge." "How shall man be just with God," s amystery insolvable to all butHim inwhom themost extraordinaryand apparently conflicting elements have met—who has a doublenature in a single person—who has a divine Father and humanmother, who is the only begotten of God and firstborn of a virginwomb—who,beinginonesensedust,inanothersenseDivinity,hasanaturetosatisfyandanaturetosuffer.

Now,thiswisdomofGodinredemptionisbroughtoutinnoaspectmorestrikinglythanintheharmonywhichithasestablishedamongwhat appeared conflicting attributes. Here is nothing like theprophet's graphicpictureof a city,where chariots jostle eachotheron the streets; nor like what happens even on the spacious ocean,when in the gloomof night bark dashes into bark, and founderingcrews find in their ship a coffin, and in the deep sea their grave.Harmony, indeed, sits enthroned amid the order of the silentheavens. Flaming sun, and wandering comet, and rolling planets,moveintheirorbitswithoutaccidentorcollision;yetintheharmonyestablished among the attributes of God, redemption illustrates ahigherwisdom.

There is one fact, which brings this out very palpably. With thedeepest interests at stake—in circumstances eminently fitted tosharpen his ingenuity—man never approached, nor so much asguessed at, the only method of salvation, We can show how nearprecedingphilosophershavebeentothelaterdiscoveriesofscience.

For many centuries before their practical application, China wasacquaintedwiththepropertiesbothofgunpowderandthemagnet;andhavenotwe seenoneastronomergetupon the trackof a star,

andstartathought,bywhichanother—whopursuedittoitsultimateconclusions—hasbeenconductedtothebrilliantdiscovery?

Everyoneacquaintedwiththehistoryofscienceknowsthatsomeofthe greatest inventions of the nineteenth century were all butanticipated at former and even remote periods; another step—butanotherstep—andtheworldhadpossessedthemagesbefore—and,centuriesago,manwouldhavesteeredhiswayacrosstheseabythecompass needle—yoked the spirits of fire and water to histriumphantwheels—andsentmessagesacrossoceansandcontinentsonthewingsoflightning.

The mystery of godliness, however—God manifest in the flesh—aDaysman such as the patriarch desired —with the right hand ofDivinitytolayonGod,andthelefthandofhumanitytolayonman,andthusthe"fellow"andfriendofboth,toreconcilethem—inshort,a man to suffer and a God to satisfy, this was a thought which itneverenteredthemindofmantoconceive.

Wefindnothingcorrespondingtothisinthecreedsandreligionsofa heathen world. There is neither glimpse nor glimmering of it inthese.Everywaybuttherightonewasthoughtof.Here,thesinnerseeks by his own works to work out redemption; here, by costlysacrifices,heattemptstoappeaseoffendedjustice;here,inchildren—whomheoffersonthealtar,orpassesthroughthefiretoMoloch—hegives the "fruit ofhisbody for the sinofhis soul;"here again—doing less violence to nature—guilty of a crime less contrary toreason and revolting to humanity, he courts death beneath thewheelsofJuggernaut,andshedsthebloodofhisbodytoexpiatetheguiltofhissoul.

Thesewerethesandsonwhichmanbuilthishouse.Thesewerethestrawsdrowningmencaughtat.ThereneverenteredintoothermindthanGod'saplan,orshadowofaplan,bywhichsweetMercymightbeespousedtosternJustice,andGod—inthe lusterofuntarnishedholiness, and themajesty of a vindicated law—might appear, as heappearsinJesus,the"justandyetthejustifieroftheungodly."

II. The holiness of God is glorified in redemption. The eyes aremovedby theheart,as thehandsofa time-pieceare turnedby theinternalmachinery.Weturnthemtowhattheheartloves,andfromwhattheheartloathes.Themostemphaticexpressionofdislikeisasilentone—theclosedeyesandavertedhead.

SuchanattitudeasIcan fancyZedekiah's tohavebeen,whentheybroughtouthissonstoslaythemintheirfather'spresence.And"towoundhim thatGodhadsmitten," toadda crushingweight tohiscaptivity and chains, to imprint a spectacle on his memory, thatshould haunt him like a horrid specter, when sight was quenchedandhopeforevergone,hisbarbarousenemiesputthesonstodeathbefore they put out the father's eyes. When you have in fancyimagined yourself in that father's place, imagining how, when youhadimploredthemtobeginwithyou,andsaveyouthishorridsight,and they had refused the favor of these burning irons, how youwouldhaveclosedyoureyes,andturnedshudderingaway,youwillbeableinsomemeasuretoappreciatetheabhorrencewithwhichaholyGodregardsiniquity.Heartheprophet—"Thouartofpurereyesthantobeholdevil,andcanstnotlookoniniquity."

NothingmightappearmorestronglytoexpresstheholinessofGodthan this language, "Thou canst not look on iniquity;" and yet hishatred of sin is, beyond doubt, muchmore fully expressed by thevery way in which he saves the sinner; more fully expressed inredemption,thanif,executingrelentlessvengeance,withaneyethatknewnopity,andwithahandthatwouldnotspare,hehadmadeanutterendofsinners—suchanendthat,toborrowthelanguageoftheprophet,"therewasnonethatmovedthewing,oropenedthemouth,orpeeped."

Whatman,what father, hasnot felt so on reading the story of theRomanjudge?HadthatsternpatriotcondemnedcommoncriminalsenoughtomakethescaffoldsofjusticeandtheguttersofRomerunredwithblood,thatwholesaleslaughterhadbeenaweakexpressionofhisabhorrenceofcrime,comparedwiththedeathofthissolitaryyouth.Whentheculprit—hisownchild,theinfanthehadcarriedinhisarms,hisoncesweetandbeautifulboy,thechildofhistenderest

affections,whohadwoundhimselfroundafather'sheart—roseandreceivedtheimmolatingsentenceatafather'slips,oh!thatironmanofferedthecostliestsacrificemanevermadeattheshrineofjustice,andearnedforaRomanvirtueaproverbialfame.

But that is nothing to the spectaclewhich redemption offers.Overwhat are these angels hovering? On what do they bend a gaze sofixed,sointent,sofullofaweandwonder?Sonsofthemorning!theyhadsungintheirjoyoveranew-bornworld.Attendantsatthebirthof earth! they now hail with intense wonder, and praise in loftierstrains,thebirthinastable,theappearanceofababeinBethlehem.Theyhadseensunsblazingintolight;theyhadseenworldsstartintobeing, andwatched them as, receiving their first impulse from theCreator's hand, they rolled away into the far realm of space; butnever had they followed world or sun with such interest as theyfollowthewearystepsofthisTravelerfromhishumblecradletothecrossofCalvary.Whatdrawsalltheireyestothatsacredspot?whatkeepsthemgazingonitwithlooksofsuchsolemninterest?TheSonof God dies beneath his Father's hand. Innocence bleeds for guilt;divine innocence for human guilt; a spectacle at which, in themysterious language of the Apocalypse, "There was silence inheaven."

OnthenightDanielpassedinthelion'sdenthePersianwouldhearnomusic—norflute,norharp,norpsaltery,nordulcimer,woketheechoes of his palace; the daughters ofmusicwere all brought low.God'sSon isdyingon the tree. I can fancy thatduring thesedreadhours there was no music in heaven—there was an awful pause;silenteveryharp,hushedthevoiceofsong;andwhenallisover,andthe cry, "It is finished," has been heard, and the last quiver haspassedfromJesus'lips,Icanfancyhowtheseangelsbroketheawfulsilence, and, turning round to the throne,with new, deeper, holierreverence,exclaimed,"Holy,holy,holy,LordGodAlmighty."

Thisholiness,soglorifiedinredemption,appearsstillmoreplainly,whenweconsiderhowtheeyesofLovebothmultiplyandmagnifybeauties;and,overlookingalldefects,reconcileuseventodeformity.How beautifully, tenderly, touchingly, affection clings to an idiot

child! and with what ingenuity does Love palliate in our childrenfaultswhichare tolerableand tolerated innooneelse.She flingsabroadmantleovertheshameofchildandparent,brother,sister,andfriend.

See how Eli—a too indulgent parent—tolerates crimes in his sons,whichitisonlydoingthisholymanjusticetobelieve,hewouldhavediedratherthanhavehimselfcommitted.Now,inourjudgment,theholiness ofGod shines very conspicuously in this, that, evenwhensinwasassociatedwithhisbelovedSon,itappearednonethelessvilein his eyes; perhaps viler, fouler, stillmore loathsome—just as thechurchyardmould, flung by the sexton from a grave uponwinter'sfreshfallensnow,lookstheblackerforthecontrast.Lovewouldhavespared the pains of a beloved Son, but it is met andmastered byGod'shatredofsin.HelooksonoursinsaslaidonChrist,andstillhehatesthemwithaperfecthatred,turningonhim,thatbarethemonhisownbodyonthetree,anunmitigatedvengeance.Toreachsin—to kill sin—he passes the sword through the bosom of his well-belovedSon;andifhedidnotspareevenhisownSonwhenhetookoursinsuponhim,oh!whatholinessinGod!Whomwillhespare?

Whatwillhespare?WhatastartlingalarumisrungfromCalvaryintheearsofadrowsyworld!Withyoureyeonthecross,withinsightof its agonies,within soundof its groans, I ask thequestion, and Iwait for an answer, If he did not spare his own Son, how shall hesparethe impenitentandunbelieving? "If theydo these things inagreentree,whatshallbedoneinthedry?"

III. The justice of God is glorified in redemption. The prophet isperplexed.Hestrainshiseyetopenetrateamystery.HesaystoGod,"Thouartofpurereyesthantobeholdevil;"butthen,asoneunabletoreconcilethecharacterofGodwiththedealingsofhisprovidence,heasks,"Whereforelookestthouuponthemthatdealtreacherously,andholdest thy tonguewhenthewickeddevoureth themanthat ismorerighteousthanhe?"

Now,although—as thatquestion implies—cloudsanddarknessareroundabouttheLord'sthrone,whatevershadowpresenteventsmay

appear to cast upon his justice, and to whatever trials, as in thewrongsofaJosephorDavid,faithmaybeput,inbelievingthatthereisajustGoduponearth,hisjusticeisasconspicuousinredemptionasthecrosswhichillustratedit.

Sinners,indeed,arepardoned,butthen,theirsinsarepunished;theguilty are acquitted, but then, their guilt is condemned; the sinnerlives, but then, the surety dies; the debtor is discharged, not,however,tillthedebtispaid.Dying,"thejustfortheunjust,thathemightbringustoGod,"Jesussatisfiesforus;and,aswehaveseenadischargedaccountpiercedbyanail,andhungtogathercobwebsonthedustywall,hewhopaidourdebt,norleftusonefarthingtopay,has taken the handwriting thatwas against us and nailed it to hiscross.

And now, I say, that justice is not only satisfied, but more thansatisfied. She is better pleased to haveher debtors free in. heaven,thanlockedupinhell.

Itmustbe so. Is itbetter for the creditor tohold themoney inhispursethanthemanthatoweditinaprison?Whatmanofcommonhumanityorcommonsensedoesnotesteemhimselfhappiertohavethedebtpaid,thanthemiserabledebtorrottinginjail?

Observe,Iprayyou,that inregardtothelost,andherclaimsuponthem,justice,inasense,isneversatisfied.Thepainsofhelldonot,cannotexhaustthepenalty.Dreadfulsentence!Banishmentfor life,forlifeeternal,fromtheblissfulpresenceofGod.

Mysteriousdebt!Adebteverpaying,yetneverpaid.Nowonder, inone sense, that Jesus died to save. The calamity is so incalculablytremendous, that the occasion was worthy of the interposition ofGod, and the salvation is most worthy of our grateful and instantacceptance.

Embrace it; forno lengthof sufferingdischarges thisdebt—a truthestablishedbythefactthatthedebtorisneverdischarged.Justiceisneversatisfied;anditbeplaintherefore,tosaynothingofhismercy,

that God's justice is more illustriously glorified, and more fullysatisfiedthroughthesatisfactionrenderedbyoursubstitute,thanitcouldhavebeenbyoureverlastingsufferings.

Noristhatall.Itisameanandvulgarerrortosupposethattheonlyoffice of justice is to punish. She has higher and more pleasingfunctions.Sternly,indeed,shestandsbythegallowstree;and,whenshe has drawn the bolt, and launched her victim into eternity, sheleavesthescene,sorrowingitmaybe,yetsatisfied.Itisamelancholysatisfaction. From that revolting spectacle, turn to this hall ofassembled nobles. Amid the brilliant, flashing, gorgeous,magnificenceofthescene,alleyesarefixedononeman.

Hecomesredwiththebloodofahundredbattles,andcrownedwiththe trophiesofahundredvictories;he comesat the summonsof asovereignwhosecrownhehassaved;hecomestoreceivethethanksofacountry,gratefulforhisdefenceofitsshores.Justicepresidesinthat assembly. She was satisfied on the scaffold, here she is morethansatisfied;pleasureandtriumphlightuphereye,as,withlavishhand, she dispenses titles and rewards, and on a head, so oftencoveredbytheGodofbattles,sheplacesalaurelcrown.

Infact,itishernoblestfunctiontorewardmerit,tocrownthebrowsofvirtueorofvalor,andsendsuspectedinnocencebacktotheworldamid the plaudits, and flushed with the triumph of an honorableacquittal.

Justicedid a sternbut righteous act,when shehungupHaman inthefaceofthesun.

And, before the eyes of the city— a warning to all tyrants, and aterrortoallsycophants;yetitwasaloftierandahappierexerciseofher functions to call the Jew fromobscurity, tomarshalhimalongthecrowdedstreetswithacrest-fallenenemywalkingathisstirrup,androyalheraldsgoingbeforetoblowhisfame,andeverandanontocry,"Thusshallitbedonetothemanwhomthekingdelightethtohonor."

Evenso,shallthejusticeofGodbeglorifiedwhenheads,nowlyinginthegrave,arecrownedwithhonor.Believer! liftupthydroopinghead.Thoushaltliftitupingloryfromthedust,"Heisfaithfulandjusttoforgiveusoursins."

In consideration of a Redeemer's righteousness, God shall crownthee;intherighteousnessthatisonthee,rewardtheworkofhisSon;and in the righteousness that is in thee, approve the work of hisSpirit. The august assembly of the skies shall be a spectacle ofglorified justice. In the Head with its members all exalted, theCaptain and every soldier crowned, Jesus shall receive the fullpayment of His wages, and justice shall reward a Saviour in thesaved.

"Heshallseeofthetravailofhissoul,andshallbesatisfied."

~endofchapter9~

TheMercyofGodIllustratedinSalvation

And Iwill sanctifymygreatname,whichwasprofanedamong theheathen(Ezekiel36:23).

Gradualdevelopmentappears tobe the lawofnature,or, tospeak,morecorrectly,themethodofthedivinegovernment.Thedaydoesnotrushintolight,norblazeuponadazzledworldwiththeflashofan explosion; but the sky brightens overhead, and the variousfeaturesofthelandscapegrowmoreandmoredistinctbelow,asthefirst streaks of morning are developing into a perfect day. Naturenever moves abruptly—by starts and sudden impulses—the daybursts not into light, neither do the birds into song, nor buds intoleaf,norflowersintofull-blownbeauty.

Fromhergraveshecomesforthatthevoiceofspring,butnotallofasudden,likethesepulchredLazarus,atthecallofJesus.Theseasonadvanceswithasteadymarch—bygradualandgracefulsteps.Fromthe first notes that break the long winter silence, till groves are

ringingwithsongs;fromthefirstbudwhichlooksoutondepartingstorms, till woods are robed in their varied foliage; from the firstsweetflower—welcomeharbingerofspring—thathangsitswhitebellbeside the lingering snow, till gardens and meadows bloom, andearth offers incense to her God from a thousand censers; fromsummer's first ripe fruit, till autumn sheaves fal1 to the reaper'ssong, and fields are bare, and stockyards are full, and every farmkeeps "harvest home"—all is progressive.Man himself presents noexception to this law.The cradle is shorter than the coffin; infancyoutshoots its dress; the stammering tongue grows eloquent; thetottering foot follows the chase, or stands balanced on the rockingmast;andthosefeeblearms,whichnowclaspamother'sneck,shallere long battle with difficulties, subdue the rugged soil, or laygroaningforestslow.

Ourmindsalsogrowwithourbodies.Theyopenlikea flower-bud;memory, fancy, reason, reflection, he folded up in an infant's soulliketheleavesofanunblownrose.Bathedbynightindews,andbydaywith light, these open out to show their colors and shed theirfragrance;sothoseexpandunderthetenderinfluencesofamother'sculture,andthedawninglightoftruth.

The lawthat reignsparamount in theworldsofmatterandmind—universal as that of gravitation—extends itself into the spiritualkingdom. The God of nature is the God of grace, and as he actsoutsidethechurch,heactswithinit.

Inthefirstplace,thegospelsystemitselfwasgraduallydeveloped.

TheBiblewasonceaverylittlebook.Itgrewbydegreestoitspresentsize;and,asinahouse,stoneislaidonstone,andstorybuiltuponstory, so bookwas added to book—history to history—prophecy toprophecy—gospel to gospel—and one epistle to another, till thehandsofJohnlaidonthecopestone,and,standingonthepinnacleofthissacrededifice,hepronouncedGod'swideandwitheringcurseonallwhoshouldimpairitsintegrity.Thetemple,inwhich"theLordofthetemple"appeared,tookfortyyearstocomplete,butthewrittenwordwasaworkoftwothousand,andtherevealedwordofnotless

thantwicetwothousandyears.Itwasa longwaybetweenParadiseandPatmos;andaprotracteddawnfromthefirststreakofmorningthatroseontheFall,tillthesunintroducedtheperfectday.Aperiod,of at least four thousand years elapsed between the curse of EdenandthecrossofCalvary.

In thesecondplace,while the truthwas thusslowlydevelopedandlet inbydegreesonabenightedworld, theeffectof that truthonabenightedsoulisalsogradual.

NomanstartsupintoafinishedChristian.Theverybestcomefromtheirgraves,likeLazarus,"clothedingraveclothes"—notlikeJesus,who left his death dress behind him; and in our remainingcorruptions, all, alas! carry some of these cerements about withthem,nordropthembutatthedoorofheaven.TheChristianisanexampleofgradualdevelopment.Whenourgrowthisquickest,howslowitis!As,fromsomefreshstainwewashourhandsinthebloodofJesus; as, from the field of daily conflictwe retire at evening toseekthehealingofthebalmofGilead;as,withDavid,weeyesomeeminence from which we have fallen, or, looking back on someformerperiod,measurethelittleprogresswehavemade—howoftenareweconstrainedtoaskindisappointment,"WhenshallIbeholy?"

Howoftenareweconstrainedtocryinprayer,"Howlong,Lord,howlong?"Attimesitlooksasifthedawnwouldneverbrightenintoday.Wealmostfearthatourfateshallhaveitsembleminsomeunhappyflower,whichwitheredbyfrost,orthehomeofaworm—neverblowsat all; but dies like an unborn infant, whose coffin is a mother'swomb. This shall not happen with any child of grace. God willperformallthingsforhispeople,andperfectwhatconcerneththem.Still,althoughHewhohasbegunagoodworkinthemwillcarryitonto the day of theLord Jesus, all the figures of Scripture indicate agradualprogress.Thebelieverisababewhogrows"tothestatureofaperfectman inChrist,"and"thepathof the just isas theshininglight,thatshinethmoreandmoreuntotheperfectday."

These lawsofdevelopmenthave their limit in creation.TheyaffectnotGod.Hehasmadenoprogress. Therewas room for none.His

maturity,eternallyaswellasdivinelyperfect,knowsneithergrowthnorage.Hiswisdom,knowledge,goodness, love, justice, truth,andmercy,werealways—millionsofagesago—werewhattheyarenow.Knowingnogrowth,hecansuffernodecay.Itisthesunwhichrisesthatsets;but it is thepeculiarattributeofDivinity tobe"thesameyesterday, to day, and for ever."His being is as an infinite, ocean,that holds within its bosom all that lives and is, that has neithershore nor bottom, beginning nor end, ebb nor flow, calm nortempest;whichnochangesalter,nortributariessupply;andwhich,affectedneitherbytidenortime,hasbeen,is,andevershallbefull.

How adorable is God! He is great, and greatly to be feared. Theattributes of God, however, have been gradually revealed to theknowledgeofhisintelligentcreatures,andtheirlighthasrisenontheuniverselikedaybreakuponourplanet.

Forexample,whenhecreatedangels,sons,andworlds,God,inthefirst instance, displayed his being, wisdom, power, holiness andgoodness. Then came the first Fall. Its scene was laid in heaven,whereapartoftheangelichostcommittedsin;andthiseventcalledforth the exhibition of another attribute, or—to speak with morepropriety—anewdisplayofjustice.

Punitive justice was now revealed. She unsheathed her glitteringsword, and it fell in vengeance on the workers of iniquity, andshearedtheirgloryfromangel'sheads.

Time rolled on; how long we know not. At length our world wascreated—or rather brought into its present form—and became thesceneofourparents'probation.Sincame;deathtrodontheheelsofsin;for,astheApostletells,"Sinenteredintotheworld,anddeathbysin,andsodeathpasseduponallmen,forthatallhavesinned."NowtheculpritsstandtremblingbeforetheirMaker,noristhereanangelwho lookson,butexpects to see theswordoncemoreunsheathed,and hear the thunders, that shook thrones and principalities inheaven, roll, and peal, and crash among the hills of earth. At thisawful moment—at that eventful crisis—how unexpected the voicewhich came from themost excellentmajesty—"Deliver from going

downtothepit;Ihavefoundaransom."

Tothesurpriseofangels, fromoutthe lightthatvails thethrone,abeautiful form steps forth, and Mercy, arresting the uplifted arm,turns its weapon from man on her own bared, spotless, lovingbosom.IntheSonofGodabouttobecomeincarnate,shesays—"Lo!I come todo thywill,OGod."Headyboth to satisfyandsuffer forthem,Jesusinterposesforhiselectashedidforhisdisciples,when,steppinginbetweenthemandthearmedband,hesaid—"Iamhe;letthesegotheirway."

Thisbringsusnowtoremark—

I.ThemercyofGodisglorifiedinredemption.TodojusticetoGod,to the Saviour, and to our subject, we must be careful not toconfound pity with mercy. This is no example of a distinctionwithout a difference. Some time ago, upon a cold winter day, wepassedthedoorofahumbleabode.Avenerableoldwomanstoodinthe open doorway, with a very wretched, ragged child before her.Withonehandsheofferedapieceofbread—sharingherfoodwithapovertysorerthanherown—whiletheotherheldupabowlofmilkto the lips of the sad, shivering, emaciated creature; and had youseenthebenevolencethatbeamedinheragedfaceasshegazedontheorphanpartakingofherbounty,youwouldhavegoneanddonelikewise—wonovertohumanitybysuchalovelyandlivingpictureofthetruth that charity is twiceblessed—blest in those thatgive,andblestinthosethatget.

Now,howeverbeautifulthatscenewastotheeyeofhumanity,itwasnotadisplayofmercy.Notmercybutpitymovedthatkindhandandgentlebreast;andtheretheagedmatronstood,anexampleofwhatisnotuncommonamongthepoor—loftycharityinlowlylife.

Takeanotherexample:—Amanbuildsanasylumforthedestitute—aharborofrefugeforthewrecksoffortune.Thismaybeanhonorablemonument tohismemory—itmaybe,perhaps,butamonumentofhisvanity;but,whetheritbeerectedforthebenefitofthepoor,ortogratifythecravingforposthumousfame,itisnotatempleofmercy.

Thewanderingmendicant,intowhosehandyoudropyourmoney,ashebegshiswayontoagrave,where,withhisbeadshelteredbeneaththe sod, he shall feel neither cold nor hunger, appeals to yourcompassion,nottoyourmercy,hasdoneyounowrong—hehasnotstolenyourgoods,nor traducedyourcharacter,nor inflicted injuryonyourperson,norinanywaywhateverdisturbedyourpeace;andso it is but pity that is expressed in the charity which shares herbread with the hungry, and spares a corner of an ample cloak tocoverthenakednessofthepoor.

Mercy is a higher attribute—an act of mercy is a far noblerachievement. She sits enthroned among the divine Graces. On herheavenly wings man rises to his loftiest elevation, and makes hisnearest approach and similitude to God. This distinction betweencompassionandmercyisclearlyenunciatedinthesacredScriptures.We are told that "like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lordpitieththemthatfearhim;"buttheLordismercifultothemthatfearhimnot.NotonlydidhesolovetheworldastogiveuphisSontodiefor it,buthecommendedhis love tous, in that,whilewewereyetsinners,Christdiedforus.Wepitysimplesuffering;butletpityandlove be extended to guilty suffering, and you have now the veryelementofmercy.Mercyistheforgivenessofaninjury;mercyisthepardonofasinner.

Smiling when justice frowns, and extending her favors out andbeyond thosewho aremerelywithoutmerit, she bestows them onthosewhoarefullofdemerit.

LeavingthepriestandLevite towalkon intheircoldandheartlessindifference,lookatthisgoodSamaritan,as,bendingoverableedingform,hebindsthewoundsofamanwhomrobbershaveassaulted,andwhomthesehypocriteshavelefttodie.

There, pity kneels beside suffering humanity, hears a brother'sburden,andisafflictedinallhisafflictions.NowfromthatbeautifulspectacleturntoCalvaryandthecrossonwhichJesusdies.Here—herselfwounded, and bleeding—Mercy hangs over awickedworld,and with her tears shed a blessings on the head, of murderers

—"Father,forgivethem;theyknownotwhattheydo."

Infine,theobjectsofpityaresuffererswhohavebeenunfortunate;the objects ofmercy are sufferers who have been guilty. And nowunderstandingmercytobetheforgivenessofawrong,thepardonofa sinner, the kindness of the injured to the injurer, where, as inredemption— where, indeed, but in redemption—is this crowningattributeoftheGodheadtobeseen?saveforredemption,thisfairestjewel in the crown of heaven had been concealed—unknown as apearlstill shelled indepths of ocean, or anydiamond that still liesbeddedinthedarkminesofearth.

Guiltyman embraced within her arms, how visible ismercy now?Wherecanweturnoureyesbutshemeetsthem?Pointingtothepitof perdition, do you say, look there! Well, we look there. We seemercythere:notmercyenjoyed,butmercyrejected.

Turningwithhorror from the sight,dowe lookup? In every saint,robedinrighteousnessandreigninginglory,webeholdamonumentof mercy, and exclaim with David, "Thy mercy, O Lord, is in theheavens." And as to this guilty world, are not the arms of mercyaroundit?Theypreserveitandsustainit.

Every sinner is a monument of sparing, and every believer is amonumentofsavingmercy.

God'speopleintheircreeds,catechisms,andconfessionsmaydifferin their mode of expressing some points of faith, but in thisconfessionallconcur—thesewordseachandalladopt—"Greatisthymercytowardme,thouhastdeliveredmysoulfromthelowesthell."Thereismercyabovetheground,aye,andbeneathit.Thereismercyintheverygrave.Youmayseeherform,andhearhersweetlysingingonabeliever'stomb.

To that quiet harborGodhas broughtmany a dear one before thestorm burst. There, earth, like a gentle mother, has wrapped hermantle round a tender child; and, when the tempest was beatingupon their own heads, have not many been thankful that some,

whomtheyloved,worenowbeyonditsreach—sleepingquietlyinthepeacefulgrave.YesIandtobelieversthemselvesthereisthekindestmercyinthegrave.Howcantheydoubtit?

WereIthetenantofanold,crumblingcottage,throughwhosechinksandrentsthecoldrainwasdripping,andfrostywindsblew,itwere,Ithink, a kindness to pull down this crazy building and buildme apalace in its room.Quarrel notwith death's rude hand. It pulls topieces this frail tabernacle, that, on the day when mortal shallassume immortality, mercy may raise for me from its wreck, "abuilding of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in theheavens."

Inshort,oneverythingIreadthewords,"Theearth,Lord,isfullofthymercy."

- Mercies arrive on the wings of every hour; -Mercies supply ourtable;-Mercies flow in life's brimming cup. -Mercies fall in everyshower, and shine in every sunbeam. -Mercies lie as thick aroundman'stent,asdesertmannainthedaysofold.-Here,mercyrunstomeetthereturningprodigal,andopensherarmstofoldhimtoherbosom.-Here,shepleadswithsinners,andpronouncespardonoverthechiefofthem.-Here,sheweepswithsufferers,anddriesthetearuponsorrow'scheek.-Here,eyeingthestorm,shelaunchesherlife-boatthroughfoamingbreakers,andpullsforthewreckwheresoulsare perishing. It is her blessed handwhich rings the Sabbath bell,and her voice which, on savage shores or from Christian pulpits,proclaimsaSaviourforthe lost.Noneshedespises;shedespairsofnone; and, not to be scared away by foulest sin, she stands by itsguiltybed,and,bendingdowntodeath'sdullcar—whenthetwelfthhour is justabout tostrike—she looks intotheglassyeyeandcries,Believe,believe,onlybelieve,"whosoeverbelievethintheLordJesusshallnotperish,buthaveeverlastinglife."

II.Inredemption,Godisglorifiedinthecompletediscomfitureofallhisandourenemies.HeisglorifiedbySatan'sdefeat.

Godmademaninhisownimage,andputhimonprobation.Butwas

he,couldhe,beindifferenttotheissue?Assuredlynot;for,althoughhedoesnotwill thedeathofguilt,hemust, inasense,havewilledthetriumphofinnocence.Whatfathereversawhissonleaveforthefieldof battle, anddid not followhimwithwishes for his success?WhentheSpartanwidowlacedonthearmorofherboy,and,kissinghis cheek, sent him away to the fight, in handing him his father'sshield,shebadehimreturnwithitoronit—dead,oraconqueror—inhonorablelifeornotlesshonorabledeath.AndIcannotbutbelievethat the life and honor of our first parents were as dear to God—dearer,dearerfar,thaneverson'stomother;for,suchwashislove,that,eveninourguilthecommendedhislovetousbygivinguphisSontodieforus.

Well;thehourofconflictcame,andwithitGod'senemyandman's—theAdversary,theDevil,theEvilOne,Satan,PrinceofDarkness,thePower and Potentate of Hell. A poor drowningman will seize theswimmer'slimb,clasphisarms,norrelaxthedeathgrasp,till,afterabrief struggle, they go down together. Thus it has often happened,most pitifully andmiserably, that the perishing has, in his unwiseattempts to save himself, been the death of a generous friend. Butthere is in sin a deep anddamnablemalignity,which,without anyhopeofpersonaladvantage,promptsthesinnertoseizeallwithinhisgrasp.

Thathemaydragothersdownintothesameperditionwithhimself,he lays siege to honesty to conquer it, to virtue to corrupt it; andhencethedangerofungodlyassociates—"Acompanionoffoolsshallbedestroyed."

Itwasthisevilprinciplewhichweseeeverydayatwork,thatcarriedhavocintoEden;yetnotthisalone.Besidestheinherenthatredthatsin bears to holiness, Satan was smarting under his wounds, and,withafireasunquenchableasthatofhisownhell,heburnedtobeavenged.Wastherenotavacantthroneinheaven?Haditnotoncebeen his? and still been his, but that God had hurled him intoperdition? God was his enemy, and he was God's; he would berevenged; he would defeat his purposes; cross, thwart, disappointhim; and wreak his vengeance on God in the only way within a

creature'sreach—hewouldwoundafather'sheartthroughthesidesofhischildren.

Placedonprobation,manlooked,lusted,ate,sinned,andfell.Satantriumphed.WiththeruinsofEdenaroundhim,hestoodabovethegraveofhumanhopes,and,asitseemedalso,ofheaven'sintentions.He contemplated with proud satisfaction the triumph of hismalignant subtilty.Ashewrung the first tears fromhumaneyes, Ican fancy how he taunted his weeping victims with the question—"Where is now thy God?" Pharaoh, ere God had done with him,andhewithGod,gothisquestionanswered—"WhoistheLord,thatIshouldobeyhisvoice?"Andtheisanswered,too.WhenthefullnessoftimeinasonofthatwomanSatanmeetsherGod,tofindinhimnotamatchonly,butaMaster.

When his vessel has broken in the storm, and Ajax standsunsheltered on a rock inmid-ocean, he is represented as in angerwith thegods, shakinghisclenchedhandatheaven. InEden, foratimeatleast,Satanstandsinadifferentandprouderposition;hehasconquered;hehaswonthevictory;whoshallpluckitfromhisgrasp?Hetramplesonearth,andlaughsatheaven.Althoughonagranderscale, and involvingmuch grander issues, the scene reminds us ofthedaywhen—withthePhilistinesclusteredonthismountain,andIsraelonthat—therestalkedoutintothenarrowvalley,Goliath,theprideofGath,amovingtower,terribletolookon,inheightsixcubitsandaspan.Highabovehisdancingplume,thegiantshakesaspear,shafted likeaweaver'sbeam,andthundersupthischallengetothetrembling host—"Amnot I a Philistine? I defy the armies of Israelthisday.Givemeamanthatwemayfighttogether."

SoSatanstood,inbolddefianceandunchallengedpossessionofthefield;andnowGodmighthaveleftmantoreapthefullharvestofhissinandfolly—todrinkthecupwhichhisownhandshadfilled.InthewordsofScripture,Hehadenteredinto"acovenantwithdeath;"hehadbeenatan"agreementwithhell"—lethimreapashehassowed.Butwhatthen?

Why,Satanthenwouldatleasthaveseemedtohavetheadvantage—

wouldhaveseemedtobeamatchforGod;andhaveboastedabilityandskillenough,byhisownwiles,tothwartthepurposesofeternalwisdom. In that event, all men should have perished; but in thatevent,wouldTheLord'spowerhavestoodoutasunchallengeable,orhisgloryusclear,asatthisday?No.Godhadanotherendinviewinpermittingthistemporarytriumph.Whydoeshepermitit?

Observeyouskillfulwrestler.Heembraceshisantagonist,and,withathleticpower, liftinghimfromtheground,heholdshimaloft;ah!buthe raises, todashhimbackon the earthwith amore crushingfall.SofareditwiththeEvilOne.Godpermitshimtoscalethewalls,to carry the citadel by assault, and to plant for a time his defiantstandardonthebattlementsofthisworld.Hedoesthis,thatfromhisproud eminence he may hurl him into a deeper hell; and, angelsrejoicing inman'ssalvation,anddevilsdiscomfited intheir leader'sdefeat—both friends and foes—might be constrained to say, "HastthouanarmlikeGod,orcanstthouthunderwithavoice likehis?"Fromthis,believer,whenprovidencesareofdarkest,andthoucanstnot trace the footsteps of thy God, learn to place unquestioningconfidenceinhiswaysandwisdom.

WhileGod is glorified by Satan's defeat, he is glorified also by theverytimeandmannerofit.

You ask, why did four thousand years elapse between the promiseand the promisedOne? Imay reply, by asking you, why does thisaccomplishedracer,whostandsabreastofhiscompetitor,notstartalongwithhim?Why,lingeringbythestartingpost,doeshegivehisopponentalongadvantage?andthen,Springingforwardonthefeetofthewind,approachhim,passhim,leavehimlaggingfarbehind?Why,buttoprovemoreplainlyhisownsuperiority,andembitterthebitternessofanantagonist'sdefeat.

Or,wemayaskyou,why,whenthenewsofhis friend's illnesswascarried to Galilee, did our Lord tarry there, nor, hurrying throughSamaria,hastentothereliefofLazarus?Hedoesnotevenarrivejustwhenthebreathhasleft,anderetheformofhimhelovedisyetstiffandcoldindeath.

-He leaves Lazarus to die. -He leaves Lazarus to be buried. -HeleavesLazarustoliefourdaysrottinginthegrave.Whythisstrangedelay?why, but that at the door of the deadman's tombhemightstand forth, not only the conqueror of death, but Lord also of thegrave.On the alarmofwar, the news fly through the land, beaconfiresareblazingoneveryhill andheadland,andbeforeonehostilefoothastouchedthesoil,hurryingfromshepherd'sbutandpeasant'scottage, lonely glens and crowded cities, freemen line the beach tofightacountry'senemiesonacountry'sshores.

Inthegreatbattleofredemptionthereisnosuchhaste.Notforfourdays,noreven fouryears,but for the longperiodof four thousandyears,Satanisleftinallbutundisputedpossessionofhisconquest,God leaves him ample time to entrench himself; to found, tostrengthen,toestablish,toextendhiskingdom.Andwhy?butthataRedeemer's powermight be themore apparent in its ignominiousandtotaloverthrow.

Andinthis,Christglorifiedhimself;justasweshoulddo,werewetoleavethesaplinginpossessionofthesoiluntilitgrewintoatree,andthen,bendingonitmorethanagiant'sstrength,shouldlayitshead,andpride,andglory,inthedust.

AsaRedeemer,JesusChristwastoshowhimselftobethe"Power"aswellasthe"Wisdom"ofGod,This is themannerofredemption.AndmayInottakeoccasionfromittotelltheoldest,hardest,mosthoarysinner,tohope,andtarntoGod?Hehasleftyoulong;Hehasleftyoutillnow;Hehasleftyouamidtheinfirmitiesofyearstogrowstronger insin.Despairnot!nor thinkthathehasshut thedoorofmercy!Whatifhehasleftyousolong,justtoshowhowhecansavetotheveryuttermost—callattheeleventhhour—andbythebreathofhisSpiritcause"drybones"tolive.

Godisnotonlyglorified inSatan'sdefeat,andalso inthetimeandmannerofit,butpreeminentlyglorifiedintheinstrumentofit.

Hewasnoveteran,thegiant'smatchinyears,experience,stature,orstrength, who defeated Goliath. When the battle between the two

nationswasfoughtbytheirrespectivechampions,fireflewnotfromopposingswords,norwerespearsshiveredonopposingshields;thevalley shooknot beneath the tread and collision of two giants; nordid victory hang in the balance, and anxious partisans endure theagony of suspense on confronting mountains, while the airresounded with the clash of arms, and blood gushed from gapingwounds.

Nevertoappearanceweretheretwomenmoreunequallymatched.

WhenthelinesofIsraelopened,andayouth,abeardlesslad,cladina shepherd'sdress,withnoweaponbut a sling, andno confidencebutGod inheaven, stepped forth tomeasurehis strengthwith thegiant, loud laughed the Philistine, andwit ranmerrily through hiscountrymen'sranks.Ereonebriefhourhadrunitscourse,theyweptthatlaughed,andtheylaughedthatwept.

Hewho guides the sun inhis path inheaven, guided the stone as,wingedwithdeath,andwingedbyprayer, itshot fromthewhirlingsling.Itsungfromtheshepherd'shand;sankintothegiant'sbrow;he reels, he staggers—and his armor making a mighty clash—hemeasures his long length upon the ground. Bounding like a younglion,David leaps upon his prey, and, leaving a headless carcass tofeedthevultures,hereturnstotheranksofshoutingcountrymen—inthishand,thegiant'ssword,inthatother,hisgoryhead.

Oldmenblessthelad,andyoungmenenvyhim,andhappymothersandlaughingmaidenssinghisfame;anderethatday'ssunhasset,thereismusic,anddancing,andfeastinginthehomesofIsrael.

That bright daywas but the type of a brighter still, onwhichGodglorifiedhimself,mortifiedandscatteredhisenemies,andrestoredafallenhousetomorethanitsancienthonors.

Manfalls;theworldislost;Satantriumphs.HowdoesGodpluckthevictory fromhishands?Hemighthavedischarged thunderboltsonhishead;hemighthaveoverwhelmedthisenemybysendingdownupon him legions of embattled angels. It is not so.Hemeets him,

matcheshim,mastershimbyasolitaryMan.BeneaththeheelofaManofsorrowshecrushestheserpent'shead.

ASonofmanistheSaviourofman;abrotherrisesupinourhouseto redeem his brethren; a Conqueror appears in the conqueredfamily.OutofthemouthofaSuckling—byOnenursedonawoman'sbosom, and carried in a woman's arms—he ordaineth strength.Never was the tide of battle so strangely, so completely, sotriumphantly turned. The Babe of a cradlewears the crown of theuniverse;andbyOnewhodied,Goddestroys"death,andhimthathadthepowerofdeath,thatis,thedevil."

" Give thanks then unto the Lord, for he is good; for his mercyendureth for ever. Oh give thanks unto the God of Gods; for hismercyendurethforever.

"OhgivethanksuntotheLordofLords;forhismercyendurethforever;whorememberedus inour lowestate,andhathredeemedusfromour enemies.Oh give thanks unto theGod of heaven, for hismercyendurethforever."

~endofchapter10~

TheBenefitsFlowingFromRedemption

Iwill take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of allcountries,andwillbringyouintoyourownland(Ezekiel36:24).

Men's chief end is to glorifyGod; andGod's chief end is to glorifyhimself. While that is an end worthy of the great Creator, it goesgreatlytoenlargeourinterestinhisworks,andenhancetheirvalueinoureyes.Thatendgivesloftinesstothehumblestofthem.WhenI

knowthat forhisowngloryhepaintseachflower,givesthefish itssilver scales, and sends forth the beetle armed inmail of gold, hiscreaturesriseinmyesteem.

Itmaylookasickly fancy,butonealmost feelsreluctanttodestroythehumblest floweror insect, lestweshouldsilenceoneof the tenthousandvoiceswhichformthechoirofnature,andswellthepraisesofnature'sGod.Isthereachildwhoseheartdoesnotwarmtowardshimwhopraisesanearthly father,orspeakshonorablyof thegoodman'smemory?Now,theverysamefeelinginclinesachildofGodtolovealltheworksthatdohisFatherhonor;andofallmenhecannotfail to enjoy themost exquisite pleasure in the beauties of nature,whocarriestoherfieldsapiousspirit,andseeshisFathermirroredinthemall;hearshispraisesunginthevoicesofgroves,orpealedintheroarofthunder.

Such was the spirit of one—a venerable patriarch—who shed on avery humble station the luster of brilliant graces.When the stormsent others inhaste to theirhomes, hewaswont to leavehis own,andtostandwithupturnedface,raisedeye,andwithhisgrayheaduncovered,towatchtheflash,andlistentothemusicoftheroaringthunder.

Howfinehisreplytothosewhoexpressedtheirwonderathisaspectandattitude—"It'smyfather'svoice,andIlikewelltohearit."Whatasublimeexampleoftheperfectlovethatcastethoutfear!"Happyisthatpeoplethatisinsuchacase,yeahappyisthatpeoplewhoseGodistheLord."

Now,asitennoblesnature—sothatthesunshinesmorebright,andtheflowerslookmorebeautiful,andthereisagrandermajestyintherolling sea—when we know that God does all things for his ownglory,itgreatlyenhancesthepreciousnessofsalvationtoknow,thatinthekingdomofgracealsohehasthesameendinview.

IfGodsaves—notbecausewedeservemercy—butthathisowngreatmercymaybe illustrated insaving,ah! then there ishope forme—Yes, although thou wert an adulterer, a thief, amurderer, the vile

wretch who spit in Jesus' face the ruffian who forced the thornycrown deep into his bleeding brow, although thou wert that verysoldierwhoburiedthe lance inJesus'side,andjustreturningfromCalvary, with the blood of Christ's heart red on the spear head, Iwouldstoptheeinthywaytosay,thereishopeforthee.Oh,thishasinspiredwithhopesoulswhichhadotherwisedespaired,andgildedtheedgesofguilt'sdarkestcloud.

Incircumstanceswherewewouldhavebeendumb—openingnotthemouth—when called to the dying bed of vilest, lowest sin, it hasunsealedour lips,and lentwingstoprayer.Of thepreacher,whosewalk lies among themostwretched,hopeless, andabandoned, thistruthsays,sinceGodsavesforhisownglory,haste,"loosehim,andlethimgo"—gotoofferChrist(asIdoto-day)tothechiefofsinners;likeasunbeampassingundefiledthroughthefoulestatmosphere,gointhyheavenlypuritywherethebasestofthyraceisperishing,norshrink from this loathsome guilt, but with Jesus' pity and Jesus'tears, liftupherdyinghead,and in themercyofGod inChrist, letherdrinkthiswineofloveoutofitscupofgold.

If theworseapatient is, if the fiercerhis feverburns, if thedeeperhis wound has penetrated, somuch the greater is the glory of thephysician who cures him; then the worse a sinner is, the greaterChrist'sglorywhenhesaveshim.Butforthis,thatGodineverycasesavesmen,notoutofregardtotheirmerit,buthisownglory,whatcould sustain the faith of him who, in preaching the gospel tounconvertedmen,hastorunhishorsesonarock,andploughstherewith oxen; to sow the seed of God's blessed word under themostunfavorable circumstances; to write sermons for dead men, andpreachthemtodrybones.

Nothing but faith in this could carry us to the top of Carmel, notseven, but seventy times seven, to look out over the sea of God'smercyforthecloudofblessing,andwaittillitrise,andspreadovertheheavens,anddischargeitstreasuresonabarrenland."Seeingwehavethisministrywefaintnot."

Having already attempted to show how God glorifies himself in

redemption,weshallnowaddressourselvestothesubject-matterofthetext,wherewearetaughtthatredemptionbringsgoodtomanaswellasglorytoGod.Anditappearsfromthetext—

I.Incarryingouttheworkofredemption,Godwillcallhispeopleoutoftheworld."Iwilltakeyoufromamongtheheathen."Bynaturehispeoplearenobetterthanotherpeople.Theywerenobettertillgracemadethemso.TheApostle settles thepointby thequestion, "Whomaketh thee to differ from another?" and the confession, "By thegraceofGodIamwhatIam."

AndourLordteachesthesamedoctrineinthesebriefbutexpressiveparables—

-"Two women are grinding at the mill; one is taken, and anotherleft."-"Twomenareinonefield;theoneistaken,andtheotherleft."-"Twomen are in one bed; one is taken, and another left." Christstates the truth, and how often does Providence supply thecommentary?Herearetwochildren;theywerebornofonemother;nestledinonebosom;rockedinonecradle;theywererearedunderthesameroof;grewupunderthesametraining;satunderthesameministry;andindeathnotdivided,theyaresleepingtogetherinthesamegrave.Buttheoneistaken,andtheotherleft.

This,achildofGod,ascendstoheaven;theother,alas!islost.Whodarechallenge the justiceofGod?Mysterioussubject!Hewillhavemercy on whom he will have mercy. "The wind bloweth where itlisteth,andthouhearestthesoundthereof,butcanstnottellwhenceit cometh, andwhither it goeth; so is everyone that is bornof theSpirit."

Thetruthis,thatbynaturethisworldissunkinsin,andallmenareinasenseidolaters.Inthedaysofold,itissaidthatEgypthadmoregods thanmen. Elsewhere than inEgypt, everywhere, as the Biblesays,"therebelordsmanyandgodsmany."

TheHindureckonshisdivinitiesbythousandandtensofthousands;buttheworldhasalargerPantheon—asmanygodsasithasobjects,

be they innocent or guilty,which usurp the place of the Lord, anddethrone him in the creature's heart.Nor aremen less idolaters ifdrunkards,thoughtheypouroutnolibationtoBacchus—thegodofwine;nor less idolaters, if impure, thattheyburnno incenseat theshrineofVenus;nor less idolaters, if loversofwealth, that theydonotmoldtheirgold intoanimageofPlutus,and,givingashrinetowhatlieshoardedintheircoffers,offerittheirmorningandeveningprayers.

Hehasbeenan idolater,who, rebellingagainstProvidence, followsthehearseof a coffinedgod;hemadean idol ofwife or child; andnow,whentherobberofourhomeshasstolenthemaway,andbearsthem off to the grave, the feelings of that man's heart may beexpressedinMicah'scomplainttotheDaniterobbers,"YehavetakenawaymygodswhichImade,andwhathaveImore?andwhatisthisthatyesayuntome.Whataileththee?"

Since,man,therefore,inhisnaturalstate,is—althoughnotinfact—inspiritasmuchanidolaterasthepagansofanyheathenland,mayitnotbe justly saidofallwhohavebeenconvertedby thegraceofGod,thathehas"takenthemfromamongtheheathen?"

II.Thepowerofdivinegraceisstrikinglydisplayedinthiseffectualcalling.Itisaremarkablefact,thatwhilethebasermetalsareoftendiffusedthroughthebodyoftherocks,goldandsilverlieinveins—collectedtogetherindistinctmetallicmasses.Theyareintherocks,butnotoftherocks.

Some believe that there was a time, long gone by, when—like theother metals—these lay in intimate union with the mass of rock,until, by virtue of somemysterious electric agency, their scatteredatomswereputinmotion,and,beingmadetopassthroughthesolidstone,wereaggregatedinthoseshiningveins,wheretheynowlietotheminer'shand.GoldandsilveraretheemblemsofGod'speople.

Andasbysomepower innatureGodhasseparatedtheseemblemsfromthebaseandcommonearths,evensobythepowerofhisgracehewillseparateallhischosenfromareprobateandrejectedworld.

