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At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you....John xiv. 20.

CX. 3.

"To every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heaven." "God hath made every thing beautiful in his time."....Eccles. iii. 1, 11. In the beginning of time God created all things by Jesus Christ. In the fulness of time the Son of God was made flesh, dwelt among us for a time, and at the end of it finished salvation for lost sinners. The man Jesus ever lives in glory, and therefore his members must be made spiritually alive upon earth; to him they must all be gathered. There is a day of grace appointed them: a time, a set time to favor them....Psalm A day of power, wherein they are made willing to come to Jesus, and choose him for their only Saviour, and trust in him as their only hope and their all. Various are the spiritual statutes of God's children. Different are their degrees of light, faith, knowledge, and love. As in the creation of nature, in the first day's work light was produced, perhaps small and glimmering; but that glorious luminary the sun, was not until the fourth day: so is it in the new creation of souls. Our Lord's first disciples had light enough to see him as the true Messiah, to come to him, and follow him; yet it is amazing to read how dark and confused their minds were about many things which concerned his person, sufferings, and kingdom; it is just the same now. Many are his sincere disciples, but are very weak in faith; know very little of this great mystery, that Christ and his Father are one, that Christ is in the Father, that they are in Christ and that Christ is in them. Hence they are often sadly perplexed and harassed in their minds with doubts and fears. Still they cleave to Jesus; they love to hear of his precious name and glorious salvation; their hearts can be satisfied with nothing else. Hence it is plain the light hath shined, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon them; but they must follow on to know the Lord. There shall be a day of Pentecost, a day of meridian light, wherein they shall know -even as they are known....assuredly know that there is a mutual in-dwelling of "Christ in them, and they in Christ, and the Spirit will bear witness to their spirits, that they are the children of God.”........ Rom. viii. 16. Most sweetly says Mr. Rutherford, 'I am sure my well beloved is God. And when I say Christ is God, and my Christ is God, I have said all things; I can say no more. I would I could build as much on this, MY CHRIST IS GOD, as it would bear; I might lay all the world on it.'....'I will have nothing to do with an absolute God,' says Luther.

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And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness, and assurance for ever...... Isa..xxxii. 17.

THE light of this day assures us the sun is risen upon the earth. That is not a more evident truth in nature, than this is in reason; that righteousness, once lost, can never be regained by all that sinful man can do. Consequently no peace can subsist between a holy, righteous God, and guilty, unrighteous man. "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." But who are the wicked? Even all those who through unbelief reject the truth as it is in Jesus. It is the essence of wickedness to oppose a righteous God, to reject the righteousness of Jesus, and to go about to establish one's own inherent righteousness, so as not to submit to the righteousness of God Jesus. Hence the conscience is defiled with guilt, the heart impure, and the life is unholy. Yet pride blinds men's eyes, and self-righteousness deludes their hearts with a false peace. For as there is but one atonement by which guilty sinners are pardoned, so there is but ONE righteousness, even the perfect righteousness of Jesus, by which alone unrighteous sinners are made righteous in the sight of God: he accepts no other; his law is honored by no other; the scriptures reveal no other; faith receives no other; the Spirit bears witness to no other; sinners have no other in which they can stand before God, enjoy peace with God. But possessing the righteousness of Jesus by faith, their minds enjoy a peace which passeth all understanding.

There are many things from a sinful nature, satan, and the law, which tend to disquiet their minds daily. But this is the blessed effect of Jesus' righteousness; it brings quietness to the conscience. This comforting thought, I am righteous: my Father hath put on me the best robe, which Jesus my elder brother wrought out for me. This quiets my mind; I am easy and satisfied; I can seek no better righteousness; I dare trust in no other. And this righteousness is presented with the clearest evidence, the strongest confidence, the fullest assurance. The triumphs of Jesus' resurrection proclaim its acceptance with God. The Spirit testifies of it in the word, arid gives assurance of salvation by it in the hearts of the faithful. Hence the holy boldness and happy rejoicing of faith before a righteous God. David's address to Jesus is, "My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness, and thy salvation all the day. I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only."....Psalm lxxi. 15, 16. As there is but one faith, so saints in all ages had but one object to look to for righteousness, even Jesus. Therefore holy Paul prays, "that I may be found in him, not having mine own righteousness."... Phil. iii. 9.

All things are laroful unto me, but all things are not expedient....1 Cor. vi. 12.

THE Constraints of love and jealousy of fear sweetly unite in the believing heart. Where the faith of Jesus prevails, love constrains. It holds and keeps us in our station and duty, as soldiers are kept together under a banner or ensign displayed. What cheerfulness and activity of soul do we experience, when we can say with the church in the Canticles, (ii. 4.) "Jesus' banner over me was love!” Then how sweetly do we judge and determine our conduct by the law of Christ, which is LOVE! This excites a godly fear lest we should allow ourselves a latitude in things in themselves indifferent, to the wounding and hurt of our souls or our fellow-soldiers. Though all things of an indifferent nature, which are innocent in themselves, are lawful to us; yet the cause and interest of our dear Saviour, and the good and edifying of his beloved members, should be ever near our hearts, and make us consider the expediency of them.

