This is entirely of God's free mercy: and that God's justice might be upheld, our Saviour, Christ, has suffered in man's stead; being, as the Scriptures say, made sin (that is, a sin offering) for us. It is then the merit of Christ that saves us, and not any work or merit of man: neither is it the merit of man's faith that saves him any more than the merit of his works:-but, a free offer of pardon being made, it is only those who receive this in faith who shall have the benefit of it. Thus, faith is needful for salvation. Now, though man's works never could have wrought out this salvation, still the believer in Christ is to be "careful to maintain good works;" for, unless he has a disposition to serve God, and an earnestness to do his will, he will not be able to stand in the judgment at the last day: for he who truly believes in Christ, thinks with the deepest gratitude on what Christ has done for him; and is ever anxious to show his thankfulness by living according to the will of his heavenly master; and he seeks the promised help of the Holy Spirit to enable him to do the will of him who has bought him at the price of his own blood; and he finds that help, and is thus enabled to live a life of watchful obedience. A Christian, then, cannot be too anxious about his conduct, he cannot be too careful to resist all evil works, and to practise such as are godly and good. Now, when the great doctrines of Scripture are set forth, when the consideration of the work of redemption is urged upon all Christians, and they are called upon to meditate upon this, and to apply it earnestly to their hearts by faith,-let no one understand that this exhortation is intended to persuade men to believe, instead of to practise, for they are required to “believe,” in order that they may "practise." The argument of St. Paul to Titus (chap. iii. 8.) seems to be that he should "affirm constantly" the great truths of redemption by Christ, ("these things"), in order that those who believe in these truths may be "careful to maintain good works:" thus showing that a Christian must be constantly watchful over his works,—and that the way to make him so, is for him to lay to heart the consideration of what his Lord and Saviour has done for him. V. ON THE EPISTLE FOR WHIT-SUNDAY, OUR Lord had commanded his Apostles to tarry in the city of Jerusalem, until they were endued with power from on high. That power, namely, the out-pouring of the Spirit, was given to them on the day of Pentecost; and they were enabled to preach the Gospel to "all people, and nations and languages" by the miraculous gift of languages which was then bestowed on them. We are all deeply interested in this great event, inasmuch as the gift of the Holy Spirit was not promised only to the chosen few who attended upon our Lord whilst he was on the earth; but to all his faithful followers in every age and nation-for "God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." Acts x. 35. Did our Lord expressly tell his disciples, I will send you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever?" Yes! blessed be God! Though unseen, as the wind that "bloweth where it listeth," he is ever near us: God hath promised to "give his Holy Spirit to them that ask him." Is any weak in faith?" The Spirit helpeth our infirmities."-Is any tied and bound with the chain of his sins?"—Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."-O seek him then by earnest prayer.-Be fervent in your supplications for his blessed teaching. He can guide you into all truth.-And when you have thus devoutly sought his aid, fear not that it will be refused to you. They that seek shall assuredly find him.-But doth any inquire-" Whereby shall I know that I have received the Spirit?" We answer according to the rule given by our Lord-" By the fruits ye shall know it."— Examine your life and conversation-Are you walking in the Spirit? Do you show forth, every day and every hour, the fruit of the Spirit, "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance?" If you feel that you are sadly deficient in these blessed proofs of the Spirit's presence within you, join fervently in the prayers of our Church this day, that God would "cleanse the thoughts of your heart by the in spiration of his Holy Spirit," "that he would pour into your heart that most excellent gift of charity, that he would give you a right judgment in all things, and cause you evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort, through Jesus Christ our Saviour." Amen. L. S. R. THOUGHTS ON THE TE DEUM. How beautiful and how sublime is this Hymn! Its author, St. Ambrose, writes too with the pen of truth! The true Christian feels each sentiment he expresses"We acknowledge thee to be the Lord,"-well may we do so. Earth herself worships thee: Were man an unthankful or even a silent receiver of benefits so inestimable, would not the very stones rise in judgment against him? Yes, such ingratitude would force even " the stones to cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber should answer it'." Angels join in the song of praise; apostles, prophets, martyrs, their lives, their deaths, the writings they have left behind, all proclaim the same facts, the goodness and mercy of God, the glories of the Trinity, and the redemption of fallen man by the death of Christ! His sufferings were beyond expression, but they were not wasted, they were not aimless, they opened the gates of heaven to all true believers! God is our judge, "a righteous judge, strong and patient, and God is provoked every day." Nevertheless, we fear not; redeemed by the precious blood of his Son, we stand before him powerfully supported, always remembering however, that if, in death, we would avail ourselves of the Christian sacrifice, we must have remembered, whilst living, the terms of the covenant: if, at the bar of eternal justice we would plead our Saviour's death, we must, at the same time, be able to show that it has been our aim to act according to his precepts if we cannot do this, then, instead of Christ being our safe-guard, we have no part in him; or rather, by our sins, we shall be ranked with those who have crucified afresh the Lord of life. But we pray "to be numbered with the saints," the holy men of former days, whose portion is in heaven. So let it be "Save us, O Lord, save thy heritage; grant that we may be entitled to that appella 1 Hab. ii. 11. 1833.] THOUGHTS ON THE TE DEUM. 115 Who tion! If thou dost govern us, if thy laws rule our conduct, we shall indeed be lifted up. If God be for us, who shall be against us?-Night and morning should our prayers magnify thee.-Our Father, though in heaven, disdains not the prayer of the lowest on earth: the fervent effectual prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Daniel prayed even when threatened with death and disgrace for indulging his devotional feelings; he heeded not the threats; three times a-day was he seen, as before, humbly praying to him who ruleth over all. No such dread, no such cause for alarm hangs over us in this world; but neglect of prayer will very surely draw down misery in the next,-death eternal!-disgrace never ending! shall dare to leave his chamber in the morning,-surrounded as we all are by the temptations of this wicked world without calling for aid where only it is to be found? "Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin !"the prayer at least shows a disposition to avoid erring. Sins alas! crowd on every day,every hour of our existence! how great then is our need of fervent prayer to him who alone can keep us from sin! How earnestly ought we to put forth the next petition-" O Lord, have mercy on us; have mercy on us!" But to ask this sincerely, we must believe it will be granted; and if we believe this, we must likewise believe, that God will not be mocked, and that crying for mercy, without godly repentance, which worketh reformation, will be of no avail-God's mercy will be with us only in proportion as we trust in him, trust in him with a firm reliance, founded on religious hope; and, if indeed, we have so trusted, the God of truth and mercy will not let us be confounded, but in his own. good time will bring us safely through all the sorrows of earth to an eternity of joy in heaven, there to join the angelic choir in hymns of praise for ever. F. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight. Ps. xix. 14. MAY I from all expressions shrink, That would the "pure in heart" dismay! And may I never dare to think, What I should be ashamed to say.—The Cottage Muse. |