2. And let all examine themselves

-what have you "known and believed" of the love of God? Is your religion that of love? Is love the spring of your obedience-love to God for all his love to you in Christ Jesus? God is not a task-master--serve him not as a slave. He is not one who hires you-serve him not as a hireling. He is a father-obey him as a son, honour and love him-all other obedience is offensive to him: religion without love is a marble statue-form without life, warmth, or animation. How can the God who is love, be served without love? Oh, that every cold heart might be warmed by his love—and that loving him with a pure heart, fervently," we might prove the sincerity of our love, by the consistency and uniformity of our obedience!

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IX.

THE GOSPEL CITY.

Isaiah xxvi. 1-4. In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength."

THE strictly prophetic import of these words is variously defined by different commentators. Leaving unprofitable and subtle disquisitions, let us fix on that interpretation which all agree is at least included. This city is the Gospel church described by St. Paul. (Heb. xii. 22—24.) This hymn is an evangelic hymn-the blessings described are spiritual: let us endeavour, in dependence on God's grace, to apprehend them. Behold

I. THIS CITY.

II. THE CHARACTER OF ITS INHABITANTS.

III. THE PEACE WHICH THEY ENJOY.

IV. THE PROCLAMATION ADDRESSED TO THEM.

I. THE CITY:

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-"it is a strong city," because it has for its walls and bulwarks, "Salvation." (Psalm xlviii. 12—14.) "Its walls salvation-its gates praise."

The Church of God, under every dispensation, is invincible, because God is her defender-"The gates of hell cannot

prevail," &c. Fortified, impregnable, when trusting to Him: if she lose his protection, forfeit his favour, then, (ver. 5, 6,) "the foot of the poor or the cripple may tread her down.' Thus Israel dwelling in open camp, or spread out on the plains of Jericho, sore and feeble-yet indomitable when he was encompassed with God's favour," &c.-but an easy prey to enemies, though dwelling in walled cities, when God departed from him.

So Christian Church, when salvation known, received, preached, and taught; but when forms in place of powersigns instead of grace-and sacraments instead of Christ,then sunk in superstition and darkness.

So our own Church and Country-if honour God, trust him, confess him, then safe-happy-free-prosperous!

So each individual Christian; 66 none can harm him,” if "hid in God"-trust in him-believe him: let salvation be your walls and bulwarks, and Satan and all your foes may be defied.

II. THE CHARACTER OF ITS INHABITANTS.

1. Implied that they were sinners, or else no need of the walls of SALVATION.

They had all been lost, guilty, condemned, and helpless sinners exposed to destruction: and were sinners still-and in themselves could never be otherwise; and unless protected by the "walls of salvation,"-wrath, judgment, and hell, would make a breach upon them and destroy them.

But they were saved sinners, chosen, called, and sanctified : and therefore now

2. A "righteous nation:" (ver. 2.)

-No other can enter into this holy city-whether viewed in her earthly or heavenly state. The way to it is "the way of holiness." (ch. xxxv. 8.) Its inhabitants are "a holy nation, a peculiar people." (1 Peter ii. 9.) Christ gave himself to purchase such a people. (Titus ii. 14.) "There shall in nowise enter into it anything that defileth," &c. (Rev. xxi. 27.) The time will come when this will be proved: "then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked," &c. (Mal. iii. 18.)

3. "A nation which keepeth the truth:"

-i. e. a faithful people, and one that guards with jealousy the sacred deposit of God's truth with which they are entrusted:" The oracles of God." (Rom. iii. 2.) Drives out error, contends for the faith-earnestly, boldly, effectually, as the Church of Ephesus, commended of Christ. (Rev. ii. 2.) To which every minister of God is pledged.

III. CONSIDER THE PEACE ENJOYED BY THE INHABITANTS

OF THIS CITY:

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace," &c. (ver. 3.) 1. The nature of this peace :

"that which passeth all understanding." (Philipp. iv. 6, 7.) Purchased and given by Christ. (John xiv. 27.) "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you," &c. "The fruit of the Spirit." (Gal. v. 22.)

2. The degree of this peace :

-"perfect peace." (Heb.) "Peace, peace"-repetition denoting abundance. "Great peace"-sufficient, tranquilizing, that which the world cannot give or take away. "The abundance of peace and truth." (Jer. xxxiii. 6.) “Abundance of peace as long as the moon endureth." (Psalm lxxii. 7.)

