ling soul, and that is not enough, He must | ing the divine promises, and the eternal empower, and He does; first He works to decrees from which the promises flow; will, and then to do. He makes the heart he walks with God in this confidence, willing to come to Jesus; and then the in the belief of all that is made known sinner is enabled to venture his eternal of Jesus, and in the belief of all that is all, where God has laid his eternal all; declared concerning the world, which upon his dear Son, Jesus Christ. Thus lieth in the wicked one. That it shall God makes believers. Well, what are they perish, as Enoch believed concerning to do when believers ? "The life that the world of the ungodly in the midst I live in the flesh, I live by the faith of of which he stood, that it was doomed to the Son of God, who loved me and gave destruction; so they believe that as the himself for me. As it was with Paul, world was once deluged with waters, so so it must be with us; believing Christ it shall again be deluged with another to be, what the Scriptures declare Him destroying element: "for behold the to be, the sinner ventures upon Him, day cometh that shall burn as an oven; confides in him, and is satisfied. His heart, and all the proud, yea, and all that do as it were, turns into a song; "Neither is wickedly, shall be as stubble, and the there salvation in any other, for there is day that cometh shall burn them up, none other name under heaven, given saith the Lord, that it shall leave them among men, whereby we must be saved." neither root nor branch." You see how I want no other, I am quite satisfied God disposes of mankind; He is rightwith my Lord; God has given me a con-eous in all his ways, and holy in all his sciousness of trusting in Him, and my works, blessed be his adorable name, soul is satisfied that He will never cast that any should believe; and who, and me off; He is mine, and I am his. Well what are we, that this should be our then come; the blessed Scriptures, ad- case; "not unto us, O Lord, not unto dressed to believers in the Lord, as be- us, but unto thy name give glory, for fore they were addressed to sinners a- thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake." gainst Him, to bring them unto Him; Let this be our song in the house of our what do they say? He that believeth pilgrimage, as I am sure it will be our receiveth remission of sins; this is posi-theme throughout eternity. Here I tive language. "He that believeth is justified from all things from which he could not be justified by the law of Moses." Justified by Christ; "this is his name whereby He shall be called, the Lord our righteousness." The believing heart taught to know Jesus as He is, trusts Him as He is revealed in the Scriptures. Now comes the walk with God; believ

leave you, may the Lord bless his_word. Go home and ask yourselves, am I walking with God, or am I not?

And if there is any doubt about it, may the inquiry be followed by the cry, Lord, let my condition in this present world be what it may, let me be a walker with Thee. Amen.

Claxton, April, 22, 1849.

GLAD TIDINGS FOR POOR SINNERS.

"This Man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them."-Luke xv. 2. Оn, what condescending love is this! | tain result, never prize Christ, nor come that Jehovah-Jesus, the God-Man, Me- to Him by precious faith, and earnest diator, "King of kings, and Lord of lords," should bow the heavens, and come down to this earth, groaning under the Adam-fall transgression, on purpose to redeem poor sinners from sin, death, and hell, and receive them to Himself.

prayer: to be saved in the Lord with that everlasting salvation by which Israel is saved, never to be ashamed nor confounded, world without end.

To this all-important question, the Word of God warrants me to say, that But it becomes us to inquire what those whom Christ receives, are sensible kind of sinners Christ receives; for all sinners, truly conscious of their aposmankind are transgressors, by nature tate state, who by the Holy Ghost have and by practice and alas! it is too evi- been convinced of sin, and of rightedent, that tens of thousands never see, ousness, and of judgment;" sinners who feel, nor confess their guilty, helpless, inwardly mourn over the plague of the and fallen state; and therefore, as a cer-heart, and pollution of the soul; sinners

who are dead to all hope of grace here, and glory hereafter, from the law, or from their own doings, and religious observances, but look alone to Christ for present and eternal life.

Again, they are believing sinners, whom Christ receiveth; those who trust in his death for their life; in his blood for their pardon; in his righteousness for their justification; in his Spirit for their sanctification; in his fulness for all the grace which maketh the soul meet to be "partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light."

And furthermore, they are repenting, contrite, broken-hearted, and praying sinners, whom Christ receives; who with Job cry, "Lord, I am vile; wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." And with David pray, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." And with Isaiah, "Woe is me, for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts" (Isa. vi. 5).

In a word, the sinners whom a precious Christ receives, are those whose views, feelings, confessions, and conduct in every way correspond with the leper, when he said, "Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." With Peter, when he cried, “Lord, save, or I perish." With the publican's prayer, "God be merciful to me, a sinner." With blind Bartimeus, "Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy upon me." With the dying thief on the cross, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." And with the jailor, "What must I do to be saved ?" Being all taught of God, they are brought to Christ, as He graciously declares in John vi. 45; and thus they are all made manifestively "to drink into one spirit."

