May 23

PART III.—1 Corinthians 3:2.

As a foundation Christ comes to us, as having been tried, and as having been always sufficient. How many have built upon mere doctrines and sentiments, upon creeds and systems, but in the day of distress when they wanted comfort, their foundation being only nominal, merely theoretical, they have been left in wretchedness and despondency. How many have built on the abstract mercy of God, but when their foundation was tested, they have found out that Jehovah is just, as well as merciful, and he will by no means clear the guilty. How many have built upon their own works, upon their self-righteousness, and have only been awakened time enough to discover, that all their goodness is as filthy rags. But all who have tried Jesus, have found him a sufficient foundation. And how extensively has he been tried. In all ages thousands have rested all their hopes upon him. He has been tried by all classes and grades of men. By the rich, and by the poor; by the learned, and by the illiterate; by the savage, and by the refined; by the moralist, and by the profligate; and they have all realised in him, an all sufficient foundation. He has proved all sufficient, for all times and places, and occurrences,—he has been tried in prosperity, and in adversity,—he has been tried in youth, and in old age,—he has been tried in health, and in sickness,—he has been tried in life, and in death. And in all diversities of state, they who have trusted in him have never been confounded. His sufficiency has been tested, under reproach, persecution, distress, at the stake, and at the block, and so strong has it been, that pain has been found as ease, and death in its most terrific forms embraced, in hope of a better resurrection. Let the christian abide on this foundation; be not moved from the hope of the gospel. The sinner's peace, happiness, and eternal well-being depends upon the acceptance, or rejection of this foundation.