ginal Author and Him, as the giver and conveyer of them to us; and to Him they are, to His honour, for His use, and in His disposal; and no further or Looking back to the title.-"I have read of an author who," Of Him they whilst he was writing a book he was about to publish, would are, as the orievery now and then look back to the title, to see if his work Creator; through corresponded thereto, and if it answered the expectation raised thereby. Now the use I would make hereof, and would recommend to you is, for thee, O sinner, to look back every now and then, and consider for what thou wast created; and for thee, O saint, to look back every now and then, and consider for what thou wast redeemed." -The universal Providence.-By Him all things consist. Every object in nature is impressed with His footprints, and each new day repeats the wonders of creation. Yes, there is not a morning we open our eyes but they meet a scene as wonderful as that which fixed the gaze of Adam when he awoke into existence. Nor is there an object, be it pebble or pearl, weed or rose, the flower-spangled sward beneath, or the star-spangled sky above, a worm or an angel, a drop of water or a boundless ocean, in which intelligence may not discern, and piety may not adore, the Providence of Him who assumed our natured Dr. Guthrie. that He might save our souls. If God is not in all the thoughts of the wicked, He is in everything else." longer ours than He is pleased in mercy, not in justice, as a free gift not a debt, to dispense them to us."- - Bp. Smalridge. c Mr. Ashburner. CHAPTER THE TWELFTH. b living 1. mercies.. God,a in creation, providence, redemption. Un- the Christian searchable, innumerable, unmerited, and invaluable. present, to be a give, surrender. bodies, for active service. living sacrifice, the sacrifice to be offered daily as long as life may last. holy," without sin. acceptable, well-pleasing. He, deigns to accept who has need of nothing. reasonable, approved by intelligence, affection, conscience. Ps. cxvi. 12, 16, 17. 6 1 Co. vi. 19, 20; The acceptable offering.—The sacrifice enjoined. I. Its nature Phi. i. 20. a thank-offering-willing "present." II. Its motive-grati- c 2 Co. v. 14, 15; tude for" mercies." III. Its matter-the entire man-" bodies." Ro. vi. 13, 19. IV. Its qualities: 1. Living. 2. Holy. V. Its results-" ac-d Le. ix. 2-4; ceptable." - -Beneficence, its principle and practice.-I. The mo- Mal. i. 14. tive power applied-"I beseech you," etc. II. The result e 1 Pe. ii. 5. expected the consecration of the man: 1. The measure of the ƒ Phile. 9, 19. self-dedication which the reception of Divine mercy is expected g W. W. Wythe. and fitted to produce. This sacrifice is (1) The offerer's own "Our bodies are body; (2) Not dead, but living: 2. Its manner. 3. Its reason- to be offered a ableness. Reasonable as contrasted with-(1) The Divinely- sacrifice, but an prescribed offerings of the Mosaic ritual; (2) Áll the irrational unbloody one; expenditure which is lavished upon superstition, vanity, and vice. Grateful sacrifice.-I. Its characteristics: 1. Personal; 2. Fulfilled by life, not death; 3. Holy; 4. Reasonable. II. The conditions of its presentation: 1. Negative; 2. Positive. III. IV. The motive to it-" The mercies of God." What a strong appeal is made by-1. The memories of the past; 2. The voices of the present; 3. The chartered pledges of the future! Above all things, beware of an unmoved heart.i i C. H. Derby, B.A. Consecration to Christ.-Mr. Knill once related the following "Wherein is the instance of the consecration of a youth, which was mentioned to mercy of having him by an American minister as having occurred in one of their a body, except it assemblies :—When the meeting was about to close, a fine boy at be employed for Its results. such a sacrifice as we have no to be it cause h W. Arnot, D.D. resurrection service?"