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of her house"-lest, by going nigh, you in it that led hím comparatively to undervalue should be tempted to go in. "Can a man and even despise every thing else. And no take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be wonder. burnt? Can one go upon hot coals, and his What can be so suitable, so necessary, to feet not be burnt?" Can a man wish the creatures in our circumstances, as the knowweeds in his garden to wither, and daily wa-ledge of the Lord Jesus? If we are exposed ter them? If a man prayed to be heavenly--he is our refuge. If we are wanderersminded, would he go and wait in a place of he is our guide. If we are poor-he is rich. dissipation for the answer? If we are nothing-he is "all, and in all.”

Sometimes Christians are called into situations and circumstances, in the discharge of their duty, that are very trying. When this is the case, the business is the Lord's; and he will take care of the servant employed in it. And therefore, in such instances, we have seen the weakest believers preserved. But it is otherwise when you rush into such dangers, uncalled of God. Is God bound to work miracles as often as you choose to play the fool, or to act the sinner? Are you justified in bringing yourselves into a situation where the alternative is either a supernatural deliverance, or a shameful fall?

Thus, then, let us make our prayer to God, and set a watch. Let us impress our minds with a sense of our danger-let us study our natural dispositions-let us remark in what manner we have been injured already-let us guard against the beginnings-and shun all the occasions of sin. Thus shall we "stand in the evil day; and having done all, shall stand. Yea, in all these things, we shall be more than conquerors through him that loved

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Nor shall we be always in a state of warfare. We shall soon exchange the toil of the soldier for "the rest that remains for the people of God." Our praying and our watching will soon be needless. We shall put off the helmet, and put on the crown. Sing, O daughter of Zion: shout, O Israel: be glad and rejoice with all thy heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord hath taken away thy judgments: he hath cast out thine enemy: the King of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more."

DISCOURSE XX v.

The Christian, feeling his necessities, and enlightened from above to know the source of his supplies, often exclaims, as he reads through this sacred volume, "We have found him of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write; whom David, Joseph, Isaac, pre-figured; who realizes, in his own character, the temple, the altar, the paschal lamb, the ark." He holds communion with him as the "Rock of ages," as "the Sun of righteousness," as the "Fountain of living waters," as "the Tree of life, in the midst of the paradise of God."

Of this we have a striking representation in the words before us. John saw the new Jerusalem descending from heaven. It was a city four-square. The gates, the walls, the very foundations, were of precious stones. The pavement was of gold-for what we adore, they trample upon. Thus far the allusion is taken from the world of art-but nature also lends her combined aid—and here is a reference to Eden, the original residence of man. In this residence, it is well known, man drank pure water, and lived on fruit. Accordingly, a fine river watered the garden; and a tree, called "the tree of life," grew in the centre. Hence the water of life, and the tree of life, stand significantly for all the supplies of the spiritual life. And here we have both. "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."

It will be necessary to premise, that the tree of life which John saw, was not a single tree: for, then, how could it grow on both sides of the river? but a species of tree, or THE TREE OF LIFE. many trees of one kind. There is nothing forced or unusual in this language. We In the midst of the street of it, and on either should be easily understood were we to say, side of the river, was there the tree of life, the cedar tree grows on both sides of Lebawhich bare twelve manner of fruits, and non; or the apple-tree flourishes best in such yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves a soil: and we should be understood to mean of the tree were for the healing of the na--not an individual tree, but the kind of tree. tions.-Rev. xxii. 2. And this is confirmed by a parallel passage, taken from the visions of Ezekiel. "And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because

"YEA, doubtless, and I count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." Such was the exclamation of the Apostle. Such was the judgment he formed of an acquaintance with the Saviour of sinners. He saw an excellency

their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine." Upon the same principle, it is not necessary to suppose the tree of life in Eden was a single tree; it was more probably a number of trees of the same species, finely arranged, and bearing in abundance. This conjecture has to plead not only probability, but authority. The learned Doctor Kennicot has defended this opinion.

But however this may be-whatever the tree of life was to man in his innocency, Christ is to man in his fallen estate; what that was to Adam under a covenant of works, Christ is to man under a covenant of grace. That insured life to obedience; he insures life to faith. It is his own declaration, "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." This is the new and living way opened in the Gospel, and by which we can alone pass into a happy immortality.

takers of Christ" without resembling him.
We cannot receive a life-giving Saviour, and
remain dead in trespasses and sins.
If join-
ed to him, we shall be quickened by him, and
walk "in newness of life." And it is owing
to the little communion we have with him
that our religion is so languishing, and that
there are so many "things in us that are
ready to die :" for he came not only "that we
might have life," but "that we might have
it more abundantly."

