ings, with a certainty of death before you, but of immortality hope, may part hereafter; or, would you prefer health, prosperity, long life in the with anything." world, and run the risk of losing your immortal soul?' 'Ah, sir!' said the man in the midst of his agony, 'give me the cancer, the pain, the Bible, the hope of heaven; and others may take the world, long life, and prosperity!' "h

-Congreve.

Rev. Mr. Trefit.

he deliver

ance of the

creature Is. xxiv. 5, 6; 2 a Ge. iii. 17, 18; Pe. iii. 7.

b Re. xxi. 4; He. ii. 13-15.

human mould we reap our daily

wind themselves into our sweetest

20, 21. made, in consequence of sin. vanity, decay, misery, death. not willingly, not of its own will, but by Divine sentence." hope, the ruin not final. This flower survived the delivered, withering of Eden's blossoms. emancipated. glorious liberty, Gk., the liberty of the glory, i.e., the liberty pertaining to the manifested perfection of the sons of God. Divine sonship.-From these words infer: I. That there are some men who are actually affiliated to God-" children of God." "The spade, the What does this mean? Not mere-1. Creatureship; 2. Resem- plough disturb blance. II. This affiliation to God is connected with glorious our ancestors; fr. liberty: 1. It is purchased at immense cost; 2. It involves man's entire freedom; 3. It is a liberty in harmony with the rights of bread."-Young. the universe and God's glory; 4. It will never find a termination." "Here every drop Waiting for Christ's coming.-" One windy afternoon, I went of honey hides a with a friend into a country almshouse. There was sitting before sting; worms a feeble fire a very aged man; and the better to keep from his bald head the cold gusts, he wore his hat; he was never likely to need it out of doors. He was very deaf, and so shaken with the palsy that one wooden shoe constantly pattered on the brick floor. But, deaf, and sick, and helpless, it turned out that he was happy. What are you doing, Wisby?' said my friend. Waiting, sir.' And for what?' For the appearing of my Lord.' 'And what makes you wish for His appearing?' Because, sir, I expect great things then. He has promised a crown of righteousness to all that love His appearing.' And, to see whether it was a right foundation on which he rested that glorious hope, we asked old Wisby what it was. By degrees he got on his spectacles, and, opening the great Bible beside him, pointed to that text, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.'

C

flowers."-Cowper.

c Dr. Thomas.

d Dr. J. Hamilton.

"Hope is like the cork to the net, which keeps the soul from sinking in despair; and fear is like the lead to the net, which keeps in presumption." it from floating Watson.

deliverance

in

xii. 11. "The groans of nature this nether which heaven has heard for ages, have an

22, 23. whole creation, nature, animate and inanimate. universal groaneth, such figures not uncommon in Scripture.a tra- longing for vaileth, Gk., with pangs of childbirth. until now, consider, a Ps. xcvi. 12; in proof of this, the hist. of the past, and the state of the world at Hos. iv. 1-3; this day. ourselves, even we, the sons of God. which.. Spirit, Joel i. 18; Je. already possessing the pledge and foretaste of the harvest of liberty and glory. adoption, in its complete and perfect form. redemption, final deliverance. body, rescued from sin's world, d presence and power. The firstfruits of the Spirit.-What is meant by first-fruits: I. They were so called because they came first. So the spiritual life, with all its adorning graces-repentance, that gem of the first water; faith, that priceless pearl; hope, the heavenly emerald; in pangs; and love, the glorious ruby-are the first operations of the Spirit nature gave a in our souls. II. They were the pledge of the harvest. So when second groan."— God gives us things which are pure, lovely, and of good report, these are to us the prognostics of the coming glory. III. They

end." Cowper.
b "Earth trem-
bled
entrails as again

Milton.

fr. her

and

c Ep. i. 13, 14; 2 Co. v. 5; i. 21, 22.

ཚ

d Ep. iv. 30; Ph.

i. 6.

were always holy to the Lord. So our new nature, with all its powers, is a consecrated thing, not to be ascribed to our own merit; for it is Christ's image and creation, and is ordained for His glory. IV. They were not the harvest, and the Spirit's work in us at this moment, is not the consummation-the perfection "Though God is yet to come. Be avaricious for more holy grace, and your Lord suffers the earth will grant it to you.

e Ph. iii, 20, 21; Lu. xxi. 28; Hos. xiii. 14; Lu. xx. 36.

