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'that

from heaven

where we would be.""-Colton.

Christ. II. Where? In a place prepared by Himself-designed ourselves
by His genius-built up by His energy-enriched by His resources
-adapted to us by His wisdom. III. How long?-for ever. IV.
With what results? Life for ever-light for ever-love for ever
-peace for ever-rest for ever-joy for ever.d

d S. Martin. "Passing For ever with the Lord.-A Christian man, being near the close through nature of life, was attended by an apothecary who was also religious. to eternity." On his friend's departure, he was desirous of hearing his last Shakespeare. words, and, for that purpose, laid his ear to his patient's mouth. He heard him say, "For ever with the Lord, for ever with the Lord."

CHAPTER THE FIFTH.

с

Ac. i. 7.

6 2 Pe. iii. 10.

c 2 Th. i. 9.

a Dr. Parker.
"I perceive you
contemplate the
seat and habita-

tion of men;
which, if it ap-

1-3. times, periods intervening bef. this advent of Christ as the coming Judge. seasons, precise date of this advent. know, from the of the Lord Lord's own Word [i. 189; ii. 121-137]. day.. night,' unex-a Ma. xxiv. 3, 36; pectedly. say, etc. [ii. 155]. as.. child, certain, expected, yet at last surprising and painful. and.. escape, any more than a woman the pangs of childbirth. The coming of the Lord.-I. The coming of Christ will be sudden and unexpected. II. The wise and the holy will enjoy His fellowship for ever (1 Thess. iv. 17). III. The wicked will be doomed to utter desolation. IV. Vigilance is the duty of all.d The somnambulist.-Some time since, in Paris, a poor somnambulist was observed pacing backwards and forwards on the top of pears as little to a house six storeys high, at nightfall. An anxious crowd was you as it really assembled to watch her movements. She was evidently dream- is, fix your eyes ing of some coming festival, and was humming to herself a lively heavenly objects, perpetually upon air. Again and again she approached the verge of the eminence and despise on which she was standing, and again and again she receded, earthly."-Cicero always smiling and always unconscious. At length her eye caught sight of a candle in an opposite house. She awoke. There was a cry, a heavy fall, and all was over. Thus will it be at last with the ungodly. The light of the other world, as it streams in upon them, will awaken them from sleep; but as they awake, it will only be to discover the precipice on which they have so long been standing, and down the steps of which they must now plunge."

"Neither the sun nor death can be looked at steadily."- La Rochefoucauld.

e Morse.

4, 5. darkness, ignorance of the certainty of the judgment. children of ye are, etc.,a see on Ep. v. 8; and on Col. i. 12, 13.

he

our

light

of

The children of light and of darkness.-I. A solemn truth a 1 Jo. ii. 8. stated (v. 1-3): 1. It has reference to the day of the Lord; 2. The end Its coming will be sudden and unexpected; 3. The consequences learning is to to those in a state of carnal security will be most fearful. II. A know God, and cheering conviction expressed-"Ye are not in darkness:" 1. out of that knowledge to love The individual who makes these statements; 2. The grounds Him, and to imihad for making them. III. The practical duties enjoined. We tate Him, as we must be-1. Watchful; 2. Sober; 3. Prepared to confront may the nearest by possessing our foes. IV. The important motives adduced (vv. 9, 10). souls of true Safety in light.-A native hunter passed a whole night within a few paces of a wounded tiger. The man's bare knees were b Anon. pressed upon the hard gravel, but he dared not shift, even by a "What is death hair's breadth, his uneasy posture. A bush was between him and but a ceasing to the wild beast: ever and anon the tiger, as he lay with glaring be what we were eyes fixed upon it, uttered his hoarse growl of anger; his hot before? We are

virtue."-Milton.

nature that begot

us, expels us, and a better and a safer place is pro

vided for us." Seneca.

