"One view of Jesus as he is Will strike all sin for ever dead."-COWPER. "We would see Jesus," is the ceaseless cry of his Bride. We are already upon "the mountains of spices"-we are already enjoying much of the heights and depths of the love of Jesus-already we are risen in him far above all the fading vanities of earth, which gradually appear smaller and fainter, and sink into real insignificance as we ascend the mountain heights, and leave them far behind in the plains below-already we seem to breathe something of the air of heaven, with its rich perfumes and spices-we are "sick of love”- -we long to fly away, to see Jesus coming in the clouds, and to be "caught up to meet him in the air!" We long to be in glory, "Where saints in full fruition prove His rich variety of love!"-WATTS. Oh! Christians, awake! for this is not your rest." "Arise ye, and depart, Get ye up into the "mountains of spices;" soar far above the grovelling things of sense; "look up, and lift up your heads." Get ye to the mountain top, above all the mists of earth, that ye may clearly discern the first rays of light which shall mark the rising beams of the Sun of Righteousness. Stand upon your watch-tower-"Be ye ready"- Watching unto prayer". -“Without spot”—“Unblameable.” 66 "Be 166 found of him in peace”. "Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning, and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord "—" Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God” -"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the Great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ”—and abiding in him, that when he shall appear ye may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. Yes! it is for that soul only which counts all things else but loss for Christ to be able in sincerity to echo the cry of the Bride, "Make haste, my beloved!"-" Why is his chariot so long in coming? and why tarry the wheels of his chariot?" O listen to the gracious interpretation he has given of his delay-"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise. . . but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter iii. 9). "Sinners still thy garments touching, Stay thee in thy coming here." Enter, then, into fellowship of spirit with Jesus; and by prayer and supplication, by life and conversation, seek to bring in those that are "without," and beseech him "shortly to accomplish the number of his elect." So shall he hasten his kingdom, and so shall we ever be with the Lord." Like a roe 66 66 or a young hart," Jesus is drawing nigh. Hear his own voice, speaking to thee "in the gardens," and saying, "Surely I come quickly." And may the same Spirit which breathes through him in those precious words (which make known the mind of Christ towards us) breathe through us also, as the vitally-united members of his body, causing us to cry out in oneness of spirit with him-"Amen! Even so, come Lord Jesus!" HENRY VIZETELLY, PRINTER AND ENGRAVER, GOUGH SQUARE, FLEET STREET. |