-Flavel. withdraw from God? Will not the end of the room rose and said, with a tremulous voice, “Will its reward at the be you permit me to speak?" Every eye was drawn towards the sufficient for all place whence the voice proceeded, and after deep attention had the pains it now been excited, he thus addressed the chairman::-"I am fifteen endures in His years of age, and about three years since it pleased God to convince me of my need of a Saviour; I sought Him, and found Him; "Were God to and from that time to this my heart has been set on missions, and me, I should be I have a strong desire to make Christ known to the heathen. I as weak as water. have been in schools where I had an opportunity of becoming acAll that I enjoy, quainted with missions to the heathen, particularly with the though it be miracle on miracle, labours of Mr. Judson in Burmah. I have often felt I should like to would not sup-go and make Christ known to the poor Burmese. Having often felt port me without this desire, I make it known to you; and if you think me a proper fresh supplies from God. The person to engage in missionary labours, here I am; I surrender thing I rejoice in myself to Christ and His Church." His address was mingled with is this, that God tears and sobs, accompanied with much agitation. When he had is altogether finished, the whole assembly was suffused with tears; fathers and full; and that in mothers present were wishing their sons felt as that boy did. After the sobs had subsided, a venerable man arose, whose silver hair adorned his shoulders, and said, "That is my son. I have of the Godhead,' long thought he loved the Saviour, but I did not know what had run out."-Haly been passing in his mind. God forbid that I should throw any obstacle in the way, when he gives himself to Christ and His Church." The father, Dr. Brown, said he had not the means of sending him to college; when one of the elders rose, and said, Being a man of property, I will pay his college expenses, and send him to Burmah; and I hope that we shall at last meet in heaven, where we shall cast our crowns at the feet of Jesus." 2. conformed, made like. world, a temper, conduct, aim, policy. transformed, changed. renewing.. mind," the change to be radical, internal, spiritual. prove, by experience. good, Gk., that which is good. acceptable, G., the acceptable. will.. God, Gk., the will of God. Prove that whatever form it takes it is always the highest good of life; and always acceptable-well-pleasing-to a renewed heart.c the Mediator Christ Jesus is all the fulness and it will never burton. be not conformed to this world a 1 Jo. ii. 15-17; 2 Co. vi. 14-17; Ep. ii. 2, 3; iv. 17-24; 1 Pe. iv. 2, 3. b Col. iii. 10; Ro. vii. 12, 22. c Ps. xix. 7-9. "If any sin is fashionable, Christians should -Anon. 66 Nonconformity to the world.-I. Its nature: 1. It is not ceremonial; 2. Nor yet civil; but-3. It is moral. Be not conformed to--(1) The spirit of the world; (2) The world, in your rules of life; (3) In your company; (4) In your practices. II. Some reasons for its prohibition: 1. Duty; 2. Profession; 3. Self-love; be out of fashion." 4. The love of your neighbour; 5. Religion prohibits it. III. How it may be prevented. By-1. The regeneration of our "The wisest of natures; 2. The exercise of daily prayer; 3. Guarding against men in all ages temptation; 4. A constant dependence upon God.d-General have ever thought mistakes.-The world is a dangerous guide in regard to-I. Faith. it prudence to conform to the Because of-1. Prejudice of education; 2. Custom; 3. Example. innocent, though II. The worship God requires. III. Morality. Consider men in otherwise not regard to-1. Their masters; 2. Their professions; 3. Their convenient, cus-received rules of life; 4. The actions which they celebrate; 5. and place Certain decisive occasions, which clearly show their principles wherein they and motives. IV. The hour of death.-The folly and danger of lived."-J. Norris. conforming to this world.-I. What this caution supposes: 1. The toms of the age d Anon. e W. Stevens. f Dr. Stennett. way of the world is wicked; 2. Christians are too prone to conform to the world; 3. The danger of such conformity. II. This caution explained. Our principles, spirit, and conduct are to be at a distance from those of the world. III. Its reasonableness.! Whom est recreation." "I have lived believe that no be ness and honour without the sengion."-La Place. timent of reli "The great end of religion is to make us like God, and conduct us to the enjoyment of Him... The prince of this world.