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accounts are all settled. The best of my property I take along with me. I leave my children to the great Father of the fatherless, to whom belong heaven and earth. My body I bequeath to the earth, and my soul to the Lord: He has sued for it longer than my life, and he has bought it with his blood. Thus, lay every weight aside, and am ready for the journey. When the traveller has paid his debts in the city of a foreign land, how does he exult to pass the gate, as he bends his steps homeward. I have no more a single creditor upon earth, and I know I shall find none in the place to which I go. Oh, it is a blessed thing to die, when we can say with Hezekiah,-" Behold, for peace I had great bitterness; but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption for thou has cast all my sins behind thy back." Yes, old men, the blessed thistle is an herb of precious use. It soothes the aching of the heart. But beside the Cross of Jesus there grows a plant that is fairer still, and has a juster claim to be called Heart's-ease. Nothing like it alleviates the bitter pangs that precede the hour of dissolution!

Life! I have enjoyed thee. Every draught from thy fountain was not bitter to my taste; nor is all vain beneath the sun, provided we enjoy not the creature only, but in the creature, the Creator. That which made thee sweet, however, was the loving-kindness of my God, conveyed to me through all created things, as through so many pipes and channels; and this loving-kindness of my God I shall take along with me. The earthen pipes through which it used to flow, may indeed be shivered, but He who made them, can be at no loss to find others to supply their place. Extinct, for ever extinct, is all the pleasantness of life, so far as the creature only was its source. But in so far as, in all our enjoyments, it flowed from the thought of that supreme hand by which these were conferred, the pleasantness of life exists, and will abide with us for ever. And in this way, how may every day become a treasury, and the very poorest life exuberantly rich! No, I cannot look back upon mine, as if it were a mere vanity. Even now, when from my silent chamber I survey it all, my heart fills with an exultation which it cannot contain. I feel that I need a new heart and a new tongue, to utter all that my God has done for me, and worthily to sing his praise. What sort of hearts can they have, who find it difficult to understand how praising God for the mercies he has bestowed can constitute a main part of the felicity of the upper world? Among the gifts of the Spirit of grace, this itself is one, that the longer we frequent the school of Jesus, so much the richer source of delight does thanksgiving become. I have always the impression, that here, upon earth, my gratitude has never yet found an adequate expression. Words cannot utter,-tears cannot exhaust,—and even the deep sigh, which escapes like a full spiritual tear from my heart, cannot reveal it all! There will, however, be new tongues and new languages. Paul has told us of the tongues of angels; and, on the day of Pentecost, the Apostles received tongues of fire, with which to declare the wonderful works of God. Oh, when the everlasting Pentecost arrives, surely, with the spiritual baptism which it brings, it will also bring new tongues, with which to praise the mighty works of God, in strains far loftier than here on earth our faltering lips could ever reach!

Zion, thou city of my God, in spirit I am already enrolled among thy inhabitants! and although, for a little, I must continue to sojourn in the flesh, my days shall be spent in preparation, that, when at last I

*Isaiah xxxviii. 17.

†The carduus benedictus, once so approved as a simple, especially in affections of the heart.

can,

enter thy glorious streets, I may not appear as a stranger there. Whatever of thine, O Earth, I cannot take along with me, let me forget-forget for ever. It is not worth remembering. But yet, while my respite lasts, it shall be my daily study to carry away from thee as much as I that it may be still a source of enjoyment to me, when admitted into the everlasting tabernacles. And inasmuch as the very best of thy gifts need not be left behind, but may accompany me whither I go, why should I still cling to thee, when I hear the cry,-"Behold, the bridegroom cometh!" At every season of life, we should be as servants who wait for their master, with loins girded and lamps burning. Oh, how much the more proper is this for the man, who has death already standing at his door!

THE GOSPEL TESTIMONY.

BY THE REV. J. S. HUGHES.*

"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief."-1 Tim. i. 15.

Various have been the arguments insisted on in behalf of the christian religion, an account of which and its Divine Founder is found in the New Testament. The purity of its doctrine and morals, the accomplishment of ancient prophecy,-the stupendous miracles of Christ and his apostles, -the wonderful circumstances of its first establishment in the world, have been most skilfully and successfully wielded by the advocates of christianity; and, like a phalanx of resistless evidences of its Divine origin, have valiantly withstood the attacks, and overturned the futile sophisms, of antichristian men in every age.

It is of the first importance for us to be apprized and convinced of the truth of the facts of the New Testament. The evidence of its truth, like all other ancient books, is derived from both internal and external sources. The probability of what it relates, the beautiful harmony of its parts, together with the definite clearness of its narration, entitle the New Testament record to a favourable reception. The external evidence rests upon the concurrent testimony of writers who lived at or near the time wherein the facts it relates are said to have occurred, who refer to the books themselves, their authors, or their contents.

