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what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God!" What manner of love! How rich how free! how expensive! What difficulties stood in the way! Yet he removed them. How, said He, shall I put thee among the children? But he did it. Yes; he not only spared and pardoned us; he not only admitted us into his family as servants, but as sons: and, for this purpose, he gave his own Son for us, and his Spirit to us. "When the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the Law, to redeem them that were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God, through Christ."

Secondly. The believer's dignity. Secular nobility derives all its lustre from flesh and blood; and if retraced, will be found to originate in the dust of the ground, from which Adam was taken. It has little value, unless in the fancies of men. But our relation to God confers real and durable honour; compared with which, the most magnificent titles in the world are mere shadows and smoke. How did the Jews boast of having Abraham to their father! "Is it a light thing,' said David, a subject, "that I should be son-in-law to the king?" But I think of the majesty and dominion of God! The world is his, and the fulness thereof-I behold the productions of the earth, and the wonders of the skies, and say

"My Father made them all!"

Thirdly. The happiness of the Christian. The relation has connected with it, the promise of pardon and we daily need it; for in many things

we offend all. But I will spare him, says God, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. It gives us free access to God in prayer; and inspires us with confidence and hope of success: "If ye being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him!" Hence correction: "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Hence education: he does not leave the child to himself; but trains him up in the way that he should go. Hence provision: He who feeds the ravens, will not suffer the righteous to famish. Their heavenly Father knoweth what things they have need of before they ask him; and will suffer them to want no good thing. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. Many are born to an estate which they never obtain: but here the inheritance is reserved in heaven; and they are kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation, on earth.

Fourthly. The duty of the saints. Are they all the children of the Lord their God? Then they ought to fear him. If I am a father, where is my fear? This will keep them from offending him. This will make them studious to please him. This will induce them to pray, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my Strength, and my Redeemer."

As his children, they must walk worthy of God, who hath called them unto his kingdom and glory. We have read of a Polish Prince, who carried the picture of his father always in his bosom; and on any particular occasion, he would take it out, and view it, and say, Let me do nothing unbecoming so excellent a father.

Christians, do nothing unbecoming the rank of your family, and the grandeur of your descent. Be

Be

harmless and blameless, the sons of God, without rebuke. Be followers of God, as dear children. ye perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.

MAY 30." Ask of me."

Ps. ii. 8.

THIS is the condition of a very important grantAsk of me and I shall give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

Whatever appears humiliating in the condition to which the Saviour submitted, let it be remembered that he entered it voluntarily, and knowingly. He was aware that if the children were partakers of flesh and blood, he likewise himself must also take part in the same; and that in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren. He must therefore not only suffer, but obey; and though he was a Son, yet learned he obedience. He must therefore pray. Prayer is the act of an inferior nature; and the Word was made flesh. Though rich, he became poor; and made himself of no reputation.

Many objections are made to prayer. Some of them are specious, but they are all founded in ignorance. The best way to answer them is to take our stand on the Scripture, and make our appeal. Does not God derive his character and glory from his hearing prayer? Is not his Spirit the Spirit of grace and of supplication? Is not this his command? Is not this his promise? "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find." Does He dispense with this even in the case of his Son? And can it be dispensable with regard to us? We know his determination: For all these things I

will yet be enquired of by the house of Israel to do it for them "Ask, and I shall give thee."

- But how was he to ask?

First, when he was on earth, he prayed like one of us. He prayed alone, and in company with his disciples; he prayed in the Wilderness, and in the Garden, and on the Cross: "In the days of his flesh, he offered up prayars and supplication, with strong crying and tears, unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared." Secondly, he continued the presentation of his desire, when he entered heaven. We know not whether this was done vocally, but it was done really. Thirdly, he does it relatively. Thus prayer is made for him continually. And whenever individuals, ministers, and churches, pray for the success of his cause-He is asking.

And his prayer, and our praying, are founded on the same consideration; viz. his sufferings and death. The counsel of peace was between them both. It was said, that when the Father should make his soul an offering for sin, he should see his seed, and prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord should prosper in his hands; he should see of the travail of his soul, and should be satisfied. This was the joy set before him: and having fulfilled the awful condition on which it was suspended, he pleads for it-He therefore asks, in his own Name, and on his own behalf. And we ask on the same behalf, and in the same Name: according to his own direction, "Whatsoever ye shall ask, believing in my Name, ye shall receive."

And this should encourage and embolden us. There can be no more uncertainty attending the success of our asking, than of his; for herein we are identified with him. There is no unfaithfulness with God; and he hath said, "Ask of me, and I shall give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession."

-If our prayers are sincere, they must be influential; and we shall exert ourselves in the Redeemer's cause. Nor can we labour in vain. We are on the sure, the rising, the prevailing side. Merchants, heroes, politicians, may all weary themselves for very vanity. We are at a certainty. A king shall reign and prosper. "His Name shall endure for ever: his Name shall be continued as long as the sun: aud men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed. Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious Name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen, and Amen."

MAY 31.-" And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them." John xxiv. 30.

THIS was not a sacramental meal, as when he took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and said, This is my body. Neither was it a miraculous meal, as when he took the loaves, and blessed them, and multiplied them. But an ordinary meal. Yet he blessed the food. And this he did always. And his example has the force of a law with all his followers-For, "He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk as he walked." Hence the command, "Whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,” i. e. as his disciples, who are not only to believe in him, but to represent him.

From his observing this practice, we may be sure that it is wise, and useful, and necessary. Sin has brought a curse upon all our enjoyments; and the blessing of God alone can take it off.

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