—Who is the prince of this world? "Religion is the "The Lord is King," cries the Psalmist; "let the earth rejoice; Perfection of wisdom, -pracand let the multitude of the isles be glad thereof." Is the Lord, tice the best inthen, the Prince of this world-the Prince of those who give up structor- thankstheir hearts to this world? Is He your Prince, your King? By giving the sweetright He is so, by a twofold title, as your Creator, and as your Horne. Redeemer. But so long as you continue the children of this world, He is not, in point of fact, your King. He is not the king long enough to whom the children of this world honour, and obey, and serve. know what I did Their true king, the king whom they really honour, and obey, and not at one time serve, is... Whom did Eve obey and serve, when she was beguiled society can by the pleasures of the senses to pluck the forbidden fruit? Whom upheld in happidid Cain obey and serve, when he lifted his hand against Abel? Whom did the generation before the flood obey and serve, when it repented the Lord that He had made man? Whom did the children of the plain obey and serve, when they attempted to build a tower, the top of which should reach to heaven? did Esau obey and serve, when he sold his birthright? Whom did the sons of Jacob obey and serve, when they cast Joseph into the pit? Whom did Samson obey and serve, when he laid his head in the lap of Delilah? Whom did David obey and serve, when he commanded that Uriah should be set in front of the battle, and called religious left to die? Whom did Solomon obey and serve, when his wives knowledge, if it turned away his heart to worship Ashtoreth and Milcom? Whom us in the way to did Herod obey and serve, when he slew the children at Bethle- this end, is not hem? Whom did Judas obey and serve, when he betrayed his religious knowMaster? Whom did Pilate obey and serve, when he gave up Him thing else falsely in whom he could find no fault, to be crucified? They all obeyed and served the prince of this world, the prince who, under one shape or other, reigns in the hearts of all the children of this world, swaying some by the lusts of the flesh, and others by the justs of the eye, and others again by the pride of life.g 3-5. grace, Apostolic authority. not.. think, and therefore not to estimate others too little. soberly, justly, thoughtfully. according.. man, to ea. something, and dif. fr. the rest. measure. faith, ea. might have more if his faith, and its fruit, were greater. members, organs, senses, limbs. all.. 6, 7. office, ea. a work of its own, and helpful to the rest. many, men, believers. are.. body, the Church. Christ, the 11. Head, directing, thinking for, etc. and.. another, with inter- d Ep. iv. 1-17, change of help, trust, sympathy. Whatever is does not direct ledge; but some so called." - J. Mason. g Hare. humility a Ro. xv. 15. we.. c 1 Co. xii. 7-9, 11-13, 15, 16. boileth over, that Human nature. There are in man-I. A natural principle of "When the pot benevolence, which is to society what self-love is to the individual. which was in it II. Other affections contributing to public and private good. How is lost in the fire. they may be classified: 1. Passions distinct from benevolence Rise not too high tending to public good; 2. Passions distinct from self-love tending in the esteem of to private good. III. A conscience, whereby we survey ourselves you rise to the your grace, lest and pass sentence on our acts: 1. Its tendency to society's good; loss of it."-Bax2. How it is shown to differ from affection; 3. How proved to ter. exist. The usefulness and honourableness of poverty.-I. The none else to think interests of rich and poor are closely interwoven together. II. With-highly of himself, out the poor, the rich would be utterly useless. III. The softening but himself and humanising power of the appointed mixture of the poor with the rich. "God suffers alone." dotus. - Hero e Bp. Butler: Humility.