They in whose hearts the peace of God ruled, shall find it as a river, merging in the ocean of everlasting rest. They whose spirit rejoiced in God their Saviour, shall enter into the joy of their Lord, and, as joint-heirs with him, inherit the Kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world. Is he not then the King of righteousness, as well as the King of peace? Is not his sceptre a right sceptre? But if judgment first begin at the House of God, what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of his Kingdom? If the righteous be saved with difficulty; if to transform a sinner into a saint, a vessel of wrath into a vessel of honour,— demanded the humiliation of the King of Glory, even unto death, because his sceptre is a right sceptre, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Where shall they appear, who refusing, or, (what is the same thing,) neglecting, to come to him for life, have lived without Christ, and therefore without God in the world,-servants of sin and dead works,--unjustified, unsanctified? Shame and everlasting contempt is their portion, of whom the Son of man shall be ashamed when he cometh in his glory, sinners still, unholy still, reaping what they have sown, and eating of the fruit of their own way. Where shall they appear on whom the wrath of God abideth? Who knoweth the power of his wrath when he riseth up to judgment? Who may stand in his sight when he is angry? Oh, that men who trifle with their Maker, and stop their ears to their Redeemer's voice, would know that righteousness and judg ment are the habitation of his Throne. If judgment come not upon the ungodly to the uttermost, then Christ is dead in vain, the glorious Gospel, which makes known in heavenly places the manifold wisdom of God, is covered with dishonour, and the sceptre of his Kingdom is no longer a right sceptre. Brethren, what think ye of Christ? What think you of his Kingdom? Do you consider that He, whom the Heaven, and Heaven of heavens, cannot contain, has condescended to visit the sons of men ?—that He whose Throne is Heaven, and the earth his footstool, dwells also with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit ?-that the King of Glory stands at the door of every heart, and knocks; and if any man hear his voice, and open the door, he enters in, keeps his palace there, and lays the foundations of a Kingdom that cannot be moved? For who hath despised the day of small things? The hands which have laid the founda tion of this House, his hands shall also finish it. He, before whom the mountain becomes a plain, who both builds the Temple of the Lord, and bears the glory, shall at the appointed time bring forth the head-stone thereof with shoutings, crying,Grace, grace unto it.” Have you let the King of Glory in? Out of the heart are the issues of life. Does he there sit and rule upon his Throne? Is his Kingdom within you? Are you being made by him a King unto God, bringing into subjection your former rulers? If so, it is a pledge that he shall one day put all things in subjection under your feet, where you shall reign with him for ever. Remember, if you are not the King's friend, if he is not reigning in your heart, you are his enemy; if you are not gathering with him, you are scattering; if you are not among the children of the Kingdom, you are among the children of the Wicked One. The Lord knoweth them that are his. If there be some here who have not laid these things to heart hitherto, it is high time to awake out of sleep. It may be but a little more sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep, and thy poverty shall come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. The Kingdom is at hand, and you are invited into : it. You must either share its righteous sceptre, or perish by it in the hand of Him who regardeth not persons, and strikes through kings in the day of his wrath. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and so ye perish from the way, if once his wrath be kindled. The wrath of this King is as messengers of death whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul; but a wise man will pacify it. Bring to him your burden, and the wrath of God shall not abide upon you. Take his yoke upon you, and learn of him, and you shall find rest to your soul. For though he be King of righteousness, and his Throne is for ever and ever, you shall find him meek and lowly of heart. He receiveth sinners: nor will he break the bruised reed, or quench the smoking flax, till he send forth judgment unto victory. EDINBURGH: T. CONSTABLE, |