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If the Saviour's forbearance has encouraged you to continue in evil, it has been perverted and misapplied. Look then at the apostle, and be encouraged to come and trust in that Redeemer, who saved him, and made him "a chosen vessel" and an honored disciple.

DARWENT.

SUBJECT:-Needy Man and his Moral Provision.

"And in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it."-Isa. xxv. 6-9.

Analysis of Homily the Four Hundred and Twenty-fourth. THIS passage which is exceedingly poetic and beautiful, points by the common consent of expositors, to the glorious provisions which Heaven has made for humanity in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It leads us to consider the moral wants of humanity and the complete supplies of Christianity. I. HUMANITY IS MORALLY FAMISHING, CHRISTIANITY HAS PROVISIONS. It has " a feast of fat things," &c. The state of the Prodigal, when he was in want, "and would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat," is a true picture of moral humanity the world over. The feverish restlessness, and the earnest racing after something not yet attained, show the hungry and thirsty state of the soul. Christianity has the provisions, which are adequate "for all people." Varied-"wines and fat things full of marrow." Pleasant-"wines on the lees well refined." "Wisdom, hath builded a house," &c. (Proverbs ix. 2.) "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain man which made a marriage for his son," &c. (Matt. xxii. 2—4.) II. HUMANITY IS MORALLY BENIGHTED,-CHRISTIANITY HAS ILLUMINATION. "He will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail spread over

all nations." Men are enwrapped in moral gloom; they have their "understanding darkened." (Eph. iv. 18.) "Darkness covers the earth," &c. (Isa. lxvi. 1—3.) "The vail is upon their hearts." (2 Cor. iii. 15.) Physical darkness is bad enough, intellectual darkness is worse, moral darkness is the worst of all. It is a blindness to the Greatest Being, to the greatest obligations, and the greatest interests. Christianity has moral light. Christ is "a light to lighten the Gentiles." (Luke ii. 20-32.) He is "The light of the world." Indeed, Christianity gives the three conditions of moral vision :—the visual faculty;-opens the eyes of conscience; the medium, which is truth;-and the object, which is God, &c. III. HUMANITY IS MORALLY DEAD,-CHRISTIANITY HAS LIFE. "He will swallow up death in victory." Men are "dead in trespasses and in sin." The valley of dry bones is a picture of moral humanity. Insensibility, utter subjection to external forces, and offensiveness, are some of the characteristics of death. Christianity has life. "I am come that ye might have life." Its truths with a trumpet's blast call men up from their moral graves. Its spirit is quickening. "You hath he quickened," &c. "It swallows up death in victory." IV. HUMANITY IS MORALLY UNHAPPY,-CHRISTIANITY HAS BLESSEDNESS. There are moral tears on "all faces." Go to the heathen world, and there is nothing but moral wretchedness, The whole moral creation groaneth: conflicting passions, remorseful reflections, foreboding apprehensions, make the world miserable. Christianity provides blessedness. It fills with joy and peace in believing. "It wipes away tears from all faces." It enables us 66 'to rejoice in hope of the glory of God." V. HUMANITY IS MORALLY REPROACHED,-CHRISTIANITY HAS HONOR. "And the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth." Man morally "rebukes" himself; he is rebuked by his fellow man; he is rebuked by his Maker. He is under "condemnation." And the rebuke is just. Christianity removes this. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus." It exalts man to the highest honor.

SUBJECT:-Affliction.*

"My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord."-Heb. xii. 5.

Analysis of Homily the Four Hundred and Twenty-fifth.

MEN fail to recognise the combination and harmony of wisdom and love in all things.

That such actually exist is seen in the fact that evil connected with, or arising out of, our own nature, and evil permitted in the providence of God, are equally intended by Infinite benevolence for our good.

To this end, (1) The trial is especially adapted to our individuality of nature and need; and (2) Is also wisely regulated in degree, according to our capacity for its endurance, and the object of its permission.

Consider trial in three aspects :—

I. SUBJECTIVELY. With respect to its nature, it involves a fact which must be accepted; also a principle which must be learnt. The recognition of the former, and the apprehension of the latter, constitute Elements of Prayer.