Theyshallcomeathiscall;Hewill"saytothenorth,Giveup;andtothesouth.Keepnotback;bringmysonsfromafar,andmydaughtersfromtheendsoftheearth."Thecorruptionofnature,circumstancesof temptation, an evil world, the hostility of hell, all interposebetweenhispurposeandtheobjectsofhismercy.Thedifficultiesinthewaytowerup intoamountain!Fearnot.Godwillmakeup thenumberofhischosenones."Whoartthou,Ogreatmountain,beforeZerubbabelthoushaltbecomeaplain."

Hisgraceshallprovesufficientforthework.Nodoubtithasagreatwork to do. Think from what an abominable life and from whatabandonedcompanyGodcalls some tograceonearthandglory inheaven.LookatthisManassehoratthatMagdalene.HowdifferenttheirSabbathsnow fromwhatonce theywere!Howdifferent theirsocietynowfromtheassociateswithwhomonce,inmadandfranticdance,theywentwhirlingroundthemouthoftheburningpit!

Another,andanother,andanotherplunge into theabyss,and theydrown the lost one's perishing cry in loudermusic; and in giddierwhirltheydanceon,aslittledeterredbythefateoftheirfellows,asthe insects thatonanautumneveningdashoneuponanother intotheflameofourcandle.

Ah,whenGod'ssaintslookdownfromtheirelevationintothedepthswheregracedescendedandfoundthem,andfromwhence it raisedthem,theyarenotsatisfiedtosing,"Heraisethupthepooroutofthedust,andliftethupthebeggarfromthedunghill,tosetthemamongprinces, and tomake them inherit the thrones of glory;" they tunetheirharp-stringstoahigherstrain.Lostinwonder,love,andpraise,they are ready to adopt the words which a humble-minded buteminentChristianinsistedshouldbeengraveduponhertombstone—"Howgreatisthymercytowardme.""Thouhastdeliveredmysoulfromthelowesthell?"

Itisinastateofdeepungodliness—withoutGod,withouttheloveofGod,withouttheholinessthatshallseeGod,withouttruepurityofheartorpeaceofconscience—thatgracefindsallitsaves.

Such isnot the judgmentof theworld.And Idonotdenybut thatmanyarevery lovely in thebloomandbeautyofnaturalvirtue—sobeautiful,thatwecannothelplovingthem.Istheresininthat?No;for Jesus loved the young rulerwhoyet refused to followhim.Butthen,withmuch that isattractive in thegracesof thenaturalman,theyhavethesamenature,andlieunderthesamecondemnation,asaworldthatlivethinwickedness,andliethundersentenceofdeath.

Anoldwriterhas said that "man inhisnatural state ishalf adevilandhalfabeast."

How wonderful the grace which changes such a monster into theimageofGod,andconvertsthebasestmetalintothepurestgold!

Itisindeedamazingtoseewhatgracewilldo,andwheregracewillgrow; inwhatunlikely placesGod has his people, and out ofwhatunlikelycircumstanceshecallsthem.

Ihaveseenatreecrowningthesummitofanakedrock;andthereitstood—in search of food sending its roots out over the bare stone,anddown into every cranny—securely anchoredby thesemooringsto the stormy crag.Wehavewonderedhow it grewup there, amidsuchroughnursing,howitcouldhavesurvivedmanyawintryblast,and where, indeed, it found food or footing. Yet, like one familiarwithhardshipandadversities,ithasgrownandlived;ithaskeptitsfeet when the pride of the valley has bent to the storm; and, likebrave men, who think not of yielding, but nail their colors to themast, it hasmaintained its proud position, and kept its green flagwavingonnature'stopmostbattlements.

Morewonderful than this, however, is it to seewhere the grace ofGodwill live and grow. Tender exotic! plant brought from amoregenial clime!onewouldsuppose that itwouldrequire the kindliestnursingandmostpropitiouscircumstances;yetlookhere—

-ADanielisbredforGod,andforthebravestservicesinhiscause,innopioushomeofIsrael;hegrowsinsaintshipamidtheimpuritiesandeffeminacyofaheathenpalace.-Paulwasapersecutor,andis

called to be a preacher—was a murderer, and becomes a martyr;once,noPhariseesoproud,nownopublicansohumble.Likethosefabledmonsters,which,sailingonbroadandscalywings,descendedon their helpless prey with streams of fire issuing from theirformidable mouths, he set off for Damascus, "breathing outthreateningsandslaughteragainstthedisciplesoftheLord."

Jesusdescended inperson tomeet this formidablepersecutor, andselectedhimforhischiefestapostle.HebidshimwashthebloodofStephenfromhishands,andgopreachthegospel.

Andwhereafterwardshas thisverymansomeofhismostdevotedfriends?where,butinCaesar'shousehold.Whatcanmorestrikinglyexpress the power of all-sufficient grace than the words of JohnNewton?One askedhimwhether he thought theheathen could beconverted."Ihaveneverdoubted,"hesaid,"thatGodcouldconverttheheathen,sinceheconvertedme."

"Never despair" should be the motto of the Christian; and howshould it keep hope alive under the darkest andmost despondingcircumstances,toseeGodcallinggraceoutofthefoulestsin?Lookatthiscoldcreepingworm!Playfulchildhoodshrinksshudderingfromitstouch;yetafewweeks,andwithmerrylaughandflyingfeet,thatsamechildhood,overflowerymeadowishuntinganinsectthatneverlightsupontheground,but—flittinginpaintedbeautyfromflowertoflower—drinksnectarfromtheircups,andsleepsthesummernightawayinthebosomoftheirperfumes.Ifthatisthesameboy,thisisno less the self-same creature. Change most wonderful! yet but adull,earthlyemblemofthedivinetransformationwroughtonthose,who are "transformed by the renewing of their minds." Gracious,gloriouschange!Haveyoufeltit?Mayitbefeltbyallofus!Youhaveithere in thiswoman,who,grieved inhermind, liesa-weepingatthe feet of Jesus. She was a sinner. Her condition had been thebasest;herbreadthebitterest;hercompanytheworst.Sheiscastingoffhervile,sinfulslough.Sheleavesit.Sherisesanewcreature.Thebeautyof theLordisonher;andnow,withwingsof faithandlovewide outspread, she follows her Lord to heaven.How encouragingthewondersofconvertinggrace!Letusdespairofnone—neitherof

ourselvesnoranyoneelse.

III.Godwillmakeupthenumberofhispeople."Iwillgatheryououtofallcountries."Therearesomegatheringsinthisworldwhicharelargelyalloyedwithpain.Christmasorsomebirthdayseasoncomesround,summoningthemembersofascattered family.Thecircle isagain formed;but, like that ofmenwhohavebeen standing underFire, and closing up their ranks, how is it contracted from formeryears!Therearewell-rememberedfaces,andvoices,andforms,thataremissinghere;andthefamilygroup,whichlooksdownfromthepicture, is larger than the living company met at table. Some aredeadandgone—"Josephisnot,andSimeonisnot;"andadarkcloudhangs on a mother's brow, for on the cheek of yet another heranxiouseye,quicktosee,discoversanominousspot thatthreatensto"takeBenjaminaway."

There is a gathering, also,when, at the closeof ahard-foughtday,therolloftheregimentiscalled,andtofamiliarnamestherecomesbackno answer.How small thebandwhomeet atnightcomparedwith themorningmuster!As thedayworeon, and the ranks grewthinner,andthe"red line"grewlessand less, theycameback fromeach charge like awave broken on an iron shore, and every shocktheystood,andchargewhichtheyrepelled,leftbroadgapstofill.

Andso,nowwhenthefightisover,andthebrokenhostsmusteronthefield,tomanyagallantmaninvainthetrumpetsounds,orwar-pipe blows the gathering of the clan. Alas, for the day! They shallanswernotrumpetbutthatwhichcallsaworldtojudgment.

Whendaylightbreaksontheshoreoftheshipwreck,thereisalsoamustering and reckoning of numbers. There, a mother clasps andkisses the livingbabewhich thewaveshadplucked fromherarms,andsheneverthoughtmoretosee;andhere,atruebrothercheersthe boy whom he held in a grasp strong as death, while, with theotherhandbuffetingthebillows,heborehimsafelytothebeach.Butothers, less fortunate, are wringing their hands in the wildness oftheirgrief.Distractedmotherscry,"Whereismychild?"Some,withthe dead on their knees, sit stunned by sorrow; frightful to look

upon!speechless,tearless,motionless,asifturnedintostone;whileothers,wild,raving,frantic,standontheshoresofthedevouringsea,and,stampingonitssands,demandbacktheirdead.

These aremournful gatherings; and in striking contrast to them isthisgatheringonMelita'sshore:—Itwasafrightfulstorm;thecoastunknown;theshipgroundsindeepwater,withnighthreehundredsoulsonboard;thenightbefore,theboatshadbeencutadrift,andnownotaboat—ifboatscouldliveinsuchaswell—tosavethem.

The swimmers, who strip and plunge into the sea,may perchancereach theshore,butnoneelse shall cheat thedeepof itsprey.Yet,when there is not another head among the billows—when the lastsurvivorhas climbed thebeach—theymuster; and soldiers, sailors,and prisoners—all are there. Paul got their lives, and not one hasgonea-missing."Someonboards,andsomeonbrokenpiecesoftheship;"but,bywhateverwayitcametopass, itdidcometopass,asthenarrativetells—"theyescapedallsafetoland."

EvensoshallitbewiththoseofwhomJesussays,"Igiveuntothemeternallife,andtheyshallneverperish.Myfatherthatgavethemmeis greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of myFather'shand."Happythosewhosailintheship,andhaveembarkedinthesamecausewithChrist.

Whattheyhavecommittedtohim,hewillkeepuntil thegreatday.Andwhenallearthlyschemesarefoundered,andlifeitselfbecomesawreck—plungingusamid thebillowsofeternity's shore—and thisoldworlditselfisbrokenuplikeawornoutandstrandedship—then,atthelastday'smuster,allwhoareChrist'sshallbethere,notoneofthem shall bemissing; sooner or later, all shall reach theheavenlycoast.

"TheLordknoweththemthatarehis;"and"allthathisFatherhathgivenhimheshallkeep."

But my text tells us not only that He will gather his people, butgatherthem"outofallcountries."

Letthosemarkthat,who,indulginganextravagantpatriotism,orinthenarrowspiritofbigotry,allowthemselvesto"limittheHolyOneof Israel," and are ready to say with the Jews of old, "We are thepeople of the Lord; the temple of the Lord are we," "We haveAbrahamtoourfather."Alas!weareall tooproneto thinkthatwestand allied to Jesus in closer relationship than others, even asBenjamin to Joseph; others may be brothers, ours is a closerbrotherhood;wearenotonlyfather'sbutmother'ssons.

Now,we arepatriotic enough tohopemuch for our country—for aland like ours, which has been crimsoned with precious blood,consecrated by prayers, and whose almost every mountain, asRutherfordsaid,"hasbeenfloweredwithmartyrs."

We sympathize, also, with domestic affection; and the hope thatfamilies—sodeartousasourown—shallrisefromtheplaceofmanygraves to dwell together in the house of many mansions. Still,heaven,likethestarryfirmamentwhichencompassesourglobe,isasnearothercountriesasourown.

Godhaspeoplewherewelooknotforthem,andknownotofthem.Ahundredprophetsare secreted inObadiah's cave;andwhenElijah,wrappedinhismantle,standsbeforetheGodofthestormandcalm,and the "still small voice," complaining, "they have slain thyprophets, and I, even I only am left," he is surprised to be told ofseventhousandinIsrael,astruemenashe,whohavenotbowedthekneetoBaal.Wemaybeastonishedtomisssomeinheavenwhomwecalculatedonmeetingthere,weshallbeastonishedtoseesometherewhomweneverexpected.

Thegospelbelongstonocountry,buttoall.Everyseaisnotpavedwithpearlshells;nordoeseverysoilgrowvinesandpalms,nordoeseveryminesparklewithgems,nordothestreamsofevery landrolltheir waters over golden sands. These symbols of grace have anarrowrange;butnotgraceherself.Sheownsnolinesoflatitudeorlongitude.Allclimatesareonetoher.Shewearsnopartybadge;andbelongsneithertoclassnorcolor.ShetakesnoobjectiontoaNegro'sskin.

He,whomhiswhiteoppressorrefusedtoworshipwith,eatwith,sailwith or dwell with on earth, shall dwell, and worship, and reignwherehismastermayneverbe;andwhen—asmayoftenhappen—thewhiteskinisshutout,andtheblackman,nowandforeverfree,passesinatthecelestialgate,itshallfurnishbutanotherillustrationof the truth, that salvation is, "not of blood, nor of the will of theflesh,norofthewillofman,butofGod."

Withthis truth,asbyazoneof love,elasticenoughtohestretchedroundtheglobe,wewouldbindmankindtogether.LetitawakeninChristian hearts an interest and an affection for every land.Humanity rejoices with piety in the prospects that it opens. Thedistant natives of the Poles and Equator shall be associated inheaven;theywhohavenevermetonearthshallmeetthere;andtheywhonever couldagreeonearth shall agree there; thedesireofourheartsshallbeaccomplishedthere;andtherethosewho,scowledatbybigots,andpitiedbymanyasamiablevisionaries,havesoughtacloser union among God's children here, shall have their fondestwishes gratified.From thedreadfulwars thatnow shake the earth,and thehardly less painful battlefields of churches, it is a pleasantchangetocontemplatethisgeneralassembly,where—Jesushimselfpresiding—therepresentativesofallnations,tribes,languages,sects,and parties, are met to sing the jubilee of universal peace, andcelebratethefuneralofalltheirdifferences.

Overthatgravenotearsareshed;besideitnopalemournersstand;allquarrelsandcontroversies,withtheirweaponsofwar,arenowforeverburied—buriedwithoutfearofresurrection,andaboveitheavenrises, a temple dedicated to eternal concord, "whose builder andmakerisGod."

Dishonoredofteninthepresenttimebytheirquarrels,andalwaysbytheirseparation,Jesusshallthenbeglorifiedinallhissaints.Itisthedust and the rust which the liquid mercury has contracted thatimpair thebeautyof its luster,andprevent theunionof itsdividedglobules. And what is it but earthly contaminations and unworthypassions that keep true Christians apart. From these let them bepurifiedbythegenialfiresoflove,orthesharpfiresofsuffering,and

union will follow—follow as when the purified globules ofquicksilver,brought intocontact, run intoeachother'sembraces toformoneshiningandbrilliantmass.MayGodgivehisdivineSpiritof love and unity for such a blessed end—a consummation sodevoutlytobewishedfor.Theprophecyfulfilledwhichforetellssuchan union, then, the redeemed of the cross, and elect of God, shallmake up a countless company, one which no man can number—multitudesandmyriads—offeringsuchacontrasttothehandfulwhofollow the steps of the Man of sorrows, that we shall hear thesewordsnomore—"Yearealittleflock."

"He cometh, he cometh to judge the earth;" and how? after whatmanner? in what royal state? "Behold he cometh with clouds"—clouds, that on their nearer approach to earth, when the generalmass shall resolve itself into individual objects, may be found toconsistofinnumerablehostsofwingedandshiningangels.Onthatgreat occasion, the saints—countless as the atoms that float in thevapors of the sky, or the drops that fall in its showers—shall alsoform, tousePaul's expression, "a cloudofwitnesses."Already theyformacloudinheaven;andtotheeyeoffaithitisasthosenebulousspots, which, by their great distance, shine only with a faintluminosityfarawayinthedepthsofthestarryfirmament,butwhich,undertheeyeandinstrumentsoftheastronomer,areresolvedintoacountlessaggregateofburningsung.

IV.WeareassuredthatGodwillbringallhispeopletoglory,bythefactthathisownhonor,aswellastheirwelfare,isconcernedinthematter.InthatlaythesalvationofancientIsrael."Howlongwillthispeople provoke me? I will smite them with the pestilence, anddisinherit them; and I will make of thee a greater nation andmightierthanthey."ThusspaketheLordtoMoses,andhowdidhereply?

Hehadcertainlyagreattemptationtomakenoreplyandletthingstaketheircourse,sincetheissuewouldbringhimandhissuchgreatadvantage.TypeoftheSaviour,heflunghimselfbetweenjusticeandherculprits.HeventurestoremonstratewithGod.Hesetshimselftoshow,that thedestructionof Israel—although, the justpunishment

of their sins—might militate against God's declarative honor, andexpose it to suspicion; and that, therefore, although he could notsparethemfortheirsakes,heshouldsparethemforhisown.Moseswasconcernedforthefateofhiscountrymen.Likeatruepatriot,hedeclined to rise on their ruins; butmore deeply concerned still forthehonorofGod,hetakescouragetoreply,"ThentheEgyptianshallhearit,andtheywilltellittotheinhabitantsofthisland.Nowifthoushalt kill all this people as oneman, then the nations which haveheard of theewill speak, saying. Because the Lordwas not able tobringthispeopleintothelandwhichheswareuntothem,thereforehehadslaintheminthewilderness."

Asitwasthen,soisitnow.God'shonor,andtruth,andcovenant,areall concerned—are, so to speak, compromised to make good thepromise, that hewill bringhis redeemed to glory. It is, indeed, noeasyworktobringbelieverssafetoglory.WhenIthinkofthesinstobe forgiven, and the difficulties to be overcome, thewonder seemsnot that fewget toheaven,but thatanyget there.Wehave readofvoyages,wherefornightsthesailorsenjoyednosleep,andfordayssaw no sun. Lying at one time becalmed beneath a fiery sky, atanothertimeshiveringamidfieldsofice;withsunkenrocksaroundthem,andtreacherouscurrentssweepingthemondangerousreefs;exposed to sudden squalls, long, darknights, and fearful tempests,thewonderwasthattheirbatteredshipeverreachedtheport.

Iselectacaseofrecentoccurrence.

Somewhileagoavesselenteredoneofourwesternharbors,andthetownpouredouttosee.

Well theymight. It had left theAmerican shorewith a large, able-bodiedcrew.Theyhavehardlylostsightoflandwhenthepestilenceboards them; victim falls after victim; another and another iscommitted to thedeep,as fromdeck todeck,andyard toyardshepursues her prey; nor does she spread her wings to leave that ill-fatedship,tillshehasleftbuttwotoworkitoverthebroadwatersofawintrysea.

And when, with Providence at the helm, these two men, worn byworkandwatching to ghastly skeletons,havebrought their ship toland, and now kiss once more wives and little ones they neverthoughtmoretosee,andsteponcemoreonagreenearththeynevermore hoped to touch, men run to see the sight, and hear theadventuresofavoyagebroughtagainstsuchdreadfuloddstosuchahappyissue.

Yet there is never a bark drops anchor in heaven, nor a wearyvoyagerstepsoutonitscelestialstrand,butisastillgreaterwonder.SavefortheassurancethatwhatGodhathbegunHewillfinish—thatwhatconcernshispeopleHewillperfect—Oh,howoftenwouldourhopeoffinal,blessednessaltogetherexpire.

"Wellmight David say, "I had fainted unless I had believed." Andknowingwhatweknow,andfeelingwhatwefeel,howentirelymayweacquiesceintheoldremark,thatthegreatestwonderweshallseeinheaven,shallbetoseeourselvesthere.

YetletChristianstakecomfort.YourgoodandGod'sgloryeverruninthesamedirection.Theyaretheparallelrailsonwhichthechariotof salvation rolls. They shall bring you to the Jerusalem above. Tocomparesmallthingswithgreat,ourjourneythere,withitsdangersandchanges,hassometimesappearedtomelikethatofapassengertoourowncity.

Ontheseironroadshenowtravelsalongrichandfertileplains;now,at adangerous anddizzyheight he flies across intervening valleys;now he rushes through a narrow gorge cut in the solid rock,withnothingseenbutheaven;now,boringintotheearth,hedashesintosome gaping cavern, for a while losing sight even of heaven itself,andthenagainhesweepsforthandoninsunshine,tillatlengththedomes,andtowers,andtemplesofthecityburstonhisview.

And, these close at hand, he concludes his journey by passingthroughanemblemofdeath.Heentersagloomyarch,advances indarknessthroughaplaceofgraves,andthen,ofasudden,emergesinto day, to feast his eyes on the glorious scenery, and receive the

congratulations ofwaiting friends, as he finds himself safe "in themidstofthecity."

~endofchapter11~

ManJustified

ThenwillIsprinklecleanwateruponyou,andyeshallbeclean:fromallyourfilthiness,andfromallyouridols,willIcleanseyou(Ezekiel36:25).

In the earliest peopled regions of theworld, there still stand someancient monuments, bold in plan, and colossal in dimensions,defyingbothtimeandchange.Raised,astheserudestructureswere,in thevery infancyofart,andere thegiantarmsofmachineryhadgrown into theirpresentstrength, theyareobjectsofdeep interest,both to the architect and antiquary. How came these great stonesthere?Bywhatmeansormachinerydidman,indayssorude,raisesuchponderousmasses?

Sciencehasquestionsas inexplicable toput regarding theworksofnature.We climbamountain range, and, standingon its apex, seevalley and plain stretching far away to meet the ocean, that lies,gleaminglikeasilverborder,onthedimanddistanthorizon.Afterexpatiating on the beauties of the scene around us, our eye turnsdownwards, and lights on a very extraordinary object—a shell—aplant—a zoophyte, whose proper habitat is the low sea-shore—or,lowerstill,downinthedarkdepthsofoceanembeddedintherock.Howcameithere?whatbusinesshasithere?Wefind,infact,that,althoughnowraisedsomethousandfeetabovethesea,theplatformonwhichwestandhadoncebeenanocean'sbed.Andhewouldbea

stupidman,inwhosemindthequestionwouldnotrise,whatagent,oftremendouspowerwasthat,which,upheavingthecrustofearth,hasturnedthefloorofasea,wherecoralsgrew,andfishswam,intoamountaincragwhereoneaglesbuildtheirnests.

IntheProvidencewhichdeterminesthelotofman,historypresentssubjects not less interesting. It is a curious thing how a sea shellcametobeembeddedinthesummitofamountaincrag.Itisevenacuriousthingtowatchtheprogressofaworm,asitclimbsuptreeorwalltotheplaceofitsapparentdeathandbeautifulresurrection.Itisstillmore interesting to seeaman fighting, toiling, tearinghiswayup from the bottom, to the sunny but often cold and stormypinnaclesofsociety;sothat,perhaps,whendead,he,whosebirthacottage saw, lies in state within a palace. There are all manner ofways by whichmen rise in the world. Some, flung up by nationalconvulsions, rise like the fire stones shot from a volcano'smouth;theyflareforalittle,andthenarelostinnight.Some,likeseaweedoranemptyshell,arethrownupbythewaveofpopularagitation,onlybyitsrefluxtobesweptbackagainintooblivion.

Someriseintimesoftroubleandofturmoil, likethedustandlightstrawsofthewhirlwind;thelightertheyarethemoresurearetheytorise.Someascendby the foul and slipperypathof crime, risingonother men's shoulders, and building dishonest fortunes on honestmen'sruin.Whilesome—beingamidallthemysteriesofProvidence,witnessesthatthereisajustGoduponearth—illustratetheadageoftheworld,"Honestyisthebestpolicy,"andthestillbettersayingofScripture,"Godlinessisprofitableuntoallthings,havingpromiseofthe life thatnow is, and of thatwhich is to come."But there is norisingso interestingtostudy,orby thosewhoare firedwithaholyambition,soblessedtoemulate,asthatofasinnerintoasaint—ofasoul to glory. That man, however, enjoys one of the charms ofhistory, and reads one of the strangest chapters in the book ofProvidence,whotracesthesuccessivestepsbywhichgreatactorsinthe theatre of thisworldhavemounted to fameand fortuneout ofthedeepestobscurity.

Tous there are inquiriesof greater interest thananyof these.Few

rise from cottages to be kings—nor are such giddy elevationsdesirable;mostmenfallandarecrushedbeforetheyreachthetopoftheir ambition, and the fewwhohave reached it have learned that"uneasyliestheheadthatwearsacrown."

It is of littlemoment tome, how this base-bornbut brave peasantreachedathrone;buttomeitiseverythingtoknowhowthissinnerbecameasaint,andfrombeingtheslaveofSatanandverydrudgeofsinrosetoacrowninheaven—tobeakingandpriesttoGod.

IfIamengrossedwiththemomentousinterestsofeternity,andhavenotyetmademycallingsure,butamstill lyingintheanxietiesanddarkness of spiritual distress, it will be of little importance tome,howtheshell,whichoncelayinthedepthsofocean,hasbeenraisedintothelightandregionsofthesunnyair,buttomeitiseverythingtoknow,howI,lyingburiedbeneaththewrathofGod,canberaisedtothesunshineofhispeaceandfavor.Tomethequestionisofthehighest importance,whichtheelderput toJohn,when,pointingtothe multitude whom no man can number, "who stood before thethroneandbeforetheLamb,clothedwithwhiterobes,andpalmsintheirhands,"hesaid,"whoarethese,andwhencecamethey?"

I am deeply interested to know by what means these, each one—originallylikemyself—abeingofsinandguilt,escapedthewrathofGod,androsetosuchloftyfavor?Recognizinginthatcompany,one,andanother,andyetanother—whowerethechiefofsinners,Itakehearttosay,iftheygotupthere,whyshouldnotI?Thedoorthatwaswideenoughandhighenoughforthem,cannotbetoostraitor lowforme.

Thesequestions,inotherwords,howdoesGodsavethesinner?andwhat am I to do to be saved? —questioning, the most importantwhichyoucanask,orIcanattempttoanswer,arethoseatwhich,intheprogressofthesediscourses,wearenowarrived.

Iintend,Godhelpingme,tosetforththemeansbywhichHewhoismostwillingtosavesinners,accomplisheshisgenerousandgraciouspurpose. I am now to show you that famous breach by which the

soldiersofthecross,ledonbytheirCaptain,withbannersflyingandswordinhand,have taken thekingdom,and, tramplingunder footthebodyofsin,haveenteredintoglorywithholyviolence.

WearenowtolookuponthatfamousladderwhichthehandofGodhasletdownfromheaven,andbywhichAbel,andAdam,andEnoch,and Noah, and Abraham, and Jacob, and Daniel, and Peter, andPaul, and the Marys, and Dorcas, and Phcebe—martyrs andconfessors,prophetsandsaints—pressingoneachother'sheels,havescaledthewallsofglory,andenteredintopossessionofthecelestialcity.Andnow,as theangelwhohadblown the coal andbaked thebread beside the lonely sleeper—for such things angels will do forsaints—wokeElijahandsaidtohim,"riseandeat;"withthisladderwithin,yourreach—youatitsfoot,andheavenatitstop—Isay,riseandclimb.Whatmeanestthou,sleeper?Whatdoyousleepingthere?Theslightestturn,andyourolloverintothepit,onwhosedreadfuledgesinnersmaketheirbed.Rouseup,lookup,riseandclimb;Godhelpingyoubyfaith,layholdofHimwhosays—"IamtheWay,theTruth,andtheLife."

Inenteringonthesubjectofasinner'sjustification,Iremark—

I. God's people are not chosen because they are holy. They arechosenthattheymaybecomeholy,notbecausetheyhavebecomeso.ItisafterGodelectsthatGodjustifies,as it isafterhehas justifiedthathesanctifies.Thisappears—standsout—mostvisiblyintheverytermsofthetext,"thenwillIsprinklecleanwateruponyou,"Donot,Ipray you, suppose thatwedisparageholiness. In thedoctrinesofgraceholinessholdsamostimportantplace;aplacesoimportant—soprominent and conspicuous—that thenotion, once current, thatthe doctrine of a free salvation through themercy of God and themeritsofChristaloneisunfavorabletotheinterestsofmorality,canonly be ascribed to themalice of the natural heart, or the grossestignorance.ThesedoctrinessetforththeloveofChristasabeliever'sgreat motive power, and it might be a sufficient refutation of thecalumnytoquotetheglowingexclamationofthepoet—

"Thoubleedinglamb!ThebestmoralityisloveofThee."

Butwhatplaceintheschemeofgracedoweassigntoholiness?whatlanguagedoweholdregarding it?Wesay thatwithoutholinessnomanshallseeGod.Couldmorebeaskedorsaidthanthat?Wesaysotoallmen—

-Tothesovereignonhisthronewesay,Withoutholinessthoushaltneverwearacrowninheaven;-Totheministerinhispulpitwesay,WithoutholinessthoushaltneverministerbeforetheThrone—thoumayest save others, but shalt be thyself a castaway; - To thecommunicantattheLord'stablewesay,Withoutholinessthoushaltneversitat themarriagesupperof theLamb;thoumayestdrinkofthe juice of the grape—but shalt neverdrink the newwine of his "Father'skingdom;"Wesaytoall,"IfanymanhavenotthespiritofChrist,beisnoneofhis."Youmayhavehisname;butthatisworthnothing;unlesswiththenameyouhavethenatureofHimwhowasholy,harmless,andundefiled.

Gracemaymakeyouhis;butwhateveryoumaybecome,youarenotsonow,unlesstherebegerminatinginyouthemindofHimwhowasholinessintheflesh—incarnatevirtue.WeeverechotheexhortationoftheApostle,"Becarefultomaintaingoodworks."

This is surely no lax or immoral creed. So far from holding goodworkscheap,wesaythat:

-BythemGodisglorified,-Bythemfaithisjustified,-Bythemonthegreatdayofjudgmentshalleverymanbetried.Youarenottobejustifiedbyyourworks,butyouaretobetriedbythem.Theruleofthatdayshallbethis—"thetreeisknownbyhisfruit."

"Every treewhich bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down andcast into the fire." Are any of you, then, living in sin—known,habitual, cherished sin—and yet in hope? Oh, how great is yourmistake!Youmaybesaved fromyoursins,youcannotbesaved inyour sins. One sin, even one! is the "dead fly, that maketh theapothecary's ointment to stink;" is the leak, however small andconcealedfromthepubliceye,which, ifnotstopped,fillsandsinkstheship.Andhowwill theybeaffected to youraccounton theday

whenspiritualrewardsaremetedout.

Men talk of poverty, misfortune, disease, bereavement, as evils!There is no radical evil in thisworld but sin; if you still persist incallingother thingsevils, remembersin is theirmother—theseherhatefulprogeny.Nosin,nosuffering;nosin,nosorrow;nosin,nosting,nodeath,nograve,nohell.WechangethewordofPaul,and,sochanged,applytosinswhathespokeofthesailors.hesaidoftheseamen, "Except these abide in the ship ye cannot be saved." Toprevail on you to abandon and cast your sins—these Jonahs—overboard,we say, if these abide ye cannothere theMaster's "welldone!"

Now,whilemaintaining, to theutmost, thatholiness isessential tosalvation,weneverthelessregarditasofthehighestimportancethatholiness should have a right and not awrong place in our system.Shouldearthquakesshake theground,orevenrudestorms theair,thatpyramidmuststandunsafelywhich,accordingtothepoet,

"Likeaninvertedcone,Wantstheproperbasetostandupon."

That body would be a monster in nature, hideous of aspect, andhappily of brief existence, which should have its organs andmemberssomisplaced,thatthehandsshouldoccupytheplaceofthefeet, and whose heart should beat in the cavity of the brain. Thefruitfulness, beauty, the very life of a tree, dependsnot only on itshaving roots and branches, but on thesemembers being placed intheirnaturalorder.

Let a tree be planted upside down—the roots in the air and thebranches in theearth—andIneednotaskhowmuchfruit itwouldyield,norhowmanyseasonstheunhappyplantwouldsurvivesuchbarbarousandblunderingtreatment.

Well,ifitbeofsuchconsequenceinthesethingsnottodepartfromtheorder established innature, it is of no less consequence not todepartfromtheorderestablishedinthekingdomofgrace?Itisnotenough thatmen hold right doctrines—nay in a sense hold all the

doctrines. The right doctrines must be, in the right places. Yourastronomy may include all the bodies that enter into our solarsystem,butifitgiveasatellitetheimperialpositionofthesun,yoursystempassesintoinextricableconfusion.

The machine may have all its parts, "but, if the great wheel thatmoves them,or thebalance-wheel that regulates them, revolveonanyshaftbutitsown,theentiremechanismstops,orfliesroundinfuriousanddestructivedisorder.Evenso,althoughallthedoctrinesof the gospel be present in our creed, we may commit a great, adangerous—possiblya fatalmistake—byanymal-arrangementthatwouldputtheseoutoftheirproperplace.Andsuchistheirmistakewhobuild election upon holiness—not holiness upon election;whoregardgoodworks,notas theresult,but thecauseofGod'smercy;andwho,mistakingtherootforthefruit,thinkthatGodadoptsmenbecause they areholy;when, inpoint of fact, hemakes themholy,justbecausehehasadoptedthem.

This,believeme,isnotanexampleoftheniceandfinedistinctionswhich theologians sometimes spin;nor of thematters aboutwhichbigotsmaycontend,butgoodmenneedgivethemselvesnotrouble.Somesmallthingshavegreateffects.Aslightwedgeofwoodorsmallpebblelyingupontheslip,preventsthevesselfrombeinglaunchedonthebosomofatidethatswellstoreceiveherinitsarms.

ThefulltideofloveflowsinJesus'heart,hisbosomisopentoreceivethe sinner, everything conspires to his salvation, and yet in suchhappycircumstances,wehaveseenthenotion, thatamanmustbeholybeforehegoestoChrist,arrestasoulthathadalreadymoved,advanced,gotsomewayinitscourse,andaswethought,wasoffforheaven.Thisisadelusionoftheenemyofsouls.

Ibelieve it tobeacommonwileofSatan.Whenconsciencegetssouneasy, that forall thedevil'srocking itwon'tsleep,andmengrowanxiousabout theireternal interests,andwillbeoutof the"CityofDestruction,"itisnouncommonthingwithhimtosendthemawayin a wrong direction. Would you make yourselves more pure andmorepenitent, thatyoumayhavesomeright todivinemercy?You

aretryingtoweaveropesofsand,andhewhohassetyoutoatasksoimpracticable knows well that you will by and bye abandon it indespair;andthen,perhaps,returningtoyouroldfavoritesins,likeadrunkard to his cup after a season of sobriety, you will furnishanother illustration of the saying—"The last state of that man isworsethanthefirst."

WithGod'shelpIwouldendeavortodisabuseyourmindsofsuchanerror.

For that purpose, let me borrow an illustration from an asylum,which, in the formofa raggedschool, opens its lovingarms to theoutcast,liketheGospelwhichitteaches,andseekstotrainuptoGodand glory the poor children whom its piety and pity adopts. Onentering these blessed doors—the gate of hope to many—yourattentioniscaughtbyachild,whoissupportedtherebythebountyofsomegenerousChristian.

Theboynowcanspellhiswaythroughabible—onceasealedbooktohim; he knows now, and, in tones fitted to melt any heart, hesweetly-sings of a Saviour, of whom once he knew not even thename.Theselittlehandsarenowskillfultoweavethenetorplytheshuttle,whichoncewerealertonlytosteal,orheldoutintheirpitifulemaciationtopleadforcharity;andthereissuchsharpintelligencein that bright eye, and such anopenair of honesty inhis beamingface, and such attention to cleanliness appears in his dress andperson,andsuchbuoyancyinhiswholebearing,asifhopehailedabrighterfutureforthatpoorchild,thatthesebespeakyourfavor.

But do you conclude that they were the child's passport to thisasylum?Doyousuppose, thatwhenhewandered, anoutcastuponthewinterstreets,shoelessamongthesnow,shiveringinthecold,itwaswhatnowsointerestsyouthatcaughttheeyeofpity,orthattothese habits and accomplishments, learned under a parental roof,thechildowedhisadoption?Howgreatyourmistake.

Thiswere,indeed,toturnthingsupsidedown.Hewasadopted,notfor thesakeof these,butnotwithstanding thewantof them. Itwas

theverywantofthem,which,ifImaysospeak,carriedhiselection.Itwashiswretchednessthatsavedhim.Itwashisverymisery—whenhe stood there with beggary on his back and hunger in his looks,cold, naked, wicked, wretched—which pleaded for him, and, withmore power than eloquence, melted men's hearts and gained hiscause.

Thecleanhands,androsycheek,andlightedeye,anddecenthabits,andartsandknowledge,andallwhichnowwinsourregardaretheconsequencesofhisadoption,andneverwerenorcouldbeitscause.Even so is it with holy habits and a holy heart in the matter ofredemption—

"Yehavenotchosenme,butIhavechosenyou,"saysGod.Blessedtruth! Glad tidings, indeed, to sinners! for, since God chooses hispeople,notbecausetheyareholy,buttomakethemso,whomaynotbechosen?andwhoshouldnothope?Tomyeyehope,inthattruth,bendsherbrightbowon life'sblackest cloud, and sendsabeamoflightdownintotheguiltiestheart.

II. Inredemption, thesavedarenot justifiedby themselves,butbyGod.This is no recondite truth—onewhichwe need to dig or divefor.Thepearlliesinthedarkdepthsofthesea,butgoldcommonlylies near the surface of the earth. Like the precious ore gleamingfromthenakedrock,thistruthshinesonthefaceofmytext;achild'seyecancatchitthere,andachild'smindcomprehendit.Forhowisasinnermadeclean?butthroughtheapplicationofwhatisherecalledclean water; and by whom, according to the text, is that waterapplied?Itisappliedtothesinner,butnotbythesinner.

Elisharemainedinhishouse,anddidnotaccompanyNaamantothehanks of Jordan. Commanded by the prophet to wash, and—whenpridewasreadytorevoltfromsomeanaremedy—persuadedbyhisservantsthatitwereafoolishthingnottotrysosmallaremedyforso great a curse, the Syrian descended into the water; and, goingdownaleper,roseattheseventhdipwithaskinfreshasanewbornchild's. A type of salvation in one respect, that case is not so inanother.

Itisnotsointhis,thatNaamanbathedhimself—thesinnerdoesnot.Here, as in the sacrament of baptism, there are two parties. Thebaptized and the baptizer are not one. The water is applied byanother'shand;and,asnomanbaptizes, sonomansaveshimself,noman justifies himself, noman ever sprinkled himself with thatatoningblood,whichweshallshowtobesymbolizedbythis"cleanwater."

Thebloodybaptismisadministeredby thehandwhichkindled thesun, stretched out the curtain of the heavens, and sustains theuniverse. To God, as Author and Finisher of our faith, the wholeglory of salvation belongs; for, observe how he says inmy text—"Iwillsprinklecleanwateruponyou,andyeshallbeclean."

Jobinquires,"HowshouldmanbejustwithGod?"Agreatquestion—one in which we have the deepest interest—one for which theGospelwasrevealed,andthecrossofCalvaryraisedtoanswer—andone to which our own merits and works furnish no satisfactorysolution.Itisnatural,mostnatural,forustotrustinthese.Idonotdenyit.

Observe what happens when the cry rises at sea—"A manoverboard!"Yourush to thesideof thevessel; youwatch theplacewhere the rising air-bells and boiling deep tell that he has gonedown.After somemoments of breathless anxiety, you seehisheademergefromthewave.Now,thatmanisnoswimmer—hehasneverlearnedtobreastthebillows;yet,withthefirstbreathhedraws,hebeginstobeatthewater;withviolenteffortsheattemptstoshakeoffthegraspofdeath,and,by theplayof limbsandarms, tokeephisheadfromsinking.

His struggles may only exhaust his strength, and sink him all thesooner, nevertheless, that drowning wretch makes instinctive andconvulsiveeffortstosavehimself.So,whenfirstbroughttofeelthatweareperishing—whenthehorribleconvictionrushesintoourmindthatweare lost, andwe feel ourselves goingdownunder a loadofguilt into the depths of wrath, our first effort, also, is to saveourselves.Like adrowningman,who clutches at straws and twigs,

weseizeonanything,howeverworthless,thatpromisessalvation.

Thus,alas!manytoilandspendweary,painful,unprofitabledaysinattempting toestablisharighteousnessof theirown,and to find inthedeedsofthelawprotectionfromitscurse.

Therewasatime,nodoubt,whenmanhadhisfortunesinhisownhand;butthattimeisgone—ourpowerpassedawaywithourpurity.Impotencehasfollowedthelossof innocence,andwehavenothingnowleftusbutawretchedpride.Amidthechangeswhichthisworldpresents, Ihave seenamanwhohadknownbetterdays—whohadbeennursedinluxury,andrearedinthelapoffullness—outlivehisfortune, and sink into the baseness and meanness of the deepestpoverty. It seems to be in such circumstances with men as withplants.

Naturalistssaythatitismuchmoredifficulttogetamountainplantto accommodate itself to a low locality, than to get one, which bybirthbelongstothevalleys,toliveandthriveataloftyelevation.So,there seems nothing more difficult to men than to descendgracefully, and for those who have been accustomed to a highpositioninsocietytoreconcilethemselvestoahumbleone.

AndthusIhaveseensuchanoneasIhavedescribed,whenhehadlosthiswealth,retaininhisvanitywhatheshouldfirsthavepartedwith, and continue proud evenwhen he had become poor. So is itwithusinourlowandlostestate.Spirituallypoor,wearespirituallyproud—saying,"Iamrichandincreasedingoods,andhaveneedofnothing," while we are "wretched, and miserable, and poor, andblind,andnaked."

Evenwhenweareinsomedegreesensibleofourpoverty,andknowwecannotpay,weareyet like theunjust steward,ashamed tobeg.Withapridethatassortsillwiththeragswewear,wewillnotstooptostandatGod'sdoor,poormendicants,whoaskformercy.Wewillwork out our own salvation—nor be beholden to another. Nor,sometimes, if not always, till the sinner learns, by prolonged andpainfultrials,thathecannotbehisownsavior,doesthisproudheart

ofoursallowustostandsuppliantsatthegateofMercy—ourpleaforpardonnotourownmerits—nothing, nothingwhatever but Jesus'meritsandourownmisery.Yetthusandtherewemuststandifwewouldbesaved,JesusistheSaviourofthelost,andofnonebutthelost.

Now,tobringusdowntothisconviction,andtodrawfromourlipsthe cry, "Lord saveme, Iperish,"God inmercyoften leaves those,whomhecalls,totrytheirhandatworkingouttheirownsalvation,andof therubbishanduntemperedmortarof theirownworksandvowstobuilduparighteousnessoftheirown.TheytoilandlaborattheBabel tower—a tower toreach toheaven. It rises imposingly. Itgrows lofty, and looks strong;until someday, conscienceawakens,and there follows an earthquake of the soul which shakes it to itsfoundation; or some sudden gust of temptation strikes it, and laysthe laborofyears in ruinsupon the ground.This ruinproves theirredemption:for—firststepinarightdirection—theyatleastcometofeel, that, notwithstanding their utmost efforts to live holily, holytheyarenot.

God deals with them as Jesus did on Galilee with Simon Peter.Impetuous,self-satisfied,puffedupwithvanity,

Peter will walk the sea to show off his power and prove hissuperiority to the other disciples.HisMaster lets him try it. Jesusbids him come; not that hemaydrownSimon, but drownSimon'spride. Boldly he ventures on the water. He begins to walk; but,alarmedathisnewpositionasherisesandfallswiththeswellofthewaves,hebegins to fear,and, likeacausewhich is lost forwantofcourage,hebeginstosink—lowerandlowerstillhesinks,tillthecoldwaterrisestohisheart,andkisseshisdrowninglip.

Painfulbutprofitablelesson!Hisdangerandfailurehavetaughthimhisweakness;terrormastersshame,and,stretchingouthisarmstoChrist,hecries,"Lord,saveme,Iperish."

Now,tothisstate,andthisveryconfession,allwhoaretobesavedmustfirstbebrought.

"Iperish,"isasavingword."Iperish,"likethecryofthechildinthenatal chamber, is the first utterance of a new existence. He whoraiseshiseyestoheaventocry,"Iperish,""Lord,saveme,Iperish,"hasplantedhisfootonthefirstroundoftheladderthatraisesmanfromearthtoheaven.

Have you got your foot there? from lips palewith terror, have youevercried"Lord,saveme,Iperish."

This confession and this petition will, sooner or later, rise to Godfromtheman,who,throughtheinfluenceofGod'sgraceandspirit,is intelligently, seriously, resolutely, bent on salvation.We say so,becausenomaneveryettriedtolivewithoutsinningandsucceeded.Whothatevertriedithasnotfailed?Whohasnotfound,thatitwereaseasyforamanofmortalmoldandweighttowalkthewater,astowalk thisworldonedaywithout sin?Oh,hasnotHewho is angrywiththewickedeveryday,reasontobeangryeverydaywiththebestofus?"Inmanythingsweoffend."

Imagine not by your vows, and engagements, and promises, andresolutions, to restrain the corruption of your nature—to bind thelimbsof"theoldman."That"oldman,"althoughold,iseveryoung.Tohimagebringsnoinfirmities.Hegrowsinstrengthwithincreaseofyears.Vulnerabletonoweaponbutthe"SwordoftheSpirit,"and,entrenched within your heart, he is immortal till you pierce himthere. This terrible "oldman" laughs at your strongest bonds, andsnapsthemonhisgiantarms,asSamsoninthedaysofoldthegreenwithesofthePhilistines.

Time is precious, and you waste it in attempting to work out arighteousnessofyourown.

In you I see the Ethiopian, black and tawny, seated by a runningstream, a laughing stock to some, an object of pity to others, wholaborsandtoilstowashhimselfwhite,andremovethedarkpigmentof his skin, Rise up, throw soap and nitre into the stream, and,turningyourbackonthese,go,seekthebloodthatcleansethfromallsin.

Areyouengagedintheattempttoworkoutarighteousnessofyourown?Leave that loom.Are thegossamer threadsofyourownvowsand promises ever snapping in your hand, and breaking at everythrowoftheshuttle?Therobeofrighteousness,araimentmeetforthy soul, and approved of by God, was never woven there. It waswrought upon the cross; and, of colormore enduring than Tyrianpurple,itisdyedredinthebloodofCalvary.

Come away, and come to Jesus,Come as you are. There is neithertimenorneedfordelay.

Imagine not that you have to do what Joseph did before he wasusheredintoPharaoh'spresence.TheHebrewliesimmuredinafoulandlonelydungeon,whentoathunderingatthegate,andthecryof"a message from the palace!" the ponderous bolts are drawn. Thedooristhrownopen,and,guidedbythejailer,theroyalmessengershurryalongthedrearypassagesandenterJoseph'sdungeon.

Pale,sad,disconsolate,farfromhisfatherandafather'slove,aslave,a captive, neglected in dress and person, the Hebrew lies beforethem.Theystrike the fetters fromhis limbs,andhurryhimoff, forPharaoh with royal impatience frets and grieves till his dream isread; and yet, with all their haste, Joseph is not ushered into thepresenceofroyaltytill themarksof theprisonareremoved,andinattireandappearanceheismadelikeonewhoisfittowalkthefloorofapalace,andstandbeforeaking.

Weare told that "heshavedhimself,andchangedhis raiment,andcameinuntoPharaoh."

Ihavetotellthesinnerthat,althoughheliesinadeeperanddarkerdungeon, although he is covered with fouler and filthier rags, andalthough the presence of Jesus is infinitely more august, andvenerable,andexalted,thanthatofanymortalking,hestandsinnoneedofpreparatoryholiness,ofevenoneshorthour'sdelay.

Youhaveneithertochangearag,norremoveastain.Heisreadytoreceive youas youare.Come then as you are.Here, this hour, the

bridegroomstandsbythemarriagealtar.It isnotyourwealth—noryourbeauty—whichhaswonhisheart.

Helovesyou;hehasshedhisbloodtowashyou;atgreatcosthehaspurchased the wedding garment, a robe of righteousness, and thecrownofglory.Theromancewhichrelateshowapeasantmaidwasunitedtoagreatprince,andtheturninfortune'swheelwhichgavethehonorsofaqueentosomefemaleslave;thesebutdimlyshadowwhatthyfatemightbe.

Why,whenChristseeksyou,shouldyouhangback?He isreadytoespouseyoutohimselfinthemarriagebondsofaneternalcovenant—"The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but mykindnessshallnotdepart,neithershallthecovenantofmypeaceberemoved,saiththeLordthathathmercyonthee."

~endofchapter12~

ManJustifiedThroughtheRighteousnessofJesusChrist

Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean(Ezekiel36:25).

Thedinnerwastoprepare,theroomsweretobemadeready,therewere servants to direct, and guests to accommodate; therewas thecharacterofthehousetomaintain,anditswholemachinerytokeepoiledandingoodworkingorder—withthesethingsMarthawasbusy.Notonlybusy,but, likemanyothers,shewasso intentlyengrossedwithhouseholdcares,that,inatonewhichhadthesoundofagentlerebuke, our Lord said, "Martha, thou art cumbered about manythings;butonething isneedful."Thatobservationappliesasmuchtomenastowomen;moreso,perhaps.

Furnished with clasping tendrils, and strong by the attachmentswhich they form, thewoodbine and ivywind their arms round thetree,embraceitclosely,andrisingtoitsloftyboughs,andclingingto

its rough bark, they give ornament and beauty—a vesture of softgreenspangledwithflowers—inreturnforthesupporttheyget.

Like these, woman, with her strong and warm affections—gentle,loving,confiding—ispronetoattachherselftoanaturestrongerthanherown,andtoleanonitforsupport.And,whetheritbethatsheisfromthispeculiardispositionlessopposedtothefaithwhichlookstoanother'srighteousnessandleansonanother'sstrength,certainitisthereismorereligionamongwomenthanmen.

