[It is not possible that our works should profit God"— Nothing that we can do can render him more happy or more glorious_We should live and act under a sense of this—The apostles themselves were directed to consider their best works as worthless-Indeed, the truly enlightened in all ages have judged thus of themselves-Job abhorred himself in dust and ashes-Isaiah seemed to himself like a poor leper, at the very moment that he was favoured with an heavenly vision-Paul accounted himself "less than the least of all saints," yea, the very "chief of sinners"-In this light should we continually view our best performances-And acknowledge that "our very righteousnesses are as filthy rags❞—]

V

ADDRESS

1. Those who are looking for acceptance through their own works

[How manifestly is your spirit contrary to that which the gospel recommends! You are endeavouring to establish a righteousness of your own-You not only think to compensate for your sins, but to have a degree of merit sufficient to purchase heaven-Perhaps you profess only to rely on your works in part-But in whatever degree you expect them to weigh, you so far make God your debtor-Hear, I pray you, the voice of Christ in the text-Renounce from henceforth all selfrighteousness, and self-dependence-And learn to say with the great apostle, "I count all things but dung for the knowledge of Christ"]

2. Those, who professing to trust in Christ, are indulging self-complacency

[It is inexpressibly difficult to maintain a truly humble spirit-Pride will rise in spite of our better judgment-And often operate when we are least aware of it-Our love of man's applause too often appears even under the garb of humility— Let us guard against self-deceit-God sees through the veil of our hypocrisy-And will leave us to feel the sad effects of our corruption-He has warned us plainly of our dangere "Let him therefore who thinketh that he stands, take heed lest he fall"-Let him "not be high-minded but fear”—] 3. Those who are dejected because of their unprofitableness

[It is well to be humbled under a sense of our infirmities -But the feeling of them is an effect of divine grace-Our

contrition therefore should be tempered with thankfulnessLet us not forget that such a state of mind is approved of God -Instead of desponding let us cleave more stedfastly to Christ The viler we are in our own eyes, the more precious let him be to us-Thus will he increase as we decrease-And we ourselves shall be exalted in proportion to our self-abasement Let us in the 'meantime do all that we can to serve him-If we cannot profit him by fulfilling his commands, we may please him-Let that be our constant ambition'-Then, though we have no claim upon him for a reward, he will requite our services-Nor shall the smallest attempt to honour him be overlooked"-]

h Acts xi 23.

i John iii. 30.`

k Matt. xxiii. 12.
m Eph. vi. 8.

1 2 Cor. v. 9. φιλοτιμάμεθα.

CCLXII. THE IMPORTUNATE WIDOW.

Luke xviii. 6-8. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, who cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith upon the

earth?

THERE is no duty more strongly enforced in scripture than that of prayer

Nor is there any which needs to be more impressed upon the conscience

To those, who have never engaged in this duty with real spirituality of mind, it may appear easy to be performed

But they, who are most earnest in the discharge of it, find many difficulties to combat with

To encourage us to persevere in spite of all those dif ficulties, our Lord spake the parable before us---We shall consider

1. What the unjust judge said

There was a widow labouring under some heavy oppression

a Ver. 1.

tures

[Sin has universally armed men against their fellow-crea

The world is full of robbery and oppression of every kind And they who are most defenceless usually suffer the greatest injuries

Every one is ready to take advantage of the fatherless and the widow

It is their comfort, however, that, if they have enemies on earth, they have a friend in heaven—]

She went to a magistrate to redress her grievances [The appointment of magistrates is a rich blessing to the community

And they ought to be regarded with much respect titude

and graWe should not indeed be going to law about every trifleWe should rather settle our disputes, if possible, by arbitration

But under the widow's circumstances, it was right to solicit the magistrate's interference-]

The judge, for a long season, would pay no attention to her request

racter

[The judge happened to be of a most abandoned cha

He had no fear of the holy, omniscient, almighty GodHe did not even regard the good opinion of mankind— Thus he had no rule of conduct but his own caprice or in

terest

Surely, next to a vicious minister, there can be no greater curse to a neighbourhood than such an abandoned magistrate as this

We have reason to bless God, however, that though such characters are too common, they are rarely to be found among the magistracy

No wonder that such an one was deaf to the cries of equity and compassion-]

At last, however, he acknowledged himself overcome by her importunity

[He gloried in his contempt of all laws human and divined

But he could not bear the constant intreaties of the widowHe was afraid of being "wearied" or even stunned with her cries

He therefore, purely to get rid of her, interposed on her behalf

b Ps. lxxiv. 20.

e

e Ps. lxviii. 5. Ὑπωπιάζη με, obtundat me.

d Ver. 4.

And did that for his own ease, which he should have done from a better motive

Thus, alas! he proclaimed his own shame!

But declared, in a very striking manner, the efficacy of importunity-]

His speech, impious as it was, may be rendered profitable to our souls

II. The improvement suggested by our Lord

Our Lord makes a twofold application of the subject 1. In a way of instruction

We all, in a spiritual view, resemble this helpless widow

[We are beset with enemies both within and without-Our conflicts with indwelling corruption are great and manifold

We have moreover to contend with all the powers of darknessf_

Nor have we in ourselves any strength to resist our adversaries]

But God, the judge of all, will help us if we call upon

him

pleh

[God has promised to hear the supplications of his peo

He has declared that he will "cast out none who come to him"

He may indeed for wise reasons delay his answers to prayer He may "bear so long with us" as to make us think he will not hear

But he will never fail to succour us in the fittest season- -] This may be strongly deduced from the preceding pa

rable

[The widow was a stranger, not at all related to the judge

But we are "God's elect," his favoured and "peculiar peo

ple".

The unjust judge was not interested in granting her petitionBut God's honour is concerned in relieving the wants of his people—

We may even address him in the language of holy David There was little hope of prevailing with such a merciless and unjust judge

But we have to go to a loving, and compassionate Father'

The widow moreover had none to intercede for herBut we have a righteous and all-prevailing advocate She was in danger of irritating the judge by her intreatiesBut the more importunate we are, the more God is pleased with us"

She notwithstanding all her difficulties obtained her request

How much more then shall we, who, in lieu of her difficul ties, have such abundant encouragements!

1

Surely this deduction is as consoling as it is plain and obvious

And our Lord, with peculiar earnestness, confirms it Nor can that be justly deemed tardy, which comes in the fittest season-]

2. In a way of reproof

There is but little of such importunity to be foundNor is this to be wondered at, since there is so little faith on the earth"

[Faith is that principle from whence earnest prayer proceeds

If we believe the declarations of God, we must feel ourselves weak and helpless

If we credit his promises, we shall acknowledge his readiness to help us

And if we believe the reality and importance of eternal things, we shall most earnestly seek help from God

us

Nor shall we be unwilling to wait till he see fit to answer

But how little is there of such faith in the world!

How few are faithful to the convictions of their own conscience!

How few maintain this holy constancy and fervour in prayer!

How few can be truly called "a people nigh unto God!"-] If Christ should now come to judgment, would he find this faith in us?

[Some live without any acknowledgment of God in prayer

They seem to have forgotten that there will be a day of judgment

Others engage statedly in their accustomed round of duties→→ And satisfy themselves with an unmeaning recital of certain words

There are others also who under the pressure of affliction will cry to God

m 1 John ii. 1.

a Prov. xv. 8. Isai. lxii. 7.

• He first appeals to us, and then adds, "I tell you," &c.