Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

for they shall be comforted." The night of penitential weeping, will be followed by the morning of believing joy. You can review in this way, at your leisure, the other proofs of the Saviour's considerate and compassionate regard to the day of small things. In the meantime, whilst these two are before you, and you are admiring them, I must remind you, that none of them are intended to reconcile you tọ the continuance of a day of small things, in either your faith or holiness. It is, that small things may become great things, that they are thus watched by Heaven, and thus commended to the watchfulness and tenderness of the Church on earth. "The blade" of piety has the promise of "the early rain," just that the ear and the full corn in the ear may come on to meet "the latter rain."

But whilst the first appearances of heartfelt piety are thus not overlooked by the

Saviour, neither are they overrated by him. The reed, though bruised, is called a reed; but

it is not complimented as sweet enough in its sound. So also, the smoking flax is not threatened with quenching; but neither is its smoke commended. In connexion with both

emblems it is added, "He shall bring forth judgment unto truth." In prophetic language, this amounts to the same thing as the apostolic promise, "He who began the good work, will carry it on." Thus we are as much bound to grow in grace, as we are encouraged to trust in grace, by both the condescension of the Father, and the tenderness of the Son, towards our day of small things.

In a word, it must not be always a day of small things with us; for we may soon have great trials, or great temptations; and small faith or patience will not sustain them well. "What will ye do in the day of visitation?" is,

therefore, a question which ought not to be lost sight of entirely, even at this stage of your experience. Do not, indeed, forbode evil; but do not forget that it will come, sooner or later, in some form. It may come very soon, and severely too, if you sit down contented with this day of small things. Let the following allegory of RACHEL'S LEPROSY, teach you wisdom. And be not discouraged, because you cannot see how there can come a day of great things in your experience. You may acquire great peace, great comfort, and great influence. In every thing good, you may be much greater than you are; and although you will never call nor think your holiness, great, even when others feel it to be great both in its beauty and strength, resolve that it shall not be less in either than care can make it.

ALLEGORY.

RACHEL'S LEPROSY.

THE IOM HACCHIPURIM, or the great day of atonement, drew nigh again; and Sheshbazzar, although "old and grey-headed," prepared to appear before God in Zion. For the Beershebean eagle (as Rachel called him) seemed to renew his youth," annually, from

66

the very moment the expiation trumpets summoned the tribes to Jerusalem. Their sound fell on his ear, like a voice from the excellent glory; and their signal for pilgrimage was welcomed by him, as Elijah welcomed the cherubic chariot of his translation. He was no longer able to go up to Jerusalem, "three times a year;" and, therefore, he preferred to

D

be there on the DAY CF DAYS, that he might

learn, as he said, from the High Priest, to enter within the veil of eternity, bearing only the blood and incense of propitiation, as all his introduction and plea. Thus his spirit passed into the Holy of Holies, even before the High Priest; and often lingered at the mercy-seat, or bathed in the Sheckinah of glory, long after He had come out to bless the people. That benediction, Sheshbazzar welcomed as his own warrant to kneel in spirit, where the Priest had ministered; and thus to realize his own entrance into heaven.

This was his meaning when he called his pilgrimage, his translation; and his staff and scrip, his chariot and horses of fire; for Beersheba, compared with Jerusalem, was to him, on that solemn feast day, as the earth compared with heaven. And yet, Beersheba was dear to the good old man: for Abraham's well was

« AnteriorContinuar »