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Am I in sickness? Jesus brings me low, to exalt me the more. Do I sustain any loss in my property, character, friends? It is the hand of Christ! Is it possible to complain of what he doth? If my wife or child should be snatched away, the enlivening thought is"It is the Lord!" Chance has no part in any of my concerns. No!-Whilst he who has " power over all flesh" lives and reigns, I do not fear but my confession will be," He hath done all things well!"

No. CXXXI.-DUTY.

Duty, in its constant uses implies submission to the will of a superior. We never speak of the duty of God, who has no superior. His preceptive will is the rule of duty to fallen man; and that will directed by goodness and wisdom, and supported by power, is the proper source of personal obligation.

The motive to obey the will of God, means the whole of that which moves, excites or invites the mind to choose or determine; whether one thing singly, or many things conjointly. Thus a perception of the will of God, as a law, worthy of himself, good for me, altogether and always so, moves to duty. A man may be rich in arguments, and poor in motives; weights in the box do not move the scale. Corrupt appetites often conquer a clear understanding.

With the preceptive will of God as our rule of duty, the goodness of this rule as our motive, in what manner should we endeavour to regard it? As dependent on divine concurrence. We should study to know it by lawful means, and endeavour to follow it. Without revelation we are led to despair, "like one who ventures too near the North Pole, where light becomes tremendous, opening horrid prospects, regions where the wanderer can never settle; which leaves him without a ray of hope, that by still advancing he shall ever reach to milder skies."

The law, to fallen man, is subservient to the Gospel: "it was added, because of transgressions until Christ should come; and was ordained by angels in the hand of a MEDIATOR." It may be inquired, is no man under the law since the fall? We answer, no; not under the law, abstracted from the Gospel ;-not by any external dispensation of divine government; although many persons may be so, in the disposition of their own heart.

The plain duty of a fallen creature in possession of revelation is to read the word of God, with a desire to understand it and submit his understanding, his conscience, his heart and life to it. "Search the Scriptures," is a divine injunction. But even this is presumption without prayer. We must, as dependent creatures, "lift up our voice for understanding." Then we shall open the Bible and cry, "Lord, open thou my eyes, that I may understand the wondrous things in thy word!" Jesus "opened the understanding

of his disciples; and opened to them the Scriptures." In the sacred pages we learn our wants, and our insufficiency to supply them; and are taught the sufficiency of the grace of God and the freeness of its blessings, "without money and without price." We have no claim, by merit, to the least mercy: if we obtain it, sovereign goodness reigns. God may withhold it without injustice to us; and, therefore, we should ask, seek, knock, wait for it." I entreated thy FAVOUR, with my whole heart," said one taught of God. On these principles the apostles acted. They studied the word of God and preached it; but depended on God to make them able ministers and give them success. "We will give ourselves to PRAYER, and to the ministry of the Word." If they were "workmen, not needing to be ashamed," it was because "God gave them hearts to perceive, eyes to see, and ears to hear."

These duties we should endeavour to perform with "simplicity" of dependance, and singleness of heart, to know and follow the will of God. All our light and strength are from him; it, therefore, cannot be our duty to desire and endeavour to believe, repent, love, hope, and persevere, without the grace of God.

God is "the God of all grace." Without grace there is no hope, holiness, or obedience. If faith and repentance are necessary to salvation, grace is necessary to both, as their cause and support. Are our invisible enemies stronger than we? will they flee if we resist them? Yes, if "God giveth more GRACE." This is the religion of a fallen creature and the root of all religion: dependance on God. Of the religion of innocence, we know nothing by experience; nor can we ever expect to know it. We shall never forget that we have sinned, and are redeemed and renewed by grace, Rev. i. 5, 6. This language harmonizes with the reign of grace in the kingdom of heaven on earth and in glory: "Unto him that LOVED us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood." Do we reign over the world, and sin, and self?" He hath MADE us kings." Do we offer our bodies and souls to the service of God?" He hath made us PRIESTS to God and his Father: to him be glory and dominion, for ever and ever,-Amen." We are lost sinners. Is salvation desirable?-Is it possible?-Is there a Saviour revealed? How can we obtain salvation by him? The Bible answers these inquiries: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved!" If you credit this declaration, you will pray both for faith and salvation. Faith in it will produce prayer." How shall you CALL on him in whom you have not BELIEVED?" If you believe and pray," WHOSOEVER shall CALL on the NAME of the Lord, shall be saved."

