continued only for a limited period, the “ blessings of the gospel shall be extend66 ed to the most distant corners of the “ habitable world ; they shall extend” from 66 sea to sea, and from the river to 66 the ends of the earth.” In

ages

that are passed, many have embraced the invitation ; and generations yet unborn shall share in its blessings. The promises of God respecting the enlargement of the Redeemer's kingdom shall all be fulfilled in their season, and multitudes of all people, kindreds, and tongues, shall continue to be added to the Church while sun and moon endure, till at length “ the knowledge of the Lord 6 shall fill the earth, as the waters cover “ the sea ;" “ and men shall be blessed 66 in him ; all nations shall call him bless66 ed.” What a mighty encouragement is this to all of you, my brethren, instantly to comply with this gracious invitation! Let not the powerful feeling of your multiplied and highly aggravated sins deter you from looking unto Christ. This is the

very
character of the

persons to whom his most tender and pathetic

invitations are addressed. 66 Come unto

ye

that labour and are heavy la“ den, and I will give you rest.

66

me, all

Thus have I endeavoured to urge you to look to Jesus, because the object is most glorious; because it is the command of one whom we cannot, without the blackest ingratitude, disobey ; because salvation is the inestimable prize; because the duty is in itself easy and delightful; and because the way is free and open to all.

What more, my friends, needs be added to enforce these powerful considerations ? Though we were to expatiate ever so fully, “ in the enticing words of “ man's wisdom;" yet it is the Spirit of God alone that can render them effectual.

Let me again remind you, that there is no way of coming to the Father but by Jesus Christ. What then must become of those who seek salvation in ways of their own devising? Consider what would have become of the wounded Israelites, had they refused to make use of the remedy provided for them! When bidden to look at the brazen serpent for

158

OSTO CE

the eterna

; by the

?, to prefe

have been the consequence? They would the love o certainly have died; for the remedy cerer-dyin only one which Infinite Wisdom had pro-tbat await of the fiery serpents,-a wound which nesion to r

Iva, “ I
of the earth must behold the Ancient from E
dictive justice. They must hear me that F

ON LOOKING UNTO. CHRIST.
a cure, had they said, No! we will try
some other means of procuring relief ; Cast obey
we will go to the physicians ; we will se togeth
have recourse to medicines ; what must ziren, by
which they would thus refuse was the
vided, and which alone could heal their
deadly wounds. Sin has given to every z roice of Je
one of us the most deadly of all wounds as and 109:
infinitely more dangerous than the bité
art, nor wisdom, nor labour of our ow
can heal. Christ alone can heal it, ani
it is only by looking to him that we ca
obtain a cure.

At present you may refuse to compl
with this duty; you may turn away you
eyes from the Saviour now ; you mę
confine your attention for a time to tl
objects of this world : but there is a d
fast approaching when you must lo
to Jesus: “ For behold your King !
“ meth!” Even they who would willin
ly hide themselves in the dens and ca
days arrayed in all the terrors of v

countena

pend out his

a rebellio

с

with his
u Iritations
sregard th
1531 conde
Eerlasting
JS Tiere add

cha salsa
de neglect

ko, lest h sh

aded bu

voice pronounce the eternal doom; and
then at last they must obey. O! then,
let me, as a worker together with God,
beseech

you, brethren, by the riches of
divine mercy ; by the love of Christ ; by
the value of your never-dying souls; by
the hope of glory; by the weeping and
gwashing of teeth that await the wicked
and slothful servant, to prefer the wiser
part -to obey the voice of Jesus while it
is je al gentleness and love,—and to
look to him while his countenance beams
vih pits and affection to man. Let
not the Lord spread out his hand all
the day long unto a rebellious people.

of you, “ I called, but “ Je ressed.” Close with his offers, and accept his gracious invitations. Think, Iron continue to disregard them, how

aggravate your condemnation, at anhance your everlasting remorse, that is invitations were addressed to TOL. DE scorned ;-such a salvation proled bę beaven, but neglected. o! " Kiss ye the son, lest he be an

perish from the way, a bis wrath is kindled but a little ed are all they that put tbees

Amen.

Let him dot say

and ye

him."

SERMON VI.

ON HEARING CHRIST.

MATTHEW XVII. 5.

While he yet spake, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them : and, behold, a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

These words were spoken on a very remarkable occasion. Our blessed Lord having taken his three favourite disciples, Peter, James, and John, into a high mountain to pray, (to Mount Tabor, a beautiful hill in the land of Galilee,) was transfigured before them: His face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as snow. The

rays

of his divine glory burst forth through the veil of his human nature with a dazzling and amazing lustre ; and he displayed on