CHAPTER II.

FOR THE SAINT.

THE Romish Church has so long perverted this name, and spread the false use of it so widely, that the original signification of the word has been lost sight of. Certainly it ought to be restored. God's designation for his people must be the best.

In nearly all the Epistles, the word "saint" occurs as the common name for Christians. "Brethren," "called ones" (Rom. i. 7), "the sanctified in Christ Jesus" (1 Cor. i. 2), "beloved of God" (Rom. i. 7), "elect" (1 Pet. i. 2), "the faithful" (Eph. i. 1), "sons of God" (1 John iii..1), are designations frequently found; but the most usual is "saints," as when Paul writes "to the saints which are in Ephesus," "to the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi," "to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse."

A saint, then, is one set apart for God by the sprinkling of the blood of Christ upon him,

through faith in the name of Jesus. It is not used in Scripture to signify an "advanced Christian," or a "peculiarly holy" man; but simply one who has accepted God's testimony regarding the blood of his Son. It is a name not merely applicable to spiritual character, but to condition, or standing, in the sight of God. Having received the Divine record or good news concerning the great propitiation, we are transferred from the ranks of the "unclean" to the " clean; " we are washed, we are sanctified, we are justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God (I Cor. vi. 11). We become "saints," not indeed according to the Romish use of the name, but according to that of the Apostles and the early Church.

II).

Being thus personally accepted of God, through the belief of the truth, we receive the indwelling Spirit, and the inward process of purifying begins. And with the purifying begins the discipline; for our whole life is one continuous training, one unceasing process of learning. We are placed in Christ's school, with the Holy Spirit for our teacher. Nor is it training or education merely which we undergo; we are called on to do, to fight, to suffer, to run, to watch, to serve, to "withstand," and to "stand."

To these varied states or duties or trials the promises are addressed.

1. OF PEACE.

It is the gospel of peace that is preached, and on our reception of it we enter into peace. Christ is our peace; he has made peace through the blood of his cross. And this peace stands firm. It is stable and immortal; able to bear the buffetings of this world's vicissitudes, of the fightings without and the fears within. Our God is the God of peace; our path is the path of peace; and our inheritance is the heritage of peace. The good news to us from heaven are all of peace, peace with God, peace in God, the peace of God -peace like a river, peace that passeth all understanding-peace derived not from aught in or about ourselves, but wholly from what God has revealed to us concerning the person and the cross of his Son.

Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. v. 1).

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you" (John xiv. 27).

"Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body" (Col. iii. 15).

"Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means" (2 Thess. iii. 16).

"Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. vi. 23).

"Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus" (1 Pet. v. 14).

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace" (Gal. v. 22).

"Peace to every man that worketh good " (Rom. ii. 10).

and

peace

"The God of hope fill you with all joy in believing" (Rom. xv. 13). "Peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God" (Gal. vi. 16). "Your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace" (Eph. vi. 15).

"Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Col. i. 2).

"These things I have spoken unto you, chat in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John xvi. 33).

"The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil. iv. 7). "His soul shall dwell at ease” (Ps. XXV. 13).

"The Lord will bless his people with peace" (Ps. xxix. 11).

"He will speak peace unto his people and to his saints" (Ps. lxxxv. 8).

"Great peace have they which love thy law and nothing shall offend them" (Ps. cxix. 165).

"Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace" (Prov. iii. 17).

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee" (Isa. xxvi. 3).

"Let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me" (Isa. xxvii. 5).