If,onaccountof theelevationandhighpositionwhich ithasgivenherinChristiancountries,womanowesmosttoreligion,religioninturn owes most to her. You tell me that "by woman came sin?" Iknow it; but I set off this against the fact—by woman came theSaviour. Jesus was a virgin's child. And, more than that, in thosedayswhenhewalked thisworld,womenwerehis trustiest, kindestfriends.

Whoever betrayed, denied, deserted him—women never did. Thenearesttohiscross,andearliestathissepulcher,theywerefaithfulwhen others were faithless, and gave early promise of thatdevotednesstohiscause,whichtheirsexinallageshavehonorablyandpreeminentlydisplayed.

GothroughourChristianhouseholds,andIwillventuretosay,thatyou will find more women than men, more wives than husbands,more sisters than brothers, who are living under the influence ofreligion. Many more children are to be found, who refer theirearliest,deepestreligiousimpressionstoamother'sthantoafather'spiety.

But,bewemenorwomen,"Onethingisneedful."Yethowsadandstrangeitis,thatthisoneneedfulthing,which,forthatveryreason,should be themost, is often the least sought after, which, for thatvery reason, should be the first, is often the last sought after; andsometimes,alas,neversoughtafteratall.

Itisthebrightestfeatureinman'ssadandsinfullot,thatwhileamid

the business and anxieties, and toils, and cares, and keencompetitionsofaworld,whichhassomanyblanksandsofewprizes,thereis,afterall,butonethingneedful.Andespeciallyblessedisit,thattheonlythingwereallyneedistheonlythingwearesuretoget.Sought insincerity, itwasneversought invain.Othergiftsmayheaskedandrefused;butit istrueofthisasofnothingelsewhatever,"Askandyeshallreceive,seekandyeshallfind,knockanditshallbeopenedtoyou."

Need I say that the one thing needful is salvation—that itmust bethat—canbenothingelsethanthattoaman,theconsciouspossessorofanever-dyingsoul,whoisburdenedwithaheavyloadofguilt,andwho,inaneternitywhichheisnearingeveryhour,descriesathroneof rigid and righteous judgment, Oh, what has this wide world tooffercomparabletosalvation?Whatprofitwoulditbetome,thoughIgaineditall,ifIlostmysoul?

Allthoseotherthingswhichweseek,allthatwetoilandtravailfor,allforwhichwedailyfretandvexourselves,nay,allforwhichsomearefoolsenoughtobarterawaytheirsouls,comparedtothisarebutmere spangles and tinsel, dross and dust—bubbles colored withrainbowhuesthatbreakatatouch,and,bursting,smarttheeyesofthechildwhoblowsthem.Whenamanliesstretchedoutonabedofdeath,ah!heseesobjectsthenintheirdueproportions.

Fromthatpointofviewthehighestobjectsofearthlyambition,theloftiest pinnacles of wealth, of power, of fame, dwindle down intolittleness, and look as far beneath salvation as the loftiest Alpbeneaththesun.Yet,strangetotell—incredible,didwenotknowittobetrue—many,asiftherewasneitherGodinheaven,norfire inhell,norsoulinman,feelnoanxietyaboutthematter.Theyliveanddie like the beasts that perish. Is it otherwise with you? Anxiousabout what alone is worth your anxiety, are you pressing on thepreacherthejailer'squestion,"Sir,whatmustIdotobesaved?"

That great question—the greatest of all questions—is one whichadmitsofaveryshortandintelligibleanswer.Capableofbeingmuchexpanded,itcanyetbebroughtwithinaverynarrowcompass.

The river, which there flows between distant banks, and yonderexpandsitselfoutintoalake,reflectingonitsmirrorfacethebrightheavensaboveandthedarkhillsaround,isherebrought—whereitsfoamingwatersflashpast,loudasthunder,andquickaslightning,orcreep sullenly along at the bottom of the deep, dark gorge—withinnarrowbounds;boundssonarrow, thatwithnerveenough,byonebraveleapfromrocktorock,Icouldclearitsbreadth.

Evensoallthewideexpanseofdoctrinestobebelieved,anddutiestobedone,whichmightbeexpatiatedoverinreplytothequestion,"What must I do to be saved?" is contracted, compressed,comprehended in the Apostle's brief speech, "Believe in the LordJesusChrist,andthoushaltbesaved."

Bring out from the dust of six thousand years the old covenant ofEden,andonthatsoiledandtornbanner,youreadthefadingmotto,"Doand live,"butwhatreadweonthe foldsof thisbanner,which,defiantofhellandtheworld,wavesaboveCalvary,andunderwhichbelieversmarch to crowns and victory? The eye of a sinner's hopekindlesatthesightofanotherandbettermotto;forthere,inscribedin the blood of Jesus, like red letters on a snow-white ground, weread,"Believeandlive."

Salvationistheonethingneedfulforman,andfaithistheonethingneedfulforsalvation.

Like other things, however, that are one in the aggregate, this onethingconsistsofmanyparts.

-Myhand, for instance, isone,yet ithasfivefingers.-Thisbodyisone, yet ithasmanyorgans. -TheNile orGanges is one river, butonewhich is fedbymany tributaries, anddisgorges itswaters intothe sea by the channels ofmanymouths. - A tree is one vegetableform,butonethathasmanyrootsbelow,andmanybranchesabove.And even so, to leave the other figures, and select the last, is that"TreeofLife,"whichhasChristforitsrootandforitsfruitholinessandheaven, Ihave seena treewhich, after rising in a single stem,divided itself into twogreatboughs,which, stretchedout to theair

and light, and dews and heat, were afterwards divided andsubdividedintoinnumerablebranches.

Sowithredemption.Thesubjectpresentsitselftooureyeundertwogranddivisions.

-First,theremissionorpardonofsin;-Second,therenovationofthesoul.Whilesalvationistheonethingneedful,thetwothingsneedfultoitaresinpardonedandthesoulrenewed.

For, suppose that your sins were pardoned, but that your heartremained in its corruption, the door of heaven remains shut;because,"WithoutholinessnomanshallseetheLord."Then,again,although your hearts were renewed, unless your sins also werepardoned,thatdoorstandsshut;becauseofthesentence,"Thesoulthatsinnethshalldie."Thedoorofheaven,likethatofsometreasurechestorgateofcitadel,guardedwithjealouscare,isthusbarredbytwostrongbolts;"Thereshallinnowiseenterintoitanythingthatdefileth,neitherwhatsoeverworkethabomination, ormaketha lie;but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." Both boltsmustbedrawnbeforewecanenter;wemustbepardonedaswellasrenewed,andrenewedaswellaspardoned.

Leaving the renovation of the soul to be afterwards considered, Iresumemyobservationsonthepardonofsin,andjustificationofthesinner, as expressed and promised in these words: "I will sprinklecleanwateruponyou,andyeshallbeclean."

Havingendeavoredtoprove,first,thatGod'speoplearenotchosenbecausetheyareholy,butthattheymaybecomeso;and,secondly,that man does not justify himself, but is justified by God, I nowremark—

III.Thatwearenotjustifiedorcleansedfromtheguiltofsinthroughthe administration or efficacy of any outward ordinance. "I willsprinklecleanwateruponyou,andyoushallbeclean."

Now,sincethecleansingisaccomplishedthroughtheapplicationof

water—and water sprinkled—surely, some may say, this refers tobaptism.

Theelementusedinthatordinanceiswater,andthemethodofsomeusing it is by sprinkling.And seeing thatGod says, "Iwill sprinklecleanwateruponyou,andyeshallbeclean;"andbythat,certainly,means that hewill cleansehis people from sin; and seeing that hethusappearstoconnecttheforgivenessofsinwiththesprinklingofwater, is there not something—if not much—in these words,favorable to the views of those who maintain that baptism, whendulyadministered,removesoriginalsin,andconfersonitsrecipientsthegraceofregeneration?

No;nothingofthekind,asweshallprove.

Three hundred years ago, our church, with an open Bible on herbanner, and this motto, "Search the Scriptures," on its scroll,marched out from the gates of Rome. Did they come clean out ofBabylon? Experience shows, that it is much easier to leave ourmothercountrythandropourmothertongue.Acrosstheseaswhichtheysail,andtothelandswhichtheysettleon,theemigrantscarrytheir prejudices, passions and even superstitions. They people theglensandvalleysofthenewworldwiththefairiesthatdanceonthegreen,andthespectersthatwalkbynightamongthehauntedruinsoftheoldcountry.

SoIfearthat,ondepartingfromtheChurchofRome,wecarriedintoProtestantism—as was not unnatural —some of her ancientsuperstitions; justasour fatherscarried into theirpracticesomeofherintolerantprinciples.Wecannotapproveoftheirintolerance,yetitadmits of an apology. Theyhadbeen suckled by thewolf, and itwasnogreatwonderthat,withthemilkofthewolf,theyshouldhaveimbibedsomethingofhernature.

It is not the privilege and happiness of man to pass through hischanges like the Saviour. When Jesus rose, a conqueror from thegrave, he left the dead clothes behind him; but look at thisapparition,fromwhichsistersandfriendsshrinkback.Somescream

withterror,andallafraidtotouchhim,theyleavehimtostandinthedarkmouthofhisgrave, till theword isgiven, "Loosehim,and lethimgo."Lazaruscomesforthalive,buthe isboundhandandfoot;heleavesthesepulcher,butwithhisgraveclotheson.

AndproneasweofScotlandare,toboastthatourfathers,withKnoxat their head, came forth from Borne with less of her oldsuperstitions about them than most other churches, to what elsethan some lingering remains of popery canwe ascribe the extremeanxietywhichsomeparentsshowtohavebaptismadministeredtoadying child? Does not this look very like a rag of the old faith? Itsmellsofthesepulcher.

Summonedonce,andinhaste,tothedyingbedofamother,whowasanxioustoseeherchildbaptizederesheherselfexpired,Ifoundthatwith her I could sympathize. The last act of sinning life—the lasteffortofherthrobbingheart—wastogiveherinfanttoGod.Withherdying arms she laid the new-born lamb on the Shepherd's bosom,andasthebabeslept,unconsciousoftheaffectingscene,itreceivedadouble baptism. Ere the water was sprinkled by our hands on itsface,themotherhadbreathedherlast.Sheleftthebabemotherless,tobebaptizedbythewaterthat fell fromouragitatedhandandbythebigbittertearsthatrolleddownonitssweetfacefromafather'scheeks.

There was sorrow—bitter sorrow there; beside that dead motherdeep solemnity, but no superstition; and if there was a mother'sweaknessinthewish,itwasonewhichwefeltitnosintosympathizewith and complywith.But sympathizewith thosewe cannot,who,whendeathhasstampedhissealonaninfant'sbrow,hurryoffforaministerthathemaybaptizethedying.

I cannotbelieve that there is any virtue inwater to save its soul, Irecoil with horror from the thought that a God of mercy wouldsuspend its salvation on a mere outward ordinance. Is there noreason to suspect that at the root of this anxious and unnecessaryhaste,thereliessomelurkingfeelingthatbaptism—ifnotessential—isatleastserviceabletosalvation,andhassomeconnection,nearor

remote,withregenerationandtheremissionofsins?

Now,withallrespectanddueregardtothefeelingsofothers,sofarastheyareconscientious,wecannotlookuponsuchnotionsaselsethantheragsofanoldsuperstition.WeacknowledgenoauthorityinthesemattersbutthewordofGod.AndthereIcanseenofoundationfortheidea,thatbaptismandsalvation—baptismandregeneration—are necessarily linked together, or are in any respect inseparablyconnected.

Were it so, baptism were the highest, holiest ordinance in theuniverseofGod.Haditbeenso,itisnotreasonabletosupposethatourLordwouldhaveleftariteofsuchtranscendentimportancetobeadministeredineverycasebyinferiors—bythehandsofhisservants.Were baptism thus identified with regeneration and the "newcreature," would the Apostle Paul, who gloried in preaching, havespoken of it as an inferior ordinance? He declared with manifestsatisfactionthathehadnotbeensenttobaptizebuttopreach;and,leaving the administration of the rite to his inferiors, he eventhankedGodthathehadbaptizednoneofthem.Then,dothecases,forinstance,ofSimonMagusandtheEthiopiangiveanysanctiontothistheoryofbaptismalpower?Assuredlynot.

LookatSimonMagus!Hewasbaptizedbyapostolichands;and inhiscase theordinance,beyondalldoubtandcontroversy,wasdulyadministered.Does his conductwarrant us to believe that his sinswerepardoned,orhisheartrenewed?Bynomeans.

Onthecontrary,thismanisdeclared,onapostolicauthority—bythevoice of SimonPeterhimself, to be still, although baptized by thatApostle'shands,"Inthegallofbitternessandthebondofiniquity!"Shockedtofindabaptizedman,offeringwithmoneytobuytheHolyGhost, Peter, bursting with indignation, said, "Thy money perishwith thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may bepurchasedwithmoney.Thouhastneitherpartnorlotinthismatter;forthyheartisnotrightinthesightofGod.Repent,therefore,ofthisthywickedness,andprayGodifperhapsthethoughtof thineheartmaybeforgivethee, forIperceivethatthouart inthegallofbitter

nessandthebondofiniquity."

Surely it is much more reasonable to believe that Simon Magus,although baptized, was not regenerated, than to believe that aninspired Apostle would speak in such terms of a regenerate man.Howcouldheberegeneratewhenwehearheavenitselfpronouncinghimby the lipsof itsmessenger tobe still "in thegallofbitternessandbondofiniquity."

Look next at the Ethiopian eunuch. Was he not baptized andregenerate?True;butobservethatthatordershouldbereversed;hewas regenerate and baptized—regenerate before he was baptized—notbornagaininhisbaptism,butbornagainbeforeit.

Why did Philip baptize him?He granted him baptism, because hebelievedwithallhisheart.Butcanamanbelievetillheisrenewed?

Inotherwords,canadeadmanmove,orcry,orwish,orwalk?Thisstifled shriek, this awful soundwithin the coffin, these struggles toforceupthelidandthrowoffthecerements,provethatthedeadhascometolife—thathehaspassed"fromdeathtolife."

AnddidnottheEthiopiangiveproofofspirituallifeprevioustohisbaptism?Erehehadleftthechariot,erehisfeethadbeendippedinthestream,ereonedropofitswaterhadfallenonhisbendedhead,the Spirit of the living God had fallen on his heart. Hear thenarrative:—"And,astheywentontheirway,theycameuntoacertainwater;andtheeunuchsaid,See,hereiswater;whatdothhindermetobebaptized?andPhilipsaid.Ifthoubelievestwithallthineheart,thoumayest."Andheansweredandsaid,"IbelievethatJesusChrististheSonofGod."

Thesecasesarenotreconcilablewiththenotionthatbaptismhasanynecessaryconnectionwiththeforgivenessofsin,andtherenewingoftheHolyGhost. They prove that baptism and regeneration do not,and cannot stand to each other in the relation of cause and effect.Otherwise,thecaseoftheEthiopianwereanillustrationofwhattheworldneversaw—wouldbeanexampleofwhatwereacontradiction

andanabsurdity—ofsomethingfarmorewonderfulthanamiracle—of such an impossibility as a son older than his father, or as athunder-peal that preceded the flash in which it originated—of, inshort,aneffectintheorderoftimeprecedingitsowncause.

Besides,doesnotthesadandmelancholyhistory,alas!ofthousandsprovethattheoutwardordinanceisoftenadministeredwithoutanycorrespondingadministrationof renewinggrace?Thealtarand theofferingarethere,butnofiredescendsfromheavenonthesacrifice.

Grantthatinourcase,andinthatofanyothersuchchurchasours,the cause of the failure is to be found in our lack of apostolicsuccession;grantthat inourcasethewater, ifnotactuallypollutedbyunconsecratedbands, isdeprivedofall itsvirtueby thechannelthroughwhichitflows;grantthatwehavenocommissiontobaptize,andthatthereforewhatwedoinsuchholyoffices isnullandvoid;granttherelevancyofalltheseallegations(eachandallofwhichwedeny)—isitnotanundeniableandmelancholyfact,thatthelivesofpersons in all churches— even of themost transcendental in theirclaims—demonstrate that many are baptized with water who haveneverbeenbaptizedwiththeHolyGhost.

The question, therefore, that we would urge on yourmost seriousconsideration,doesnotconcern the sign,but the thing signified. Ifyou have got the living element, I care little, or, rather, nothing,throughwhatchurch,orbywhatchannelitmayflow.HaveyougotthegraceofGod?Inthewordsofanapostle,"HaveyereceivedtheHolyGhost?"

IV.Wearejustified,orcleansedfromtheguiltofsinbythebloodofChrist. "Without the sheddingofblood there isno remission;" andnone we may add, without its application. Where do we find thisdoctrineinthetext?Bywhatprocessofspiritualchemistrycanthistruth be extracted from it? There is water, and clean water, andsprinkling ofwater, itmay be said, but noword of blood; there isneithersignnorspotofblooduponthepage.True;soitlooksatfirstsight;butwithoutthehandofMosesweshallseethiswaterturnedintoblood.Itmayappeardifficult,withoutMoses'rod,torepeatthe

miracleofEgypt; yet this isplain, thathere, as elsewhere,water isbutthesignofspiritualblessings.Andamostexpressivesymbolweshall find it, ifwebut thinkof the importantpart that thiselementplaysintheeconomyofnature.

It coversmore than two thirds of the entire globe; it is universallydiffused through theambientair;by the clouds it forms it tempersthe force of a fiery sun; it drapes the heavenswith curtains of themostgorgeouscolors,dyedintherosytintsofmorn,orinevening'sgoldenhues;anditfillsthefloatingreservoirsofthesky,todescend,when burst by lightning, or breaking by their own weight, inrefreshingshowersonthethirstyground.

Thecirculationofwater is to theworldwhat thatofblood is to thebody,andthatofgracetothesoul.Itisitslife.Withdrawit,andallthat liveswould die; forests, fields, beasts,manhimselfwoulddie.Thisworldwouldbecomeonevastgrave.Waterconstitutesasmuchthelifeasthebeautyofthelandscape.

It is trueboth inaspiritualand inanearthlysense, that theworldlivesbecauseheavenweepsoverit.ItwasChrist'schoicestfigureofhimself,when,turningonhisownpersontheeyesofthousands,asonaperennialfountain—oneneversealedbywinter'sfrost,nordriedbysummersuns—free,fall,patenttoall,hestooduponthelastandgreat day of the feast, and cried, "If anyman thirst, let him comeuntomeanddrink."

Andincaseanyofyoushouldbethirstingforeternallife,letmesay,thatthusJesusnowaddressesus.WouldGod,hewereasprecioustousaswaterinthesightofhimwhoisdyingofthirst!Withblood-shoteyes,his throatblackas coal,his tonguecleaving to the roofofhismouth,thedesertreelingroundhim,Oh!whatwillthetravelernotgiveforonecupofwater?

Fill itwithwater,hewill give itback toyou filled, twice, ten timesoverwithgold.WouldtoGodthatourthirstforJesusChristwereasardent; that in likemannerHe were all our salvation, and all ourdesire.

Thepropertyofwater,however,towhichreferenceismadehere,isadifferent one from any of these. It is not the property by which itsustainsorreviveslife,yetitisoneforwhichthiselementisaswellknown, and as universally used. All theworldwashwithwater, aswellasdrinkwater;andthereferencehereistothatsolventpower,byvirtueofwhichwaterdissolvesimpurities—turningwhitewhatisblack, and cleansingwhatever is foul. It standshere, therefore, thefigureofthatwhichcleanses.

Theobject tobecleansed is thesoul; thedefilement tobecleansedaway is sin; and we now, therefore, address ourselves to the all-importantquestion—Ofwhatisthiswaterthefigure?

Thekeytothequestionliesintheepithetcleanwater.Letusanalyzethiswater.Itisnotwaterinthestateinwhichitdescendsfromtheskies,orflowsinrivers,ormaybedrawnfromacommonwell; for,observe,itisnotsaid,thenwillIsprinklewater,but"cleanwateronyou,andyeshallbeclean."ThewaterissuchastheJewsunderstoodbycleanwater—notfreefromimpurity,andinitselfclean,butwaterthat maketh clean—in the words of the ceremonial law, "water ofpurifying."

Thiswaspreparedaccordingtoadivinelyappointedritual.Lookhowit was prepared, and you shall see it reddening and changing intoblood.

Gatheringthelowingherdsfromtheirdifferentpastures,theysoughtupanddownamongthem,tillaredheiferwasfound—redfromhorntohoof, andmottled byno other color—one all red, and onwhosefreeneckyokehadneverbeen.

Separated from the herd, she is led by priestly procession,accompaniedbythepeopleoutsidethecamp;andthere,struckbyamortal blow, she falls under the hands of the priest. As the bloodgushestotheknife,hecatchesitinhishand,andseventimescastsitinabloodyshowertowardsthetabernacle.Sosoonasthevictimisdead, it isheavedon theburningpile, and,while the smokeof thesacrificefloatsawaytoheaven,hornandhoof,skin,flesh,andbone,

areallreducedtoashes.

Theseashes,carefullycollected,aremixedwithpurewaterinapurevessel—andthatwateristhecleanwaterofmytext.

See now how plainly—when understood aright—this expressionrefers to a vicarious sacrifice, and themerits of an atoning death.Whatwasthatheifer?

-Spotlessandseparatedfromtheherd,sheisatypeofhimwhowaswithout spot or blemish, holy, harmless, undefiled, and separatefromsinners.-Withneckonwhichyokehadneverlain,sheisatypeof Him, who said, "The prince of this world cometh, and he hathnothinginme."-Rediscolor,sheisatypeofHim,whosefeetweredipped in the blood of his enemies, and, as seen coming fromBozrah, was "red in his apparel, traveling in the greatness of hismight."-What is thispublicprocession,which conducts theheiferwithoutthecamp,butafigureofthemarchtoCalvary?-Whatisherbloody death, but a type of that which Jesus suffered amid theagoniesofthecross?-Whatarethesefiresthatbumsofiercely,andconsume the victim, but a faint image of the wrath of God, underwhich his soul was "withered like grass?" - What was the watermingled with this heifer's ashes, but a type of the righteousness,which, imputedandapplied to sinners,makessinners just?For,asthe Jew on whom that water was sprinkled became ceremoniallyclean, so guilt of original and actual sin—all guilt is removed fromhim(muchthehappierman)whomGodsprinkleswiththebloodofCalvary—and to whom sovereign mercy imputes the merits of aSaviour'ssacrifice.

Letmefurtherillustratethis.

There was another method of preparing this clean water, which,althoughinsomerespectsdifferent,wasthesameinthis,thatitalsoimpliedthedeathofavicarioussacrifice.

The leper, a mass of sores from crown to heel, a banishedman—banishedfromcity,synagogue,thedwellingsofmen,andthehouse

ofGod—thevictimofaloathsomedisease,whichmadehispresenceanoffensetoothers,andhislifeaburdentohimself,wasahideous,doleful,revoltingemblemofasinner.

Now let us see how—when God was pleased to cure him—hisceremonialuncleannesswasremoved.Onthehappyoccasion,whichwas to restorehim to thearmsofhiswife, the sweet societyofhischildren, the brotherhood of men, and the presence of God—twolivingbirdsweretaken.Theymustbedovesorturtles—thegentlestofallGod'screatures,andthereforethemorefittingemblemsofhisSon.

Theyareheldoveravessel,alreadyfilledwithrunningwater.Oneisslain.Theblood,asitflowsoverthesnowyplumageoftheflutteringbird,fallsintothewater;andthat,dyedbythecrimsonstream,nowbecomes"waterofpurifying"—thecleanwaterofthetext.Withthissacred lavation thepriest sprinkles themanwhohadbeena leper,andnowceremoniallyclean,thatblessedmomentheisfoldedintheembrace of his wife; kisses his children, and walks with them, ahappyman,attheheadofahappyfamily,intothehouseofGod.

But therewere twobirds.Wehaveseenonedisposedof.Whathasbecomeof theother?Withbeatingheart it is still aprisoner in thehands of the priest; and the close of this ceremonial offers us abeautiful andmost vivid picture of the removal of guilt. The livingbird,typeofasinnertowhomaSaviour'smeritsaretobeimputed,is dipped head, feet, wings, and feathers—plunged overhead—intotheblood-dyedwater.It is"baptizeduntodeath."And,broughtoutbefore the people—all crimsoned with blood—the priest opens hisconsecratedhand,andrestoresthecaptivetoliberty.

Image of a pardoned one on his path to glory, it spreads out itswings, and, beating the air with rapid and rejoicing strokes, fliesawaytoitsforestorrockyhome.

Youwillnowunderstandthenatureofthiscleanwater;andcannotfail, I think, to see, that although clothed in a Jewish dress,justificationby faith in therighteousnessofJesus—thatparamount

article of our creed which Luther called the test of a falling orstandingchurch—isthedoctrineofmytext.

Thusunderstood,mytestsheds,wethink,avaluablelightononeofthemostprominent,andbestknownandmost importantpassagesinthewordofGod.

When Nicodemus, not yet prepared to confess Christ before theworld,muffledhimselfupinhiscloak,and,stealingforthunderthecloudofnight,soughtaninterviewwithourLord,Jesussaidtohim—"Exceptamanbebornagain,hecannotseetheKingdomofGod,"adding, by way of explanation, the no less memorable words—"ExceptamanbebornofwaterandoftheSpirithecannotseetheKingdomofGod."Now,ascommonlyunderstood,thesewordsreferonlyto therenewingof theHolyGhost. It isgenerally thought thatthewaterthereisbutanemblemoftheSpirit,andthatourLordjustmeant to say—"Except a man's soul is purified by the Spirit'sregeneratinginfluence,ashisbodyisbywater,hecannotbeanheirofgraceandanheirofheaven."

Weventuretothink,thatonthatoccasion,andinthesewords,ourLordpreachedtheGospelmorefully.Turnthelightofmytextuponthem, read them in connectionwith it, understandby thewaterofChrist'saddressthewaterofmytext,andhislanguagetoNicodemusexpandsintoafullGospel.

IfthewaterinhisaddressmeantonlytheHolySpirit,hetoldatruth,butnot thewhole truth.Arenotmorethanregenerating influencesneeded,thatamanmayenterthekingdomofheaven?Forthatend,isnot thebloodof theSaviourasnecessaryas the renewingof theHolyGhost?But letourLord, inspeakingtoNicodemus—whoasaJewwouldatoncecatchtheallusion—haveaneyetothecleanwateroftheceremoniallaw;letthewaterthererefer,likethewaterhere,toanatoningsacrifice,andtheGospelinthatcelebratedpassageshinesforthinitseffulgentradiance.

OurLord tellshimwhat Ipreach,andprayyou toponderon, thatexceptyouarewashedinhisblood,aswellasrenewedbyhisSpirit,

youcannotseetheKingdomofGod.

Thedoctrineofmytext,and,indeed,ofallScriptureis,thatnothingsavesbutblood.

Inthat,asinothersenses,"thelifeisintheblood."Theremaybethesprinkling of water, but without the shedding and sprinkling ofblood, there is no remission—no remission, though the water fallfromtheholiesthand,andbeitselfthepurestthateverdrippedfrommossywellormountainspring. It iswhatcame fromthebosomoftheupperheavens,ofwhichthatvisiblefirmamentisbutthestarryfloor,thattakessinaway.

-Itisnotthetearsthatfallfromweepingheavens,butthosethatfellfrom Jesus' eyes; - It is not the rain that drops from dissolvingclouds,but theblood thatdropped fromawoundedSaviour;-It isnotwhatfallswhenlightningsflash,andthundersrollalongshakingskies,butwhatfellwhentheswordofjusticewasflashedinhisdyingeye,andthelawpealeditsloudestthundersonhisbleedinghead—-Itisthatwhichbringspeaceandpardontotheguiltysoul,andfillstothebrimthiscrimsonfountain,whichisopenedforalluncleanness."I,"notmyordinances,notbaptism,northesupper,norpreaching,norprayer,notthese,but"I,"saysJesus,"amtheway."Notaway,but theway.There isbutoneway.Letmewarnyou, thatalthoughthere is but one way of getting to heaven, there are two ways ofmissingit;andwhat—atfirstseemsstrange—thesetwowaysgooffinoppositedirections;theonetothissideandtheothertothat.

Yet,asonemantravelingduewestward,andanotherdueeastward,at the same rateof somanymiles aday,wouldmeet again face tofacesomewhereontheoppositesideoftheglobe,beneathourfeet,thetravelersbythetwooppositepathsIspeakofmeetagain—meetinperdition.

Thisdoctrineof salvationby thebloodand righteousnessofChristwill—Godblessingandenablingyoutobelieveit—guardyouagainstboth errors—on this side against presumption, and on that againstdespair. Some—and of these the Pharisee is a type—believed that

theyarenotsinners;or,ifsinners,thatGodisnotangrywiththem,andwillnotpunishthem.

Whatanexposureofthedelusionisthatcross!TheSonofGoddiesthere.Unlesshedies,yoursinisnotforgiven,Others—andoftheseIscariot is the type—turning away from God, believe that he is soangrywiththemthathewillnotpardon.TheylookonGodasastem,austere, vindictive and implacableDivinity; inwhom the hatred ofsin,likearoaringwhirlpool,hasswallowedupallotherfeelings—inwhom the love, kindness, and pity of the Father is lost in thesternnessoftheJudge.

Andso—noranywonderwhensuch is theirbelief—theyshunGod,theyhateGod,theytrytoshuthimoutfromtheirthoughtsandwish—howvain thewish!—that therewerenoGodatall.Butwhere, letmeask,dowefindthisimplacableGod?IfIascendintoheaven,heisnot there; thereGod sits enthroned, the father of ahappy family—likeaneffulgentsun,pouringgladnessandgloryuponall.Ireturntothisearth—goupanddowntheworld—seekhim,butheisnothere;Icannotfindatraceorfootprintofhimhere.

IseeGod'ssunshiningwithoutdistinctionontheevilandthegood,andhisrainfallingwiththesameaffluentabundanceonthefieldsofthe just and the unjust. Fields, forests,mountains, smiling valleys,andsunnyseas,arenotmorefullofcreaturesthanofhappiness;andfromthedeepbassofocean to theringingcarolof the lark,natureformsonechoir,andchantsherhymnstoGod.

I open the Bible, but he is not here—Gift of our heavenly Father,dying legacyof an incarnateSon, revelation of a kind andwinningSpirit's love shines on thy every page, and in thy very name thyloving mercy is proclaimed—Gospel, glad tidings, good tidings, ofgood.

Of thisGod, thisappallingspecter,whomDespaireyeswithadarkandhorridscowl,Heavensays,heisnotinme;Earthsays,heisnotinme;theBiblesays,heisnotinme.

Where ishe, then?Withheadaverted,hair standing , on end, andstony horror in her looks. Despair points to the pit, saying—lookthere!Whathaveyoutosaytothat?

Inthefirstplace,Ihavecertainlynottosaythatthathellisbutthedreamwhichhauntsaguiltyconscience—norjettodenythatthereisa hell. No: nor, further, to conceal it although I could. It were nokindness to spread a covering over the pit; that is the cunninghunter'sbusiness;andthebusinessofhimwhohuntstheworldforsouls.Itisanawfulthought,thatpit;itisanawfulreality,thatpit;itis an awful abode, that pit; and this is an awful declaration, "Thewickedshallbecastintohell,andallthenationsthatfearnotGod."

But over against these stern declarations, and between the pit andyou,ahighredcrossisstanding.

Mercydescendsfromheaven, lightsuponitssummit,andpreacheshope to despair, pardon to guilt, salvation to the lost. Free as thewinds that fan her cheek, free as the sunbeams that shine on hergolden tresses, she invites all to come, opens her arms to embracetheworld,and inavoice that rings like a silver trumpet, cries, "O,Earth,Earth,Earth,hearthewordoftheLord."

Abeautifulvision!Hereye,sopitiful,swimsintearsasshelooksonpoor sinners, and, notwilling that any shouldperish, shebids youread on that cross, where it is written, not in letters of gold, butblood,thisgreatestoath—theseblessedwords:—"AsI live,saiththeLordIhavenopleasureinthedeathofthewicked."

"AsIlive,saysGod,Ihavenopleasureinthedeathofthewicked.Bymycrossandagony,bythisthornycrownandbloodytree,asIdie,saysJesus,Ihavenopleasureinthedeathofthewicked!"

Holy Spirit! Dove of heaven! hovering over us, staying, lingering,refusing to be driven away, thou sayest, as I now plead, entreat,implore,"Ihavenopleasureinthedeathofthewicked."

~endofchapter13~

ManConverted

Anewheart alsowill I give you, andanew spiritwill I putwithinyou:andIwilltakeawaythestonyheartoutofyourflesh,andIwillgiveyouanheartofflesh(Ezekiel36:26).

Itisahappythingthatbaptismisnotthedoorofheaven—happyformillions,who,dying inearliest infancy,neverpass thatway.Dyingunbaptized,wehold that theydienoton thataccountunsaved; forwhoeverdarehangGod'smercyonanyoutwardrite,wedonot,andalthough we believe that this interesting ordinance is also, whenengaged in with faith, an eminently blessed one, we dare not.Thousands go to heaven without baptism. Thousands, alas! perishwithit.

Heaven is greatlymade up of little children—sweet buds that haveneverblown,orwhichdeathhaspluckedfromamother'sbosomtolayonhisownoldbreast,justwhentheywereexpanding,flowerlike,fromthesheath,andopeningtheirengagingbeautiesinthebuddingtimeandspringoflife."Ofsuchisthekingdomofheaven."

Howsweetthesewordsbythecradleofadyinginfant!

Theyfalllikebalmdropsonourbleedingheart,whenwewatchtheebbingofthatyounglife,aswaveafterwavebreaksfeebler,andthesinking breath gets lower and lower, till with a gentle sigh, and apassingquiverofthelip,ourchildnowleavesitsbody,lyinglikeanangelasleep,andascendstothebeatitudesofheavenandthebosomofGod.

Indeed, itmaybethatGoddoeswithhisheavenlygardenaswedowithourowngardens.Hemay chiefly stock it fromnurseries, andselect for transplanting what is yet in its young and tender age—flowersbeforetheyhavebloomed,andtreeseretheybegintobear.

Baptism attaches us to the local church; admits to that, and is itsdoor of entrance; but, while it unites to the body of professingbelievers, it does not of necessity form any living attachmentbetween us and the Saviour. Let us see what is done in theseordinances.

YearsagoamanstoodupinthehouseofGod,andinhisarmstherelay a sleeping child. Dipping his hand into a laver, the ministersprinkledsomedropsontheinfant'sface,andovertheunconsciouscreaturepronouncedthenamesofFather,SonandHolyGhost.

That child was you. By hands, now moldering in the grave, yourfatherthentiedyou—sotospeak—toChrist.Well,timerollson,andinfantsgrowintochildren,childrenshootupintoyouths,andyouthschangeintobeardedmen;andthentherecomesanotherday.AtableisspreadinthehouseofGod.Liketheshroudinwhichkindwomenswathed his sacred body, a linen cloth covers the memorials ofChrist's death. The broken body is uncovered, the commemorationbegins;and,amidthestillnessofthatsolemnscene,withthoughtfulcountenance,amanleaveshisseat,andtakingthebread,andraisingthefruitofthegrapeinhishand,hededicateshimselftotheSaviour.Thatmanagainisyou.Andnowawake,notasleep,consciousofwhatis done, not passive but active now,with your ownhands you fastanother knot upon the cord bywhich your father years ago boundyou toJesus.Youarenow tied—doubly tied—yet itdoesnot followthatyouareyetengraftedintohim.

I have seen a branch tied to the bleeding tree, for the purpose ofbeingengraftedintoitswoundedbody,andthatthusbothmightbeone.Yetno incorporationhad followed; therewasno livingunion.Springcamesinging,andwithherfingersopenedall thebuds;andsummer came,with her dewy nights and sunny days, and broughtoutall theflowers;andbrownautumncametoshakethetreesand

reapthe fields,andwithdancesandmirth tohold"harvesthome;"butthatunhappybranchborenofruit,norflower,norevenleaf.Justheldonbydeadclayandrottingcords, itstucktothe livingtree—awitheredandunsightly thing.Soalas! is itwithmany;"thouhastanamethatthoulivest,andartdead."Theyhavenofaith;theywantthatbondoflivingunionbetweenthegraftandwhatitisgraftedon—betweenthesinnerandtheSaviour.And,therefore,inquittingthispart of our subject for another, letme ask, "believest thou;" and ifthoudostnot,O,letmeurgeyoutopraywiththemanintheGospel,"Lord,helpmineunbelief?"

Doyousay,Icannotbelieve?Inonesense,thatistrue;inanother,itisnot.Itisnottrueinthesamesenseasitistrue—thatamanwhohasnoeyesinhishead—nothingbutemptysockets—cannotsee.Allmenarebornwithfaith.Faithisasnaturaltoamanasgrief,orlove,oranger.

Oneoftheearliestflowersthatspringsupinthesoul—itsmilesonamother from her infant's cradle; and living on through the rudeststorms of life, it never dies till the hour of death.On the face of achildwhichhasbeenleftforalittletimewithstrangers,andmayhecaressed with their kisses, and courted with their smiles, andfondled,anddandledintheirarms.

I have seen a cloud gathering, and growing darker, till at length itburst in cries of terror and a shower of tears. Themother returns;andwhenthebabeholdsoutitslittlearmstoher,Iseeinthesethearmsoffaith;andwhen,likeabelieverrestoredtothebosomofhisGod,itisnestlinginamother'sembrace,andthecloudpassesfromits brow, and its tears are changed into smiles, and its terror intocalmserenity,webeholdtheprincipleoffaithinplay.

Thisisoneofitsearliest,and—sofarasnatureisconcerned—oneofitsmost beautiful developments. So natural, indeed, is it for us toconfide, and trust, and believe, that a child believes whatever it istold,untilexperienceshakesitsconfidenceinhumanveracity.Itseyeiscaughtbythebeautyofsomeflower,oritgazesupwithwonderonthe starry heavens—with that inquisitiveness which in childhood,

activeasabee,iseveronthewing,itiscurioustoknowwhomadethem,andwouldbelieveyouifyousaidyoumadethemyourself.

Suchisthefaithwhichnaturegivesitinafather,thatitneverdoubtshisword.Itbelievesallhesays,andiscontenttobelievewhereitisnotabletocomprehend.

Forthis,aswellasotherreasons,ourLordpresented,inachild,thelivingmodelofaChristian.HeleftAbraham,fatherofthefaithful,tohisreposeinheaven;heleftSamuel,undisturbed,toenjoythequietrestofhisgrave;heallowedMosesandElias,aftertheirbriefvisit,toreturntotheskies,andwingtheirwaybacktoglory.Forapatternoffaith,hetookaboyfromhismother'sside,and,settinghimup,inhisgentle, blushing, shrinkingmodesty, before the great assembly, hesaid, "Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a littlechild,shallinnowiseentertherein."

Paulsaid,"WhenIwasachildIspakeasachild,Ithoughtasachild;butwhenIbecameaman,Iputawaychildishthings;"butnomanever thoughtof leaving the faithofchildhoodwith its rattleand itstoys.Faithis,infact,thesoulandlifeoffriendship.

Whatisafriend,butoneinwhomIcantrust,onewho,Ibelieve,willminglehistearswithmine,andwhosesupportIreckononwhenmybackisatthewall?Withoutfaithineachother'sfriendship,kindnessandhonesty,thisworldwouldbeturnedintoaBedouindesert;menwouldbecome Ishmaelites—myhandagainst everyman, and everyman'shandagainstme.Faithisthemarriagetie;theguardianangelofconjugalfelicity;thejeweledzonethatbindssocietytogether;thepower,mightier than steam, or wind, or water, thatmoves all thewheelsofcommerce.

Unless man could trust his fellowman, business would come to adeadstand;thewholemachineryoftheworldwouldstop;ourbusystreetswouldbearcropsofgrass;and,thoughwindsblewandtidesflowedasbefore,rottingshipswouldfalltopiecesinoursilentanddesertedharbors.

Leavingthebusycityforruralscenes,orsettingyourfootonboardship, and pushing out upon the heaving ocean, you find faithploughingthe fieldsofboth—faith in the lawsofnature,and in theordinancesofProvidence.Whentheairhasstillafrostybreath,and,althoughclearedofwintersnow,theearthiscoldand—looksdeadasacorpsedisrobedofitsshroud—itshowsneitherflowernorleaf,norsign of life, the husbandman, notwithstanding, yokes his team anddrives the ploughshare through its breasts.With confidence in hisstep, liberalityinhishandandhopeinhiseye,hescatterstheseedfarandwideonthebosomoftheground.Heisabeliever;abelieverinProvidence—inthelawsandprocessionoftheseasons.

Hehasfaith;notsavingfaithindeed,butstilltruefaith.Hebelievesthat out of these frosty skies gentle zephyrs shall blow, and softshowersshallfall,andsummerbeamsshallshine;and,lookingalongthevistaoftime,heseesgoldencornwavingthickupontheseemptyfields,andhearsinthissilentscenethejoyoflightheartsringinginthelaughandsongofthereapers.Hisploughingandhissowingareacts of genuine faith; and, as he strides across the field with hissowingsheetaroundhim,heisanexampleofone,who,withhiseye,aswellashisfoot,onearth,"Walksbyfaith,notbysight."

Thenagain,sailingasmuchassowingisanactoffaith.Inthisroughandweather-beatenmariner, on boardwhose shipwe are dashingthroughthethickgloomofastarlessnight,andoverthewavesofapathlessocean,Iseefaithstandingatthehelm.Thatmanhasfaithin theneedle; and believing that the heart of an angel is notmoretruetoGodthanthisneedletothenorth,hepressesforwardoverthewatery waste in a voyage, that may with perfect truth be called avoyageoffaith.

Would toGodwehadasstronga faith inourBible!Would toGodthatourtremblingheartspointedastruetoJesus,ashisneedleinallweathers,andonallseas, tothedistantpole!Whatwewantdivinegracetodo,isnotsomuchtogiveusfaith,astogivetotheprincipleor faculty of faith, which we have by nature, a right, holy,heavenwarddirection; toconvert it into faith in thingseternal.Thefaith that sees an unseen world—a faith just as strong in the

revelationsoftheBibleasintheordinarylawsofnature,thisiswhatweneed.Letitbesoughtinearnest,perseveringprayer.Itis"thegiftofGod."

SavingfaithhasGodforitsauthor,theSpiritforitsagent,Christforitsobject,graceforitsroot,holinessforitsfruit,andheavenforitsreward.AcceptingtherighteousnessofChrist, itmakesusjust;andseeing every sin pardoned, all guilt removed, God smiling andheaven opening to receive us, it is the spring of a peace of mindwhich is worthmore than the wealth of worlds, which passeth allunderstanding.MayGodhelp us to the confession and the prayer,"LordIbelieve,helpthoumineunbelief."

We have already stated that while salvation was the one thingneedful, there were two things needful for salvation. Havingconsidered the first of these, namely, the remission of sin andjustificationofthesinner,wenowenteronthesecond,namely,therenovationofthesoulasenunciatedinthewords,"AnewheartalsowillIgiveyou,andanewspiritwillIputwithinyou,andIwilltakeawaythestonyheartoutofyourflesh,andIwillgiveyouaheartofflesh."

Andweremark

I.Thisisagreatchange.Notthatallmenthinkso.Onceonatime,for instance,wewandered into a church in this city. The preacherread thesewords forhis text, "Exceptamanbebornagain,hecannotseethekingdomofGod."AndjustasatthefordsofJordan,theyknewaman'scountrybythewayhesoundedShibboleth,soyouwillneverfailtoknowaman'screedbythewayinwhichhehandlessuchapassageasthat.Thepreacherreadhistext;andthen,asitwere,satdownbythecradle,wherehischargewassleeping,torockthemoverintoadeeper slumber.The text, forsooth,was anoriental figure! ahyperbole!pointingtoanoutwardchange.Nomorewasneeded.Inthe strong and highly figurative language which eastern nationsindulge in, it described the change undergone by the man whoabandonsawildandwickedlifeforhabitsofdecency,honesty,andtemperance. Far be it from me to speak lightly of temperance

societies, or of any scheme, indeed, that aims at the dignity andelevationofman;yet,accordingtothepreacher,ourLord'slanguagemeantnothingmorethanthechangewhichtheseinstitutionsareofthemselves able to accomplish—a change of habits without anygraciouschangeofheart.

Didadrunkardbecomesober?hewasbornagain;alibertinepure?orthiefhonest?or liartrue?hewasbornagain!Inshort,suchwasthestyleandcharacterof thediscourse, that ifapoor,hungry soulhad gone there for bread, he could have got nothing carried awaynothing—butastone;andinsteadofafish,wesawtheserpent'scoil,andheardherhiss.

The preacher taught that these words were applicable only to thescumandoffscouringsof thecity—thedregsofsociety—thosepoor,depraved, degraded creatures, who, weighed down by a load ofpoverty and ignorance, and guilt, have sunk to the bottom, and toourshame,arelefttoliethereindistressinganddreadfulpollution.So far as any congregation of decent, well-dressed, sober, honest,reputable professors of religionwere concerned, that truth had nobearing on them; our Lord—although he assuredly found inNicodemus one of this class—did not speak of them; they, happymortals!hadnoneedtobebornagain.

You cannot fancy any two thingsmoreopposed to eachother thanthatdoctrineandours.Webelievethatthepurest,gentlest,loveliest,mostamiablecreaturethatblessesfondparents,andadornsearth'shappiest home—one of nature's fairest flowers—stands asmuch inneedofanewbirthasthevilestoutcastwhowalksthesestreets—thelostone,whosenameisnevermentionedbutbybrokenheartsandinwrestlingprayerstoGod.Thebestofmankindaresobadthatallhaveneedtobebornagain;sobad,thatthechangepromisedinthetext, and insisted on by our Saviour, cannot be a surface orsuperficialmatter—anymeredefilementoftheskinwhichnitreandsoapmay remove.Wordshavenomeaningunless this change is aradical reform—a change great in its character, and lasting in itsconsequences—achange,which,affectingnotthehabitsonly,buttheheart,bothreachesdownwardintothedeepestrecessesofthesoul,

andstretchesforwardintotheagesofeternity.

Wow, I amafraid that some—dreaming, as they slumber, that theyhave been born again and so are safe, because their conduct ischanged,andbecause,sofarastheirmerehabitsareconcerned,theyarebetterthanoncetheywere—havegonetosleepbeforethisworkis even begun. Beware of rash conclusions of such momentousimportance.Havewenotseenpassions,likethefireuponthehearth,burnout anddie forwant of fuel?Havewenot seen the course ofvice,likeawornoutmachine,stopfromthedecaysofnature—fromthemerewearandtearofitsmaterials.Virtueischeap;viceiscostly;and,provingaheavytaxuponthepurse,destructiveofhealth,anddamaging to character,wehave seen self-interest turnaman fromtheindulgenceofhisstrongestvices.Oldagecoolshotblood.

Successive bereavements will in a way break the heart, and somedeepdisappointmentmayweanthose,whohavethekeenestappetiteforitspleasures,fromthegayetiesandvanitiesoftheworld.And,asin Roman Catholic countries, many a cowled monk, and many aveiled nun, enters convent or monastery more from feelings ofdisappointmentthandevotion;so,whenhopesareblasted,andprideismortified,andambitionhasmissedhermark,youmaygetsickoftheworld.

Alas!allwhobidadieutothehall-roomandtheater,andgiddyroundof fashion, do not leave the circle of their enchantments for thecloset,forthesanctuary,forfieldsofChristianbenevolence.

As by sleight of hand and necromantic trick, Egypt's magiciansproduced a set of mimicmiracles, that were clever counterfeits ofthose which God wrought by the hand of Moses, may not othercausesthantrueloveofholinessorgodlyhatredofsinworksuchanoutward,asbearssomeconsiderablelikenesstoasavingchange?Inmatters of religion, beware of confounding an almost with analtogether Christian. So far as it goes, any change for the better isgood.Wehail itwithhope.It isgoodsofaras itgoes,andgoodsolong as it lasts; but Oh, let us not fall into the fatal mistake ofconfounding an outward reformation with that divine, inward,

eternaltransformationwhichiswroughtbytheSpirit,andpromisedinthewords,"AnewheartalsowillIgiveyou."

Leavingthenatureofthischangetobeafterwardsconsidered,letmeattemptmeanwhiletoshowthatthisisagreatchange.Inillustrationof the truth, look, I pray you, to the symbols under which it ispresentedintheWordofGod.

Itisabirth.

Whenaninfantleavesthewomb—thatdarksomedwelling,whereithas passed the first stage of its existence—although the samecreature,itmaybesaidtobeanewcreature,andtoenteronanewbeing.Howgreatthechangefromthatlivingsepulcher,whereitlayentombed,norsaw,norheard,norbreathed,nor loved,norfeared,nortookanymoreinterestthanthedeadinall thatwashappeningaroundit!Alive,yethowlikedeathitsstatehasbeen.Havingeyes,itsawnot,andears itheardnot,andfeet itwalkednot,andhands ithandled not, and affections it felt not. Its state was a strange andmysteriousminglingofthecharactersoflifeanddeath.

