seized and governed by it. We are not only to possess the Spirit, but to be possessed by it-"Be ye filled with the Spirit." It is not enough for us to be in a spiritual state-but frame. We must not, however, confine the import of this expression as some do. They never think of their being in the Spirit on the Lord's day, but when they are relieved, comforted, delighted. We love feeling in religion; but religious feelings are many, and various. It is desirable to pass the Sabbath in liveliness, liberty, and joy: and we read of the Spirit of life; and of a free Spirit; and of the comfort of the Holy Ghost. But a mournful Sabbath may be a very profitable one; and we are never more in the Spirit, than when we are deeply sensible of our unworthiness; and exclaim, at the foot of the Cross, Behold, I am vile; and hunger and thirst after righteousness. For, is he not the Spirit of truth? the convincer of sin the Spirit of grace and of supplication? And does he not lead us to look upon him whom we have pierced, and to mourn for him? Who does not know, by experience, that the day and the Spirit are not always thus united? Who has not had Sabbaths devoid of all proper religious affections? This should be a matter of deep humiliation-How piercing should be the thought of a lost Sabbath! Lost, never to return! Lost, yet to be accounted for! But what is a dull and formal attendance on the services of the season, without those influences which the day requires, and is in itself adapted to produce? As the richest Sabbath, with regard to means and ordinances, may be passed without the Spirit; so we may be in the Spirit on the Lord's day, when the day is attended with few, or none of these advantages. And was it not thus with the beloved disciple? Oh! there are Sabbaths when every thing is attractive: when we go to the house of God in company; when our eyes see our teachers; when our ears hear the joyful sound of salvation by grace! But John's Sabbath was a day of suffering, of privation, of exile, of solitude, in a desert isle "Where the sound of the church-going bell "Those rocks and those valleys ne'er heard: "Never sigh'd at the sound of a knell, "Or smiled when a Sabbath appear'd." But heaven was opened unto him; and perhaps he never had such a Sabbath on earth before. A Christian may never be less alone, than when alone. His consolations may equal, yea, exceed his sufferings. While his body is fettered, his soul may range in all the glorious liberty of the Sons of God. Yes, you may be in the Spirit on the Lord's day, when denied the privileges of the sanctuary. If you keep away, from indifference, or indolence, or to save expence, when you have the ability to procure accommodation; or from any of those excuses which would detain you from nothing else; you have no reason to expect the Divine sanction. But sometimes travelling, even on the Lord's day, by land or by water, may be unavoidable. Or accident, or disease, or infirmity of age, may confine you. In which case the Lord will not despise his prisoners. And they shall know the blessedness of those whose strength is in him, and in whose hearts are the ways of them. It is better to want opportunity and power, than the will, when we serve Him who looketh at the heart. Nothing can be a substitute for Him-but he is a substitute for every thing-and he is always accessible and "if ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him!" DEC. 11.-"And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends." Job. xlii. 10. JOB was once the greatest man in the East. But he was stripped of every thing, but life; and became, as a sufferer, proverbial for ever. How long his calamities continued, we cannot determine. At length, however, the shadow of death was turned into the morning. His troubles were all removed; his losses all repaired; and his latter end blessed more than his beginning. Hence, says the Apostle James, "Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.' 99 A His state of affliction is called "his captivity." Did then, the Chaldeans and Sabeans, when they robbed him, make him also a prisoner? The term is metaphorical. Yet there is a striking reality, as the foundation of it. By the permission of Providence, Satan, for awhile, had him in his possession, to go as far as he pleased, in destroying his substance, and afflicting his body. In consequence of this, a troop of woes seized him; and his feet, as he says, were made fast in the stocks. David, also, expresses himself much in the same way-"Bring my soul out of prison"-Hé despiseth not his prisoners. state of affliction is not only unpleasant, but confining. Losses in property abridge a man of his former excursions of pleasure, and curtail his entertainments. Sickness arrests a man, and leads him away from company and business, and confines him to a bed of languishing. Yea, it detains a good man from the Sanctuary; and when he thinks of his former freedom and privileges, he pours out his soul in him: for he had gone to the house of God with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holy-day. His deliverance was of the Lord-"The Lord turned again his captivity." "He that is our God, is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death." Some ascribe their deliverances to chance; some, to the favour of their fellow-creatures; some, to their own wisdom and care-all of which is no better than idolatry. Faith will lead us to see and acknowledge the agency of God's hand, whatever means may have been employed. And, till God command deliverance, vain is the help of man. "Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening." But he knows how to deliver: and when his time is come, he not only can, but he will, make a way for our escape. "Therefore," says the Church, "I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me." - But it is peculiarly worthy of our remark, that the deliverance was accomplished "when he prayed for his friends." These friends had acted a very unkind part. They had not only mistaken his case, but charged him with hypocrisy; and loaded him with reproach. This was no easy thing to bear. He labours to convince them; but in vain. Yet he felt no resentment; but even prayed for them! This is the best thing we can do, in such cases. It will keep us more than any thing else from the effects of unhallowed passion; and enable us to comply with the command, "Love your enemies." We cannot love them as we love others; but if we can sincerely pray for them, it is a proof we love them, in the sense of the injunction. But we here see, not only the forgiving temper of Job, but the efficacy of prayer. As it is said, The Lord turned again his captivity when he prayed for his friends; it would seem, that the deliverance commenced while he was engaged in the exerciseThis is no unusual thing: for, says God, "While they call, I will answer. But, if it did not take place in the exercise, it followed immediately after. 99 And thus it affords a proof, that he is a God hearing prayer. Thus it encourages us to come to the Throne of his Grace also And not only for ourselves; but for others -And not only for their welfare; but our own. Not only because it may avail much for them; but also for ourselves. Thus Job's praying not only obtained pardon for his friends, but deliverance for himself! And though he had often prayed under his afflictions, the prayer honoured with his deliverance was not a personal, but relative, prayer. Let us not forget this-and let us extend it to all other cases of beneficence. If we do no good to those who are the objects, we must do good to those who are the agents. It cannot be in vain, with regard to ourselves. Our prayer, if not successful, will return into our own bosom, and leave a blessing behind it. "Into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the Son of Peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again." DEC. 12.-" And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre." Matt. xxvii. 61. WHILE upon the Cross He hung, The Marys near him stayed; Love it was detain'd them here: |