The situation of this tree is worthy of our attention. Endeavour to apprehend the scenery as it appeared to the eye of John. The river softly rolled down the middle, and thus formed a street on each side of it; and in the midst of each street, in a beautiful row, grew the tree of life. So that the inhabitants could walk between the houses and the trees, and between the trees and the river, on each side. It was therefore not concealed, but obviously seen; it everywhere met the eye, and tempted the hand. Nor was it confined, but easy of access to all who passed along, and to persons on either side of the river"In the midst of the street of the city, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life."

And "the righteousness of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above :) or, who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Is Christ hidden? Exposing himself to view in every direction, he cries, "Behold me, behold me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Whether the tree of life in paradise was more than sacramental, affording a pledge of the continuance of life, while man remained in a state of obedience; or whether, in addition to this, it had an innate virtue to perpetuate the immortality of those who partook of it-we cannot absolutely determine. The latter has been deemed probable by many, from the words of Moses; "And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life." But we are sure that Jesus Christ has not only procured for us a title to endless life, but actually communicates life to all those who believe in him. "God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." Is he secluded from approach, and from And therefore it can only be derived from participation? Few, comparatively, will parhim. And as what we live upon is previous- take of him-but he has told us the reason: ly destroyed, so that we literally live by death "Ye will not come to me, that ye might have -the death of fruits and vegetables, and ani- life." Otherwise, none are forbidden: for mals-so by his death we live. It is his own "there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is declaration, though it may prove as offensive neither bond nor free, there is neither male to some who read it, as it did to those who nor female, for ye are all one in Christ Jesus: originally heard it: "Then Jesus said unto for the same Lord over all is rich unto all them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, except that call upon him." Is he a fountain? He ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink is a fountain opened. Was he represented his blood, ye have no life in you. For my by the manna? This fell all around the flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink camp, and all were equally welcome to go indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me."

And, therefore, we cannot be made "par

and gather it up. Was he held forth by the brazen serpent? This was suspended upon a pole fixed in the centre of the camp, and it was announced, that every one that was bitten, when he looked upon it, should live. Was he typified by the cities of refuge?

from each other, that, in, what part soever of the country the man-slayer lived, he might soon reach a place of safety. They were situated on high hills, or on extensive plains, that the avenger of blood might not overtake him, while searching for them. The roads leading to them were fifty-eight feet four inches wide, and well repaired, that nothing should hinder his progress, or stop him for a moment. Where rivers would have checked their course, bridges were thrown over: and where crossways would have perplexed their minds, directing posts were fixed, with their extended arms pointing and crying, REFUGE, REFUGE! The application of all this is easy. Oh! think of it, ye who are disposed to "flee for refuge to the hope set before you!" Here is strong consolation-and spiritual distress requires it,

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There were six of these at certain distances | ways-in winter, as well as in summer-perhaps he bears most in winter, or at least more is then gathered than at any other time. Our external troubles, and our internal distresses, endear him, and urge us to make a more earnest application to him. But the Apostle tells us that he found him answerable to all his varying conditions: "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." If we prosper, he can keep us. If we fall into adversity, he can sustain us. He can bless you in social scenes; and also in solitary seasons. Joseph enjoyed him in the prison, and Daniel in the lions' den, and John in his banishment. And when nothing else looks green and fair-he affords succour and supplies. And therefore says the Christian, whose faith and hope are fixed on him; "Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." Hence, in a case more distressing to a good man than any other; I mean, when his family yields him no comfort, bears nothing, yea, discovers no marks of spiritual life-he can pluck something from this tree, which is always bending with fruit: "Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow." And when we are taking a farewell of life, and all the powers of nature fail-he is the strength of our heart, and our portion for ever-And hence the same tried and triumphant believer exclaims, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me: thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

Behold further, the fertility of this tree. First. It is said that it bears "twelve manner of fruits." Other trees yield only after their kind. To a vine we go for grapes, to a fig-tree for figs. But suppose a tree that should bear both these, and ten more sorts of the most delicious fruit! Would it not excite your curiosity? Would you not even go far only to see this wonder of nature?

