and who now exults in having seduced him from a Saviour's atoning blood, to be exalted on the pedestal of his own self-righteous

ness. ;

But there is one more-the faithful believer in Jesus he pleads guilty; he confesses his unworthiness; but still, “he knows in whom he has believed;" his witnesses are summoned, and they give evidence of his love, his entire dependance upon the atoning blood of Calvary, with a sincere and heart-straining obedience to his Master's law, as a rule to be cheerfully obeyed, being so graciously relieved from its covenant terrors. Already the glance of the Saviour's countenance is reflected upon his loving disciple; for He tells him, "I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee:" he bids the attendant angels to robe him in the vesture of his righteousness, and amidst the welcoming hallelujahs of seraphs, He pronounces the glorious invitation, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.??.

Brethren, I feel I have already trespassed too long upon your patience; I could have wished to have addressed to you a few words more in the way of practical exhortation, but I forbear: I would desire to commit what has been spoken to Him who can alone, by the

power of his Spirit, render it effectual. Man may select the shafts from the quiver—it is God alone can wing them to the hearts of sinners. May every heart now before me, be touched by divine grace! May every soul here know assuredly that they can be justified before God, by faith only in the atoning blood of his dear Son! And may their walk in righteousness give an evidence to the world, and a commendation to their own consciences, that they are among the blood-bought people of Jesus; while the Spirit of God beareth witness with their spirit that they are the children of God. Amen.

209

SERMON XI.

Hebrews ix. 27.

હૈદ

IT IS APPOINTED UNTO MEN ONCE TO DIE, BUT AFTER THIS THE JUDGMENT."

THIS is a proposition to which every one at the first hearing is forced to yield his assent; a proposition which the most sceptical cannot deny, nor can the most unlearned plead ignorance of its truth: and yet, when we come to consider the nature of the fact which it brings to our ears, and examine how very deeply every one born into the world is interested in that fact, and its awful consequences, we must be astonished when we also consider how very little this solemn truth engages the thoughts of the majority of mankind, while they are in health; (nay, it is to be feared that many, even in sickness, would endeavour to forget it,) and also, how very little the conduct and conversation of men in general appear to be

Second Series

P

influenced by the consideration, that "it is appointed unto men once to die, but after that the judgment."

My brethren, death and judgment are awful realities; and that they are so, each of us must soon be convinced, not merely by the light of reason and revelation, nor by the force of argument, but by our own experience; and yet, from the lives and conduct of the generality of professing Christians, we might suppose that the terms, death and judgment, heaven and hell, had long since lost their meaning; or that they had found out that they were matters, in which they at least had no concern. But, in order to escape such a soul-destroying delusion, let each of us, while it is called to-day, take the matter into our most serious consideration, and endeavour to give it that attention which its paramount importance seems to demand; and may that God, who is the Lord of life and death, be graciously present with us at this time, and so prepare our hearts by his Holy Spirit, that we may, with the simplicity of little children, so meekly receive his truth, that by patience and comfort of his word, we may be enabled this day to embrace, and for ever hold fast, that blessed hope of everlasting life, which he has given us in Jesus Christ, whereby alone we