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short of this glory. It is as certain as the promise, and oath, and covenant of God, and the death and intercession of the Saviour, and the pledges and earnests of immortality, can render it.

Therefore, be not faithless, but believing. It was used by Christians to animate and encourage each other, in the Apostles' days, as a common and familiar aphorism; and they gave it full credit-"It is a faithful saying for if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him."

APRIL 10.-"The sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow."

1 Peter i. 11. CONNECTED With the sufferings of Christ, there was a threefold glory.

There was a glory that preceded his sufferings. This is implied in his language-"I came forth from the Father;" "I came down from heaven." But it is expressly mentioned, when he says, "The glory that I had with Thee before the world began." What condescension can there be where there is no previous dignity? And what possessions can a being claim before his existence? But he was rich, and for our sakes became poor. He was in the form of God, and thought it no robbery to be equal with God. He took upon him the form of a servant, and made himself of no reputation.

There was a glory that accompanied his sufferings. There is often much parade at the death of a monarch, and by a shew of greatness, an attempt is made to conceal or alleviate the disgrace of real littleness. But what are the suspensions of business, the splendid equipage, the tolling of bells, the solemn music, the discharge of artillery

"HE dies-the heavens in mourning stood”

The

The sun was darkened. The earth shook. rocks rent. The graves were opened. The dead arose. Spiritual trophies, blended with the prodigies of Nature. Peter's heart was broken at a look. The Centurion, watching, exclaimed, Surely this man was the Son of God. All the people that came together to that sight smote their breasts and returned. The dying thief believed with the heart, and confessed with the tongue unto salvation; and received an assurance of an immediate place in Paradise. And what a scene of moral glory was here also displayedin his readiness to suffer; in his apology for his slumbering disciples; in the order to Peter to put up his sword; in his healing the ear of his enemy's servant; in his stipulating for the safety of his Apostles; in his confession before Pontius Pilate; in his bearing without resentment the mocking, the spitting, the scourging; in his sympathy with the weeping daughters of Jerusalem, in his way to Calvary; in his tender concern for his widowed mother, on the cross; in his prayer for his murderers-Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do!-where shall we end? Here, Celsus endeavours to turn his glory into shame. Having represented him as despitefully used, arrayed in purple robes, crowned with thorns, and nailed to the tree; he cries out, in the name of wonder, Why, on this occasion at least, does he not act the God? and hurl some signal vengeance on the authors of his insults and anguish? But, O Celsus! he does act the God. Any madman on earth, or fury in hell, is capable of anger, and wrath, and revenge-But to bear the most shocking provocations, and, though commanding the thunder and the flame, forbear to punish, and only pity!-If it be the glory of a man to pass by a transgression; and the noblest triumph, to overcome evil with good; he died gloriously, beyond all example. Yes-says even a Rousseau; If the death

of Socrates was the death of a sage, the death of Jesus was the death of a God.

There was also a glory that followed his sufferings. From the clouds that had concealed him, he issues forth, in all the radiance of immortality, declared to be the Son of God with power, by the Spirit of holiness, in his resurrection from the dead. An angel descends, and rolls away the door of the sepulchre, and sits in glory upon it; and shakes the ground; and causes the Roman guards to flee for fear. His disciples are re-animated, and re-assembled, to whom, also, he shewed himself alive, after his passion, by many infallible signs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of things pertaining to the kingdom of God. See him ascend into heaven, far above all principality, and power, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. Were there glories on the day of Pentecost? He shed forth that which was seen and heard. He filled the Apostles with the Holy Ghost, according to his promise, so that they spake with new tongues, and all the people heard, in their own language, the wonderful works of God. And three thousand were converted under one sermon. All the miracles his servants performed were done in his Name, and were rays of his glory. The establishment of the Gospel then, and the spread of it since, and every soul called by grace, is a part of the joy set before him, wherein he sees of the travail of his soul, and is satisfied.

And, oh! the glories that are yet to followwhen the nations of them that are saved shall walk in the light of the Lamb! when he shall sprinkle many nations! when all nations shall fall down before him, and all kings shall serve him! And, oh! the glories that are yet to follow, when his mediation shall be completely accomplished, and he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and admired in all them

I that believe: and attract every eye, and fill every heart, and employ every tongue, for ever!

Saviour Jesus! may I be with thee where thou art, to behold thy glory!

APRIL 11.—“ In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine, and under the fig-tree."

Zech. iii. 10.

THUS inspiration characterizes the reign of the Messiah-It was to be distinguished by three things.

First, Is enjoyment. The very image is delight ful. Vines and fig-trees were much prized in the East. They afforded at once delightful fruit for the taste, and refreshing shade from the heat. Persons therefore regaled themselves under their branches and leaves and thus the expression in time came to signify happiness. to signify happiness. And what said our Lord to his disciples? Blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear. Because Christians do not run to the same excess of riot with others; and turn their back on the pleasures of sin, and the dissipations of the world; many think they are mopish and melancholy. But blessed are the people that know the joyful sound. It was so in the beginning of the Gospel. Wherever it came, it was received as good news, as glad tidings; and it was said of the receivers, that they walked, not only in the fear of the Lord, but in the comforts of the Holy Ghost. It not only relieved, but delighted them. It not only tranquillized them, but inspired them with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Have we the same Gospel? Or do we embrace it properly, if, instead of being thus blessed,

it leaves us in a dungeon of gloom, the victims of sadness, and care, and apprehension ?

Second, Is liberty. Slaves and captives did not sit under their vines and fig-trees. Nor did proprietors in time of war. When invaded, they were liable to the surprises of the enemy. Then the inhabitants disappeared from these loved, but no longer safe retreats; and longed for the time when, released from perils and alarms, they should go forth with joy, and repose and refresh themselves again. Therefore, Rabshakeh, to urge the Jews to a surrender, said, "Make an agreement with me by a present; and come out to me; and eat ye every one of his vine and every one of his fig-tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern." Hence we read, "There was peace all the days of Solomon, and from Dan to Beersheba the people sat every man under his vine and under his figtree." But a greater than Soloman is here. In "His days shall Israel be saved, and Judah shall dwell safely." What have his subjects to fear? If God be for us, who can be against us? What shall separate us from the love of God? Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died: yea, rather, that is risen again: who is even at the right hand of God: who also maketh intercession for us. Christians may therefore give up themselves to holy confidence. Their souls may dwell at ease. They are free indeed. They are kept by the power of God. They shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of his hand. Let them realize this; and feel a peace that passeth all understanding, keeping their hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Let them say, "I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song, he also is become my salvation."

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The third, Is benevolence. man his neighbour under the vine, and under the fig-tree. There is nothing like selfishness here

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