"Turn your eyes towards me," says the Saviour, "I am all this. I am the child born,' and 'the everlasting Father.' 'I am the root and the offspring of David.' 'I am alpha and omega, the beginning and the ending. I am he that liveth and was dead.' I am the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world,' and the lion of the tribe of Judah.' Such a combination of perfections and blessings, O man, did thy salvation require! Though all thy miseries flow from one cause-sin; thy wants are various, and demand various relief. You are enslaved, and need redemption-and I give my life a ransom for sinners.' You are guilty, and need justification-and my 'blood cleanseth from all sin.' You are unholy, and need sanctifying grace-and 'a new heart will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you.' You are weak-but my strength shall be made perfect in weakness.' You have tribulation in the world-but in me you shall have peace."" Thus God "supplies all our need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Thus we are "blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ."

Secondly. The produce is not only abundant but continual. It yielded her fruit "every month." This is not the case with our trees. They bear only once a year. And hence our spring is so important-we go out and anxiously look for the buds and blossoms; and if we find none, our hope is cut off, and for twelve months we impatiently wait for the return of the season. But this tree bears al

When our Saviour, as he came from Bethany, hungered, he saw a fig-tree, and went up to it, hoping to find fruit thereon, and found none, "for the time of figs was not yet." But he himself will never occasion such a disappointment in those who apply to him. Come when we will, it is always the time of fruit. The tree bears "every month." Ye young, you cannot come too soon. Ye aged, you cannot come too late. It is necessary, however, to observe that this is true only of the time of your continuance in this world. If you drop through life destitute of the blessings of his salvation, your opportunity is over, and will never return. You are therefore admonished to "seek the Lord while he may be found, and to call upon him while he is

near. Behold, now is the accepted time: |eous men have desired to see those things behold, now is the day of salvation." which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them." Not only are these means instrumental in awakening us at first, but they are useful to revive, to refresh us; to strengthen our weak hands, and confirm our feeble knees, all through life. Here, like Hannah, we pour forth our sorrows, and leave them behind us. Here, with Jeremiah, we find his word and eat it, and it is the joy and the rejoicing of our hearts. Our doubts are solved. Our peace is restored. Our resolutions are invigorated. Our "strength is renewed. We mount up with wings as eagles, we run and are not weary, and walk and are not faint."

Observe, finally, what is said of the leaves of this tree. They "are for the healing of the nations." Other trees have leaves, and they are by no means useless. Not only do they add to the appearance and beauty of the tree-for how would a tree look without them! but they serve to screen the new born naked bud from the cold by night, and the excessive heat by day; they catch the dew and the rain; retain and guide the moisture; and thus they aid the preservation and growth of the fruit. The leaves of a tree afford a comfortable shade to those who not only wish to partake of its produce, but want also to stand out of the sun. The Church therefore says, "I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste." Leaves, especially in the earlier ages of the world, were frequently applied to wounds, and many of them are to this day reckoned medicinal.

What then are the leaves of this tree, here distinguished from the fruit—but the institutions of religion, the ordinances of the Gospel, which we commonly and properly call the means of grace? These derive their being and their efficacy from him, as leaves from a tree. In the use of these he has promised his blessing: by the application of them, he brings us health and cure. What are our Sabbaths? What are our sanctuaries? What are the ministers of the word? What is this book-What are the leaves of this book?but "the leaves of this tree, which are for the healing of the nations?”

When we are perfectly recovered, and removed to that country, "where the inhabitants shall no more say, I am sick," these means and ordinances becoming unnecessary, will be laid aside. There will be no more prayer; no more sermons; no more bread and wine, the emblems and memorials of a Saviour's death. The end of all will be fully accomplished in our happy experience.

In the mean time, they are of unspeakable importance, and we should be careful to show our regard for them two ways:

First. By being thankful that we are indulged with the means of grace ourselves. Let us hear what the saints of old said, who lived under a dispensation far inferior to ours. "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts!-Blessed are they that dwell in thy house; they will be still praising thee. Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: he shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple." As soon as ever our ministers end their discourses, we should remember the words of our Lord: "Blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear. For verily say unto you, that many prophets and right

I

Secondly. Let us be concerned for the extension of these privileges to others. Let us exert all our influence in diffusing them. Let us endeavour to spread them, not only in our own neighbourhood, and in our own country, but in all "the regions of darkness, and of the shadow of death." O when shall these leaves be for the healing of "the nations!" How much do they need the influences of the gospel of peace! How are they enslaved; how are they bruised; by tyranny, by war, by superstition, by "the God of this world!" Hear how they groan; see how they bleed and die! How many millions of your fellow-creatures are there who never heard of the name of a Saviour! They feel the same depraved dispositions with yourselves, but know nothing of that grace that can create a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within them. They are burdened with a sense of guilt, and many of them make costly sacrifices, and go toilsome pilgrimages, to get relief-but they never heard an Apostle saying, "Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world!"