No. CXXXII.-REMARKS ON PHIL. CHAP. iii. VER. 1.

"Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord."

IMPORTANT exhortation! enough one would think to silence those who misrepresent the religion of Christ, as tending to melancholy. Carnal souls! deriving no joy from Christ themselves, they venture to say (whatever they think), that no one else does. Hush! ye deriders of real godliness, hush! the groans which may be forced from you on the bed of affliction and death, the wild concern and hopeless sorrow, which are seen in many of you in that hour, are loud-speaking witnesses to the value of a joy in the Lord, and equally evidences, that religion to be a joyless one, which you have embraced.

Descend, blessed Spirit, and guide the thoughts of the writer in considering, first, The duty itself, "rejoice in the Lord." Joy is a pleasing emotion of the mind, in which it cleaves to and delights in an object of real or supposed excellence. The mind obtaining satisfaction in the possession or prospect of some suitable good, exults, in an easy and lively agitation and exercise of the affections, in proportion as the object is excellent, equal to its wants and desires, and easily attainable.

It is not a joy merely natural, as when the animal spirits are enlivened, and the mind is gladdened by any natural good; as the return of health, agreeable relations, the company of friends. It is not a joy merely rational, as a father feels in the wisdom of his child, (Prov. xxiii. 24). It is not a carnal joy in the common blessings of life, as the widow rejoices in her seasonable relief (Job xxix. 13); or, the husbandman in the increase of his corn, flocks, oil, and wine, (Is. ix. 3; Ps. iv). It is not the joy of the hypocrite which is momentary, (Job xx. 5), arising from the success of his business, the good opinion of others, the brightness of his gifts, the extent of his influence, the piety of his relations, the friendship of ministers, the good he has done, and the evils he has suffered through his profession: or arising from a feigned faith, a false repentance alarming convictions, a carnal love to spiritual persons; in short, some false hope, begotten by false views of revealed truth, and cherished by a false experience within, and pleasant circumstances without, which in the end withers away, (Mat. xiii. 20). Least of all, is it sensual, envious or malignant joy. It cannot consist with that temper which "rejoices in iniquity." It is spiritual in its author and objects, its nature and properties, its tendency and effects.

And is this the injunction of the Holy Ghost-rejoice! Such a command cannot be grievous, the amount of which is, reflect on

provisions made for your safety and happiness in Christ Jesus. Believe the doctrines, embrace the promises, obey the precepts, and triumph in the Lord, in whom your believing soul is blessed in both worlds. Live above the world; be not oppressed by any or all opposition, but exult in your full and certain bliss in the favour of God in Christ.

But has a believer just reasons for rejoicing? If he has not, who has? When a believer in Jesus Christ is forbid to rejoice in the Lord-then, wretched world, what a condition are thy slaves in ! Nothing but misery and woe, can be found in thee. Think, thou favoured soul-think of

2dly, The Grounds of thy joy in the Lord. Behold the divine glories and human perfections, which meet in him as one mysterious person. The PERSON of your Redeemer, one who is God in thy nature, God-man fulfilling the precept, and bearing the penalty of the law in thy stead. What a suitableness appears in him who is "God manifest in the flesh," to be my Saviour! Can you repeat the name IMMANUEL without emphasis, without emotion, without joy? God with us, Immanuel! Kindle, my soul, while I write, and say to your fellow-heirs," Glory ye in his holy name.”

