the Lord; for they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them." Whatever the world may think of them, such only can be said to die happy; as they alone enjoy the well-grounded hope of a blessed immortality. The unperceived hand of death may be near us. We are rapidly advancing towards the place of our common dissolution; and, oh! may we answer the designs of God in the removal of those we love, by hearing him utter that voice of heavenly warning, "Be ye also ready!" Mr. Bagot was early taken from the field of labour. Let Ministers, then, "be instant in season, out of season; reprove, exhort, rebuke, with all long suffering and doctrine." Let them "work while it is called to-day, for the night cometh when no man can work." Let them "watch for souls as those that must give an account." Let them seriously reflect upon the shortness of time the value of immortal souls-the inconceivable joys of heaven, and miseries of hell-that they may, by the grace of God, take heed unto themselves and their doctrine, and be made instruments in 'opening the eyes of the blind, in turning them "from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God: that when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, they may receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." And let Christians be comforted at the death of those who have fallen asleep in Jesuslet them learn how valuable that Gospel must be, which can rejoice the heart of a sinner even in a dying hour-let them remember that “They've no abiding city here, They seek a city yet to come.' And let them hold fast. the confi dence of their hope firm unto the end, bringing forth their fruits with patience, labouring yet not fainting, and thus improve the warning voice which calls upon them to be also ready. Dublin. AARON RELIGIOUS COMMUNICATIONS. A SHORT AND PRACTICAL VIEW OF THE PRINCIPAD PROPHECIES RELATING TO THE PROMISED. MESSIAH. ESSAY XIX.-PART I. Psalm lxxxix. 19. "Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy One, and saidst, I have laid help upon One that is mighty, I have exalted Onechosen out of the people." THE whole book of Psalms is not the entire composition of David: some of them must be ascribed to different authors, and relate to other times and circumstances than those of David. Such is that divinely inspired poem, which is now before us, and which contains an interesting and most sublime prediction of the promised Messiah. The penman may be uncertain, but the subject cannot well be mistaken. It was evidently written, when the kingdom of Judah was in a low state, and the royal family in David's line seemed likely to be driven from the throne. In this calamitous situation, while many foreboding fears arise, the cheering influence of faith is, felt, and application is made to the Lord God, who is ever mindful of his word, on the ground of his solemn engagement to secure the regal power to the posterity of Da The plan of salvation had doubtless been the subject of revelation by "vision,' to many of his holy ones,' or prophets, besides David, but more especially so to Him who came down from heaven to make known the will of his Father. The substance of that plan is here unfolded: and the Father speaks of his everlasting purpose as already brought into effect: "I. have laid help upon One that is Mighty, I have exalted One chosen out of the people." Here are two points on which our devout contemplations should be fixed, and from which various inferences of the highest importance to our peace and comfort may be deduced. vid, till the Saviour should come. recurs to the same consideration, Hope and consolation are admi- as if he would put the Father of nistered to the Church in its mercies in remembrance of his distressed condition from the con- own gracious engagements: " Then sideration of the firmness of that thou spakest in vision thy holy One, covenant, which God had made and saidst, I have laid help upon with David concerning Christ and One that is Mighty, I have exalted the perpetuity of his kingdom. One chosen out of the people." This is our subject. The blessings of the new covenant are given to us in Christ Jesus, and they are secured to every believer by the promise and the oath of God. This is an immoveable foundation; and, if we have fixed our dependence upon it, no dangers or calamities, either private or public, should disturb our peace, or shake the stability of our minds. We should be consoled and animated by the purposes of God in his beloved Son, and by the immutability of his counsel. These were a never-failing source of support and delight to the saints of old, and they belong to us as our indefeasible inheritance by the Gospel. The Psalm is introduced by a determination to celebrate in a never-ending song the divine merey and faithfulness, the two attributes, on which in a more especial manner our hopes of salvation are built: The Lord himself is then represented as the speaker, declaring his purposes of grace, first to David and to his seed, and secondarily, to the infinitely more exalted Personage, called by his name, "the Son of David," and to all believers in him: "I have made a covenant with my chosen: I have sworn unto David my servant: Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. 