June 12

And rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. - Philippians 3:3.

IF, therefore, Christians cannot for a time rejoice in Christ, we cannot fail to observe, they can rejoice in nothing else. Their friends are “miserable comforters;” ministers are “physicians of no value;” the promises are “clouds without rain;” the ordinances are “wells without water.” Then creatures all look dismal, and, as they draw back, exclaim, “Help is not in us;” “If the Lord help thee not, whence shall we help thee? Out of the barn-floor, or out of the wine-fat?” But, on the other hand, “when he giveth peace, who then can make trouble?” When he “rejoices the souls of his servants,” every thing is changed around; when he smiles, every thing laughs. Then they learn in “whatsoever state. they are, therewith to be content;” then “in every thing they give thanks.” Then they can say, with Dr. Doddridge,-

“If thou, my Jesus, still art nigh,

Cheerful I live, and cheerful die,-

Secure, when mortal comforts flee,

To find ten thousand worlds in thee.”

So, then, “they that forsake him observe lying vanities, and forsake their own mercies.” “So will not I,” says the Christian; “I have found it good to draw near to God.” I forsake him? He has “been my help,” and therefore “under the shadow of his wings will I rejoice.” “When, therefore, many who were offended with his doctrine drew back and “walked no more with him,” to try the dispositions of his disciples, he said, “Will ye also go away?”

Now you have a very good time for it, if you will; now you may go in company; now you need not blush; now there are persons to keep you in countenance: “will ye also go away?” Peter answered, “Go away, Lord,” (and this was the sentiment of all his brethren too,) “we go away? to whom should we go?” To the philosophers? they are “vain in their imaginations, and their foolish hearts are darkened.” To the world? that is “vanity and vexation of spirit.” To sin? it leads down to hell by the chambers of death.” Shall we go to the Scribes and the Pharisees? they are “blind leaders of the blind.” Shall we go to Moses? Moses would send us immediately back to thee, for he wrote of thee, he spoke of thee; and every institution he established, and every ceremony and every sacrifice he ordained, was designed to proclaim, “Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world.” “Lord, to whom should we go but unto thee? Thou hast the words of eternal life.”