so work upon his heart, that he did faithfully believe that Christ was the Son of God, that he was the king of Israel, and that he had saved others, end therefore, he could save him also, which made him to apply himself to Christ for comfort, and for his salvation; and in his address to him he came with all modesty and humble submission, he gave him all due honour and reverence, as much as he was then able to express, and then he made this humble suit and supplication to him: and no sooner was his request made but it was granted; because Christ did see truth and sincerity in his heart, and integrity in his expression.

We may observe from hence for our instruction and consolation, that the Holy Ghost can work the conversion of a sinner, either without means or by contrary means, and doth sometimes work very strangely upon the will and upon the affections of the heart; for Christ was now preached by his deadly foes out of scorn and mockery; as there were some in Paul's time that did preach Christ ever of envy and strife; others of love and good will; yet the Spirit of God did so enlighten the understanding of this sinful man, and did so work upon his will, and so seasoned his heart with saving grace, that he received holy instruction thereby, and what the enemies of Christ did speak in his disgrace, he did apply it to himself to confirm him in the truth of his divinity, which made him stick close to him by faith, when he was in the lowest degree of his humiliation : his faith made him rest upon Christ and upon his promise, above the strength of nature, and contrary to all human reason.

If he had seen the glory of Christ in his transfiguration upon Mount Tabor, and if he had seen some of his great miracles, or had heard his divine doctrine and powerful preaching, his faith had not seemed so great; but now he did see him only upon Mount Calvary, nailed to his cross, as the worst of malefactors are, and rejected of his own nation, so that to the outward eye he appeared nothing else but a pitiful spectacle of woeful misery: and yet this penitent sinner did express an admirable faith in the pangs of a cruel and violent death, though his faults had been intolerable in his dissolute life, for nothing but faith could move him to honour and reverence Christ, now he was in this sad condition, and to sue unto him to be remembered in his kingdom. By the eye of his faith he did see in Christ more than human meekness and patience in his sufferings, undaunted courage above the strength of nature, to go through with all constancy those torturings and torments, which with all cruelty and malice were inflicted upon him; and he did see some glimpse of divine mercy in him, when he heard him pray so graciously for his persecutors and tormentors, and for those who put him to death.

In the last place, ponder well in thy heart upon the merciful answer of Christ to this penitent malefactor, "Verily, I say unto thee, to-day thou shalt be with me in paradise," whereby he did shew his power to forgive sins upon earth.

Thus he said to the sick of the palsy, "for thy sins are forgiven thee:" and thereby also he did shew that he had power to dispose of heaven at his own pleasure, for "all power was given to him both in heaven and in earth," therefore he did assure the petitioner, that though his body did now suffer the torments of a cruel death, yet his soul should live and presently enjoy a most happy and blessed condition in the paradise of God and in the mansions of heaven to all eternity, which place Christ hath prepared for his servants.

We shall meet with labour and toil, troubles and crosses in this life, which do embitter all our comforts here; but when we shall enjoy this heavenly paradise, the Spirit saith, that "we shall rest from our labours, and we shall feel no more sorrow our bodies shall sleep in the dust until the general resurrection, but our souls shall rest in joy and happiness for evermore."

Though we live a restless and uncomfortable life in this world, it will be but for a short time; but in the world to come we shall have fulness of joy and felicity with Christ and with his holy angels and blessed saints in heaven, which never shall have an end.

Consider also, that Christ did presently grant his request, and did suddenly perform his promise, for God doth sometimes answer the desires of our hearts before we speak, and he will give what we need before we ask. When Daniel prayed for the restoration of Jerusalem, God answered him before he had made an end of his prayer, and caused his angel Gabriel to fly swiftly to touch him, and to inform him of the time when Jerusalem should be restored.

But sometimes it is long before we have a return of our prayers, because God will try our patience and constancy in waiting his good pleasure, and by his delays to make us more fervent in our supplications, for he loves an holy importunity.

