dust and exalts the sovereign majesty and love of God to the highest pinnacle of glory, that " by the foolishness of preaching," souls are continually being found, and led into the knowledge of the love of God in Jesus Christ. Yes! one of the greatest proofs that faith is the gift of God through Jesus Christ, by the operation of the eternal Spirit, is this glorious fact—" that we have this treasure in earthen vessels."1

At the same time, you observe that the Believer does not despise the "earthen vessels," but very highly esteems them "in love for their office sake.”2 So the seeking soul here. Having been "found' by the Ministers of the Word; some suitable message having been sent from God by these " Watchmen," she seeks them out, and inquires more particularly in private concerning Him-even Christfor whose presence she inquires. And this reminds both Ministers and their flocks that Christ and his grace are the only fitting subjects for discourse in private interviews between ministers and the individual members of their flocks. Not for confession, still less for absolution, do you come to ministers. To Christ alone confess your sins, because he alone hath power to forgive your sins, and bestow absolution upon you. Be content to inquire from His Watchmen," Saw ye Him whom my soul loveth ?"

1. II. Cor. iv. 7.

2. I. Thes. v. 13.

Observe," Christ is not far from His ministers and ordinances of His Church. He has promised to be with them "even unto the end of the world." So here we find the seeking soul realising the promise, "It was but a little that I passed from them, I found Him whom my soul loveth." Thus, doubtless, many of His dear people have found Him, seeking Him through ordinances of His Church, looking not to them as the end, but through them, and over them, and beyond them to Christ. A word in season was spoken, to the convincing and refreshing of your soul. Like apples of gold, in pictures of silver, was the ministry of the Word. You left God's House in joy-"I have found him whom my soul loveth."

Has it indeed been thus with you, reader? Oh! then, while you bless God from your innermost soul, for His grace and mercy, never, never despise

means.

nances.

Never, never be above ministers and ordi

The soul here who lost the "joy of salvation," found Jesus while coming from the Watchmen. Neither despise the ministers' Master and Lord, by putting them in His place. Remember, I beseech, as you love your souls, and would have them fed "with the finest of the wheat," that while Paul "plants," there also needs an "Apollos" to But neither Paul is anything, nor Apollos

water.

1. Mat. xxviii. 20.

anything, but God alone, who giveth the increase.1

Reader, hast thou ever found Christ to be precious? Hath Christ found you by his Watchmen? Depend upon this, you will, more than once, in your earthly pilgrimage, lose sight of Jesus, and, in the bitterness of your soul exclaim, “I sought him, but found him not.”

He may withdraw Himself because of your lukewarm, and unmannerly behaviour. He may hide himself to try your faith. Or some cloud of sin or unbelief on your own part may interpose between Him and yourself so that you cannot see His face. Therefore, I charge you solemnly, beware on your own part of driving Christ from you. Be watchful against this, by any provocation on your part. Beware of sloth and idleness in Spiritual employments, or weariness in Spiritual exercises. Beware of besetting sins of temper and disposition. Beware of shrinking from the daily bearing of the Cross. Mortify those sins which grieve away Christ's Spirit, and so provoke Him to hide His face for a season. Yet, notwithstanding all your watchful care, should your soul for a season be in darkness, remember, I beseech you, where and how to seek Him who is the Light. In these verses you have directions and encouragements which will help you in the darkest night. It is vain, you well know, to seek Christ in a

1. I. Cor. iii. 7.

gay and thoughtless world. "He is not all their thoughts." Ask them if Christ is with them in their follies and gaieties, in which they find their comfort; and they will smile at your simplicity, and ridicule your anxiety. It is equally vain to seek Him in the books of the learned. Page after page you may turn over but never find His name. Never, never will you find Him, till, like the soul in this passage of Scripture, you seek Him in His appointed ways-in His Church, in His Word, in His ordinances and sacraments.

"In all times of your tribulation," my prayer is that you may find Jesus! Should sudden calamity or heartrending visitation, or sickness, or poverty, or spiritual darkness, overshadow you, may you have grace and strength to be still leaning upon Jesus!

Sooner or later you must enter on that night, -the black and solemn night of Death. Whether your sun shall go down in the midst of your days, or you remain to old age, and then slowly sink into the grave, I know not. This I know, Reader, you and myself will enter on that night of darknessunless our Lord first come in glory-sooner or later. Would you have "light" in your "dwelling,' then?

Would you die in peace, with the dawn of the everlasting morning shining upon your spirit?

Would you, then, rejoice in Christ, rather than have to seek Him?

Oh! then, now, while it is called to-day, seek Him!

"Rise now," and go about the City; peradventure he will show himself.

And then shall you have a song in the night, and gladness instead of weeping, "My flesh and my heart faileth me, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for evermore."

Blessed be God! a "good time is coming," a time of which it hath been said, there shall be "no night there."

None there shall seek Jesus. None shall inquire of the Watchmen concerning Him.

All shall see Him, and behold His face in glory! All shall look upon the Lamb that was slain !! Sighs and groans, weepings and frettings, shall be hushed, then, for ever!!!

And those "songs in the night," which ye had been wont to sing on earth, shall be then changed for a new song "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain."

Where no shadows shall bewilder,
Where life's vain parade is o'er,
Where the chain of sin is broken,

And the dreamer dreams no more:
Where our bonds shall ne'er be severed;
Partings, farewells, tears, and groans;

1. Rev. xxi. 25.