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and put about. The first was in the breaking-up of her house life. When they had to cross the Euphrates and get right away into a land which she knew nothing of; this must have been a sterner trial still. But it mattered not to her, she felt safe with her husband's God, and calmly journeyed on. Then, though we do not hear much about her, we know that all those years she had to live in a tent. A very trying life for a housewife. Remember, they were dwelling in tents as pilgrims and strangers, not for one day, or two, not for a few days in a year, but for scores of years at a stretch.

Besides, the tribes around them were all of other religions and of other tastes and ways, and they would have slain Abraham and killed the whole company, if it had not been for a sort of fear that fell upon them, by which Jehovah seemed to say to them, "Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets

no harm." But if she had not been a believing woman, she must have often been afraid with great amazement.

Then there was a special time when Abraham put on his harness and went She is under no distress that her husband has gone, and all the herdsmen and servants round about the tents all gone, so that she is left alone with her women-servants. No; she sits at home as a queen, and fears no robbers, calmly confident in her God.

Then there came, a little after, that great trial of faith which must have touched Sarah, though its full force fell on Abraham. She observed the sudden disappearance of her husband, her son, and his servant. For a week nearly there was no Abraham and no Isaac. One would have thought she would have wandered about, crying, "Where is my husband, and where is my son?" But not so. She calmly waited, and said within herself, "If he has gone, he has gone upon sɔme necessary errand, and he will be under God's protection; and God who promised to bless him and to bless his seed will not suffer any evil to harm

him." So she rested quietly, when others would have been in dire dismay. We hear so little said about Sarah that I am obliged to picture what I feel she must have been, because human nature is so like itself, and the effect of events upon us is very like the effect which would have been produced upon the mind of Sarah.

Now, this is a point in which Christian women, and, for the matter of that, Christian men also, should seek to imitate Sarah.

What is this virtue? It is a calm, quiet trusting in God. It is freedom from fear, such as descril ed in another place in these words: "He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord." It is composure of mind, freedom from anxiety, the absence of fretfulness, and clean deliverance from alarm; so that, whatever happens, trepidation does not seize upon the spirit, but the heart keeps on at its own quiet pace, delighting itself in a faithful God. This is the virtue which is worth a king's ransom, and Sarah had it.

Who are to exercise this virtue? We are all to do so; but the text is specially directed to the sisterhood, because some of them are rather excit able, a little hysterical, and apt to be fearfully depressed and utterly carried

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of a Christian in danger or near to death. If we can be happy then, our friends will ask, "What makes them so calm?" (3.) It is most useful to ourselves; for he who can be calm in time of trouble will be most likely to make his way through it. Napoleon's victories were to a large extent due to the serenity of that masterly warrior; and, depend upon it, it is so with you Christian people: you will win, if you can wait. Calmness of mind is the mother of prudence and discretion; it gives the firm foothold which is needful

for the warrior when he is about to deal a victorious blow.

"How can we obtain it ?" (1.) It is an outgrowth of faith, and you will have it in proportion as you have faith. Have faith in God, and you will not be afraid with any amazement. (2.) This holy calm comes, also, from walk ing with God. No spot is so serene as the secret place of the tabernacles of the Most High. Commune with God, and you will forget fear.-C. H. Spur geon: Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, No. 1633.

THE DEPRESSION, PROSPERITY, AND DELIGHT OF THE CHURCH.
li. 3. For the Lord shall comfort Zion, &c.

The doctrine that there is a Divine superintendence over the affairs and interests of man, is one on which every pious mind must fix a devout attention. This principle is especially interesting and important as it regards the Church -that spiritual body chosen by God, in order that, by its spiritual conformity and devotedness to Him, it may show forth His glory and praise.

There have been, and are, many circumstances which, did we regard them only in their immediate aspect, would encourage the complaint that "Zion is forgotten and forsaken." But along with her present circumstances, we ought to observe the predictions given by the Almighty with regard to her final destiny. Of those predictions the words of the text may furnish a striking instance, and will allow an extended illustration. Attention is here invited to―

I. THE DEPRESSION OF THE CHURCH. This is presented under the expres sions: "the waste places of Zion," a "wilderness," and a "desert." In what desert." In what did it consist? It arose from, 1. The small number of those who belonged to it lived only two centuries. Elijah, who was nearly contemporary with Isaiah, could discover absolutely none who adhered to the public worship of Jehovah (1 Kings xix. 10). These were the circumstances that called forth the lamentation of Isaiah (ch. lxiv. 6, 7). And in these days we are met by deep

depression, arising from the fewness of those that believe. Even nominal Christianity has a limited area, and God's true Zion is in a very small minority. After the lapse of many ages, the confession is painfully true, "We are for God, but the whole world lieth in wickedness." The number of additions made to God's people are few and trivial, when compared with the means employed. "The bones are very many, and lo! they are very dry."

2. A want of spiritual vigour on the part of those who belong to the Church. This is equally characteristic of the time in which our lot is cast. In many instances, the power of the truth over the passions and the life is so slender, that we can scarcely discern the form.

