longer appointed. This ominous circumstance, with all the movements that are now taking place, both in the political world, and among the Churches, seems to portend that the time is not very far distant, when Britain and Ireland shall throw off nationally the remains of their Protestantism, and thus all obstacles be removed out of the way of Popery and infidelity gaining for a time-we know it shall be only for a time--the ascendancy in these kingdoms. In drawing this paper to a close, we may remark that the present times throughout Christendom and throughout the world—more especially in these Covenanted lands--are sinning times. All the nations and kingdoms of continental Europe, even those which once embraced the Protestant religion, have renounced their allegiance to the King of Zion; and by none has this sin been committed with such high aggravations, as by the lands in which we dwell. That very system of soul-destroying error which we once vowed to do everything in our power to extirpate from our own country and from the earth, we are now, in a variety of ways, countenancing and encouraging. The watchword of modern liberalism is not the reformation of our Protestant institutions, according to the Word of God and our National Covenants, but their destruction. The whole tendency of its tactics and policy is to abolish the connection between Church and State, and put all religions-Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy, Presbytery and Prelacy, Protestantism and Popery, Christianity and Paganism-on a level. 66 The spread of these latitudinarian principles has not certainly been followed by any revival of practical godliness. The Reformation had this effect in a pre-eminent degree; for none, we are told, complained so much of the change in the times as the taverners and innkeepers, people had become so sober." But very different has been the practical effect of modern latitudinarianism. Never were impiety, and vice, and licentiousness more fearfully prevalent among all classes than at the present day. Of the truth of this assertion we do not need to produce any proofs or illustrations. They are everywhere manifest. 66 But it may be said to ourselves, as it once was to ancient Israel, Are there not sins amongst you also against the Lord your God?" We are a small remnant, witnessing for the attainments and vows of a bygone age; and, so far as regards our public profession and testimony, we are distinguished above others. We occupy a higher and more scriptural position than they do; but, so far as regards the power of godliness, the life of faith in the soul, humility, self-denial, separation from the world, and fruitfulness in good works, may it not be said to us, 66 What do ye more than others?" Nay, how many are there ignorant of certain parts of Bible truth, which we know and profess, and connected with churches into which we could not consistently enter, with whom, in respect of the weightier matters of the law, we could not be brought into favourable comparison, some of whom might put many of us to shame! Thus there is a loud call to humiliation as well for our own sins as for the sins of the Church and nation. God's righteous hand should also be acknowledged in the various temporal judgments which He has been pouring out, and earnest prayer made that these solemn dispensations may be sanctified to ourselves and others. Nor should we overlook the call which there likewise is to thanksgiving for all the mercies which God, notwithstanding our many sins and provocations, is still bestowing on us. No country enjoys so great privileges, civil and religious, and so much temporal prosperity as our own continues to enjoy. We behold here God's goodness and forbearance and long-suffering towards us; yet it would be well to remember that He acted in a similar manner towards His professing people the Jews; and as the distinguishing favours and mercies which they received from Him did not prevent the ultimate destruction of their city, and their national rejection and dispersion, so neither will our mercies, however manifold and long continued, prevent our being sooner or later visited with desolating judgments, if, like them, we persevere in our present course of national defection from Christ and His cause. THOUGHTS FOR THE COMMUNION. Subject-The Redeemer announces his last sufferings. "And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify Him; and the third day He shall rise again." Mat xx., 17-19.) "Then He took unto Him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man shall be accomplished For He shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on; and they shall scourge Him, and put Him to death; and the third day He shall rise again. Luke xviii., 31-34.) BEFORE our mind, with bleeding mys- The story of the Saviour's death displays Submissive to the purpose form'd of old, A death accursed of God in room of those i Had brought upon themselves eternal wrath. And now, the bonds, the scourge, and thorny crown Come into distant view; while as we list Unto those most expressive words which fall From Jesus' lips when on the cross He hangs, They seem to us to sound the fatal knell Of Satan's reign, and likewise intimate Freedom and joy to Adam's sinful sons. While tending sheep on Horeb's hoary mount, A wond'rous sight attracted Moses' eye, A bush, enwrapped in flame, yet unconsumed By that devouring element; from out The midst he heard the deeply solemn charge, "Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, because The place where on thou art is holy ground." But with much stronger emphasis may we Regard such words as unto us addressed From that more sacred spot, where all the types Exhibited of old, are seen fulfilled. Wonders, the