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an experience of the purification with which his people are familiar? Zeal for good works is a symptom of the purification, and of the redemption from all iniquity. He calls you who are not: he says to you, "My son, give me thine heart," and he offers himself in all his fulness to each. If you have him, all things are yours-whether the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come: all are yours. Nothing will fail, not death itself will fail to be for thy benefit, if thou art His.

Give yourselves to him who is sufficient for all your necessities-there is no one so but Christ. There is a preparation to be made in the vessels of mercy, to make them vessels of glory. "Which he had afore prepared unto glory." They must be purified, before they are made vessels of glory. All vessels will be filled, and the use made of them will be according to the preparation they will have undergone. Some will be full of glory, but all not purified will be vessels of wrath, and filled for ever with that for which they are suited.

SERMON XI.

CHRIST THE WISDOM OF GOD.

Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.1 COR. I. 24.

CHRIST is WISDOM: first, on the behalf of his people. 2, in his management of them. 3, in them.

I. He is the wisdom of God in the advocacy of the cause of his people before his Father's throne, and in the government of the events which affect them. He knows all their circumstances, and he comprehends the glory which belongs to God the Father. The cause of the believer is in his hand, to justify it with God, without tarnishing the honour of God; and his wisdom is adequate to the great undertaking. An intercessor had needs be equal in wisdom to the majesty before whom he appears. Jesus Christ the

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righteous-Jesus Christ the wise, knows the wants, the weaknesses, and the temptations of his people; and he knows the will of his Father, all the purposes of his heart, and all the counsels of his mercy in reference to his people. He "of God is made unto us wisdom." He exercises dominion over all things in heaven on our behalf-he possesses all authority. As all the wisdom of Joseph influenced the throne in favour of his father and brethren, the wisdom of Christ is engaged in the ordering of all things for the benefit of his brethren. He presides over the council of heaven-he is "in the midst of the throne:" he sends forth his angels to do his will, and by wisdom disappoints the conspiracies of hell. He can make the proud hands of Satan drive pride out of Paul, and make Paul's weakness an occasion of comfort to him. He can make the agents, the acts, and the very effects of opposition, work together for the accomplishment of his own gracious purposes,

II. Christ is the wisdom of God in the management of the affairs of his Church.

He is the Shepherd of numerous flocks, and his wisdom is required on their behalf. Their conditions and circumstances are various many are weak, and they dwell in the presence of their enemies, and their welfare depends solely upon his care. "I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick, I will feed them with judgment." He knows of, and provides for the necessities of each of his people. various in their conditions, and their wants; and their cases were appropriately met. He knew how to conduct himself towards Peter in his presumption, and towards Judas in his treachery, and towards another in his weakness. He deals with all in judgment and wisdom. He provides strong meat for some, and milk for some; and he provides differently for the same person when his circumstances alter. He gives strength according to the day, and appoints the day to correspond with the strength.

The Churches of Asia were

He does not always add strength, "but

stayeth his rough wind in the day of the east wind." "Fear thou not, O Jacob, my servant, for I am with thee." "I am continually with thee, thou hast holden me by thy right hand, thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterwards receive me to glory." His counsel being engaged for their safe advancement, he will make the crooked things straight before them, or give them wings as eagles to mount up above all obstacles.

III. Christ is the wisdom of God in his people. By enlightening them, he makes them "light in the Lord." "He that followeth me, shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." "Christ liveth in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God." The godly are wise, and yet not they, but Christ which dwelleth in them. "If any man will hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and him with me." He teaches those that receive him, and no one teaches like him. He makes wise the foolish. "While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye

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