And, dear reader, observe, what is added to these gracious words, "This Man receiveth sinners, and (oh, matchless love!) eateth with them." That is, through Gospel means and ordinances, He holds a feast with their souls, and they with Him- —a feast of life, love, and liberty-a feast of fat things-a feast of wines on the lees well refined-of fat things full of marrow (Isa. xxv. 6). It is a feast of new covenant blessings-a feast of the riches of his grace, secured by his humiliation, obedience, and death, a very fore-taste, pledge, and earnest of that glorious banquet in the kingdom above, which redeemed, justified, and sanctified sinners, shall partake of through the ages to come.

Reader, art thou one of these poor but precious sinners, whom Christ receives and eateth with ? If so, you may truly say, "The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places, and I have a goodly heritage; for the blessedness of that Man, whom the Lord chooseth, and causeth to approach unto Him," is thine now, and for evermore. "For all things are your's, whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your's and ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's" (1 Cor. iii. 22, 23).

But it may be, thou art indeed truly convinced of thine own vileness, and Christ's preciousness and suitability, and yet afraid to come. And why? Because of thy guilt, misery, and unworthiness? Oh, be of good comfort, thou art just the sinner Jesus loves; He died for all such; and now with open arms and heart, He lives to receive them; "For the whole (in their own eyes) need not the Physician, but they that are sick." And the Lord graciously adds, "I came not to call the (self) righteous, but sinners to repentance.'

Oh, then, thrice welcome to the Lamb of God! Come just as you are, with all your sin, sorrow, and shame-with all your nakedness, vileness, and unworthiness. For behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear (Isa. lix. 1). No; blessings on his name, and glory be to his Almighty arm, and all-compassionate heart.

Welcome, then, poor sinner, to your precious Saviour! Draw near to your incarnate God, and He will draw nigh to you. Oh, cast yourself at his feet, and He will lift you up. Call upon Him in the day of your trouble, and He will answer you, and in his own blood wash all your sins away, and with his own righteousness clothe you with his own life quicken you with his own grace save you-with his own love comfort youwith his own truth sanctify you-and with his own Spirit seal you to the day of redemption, and from his own fulness feast you; and at last, through all eternity, with his own self glorify you, in the presence of countless millions of holy angels, and redeemed sinners.

But, reader, if thou art a sinner, Gallio-like, caring for none of these things, in no soul-trouble from sin's conviction, nor in any anxiety for the salvation in Christ Jesus, then you plainly prove you are yet "in the gall of bitterness, and

the bond of iniquity;" and not one of
those sinners whom Christ receiveth, and
biesseth with his presence, love, and
grace; and the strong consolation found |
in Jesus, as the Friend of publicans and
sinners, belongeth not to thee. Oh, that
it may please Him who hath all power
over all flesh, to give eternal life to as
many as the Father hath given Him
(John xvii. 2), so to fasten conviction
upon thy mind, and so to plant grace in

thy heart, so to teach and guide you by his blessed Spirit; that with all the redeemed, you may be found in time feasting upon the riches of his grace, and through all eternity triumphing in the riches of his glory. Then with all the multitude of the redeemed, you will pour forth your hallelujahs to this blessed God-Man, "who receiveth sinners, and eateth with them." J. J.

Grove Chapel, Camberwell.

IS IT I? AND ANOTHER SAID, IS IT I?

ON what a deeply solemn occasion, are 5th verses- -The Apostle there says, these words recorded to have been " Knowing" (having evidenced to your uttered in the family circle of our blessed own minds), "Knowing, brethren beloved, Lord! "One of you shall betray me," your election of God." "For (here is had been His thrilling announcement; the test) our Gospel "-that Gospel with "that the Scripture may be fulfilled," which the Apostle opened his ministry His authoritative word. And how often to the Thessalonian church, when for does a similar question spoken under very "three Sabbath days he reasoned out of different circumstances, and the result of a the Scriptures, opening and alleging very different communication, meet the that Christ must needs have suffered and ear of those who bear upon their lips the risen again from the dead, and that the message, not-"The Son of perdition is Jesus whom he preached to them is lost, that the Scripture might be ful- Christ" (Acts xvii. 2, 3). That Gospel filled," but "those that thou gavest me which the same Apostle proclaimed to I have kept "Who tell of a people the church at Antioch; Be it known chosen in Christ before the foundation of unto you, men and brethren, that through the world," a people, "the saved" of this man is preached unto you the forChrist, the redeemed by Christ. How giveness of síns, and by Him all that beoften, as we repeat the comforting words lieve are justified from all things, from of our Saviour Christ, "All that the which they could not be justified by the Father giveth me, shall come to me," do law of Moses" (Acts xiii. 38, 39); that we hear the solemn and momentous Gospel, which contains the record that question, Is it I? another says, Is it I?" God hath given to us eternal life, and And surely He who is all love, and all com- this life is in his Son (1 John v. 11); passion, and all tenderness, and who knows that Gospel came, not unto you in all the thoughts and desires of which the word only;" of you it may not be said, human soul is capable, from the beginning, and whose word is but the expression of his gracious mind and will towards us, never left even one of his redeemed ones to grope on in uncertainty, or to be tossed on the billows of doubt." No, dear reader, if you want to have the question settled, Is it I? in other words, Have I been given to Christ? or as perhaps you may put it, am I one of the elect? God's own word affords the answer, at least, it presents to us a test by which we may know and be assured whether indeed, we have part or lot in the matter.

