shall they also appear with him in glory. Col. 3, 4. This is the consolation for all hungering souls, that they shall at length be satisfied and be filled with all the fulness of God, (Eph. 3, 19.); hence they wait with patience till the time arrives when they shall receive the rich treasure which is poured out to them through the promises; at the same time they look back with eyes of pity and hearts of compassion upon their fellow men who take delight in the frivolity of the world, and would fain see them forsake the vain and transitory pleasures of this life for the enjoyment of eternal felicity in Christ Jesus. For they are convinced that there is no happiness but in following Jesus and seeking his righteousness, which is, notwithstanding, proffered to all who come forward and yield themselves up to the discipline of saving grace, deny their ungodliness and worldly lusts, and live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, (Tit. 2.); for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly int

the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Pet. 1, 11.

When a man has lost, in humility of spirit and godly sorrow, all his own strength, self-righteousness and honor, and has been made sensible of the divine power of the nature of Christ, by which he is enabled to hunger and thirst after the righteousness which Christ has acquired for him, then he longs and sighs, waits and hopes, believes and loves, till it pleases God further to impart his heavenly treasures, for which he continually hungers and thirsts; for blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. 5. Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy. Verse 7.

By this hungering after the spiritual riches in Christ Jesus, a man acquires charity and compassion towards his fellow creatures whom he sees living in blindness, not thinking of the salvation after which he himself hungers; he is tenderly inclined by compassion and love for their souls, to pray for them, that God may open their eyes and turn them from darkness to his marvellous light; for such a person desires that all men may see what he sees, and seek what he seeks, that they may

with him be eternally happy. But when, in opposition to his wish, he finds nearly every where the very reverse of this, and has suffered much gainsaying from his friends and relations; then do vexation and sorrow take possession of his heart, and he exclaims with Jeremiah, "O that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people." Jer. 9, 1. Yea, he prays for his enemies; he renders good for evil; he blesses in his heart those that curse him; he commits himself to him that judgeth righteously, according to the example of his Lord, (1 Pet. 2, 23. Chap. 4, 19.); for this is the true consolation and precious promise given by Christ, under the influence of which the soul is soothed into calm and quiet resignation. Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy. O what compassion! It cleanses the heart, it sanctifies the soul through the blood of Jesus, wherewith our conscience is purged from dead works to serve the living God. Heb. 9, 14.

6. Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God. Verse 8.

Here a man is filled with joy in the

contemplation of God; here he beholds the new and living way which entereth into that within the vail, whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest forever after the order of Melchisidec. Heb. 6, 19, 20. A man perceives now through faith the satisfaction, the righteousness, the mediation and the atonement of Christ by the offering up of himself for our sins; he is sensible that Jesus is made unto us the wisdom of God for redemption, for justification and for sanctification. 1 Cor. 1, 10. 2 Cor. 5, 21. Yea, he perceives that God is reconciled unto him by the death of his son, and that like a faithful father he has not spared his own son, but has given him up for us all. He now discovers that God is willing, with Christ, freely to give him all things, (Rom. 8, 32.) yea, exceeding abundantly above all that he asketh or thinketh, according to the power that worketh in him, (Eph. 3, 20.) by means of which he begins to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of his love; and also to know the love of Christ, which surpasseth all knowledge, that he may be filled with the fulness of God (Eph. 3,

18. 19.); and in this new and living way that entereth within the vail, he sees the sanctuary of God, the mercy seat of Christ, where the Lord speaks free the soul and gives her heavenly peace. And,

7. Blessed are the peace-makers; for they shall be called the children of God. Verse 9.

O, it doth not yet appear what they shall be; but when he shall appear they shall be like him, and see him as he is; and having this hope in them, they purify themselves, even as he is pure. 1 John 3, 2. For the peace of God surpasses all human wisdom and understanding; it softens and quickens the heart, causing it to abound in love towards God and man; it enables a man to love his greatest enemies and to pray sincerely for them, even if they should persecute him and put him to death. Acts 7, 59. Luke 23, 34. And, as they love God, they are conscious that all things will work together for their good, (Rom. 8, 28.) and reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in them, (chap. 8, 18.) for they are now justified by faith and have peace with God, through their Lord Jesus Christ, by