which has not been thus forsaken, which has survived the ravages of time, the City of God, the Church of Christ. He reads these chapters in a most imperfect light who sees nothing more in them than allusions to the earthly Jerusalem and the restoration of the Jews. Several appellations are given to the Church. The last of these designations, "A city not forsaken," is fitted to suggest some suitable reflections on the present interesting occasion, when as a congregation we celebrate God's loving-kindness exhibited in our past history. We are fulfilling the prediction of the text when we make it the burden of our song that God has not forsaken His Church, that in our ancestral Zion, as in other portions of the Church, the light of life has not been quenched but still burns brightly. I. God's presence in the Church. This should absorb every other consideration. We may reflect on the earnestness and fidelity of the watchmen who have successively occupied the walls of Zion; we may think of the generations departed who profited by their ministrations, but the thought of the Divine presence should above everything else fill us with gratitude (Ps. lxxxvii. 5, 6). What is meant by the presence of Christ in the Church? 1. It is a real presence. 2. This presence is constant, uninterrupted. 3. This presence is perpetual. He is ever with His people in all the plenitude of His power, in all the freshness of His grace (Ps. xlviii. 14). Often indeed it has seemed as if the Saviour's presence had been withdrawn from the Church (xlix. 14; liv. 6, 7; ver. 4; see pp. 342-345, 552). II. The constitution of the Church. Jerusalem was a glorious city, the pride of every pious Jew, the yearly resort of the tribes. It was the centre of the nation's religious life, the rallying-point of their religious affections. Such the Church of Christ ought to be to us. It is a society of men and women regulated by the laws of Jesus Christ, and it goes in Scripture under the figure of a city, because God is its Architect and Ruler. "The one Lawgiver in the Church is the Lord Jesus Christ, and its one statute-book is the Bible." It exists for the mutual benefit of its members and the defence and propagation of the truth (1 Tim. iii. 15). The Church, then, is a witness for Christ, wherein He displays the wonders of His redeeming grace. How distinguished the honour! how lofty the privileges! how great the obligations of those who are citizens of the spiritual Jerusalem ! III. There are special occasions when this designation of the Church may be appropriately considered, such as the beginning of a new pastorate, the revival of spiritual life, the removal of hindrances to Christian activity, and the origination of some fresh enterprise. These call for thankful acknowledgment as evidences that the Church is not forsaken. And when a congregation takes the retrospect of its past history it may well cherish the same gratitude, and the reflection that it owes all to God will lead to humility and hopefulness. It is not our own effort, however strenuous, nor our own liberality, however large, that has made the Church what she is, but the presence of her King and Head.William Guthrie, M.A. THE SEEKING LOVE OF God. lxii. 12. Thou shalt be called, Sought out. Without violence we may use these words of every member of the Church of God. All His children may take for their name and distinction the words "Sought out." I. THE NATURAL CONDITION IMPLIED IN THIS TITLE. 1. The Church of God was originally lost. 2. So lost that we did not seek the Lord. 3. Nor should we have ever willed to return to Him. 4. We did not desire Him to seek us. 5. Our being sought out, considering our condition, was one of the greatest wonders ever known or heard of. II. SURPASSING GRACE REVEALED. 1. That they were sought out at all. 2. The persons sought out. 3. That we were sought OUT. The word "out" conveys a mass of meaning. We were mingled with the mire, &c. 4. That we were sought out Divinely -by God Himself. 5. Effectually. III. THE DISTINGUISHING TITLE JUSTIFIED. How were we sought out? 1. In the eternal purpose and work of Christ. 2. By gracious words of mercy. 3. By afflictions. 4. By mysterious visitations. 5. By the Holy Spirit. IV. THE SPECIAL DUTY INCUMBENT UPON THOSE WHO WEAR THIS TITLE Seeking others out. The preaching of CHRIST'S CONFLICT AND TRIUMPH. I. THE UNDERTAKING OF CHRIST FOR THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF OUR REDEMPTION. We have here three leading features of it-1. His deep and solitary suffering. 2. The glorious principles on which He suffered to redeem others. "The year of my redeemed is come." Here, then, we distinctly recognise the great doctrine of Atonement-a doctrine as full of comfort to the contrite sinner as it is essential to the harmony and perfection of the Christian system. 