righteous!" May, with the dreadful sentence, "Depart ye from me into everlasting fire," be heard the heart-refreshing invitation, "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' ." Then shall the blighting horror which rushes upon your soul forthwith find an antidote in that sorrow which worketh repentance unto salvation, that repentance which no one repenteth; and the dread of the law, which has no promise, will then be changed into that sincere contrition which, being the first sign of received divine grace, forms the begin-recollection, in which we are wont to preserve the ning of a new and never-fading life. No: it is not the terrific glare of divine justice that converts us into new creatures:-it is the vivifying sunshine of divine love for sinners that does it. At the manger and the cross, the heirs of heaven are born, and not on Sinai's summit, amid thunders and lightnings. In the appearance of the tender mercy of God lies the attractive power which deprives the child of the dust of himself, and lifts him above the earth; and where he is seized by the power of love, which makes him for ever a servant of the Lord. But this servitude, when we no longer can otherwise than love Him who so ardently loved us first, is at the same time the only perfect liberty. Then one becomes free from self, free from presumption, free from the world and its vanities, and free from the bonds of sin and of the flesh. One lives unto God from inward compulsion, one seeks his honour ere one resolves upon seeking it, one runs the way of his commandments because one is irresistibly driv-ful of the children of men, they stand inscribed in en that way, and one performs that which is good as easily and involuntarily as the plant spreads its blossom and the spring yields its water. Thus, liberty and necessity give each other the kiss of allegiance. One becomes a captive of love; but, in this captivity, heavenly free-FREE AS GOD HIMSELF IS FREE! Such are the blessed effects of the Gospel: no law worketh such wonders. Only where divine love holds its sway, flow the fountains of life and salvation. In the sunshine of Bethlehem and Golgotha erect thy dwelling, and with every breath thou wilt inhale the powers of the world to come, and feel thyself as if borne by thousand hands above the world into the heavenly existence.

AHAB'S REPENTANCE.

they close their eyes, they have already penetrated through death to life. Ordained to an existence of infinite glory, they are borne on high in the sweet embrace of Jehovah. Never-fading youth awaits them beyond the grave, and thrones of eternal happiness and joy stand erected for them in heaven. Therefore it is justly called a "book of life." But it is likewise termed a "living book;" which implies that it is not a common book of perishable paper and dead letters. It is like the book of our portraitures of our dearest friends, and the names of the departed, whom we cannot forget. It is a book full of the throbs of life, and glowing characters. It is a book of the heart. Yes, the book is the paternal heart of the mighty God. In this book is registered a number of names; they are for ever in the memory of the Lord; and are to him names infinitely dear and ever beloved. They are the names of his chosen, his children, and his heirs. The ink in which these names are written in that great book of life is red. Not one of all the names under heaven would be found there, if it was not for the blood of the Lamb. Through this blood alone it was made possible that a certain number of names out of the book of death could be transferred into that of life. The Surety has brought these sinful names to honour. He cleansed them; he made them acceptable and glorious; and now, entwined with the name of Christ, the most beautithe bosom of the Eternal, like the name of the bride in the heart of the bridegroom, and, in the tender heart of the mother, the name of her child beloved above every thing. This book lies open in heaven. It is read and re-read with undiminished interest. It is the favourite book of the glorified Son of Man, and a source of unspeakable joy to him. He beholds in it the catalogue of the loveliest jewels in his treasury, of the most precious gems in his regal crown. This book tells to the good Shepherd his sheep, to the Bridegroom his bride, to the High Priest his ransomed, and to the Prince of Peace the people of his love and delight. This book is also open to the holy angels; for they are sent forth to minister in behalf of those who are to inherit salvation; and consequently they must know the names written down in the book. And day and night they are gathered around that wondrous book, turning the leaves, and reading and recurring to it again and again, filled with astonishment. They

You know, my beloved, the Scripture repeatedly speaks of a book of life, and St. Paul, for instance, communicates to the Philippians that, beside other names, the name of his helper Clemens is regis-read the name of Rahab, the name of Magdalen, tered in this book."

