to the idea of God as an Almighty Being, infinitely just and good, and likely to be pleased with certain courses of conduct on their part,-but it is the revelation of the Gospel of Christ ALONE that gives unto man in addition to the knowledge of the characters of God, the knowledge also of the separation of his own nature from that of God, and a way of reconciliation to him. It is in subordination, as it were, and with continual reference to this two-fold knowledge, that the Christian exhibits his zeal of God.

Verse 3. "Going about to establish their own righteousness;"-going about by a way of their own, thus evincing that pride of self-will, which rather merits the wrath, than purchases the favour, of God; -seeking to prop up their own righteousness in this point and that point, and not accepting Christ as their all in all, as the Lord their righteousness; deforming, by unsightly daubs and patches of their own devising, the full and spotless robe prepared by him, in which his people seek to appear and glory.

Verse 4. "Christ is the end of the law," the very scope of the law-that to which it was meant to lead, as a schoolmaster conducting his children by many and various means to the object of their instructions, even truth:-thus so far from the Law being made void, it is for ever established, as an effectual instrument, under the application of God the Spirit, to the bringing of the sinner to the knowledge and reception of the only name under heaven whereby he can be saved.

Verses 6-8. The Apostle sets the peace and joy in believing, that is, in the righteousness which is by faith, in opposition to the perplexing uncertainties of those who would fain fulfil the righteousness demanded by the law. The law, in a certain respect, offers

heaven on an impossible condition-"This do and live" and threatens death eternal on that breach of it, which every man is guilty of; so that he who will be justified by it, must oft be constrained to look around him in despair, and cry, O, who will ascend heaven and take me thither! O, who will go down into the grave and snatch me thence?' On the other hand, he that relies simply on Christ for acceptance, is at rest on these points; for Christ has ascended into heaven, having fulfilled for his people all the righteousness demanded by the law, and will take them thither: He too has descended into the grave, and destroyed for ever, as it regards his people, him that had the power of death.

Verse 8. "The word is nigh thee," &c; St. Paul accommodates that which was primarily said of the law, to the Gospel, "the word of faith which we preach." The Gospel-righteousness which is by faith has been preached and explained to you by us; you have clear views of it, and can describe it with your mouths, and doubtless the experience in many hearts of its power, at the same time bears witness to the reality of that which your lips express and the sum and substance of that message of ours, was this, "if thou shalt confess," &c. verse 9.'

Verse 17. "Hearing by the word of God;"-" that ye Romans and all Gentiles should hear the tidings of this righteousness which is by faith, was enjoined upon us Apostles, by the word and commandment of our God and Saviour.'

Rom. xi. 1. (August 30.) "Hath God cast away his people?" St. Paul was a living proof that he had not he was a Jew, and yet possessed a good hope through grace.

THE GLORY OF ZION.

"Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion." Psalm xlviii. 2.

REV. H. A. SIMCOE, Penheale-Press, Cornwall.

THE DOCTRINE OF THE VISIBLE CHURCH. (TRANSLATED FROM CALVIN'S INSTITUTES, B. 4. c. 1. § 7-20.)

THERE are two communities of both of which the sacred Scriptures speak indifferently as the Church. Sometimes by the Church they mean that which is really such in the sight of God—a Church to which none belong but those who, by the grace of adoption, are the sons of God, and real members of Christ by sanctification of the Spirit. And in this case, also, it includes, not merely all the saints existing upon earth, but all the elect who have lived from the beginning of the world. The word Church, however, in Scripture is frequently an expression for the whole body of men throughout the world who profess the worship of one God in Christ-who have been received into this faith by Baptism-who testify, in partaking of the Lord's Supper, their unity in faith and charity-who agree in God's word, and maintain the ministry which Christ appointed for the sake of preaching it. In this Church. are many hypocrites, who have nothing of Christianity besides the name and form-many who are ambitious,

K

covetous, envious, or slanderous, some even of impure lives, who are either tolerated for a season, or because they cannot be convicted of their criminalities, or because the discipline maintained is not at all times as rigid as it ought to be. Now, as it is necessary to believe in the Church which is invisible to us, and apparent only in the sight of God; so we are also required to respect this which, in reference to men, is called the Church, and to adhere to its communion. And accordingly, so far it is of importance to us to be able to distinguish it. The Lord has pointed it out to us by certain marks and characters by which it may be known. Indeed to know who are his, is the special prerogative of God himself-a prerogative which he has cautioned us against the rashness of attempting to invade, as events discover every day how far the secret purposes of God transcend our apprehension: the most wretched and abandoned profligates returning, through grace, into the way; and those who apparently excelled in virtue' making shipwreck of their faith, and going at last to ruin. So that according to God's secret predestination, as Augustine saith, there are many sheep outside the fold, and many wolves within it. For God knows, and has set his seal on many, who are not hitherto acquainted either with him or with themselves. And of those who exhibit the external indications of belonging to his people, God only knows which are really holy, and such as will persevere unto the end, which is the crown and consummation of salvation. But still the Almighty foresaw that there would be an advantage in our knowing who we were to consider as his children, and he has met our wants accordingly. This, however, was a