ranks of the enemy. Such may have gone a round of duty for several years, but have never felt the plague of sin, nor yet realized the preciousness of salvation. They had read the Bible, but its truths had never been sealed home upon their hearts; they had also prayed, as they thought, but had never felt the power of the Spirit, helping their infirmities; and they might have sat under the gospel, but it proved, not the "savour of life unto life, but of death unto death" to them; and thus, being strangers to the reality of godliness, they have come to the conclusion, there is nothing in religion;" having assumed a character that never belonged to them, they now cry out, "religion is all a farce." Poor things! if grace prevail not, they will learn to their cost in another world, if not in this, the awful delusion. We pass on to consider the state of things in the church. And here we have a dark side and a bright one. A dark side. It is a day of great profession with many, without the possession of grace. Look at the 3rd chapter of the 2nd epistle of Timothy, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come; for men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." A solemn statement, and a dreadful condition. False charity would interfere here, and say, Let other people alone; but true charity says, Cry out, sound an alarm, the Lord may bless it to the good of some poor soul. Dear readers, examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith or not. The time will come when your religion will have to be put to the test, and nothing but what is vital in its nature and divine in its author, will stand. Under the dark side, we may also notice, the evident lack of spirituality among the people of God, and to this may be traced those scenes of contention and division that abound. The devil appears to be very busy in this way, to disunite the family of God, and to scatter the flock of the Lord Jesus; and the craft he displays here is truly astonishing. Thus to our shame be it spoken, those tongues which might be employed in a way acceptable to God, and profitable to the saints, are used by Satan to God's dishonour, to the injury of the godly, and to the disgrace of those who are so engaged. I will not extend my remarks upon this part, but proceed to notice world hath blinded. Having strong faith in the word of Jehovah, we cannot but believe the triumphs the Spirit of God will achieve thereby will be great indeed. As the time of the Reformation approached, we find a Monk, with a burdened conscience, who had in vain sought to obtain relief by those ceremonies prescribed by the community to which he belonged-we find him taking from a shelf a book, the very title of which indicates its superiority-"The Bible." There the great question which agitated his soul was answered satisfactorily, the glorious doctrine of justification by faith without the works of the law, illumined his mind, liberated his spirit, and tranquilised his soul. Luther felt another man, and now he began to act like another man; the instruction he received he imparts, and not only does he open his mouth to publish the good tidings, but uses his pen to put into the hands of the people that word which had been so much blessed to his own soul. May we not take it for granted that wherever the Bible is sent the Lord hath gracious purposes to answer? Hath he not affirmed, My word shall not return unto me void?" Again, I do not think it would be saying too much to assert, that there never was a period when there were so many causes of truth, and so many men employed in preaching the doctrines of free and distinguishing grace, as there now is. We may not have many stars of the first magnitude, but there are many who are usefully engaged in the work of the Lord, and through whom the Lord transmits some rays of heavenly light upon Zion. Such are well adapted for a certain sphere, and while they remain in it God honours them; without these captains over a small number, many who now hear the joyful sound regu larly, would seldom be privileged to listen to the gospel, for we cannot expect the captains of thousands to leave their post to attend unto them. It is well to remember that God has his own men to do his own work. Much more might be introduced here, but we must avoid prolixity. A question arises-From whence have the servants of God the understanding of the times? To which we reply, first, from the Spirit. Numbers of publications have been sent forth of late upon this subject, but unless men are guided by the Holy Ghost they can but speculate; as it was of old, Jehovah revealed things to his own servants, so it is now. Oh, may the ministers of Jesus be favoured with more of the mind of the Spirit; this will enrich their ministrations, and impart instruction to their hearers. Secondly, from observation. They are called watchmen, and like the living creatures we The bright side, for, blessed be God, it is read of in Ezekiel, they need "be full of not all dark and gloomy. Zion is irradiated eyes." Can it be, that one sustaining so imwith beams of grace from the Sun of Right-portant an office, can be indifferent to the eousness, and it is not difficult to perceive state of things in the church and in the that the Lord is in the midst of her, accord- world? Shall it have to be declared that they ing to his word. One very pleasing circum-allow events of the most momentous nature stance is, the translation of the Scriptures to transpire without concerning