believer, like Solomon's bride, holds fast the Redeemer when he has found Him: he introduces Him into his family and household he receives Him into his heart; and, as Jacob did, he wrestles with Him, refusing to let Him go until a blessing has been vouchsafed. Refusal excites importunity, opposition gives a stimulus to his petition. Like blind Bartimeus, who was in darkness at the wayside, and without a guide to lead him to his Saviour, he cries the more exceedingly, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on me." Is such the ance of your prayers? Jacob was blessed and given power with God and men: the neglected beggar received his sight; and since Christ is "the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever" (Heb. xiii. 8), the prayer, the persevering prayer, till time shall be no more, shall verily receive its answer. persever But then, our service must be performed heartily, without weariness, without delay. Heartily it must be done; for you must "give diligence to make your calling and election sure." (2 Pet. i. 10.) We must likewise obey without weariness; for we know that our life is a race, a battle, a continual struggle; that we must not faint, nor be weary in well-doing, if we would reap; that we must continue "stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." (1 Cor. xv. 58.) We must turn also, without delay, to our forbearing and long-suffering God. For what are we? Are we not all dying men, hastening daily to the grave; the young and healthy as liable to death as the aged and diseased; the heedless cut off in the midst of fancied security; the fool required, at a moment's warning, to render an account of all that he has done? Can this judgment be avoided? No: when once death has claimed us as its victims, we can neither alter, nor avoid, nor mitigate the judgment which shall then take place. When once the Judge omnipotent of heaven and earth shall say, (6 Go, thou cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels," no prayers can save us,-no cries for mercy can avail; for intercessor there shall be none. We may call upon the mountains to cover us from the wrath of God; but they shall not perform this friendly office. And though we could take the wings of the morning, and flee to the uttermost parts of the universe, still even there would God discover us, and drag us forth to trial and everlasting woe. May your minds be deeply impressed on this all-important subject, the necessity of preparing now and diligently for the second coming of Christ Jesus! My friends, the Lord, whom you so neglect, shall suddenly come to His temple; but who may abide the day of His coming? who may stand forward when He appears? Shall the open despiser of His laws abide that awful hour, and in His presence stand fearless and unmoved? No: such men shall be lightly esteemed: "the wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God." (Ps. ix. 17.) Shall the professed believer, who has the form of godliness, but who in his heart denies its power, rejoice when he hears at midnight that the bridegroom cometh? Alas! the lamp of his devotion is extinguished: the flame of love kindles not within him: the Spirit of God has been quenched he is unfit to render homage to his Lord: he may stand at the door and knock; but the gate of heaven is closed against him. Shall the cold admirer of the lowly Jesus, the man who believes all the Gospel has related, and is ready to admit that there is no other way to heaven and eternal life, save that which Jesu's blood has consecrated, but who can rest satisfied with coldly meditating on His work of love, serving Him when convenient, and making no sacrifices for His sakeshall such a Laodicean worshipper of Jesus be counted a faithful servant, whose loins are girded, and whose lamp is burning? No: for it is written: "Because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." (Rev. iii. 16.) Such shall find their portion with the unbeliever, because they would not do the will of God, nor, denying themselves, take up the cross, and follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. Who, then, shall be saved? This, beloved, is a question in which all are equally concerned. Who, I ask, shall be saved? Those only who are lovers of God; who view with anguish their own corrupted disposition; who hail with joy the glad tidings of salvation; who strive to make its sure promises their own; who, disheartened by no delay, seek peace; who feel that this world cannot give it; who therefore set their affections on Christ and things above; who seek first His kingdom and righteousness, conceiving this to be the one thing needful; who make it the steady object of their lives to have a right faith, knowing that desultory efforts cannot avail, but must rather increase their condemnation when the books are opened, and their Judge inquires: these are the persons who, in God's mercy, shall be saved. Does this alarm? Oh! may the mention of these certain truths stir us up to holy zeal and diligence in the service of our God! It is not intended to cause despondency or despair. Our past neglect is fearful: our sins are many and great: our condition is most pitiable. But, while the day lasts, who can say that the mercy of heaven shall be denied? who can dare to pronounce the case of any sinner to be hopeless? Christ has come to heal the broken-hearted, to assist the weak, to comfort the afflicted. He has put away the iniquity of David, He has pardoned the transgression of Peter, and He now is ready to forgive your sins. Turn to Him joyfully and without reserve: cling to Him: do not let Him go: bring Him into the inmost recesses of your hearts: give Him the first place in your affections: let Him be "your companion, your guide, and your own familiar friend." JESUS PRECIOUS TO HIS PEOPLE. SOLOMON'S SONG I. 3. "How sweet the name of Jesus sounds It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, "It makes the wounded spirit whole, "Jesus! my Shepherd, Brother, Friend, "Weak is the effort of my heart, And cold my warmest thought; But when I see Thee as Thou art, I'll praise Thee as I ought. "Till then I would Thy love proclaim And may the music of Thy name |