DOCTRINE AND DUTY.

411

and appropriate him as our only and Almighty Saviour. Alas! how many speculate and philosophize about Christ who never receive him! and how many have notions and opinions about him who have him not! They receive him willingly. In the service of Christ all are volunteers, and there is not one pressed man. All are drawn to him by the cords of love, and there can be no bribery and no merit. They receive him fully. As a teacher to remove their ignorance; as a Saviour to atone for their sins and destroy their unbelief; and as a Master to receive sincere, cheerful, and universal obedience. "As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God."

The Person exemplified.-The Christian's walk must be in him. He is united to Christ, he is complete in Christ, and it is only in Christ that he can walk at all; hence his walk is one of dependence on Christ, as well as in conformity with his example. Your walk must be consistent. Profession and practice, appearance and reality, must correspond, and all your conduct must be imitative of him who went about continually doing good. As he did, so we must do. It must be progressive. The Christian's course is walking, not standing. His motto is "forward," his progress is heavenward, and his perseverance is incessant, till all difficulties are overcome. "The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."

SEPTEMBER 10.

The Poor in Spirit.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."Matt. v. 3.

Who are the poor in spirit?-They are not the poor in circumstances; for though to the poor the preached, poverty of means brings no blessing.

gospel is

They are

412

THE POOR IN SPIRIT.

not the spiritually poor; for those who are so, when the fulness of Christ is within reach, are to blame. They are not the poor-spirited, for this is mean and despicable; but the poor in spirit have a humble opinion of themselves. Like Christ, they are lowly in their own estimation; for they know that all who would build high, must begin low. "Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly but the proud he knoweth afar off." They are willing to be saved on Christ's terms. They feel that their foundation is the dust, and they bring no price in their hand; but poor and destitute, they gladly accept of Jesus, and claim salvation through him. They do what Jesus bids, and when he bids. They are satisfied with their lot in life. They know that their habitation, their station in society, and all their afflictions and trials, are under the direction of God, and they are pleased with what he appoints. They are resigned to God's will in regard to the time and manner of their death. They know that they must die, but they are content to leave all the circumstances with him who controls death; and as in their case the sting of death is gone, they see death to be a friend.

What is their blessedness?" Theirs is the kingdom of heaven." It is theirs by title. This title is ratified by Christ's blood; and though they feel that they have a right to heaven, yet that right is not in themselves, but in him who died for them, and rose again. Hence it is their connection with Christ that enables them to see in him a sure title to heaven. It is theirs by promise: "They which are called, receive the promise of eternal inheritance." "I will give thee a crown of life." "The righteous shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father." Such promises are all yea and amen in Christ, and comfort believers when tried, encourage them in difficulty, and give the joyful hope of blessedness. It is theirs by foretaste. Even in this life, "God hath given to us eternal life; and

THE POOR IN SPIRIT.

413

this life is in his Son." "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Though dwelling on the earth, the Christian has the earnest and assurance of heaven. His treasure is in heaven, and his affections are set on things above. Even death may change his place, but it cannot change his company. It is theirs by possession at death. When the Christian dies, his soul enters paradise. On earth he had only a taste of its blessedness, but now he gets the full feast. On earth he

knew only in part, his love was but a spark, and his joys were mixed with trembling; but now he has perfect knowledge, his love is a bright flame, and his joys are as large as his capacity, and lasting as eternity.

SEPTEMBER 11.

True Mourners Blessed.

"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."-Matt. v. 4. Who are the true mourners?—They are not the bereaved; for though bereavements are often very trying, and though it is right for us to mourn over the loss of dear friends, such mourning secures no saving blessing. They are not those who grieve at the loss of property, nor those who are cast down because there is a restraint to their wickedness. Who, then, are the mourners? Those who mourn over their own sins. They are not grieved for them on account of their shame, but on account of their offensiveness to God, and their injury to others. My sins are subversive of God's authority; they have been committed against love and goodness, and they have wronged my own soul; and all this grieves me. Those who mourn over the sins of others. David says, "I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word." Jesus wept over the impenitent inhabitants of Jerusalem, and every true

414

TRUE MOURNERS BLESSED.

Christian sighs and cries over the wickedness of men. Those who mourn over the desolations of Zion. "Oh 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." Those who mourn over the loss of souls. When the wicked perish, the Christian regards it with deep sorrow; for the loss of a soul is so great a loss, that it might clothe the world in mourning.

What is their blessed comfort?" They shall be comforted." Penitents have their sins forgiven for the sake of Christ. Without pardon of sin, there can be no real comfort; but the true mourner has a free, full, and everlasting pardon, and a comfortable sense of it from the witness of the Spirit, and the promises of Christ. The penitent is comforted, because the judgments which were merited and threatened are removed. Whenever God gains the heart, and gets its submission, his anger is turned away, and he comforts his people. Nineveh is threatened; Nineveh mourns, and Nineveh is spared. True mourners are comforted with the possession of the Holy Spirit : I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you." "He shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever." "Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied." "After that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance." True mourners are comforted with the certainty of heaven's happiness. Then "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying; neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away." What unspeakable comfort! Mourning penitent, thy mourning shall soon be turned into joy.

INHERITANCE OF THE MEEK.

415

SEPTEMBER 12.

Inheritance of the Meek.

"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."-Matt. v. 5.

MEEKNESS does not mean courtesy or kindness of manner; it does not mean being easily led, for this would be simplicity or weakness; and it does not mean absolute patience, for Jesus remonstrated when struck by an officer of the high-priest. What, then, does meekness include? It includes forgiveness of injuries. "How oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven." When injured, the meek man does not retaliate, but strives to render good for evil, and strives to follow the example of Christ. It includes the cultivation of a peaceful spirit. When there was strife between the herdmen of Abram and the herdmen of Lot, Abram's peaceful spirit and peaceful proposal speedily settled it; and if Christians would imitate the meekness of Moses and the meekness of Christ, and study the things that make for peace, what a happy world we should have! "The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit is, in the sight of God, of great price." It includes resignation to the divine will. We should see the hand of God in all our personal and relative afflictions, in disappointments, and in adversities; when the feeling. of our heart, and the language of our lips should be, "It is the Lord let him do what seemeth him good." "Thy will be done."

What is the blessed inheritance of the meek?" They shall inherit the earth." Think of the inheritance. "The earth" means the land, and the inheritance of the Israelites was the land of Canaan. The patriarchs regarded the promise of Canaan as a great blessing, and looked forward