dences of this fact are all around us; what are its causes 1. Unbelief unbelief in the great fact that true happiness is only to be found in the service of God. 2. Pride, which rebels against the humbling declarations of the Gospel as to man's natural condition, and his entire inability to do any thing to merit salvation. 3. Love of the world and fear of man. These things go together. Men shrink from the necessity which the Gospel imposes of adopting a standard differing from that acknowledged by "society," and fear that by doing so they will hinder their worldly advancement. 4. Desire for self-indulgence. The fact that the Gospel will make no compromise with sin renders it offensive to vast multitudes.

IV. OF THE GREATNESS OF THE BLESSINGS WHICH GOD OFFERS TO THE PENITENT AND BELIEVING SINNER.

These are-1. True satisfaction. 2. True and eternal life.-J. H. Stewart, M.A.: Lectures on Isaiah lv., pp. 25–40.

We have already considered the hunger and thirst which men feel in the way of spiritual cravings. Our text expostulates with those who resort to unhealthy and unnatural ways to satisfy those cravings in the pursuit of sin. It reminds us that

I. Godless effort is misdirected, and therefore foolish expenditure. It is spending money for that which is not bread. Picture the folly which this would be in the case of famine and starvation. In spiritual matters this is being continually done. E.g.-1. The mammon-worshipper is doing it. He spends all his energies upon the tasks of gain. What does he get (Luke xii. 20.) 2. The voluptuary is doing it. When the round of "pleasures" is exhausted, what is his reward? Vanity and vexation of spirit. 3. The merely religious formalist is doing it.

Isa. i. clearly suggests what is to be got by the hollow pretences of religion. (See also Matt. vii. 22, 23.)

II. All this involves not merely expenditure, but spiritual loss. "You labour for that which satisfieth not." Not only money, but strength also goes; and therefore the loss is not external to ourselves, but a part of ourselves. Labour wears men down physically, &c. So here: the supreme matter of concern is the soul-loss that results. Consider our Lord's question on this point: "What shall a man gain," &c. Even suppose we get the little all that we seek in the realm of mere materialism, what then? Think of the soul degraded, impoverished, helpless, hopeless. What can compensate for a soul in ruins? The life of the soul is everything to us.

III. This is a matter for reflection and decision. "Hearken," &c. Observe-1. One of the delusions of sin is that it throws men into a state of indifference. 2. The Gospel requires a man's whole judgment and thought (ch. i. 18). 3. The Gospel also requires our voluntary surrender and obedience to God.

IV. The foundation of the Gospel offer. "I will make," &c. Much is said of this Davidic covenant, and the brief interpretation of it is, that David's history runs in the line of God's saving purpose, begun in Abraham and fulfilled in Christ. Love is at the root of it all (chap. liv. 8; Psa. lxxxix. 28). Christ is the real David of our faith. In Him we see the sureness of God's infinite love (Rom. viii. 31, 32). All else is fickle, transitory, perishing. The one hope of the world that abides amidst all change is God's love. Here only can our enduring satisfaction be found, therefore give heed to Christ's own word (Jno. vii. 27).—W. Manning.

The great secret of all true happiness is obedience to the will of God. And the fruitful cause of misery and dis

comfort, is the spirit of indifference to the Divine authority and contempt for the commands of Heaven. It is there

fore of infinite importance that we should be acquainted with the rule and principle of obedience, and that its delightful effect in promoting our happiness should be so exhibited to our view, and impressed upon our hearts, as to induce and secure the performance of that which God commands. This is one great end of the Scripture revelation, &c. Obedience is enforced by a regard to our own happiness. . . . Nowhere, perhaps, is Nowhere, perhaps, is this more conspicuous than in this chapter. . . . And in the text, the principle is again displayed, that obedience to the Divine will is needful in order to receive any good.

I. A GRACIOUS PROCLAMATION FOR AUDIENCE. 1. The Almighty Sovereign by whom the proclamation is made. Marvellous that He should stoop to speak to man, &c. Yet a latent scepticism prevails, leading men to overlook the fact that it is God who addresses them. God is speaking in His Word. 2. The solemn business to which the proclamation relates. The life of our soul-the life of God in the soul, &c. 3. The serious attention to this proclamation demanded. Several terms are brought together. Implies attention, humble submission, obedience (1 Sam. xv. 22; Prov. i. 24–26).

II. A MERCIFUL DECLARATION OF DIVINE FAVOUR. 1. The nature of the engagement proposed. 2. The peculiar properties of the covenant. Divine in its origin, eternal in its duration. 3. The invaluable blessings that flow from submission. mercies are great, numerous, valid. Have you submitted to God? (Rom. x. 1-4).-George Smith, D.D

1. THE MESSAGE IMPLIED.

These

When we are commanded to "hear," it is supposed that there is a voice which addresses us. This is none else than the voice of Jehovah, who addresses us in this chapter with peculiar energy and feeling. In the first verse we have an epitome of the whole Gospel. This is the message implied in the

text.

II. THE REGARD THIS MESSAGE DEMANDS.

"Hear." This command condemns such as do not hear the gospel when they have the opportunity of doing so. It also reproves such as do so only occasionally, and permit the most trivial engagements and excuses to keep them away from the sanctuary. But more is meant by hearing than your presence in the place where the Gospel is preached. Hear, 1. With attention (H. E. I. 2573– 2576); 2. With affection; 3. With believing application (H. E. I. 2654-2658); 4. With obedient compliance; 5. With humble prayer.

