any. We are all in a state of trial; and consequently, in some shape or other, temptations to commit sin, and so to lose the mercies of our covenanted relationship to our Lord Jesus Christ, will be frequently before us. But still there is as little ground to despair in the progress of the spiritual conflict, as there is good preservative. against presumption in the circumstances under which we are all placed. Firm in faith, and resting simply upon the promises of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ, let us never be prevailed upon to suppose, that either the strength, or the returning frequency of temptation to commit a sin, or to neglect a known duty, will ever excuse the wilful transgression of the plain laws of the Gospel, the manifest rules of holy living. No such excuse really satisfies the conscience here; and we are quite certain that none such will be received from us at the judgment day hereafter. Every sinner who now endeavours to soothe his conscience with it, too well knows that it gives him little peace; he feels that it bears no weight "in the balance of the sanctuary," when at more silent seasons of unwilling self-communion his conscience "reasoneth with him upon righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come." Instead of vainly seeking for an excuse to yield to present temptation, far better will it be for the tempted to seek for and to apply the promised helps and guidance, which shall enable him to overcome the sin, to perform the appointed duty. It would be injustice to the knowledge abounding in these times, to suppose that any of us can be ignorant of what those promised helps and guidance are. But, as a remembrancer of a known truth, it may be spiritually profitable for us to consider them now, and to bring them frequently before us in the retirement of our secret prayers and spiritual exercises of every kind, as well as upon those occasions when their efficacy is most required. They are these. Will Trust in God. He is our Father. the Father forsake his own children? He is our Redeemer. Will the Great Propitiatory cast away those whom He has bought at the dear price of His own blood? He is our Sanctifier. Will that Holy One leave those to perish in their natural corruption and spiritual infirmities, for whose renewal and inward peace He hath graciously condescended to visit this sinful world? Will the Holy Spirit leave those to be overpowered, for whose restoration to the image of God He hath mercifully vouchsafed to dwell with men in His most holy presence? Doubting here, is disbelieving the comforting assurance, that “like as a father pitieth his own children, so is the Lord merciful unto them that fear Him: for He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are but dust." Next to this great foundation, trust in God, let us remember the future Judgment, the awful day which shall determine the condition of every human being for the endless. ages of eternity. When sin tempts us to break a positive command of God; when indolence, or false shame, or indifference about, spiritual things, tempts us to neglect a present dutylet us think instantly upon the great and final account to be given at the tribunal of Christ; let us speak thus to our own soul: "for this sin my Maker will call me into judgment; for this neglected duty my future Judge will remove me from a stewardship in which I shall be found unfaithful; and my place shall then be without, where are eternal darkness, pain, and fixed despair." To these solemn and fearful thoughts in the hour of temptation, let there be added, at all other times, habitual self-denial. Let us mortify every passion in resisting its peculiar temptation, in humble dependence upon the Holy Spirit; and every succeeding temptation will then become weaker and weaker: resistance to the Devil will ensure the fulfilment of the scripture promise, that he will flee from us; and in the increase of inward peace and spiritual victory, we shall find God's promise unchangeably true: "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." Thus using all the appointed means of growth in grace and spiritual strength, let us occupy ourselves diligently in the daily duties of our respective callings, (so that they be innocent in themselves,) in a holy watchfulness against sin,-those sins especially which do most easily beset and ensnare us. Let us devote all our talents of body and of soul, possessions of this life, and spiritual hopes and advantages in the pursuit after the purchased glory of the next, let us devote them solemnly to God's praise, to the good of our fellow-creatures, and the care of our own souls: "Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." Then shall we be fortified with strength in the inner man; then shall we become more and more "one with Christ and Christ with us;" and, though it be "through much tribulation," yet shall our faith be perfected, and our glorified body and spirit enter with Christ our Redeemer into the kingdom of His Father, and our Father, of His God, and our God. ON THE LOVE OF GOD TOWARDS MAN. 1 JOHN, CHAPTER 4, VERSE 16. THIS strong and affecting assurance of that attribute of Almighty God which most nearly concerns ourselves, contains all that could be said or thought upon the greatness and extent of divine love. In many parts of Scripture there are very strong assertions of the love of God towards us all; but in this short text from "the Disciple whom Jesus loved," the whole Godhead is identified with this gracious attribute: "God is love." But are we to suppose that this is meant to be descriptive only of what God is, and to remain unnoticed in the way of a practical truth? Must we consider the attribute of divine love in the same manner as we consider the attributes which point out the Creator as a being to be feared and adored for His stupendous power, and inimitable attributes? |