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bles under a weak and helpless spirit. This difference of feeling is precisely that which we experience on the abatement of a raging fever: whilst the blood runs in a heated stream, the frame is kept up by an artificial strength, but as soon as the heat becomes exhausted, the whole body is affected with an overpowering weakness. This, though differing in degree, will be the state of every believer: he stands before the mercy seat as a thing of nought, wondering how he is to grapple with all the difficulties of his way, so as to reach in safety the city of habitation: he looks to himself—there is only an arm of flesh; he looks to others there is no help in them; the promises occur to him, and there he learns that "help is laid upon one that is mighty;" there he reads, "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he will sustain thee," "Come unto me and I will give thee rest:" and whenever we see such a Christian "approving himself in much patience, in affliction, in necessities, in distresses, as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing all things," we may be sure he is coming up from the wilderness, leaning on his beloved.

Again: this is the posture of a friend, and hence it implies union. The love of brethren, their unity, their holy intercourse, are only streams from this fountain; the sympathy of

our members with each other would be at an end if they were severed from the body; and so with branches; they grow up together, and bud, and blossom at the same season, from no other cause than their connexion with the root.

What an inconceivable condescension must there have been in the only-begotten of the Father, who not merely permits his church to call herself a bride, but actually puts up a petition that she might sit with the Bridegroom upon his throne. "Neither pray I," says he, "for these alone, (these, my disciples,) but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one, as thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." Other mercies fill us with gratitude, but this overpowers us by its greatness; we stand amazed at it-it is the very top-stone of love-there is nothing more wonderful, nothing higher.

But, further, there are precious privileges dependent upon this union, which are duly prized by those who understand them. It is no small thing that the tongues of the ransomed may address Jesus as their beloved; but what shall we say, when he himself uses the same tender expression in speaking of them "I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which

was not beloved."

Yes, my friends, such

unexampled compassion there is in the Lamb of God, that he not only sees of the travail of his soul and is satisfied, but in his rejoicing he calls them a crown of glory and a royal diadem; and then he adds these gracious words, that " as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee." This is the Saviour that invites lost sinners to join themselves to him, as they journey over the desert; and this is he, of whom thousands say, "We have other lords, and after them will we go." Alas! ye men of this generation, what is become of your boasted wisdom? Your own props are falling all about you, and yet you will not stay yourselves upon that which would strengthen "the weak hands and the feeble knees." The desert will soon be passed; the fears and hopes, the idle dreams and vain desires will soon be over; what will be your portion at the end of it?" If the righteous scarcely are saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" If I throw my eye over this wide wilderness, I see multitudes pressing onwards with all the restlessness of mere earthly beings; I see them attempting the hill of salvation in a thousand ways; some as formal professors, some as lukewarm worshippers, some by the way of works, and others in a reliance on barren faith;

they make no progress; and yet they cannot be persuaded but that heaven is nearer to them than it was. But one straight narrow way I can discover, more steep and rugged than the rest, and a people walking therein; goodly in appearance, but few in number, and their guide is like the Son of God. Behold! every eye is turned to him; at every hindrance they stop to consult him: I see hills, and rivers, and mountains overcome; and now they come up from the wilderness leaning upon their Beloved.

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SERMON II.

CHRIST THE HUSBAND OF HIS CHURCH.

ISAIAH liv. part of the 5th verse.

Thy Maker is thy Husband, the Lord of Hosts is his name.

THIS is a chapter of promises-of the richest and most astonishing promises; and they are directed, especially and exclusively, to that part of the church of Christ which had been long shut out of the circle of privileges, which another portion of it had so abundantly partaken of. This is, as it were, a well of living water for the Gentiles, refreshing the faint and making the weary glad, and which shall only cease to spring when time shall be no

more.

The prophet had, just before, been sorrowing over those of his own nation, who refused to receive his report; his mind seems to have been, in a high degree, agitated and disturbed, at the horrible impiety in which they would

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