the vitals of the faith, which we can see, and handle, and touch. Every thing else of profession-kind, where there is a destitution of practice, just simply reminds us, that so far from its being an evidence of Christianity, it is a monstrous proof of personal inconsistency.

2. Justification by works is the result of justification by faith. In other words,-"None are justified by works till they are first justified by faith without works. When, through sovereign grace, a sinner is made to perceive the truth and import of the gospel testimony, and believes in the sense of Paul, that the work that Christ hath finished in his death and resurrection, is alone, or without any works of his own, sufficient for his justification, however guilty he may be; then he actually receives justification by that faith, according to the promise. And as the faith of that truth pacifies his conscience, and purifies his heart, so it worketh by love, and is the principle of those good works, by which (in the sense of James) a man is justified or approved of God, as a good and faithful servant." And here let me concludes by observing, that faith, which is the offspring of the Spirit-the faith of God's elect, will certainly influence the mind to the exhibition of all that is lovely in theory, and beneficial in practice.

Thou hast a few names even in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white : for they are worthy.

REV. III. 4.

The judgment of Heaven only is infallible. Whatever belongs to the character of men, may not always be either known or appreciated by others; or some, by the world, may be too highly applauded; whilst a second party, equally meritorious perhaps with the first, but because of some difference in adventitious circumstances, may thus be considered hardly worthy of notice. Nor will it matter much in the esteem of the Christian, as to what may be the judgment of men respecting him. Not that he attaches any importance to himself-but, if a subject of grace, his "record is on high ;" and with the deepest humility, blended with fervent gratitude, he concludes with the apostle that the grace of God only has made him what he is. Redeemed with a price, "all price beyond,"-chosen of God,

to the enjoyment of "an inheritance, incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away," he has to do with eternity rather than with time-he lives under the influence of the powers of the world to come, and endeavours after that purity of heart, without which we cannot see God. Let these observations be considered as a proper introduction to the subject more immediately before us. In the preceding chapter of this book, four of the angels of the churches of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyatira, are addressed by messages from Heaven, with a view either to applaud or to censure—to encourage, or to arouse. They who, in this way, are pointed out to us in these epistles, as the angels of the respective churches, were the then resident bishops, or pastors of such churches. It is very remarkable too, that the address to each commences with these striking words, "I know thy works," and concludes with the equally emphatic phraseology-" he that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." Here then was perfect knowledge on the part of God, relative to the affairs, and personal character of the members of these churches- their very names were before him; but yet, to shew his mercy and his forbearance, he indulged them with opportunities of repentance, if they had degenerated from the faith, or promised, for the encouragement of the persevering, a glorious reward. The epistle, of which our text forms a part, was written to the angel of the church of Sardis, the fifth on the list of Asiatic churches, to whom the word of God was so specially sent. Sardis itself was a city of Asia Minor. In the time of Cyrus, it was the capital of Lydia, and exceedingly magnificent. It is said to have been the first city, in that part of the world, which embraced the doctrines of Christianity under the ministry of the

apostle John, and yet it is equally stated as amongst the earliest to apostatize from the faith. Its temporal glory was eclipsed in the time of our Saviour, for it was then that the city itself was overthrown by an earthquake; nor is there any thing now, as belonging to its spiritual character, upon which the eye can fasten with delight. It would seem to be known only by its ruins.-The candlestick is removed out of its place-the church itself is no more, and no angel is there to spread forth his wings to shelter, or to warn them by his voice. How is the glory departed! And how fallen is the very remembrance of Sardis! At the time however that he, who hath the seven spirits of God and the seven stars, addressed the angel of the Sardisic church, as in the epistle before us, there were a few, who were commended for their steadfastness in the faith-the more remarkable, as they maintained it, not because it was common to do so-but in the midst of opposing elements, and a sinful conformity, on the part of others, to the customs and sins of the age. "Thou hast a few names," it is said, even in Sardis "—as if the language employed was designed to point out, that the place itself abounded in iniquity,—as if it were remarkable for its backsliding and laxity of principle, and an almost utter abandonment of the vitals of the gospel. There was in all this very little cause for the angel of the church at Sardis to be glad, but yet there was something in it to lead him to be thankful, that still there was a 66 99 remnant of names "that had not defiled their garments; and," said the voice," they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy." Let us notice,

66

I. Who they are that are spoken of under the designation of 66 names."

II. The promise held out to them-" They shall walk with me in white,"-and

III. Their preparation to enjoy the promise-" for they are worthy."

I. The individuals spoken of under the designation of names." "Thou hast a few names even in Sardis." How true is another declaration of Scripture-" The seal of God standeth sure; the Lord knoweth them that are his." These "names," belonging to the Sardisic church, were had in remembrance in heaven.-They were known as the followers of Christ, and as upright in their profession. From the descriptive language here employed, where they are spoken of as "few names," we are reminded that they

were

66

1. A remnant. We read of 66 a remnant according to the election of grace." And are we not to look upon these individuals as a remnant, according to the election of grace? Amid all the aboundings of iniquity, and the floods of ungodliness, which may ever have marked the onward course, and the progressive wickedness of the world; or in the midst of a thousand of the forms of professing Christianity, but when its vitality was unfelt, there have ever been those, (though few" may have been their numbers when compared with the mass) who have held fast the truth, or who have been faithful unto death. In the days of Elijah, the Lord had reserved unto himself seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that had not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which had not kissed him. And so in the times of Ezra, a remnant was left to escape, and to be as a nail in the holy place; by which we are reminded, that "the election according to grace;" can never be lost. It is true that the people of God, in all ages of the world, have been few in