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horrors of despair, but a refuge of lies; and all whose hopes may soon cease from the light of the living, and vanish for ever. Yes, he weeps over that opposer of religion, and despiser of good men; that contemner of the Sabbath, and reviler of the Holy Spirit; who will neither enter into the kingdom himself, nor suffer them that are entering to go in; who prevents and ridicules the anxieties of others; whose own heart becomes hard by all the contempt he casts on God and righteousness, and whose progress in sinning is such, that many a good man wonders that his perdition is not sealed this side the grave.

Over that man of wealth, too, he weeps, who clings to his gold; from whose bosom, toils, and cares, contrivance, activity, and perseverance, shut out God and eternity; who, like the young man in the Gospel, goes away sorrowful from Christ, because he cannot serve God and Mammon. Yes, he weeps over that companion of fools, who frequents the seat of the scoffer, and the profane, and the idle, and the dissolute, and corrupt, and the faithless. Over that youth who

is fascinated with the charms of pleasure, who finds fragrance and flowers in the path that conducts to eternal death; and whose smooth and rapid course down the stream of time, empties into the burning lake. Yes, over that thoughtless daughter of mirth, too, to whom human life is all sunshine and gaiety, who flutters in the bosom of prosperity, and feeds her vanity by eager expectation, but who is "dead while she liveth," and who, amidst all the expostulations of divine mercy, turns her contemptuous eye on God, and rushes on to ruin and despair. Yes, he weeps over that thoughtless, unawakened hearer of the word, who smiles while others weep, who remains unconcerned while others are anxious, who is quiet and serene while all around him is agitated and alarmed; in whose bosom impenitence, and unbelief, and enmity to Christ, remain without molestation, and whose conscience is still and quiet, even when the angel of mercy is passing by. He weeps, and tenderly weeps, over the man who has put his hand to the plough and looks back; who has thrown off his seriousness because he will not be an object of scorn; who once seemed to have started in the path towards heaven, but who has stumbled at the threshold, and become weary at the length of the way; and who has now outlived his hopes and his fears, and who will soon become the tenant of that deep eternity, where no Spirit strives, no prayers ascend, and the voice of mercy is gone for ever. Over these, and such as these, he weeps. It is his love, his tenderness, his interposing mercy, and tears, beloved hearers, that have kept you so long from being cut down as cumberers of the ground. He weeps over you; he bends, perhaps, from heaven, to drop a pitying tear, to take his last farewell, to retire and say, "O that thou hadst known in this thy day, the things that belonged to thy peace."

I only add, in the last place, if such are the compassions of Christ towards guilty sinners, what confidence may we have that he will save all that come to him. There are those, if I mistake not, who suppose that they are willing to accept the salvation of the Gospel, but Christ is not willing they should accept it. Anxious and distressed sinners often feel that Jesus has no mercy for them, even though they desire ever so much to be saved. But if he has such a deep and anxious solicitude for those who are incorrigible, tell me why he should refuse his mercy to those who humbly seek his face? If his heart bleeds and shudders at the prospect of the men who close their ears to the calls of salvation, how is it gratified and cheered with the prospects of those, who will welcome and accept

him? If it gives him pain to see the incorrigible rush on to the gates of death, what joy and gladness does it infuse into his bosom, to see the penitent looking towards his Father's house, and coming into the paradise of God. Beloved hearers, he opens his heart and love to you to-day: to all of you. It may be that some of you are halting between two opinions, and he would urge you by all the tenderness of his grace, to banish this halting spirit and follow him. It may be, some of you are thoughtless and slothful, and he would urge you to awake with your whole soul to the bounty of his grace. It may be, that some of you are on the point of resolving that you will venture to reject eternal life, and jeopard your immortality, and run the hazard of eternal ruin and despair: while even now this compassionate Saviour bends in tears over your guilty infatuation, and would fain arrest you ere you seal your doom. It may be, too, that I am speaking to some who are mournful and sad, and fear lest after all they should be rejected and lost and to you, O he is emphatically reaching forth the arm of help, to bring you into the strong-hold. Wandering sinners, he sees the impending storm, and would gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings. The most cruel death he suffered for you. See how he covered you from the pelting tempest, while he himself sunk under its fury. Say, is he not the friend of sinners? Dear, dying hearers, behold that Lamb of God; he came to seek and to save that which is lost: try his faithfulness; prove the tenderness of this Almighty Saviour; see whether he is not able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him. Repent of all your transgressions: cast yourselves into his arms: repair to his cross. Go to him, and if he frown

