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stone of the majestic fabric which He is building. He carries great breadths of work before Him, and by reason of its vastness, delicacy, and grandeur, time is required. There are many signs of failure, but they are temporary, not final. Why, then, art thou cast down? &c. If I be true to my work, I can fail only as God fails -if the Church be sincere, she can fail only as Christ fails-if the spirit be upright, it can fail only as the Holy Ghost fails.-J. Parker, D.D.: Pulpit Analyst, vol. i. pp. 661-670.

(a) For many fine words of encouragement for Christian workers, see my Dictionary of

Poetical Illustrations (usually referred to as P. D.), 1006, 2011, 2013, 2181, 2182, 2443, 2645, 2767, 2851, 3205, 3278, 3491.

I. The most faithful labourers may be for a time unsuccessful. Not absolutely, but comparatively. If our Lord and Master had occasion to say that He had laboured in vain, &c., we should not be surprised that we have occasion to use the same language. Is the servant above his Lord? It may not be our fault. The opposition of Satan and wicked men may be of such a character as for a time to frustrate our plans, and prevent our

success.

II. Faithful labourers will ultimately be crowned with abundant success. It has been so, and will be so to the extent desired, with the Saviour (ch. liii. 11). It will be so with His faithful workers. Not only can no true work done for God be in vain, but it will be rendered abundantly successful sooner or later. This we know from the promises of the sure word" (ch. lv. 10, 11; Ecc. xii. 1, &c.; 1 Cor. xv. 58; Gal. vi. 9; Heb. vi. 10).

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III. Faithful labourers should commit their work to God in the assurance that they and their work will be accepted. Not on the ground of success, but in proportion to their faithfulness and self-denial. Let us never doubt

1. God's approval of our work. In all our labours, pursued with singleness of eye to His glory, we have His approving smile. He is not only acquainted with all we do, but He approves-takes pleasure in our services (Ps. cxlix. 4; Heb. vi. 10; xiii. 16; Rev. ii. 2). I know thy works;" i.e., I approve of them the meanest as well as the mightiest; the cup of cold water alike with the most costly sacrifice, &c.

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2. God's ultimate and full reward of our work (Gal. vi. 9; 1 Cor. xv. 58). It is not as if we were to die, and never live again. There will be a resurrection, and we shall be fully recompensed then. In view of this

we should be "in labours more abundant" and self-denying (Rev. ii. 8-10). "I will give thee a crown of life" an unfading, imperishable crown; life in its highest forms and manifestations; life eternal and ineffable, ever developing in all strength, and beauty, and joy, and perfection. This reward is certain, for He says "I will," whose authority is indisputable, whose power is supreme, whose faithfulness is unchallenged. He will accomplish His own Word.

CONCLUSION.-1. Let us not yield to discouragement, even though our work is comparatively unsuccessful. Jesus never did, and He is the model worker. Success is not the rule of action, but God's command to "go work in My vineyard." Press every energy into this service. Let no obstacles deter, no difficulties drive from the field.

"Do all the good you can,

In all the ways you can,
To all the folk you can,
At all the times you can,
And as long as you can.'
-Mrs. S. Glover.

2. Notwithstanding all the labour and prayer expended, some of you. have not been prevailed upon to "repent and believe the Gospel." "We then, as workers together with God, beseech you, that ye receive not the grace of God in vain" (1 Cor. vi. 1, 2). Alfred Tucker.

THE PURPOSE OF GOD'S GREAT GIFT.
It is a light thing, &c.

xlix. 6. And He said,

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"I

I. GOD'S GIFT TO MANKIND. will give thee," &c. As this gift is bestowed for moral purposes, the subject is calculated to lead our thoughts to the Giver, as our Supreme Lord and moral Governor. It shows in Him an infinite condescension to interest Himself about us, for, Isa. xl. 15. Two things here invite our notice

1. The person given (Matt. xii. 15-18). His dignity (John i. 1; Zech. xiii. 7; Matt. xxvi. 31; John xiv. 10, 11; 1 John v. 7). Hence it follows that this is a great, an incomparable gift. He is God's "only-begotten Son," &c. (Rom. viii. 32). Yet this, great as it is, is a free gift; not conceded to the powerful, but granted to the impotent, the needy, the perishing; not conferred on the deserving as a reward of merit, but bestowed on the rebellious; not yielded to importunity, but given to "the evil and unthankful," unasked and undesired.

