December 7

"Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness." Judges 14:14.

LET us apply this sentiment to

THE DEATH OF CHRIST. Mournful indeed was the period when he hung upon the accursed tree, descended into the grave, and became a prisoner of death. Behold the Light of the world wrapped in a mournful shroud, the Sun of righteousness set in blood, and the Lord of life numbered with the dead: no equipage of mourners in black pay their last tribute of respect to him; but the sun becomes black as sackcloth, and shuts his glories in; and there was darkness from the sixth to the ninth hour. We hear of none, who, according to the Jewish custom, rent their garments, but the rocks were rent asunder, and the veil of the temple was rent from the top to the bottom; the inhabitants of hell rejoiced in the supposed ruin and infamy of the cause of Christ: but, "glory to God in the highest," the death of Christ is the life of the world, the triumph of grace, and the salvation of his people. 'T is this that inspires us with hope, assures us of pardon, and secures eternal glory. From the bitter, God extracts sweet: "out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness." Was not the death of Christ the conquering of sin, and the overthrow of Satan's kingdom? The Wonderful Counsellor was too wise for the old serpent, and the Lion of the tribe of Judah too strong for the red dragon. Satan was defeated; "Through death he destroyed him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." Interested in the death of Christ, may we not look down to the dreary mansions of the grave? and while we hear the Saviour whisper, "I am the resurrection and the life, ye shall rise again," may we not exclaim, "O grave! where is thy victory? O death! where is thy sting?"

"Here, O my soul! thy trust repose; If Jesus is forever mine, Not death itself—that last of foes— Shall break a union so divine."