... then an heir of God."-GAL. iv. 5, 7. ADOPTION. and if a fon, See here the king, in regal fplendour clad, His rags removed, with regal robes he's dreffed, A MONARCH is here feen ftanding arrayed in come forth ; his robes of state, and crown of glittering gems. He has left his guests within the palace; he has he holds in his hand a crown of pureft gold. On the steps he meets a poor, ragged boy; he intends to make him an object of his especial favour. He takes him kindly by the hand, and leads him up the steps. The poor boy trembles; he is greatly afraid. The king places the crown upon his brow; he commands that royal robes be brought forthwith, to clothe him withal. Moreover, he orders that proclamation be made, announcing that he is received among the princes of the realm. Some of the king's fons are seen standing behind. They look on with wonder, but not with jealousy. They appear delighted at what they fee; they embrace him as a brother. The news reaches the infide of the palace; the inmates haften out to congratulate the new-made king. He returns with them, and takes his feat at the banquet, amid ftrains of mufic and the voice of fong. This is an emblem of Adoption. The king represents the Almighty Father, King of heaven and earth. The king's fons fignify the angels, who have never finned. The boy in rags reprefents the finner, man. The finner, "wretched, and miferable, and poor, and blind, and naked," is driven by the ftorms of guilt and anguifh that beat upon him to feek a place of refuge. "Whither fhall I flee?" he asks, in the agony of his foul. He refolves: "I will arife, and go to my Father." Thus, in all his mifery, he prefents himself before the King, Jehovah. Whereas the king is feen coming forth from his palace, and taking the poor boy by the hand; this is to fhow how willingly God receives the poor penitent who comes to him in the name of the Mediator. When he was yet a great way off, he faw him, and had compaffion on him. He takes him by the hand, saying, “Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wife caft out." He places a crown on his head, that is, he adopts him as his own fon; he makes him an heir of his eternal glory. Now he has a childlike confidence in God as his Father; God having sent forth the spirit of his Son into his heart, crying, Abba, Father. He takes his place among the children of God, loft in wonder, love, and praise. "Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us, that we should be called the fons of God." r; The angels, thofe elder fons of the Almighty, gladly welcome the adopted to their number they receive him as one that was loft, and is found; that was dead, and is alive again; and henceforth minister to him as an heir of falvation. Not all the nobles of the earth, Who boast the honours of their birth, As thofe that bear the Christian name. To them the privilege is given To be the fons and heirs of heaven; Sons of the God who reigns on high, On them, a happy chofen race, DR. S. STENNETT. "For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God."-JOHN xii. 43. SPIRITUAL PRIDE. See where the Pharifee inflated stands, It ftruts, and fwells, and fpreads its plumes abroad: |