2. The office or undertaking to which He is appointed. This office of "servant " may be one of honour, but is always one of subordination (Phil. ii. 6-8).

II. GOD'S. INTENTION RESPECTING MANKIND.

1. "To raise up the tribes of Jacob," which are fallen from their religious honours and pre-eminence, and from national independence into dispersion and disgrace and contempt (Deut. xxviii. 37); and to restore "the preserved of Israel "-wherever scattered, or howsoever persecuted, still preserved from extermination, and still preserved a distinct people; to restore them to

the favour of God, and to His spiritual service; and perhaps to their country and independence (Luke i. 69-75; Rom. xi. 26; Isa. xlix. 13-23; Jer. xxiii. 5-8).

2. But seeing that the Jews are but a small part of the whole family of man, their restoration "is a light thing," in comparison with the enlightenment of the Gentiles, and the salvation of the ends of the earth. The Gentile world was enveloped in the darkness of ignorance, error, and superstition, of misery, guilt, and condemnation (ver. 9; Luke i. 77-79, and iv. 18). To them Jesus was, by His doctrine, a light-concerning the invisible world, teaching the unity and perfections of God, &c.; concerning the future world; teaching the immortality of the soul, which even their wise men doubted, and a resurrection of the body, which they reckoned impossible. Besides this He may be considered as affording light on most important subjects, by His holy life, His vicarious death, &c. He enlightens still by His Spirit, &c. (2 Cor. iv. 6; Matt. v. 14-16; Phil. ii. 15). But further, He is God's salvation, and therefore, in all respects, a salvation suited to man's necessities. He finds us guilty, &c., and He saves us by bearing our punishment for us (1 Pet. ii. 24). He finds us enslaved, defiled, and unfit for heaven; and He saves us from thraldom and pollution by His Spirit working in us (Rom. viii. 2; Titus iii. 5; 2 Pet. i. 4). He finds all men, everywhere, poor and helpless, and He saves to the end of the earth, fully, freely, &c. (Heb. vii. 25; Rev. xxii. 17).

IMPROVEMENT.-1. We ought very highly to value our souls: God does. If we lose them, we lose all. 2. We should accept the salvation which God has so kindly sent to us (Isa. lv. 1). 3. We should love Him who has manifested such love to us, and give proof of our love, by submitting to Him who submitted to shame, &c., in our stead

(John xiv. 15: 1 John v. 3). 4. We may confidently expect "all things necessary for life and godliness" (Rom. viii. 32, et seq.) 5. We should employ both our example and our influence to

open the eyes of our fellow-men to behold God's light, and their hearts to receive His salvation (Isa. lx. 1, lxii. 1).-Zeta: Sketches of 400 Sermons, vol. ii. p. 84-88.

CHRIST OUR LIGHT.

xlix. 6. I will also give Thee for a light to the Gentiles.

Not here only, but elsewhere, in many places, our Lord Jesus is held forth under the notion of a light. Show

I. WHAT KIND OF A LIGHT JESUS CHRIST IS. There are several kinds of light. There is glow-worm light, &c. But there is one light that is far beyond them all, and that is sun-light, between which and the former there is no comparison; and that light Jesus Christ is-sun-light (Mal. iv. 2; Ps. lxxxiv. 11; Luke i. 78). Now sunlight hath these properties; it is

1. Glorious light (1 Cor. xv. 41; Matt. xiii. 43, xvii. 2). And is not Jesus Christ of all others the most glorious (Cant. v. 10; Col. i. 8). Let this advance your esteem of Him more and more.

2. General light. It shines everywhere (Ps. xix. 6). One sun serves all the world, &c. There is but one Christ, but that one is a universal Saviour to all the world (1 John ii. 2; Luke xvi. 15; Rom. x. 18; John xii. 36).

3. Fountain-light. What light the moon and the planets have, they derive it all from the sun. So Jesus Christ is the spring-head and fountain from whence every good and perfect gift comes. Gifts of nature do all flow from Him (John i. 2). So also gifts of grace (John i. 16; Heb. xii. 2). And therefore, in all our wants we must have recourse to Him; and in all our receivings we must give Him the praise.

