presence. And shall we refuse to worship our blessed Emmanuel ? He was adored before his incarnation, when he appeared to Patriarchs and Prophets; he was worshipped in the days of his flesh; and he is now worshipped in the heavenly world. And "worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing." Rev. v, 12.

The

III. THE USES WHICH WE SHOULD MAKE OF THIS IMPORTANT SUBJECT. This appearance affords sufficient proof, that the war which the Israelites carried on with the nations of Canaan was just and necessary. Canaanites were exceedingly wicked; they were foul idolaters; but had been spared till the measure of their iniquity was full. Gen. xv, 16. Then, when they were ripe for destruction, having filled up the measure of their abominable crimes, the Lord made his own people the instruments of his awful wrath and justice.

It is evident, by this divine appearance, that Jesus was at the head of the Jewish church. Joshua, as his name imports, was a saviour; but he was only an instrument of salvation in the hands of the Almighty Saviour, who had delivered his people from their enemies, and who was about to lead them into the land of promise. This mighty man of war had fought for them; had led them to victory; and was about to crown them with complete success.

The church of God is now engaged in a spiritual warfare against the world, the flesh, and the devil; and Jesus, the Captain of our salvation, is leading us on to victory and to glory. Heb. ii, 10. He said to his disciples, before he ascended to heaven, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Matt. xxviii, 20. His Holy Spirit now dwells in our hearts, and while we follow his sacred influences, we go on from conquering unto conquer.

In all cases, it is both our duty and our privilege to seek the counsel of our Captain, as Joshua did on this memorable occasion. He addressed the Captain of the Lord's host in these words, "What saith my Lord to his servant?" Thus, when Saul of Tarsus saw Jesus, on his way to Damascus, he said, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" Acts ix, 6.

Every knee should bow to Jesus. His worship is solemn and sweet. Joshua enjoyed more pleasure when engaged in the worship of his Lord, than the world could give. "O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our Maker." Ps. xcv, 6. Thus engaged, what have we to fear? He whom we adore will guard us in danger; and all who threaten our destruction will be found liars unto us. Deut. xxxiii, 29.

When our warfare is accomplished, we shall enter the heavenly Canaan, where we shall enjoy eternal peace and complete happiness; for in that better country, no enemy will be suffered to approach us for ever; and then it may be said of all our foes, as it was said of the Egyptians, when Pharaoh and his host were drowned in the Red Sea, "Ye shall see them no more." Exod. xiv, 13. Let us then take courage. Our Captain is a conquering Hero. Isai. lxiii, 1-6. May we prove his power to save both in life and in death! Amen.

SERMON LXXVII.

CHRISTIAN PRIVILEGES.

Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours: and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's. 1 CORINTHIANS iii, 21-23.

WHEN the apostle Paul wrote this epistle to the Corinthians, they were unhappily divided among themselves in their views of those Ministers whom God had sent to teach them the way of salvation. One was of Paul, another of Apollos, another of Cephas, and another of Christ. Ch. i, 12. The Gentile converts gloried in Paul, to whom the gospel of uncircumcision had been committed, and who had begotten them through the Gospel. Gal. ii, 7; 1 Cor. iv, 15. Some gloried in Apollos, probably, because he was an eloquent and a powerful preacher. Acts xviii, 24, 25. But the Jewish converts gloried in Peter, as the Apostle of the circumcision. Gal. ii, 7. Others gloried in Christ, as the all-sufficient Saviour; but were not particularly attached to any of his ministering servants. The design of the apostle Paul, in writing this epistle, was to correct these evils. To this end, he exposed the carnality of divisions in the church, cautioned them against glorying in men; and stated those Christian privileges which were common to all Christian believers.

I. A CAUTION, "LET NO MAN GLORY IN MEN."

That we may not glory in men, let us seriously consider the following observations:

First, "God is the giver of every good and perfect gift." James i, 17. We received our life from him; and by his good providence our life is preserved. Acts xvii, 28. Are we wise? He gave us wisdom. 1 Kings iv, 29. Are we strong? He gave us strength. Isai. xii, 2. Are we holy? He cleansed us from all unrighteousness. 1 John i, 9. Are we rich? The Lord maketh rich. 1 Sam. ii, 7. Therefore, let him that glorieth, glory in the Lord. To rob him of the glory which is due to his name, is a sin of the greatest magnitude, and will be punished with awful severity. Dan. v, 23.

