THE PHARISEE AND PUBLICAN.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume V, Issue 110, 10 March 1853, Page 4

THE PHARISEE AND PUBLICAN.

Luke XVIII. 15. "God be merciful to me a sinner." [Concluded.] But the petition, be merciful, includes something more than is eommonly understood by i: the word translated merciful, lias respect to the atonement made by hlood; to the sacrifices offered up al the lempfe: which were types of Chfisl, '* Whom God has s.et forth to he a propitiation through faith in his blood," Horn. iii. 23. At the temple, in the coi.rt of which the Publican stood, there was a kimb offered every moriiingat niiieoVloek. and every evening at three: and these were Iho hours of prayer; so lhat the pious Jews eamft then lo prav, that by virtue, of Iho aioncnmiit of Christ represented by blood, and of his inter* ession represented by the incense, their prayers might find acceptance, ltts prayer then was—God lie. propitious to mo a sinner—accept the atoii"iuont in my behalf—lt I my soul be cleansed in the blood of Christ. In this maimer, hyfaiih in Jesus, lot ikseek the mercy of God. I.el us not dream of mere absolute, mercy. " AGodall mercy, is a God unjust." Theinercy of God cannot be bestowed withonl regard to his

'justice. Now (ioil Ikis glorified (lis justice ' bv punishing sin in the person of our glorious j Redeemer, upon whom " lit! laid llie ini-<jnilU-s of us sill," and through whom " he is, at once, a just God and a Saviour." In (liis way, and ill no oilier, caiiusiuncrohlaiu mercy: lor our Lord declares, that no man eometh (o tin- Father l>ul l>y liiiu; ami no mercy comeili lo (he sinner hut through liiiu : hut in his dear name we nriy " come boldly lo the. throne of grace and so ohtaiu mercy, and find grace lo help in every time of need." This came the Publican, and in this way hi' succeeded. It was not the depth of Ijis humility, the sincerity of his repentance, nor the fervency of his devotion, that merited acceptance; these dispositions were the gifts of God, and could merit nothing; but it was (Ik? wait of the /ttilffiner'.i pnciuiis bland, typilicil by llie blood of ihe lambs, which he pleaded, and which shall never be jileailed ill vain. Our l ord tells us, ver. M, " This man went down lo his house justified rather than the other," or mt the uiltei•; the reason of which he adds, " l or every one that exahclh himself shall be abased; and he that hiimhleth himself shall heexallcd." O what a blessing! " lie went down to his house justifiedthere was no condemnation to him ; lie was accepted in 11 in lleloved; he had passed from death lo life, Happy man ! he illicit " eat his bread with gladness, and drink his wine," or water either, " with a merry heart, for God accepted his works." Al'H.lf.'.l'l IO.N". Shall we not then " go and do likewise?" Are we not sinners 7 I'ly instantly to the throne of grace. The Lord wails to be gracious. This is the mvepted lime: lose it not by delay. To-morrow maybe 100 late. Now, j then, with tlio Publican's spirit, let each of us cry, God be merciful lo mea sinner! j llut O beware of the Pharisee's spirit. j Every man is born a Pharisee. Ask your little children why ihev hope togo to heaven: and if they have not been heller taught, yon will llnd their hope is, because they are not so had as others. Would to God it were no' so with grown-up persons too! Jlltit let no one dare to persist in a self-righteous course: " for he that exaltelh himself shall heabased'' —abased even to hell. Renounce then your own righteousness, asSt. Paul,the converted Pharisee, did, who says, Phil. iii. 7, fr. " What things were gain lo mc, those I counted loss for Christ; yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord ; for whom I have suffered the lossofall things, and do count them but dung that I may win Christ, and be found in liiiu " ! The Publican'ssnccess is a great encouragenient lo every sensible sinner seeking for niercv. Seek like him, and like him you shall obtain it, And O let those who have obtained it he full of joy, " Praise the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy cmliiretli for ever;" and asan evidence of having obtained mcrey from God, shew mercy to men, "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful."