ever"-"they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee," for " Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."

(2.) In His especial gift Christ is the Satisfying Portion. That gift is "Eternal Life." "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." "To-day"the present-the "now" of time-does not, cannot satisfy the soul; it is the future to which it turns the inward eye, and dark though that future be till God sendeth light, it strains that inward eye, with eager longings, if so be it may but dive into that future. The Lord Jesus Christ, the "Second Adam, the Quickening Spirit," "the Way, the Truth, and the Life," reveals that future. "He that believeth in Me hath everlasting life." The cherubims and the flaming sword no longer forbid approach to the tree of life; Christ "hath brought life and immortality to light;" "He that followeth Him shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life;" yea, peace shall be his portion here, and glory hereafter. Oh go not away then from Him, Oh go not away because He reproveth sin, (it is your enemy, and if not cast out will, vampire like, suck the life blood of your soul,) go not away because of mystery, mystery there

is in creation, in providence, and shall there be no mystery in grace? Go not away—“" it must needs be that offences come," but let not these turn you out of the way. Rather-far rather-draw ye closer to your Lord, cast on Him your every doubt, your every care. Believe in Him for the full and free forgiveness of all your sins; trust in Him for the supply of strength for the daily conflict with sin; and when Satan, or the world, or the flesh, would urge you to "go back, and walk no more with Him," stay not to argue with, (Gal. i. 16,) stay not to reply to, these; but at once betake yourselves to your Saviour and your King: "pour out your hearts" before Him, renew your comfort at a throne of grace, say unto Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life, and we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." Nor let it suffice you thus to make in words or even in your feelings, confession of your faith; "the people that do know their God" must "be strong and Do exploits." They have well said all that they have spoken, said the Lord, of Israel, (Deut. v. 28,) "Oh that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear Me, and keep all My commandments always, that it

might be well with them, and with their children for ever." Thus do ye; prove your love; not by words only, but by deeds. Deal with temptations to sin as you would with the deadly serpent that should cross you in your path. Avoid it, or resist it unto the death. Avoid it if you may; "if you stand upon the

brink of a sin, Satan comes behind and thrusts you into it; oh take heed how ye stand playing upon the borders of any sin, the holes of the asps." If, (from circumstances over which you have no control,) you cannot get out of the way of the temptation, resist unto the death the sin. Conquerors you may be, conquerors by grace you shall be, yea, "more than conquerors," but only "through Him that loved you." Confide in that All-Sufficient Saviour, call in by prayer His Almighty aid, in His strength strive: yes, strive, put forth the effort, let the struggle show that you are in earnest, dear in the sight of the Lord shall that conflict be; these have the tokens of perseverance unto the end for Christ saith of such, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me, and I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand," (John x. 27, 28.)

XII.

"ARISE AND EAT."

1 KINGS Xix., part of 7th verse.

"Arise and eat! because the journey is too great for thee."

SUCH was the voice that once and again broke upon the prophet's ear, and reached the prophet's heart. A sore change had passed over the spirit of Elijah; a little while since, and, bold in his God, he had confessed Him before the many thousands of Israel, and quailed not before the power of man; but now, fearful and dejected, he hath fled at the threatening of Jezebel, and casting himself down in the wilderness, exclaims, "Now, Lord, take away my life, for I am not better than my fathers." Such is man-at his best estate, in himself weak, changeable, ungrateful.... And what were the dealings of the Lord with His wayward servant? "As he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat! and he looked, and behold, there was a cake baken

on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat! because the journey is too great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb, the mount of God." (6th, 7th, 8th verses.)

Such is Jehovah. "I am the Lord, I change not, therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." God, who is God, who is "rich in mercy," tenderly drew him unto Himself, in forbearing love, in overwhelming compassion. In considering this subject, let us

I. Hear God's voice to Elijah.

II. Listen to it as God's voice to ourselves.

I. Hear God's voice to Elijah. "Arise and eat." As the voice of rebuke it doubtless reached the prophet's heart. The words indeed sound not thus; there is nothing in them of that which man calls rebuke, nothing harsh or severe; but "God's ways are not our ways," His reproofs to His people are often conveyed in most touchingly tender terms, and the hard rock thus smitten with the rod of His mercy sends forth the stream of godly sorrow. "Only