When the windows of its senses are thrown open, and streams ofknowledgecomerushinginonitsyoungandwonderingsoul,anditseyes follow the light, and with its restless hands it is acquaintingitself with matter, and sounds are entering its ears, amid whosemingled din it soon learns to distinguish the sweet tones of onetendervoice—itsmother's,anditloves,andisloved,andliesnestlingindreamyslumbersonherbosom,orsweetlysmiles inhersmilingface—howgreatthechange!

Now, justbecause the changewroughton the soul in conversion isalso great, and introduces its subject into a new and delightfulexistence,itborrowsanamefromthatchange.Thatisthefirst,thisisthesecondbirth;aye,andinfinitelythebetterofthetwo.

- Better! because in that a eon of man is born but for the grave,whereasinthisasonofGodisbornforglory.-Better!becausethemarchoftheselittlefeetisalongaroughpathbetweenacradleanda

coffin; whereas, the way of grace, however full of trials, toil, andbattle, isfromthepangsofbirthonwardandupwardtoacrowninheaven.Happyforyouifyouareheaven-bornandheaven-bound.Itmay be that a stormy life lies before you; but let storms rage andtempestsroar—howeverrudethegaleorhightherollingbillows—aheaven-bornpassengerinaheaven-boundbark,youcannotmissthehaven."ThereremainetharesttothepeopleofGod."

Thischangeisaresurrection.Aresurrectionisagreatchange.Gotothechurchyard.Gowheredeathshallonedaycarryyou,whetheryouwill ornot. "Come," said the angels, "see theplacewhere the Lordlay."

Come, letussee theplacewhereweourselvesshall lie,and lookatmanasweourselvesshallbe.Takehiminanyofhisstagesofdecay.Lookat this compressed lineofmold, thatby its colormarks itselfout as different from the neighboring clay; it is black earth, andretainsnoapparentvestigeoforganization.Whatresemblancedoesit bear to a man? None. Yet gather it together and give it to thechemist;heanalyzes it,andpronounces thisunctuousdust tohavebeenonceahumancreature.

Itmayhavebeenabeauty,whowithalarmsawtherosesfadingonhercheek,andagetracingwrinklesonherivorybrow,andmixingingrayhairswithherravenlocks.Itmayhavebeenabeggar,who,tiredofhiscoldandhungrypilgrimage, laidhisheadgladlyinthelapofmotherearth,andendedhiswearywanderingshere.

Itmayhavebeenaking,whowasdraggedfromamidhisguardstothe tomb, and sullenly yielded to the sway of amonarchmightierthanhimself.Or, lookhereattheseyellowrelicsofmortalitywhichthegravedigger—familiarwithhistrade—treatswithsuchirreverentcontempt.

Look at these preachers of humility—at this moldering skull, thedeserted palace of a soul, within which high intellect once satenthroned—atthosefleshlesscheeks,oncebloomingwithsmilesandroses—atthatskeletonhand,whichmayoncehavegraspedthehelm

ofpublicaffairs,orswayedthepassionsofcapriciousmultitudes,orheldup the cross from sacredpulpits to the eyesof dyingmen—atthosemoldering limbs,which pietymay have bent toGod—and atthesehollow sockets—now thenestof slimyworms—whereglancesof love havemelted, and looks of fire have flashed. Turning awayyour head with horror and humiliation, to think that you shall liewheretheyare—andbeastheyare—yousay,Alas!whatachangeisthere!Ah!butFaithstepsforward,plantsa triumphant footontheblackgrave'sedge,andsilencingmyfears,dispellingmygloom,andreconciling me to that lowly bed, she lifts her cheerful voice, andexclaims,True!butwhatachangeshallbethere!

Lookingthroughhereyes,Iseethespellbroken.Iseethatdustoncemoreanimate.Andwhen theblast of the trumpet—penetrating thecavesoftherocks,andfeltdowninthedepthsofocean—piercesthecar of death in this dark, and cold, and lonely bed, where I haveloweredacoffin,andleftthedearformandsweetfaceofsomelovedone,mortalityshallriseinformimmortal,morebeautifulthanloveeverfancied,orpoetsang.

Howgreatthechange,whenthesemolderingbones,whichchildrenlook at with fear, and grownmen with solemn sadness, shall riseinstinctwith life!Thinkof thishandfulofbrowndust springingupintoaformlikethatonwhichAdamgazedwithmuteastonishment,whenforthefirsttimehecaughttheimageofhimselfmirroredinaglassy pool of Paradise; or better still, in a form such as, whenawakeningfromhisslumber,hesawwithwondering,admiringeyes,in the lovely woman that lay by his side on their bed of love andflowers.

Andnow,becausethechangewhichconversionworksonthesoulisalsoinexpressiblygreat,itborrowsanamefromthatmightychange;that,aresurrectionofthebodyfromthegrave,this,aresurrectionofthesoulfromsin.Inthis"wepassfromdeathtolife"—inthiswearecreatedanewinJesusChrist."WerisewithHim,"saystheApostle,"tonewnessoflife."

The greatness of the change is set forth in the symbolical

representation of it in the next chapter. Seized by the hand of theSpirit, Ezekiel is borne aloft, carried away through the air, and setdowninalonelyvalleyamongthehillsofadistantlaud.Thisvalleyseems to have been, at some former period, the scene of a greatbattle. Their hosts had sustained the charge of hosts, and crownswereperhapsstakedandwon.Thepeaceofthesesolitudeshadbeenrudelybrokenbytheshrieksofthewounded,thewildshoutsofthevictors,theclashofarms,andthesavageroarofbattle.Itwassilentnow.Thetidethatsweptoverithadleftitstrewedwithwrecks;thedeadhadmolderedunburiedwheretheyfell;theskullrattledinthecloven helmet; the sword of the warrior lay rusting beside hisskeleton, and the handlewas still in the relaxed grasp of the bonyfingers.

Ontheseunburiedcorpses the"birdsof theairhadsummeredandthewildbeastsofthefieldhadwintered."Therainhadwashed,andthesunhadbleachedthem—theywerewhiteanddryInthesegrimand ghastly skeletons a doleful picture of death lay stretched outbeforetheprophetandwhilehesurveyedthescenetherewasneithersignnor soundof life, but, itmaybe the croakof the ravenor thehowl of the famishedwolf, or the echo of his own solitary footfall.Suchwas the scene Ezekielwas contemplatingwhen a voicemadehimstart.Itcamefromtheskieschargedwiththisstrangequestion,"Sonofmancantheseboneslive?"

Westaynottorelateall thathappenedandwasdone.Itservesourpurpose tosay, thatafter theprophethadpreached to theboneheprayedtoHimwho—todeadbones,deadbodies,deadhearts,deadsouls,deadfamiliesanddeadchurches—it is the"ResurrectionandtheLife."

Ezekiel's was the prayer of faith—and it had its answer. Howencouraging to us, when on our knees, that answer!We feel as ifAaronandHursatatouraide,andheldupourwearyarms.

Ezekiel, after preaching, prayed , and there came from heaven alivingandlife-givingbreath.Itblowsdownthevalley;andasitkissestheicylipsofthedead,andstirstheirhair,andfanstheirfaces,man

after man springs to His feet, till the field which Ezekiel foundcoveredwith ghastly skeletons is crowdedwith amighty army—allarmedforbattleandwar—themarshaledhostofGod.

That was a great change, and not less great the work of grace inconversionWhile theprophet isgazingwithastonishedeyeon thismartialarray,where,amidtrumpetechoes,spearsaregleaming,andplumesaredancing,as,bold,inaspect,andstoutforwar,theserriedranksmarchon,markwhattheLordsaid:—"Sonofman,thesebonesarethewholehouseofIsrael;beholdtheysay,Ourbonesaredried,andourhopeislost."

Now, is not this the very judgment—the very sentence—which thesinner often pronounces on his own case, when his eyes are firstopened,andhesees,himselflostandundone?

WhatisthehouseofIsraelherebutatypeofGod'schosenpeople?InIsraelweseeourstatebynature;astateofdeath;astateinwhichweare "dead in trespasses and sins."On this accountSatanwouldhave us yield to despair.He says that for such sinners there is nohelp—nohope.Itishewhospeaksinthecomplaint,"Ourbonesaredried,andourhopeislost."

Yes,itishe,thefatheroflies,theenemyofsouls.Yieldnoteventoadoubt, for here "he that doubteth is damned;", but mark God'sgracious answer to that unbelieving, dark, desponding complaint—"ThussaiththeLord,God;behold,Omypeople,Iwillopenyourgraves,andIwillputmyspiritwithinyou,andyeshalllive."

Hereafter, we will enter particularly into the nature of, this greatchange; meanwhile, let, me ask, Have you any experience of it? Ineitheraskwhen,norwhere,norhowyoufeltitsfirstimpressions.

Onthesesubjectstheexperienceofsaintsisverydifferent.

- Some can tell the time of it—giving day and date, the hour, theprovidence, the place, the text, the preacher and, all thecircumstancesassociatedwiththeirconversion.-Theycanshowthe

arrow,which, shot fromsomebowdrawnataventure,pierced thejointsof their armor, andquivered in their heart. -They can showthepebblefromthebrook,that,slung,itmaybe,byayouthfulhand,butdirectedofGod,wasburied in the foreheadof theirgiantsin. -They can show the word that penetrated their soul, and—in sometruths of Scripture—the salve that healed the sore, the balm thatstanched the blood, and the bandage that Christ's own kind handwrappedon thebleedingwound.Able to trace the stepsandwholeprogressoftheirconversion—itsmostminuteandinterestingdetails—theycansaywithDavid,"Comeandhear,allyethatfearGod,andIwilldeclarewhathehathdoneformysoul."

It is not so, however,with all, or, perhaps,withmost. Some, so tospeak,arestillborn;theywereunconsciousoftheirchange;theydidnot knowwhenorhow it happened; for awhile at least, they gavehardly a sign of life. With many the dawn of grace is, in morerespectsthanone,likethedawnofday.Weturnourfacetotheeast,and our back to the setting stars, to note the verymoment of thebirthofmorning;yethowharditistotellwhenandwherethefirstfaint,cold,steel-graygleamappears.

It is so with many in regard to their spiritual dawn—with thebreakingofaneternalday—withtheirfirstemotionsofdesire,andofalarm, as with that faint and feeble streak, which brightened, andwidened,andspread,tillitblazedintoabrilliantsky.

The great matter, about which to be anxious, is not the time, norplace, normode of the change, but the fact itself.Has this changetakenplaceinyou?Areyouotherthanonceyouwere?Ratherthanbewhatonceyouwere,wouldyouprefernotbeingatall?Wouldyoupreferannihilationtoyouroldcorruption?

Some,alas!changetotheworse,givingthemselvesuptosins,whichonce they would have blushed to mention. Dead to all sense ofshame,breakingloosefromtheinnocenceoftheirchildhood,castingoff the comely habits and pious practices of a paternal home, theylunge into excess of riot; and, borne on by the impetus they haveacquiredinthedescent,likeonerunningdownhillwhocannotstop

although hewould,when they reach themouth of the pit they areborne over into perdition. They change, but, like "Seducers," they"waxworseandworse."

Thenightgrowsdarkeranddarker;theedgeofconsciencedullerandduller; the process of petrifaction goes on in their heart, till itacquires the hardness of stone; and, wallowing in the mire of thelowest sensuality, they canmakeaboast of sins—sins, in regard towhich,onthedaywhentheylefttheirfather'sroomwithhisblessingontheirhead,andamother'swarmtearsontheircheek,theywouldhave said with feelings of indignant abhorrence—"Is thy servant adogthatheshoulddosuchathing."Whatamelancholychange!

Inblessedandbeautifulcontrasttoametamorphosissosad,hasthechangeinyoutakenanoppositedirection?

Canyou say, I amnotwhatonce Iwas—butbetter, godlier,holier!Happyareyou!Happy,although,afraidofpresumption,andintheblushing modesty of a spiritual childhood, you can venture nofurther than one who was urged to say whether she had beenconverted? Howmodest, yet how satisfactory her reply! That, sheanswered, I cannot—that I dare not say; but there is a changesomewhere;eitherIamchanged,ortheworldischanged.Ifyoucansayso,itiswell.Suchananswerleavesnoroomforpainfuldoubts.

Our little child—watchingwith curious eye the apparentmotion ofobjects—callsout in ecstasy, andbidsus seehowhedge andhouseare flying past out carriage. It is not these thatmove, nor is it thefixedand firmshorewith, its treesand fields,andboatsatanchor,and harbors and headlands that is gliding by the cabin windows.Thatisanillusionoftheeye.Themotionisnotinthembutus.

And if theworld is growing less in your eye, it shows that you areretreatingfromit,risingaboveit,andascendinginthearmsofgracetohigherregions;andifthefashionofthisworldtooureye,seemspassing away, it is because we ourselves are passing—passing andpressing: on in theway to heaven; Sin never changes.And ifwhatwas once lovely looks loathsome now—ifwhatwas once desired is

detestednow,ifwhatwasoncesoughtwenowshunandshrinkfrom,itisnotbecausesinischanged,but—blessedbeGod;andpraisebeto his gracewe are changed.Our eyes are opened; the scales havedroppedfromthem;andthesolutionoftheproblemmaybefoundintheblindman'sanswer—"WhereasIwasblind,nowIsee."

~endofchapter14~

TheHeartofStone

Anewheart alsowill I give you, andanew spiritwill I putwithinyou:andIwilltakeawaythestonyheartoutofyourflesh,andIwillgiveyouanheartofflesh(Ezekiel36:26).

There is a mine of sound sense in the adage of an old, divine,"seriousness is the greatestwisdom, temperance themost efficientphysic,andagoodconsciencetheverybestestate."

Early, habits of self-restraint, total abstinence from all excess,diligenceinbusiness,attentiontoourduties,andthattranquilityofmindwhich piety breeds, andwhich those enjoywho are at peacewith God—these, we confidently affirm, would do more to abatediseasethanallourphysicians,muchmoretofeedthehungry,andclothethenakedthanourpoorlawsandcharitableinstitutions,andverymuchmorethananyactsofParliamenttopromotethecomfortsofthepeople,andpreservethelibertiesoftheofthecommonwealth.The older we grow, and the more our observation enlarges, thedeeper grows our conviction, that "godliness is profitable unto allthings,havingpromiseofthelifethatnowis,andofthatwhichistocome."

Oneofthemostremarkableinstancesofthetruth,whichitwaseverourgoodfortunetosee,presenteditselfintheimmediatevicinityofthis church. A weary day had passed in visiting a degradedneighborhood. The scenes were sad, sickening, repulsive. Famine,fever, want, squalid nakedness, moral and physical impurities,drunkenness,death,andthedevilwereallreigningthere.Thoseonly

whohaveknownthesicknessandsinkingofheartwhichthemiseriesof such scenes produce, especiallywhen aggravated by a close andfoul atmosphere, can imagine the gratification and surprise withwhich,onopeningadoor,westeppedintoacomfortableapartment.

Its whitewashed walls were hung round with prints; the furnitureshonelikealookingglass;andabrightfirewasdancingmerrilyovera clean hearthstone. It was an oasis in the desert. And we wellremember, ere question was asked or answered, of saying toourselves, "Surely the fearofGod is in thisplace; thismustbe thehouse of a church-going family." It proved to be so. A blind mandwelt there. Itwasahomewhere squalidpovertymighthavebeenexcused.And from itwe carried awaywith us a lively sense of thetemporaladvantagesofpiety;andfeltinclinedtochalkthesewordson theblindman'sdoor,asa lesson tohisneighbors—"The fearoftheLord,thatiswisdom;andtodepartfromevilisunderstanding."

Suppose—andwe suppose nothing impossible, nor in coming daysimprobable,forthepromisewaitsfulfillment,"anationshallbeborninaday"—suppose,then,thatintheplentitudeofdivinegrace,Godshould bend an eye of pity on the wretched inhabitants of ourimmediate neighborhood, and pour down his Spirit on them inshowersfromheaven.Atpresent,withafewbrightexceptions,theyare the votaries and victims of dissipation—I say votaries andvictims,becauseviceissuchadamningthing,thathewhobeginsbyministeringatheraltaralwaysendsbybecomingthesacrifice.

Around us thousands live who never enter a house of God. Theirchildren,unlesstheyarefortunateenoughtodieearly,arerearedinignorance,vice,andcrime;andbyhabitsof intemperance,manyofthemhavereduced themselves topinchinghunger.Relievedby theuncertainsuppliesofcharity,andthemostsqualidwretchedness.

Now, suppose that God were pleased to send life to these "drybones,"— but from lip to lip, and house to house, the cry werepausing, "Oh, sirs, what must I do to be saved?"— that the lastshillingthatvicehadleft,werespentforthepurchaseofaBible;that,likewaterbymenparched in thedesert, anddyingof thirst,God's

word were bought, borrowed, or begged, and that, rising to thesummonsoftheLord'sDaybell,thesestreets,whereonlyasolitaryworshiper may now be seen, were filled with the unaccustomedspectacle of a ragged crowd pouring into the houses ofGod;—howsoon would their common aspect change? A few weeks, and weshouldhardlyrecognizethem.

Save these picturesque and old-fashioned tenements, the blueheavensabove,thatrockycitadelwithitsfrowningbatteries,yondernoble arm of the sea, and the same green fields, rich valleys andromanticcrags,oftheeverlastinghillsaroundus,alloldthingselsewould have passed away. Prisons, that now complain of crowdedcells,wouldbe found too large;andmanychurches, coldnowwithemptypews,wouldbefoundtoosmall.Thesmolderingfeverwould,like an unfed fire, go out for want of fuel; and rank churchyardswouldgrowgreenatChristmas,forlackoftheirtoo-frequentburials.

Thebrutalfeaturesofdissipationwouldgiveplacetoanexpressionofintelligenceandhumanity;roseswouldblowonchildhood'spallidcheek, andmother's smiles would chase the sadness frommany apoor,sallow,infantface.Then,underthepatronageofreligion,andthesignoftheBible,thecraftofthehonestmechanic,andthetradeof the useful merchant would flourish, while the panderer to vicewould fall into unpitied bankruptcy, and the voice of a virtuouspeople would tell him to shut shop and be gone. Furniture wouldcrowdtheseemptyrooms,therags,throughwhoseloopholespovertystaredoutuponapityingworld,wouldchangeintodecentattire.

Piety,descendinglikeanangelfromtheskies,wouldcometothesedwellings with a prophet's blessing; beneath her celestial feethappinesswouldspringuplikesummerflowers;plentywouldpourher horn into the lap of poverty; there would be meal in everyhousehold barrel, and oil in every widow's cruse. Underneath thebenignandblessed influencesof religion, thiswildernesswould beglad; our city Ishmaelites would change into Israelites, and thesemoral deserts would rejoice and blossom like the rose. "Even so,come,LordJesus!"

Thetruth is, theworld'sgreatwant is thewantofreligion.Perhapsmenwantmore equal laws,more liberal institutions, and throughtheir happy influence, better and more stable governments. Thegreatestwantofnations is,however, thatwithoutwhich libertyhasnosolidpedestal to standon—agenuine,mass-pervadingpiety.Todrop all reference to foreign countries, I am sure that he whoattemptstocureourownsocialmaladies,independentlyofthisbestandmost sanatory element, may be a philanthropist, but is not aphilosopher.Wehadalmostsaidheisafool.Heisanidleschemer,whowould fainmake brickswithout straw, and heal thewaters ofJerichowithout theprophet's salt.His theories areasbaseless andunsolidasiftheyconceivedofmanasacreaturewithoutasoul—ofthesolarsystemaswithoutitsCentralsun—oftheuniversewithoutitsGod.

Butwhile religion is thus themortar that binds society together,—while thepoormanmay remember tohisComfort, that ifhe leavehisfamilynoinheritancebuthisprayersandthepricelesslegacyofagodly example, he leaves them rich indeed,—while an education ofdomesticpiety is better thanallGreekandRoman lore—andwhilegodlinessisthemoststablebasisonwhichtoerectanearthlyfortune—Iprayyoutoobservethatthechangepromisedinthetextdoesnotnecessarilyimplyanytemporaladvantage—anyimprovementeitherinourbodilyconditionorworldlycircumstances.

We live in a world of mysteries. We sometimes see religionlanguishingneglectedonabedofsickness;andpiety,inothercasesthan that of Lazarus,may be found clad in rags and covered withsores, sitting abeggar at the richman's gate.The change is on themanwithin.Thechange ison the tenant,not the tenement;on theheart,notthebody;onourcircumstances,notsomuchinthislifeasin the life to come. Ifby faith inChrist you come toGod, I cannotpromise forhim thathewill pourhealth into your veinsormoneyintoyourpurse.Buthewillendowyouwithinfinitelybettergifts.

Hearwhathepromisesinthetext—"AnewheartalsowillIgiveyou,andanewspiritwillIputwithinyou;andIwilltakeawaythestonyheartoutofyourflesh,andIwillgiveyouanheartofflesh."

Having already illustrated the greatness of this change, I nowproceedtoexamineitsnature;andremark—

I.Theoldheart is takenaway,andanewoneput in itsplace.Theheadwasjustlyconsideredbytheancientstobetheresidenceoftheintellectual faculties,where thesoulsatenthroned,as inapalace—presidingoverall.

Ontheotherhand,theyregardedtheaffectionsofhavingdwellingintheheart—thatothergreatorgan of our system.Within the breast,love and hatred, grief and joy, aversion and desire, generosity,jealousy,pity,revenge,weresupposedtodwell;andthus(todismissthemetaphor), that substitution of one heart for another which ispromised in the text, just impliesanentirechange in thecharacterand current of our, affections. Now, a change may be simply areform,or,extendingfarther,itmaypassintoarevolution.

Thespiritualchange,whichwecallconversion,isnotamerereform.It is a revolution—amighty revolution, if aughtwas everworthyofthatname—arevolutiongreaterthanthetomesofprofanehistory,oranyoldmonumentsofstoneorofbrassrecord.Itchangestheheart,thehabits,theeternaldestinyofanimmortalbeing.

On the banner, borne in triumph at the head of thismovement, Iread thewords that doomold things to ruin, "Overturn,Overturn,Overturn." For the old mischievous laws which it repeals, itintroducesanewcodeofstatutes ; itchangesthereigningdynasty,wrenches the scepter from a usurper's hand, and, banishing himforthofthekingdom,inrestoringthethronetoGod,restoresittoitsrightfulmonarch.

TheGospelisindisputablyrevolutionary;—therecanbenodoubtofthefact.Theoldchargebroughtagainstitspreachersistrue."Thesethathaveturnedtheworldupsidedown,arecomehitheralso."

Theworldrequirestobeturnedupsidedown.Likeaboatcapsizedinasquall,andfloatingkeeluppermostinthesea,withmendrowning

aroundit,theworldhasbeenturnedupsidedownalready;andtobeset right, it must just be turned upside down again. If the orderwhichGodestablishedhasbeenreversedbysin—ifinourheartsandhabitstimehasassumedtheplaceofeternity—thebodyofthesoul—earthofheaven,andselfofGod;—ifthatisfirstwhichshouldbelast,and that last which should be first—if that is uppermost whichshould be undermost, and that undermost which should beuppermost, then happy the homes and the hearts of which, inreference to the entrance of God's Word, Spirit, and convertinggrace,itcanbesaid,"Thesethathaveturnedtheworldupsidedown,arecomehitheralso."

Where,itmaybeasked,liestheinevitablenecessityforachangesopervadinglyelementary,soradical,sorevolutionary?suchaninwardandtotalchange?Wemustseekforthatnecessityintherecordsofadistantpast.

Itliesinanoldevent—intheFall.Byreasonofthatgreatcrimeandsadcalamity,theconditionofourheartshasbecomenaturallysobad— in referenceat least to spiritualobjects and interests—asnot toadmitofrepair.

Weunderstandhowthismaybetrueofahouse.Thetenementmayhave fallen into such utter decay, so many cracksmay gape in itsbulgedand totteringwalls, the timbersmaybe somoth-eaten, thefoundationssoshaken,post,pillar,andlintelsomolderedaway,thatnothingremainsbuttopullitdownlevelwiththeground,andonitsoldsitetoerectanewandstatelyedifice.

Or—to vary the illustration—a watch, which has slipped throughcarelessfingers,andcrashedonthepavement,maybesoshatteredastohaveitsworksdamagedbeyondrepair.Itpassestheskillofthemostaccomplishedmechanictomendthem.Hemustcleanouttheshell,takeawaytheoldworks,andsubstitutenewmachinery.Inthatcase, although wheels, axles, and levers, move within the oldcasements, the watch, in fact, is new; even so, when converted,althoughthereisnolossofpersonalidentitysuffered,hewhogetsanew heart becomes, in a sense, a new man: to use the Apostle's

words,"Heis,inChrist,anewcreature."

It is no doubt true that there are many, and some] very seriousinjuries which admit of repair. A steady, honest, enterprisingmerchantmayrepairabankruptfortune;asagaciousstatesmanmaysolder a broken crown; a physician may patch up a worn-outconstitution;evensomeMaryMagdalene, returning to thepathsofvirtue, may repair that most fragile of all things—a woman'scharacter;and,withtimeandGod'sgracegivenme,Iwillundertaketohealabrokenheart.

In the divine government we see that most remarkable provisionmadeforthereparationof those injuriestowhichhiscreaturesareexposed.Thebarkgrowsonthepeeledsurfaceofanoldelmoroak,soasintimetoobliteratethelettersthatfriendshiporfondlovehascarved.Fromthe lipsof thegapingwounda liquid flesh ispoured,which, receiving nerves and blood vessels into its substance,solidifies, and at length fills up the breach. From its shatteredsurfaces,thebrokenlimbdischargesafluidbone—alivingcement—which,growingsolid,restores thecontinuityof theshaft,andgivesthesuffereralegorarm,strongasbefore.

In some of the lower animals, indeed, this power of reparation isequal to the task, not only of repairing a broken, but of evenrestoring a lost member. With such renovating powers has Godendowed certain creatures, that, if by accident or otherwise, thewrithingworm,forexample,isdivided,theheadlessportionnotonlysurvivessuchaformidablelesion,but,strangetosee!producesandputsonanewhead;andoffersusanexampleofanimallife,which,besides being fortified against the most formidable injuries, isactuallymultipliedbydivision—"Howmarvelousarethyworks,LordGodAlmighty!"

There are many striking and very interesting analogies betweengrace andnature.But there is no analogybetween these cases andthecasebeforeus.Sofarasman'snaturalandinherentpowersareconcerned,hisheartsustainedanirreparableinjurybytheFall.Sinis adiseasewhichour constitutionhasnopower to throwoff; and

whichnohumanskillcanremove.

The preacher is here assisted by none of that "healing power ofnature " which is the physician's best ally. Not only so, but Godhimself—withwhominasenseallthingsarepossible,andtowhomnothingistoohard—doesnotattemptitsrepair.

In the work of conversion, it is not an old heart which is to bemended,butanewonewhichistobegiven.Inanyattempttopatchup the old garment, the new cloth is lost, and the rent gapes butwider.On theold, frail,mustybottle, heavenwastesnother costlywine.

Thetruthis,mandoesnotadmitofbeingrepaired;andthemorewebecome acquaintedwith our hearts, themore ready shallwe be todescribe their desperate and deplorable condition in the words ofHoly Scripture—"The heart is deceitful above all things, anddesperatelywicked."

Thefirstthing,therefore,whichyou,whoareseekingthekingdomofGodandhisrighteousness,havenowtoseek,iswhatGodpromisesin the text, and David pleads for in this prayer— "Create inme acleanheart,OGod,andrenewarightspiritwithinme."

Let me press this truth upon your thoughtful attention. May Godimpressituponyourhearts!

Alivelyandprofoundsenseofitisofthehighestimportance.Tofeelourneedofanewheart,andtofeelthatthisoldonewillnotmendnormakebetter,is,infact,thefirststepinsalvation;andthedeeperourimpressionoftherealityofthetruth,themorediligentlyshallwelabor, and themore earnestly shall we pray to be renewed day byday. It is a conviction that will secure our cordial assent to thememorable saying, with which one of England's greatestmen, herbravest and noblest spirits, closed an illustrious career on thescaffoldofanungratefulcountry.

WhenSirWalterRaleighhad laidhisheadupon theblock,hewas

askedby theexecutionerwhether it lay right.Whereupon,with thecalmness of a hero, and the faith of a Christian he returned ananswer—thepowerofwhichweallshallfeel,whenourownheadistossingandturningondeath'suneasypillow—"Itmatters little,myfriend,howtheheadlies,providedtheheartisright."

Now, as the view of the old heart, given in my text, is eminentlycalculated,withthedivineblessing,toshowushowmuchweneedanewone,letusconsider—

II.Theviewwhichourtextgivesofthenaturalheart.Itisaheartofstone. "Iwill take the stonyheart out of your flesh."We shall bestunderstandthemeaningofthisfigure,initsapplicationtotheheart,byconsidering,inapopularpointofview,someofthecharacteristicpropertiesofastone.

Astoneiscold.

Coldness ischaracteristicofastone.The lapidary,usinghis tonguetotestthetemperature,can,bythatsimplemeans,tellwhethertheseeming jewel is paste, or a real gem; andwhen our eye has beendeceivedbytheskillofthepainter,thesenseoftouchhasinformedus,thatwhatseemedmarblewasonlywood.

Itisacommonsaying,"Ascoldasastone."Butwhatstonesocoldasthat in man's breast? Cold is the bed of the houseless, who liesstretched on the wintry pavement, and cold the cell within whosedankstonewallstheshiveringprisonerisimmured;butcolderfarbynatureisthisheartofourstoGodandChrist.

WearebornloversofpleasureratherthanloversofGod.Godisnotan object of our love, nor dowemake any return to Jesus for hiswarmandfondaffection.BlessedLord!hehadmanyacoldlodgingonthisungratefulearth;hiscouchwasofttheopenfield,wherehislockswerewetwiththedewsofnight;drenchedwiththesprayofthesea, and the lashing rain,hisweary frame found sleepon thehardbenchesofafisher'sboat;yetonthesehelaynotonsocoldabedashewouldfindinthedark,drearychambersofanunrenewedheart.

Sinhasquenchedafirethatonceburnedbrightandholythere,andhasleftnothingnowonthatchillhearth,butembersandashes—coldasdeath.

"ThecarnalmindisenmityagainstGod;isnotsubjecttothelawofGod,neitherindeedcanbe."

Astoneishard.

-Firemeltswax,butnotstone;-Watersoftensclay,butnotstone;-Ahammerbendsthestubborniron,butnotstone.Stoneresiststheseinfluences; and, emblem of a heart crushed, but not sanctified byaffliction, itmaybeshatteredintofragments,orgroundtopowder,yetitsatomsareashardasever.Itiswiththedustofdiamondsthatthediamondiscut.Wehavestoodonasearock,wheneverybillow,swungonbythetempest;brokeagainstitwiththeroarofartillery,andshotupashowerofsnowyspray;wehavelookedtothecrag,onwhosebaldbrowsthestormwasbursting,andwonderedhowthesecould,havebravedforsomanythousandyearsthewarandwearoftheelements;andyetthereismore,causetobesurprisedatwhataman'sheartwillstand.

He sits in the church under a series of affecting sermons—or asuccession of affecting providences like great sea waves breakingoverhim,andheisunshaken,atleastunaltered,andtoallbutdivinegrace unalterable. , He can be saved; but he can only be saved,becausethereisnothingimpossibletoGod.Sittingthere,so,hard,socold, he reminds us of a mountain crag, cut by nature's fantastichand into the features of a man, which looks out with a cold andstony eye upon the gathering tempest, prepared; as it has alreadyweatheredathousandstorms,toweatherathousandmore.

Themanwhoremainsunmovedunder,aministryofmercy,whoisinsensible to at once the most appalling and appealing lessons ofprovidence, who fears no more than a rock the thunders andlightnings thatplay roundhisbrow,and feelsnomore thana rockthe influences that fall like summer sunbeams from the face andcross of Jesus, is manifestly beyond all human power. I would

despairofhissalvation,butfortheomnipotenceand,benevolenceofGod; and because I know that he, who of the stones of the streetcouldraiseupchildrenofAbraham,.canturnthatheartofstoneintoaheartofflesh.WhatneedhereoftheSpiritofGod!

Oh! there isanobstinacy,anobduracy,astrengthof resistance,animpenetrabilitytoimpressionintheunconverted,beforewhichman,howeveranxioustosave,isutterlypowerless.Indealingwithsuchacase,weseemtohearthevoiceofGodaddressingusinhiswordstoJob—"Canst thou draw out leviathanwith an hook? or his tonguewithacordwhichthoulettestdown?Canstthouputanhookintohisnose?orborehisjawthroughwithathorn?...wiltthoutakehimfora servant for ever?Wilt thouplaywithhimaswith a bird? orwiltthoubindhimforthymaidens?...Hisscalesarehispride,shutuptogetheraswithacloseseal . . .his eyesare like theeyelidsof themorning.Outofhismouthgoburninglamps,andsparksoffireleapout...Theswordofhimthatlayethathimcannothold:thespear,thedart,northehabergeon.Heesteemethironasstraw,andbrassasrottenwood.Thearrowcannotmakehimflee:slingstonesareturnedwithhimintostubble.Dartsarecountedasstubble:he laughethattheshakingofaspear...Hemakeththedeeptoboillikeapot:hemaketh the sea like a pot of ointment.Hemaketh a path to shineafterhim;onewouldthinkthedeeptobehoary . . .Hisheart isasfirmasastone;yea,ashardasapieceofthenethermillstone."

Astoneisdead.

Ithasnovitality,no feeling,nopowerofmotion. It lieswhere it islaid. The tombstone above and the dead man below undergo, nochange, other than that both, by a slower, or speedier decay, aremoldering into dust. In that hall of nobles the marble forms ofdeparted greatness look down unmoved upon scenes where oncetheythemselvesplayedadistinguishedpart,andall,alikeunmoved,whethertheirstatesmanshipbereviledorpraised.

Inthisstatue—howeverskillful thesculptor's imitation—there isnolife;nospeechbreaksfromthesemutelips;thelimbsseeminstinctwithpower,yettheyneverleavetheirpedestal;nofireflashesinthe

dull,grayeyes,norpassionsburnwithinthestonybreast.Thestoneis deaf, and dumb and dead. In grief's wild and frantic outburstsaffection may address the form of one deeply loved, and foreverlamented.

Speaktoit,itreturnsnoanswer;weeptoit,itshedsnotears;imageof a lost and loved one, it feels not the grief that itself canmove.Now, howmany sit in the house of God as unmoved? Careless asmere spectators who have no concern in what takes place beforethem,theytakenointerestinanythingthatwasdoneonCalvary!Isit not sad to think thatmore tears are shed in playhouses than inchurches:andthatbythosewhocallthemselvesChristians,thenewnovel issoughtmoreeagerly,anddevouredmoregreedily than theNewTestament"?

Whatadeplorableaccountofthehumanheart!Onewouldthinkitisof stones, and yet it is of living men, too like, alas! to many ofourselves—these words are spoken—"Having eyes, they see not;havingears,theyhearnot;neitherdotheyunderstand."

Wehavedescribedastoneascold,hard,dead.Isthis,somemayask,afairandjustpictureofthehumanheart?Thequestionisafairone,anddeservesafrankanswer.IshouldhinderacauseIdesiretohelp,anddo injustice to divine truth,were 1 to answer that question bysimply affirming, that the picture is a true portrait of the naturalheartinallitssentimentsandemotions.

Humannatureisbadenoughwithoutexaggeratingitsevils.Thereisno need to exaggerate them. In one sense, they do not admit ofexaggeration.And,ifwedared,insteadofexaggerating,weshouldbehappytoexcusethem,andtoourmothernature,renderthekindandfilialofficeofcastingacloakuponhershame.

We know as well as others do, and would ever remember, thatalthoughmanbedeadtograciousaffections,untilsinhashadwork,heisnotdeadtomanytenderandlovelyemotionsofnature.Manybeautiesarelingeringaboutthisruin—theengaging,butmelancholyvestigesof its formerglory.Wefreelyadmit, that,be farasregards

father and mother, wife and children, brother and sister, and thebelovedfriendsofoursocialcircles,anunrenewedheartmaybethewarmnestofkindliestaffections.Therecanbenodoubt,Ithink,thattheChristianwill prove thebest father, the best husband, the bestwife, the bestmaster, the best servant, the best citizen, the truest,trustiest friend.Nay, for theirpithandtruth,notwithstandingtheirhomeliness,IwillventuretoquotethewordsofRowlandHill,whosaid,"IwouldgivenothingfortheChristianityofamanwhoseverydogandcatwerenotthebetterofhisreligion."

Still, it is no treason against the Gospel to believe that one, yetunhappilyastrangertothegraceofGod,maybeendowedwithmanymostpleasantandlovelyvirtues.

Awayamongtheroughmoors,bythebanksoftumblingriver,ortheskirts of green wood, or on sloping acclivity, or steep hillside, wehavegathered,remotefromgardensandthecareofmen,bunchesofwild flowers, which, although very perishing, were exquisitelybeautiful,andsteepedinfragrantodors;andsuchasthesearesomemenandwomen,whohaveneveryetbeentransplantedfromastateofnatureintoastateofgrace.Thereisnosininlovingthem.IntheyoungrulerwhodeclinedtotakeuphiscrossandfollowChrist,wasnot theresomuchthatwasamiable,gentle, lovely, thatJesus'ownheart was drawn to him? It is said that he "loved him;" and theemotionsofaSaviour'sbosomcannotbewronginmine.Norishisararephenomenon—asolitarycase.

We have seenmenwhomade no great profession of religion,whocertainly were not pious, but who were yet so kind, tender,affectionate, generous, large-hearted and open-handed, that it wasimpossible not to love them. Nature never asked our permission.Whetherwewouldornot,wefeltdrawntothem,asJesuswastotheamiableyouthwhorefusedtofollowhim.Andaswehaverootedupfromthemoorsomewildflowertoblowandsheditsfragranceinasweeter than its native home, havewenot longed to do samewiththesefinespecimensofthenaturalman?

TransplantedbygraceintothegardenoftheLord,baptizedwiththe

dewsofheaven,converted to the faith, theywouldbe flowers fit toform a wreath for the brow that men wreathed with thorns. I amcompelledtoacknowledgethatIhaveknownsome,whoevencharitycouldnotreckonamongtrueChristians,who,yetinpointofnaturalvirtues,putChristians toshame.Insomebeautiful traits theyweremorelikeJesusthannotafewofhisrealdisciples.

Lettherebenomistake,then;whenIspeakoftheheartasastone,IamlookingatitasitlooksonGod,aSaviour,salvation,andeternity.However distressing it is (and it ismost distressing) to think thatpersonsotherwisemost lovelyandofmost lovingheartare socoldandcalloustotheclaimsofJesus,yet,sofarasdivinelovetosinners,and so far as the kindnesses of savingmercy are concerned, I amconvincedthatamongtherockswhichbeatbacktheroaringsea—upinthecragswheredews,andrain,andbrightsunbeamsfall—downin earth's darkest and deepest mines, there lies bedded no stonecolder, harder, less impressible, more impenetrable, than anunrenewedheart.

Does unbelief suggest the question, Why, then, preach to theunconverted?aswellpreachtostones?aswellknockwiththyhandupon a doorwhich is locked on a coffin and a corpse? In a sense,true; and altogether true, but for the promise—"Lo, I amwith youalway,evenuntotheendoftheworld."

Thatpromiseisthesoulofhopeandthelifeofpreaching.Itforbidsdespair.Andshouldcowardministers,yieldingtodespair,holdtheirtongues,andpulpitsallbesilent,Christstillwerepreached.

Strange evangelists would start up in these streets to break thisawful,unbelievingsilence.

Asked by an envious priesthood to silence the hosannas of themultitude, Jesus turnedon themand said, "I tell you, that if theseshouldholdtheirpeace,thestoneswouldimmediatelycryout."

Thusassured,notonlyof our children,notonlyof ourpeople,notonlyofthedeadwombofSarah,butoftheverystonesofthestreet,

that"GodcanraiseupchildrentoAbraham,"despairwecannotfeel,anddumbwecannotbe.Hewhoshallraisethedeadinchurchyardscanwakenthedeadinchurches.

ThereforeweexpectconversionsandinhopeofferChristtothechiefofsinners,beseechingyou,"BeyereconciledtoGod."

~endofchapter15~

TheNewHeart

Anewheart alsowill I give you, andanew spiritwill I putwithinyou:andIwilltakeawaythestonyheartoutofyourflesh,andIwillgiveyouanheartofflesh(Ezekiel36:26).

Asinamachinewherethepartsallfiteachother,and,bathedinoil,move without din or discord, the most perfect harmony reignsthroughout the kingdomof grace. Jesus Christ is the "wisdom," aswell as the "power" ofGod;nor in this kingdom is anything foundcorrespondingtotheanomaliesandincongruitiesoftheworldlyingwithout.Therewesometimesseeahighstationdisgracedbyamanoflowhabits;whileothersaredoomedtoaninferiorcondition,whowouldshinelikegilded,ornamentsontheverypinnaclesofsociety.ThatbeautifulcongruityinChrist'skingdomissecuredbythosewhoaretheobjectsofsavingmercybeingsorenewedandsanctifiedthattheirnature is inharmonywith theirposition,and themanwithincorrespondstoallwithout.

Observehowthispropertyofnewrunsthroughthewholeeconomyof grace. When Mercy first rose upon this world, an attribute ofDivinity appeared which was new to the eyes of men and angels.Again,theSaviourwasbornofavirgin;andHewhocameforthfroma womb where no child had been previously conceived, wassepulcheredinatombwherenomanhadbeenpreviously interred.The Infant had a new birthplace; the Crucified had a new burialplace.

Again,Jesusisthemediatorofanewcovenant,theauthorofanewtestament,thefounderofanewfaith.Again,theredeemedreceiveanewname;theysinganewsong;theirhomeisnottobeintheOld,butintheNewJerusalem,wheretheyshalldwellonanewearth,andwalkinglorybeneathanowheaven.

Now it were surely strange, when all things else are new, if theythemselves were not to partake of this general renovation. Nor

strangeonly,forsuchachangeisindispensable,anewnamewithoutanewnaturewereanimposture.Itwerenotmoreanuntruthtocalla lion a Iamb, or the rapacious vulture by the name of the gentledove,thantogivethetitleofsonsofGodtothevenomousseedoftheSerpent.

Then, again, unlessman received anewnature, how couldhe singthenewsong?

The raven, perchedon the rock,where shewhetsher bloodybeak,andimpatientlywatchesthedyingstrugglesofsomeunhappylamb,cannottunehercroakingvoicetotherich,mellowmusicofathrush;and, since it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouthspeaketh,howcouldasinnertakeupthestrainandsingthesongofsaints?

Besides,unlessamanwereanewcreature,hewereoutofplace inthenewcreation.Incircumstancesneitheradaptedtohisnature,norfitted to minister to his happiness, a sinner in heaven would findhimselfasmuchoutofhiselementasafinnyinhabitantofthedeep,orasightlessborrowerinthesoil,besideaneagle,soaringinthesky,orsurveyingherwidedomainfromthemountaincrag.

In theworksofGodweseenothingmorebeautiful than thedivineskillwithwhichhe suits his creatures to, their condition.He giveswingstobirds,finstofishes,sailstothethistle-seed,alamptolighttheglowworm,greatrootstomoorthecedar,andtotheaspiringivyher thousand hands to climb the wall. Nor is the wisdom soconspicuousinnature,lessremarkableandadorableinthekingdomofgrace.He formsaholypeople foraholyheaven—fitsheaven forthem, and them for heaven.And calling up his Son to prepare themansions for their tenants,andsendingdownhisSpirit topreparethetenantsfortheirmansions,hethusestablishesaperfectharmonybetweenthenewcreatureandthenewcreation.

You cannot have two hearts beating in the same bosom, else youwouldbe,notaman,butamonster.Therefore,theveryfirstthingtobedone,inordertomakethingsnew,isjusttotakethatwhichisold

outoftheway.Andthetakingawayoftheoldheartis,afterall,butapreparatoryprocess.Itisameans,butnottheend.For—strangeasitmay at first sound—he is not religiouswho is without sin. A deadman iswithout sin; andhe is sinless,who liesburied indreamlessslumber,solongashiseyesaresealed.Now,Godrequiresmorethananegativereligion.Piety,likefire,light,electricity,magnetism,isanactive,notapassiveelement;ithasapositive,notmerelyanegativeexistence. For how is pure and undefiled religion defined? "Purereligionandundefiled is to visit the fatherless andwidows in theiraffliction."AndonwhomdoesJesuspronouncehisbeatitude?"Ifyeknowthesethings,happyareyeifyedothem."Andwhatisthesumofpracticalpiety—themostportable form inwhichyou canput ananswertoSaul'squestion,"Lord,whatwouldstthouhavemetodo?"

Whatbutthis,"Departfromevil,anddogood."Therefore,whileGodpromisestotakethestonyheartoutofourflesh,hepromisesmore.Intakingawayoneheart,heengagestosupplyuswithanother;andto this further change and onward stage in the process ofredemption.

I now proceed to turn your attention; and, by way of generalobservation,Iremark—

I. Our affections are engaged in religion. An oak—not as it standschoked up in the crowded wood, with room neither to spread norbreathe,butasitstandsintheopenfield—swellingoutbelowwhereit anchors its roots in the ground, and swelling out abovewhere itstretchesitsarmsintotheair,presentsuswiththemostperfectformoffirmness,self-support,stoutandsturdyindependence.

So perfectly formed, indeed, is themonarch of the forest to standalone,andfightitsownbattleswiththeelements,thatthearchitectof theBellRockLighthouse issaidtohaveborrowedhis ideaof itsform from God in nature, and that, copying the work of a DivineArchitect, he took the trunk of the oak as themodel of a buildingwhichwas to stand the blast of the storm, and the swell ofwinterseas.

Instrikingcontrastwiththistree,thereareplants—someofthemoftherichestperfumeand fairestbeauty—suchas thepassion-flower,the ivy, the clematis, and thewoodbine,which cannot standalone.Theyhaveneitherpithnorfibertomaintainthemselveserect.

Yet these are not doomed to the base fate of being trodden in thedustbythehoofofeverypassingbeast,andhavetheirbeautysoiledin themire. Types of one whomGod has called by his grace, andbeautifiedwithsalvation,whoisstronginweakness,andrisestothehighesthonorsofheaven, theseplantsmayovertop the tallest oak,and, holding on by the everlasting rocks, they have laughed at thestormwhichlaidhisproudheadinthedust.Thisstrengththeyhave,andthesehonors theywin,byhelpof the tendrils, thearms, thoseinstruments of attachment with which God has kindly furnishedthem.Theseplantsareformedtoattachthemselvestootherobjects;itistheirnaturetodoso.Iftheygetholdofonenobleandlofty,theyrisetotheheightofitsnobility;ifofameanone—somerottenstakeor shattered wall—they embrace the ruin, and, like a true friend,share its fate;andwehaveseen,whentheyhadnootherobjectonwhichtofixthemselves,how—likeaselfishman,whoistheobjectofhis own affections, and has a heart no bigger than his coffin, justlargeenoughtoholdhimself—theywouldembrace themselves,andlie basely on the ground locked in forced embarrassment in theirownarms.

It is withman as with these.What their tendrils are to them, ouraffectionsaretous.Ambitionaimsatindependence;andmenfancy,thatwhen theyhave accumulated suchor such a fortune, obtainedsuch or such a place, arrived at such or such an age, they shall beindependent.

Independent!whatfolly!manwasnevermadetobeself-supporting,andself-satisfying.EvenwhenhishomewasEden,andheenjoyedthefullfavorsofabenignantGod,theLordsaid—"Itisnotgoodformantobealone."

Weareconstitutedwithaffections,ofwhichwecannomoredivestourselvesthanofourskin.Betheobjectwhichwelovenobleorbase,

goodorbad,generousorselfish,holyorsinful,belongingtoearthortoheaven,someobjectwemustlove.Itwereaseasyforamantolivewithoutbreathing,astolivewithoutloving.Itisnotmorenaturalforfire to burn, or light to shine, than for man to love. And thecommandment, "Lovenot theworld, neither the things that are intheworld,"hadbeenutterly impracticable, and impossible, save inconjunctionwiththeothercommandment,"ThoushaltlovetheLordthyGodwithallthyheart,andsoul,andmind."

Itiswithman'ssoulaswiththisplantwhichiscreepingontheearth;to upbraid it for its baseness, to reproach it for the mean objectsaround which its tendrils are entwined, will never make it standerect; you cannot raise it unless you present some lofty object towhichitmaycling.

It iswithourheartsaswithvessels;youcannotemptythemofoneelementwithoutadmittingorsubstitutinganother in itsplace.Andjust as 1 can empty a vessel filled with air or with oil by pouringwaterintoit,becausewateristheheavierfluid,orasIcanemptyavessel of water by pouring quicksilver into it, because the specificgravity ofmercury is greatly in excess of that ofwater, so theonlywaybywhichyoucanemptymyheartoftheworld,andtheloveoftheworld,isbyfillingitwiththeloveofGod.

