"sanctified in Christ Jesus."

Sanctification therefore

is "in Christ Jesus." (1 Cor. i. 2 and vi. 9-11.)

By sanctification, we understand separation unto God. The vessels of the tabernacle were separated to God, made holy vessels, by being sprinkled with blood and anointed with oil. (Heb. ix. 21; Exod. xl. 9.) Aaron and his sons also were thus consecrated to God, fitted for His service. So now the believer in the Lord Jesus is sanctified, not by priestly rites and ordinances, but by the grace and power of God in and through Christ Jesus. Hence we read of

1st. Sanctification by God the Father (Jude 1), showing us that the Father, in His own purpose and grace, separated us unto Himself, chose us in Christ Jesus, before the foundation of the world.

2nd. Of sanctification by the Son-"Jesus, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate." (Heb. xiii. 12.) Here we find the redemption work of Jesus separating us unto God, according to the will of God. "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once." (Heb. x. 10.)

3rd. Of the sanctification of the Spirit." (1 Peter i. 2.) Here we see that the first action of the Spirit on the soul is to separate us unto God, to sanctify, and that too even before justification can be known, by leading "unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ."

Thus we see the Father's purpose and grace, the Son's blood, and the work of the Spirit, all sanctifying -separating us unto God.

4th. The measure and character of this sanctification

and nearness to God is said to be "in Christ Jesus;" that is, that God has made Him who is at His own right hand unto us sanctification. Thus we are near to God, and separated off unto God in all the nearness and acceptability of Christ Himself. Sanctification is then a present blessing. We are sanctified in Christ Jesus.

5th. Sanctification by the truth. "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth," was the prayer of our adorable Lord. (John xvii. 17.) This may be called practical sanctification, that which must result from the marvellous realities of the Father's purpose and grace, the Son's blood, and the Spirit's work being known in our souls, in thus separating us off unto God, as "sanctified in Christ Jesus." But it is by the truth. The word which testifies of Christ, searched into and unfolded to us by the Holy Ghost, God's revealed mind and will made known and received into our hearts by faith, practically separates us off in affection, obedience, and devotedness to God. Hence we grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

IS DAMNATION BETTER THAN ETERNAL BLESSEDNESS?

A SOLEMN WARNING.

READER, let me ask you a solemn question. Worlds cannot tell-eternity cannot tell-how awfully momentous a question it is. You may soon be lying on the bed of death. The sunken cheek, the glazed eye, the last convulsive gasp, are CLOSE upon you. Just

imagine it for a moment, and with the dark picture before your mind, let me ask, How will it be with You then? How is it with you NOW? Have you FELT yourself to be a lost and guilty sinner? and have you fled to Jesus for refuge as your ONLY hope for time and eternity? If not, what reason have you for believing that you WILL BE ABLE to do so THEN? Delay hardens the heart, darkens the mind, aggravates your sin, makes heaven farther, hell nearer, warnings powerless, the world stronger, Satan mightier, and condemnation certain.

Oh, reader, heed this warning! God is speaking to you now. He has spoken to you hundreds of times, and you have turned away. He has whispered to your inmost soul that He is willing to receive you just as YOU ARE, in all your sins, in all your deadness, and darkness, and unbelief, and with all the guilt of a past life pressing you down beneath its heavy load, and still you have turned away! Often and often has He pressed you with sweet encouragement to take His offered hand of welcome, telling you that His grace has met your case, that His blood should cleanse you, His love forgive you, and His fulness supply all your need, and still you have turned away! He has whispered that this world, with all its pleasures and amusements, its mirth, merriment, and revelry, can never make you happy; that apart from Him life is not life, but death, and out of Him all joy is madness; that there is a dreary blank in the midst of all you enjoy ; that the secret, undefinable want which you feel is the want of His friendship; and that nothing else will ever remove that sense of hollowness within which

now casts a shade over your life; and still you have turned away and refused to be blessed!

Oh, reader, God has had long patience with thee, and thou hast not given heed! That patience will soon be exhausted and turned into wrath, and that wrath shall turn all thy hope into despair. In that solemn hour what will you do? Will pleasure be pleasure then? Will it not be gall and wormwood? Will the world's gay glitter bewilder you then? Where will be the spell of its beauty, the music of its syren song? Will not its joys be forgotten dreams? Will not the freshness of youth be faded, the ties of kindred be broken, the gladness of companionship be at an end, and the old familiar voices of earth have died away? Will not all be covered with a cloud in that day? Have you, then, made up your mind to "sleep on and take your rest?" to love darkness now, and to dwell in darkness for ever? to be a sinner now, and a companion of devils hereafter? Is heaven a dream, and hell a fable? Is there nothing terrible in the devouring fire, the everlasting burnings? Is there nothing bitter in the dregs of the cup of trembling, in which is filled up the wrath of God? Is there nothing sweet in the light of heaven, or the glory which God hath prepared for them that love Him? Is there nothing desirable in the joy of the Lord, the peace that passeth all understanding, the rest that remaineth for the people of God? Is guilt better than pardon? Is wrath better than love? Is death better than life? Is damnation better than eternal blessedness? Are the burning flames as pleasant as the cool waters of the fountain of life? Oh, reader, trifle not

with thy Maker! The door of mercy is still open, and again God is pressing thee to enter. Be persuaded. Arise! flee to the refuge! The fountain for sin is open, and Jesus waits to welcome thee. He asks no price, no gift, no preparation. Come just as thou art, in all thy sin. No matter how guilty you are, how far you have strayed, or how long you have slighted Him. Only come! "The blood of Jesus Christ, which cleanseth from all sin," says, Come! Every voice above you and around you says, Come!

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah i. 18.)

"How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation ?" (Heb. ii. 3.)

BE NOT WEARY.

"Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."-GAL. vi. 9.

"ARE you tired of labouring, servant of Christ?

Do you wish that the work were done?

Are you weary beneath the heavy load,
And faint in the mid-day sun?

Are you tired of labouring so oft in vain

For the souls you seek to win?

Is the harvest white? Are the labourers few?
Is your spirit worn within ?"

LONDON:

W. H. BROOM, PATERNOSTER ROW.