Hannah continued long before the Lord in praying for a child, before she obtained her request. Also God doth sometimes long delay the performance of his promise to try our faith and confidence in him, as he did to Abraham for divers years, before he gave him a child by Sarah his wife, and also before he delivered his people out of Egypt. Wherefore, faint not in thy prayers for what thou desirest, neither be weak in faith if thou hast a promise from God, but rest upon it with an assured hope, for he will choose the fittest time to answer thy prayers and to perform his promise, which may most advance his own glory and the best for thy good.

EMANUEL, THE LIGHT, LIFE, GLORY, AND EVERLASTING SAFETY OF HIS CHURCH.

" And the name of the city from that day shall be Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord is there." Ezek. xlviii. 35.

BELIEVER IN CHRIST JESUS,

SUCH is the blissful and ever-glorious name of the church of God, in consequence of her eternal union to his dear co-equal Son,

who is her everlasting Lord, Head, and Husband, his divine presence in her, and indissoluble connexion with her, give her this infinitely honourable title. This city, whose builder and maker is God, Heb. xi. 10., hath immoveable foundations; and though she now dwells in two worlds, is one and the same. Jehovah bath founded and governs it, and he grants to the citizens all the blessings, privileges, and immunities of it. It is the Lord's. Well may she sing, then, in her most trying seasons," the Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear: the Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I (the purchased portion of my husband) be afraid." My Lord hath sworn in covenant to be a wall of fire around, to enlighten, comfort, and defend me from all enemies. Christ hath betrothed his whole church unto himself to be his for ever, Hosea ii. 19, 20. “ And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness and in judgment, and in loving-kindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness; and thou shalt know the Lord." For the Lord hath chosen Zion: he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest, (not for a day, a month, or a year; but I am her Jesus, her Ishi, her God: I change not, but rest in my love to her for ever; therefore,) here will I dwell, for I have desired it." She shall bear my name, see Jer. xxiii. 6. with Jer. xxxiii. 16. I will write Jehovah-Shammah in the heart and conscience of all Zion's children, marked by the regenerating grace of Jehovah the Spirit, with this, Rev. xxii. 4. shall all her mourners enter into peace, Isa. lvii. 13. through her pearly gates, and rest with me for evermore, Rev. xxii. 14.

"Therefore, rejoice, ye heavens; shout, ye lower parts of the earth; for the Lord, Jehovah-Rophe, hath done it;" who saith, Exodus xv. 26. I AM, the self-existent, independent Almighty Jesus, Emanuel, thy Lord, that healeth thee; so that, "there is, therefore, now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh" to fulfil the lusts thereof; but through my grace in heart, obey the sweet whispers of the Spirit; for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus maketh all Zion's children free from the law of sin and death.

*

On this immutable rock doth this impregnable city, the Zion of God, stand firm and immoveable, and may defy all her enemies. Yes, for her Lord passeth through her golden streets daily before her inhabitants; and maketh proclamation of his covenant name to all her children; "the Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth; at the joyful sound of whose blissful voice, all the city is moved with delight, which none but his almighty power, sweet smiles, and presence can give; and by which aliens and deserters are made friends, brought to enjoy her commonwealth: yes, and for ever adored be her holy King, Psalm ii. 6. that such is the condescending, tender sympathy, and compassion of his heart to all his subjects, that when

once sealed upon their hearts, they cannot cease to love him, and believe that he will not suffer the city's gates to be shut till all his ransomed are finally entered, to go out no more for ever, see Isa. lx. 11. with Isa. liv. 11-14. Songs viii. 6, 7. 1 John iv. 10. And what fills them with astonishment and delight is, when by the King's sovereign and free grace they see where they have been, whom they have served, how they lived, and begin to feel his blessed clemency, they come to his blessed Majesty (spiritually considered) as king Benhadad's princes came to the king of Israel, 1 Kings xx. 31., and as their Lord declares they shall; for "they shall come that are ready to perish." His compassion melts their heart, his dazzling glory attracts their spirit; his grace fills them with joy unspeakable and full of glory, Songs v. 8. so that when they have once tasted of his word of life, 1 John i. 1. the everlasting effects are so sweet, refreshing, and strengthening, that all provision, even though of their Lord's and King's own bounty, without this city will not, cannot satisfy them; for when new and spiritual life is received from him, they lose their relish and esteem for all terrestrial things, and hunger and thirst after celestial realities; and what is still more blessed to the believer, that our kind Lord Jesus is all this, and infinitely more to his whole church.