This is thedivineprocess and scienceof theGospel.TheGospel isaccommodatedtoournature;itslightisadaptedtoourdarkness;itsmercytoourmisery;itspardontoourguilt;itssanctificationtoourimpurity; its comforts to our griefs; and in substituting the love ofChristfortheloveofsin,ingivingusanobjecttolove,itmeetsourconstitution, and satisfies the strongest cravings of our nature. Itengagesouraffections,and,intakingawayanoldheart,suppliesitsplacewithanewoneandabetter.

II.Considernowthenewheart—"Anewheartalsowill Igiveyou."Wehave saidenough inaprecedingdiscourse to show thatwearenot to look for evidence of the newheart in the natural affections.Religion does not bestow these.We are born with them.We havesomeofthemincommonwiththebrutesthatperish;andtheymay

befoundflourishinginalltheirbeautyinthosewhoarestrangerstotheloveofGod.Tothem,astoallthingselse,indeed,whicharehisgifts,sinisantagonisticandinjurious.

Letsinripen,soastohaveitsperfectwork,anditactslikeacanceron man's best affections. It first indurates, then deadens, and atlength destroys. Sinners are essentially selfish; and—as we seeexemplified every day—the more men grow in sin, they grow themore heartless, and hesitate less to sacrifice the tenderest feelingsand best interests of others to their own base and brutalgratifications.

There isapicture in thebookofRomans,paintedby thehandofamaster,whichismoreappallingandaffectingthananywhichRomanartists have hung on the walls of Rome. Here it is, a full lengthportrait of sinners drawn by the hand of Paul, in these vivid andterriblecolors:

"Godgavethemovertoareprobatemind,todothosethingswhicharenotconvenient,beingfilledwithallunrighteousness,fornication,wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder,debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God,despiteful, proud, boasters; inventors of evil things, disobedient toparents,withoutunderstanding,covenantbreakers,withoutnaturalaffection,implacable,unmerciful."

Whatadarkanddreadfulpictureofhumanity!Beholdthemonsterintowhichsin,whenfullydeveloped,turnsthesweetestchild.Whatanabominablethingissin!LikeGod,maywebateitwithaperfecthatred!

Observe, that although the state of the natural affections does notfurnishanycertainevidenceofconversion,itisthegloryofpietythatthesearestrengthened,elevated,sanctifiedbythechange.

TheloverofGodwillbethekindest,best,wisestloverofhisfellow-creatures.

Theheart thathas room in it forGod, grows so large, that it findsroomforallGod'strain,forallthatheloves,andforallthathehasmade; so that the church, with all its denominations of trueChristians, the world, with all its perishing sinners, nay—all theworlds which he has created, find orbit-room to move, as in anexpansiveuniverse,withinthecapaciousenlargementofabeliever'sheart.Forwhiletheloveofsinactsasanastringent—contractingthedimensions of the natural heart, shutting and shriveling it up—thelove of God expands and enlarges its capacity. Piety quickens thepulse of love, warms and strengthens our heart, . and sends forthfullerstreamsofnaturalaffectiontowardallthathaveaclaimonus,just as a strong and healthy heart sends tides of blood along theelasticarteriestoeveryextremityofthebody.

This new heart, however, mainly consists in a change of theaffections as they regard spiritual objects. Without again travelingovergroundwhichwehavealreadysurveyed, just lookat theheartand feelings of an unconverted man. His mind being carnal, isenmityorhatredagainstGod.Thismaybe latent—notat firstsightapparent,nor suspected—buthowsoondoes itappearwhenputtothe proof? Fairly tried, it comes out like those unseen elementswhichchemicaltestsreveal.

LetGod,forinstance,byhisprovidencesorlaws,thwartthewishesor cross the propensities of our unrenewed nature—let there be acollision betweenHis will and ours—and the latent enmity flashesoutlikelatentfirewhenthecoldblackflintisstruckwithsteel.

TheApostlepronouncesmentobebynatureloversofpleasuremorethanloversofGod;andisitnotafactthattheservicesofreligionaresocontrarytoallournaturaltastes,thatwearepronetosayofthem,asofthatdaywhichbringsdownheaventoearth—"Itisaweariness;whenwillitbeover?"Theaffectionsofthenaturalmanarelikethebranchesofwhatarecalledweepingtrees—theydrooptotheearth,andsweeptheground;harmlessordeleterious,theyarealldirectedearthward.Thisworldishisgod;hisheavenisonearth;theparadiseheseeksishere;histencommandmentsaretheopinionsofmen;hissins are his pleasures; his prayers are a task; his sabbaths are his

longest, weariest days; and, although no sheeted ghosts rise atmidnightandwalkthechurchyardtoscarehim,hehas,inthoughtsof God, of judgment, of eternity, specters that haunt him, and toescapefromwhichhewillflyintothearmsofsin.

Now,ifyouhavereceivedanewheart,thisstateispast,orispassing.Your affections are not dried or frozen up; they are as warm, orratherwarmerthanever—stillflowing,onlyflowingtowarddifferentobjects,andinadifferentchannel.Inobediencetoadivineimpulse,theircourseisnotonlyinadifferent,butinacontrarydirection;forthegraceofGodworkssuchacompletechangeoffeeling,thatwhatwas once hated you now love, and what was once loved you nowloathe; you fly fromwhat once you courted, and pursue what youonceshunned.

Forexample.

-Didyounotonce,likeAdaminthegarden,hideyourselffromGod!LikeJacob,whenabouttoencounteranangrybrother,-Didyounotonce tremble at the prospect of meeting God? How did you fretundertheyokeofhislaw?Inthosewhoborehisimage,howdidyourevile,andshun,andhatehim?Youcouldnotbanishhimfromtheuniverse,buthowdidyoutrytobanishthethoughtofhimfromyourthoughts, and so put him and keep him out of your mind, that itmight be that black, cold, empty, dark, dead, atheistic spot of thiscreation, where God should not be? Believers! Oh what a blessedrevolutionhasgracewrought?PraiseyetheLord.

AlthoughourattainmentscomefarshortofDavid's,andtheloveofour bosoms may burn with a dimmer and feebler flame, and weshould therefore perhaps pitch the expression of our feelings on alowerkey,letthePsalmistexpressforusthelanguageofarenewedheart—

"Oh how love I thy law 1 it is my meditation all the day. Thytestimoniesarebettertomethanthousandsofgoldandsilver. likeasthehartpantethafterthewaterbrooks,sopantethmysoulafterthee,God.MysoulthirstethforGod,forthelivingGod.WhenshallI

comeandappearbeforeGod.

OnethinghaveIdesiredoftheLord,thatwillIseekafter,thatImaydwellinthehouseoftheLordallthedaysofmylife.IlovetheLordbecausehehathheardmyprayerandthevoiceofmysupplication.BlesstheLord,yehisangels, thatexcel instrength.BlesstheLord,allyehishosts.

BlesstheLord,allhisworks.BlesstheLord,mysoul.LeteverythingthathathbreathpraisetheLord.PraiseyetheLord."

III.InconversionGodgivesanewspirit.Conversiondoesnotbestownew faculties. Itdoesnot turnaweakman intoaphilosopher.Yet,alongwithouraffections,thetemper,thewill,thejudgmentpartakeof this great and holy change. Thus, while the heart ceases to bedead,hishead, illuminatedbya lightwithin,ceasestobedark;theunderstanding is enlightened; the will is renewed; and our wholetemperissweetenedandsanctifiedbytheSpiritofGod.

To consider these in their order, I remark—By this change theunderstanding and judgment are enlightened. Sin is the greatestfolly,andthesinnerthegreatestfoolintheworld.Thereisnosuchmadnessinthemostfitfullunacy.

Thinkofamanriskingeternityandhiseverlastinghappinessontheuncertain chance of surviving another year. Think of a manpurchasingamomentarypleasureatthecostofendlesspain.Thinkofadyingmanlivingasifhewerenevertodie.IsthereaconverttoGodwho looks back upon his unconverted state, and does not saywithDavid,"Lord,Iwasasabeastbeforethee."

NowconversionnotonlyrestoresGodtotheheart,butreasonalsotoherthrone.Timeandeternityarenowseenintheirjustproportions—intheirrightrelativedimensions;theoneinitslittleness,andtheother in its greatness.When the light of heaven rises on the soul,whatgranddiscoveriesdoesshemakeoftheexceedingevilofsin,oftheholinessofthedivinelaw,oftheinfinitepurityofdivinejustice,ofthegraceandgreatnessofdivinelove.

On Sinai's summit and on Calvary's cross, what new, sublime,affectingscenesopenonherastonishedeyes!

She now, as by one convulsive bound, leaps to the conclusion thatsalvationis theonethingneedful,andthat ifamanwillgiveallhehathforthe lifethatnowis,muchmoreshouldhepartwithall forthelifetocome.TheSaviourandSatan,thesoulandbody,holinessandsin,havecompetingclaims.Betweenthesereasonnowholdsthebalance even, andman finds, in the visit of converting grace,whatthedemoniac found inJesus'advent.Themanwhosedwellingwasamongthetombs,whomnochainscouldbind,isseatedatthefeetofJesus,"clothed,andinhisrightmind."

Bythischangethewillisrenewed.

Badmenareworse, andgoodmenarebetter than they appear. Inconversion the will is so changed and sanctified; that although apiousmanisinsomerespectsless,inotherrespectsheismoreholythantheworldgiveshimcreditfor.Theattainmentsofabelieverarealwaysbeneathhis aims;hisdesires arenobler thanhisdeeds;hiswishes are holier than his works. Give other men their will—fullswingtotheirpassions—andtheywouldbeworsethantheyare;givethat to him, and he would be better than he is. And if you haveexperiencedthegraciouschange, itwillbeyourdailygrief thatyouarenotwhatyounotonlyknowyoushouldbe,butwhatyouwishtobe. To be complaining with Paul, "When I would do good, evil ispresentwithme;thatwhichIwouldIdonot,andwhatIwouldnot,thatIdo,"isoneofthebestevidencesofagracious,savingchange.

Children of God! let not your souls be cast down. This strugglebetween the new will and the old man—painful and prolongedalthough it he—proves beyond all doubt the advent of the HolySpirit. Until the Saviour appeared there was no sword drawn, norblood, shed inBethlehem,normurderousdecree issued against itsinnocents—theysleptsafelyintheirmothers'bosoms,Herodenjoyedhis security and pleasure, and Rachel rose not from her grave toweepforherchildrenbecausetheywerenot.Christ'scomingrousesall the devil in the soul. The fruits of holy peace are reaped with

swords on the fields of war; and this struggle within your breastprovesthatgrace,eveninitsinfancyacradledSaviour,isengagedinstrangling the old Serpent. When the shadow of calamity falls onmanyhomes,andthetidingsofvictorycomewithsadnewstomanya family, and the brave are lying thick in the deadly breach, mencomfortusbysaying, that thereare thingsworse thanwar.That isemphaticallytrueofthisholywar.Rejoicethatthepeaceofdeathisgone.

By conversion the temper and disposition are changed andsanctified.

Christians are occasionally to be foundwith a tone ofmind and atemper as little calculated to recommend their faith as to promotetheirhappiness.Ibelievethattherearecasesinwhichthisisduetoaderangedconditionofthenervoussystem,orthepresenceofdiseaseinsomeothervitalorgan.

These unhappy persons are more deserving of our pity than ourcensure.

This is not only the judgment of Christian charity, but of soundphilosophy, and is a conclusion to which we are conducted instudying the union between mind and body, and the manner inwhichtheyactandreactuponeachother.Solongasgracedwellsina "vile body," which is the seat of frequent disorder and manydiseases—these infirmities of temper admit no more, perhaps, ofbeing entirely removed, than a defect of speech, or any physicaldeformity.

The good temper forwhich some take credit,may be the result ofgood health and a well- developed frame—a physical more than amoral virtue; and an ill-temper, springing from had health, or animperfectorganization,maybeaphysicalratherthanamoraldefect—giving its victim a claim on our charity and forbearance. But,admitting this apology for the unhappy tone and temper of somepious men, the true Christian will bitterly bewail his defect, and,regretting his infirmity more than others do a deformity, he will

carefullyguardandearnestlyprayagainstit.

Considering it asa thorn inhis flesh,amessengerofSatansent tobuffethim,itwilloftensendhimtohiskneesinprayertoGod,thatthegracewhichconquersnaturemaybemade"sufficientforhim."

Those, however, who have no such plea to urge in palliation of asuspicious, sour, discontented, irritable temperament, have goodground to suspect their Christianity. Grace sweetens where itsanctifies.InthenameofGodandChristianity,whathasChristtodowith Belial? What has grace to do with that avaricious, envious,malignant, implacable disposition, which is utterly opposed to thegeniusoftheGospelandtheSpiritthatwasinJesusChrist?

- Am I told that his disciples sought fire from heaven to consumetheirenemies?-AmItoldthat,withtheintoleranceofbigotry,andanarrownessofmindstilltoocommon,theythoughttosilencethosewhom they regarded as rivals? - Am I told that, set on fire of anearthlyambition, theyblazedout intounseemlyquarrelswitheachother? - Am I told that, even on the solemn eve of a Saviour'ssufferings, when their tears should have quenched all unhallowedfires, they strove for thehighestplace in thekingdom? -Am I toldhowharshlytheysilencedthecries,andrebukedtheimportunityofsuffering,andhowhaughtilytheseproudfishermenborethemselvesto the mothers and babes of Israel? True; but this temper passedaway. TheirMaster cast out the unclean spirit. Pentecost baptizedthemwithanothernature.WiththepeaceofJesustheyreceivedhisgentle, generous, gracious, loving, forbearing, forgiving temper.TheseElishas entered on theirwork clothed in themantle of theirascendedMaster.Haditbeenotherwise—hadtheynotbeenmadeoflove,aswellasmessengersof love—hadthe lovetheypreachednotbreathed in every tone, and beamed in every look—had they notillustrated in their practice the genius of theGospel, theirmissionhadbeenasignalfailure;theyhadneveropenedtheheartsofmen;theyhadnevermadetheirwayinaresistantworld—neverconqueredit.Justasitisnotwithstubbornbutpliantironthatlocksarepicked,the hearts of sinners are to be opened only by those who bring aChristlike gentleness to the work; and who are ready, with Paul's

large, loving, kind, and generousdisposition, to be all things to allmen,ifsobethattheymaywinsome.

Neverhadthedisciplesgoneforth"conqueringandtoconquer,"hadtheybroughttheiroldbigoted,quarrelsome,unsanctifiedtempertothemission.TheymighthavediedforChristianity,butshehaddiedwiththem;and,boundtotheirstake,andexpiringintheirashes,shehadbeenentombedinthesepulcherofherfirstandlastapostles.

IprayyoutocultivatethetemperthatwasinJesusChrist.

-IshelikeafolloweroftheLambwhoisraginglikearoaringlion?-Ishelikeapardonedcriminalwhositsmopingwithaclouduponhisbrow?-Ishelikeanheirofheaven,likeamandestinedtoacrown,who is vexed and frettedwith some petty loss? - Is he like one inwhose bosom the Dove of heaven is nestling, who is full of allmannerofbileandbitterness?Oh,letthesamemindbeinyouthatwas in Jesus, A kind, gentle, loving temper is one of the mostwinningfeaturesofreligion;andbyitssilentandsofteninginfluenceyou will do more real service to Christianity than by the loudestprofessions,ortheexhibitionofacoldandskeletonorthodoxy.

Letitappearinyou,thatitiswiththebelieverundertheinfluencesof the Spirit as with fruit ripened beneath the genial influences ofheaven'sdewsandsunbeams.

At first hard, it grows soft; at first sour, it becomes sweet; at firstgreen, itassumes in timearichandmellowcolor;at firstadheringtenaciously to the tree,when itbecomesripe, it is ready todrop attheslightesttouch.Sowiththemanwhoisripeningforheaven.Hisaffectionsandtempergrowsweet,soft,mellow,loosefromearthandearthly things. He comes away readily to the hand of death, andleavestheworldwithoutawrench.

IV.InconversionGodgivesaheartofflesh."Iwillgiveyouaheartofflesh." Near by a stone—a mass of rock that had fallen from theoverhanging crag—which had some wild flowers growing in itsfissures, andon its top the foxglove,with its spike of beautiful but

deadlyflowers,weoncecameuponanadderasitlayinribboncoil,basking on the sunny ground. At our approach the reptile stirred,uncoileditself,andraisingitsvenomoushead,witheyeslikeburningcoals, it shook its cloven tongue, and, hissing, gave signs of battle.Attacked,itretreated;and,makingforthatgraystone,wormeditselfintoaholeinitsside.Itsnestandhomewerethere.

And in looking on that shattered rock—fallen from its primevalelevation—withitsflowerybutfatalcharms,thehomeandnestoftheadder,wherenothinggrewbutpoisonedbeauty,andnothingdweltbutapoisonedbrood,itseemedtousanemblemofthatheartwhichthetextdescribesasastone,whichexperienceprovesisahabitationof devils, and which the prophet pronounces to be desperatelywicked. I have already explained why the heart is described as astone.Itiscoldasastone;hardasastone;deadandinsensibleasastone.Now,asbytheterm"flesh"weunderstandqualitiestheveryoppositeofthese,Ithereforeremarkthat—

Inconversionamangetsawarmheart.

Letusrestrictourselvestoasingleexample.WhenfaithreceivestheSaviour,howdoestheheartwarmtoJesusChrist?Thereismusicinhisname."Hisnameisasanointmentpouredforth."

All theold indifference tohiscause,hispeopleand the interestsofhis kingdom, has passed away; and now these have the warmestplace inabeliever'sbosom,andare theobjectsof itsstrongest andtenderest affections. The only place, alas! that religion has in theheartsofmanyisaburial-place;butthebelievercansaywithPaul,"Christlivethinme."

Nor is his heart like the cottage of Bethany, favored only withoccasionalvisits.Jesusabidesthereinthedoublecharacterofguestandmaster—itsmost loving and best loved inmate; and there is adifference as great between that heart as it is, and that heart as itwas,asbetweenthewarmbosomwheretheInfantsleptorsmiledinMary's arms and the dart, cold sepulcherwhereweeping followerslaidandlefttheCrucified.

Is there such a heart in you?Do you appreciateChrist'smatchlessexcellences?Havingcastawayeverysintoembracehim,doyousethimaboveyourchiefest joy?Wouldyou leave father,mother,wife,children,tofollowhim,withbleedingfeet,overlife'sroughestpath?Ratherthanpartwithhim,wouldyoupartwithathousandworlds?Werehenowonearth,wouldyouleaveathronetostoopandtiehislatchet?IfImightsospeak,wouldyoubeproudtocarryhisshoes?

Then, indeed, youhave got thenew,warmheart of flesh.Thenewlove of Christ, and the old love of the world, may still meet inopposing currents; but in the war and strife of these antagonisticprinciples, the celestial shall overpower the terrestrial, as, at theriver'smouth, I have seen the ocean tide, when it came rolling inwith a thousand billows at its back, fill all the channel, carry allbeforeitsconqueringswell,damupthefreshwateroftheland,anddriveitbackwithresistlesspower.

Inconversionamangelsasoftheart.

As"flesh,"itissoftandsensitive.Itisflesh,andcanbewoundedorhealed.Itisflesh,andfeelsalikethekissofkindnessandtherodofcorrection. It is flesh; and no longer a stone, hard, obdurate, andimpenetrabletothegenialinfluencesofheaven.Ahardblockofice,ithasyieldedtothebeamsofthesun,andbeenmeltedintoflowingwater. How are you moved now, stirred now, quickened now,sanctifiednow,bytruthsoncefeltnomorethandewsfallingoutofstarryheavens,insoftsilence,uponruggedrock.

Theheartofgraceisendowedwithadelicatesensibility,andvibratesto the slightest touch of a Saviour's fingers.Howdoes the truth ofGodaffectitnow?Astonenolonger,itmeltsundertheheavenlyfire—a stoneno longer, it bends beneath thehammer of theword; nolonger like the rugged rock, on which rains and sunbeams werewasted, it receives the impression of God's power, and retains thefootprints of his presence. Like the flowers that close their eyes atnight,butwakenatthevoiceofmorning,liketheearththatgapesinsummer drought, the new heart opens to receive the bounties ofgraceandthegiftsofheaven.

Have you experienced such a change? In proof and evidence of itsreality, is David's language yours—"I have stretched outmy handsuntothee.Mysoulthirstethaftertheeasathirstyland?"

Inconversionamangetsalivingheart.

Theperfectionofthislifeisdeath—itistobedeadtosin,butalivetorighteousness,alive toChrist,alive toeverythingwhich toucheshishonor,andcrown,andkingdom.WithChristlivinginhisheart,thebeliever feels that now he is not himself—not his own; and, asanother's,thegrandobjectofhislifeistolivetoChrist.Hereckonshimanobjectworthlivingfor,hadheathousandlivestolive;worthdyingfor,hadheathousanddeathstodie.

HesayswithPaul,"IamcrucifiedwithChrist,neverthelessIlive."

In the highest sense alive, he is dead—dead to things hewas oncealiveto;andhewishesthatheweremoredeadtothem—thoroughlydead.Hewishes thathe could loot on the seductionsof theworld,andsin'svoluptuouscharms,withthecold,unmovedstareofdeath,andthatthesehadnomorepowertokindleadesireinhim,thanintheicybosomofacorpse."Understandestthouwhatthoureadest?"

It isamarkofgrace, that thebeliever, inhisprogressheavenward,growsmoreandmorealivetotheclaimsofJesus.Ifyou"knowtheloveofChrist,"his is the latestnameyouwilldesire toutter;his isthelatestthoughtyouwilldesiretoform;uponHimyouwillfixyourlastlookonearth;uponHimyourfirstinheaven.

When memory is oblivious of all other objects—when all thatattractedthenaturaleyeiswrappedinthemistsofdeath—whenthetongueiscleavingtotheroofofourmouth,andspeechisgone,andsightisgone,andhearinggone,andtherighthand,lyingpowerlessby our side, has lost its cunning, Jesus! then may we rememberThee!

Iftheshadowsofdeatharetobethrownindeepestdarknessonthevalley,whenwearepassingalong it to glory,may it beours todie

like that saint, beside whose bed wife and children once stood,weeping over the wreck of faded faculties, and a blank, departedmemory.Onehadaskedhim, "Father,doyou rememberme?"andreceivedno answer; andanother, andanother, but still no answer.Andthen,allmakingwayforthevenerablecompanionofalongandlovingpilgrimage—thetenderpartnerofmanyapastjoyandsorrow—hiswife,drawsnear.Shebendsoverhim,andashertearsfallthickuponhisface,shecries,"Doyounotrememberme?"Astare—butitisvacant.

There is no soul in that filmy eye; and the seal of death lies upontheselips.Thesunisdown,andlife'sbrieftwilightisdarkeningfastintoastarlessnight.

At this moment one, calm enough to remember how the love ofChrist'sspouseis"strongasdeath"—alovethat"manywaterscannotquench"—stooped to his ear, and said, "Do you remember JesusChrist?"

Thewordwasnosoonerutteredthan itseemedtorecall thespirit,hoveringforamoment,ereittookwingtoheaven.Touchedasbyanelectricinfluence,theheartbeatoncemoretothenameofJesus;thefeatures, fixed in death, relax; the countenance, dark in death,flushesuplikethelastgleamofday;and,withasmileinwhichthesoulpassedawaytoglory,hereplied,"RememberJesusChrist!dearJesusChrist!heisallmysalvation,andallmydesire."

IV.By conversionman is ennobled. Infidelity regardsman as littlebetter than an animated statue, living clay, a superior animal. Sheseesnojewelofimmortalityflashinginthisearthlycasket.Accordingto her, our future being is a brilliant but baseless dream of thepresent; death, sleep; and that dark, low, loathsome grave oureternalsepulcher.

Vice,again,looksonmanasananimalformedfortheindulgenceofbrutal appetites. She sees no divinity in his intellect, nor purefeelings, nor lofty aspirations worthy of cultivation for the comingstate. Her foul finger never points him to the skies. She leaves

powersandfeelingswhichmighthavebeentrainedtoheaventotrailupontheground;tobesoiledandtroddeninthemire,ortoentwinethemselvesaroundthebasestobjects.Invirtuousshame,inmodesty,purity, integrity, gentleness, natural affection, she blightswith, herpoisonousbreathwhatever isofbeautyhave survived theFall; andwhen she has done her perfect work, she leaves man a wreck, awretch,anobjectofloathing,notonlytoGodandangels,but—lowestanddeepestofalldegradation—anobjectofcontemptand loathingtohimself.

While infidelity regardsman as a mere animal, to be dissolved atdeathintoashesandair,andvicechangesmanintoabruteordevil.Mammonenslaveshim.Shemateshimaserf,andcondemnshimtobeagolddiggerforlifeinthemines.Sheputshercollaronhisneck,andlocksit;andbendinghisheadtothesoil,andbathinghisbrowinsweat,shesays,Toil,Toil,Toil;asifthiscreature,originallymadein the image of God, this dethroned and exiled monarch, to savewhomtheSonofGoddescendedfromtheskies,andbledonCalvary,werealivingmachine,constructedofsinew,bone,andmuscle,andmadefornohigherendthantoworktolive,andlivetowork.

Contrastwiththesethebenignaspect inwhichtheGospel looksonman.Religiondescendsfromheaventobreakourchains.Shealoneraisesmefromdegradation,andbidsmeliftmydroopinghead,andlookuptoheaven.

Yes;itisthatveryGospelwhichbysomeissupposedtopresentsuchdark,degrading,gloomyviewsofmanandhisdestiny,whichliftsmefromthedustandthedunghilltosetmeamongprinces—ona levelwith angels—in a sense above them. To say nothing of the divinenobility grace imparts to a soul which is stamped anew with thelikenessandimageofGod,howsacredandvenerabledoeseventhisbodyappearintheeyeofpiety!

Nolongeraformofanimateddust;nolongerthesubjectofpassionssharedincommonwiththebrutes;nolongerthedrudgeandslaveofMammon,theonce"vilebody"risesintoatempleoftheHolyGhost.

Vile in one sense itmay be; yet what, although it be coveredwithsores? what, although it be clothed in rags? what, although, inunseemlydecrepitude, itwant its fair proportions? that poor, pale,sickly, shattered form is the casket of a precious jewel. Thismeanand crumbling tabernacle lodges a guest nobler than palaces mayboast of; angels hover around its walls; the Spirit of God dwellswithinit.

Whatasincentivetoholiness,topurityoflifeandconduct,liesinthefact that the body of a saint is the temple of God—a truer, noblertemplethanthatwhichSolomondedicatedbyhisprayers,andJesusconsecratedbyhispresence.

In Popish cathedrals, where the light streamed through paintedwindow, and the organ pealed along lofty aisles, and candlesgleamed on golden cups and silver crosses, and incense floated infragrant clouds, we have seen the blinded worshiper uncover hishead,dropreverentlyonhisknees,andraisehisawe-struckeyeontheimposingspectacle;wehaveseenhimkissthemarblefloor,andknewthatsoonerwouldhebesmittendeaduponthatfloorthanbeguiltyofdefilingit.

How does this devotee rebuke us! We wonder at his superstition;how may he wonder at our profanity? Can we look on the lowlyveneration he expresses for an edifice which has been erected bysome deadman's genius,which holds but some image of a deifiedvirgin,orbonesofacanonizedsaint,andwhich—proudlyasitraisesitscathedraltowers—timeshallonedaycasttotheground,andburyinthedust;canwe,Isay,lookonthat,and,ifsensibletorebuke,notfeelreprovedbythespectacle?

Inhowmuchmorerespect,inhowmuchholiervenerationshouldweholdthisbody?Theshrineofimmortality,andatemplededicatedtothe Son of God, it is consecrated by the presence of the Spirit—alivingtemple,overwhoseporchtheeyeofpietyreadswhatthefingerof inspiration has written—"If anyman defile the temple of God,himshallGoddestroy;forthetempleofGodisholy,whichtempleyeare."

~endofchapter16~

TheRenovator

AndIwillputmyspiritwithinyou(Ezekiel36:27).

"TherearethreethatbearrecordinHeaven:theFather,theSon,andtheHolyGhost."

They form the mystery of one Godhead, and act in harmony. Asmightbeexpected,thedivinerecordrepresentsthesethreePersonsasallconnectedwith,andcooperatingincreation.

With the honors of a work, usually ascribed to the Father, PaulcrownstheSon.

-MarkwhathesaysoftheSon—"Byhimwereallthingscreated,thatare in heaven, and that are in earth, whether they be thrones ordominions,orprincipalitiesorpowers;"-AndspeakingelsewhereofGod, he says—"He, who at sundry times, and in divers mannersspaketoourfathersbytheprophets,hathintheselastdaysspokenuntous byhis Son,whomhe hath appointed heir of all things, bywhomalsohemade theworlds." -Now, as to the third person, orHoly Spirit, we discover indications of his existence even in theMosaicrecordofcreation.Heappearsintheearliestepochsoftime,andamid those sublimeandmagnificent spectacleswithwhich theBibleopens.

Thecurtainrisesuponthe firstactofcreatingpower,and, throughthe enveloping shroud of darkness, we see the earth—a shapelessmass, crude and chaotic. It is a world in embryo. "The earth waswithoutformandvoid."

Yet at this early period, when there was neither golden cloud norbluesky,norgreenland,norsilversea;whennowavesbrokeupon

theshore,andtherewerenoshoresforwavestobreakon;whennomountains rose togreet themorning sun, and therewasno sun toshineonthem;whennowingofbirdwascleavingthesilentair,norfinoffishthewaters;when—liketherudeandvariousmaterialsfromwhich an architect intends to rear the fabric he has designed—theelements of fire, air, earth, and water, lay mingled in strangeconfusion,throughthedarknessthatliesonthefaceofthedeep,wediscoversomemightypresence.Heismovingandatwork.

ItistheSpiritofGod.Hepresidesatthebirthoftime.Heisevokingorder from confusion, forming the world in the womb of eternity,and preparing a theater for scenes and events of surpassinggrandeur.

Concerning that early period of creation, Moses has recorded thisimportantfact—"TheSpiritofGodmovedonthefaceofthewaters."

Inthisgloriouscreation, therefore—inthisbeautifulworld,andthestarry skies that roseover it—webehold themightymonumentsofhispresenceandpower.

He sprung the arch of this crystal dome, and studded it overwiththesegemsoflight.ListentothemagnificenthymnofthePatriarch—"Hestretchethoutthenorthovertheemptyplace,andhangeththeearth upon nothing. He holdeth back the face of his throne, andspreadeth his cloud upon it; he hath compassed the waters withbounds, anddivideth the seawithhis power.Byhis Spirit he hathgarnishedtheheavens."

In the temple of nature, therefore, as in that of grace, we adore aGodhead—theThree inOne;and seeFather, Son, andHolyGhost,thepresidingandco-equalauthorsofafirstcreation.

Butletuscometoman.Thepillarisfinished,andwantsnothingbutitscapital;thehouse,builtandfurnished,nowwaitsitstenant.Heisabouttobeformedwhoistobenotmerelyawork,noraservant,buta son of God; a mirror in which Divinity may complacentlycontemplateitself;abeingwhoistoexhibitwhat,amidtheirbright

andbeautifulforms,neithersun,norsea,norearthcouldboastof—animageofGod.

The crown of creation is to be toppedwith its brightest gem. Thisprovince of the divine empire is to be provided with a king, who,wieldingadelegatedscepter, shall exercisedominion"over thefishofthesea,thefowlsoftheair,thecattle,andthecreepingthings."Itisagreatoccasion.And,aswasworthyofit,thethreepersonsoftheGodheadappear.Godfashionstheplasticclayintotheformofman,andmoldsthosefeatureswhich,givenbyhishand,havedescendedtous—bendingovertheprostrateandinanimatestatue,hebreathesintoitshollownostrilstheelementoflife;rushingin,thismysteriouspowersetsitsorgansintoplay,and,astheheartbeginstobeat,andthecurrentofthebloodtoflow,manopenshiseyesinlifeandontheworld;but,erethiscrowningact—ere,bythisgreatestactheclosesthe drama of creation—addressing the Son on this hand and theSpirituponthat,theFathersaith,"Letusmakemaninourimage."

Inmanyrespects,thenewcreationcorrespondswiththatoldone—theParadiseRegainedwith theParadiseLostMan is thesubjectofboth;hisgoodand thedivinegloryare theendsofboth;devilsarethe enemies, andangels are the alliesofboth; theFather,SonandHolyGhost are the authors of both,Nowwhile the first chapter ofGenesis—raising a portion of the vail which hangs upon themysteriesofcreation—showsustheHolySpiritasanactiveagentinthatwork,mytextintroducesthesamedivineperson,asdischargingfunctionsas important in themoreexaltedandenduringworkofanew creation. TheFather decrees redemption; the Sonprocures it;theHolySpiritappliesit.Forthatpurposethispromiseisbothgivenandfulfilled—"IwillputmySpiritwithinyou."

Inillustrationofthedoctrine,Iremark—

I.TheHolySpiritisthegreatagentinconversionandsanctification.Mancannotbesavedunlesselected,norelectedwithouttheFather;nor saved unless redeemed, nor redeemed without the Son; norsaved unless converted, nor convertedwithout the Spirit. And yet,Godonlyelectsthosethatbyhisforeknowledgehesees,bytheirfree

will,willchoosetorespondtoHim.Doyouaskwhy?Istherenotafountain opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants ofJerusalem,forsinandforuncleanness?Isitnottruethatwhosoeverseekssalvationthere,maywashandshallbeclean?Mosttrue.Jesushas filled that fountain with blood, and, once bathed there, thefoulestbecomewhiteassnow.Blessedtruth!thatfountainisfreetoall; freeasair, freeas light, freeasthewavesofocean,whereman,whoparcelsoutGod'searth,andforbidsotherfootthanhisowntotreadon it,claimsnoexclusiveproperty—wherethebeggarmaygointobatheabreastofaking.

WhatneedImore,then?youmayask.Werequiremuchmore.Ournecessitiesarethoseofthecripple—ofthatmanwho,forthirtyyears,sat uncured by Bethesda's pool, nor took his anxious eye off thewaterashewaitedforitsfirststirandruffle.Thehealingofthatpoolwasregulatedbyalaw,anditwasthis.Likeanelectricbattery,whichtooneandthefirsttouchdischargesallitsfluid,thispoolcuredbutone at a time, and he got its benefitwho first stepped in after theangel'sdescent.Whateverhisdiseasemightbe,hewascured.

-Was he dumb? he sung. - Was he lame? he leaped. - Was he acripple? he shouldered his crutch, and walked. And why had thismansatoutthesewearyyearsunhealed?Hadthevisiontarried,andwasit therareadventof theangel tothispoolwhichsuggestedthefigure, "Likeangels'visits, fewand farbetween?"Had thesewatersnot been agitated at all for that long period of thirty years?Often.Manyatimethiscripplehadseenthesuddenspring,andheardtheloud plunge, as some neighbor flashed into the water; and as thecuredleftthescene,manyatimehadhefollowedthemwithenviouseyes.Manyatimehadhewitnessedproofsofthehealingpower—thelamemanboundingawaylikeadeer, thesongof thedumbringingout his joy, and pallid sickness standing on the brim of the glassypool,and—asshecontemplatedherselfinitsmirror—smilingtoseethe light of her beaming eyes, and fresh roses blooming upon herwastedcheek.

Poorman!whywashenotcuredaswellasothers?Hewasimpotent,powerless; he could not go down unassisted; and—one of the

friendless poor, as he told Jesus—"he had no one to help him in."Even so, although seated by the fountain, where sins are lost andsinnerswashed,weneedsomeone,sotospeak,tohelpusin.InthewordsofPaul,weare"withoutstrength;"anditistohelpustoseek,tobelievein,tolove—inoneword,toembracetheSaviour—thatGodputs his Spirit within us. For this end he fulfills the promise, "Mygrace shall be sufficient for thee, andmy strengthmade perfect inweakness."

In a preceding discourse, we compared the change wrought inconversion to the removal of old, shattered machinery, and thesupplying of its place with a new mechanism. But what is meremachinery?JustwhatthenewheartwerewithouttheSpiritofGod.Besidesthemachinery,wemusthaveamovingpower.

Ofwhatusewouldbethemachinerywhichistobemoved,withoutaforce adequate tomove it?Without amainspringwithin the clock,however complete all its wheels, pinions, pivots, and axles, thesehandswouldstandonthefaceoftime,noradvanceonestepoverthenumberedhours.SowereitwiththerenewedsoulwithouttheSpiritofGodtosetitspowersinmotion,bringthemintoplay,andimpartto them a true and heavenward character. For this purpose Godfulfillsthepromise,"IwillputmySpiritwithinyou."

Inordertoillustratethis,andwithGod'sblessingfixitinyourheart,letmeavailmyselfoftheelementwhichgivesanametotheSpirit,and which our Saviour selects as his emblem—"The wind blowethwhere it listeth, and thouhearest the sound thereof, but canstHottellwhence it cometh, norwhither it goeth, so is every one that isbornoftheSpirit."

Here isanobleship:what furtherdoessheneedtomoveher?Hermastsareallin;andhercanvasisallshakenout;yetnoripplerunsbyherside,norfoamflashesfromherbows,andshehasnomotionbut what she receives from the alternate swell and sinking of thewave.Hermachinery is complete. The forests havemasted her; inmanyabroadyardofcanvasahundredloomshavegivenherwings;her anchor has been weighed to the rude sea chant; the needle

trembles on her deck; with his eye on that friend—unlike worldlyfriends—astrueinstormasincalm,thehelmsmanstandsimpatientbythewheel;andwhen,asmenboundtoadistantshore,thecrewhavesaidfarewelltowivesandchildren,whyliesshethereovertheself-same ground —rising with the flowing, and falling with theebbing tide? The cause is plain. They want a wind to raise thatdroopingpennon,andfilltheseemptysails.

Theylooktoheaven—andsotheymay—theskiesonlycanhelpthemhere.Atlengththeirprayerisheard;thepennonfluttersatthemasthead;spiritsoftheairsingaloftupontheyards;thesailsswell;thewind whistles through the rattling cordage; and now, like a steed,touched by the rider's spur, she starts, bounds forward, plungesthroughthewaves,and—heaven'swindhermovingpower—sheisoffandaway,amidblessingsandprayers,tothelandsheisboundandchartered for. Even so, although heaven-born, heaven-called,heaven-bound, endowedwithanewheart, newmind,newwill,westandinthesameneedofcelestialinfluences—ofthegraceandSpiritof God. That heart, mind, and will, are the machinery, he is themovingpower;thesetheinstruments,andhetheagent.

This heavenly gift neither circumscribes nor supersedes our ownexertions.Thesegracious influencesdescendnot to setus idle, anymore than thebreezeblows tosend thesailor tohishammockandrockhimoverinthearmsofsleep.

Onthecontrary,longaway,andwearyingtobehome,hiseyeoftenturnedhomewardacrossthewater'swaste,heshakesouteveryyardofcanvasonthebendingmast,andworksthehardertogainthefulladvantageofpropitiouswinds.Itshouldbesowithus.Mayitbesowithus!

ThemorefullthegiftsanddivinebreathingsoftheSpirit,thebusierletusbe—busier in theuseofprayer,of theBible, andof all thoseordinancesthroughwhichtheSpiritworks,andimpelssoulsonwardandhomewardinaheavenlycourse.

WereGod,provokedbyourindifference,towithdraworwithholdhis

Spirit,woulditnotbewiththebestofusasinadeadcalmatsea?Noprogresswouldbe,orcouldbemade;orrather,withtherunof thetide against us—the tendencies of a depraved nature and awickedworldworkingtheotherway—insteadofgainingground,weshouldlosethegroundalreadygained,anddriftastern.

The Bible says, "Remember Lot's wife." Here we say, RememberDavid.Withwhatfullsailheisbearingontoheaven!howfaraheadhe has shot of his countrymen and contemporaries! But he entersinto temptation; yields to it; falls into sin; the Spirit iswithdrawn,and, although finally saved, how nearly is he lost! What a fearfulbacksliding 1 what an awful warning! and, yet—an example mostencouraging to a penitent backslider—see how God fulfills thepromise,"Iwillhealthybackslidingandlovetheefreely."

Letmenowurgeonyoutheadvantageanddutyofimprovingtotheutmosteveryseasonofheavenlyvisitation.Thereare seasonsmorefavorable and full of grace than others. In this there is nothingsurprising, but much that is in harmony with the commondispensations of Providence. Does not the success of the farmer,seaman, merchant, of men in many other circumstances, chieflydepend on their seizing opportunities, which come and go likeshowers—whichflowandebblikethetidesofocean?Theseaisnotalwaysfull.Twiceadayshedesertshershores,andleavesthevesselshighanddryuponthebeach;sothattheywhowouldsailmustwaitandwatch,andtakethetide;andlargershipscanonlygetafloat,or,if afloat, get across the bar and into harbor, when, through afavorableconjunctionofcelestialinfluences,theseaswellsinstreamor spring tides beyond her common bounds. The seaman has hisspring tides; the husbandman has his spring time, and thoseshowers, and soft winds, and sunny hours, on the prompt anddiligent improvementofwhichthestateofhisbarnandbarnyardsdepends.

"Letitbe,"saidtheLordtoDavidandhismenofwar,when—lyinginambush,andexpectingdivineassistance—theywaitedforthesignalofbattle,"letitbe,whenthouhearestthesoundofgoingonthetopsof themulberry trees, that thoushaltbestir thyself."Sucha signal,

likethefeetof theangelichostmarchingoverthetopsof thetrees,heavenmayvouchsafetousintheholydesire,emotion,andthoughtof the Spirit's call, which, if yielded to and improved,may lead toheaven;butneglected,rejected,orrepelled,mayleaveustoperishinhell. In these,whichoccasionallycome to themostcareless sinner,you hear the Spirit moving—in them you hear the Spirit calling.Improvethemthroughsavingfaith.

If improved,who can tell but itmay bewith you aswith onewellknowntous.Shewasafairenoughprofessor,yethadbeenlivingacareless,godless,Christlesslife.Sheawokeonemorning,and,moststrangeandunaccountable!herwakingfeelingwasastrongdesiretopray.Shewondered.Itwasearlydawn,andwhatmorenaturalthanthatsheshouldsay,thereistimeenough—meanwhile"alittlemoresleep, a little more slumber, a little more folding of the hands tosleep?"

Asshewassinkingbackagainintounconsciousness,suddenly,withthe brightness and power of lightning, a thought flashed into hermind, fillingherwithalarm—thisdesiremayhavecomefromGod;this may be the hour of my destiny —this, the tide of salvation,which,ifneglected,mayneverreturn.Sherose,andflungherselfonher knees. The chamber was changed into a Peniel, and when themorning sun looked inatherwindow,he foundherwrestlingwithGod inprayer; and, likeone froma sepulcher, she came forth thatdayat thecallofJesus to followhimhenceforth, and inher futurelifetowalkthisworldwithGod.

II.God'sSpiritisnotonlygiventohispeople,butdwellsinthem."IwillputmySpiritwithinyou."Thecommunicationbetweenspirits,otherwise than through the medium of matter, and our bodilyorgans,issogreatamystery,thatwearenotpreparedtosayhowfarunconvertedmenmay or may not be "possessed of the devil." Ofmany a wretched slave of vice, on whom tears, and prayers, andexpostulations, and rewards, andpunishments,haveallbeen tried,and tried in vain, it may he said without exaggeration, "He isgrievouslytormentedofadevil."

ThereareincidentsandexpressionsalsointheWordofGod,whichinvestthesubjectofdemoniacalpossessionwithapainfulandveryalarming interest.OnoneoccasionPeterendeavors todissuadehisMasterfromthecross,andstandsbetweenhimandthesalvationofthe lost! whereupon, as if he saw the devil looking through adisciple's eyes, and heard his speech in a disciple's tongue, JesusturnedonPeter,saying—"Gettheebehindme,Satan."

Again, when Judas received the sop, it is said that "Satan enteredintohim,"andimmediately—astheshipturnstothehelm,whenanewhandstepsonhoard,andtakingitchangeshercourse—heleftthesuppertable,todohisMaster'sbusiness.Again,Paulspeaksofa"fellowshipwithdevils,"a"cupofdevils,"anda"devil'stable."

Who knows but that those terrible spectacles of possession, wherethe bodies of unhappy men were seized, inhabited, tormented byuncleanspirits,mayhavebeenvisibleemblemsof theuncleanandunconvertedheart?WhenGod leftmanat theFall,andabandonedthatheartwhichhadoncebeenhisholyandhappyhome,itbecamea vacant, empty house for Satan to occupy; and, like bands ofrobbers,whohauntsomeruinedcastle,wherepowerandgrandeurand rank once resided,many devilsmay be secretly lurking in thedarkchambersofthisdesolateanddismantledpalace.

Wehavesometimesthoughtthatwesawthefittestemblemofman'sfallenstate,intheruinsofanoldchurch.Nowdeserted,desecrated,defiled,whatachangeisthere,saveintheivy,thatlikepityclingstothe crumbling wall—sustaining and vailing its decay—and in somesweetwildflowerrooted inwindowsill,orgapingrent,beautyandlifearegone.Yetthere,onceonatime,holywordswerespoken;holyvowsweretaken,andholycommunionsheld.Thereareeyesinglorythat turnwith interest to that lonelyspot—Godandmanoftenmetwithintheserooflesswalls;"Thisandthatmanwasbornthere."Butnowtheonlysoundsare thesighingof thewind,or theroarof thestorm—the hoot of the owl, or the hiss of the serpent; nor life isfound there now, but in the brood of the night bird,which has itsnest among the ruins above, or in theworms that fatten upon thedeadintheircoldgravesbelow."Thegloryisdeparted."

AndonceashrineofGod,butnowadesertedsanctuary,maywenotwrite "Ichabod" on the heart? The ruin resounds with the echoeswhichtheearoffancyhearsmutteringamongthedesolateheapsofBabylon—"Fallen,fallen,fallen!"

Whatever habitation the prince of darkness may have withinunconverted men—and however, also, holding for a time somefooting even in God's people, he may raise up within them thosethoughtsofblasphemy,anddesiresofsin,whichcomeasunbiddenastheyareunwelcome—thesaintsofGodenjoyablessedpossession.Not the angels, but the Spirit of God inhabits them. Heaven hasdescended into their bosoms, and their bodies are become a holytemple. God now in very truth not only dwells "withman," but inman."IwillputmySpiritwithinyou."Heisenshrinedwithinthem;andasthesouldwellsinthebody,Goddwellsinthesoul."Knowyenot," says an apostle, "that ye are the temple ofGod, and that theSpirit of God dwelleth in you?" Thus—although in a subordinatesense—themembersresembletheircrownedandexaltedhead;theirbodies,likehisown,areatemple,andtheheartofthebelieveristhehappy,honoredshrineofhimwhom theheavenofheavens cannotcontain.

Speaking of theman that loves him, ourLord said, "Wewill comeunto him." This promise is one which he fulfills in the dailycommunications of his word and Spirit. Earth has no lovers whomeet so often as Jesus and his bride. The lowliest and poorestChristian God honors with daily visits. He comes at the time ofprayer;He occupies themercy seat at the stated hour of worship;andintotheclosetwherethegoodmangoes,hegoesalongwithhim.He iscloseted therewithGod;andcomes forth likeawarrior fromhistent,inspiredwithcourage,andarmedforthebattleoflife.

- Happyman! he sleeps at night in God's arms; - Happyman! ineverytrialheweepsonGod'sbosom!-Happyman!althoughhisfarebe but a crust of bread and cup of water, he dines every day atheaven's royal table. Contented, not coveting the luxuries whichwealth commands, he has bread to eat and company to keep the

worldknowsnotof; and,althoughhebe thepoorestofGod'spoorones,therearenoneof thegreatonesof thisearth,who,withtheirprivileged and prized access to court, move in such high society.Couldyouseetheangelswhowingtheirflighttothisstraw-thatchedcottage—thetelegraphofprayer,that,withextendedlinesstretcheduptothethrone,iseverworking—themessagesthatgoup,andtheanswers that come down—Jesus himself descending to bow hiskinglyheadatthatlowlydoor,with"Peacetothishouse"onhislips,giftsinhishand,lovebeaminginhiseyeandburninginhisbosom,youwouldnotwonderhowthepoorpiousmancansuffersomanyhardships, and yet live so contented. Pitying the poverty of riches,themeanness of rank, the littleness of greatness—envying nomanhishighacquaintances,covetingnoman'slargeestates—allheneedsistowearhishonorsmeekly;witharankhigherthankingspossessor kings can bestow, with a patent of nobility that never can beforfeited, all he needs is to be "clothed within humility;" while heopenshisheartandinviteshisLordtocomein,allheneedsistodothatwith themodesty of themanwho said, "I amnotworthy thatthoushouldstenterbeneathmyroof."

Here, however—as also in those words of Christ, to which I havereferred—Godnotonlypromisestovisithispeople,butbyhisSpirittoabidewiththem."IwillputmySpiritwithinyou.""HappyisthatpeoplewhoseGodistheLord,"Forwhoorwhatelseabides?Notourparentsorpastors;thearmsthatembracedusaremolderinginthegrave,andonthelipsthattaughtusknowledgethedustofdeathliesthick.Ourhealthmaynotabide;thereisagriefless,graveless land,wheretheinhabitantneversaysthatheissick;butfaithliftshereyetoheaven,andseeksityonder—nothere.Ourwealthmaynotabide;and so one who, better than many, remembered its uncertainty,when remonstrated with for giving lavishly to the cause of Christ,replied,"Richestaketothemselveswingsandfleeaway;andIthinkitbest toclip them."Ourchildrenmaynotabide; theearthsoundshollowtothefoot—itissofullofgraves.

