there be many adversaries, and principally that old and greatest Adversary of all, whose fury will break forth yet more fiercely when he sees that the strongholds of his kingdom are in danger, yet if it be a door that God hath opened, who shall shut it? The time of this ignorance God winked at, but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.

It is time, however, to close this subject; and to commend it, as I venture to do most earnestly and most solemnly, to your own further meditation, and to your secret prayer. But before I conclude, I cannot refrain from adverting, very briefly, to certain reflections of a practical tendency, which have been suggested to my own mind while occupied with the foregoing considerations. If there is in them that which can serve to edify, may He, in whose hands are the preparations and disposal of all hearts, accompany them with His Holy Spirit, and impress them by His grace upon us!

1. It seems to be highly important, with a view to the benefit of our own Christian progress, to cultivate a strong and serious sense of the duty of co-operation, in enlarging the boundaries of the Redeemer's Kingdom. The heart is very often as selfish on religious subjects, as in matters which concern our earthly and temporal interests. We might attain a greater measure of spirituality, if we could learn-not indeed to withdraw our thoughts from the contemplation of our own individual need of mercy-but to represent

с

to ourselves in a more lively manner the wants of others, as suggested by the perception of our own. Love to man is set forth on the highest authority, as the test of our love of God. He that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from Him, that he who loveth God love his brother also.

2. We are commanded to be like-minded with Christ. Now it is not in the incommunicable attributes of his character, such as his eternal wisdom or almighty power, that we are bidden to participate. It is essentially to the mind of Christ, as evidenced in those properties which fall within the scope of human imitation, that we are to be assimilated. How then was it evidenced in that manifestation of his good-will to man which he sealed by his blood on the cross? How, in his gracious provision, that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that there might be neither Jew nor Greek, neither bond nor free, neither male nor female, but all one in Christ Jesus? How was it evidenced in his prayers? Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through his word.... Father, I will that they also whom Thou hast given me be with me where I am! Nay, we know that his will for the world's welfare is already in part accomplished; for they who sing the new song, in the Apocalyptic vision, are the saints who have been redeemed to God by

His blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.

3. Again: An enlargement of Christian charity towards our earthly brethren is in strict unison with those feelings which pervade the glorified saints and angels, and all the blessed company of heaven. We know that there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth. What a subject must it be for exultation, when the idols of a whole nation are cast at the foot of the Cross! We know that it is one of the themes of praise, every day and night, in the song of the Lamb, that all nations shall come and worship before him. What a privilege to be among the honoured instruments of effecting this miraculous change!

4. Lastly: We are to be one with God, as well as every one members one of another. Now the very essence and nature of God is Love-His name is Love. It is but too certain, therefore, that we are still far removed from that unity with the Godhead, into which all the Sons of God will one day be translated, if we have no desire to please our neighbour for his good to edification. Try yourselves, brethren, by this test. Let each ask himself, whether he has done all that might have been expected, considering his means, his knowledge, his power, his influence, his worldly substance, his mental endowments, his sense of mercies received, his consciousness of the gross darkness which still covers

so large a portion of the earth-to take away from this nation that reproach which was uttered against the earliest preachers of the Gospel, at the very first promulgation of Christianity, by one taught from above: All seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. There are few-I had almost said there are none-so situated, as that passiveness in hastening the coming of Christ's Kingdom, among those who are still sitting in the shadow of death, can be within the line of their duty. I am not ignorant of-God forbid I should be insensible to!the religious wants of our own country, of our own local districts, nay, of our own parochial neighbourhoods. I would not withdraw, from the channels by which they are at present watered, one drop of the stream of charity. But we know, on inspired authority, that he that openeth his hand maketh himself rich; and that he is blessed by the Giver of all good gifts in double measure, who casts his mite into Christ's treasury, in token of his love towards his Master's cause. I would say, therefore, to each who is sensible of his blessed condition in living beneath the influence of Christian revelation-in the language of a text once heard before within these holy walls on a similar occasion, and not heard without effect-Freely ye have received, freely give: give according to your several opportunities; give your personal ministrations; give your pecuniary aid; give your word in season; give-what all can give-your prayers to the work. May God grant you hearts to know and feel the nature of this duty! May a spirit of fervent

charity be enlarged within you! May you realize within your own bosoms, through divine grace, something of that heavenly state and spiritual temper which will one day characterize the whole city of God on earth! For the time shall come, and it cometh perhaps quickly, when, according to the prophecy, the tabernacle of God shall be with men; and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people: and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. And all men shall be blessed in Christ; all nations shall call Him Blessed.