. men upon it,

weight, and

He will never

nall.

to bear for a Hope, a waiting grace.-Hope is a waiting grace; it makes a while unholy Christian's life to be a perpetual waiting: "All the days of my while it doth not appointed time will I wait till my change come," saith Job. Job without sweating had many changes; but he waited for that great one which under their should bring him into a state of unchangeable happiness. Whatgroaning to be ever holy men are a-doing still, they are in a waiting posture. rid of the load; When Jacob was blessing his sons, he did not forget this, but yet we are sure broke out in a sudden, sweet ejaculation, "I have waited for Thy admit them int salvation, O Lord " (Gen. xlix. 18). Hope makes Christians to heaven." Gur-wait for the good things to come at all times, but in a special manner in time of suffering. St. Paul, speaking first of the suffering f Spurgeon. saints, and then of the groaning world, expresseth himself thus: "Hope is like the "We ourselves also, which have the first-fruits of the Spirit, wing of an angel, groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, the redemption soaring up to of our body; for we are saved by hope" (Rom. viii. 23, 24). And heaven, and bearing our when the storm of persecution comes, it waits in a way of patience. prayers to the Hence the Apostle speaks of "the patience of hope" (1 Thess. i. 3).. When the martyr Ananias, in the Persian persecution, seemed to tremble at the approaching cross, Pusices spake thus to him: Paulisper, O senex, oculos claude; nam statim lumen Dei videbis ;—"Shut thine eyes a little, old man, and immediately thou shalt see the light of God."

throne of God."

Jeremy Taylor

g Polhill.

hope and patience

a Ro. iv. 18; 2 Th. ii. 16: Tit. ii. 11-13; Ro. v. 2 Ga. v. 5; 1 Th. v. 8; He. vi. 19; Col.

-5; 1 Pe. i. 3-5;

i. 5, 27.

b He. xi. 1.

c Lam. iii. 26; He. x. 34-36; 2 Th. iii. 5; He. xii. 1. 2; He. vi. 11, 12; Ro. ii. 7; Is. XXV. 8, 9.

soul from sinking

24, 25. saved, we are redeemed, though the great resultthe purchased possession-is not ours as yet. by hope,a Gk., in hope. In our sure and certain hope we are already, by the full assurance of hope, in possession of full redemption: for faith is the substance of things hoped for. hope for? things hoped for are things unseen, like the things of faith. if.. hope, with a good hope through grace. patience, endurance, perseverance. wait, till our change come, in God's time.

Christian hope.-I. The objects it contemplates. 1. The raised body; 2. A perfectly holy nature; 3. Blessed society; 4. The vision of God. II. From what it saves us. From-1. Immoderate sorrow in affliction; 2. Earthly-mindedness; 3. Slothfulness. III. By what it is sustained. By-1. Meditation on God; 2. Frequent acts of communion with Him; 3. Dwelling on the indis"Hope is like the soluble connection between the souls of believers and Christ; cork to the net, 4. The giving full scope to our faculty of anticipation." which keeps the Relation of hope to man.-Human life hath not a surer friend, in despair; and nor many times a greater enemy, than hope. It is to man as a fear is like the bladder to a learning swimmer, it keeps him from sinking in the lead, which keeps bosom of the waves, and by that help he may attain the exercise; it from floating but yet it many times makes him venture beyond his depth, and then, if that breaks, or a storm rises, he drowns without recovery. How many would die, did not hope sustain them! How many have died by hoping too much !e-The anticipations of hope.-As the ship is at land in its anchor, so the soul is in heaven in its hope; and he that hath a true interest there, will not part with it in a time of suffering: the anchor being in heaven, and fastened

in presumption." -Watson.

d Dr. Leifchild. e Feltham.

