speak of our losing but leaving our first love. We speak of losing it, as though it were a calamity we could not avoid. But he charges us with the crime of wilfully abandoning it. There is nothing which properly belongs to the nature of the true believer's first love that precludes its perpetuity. In explaining its nature, it has been shown that it may have accompaniments which will vanish with the novelty of the scene. But they are no part of the essence of holy affection. Scrutinize its genuine characteristics,--gratitude, submission, weanedness from the world, &c. and see if there be any thing in their nature to preclude perpetuity. The object on which this love centres, is such as to give scope, not only for the continuance, but the increase of its fervours. The character, glory, and work of Christ, afford a subject sufficiently ample and pure. In earthly objects of affection, we may meet disappointment. They may prove less pure than we anticipated. Not so with Christ. They may be shallow, and lose their interest by familiarity. But the object of the Christian's love has new glories to develope which shall attract all heaven with their novelty through eternity. The Christian may therefore find scope for the perpetuity of even that peculiar emotion which thrills the heart at the first discovery of a delightful object. We are, therefore, not straitened in the object of our love. No more are we straitened in our natural faculties for sustaining affection. Some may regard this as a more questionable position. From the general fact of its decline, they may be ready to infer some fatal necessity for it in the imperfction of our faculties. But will they say, that genuine religious feeling has a tendency to cripple the constitution? Must it be relaxed and the soul subside into lukewarmness, in order to the preservation of life, or health, or vigour? Frantic enthusiasm, deprivation of sleep, or over exertion, may palsy the faculties and cripple nature. The wounded spirit of a convicted and despairing impenitent, may do it. But who can believe that the holy love required by Christ, at once as serene and blissful as it is fervid, should have a tendency to weaken nature and supplant itself. It is the balm, and not the bane of our frail life; and brings strength, instead of destruction, to our faculties: like an angel in heaven, the longer a man has sustained his first love, the more able he is to continue it. For farther confirmation, look at analogous facts. The tender parent never finds a necessity of nature for relaxing his affection towards the children whom he has ever held dear as his own life. No such necessity palsies the affection of faithful friends. And the veteran miser, who dies grasping his gold, has never found his faculties for loving the world enfeebled by the intensity with which he tasked them for three score years. In none of these things do we find any defect in our powers. It would be strange if God had capacitated us to love every worldly object with unabating fervour, but had not given us capacity thus to love himself. There have been persons and may still be, who seem never to have lost their first love. St. Paul is an instance; and perhaps all the apostles. The example of Christ, is also in point and must be acknowledged decisive; for his human nature was possessed of only the common faculties of mortals. Instances might be adduced from the annals of the church. And perhaps most of us may be personally acquainted with some bright, living illustrations of the practicability of the thing. And we know it as a fact, that among those who have become lukewarm, some retained their fervour much longer than others; and nothing in their constitution appeared to hinder their uninterrupted possession of it. Their health was not failing-their vivacity diminished-or their power of affection enfeebled. These considerations demonstrate the possibility of retaining our first Isaiah xlix. 16.-Behold! I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands: thy walls are continually before me. THE plan of redemption was devised that the mercy of God might be displayed in the salvation of fallen man. In the execution of this plan, a church was established on earth; and since its establishment, the welfare of this church has continued to be the grand end which the Most High has in view in his dealings with mankind. This is emphatically the central point, in which all his dispensations meet; and furnishes a solution to many of the otherwise inexplicable mysteries of his wise providence. Although often while travelling in the greatness of his wisdom, we are made to feel and acknowledge that his "way is in the sea," and his "path in the mighty waters;" though the end of his dealings be for a while shrouded in clouds and darkness; we are not long left to be the sport of despondency and unbelief. Light soon dawns upon us: the events themselves are so far advanced as to be capable of explanation; or if these still continue to be inscrutable, God renews his pledges-He reiterates the consoling promises of his faithfulness to the now-disconsolate Zion. No sooner had she breathed forth the desponding exclamation, "the Lord hath forsaken me and my Lord hath forgotten me," than he expostulates in strains the most melting and affectionate, "Can a woman forget her sucking child that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold! I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands: thy walls are continually before me:" His concern for his church is so great,that to it the regard of a mother for her infant child,— the tenderest and strongest of all natural affections,-bears but a feeble and inadequate resemblance. Nay, such is his love for her that he has her always in mind. In allusion to a custom, which then prevailed of delineating upon the hand objects wished to be kept constantly in remembrance, he declares that he has delineated her upon the palms of his hands and that her walls are continually before him. Nearly three thousand years have elapsed since God gave this consoling assurance. Now what evidence have we that he still continues to remember his church? 