TheUpperRoom:

BeingaFewTruthsfortheTimes

J.C.Ryle

TABLEOFCONTENTS

Preface

I.Acts1:13"TheyWentIntoanUpperRoom."

II.Colossians4:14"Luke,theBelovedPhysician."

III.Eccles.12:12.SimplicityinPreaching.

IV.1Cor.15:3-4.FoundationTruths.

V.Jer.6:16.TheGoodWay.

VI.Acts17:26."Oneblood."

VII.John7:37-38."LetAnyManCome."

VIII.1John5:4-5.Victory

IX.Acts17:16-17.Athens.

X.Acts26:24-29.Portraiits.

XI.John6:68."ToWhom?"

XII.Heb.4:14.OurProfession

XIII.Matt.8:11.Many

XIV.2Sam.23:4-5.WithoutClouds.

XV.Canticles4:12.TheLord'sGarden.

XVI.Prov.22:6.TheDutiesofParents

XVII.Phil.1:1.TheRightsandDutiesofLayChurchmen

XVIII.John3:3;2Cor.5:17QuestionsaboutRegeneration

XIX.Tit.2:6.ThoughtsforyoungMen

XX.QuestionsabouttheLord'sSupper

XXI.1Thess.2:1-2."ForKings."

Preface

The volume now in the reader's hands requires little introductoryexplanation.ItcontainsaverymiscellaneousselectionofpaperswhichIhavesentforthfromtimetotime,inoneshapeoranother,duringaforty-fiveyears'ministry.Someofthesepapersarenotknownbeyondasmallcircle of kind friends. Not a few of them are the substance of pulpitaddresses delivered on important public occasions, and composedwithmorethanordinarypains.Allofthem,Iventurehumblytothink,willbefoundtocontainsomeusefultruthsforthetimes,andwordsinseason.

I have reached an agewhen I cannot reasonably expect to writemuchmore. There aremany thoughts in this volumewhich I do notwish toleave behind me in the precarious form of separate single sermons,

addresses, lectures,andtracts. Ihave thereforeresolved togather themtogether in the volume I now send forth, which I heartily pray God tobless,andtomakeitapermanentblessingtomanysouls.

Palace,Liverpool

1December1887

J.C.LIVERPOOL

I.Acts1:13"TheyWentIntoanUpperRoom."

WE are told in these simple words what the Apostles did immediatelyaftertheAscensionofourLordJesusChristintoheaven.Freshfromthewonderfuland touchingsightof theirbelovedMasterbeing takenawayfrom them,- with themessage brought by angels, bidding them expectHisSecondAdvent,stillringingintheirears.-theyreturnedfromMountOlivet to Jerusalem, andwent at once "intoanupper room."Simple asthewordsare,theyarefullofsuggestivethoughts,anddeservethecloseattentionofallintowhosehandsthisvolumemayfall.

Let us fix our eyes for a few minutes on the first place of meeting ofChristiansforworshipofwhichwehaveanyrecord.Letusexaminethefirst congregationwhich assembled after the greatHead of the Churchhadlefttheworld,andleftHispeopletothemselves.Letusseewhothesefirst worshippers were, and how they behaved, and what they did. Iventuretothinkthatalittlequietcontemplationofthesubjectmaydousgood.

This "upper room," we should remember, was the forerunner of everychurchandcathedralwhichhasbeenreared inChristendomwithin thelast eighteen centuries. St. Paul's, and York, and Lincoln, and all the

statelyministersofourownland;St.SophiaatConstantinople,St.IsaacatSt.Petersburg,St.Stephen'satVienna,NotreDameatParis,St.Peter'satRome,allaredescendantsfromthis"upperroom."Notonecantraceits pedigree beyond that little chamber. Here it was that professingChristians,whenleftalonebytheirMaster,firstbegantopraytogether,toworship,and toexhortoneanother.This roomwas thecradleof theinfantChurchofChrist,andthebeginningofallourservices.Fromthisroomthewatersoftheeverlastinggospelfirstbegantoflow,whichhavenow spread so widely throughout the world, however adulterated andcorrupted they may have been in some ages and in some parts of theearth.Iinvitemyreaders,then,tocomewithmeandexaminethisupperroomasitappearedonAscensionday.

I.Therearecertainpointsarisingnaturallyoutofthetextbeforeuswhichappeartodemandspecialnotice.Letusseewhattheyare.

Concerningtheshapeandsizeandformofthisroom,weknownothingatall. It was probably likemany other "upper rooms " in Jerusalem. Butwhether itwas lofty, or low, or square, or round;whether it stood eastandwest,ornorthandsouth;whetheritwasornamentedordecoratedorperfectly plain, we have not the slightest information, and the mattersignifies very little. But it is a striking and noteworthy fact that in theoriginalGreekitiscalledtheupperroom,andnotanupperroom,asourAuthorizedVersioncallsit.Iventuretothinkthatthereismuchinthis.Ibelieve there is the highest probability that this was the very room inwhichourLordfirstappointedtheSacramentoftheLord'sSupper,andinwhichtheApostlesfirstheardthosewell-knownwords,"Take,eat;thisisMybody,"--"Drinkyeallofthis,forthisisMyblood,"--thosefamouswordswhichhavebeenthecauseofsomuchunhappycontroversywithsome,but thesourceofsuchmightycomfort toothers.--Ibelieve itwasthe same room in which the disciples were "in the habit of abiding"during the fifty days between the Resurrection and Pentecost. Here,again,theoriginalGreekhelpsustoaconclusion,ifliterallytranslated.Ibelieve it is the same room inwhich thediscipleswere assembledwith"the doors shut for fear of the Jews," when the Lord Jesus suddenlyappearedinthemidstofthemafterHisresurrection,andsaid,"Peacebeuntoyou:asMyFathersentMe,sosendIyou;"and"breathedonthem,

saying,Receive ye theHolyGhost" (John 20:21-22).--I believe it is thesameroominwhich,aweekafterwards,Heappearedagain,andrebukedthe scepticism of doubting Thomas, saying, " Be not faithless, butbelieving."--IbelieveitisthesameroominwhichourLordappeared,anddideatbeforeHisdisciples,andsaid,"HandleMe,andsee:aspirithathnotfleshandbones,asyeseeMehave"(Luke24:39).OnallthesepointsI freely grant that I have nothing but conjectures to put before myreaders.But theyareconjectureswhichappear tome tobe foundedonthe highest possible probability, and as such I think they demand ourreverent consideration. But wemay now turn boldly from conjectures,andlookatthingswhicharemostplainlyandunmistakablyrevealed.

(1) Let us then, first and foremost, look at the worshippers who weregatheredtogetherinthisfirstplaceofChristianworship.

Peter was there, that warm-hearted, impulsive, but unstable Apostle,who,fortydaysbefore,deniedhisMasterthreetimes,andthenrepentedwithbitter tears, andwhohadbeen graciously raisedby ourLord, andcommandedto"feedHissheep"(John21:16-17).

James was there, who had been the favoured companion of Peter andJohnonthreeimportantoccasions,andwhowasthefirstoftheApostlesto seal his faithwith his blood, and drink of the cupwhich hisMasterdrank(Matt.20:23).

John was there, the other son of Zebedee, the beloved Apostle, whoseheadlayonourLord'sbreastattheLastSupper,---John,thefirstonthelake of Galilee, when our Lord appeared to the disciples as they werefishing,whocriedoutwithinstinctivelove,"ItistheLord,"--John,whoatone time wished to call down fire from heaven on a village of theSamaritans, but lived to write three Epistles brimming over with love(John21:7;Luke9:54).

Andrewwasthere,thefirstofalltheApostleswhosenameweknow,whofollowedJesusafterhearing thewords, "Behold theLambofGod,"andthen brought his brother Peter to Jesus, saying, "We have found theMessias"(John1:40-41).

Philip of Bethsaida was there, the first Apostle to whom Jesus said,"Follow Me,"--the Apostle who told Nathanael to "come and see" thepromisedMessiah(John1:43).

Thomaswas there,whowasonce sodespondingandweak in faith,butafterwardscriedoutwithsuchgrandAthanasianconfidence,"MyLordandmyGod"(John20:28).

Bartholomewwasthere,who,bygeneralconsent,isthesameasthatveryNathanaelwhoatfirstsaid,"CananygoodthingcomeoutofNazareth?"Yet this is he whom our Lord pronounced to be "an Israelite withoutguile," and who said, "Thou art the Son of God, Thou art the King ofIsrael"(John1:46-49).

Matthew thepublicanwas there,who forsookhisworldly calling at thebiddingofourLord,andsoughtlastingtreasureinheaven,andwhowasafterwardsprivilegedtoholdthepenwhichwrotethefirstGospel(Matt.9:9).

James thesonofAlphaeuswas there,whohad thehonourofbeing thepresidingApostleatthefirstCouncilheldinJerusalem,andofwhomSt.PaultellstheGalatiansthat,togetherwithPeterandJohn,Jameswasa"pillaroftheChurch"(Gal.2:9).

SimonZeloteswas there,ofwhomweknowlittlecertainexcept thathewasalso"called theCanaanite,"andmaypossiblyhave livedatCanaofGalilee, and seen the firstmiracle our Lord worked. His name ZelotesseemstoindicatethathewasonceamemberofthefamousZealotparty,a fierce advocate of Jewish home-rule, and an enemy of Romansupremacy.HewasnowzealousonlyforthekingdomofChrist.

Judas was there, the brother of James, called also Lebbaeus orThaddaeus, thewriterof the lastEpistle intheNewTestament,andtheApostle who asked the remarkable question," How is it that Thou wiltmanifestThyselfuntousandnotuntotheworld?"(John14:22).Inshort,thewholecompanyoftheelevenfaithfulApostleswasassembledinthat"upper room." On this occasion there were no absentees; and doubtingThomaswasamongtherest.

But there were others present beside the Apostles. The "women" werethereofwhomsomehad long followedourLordandministered toHisnecessities,andbeenlastattheCross,andfirstatthetomb.Ihavelittledoubt thatMaryMagdaleneandSalome, andSusanna, andJoanna thewifeofChuza,Herod'ssteward, formedpartof thecompany(Luke8:2-3). And Mary the mother of Jesus was there, whom our Lord hadcommittedtothespecialcareofJohn;andwherehewas,shewassuretobe.TrulytheprophecyofoldSimeonhadbeenfulfilledinhercase."Thesword" of deep and keen sorrow had pierced "through her soul" (Luke2:35).Forshewasonlyfleshandblood,likeanyotherwoman.ThisisthelastoccasiononwhichhernameappearsinthepagesofHolyScripture.Fromhenceforthshesinksoutofsight,andallstoriesaboutherafter-lifearemerebaselesstraditions.

And, finally,ourLord's"brethren"were there.Theywerehiscousins inallprobability,orthesonsofJosephbyaformermarriage.Neverletitbeforgotten thatatone time theydidnotbelieveonJesus (John7:5);butnow their unbeliefwas gone, and theywere true disciples,while JudasIscariothad fallenaway.Thementionof themteaches thegrand lessonthat men may begin ill, and end well, and that many who now seemfaithlessmay one day believe. So true it is that the last are sometimesfirst,andthefirstlast.

Suchwas the congregationwhich assembled in the "upper room" aftertheAscension.Never,Isuppose,hastherebeensuchapureandspotlessgatheringofChristiansfromthatdaydowntothis.Neverhastherebeen,and probably never will be, such a near approach to the " one HolyCatholic Church," the "mystical body of the Son of God, which is theblessedcompanyofallfaithfulpeople."Neverhastherebeentogethersomuchwheatwithouttares,andsuchasingularproportionofgrace,andpenitence, and faith, and hope, and holiness, and love in one roomtogether. Well would it be for the visible Church of Christ if all herassemblieswereasfreefromunsoundmembers,spots,andblemishesasthecongregationwhichmettogetherinthe"upperroom."

(2)We should notice, secondly, the unitywhich characterized this firstmeeting in the "upper room."Weare toldexpressly, "that theywereallthere with one accord," that is, of one mind. There were no divisions

amongthem.Theybelievedthesamething.TheylovedthesamePerson,and at present there was no disagreement among them. There wasnothingofHigh, orLow, orBroad in that "upper room."Heresies, andstrifes,andcontroversieswereasyetunknown.Neitheraboutbaptism,ortheLord'sSupper,orvestments,orincense,wasthereanycontentionoragitation.HappywouldithavebeenforChristendomifthisblessedstateofthingshadcontinued!Attheendofeighteencenturiesweallknow,bybitterexperience,thatthedivisionsofChristiansaretheweaknessoftheChurch, and the favourite argument of the world, the infidel, and thedevil against revealed religion. Well may we pray, when we see thisblessed picture of the upper room, that God would heal the manyecclesiastical diseases of the nineteenth century, andmake Churchmenespeciallybecomemoreofonemind.

(3) We should notice, thirdly, the devotional habits of this firstcongregationinthe"upperroom."Wearetoldexpresslythatthey"werecontinuinginprayerandsupplication."Here,again,weshouldmarktheoriginalGreek.Theexpressiondenotesthatprayerwasacontinuedandhabitual practice at this crisis. What things these holy worshippersprayed for we are not told. Like our Lord's discourse with the twoApostles journeying to Emmaus, one would like to know what theirprayers were (Luke 24:27). We need not doubt that there was muchprayerforgracetobefaithfulandnot fallaway,referwisdomtodothething thatwas fight in thenewanddifficultpositionwhich theyhad totake up,--for courage, for patience, for unwearied zeal, for abidingrecollection of our Lord's example, our Lord's teaching, and our Lord'spromises.But inperfectwisdomtheHolyGhosthasthoughtfit tokeepbackthesethingsfromus,andwemustnotdoubtthatthisisright.Onething,atanyrate, isquitecertain.Weare taughtclearly thatnothing issuch a primary duty of a Christian assembly as united prayer andsupplication.LetusneverforgetthefirstchargewhichthemeatApostleoftheGentilesgavetoTimothywhenhewrotetohimabouthisdutiesasa minister of the Church, "I exhort, therefore, first of all, thatsupplications,prayers,intercessions,andgivingofthanksbemadeforallmen;forkingsandallthatareinauthority,thatwemayliveaquietendpeaceable life" (1:Tim. 2:1, etc.). I dare to believe that the names ofAnnas, Caiaphas, and Pontius Pilate were not forgotten in the

supplicationsandintercessionsofthe"upperroom."

(4)Weshouldnotice,lastly,theaddressgiveninthisupperroombytheApostle Peter, on one of the ten days which elapsed between theAscensionandthedayofPentecost.Itisaninterestingfactthatthisisthefirst address which is recorded to have been given to any assembly ofChristiansafter theLord left theworld. It isno less interesting that thefirstspeakerwastheApostlePeter,--theveryApostlewho,afterdenyinghisMaster,hadbeenmercifully raisedagain, andcommended toprovehis love by feeding His sheep,--the very Apostle who had received acharge before his fall, "When thou art converted, strengthen thybrethren" (Luke22:32).Therewas a peculiar fitness inPeter being thefirst to stand up and address the little company of "one hundred andtwentynames."

(a)Mark how he begins his address with a reverent reference to HolyScripture. He puts down his foot firmly on the supremacy of God'swrittenWordastheChurch'sruleoffaith.Hesays,"Thisscripturemustneedshavebeenfulfilled."Hesays,"ItiswritteninthebookofPsalms,"and takes a quotation for his text.Well and wisely does the late DeanAlfordremarkinhisHomiliesontheActs:"ThefirstactoftheChurchbyher firstsuperintendentministerwasanappeal to thetextofScripture.Letthatneverbeforgotten.Wouldthateveryappealbyeveryoneofherministerssincehadbeenanappealequallydirectandequallyjustified!"

(b) Mark, next, how Peter humbly acknowledges the liability of thehighest andmost privilegedministers of the Church to fall.He says ofJudasIscariot,"Hewasnumberedwithus,andhadobtainedpartofthisministry," and then mentions his miserable end. "He fell bytransgression,"andthen"wenttohisownplace."Letthatalsoneverbeforgotten. He lays down the grand principle, which should always berememberedintheChurch,thatnoinfallibilitybelongstotheministerialoffice.AchosenApostleofChristfellsadly,andsoalsomayanysuccessorof the Apostles. Bishops, priests, and deaconsmay err, and have erredgreatly,likeHophni,andPhinehas,andAnnas,andCaiaphas,whowereindirectsuccessiontoAaron.Wearenevertosupposethatordainedandconsecrated men can make no mistakes. We are never to follow themblindly,ortobelieveasamatterofcoursethatalltheysayistruth.The

Bibleistheonlyinfallibleguide.

(c)Mark,next,howhecallsupon theChurch to fillup theplacewhichJudashad left vacant, and to chooseonewhomightbenumberedwiththe eleven Apostles. He speaks with unfaltering confidence, like oneconvincedthataworkwasbeginningwhichtheworldandthedevilcouldneverstop,andthatworkmenmustbeappointedtocarryitoninregularorder.He speakswitha clear foresightof thebattles theChurchwouldhave to fight, but with an evident conviction that they would not befoughtinvain,andthatthefinalissuewassure.Heseemstosay,"Standfirm,thoughastandard-bearerhasfallenaway.Fillupthegap.Closeupyourranks."

(d)Mark,lastly,howhewindsuphisaddresswithaplaindeclarationofwhataministerandsuccessoroftheApostlesoughttobe.Hewastobe"awitnessofChrist'sresurrection."Hewastobeawitnesstothefact thatthe foundationof theGospel isnotavague ideaofGod'smercy,butanactuallivingPerson,aPersonwholivedforus,diedforus,andaboveall,roseagain.Letthatalsoneverbeforgotten.Iaffirm,withouthesitation,that in these latter dayswe do notmake enough of the resurrection ofChrist. We certainly do not make as much of it as the Apostles did,judgingfromtheActsandtheEpistles.WhenPaulwenttoAthens,wearetoldthat"hepreachedJesusandtheresurrection"(Acts27:18).WhenhewenttoCorinth,oneof the first truthsheproclaimedwas, that"ChristroseagainaccordingtotheScriptures"(1:Cor.15:4).WhenthesamePaulwas brought before Festus andAgrippa, Festus said that the complaintagainsthimwasabout"oneJesuswhowasdead,whomPaulaffirmedtobealive"(Acts25:19).

Let no onemisunderstandmymeaning. I donot say thatwedwell toomuchonthesacrificeandthebloodofChrist,butIdocontendthatwedwell too littleonHis resurrection.YetourLordHimself told theJewsmorethanoncethattheresurrectionwouldproveHimtobetheMessiah.St.PaultoldtheRomans,inthebeginningofhisEpistle,thatJesuswas"declaredtobetheSonofGodwithpowerbytheresurrectionfromthedead" (Rom. 1:4). The resurrection completed thework of redemption,whichourLordcameintotheworldtoeffect.Itiswritten,that"Hewasdeliveredforouroffences,andraisedagainforourjustification,"andthe

Corinthiansareexpresslytold,"IfChristbenotraised,yourfaithisvain;ye are yet in your sins" (Rom. 4:25; 1:Cor. 15:17). In short, Christ'sresurrectionisoneofthegrandestevidencesofthetruthofChristianity,afoundationproofthatthesalvationofsinnersbythevicariousatonementisafinishedwork,andamiraclewhichthecleverestinfidelshaveneverbeen able to explain away. Until it is explained away, we need not betroubledbycarpingremarksaboutBalaam'sassspeaking,andJonahinthewhale'sbelly.WellindeedwouldithavebeenfortheChurchifallherministershadalwaysbeensuchasPeterrecommendedtobeappointed,faithful"witnessestoapersonalChrist,Hisdeath,andHisresurrection.

SomuchfortheupperroomatJerusalem, itscongregation, theirunity,theirprayers,andthefirstaddressdeliveredwithinitswalls.Somuchforthefirstprayermeeting,thefirstsermon,andthefirstcorporateactionoftheprofessingChurchofwhichwehaveanyrecord.Weneednotdoubtforamomentthatthewell-knownpromiseofourLordJesusChristwasfulfilledinthatroom,"WheresoevertwoorthreearegatheredtogetherinMy name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matt. 18:20). The littlecompanyofworshippersdidnotseeHim;butHewasthere.

II.Letmenowtrytodrawsomepracticallessonsforourselvesfromthewholesubject.

(1)Inthefirstplace,letuslearntobemorethankfulforthelibertyofthedaysinwhichourlot iscast,andthewisetolerationoftheGovernmentunderwhichweliveinthiscountry.BythemercyofGod,"weenjoygreatquietness."Wehavenoneedtomeetin"upperrooms"with"doorsclosedforfearoftheJews,"andwithaconstantfeelingthatthereisbutastepbetweenusandaviolentdeath.Menmaybuildplacesofworshipnow,iftheyplease,ascostlyandmagnificentas the templeofJerusalemitself,andnoonejealouslyprohibitsorinterfereswiththem.WeneednotfearRoman Emperors, nor mediaeval autocrats, nor Spanish Inquisitions.The landisbeforeus,andmenmaybuildandworshipastheyplease.Iwould toGod that allwealthy laymen in this countrywould rememberfrom whom riches come, and to whom they are indebted for theirfreedomandprosperity. Iwould toGod thatmanymorewouldhonourHim with their substance, and come forward more frequently, saying,"LetmebuildaChurchfortheserviceofGod."

(2)Inthenextplace,letuslearnthesourceoftritepowerintheChurch.Thislittleupperroomwasthestarting-pointofamovementwhichshookthe Roman Empire, emptied the heathen temples, stopped gladiatorialcombats, raised women to their true position, checked infanticide,created a new standard of morality, confounded the old Greek andRomanphilosophers,andturnedtheworldupsidedown.Andwhatwasthe secret of this power? The unity, the soundness in the faith, theholiness, and the prayers and intercessions of the first professingChristians.Wherethesethingsarewanting,thegrandestarchitectureandthemostornateceremonialwilldonothingtomendtheworld.It is thepresenceofChristandtheHolyGhostwhichalonegivespower.

(3)Inthelastplace,letusprayfortheChurchofEngland,thatshemaycontinuefaithfultotheoldtruthswhichhavedonesomuchgoodfor300years, truths which are embalmed in our Articles, Prayer Book, andCreeds. It is cheap and easy work to sneer at dogma, to scoff atinspiration and the atonement, to make merry at the controversies ofChristians,andtotellusthatnoonereallybelievesalltheBible,orallthefacts enumerated in the Belief. It is easy, I repeat, to do this. Evenchildrencancastmud,andthrowstones,andmakeanoise.Butsneers,andmud, andnoise are not arguments. I challenge thosewho sneer atdogma to showusamoreexcellentway, to showusanything thatdoesmoregoodintheworldthantheold,oldstoryofChristdyingforoursins,andrisingagainforourjustification.

The man of science may say, "Come with me, and look through mymicroscopeortelescope,andIwillshowyouthinswhichMoses,David,and St. Paul never dreamed of. Do you expectme to believewhatwaswrittenbyignorantfellowslikethem?"Butcanthismanofscienceshowusanythingthroughhismicroscopeortelescopewhichwillministertoaminddiseased,bindupthewoundsofabrokenheart,satisfythewantsofanachingconscience,supplycomforttothemourneroveralosthusband,wife, or child? No, indeed! he can do nothing of the kind! Men andwomenarefearfullyandwonderfullymade.Wearenotmadeupmerelyof brains, and head, and intellect, and reason. We are frail, dyingcreatures,whohavegothearts,andfeelings,andconsciences;andweliveinaworldofsorrow,anddisappointment,andsickness,anddeath.And

whatcanhelpusinaworldlikethis?Certainlynotsciencealone.Nothingcanhelpusbutthedoctrineofthatvolumewhichsomepeoplecallanoldworn-outJewishbook,theBible.NonecanhelpusbutHewhowaslaidinthemangerofBethlehemanddiedonthecrosstopayourdebttoGod,andisnowatGod'srighthand.NonebutHewhosaid,"ComeuntoMe,allyethatlabour,andIwillgiveyourest"(Matt.11:28).NonebutHewhohasthrownlightonthegrave,andtheworldbeyondit,andhasbroughtlifeandimmortalitytolightthroughthegospelandmadeadeepermarkon theworld thanall themenof sciencewhohaveever lived, from thetimes of Pythagoras, Aristotle, and Archimedes, down to Darwin andHuxley in thepresentday.Yes! Isayagain, letuspray thatourChurchmayeverbefaithfultoherfirstprinciples,andneverlendaneartothoseplausible,eloquentapostlesoffreethought,whowouldfainpersuadehertothrowoverboardherCreedsandArticlesasuselesslumber.Finewordsandrhetoricalfireworkswillneversatisfyhumanity,checkmoralevil,orfeed souls. Men would do well to read that striking paper whichMissFrancesPowerCobbewrote in theContemporaryReview forDecember1884,andseewhataghastlyworldourworldwouldbeifitwasaworldwithoutafaithoracreed.Theageneedsnothingnew.Itonlyneedstheboldandsteadyproclamationoftheoldtruthswhichwereheldinthe"upperroom"atJerusalem.

[1]ThesubstanceofthispaperwasoriginallydeliveredasasermonattheconsecrationofSt.Agnes'Church,Liverpool.

Colossians4:14"Luke,theBelovedPhysician."[2]

THERE are two things in the title of this paper which I shall take forgranted,andnotdwellonthem.Oneis,thatLukeherementionedisthesameLukewhowrotethethirdGospelandtheActsoftheApostles,andwasthefriendandcompanionofSt.Paul.Theotheris,thatLukereallywasaphysicianofthebody.Onboththesepointstheconsentoflearnedmen,whohavearight tocommandourattention, isalmostuniversal. Ishallrigidlyconfinemyself totworemarkswhichappeartogrowoutofthesubject.Foritisasignificantfact,Ithink,thatthegreatApostleoftheGentiles, who was ever ministering to men's souls, makes honourablementionofonewhoministeredtomen'sbodies.

I. I remark then, for one thing, that one great feature of the Christianreligion is the dignity and importance which it attaches to the humanbody.

Many readers of this paper need hardly be reminded that some of theschoolsofheathenphilosophers regarded thebodywith contempt, asahindranceandnotahelp,aclogandadragandnotanaid,tothesoul.Even thosenationswhichpaidmostattention to theburialof thebodywhendead, like theEgyptians,Greeks,andRomans,knewnothingofafutureexistenceofthebodyafterdeath,evenatthemostdistantperiod.The heroes described by Homer and Viral, in the Elysian Fields, thesupposed place of happiness after death, were only ghosts and airyfigures,withnothingmaterialaboutthem.WhenSt.Paul,onMarsHill,spokeofthe"resurrectionofthedead,"wearetoldthat"somemocked"(Acts17:32).EvenPliny,oneofthemostintelligentLatinwriters,inhisNaturalHistory,saysthereweretwothingswhichwerebeyondthepowerofGod, --onewas togive immortality tomortals,and theotherwas togive bodily life again to the dead. (See Pearson on The Creed, vol. ii.,p.306,Oxfordedition.)

Let us turn now to the Christian religion, andmarkwhat a contrast it

presents.Whetherwe lookat its leading facts,ordoctrines,orpracticalinstructions for thepresent,orhopes for the future, thehumanbody iscontinuallybroughttothefront,anditsimportancemagnified.

(a) Look, to beginwith, at the greatmysterious truthwhich lies at thefoundationofourholyfaith,theincarnationofChrist.WhentheEternalSon of God came down into this sin-burdened world, to bringredemption,andchangethewholeconditionofourfallenrace,howdidHe come?Not as amighty angel or a glorious spirit, aswemight haveexpected.Nothingofthekind!HetookonHimabodilynature,justlikeourown, sinonly excepted.Hewasbornof awomanasan infant, andhadabodythatgrewandincreasedinstatureasourbodiesdo,--abodythatcouldhungerandthirst,andbewearyandneedsleep,andfeelpain,andgroaninagonyandsuffering,likethebodyofanyonewhoreadsthispaper.InthatbodyHecondescendedtotabernacleforthirty-threeyears,itsmembersdailyfulfillingtheLawofGodperfectly,sothatinHis"flesh"Satancouldfindnothingfailingordefective(John14:30).

(b) Look, in the next place, at the great cardinal doctrine of Christ'satonement.Thatwondrousdistinctiveverityofourfaith,thatsolutionofthe problem, "how can sinful man have peace with God? " -- isindissolublyboundupwithChrist'sbody.ItwasthedeathofthatbodyonthecrosswhichprovidedforfallenmanawayofreconciliationwithGod.Itwasthepreciouslifeblood,whichflowedfromourLord'scrucifiedbodyon Calvary, which purchased for us redemption from the curse of abroken law. In short, it is the blood of Christ's body to which trueChristiansowealltheircomfortwhiletheylive,andtheirhopewhentheydie.

(c) Look, next, at the crowning facts of Christ's resurrection andascension intoheaven.WhenourLordcame forth fromthegavewhereJosephandNicodemushadlaidHim,onthethirdday,Hedidnotcomeforthasaspirit.TousethewordsofourFourthArticle,He"tookagainHisbody,withflesh,bones,andallthingsappertainingtotheperfectionofman'snature."InthatbodyHewasseenandtouchedbyHisdisciples.InthatbodyHespoke,andate,anddranklikeourselves.And,finally,inthatbodyHeascendedintoheaven,andtheresitstillHereturnstojudgeallmen at the last day.Wehave a priest and advocatewith theFather

whohasabody.

(d) Look, next, at the practical precepts and exhortations which theApostlesarecontinuallypressingonusintheNewTestament.Markhowfrequently they speak of the body and itsmembers as "instruments ofrighteousness,"asapartoftheChristian'snaturerequiringhisconstantcare,andasameansofexhibitinghissanctificationandholiness."YourbodyisthetempleoftheHolyGhost."--"GlorifyGodinbodyandspirit,whichareHis."--"IprayGodyourwholespirit,andsoul,andbody,maybepreservedblameless."----"Presentyourbodiesalivingsacrifice."--Let"Christbemagnifiedinmybody."--Letthe"lifeofJesusbemanifestinourmortalflesh."--Weshall"receivethethingsdoneinthebody."--Where, indeed, and how, could the graces of temperance, soberness,chastity,andself-denialbeshownforthexceptinandthroughthebody?(Rom.6:13;1Cor.6:19-20;1Thess.5:23;Rom.12:1;Phil.1:20;2Cor.4:11;2Cor.5:10).

(e) Look, finally, at that grand distinctive hope which sustains theChristianamidst thedeaths,and funerals, andpains,andpartings,andsufferings of thisworld.Thathope is the resurrectionof the flesh afterdeath.Ourbodiesshallliveagain.Thegravecannotholdthem.WepartfromthosewhofallasleepinJesusintheblessedconfidencethatweshallmeetandseethemagain,better,stronger,morebeautifulthantheyeverwereuponearth.ForeverletusthankGodthatthegloriousgospelwhichweprofesstobelievemakesprovisionforourbodiesaswellasoursouls.

But, after all, the importancewhichChristianity attaches to thebody isnotonewhirgreaterthanthatwhichiscontinuallyattachedtoitbythechildrenofthisworld.Itiseasytosneeratthesimplefactsanddoctrinesof Christianity, and to talk great swelling words about" mind," and"thought,"and"intellect,"and"reason."Butthere isnogettingoverthebroadfactthatitisthebodyandnotthemind,andthewantsofthebody,bywhichtheworldisgoverned.

Statesmen and politicians know this full well, and often to their cost.Their tenure of office depends in greatmeasure on the contentment ofthe people. And who does not know that nothing creates populardiscontentsomuchashighpricesofcorn,andgeneraldearnessof food

forthebody?

Merchantsandship-owners,ofallmen intheworld,ought toknowtheimportanceofthebody.Corn,andmeat,andsugar,andtea,tofeedthebody,--cottonandwooltoclothethebody,--whatarethesebuttheveryarticles which create the main portion of the commerce, and carryingtrade,andbusinessofanation?

Itwouldbewasteof time tomultiplyargumentson this subject. In thefaceofsuch factsas these, it is thehighestwisdom,both in theChurchand the State, never to forget the importance of the body. To promotecleanliness, and temperance, and social purity, -- to aim at the higheststandard of sanitary arrangements, into encourage every movementwhichcanincreasethehealthandlongevityofapeople,--toprovideasfaraspossiblegoodair,goodwater,gooddwellings,andcheapfoodforevery man, woman, and child in the land, -- these are objects whichdeservethebestattentionbothoftheChristianandthemanoftheworld.

There is amine of deep truth in the saying, "Sanitas sanitatum: omniasanitas." Whatever students and bookworms and philosophers maypleasetosay,thereisanindissolubleconnectionbetweenthebodiesandmindsandsoulsofmankind.Youcannotseparatethem.Notoneof thethree can be safely neglected. The Church, which only cares for savingsouls, and the State, which only cares for educating minds, are bothmakingavastmistake.Happyisthatcountrywherebody,soul,andmindareallearedfor,andacontinualeffortmadetoprovideforthehealthofallthree.

II.Theother remarkwhich Iwish tomake is this:Observe thehonourwhichourLordJesusChristhasputonthemedicalprofession.

Itisanoteworthyfact,tobeginwith,thatoneofthefourmenwhomourLord chose to write the Gospels was a "physician." Not only doesecclesiasticalhistory,withalmostentireharmony,tellusthis,butthereisstronginternalevidenceinSt.Luke'swritingstoconfirmit.AningeniouswriterhaslatelypublishedabookwhichprovesthatmanyGreekphrasesand expressions used in the third Gospel and the Acts are thoroughlymedical,andsuchasaphysicianofthatagewoulduseindescribingthe

symptomsofdisease,orofreturninghealth.Inshort,thereislittleroomfor doubt that out of the twenty-seven books whichmake up the littlevolumeoftheNewTestament,twoofthelongestcomefromthepenofamedicalman.

But, after all, there is another fact of even deeper significance whichdemands attention. I refer to the very large number of the cases ofsickness and disease which our Lord Jesus Christ was pleased to healduringtheperiodofHisearthlyministry.Nodoubt,ifHehadthoughtfit,HecouldhaveshownHisDivinepower,andprovedHisDivinemission,by miracles like the plagues of Egypt, by calling fire from heaven likeElijah, by causing the earth to open and swallow up His enemies, asDathanandAbiramwereswallowedupinthewilderness.ButHedidnotdo so. The greatmajority ofHiswondrousworkswereworks ofmercywroughtonthesufferingbodiesofmenandwomen.Tocuretheleprous,the dropsical, the palsied, the fevered, the lame, the blind, was thecontinuallabourofloveofHimwhowas"Godmanifestintheflesh."TousethedeepandmysteriouswordsquotedfromIsaiahbySt.Matthew,"Himselftookourinfirmities,andbareoursicknesses"(Matt.8:17).

Now why was this? Why did our Lord adopt this line of action, andhabituallycondescendtodevotetimeandattentiontothehumblingandoftenloathsomeillstowhichfleshisheir?Partly,Ibelieve,toremindusthatHecametoremedythefallofman;andthatofalltheconsequencesofthefall,nonecausesomuchtrouble,andaffectallranksandclassesofsociety so thoroughly, as sickness. But partly also, I believe, to teachChristiansineveryage,thattoministertothesickiseminentlyaworkofmercyaccordingtoChrist'smind.Hethatendeavourstocheckdisease,toalleviate suffering, to lessen pain, to help the self-curative powers ofnature,andtolengthenlife,maysurelytakecomfortinthethought,that,howevermuchhemay fail,he isatany ratewalking in the footstepsofJesusofNazareth.Nexttotheofficeofhimwhoministerstomen'ssouls,there is none reallymore useful and honourable than that of himwhoministerstothesoul'sfrailtabernacle--thebody.

HethatthinksofthesethingswillnotwonderthattheriseandprogressofChristianityineveryagehasdonemuchfortheofficeofthephysician.ThatnothingwasknownofmedicineorsurgerybeforetheChristianera,

it would be unfair to say. The names of Podalirius and Machaon inHomer, thebetter-known, lessmythicalnameofHippocrates (nomeanobserver of symptoms), are familiar to students. But it is a certain factthat the sick were never so systematically cared for, and the medicalprofessionsohonourablyesteemed,as theyhavebeensincetheChurchof Christ leavened the world. The builders of the Parthenon andColosseum built no infirmaries. You will find no ruins of hospitals atAthensorRome.The infidel, thesceptic,andtheagnosticmaysneeratBiblereligioniftheyplease,buttheycannotgetoverthefactthatmedicaland surgical knowledge have always advanced side by side with thegospel of Christ. Clever and ingenious as the heathen inhabitants ofIndia, China, and Japan are at this day, it is notorious that theiracquaintancewithanatomyandmateriamedica,and their treatmentofbodilydiseases,arebeneathcontempt.

Fewof us, perhaps, realizewhat an immensedebtwe owe inChristianEngland to themedical profession.Howmuch the comfort of our livesdependsonit,andhowvastlydifferentistheconditionofthosewhoselotis cast in a heathen country, or an "uncivilized back settlement of acolony!Hethathasagoodservantinhishouse,andagooddoctorwithinreach,oughttobeathankfulman.

Fewerstill,Ibelieve,realizewhatenormousstridesmedicineandsurgeryhavemade in the last two centuries, and are continuallymaking in thepresent.Ofcoursedeathstillreigns,andwillreignuntilChristreturnsinglory.Kingsand their subjects, richandpoor,all alikedie,andwilldieuntildeathisswallowedupinvictory.Andnomarvel!Thehumanbodyisa frail anddelicatemachine. "Strange thataharpofa thousandstringsshouldkeep in tuneso long."But that thedurationof life in thisage isgreatly increased by the advance of medical science, and that manydiseases are preventable, manageable, or curable, which were oncealwaysthoughtfatal,arefactsentirelybeyonddispute.LetanyonereadBaxter'ssemi-medicalsermonintheMorning.Exercises,andobservehisreceiptsforhypochondriaanddyspepsia,andthensaywhetherheoughtnottobethankfulthathelivesinthenineteenthcentury.Themerefactthatourancestorsknewnothingofquinine,chloroform,vaccination,thecarbolicspray,thestethoscope,thelaryngoscope,theophthalmoscope,or

therighttreatmentofthelunatic,theidiot,thedeafanddumb,andtheblind,isafactthatspeaksvolumestoanyintelligentmind.

None,perhaps,havesuchconstantopportunitiesofseeingthevalueofamedical man's services as Christian ministers. We meet them in sick-rooms, and by the side of death-beds, and we know the self-denyinglabour which their profession entails, and the ungrudging and oftenunpaidattentionwhichthesickalmostinvariablyreceiveattheirhands.

There ought always to be the utmost harmony and friendly feelingbetween the two professions. The sick-room is the common ground onwhich theymeet. On that ground they can greatly help one another. Ithink theministerof religioncanhelp themedicalmanby teachinghispatientstheparamountimportanceofobediencetoorders,ofsubmissionto advice, of attention to rules about diet and sanitarymatters, and byencouraging patience and quietness of spirit. I am sure the doctor canhelptheministerbygentlyandwiselyremindingthosewhosecasesarepastrecovery,thatitistheirdutytoaccepttheinevitable,thatthislifeisnotall,thattheyhavesoulsaswellasbodies,andthatit iswisetolookcalmlyat their latterend,andaworld tocome,and toprepare tomeetGod.

There ismuch in common in the twoprofessions, theone in caring formen's bodies, and the other in caring for men's souls. We ministerscannot command success. Too often we visit in vain, exhort in vain,adviseinvain,preachinvain.Wefindthatspirituallifeanddeathareinhigher hands than ours. The doctor finds that under the most skilfultreatment people will die, and we find that under the most faithfulteachingmany continueunmoved in conscience, anddead in sins.Likethe doctor, we often feel our ignorance, cannot diagnose or discernsymptoms, and feel doubtful what to say. Both ministers and medicalmenhavegreatneedtobeclothedwithhumility.ButI trust, tousethewordswhichwere placed on the tombof SirHenryLawrence,we both"trytodoourduty,"andpersevere.Dutiesareours,buteventsareGod's.

That therenevermaybewanting inGreatBritainacontinual supplyofable,right-minded,faithfulmedicalmen,andthatwewhoministertothesoul,andthosewhoministertothebody,mayalwaysworkharmoniously

together,andhelponeanother,ismyearnestprayer.Footnotes:

[2]The substanceof thispaperwasoriginallydeliveredas a sermon inLiverpool Cathedral at the opening of the Annual Conference of theBritishMedicalAssociationinLiverpool,onJuly31st,1883.

Eccles.12:12SimplicityinPreaching.[3]

KING SOLOMON says, in the book of Ecclesiastes, "Of making manybooksthereisnoend"(Eccles.12:12).Therearefewsubjectsaboutwhichthatsayingismoretruethanthatofpreaching.Thevolumeswhichhavebeen written in order to showministers how to preach are enough tomake a small library. In sending forth one more little treatise, I onlyproposetotouchonebranchofthesubject.Idonotpretendtoconsiderwhatshouldbethesubstanceandmatterofasermon.Ipurposelyleavealonesuchpointsas"gravity,unction, liveliness,warmth,"andthe like,or the comparative merits of written or extempore sermons. I wish toconfine myself to one point, which receives far less attention than itdeserves.Thatpointissimplicityinlanguageandstyle.

I ought to be able to tell my readers something about "simplicity," ifexperience will give any help. I began preaching forty-five years ago,whenIfirsttookordersinapoorruralparish,andagreatportionofmyministerial lifehasbeen spent inpreaching to labourers and farmers. Iknow the enormous difficulty of preaching to such hearers, of makingthemunderstandone'smeaning,andsecuring theirattention.So farasconcernslanguageandcomposition,IdeliberatelysaythatIwouldratherpreachbeforetheUniversityatOxfordorCambridge,ortheTemple,orLincoln's Inn, or the Houses of Parliament, than I would address anagriculturalcongregationonafinehotafternooninthemonthofAugust.IhaveheardofalabourerwhoenjoyedSundaymorethananyotherdayintheweek,-"Because,"hesaid,"Isitcomfortably inchurch,putupmy

legs, have nothing to think about, and just go to sleep." Some of myyoungerfriendsintheministrymaysomedaybecalledtopreachtosuchcongregationsasIhavehad,andIshallbegladiftheycanprofitbymyexperience.

Before entering on the subject, Iwish to clear theway bymaking fourprefatoryremarks.

(a) For one thing, I ask all my readers to remember that to attainsimplicityinpreachingisoftheutmostimportancetoeveryministerwhowishestobeusefultosouls.Unlessyouaresimpleinyoursermonsyouwillneverbeunderstood,andunlessyouareunderstoodyoucannotdogoodtothosewhohearyou.ItwasatruesayingofQuintilian,"Ifyoudonotwish to beunderstood, youdeserve to beneglected."Of course thefirstobjectofaministershouldbetopreachthetruth, thewholetruth,andnothingbut"thetruthasitisinJesus."Butthenextthingheoughtto aim at is, that his sermon may be understood; and it will not beunderstoodbymostofhishearersifitisnotsimple.

(b)ThenextthingIwillsay,bywayofprefatoryremark,is,thattoattainsimplicityinpreachingisbynomeansaneasymatter.Nogreatermistakecanbemadethantosupposethis."Tomakehardthingsseemhard,"tousethesubstanceofasayingofArchbishopUsher's,"iswithinthereachof all, but to make hard things seem easy and intelligible is a heightattainedbyveryfewspeakers."OneofthewisestandbestofthePuritanssaidtwohundredyearsago,"thatthegreaterpartofpreachersshootovertheheadsofthepeople."Thisistruealsoin1837!Ifearavastproportionofwhatwepreach isnotunderstoodbyourhearersanymore than if itwereGreek.Whenpeoplehearasimplesermon,orreadasimple tract,theyareapttosay,"Howtrue!howplain!howeasytounderstand!"andto suppose that any one can write in that style. Allow me to tell myreaders that it is an extremely difficult thing to write simple, clear,perspicuous, and forcible English. Look at the sermons of CharlesBradley, of Clapham. A sermon of his reads most beautifully. It is sosimpleandnatural,thatanyonefeelsatoncethatthemeaningisasclearasthesunatnoonday.Everywordistherightword,andeverywordisinits rightplace.Yet the labour those sermons costMr.Bradleywas verygreat indeed. Those who have read Goldsmith's Vicar of Wakefield

attentively,canhardlyfailtohavenoticedtheexquisitenaturalness,ease,and simplicity of its language. And yet it is known that the pains andtroubleandtimebestoweduponthatworkwereimmense.LettheVicarofWakefieldbecomparedwithJohnson'sRasselas,whichwaswrittenoffinafewdays,it issaid,underhigherpressure,handthedifferenceisatonceapparent. In fact, tousevery longwords, toseemvery learned, tomakepeoplegoawayafterasermonsaying,"Howfine!howclever!howgrand!"allthisisveryeasywork.Buttowritewhatwillstrikeandstick,to speak or towrite thatwhich at once pleases and is understood, andbecomesassimilatedwithaheater'smindandathingneverforgotten--that, we may depend upon it, is a very difficult thing and a very rareattainment.

(c) Letme observe, in the next place, that when I talk of simplicity inpreaching, I would not have my readers suppose I mean childishpreaching.Ifwesupposethepoorlikethatsortofsermon,wearegreatlymistaken. If our hearers once imagine we consider them a parcel ofignorantfolksforwhomanykindof"infant's food" isgoodenough,ourchance of doing good is lost altogether. People do not like even theappearance of condescending preaching. They feel we are not treatingthemas equals, but inferiors.Humannature always dislikes that. Theywillatonceputuptheirbacks,stoptheirears,andtakeoffence,andthenwemightaswellpreachtothewinds.

(d)Finally,letmeobserve,thatitisnotcoarseorvulgarpreachingthatisneeded. It is quite possible to be simple, and yet to speak like agentleman,andwiththedemeanourofacourteousandrefinedperson.Itis an uttermistake to imagine that uneducated and illiteratemen andwomenprefertobespokentoinanilliterateway,andbyanuneducatedperson.Tosupposethatalay-evangelistorScripture-reader,whoknowsnothing of Latin or Greek, and is only familiar with his Bible, ismoreacceptable than anOxford first-classman, or aCambridgewrangler (ifthat first-classman knows how to preach), is a complete error. Peopleonly tolerate vulgarity and coarseness, as a rule, when they can getnothingelse.

Havingmadetheseprefatoryremarksinordertocleartheway,Iwillnowproceed to givemy readers five brief hints as towhat seems tome the

bestmethodofattainingsimplicityinpreaching.

I.Myfirsthintisthis:Ifyouwanttoattainsimplicityinpreaching,takecarethatyouhaveaclearviewofthesubjectuponwhichyouaregoingtopreach.Iaskyourspecialattentiontothis.OfallthefivehintsIamabouttogive,thisisthemostimportant.Mind,then,whenyourtextischosen,thatyouunderstanditandseerightthroughit;thatyouknowpreciselywhat you want to prove, what you want to teach, what you want toestablish, and what you want people's minds to carry away. If youyourselfbegininafog,youmaydependuponityouwillleaveyourpeopleindarkness.Cicero,oneofthegreatestancientorators,saidlongago,"Noone canpossibly speak clearly and eloquently about a subjectwhichhedoes not understand," -- -and I am satisfied that he spoke the truth.ArchbishopWhatelywasaveryshrewdobserverofhumannature,andhesaid rightlyofavastnumberofpreachers, that "theyaimedatnothing,and they hit nothing. Like men landing on an unknown island, andsetting out on a journey of exploration, they set out in ignorance, andtravelledoninignoranceallthedaylong."

