whom he had believed," and that he was able to fulfil his promises to give grace and peace, comfort and holiness at this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. For he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. "And this is eternal life, to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent."

LECTURE LXII.

THE CHRISTIAN'S GROUND OF CONFIDENCE.

1 JOHN i. 26-29.

26. These things have I written unto you, concerning them that seduce you.

27. But the anointing, which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

We read in the book of Genesis, (xxviii. 18,) that when Jacob dedicated to God the place where God had favoured him with a vision, he took the stone on which he had laid his head," and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon it." When the law of Moses was established among the Israelites, the place of worship, and the vessels used in worship, and the priests who worshipped, were anointed with

oil. When Samuel was sent to select a king for Israel, (1 Sam. ix. 1,) "he took a vial of oil, and poured it on his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the Lord hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?”

To anoint, therefore, was to consecrate. These Christians had been consecrated to God, when baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus: had been anointed with the Spirit of God, of which the oil was understood to be an emblem. And the anointing which they received of him, had been an abiding sanctification. It had not been with them as with Saul of old, concerning whom the Lord declared, "Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, the Lord hath rejected thee from being king." These Christians had not been seduced: not led away by any antichristian spirit to deny the truth: they had remained stedfast; and therefore St. John had comfort respecting them, that the same anointing, the same Spirit, should teach them of all things, guide them into all truth," and preserve them unto the end. He had no need to teach them afresh: they had a better teaching from above, which should perform the work which had been begun.

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Still he gives them his warning counsel.

28. And now, little children, abide in him; that when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

29. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

Dearly beloved, abide in him. Once more I warn you against seducers; once more I exhort you to

1 Exod. xxviii. 41; Lev. vi. 10; vii. 1, &c. &c.

21 Sam. xv. 23.

"hold fast the beginning of your confidence stedfast unto the end." Abide in the faith; and let that faith lead you to maintain a continual sense of dependence upon Christ, an habitual communion with him. Seek that supply of grace which you daily need, from him in whom "it hath pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell;" and of whose fulness all his disciples receive. "As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in him."

Knowing, however, the danger to which they were exposed, whilst he gives the exhortation, he adds the motive too: That when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

Here he speaks of the Lord's coming, as a steward might speak of the expected arrival of his master to take account. He speaks of it as an event to be prepared for, since at that hour, some will have confidence, and others will be ashamed before him.

Some, it appears, may have confidence. And yet confidence is a bold word when used in connexion with the judgment seat of God. When this seems to be distant, in the day of youth or of health, it is easy to have confidence. We know that we must some time or other die: but we know at the same time that such is the lot of every man; and what is common to all, has no terrors till it appears nigh at hand. But the difference is astonishing which the actual approach of death produces in the awakened mind. It is the lifting up of the veil which may seem before to have overspread the eyes even of the faithful Christian. What had been considered as

satisfactory obedience, is then seen to have been mixed with inexcusable transgression. What others treat as laudable service, now discovers all its shortcomings. How much time has been wasted! How many opportunities neglected! How little has been accomplished of what might have been done! How much remains to answer for, both of omission and transgression! Who shall say, I am pure from my

sin?

And yet the apostle says, that we may have confidence. If we abide in Christ, we may have confidence. For he has declared, "Whosoever heareth my words, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation."

Still we know on what this confidence must depend. A master leaves his house, and goes into a far country, and puts his servants in charge of all he has. After a while, it may be a long or a short while, he comes to take account. When the tidings were brought that he was approaching, we know who would have confidence. Not those who had kept out of sight the orders left for their direction. Still less those who had said, "My lord delayeth his coming" let us follow our own devices, and do what is right in our own eyes. They alone would have confidence who had made his rule their rule, and so lived as having an account to render. They need not be ashamed, but rejoiced at his coming.

Our Lord describes, in fearful terms, the dismay which his approach will cause in those who have no such ground of confidence. "Behold, the bride

groom cometh: go ye forth to meet him."3

We

see the disturbance, the distress of mind occasioned

by this summons. Now at the last moment they are seeking what ought to have been ever ready. "Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out." They now perceive that they dare not appear before the bridegroom. So it too frequently happens in the world, when those who have borne the name of Christ find death approaching. They have no confidence. The truth now flashes upon them, that he is righteous: and that only every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. Only they are the sons of God who are led by the Spirit of God; and only the sons of God are heirs of the heavenly kingdom. The dutiful children are not ashamed, when the father returns to the family which he had left for a while. But those are justly ashamed at his coming, who have taken the children's place without the children's claim.

It is wise and prudent to be in the habit of realising to ourselves the hour, when "the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, and shall sit upon the throne of his glory." So, as he has commanded, we may "be ready." We may have confidence; such confidence as may bear the test of Scripture. Not the confidence of the presumptuous man, who “trusteth in himself that he is righteous." Nor the confidence of the enthusiastic man who trusts in Christ, and can show no grounds for such reliance. But the confidence which Paul enjoyed, and of which he

3 Matt. xxv. 6-8.