3. The glory of the conquest He obtained. This the predominant character of the text. II. THE MOMENTOUS RESULTS FLOWING FROM HIS FINISHED UNDERTAKING. These are threefold-1. The honours of Divine justice secured and rendered compatible with the salvation of man. 2. The judicial division of the human race into two great classes-Christ's enemies and His redeemed. To one of these we all belong. 3. The certain salvation of the one, and the fearful overthrow of the other, guaranteed by our Lord's success and supremacy.-Samuel Thodey. Ver. 1. The peculiarities of Eastern imagery. The undertaking of Christ the most striking event in the dispensations of God to our lower world, &c. This great work as the text teaches is the great theme of prophecy. Viewing the text in this light, we select two points for meditation. I. THE CONFLICT OF CHRIST in sustaining and carrying on the great work of human redemption. 1. This supposes that there were great difficulties and obstacles to be overcome before man could be restored to God's favour. 2. The text teaches that Christ was every way equal to the undertaking. They were no common resources that He brought into the field, &c. 3. That in the prosecution of this conflict He endured great and overwhelming suffering. Their solitariness. II. THE TRIUMPH OF CHRIST. It was a triumph of great principles over their opposites. The problem to be solved was whether sin or holiness, with their infinite results, should prevail, &c. This problem was solved on the Cross. 2. Really accomplished in the nature that sinned. 3. Made more illustrious by the seeming humiliation and discomfiture with which it was attended. 4. Effected by the single and unaided influence of the Captain of our salvation.-Samuel Thodey. A great and glorious-I. Person. Jesus Christ (Rev. xix. 11-15). II. Work, 1. To save, &c. 2. Performed entirely of Himself. 3. Will bring more glory to God than creation. IIL Salvation.-Studies for the Pulpit, Part ii. pp. 149-152. CHRIST A MIGHTY SAVIOUR. Our subject is the all-sufficiency of Christ to save. Four points expressed or implied I. The obstacles to our salvation were very great, arising from the nature and dominion of sin. None but an Almighty Redeemer was equal to the task. The ends to be accom plished every way worthy of the instrumentality employed. There are obstacles arising-1. From the law and government of God. 2. Out of the state and frame of our own minds, considered as guilty wanderers. 3. From the world in which we live. 4. From Satanic influence. Hence it is evident we need the interposition of One who is able to meet all the ruin entailed by sin, and to accomplish all the objects necessary to deliver alike from its bondage and condemnation. II. The redemption accomplished by Christ is very glorious, commensurate to the entire exigencies of the case. Judge of the benevolence of the object in connection with-1. The dignity and essential glory of His nature. He blends the extremes of being in His own person, &c. 2. The provocations of those He came to redeem. 3. His deep and solitary sufferings. 4. The glory of the conquest He obtained. 5. The great principle involved in it, "I that speak in righteousness." III. The encouragement to seek this great salvation wrought out by Christ is very ample. His willingness is commensurate with His ability. Remember this at all times. IV. The danger of rejecting this salvation is very imminent.—Samuel Thodey. I. That the ruined condition of man required a mighty Saviour. II. That Christ is mighty to save. He is Divine. Became incarnate that He might suffer, &c. The design of His mission was to save (1 John v. 11; Isaiah xxviii. 16; Matt. i. 21; iii. 17). He has done all that is necessary to save man (2 Cor. viii. 9; Phil. ii. 7, 8; Heb. ix. 24). His power to save is founded on the efficacy of His atonement (Rom. i. 4; Matt. xxviii. 18). He is "mighty to save," from-1. The law's curse (Gal. iii. 13; Acts xiii. 39). 2. The defilement of sin (Luke xiii. 1; 1 John i. 9). 3. The power and malice of Satan (Col. i. 13). 4. The consequences of sin, the fear and sting of death, the dominion of the grave, and the wrath to come. 5. Includes elevation to glory-body raised, &c. III. What is necessary to realise His saving power. 1. A deep conviction of ruin-that we are ready to perish. 2. A knowledge of Christ as the mighty Saviour. Sense of need. Approval of the method in which He saves. 3. The renouncement of all self-dependence, faith, &c. (Acts xx. 21; Eph. i. 13). Conclusion. Encouragement to the despairing sinner. How important that all should seek and secure salvation. How great the danger of those who reject it.