kindled and put breath absolutely blew upon the cheek of the wretched man, and out, we die daily; still he moved not, the pain of that cramped position increased every moment-suspense became almost intolerable; but the motion of a limb, the rustling of a leaf, would have been death. He heard the gong of the village strike each hour of that fearful night, that seemed to him an "eternity, and yet he lived." The tormenting mosquitoes swarmed around his face, but he dared not brush them off. That fiendlike eye met his whenever he ventured a glance towards the horrid spell that bound him; and a hoarse growl grated on the stillness of the night, as a passing breeze stirred the leaves that sheltered him. Hours rolled on, and his powers of endurance were well-nigh exhausted; when, at length, the welcome streaks of light shot up from the eastern horizon. On the approach of day the tiger rose, and stalked away with a sulky pace to a thicket at some distance-and the stiff and wearied watcher felt that he was safe.c

and

"Ignorance is a dangerous spiritual poison, which all men ought warily to shun."-Gregory.

c

Dr. C. J. Vaughan.

watchful

ness

a Ma. xxv. 5, 13; Ro. xiii. 11-13. 61 Pe. v. 8; i. 13.

"It is with

nations as with

6, 7. sleep, in carnal scoffing security. others, who are in darkness. watch, be always on the alert, expectant. sober," having all senses and capacities in full and thoughtful exercise. sleep, the carnally secure. night, of ignorance. drunk, those who yield themselves to riotous excesses.

Ill-timed sleep.-"Let us not sleep," for such sleep-I. Indicates ingratitude; II. Is the precursor of poverty-a drowsy individuals, Christian is poor in faith, comfort, and everything; III. Means the least of others insecurity; IV. Is characterised by unhappiness-restless-bad think the highest dreams; V. Implies a dreadful waking.

those who know

family of pride

of themselves; Need of watchfulness.-A friend was recently overtaken by night for the whole on a mountain ridge. The path behind was too perilous to be retraced and ignorance in the darkness, and the way in front was stopped by a projecting incestuous, rock, which in his exhausted state he could not scale. His only alterand mutually be-native was to wait for the morning. But his resting place was a steep slope, ending in a sheer precipice. One careless movement

are

get each other."

-Colton.

Instruction is might prove his destruction. As the darkness deepened, the only profitable to danger was disguised. With a lessening sense of peril, there those who are came on increasing drowsiness. What efforts were his during capable of re- those long hours to drive off sleep! How he had to stir up his mind to a conviction of the necessity of unremitting vigilance! For should he once be overpowered, he might unconsciously slide down his sloping couch, and be hurled into the valley below. Such is our position. If we would not fall down the precipice, let us watch lest during slumber we slip along the treacherous incline.c

ceiving it: bring an ass to Mecca, and it will still

return an ass.

c N. Hall, LL.B.

appointed to salvation

a He. xi. 32-34.

b 2 Ti. i. 12.

c He. vi. 18, 19. d A. Triggs.

"Take also the helmet or head

piece of health,

8-11. breastplate,a see on Ep. vi. 14. helmet, see on Ep. iv. 17. not.. wrath, to fall under the punitive action of Divine anger. but.. Christ, hence if lost it will be through our own perverseness, and not of God's will. wake, are alive at His coming. sleep, be in our graves at that time. we.. him, in heaven for ever. comfort.. together, in life's trials. edify, build ea. other up in virtue, etc.

C

The sober-minded children of the day.-I. The persons-" us who are of the day." 1. Their position-in God and in Christ; 2. Their blessedness-" of the day:" (1) The day itself; (2) Its Jesus Christ; for manifestation. II. The duty-" be sober." Sober with respect to-1. God; 2. Our enemies; 3. Ourselves."

