The kingdom of Heaven is like unto a merchant-man seeking goodly pearls; who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Matt. xiii. 45, 46. BLESSED are they to whom the Gospel has made known the unsearchable riches of Christ! He is that one Pearl of great price, in compa rison of whom all other goodly things that men desire are worthless. Without him we are poor and miserable, though we abound in all manner of worldly stores; but if we have found him, and discovered the excellency of his name, we are in possession of a treasure that makes us rich indeed, and have reason to be content with our portion. though stript of every earthly comfort; for the Father gives grace and glory, even eternal life in his Son Jesus Christ; and he that hath the Son of God, hath life. O my soul! thou, like the merchant-man, hast been seeking goodly pearls, and eagerly looking here and there for happiness all thy days! Hast thou at length been enlightened to perceive where true joys are to be found? Then wilt thou be willing to sell all, in order to win Christ, and be found in him: if there is any thing that thou art unwilling to part with for his sake, thou knowest not his value, thou art not worthy of him! Long did my soul in Jesu's form No comeliness or beauty see; That show'd me wretched, naked, poor, That swiftly led me to the rock Where all salvation stands secure. God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. iv. 6. W ITHOUT this saving knowledge we have no God, no Christ, no grace, no faith, no union with Christ, no actual justification, pardon of sin, peace, nor eternal life. But whoever has found Christ the Pearl of great price, the treasure hid, has found matter of great rejoicing; for he was poor before, and this treasure enricheth him! he was naked before, but finding this treasure, he is gloriously clothed; he was forced before to feed upon husks, but now he feeds on the bread of life! he was far in debt before, but now he sees the debt is paid, that he is justified from all things and pardoned for ever; he saw he was a child of wrath before, but now he is become a child of God; that he was a captive and in chains before, but now he is set at liberty; condemned before, but now sees there is no condemnation to him, nor to any one that is in Christ Jesus! that he was a fool before, but now he is made wise to salvation. Reader, Canst thou set thy seal to the truth and power of such experience? then thou art wise indeed; if not, thou hast much to learn: apply with speed, and remember, it is God alone that gives this light and knowledge. Father of love and grace, Thy light to me impart ; Reflected from thy dear Son's face, This is his commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ. 1 John iii. 23. For God hath sent his Son into the world, that we might live through him. Chap. iv. 9. THE Father breaks forth, as it were, through the whole Scripture in high praises of his Son: he calls out from Heaven, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased, hear ye him." Matt. xvii. 5. Nothing therefore can be more agreeable to him than to receive this his Son, and to believe his report, John xvi. 27, and on doing this we shall have life; but by omitting it, we look upon him as a liar. Unbelief, therefore, which refuses to accept of this great gift, is, no doubt, the greatest of all sins. O Lord, teach me this, and grant me faith! Why art thou so backward, O my poor soul to believe, like the rest of God's children in Christ? Hast thou not as good a right to it as they have? Who can dispute with thee this privilege? It is the express will of the Father; nay, he even commands thee to do it. Has he given his only Son, by an act of inconceivable love to die for thee, to the very end that thou shouldst live? O, what a pleasing thing will it be to him, to put thy whole trust upon this his well-beloved Son! This would be the joy of his heart more than any thing else; therefore delay no longer to receive what his love has offered thee, but firmly be, lieve that the Father loves thee as well as the Son." Author of faith, to thee I lift O let me now receive that gift My soul without it dies! Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Rev. v. 12. LORD, how mean and slight notions have I often of thy great power! By these I am discouraged, and thou art robbed of thy praise; grant, therefore, that though I would always be duly abased and convinced of my vileness in such a manner as never to ascribe any good to myself, or think myself worthy of the least thing in the way of merit, for at the best I am but an unprofitable servant,-yet thy grace and power may at the same time appear to me abundantly greater than all my sins, so that I may have always encouragement enough to believe in and praise thy holy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shull praise thee with joyful lips. Psalm lxiii, 5, Allelujah! for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him, for the marriage of the Lamb is come. Rev. xix. 6, 7. WHAT tends not to thy glory, O Lord, and is not thy own work, whatever appearance it may have, is not really good and profitable; preserve and assist me, therefore, to do all things as of thee, in thy sight, and to thy honour. May my soul be ever magnifying thy name, O my dear Redeemer and Bridegroom, and my whole conversa tion be directed to thy praise! Grant that my heart and mouth may be ever full of thy great mercies, and overflow continually with thanks. giving! My God, my King, thy various praise Thy faithfulness endures the same; D |