themselves into so many different languages, and its free circulation among the people. Surely the Lord is thus making way for the manifestation of his power in the illumination of the minds of those "whose eyes the god of this to know what the Lord was about to do? Would they, in such a case, resemble Daniel and others whom the Lord raised up in the church, or would they not rather answer to the description-" blind watchmen?" Third . mind. ly, from the Scriptures. Few and faint may 4. Endeavour to keep the unity of the appear to be the outlines of the present and spirit in the bond of peace,-beware of a litifuture history of the church and the world,gious spirit. Some, under the influence of but a close application to the word and con- pride and self-conceit, have fearfully fallen. stant study thereof, with a humble, prayerful Satan, who oft transfers himself into an angel spirit, will prove the means by which the of light, will try and flatter us that we have Spirit of God will discover things to the a very deep experience, that our knowledge is superior to others, and our attainments far greater. This will lead us to despise the family of God, and to set up ourselves as something when in reality we are nothing, and in our right minds confess we are less than nothing. The more we have received the less we have to boast of, inasmuch, as we are the greater debtors. Avoid all such as are of contentious spirit, as ye would some pestilence, else you are sure to suffer harm. II. The practical bearing of their wisdom is stated, "To know what Israel ought to do," and the testimony concerning the people is worthy of observation: it is said, "That all their brethren were at their commandment." What suggestions, then, can be offered by way of counsel to the people of God? Can we gather from the Word of God a few things to lay before the church which shall be serviceable? This may not be the most easy part of our work on several accounts, still it is necessary. As a lover of Zion and a seeker of her good, I would recommend the follow-matter" and of the "one thing needful" will ing things: 1. Earnest prayer. To this we find the saints of old resorted, and to this we find the servants of God direct them; and we know "the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much." Is the name of the Lord, which is supremely dear and precious to our souls, blasphemed; yea, more, is his very existence denied? Let us pray, "Hallowed be thy name." Do we long to see the Lord Jesus take to him his great power and reign? Oh, may this be our language at the throne of grace, "Thy kingdom come." Whatever threatening evils we may wish to see averted, and whatever blessings we may desire to have dispensed, may form so many petitions at the throne. 2. Decision of character, which may include two things:-Separation from the world. Unnecessary intercourse with the world has a blighting influence upon the child of God, and conformity thereto the great mark of distinction between the two seeds is undiscovered. Oh, believer, your Lord Jesus declares concerning his disciples, "They are not of this world." Zeal for the truth.-"Say ye not a confederacy" with the enemies of the high doctrines, as they are termed, but "Earnestly contend for the truth as delivered to the saints." Truth is too valuable to be sacrificed; if that be taken away we lose our all. : 3. Constant attendance at the house of God. Eventful times were at hand when Paul wrote his Epistle to the Hebrews, and he gives this advice: "Let us consider one another, to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." And mark how, in a time of great corruption and trouble, the righteous are distinguished and approved. Mal. iii. 16, 17: "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and the Lord hearkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for all that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels: and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that loveth him." Lastly. Be concerned about the state of your own soul. The time will soon arrive when every thing short of the "root of the prove insufficient; yea, useless. To be wait- PETER'S VISION. "On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon And the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour and vision which Peter saw, and which forms the | Son, the Son his life, and the Holy Spirit its subject of the present discourse. He soon mighty strivings. It is valuable, for it gives learnt that God was no respecter of persons; to all who are interested in it, everything but in every nation, he that feareth him, and good to be desired. It gives riches; (Prov. v. worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 16); it gives honour; (Prov. viii. 18); it In speaking of this vision, we will notice, gives a good name; (Isaiah lvi. 5); it gives I. The sheet. And, pardon, peace, justification, sanctification, and II.-Its contents. eternal glory. I. The sheet. By this sheet I understand the covenant of grace, in which all manner of unclean persons, cleansed by God, are found. The covenant of grace may well be compared to a white linen sheet. 