justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"

Here is a chain of mercy and grace with many links,eternal purpose, divine foreknowledge, effectual calling, gracious acceptance, and final glory,-and all of them so strong that nothing can weaken or sever them. Moreover, as one sweetly says, "Each several link, from the first to the last, is in his hand, and that alone renders the chain an indissoluble one, though reaching from everlasting to everlasting. At whatever point, therefore, faith lays her hand on that chain, she finds it strong enough to bear all that she can hang on it, even the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." Happily, too, there is one link of this blessed chain always so near as to be within reach of all: "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out;" and whoever takes hold of it by faith makes sure of eternal life.

"The saints," says Samuel Rutherford, "seem to have the worst of it; but it is not so. Providence is not rolled upon unequal, crooked wheels; for all things work together for the good of those who love God, and are the called according to his purpose.' Ere it be long, we shall see the white side of God's providence."

The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever.-Ps. cxxxviii. 8.

God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord...who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.-1 COR. i. 9, 30.

There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.PROV. xxi. 30.

January 9.

CONVERSIONS MAY BE SUDDEN, YET SURE.

ANY look on all sudden conversions with such

MANY

suspiciousness that they will scarcely admit their genuineness in any case, not remembering that some of the most remarkable instances of saving change recorded in Scripture are of this nature. In these cases the suddenness of the change, so far from interfering with the genuineness of it, only brings out more impressively the riches and efficacy of sovereign grace.

We see this strikingly exemplified in the conversion of Zaccheus. It was a strange sight, the chief among the publicans sitting on the branches of a sycamore tree, and waiting patiently till Jesus should pass by: yet not more strange than blessed; for, as Thomas Boston says, "It is good to be in Christ's way, for he loves to surprise sinners with a cast of free grace." When he came to the place, Jesus paused and looked up. And what a look! Whatever it may have been to others, Zaccheus at least could never forget it, for there was kindness in it, and inexpressible tenderness. What the look of Jesus in the hall did for Peter, this look apparently, with the words accompanying it, did for Zaccheus: it imbittered sin to him, and endeared the Saviour.

In dealing with him, the Lord was lovingly urgent: "Zaccheus," he said, "make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house." And not without reason, for as our Lord's ministry was now nearing its close, he was never again to pass that way. He was there for the last time, and virtually, therefore, it was now or never

with Zaccheus. Assuredly, if ever a man should make haste, it is when the Lord of grace is passing by and inviting in love, and willing to enter in and make his abode with him. Zaccheus felt it to be so, and therefore gave instant obedience to the Redeemer's loving call.

Doubtless that day of his meeting with Christ was the brightest and happiest of his life, and would ever be cherished as its very sunniest memory; and reasonably so, for while on the morning of that day he awoke an alien and outcast, without help or hope, yet ere the sun had set he was forgiven and accepted, a child of God and an heir of glory.

Why should not this, in large measure, be our experience also? The door of mercy is as open now to us as it was then to Zaccheus; and the welcome will be as warm, if we only come as he came, and trust as he trusted.

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise.-LUKE xxiii. 42, 43.

And the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.-ACTs ii. 41, 42.

January 10.

A TRUE SUPPLIANT.

RIEF as is the publican's prayer, "God be merciful to

BRIEF

me a sinner," it yet reveals such a deep sense of sin, and such a sweet hope of mercy, that it is in every way suitable for all, whether the holiest of saints or the vilest

3

of sinners. It is not strange, therefore, that it has been in constant use among the redeemed of the Lord. "It has formed the living motto and dying words of unnumbered thousands; their latest breath has uttered them."

It is well to note that it was not a vague, general pity the publican asked, or mere forbearance, like the servant in the parable when he said, "Have patience, and I will pay thee all," but forgiving mercy-" God be merciful to me a sinner." This was his petition; and he not only obtained what he asked, but far beyond it, even all the benefits of a full justification-freedom from condemnation, acceptance in the Beloved, and adoption into the royal family of heaven. And these blessings he received at once, for that very day "he went down to his house justified."

What the Lord did for him, he is able and willing to do for every one who comes in a like spirit. Blessed are all such. When Hugo Grotius, as he lay dying, had his attention drawn to this very prayer, he said, with great earnestness and deep humility, "I am that publican,— God be merciful to me a sinner."

Besides the publican, there was another suppliant, the Pharisee; and the difference between them has been thus strikingly stated: "The one so gives thanks as to forget to pray, the other so prays that he afterwards gives thanks; the one compares himself with other men, the other observes himself in the mirror of God's law; the one counts up his virtues, the other cannot count up his sins; the one with' all his virtues still keeps an evil conscience, the other with all his sins receives the full assurance of forgiveness."

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.-PROV. xxviii. 13.

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.-ISA. lv. 7.

Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.-Ps. cxxx. 7.

IN

January 11.

CONCERN FOR THE LORD'S HONOUR.

N every aspect of it the fall of David was peculiarly grievous. It injured others; it injured himself; but in the eyes of Nathan the saddest thing of all was the dishonour done by it to the holy name of God. "By this deed," he said, "thou hast given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme." So, also, when for the wickedness of Israel the Lord threatened to consume them, the main argument of Moses, when interceding for them, and the one on which he most leaned, was the possible dishonour their destruction might bring on God's holy name. So has it ever been with all truly loyal hearts: while anything said against themselves can be borne patiently, any reproach cast upon their Lord touches the very apple of their eye.

Paul could be calm when the men of Lystra were stoning him, for that but wounded himself; but he could not restrain himself when they cried, "The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men," and were about to worship him, for that would have wounded and dishonoured his Lord. Wherefore, rushing in among the people, and rending his garments, he cried aloud, "Sirs, why do ye