Therefore, for their comfort, direction, and encouragement, the King hath caused it to be minuted in his royal records, 1 Pet. ii. 1—5. that they lay aside all their former pursuits, "as new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that they may grow thereby ; if so be, ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious," in redeeming our persons, atoning for our sins, blotting out our transgressions, and justifying us freely; making us thereby manifest that we are of his royal family, chosen and joined to him in an eternal one-ness of spirit, for he that is joined to the Lord is one spirit." Then sure I am, we shall be all our future days desiring at least to be coming to him (with all our sins, temptations, and cares)" as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious; we also as lively stones are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up (in the great King Emanuel's all lovely, all prevalent name) spiritual sacrifices, (which are always) acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

From the heart of Zion's King, a river of love eternally flowed to all her inhabitants; and when sin entered our world this river of grace burst forth through her uncreated, invisible banks, in lifegiving streams, Gen. iii. 15. Ps. xlvi. 4, 5. Ezek. xlvii. 1-12. with Rev. xxii. 1-6. and so redundant is it in medicinal virtues, healing properties, and cleansing efficacy, that it can never be fathomed in this life, or can ever be known, or rightly appreciated, but by sinners born from bove. All glory to the Divine Author, this river flows; her blissful streams descend into the heart, diffuse unutterable peace, joy, and consolation in the soul, John vii. 37, 39. Rev. xxii. 17. of all that are travelling to her gates; though we be now, as all gone before

us once were of whom the beloved apostle so blessedly writes, Rev. i. 9. and to whom by the Spirit he now speaks, saying, “I, John, who also am your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom (mark in the kingdom) and patience of Jesus Christ," &c. And are not all believers the same? yes, verily; for to such, as a badge of divine favour, it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, as their all in all, but also as collateral evidence of interest in the love of his heart, to suffer for his sake, Phil. i. 29. Who can number all the thwarting circumstances and incisions of spirit the truly regenerate experience from Satan, sin, their own hearts, this world, formal professors; yea, at times, from some of the real church, arising from their indwelling corruptions, which I believe hath been felt in all ages by the brightest saints, and which all the apostles, more or less, groaned under. Blessed Mr. Hart felt this, when he sang,

"From sinner and from saint,

We meet with many a blow;

My own bad heart creates me smart,
Which only God can know.”

Again, many long, grievous, and sore trials arise to God's dear family from their connexions in this world, from the nearest and dearest ties in nature. Well, be it so, my dear brethren; yet, fear not, for this is nothing new, though we too often think it strange concerning this part of the fiery trial which is to try us. The great Lord Redeemer of his household passed through this also, Heb. iv. 15. and tells us, John xvi. 33. that in the world we shall have tribulation, but bids us be of good cheer, for "I (your Saviour, husband, life, strength, Lord, and King) have overcome the world." Yes, thou dearest friend of my soul, thou didst tread, as the Husband, Redeemer, Priest, and Saviour of thy mystical body, thy church, this path in our nature. Again, how often are the children of the Most High brought into deep waters, where they find no standing. All they can do is, day and night to sigh and mourn in their complaint, and make a noise, as saith the Psalmist and Hezekiah, like a crane or a swallow. "Oh! that I had wings like a dove, that I might hasten my escape from the stormy wind and tempest." Here is a rich fund to explore.

But let us hasten to contrast our present state of trial, to that blissful, happy, everlasting state, which awaits all the purchased of Emanuel's precious blood, Rev. xxi. 4-7. and to which his militant church is hastening, though now we are like Noah and his family in the ark, tossed with tempest and not comforted, yet, it was the Lord that shut him in till the deluge was over and past; therefore let us take comfort in all our afflictions, for it is the same Lord Jehovah that shut us, believer, with all the family royal in Christ, Eph. i. 3-13. the antitypical ark; and though we are now, to wean us from all things in this world, to ripen us by grace here, for glory hereafter.