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Tales long or short, whether offending
Or well pleasing have their end;
The glass runs, yet the set time ending,
Every atom doth descend:

If life be such, as such life is, 'tis sure,

When tales and times find ends, why should life still endure.

This world is but a walk of pain,
That has only end by death;
This life's a war in which we gain
Conquest by the loss of breath :

Who would not warfare and travels cease,

To live at home in rest-and rest at home in peace.

Nothing here but constant pains,

Or unconstant pleasures be;

! Worthless treasures-losing gains→→→
Scanty store-chained liberty:

If life afford the best, no better fate,

How welcome is that death, that betters that bad state.

What's the earth when trimmest drest,

To that chrystal spangled dwelling;
Yet the saint in glory least,

ls in glory far excelling:

Glorious Redeemer, let this earth of mine
Thy glorious body see, and in thy glory shine.

Oft I see the darksome night,
To a glorious day returning;
As oft doth sleep intomb my sight,

Yet I wake again at morning:

Bright sun return, when sleep hath spent death's night,
That these dim eyes of mine may in thy light see light."

THE TIMES-LIBERALISM.

(CONCLUDED FROM PAGE 121.)

HAVING now presented, in the light of Scripture testimony, first, the importance of truth, and second, the nature and importance of faith, we proceed to the third point proposed, viz., the duty of zealously maintaining and promoting "the belief of the truth." This is the necessary consequence of the two former. If Gospel truth is indeed so important, and if the faith which apprehends it is a moral principle essential to the Christian character and to acceptable obedience, then surely it must appear an incumbent duty to maintain and promote "the belief of the truth."

In presenting the sacred testimony on this subject, we shall

66 a man

pursue a method somewhat different from that hitherto followed: instead of Scripture precept, we shall give you Scripture example, for in the lively and affecting language of example we are taught the most important duties. We observe, then, that in perfect conformity with the above views of the importance of truth, and of the nature and importance of faith, were formed the lives of those eminent servants of God, whose names are for a memorial unto all generations. They were ardently devoted to the sacred cause of truth-fired with holy indignation against destructive errors-upright men-superior to worldly compliances-nien of courage, who never blenched before the adversary! Such were Caleb and Joshua, who, amid the general defection of the heads of Israel, proved themselves men of "another spirit," by "following the Lord fully," and asserting the cause of truth at the peril of their lives. Such was Elijah, very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel had forsaken his covenant, thrown down his altars, and slain his prophets with the sword;" but Elijah stood in the breach, and not having the fear of man before his eyes, he boldly proclaimed the divine testimony in the face of an idolatrous prince and a backsliding people. And such was Nehemiah, who arose to build up the waste places of Sion, and to beautify the sanctuary. How devoted is this man of God! He seems to live but for the cause of truth. To this he gives his prayers, his councils, his manifold exertions. Holding fast his integrity, he knows no compromise with prevailing errors, but sharply rebukes them; and to every base suggestion of fear or unbelief he nobly replies, "Should such a man as I fly?" Or take an example in Paul. Once embarked in the cause of the Gospel, he gives to it all the energies of his ardent mind. "To me to live is Christ," is his sacred motto. Impressed with the vital importance of "the truth as it is in Jesus," he ceases not to exhort, and persuade, and beseech all men everywhere to be reconciled unto God. Though he well knew that the preaching of the cross was to the perverse Jew "a stumbling-block," and to the proud, rationalizing Greek" foolishness," yet was he "not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ," nor disposed to abate or qualify its most obnoxious statements, for he felt that " unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, it is the power of God and the wisdom of God." 66 Knowing that he was set for the defence of the Gospel," he shrinks not from the arduous duty, either to court the applause or escape the displeasure of worldly-minded men; but whether he appears before the council in Jerusalem, or

the learned: assembly on Mars' Hill, the court of Agrippa or the imperial presence, he boldly fulfils his commission in declaring the whole counsel of God. To his friends who, on a certain occasion, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem from just apprehensions for his safety, he replied, in language fraught with melting tenderness, but invincible resolution, "What mean ye to weep and to break my heart; for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