Iaskallyoungministersespecially,torememberthisfirsthint.Irepeatmost emphatically, "Take care you thoroughlyunderstandyour subject.Never choose a text of which you do not quite know what it means."Bewareoftakingobscurepassagessuchasthosewhicharetobefoundinunfulfilledandemblematicprophecies. Ifamanwill continuallypreachto an ordinary congregation about the seals and vials and trumpets inRevelation,oraboutEzekiel's temple,oraboutpredestination, freewill,and the eternal purposes of God, it will not be at all surprising to anyreasonablemindifhefailstoattainsimplicity.Idonotmeanthatthesesubjectsoughtnot tobehandledoccasionally,at fit times,andbeforeasuitable audience. All I say is, that they are very deep subjects, aboutwhichwiseChristiansoftendisagree,anditisalmostimpossibletomakethem very simple.We ought to see our subjects plainly, if we wish tomakethemsimple,andtherearehundredsofplainsubjectstobefoundinGod'sWord.

Beware,forthesamereason,oftakingupwhatIcallfancifulsubjectsandaccommodatedtexts,andthendraggingoutofthemmeaningswhichtheHolyGhostneverintendedtoputintothem.Thereisnosubjectneedful

forthesoul'shealthwhichisnottobefoundplainlytaughtandsetforthinScripture.Thisbeingthecase,Ithinkapreachershouldnevertakeatext and extract from it, as a dentist would a tooth from the jaw,somethingwhich,howevertrueinitself,isnottheplainliteralmeaningoftheinspiredwords.Thesermonmayseemveryglitteringandingenious,andhispeoplemaygoawaysaying,"Whatacleverparsonwehavegot!"Butif,onexamination,theycanneitherfindthesermoninthetext,northetextinthesermon,theirmindsareperplexed,andtheybegintothinkthe Bible is a deep book which cannot be understood. If you want toattainsimplicity,bewareofaccommodatedtexts.

When I speak of accommodated texts, let me explain what I mean. Irememberhearingofaministerinanortherntown,whowasfamousforpreaching in this style. Once he gave out for his text, "He that is soimpoverishedthathehathnooblation,choosethuntohimatreethatwillnotrot"(Isa.40:20)."Here,"saidhe,"ismanbynatureimpoverishedandundone. He has nothing to offer, in order to make satisfaction for hissoul.Andwhatoughthetodo?Heoughttochooseatreewhichcannotrot,eventhecrossofourLordJesus

Christ."--Onanotheroccasion,beinganxioustopreachonthedoctrineof indwelling sin,hechosehis textoutof thehistoryofJosephandhisbrethren,andgaveoutthewords,"Theoldmanofwhomyespake,isheyet alive?" (Gen.43:27). Out of this question he ingeniously twisted adiscourse about the infection of nature remaining in the believer, -- agrand truth, no doubt, but certainly not the truth of the passage. Suchinstanceswill, I trust, be awarning to allmy younger brethren. If youwant to preach about the indwelling corruption of human nature, orabout Christ crucified, you need not seek for such far-fetched texts asthose I have named. If you want to be simple, mind you choose plainsimpletexts.

Furthermore,ifyouwishtoseethroughyoursubjectsthoroughly,andsotoattainthefoundationofsimplicity,donotbeashamedofdividingyoursermonsandstatingyourdivisions.Ineedhardlysaythisisaveryvexedquestion. There is amorbid dread of "firstly, secondly, and thirdly" inmanyquarters.Thestreamoffashionrunsstronglyagainstdivisions,andImustfranklyconfessthatalivelyundividedsermonismuchbetterthan

one divided in a dull, stupid, illogical way. Let every man be fullypersuadedinhisownmind.Hethatcanpreachsermonswhichstrikeandstick without divisions, by all means let him hold on his way andpersevere.Butlethimnotdespisehisneighbourwhodivides.AllIsayis,ifwewouldbesimple,theremustbeorderinasermonasthereisinanarmy.Whatwisegeneralwouldmixupartillery,infantry,andcavalryinoneconfusedmassinthedayofbattle?Whatgiverofabanquetordinnerwoulddreamofputtingonthetablethewholeoftheviandsatonce,thesoup,thefish,theentrees,thejoints,thesalads,thegame,thesweets,thedessert,inonehugedish?Suchahostwouldhardlybethoughttoservehisdinnerwell.JustsoIsayitiswithsermons.Byallmeanslettherebeorder--order,whetheryoubringoutyour"firstly,secondly,orthirdly,"or not -- order, whether your divisions are concealed or expressed --order so carefully arranged that your points and ideas shall follow oneanother inbeautiful regularity, like regimentsmarchingpastbefore theQueenonareviewdayinWindsorPark.

Formyownpart,IhonestlyconfessthatIdonotthinkIhavepreachedtwo sermons in my life without divisions. I find it of the utmostimportancetomakepeopleunderstand,remember,andcarryawaywhatIsay,andIamcertainthatdivisionshelpmetodoso.Theyare,infact,likehooksandpegsandshelvesinthemind.Ifyoustudythesermonsofmenwho have been and are successful preachers, youwill always findorder,andoftendivisions,intheirsermons.IamnotabitashamedtosaythatIoftenreadthesermonsofMr.Spurgeon.Iliketogatherhintsaboutpreaching from all quarters. David did not ask about the sword ofGoliath,Whomade it?who polished it?what blacksmith forged it?Hesaid, "There is nothing like it;" for he had once used it to cut off itsowner's head.Mr. Spurgeon canpreachmost ably, andhe proves it bykeeping his enormous congregation together. We ought always toexamine and analyze sermons which draw people together. Now whenyoureadMr.Spurgeon'ssermons,notehowclearlyandperspicuouslyhedividesasermon,andfillseachdivisionwithbeautifulandsimpleideas.Howeasilyyougrasphismeaning!Howthoroughlyhebringsbeforeyoucertaingreattruths,thathangtoyoulikehooksofsteel,andwhich,onceplantedinyourmemory,youneverforget!

Myfirstpoint,then,ifyouwouldbesimpleinyourpreaching,is,thatyoumust thoroughly understand your subject, and if you want to knowwhetheryouunderstandit,trytodivideandarrangeit.Icanonlysayformyself;thatIhavedonethiseversinceIhavebeenaminister.Forforty-five years I have kept blankMS. books in which I put down texts andheadsof sermons forusewhenrequire&Whenever Igetholdofa text,andseemywaythroughit,Iputitdownandmakeanoteofit.IfIdonotseemywaythroughatext,Icannotpreachonit,becauseIknowIcannotbesimple;andifIcannotbesimple,IknowIhadbetternotpreachatall

II.ThesecondhintIwouldgiveisthis:Trytouseinallyoursermons,asfar as you can, simple words. In saying this, however, I must explainmyself.When I talk of simplewords, I donotmeanwords of only onesyllable,orwordswhicharepurelySaxon.Icannot inthismatteragreewithArchbishopWhately.IthinkhegoestoofarinhisrecommendationofSaxon, though there ismuch truth inwhathe says about it. I ratherprefer the saying of that wise old heathen Cicero, when he said, thatoratorsshouldtrytousewordswhichare"indailycommonuse"amongstthe people. Whether the words are Saxon or not, or of two or threesyllables.itdoesnotmattersolongastheyarewordscommonlyusedandunderstood by the people. Only, whatever you do, beware of what thepoor shrewdly call "dictionary" words, that is, of words which areabstract,orscientific,orpedantic,orcomplicated,or indefinite,orverylong.Theymayseemveryfine,andsoundverygrand,buttheyarerarelyof any use. The most powerful and forcible words, as a rule, are veryshort.

Let me say one word more to confirm what I have stated about thatcommon fallacy of the desirableness of always using Saxon English. IwouldremindyouthatavastnumberofwordsofotherthanSaxonoriginareusedbywritersofnotorioussimplicity.Take,forinstance,thefamouswork of John Bunyan, and look at the very title of it, The Pilgrim'sProgress.Neither of the leadingwords in that title is Saxon.Would hehave improved matters if he had called it "The Wayfarer's Walk"? Insaying this I admit freely that words of French and Latin origin aregenerally inferiortoSaxon;and,asarule,Ishouldsay,usestrongpureSaxonwordsifyoucan.AllImeantosayis,thatyoumustnotthinkita

matterofcoursethatwordscannotbegoodandsimpleiftheyarenotofSaxonorigin.Inanycase,bewareoflongwords.

Dr.Gee,inhisexcellentbook,OurSermons(Longman),veryablypointsouttheuselessnessofusinglongwordsandexpressionsnotincommonuse.Forexample,hesays,"Talkofhappinessratherthanoffelicity,talkof almighty rather than omnipotent, lessen rather than diminish,forbidden rather than proscribed, hateful rather than noxious, seemingrather thanapparent, afterwards rather thansubsequently, calloutanddraw forth instead of evoke and educe." We all need to be pulled upsharplyon thesepoints. It is verywell touse finewords atOxford andCambridge, before classical hearers, and in preaching before educatedaudiences. But depend upon it, when you preach to ordinarycongregations,thesooneryouthrowoverboardthissortofEnglish,anduse plain common words, the better. One thing, at all events, is quitecertain, without simple words you will never attain simplicity inpreaching.

III. The third hint I would offer, if you wish to attain simplicity inpreaching,isthis:Takecaretoaimatasimplestyleofcomposition.IwilltrytoillustratewhatImean.IfyoutakeupthesermonspreachedbythatgreatandwonderfulmanDr.Chalmers,youcanhardlyfailtoseewhatanenormousnumberof linesyoumeetwithwithoutcomingtoa fullstop.ThisIcannotbutregardasagreatmistake. ItmaysuitScotland,but itwill never do for England. If you would attain a simple style ofcomposition, beware of writingmany lines without coming to a pause,and so allowing the minds of your hearers to take breath. Beware ofcolonsandsemicolons.Sticktocommasandfullstops,andtakecaretowriteasifyouwereasthmaticalorshortofbreath.Neverwriteorspeakvery long sentencesor longparagraphs.Use stops frequently, and startagain; and the oftener you do this, themore likely you are to attain asimple style of composition. Enormous sentences full of colons,semicolons, and parentheses, with paragraphs of two or three pages'length, are utterly fatal to simplicity. We should bear in mind thatpreachers have to dowith hearers and not readers, and that what will"read"wellwillnotalways"speak"well.AreaderofEnglishcanalwayshelphimselfbylookingbackafewlinesandrefreshinghismind.Ahearer

ofEnglishhearsonceforall,andifhelosesthethreadofyoursermoninalonginvolvedsentence,heverylikelyneverfindsitagain.

Again, simplicity inyour styleof compositiondependsverymuchupontheproper use of proverbs and epigrammatic sentences. This is of vastimportance.Here,Ithink,isthevalueofmuchthatyoufindinMatthewHenry'scommentary,andBishopHall'sContemplations.Therearesomegood sayings of this sort in a book not known so well as it should be,called Papers on Preaching by aWykehamist. Take a few examples ofwhatImean:"Whatweweaveintimewewearineternity.""Hellispavedwith good intentions." "Sin forsaken is one of the best evidences of sinforgiven.""Itmatterslittlehowwedie,butitmattersmuchhowwelive.""Meddlewith noman's person, but spare noman's sin." "The street issooncleanwheneveryonesweepsbeforehisowndoor.""Lyingridesondebt'sback:itishardforanemptybagtostandupright.""Hethatbeginswith prayer will end with praise" "All is not gold that glitters." "Inreligion,as inbusiness, therearenogainswithoutpains.""In theBiblethereareshallowswherealambcanwade,anddepthswhereanelephantmustswim.""Onethiefonthecrosswassaved,thatnoneshoulddespair,andonlyone,thatnoneshouldpresume."

Proverbial, epigrammatic, and antithetical sayings of this kind givewonderfulperspicuousnessand force toasermon.Labour tostoreyourminds with them. Use them judiciously, and especially at the end ofparagraphs,andyouwillfindthemanimmensehelptotheattainmentofa simple style of composition. But of long, involved, complicatedsentencesalwaysbeware.

IV.ThefourthhintIwillgiveisthis:Ifyouwishtopreachsimply,useadirectstyle.WhatdoImeanbythis?Imeanthepracticeandcustomofsaying"I"and"you."Whenamantakesupthisstyleofpreaching,heisoften told that he is conceited and egotistical. The result is that manypreachersareneverdirect,andalwaysthinkitveryhumbleandmodestandbecoming to say "we."But I remember goodBishopVilliers sayingthat"we"wasawordkingsandcorporationsshoulduse,andtheyalone,butthatparishclergymenshouldalwaystalkof"I"and"you."Iendorsethatsayingwithallmyheart.IdeclareInevercanunderstandwhatthefamouspulpit"we"means.Doesthepreacherwhoallthroughhissermon

keeps saying "we" mean himself and the bishop? or himself and theChurch?orhimselfandthecongregation?orhimselfandthe

EarlyFathers?orhimselfandtheReformers?orhimselfandallthewisemen in theworld? or, after all, does he onlymeanmyself, plain "JohnSmith"or"ThomasJones"?Ifheonlymeanshimself,whatearthlyreasoncan he give for using the plural number, and not saying simply andplainly "I"? When he visits his parishioners, or sits by a sick-bed, orcatechises his school, or orders bread at the baker's, or meat at thebutcher's,hedoesnotsay"we,"but"I."Why,then,Ishouldliketoknow,canhenotsay"I"inthepulpit?Whatrighthashe,asamodestman,tospeak for any one but himself?Why not stand up on Sunday and say,"ReadingintheWordofGod,Ihavefoundatextcontainingsuchthingsasthese,andIcometosetthembeforeyou"?

Many people, I am sure, do not understand what the preacher's "we"means.Theexpressionleavestheminakindoffog.Ifyousay,"I,yourrector; I, your vicar; I, the curate of the parish," come here to talk ofsomething that concerns your soul, something you should believe,something you should do -- you are at any rate understood. But if youbegintotalkinthevaguepluralnumberofwhat"we"oughttodo,manyofyourhearersdonotknowwhatyouaredrivingat,andwhetheryouarespeakingtoyourselforthem.Ichargeandentreatmyyoungerbrethrenintheministrynottoforgetthispoint.Dotrytobeasdirectaspossible.Never mind what people say of you. In this particular do not imitateChalmers,orMelville,orcertainotherlivingpulpitcelebrities.Neversay"we" when you mean "I." The more you get into the habit of talkingplainlytothepeople, inthefirstpersonsingular,asoldBishopLatimerdid, the simpler will your sermon be, and themore easily understood.ThegloryofWhitefield'ssermonsistheirdirectness.Butunhappilytheyweresobadlyreported,thatwecannotnowappreciatethem.

V.The fifth and lasthint Iwish to give you is this: If youwouldattainsimplicity in preaching, you must use plenty of anecdotes andillustrations. You must regard illustrations as windows through whichlight is let in upon your subject.Upon this point a great dealmight besaid,butthelimitsofasmalltreatiseobligemetotouchitverybriefly.IneedhardlyremindyouoftheexampleofHimwho"spakeasneverman

spake," our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Study the four Gospelsattentively,andmarkwhatawealthofillustrationHissermonsgenerallycontain.Howoftenyoufindfigureuponfigure,parableuponparable,inHisdiscourses!TherewasnothingunderHiseyesapparentlyfromwhichHedidnotdrawlessons.Thebirdsoftheair,andthefishinthesea,thesheep,thegoats,the.cornfield,thevineyard,theploughman,thesower,the reaper, the fisherman, the shepherd, the vinedresser, the womankneadingmeal, the flowers, the grass, the bank, thewedding feast, thesepulchre,mallweremadevehiclesforconveyingthoughtstothemindsof hearers. What are such parables as the prodigal son, the goodSamaritan,thetenvirgins,thekingwhomadeamarriageforhisson,therichmanandLazarus,thelabourersofthevineyard,andothers,--whatare all these but stirring stories that our Lord tells in order to conveysomegreattruthtothesoulsofHishearers?TrytowalkinHisfootstepsandfollowHisexample.

If you pause in your sermon, and say, "Now I will tell you a story," Iengage that allwho are not too fast asleepwill prick up their ears andlisten. People like similes, illustrations, and well-told stories, and willlisten to them when they will attend to nothing else. And from whatcountless sources we can get illustrations! Take all the book of naturearoundus.Lookattheskyaboveandtheworldbeneath.Lookathistory.Lookatallthebranchesofscience,atgeology,atbotany,atchemistry,atastronomy.Whatisthereinheavenaboveorearthbelowfromwhichyoumaynotbring illustrationstothrowlightonthemessageof thegospel?Read Bishop Latimer's sermons, the most popular, perhaps, that wereeverpreached.ReadtheworksofBrooks,andWatson,andSwinnock,thePuritans. How full they are of illustrations, figures, metaphors, andstories! Look at Mr. Moody's sermons. What is one secret of hispopularity? He fills his sermons with pleasing stories. He is the bestspeaker,saysanArabianproverb,whocanturntheearintoaneye.

Formypart,Inotonlytrytotellstories,butincountryparishesIhavesometimes put before people familiar illustrations which they can see.Forinstance---DoIwanttoshowthemthattheremusthavebeenafirstgreatcauseorBeingwhomadethisworld?Ihavesometimes takenoutmywatch,andhave said, "Lookat thiswatch.Howwell it ismade!Do

anyofyousupposeforamomentthatall thescrews,all the.wheels,allthepinsofthatwatchcametogetherbyaccident?Wouldnotanyonesaytheremust have. been awatchmaker?And if so, it followsmost surelythattheremusthavebeenaMakeroftheworld,whosehandiworkweseegraven on the face of every one of those glorious planets going theiryearlyroundsandkeepingtimetoasinglesecond.Lookattheworldinwhichyoulive,andthewonderfulthingswhichitcontains.Willyoutellme that there is noGod, and that creation is the result of chance?"OrsometimesIhavetakenoutabunchofkeysandshakenthem.Thewholecongregation,whentheyhearthekeys,lookup.ThenIsay,"Wouldtherebeneedofanykeys ifallmenwereperfectandhonest?Whatdoes thisbunchofkeys show?Why, they show that theheartofman isdeceitfulabove all things, and desperately wicked." Illustration, I confidentlyassert, is one of the best receipts for making a sermon simple, clear,perspicuous, and easily understood. Lay yourselves out for it. Pick upillustrationswhereveryoucan.Keepyoureyesopen,andusethemwell.Happy is that preacher who has an eye for similitudes, and amemorystoredwithwell-chosen stories and illustrations. If he is a realman ofGod, and knows how to deliver a sermon, hewill never preach to barewallsandemptybenches.

But Imustaddawordof caution.There isawayof telling stories. If aman cannot tell stories naturally, he had better not tell them at all.Illustration,again,afterall Ihavesaid in its favour,maybecarried toofar.IrememberanotableinstanceofthisinthecaseofthegreatWelshpreacher,ChristmasEvans.There is inprint a sermonof his about thewonderfulmiraclethattookplaceinGadara,whendevilstookpossessionof the swine, and the whole herd ran down violently into the sea. Hepaints it sominutely that it really becomes ludicrous by reason of thewordsput in themouthof the swineherdswho told theirmasterof thelosshehadsustained."Oh!sir,"saysone,"thepigshaveallgone!""But,"saysthemaster,"wherehavetheygone?""Theyhaverundownintothesea.""Butwhodrovethemdown?""Oh!sir,thatwonderfulman.""Well,what sort of amanwas he?What did he do?" "Why, sir, he came andtalked such strange things, and thewhole herd ran suddenly down thesteepplaceintothesea.""What,theoldblackboarandall?""Yes,sir,theoldblackboarhasgonetoo;foraswelookedround,wejustsawtheend

ofhistailgoingoverthecliff."Nowthatisgoingtoanextreme.So,again,Dr. Guthrie's admirable sermons are occasionally so overlade withillustrationsastoremindoneofcakemadealmostentirelyofplumsandcontaining hardly any flour. Put plenty of colour and picture into yoursermonbyallmeans.Drawsweetnessandlightfromallsourcesandfromallcreatures,fromtheheavensandtheearth,fromhistory,fromscience.Butafterallthereisalimit.Youmustbecarefulhowyouusecolour,lestyoudo asmuchharmas good.Donot put on colour by spoonfuls, butwithabrush.Thiscautionremembered,youwillfindcolouranimmenseaidintheattainmentofsimplicityandperspicuousnessinpreaching.

Andnowbearinmindthatmyfivepointsarethese:First:Ifyouwanttoattainsimplicity inpreaching,youmusthaveaclearknowledgeofwhatyouaregoingtopreach.

Secondly: If you would attain simplicity in preaching, you must usesimplewords.

Thirdly: If you would attain simplicity in preaching, you must seek toacquire a simple style of composition, with short sentences and as fewcolonsandsemicolonsaspossible.

Fourthly:Ifyouwouldattainsimplicityinpreaching,aimatdirectness.

Lastly:Ifyouwouldattainsimplicityinpreaching,makeabundantuseofillustrationandanecdote.

Letmeaddtoallthisoneplainwordofapplication.Youwillneverattainsimplicityinpreachingwithoutplentyoftrouble.Painsandtrouble,Isayemphatically, pains and trouble. When Turner, the great painter, wasaskedbysomeonehowitwashemixedhiscolourssowell,andwhatitwasthatmadethemsodifferentfromthoseofotherartists:"Mixthem?mix them?mix them?Why, with brains, sir." I am persuaded that, inpreaching,littlecanbedoneexceptbytroubleandbypains.

Ihaveheard that a youngand careless clergymanonce said toRichardCecil,"IthinkIwantmorefaith."":No,"saidthewiseoldman;"youwantmoreworks.Youwantmorepains.YoumustnotthinkthatGodwilldo

workforyou,thoughHeisreadytodoitbyyou."Ientreatmyyoungerbrethren to remember this. I beg them to make time for theircompositionof sermons, to take trouble and to exercise theirbrainsbyreading.Onlymindthatyoureadwhatisuseful.

IwouldnothaveyouspendyourtimeinreadingtheFathersinordertohelpyourpreaching.Theyareveryusefulintheirway,buttherearemanythingsmoreusefulinmodernwriters,ifyouchoosethemdiscreetly.

Read good models, and become familiar with good specimens ofsimplicityinpreaching.Asyourbestmodel,taketheEnglishBible.Ifyouspeak the language in which that is written, you will speak well. ReadJohnBunyan'simmortalwork,the.Pilgrim's.progress.Readitagainandagain, if you wish to attain simplicity in preaching. Do not be abovereading the Puritans. Some of them no doubt are heavy. Goodwin andOwen are very heavy, though excellent artillery in position. Read suchbooksasBaxter,andWatson,andTraill,andFlavel,andCharnock,andHall,andHenry.Theyare,tomymind,modelsofthebestsimpleEnglishspokeninoldtimes.Remember,however,thatlanguagealterswithyears.TheyspokeEnglish,andsodowe,buttheirstylewasdifferentfromours.ReadbesidethemthebestmodelsofmodernEnglishthatyoucangetat.Ibelieve thebestEnglishwriter for the lasthundredyearswasWilliamCobbett, thepoliticalRadical. I thinkhewrote the finest simpleSaxon-English the world has ever seen. In the present day I do not know agreatermasterofterselyspokenSaxon-EnglishthanJohnBright.Amongoldpolitical orators, the speeches of LordChathamandPatrickHenry,the American, are models of good English. Last, but not least, neverforget that, next to the Bible, there is nothing in the English languagewhich, forcombinedsimplicity,perspicuousness,eloquence,andpower,canbecomparedwithsomeofthegreatspeechesinShakespeare.Modelsofthissortmustreallybestudied,andstudied"withbrains,"too,ifyouwish to attain a good style of composition in preaching. On the otherhand,donotbeabovetalkingtothepoor,andvisitingyourpeoplefromhousetohouse.Sitdownwithyourpeoplebythefireside,andexchangethoughtswiththemonallsubjects.Findouthowtheythinkandhowtheyexpressthemselves,ifyouwantthemtounderstandyoursermons.Bysodoingyouwillinsensiblylearnmuch.Youwillbecontinuallypickingup

modes of thought, and get notions as to what you should say in yourpulpit.

A humble country clergyman was once asked "whether he studied thefathers." The worthy man replied, that he had little opportunity ofstudying the fathers, as they were generally out in the fields when hecalled.Buthestudiedthemothersmore,becauseheoftenfoundthemathome,andhecouldtalktothem.

Wittinglyorunwittingly, thegoodmanhitanail righton thehead.Wemust talk to our people when we are out of church, if we wouldunderstandhowtopreachtotheminthechurch.

(a) Iwill only say, in conclusion, thatwhateverwepreach,orwhateverpulpitweoccupy,whetherwepreachsimplyornot,whetherwepreachwrittenorextempore,weoughttoaimnotmerelyatlettingofffireworks,butatpreachingthatwhichwilldolastinggoodtosouls.Letusbewareoffireworks in our preaching. "Beautiful" sermons, "brilliant" sermons,"clever" sermons, "popular" sermons, are often sermonswhichhavenoeffectonthecongregation,anddonotdrawmentoJesusChrist.Letusaimsotopreach,thatwhatwesaymayreallycomehometomen'smindsandconsciencesandhearts,andmakethemthinkandconsider.

(b)Allthesimplicityintheworldcandonogood,unlessyoupreachthesimple gospel of Jesus Christ so fully and clearly that everybody canunderstand it. If Christ crucified has not His rightful place in yoursermons,andsinisnotexposedasitshouldbe,andyourpeoplearenotplainly told what they ought to believe, and be, and do, YOURPREACHINGISOFNOUSE.

(c)Allthesimplicityintheworld,again,isuselesswithoutagoodlivelydelivery. If you bury your head in your bosom, andmumble over yourmanuscriptinadull,monotonous,droningway,likeabeeinabottle,sothat people cannot understand what you are speaking about, yourpreaching will be in vain. Depend upon it, delivery is not sufficientlyattended to inourChurch. In this,as ineverythingelseconnectedwiththe science of preaching, I consider the Church of England is sadlydeficient. I know that I began preaching alone in the New Forest, and

nobodyevertoldmewhatwasrightorwronginthepulpit.Theresultwasthatthefirstyearofmypreachingwasaseriesofexperiments.Wegetnohelp in thesematters atOxford andCambridge. The utterwant of anypropertrainingforthepulpitisonegreatblotanddefectinthesystemoftheChurchofEngland.

(d) Above all, let us never forget that all the simplicity in the world isuseless without prayer for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and thegrantofGod'sblessing,andalifecorrespondinginsomemeasuretowhatwepreach.Beitourstohaveanearnestdesireforthesoulsofmen,whileweseekforsimplicityinpreachingthegospelofJesusChrist,andletusneverforgettoaccompanyoursermonsbyholylivingandferventprayer.Footnotes:

[3]Thesubstanceofthispaperwasoriginallyaddressed,asalecture,toaclerical audience, at St. Paul's Cathedral, on behalf of the HomileticalSociety.ForacertainroughnessandabruptnessofstyleImustapologize.Butmyreadersmustkindly remember that the lecturewasspokenandnotwritten,andispreparedforthepressfromthenotesofashorthandwriter.

1Cor.15:3-4.FoundationTruths.[4]

"I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how thatChristdiedforoursinsaccordingtotheScriptures;

"AndthatHewasburied,andthatHeroseagainthethirddayaccordingtotheScriptures."--1Cor.15:3-4.

THEtextwhichheadsthispaperistakenfromapassageofScripturewithwhichmost Englishmen are only toowell acquainted. It is the chapterfrom which the lesson has been selected, which forms part of thematchlessBurialServiceoftheChurchofEngland.Ofalltheoccasional

services of the Prayer Book, none, in my humble judgment, is morebeautifulthanthis.Thegoodold"BookofCommonPrayer,"weallknow,hasnoformorcomelinessintheeyesofsome.Wehaveseentheburiallawsof this realmaltered, andother "uses" sanctioned, and introducedintoourchurchyardsatfunerals.ButofonetilingIamverycertain.Weshall never see the bodies of professing Christians committed to thegroundwithawiserandbetterservicethanthatoftheAnglicanLiturgy.

Thestarting-pointofthewholeargumentofthischapterwillbefoundinthetwoverseswhichformthetext.TheApostleopensbyremindingtheCorinthians that" among the first things "which he delivered to them,whenhecommencedhisteaching,weretwogreatfactsaboutChrist:onewasHisdeath,theotherwasHisresurrection.Thepassageseemstometo open up two subjects of deep interest, and to them I invite theattentionofallintowhosehandsthispapermayfall.

I. For one thing, let us mark well the primary truths which St. PauldeliveredtotheCorinthians.

II.Foranotherthing,letustrytograspthereasonswhySt.Paulassignstothesetruthssuchasingularlyprominentposition.

I.What, then,were the thingswhich theApostlepreached" firstofall,"thatis,amongthefirstthings,atCorinth?

Before I answer that question, I ask my readers to pause awhile andrealize thewhole positionwhichSt. Paul occupiedwhenhe leftAthensandenteredCorinth.

Here is a solitary Jewvisiting a greatheathen city for the first time, topreach an entirely new religion, to begin an aggressive Evangelisticmission.Heisamemberofadespisedpeople,sneeredatalikebyGreeksandRomans, isolatedandcutoff fromothernations, in theirown littlecorner of the earth, by their peculiar laws and habits, and unknown toGentileseitherforliterature,arms,arts,orscience.The"bodilypresence"of thisboldJew is"weak,"andhis"speech,"comparedto thatofGreekrhetoricians," contemptible" (2Cor.10:10).He stands almost alone in acity, famousallover theworld,even in theestimateof theheathen, for

luxury, immorality, and idolatry. Suchwas the place, and suchwas theman!Amoreremarkablepositionitishardtoconceive.

AndwhatdidthissolitaryJewtelltheCorinthians?

WhatdidhesayaboutthegreatHeadandFounderofthenewfaithwhichhewantedthemtoreceiveinplaceoftheirancientreligion?Didhebeginby cautiously telling them how Christ lived, and taught, and workedmiracles,andspake"asnomaneverspake"?DidhetellthemthatHehadbeenrichasSolomon,victoriousasJoshua,orlearnedasMoses?Nothingof the kind!The very first fact heproclaimedaboutChristwas thatHedied,anddiedthemostignominiousdeath-thedeathofamalefactor,thedeathofthecross.

AndwhydidSt.PaullaysomuchstressuponChrist'sdeathratherthanHislife?Because,hetellstheCorinthians,"Hediedforoursins."Adeepandwonderfultruththat,atruthwhichlayattheveryfoundationofthewholereligionwhichtheApostlecametopreach!ForthatdeathofChristwas not the involuntary death of amartyr, or amere example of self-sacrifice.ItwasthevoluntarydeathofaDivineSubstitutefortheguiltychildren of Adam, by which He made atonement for " the sin of theworld."Itwasadeathofsuchmightyinfluenceonthepositionofsinfulman before God, that it provided complete redemption from theconsequences of the fall. In a word, St. Paul told the Corinthians thatwhenChristdied,HediedastheRepresentativeofguiltyman,tomakeexpiation for us by the sacrifice of Himself, and to endure the penaltywhichwedeserved."HeboreoursinsinHisownbodyonthetree.""Hesufferedforsins,thejustfortheunjust,thatHemightbringustoGod.""Hewasmade sin for uswhoknewno sin, thatwemight bemade therighteousnessofGodinHim"(1Pet.2:24,3:18;2Cor.5:21).Agreatandstupendous mystery, no doubt! But it was a mystery to which everysacrifice from the time ofAbel had been continually pointing for 4000years.Christdied"accordingtotheScriptures."

TheothergreatfactaboutChristwhichSt.Paulplacedinthefrontpartofhis teaching was His resurrection from the dead. He boldly told theCorinthians that the same Jesuswho died, andwas buried, came forthalive from the grave on the third day after His death, and was seen,

touched, handled, and talked to, in the body, by many competentwitnesses.BythisamazingmiracleHeproved,asHehadfrequentlysaidHewould,thatHewasthepromisedandlong-expectedSaviourforetoldinprophecy,thatthesatisfactionforsinHehadmadebyHisdeathwasaccepted by God the Father, that the work of our redemption wascompleted, and that death, as well as sin, was a conquered enemy. Inshort,theApostletaughtthatthegreatestofmiracleshadbeenwrought,andthatwithsuchaFounderofthenewfaithwhichhecametoproclaim,firstdyingforoursins,andthenrisingagainforourjustification,nothingwasimpossible,andnothingwantingforthesalvationofman'ssoul.

SuchwerethetwogreattruthstowhichSt.Paulassignedthefirstplace,whenhebeganhiscampaignasaChristianteacheratCorinth,--Christ'svicarious death for our sins, -- Christ's rising again from the grave.Nothingseemstohaveprecededthem:nothingtohavebeenplacedonalevel with them.No doubt it was a sore trial of faith and courage to alearned and highly-educated man like St. Paul to take up such a line.Fleshandbloodmightwellshrinkfromit.Hesayshimself, "Iwaswithyouinweaknessandfear,andinmuchtrembling"(1Cor.2:2-3).ButbythegraceofGodhedidnot flinch.He says, "Ideterminednot toknowanythingamongyou,saveJesusChristandHimcrucified."

Nordid the caseofCorinth standalone.Wherever the greatApostle ofthe Gentiles went, he preached the same doctrine, and put it in theforefront of his preaching. He addressed very different hearers, andpeople of very different minds. But he always used the same spiritualmedicine, whether at Jerusalem, or Antioch in Pisidia, or Iconium, orLystra,orPhilippi,orThessalonica,orBerea,orAthens,orEphesus,orRome. That medicine was the story of the cross and the resurrection.They cropup in all his sermonsandEpistles.Younever go farwithoutcoming across them. Even Festus, the Roman governor, when he tellsAgripPsalmsofPaul'scase,describesitashingingon"OneJesus,whichwasdead,whomPaulaffirmedtobealive"(Acts25:19).

(a)Nowletuslearnforonethingwhatweretheleadingprinciplesofthatreligion, which eighteen centuries ago came forth from Palestine, andturnedtheworldupsidedown.Theveriestinfidelcannotdenytheeffectthat itproducedonmankind.Theworldbeforeand theworldafter the

introduction of Christianity were as different worlds as light anddarkness, night and day. It was Christianity that starved idolatry, andemptied the heathen temples, -- that stopped gladiatorial combats,elevated the position ofwomen, raised thewhole tone ofmorality, andimproved theconditionof childrenand thepoor.Theseare factswhichwemay safely challenge all the enemiesof revealed religion to gainsay.Theyarefactswhichformoneofthegravestdifficultiesofinfidelity.Andwhatdiditall?Not,assomedaretosay,themerepublicationofahighercode of duty, a sort of improved Platonic philosophy, without root ormotive.No!itwasthesimplestoryofthecrossofCalvary,andtheemptysepulchre in the garden, themarvellous death of One "numbered withtransgressors," and the astounding miracle of His resurrection(Isa.53:12). Itwasby tellinghow theSonofGoddied forour sins, androseagainforourjustification,thatApostlesandapostolicmenchangedthe face of the world, gatheredmighty churches, and turned countlessshinersintosaints.

(b) Let us learn, for another thing, what the foundation of our ownpersonal religion must be, if we really want inward, spiritual comfort.ThattheearlyChristianspossessedsuchcomfortisasplainasthesunatnoonday. We read repeatedly in the New Testament of their joy, andpeace, andhope, andpatience, and cheerfulness, and contentment.Weread in ecclesiastical history of their courage and firmness under thefiercestpersecution,oftheiruncomplainingenduranceofsufferings,andtheirtriumphantdeaths.Andwhatwasthemainspringoftheirpeculiarcharacters, -- characters which excited the admiration even of theirbitterestenemies,andpuzzledphilosopherslikePliny?Therecanonlybeonereply.ThesemenhadafirmgaspofthetwogreatfactswhichSt.Paulproclaimed " first" and foremost to the Corinthians, the death andresurrectionof theirgreatHead,JesusChrist theLord.Letusneverbeashamedofwalkingintheirsteps.Itischeapandeasyworktosneerat"dogmatic theology" and old-fashioned creeds andmodes of faith, as ifthey were effete and worn-out things, unfit for this enlightenednineteenth century. But after all, what are the fruits of modernphilosophy,andtheteachingofcoldabstractions,comparedtothefruitsof the despised dogmas of distinctive Christianity? If you want to seepeaceinlife,andhopeindeath,andconsolationfelt insorrow,youwill

neverfindsuchthingsexceptamongthosewhorestonthetwogreatfactsofourtext,andcansay,"IlivebyfaithintheSonofGod,"whodiedformysins,andwasraisedagainformyjustification(Gal.2:20).

II. Letme turn now to another view of the subject before us.We haveseenwhat thetruthswerewhichSt.Paulproclaimed"firstofall" to theCorinthians,andwhatweretheeffectswhichtheyproduced.Letusnowtrytograspandexaminethereasonswhyhewasledtoassignthemsuchaprominentposition.

The inquiry isavery interestingone. I cannothold,withsome, thatSt.Paul adopted this course only because he was commissioned andcommandedtodoso.Ithinkthereasonsliefardeeperthanthis.Thosereasonsaretobesoughtinthenecessitiesandconditionoffallenhumannature. I believe that man's wants could never have been met andsatisfied by any other message than that which St. Paul brought toCorinth;andifhehadnotbroughtit,hewouldhavecomethitherinvain.

For there are three things aboutman in every part of theworldwhichforce themselves on our notice, whenever we sit down to examine hisnature,position,andconstitution.Heisacreaturewithasenseofsinandaccountablenessatthebottomofhisheart---acreaturecontinuallyliabletosorrowandtroublefromhiscradletohisgrave,andacreaturewhohasbefore him the certainty of death, and a future state at last. These arethreegreat factswhichstareus inthefaceeverywhere, inEurope,Asia,Africa,andAmerica.Travelallover theworld,and theymeetyou,bothamong the most highly educated Christians and the most untutoredsavages.Goaboutourowncountry,andstudythefamilylifeofthemostlearnedphilosophersandthemostignorantpeasants.Everywhere,andineveryrankandclass,youwillhavetomakethesamereport.Everywhereyouwillfindthesethreethings,sorrow,death,andthesenseofsin.Andthe position I boldly take up is this, that nothing can be imagined orconceived more admirably suited to meet the wants of human naturethan the very doctrine which St. Paul began with at Corinth -- thedoctrine of Christ dying for our sins and rising again for us from thegrave.

Itfitstheneedsofman,justastherightkeyfitsthelock.

Letme glance for a fewminutes at the three things which I have justnamed,and try to show the strong lightwhich they throwonSt.Paul'schoiceofsubjectswhenhebeganhisministryatCorinth.

(a)Considerfirstandforemost,the,inwardsenseofsinandimperfectionwhichexistsineverymemberofthehumanfamily,moreorless.Igrantfreelythatitdifferswidelyindifferentpersons.Inthousandsofpeopleitseems completely gone, effaced, and dead. Early want of education,customary sin, constant neglect of all religion, habitual indulgence infleshly lusts, --all thesethingshaveawonderfulpowertoblindtheeyeand sear the conscience. But where will you ever find a man, exceptamong high-caste Brahmins, or half-crazy Christian fanatics, who willboldlytellyouthatheisperfectandfaultless,andwhowillnotconfess,ifyoudrivehim intoacorner, thathe isnotexactlywhatheought tobe,and that he knows better than he does? Oh, no! The vast majority ofmankindhaveaconscienceofsin,whicheverynowandthenmakesthemmiserable. The self-imposed austerities of Hindoos, the trembling ofrulerslikeHerodandFelix,areproofsofwhatImean.Whereverthereisa child of Adam, there is a creature that has in his heart of hearts aconsciousnessofguilt,defectiveness,andneed.

Andwhenthissenseofsinisreallyawakened,andstirswithinus,whatcan cure it? That is the grand question. Some talk vaguely of God's"mercy"and"goodness,"thoughutterlyunabletoexplaintheirmeaning,and to showwhat titlemanhas to them.Others flatter themselves thattheirownrepentance,andtears,andprayers,andactiveanddiligentuseof the ceremonials of religion,will bring thempeace.Butwhat child ofAdameverfoundreliefinthisway?Whatmorecertainthantherecordedexperienceof thousands, thatmedicines like theseneverhealed inwardmisgivingsandmentalfears?Nothinghaseverbeenfoundtodogoodtoa sin-strickensoulbut the sightofaDivineMediatorbetweenGodandman,areallivingPersonofalmightypowerandalmightymercy,bearingoursins,sufferinginourstead,andtakingonHimselfthewholeburdenofourredemption.Solongasmanonlylookswithin,andthinkstoeffacethesenseofsinbyvainattemptstoscourandpurifyhisowncharacter,solongheonlyfeelsmorewretchedeveryday.Oncelethimlookwithoutforpeace, to"theManChristJesus"dyingforhissins,andresthissoulon

Him, and he will find, as millions have found in the last eighteencenturies, that he has got the very thing that a wounded conscienceneeds. In short, a believing view of Christ dying for our sins is God'sappointed remedy forman's spiritual need. It is theDivine specific forthatdeadlyplaguewhichinfectsthewholefamilyofAdam,andonceseenand feltmakesmen andwomenmiserable. If Paul hadnot proclaimedthis grand specific atCorinth, hewouldhave shown great ignorance ofhumannature,andbeenaphysicianofnovalue.Andifweministersdonotproclaimit,itisbecauseoureyesaredim,andthereislittlelightinus.

(b) Let us consider, in the next place, the universal liability ofman tosorrow. The testimony of Scripture, "that man is born to trouble," iscontinuallyechoedbythousandswhoknownothingoftheScriptures,butsimplyspeakthelanguageoftheirownexperience.Theworld,nearlyallmen agree, is full of trouble. It is a true saying, thatwe come into lifecrying,andpassthroughitcomplaining,andleaveitdisappointed.OfallGod's creatures, none is so vulnerable as man. Body, and mind, andaffections,andfamily,andproperty,areallliableintheirturntobecomesourcesandavenuesofsorrow.Andfromthisnorankorclasspossessesanyimmunity.Therearesorrowsfortherichaswellasthepoor,forthelearnedaswellastheunlearned,fortheyoungaswellastheold,forthecastle as well as the cottage; and neither wealth, nor science, nor highpositioncanpreventtheirforcingtheirwayintoourhomes,andbreakingin upon us sometimes like an armedman. These are ancient things, Iknow;thepoetsandphilosophersofoldGreeceandRomeknewthemaswellaswedo.Butitiswelltobeputinremembrance.

For what shall best help man to meet and bear sorrow? That is thequestion. Ifour condition is such, since theFall, thatwecannotescapesorrow, what is the surest receipt for making it tolerable? The coldlessonsofStoicismhavenopowerinthem.ResignationandsubmissiontothewillofGodareexcellentthingstotalkabout infineweather.Butwhenthestormstrikesus,andheartsache,andtearsflow,andgapsaremade in our family circle, and friends fail us, andmoneymakes itselfwings,andsickness laysus low,wewantsomethingmore thanabstractprinciples and general lessons. We want a living, personal Friend, a

Friendtowhomwecan turnwith firmconfidence thathecanhelpandfeel.

Now it is justhere, Imaintain, thatSt.Paul'sdoctrineofa risenChristcomesinwithamarvellouspower,andexactlymeetsournecessities.WehaveOne sitting at the righthandofGod, as our sympathizingFriend,whohasallpowertohelpus,andcanbe-touchedwiththefeelingofourinfirmities,evenJesustheSonofGod.Heknowstheheartofamanandallhiscondition,forHeHimselfwasbornofawoman,andtookpartoffleshandblood.Heknowswhatsorrowis,forHeHimselfinthedaysofHisfleshwept,andgroaned,andgrieved.HehasprovedHislovetowardsus by "bearing our manners" for thirty-three years in this world, by athousandactsofkindness,andtenthousandwordsofconsolation,andbyfinally dying for us on the cross. And He took care before He left theworld to say such golden sayings as these, "Let not your heart betroubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me." "I will not leave youcomfortless,Iwillcometoyou.""Ask,andyeshallreceive,thatyourjoymaybefull"(John14:1,18,16:24).Icanimaginenotruthmoresuitedtoman's wants than this. Rules, and principles, and prescriptions, andinstructionsintimesofsorrowareallverywellintheirway;butwhatthehumanheartcravesisapersonalfriendtogoto,totalkto,toleanbackupon,andcommunewith.TherisenChrist,livingandintercedingforusatGod'srighthand,ispreciselythePersonthatweneed.IfSt.PaulhadnotproclaimedHimtotheCorinthians,hewouldhaveleftoneofman'sgreatestwantsunsatisfied.Noreligionwill ever satisfymanwhichdoesnotmeetthelegitimatewantsofhisnature.Teacherswhogivenoplacetoa living risen Christ in their system, must never be surprised if theirweary hearers seek rest at the feet of human priests in the RomishConfessional.

(c) Let us consider, lastly, the certainty of death and its consequences,whicheverychildofAdammustmakeuphismindtofaceoneday.

To say that death is a serious thing, is to utter a very bald andcommonplacetruism.Yetitisastrangefactthatthefamiliarityof6000yearsdoesnotabateonejotofitsseriousness.Theendofeachindividualis still a very momentous circumstance in his history, and most menhonestly confess it. To leave theworld and shut our eyes on all among

whomwehaveplayedourpart, -- to surrenderourbodies,whetherwelikeitornot,tothehumiliationofdisease,decay,andthegraveintobeobliged to drop all our schemes and plans and intentions mall this isseriousenough.Butwhentothisyouaddtheoverwhelmingthoughtthatthere is something beyond the grave, an undiscovered and unknownworld,andanaccountofsomesorttoberenderedofourlifeonearth,thedeathofanymanorwomanbecomesatremendouslyseriousevent.WellmayourgreatpoetShakespeare speakof "thedreadof somethingafterdeath." It is a dreadwhichmany feel farmore than theywould like toconfess. Feware ever satisfiedwithMohamedan fatalism.Not one in athousandwilleverbefoundtobelievethedoctrineofannihilation.

Now at no point do the uninspired religions of the ancients, or thesystemsofmodernphilosophy,breakdownsocompletelyasinthearticleofdeath.TodwellforeverinElysianfields,amidstshadowy,immaterialghosts,was a consummation little valued evenbyHomericheroes.Thevague,rootlesstheoryofsomeundefinedstateofrestafterdeath,where,somehowand insomeway, thesoulsof thegoodand the just, separatefrom their bodies, are to spend an objectless, endless existence is amiserable comforter.Homer, andPlato, andBolingbroke, andVoltaire,andPaineareallalikecheerlessandsilentwhentheylookdownintoanopengrave.

Butjustatthepointwhereallman-madesystemsareweakest,andfailtosatisfy the wants of human nature, there the gospel which St. PaulproclaimedatCorinthisstrongest.ForitshowsusanAlmightySaviourwhonotonlydiedforoursins,andwentdowntothegrave,butalsoroseagain from the gravewithHis body, and proved thatHe had gained avictoryoverdeath. "Now isChrist risen fromthedead,andbecomethefirst-fruitsofthemthatslept."---"Hehasabolisheddeath,andbroughtlifeandimmortalitytolight."--"ThroughdeathHehasdestroyeddeath,and delivered them that through fear of death were all their lifetimesubjecttobondage"(1Cor.15:20;2Tim.1:10;Heb.2:15).

