we be indifferent whether it fail in our hands or not? Will any one hesitate to do with his might what yet remains to be done, "redeeming the time?" "This I say, brethren, the time is short." Soon we bid adieu to this earth, and our state is decided for eternity. If through fear, or shame, or indifference, or dislike to the service of Christ, we utterly hold our peace; "burying our talent in the earth;" we may depend on being disowned before his tribunal at the last day. How great, on the other hand, is the encouragement of duty? "Them that honor me, I will honor," saith the Lord. . When the church was redueed to a low state, and in the view of her enemies to inevitable destruction, in the days of Mordecai, we observe in him a noble example of faith and zeal. He, no doubt, well understood the promises relating to the day of Christ; and in particular, that he must descend from the Jews. He believed the promises. The honor and faithfulness of Jehovah were pledged for their fulfilment. Therefore, tho' in the midst of danger, he did not hesitate to appear decidedly and boldly in behalf of the people of God, and to take every prudent measure for their defence. To his hesitating and timorous daughter, who then held an important station, and whose cooperation was necessary, he declares," in the full assurance of faith, enlargement and deliverance shall arise to the Jews; if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, it shall arise from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed." Here is a true son of Abraham, whom the Lord delighted to honor. Where are all those, who at this day enroll their names in the catalogue of the faithful?" Let them "go and do likewise." On the Light of God's couute nance. [Contin. from page 19.] No. 3. What is implied in walking in the light of God's countenauce? N answer to this inquiry, it IN was remarked in the former number, that they who walk in the light of God's countenance, embrace the gospel plan of salvation and build their hopes upon the righteousness of Christ alone. And, secondly, as a natural fruit of this temper of mind, and a precious benefit of a justified state, they enjoy sweet peace, calmness and serenity of mind. We now proceed in the enumeration and say, 3. It implies a weanedness from the world, and a supreme delight and joy in God. I join these together, because they are in their nature inseparable, and are both implied in the same exercise. The light of God's glory shining into the heart-attracting the affections-transforming the soul, and imparting the divine pleasure of communion with God, casts a shade over the whole material world, and creates an holy indifferency towards all the fading, perishing enjoyments of time and sense. This is the very spirit and genius of Christianity in the soulthe fruit of that blessed religion Christ hath taught us; who says, thee." 4. To walk in the light of God's countenance implies an holy nearness to God-sweet access to him, and a sense of his gracious presence. This is a spiritual nearness. God is essentially present with all his creatures, and they are ever in his immediate view; but he is present in a different manner with his children, and they have a very different sense of his presence, from what any other men have or can have. It is the joyful sensation of a dutiful, affectionate child, in the presence of his father, whom he loves and fears-enjoying his parental caresses, the smiles of his countenance and the tokens of his fatherly favor and affection. Such are the feelings and enjoyments of the child of God, but ineffably more sweet and endearing. The pious soul enjoys an holy intimacy with his heavenly father, and with a childlike freedom and confidence, utters all his complaints and his wants, his sorrows and his joys, his hopes and his fears and desires, into his gracious and attentive ear ever open to his cries. He pours out his whole soul into his bosom, and rolls all his burdens on the Lord. And God manifests himself unto his people otherwise than he doth to the world. He comforts them with his presence, and manifestations of his special love and favor. He feeds them with hidden manna. He is near to them in all they call upon him for. He hears their cries. He answers their prayers, and is a very present helper "He that loveth father or moth- | the earth whom I desire beside er more than me is not worth of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. If any man come to me, and hate not his father and mother, and wife and children, and brethren and sisters, yea and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple; and whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." Here we are given to see that, that temper of mind which essentially characterizes a true child of God and disciple of Jesus, is a supreme love to, and delight in the Saviour, and the despising of every other object of enjoy ment, when set in comparison or competition with him. This is the general instruction of scripture, and the genuine disposition of the Godly. "The friendship of the world is enmity against God. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the father is not in him."-(1 John ii. 15.) The Apostle Paul, in regard to his own views and feelings, expresses himself in very bold and striking terms. "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung that I may win Christ."-And the Psalmist: "There be many that say who will shew us any good: Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us; thou hast put gladness in my heart more than in the time, that their corn and their wine increased.—in all times of trouble. Such "Whom have I in heaven but blessed nearness to, and commu. thee, and there is none upon nion with God, do holy souls en joy. The light of his countenance gives them this nearness, and causes them to see him who is invisible, and to rejoice in his presence. Therefore the Psalmist prays, with such fervency, "Cast me not away from thy presence," and in pleasing expectation of this blessed enjoyment, exclaims, " In thy presence there is fullness of joy." their Christian conversation may have an easy opportunity of reading the laws of Christ, every day; and will discover in them a conscientious regard to God's authority and a filial fear of offending him. This is the way in which they are directed to adorn their profession, and reprove and reform the unbeliev ing world. "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your father who is in heaven.” It is true, they are very imperfect, and may often fall into sin and dishonor their Christian character and profession; but this is not walking in the light of God's countenance, but departing from God and walking for a season by the light of their own fire. It is because, as is sometimes the case with them, they are walking in darkness without light. But the habitual tenor of their lives savours of obedience, of spiritual mindedness and devotedness to God.And the earnest desire of their 5. To walk in the light of God's countenance, implies a faithful and conscientious discharge of all the outward duties of Christianity. It has been observed that this light has a transforming effect, and assimilates the soul to God. The natural tendency of it, therefore, will be to cause the soul to exemplify the divine image in outward life, by acts of cheerful, holy obedience, thro' all the various paths of duty to God and his fellowmen. "Ye are my disciples," saith Christ, "if ye do whatsoever things I command you." Grace is not a lifeless, inoperative principle in the heart, but it is vigorous and powerfully ac-hearts, the subject of their daily tive. It will discover itself by its proper genuine exercises and fruits. This is the end and design of the Saints' spiritual creation. They are "created in Christ Jesus unto good works." And this is the end of their eternal election, as appears by what immediately follows," which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." This is the nature, and these the proper exercises of the new creature. When the law of God is written upon the heart, every precept is inscribed, and the soul will have respect to all God's precepts; they will be exem-power which created them in plified, copied and drawn out in daily life so that all beholding prayer to God, is, "Oh, that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes-guide me by thy counsel-teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies." 6. To walk in the light of God's countenance implies, the absolute dependence of the saints upon the constant special and supernatural influences of God's spirit, for the preservation of spiritual life in their souls, and the holy exercises of grace.