sanctify to the purifying of the flesh-how much more shall the blood of Christ, who, through the Eternal Spirit," (there again you have the two things combined,)" offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God." Hence the Church's acknowledgment :-"We are saved by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost shed down on us abundantly by Jesus Christ the Saviour." And hence, in fine, the two sealing sacraments of the Church-the water of baptism, by which believers are purified-the blood of the covenant in the Lord's Supper, by which they are pardoned—and they agree in one; and so shall he sprinkle, not individuals, families, communities merely, but entire nations—yea, many nations. He shall lift up a standard to the nations, and to it shall the gathering of the people be.. He shall be a light to the Gentiles as well as the Jews, and become God's salvation to the ends of the earth, and that for ever. At the first Christian sermon ever preached, amid the impressive splendours of Pentecostal solemnities, He sprinkled with his recent blood and his descending spirit devout men out of every nation under heaven— Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia and in Judea and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews, and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians. And this gospel, then preached unto the nations, beginning at Jerusalem, was speedily conveyed throughout all the vast countries which formed the Roman empire-nay, made its way among the savage tribes and roving barbarians by whom that empire was

benefits of And we do

overthrown, carrying in its train the civilisation and the blessings of religion. anticipate with certainty and delight a period (the Lord hasten it in his time!) when Christ shall rise from his throne-shall ride forth in his chariot, and shall shed down the gifts of his grace upon the whole family of man on the earth. The Christian, amid his holy musings on this gladdening, inspiring theme, sometimes fancies he beholds the wings of that angel stretching out, and his feet about to spring from the threshold of heaven, who has in his hand the everlasting gospel, to preach to every nation, and kindred, and people.

"The kings shall shut their mouths at him." This expression is best explained by a passage in the book of Job, xxix. 7, 10, where, speaking of the respect that had been paid him in the days of his prosperity, he says that "the princes refrained talking, and laid their hand upon their mouth. The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth." And so shall it be with the potentates and great men of the earth when brought to realise the presence and power of the exalted Saviour. "The kings of Tarshish and the isles shall bring presents; the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts; yea, all kings shall fall down before him; all nations shall serve him. For," adds the prophet," that which had not been told them they shall see, and that which they had not heard shall they consider." This obviously refers to the unspeakable, unsearchable, inconceivable riches of blessings made known by the gospel. Its facts and doctrines manifest a revelation of things not previously anticipated. It is not in reference to the happiness of heaven merely, but with respect to the

whole gospel scheme, that it is said by this same prophet, that " Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive what God hath prepared for them that love him." The knowledge of these things is true wisdom, yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, which come to nought-for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But the more a Christian man is taught of God, the more wonders does he discover in the mysteries of the cross; and, as his mind gradually opens to the new discoveries, of him it may, in truth, be said, "that what had not been told him he now sees, and what he had not before heard he now considers."

Thus have we been led to discourse to you of Christ-his service and suffering-his glory and kingdom. These are the very topics which form the substance of our gospel; and to those of you to whom he is precious, these truths will be as light to the eye, melody to the ear, honey to the taste a very jubilee to the heart. They will strengthen your faith -stimulate your love-animate your hope-advance your holiness. Yet the grand previous questions are -What really think ye of Christ? and how feel you and act you towards him? You have heard that he sways the sceptre of universal empire, being exalted Head over all. Do you cordially submit to him? Do you receive his truth? Do you trust in his mercy? Do you seek his glory? Can you-do you extol him with the heart—the tongue the life? Let these questions go round from pew to pew, each one replying in the secrecy of his own conscience, for they involve the one thing needful for acceptable service on earth and for

eternal happiness in heaven. Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:-to God only wise, be glory, through Jesus Christ for ever.

Amen.

E

SERMON IV.

"Rejoicing in the habitable parts of His earth; and my delights were with the sons of men."-PROVERBS, viii. 31, first clause.

It is Wisdom who here speaks, as you may see at the beginning of the chapter. She lifts up her voice, standing on the top of high places by the way, like a public crier from an elevated rostrum in the street. She takes her station in the places of the paths, that is, at the meeting of the paths, where several roads meet, and where passengers are wont to congregate. She crieth at the head or side of the gates, at the mouth or entry of the city, yea, at the very entrance of the doors of the city gate, as the inhabitants go out and come in.

The heavenly lessons she thence addresses to all of every class, old and young, rich and poor, are detailed in the subsequent verses of the chapter, down to the 22d. But then ensues an evident change of scene and of style. Wisdom is now spoken of as possessed by Jehovah from eternity-as brought forth and existing before all worlds-as present when the heavens were stretched out, and when the foundations of the earth were laid. When the clouds were established above, and the depths below, when the mountains and hills