and bring all nations to the obedience of faith. Preserve our Protestant nation from the dangers which threaten it; from the united efforts of Popery, infidelity, and anarchy, which are now assuming an attitude of fearful aspect, resembling the three unclean spirits, like frogs, which St. John saw in vision to come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. O! that thy warning voice may be effectual_in_awakening our slumbering churches: "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame."* It seems evident, both from prophecy and the signs of the times, that the millennial glory will be preceded by awful convulsions. The dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil, will not be chained, without a desperate, permitted, struggle. But this conflict with the Church of Christ will end in his confusion, and the Church's triumph. "The beast was taken, and with him the false prophet.......These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone."......Then "an angel from heaven laid hold on the dragon, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit."+ The glorious predicted period will then dawn upon the world, like the sun shining without an intervening cloud. All will be holiness, happiness, and security. Yes! holiness shall become universal, and true piety enter into all the minutiae of life. "The pots in the Lord's house shall be like the bowls before the altar. Yea, every pot in Jerusalem, and in Judah, shall be Holiness unto the Lord of hosts;" even "upon the bells of the horses shall there be HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD." Thus all the Lord's people, with all their powers and possessions, shall be consecrated to the glory of God. True religion will not be confined within the precincts of the temple, but extend * Rev. xvi. 13-15. + Rev. xix. 20, 21, xx. 1-3. Zech. xiv. 20, 21. itself through every habitation, and sanctify every occurrence and occupation. This glory will be preceded by a wonderful outpouring of the Holy Spirit. For this we must constantly pray, in accordance with the written word of God. Whilst seeking after this blessing, saying, "Lord Jesus, come quickly; hasten thy work of glory," we must seek after personal holiness, that we may be ready to meet the Lord at his coming. Great revivals in religion, and an extensive increase of it, have generally been a period of outward trouble. At such a time how often may it be said, “A man's foes are they of his own house."* Then, not unfrequently, have "the rulers set themselves against the Lord, and against his anointed."+ So long as the sun shines, and the waters flow smoothly, the human mind is naturally satisfied with present things. It is when the sky lours, and the waves swell, that men's fears begin to operate, and to make them feel the uncertain nature of earthly things. Times of great trouble are not unfrequently employed as means for awakening men out of their death-like slumbers, and causing them to cry out with the trembling jailor, during the earthquake, "What must I do to be saved ?" Happy, indeed, when this is the case. We seem to be drawing near to some portentous crisis. The period seems to be fast approaching which will try men's principles of what sort they are. It will be a touchstone to try the faith of many, who now wear the garb of sanctity. The Lord is about to put His CHURCH into the furnace, and when it is tried, it shall come out as gold. We have had a long season of outward ease. Profession has grown rank, but true piety, is still, as it ever was, a rare plant. It grows not in nature's soil. It is an exotic. Our defiling, chilling world, is little congenial to its growth; but He, who plants it in the prepared ground of the heart is Almighty: He waters it by 豪 Matt. x. 36. + Psa. ii. 2. Acts xvi. 30. his Spirit, casts upon it the warm beams of His love, and renders it fruitful to His glory. Oh! how soothing are the words of Christ : "Come unto me,......and I will give you rest....... Come unto me,......and ye shall find rest unto your souls."* The believer only can tell the blessedness of this invitation, and of the rest to which he is invited. It is a rest from guilty fears, from sinful desires, from vain pursuits. It is a rest in the love, faithfulness, and truth of Christ. It is a rest in his Atonement, Righteousness, and Intercession. It is a rest in his sovereignty, power, and willingness to save. It is a rest which yields to his soul comfort and peace. It is the foretaste of that Rest which remaineth to the people of God. How comforting also are the words of Christ : "Let not your heart be troubled ye believe in God, believe also in me."+ O! that I had a heart to believe in Jesus, with the full assurance of faith. Then, like the Apostles of old, I might take up serpents, and they shall not hurt me. The keenest stings of slander, the most poisonous rancour of malice, endured for Christ's sake, shall no more harm me, than the viper did St. Paul, when it fastened on his hand at Melita.‡ "Let not your heart be troubled." Blessed words! On that memorable night, when the winds and the waves seemed ready to consign the infant Church of Christ to a watery grave, the disciples were filled with fear, and awoke their Master, exclaiming, "Carest thou not that we perish ?" How majestic, how godlike, was the conduct of Jesus. He calmly arose, rebuked the wind and the sea, saying: "Peace, be still." And then, turning to his disciples, gently reproved them: "Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith ?"§ The winds of disorder are now beginning to roar; the waves of discord are now beginning to Acts xxviii. 3. Matt. xi. 28, 29. John xiv. 1. § Mark iv. 38-40. P swell. The Church of Christ, like the ark of Noah, and the little vessel of the disciples, may be tossed on the tumultuous waters, but He who is with his Church is Almighty : "With Christ in the vessel, We smile at the storm." A heart under the influence of pride and passion, envy and jealousy, can never enjoy rest. Such a heart resembles the troubled sea, which casts up mire and dirt. How different is the heavenly rest. An angel's bosom is a stranger to conflicting passions. In that holy residence, dwells nothing that opposes the purposes of Jehovah, or disturbs the celestial harmony. There, all is obedience, purity, peace, and love. It is only in the breast of fallen man that rebellion is found, in conjunction with his tempters, the apostate spirits of darkness. The new creature in Christ Jesus is a restoration to pristine excellence. Much, indeed, still remains to be purged away; yet notwithstanding these remnants of corruption, the true believer is renewed in righteousness and true holiness. O! happy change. O! blessed transformation. The work is inward and unseen, but its effects are visible; just as the sap which, rising unobserved by man, diffuses itself throughout the tree, producing leaves, and flowers, and fruit. How wonderful are the operations of the Holy Spirit on our hearts. Have I experienced their efficacy and blessedness? Has the Lord drawn me to himself by the cords of love? Has he manifested himself to me, as he does not unto the world? Am I a follower of them who, through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises; dwelling in the smiles of the Redeemer, and enjoying a sabbath of eternal rest? Jesus, the ever-adorable Jesus, is the fountain of this felicity. His precious blood is the purchaseprice of our redemption. The claims of justice are satisfied, and mercy encompasseth the believer as with a shield. Streams of undeserved blessings are continually descending upon him from the throne of God and of the Lamb, filling his heart with joy and peace. Whatever holiness we possess, whatever peace we enjoy, all must be traced to Jesus, the purchaser and bestower of every good and perfect gift. All the spices of Arabia cannot equal in sweetness the fragrance of his sacred name. It is as ointment poured forth. It is a balm for every wound. All that we can conceive of excellence and beauty, of glory and perfection, is to be found in Jesus, who is the chief among ten thousand, the altogether lovely. He is the Believer's Rest. "Dear Friend of friendless sinners hear, Pardon a worm that would draw near, "With holy fear, and reverend love, I long to be beneath thy throne ; "Thou say'st, thou wilt thy servants keep In perfect peace, whose minds shall be "Take me, my Saviour, as thine own, And vindicate my righteous cause; And bend me to obey thy laws; |