230 THE VINEYARD INSPECTED. divine. He owns it as his: "My vineyard," "my church." It is his by special choice, not in the sense in which the world is his, but in a peculiar sense, chosen, purchased, accepted, beloved. He takes special care of it. “I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment; lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day." He is anxious that it be holy like himself, that it prosper greatly in the world, and that no enemies should injure it. What he did for it.-He gave his Son to die for it. This was God's last expedient, and the greatest thing he could do for his church. He gave his Holy Spirit to convert souls by the truth, to edify and comfort the church, that all the members might walk in the fear of the Lord, and that their light and love should spread through the world. He appointed the ordinances of religion that the church might be kept alive, and maintained, and extended throughout the world. What he expected.-He expected that every one would feel responsibility corresponding to his privileges. He did much, he suffered much, and he gave much; and, therefore, fruit and improvement were expected. He expected prosperity in the cultivation of personal and family religion, in the growth of grace in the soul, and in a life of faith in the Lord Jesus. He expected propagation-that every one would speak for Christ, and work for Christ, and contribute for Christ, and especially that good example should speak. God is now inspecting his church, and looking for these fruits; he may give a little further trial, and then, if they are not found, destruction will be certain. Instead of What he found.-He found barrenness. every member being at his post of duty, and labouring at it, he found many neither maintaining nor extending religion; many who had a name to live while they were dead. He found the wild grapes of doctrinal errors, the THE VINEYARD INSPECTED. 231 opinions of men, the nice distinctions of philosophy, and the deductions of reason, taking the place of the word of God. "To the law, and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." He found errors in practice. How many hold the truth, but hold it in unrighteousness! How many make large professions, whose conduct proves them empty show, wandering stars, and wells without water? MAY 20. Constraining Jobe. "The love of Christ constraineth us."-2 Cor. v. 14. THINK of the love of Christ. It was from the beginning: "I have loved thee with an everlasting love." "He first loved us." Long before he created our world, he loved us, "rejoicing in the habitable parts of the earth, and his delights were with the sons of men." This will be manifest when we remember that with him time has no past, present, nor future; all is an eternal now. It is unmerited. The objects of his love are most unworthy, sinners, enemies, murderers. His love of complacency rests only on his followers, but his love of benevolence reaches the unthankful and the evil. If ever human beings merited his indignation, it was his own murderers; yet his bosom. swelled with love to them: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." It is very great. It resembles the ocean, ever exhausting, and yet exhaustless still. The love of David and Jonathan, and the love of a mother for her sucking babe, were mere drops to this great ocean. Intellect could not grasp it, time could not tell it, and eternity could not exhaust it. It is persevering. For days, and months, and years, O reader, it has been pursuing thee; and even now he pleads, "How will I give 232 CONSTRAINING LOVE. thee up p?" Even when I think not of him, he thinketh upon me. Even when I care not for him, he careth for me. Even when I have been neglecting and refusing, he pleads and knocks. The constraint it exercises.-It constrains us to believe in him. Though unimpressed by his goodness in providence, though hardened by his judgments, and unalarmed. by his threatenings, yet surely we will be melted by his love, and know and believe the love he hath to us. Surely, if we resist his love, and refuse to believe in him, what can we expect but to be consumed by his terrors, and overwhelmed with his wrath? It constrains us to love him. We should love him for what he is, for what he has done, and for what he is willing to do. We should love him sincerely, because he knoweth our hearts; supremely, because he admits of no rival; and constantly, because he rests in his love to us. It constrains us to obey him. Should we run in the way of his commandments, his love ought to urge us on. Our obedience should be willing, not the obedience of a slave, but of a son; universal, for he that offends in one point is guilty of all; and persevering through all difficulties. "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." It constrains us to exertion for the good of others. Sinners are perishing; shall we make no effort to save them? We can make our light shine; shall we hide it under a bushel? We can speak a word in season to him that is weary, and shall we keep silence? We can contribute for the support and spread of religion, and shall we not freely give? And we can pray for the conversion of the world. "Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence, and give him no rest." FORGIVENESS AND FEAR. 233 MAY 21. Forgiveness and Fear. "There is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared."-Psalm cxxx. 4. HERE we have forgiveness with God-its reality-and its effect. Forgiveness with God.--It is unmerited. Money could not buy it; merit could not achieve it; and penance could not secure it. We have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. However humbling to the pride of man, yet it is true that, if ever he is forgiven, he must owe it wholly to the free grace of God. It is complete. When God forgives, he forgives all manner of sin-the sin of the heart, the sin of the mouth, and the sin of the life; sins past, however numerous and aggravated; sins present, however daring and offensive; and sins future: so that there is no more condemnation. The pardoned sinner may exult in the favour of God, and rejoice in the hope of his glory. It is irrevocable. God who forgives is unchangeable; his gifts and calling are without repentance. The mountains may depart, the hills may be removed; the sun may cease to rule the day, and the moon the night; but God does not recal his favours, or change towards the objects of his love. "I have loved thee with an everlasting love." Its reality." There is forgiveness." This appears from the work of Christ. He obeyed the law we broke; he died the death we merited; by the shedding of his blood he hath procured remission. Having paid the highest price justice could demand, God is now just, and the justifier of the ungodly who believe in Jesus. Thus forgiveness is a reality, purchased at a great price. What a price! There is no stain too deep, and no case too desperate, but this can reach it. It appears from the declarations of Scripture. 234 FORGIVENESS AND FEAR. "Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy." "Remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." It also appears from Scripture examples. If such sinners as David and Manasseh, the dying thief and the fallen Peter, the murderers of Christ, and Saul, the persecutor, were forgiven, who need despair? I would as soon doubt my own existence, as I would doubt the existence of God; and I would as soon doubt the existence of God, as I would doubt that there is forgiveness for me in Christ and in the gospel. Its effect."That thou mayest be feared." This is not slavish fear, but holy reverence, which a sense of forgiveness produces. If one whom I deemed my mortal enemy should save my life, how would I reverence and love him; and shall I not reverence the sin-pardoning Jehovah? This is filial fear. My Father forgives me all for Christ's sake, and shall I not confide in him and love him? This is a fear lest I should offend him. Surely it is my interest and duty to please him who has done so much for me. Let me stand in awe, and sin not, and look up to him in whom all my strength lies; for he hath said, "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not." MAY 22. Miriam's Death and Burial. "And Miriam died in Kadesh, and was buried there."-Numb. xx. 1. LET us think on Miriam-her death-and her burial. Miriam was the sister of Moses, and useful to him in his childhood. When his parents could no longer hide him, but at the risk of their lives, they committed him to |