Ah! how few gardens are there where death has not left his footprints, when he came to steal away some of our sweetest flowers,

Few are the trees standing on this earth, from which he has notloppedoff somegoodly boughs. In thisworld, have I not seenoneandanotherstandbleakandbranchless;andOh,howblessedforthefatherwhohaslaidthelastsurvivorinthedustandreturnsfromthatsaddestfuneraltofindGodwaitingforhiminhisdesolatehome!

Whenthebelieverisalone—GodinhisHolySpiritabidingwithhim—heisnotalone.

Howhappy,yethowstrangeamanheis!ThoseparadoxesbywhichPaul describes him— "Unknown, and yet well known; dying, andbehold we live; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet makingmanyrich;havingnothing,andyetpossessingall things"—admitofimportantadditions.

Killhim,andhe lives;buryhim,andhe rises; exalthim,andhe ishumbled;humblehim,andheisexalted;cursehim,andhepraysforyou; hate him, and he loves you; an orphan, he clings to a livingfather; a widow, she sleeps on the bosom of a living husband. "Afatherofthefatherless,andajudgeofthewidowisGodinhisholyhabitation."

Piety sits on a husband or father's grave, confident in that livingrelationship,andcalmbeneaththeprotectionofhimwhosays—"Youshallnotafflictanywidoworfatherlesschild.Ifthouafflicttheminanywise,andtheycryuntome,Iwillsurelyheartheircry.Andmywrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and yourwivesshallbewidows,andyourchildrenshallbefatherless."

Letabelievernevercounthimselfdesolate.Letothersnevercallhimso.Ifthyheartisright,itmattersnothowmeanthyhousemaybe;Godshallabidewiththeethereonearth,tillthouleavestthisearthtoabidewithhiminheaven.

~endofchapter17~

TheNewLife,Part1

Iwillcauseyoutowalkinmystatutes,andkeepmyjudgments,anddothem(Ezekiel36:37).

TheDivineBeinghas established certain laws—someof a physical,others of a moral nature. And it is as impossible to violate withimpunityamoralasaphysicallaw;althoughtheconsequencesintheformercasemaybemoreremote,andthesufferingmaynotfollowsocloselyon theheelsof the sin.Solomonasks, "Canaman take fireintohisbosom,andnotbeburned?""Canhetouchpitch,andnotbedefiled?" You at once answer no. He who walks into the fire shallcertainly be burned; he who falls into the water shall certainly bedrowned;andifanymanweremadenough topitchhimselfoveraloftybartizan,helightsnotonthegroundlikeawingedbirdorangel—heshallcertainlybecrushedtopieces,Notonlyso,butapassiveaswellasactiveviolationofnature's laws is followedbysuffering.Hewho resists her demand for sleep—he who turns a deaf ear to thecalls of hunger—he who denies his body the rest and refreshmentthat nature needs,must die, Now, no less certainly shall he sufferwho neglects or violates those moral laws which have beenestablishedbythedecreeofGod.

Itmayseemastrange,andevenfoolishthingtoassert,butitisnotthelesstrue,thatitissafertotouchfirethansin,andsaferinasenseto drink off a cup of poison, than quaff the cup of devils. A manstandsabetterchanceofescapewhoviolatesaphysicalthanamorallaw.This is difficult to be believed. Andwhy? Just because, in thebreachofmorallaws,judgmentdoesnot,asinthebreachofphysicallaws,followspeedilyonthetransgression,norsucceeditasthepealthundersontheflash.Yetitisnotmorestrangethantrue;andtrue,for this plain, satisfactory, and unanswerable reason, that he whomade the lawswhich govern the physical world,maymodify,maychange,mayevenaltogetherrepealthem.Hehasalreadydoneso.

Ironisheavierthanwater;yetdidnottheironaxeswimlikeacorkattheprophet'sbidding?Didnottheunstableelementofseastandupinwallsofsolidcrystal,tillthehostpassedover?Didnakedfoot,whenbathed inmorningdew,ever feel thegreengrasscooler thanthosethreeHebrews,when,ontheflooroftheburningfurnace,theytrodatoncebeneaththeirfeetatyrant'spowerandtheredhotcoalsoffire?Firemaynotburn,andwatermaynotdrown.Hewhogavetheirlawstotheseelementsmayalterthemasheseesmeet;butthatmoral law,which is a transcript of his ownmind andwill, is, andmustbeunchangeableashimself.

-Besure,therefore,thatyoucannotsinwithimpunity.-Besurethatyoursinwillfindyouout.-Besurethatwhatyousowyoushallreap.-Besure,thatalthoughthecloudislongofgathering,itshallonedayexplode. - Be sure that sin and sorrow are linked together by anadamantinechain—achaindurableandeternalasthatwhichbindsthecreaturetothethroneofGod.When,therefore,Satan,theflesh,ortheworldsolicit,remember,thatifyourweaknessyields,youaremore certain of suffering, than youwould be of burning the fingerwhichyouthrustintothefire.Sinisthefirethatamancannottakeintohisbosom,andnotbeburned.Doyouask,bywayofobjection,donotGod'speopleescapesuffering—commitsin,andyetescapethepenalty? True. But their exemption from future punishment formsnoexception to this rule. In their case, indeed, the debtor escapes,but then the creditor is paid. The sufferings from which they areexempted were endured by their substitute, and in a sufferingSaviour their sinswere punished, "He bore our griefs, and carriedoursorrows.Thechastisementofourpeacewasuponhim,andwithhisstripeswearehealed."

Entertainingtheseviews,weoughtnottobesuspectedoflosingsightofthedignityandclaimsofthemorallawinourfaithinacrucifiedSaviour. That holy lawwas not buried in Jesus' sepulcher, nor leftbehind with the graveclothes in the tomb. We no longer hope,indeed,tobesavedbythelaw,yetweholdwiththeApostle—holdasstronglyasanycando—that"thelawisholy,andthecommandmentholy, just, and good," and that these moral laws which were

enshrined in the ark ofMoses, andmost awfully illustrated on thecrossofChrist,havelostnoneoftheirauthority.Theyremaintothisday as imperative as those which regulate the tides, direct theprocession of seasons, or steer the planets through the realms ofspace.

Obedience to the law has indeed ceased to be the condition ofsalvation;itiswellitisso.Otherwise,whoshouldhavebeensaved?"If thou. Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, Lord, who shall stand?""Enternot into judgmentwith thyservant, for in thysightshallnoman living be justified." The law is not now the gate of life; yetalthough it has ceased to be the gate, it has not ceased, and nevershallcease,tobetheruleoflife.

We preach, indeed, a free and fall salvation; and we glory in thetheme.Wesaythatthegreatestlawbreakermaybesaved;thefoulestsinnerwashedwhiteassnow;thebasestofthebase,thevilestofthevile, exalted to a throne in heaven; and that as no obediencerenderedtothelawsincethefallofAdamcanopenheaventofallenman,sosincethedeathofChristnodisobediencecanshutitsgatesagainsthim.

We say with Paul, "It is a faithful saying, and worthy of allacceptation,thatJesusChristcameintotheworldtosavesinners,ofwhomIamchief."BlessedbeGod,thelaw,sostern-likeinasinner'seyes,no longer carries thekeysofheaven.Purchasedbyhisblood,theyareinthecustodyofhimwhoisverypitifulandofgreatmercy,andwho—never turning a deaf ear to the cry of human distress—cheerstheexpiringhours'ofguilt,andsaideventoathief,"To-daythoushaltbewithmeinparadise."

"Dowe thenmakevoid the law through faith?"asPaulasks.Somehave done so. Wild and wicked fanatics have risen to trouble thechurch, and bring a gospel of grace into contempt. They haveasserted that it has set them free from the obligationof theseholycommandments, and granted to believers' a plenary indulgence tocommitallmannerofiniquity.

Fromsuchlicentiousandimmoraldoctrines,fromdoctrinesnotlesscalculatedtodissolvesocietythantodishonorthechurchofChrist,childofGodIshrinkwithholyabhorrence;thisyourlanguage.

"Mysoul,comenotthouintotheirsecret;untotheirassembly,minehonor,benotthouunited."

I know that Paul says, "We are delivered from the law, that beingdeadwhereinwewereheld;"butarewedeliveredthatwemaysin?Assuredlynot.Onthecontrary,wearedeliveredthatwemayserveGod;servehimbetter,servehimholier;servehim,asPaulalsosays,"in the newness of the spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter."Addressing us not with the voice of Sinai's thunders, but in themeltingandmightiertonesofaRedeemer'slove,theGospellaysthisinjunctionuponall,"Becarefultomaintaingoodworks."

These,althoughnotalwaysthebeliever'sattainment,willalwaysbehisaim.Committingtohisheart,andenshriningtherethosetableswhich Moses, in honor of their excellence, deposited in thetabernacle's holiest shrine, hewill say, "how I love thy law, Lord;"andhewillpraythatGodwouldfulfilltohimthisgraciouspromiseofthetext—"Iwillcausethemtowalkinmystatutes,andtheyshallkeepmyjudgmentsanddothem."

Innowaddressingourselvestothesubjectofthatnewlife,whichthebelieverlivesinobediencetothelawofGod,Iremark—

I. It is a willing obedience. Many movements take place in theuniverse independent of anywill but that ofGod.The sap ascendsthetree,theplanetsrevolveroundthesun,thestarsriseandset inthe heavens, the tides flow and ebb upon our shores, and naturewalks in God's statutes, keeping his judgments, and doing them,movedtoobediencebynowillbuthis.Sosoon,however,as,leavinginanimatematterbelow,weascend into those regionswheremind,oreven instinctandmatterareunited,wediscoverabeautiful andbenevolentlaw,byvirtueofwhichGodatoncesecuresthehappinessand provides for the welfare of his creatures. He so orders it thattheir will is in perfect harmony with their work; their inclinations

withtheirinterests;andtheirinstinctswiththefunctionswhichtheyarecalledontoperform.

-Thebeeconstructsitscell,-Thebirdweaveshernest,-Theeagleamong the crags above teaches her brood to fly, - In cairn or cavebelow, the foxsucklesheryoung;And theseareall laborsof love—laborstowhichtheybringawillingheart.

Thus their happiness lies in their work. And to ascend even intoheaven, this is no doubt the secret of its felicity; for as the law ofgravity extends itself to themost distant stars, so that that whichroundsatear-dropgivesitsshapetoeverysun,Ihavenodoubtthatthis law of divine power and benignity reaches the highest andholiest existences. The will and work of angels are in perfectharmony;therefore,anangel'sdutyisanangel'sdelight.

Observe,also,how,whenGodchangestheconditionofhiscreatures,he accommodates theirwill to the change. Take, for example, thatinsect to which I have elsewhere alluded. It comes from the egg acreepingworm;itisbredincorruption;itcrawlsontheground;itsaliment is the coarsest fare. In time it undergoes its wonderfulmetamorphosis. The wriggling caterpillar becomes a winged andpaintedbutterfly;andatthischange,withitsoldskinitcastsoffinoldhabitsandinstincts.Now,ithasawillaswellaswingstofly.Andwith itsbed thebosomofa flower, its food thehoneyednectar, itshomethesunnyair,andnewinstinctsanimating its frame, itswill,andplaysinharmonywithitswork.Thechangewithincorrespondstothechangewithout.Itspurnstheground;and,asyoumaygatherfrom itsmerry,mazy dance, the creature is happy, and delights inthenewdutieswhichitiscalledtoperform.

Evensoitisinthatchangewhichgraceworksinsinners.Thenatureof the redeemed is so accommodated to the state of redemption,their wishes are so fitted to their wants, their hopes to theirprospects, their aspirations to their honors, and their will to theirwork,thattheywouldbelesscontenttoreturntopollutedpleasuresthan this beautiful creature to be stripped of its silken wings, andcondemned to pass its days amid the old, foul garbage, its former

food.

Withsuchawillandnatureastheynowpossess,theiroldlifewouldbemisery—wouldbehell.Wouldnotthereclaimedprodigal,ratherthan leave his father's table, bosom, and love, for the company ofharlotsandthehusksofswinetroughs,embracedeathandgotohisgrave?EvensoGod'speoplewouldrathernotbeatall,thanbewhatonce theywere.Hence, oh theonehand, theirunhappiness in sin;and on the other, their enjoyment in God's service; hence David'slonging for the place of ordinances; hence the beauty of a Sabbathscene,andthemusicofSabbathbells,andtheansweroftheirheartstothewelcomesound,"Iwasgladwhentheysaiduntome,LetusgountothehouseoftheLord."

Are you unconverted? Let this teach you what most you need. Tomenwho are strangers to the happiness to be found in piety, andhave their will set contrary to the law of God, religion seems, andcannotbutseem,averysad,demure,miserablething,Oh!itappearsawearythingtobesingingpsalms!—theywouldsingsongsrather;adull book the Bible—a most uninteresting task to be poring overthesepages—theywouldpreferanoveloranewspaper.Ratherthansit at the communion table, theywould be guestswhere the boardgroanswith luxuries,bowlsflowwithwine,pealsof laughterfollowthebrightflashesofwit,andthoughtlessjoydancesawaythehours.

Earth'sshortSabbathsseemlongandareweary;anditisamysterywhichtheycannotfathom,how,whentheygotoheaven(andwhoisnot hoping to get there?), they are to pass an endless Sabbath ofpsalms,andsongs,andsuchlistlessservices.

Nowonder, if this is your state, that piety has no charms for you.Without the cleanheart and the right spirit, your attempts toobeythelawmustbeasunpleasantastheyareunprofitable.Itishardtorow against the tide, hard to swim against the stream, but harderstill, underno impulse but the lash of a guilty conscience, and theterrors of a coming judgment, to attempt conformity to thewill ofGod.And,admittingyourconformity tobemuchgreater than it is,whatpossiblevaluecanithaveintheeyesofGod?Ifevenwewould

ratherdotheworkourselves,orwanttheworkaltogether,thanhaveitdoneforusbyasullen,sulkyservant—whatpleasurecanGodhavein your slavish service? I would not be served by a slave; nor willJesus Christ. His arguments are not whips—his reasons are notblows—his servants do not walk and work in fetters. He is thebelovedsovereignofapeoplewhoarefree,devotedtohisinterests,andreadytodieforhiscrown.Hemeasuresthevalueofservicesnotsomuchbytheworkdone,asbythewillingnesstodoit.Theyservethatwait.Then,astheApostlesays,"Lettherebefirstawillingmind,anditisacceptedaccordingtothatamanhath,andnotaccordingtothathehathnot."

In short, the union between the Saviour and the soul, like themarriage of Isaac and Rebecca, stands on a cordial assent."Peradventure," said Eleazer to his master, "peradventure thewomanwillnotbewilling to followme." "Then,"saidAbraham,"ifthewomanbenotwillingtofollowthee,thoushaltbeclearfromthismyoath."Onthiscondition,Eleazersetsoff towooandwinawifefor Isaac.HearrivesatNachor;he is introduced toLaban,and thesceneinthathouseatNachorexcitesinusthesetwowishes.

First,Would toGodthat thosewhoholdahighercommission,andarestewardsof themysteriesof theGospel,wereas intentontheiroffice,asthisstewardonhis.Labanpresseshishospitalityuponhim;the savorymeat appeals to his hunger; he has had a long journey,anditisreasonablesurelythathetakesomerest,getthedustoftheroadwashed fromhis feet, and refresh exhaustednaturebeforeheentersuponbusiness!No—Patternoffidelity!hesays—"IwillnoteatuntilIhavetoldmineerrand."

Second,WouldtoGod,also,thathewhodealtwithRebecca'sheart,wouldpersuadesinnerstoacceptabetteroffer—backedbytokensofbetter love—andgiveus,asambassadors forChrist inhis love suit,thatmaiden'sreadyanswer.Isaachadsentafarwayforher.Shesawhis messenger; he stood before her, covered with the dust, andembrownedwiththesunofthedesert.ShesawIsaac'sloveinthesesparkling gems—the golden tokens of his affection. Her heart waswon.Fairandlovelypatternoffaith!

Whomshehadnotseensheloved;shewalkedbyfaith,notbysight;andpayinga last visit to amother's grave; "her father's house andherownpeople,"thecompanionsofheryouth,andthesweethomeof her early days, she turned round to her brother, and to hisquestion—"Wilt thougowith thisman?"withmaidenmodesty,butmasculinefirmness,shereplied,"Iwillgo."

II. This is a progressive obedience. To "walk," is expressive ofprogressingrace.

Walking is an act, andonenot acquired in aday; for thepower towalkisnotours,inthesamesense,asthepowertobreathe.Wearebornwiththeonepower,butbornwithouttheother.

Likeeveryotherhabit,walkingbecomessoeasybyuse,thatweareunconsciousofanyeffort;yetstepintothenursery,andyou,seethatthisart,acquiredby labor, is therewardofcontinuous,conqueringperseverance.Infact,ourerectattitudeandprogressivemotionovertheground—simple as they seem—are achieved bymeans ofmostdelicateanddexterousbalancing.Themarblestatuedoesnotstanderectwithoutforeignsupport;andyouhavenosoonerraisedadeadman, and set him up on his feet, than he falls at yours, a heap ofloathsomemortality.

In beauty and splendor, the figure of my text may yield to otherimages, expressive of a believer's progress—such as that of a seeddropped into the soil, where, striking down a delicate fiber, andsending up a green and tender shoot, it first rises into a seedling,which the fingerof an infant could crash, butwhich grows, after ahundredsummershavecomeandgone,intoarobustandloftytree,that,with its rootsmoored in the rock, lifts a proudheadonhigh,anddefiesthestorm.

Or,suchasthatfurnishedbythebirthandgrowthofday,fromthefirstfaintstreakofdawn—whenthefaceofmornblushes,asitwere,tolookonthecrimesofearth—tothemomentwhenthesunrisestobathemountains,plainandsea,inagoldenfloodoflight.

In so far, however, as the setting forth of one prominent andimportantfeatureofabeliever'sprogressisconcerned,thefigureofmy text yields the palm to none—nay, is perhaps superior to any.Other images convey the idea of progress, but this, of progressaccomplished by unwearied exertion—progress, the triumph of anintelligentmind,andtherewardofadeterminedwill.

Toexplainthisspecialpoint,letmeborrowanillustrationfromourLord,whenhetookalittlechild,and,presentingtheblushingboytothe wondering assembly, said, Masters of Israel, doctors of thetemple, priests of the altar, chiefs of the Sanhedrim, behold thispattern;

"Whosoeverwouldenterthekingdomofheavenmustbeasthislittlechild."

InthisimageGod'speoplefindcomfortandencouragement.

Doestheinfantwhoislearningtowalkabandontheattempt,oryieldtodespair,becauseitsfirsteffortsaresofeeble,andsooftenfailofsuccess?Ifnot,whythenshouldwedespond,because,inattemptingtowalkinGod'sways,weoftenstumble,andnotseldomfall?We—manyofus,at least—arebutbabes inChrist;andhenomoregivesup hope of his people because they fall, than the fondmother herhopeandconfidencethatthisinfant,whoisnowcreepingacrossthefloor,shallonedaystanderectinthebeautyofitsform,balancedonfirmfeet,andwithfreeandperfectcommandofallitslimbs.

And why, then, should we despond? Everyman was once a babe.Samsonhimself—themightyNazaritewhoburstasundernewspunropes like flax touched with fire—who, with more than a giant'sstrength, wrenched the gates if Gaza from the city's port, and,heaving them on his back, climbed the steep acclivity—was once afeeble,wailinginfant,whocouldbarelycarryhisownheaderect,andhesitatedtoventurefromamother'sknee.

Thebeliever takesa lawofGod,and tries towalk in it—he tries toresistatemptationtowhichhehasoftenyielded—hefixeshiseyeon

Jesus,and, firedwithaholyambition,attempts to imitatehim.Hefails. Repeated attempts and repeated failures cast him intodespondency.Helieswherehefell.Hegiveshimselfuptodarkanddistressing doubts. Satan takes advantage of his failure, andinsinuates that he has never been converted—that his religiousimpressionsareadelusion—thathis fairprofessionhasbeena vilehypocrisy.

Insuchdistressingcircumstances,ourchildrenbecomeourteachers.Godordainsstrengthoutofthemouthofbabes,andthelessonofthenursery is invaluable. Learning in that school that walking is aprogressive and not a sudden attainment, I get heart to say withDavid, "Why art thou cast down, my soul, and why art thoudisquietedwithinme?"That tomy soul, and this to thedevil,whostandsbrandishinghisswordoverme,whenIamlyingwithmybacktotheground,butmyeyesinheaven,"Rejoicenotagainstme,mineenemy,thoughIfall,Ishallarise."

Thisimagestimulatestoexertion,aswellascomfortsunderfailure.

Inattempting towalk, thechild falls; there isbloodupon itsbrow,andtearsinitseye.Doesitlietherejusttoweep?Bynomeans!

Lookingthroughthesetears,andstretchingoutitslittlearms—ifnotby speech, yetby signs thatgo to amother's heart—for it canpraybeforeitspeaksitimploresherhelpNorinvain.Shefliestoraiseit;andwhenshehasstanchedthebleedingwound,andkissedawaythetears,andsootheditinhergentlebosom,andithastheresobbedoutitsgrief,whatthen?

Recoveringfromthealarm,andsoonforgettingitswounds,itseekstheflooragain.Perhapsithasbeentaughtsomecaution—perhapsithas learned to clingmore to amother's hand—perhaps it ventureslessrashlyfromherside;yet,movedbyanindomitablewill,seehowit returns to theattempt, tries it again and again, until, after someblows,andmanyfalls,itearnstherewardofitsperseverance.

Now,withbrighthealthonitscheek,withgraceineverymotion,and

beauty inall itsattitudes, laughingin its joy,andluxuriating intheexercise of its new-born powers, it runs "without wearying, andwalkswithoutfainting."

Weteachourchildren;letusherebetheirscholars,andtakealessonfromthenursery.Why,then,dowemakesolittleprogressingrace?Whyatthistimeofday,whensomeofusarebowed,wrinkled,andgrey, are we so unable to walk in God's statutes—to keep hisjudgments and do them? It is not because our education has beenneglected.Itisnotbecauseanychildhasamothersofond,sokind,soquick tohelp, so able to raise the fallen and guide the totteringstep, asHewho suffered for usmore thanmother's birth's pangs,and feels for us more than a mother's love. What child in earth'shappiest home enjoys a believer's advantages? "Happy art thou,Israel?whoislikeuntothee,peoplesavedbytheLord?TheeternalGodis thyrefuge,andbeneaththeeverlastingarms."Why,then, istheprogressof theChurch so slow, comparedwith theprogress ofthe nursery? Why has child after child in out families learned towalk,whilethebestofusarebutcreeping, tottering,stumbling,onourwaytoheaven?

There are mysteries in grace; but there is no mystery here. Thereason is plain.Everyhour of theday the infant is on its knees orfeet;itfalls,butitistorise;itfails,butitistobeginagain;it'sveryhappinessandbusiness lie intheacquisitionofthispower,andthesmilewhichlightsupitsbeautifulface,anditsproud-likeairwhenitcan stand alone, or cross the floor to throw itself laughing into amother's arms, show that itsheart andhappiness are in thiswork.WesaytoGod'speople,"go,and,"byGod'sgrace,"dolikewise."

Takemorepainsandgivemoreprayertolearnthisholyart.Lettheperseveranceofthenurserybeimitatedbythechurch.Letourkneesbe as much employed in prayer, and our powers and hours inattemptingaholylife,asthoseofinfancyinlearningtowalk.Oh,ifwewouldgivethesame"diligence tomakeourcallingandelectionsure"—thesamediligence to "workoutour salvation," Iamcertainthatwe should beholier—muchholier thanwe are.Our lifewouldpresent a happy illustration of these sublime and resplendent

emblems—

-"Ye are the light of the world:" -"The path of the just is as theshining light, that shinethmore andmore unto the perfect day:" -"Theyshallmountupwithwingsaseagles;theyshallrunandnotbeweary, they shall walk and not faint." III. This willing andprogressiveobedienceisthesignandsealofsalvation.AmIachildofGod?HowamItoknowthatIam?Theseareanxiousquestionswith the believer; and yet they are questions that admit of a verysimple answer. We have not, nor can we expect to have, such atestimony toour sonship as theSaviour receivedwhenhewentupfromJordan,andtheformasofadovedescendedoutofheavenonhishead,stillwetwiththewatersofbaptism.Bythedescentof thedove, and the voice of the thunder, his Father said—"This is mybelovedSon,inwhomIamwellpleased."

AndyetGod'speopleenjoythatverysametestimony.ThedescentoftheSpiritisstilltheevidenceofsonship—itssign,however, isnotadove perched upon their heads, but the dove nestled within theirhearts. By his Spirit God creates them anew in Jesus Christ "untogoodworks;"andbythese—bythefruitsofaholylife,bythejoysofaHoly Ghost, by the advancing stages of a holy progress—his SpiritwitnesseswiththeirspiritsthattheyaresonsofGod,Awitnessthis,ascertain,andthereforeassatisfactory,asthevoiceoftheskies,ortheverdictoffinaljudgment.

Thefruitisnow,asitshallbehereafter,thetestofthetree.Thereisnosuchthingasfaithwithoutworks.Withoutthese,yourprofessionisalie,yourfaithisdead,yourhopeisadelusion.Itisadelusionandasnare,likethephosphoriclight,theproductofputrefactionwhich,totheterrorofsuperstitiouspeasants,andthedestructionofunwarytravelers,gleamsandburnsatnight, above thepool inwhosodarkdepths life has been lost, and a body, evolving gases capable ofspontaneouscombustion,isgoingtodecay.

Nowasthefruit isthetestofthetree,obedienceisthetestof love;hearourLord—

"He that hathmy commandments, and keepeth them, he it is thatlovethme."

Donotmistakeus.Wedonotmeantosaythatanymankeepsthesecommandmentsperfectly.

Alas!thehistoryofthechurch,andeachman'sownpersonalhistory,provetoourshameandsorrow, thatGod'speoplemay,anddo fallintosin;and,butfortherestrainingandconstraininggraceofGod,wouldfall intothedeepest,grossestsin.Lettheconvictionteachusto walk softly, humbly, circumspectly! Oh, never leave God's side,nor let go the hand of grace. Cling to his arm, as if the storm ofGalilee were beating about your head, and every footstep wereplanteduponaswellingwave.

Idonotsaythatsaintswillnotfall intosin,butIdosaythat,evenwhentheyaresounhappy,therewillbeanunmistakabledifferencebetweenthemandtheungodly.

- Judas sinned, and went and hanged himself; -Peter sinned, andwent out and wept. The sins of saints are the occasion of saintlysorrows. God shall see them at the fountain weeping and washingawaytheirguiltinthebloodofJesus;andtoJesushimselftheywillgo,tomakeontheirkneestheconfessionofPeter—Lord,IknowthatIhavesinned,IknowthatIamagreatsinner;yet"thouknowestallthings;thouknowestthatIlovethee."

Thereisonetest—notanymoresureinthelaboratoryofthechemist—bywhichtodistinguishthegodlyfromtheungodlywhenbothhavefallen even into the very same sin. It isworth knowing, and neverfails. It is very simple, and yet amost sure criterion. A childmaycomprehendit,andanyonemayapplyit.Iprayyoutoapplyitnottoyour neighbors' cases, but to your own—nor reject it because it ishumble,andplain,andsimple,andvulgar,ifyouwill.

It is the test bywhich youmay know a sheep from a swine,whenbothhave fallen into thesameslough,andare, in fact, sobemired,thatneitherbycoatnorcolorcantheonebedistinguishedfromthe

other.Howthendistinguishthem?Nothingmoreeasy!Theuncleananimal,incircumstancesagreeabletoitsnature,wallowsinthemire;butthesheep—typeof thegodly—bleats,andstrives,andstrugglestogetout.

~endofchapter18~

TheNewLife,Part2

ThepredestinationwhichIbelieveinisthatofPaul—"Whomhedidforeknow,healsodidpredestinatetobeconformedtothe imageofhis Son." To redeem us from the power, as well as punishment ofiniquity, Jesus died. For this his precious bloodwas shed—for thistheSpirithasdescended.Weare"calledwithaholycalling;"—calledtoplucktheloveofsinfromourhearts, todethroneevery idol thatusurpstheplaceofGod;andhavingnailedtothecrosstheoldman,withhisaffectionsandlusts,wearecalledtobelikeJesus.

His meat and drink was to do his Father's will. He was "holy,harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners." By this lofty end of agood'sman's life,by theregardwhichyoucherish toChrist,by thewelfare of your soul, by the interest of othermen's souls, you arecalledtobewareofeverythingwhichmightblemishyourprofession,obscure the luster of your graces, and hinder you fromwalking inGod'sstatutes,andkeepinghisjudgments,anddoingthem.

So far, therefore, as circumstances permit you, "depart from evil,"and in the choice of your company and companions, follow theexample of David, and remember the warning of his son, "I am acompaniontoall themthatfearthee;"—"acompanionoffoolsshallbe destroyed." Shun the place of infection, and—more than if theyhadplagueorfever—thecompanyoftheinfected.Avoidandabjureevery scene, pleasure, pursuit, which experience has taught youtendstosin,dullsthefinesetedgeofconscience,unfitsforreligiousdutiesor religiousenjoyments, sendsyouprayerless tobed,ordullanddrowsy toprayer.As the seamandoeswith surf-beaten reef oriron-boundshore,givetheseawideberth;andpassingon,holdaway

inyourcoursestraightforheaven.

Neverfeartosuffer;butOh!feartosin.StandinaweofGod,andinfear of temptation. "Watch and pray, that ye enter not intotemptation."Itisnotsafetobringgunpowderwithinreachevenofaspark.Norsafe,howeverdexterousyourdriving,toshavewithyourwheelstheedgeofabeetlingprecipice.Norsafeinthebestbuiltbarkthat ever rode thewaves, to sail on the rimof a roaringwhirlpool.Theseedofthewomanhas,indeed,bruisedtheheadoftheserpent,yet beware! the reptile, is not dead. It is dangerous to handle anadder, or approach its poison fangs, if the creature is alive, ovenalthoughitsheadbecrushed.

Let me also warn you that such a holy life as the text enjoins, isimpossible to all but those who are on their guard against thebeginningsofevil.Takealarmatanevilthought,wish,desire.Theseare the germs of sin—the floating seedswhichdrop into theheart,andfindinginournaturalcorruptionafatandfavorablesoil,springupintoactualtransgressions.These,liketherattleofthesnake,thehiss of the serpent, reveal the presence and near neighborhood ofdanger.Theexperienceofallgoodmenprovesthatsinismosteasilycrushedinthebud,andthatitissafertofleefromtemptationthanto fight it. Fight like amanwhen you cannot avoid the battle, butrather flee than fight. Be afraid of it, avoid it, abhor it; let youranswer, as you tear yourself from the encircling arms of theenchantress,andseeksafetyinflight,bethatofJoseph's—"ShallIdothisgreatevil,andsinagainstGod?"

True,religion,however,consistsnotinapassivebutactivepiety.WearetowalkinGod'sstatutes,keephisjudgments,anddothem.Ourpattern is not the man who wears a monkish cowl, and tells hisbeads, and keeps his vigils, and goes through the dull routine ofprayersand fastingswithin thewallsof amonastery;nor shewho,havingassumedtheblackvailandrenouncedtheworld,seekssafetyfrom its contamination, or solace from its sorrows, within the cellandcloistersofaconvent.

ThepatternofaChristianisthatdivineman,who—whilehepasseda

briefperiodofprobationinthelonelydesert,andoftenspentwholenightsonthemountaininsolitarycommunionwithhisGod—walkedthefieldsofGalilee,frequentedthefishingvillagesontheshoresofTiberias, and was often to be met with in Judah's towns, and onJerusalem'sbusystreets.Ourexemplarishe,who,whereverhewent,"wentaboutdoinggood,"earningforhimselfthisnobleopprobrium,"thefriendofpublicansandsinners."

Observe,thatactivityofChristianlifeisimpliedintheverytermsofthe text. Grant that we may thereby he exposed to hardships andtemptations,fromwhichaquietandretiringpietymightexemptus.Still,alifeofactiveservicewillbebestforothersandintheendalsoforourselves.Acandlesetbeneathabushel is,nodoubt,safe fromwind and weather; but of what use is it? On whose work does itshine?Whosepathdoesit illumine?Iwouldratherburnandwasteonsomeloftyheadlandtoguidethebarkthroughnightandstormtoitsdesiredhaven.Nolightshinethforitself,and"nomanlivethforhimself."

Besides, the very trials to which piety is exposed on the stormyheightsofduty,willimparttoitarobustandhealthycharacter.Thestrongesttreesgrownotbeneaththeglassofagreenhouse,orintheprotection of sheltered and shaded valleys. The stoutest timberstands on Norwegian rocks, where tempests rage, and long, hardwintersreign.AndisitnotwiththeChristianaswiththeanimallifealso?

Exercise gives health, and strength is the reward of activity. Themuscles are seen fully developed in the brawny arm that plies theringinghammer.Healthbloomsruddiestonthecheek,andstrengthismostpowerfullydevelopedinthelimbsofhim,who—notnailedtoa sedentary occupation, nor breathing the close atmosphere ofheated chambers—but fearless of cold, a stranger todownypillowsandluxuriousrepose,riseswiththeday,seestheearlywormriseinthedankmeadowandhears themorning larkhighoverhead, andpassing his hours in athletic exercises, increases his strength byspendingit.

Even so, the most vigorous and healthy piety is that which is thebusiest,whichhasdifficultiestobattlewith,whichhasitshandsfullofgoodworks,whichhas—Imaysay—neithertimenorroomforevil,but aiming at great things, both for God and man, promptly,summarilydismissestemptation,withNehemiah'sanswer—"Ihaveagreatworktodo,thereforeIcannotcomedown."

This world—with so many living and dying in it without God andhope, with the whole heathen world still unconverted, withthousands and tons of thousands at home sunk in the deepestignorance,andslavesofthevilestsins,withmembersofourfamiliesor of friendly circles far from God, and between whom and us—terrible thought!—death would make an eternal separation—hasmuchneedthatwewereupanddoing,andthrowingourselvesintothecauseofactiveChristianity.

Ouropportunitiesofgoodaremanyandmultiform.AChristianmanshould feel like some strong swimmer, who has hundreds aroundhimsinking,drowning, shrieking forhelp; thedifficulty is tomakeselection,andonwhoseunhappyheadfirsttolayasavinghandamidsuchscenesandcalls.Oh,itislamentabletothinkhowmuchofourtimehasbeenfrivolouslyanduselesslyspent."Thetimepastofourliveshasbeenmore than sufficient tohavewrought thewill of theflesh;"tohaveenjoyedourownease,mademoney,andsecuredforourselvesthecomfortsoflife.Tonoblerendsbeitsremainingsandsdevoted! Take Christ for your copy. Run in God's statutes withoutwearying, and walk in them without fainting; and let the day onwhich some good has not been done to ourselves or others—someglorywonforGod,someprogressmadeinthedivine life—beadaymourned over, wept for, and this written down against it in thecalendarofourlife—"Ihavelostaday."

OurChristianityisaname,ashadow,unlessweresemblehimwho,being incarnate God, was incarnate goodness, and of whom,althoughhestoodaloneinthathall—withoutonekindorbravevoiceraisedtospeakforhim—therewerehundredsandthousandstobearthistestimony,thathe"wentaboutdoinggood,"andwasthefriendbothofsufferersandsinners.Itisthusthatwearetofulfilltheduties

oftheChristianlife,andexhibitalivingpictureofoneinwhomthispromiseisfulfilled—"Iwillcauseyoutowalkinmystatutes,andtokeepmyjudgmentsanddothem."

Inclosingmyobservationsonthispartofoursubject,Iremark—

I.OneofthemostpowerfulmeanstoaccomplishthedutyofthetextistocultivatetheloveofChrist.TheywhowouldlivelikeJesusmustlooktoJesus.Whateffectwillfollow?Lookatthesun—andnowtotheeyeswhichhavebeenbathedinhisdazzlingbeams,howdootherobjectsappear?Why,all are changed.Theyhavegrowndim, ifnotdark and invisible. Candles, that burned bright, have no flame;flowers, that lookedbeautiful,havenocolor; theverydiamondhaslostitssparkling.AndcouldweseeJesusChristinthefulleffulgenceofhisSaviourglory,allsinfulandevenallcommoncreatedobjects,wouldappeartoundergosomesuchchange.

Weseebut throughaglassdarkly.Thedimnessof sin impairsourvision, but were we to see Jesus, as we shall see him in heaven, Ithink it would happen to us as once it happened to a celebratedphilosopher.Pursuinghisdiscoveriesonthesubjectoflight—withazealnottoooftenconsecratedtoscience,buttooseldomconsecratedtoreligion—heventuredonaboldexperiment.

Without protection of smoked or colored glass, he fixed his gazesteadily, forsometime,on thesun—exposinghisnakedeyes to theburningbeamsof its fierydisc.Satisfied,he turnedhisheadaway;but,strangetosee!—suchwastheimpressionmadeontheorganofsight—whereverheturned, thesunwasthere; ifhe lookeddown, itwas beneath his feet; it shone in the top of the sky in the darkestmidnight;itblazedonthepageofeverybookheread;hesawitwhenhe shut his eyes, he saw it when he opened them. It was the lastobjectwhichhesawwhenhepassedoffintosleep;itwasthefirsttomeetiswakingeyes.HappywereitforusifwegotsomesuchsightofChrist,andthisgloryofthatsunofrighteousnessweresoimpressedupontheeyeoffaiththatwecouldneverforgethim,and,everseeinghim,everlovedhim.

WithChristeverpresent toourmind'seye, thenweshouldbeablemore fully to adopt thewords of Paul, and say, "the love of Christconstrainethus,becausewethusjudge,thatifonediedforall,thenwearealldead,andthathediedforall,thattheywhichliveshouldnot henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him who died forthem,androseagain."

Experience has proved that of all instruments, the mightiest forconversion is the love of Jesus. It was only "Christ and himcrucified,"'thatPaulwastoknowandpreach;andineveryageofthechurchandregionoftheworldhasnotthatprovedtherodtosmiterockyhearts?

Let me illustrate the fact by referring to oft-quoted experience ofsomeMoravianswhohadgonetocarrythegladtidingsofsalvationtothecoldclimeandrudesavagesofGreenland.ForwhatreasonIknow not, but it is a fact that they commenced and continued formonthstopreachtothesesavagesoftheirsins.TheytoldthemofthewrathofGod; they soundedSinai's thunders; theyblew its loudesttrumpet in their ears; they appealed to their conscience, to theirfears,tothenself-loveandself-interest.Theytoldthemofaheavenabove,withasunthatneverset,andofadarkanddrearyhellbelow,wherenorsun,norhopeeverrose;offirethatpurifiedandawormthat gnawed incessantly. Thus they preached. But their preachingwasallinvain.

The aspect of their hearers had its counterpart in the wintrylandscape of these northern regions; characterized by perpetualnight—theintensestcold—death-likesilence;asunlesssky;andaseaboundfastinchainsofice.Thesegoodmenchangedtheirplan.Theychoseanother theme.Exchanging the law for the loveofGod, theypreachedofCalvary,andexpatiatedonthelovewhichbroughtJesustoacross,andopenedhisblessedarms toembrace theworld.Theeffectwasalmostasimmediateasremarkable.Whensummercameandthesnowsmeltedontheirhills,and,withsounds,likethesalvosofcannonthatannounceavictory,theicebrokeonthesefrozenseas;andbeneaththebeamsofasun,whichblazedatmidday,norsetatmidnight,theearth—likeacorpsecometolife—disrobeditselfoutof

its snowy shroud; and the sea, rejoicing in freedom from its icybonds,withtidesthatebbedandflowed,oncemoreansweredtotheinfluencesofheaven,andrisingtothewind,praisedGodnightanddaywiththevoicesofitsroaringbreakers.

This glorious change was but a picture of the melting, moving,transforming, regenerating power felt by the soul of the poor,wondering savage, as he looked with weeping eye on the love ofChristandthebloodycrossofCalvary.

AstheloveofChristtousisthemightiestpowertoawakenfaith,sointheloveofourheartstoChristwillbefoundthemightiestpowerto secure obedience, and insure ourwalking inGod's statutes, andkeepinghis judgments, anddoing them.Therefore,weurge you tocultivateit;for—

Loveisthemostpowerfulofallmotives.

Samson's great strength lay in his hair. Shorn of that, he was likeothermen.TheChristian'sgreatstrengthliesinhis love;andwhenChrist invitesus tosacrificesandsufferingswhich theworldwouldpronounce intolerable, love is ready to explain and justify thelanguageofhisinvitation—"Comeuntome,allyethatlabor,andareheavyladen,andIwillgiveyourest.Takemyyokeuponyou,foritiseasy,andmyburden,foritislight."

Onthebackoflovetheburdenlosesmorethanhalfitsweight,andthe work that is done in love losesmore than half its tedium anddifficulty.Itisaswithastone,thatintheair,andonthedryground,we strain at, but cannot stir.Flood the fieldwhere it lies; bury theblock beneath the rising water. Now when its head is submerged,bendtothework.PutyourstrengthtoitAh!Itmoves—itrisesfromitsbed—it rolls onbefore your arm.So,when the tideof love goesswellingoverourdutiesanddifficulties,achildcandoaman'swork,andamancandoagiant's.Withloveintheheart,"outofthemouthsofbabesandsucklingsGodordainethstrength."Strength!

WhatstrengthofDeathpullsdowntheyoungestandthestrongest—

butloveisstrongerthandeathShewelcomessacrifices,andgloriesintribulation.Dutyhasnoburden,anddeathhasnoterrorforher.

Lookat thatbird,which,withwingsoutstretched, sitsdeadon thescorchedandblackened tree.Shemighthave flownaway in safety.The smokebelowalarmedher.Dashing through and through itonfrightenedwing,shescreamed,as,climbingfrombranchtobranch,theFirerosetohernestandbroodShedashesrightintothedanger;and,perchedonthebrimofthenest—atendermother—shefansheryoung oneswith her wings. Now the flames lick it with their fierytongues—she leaves her perch. False to her offspring? No. A truemother. She abandons it—not to soar away to heaven—but, as ondewynightsandinhappierhours,toseatherselfaboveheryoungtodiewiththem;and,withexpandedwings,protectingthemtothelast—tobefounddeadwithadeadbroodbeneathher.

I lookonthat—orI lookonthisothermother,whostandswithherchildonthesideof thesinkingwreck, tocatch the lastchanceofapassing boat. She catches it—not to leap in herself; but, lifting herboyinherarms,andprintingamother'slastkissuponhisrosylips,shedropshimin,andremainsbehindherselftodrownanddie.

Or I look at that maid in old border story, who, having caught aglanceofthearrowthat,shotbyarival'shand,camefromthebusheson the other bank, flung herself before her lover, and received thefatalshotinherowntrueandfaithfulheart.

Ilookatthesethings,and,seeingthatloveisstrongasdeath,IurgeyoutocultivatetheloveofJesus,andgoinitsdivinestrengthtothefieldofduty,andthealtarofsacrifice.Idonotsaythatyouwillfindit easy to walk in God's statutes, to keep Christ's commandments,anddothem.

To pluck sin from a bleeding heart—to put our right hand on theblockandcutitoff—topullarighteyefromitssocket,andputourfootupon it—for aproudman to learnhumility—for a lover of theworldnottoloveit—foronewhohasstrongnativecorruptiontonailit tothecross,andkeep itnailed there till itdie—whenthepathof

duty is strewed with flints and thorns, to walk over them withbleedingfeet—is,andmustbepainful.Thereisnouseofconcealingit,ofdenyingit.No.ButallthemoreneedthereisthatyouinflameyourlovebylookingtoChrist.

Gooften,and,withtheshepherds,gazeontheheavenlybabelaidona pallet of straw in the corner of a manger. With the disciples,accompanyhimtoGethsemane,andsitbeneathherhoaryolivestolisten in the stillynight to themoansandgroansof theSon in thehandsofhisFather.Orjointheweepingwomen,and,withtheotherMarysandhis faintingmother, takeupyourstationnear theawfulcross, and meditate on these things till you can say with David,"WhileIwasmusing,thefireburned."

Loveisamotivetodutyaspleasantasitispowerful.

Loveweaves chains that are tougher than iron, andyet softer thansilk. She unites the strength of a giant to the gentleness of a littlechild;and,withapowerofchangeallherown,underherbenignandomnipotent influence, duties thatwere once intolerable drudgeriesbecomeapuredelight.

Themother,forinstance,awayfromscenesofgaiety,withoutwhichtoothersandoncealsotoherselfthecupoflifewasflatandtasteless,isawakenedtonewenjoyments.Sheneverwearieswatchingbyherinfant's cradle; nor does she grudge the nights of broken rest, thetoils, thecares, the troubles that creature costsher, although thesehave blanched her cheek and paled the luster of her eye. To caresthatotherswould feel irksome, shecheerfullydevotesherself, evenbefore the babe can lisp her name, or reward her kindness with alookofrecognitionanditsgrateful,winningsmile.

Nordoesthefatherwearyofthetoil thatwinshischildren'sbread.The thought of these strengthens the arms of daily labor, fires thepatriot's zeal, kindlesa soldier's courage, cheers the seamanonhislonelywatch,andreconcilesthousandsofourhonestpoortoalifeofincessant struggle—carrying them through toils and hardships,otherwise intolerable, with a cheerful, contented, happy, singing

spirit.

Youwould think it amost weary and dreary thing to lead the lifewhichthatmotherpasses.Youthinkso,becauseyoudonotfeelherlove.

AnditisjustbecausetheyarestrangerstotheloveofJesus—becausethey have never known him, nor loved him, that many cannotcomprehendsuchthingsas—howapiouslifecanbeapleasantone—howanymancanthinkthatthefinestmusicisthesoundofSabbathbells—thatGod's is the best house—and the lord's the best table—how a man of exalted grace would rather sit down with a piouspeasant at the Lord's supper, than at a banquet where he was theguestofkings—andhowKingDavidshouldhavethoughtadayspentin the sanctuary better than a thousand passed amid the stirringscenesofacamp,orthegloryandluxuriesofapalace.

Theycannotunderstandhow,unlesstheywerefoolsorfanatics,thedisciples should leave the judgment-seatwithbleeding stripes, andrejoicethattheywerecountedworthytosufferforChrist;howPaulandSilasshouldhavesungascheerfully inadungeonaseverdarkthat shook the night dew from its wings, and rose to greet themorning sun; and how the only fear of that brave old man, JohnWelch,inyonderrockyprisonoftheBass,waslest,thatwhenotherswere winning the crown of martyrdom, he should miss it, nor becountedworthyofthatbloodyhonor.

Butthey, insomemeasureat least,understandthesethings,whosepulsebeats true to the lawofGod,andwhoseheartburnswith thelove of Christ. To the feet of love theways of that law are like thefreshandflowerysward,"waysofpleasantnessandpathsofpeace."

Lovechangesbondageintoliberty,and,delightinginthatlawwhichwasonce touswhathis chain is to thedog,whathis task is to theslave, and against which our corrupt passions once foamed andfrettedlikeangryseasontheirironshores,shetakesuptheharpofDavid,andthussingsitspraises—

"The lawof theLord isperfect, converting the soul; the statutesoftheLordareright,rejoicingtheheart;thejudgmentsoftheLordaretrue,andrighteousaltogether;moretobedesiredaretheythangold,yea,thanmuchfinegold;sweeteralsothanhoneyandthedroppingsofthehoneycomb."

"Oh!howIlovethylaw,Lord;itismymeditationalltheday."

II.Apowerfulmotivetothedutiesofthetextliesinthefact,thatbyour obedience to these statutes the verdict of judgment shall besettled.Wearesavedbygrace,butshallbetriedbyworks.Wearetobejudgedbythe"deedsdoneinthebodywhethertheyweregoodorbad.""Everyoneofus,"saysPaul,"shallgiveaccountofhimself toGod,"

Oh! how should these solemn truths hedge, wall up our path to acloseandholywalkinhisstatutes!Thegreatrealitiesofeternityareprojectedinoutlineonthefieldoftime,andthisworldliesunderthelong,solemnshadowofcomingevents.Imaginethemcome—thedayof judgment come! For whatever purpose met, there is somethingmostimpressiveinthespectacleofagreatmultitude;thatvastseaoffaces—that mighty aggregate of human beings with living hearts,immortalsouls,eternaldestinies—all ina fewyears tobedeadandgone; and the joys and sorrows, the fears and hopes, that nowanimateandagitatethem,coldandburiedinthedust.

Buthowunspeakablymoresolemnaworldcomefromtheirgravesto judgment! and amid circumstances of terrible and transcendentsublimity—thundersthatrendtheskies—theperpetualhillspassingaway—burningmountainshurledintoboilingseas—thesundying—thestarryheavensrollingup likeascroll—andalleyes fixedonthe"great white throne," which rises in lonelymajesty high above thecountlesscrowd.

