fear only the disgrace and the consequences of sin, but, reader, thou shouldst fear it, because it is offensive to God. They ought to be afraid of wrath. Sin exposes to wrath, and surely the wrath of God is more fearful and appalling than the united indignation of kings. "Kiss the Son lest He be angry, and ye perish from the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little." They ought to be afraid of death. Some, through fear of death, are all their life-time subject to bondage, but to the believer his sting is gone, and he is no longer viewed as the king of terrors. Reader, canst thou look on death as a messenger of peace? What he suffered. · "Beginning to sink." Peter felt that he was sinking into the sea, and in immediate danger of being drowned. Hence his alarm, and earnest cry. Reader, shouldst thou not be afraid of thy sins? enough to sink thee into despair-enough to sink thee into death-and enough to sink thee into hell. So heavy is the burden of thy guilt, that thou mayest well be afraid of sinking under it; and wilt thou add to thy guilt by delaying repentance, restraining the penitent's prayer, and putting off the salvation of thy soul to a convenient season? "As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die ?" THE CRY IN DANGER. "Through waves, through clouds and storms, He gently clears the way; Wait thou His time, so shall the night Soon end in joyous day." 9 What he cried.-"Lord, save me." Think of his faith. He called Jesus "Lord," evidently believing that He was a divine person, and able and willing to save him. The stormy wind shook his confidence in Christ, and he began to sink, but when self-confidence fails, he looks anew to Jesus and cries, "Lord, save me." Think of his petition," Save me." He felt himself losthe was perfectly helpless-all other refuge failed him—and, in his extremity, he seeks salvation from Christ. In like manner, when the sinner discovers his sin and danger- his own helplessness-and the inability of all others to save him, he cries, "Lord, save me." Save me from the guilt of sin-save me from the pollution of sin— save me from the dominion of sin--and save me from the evil consequences of sin. His danger brings him into distress, and his distress adds earnestness to his prayer, and he does not pray in vain. Is the sin-stricken soul at a loss how to get near the Saviour? Let it come to him by prayer. Thus Jacob came. Thus Josiah came. Thus the publican came. Thus the dying thief came. And thus all may come and find mercy and salvation. "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord, shall be delivered." "Ask and ye shall receive." Second Sabbath-Evening. EARLY IN CHRIST. "Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow-prison. ers, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me."-Rom. xvi. 7. THE parties here saluted were probably brother and sister. The one was a kinsman, and the other a kinswoman of Paul. They were not merely of Jewish extraction, but they were related to the apostle. They enjoyed the honour of his friendship, and, through him, the still higher honour of having their names recorded in the imperishable Word of God. They were also sufferers for Christ, having been Paul's fellowprisoners; and they seem to have been distinguished Christians, for all the apostles of Christ not only knew them well, but highly esteemed and honoured them. But they were more distinguished for being in Christ-early in Christ, before the apostle himself. They were in Christ, united to His person, interested in His work, and sharers of His blessings. Their union to Jesus was intimate, like the branch united to the vine-"I am the vine, ye are the branches." It was honourable; for Jesus says, "Whosoever shall do the will of my Father, the same is my brother and sister." It was profitable and lasting, securing pardon, son EARLY IN CHRIST. 11 ship, and eternal life, yea, all the blessings of grace here, and the everlasting inheritance hereafter. Its bond was faith, for until we believe in Christ there is no union to Him, no peace, and no happiness. We may often resolve to abandon a particular sin, but if we depend on our own resolutions, instead of on Christ, if we neglect to make Him the sole object of our faith, the ground of our hope, and the source of our happiness, it will all be in vain. Christ is the door of salvation, and we must enter into Him, as Noah entered into the ark. Christ is the husband of the church, and we must be married to Him. And Christ is the foundation-stone and chief corner-stone of His church, and we must build on Him, and form part of the great building which is to fill the whole earth. They were early in Christ. They were primitive Christians, and believers in Christ before the apostle Paul. Though educated in Jerusalem, and enjoying opportunities in early life, Paul did not become a Christian till Christianity was firmly planted and extensively prevalent; whereas, Andronicus and Junia, his kinsmen, believed soon after the gospel began to be preached, and probably when they were very young. How great are the advantages of being early united to Christ! Those who are so are sooner delivered from the guilt and misery of sin. The bitterness of sin is exchanged for the sweetness of peace, and hope, and love, and the slavery of sin for the glorious liberty of the sons of God. They are kept away from much evil to come, and from being a bad example to others. How many would recall the evil lessons they have taught others, and the evil example they have shown, if they could! They are more likely to attain to eminent piety. The apostle John was the youngest of the twelve. He was in Christ in early life, and how distinguished was he for his Christian love, and the remarkable revelations he enjoyed in the Isle of Patmos! They have longer opportunity of being useful in the world. Some spend the best of their days in the service of sin, but if this service is abandoned in early life, a long course of usefulness is before them. John was the youngest apostle, and lived long after the others had fallen asleep. They will have greater glory above. "They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever." "All their toils and conflicts over, Lo! they dwell with Christ above. O what glories they discover In the Saviour whom they love! |