AndthanksbetoGod,thisblessedvictoryoverdeathandthegravehasnotbeenwonbyChristforHimselfalone.ForeighteencenturiesHehasenabled thousandsofChristianmenandwomen,believingand trustingthemselves to Him, to face the king of terrors without fear, and to go

downthevalleyoftheshadowofdeathinthesureandcertainhopethattheywill yet come forth victorious, and in the flesh seeGod. Read thestory of the deaths of the early Christians under heathen persecutions.Mark the dying experience of those who suffered at Oxford andSmithfield,underQueenMary,forProtestantism.Find,ifyoucan,inthewhole range of biography any death-beds of non-Christians which willbearcomparisonwiththedeath-bedsofChristiansinthematterofpeace,andhope,andstrongconsolation.Youmaysearchforeverandnotfindthem. You will find yourself shut up to the conclusion that the oldScripturaltruthofChristdyingandrisingagainisexactlythetruththatfitshumannature,andmusthavecomedownfromGod.This,and thisonly,willenablenaturalmantomeetthelastenemywithoutfear,andtosay, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (1Cor.15:55).

Whatshallwesaytothesethings?Iknowwellthatthehumanheartanditsnecessitiesareadeepandintricatesubject.But,afterstudyingmen'sheartsattentivelyformanyyears,Ihavecometoonedecidedconviction.That conviction is, that the true reasonwhySt.Paulpreached first andforemost what he preached at Corinth, is to be found in his rightknowledgeof thenature,moralcondition,andpositionofman.Hewastaught of God the Holy Ghost that it was the only medicine that wassuitedtothedisease.Whathumannaturerequiresisareligionfordyingsinners, a mighty remedial system and a personal Redeemer; and theworkofChristismarvellouslyfittedtomeetitsrequirements.Wearesickofadeadlysickness,andourfirstwantisalivingphysician.

ItwouldhavebeenworsethanuselessifSt.PaulhadbegunhisworkatCorinth by telling men to be virtuous and moral, while he kept backChrist. It is just asuselessnow. It evendoespositiveharm.Toawakenhuman nature, and then not show it God's spiritual prescription, mayleadtomostmischievousconsequences.Iknownocasesopitiableasthatofthemanwhoseesclearlysin,sorrow,anddeathononeside,anddoesnotseeclearlyChristdyingforsins,andrisingagainforsinners,ontheother.Suchaman is just thepersontosink into flatdespair,or to takerefugeinthedelusivetheologyoftheChurchofRome.Nodoubtwemaysleep the sleep of unconversion for many years, and feel nothing of

spiritual doubts and fears. But once let a man's conscience becomeuneasy, and crave peace, and I knownomedicinewhich can cure him,andkeephimfromsoul-ruiningerror,exceptthe"firstthings"whichSt.PauldeliveredatCorinth,--ImeanthetwodoctrinesofChrist'satoningdeathandresurrection.

Andnowletmewindupthispaperwithsomewordsofadvicetoallwhoreadit.Itisadvicewhichthetimesappeartometodemand.Whocantellbuttosomeoneitmaybeawordinseason?

(a)Letme,then,adviseyoumoststronglynottobeashamedofholdingdecided views about the first things, the foundation truths of religion.Yourlot iscast inadayoffreethought,freehandling,andfreeinquiry.There is a widespread dislike to doctrinal decision and what is calleddogmatism, and none perhaps are so exposed to its influence as theyoking.Thenaturalgenerosity,unsuspiciousness,andloveoffairplay,ofa young man's heart, make him shrink from taking up very positivetheological views, and holding opinions which may even seem to benarrow,party-spirited,orilliberal.Thetemptationofthepresentdayistobecontentwithavagueearnestness,toabstainfromallsharplycutanddistinctviews,tobeanhonorarymemberofallschoolsofthought,andtomaintainthatnomancanbeunsoundinthefaithifheexhibitszealandworkshard.

(b)But, after all, your religionmusthave roots, if it is to live andbearfruit in thiscoldworld. "Earnestness,"and"zeal,"and"work"arebravewords; but, like cut flowers stuck in a garden, they have no power ofcontinuance, if they have no hidden roots below. Admitting to the fullthat there are secondary things in religion, aboutwhich thosewho areyoungmayfairlysuspendtheirjudgmentandwaitforlight,Ichargeyoutorememberthattherearefirstthingsaboutwhichyoumustbedecidedandmakeupyourminds.Youmust,Isay,ifyouwantpeacewithin,anddesire to be useful. And among these first things stand forth likemountainsinaplain,thetwogreattruthswhicharelaiddowninthetextwhich heads this paper, Christ's death for our sins, and Christ'smiraculousresurrection.Grasptightlythesetwogreattruths.Plantyourfeetfirmlyonthem.Feedyourownsoulonthem.Liveonthem.Dieonthem. Never let them go. Strive to be able to say, "I know whom I

believe,"--notwhat,butwhom.I livebyfaith inOnewhodiedforme,and rose again. Be decided about this at any cost, and in due time allothertruthsshallbeaddedtoyou.

(c) Some, it may be, into whose hands this papermay have fallen aregoing forth from the quiet haven of a happy home into the battle andconflictofbusylife.Butwhereveryourlotmaybecast,whetherintownorincountry,whetheramongrichorpoor,Ihopeyouwilltrytodogood.Andrememberonechiefproblemyouwillhavetobecontinuallysolvingishowtohelpsoulswhoarelabouringundertheburdenofsin,crusheddownwith sorrow, or oppressedwith the fear of death.Andwhen thattimecomes,rememberthewordthatIspeaktoyouthisday.--Theonlyway to do good is to walk in St. Paul's steps, and to tell men first,foremost,continually,repeatedly,publicly,andfromhousetohouse,thatJesusChristdiedfortheirsins,roseagainfortheirjustification, livesattherighthandofGodtoreceive,topardon,andtopreserve,andwillsooncome again to give them a glorious resurrection. These are the truthswhichtheHolyGhosthasalwaysblessed,isblessing,andwillblessuntilthe Lord comes. These were St. Paul's "first things." Resolve anddetermine that by God's grace they shall be yours in this generation. IknewamanofGodwhomadeagreatmarkinhisday,whosaidtome,thirty-five years ago, that Jeremiah was pre-eminently a book for thelatterdaysofEngland.TothatopinionIentirelysubscribe.Holdingthatopinion,IaskmyreaderstohearafewwordsaboutthetextwhichIhavechosen.Icommendittoyouasatextforthetimes.Footnotes:

[4] The substance of these pages was originally delivered as a sermonbefore the University of Oxford, in my turn as Select Preacher at St.Mary'sintheyear1830.

Jer.6:16theGoodWay.[5]

"ThussaiththeLord,Standyeintheways,andsee,andaskfortheoldpaths,whereisthegoodway,andwalktherein,andyeshallfindrestforyoursouls."Jer.6:16.

THEbookoftheprophetJeremiahreceivesfrommostChristiansfarlessattentionthanitdeserves.ItisanoteworthyfactthathardlyanyportionofHolyScripture is the subjectof so fewexhaustive commentaries andexpositions.

Ifailtoseethereasonofthiscomparativeneglect.Thebookwaswritten,underGod'sinspiration,byaJewishpriest,atapeculiarcrisis,inthelastdaysofthekingdomofJudah.JeremiahwasGod'smessengertoawickedking,--aworldlyaristocracy,--acorruptpeople,inarottenChurch,andadeadformalpriesthood.Hewarnedhiscountrymenfaithfully,but,likeCassandraofold,hewasnotbelieved.HelivedtoseethecompleteruinofChurchandState,thecityburnt,thetempleofSolomondestroyed,andthepeoplecarried intocaptivity.And, finally, it isaChristian tradition,that, after being dragged into Egypt by the Jewish refugees, who fledthere,hediedthedeathofamartyr.

Irepeatthatthewritingsofsuchaprophetasthisdeservemoreattentionthantheyhavehithertoreceived.

I.Firstofall,youhaveinthistextexcellentgeneraladvice.Jeremiahsaysto you, "Stand, and see, and ask." I take these words to be a call tothought and consideration. They are as though the prophet said, "Stopandthink.Standstill,pause,andreflect.Lookwithin,behind,andbefore.Donothingrashly.Whatareyoudoing?Whereareyougoing?Whatwillbe the end and consequence of your present line of action? Stop andthink."

Now to set men thinking is one great object which every teacher ofreligionshouldalwayskeepbeforehim.Seriousthought,inshort,isoneof the first steps toward heaven. "I thought on my ways," says thePsalmist, "and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies" (Ps.119:59). Theprodigal son in the parable "came to himself" before he came to hisfather. He began to consider quietly the folly and uselessness of hisconduct,andthen,andnottillthen,hereturnedhome,saying,"Father,I

havesinned"(Luke15:18).Wantofthoughtis,intruth,thesimplecausewhymanymake shipwreck for ever. There are but few, I suspect, whodeliberatelyandcalmlychooseevil,refusegood,turntheirbackonGod,andresolvetoservesinassin.Themostpartarewhattheyarebecausetheybegantheirpresentcoursewithoutthought.Theywouldnottakethetrouble to look forwardand consider the consequenceof their conduct.By thoughtless actions they created habits which have become secondnature to them. They have got into a groove now, and nothing but aspecialmiracle of gracewill stop them. That is a solemn chargewhichIsaiahbrings against Israel: "Mypeople dothnot consider" (Isa.1:3). "Inever gave it a thought," is the sad excusewhich I have heardmany amanorwomaninthelowerclassesmakeforsin.ThewordsofHoseaarestrictlytrueofthousands:"Theyconsidernotintheirhearts"(Hos.7:2).

Therearenone,wemustallbeaware,whobringthemselvesintosomuchtroublebywantof thinkingastheyoung.Fromnaturalhighspiritsandignorance of the world, they are always tempted to look only at thepresentandforgetthefuture.Toooftentheymarryinhasteandrepentatleisure,andlayupmiseryforlifebyweddinganuncongenialpartner.Toooftentheychooseinhasteawrongprofessionorbusiness,andfind,aftertwoorthreeyears,thattheyhavemadeanirretrievablemistake,and,ifImayborrowa railwayphrase,havegoton thewrong lineof rails.Esauthoughtonlyofpresentgratification,andsoldhisbirthrightforamessofpottage.Dinahmustneedsgo"toseethedaughtersoftheland,"thinkingnoharm,andendsbylosingherowncharacter,andbringingtroubleonher father's house (Gen.34:1-31). Lot thought only of the presentadvantageofsettlinginthewell-wateredvalleyaroundSodom,andforgottheconsequenceofbeingmingledwithapeoplewhowere"sinnersbeforeGodexceedingly"(Gen.13:13).Allthesefoundtotheircostthefollyofnotconsidering,lookingforward,andthinking.Theysowedtotheflesh,andthey reaped a harvest of sorrow and disappointment, because they didnot"standandsee."

These,nodoubt,areancientthings.Everymiddle-agedpersoncanshakehisheadoverthefoolishnessofyoungpeople,andtellusmournfullythatyou"cannotputoldheadsonyoungshoulders."Buttheyoungarenottheonlypersonswhoneed theexhortationof the text in thisday. It ispre-

eminentlyadvice for the times.Hurry is the characteristicof theage inwhichwelive.Railways,andelectrictelegraphs,andgeneralcompetition,appear to oblige modem Englishmen to live in a constant breathlesswhirl.Oneverysideyouseethemany"drivingfuriously,"likeJehu,afterbusiness or politics. They seem unable to find time for calm, quiet,serious reflection about their souls and aworld to come.TheyhavenoabstractobjectiontothedoctrinesofChristianity,ortotheuseofmeansofgrace,theBible,orprivateprayer.But,alas,theycannotmakeleisureforthem!Theyliveinaperpetualhurry,andinahurrytheytoooftendie.IfevertherewasanageinEnglandwhenJeremiah'sadvicewasneeded,itisnow.Iftheprophetcouldrisefromthedead,Ibelievehewouldcryaloud to the men of the nineteenth century, "Stop, and think, -- lookforward,--stand,andsee."

Letme,asChrist'sminister,impressonallintowhosehandsthesepagesmayfall,theabsolutenecessityofresistingthecurrentoftheage,--theabsolute necessity of making time for your souls. The restless, high-pressure hurry in which men live endangers the very foundations ofpersonal religion. Daily private prayer and daily Bible-reading are toooften jostled intoacorner,andhastilyslurredover.Bodyandmindarewearied out, when Sunday arrives, by the intense struggle of week-daylife. Church services are listlessly attended, and sometimes neglectedaltogether. The temptation to idle away God's day, or to spend it invisitingordiningout,becomesalmostirresistible.Littlebylittlethesoulgetsintoalanguidandrelaxedcondition,andthefineedgeofconsciencebecomesbluntanddull.Andwhy?Simplybecauseintheincessanthurryof business and politics men never find time to think. They are notwilfullyandofpurposeirreligious;buttheygivethemselvesnoleisuretostandstillandtakestockofthestateoftheirsouls.EvenattheendoflastcenturyWilliamWilberforcemadethissorrowfulremarkaboutMr.Pitt,"Hewassoabsorbedinpolitics,thathehadnevergivenhimselftimeforreflectiononreligion"(LifeofWilberforce,p.41.Edition,1872).

I ask every reader of this paper to consider his ways. Beware of theinfectionofthetimes.RemembertheoldSpanishproverb,"Hurrycomesfromthedevil."ResolvebythegraceofGod,ifyoulovelife,thatyouwillhave regular seasons for examining yourself, and looking over the

accounts of your soul. "Stand, and see" where you are going, and howmatters stand between you and God. Beware of perpetual hurriedprayers, hurried Bible-reading, hurried church-going, hurriedcommunions.Communeat leastonceaweekwiththineownheart,andbestill.Cotton,andcoal,andiron,andcorn,andships,andstocks,andland,andgold,andLiberalism,andConservatism,arenottheonlythingsforwhichweweresentintotheworld.Death,andjudgment,andeternityarenotfancies,butsternrealities.Maketimetothinkaboutthem.Standstill,andlookthemintheface.Youwillbeobligedonedaytomaketimetodie,whetheryouarepreparedornot.Thelastenemy,whenheknocksat your door, will brook no delay, and will not wait for a "convenientseason."Hemustbeadmitted,andyouwillhavetogo.Happyishewho,whentheroarofbusinessandpoliticsisdyingawayonhisear,andtheunseenworldisloominglarge,cansay,"IknowwhomIhavebelieved:IhaveoftenstoodandcommunedwithHimbyfaith;andnowIgotoseeasIhavebeenseen."

II.FromthegeneraladvicewhichJeremiahgivesinourtext,Ishallnowpass on to the particular direction which the Lord commands him toaddresstothemenofhisgeneration.Iftheywerereallywillingtolistentohiscounselto"stand,andsee,"andconsidertheirways,thenhebidsthem"askfortheoldpaths."

NowwhatdidJeremiahmeanwhenhespokeofthe"oldpaths"?Ifindnodifficulty in answering that question. I feel no doubt that the phrasemeanttheoldpathsoffaithinwhichthefathersofIsraelhadwalkedfor1300 years, -- the paths of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, -- the paths ofMoses,andJoshua,andSamuel,--thepathsofDavid,andSolomon,andHezekiah,andJehoshaphat,--thepathsinwhichtheruleoflifewastheDecalogue,andtheruleofworshipwasthatelaborate,typical,sacrificialsystemofwhichtheessencewasfaithinthecomingRedeemer.Thatthiswas the standard around which the men of Jeremiah's day weresummonedtorally Ishallneverhesitate tomaintain.Fallenand lowasthespiritualconditionofIsraeloftenwas,betweenthefirstoftheJudgesand the last of the Kings, I fail to see any proof that the TenCommandments and the law of sacrifice were ever dethroned andrepealed.Onthecontrary, Ibelievetheywerehonouredandreveredby

everyJewwhowas"anIsraeliteindeed."InthedarkestdaysoftheKings,Ibelievetherewerealwaysafewwhomournedsecretlyoverthecorruptstateofthenation,and,likeSimeonandAnna,keptthefaithandlongedforbettertimes.Inageneralreturntothe"oldpaths,"andnothingshortofthe"oldpaths,"Jeremiahdeclared,wastheonlyprospectofhopeforthefutureofhiscountrymen.

But is theprinciple laiddownbyJeremiahaprinciplewhichapplied tohis times alone? Nothing of the kind! I am firmly persuaded that onechief medicine for the spiritual diseases of the nineteenth century is aboldandunhesitatinginquiryfor"oldpaths,"olddoctrines,andthefaithofthedaysthatarepast.Error,nodoubt,isoftenveryancient,yettruthisalwaysold.Men'sheartsarejustwhattheywere6000yearsago,andneed the same remedy. God in that long period has used severaldispensations,andeachsucceedingagehasenjoyedmore light.But thefoundation truths have always been the same, and the way by whichsinners have reached heaven has always been one and the same. I sayboldly that theagewantsnothingnew.What itwants isplain,distinct,unflinching teachingabout "theoldpaths."Givemenomodernroadofman'sinvention.Showmewherepatriarchs,andprophets,andApostles,andFathers,andReformerssetdowntheirfeet,obtainedagoodreport,andmadeamarkontheworld."Theoldpathisthegoodway."

Wewant throughoutChristendomareturnto theoldpathsof theearlyChristians.Thefirst followersof theApostles,nodoubt,were, like theirteachers, "unlearned and ignorant men." They had no printed books.Theyhadshortcreeds,andverysimpleformsofworship.IdoubtmuchiftheycouldhavestoodanexaminationintheThirty-nineArticles,ortheCreed of Athanasius, or even in the Church Catechism. But what theyknew they knew thoroughly, believed intensely, and propagatedunhesitatingly, with a burning enthusiasm. They grasped with bothhands, and not with finger and thumb, the Personality, the Deity, theoffices, themediation, the atoningwork, the free and full grace of ourLordJesusChrist,andtheinseparablenecessityofrepentance,faith,andaChristlikelifeofholiness,self-denial,andcharity.Onthesetruthstheylived, and for them they were ready to die. Armed with these truths,without gold to bribe or the sword to compel assent, they turned the

worldupsidedown,confoundedtheGreekandRomanphilosophers,andalteredintwoorthreecenturiesthewholefaceofSociety.Canwemendthese"oldpaths"?Canwe improve themaftereighteencenturies?Doeshumannaturerequireanydifferentmedicine?Ibelievethebonesoftheoldesthumanskeletonthateverwasunearthedarejustlikethebonesofmeninthesedays,andIbelievethemoralnatureandheartsofmen,afterthelapseofages,arejustthesame.Wehadbetteraskforthe"oldpaths."

WewantthroughouttheChurchofEnglandareturntotheoldpathsofourProtestantReformers. Igrant theywereroughworkmen,andmadesome mistakes. They worked under immense difficulties, and deservetenderjudgmentandfairconsideration.Buttheyrevivedoutofthedustgrandfoundationtruthswhichhadbeenlongburiedandforgotten.TheybroughtintojustprominencesuchcardinalveritiesasthesufficiencyandsupremacyofScripture,therightanddutyofprivatejudgment,andfreejustification by faith without the deeds of the law, and without anyordained man or any ceremony interposing between the soul and theSaviour. By embalming those truths in our Articles and Liturgy, byincessantly pressing them on the attention of our forefathers, theychangedthewholecharacterofthisnation,andraisedastandardoftruedoctrineandpractice,which,afterthreecenturies,isapowerintheland,andhasaninsensibleinfluenceonEnglishcharactertothisveryday.Canwemendthese"oldpaths"?ShallweimprovethemeitherbygoingbackbehindtheReformationandincreasingtheceremonialsofreligionontheonehand,orbyadopting lowerviewsof inspirationand theatonementon the other? I doubt it entirely. I believe the men of 300 years agounderstoodtherealwantsofhumannaturebetterthanmanydoin1882.

Of course I am well aware that the "old paths" for which I have beenpleadingarenotpopularinsomequartersatthisday.Infact,theviewsIhavejustpropoundedareindirectantagonismtomuchoftheso-canedwisdom of these times. "Effete systems," "old-world creeds," "fossiltheology," "exploded theories," "worn-out doctrines," "old-fashioneddivinity," and the like phrases, -- who does not know the heavy fire ofsuchlanguagewhichiscontinuallypouredonthe"oldpaths"offaithinsome organs of public opinion, and from some pulpits and platforms?Noveltyistheidoloftheday.Freehandling,enlightenedviews,rational

interpretation,science(socalled)beforetheBible,thesearetheguidingprinciplesofmanyinthisage.Tellthemthatanyreligiousideaisold,andtheyseemtothinkitisprobablyfalse!Tellthemthatitisnew,anditisprobablytrue!

ButIhaveyettolearnthatallnewviewsofreligionarenecessarilybetterthan the old. It is not so in the work of men's hands. I doubt if thisnineteenth century can produce an architect who could design betterbuildings than the Parthenon or Coliseum, or amasonwho could rearfabricswhichwilllastsolong.Itcertainlyisnotsointheworkofmen'sminds.ThucydidesisnotsupersededbyMacaulay,norHomerbyMilton.Why,then,arewetosupposethatoldtheologyisnecessarily inferiortonew?

For,afterall,whenmodernscoffersat "oldpaths"andworn-outcreedshave said their say, there remain some stern facts which can never beexplainedaway,andsomequestionswhichcanonlyreceiveoneanswer.Iaskboldly,Whatextensivegoodhaseverbeendoneintheworld,exceptby the theology of the "old paths"? and I confidently challenge a reply,becauseIknowthatnonecanbegiven.Iaffirm,unhesitatingly,thattherenever has been any spread of the gospel, any conversion of nations orcountries, any successful evangelistic work, excepting by the old-fashioneddistinctdoctrinesoftheearlyChristiansandtheReformers.Iinviteanyopponentofdogmatictheologytonameasingleinstanceofacountry,ortown,orpeople,whichhaseverbeenChristianizedbymerelytellingmenthat"ChristwasagreatmoralTeacher,--thattheymustloveone another, that they must be true, and just, and unselfish, andgenerous,andbrotherly,andhigh-souled,"andthelike.No!no!no!Notone single victory can such teaching showus: not one trophy can suchteachingexhibit.Ithaswroughtnodeliveranceontheearth.ThevictoriesofChristianity,wherevertheyhavebeenwon,havebeenwonbydistinctdoctrinal theology; by telling men of Christ's vicarious death andsacrifice; by showing them Christ's substitution on the cross, and Hispreciousblood;byteachingthemjustificationbyfaith,andbiddingthembelieveona crucifiedSaviour;bypreaching ruinby sin, redemptionbyChrist, regeneration by the Spirit; by lifting up the brazen serpent; bytellingmentolookandlive,--tobelieve,repent,andbeconverted.These

are the "old paths." This, this is the only teaching which for eighteencenturiesGodhashonouredwithsuccess,andishonouringatthepresentday both at home and abroad: Let the teachers of a broad andundogmatictheology,--orthepreachersofthegospelofearnestness,andsincerity, and cold morality, m or the advocates of a ceremonial,sensuous,histrionic,SacramentarianChristianity,--letthem,Isay,showusatthisdayanyEnglishvillage,orparish,orcity,ordistrict,whichhasbeen evangelized, without the distinct doctrinal teaching of the "oldpaths."They cannotdo it, and theyneverwill.There isnogettingoverfacts.Thegoodthatisdoneintheearthmaybecomparativelysmall.Evilmay abound, and ignorant impatience may murmur and cry out thatChristianityhasfailed.But,wemaydependonit, ifwewanttodogoodandshaketheworld,wemustfightwiththeoldapostolicweapons,andsticktothe"oldpaths."

Does any reader doubt the truth of what I am saying, and think I amgoing too far? I ask him to listen for a moment to the two followingarguments,andoverthrowthemifhecan.

Foronething,Ibidhimturntothe livesofall themosteminentsaintswho have adorned the Church of Christ since its great Head left theworld,andsummonthemaswitnesses.Iwillnotwearymyreaderswithlonglistsofnames,forhappilytheyarelegion.LetusexaminetheholiestFathers, and Schoolmen, and Reformers, and Puritans, and Anglicans,andDissenters,andChurchmenofeveryschool,andChristiansgenerallyof everyname, andnation, andpeople, and tongue.Letus search theirdiaries,analyzetheirbiographies,andstudytheirletters.Letusjustseewhatmannerofmentheyhavebeenineveryage,who,bytheconsentofall their contemporaries, have been really holy, and saintly, and good.Wherewillyoufindoneofthemwhodidnotclingtothe"oldpaths"ofsimplefaithintheatonementandsacrificialworkofChrist?whodidnotholdcertaingreatdistinctdoctrinalviews,andliveinthebeliefofthem?Iam satisfied youwill not find one! In their clearness of perception anddegree of spiritual light, in the proportion they have assigned toparticulararticlesof faith, theymayhavedifferedwidely.Intheirmodeof expressing their theological opinions theymay not have agreed. Buttheyhavealwayshadonecommonstampandmark.Theyhavenotbeen

content with vague ideas of "earnestness, and goodness, and sincerity,andcharity."Theyhavehadcertainsystematic,sharply-cut,andpositiveviews of truth. They have known whom they believed, and what theybelieved,andwhytheybelieved.Andsoitalwayswillbe.YouwillneverhaveChristianfruitswithoutChristianroots,whatevernovel-writersmaysay;youwillneverhaveeminentholinesswithoutthe"oldpaths"ofdog-matictheology.

Foranother thing, Ibidhim turn to thedeath-bedsofallwhodiewithsolid comfort and good hope, and appeal to them. There are few of uswhoarenotcalledonoccasionally,aswetravelthroughlife,toseepeoplepassing through thevalleyof theshadowofdeath,anddrawingnear totheirlatterend,andtothose"thingsunseenwhichareeternal."Weallofus know what a vast difference there is in the manner in which suchpeopleleavetheworld,andtheamountofcomfortandhopewhichtheyseemtofeel.CananyofussaythatheeversawapersondieinpeacewhodidnotknowdistinctlywhathewasrestingonforacceptancewithGod,and could only say, in reply to inquiries, that he was "earnest andsincere"?Icanonlygivemyownexperience:Ineversawone.Oh,no!ThestoryofChrist'smoralteaching,andself-sacrifice,andexample,andtheneedofbeingearnest,andsincere,andlikeHim,willneversmoothdowna dying pillow. Christ the Teacher, Christ the great Pattern, Christ theProphet,will not suffice.Wewant somethingmore than this!Wewantthe old, old story of Christ dying for our sins, and rising again for ourjustification.WewantChrist theMediator,Christ theSubstitute,Christthe Intercessor, Christ theRedeemer, in order tomeetwith confidencetheKingofTerrors,andtosay,"Ohdeath,whereisthysting?Ohgrave,whereisthyvictory?"Notafew,Ibelieve,whohavegloriedalltheirlivesin rejecting dogmatic religion, have discovered at last that their "broadtheology"isamiserablecomforter,andthegospelofmere"earnestness"isnogoodnewsatallNotafew,Ifirmlybelieve,couldbenamed,whoatthe eleventh hour have cast aside their favourite, new-fashioned views,havefledforrefugetothe"oldpaths"andthepreciousblood,andlefttheworldwithnootherhopethantheold-fashionedEvangelicaldoctrineoffaith inacrucifiedJesus.Nothing in their life's religionhasgiven themsuchpeaceasthesimpletruthgraspedattheeleventhhour,--

"JustasIam:withoutoneplea,ButthatThybloodwasshedforme,AndthatThoubidstmecometoThee--OLambofGod,Icome."

Surely,whenthisisthecase,wehavenoneedtobeashamedofthe"oldpaths,"andofwalkingtherein.

I ask every reader of this paper to respect the logic of facts. Give thedirectionofJeremiahtheattentionitdeserves.Ifyouoncebegintothinkseriouslyaboutyoursoul,neverbeashamedofaskingfor"theoldpaths,"andwalkinginthem.Yes!donotmerelylookatthemandtalkofthem,but actuallywalk in them. Let no scorn of theworld, let no ridicule ofsmart writers, let no sneer of liberal critics, shake your confidence inthosepaths.Only try them,andyouwill find theyare thegoodway, "awayofpleasantnessandpeace."

III. From Jeremiah's general advice and special directions let me nowturntothepreciouspromisewithwhichourtextconcludes."Walkintheoldpaths,"saiththeLord,"andyeshallfindresttoyoursouls."

IcannotdoubtthatourLordJesusChristhadthesewordsoftheprophetin His mind, when He proclaimed that glorious invitation which is sowisely quoted in our Communion Service: "Come untoMe, all ye thatlabour and are heavy-laden, and Iwill give you rest" (Matt.11:28).Onething,atanyrate, isquitecertain.WhetherundertheOldTestamentortheNew,nothingcouldbeheldouttomanmoresuitabletohisspiritualwantsthan"rest."Walkinthe"oldpaths,"isthepromise,andyoushallhave"rest."

Letitnever,neverbeforgottenthatrestofconscienceisthesecretwantofavastportionofmankind.Sinandthesenseofguiltaretherootofalltheheart-weariness in theworld.Menarenotatease,because theyarenotatpeacewithGod.Menoftenfeeltheirsinfulness,thoughtheyknownot what the feeling really means. They only know there is somethingwrongwithin,buttheydonotunderstandthecause."Whowillshowusany good?" is the universal cry. But there is universal ignorance of thediseasefromwhichthecrysprings.The"labouringandheavy-laden"are

everywhere:theyareamultitudethatmancanscarcelynumber;theyaretobefoundineveryclimate,andineverycountryunderthesun.

Towhatclassdothe labouringandheavy-ladenbelong?Theybelongtoeveryclass:thereisnoexception.Theyaretobefoundamongmastersaswellasamongservants,amongrichaswellasamongpoor,amongkingsaswell asamong subjects, -- among learnedaswell asamong ignorantpeople. In every class you will find trouble, care, sorrow, anxiety,murmuring,discontent,andunrest.Whatdoesitmean?Whatdoesitallcometo?Menare"labouringandheavy-laden,"andwantrest.

Now,restforthelabouringandheavy-ladenisoneofthechiefpromiseswhichtheWordofGodofferstoman,bothintheOldTestamentandtheNew. "Come to me," says the world, "and I will give you riches andpleasure.""Comewithme,"saysthedevil,"andIwillgiveyougreatness,power,andwisdom.""ComeuntoMe,"saystheLordJesusChrist,"andIwill give you rest." "Walk in theoldpaths," says theprophet Jeremiah,"andyoushallfindrestforyoursouls."

ButwhatisthenatureofthatrestwhichtheLordJesuspromisestogive?Itisnomerereposeofbody.

A man may have that, and yet be miserable. You may place him in apalace,andsurroundhimwitheverypossiblecomfort;youmaygivehimmoneyinabundance,andeverythingthatmoneycanbuy;youmayfreehim from all care about to-morrow's bodily wants, and take away theneedoflabouringforasinglehour:allthisyoumaydotoaman,andyetnot give him true rest. Thousands know this only too well by bitterexperience.Theirheartsarestarvinginthemidstofworldlyplenty;theirinward man is sick and weary, while their outward man is clothed inpurpleandfinelinen,andfaressumptuouslyeveryday!Yes:amanmayhavehouses,and lands,andmoney,andhorses,andcarriages,andsoftbeds,andgoodfare,andattentiveservant.%andyetnothavetrue"rest."

TherestthatChristgivesinthe"oldpaths"isaninwardthing.Itisrestofheart,restofconscience,restofmind,restofaffection,restofwill.It isrestfromacomfortablesenseofsinsbeingallforgiven,andguiltallputaway.Itisrestfromasolidhopeofgoodthingstocome,laidupbeyond

the reachof disease, anddeath, and the grave. It is rest from thewell-grounded feeling, that the great business of life is settled, its great endprovidedfor,thatintimealliswelldone,andineternityheavenwillbeourhome.

RestsuchasthistheLordJesusgivestothosewhocometoHiminthe"old paths," by showing themHis own finished work on the cross, byclothingtheminHisownperfectrighteousness,andwashingtheminHisown precious blood. When a man begins to see that the Son of Godactually died for his sins, his soul begins to taste something of inwardquietandpeace.

RestsuchasthistheLordJesusgivestothosewhocometoHiminthe"old paths," by revealing Himself as their ever-living High Priest inheaven,andGodreconciledtothemthroughHim.Whenamanbeanstosee that theSonofGodactually livesat the righthandof theFather tointercede for him, he will begin to feel something of inward quiet andpeace.

RestsuchasthistheLordJesusgivestothosewhocometoHiminthe"oldpaths,"byimplantingHisSpiritintheirhearts,witnessingwiththeirspiritsthattheyareGod'schildren,andthatoldthingsarepassedaway,and all things are become new.When aman begins to feel an inwarddrawing towardsGodasaFather,andasenseofbeinganadoptedandforgivenchild,hissoulbeginstofeelsomethingofquietandpeace.

RestsuchasthistheLordJesusgivestothosewhocometoHiminthe"old paths," by dwelling in their hearts as King, by putting all thingswithin in order, and giving to each faculty its place andwork.When amanbeginstofindorderinhisheartinplaceofrebellionandconfusion,hissoulbeginstounderstandsomethingofquietandpeace.ThereisnotrueinwardhappinessuntilthetrueKingisonthethrone.

Rest such as this is the privilege of all believers in Christ. Some knowmoreofit,andsomeless;somefeelitonlyatdistantintervals,andsomefeelitalmostalways.Fewenjoythesenseofitwithoutmanyabattlewithunbelief,andmanyaconflictwithfear:butallwhotrulycometoChristknow something of this rest. Ask them, with all their complaints and

doubts,whethertheywouldgiveupChristandgobacktotheworld.Youwillgetonlyoneanswer.Weakas theirsenseof restmaybe, theyhavegot hold of somethingwhichdoes themgood, and that something theycannotletgo.

Rest such as this is within reach of all who are willing to seek it andreceiveit.Thepoormanisnotsopoorbuthemayhaveit;theignorantmanisnotsoignorantbuthemayknowit;thesickmanisnotsoweakandhelplessbuthemaygetholdofit.Faith,simplefaith,istheonethingneedfulinordertopossessChrist'srest.FaithinChrististhegrandsecretofhappiness.Neitherpoverty,norignorance,nortribulation,nordistresscanpreventmenandwomenfeelingrestofsoul,iftheywillonlycometoChristandbelieve.

Restsuchasthisisthepossessionwhichmakesmenindependent.Banksmaybreak,andmoneymakeitselfwingsandfleeaway.War,pestilence,andfaminemaybreakinonaland,andthefoundationsoftheearthbeout of course.Health and vigourmay depart, and the body be crusheddownbyloathsomedisease.Deathmaycutdownwife,andchildren,andfriends, until hewho once enjoyed them stands entirely alone. But themanwhohascometoChristbyfaithwillstillpossesssomethingwhichcanneverbetakenfromhim.LikePaulandSilas,hewillsinginprison;likeJob,bereavedofchildrenandproperty,hewillblessthenameoftheLord.Heisthetrulyindependentmanwhopossessesthatwhichnothingcantakeaway.

Restsuchasthisisthepossessionwhichmakesmentrulyrich.Itlasts;itwears; it endures; it lightens the solitary home; it smoothes down thedying pillow; it goeswithmenwhen they are placed in their coffins; itabideswiththemwhentheyarelaidintheirgraves.Whenfriendscannolonger help us, andmoney is no longer of use, --when doctors can nolongerrelieveourpain,andnursescannolongerministertoourwants,whensensebegins to fail, andeyeandear canno longerdo theirduty,then, even then, the "rest"whichChrist gives in the "oldpaths"will beshedabroadintheheartofthebeliever.Thewords"rich"and"poor"willchangetheirmeaningentirelyoneday.HeistheonlyrichmanwhohascometoChristbyfaith,andfromChristhasreceivedrest.

This is the restwhich Jeremiahwas commissioned toproclaim.This isthe restwhichChristoffers togive toallwhoare labouringandheavy-laden;this istherestforwhichHeinvitesthemtocometoHim;this isthe restwhich Iwant all who read this paper to enjoy, and towhich Ibringaninvitationthisday.MayGodgrantthattheinvitationmaynotbebroughtinvain!

(a) And now, before we part, let me ask if there is any reader who isinwardly desiring rest of soul, and yet knows notwhere to turn for it?Rememberthisday,thatthereisonlyoneplacewhererestcanbefound.Governments cannot give it; education will not impart it; worldlyamusementscannotsupplyit;moneywillnotpurchaseit.ItcanonlybefoundinthehandofJesusChrist;andtoHishandyoumustturnifyouwouldfindpeacewithin.

Thereisnoroyalroadtorestofsoul.Letthatneverbeforgotten.ThereisonlyonewaytotheFather,--JesusChrist;onedoorintoheaven,--JesusChrist;andonepathtoheart-peaceandrest,--JesusChrist.Bythatwayall labouring and heavy-laden onesmust go,whatever be their rank orcondition.Kings in theirpalaces,andpaupers in theworkhouse,areallonalevelinthismatter.Allalikemustwalkinthe"oldpaths,"andcometoChrist, if theyfeelsoul-wearyandathirst.Allmustdrinkofthesamefountain,iftheywouldhavetheirthirstrelieved.

YoumaynotbelievewhatIamnowsaying.Timewillshowwhoisrightandwhoiswrong.Goon,ifyouwill,imaginingthattruehappinessistobefoundinthegoodthingsofthisworld.Seekit,ifyouwill,inrevellingandbanqueting,indancingandmerry-making,inracesandtheatres,infield sports and cams. Seek it, if you will, in reading and scientificpursuits, in music and painting, in politics and business. Seek it in around of religious formalities, -- in a perfunctory obedience to therequirements of a ceremonial Christianity. Seek it; but you will neverovertake it, unless you change yourplan.Real heart-rest is never to befoundexceptinthe"oldpaths,"inheart-unionwithJesusChrist.

The Princess Elizabeth, daughter of Charles I., lies buried in NewportChurch, in the Isle of Wight. A marble monument, erected by ourgracious Queen Victoria, records in a touching way themanner of her

death. She languished in Carisbrook Castle during the unhappyCommonwealth wars, a prisoner, alone, and separate from all thecompanions of her youth, until death set her free. Shewas founddeadone daywith her head leaning on her Bible, and the Bible open at thewords,"ComeuntoMe,allyethatlabourandareheavy-laden,andIwillgive you rest." Themonument inNewport Church records this fact. It.consistsofafemalefigurerecliningherheadonamarblebook,withthetextalreadyquotedengravenonthebook.Thinkwhatasermoninstonethatmonumentpreaches!Thinkwhatastandingmemorial itaffordsofthe utter inability of rank and high birth to confer certain happiness!Thinkwhatatestimonyitbearstothelessonbeforeyouthisday,--themightylessonthatthereisnotrue"rest"foranyoneexceptinginChrist!Happywillitbeforyoursoulifthatlessonisneverforgotten!

(b)Butwhoisthereamongthereadersofthispaperthathaswalkedinthe"oldpaths,"andfoundtherestwhichChristgives?WhoistherethathastastedtruepeacebycomingtoHim,andcastinghissoulonHim?Letmeentreatyounevertoleavethe"oldpaths,"andnevertobetemptedtothinkthereisabetterway.StandfastinthelibertywherewithChristhasmadeyou free.Turnnotaside torightor left.Goonto theendofyourdays as you have begun, looking to Jesus and living on Him. Go ondrawingdailyfullsuppliesofrest,peace,mercy,andgracefromthegreatfountain of rest and peace. Remember, that if you live to the age ofMethuselah,youwillneverbeanythingbutapooremptysinner,owingallyouhaveandhopefortoChristalone.

NeverbeashamedoflivingthelifeoffaithinChrist.The"oldpaths"willbearthinkingoftoalleternity.Thewayoftheworldisawaywhichwillnotbearcalmreflectionnow,andofwhichtheendisshameandremorse.Menmayridiculeandmockyou,andevensilenceyouinargument;buttheycannevertakefromyouthefeelingswhichfaithinChristgives.Theycanneverpreventyoufeeling,"IwaswearytillIfoundChrist,butnowIhaverestofconscience.Iwasblind,butnowIsee.Iwasdead,butIamaliveagain.Iwaslost,butIamfound."

Last, but not least, look forward with confidence to a better rest in aworld to come.Yeta little time,andHe that shall comewill come,andwillnottarry.HewillgathertogetherallwhohavebelievedinHim,and

takeHispeopletoahomewherethewickedshallceasefromtroubling,andthewearyshallbeatperfectrest.Heshallgivethemagloriousbody,in which they shall serve Him without distraction, and praise Himwithoutweariness.Heshallwipeawaytearsfromallfaces,andmakeallthingsnew(Isa.25:8).

ThereisagoodtimecomingforallwhohavecometoChristinthe"oldpaths,"andcommittedtheirsoulsintoHiskeeping.Theywillrememberallthewaybywhichtheyhavebeenled,andseethewisdomofeverystepin the way. They will wonder that they ever doubted the kindness andloveoftheirShepherd.Aboveall,theywillwonderthattheycouldlivesolongwithoutHim,andthatwhentheyheardofHimtheycouldhesitateaboutcomingtoHim.

There is a pass in Scotland called Glencroe, which supplies a beautifulillustrationofwhatheavenwillbetothemanwhocomestoChrist.Theroad throughGleneroe carries the traveller up a long and steep ascent,withmanyalittlewindingandmanyalittleturninitscourse.Butwhenthetopofthepassisreached,astoneisseenbythewayside,withthesesimple words engraven on it, "Rest, and be thankful." Those wordsdescribe the feelingswithwhich every onewho comes to Christwill atlengthenterheaven.Thesummitofthenarrowwaywillbewon:weshallcease fromourweary journeying, and sitdown in thekingdomofGod.Weshalllookbackoverallthewayoflifewiththankfulness,andseetheperfect wisdom of every little winding and turn in the steep ascent bywhichwewereled.Weshallforgetthetoilsoftheupwardjourneyinthegloriousrest.HereinthisworldoursenseofrestinChristatbestisfeebleandpartial;but"whenthatwhichisperfectiscome,thatwhichisinpartshallbedoneaway."ThanksbeuntoGod,adayiscomingwhentheendofthe"oldpath"willbereached,andbelieversshallrestperfectly,andbethankful!Footnotes:

[5]ThesubstanceofthispaperwasoriginallypreachedinasermonintheChapelRoyal,Whitehall,intheyear1883.

Acts17:26"OneBlood."[6]

THISisaveryshortandsimpletext,andevenachildknowsthemeaningofitswords.Butsimpleasitis,itsuppliesfoodformuchthought,anditformspartofaspeechdeliveredbyagreatmanonagreatoccasion.

Thespeaker is theApostleof theGentiles,St.Paul.Thehearersare thecultivated men of Athens, and specially the Epicurean and Stoicphilosophers.Theplace isMars'Hill atAthens, in full viewof religiousbuildingsandstatues,ofwhicheventheshatteredremainsareamarvelofartatthisday.Neverperhapsweresuchaplace,suchaman,andsuchan audience brought together! Itwas a strange scene. And howdid St.Paulusetheoccasion?WhatdidthisJewishstranger, thismemberofadespisednation, coming fromanobscurecornerofAsia, this littlemanwhose"bodilypresencewasweak,"andveryunliketheidealfigureinoneofRaphael'scartoons,whatdoeshesaytotheseintellectualGreeks?

HetellsthemboldlytheunityofthetrueGod.ThereisonlyoneGod,themakerofheavenandearth,andnotmanydeities,ashishearersseemtothink,aGodwhoneedednotemplesmadewithhands,andwasnottoberepresentedbyimagesmadeofwoodormetalorstone.

Standing in front of the stately Parthenon and the splendid statue ofMinerva,hesetsbeforehisrefinedhearerstheignorancewithwhichtheyworshipped, the folly of idolatry, the coming judgment of allmankind,thecertaintyofaresurrection,andtheabsoluteneedofrepentance.Andnot least, he tells the proud men of Athens that they must not flatterthemselvesthattheyweresuperiorbeings,astheyvainlysupposed,madeof finerclay,andneeding less thanother racesofmen.No!hedeclaresthat"Godhasmadeofonebloodallnations."Thereisnodifference.Thenature,theneeds,theobligationtoGodofallhumanbeingsontheglobeareoneandthesame.

Ishallsticktothatexpression"oneblood,"andconfinemyselfentirelytoit.Iseeinitthreegreatpoints,--

1.Apointoffact;

2.Apointofdoctrine;

3.Apointofduty.

Letmetrytounfoldthem.

I. In the first place comes the point of fact. We are all made "of oneblood."ThentheBibleaccountoftheoriginofmanistrue.TheBookofGenesis is right. The whole family of mankind, with all its thousandmillions,hasdescendedfromonepair--fromAdamandEve.

Thisisahumblingfact,nodoubt;butitistrue.Kingsandtheirsubjects,richandpoor, learnedandunlearned,prince andpauper, the educatedEnglishmanandtheuntutored,thefashionableladyattheWestEndofLondon and the North American squaw, -- all, all might trace theirpedigree, if they could trace it through sixty centuries, to oneman andonewoman.Nodoubtinthevastperiodofsixthousandyearsimmensevarietiesof raceshavegraduallybeendeveloped.Hotclimatesandcoldclimates have affected the colour and physical peculiarities of nations.Civilization and culture have produced their effect on the habits,demeanour,andmentalattainmentsoftheinhabitantsofdifferentpartsof the globe. Some of Adam's children in the lapse of time have beengreatlydegraded,andsomehavebeenraisedandimproved.Butthegreatfactremainsthesame.ThestorywrittenbyMosesistrue.Allthedwellersin Europe, Asia, Africa, andAmerica originally sprang fromAdam andEve.Wewereall"madeofoneblood."

NowwhydoIdwellonallthis?IdoitbecauseIwishtoimpressonthemindsofmyreaders theplenary inspirationanddivineauthorityof theBookofGenesis.Iwantyoutoholdfasttheoldteachingabouttheoriginofman,andtorefusesteadilytoletitgo.

Ineedhardlyremindyouthatyouliveinadayofaboundingscepticismand unbelief. Clever writers and lecturers are continually pouringcontemptontheOldTestamentScriptures,andespeciallyontheBookofGenesis.Thecontentsofthatvenerabledocument,wearefrequentlytold,

arenot tobereadas realhistorical facts,butas fictionsand fables.Weare not to suppose thatAdam andEvewere the onlyman andwomanoriginally created, and that all mankind sprang from one pair.We arerather to believe that different races of humanbeings have been calledintoexistence indifferentpartsof theglobe,atdifferent times,withoutanyrelationshiptooneanother.Inshort,wearecoollyinformedthatthenarrativesinthefirsthalfofGenesisareonlypleasingOrientalromances,andarenotrealitiesatall!Now,whenyouhearsuchtalkasthis,Ichargeyounottobemovedorshakenforamoment.Standfastintheoldpathsof the faith, and especially about the origin ofman. There is abundantevidence that Moses is right, and those who impugn his veracity andcredibilityarewrong.Wearealldescendedfromonefallenfather.Weare"allofoneblood."