What kind of a book is it? If we wish to become acquainted with a book, we inquire for its title, its subject, its author, its object, as well as for whom the book be written. Let us then do the same with regard to the book which the apostle speaks of in the chapter alluded to. This book bears the superscription, "The book of life:" a beautiful title, and full of promise. We have nothing to fear from this book, if we are only free from the apprehension that our names may be omitted there. By this book no judgments are pronounced, no sentences of death are passed. Life is the promise of this book, grace its precious binding, love the shining gold it is edged with, and faithfulness the silver clasp with which it is fastened. They do not die who are registered in this book; by the time * Chap. iv. 3.

the name of the thief, the name of the publican, and all the other names of poor sinners; and, whilst reading, their knees bend, and their adoring wonder bursts into fervent hymns of praise, on the unbounded grace of God, and on the blood of the Lamb, and its wonderful power.

If there be an object in the world worthy of our curiosity, assuredly we are all of us agreed as to what it is. It is to know whether our names are in the book of life or not. This is unquestionably the most serious, the most important and significant inquiry that can suggest itself to the human heart. Upon the decision of this question depends all our peace,- depends our happiness in time and eternity. Is the answer affirmative, hallelujah then! henceforward all mankind may praise us happy. Is it negative, woe, woe unto us- accursed be the hour in which we were born!

to Samaria, and buried there. And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood." Thus judgeth God! Have mercy on us, O Jesus!

proud son of the earth may be bought with something or other, be it money or honour, ease or voluptuousness, or whatever it be; he is but a ware, and capable of every baseness and depravity. The price for which the king of Israel could be bought, The next curse of the Lord was upon Ahab's we know, was female favour. The attachment of house. “Behold," said Elijah, "thus saith the Jezebel was the idol which had but to nod, and Lord, I will bring evil upon thee, and take away thy Ahab was prepared readily to sacrifice at its altar, posterity. I will make thine house like the house not only his will, his honour, and the peace of his of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of conscience, but also the salvation of his soul, his Baasha the son of Ahijah. Him that dieth of faith, if he possessed any, and even the favour of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that Heaven, in case he had it. And, oh, that Ahab had dieth in the field the fowls of the air shall eat." remained the only one who sold himself to hell for Lord be merciful unto us! What an avenger! He this bad and paltry price! But self-sales of this visits the transgressions of fathers upon the chilkind are amongst us also no unfrequent occur- dren, to the third and fourth generation! Of this rences. Let any one ask himself why he is an menace, also, nothing was left unfulfilled: you may unbeliever, why he despises the people of God, why read it in 2 Kings. Jehu, the brave warrior, was he serves the world and the devil, and forcibly the man whom God entrusted with the execution of resists every better impression, and, I am certain, this judgment, having previously caused him to be he will be obliged to confess, "Because I am bound anointed as king over Israel; and Jehu lost no time to do it." And bound by what? Bound by human in bringing the kingdom under his subjection; and example and influence; bound by some connection, his first march was straight to Jezreel, where preference, or love, which imposes upon him the Joram the son of Ahab, and king at that time, tacit condition to pay for it with his moral inde- resided. When Joram heard of the approaching pendence, and sacrifice to it every better conviction, army, he called for his chariot and went to meet yea, even the eternal happiness of his soul. Un- Jehu, in order to bring him to amicable terms. He happy connections these! cursed ties of friendship! met him in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite.Then far better strife and contention under the" Is it peace, Jehu?" asked Joram. roof than such a unity, such an agreement! Whoever amongst us has hitherto dragged these human fetters, let him break them without delay, and free himself of the shackles of his neck. "He that loveth father or mother, or son or daughter, more than me," saith the Lord, "is not worthy of me.' "Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him?" exclaims Moses in his bless-"take up, and cast him in the portion of the field of ing upon Levi, "neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant. They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt-sacrifice upon thine altar." "Ye are bought with a price," says the apostle, "therefore, be ye not the servants of men."

