HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 20.-Tlie JJOW(!I' of true aJfection,. "And Jacob served seven years for Rachel," &c. I. THE INWARD SPRING OF THE OUTWARD LIFE, Power of the heart over the will, over the circumstances, over flesh. 'l'ime measured by the motions of our thought. The world needs to be taught that the material rests on the immaterial. II. THE SERVICE OF LOVE THE CONSECRATION AND CONSUMMATION OF HUMAN ENERGY .. Christ the highest object of affection. The life of his servant corn pa.red with the life of selfish caprice. III. THE GREAT EXUfPLE OF LOYE SUGGESTED. Jacob I\ type of Christ; Rachel, of his Church. He served for her. His love made obedience, even unto death, his delight. IV. SPECUL TRIAL BAS ITS SPECIAL REWARD, Jacob served doubly for Rachel; but his service was amply paid afterwards, although for a time the veil of disappoint- ment hid the purpose of Gcd. While Leah, as the mother of Judah, was the true ancestress of Messiah, still it was in Joseph, the son of Rachel, that Jacob's heart wns satisfied, 8Ild that the history of the kingdom of God was most manifestly car- ried on and its glory set forth, .As in the CW:le of Sarah and Rebekah, so in that of Rachel, the birth of the representative seed is connected with special beatowments of grace.-R. Ver. ro.-Christ's love for the Church. ".And Jacob· served seven years for Rachel." On the surface this is a step in Jacob's training, in the fulfilment of God's promise at Bethel. It shows a new feature in his character. We see. not the man of cunning devices, but one full of pure, self-sacrificing love. Fourteen years of service willingly given to purchase, according to Eastern custom, his bride. But Jacob's love suggests the deeper and purer love of Christ for the Church. Rachel a type of the Bride; a shepherdess and" fairest among women" (Cant. i. 7, 8); sharer of the sufferings of the Church (Jer. x.xxi. 15; Matt. ii. 18; Rev. xii. 17). For the Church's sake (Ephes. v. 25) Christ "served" (Phil. ii. 7) ; became a Shepherd (John x. 11); with his service and life-blood," obedient unto death," he purchased her (.Acts :x:x. 28), to unite her to himself for ever. I. THE LORD "SERVED II BECAUSE BE LOVED BIS CHURCH. In condescending to unite himself with human nature ; in bearing the infirmities of childhood and stoie of subjection ; in bearing the contradiction of sinners and the wrath of God. And still in standing and knocking (Rev. iii. 20); in bearing with half-hearted believers (2 Pet. iii. 9); in pleading with and for the wayward (1 John ii. 1; 2 Cor. v. 20); in seeking and following individual sheep. The love which led to this was free, not deserved or purchased. Rachel brought no dowry to Jacob. The Church has of its own no spiritual wenlth (Isa. lxiv. 6 ; Rom. iii. 23). The Bridegroom had to s:inctify and cleanse it. By nature unholy, at variance with God's will; yet, know- ing this, he loved it (cf. Rom. viii. 35). For love to Rachel Jacob g·ave the la~our of fourteen years. For the Church Christ grudged nothing-gave himself. Sacnfi_ce 11 mark of true love. How many will not sacrifice anything-will not leave a gam, a companion, an amusement-to "win Christ." In the garden bis human nature shrank from the bitterness of the cup, but he persevered. Why? . II. THE LORD "SERVED" THAT BE MIGHT UNITE us TO HIMSELJI'. Mar11age, the closest earthly tie, used as a type. No mere removal of condemnation satisfied ~hat love, nor even our being made happy; he became such as we are, that we might become such as he is. '£he Church is his Bride (Ephes. v. 27; Ilev. xxi. 9), sharer of his kingdom (Rev. iii. 21; xx. 4), of his blessedness and glor;r (J_ohn ~vii: 22-24). And this belongs to its humblest and wealcest member. A un10n m this li£e (Cant. ii. 16; John xv. 4); peace in committing all cares to him, even our own steadfast- ness (Jolm x. 28; Rom. viii. 35; Heh. xiii. 6). A union after our departure more close (Phil. i. 23). Here we see dimly (1 Cur. xiii. 12). The conditions of I?ortnl life hinder clear visions (Exod. xxxiii. 20). The law of sin in our members lnnders perfect union. Then no impediment (Luke x.xiii. 43). Union perfected after the resurrection (1 Thess. iv, 7). The body, which now limits consoioua union, shall OH, XXIX. 31-35.] THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 363
then minister to its completeness. Not till then shall we be perfectly like him in his human nature. III. HE "SERVED" THAT WE MIGHT HAVE CONFIDENCE IN ms LOVE. Jacob's love not shaken by time, or by the deceit practised upon him, a type of Christ's. Often forgetful, _often faithless, we might well think, How dare I trust to a love so often neglected? But his love is not wearied out (Isa. xlix. 15). He has graven us with the nail-prints on his hands. His word is etiTI, "Look unto me; " trust my love (Pa. xxxvii. 5).-M.