most sublime, will in review Present themselves to us as we proceed To meditate upon the Saviour's work. Thence will be seen, springing from out a scene The most appalling e'er the world beheld, With deepest infamy, a triumph such men Performed on earth: thence, too, there will arise From that most dreadful death which He endured, A life divine and never-fading, which As His most dearly-purchased, greatest gift, He'll offer freely to the sons of men. As we this theme, this mighty theme essay, May true humility and child-like faith Fill and possess our soul; but chiefly may The Lord, who at His girdle wears the key Of David, ope to us the mysteries Of His own sacred passion, make us know The truth, and feel the power of grace divine Secured to men of every clime and race, When He for them breathed out His soul and died. Among the many wond'rous works performed, In confirmation of his rightful claims, By Jesus on the earth, the last, not least, Was that of raising Laz'rus from the dead. But though the fact was true, and was confessed By priests of highest rank and Pharisees, They also did conspire and counsel took That for a season "He did no more walk, As was His wont, with openness amongst The Jews, but sought the peaceful desert shade Where Ephraim's city stood, and there abode Surrounded by the twelve." But when the time, The God-appointed time, was fully come That He should die, He stedfast set His face To go to Salem-where, "without the camp," His life's blood should be poured. With this design A full and comprehensive knowledge of They had so fondly cherished of the reign Of Christ below. But ah! between their thoughts And those of God there is a mighty chasm. They seem to think sin's nature not to be We note here, first of all, how that these words Assert, on Jesus' part, a purpose fixedHow, under love's strong impulse, He is bent, With firm resolve, to move along the path, His destined path, although He knew it should End only with the direful instrument Soon to be planted on Golgotha's hill. When, once before, He spake of this event, The zealous Peter sought to interfere, And, by well-meant but foolish counsel, bade Him not subject Himself to such a fate. But, with the most impressive earnest. ness, And indignation kindled in His eye, This counsel He refused, and, with rebuke Most keenly pungent, He to Simon said, "Satan, get thee behind; to Me thou art A deep offence, because thou savour'st not The things that be of God, but those of men." So clear was it to Him, that what He should Endure of suffering was not to be viewed As the mere efflux of depravity Evinced by men, but also as the will And counsel most express of God Most High. Wherefore, in that advice the Apostle gave, Jesus could only see temptation foul Coming from lowest hell, and Simon as The instrument in bringing it to bear Upon his mind. But now He will not be Restrained from His divine-appointed course By love's entreaty, neither will He be Deterred by hatred's menace. Well He knows That those who seek His blood already have Assembled to concert their murderous plan; Yet He will not resile. His watchword is, "Behold we go;" and though a sea of blood Were foaming at his feet-and though not one But many deaths awaited Him, there is Within His heart one sentiment alone, Which He expresses thus-"We upwards go." Because it was His Father's will. It was, Besides, the path-the only path-by which His great and longed-for aim of saving men Could possibly be reached. Herein He does Exemplify the greatest love to men, And prompt obedience to the law divine. was His stay and staff, while trav❜ling o'er the road That led Him on to suff'ring and to death. His comfort He derived from God's own Word, Wherein He read the things that holy men Taught from above had said concerning Him, And those wise counsels which the Lord Most High Had by His Word revealed. When thus we see The ever-blessed King of truth regard The Scriptures as th' undoubted record sure Of God's own mind, what proof is this to us Of that Divine authority by which They are inspired? This record Jesus bears Upon His heart, both night and day. It is To Him the law which terminates all strife On ev'ry vital point of human life, Whether His Father's voice is heard direct From heaven, or sounds from out this record true, To Him it is the same. The latter He To Him, by ev'ry hour's experience, comes A great reality, and ev'ry trait, However delicate, is made assume Both life and substance gloriously fair. In being guided by and looking to By trouble's dark'ning load. And just as Amid the manifold and special ills Which it foretold would fail not to o'ertake Him in His earthly course, found much to cheer, To comfort, and support, in prospect of The aid of promised grace, the victories And triumphs He should gain; so may the saint. The course which it apportions unto all Believers is, that only when they have Endured their share of tribulation great They pass into the rest above. Like Christ's, To whom they are conformed, their way unto The crown is by the Cross. Let this, howe'er, By no means lead them to despond, for in The Word there are for them "exceeding great And precious promises," which cannot fail To strengthen faith's endeavours, and to cheer The trusting soul. Let these be firmly grasped, And in the light of truth let all betake Themselves by its appointed path, without A handbreadth's deviation from the way Which it prescribes, then shall they realise Within their breast that goodliest pearl, peace, The peace of God; thus also will they find The promises to fall upon their path Like lights from heav'n, dispelling all the gloom Which seemed to thicken round them, and to hide The issues of their course from out their view. |