or true health in

in

there is no health any other name; not the

Free salvation.-Shall the husbandman, for the sake of the

of

harvest, waste his strength, and bear the burden and heat of the health of a Grey Friar's coat, nor day, and then, when the ripe corn tempts the sickle, in very the health wantonness refuse to reap, and let it be destroyed? Shall the this pardon or Lord Jesus undertake to suffer for us, shall He actually toil, and that pardon.”— groan, and grieve, and die for us, and then let the fruit of all His Latimer. sufferings be lost, and leave us to perish in our sins? No! it "To be angry, is cannot be. It is impossible to exaggerate the certainty and free- to revenge the ness of that salvation that is in Christ for all who will but lay upon ourselves." hold of it. It is impossible that anything in the universe can-Pope. lie between you and eternal life, if you but accept it as "the gift" e Dr. Caird. of God through Jesus Christ our Lord.e

fault of others

a Ac. xiv. 23.

b 1 Ti. v. 17; He. xiii. 7, 17.

12, 13. know, recognise their calling, value their work. over pastors to be .. Lord, thus the nature of their work, the source of their esteemed authority, and limits of their influence are marked: see on 1 Co. xvi. 18; and Ph. ii. 29. for.. sake, not for the sake of their persons, or famous name, or high official title. be.. yourselves, since discord will result in personal unhappiness and

social ruin.

b

"Not for indotion and study of lent contempla

thyself, nor for

over

Christ honoured in His servants.-As Lord Lieutenant of Hamp-brooding emotions of piety shire, the late Duke of Wellington always made a point of receiv-no, for actions ing and entertaining the Judges when they arrived in the county was existence on circuit. He felt that the Judges represented the Sovereign, given thee; thy and no claim of society, no call even of duty, was strong enough actions, and thy actions alone, deto hinder him from paying the same marks of respect which his termine thy loyalty would have induced him to pay to the Sovereign had she worth."-Fichte. been personally present.

с

14, 15. warn,a see on Ga. vi. 1, 2. feeble-minded, the too- relative anxious and sad. weak, in faith. patient, long-suffering, duties gentle see on Ep. iv. 2. evil,d warning against revenge [i.a 2 Th. iii. 6. 30-32]. follow, persevere in, set your mind upon. good.. 6 Ro. xv. 1. men, see on Ga. vi. 10.

pity those in

c Ac. xx. 35. Patience.-I. The nature and sources of Christian patience. In d Pr. xx. 22; xxiv. respect to personal trials, patience is the lowest form of this 29; 1 Pe. iii. 9. sovereign virtue: 1. It does not imply approval of men's conduct "Not being unor character; 2. Nor does it, with bad men, or with mankind, tutored in sufferimply any indifference to the moral character which they bear; ing, I learn to 3. It implies such benevolence of disposition, and such a pity affliction."- Virfor human weaknesses and even for human sins, as shall make us tolerant and forbearing. II. The conditions of its exercise and its objects-it must be exercised towards all men. the motives to it: 1. It is only by having patience with men that you can retain any hold upon them; 2. Only in this way can you imitate Christ; 3. It is by this very patience on God's part, that we ourselves are saved.e

gil.

"The human III. Some of countenance

Forgiveness of injuries.-A person who had done Sir Matthew Hale a great injury came afterwards to him for his advice in the settlement of his estate. Sir M. gave his advice very frankly to him, but would accept of no fee for it; and thereby showed both that he could forgive as a Christian, and that he had the spirit of a gentleman in him, not to take money of one who had wronged him so grievously. When he was asked how he could use a man so kindly who had wronged him so much, his answer was, he thanked God he had learned to forget injuries.

16. rejoice, see on Ph. iv. 14; and 2 Co. vi. 10.
Constant joy.-Christians should always rejoice, because of-I.

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smiles on those who smile, and weeps with those who weep."