Secondly, Men of the greatest usefulness, whether in the Church or in the State, are but instruments of good in the hands of the Lord our God. This may be affirmed of all the Prophets, of all the Apostles, and of all the great characters who have adorned the page of history. They were nothing but what God made them to be; they knew nothing but what God taught them to know; and they did nothing which was good, but what he enabled them to do. The same may be said of every Gospel Minister his gifts and success are of God. not glory even in great and useful men.

On this account we should In the work of the ministry,

Paul may plant, and Apollos may water; but it is God who giveth the increase.

Thirdly, it is certain that men of the greatest gifts are fallible. They are liable to err when left to themselves; and no dependance can be placed upon them but when they are taught of God. Many heretics, who have denied the truth, and divided the church of God, have been men of talent; but depending on the strength of reason, instead of Divine Revelation, they have gone astray themselves, and have led multitudes astray. Who then that is wise will glory in human oracles? Who will put his trust in a gifted man? Who will glory in a popular preacher? Sermons should be examined by the written Word. By that Word the Bereans examined the preaching of the Apostles; and, when they discovered the truth, they gave the glory to God.

Fourthly, we should not glory even in those men who have been divinely inspired, whether Prophets or Apostles; because it was God who called them to instruct mankind, and who inspired them with a knowledge of hidden mysteries. They were servants of the Most High God, his messengers and ministers; and the glory of their ministrations belongs to Him alone. The errors of idolatry may be traced up to the vile practice of glorying in men. Men honoured the instruments of good rather than the Author of good. Hence the benefactors of mankind were deified, and God was forgotten. Thus the priest of Jupiter, in the city of Lycaonia, brought oxen and garlands, and would have done sacrifice to Paul, because he had healed a cripple by the power of God. Acts xiv, 9-13.

Fifthly, to glory in men, whatever character they maintain, discovers great ignorance; is a sure proof that the heart is not sanctified; and is an effectual mean of quenching the Spirit of God. No man, even if he had the gifts of a seraph, should stand in the place of God; nor should any man whom God has sent, be his gifts ever so small, be despised. If this truth were seriously regarded, professing Christians would neither run after men of splendid talents, nor neglect those who are less brilliant. Yet we should love and honour all our teachers; pay them that respect to which they are fairly entitled; ever be ready to obey them in the Lord; and do all in our power to make them happy in their useful and important work. Heb. xiii, 7, 8.

II. A STATEMENT OF HIGH PRIVILEGES: "ALL ARE YOURS.

First, all the Ministers of God's holy Word, with all their varied gifts, are yours. Not your lords and masters, to rule over you with a rod of iron; but your servants in Christ Jesus the Lord. 2 Cor. iv, 5. The wisdom of Paul is yours; the eloquence of Apollos is yours; and the zeal of Cephas is yours. Ministers of the Gospel are sent to promote your best interests; to instruct, to comfort, and to establish you. The sun, whose glory you continually behold, was not made for himself; and your Ministers are not blessed with gifts for themselves. God has made them a light that they may enlighten you; and he has blessed them that they may be made a blessing to you. Gen. xii, 2. Their labours in the pulpit are yours; their prayers in the closet are yours; and their example ir the walks of life are yours all for your good; all for your edification

Secondly, the visible world is yours:* you are allowed to use it, but not to abuse it. 1 Cor. vii, 31. The heavens above afford you light; the earth supplies you with necessary food and raiment; you breathe the vital air; you drink the pure stream; the fowls of the air, the fishes of the sea, and the beasts of the field, are placed under your government, and all the valuable materials for comfortable habitations are at your disposal. You enjoy every thing in nature with pious feelings, and bless God for all the rich stores of creation: and these things are preserv ed, directed, and managed, by infinite wisdom and almighty power, on your account. If it were not for you, the whole world, with all it contains, would soon be burned up, like Sodom and Gomorrah. You may not abound in wealth, but what you have is sanctified and blessed; so that you are the only men in the world who can be said to inherit the earth. Thirdly, life is yours. Your life has been spared, for valuable purposes, while many others have been numbered with the dead. The present life is continued to you that you may live to the Lord, and glorify him among the children of men; that you may do good by instructing the ignorant, warning the careless, comforting and relieving the poor and afflicted, and publishing the Gospel of salvation to all. And, finally, your life is preserved that you may experience a growing fitness for a future and better life. Your life, like that of other men, is short and uncertain; but, while it is prolonged by a kind and indulgent Providence, improve it to the best of purposes: then you will not lament that you have lived, but bless that Lord who gave you life, and breath, and all things.

