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Sinners are the objects of his love. Sin is the accursed thing his soul hates. From this he purifies them. In purity and holiness his soul delights: with this he blesses his disciples. He then pronounces them blessed. He tells them wherein their happiness consists: Blessed are ye whose hearts are pure; blessed are your eyes, for they shall see God.

"Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one" of fallen Adam's race, Job xiv. 4. Such power belongs to God only. Man contributes nothing to it. But yet, every believing, regenerate man, is the blessed subject of purity and holiness of heart. He has no hand in purifying his own heart. No glory is due to him. But holy, blessed effects flow from it, to God his Saviour's glory, to his present felicity, and to his eternal comfort and joy. To thy shame, disciple, thou knowest, being a child of an apostate, sinful parent, naturally sin was the only delight of thine heart. It is thy present blessedness to be a child of the holy God, a member of the holy Jesus, a subject of the Holy Spirit's new-creating influence, and a partaker of holy faith. Hence, it is natural to thy holy, new-born heart, to love holiness, as agreeable to the perfections of thy God and Saviour, and as suitable to thy present state of blessedness in Christ. Whence those sighs and sorrows, at finding the Canaanites still in the land? whence those groans and prayers, because sin dwelleth in the flesh? whence those importunate cries, and longing requests to Jesus, for total victory, and perfect freedom from this troublesome inmate? whence that holy joy and sweet complacency in bringing forth "the fruits of holiness?" These are indubitable evidences, that thou art united to a holy Jesus, that thy heart is purified by faith, that thou hast a heart cleansed from all sin by Christ's blood. A new heart and a right spirit are put within thee. Thou dost see God in Christ now, as thy covenant God. Thou hast received covenant blessings from him. Rejoice in him. Shortly thou shalt see him, and enjoy him to all eternity in his kingdom and glory.

DEC. 17.-Righteousness delivereth from death. Prov. xi. 4.

When a sinner judges of himself according to the word of truth, then is he truly wise. When he sees the exceeding sinfulness of sin, he is truly humble. When he considers that "the wages of sin is death," he is truly miserable. But when enabled to believe that he is righteous in God's sight, he is truly happy. His soul rejoices, because his eyes have seen the salvation of God; and he hath found a righteousness that delivers from death. It is never well with us, but when, in simplicity and godly sincerity, we form our judgment of sin and righteousness from the Lord's word. For carnal reason and fleshly wisdom pervert and draw us aside from the truth as it is in Jesus. Sin is a transgression of the law, which is holy, just, and good. "Death has passed upon all men." Verily, then I am a cursed sinner, and have need to cry daily, "God be merciful to me !" Lord, deliver my soul from death! What is righteousness, but perfect obedience to God's law? I have no righteousness in myself: I have sinned. A sinner righteous in himself is a contradiction in terms.

But, here is our mercy; as by man sin entered into the world, and death, as the curse of sin; so by man came righteousness, and, as a blessing of it, deliverance from death. Where can we turn our eyes? to whom look for this righteousness, this blessing, this deliverance? To the Man, Mediator, Surety, and Representative of his people, Jesus only. He is emphatically styled "the righteous," 1 John ii. 1. He was made "sin for us, who knew no sin, that we (who have no righteousness in ourselves) might be made the righteousness of God in him," 2 Cor. v. 21. So the righteous Jehovah, who loveth righteousness, and whose countenance beholds the thing that is just, is well pleased with the members of Jesus, as clothed with his righteousness. The Lord laid their sins upon Jesus.

He imputes the righteousness of Jesus to them, without any work of theirs. So he delivers them from deserved death, so he justifies them in righteousness unto eternal life. Every believer is as perfectly righteous in Christ, as if he had never sinned. Here is thy happiness; thus judge of thyself. This is agreeable to God's truth, and is witnessed by his Spirit, through faith. This makes us joyful in truth, animates to all holy obedience in love, gives confidence in prayer, comfort in life, deliverance from death, and boldness in the day of judgment. Thus grace reigns unto eternal life, through the righteousness of Jesus Christ, Rom. v. 21.

DEC. 18.-Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.-Col. iii. 15.