In the case of the New Testament, the amount of evidence, both internal and external, of the truth of its history and the facts it relates, is so abundant and cumulative, as to establish beyond the possibility of a doubt, or the shadow of uncertainty, the credibility thereof, and warrants us to assert, with unshaken confidence in its declarations, with Paul, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief."

The passage before us contains the essence of the gospel,-the principal part of the New Testament,-the most welcome of the divine communications, the sweetest declaration of divine love,-yea, the one great and

* In our No. for May we introduced an article by the Rev. E. Davis of St. Ives, by the announcement that his death had taken place since he had forwarded to us the article. We have now to make a similar announcement respecting the lamented author of the above piece. It has been in our hands but a few months. Its writer was, when he sent it, well, and actively engaged in the prosecution of his duties; he has now finished his work, and been called to his reward. 46 Being dead," however, "he yet speaketh." May the solemn event thus repeated, be a message to each of our readers, as well as to ourselves,-" Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh."

glorious truth on which the sinner's hopes of pardon and eternal life for ever rest, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."

Paul deduces here, from his own example, a conclusion which he had before asserted as generally true.

Let us consider,

I. The gospel testimony. "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." This is the greatest and most important fact that God has mercifully revealed to us, and, being communicated from God, claims our credence, and most serious attention.

1. The person who came is "Christ Jesus." The term Jesus means a saviour, and was a title applied by the Jews to any public benefactor,— preeminently so to the Son of God. The term "Christ" is, properly, an appellative, derived from the Hebrew, and not a proper name. Originally it was used as expressive of office and dignity, and in this sense is of frequent occurrence in the New Testament. However, it shortly came to be employed as a proper name, or a cognomen, probably in the life-time of our Saviour. The corresponding term in Hebrew signifies "anointed,' and was employed with allusion to the regal, prophetical, and sacerdotal offices; since, by anointing with oil, persons among the Jews were inaugurated into these respective offices. "Christ Jesus" is He who is the messenger of mercy, and pardon, and reconciliation from heaven to earth, the "anointed Saviour;" the one term designatory of his office and works; the other, of his divine appointment to that office by the Father.

2. "He came into the world." This does not simply mean "came into -being;" but is expressive of a change of condition or place, or of both. As God's equal and fellow, Christ proceeded from the Father; but, in his official capacity, was sent by the Father. In the one sense, "the Word became flesh," in the other, "God so loved the world, that he sent his onlybegotten Son." He came voluntarily. As the God-man, he came ofici ally. He came in the fulness of time, as the subject of promise and the divine purposes, and, as a person allsufficient to complete his allotted work, he came once for all. He willingly undertook to do all connected with his gracious mission. It was necessary that he should appear in our world, in order to accomplish our redemption, and that the world might see, and be fully persuaded of, the nature, value, importance, and glorious results of his mission.

3. He came "to save sinners." What an act of surpassing mercy and incomparable love! All sinners are, as such, in a lost and ruined state, having forfeited all claims to the divine favour and protection, and to all happiness. As transgressors of God's holy law, they deserve punishment. But such as are lost and ruined, degraded, condemned, "Christ Jesus came to seek and to save." As all have sinned, all need salvation, but none deserve it. As Christ came into the world to save sinners and "died for all," all may be saved. He came not to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. This is not only an act of condescension, but of great pity; not only of love, but of the most tender mercy.

His great object is to save men. The term "salvation" primarily signifies deliverance from physical or temporal evil, hence it is used to designate that spiritual deliverance, the salvation of souls from the curse of the law, and from the wrath to come.

Three things seem to be included in the scriptural use of the term. First, the deliverance of the sinner from the curse of the law. "Cursed is every one that continueth not in all the things written in the book of the law to do them." Christ Jesus is come to "redeem us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us." Secondly, the deliverance of the soul from the love and dominion of sin. By his Spirit and truth he purifies the

thoughts, sanctifies the affections and feelings, and the whole of the sinner's moral being is gradually transformed into his glorious image. And, finally, the salvation of Christ secures to the sinner the renewed friendship and favour of God. Without the friendship of God, our salvation would be incomplete; for in God's favour only is peace and joy. How bright the hopes, and delightful the prospects of a true believer! Christ will raise him to the dignified position of angels: he shall be restored to holiness, happiness, and God.

Jesus Christ may be said to save sinners in a threefold sense. First, he effected the means of salvation. This he did at a great cost. It behoved him to become a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. It cost him a life of incessant toil and suffering, an agonizing and ignominious death. What infinite goodness, love, and mercy we do behold in Christ's offering himself an expiatory sacrifice for sin! Secondly, he taught men the way of salvation. This he did by his ministry, his divine teachings as, a Prophet sent from God, sanctioned by divine authority, he came to reveal the mysteries of redemption to the world. He afterwards sent his apostles to fulfil the great purposes of his grace, and, by means of his servants and his truth, still makes known to sinners the way to happiness and eternal life. And, finally, he furnishes all the necessary aid to promote the salvation of men, that is consistent with their responsibility and free agency. Let us notice,

II. The adaptedness of the Gospel Salvation to the condition of man. "Of whom I am chief."

We are to estimate christianity, like all other systems, by its effects. The adaptedness of the salvation it reveals, is visible in the mighty moral transformations of character it has accomplished in the world.