Itwouldbe easy to show, if the limitsof thispaperpermitted, that theoldest traditionsofnationsallover theglobeconfirmtheaccountgivenby Moses in the most striking manner. Geikie, in his Hours with theBible,hasbriefly shown that the storyof the firstpair, the serpent, thefall,theflood,andthearkarefoundcroppingupinoneformoranotherinalmosteverypartofthehabitableworld.Butthestrongestproofofourcommonorigin is tobe found in thepainfuluniformityofman'smoralnature,whateverbethecolourofhisskin.Gowhereyouwillontheglobe,and observe whatmen and women are everywhere. Go to the heart ofAfricaorChina,ortotheremotestislandofthePacificOcean,andmarktheresultofyour investigations. Iboldlyassert thateverywhere,and ineveryclimate, youwill find themoralnatureof thehumanraceexactlythesame.Everywhereyouwillfindmenandwomenarenaturallywicked,corrupt, selfish, proud, lazy, deceitful, godless, -- servants of lusts andpassions.AndIcontendthatnothingcanreasonablyaccountforthisbutthefirstthreechaptersofGenesis.Wearewhatwearemorally,becausewehave sprung fromoneparent, andpartakeofhisnature.Weare alldescendantsofonefallenAdam,andinAdamwealldied.Mosesisright.Weareallof"oneblood."

Afterall,ifdoubtremainsinanyman'smind,andhecannotquitebelievethenarrativesofGenesis,IaskhimtorememberwhatadeadlyblowhisunbeliefstrikesattheauthorityoftheNewTestament.Itiseasyworkto

point out difficulties in the first book of theBible; but it is not easy toexplain away the repeated endorsement which Genesis receives fromChrist and the Apostles. There is no getting over the broad fact thatcreation,theserpent,thefall,CainandAbel,Enoch,Noah,theflood,theark, Abraham, Lot, Sodom and Gomorrah, Isaac, Jacob, Esau, are allmentioned in the New Testament as historical things or historicalpersons.What shall we say to this fact?Were Christ and the Apostlesdeceived and ignorant? The idea is absurd. Did they dishonestlyaccommodatethemselvestothepopularviewsof theirhearers, inorderto procure favour with them, knowing all the time that the things andpersons theyspokeofwere fictitious,andnothistoricalatall?Theveryideaiswickedandprofane.Weareshutuptooneconclusion,andIseeno alternative. If you give up theOldTestament, youmust give up theNew also. There is no standing-ground between disbelief of thesupernatural narratives of Genesis and disbelief of the gospel. If youcannotbelieveMoses,yououghtnottotrustChristandtheApostles,whocertainlydidbelievehim.AreyoureallywiserthantheLordJesusChristorSt.Paul?Doyouknowbetterthanthey?Castsuchnotionsbehindyourback. Stand firm on the old foundation, and be not carried away bymoderntheories.Andasagreatcornerstone,placebeneathyourfeetthefactofourtext, thecommonoriginofallmankind."Weareallmadeofoneblood."

II. From the point of fact in our text I now pass on to the point ofdoctrine.Areweallof"oneblood"?Thenweallneedoneandthesameremedyforthegreatfamilydiseaseofoursouls.ThediseaseIspeakofissin.Weinherititfromourparents,anditisapartofournature.Wearebornwithit,whethergentleorsimple,learnedorunlearned,richorpoor,as children of fallen Adam, with his blood in our veins. It is a diseasewhich grows with our growth and strengthens with our strength, andunlesscuredbeforewedie,willbethedeathofoursouls.

Now,whatistheonlyremedyforthisterriblespiritualdisease?Whatwillcleanseusfromtheguiltofsin?Whatwillbringhealthandpeacetoourpoordeadhearts,andenableustowalkwithGodwhilewelive,anddwellwithGodwhenwedie?TothesequestionsIgiveashortbutunhesitatingreply.For theoneuniversal soul-diseaseofallAdam's children there is

onlyone remedy.That remedy is "thepreciousbloodofChrist."To thebloodofAdamweowethebeginningofourdeadlyspiritualailment.TothebloodofChristalonemustwealllookforacure.

When I speak of the "blood of Christ," my readers must distinctlyunderstand that I do notmean the literalmaterial bloodwhich flowedfromHishandsandfeetandsideasHehungonthecross.Thatblood,Idoubtnot,stainedthefingersofthesoldierswhonailedourLordtothetree;butthereisnottheslightestproofthatitdidanygoodtotheirsouls.IfthatbloodwerereallyintheCommunioncupattheLord'sSupper,assome profanely tell us, and we touched it with our lips, such merecorporeal touch would avail us nothing. Oh no! When I speak of the"blood"ofChristasthecureforthedeadlyailmentwhichweall inheritfromthebloodofAdam,Imeanthelife-bloodwhichChristshed,andtheredemptionwhichChristobtainedforsinnerswhenHediedforthemonCalvary, -- the salvation which He procured for us by His vicarioussacrifice,--thedeliverancefromtheguiltandpowerandconsequencesofsin,whichHe purchasedwhenHe suffered as our Substitute. This andthis only is what I mean when I speak of "Christ's blood" as the onemedicine needed by all Adam's children. The thing thatwe all need tosaveusfrometernaldeathisnotmerelyChrist'sincarnationandlife,butChrist'sdeath.Theatoning "blood"whichChrist shedwhenHedied, isthegrandsecretofsalvation.ItisthebloodofthesecondAdamsufferinginourstead,whichalonecangivelifeorhealthandpeacetoallwhohavethefirstAdam'sbloodintheirveins.

I can find no words to express my deep sense of the importance ofmaintaining inourChurchthetruedoctrineof thebloodofChrist.Oneplagueofourageisthewidespreaddisliketowhatmenarepleasedtocalldogmatictheology.Intheplaceofit,theidolofthedayisakindofjelly-fish Christianity, -- a Christianity without bone, or muscle, or sinew,without any distinct teaching about the atonement or the work of theSpirit, or justification, or theway of peacewithGod, -- a vague, foggy,mistyChristianity,ofwhichtheonlywatchwordsseemtobe,"Youmustbe earnest, and real, and true, andbrave, and zealous, and liberal, andkind. Youmust condemnnoman's doctrinal views. Youmust considereverybody is right, and nobody is wrong." And this Creedless kind of

religion,weareactuallytold,istogiveuspeaceofconscience!Andnottobesatisfiedwithitinasorrowful,dyingworld,isaproofthatyouareverynarrow-minded!Satisfied, indeed!Suchareligionmightpossiblydo forunfallenangels.Buttotellsinful,dyingmenandwomen,withthebloodofour fatherAdam in their veins, tobe satisfiedwith it, is an insult tocommon sense, and amockery of our distress.We need something farbetterthanthis.WeneedthebloodofChrist.

WhatsaiththeScriptureabout"thatblood"?Letmetrytoputmyreadersinremembrance.DowewanttobecleanandguiltlessnowinthesightofGod?Itiswrittenthat"thebloodofJesusChristcleansethfromallsin;"--that"itjustifies;"that"itmakesusnightoGod;"that"throughitthereis redemption, even the forgiveness of sin;" that it "purges theconscience;"that"itmakespeacebetweenGodandman;"--thatitgives"boldness to enter into the holiest." Yes! it is expressly written of thesaintsinglory,that"theyhadwashedtheirrobes,andmadethemwhitein the blood of the Lamb," and that they had "overcome their souls'enemies by the blood of the Lamb" (1 John 1:7; Col.1:20; Heb.10:19;Eph.1:7; Heb.9:14; Eph.2:13; Rom.5:9; Rev.7:14).Why, in the name ofcommonsense,iftheBibleisourguidetoheaven,whyarewetorefusetheteachingoftheBibleaboutChrist'sblood,andturntootherremediesfor the great common soul-disease of mankind? If, besides this, thesacrificesof theOldTestamentdidnotpoint to the sacrificeofChrist'sdeath on the cross, theywere useless, unmeaning forms, and the outercourtsoftabernacleandtemplewerelittlebetterthanshambles.Butif,asIfirmlybelieve,theyweremeanttoleadthemindsofJewstothebettersacrificeofthetrueLambofGod,theyaffordunanswerableconfirmationof thepositionwhichImaintain thisday.Thatposition is, that theone"bloodofChrist"isthespiritualmedicineforallwhohavethe"onebloodofAdam"intheirveins.

Doesanyreaderofthispaperwanttodogoodintheworld?Ihopethatmanydo.HeisapoorstyleofChristianwhodoesnotwishto leavetheworldbetter,whenheleavesit,thanitwaswhenheenteredit.Taketheadvice I give you this day. Beware of being contentwith half-measuresandinadequateremediesforthegreatspiritualdiseaseofmankind.Youwillonly labour invain ifyoudonotshowmenthebloodof theLamb.

LikethefabledSisyphus,howevermuchyoustrive,youwillfindthestoneever rolling back upon you. Education, teetotalism, cleaner dwellings,popular concerts, blue ribbon leagues, white cross armies, pennyreadings,museums,allareverywellintheirway;buttheyonlytouchthesurface ofman's disease: they do not go to the root. They cast out thedevil for a little season; but they do not fill his place, and prevent himcomingbackagain.NothingwilldothatbutthestoryofthecrossappliedtotheconsciencebytheHolyGhost,andreceivedandacceptedbyfaith.Yes!itisthebloodofChrist,notHisexampleonly,orHisbeautifulmoralteaching,butHisvicarioussacrificethatmeetsthewantsofthesoul.NowonderthatSt.Petercallsit"precious."Preciousithasbeenfoundbytheheathenabroad,andbythepeerandthepeasantathome.Preciousitwasfoundonadeath-bedbythemightytheologianBengel,bytheunweariedlabourer John Wesley, by the late Archbishop Longley, and BishopHamiltoninourowndays.Mayiteverbepreciousinoureyes!Ifwewanttodogood,wemustmakemuchofthebloodofChrist.Thereisonlyonefountainthatcancleanseanyone'ssin.ThatfountainisthebloodoftheLamb.

III.Thethirdandlastpointwhicharisesoutofourtextisapointofduty.Areweallof"oneblood"?Thenweoughttoliveasifwewere.Weoughtto behave as members of one great family. We ought to "love asbrethren." We ought to put away from us anger, wrath, malice,quarrelling,asspeciallyhatefulinthesightofGod.Weoughttocultivatekindness and charity towards all men. The dark-skinned African , thedirtiest dweller in some vile slum of London, has a claim upon ourattention.Heisarelativeandabrother,whetherweliketobelieveitornot.Likeourselves,he isadescendantofAdamandEve,andinheritsafallennatureandanever-dyingsoul.

NowwhatareweChristiansdoingtoprovethatwebelieveandrealizeallthis?Whatarewedoingforourbrethren?Itrustwedonotforgetthatitwas wicked Cain who asked that awful question, "Am I my brother'skeeper?"(Gen.4:9).

Whatarewedoingfortheheathenabroad?Thatisagravequestion,andonewhichIhavenoroomtoconsiderfully.Ionlyremarkthatwedofarlessthanweoughttodo.Thenationwhoseproudboastitisthatherflag

istobeseenineveryportontheglobe,giveslesstothecauseofforeignmissionsthanthecostofasinglefirst-classironcladman-of-war.

But what are we doing for the masses at home? That is a far graverquestion,andonewhich imperiouslydemandsareply.Theheathenareout of sight and out ofmind.TheEnglishmasses are hardby our owndoors, and their condition is a problem which politicians andphilanthropists are anxiously trying to solve, and which cannot beevaded. What are we doing to lessen the growing sense of inequalitybetween rich and poor, and to fill up the yawning gulf of discontent?Socialism, and communism, and confiscation of property are loominglargeinthedistance,andoccupyingmuchattentioninthepress.Atheismand secularism are spreading fast in some quarters, and specially inovergrownandneglectedparishes,Nowwhatisthepathofduty?

I answer without hesitation, that we want a larger growth of brotherlylove inthe land.Wewantmenandwomentograspthegreatprinciple,thatweareallof"oneblood,"andtolaythemselvesouttodogood.Wewant the rich to care more for the poor, and the employer for theemployed, and wealthy congregations for the working-classcongregations in the great cities, and theWest End of London to caremorefortheEastandtheSouth.And,letusremember, it isnotmerelytemporal relief that is wanted. The Roman emperors tried to keep theproletarians and the lower classesquiet by the gamesof the circus andlargessesofcorn.AndsomeignorantmodernBritonsseemtothinkthatmoney,cheapfood,gooddwellings,andrecreationarehealingmedicinesfortheevilsofourdayintheloweststratumofsociety.It isacompletemistake.Whatthemasseswantismoresympathy,morekindness,morebrotherlylove,moretreatmentasiftheywerereallyof"oneblood"withourselves.Givethemthat.,andyouwillfilluphalfthegulfofdiscontent.

It is a common saying in this day, that the working classes have noreligion, that they are alienated from the Church of England, that theycannotbebroughttochurch,andthatitishopelessanduselesstotrytodothemgood.Ibelievenothingofthekind.Ibelievetheworkingclassesarenotonejotmoreopposedtoreligionthanthe"uppertenthousand,"andthattheyarejustasopentogoodinfluences,andevenmorelikelytobesavediftheyareapproachedintherightway.Butwhattheydolikeis

to be treated as "one blood," andwhat iswanted is a great increase ofsympathyandpersonalfriendlydealingwiththem.

I confess that I have immense faith in the power of sympathy andkindness.IbelievethelateJudgeTalfourdhittherightnailontheheadwhen he said, in almost his last charge to a Grand Jury at StaffordAssizes,"Gentlemen,thegreatwantoftheageismoresympathybetweenclasses." Ientirelyagreewithhim; I thinkan increaseof sympathyandfellow-feeling between high and low, rich and poor, employer andemployed, parson and people, is one healing medicine which the agedemands.Sympathy,exhibitedinitsperfection,wasonesecondarycauseoftheacceptancewhichChrist'sgospelmetwithonitsfirstappearanceintheheathenworld.WellsaysLordMacaulay,"ItwasbeforeDeitytakingahumanform,walkingamongmen,partakingoftheirinfirmities,leaningon their bosoms,weeping over their graves, slumbering in themanger,bleeding on the cross, that the prejudices of the synagogue, and thedoubts of the academy, and the fasces of the lictor, and the swords ofthirtylegions,werehumbledinthedust."Andsympathy,Ifirmlybelieve,candoasmuchinthenineteenthcenturyasitdidinthefirst.Ifanythingwillmeltdownthecoldisolationofclassesintheselatterdays,andmakeour social body consist of solid cubes compacted together, instead ofspheresonlytouchingeachotheratonepoint,itwillbealargegrowthofChristlikesympathy.

NowIassertconfidentlythattheEnglishworkingmanispeculiarlyopento sympathy. The workingmanmay live in a poor dwelling; and aftertoiling all day in a coal pit, or cottonmill, or iron foundry, or dock, orchemicalworks,hemayoftenlookveryroughanddirty.Butafterall,heisfleshandbloodlikeourselves.Beneathhisoutwardroughnesshehasaheartandaconscience,akeensenseofjustice,andajealousrecollectionofhis rightsasamanandaBriton.Hedoesnotwant tobepatronizedandflattered,anymorethantobetrampledon,scolded,orneglected;buthe does like to be dealt with as a brother, in a friendly, kind, andsympathizingway.Hewiltnotbedriven;hewilldonothing for a cold,hardman,howevercleverhemaybe.ButgivehimaChristianvisitortohis home who really understands that it is the heart and not the coatwhichmakestheman,andthattheguinea'sworthisinthegold,andnot

in the stamp upon it. Give him a visitor who will not only talk aboutChrist, but sit down in his house, and take him by the hand in aChristlike, familiar way. Give him a visitor, and specially a clergyman,whorealizesthat inChrist'sholyreligionthereisnorespectofpersons,thatrichandpoorare"madeofoneblood,"andneedoneandthesameatoningblood,andthatthere isonlyoneSaviour,andoneFountainforsin, and one heaven, both for employers and employed. Give him aclergymanwhocanweepwiththemthatweep,andrejoicewiththemthatrejoice,and feela tender interest in thecares,and troubles,andbirths,andmarriages,anddeathsofthehumblestdwellerinhisparish.Givetheworkingman,Isay,aclergymanofthatkind,and,asageneralrule,theworking man will come to his church, and not be a communist or aninfidel.Suchaclergymanwillnotpreachtoemptybenches.

How little, after all, do most people seem to realize the supremeimportanceofbrotherlyloveandtheabsolutenecessityofimitatingthatblessedSaviourwho "went aboutdoing good" to all, ifwewouldproveourselvesHisdiscipleslIfevertherewasatimewhenconductlikethatofthegoodSamaritanintheparablewasrare,itisthetimeinwhichwelive.Selfishindifferencetothewantsofothersisapainfulcharacteristicoftheage.Searchthelandinwhichwelive,fromtheIsleofWighttoBerwick-on-Tweed,andfromtheLand'sEndtotheNorthForeland,andname,ifyoucan,asinglecountyortowninwhichthegiverstogoodworksarenota smallminority,and inwhichphilanthropicandreligiousagenciesarenot kept going, only and entirely, by painful begging and constantimportunity.Gowhereyouwill,thereportisalwaysthesame.Hospitals,missions at home and abroad, evangelistic and educational agencies,churches, chapels, and mission halls,- all are incessantly checked andhinderedbywantofsupport.WherearetheSamaritans,wemaywellask,inthislandofBiblesandTestaments?WherearetheChristianswholiveas if we are "all of one blood "? Where are the men who love theirneighbours,andwillhelp toprovide fordyingbodiesandsouls?Whereare the people always ready and willing to give unasked, and withoutaskinghowmuchothershavegiven?Millionsareannuallyspentondeerforests,andmoors,andhunting,andyachting,andracing,andgambling,and balls, and theatres, and dressing, and pictures, and furniture, andrecreation. Little, comparatively, ridiculously little, is given or done for

thecauseofChrist.Amiserableguineasubscriptiontoooftenisthewholesum bestowed by some Croesus on the bodies and souls of his fellow-men.Theveryfirstprinciplesofgivingseemlostandforgotteninmanyquarters.Peoplemustbebribedandtemptedtocontributebybazaars,aschildreninbadly-managedfamiliesarebribedandtemptedtobegoodbysugar-plums! They must not be expected to give unless they getsomethinginreturn!AndallthisgoesoninacountrywherepeoplecallthemselvesChristians,andgotochurch,andgloryinornateceremonials,andhistrionicrituals,andwhatarecalled"heartyservices,"andprofesstobelieve theparableof theGoodSamaritan. I fear therewill be a sadwakingupatthelastday.

Where,afterall,tocometotherootofthematter,whereisthatbrotherlylovewhichusedtobethedistinguishingmarkoftheprimitiveChristians?Where,amidstthedinofcontroversyandfuriousstrifeofparties,whereis the fruit of the Holy Spirit and the primary mark of spiritualregeneration?Whereisthatcharity,withoutwhichwearenobetterthan"soundingbrassandtinklingcymbals"?Whereisthecharitywhichisthebondofperfectness?Where is that lovebywhichourLorddeclaredallmen should know His disciples, and which St. John said was thedistinction between the children of God and the children of the devil?Where is it, indeed? Read in the newspapers the frightfully violentlanguage of opposing politicians. Mark the hideous bitterness ofcontroversialtheologians,bothinthepressandontheplatform.Observethe fiendish delight with which anonymous letter-writers endeavour towoundthefeelingsofopponents,andthentopourvitriolintothewound.Look at all this ghastly spectaclewhich any observing eyemay see anydayinEngland.Andthenrememberthatthisisthecountryinwhichmenare reading theNewTestament and professing to followChrist, and tobelieve that they are all of "one blood." Can anything more grosslyinconsistentbeconceived?Cananythingbe imaginedmoreoffensive toGod?Truly, it isastonishingthatsuchmyriadsshouldbesokeenaboutChristian profession and external worship, and yet so utterly carelessaboutthesimplestelementsofChristianpractice.Wherethereisnolovethere isno spiritual life.Withoutbrotherly love, althoughbaptized andcommunicants,menaredeadintrespassesandsins.

I shallwindup all I have to say on thepoint of duty by remindingmyreaders of the solemn words which St. Matthew records to have beenspokenbyourLordinthetwenty-fifthchapterofhisGospel.Inthegreatand dreadful day of judgment, when the Son of man shall sit on thethrone of His glory, there are some to whomHe will say, "Depart, yecursed, intoeverlastingfire,preparedforthedevilandHisangels: forIwasanhungered,andyegaveMenomeat:Iwasthirsty,andyegaveMenodrink:Iwasastranger,andyetookMenotin:naked,andyeclothedMenot;sick,and inprison,andyevisitedMenot.Thenshall theyalsoanswerHim,saying,Lord,whensawweTheeanhungered,orathirst,ora stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister untoThee? Then shall He answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you,Inasmuchasyediditnottooneoftheleastofthese,yediditnottoMe"(Matt.25:41-46).

IdeclareIknowveryfewpassagesofScripturemoresolemnandheart-searching than this. It is not charged against these unhappy lost souls,thattheyhadcommittedmurder,adultery,ortheft,orthattheyhadnotbeenchurch-goersor communicants.Oh,no!nothingof thekind.Theyhadsimplydonenothingatall.Theyhadneglected lovetoothers.Theyhadnottriedtolessenthemisery,orincreasethehappiness,ofthissin-burdenedworld. Theyhad selfishly sat still, doneno good, andhadnoeyes to see,orhearts to feel, for theirbrethren themembersofAdam'sgreatfamily.Andsotheirendiseverlastingpunishment!Ifthesewordscannotsetsomepeoplethinkingwhentheylookatthestateofthemassesinsomeofourlargetowns,nothingwill.

And now I shall close this paper with three words of friendly advice,whichIcommendto theattentionofallwhoread it.Theyarewords inseason for the days in which we live, and I am sure they are worthremembering.

(a)Firstandforemost,IchargeyounevertogiveuptheolddoctrineoftheplenaryinspirationofthewholeBible.Holditfast,andneverletitgo.Letnothingtemptyoutothinkthatanypartofthegrandoldvolumeisnot inspired,or thatanyof itsnarratives,andespecially inGenesis,arenottobebelieved.Oncetakeupthatground,andyouwill findyourselfon an inclined plane.Wellwill it be if you do not slip down into utter

infidelity! Faith's difficulties no doubt are great; but the difficulties ofscepticismarefargreater.

(b)Inthenextplace,IchargeyounevertogiveuptheolddoctrineofthebloodofChrist,thecompletesatisfactionwhichthatatoningbloodmadefor sin, and the impossibility of being saved except by that blood. Letnothingtemptyoutobelievethat it isenoughto lookat theexampleofChrist, or to receive the sacrament which Christ commanded to bereceived, and which many nowadays worship like an idol. When youcometoyourdeathbed,youwillwantsomethingmorethananexampleandasacrament.TakeheedthatyouarefoundrestingallyourweightonChrist'ssubstitutionforyouonthecross,andHisatoningblood,oritwillbebetterifyouhadneverbeenborn.

(c)Lastbutnotleast,Ichargeyounevertoneglectthedutyofbrotherlylove, and practical, active, sympathetic kindness towards every onearoundyou,whetherhighor low,or richorpoor.Trydaily todo somegooduponearth,andtoleavetheworldabetterworldthanitwaswhenyou were born. If you are really a child of God, strive to be like yourFatherandyourgreatelderBrotherinheaven.ForChrist'ssake,donotbecontenttohavereligionforyourselfalone.Love,charity,kindness,andsympathy are the truest proofs that we are real members of Christ,genuinechildrenofGod,andrightfulheirsofthekingdomofheaven.

Of"oneblood"wewereallborn.In"oneblood"weallneedtobewashed.ToallpartakersofAdam's"oneblood"wearebound,ifwelovelife,tobecharitable, sympathizing, loving, and kind. The time is short. We aregoing,going,andshallsoonbegonetoaworldwherethereisnoeviltoremedy,andnoscopeforworksofmercy.ThenforChrist'ssakeletusalltrytodosomegoodbeforewedie,andtolessenthesorrowsofthissin-burdenedworld.Footnotes:

[6]ThesubstanceofthispaperwaspreachedasasermonattheChapelRoyal,St.James's,London,onMarch2,1884.

John7:37-38."LetanyManCome."[7]

"Inthelastday,thatgreatdayofthefeast,Jesusstoodandcried,saying,Ifanymanthirst,lethimcomeuntoMe,anddrink.HethatbelievethonMe,astheScripturehathsaid,outofhisbellyshall flowriversof livingwater."--John7:37-38.

THEtextwhichheadsthispapercontainsoneofthosemightysayingsofChrist which deserve to be printed in letters of gold. All the stars inheavenarebright andbeautiful; yet evena child can see that "one stardiffereth from another in glory" (1 Cor.15:41). All Scripture is given byinspiration of God; but that heartmust indeed be cold and dull whichdoesnotfeelthatsomeversesarepeculiarlyrichandfull.Ofsuchversesthistextisone.

Inordertoseethewholeforceandbeautyofthetext,wemustremembertheplace,thetime,andoccasionwhenitcomesin.

The place, then, was Jerusalem, the metropolis of Judaism, and thestronghold of priests and scribes, of Pharisees and Sadducees. -- Theoccasion was the feast of tabernacles, one of those great annual feastswheneveryJew,ifhecould,wentuptothetemple,accordingtothelaw.--Thetimewas"thelastdayofthefeast,"whenall theceremoniesweredrawing to a close,when thewater drawn from the fountain of Siloamhad been solemnly poured on the altar, and nothing remained forworshippersbuttoreturnhome.

At this critical moment our Lord Jesus Christ "stood" forward on aprominentplace,andspoketotheassembledcrowds.IdoubtnotHereadtheir hearts. He saw them going away with aching consciences andunsatisfied minds, having got nothing from their blind teachers thePharisees and Sadducees, and carrying away nothing but a barrenrecollectionofpompousforms.Hesawandpitiedthem,andcriedaloud,

like a herald, "If anyman thirst, let him come untoMe, and drink." --ThatthiswasallourLordsaidonthismemorableoccasionItakeleavetodoubt.IsuspectitisonlythekeynoteofHisaddress.Butthis,Ibelieve,wasthefirstsentencethat fell fromHis lips:"Ifanymanthirst, lethimcomeuntoMe." If any onewants living, satisfyingwater, let him comeuntoME.

Letme remindmy readers, inpassing, thatnoprophet orApostle evertookonhimselftousesuchlanguageasthis."Comewithus,"saidMosesto Hobab (Num.10:29); "Come to the waters," says Isaiah (Isa.45:1);"Behold the Lamb," says John the Baptist (John 1:29); "Believe on theLordJesusChrist,"saysSt.Paul(Acts16:31).ButnooneexceptJesusofNazaretheversaid,"CometoME."That fact isverysignificant.Hethatsaid, "Come to Me," knew and felt, when He said it, that He was theEternalSonofGod,thepromisedMessiah,theSaviouroftheworld.

Thereare threepoints in thisgreatsayingofourLord's towhichInowproposetodirectyourattention.

I.Youhaveacasesupposed:"Ifanymanthirst."

II.Youhavearemedyproposed:"LethimcomeuntoMe,anddrink."

III. You have a promise held out: "He that believeth on Me, as theScripturehathsaid,outofhisbellyshallflowriversoflivingwater."

Eachof thesepoints concernsall intowhosehands thispapermay fall.OneachofthemIhavesomewhattosay.

I.Inthefirstplace,then,youhaveacasesupposed.OurLordsays,"Ifanymanthirst."

Bodilythirstisnotoriouslythemostpainfulsensationtowhichtheframeofmortalman is liable.Read thestoryof themiserablesufferers in theBlack Hole at Calcutta. -- Ask any one who has travelled over desertplainsundera tropicalsum--Hearwhatanyoldsoldierwill tellyou isthe chief want of thewounded on a battlefield. -- Rememberwhat thesurvivorsofthecrewsofshipslostinmid-ocean,likeTheCospatrick,go

through. Mark the awful words of the rich man n the parable: "SendLazarusthathemaydipthetipofhisfingerinwatertocoolmytongue:for I am tormented in this flame" (Luke 16:24). The testimony isunvarying.Thereisnothingsoterribleandhardtobearasthirst.

Butifbodilythirstissopainful,howmuchmorepainfulisthirstofsoul!Physicalsufferingisnottheworstpartofeternalpunishment.Itisalightthing, even in this world, compared to the suffering of the mind andinwardman.Toseethevalueofoursouls,andfindouttheyareindangerofeternalruin, -- to feel theburdenofunforgivensin,andnot toknowwheretoturnforrelief,--tohaveaconsciencesickandillatease,andtobe ignorantof theremedy,-- todiscover thatwearedying,dyingdaily,andyetunpreparedtomeetGod,--tohavesomeclearviewofourownguiltandwickedness,andyettobeinutterdarknessaboutabsolution,--this is thehighestdegreeofpain, -- thepainwhichdrinksup soul andspirit,andpiercesjointsandmarrow!Andthis,nodoubt,isthethirstofwhich our Lord is speaking. It is thirst after pardon, forgiveness,absolution, and peace with God. It is the craving of a really awakenedconscience, wanting satisfaction and not knowing where to find it,walkingthroughdryplaces,andunabletogetrest.

ThisisthethirstwhichtheJewsfelt,whenPeterpreachedtothemonthedayofPentecost.Itiswrittenthattheywere"prickedintheirheart,andsaid,Menandbrethren,whatshallwedo?"(Acts2:37).

This is the thirst which the Philippian jailor felt, when he awoke toconsciousnessofhisspiritualdanger,andfelttheearthquakemakingtheprisonreelunderhisfeet.Itiswrittenthathe"cametrembling,andfelldown before Paul and Silas, and brought them out, saying, Sirs, whatmustIdotobesaved?"(Acts16:30).

ThisisthethirstwhichmanyofthegreatestservantsofGodseemtohavefelt, when light first broke in on their minds. Augustine seeking restamongtheManicheanhereticsandfindingnone,--Luthergropingaftertruth among monks in Erfurt monastery, -- John Bunyan agonizingamidst doubts and conflicts in hisElstow cottage, --GeorgeWhitefieldgroaningunderself-imposedausterities,forwantofclearteaching,whenanundergraduateatOxford,--allhaveleftonrecordtheirexperience.I

believetheyallknewwhatourLordmeantwhenHespokeof"thirst."

Andsurely,reader,itisnottoomuchtosaythatallofusoughttoknowSOMETHINGofthisthirst,ifnotasmuchasAugustine,Luther,Bunyan,orWhitefield.Livingaswedoinadyingworld,--knowing,aswemustdo,ifwewillconfessit,thatthereisaworldbeyondthegrave,andthatafterdeathcomes the judgment, -- feeling,aswemustdo inourbettermoments,whatpoor,weak,unstable,defectivecreaturesweallare,andhowunfittomeetGod,---consciousaswemustbeinourinmostheartofhearts,thatonouruseoftimedependsourplaceineternity,--weoughttofeelandtorealizesomethinglike"thirst"forasenseofpeacewiththelivingGod.Butalas,nothingproves soconclusively the fallennatureofmanasthegeneral,commonwantofspiritualappetite lFormoney,forpower, forpleasure, forrank, forhonour, fordistinction,-- forall thesethevastmajorityarenowintenselythirsting.Toleadforlornhopes,todigforgold,tostormabreach,totrytohewawaythroughthick-ribbedicetotheNorthPole,--foralltheseobjectsthereisnolackofadventurersandvolunteers.FierceandIncensingisthecompetitionforthesecorruptiblecrowns!Butfewindeed,bycomparison,arethosewhothirstaftereternallife.Nowonder that the naturalman is called in Scripture "dead," and"sleeping," and blind, and deaf. No wonder that he is said to need asecond birth and a new creation. There is no surer symptom ofmortificationinthebodythaninsensibility.Thereisnomorepainfulsignofanunhealthystateofsoulthananutterabsenceofspiritualthirst.Woeto thatmanofwhomtheSaviourcansay,"Thouknowestnot that thouartwretched,andmiserable,andpoor,andblind,andnaked"(Rev.3:17).

Butwhoisthereamongthereadersofthispaperthatfeelstheburdenofsin,andlongsforpeacewithGod?Whoistherethatreallyfeelsthewordsof our Prayer Book Confession: "I have erred and strayed like a lostsheep,--thereisnohealthinme,--Iamamiserableoffender"?WhoistherethatentersintothefulnessofourCommunionservice,andcansaywithtruth,"Theremembranceofmysinsisgrievous,andtheburdenofthemisintolerable"?YouarethemanthatoughttothankGod.Asenseofsin, guilt, andpovertyof soul, is the first stone laidby theHolyGhost,whenHebuildsaspiritualtemple.Heconvincesofsin.Lightwasthefirstthingcalledintobeinginthematerialcreation.(Gen.1:3).Lightaboutour

ownstateisthefirstworkinthenewcreation.Thirstingsoul,Isayagain,youarethepersonthatoughttothankGod.ThekingdomofGodisnearyou.Itisnotwhenwebegintofeelgood,butwhenwefeelbad,thatwetake the first step towards heaven. Who taught thee that thou wastnaked? Whence came this inward light? Who opened thine eyes andmade thee see and feel? Know this day that flesh and blood hath notrevealed these things unto thee, but our Father which is in heaven.Universitiesmay confer degrees, and schoolsmay impart knowledge ofall the sciences, but they cannot make men feel sin. To realize ourspiritual need, and feel true spiritual thirst, is the A B C in savingChristianity.ItisagreatsayingofElihu,inthebookofJob,"Godlookethuponmen,and if anysay, Ihavesinned,andperverted thatwhichwasright,anditprofitedmenot;Hewilldeliverhissoulfromdeath,andhislife shall see the light" (Job 33:27-28). Let him that knows anything ofspiritual "thirst" not be ashamed. Rather let him lift up his head, andbegin to hope. Let himpray thatGodwould carry on theworkHehasbegun,andmakehimfeelmore.

II. pass from the case supposed to the remedy proposed. "If any manthirst,"saysourblessedLordJesusChrist, "lethimcomeuntoMe,anddrink."

Thereisagrandsimplicityaboutthislittlesentencewhichcannotbetoomuchadmired.There isnotaword in itofwhichthe literalmeaning isnot plain to a child. Yet, simple as it appears, it is rich in spiritualmeaning. Like the Koh-i-noor diamond, which youmay carry betweenfinger and thumb, it is of unspeakable value. It solves that mightyproblem which all the philosophers of Greece and Rome could neversolve,--"HowcanmanhavepeacewithGod?"Placeit inyourmemorysidebysidewithsixothergoldensayingsofyourLord:--"Iamthebreadoflife:hethatcomethuntoMeshallneverhunger;andhethatbelievethon ME shall never thirst." -- "I am the Light of the world: he thatfollowethMEshallnotwalkindarkness,butshallhavethelightoflife."---"IamtheDoor:byMEifanymanenterin,heshallbesaved."---"IamtheWay,theTruth,andtheLife:nomancomethuntotheFatherbutbyME."--"ComeuntoMe,allyethatlabourandareheavy-laden,andIwillgiveyourest."--"HimthatcomethtoMeIwillinnowisecastout."--

Addtothesesixtextstheonebeforeyouto-day.Getthewholesevenbyheart.Rivetthemdowninyourmind,andneverletthemgo.Whenyourfeettouchthecoldriver,onthebedofsicknessandinthehourofdeath,youwillfindtheseseventextsaboveallprice(John6:35,8:12,10:9,14:6;Matt.11:28;John6:37).

For what is the sum and substance of these simple words? It is this.ChrististhatFountainoflivingwaterwhichGodhasgraciouslyprovidedforthirstingsoulsFromHim,asoutoftherocksmittenbyMoses,thereflows an abundant stream for all who travel through the wilderness ofthisworld.InHim,asourRedeemerandSubstitute,crucifiedforoursinsandraisedagainforourjustification,thereisanendlesssupplyofallthatmen can need, pardon, absolution, mercy, grace, peace, rest, relief,comfort,andhope.

This rich provision Christ has bought for us at the price of His ownpreciousblood.ToopenthiswondrousfountainHesufferedforsin,thejustfortheunjust,andboreoursinsinHisownbodyonthetree.Hewasmade sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made therighteousnessofGodinHim(1Pet.2:24,3:18;2Cor.5:21).AndnowHeissealed and appointed to be the Reliever of all who are labouring andheavy-laden,andtheGiveroflivingwatertoallwhothirst.ItisHisofficetoreceivesinners.ItisHispleasuretogivethempardon,life,andpeace.AndthewordsofthetextareaproclamationHemakestoallmankind,---"Ifanymanthirst,lethimcomeuntoMe,anddrink."

Leteveryreaderof thispaperremember that theefficacyofamedicinedepends in greatmeasure on themanner inwhich it is used. The bestprescription of the best physician is useless if we refuse to follow thedirections which accompany it. Suffer the word of exhortation, while Ioffersomecautionandadviceaboutthefountainoflivingwater.

(a)HethatthirstsandwantsreliefmustcometoChristHimself.HemustnotbecontentwithcomingtoHisChurchandHisordinances,ortotheassembliesofHispeople forprayerandpraise.Hemustnot stop shortevenatHisholytable,orrestsatisfiedwithprivatelyopeninghishearttoHis ordained ministers. Oh, no! he that is content with only drinkingthesewaters"shallthirstagain"(John4:13).Hemustgohigher,further,

much further than this. He must have personal dealings with ChristHimself:allelseinreligionisworthlesswithoutHim.TheKing'spalace,the attendant servants, the richly furnished banqueting-house, the verybanquet itself, all arenothingunlesswe speakwith theKing.Hishandalonecantaketheburdenoffourbacksandmakeusfeelfree.Thehandofmanmaytakethestonefromthegraveandshowthedead;butnonebutJesuscansaytothedead,"Comeforth,andlive"(John11:41-43).WemustdealdirectlywithChrist.

(b)Again:hethatthirstsandwantsrelieffromChristmustactuallycometoHim. It is not enough towish, and talk, andmean, and intend, andresolve,andhope.Hell, thatawfulreality, istrulysaidtobepavedwithgood intentions. Thousands are yearly lost in this fashion, and perishmiserably just outside the harbour. Meaning and intending they live;meaningandintendingtheydie.Oh,no!wemust"ariseandcome!"Iftheprodigalsonhadbeencontentwithsaying,"Howmanyhiredservantsofmy fatherhavebreadenoughand to spare, and Iperishwithhunger! Ihopesomedaytoreturnhome,"hemighthaveremainedforeveramongtheswine.ItwaswhenheAROSEANDCAMEtohisfatherthathisfatherrantomeethim,andsaid,"Bringforththebestrobe,andputitonhim....Letuseatandbemerry"(Luke15:20-23).Likehim,wemustnotonly"come toourselves," and think, butwemust actually come to theHighPriest,toChrist.WemustcometothePhysician.

(c) Once again: he that thirsts and wants to come to Christ mustrememberthatSIMPLEFAITHISTHEONETHINGREQUIRED.Byallmeans lethimcomewithapenitent,broken,andcontriteheart;but lethimnotdreamof restingon that foracceptance.Faith is theonlyhandthatcancarrythelivingwatertoourlips.Faithisthehingeonwhichallturnsinthematterofourjustification.Itiswrittenagainandagain,that"whosoeverbelievethshallnotperish,buthaveeternal life" (John3:15-16). "Tohim thatworkethnot, but believeth onHim that justifieth theungodly,his faith is counted for righteousness" (Rom.4:5).Happy ishethatcanlayholdontheprinciplelaiddowninthatmatchlesshymn,-

"JustasIam:withoutoneplea,ButthatThybloodwasshedforme,AndthatThoubidstmecometoThee--

OLambofGod,Icome."

How simple this remedy for thirst appears! But oh, how hard it is topersuadesomepersonstoreceiveit!Tellthemtodosomegreatthing,tomortify theirbodies, togoonpilgrimage, togiveall theirgoods to feedthepoor,andsotomeritsalvation,andtheywilltrytodoastheyarebid.Tellthemtothrowoverboardallideaofmerit,working,ordoing,andtocome toChrist as empty sinners,withnothing in theirhands, and, likeNaaman, theyareready to turnaway indisdain (2Kings5:12).Humannature isalways thesame ineveryage.Therearestill somepeople justlike theJews,andsome like theGreeks.To theJewsChrist crucified isstillastumbling-block,andtotheGreeksfoolishness.Theirsuccession,atanyrate,hasneverceased!NeverdidourLordsayatruerwordthanthatwhichHespoketo theproudscribes intheSanhedrim,"IreWILLNOTcomeuntoMethatyemighthavelife"(John5:40).

But,simpleasthisremedyforthirstappears,itistheonlycureforman'sspiritual disease, and the only bridge from earth to heaven. Kings andtheir subjects, preachers and hearers, masters and servants, high andlow, rich and poor, learned and unlearned, allmust alike drink of thiswateroflife,anddrinkinthesameway.Foreighteencenturiesmenhavelaboured to find some other medicine for weary consciences; but theyhave laboured in vain. Thousands, after blistering their hands, andgrowinggrey inhewingout "brokencisterns,which canholdnowater"(Jer.2:13),havebeenobligedtocomebackatlasttotheoldFountain,andhaveconfessed in their latestmoment thathere, inChristalone, is truepeace.

Andsimpleastheoldremedyforthirstmayappear,itistherootoftheinwardlifeofallGod'sgreatestservantsinallages.Whathavethesaintsandmartyrsbeen ineveryeraofChurchhistory,butmenwhocame toChrist daily by faith, and found His flesh meat indeed and His blooddrink indeed? (John6:55).Whathave theyall beenbutmenwho livedthelifeoffaithintheSonofGod,anddrankdailyoutofthefulnessthereisinHim?(Gal.2:20).Here,atallevents,thetruestandbestChristians,who have made a mark on the world, have been of one mind. HolyFathers and Reformers, holy Anglican divines and Puritans, holyEpiscopaliansandNonconformists,haveallintheirbestmomentsborne

uniform testimony to the value of the Fountain of life. Separated andcontentious as they may sometimes have been in their lives, in theirdeathstheyhavenotbeendivided.IntheirlaststrugglewiththeKingofTerrors they have simply clung to the cross of Christ, and gloried innothingbut the"preciousblood,"andtheFountainopen forall sinanduncleanness.

How thankful we ought to be that we live in a land where the greatremedy for spiritual thirst isknown,-ina landofopenBibles,preachedgospel, andabundantmeansofgrace, -- ina landwhere theefficacyofChrist'ssacrificeisstillproclaimed,withmoreorlessfulness,in20,000pulpitseverySunday.Wedonotrealize thevalueofourprivileges.Thevery familiarity of themannamakes us think little of it, just as Israelloathed "the light bread" in thewilderness (Num.21:5). But turn to thepagesofaheathenphilosopherliketheincomparablePlato,andseehowhemopedafter light likeoneblindfold,andweariedhimself to find thedoor.Thehumblestpeasantwhograspsthefour"comfortablewords"ofourbeautifulCommunionservice,inthePrayerBook,knowsmoreofthewayofpeacewithGod than theAthenian sage. --Turn to theaccountswhich trustworthy travellers and missionaries give of the state of theheathenwhohaveneverheardthegospel.Readof thehumansacrificesin Africa, and the ghastly self-imposed tortures of the devotees ofHindostan, and remember they are all the result of an unquenched"thirst"andablindandunsatisfieddesire togetnear toGod.Andthenlearntobethankfulthatyourlotiscastinalandlikeyourown.

Alas,IfearGodhasacontroversywithusforourun-thankfulness!Coldindeed, and dead,must that heart bewhich can study the condition ofAfrica, China, and Hindostan, and not thank God that he lives inChristianEngland.

III.I turn, inthe lastplace, tothepromiseheldmettoallwhocometoChrist. "He that believeth onMe, as the Scripture hath said, out of hisbellyshallflowriversoflivingwater."

The subject of Scripture promises is a vast andmost interesting one. Idoubtwhether it receives theattentionwhich itdeserves in thepresentday.Clarke'sScripturePromises, I suspect, is anoldbook,which is far

lessstudiedthanitwasinthedaysofourfathers.FewChristiansrealizethenumber,andlength,andbreadth,anddepth,andheight,andvarietyof the precious "shalls" and "wills" laid up in the Bible for the specialbenefitandencouragementofallwhowillusethem.

Yetpromiseliesatthebottomofnearlyallthetransactionsofmanwithman in the affairs of this life. The vastmajority of Adam's children ineverycivilizedcountryareactingeverydayonthefaithofpromises.Thelabourer on the land works hard from Monday morning to Saturdaynight,becausehebelievesthatattheendoftheweekheshallreceivehispromisedwages.Thesoldierenlistsinthearmy,andthesailorentershisnameon the ship's books in the navy, in the full confidence that thoseunderwhomtheyservewillatsomefuturetimegivethemtheirpromisedpay.Thehumblestmaid-servantinafamilyworksonfromdaytodayather appointed duties, in the belief that her mistress will give her thepromisedwages. In the business of great cities, amongmerchants, andbankers,andtradesmen,nothingcouldbedonewithoutincessantfaithinpromises. Every man of sense knows that cheques, and bills, andpromissorynotes,aretheonlymeansbywhichtheimmensemajorityofmercantile affairs can possibly be carried on. Men of business arecompelled to act by faith and not by sight. They believe promises, andexpect to be believed themselves. In short, promises, and faith inpromises,andactionsspringingfromfaithinpromises,arethebackboneof nine-tenths of all the dealings of man with his fellow-creaturesthroughoutChristendom.

Nowpromisesinlikemanner,inthereligionoftheBible,areoneHandmeansbywhichGodispleasedtoapproachthesoulofman.ThecarefulstudentofScripturecannotfailtoobservethatGodiscontinuallyholdingoutinducementstomantolistentoHim,obeyHim,andserveHim;andundertaking to do great things, ifmanwill only attend and believe. Inshort, as St. Peter says, "There are given to us exceeding great andprecious promises" (2 Pet.1:4).Hewho hasmercifully caused. allHolyScripturetobewrittenforourlearning,hasshownHisperfectknowledgeof human nature, by spreading over the book a perfect wealth ofpromises,suitabletoeverykindofexperienceandeveryconditionoflife.Heseemstosay,"WouldyouknowwhatIundertaketodoforyou?Do

youwanttohearmyterms?TakeuptheBibleandread."

But there is one grand difference between the promises of Adam'schildrenandthepromisesofGod,whichoughtnevertobeforgotten.Thepromises ofman are not sure to be fulfilled.With the bestwishes andintentions,hecannotalwayskeephisword.Diseaseanddeathmaystepinlikeanarmedman,andtakeawayfromthisworldhimthatpromises.War,orpestilence,orfamine,orfailureofcrops,orhurricanes,maystriphim of his property, and make it impossible for him to fulfil hisengagements. The promises of God, on the contrary, are certain to bekept.Heisalmighty:nothingcanpreventHisdoingwhatHehassaid.Henever changes:He is always "of onemind;" andwithHim there is "novariablenessorshadowof turning" (Job23:13;Jas.1:17).Hewillalwayskeep His word. There is one thing which, as a little girl once told herteacher,tohersurprise,Godcannotdo:"It is impossibleforGodtolie"(Heb.6:18).Themostunlikelyandimprobablethings,whenGodhasoncesaidHewilldo them,havealwayscome topass.Thedestructionof theoldworldbyaflood,andthepreservationofNoahintheArk,thebirthofIsaac, the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, the raising of David to thethroneofSaul,themiraculousbirthofChrist,theresurrectionofChrist,the scattering of the Jews all over the earth, and their continuedpreservationasadistinctpeople,whocouldimagineeventsmoreunlikelyandimprobablethanthese?YetGodsaidtheyshouldbe,andinduetimetheyallcametopass.Inshort,withGoditisjustaseasytodoathingastosayit.WhateverHepromises,Heiscertaintoperform.