Horace.

e

H. W. Beecher. "If anger is not restrained, it is frequently more the injury that provokes it."

hurtful to us than

Seneca.

rejoice

evermore

crease, no

smith.

b Homilist.

mind confers it

a B. Bailey. The deliverances which they have experienced; II. What they "Every mind have in possession-pardon-grace-the Spirit; III. What they seems capable of have laid up for them-a crown of righteousness; IV. What they entertaining 8 certain quantity see and hear of the goodness of God. Application :-(1) Religion of happiness, is incompatible with idleness-to pray, praise, and rejoice which no institu- require exertion; (2) It is consistent with cheerfulness."— tions can incir Rejoice evermore.-I. A Christian privilege. The Christian may cumstances rejoice evermore because-1. Nothing which befalls him can alter, and entirely injure him; 2. Everything must benefit him in proportion as it independent on aims to injure him. II. A Christian precept. The act of rejoicfortune. Let any man compare his ing has-1. A remedial; 2. An acquiring; 3. A conquering, present fortune power. III. A Christian promise. A promise-1. As to the with the past, Christian's future; 2. That the causes for joy should be exhaustand he will prob- less; 3. That the duration of the Christian's joy should be ably find himself, upon the whole, endless.b-Rejoice evermore.-Rejoice in-I. Your present state. neither better You-1. Are pardoned sinners; 2. Have the testimony of a good nor worse than conscience; 3. Have One who is able to ease you of all your formerly."-Goldsorrows: 4. Are related to God-His sons-and to Christ-His brethren; 5. Have free access to God, and have constant communion with Him; 6. Have a plentiful supply of grace. II. "What you demand is here, or Your future possessions: 1. We are heirs of God jointly with at Ulubre. Christ; 2. Every day brings us nearer our heritage. Reflections: You traverse the (1) A sad Christian cheats himself all the journey; (2) We disworld in search please God, if we are not joyful in His service; (3) By sadness of of happiness, which is within life, we act like the spies who took an evil report of the good land. the reach of every-Christian joy.-I. Joy is not only a privilege of the Christian; man; a contented it is his force for the same general reasons that make all joy a on all."-Horace. force. We must take the Apostle's Words-1. In their most solemn import; 2. As a most pressing injunction. II. The wind of our sorrows, for they are of many kinds, and consequently of death, continually threatens the flame of joy: 1. The sorrows of "Joy is the hap-nature; 2. The sorrow of the repentant sinning Christian; 3. piness of love. It is love exulting. The sorrows arising from our vices, pride, etc. There are pure It is love aware Christian sorrows, which lead to joy, but beware of their excess.& of its own felicity, The Christian rejoicing.-Rejoice with a rejoicing universe. and rioting in riches which it Rejoice with the morning stars, and let your adoring spirit march has no fear of to the music of hymning spheres. Rejoice with the jocund spring, exhausting. It is in its gush of hope and its dancing glory, with its swinging insectlove taking a look clouds and its suffusion of multitudinous song; and rejoice with and surrendering golden autumn, as he rustles his grateful sheaves, and clasps his itself to bliss purple hands, as he breathes his story of fruition, his anthem of without fore- promises fulfilled; as he breathes it softly in the morning stillness of ripened fields, or flings it in Æolian sweeps from lavish orchards and from branches tossing bounty into mellow winds. vanishing, super- Rejoice with infancy, as it guesses its wondering way into more ficial thing, that and more existence, and laughs and carols as the field of pleasant only gilds the life enlarges on it, and new secrets of delight flow in through apprehension, fresh and open senses. Rejoice with the second youth of the and plays upon the surface of the heaven-born soul, as the revelations of a second birth pour in soul. It is the upon it, and the glories of a new world amaze it. Rejoice with mere crackling of the joyful believer when he sings, "O Lord! I will praise Thee: blaze of the though Thou wast angry with me, Thine anger is turned away; spirits, the exul- Thou comfortedst me. Behold, God is my salvation." Rejoice tation of a tickled with him whose incredulous ecstasy has alighted on the great fancy, or a pleas-Gospel-secret; whose eye is beaming as none can beam save that

c W. M. Hawkins. d Dr. Vinet.

of its treasure,

boding."- Dr. J. Hamilton.

