bright with the crown of martyrdom have long ago passed out of our earthly sight into His sheltering Paradise, we should be led more earnestly to strive, "lest a promise being left us of entering into His rest any of us should seem to come short of it." For this is the true use of such a contemplation, as it stands before us in the very words of inspiration; "therefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses" (to the faithfulness of God) "let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race which is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith." Let us see that we do indeed share their course, that we may share with them their end.

Thus it becomes us for our own instruction to note carefully the marks of fellowship with Christ which we can trace in them. Many are set before us in this passage, but none perhaps more full of instruction than those which this verse sets before us, when it tells us that they "out of weakness were made strong."

For first, how universal was the presence of this mark, in each of its two especial parts; of weakness growing into strength. Look back in thought on all. How surely did all begin in weak

ness. What signs of its presence were sometimes shewn most unexpectedly. How was Samuel chosen in the weakness of childhood, and how was even that childhood strengthened till it bore all the burthen of the prophet's office? How was Moses called amid great straits of external difficulty and internal self-distrust, and how was he made able to endure the burden of all the multitude, that gainsaying and stiff-necked generation which was committed to his guidance? Again, how did the weakness from which they were being rescued shew its remaining presence in the partial unbelief of Abraham, and the deep fall of David, and in St. Peter's denial of his master? Yet how manifestly was there a process of strengthening going on in each one of these very Saints, even until they were perfected. How firm was the faith of Abraham-how dear to David was the Will of God. How strong was the courageous love of this same Peter, who once had trembled before a maid-servant, but who learned afterwards to depart from the council, rejoicing that he was counted worthy to suffer shame for Christ's name.

And now mark next, how in all who bear the true mark, this marvellous change is accomplished. Manifestly by a power beyond themselves for out of weakness they

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made strong." It was not of their own doing. It was not that strength grew in them by the natural progress of their own character. True, it did grow up by degrees, in the due use of common opportunities; as they resisted ordinary temptations, and triumphed over sins of daily incursion and familiar presence. But still the mark is this, they WERE MADE strong. A power out of themselves was moulding them; a higher Will was drawing up into its own blessed truth the lower and capricious actings of their own weakened, dishonoured, and distorted will. A mighty love was brooding over and transforming them. The actings of that Holy Spirit to which they yielded was renewing and sanctifying. He strengthened them to resist temptation, and in resisting it. And then observe, further, what there was in them which thus brought them under the working of His strengthening power. All this chapter speaks of it; but it is gathered up into fewest words. All this mystery of strength is revealed in this one utterance,-"Who through Faith." This was the mighty talisman which wrought thus in them. For this brought to them the strength which is irresistible. Their faith was the hand which for them laid hold on God. With more or less of clearness, as God had revealed it to them, they saw that He had laid

help for them upon One that was mighty and they clave to Him, and in them the mystery was accomplished: they sought to cast themselves in their weakness upon Him: and His mighty Presence stood beside them. The bright cloud overshadowed them, and they trembled as they entered into it, and often they wist not what to say; but they clave to Him, and they were made strong. His work went on in them. He was in them, and they who without Him could do nothing, found His strength perfected in their weakness.

Here, then, we may learn our first lessons. In each one of the Saints this is the pattern character. Every one passes from weakness into strength through cleaving for himself to Christ. Let this day's remembrance of that glorious company lead us to a close examination whether this note of fellowship with them is plain upon ourselves. Do we know in our own lives the great Christian paradox, "When I am weak, then am I strong?" Do we know that he is weak who deems himself strong. That he is strong whose conscious weakness drives him to the Lord for strength? Do we feel daily, hourly, in the depths of our nature, that self dependance and self exaltation are the things

a2 Cor. xii. 10.

which make us utterly weak? That as we acquiesce in a life in which they rule, we acquiesce in helpless weakness; that as we are led off by anything from an earnest clinging to Our Lord, for all we hourly need, for Pardon, and Cleansing, and Grace, and Renewal, we are led away from the only means whereby we can be strong? Do we see that in Him we may be strong? And so that no sin can be allowed in us, because we may have His strength against it? And do we, in the consciousness of utter weakness strengthen ourselves in Him? Do we, when it seems to us that our burden is heavier, or our strife sorer, or our temptations fiercer than those of every other man ;-do we then remember that so it has seemed in their hour of trial to all the Saints of Christ? Do you strive to fly to the thought of His love, who "keepeth the feet of His Saints?" If, indeed, His love were less than infinite-if it ever slumbered-if there were any stains which the blood of Christ could not wash out-if " anything were too hard for the Lord," then might we all despair. But let us look at the golden line of His redeemed, and take courage. He loved them with an everlasting love, therefore in loving kindness did He gather them. And what they were that we are weak, faltering, unworthy, tempted

b 1 Samuel ii. 9.

• Genesis xviii. 14.