Sivut kuvina
PDF
ePub

Jesus appears for us above! As a " Lamb that was slain," he presents his wounds and his blood: he pleads his agony and his cross. Blessed object of our faith, and spring of our consolation! "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore," and alive" to make intercession." The power of his plea is always the same, the pity of his heart is unalterable, the tenderness which he feels for us, and the interest which he possesses at his Father's throne, are immutable and everlasting-" Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever."

From the subject learn,

1. To regard the intercession of Jesus in the forgiveness of sins.-As he hung on the cross, languishing under the severest pains, he prayed for the very men who inflicted them. He suffered as man, but he felt as God; and from the feeling of his benevolence, he cried, "Father, forgive them."

And particularly observe, what he then did is a pleasing intimation of what he is now doing-" He loves, and pleads, and prays!" If, therefore, our reliance is on the Saviour's death; if we have felt the power of Divine Grace convincing us of sin, and bringing us to him for salvation, in heaven he forgets us not. Every act of folly, every lapse into sin, is a crucifying of Christ afresh; but still he pleads"Father, forgive them!" This ought greatly to quicken our prayers, and to revive our hope. Jesus died; and the efficacy of his death for the redemption of transgressors remains" sufficient and alone." But his intercession secures the application of its invaluable blessings: he intercedes, in order that acts of pardon may be renewed; that the lost en

joyment of forgiveness may be restored; that, imparting peace and comfort, he may prove to humble penitents, that his love is unchangeable, and his truth inviolable. May hearts of penitence be ours, and pardon will not be denied! May living faith be ours, and all the fruits of the Saviour's intercession will be cordially and thankfully received!-Learn,

2. To imitate Jesus in the forgiveness of injuries. -This affecting prayer clearly proves that he forgave the insults offered to him; and surely his example admonishes us to "go and do likewise!" Are we injured in our persons, our reputation, or in any other way? Retaliation is forbidden; revenge is utterly wrong. The duty is plain-we must forgive. This forgiveness is not insensibility to injuries: it is not mere natural easiness of temper; nor does it require a heedless giving up of our rights to the injustice of any who may choose to invade them. Forgiveness of injuries is a Christian duty, arising from Christian principle: it is the very opposite of rancour and resentment: it is to pass by the offences done us, readily and freely. How was this temper exemplified in our blessed Lord! And how strongly is it inculcated in his Gospel! "Be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

If Christian forgiveness is not exercised, we condemn ourselves by the very petitions we present. Who has not used the words-" Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us?" And who has not read-" If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses?" We cannot speak too highly of this heavenly virtue. Its advantages are endless. An amiable female writer calls it, "the economy of

the heart we shall find it cheaper to pardon than to resent: forgiveness saves the expense of anger, the cost of hatred, the waste of spirits." It is adapted to produce the most beneficial effects. Before its benign influence, the feuds and bickerings of families cease; the jars and quarrels of neighbours subside, It softens hatred into love, and transforms enemies into friends. It exalts man to a near resemblance of his Maker, who is "kind to the unthankful and the evil;" who delights to "have mercy and to forgive." Whatever, therefore, be the conduct of others towards you, let no worse feeling be cherished in your breast, let no harsher sentiment proceed from your lips, than -"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

SERMON X.

THE DESIGN OF GOD IN AFFLICTION.

JOB X. 2.

I will say unto God, Do not condemn me: shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.

IT hath been remarked, that good men, who have excelled in a particular virtue, have sometimes lamentably failed in its exercise. Moses excelled in meekness, but he could be angry; Peter surpassed the rest of the Apostles in courage, but he acted as á coward; Job was an eminent example of patience, but we observe the occasional fretfulness of his emper;-so imperfect are the best of men, and so entire is the dependence of all on the grace of God!

The text refers to a season of heavy affliction. The spirit of Job was oppressed: his mind was harassed; it was full of confusion; and we wonder not that his language betrays the perplexity which he felt. The chapter begins thus:-" My soul is weary of my life, I will leave my complaint on myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul:"and what does he say? Does he repine at the severity of his trials? Does he reproach the error and harshness of his friends? Does he charge God foolishly?

No! grace prevails over the infirmity of nature, and we behold a pleasing transition to that temper of mind which is perfectly correct: "I will say unto God, Do not condemn me: shew me wherefore thou contendest with me."

We observe three things-A good man has coNVERSE WITH GOD.-In this converse, he DEPRECATES AN EVIL-and he SOLICITS A FAVour.

1. A good man has CONVERSE WITH GOD. In all circumstances, whether of ease or pain, of health or sickness, he thinks of his God, and highly estimates communion with him. In adversity, this is particularly the case. "Is any afflicted? let him pray." A man of God feels impelled to pray; he finds a relief, a refuge in the exercise which endears it to his heart, and makes it a delight :-he resolves : "I will say unto God."

In affliction, we speak to ourselves. It is right that we commune with our own hearts, that we inquire diligently into their state in the sight of God, and into the temper and prevailing disposition of the mind. In affliction, we speak also to our friends; we tell them our feelings and our wants; we ask their advice, their sympathy, and help; we talk with them, or should do so, of our supports, encouragements, and comforts.-But our highest privilege, our best employment, is converse with God. " "Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." Through him we have access by one Spirit unto the Father." And in our approaches to him he permits us to utter whatever interests our minds, to express the inmost feelings of our hearts, to unbosom all our griefs and cares, to breathe our desires freely, to plead fervently, to "order our

[ocr errors]
« EdellinenJatka »