a David, a poet and harpist; a Solomon, an architect; a Gideon a judge and general; but that Spirit which continually reveals itself in an unlimited variety of effects, and not seldom exercises also upon the mere humanity of its adopted children such an astonishing influence. How often does it happen that with regeneration the unfolding of a number of mental propensities and powers, which until then were lying unknown and dormant, becomes all at once evident; how often that with conversion is combined a capability for every kind of performance and exertion in temporal life, which strikes with astonishment. You should have seen those people whose refined taste and intelligent mind you now admire, how dull, unbending, and rude they were before they became endowed with grace. Since their entrance into the kingdom of the Lord, they appear in every respect as if they were cleansed, and had dived into a spiritual bath. O, that at length we might learn to believe that living Christianity is the tree on which alone, next to the fruit of comfort and peace, there grows also that of a true formation of spirit and heart, and that it is the leaves from this tree of life which, in every respect, bring about the amelioration of nations, as well for existence in this world as in the future.

Elisha, then, is chosen, and is accordingly addressed upon the subject in the name of all. "Go with thy servants," they say to him; and he replies, "I will go. But the brethren, however, are moved by another consideration to make the request, besides the desire to avail themselves of Elisha's advice. In the prophet, they had at hand, so to say, Providence in person. In him they beheld the voucher for every happy success, the keybearer to all the treasury chambers of God, and the

man

living channel through which the original source of all blessing would place itself in connection with them. They ascribe to him the position of mediator, as was indeed so frequent that, in the time of the ancient covenant, the desire after mediation by the promised great Architype, in whom it was to find its completion, wandered to its human emblems. A who in every way bore in his appearance the stamp of a favourite and confidant of God stood always there like a tree, under whose shelter thousands ranged themselves. The presence of such a man was held as a refuge, and they not seldom thought by his favour to be recommended to God. Nor in this manner of thinking was truth altogether wanting. For once, in those heroes of the kingdom, it was certain that, although only in significant outlines, the image of the future Mediator was to be depicted; and in other respects it really stands thus, that often for the sake of one holy one a number of men estranged from God were divinely protected and blessed. But if it happened now and then that the confidence in those selected of the Lord was, even in the circles of the godly, overstretched beyond measure, this is not to be wondered at, in a time when the knowledge of sin overbalanced by far that of divine grace, and in which the gospel of righteousness, from which grace descends upon all who have faith in it, was as yet only too sparingly unveiled not to allow the erroneous idea perpetually to gain ground, that those who were personally most holy, and most pure, were also the most worthy and most privileged before God. We, citizens of the New Testament Jerusalem, see more fully and clearly into this matter, although at the same time it may happen to us that, for instance, because we hold a mortal to

be more pious and advanced in the spirit than ourselves, we do, on that account, place a considerably greater confidence in his intercession. Strictly, however, we feel quite conscious that before God there is no respect of persons, but that his children stand before him in the most complete equality of birth and rank; all in the same measure righteous before God, because all are beheld only in Christ; all equally pleasing before God, and equally beloved, because all are produced from the same seed, and partake of the same adornment. From the same ground, we hold ourselves then entitled, in whatever matter it may be, to address the "Go with thy servants!" to the Lord himself, and know the infinite kindness with which he stands ready to accompany us as a convoy blessing in every direction. Were it into the kitchen and cellar, where we might show him the empty cupboards, or to the workshop for temporal business, in which we might avail ourselves of his furthering aid, he will still go on with us. With us he journeys and reposes, with us he goes forth and returns again home. We have his heart, and not his forgiveness only: "Father, thou hast loved them as thou hast loved me." 1 O! then, away with the false humility which, in its imbecility, only straitens the merit of the Surety; in its untimely modest declining of well-grounded evangelical prerogatives exposes itself to a total misconception of the manner in which, under the new covenant, God desires to glorify himself to man; and which, in its continual assurances how hereunto and thereunto you are yet wanting the necessary worthiness, falls back from the sphere of a divine establishment of grace, into a state of servitude, and under the law. Filial courage St. John, xvii. 23.

to God, gathered from the depths of reconciliation; unlimited confidence in his love, as a love in Christ Jesus; a rooted trust, wholly free from doubt, in the mystery of justification in his ever-benevolent and blissbringing presence; behold, this is the inward constitution that pleases him, because it has its foundation in a right estimation of his grace, and is based upon a due acknowledgment of that sublime work, in which before every thing he claims praise.

IV.

We now proceed to the Jordan. There we find the friends in active work. What refreshing, joyous urging and pressing! The green forest resounds with the blows of the axe and hammer. Here falls a stately tree, there they are sawing and hewing; yonder, stones are being broken, foundations laid, and wells dug. Activity and stirring in every direction. A wonderful scene this! See those people in the dress of labourers, and yet they are all priests and kings before the Lord! With the perspiration dropping down their foreheads, they are there occupied in building a few poor huts, and yet eternal palaces of peace stand ready prepared for their reception at the throne of God! How do his people here below proceed along so deeply enveloped? Is it a wonder if reason mistakes itself in these canker-forms; that reason, which only measures and values according to what appears before the eye, and which foresees as little of the future developments which await the community as of the silent glory which, with all its outward unimportance, is already given to them. For in the centre of these people dwells the Lord; a Guardian who sleeps not, a Promoter of their works, a cheering and beatifying Friend and Neighbour; and the angels of God are en

camped around these people as a protecting power, stationary and ready at hand to aid them by every service and assistance they require! Where does the world present a lustre which does not compared with this?

appear empty and vain

Where, however, is the Lord? Be patient, and you shall behold him. There is a little bell at hand, which

is- the necessity of

Our friends are in

will call him to the plain: its name his children: that will be sounded. full activity, especially he who is working yonder at that tree on the shore. That tree must be felled; and with what energy and force does he swing the axe, whilst blow follows upon blow, so as to make the very forest quake therewith. Suddenly, however-what? Does the tree fall? No, but the axe springs out from the handle, and flies off into the Jordan. "But what is that," you say to yourself; " is there nothing more? Surely an axe is but a mere trifle." But the axe is every thing; nothing can be effected with the wooden handle. O! what misery and affliction, when in sermons or prayers, or in whatever performance of service it may happen to be, the axe falls out from the shaft in one's hand, and thus we are left to wave only the wooden handle aloft in the air. The iron: the centripetal force of the soul, the spiritual energy is gone! This is indeed a painful state for him who is so situated; and to the observer it is a painful and disappointing scene to witness! A chain of clouds, but only clouds without water; a roaring noise of words and gesticulations; but which is more adapted to produce yawning pity in the listeners, than to excite in them attention or interest. Alas, that there should be amongst the promulgators of Christian truth, those who work alone

D