and contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my word."

And if the door of mercy is yet open, will any close it against themselves? Will any refuse to come to him, " that they may have life?” Let him not have undergone so much bitter suffering in vain. Let him add your names to the flock of his redeemed.

But all are not thus ungrateful. Blessed be God, there are those who instead of neglecting the Saviour, look up to him as their gracious Lord who instead of holding his sufferings in no esteem, feel that in these, and these only, is their hope; who instead of disregarding his revealed will, strive daily to understand it better and to practise it more faithfully. But even these, when they compare his love for them, with their love for him; when they reflect upon the many transgressions into which their sinful nature has betrayed them; and the many opportunities of serving their heavenly Master, which through sloth or unfaithfulness they have passed by:-will find sufficient cause to smite upon their breasts in penitential sorrow. From all who profess themselves his disciples,

the return which he demands is willing and abundant service. He takes pleasure in his people; and every grace they exercise, every duty they perform, every sacrifice they offer, is acceptable in his sight. "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation has appeared unto all men, teaching us, that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live righteously, soberly, and godly, in this present world looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

Think then, my Christian brethren, have you made him a just return for all the interest he takes in you? Have you used every means in your power to make his name more widely known to recommend his religion both by your advice and your example? Have you been constantly diligent not to "grieve his Holy Spirit," or discredit your profession? Has the

2 Titus ii. 11-14.

thought that you rely upon his righteousness, and not your own, for justification before God, never made you less vigilant to restrain every unholy thought and avoid any unholy practice? Do you never neglect the appointed remembrance of his death, and postpone the observance of it to a more "convenient season?" Are you daily endeavouring to learn more perfectly, and to understand better, your infinite obligations to him, and his reciprocal demand upon your willing service and your fervent gratitude?

There are none who have not reason to condemn themselves on some of these points. Let the memory of his Crucifixion have the effect upon you, which the sight of it had upon the beholders. They smote their breasts and returned. Do you return home penitent and humble, and resolve to show yourselves his disciples more unequivocally by a more faithful obedience to his laws. As he upon this day was crucified for you, so by him let the "world be crucified to you, and you unto the world." As through him you live, "live no longer unto yourselves, but unto him

who died for you." Let your thoughts, and words, and deeds bear witness, that "the life which you live in the flesh you live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved you, and gave himself for you."

3 See Gal. vi. 14. 2 Cor. v. 14. Gal. ii. 20.

200

EASTER DA Y.

SERMON XI.

CHRIST RISEN.

LUKE xxiv. 5, 6.

"Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen."

THIS is to Christians a day of triumph, a season of holy joy. When we were last assembled together, our duty was to follow in our thoughts the Lord Jesus through all the painful scene of his last humiliation :-to view him in the garden of Gethsemane, overwhelmed with the sense of bitter agony; to reverence him in the hall of Pilate, "when he was reviled, not answering again, when he suffered, not threatening;" to behold him on the cross, the cross, as "the Lamb of God bearing the sin of the world:"