ConcerningthevarietyandrichesofScripturepromises,farmoremightbesaidthanitispossibletosayinashortpaperlikethis.Theirnameislegion. The subject is almost inexhaustible. There is hardly a step inman's life, fromchildhoodtooldage,hardlyanypositioninwhichmancan be placed, for which the Bible has not held out encouragement toeveryonewhodesirestodorightinthesightofGod.Thereare"shalls"and "wills" in God's treasury for every condition. About God's infinitemercyandcompassion,aboutHisreadinesstoreceiveallwhorepentandbelieve,aboutHiswillingnesstoforgive,pardon,andabsolvethechiefofsinners,--aboutHispowertochangeheartsandalterourcorruptnature,--abouttheencouragementstopray,andhearthegospel,anddrawnear

to the throne of grace, about strength for duty, comfort in trouble,guidance in perplexity, help in sickness, consolation in death, supportunderbereavement,happinessbeyondthegave,rewardinglory,--aboutallthesethingsthereisanabundantsupplyofpromisesintheWord.Noone can forman idea of its abundanceunless he carefully searches theScriptures,keepingthesubjectsteadilyinview.Ifanyonedoubtsit,Icanonly say, "Comeand see."Like theQueenofShebaatSolomon's court,youwillsoonsay,"Thehalfwasnottoldme"(1Kings10:7).

The promise of our Lord Jesus Christ, which heads this paper, issomewhatpeculiar.Itissingularlyrichinencouragementtoallwhofeelspiritual thirst, and come to Him for relief, and therefore it deservespeculiar attention, Most of our Lord's promises refer specially to thebenefitofthepersontowhomtheyareaddressed.Thepromisebeforeustakesafarwiderrange:itseemstorefertomanyothersbesidethosetowhomHespoke.ForwhatsaysHe?--"HethatbelievethonMe,astheScripturehathsaid"(andeverywhereteaches),"outofhisbellyshallflowrivers of living water. But this spake He of the Spirit, which they thatbelieveonHimshouldreceive."Figurative,undoubtedly,arethesewords,--figurative,liketheearlierwordsofthesentence,figurative,like"thirst"and"drinking."ButallthefiguresofScripturecontaingreattruths;andwhatthefigurebeforeuswasmeanttoconveyIwillnowtrytoshow.

(1):Forone thing, then, IbelieveourLordmeant thathewhocomes toHimbyfaithshallreceiveanabundantsupplyofeverythingthathecandesireforthereliefofhisownsoul'swants.TheSpiritshallconveytohimsuchanabidingsenseofpardon,peace,andhope,thatitshallbeinhisinwardman like awell-springneverdry.He shall feel so satisfiedwith"thethingsofChrist,"whichtheSpiritshallshowhim(John16:15),thatheshallrest fromspiritualanxietyaboutdeath, judgment,andeternity.He may have his seasons of darkness and doubt, through his owninfirmitiesorthetemptationsofthedevil.But,speakinggenerally,whenhehasoncecometoChristbyfaithheshallfindinhisheartofheartsanunfailing fountain of consolation. This, let us understand, is the firstthing which the promise before us contains. "Only come to Me, pooranxious soul," our Lord seems to say, -- "Only come to Me, and thyspiritualanxietyshallberelieved.Iwillplaceinthyheart,bythepowerof

theHolySpirit,suchasenseofpardonandpeace,throughmyatonementand intercession, that thou shalt never completely thirst again. Thoumayest have thy doubts, and fears, and conflicts, while thou art in thebody.ButoncehavingcometoMe,and takenMe for thySaviour, thoushaltnever feel thyself entirelyhopeless.The conditionof thine inwardmanshallbeso thoroughlychanged, that thoushalt feelas if therewaswithintheeanever-flowingspringofwater."

Whatshallwesaytothesethings?Ideclaremyownbelief,thatwheneveraman orwoman really comes to Christ by faith, he finds this promisefulfilled.Hemay possibly beweak in grace, andhavemanymisgivingsabout his own condition. He may possibly not dare to say that he isconverted,justified,sanctified,andmeetfortheinheritanceofthesaintsin light. But for all that, I am bold to say the humblest and feeblestbelieverinChristhasgotsomethingwithinhimwhichhewouldnotpartwith, though he may not yet fully understand it. And what is that"something"?Itisjustthat"riveroflivingwater"whichbeginstorunintheheartofeverychildofAdamassoonashecomestoChristanddrinks.InthissenseIbelievethiswonderfulpromiseofChristisalwaysfulfilled.

(2)Butisthisallthatiscontainedinthepromisewhichheadsthispaper?Bynomeans.Thereyetremainsmuchbehind.Thereismoretofollow.IbelieveourLordmeantus tounderstand thathewhocomes toHimbyfaith shall not only have an abundant supply of everything which heneedsforhisownsoul,butshallalsobecomeasourceofblessingtothesoulsofothers.TheSpiritwhodwellsinhimshallmakehimafountainofgoodtohisfellow-men,sothatatthelastdaythereshallbefoundtohaveflowedfromhim"riversoflivingwater."

This is a most important part of our Lord's promise, and opens up asubjectwhichisseldomrealizedandgraspedbymanyChristians.Butitisoneofdeep interest, anddeserves farmoreattention than it receives. IbelieveittobeatruthofGod.Ibelievethatjustas"nomanlivethuntohimself" (Rom.14:7), so alsonoman is converted only for himself; andthat the conversion of one man or woman always leads on, in God'swonderful providence, to the conversion of others. I do not say for amomentthatallbelieversknowit.Ithinkitfarmorelikelythatmanyliveanddieinthefaith,whoarenotawarethattheyhavedonegoodtoany

soul.ButIbelievetheresurrectionmorningandthejudgmentday,whenthe secret history of all Christians is revealed, will prove that the fullmeaningofthepromisebeforeushasneverfailed.Idoubtiftherewillbeabelieverwhowillnothavebeentosomeoneorothera"riveroflivingwater,"--achannelthroughwhomtheSpirithasconveyedsavinggrace.Eventhepenitentthief,shortashistimewasafterherepented,hasbeenasourceofblessingtothousandsofsouls!

(a) Some believers are "rivers of living water" while they live. Theirwords, theirconversation, theirpreaching, their teaching,areallmeansbywhichthewateroflifehasflowedintotheheartsoftheirfellow-men.Such, for example, were the Apostles, who wrote no Epistles and onlypreached theword.SuchwereLuther,andWhitefield,andWesley,andBerridge,andRowlands,andthousandsofothersofwhomIcannotnowspeakparticularly.

(b) Some believers are "rivers of living water" when they die. TheircourageinfacingtheKingofTerrors,theirboldnessinthemostpainfulsufferings, their unswerving faithfulness to Christ's truth even at thestake, theirmanifest peace on the edge of the grave, -- all this has setthousands thinking, and led hundreds to repent and believe. Such, forexample, were the primitive martyrs, whom the Roman emperorspersecuted. Such were John Huss, and Jerome of Prague. Such wereCranmer, Ridley, Latimer, Hooper, and the noble army of Marianmartyrs. The work that they did at their deaths, like Samson, was fargreaterthantheworkdoneintheirlives.

(c)Somebelieversare"riversoflivingwater"longaftertheydie.Theydogoodbytheirbooksandwritingsineverypartoftheworld,longafterthehands which held the pen aremouldering in the dust. SuchmenwereBunyan, and Baxter, and Owen, and George Herbert, and RobertM'Cheyne.TheseblessedservantsofGoddomoregoodprobablybytheirbooks at thismoment, than they did by their tongues when they werealive."Beingdead,theyyetspeak"(Heb.11:4).

(d)Finally, there are somebelieverswhoare "riversof livingwater"bythebeautyof theirdaily conduct andbehaviour.There aremanyquiet,gentle, consistent Christians, who make no show and no noise in the

world,andyetinsensiblyexerciseadeepinfluenceforgoodonallaroundthem.They"winwithouttheWord"(1Pet.3:1).Theirlove,theirkindness,their sweet temper, their patience, their unselfishness, tell silently on awidecircle,andsowseedsofthoughtandself-inquiryinmanyminds.Itwasafinetestimonyofanoldladywhodiedingreatpeace,--sayingthatunderGodsheowedhersalvationtoMr.Whitefield:--"Itwasnotanysermonthathepreached;itwasnotanythingthatheeversaidtome.Itwasthebeautifulconsistencyandkindnessofhisdailylife,inthehousewherehewasstaying,when Iwasa littlegirl. I said tomyself, if I everhaveanyreligion,Mr.Whitefield'sGodshallbemyGod."

IchargeeveryreaderofthispapertolayholdonthisviewofourLord'spromise,andneverforgetit.Thinknotforamomentthatyourownsoulis the only soul that will be saved, if you come to Christ by faith andfollowHim.Thinkoftheblessednessofbeinga"riveroflivingwater"toothers.Who can tell that youmay not be themeans of bringingmanyothers toChrist?Live,andact,andspeak,andpray,andwork,keepingthiscontinually inview.Iknewa family,consistingofa father,mother,andtenchildren,inwhichtruereligionbeganwithoneofthedaughters;andwhenitbeganshestoodalone,andalltherestofthefamilywereintheworld.Andyet,beforeshedied,shesawbothherparentsandallherbrothers and sisters converted to God, and all this, humanly speaking,beganfromherinfluence!Surely,inthefaceofthis,weneednotdoubt,thatabelievermaybetoothersa"riveroflivingwater."Conversionsmaynot be in your time, and youmay die without seeing them. But neverdoubtthatconversiongenerallyleadstoconversions,andthatfewgotoheaven alone. When Grimshaw, of Haworth, the apostle of the north,died, he left his son graceless and godless. Afterwards the son wasconverted, never having forgottenhis father's advice and example.Andhis last words were,"What willmy old father say when he seesme inheaven?"Letustakecourageandhopeon,believingChrist'spromise.

(1)Andnow,beforewepart,letmeaskeveryonewhoreadsthispaperaplainquestion.Doyouknowanythingofspiritualthirst?Haveyoueverfelt any-tiring of genuine deep concern about your soul? -- I fear thatmanyknownothingaboutit.Ihavelearned,bythepainfulexperienceofthe thirdof a century, thatpeoplemaygoon for years attendingGod's

house,andyetneverfeeltheirsins,ordesiretobesaved.Thecaresofthisworld,theloveofpleasure,the"lustofotherthings,"chokethegoodseedeverySunday,andmakeitunfruitful.Theycometochurchwithheartsascold as the stone pavement on which they walk. They go away asthoughtless and unmoved as the oldmarble bustswhich look down onthemfromthemonumentsonthewalls.Well,itmaybeso;butIdonotyetdespairof anyone, so longashe is alive.That grandoldbell inSt.Paul'sCathedral,London,whichhasstruckthehoursforsomanyyears,is seldomheardbymanycitizensduring thebusinesshoursof theday.Theroaranddinoftrafficinthestreetshaveastrangepowertodeadenitssound,andpreventmenhearing it.Butwhenthedailywork isover,anddesksarelocked,anddoorsareclosed,andbooksareputaway,andquiet reigns in the great city, the case is altered.As the old bell strikeseleven,andtwelve,andone,andtwo,andthreeatnight,thousandshearitwhoneverhearditduringtheday.AndsoIhopeitwillbewithmanyaone in the matter of his soul. Now, in the plenitude of health andstrength, in the hurry and whirl of business, I fear the voice of yourconscienceisoftenstifled,andyoucannothearit.Butthedaymaycomewhenthegreatbellofconsciencewillmakeitselfheard,whetheryoulikeitornot.Thetimemaycomewhen, laidasideinquietness,andobligedbyillnesstositstill,youmaybeforcedtolookwithin,andconsideryoursoul'sconcerns.Andthen,whenthegreatbellofawakenedconscienceissoundinginyourears,ItrustthatmanyamanwhoreadsthispapermayhearthevoiceofGodandrepent,maylearntothirst,andlearntocometoChristforrelief.Yes!IprayGodyoumayyetbetaughttofeelbeforeitbetoolate!

(2) But do you feel anything at this very moment? Is your conscienceawakeandworking?Areyousensibleofspiritualthirst,andlongingforrelief?Thenhear the invitationwhich Ibringyou inmyMaster'snamethisday: Ifanyman,"nomatterwhohemaybe, -- ifanyman,highorlow, rich or poor, learnedor unlearned, -- -" if anyman thirst, let himcometoChrist,anddrink."Hearandacceptthatinvitationwithoutdelay.Waitfornothing.Waitfornobody.Whocantellthatyoumaynotwaitfor"aconvenientseason"tillitbetoolate!ThehandofalivingRedeemerisnow held out from heaven; but it may be withdrawn. The Fountain isopennow;butitmaysoonbeclosedforever."Ifanymanthirst,lethim

comeanddrink"withoutdelay.Thoughyouhavebeenagreatsinner,andhave resistedwarnings, counsel, andsermons,yet come. --Thoughyouhavesinnedagainstlightandknowledge,againstafather'sadvice,andamother's tears, though youhave lived for yearswithout a Sabbath, andwithoutprayer,yetcome.--Saynotthatyouknownothowtocome,thatyoudonotunderstandwhatitistobelieve,thatyoumustwaitformorelight.Willatiredmansay,thatheistootiredtoliedown?oradrowningman,thatheknowsnothowtolayholdonthehandstretchedouttohelphim? or the shipwrecked sailor, with a lifeboat alongside the strandedhulk, that he knows not how to jump in? Oh, cast away these vainexcuses!Arise, and come!Thedoor isnot shut.The fountain isnot yetclosed.TheLordJesusinvitesyou.It isenoughthatyoufeelthirst,anddesiretobesaved.Come:cometoChristwithoutdelay.Whoevercametothefountainforsinandfounditdry?Whoeverwentunsatisfiedaway?

(3) But have you come to Christ already and found relief? Then comenearer, nearer still. The closer your communion with Christ, themorecomfortyouwillfed.ThemoreyoudailylivebythesideoftheFountain,the more you shall feel in yourself "a well of water springing up intoeverlastinglife"(John4:14).Youshallnotonlybeblessedyourself,butbeasourceofblessingtoothers.

In thisevilworldyoumaynotperhaps feelall thesensiblecomfortyoucould desire. But remember you cannot have two heavens. Perfecthappinessisyettocome.Thedevilisnotyetbound.Thereis"agoodtimecoming"forallwhofeeltheirsinsandcometoChrist,andcommittheirthirsting souls to His keeping. When He comes again, they will becompletelysatisfied.

NOTE:

THEREisapassageinanoldwriterwhichthrowssomuchlightonsomepointsmentionedinthispaper,thatImakenoexcuseforgivingittothereaderinitsentirety.Itcomesfromaworkwhichislittleknownandlessread.Ithasdonemegood,andIthinkitmaydogoodtoothers.

"Whenamanisawakened,andbroughttothat,thatallmustbebroughtto,ortoworse,'WhatshallIdotobesaved!'(Acts16:30-31),wehavethe

apostolicanswertoit: 'BelieveontheLordJesusChrist,andthoushaltbesaved,andthyhouse.'Thisanswer issooldthatwithmanyitseemsoutofdateBut it is still,andwilleverbe, fresh,andnew,andsavoury,and the only resolution of this grand case of conscience, as long asconscienceandtheworldlasts.Nowitorartofmanwilleverfindacrackor flaw in it,ordeviseanotherorabetteranswer;norcananybut thisalonehealrightlythewoundofanawakenedconscience.

"Let us set thisman to seek resolution and relief in this case of somemastersinourIsrael.Accordingtotheirprinciplestheymustsaytohim,'Repent, and mourn for your known sins, and leave them and loathethem;andGodwillhavemercyonyou.''Alas!'(saiththepoorman),'myheartishard,andIcannotrepentaright:yea,Ifindmyheartmorehardand vile than when I was secure in sin.' If you speak to this man ofqualifications for Christ, he knows nothing of them; if of sincereobedience,his answer isnativeand ready: 'Obedience is theworkof alivingman,andsincerityisonlyinarenewedsoul.'Sincereobedienceisthereforeasimpossibletoadead,unrenewedsinner,asperfectobedienceis.Why shouldnot the right answerbe given to the awakened sinner: 'BelieveontheLordJesusChrist,andyoushallbesaved'?TellhimwhatChrist is,whatHehathdoneandsuffered toobtaineternal redemptionforsinners,andthataccordingtothewillofGodandhisFather.Givehima plain downright narrative of the gospel salvationwrought out by theSonofGod;tellhimthehistoryandmysteryofthegospelplainly.ItmaybetheHolyGhostwillworkfaiththereby,asHedidinthosefirst-fruitsoftheGentiles.(Acts10:44).

"Ifheask,WhatwarranthehathtobelieveonJesusChrist?tellhim,thathe hath utter, indispensable necessity for it; for without believing onHim,hemustperisheternally.TellhimthathehathGod'sgraciousofferofChristandallHisredemption;withapromisethatuponacceptingtheofferbyfaith,Christ,andsalvationwithHim,ishis.TellhimthathehathGod'sexpresscommandment(1John3:23),tobelieveonChrist'sname;and that he should make conscience of obeying it, as well as anycommand in themoral law. Tell him of Christ's ability and goodwill tosave;thatnomanwaseverrejectedbyHimthatcasthimselfuponHim;thatdesperatecasesare theglorious triumphsofHisartof saving.Tell

him,thatthereisnomidst(ormedium)betweenfaithandunbelief;thatthere is no excuse for neglecting the one, and continuing in the other;that believing on the Lord Jesus for salvation ismore pleasing to GodthanallobediencetoHislaw;andthatunbeliefisthemostprovokingtoGod,andthemostdamningtoman,ofallsins.Againstthegreatnessofhissins,thecurseofthelaw,andtheseverityofGodasJudge,thereisnorelieftobeheldforthtohim,butthefreeandboundlessgraceofGodinthemeritofChrist'ssatisfactionbythesacrificeofHimself.

"Ifheshouldsay,WhatisittobelieveonJesusChrist?astothis,Ifindnosuch question in theWord: but that all did some way understand thenotion of it; the Jews that did not believe onHim (John 6:28-30); thechiefpriestsandPharisees(John7:48);theblindman(John9:35).WhenChristaskedhim,BelievestthouontheSonofGod?heanswered,Whoishe,Lord,thatImaybelieveonHim?Immediately,whenChristhadtoldhim(John9:37),hesaithnot,WhatisittobelieveonHim?but,Lord,Ibelieve; andworshippedHim:and sobothprofessedandacted faith inHim.So the fatherof the lunatic (Mark9:23-24),andtheeunuch(Acts8:37).Theyall,bothChrist'senemiesandHisdisciples,knewthatfaithinHimwasabelievingthatthemanJesusofNazarethwastheSonofGod,the Messiah, and Saviour of the world, so as to receive and look forsalvation in His name (Acts 9:12). This was the common report,publishedbyChristandHisApostlesanddisciples;andknownbyallthatheardit.

"Ifheyetask,Whatheistobelieve?youtellhim,thatheisnotcalledtobelieve that he is in Christ, and that his sins are pardoned, and he ajustifiedman;butthatheistobelieveGod'srecordconcerningChrist(1John5:10-12).Andthisrecordis,thatGodgiveth(thatis,offereth)touseternallifeinHisSonJesusChrist;andthatallthatwiththeheartbelievethis report, and rest their souls on these glad tidings, shall be saved(Rom.10:9-11). And thus he is to believe, that he may be justified(Gal.2:16).

"Ifhestillsaythatthisbelievingishard,thisisagooddoubt,buteasilyresolved.Itbespeaksamandeeplyhumbled.Anybodymayseehisownimpotence to obey the law of God fully; but few find the difficulty ofbelieving.Forhisreliefandresolutionaskhim,Whatitishefindsmakes

believingdifficulttohim?Isitunwillingnesstobejustifiedandsaved?Isit unwillingness to be so saved by Jesus Christ, to the praise of God'sgrace inHim,andtothevoidingofallboasting inhimself?Thishewillsurelydeny.Isitadistrustofthetruthofthegospelrecord?Thishedarenotown. Is it a doubt of Christ's ability or goodwill to save? This is tocontradictthetestimonyofGodinthegospel.Isitbecausehedoubtsofaninterest inChristandhisredemption?YoutellhimthatbelievingonChristmakesuptheinterestinHim.

"IfhesaythathecannotbelieveonJesusChristbecauseofthedifficultyoftheactingthisfaith,andthataDivinepowerisneedfultodrawitforth,whichhefindsnot,youmusttellhimthatbelievinginJesusChristisnowork,butarestingonJesusChrist.Youmusttellhimthatthispretenceisasunreasonableasifaman,weariedwithajourneyandnotabletogoonestep further, shouldargue, ' I amso tired, that Iamnotable to liedown,'whenindeedhecanneitherstandnorgo.Thepoorweariedsinnercan never believe on Jesus Christ till he finds he can do nothing forhimself;andinhisfirstbelievingdothalwaysapplyhimselftoChrist forsalvation, as a man hopeless and helpless in himself. And by suchreasonings with him from the gospel, the Lord will (as He hath oftendone)conveyfaithandjoyandpeacebybelieving."RobertTralli'sWorks,1696.Vol.i.266-269.

Footnotes:

[7]Thesubstanceofgreatpartofthispaperwaspreached,asasermon,under the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral, London, and in the nave ofChesterCathedral,intheyear1878.

1John5:4-5.Victory[8]

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is thevictory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that

overcomeththeworld,buthethatbelieveththatJesusistheSonofGodI"1John5:4-5.

IToughttobeourpractice,ifwehaveanyreligion,toexaminethestateofoursoulsfromtimetotime,andtofindoutwhetherweare"right inthesightofGod"(Acts8:21).

ArewetrueChristians?Arewe likelytogotoheavenwhenwedie?Arewebornagain,--bornoftheSpirit,--bornofGod?Thesearesearchingquestions, which imperatively demand an answer; and the text whichheadsthispaperwillhelpustogivethatanswer.IfwearebornofGod,weshallhaveonegreatmarkofcharacter,weshall"overcometheworld."

Inopeningup thissubject, thereare threepoints towhichIpropose toinviteattentioninthispaper.

I.Inthefirstplace,letusconsiderthenamebywhichSt.Johndescribesa trueChristian.Hecallshimsix timesover, inhisFirstEpistle,aman"bornofGod,"andonce,"begottenofGod."

II. In the secondplace, letus consider the specialmarkwhichSt.JohnsuppliesofamanbornofGod.Hesaysthathe"overcomestheworld."

III. In the last place, let us consider the secret of the true Christian'svictoryovertheworld.Hesays,"Thisisthevictorythatovercomeththeworld,evenourfaith."

Letmeclear thewaybyexpressinganearnesthope thatno readerwillturn away from the subject before us, under the idea that it is acontroversialone.IdoubtwhetheranydoctrineoftheBiblehassufferedsomuchfromimpatientdislikeofcontroversyasthatwhichiscontainedinthephrase,"BornofGod."Yetthatphrasecontainsagreatfoundationverity of Christianity, which can never be neglected without damage.Deep down, below strifes and contentions about the effect of baptism,andthemeaningofliturgicalservices,thereliesinthosethreewordsoneof theprimary rocksof the everlastinggospel, even the inwardworkoftheHolyGhostonthesoulofman.TheatoningworkofChristFORus,and the sanctifying work of the Holy Ghost WITHIN US, are the two

corner-stonesofsavingreligionSurelyatruthwhichthelastwriteroftheNew Testament brings forward no less than seven times in the fivechaptersofoneEpistle,-atruthwhichhebindsupseventimeswithsomeofthedistinguishingcharacteristicsoftheChristianman,--suchatruthoughtnot tobedislikedor timidlypassedby.Surely itmaybehandledprofitablywithoutenteringupondebatableground.Ishallattemptsotohandleitinthispaper.

I.Firstand foremost, Iaskmyreaders tonotice thenamebywhichSt.JohndescribesatrueChristian.Here,andinfiveotherplaces,hespeaksofhimasone"bornofGod."

Let us briefly analyze this rich and wonderful expression. The naturalbirth of any child ofman, in thehumblest rankof life, is an importantevent. It is the bringing into being of a creature who will outlive sun,moon,stars,andearth,andmayonedaydevelopacharacterwhichshallshaketheworld.Howmuchmoreimportantmustspiritualbirthbe!Howmuchmustliebeneaththatfigurativephrase,"BornofGod!"

(a)Tobe"bornofGod"istobetheSUBJECTOFANINWARDCHANGEofheart,socomplete,thatitislikepassingintoanewexistence.Itistheintroductionintothehumansoulofaseedfromheaven,anewprinciple,aDivinenature,anewwill.Certainly it isnooutwardbodilyalteration;butitisnolesscertainthatitisanentirealterationoftheinwardman.Itaddsnonewfacultiestoourminds;butitgivesanentirelynewbentandbiastoouroldones.Thetastesandopinionsofone"bornofGod,"hisviews of sin, of the world, of the Bible, of God, and of Christ, are sothoroughlynew,thatheistoallintentsandpurposeswhatSt.Paulcalls"a new creature." In fact, as the Church Catechism truly says, it is "adeathuntosinandanewbirthuntorighteousness."

(b)Tobe"bornofGod" isachangewhich isTHEPECULIARGIFTOFTHE LORD JESUS CHRIST to all His believing people. It is He whoplants in their hearts the Spirit of adoption, whereby they cry, AbbaFather, andmakes themmembers ofHismystical body, and sons anddaughtersoftheLordAlmighty(Rom.8:15).Itiswritten:"HequickenethwhomHewill.""AstheFatherhathlife inHimself,sohathHegiventothe Son to have life in Himself" (John 5:21-26). In short, as the first

chapterofSt.Johnteaches,soitwillbeaslongastheworldstands:"ToasmanyasreceivedHimHegavepowertobecomethesonsofGod,eventothemthatbelieveonHisname;whichwerebornnotofblood,norofthewilloftheflesh,norofthewillofman,butofGod"(John1:12-13).

(c) To be "born of God" is a change which unquestionably is VERYMYSTERIOUS.TheLordJesusChristHimselftellsusthatinwell-knownwords: "Thewindblowethwhere it listeth,and thouhearest thesoundthereof,butcanstnot tellwhence it cometh,andwhither itgoeth; so iseveryonethatisbornoftheSpirit."(John3:8).Butwemustallconfessthere are a thousand things in the natural world around us which wecannotexplain,andyetbelieve.Wecannotexplainhowourwillsactdailyonourmembers,andmakethemmove,orrest,atourdiscretion;yetnooneeverthinksofdisputingthefact.Thewisestphilosophercannottellus the origin of physical life. What right, then, have we to complainbecausewecannotcomprehendthebeginningofspirituallifeinhimthatis"bornofGod"?

(d)Buttobe"bornofGod"isachangewhichWILLALWAYSBESEENANDFELT. I donot say thathewho is the subject of itwill invariablyunderstandhisownfeelings.Onthecontrary, those feelingsareoftenacause ofmuch anxiety, conflict, and inward strife. Nor do I say that aperson "born of God" will always become at once an establishedChristian,aChristianinwhoselifeandwaysnothingweakanddefectivecanbeobservedbyothers.ButthisIdosay,theHolyGhostneverworksinaperson'ssoulwithoutproducingsomeperceptibleresultsincharacterandconduct.ThetruegraceofGodislikelightandfire:itcannotbehid;it is never idle; it never sleeps. I can find no such thing as "dormant"grace in Scripture. It is written, "Whosoever is born of God doth notcommitsin;forHisseedremainethinhim:andhecannotsin,becauseheisbornofGod"(1John3:9).

(e) To crown all, to be born of God is a thing which is of ABSOLUTENECESSITYtooursalvation.WithoutitwecanneitherknowGodrightlyand serve Him acceptably in the life that now is, nor dwell with Godcomfortably in the life that is to come. There are two thingswhich areindispensablyneedfulbeforeanychildofAdamcanbesavedOneistheforgiveness of his sins through the blood of Christ: the other is the

renewalofhisheartby theSpirit ofChrist.Without the forgivenesswehave no title to heaven:without the renewed heartwe could not enjoyheaven.Thesetwothingsareneverseparate.Everyforgivenmanisalsoarenewedman,andeveryrenewedmanisalsoaforgivenman.Therearetwostandingmaximsofthegospelwhichshouldneverbeforgotten:oneis,"HethatbelievethnottheSonshallnotseelife;"theotheris,"Ifanyman have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His" (John 3:36;Rom.8:9).Quaint,butmosttrue,istheoldsaying:"Onceborn,dietwice,and die for ever; twice born, never die, and live for ever." Without anaturalbirthweshouldneverhavelivedandmovedonearth:withoutaspiritual birth we shall never live and dwell in heaven. It is written,"Exceptamanbebornagain,hecannotseethekingdomofGod"(John3:3).

Andnow,beforeIpassawayfromthenamewhichSt.JohngivesinthistexttothetrueChristian,letusnotforgettoaskourselveswhatweknowexperimentally about being "born of God." Let us search and try ourheartswithhonestself-examination,andseektofindoutwhetherthereisanyrealworkoftheHolyGhostinourinwardman.Farbeitfrommetoencourage the slightest approach to hypocrisy, self-conceit, andfanaticism.Nordo Iwantanyone to look for thatangelicperfection inhimselfonearth,whichwillonlybe found inheaven.All Isay is, letusnever be content with the " outward and visible signs" of Christianity,unlesswealsoknowsomethingof'inwardandspiritualgrace."AllIask,andI thinkIhavearight toask, is, thatweshouldoftentakethisFirstEpistleofSt.Johninourhands,andtrytofindoutbyits lightwhetherweare"bornofGod."

Onemorethingletmeadd,whichIdarenotleaveunsaid.Letusneverbeashamed, in a day of abounding heresy, to contend earnestly for theGodheadandpersonalityof theHolyGhost,andtherealityofHisworkonsouls.JustasweclasptoourheartsthedoctrineoftheTrinity,andtheproperDeityofourLordJesusChrist,asgreatfoundationveritiesofthegospel,soletusgrasptightlythetruthaboutGodtheHolyGhost.Letusever give Him in our religion the place and dignity which ScriptureassignstoHim.WhereverintheprovidenceofGodwemaybecalledtoworship, letour first inquirybe, "Where is theLamb?"andoursecond,

"WhereistheHolyGhost?"WeknowtherehavebeenmanymartyrsforJesusChristandthetruedoctrineofjustification."Adaymaycome,"saida remarkable saint, "when there will need to be martyrs for the HolyGhost, and His work within the soul." Happy is he who can say withheart, as well as lips, the familiar words of our venerable ChurchCatechism,--"IbelieveinGodtheFather,whohathmademeandalltheworld:IbelieveinGodtheSon,whohathredeemedmeandallmankind:I believe in God the Holy Ghost, who sanctifiethme, and all the electpeopleofGod."

II.ThesecondthingIwillnowaskmyreaderstonoticeinmytextis,thespecialmarkwhichSt.JohnsuppliesofthemanwhoisatrueChristian.Hesays,"WhatsoeverisbornofGodovercomeththeworld."Inshort,tousethewordsofthatholymanBishopWilson,BishopofSodorandMan,the Apostle teaches that "the only certain proof of regeneration isvictory."

Weareallapttoflatterourselves,thatifwearedulyenrolledmembersofthat great ecclesiastical corporation the Church of England, our soulscannotbeinmuchdanger.Wesecretlystiflethevoiceofconsciencewiththecomfortablethought,"IamaChurchman;whyshouldIbeafraid?"

Yetcommonsenseandalittlereflectionmightremindusthattherearenoprivilegeswithoutcorrespondingresponsibilities.Beforewereposeinself-satisfiedconfidenceonourChurchmembership,weshalldowelltoask ourselves whether we bear in our characters the marks of livingmembership of Christ's mystical body. Do we know anything ofrenouncing thedevil andallhisworks,andcrucifying the fleshwith itsaffectionsandlusts?And,tobringthismattertoapoint,asitissetbeforeusinourtext,doweknowanythingof"overcomingtheworld"?

Ofthethreegreatspiritualenemiesofman,itishardtosaywhichdoesmost harm to the soul. The last day alone will settle that point. But Iventureboldly to say, thatatno formerperiodhas "theworld"been sodangerous,andsosuccessfulininjuringChrist'sChurch,asitisjustnow.Everyageissaidtohaveitsownpeculiarepidemicdisease.Isuspectthat"worldliness"isthepeculiarplagueofChristendominourownera.Thatsameloveoftheworld'sgoodthingsandgoodopinion,--thatsamedread

of theworld's opposition and blame, --which proved so fatal to JudasIscariot, andDemas, andmanymore in the beginning of the gospel, --each is just aspowerful in thenineteenth centuryas itwas in the first,andahundred timesmore.Even indaysofpersecution,underheathenemperors, these spiritual enemies slew their thousands, and in days ofease, and luxury, and free thought, likeourown, they slay their tensofthousands.Thesubtle influenceoftheworld,nowadays,seemstoinfecttheveryairwebreathe.Itcreepsintofamilieslikeanangeloflight,andleads myriads captive, who never know that they are slaves. Theenormous increase of English wealth, and consequent power of self-indulgence,andtheimmensegrowthofapassionatetasteforrecreationsandamusementsofallkinds;thestartlingriseandprogressofaso-calledliberalityofopinion,whichrefusestosayanybodyiswrong,whateverhedoes, and loudly asserts that, as in the days of the Judges, every oneshouldthinkanddowhatisrightinhisowneyes,andneverbechecked,mall these strange phenomena of our age give the world an amazingadditionalpower,andmakeitdoublyneedfulforChrist'sministerstocryaloud,"Bewareoftheworld!"

Inthefaceofthisaggravateddanger,wemustneverforgetthatthewordofthelivingGodchangesnot."Lovenottheworld,"--"Benotconformedto thisworld," -- -"The friendship of theworld is enmitywithGod," --these mighty sayings of God's statute-book remain still unrepealed (1John 2:15; Rom.12:2; Jas.4:4). The true Christian strives daily to obeythem,andprovesthevitalityofhisreligionbyhisobedience.Itisastruenowas itwas eighteenhundred years ago, that theman "bornofGod"willbeamanwho,moreorless,resistsandovercomestheworld.Suchamandoesnot"overcome"byretiringintoacorner,andbecomingamonkorahermit,butbyboldlymeetinghisfoesandconqueringthem.Hedoesnotrefuse to fillhisplace insociety,anddohisduty in thatpositiontowhichGodhascalledhim.But though"in" theworld,he isnot"of" theworld.Heusesit,butdoesnotabuseit.HeknowswhentosayNo,whentorefusecompliance,when tohalt,when tosay, "HithertohaveIgone,butIgonofurther."Heisnotwhollyabsorbedeitherinthebusinessorthepleasuresof life, as if theywere the sum total of existence.Even ininnocentthingshekeepsthereinonhistastesandinclinations,anddoesnotletthemrunawaywithhim.Hedoesnotliveasiflifewasmadeupof

recreation,ormoney-getting,orpolitics,or scientificpursuits, andas iftherewerenolifetocome.Everywhere,andineverycondition,inpublicandinprivate, inbusinessorinamusements,hecarrieshimself likea"citizenofabettercountry,"andasonewhoisnotentirelydependentontemporalthings.LikethenobleRomanambassadorbeforePyrrhus,heisalikeunmovedbytheelephantorbythegold.Youwillneitherbribehim,norfrightenhim,norallurehimintoneglectinghissoul.Thisisonewayinwhich the trueChristianproves therealityofhisChristianity.This isthewayinwhichtheman"bornofGod"overcomestheworld.

Iamfullyawarethat,atfirstsight,thethingsIhavejustsaidmayappear"hardsayings."ThestandardoftrueChristianitywhichIhavejustraisedmayseemextravagant,andextreme,andunattainableinthislife.Igrantmost freely that to "overcome" in the fashion I have described needs aconstant fight and struggle, and that all such fighting is naturallyunpleasant to flesh and blood. It is disagreeable to find ourselvesstandingaloneeverynowandthen,andrunningcountertotheopinionsofallaroundus.Wedonotliketoappearnarrow-minded,andexclusive,anduncharitable,andungenial,andill-natured,andoutofharmonywithourfellows.Wenaturallyloveeaseandpopularity,andhatecollisionsinreligion, and if we hear we cannot be true Christians without all thisfightingandwarring,wearetemptedtosaytoourselves,"Iwillgiveitupindespair."Ispeakfrombitterexperience.Ihaveknownandfeltallthismyself.

Toallwhoare tempted in thisway, --andnone, Ibelieve,aresomuchtemptedastheyoung,--toallwhoaredisposedtoshrinkbackfromanyefforttoovercometheworld,asathingimpossible,roteallsuchIofferafew words of friendly exhortation. Before you turn your back on theenemy,andopenlyconfessthatheistoostrongforyou,--beforeyoubowdowntothestrongman,andlethimplacehisfootonyourneck,letmeput you in remembrance of some things which, perhaps, you areforgetting.

Is not the world, then, one of the three great foes which you weresolemnlyboundatbaptismtoresist?Wasitfornothingthatthesewordswereread,"Wesignhimwiththesignofthecross,intokenthathereafterhe shall not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified, and

manfully to fight underHis banner against sin, THEWORLD, and thedevil, and to continue Christ's soldier and servant unto his life's end"?Andisitreallycometothis,thatyoumeantorenounceyourobligations,and retire from your Master's service, to desert your colours, to slinkawaytotherear,andrefusetofight?

Again, is itnot true thatmyriadsofmenandwomen,no stronger thanyourself,havefoughtthisbattlewiththeworld,andwonit?ThinkofthemightyhostsofChristiansoldierswhohavewalkedinthenarrowwayinthelasteighteencenturies,andprovedmorethanconquerors.ThesameDivineCaptain,thesamearmour,thesamehelpsandaidsbywhichtheyovercame,arereadyforyou.Surelyiftheygotthevictory,youmayhopetodothesame.

Again, is itnot true that this fightwith theworld is a thingof absolutenecessity?DoesnotourMastersay,"Whosoeverdothnotbearhiscross,andcomeafterMe,cannotbeMydisciple"?(Luke14:27)."Icamenottosend peace on earth, but a sword" (Matt.10:34). Here, at any rate, wecannot remain neutral, and sit still. Such a line of conduct may bepossibleinthestrifeofnations,butitisutterlyimpossibleinthatconflictwhich concerns the soul. The boasted policy of non-interference, themasterlyinactivity"whichpleasessomanystatesmen,theplanofkeepingquiet and letting things alone, -- all this will never do in the Christianwarfare.Tobeatpeacewiththeworld,theflesh,andthedevil,istobeatenmitywithGod,and in thebroadway that leadeth todestruction.Wehave no choice or option. The promises to the Seven Churches inRevelationareonly"tohimthatovercometh."Wemust fightorbe lost.Wemustconquerordieeternally.WemustputonthewholearmourofGod. "He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one"(Eph.6:11;Luke22:36).

Surely,inthefaceofsuchconsiderationsasthese,Imaywellchargeandentreatallwhoareinclinedtomakepeacewiththeworld,andnotresistit, toawake toasenseof theirdanger.Awakeandcastaside thechainswhich indolenceor loveofpopularityaregraduallyweaving roundyou.Awakebefore it is too late, --before repeatedworldlyactshave formedhabits,andhabitshavecrystallizedintocharacter,andyouhavebecomeahelplessslave.Whenmenoneverysidearevolunteering forwar,and

readytogoforthtobattleforacorruptiblecrown,standupandresolvetodoitforonethatisincorruptible.Theworldisnotsostronganenemyasyouthink,ifyouwillonlymeetitboldly,andusetherightweapons.Thefancieddifficultieswillvanish,ormeltaway likesnow,asyouapproachthem.The lionsyounowdreadwillprovechained.Hundredscould tellyouthattheyservedtheworldforyears,andfoundatlastthatitsrewardswere hollow and unreal, and its so-called good things could neithersatisfynorsave.CardinalWolsey'sdyingwordsareonlythelanguageoftenthousandheartsatthisminute,---

"Vainpompandgloryofthisworld,Ihateye:Ifeelmyheartisopened.-HadIbutserv'dmyGodwithhalfthezealIserv'dmyking,Hewouldnot,inmineage,Haveleftmenakedtomineenemies."

Butwho,ontheotherhand,everfoughtGod'sbattlemanfullyagainsttheworld and failed to find a rich reward? No doubt the experience ofChristianpilgrims is very various,Not all have "an abundant entrance"into the kingdom, and some are "saved so as by fire" (2 Pet.1:11; 1Cor.3:15). But none, I am persuaded, have such joy and peace inbelieving,and travel to thecelestialcitywithsuch lighthearts,as thosewhocomeoutboldly,andovercometheloveandfearoftheworld.SuchmentheKingofkingsdelightstohonourwhiletheylive;andwhentheydie,theirtestimonyisthatofoldBunyan'shero,Valiant,--"IamgoingtomyFather'shouse;andthoughwithgreatdifficultyIhavegothither,yet now I do not repentme of all the troubles I have been at to arrivewhereIam."

III.ThethirdandlastthingwhichIshallaskyoutonoticeinthistextis,thesecretofthetrueChristian'svictoryovertheworld.St.Johnrevealsthatsecret tous twiceover,as ifhewouldemphasizehismeaning,andmake it unmistakable: "This is the victory that overcometh the world,even our FAITH. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he thatBELIEVETHthatJesusistheSonofGod?"

SimplicityisadistinguishingcharacteristicofmanyofGod'shandiworks."How beautifully simple!" has often been the philosopher's cry, on

findingoutsomegreatsecretofnature.Simplicityisthestrikingfeatureof the principle bywhich theman "born ofGod" overcomes theworld.Perhapshehardlyunderstandsithimself.Butheiswhatheis,anddoeswhat he does, acts as he acts, behaves as he behaves, for one simplereason, he BELIEVES. He realizes the existence of unseen objects,compared to which the frowns or smiles, the favour or blame of theworld, are trifles light as air. God, and heaven, and judgment, andeternity, arenot "wordsandnames"withhim,but vast and substantialrealities;andthefaithof themmakeseverythingelse lookshadowyandunreal. But, towering far above all other objects, he sees by faith anunseenSaviour,who lovedhim, gaveHimself for him,paidhis debt toGodwithHisownpreciousblood,wenttothegraveforhim,roseagain,andappearsinheavenforhimashisAdvocatewiththeFather.SEEINGHIM,hefeelsconstrainedtoloveHimfirstandforemost,tosethischiefaffectiononthingsabove,notonthingsontheearth,andtolivenotforhimself,butforHimwhodiedforhim.SEEINGHIM,hefearsnottofacetheworld'sdispleasure,andfightsonwithafirmconfidencethathewillbe "more than conqueror." In short, it is the expulsive power of a newprinciple, a living faith in an unseen God and an unseen Jesus, thatminimizesthedifficultiesofatrueChristian,drivesawaythefearofman,andovercomestheworld.

ThisistheprinciplethatmadetheApostleswhattheywereafterthedayofPentecost.WhenPeterandJohnstoodbeforetheCouncil,andspokeinsuchfashionthatallmenmarvelledattheirboldness,theirvividfaithsaw One higher than Annas and Caiaphas and their companions, whowouldnever forsake them.WhenSaul,convertedandrenewed,gaveupallhisbrilliantprospectsamonghisownnation,tobecomeapreacherofthegospelhehadoncedespised,hesawfaraway,byfaith,Onethatwasinvisible,whocouldgivehimahundredfoldmoreinthispresentlife,andintheworldtocomelifeeverlasting.TheseallovercamebyFAITH.

This istheprinciplewhichmadetheprimitiveChristiansholdfasttheirreligion even to death, unshakenby the fiercest persecution of heathenemperors.Theywereoftenunlearnedand ignorantmen,andsawmanythingsthroughaglassdarkly.Buttheirso-called"obstinacy"astonishedevenphilosopherslikePliny.

ForcenturiestherewereneverwantingmenlikePolycarpandIgnatius,whowerereadytodieratherthantodenyChrist.Fines,andprisons,andtorture,andfire,andswordfailedtocrushthespiritofthenoblearmyofmartyrs. The whole power of imperial Rome, with her legions, provedunable tostampout thereligionwhichbeganwitha fewfishermenandpublicansinPalestine.TheyovercamebyFAITH.

This is the principle that made our own Reformers in the sixteenthcentury endure hardships even unto death, rather than withdraw theirprotestagainsttheChurchofRome.Manyofthem,nodoubt,likeRogers,andPhilpot,andBradford,mighthaveenjoyedrichprefermentsanddiedquietly in their beds, if theywould only have recanted. But they choserathertosufferaffliction,andstronginfaith,diedatthestake.Thiswastheprinciple thatmade the rank and file of ourEnglishmartyrs in thesameage--labourers,artisans,andapprentices--yieldtheirbodiestobeburned.Pooranduneducatedastheywere,theywererichinfaith;andifthey could not speak for Christ, they could die for Him. These allovercamebyBELIEVING.

ButtimewouldfailmeifIbroughtforwardalltheevidencethatmightbeadducedonthissubject.Letuslookatourownage.LetusconsiderthemenwhohavemadethegreatestmarkontheworldforChrist'scauseinthelasthundredyears.LetusrememberhowclergymenlikeWhitefield,and Wesley, and Romaine, and Venn stood alone in their day andgeneration, and revived English religion, in the face of opposition,slander,ridicule,andrealpersecutionfromnine-tenthsoftheprofessingChristians in our land. Let us remember how men like WilliamWilberforce,andHavelock,andHenryLawrence,andHedleyVicars,andGeorgeMoore, theChristianmerchant,havewitnessedforChrist in themostdifficultpositions,anddisplayedChrist'sbannerevenintheHouseof Commons, in the camp, at the regimental mess table, or in thecounting-houseinthecity.LetusrememberhowthesenobleservantsofGodwereneither frightenednor laughedoutof their religion, andwonthe respect evenof theiradversaries.Theseallhadoneprinciple. "Giveme," said that strange dictator who rode rough-shod over England'sChurchandCrownintheseventeenthcentury,"Givemementhathaveaprinciple."TheseChristiansoldiersofourowndayhadaprinciple,and

thatrulingprinciplewasfaithinanunseenGodandSaviour.Bythisfaiththeylived,andwalked,andfoughtthegoodfight,andovercame.

Does any one who reads this paper desire to live the life of a trueChristian,andovercometheworld?Lethimbeginbyseekingtohavetheprincipleofvictorywithin.Withoutthis,alloutwardshowofspiritualityisutterlyworthless.Thereismanyaworldlyheartunderamonk'scowl.Faith,inwardfaith,istheonethingneedful.LethimbeginbyprayingforFAITH.It is thegiftofGod,andagiftwhich thosewhoaskshallneverask in vain. The fountain of faith is not yet dry. The mine is notexhausted.Hewhoiscalledthe"Authorof faith" is thesameyesterday,to-day,andforever;andwaitstobeentreated(Heb.12:2).Withoutfaithyouwillneverwaragoodwarfare,neversetdownyourfootfirmly,nevermakeprogressontheiceofthisslipperyworld.Youmustbelieveifyouwould do. If men do nothing in religion, and sit still like uninterestedspectatorsofashow,itissimplybecausetheydonotbelieve.Faithisthefirststeptowardsheaven.

Would any one who reads this paper fight the Christian battle withconstantlyincreasingsuccessandprosperity?Thenlethimpraydailyforacontinualgrowthoffaith.LethimabideinChrist,getclosertoChrist,tightenhisholdonChristeverydaythathelives.Lethimneverforgettheprayerofthedisciples,"Lord,increaseourfaith."Lethimwatchjealouslyoverhisfaith,andneverletitsfireburnlow.Accordingtothedegreeofhis faithwill be themeasure of his peace, his strength, and his victoryovertheworld.