It shall be a solemn thing tomeet the dead again, and see those—fatherandmother,children,ourbrethren—whoarenowmolderingin thedust.Howsolemn itwas topartwith them—to standby thedying bed, and look on as they passed away, till we heard life's

departingsigh,andsawthelastconvulsionquiveronthe lipofonethatwasourown.Butthemeetingofthosewho,althoughlyingsidebyside,havebeenlongparted—who,althoughtheircoffinsanddustcommingle,haveheldnocommunioninthesesilentgraves,willbeamoresolemnthing;andanawfulthing,ifweshouldmeet,asmanyshall meet —how dreadful the thought!—with mutual accusationsandbitterrecriminations;awful,overwhelming,unlesswemeetwithmutualcongratulations, to spend eternity together in a better thanourold, earthlyhome—in themansionswhere friendsmeet topartnomore.

Stillthesolemnityrises.Ifitshallbeasolemnthingtofindourselvesfacetofacewiththedead,howmuchmoresolemntostandfacetofacewiththegreatJudgebothofthequickanddead.Wehaveread—wehaveoftenthoughtofJesusChrist, tillwefeltas ifwesawhim.Wehavefollowedhiminfancy'svisionthroughthecheckeredscenesof his earthly history—along his rough and bloody path, from thenightthatangelssunghisadvent,tothedaywhentheyreturnedtoescorttheconquerorhome.Wehaveseenhisformstretchedout—forwantofabetterbed—uponthedewyfield,orwrappedupincoarseboat-cloakashelayburiedinslumberamidthestormonGalilee.Wehave seen the eyes of pity he bent on theweepingMagdalene—theexpression of reproachful love he cast on a recreant disciple—thatdying look, so full of fond affection,which he turned on a faintingmother. We have seen him standing calm and collected before aprejudiced and time-serving judge, patient and self-possessedbeneath the bloody scourge, mute and meek before the frenziedmultitude;andaswewatchedthesuccessiveeventsofthecross,wehaveseenthejoy—typifiedbythepassingawayofthiseclipse—thatgleamedinhisdyingeyesasheraisedthemtoheavenandcried,"Itisfinished,"Wehaveofteninfancyseenhim.Whenourdustrevives,and the grave that is now awaiting us shall give up its dead, withtheseveryeyesweshallseehim—bythelightofaworldinflamesweshallseehim,aGodenthronedforjudgment.

The day grows yet more solemn; its solemnity reaches its highestpoint, and culminates in the momentous issues of judgment. It is

God'sdayofsettlementwithaworldthathashadalongcredit.Itisthe winding up of this earth's bankrupt estate, and each man'sindividualinterests.Itistheclosingofanopenaccountthathasbeenrunning on ever since the Fall. It is the day when the balance isstruck,andourfateisheavenorhell;andwhatinvestsmytextwithsolemnandsublimeimportanceisthis,thatbythemanagerinwhichwe have walked in these statutes, and kept these judgments, anddonethem,shallourdestinybedetermined.

Themostcommonactionoflife,itseveryday,everyhour,isinvestedwithasolemngrandeur,whenwethinkhowtheyextendtheirissuesintoeternity.Ourhandsarenowsowingseedforthatgreatharvest.Weshallmeetagainallwearedoingandhavedone.

Thegravesshallgiveuptheirdead,andfromthetombsofoblivionthepasthallgiveupallthatitholdsinkeeping,tobewitnessfororwitness against us. Oh, think of that, and in yonder hall of theInquisition,seewhatitseffectonusshouldbe.Withinthoseblood-stainedhalls,forwhoseatrociouscrueltiesRomehasyettoanswer,one is under examination. He has been assured that nothing hereveals shall bewritten for the purpose of beingused against him.Whilemakingfrankandingenuousconfessionhesuddenlystops.

He is dumb—a mute. They ply him with questions, flatter him,threaten him; he answers not a word. Danger makes the sensesquick.Hisearhascaughtasound;he listens; it tieshis tongue.Anarrashangsbesidehim,andbehindithehearsapenrunningalongthepages.Thetruthlashesonhim.Behindthatscreenascribesitscommittingtothefatalpageeverywordhesays,andheshallmeetitall againon thedayof trial.Ah!how solemn to think that there issuchapengoinginheaven,andenteringonthebooksofjudgmentallwesay,orwish,allwethink,wedo.WouldtoGodweheardit—everywhere,andalwaysheardit!Whatacheck!andwhatastimulus!

Areweabouttosin,howstrongacurb;ifslowtoduty,howsharpaspur.Whatamotivetoprayforthebloodthatblotsoutaguiltypast,and for such grace, as, in time to come, shall enable us towalk inGod'sstatutes,tokeephisjudgments,andtodothem.Doanyflatter

themselves that, as to their sins and transgressions, God hath notseen,ordothnotregard,orhathforgotten?

Mostfataldelusion!

"I have seen all that Labanhath doneunto thee," said theLord toJacob in a dream. "Surely I have seen yesterday the blood ofNaboth," are his words to Elijah, when he sends away hisambassador with a commission to throw down the gauntlet at aking's feet, and to proclaim war between heaven and the bloodyhouseofAhab.Nabothhasbeenfoullymurdered,butliesquietinhisbloody shroud. The crime is concealed. Cunning and cruelty havetriumphed; and no living man now stands between Ahab and thevineyard.Hisevilgeniusapproacheshisbed."Arise,"sayshiswife,"Nabothisdead,ariseandtakepossession."

The king rises, rides down in royal state to Jezreel, and luxuriatesamongtheclusteredgrapesofhisill-gotpossession.Suddenlyamanclothedinroughgarment,unsummoned,unwelcomed,appearsuponthescene,and intrudeshimselfonroyalty. It isElijah.Withsteadystepandsternlook,hemarchesuptoAhab,and,fixinghiseyesonthe quailing coward, asks, "Hast thou killed and also takenpossession?IntheplacewheredogslickedthebloodofNaboth,theyshalllickthyblood,eventhine."

Treaduponawormanditwillturnonyou.Tobeaking,andyetbebeardedbeforehiscourtbythisrude,unmannerlyintruder,tohavethe damning deed—which had been contrived with such cunning,andexecutedwith such success—draggedout from its concealmentby this bold hand into the light of day, to be branded before hiscourtiers, and proclaimed throughout all the country as Naboth'smurderer,stirs—ifnotthecourage—atleastthewrathofAhab.

Withguiltonhisscowlingbrow,andmalignantangerburninginhiseyes, he turns on the prophet, saying, "Hast thou foundme,mineenemy?"

"Ihavefoundthee,"wasthecalm,terrible,intrepidanswer.

Impenitentandunbelievingsinner!flatternotthyselfthatGodhathnotseen,ordothnotregard;fancynotthatthycrimesareburiedinagravedeeperthanNaboths,andthat,asthedustofdeathliesonthelipsofthepartnersorwitnessesofthyguilt,thereforeyoumaybeatease,sincethedeadtellnotales.

The day is coming when every unpardoned sin shall find out itsfather;—whenwhathasbeendone indarkness shall be revealed indaylight,andthewordwhisperedintheearshallbepublisheduponthehousetop.

Weshallbetriedbyourobediencetothesestatutesandjudgments.Wehaveoftendisobeyedthem,andif,onthatdreadday,wewouldnothavethesesinstomeetusasElijahmettheking—ifwewouldmeetnotoursinsbutourSaviour.Ohletushaverecoursenowtothebloodthatblotteththemout.Withoutapardon,Jesusshallhavenoanswertousbutone,thehumblereplyofJehu,"Whathastthoutodowithpeace?"

Peace!—Yes,thereshallbepeace—"Beingjustifiedbyfaith,wehavepeacewithGod, through our Lord JesusChrist;" and the secret ofourpeaceshalllieinthatwhichholduptheheadofaroyalfavorite,whileundergoingtrialbeforehiscountryforaveryheinouscrime.

Men wondered at his strange serenity, and how he could bearhimselfsocalmly.Hepassedontothebarwithoutaclouduponhisbrow,oranexpressionofanxietyinhiseye,ashelookedaroundhimonjudges,accusers,thecrowdofanxiousspectators.

Thetrialbegan.Hiscasegrewdarkeranddarker—notsohisaspect.Witness after witness bore crushing evidence against him, yet thekeeneyesofhisenemiescoulddetectnoquiveronhislip,orshadeuponhisbrow.Longafterhopehadexpiredinthebreastofanxiousfriends, and they looked on him as a doomedman, there he was,lookingroundserenelyonthatterriblearray.

Hispulsebeatcalm,norstartedsuddenly,butwentonwithastatelymarch; while peace sat enthroned upon his placid brow.When at

length, amid the silence of the hushed assembly, the verdict of"Guilty"ispronounced,herises.

Erectinattitude,indemeanorcalm,hestandsup,nottoreceivethesentence—which was already trembling on the judge's lip—but toreveal the secret of this strange peace and self- possession. Hethrustshishand intohisbosom,and layson the tableapardon—afull,freepardonforhiscrimes,sealedwiththeroyalsignet.

WouldtoGodweallwereaswellprepared!

Thenfareyewell,earth,sun,moon,andstars;fareyewell,wifeandchildren,brothersandsisters,sweetfriends,andalldeartousherebelow. Welcome death, welcome judgment, welcome eternity;welcomeGod andChrist, angels and saintsmadeperfect,welcomeheaven.

In the grace that leads to a holy walk, in some measure of godlyobedience to these statutes, in the faith that worketh by love,purifieththeheart,andovercomeththeworld,haveyoutheevidencethatyouareforgiven?

In these, do you carry in your bosom God's pardon, ready to beproducedwhen you are summoned to trial? Look forwardwithoutfear to the great account. These shall be witnesses that you havereceived the righteousness whichmakes the inner just. Best of allshrouds, may you he wrapped in the "clean linen" of Jesus'righteousness!

With that robe around youmay you rise from the grave!—his yourplea—AlmightyGod!ofmyownworksIhavenothingtosaybutthis,"Whatisbadinthemismine;whatisgoodinthemisthine.Beholdthis pardon—look on this robe, and know now whether it be thySon'scoatorno."

~endofchapter19~

TheNature,NecessityandPowerof

Prayer

Iwill yet for thisbeenquiredofby thehouseof Israel, todo it forthem(Ezekiel36:37).

In pursuinghis voyage to the shores of thenewworld the seamansteers southward.Hisobject is to catch the tradewind. Itblows sosteadilyfromeasttowest, thathavingoncecaughtit inhissailshehas often nothing else to do. With his ship's head set before thatwind,he isbornesteadilyalongbeneathabrilliant sun,andgentlywaftedoverasummersea.

Hisvoyageisoneextended,happyholiday.Thethrillingcryoflandcomesat lengthfromtheoutlookonthe topmast,andhedropshisanchor in some quiet bay of those lovely islands, where thewaveswash coral strands, and the breezes that blow seaward from theirspicyforests,comeloadedwithdeliciousperfumes.

Itisnotthusmanreachestheshoresofheaven.Thatlandingmaybeapictureofhisarrival—thevoyageisnot.

Inyondervessel,whichenterstheharborwithmastssprung,sailsinrags, bulwarks gone, bearing all the marks of having battled withmanya stormand riddenmanya crestedwave, andonherdeck acrewofweather-beatenandwornmen,happyandgladtoreachtheland again— behold the plight in which the believer arrives atheaven.

Itishardworktogetthere?Nodoubtofit.

-Paul,theman,inlaborsmoreabundant,instripesabovemeasure,in prisonsmore frequent, in deaths of— - Paul, themartyr, thricebeaten with rods, once stoned, thrice shipwrecked, in journeyingsoften, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by hiscountrymen,bytheheathen,inthecity,inthewilderness,onthesea—-Paul, thepatient sufferer forChrist, of a life ofweariness, andpainfulness,andwatchings,hunger,thirst,fastings,cold,nakedness

—Paulevenstoodalarmed,lesthehimselfshouldbeacastawayandloserewards,for,"Therighteousscarcelyaresaved."

My text summons you toprayer.But does anyman think, that, byrepeating a daily prayer learned long ago perhaps at his mother'sknee,readingsomeversesofScripture,abstainingfromgrossersins,attending church on Sabbath, and the Lord's table on communiondays,he isbythissmoothandeasywaytoreachthekingdom,andreceiveitscrown?

WhatsaysourLord,"Thekingdomofheavensufferethviolence,andtheviolenttakeitbyforce;"itistheprizeofmenwhoarevaliantinfaithandstronginprayer—menlikethosewho,atbugle'ssoundorflareofrocket,rushfromthetrenches,andspringingintothedeadlybreach—leapingintotheverymouthofdeath—fighttheirwayonanduptilltheirflagofvictorywavesabovethesmokeofbattle.

Or, takePaul's figureof the energies andactivitiesof theChristianlife.Lookat these twomen,strippedto theskin,whostandface toface,confrontingeachother in thepublicarena.Theyhavebeenintraining for weeks andmonths. Strangers to the pleasures of easeandsweetsofluxury,theyhavebeenonfooteverydaybythedawn.Abstainingfromallindulgenceswhichmightenervatetheirframe,inhardbed,hardfood,hardwork,theyhaveenduredeverytrialwhichcoulddeveloptheirmuscularpowers,andaddtotheirstrength.

Andnowtheseathletesaremettocontendfortheprize;foottouchesfoot,eyeswatcheyes,andtheirsparebutsinewyandironformsaredisrobed, that nothing may impede the lightning rapidity of theirmovements, or lessen the power of the stroke. The signal is given.Blows fall thick as hail; and now the candidates are rolling on theground;nowtheyemergefromacloudofdusttocontinuethefight,tillone—plantingatremendousstrokeontheheadofhisantagonist—standsalone in thearena,andamidapplauses that rend theskyand waken up the distant echoes, holds the field. At thismomentPaulstepsforward,and,addressingChristians,says.Sofight;sowin,"Theydoittoobtainacorruptiblecrown,butweanincorruptible."

"Woetotheman,intheseoldgames,whoallowedhiscompetitortocatch him off his guard. Woe to the man who turned to look onfather,mother,wife,ormistress.Woetothemanwholiftedhiseyesbut for a moment from the glaring eyeball of his antagonist; thatmomentaringingblowfellshimtotheearth—hebitesthedust.

Not less does our safety depend on constant prayer andwatchfulness.

-"Beinstantinprayer."-"Praywithoutceasing."-"Watchandpray."Ah!youwillneverhavetoofferSatananadvantagetwice.Shouldhecatchyouasleep,asDavidcaughtSaul—whenheputasidethespearof Abishai that gleamed in the moonlight above the unconscioussleeper, and "Destroy him not"—Satan will not be satisfied withcarrying off spear andwater-cruse, or skirt of robe; hewill not becontenttoprovehowhehadyouinhispower,andthat,likeanobleenemy who declines to take advantage, of a sleepingman, he hadgenerouslyleftyouyourpeaceandpiety.

Constant prayer, unceasing watchfulness, are what your interestsimperativelydemand.ThesetheChristianliferequires,andthesethecrownofredemptionrewards.ObservehowinmytextGodhangsalltheblessingsofsalvationuponprayer.Hesays—asitere—Ihavehadpityuponsinners;Ihaveprovidedpardonfortheguilty,justificationthrough the righteousness,and life through thedeathofmySon; Ihavepromisedtotakeawaytheheartofstoneandreplaceitwithoneof flesh; I have promised my Spirit to sanctify, sufficient grace, acertain heaven—all these blood-bought, gracious, happy, holyblessingsshallbeyours, freelyyours;yetnotyours,unlesstheyaresought inprayer. "Iwill yet for thisbeenquiredofby thehouseofIsrael,todoitforthem."

Indirectingyourattentiontoprayer,letmenotice—

I. Nature itself teaches us to pray. Like our intuitive belief in theexistence of the soul, or inman's responsibility, there seems to belodgedineveryman'sbreast,whatImaycallaninstincttopray,andan intuitivebelief in theefficacyofprayer.Prayermustbenatural,

because it is universal. Never yet did traveler find a nation uponearthbutprayedinsomeformorothertosomedemonorgod.Racesofmen have been foundwithout raiment, without houses, withoutmanufactures, without the rudiments of arts, but never withoutprayers; nomore thanwithout speech, human features, or humanpassions.

Prayerisuniversal,andseemstobeasnaturaltomanasthefeelingswhich,promptaninfanttodrawthemilkofamother'sbosom,andbyitscriestoclaimamother'sprotection.Evensomanis—asitwereinstinctively—moved to cast himself into the arms of God, to seekdivinehelpintimesofdanger,andintimesofsorrowtoweeponthebosomofaFatherwhoisinheaven.

Natureandnecessityhavewrungprayersevenfromasatheist'slips.

Therewasacelebratedpoet,whowasanatheistoratleastprofessedtobeso.AccordingtohimtherewasnoGod.Verystrange!

-Arudeheapofbricksshotfromacartuponthegroundwasneverseentoarrangeitselfintothedoors,stairs,chambers,andchimneysof a house. - The dust and filings on a brass-founder's table hadnever been known to form themselves into the wheels andmechanismofawatch.-Thetypes loosely flungfromthefounder'smould never yet fell into the form of a poem, such as Homer, orDante, or Milton would have constructed. - The rudest hut ofBushmen,theIndian'ssimplecanoe—fashionedbyfirefromaforesttree, theplainest clayurn, inwhichsavageaffectionhadenshrinedtheashesofthedead,wereneversupposedtoowetheirformtothehandsofchance.Yetthismanbelieved(if it ispossibletothinkso)thatnature'smagnificenttemplewasbuiltwithoutanarchitect,herflowers of glorious beautywere coloredwithout a painter, and herintricate,complicated,butperfectmachineryconstructedwithoutanintelligentmind.

According to him there was no God—the belief in a God was adelusion,prayerabasesuperstition,andreligionbuttheironfettersofarapaciouspriesthood.Soheheldwhensailingovertheunruffled

surface of the Ægean Sea. But the scene changed; and, with thescene,his creed.Theheavensbegan to scowl onhim; andhedeeputtered an angry voice, and, as if in astonishment at this God-denyingman,"lifteduphishandsonhigh."

The storm increased until the ship became unmanageable. Shedrifted before the tempest. The terrible cry, "breakers ahead!" wassoonheard;andhowtheytrembletoseedeathseatedonthehorridreef—waiting for his prey! A few moments more, and the crashcomes.Theyarewhelmedinthedevouringsea?No.Theyweresavedby a singular providence. Like apprehended evils, which, in aChristian'sexperience,prove tobeblessings, thewave,which flungthemforwardonthehorridreef,cameoninsuchmountainvolumeastobearandfloatthemoverintothesafetyofdeepandamplesea-room. But ere that happened, a companion of the atheist—who,seatedontheprow,hadbeentakinghislastregretfullookofheavenand earth, sea and sky—turned his eyes down upon the deck, andthere,amongpapists,whotoldtheirbeadsandcriedtothevirgin,hesawtheatheistprostratedwithfear.Thetempesthadblownawayhisfine-spun speculations like so many cobwebs; and he was on hisknees, imploring God for mercy. In that hour—in that terribleextremity—Nature rose in her might, asserted her supremacy,vindicatedtheclaimsofreligion,smotedowninfidelitybyastroke,andbentthestubbornkneesofatheisminlowliestprayer.

Danger may thus extort prayer; it does not follow that God willacceptit.Howcanamanexpecttohaveprayersacceptedwhichareonlywrungfromhimbythehandofdangerorthefearofdeath?Letustranslatetheirlanguage?isitnotthis?Iwillservemylustsaslongas Idare.So longas I cansay it safely, Iwill say—Evilbe thoumygood;myvices,beyemygods;IwillturntoreligionwhenIcandonobetter.

Does Jesus stand at my door? are his locks wet with the dews ofnight?arehislimbswearystanding?ishishandwearyknocking?Tillanotherhandisknockingthere—theloud,impatienthandofdeath—Jesuscomesnotin."WhathaveItodowiththee,thouSonofGod?"Withthyreligion—"Art thoucometo tormentmebefore the time?"

"Gothywayatthistime:whenIhaveaconvenientseasonIwillcallforthee."

Inthenameofreason,religion,gratitude,love,isthisthetreatmentwhichaSaviourdeserves?Deludedsinner!"Isthisthykindnesstothyfriend?"Beware!What ifheshouldmeteouttousthemeasurewemete to him? Remember the warning—"I have spoken, and yehave not heard; I have called, and ye have not answered;when yespeakIwillnothear;whenyecallIwillnotanswer.Iwill laughatyourcalamity,andmockwhenyourfearcometh."

II. Some difficulties connectedwith this duty. The decrees of God,saysome,renderprayeruseless.Arenotallthings,theyask,fixedbythesedecrees—irrevocablyfixed?ByprayerImay,indeed,prevailonamantodoathingwhichhehasnotpreviouslyresolvednottodo,andevenalthoughheshouldhaveso resolved—man is changeable;andImayshowhimsuchgoodreasonsfordoingit,astochangehisresolution.

ButifanimmutableGodhasforesettledeverythingbyaneternalandirreversible decree, what purpose can prayer serve? Who shallchange the unchangeable? Thusmen have argued, saying— "Whatprofitshallwehaveifweshouldprayuntohim?"

It were not difficult to expose the fallacy of this reasoning. Theobjectionmaybeentirelyanswered.WemightshowthatthedecreesofGodembracethemeansaswellastheend;andsinceprayer isameansofgrace,beingameanstoanend,itmustbeembracedwithintheseverydecrees,andcannotbeexcludedbythem.

Icontentmyself,however,withsimplysaying,thatthisobjectionisnothonestly,atleastnotintelligently,entertainedbyanyman.For,iftheobjection isgoodagainstprayer, it isgoodagainstmanythingsbesides.If itstopsactioninthedirectionofprayer—if itarreststhewheelsofprayeritoughttoatopthewheelsofourdailybusiness.

Ifagoodobjectionagainstprayer,itisanequallygoodobjectiontoploughing, sowing, takingmeat ormedicine, and a thousand other

things.Mightnotanunwillingorindolenthusbandman,inspring,aswell ask, what is the use of sowing? Has not God ordainedeverything?IfIamtohaveaharvest—ifhehasdecreedaharvestformy farm—then, although no ploughshare turn up a furrow, norsowerwalksitsfields,theyshallwaveinautumnwithgoldencom.

Ormightnotone,whosickensatthesightofnauseousdrugs,aswellsay. Take these away, I'll drink no more of them. Has not Godordained everything?Can a sparrow fall to the groundwithout theFather? If God has decreed that I am to live, come cholera, fever,pestilence,Ishalllive;ifhehasdecreedotherwise,allthemedicinesoftheapothecary,andtheskillofsciencewillnotvailtosaveme,oraddonegraintobesandsofmyexistence.Didanymaninhissobersenses ever reason so?With that simple question we dismiss thisobjection.

Others, more earnest and honest, reading that "without faith it isimpossible to please God," reading—and misunderstanding whatthey read—"he who doubteth is damned"—say that, from want offaith,theirprayersmustbeuseless.Mostfalsereasoning!WhatsaystheApostle?—"Iwillthatmenprayeverywhere.""Godwillhaveallmentobesaved."

We take, like littlechildren, thesimpleword,nor troubleourselveswiththemetaphysicsofthequestion.Ifyouweresufficientlyalivetoyourdanger,thesedifficultieswouldhavenomorepowertoholdyouthanthemeshesofaspider'sweb.

Iknewofonewho,whilewanderingalongalonelyandrockyshoreat theebbof tide, slippedhis foot intoanarrowcrevice.Fancyhishorroron finding thathecouldnotwithdrawthe imprisoned limb!Dreadfulpredicament!

There he sat, with his back to the shore, and his face to the sea.Abovehisheadseaweedandshellshunguponthecrag—thetoosuresigns thatwhen yonder turning tide comes in, it shall rise on himinchbyinch,till itwashesoverhishead.Didhecryforhelp?Doesanymandreamofaskingsuchaquestion?Noneheardhim.But,Oh,

howheshoutedtothedistantboat!howhisheartsankasheryardsswung round, and she went off on the other tack! how his criessoundedhighabovetheroarofbreakers!

Howbitterlyheenviedthewhiteseamewherwing,as,wonderingatthis intruder on her lone domains, she ailed above his head, andshriekedbackhisshriek!how,hopelessofhelpfromman,heturneduphisfacetoheaven,andcriedloudandlongtoGod!AllthatGodonlyknows.Butasureastherewasaterriblestruggle,sosure,whilehewatched thewaters rising inchby inch, these criesnever erasedtillthewareswelledup,andwashingthedyingprayerfromhislips,brokeoverhisbeadwithamelancholymoan.

Therewasnohelpforhim.Thereishelpforus,althoughfixedinsinasfastasthatmanintherock.Whetherwehavetruefaith,maybeaquestion which is not easily settled; but to pray is a clear andcommandedduty.The"help.Oh,help,Lord,"neveryetrosefromananxiousheart,butitwasheard,andacceptedinheaven.AndifSatanbidsmeholdmypeace—as thedisciplesbade theblindman—Ibidhimholdhisown.Irefusetobesilent;Ibutcrythelouder,"Jesus,thouSonofDavid,havemercyonme."InGod'shandswhenhe insmiting,letmebe"dumb,openingnotthemouth."

InmyFather'sarmsImaylieanddonothingbutweep—weepuponhis loving bosom; but in the arms of this mortal and malignantenemy,whohasseizedme,andiscarryingmeofftoprisonandpit—alambbleatinginthelion'sjaws—"IwillcryuntotheLord,andhewillanswerme,andsendhelpfromabove,anddeliverme."

III. Prayermust he earnest. The public become suspicious even ofgoodmoneywhen coiners have pushed their basemetal intowidecirculation.Evenso,religionfallsintodisrepute,andthecharacterofpietysuffersintheeyesoftheworld,whenthechurchswarmswithpretenders and false professors. And in like manner, the value ofprayerhasfallenintheeyesofmeninconsequenceofmanyprayerswhich are offered being rejected by God, because they are notgenuine.Henceprayercomestobeheld in lightesteem,andI—ifImight so speak—the bills drawn on the bank of heaven being

dishonored,mansays—"WhoistheLord,thatIshouldservehim,orwhatprofitshallIhaveifIprayuntohim?"

Among other gross and venal impieties, the Church of Rome sellsprayers.Byherprayer-marketsheconvertsGod'shouseintoahouseofmerchandise and a den of thieves.Her prayers— although theirprice, like that of other goods, varies with the locality—may bebought for money, under this general rule of themarket, that thepraying shall correspond to the paying. The rude Tartar saves hismoneyby apractice that achieves theobject just aswell, or rattierthatfailsascompletelytodoanythingbutdeceivetheblind.Hecutsacylinderfromablockofwood.Uponitssurfacehewritesaseriesofprayers;andthenherunsanaxlethroughthecylinder,andfittingitup so that it shall keep turning like a mill-wheel in the runningstream,hesetsitinmotion.Hegoesawayonhishunt,tothepursuitofwar,business,orpleasure,andreckonsthat,whetherhesleepsorwakesasthewheelgoesround,andtheprayersinitsrevolutionturnuptotheeyeoftheskies,heavenreadsthemthere,andGodacceptstheprayersofthedeadcylinderforthedesiresofalivingheart.

Prayerswithoutwishesarelikebirdswithoutwings;whiletheeaglesoars away toheaven, thesenever leave the ground. It is the heartthat prays—not the knees, nor the hands, nor the lips. Have not Iseenadumbman,whostoodwithhisback to thewall,begaswellwithhis imploringeyeandopenhand,asone thathada tongue tospeak?Ifyouwouldhaveyourprayersaccepted,theymustbearrowsshotfromtheheart.NoneelsemounttothethroneofGod.Youmayrepeat your prayers every day; you may be punctual as aMohammedan who, at the Mullah's call from the minaret of themosque,dropsonhiskneesinpublicassemblyorthecrowdedstreet.Whatthen?Theprayerofthelip,tongue,memory,ofthewanderingmind, in itsdead formality,are, in thesightofGod,nobetter thanthevenalprayersofRome,or the revolutionsof theTartar'swheel"ThesacrificeofthehypocriteisanabominationtotheLord."

Wouldyousee trueprayer—wouldyouknowwhatprayer really is?step into this Egyptian palace where Benjamin stands bound—hisamazed and trembling brothers grouped around the lad? Judah

advances.Hebowshimself before Joseph.Hisheart is full.His liptrembles. The tear glistens in his manly eye; and now, withtenderness thrilling in every tone, he pours forth this plea ofsurpassingpathos—

"Ohmylord, letthyservant,Ipraythee,speakawordinmylord'sears,andletnotthineangerburnagainstthyservant:Mylordaskedhisservants,saying,Haveyeafather,orabrother?andwesaiduntomylord,Wehaveafather,anoldman,andachildofhisoldage,alittleone;andhisbrother,isdead;andhealoneisleftofhismother,andhisfatherlovethhim."

Thusonhegoes;andeverysentencegoes likeaknife intoJoseph'sheart.Andthenheclosesandcrownshisappealwiththismostbraveandgenerousproposal,"Now,therefore,Ipraythee, let thyservantabideinsteadofthelad,abondsmantomylord;forhowshallIgotomy father, and the ladbenotwithme, lest I see theevil that shallcomeonmyfather?"

Joseph'sheart,whichhasbeenswellingwithemotion,isnowreadytoburst.Hecanstanditnolonger;noranywonder.Thatisprayer;and could we bring such earnestness to Jesus, Oh, howwould histender, much more tender heart melt, like wax, before it. Did weapproach him with the fervor that glowed and burned in Judah'sspeech;didwepleadforourownsoulsorthoseofothers,withsuchtears,insuchtones,asJudah'swhenhepleadedforBenjamin,howwouldadivinebrotherdiscoverhimselftous.

Now turn from that Egyptian to thisHebrew palace. There also isprayer.TwowomenstandbeforeKingSolomon.In thedarknessofthenight onehas crept,withnoiseless step, to her neighbor's bed,andwhilethemotherslept,andthebabesleptinherbosom,softly,cautiously,shestealsthelivingchild,andleavesherowncold,deadinfantinitsplace.

They carry the dispute to Solomon—each claiming the living, andeach repudiating thedead.With a skill that earnedhimhisworld-widefame,thewisemonarchsummonsnatureasawitness.Horrible

tohear,heordersthelivingchildtobedivided.Theswordisraised—another moment, and each mother gets a quivering half—anothermoment,andinterferencecomestoolate.

Onestandscalm,firm,collected,lookingonwithacrueleye.Withabound that carriesher tohis feet, and a shriek that ringswild andhigh over all the palace, the other—the true mother—clasps herhandsinagony,andcries—"Oh,mylord,giveherthelivingchild,innowiseslayit."

That isprayer.Thatcry, thatspring, that lookofanguish—all theseproclaim the mother—how different from the cold, callous,unimpassioned frame in which, alas! the best too often presentthemselvesatthethroneofgrace,asif,whenweareseekingpardon,itwereamatterofsupremeindifferencewhetherourprayerwereorwerenotanswered.Oh!howshouldwepraythatGodwouldhelpustopray,andtouchouricylipswithalivecoalfromoffhisaltar.

IV.Prayer ispowerful.Anangel, saysourgreatpoet,keepingwardandwatchonthebattlementsofheaven,caughtsightofSatanasheflew on broad wing from hell to this world of ours. The celestialsentinelshotdownlikeasunbeamtotheearth,andcommunicatedthealarmtotheguardatthegatesofparadise.Searchwasmadeforthe enemy, but for a time without success. Ithuriel entered thebower, whose flowery roof "showered roses which the mornrepaired," and where our first parents, "lulled by nightingales,embracing, slept." There he saw a toad sitting, squat by the ear ofEve.Hissuspicionswereawakened.Inhishandwasaspearthathadthe celestial power of revealing truth, unmasking falsehood, andmaking all things to stand out in their genuine colors.He touchedthereptilewithit.Thatinstantthetoad—whichwasbreathinghorriddreams into the ear of Eve—changed, its shape, and there,confronting him face to face, stood the proud,malignant, haughtyformofthePrinceofDarkness.

WithsuchaspearasthatwithwhichMilton, inthisflightof fancy,arms Ithuriel, prayer arms us. Are we in doubt whether a thing isrightorwrong?

Areweindulginginpleasures,orengagedinpursuits,withwhichweare not altogether satisfied, and yet are not ready decidedly tocondemn, and promptly to abandon? In any matter of Christianmorals, are we halting between two opinions? The simplest andshortestwayofdeterminingthedoubtistoapplythetestofprayer.TakethesubjecttoGod.Lookatyourpleasuresandyourpracticesinthelightofhiscountenance.Examinethematteronyourknees.Canyoumakeitasubjectofprayer?Ah!besureyouarenotsafeintheplaceforwhichyoucannotaskGodtoaccompanyyou.Besurethatthat good (as the world may call it) is bad—that pursuit orenjoyment,howevergainfulorpleasant, isanevil—uponwhichyoucannot imploreGod's blessing, and forwhich you dare not go to athroneofgrace,andgiveGodthanks.

Isthistestofuniversalapplication?iseverything,then,tobemadeasubjectofprayer?Certainly.SothoughtFowellBuxton,evenofthoseamusementswithwhich, inholidaytimes,hewaswonttobraceupmindandbodyfornoblelaborsinthecauseofGodandhiscountry.SothoughtthatCorsicanpatriot,whoneverwentdowntobattletillhe had gone down to his knees, nor ever leveled a rifle that nevermissed, without praying for the soul he was about to send intoeternity. And so speaks Paul, when, linking peace and prayertogether, he writes—"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing byprayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests bemade known unto God; and the peace of God, which passeth allunderstanding, shall keep your heart and minds, through JesusChrist."

Such is one of the indirect uses, and not unimportant effects ofprayer.Itsdirectpoweris,inasense,omnipotent.Prayermovesthehandthatmovestheworld.ItsecuresforthebelievertheresourcesofDivinity.Whatbattleshasitnotfought?whatvictorieshasitnotwon? what burdens has it not carried? what wounds has it nothealed?whatgriefshasitnotassuaged?It isthewealthofpoverty;the refuge of affliction; the strength of weakness; the light ofdarkness. It is the oratory that gives power to the pulpit; it is thehandthatstrikesdownSatan,andbreaksthefettersofsin;itturns

the scales of fate more than the edge of the sword, the craft ofstatesmen,ortheweightofscepters;ithasarrestedthewingoftime,turned aside the very scythe of death, and discharged heaven'sfrowninganddarkestcloudinashowerofblessings.

Prayer changes impotence into omnipotence; for, commanding theresources of Divinity, there is nothing it cannot do, and there isnothingitneedwant.Ithasjusttwolimits.

The first is, that its range is confined to the promises; but, withinthese,whatabankofwealth,whatamineofmercies,whatastoreofblessings!

Thesecondis,thatGodwillgrantordenyourrequestsasisbestforhisgloryandourgood.

Andwhothatknowshowweare,inasense,butchildren,wouldwishitotherwise?My little child is angrywhen Ipluckaknife fromhishands;hedoubtshis father's lovebecausehedoesnotalwayskiss,but sometimes corrects him; and, turning away his head from thenauseous drug, hemust be coaxed—sometimes compelled to drinkthe cup which, although bitter to the taste, is the restorative ofhealth.Whothatseesthechildseekmeatwhenheneedsmedicine,eagerly clutch at tempting but unripe fruit, prefer play, and goweepingtoschool,rejectsimplebuthealthfulfareforsomeluscious,but noxious luxury, who, I say, does not feel thankful that Godreserves the right of refusal, andmakes his answers correspond toourwantsratherthantoourwishes?Thislimittoprayermaymakepovertyourlot;maybindustoasickbed;mayleaveustosufferandbleedunderthestrokeofanimpendingcalamity;but—whilewewillgetasmuchofearthasweneedonearth—forthepardonofsin,forpeaceof conscience, forpurityofheart, for growth in grace, for allthatweneedtomakeusmeetforheaven,andatlength,forinsuringheaven itself, prayer secures to us the help and hand ofOmnipotence.

By prayer, besides, God's children can reckon on immediateassistance.Prayerflieswheretheeagleneverflewandrisesonwings

broader and stronger than an angel's. It travels further and fasterthanlight,risingfromtheheartofabeliever,itshootsawaybeyondthatstarrysky,and,reachingthethrone,entersintotheearofGod.Sosoonas theheartbegins toworkonearth, itmoves thehandofGodinheaven;and,eretheprayerhasleftthelipsoffaith,Jesushaspresented it tohisFather, and secured its answer. It is a telegraphstretchedoutbetweenshoreandshore—themothercountryandherdistant colonies, the seat of government and the far-off scene ofbattle—but its extended lines connect heaven and earth, man andGod,thesinnerandtheSaviour, thehumblesthomeofpietyandathroneofgrace.

That high invention of human genius, which, by its wires of ironconnects distant countries together, and has, in a sense, abolishedbothtimeandspace—offersbutanimperfectimageofapowerwhichpietyhasbeenworkingbeforesciencewasborn—nay,eversincetheworldbegan.

From remote regions the electric telegraphmay convey to a fatherthetidingsthathischildisill;butitcarriesnotthephysiciantohisside, nor thedrugof potent virtuewhich could curehismalady. Itleaveshimtodie.Itmaybringto-nightadetailofthefortunesofthewar.Alongitourarmymaysendacryforhelp—formoremenandmoremunitions;butdaysandweeksmustelapse,andmanymilesofoceanbetraveled,ereeverourshipscanpourtheirbayonetsonthehostileshore;andthen itmaybetoo late; thetidemayhaveebbedthat,takenatthefull,hadledontofortune.

But does God never make his people wait? He does. Faith andpatienceareputupontheirtrial; there isnoanswer,norreply,norrelief.God is silent, and the church is left to cry, "How long,Lord,howlong?"Alltrue.JesusaddressestohisBridethelanguageheofoldusedtohismother,"Woman,myhourisnotyetcome."Butletusneedpresenthelp,andyoushallseethatheis"averypresenthelpintimeoftrouble.

- Let the disciple be sinking amid the waves of Galilee, crying, "Iperish";-Lettheprophetbeonhiskneesinthedepthsoftheseaand

the dark belly of the whale; - Let the widow's last mite, and thebarrel's last handful have come; - Let the confessor be descendingintothelions'roaringden;-Letthequeenhaveherbravehanduponthedoor,withthesewordsofhighresolveuponherlips,"IfIperish,I perish"; - Let the trembling host have thewaters of the Red Searoaring in their front, and the chariots of Egypt pressing on theirrear;-LetGod'speoplehavereachedsuchacrisis;-Letthemstandin any such predicament—and his answer anticipates their prayer.The supply is on the road before the want is expressed; the dooropensbeforethehandhasstruckit;whileprayeristravelinguptheone line, the answer is speedingdown theother.Hear the voice oftheLord,"Itshallcometopass;beforretheycallIwillanswer,andwhiletheyareyetspeaking,Iwillhear."

V. Prayer is confident. In speaking of Christ Jesus our Lord, Paulsays,"Inwhomwehaveboldnessandaccesswithconfidencebythefaithofhim;"

-"Jesus, our High Priest, has entered within the vail, and havingreconciledus toGod,wehaveboldness to cater into theholiest bythebloodofJesus;"-"Seeing,then,thatwehaveagreatHighPriest,thatispassedintotheheavens,Jesus,theSonofGod,letusholdfastour profession. For we have not an High Priest which cannot betouched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all pointstemptedlikeasweare,yetwithoutsin.Letus,therefore,comeboldlyuntothethroneofgrace,thatwemayobtainmercy,andfindgracetohelpintimeofneed."Itiseasytoknowtheknockofabeggaratone'sdoor.

Low, timid, hesitating, it seems to say, I have no claim on thekindness of this house; I may be told I come too often; I may betreatedasatroublesomeandunworthymendicant;thedoormaybeflunginmyfacebysomesurlyservant.Howdifferent,onhisreturnfromschool,theloudknocking,theboundingstep,thejoyousrushofthechild intohis father'spresence,and,asheclimbshisknee,andflingshisarmsroundhisneck,theboldfaceandreadytonguewithwhichheremindshisfatherofsomepromisedfavor?Now,whyareGod'speoplebold?GlorytoGodinthehighest!ToaFatherinGod,

to an elder brother in Christ, Faith conducts our steps in prayer;therefore, in an hour of need, Faith, bold of spirit, raises hersupplianthands,andcriesuptoGod,"Ohthatthouwouldstrendtheheavens,andcomedown."

IthinkthatIseethesneercurlingontheskeptic'slipashesays,Howabsurd! What presumption! as if it were not below the dignity ofDivinity to come at king's or peasant's, prince's or pauper's call.ShouldtheloftypurposesoftheEternalbeshapedbyyourpetitions?Creature of a day and of the dust!what are you, that the universeshoulditshelmmovedthisorthatwayforyoursake?Well,nodoubtthelanguageisbold;yetwithGodaFather,ourFather,myFatherinChrist,IfeelIcanbeboldandconfidentinprayer.

Iknowa father'sheart.HaveInotseenthequiverofa father's lip,thetearstartintohiseye,andfelthisheartinthegraspofhishand,whenIexpressedsomegoodhopeofafallenchild?HaveInotseenamother, when her infant was tottering in the path of mettledcoursers,with foamspotting their necks, and fire flying from theirfeet,dash like ahawkacross thepath, andpluckhim from instantdeath?Have I not seen amother,who sat at the coffin-head, pale,dumb,tearless,rigid,terribleingrief,springfromherchair,seizethecoffinwhichwewerecarryingaway,and,withshrieksfittopierceaheartofstone,struggletoretainherdead?

Ifwe,thatarebutwormsoftheearth,willperillifeforourchildren,and,whentheyaremolderedintodust,cannotthinkofourdead,norvisit theircoldandlonesomegrave,butourbreastsarewrung,andour wounds bleed forth afresh, can we adequately conceive ormeasure, far less exaggerate—even with our fancy at its higheststrain,thepaternalloveofGod?Talknotofwhatyousupposetobethe dignity of Divinity. Talk not of the calm, lofty, dignifieddemeanorwhichbecomesaking,whoseeshischildborneoffonthestreamthatsweepshispalacewall.

The king is at once sunk in the father. Divesting himself of histrappings—castingawayscepter,robeofgold,andjeweledcrown,heatoncerushesforthtoleapintotheboilingflood.Livesthereafather

withheart so dead that hewouldnot, at the sight of a child fallenoverboard,andstrugglingwithdeath,backeverysail,and,whatevermightbethemissiononwhichhisshipwasbound,orwhatevertheriskheran,wouldnotputupherhelm,and,palewithdread,steerforthewaveswerehisboywassinking!

ChildofGod!prayon.God'speoplearemoredeartohimthanourchildrencanbetous.Heregardsthemwithmorecomplacencythanalltheshiningorbsofthatstarryfirmament.Theywereboughtatapricehigher thanwouldpurchase thedeadmatter of ten thousandworlds.Hecaresmore forhishumblest,weakest child, than forallthe crowned heads and great ones of earth, and takes a deeperinterest in thedaily fortunesofapiouscottage than in the fallandriseofkingdoms.

ChildofGod!prayon.Byprayer thyhandcan touch the stars, thyarmstretchuptoheaven.Norletthyholyboldnessbedashedbythethought that prayer has no power to bend these skies, and bringdownthyGod."WhenIpullontheropewhichfastensmyfrailandlittleboattoadistantandmightyship, ifmystrengthcannotdrawits vastbulk tome, Idrawmyself to it—to ride in safetyunder theprotectionofitsguns;toenjoyinwantthefullnessofitsstores.Andit equally serves my purpose, and supplies my needs, that prayer,althoughitwerepowerlesstomoveGodtome,movesmetoGod.IfHedoesnotdescendtoearth,I—asitwere—ascendtoheaven.

ChildofGod!prayon.WereitindispensableforthysafetythatGodshould rend these heavens, it should be done—a wondering worldshould see it done, I dare believe Him; and "I am not mad,mostnobleFestus."Havenot theseheavensbeenalreadyrent?Eighteenhundred years ago, robed in humanity, God Himself came down.Theseblueskies,wherelarkssingandeaglessail,werecleftwiththewingsandfilledwiththesongsofhisangeltrain.

Among the ancient orbs of that very firmament, a stranger starappeared, traveling the heavens, and blazing on the banner bornebeforetheKing,ashedescendedonthisdarkanddistantworld.

On Canaan's dewy ground—the lowly bed be had left—the eye ofmorningshoneontheshapeandformoftheSonofGod;anddustyroads,andwintersnows,anddesertsands,andtheshoresandverywavesofGalilee,wereimpressedwiththefootprintsoftheCreator,Bythismanger,wherethebabeliescradled—besidethiscross,uponwhose ignominiousarms thegloryof theuniverse ishung—by thissilent sepulcher, where, rapped in bloody shroud, the body isstretchedbutonitsbedofspices,whileRomansentinelswalktheirmoonlitround,andDeath—aboundcaptive—sitswithin,sosoonasthesleeperwakes, tobedisarmed,uncrowned,and inhimselfhavedeathputtodeath—faithcanbelieveall thatGodhasrevealed,andhopeforallthatGodhaspromised.

She reads on that manger, on that cross, deeply lettered on thatrockysepulcher,thesegloriouswords—"HethatsparednothisownSon,butdeliveredhimupforusall,howshallhenotwithhimalsofreelygiveusallthings?"

And there, lifting an eagle eye to heaven, she rises to the boldestflights,andsoarsaloftonthebroadwingsofprayer—

Faith,boldfaith,thepromisesees,Andtruststothatalone.Laughsatimpossibilities,Andsays,itshallbedone.

~endofchapter20~

TheBlessednessoftheSaints

AndyeshalldwellinthelandthatIgavetoyourfathers;andyeshallbemypeople,and Iwill be yourGod. Iwill also save you fromallyouruncleannesses:andIwillcallforthecorn,andwillincreaseit,andlaynofamineuponyou.AndIwillmultiplythefruitofthetree,andtheincreaseofthefield,thatyeshallreceivenomorereproachoffamineamongtheheathen(Ezekiel36:28-30).

ACOUNTRYclearedof its inhabitantswears amournful aspect. Itmaybethattheemigranthasleftpovertyforplenty.Still it isnota

pleasantthingtoseenettlesgrowingwherethegardenbloomed—thesmoke-stained gable—the roofless ruin—the empty window, out ofwhich the fox is peering, andwhere themorning sunwaswont toshineupontheBibleandapiouspatriarch.

There is something chilling about that cold hearthstonewhere thefireofawintereveninggleamedonthefacesofahappycircle,whilethe mother plied her busy wheel, and, forgetful of the toils anddangers of the day, the shepherd handled a laughing infant on hisknee.Those arenow silentwalls that once sounded to the eveningpsalm, and fromwhich,when sabbath restedon thehills, adecentfamilywentout,wendingtheirwaybythelakesidetothatoldruin,beside whose crumbling walls the fathers of the exile sleep. Thewind, as it sighed among the trees above that roofless home, hasseemedinourfancy'seartosoundtheprophet'slament,"Weepnotforthedead,neitherbemoanhim,butkeepsoreforhimthatgoethaway,forheshallreturnnomore,norseehisnativecountry."

Such scenes, the pain of which, indeed, liesmore in fancy than infact,giveusanimageofthedesolationwhichreignedinthekindofJudahduringthetimeofthelongcaptivity.Byruleofcontrast,theyenhancealsothepleasurewithwhichweturntolookonthisglowingpicture—alandteemingwithinhabitants,therichplainsstuddedalloverwithcities,each"busyasabee-hive"—thevalleysclothedwithcorn,crowdedwithreapers,andringingtotheirsong—everyterraceinthecloseembraceofvines,andflocksbleatingonahundredhills.Such a scene, in fact, as surveyed from some eminence, awoke thepiety and poetry of David—"Thou crownest the year with thygoodness,andthypathsdropfatness;theydropuponthepasturesofthewilderness,andthelittlehillsrejoiceoneveryside.Thepasturesare clothedwith flocks, the alleys also are covered overwith corn;theyshoutforjoy,theyalsosing."

The fulfillment of my text to God's ancient people would haveinvested this prophecy with interest, even although its applicationhadbeenaltogetherconfinedtotheJews;and,forthisreason—TheirGod is our God, and everything which he did for them is a mostprecious pledge of what he can and will do for us. "He is the

dwellingplaceofhispeopleinallgenerations."Thuswhilefaithturnsher eye upon the future—a future often dark enough—she drawscourage and comfort from the past, saying, "I will remember theyearsoftherighthandoftheMostHigh."

But, in fact,wehavemore to dowith this prophecy than the Jewshad.UnderthoseblessingswhichGodpouredintotheircup—thosetemporal mercies which filled their mouths with most, and theirheartswithgladness—liethebettermerciesofMessiah'skingdom.

Thisshinesplainlyforththroughthemysticlanguageoftheprophet.TheconversionoftheGentilesis,forinstance,distinctlyannouncedinthe36thverse,"Thentheheathen,thatareleftroundaboutyou,shall know that I the Lord build the ruined places, and plant thatwhichwasdesolate.ItheLordhavespokenit,andwilldoit."