Fourthly, death is yours. But what does this mean? Is death under our command? By no means. But death is a conquered enemy, and though it be awful to a true believer, yet it is over-ruled for his good. It is a gloomy outlet from the present evil world; the way to glory and immortality; and all its terrors, as well as its final stroke, will work good for you. You may die a lingering death, you may be removed by a sudden stroke, or you may suffer martyrdom; but in whatever way the enemy approaches you, or in whatever way he brings you down to dust, all will be well with you. The death of martyrs is for you. They seal the truth with their blood, and die in the Christian temper: this confirms your faith., and places before your eyes a fine example of Christian fortitude and holy resignation. To the wicked, death is terrible; but you can say, To die is gain.

Fifthly, things present are yours. Beloved, now are we the sons of God. In the present state of things this is one of your high privileges. "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." Rom. viii, 15. God loves you as his children, provides for you, and protects you; and all things, in the great affairs of life and godliness, work together for your good. Rom. viii, 28. The present means of grace, calculated to promote your spiritual interests, are yours; you

*EITE xooμos, or the world. The Jews vainly imagined the world was created for the seed and posterity of Abraham only. Against which fancy this seems plainly to be levelled.-PYLE in loc.

nave access to the table of the Lord, where you feed on Christ Jesus in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving; you have fellowship with the Father and the Son; you have constant access to the mercy-seat of God; and you have a good hope through grace. All these are present privileges; and all these are yours.

Sixthly, your future prospects are cheering; for things to come are yours. God has many blessings in store for you while you live on earth; but heaven will crown all the blessings both of providence and grace. The things to come include the state of holy spirits after death; the resurrection of the dead; the honours of the church in the day of judgment; and the eternal life which will follow that decisive day. All those things are yours, both by purchase and by promise. They have been bought for you by the precious blood of Christ, and they are promised to you as persevering believers: "wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." I Pet. i, 13. Wait patiently for the fulfilment of divine prophecies; wait for the accomplishment of divine promises; and "rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Rom. v, 2.

Seventhly, "and ye are Christ's." He has redeemed you; he has saved you; and you have yielded yourselves up to him. Is he a Shepherd? You are his people, and the sheep of his pasture." Ps. c, 2. Is he a Master? You are his faithful and obedient servants. Is he a King? You are his loyal subjects. Is he a Bridegroom? You are his bride. He acknowledges you as his friends; and where he is there shall you be also. John xiv, 3. He loves you as his own, and will love you to the end. Your enemies are his enemies. He is a Captain, and you are soldiers fighting under his banner; and as Joshua led the chosen bands into Canaan, and settled them in that good land, so the Captain of your salvation will lead you into the heavenly Canaan, where you will abide for ever. When the world allures you, say, We are Christ's. When the devil tempts, say, We are Christ's. And when the flesh rises up in rebellion, say, We are Christ's.

Eighthly, "and Christ is God's." He is the beloved Son of God. Matt. iii, 17. He is "the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person." Heb. i, 3. But as Mediator between God and man, he is God's servant. Isai. xlii, 1. And all his mediatorial services are referred to the glory of the Father. Hence he says, "I seek not mine own will, but the will of my Father which hath sent me." John v, 30. And again, "I have glorified thee on the earth; I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." John xvii, 4.

On the whole, let us bless God for our high privileges, ever recollecting that we owe them all to the mercy of God in Christ Jesus. Let us love as brethren, and see that we fall not out in the way to the holy land of promise. Let us be thankful for our Ministers, without that unchristian partiality which leads unwary professors to glory in one and to despise another. But, above all, let us honour and obey our blessed Saviour, and glorify God in him. "Now to the king eternal, immortal, invis ible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever." Amen