"Hope is a flatterer; but the most upright of

poor man's hut, as well as the

in the unmovable felicity there, will hold out in a storm. Such all parasites; for an one will reckon, as St. Paul did, that "the sufferings of this she frequents the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Rom. viii. 18). Or if a comparison be palace of his made, the sufferings, in respect of the glory, will be but as a drop superior."-Shenof wormwood to a vast sea of infinite sweetness. . . . The learned Rivet, at his dying hour, brake forth into these words, Expecto, f Polhill. credo, persevero, dimoveri nequeo. Dei Spiritus meo spiritui tes-Love is the Amen tatur, me esse ex filiis suis. O amorem ineffabilem !" I expect, of the universe. I believe, I persevere, I cannot be moved. "God's Spirit witnesses

to mine that I am one of His children. O ineffable love!"f

stone.

26, 27. likewise, not only does hope help us. helpeth," the Spirit Gk., to bear together with another, as when persons assist in helps our infirmity carrying a heavy load. groaning, . . uttered," inwardly felt by the spirit. He.. hearts, He the heart-searcher.c mind..a 2 Co. xii. 9; Ma. x. 19, 20; xx. 22; Spirit, aim, desire of these inarticulate groanings. maketh intercession, He complaineth. according..God, Gk., acc. ii. 18; Ro. viii. 15. to God.

Zec. xii. 10; Ep.

b Ps. xlii. 1-4;

lxxvii. 4; 1 S. i.

13.

M.A.

f Dr. Leifchild.

"We must thus think of the just man, that if he

The Spirit helping our infirmities.-I. What is prayer? Look upon it as-1. Grounded upon the office and work of Christ; 2. Connected with the work of the Spirit. II. What praying soul c 2 Ch. vi. 30; 1 is not conscious of deep and manifold infirmities? 1. The matter S. xvi. 7; 1 Ch. xxviii. 9; Je. xvii. of our prayers. We know not what to pray for. 2. Their manner 10; Ps. vii. 9; cf. and spirit. These too are fraught with infirmities. III. Our Re. ii. 23; Ma. ix. assistance in prayer. Christ intercedeth for us. Mark this help 4; xii. 25; Lu. v. in-1. Exciting intense desires within us; 2. Moulding these; Jo. ii. 24, 25; xvi. 19; Ac. i. 24. desires in subjection to the will of God. IV. The acceptance of d Same Gk. word prayer. Application-(1) Where prayer is a mere form, it is a used by Festus dead matter; (2) Yet be not discouraged although you may not (Ac. xxv. 24) and have known these earnest desires; (3) In infirmities we must not of Elijah (Ro. xi. indolently wait for the promised help; (4) Are we overcoming 2). our infirmities, or simply confessing them? (5) Learn to worship e Rev. C. Bridges, the Spirit; (6) Mark how well the Spirit's work in prayer connects itself with that of Christ.e-The aid of the Holy Spirit in prayer. The infirmities in prayer against which the Holy Spirit proves an adequate succour. The infirmity of-I. Ignorance; II. Doubt; III. Dulness; IV. Utterance.-Man's spiritual infirmities and God's agency.-I. The good man is subject to various spiritual infirmities: 1. Ignorance; 2. Doubts and fears; 3. Love seeming evils, all for temporal things; 4. Reluctance to engage, and difficulty to these things continue in well-doing. II. Among these infirmities there is ignor- work together for ance of the nature and mode of prayer: 1. We know not what we good to him, should pray for; 2. We know not how to pray. III. These either alive or infirmities the Spirit helps us to overcome: 1. Christ intercedes in heaven-the Spirit on earth in us; 2. Christ is the advocate with God; the Spirit, with men; 3. Christ is in heaven preparing a place for us; the Spirit is preparing us for heaven. IV. The manner of the Spirit's help is inexplicable and earnest. The help of the Holy Spirit.-Mr. ——, a pious gentleman, was on a visit to a friend. Mr. C—having taken occasion to recommend family worship, his friend remarked that he was resemble god."sensible of the importance of the duty; but having been a Plato. stranger to the practice of it, he felt a difficulty in commencing; 9 G. W. Humphthat, however, if Mr. C- would make a beginning, he would reys, B.A. endeavour to continue it. To Mr. C this proposal was em- "In prayer it is barrassing, for he was always accustomed to the help of a better to have a

fall into poverty or disease, or any other of those

dead. For the

man is never neglected by the

gods who exerts himself to the utmost to become

just, and to practise virtue, so far as it is possible

for a man to

words without a

heart without prayer-book. But his desire for usefulness prevailed; the family words, than were convened, and their guest presided at family worship. At heart."-Bunyan. first he was agitated, and his voice began to falter; but he soon recovered confidence. The success of his first attempt encouraged him to lay his formulary aside, and experience soon taught him, that when the spirit of devotion prevails, there is rarely a difficulty in giving expression to the feelings it excites.