4. Free light. It costs us nothing. What is more free than the light, and what is more free than grace? (John iv. 10; Rom. v. 15; Isa. lv. 1, 2; Rev. xxii. 17). Therefore ye are inexcusable, if you go without it.

5. Enlightening light. The sun hath not its light for itself, but for the world, and it communicates it accordingly. It rises every morning, and dispels the darkness of the night, and shines all day; and very sweet and useful it is. So Christ (Luke ii. 32; Rev. iii. 1). He opens blind eyes (Isa. xlii. 6, 7; Mal. iv. 2; Rev. iii. 18). Pray as the blind man that came to Christ for eyesight.

6. Increasing light. By degrees, as the sun gets up, mists, &c. vanish, and noonday comes. So it is with the souls that Christ enlightens (Prov. iv. 18; Isa. xxx. 26).

II. WHAT INFERENCES ARE TO BE DRAWN FROM THIS SUBJECT?

20;

1. What a miserable condition is a sinful Christless condition! Those who are out of Christ are out of the light (2 Cor. iv. 6; John iii. 19, Job xxiv. 13, and xxi. 14). But wherein lies the misery of a blind and dark condition? (1.) It is very uncomfortable (Ecc. xi. 7; Prov. ii. 10). (2.) It is very unsafe. Thou hast a journey to go, that will not be gone without light. There are many by-ways, &c. (John xii. 35.) Thou hast work to do that will not be done without light, nay, not without sun-light (Luke x. 42). (3.) It is miserable here (Eph. vi. 12; Isa. xlii. 7; Acts xxvi. 18). It will be miserable hereafter. Make the application to yourselves: Is not this my condition (John ix. 25, 40).

2. What an unspeakable mercy then was the giving of Christ to save us from all this misery; to be a light to lighten the world! What a dungeon were the world without it! Therefore thank God for this unspeakable gift (Eph. v. 8; Col. i. 12, 13).

3. Of what concernment it is to come to Christ to be enlightened by Him! Only by coming can we have the true light (Rev. iii. 18). Delay no longer; away quickly to the throne of grace, and beg for this eye-salve; to the means of grace, and seek it there.

4. What is to be done by those on whom this light is risen? As Christ

In this and the subsequent verses we have a direct promise from Jehovah to the Messiah, of the ultimate success of His mediatorial work. Consider

is the light of the world, so ye also are the light of the world (Matt. v. 14). Then (1.) let your light shine before men (Eph. v. 8; Rom. xii. 13; 1 Thess. v. 5-8) (2.) Let your light be increasing more and more-especially concerning the evil of sin, the weakness of self, the excellency of Christ, &c.-Philip Henry: Christ All in All, pp. 81-90.

CHRIST'S FUTURE REIGN. xlix. 7. Thus saith the Lord, &c. 3. As " a servant of rulers." Though He was ruler of all worlds, He voluntarily submitted Himself to human power, and yielded obedience to human rulers--the constituted authorities of His day. He conformed to the institutions of His country (Matt. xvii. 27, xxvi. 52, 53). He submitted to an unjust trial and verdict. In the strictest sense He was a servant of rulers," for "He was deprived of His liberty, comfort, and life at their caprice."

I. THE DESCRIPTION GIVEN OF THE MESSIAH.

1. As despised, rejected, and contemned by men. "Him whom man despiseth"-literally, whom the soul despiseth. It was a characteristic of Him that He was despised and rejected; and the prophet, in this verse, has given a summary of all that He has said respecting Him in chap. liii. (John i. 10, 11). Despised by the mere animal passion of man, which judges according to the outward appearance; and is therefore carnal, and not spiritual."— Wordsworth.

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2. As abhorred by the Jewish nation. "Him whom the nation abhorreth"

(cf. chap. i. 4, x. 6). He was regarded as an abomination by the people (Luke xv. 2). "This man"this fellow" receiveth sinners "-is in secret sympathy with them. In Matt. xxvi. 67; Luke xxiii. 18-26, ch, liii. 3, 4 is literally fulfilled. He is still abhorred by the Jews. His name excites the utmost contempt among them, and they turn from Him and His claims with the deepest abhorrence. They contemptuously call Jesus Tolvi, the crucified; and nothing excites deeper abhorrence. and contempt than the doctrine of salvation by the merits of the crucified Nazarene (1 Cor. i. 23, and others).

