THE PASSOVER-A FEW NOTES.

EXODUS xii. xiii.

We observe here the simple condition of heart which the child-like reception of the Gospel puts the people into, in the ordinance of the Passover. They had just to put the blood on the lintel for their security; and this is the attitude of the believer. We have to quiet our hearts, and the more passive we are the more happy. We have not to reason about the Gospel at all; we are not to go to heights or to depths, but to receive the word of God.

Then, as soon as the peace was secured by this simple act; (simple it was, for they had not even to leave their houses, but just to stretch their hands to their door and to put the blood there,) then follows communion. As soon as we know Jesus as the Saviour, we learn Him in companionship; but their safety did not depend on their communion.

.The communion of the people of God is diverse; some feed more deeply than others, yet all have the same blood to trust in, and all are equally saved. Let us remember this in our onward course; and while we have one common Salvation, may we be prepared for varieties in our measures of communion with God, and that some should feed with a deeper and a richer relish. So is it again with the girding of the loins and the taking of the staff; varieties in these exercises are found in the saints: and what we have to desire, in this night of Egypt, is that we may behave ourselves in the true character of Israelites. The blood on the lintel tells us they have done with the judgment of

Egypt; the unleavened bread and the girdle on the loins tell us they have done with Egypt itself. Every renewed soul, in the deliberateness of its judgment and purpose, has done with Egypt, has done with the flesh and the world; that night, therefore, was a separation from the judgment of Egypt, and also a separation from Egypt itself. The same ordinance that separates from one, separates from the other.

The day of the new birth! I like to have it engraved on the heart, " that dear and blessed day." So here in 31st verse, they needed not Pharaoh to tell them to rise up; they were up already. In 39th verse we read they had not time to leaven their cakes. So, just as Pharaoh needed not to tell them to rise up and go, in the same way they had no opportunity to leaven their cakes. The renewed soul that has learned the value of the blood has learned also the character of the world. When they observed this ordinance in the land they were going to, and their children should ask them wherefore they did it, the simple answer was, It is the sacrifice of the Lord's Passover. The principle of grace accounts for all. I was in Egypt, and the Lord delivered me from it. So in Romans xii., the mercies of God are to account for our actions, as well as to guide them. Now, beloved, how far have you and I bowed down to the reasonableness of such a motive, "the mercies of God?" It is "our reasonable service." And see in Ex. xiii. 17, how exceedingly gracious this is of the Lord. He knows that fears possess our poor hearts, and He prepares for us accordingly. They meet Amalek, but they learn this lesson, that Amalek lies in the very road where

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the tender compassions of the Lord had led them. If any trouble meets you in the road, say it is the necessity of the journey. We must have tribulation. Never think the Lord has been careless about us, but remember there is a necessity for passing to the kingdom through tribulation. Thus do we prove the grace

of Jesus.

(19.) Here are pictures of our condition, “the bones of Joseph"-the bones of the saints are just as much interested as Moses and Aaron. These handfuls of sacred dust are carried out in the glorious march.

(21.) It was the business of the Blood to shelter them in Egypt, but now the Pillar becomes the glorious leader of their camp.

In salvation the blood of Jesus wants no help, but the moment the Blessed Spirit is needed, that moment he attends on the camp. Oh, then, if GOD be for us, who can be against us? We know what Christ has done, and we enjoy too what the Spirit is doing for us. The love of the Son delivering us, the love of the Spirit taking up our history as a delivered and a ransomed people! Thus the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, are all for us.

DAVID AND MEPHIBOSHETH.

2 SAMUEL ix. xix.

JONATHAN's love for David is one of the most lovely instances of unfeigned love we have in Scripture. The Holy Ghost thus records it, "Then Jonathan and

David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle." (1 Sam. xviii. 3, 4.)

Jonathan knew this also.

The more God is found to be with David, the more exceedingly Saul hates David. He knew that he was to succeed him, and that Jonathan should not be established in the kingdom. Yet he succoured David, and saved him from the hand of his father; for his love rose above all personal considerations. Jealousy does not weaken or disturb it. "Many waters cannot quench love." "Love never faileth." "I will very gladly spend, and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved."

In David also, the man after God's own heart, we see the same spirit. His lamentation over Saul and Jonathan is a beautiful expression of love rising above all personal advantages. "And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son. The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places how are the mighty fallen!... From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.....I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women." (2 Sam. i. 17, 19, 22, 26.)

The Amalekite supposed that David would be greatly pleased by his bringing tidings of Saul's death, and laying his crown at David's feet. But he little knew

the springs of faith and love which dwelt in David's heart. David regarded the death of Saul as the fall of the Lord's anointed, and an occasion of triumph to the enemies of Jehovah and His people. Faith views everything according to the mind of God; and "faith worketh by love." Thus, whilst Saul's death gave the kingdom to David, and so ended his troubles, he regards the death of Saul and Jonathan in the light of God's presence, and not according to the selfish thoughts of man. How lovely it is when self is laid aside, and faith and love are the springs of our affections and judgments.

David rejoices not over a fallen enemy, after the manner of men. His lamentation is more to his honour than the crown he then received.

The affection of David for Jonathan did not end here. His was no transient burst of feeling. The glory of the kingdom did not efface Jonathan from his affections. When established on his throne, we find him asking, "Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake?" (2 Sam. ix. 1.) "The kindness of God" (verse 3) fills David's heart towards the house of Saul, for Jonathan's sake. Here is the strength of an old affection in the heart of David. How needful it is to cultivate this spirit. We live in days of great change; friendship and affections long formed are easily dissolved. A sure proof of how little our kindness is the kindness of God, and our affections the affections of Christ. "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." "Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself for it."