III. THE ADVANTAGE PROMISED.

It is a personal, spiritual, great, and sure advantage.-Thornhill Kidd: Fiftythree Sermons, pp. 1–7.

How much of the language of Scripture is language of invitation! He who has the most and best to give is most free in disposing of it; and in this the Divine Benefactor proves that His thoughts and ways are above those of men.

I. THE BLESSING PROFERRED: the life of the soul. 1. The soul was originally made for life. 2. The soul's life is endangered by sin, the wages of which are death. 3. The soul is redeemed by the death of Him who was and is "the Life," even Jesus Christ. 4. The soul is capable of renewal and revival by the quickening influence of the Holy Spirit, "the Lord and Giver of life." 5. It is God's pleasure that the soul should live. The true life of the soul is an immortal life. "Life and immortality" are Gospel gifts.

II. THE CONDITION IMPOSED: attention to the Divine yoice. 1. A voluntary act. The first indispensable step in order to life is the giving heed to Heaven's quickening voice. 2. Submission and self-surrender. This is involved in "Hear!" for this requires that self-sufficiency be given up, and that God's voice be heeded as of supreme authority. 3. The approach and obedience of faith.

"Come!" 4.

facts. He is the great Prophet and Teacher, the perfect Revealer of Divine truth to mankind, of everything necessary to salvation. By the fall man has lost the knowledge of God, and Christ is the only source of spiritual light (Jno. i. 9; viii. 12). All who lived before His advent were enlightened by Him (1 Pet. i. 10, 11). He bore witness even unto death (1 Tim. vi. 13). (1.) To the beneficence of God's laws. (2.) To the mercifulness of God's character, manifested especially in His gracious provision for man's salvation— provision full and free, &c. (3.) To the justness of God's claims-based upon redeeming love. (4.) To the reliableness of God's promises. (5.) To the condemnation of the unbelieving and disobedient (Jno. iii. 16-19, 36, and others). As a witness He is (1.) credible and competent; His credentials are supreme; He is thoroughly acquainted with everything of which He testifies; He can be trusted implicitly without fear. (2.) Faithful and final, because Divine. False witnesses abound -beware! But this witness cannot be deceived, nor can He deceive us. Thank God for such a "faithful and true witness." Listen to, and confide in His testimony as recorded in the Scriptures of truth (Jno. viii. 12).

2. For a Leader. The same word is translated "Captain," "Ruler," "Prince" (2 Sam. v. 2; 1 Sam. xxv.* 30; Ezek. xxviii. 2; Dan. ix. 25). The expression may be understood in such an extensive meaning, as applied to Christ as possessed of supreme authority and jurisdiction over the Church, and over the world, in His mediatorial capacity. This is the grand glory of Christ our King (Eph. i. 20– 23; Rev. xix. 16). The office of a leader is to go before, to conduct, &c. As such Christ executes this office(1.) By the instructions of His Word. (2.) By His perfect example (Jno. xiii. 15; 1 Pet. ii. 21; Heb. xii. 2). He never says go, always come; because He has gone before us in hardship and suffering, &c.

"He leads us through no darker rooms Than He went through before."

(3.) By the light of His Spirit. (4.) By the events of His providence. He has never led one astray, but millions to a glorious character and heaven. Is He your Leader? Can you say, "He leadeth me"? What an unspeakable blessing is a Divinely-guided life (P. D. 1640).

III. FOR A COMMANDER (Zec. vi. 13; 1 Chron. xvi. 15, 16; Ps. xxxiii. 9; cx. 2, 3; ch. ii. 3, 4). As Commander

(1.) He enlists for the conflict against foes. (2.) He trains for service. (3.) He gives orders. (4.) He provides the weapons-not carnal. (5.) He encourages by His presence. (6.) He leads and goes forward to victory. Are you submitting to His rule, obeying His commands, fighting under His banner, &c. (2 Tim. ii. 3, 4)? Let not "other lords" have dominion over you-He only has the right. You have been called into His kingdom. But you cannot have Him as your Saviour unless you take Him as your Sovereign. "Where Jesus comes He comes to reign." Trajan won the heart of his soldiers by tearing up his royal robe to bind a soldier's wound. "The King Immortal" gave His life for you ! But if you refuse His righteous reign. your danger and doom cannot be exaggerated.-A. Tucker.

I. THE GRAND BESTOWMENT.

Christ is the greatest gift God could bestow, or man receive. All that He is, has done, has obtained, is given. This is a gift-1. We could not claim. 2. We did not deserve. 3. We did not ask. 4. We cannot adequately estimate. "God only knows the love of God."

II. THE SPECIAL CHARACTERS UNDER WHICH CHRIST IS PRESENTED. 1. As a Witness to the people. 2. As a Leader, &c. 3. As a Commander, &c.

III. THE REGARD DUE TO HIM UNDER THESE CHARACTERS. 1. Is He a Gift? Receive Him with cheerfulness, gratitude, affection. 2. Is He a Witness? Believe and rest upon His faithful word. 3. Is He a Leader? Follow Him in every conflict. Rely upon His presence and wisdom in every emer