(a)Andnowletus leavethewholesubjectwiththesolemnself-inquiry,"Whatdoweknowofthatgreattestofreligionwhichthistextsupplies?Whatdoweknowofovercomingtheworld?.Wherearewe?Whatarewedoing?Whose are we, and whom do we serve? Are we overcoming orbeingovercome?"Alas,itisasorrowfulfact,thatmanyknownotwhethertheyareChrist's freemenor theworld's slaves!The fettersof theworldareofteninvisible.Wearedraggeddownwardinsensibly,andarelikeonewho sleeps in a boat, andknowsnot thathe is drifting, gentlydrifting,towardsthefalls.Thereisnoslaverysobadasthatwhichisunfelt.Thereare no chains so really heavy as those which are unseen.Wise is thatpetitioninourmatchlessLitany:"Fromallthedeceitsoftheworld,good

Lord,deliverus."

Ipressthisinquiryinallaffectiononmyyoungerreaders.Youarejustatthat generous and unsuspecting age when the world seems leastdangerousandmostinviting,anditstandstoreasonyouaremostlikelyto be ensnared and overcome. Experience alone canmake you see theenemy in his true colours.When you have asmany grey hairs on yourheads as I have, you will place a very different estimate on the goodthings,orthepraiseorthehatredofthisworld.But,evennow,remembermy caution: "If you love your souls, hold the world at arm's length.Bewareoftheworld."

(b)Reader,youandImeetoverthispaperforonceinourlives,andareparting in all probability tomeet nomore. You are perhaps launchingforth on the waves of this troublesome world. My heart's desire andprayertoGodis,thatyoumayhaveaprosperousvoyage,andbefoundatlength in the safe haven of eternal life. But, oh, take heed that you arewellequippedforthestormywatersyouhavetocross,andseethatyouhaveacompasstosteerby,thatyoucandependon,andapilotwhowillnot fail!Beware ofmaking shipwreckby conformity to theworld.Alas,howmany put to sea in gallant trim, with colours flying, and brilliantprospects, and are lost at last with all on board! They seem at first tobeginwithMoses, andDaniel, and the saints inNero's household; buttheyendatlastwithBalaam,andDemas,andLot'swife!Oh,rememberthepilotandthecompass!NocompassliketheBible.NopilotlikeChrist!

TaketheadviceIgiveyou,asafriend,thisday.AsktheLordJesusChristto comeanddwell in yourheartby faith, and to "deliver you from thispresentevilworld"(Gal.1:4).AskHimtopouroutHispromisedSpiritonyou,andtomakeyouwillingtobearHiseasyyokewithoutfurtherdelay,andtoresisttheworld.Strive,inthestrengthofChrist,togetthevictoryover theworld,whatever itmay cost you.Beashamedofbeinga slave,howevergildedthechainsmaybe.Beashamedofthemarkofthecollar.Resolvetoplaythemanandbefree.Libertyisthegreatestofblessings,anddeservesthegreateststruggles.WellsaidtheJewishrabbisinancientdays,"Iftheseawereink,andtheearthparchment,itwouldneverserveto describe the praises of liberty." For freedom's sake, Greeks, andRomans, and Germans, and Poles, and Swiss, and Scotchmen, and

Englishmen,haveoftencheerfullyfoughttothebitterend,andlaiddowntheir lives. Surely, ifmenhavemade such sacrifices for the freedomoftheirbodies,itisadisgracetoprofessingChristiansiftheywillnotfightforthelibertyoftheirsouls.Thisday,Irepeat,resolveinthestrengthofChrist,thatyouwill fightthegoodfightagainsttheworld;andnotonlyfight, but overcome. "If the Son shallmake you free, you shall be freeindeed"(John8:36).

(c)Finally,letusallrememberthattheChristiansoldier'sbesttimeisyettocome.Here,inthisworld,weareoften"soreletandhindered"inourwarfare. There aremany hard things to be done and borne. Them arewoundsandbruises;therearewatchingsandfatigues;therearereversesanddisappointments.Buttheendofallthingsisathand.Forthosewho"overcome"therewillbeaconqueror'scrown.

Inthewarfareofthisworld,themusteronthemorningafteravictoryisoften a sorrowful sight. I pity the man who could look at MissThompson'sfamouspictureofTheRoll-callwithoutdeepemotion.Evenwhen peace is proclaimed, the return of victorious regiments is anoccasionofverymingledfeelings.ThatmanmusthavehadacoldheartwhocouldseetheGuardsmarchbackintoLondonaftertheCrimeanwarwithoutasighoratear.

ThanksbetoGod,thereviewdayofChrist'svictoriousarmywillbeaverydifferent thing. There will be none missing in that day. It will be ameetingwithoutregret.Itwillbe"amorningwithoutclouds"andtearsItwill make rich amends for all we have suffered in resisting andovercomingtheworld.

He who saw our gracious Queen distributing the Victoria Cross at theHorseGuardsduringtheRussianwarmightwellbestirredandmovedatthe sight. But he who saw her come down from her seat to meet awoundedofficerwhocouldnotwalk,and,withherownroyalhands,pinhisdecorationonhisbreast,willprobablyrememberitaslongashelives.

But, after all, itwasnothing compared to the transactionsof that greatday,whentheCaptainofoursalvationandHisvictorioussoldiersshallatlengthmeetfacetoface.Whattonguecantellthehappinessofthattime

whenweshalllayasideourarmour,and"saytothesword,Rest,andbestill!"WhatmindcanconceivetheblessednessofthathourwhenweshallseetheKinginHisbeauty,andhearthesewords,"Welldone,goodandfaithfulservantandsoldier,enterthouintothejoyofthyLord"?Forthatgloriousdayletuswaitpatiently,foritcannotbefaroff.Inthehopeofitletuswork,andwatch,andpray,andfighton,andresisttheworld.Andlet us never forget our Captain's words: " In the world ye shall havetribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John16:33).Footnotes:

[8]ThesubstanceofthispaperwasoriginallypreachedasasermoninSt.Mary'sChurch,Cambridge,whenIwasselectpreacher,in1879.

Acts17:16-17.Athens.[9]

"Now,whilePaulwaitedforthematAthens,hisspiritwasstirredinhim,whenhesawthecitywhollygiventoidolatry."Thereforedisputedheinthe synagoguewith the Jews, andwith the devout persons, and in themarketdailywiththemthatmetwithhim."--Acts17:16-17.

PERHAPSthereaderofthispaperlivesinatownorcity,andseesmoreofbricksandmortarthanofgreenfields.Perhapsyouhavesomerelativeorfriendlivinginatown,aboutwhomyounaturallyfeeladeepinterest.Ineithercase,theversesofScripturewhichheadtiffspagedemandyourbestattention.GivemethatattentionforafewshortminuteswhileItrytoshowyouthelessonswhichthepassagecontains.

You see face to face, in the verses before you, no common city and nocommonman.

ThecityisthefamouscityAthens,--Athens,renownedtothisverydayforitsstatesmen,philosophers,historians,poets,painters,andarchitects,--Athens,theeyeofancientGreece,asancientGreecewastheeyeoftheheathenworld.

ThemanisthegreatApostleoftheGentiles,St.Paul,St.Paul,themostlaborious and successful minister and missionary the world has everseen, -- St. Paul, who by pen and tongue has left a deeper mark onmankindthananybornofwoman,excepthisDivineMaster.

AthensandSt.Paul,thegreatservantofChrist,andthegreatstrongholdofoldheathenism--arebroughtbeforeusfacetoface.Theresultistoldus:theinterviewiscarefullydescribed.Thesubject,Iventuretothink,iseminentlysuitedtothetimesinwhichwelive,andtothecircumstancesof many a dweller in London, Liverpool, Manchester, and other greatEnglishtownsinthepresentday.

Withoutfurtherpreface,Iaskyoutoobservethreethingsinthispassage:--

I.WhatSt.PaulsawatAthens.

II.WhatSt.PaulFELTatAthens.

III.WhatSt.PaulDIDatAthens.

I.First,then,WhatdidSt.PaulSEEatAthens?

Theanswerof the text isclearandunmistakable.Hesawa"citywhollygiventoidolatry."Idolsmethiseyesineverystreet.Thetemplesofidolgodsandgoddessesoccupiedeveryprominentposition.Themagnificentstatue of Minerva, at least forty feet high, according to Pliny, toweredabovetheAcropolis,andcaughttheeyefromeverypoint.Avastsystemofidol-worshipoverspreadthewholeplace,andthrustitselfeverywhereon his notice. The ancient writer Pausanias expressly says, that "theAthenians surpassed all states in the attention which they paid to theworshipofthegods."Inshort,thecity,asthemarginalreadingsays,was"fullofidols."

And yet this city, I would have you remember, was probably themostfavourablespecimenofaheathencitywhichSt.Paulcouldhaveseen.Inproportiontoitssize,itverylikelycontainedthemostlearned,civilized,philosophical, highly educated, artistic, intellectual population on thefaceoftheglobe.Butwhatwasitinareligiouspointofview?Thecityofwisemen likeSocratesandPlato, -- thecityofSolon,andPericles,andDemosthenes,-the city of AEschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, andThucydides, -- the cityofmind, and intellect, andart, and taste, -- thiscity was "wholly given to idolatry." If the true God was unknown atAthens,whatmustHehavebeeninthedarkerplacesoftheearth?IftheeyeofGreecewassospirituallydim,whatmusthavebeentheconditionofsuchplacesasBabylon,Ephesus,Tyre,Alexandria,Corinth,andevenofRome? Ifmenwere so far gone from the light in a green tree,whatmusttheyhavebeeninthedry?

Whatshallwesaytothesethings?Whataretheconclusionstowhichweareirresistiblydrawnbythem?

Ought we not to learn, for one thing, the absolute need of a Divine

revelation,andofteachingfromheaven?LeavemanwithoutaBible,andhewillhaveareligionofsomekind, forhumannature,corruptas it is,musthaveaGod.Butitwillbeareligionwithoutlight,orpeace,orhope.

"The world by wisdom knew not God" (1 Cor.1:21). Old Athens is astanding lessonwhichweshalldowell toobserve. It isvain tosupposethatnature,unaidedby revelation,will ever lead fallenman tonature'sGod.Without a Bible, the Athenian bowed down to stocks and stones,andworshippedtheworkofhisownhands.Placeaheathenphilosopher,a Stoic or an Epicurean, -- by the side of an open grave, and ask himabout a world to come, and he could have told you nothing certain,satisfactory,orpeace-giving.

Ought we not to learn, for another thing, that the highest intellectualtraining is no security against utter darkness in religion? We cannotdoubtthatmindandreasonwerehighlyeducatedatAthens,ifanywherein the heathen world. The students of Greek philosophy were notunlearned and ignorant men. They were well versed in logic, ethics,rhetoric, history, and poetry. But all this mental discipline did notpreventtheircitybeinga"citywhollygiventoidolatry."Andarewetobetold in the nineteenth century, that reading, writing, arithmetic,mathematics, history, languages, and physical science, without aknowledgeof theScriptures,aresufficient toconstituteeducation?Godforbid!WehavenotsolearnedChrist.Itmaypleasesomementoidolizeintellectualpower,andtospeakhighlyofthedebtwhichtheworldowesto theGreekmind.One thing,atanyrate, isabundantlyclear.WithouttheknowledgewhichtheHolyGhostrevealedtotheHebrewnation,oldGreecewould have left theworld buried in dark idolatry.A follower ofSocrates or Plato might have talked well and eloquently on manysubjects,buthe couldhaveneveranswered the jailor'squestion, "WhatmustIdotobesaved?"(Acts16:30).Hecouldneverhavesaidinhislasthour,"Odeath,whereisthysting?Ograve,whereisthyvictory?"

Oughtwenot to learn, for another thing, that thehighest excellence inthematerialartsisnopreservativeagainstthegrossestsuperstition?Theperfection of Athenian architecture and sculpture is a great andundeniable fact.TheeyesofSt.PaulatAthensbeheldmanya"thingofbeauty"whichisstill"a joyforever"toartisticminds.Andyetthemen

who conceived and executed the splendid buildings of Athens wereutterly ignorant of the one true God. The world nowadays is well-nighdrunkwith"selfconceitaboutourso-calledprogressinartsandsciences.Men talk andwrite ofmachinery andmanufactures, as if nothingwereimpossible.Butletitneverbeforgottenthatthehighestartormechanicalskill is consistentwitha stateof spiritualdeath in religion.Athens, thecityofPhidias,wasa"citywhollygiventoidolatry."AnAtheniansculptormight have designed amatchless tomb, but he could not havewiped asingletearfromamourner'seye.

These things ought not to be forgotten. They ought to be carefullypondered. They suit the times in which we live. We have fallen on ascepticalandanunbelievingage.Wemeetoneverysidewithdoubtsandquestioningsaboutthetruthandvalueofrevelation."Isnotreasonalonesufficient?""IstheBiblereallyneedfultomakemenwiseuntosalvation?""Hasnotmanalightwithin,averifyingpower,abletoguidehimtotruthandGod?"Sucharetheinquirieswhichfallthickashailaroundus.Sucharethespeculationswhichdisquietmanyunstableminds.

One plain answer is an appeal to facts. The remains of heathenEgypt,Greece, and Rome shall speak for us. They are preserved by God'sprovidence to this veryday asmonuments ofwhat intellect and reasoncan do without revelation. The minds which designed the temples ofLuxorandCarnac,ortheParthenonorColiseum,werenotthemindsoffools. The builders who executed their designs did better and morelastingworkthananycontractorcandoinmoderntimes.Themenwhoconceived the sculptured friezes, whichwe know as the ElginMarbles,were trained and intellectual to the highest degree. And yet in religionthesemenweredarknessitself(Eph.5:8).ThesightwhichSt.PaulsawatAthensisanunanswerableproofthatmanknowsnothingwhichcandohissoulgoodwithoutaDivinerevelation.

II.Iaskyoutonotice,inthesecondplace,whatSt.PaulFELTatAthens.He sawa "citywholly given to idolatry."Howdid the sight affect him?Whatdidhefeel?

It is instructive to observe how the same sight affects different people.Placetwomenonthesamespot;letthemstandsidebyside;letthesame

objectsbepresented to their eyes.Theemotionscalled forth in theonemanwill often bewholly different from those called forth in the other.Thethoughtswhichwillbewakenedupandbroughttobirthwilloftenbeasfarasthepolesasunder.

AmereartistvisitingAthensforthefirsttimewoulddoubtlesshavebeenabsorbedinthebeautyofitsbuildings.AstatesmanororatorwouldhavecalledupthememoryofPericlesorDemosthenes.AliterarymanwouldhavethoughtofThucydidesandSophoclesandPlato.Amerchantwouldhave gazed on the Piraeus, its harbour, and the sea. But an Apostle ofChristhadfarhigherthoughts.Onething,aboveallothers,swalloweduphis attention, and made all else look small. That one thing was thespiritual condition of theAthenian people, the state of their souls. ThegreatApostleoftheGentileswaseminentlyamanofonething.LikehisDivineMaster, hewas always thinking of his "Father's business" (Luke2:49).HestoodatAthens,andthoughtofnothingsomuchasAtheniansouls.LikeMoses,Phinehas,andElijah,"hisspiritwasstirredwithinhimwhenhesawthecitywhollygiventoidolatry."

Ofallsightsonearth,Iknownoneso impressive,nonesocalculatedtoarousethoughtinareflectingmind,asthesightofagreatcity.Thedailyintercourseofmanwithman,whichacitynaturallyproduces,seemstosharpen intellect, and stimulate mental activity to an extent whichdwellersinruralparishes,orothersolitaryplaces,cannotrealize.Rightlyorwrongly, the inhabitant of a city thinks twice asmuch, and twice asquickly,as the inhabitantofa ruralvillage. It is thecity "whereSatan'sseat is"(Rev.2:13).It is thecitywhereevilofeverykindismostrapidlyconceived, sown, ripened,andbrought tomaturity.- It is thecitywheretheyoungman, leavinghome,and launching into life,becomessoonesthardened,andconscience-searedbydailyfamiliaritywiththesightofsin.--Itisthecitywheresensuality,intemperance,andworldlyamusementsofthevilestkindflourishmostrankly,andfindacongenialatmosphere.-It is the city where ungodliness and irreligion meet with the greatestencouragement, and the unhappy Sabbath-breaker, or neglecter of allmeans of grace, can fortify himself behind the example of others, andenjoythemiserablecomfortoffeelingthat"hedoesnotstandalone!"--Itis the city which is the chosen home of every form of superstition,

ceremonialism, enthusiasm, and fanaticism in religion. -- It is the citywhich is the hotbed of every kind of false philosophy, of Stoicism,Epicureanism, Agnosticism, Secularism, Scepticism, Positivism,Infidelity, and Atheism. -- It is the city where that greatest ofmoderninventions, the printing-press, that mighty power for good and evil, iseverworkingwithunsleepingactivity,andpouringforthnewmatterforthought. -- It is the city where the daffy newspapers are continuallysupplyingfoodforminds,andmouldingandguidingpublicopinion.--Itisthecitywhichisthecentreofallnationalbusiness.Thebanks,thelaw-courts,theStockExchange,theParliamentorAssembly,areallboundupwiththecity.--Itisthecitywhich,bymagneticinfluence,drawstogethertherankandfashionoftheland,andgivesthetonetothetastesandwaysof society. -- It is the city which practically controls the destiny of anation.Scatteredmillions, inruraldistricts,withouthabitualconcertorcontact,arepowerlessbefore the thousandswhodwell sidebysideandexchange thoughteveryday. It is the townswhichgoverna land. Ipitytheman who could stand on the top of St. Paul's Cathedral, and lookdownonLondonwithoutsomeemotion,andnotreflectthatheseestheheartwhosepulsationsarefeltoverthewholecivilizedglobe.AndshallIwonderforamomentthatthesightofAthens"stirredthespirit"ofsuchamanas thegreatApostleof theGentiles?Icannotwonderatall. ItwasjustthesightwhichwaslikelytomovetheheartoftheconvertedmanofTarsus, the man who wrote the Epistle to the Romans, and had seenJesusChristfacetoface.

Hewasstirredwithholycompassion.Itmovedhishearttoseesomanymyriads perishing for lack of knowledge, without God, without Christ,havingnohope,travellinginthebroadroadwhichleadethtodestruction.

Hewasstirredwithholysorrow.Itmovedhishearttoseesomuchtalentmisapplied. Here were hands capable of excellent works, and mindscapableofnobleconceptions.AndyettheGodwhogavelifeandbreathandpowerwasnotglorified.

Hewasstirredwithholyindignationagainstsinandthedevil.Hesawthegodofthisworldblindingtheeyesofmultitudesofhisfellow-men,andleading them captive at hiswill.He saw the natural corruption ofmaninfecting thepopulationofavast city likeonecommondisease,andan

utterabsenceofanyspiritualmedicine,antidote,orremedy.

HewasstirredwithholyzealforHisMaster'sglory.Hesawthe"strongmanarmed"keepingahousewhichwasnotlawfullyhis,andshuttingoutthe rightful possessor. He saw his Divine Master unknown andunrecognisedbyHisowncreatures,andidolsreceivingthehomageduetotheKingofkings.

Reader, these feelings which stirred the Apostle are a leadingcharacteristicofamanbornoftheSpirit.Doyouknowanythingofthem?Where there is true grace, there will always be tender concern for thesoulsofothers.WherethereistruesonshiptoGod,therewillalwaysbezealfortheFather'sglory.Itiswrittenoftheungodly,thattheynotonlycommitthingsworthyofdeath,but"havepleasureinthemthatdothem"(Rom.1:32). Itmay be saidwith equal truth of the godly, that they notonlymournoversinintheirownhearts,butmournoversininothers.

HearwhatiswrittenofLotinSodom:"Hevexedhissoulfromdaytodaywith their unlawful deeds" (2 Pet.2:8). Hear what is written of David:"Rivers of water run downmine eyes, because they keep not Thy law"(Psalms 119:136). Hear what is written of the godly in Ezekiel's time:"Theysighandcryforalltheabominationsthatbedoneinthemidstofthe land" (Ezek.9:4). Hear what is written of our Lord and SaviourHimself: "He beheld the city, and wept over it" (Luke 19:41). Surely itmaybelaiddownasoneofthefirstprinciplesofScripturalreligion,thathewhocanbeholdsinwithoutsorrowfulfeelingshasnotthemindoftheSpirit. This is one of those things in which the children of God aremanifest,andaredistinguishedfromthechildrenofthedevil.

Icallthespecialattentionofmyreaderstothispoint.Thetimesdemandthatwe look it fully in the face.The feelingswithwhichwe regard sin,heathenism,andirreligionareasubjectofvastimportanceinthepresentday.

Iaskyou,first,tolookoutsideourowncountry,andconsiderthestateoftheheathenworld.Atleastsixhundredmillionsofimmortalbeingsareatthismomentsunkinignorance,superstition,andidolatry.Theyliveanddie without God, without Christ, and without hope. In sickness and

sorrow they have no comfort. In old age and death they have no lifebeyondthegrave.OfthetruewayofpeacethroughaRedeemer,ofGod'slove in Christ, of free grace, of complete absolution from guilt, of aresurrection to life eternal, they have no knowledge. For long wearycenturiestheyhavebeenwaitingforthetardymovementsoftheChurchofChrist,whileChristianshavebeenasleep,orwastingtheirenergiesonuseless controversies, and squabbling and wrangling about forms andceremonies.Isnotthisasightwhichoughtto"stirthespirit?"

Iaskyou,next,toturnbacktoourownland,andconsiderthestateofourgreat cities There are districts in our greatmetropolis, in Liverpool, inManchester, in Birmingham, in the Black Country, where Christianityseems practically unknown. Examine the religious condition of EastLondon, or of Southwark, or Lambeth.Walk through the north end ofLiverpoolonSaturdayevening,orSunday,oronaBankHoliday,andseehowSabbath-breaking,intemperance,andgeneralungodlinessappeartorule and reign uncontrolled. "When the strongman armed keepeth hispalace,hisgoodsareinpeace"(Luke11:21).Andthenrememberthatthisstateofthingsexists inaprofessedlyChristiancountry, ina landwherethere is an Established Church, and within a few hours of Oxford andCambridge!OncemoreIsay,oughtnotthesethingsto"stir"ourhearts

It is a sorrowful fact, that there is around us in the present day agenerationofmenwhoregardheathenism,infidelity,andirreligionwithapathy, coolness, and indifference? They care nothing for Christianmissionseitherathomeorabroad.Theyseenonecessityforthem.Theytakeno interest in theEvangelisticworkofanyChurchorsociety.Theytreatallalikewithundisguisedcontempt.TheydespiseExeterHallTheynevergivesubscriptions.Theyneverattendmeetings.Theyneverreadamissionaryreport.Theyseemtothinkthateverymanshallbesavedbyhisownlaworsect,ifheisonlysincere;andthatonereligionisasgoodasanother, if thosewhoprofess itareonly inearnest.Theyare fondofdecrying and running down all spiritual machinery or missionaryoperations.Theyareconstantlyassertingthatmodernmissionsathomeorabroaddonothing,andthat thosewhosupport themare littlebetterthanweak enthusiasts. Judgingby their language, they appear to thinkthattheworldreceivesnobenefitfrommissionsandaggressiveChristian

movements, and that itwouldbe a betterway to leave theworld aloneWhatshallwesaytothesemen?Theymeetusoneveryside.Theyaretobe heard in every society. To sit by, and sneer, and criticise, and donothing,thisisapparentlytheirdelightandvocation.Whatshallwesaytothem?

Let us tell them plainly, if they will only hear us, that they are utterlyopposedtotheApostleSt.Paul.LetusshowthemthatmightymodelofaChristianmissionarywalkingthestreetsofAthens,and"stirred"inspiritatthesightofa"citywhollygiventoidolatry."Letusaskthemwhytheydonotfeelashefelt,abouttheidolatryofChinaandHindustan,ofAfricaand the South Seas, or about the semi-heathen districts of London,Liverpool,Manchester,Birmingham, and theBlackCountry.Letus askthemwhether1800yearshavemadeanydifferenceinthenatureofGod,thenecessitiesoffallenman,thesinfulnessofidol-worship,andthedutyofChristians.Weshallaskinvainforareasonableanswer:weshallgetnone. Sneers at our weakness are no argument against our principles.Jestsatourinfirmitiesandfailuresarenoproofthatouraimsarewrong.Yes;theymayhavethewitandwisdomofthisworldupontheirside;buttheeternalprinciplesof theNewTestamentarewrittenclearly,plainly,andunmistakably.SolongastheBibleistheBible,charitytosoulsisoneofthefirstofChristiangraces,anditisasolemndutytofeelforthesoulsoftheheathen,andofallunconvertedpeople.Hewhoknowsnothingofthis feeling has yet to become a learner in Christ's school. He whodespisesthis feeling isnotasuccessorofSt.Paul,buta followerofhimwhosaid,"AmImybrother'skeeper?"--evenofCain.

III. I askmy readers toobserve, in the lastplace,whatSt.PaulDIDatAthens.Whathesawyouhaveheard;whathefeltyouhavebeentold;buthowdidheact?

Hedid something.Hewasnot theman to stand still, and "conferwithfleshandblood"inthefaceofacityfullofidols.Hemighthavereasonedwithhimselfthathestoodalone,thathewasaJewbybirth,thathewasastrangerinastrangeland,--thathehadtoopposetherootedprejudicesandoldassociationsof learnedmen, that toattack theold religionofawholecitywastobeardalioninhisden,thatthedoctrinesofthegospelwere little likely to be effective onminds steeped inGreek philosophy.

ButnoneofthesethoughtsseemtohavecrossedthemindofSt.Paul.Hesawsoulsperishing;hefeltthatlifewasshort,andtimepassingaway;hehadconfidenceinthepowerofhisMaster'smessagetomeeteveryman'ssoul;hehadreceivedmercyhimself,andknewnothowtoholdhispeace.Heactedatonce;andwhathishandfoundtodo,hedidwithhismight.Ohthatwehadmoremenofactioninthesedays!

Andhedidwhathedidwithholywisdomaswell asholyboldness.Hecommencedaggressivemeasures alone, andwaitednot for companionsandhelpers. But he commenced themwith consummate skill, and in amannermostlikelytoobtainafootingforthegospel.First,wearetold,hedisputed"withtheJews"inthesynagogue,andthe"devoutpersons"orproselyteswhoattendedtheJewishworship.Afterwardshewentonto"dispute," orholddiscussions, "in themarketdailywith them thatmetwithhim."Headvancedstepbysteplikeanexperiencedgeneral.Here,aselsewhere,St.Paulisamodeltous:hecombinedfieryzealandboldnesswith judicious tactandsanctifiedcommonsense.Oh thatwehadmoremenofwisdominthesedays!

Butwhat did the Apostle teach?Whatwas the grand subjectwhich heargued, and reasoned out, and discussed, bothwith Jew andGreek, insynagogue and street? That he exposed the folly of idolatry to theignorant multitudes, -- that he showed the true nature of God to theworshippersofimagesmadewithhands,--thatheassertedthenearnessofGodtousall,andthecertaintyofasolemnreckoningwithGodatthejudgmentday,toEpicureansandStoics,--thesearefactswhichwehaverecordedfullyinhisaddressonMars'Hill.

But is there nothing more than this to be learnt about the Apostle'sdealingswith the idolatrous city? Is therenothingmoredistinctive andpeculiartoChristianitywhichSt.PaulbroughtforwardatAthens?Thereisindeedmore.Thereisasentenceinthe18thverseofthechapterwearelooking at, which ought to be written in letters of gold, -- a sentencewhichoughttosilenceforevertheimpudentassertion,whichsomehavedared to make, that the great Apostle of the Gentiles was sometimescontenttobeamereteacherofdeismornaturaltheology!Wearetoldinthe 18th verse that one thing which arrested the attention of theAthenians was the fact, that St. Paul "preached Jesus and the

resurrection."

Jesus and the resurrection! What a mine of matter that sentencecontained! What a complete summary of the Christian faith might bedrawn from thosewords!That theyareonlymeant tobea summary, Ihave no doubt. I pity those who would cramp and pare down theirmeaning, and interpret themasnothingmore thanChrist's propheticalofficeandexample.Ithinkit incrediblethattheveryApostlewhoafewdays after went to Corinth, "determined to know nothing but Christcrucified,"or thedoctrineof the cross,wouldkeepback the cross fromAthenian ears. I believe that "Jesus and the resurrection" is a sentencewhichstands for thewholegospel.TheFounder'sname,andoneof thefoundation facts of the gospel, stand before us for the whole ofChristianity.

What,then,doesthissentencemean?WhatarewetounderstandSt.Paulpreached?

(a) St. Paul at Athens preached the person of the Lord Jesus, -- Hisdivinity,Hisincarnation,Hismissionintotheworldtosavesinners,Hislife,anddeath,andascensionuptoheaven,Hischaracter,Histeaching,Hisamazinglovetothesoulsofmen.

(b) St. Paul at Athens preached the work of the Lord Jesus, -- -Hissacrifice upon the cross, His vicarious satisfaction for sin, Hissubstitution as the just for the unjust, the full redemption He hasprocured forall,andspeciallyeffected forallwhobelieve, thecompletevictoryHehasobtainedforlostmanoversin,death,andhell.

(c)St.PaulatAthenspreachedtheofficesoftheLordJesus,hastheoneMediatorbetweenGodandallmankind,asthegreatPhysicianforallsin-sicksouls,astheRest-giverandPeace-makerforallheavy-ladenhearts,as theFriendof the friendless, theHighPriestandAdvocateofallwhocommit their souls into His hands, the Ransom-payer of captives, theLightandGuideofallwanderingfromGod.

(d) St. Paul at Athens preached the terms which the Lord Jesus hadcommandedHis servants to proclaim to all theworld; --His readiness

andwillingnesstoreceiveatoncethechiefofsinners;Hisabilitytosaveto theuttermost allwho comeuntoGodbyHim; the full, present, andimmediate forgivenesswhichHeoffers toallwhobelieve; thecompletecleansing inHis blood from allmanner of sin; faith, or simple trust ofheart, the one thing requiredof allwho feel their sins anddesire to besaved;entirejustificationwithoutworks,ordoing,ordeedsoflawforallwhobelieve.

(e)Last,butnotleast,St.PaulpreachedatAthenstheresurrectionoftheLordJesus.HepreacheditasthemiraculousfactonwhichJesusHimselfstakedthewholecredibilityofHismission,andasafactprovedbysuchabounding evidence that no caviller at miracles has ever yet honestlydaredtomeets--Hepreacheditasafact,whichwastheverytop-stoneofthewholework of redemption, proving thatwhat Christ undertookHefully accomplished, that the ransom was accepted, the atonementcompleted,andtheprisondoorsthrownopenforever.--Hepreacheditasa fact,provingbeyonddoubt thepossibilityandcertaintyofourownresurrection in the flesh, and settling for ever the great question, "CanGodraisethedead?"

These things andmany like them, I cannotdoubt, St.PaulpreachedatAthens.Icannotforonemomentsupposethathetaughtonethingatoneplaceandoneatanother.TheHolyGhost supplies thesubstanceofhispreaching in that richsentence, "Jesusand theresurrection."ThesameHolyGhosthastoldusfullyhowhehandledthesesubjectsatAntiochinPisidia, at Philippi, at Corinth, andEphesus. TheActs and theEpistlesspeakoutonthispointwithnouncertainsound.Ibelievethat"Jesusandtheresurrection"means,--JesusandtheredemptionHeeffectedbyHisdeath and rising from the grave, His atoning blood, His cross, Hissubstitution,Hismediation,His triumphant entrance into heaven, andtheconsequent fullandcompletesalvationofall sinnerswhobelieve inHim.ThisisthedoctrineSt.Paulpreached.ThisistheworkSt.PauldidwhenhewasatAthens.

Now,havewenothingtolearnfromthesedoingsofthegreatApostleofthe Gentiles? There are lessons of deep importance to which I venturebriefly to invite the attentionof allwho read this paper. I saybriefly. Ionlythrowthemout,asseedsforprivatethought.

(a) Learn, for one thing, a doctrinal lesson from St. Paul's doings atAthens. The grand subject of our teaching, in every place, ought to beJesusChrist.Howeverlearnedorhoweverunlearned,howeverhigh-bornorhoweverhumbleouraudience,Christcrucified -- Christ -- Christ -- Christ -- crucified, rising, interceding,redeeming, pardoning, receiving, saving -- Christ must be the grandthemeofourteaching.Weshallnevermendthisgospel.Weshallneverfindanyothersubjectwhichwilldosomuchgood.WemustsowasSt.Paulsowed,ifwewouldreapasSt.Paulreaped.

(b)Learn, foranother thing,apractical lesson fromSt.Paul'sdoingsatAthens.WemustneverbeafraidtostandaloneandbesolitarywitnessesforChrist, ifneedbe, alone inavastungodlyparish, inourown land,-alone inEastLondon, inLiverpool, inManchester, --alone inDelhi,orBenares,orPekin,--itmattersnot.Weneednotholdourpeace,ifGod'struth be on our side. One Paul at Athens, one Athanasius against theworld, one Wycliffe against a host of Romish prelates, one Luther atWorms, these, these, are lighthouses before our eyes. God sees not asmansees.Wemustnotstandstilltocountheadsandnumberthepeople.Oneman,withChristinhisheartandtheBibleinhishands,isstrongerthanamyriadofidolaters.

(c) Learn for another thing, the importance, let me rather say thenecessity, of asserting boldly the supernatural element as an essentialpartoftheChristianreligion.Ineednottellmanywhoreadthesepagesthatunbelieversandscepticsaboundinthesedays,whomakeadeadsetat the miracles of the Bible, and are incessantly trying to throw themoverboardasuseless lumber,ortoprovebyingeniousexplanationsthattheyarefablesandnomiraclesatall:Letusneverbeafraidtoresistsuchteachingsteadily,andtotakeourstandbythesideofSt.Paul.Likehim,letuspointtotheresurrectionofChrist,andconfidentlychallengeallfairandreasonablementorefutetheevidencebywhichitissupported.Theenemies of supernatural religion have never refuted that evidence, andtheyneverwill. IfChristwasnotraisedfromthedead,theconductandteachingof theApostlesafterHe left theworld is anunsolvedproblemandaperfectmystery,whichnomaninhissensescanaccountfor.Butif,as we believe, the resurrection of Christ is an undeniable fact which

cannot be disproved, the whole fabric of sceptical arguments againstsupernatural religion is undermined, andmust fall to the ground. ThestupendousmiracleoftheresurrectionofChristonceadmitted,itissheernonsense to tell us that any other smaller miracle in the Bible isincredibleorimpossible.

(d):Learn,foronethingmore,alessonofencouragementtofaithfromSt.Paul's doings at Athens. If we preach the gospel, we may preach withperfect confidence that itwilldogood.That solitaryJewofTarsuswhostoodupaloneonMars'Hillappearedatthetimetodolittleornothing.Hepassedonhisway,andseemedtohavemadeafailure.TheStoicsandEpicureansprobablylaughedandsneeredasifthedaywastheirown.ButthatsolitaryJewwaslightingacandlethathasneversincebeenputout.TheWordthatheproclaimedinAthensgrewandmultiplied,andbecamea great tree. That little leavenultimately leavened thewhole ofGreece.The gospel that Paul preached triumphed over idolatry. The emptyParthenonstands,tothisday,aproofthatAtheniantheologyisdeadandgone.Yes; ifwesowgoodseed,wemaysowit intears,butweshallyet"comeagainwithjoy,bringingoursheaveswithus"(Ps.126:6).

I draw towards a conclusion. I pass from the consideration ofwhat St.Paulsaw,andtilt,anddidatAthens,topointsofpracticalimportance.Iaskeveryreaderofthispaperwhatoughtwetosee,tofeel,andtodo?

(1)Whatoughtwetosee?Itisanageofsightseeingandexcitement."Theeye is not satisfied with seeing" (Eccles.1:8). The world is mad afterrunningtoandfro,andtheincreaseofknowledge.Thewealth,thearts,the inventions of man are continually gathering myriads into greatExhibitions.Thousandsandtensofthousandsareannuallyrushingaboutandgazingattheworkofmen'shands.

Butoughtnot theChristianto lookat themapof theworld?OughtnotthemanwhobelievestheBibletogazewithsolemnthoughtsonthevastspacesinthatmapwhichareyetspirituallyblack,dead,andwithoutthegospel?OughtnotoureyestolookatthefactthathalfthepopulationoftheearthisyetignorantofGodandChrist,andyetsittingstillinsinandidolatry, and that myriads of our own fellow-countrymen in our greatcitiesarepractically littlebetter thanheathen,becauseChristiansdoso

littleforsouls?

TheeyesofGodseethesethings,andoureyesoughttoseethemtoo.

(2)Whataughtwetofeel?Ourhearts,iftheyarerightinthesightofGod,ought to be affected by the sight of irreligion and heathenism. Manyindeedarethefeelingswhichtheaspectoftheworldoughttocallupinourhearts.

Thankfulness we ought to feel for our own countless privileges. LittleindeeddothebulkofEnglishpeopleknowtheamountoftheirowndailyunpaid debt toChristianity.Wellwould it be for some if they could becompelledtodwellforafewweekseveryyearinaheathenland.

Shame and humiliationwe ought to feelwhenwe reflect how little theChurchofEnglandhasdoneforthespreadofChristianityhitherto.GodhasindeeddonegreatthingsforussincethedayswhenCranmer,Ridley,andLatimerwentto thestake, --haspreservedusthroughmanytrials,hasenricheduswithmanyblessings.ButhowlittlereturnwehavemadeHim!Howfewofour15,000parishesdoanythingworthyofthecauseofmissionsathomeorabroad!Howlittlezealsomecongregationsshowforthesalvationofsouls!Thesethingsoughtnotsotobe!

Compassion we ought to feel when we think of the wretched state ofunconvertedsouls,andthemiseryofallmenandwomenwholiveanddiewithoutChrist.Nopovertylikethispoverty!Nodiseaselikethisdisease!No slavery like this slavery! No death like this, death in idolatry,irreligion, and sin! Well may we ask ourselves, Where is the mind ofChrist, if we do not feel for the lost? I lay it down boldly, as a greatprinciple, that theChristianitywhichdoesnotmake aman feel for thestateofunconvertedpeopleisnottheChristianitywhichcamedownfromheaven1800yearsago, and is embalmed in theNewTestament. It is amereemptyname.ItisnottheChristianityofSt.Paul.

(3)Finally,whatoughtwe todo?This, afterall, is thepoint towhich Iwanttobringyourmind.Seeingandfeelingarewell;butdoingisthelifeof religion. Passive impressions which do not lead to action have atendencytohardentheconscience,anddouspositiveharm.Whatought

we todo?Weought todomuchmore thanwehave everdoneyet.Wemight all probably domore. The honour of the gospel, the state of themissionary fieldabroad, the conditionofourovergrowncitiesathome,allcalluponustodomore.

Needwe standstill, andbeashamedof theweaponsofourwarfare? Isthegospel,theoldEvangelicalcreed,unequaltothewantsofourday?Iassertboldlythatwehavenocausetobeashamedofthegospelatall.Itisnotwornout.Itisnoteffete.Itisnotbehindthetimes.Wewantnothingnew,nothingaddedtothegospel,nothingtakenaway.Wewantnothingbut"theoldpaths,"theoldtruthsfully,boldly,affectionatelyproclaimed.Only preach the gospel fully, the same gospelwhich St. Paul preached,and it is still "the power of God unto salvation to every one thatbelieveth," and nothing else called religion has any real power at all.(Rom.1:16.)

Need we stand still and be ashamed of the results of preaching thegospel?Shallwehangdownourheads,andcomplainthat"thefaithoncedeliveredtothesaints"haslostitspower,anddoesnogood?Wehavenocausetobeashamedatall.Iamboldtosaythatnoreligiousteachingonearth can point to any results worth mentioning except that which iscalleddoctrinal, dogmatic theology.Whatdeliverance on earthhave allthemodernschools--whichscorndogmaticteaching--whatdeliverancehave theywrought?What overgrown and semi-heathen parishes in themetropolis, inourgreatseaports,ourmanufacturingtowns,ourcollierydistricts, have they evangelized and civilized?WhatNewZealand,whatRed River, what Sierra-Leone, what Tinnevelly can the high-soundingsystemsof this latter day point to as a fruit of their system?No! if thequestion, "What is truth?" is to be solved by reference to results andfruits, the religion of theNewTestament, the religionwhose principlesaresummarized,condensed,andembalmedinourArticles,Creeds,andPrayerBook,hasnocausetobeashamed.

Whatcanwedonowbughumbleourselvesforthepast,andendeavour,byGod'shelp,todomorefortimetocome?Letusopenoureyesmore,andsee.Letusopenourheartsmore,and.fed.Letusstirupourselvestodomorework ruby self-denying gifts, by zealous co-operation, by boldadvocacy, by fervent prayer. Let us do somethingworthy of our cause.

ThecauseforwhichJesusleftheavenandcamedowntoearthdeservesthebestthatwecando.

Andnow,letmeclosethispaperbyreturningtothethoughtwithwhichitbegan.Perhapsyour lot is cast inacityor town.Thepopulationofourrural districts is annuallydecreasing.Thedwellers in towns are rapidlyoutnumberingthedwellersincountryparishes.Ifyouareadwellerinatown,acceptthepartingwordsofadvicewhichIamabouttooffer.Giveme,yourbestattentionwhileIspeaktoyouaboutyoursoul.

(1)Remember,foronething,thatyouareplacedinapositionofpeculiarspiritual danger. From the days of Babel downwards,whereverAdam'schildrenhavebeenassembledinlargenumbers,theyhavealwaysdrawnoneanother to theutmostextremitiesof sinandwickedness.ThegreattownshavealwaysbeenSatan'sseat.Itisthetownwheretheyoungmanseesaboundingexamplesofungodliness;and,ifheisdeterminedtolivein sin, will always find plenty of companions. It is the townwhere thetheatre and the casino, the dancing room and the drinking bar, arecontinuallycrowded.Itisthetownwheretheloveofmoney,ortheloveofamusement, or the love of sensual indulgence, lead captivemyriads ofslaves.ItisthetownwhereamanwillalwaysfindhundredstoencouragehiminbreakingtheSabbath,despisingthemeansofgrace,neglectingtheBible,leavingoffthehabitofprayer.Reader,considerthesethings.Ifyoulive in a town, take care. Know your danger. Feel your weakness andsinfulness.FleetoChrist,andcommityoursoultoHiskeeping.AskHimtoholdyouup,andyouwillbesafe.Standonyourguard.ResistthedevilWatchandpray.

(2)Remember,ontheotherhand,ifyouliveinatown,youwillprobablyhave some special helps which you cannot always find in the country.There are few English towns in which you will not find a few faithfulservantsofChrist,whowillgladlyassistyouandaidyouinyourjourneytowardsheaven.FewindeedaretheEnglishtownsinwhichyouwillnotfind someministerwho preaches the gospel, and some pilgrims in thenarrowwaywhoarereadytowelcomeanyadditiontotheirnumber.

Reader,beofgoodcourage,andnevergivewaytothedespairingthoughtthatitisimpossibletoserveChristinatown.ThinkratherthatwithGod

nothingisimpossible.Thinkofthelonglistofwitnesseswhohavecarriedthe cross, and been faithful unto death in the midst of the greatesttemptations.ThinkofDanielandthethreechildreninBabylon.Thinkofthe saints in Nero's household at Rome. Think of the multitudes ofbelieversatCorinthandEphesusandAntiochinthedaysoftheApostles.It isnotplacebutgrace thatmakes theChristian.Theholiestandmostuseful servants of God who have ever lived were not hermits in thewildernessbutdwellersintowns.

Rememberthesethings,andbeofgoodcheer.YourlotmaybecastinacitylikeAthens,"whollygiventoidolatry."Youmayhavetostandaloneinthebank,thecounting-house,theplaceofbusiness,ortheshop.

Butyouarenotreallyalone,ifChristiswithyou.BestrongintheLord,andinthepowerofHismight.Bebold,thorough,decided,andpatient.Thedaywillcomewhenyouwillfindthatevenhiagreatcityamanmaybe a happy, useful Christian, respected while he lives, and honouredwhenhedies.Footnotes:

[9]ThispapercontainsthesubstanceofasermonpreachedatSt.Mary's,Oxford,beforetheUniversity,in1880.

Acts26:24-29.Portraits.[10]

"And as he thus spake for himself, Festus saidwith a loud voice, Paul,thouartbesidethyself;muchlearningdothmaketheemad.

"Buthesaid,Iamnotmad,mostnobleFestus;butspeakforththewordsoftruthandsoberness.

"Forthekingknowethof thesethings,beforewhomalsoIspeakfreely:for I ampersuaded that none of these things arehidden fromhim; for

thisthingwasnotdoneinacorner.

"KingAgrippa,believestthoutheprophets?Iknowthatthoubelievest.

"Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be aChristian.

"AndPaulsaid,IwouldtoGod,thatnotonlythou,butalsoallthathearmethisday,werebothalmostandaltogethersuchasIam,exceptthesebounds."--Acts26:24-29.

THEREisacollectionofpicturesinLondoncalledtheNationalPortraitGallery. It contains the likenessesofnearly all the greatmenwhohavemade a mark in English history. It is well worth seeing. But I doubtwhetheritcontainsthreeportraitswhichdeserveamoreattentivestudythanthethreewhichIamgoingtoshowyouinthispaper.

Onestriking featureof theBible is the richvarietyof its contents.Thatgrand oldBook,which for eighteen centuries has baffled the attacks ofunfriendly critics, isnotonly a storehouseofdoctrine,precept,history,poetry,andprophecy.TheHolyGhosthasalsogivenusaseriesoflifelikeportraits of humannature, in all its various aspects,whichdeserve ourattentive study. Who does not know that we often learn more frompatternsandexamplesthanfromabstractstatements?

The well-known piece of Scripture which heads this paper supplies anadmirable illustration of my meaning. It forms the conclusion of thechapterinwhichthe.ApostleSt.PaulmakesadefenceofhimselfbeforetheRomangovernorFestusandtheJewishkingAgrippa.Threepicturesofthreeverydifferentmenhangbeforeus.Theyaretypesofthreeclassesofmenwhoaretobeseenamongusatthisveryday.Theirsuccessionhasnever ceased. In spite of changing fashions, scientific discoveries, andpolitical reforms, the inward heart of man in every age is always thesame. Come and let us stand before these three pictures, as we wouldstandbefore thepaintingofaGainsborough,aReynolds,oraRomney,andseewhatwemaylearn.

I.Letuslook,first,atFestus,theRomangovernor.Thisisthemanwho

abruptly broke in upon St. Paul's address, exclaiming, "Paul, thou artbesidethyself;muchlearningdothmaketheemad."

Festus, no doubt, was a heathen, ignorant of any religion except theidolatroustemple-worship,whichinthetimeoftheApostlesoverspreadthe civilized world. From the language he addressed to Agrippa in apreceding chapter, he seems to have been profoundly ignorant both ofJudaism and Christianity. He spoke of "questions of their ownsuperstition,andofoneJesus,whichwasdead,whomPaulaffirmedtobealive" (Acts 25:19). Most probably, like many a proud Roman in thedecliningageoftheRomanEmpire,heregardedallreligionswithsecretcontempt,asall equally false,orequally true,andallalikeunworthyofthenoticeof a greatman.As for a Jew talkingof showing "light to theGentiles,"theveryideawasridiculous!Tokeepinwiththeworld,tohavethe favour ofman, to care nothing for anything but the things seen, toplease "my lord" Augustus, -- this was probably the whole religion ofPorciusFestus.

