In (v. 7.) the Psalmist compares the momentary prosperity of the wicked, to the grass of the fieldgreen to day-burned up and withered to-morrow. But the blessedness of Christ's people, having His righteousness, (the righteousness mentioned in verse 12,) is, by way of contrast, compared to the Cedar of Lebanon, whose strength and beauty, were of such a lasting kind and whose wood was of such a hard durable nature, that naturalists have ascribed to it even eternity, and the people of God, in this respect, are like-"beams of cedar in the Lord's house."

They will endure for ever. They have grace in them that will keep them faithful in all holy obedience and love. Grace, is an eternal principle.

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Being born again by the Word of God" &c.1 Two things the Holy Ghost saith here by St. Peter. The high original of this new birthGOD, for it is by His Word.-(II) Its endless duration-it is "incorruptible." This follows from the first. If the principle of life in the soul be incorruptible......the life itself must be so.-And so again we read our blessed Lord's words "Because I live, ye shall live also."2

Again, cedar-wood is noted for the grateful perfume it gives forth; and in this respect, may Christ's people be said to be like "beams of

1. I. Pet. i. 23.

2. John xiv. 19.

cedar in the Lord's house." We are told by the Psalmist, that the Church of God is clothed with the fine linen which is the Righteousness of the Saints; and that "they smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia." They are like sweet insence: their sacrifices and offerings of love are made acceptable to the Father through Christ, and are unto Him a sweet-smelling savour.

Truly indeed, nothing that we can do in the way of grateful service and obedience, is in itself worthy of the Lord's acceptance. But he is graciously pleased to regard the labours of love of his people, and accept of them as the offering of sweet incense.

If then by the "house," in my text, we have Christ's Church-and if by the "cedar-beams" the Saints who are His, and on whom He hath set His love-we see two great characteristics in them.

(I.) That they are strong, and firm, and enduring -capable of strengthening and supporting the great fabric of the house. (II.) That they not only are useful, but also pleasing and acceptable—fragrant by their life and conversation, not only to their Lord and Master, but to the Church of which they form such an essential part.

Saints of the most High God! Does the comparison hold good in your particular cases? Are ye like "cedar-beams" in the Lord's spiritual temple?

1. Ps. xlv. 8.

Do

ye

resemble them in the strength and durability of your faith? Are ye like Paul, and James, and Cephas, pillars of strength, "beams of cedar," in these shifting, perilous days? Or, as Demas and Diotrephes, clouds tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine?

Ye Saints of God, earnestly and solemnly does the Lord call upon you to be strong-cemented to one another in holy love; and thus grow up as a holy temple in the Lord.

Stand fast, therefore, in the truth. Quit yourselves like men. Be strong and of good courage Days of rebuke and blasphemy are gathering thickly round the Church of Christ. Be united. Be determined. Cleave to one another in Christ. Then shall the Church of Christ, militant here on earth, for strength and durability of faith, and fragrancy and comeliness of life, be like unto a house, whose beams are "beams of cedar and its rafters of fir."

CHAPTER. II.

1. I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.

This is so like the language of Him, who "spake as never other man spake" in the days of His flesh, and said "I am the Vine"-"I am the Good Shepherd," that I cannot doubt that it is the Bridegroom, even Jesus, to whom they must be ascribed.

Besides, it is far more likely for Christ to commend His Church, than for His Church to commend itself.

The Church would not be so unmindful of Solomon's advice "let another praise thee and not thine own lips."

"I am the rose of Sharon." The rose, in Eastern countries was esteemed the goodliest of all flowers; and those of Sharon the choicest of any in Israel.

The comparison seems evidently intended to set forth His fulness and excellency-in whom dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily: who was "God manifest in the flesh."

He also adds "and the lily of the valley:" foreshadowing that deep humility to which He stooped, when He emptied himself of His glory and assumed our nature and was made in the likeness of sinful

man.

Then, indeed, He appeared without either "form or comeliness:" as a "root out of dry ground." When He taught His disciples, saying, "Learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart, and give grace to the humble," He fulfilled the words of this Song "I am the lily of the valley.”

2. As the lily among thorns, so is my love among
the daughters.

"As the lily among thorns." Christ compares His Church to the "lily." The comparison is most beautiful and appropriate. The lily is the emblem of purity. In the previous verse He does not disdain applying the same comparison to Himself" I am the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valley." For in the days of His humiliation, though brought down to this vale of humiliation, He was pure and spotless as a "lily"-being holy, harmless, and undefiled.' And His Church, which "He hath purchased with His own blood," is pure and white in His eyes: clothed with fine linen, clean and white,

1. Heb. vii. 26.