1. In the first place then, we know that God continues to remember his church from the fact that he preserves her. Through the long period which has intervened since the institution of the Church, God has given repeated manifestations of his claim to the title of her Preserver. Although he has at different times poured out his wrath upon the unbelieving nations; with her he has gone on in ways of mercy. When the deep and universal depravity of man led him to empty the world of its inhabitants; "Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord" because he "was a just man and perfect in his generations" and "walked with God." When the Most High opened the windows of Heaven in wrath, and descending fire wraped in sulphurous flames the cities of the plain; the angels of God were commissioned not only to announce to righteous Lot a way of escape; but also to take him by the hand and to hasten his steps from the devoted spot, lest he too, might by delay be involved in the impending ruin. When entire defeat seemed to be the only portion of the people of God,-beset by impassable mountains on their right hand and on their left, with the sea before them and the host of Egypt behind; there was to human appearance no God preserved his Church : he way of escape: But the Almighty kept her in the hollow of His hand. divided the deep before them, des. And at last, every effort of heathen troying the enemy and perfecting superstition and Jewish bigotry betheir deliverance from Egyptian ser- ing defeated, Christianity was pervitude. While journeying in the bar- manently established. ren deserts of Arabia, he for years In more modern times, while the supplied all their wants: he raived rest of the world was shrouded in the down manna from Heaven ; and by darkness of irreligion and vice ; the a miracle of his power, abundant holy fire of Heaven was guarded streams of water gushed from the with vestal vigilance by a few peasflinty rock of Meribah. After their ants in the valley of Piedmont. It arrival in Canaan when suffering from was here that Wickliffe, Luther, Calthe incursions of their enemies, he vin, Knox and the whole host of refrom time to time raised up deliverers formers kindled the sacred torches, to them. During the seventy years which have since spread light through of their captivity in a foreign land, the then-benighted regions of the when the entire extinction of his earth. Nearly all those of our race, people seemed almost unavoidable; who for centuries believed the docGod was still their friend. Though trines and practised the precepts of now chastening them for their iniqui- Christianity in their purity, were ties, he soon returned in mercy and found in Waldo's little army of marin due season restored them to their tyrs and their successors. In this own country. season of peculiar trial, to proAt the crucifixion of our blessed fess the unadulterated religion of the Lord when the host of hell seemed cross was to endanger one's life. about to triumph over the Lamb of Even the monarchs of the earth God; the elements themselves sym- were then awed into silence by papal pathising in his sufferings, the earth menaces. Superstition held her glooquaking and the rocks severing in my reign. The sacred volume was sunder; the Lamp of Heaven, re- not then the only rule of faith and fusing to witness the dread scene, practice ; but the traditions of men withdrawing its light; the dead, una- were also to be followed; and that ble to continue their hitherto-quiet too at the peril of death to the disosleep, sallying forth from the tombs; bedient. The spirit of free inquiry -well might the hearts of the be- seemed to have fled forever. But reaved and scattered, defenceless and blessed be God, she soon returned. persecuted disciples now sink within The manacles and fetters of superthem. There was to human view stition were dashed to the earth : the no source from which they could menaces of pope's were disregarded : derive even a single hope of deliver- a band of master-spirits with noble ance. But like Abraham ; against independence asserted the rights of hope they believed. And on the man. Though the still small voice third day Jesus, having conquered of Christianity was for a time lost in death and hell, returned to his dis- the din of arms;—though the mighty consolate flock. men of the earth seemed to bave sucBut their trials were not yet end- cessfully conspired to exterminate the ed : For near four hundred years religion of Jesus ; the Lord of Hosts after his ascension to heaven, perse- at length appeared in behalf of his cution succeeded persecution : in one church, and raised her above the reign seventeen thousand were mar-, fear of man, where she still by his tyred in a single month : Herod, Ne power continues. ro, Domitian and Diocletiau would, 2. Wekaow that God still rememeach in their turn, gladly have exter bers his church because he supports minated the christian name. But and comforts her under afflictions. It seems to be the design of the Almighty that his children shall, so far as is possible, lose nothing even in this life. They are indeed called to greater afflictions; but they have also corresponding consolations. The Most High in seasons of distress, by the influence of his Spirit upon the heart, increases their faith and confidence in him. They have more exalted conceptions of his character; they have brighter views of the glorious reward that awaits such as continue faithful to the end: their minds are filled with the importance of eternal things; and they consequently become more and more convinced of the comparative insignificauce of earthly objects. "I will not leave you comfortless," said the Saviour; "I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you forever." This comforter came and one of the most important consequences of his mission is the believer's possession of internal peacethat peace which the world can neither give, nor take away-which pervades the sanctified bosom, though temptations from within and difficulties from without assail it. This spiritual, rational tranquillity of soulthis holy joy-is the legacy, which our divine Redeemer, when leaving