April 18

Romans iv.—1. What shall we then say that Abraham, our father as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

2. For, if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory, but not before God. 3. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4. Now, to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works; 7. Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. 9. Cometh this blessedness, then, upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10. How was it then reckoned? when he was in

The gospel, in the sense of a blessing promised to the obedience of faith, which could not rightfully have been claimed by one who had failed of perfect obedience to the law, — this reward of grace was given to Abraham in the promise of a blessing to his seed. At his time of life, all human experience was against the fulfilment of such a promise; but Abraham was not staggered by seeming impossibilities where he had the word of Jehovah. And again: when Abraham was commanded to sacrifice the son whom God had expressly given as the child of promise, though to human view this must defeat the covenant itself, he went forward in the obedience of faith, "accounting that God was able to raise him up even from the dead."

circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

11. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised, that righteousness might be imputed unto them also; 12. And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham which he had being yet uncircumcised. 20. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21. And being fully persuaded, that what he had promised he was able also to perform. 22. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23. Now, it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him. 24. But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25. Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

dience of faith, "accounting that God was able to raise him up even from the dead."

Though Abraham had defects of character, so that by the standard of the law he could not be considered perfect, yet this marvellous faith was accepted as righteousness. Here is our encouragement as sinners, conscious of our shortcomings and our ill-desert in presence of the holy law of God. By faith in God's own Son, whom he did not spare, but delivered up for us all, we obtain pardon, justification, and eternal life. Even so great a thing as our salvation is possible, if we will only believe.

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 30, 67.

Heavenly Father, we bless thee for the light of the morning: oh! lift upon us the light of thy countenance, that we may see thy glory in the sun, may feel thy presence in the breath of life, may discern thy hand in all the good that comes to us, may meet thy grace in thy holy Word. Oh for a heart to love thee, to praise thee, to serve thee, as we ought! Goodness and mercy have followed us all the days of our lives. Thou didst create us for thy glory; thou hast enriched us with thy bounty; thou hast redeemed us with the precious blood of thy Son. Thou hast sent forth thy Spirit into our hearts to quicken us to a new life, that we might receive the adoption of children; and crying within us, Abba, Father, oh, may we feel that we are thy children, and be separate from the children of this world in our loves and hopes, our aims and joys! Disobedient and unthankful children we have been; and we confess our waywardness and our

sin. Forgive us, we beseech thee, O our Father! for Christ's sake; and help us this day to walk as children of the light, as children of heaven.

O God! thy watchful providence is over all our ways. We pray thee this day to deliver us from temptation, to defend us from evil. Make sure to this family the mercies of thy covenant. [Give to the children grace to serve thee in the morning of life; to be gentle, obedient, loving, and kind. May they grow up pure and holy!] Remember all dear to us; bless them in their hearts and in their homes. Visit, O Lord! with thy grace, the community in which we live. Bless thy Church here, and in our land, and throughout the world. Oh! send thy salvation to all people. We beseech thee to comfort the poor, the sick, the sorrowing, the dying; and O Lord! when heart and flesh shall fail us, be thou the strength of our heart, and our portion forever, for Christ's sake. Amen.