The severe accusations with which, in the name of Jehovah, the prophet surprised the king of Israel in the vineyard of Naboth, must have overwhelmed this evildoer in proportion to the terrific threats by which they were accompanied. "Behold," he was told first, "in the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine!" Dreadful denunciation!—and it was fulfilled word for word. For a short time after, Ahab, out of sheer rapacity, declared war against the Syrians, contrary to the express command of the Lord and in spite of the warning of the prophet Micaiah, who said to him, significantly, "If thou return at all in peace, the Lord hath not spoken by me. Hearken, O people, every one of you!" And he returned not. Immediately, in the first battle, he was slain by the hand of the incensed God. "A certain man,' we are told, "drew his bow at a venture: " thus it was the hand of God that directed the arrow, "and the arrow penetrated his impious heart between the joints of the harness. Wherefore he said to the driver of his chariot, 'Turn thine hand and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.' And it was done accordingly. And the king died at even, and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot; and his body was brought

"What

peace," replied Jehu, "so long as the whoredoms of
thy mother Jezebel, and her witchcrafts, are so
many."
." Upon hearing this Joram turned his hands
and fled. But Jehu seized his bow, bent it, took
his aim, and smote Joram between his arms, and the
arrow went out at his heart, and he sank down in his
chariot. Then said Jehu to Bidkar his captain,

Naboth, the Jezreelite, according to the word of the Lord;" and it was done so. Thus, Ahab's blood flowed, to the very word of the divine denunciation, out of the veins of his son on the same spot which had been stained by the blood of the innocent Naboth. In like manner were also the sons of Joram, and all the relatives of Ahab extirpated with the sword, so that neither stock nor stump was left of this idolatrous house. The same fate befell also the heathenish priests. They were slain in one day. The images of Baal, together with his temple in Samaria, were destroyed, and idolatry was for a time abolished in Israel.

The third judgment which Elijah announced to Ahab was to come upon Jezebel: "The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel;" and such was the case. When, namely, Jehu was come to Jezreel, and the queen heard of it, she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window. But on this occasion the accursed woman did not succeed with her meretricious arts. The heart of the rough warrior remained unmoved, and hard as a rock. He lifted up his face to the window, and called to the chamberlains who stood by her, " Throw her down!" And they threw her down, so that the wall and the horses were sprinkled with her blood, and she was trodden in the mire of the street. And after Jehu had eaten and drunk, he said, "Go, see now this cursed woman, and bury her, for she is a king's daughter." But as they came to the spot, they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands. And the messengers returned and told it to Jehu, and he said, "This is the word of the Lord which he spake by his servant Elijah, the

Tishbite, saying, "In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel: and the carcass of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field, in the portion of Jezreel, so that they shall not say, this is Jezebel!"

Behold, my brethren, the Lord keeps his word. Great God, what consternation must here seize the hardened sinners! For it is the same God who threatened them with hell, and eternal death; "True and Faithful" is his name; and it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one tittle of his words to fail."

he wore was the true representation of his feelings and of the state of his mind. But, nevertheless, his repentance yet wanted much in order to be a repentance unto life and salvation. His was not a grief like that of Magdalene, the publican, or the thief. The repentance of Ahab was devoid of love; and it is love alone which sanctifies all our deeds and actions, and gives them intrinsic value. Let us embrace the opportunity which the example of the repenting Ahab offers, in order to explain in a few words the nature of a truly godly repentance. The apostle Paul describes it to us when he says, "For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God." In this passage he means, by the law to which he is dead, the sum of the divine claims upon man, together with the denunciations and curses annexed to it; namely, what, figuratively, we term with the one word "Moses." The apostle says here that he has not escaped like a knave from this task-master; that he has not deserted the law as others have done, but that he died to the law, and that he is thus not only entirely, but also lawfully, freed from it; even as a woman is loosed from her husband, and is at liberty to enter into a new wedlock, when the first had terminated by the death of that husband. Every man, whether he would know it or not, bears reference to that law, and namely the same reference as the subject to his sovereign, or the servant to his master. He must obey the law. If he does so, the law will reward him; but, if not, it condemns him. As soon then as the law assumes its commanding majesty in the conscience of a man, the relation between the task-master and the servant comes into force and existence. The man feels his obligation towards the law, and the neces