1st, Because of its purity; white being emblematic of purity and holiness. The covenant of works was polluted, in a certain sense, when our first parent sinned; but the covenant of grace is an holy covenant; (Luke i. 72); a covenant in which holy persons were the parties covenanting; the Maker of the covenant is holy; (Jer. xxxi. 31; Psa. cxlv. 17); the Mediator of the covenant is holy; (Heb. viii. 6, and vii. 26); the Manifestator of the covenant is holy-therefore called the Holy Ghost; the ministers of the covenant are holy-holy angels, (Heb. i. 14; Matt. xxv. 31), and holy men of God, (2 Peter i. 21). Again, those who participate in the blessings of the covenant are made holy-hence called holy brethren (Heb. iii. 1). 2nd, Because of its strength. The word used in the original signifies a linen sheet. A cotton sheet would be easily rent; but linen, being much stronger, could only be torn by main force. The old covenant was as an old cotton sheet, in which a rent being easily made, it could no longer support that which it had held; and all the unclean beasts, creeping things, &c., tumbled through into the mire of sin, pollution and death. But such a catastrophe can never take place with the linen sheet of the new covenant; it is strong, and will for ever hold those which are placed in it. It is a most ancient piece of manufacture, woven in the looms of heaven, ere time began, by the great Three-One Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 3rd, Because of its durability. Almost every person knows that a linen sheet is more durable than a cotton one. The cotton sheet of the old covenant did not wear long; it was worn out almost the first time of using; so that our first parent could not hand it down to us unimpaired as an article of value; for he had used it so roughly as to deprive it of all its worth. (Heb. viii. 13). But the linen sheet of the new covenant has stood the wear ages, and still remains uninjured. It will never be the worse for wear, for it is everlasting, (Ezek. xxxvii. 26). This covenant gives durable riches, (Prov. viii. 18), incorruptible treasures, (Matt. vi. 20), durable clothing, (Isaiah xxiii. 18), everlasting righteousness, (Dan. ix. 24); in fact, all that is needful for time or eternity. of 4th, Because of its value. The word rendered sheet is sometimes used to signify a fine linen sheet, or a piece of fine linen-the fineness being expressive of its value. The new covenant is of great value: look at its cost price: the fulfilment of it cost the Father his 5th, Because of its magnitude. It was a great sheet; so the covenant of grace is a great covenant. In the contriving of it we see great love, great wisdom, great power, great justice, great holiness, great hatred to sin, yet great mercy towards the sinner. In the fulfilling of it we see great wrath because of sin, shewn by the Father; great suffering borne by the Son; great patience exercised by the Holy Ghost. In the reception of the blessings purchased by it, we find great peace, great joy, great hope, great happiness, great satisfaction. This covenant is large enough for the greatest sinner, and there is room in it, for the least saint. 6th, Because of its form. It was square, having four sides, or edges, and four corners; thus shewing that Christ shall gather his elect from the four winds of heaven, (Matt. xxiv. 31), and from the four quarters of the globe. The new covenant, like the New Jerusalem, lieth foursquare; and the length is as large as the breadth. (Rev. xxi. 16). It is uniform and consistent in all its parts. There is not more mercy seen, than justice, not more love for sinners than hatred of sin; all is consistent, all in harmony; nothing distorted, but all the attributes and perfections of God seen in their proper places. 7th, Because this sheet was knit at the four corners; the intention of which would be, to prevent the beasts from falling, jumping, creeping, or flying out. So the covenant of grace is contrived in such a way, that none can fall, jump, creep, or fly out of it. To use another figure, it is like the ark; the windows and doors are all shut, so that there is no possibility of those who are within, being drowned in the flood of God's wrath. But we ask, what is it which prevents the children of God falling short of the blessings of the covenant of grace? I answer, God's love, power, faithfulness, and justice, are as the four knitted corners of the sheet, which prevents any from falling out. We cannot fall, because he loves us with an everlasting love, protects us with Almighty power, does not change towards us because of his immutability, and will not lose us because of his justice. Were Jesus to lose but one of his sheep, his loving heart would be wounded, his power would be proved insufficient, his faithfulness would be annulled, and his justice would be stained with an indelible blot. We might ask, was this sheet let down from heaven with or without any visible support? We are not told; it is left for us to conjecture. We may say that the invisible power of the Almighty is the support of it; or we might speak of the sweet and precious truth, election, as being a golden chain, or silken cord, which is tied with the firm, untieable knot of love; or we might suppose that four winged angels, each having hold of one corner | of the sheet, descended and ascended, supporting its precious contents. In the Book of the Revelation we read of four beasts, having wings, who represent the ministers of the gospel; and in a certain sense they may be said to hold up the knitted corners of this new covenant sheet, as Paul said he was set for the defence of the gospel. (Phil. i. 7). In Psalm lxxxv. we read, " Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and truth have kissed each other." When was this? When the new covenant sheet was let down