are always near you, and attentive observers of every part of your conduct. Remember too, that God has given them charge over you, to bear you up in their hands, that you dash not your foot against a stone: and let this recollection preserve you from any anxious apprehension of danger or trouble. Finally, comfort yourselves, with the expectation of that happy period, when you shall be clothed with spiritual bodies; when you shall mount up as on the wings of an eagle, and rival angels themselves, in the warmth of your love, and the loudness of your hallelujahs. 976.

"Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments,

the voice of his word. Lord, all ye his. hosts; ye ministers of his that do his pleasure. Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion; bless the Lord, O my soul."

Bless the hearkening to

DISCOURSE XII.

A MEDITATION ON

LUKE XIX. 9.

This day is salvation come to this house.

WELCOME, Welcome, thrice welcome!-This was the very thing that we wanted. We have waited, we have hoped, we have longed for thy salvation, O Lord. We have been looking for it in vain throughout the whole creation. We asked the world, and tried its profits, and honours, and pleasures; but they each of them said, "Salvation is not in me." We endeavoured to stifle convictions, to quench the spirit, and drown the clamours of an awakened conscience: but Carnal Security said, "Salvation is not in me." We tried a form of godliness, got a name to live, and were scrupulous and exact in tything mint, anise, and cumin but Hypocrisy said, "Salvation is not in me." We applied ourselves to good works, a our Saviours; seeking safety from our prayers and praises, humiliations and resolutions, from our gifts and our virtues; but still Self-righteousness replied, "Salvation is not in me." And we know not whither we should have wandered; nay, we should certainly have perished in our perplexities, if the grace of God had not appeared bringing salvation. What a glorious hour is this! Christ and our souls and salvation met in this house!

It can be no other

than the house of God: It is surely the gate of heaven. It is more it is an imperfect resemblance of heaven itself, where Jesus and salvation shall employ our eyes, our tongue and heart for ever.

It is, indeed, good to be here. Who does not wish, with such company, to dwell in the house of the Lord for ever? How salvation came hither, who brought it, and to whom it is brought, the whole story is worthy of notice; and a cursory review of it, may furnish us with some useful and seasonable observations.

"And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho." Happy the place that Jesus enters! Happy the street through which he passes. For whithersoever he went, it was not as a common traveller, but as a physician and a Saviour. Had not this good Shepherd left the ninety and nine in the wilderness, the lost sheep had never recovered the fold. The work is all his own. We should never have sought thee, if thou hadst not found us: and now we are found, thou must draw us, or we shall never run after thee. He who went about doing good, never took a step in vain; though we may not be always able to account for his motions. But we believe that to what place soever he comes, or sends the gospel, he has some precious Zaccheus in his eye.

"And behold there was a man named Zaecheus." Behold! take notice of it attentively, as a thing that seldom occurs. To see men perverted from Christ to the world, from piety to profaneness, is as common as lamentable. But to behold a sinner come to God, a miser leave all, and follow Christ, children of wrath become heirs of glory, is a matter of joy and surprise to men and angels. Since so many professors, and so few real converts, are found, every addition to the

church of Christ deserves and challenges the attention and thankfulness of every friend to the Redeemer.

And he" was the chief among the publicans ;" and seems to have abused his employment to the vilest of purposes. When, therefore, we see such a transgressor repenting and finding mercy, it shows us, that though our sins be as scarlet, they may become white as snow; and that Jesus is able to save to the uttermost, all that come to God by him.

"And he was rich :" to let us see that though it be hard, it is not impossible, for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

"And he sought to see Jesus."

This is not astonishing, when all the world were flocking after him, and every day produced fresh instances of his power and goodness. The whole creation could not exhibit another such spectacle. Abraham rejoiced to see him, though at the distance of two thousand old Simeon wished to close his eyes years: with a sight of him, as if he thought it a pity, or a disparagement, to look at any thing else ever after; and St. Paul gloried in it as one of the greatest things which he had to boast of, that he had seen the Lord Jesus. How insignificant, how infinitely despicable is every other prospect! We may look at mountains of gold, and be never the richer: we may see the most beautiful pictures, and be never the fairer: we may behold all the magnificence of the world, and be never the greater; but we cannot see the Consolation of Israel, without being comforted: we cannot look at the blessed Jesus, without receiving some of those blessings which he richly possesses. Perhaps, at first, there was more of curiosity than faith in the desire of Zaccheus. He, however, who wishes to see Jesus, is

A

in the way of being favoured with a sight of him, and of enjoying his presence.

"He sought to see Jesus, and could not for the press.

There will be always something in the way between us and our Saviour. The crowd hid Christ from Zaccheus; and what is it but the world that hides him from our view? Worldly cares or pleasures, vain thoughts and pursuits, innumerable evils encompass us about, and prevent us from seeing and enjoying him whom our souls, we hope, love with sincerity.

Zaccheus, indeed, laboured under another disadvantage, for "He was little of stature." But we have to do with a God who judges not by appearances, but measures us by our desires. Blessed Jesus, now thou art ascended up on high, neither the smallness of our persons, nor the meanness of our condition, can hinder us from looking at thee. Only clear the eyes of our faith, and wherever we be, or whatever we be, we shall see and rejoice in thine infinite excellencies. Zaccheus was not discouraged by these difficulties, but rather quickened and animated to exert his utmost endeavours; for it follows,

"He ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore

tree."

Had he been ashamed to let the world know that he desired to see Jesus, or had he been indifferent about it, he might never have enjoyed the sight, or, what was infinitely more important, the blessings. which followed. So, if we fear to be singular, or if we treat Christ with indifference, we may never behold his glories, nor, rejoice in his everlasting salvation. Lord, we are not sufficient of ourselves; choose

VOL. I.