Now,aretheremanyamonguslikeFestus?Yes!Ifeartherearetensofthousands.Theyaretobefoundineveryrankandclassofsociety.Theywalkinourstreets.Theytravelwithusinrailwaycarriages.Theymeetusinthedailyintercourseoftheworld.Theyfillthevariousrelationsofliferespectably. They are often goodmen of business, and eminent in theprofessionstheyhavechosen.Theydischargethevariousdutiesoftheirpositionswith credit, and leave a good name behind them,when theirplaceisempty.But,likeFestus,theyhavenoreligion!

Thesearetheywhoseemtoliveasiftheyhadnosouls.FromJanuarytoDecember, they appear neither to think, nor feel, nor see, nor knowanything about a life to come. It forms no part of their schemes, andplans,andcalculations.Theyliveasiftheyhadnothingtoattendtobutthebody,--nothingtodobuttoeat,anddrink,andsleep,anddress,andgetmoney,andspendmoney,--andnoworldtoprovideforexcepttheworldwhichweseewithoureyes.

These are they who seldom, if ever, use any means of grace, whetherpublicorprivate.PrayingandBible-reading,andsecretcommunionwithGod,arethingswhichtheydespiseandletalone.Theymaybeverywell

for the aged, the sick, and thedying; for the clergy, themonk, and thenun;butnotforthem!Ifevertheyattendaplaceofworship,itisonlyasamatterofform,toappearrespectable;andtoooftentheyneverattendexceptontheoccasionofsomegreatpublicceremony,oratawedding,orafuneral.

These are they who profess their inability to understand anything likezeal or earnestness about religion. They regard the Societies, theInstitutions,theliterature,theEvangelisticeffortsofChristians,athomeorabroad,withsublimecontempt.Theirmaximistoleteverybodyalone.ThecomparativeclaimsofChurchandDissent,thestrifeofpartieswithinour pale, the debates of Convocations, Congresses, and DiocesanConferences, are all alike matters of indifference to them. They lookcoldly at them from a distance, like the philosopher described by theLatinpoetLucretius, and regard themas the childish strugglesofweakfolks,unworthyof thenoticeof a cultivatedmind.And if such subjectsareeverbroughtupintheircompany,theybrushthemawaywithsomesatiricalremark,orsomeoft-repeatedoldsmartsayingofscepticism.

WillanyonedenythattherearemultitudesofpeoplearoundussuchasIhave tried to describe, -- kind people, perhaps, moral people, good-natured people, easy to get on with, unless you get on the subject ofreligion?It is impossible todeny it.Theirname is"legion," for theyaremany.Thetendencyoftheselatterdaystomakeanidolofintellect,--thedesire tobe independentand to think for yourself,w thedisposition toworship private judgment, to exalt your own isolated opinion, and todeemitfinerandcleverertogowrongwithafewthanrightwithacrowd,allthishelpstoswelltheranksofthefollowersofFestus.Ifearheisthetypeofalargeclass.

Suchpeopleareamelancholysight.Theyoftenremindmeofsomegrandold ruin, like Melrose or Bolton Abbey, where enough remains ofbeauteous arches, and columns, and towers, and traceried windows toshowwhat the building oncewas, andwhat itmight have been now ifGod had not left it. But now all is cold, and silent, and gloomy, andsuggestiveofdecay,becausetheMasterofthehouse,theLordof life, isnotthere.JustsoitiswithmanyofthefollowersofFestus.Youoftenfeel,when you observe their intellectual power, their gifts of speech, their

taste,theirenergyofcharacter,"whatmenthesemightbeifGodhadHisrightfulplaceintheirsouls!"ButwithoutGodall iswrong.Alas,forthecrushingpowerofunbeliefandpride,whentheygetcompletemasteryofa mall, and reign over him uncontrolled! No wonder that Scripturedescribesunconvertedmanas"blind, --sleeping,besidehimself, --anddead."

IsFestusreadingthispaperto-day?Iamafraidnot!Religioustractsandbooks,likeSundayservicesandsermons,arenotinhisline.OnSundays,Festusprobablyreadsthenewspaper,orlooksoverhisworldlyaccounts,or visits his friends, or goes a journey, and secretly wishes an EnglishSundaywasmorelikeaContinentalone,andthetheatresandmuseumswereopen.Onweek-days,Festusisconstantlyemployedinbusiness,orpolitics,or,recreations,orkillingtimeinthetriflingpursuitsofmodemsociety; and he lives like a butterfly, as thoughtless as if therewere nosuch thingasdeath,or judgment,or eternity.Oh,no:Festus isnot themantoreadthispaper!

ButisamanlikeFestusinahopelesscondition,andbeyondthereachofmercy?No,indeed!IthankGodheisnot.Hehasyetgotaconscienceatthe bottom of his character, which, howevermuch seared, is not quitedead,--aconsciencewhich, likethegreatbellofSt.Paul'satmidnight,whentheroarofcitybusinessisover,willsometimesmakeitselfheard.Like Felix, andHerod, andAhab, andPharaoh, the followers of Festushave their times of visitation; and, unlike them, they sometimes awakebeforeitistoolate,andbecomedifferentmen.Thereareseasonsintheirliveswhentheyaredriveninuponthemselves,andfeel"thepowersoftheworld to come," and find thatmortalman cannot get onwithout God.Sickness, and solitude, and disappointments, and losses ofmoney, anddeathsoflovedones,cansometimesmaketheproudestheartsbowdown,andconfessthatthe"grasshopperisaburden."Manassehisnottheonlyonewho"intimeofaffliction"turnedtoGod,andbegantopray.Yes!Ihavelongfeltthatwemustneverdespairofanyone.Theageofspiritualmiracles is not past. With Christ and the Holy Ghost nothing isimpossible.ThelastdaywillshowthatthereweresomewhobeganwithFestusandwerelikehim,butatlastturnedround,repented,andendedwithSt.Paul.Whilethereislifewemusthope,andprayforothers.

II.Letusnowturntoaverydifferentpicture.LetuslookatKingAgrippa.This is themanwhowas somuch struck by St. Paul's address that hesaid,"AlmostthoupersuadestmetobeaChristian."

"Almost."Letmedwellforamomentonthatexpression.Iamwellawarethatmany thinkourAuthorizedEnglishVersionof theBible is in faulthere,andfailstogivethetruemeaningoftheoriginalGreek.Theyassertthat thephrasewouldbemorecorrectly rendered, "Ina short time,"or"withweakand feebleargument thouartpersuadingme." I ambold tosaythatIcannotaccepttheviewofthesecritics,thoughIadmitthatthephrase is ratherobscure.But inquestions like these Idarenot call anymanmaster. I hold with several excellent commentators, both ancientandmodern,[11]thatthetranslationgiveninourAuthorizedVersionisright and correct. I am fortified inmybelief by the fact that this is theview of onewho thought, and spoke, andwrote in the language of theNewTestament--ImeanthefamousGreekFatherChrysostom.Andlast,but not least, no other view appears to me to harmonize with theexclamationoftheApostleSt.Paulintheversewhichfollows."Almost!"heseemstosay,takingupAgrippa'swords."Iwanttheetobenotalmost,butaltogetheraChristian."OnthesegroundsIstandbyourOldVersion.

Agrippa,whosepicturenowdemandsourattention,wasinmanyrespectsveryunlikeFestus.OfJewishextraction,andbroughtupamongJews,ifnotofpureJewishblood,hewasthoroughlyfamiliarwithmanythingsofwhichtheRomangovernorwasutterlyignorant.Heknewand"believedthe prophets." He must have understood many things in St. Paul'saddress,whichweremere "wordsandnames"andraving fancies tohiscompanionintheplaceofhearing.Hehadasecretinwardconvictionthatthe man before him had truth on his side. He saw, and felt, and wasmoved, and affected, and conscience-stricken, and had inward wishesandlongingdesires.Buthecouldgetnofurther.Hesaw;buthehadnotcourage toact.He felt;buthehadnot thewill tomove.Hewasnot farfromthekingdomofGod;buthehaltedoutside.HeneithercondemnednorridiculedChristianity;but,likeamanwhoisparalyzed,hecouldonlylookatitandexamineit,andhadnotstrengthofmindtolayholdonitandreceiveitintohisheart.

Now, are theremanyprofessingChristians likeAgrippa? I fear there is

only one answer to that question. They are an exceeding great army, amultitude which it is difficult to number. They are to be found in ourchurches,andarepretty regularattendantsonallmeansofgrace.Theyhave no doubt of the truth of the Bible. They have not the slightestobjection to the doctrines of the gospel. They know the differencebetween sound and unsound teaching. They admire the lives of holypeople. They read good books, and give money to good objects. But,unhappily,theyneverseemtogetbeyondacertainpointintheirreligion.They never come out boldly on Christ's side, never take up the cross,never confess Christ before men, never give up petty inconsistencies.Theyoftentellyouthatthey"mean,andintend,andhope,andpurpose"someday tobemoredecidedChristians.Theyknow they arenotquitewhattheyoughttobeatpresent,andtheyhopeonedaytobedifferent.But the "convenient season" never seems to come. Meaning andintending theygoon,andmeaningand intending theygooff the stage.Meaning and intending they live, andmeaning and intending, too oft,they die, -- kind, good-natured, respectable people; not enemies, butfriendstoSt.Paul,but,likeAgrippa,"almostChristians."

Howisit,youmaywellask,thatmencangosofarinreligion,andyetgonofurther?Howisitthattheycanseesomuch,andknowsomuch,andyet not follow the light they have to the "perfect day"? How is it thatintellect and reason and conscience can make such progress towardsChristianity,andyetheartandwillcanlagbehind?

The answers to these questions are soon given. The fear ofman keepsbacksome.Theyhaveacowardlydreadofbeinglaughedat,mocked,anddespised,iftheybecomedecidedChristians.Theydarenotriskthelossofman'sgoodopinion.Likemanyof theJewishrulers inourLord's time,they"lovethepraiseofmenmorethanthepraiseofGod"(John12:43).Theloveoftheworldkeepsbackothers.Theyknowthatdecidedreligionentailsseparationfromsomeofthefashionableamusementsandmodesofspendingtime,whicharecommonintheworld.Theycannotmakeuptheirmindsto thisseparation.Theyshrinkfromtheirbaptismalvowto"renounce the pomps and vanities of this world." Like Lot's wife, theywouldliketobedeliveredfromthewrathofGod;but,likeher,theymust"lookback"(Gen.19:26).Acertainsubtleformofself-righteousnesskeeps

backmany.Theytakecomfortinthesecretthoughtthat,atanyrate,theyarenotsobadasFestus.Theyarenotlikesomepeopletheyknow:theydonotdespisereligion.Theygotochurch.TheyadmireearnestmenlikeSt.PaulSurelytheywillnotbelostonaccountofafewinconsistencies!--The morbid dread of being party-spirited keeps back many, andespeciallyyoungmen.Theyareoppressedwiththeideathattheycannottake a decided line in religionwithout committing themselves to someparticular"schoolofthought."Thisiswhattheydonotwanttodo.TheyforgetthatthecaseofAgripPsalmsisnotoneofdoctrine,butofconduct,andthatdecidedactionaboutdutyisthesurestwaytoobtainlightaboutdoctrinal truth. " If any man will do God's will, he shall know of thedoctrine"(John7:17).Somesecretsin,Ifear,keepsbacknotafew.Theyknow in their own hearts that they are clinging to something which iswronginGod'ssight.ThereisanHerodias,oraDrusilla,oraBernice,oranAchan'swedgeofgoldsomewhere,intheirprivatehistory,whichwillnotbearthelightofday.Theycannotpartwiththisdarling.Theycannotcut off the right hand, or pluck out the right eye, and so they cannotbecomedisciples.Alas! for these excuses.Weighed in the balance, theyare worthless and vain. Alas! for those who rest in them. Except theyawake,andcastofftheirchains,theywillmakeshipwreckforever.

IsAgripPsalmsreadingthispaperto-day?Arethereanylikehimwhoseeyesareon thispage?Takeakindlywarning fromaministerofChrist,andtrytorealizethatyouareinaverydangerousposition.Wishing,andfeeling, and meaning, and intending, do not make up saving religion.Theyarebutpaintedcorks,whichmayenableyoutofloatonthesurfaceforatime,andkeepyourheadabovewater,buttheywillnotpreventyoubeingcarrieddownthestream,andbeingatlastsweptoveraworsefallthan that of Niagara And, after all, you are not happy. You know toomuchof religion tobehappy in theworld: youare toomuchmixedupwith theworld to get any comfort fromyour religion. In short, you areneitherhappyintheworldnoroutoftheworld.Awaketoasenseofyourdanger and your folly.Resolve byGod's help to becomedecided.Drawthesword,andcastawaythescabbard."Ifyouhavenosword,sellyourgarmentandbuyone"(Luke22:36).Burnyourships,andmarchstraightforward.Donotmerelylookattheark,andadmireit;butenterin,beforethedoorisshutandthefloodbegins.Onething,atanyrate,maybelaid

downas an axiom in the elements of religion:An "almost"Christian isneitherasafenorahappyman.

III.Letusturnnowtothelastpictureofthethree.Letuslookatthemanwhom Festus thought "beside himself," and by whom Agrippa was"almostpersuadedtobeaChristian."LetuslookatSt.Paul.Thisisthemanwho boldly said," Iwould toGod, that not only thou, but all thathearmethisday,werebothalmostandaltogethersuchasIam,exceptthesebonds."Hewishedhishearersnochainsorimprisonment,suchashewassufferingwhenhespoke.Buthedidwishthemtobeofonemindwithhimabout theonethingneedful;andtosharehispeace,hishope,hissolidcomfort,hisexpectations.

"Altogether such as I am." A weighty andmemorable saying! It is thelanguageofonewhoisthoroughlyconvincedandpersuadedthatheisintheright.Hehascastoverboardalldoubtsandhesitations.Heholdsthetruthwiththefirmgraspofbothhands,andnotwithfingerandthumb.Itisthelanguageofthemanwhowroteinoneplace,"IknowwhomIhavebelieved,andthatHeisabletokeepthatwhichIhavecommittedtoHimagainstthatday."--Andinanotherplace,"Iampersuadedthatneitherdeath, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor thingspresent, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any othercreature, shall be able to separate us from the love ofGod,which is inChristJesusourLord"(2Tim.1:12;Rom.8:38-39).

(a) St. Paul was altogether convinced of the truth of the facts ofChristianity.ThattheLordJesusChristwasactually"Godmanifestintheflesh,"--thatHehadprovedHisdivinitybydoingmiracleswhichcouldnotbedenied,--thatHehad,finally,risenfromthegraveandascendedupintoheaven,andwassittingatGod'srighthandasman'sSaviour,--onallthesepointshehadthoroughlymadeuphismind,andhadnottheslightest doubt of their credibility.Onbehalf of themhewaswilling todie.

(b) St. Paul was altogether convinced of the truth of the doctrines ofChristianity.Thatweareallguiltysinners,andindangerofeternalruin,that the grand object of Christ coming into the world was to makeatonementforoursins,andtopurchaseredemptionbysuffering inour

steadonthecross,--thatallwhorepentandbelieveonChristcrucifiedarecompletelyforgivenallsins,--andthatthereisnootherwaytopeacewithGodandheavenafterdeath,but faith inChrist, --all thishemoststedfastlybelieved.Toteachthesedoctrineswashisoneobjectfromhisconversiontillhismartyrdom.

(c)St.Paulwasaltogetherconvinced thathehimselfhadbeenchangedbythepoweroftheHolySpirit,andtaughttoliveanewlife,--thataholylife, devoted and consecrated to Christ, was the wisest, happiest life amancouldlive,thatthefavourofGodwasathousandtimesbetterthanthefavourofman,--andthatnothingwastoomuchtodoforHimwhohadlovedhimandgivenHimselfforhim.Heranhisraceever"lookinguntoJesus,"andspendingandbeingspentforHim(Heb.12:2;2Cor.5:15,12:15).

(d)Last,butnotleast,St.Paulwasaltogetherconvincedoftherealityofaworldtocome.Thepraiseorfavourofman,therewardsorpunishmentsof this presentworld,were all as dross to him.He had before his eyescontinuallyaninheritanceincorruptible,andacrownofglorythatwouldnever fade away (Phil.3:8; 2 Tim.4:8). Of that crown he knew thatnothing could deprive him. Festus might despise him, and think him"mad."TheRomanemperor,towhomhewasgoing,mightorderhimtobe beheaded or thrown to the lions. What matter? He was firmlypersuaded that he had treasure laid up in heavenwhichneitherFestusnorCaesarcouldtouch,andwhichwouldbehistoalleternity.

ThisiswhatSt.Paulmeantwhenhesaid"altogethersuchasIam."Aboutthefacts,doctrines,practice,andrewardstocomeofChristianity,hehadarooted,settled,firmconviction,--aconvictionwhichhelongedtoseeallmensharing.Hewasconfident:hewantedothers toenjoy thesameconfidence.Hehadnodoubtorfearaboutthefuturestateofhissoul.Hewould fainhave seenFestus,Agrippa,Bernice, andall around them, inthesamehappycondition.

Now,aretheremanyinthepresentdaylikeSt.Paul?Idonotofcoursemean,aretheremanyinspiredApostles?ButIdomean,isitcommontomeetChristianswhoareasthorough,asunhesitating,asfullofassuranceas he was? I fear there can only be one answer to this question. "Not

many,"whether rich or poor, high or low, "are called." -- "Strait is thegate,andnarrowistheway,thatleadethuntolife,andfewtherebethatfindit"(1Cor.1:26;Matt.7:14).Lookwhereyouplease,searchwhereyoulike in townor in country, there are few "altogether"Christians.FestusandAgripPsalmsare everywhere: theymeetusat every turn.But therearefewthorough,wholeheartedfollowersofSt.Paul.Yetonethingisverycertain.Thesefewarethe"saltoftheearth,"andthe"lightoftheworld"(Matt.5:13-14).ThesefewarethegloryoftheChurch,andservetokeepitalive.Without them, the Churchwould be little better than a decayingcarcase, awhite-washed sepulchre, a lighthousewithout light, a steam-enginewithout fire, a golden candlestickwithout a candle, a joy to thedevil,andanoffencetoGod.

Theseare thekindofmenwho shake theworld, and leavean indeliblemark behind them. Martin Luther, and John Wesley, and WilliamWilberforce were hated and lightly esteemed while they lived; but thework theydid forChristwillneverbe forgotten.Theywere"altogether"Christians.

Thesearethekindofmenwhoenjoytruehappinessintheirreligion.LikePaul and Silas, they can sing in prison, and, like Peter, they can sleepquietlyontheveryedgeofthegrave(Acts12:6,16:25).Strongfaithgivesthem an inward peace which makes them independent of earthlytroubles, and compels even their enemies to wonder. Your lukewarmLaodicean Christians have little comfort in their religion. It is the"thorough" men who have great peace. The first Marian martyr, JohnRogers,whenhewasgoingtobeburnedaliveforProtestantism,issaidtohavewalkedtothestakeinSmithfieldascheerfullyasifheweregoingtohiswedding.Theoutspoken,courageouswordsofoldLatimer,beforethefaggots were lighted, in the day of his martyrdom, in Broad Street,Oxford,arenotforgottentothisveryday."Courage!BrotherRidley,"hecriedtohisfellow-sufferer;"weshalllightacandleinEnglandto-day,byGod'sgrace,whichshallneverbeputout."Thesemenwere"altogether"Christians.

He that would be safe and prepared to meet his God at a moment'snotice,at evening,at cock-crowing,or in themorning, --he thatwouldenjoy felt peace in his religion, peace unaffected by sicknesses,

bereavements,bankruptcies,revolutions,andthelasttrumpet'ssound,--he thatwould do good in his day and generation, and be a fountain ofChristian influence to all around him, influence known and recognisedlongafterhehasbeenlaidinhisgrave,--letthatmanrememberwhatItell. him to-day, and never forget it. Youmust not be content to be an"almost" Christian, like Agrippa. You must strive, and labour, andagonize,andpraytobean"altogether"Christian,likeSt.Paul.

And now, let us leave these three pictures with self-inquiry and self-examination.Thetimeisshort.Ouryearsarequicklypassingaway.Theworld is growing old. The great assize will soon begin. The Judge willsoon appear.What arewe?Towhomarewe like?Whose is this imageandsuperscriptionuponus?Is it thatofFestus,orofAgrippa,orofSt.Paul?

Where are Festus and Agrippa now?We do not know. A veil is drawnover their subsequent history, and whether they died as they lived wecannot tell. But where is St. Paul, the "altogether" Christian? Thatquestion we can answer. He is "with Christ, which is far better"(Phil.1:23).Heiswaitingfortheresurrectionofthejust,inthatparadiseofrestwheresinandSatanandsorrowcantroublehimnomore.Hehasfoughtthegoodfight.Hehasfinishedhiscourse,hehaskeptthefaith.AcrownislaidupforhimwhichhewillreceiveinthegreatreviewdayoftheLord'sappearing(2Tim.4:7-8).

And,letusthankGod,thoughSt.Paulisdeadandgone,theSaviourwhomadeSt.Paulwhathewas,andkepthimtotheend,stilllivesandneverchanges,--alwaysabletosave,alwayswillingtoreceive.Letthetimepastsuffice us, ifwehave trifledwith our souls hitherto. Let us turn over anewleaf.LetusariseandbeginwithChrist,ifweneverbeganbefore.LetusgoonwithChristtotheend,ifwehavebegunwithHimalready.Withthe grace of God, nothing is impossible.Whowould have thought thatSaul the Pharisee, the persecutor of Christians,would ever become the"altogether Christian" himself, would become the great Apostle of theGentiles,andwouldturntheworldupsidedown?Whilethereislifethereishope.The follower ofFestus andAgripPsalmsmay yet be converted,and live for years, and lie down in the grave at last an "altogether"ChristianlikeSt.Paul.

Footnotes:

[10] This paper contains the substance of a sermon, preached in April1881, at St. Mary's, Oxford, before the University, and at the ChapelRoyal,St.James's,London.

[11]Luther,Beza,Grotius,Poole,Bengel,Stier,andDeanHowson.

"ToWhom?"[12]

"ThenSimonPeteransweredHim,Lord,towhomshallwego?Thouhastthewordsofeternallife."--John6:68.

THEchaptercontainingthetextwhichheadsthispage,issingularlyrichinmatter.

Itbegins,wemustremember,withthatwell-knownmiracle,thefeedingoffivethousandmenwithfiveloavesandtwofishes,--amiraclewhichsomeearlywriterscallthegreatestwhichChristeverworked,--theonlymiracle which all the four Evangelists alike record, -- a miracle whichexhibitedcreativepower.

Itgoesontoshowusanothermiracleofhardlylessstrikingcharacter,thewalkingofChriston thewatersof theseaofGalilee, --amiraclewhichexhibitedourLord'spower,whenHethoughtfit,tosuspendtheso-calledlawsofnature.ItwasaseasyforHimtowalkonthewaterasithadbeentocreatelandandseaatthebeginning.

The chapter then carries us on to that wonderful discourse in thesynagogue of Capernaum, which St. John alone, of all the four Gospelwriters,wasinspiredtogivetotheworld.Christ,thetruebreadoflife,--theprivilegesofallwhocometoHimandbelieve,--thedeepmysteryofMary's, in the year 1880. It isnowpublishedwith someomissions andalterationseatingChrist's fleshanddrinkingChrist'sblood,andthe life

whichthatfleshandbloodconvey,--whatawealthofprecioustruthlieshere!HowgreatthedebtwhichtheChurchowestothefourthGospel!

And,finally,asthechapterdrawstoaclose,wehavethenobleoutburstof thewarm-hearted Apostle St. Peter, -- "Lord, towhom shall we go?Thouhast thewordsof eternal life." In this remarkable verse there arethree points to which I now propose to invite the attention of all intowhosehandsthispapermayfall.

I.Inthefirstplace,Iaskyoutoobservetheoccasionofthesewordsbeingspoken.Whatmadethisfiery,impulsivedisciplecryout,"Towhomshallwego?"Theverseswhichprecedeourtextsupplyananswer."Fromthattimemanywentback,andwalkednomorewithHim.ThensaidJesustothetwelve,Willyealsogoaway?"

There you have recorded amelancholy andmost instructive fact. EvenfromChristHimself,who"spakeasnevermanspake,"anddidworksofmatchless power, and lived as no one ever lived, holy, harmless,undefiled, and separate from sinners, even from Christ many, afterfollowingHimforatime,wentaway.Yes!many,notafew,manyinthenoontideblazeofmiraclesandsermons,suchasearthhadneverseenorheard before, many turned away from Christ, left Him, deserted Him,gaveupHisblessedservice,andwentback,--sometoJudaism,sometotheworld,andsome,wemayfear,totheirsins."Iftheydidthesethingsin a green tree, what may we expect in a dry?" If men could forsakeChrist,wehavenorighttobesurprisedifHiserring,weakministersareforsakenalsointheselastdays.

But why did these men go back? Some of them, probably, went backbecause they had not counted the cost, and "when tribulation orpersecutionarosebecauseoftheword"theywereoffended.Someofthemwent back because they had totally misunderstood the nature of ourLord's kingdom, and had dreamed only of temporal advantages andrewards.Mostofthem,however,itisveryclear,wentbackbecausetheycouldnotreceivethedeepdoctrinewhichhadjustbeenproclaimed,--Imeanthedoctrinethat"eatingChrist'sfleshanddrinkingChrist'sblood"areabsolutelynecessarytosalvation.It istheoldstory.Asitwasinthebeginning, so it will be to the end. There is nothing which the dark,

naturalheartofmandislikessomuchastheso-called"bloodtheology."Cain turned away in his proud ignorance from the idea of vicarioussacrifice,and theJewswho fell away fromourLord, "wentback"whentheyheardthattheymust"eatthefleshanddrinktheblood"oftheSonofman.

But there is no denying the fact that these Jewswho "went back" haveneverbeenwithoutfollowersandimitators.Theirsuccession,atanyrate,has never ceased. Millions in every age have been admitted into theChurchbybaptism,andbegunlifeasprofessingChristians,andthen,oncomingtoman'sestate,haveturnedtheirbackaltogetheronChristandChristianity. Instead of "continuing Christ's faithful soldiers andservants,"theyhavebecomeservantsofsin,theworld,andunbelief.Thedefection is continually going on: it is an old disease, and must notsurprise us. The heart is always deceitful and desperately wicked; thedevil is always busy, and seeking whom he may devour; the world isalwaysensnaring;thewayoflifeisnarrow,theenemiesmany,thefriendsfew, the difficulties great, the cross heavy, the doctrine of the gospeloffensivetothenaturalman.WhatthoughtfulpersonneedwonderthatmultitudesineveryagegobackfromChrist?Theyarebroughtwithintheoutward fold of the Church in childhood, and then, on coming tomanhood, they throw off all religion, and perish miserably in thewilderness.

YetIamboldtosaythatthedispositiontogobackfromChristwasneverso strong as it is in these days. Never were the objections to vitalChristianitysomany,soplausible,andsospecious.Foritisanageoffreethought and liberty of action, an age of scientific inquiry, anddeterminationtoquestionandcress-examineancientopinions,anageofgreedypursuitofpleasureandimpatienceofrestraint,anageofidolatryofintellect,andextravagantadmirationofso-calledcleverness,anageofAtheniancravingfornoveltyandconstantloveofchange,anagewhenweseeonallsidesaboldbutevershiftingscepticism,whichatonetimetellsusthatmanislittlebetterthananape,andatanotherthatheislittlelessthan a god, an age when there is a morbid readiness to accept theshallowest arguments in favour of unbelief, and a simultaneous lazyunwillingness to investigate the great fundamental evidences of Divine

revelation. And, worst of all, it is an age of spurious liberality, when,underthehigh-soundingphrasesof"Nopartyspirit!nobigotry!"andthelike,men liveanddiewithouthavinganydistinctopinionsatall. Inanage like this, can any thinking Christian wonder that departure fromChrist is common?Lethimcease towonder, andnotwastehis time incomplaints.Lethimrathergirduphis loinslikeaman,anddowhathecantostaytheplague.Lethimsethisfeetdownfirmlyin"theoldpaths,"andrememberthat thedefectionhesees isonlyanoldcomplaint inanaggravatedform.Lethimstandbetweenthedeadand living,andtry tostopthemischief.Lethim"cryaloud,andsparenot."Lethimsay,"Standtoyourcolours;thebattleofChristianityisnotlost:willyealsogoaway?"

IdarebelievethatmanyyoungpersonsintowhosehandsthispapermayfallareoftensorelytemptedtogobackfromChrist.Youlaunchforthintothe world, perhaps, from quiet homes, where the primary truths ofChristianitywerenevercalledinquestionforamoment,tohearallsortsof strange theories broached, and strange opinions advanced, whichcontradicttheoldprincipleswhichyouhavebeentaughttobelieve.Youfindtoyourastonishmentthat freethoughtandfreehandlingofsacredsubjectshavereachedsuchapitchthattheveryfoundationsoffaithseemshaken.Youdiscovertoyouramazementthatclevernessandreligiondonotalwaysgotogether,andthatit ispossibleforthehighestintellecttobereadytothrustGodoutofHisownworld.Whocanwonderifthisstateofthingsisarudeshocktothetenderfaithofmanyyoungpersons,andthat,reelingunderit,theyaretemptedtogobackfromChrist,andthrowawayChristianityaltogether?

Now,ifanyonewhoreadsthispaperistemptedinthisfashion,Ientreathim for Christ's sake to be firm, to play the man, and resist thetemptation.Trytorealizethatthereisnothingnewinthestateofthingswhich now perplexes you. It is nothing but the old disease which hasalways plagued and tried the Church in every age, even from the daywhen Satan said to Eve, "Ye shall not surely die." It is only the siftingprocesswhichGodpermits,inordertoseparatethewheatfromthechaff,throughwhichwemustallpass.Theworldafterall,withitspitfallsandsnares for the soul,with its competitions and struggles, its failures andsuccesses, itsdisappointmentsand itsperplexities, itsperpetual cropof

crude theoriesandextremeviews, itsmental conflicts andanxieties, itsextravagantfreethought,anditsequallyextravagantsuperstition,--theworld is a fiery furnace and ordeal, through which all believers mustmakeup theirminds topass.The temptation tocastoff your first faithandgobackfromChristissuretomeetyousoonerorlater,asithasmetmillionsbefore,inoneformoranother.Torealizethatinresistingityouareonlyresistinganoldandoftenbeatenenemyofthesoul, isonehalfthebattle.

And,asIaskyounottobesurprisedatthetemptationtoleaveChrist,soalsoIentreatyounottobeshakenbyit.Whatthoughscoresofmenyouknowgivewayundertheassault,castofftheirChristianarmour,neglecttheirBibles,misusetheirSundays,andlivepracticallywithoutGodintheworld?Whatthoughclevermen,promisingmen,thesonsofparentswhoneverdreamedofsuchthings,forsakethebannerunderwhichtheywereenrolled, and becomemere nothingarians, or believers in nothing? Letnoneofthesethingsmoveyou.SetyourfaceasaflinttowardsJerusalem.Setyourfootdownfirmlyintheoldpaths,thegoodandtriedwaytothecelestialcity.

WhatfruithavethedeserterstoshowcomparedtothefollowersofPeter,James, and John? What increase of inward peace and outwardusefulness?What rest of conscience?What comfort in trial? No! whilemanygoawayfromChrist,doyoucleavetoHimwithpurposeofheart.Cleave to your old habits of daily prayer and daily Bible reading, andregularattendanceonmeansofgrace.BetterathousandtimestobeonChrist'ssidewithafew,andbelaughedatanddespisedforaseason,thantohavethepraiseofthemanyforafewshortyears,andthenawaketoolatetofindthatwithoutChristyouarewithoutpeace,orhope,orheaven.

II.Inthesecondplace,letusconsiderthequestionwhichPeteraskedinreply to his Master's appeal, "Will ye also go away?" "Lord," cries thewarm-heartedandimpulsiveApostle."Lord,towhomshallwego?"Thatquestion,nodoubt,likehundredsintheBible,wasequivalenttoastrongaffirmation."ThereisnonebesideTheetowhomwecango."ItislikethesayingofDavid,"WhomhaveIinheavenbutThee?andthereisnoneonearththatIdesirebesideThee"(Ps.73:25).

WhenwethinkoftheagewhenPeterlived,wecannothelpfeelingthathehadabundantcausetoaskthatquestion.Inhisdays,attheendof4000years,"theworldbywisdomknewnotGod"(1Cor.1:21).Egypt,Assyria,Greece,andRome,theverynationswhichattainedthehighestexcellencein secular things, in the thingsof religionwere sunk ingrossdarkness.The fellow-countrymen of matchless historians, tragedians, poets,orators,andarchitects,worshippedidols,andboweddowntotheworkoftheir own hands. The ablest philosophers of Greece and Rome gropedafter truth like blindmen, and wearied themselves in vain to find thedoor. The whole earth was defiled with spiritual ignorance andimmorality,andthewisestmencouldonlyconfesstheirneedoflight,likethe Greek philosopher Plato, and groan and sigh for a deliverer. Petermightwellcry,"Lord,ifweleaveThee,towhomshallwego?"

Where, indeed, could the Apostle have turned for peace of heart, forsatisfaction of conscience, for hope in aworld to come, if he had goneaway from the synagogue of Capernaum with the deserters, and leftChrist1854yearsago!WouldhehavefoundwhathewantedamongtheformalPharisees,orthescepticalSadducees,ortheworldlyHerodians,ortheasceticEssenes,orthephilosophicalschoolsofAthens,Alexandria,orRome? Would Gamaliel, or Caiaphas, or Stoics, or Epicureans, orPlatonists,havequenchedhisspiritualthirst,orfedhissoul?Itiswasteoftimetoasksuchquestions.Allthesepretendedfountainsofknowledgehad longbeenproved to beman-made cisterns, broken cisterns,whichcouldholdnowater. They satisfiedno anxiousmind.He that drank ofthesewaterssoonthirstedagain.

But the question which Peter asked is one which true Christians mayalwaysaskboldly,whentheyaretemptedtogoawayfromChrist.Atthisvery day, whenmen tell us that Christianity is an effete and worn-outthing, wemay safely challenge them to show us anything better. Theymayplyus,iftheywill,withobjectionstorevealedreligion,andsaymanythingstowhichwecanoffernoreply.But,afterall,wemayconfidentlydefythemtoshowus"amoreexcellentway,"andmoresolidgroundthanthatwhichisoccupiedbythemanwhosimplybelievesalltheBible,andfollowsChrist.

Grant for a moment, that in an hour of weakness we listen to the

temptationtogoawayfromChrist.GrantthatwecloseourBibles,rejectalldogmas,andwithasublimecontemptforthefossilizedtheologyofourforefathers,contentourselveswithapolishednothingarianism,ora fewscraps of cold formality. In what respect shall we find that we haveincreasedourhappinessorusefulness?Whatsolid thingshallweget toreplacewhatwehaveleft?OnceturnyourbackonChrist,andwherewillyou find peace for your conscience, strength for duty, power againsttemptation, comfort in trouble, support in the hour of death, hope inlooking forward to the grave? Youmay well ask. Nothingarianism cangivenoanswer.ThesethingsareonlyfoundbythosewholivethelifeoffaithinacrucifiedandrisenChrist.

Towhom,indeed,shallwegoforhelp,strength,andcomfort,ifweturnourbacksonChrist?Weliveinaworldoftroubles,whetherwelikeitornot.YoucannomorestaveoffandpreventthemthankingCanutecouldprevent the tide rising and rudely swelling round the royal chair. Ourbodies are liable to a thousand ailments, and our hearts to a thousandsorrows.Nocreatureonearthissovulnerable,andsocapableofintensephysical as well asmental suffering, asman. Sickness, and death, andfunerals, and partings, and separations, and losses, and failures, anddisappointments,andprivatefamilytrials,whichnomortaleyesees,willbreak in upon us from time to time; and human nature imperativelydemandshelp,help,helptomeetthem!Alas,wherewillthirsty,wailinghumannaturefindsuchhelpifweleaveChrist?

Theplaintruthis,thatnothingbutanalmightypersonalFriendwillevermeet the legitimate wants of man's soul. Metaphysical notions,philosophical theories, abstract ideas, vague speculations about "theunseen,theinfinite,theinnerlight,"andsoforth,maysatisfyaselectfewforatime.Butthevastmajorityofmankind,iftheyhaveanyreligionatall,willneverbecontentwithareligionwhichdoesnotsupplythemwithaPersontowhomtheymaylookandtrust.It is justthiscravingafterapersonwhich gives theMariolatry ofRome its curiouspower.And thisprinciple once admitted, where will you find one so perfectly fitted tosatisfymanas theChristof theBible?Lookroundtheworld,andpointout,ifyoucan,anyobjectoffaithfittobecomparedwiththisblessedSonofGod,setforthbeforeoureyesintheGospels.Infaceofadyingworld

wewantpositivesandnotnegatives."Towhomshallwego,ifwegoawayfromChrist?"

Menmay tellus, if theyplease, thatourold fountainof livingwaters isdryingup,and that thenineteenthcenturyneedsanew theology.But Ifailtoseeevidencetoconfirmthisassertion.Iseemultitudesofmenandwomenall over theworld, after 1800 years, continuing todrink at thisfountain; and none who honestly stoop to drink, complain that theirthirstisnotrelieved.Andallthistime,thosewhoprofesstodespisethegood old fountain can show us nothingwhatever to take its place. Themental freedom and higher light they promise are as deceptive as themirageof theAfricandesert,andasunrealasadream.Asubstitute fortheoldfountainexistsnowherebutinman'simagination.Hethatleavesitwill findthathemustreturn,orperishof thirst.Perhapssomeofmyyounger readers may secretly think that the difficulties of revealedreligionareinexplicable,andaretryingtopersuadethemselvesthattheyknownot"wheretogo"inthesedarkandcloudydays.Ientreatthemtoconsider that the difficulties of unbelief are far greater than thedifficultiesoffaith.Whenmenhavesaidalltheycantodepreciatetheoldpaths of the Bible, and draw you away from Christ, -- when they havepiled up the ancient, stale objections of various readings, doubtfulauthorship, inconsistent statements, and supposed incredible miracles,theycanstilloffernosubstitutefortheScripture,oranswerthequestion,"Towhomshallwego?"Therestillremainsthegreat,broadfactthattheleadingevidencesofrevelationhaveneverbeenoverthrown,thatweareweak creatures in a sorrowful world, and need a helping hand, whichChrist alone holds out, and whichmillions for eighteen centuries havefound, and are finding, sufficient. The great argument of probability isentirelyonourside.SurelyitiswisertoclingtoChristandChristianity,with all its alleged difficulties, than to launch on an ocean ofuncertainties, and travel towards the grave hopeless, comfortless, andprofessingtoknownothingatallabouttheunseenworld.

And,afterall,departurefromChristonaccountofthesupposedhardnessof certaindoctrineswill secureno immunity frommental conflicts.TheproblemsofChristianitymayseemgreatanddeep;but theproblemsofunbelief are greater and deeper still And not the least problem is the

impossibilityofansweringthequestion,"ShallI findelsewhereanyrealpeaceorrestofsoul,ifIleaveChrist?TowhomshallIgo?Whereinalltheworld shall I find amore excellentway than that of faith in Jesus?Where is the personal friend who will supply His place?" Give me athousand times rather the old Evangelical Christianity, with all itsdifficult facts and doctrines, the incarnation, the atonement, theresurrection,theascension,thanthecold,barrencreedoftheSocinianorthe Deist, or the cheerless negations of modern unbelief. Give me thereligionof textsandhymnsandsimple faith,whichsatisfies thousands,rather thanthedrearyvoidofspeculativephilosophy,whichthoroughlysatisfiesnone.

III. Let us consider, lastly, the noble declaration which Simon .Petermakesinourtext."Thouhastthewordsofeternallife."

IdonotforamomentsupposethattheApostlefullygraspedthemeaningofthewordswhichhehereused.Itwouldbeinconsistentwithallthatwereadofhisknowledge,beforeourLord'sresurrection,tosupposethathedid.Itmaywellbedoubtedwhetherhemeantmorethanthis:"Thouartthe true Messiah; Thou art the promised Prophet like unto Moses, ofwhomitiswritten,IwillputMywordsinHismouth,andHeshallspeakunto them all that I shall command Him" (Deut.18:18). I believe thatwell-known text was in Peter's mind, though he did not yet realize itswealthofmeaning.

Butofonethingwemaybeverysure.Thatexpression"eternallife"musthavebeenveryfamiliartohimandallthetwelve,whileJesuswentinandout among them I suspect that therewere few dayswhen they did nothear it fall from His lips, and they caught it up if they did not fullyunderstandit.InthebriefrecordofourLord'steaching,containedinthefourGospels,youhaveittwenty-fivetimes.InSt.John'sGospelaloneitoccurs seventeen times. In this very sixth chapterwe read it five timesover.NodoubtitwasringinginPeter'searswhenhespoke.

But though Peter "knew not what he said" that day, there came a daywhenhisunderstandingwasopened,afterhisLord'sresurrection,andhesaw heights and depths in the "words of eternal life" which before thecrucifixionheonlysaw"throughaglassdarkly."Andwe,inthefulllight

of the Acts and Epistles, need feel no doubt whatever as to the thingswhichthismightyphrase,whichourLordsooftenused,included.

Christ's words of eternal life were words about the nature of that lifewhichHe came into theworld to proclaim, a life begum in the soul byfaith while we live, and perfected in glory when we die. -- They werewordsaboutthewayinwhichthiseternallifeisprovidedforsinfulman,eventhewayofHisatoningdeath,asourSubstitute,onthecross.--Theywerewordsaboutthetermsonwhichthiseternallifeismadeourown,ifwefeelourneedofit,eventhetermsofsimplefaith.AsLatimersaid,itisbut "believe and have." -- They were words about "the training anddisciplineon theway toeternal life,whicharesomuchneededbymanand so richly provided, even the renewing and sanctifying grace of theHolyGhost.Theywerewordsaboutthecomfortsandencouragementsbytheway,laidupforallwhobelievetolifeeverlasting,evenChrist'sdailyhelp, sympathy, andwatchful care.All this andmuchmore, ofwhich Icannotnosyspeakparticularly,iscontainedinthatlittlephrase,"Wordsof eternal life."Nowonder that ourLord says in a certainplace, "I amcome that theymight have life, and have itmore abundantly;" "I havegiventhemthewordsthatThougavestMe"(John10:10,17:8).

Letusconsiderforamomentwhatvastnumbersofmenandwomen,intheselasteighteencenturies,havefoundthese"wordsofeternallife"notmerely "words," but solid realities. They have been persuaded of them,andembracedthem,andfoundthemmeatanddrinktotheirsouls.Wearecompassedaboutwithagreatcloudofwitnesses,whointhefaithofthesewordshavelivedhappyandusefullives,anddiedgloriousdeaths.Where ishe thatwill dare todeny this?Where shallwe find such livesanddeathswithoutChrist?

ItwasfaithinChrist's"wordsofeternallife"whichmadePeterandJohnstand up boldly before the Jewish council, and confess their Masterwithout fear of consequences, saying, "There is none other name givenunderheavenamongmenwherebywecanbesaved"(Acts4:12).

ItwasfaithinChrist's"wordsofeternallife"whichmadePaulcomeoutfromJudaism,spendhislifeinpreachingthegospel,andsayonthebrinkofthegrave,"IknowwhomIhavebelieved,andthatHeisabletokeep

thatwhichIhavecommittedtoHimagainstthatday"(2Tim.1:12).

ItwasfaithinChrist's"wordsofeternallife"whichmadeBishopHoopergoboldlytothestakeatGloucester,aftersaying,"Lifeissweet,anddeathisbitter;buteternallifeismoresweet,andeternaldeathmorebitter."

ItwasfaithinChrist's"wordsofeternallife"whichmadeNicholasRidleyandHughLatimer endure a fierydeath inBroadStreet,Oxford, ratherthandenytheprinciplesoftheReformation.

ItwasfaithinChrist's"wordsofeternallife"whichmadeHenryMartynturnhisbackoneaseanddistinctionatCambridge,goforthtoatropicalclimate,anddieasolitarydeathasamissionary.

ItwasfaithinChrist's"wordsofeternallife"whichmadethathonourablewoman,CatherineTait,asrecordedinamosttouchingbiography,resignfivechildren in fiveweeksto thegrave, in the fullassurancethatChristwouldkeepHisword,takecareofthembothinbodyandsoul,andbringthemwithHimtomeetheratthelastday.

What a fearful contrast to such facts as these appears in the lives anddeathsofthosewhoturntheirbacksonChrist,andseekothermasters!What fruits can theadvocatesofnon-Christian theories,and ideas,andprinciples,pointtowithalltheircleverness?Whatholy,loving,peacefulquietness of spirit have they exhibited? What victories have they wonover darkness, immorality, superstition, and sin? What successfulmissions have they carried on? What seas have they crossed? Whatcountries have they civilized or moralized? What neglected homepopulations have they improved?What self-denying labours have theygone through?What deliverance have they wrought in the earth? Youmaywellask;youwillgetnoanswer.NowonderourLordsaidof falseprophets,"Bytheir fruitsyeshallknowthem"(Matt.7:15-16). It isonlythosewhocansaywithPeter,"Thouhastthewordsofeternallife,"whomakeamarkonmankindwhiletheylive,andsay,"Odeath,whereisthysting?"whentheydie.

(a)Inconclusion,IentreateveryonewhoreadsthispapertoaskhimselfwhetherheisgoingawayfromChrist,liketheJews,orclingingboldlyto

Christ, like Peter. You live in dangerous days. There was a time whenirreligionwas scarcely respectable;but that timehas long ceased tobe.ButevennowChristcontinues toknockat thedoorofyourhearts,andasks you to ponder yourways and take heedwhat you do. "Will ye goaway?"Daretosetupanassizeinyourheartofhearts,andlookwithin.Resist the lazy Epicurean feeling which bids you never scrutinize yourinwardcharacter.Dependonit,anhourwillcomewhenyouwillfeeltheneed of a great Friend in heaven.WithoutHim youmay live tolerably:withoutHimyouwillnevercomfortablydie.

Youmaytellme,perhaps,thatyoudonotreallymeantoforsakeChrist,although you are not at present all that you ought to be. But there aresomethingsinreligionaboutwhichyoucannotmakeupyourmind,andare waiting for more light. Or you are working hard for some specialobject,andhavenottimejustnow,andhope,likeFelix,for"aconvenientseason."But,oh!waiting,lingeringsoul,whatisneglectofChrist'sword,and ordinances, and day, but "going away from Christ"? Awake to seethatyouareonaninclinedplane,andaregraduallygoingdownward.Youaredrifting, driftingdaily, further, further away fromGod.Awake, andresolve,byGod'shelp,todriftnomore.

(b) But, next to having no religion at all, I entreat every reader of thispapertobewareofareligioninwhichChristhasnotHisrightfulplace.Let us never try to satisfy ourselves with a little cheap, formalChristianity, taken up carelessly on Sundaymorning, and laid aside atnight, but not influencing us during the week. Such Christianity willneither give us peace in life, nor hope in death, nor power to resisttemptation,norcomfortintrouble.Christonlyhas"thewordsofeternallife,"andHiswordsmustbereceived,believed,embraced,andmadethemeat and drink of our souls. A Christianity without living, feltcommunion with Him, without grasp of the benefits of His blood andintercession, a Christianity without Christ's sacrifice and Christ'sPriesthood,isapowerless,wearisomeform.