from heaven in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. When this took place, mercy and truth, righteousness and peace, met, embraced, and kissed each other. Then mercy took hold of the corner called justice; truth, of the corner called power; righteousness, of the corner called faithfulness; and peace, of the corner called love. Thus the sheet was borne; and these four inhabitants of heaven joyfully took wing, descending with their precious treasure, and singing in sweetest harmony, "Glory to God in the highest! and on earth, peace, good-will towards man!" 66 Again. This sheet is spoken of as a vessel"a certain vessel;" which, if we keep to the strict meaning of the word, signifies a vessel to contain liquor." The new covenant vessel contains that wine which, having stood on the lees, has often cheered the heart of God and man. (Judges ix. 13). This wine was made of that luscious and precious bunch of Eschol grapes-the Lord Jesus Christ-who was trodden down in the wine press without Jerusalem's gate. It is soul-reviving wine. Saints be not fearful of it. Drink of it deep as you can. For Jesus says, "Drink! yea, drink abundantly, oh beloved!" Cant. v. 1. This wine will not destroy your health. It is, the restorer of health; it will not make you poor, but cause you to forget your poverty and misery. Prov. xxxi. 7. It will not deprive you of your honor, but cause you to realise the honorable position in which you stand; for this is the true wine, which cheers, but not inebriates. But then, every vessel is not filled with wine; so in the covenant of grace, there is milk provided for the babes, and water of life for the thirsty soul. There is also the bitter, nauseous, disagreeable draught of persecution, temptation, and affliction, which, as medicine, is provided for us in the covenant, in order that our spiritual system may be kept in health. Again. This word rendered vessel, is in the French translated a sail-i.e., the sail of a ship. Here we have a new figure-the covenant of grace compared to the sail of a ship. Why? Because a sail should be hoisted upon the mast of the ship, if it is to be useful. So the covenant of grace, in the Person of Jesus, must be hoisted upon the gospel pole, which is the work of the gospel ministry. But how badly is this work performed! Many who pretend to be gospel sailors, make all sorts of excuses for not hoisting this covenant sail. Some say it is dangerous to do so; and that if this sail is hoisted, the ship will be driven upon the rocks; others seem afraid to hoist it because it is an old-fashioned sail. They hoist a part of it, and above it they unreef the hellwoven sail of fine-spun philosophy, or human tradition. The ship with such sails makes but little progress, but is drifted about by the tempestuous waves; and if grace prevent not, will eventually be driven on the rocks of perdition. How fond some are of hoisting the rags of their own righteousness, as sails, expecting the heavenly breezes to fill them; but they are deceived: nothing of our own wearing or doing will ever answer the purpose; therefore, down with the torn, ragged, and filthy sails of creature-doings, and man's righteousness! and in their place hoist up fearlessly the glorious sail of the covenant of grace! then the heavenly winds will blow, and soon the ship will be wafted to the desired haven. II. We notice the contents of this sheet, vessel, or sail: "All manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. This heterogeneous number of creatures represents the elect family of God, who are of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, every one being by nature unclean, yet, through grace, cleansed from all impurity. Now we will first look at this description as having reference to the children of God whilst in a state of nature. And, 1st, We notice the four-footed beasts of the earth. A four-footed beast has no reason; they have instinct, but not understanding. This is spiritually our state by nature; there is no spiritual understanding in us. We neither understand the law nor the gospel; hence, we imagine that the law, which is the ministration of death, is the way of life; and Christ, who has made the way of life plain, is to us a Stumblingblock. (1 Cor. i. 23.) Again. A four-footed beast is quite content with the things of the earth. Its eyes are fixed upon the ground, or earthly objects, and it is seldom seen to look upwards. Such are we in a state of nature. Like Bunyan's man with the muckrake, we can look no way but downwards; and it is but seldom that we even think of anything above. Again. The beast has no power to reach the heavens- not having any wings. So man himself can neither fly nor go, To reach eternal joys." If only one act of obedience were required of us as a condition, that single act we could not perfectly perform. 2nd, Wild beasts. Wild beasts are many of them voracious, greedy, cruel, unsocial, and dangerous-tearing in pieces everything they can lay hold of. And such were some of the Lord's people. Look at that wild beast Manasseh, who made the streets of Jerusalem to run with innocent blood. Yet his name was enrolled in the covenant of grace. Look again at that greedy, cruel beast, Saul of Tarsus: yet he was a chosen vessel unto God. The lion became as a lamb; the persecutor of the Christians became the preacher of Christ; these are not all: thousands upon thousands of the most profligate, hardened, daring, and presumptuous sinners brought as humble penitents to the feet of Jesus, crying, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ?" 