PERSONAL CONSECRATION TO GOD. III. THE MOTIVES PROMPTING US TO THIS COURSE OF CONDUCT. Motives to this consecration are derived from 1. The unalienable prerogative of Jehovah. 2. The bounties of his providence. 3. The unsearchable riches of his grace. 4. The doom of his enemies. 5. The final emolument of his faithful servants. 19 Ezek. xviii. 4. Exod. xvi. 4; xx. 6; Rom. xii. 1. Prov. i. 24–31. John, xii. 26. "this "I beseech you," then, "by the mercies of God, that ye present" yourselves, your influence, your property, your ALL, "to God." He claims " a LIVING SACRIFICE." Refuse to honour him with your service, and you will be "lightly esteemed;"-surrender, and you will be accepted. Now that you are entering on a new year, day," THIS SABBATH OF THE LORD,-come to that altar "which sanctifieth the gift." Let it be remembered by you that the service of God is perfect freedom-that in keeping of his commandments "there is great reward." Deut. v. 27-33. JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH. 66 THEREFORE BEING JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST."-Rom. v. 1. GRATEFUL recognition of Divine mercy, the duty of believers. "He that offereth praise, glorifieth me," saith the Lord. The example of St. Paul is, therefore, worthy of imitation, when, in addressing the Ephesians, he exclaims, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." Now, as the sinner's justification lies at the basis of those "spiritual blessings," we ought, for this manifestation of the grace of God, to bless the Lord with all our soul. The passage under consideration places the subject before our attention in several interesting points of view. We shall consider the nature of justification, its instrumental cause, its salutary result, and its exclusive medium. I. THE NATURE OF JUSTIFICATION. "Justification,” in common language, signifies a vindication from any charge which affects the moral character; but in theology it is used for the acceptance of one, by God, who is, and confesses himself to be, guilty. Justification and forgiveness are used by St. Paul as synonymous terms, Acts, xiii. 38, 39. On the justification. of the ungodly, we remark 1. That it is an act of Divine grace. 2. That all guilt contracted previously to the act of justification is thereby cancelled. 20 JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH. 3. That it is now attainable. 4. That it may be forfeited. Rom. iii. 24. Acts, xiii. 39. Eph. i. 6. Matt. xviii. 23-35. 2 John, 8 II. ITS INSTRUMENTAL CAUSE. "Faith." Faith, in Scripture, is presented to us under two leading views: that of assent or persuasion, and that of confidence or reliance. That faith in Christ which is connected with salvation, combines assent with reliance, belief with trust. 1. Faith in Christ supposes an acquaintance with the leading principles of the gospel. 2. Faith in Christ is preceded by "repentance toward God." 3. Faith in Christ is an active and appropriating principle. 4. As the condition of pardon, faith in Christ is universal in its adaptation. 5. The appointment of faith as the instrumental cause of justification, evinces the grace of God. 6. Faith in Christ is a Divine gift, Rom. iii. 22, 25, 26, 28. Gal. ii. 16. Eph. ii. 8, 9. III. ITS SALUTARY RESULT. "Peace with God." This is that tranquillity which arises from a consciousness of the Divine favour. 1. It is denominated perfect. 2. It is inexpressible. 3. It may be permanent. Isa. xxvi. 3. Phil. iv. 7. John, xvi. 22. IV. ITS EXCLUSIVE MEDIUM. 66 Through our Lord Jesus Christ." The mediation of Christ has reconciled the designs of God's mercy with the claims of his purity and justice. The medium, the sole meritorious cause of justification is 1. Divine. The Mediator is " our LORD." 2. Sacrificial. "Jesus Christ" procured our pardon by the shedding of his own most precious blood. "He died for our 3. Infinitely acceptable to the Father. Christ is his "righteous servant"-his only-begotten and beloved Son, in whom he is well-pleased. 4. Available to all men. John, i. 29; xiv. 6. Acts, xvi. 31. Rom. iii. 25. Avail yourselves of this "new," this "living way" of acceptance with God. If you value your souls or your Saviour, reject not his sacrifice, for there is no other medium of pardon and eternal life. Why dare you trample under foot "the blood of the covenant?” Desist, I beseech you! Are you smiting upon your breasts, crying, "God be merciful to me a sinner ?" "Behold the Lamb of God !" trust in his merits. Are you justified? Then "rejoice in the Lord alway, and again, I say, rejoice;" for "being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." THE PRE-EMINENCE OF WISDOM. 21 THE PRE-EMINENCE OF WISDOM. 66 WISDOM IS THE PRINCIPAL THING; THEREFORE GET WISDOM.”—Prov. iv. 7. DECLARATION of St. Paul relative to the entire volume of Revelation, emphatically true in its application to the Proverbs of Solomon: "Given by inspiration of God," "profitable for doctrine," &c. (2 Tim. iii. 16, 17. Prov. i. 2-4.) Our subject possessed of peculiar attractions. "Wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness;" '—a sufficient reason for directing serious attention to it. Observe its nature and properties-the pre-eminence of its character-and the mode of its acquisition. I. ITS NATURE AND PROPERTIES. "Wisdom" denotes a high and refined notion of things, immediately presented to the mind, as it were by intuition, without the assistance of reasoning. In a moral sense, it signifies the same as prudence, or that knowledge by which we connect the best means with the best ends. Some, however, distinguish wisdom from prudence thus wisdom leads us to speak and act what is most proper; prudence prevents our speaking or acting improperly. A wise man employs the most proper means for success; a prudent man the safest means for avoiding danger. Spiritual wisdom is the same as true piety-vital godliness. "The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom" "the beginning of wisdom." This involves 1. The knowledge of God. 2. Conformity to his will. This wisdom is "pure, peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." Job, xxviii. 