66 66 of the Redeemer, instructed by the deficiencies of their practice in the corruption of their hearts, approached the Cross of Christ for power to renounce a world to which they had so firmly clung and soon the voice was heard, "Arise-be thou clean;" and they arose new creatures in Christ Jesus.' How astonishing was the transformation! "The world" they had so fondly loved, was now crucified unto them, and they unto the world"-in other words, the world was no more to them than the enjoyment of yesterday to the man now nailed on the cross. "Their souls," in the language of David, "followed hard after God" for pardon, and holiness, and resemblance to the image of Christ, and participation in his glory. Their faith enlarged, and their love deepened; they went on, "from strength to strength," till they "appeared before God in Zion." In a short period, this little company of poor shrinking cowards became the "preachers of righteousness," and the moral conquerors of the world.-O Lord, grant us, we beseech thee, the same disposition of soul. Take, if it seem good to thee, all we have, all we love, all we desire: but, in return, give us Thyself; give us Thy presence and favour-for" in thy presence is fulness of joy, and at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore." WHAT is there here, my God, to stay And crowds, that leave the heart alone; A soil of weeds, a fickle sky, Foes who endure, and friends who die. How longs my soul to come to Thee! To live on joys which cannot die! Why should my lingering spirit doubt? Why from its "rest" a moment rove? Hark! heard you not the rapturous shout Of angels in the world of love? How welcome to my heart the strain Which bids me break this galling chain! I come! I come! the conflict 's o'er; I seek my rest, my home, my Lord; CHAP. XI. VERS. 9, 10. And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. WHERE, in the hour of the crucifixion of the Son of God, was the multitude who on his approach to Jerusalem followed him with Hosannahs? Where was the zeal which, in this hour of his triumph, prompted them to "strew branches" and " spread their garments in his way?" Could none of these ardent and delighted followers be found, in the moment of peril, to plead with his murderers, that they should have nothing to do with this Just Man?" Alas! perhaps some of this now clamorous and loyal crowd were among the first, afterwards, to unite in the cry, "Crucify Him! crucify Him!" Such are the rapid shiftings in the affections of the multitude; and such the fatal results of substituting passion for principle in religion. He who in the smallest degree makes the human mind the subject of his study, soon learns that it is of the very essence of the passions and sensations of the heart to ebb and flow, to rise and fall, with every changing tide and gust in the ocean of life? Who has not seen the most vivid impressions suddenly decay; excess in one direction, exchanged for excess in the most opposite; enthusiasm making way for dulness, or dulness for enthusiasm? Herod, who, for a time, "heard John gladly," afterwards |