all his divine power, in all his spiritual gifts, that we may be "filled with all joy and peace in believing;" that we may bring forth" the fruits of the Spirit," and "of the Spirit reap life everlasting?" The summary of the articles of our faith, occupying a middle place between the reading of Scripture and the several Collects or Litany (if that be read), is well calculated to serve as an acknowledgment of the truth of God's word on the one hand, and a preparation for prayer on the other. 2dly, But the confessing of Christ is a duty to be performed not only when we meet together in public worship, it is to be our daily practice. We are to confess Christ in our common conversation, and especially in the instruction given to our families, and to those who are under our care. Parents, bear in mind that it is your business to bring up your children "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." How can you do this, unless you instruct them who that Lord is, and what relation they bear to Him? Here, then, you are to confess Him, training your children in the right faith, and leading them in the way of Gospel truth; taking them, as it were, by the hand, and carrying them to Christ. Oh teach them from their earliest years to honour that blessed and * See Comber, as before. glorious name! Teach them their need of a Saviour, and all that he has done to supply their need, to reconcile them to the Father, and engage their best love and affections. Never suffer them to profane that holy name by which they are called; never, if it be possible, let them disgrace the title of Christians. Let every thing relating to the blessed Jesus be honourable in their sight. Teach them to read his history, to love his character, to learn his precepts, to seek his favour, and to have his example before their eyes as a perfect pattern for their conduct. So shall you confess your Saviour to your children. -You, who are teachers, do the same in your schools and in your families. This is the end of the instruction given in our daily and our Sunday schools; viz. to lead our pupils to Christ, and show them what He hath done, and what they must do that they may be saved. All other learning is but secondary, and subsidiary to this-this is our one supreme object. If this can be attained, a good and sure foundation is laid for the knowledge of God, and the practice of holiness in after life. And of what value is all our boastful pretension to science, if we know not God, nor are wise unto salvation? "Where else shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?" Though we dive low in profound research, or range in enquiry over the whole face of heaven and earth, "the depth saith, It is not in me; and the sea saith, It is not in me.” * "It is not in heaven that thou shouldest say, Who shall ascend into heaven, and bring it unto us? nor, again, Who shall descend into the deep to bring it to us? but the word is very nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart; that is the word of faith which we preach." It is thus, you remember, that the Apostle introduces the duty of confessing the Lord Jesus, as you have it in the text of this discourse. All enquiry is praiseworthy, if directed aright; all science profitable, if it lead us up to God. But be it ever remembered, that the end and object of worldly wisdom has too often been not to know God; and the Gospel displays both the wisdom and power of its Divine Author in " destroying the wisdom of the wise, and bringing to nothing the understanding of the prudent." -Masters, who have households under your control, teach your servants to know God and Jesus Christ, whom He hath sent; teach them the doctrines of the Gospel, which are the foundation of faith and obedience. Be to them as those who have a Master in heaven, and teach them to serve as those who fear God, who serve the Lord Christ. Call them together to family worship; read the Scriptures to them, and pray with them. Prayer brings great honour to the blessed Jesus, * Job. xxviii. 14. + Deut. xxx. 12. Rom. x. 6, 7, 8. and is one special mode appointed by himself for confessing Him; since our prayers are offered in His name. up And all of you, brethren, whatever may be your several occupations and stations, make it your business to honour that holy name by which you are called: do honour to the Gospel as your rule, and especially as it contains the history, and miracles, and discourses of your Lord and Master. Be afraid of denying Him either in word or in practice. Be ready to own your entire dependence upon Him for your salvation. Be not ashamed to make mention of His name. I do not mean, as I have already hinted, that it should be brought forward ostentatiously, or unseasonably forced into notice, but let it be known where your hope is, and upon all proper occasions speak of it freely. The Israelites were commanded to "talk of the law of God in the house and in the way, when they lay down, and when they rose up.' Shall we, who are blessed with the privileges of the better covenant, be backward to declare our rejoicing in them? While "the mouth of fools" (to use the language of Solomon) is on every side "pouring out foolishness," let us not be fearful to bring honour to that name which is so often profaned, and abundantly tell of His righteousness. Much there is which the faithful servants of Christ may have to endure while openly confessing their Lord in their walk through life. But how great will be the recompense in that day when they shall be owned by Him before their Father in heaven! How great will be the change, when the feeble, timid mortal, who, like his blessed Master in his state of humiliation, "did not strive, nor cry, nor cause his voice to be heard," shall be taken, as it were, by the hand, and acknowledged by Him whom all the angels are commanded to worship! Cherish a firm faith in him in the heart, make the love of him the ruling principle of life, teach it to others, adorn it by a holy conversation, by all the graces of his character, especially meekness, gentleness, and lowliness of mind: such a faith shall be unto righteousness, and such confession to your everlasting salvation. |