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infinite mercy takes occasion from that very fall to bring home to heart and conscience, as he did with Peter, the exceeding bitterness of sin, and so restore his soul; but, alas, in how many more cases does one fall lead only to another, so that what seemed at first the "lowest deep" makes way but for a "lower"! Let us not therefore vainly presume, but shun the very first step in sin; for also to this proposition that we are discussing, namely, that "we do not fully comprehend sin at the moment of its doing," is there not another side than that which in Peter's case we have looked at? How much better is it to comprehend sin, as it lies before us in the distance, than when we have approached it and passed through it! "On this side," let the comparatively innocent say, on this side, O God, rather than on that, show me all that I need know of the great mystery of sin." And we may thus know for sin is perhaps the only thing in the universe which the more experience we have in it the less we comprehend it. In natural objects, those of God's creation, the rule is, that distance has a diminishing effect; but in reference to sin, which is most unnatural, and of the devil's creation, this order is inverted. Sin in the distance looks great and awful; the moral sense sees it as it is, the judgment defines it well; but go nearer, nearer, nearer still,—what is it? now where is it? Diminished and shrunk to comparative insignificance, the moral instinct scarcely shrinks from it at all, the conscience but feebly protests. Reader, how many cases do you know that illustrate this truth? Pray, pray without ceasing, that you may not add one

more to the number!

But further, the power of association so familiar to all of us was an instrument in God's hand used for the recovery of Peter's soul. As the final denial left his lips, "immediately while he yet spake, the cock crew." And here, as at the first cock-crowing, we might ask, "And what of that?" What has this trivial circumstance to do with a history that treats of men's souls and their eternal destiny? Much! It is connected in the purposes of God with the conversion of thousands on the day of Pentecost; with the comfort and edification of our own souls, as we read the epistles of Peter. He who in his ceaseless scrutiny numbers the hairs of our head, whose care unfailing nourishes the blade of grass, made even this so trifling event in his providence tributary to the highest purposes of his grace. Providence and grace! We are obliged to speak of them thus severally, yet what are they but the warp and woof of that visible garment in which the Eternal, for our feebler apprehension, clothes himself, and which is "woven from the top throughout without a seam!" "The cock crew," then Peter "remembered," then he "wept." Tradition says he never forgot, never ceased to weep, even for years after, when the same sound fell upon his ear. It may be so. Very marvellous is this power of association. Sometimes it saves from the very jaws of death, sometimes it softens the hardest hearts.

"And slight withal may be the things, that bring
Back on the heart the weight that it would fling
Aside for ever. It may be a sound→→→

A tone of music-summer-eve, or spring

A flower-the wind-the ocean-that may wound,

Striking the electric chain wherewith we are darkly bound."

Abercrombie relates an instance which aptly illustrates our point. A boy and girl in early childhood had been accustomed to meet beneath a tall tree, on whose top an eagle had built its nest. Often after, in occasional interviews, they spoke of the "eagle's nest" as associated with many happy days. Years passed away. The boy had grown into the man of forty, and was now a physician. Called to attend a patient in the

last stage of typhus fever, he recognised in the dying woman the companion of his early days. Walking to the bed side, he said in cheerful tone, "The eagle's nest!" It was enough; the tide of life was ebbing out, almost at its lowest, but the power of association met it, turned it, and it flowed gently back. "The eagle's nest" restored the dying woman to the enjoyments and activities of life; and so when Peter's soul was drifting far away into the outer darkness, and near to the mouth of hell, the crowing of that cock brought it back to the light of God and near to the gate of heaven. Of Napoleon, that Napoleon whose ambition strewed Europe with corpses, it is related that he used to say he had one brother whom he loved, because that one never was seen to weep; and yet this Napoleon himself, it is said, once passing through a village as the bells of the steeple rang out a tune familiar to him in his childhood, stood still and shed floods of tears. But why dwell on such instances as these? The mind of almost every reader will supply some such from his own experience. Some faded article of dress carries you back over the memories of these twenty years, and then upward to one who wears now the white robe and the crown that fades no more for ever! There is the bible that your mother gave you when you were a boy,-there is the chair your father always sat in those long winter evenings, there the bed on which at last he died, these things have in them a mute eloquence, to bring before you more vividly than could the painter's genius or the poet's fire, the looks, the feeble yet expressive actions, the words that touched your heart, the last prayer for you, as from those white and dying lips the spirit sighed itself away! In our places of worship too, as well as in our homes, how many hallowed associations are there that call us to a better world! Not so much in the Grecian or the Gothic chapels of our Metropolis and its suburbs, but far away in quiet country towns, in villages, pleasant in the summer-time, there, in many a meeting-house, are spots dear and sacred, -linke in the holy chain that binds us to the past. The tablet on the wall is a thing of yesterday, you placed it there yourself; but this is the pew, square and high, to which they brought you a little child; and here, while a mother's hand held yours, you learnt some simple trust in God and Christ; and now, perhaps, you know and feel that you must be a little child again ere you can enter the kingdom. There, too, is the grave yard; and there- but stay! Have these things done you any good? Are you a more loving child to the parent who yet remains to you? A tenderer husband to the wife who now blesses your home? A kinder brother to the sister whom death did not take for his bride? Ah, it may be well for you even now, as you sit at your own fireside, if these thoughts stir so deeply in your heart that, like Peter, you go out and weep bitterly!