Every exhortation in the word of grace implies a contrary disposition in the fallen nature of saints. Because thou hast turbulent passions in thy flesh, therefore art thou, believer, called upon by the word, to oppose them, in the grace of the Spirit. Here is thy daily exercise. Many things from within and without, we are sure to find, which are contrary to the peace of our minds and comfort of our hearts. O man of God, flee these things; watch against, pray for victory over them. Thou hast the most powerful excitement hereto. Jesus hath made peace by the blood of his cross. Thou art called to the enjoyment of it through faith; called to be of that one body, of which Jesus is the head. Hence, the hand-writing of the law of accusation is cancelled in the mind; sin dethroned in the heart; the clamours of conscience silenced; and sweet peace with God inwardly felt. Dost thou possess this happy state? What then shall be the determining rule of thy conduct? Live by the word of truth, on the Prince of peace; so shall thy outward conduct be peaceable with all men.

Peace with God is the fruit of his everlasting love. Its root was planted in the eternal council of peace; it blossoms and bears fruit in the life and death of Jesus; and sinners reap the sweet, heart-felt sense of it by faith. Nothing can destroy this heavenly plant; but many things may cause it to droop and wither in experience. Let the peace of God rule. Hence it is plain we are exposed to many things which may prevent its ruling: these are to be guarded against. While the peace of God rears its head, and rules in the heart, we shall follow peace with all men; yea, embrace every member of the Prince of peace, in the open arms of faith and love. And canst thou barter this rich gem of thy Redeemer's crown, for the gratifications of unbridled passion, unchristian resentment against any? Hath thy Lord dealt so with thee? Was this the meek Lamb's conduct? Thou knowest otherwise. "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves." Yes: avenge yourselves on the enemies of your peace. Pride is the cause of anger and passion. Here fix all thy indignation. Against this be fired with a holy resentment. Anger hinders prayers. Resentment shuts up the spirit against thankfulness. Oh, offer up this sweet sacrifice continually! Beware lest the smoke of pride and corruptions cloud thy mind and darken thy soul. Humility is the ground of gratitude. Walk worthy of thy call. ing, Eph. iv. 1.

DEC. 19.-And Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.-Luke x. 42.

What the Lord said of Aaron's rod is true of the hearts of all his elect: "The man's rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom," Numb. xvii. 5. To see a dead, withered stick, cut off from the root, bring forth blossoms, is a miracle in nature. So, when the soul of a once dead sinner shoots forth the blossoms of affection to Jesus, and chooses him as its portion and happiness,

and brings forth fruits of holiness, this is a miracle of grace.

The love of Jesus to his people was not only con. ceived in his heart from eternity, but was manifested in his life and death in time. So, when our hearts are made acquainted with this love, it cannot be hid. When Jesus is chosen as our treasure, our affections cleave to him, we follow him, our delight is to hear his voice, to sit at his feet, and attend upon the gracious words which drop from his lips. Blessed be his name! he indulges his people now, with real, spiritual communion with him, though we enjoy not his bodily presence. This is our heaven upon earth. But it differs from the heaven of glory in this; because here are many things that interrupt our constant enjoyment of Jesus: Satan envies it; the flesh lusteth against it; the world, with its profits and pleasures, allures us from it. And, indeed, the poor heart is ofttimes ready to fear, I shall lose Jesus' grace and salvation. Though, like Mary, the soul hath chosen the good part in time, yet it sometimes doubts of the enjoyment of its portion in a blissful eternity. But that is impossible; because Jesus is God, and it is impossible for God to lie. But had not Martha also a part in this one thing needful? Doubtless. But still, she was over careful, and too much cumbered about other things. This our Lord reproves. The same grace which was effectual in Mary's heart, influences the heart of every disciple to the same choice; therefore, what Jesus said to her, in the days of his flesh, is written by his Spirit, for our consolation, and establishment in faith and love. Mary displayed the greatness of her soul, in being satisfied with no object short of Jesus, and the humility of her heart, in sitting at his feet. Poor, doubting, fearing believer, thy choice of Jesus is the effect of God's choosing thee in Jesus; therefore thy good part, thy happy choice, shall never be taken from thee; but thou shalt soon hear the voice of thy Beloved, saying, "Come up hither." "Where I am, there shall my servants be. If any man serve me, him will my Father honour," John xii. 26.

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