-Helps for the Pulpit, First Series, p. 157. Ver. 3. The solitariness of Christ's sufferings. There is always a certain degree of solitude about a great mind. This, beyond all others, characteristic of the mind of Christ. He was profoundly alone. The measureless inferiority of all other minds to His. His solitariness relates to His entire life and earthly experience, but especially His sorrows. Not simply as being propitiatory, or of unexampled severity, but that there were connected with the nature of this mysterious sufferer certain conditions which rendered His sorrows such as no other of our race could endure, &c. I. All His sorrows and sufferings were, long ere their actual occurrence, clearly and fully foreseen. II. They were the sorrows of an infinitely pure and perfect mind. The mind that is cast in the finest mould is ever the most susceptible of suffering. Jesus had a capability of suffering, &c., such as no soul of man besides ever felt, &c. III. It was the sorrow of a Creator amid His ruined works. Practical reflections-1. Gratitude for His marvellous self-devotion on our behalf. 2. Warning to the careless. What more awful intimation could be conveyed to us of the evil of sin, and of the infatuation of those who are indifferent to its fatal consequences, than in the grief and sorrow of Jesus? 3. The strongest encouragement to every penitent to rely on the Saviour's love. John Caird, M.A.: The Penny Pulpit, Nos. 1925, 1926. Vers. 4, 5. I. The helpless condition of man. II. The gracious interposition of the Redeemer. III. The sufficiency of His qualifications. Ver. 6. I. What are we to understand by the anger and fury of the Redeemer? II. Who have reason to apprehend it? III. The impossibility of escape. Vers. 7-14. I. God's loving-kindness to His people. He acknowledges them. Sympathises with them. Sustains them. Chastises them in mercy. When they inquire after Him restores His favours. II. The duty of making mention of it. With exultation-praisegratitude.-J. Lyth, D.D. (See C. H. Spurgeon: Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, No. 1126.) Ver. 7. Thanksgiving. I. An acknowledg ment of great blessings received by the House of Israel. 1. National mercies. 2. Mercies to the Christian Church. 3. Individual mercies. II. An acknowledgment that all these blessings were undeserved. III. A resolve openly and fully to acknowledge the goodness of God. Not to be thankful is inhuman. Not to be openly, thankful is unchristian. True love for God will lead us to seek to glorify Him by a public acknowledgment of His goodness. Thus we shall bless our follow-men.-R. A. B. Ver. 7. I. The loving-kindness of God. 1. Free and sovereign. 2. Rich and varied. 3. Constant and perpetual. II. Its claim upon our acknowledgment. Open. Thankful. Consistent. Exultant. Unwearying. Ver. 8. I. God's anticipations. II. Kindness. III. Disappointment. IV. Unparalleled mercy. I. What God does for His people. II. What He expects from them.-J. Lyth, D.D. THE SYMPATHY OF CHRIST. lxiii. 9. In all their affliction He was afflicted, &c. There is no man so great as not to need at some season or other the sympathy of his friend, &c. If human sympathy be so valuable how much more Divine, &c. Christ once suffered for us, He always suffers with us, &c. We have here may I. HUMAN CALAMITY SUPPOSED. The text supposes that affliction may be great,- -sorrow upon sorrow, that we are unable to endure the pressure of grief alone, and that adequate occasions for God's special interference frequently occur. This was the case with the Church in captivity, &c. Human calamity is the same thing still, &c. There is an awful reality in grief, which, like an overwhelming burden, crushes the spirit and overpowers the resources, &c. Or the human mind may be burdened with the sense of guilt, personal afflictions, bereavements, &c. Who can hush the grief and afford adequate relief under all the sorrows and calamities of life. There is but One in the universe can do it, and to Him the text points. II. DIVINE COMPASSION EXPRESSED. 1. His compassion is most real and perfect. He is afflicted with the afflictions of His people. His sympathy is no imaginary consolation. He ascended in the nature in which He suffered. He knows by experience the nature of human trial, and can meet the exigency alike of real and groundless alarm, &c. 2. His aid is exerted in the most seasonable time. In His interpositions there is never any unnecessary or fatal delay. 3. There is an ineffable kindness in His dispensations which cannot be mistaken. 4. Constant and unchangeable. CONCLUSION. 1. Ascertain your title to His peculiar sympathy. 2. Carry your griefs to Him. He is engaged to relieve all the trouble, and forgive all the guilt that is brought to Him. 3. Acknowledge your past obligations. 4. Be a saviour to others (2 Cor. i. 3).-Samuel Thodey. I. Divine sympathy. II. Interposition. III. Love. IV. Care.-Dr. Lyth THE FRIEND TURNED INTO AN ENEMY. lxiii. 