you will be the first of all the sons and daughters of Adam, who sought his face, and was frowned away. If you find no voice of compassion to greet your return, then come back, and publish the mournful tidings. Tell it to the universe, and it shall roll back its ages of darkness, and be overshadowed with one vast mantle of despair. Tell it to heaven, and their harps shall be unstrung for ever. Tell it to earth, and there ten thousand voices, that are commissioned to assure a guilty world of pardon and peace through Jesus Christ, shall henceforth be silent as the grave. Tell it to hell, and a throb of joy, a note of triumph, rapid as lightning, shall fill those caverns of mourning and death. Dear hearers, no; no; there shall be no such mourning in heaven, and no such jubilee in hell, and, blessed be God, there shall be no such disappointment on the earth for "him that cometh unto me"-be he whom he may, says this divine Saviour, "I will in no wise cast out."

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THE ASCENSION.

"THE humiliation of the Son of God was now drawing rapidly to a close. He had accomplished his decease at Jerusalem:' he had risen victorious from the grave: and, during forty days, he had been living among his disciplesconvincing them, by many infallible proofs,' that he was indeed restored to life. There remained but one more thing to be done that for which he had prayed, in John, xvii. 5— And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.' This prayer, as you have heard in my text, was fulfilled; he ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things,' and become Head over his Church for ever. The text sets before us,

"I. THE LAST ACTS OF THE REDEEMER ON EARTH.

"1. He selects a suitable place, from which to take his departure. He had conversed with his friends at Jerusalem in an inner chamber,' when the doors were shut. . . . for fear of the Jews;' and if secrecy was desirable then, it was now much more so. The last glorious display was not intended for malicious Pharisees, for unbelieving Sadducees and Scribes. Evidence enough had been given to them, and more would hereafter be added. The public ministry of Jesus ended with his great sacrifice; and what remains of earthly intercourse shall be devoted exclusively to his friends. He therefore led them out' from Jerusalem, as far as to Bethany.'

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"It has been argued, that this could not be the town of Martha and Mary— because that Bethany was two miles from Jerusalem; whereas the Apostles are said to have returned from this sight, only a sabbath day's journey — that is to say, one mile. But why may we not suppose, that he first visited the town of Bethany, even if he did afterwards return part of the way, before he ascended up to heaven? The supposition is far from being improbable; and, if such were the fact, what a touching circumstance was here! He cannot forget Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus! Whom he loveth, he loveth unto the end' and as they are to see him no more, they shall be of those who see him the last. It is one of the manifold proofs of the Saviour's kind affection. Love him, brethren, as that pious family did, and you shall see greater things than this. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and he will shew them his covenant.'

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"2. He solemnly blesses his disciples. He had by his deeds been blessing them, from the first moment of their acquaintance with him; for he had converted their souls, and had instructed them in the things relating to his kingdom. But he now does it by an express outward act. With uplifted hands, he calls on his Father to protect, comfort, sanctify, and prosper them.-If you would know what gifts that blessing included, you may see them fully enumerated in John, xvii.: he could ask no greater-he would ask no less-than are there recorded. Neither prayed he for these alone, but for them also which should afterwards believe on him, through their word.' Happy believer! who can by faith see those hands of love still stretched over him, and apply to himself the Saviour's blessing! May such be your privilege and mine: for I wot that he whom thou, Lord, blessest, is blessed indeed.—At length,

"3. He ascends up to heaven. Here was no imposition! St. Luke in another place tells us, that the act was done while they beheld.' My text describes

the circumstantial order of the event. He was parted from them'-literally, he stood aside from them;' both to prevent interruption, and that all might see the whole transaction. Then he was carried up;' moving towards heaven in full view of the whole party, till, at length, a cloud received him out of their sight.' Carried? by whom? By hosts of invisible beings' angels that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening to the voice of his word. For now was fulfilled that which was spoken of the Lord by David The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive.' Doubtless, there were angels assisting on the occasion; for we find two of them returning in visible form, to comfort the disciples with a promise, that he would hereafter come again in like manner from heaven. As, therefore, we believe that he rose from the dead, so also do we believe that he is gone into heaven. . . . angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.'