The UNDERTAKING of thy Redeemer is very ancient. The world was not in being when it commenced. "He was set up from EVERLASTING," as the chief of all the ways of God, in the surprising constitution of his person, as God-man, agreeing to assume our nature, in the appointed time, and fulfil every engagement on our behalf. Even then, his delight was with the sons of men.”—Can I look back and see this Elect Head, at the "top of the Book of Life," and my name written under it, as chosen in him, and not rejoice, that my name was written in Heaven. Boast ye deluded Jews, in your "endless genealogies”-smile ye sons of rank and wealth at your riches, your titles, and honours-please yourselves in reading over the long list of your renowned ancestors ;-but thou who hast chosen Jesus for thy Saviour and Lord, turn from these shadows of distinction, and look up to the register of Heaven, and read thy name in the list with Jesus, and all whose names are in "the Book of Life." Join to this, the GRACE AND OFFICES of the Lord Jesus. No ignorance should discourage thee whilst he is thy teacher, sit at his feet by faith and prayer, and read and hear his words, until thy clouds and perplexities depart. Refresh thy conscience with his atoning blood, rely on, and plead his finished and freely imputed righteousness to maintain thy peace with God. Wait for the fruits of his intercession, and kingly power, in the regulation of thy affections, the purity of thy conscience, and the joy of thy soul. His invitations are sincere, his promises are faithful, and both breathe grace, and bespeak IS SUFFICIENCY, as another source of joy in Christ. "He is able to save to the uttermost," to His ability is founded in the dignity of

the last, to perfection.

his person, the perfections of his divine nature, the completeness of his atonement, and the prevalency of his intercession. It is an ability arising from his office, and his ability to discharge that. Child of God! if you have a want which he cannot supply, guilt which he cannot pardon, enemies which he cannot conquer, or evils and fears which he cannot remove,-then mourn without ceasing, for thy case is desperate and beyond remedy. But if God can and will supply all your wants, according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus; if you can do all things through Christ strengthening you-if his ability is infinite, and his love equal to his ability-if he is both a faithful and compassionate High Priest, to fulfil his promises and exert the fullness of his power to save thee completely and eternally; then let thy mourning be turned into JOY-set no limits to your exultation. "If any man glory, let him glory in the Lord, and sing

"Christ is my life, my joy, my hope,
Nor can I sink with such a prop.'

What! is it no matter of joy to hear the Redeemer say, "my grace is sufficient for thee;" at all times, in all conditions, and for all purposes which promote thy real good. You may read this and be sorrowful, but you cannot steadily believe it, without rejoicing in the truth of it; and this joy is promoted by considering that CHRIST IS

THE GLORIOUS MEDIUM OF ALL COMMUNION WITH THE FA

THER. "There is forgiveness with God," but not without shedding of blood, the precious blood of Christ. All the Father's grace, wisdom and love, shine into the believing soul, through him who said "I am the way,-no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Through, and in Him, "God is love," in all he gives, in all he denies; in all his smiles and frowns,-in all the trials and blessings of life and death,-God is love to the soul believing in Jesus, whom he hath sent. To such a soul, to such a sinner, God the Father is love, in all he says, in all he does. God to him, is all love, and love in all. This believed, leads a soul to the Father, as his Father; cherishes the spirit of adoption, that is a spirit of liberty in approaching to God, and a spirit of love which issues in confidence and freedom of speech in speaking to God.-He not only thinks, hears, reads of God-knows, believes, loves, and obeys God; but he joys in God through Christ, by whom he receives the reconciliation, (Rom. v. 11). Christ becomes dear to a soul by a knowledge of his saving power, as Mediator; and the Father endears himself to a soul, by appearing in his grace and goodness in Christ, and through him. The countenance of the Father filled Christ with joy, (Ps. xvi. 11). And his countenance, or favour in Christ, has the same effect to a believer in Christ.

Dear Watts when "the love of God is thus poured into the heart by the Holy Ghost," we can join with you and sing,

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