How narrow is the path of duty! yet it is pleasant to the faithful soul. For Jesus hath strewed it with the fragrant fruits of peace, love, and comfort. Peace from God, and with our brethren; love to God and one another. While we walk according to this rule, we bring glory to God who hath called us by Jesus Christ to glory, and will also assuredly glorify us together with himself. What circumspection becomes disciples in their daily walk, that they give none offence, neither to the Jew nor to the Gentile, nor to the church of God! The eyes, not only of God, angels, and devils, are upon us, but the eyes of men also, our brethren, and our opposers. Did the Rechabites wholly abstain from wine, because Jonadab commanded "Ye shall drink no wine?" Did the Lord honor their obedience in this indifferent thing with his approbation ?....Jer. xxxv. How much more will Jesus honor his disciples, who, with an eye to his glory, and his members' good, abstain from things that are not expedient! Thou free-man of the Lord, with a holy resolution assert thy dignity. I will not be brought under the power of any thing contrary to the love of Jesus. Happy is he who seeketh not to please himself, but to profit others. How then can those answer to the Lord Christ, to their own souls, and to their brethren, who can indulge themselves at card-tables, play-houses, &c. and say, "These are indifferent things; I see no harm in them!" Is this "following after the things which make for peace, and wherewith one may edify another?"....Rom. xiv. 19. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth."....ver. 22.

What doest thou here, Elijah ?.... 1 Kings xix. 13.

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THE prophets, as well as the children of the Lord, are sometimes found where they ought not to be. Elijah, had now taken up his residence in a cave in the wilderness. What work could he do for his master here? What glory could he bring to his name in a barren mountain? Here were no lambs of God's fock to be gathered, no sheep of Christ's pasture to be fed, no torn sheep to be healed and nourished by his word and doctrine. It seems as though he thought all his work was at an end, his zeal quite worn out; and in a fit of fear, unbelief, and despondency, he retreated from public opposition to the dreary mansions of a mountainous cave for rest and quiet. But the Lord followed him, caused him to hear his voice, calls him to new work, endues him with fresh strength, and animates him with the pleasing assurance that he had seven thousand faithful servants yet in Israel. But poor Elijah thought he was left alone.

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See the effect of judging according to appearances. Carnal reason is a bad judge in spiritual things. The wisdom of the flesh, ever determines contrary to the wisdom of God. Beware of your frames, O disciples. If on the mount, in the sunshine of comfort, be not vain and confident, with "I shall never fall." If in the gloomy valley, where light and joy are obscured, be not cast down and dejected. "The Lord reigneth: rejoice in him." Though clouds and darkness are round thy God and Saviour, yet "righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne."....Psalm xcvii. Above all, beware of thy conduct. Fly not to places of sinful vanities, and vain gratifications. These can never profit thy soul. Nay, if dark and uncomfortable, what canst thou expect but to be darker and more uncomfortable still? This is a farther remove from the Saviour's love and presence. What canst thou expect, but this cutting reproof, this keen interrogation, "thou man of God, what dost thou HERE?" If Elijah was reproved, for being in a barren wilderness, how canst thou answer it to God thy loving Saviour, for being found on worse than barren ground; where the alluring baits of sin; the poisonous weeds of satan grow in abundance, to beguile and destroy unstable souls. O soul, hear the call of thy beloved Lord! "Depart ye, depart ye, this is not your rest." Know your glorious privilege. "Ye are the temple of the living God. God. dwells in you, and walks in you." Listen to his voice, speaking to your souls. "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and I will receive you: and I will be a Father unto you, (ye shall enjoy the sweet knowledge of it,) and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.". 2 Cor. vi. 17, 18.

Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us....Heb. xii. 1.

CHRISTIAN thou art called to run a race: the eyes of innumerable spectators are upon thee; the powers of many enemies are against thee; but fear not. In the strength of Jesus, through the power of faith, thou shalt obtain the prize: even the salvation of thy soul. It is thy wisdom to know thy foes and to guard against them: to know thine own vileness and weakness, and to look to thy friend for power. Thou hast a heavy burden which hinders thy running with alacrity and delight: this, in the exercise of faith, thou must lay aside; therefore "put off the old man with his deeds.” This through the Spirit is to be thy daily work. Every sin is a weight; as such is to be laid aside. "The body of sin” is a sore burden, therefore to be put off: but thou hast a besetting sin: thine own conscience best knows its name and nature:" this thou art called to lay aside. In the nature of all men there is one sin, a master sin, the source and spring of every other sin, which even believers are not exempt from; but it is ready at all times easily to beset them. It is that monster of iniquity, UNBELIEF. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen.".... Heb. xi. 1. Here we see what glory is given to God, and what wonders were wrought by faith in that chapter. It is the nature of unbelief to deny the substance of what is hoped for, and to oppose the evidence of invisible realities. It tends to make faint hearts, weak knees, and feeble hands: it stops us in our race? it puts us to a stand; and we should give up all and give over all, unless Jesus prays for us, and we are endued with power from on high. But glory to our Jesus he does pray for us, therefore, our faith fails not; we are strengthened by the Spirit's might in the inner man to hold on. Yet shame on thee, O soul, instead of laying aside this sin, how often dost thou treat it as a bosom friend! How frequently consult it as a sweet counsellor! especially when its arguments are backed by its constant companion, CARNAL REASON. But being assured the matter of thy faith is the word of truth, the author and finisher of thy faith Jesus, thou art not called to answer every y cavil from carnal reason, nor to silence unbelief by explaining the mysteries of grace and salvation; but to lay it aside; put it off as David did Saul's armour; put it away as men do childish things; cast it out as Abram did the bond-woman and her son....and so run with patience the race that is set before thee, every step "looking unto Jesus.SAA

By glimm'ring hopes and gloomy fears See the kind angels at the gates,
We trace the sacred road;
Inviting us to come!

Thro' dismal deeps and dang'rous snares There Jesus the forerunner waits,"
We make our way to God.
To welcome trav'lers home.

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