II. RELATIVELY. With respect to its media of operation. Trial works through prayer--prayer involves trial. Trial is the sphere of prayer. Prayer is a power-it colors all events, and converts them to its use. Almighty in its power, because it lays hold on the Almighty One. It moves His heart.

III. OBJECTIVELY. With respect to its final cause, or intended issue. "Tribulation worketh patience, and patience, experience," &c. (Rom. v. 5.) It forms part of the discipline. The conflict between the two natures (Rom. vii.) continues till conquered in death. The final victory-" And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."

(1 John, v. 11.)

This "germ" was forwarded to us as the joint production of an eminent Christian physician and author, and a Christian student, a patient under his care.

While under trial we are encouraged by the memory and example of One who was emphatically "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." Representing all our sorrows, all our grief, HE, "for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross." (Heb. xii. 2.) We must "endure as seeing him who is invisible." (Heb. xi. 27.) "Looking unto Jesus."

SUBJECT:- The Model Missionary.

"As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world."-John xvii. 18.

Analysis of Homily the Four Hundred and Twenty-sixth.

THESE words speak of a two-fold mission; Christ's mission from Heaven to earth, and the Church's mission from Christ to the world. The former is at once the origin, model, and motive of the latter.

The text suggests a correspondence between these two missions. A sketch of the analogy may be of spiritual profit.

Both are of

I. THEY CORRESPOND IN THEIR AUTHORITY. Divine authority. God sent Christ into the world, and Christ sends the Church. Christians have a right to go into every part of the world to unfurl their banner on every shore, and fight the battles of the Lord. We want no license from bishops or potentates to authorize us to preach the Gospel, &c. II. THEY CORRESPOND IN THEIR PRINCIPLE. What induced Christ to come into the world and inspired Him in working out His mission? Love; all-embracing, disinterested, unconquerable, love. The same must influence the Church, and no other feeling. III. THEY CORRESPOND IN THEIR OBJECT. Why did He come? "To seek and to save the lost." "This is a faithful saying," &c. This is our work. We have to save from ignorance, carnality, worldliness, sin, the devil. IV. THEY CORRESPOND IN THEIR MODE. (1) Both are spontaneous. (2) Both self-denying. (3) Both persevering.

(4) Both diligent. (5) Both devout. V. THEY CORRESPOND IN THEIR ENCOURAGEMENTS. (1) Christ had the Divine presence; so has the Church. (2) Christ had the highest sympathy; so has the Church. (3) Christ had the assurance of success; so has the Church.

Theological Notes and Queries.

OPEN

COUNCIL.

[The utmost freedom of independent thought is permitted in this department. The reader must therefore use his own discriminating faculties, and the Editor must be allowed to claim freedom from responsibility.]

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REPLICANT. In answer to QUERIST No. 8, p. 164. F. R. Y. is probably aware that, in 2 Cor. iv. 18, the word while does not correspond to any separate word in the original, but that the apostle uses the genitive absolute; the force of which appears here to be conditional. The afflictions referred to had the blessed effect described on them who contemplated eternal things-" We looking," &c. It appears to us that the translation exactly hits the mark.

CHRIST'S HEADSHIP. REPLICANT. In answer to QUERIST No. 9, p. 164. As in verse 32 the apostle says that there is a great mystery or secret here, and as it is a secret which he has not wholly uncovered, it would be rash for any other to pretend wholly to expound it. Something however may be hinted.

The

husband and wife are not to be conceived as two separate, independent, existences, but as mutual

complements, together making up the integrity of the human being. It is true that the man is affected by the union both physically and mentally, as well as the woman, yet the influence which he exerts is of such a nature that he is the directing power, and determines the social and political significance and weight of this twofold unity. Without him, she is nothing. Her exaltation or depression is conditioned by So in the higher sphere, Christ is the directing determining power, and therefore the representative, in the sociology of the universe and in the kingdom of God, of that twofold Divinehuman whole which consists of Himself and His Bride, the Church. The humiliation of the Church is bearing the Cross, her glorification entering into the joy of her Lord.

his.

FAITH THE GIFT OF GOD.

REPLICANT. In answer to QUERIST No. 10, p. 164. A grammatical objection has been made

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