uses them, separable from the end for which they are appointed. Many professors sate themselves with hearing; perhaps it may be affirmed that they hear too much; but for want of due meditation* no nourishment is derived from it. Like persons in an atrophy, they eat voraciously, but without any restoration of health or strength resulting from it. The end for which we call on God to " grant "that we may hear, read, mark, learn, and "inwardly digest the Holy Scriptures," is, "that by patience and comfort of His holy "word we may embrace and ever hold fast the "blessed hope of everlasting life, which is given "us in our Saviour Jesus Christ." Three important particulars here arrest our attention. The object of this blessed hope, or the thing hoped for, is nothing less than "everlasting life." An object this which is worthy of the most ardent pursuit. Did we duly appreciate the value of everlasting life, how earnestly should we pray for grace, that we may " in such wise “hear, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest "the Scriptures," in order that we may finally attain to that hope! 66 What the blessing is, in its full extent, we must die to know. It comprises "such good things as pass man's understanding" in his present state of ignorance and mental imbecility. We know, however, that it comprehends whatever the precious blood of Christ can procure for us; whatever Divine beneficence can bestow, and the human soul can be rendered capable of receiving. It will consist in a perfect restoration to the Divine favour and image, and in an * The same word, in Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and English, signifies to ineditate and to chew the cud. intimate enjoyment of communion with Him "in whose favour is life, and at whose right"hand are pleasures for evermore." And we are also assured, that whatever is promised to believers in a future state of existence will be everlasting in its duration. This hope of future felicity may well be called a "blessed hope," whether we consider the value of the benefit proposed, the gratuitous mode of its communication, the price which it cost, or the solid and permanent basis on which it is built. The basis on which this hope is founded is the rock of ages, for it is "given us in our "Saviour Jesus Christ." It is given to us, and not proposed as the reward of human worthiness or personal obedience. But, though given "without money and without price," it is conferred in a way that is honourable to God, whilst it insures the inestimable blessing to those who hope for it. "The gift of God is eternal life 66 through Jesus Christ our Lord." His merit is, exclusively, the procuring cause of it; for "to him that worketh not, but believeth on "him that justifieth the ungodly, is faith imputed for righteousness." O how sweet to the conscious mind must these frequent declarations of the church respecting the sure foundation of human hope, the Lord Jesus, prove! How uniformly, and with what solicitude, does she conduct all her members to Him who is "Her theme, her inspiration, and her song!" May all her members, ministers and people, unite with her, in ascribing "Salvation to the "Lamb for ever and ever!" 66 It is certain that we cannot "hold fast the "blessed hope of everlasting life," without "by "patience and comfort of God's holy word." Rom. xv. 4. For the possessors of this hope are severely exercised in a great variety of ways, and often for a long season. Temptation, desertion, corruption, and affliction, try their faith to the utmost. Often, like Peter when walking on the sea, they are ready to sink, and are obliged to cry out, "Lord, save, we perish." St. Paul, therefore, informs them, that "they have need "of patience, after having done the will of God, that they may inherit the promises." He prays to the Lord on behalf of the Colossians, that they might be "strengthened with "all might according to His glorious power "unto all patience and long-suffering with joy"fulness.' "" To" the work of faith and labour "of love" must be added "the patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." And it is "the Lord" the Spirit alone, who can "direct "our hearts into the love of God and the patient "waiting for Christ." Those who now "inherit "the promises," obtained the inheritance through "faith and patience;" whom we must therein follow, if we would be at last united with them. Patience must have her perfect work in us also. "Be patient, therefore, brethren, unto the "coming of the Lord: Behold the husbandman "waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and "hath long patience for it, until he receive the "early and the latter rain. Be ye also patient, "stablish your hearts; for the coming of the "Lord draweth nigh:" "Let us, therefore, lay "aside every weight, and the sin that doth most "easily beset us, and let us run with patience "the race that is set before us.' But it may be asked, How is this necessary qualification of the Christian character to be maintained and confirmed? The collect informs us, that the" comfort of God's holy word" is its support. All spiritual comfort flows in the channel of Holy Scripture; and whatever consolation is derived through any other medium is suspicious. But how doth the word of God administer consolation to the soul? By the testimony which it bears of Christ, of the allsufficient virtue of His atonement, the glorious merit of His obedience unto death, and the unfailing prevalency of His intercession: By its promises" of supporting and sanctifying grace, which" are in Christ yea, and in Him Amen, "to the glory of God:" By the exhibition which it makes of "eternal life" as "the gift "of God through Jesus Christ our Lord." Without the comfort which thus arises from the word of God, patience would soon be exhausted, and despair ensue. But how is this comfort to be derived from the word of God? It is to be obtained by supplicating that "Blessed Lord, who has caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning," to "grant that we may" duly "hear, read, “mark, learn, and inwardly digest them." May we use this sweet form of prayer with increased fervour and frequency, till faith be lost in sight, and hope swallowed up in fruition! Amen. " It is certain that we cannot hold fast the "blessed hope of everlasting life," without "by patience and comfort of God's holy word." Rom. xv. 4. For the possessors of this hope are severely exercised in a great variety of ways, and often for a long season. Temptation, desertion, corruption, and affliction, try their faith to the utmost. Often, like Peter when walking on the sea, they are ready to sink, and are obliged to cry out, "Lord, save, we perish." St. Paul, therefore, informs them, that "they have need "of patience, after having done the will of God, that they may inherit the promises." He prays to the Lord on behalf of the Colossians, that they might be "strengthened with "all might according to His glorious power "unto all patience and long-suffering with joy"fulness." To the work of faith and labour "of love" must be added "the patience of "hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." And it is "the Lord" the Spirit alone, who can "direct "our hearts into the love of God and the patient "waiting for Christ." Those who now "inherit "the promises," obtained the inheritance through "faith and patience;" whom we must therein follow, if we would be at last united with them. Patience must have her perfect work in us also. "Be patient, therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord: Behold the husbandman "waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and "hath long patience for it, until he receive the "early and the latter rain. Be ye also patient, "stablish your hearts; for the coming of the "Lord draweth nigh:" "Let us, therefore, lay "aside every weight, and the sin that doth most "easily beset us, and let us run with patience "the race that is set before us.' " |