-On the day of Charlotte County election in 1799, as soon as Patrick Henry appeared on the ground, he was surrounded B.D. not undervalue, "Christians by the admiring crowd, and wheresoever he went the concourse should deny, but followed him. A minister of the Baptist Church, whose piety themselves was wounded by this homage paid to a mortal, asked the people They should be around, why thus they followed Mr. Henry about? "Mr. Henry," humble, but not said he, "is not a god." No," said Mr. Henry, deeply affected both by the scene and the remark, " No, indeed, my friend, I am but a poor worm of the dust, as fleeting and unsubstantial as the shadow of the cloud that flies over yon field, and is remembered no more." The tone with which this was uttered, and the look which accompanied it, affected every heart and silenced every voice. base."-T. Watson. gifts, their variety and use 11. a Ma. xxv. 1430; 1 Pe. iv. 10, b Ac. xv. 32; 1 Co. xiv. 3, 31; Is. viii. 20. Ac. vi. 1-4; Ep. iv. 11, 12. d1 Ti. iv. 13-16; 2 Ti. iv. 2; Col. i. 28, 29. e Ma. vi. 1-3; 2 Col. ix. 7. 1 Pe. v. 2. d 6-8. gifts, every office, talent, etc., a gift. differing, in kind or degree. according.. us, the dif. to be referred to will of God, who knows what to bestow, and upon whom. prophecy,' gift of preaching. ministry, var. official duties in the Church. teaching, as catechising (ill. art of questioning: dif. betw. education and instruction). exhorteth, another species of teaching or preaching. Preaching gifts differ: let ea. cultivate his own and neither envy nor decry the gift of another. giveth," having worldly substance as his gifts. simplicity, without ostentation; and with pure motive. ruleth, church office (ill. Pastor, or Deacon, etc). showeth mercy, appointed to attend to the poor, the sick, the persecuted, etc. Gifts. The gifts of-I. Prophets or instructors. Gifts for-1. Communicating Divine truth; 2. Interpreting the Divine will; 3. Foretelling future events. II. Ministers or administrators; "Bis dat qui cito discharging the duties of-1. Distribution; 2. Government; 3. dat - He gives Attendance on the sick.g giveth once that good turn to be twice who gives Humility-Humility, in the Gospel sense of the word, is a quickly."--Seneca. virtue with which the ancients, and more particularly the "He scarce Romans, were totally unacquainted. They had not even a word giveth slackly; in their language to describe it by. The only word that seems to he rather, in express it, humilitas, signifies baseness, servility, and meanness truth, suffers a of spirit-a thing very different from true Christian humility: drawn from him and indeed this was the only idea they entertained of that than doeth one. virtue. Everything that we call meek and humble, they conLiving springs sidered as mean and contemptible. A haughty, imperious, oversend out streams bearing temper, a high opinion of their own virtue and wisdom, pits must have a contempt of all other nations but their own, a quick sense and they a keen resentment, not only of injuries, but even of the slightest affronts-this was the favourite and predominant character among the Romans; and that gentleness of disposition, that low estimation of our own merits, that ready preference of others to ourselves, that fearfulness of giving offence, that abasement of ourselves in the sight of God which we call humility, they con. sidered as the mark of a tame, abject, and unmanly mind." of water; dead all that afford drawn out with buckets."J. Robinson. g Rev. T. Robinson. h Porteus. love to be without dissimulation, etc. a 1 Pe. i. 22; 1 Jo. iii. 18; 1 Ti. i. 5. b Ps. xcvii. 10; Pr. viii. 13; Ps. 9-11. dissimulation," hypocrisy; lit., charity without pretence. abhor, not only shun, but hate. evil, of every kind and degree. brotherly love, love of near relations. honour another," thinking ea. superior to yourselves. not.. Lord,e "in your haste, be not idle; in your business, be not lazy." "In spirit be fervent when serving the Lord.", Business performed religiously.-To manage worldly businessI. Let it be lawful: 1. Allowed by the civil magistrate; 2. Not ci. 2-4; xxxvi. diabolical; 3. Suited to the good of society. II. Do it as an act 4; cxix. 163. of obedience to God. III. Perform it to the glory of God." 66 e Ecc. ix. 10; Pr xxii. 29; Col. iii. in Like the pure mettled sword, that can bend this way and that way, and turn to its straightness again, and stands not bent, that heart is of the Six days' work help the seventh day's rest.