: good man; and if he be not a good man, he may not hope to enter heaven. So that in the book of God's remembrance, we believe that the good as well as the evil that we do, is carefully noted down and those, whose sins have been pardoned, and whose good deeds are graciously remembered, will hereafter have those words addressed to them which our blessed Lord has, by the very mention of them, taught us to expect: "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." SERMON IV. THE TIMES OF RESTITUTION. ACTS iii. 19-21. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you; Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." THE return of our Blessed Saviour from heaven, is an event, which most men seldom think of, and little care for. And yet, with it is connected the resurrection of the dead: the reward of the righteous and the restitution of all things. It is a strong proof, therefore, that there is not much faith, or hope, or holiness amongst us, when an event of such unspeakable moment is so lightly regarded. It seems, however, to be the one great event, which the Christian Church should ever have before its eyes. The coming of the season of refreshment and of the times of restitution of all things-if such times and seasons really are to be expected-would appear to present a delightful as well as profitable subject of contemplation. If there be pain in forecasting grievous things, surely there will be joy in anticipating good. If we are ever wearied and worn down, by the trials and troubles which beset us in this present life, is there not joy in the thought, that times of refreshment are at hand? If we are ever disturbed by seeing the wicked in prosperity, and the faithful under rebuke—is it not cheering to think, that the times of restitution of all things are near? If the whole creation groaneth and travaileth together in pain, is there not comfort in the conviction, that it is waiting for its promised deliverance? But let us consider the Christian's hope of the future somewhat more closely. What is it, then, that the faithful Christian, who rightly understands the word of God, is looking forward to? To this enquiry, the answer is obvious: he is looking forward to the fulfilment of the promises of God. We are not warranted in expecting any thing that is not promised in God's word: but whatever is promised therein, we debar ourselves of the intended benefit, if we do not believe and anticipate. Now the promises of future good to his faithful people, are contained in the prophecies, which God has caused to be written for their encouragement. Thus, it is foretold, that God will send Jesus Christ again into the world and the completion of the great work of man's redemption is reserved unto the day of His appearing. Then it is, that the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and the times of restitution of all things shall arrive-even those times which have been spoken of by all God's holy prophets, since the world began. Here, then, is a sure prophecy and a most gracious promise: the difference between the prophecy and the promise, being this; that in the one, it is said, on God's authority, that these things will be; in the other, God declares, that these things shall be. But further, the times here referred to, are said to have been the subject of the earliest prophetic declarations. From the beginning, we know, it was God's gracious purpose, to bring salvation to our fallen race. It was in His mind, thus to bless us, when He promised that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head. It was in prospect of the same work of mercy, that He said to Abraham, "in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." And hundreds of years after, the language of prophecy still directed the minds of men to the same gracious design, when it spake of the new heaven and the new earth, and of the peace, and joy, and eternity of the Messiah's reign. The prophecies of Scripture, indeed, may be di |