II. THE
CHURCH.

PROSPERITY OF THE

"For the Lord shall comfort Zion," &c. It is hard for us, living in a tem perate climate, and generally cultivated country, to feel the full force of the prophet's metaphors. These in the text, and others (ch. xxxv. 1, 2; xli. 17, 20), open to us future periods. in the history of the Church of God, when the causes of her depression being removed, she shall enjoy true prosperity. While there have been visits of mercy in times past, the grand time is still future. When it

will arrive, we know not (Acts i. 7). But in regard to the general truth, we rest upon the authority of the word of God. Observe

1. The source to which the prosperity of the Church is assigned. "The Lord shall comfort Zion." There is a regular and uninterrupted affirmation of this grand principle in prophecy (ch. ii. 20, 21, ix. 7, xliv. 2-5; Zech. iv. 6, 7). In this dispensation we are called upon to remember that Christianity is emphatically "the ministration of the Spirit" (John iii. 5; Rom. viii. 9; 1 Cor. xii. 3, iii. 5-7). There must be the outpouring of the Spirit of God, or evil will still hold its wide tyranny.

2. The nature of that prosperity by which the Church will be distinguished. (1.) The increase of numbers will be incalculable (ch. xlix. 18-23, lx. 3-8). (2.) A great purification and refinement of the character of those who

shall pertain to the Church will signalise those future days. The former prosperity would be imperfect without the latter.

3. The means to be adopted by the true friends of the Church, in order that the period of this predicted prosperity may arrive. (1.) The preaching and teach

ing of the gospel (Rom. x. 13-17). (2.) United and importunate prayer for the influences of the Spirit of God (ch. lxii. 6, 7; Ezek. xxxvi. 37; Matt. vii. 7, 8).

III. THE DELight of the CHURCH. "Joy and gladness shall be found. therein," &c. (lii. 8-10). This emotion may properly arise from contemplating, 1. The wonderful change which shall have been accomplished in the condition of the Church itself. She was depressed; now she is exalted, and sits enthroned as the representative of the Almighty, and of His power to rescue and to redeem.

2. The connection between the prosperity of the Church and the glorification of God. God is glorified by the conversion of every individual sinner; how much more, then, when a nation shall be born in a day, and when the whole earth shall be a Carmel !

3. The connection between the prosperity of the Church and the happiness of mankind (ch. xi. 6-9).

CONCLUSION: Do you belong to the Church of God? If so; then labour in all the appointed means of instrumentality, which by the prosperity of the Church is to be secured.-James Parsons: The Pulpit, vol. xviii. pp. 181–191.

COMFORT IN TROUBLE.

li. 3, 12, and lii. 9. For the The prophecy is addressed to those who are striving after the right kind of life and seeking Jehovah, and not turning from Him to make earthly things and themselves the object of their pursuits; for such only are in a condition by faith to regard that as possible, which seems impossible to human understanding, because the very opposite is lying before the eye of the senses (Delitzsch).

I. The people of God often stand in urgent need of Divine comfort. They not only have their full share of the sorrows which are common to humanity, but they have troubles to which the people of the world are strangers. Hence we are told that " many are the

Lord shall comfort Zion, &c.

afflictions of the righteous," &c. The Saviour prepared His people for this: "In the world," &c., "Whosoever will be my disciple," &c. The people of God have to fight every inch of their way to heaven: "These are they," &c. Their chief sorrows spring from sources unknown to and incomprehensible by the world. They are soul sorrows, having their origin in the vivid views which they have of the evil of sin, and of their own individual guilt in the sight of God, &c. Sometimes they fear that after all they shall never reach the celestial Canaan. Therefore they have the need of all the comfort which can be given them on the way to heaven. (See pp. 2, 4, 386; cf. Rom.

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vii. 22-24; Gal. v. 17, iv. 29; Rom. viii. 36; 2 Cor. iv. 8-14; 2 Tim. iii. 12; Ps. lxxxviii. 18; Prov. xvii. 1; Isa. xxxviii. 14, 15; 2 Tim. iv. 10, 16; Psa. li. 5-8; 2 Cor. vii. 5.)

II. It is God's will that His people should be comforted amid all their tribulations. "See how God resolves to comfort His people: 'I, even I, will do it.' He had ordered His ministers to do it (ch. xl. 1), but because they cannot reach the heart, He takes the work into His own hands. See how He glories in it; He takes it among the titles of His honour to be "the God that comforteth them that are cast down;" He delights in being so (M. Henry). Because He would have His people happy. His people should remember this, and cultivate the spirit of Christian cheerfulness, because, 1. Uncomfortable Christians often dishonour the Lord. 2. Uncomfortable Christians cannot be as diligent as they ought to be in the duties of religion. Working out their own salvation. Working for God in seeking to save others (Ps. li. 12, 13; P. D. 450-453).

III. The bestowment of Divine comfort inspires them with grateful and exultant joy (ver. 12, lii. 9). "Where there is joy and gladness to their satisfaction, it is fit there should be thanksgiving to God's honour; for whatever is the matter of their rejoicing, ought to be the matter of their thanksgiving, and the returns of God's favour ought to be celebrated with the voice of melody; which will be the more melodious when God gives songs

in the night, songs in the desert" (M. Henry).

