few verdant spots are to be found, on which the weary traveller can repose. The earth lies under the curse. Thorns and thistles cover the ground. Storms and tempests agitate the air. Disease and death dissolve the dearest ties; yet, in the midst of all this fluctuation, the heart of fallen man would never seek its rest in an Unchangeable Saviour, did not the sovereignty grace reveal the blessing, and make the sinner willing to repose under the shadow of his wing. of Every thing around me bespeaks the Fall, and testifies that this is not my rest. Why, then, should my foolish heart repose itself on any creature comfort? Have I still to learn that all is less than nothing and vanity? How greatly should I prize the blessed Bible, which reveals the way of reconciliation, and points to the Lamb of God, who alone can take away the sin of the world. Here is rest and peace for the troubled soul. Jesus has brought in an everlasting Righteousness, which is freely imputed to every humble believer. It is gratuitously offered in the Gospel "unto all," and is then placed "upon all them that believe;"* so that the vilest sinner, thus receiving Christ by faith, is "accepted in the Beloved," and through the Almighty power of the Holy Ghost, is made a new creature in Christ Jesus.‡ This is the Gospel. It brings "Glory to God in the highest." All the divine perfections harmonise and shed their united splendour around the Cross. It proclaims "Good-will toward men."S Through the preaching of the gospel, through the holding up of Christ crucified, sinners are entreated to come; yea, are powerfully drawn to God, being assured, from this manifestation of his grace, that he willeth not that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. It diffuses "Peace on earth."S The contending sinner lays down his hostile weapons, and through faith in the blood of Christ, obtains peace with God. The stormy conscience is hushed; Rom. iii. 22. † Eph. i. 6. 2 Cor. v. 17.; Gal. vi. 15. § Luke ii. 14. 2 Pet. iii. 9. the rough disposition is softened; and these blessed effects of the peaceful reign of Jesus will never cease to operate, till nations shall learn war no more. Oh! that this happy period, this antepast of heaven, may be hastened on the earth. Lord grant that this millennial blessedness may now be felt and enjoyed in my own soul. Oh! blessed Jesus, thou Prince of Peace, reveal thyself to my heart; soften, melt, and renew it. Consume all the dross which it contains, and transform it, wholly, after thine image; that, while surrounded by evils of every name, and sorrows of every kind, which abound in this rebellious, dying world, I may enjoy the light of thy countenance, and the purifying influence of thy love. These, O divine Redeemer, are indeed great blessings which I am now asking for; but am I not encouraged to enlarge my desires, to expand my heart, to stretch forth the hand of faith, that I may receive out of thy fulness, and grace for grace?— Thou, who art the fountain of living waters, hast said: "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."* "Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it." Fill me with thy love; satiate my soul with thy goodness; and make me an everlasting trophy of thy grace. Blessed Saviour! I am quite unable to love and serve thee, by any natural will or power of my own. At thy command, I would work out my own salvation, by the diligent use of appointed means; and yet, with fear and trembling, from a consciousness of my own depravity, and the deceits of Satan. But thou must work in me to will and to do of thy good pleasure, for without Thee I can do nothing. As thou didst condescend to visit the humble dwelling of Lazarus, be pleased to look down upon a family of sinful worms, who now entreat the favour that thou bearest unto thy people. O! visit us with thy salvation, that we may daily rejoice in thee.§ *Rev. xxii. 17. Psa. lxxxi. 10. Phil. ii. 12, 13, Many are the afflictions of the righteous;* afflictions peculiar to themselves. They partake, indeed, of bodily and temporal trials, in common with their brethren of mankind; but they are often called to endure tribulations from which the worldly are exempt. They suffer for righteousness' sake. They take up the cross and follow Christ, through evil report and good report. They submit to have their name cast out as evil; to be accounted as the offscouring of all things. Their inward trials are known only to themselves, and to Him who searcheth the heart. They have to struggle against indwelling sin; against the law in the members, which wars against the law of the mind. They have to contend against the suggestions of unbelief, the workings of pride, the lustings of the flesh, and the love of the world. There are seasons when darkness seems to overspread their souls, and hope to suffer an eclipse. At such a period, Satan casts into the citadel of the heart, his fiery darts, and opens all his dread artillery to dismay and overcome the afflicted believers in Jesus. But all-prayer in the name of Christ prevails; for "when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him." The foe is foiled-the darkness is dissipated; and light and joy once more fill the souls of the conquering saints. If it be asked, Why is this? It is because the Lord, whose wisdom and love are infinite, is pleased to overule these trials to humble and purify his people. By these afflictions, their faith is strengthened; the spirit of prayer is quickened; their humility is increased; their love inflamed; and their dependence rendered more simple and entire. The dearest children of God have been deeply afflicted by family trials, as well as by inward con Alicts: Adam, had his Cain.-Gen. iv. 8. * Psa. xxxiv. 19. + Isa. lix. 19. 16. Abraham, his Ishmael.-Gen. xxi. 9, 10. Jacob, his ten unnatural sons and erring daughter. Gen. xxxvii. 18, 19., xxxiv. 1, 2. Aaron, his Nadab and Abihu.-Lev. x. 1, 2. Eli, his Hophni and Phinehas.-1 Sam. iii. 13. Samuel, his Joel and Abiah.-1 Sam. viii. 1—3. David, his Amnon and Absalom.-2 Sam. xiii. 14., xv. 14. Jehoshaphat, his Jehoram.-2 Chron. xxi. 4, 6. Hezekiah, his Manasseh.-2 Chron. xxxiii. 1, 2. A pious parent cannot produce a pious offspring. The taint of original sin pollutes the streams which flow downwards from fallen Adam. Grace alone can effect the change. These fatherly chastenings are all sanctified to the people of God. For the present, they are not joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward they yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness to them that are exercised thereby. God doth not willingly afflict nor grieve the children of men. He corrects us like a wise and loving parent, for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness.+ Blessed Lord! enable me to be calm and passive under thy chastening hand. I know that thou dost all things well; and that it shall be well with them who love and fear thee. Keep me as the apple of an eye. Hide me under the shadow of thy wing. Wean my heart from all earthly vanities, and cause me to wing my way towards Thee. Thou canst embitter every comfort; and sweeten every cross. Preserve me from all idolatrous attachments. Reveal Thyself to me in the fulness of thy love, through a believing view of the Truth as it is in Jesus. I know, O Lord, that in very faithfulness, thou dost cause me to be * Lam. iii. 33. + Heb. xii. 10, 11. afflicted. But oh! how gentle is the stroke of thy rod; how loving are thy corrections. I might justly experience the weight of thy wrath; instead of this, I am only called to bear the easy yoke of parental discipline. And shall I murmur or complain? O that songs of praise, and feelings of joy, and expressions of gratitude, may ever manifest the state of my heart. Thou, O Lord, art worthy to be praised. Thy loving-kindness is great. Thy mercy is infinite. Thy grace is unbounded. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name; for his name only is excellent, and his praise above heaven and earth. How great, O worldling, is thy dread mistake, Art thou content, for wealth, for honour's sake, Its pain, thy treacherous heart will quickly feel; In flaming fire, with majesty arrayed, The Lord will call thee to his awful throne; Worldling! be wise; awake, awake from sin! Fly to the Cross-the Saviour thee invites ; *Psa. cxix. 75. |