-He that gave them spiritual life, must also preseve it, and quicken their graces. The same Christ Jesus unto good works, must also work in them both to 7. They who walk in the light of God's countenance shall grow in grace, make advances in the divine life and progress in sanctification. "Blessed is the people who know the joyful sound, they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance." (Psalm lxxxix. 15.). Walking is opposed to rest, and sig will and to do, of his own good, tence-the right hand of God's pleasure. This is the instruc-righteousness, and the light of tion and uniform language of his countenance, because he has God's word. To walk in the a favor unto them. Grace is light of God's countenance, is to not the effect of nature, but it walk by the direction, quicken- counteracts every established ing and strength which that principle of nature. It is enlight imparts to them. And tirely supernatural. they walk no longer than they have that light. When the light of God's countenance is withdrawn, and his face is hidden from them, their strength immediately fails, they fall into darkness and lose their way."Thou didst hide thy face and I was troubled." It is God who conquers, and drives out their spiritual enemies for them.-nifies motion from one object or This the Psalmist acknowledges place towards another; and every in the type of God's driving out step the man takes brings him the Canaanitish nations, and nearer to the place or point tobringing the children of Israel in wards which he is advancing. If to the promised land-(Ps. xliv. then, to walk in the light of God's 3.) "For they got not the land in countenance, implies, as we have possession by their own sword, seen, the moral likeness of God neither did their own arm save in the heart, or the being and them but thy right hand and exercises of grace supported by thine arm, and the light of thy divine power, and perfect conconntenance, because thou hadst a formity to God, be the object favor unto them." This is very and tendency of his desires; then pointed and express. "The it will follow that every step the light of thy countenance," sig- Christian takcs, while walking nifies the exercise of that pow- in the light of God's counteer by which God brought the nance, is a step towards the goal children of Israel on their way of perfection-an advancement to Canaan; and "thy right hand towards perfect holiness, and and thine arm," import the sig- spreads the divine image wider nal and miraculous displays of and deeper in his heart. At this divine power in their behalf-point he constantly aims, to These the Psalmist acknowledges cleanse himself from all filthiand celebrates in a devout songness of the flesh and spirit, and of praise. But all these things perfect holiness in the fear of point with special and ultimate God." This is the object of all reference to the spiritual jour- his spiritual warfare, and his unneyings and deliverances of wearied struggles with the reChristians. They have no maining corruptions of his heart; strength of their own. It is not and nothing short of this can by their own sword-neither bound, or completely satisfy his does their own arın save them; desires. The Psalmist exults but it is the power of omnipo- in the prospect of this. "As have no assurance or certainty, that he shall continue thus to do hereafter-he might lose it all tomorrow and forever after walk in total darkness, and never behold the face of God in righteousness. But here comes in an absolute, unlimited promise and binds the blessing with all the sincerity of infinite truth. for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness, I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness." Perfect likeness to God is the perfect happiness of the soul. Towards this, the christian is aiming and advancing; though his progress be unequal -at some times rapid, and at others feeble and slow, and almost motionless; yet, he never" They shall walk, Oh Lord, in contents himself with any pre- the light of thy countenance." sent attainments. He is com- This gives the finishing stroke manded to grow in grace, and to the present joy and comfort in the knowledge of his Lord of the Christian. This is the and Saviour. And Paul saith, life and strength of all his hopes. "Not that I have attained, or am This affords that strong consola already perfect, but this one tion of hope, which as an anchor thing, I do forgetting those things to the soul, both sure and steadwhich are behind, and reaching fast entereth into that within the forth unto those things which vail. are before, I press toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Lastly. What completes the present comfort of the saints and gives assurance of future glory, is this, that they shall persevere, and never fall from grace-that they shall hold on their way thro' faith unto salvation. This depends wholly upon the eternal purpose, and free promise of God, and could never be certainly known to us in the present state, had not God been pleased to reveal it to us in the declarations, and promises of his word; for there is nothing in the nature of grace, that prevents it being lost. It is nothing but God's power which keeps it alive, and nothing but God's promise which secures it in future. Otherwise, the person who is conscious that he now has grace-and that he now walks in the light of God's countenance, and that he has already made advances in the divine Life and grown in grace, could VOL. V. No. 2.. Thus have we considered in a variety of particulars, what things are implied in walking in the light of God's countenance. And now to bring them all to a point, these are the essential properties of the character.They embrace the gospel plan of salvation, and build their hopes upon the righteousness of Christ alone. As a natural fruit of this temper of mind, and a precious benefit of a justified state, they enjoy sweet peace, calmness and serenity of mind. They are weaned from the world and all the enjoyments of time, and place their supreme happiness and delight in the enjoyment of God. They enjoy an holy nearness to him, a sense of his gracious presence, and have sweet access to the divine mercy seat. They are faithful and conscientious in all the outward duties of Christianity. They are absolutely dependent upon the constant and special influences of God's spirit, for the preservation of their spiritual life and the holy exerG |