"It is that trivial,

thorns, a sudden

ed appetite." Dr. South.

which for the first time beholds the Lamb; whose awe-struck

countenance and uplifted hands are evidently exclaiming, "This e Dr. J. Hamilton. is my beloved, and this is my friend." Rejoice with saints and angels, as they rejoice in a sight like this. Rejoice with Immanuel, whose soul now sees of its travail. Rejoice with the ever-blessed Three, and with a heaven whose work is joy.e

17. pray.. ceasing a [ii. 156, 182].

Mental prayer.-I. Show in what prayer consists. Consider it pray without as a natural duty, that is, a duty taught us by natural reason and ceasing religious feeling, and you will soon see what it consists in. II. a Lu. xviii. 1; Confirm this view of our duty, which natural reason might sug-12: Col. iv. 2; xxi. 36; Ro. xii. gest, by that other and far clearer voice of God, His inspired 1 Pe. iv. 7. Word. The Christian life, a life of prayer.-I. Every Christian ought to try and obey this command. II. God can hear and answer your prayer at once."

66

66

b J. H. Newman,

B.D.

c Bp. Meade.

"Prayer will be fatiguing to flesh tered aloud and sustained long. But there is an

and blood, if ut

under-current of prayer that may run continually under the stream of our thoughts, and never weary

son.

"Prayer can obtain everything; can open the win

dows of heaven, and shut the

Always in prayer.-A number of ministers were assembled for the discussion of difficult questions; and, among others, it was asked, how the command to "pray without ceasing" could be complied with. Various suppositions were started; and at length one of the number was appointed to write an essay upon it, to be read at the next meeting; which being overheard by a female servant, she exclaimed, "What! a whole month waiting to tell the meaning of that text? It is one of the easiest and best texts in the Bible." "Well, well!" said an old minister; Mary, what can you say about it? Let us know how you understand it. Can you pray all the time?" "Oh yes, sir!" "What! when you us."-W.H.Hewithave so many things to do?" "Why, sir, the more I have to do, the more I can pray." "Indeed! Well, Mary, do let us know how it is; for most people think otherwise." "Well, sir," said the girl, "when I first open my eyes in the morning, I pray, Lord, open the eyes of my understanding;' and, while I am dressing, I pray that I may be clothed with the robe of righteousness; and, when I have washed me, I ask for the washing of regeneration; and, as I begin to work, I pray that I may have strength equal to my day; when I begin to kindle up the fire, I pray that God's work may revive in my soul; and, as I sweep out the house, I pray that my heart may be cleansed from all its impurities; and, while preparing and partaking of breakfast, I desire to be fed with the hidden manna and the sincere milk of the Word; and, as I am busy with the little children, I look up to God as my Father, and pray for the spirit of adoption, that I may be His child: and so on all day. Everything I do furnishes me with a thought for in his course, and prayer." 'Enough, enough!" cried the old divine: "these send the winds things are revealed to babes, and often hid from the wise and prudent. Go on, Mary," said he; "pray without ceasing; and as for us, my brethren, let us bless the Lord for this exposition, and remember that He has said, 'The meek will He guide in judgment.'" After this little event, the essay was not considered

necessary.

66

and detain

an

gates of hell; can put a holy constraint upon God, angel till he leave a blessing; can open the treasures of rain, and soften the iron ribs of rocks till they melt into a owing

river;

can arrest the sun

"pon our errands." -

Taylor.

Bishop

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18. in.. thanks, see on Ep. v. 20; and on Col. iii. 17. the thankfulness ..God, who wills our gratitude, as well as the things for wh. we should give thanks. in.. Jesus, our relation to God in Christ a pledge that all things will work for our good.

find a great deal

of gratitude in a

poor man, I take there would be for granted

it

A peace-offering to God.-I shall endeavour-I. To bring some light to the duty enjoined-"give thanks"-by the soul, the tongue, and the life. II. To show the extent of its matter-as much gene

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