Let us therefore pray that God would pity the nations, and communicate to them the same means and privileges which he has bestowed upon us. It is easy to see how healing the institutions of the Gospel are to a nation, even when in numberless instances they are not effectual to salvation. Where they prevail, they civilize the multitude. They tame the fierceness of their passions, and the savageness of their manners. They tend equally to secure the prerogative of the prince, and the rights of the subject. The same may be said of all the other relations in life. They expand the affections, quicken sensibility, and promote benevolence. There was no hospital in the heathen world. The philosophers of Greece and Rome never planned an infirmary. But in this country, so highly favoured by the Gospel, it is hardly possible to move without being struck with the monuments of christianized humanity. Here the blind are led into an asylum. There orphans are snatched from ruin. There the victims of seduction are hid from infamy, and

encouraged to repentance. And here the much ingratitude and unbelief; they often sick are made whole.

What then would a nation be-if all its inhabitants were christians indeed! A single sentence of the Gospel, if every one would agree to be influenced by it, would be enough to turn a country into a paradise-"Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them!"

Lord Jesus, put this law into our minds, and write it in our hearts! Increase daily the number of those who shall make it the rule of their lives! "Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips therefore God hath blessed thee for ever. Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most Mighty-and in thy majesty ride prosperously, because of truth, and meekness, and righteousness. O King of saints, become the king of nations and reign for ever and ever!" Amen.

DISCOURSE XXV I.

BACKSLIDING REPROVED. Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a lund that was not sown.-Jere

miah ii. 2.

complained and murmured, and sometimes
talked of making themselves a leader, and
returning back into Egypt. Nevertheless
God here speaks of it comparatively with
honour-" I remember thee, the kindness of
thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when
thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a
land that was not sown." He was acquainted
with all the disadvantages of their situation.
He considered how material things affected
the body, and how the body influenced the
mind. He knew their frame, and remem-
bered that they were dust.

"He saw their flesh was weak and frail,
He saw temptations still prevail;
The God of Abraham loved them still,
And led them to his holy hill."

While we admire this tenderness, let us learn also to resemble it. Let us excuse and approve as far as we can; and in examining characters let us observe the good more largely than the evil. Let us beware of indiscriminate reflection; of speaking severely of persons in the gross; of branding a whole course of life with the reproach of a particular action. A man may redden with a blush, or turn pale with a fright-but what should we think of the painter, who in his delineation would secure this temporary incidental colour, instead of his natural and common complexion? When the angel appeared to Abraham, Sarah behaved very unbecomingly; she hid herself behind the door; she listened, she disbelieved, she laughed, and she denied the whole. There was only one good thing; one thing commendable and exemplary on this occasion-and the Holy Ghost When the Jews left Egypt, and began has seized and mentioned this only to her their journey in the desert, it was the time honour: "Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, of their "youth." And when, in Horeb, God calling him Lord, whose daughters ye are as claimed them as his peculiar people, and they long as ye do well, and are not afraid with said, all that the Lord commandeth us we any amazement." Job, in the paroxysm of will do, it was the season of their "espou- his grief, cursed the day of his birth; but he sals." Since that interesting period, they is proposed only as an example of patience; had become more remiss and degenerate." Ye have heard of the patience of Job." NotAnd Jeremiah is commissioned to cry in the ears of Jerusalem-"I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown."

THIS address employs a figure of speech very common in the Scripture, especially in the prophecies. It consists in representing the state of a nation by the various ages, changes, and circumstances of a single individual.

Yet surely these words are not less suited to an individual than to a nation; or less true of Christians than of Jews. Let us then consider them two ways. I. AS THEY FURNISH US WITH REMARKS. II. AS THEY APPLY TO CHARACTERS.

These words supply us with several useful remarks.

First. Behold in God a disposition to commend, rather than condemn; to praise, rather than to censure. To a person who reads the history of the Jews, their early behaviour in the wilderness will appear very improper and blameworthy. They discovered

withstanding the imperfections remarked in the seven churches of Asia-they are still called the seven "golden candlesticks."

Secondly. "God remembers the past." Our memories soon fail us. How little can we now retrace of all the busy concerns in which we have been engaged! How few of our actions, and how much fewer of our words, and of our thoughts, are we able to recover from the oblivion of time! But all of them are with God. Old impressions soon give place to new ones, and we often find it difficult to recall, without assistance, an occurrence that happened a few months, or a few weeks ago. But "a thousand years are in his sight but as yesterday, when it is passed, and as a watch in the night."

As he observes every thing, so he retains it; and what with us-is past, with him

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