The same unshaken attachment to truth, the same zeal against error, the same bold and resolute spirit, which shine forth in Paul, distinguish all the New-Testament worthies. We shall select one example. In the fifth chapter of the Acts we are informed, that Peter and his brethren were summoned before the council for teaching in the name of Jesus. "And the high-priest asked them, saying, Did we not straitly command you, that you should not teach in this name? and behold you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us." Now mark the faithful, uncompromising spirit with which the apostles meet this charge. Then Peter and the apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them." But Ga maliel succeeds in moderating their violence, and they resolve to practise that insidious policy which demands the sacrifice of truth and a good conscience in exchange for its insulting forbearance. "And when they had called the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go." But did this treatment subdue or terrify their spirits? Not at all; for we are assured, in the glowing language of the sacred historian, that they departed from the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.' Nor did they com promise their character, by yielding even a temporary submission to an authority usurped over conscience and injurious to truth, for it is added-" And daily in the temple and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." Faithful, firm, devoted men, "they renounced the hidden

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things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth, commending themselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God!" And while we may trace many discriminating features in their individual characters, this hallowed zeal for truth imparts to them all a common resemblance. Even the beloved disciple, whose mind was cast in the finest mould, and whose religion breathes the tenderest affection, even John displays the same hardy principle in its most vigorous growth. He thus inscribes his second epistle-" The elder unto the elect lady and her children whom I love in the truth, and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth. For the truth's sake which dwelleth in us and shall be with us for ever. Grace be with you, mercy and peace from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father in truth and love. I rejoice greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received commandment from the Father.' And to the well-beloved Gaius he writes-"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” Such then were the men who in every age formed "the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth!" To "follow the Lord fully"-to be "very jealous for the Lord God of hosts" in times of grievous declension-to build up the waste places of Zion in the face of all her enemies to "obey God rather than men," even in days of tribulation and wrath -to "have no greater joy than to hear that his children walk in truth"-to be "ready not to be bound only, but also to die for the name of the Lord Jesus,"-such were the lofty prin ciples, the sacred feelings, that inflamed the hearts and governed the lives of these holy men of God. What a contrast to all this is that heartless liberalism which passes in our days for rational Christianity! Had its friends the moral courage to speak out, would they not laugh to scorn these venerable confessors? Would they not treat their zeal as intolerance, their candour as rashness, their noble devotedness as the height of folly or madness? Doubtless they would; but such honest, avowed infidelity would alarm men's fears, and could never serve the cause. A less invidious policy is practised. The name of Christianity is respected, while all the importance of its peculiar doctrines is undermined; the zeal and faithfulness of its first professors are allowed, and even honoured, while those who would humbly tread in their steps are pursued with every expression of rancour and derision, This crooked policy is worthy of its author. It has ever been ono

grand maxim of satan's kingdom to barter with men the semblances of truth, and duty, and privilege, for the precious realities; to cause them to deny the power of godliness, but spare to them a form thereof; to quench their spiritual life, but leave them still "a name to live.' That this policy, however, has so far succeeded, is mainly owing to the fact, that men generally take up with inferior standards in estimating the importance of Gospel truth and Gospel faith. We have therefore endeavoured to recall such men to a higher standard, and now we say to them, prove your liberal christianity by this. Compare the exalted views of truth and faith which the Bible brings before you with that system which attaches no serious importance to any truth, freely concedes any principle to expediency, and neutralizes all that is offensive in the Gospel to wordly minds. Compare your modern liberal with Paul -the apostle glorying only in the cross-resolute to maintain the cause of truth, though a host should encamp against him -zealous to promote this cause to the ends of the earthstrengthening the weak, rebuking the proud, opposing gainsayers, with many tears beseeching sinners to receive the testimony of Jesus-holding himself ever ready to lay down his life for the sake of the Gospel. Our modern liberal on the other side, greatly indifferent about all religious truth-zealous only to cast reproach on men more faithful than himself— continually sneering at the mortifying doctrines of the cross, and boldly withstanding every effort to contract the kingdom of darkness, and extend the cause of Christ on the earth. Look on this picture, and on that. Are they the same? are they like? or do they not rather present a perfect contrast in every feature?

But while we would urge these Scripture examples on all who admire this insidious liberalism, we have some special considerations for our Presbyterian people. You are the descendants or the kindred of those noble-minded men who asserted the cause of truth at many a painful sacrifice. "Expelled from their homes, they were driven to hide in dens and in caves of the earth; to wander naked and starving in the sterile or remote parts of the country; skulking in woods, or among mosses, or on the hills, without any certain dwellingplace, exposed to every extremity of climate; in the depth of winter as well as in the heat of summer, they made the heather their bed, and the rock their pillow, and their only covering the canopy of heaven; debarred from the charities of life, their presence was deemed pestilential, and their nearest

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