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These for sins could not atone;
Thou must save, and thou alone.
In my hand no price I bring,

Simply to thy cross I cling."

The words of the Son of God himself, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out," are so positive and assuring, that for any one to despair, while those words are floating around him, is to do "despite unto the Spirit of grace," and to perform an act of the most suicidal folly.

LECTURE V.

GRATITUDE AND DEVOTION; OR, NAAMAN'S OFFERING, AND NAAMAN IN THE HOUSE OF RIMMON.

2 KINGS V. 15-19.

A CHANGE had passed over the mind of Naaman, as great as that which had affected his body. The revolution of mental feeling was as fully remarkable as the physical alteration which had been wrought. This was one of those sudden events which, like the miraculous conversion of Paul, does not come under the denomination of common occurrences, in the spiritual economy of God. The hour, as well as the place, of the twofold transformation which had happened to Naaman, would be vividly remembered; for there, where his leprosy was removed, for the first time the grand realities of Divine truth burst upon his soul; and the transition, from his former state of thought and feeling to another and happier one, would be as marked as that which happened in the case of the blind and the dumb, in the days of Christ,

who were suddenly restored to sight and speech.

This change soon began to develop itself. The first thoughts that arose in his mind, when he became conscious of the miracle which had been wrought upon him, was the obligation under which he was placed to the prophet, and especially to the prophet's God. His heart, swelling with the long pent up tide of emotions, was now considering how best he could testify his sense of the inestimable favour conferred upon him; and his thoughts glanced both towards the primary and secondary agents in his recovery. A right minded man will ever be ready frankly and gratefully to recognize his obligations, no matter from whom the benefits he has received have come; and in that way which appears most likely to be congenial to the bestower of the favour, and which is within the compass of the power of the recipient, will the recognition be made. Many of the sweetest and purest emotions that pass through the souls of men, as they mingle and mutually assist each other in the diversified transactions of life-where isolated independence is found to be impossible, and would be most unlovely if it were not so--are those which

the relations of giver and receiver awaken. God has wisely and graciously opened fountains of delight-even amid the wilderness of human suffering, privation, and sorrow; and while the needy and helpless have the joy of finding their necessities supplied, the beneficent heart, that has guided the bountiful hand, knows the higher and holier joy of ministering to those necessities. For we are assured, in words snatched by the apostle Paul from oblivion, and enshrined in the sacred volume-the words of the Lord Jesus-"It is more blessed to give than to receive."

"And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came and stood before him." Once more the Syrian is at the door of the prophet, and this time with very different feelings from those with which at the first he had come and departed. The haughty pride, which in mien and words had so offensively revealed itself, was no longer visible. It had been completely subdued by the exhibition of undeserved mercy, which had been displayed towards him by God. His national prejudices had been scattered to the winds by the irresistible force of recent occurrences; the

disease, that had clung to him like a robe of dishonour and degradation, was removed; the dark shadow had vanished from his path, and the gladdening gleam of unclouded sunshine rested upon him. Naaman felt happy at that hour, and grateful too; and was anxious to testify, in the best manner possible, his deep sense of the important benefits that had been conferred upon him. He seems on this visit to have entered the dwelling of Elisha, and for the first time to have met face to face the mysterious man, who wielded such marvellous powers in the midst of his people, and to whom he himself owed such a mighty debt of gratitude. No doubt the interest felt was mutual. If Naaman contemplated the man of God with mingled feelings of gratitude, curiosity, and awe, the latter would look with interest upon one who had been the subject of miraculous power, and who would bear into heathen Syria indubitable testimonies to the greatness and superiority of the God of Israel.

Then follows the unconstrained acknowledgment of the sole supremacy of Jehovah.

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Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel." This conviction

of course had been produced by the miracle.

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