bring the criminal in guilty, leaving him to the curse and sentence of the law. Those for whom Christ was condemned can say with Paul, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a CURSE FOR US; for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree" (Gal. iii. 13). The faith of God's elect boldly sends forth the challenge, "Who is he that condemneth?" It knows full well that none can effectually condemn the justified of God. It knows also that accusers will crowd in from all quarters save one-the court of heaven. The world, and even our own mother's children, will be ever ready to condemn our narrowmindedness, our hateful doctrines, our fanciful experience, and our exclusiveness. At almost every turn we are,

"For these too bad, for those too good,

Condemned and shunned by all."

Yet here our Justifier "will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor" (Ps. cxl. 12). Does the law prosecute? Faith cries, 66 Christ died." Does death seek to terrify? Faith cries, Christ lives." Does Satan roar and assault? Faith cries, "Christ reigns." Does our heart con'demn us? "God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things" (1 John iii. 20).

"It is Christ that died." This is the answer of the faith of God's elect to all those who condemn God's election of grace. In the court of conscience it silences every accuser. Here the covenant promise holds good: "Every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn" (Isa. liv. 17). This is all because of the worth and dignity of the Covenant Surety, and the infinite value of His most precious blood. The law declares, "It is the blood that maketh atonement for the soul" (Lev. xvii. II). The Gospel proclaims, "Without shedding of blood is no remission" (Heb. ix. 22). "Christ died for

us" (Rom. v. 8) is the confession and confidence of every follower of the Lamb. His bloodshedding removes all guilt and filth and shame. His life, forfeited by death, perfects for ever them that are sanctified--His own elect. In life and death, in obedience and suffering, the Willing Surety accomplished all His Father's will in the removal of all the sins of His people, and by that will they are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus once, never to be repeated."It is finished," from His own lips, satisfied the claims of Deity, and now soothes the troubled spirit by silencing every accuser. Can the law condemn one for whom Christ died? No, for He has magnified the law and made it honourable (Isa. xlii. 21). Can justice condemn one for whom Christ shed His precious blood? No, for justice is satisfied, and God is just, and the Justifier of every believer in Jesus (Rom. iii. 26). Can Satan, or any enemy, condemn? No, for all the enemies of Zion are turned back, fall, and perish at the presence of the Surety of the covenant (Ps. ix. 3). 'Yea, rather that is risen again." "Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death; because it was not possible that He should be holden of it" (Acts ii. 24). Christ, though laid in the grave, was not left there. God raised Him up, and thus proved Him to be no deceiver (Matt. xxvii. 63). The resurrection of Christ is God the Father's solemn and open testimony to the genuineness of Christ's work, the sufficiency of His sacrifice, the perfection of His righteousness, the completeness of His salvation, and the dignity of His Person. He was declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead (Rom. i. 4). "He was raised again for our justification" (Rom. iv. 25). He was thus proved to be the Righteous Saviour of a people righteously saved and everlastingly justified.

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It was not possible for Him to be held in the regions and embrace of death. He was God, death had no power over Him. He was righteous-the Righteous Head of a righteous people-the Elect Husband of His elect bride. "Christ the First Fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming" (1 Cor. xv. 23). The Head liberated, all the members are free. The Husband accepted, the bride is accepted in her Beloved. "Who is even at the right hand of God," "angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him" (1 Peter iii. 22). These all know, by His appearance there, that God hath accepted Him in all the glory of His Person, God and Man one Christ, in all the perfection of His sacrifice, in all the preciousness of His blood, in all the power of His resurrection, and all for His elect people, and His elect people in Him. Oh, how blessed it is to see Him and know Him there as a Man, with a heart truly humane.

"That human heart He still retains,
Though thron'd in highest bliss ;

And feels each tempted member's pains :
For our affliction's His."

This secures the power and prevalency of His intercession for us. Oh, the preciousness of that word, "Who also maketh intercession for us." "Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Heb. vii. 25).

"WHO SHALL LAY ANYTHING TO THE CHARGE OF GOD'S ELECT?

Grove Chapel, Camberwell,

September, 1902.

THOMAS BRADBURY.

AFFIRMATION.

"One shall say, I am the LORD'S; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel."—Isaiah xliv. 5.

SEVERAL times of late I have endeavoured to direct your minds into the consideration of the truths contained in the preceding context a portion containing "exceeding great and precious promises -promises in God's own good time, verified in the heart's experience of all those interested therein. These promises are made life and power in the judgment, knowledge and enjoyment of those characters so graphically and minutely described therein. Let us notice these highly favoured persons and the blessings promised to them. They are described as "thirsty," and are set before us as "the dry ground." They are also opened up to faith's view as the "seed" of Zion-the "offspring" of the church. They "spring up amongst the grass." See Psalm xcii. 7, "The wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish it is that they shall be destroyed for ever." Here we find a people amongst a people-a people whom God has eternally blessed-a people from whom

God has everlastingly removed all curse-a people redeemed by precious atoning blood-a people regenerated in God's good time by the indwelling and grace of His Blessed Spirit-a people brought to know, feel and confess that without the Anointing not one good thought, word or act can they produce before Him. All good in them is by the Holy Ghost.

"And every virtue we possess,

And every vict'ry won,

And ev'ry thought of holiness
Are His alone."

Have I faith? It is by the revelation of the Lord in my heart by the Holy Ghost. Faith is His fruitHis exercise in me. Have I hope? It is the longing for home and the company of my Best Friend created in my heart by the Abiding Comforter. Do I pray? Prayer is the hidden movement of God the Ever-blessed Spirit. I desire never to forget that graphic description of true prayer which once fell on my ears from the anointed lips of one now in glory-William Parks, the late Rector of Openshaw

What is prayer? Prayer is the hidden movement of God the Ever-blessed Spirit in the hearts of elect vessels of mercy, producing desires and longings for those benefits and blessings a Covenant God afore designed to give." Do I sing? I sing in the Spirit. It is by the Spirit alone that I make melody in my heart to the Lord in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Do I show kindness to the poor and needy whom the Lord sends in my way? I should do no such thing but for the Blessed Holy Ghost in me. It is "the kindness of God" shown through me to whom He will. It is all through the Spirit bearing witness with my spirit to the liberality of the Father and of His Son Jesus Christ.

"They shall spring up among the grass." Among the wicked, God's righteous ones are found down