IX.

NAAMAN.

THAT which troubles us the most in life is the anxiety we feel respecting what may occur on the morrow and the day after. Perambulate the cottages of the dejected and the oppressed, and you will in general perceive, that the cause of their anxiety is not an immediate necessity, but one which may be expected in the sequel. If the bitter fountain of their apprehensions could be stopped up, and a bright ray of hope be shed upon the foreground of their life-lamentation would be immediately turned into rejoicing, and a clear sun-shine, instead of gloomy and tempestuous clouds, surround their brow. Hence, there has ever been amongst mankind, a looking out for a sign, as a token for good, for a favourable prognostic respecting the future, and for something on which they might firmly establish the hope that no misfortune would befall them, but that on the contrary, blessings and benefits would attend them. Attention was directed to the constellations in the firmament; predictions were procured from oracles and the artifices of the priests; much was inferred from dreams and visions; and even birds that build their nests upon or under the roof, were obliged to act the part of Noah's dove with the olive-leaf. These things indeed have lost their credit in the present day; but the desire for favourable signs and propitious omens is not on that account by any means extinguished among mankind. How greatly are people inclined, for instance, on taking some

important step or undertaking in life, such as marriage, journeys, and the like, to spy out intimations in every. thing that occurs on such occasions. The smallest and most trifling circumstance is then frequently sufficient suddenly to call forth the most decided disturbance, and even to spread a mourning veil over a whole festival, as well as to excite the utmost joy in the minds of the people, and to complete their happiness, according as they think they perceive a good or evil omen in it.

There is, however, little dependance to be placed upon such auguries. And yet there is a blissful sign which never deceives. Let him to whom it is given, rejoice and cast all care away. But let no one deceive himself. The mark is not for every one. Is money or wealth the sign you mean? By no means? Remember the barn-builder. Is it honour and celebrity? This the bay-tree in the psalm possessed; yet in a short time, it stood withered by the way-side. Is it understanding or talent? Understanding is no security against distress and death, and the judgment of Divine wrath. Is the sign to be found in meritorious actions for the service of society? I tell you that these merits are of no avail before him, who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Nor is integrity the sign. It proves no defence where the holiness of God sits in judgment; and equally as little is religious knowledge the sign. Judas possessed it, and yet destruction followed at his heels. The sign, the propitious sign which we mean, is of a very different kind. It is that which is alluded to in Psalm lxxxvi. 17, where it is said, "Show me a token for good." It is not anything of an outward nature; it is in the individual. It may, however, be seen glimmering through him. No one has it by nature. Queen Grace must bestow it upon us. The sign is first of all, a wound.

What, a wound? Yes, a wound in the heart. It is inflicted as the result of self-knowledge; and is a wound, which no plant, no balm from the field of this earth can heal. The publican had the sign, when he smote upon his breast. The malefactor had it, when he said, "Lord, remember me." Mary Magdalen had it, when she sat at the Master's feet, and washed them with her tears. Take it for granted also, that whoever prospered in time and eternity possessed it, and that those who had it, have also fared well, although we may not have witnessed it. The wound is, therefore, the consciousness of being a poor sinner? Yes, my brethren. The profound and contrite feeling that we are condemned in ourselves, and execrable in the sight of God, is the wound I mean. Certainly, an inconsiderable sign, but a sign of unspeakable value; a sign little attended to by the world, but the only one which betokens salvation. The Word of God is witness.

But this wound is not the entire sign. Something else is connected with it. The mark which the Lord caused to be set on the foreheads of the people, that they might escape destruction (Ezek. ix, 4,) “Set a mark upon them,' says he to the angel-a Tau, the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, upon their foreheads. But this letter was in the form of a cross, as it is also still evident in the Greek and Latin T, which was formed after it. You now know, therefore, what is implied in the propitious sign. It is a cross-not painted upon the lip, not deposited in words, not pourtrayed in the idea, but deeply and vividly engraved and branded by the Holy Ghost upon the heart and the vitals; so that the individual regards the cross of Christ as the most pleasing object of vision in the horizon of heaven and earth, and his inmost love springs up from this bloody tree and firmly twines around it; and thus, on this

one nail, he hangs all his hope and all his salvation, and is constrained to say with Paul, "I am determined to know nothing, but Christ and him crucified." Now, where these two are found together-the wound and the crossthe poor sinner and faith in the Lamb-the broken heart, which at the same time rests firmly on the atoning sacrifice-there is the propitious sign; but only there, and no where else. It does not sparkle indeed, like the golden chains, the stars, and orders of this world; but how will the brightness of the latter eventually fade before that of the former! In the world indeed, no high value is put upon it, nor does it assume a rank in civil society; but the angels of God see this sign, and stand joyfully still, and reverentially salute him who wears it, and know that they are enjoined to minister to him. Thank God! there are probably many amongst us, who are decorated with this sign in the heart, although the mantle of infirmity may be wound around it. The sign attests their nobility, and proves their adoption. They have no need to inquire further respecting any other favourable omen. This single one-the wound and the cross-is a sufficient pledge to them, that it shall be well with them in time and eternity. What is the beautiful portion of Elisha's life upon which we this day enter, but an actual comment upon the words of the Psalmist, "Show me a token for good." May an abundant blessing rest upon the consideration of it! The Lord graciously grant it!

2 KINGS v. 1, 2.

"Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable; because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour; but he was a leper.