3. The security of this peace:

"He

"THOU wilt keep him in perfect peace.' Secured by God, preserved and maintained by him-not dependent on our frames and feelings; "hid with Christ in God." will keep that which is committed to him.” 4. The hand that grasps it is faith:-"because he trusteth in thee:"

-by the exercise of faith peace is maintained, because the mind "stays itself on God?"-faith rests on the promisesleans on them, its staff, its stay; thence this Peace! "If ye will not believe, ye shall not be established," &c. (ch. vii. 9.) IV. THE PROCLAMATION MADE TO ITS INHABITANTS :

"Trust ye in the Lord for ever," &c. (ver. 4.) The object of their confidence: "Jehovah"-" their everlasting strength;" (in the margin, " the Rock of Ages.") His faithfulness, power, love, wisdom, their security. In this they are commanded "to trust;" and in this alone. The duty of faith-not a privilege merely, a command. "Believe in

God, ye believe also in me," &c. (John xiv. 1.) And this "for ever;" as He is everlasting, continuous, therefore look to him always and for all things. "Trust in him at all times; ye people," &c. (Psalm Ixii. 8.) Then shall be as Mount Zion which can never be moved.

ye

1. Are there any persons who are seeking peace else

where?

Oh! where? where?-In vice?-Ah! it will bite you as a serpent!-In infidelity?-Cold, cheerless, heartless-no hope in death!-In some earthly heaven? The dream of the Socialist! the Mahommedan's heaven, better than theirs!In things lawful, but earthly? They fade, they wither, they die-the foam upon the waters not so light!" no peace to the wicked"-no peace to lover of this world, "all is vanity!"-Oh! seek peace in God-"acquaint thyself with God, and be at peace!-Not in formal religion, not in ceremonies and ordinances, but in Christ: "Take my yoke and ye shall find rest unto your souls." (Matt.

xi. 29.) 2. Let every feeble, timid, trembling believer flee unto this city-Salvation!

Honour God by trusting him-"Be strong in the Lord," though weak in yourself: "When I am weak, then am I strong." "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." (Prov. xviii. 10.)

X.

THE DAY OF VISITATION.

Job xxxi. 14. What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?

In

ALTHOUGH Job appears to have taken an undue estimate of his own righteousness, and certainly adhered to his own integrity with a blameable tenacity, yet his scrupulous conscientiousness is greatly to be admired. the opening of the history he is represented as offering sacrifices for his children, lest they might have sinned in their festivities; and in this his last reply to his cavilling and mistaken friends, he labours to acquit himself, not only of the charge of monstrous sins, as adultery (ver. 9), but also of the neglect of duties comparatively minute: incidentally proving his habitual conscientiousness. did despise the cause of my man-servant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me; what then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth what shall I answer him? Did not He that made me in the womb make him?" The smallest act of injustice or oppression, nay, even of neglect, towards the meanest slave, or house

" If I

hold servant, was viewed by Job as a sin against God, and one for which God would hereafter call him to account!

How many sins, more heinous than these, must recur to the minds of most persons when they review their past lives! How universally interesting and important, therefore, must the solemn question be to us all" What shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?"

May the Holy Spirit solemnize our minds, while the solution of this urgent question occupies our attention!

I. THE OCCASION CONTEMPLATED.

II. THE IMPORTANT INQUIRY RESPECTING IT.

I. THE OCCASION CONTEMPLATED: 66 when God will rise up, and when he will visit" in judgment.

1. He appears now, as it were, indifferent to the affairs of men.

Men represent Him as if He were seated on some far distant throne, occupied with the immensities of infinity-and heedless of the concerns of earth: as though He had set the wheels of nature in motion, scattered the seeds of man's race on the surface of the globe, and had then withdrawn his cognizance of them!-Inspiration itself notices this appearance in the Divine operations: "These things hast thou done, and I kept silence," &c. (Psalm 1. 21.) He permitted the wicked to rush on, without interference.

"Thou

hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart. Have not I held my peace, even of old?" (Isaiah lvii. 11.) Sentence against an evil work is not always executed speedily. (Eccles. viii. 11.) Our Lord appears to delay his coming-all things continue as heretofore. (2 Peter iii. 4.)

2. A day is coming when he will "arise and visit!"

The meaning of these terms cannot be mistaken. The visitation of God is indeed frequently used in a favourable sense; as, "he hath visited and redeemed his people""God will surely visit you." (Gen. 1. 24.) "I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you," &c. (Jer. xxix. 10.) What is "the Son of man, that thou visitest him?" (Psalm viii. 4.) But in the text, connected with the word arise," its sense is judicial, as in many other passages. The day of visitation is the day of death. (Numb. xvi. 29.) It is the day of reckoning, when we must give an account: "What will ye do in the day of visitation?" (Isaiah x. 3.) It is the day of punishment: "Shall I not

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