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"II. THE FIRST ACTS OF THE REDEEMED AFTER HIS DEPARTURE.

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1. They worshipped him.-Remember that! The appointed teachers of the Christian religion' worshipped' Christ—it was their very first act, after they had ceased to behold him. And do not suppose that it was merely some respectful inclination of the body-such as is meant in our Marriage service. No-it was holy adoration, as to the invisible God; and accompanied, doubtless, by such words as Thomas was once permitted to use without censure—‹ My Lord, and my God!' Had they given such honour to the two angels, they would have met with a rebuke like that which St. John afterwards received under similar circumstances See thou do it not!.... worship God! But in worshipping Jesus, they did worship God; and were therefore blameless. "2. They were filled with joy-great joy. O how different from what they had once anticipated! Now I go my way to him that sent me; and because I say this, sorrow hath filled your heart.' But now, when he does this, they are 'filled with joy.' Whence this difference? It was because Jesus had now opened their understanding, to discern the mystery of his sufferings and his glory. The Comforter, moreover, I am inclined to believe, was immediately sent down with his sanctifying influences; although for his miraculous gifts they had yet to wait ten days longer.

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"3. In the use of appointed means they sought and expected his gifts of grace. In Jerusalem were they to receive the promise of the Father;' therefore they at once returned thither. On their arrival, behold them continually in the temple, praising and blessing God!' continually—that is, at every appointed service. Surrounded as they were by formal and ignorant worshippers, how different their views, hopes, and feelings!-Yet such, brethren, as theirs were—such, by divine grace, may yours also be. What though others gain no blessing in public worship, in hearing the word, in the holy communion; yet this need not be the case with you. Only look up to the Lord of the temple, and he will make it a Bethel to your soul. In the breaking of bread' Jesus himself shall be known of you,' if by faith you seek him. O then, 'enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.' "-REV. J. JOWETT, A.M.

THE INVITATION OF THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE.

REV. T. MORTIMER, B.D.

ST. MARK'S CHURCH, PENTONVILLE, JUNE 7, 1835.

"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosocver will, let him take the water of life freely.”— REVELATIONS, xxii. 17.

THERE are two interpretations of this text; neither of which I conceive would be wrong. The words may, without impropriety, be applied to a verse that goes some little distance before, where the Lord Jesus testifies of his own coming" Behold I come quickly." And the words of the text may, I conceive, without any impropriety, be interpreted and expounded as applying to that event the Spirit saying "Come;" and the bride-the Church-saying, "Come;" and they who are athirst for spiritual blessings saying "Come." This is one interpretation of the text.

But there is another which I conceive equally proper, and which, indeed, I am disposed the rather to take, because the latter part of the verse seems more properly to agree with it; namely, this-the Spirit inviting to a participation of Gospel blessings. The Spirit says, "Come." The Church, the bride, says, "Come." And he that heareth is directed to say, "Come:" as he listens to the word himself, and as he goes, he is to say to others, "Come, come;" inviting all around him to come and participate. And he that is athirst is to come; and whosoever will is welcome to come and drink of the water of life freely.

In this latter sense, then, let us consider the text. I call it a splendid text; for it is so. O brethren, when we read the Bible, which we oft and again do, we wish that our sermons could keep pace with these blessed truths; and we wish that he would assist us by his grace and Holy Spirit, that we might so explain, so enforce, and ourselves so enjoy, these passages, that, by God's blessing resting upon us, we with you, and you with us, may at length attain unto eternal life, and praise God and the Lamb for ever. "And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God." It is he, and he alone, who can make poor worms like unto us "able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life."

Now, then, before we begin the sermon, I would wish, either in so many words, or else, at least, in synonymous terms, to say to the people, one and all, Lift up your hearts: and then our hope in God is, that you silently are echoing back the voice, if not in the words of our church, in the spirit of the response

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