Above all, it was a look from Jesus that gave power and permanence to the work of repentance in Peter's heart. "The Lord turned and looked upon Peter." He has seen him throughout, but now he looks at him. What was this look? Searching and severe? No. There was nothing to search for, for there was no concealment now,-the Saviour with one open loving glance looks into the troubled depths of Peter's eyes, down into his soul, and this strong tenderness breaks up the fountains of penitence within,-puts out the raging fire of sin, and the waters flow apace! There was a sorrowful intelligence in this blessed look that showed the word, "Remember," in every feature, and the sympathetic current flashed it upon Peter's heart, and wrote it there. A LOOK! And was that all? How could it work such wonders? We know something of the power of language, when deep and earnest thoughts find utterance on the lips,

when, to use an old Puritanic phrase, the speaker is "enlarged,"-when as a prince he seems to have power with God and with men, then the strong argument, the vivid illustration, the tearful appeal, may hold a thousand eager listeners in silence, breathless and expectant. We know also sometimes the power of a single word,-in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, to strain and nerve the soul up to its highest tension, to plunge it into deepest sorrow, or call it up to wildest joy. Mary in the garden is seeking for her Lord, and though she speaks with him, yet through her blinding tears she supposes him to be the gardener, and says, "If thou hast taken away my Lord, tell me where thou hast laid him." He saith unto her, "MARY!" Instant is the response, "RABBONI!" and now she is clinging to his feet. But here no sermon was preached, no word was spoken; it was a look that melted Peter's soul. And there is such a thing as looking also to Jesus; never till we look on him, the pierced one, do we truly mourn, and are in bitterness for our sins. In all our guilt and weakness, then, let us look to him who is exalted to give repentance, and be assured that he will "look" on us.

We We may add a word or two as to the evidences of the reality of Peter's penitence. Chiefly this, that he never seeks to excuse or palliate his guilt. No doubt, if this had been the temper of his mind, he might have done so, and with show of reason. He might have fallen back, for instance, on the sovereignty of God. Had not this sin been most absolutely and precisely predicted by him who had said that heaven and earth should pass away, ere one jot or tittle that he had spoken should go unfulfilled? And how then possible to be avoided? And if not possible, how guilty? But there is nothing of all this in the history; no hint or trace of it lurking in Peter's epistles. The spirit of the penitent we think we can find when says, "Ye were as sheep going astray, but are now returned unto the shepherd and bishop of your souls." Some people are marvellously ingenious, yea, powerful in metaphysics, when they would excuse their sins. But your true penitent is no metaphysician; neither does he construct syllogisms. This is his one thought,-intense, consuming,-"I have sinned, what shall I do? Lord save me,-save me from my sin, or I perish." Or he might have sought extenuation by comparison of himself with the other disciples. If Peter followed afar off, they, as we have seen, followed not at all.

he

Might he not have urged that if he had followed their example he would not have been exposed to the temptation, and so not have fallen into the guilt? His "zeal for the Lord," he might have pleaded, brought him into the difficulty. And then again, there was his peculiar temperament, but enough, true penitence does not palliate its sin; not to cover, but to confess and forsake our sin, is the way to Divine mercy. So Peter found it. Reader, so may you. If you have fallen, "Return unto the Lord;" take with you words,-perhaps these will fit your case,

Brentford.

"Jesus, let thy pitying eye

Call back a wandering sheep;
False to thee like Peter, I
Would fain like Peter weep.

A KIND ENQUIRY.

BY THE REV. JAMES SMITH.

"Art thou in health, my brother ?"-2 Sam, xx. 9.

Kind words often proceed from cruel hearts. Hatred is frequently covered with deceit. This was the case with Joab, and with many others since his day. But a bad man may furnish us with a good text, and what

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was unkindly used at first, may be kindly employed by us now. Health is a great blessing, therefore we enquire very frequently about each other's health. There is the health of the body, and there is the health of the soul; and however important the first may be, the latter is much more so. We will dismiss Joab and his treachery, and use the words with an honest heart, and a kind intention. "ART THOU IN HEATH, MY BROTHER? Let us consider,

"

