cution. Satan. (2.) By worldly temptations. (3.) By the wiles of (4.) By the dissensions of others from the truth. As a motive to invincible adherence to the truth, think how Christ, the Apostles, the martyrs, and others, resisted unto blood. 3d. Christians are to be "always abounding in the work of the Lord." The work of the Lord" is that holy employment in which all his servants are engaged, the design of which is to advance his kingdom, and diffuse his glory in the world. It is the work of saving souls from death. To abound in this work is to consecrate all our talents to his service. Some preach, exhort, pray, advise; some employ their influence, some their property, etc.- Whatever contributes to promote the cause of Christ, that is the work of the Lord, and it is to be the business of our lives. In this work Christians are to abound. Preachers are to be instant in season, etc., to rebuke and exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. Those who hear are to take heed how they hear, etc. Those who pray are to pray always, without ccasing, with all prayer and supplication. Persons having influence, property, talents, of any kind, are to employ them as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Rom. 12:6-11. "Be not weary," etc. III. THE POWERFUL MOTIVE ASSIGNED. "Forasmuch." 1st. Ye know it from various promises. "In due saason ye shall reap," etc. Heb. 6: 10. 2d. "It shall not be in vain." God will bless your efforts. Sinners shall be converted, or left without excuse. 3d. The work shall be followed with an infinite reward. The resurrection to eternal life insures this, and a blessed immortality is before If we serve him, if we suffer with him, we shall For, observe, us, Matt. 19:28, 29. also reign with him. 4th. The certainty of this reward is founded on the resurrection of Christ, v. 5-8. As sure as Christ rose, so shall his servants come forth to the resurrection of eternal life- to be then honorably and publicly rewarded. THE HEAVENLY MULTITUDE. "After this, I beheld, and lo, a great multitude," etc. - REV. 79, 10. I. THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS AUGUST ASSEMBLY. 1st. The saints are apparently few on earth.- -There are, however, frequently mistakes on this matter. See Elijah's complaint, 1 Kings 19: 10, 18. Selfishness causes this mistake. Many think that salvation is confined to their own sect. 2d. They shall be numerous when collected together; "a great multitude." The Gospel shall yet spread and mightily increase the number. "All shall know me," etc. Blessed thought! every dying saint, and every dying infant, will swell that multitude. delights in the multitude of the saved. II. THE COMPONENT PARTS OF THE ASSEMBLY. Benevolence 1st. Of all nations. A national convention, "a holy nation.". -2d. All kindreds. We shall know each other there.. -3d. All people. Every national distinction will then be annihilated.-4th. All tongues. One tongue in heaven. III. THE STATION THEY OCCUPY. etc. Rev. 5: 6. "Stood before the throne," 1st. Expressive of their dependence for salvation. 2d. Honor. 3d. Nearness to God. 4th. Happiness and joy. IV. THEIR APPEARANCE. 1st. White robes. (1.) Emblems of purity. (2.) of dignity. 2d. Palms in their hand. Emblems of victory and glory. 66 V. THEIR EMPLOYMENT. "They cried," etc. 1st. Their theme, Salvation.-2d. Their holy energy and vehemence, They cried."-3d. Their harmony. They all "cried." All had been saved, and all gave praise. P 1 INDEX TO THE FIRST SERIES. No. BOOK. 1 Num. 10: 29. 13 14 15 The Invitation of Moses to Hobab.............. 180 252 .............. ...... 223 267 210 .................. 231 63 ....................... Saints compared to Gold...... 36: 7, 8. Deliverance from the Society of Wicked Men. 278 66 5 16. Christ, a Friend.. .................................... 24 "126: 3. 66 264 167 118 20 274 33 66 35: 10. 75 34 66 48: 10. The Furnace of Affliction. 144 ............... 35 66 52: 3. The Sinner's Ruin and Recovery. 105 ............... ( 291 ) Christ receiving Sinners..... 15: 10. 4:42. 52 Luke 4: 18. Sin a Disease....... Christ the Physician of Souls........ Blessedness of not being Offended at Christ. Deliverance from Captivity.. ................... Joy of Angels over a Repentant Sinner...... 86 89 92 24 255 197 49 124 57 66 6: 37. Christ's gracious Reception of Sinners........ 41 238 Christian Discipleship.......... ................... 22 Christ's calling Mary. 191 The Service of Christ and its Reward........ 271 140 70 The Gospel.. ................................ 16 183 Salvation....... ........................... 29 108 131 71 72 1 Cor. 3: 9. 74 2 Cor. 5: 8. 80 66 3: 8. 81 Col. 1: 6. 83 1 Thess. 4: 18. High-mindedness Inconsistent.. Necessity of Christian Watchfulness... The Nearness of Salvation............................ ................... 134 ................... The Church God's Building.. .... 148 ............... The Happiness of being with Christ, etc..... 234 162 68 Gratitude for Christian Privileges... The Commencement and Progress of Religion. 220 121 66 66 177 90 66 10: 38. 96 66 2: 24. Save a Soul from Death. The Sacrifice of Christ... The Christian's Duty under Trials.... The Privileges of Believers, etc............................ 150 207 The Expectation of Eternal Life................. 212 258 289 25 * |