December 23

perfectly acquainted with the mechanism of our physical constitution, and especially with the boundaries and contents of body and mind; for we are fearfully and wonderfully made. One conclusion is obvious—That it is irrational to deny the reality of every thing our present senses do not recognize. This valley was filled in the same way before the man could see it: his sight did not bring thither the celestial array, but only discerned it. Every sound, even thunder itself, is a nonentity to the deaf; fragrance has no existence as to the perception of those who are incapable of smelling; the colours of the rainbow might be denied by the blind: because they cannot hear or feel them. It has therefore been fairly argued from analogy that there may be numberless objects, real and near us too, but which, only for want of a suitable medium, we do not apprehend. As for those who believe the Scriptures, as well as the power of God, they must acknowledge that there is another world, and that there are agents whose influence is seldom or ever perceived by us, who yet have alliances with us, and are concerned in our affairs. May the Father of our spirits prepare us for a world of spirits!

We also here see the disadvantage of ignorance. In darkness we easily mistake every thing, and are sure to magnify whatever we suspect to be injurious. What therefore we deem some sprite or monster, upon the increase of light subsides into a stone, or root of a tree, or a harmless animal. This man's perturbation arose from his ignorance; as soon as he knew the truth of things, as soon as he saw things as they really were, he was tranquillized—and is not this the way to tranquillize Christians? Do not their alarms originate in their want of clearer views in religion? "They that know thy name will put their trust in thee; because thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee." They that "know" whom they have believed will be "persuaded that he is able to keep that which they have committed to him against that day."

And how safe are the Lord's people even in the midst of danger. He is a wall of fire round about them. He is the shield of their help, and the sword of their excellency, and their enemies shall be found liars unto them. Let us ascertain that we belong to him; and realizing our privilege, exclaim, "Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident." "If God be for us, who can be against us? THEY THAT BE WITH US ARE MORE THAN THEY THAT BE WITH THEM.

DECEMBER 23.—"Who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the Lord."—Jeremiah 30:21.

This is spoken, if not immediately, yet ultimately and supremely, of him to whom gave all the prophets witness.

Observe his work—It was to "approach" unto God. This he did as a man. How often do we read of his praying, which, with him, was never any thing less than a drawing near to God. But he is here spoken of as the mediator, and in the character of the High Priest of our profession. This was precisely the priest's business of old; it was to approach God mediatorially. Hence says God, "I will be sanctified in all that come nigh me." So when the persons

of the priests are spoken of, it is said to Aaron, "Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God. For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach." I dwell not here on the grounds of this exclusion, some of which were physical, some moral, some typical; but remark their work, to "offer," to "approach." And how? If the high priest had gone into the holy of holies, where God resided between the cherubim, without a sacrifice, he would have rushed upon a drawn sword. Therefore he first slew the victim, and then took the blood in a bason, and went in and sprinkled the mercy-seat, and burnt incense; upon which he came forth and blessed the people. Thus Jesus entered into the holy place, there to appear in the presence of God for us; not without blood; and not with the blood of bulls, and of goats, but with his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. There he entered, after making reconciliation for the sins of the people, to intercede for us, on the foundation of his atonement, and from thence to command the blessing, even life for evermore, on the Israel of God. But there was this difference between the type and the reality. The high priest of old offered for his own sins, as well as for those of the congregation. But Jesus had no personal guilt. He was harmless, holy, undefiled; and therefore he only bore our iniquity. The high priest offered oftentimes the same sacrifices, because they could not make the comers thereunto perfect: but Jesus, by the one offering up of himself, hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

For the accomplishment of this work, he "engaged his heart." Here we see willingness. His undertaking would not have been accepted, unless it had been voluntary. But he was not constrained; he said, Lo! I come to do thy will, O God. I delight to do thy will; yea, thy law is within my heart. The engaging of his heart expresses the strength of his affection and the firmness of his determination. The latter of these sprang from the former, and served to display it. Consider what he had to endure for thirty-three years as a man of sorrows; what he had to suffer in delivering us from the wrath to come, being made a curse for us. Yet though he knew all, he turned not away his back: yea, as his tremendous agony drew near, he said, "I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am I straitened till it be accomplished?" The reason was, that perfect love casteth out fear. Love produces courage, even in the fearful bird and the timid sheep. They will attack their foe to defend their young. But how the mother ventures and hangs regardless of danger over the infected body of her child. Love is strong as death; many waters cannot quench love; neither can the floods drown it. But no love will bear a comparison with his—"the love of Christ passeth knowledge."

And is he not worthy of attention? "Who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the Lord"—Who indeed? "He is a wonder to all, both below and above." Many were astonished at him. Many treated him with scorn. He was to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness. Numbers do not feel their need of him though he is the way, the truth, and the life. He is still despised and rejected of men. But he was seen of angels, and all the angels of God worship him. They find no-