January 5

"And they cast their crowns before the throne." Revelation 4:10.

RELIGION distinguishes and elevates. The possessors of it begin to rise on earth, but their dignity is perfected and displayed in heaven.

There they are crowned. Racers were crowned. Conquerors were crowned. Benefactors who had saved the life of a fellow-citizen were crowned. Bridegrooms were crowned. Solomon's mother crowned him in the day of his espousals. Princes on their ascension are crowned. The saints on high are every one of these characters in themselves; and the crown each wears is called "a crown of righteousness," "a crown of life," "a crown of glory that fadeth not away," a crown divinely superior to the prize of mortal ambition: "Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible."

Yet, if they are thus honored, "they cast their crowns before the throne" they approach; testifying by this action from whom they have received them, and confessing that they deem themselves unworthy to wear the honor—all in conformity with the peculiar design of the gospel constitution, "that no flesh should glory in his presence; but, according as it is written, he that glorieth let him glory in the Lord."

It is no easy thing to bring a man to this temper of mind. It is not natural to him. Naturally, he is as proud as he is poor. Therefore he would be wise, though born as a wild ass's colt. Therefore, though poverty itself, he says, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing. Therefore, though without strength, he trusts in his own heart; and, though guilty before God, he goes about to establish his own righteousness. Therefore he is impatient under his affliction, as if he had a right to complain; and unthankful under his mercies, as if he deserved them.

The day of conviction is a day of self-abasement; and in that day the lofty looks of man are brought low. Then he submits himself to God, and begins to walk humbly with him; he admires the patience that has borne with him, and adores the abundant mercy that has saved and called him. The more he advances in the divine life, the more he sinks in his own estimation. "I, who am but dust and ashes." "Behold, I am vile." "Who am I, and what is my father's house?" "I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies." "I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof." The "latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose." "I am not worthy to be called an apostle." "I am less than the least of all saints." These have been the self-annihilations of men who were all great in the sight of the Lord; and these must be the best proofs, as they will be the certain effects, of our growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour.

Ignorance is the pedestal of pride; throw down the basis, and the figure falls. But here our knowledge is not complete; hereafter we shall see things in God's own light. Then we shall have other views than we now have of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, of the number and aggravations of our offences, of the greatness of our guilt and desert, of the vastness of our obligations, of the wonders of that love that passeth knowledge in every part of our salvation. Thence will result that fine ingenuous feeling that shrinks back, and is ready to decline a distinguished privilege, not from dislike, or unwillingness to be under obligation, but from a sense of unworthiness. Did Peter wish to be abandoned of Christ? Yea, he placed all his happiness in his presence;

but it was under this feeling, on the sight of the miracle, he exclaimed, "Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord!"

Some would not think of such abdications were they to enter heaven with their present principles and dispositions; they would rather view their crowns as of their own deserving, and their own procuring, and feel the spirit of a late emperor, who, too proud to receive his diadem from any other hand than his own, placed himself the crown upon his head. But that world is a world of humility and gratitude. All the dignitaries there cast their crowns before the throne of the Saviour, in whose righteousness alone they are exalted, still praising him, and saying, "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy and thy truth's sake."

Now, whatever heaven is, we must be disposed and prepared for it before we can enter it. Has then God wrought us for the self-same thing? Has he brought down the pride of our nature, and made us willing to "submit ourselves unto the righteousness of God?" Are we saying, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ?" Is the leading sentiment of the BLESSED now living in our hearts and reigning in our lives: "BY THE GRACE OF GOD I AM WHAT I AM. NOT I, BUT THE GRACE OF GOD WHICH WAS WITH ME?"