spark is fire, as well as the whole element, so is a true desire grace, as well as the full assurance of faith and hope.

We are aware that many will say that they have a desire for grace, who never sent a single devout aspiration to heaven for the blessed boon. Such desire is like the brilliancy of the glow-worm; it shines only in the dark night of adversity; in prosperity, it is all merged in the splendor and delight of earthly bliss.

Genuine desire is enkindled in the soul, by a live coal from the altar of God; and though it may not always blaze, it ever glows, though at times it be but with the vigor and warmth of smoking flax. This is its character—a desire for holiness, a desire for mercy, a desire, which would rather hear of mercy and holiness, than of the possession of a kingdom. It is the desire of a broken and contrite heart. This is the least measure of grace that is intelligible to man; and to this measure all possible blessings belong.

The blessings promised to the penitent, begin with the beginning of conversion. Thus David resolved upon an ingenuous confession of his sin, and immediately God gave him the comfort of pardon in his conscience; "I said I will confess my transgression;" he did but say that he would do it, and mark the consequences: "Thou forgavest,”—immediately-"forgavest the iniquity of my sin." Thus in the character of the father of the prodigal, God represents himself as not waiting till the sinner throws himself upon his bosom, but while he is yet a great way off, He runs to meet him, and falls upon his neck, and with a father's embrace seals a father's love. Thus the promise runs; "Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear."*

Isaiah lxv. 24.

The blessings of pardon, peace and reconciliation, are indeed connected with repentance and faith; but if we only desire repentance and faith, we are not altogether without them.

Desire is the however agitated,

pulse of the soul; and however low, however feebly it may beat, it proves that life is there. The desire of grace, is a pledge from God that He will give it. The desire of the Spirit, cannot be but from the Spirit; and we know that "He will perfect that which He has begun." He will satisfy the hungering and thirsting after righteousness, which He has himself created.

Wherefore, my brethren of little faith, "despise not the day of small things." Let the grace of God have full credit for that which it has done in you and for you.

We know that many may turn our subject to their own hurt, crying, "peace, peace, when there is no peace." But encouragement is not to be withheld from the lambs of Christ's flock, because the bold and presumptuous sinner, or the specious hypocrite, abuses the grace of God.

To guard however against so fatal a mistake, we shall add a word of caution, by pointing out briefly what we consider to be the prominent features of true grace, even in its lowest degree; for we would not for the world, that they should have one spark of comfort, for whom it was never designed.

We remark then, that where there is the least work of the Spirit, the foundation is always laid in deep humility and contrition. The man is made sensible of his sin and misery; he sees that there is no help in himself; with restless desire he longs for another to bring him succor; he looks

Jeremiah vi. 14.

at Christ and his salvation, and he esteems them above all earthly things, although he dares not apply them to himself. All he is able, all he dares to do, is to long for the joys of his salvation. But then, it is the intense, the longing desire of a drowning man for life, the famishing man for food; and he watches for them, more than they that watch for the morning. This is the desire that is grace.

My hearer does thy heart respond, "that is my case?" Art thou humbled with shame and confusion of face? Are thy sins and thy sinful nature thy greatest grief? Is the bent of thy soul toward God, and holiness, and heaven? Dost thou desire them so as to seek after them?

Then take all the comfort our subject is calculated to afford. Remember always, that "the day of small things," is the day of God's grace; "an immortal seed cast into an immortal soil," that will in the end bring forth fruit to eternal glory.

But is there another hearer, the language of whose heart is, "I never was, and I see not why I should be, covered with shame and confusion. As to the Lord Jesus Christ, of course I love him, and have no doubt that he is my Saviour. As to holiness, certainly I desire to be holy; I am not such a reprobate as to despise holiness, to be sure I do not pretend to be an eminent saint, but I am glad to find that the day of small things is not to be despised, and so I hope all will be well at last." Ah! my hearer, this is not the language of a broken-hearted sinner; at your peril take one crumb of comfort from the children's table. He who takes to himself comfort which does not belong to him, only treasures up "wrath against the day of wrath."

Go ye, and learn from the degraded, wretched, helpless, guilty state of the Jews in their captivity, how wretched your condition is. Break the chains of your captivity; return to the liberty of the children of God; and then take

encouragement from our text and subject. One might as well expect the Jews in Babylon, to serve in building the temple at Jerusalem, as a bond-slave of sin and Satan to build to the Lord our God.

Flee then sinner, flee out of the midst of Babylon and deliver every man his own soul. But if ye will not flee, the day of vengeance will come, and God will recompense to every man according to his folly, and make him drink the cup of his fury.

But we must, in conclusion, address one word more to those who have just escaped the confines of Satan's dark domain, and are returning to the Lord their God. You have a work before you which demands your most active exertions. While our subject contains strong consolation, it loudly calls you on to duty. Every doctrine, every promise, as well as every direct precept, contains a practical admonition. They say, "Go on to fulfil all righteousness." So the Jews understood our text to be a call to build, and Ezra bears honorable testimony to their obedience. See brethren that you are diligent to build up yourselves in your most holy faith; until the whole "building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord."*

This spiritual temple of which we speak, is not an ærial castle, the creature of a vain imagination, raised by a thought, existing only in the fantasy of the mind. No, it has an existence more real than anything you can see or touch; and when this world is burned up, and all its gorgeous palaces and cloud-capt towers, are prostrate in the dust, it shall continue, and be the dwelling of Him who sitteth upon the throne, when "time shall be no more."

Let the Lord Jesus Christ be your foundation. Build according to the pattern shown you in God's holy word. Let * Ephesians ii. 21.

faith, Christian faith, be placed upon the corner-stone; and then, "giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity."*

Rest not in apparent conversion. He who is content with small attainments in grace, has no grace at all. But in dependence on the promises of God, cleanse yourselves and perfect holiness in the fear of God. You may have to encounter many trials and difficulties. The wiles of the devil, the allurements of the world, the frowns of friends, and the sad remains of inbred corruption, will ever be counteracting your noblest efforts. But be not afraid; while they conspire together to hinder the work, like the enemies of Israel, do you, like Nehemiah, pray unto God and set a watch by day and by night. Reading, Meditation, and Prayer are noble instruments to help on the good work of grace in the heart; but ever look from them to the Lord Jesus Christ our great Zerubbabel. Commit yourselves to Him; nothing is too hard for Him. He will make every mountain a plain, and every crooked thing straight, and you shall know the truth. of the declaration, "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it."t