1-4." Our thoughts must here necessarily be carried beyond the immediate descendant of Jesse, and we behold the King of glory maintaining his spiritual dominion over all his redeemed people to the end of time. This calls forth the prophet's devout and loud thanksgivings to God, verses 5-18: after which he CHRIST, GUARD. Vol. IV, I." He has laid help upon One that is Mighty." An arduous work is to be accomplished,-to recover fallen man, to bring him back to the knowledge, favour, service, and enjoyment of his God, and to secure the divine glory in this amazing restoration, Who shall undertake for us? The instrument must possess powers sufficient for the purpose:He must be MIGHTY: and such is the high Personage, to whom the execution of the purpose is intrusted. the The Lord Jesus Christ hath answered the description. He is mighty. So he appeared during the whole of his abode on earth. His works evinced the most unlimited and irresistible power. At his word, inveterate and fatal diseases were instantly removed, the tempestuous sea was calmed, the grave gave up its dead. Had we been witnesses to these stupendous miracies, who would have hesitated to deckare, “Thou hast ALMIGHTY,' a mighty arm, strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand." He spake and acted as "the Lord of all." He is mighty in the character of a Redeemer, and in the execution of all the offices, which he sustains. He is, what Isaiah describes," a Saviour and a great one *" or, as he himself declares, mighty to savet." This constitutes the firm foundation, on which we build our hope, that "we have a great Highpriest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God." He can rescue sinners from destruction, whose cases seem most desperate, whose guilt is most enormous, whose depravities are strong and violent, and whose temptations appear likely to bear down all opposition. He can pardon, He can sanctify, He can emancipate, support, and crown with victory. Thus the deliverance, which heeffects, is of immense magnitude, it is complete, full, final, everlasting. "He is able to save them to the uttermost, that come unto God by him §." "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS *." In this union of the divine nature with the human we rejoice, because it is the chief glory of Messiah, and it constitutes his ability to save. It is on Him that our help is laid. He is the appointed instrument to accomplish deliverance for us; not merely to publish, but to effect, and to bestow Salvation.-We should consider the case more minutely, and inquire, Where could be the necessity of such an interposition. Man has fallen :-He has sunk from the high rank of dignity, excellence, and happiness, which he originally possessed, into the lowest abyss of ruin,-of guilt, of moral obliquity, and of misery. Who now shall help him? He cannot recover himself: he has lost those powers, which would be requisite for the purpose. He cannot atone for his own transgression, or repair the mischief which it has produced. He cannot in future render that perfect obedience to the divine law, which it demands. He cannot restore his soul to life, to purity, and peace. He cannot support himself, when involved in troubles; He cannot persevere in righteousness, if guided into it; He cannot overcome those spiritual adversaries, which are opposed to him as in battle. If he look around, that he may call for aid; whither shall he turn? There is no help for him throughout the whole creation. But when we speak of the power of Christ, we are necessarily led to regard him as superior to any creature, as over all, God blessed for ever ." The descriptions are such as imply perfect omnipotence, which no created being can possess. So he is addressed, "Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O MOST MIGHTY || !" And such divine honour he claims, "Thou shalt know that I the Lord am thy But in this state of wretchedness, Saviour and thy Redeemer, THE to prevent or remove despair, ReMIGHTY ONE OF JACOB :" velation comes to his relief. The "All power is given unto me in voice of mercy addresses itself to heaven and in earth **." He his ear. Jehovah calls to his reformed, and He sustains the uni- bellious creature, "Thou hast deverse: He is worshipped and stroyed thyself, but in me is thine. adored, as no creature can be, by helpt." The Lord Jesus Christ the whole Church below, and by came from heaven as "the ReSaints and Angels in glory:-"THE pairer of the breach," a Saviour in a hopeless case; "He came to seek and to save that which was *Isaiah. Hebrews, iv. 14. Psalm xly. 3. ** Matt. xxviii, 18, - +Ibid. lxiii. 1. Col. i. 16-19. Rev. i. xix. 16, lost:"-" When we were yet with out strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly *." Those only, who are deeply conscious of their spiritual need and misery, understand his worth and excellence. To them he is truly precious, and to them he freely offers and administers seasonable and sufficient aid. "For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy +." poor Must expiation for our guilt be made, in order that reconciliation may be effected? "We have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:-For when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son. And He is the propitiation for our sins t ."