We find, the inquiry, we might say, anticipated in the 1st chapter of St Paul's 1st Epistle to the Thessalonians, 4th and

They come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them," (Ezek. xxxiii. 31)-the Gospel was not to you a

stumbling-block or foolishness;" no, it came to you in power, and in the Holy Ghost." It was in the hand of the Spirit, the power of God, to open the blind eyes, to unstop the deaf ears, to quicken the dead soul; to you, the saved, it was the power of God, 1 Cor. i. 18. And it

came to you in much assurance;" you received the Spirit of adoption, that Spirit whose first cry is, "Abba, Father." Thus then, beloved, may you know your election of God.

Again, when the Lord Jesus Christ

THE CONFIDENCE OF FAITH. JOB XIX. 25.

To cast the crowns beneath his feet,
And sing in heaven-taught hymns,
Worthy the Lamb that once was slain!
He lives-He lives-He lives!

"ALL MY SPRINGS ARE IN THEE."

PSALM CXxxvii. 7.

EXTRACT OF A SERMON FOR CHRISTMAS-DAY, BY THE REV. W. ROMAINE.

66

WE are called upon, at this time, to cele- | head, the ocean of life and comfort; and
brate the birth-day of Jehovah Jesus,
God manifest in the flesh, a day which
the Lord hath made famous for ever; big
with miracles, big with blessings. It was
the great purpose of the covenant of the
Eternal Three, that one of the Divine
Persons should be made man, and that
thereby every perfection of the Godhead
should shine forth in its full glory for
evermore. When it was proclaimed in
heaven, "Let all the angels of God wor-
ship Him," the elect angels bowed with
thankful hearts to the infinite condescen-
sion of Immanuel. They blessed and
worshipped Him for humbling Himself
to be made man and when in the full-
ness of time, He was born of a woman;
then the whole multitude of the heavenly
host came down to keep his birth-day,
praising God, and saying, "Glory to God
in the highest; peace upon earth, and
good-will towards men.' Such was the
angels' hymn; so sweetly did they sing
their God and ours. Oh that we may
find some of the same sweetness and
melody in our souls! May we so medi-
tate upon the birth of our dearest Lord;
that our faith may be exercised upon it,
and we may enjoy its rich blessings in
our hearts and in our lives. And to this
end I have chosen a hymn, composed
upon this joyful occasion. The Psalmist
is led in spirit to see the future birth of
Jehovah; and he is ravished with the
happy prospect. We read of many kings
who desired to see God incarnate. Da-
vid was one of them. He saw it by
faith, and was glad. His soul was in
raptures within him; and he speaks of
the coming of God in the flesh. Just as
Zacharias did when he had Him in his
arms. They both had Him dwelling in
their hearts; and that made them speak
with their mouths with so much affec-
tion. Zacharias had lived to a more
blessed time. He saw the Lord Christ,
and took Him up in his arms. He wanted
to see nothing more upon earth. "Now
Lord, lettest thou thy servant depart in
peace, for mine eyes have seen thy sal-
vation." David saw the same with the
eye of faith, and experienced that all his
springs of grace and glory were in the
incarnate God. In Him, as the Fountain-

from Him flow all the streams. What-
ever can do any good to a poor sinner in
time or in eternity, it is all in, and from
God manifest in the flesh.
All my
fresh springs are in thee." Blessings
on his name, that He has enabled one to
believe this, and in a measure to enjoy
it. Oh, may your souls bless Him toge-
ther with mine; and may a fresh spring
of his grace flow into your hearts to in-
crease your faith and your enjoyment of
his most precious salvation, while I am
(1st.) endeavouring to open the Psalmist's
meaning in his words; and then, (2ndly.)
to bring the doctrine which they contain
into practice and experience.

1st. A short view of the Psalm will be the best way to come at the meaning of our text-the subject is the birth of Jesus-from which blessings are derived to his people-great, numberless, everlasting blessings. The title prefixed is, a Psalm to be sung by the sons of Korah; that is, of fallen man: Korah signifies the state in which trees are in winter, when stripped of their verdure and fruit. This is a lively description of fallen man. He has lost his pristine beauty and fruitfulness.

When he left

God, and turned to his own ways, he became like the trees of the field in winter, from which the genial warmth of the sun is withdrawn. But being brought to a right sense of this, and finding himself stripped of all the glory which the first Adam lost in Paradise; he has been led to seek the restoration of his nature, and to see that he has obtained through the second Adam, the Lord from heaven, a far better state than that which he lost in the first. Every soul may well sing this sacred hymn, and he is called to do so. The name of the person whom he is to celebrate is not mentioned at first; but is soon discovered by the character given of him (ver. 1), “He shall have his foundation upon the holy mountains." He shall be built up, and his feet shall stand upon Mount Sion. The temple which was founded there, was a type of his humanity an infallible expositor has so explained it. Destroy this temple," says Christ," and in three days I will build it up." "But this (St.