XXI.-THE CITY SET ON A HILL.

"A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid."-Matt. v. 14.-See also Numb. xxxv. 13-15; Ps. xxxi. 21; Matt. x. 32; John xiii. 35.

THE city on yonder steep has been again and again in our sight, as we have continued our ramble through the fields and copses. If hid for a time by some intervening hill, or lost to view from the winding course of the paths which we took, it soon burst upon us again as we issued from a wood, or climbed another brow. At every new turn it has seemed to remind us of itself again, and of all the busy interests and labours that are rife within these walls. The towers and spires which are like a crown on that pleasant slope, again and again called up a train of thoughts, very different from such as naturally belong to the sylvan scenes through which we wandered.

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Each servant of God must be in his vocation and calling, as a city set on an hill." He must not so mix himself up with an ungodly world, as not to be discerned and separated from it by a difference of principle and habits. His whole life and conversation, being framed in conformity with the word of God, must testify that he is "of another spirit," from the mind of the careless and disobedient; and he must also, according to his means and opportunities, be in this world as a son of consolation; a minister of mercy and rest to the weary and the heavy-laden.

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We are cautioned, indeed, against doing anything from an ostentatious or self-righteous temper; but as a "city that is set on an hill cannot be hid," so a man cannot faithfully act up to the principles of the Gospel of Christ without, in the long run, making it plain to those around him, that he acts from a heavenly hope, and with a view to unseen things. And this fact has been divinely ordered for the increase of true religion in this world. When men take note of any one, that he is consistently influenced by an unearthly principle, which purifies his life, sustains him in trouble, humbles him in prosperity, and quickens him to whatever is lovely and of good report,3 they are drawn to seek grace from God, that the same Divine principles may be implanted in their own hearts, and may bear the same blessed fruits. So that, while we watch carefully against any signs of a vainglorious or ostentatious spirit, we must remember that charity forbids us to hide our true character under a veil of conformity to the maxims of the world. We should often examine whether or not our practice would be essentially different, if we

1 Numb. xiv. 24.

2 Acts iv. 36.

8 Phil. iv. 8.

had never heard of Christianity; and whether they who notice our habitual ways and temper, could ascertain what are the principles which we profess, from observing the practices in which we live.

FLAX.

"A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench."-Isa, xlii. 3.-See also Zech. iv. 10; Gal. vi. 1; 2 Pet. iii.'15.

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"THE bruised reed," which has been crushed by some weight that has passed over it, and appears to be bowed hopelessly to the ground, is the emblem of one who has been crushed under the weight of his sins, and of all that sorrow and remorse which are sure to follow in their train. The principle of life in him is not, indeed, utterly extinct; but he is humbled, as it were, to the very dust, and looked

1 Heb. xii. 1.

down upon by the proud and self-righteous. They would not scruple to crush the fallen Christian more severely-to break the bruised reed irrecoverably.

"The smoking flax" is another emblem of the same case; and with this additional resemblance. If the flax which has been lighted will not burn, its smoke is so offensive, that all cry out impatiently to have it quenched as soon as possible. And this fact is elsewhere used to show how abominable are the wicked in the sight of their holy Maker; for He says of them (and especially of such as say to their fellow-sinners, Stand by thyself, for I am holier than thou), "These are a smoke in my nose ; a fire that burneth all the day;" that is, not a quick and pleasant flame, but a mere smouldering fire; such as lingers in flax when too damp for any flame to break out, and emitting only a noxious smoke.

God has assured us that our gracious Saviour (for it is of Him that the prophet speaks, see Matt. xii. 20,) will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax. He will endure with much long-suffering what proud men would impatiently quench; and He will not rashly snap asunder the last thread by which a spiritual life keeps its hold on the soul of one who has fallen. He will deal gently with those who are bowed down by their own reproaching conscience, or crushed under the censures of a frowning world. He will give them space to repent, and will endeavour even to raise the bruised reed, and to quicken into a flame the smoking flax. He will bear with the infirmities of those who may yet be revived to a lively hope; and He will comfort the wounded conscience, and cherish the faint beginnings of grace.

1 Isa. lxv. 5.

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Thus has God suggested to us a lesson of peace and hope, even from the bruised reed which you were so rudely about to break. Spare it for the sake of the consoling truth, and the word of mercy, which it preaches to us in its bent and crushed condition, and learn to minister to those whose fallen state it represents. Pray that the spark of Divine life may burn brightly in your own soul, and seek to kindle it into a steady flame, whenever it seems almost quenched. "If any be overtaken

in a fault . . . . . restore such an one in the spirit of meekness."

And remember that it is far better to be as a bruised reed, of a contrite and humble spirit,' than to be as the cedars of Lebanon that are exalted and lifted up, or as the oaks of Bashan, on which the day of the Lord of hosts shall be. For "the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day."

1 Isa. lvii. 15.

2 Isa. ii. 12, 13. 17.