deepest humility, and ever reflect within ourselves that we have received all from God, and that it is not our own. Every thing, that men possess, is the gift and bestowment of God, to whom they must therefore solely ascribe all they have that is good. And this is the most obvious proof of a thorough knowledge of God, and also of ourselves, as well as of genuine godliness, when a person ascribes nothing of all the good he possesses to himself, but all to God; and says with the Psalmist, Not unto us, O Lord! not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy and thy truth's sake." (Psalm cxv. 1.) Thou alone hast bestowed it, and to thee alone shall the honour of it be rendered. 66 III.-But great as are the duties of a Christian, so great and immutable is the constant and abiding comfort in life and death, which results from a strict observance of them. But this comfort arises from this cause, that we are not our own, but God's. This we have often learnt from the Catechism,. in our youth; for when it is there asked, "What is thy sole consolation in life and death ?" The answer is, "This, that with body and soul, death, I am not my own, but belong to my faithful Saviour, Jesus Christ." Yes, verily, herein lies the most secure and unshaken consolation for true Christian believers: I am no longer my own, but have become God's by the purchase and acceptance of Christ.' As long as a poor girl is her own master, she is chargeable with all her debts, but as soon as both in life and she has given her consent to a very rich man, who is willing to betroth himself to her, all her debts are paid. O this is a very important consolation! A person, that is no longer his own, but in Christ, has become God's property, has no longer need to vex and burden himself with the guilt of his sins; this is a real truth, a most sure and immutable consolation in life and death. How miserable it is, to live with a disturbed and ever accusing conscience in this world! Let the individual do what he pleases, in order to deliver himself from the pungent accusations of conscience; let him hasten, for this purpose, from one amusement to another, from one society to another; all will nevertheless be in vain. It is like a creditor, who always duns and accuses, who gives the debtor no rest, wherever he may betake himself, and whatever he may undertake. But if, in real heartfelt conversion, and in consequence of having given our sincere consent to Christ, we are become his, and are therefore no longer our own: Christ takes upon himself all the debt transferred over to him; so that we need no longer care for it, but boldly refer all our creditors to him, as to one who is ready to take all upon himself, and to pay every debt with his own blood; in such a manner, that both during our whole life, and also in the hour of our departure, we may have a filial confidence in his favour. He that, by the purchase of Christ, and by a sincere surrender of himself to him, is no longer his own, but has become God's, hás no longer any thing to do with other claims. As long as a maiden has not given her consent, she may have many suitors, and be much hurried about by them. Thus it is with our poor hearts, as long as we do not come to Christ. As long as we do not give ourselves sincerely, fully, and thoroughly to Christ, the devil, the world, and the corrupt flesh, seek to draw the soul first one way and then another, and to disturb it in a variety of ways. Happy, yea, thrice happy, therefore is he, who has thoroughly and sincerely given himself to Christ, and by an undissembled consent, has betrothed himself to him in eternal fidelity. Such a one can most justly say and sing in the words of the poet : I am betrothed. Sin, world, and self depart! What charms have ye to fascinate my love? And scorn your honours and your joys to prove. Thus it is, that souls, which by a real presentation and surrender, have become Christ's, may boldly tell the devil, the world, and sin to their face, that they are Christ's, that they belong to Christ; and that therefore they have nothing more to say to them, nor have any authority over them. If we are become Christ's, if we are become God's, we have nothing more to do with all these enemies. As soon as a virgin is betrothed, all those who have paid court to her, must immediately retire, and dare not approach her any more. Such is also the case with a soul, which has given its consent to Christ, and has betrothed itself to him in eternal affection. Satan, the world, and sin have no more part in such a one; they dare not visit him any more with their caresses; they have eternally lost all claim to him. Further, as a virgin, when betrothed, has no longer need to care for her support, but leaves her bridegroom to provide for her : so likewise those souls, who, by true conversion and presentation, have become Christ's own, need no longer care for themselves, either as it respects body or soul. For God, who in Chrst, has now become their God and reconciled Father, knows that they require meat and drink, and also raiment to cover their nakedness. They now stand under the peculiar oversight and protection of their heavenly Father, so that according to the letter of Scripture, without the will of their Father in heaven, not a hair of their heads shall fall to the ground. They have only a single thing to observe, and carefully to attend to, and with this one, every thing is accomplished. "Give me, my son, thy heart." Inasmuch as they sincerely resign this, and eternally yield it up to Christ, they may divest themselves entirely of all other cares. Therefore it is said further, "And let thine eyes observe my ways." The Holy Spirit intends to say by this, • Thou needest take no more thought concerning what thou shalt eat and drink, and wherewithal thou shalt be clothed; in what manner, and howsoever it or soul. may fare with thee in future, with respect to body No, I will provide for every thing, I will do all things well; only let my ways please thee, however I may act or ordain concerning thee. Whether I send thee health or sickness, riches or poverty, or whether I exalt or abase thee, be ever pleased with my ways, and thou shalt know, that all things shall serve for thy good, whether it be a state of barrenness or spiritual enjoyment, whether light or darkness, &c.' Yes, if we have sincerely given ourselves up to God, and are Christ's own possession, all things must certainly work together for our good. Now is not this a great and unspeakable consolation? And to express it briefly: he that belongs to Christ, and is no more his own-his own lord and masterhas nothing more to fear. He that belongs to Christ, need not be afraid of his enemies, nor of their power and subtlety. Ah! I can scarcely bear that men make Satan so omnipotent, as if he could do what he pleased; as if he could retain people captive as long as he chose to do so. This is by no means Christ has taken from him all power and all right over us. On which account those who have sincerely yielded themselves up to Christ, and are really his property, have nothing more to fear from the devil. Let us much rather be afraid of ourselves, of our own evil and corrupt hearts, and place a mistrust in ourselves. Let us only thoroughly, and without any reserve, resign our hearts to Christ, who has so dearly bought us; and then the devil and the world will be afraid of us. For the case. |