EVERLASTING CONSOLATION.

2 Thess. ii. 16.

OUR God is "the everlasting God." He hath loved us "with an everlasting love," hath made with us an "everlasting covenant," given us "everlasting life," and "everlasting righteousness," and has secured all to us, through the everlasting efficacy of the blood, merits, and priesthood of "His Son," who is alive again for evermore. These unfading and unchangeable realities, when applied to our souls by the Eternal Spirit, enable us to perceive the rich grace of God in giving us "everlasting consolation, and good hope," through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

"Consolation in Christ" presents itself to us in at least seven different aspects. 1. As the sin-bearer : Christ "put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” "He bare our sins in His own body on the tree," and "as far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us"-" their sins and iniquities will I remember no more," saith the Lord. 2. As the Good Shepherd, He laid down His life for the sheep, endured the curse of the broken law, and suffered the sword of

Divine vengeance to be sheathed in Himself; so that Jehovah's fellow having been smitten, God can now, on the ground of holy justice, as well as sovereign mercy, turn His "hand upon the little ones." 3. Such everlasting efficacy is connected with the one offering of the body of Jesus, that "He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." 4. The resurrection of Christ fully proved that death was triumphed over and abolished, sin atoned for, Satan vanquished, the law fulfilled and its curse endured on our behalf; justice satisfied, the believing sinner justified, and God glorified; in short, that He had "obtained eternal redemption for us." 5. Christ, who is "our life," as the Head of " the Church, which is His body," is exalted at the right hand of God, far above all principality and power, and consequently we are raised up IN HIM. 6. By Jehovah's appointment, our victorious Redeemer is our great High Priest, and "ever liveth to make intercession for us ;" and the sin-pardoning virtue of His blood, and the justifying merit of His righteousness-the unsearchable riches of His perfect work, both in life and death-perpetually proclaim before the throne of God, that we "are complete in Him." 7. God hath confirmed His promise by oath, so that by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, and full assurance of hope.

These depths of love must be received in order to give consolation. They present no refreshment to any

but those who have a personal interest in the redemption which is in Christ. And oh, what endless resources of peace and comfort, hath God given to those who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before them!

But while the everlasting efficacy of the finished work of Christ, and our standing in Him always remain the same, our experience is very liable to change; and this, oftentimes, because we look for consolation where it is not to be found. We may have proved the vanity of the world, but we are slow to learn that "the flesh profiteth nothing," and that even our best services need the blood and merits of Christ to render them acceptable to God; and if this be not apprehended, we shall be seeking comfort in our feelings, frames, attainments, walk, fancied devotedness to the service of God, &c., and thus forsake "the fountain of living waters" and resort to "broken cisterns."

It is well to notice that consolation is a gift, so that no carnal efforts or strivings can effect it. It is received by faith. He hath GIVEN us everlasting consolation, and good hope through grace." God in Christ is the fountain, and we must

and we may be sure that if we turn away from this only source, we shut the very door of admission to all true

spiritual comfort, and disappointment and bondage of spirit will result: but when by faith we meditate on the person and work of our Saviour God, and receive into our hearts Jehovah's estimate of His finished salvation, then it is that peace and consolation flow into our souls; we drink of that river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God; we rejoice in hope of the glory that awaits us, and even the sorrows by the way attune our hearts to sing,

'There shall I bathe my weary soul,

In seas of heavenly rest;

And not a wave of trouble roll,

Across my peaceful breast.'

Dear believer in Jesus! How is it with you? Have you peace, settled peace, with God? If not, consider, I pray you, this unalterable word of the Lord, "To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." Rom. iv. 5. Are you weighed down with a sense of your lack of holy obedience to your heavenly Father? Well, it may be godly sorrow; but do not forget, that Christ not only died for our sins, but also, that "He is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." Have you a defiled conscience? Then ponder well these precious Scriptures, "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." "If we confess our sins, He is

faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Does the indwelling corruption of your Adam-nature cause you bitterness and sorrow? If so, behold your "old man" judged, condemned, and crucified in Christ; and consider also, that you are united to Him who is raised from the dead, that you should bring forth fruit unto God. Lastly. Are you saying all this is true, but I am so poor, so barren? Then look away from yourself for a moment, and behold Jesus the sent of God, and console your spirit with the certainty and security of your salvation in Christ. In all your approaches to God you come in the name of Jesus, pleading His blood as your only hope, and the voice of God from the mercy seat is, "He is able to save to the uttermost them that come unto God by Him." Heb. vii. 25.

Son of God! we praise Thy goodness,

In becoming, for us, man;

Ans'ring all demands of justice,

Bearing far away our sin,

Ris'n Jesus!

'Tis Thy blood that makes us clean.

Infinite, Tri-une Jehovah!

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord!

Source of grace, and might, and glory,

Just, and yet a Saviour God;

Thee we worship,

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.