coming to Christ-where the idea is taken from the action of the feet; comparing belief in the Saviour to a wearied man approaching a place of safety to unload his burden. In the text the representation is drawn from the eye; the Lord Jesus calling upon all the earth to look unto him and be saved.

That the Prophet speaks these words personifying the Lord Jesus, is clear from comparison with other Scriptures. In the verse following our text, and connected with it, it is said, "I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear." In the Epistle to the Romans, these words are expressly applied to our blessed Lord: St. Paul says, "For we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ; for it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God."

That we, then, may enjoy this full tide of mercies, these abundant blessings, which are to be attained by faith in the Lord Jesus, let us, in the first place, consider HIS GRACIOUS PROCLAMATION; and, secondly, THE MOTIVES by which it is enforced.

May the Spirit of Truth, even Him whose office it is to testify of Jesus, for his Name's sake

grant us his Divine aid, that we may partake of his salvation!

I. The PROCLAMATION is, "Look unto me." This, in the first place, implies a turning away the mind from other objects, and fixing it solely upon the Lord Jesus: for such is the construction of the human eye, that we cannot look at two things at the same moment. We may, indeed, take a general survey of many; but when we wish to become acquainted with any particular object, upon that object the eye must dwell, and upon that alone. Other things only divert its attention, and take it off from that which it desires to behold. It is this singleness of eye to which the Lord Jesus first directs us. By nature we are desirous to behold many things. Men wish to obtain salvation partly by the goodness of their lives, partly by their superiority over others, partly by their amiable dispositions, and partly by the Lord Jesus Christ. But in this, as in other respects, the Lord is a jealous God: he will not give his glory to another, nor his praise to graven images. He will not take from us a divided heart: as the Apostle says, "If by grace, then it is no more of works; otherwise grace is no more grace*."

*Rom. xi. 6.

Secondly; This word, "Look unto me,” implies a direction to seek a knowledge of the Saviour: for this is one grand end of looking at any object, to become acquainted with its nature and various properties. The eye is the sense of knowledge. The touch, the hearing, and the taste, indeed, are inlets to the mind; but the eye is the principal sense. By this we observe the shape and size of substances; their interior formation, and the different relation of their parts. To this use the Saviour then calls upon us to put the eye of the mind; to look to him, that we may become acquainted with his person, character, and offices. He gives men in general the same direction which upon a particular occasion he gave to his disciples : "Behold my hands and my feet; handle me, and see that it is I myself.*" For that faith to which we are called is not that blind confidence which the Church of Rome requires; but it is a faith built upon knowledge, upon an investigation of the Holy Scriptures, and an examination of the character of the Saviour; that, when asked the grounds of our belief, we may be able to give a reason for the hope that is in us with meekness and fear. And surely this part of the

* See Luke xxiv. 39.

precept is most reasonable; for if men are bestowing so much pains to obtain an acquaintance with things which die with the day, we may well be called to seek after Divine knowledge for "this is life eternal, to know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent*.'

Further: This precept implies a sense of personal need, and a reliance upon the Saviour to supply this necessity. For this is frequently expressed by a look. What mother is there who knows not the eye of her child? When unable to speak, her infant will express its wants by a look in a language she perfectly understands. And who has walked in this great city, and has not been moved by the look of a silent sufferer; some poor distressed object, too timid to ask for alms, but yet turning his eye with a look that expressed far more poignant distress than the most vociferous cries? And where is the eye directed? To those on whom they rely for relief. A child looks not upon a stranger, but upon its parent. A poor man looks not to his still poorer companion, for he expects nothing from him. Jehoshaphat, when invaded by the Moabites, thus. addressed the Lord, "We have no might

* John xvii. 3.

against this great company that cometh against us, neither know we what to do; but our eyes are upon Thee." And David, when he would express the confidence of the various creatures, says, "The eyes of all wait upon thee, and thou givest them meat in due season."-This sense of our need, and this confidence in the Saviour, are essentially necessary. For never shall we really close with his offers, till thus convinced; till we are brought to see that sin has defiled our best performances, and that by the deeds of the Law no flesh shall be justified. Neither shall we then look to him, unless we have a confidence in him; unless we believe that he is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him; and that he is as willing as he is able, freely inviting the chief of sinners.

Once more: The word, "Look unto me," implies a submission to the Lord Jesus. When the Lord would express the rebellion of the inhabitants of Judah, amongst other proofs he mentions " they hid their eyes from his Sabbaths;" and often does he mention men "turning the back, and not the face," as a proof of their contempt of his authority. On the other hand, when David would manifest his entire submission to God, he says, "Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their