their own need, if they were not blind to His surpassing virtue, we should see, not one of a family, or two of a city only coming unto Christ; we should rather see all the families of the earth flocking unto Him, as doves to their windows; yea, it would only be necessary that He should be preached unto the Gentiles, in order to be believed on in the world.

Having thus considered the appellation here given to Christ, let me call your attention to the end for which this Plant of Renown was raised up: "I will raise up for them a plant of renown."

It was then for them-for the families of the earth, that this Plant of Renown was raised up. And why for them? That they might use it for the purposes for which it was raised up. Many, it is true, content themselves with looking at or hearing about this famous plant; but may we not say, must we not say, that such abuse, and do not use this unspeakable gift of God? Let us then consider what are the uses to which this Plant of Renown is to be put.

A tree is for shelter from the storm, and for shade from the heat. And is not this the case with the Lord Jesus? Hear what the Spirit says of Him: "A man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land." Yes, beloved, there is salvation in no other from that tempest of wrath which is ready to burst upon the sinner. Let him then lose no time-let him flee for his life-let him hide himself in the cleft of this Rock, if he would escape from the wrath to come; for "now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation." But

have you taken shelter under this noble cedar? You have sinned, not once-not twice, but times without number. And hath not that God who cannot lie declared that the soul which sinneth shall die? This you well know; and though it is undoubtedly true that Christ hath died for sinners, yet is it no less true that every one that believeth not in Christ shall die in his sins. Be not content, then, with knowing that Christ is a Saviour, and a great one; but make Him your own Saviour, by committing your souls to Him. And delay not-say not, To-morrow I will do it; for thou knowest not what to-morrow may bring forth. Like Lot, flee for thy life, that thou mayest be safe when the Lord ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

But, again, a tree may be either for refreshment or for medicine. This is the case with the Plant of Renown for its fruit is described by Solomon as pleasant to the taste, and its leaves are also said to be "for the healing of the nations." This testimony

is true.

Is it not written, "With His stripes we are healed?” Yes, there is virtue in His blood, not only to atone, but to heal; for whilst it satisfies God for the sins of men, it does, when applied to the wounded and lacerated conscience, purge it from a sense of guilt, and give rest unto it. But have you, my readers, applied this remedy? It is indeed infallible, but only when applied. The dying Israelites would not have revived had they not looked unto the brazen serpent; the leprous Naaman would not have been cleansed had he not washed in Jordan-the woman that had spent her all upon physicians to no purpose would not have had

her issue stanched unless she had touched the Saviour's hem. How then can you expect that your sins will be washed away, and your conscience pacified if you apply not to the Tree of Life? But you must not only desire to be cured of your disquietude, but of the love of sin. Pray, then, that the Holy Spirit, the purchase of the Redeemer's blood, may dwell within you; for He will teach you to hate sin-to hate sin for the sake of Him who was stricken for itto hate it because it is odious to God and ruinous to your souls.

Is it not written, too, that this Plant of Renown bears twelve kinds of fruits, fruit for every month-fruit for every season? And of a truth those that have made trial of this tree, those that have taken Christ to be their Saviour and their all, know by blessed experience that it is so; they do not speak by hearsay-they can say, To us He is precious. In adversity they have found Him a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother; true when many prove false, kind when others become cruel. Nor has He failed them in prosperity; for though men may have flattered, He has dealt faithfully, rebuking and chastening when the heart was lifted up, and when its spirituality was in danger of being impaired. Say not then, "Who will show us any good?" for the Lord has shown you the true good, even Christ. Sit under His shadow, live by faith in Him, and your consolations shall not be small.

In conclusion I would say, God having raised up this Plant of Renown for you, it well becomes you to be thankful for this unspeakable gift. One way of evincing your thankfulness is by gratefully using Him

for the ends for which He was given. This I have already commended to you. But you may further evince your gratitude by appearing at His table, and by eating of that bread and drinking of that cup, as the Lord has commanded. Duty, indeed, requires the Christian to do this; for every command of the Master should be sacred to the disciple. But gratitude may also constrain him so to do; for if Christ loved us so much, we ought not to shrink from such a token of our love to Him. See, however, that you have on the marriage garment; that you have experienced the virtue of this Plant of Renown; that you are walking with God as dear children; that you come not to the Lord's table unworthily; that you lose not the blessing which you seek.

315

THE AWFUL CONSEQUENCES OF PROFANENESS, AND OF A DISREGARD OF THE DIVINE ADMONITIONS.

DANIEL V. 22, 23.

"And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; but hast lifted up thyself against the God of heaven."

T is certain that, whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning; that we, through patience and

comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope. And may we not likewise say that, whatsoever things happened aforetime happened for our admonition? Scripture asserts this of the events that happened unto the Israelites. "All these things," says St. Paul, "happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come"; and we may therefore, without impropriety, extend the observation to events which have happened unto those who were not of Israel.

Such being the case, the consideration of the narratives given in the Scriptures relating to remarkable individuals, whether within or without the Church of Christ, can never be out of place. In the histories of the faithful servants of God we not only note the salutary operation of the great doctrines of our most holy faith, but the fulfilment of the great and precious