all things working together

a Is. xxvii. 7-9;

liv. 15-17; Ps. xciv. 12-15.

b 2 S. xxiii. 5.

c Ps. ciii. 13; He. xii. 5-11.

d Ga. v. 13: Col.

iii. 15; 1 Ti. vi.

12; Re. iii. 20;

Ro. xi. 29.

28. know, (1) Word of God;a (2) covenant of grace; (3) our filial relation to God; (4) history of His people-David, Joseph, Job, etc. all things, nature, providence, grace. Things that seem evil as well as things manifestly good. work together, in agreement, co-operation, for one end. Look upon no evil-poverty, affliction, etc.-as working by itself (ill. opposite seasons work together to perfect the year's harvest: opposite gases make a wholesome atmosphere). good, spiritual, eternal. to.. God, to others even the blessing is often turned into a curse. called.. purpose,d acc. to His eternal purpose in Christ. The reward of loving.-I. To whom were these words spoken? xix. 9: He. ix. To those who love God, and who, loving Him, 1. Do not 15; 1. Co. ix. 8; regard all their good as secular; 2. Require no more than His "This unfeigned love. What more can the world give? II. The nature of a true love of God, love to God. It kindles the conception of things far higher than raised from be- mere temporalities.-The purpose, calling, and love of God.-L lief of His lov- His purpose. It is-1. Essentially one; 2. Good; 3. Progreswards us, is as sive. II. His calling. He decreed-1. That you should have an the first concep- intelligent, responsible, and undying nature; 2. The offer of tion or planta- salvation to fallen man; 3. That the refusal of His offer should tion of true hap-be punished; 4. That those who trust in His mercy shall be once truly plant- saved. III. His love. It is revealed by-1. His dispensations ed, whatsoever towards man; 2. The work of Christ.-Providence. We have in in this life can the text:-I. A fact: 1. Things work; 2. All things work; 3. as nutriment." All things work together. II. A principle,-"Love to God." III. Dean Jackson. A result,-"good."s-The Christian Cosmos.-I. The universal "Health, beauty, law-work: I. The inanimate creation is not exempt from this vigour, riches, law; 2. In the lowest levels of animated existence there are the and all the other tokens of work; 3. Work pervades the human and animal

ing kindness to

piness; to which,

befall us serves

things called

unjust, as they

g E. D. Cornish.

lor.

goods, operate economy; 4. Angels and demons work; 5. The Godhead works. equally as evils II. The universal method-together: 1. The inferior objects of to the vicious and nature; 2. Men; 3. Men with nature; 4. Men and angels; 5. do as benefits to Men with God; 6. All things, principles, and beings, "work the just."-Plato. together," and God moves amidst and works through them all. e H. W. Beecher. III. The universal destination,-"for good to them that love f Caleb Morris. God:"-1. Why to them that love God? 2. How all for good? Application:—(1) Our great concern is manifestly to love God; h Rev. H. Batche (2) The love of God in the heart is the secret of all spiritual rest and peace; (3) All things work together for ill to them that love not God. God's providence in relation to His people.—It is-I. Universal in its extent. Many things contribute to the vidence tempers good of " them that love God:" 1. Angels; 2. Fallen angels and His blessings to devils; 3. Human beings, both good and bad; 4. The animal secure their creation; 5. The elements of nature; 6. Calamity, disease, and keeps our joys suffering. II. Harmonious in its operations. See this in-1 and our fears on The history of redemption; 2. Individual experience. III an even balance, Benevolent in its design,-for good: 1. Visible; 2. Invisible, that we may neither presume good.i-Divine providence.- Concerning Divine providence we nor despair. By observe-I. Its universality; II. Its mighty efficacy in action;

i Henry Thorne.
"Divine Pro-

better effect. He

III. Harmony; IV. The benevolence of its design; V. That it such composihas reference to a particular class of persons who are beneficially tions God is interested in it; VI. Its source-the purpose of God; VII. The both our crosses pleased to make confidence which it is calculated to inspire; VIII. That it is more tolerable, mediatorial, k and our enjoyments more