28. Ps. iii. 10. Prov. ix. 10. James, iii. 17. II. THE PRE-EMINENCE OF ITS CHARACTER. It "is the principal thing." 1. In its divine origin. This is discovered 2. In its moral influence. Promoting lowliness of mind-elevating the affections-adorning and renovating the character— assimilating man to the Divine image, and thus qualifying him for heaven. 66 3. In its glorious result. They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament;" they "shall inherit glory." Prov. ii. 6; iii. 35; iv. 8-10. Dan. ii. 21; xii. 3.. III. THE MEANS OF ITS ACQUISITION. "Get wisdom." If you would "get wisdom" 1. Direct your studious attention to the Sacred Writings. 2. Associate with wise men. 3. Attend an evangelical ministry. 4. Pray for Divine influence. 22 THE PRE-EMINENCE OF WISDOM. 5. Believe on the Son of God, "in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge," and who, by his instructions, will make you "wise unto salvation." 2 Tim. iii. 15. Prov. xiii. 20. 1 Cor. i. 24. iii. 18. 1 Kings, "Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. O ye simple, understand wisdom: and ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hear: for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things." Despise not the voice of wisdom,-turn at her reproof,-keep her commandments and live. ZION'S MOURNERS COMFORTED. "BLESSED ARE THEY THAT MOURN; FOR THEY SHALL BE COMFORTED.' Matt. v. 4. subjects of godly contriInstance the prophetic ADMINISTRATION of Divine comfort to the tion, the benevolent purpose of Messiah. testimony. Isa. lxi. 3. Luke, iv. 18. Immediately on entering his ministry, the prediction was accomplished. Consider the mourners addressed, and the consolation promised to them. I. THE MOURNERS ADDRESSED. Observe 1. The nature of their sorrow. Not the sorrow of the world," but godly contrition. 66 They are mourners in Zion." 2. The cause of their sorrow. of sin. 3. The evidences of their sorrow. Evinced by humble and ingenuous confession. Abhorrence and renouncement of all ungodliness. Solicitude for Divine mercy. 2 Cor. vii. 8, 9. Acts, ii. 37, 38; xi. 18—21. Isa. i. 16, 17. Isa. lviii. 5-7. 2 Chron. xxxiii. 12, &c. II. THE CONSOLATION PROMISED. The "comfort" of which they are divinely assured is— 1. Spiritual. It consists of the Divine favour, &c. 2. Seasonable. 3. Abundant. 4. Gracious. 2 Chron. xxx. 9. Isai. lv. 7-9. Hosea, vi. 1. Zech. i. 3, 4. Luke, xv. 7-10; 17-21, 24, 32. Where, then, are the labouring the burdened-the sin-sick? Those who are inquiring for salvation, and " sorrowing after a godly sort ?" Are there no smitings of conscience in this assembly? SCRIPTURAL INVESTIGATION. 23 no desires in your hearts for a saving interest in Christ? "Break off your sins," my brethren, "by repentance !" "Rend your hearts, and not your garments!" "It is time to seek the Lord." The Saviour waits to receive you. "All heaven is ready to resoundThe dead's alive!" &c. Joel, ii. 12, 13. 66 SCRIPTURAL INVESTIGATION. SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES; FOR IN THEM YE THINK YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE: AND THEY ARE THEY WHICH TESTIFY OF ME.”—John, v. 39. EVIDENCES of our Lord's Messiahship demonstrative. Testimony of John. The Father's recognition. Miraculous operations. Scripture evidence. Moses and the prophets. Yet he was rejected of men-even of the Jews, to whom "were committed the oracles of God." "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will ye be persuaded though one rose from the dead." Consider we the mode of investigation to which the Sacred Writings are entitled, and the arguments by which their investigation is enforced. I. THE MODE OF INVESTIGATION TO WHICH THEY ARE ENTITLED. This investigation should be 1. Unprejudiced. 2. Studious. 3. Prayerful. 4. Believing. 5. Daily. Deut. xi. 18-21; vi. 6-8. Ps. lxxviii. 5-8. Ps. cxix. 18. Acts, xvii. 11. II. THE ARGUMENTS BY WHICH THEIR INVESTIGATION IS EN FORCED. The "In them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me.' The arguments are drawn from two sources. Scriptures are entitled to such investigation because 1. They reveal the momentous realities of "ETERNAL LIFE." The nature of its blessings—their freeness—the method of their personal attainment. 2. Their testimony bears directly on the DIVINE MEDIATOR. They are they which testify of me." 66 Their testimony re lates to his eternal power and godhead. His mediatorial qualification and offices. His incarnation, life, ministry, miracles, grace, sufferings, death, resurrection, ascension, exaltation, intercession, authority, kingdom, &c. Ps. xl. 7. Isai. liii. 1, &c. Jer. xxiii. 5, 6. Dan. ix. "How sweet are thy words to my taste," are any of you saying? Then direct a diligent scrutiny to its vital doctrines-its holy pre |