In the succeeding chapter, again, the resurrection of the body andtherenovationofthesoularesetforthunderthevisionofdrybones.In the same place also have we not a kingdom shown forth moreenduring far, than any which ever had its seat in Palestine? "AndDavid,myservant, shallbekingover them,and theyall shallhaveoneshepherd;theyshallalsowalkinmyjudgments,andobservemystatutes,anddothem;andtheyshalldwellinthelandwhichIhavegiven to Jacob, my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; andthey shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and theirchildren's children, for ever; and my servant David shall be theirprinceforever."

It appears to us that this language cannot, without violence, beapplied to the old Jewish land and people; and that the Romanploughsharehasburied sucha fancyunder the ruinsof Jerusalem.Withthebloodofman'sbestbrotherontheirheads, theJews, likeCain,arevagabonds.Theyhavenodwelling in the landwhichGodgavetoJacob;foreighteenhundredyearstheyhavebeenwanderingtheworld,norhavethesolesoftheirfeetyetfoundarestingplace.Anationscatteredandspoiled, theyareabye-word,aproverb,andahissing—norland,nortemple,nororacle,norprince,havethey,norshallhave,tillturningtothehopeofhistestandoldestfathers,the

Jewbowshisproudhead to theNazarene, andkisses the feet thatwerenailedtoacross.

Looking at these words, therefore, in this light—talking them in aGospel,notaJewishsense—letusgiveourattentiontosomeoftheblessingswhichtheyannounce—thebenefitswhich,tousethewordsof our Confession, "flow from justification, adoption, andsanctification."

Letthebelieverlook—

I.To theabundanceof theblessingsofgrace.Anew-born infant isthe most helpless of all creatures. In its nakedness, weakness,dumbness,howdependentonamother'slove!YetnotmoresothanGod'speopleareonhiscareandkindness.

Theirs are therefore circumstances in which his promises areexceedingly precious. The condition of believers very muchresembles that of amanof boundless affluence,whosewealth lies,notsomuchinmoney,asinmoney'sworth—inbillsandbonds,that,whendue, shall beduly honored.With these promises the poorestChristian is really a richerman than any othermen,with all theirpossessions; nor would he part with one of them for the world'swealth.

Thisrudeandnakedsavage—thedupeofavariciousmen—bartersacoronetofgoldforsomeworthlesstrinkets,andbuysthewondersofamirror, the tinklingof abell, or a stringof coloredbeads,with ahandful of pearls, the fit ornaments of a crown. The child of Godknows better than to sell what is of surpassing value, for anythingintrinsicallyworthless.

Withthispromise,"thybreadshallbegiventhee,andthywatershallbe sure," he holds himself richer, more sure of meat to eat, andraimenttoputon, thanhewouldbewiththewealthofbanks.Andwhy? Is this reasonable?Nodoubtof it.No logician ever reasonedmoresoundly.Thesemayfail;God'spromisecannot.Theverystarsshall drop like figs from shaken heavens, and these heavens

themselvesshallpassaway,butnotonejotortittleofwhathisGodhasspokenshallfail,tillallbefulfilled.

With such security as we have in the character of God, and suchfullness as is promised in the test, it needs, therefore, only aprophet'sfaithtoechoaprophet'sspeech,and—whengauntfaminewalksour streets, and thereare "clean teeth,"and, childrencry forbread, and their mothers have none to give them —to repeat theboldestwordsthateverfellfrommortallips—"Althoughthefigtreeshould not blossom, and there be no fruit on the vine; though thelaboroftheoliveshouldfail,andthefieldsyieldnomeat;thoughtheflocks shouldbe cut off from the fold, and therebenoherd in thestall, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, and joy in the God of oursalvation."

I can fancy a skeptic exclaiming—Extravagance! fanaticism—madfanaticism!Nosuchthing.

InhispromisesGod'speoplehavemeattoeatthatothersknownotof,andthesehaveprovedlikethebreastsofadaughtertotheagedcaptivewho had been condemned to die of pining hunger. In thatcell,wherethegrayoldmaneachdaytookherinfant'splace,herloveand ingenuity have found means to save a father's life, which hisenemiesneverdreamtof;andthechildofGod,aroundwhomfearsofwant are gathering,may rest assured, that hewho inspired thatdaughterwiththewitandwillforsuchanemergency,willfindwaysandmeans tomake his promise good. "The word of the Lord is atriedword"—failuswho,andwhatmay,thatcannot.

There are, indeed, times when the believer is ready to faint. Faithstaggersbeneaththeburden,andhopeallbutexpires.Mysinsaresomany,my guilt so great, my burden so heavy! thus and thus theyspeak; now,with Jacob, complaining, "All these things are againstme"andnow,onfindingSatansooftenconqueringthemwhentheyshouldhaveconqueredhim,cryingwithDavid,"IshallonedayfallbythehandofthisSaul."Well,letyourburdens,sins,cares,besuchasyoudescribe.

Letmeaskyouaquestion.

-Isitnotaseasyforyondergreatseatocarrythebulkiestshipthatever rode her waves, as the seaweed or foam she flings upon theshore?-Isitnotaseasyforthatglorioussuntobatheamountain,astobatheamole-hillingold?-Isitnotaseasyforthismightyearthtocarry on its back an Alp as a grain of sand—to nourish a cedar ofLebanon,asthehyssoponthewall?Justso,believer,itisaseasyforGod to supply thygreatestas thy smallestwants; evenas itwasasmuch within his power to form a system as an atom—to create ablazingsun,askindleafirefly'slamp.

Toone,indeed,whosestandingpointisontheground,objectsseemvery various in their size. The cliffs tower above the level shore;piercing the horizontal cloud of smoke, the spires rise above thehumblertenementsofthetown;andfromherthroneofsnowinhighmid-summer,winterlooksdownonthevalleysthatHesmilingatthemountain's feet. Eyed from the low, dead level of shore or plain,objectsdoappearinstrongcontrast,highorlow,greatorsmall,bigor little.But I riseoneagle'swings; I sit on the circleof theearth;higherstill,IstandbesidetheangelwhomJohnsawinthesun;stillhigher, I followPaul up to the third heavens; and, seen from suchelevations—if seen at all—dwarf and giant, the mountain and themole-hill, are on one level. All these sublunary differences vanish,sinkintoinsignificance—intonothing.

Now,hereliesabeliever'scomfort,andhereshinesasinner'shope.SovanishalldistinctionsbetweengreatandlittlewantsintheeyeofGod; so disappears all difference between great and little sins, orgreatand littlesinners, to thebloodofChrist;and,whenourcaresare cast on him who invites the burden, so sinks every differencebetweenlightandheavyburdens,tothebackofJesus.

It is as easy for Jesus Christ to save aMagdalene, a Manasseh, ahoary thief, as an infant, that (happy creature!) just leaves itsmother'swombtomakeofthisearthastepping-stonetoheaven,

Whatever be your circumstances, trials, cares, and griefs, this

promisefitsthem—"Asthyday,soshallthystrengthbe."

Be he dwarf or giant, no man can say of an assurance so wellfounded,"Thebedisshorterthanamancanstretchhimselfuponit;thecoveringisnarrowerthanamancanwraphimselfinit."Areyoucast down because, while others have shallows, you have depths—darkdepths—depthsofsorrow,andsuffering,topassthrough?Beitso:itisaseasyforGodtomarchhispeoplethroughthewide,deepseaasacross thebedofJordan.Areyourcorruptionsstrong?Be itso:Samsonfounditaseasytosnapanewspuncableaswithesfreshgatheredontheriver'sbank;andbelieveme,itisaseasyforGodtobreakthytyrant'sstrongestashislightestchain.

AchainofironandathreadofflaxareallonetoGod.ThebloodofthySaviourcleansethfromallsin;andnothingbeingimpossible,naynot even difficult to Omnipotence, be assured, that in your battle,andwatch,andwork,youshallfindthispromisetrue—"Mygraceissufficientforthee."

II. Consider the happiness which God's people enter on at death.Egypt pursued the Hebrews to the very shores of the sea. There,however, thepeoplesawthe lastof them;of those tyrantswhohadmadetheirburdensoheavyandlifesobitter,thattheircrycameupbeforetheLord.Onthisshoretheoppressorandtheoppressedaretopart.Inthesewelteringwaves,fromwhichtheyshrinkbackwithdread—assomegoodmenfromdeath—theirenemiesandtheirgriefsaretofindacommongrave.

In these the wicked shall cease from troubling; beyond them theweary shall be at rest. Night has come; a sun they shall never seemorehassetonPharaohandhishost.Underthelightthatilluminedthe camp of God, and flung a fiery luster across the deep, Mosesstoodup toaddress thepeople.Their redemptionwasnigh. Itwasnowjustthatdarkesthourwhichushersinthedawn.Withhis footontheshore,hisrodinhishand,thefierypillarlightinguphisface,MosespointedtothegloomwheretheEgyptianslay,andsaid,"TheEgyptianswhomyehaveseentoday,yeshallseethemagainnomoreforever."

God'speoplearelikehisancientIsrael.Theyhaveenemieswhowillharassthemin life,andfollowthemtotheveryshoresof time;butwhoever, or whatever these may be—sin, sorrow, poverty,temptations, trials, fears, doubts, Satan himself—Oh! a deathbedshallbethedeathofthemall.Inleavinglifeweleavethesebehind.Deathistheirdestruction,notours.Andhowshould itreconcileustothatdarkpassagefromwhichnatureshrinks,thatwhenwestandin its gloomy mouth to take our last look of this world, may feelassuredthatweshalltakethelastlook,notoffriendsinChrist—forweshallmeetthemagaininheaven—butonlyoftheseourenemies.

We "shall see them again no more for ever." Satan may not onlypursueGod'speopletotheirverydeathbed,butharassthemuponit.Heknowsthathistimeisshort.Itishislastchance.Anotherdayorhour, and they are out of his grasp; and so—summoning all thepowersofhell—hedrivesdownliketheEgyptiansintothesea—intotheverydepthsofdeath—andaggravatesbyhishorriblesuggestionsthestrugglesofadyinghour.Thesainthas,inthattimeofdarkness,twoenemiesuponhim—death,andhimthathasthepowerofdeath,thatisthedevil.Beitso;Godshalltakeofftheirchariotwheels;theyshallnot reach theothershore,norset foot inheaven;there, thereenterethnothingtohurtortodefile.

Thedeadenterintorest.

-"BlessedarethedeadwhichdieintheLord,theyrest."-"Hethatisdeadis freefromsin."And,as Ihave lookedon thecalmanddeepreposeof thequiet sleeper,when the tossingarms lie still, and therestlessheadreposesonitspillow,andthefeatureswhichhavenowlostallexpressionofpain,orpassion,presentanaspectof solemn,sublime,beautiful, perfect rest, Ihave sometimes thought that thiswas an emblem which the soul had left us of its own still moreprofound,perfect,heavenlyrest.

Thisiswhattheredeemedescapefrom,but,Oh!whattheyescapeto—thejoystheyenteronwhentheygotobewithChrist,whocantell?Weknowthat"todie"is—notshallbeatsomefuturetime,andaftersome intermediate state—but "todie is gain," gain immediate.One

step—and,whatastep!—thesoulisinglory.

Erethewailhassunkinthechamberofdeath,thesongoftheuppersanctuaryhasbegun.There isnodelay;nowaiting foranescort totravel that invisible, untrodden way. Angels unseen aremoving inthat chamber, looking on with tearless eyes where all else areweeping;and,thelastbreathout—thelastquiverpassedfromthelip—and away, away, they are offwith the spirit for glory.Onangel'swings the beggar is borne to Abraham's bosom; and the shout ofsaintsandangels, that greeted theConqueror, is still ringing amidthearchesofheaven,when thedooropens, and the thiefwalks in."ThisdaythoushaltbewithmeinParadise."Heleaveshiscross,anddirect, as Ihave seena larkdrop singing intohernest,hegoesupsingingtohiscrown.

Andwhatandwhereisheaven?Icannottell.Eventotheeyeoffaith,heaven looksmuch like a star to the eye of flesh. Set there on thebrow of night, it shines most bright—most beautiful; but it isseparated fromus by so great a distance as to be raised almost ashigh above our investigations as above the storms and clouds ofearth.

Ashiningobject,weseeitgleaminginthefieldsofspace,butweseenothingmore,evenwhenoureyesareassistedbythemostpowerfultelescope.Bywhatbeingsitisinhabited;whatformstheyhave;whattonguetheyspeak;whatthecharacterthe landscapewears intheseupperworldswedonotknow;andperhapsnevershall,tillwehavecast loose a body which moors us to the earth, and, with a soulunchained, free perhaps as thought—we are left to roam theuniverse,andpass,onthewingsofwish,fromworldtoworldofourFather's kingdom. Never, at least, till then, shall we know eitherwhereheavenis,orwhatheavenis.Thebestdescriptionofitistosaythatitisindescribable.

Paul, on his return, attempted no other. There he "heard and sawthingsunutterable."Nordoesthemattercostustheleastanxiety.IfGodsparednothisownSon,heavenshallwantnothingtomakeussupremelyhappy.Itisenoughformetoknowthatheaven,thehome

of the blessed— the palace of the Great King—has joys which eyenever saw, earneverheard, andwhich ithathnotentered into theheartofmantoconceive.

III.Thecompleteblessednessofthesaintsattheresurrectionintherestorationofallthatsinforfeited.Therewereperiodsincreation—progressive steps. Step by step the work advanced to itsconsummation.Increation,justasinconversion,theprocessbeganwithlight—lettinglightinuponthedarkness.Godsaid,"Lettherebelight,andtherewaslight,andtheeveningandthemorningwerethefirstday."And thenawide-spread firmamentofblue separates thewaters above the earth from the waters beneath, and, the workcompleted, the evening and the morning are the second day. Thethirddaybeginsanewepoch.Themountainsraisetheirheadsabovethewaters; like an infant, the earth comes naked from the womb,andwhenGodhaswrappedthenew-bornworldinabeautifulrobeof flowers, green fields, and waving forests, the evening and themorningarethethirdday.

Theheavensnextaregarnished;andwhentheirboundlessfieldsaresown with countless stars, the evening and the morning are thefourthday.ThustheCreatorgoesonwithhiswork.Eachsucceedingperiodbringsitnearertoperfection,till,ontheeveningofthesixthday, as the sun was sinking behind the western hills, his slantingbeamsshoneonourholy,happyparents—theirhomeagarden,theirestateaworld,thecreaturesalltheirservants,intheirheartsnotaintofsin, intheireyesnotearofsorrow,andonbrowstoosoontobebathed in sweat, and blushing with shame, flashing crowns ofinnocence.Then,fromthethroneofhismostexcellentmajesty,Godlooked on this world as it rolled away in its happy orbit, and,pronouncingailthathehadmadetobeverygood,theeveningandthemorningwerethesixthday.

Likecreation,theGospelhashaditsperiodsofprogress.

ItgraduallyadvancedinitsdevelopmentfromthefirstpromisegivenbyGod,whenhe,thejudge,andtheculpritsmanandthedevilstoodfacetofaceupontheruinsofEden.

First,wehaveasimplealtar,withthesmokeofsacrificecurlinguptoheaven from earth's unbroken forests—none there but our twosolitaryparents,weeping,aswelltheymight,whentheygazedonthemiserable wreck which they had made of their own and theirchildren'sfortunes;andyet,whiletheywept,liftinguptheirheadsinhopeofacomingredemption.

The scene shifts, and next we have a desert, with a mighty hostscatteredoveritssands,andintheirmidstatentedsanctuarywithacloudofincensefloating,likeaprayer,awaytoheaven.

Thesceneshiftsagain,andJerusalemsitsuponherhills,andwherehundreds of white-robed priests are serving, and thousands ofworshipersarekneeling,amagnificenttempleofmarble,cedar,andgoldtowershighoverall—theornamentandpalladiumoftheland.

Thesceneshiftsoncemore.Itismid-day,andyetdark;theearthistrembling,gravesareyawningtoletouttheirdead,and,throughthegloomofanunnaturaleclipse,webeholdthecrossofCalvarywithitsbleedingvictim.SonofGod!Heisdying,"thejustfortheunjust."Hecries,"Itisfinished,"and,asSaviouroftheworld,hedies.Thework,solongagobegun,isbroughttoatriumphantclose.Intheveryactofdeathheswallowsupdeath invictory.Andthusyouseehow,fromonegardentoanother,fromtheflowerybowersofEdentotheolivesof Gethsemane, from the first promise to the final performance,redemptionadvancesbysuccessivesteps.Jesusbowshishead;andthen,again,fromthethroneofhismostexcellentmajesty,Godlookson all thework, and over the bloody cross and his own dead Son,pronouncesthisjudgment,."Behold, it isverygood."And,usheringis an eternal Sabbath, the evening and themorningwere the sixthdayofredemption.

There yet remains an aspect of redemption in which it is notcomplete.

Theprinceof thisworld isstillout,andinthebattlefieldfighting—fighting like the devil he is for his kingdom. The body yet lies acaptive in the tomb, and the grave must yield its ancient charge.

Insatiateandinsatiabledevouredthourobberofourpleasanthomes!

Withthyblackmoutheveropening,andthycry,give,give,give,everinourear,thouthyselfmustgive—thoumustgiveupthydead.Thedustofsaints isdeartoChrist.Hecomestoclaimit.All thatdeathandSatanholdtheymastrelinquish;allthatChristhaspurchasedheshallpossess.Thesonlwantsherpartner;andalthoughtheexilemayreturnnomore,norseehisnativeland,theredeemedshallreturntoclaimtheirbodiesfromtheearth—aye,andclaimtheveryearththeyliein."Thesaintsshallinherittheearth."

A grand destiny awaits this world of sins and sorrows. This earth,purified by judgment fires, shall be the home of the blessed. Thecurseofbriarsandthornsshallpassawaywithsin

"Insteadof the thorn shall comeup the fir tree, and insteadof thebriarshallcomeupthemyrtletree."

OfthethornsofthatcurseJesus'crownwaswoven,andheboreitoffuponhishead.Underlawsaccommodatedtotheneweconomy,thewideworldshallbecomeoneEden,where,exemptfromphysicalasfrom moral evils, none shall shiver amid arctic frosts, nor witherundertropicheat;thesefieldsofsnowandaridsandsshallblossomallwithroses.

From the convulsions of expiring—or rather the birth-pangs ofparturientnature—anew-bornworldshall come,ahomeworthyofimmortals,apalacebefittingitsKing.ThebloodthatonCalvarydyedearth'ssoilshallblessit,andthistheaterofSatan'striumph,andofaSaviour'sshame,shallbetheseatofJesus'kingdom,andthewitnessofhisglory.

Thenthesaintsshallinherittheearth.

Some,likeAbrahaminthePromisedLand,arepoorwanderershere—theproprietorsofnothingbutagrave.Someownnotevensomuchas that. The saints, like the descendants of a noble but decayedhouse,arestrangersonthesoilwhichwasoncethepropertyoftheir

fathers.Butthetimeoftheirredemptiondrawethnigh.

Manshallgethisownagain,andholditbyacharterwritteninthebloodofChrist.Thisworldwasgiftedtohim.Itwashispatrimonialestate.Itwasthelandgiventoourfathers.Anditseemsmostmeet,thatwith the rankand title, the lands shouldcomeback to theoldfamily;and,asformingthecompletesttriumphoverSinandSatan,that our redemption should be altogether like that of Israel, whenMoses turned round on Pharaoh, saying, "Not a hoof shall be leftbehind."

"Evenso,come,LordJesus,comequickly."

~endofchapter21~

TheSecurityoftheBeliever

ItheLordhavespokenit,andIwilldoit(Ezekiel36:36).

Wheninasultrysummerdaytheskygetsovercast,andangrycloudsgather thickupon itsbrow, andbushandbrakeare silent, and theverycattle, likehumanbeings,drawclose together, standingdumbintheiruntastedpastures,andwhile there isnorippleonthe lake,nor leaf stirringon the tree, all nature seems struckwith awe, andstands in trembling expectation; then, when the explosion comes,andablindingstreamoffireleapsfromthecloud,andasifheaven'srivenvaultweretumblingdownuponourhead,thethunderscrash,peal,roaralongthesky,hehasneitherpoetry,norpiety,norsense,who does not reverently bow his head and assent to the words ofDavid,"ThevoiceoftheLordisfullofmajesty."

When the God of glory thundereth in nature, his voice is full ofmajesty;when,instilllouderthunders,theGodofprovidencespeaks

bycalamities that shake thenation,or shake to its foundationsthehappinessofourhome,hisvoiceisalsofullofmajesty;andwhentheearof faith listens to theseaugustand loftywords, "Ihavespoken,andIwilldoit,"thevoiceoftheLordagainis"fullofmajesty."

Thislanguageisstampedwithdivinity.AndtoGodwemay,withthehighestpropriety, address thewordswhich the flatterers of royaltyblasphemously offered to an orator, whose proud assumption ofdivinitythewormssoonrefuted.ThelieoftheiradulationtoHerodchangestotruthonourlips,when—speakingofhimwhosays,"ItheLordhavespoken,andIwilldoit"—weexclaim,"ThisisthevoiceofaGod,andnotofaman."

Thewords ofmy text fit notmortal lips.Of that truth, Jephthah'scalamity andHerod's crime affordmemorable illustrations. In thefull tide of patriotism, in the fierce excitement of the fight, with awarrior's proudambition towin the field, Jephthahmadehis vow,andresolvedtokeepit—todowhathespake.Ah!littledidhedream,thatthefirsttoleavehishouse,thevictimforsacrifice,shouldbethedaughterofhisheart—hisonlychild.AndaslittledidHerodforesee,upon what a bloody path of remorse and crime the rash pledgeextortedbythefiendishhatredofaparamourwouldleadhim.

Often,wehavenotthepowertodowhatwesay,andtoperformwhatwe promise. "If the Lord will," should qualify all the future. Andalthough the power were ours, some vows, some resolutions, aremorehonoredinthebreachthanintheobservance.Thelanguageofmy text, therefore, belongs only to him whose glance penetrateseternity; to whose omniscience nothing is impervious, to whosepower nothing is impossible.Weak, short-sighted, ignorant, erringmortals, such words in our mouths were impudent and impotentpresumption;andwehavenomorerighttoassumetheimperialtoneof Divinity, than we have ability to launch his thunderbolts, orwisdomtoguidehiscounsels.

Thesegreatwordsofpowerarealsowordsofmercy.Connectthemwith the exceeding precious promises, the exceeding lofty offers oftheGospel,withsuchasthis—"BelieveontheLordJesusChrist,and

thoushaltbe saved;"or this, "Comeuntomeall ye that labor, andareheavy-laden,andIwillgiveyourest;"orthis,"Mygraceshallbesufficientforthee,andmystrengthmadeperfectinyourweakness"orthis,"Withmydeadbodyshalltheyarise."

"Awakeandsing,allyethatdwellinthedust.Forthydewisasthedewofherbs,andtheearthshallcastoutthedead"—andthesewordsareasfullofmercyasofmajesty.Godinthemspeakswithabsoluteconfidence. And how is his confidence calculated to create andsustain inourhearts the firmestassurance thathecanand thathewilldoallhesays?Hespeaks"asonehavingauthority."Thereisnoobscurityabouthislanguage,orhesitationinitstone.Hespeaksasone whose word is law, whose will is power, whose smile is life,whosefrownisdeath.Hespeaksasonewhohasentireconfidenceinhisownresources,andwhosewordisasefficientnowasonthedaywhen he issued the creative fiat, and said, "Let there be light, andtherewaslight."

Wereyoueveratseainastorm,whentheshipreeledtoandfrolikeadrunkenman,andstruggling,asforlifeinthearmsofdeath,nowroseonthetopofthebillow,nowplungedintothetroughofthesea?Partially infected with others' terror, did you ever leave shriekingwomenandpalemenbelow,toseekthedeck,andlookyourdangerbravelyintheface?

In such circumstances, I know nothing so reassuring as—whenwehavestaggeredacrosstheslipperyplanking,andareholdingbyrailor bulwark—to see amid these weltering foam wreaths, that fiercecommotion,thehurricaneroarofthewindamongtheshrouds,andthelouddashofthebillowsbeneath—calmconfidenceseatedonthebrow of that weather-beaten man who, with iron strength, leansupon the wheel, and steers our ship through the roaring billows.Such—onlymuchhigher—istheconfidencewhichwedrawfromtheconfidenceofGod,asexpressedinthewords—"Ihavespoken,andIwilldoit"

In illustration of this, take the night of the storm in Galilee. Thedisciples gather round our Lord, and wake him, crying, Master,

Master, "Carest thou not that we perish?" Look up, and see thesemountainwaves!Harktotheroaringofthestorm!theboatfills—wesink. Save, Oh save, we perish! Had they known him fully, wouldtheynothavedrawncourage fromhisveryslumbers?Withaboat-cloak protecting his wasted andweary form from the flying spray,theywouldhavelethimsleepon;andboldfaith,arrestingthearmoffear,hadsaid,"Hush!wakehimnot;lethimtakehisrest;hewouldnot,couldnotsleep,weredisciplesindanger."

When amother, on awatch by a cradlewhere life has been feeblyflickering,fallsasleep,wearesurethatthecrisisisover—theworstispassed. Before sleep sealed these kind and anxious eyes, they hadseen the tide, that had ebbed, returning. Let the storm wreck ahundred boats, and carry disaster, widowhood, orphanage amongthefishinghamletsuponGalilee'sshores,tomyeyethediscipleshadfull assurance of safety in the fact that Jesus slept, and slept assoundly in that storm-tossedboataswhenMaryrocked thecradle,orsunghimoveronhergentlebosom.Inthatsleepingform"therewasthehidingofhispower,"andtheconfidenceofhighandworthyfaith.

Butmytext isone thatmeets theweakest faith; forwhocandoubtthat God will make good all his promises, who marks the firm,unqualified, determined, supreme, sovereign tone of the words, "ItheLordhavespoken,andIwilldoit."

Man isoften confidentwhenhe shouldbediffident; andyet, if theconfidence ofman inspires us with hope, and speaks peace to theapprehensions of a troubled heart, how much more should theconfidenceofGod?Withthesewordsinoureye,wecanlookonthestarrydomeofheavenandthissolidearth,andbelieve thatsoonershall thatarchfall,andburyacrushedworld in itsruins, thanthatonegoodwordspokenofhispeopleshallfailtillallbefulfilled.

I.Thetextannouncesamost importanttruth.So longastherewaspulse and breath in Lazarus, his sisters often left their brother'scouch,andwenttodoorandwindowtoseeiftherewasyetanysignofJesus.

Days ago a messenger had been dispatched with the tidings, "hewhom thou lovest is sick;" and they felt like themother of Sisera,when,wearyingforherson'sreturn,shelookedforhimintheglareofday,andlistenedforhiminthegloomofnight,crying,Whyishischariotsolongincoming?whytarrythewheelsofhischariots?

Deathatlengthquencheshope.Thefuneralisover;and,whenfourdayshavelapsed,alingeringLordisseendescendingtheheightsofOlivetinhisapproachtoBethany.Oneentersthehouseofmourningandwhispers,"TheLordiscome."

Martharises,advancestomeethimandpourforthherregretforhisabsence,andherconfidenceinhispowerinthisbittercry,"Lord,ifthouhadstbeenhere,mybrotherhadnotdied."

Whenwe look at our text,we feel, in reference to the sad event ofEden, much asMartha did when she turned her weeping eyes onJesus.WouldhispresencehavepreservedthelifeofLazarus?Nolesscertainlyhad thesewordsbeenpresent in theirpower toEve, theywouldhavepreservedherinnocence,andsavedtheworld.

NotLazarusonly,butnomanhaddied;therehadbeenneithersin,nor sorrow,nor grietsnor graves, in this sufferingworld,hadEve,whenshestoodbythefataltree,butremembered,believed, felt thesentence,"Ihavespoken,andIwilldoit."

Then,ontheserpentsaying,"Thoushallnotsurelydie,"withavoiceasprompt andperemptory in her bone, she had replied, "Get theebehindme,SatanthousavorestnotofthethingsthatbeofGod."Thehonor reserved forher seedhadbeenherown.Shehadplacedhernakedfootupontheserpent,and,stampingdownaheelunbruised,hadcrushedhishead.

Oh, theworldhadbeensaved,hadshe,holdingupherpositiononthehigh groundofmy text, answered the tempter thus, "TheLordhath said. In theday thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die.Hehath spoken and He will do it." Entrenched more strongly withinthese lines than ever army that, behind batteries—bristling with

cannon—beatbackthefiercesortie,shehadstoodalone;withintheimpregnable barriers of God's word, she had defied the powers ofhell; and, omnipotent in God, she had received the battle on hersingleshield.Edenhadstillbeenours,andourfamilyhadstillbeenblessedandholy,withGodforafatherandParadiseforahome.

Someyears ago,whenautumn floodswrought greatdevastation inourcountry,astrongmanwassweptawayintotheswollenriver.Itbore him—as he and others thought—by good fortune, to a tree,which stood bravely up amid the sea of waters. He caught it andclimbedit.Seatedonaboughhestretchedouthisarmsforhelptothedistantbanks.

Attemptsweremade to rescuehimbeforenightfall,butall invain.The day wore on, and the night at length came down; and now afranticwife,andweepinglittleones,andsomekindneighbors,wereleftnothingtodo,buttolistenamidthepausesofthetempestforhislong, shrill whistle. Ever and anon that came across the flood tocheerthemup;forhesoundeditto letthemknowthathewasstillalive,andthatthetreewasyetbreastingtheroaringstream.

About midnight this signal ceased. They strained their ears, andheardnoughtbutthehoarseroaroftheangryriver,mingledwiththeshriekingofthestorm.Morningatlengtharrived;themanwasgone—treegone—andwhere itstoodtheysawbut thewhirlingwavesoftheredroaringflood.

At this moment, one—considered little else than a fool—steppedforwardtosay,"Icouldhavesavedhim."Anyotherbut thatheart-brokengroupwouldhavelaughedhimtoscorn;andyetheshowedthemhow,byattachingaropetoafloat,andsendingthatawayfromtheverybankwherethelostmanhadbeencarriedoff,hecouldhavesaved him, since the current that bore the man to the tree wouldhavebeencertaintocarrytohimthismeansofcommunicationwiththeshore.Theplanwasperfect;nodoubtofit,Butitcametoolate;and they had to leave the scene with their grief exasperated andembitteredbythethought,thathadtheypossessedbutthewisdomofthisfool,theirdesolatehomehadreceivedajoyousfamily,togive

Godthanksforthe"deadthatwasaliveagain,andthelostthatwasfound."

Ihavetoldyouthathadmytextbeenpresenttothemind,andfeltinits power by the heart ofEve,we had not been lost. Butwhen thedeedhasbeendone,anditisnowtoolate,myobjectisnottoshowhowmanmighthavebeen saved.There is little kindness in tellingmeofamedicinethatwouldhavecuredmydead.

To tellme that had this or that beendone, the gravehadnot heldtheirloveddustthisday,isnottoclosebutopenmywound—todropnotbalm,butburningacidupona rawandbleedingsore.Glory tothegraceofGod, I tellnot thatmy text, if believed in,wouldhavesavedman,but,ifbelievedin,shallstillsavehim.

Itwouldhavekeptusoutofthegrave.Itcanraiseusoutofit.ItislikeJesusChrist.Hadhebeenpresent,Lazarushadnotdied,buthewho could have saved Lazarus from the tomb, when it had closeduponhisfriend,callshimoutofitThepowerthatcouldhaveprovedthe sick man's remedy, stands at the mouth of that yawningsepulcherthedeadman'sresurrection.

LetmytextlayholdoftheredemptionofChrist,andithasall,andmore than all the power it ever had—the cross, the crown, peace,pardon,graceinlife,hopeindeath,heaventhroughoutalleternity—these are all wrapped up in a deep, solemn, heartfelt, divineconvictionofthistruth."ItheLordhavespoken,andIwilldoit."

Take, on the one hand, these precious invitations—"Ho, every onethat thirsteth, come ye to the waters, come ye, buy and eat, yea,come, buy wine and milk without money and without price;" andthis,"Lookuntome,andbeyesaved,alltheendsoftheearth;"andthis,"ThebloodofJesusChristcleansethusfromallsin;"andthis,"Iwilltakeoutofyouthehardandstonyheart;"andthis,"Behold,mypeople,Iwillopenyourgraves,andIwillcauseyoutocomeupoutofyourgraves,andyeshalllive;"andtake,ontheotherhand,these:—"Theythatsowtotheflesh,shallofthefleshreapcorruption;"andthis,"Thesoulthatsinneth,itshalldie;"andthis,"Thewickedshall

becastintohell."

Now,wouldGod by his Spirit help us to lodge inmen's hearts anearnest,cordialbeliefofthesetruthsastheyappearinthelightofthetext, man would not—man could not be lost. At once warned andwonbyit,theGospelwouldhegladnews.

Men with all their hearts would embrace offeredmercy. Churcheswouldbecomesanctuaries,andtheplaceofworshipwouldheagatetoheaven.Andministers—disheartenedanddespondent—wouldnothave to return so often to their Master, saying, "Lord, they areperishing;yet theywill not come to thee that theymayhave life. Ihave brought back thine offer. Theywill not take it. Noman hathbelieved my report, and to none has the arm of the Lord beenrevealed."

II.Thecomforts this truth imparts toa trueChristian.Throughhisconfidenceinthistruth,thebelievercommitsallhisearthlycarestoGod.

Idonotsaythatwearenottoembraceanyopportunityofimprovingourcircumstances,andacquiringlawfulobjectsofpursuit.Farfromit.TheGospelinculcatesdiligence,eveninourworldlycalling."Gototheant,thousluggard,considerherways,andbewise."Norshallourlawfulcalling,whateveritbe,interferewiththebestinterestsofoursouls.Religionisnonetheworse,butall thebetter forwork;andaman'sworkisallthebetterforhisreligion.

Themorningprayerdoes foragoodman'sheartwhat themorningmealdoesforhisbody.Itbraceshimupforthedayanditsduties.

Hehasleastneedofamaster'swatchfuleye,whofeelsthattheeyeofGodiseveruponhim.Youmaysafelytrustmosttothosewhomakeconscienceofthemeanestwork;who,inkindlingafireorsweepingafloor, have an eye uplifted to the glory of God; who ennoble life'shumblest employment by aiming at a noble end; andwho addressthemselves to theirbusiness in thehighandholy belief, thatwhenduty—howeverhumbleitmaybe—iswelldone,Godisglorified;just

asheisglorifiedaswellbyalowlydaisy,asbythegarden'sgaudiestandproudestflowers.

But while this truth gives no encouragement to indolence—to alanguidandidlewaitinguponprovidence—andnoencouragementtocastourworkitselfonGod,itteacheshispeopletocastthecaresofthe work upon him. Are not these among the words that he hathspoken, andwill do, "The steps of a goodman are ordered by theLord","CastthyburdenontheLord,heshallsustainthee","Thelotiscastintothelap;butthewholedisposingthereofisoftheLord?"

ChildofGod!putin,then,afearlesshandintothislottery,anddraw,with faith in God's superintending providence and his unfailingword.

Child of God! shield thy heart from cares that are the torture ofothers, and from temptations that are often their ruin? Between aman, tornwithanxieties, tossedwith fears, frettingwithcares,andthegoodman,whocalmlytrustsintheLord,Oh!thereisasgreatadifferenceasbetweenabrawling,roaring,mountainbrook,thatwithmadhasteleapsfromcragtocrag,andisgroundintoboilingfoam,andtheplacidriver,which,withbeautyonitsbanksandheaveninits bosom, spreads blessings wherever it flows, and pursues thenoiseless tenor of its way back to the great ocean, from which itswaterscame."ItisbettertotrustistheLordthantoputconfidenceinman. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence inprinces.""TheythattrustintheLordshallbeasMountZion,whichcannotberemoved."

Through his confidence in the truth of my text, the believer issustainedamidthetrialsoflife.

God casts his people into trial for the very same reason that therefiner commits his silver to the furnace. He tries them to purifythem.Hedoesnotafflictwillingly.Beassuredthathehasnomorepleasure in their sufferings than a kind surgeon in his patient'sgroans,oraparentinhischildren'stears.

Trials are ill to bear. To be reduced from affluence to poverty—tobecome dependent on cold charity—to lie on a bed of languor—topass nights of sleepless pain—to be exposed to evil tongues—to behissedonthestagewherewewereonceapplauded—tositamidtheruinsoffortune—tolaylovedonesinalonesomegrave—suchthingsarenot"joyous,butgrievous."

Winter, no doubt, is not the pleasant season that summer brings,with her songs and flowers, and long, bright, sunny days. Bittermedicines,nodoubt,arenotsavorymeat.Yethewhobelieves thatallthingsshallworktogetherforgood,willbereadytothankGodforphysic as well as for food; and for the winter frost that kills theweeds,andbreaksupthesoil,asforthedewynightsandsunnydaysthatripenthefieldsofcorn.

MayGodgiveussuchafaith!

Withnatureweakandgraceimperfect,whenthereisnoliftingofthecloud,andtrialsaresevereandlong-protracted!ah!thoughitmaybeeasyforanonlookertopreachpatience,itisnoteasyforasufferertopracticeit.Insuchcircumstances,howpronewearetotakethecaseout of God's hands, and, getting discontented with his discipline,how ready we are to cry, "How long, Lord, how long?" "If it bepossible,letthiscuppassfromme;"or,takeawaythis,andgivemeanythingelsetodrink.

Yet let me have a firm faith in God's truth and love, let me beconfident thathewilldowhathehassaid,andperformall thathehas promised, and I shall discover mercy's bow bent on fortune'sblackestcloud,and,undermosttryingprovidences,shallenjoyinmyheart, and exhibit to others in my temper, the blessed differencebetweenasuffererthatmourns,andaspiritthatmurmurs.

Through his confidence in the truth of my text, the believercheerfullyhopes,andpatientlywaitsforheaven.

Home! to be home is the wish of the seaman on stormy seas andlonely watch. Home is the wish of the soldier, and tender visions

minglewith the troubleddreamsof trenchand tented field.Wherethepalm-treewavesitsgracefulplumes,andbirdsofjeweledlusterflashandflickeramonggorgeousflowers,theexilesitsstaringuponvacancy;afarawayhomeliesonhisheart;andborneonthewingsoffancyoverinterveningseasandlands,hehassweptawayhome,andhears the lark singing above his father's fields, and sees his fair-hairedboybrother,withlightfootandchildhood'sglee,chasingthebutterflybyhisnativestream.

Andinhisbesthours,home,hisownsinlesshome—ahomewithhisFatherabovethatstarrysky—willbethewishofeveryChristianman.Helooksaroundhim—theworldisfullofsuffering;heisdistressedbyitssorrows,andvexedwithitssins.Helookswithinhim—hefindsmuchinhisowncorruptionstogrievefor.Inthelanguageofaheartrepelled, grieved, vexed, he often turns his eye upwards, saying, "Iwould,notliveherealway."

"No.Notforallthegoldoftheworld'smines—notforallthepearlsofherseas—notforallthepleasuresofherflashing,frothycup—notforallthecrownsofherkingdoms—wouldIliveherealway.Likeabirdabout tomigrate to those sunny lands where no winter sheds hersnows,orstripsthegrove,orbindsthedancingstreams,hewillofteninspiritbepruninghiswingforthehourofhisflighttoglory.

The holier the child of God becomes, themore he pants after theperfectimageandblissfulpresenceofJesus;anddarkalthoughthepassage,anddeepalthoughtherivermaybe,themoreholyheis,themore ready will he be to say, "It is better to depart, and be withJesus."

"Tellme," said a saintlyminister of theChurch ofEngland,whosestarbutlatelysetonthisworld,toriseandshineinbetterskies—"tellme," he said to his physician, "the true state of my case; concealnothing;"adding,ashiseyekindled,andhisfacebeamedattheverythought,"ifyouhavetotellmethatmydissolutionisnear,youcouldnottellmebetterorhappiernews."

Paulsaid,"Iaminastraitbetwixttwo,havingadesiretodepartand

to bewithChrist,which is far better; nevertheless, to abide in thefleshismoreneedfulforyou."Hejudgeditbestforhimselftogobutforothershe judgeditbest tostay.Andtherearefewnoblersightsthantoseethatman,withhisfootonthedoor-stepofheaven,returntothrowhimselfintotheverythickofbattle,andspendandbespentin his Master's work. The crown of martyrdom often within hisreach, he drew back a hand thatwas eager to grasp it.He took asmuchcareoflifeasthecowardguiltthatisafraidtodie.Hewasnotimpatientofthehardships,wounds,andwatchingsofthewarfare,solongashecouldservethecauseofJesus.

It was sin, not suffering that he felt intolerable; and which wrungfrom him the bitter cry, "O, wretched man that I am! who shalldelivermefromthisbodyofdeath?"HisaSaviour'sspirit,hechoserather that Christ should be glorified through his labors on earth,thanthathehimselfshouldbeglorifiedwithChristinheaven.,Andso longashehada tongue to speak for Jesus, andanarm toholdhighabovethebattle'stumultthebannerofthefaith,hewaswillingtowork on—not impatient for death and his discharge. His was ahigher andmore heroic wish than to get to heaven. He wished tomakeaheavenofearth;and,persuadedthatnothingcouldseparatehimfromtheloveofGod,or,finally,fromheaven,believingthatallwhichGodhadsaidofhimhewoulddoforhim,andknowingthat,though the vision tarried, it would come, he possessed his soul inpatienceandpeace—waitingfortheLord.

Itisacowardlythingforasoldiertoseekhisdischarge,solongashiscountry'sbanner flies in the battle-field. TheChristian should be ahero, not a coward; and with such faith as allmay get, andmanyhave enjoyed, God's people, while they look to heaven, will withpatiencewaitforit.

On his way home, the saint will prove himself a good Samaritan;ready tostopevenonaheavenward journey, thathemayraise thefallen, bind up the wounds of humanity, and do all the work thatmeetshimupontheroad.Norshallthisgounrewarded."Thesleepofalaboringmanissweet."And,Oh!heavenshallbesweetesttohimwhohaswroughtthroughthelongestday,andtoiledthehardestat

hiswork.Nowandthenhewillbeliftingupawearyheadtoseehowthehourswearby—iftherebeyetanysignofhisMastercoming.Butupborneundertheheatandburdenofthedaybytheconfidencethat"hewhoshallcomewillcome,andwillnottarry,"heworkspatiently,andhesufferspatiently.Themostimportunateandurgentprayerheventureson,thatofone,who,tremblinglestpatienceshouldfailandreligionsufferdishonor,cried,whenherpaindeepenedintoagony,and the agonybecame excruciating—"Come,Oh come. Lord Jesus!comequickly."

III. Both nature and providence illustrate the truth of my text.Natureassuresus,thatwhatGodhathsaid,hewilldo.

It can never be wrong to do what Jesus did. That must be soundreasoning,intheuseofwhichhesetsusanexample.Iseehimbringa flower to the pulpit, and choose a lily for his text. He bids thepeople listento thatsweetpreacher—the littlebird—that,seatedonthebendingspraywithprovidence for its songand sermonneitherbows nor reaps;without harvests, suffers nowants; andwithout abarn,feelsnofears.ThushetaughthishearerstocasttheircaresonGod, and thus have the highest authority for summoning NatureheretobearwitnesstothecharacterofGod.

Weaskherthentosay,whetherherGod,whoisourGod,istruetohisword?whetherheeversays,andfailstodo?Bythevoicesofthesun, the stars, the hills, the valleys, the streams, the cataracts, therollingthunders,andtheroaringsea,shereturnsamajesticanswer—it is an echo of the text. Spring comeswith infant nature in herarms; Summer comes bedecked with a robe of flowers; Autumncomeswithherswarthybrow,crownedwithvines,andonherbackthesheavesofcorn;oldWintercomeswithhisshiveringlimbs,andfrozenlooks,andhoaryhead;andthesefourwitnesses—eachlayingone hand on the broad table of nature, and, lifting the other toheaven—swear by him that liveth forever and ever, that all whichGodhathsaid,Godshalldo.

Nomanlooksforsunriseinthewest.Nosoldierstandsbeneaththefallingshell,expectingtosee itarrestedin itsdescent,andhanging

likeastarinemptyspace.Webuildourhousesinconfidencethattheedificewillgravitatetothecenter;noreverdoubt,whenwesetourmill-wheelintherunningstream,thatassureasmanisonhiswayto the grave the waters shall ever take their way to the sea. WeconsulttheNauticalAlmanac,and,findingthatitshallbehighwaterto-morrowatsuchanhour,wemakeourarrangementsforbeingonboardthen,certainthatweshallfindourshipafloat,andtheseamenshakingouttheirsailstogoawayonthebosomofthefloatingtide.

Iffireburnedtheonedayandwaterthenext;ifwoodbecameatonelimeasheavyasiron,andironatanotherasbuoyantaswoodifherethe rivers hasted to the embraces of the sea, and there, as in fear,retreated from them, what a scene of confusion this world wouldbecome!Intruthitswholebusinessrestsonfaith—onourbelief,thatGod will carry into unfailing effect every law which his finger haswritten inthebooksofnatureandofprovidence.This is thepillowonwhichasleepingworldrests itswearyhead; this is thepivotonwhichitsbusinessturns.

Now let us remember, that there are not two Gods; a consistentDivinity who presides over nature, and a capricious Divinity whopresidesinthekingdomofgrace."Hear,Israel,theLordthyGodisone Lord." In regard, therefore, to all the precious promises andsolemn warnings of the Bible, Nature lifts up her voice, and cries—"Earth,Earth,Earth,hearthewordoftheLord."

ProvidenceassuresusthatwhatGodhath,said,hewilldo.

Sometimeagotheheavenswerepouringdowntorrentsofrain,thestreamshadrisenintorivers,theriverswereswollenintoseas,and,ourfieldschangedintolakes,boatswereplyingwhereploughswerewont togo. It looked like thebeginningofa seconddeluge;and tosomewho had fled from their beds for safety to cottage roofs, thehowling of the wind, the incessant pouring of the rain, the waterssteadily rising on thewalls,may have recalled thememory of thatdaywhenthearkbegantofloat,andmenhungrounditknockingonadoorwhichGodhadshutinjudgmentagainstawickedworld.Yet,Iwillventuretosay,thatthedreadofaseconddelugeaggravatedno

man's sufferings, nor changed a sinner's curses into a penitent'sprayers.Why not?Ah!men say the sea has never left her bounds.Apartaltogetherfromtherecordsofrevelation,geologytellsusthatshehas,andthatroundtherockwheretheeaglenowhashernest,monsters of the deep have swam, and that the highest peaks ofearth'shighestmountainswereoncetheislandsofanancientsea.

Yes! but then, it is said, there is the bow in the cloud, and thepromise intheBible,"Neithershallall fleshbecutoffanymorebythe waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood todestroytheearth.ThisisthetokenofmycovenantthatIwillmakebetweenmeandyou, andevery living creature that iswithyou forperpetualgenerations.Idosetmybowinthecloud,anditshallbeforatokenofacovenantbetweenmeandtheearth."

Thatindeedisasecurityagainstasecondflood.Now,shallGodkeephisword to this doomed, sinful, polluted world—shall he keep thecovenant of the bow, and not keep the covenant of the cross? Theprovidencesof fourthousandyearsassureusthathewhoistruetohis covenant withNoah, shall not be less true to the blood-sealedcovenantmadewithhisbelovedSon.

The voice of every storm that, like an angry child,weeps and criesitself asleep—the voice of every shower that has been followed bysunshine—the hoarse voice of ocean breaking in impotent rageagainst its ancient bounds—the voice of the seasons as they havemarchedbythemusicofthespheresinunbrokensuccessionovertheearth—thescreamofthesatyrinBabylon'semptyhalls—thesongofthe fisherman, who spreads his net on the rocks, and shoots itthrough the waters where Tyre once sat in the pride of an oceanqueen—thefierceshoutoftheBedouinashecareersinfreedomoverhis desert sands—thewail andweeping of thewandering Jew overtheruinsofZion—inalltheseIheartheechoofthisvoiceofGod,"ItheLordhavespoken,andIwilldoit."

These words are written on every Hebrew forehead. The Jewbartering his beads with naked savages—bearding the Turk in thecapital of Mohammedan power—braving in his foes the rigor of

Russian winters—over-reaching in China the inhabitants of theCelestialEmpire—inGolcondabuyingdiamonds—inourmetropolisof the commercial world standing highest among her merchantprinces—the Hebrew everywhere, and yet everywhere without acountry; with a religion, but without a temple; with wealth, butwithout honor; with ancient pedigree, but without ancestralpossessions; with no land to fight for, nor altars to defend, norpatrimonialfieldstocultivate;withchildren,andyet,nochildsittingunderthetreesthathisgrandsireplanted;butallfloatingaboutovertheworldlikescatteredfragmentsofawreckuponthebosomoftheocean—heisalivingevidence,that,"whattheLordhathspoken,theLordwilldo."

True to his threatenings, Almighty God will be true to all hispromises;andtobothwecanapplythewordsofBalaam—"Riseup,Balak,andhear;hearkenuntome,thousonofZippor:Godisnotaman that he should lie, nor the son ofman that he should repent.Hathhesaid,andshallhenotdo it?Hathhe spoken,andshallhenotmakeitgood?"

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