greatness the name of the Lord is glorified, and in his elevation triumphs the grace of the Lord. "There are

more with us than with them!" This consciousness is the holy source whence all true divine heroism is derived; it is the consecrated fountain concealed in the heart, whence flows that silent chivalry without fear and without reproach, which was shown to us by so many witnesses of Christ in ancient times, who seemed like beings of a higher and superhuman order. How much of spiritual wonder is presented to you in a Huss, a Luther, a Calvin, and other heroes of the kingdom, the fruit of the strong and fertile roots of that faith! With the sword of this faith the great triumph of the Reformation was achieved, and continually will he maintain the field, were hundreds of thousands to oppose, who knows how to meet them with that watchword.

After Elisha, in proud tranquillity, had addressed to the trembling boy that word of encouragement, he raised in supplication his eyes to heaven, and said: "Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes that he may see!" And scarcely has he pronounced the prayer, when-O, how is the boy wonder struck! Is he dreaming or awake? Behold! behold! what a scene strikes upon his astonished eyes! Within an inner circle of the mountain another camp is drawn around, a camp of protection and defiance; but not of this world. A heavenly host lies like an illumining belt around the height; beaming forms of angels, etherial horses of fire, and chariots of war as if formed out of enchained lightnings. The Syrians do not observe it, but Elisha beheld it at the first glance; and the boy as well sees it now. What is it? It is no phantom, my beloved, nor any unsubstantial representation. It is actual, real; a celestial power, which does

not appear first to the internal vision of the boy, but before the boy observed it, was already prepared for him outwardly. But why did he not perceive it sooner ? You hear, it was because his eyes had not been opened sooner. The eyes of faith? No, not so; it is here the question of seeing and not of faith. It was then his corporeal eyes, which here experienced a miraculous sharpening, or even participated in a momentary glorification by the power of which they suddenly possessed the capability of penetrating even through the veil of the world of spirits? Or, is there lying dormant in every man, another pair of eyes besides the external corporeal ones? Or do we possess altogether another inward being like the outward one, but formed of totally dissimilar ethereal substance, and enwrapped by the outward, earthly corporeality as by a coarser covering? And perhaps it is this inward being, which in this state of clear-sightedness proves itself active and free in so many undoubted instances? It is to such a being perhaps that the apostolical words allude: "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."1

You ask more, my beloved, than I can venture to answer with certainty. We are placed here in a world, the secrets of which are withdrawn from our present view. But it needs only a certain opening of our eyes and we behold even spirits. And O, how would many amongst us be joyfully surprised, if suddenly they were able to penetrate through the veil that conceals all around them. They feel themselves solitary and desolate in their private sorrows, and behold, the truest

2 Corinthians v. 1.

friend would stand at their side, watching over them with looks of grace and favour. They fancy themselves thrown upon their own resources, and sacrificed to the whims and caprices of a blind fate, and instead of that they would find themselves led by the hand by an Almighty Parent. They complain of an abandonment, and talk tremblingly and dismayed of lost posts at which they were stationed, and all at once they would perceive a wall of fire around them, and superhuman invincible heroes would guard the place they occupy. Thus would their cry of alarm soon be changed into shouts of joy and victory, and the "Alas, my master, how shall we do?" into a courageous and decided "They that be with us are more than they that be with them !”Your eyes would then behold those who live beyond the community of God, and who nevertheless, with a groundless "Peace! peace! There is no danger!" pass onwards. O, the horrid groups, for the sight of which, these must prepare themselves. Instead of being surrounded by blessed angels, they would be environed by powers of the abyss. In the guiding reins of the prince of darkness they would proceed along downward paths, paths of damnation and death, and a horrible rabble, laughing in scorn, would keep them prisoners till the yet more horrible catastrophe.

Thus then they were real objects that the boy beheld? Indisputably so. But what say you at seeing a single mortal stand so highly with God, that the sending of a heavenly army does not appear an extraordinary expedition when it is done for the security of this man ; and at beholding a whole city divinely protected for that one reason, namely, because that single guest happens to be within its walls? Is not the thought forced upon

you here, that this unlimited favour of Jehovah towards him must necessarily be produced by something more than his personal excellence, which is still imperfect, and abundantly polluted? Does not this surprising distinction of a poor sinner lead us to seek beyond him for the cause of this distinction, and do we not see that it is bestowed for the righteousness of a third party? And justification through faith bere again steps forward, and alone amply solves the apparent enigma in such an elevation of a sinful man. Upon this every thing is founded that will fall to the lot of the children of God; by that is supported the blessed consciousness, that in what was given to the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, the lesser have a share, because they all shine in one dress; from it flows to us the cheerful contentment with which child-like and fearless we partake without hesitation of the "undeserved, unbounded kindness" we receive from the hands of God.

Justification in Christ makes a complete man. It is the source of true courage which nothing shakes. It joins to the purest humility the most sacred consciousness. of self. It contributes to true freedom. A justified mortal stands uplifted above his infirmities as well as above his virtues. Of the former, which no longer defile him in the sight of God, however strictly he may judge them, he no longer makes a secret; of the latter, upon which he no longer depends before God, he, like the possessor of millions with his copper coin, makes no account. He loves mankind; but he trembles not before their judgment. He serves the Lord in them ; but their thanks he bears, with pure mind, to the feet of Jesus. He knows he is in good favour with God, and in this consciousness he dreads no mortal's face, and

stands wherever he may stand, without mask and undismayed in the face of the whole world. He does not

– mindful of his divine dignity and instruction - covet after the vain glittering objects, to obtain which the world takes so much trouble. With magnanimous view and character, he rises above its cares and designs, and fears no longer death, because he is no longer subject to it as the punishment for sin; neither does he dread the downfall of the world, because he is for ever sheltered in God. He already lives in the period of eternal life, which is not shortened or interrupted by the death of the body, he is only disincarcerated and released. He prays with full confidence, as a child that knows its father; he receives joyfully and freely. He fights with a free conscience, certain of victory. He looks fearless on every storm, because he knows who dwells in that storm. He is not anxious about the continued duration of the church, for he knows the plan and power of its head. Much less does he care for the individual duration of his own life; for he is, body and soul, no longer his own, but God's. Thus he stands a truly free man, uncrushed by necessity; assured of the most blessed result; unbent amidst ignominy and scorn; tranquil and reserved amidst injustice and misapprehension; careless, where all is care; firm and composed amidst threatening danger; humbled, but unterrified at the tribunal; stronger than death, and more triumphant than hell.

Yea, if there is aught on earth which merits the name of true magnanimity, it is rooted in a conscience perfected in the blood of Christ. Such a conscience gives that firmness and gait, which we must call, even under the jacket of a labourer, royal. This inward freedom