-Does the holy law of God demand a perfect obedience? Alas! where shall this obedience be found? Or "how shall man be just with God?" Behold, Jesus undertakes to answer for us, to fulfil the law in our stead: and therefore he comes as "the Lord our Righteousness ;" and while he is "made sin for us," we are "made the righteousness of God in Him f."Is it the irreversible decree, that "without holiness no man shall see the Lord || ?" This would entirely exclude the whole race of Adam from all hope and possibility of salvation, unless Jesus had engaged to purify them to himself," and to 66 save them by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost ཤ ·་ They are sanctified by faith that is in Him**". Is it appointed "that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God? and do Luke, xix. Ta Rom. v. 6. + Psal. lxxii. 12, 13. Eph. i. 7. Rom. v. 10. 1 John, ii. 2. § Jer. xxiii. 6. 2 Cor. v. 21, #Heb. xi. 14. Titus, ii. 14. iii. 5. ** Acts, xxvi. 18. our hearts faint at the prospect Let us consider the character of Jesus, as being "a strength to the' poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall*.' Let us hear his consoling declaration, addressed to every tempted and afflicted believer, "My grace is sufficient for thee." Trusting" in Him, then, we may take up our words and say, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble!"-"Happy is he, that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God."Once more; Are we called to the performance of arduous dutics, for which the best exertions of our corrupt nature seem utterly incompetent? and is perseverance to the end indispensably necessary? Here again we perceive the fulness and sufficiency of the grace of Jesus and of the "help laid upon Him." "His strength will be made perfect in our weakness." He is the great and good Shepherd, who hath said' concerning his sheep, "I give' unto them eternal life, and they' shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand §." He also solemnly declares, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee: so that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me ." The proper application of the whole is this: " Seeing that we have a great High-Priest, Jesus, the Son of God,--let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need q." II. He has exalted his chosen One out of the people." The same glorious Personage is stili +2 Cor. xii. 9. 2 cxlvi. 5. * Isa. xxv. 4. Pal. xlvi. I. $ John, x. 28. Hlebr. v. 14-16, Hebr. Ailj, 5, 6, The application to the predicted Messiah, and to Jesus Christ in that character, is sufficiently obvious. He was approved and appointed in the everlasting counsels of Heaven, as a fit instrument for accomplishing the divine purposes of mercy in saving simmers and He is very dear to his Father, for the part which He has undertaken to act in this grand economy. Thus He is held forth to our view in prophecy, "Behold, my Servant whom I uphold, mine elect in whom my soul delighteth" and St. Peter gives the infallible interpretation, declaring his blessed Master to be "chosen of God and precious *." He appeared on earth in a state of previous humiliation, as one of the people," as belonging to the very race whom he came to redeem. He took upon him our nature, as the promised "Seed of the woman," was made man, condescended to act in the capacity of a servant, and submitted to all the inconveniences and sufferings of a state of poverty, labour, and contempt. There was nothing in his external appearance which could discrimiHate him from any of the sons of Adam, except it was, that he bore the marks of pre-eminence in sorrow. 66 This is He, whom the Father determined to honour. Accordingly, He is and will be supremely "exalted." I, He is appointed to the most honourable office: for such is that of Redeemer, Mediator, Peacemaker, Repairer of the breach. Which of the sons of men or Angels shall undertake it, or be competent to its high and arduous duties? It was reserved for Him, * Isa. xlii. I. 1 Pet. ii. 4. 66 who sustains the mysterious charactar of "Immanuel," "God manifested in the flesh." It is his appropriate and exclusive prerogative, to appear in the presence of God for us," "with his own blood," with the sacrifice of propitiation, to ask and to demand for us an admission into the kingdom. "Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof," but "the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David *?" Let us contemplate him, then, in the execution of the work assigned him, and we shall behold such a display of majesty and glory, of grace and righteousness, as will fill our souls with admiration, gratitude, and love. Very proper will be that ascription of praise, sanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest +." "Ho 2. He is raised to a state of highest glory. We should view him first in his deep humiliation, "without form or comeliness,' - ર a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief," so that he could say of himself, "I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people ‡." Then we should fix our eyes upon Him, as taking his seat on the throne of glory, crowned with the royal diadem, wielding the sceptre of universal government, invested with all power in heaven and in earth, "Head over all things to the Church," and constantly receiving the homage and the rapturous acclamations of" Angels, and authorities, and powers." Such is the exaltation of Jesus of Nazareth, which He hath received of the Father, as the promised reward of his "obedience unto death:" and this is the fulfilment of the prophecy. "God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which Rev. v. 2-5. + Matt. xxi. 9: Isa. liii. 2, 3. Psal. xxii. 6., |