II. The thunder of Elijah's speech was this time not without its effect. Ahab knew whom he had before him, and, that this man was not accustomed to speak empty words snatched from the air. There he stands humbled, confused, and affected to the utmost, his knees tremble, his whole frame is agitated, and a shudder of unspeakable fear pervades his alarmed soul. He is obliged to confess that he deserves these dreadful judgments. He is sensible of the enormous guilt that lies upon him. His conscience is in horrible perturbation, and his deeds place themselves around him like an armed host. It is to him as if he beheld the ghost of the murdered Naboth standing before him covered with blood, and as if he heard from out the graves of the slaughtered saints the sound of a thousand voices crying to heaven for vengeance upon him; as if the lightning of divine jealousy already flashed around his guilty head; and as if the hounds howled and barked behind him panting for his blood. The feeling which had overpowered him at the fiery sign on mount Carmel now revived within him in all its acuteness, with innumerable terrors. It is but too evident to him that Jehovah is God, and Elijah his messenger. As if he stood already before the judg-sity of being in unity and amity with the law, which, ment seat of the Almighty, as if the thunders of divine reproach already rolled over his head, and as if the angels of justice surrounded him, ready to drag him, the apostate who gave honour to Baal, to the place of execution:-thus feels the poor abased man. He forgets his crown and royal garb. He no longer knows whether he or Elijah be king. In this painful situation he is little concerned about what propriety requires of him, and how he is to act in order to save his dignity. In his consciousness he is nothing at the moment but a poor alarmed sinner, and he is not ashamed to present himself as such before God and man. He descends from the height of his throne into the lowest dust. He rends his clothes as a plain token of his riven heart. His princely gear must yield to a rough cover of penitence. He falls down before the God of Elijah; he prostrates himself at the feet of Jehovah in supplication, he appoints a fast, heedless whether his Jezebel, that daughter of heathenism, approve of it or Even the nights are passed in penitential exercise. He considers himself no longer worthy of his silken couch, and sleeps in sackcloth; and for a time goes softly and sighing, the very image of affliction. Joy has disappeared from the otherwise gay palace. No sound of the pipe or the viol is heard any longer in the splendid halls; the royal mansion resembles the abode of death and lamentation; and the dejection of the king seems to have spread itself like a black cloud over every one about him.

not.

This mourning of the king of Samaria was no hypocrisy. The exterior covering of sorrow which

compelling, threatening, and denouncing, presents itself before him. Thus both live-the law, and the man who is subject to it. The contract between them which God had signed has yet its full effect; and the words, "Cursed be whosoever doth not fulfil that which is written," maintain their whole force and rigour. The first thing the terrified man then generally resolves upon is to satisfy the law through obedience or by works.

Thus he still lives, and, according to his opinion, possesses sufficient strength and ability to carry his resolution into effect. He applies himself to the task, and thus comes under the law, that is, he enters upon a path from which no one ever brought any thing back, save broken limbs, a wounded heart, and a perturbed conscience. Alas, what must be now experienced! Instead of extricating himself out of the filth of sin, he daily sinks only deeper into it; and, instead of making progress, he hourly goes farther back. His best resolutions are wrecked upon impotency; and the wretched conviction that he is a thousand times more corrupt than he ever anticipated, while the horrible curse which distracts his conscience, and the vexation, anger, disappointment, and dejection, which, as Scripture says, the law creates to all who venture to cope with it in their own strength, is the only fruit, is the only harvest, he gains in the end by his labour.

What is now to be done? To render obedience is out of the question: this he gives up, and now tries to settle with the law by some other means.

Gal. ii. 19.