The apostle here directs our attention to the perfect fitness of Christ and his salvation to meet all our wants, by referring to himself as a proof thereof. "Of whom I am chief." Some render this expression thus: "the first who, from a blasphemous persecutor, have become a christian ;" others render it, "of whom I am a chief," i. e. one of the chief; but we see no reason to abandon the common interpretation, that of regarding the expression as indicative of profound humility and self-abasement. In writing to the Corinthians (1 Cor. xv. 9) the same apostle speaks of himself as "the least of the apostles."

1. Let us consider what Paul was before his conversion. He thus speaks of himself, while in his unregenerate state, "Who was, before, a blasphemer, a persecutor, and injurious;" the spirit of illwill and aversion to christianity, is expressed in the first term, being, in the second and third, carried to greater and still greater effects. He had an opportunity of knowing the true character of Jesus Christ; but he still continued completely ignorant that he was the Messiah. His ignorance by no means was meritorious, but, having sinned through ignorance, he had not yet arrived at the last stage of human guilt and depravity, determinedly to oppose all convictions of truth and conscience.

2. Let us consider what Paul was after his conversion. Of the former blasphemer it may now be said, "Behold, he prayeth;" the persecutor of the church is become one of the lambs of the flock of Christ, and, as such, is to be persecuted in his turn; the proud Pharisee is transformed into a humble disciple of Jesus,-human pride and ambition give place to childlike docility at the foot of the cross.

Now, if the Gospel Salvation so completely changed the disposition and character of the chief, or one of the chief, of sinners, are we not warranted in believing that it can effect the same mighty changes in the characters of others? Surely, what has been done, may be done again; and

what may be done once, may be done times without number. The salvation of the once persecuting and blaspheming Paul is, and will be, in the annals of christianity, an everlasting monument of the Divine benevolence and love.

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Let us briefly advert to,

III. The credibility of the testimony. "This is a faithful saying." To do justice to this topic would require more time and space than can possibly be given to it at present.

First, Let us take the testimony itself. We have abundant evidence of an internal and external kind, to prove the authenticity, genuineness, and inspiration of the sacred oracles. We might enlarge on the probability, the possibility, and the necessity of a divine revelation; but suffice it to say, that the testimony of God concerning his Son Jesus, which is the life and essence of scripture, is in perfect harmony with all our notions of moral rectitude. Its nature, its revelations, its doctrines, and glorious designs, entitle it to the cordial reception of every rational, unprejudiced, and judicious mind. Secondly,-The character of those who testify, also furnish us with internal evidences of the genuineness and authenticity of the New Testament. We have no reason to suspect any kind of imposition. The thing itself precluded the possibility of a forgery; for when these writings were given to the public, there was a sufficient number of persons anxious and qualified to detect it, if it were to be found. They had a thorough knowledge of the subjects and facts which they relate. If they attempted imposition, there surely was a moral certainty of its being detected. None of Christ's followers were enthusiasts or fanatics, but had become his disciples by rational conviction, and of their own accord. The testimony itself, and the character of the witnesses, entitle the fact, "That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners," to be considered as deserving of our credence,-being divine, it is worthy of credit.

IV. The claims of this testimony to our acceptance thereof. worthy of all acceptation."

It is worthy of our most cordial acceptance.

Because it is true.

"And

1. 2. Because it is important. It is not a common story, which may be true or untrue, which may be treated with scorn and indifference. No; it is a communication from God, important alike to all classes and conditions of men. Every sinner has to do with it, and it has to do with every sinner. Oh, then, remember, that this testimony has reference to your spiritual and eternal interests. Believe the Gospel,accept Jesus Christ in all that he is, and surrender yourselves to him in all that you are.

Conclusion,

1. The salvation of mankind has been effected at a great cost. The Son of God has been sent to our world,-lived a life of suffering,-bore with all manner of unkindness which human malice or envy could invent. The value of the blessing, and the worth of it in the author's estimate, call upon us all to appreciate the great salvation which is so freely offered.

2. If Paul, one of the chief of sinners, was converted and saved, none need despair.

3. If the gospel testimony be a faithful saying, unbelief must be a great and fearful crime.

4. If it be worthy of all acceptation, how great will be the guilt, and wretched the condition, of those who live and die in rejecting the counsel of God, and despising the only means of safety from the wrath to come, and the awful threatenings of the divine law!

Swansea.

H 2

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