Malachi iv. 2.—Unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

THE prophecies of the old Testament relating to the Messiah became more clear and explicit as the time approached when they were to receive their accomplishment. The first intimation that God would be gracious to sinful men, and send them a Delivérer, was in these terms :“I will put enmity between thee" (the serpent) “and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." When this intimation was given, four thousand years had to pass away before our Lord's advent; but when Malachi wrote, the term was reduced to little more than four hundred.

In meditating on the text, let us notice

I. The persons addressed :-those who feared the name of the LORD.

We understand by this that they

1. Reverenced Jehovah's character.

2. Acknowledged his authority.

3. Obeyed his commandments.

Observe

II. The blessing promised :-" unto

you shall the Sun

of righteousness arise, with healing in his wings."

Jesus Christ is called a Sun, because he dispenses light the light of divine truth.

He is called "the Sun of righteousness," because the light he dispenses reveals the path of righteousness.

He is said to" arise with healing in his wings, or beams, because by the light he dispenses our spiritual maladies are removed.

Notice

III. The result predicted." Ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall."

1. "Ye shall go forth.-Jesus Christ proclaims liberty to captives.

2. "Ye shall

gressive.

3. "Ye shall

-grow up as calves of the stall.”—The

reference here reminds us, that as our privileges are great, our progress ought to be rapid.

2 Corinthians xiii. 5.-Examine yourselves,

in the faith: prove your own selves.

whether ye be

THE pleasure we feel in the performance of a duty is not, in all cases, proportioned to its importance and utility.

Allow us

I. To make some remarks tending to shew the importance of self-examination.

1. It is necessary to the attainment of self-knowledge.

This is one of the most valuable kinds of knowledge. Though highly valuable, however, it is not easily acquired. We are prone to be too superficial in our investigations.

2. As self-examination leads to self-knowledge, its importance will be seen in enabling us to guard against our besetting sins.

This is a consideration which ought powerfully to operate on our minds.

3. As self-examination leads to self-knowledge, it will assist us in forming correct opinions with regard to the character and conduct of other persons.

Let us proceed

II. To give some directions for the proper and beneficial performance of this duty.

1. It ought to be frequently and seriously performed.

2. It should be attended to in a spirit of prayer.

3. When engaged in this work we ought to devote especial attention to our thoughts and motives.

4. It is proper we should inquire into the reality and genuineness of the religion we profess.

5. If we have scriptural reason to conclude that we are the children of God, let us inquire what improvement we make in the school of Christ.

To conclude.

Let us not be deterred from performing the duty which the text enjoins by the consideration that we are likely to find much that will call for regret and self-abasement.

Whatever defects and blemishes we discover, let us remember that a fountain has been opened for sin and uncleanness.

Matthew v. 3-Blessed are the poor in spirit for their's is the kingdom of heaven.

WELL might those who listened to our Lord exclaim, "Never man spake like this man." His discourses, no less than his miracles, proved that he was a Teacher sent by God.

In meditating on this text, let us notice,

I. The character which it describes." The poor in spirit."

There is a sense in which this phrase may be applied to all men. All have sinned and as sinners, all are spiritually poor.

But the latter part of the text shews that the application of the former part must be limited.

To whom then, does it apply?

1. To those who are subjects of contrition on account of sin.

2. To believers, who feel their constant dependence on God for grace and strength.

3. To those who, though they have made considerable progress in the path of life, retain an abiding consciousness that they are unprofitable servants.