—Mr. Cruden, during c 1 Pe. iii. 8; 2 the last year of his life, lived in terms of the strictest intimacy Pe. i. 5-7. with the Rev. David Wilson, minister of the Presbyterian congre- d Phi. ii. 3; 1 Pe. gation, Bow Lane, London. The two friends were in the habit of V. 5. paying frequent visits to Mr. Gordon, a pious nurseryman in the neighbourhood of the metropolis. One evening Mr. Gordon informed Mr. Wilson that a young Scottish gardener in his employment, who usually attended Divine service at Bow Lane, sometimes absented himself from public worship without a sufficient cause, and was besides rather indolent, desiring the minister g Macknight. to admonish him. The young man was accordingly called into "Diligence the parlour, and Mr. Wilson concluded a solemn address with business should these words: "Remember the Sabbath-day, to keep it holy." not hinder fer"Have you done, sir?" said Mr. Cruden. "Yes," replied Mr. vency in spirit. Wilson. "Then," rejoined Mr. Cruden, " you have forgotten one-half of the commandment: Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work, etc.; for if a man does not labour six days of the week, he is not likely to rest properly on the seventh." Activity in worldly affairs.—It is astonishing to see with what perseverance and inflexibility of purpose those men have pursued the object, the pursuit and attainment of which constituted their greatness. Charles XII. was frequently on his horse for twentyfour hours at once; and thus he traversed most of his dominions. His officers were all tired out; consequently, for the most part, he performed these journeys entirely alone. On one of these excursions his poor horse fell dead under him. Without any uneasiness, the monarch stripped the dead horse, and marched off with the saddle, bridle, and pistols on his back. At the next inn he found a horse in the stable to his mind, and immediately harnessed him, and was just making off, when the owner came out, and called him to account for stealing his property. The monarch replied, that he took the horse because he was tired of carrying the saddle himself. This not satisfying the owner, they drew swords, and would have shed blood, royal or plebeian, had not the guard rode up and informed the owner that his sword was raised against his king. This was but a single specimen of the untiring perseverance with which that ambitious man carried out his plans. The same perseverance would place almost any student on a high eminence in a very few years.i prayer, e right make that can stoop and bend to the lowest action of its worldly calling, but then return to its fitness for communion with God."-Gurnall. "The Christian must not only mind heaven, but attend to his daily calling. Like the his eye is fixed pilot, who, while upon the star, keeps his hand upon the helm." -T. Watson. h F. Fuller. i Dr. J. Todd. hospitality a Phi.iv. 4; 1 Th. v. 16; Lu. x. 20; Ro. xv. 13; He. iii. 6; Ro. v. 2; 1 Pe. iv. 13. 12, 13. hope,a possession, and visions of hope. tribulation' hope, [i. 182], affliction. continuing , let prayer be patience, constant, earnest, importunate. distributing, communicating. prayer, necessity, things needful. hospitality, Gk., pursuing kindness to strangers. Cleave to the right.-I. What is it?-1. To approve of the good; 2. To desire it; 3. To practise it. II. How?-1. Understandingly; 2. Willingly; 3. Energetically; 4. Humbly. III. Why? Because it is-1. Right; 2. Honourable; 3. Pleasant; 4. Profitable. Lu. xxi. 19; Ps. Perpetual prayer.-I. What is hereby required of us,-continuance in prayer continuance in the sense of importunity and perse-i. verance. II. Why this is required of us. Habitual prayer-1. Keeps in habitual exercise the first principles of our religious life; Th. v. 17; Col. iv. c Lu. xviii. 1; 1 2. Keeps a man face to face with God; 3. Recognises the two 2; Ep. vi. 18; Ac. great blessings of the Christian economy: (1) Christ's mediation, xii. 5; ii. 42. (2) The Holy Ghost's ministration; 4. Is the constant use of the a Ga. vi. 10; He. highest agency which Christians can employ; 5. Is second only to xiii. 16; 1 Jo. iil VOL. III. Z xxxvii. 7; xl. 1; 11; Ja. i. 2-4. Ro. xv. 3, 4; Col. |