communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen. Again: The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ In this manner we are taught that great mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh, or the proper deity and humanity of Christ. One sacred writer announces, in prophetic language, Unto us a CHILD is born, and his name shall be called the MIGHTY GOD. Again he describes him as the Lord God coming with strong hand; yet, feeding his flock like a shepherd, gathering his lambs with his arm, carrying them in his bosom, and gently leading those that are with young. Another directs his followers to him, and says, This is he of whom I said, After me cometh ▲ MAN who is preferred before me, FOR HE WAS BEFORE ME. A third draws from his quiver an arrow of conviction: Ye have KILLED the AUTHOR of life! A fourth finds in it a motive of compassion to the murderers: Who are Israelites, of whom as concerning THE FLESH Christ came who is over all, GOD BLESSED FOR EVER. On one occasion, it is introduced as affording a pattern of humility and condescension: Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being IN THE FORM OF God, thought it not robbeRY TO BE EQUAL WITH God; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. On another, it accounts for the wonderful extremes in his character: the sacred writer having exhibited him as God, whose throne was for ever and ever; as having laid the foundations of the earth, and declared the heavens to be the work of his hands, an objection might arise from his being well known to be a man, and to have lived among men. In answer to this he adds, He was made a little lower than the angels. The children being partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same. In all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a faithful and merciful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. Finally it is brought in at the close of the Revelation, to seal it with divine authority: I Jesus have sent mine angel, to testify unto you these things in the churches. I AM THE ROOT AND THE OFFSPRING OF DAVID. What a majestic sweetness does this truth afford in these connexions! It is imposible to enumerate the various occasions on which the scriptures introduce the doctrine of atonement by the death of Christ. This is, to the doctrines and precepts of the Bible, as the life blood to the animal system. The first chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians is often resorted to, as treating on evangelical blessings : but there is a design which runs through that whole chapter, nay almost through the whole Epistle, which is to endear the name of Christ, and to exhibit the invaluable worth of his redeeming love. Are we blessed with all spiritual blessings? It is in Christ Jesus. Were we predestinated to the adoption of children? It was by Jesus Christ. Are we accepted? It is in the Beloved. Have we redemption, even the forgiveness of sins? It is through his blood. And so on. Christ crucified is the substance of the Jewish ceremonial, and the spirit of its prophecies; the theme of the Christian ministry on earth, and the song of the blessed above! It is not very difficult to discern the wisdom of God in introducing truth in such a manner. If every species of plants and flowers were to grow together, instead of the whole being scattered over the earth, the elect would be very different, and much for the worse and if all truth relating to one subject, were to be found only in one book, chapter, or epistle, we should probably understand much less than we do. There are some divine truths which are less pleasant than others Even good men have their partialities, or favourite principles, which would induce them to read those parts of scripture which favoured them, to the neglect of others. But truth being scattered throughout the scriptures, we are thereby necessitated, if we read at all, to read the whole mind of God; and thus it is that we gradually and insensibly imbibe it, and become assimilated to the same image. The conduct of God in this matter resembles that of a wise physician, who, in prescribing for a child, directs that its medicines be mixed up with its necessary food. Moreover: Scripture doctrines being introduced in some practical connexion, we learn them in that connexion. The occasions and ends of truth being associated in our minds with the truth itself, the great design of God in giving us a revelation, which is to sanctify our spirits and fit us for every good word and work, is more effectually answered. To one that has learned truth from the scriptures, and in whom it dwells richly, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, it is scarcely possible to think of a doctrine but in connexion with its correspondent duties, or of a duty without the principles by which it is enforced. Once more: Truth being introduced in connexion with some case or incident, it more readily occurs to us, when such case, or something similar to it, becomes our own. If, through distrust of the divine power and goodness, and with hope of better accomplishing my object, I be tempted to turn aside from the straight-forward path of uprightness; having once read and felt the story of Abraham, and the admonition that was given him on that occasion, it is much more likely to occur to my mind, and to correct my folly, than if I had barely read that God was Almighty, or had only found a general admonition to walk before him and be perfect. Or if 1 be tempted to sink in despondency on account of dark and intricate providences; having read of the promises of God to Jacob, of his subsequent fears, and of the happy issue; such promises are much more likely to be a ready remedy, than if I had barely read, unconnected with any particular case, that God will surely do his people good. In the one case, truth is laid down, as it were, in abstract propositions; in the other, it is illustrated by particular examples. MISCELLANEOUS ESSAYS, &c. FROM THE MISSIONARY MAGAZINE, 1801-1812. THE MYSTERY OF PROVIDENCE. Job. xii. 6-25. THE great controversy between Job, and his friends respected the system of Providence. They maintained that God governed the world upon the principle of minute retribution, rendering to every man in the present life according to his works. When therefore great calamities befell an individual, they concluded that he was more wicked than other men. He, on the contrary, maintained that the system of Providence proceeded on no such principle, but on a large scale, full of inscrutable wisdom; and that good and evil came alike to men, whether they were righteous or wicked. In proof of this, he appeals to the following things : First: The success which often attends the worst of men, even in the worst of causes. The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure, into whose hand God bringeth abundantly. Secondly: The large proportion which wicked men possess of the earth and its productions: But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee; or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee; and the fishes of the VOL. VIII. 20 |