and what will it avail us, if at last owner and treasure perish together?

Neither let us forget, beloved, that we have no part or lot in the matter of salvation, except our hearts be right with God. What an address was that of Peter to a professed believer in Christ? "Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter, for thy heart is not right in the sight of God." Simon might call himself a servant of God, but the Spirit denounced him as a servant of Mammon. He was still, spite of his baptism, in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity—in a state deplorably wretched and hopeless-offensive to God, and tending to destruction. To make us acceptable to our heavenly Father, divine grace must create us anew in righteousness; must cleanse and sanctify our hearts; work in us a godly sorrow for and hatred of sin, shed abroad within us the love of God, inspire us with a desire for holiness; make us willingly obedient, humble and believing. Except the Spirit of God thus change the heart and purify the affections, we remain unforgiven, whatever our privileges, whatever our name. Baptismal water cannot cleanse the impenitent soul, or make alive the dead in trespasses and sins. Let those who suppose it to be efficacious, without regard to the faith and repentance of the candidate, explain to us how it was that Simon was still, after his bap

tism, in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity. When the heart has been touched by the grace of God, is truly contrite for its sins past, earnestly desires to be saved with a holy salvation, to be rescued from the dominion as well as the punishment of sin, embraces confidingly the promises, and casts itself at Jesus' feet, crying "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" then are Christian ordinances a rich blessing, a seal of acceptance and pardon, a pledge of immortality. Then the voice of the Spirit answers, "Why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." But where there is no "answer of a good conscience towards God;" the putting away of the filth of the flesh, the outward oblation is profitless. The man continues just what he was, unregenerate and unblessed.

But in what a miserable state is that man, beloved, whether baptized or unbaptized, whether a false professor or an acknowledged worldling, unto whom it may be truly testified by Christ's ministers, "Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter, for thy heart is not right in the sight of God." Thou hast no part in the present privileges of the Gospel, its pardon, reconciliation, adoption, grace. Thou hast no part in the present consolations of the Gospel, its peace, joy, hope, delight in God, patience under affliction,

comfort in life, support in death. Thou hast no part in the everlasting rewards of the Gospel ; the approving smile of the world's great Judge, the resurrection unto life, the thrilling welcome, "Come, ye blessed, inherit the kingdom," the crown of righteousness that fadeth not away, the inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, the everincreasing joys and brightening glories of the kingdom of God. How earnestly do we exhort such an one," Repent, therefore, of all thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thoughts of thine heart may be forgiven thee." Nay, we use not peradventures. It is our privilege to promise and assure full and free forgiveness to all those who truly repent, and unfeignedly believe the holy Gospel. Wherefore, let us beseech God to grant us all true repentance and his Holy Spirit, that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy, and that we may come at. the last to his eternal joy. Amen.

3

THE RESURRECTION OF TABITHA.

ACTS IX. 40.

"But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up."

Our last notice of the Apostle Peter left him at the city of Samaria, where he confirmed the souls of the faithful disciples of Christ, and rebuked the profane ambition of the hypocritical Simon. After accomplishing the object of their mission to this city, the two Apostles return to Jerusalem. But their journey homeward was not unmarked by labors in their Master's cause. In

the towns and villages through which they passed, they left a blessing behind them. Their Saviour went with them, and the savor of his name, spread abroad by their lips, was as the fragrance of precious ointment poured forth. Every journey was a missionary tour, and every restingplace heard the glad tidings of salvation. And many, who, at first, looked with contempt upon these humble and travel-worn Galileans, had reason ere they parted to exclaim, "How beautiful

are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"

In the interval of some three or four years between the return of Peter from this mission, and his next recorded absence from Jerusalem, took place what must have been a memorable and interesting interview, the meeting between himself and the Apostle Paul. At the time when Peter and John went down on their errand of love to Samaria, Saul was hunting the faithful members of Christ's flock with the ferocity of a beast of prey. "As for Saul he made havoc of the Church, entering into every house, and haling men and women, committed them to prison." And soon after the two Apostles had started from Jerusalem to visit the Samaritans, he also had gone forth, with equal zeal, but with how different a spirit. They went as missionaries of Jesus, he as a persecutor; rage in his soul, and threatenings and slaughter on his lip. While they were intent on scattering the good seed of the kingdom, publishing peace on earth and good will to men, emulating the angels of light in their heaven-taught charity he pushes onward with remorseless speed and unpitying heart, like the very angel of death, a plague and terror to the servants of the Redeemer. How opposite their spirit! How far as the poles apart their respective dispositions, purposes and objects! Are they not destined to be