10. But they rebelled, and grieved His Holy Spirit, &c. How sad is the change described in these words. If it were the heathen, unprivileged and unenlightened, of whom this was spoken, it would not be so surprising, but that it should be said of Israel with all their advantages that "they rebelled," &c., does seem surprising (vers. 8, 9). Are we indignant at such ingratitude? May we not have cause to turn our indignation against ourselves? The history of Israel, the mercies of which are here recounted, is a mirror in which we may see ourselves. Our privileges are even greater than theirs, and cor respondingly greater is the guilt of our rebellion. I. The surprising change in God's people in their bearing toward Him. Even they rebelled against Him, and grieved His Spirit. The Old Testament Church had a real though limited dispensation of the Spirit. Christ is now glorified, and He is given in more abundant measure (John vii. 39). He is said to be grieved (Eph. iv. 30), resisted (Acts vii. 51), quenched (1 Thess. v. 19). But how can a Divine person suffer grief? As the revealer of truth He is grieved by unbelief and ignorance; as the Spirit of holiness, by all impurity; as the Spirit of love, by selfishness and ingratitude. Look at some of the features of this rebellion. How are we to account for this surprising change, and what is involved in this shameful backsliding? 1. Distrust and alienation of heart. Open rebellion arises from secret disloyalty. In the case of Israel, we find them turning back in heart to Egypt, and murmuring against God, &c. How prone we are to revert to former sources of carnal gratification ! Another fruitful source of defection in Israel was the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations. Prevailing customs have a power to drag us down, to unhinge our reliance on God, and to instigate the spirit of rebellion. Against both these influences let us be on our guard. Beware of every insidious influence that would tamper with your loyalty and trust. 2. The influences of the Spirit are resisted. All who live under the Gospel are subjects in some measure of these influences. He awakens, &c. But these alarms do not always issue in conversion. Souls thus roused begin to resist the Spirit, &c. But even God's people may sadly wound and grieve the Spirit by opposing His gracious work, and by the coldness and deadness of their hearts. 3. As Israel murmured against Moses, so in our rebellion we despise Christ our deliverer. It is the Spirit's work to reveal Christ (John xvi. 13, 14). He is glorified in the homage paid to Christ. Whatever, then, obscures the glory and sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice, or is proposed as a substitute for it, must grieve the Spirit. 4. Neglect of the means of grace. The Word of God is from the Holy Spirit, and is used by Him as an instrument in all His gracious operations on the hearts of men. To trifle with the word of revelation, to neglect or despise it is to dishonour its Author. We cannot respect the physician whose medicines we refuse to take. II. The consequent change in God's bearing toward His people. This does not imply any real change in God. The change is in His people who have revolted against Him. He is as much their loving Father now when He shows himself their enemy, as before when He showed himself their friend. If we take part with His enemies, and hold traitorous intercourse with them, how can He deal with us otherwise? Oh, the folly and ingratitude of those who having found God a Friend turn Him into an enemy. In mentioning the loving-kindnesses of the Lord (ver. 7), this is not the least of them, that in our foolish rebellions He is turned to be our enemy. How unwearied and patient is His love (Neh. ix. 17). Be faithful to your vows. It is not for you to hold traitorous intercourse with the enemies of your Leader. -William Guthrie, M.A. Ver. 10. I. The claims which arise from the work of the Holy Spirit. II. The sins which are possible against the Holy Spirit.J Rawlinson. Ver. 12. I. God leads His people by instruments which He chooses and qualifies. II. Defends them with the arm of His intercepts their course. power. III. Removes every difficulty that IV. Glorifies His own name in their deliverance. Ver. 14. I. God's people need rest. II. Rest is provided for them. III. God guides them to it by His own Spirit. IV. Thereby reveals and glorifies His name. Vers. 15, 16. I. Our Father's house. Heavenly. Holy. Glorious. II. Our Father's character. Strong. Tender. Compassionate. III. Our Father's faithfulness. Survives our ingratitude - vicissitude - time. IV. Our Father's name. Father. Redeemer - from everlasting. V. Our Father's claims. Honour. Obedience. Love. Ver. 15. I. God's people in trouble. II. Their resource. III. Their plea. Past interpositions. Past mercies.-J. Lyth, D.D. GOD'S RELATION TO HIS PEOPLE. lxiii. 16. Doubtless Thou art our father, though Abraham, &c. From thanksgiving and confession, the people betake themselves to earnest prayer for deliverance from sin and suffering (ver. 15). Consider God's relation to His people in two aspects |