constrained him :" and, if at any time he was ready to faint, the fresh contemplation of this subject revived and armed him again for the conflict. The thought also, how much others needed the same mercy which he had found, and must perish without it; the hope that through his means they also might receive it, and the visible proof he had that numbers had received, and were thus receiving it these thoughts could never let him cease his care, his labour, his pains, for this object -never suffer him to faint in his work. No-all his aim should be, "to finish his course with joy, and the ministry which he had received of the Lord Jesus." Still would he go on unwearied by labours, unsubdued by persecutions, and unexhausted even by disappointments and ungrateful

returns

'Still would he tell to sinners round,
What a bless'd Saviour he had found :
Would point to his atoning blood,
And say, Behold the way of God.'

And this, brethren, must be to us also the true spring of all perseverance in God's ways on our own part, and of all permanent exertions for the good of others. When we have (as St. Peter expresses it)" tasted that the Lord is gracious; when we have felt the misery of sin, and daily feel the comfort of God's pardoning mercy in

Christ; when we

know the love of Christ" in our own case, and see that it and it alone is sufficient to reach the case of others also; to redeem them from sin, from sorrow, and from hell; to raise them to holiness, to communion with God, and to heavenly bliss: when the impression of these things is strong upon our minds, it will cause that we shall "never fail," never be "barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ"-" never be weary and faint in our minds.” Then shall we find that the joy of the Lord will be our strength for doing and suffering all the will of God. Then shall we not be slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience "having done the will of God," "now inherit his promises." The sense of God's pardoning saving mercy, so far from making us become careless and relaxing our diligence, will have the very contrary effect, will cause us to be "steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.”

Brethren, it is the want of seeking and finding this blessing-the want of the sense of having "received mercy,"-saving mercy,-that makes us all move so sluggishly and heavily in the service of God, and makes us so backward to exert ourselves, or so soon weary of exerting ourselves for the good of others. This consciousness,-the lively

sense of God's mercy in our hearts,-would open our mouths to show forth his praise, would stimulate our endeavours, and give an animation and zeal to all our proceedings; and to our prayers also, which would assuredly bring down a greater blessing upon all we do. It would give to our preaching, and to our pastoral visits, and to your instruction of your families, and to your visits to the poor, or to your exertions in teaching their children, and to every work and labour of love, a It would carry with it a two-fold blessedness; to those who exercised the duty, as well as to those who were the objects of it.

new character.

Let us contemplate then more diligently in the light of Scripture, and praying for the teaching of the Holy Spirit, "the love of Christ," and by scriptural means and scriptural evidence, to ascertain its actual application to ourselves for the pardon of our sins and the salvation of our souls, that the influence of it may appear in our Spirit, and life, and conversation.

But have you indeed any proof that you have yourselves "received mercy?" The mercies of God's providence you have undoubtedly received. The means of his grace are set before you; but have you, I say, received them? Hath he quickened you, who were dead in trespasses and

with God through our Lord Jesus Christ?"

Are

you walking in newness of life—and thus giving proof that, as time passes on, you are drawing nearer to the heavenly rest? Oh! examine these points with the seriousness which they deserve!

Perhaps you are avowedly strangers to all such blessedness-perhaps treating with contempt all pretences to the enjoyment of them as enthusiastic. If so, are you not strangers also to every thing like living devoted to the service of God? Yes, your spirit and your lives give evidence that" the love of Christ has never constrained you to live no longer to yourselves, but to him that died for you, and rose again." And is yours then a Christian state? Oh, no longer rest in it! Pray to God that the gospel may come to you not in word only, but "in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.'

SERMON XX.

REVELATIONS XIV. 13.

AND I HEARD A VOICE FROM HEAVEN, SAYING UNTO ME, WRITE, BLESSED ARE THE DEAD WHICH DIE IN THE LORD FROM HENCEFORTH YEA, SAITH THE SPIRIT, THAT THEY MAY REST FROM THEIR LABOURS; AND THEIR WORKS DO FOLLOW THEM.

EVERY thing pertaining to this verse is worthy of attention. The sentiments-the connexion-the mode of communication are all remarkable. It is not simply the sacred writer who, under his accustomed inspiration pronounces those blessed who die in the Lord: but he hears a voice from heaven declaring it. Not only so; this same voice commands him to record in writing what he heard, that it might be preserved for the consolation of the faithful in all ages,-both for the dying, and for those who are bereaved of their friends by death; "write, blessed are the dead that die in the Lord." Nor is even this all, but the Holy Spirit responds to the sentiment, and