XVII] AND WITH FAITH AND CHARITY. 415 Let such, as profess to turn unto him that smiteth them, take care they do not rest in notions, forms, or. external reformation; without true conversion, repentance, faith, and holiness. The prophet took notice of persons answering this description, when he said, "They return, but not to the Most High'." And nothing more effectually prevents the conversion of sinners, than a mistaken idea that they are already converted. Charity to the poor and afflicted is likewise an essential concomitant of acceptable fasting and humiliation: "Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that "thou bring the poor that are cast out to thine house? "When thou seest the naked that thou cover him, and "that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then "shall thy light break forth as the morning,—then "shalt thou call and the Lord shall answer. If thou "draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the "afflicted soul: then shall thy light rise in obscu "seek the Lord." rity, and thy darkness shall be as the noon day"." Finally, my brethren, if you thus return to the Lord, and seek his face, I am sent to you with encouraging words. "Let the heart of those rejoice that Say ye to the righteous, that "it shall be well with him; for they shall eat the fruit "of their doings."" In the time of famine they shall "have enough."-" Though the fig-tree should not "blossom," and every resource should fail," yet they may rejoice in the Lord, and joy in the God of their salvation." Be not therefore" afraid of evil tidings; "let your heart be fixed trusting in the Lord." If wars and rumours hear of " of wars, see that you you "be not troubled." Should a deluge come the Lord will prepare you an ark, in which you may be secure and comfortable: and he will say to you, "Come, my "people, enter thou into thy chamber, and shut thy "doors about thee; hide thyself, as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For behold the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth also shall discover her blood, " and shall no more cover her slain 1 Is. xxvi. 20, 21. SERMON XVIII. JOHN, i. 29. Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. JOHN Baptist, the predicted forerunner of the Messiah, was doubtless well informed of his person, offices, and kingdom. He prepared the way of the Lord by preaching repentance, as indispensably necessary to a participation of the blessings about to be communicated to mankind and while he baptized the people with water, as an outward emblem of their souls being washed from sin; he declared that the Redeemer would baptize them with the Holy Ghost and with fire. He bare witness to him, as the Son of God, the Bridegroom of the Church, and "the Lamb of God which taketh "away the sin of the world." He cried, saying, This was ❝he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is pre"ferred before me; for he was before me: and of his fulness "have we all received." He added on another occasion, "The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things • Preached Good-fiiday, 1796. E e 418 THE TESTIMONY OF JOHN BAPTIST TO CHRIST. [ŠĖRM. "into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son "shall not see life: but the wrath of God abideth ་་ upon him "." It is evident, that this most eminent servant of God laboured to communicate to his disciples exalted apprehensions of the Lord Jesus, and to excite in them large expectations from him. In honouring the Son of God he was willing to abase himself," as unworthy to "loose his shoe latchet." He was astonished to think the Saviour should come to be baptized of him, when he was conscious that as a sinner he stood in need of Christ's spiritual baptism: and when we consider the excellency of John's character, with the extraordinary things spoken of him in scripture; we shall know what inferences to draw from his testimony. Certainly he would not have concurred with those, who employ all their abilities in trying to persuade mankind, not to think too highly of Christ, not to honour him too much, and not to depend on him too entirely in the great concerns of eternal salvation.-But the words of the text must be exclusively our present subject; and from them we may enquire, I. On what account Christ is called "The "Lamb of God." II. The import of the words, "Who taketh away the sin of the world." III. The call to "Behold the Lamb of God. XVIÍI.Ĵ REVERÈNĆE DUE TO THE WORDS OF SCRIPTURE 419 IV. The peculiar instructions to be derived from meditating on this subject. I. On what account is the Lord Jesus called " The "Lamb of God ?" We should not forget, my brethren, that the lan guage of scripture was dictated by the Holy Spirit, and demands our most reverent attention on that account. If then we interpret it in a general way, and treat those metaphors, under which divine mysteries are revealed, as we would do the language of mere men, who often use pompous words and extravagant figures of speech without much meaning; we shall be found guilty of despising the sacred oracles of God. No doubt every metaphor or illustration was selected, in preference to all others, for some wise and holy reasons; and suggests important instruction to the teachable student. This must especially be the case, with that expression of the text, which engages our present attention: because it frequently occurs with reference to the character, sufferings, and salvation of Christ. A lamb is the well known emblem of innocence, gentleness, patience, and purity: and no doubt an allusion was made to these things in speaking of the Redeemer as the Lamb of God. Yet we cannot suppose that this was the principal meaning of that appellation, when we duly consider the various passages in which it is used: fór in what sense could a lamb take away sin, except by becoming an atoning sacrifice? The slaughter of innocent animals, and consuming e 2 |