Dr. Andrew

Good out of evil.-When the Rev. Bernard Gilpin was on his wholesome and way to London, to be tried before the Popish party, he broke his safe."-Wogan. leg by a fall, which put a stop for some time to his journey. The person in whose custody he was, took occasion from this Reed. circumstance to retort upon him an observation he used "The chariot of frequently to make, "That nothing happens to us but what is God's proviintended for our good." He answered meekly, "He made no question but it was." And, indeed, so it proved; for before he wheels."-Ruther was able to travel, Queen Mary died. Being thus providentially ford. rescued, he returned to Houghton through crowds of people, expressing the utmost joy, and blessing God for his deliverance.

dence runneth not upon broken

Ac. xv. 14-18;

29, 30. foreknow," foreknew as heirs of eternal life. predestinatpredestinate, did resolve beforehand concerning these. b con- ing, calling, justifying formed, made like to. image, moral nature, filial character, visible glory. He, His Son. firstborn, the eldest, the heir. a1 Pe.i.2; Je.i.5; many, a great number that no man can number. brethren, Ro. xi. 2; Re. family resemblance, and feeling. called,e effectually: in His xiii. 8. own way, and time. justified, wh. proves the call to be effectual. b Ep. i. 4-6, 11, glorified, and, therefore, kept by His power unto eternal salva-12; ii. 10.

tion.

c Ph. iii. 10, 21; 1 Jo. iii. 2.

d Col. i. 15, 16, 18;

Conformity to Christ predestinated.-I. The nature of this conformity with respect to-1. His Sonship; 2. His moral character; Re. i. 5, 6; vii. 9. 3. The offices He sustains; 4. His suffering and humiliation; 5. e 1 Co. i. 9, 30; His glory. II. The act of God in pursuance of that end-" Pre-1 Co. vi. 11; Ga. destination." An act-1. Agreeable to the nature of God; 2. i. 15. In accordance with the analogy of nature; 3. Agreeable to the f Ps. cxxxviii. 8 conduct of His providence, as in Christ. III. Conclusion:-1.1 Th. ii. 12; Jo. Predestination affords no comfort to those who are not "conxvii. 22; Col. iii. 4. "You may as formed to the image of His Son;" 2. It does not destroy the voluntary character of human actions, nor does it involve force or compulsion.g

well call him a man whose soul

is not in him, as

you may call that

man a Christian

g Anon.

trines of election

Soldiers of Christ.-Believers are soldiers; all soldiers, by their profession, are engaged to fight if called upon; but who shall who hath not the be called to sustain the hottest service, and be most frequently Spirit of Christ." exposed upon the field of battle, depends upon the will of. Alleine. the general or king. Some of our soldiers are now upon Sir, in these hard service, while others are stationed round the palace, matters - (refersee the king's face daily, and have no dangers or hardships ring to the docto encounter. These, however, are as liable to a call as the and final perseothers; but if not called upon, they may enjoy, with thankful- verance)-I am ness, the more easy post assigned them. Thus the "Captain of our salvation" allots to His soldiers such stations as He thinks proper. He has a right to employ whom He will, and where He will. Some are comparatively at ease; they are not exposed to the fiercest onsets, but live near His presence; others are to appearance pressed above measure, beyond strength, so that they despair even of life; yet they are supported, and in the end made "more than conquerors" through Him who hath loved them."

so fearful, that I dare not speak further, yea, almost none otherwise, than the it were, lead me very text doth, as by the hand."Bp. Ridley.

h J. Newton.

31, 32. what.. say,a what, either of wonder, or refutation? God is with these things? wh. I have rehearsed; and this that I am about us