There may be elevated joy in the midst of deep affliction (Rom. v. 3; Phil. iii. 1, iv. 4, &c.) Eleven of the thirteen epistles of Paul begin with exclamations of praise and thanksgiving (2 Cor. i. 3, 4). Take to praising God under all circumstances, and thus you will lift your soul right out of your sorrow, and taste the pleasures of immortality. "In everything give thanks." Let this be your constant occupation. deserves our warmest praise.

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CONCLUSION: 1. The duty and privilege of believers to seek Divine comfort. God has given us express assurances that it is His purpose that His people should have ample and unceasing comfort amid all their sorrows and sufferings (Isa. xl. 1, li. 3, 12; Phil. iii. 1, iv. 4). Most ungracious on our part not readily and gladly to receive the comfort so provided. To refuse to be comforted, is to be guilty of a frustration of the merciful purposes of God towards us.

2. The duty and privilege of comforted believers to comfort others. God comforts you, that you may comfort others -that He may use you as comforters. Experimental knowledge helps us to speak with authority and power-fits us to be able and ready comforters. What we have received we must give (2 Cor. i. 3, 4).—Alfred Tucker.

God will give His people, I. Consolation. II. Fruitfulness. III. Glad-J. E. Page.

ness

PARADISE RESTORED.

li. 3. For the Lord shall comfort Zion, &c.

The Church is a garden planted by the Lord, luxuriant in beauty and fruitfulness, and filled with happy occupants. The promise is as yet only in process of fulfilment; and that we may look more clearly into the future, we are called to look into the past. Eden was the garden of the Lord, the primeval paradise, the place of consummate beauty and happiness, ere

sin had blighted its joys and stained. its purity. To make Zion like Eden is to bring back the vanished glories. of that happy place. To the extent that this is accomplished, the Church is

I. A PLACE OF DIVINE COMFORT AND FELLOWSHIP. No sooner do we press in by faith, through Christ, the door, than we enjoy the comforts of

Divine love, and are admitted to heavenly fellowships (Heb. vi. 18). Did Adam hear the voice of the Lord God Here the intercourse is renewed. Life conducts through an Eden radiant with the Divine presence. What a change since the day when the Lord drove forth the man from Eden! That door has been again unbarred, and Christ has secured for us a welcome into a fairer paradise than that then was lost. The Church is "a habitation of God." Enter, then, and you will enjoy this rich comfort and lofty fellowship. So long as you stand outside, you cannot know the beauties of the garden; you cannot survey its landscapes, nor breathe its perfumes. God has not disowned and forsaken this fallen world: it is not, as we might have expected, desolated by His wrath: we can still find an Eden in it-a garden of God's presence and favour.

II. A PLACE OF HELPFUL SOCIAL LIFE. Such was the life of the first pair, and such would have been the life of their children, but for the entrance of sin. Alas, how that fact has altered the course of human his tory! What jarring discords in our domestic and social life! But if the Church is to be as Eden, human society will be regenerated: the love, peace, and helpful companionship that were found in the garden of the Lord will be restored, when this promise is accomplished to the full. The Church will yet leaven society with her principles of brotherly love and mutual help. The world around is like a wilderness, where the wild plants of nature grow in rank profusion. But

God has engaged to reclaim Zion's waste places. This garden is ever extending its walls, and will do so till the whole earth becomes an Eden.

III. A PLACE OF JOY. "Joy and gladness shall be found therein." No jarring strife shall mar its harmony: love to God and to each other shall reign among the happy inmates of the restored Paradise. We naturally think of a garden as a place of joy. Surrounded by ali that is fair and peaceful, the mind depressed by trial is relieved by the cheerful notes of the birds, the luxuriance of the foliage, and the forms and hues of the flowers. The Church of Christ is such a garden, in which we taste joys unknown by the world. "The fruit of the Spirit is joy," the joy of sin forgiven and heaven secured, the joy of communion with Christ, and assurance of His love -the joy of mutual endearment and mutual service. What joy can surpass that which is the heritage of all who dwell within this happy inclosure}

IV. A SCENE OF WORSHIP. There shall be found therein "thanksgiving and the voice of melody." What a delightful exercise is that of praise! What a happy garden, ever jubilant with sacred song!

These, then, are the features of this garden of the Church. Not on earth can we behold them in all their perfection. The earthly paradise, reopened to us by Christ, will soon become the heavenly paradise (Rev. ii. 7, xxii. 1, 2). May we all at last become inmates of the Eden above, the paradise of beauty and splendour, the abode of love and joy and worship unending!—William Guthrie, M.A.

THE IMMUTABILITY OF THE SALVATION AND RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD. li. 6. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, &c.

There is no reason why we should not read these words in their positive and natural signification. Similar predictions (ch. xxxiv. 4; Ps. cii. 26; 2 Pet. iii. 10). These predictions are confirmed by the reasoning of the latest science; also by the analogy of every

day experience, which go to show that, though the laws of the universe may be uniform, the material existences are in constant flux.

The description is not given to excite feelings of dismay, but to enhance our confidence in the immutability of the

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