First, A NEAR RELATIONSHIP. "My brother." Naturally, all men are brethren, for we are all one man's sons. We all descended from one parent, Adam; or, if we come down lower, from one parent, Noah. We are all made of one blood. We have one father, and one God hath created us. We should, therefore, be interested in each other, desiring and seeking each other's welfare. But there is a spiritual relationship; in this the children of God alone are interested, but all are alike interested in it. Christians constitute one great family. They are born of the same parents. Born of the Spirit: born of God. "Jerusalem which is above is free, and she is the mother of us all." They are all brought up in the same home. The church is God's family residence. Here his children dwell. Here they feed. Here are babes, young men, and fathers. They are all taught in the same school. The world is but a school-room. God himself is become their master. His word, his ministry, and his providence are their teachers. Truth, the truth respecting God and themselves, are the lessons they have to learn. They are all put to the same business. The one thing they have all to learn is to glorify and please God. They are all learning this, and by and bye, they will not think, or speak, or act, but simply with a view to glorify the Lord. They are all enriched with the same blessings. Chosen in Christ. Called by grace. Justified from all things. Sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Adopted and owned as children. Supplied with all needful good. Protected from all real dangers. Appointed to everlasting life. "All things are theirs." They are all dignified with the same honours. They are the sons of God. Heirs of God, and joint heirs with our Lord Jesus Christ. They are a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people. They are the temples of the Holy Spirit, and the bride of the Lamb. They are all destined to enjoy the same inheritance. They are begotten again to a lively hope, to an inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, which is reserved in heaven for them. Thus the people of God are one. One holy, happy, honoured family. All believers are brethren. As, therefore, I move about among the Lord's people I may ask, "Art thou in health, my brother 2" Here is then,

Secondly, A KIND ENQUIRY. When we look around us in the world, we see that many are dead, others are sick, and some appear ready to die. Reader, are you a Christian? If so, you are my brother. Allow me then to ask with all a brother's love, "Art thou in health?" May I examine thee for a moment or two? Let me feel your pulse. Desire is the pulse of the soul. If thy desires are carnal, or if they are going out strongly for the things of this life, more strongly than for the things of the Spirit, thou art not in health. Thou art feverish. But if thy desires are going out after God, for his presence, his power, and the manifestations of his love, it is a good sign. Hear the language of a soul in health. "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God." Again, "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee; my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee, in a dry and thirsty land where no water is; to see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy loving

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When the lungs

kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee." Here is health, good sound health. The pulse beats regularly, it beats for God, for holi ness, and for heaven. Hear one speak who had been sick,-he relates his experience when becoming convalescent. "With my soul have I desired thee in the night, yea, with my spirit within me, I will seek thee early." This was healthy. God in Christ is the great object of desire, and when we are spiritually healthy our desires go out after him, and ascend to hims nor can we ever be satisfied but as we enjoy his presence and his love. Let me examine your tongue. The state of the tongue generally betrays the state of the heart. A clean tongue, that speaks truth, that talks of Jesus, whose utterances are loving, indicate a healthy state of soul. But the yellow tongue indicates a jealous, envious, and complaining state of mind, and is a proof that we are out of health. When the tongue is brown and furred with slander, evil speaking, and misrepresentations, there cannot be good health. So if it be white and coated with levity, foolish talking, jesting, and exaggerations, there are evidences of disease. We have heard of white lies, but no lies are white in God's eyes. Every lie is black, black as hell. "Wherefore, putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour." There are filthy talkers, who profess religion, but in such, religion can have little power, and its presence at all is very questionable. Therefore said Paul, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." Whatever the tongue utters proceeds from the heart, and shows its true state and condition, if the utterances are honest. May the Lord grant unto all his children the clean tongue, that they may abundantly utter the memory of his great goodness, and talk of all his wondrous works. Allow me now to listen to your lungs. I must use my stethoscope a little. are healthy we breathe freely. Prayer is the breath of the christian eoul. If, therefore, we breathe with difficulty, or labour for breath, there is something wrong. When we complain that prayer is a task and a bur.' then, or when we feel it to be a dry duty, we are out of health. My brother, is prayer a delight? Do you prize prayer-meetings? Do you rejoice when prayer is proposed where you are? Do you pray statedly? Do you pray constantly? If our health is sound, we shall be breathing out our desires, wishes, wants, woes, fears, praises, andt hanksgivings, as we walk by the way, as we work at our calling, as we lie sleepless on our pillows, and as we sit in our habitations. "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit." I must now lay my hand on your heart. If you are healthy it will beat with regularity, and send out its crimson currents without interruption. I must listen. Ah, well, yes, it will do. It beats Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; heaven, heaven, heaven; holiness, holiness, holiness; useful, useful, useful. If the heart beats for Jesus, for heaven, for holiness, for usefulness, there is good health there. But if it beats for wealth, worldly honour, creature applause, or carnal pleasure, it is diseased. Christians should be Christ-like. Like Jesus in their preferences, dislikes, pursuits, and aspirations. Redeemed by him, united to him, risen with him, they should resemble him. "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth; for ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." The christian is as his heart is. That is the seat of life, the home of Jesus, the habitation of the Spirit. As the heart beats, the life will be. Therefore the wise man exhorts us, "Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life."

I would now ask a few questions, to ascertain more clearly the state of