II. THE PURPOSE OF GOD RESPECTING THE MESSIAH'S REIGN.

1. He is "chosen of God" to accomplish the world's salvation. "He shall choose thee." He was elected to diffuse light and truth among all nations (ver. 6; also chap. xlii. 1-10).

2. All shall bow to His sceptre. "Kings shall see," &c. That is, kings shall see the fulfilment of the Divine promise by which He is destined to be the light of the nations, and they shall rise up with demonstrations of respect and reverence; they shall render Him honour as their Teacher and Redeemer. They shall do homage to the great King-Saviour. "Kings, being usually seated in the presence of others, are described as rising from their thrones; while princes and nobles, who usually stand in the presence of their sovereigns, are described as falling prostrate" (Hitzig). The universality of His reign is distinctly foretold (Ps. ii. 6, 8; Isa. xlii. 1, 4; Zec. xiv. 19; Rev. xix. 6, 11-17;

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and others). The text has been fulfilled. Kings and princes have bowed before the Redeemer, and the time is hastening on when throughout the world they shall adore Him.

3. God in Ilis faithfulness will accomplish His gracious purpose. "Because of the Lord that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel." His purpose shall assuredly be brought to pass. For this He pledges the veracity of His word. The universality of Christ's reign shall be traced entirely to the faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God.

CONCLUSION.-1. What a glorious period is approaching! All the world shall see the salvation of God. He He who is now despised and rejected by so many, shall be universally honoured, loved, adored. All shall bow to Him, as the ripe fields of autumn do to the winds of heaven. The day of His triumph draws nigh -all things betoken it! Glorious prospect! (H. E I. 979, 1161, 1162; P. D. 475).

2. What encouragement have all Christian workers-Ministers, missionaries, &c. The success of our efforts is certain. What honour is conferred upon us as the instruments of diffusing light and truth! Christ

should we. Let us with all possible earnestness seek the advancement of His reign, and the increase of its glory. They who do most for the conversion of the world, are most like Christ, and will have the greatest reward in heaven.

3. What is your relation to this great King-Saviour? Is God's gracious purpose accomplished in your salvation? Does He reign in your heart? Do you despise and reject the crucified Jesus, or do you receive Him as your prophet, priest, and king? It is of infinite importance that you belong to His kingdom. Without this, there can be no real holiness, happiness, security. Hostility to Christ, the Divinely appointed Saviour-King is utterly useless. He must and will be victorious (Ps. ii 4 and 5, and others). How fearful will be the condition of all who refuse allegiance to Him! Let Him become without delay your Saviour and your King (Ps. ii. 11, 12).

"O Thou Almighty Lord,

My Conqueror and my King,
Thy sceptre and Thy sword,

Thy reign of grace, I sing;
Thine is the power: behold, I sit
In willing bonds before Thy feet."
-Dr. Watts.

deemed it the highest honour, so -Alfred Tucker.

THE SUFFERING REDEEMER THE SOURCE AND DISPENSER OF
BLESSING TO HIS PEOPLE.

xlix. 7-12. Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer, &c.

I. THE HUMILIATION AND EXALTATION OF THE MESSIAH (ver. 7). He who had always taken care of the Jewish church, and wrought out for it those deliverances that were typical of the great salvation, here speaks to Him who was the Undertaker of that salvation.

1. He takes notice of His humiliation (ver. 7). "Whom man despiseth," &c. (cf. ch. liii. 3; Luke xxiii. 21). "A servant of rulers." Pilate boasted of his power over Him (John xix. 10).

2. He promises Him exaltation. Honour was done Him, even in the days of His humiliation. Noblemen,

rulers, centurions came and kneeled to Him; but this was more fully accomplished when kings received His Gospel, submitted to His yoke, joined in His worship, and called themselves His vassals. Not that Christ values the rich more than the poor (they stand on a level with Him), but it is for the honour of His kingdom among men, when the great ones of the earth appear for Him, and do homage to Him.

II. THE SUCCOUR AND SUCCESS PROMISED HIM.

1. The succour. God will hear His cry for help (ver. 8; Heb. v. 7). In

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