3rd, Creeping things. "Every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, shall be an abomination." Lev. xi. 41. All men by nature are creeping things, creeping into all manner of sin and iniquity, making themselves abominably filthy and vile. Therefore, all men by nature are an abomination; they are an abomination to God; for as sinners his holy soul abhors them. (Lev. xxvi. 30). They are an abomination to angels; for being holy, they hate sin with a perfect hatred; yet, wonder of wonders! God has chosen many of those whose sins he abhorred, and has cleansed them from all pollution, making them holy, like himself. 4th, Fowls of the air. These represent those high-flying professors, who, if it be true what they say, are able to fly to heaven in their own strength, and keep above the pollutions of the world. But even some of these poor deluded fowls of the air are found in the sheet of the covenant; but their wings are clipped, their power is gone; and they find in their experience that it is not by might, nor by power, but by God's Spirit, that they are enabled to do any heavenly thing. Saul may be also compared to one of these, for he was a Pharisee of the Pharisees. Secondly, This description may have reference to the childhood of the covenant when in a state of grace; for many of them, 1st, Like the beasts, are often found grovelling here below; and, comparatively speaking, it is but seldom they lift their eyes to heaven. O, how needful in the present day is the apostle's exhortation-" Set your affection on things above, and not on things on the earth." Col. iii. 1. 2nd, Some of them greatly resemble the wild beasts, instead of the followers of the Lamb. They are cruel, revengeful, bitter, unsocial, unchristianlike; but yet they are the Lord's, and they suffer for it. Their ways bring upon them the rod, and the reproof of their Father. How often is he obliged to say to them," Avenge not yourselves; for vengeance is mine, saith the Lord." Rom. xii. 19. And how frequently does their conduct call for the exhortations, "Love as brethren: be pitiful, be courteous." 1 Peter iii. 8. I do not say that this is the general character of God's people-far from it; but there a few, who, because of their dispositions and tempers, may well be called "wild beasts." 3rd, Creeping things. Nine tenths of God's people will class themselves in this division, nearly all saying, If I am anything at all, it is a poor, creeping thing, hardly able to crawl on in my way to heaven, trodden under foot by sin, satan, and the world, and often full of fears, lest I should be trodden to death. Ah, well! poor creeping thing as you are, take courage! Jesus himself was pleased at one time to class himself in your division. He says, "I am a worm, and no man." Psalm xxii. 6. And even the creeping things went in two by two 4th, Fowls of the air. These may represent those favoured sons of the covenant, who, living near to God, are often enabled to fly above the clouds, see the King in his beauty, and catch a glimpse of that land that is very far off. (Isaiah xxxiii. 17). "On wings of faith they rise To Jesus Christ, their King; And then his praises sing." Let not the creeping things be discouraged; for soon, like the caterpillar, they will have wings and beauty given to them, with which they will soar "To worlds above, Where happy spirits dwell." 3rd, We remark with regard to these beasts, which Peter saw, that they were all of them common, or unclean-i.e., they appeared to him to be so; because he knew not that they had been cleansed by God. The two words here used, common, and unclean, signify similar things; the only difference being, the one is used to signify those things which, being clean in their kind, were rendered unclean by accident or circumstances such as being wounded, &c. (See Lev. xi. 31-40). Now, whilst in a state of nature, all the children of the covenant are unclean. 1st, They are federally unclean, being the offspring of an unclean parent. (Job xv. 14). 2nd, They are naturally unclean, being shapen in iniquity, and conceived in sin. (Psalm li. 5). 3rd, They are made unclean by actual transgression-for "all have sinned." But they are cleansed by God. 1st, cleansed decreetively. His decree in eternity was, that they should be all cleansed. Hence we find him giving the promise, "From all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you." Ezek. xxxvi. 25. 2nd, Cleansed virtually. This was done when Jesus spilt his precious blood; when he took our sins upon him, that moment the whole church was virtually cleansed; so that even the omniscient eye of Jehovah beholds no spot or stain of sin in her. (Cant. iv. 7). 3rd, Cleansed experimentally, when washed in that Fountain open for sin and uncleanness; when brought to feel that the blood of Jesus Christ, God's dear Son, cleanseth us from all sin. 4th, Cleansed judicially, when before the judgment seat, the challenge will be given forth by our Jesus, "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect ?" This cleansing is a perfect cleansing; no spot remains: it is an eternal cleansing; we never can again become unclean. 4thly. With regard to the beasts, &c., we remark, that although they were of natures diverse and opposite to each other, yet they were all in one sheet. Neither do we read of any fighting or contention amongst them. So the children of God, whatever be their dispo |