heavens, Jesus the Son of God,-let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Heb. iv. 14. "Having, therefore, boldness to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus; and having an High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith." Heb. x. 19. The intercession of the Lamb slain is, you see, the chief magnet of the Mercy-seat. It is all very well, and even necessary, to remember from day to day, the duty of praying, and the danger of not praying, and the profit of prayer, and the example of the prayerful. You cannot have too many links between your heart and the throne of grace but still, the link you need most, and which strengthens all the rest, is, the consideration, that the Intercessor as much expects you to bow regularly and reverentially at the throne of Grace,

as you expect and need Him to stand on your behalf before the throne of Glory.

Your attention must not be confined, however, even to the devotional image of the Saviour. Indeed, that cannot be copied successfully, if the soft and social features of His character are not imitated, and its pervading spirit studied.

Now, those who have minutely studied the character of the Saviour, (as the grand and lovely features of it were called forth during his abode in our world,) will find it difficult to determine whether there is most to admire, or to imitate in it-there is so much of both. Many features of his character are, indeed, inimitable in any degree. We can neither copy the authority of his omnipotence, nor imbibe the spirit of his omniscience: He must stand alone on the sea of Tiberias calming the tempest, and at the sepulchre of Bethany raising

the dead, and thus tread all the field of miracles, as he trod the wine-press of the wrath of God; for," of the people there can be none with him." The Nathaniels must be content to pray under their fig-trees undiscovered by human eyes, and many may be devils at the sacramental table without being detected by the officiating minister; for the gift of “discerning spirits," and the power of working miracles, died with the Apostles, and resides now only in the person of Christ.

In the higher walks of his life, it is therefore equally useless and unnecessary to propose the example of the Saviour as a model for imitation, or as furnishing maxims for our conduct in life: there, we can only admire and adore, without the least hope of acquiring any resemblance to his miraculous excellencies. But far different is the state of the case, in regard to the VIRTUES of his character, and

the spirit of his miracles: for our ordinary actions may be done in the temper of his mighty works, and the every-day duties of life and godliness may be discharged in the same disposition which led him to heal the sick and raise the dead. If, therefore, we cannot say to our buried Lazaruses, "Come forth," we can cherish the tenderness which " wept" at the tomb. If we cannot rebuke fever in a house, we can soothe the family by sympathizing attentions. If we cannot turn water into wine, we can be thankful for a cup of cold water, and administer it in love, when we have nothing better to take or give: and thus have the spirit, although not the splendour of the Saviour's actions, running through and irradiating our own doings.

In regard to our relative duties, nothing extraordinary is expected from us. No bereaved mother looks to us for the restoration of her

only son from the bier; nor any suffering friend for health: all that they calculate upon or expect is cordial sympathy and fervent prayer; so that the spirit of Christ's miracles will fully meet all relative desires.

Now, what was the spirit that distinguished the benevolent actions of the Saviour? Not ostentation-for he wished to hide some of his mightiest works: not partiality—for his kindness was as general as it was generous: not caprice for he was uniformly accessible to all ranks, and, like the sun, rose every day of his ministry upon the dark world, in light and warmth. His temper could be calculated upon to a certainty, at all times and under all circumstances; and those who had been charmed by his gracious words and gentle manners on the Mount of Olives, were sure, when they left his feet, to find on their return the same looks of love on his face, and the same law of