this world, bequeathed to his church. And how precious has been the support and consolation derived from this source to those members of his church, who have since by pouring out their blood, evinced their fidelity to the great captain of their salvation. It was because Stephen was filled with the Holy Ghost that he was (while an infuriate band of persecutors were showering stones upon his head) enabled with serene composure to supplicate his ascended Saviour for their forgiveness, saying, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." When commanded to "reproach Christ" and threatened with martyrdom, "Eighty and six years," replied the venerable Po lycarp, supported by the same celestial comforter-" Eighty and six years have I served him and he hath never wronged me, and how can I blaspheme my king, who hath saved me ?" Steeled with the same christian fortitude, Cranmer in defiance of the devouring flames, extended and consumed by piecemeal the hand, with which he had ouce in writing retracted those sentiments for which he was then about to suffer death. Time would fail me to enumerate all the instances on record of Christians, to whom God has given extraordinary support when called to pass through scenes of difficulty and distress. Some have been sawn asunder: others have been cast to wild beasts to be torn into pieces: some have expired upon the rack: others upon the block; and others still have wasted away in prison. All these, now belonging to the triumphant portion of the church and, in heaven resting from their labours, remember with gratitude the consolations they felt from above in their sorest trials. But why should we search the pages of history? Are there not many at this day, who have in their own experience abundant evidence of this truth? Do you not, my Christian brethren, always find in all your temptations something to support you? In all your distresses and troubles, something to console youto abate your grief; some balm to heal the wound? Can you not in grateful remembrance of the divine goodness, appropriate to yourself the language of the royal Psalmist ? "The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil; for thou art with me: Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me." What abundant evidence does there then arise from this source that God continues to love and remember his church. 3. And lastly; we have addition al evidence of this great truth from the fact that the Most High is continually enlarging his church. The whole church of God was once composed of a few illiterate uninfluential men: Now she embraces within her pales tens of thousands of our race. The potentates of the earth are declaring themselves favourable to Christianity -are opening their treasures and exerting their influence in advancing her interests. The beneficial effects of concert and co-operation, so long known and experienced by other associations, are beginning to be extensively felt by religious institutions. The spirit of the sectarian is swallowed up in that of the Christian. There are now frequent and unreserved communications between the different nations of Christendom on the grand and inspiring subject of the spiritual and eternal well-being of man. The efforts made to tear down the strong holds of ignorance and vice are now more concentrated, more systematic and better directed. They, that go down to the sea are by the grace of God, becoming his servants; and ships are beginning to be exclusively employed in conveying the Gospel of peace and those that preach it, to the ends of the earth. Private munificence is every where founding institutions for rearing up able and faithful ministers of the word. The Angel is even now seen flying "in the midst of Heaven, having the everdasting Gospel to preach to every nation and kindred and tongue and people." The long dispersed children of the patriarchal friend of God are returning to the fold of the good Shepherd and are reported to be even now in some places in readiness to re-visit their ancient land. Infidelity is hiding her head in shame. The doctrines of the cross now receive the attention, and what is far more the reverence, of mankind. The heaven-born principles The church of Christianity now not only direct the concerns of individuals, but are beginning to regulate the intercourse of nations. The kingdom of heaven is suffering violence. All the efforts made are watered by the tears and consecrated by the prayers of the saints. They are wrestling with God. The united supplications of Christians of every name are ascending in one vast column, piercing the skies and reaching the throne of grace. The Most High is showering down his spirit from Heaven. Mau plants and waters; but he gives the increase. Blessed be his name this is with him a season of mercy. The walls of Zion, builded by the Almighty, are rising before us. of the Lord is continually increasing. She is becoming "fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible" to her opposers" as an army with banners." She shall soon, by the power of God, triumph over all her enemies. The gates of Hell shall not prevail against her. "I," said Jehovah, “ have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass: I have purposed it; I will also do it." "The kingdoms of this world shall soon become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his anointed, and he shall reign forever and ever, the blessed and only Potentate, King of Kings and Lord of Lords." How appropriate then, how abundant in truth are the words of our text, coming from the Being who preserves, and supports, and comforts, and enlarges the church. And who will at last give her the crown of victory, over all her foes: "Behold! I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands: thy walls are continually before me.” We proceed to remark by way of application of our subject, that if the foregoing exhibition of the love of God to his Church and of his constant remembrance of her interests is correct; we are encouraged to be fellow-workers with him. How happy is it for man that God has so constituted the world, that we can become instruments in his hand in ac |