(c)Letus,finally,"holdfasttheprofessionofourfaithwithoutwavering,"ifwehavereasontohopeweareChrist'strueservants.Letmenlaughatus, and try to turn us away asmuch as they please. Let us calmly andhumblysaytoourselvesatsuchtimes:"'Afterall,towhomcanIgoifI

leaveChrist?'IfeelwithinthatHehas'wordsofeternallife.'Iseethatthousandsfindthemmeatanddrinktotheirsouls.WhereHegoes,Iwillgo;andwhereHelodges,Iwilllodge.Inadyingworld,Icanseenothingbetter.IwillclingtoChristandHiswords.Theyneverfailedanyonewhotrustedthem,andIbelievetheywillnotfailme."Footnotes:

[12] The substance of these pageswas originally preached as a sermonbefore the University of Oxford, in my turn as Select Preacher at St.[remainderofnotemissing].

Heb.4:14-OurProfession

"Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into theheavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession." --Heb.4:14.

A CAREFUL reader of the Epistle to the Hebrews can hardly fail toobserve that thewords"letus"are foundno less than four times in thefourth chapter. In the first verse you will read, "let us fear," -- in theeleventh verse, "let us labour," -- in the fourteenth verse, "let us holdfast," -- and in the sixteenthverse, "letus comeboldly to the throneofgrace."Weshouldtakenoteofthis.

NowwhydidtheApostleSt.Paulwriteinthisway?HediditbecausetheHebrew Christians, to whom he wrote, were a peculiar people, andoccupied a peculiar position. They were not like Gentile converts, whohad been brought up to worship idols, and had never received anyrevelationfromGod.TheJewswereapeoplewhohadenjoyedthespecialfavourofGodforfifteenhundredyears.Allthroughthatlongperiodtheyhad possessed the law of Moses, and an immense amount of spirituallight, which had not been given to any other nation on earth. Theseprivileges hadmade them very sensitive and jealous at the idea of any

change.Theyneededtobeapproachedverygentlyanddelicately,andtobe addressed in a peculiar style. All this St. Paul, himself born a Jew,rememberedwell.Heputshimselfonalevelwiththem,andsays,"Letus,--Ispeaktomyselfaswellastoyou,lestIshouldoffendyou."

But this is not all. I might add that the Jewish Christians had verypeculiar trials toundergo. I suspect theywere farmorepersecutedandill-usedaftertheirconversionthantheGentileChristianswere.:Nodoubtitwas ahard thing for aGentile to turn from idols.But itwas amuchharder thing for a Jew to profess that he was not content with theceremonial law ofMoses, and that he had found a better priest, and abettersacrifice,evenJesusofNazareth,andthebloodofthecross.Thisalso St. Paul rememberedwell, and he cheers and encourages thembyplacing himself by their side, and saying, "Let us fear," -- -- " let uslabour,"--"letusholdfast,"--"letuscomeboldly,"--"Iamasyouare,weareallinthesameboat."

Ishallconfinemyselfinthispapertothetextwhichheadsit,andIshalltrytoanswerthreequestions.

I.WhatisthisprofessionofwhichSt.Paulspeaks?

II.WhydoesSt.Paulsay,"Letusholdfast"?

III.What is the grand encouragementwhich St. Paul gives us to "holdfast"?

BeforeIgoanyfurther,Iaskmyreaderstorememberthatthethingsweareabout to considerwerewrittenby inspirationof theHolyGhost forthebenefitofthewholeChurchofChristineveryagedowntotheendoftheworld.TheyweremeanttobeusedbyalltrueChristiansinEngland,and by all classes, whether high or low, rich or poor, in London, orLiverpool,orinanypartoftheearth.TheEpistletotheHebrewsisnotanoldworn-outletterwhichonlysuitstheJewsofeighteencenturiesago.Itismeantforyouandme.

Weallneedtobeexhortedto"holdfastourprofession."

I.Letusbeginbyconsideringwhatismeantby"ourprofession."

When St. Paul uses this expression, there can be little doubt about hismeaning. He meant that public "profession" of faith in Christ andobediencetoHim,whicheverypersonmadewhenhebecameamemberof the Christian Church. In the days of the Apostle, when a man orwomanleftJudaismorheathenism,andreceivedChristasaSaviour,hedeclaredhimselfaChristianbycertainacts.Hedid itbybeingpubliclybaptized,byjoiningthecompanyofthosewhohadbeenbaptizedalready,bypubliclypromisingtogiveupidolatryandwickednessofallkinds,andby habitually taking part with the followers of Jesus ofNazareth in alltheirreligiousassemblies,theirways,andtheirpractices.ThisiswhatSt.Paul had in view when he wrote the words, "Let us hold fast ourprofession."

Profession in those days was a very serious matter, and entailed veryserious consequences. It often brought on a man persecution, loss ofproperty, imprisonment,andevendeath.TheconsequencewasthatfewpersonsevermadeaChristianprofessionintheearlyChurchunlesstheywere thoroughly in earnest, truly converted, and really believers. Nodoubtthereweresomeexceptions.PeoplelikeAnaniasandSapphira,andSimon Magus, and Demas, crept in and joined themselves to thedisciples.Butthesewereexceptionalcases.Asageneralrule, itwasnotworthwhileforamantoprofessChristianityifhisheartwasnotentirelyin his profession. It costmuch. It brought on aman the risk of a vastamountoftrouble,andbroughtinverylittlegain.Thewholeresultwas,that the proportion of sincere, right-hearted, and converted persons intheChurchoftheApostle'sdayswasfargreaterthaniteverhasbeenatany other period in the last eighteen centuries. There was a very deepmeaning in St. Paul's words when he said, "Let us hold fast ourprofession."

In the days in which we live, "profession" is a very different thing.Millions of people profess and call themselves Christians, whom theApostle would not have called Christians at all. Millions are annuallybaptized,andaddedtotherollsandregistersofchurches,whohavelittleornoreligion.Manyofthemliveanddiewithouteverattendingaplaceofworship,andliveveryungodlylives.Manymoreonlygotoachurchor

chapel occasionally, or once on Sunday at themost.Many others passthrough life without ever becoming communicants, and live and die inthehabitualneglectofthatHolySacramentwhichtheLordcommandedtobe received.Mostof thesepeopleare reckonedChristianswhile theylive,andareburiedwithChristianburialwhentheydie.ButwhatwouldSt.Paulhavesaidofthem?Ifeartherecanbenodoubtabouttheanswer.HewouldhavesaidtheydidnotdeservetobereckonedmembersofanyChurchatall!Hewouldnothaveaddressedthemas"saintsandfaithfulbrethreninChristJesus."Hewouldnothavecalleduponthemto"holdfasttheirprofession."Hewouldhavetoldthemtheyhadnoprofessiontoholdfast,andthattheywere"yetdeadintrespassesandsins"(Eph.2:1).Allthisissorrowfulandpainful,butitisonlytootrue.Letthosedenyitwhodare.

Letus,however,thankGodthattherearenotafewtobefoundineverypart of Christendom who really are what they profess to be -- true,sincere,earnest-minded,hearty,converted,believingChristians.Someofthem, no doubt, belong to churches inwhich their souls get little help.Some of them have very imperfect knowledge, and hold the truth insolution,withamixtureofmanydefectiveviews.Buttheyhaveallcertaincommonmarksaboutthem.Theyseethevalueoftheirsouls,andreallywant to be saved. They feel the sinfulness of sin, andhate it, and fightwithit,andlongtobefreefromit.TheyseethatJesusChristalonecansavethem,andthat theyought to trustonly inHim.Theyseethat theyoughttoliveholyandgodlylives,andintheirpoorwaytheytrytodoit.TheylovetheirBibles,andtheypray,thoughboththeirreadingandtheirpraying are very defective. Some of them, in short, are in the higheststandardofChrist'sschool,andarestronginknowledge,faith,andlove.Others are only in the infants' room, and in everything are weak andpoor.Butinonepointtheyareallone.Theirheartsarerightinthesightof God; they love Christ; their faces are set towards heaven, and theywant togo there.Theseare those in thepresentday towhomIwish inthis paper to apply St. Paul's exhortation, "Let us hold fast ourprofession."Letusclingtoit,andnotletitgo.

NowIcannotforgetthatwemeetthousandsofpersonsindailylifewhoarealwayssaying,"Imakenoprofessionofreligion."Theynotonlysayit,

butrathergloryinsayingit,asifitwasaright,wise,andproperthingtosay. They seem even to despise those who make a profession, and toregard them as hypocrites and impostors, or, at any rate, as weak andfoolishpeople.Ifthispaperhappenstofallintothehandsofanypersonof this kind, I have somewhat to say to him, and I invite his bestattention.

I do not deny that there aremany hypocrites in religion. There alwayswere, and there alwayswill be, as long as theworld stands.As long asthere is good gold and silver coin in the realm, so long there will beforging,coining,andcounterfeitmoney.Theveryexistenceofbadcoinsis an indirect proof that there is something which it is worth while toimitate, and that there is such a thing as good current money incirculation.ItisjustthesamewithChristianity!Theveryfactthattherearemanyfalseprofessorsinthechurchesisanindirectproofthattherearesuchpersonsastrue-heartedandsoundbelievers.ItisoneofSatan'sfavouritedevices,inordertobringdiscreditonChristianity,topersuadesomeunhappypeopletoprofesswhattheydonotreallybelieve.HetriestodamagethecauseofourLordJesusChristintheworldbysendingoutwolves insheep's clothing,andby raisingupmenandwomenwho talkthelanguageofCanaan,andwearthecoatofGod'schildren,whiletheyare inwardly rotten at heart. But these things do not justify a man incondemningallreligiousprofession.

I tell thosewhoboast that theymakenoprofession, that they are onlyexhibiting their own sorrowful ignorance of Holy Scripture. Thehypocrisyofsomeunhappypeoplemustneverpreventusdoingourownduty,withoutcaringwhatmenmaysayorthinkofus.WemustneverbeashamedofshowingourselvesboldlyonChrist'sside,byhonouringHisword,Hisday,andHisordinances,byspeakingupforChrist'scauseonallproperoccasions,andbyfirmlyrefusingtoconformtothesinsandthefolliesof thechildrenof thisworld.ThewordsofourLordJesusChristoughtnevertobeforgotten:"WhosoevershallbeashamedofMeandofMywords,ofhimshalltheSonofmanbeashamedwhenHeshallcomeinHisownglory,andinHisFather's,andoftheholyangels"(Luke9:26).IfwewillnotconfessChristuponearth,andopenlyprofessthatweareHisservants,wemustnotexpectthatChristwillconfessusinheavenat

thelastday.

In short, the very last thing that a man should be ashamed of is the"profession"ofreligion.Therearemanythingsunhappilyofwhichmostpeopleseemnotashamedatall. Ill-temper,selfishness,wantofcharity,laziness, malice, backbiting, lying, slandering, intemperance, impurity,gambling, Sabbath-breaking, -- all these are terribly common thingsamongmen, and of most of them people do not seem a bit ashamed,though they ought to be! They that habitually "do such things will notinherit the kingdom of God" (Gal.5:21). But of Bible-reading, praying,holy living, andworking for the good of bodies and souls, no one everneedbeashamed.Thesemaybethingswhichmanylaughat,dislike,anddespise, andhaveno taste for, but they are the very thingswithwhichGodiswellpleased.Oncemore,Irepeat,whatevermenmaysay,theverylastthingofwhichweoughttobeashamedisour"profession"offaithinChrist,andobediencetoChrist.

II.Letus,inthesecondplace,consider,WhySt.Paulsays,"Letusholdfast our profession." The answer to this question is threefold, anddemandstheseriousattentionofallwhohopethattheyarereallysincereintheirChristianprofession.

(a)Foronething,OURHEARTSarealwaysweakandfoolish,evenafterconversion.Wemayhavepassed fromdeath to life, andbe renewed inthespiritofourminds.Wemayseethevalueofoursouls,asweoncedidnot.Wemay have become new creatures; old thingsmay have passedaway, and all things may have become new. But believers must neverforgetthatuntiltheydietheycarryaboutwiththemaweak,foolish,andtreacherous heart. The roots of all manner of evil are still within us,althoughcutdowntothegroundbythegraceoftheHolyGhost.Whetherwe like to acknowledge it or not, there arewithin us, at our very best,latentdislikeoftrouble,secretdesiretopleasemanandkeepinwiththeworld,carelessnessaboutourprivateBible-readingandourprayers,envyandjealousyofothers,lazinessaboutdoinggood,selfishnessanddesiretohaveourownway, forgetfulnessof thewishesofothers,andwantofwatchfulnessoverourownbesettingsins.Allthesethingsareoftenlyinghidwithinus,andbelowthesurfaceofourhearts.Theholiestsaintmayfindtohiscostsomedaythattheyarealltherealive,andreadytoshow

themselves.NowonderthatourLordJesussaidtothethreeApostlesinthe garden, "Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirittruly isready,butthefleshisweak"(Mark14:38).IhavenodoubtthatSt.Paulhadtheheart inview,whenhewrote thosewords,"Hold fast.""Letusthereforeholdfastourprofession"

(b) For another thing, theworld is a source of immense danger to theChristiansoulFromthedaythatweareconverted,wearelivinginamostunhealthyatmosphereforreligion.Weliveandmoveandhaveourbeingin themidst of a vastmultitudeofpeoplewhoareutterlywithout vitalChristianity. Ineveryrankof lifewemeetwithhundredswho,howevermoralandrespectable,seemtocarefornothingbutsuchthingsasthese,-- What shall I eat? What shall I drink? What can I get? What can Ispend? How shall I employ my time? What profit can I make? WhatamusementcanIhave?WhatpleasantcompanycanIenjoy!AsforGod,and Christ, and the Holy Ghost, and the Bible, and prayer, andrepentance,andfaith,andholyliving,anddoinggoodintheworld,anddeath, and resurrection, and judgment, and heaven and hell, they aresubjectswhichneverappeartocomeacrossthemexceptinsickness,orata funeral. Now to live constantly in the midst of such people, as aChristianmustdo,issuretobeagreattrialtohim,andrequiresconstantwatchfulnesstopreventhisgettingharm.Weareincessantlytemptedtogivewayaboutlittlethings,andtomakecompromisesandconcessions.We naturally dislike giving offence to others, and having frictions andcollisions with relatives, friends, and neighbours.We do not like to belaughedatandridiculedbythemajority,andtofeelthatwearealwaysinaminority ineverycompanyintowhichwego.I fearthattoomanyarelaughed out of heaven and laughed into hell. It is a true saying ofSolomon,"Thefearofmanbringethasnare"(Prov.29:25).Ionceknewabravesergeantofacavalryregiment,who,after livingtotheageof fiftywithout any religion,became for the last fewyearsofhis life adecidedChristian.He toldme thatwhenhe first began to think abouthis soul,andtopray,somemonthspassedawaybeforehedaretellhiswifethathesaidhisprayers;andthatheusedtocreepupstairswithouthisbootsatevening, that his wife might not hear him, and find out what he wasdoing!

The plain truth is, that "the whole world lieth in wickedness" (1 John5:19), and it is vain to ignore the danger that the world causes to thebeliever'ssoul.Thespiritoftheworld,andthetoneoftheworld,andthetastesoftheworld,andtheairoftheworld,andthebreathoftheworld,arecontinuallyabouthimeverydaythathelives,drawinghimdownandpullinghimback.Ifhedoesnotkeephisfaithinlivelyexercise,heissureto catch infection, and take damage, like the travellers through theCampagna at Rome, who take a fever without being aware of it at thetime.Themostmischievousandunsanitarygasisthatwhichourbodilysensesdonotdetect.WehavereasontopraycontinuallyforanincreaseofthatfaithofwhichSt.Johnsays,"thatitgivesusthevictoryovertheworld" (1John5:4).Happy, indeed, is thatChristianwhocanbe in theworldandyetnotoftheworld,whocandohisdutyinit,andyetnotbeconformed to it, who can pass through it unmoved by its smiles or itsfrowns,itsflatteryoritsenmity,itsopenoppositionoritsplayfulridicule,itssweetsoritsbitters,itsgoldoritssword!WhenIthinkwhattheworldis,andseewhatharmithasdoneandisdoingtosouls,IdonotwonderthatSt.Paulsays,"Holdfast.""Letusholdfastourprofession."

(e)Forone thingmore, thedevil isa constantenemy to theChristian'ssoul.Thatgreat,sleepless,andunweariedfoeisalwayslabouringtodousharm.Itishisconstantobjecttowound,hurt,vex,injure,orweaken,ifhecannotkill anddestroy.He is anunseenenemywho is alwaysnearus,"about our path, and about our bed," and spying out all our ways,preparedtosuithistemptationstothespecialweakpointsofeveryman.He knows us far better thanwe know ourselves.He has been studyingonebook for6000years, thebookof fallenhumannature, andhe is aspiritofalmostboundlesssubtletyandcunning,andofboundlessmalice.Thebestof saintshas little ideahowmanyvilesuggestions inhisheartcome from the devil, and what a restless adversary stands at his righthand.

ThisishewhotemptedEveatthebeginning,andpersuadedherthatshemightdisobeyGod,eattheforbiddenfruitandnotdie.mThisishewhotemptedDavidtonumberthepeople,andtocausethedeathof70,000ofhissubjectsbypestilenceinthreedays.--This ishewhotriedtotemptour Lord in the wilderness immediately after His baptism, and even

quoted Scripture to gain his end. This is he who opposed our Lord allthroughoutHisthreeyears'ministry,sometimesbypossessingthebodiesofunhappymenandwomeninamostmysteriousmanner,andatlastbyputtingitintotheheartofoneofHisApostlestobetrayHim.--ThisishewhoconstantlyopposedtheApostlesafterourLord'sascension,andtriedtostoptheprogressofthegospel.--ThisisheofwhomSt.Paultestifiesthat even "Satan is transformed into an angel of light," and that falseteachersarehisagents(2Cor.11:14).

Doesanyreaderofthispaperfoolishlysupposethatthedevilisasleep,ordead,orlessmischievousnowthaninoldtime?Nothingofthekind!Heisstill"walkingaboutlikearoaringlion,seekingwhomhemaydevour."Heisstill"goingtoandfrointheearth,andwalkingupanddowninit"(1Pet.5:8;Job1:7).Itishewhogoesamongheathennationsandpersuadesthemtoshedoceansofbloodintheworshipofidols,ormurderouswars.ItishewhogoestoandfroamongstfallenChurches,persuadingthemtothrow aside the Bible, and satisfy people with formal worship orgrovellingsuperstitions.--ItishewhowalksupanddowninProtestantcountries,andstirsuppartyspirit,andbitterpoliticalstrife,settingclassagainstclass,andsubjectsagainstrulers,inordertodistractmen'smindsfrom better things. -- It is he who is continually going to the ears ofintellectualandhighlyeducatedmen,persuadingthemthattheoldBibleis not true, and advising them to be content with Atheism, Theism,Agnosticism,Secularism,andageneralcontemptfortheworldtocome.It is he, above all, who persuades foolish people that there is no suchpersonasadevil,andnofuturejudgmentafterdeath,andnohell.InallthisfearfullistofthingsIfirmlybelievethatthedevilliesatthebottom,and is the true root, reason, and cause. Canwe suppose for amomentthathewilllettrueChristiansgoquietlytoheaven,andnottemptthembytheway?

Awaywith thesilly thought!Wehaveneed toprayagainst thedevil, aswell as against theworld and the flesh. In the great trinity of enemieswhich the believer should daily remember, the devil perhaps is thegreatestbecausehe is the least seen.Nothingdelightshimsomuch (if,indeed,hecanbedelightedatall)astoinjureatrueChristian,andmakehimbring discredit onhis religion.When I think of the devil, I donot

wonderthatSt.Paulsaid,"Holdfast.""Letusholdfastourprofession."

Now I suspect that some reader of this papermay be secretly thinkingthat I am an alarmist, and that there is no need of suchwatchfulness,carefulness,and"holdingfast."IasksuchapersontoturnwithmetotheBible for a few moments, and to consider seriously what that blessedbookteaches.

Iaskhimtoremember thatJudasIscariotandDemasbothbeganwell,andmadeagoodprofession.OnewasachosenApostleofourLordJesusChrist,aconstantcompanionofourblessedSaviourforthreeyears.HewalkedwithHim,talkedwithHim,heardHisteaching,sawHismiracles,anduptotheverynightbeforeourLordwascrucifiedwasneverthoughtaworsemanthanPeter,James,orJohn.Yetthisunhappymanatlastletgohisprofession,betrayedhisMaster,cametoamiserableend,andwenttohisownplace.--TheothermanwhomInamed,Demas,wasachosencompanionoftheApostleSt.Paul,andprofessedtobeoflikemindwiththateminentmanofGod.Therecanbelittledoubtthatforsomeyearshejourneyedwithhim,helpedhim,andtookpartinhisevangelisticlabours.Buthowdiditallend?Hegaveuphisprofession,andthelastEpistleSt.Paulwrote contains thismelancholy record: "Demas has forsakenme,having loved this present world" (2 Tim.4:10). We never hear of himagain.

To every one who thinks I have dwelt too much on the Christian'sdangers, I say this day, Remember Demas, remember Judas Iscariot,tighten your grasp, "hold fast your profession," and beware. We mayappeartomentobeverygoodChristiansforaseason,andyetproveatlasttobestony-groundhearers,anddestituteofaweddinggarment.

But this isnot all. I ask everybeliever to remember that if hedoesnot"holdfast,"hemaypiercehimselfthroughwithmanysorrows,andbringgreatdiscreditonhischaracter.WeshouldneverforgetDavid'sawfulfallin thematterof thewifeofUriah, andPeter's thrice-repeateddenialofhisMaster,andCranmer's temporarycowardice,ofwhichhesobitterlyrepentedat last.Arewegreater and stronger than they? "Letusnotbehigh-minded,butfear."Thereisagodlyfearwhichisofgreatusetothesoul. Itwas thegreatApostleof theGentileswhowrote thesewords: "I

keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest, after I havepreachedtoothers,Imyselfshouldbeacastaway"(1Cor.9:27).

Does anyChristian reader of these pages desiremuchhappiness in hisreligion, and much joy and peace in believing? Let him take an oldminister'sadvicethisday,and':holdfasthisprofession."Lethimresolvetobevery thorough,verydecided,verywatchful, verycarefulabout thestate of his soul. Themore boldly he shows his colours, and themoreuncompromisingandfirmheis,thelighterwillhefindhisheart,andthemoresensiblywillhefeelthesunshiningonhisface.Nonearesohappyin God's service as decided Christians. When John Rogers, the firstmartyr inQueenMary's time,wasbeing ledtoSmithfieldtobeburned,theFrenchAmbassadorreportedthathelookedasbrightandcheerfulasifheweregoingtohiswedding.

Does any Christian reader of these pages desire much usefulness toothersinhisreligion?Letmeassurehimthatnonedosomuchgoodinthelongrunof life,andleavesuchamarkontheirgeneration,asthosewho "hold fast their profession" most tightly, and are most decidedservants of Christ. Few men, perhaps, did more for the cause of theProtestantReformation,andshookthepowerofRomemorecompletelyinthiscountry,thanthetwonoblebishopswhowereburnedbacktobackatonestakeinOxford,andwouldnotletgotheirfaithtosavetheirlives.I need not say that I refer to Ridley and Latimer. The careless,thoughtless,irreligiousworldtakesnoticeofsuchmen,andisobligedtoallow that there is something real and solid in their religion.Themorelightshinesinourlives,themoregoodshallwedointheworld.Itisnotfornothing thatourLord says, in theSermonon theMount, "Let yourlightsoshinebeforemen,thattheymayseeyourgoodworks,andglorifyyourFatherwhichisinheaven"(Matt.5:16).

Letusgatherupallthesethingsinourmemories,andneverforgetthem.Let it be a settled principle in our minds, that it is of immeasurableimportancetoourhappinessandusefulnessto"holdfastourprofession,"andtobealwaysonourguard.Letusdismissfromourmindsthecrudemodernideathatabelieverhasonlygottositstill,and"yieldhimself"toGod. Let us rather maintain the language of Scripture, and strive to"mortify the deeds of our body," to "crucify our flesh," to "cleanse

ourselves fromall filthinessof fleshandspirit," towrestle, to fight,andlivethesoldier'slife(Rom.8:13;Gal.5:24;2Cor.7:1;Eph.6:12;1Tim.6:12;2Tim.2:3).OnemightthinkthattheaccountofthearmourofGodintheEpistletotheEphesiansoughttosettlethequestionofourduty.Buttheplaintruthis,menwillpersistinconfoundingtwothingsthatdiffer,thatis justification and sanctification. In justification, the word to beaddressed to man is, Believe, only believe. In sanctification, the wordmustbe,Watch,pray,andfight.WhatGodhasdivided,letusnotmingleand confuse. I can findnowords to expressmy owndeep sense of theimmenseimportanceof"holdingfastourprofession."

III. In the last place, let us consider what encouragement there is toChristianstoholdfasttheirprofession.

TheApostleSt.Paulwas singularly fitted, bothby grace andnature, tohandle this subject. Of all the inspired writers in the New Testament,none seems to have been so thoroughly taught ofGod to dealwith theconflictsofthehumanheartasSt.Paul.Nonewasbetteracquaintedwiththedangers,diseases,andremediesofthesoul.Theproofofthisistobeseen in the seventh chapter of hisEpistle to theRomans, and the fifthchapter of his Second Epistle to the Corinthians. Those two chaptersought to be frequently studied by every Christian who wishes tounderstandhisownheart.

NowwhatisthegroundofencouragementwhichSt.Paulproposes?Hetellsusto"holdfastourprofession,"andnotletitgo,because"wehaveagreatHighPriestthatispassedintotheheavens,JesustheSonofGod."

Thatword "HighPriest"would ringwithpower in the earsof a JewishreaderfarmorethanitwouldintheearsofGentileChristians.Itwouldstirupinhismindtheremembranceofmanytypicalthingsintheserviceofthetabernacleandtemple.ItwouldmakehimrecollectthattheJewishhighpriestwasakindofmediatorbetweenGodandthepeople;--thathealone went once every year into the Holy of Holies on the day ofatonement,andhadaccessthroughtheveiltothemercy-seat;--thathewasakindofdaysmanbetweenthetwelvetribesandGod,tolayhishandon both (Job.9:33); -- that hewas the chiefminister over the house ofGod,whowas intended "tohave compassionon the ignorant and them

thatwereoutoftheway"(Heb.5:2).AllthesethingswouldgivetheJewssome idea of what St. Paul meant when he said, "Let us hold fast,"becausewehavegotagreatHighPriestinheaven.Theplaintruthis,thattheChristianismeanttounderstandthatwehaveamighty,livingFriendinheaven,whonotonlydiedforus,butroseagain,andafterrisingagaintookHisseatattherighthandofGod,tobeourAdvocateandIntercessorwiththeFatheruntilHecomesagain.WearemeanttounderstandthatChristnotonlydiedforus,butisaliveforus,andactivelyworkingonourbehalf at this veryday. In short, theencouragement thatSt.Paulholdsouttobelieversis,thelivingpriesthoodofJesusChrist.

IsnotthisexactlywhathemeantwhenhetoldtheHebrewsthatChristis"abletosavethemtotheuttermostwhocomeuntoGodbyHim,becauseHeever liveth tomake intercession for them" (Heb.7:25)? -- Isnot thiswhathemeantwhenhetoldtheRomans,"If,whenwewereenemies,wewere reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, beingreconciled,weshallbesavedbyHislife"(Rom.5:10)?--Isnotthiswhathe meant when he wrote that glorious challenge, "Who is he thatcondemneth?ItisChristthatdied,yea,rather,thatisrisenagain,whoiseven at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us"(Rom.8:34)?Here,inoneword,isthebeliever'sfountainofconsolation.HeisnotonlytolooktoaSaviourwhodiedashisSubstitute,andshedHisbloodforhim,buttoaSaviourwhoalsoafterHisresurrectiontookHisseatatGod's righthand,and lives thereashisconstant IntercessorandPriest.

LetusthinkforamomentwhatawonderfulandsuitableHighPriest istheHigh Priest of our profession, amillion times superior to any highpriestofthefamilyofAaron.

JesusisaHighPriestofalmightypower,forHeisveryGodofveryGod,never slumbering, never sleeping, never dying, and eternal. The Jewishhigh priests were "not suffered to continue by reason of death"(Heb.7:23), but Christ being raised from the dead dieth nomore. OurgreatHighPriestnevergrowsold,andneverdies(Rom.6:9).

Jesus is a High Priest who is perfect Man as well as perfect God. Heknowswhatourbodiesare,forHehadabodyHimself,andisacquainted

with all its sinless weakness and pains. He knows what hunger, andthirst, and suffering are, forHe lived for thirty-three years upon earth,andknowsthephysicalnatureofaninfant,achild,aboy,ayoungman,and a man of full age. "He hath suffered Himself, being tempted"(Heb.2:18).

Jesus is aHighPriestofmatchless sympathy.Hecanbe "touchedwiththe feeling of our infirmities" (Heb.4:15). His heart was alwaysoverflowingwith love,pity, andcompassionwhileHewasonearth.Hewept at the grave of Lazarus.Hewept over unbelieving Jerusalem.Hehad an ear ready to hear every cry for help, andwas ever going aboutdoinggoodtothesickandtheafflicted.OneofHislastthoughtsonthecrosswasoneofcareforHismother,andoneofHisfirstmessagesafterHisresurrectionwasoneof"peace"toHispoorfallenApostles.AndHeisnot changed.He has carried thatwonderful heart up to heaven, and iseverwatchingtheweakestlambinHisflockwithmercifultenderness.

JesusisaHighPriestofperfectwisdom.Heknowsexactlywhateachofusis,andwhateachofusrequires."Hewillnotsufferustobetemptedabove that which we are able to bear" (1 Cor.10:13), nor allow us toremain in the furnaceof sufferingonemomentbeyond the time that isrequired forourrefining.Hewillgiveusstrengthaccordingtoourday,andgraceaccordingtoourneed.Heknowsthemostsecretfeelingsofourhearts, andunderstands themeaningof our feeblest prayers.He is notlike Aaron, and Eli, and Abiathar, and Annas, and Caiaphas, an erringand imperfect highpriest in dealingwith thosewho come toHim, andspreadouttheirpetitionsbeforeHim.Henevermakesanymistakes.

Ichallengeeveryreaderof thispaper to tellme, ifhecan,whatgreaterconsolation and encouragement the soul of man can have than thepossessionofsuchaHighPriestasthis?WedonotthinkenoughofHiminthesedays.WetalkofHisdeath,andHissacrifice,andHisblood,andHisatonement,andHisfinishedworkonthecross;andnodoubtwecannevermaketoomuchoftheseglorioussubjects.Butweerrgreatlyifwestopshorthere.Weoughttolookbeyondthecrossandthegrave,tothelife, the priesthood, and the constant intercession of Christ our Lord.Unlesswe do this,we have only a defective view of Christian doctrine.The consequences of neglecting this part of our Lord's offices are very

serious,andhavedonegreatharmtotheChurchandtheworld.

Youngmenandwomen in all our churches, andgenerally speaking, allnew believers, are taking immense damage for want of right teachingabout the priestly office of Christ. They feel within themselves a dailycravingafterhelp,andgrace,andstrength,andguidanceinrunningtheracesetbeforethemalongthenarrowwayoflife.Itdoesnotsatisfythemto hear that they ought to be always looking back to the cross and theatonement. There is something within them which whispers that theywouldliketohavealivingfriend.Thencomesthedevil,andsuggeststhatthey ought to go to earthly priests, and make confession, and receiveabsolution, and keep up the habit of doing this continually. They axeoftenfaxtooreadytobelieveit,andfoolishlytrytosupplythehungeroftheirsoulsbyextravagantlyfrequentreceptionoftheLord'sSupper,andsubmitting to the spiritual directorship of some clergyman- All this islittle better than religious opium-eating and dram-drinking. It soothestheheart fora little season,butdoesno real good, andoften results inbringingsoulsintoastateofmorbidsuperstitiousbondage.ItisnotthemedicinewhichScripturehasprovided.Thetruthwhichallbelievers,andespeciallyyoungmenandwomen in thesedays,haveneed tobe told isthe truthofChrist's life inheaven, andpriestly intercession foxus.Weneednoearthlyconfessor,andnoearthlypriest.ThereisonlyonePriesttowhomweoughttogowithourdaffywants,evenJesustheSonofGod.It is impossible to findonemoremighty,more loving,morewise,morereadytohelpthanHeis.Itisawisesayingofanolddivine,that"theeyesofabelieveroughttobefixedonChristinallhisdealingswithGod.Theoneeye is tobesetonHisoblation,andtheotheronHis intercession."Letusneverforgetthis.ThetruesecretofholdingfastourprofessionistobecontinuallyexercisingfaithinthepriestlyofficeofChrist,andmakinguseofiteveryday.

Hethatactsonthisprinciplewill finditpossibletoserveGodandbeaChristianinanyposition,howeverharditmaybe.Heneednotsupposeforamoment,thathecannothavetruereligionwithoutretiringfromtheworld, and going into amonastery, or living like a hermit in a cave. Ayoungwomanmustnot suppose that she cannot serveGod inher ownfamily, because of unconverted parents, brothers, and sisters, and that

shemust-go into some "ReligiousHouse;' so called, in companywith afew like-mindedwomen. All such ideas are senseless and unscriptural;theycomefrombeneath,andnotfromabove.Atschoolorincollege,inthearmyorthenavy,inthebankoratthebar,inthemerchant'shouseoron'Change,itispossibleforamantoserveGod.Asadaughterathome,or a teacher in a high school, or an assistant in a house of business, awomancanserveGod,andmustnevergivewaytothecowardlythoughtthatitisimpossible.Buthowisitalltobedone?Simplybylivingthelifeof faith in the Son of God, by continually looking back to Him on thecross, and to the fountain of His blood for daily pardon and peace ofconscience, and by daily looking up to Him at the right hand of Godintercedingforus,anddailydrawingfromHimsuppliesofgraceinthisworldofneed.Thisisthesumofthewholematter.WehaveagreatHighPriestwhoispassedintotheheavens,andthroughHimitispossiblenotonlytobegin,butto"holdfast"ourprofession.

I will now conclude this paper by addressing a few words of directpracticalexhortationtoeveryreaderintowhosehandsitmayhappentofall.

(a)Doyoubelongtothathugeclassofso-calledChristianswhomakenoprofessionofreligionatall?Alas!itisapitythisclassshouldbesolarge;but it is vain to shut our eyes to the fact that it is very large. These ofwhomIspeakarenotatheistsor infidels; theywouldnot foramomentliketobetoldtheyarenotChristians.Theygotoplacesofworship,theythink Christianity a very proper thing for baptisms, weddings, andfunerals.Theysaygracebeforeandafterdinner;theyliketheirchildrentohavesomereligionintheireducation.Buttheyneverseemtogetanyfurther;theyshrinkfrommakinga"profession."Itisuselesstotellthemto"holdfast,"becausetheyhavenothingtohold.

I ask such persons, in all affection and kindness, to consider howunreasonableandinconsistenttheirpositionis.MostofthembelievetheApostles'Creed.Theybelieve there is aGod,andaworld to comeafterdeath, and a resurrection, and a judgment, and a life everlasting. Butwhatcanbemoresenselessthantobelieveallthesevastrealities,andyetto travel on towards the grave without any preparation for the greatfuture? You will not deny that you will have to meet the Lord Jesus

Christ,theJudgeofall,whenthelasttrumpetsounds,andyouwillstandbeforethegreatwhitethrone.Butwherewillyoubeinthatawfulday,ifyouhaveneverprofessedfaith,love,andobediencetothatJudgeduringthe time of your life upon earth?How can you possibly expectHim toconfessandownyouinthathour,ifyouhavebeenafraidorashamedtoconfessHim,andtodeclareyourselfboldlyuponHisside,whileyouareuponearth?

Thinkof these things, Ibeseechyou,andchangeyourplanof life.Castaside vain excuses and petty reasons for delay.Resolve by the grace ofGodtolayfirmholdonJesusChrist,andtoenlistlikeamanunderHISbanners.ThatblessedSaviourwill receive you just as youare,howeverunworthyyoumay feelyourself.Wait fornothing,andwait fornobody.Begintopraythisveryday,andtoprayreal,lively,ferventprayers,suchas the penitent thief prayed upon the cross. Take down your long-neglectedBible, andbegin to read it.Break off every knownbadhabit.Seek the company and friendship of thoroughgoingChristians.Giveupgoingtoplaceswhereyoursoulcangetnothingbutharm.Inoneword,begintomake"aprofession,"fearingneitherthelaughternorthescornofman.ThewordoftheLordJesusisforyouaswellasanother:"HimthatcomethtoMeIwill innowisecastout" (John6:37). Ihaveseenmanypeople on their death-beds, but I nevermetwith onewho said hewassorryhehadmadea"profession"ofreligion.

(b)Inthelastplace,doyoubelongtothatmuchsmallerclassofpersonswho really profess Christian faith, and Christian obedience, and aretrying,howeverweakly, to followChrist in themidstofanevilworld. IthinkIknowsomethingofwhatgoeson inyourhearts.Yousometimesfeelthatyouwillneverperseveretotheend,andwillbeobligedsomedayto give up your profession. You are sometimes tempted to write bitterthings against yourself, and to fancy youhave got no grace at all. I amafraid there are myriads of true Christians in this condition, who gotrembling and doubting toward heaven,withDespondency, andMuch-Afraid,andFearinginthePilgrim'sProgress,andfeartheywillnevergettotheCelestialCityatall.Butoddlyenough, inspiteofall theirgroansanddoubtsandfears,theydonotturnbacktothecityfromwhichtheycame(Heb.11:15).Theypresson,thoughfaint,yetpursuing,and,asJohn

Wesleyusedtosayofhispeople,"theyendwell."

Now,myadvicetoallsuchpersons,ifanyofthemarereadingthispaper,is very simple. Say every morning and evening of your life, "Lord,increasemyfaith."CultivatethehabitoffixingyoureyemoresimplyonJesusChrist,andtrytoknowmoreofthefulnessthereislaidupinHimforeveryoneofHisbelievingpeople.Donotbealwaysporingdownoverthe imperfectionsof yourownheart, anddissectingyourownbesettingsins.Lookup.LookmoretoyourrisenHeadinheaven,andtrytorealizemorethanyoudothattheLordJesusnotonlydiedforyou,butthatHealso rose again, and thatHe is ever living at God's right hand as yourPriest,yourAdvocate,andyourAlmightyFriend.WhentheApostlePeter"walkeduponthewaterstogotoJesus,"hegotonverywellaslongashiseyewasfixeduponhisAlmightyMasterandSaviour.Butwhenhelookedaway to the winds and waves, and reasoned, and considered his ownstrength, and theweight of his body, he soonbegan to sink, and cried,"Lord, saveme."Nowonder that our graciousLord,while graspinghishandanddeliveringhimfromawaterygrave,said,"Othouoflittlefaith,wherefore didst thou doubt?" Alas! many of us are very like Peter,-welook away from Jesus, and then our hearts faint, and we feel sinking(Matt.14:28-31).

Think, last of all, howmanymillions ofmen and women like yourselfhavegotsafehomeduringthelasteighteenhundredyears.Likeyou,theyhave had their battles and their conflicts, their doubts and their fears.Someofthemhavehadverylittle"joyandpeaceinbelieving,"andwerealmostsurprisedwhentheywokeupinParadise.Someofthemenjoyedfull assurance, and strong consolation, and have entered the haven ofeternallife,likeagallantshipinfullsailAndwhoaretheselastthathavedoneso?Thosewhohavenotonlyheld theirprofessionbetween fingerand thumb,buthave grasped it firmlywithbothhands, andhavebeenready to die for Christ, rather than not confessHim beforemen. Takecourage, believer. The bolder and more decided you are, the morecomfortyouwillhaveinChrist.Youcannothavetwoheavens,onehere,andtheotherhereafter.Youareyet in theworld,andyouhaveabody,and there is always near you a busy devil. But great faith shall alwayshavegreatpeace.Thehappiestpersoninreligionwillalwaysbethatman

orwomanwhocansay,withatrueheart,likeSt.Paul,"ThelifethatIliveintheflesh,IlivebythefaithoftheSonofGod,wholovedme,andgaveHimselfforme."InmyselfIseenothing,butIkeepeverlookingtoJesus,andbyHisgraceIholdfastmyprofession(Gal.2:20).

AndnowIcannotleavethisgreatandsolemnsubjectwithoutofferingtoallwho read it a partingword ofwarning about the times inwhichwelive.IwilltrytoexplainbrieflywhatImean.

Ibelieve,then,thatforthreecenturiestherehasnotbeenanageinwhichithasbeensoneedfultourgeprofessingChristiansto"holdfast"asitisatthistime.Nodoubtthereisplentyofreligionofacertainsortinthesedays.Therearemanymoreattendantsonpublicworshipalloverthelandthan there were thirty years ago. But it may well be doubted whetherthereisanyincreaseofvitalChristianity.Iamgreatlymistakenifthereisnot a growing tendency to "hold fast" nothing in religion, and adisposition to hold everything as loosely as possible. ":Nothing fast!Everythingloose!"seemstheorderoftheday.

How is it in matters of faith and doctrine? It used to be thoughtimportant to hold clear and distinct views about such points as theinspirationof theScriptures, theatonement, theworkof theSpirit, thepersonalityofthedevil,therealityoffuturepunishment.Itisnotthoughtso now. The old order of things has passed away. You may believeanything or nothing on these subjects, so long as you are earnest andsincere.Holding.fasthasgivenwaytoholdingloose.

How is it in matters of worship and ritual? It used to be thoughtimportanttobecontentwiththeplainteachingofthePrayerBook.Itisnotthoughtsonow.YoumusthavetheLord'sTablecalledanaltar,andthe sacrament called a sacrifice, without the slightest warrant in thePrayerBook,andaceremonialfittedtothesenovelviews.Andthenifyoucomplain,youaretoldthatyouareverynarrowandilliberal,andthataclergymanoughttobeallowedtodoandsayandteachanything,ifheisonlyearnestandsincere.Holdingfasthasgivenwaytoholdingloose.

Howisitinthematterofholyliving?Itusedtobethoughtimportantto"renouncethepompsandvanityofthiswickedworld,"andtokeepclear

ofraces,theatre-going,balls,card-playing,andthelike.Itisnotthoughtsonow.Youmaydoanythingandgoanywhereyouplease,solongasyoukeepLent,andoccasionallyattendearlyCommunion?Youmustnotbesoverystrictandparticular!OncemoreIsay,holdingfasthasgivenwaytoholdingloose.

Thisstateofthings,tosaytheleast,isnotsatisfactory,Itisfullofperil.Itshows a condition of Christianity which, I am certain, would not havesatisfiedSt.PaulorSt.John.Theworldwasnotturnedupsidedownbysuchvague,loosedoctrineandpracticeeighteencenturiesago.ThesoulsofmeninthepresentdaywillneverreceivemuchbenefitfromsuchlooseChristianityeitherinEnglandoranywhereelse.DecisioninteachingandlivingistheonlyChristianitywhichGodhasblessedintheagesthatarepast,orwillcontinuetoblessinourowntime.Loose,vague,misty,broadChristianity may avoid offence and please people in health andprosperity, but it will not convert souls, or supply solid comfort in thehourofsorroworsickness,oronthebedofdeath.

Theplaintruthis,that"sincerityandearnestness"arebecomingtheidolofmanyEnglishChristians in these latterdays.People seemto think itmatters little what opinions a man holds in religion, so long as he is"earnestandsincere;"andyouarethoughtuncharitableifyoudoubthissoundnessinthefaith!Againstthisidolatryofmere"earnestness"Ientermysolemnprotest.IchargeeveryreaderofthispapertorememberthatGod'swrittenWordistheonlyruleoffaith,andtobelievenothingtobetrueandsoul-savinginreligionwhichcannotbeprovedbyplaintextsofScripture. I entreat him to read the Bible, andmake it his only test oftruthanderror,rightandwrong.AndforthelasttimeIsay,"Holdfast,andnotloose,--holdfastyourprofession."

Matt.8:11Many

"Many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down withAbraham,Isaac,andJacobinthekingdomofheaven."--Matt.8:11.

THEwordsofScripturewhichhead thispagewerespokenbyourLordJesusChrist.Youmaytakethemeitherasaprophecyorasapromise.Ineitherpointof view theyaredeeply interesting, andcontainmuch foodforthought.

Take the words as a prophecy, and remember that they are sure to befulfilledTheBiblecontainsmanypredictionsofthingsmostunlikelyandimprobable,whichhaveyetprovedtrue.WasitnotsaidofIshmael,thefatheroftheArabianrace,thathewastobea"wildman,hishandagainsteveryman,andeveryman'shandagainsthim"?(Gen.16:12).Weseethefulfilmentof thosewordsat thisveryday,whenwelookat thetribes inthe Sudan, or observe the ways of the Bedouins. --Was it not said ofEgypt that it was finally to become "the basest of kingdoms," and itsinhabitants a people who could neither govern themselves nor begoverned?(Ezek.29:15).Weseethefulfilmentofthosewordsatthisveryday along thewhole valley of theNile, and every statesman in Europeknowsittohissorrow.Itwillbejustthesamewiththeprophecybeforeoureyes."Manyshallsitdowninthekingdomofheaven."

Takethewordsasapromise.ItwasspokenfortheencouragementoftheApostles,andofallChristianministersandteachersdowntothepresentday. We are often tempted to think that preaching, and teaching, andvisiting, and trying to bring souls toChrist does no good, and that ourlabour is all thrownaway.Buthere is thepromiseofOnewho "cannotlie," and never failed to keep HIS word. He cheers us with a gracioussentence.Hewouldhaveusnotfaintorgivewaytodespair.Whateverwemay think, and however little success wemay see, there is a Scripturebeforeuswhichcannotbebroken,"Manyshallsitdowninthekingdomofheaven."

I.Wehavefirst inthesewordsthenumberofthosewhoshallbesaved.OurLordJesusChristdeclaresthattheyshallbe"many."

How strange thatword "many" sounds!Will any be savedwho are notbornagain,washedinChrist'sblood,andsanctifiedbytheHolyGhost?

Willanybesaved(exceptinfants)whohavenotrepentedofsin,believedon theLordJesus for forgiveness, andbeenmadeholy inheart?None,none, certainly none. If men and women can be saved withoutrepentance,faith,andholiness,wemayaswellthrowtheBibleaway,andgiveupChristianityaltogether.

But are theremany people of this kind to be seen in the world? Alas!there are very few. The believers whom we see and know are "a littleflock.""Straitisthegate,andnarrowistheway,whichleadethuntolife,and few therebe that find it" (Matt.7:14).Feware tobe seen in towns,and few in country parishes l Few among the rich, and few among thepoor! Few among the old, and few among the young! Few among thelearned, and few among the unlearned! Few in palaces, and few incottages!ItisanabidingsorrowwithalltrueChristiansthattheymeetsofewwithwhomtheycanpray,andpraise,andreadtheBible,andtalkofspiritualthings.Theyoftenfeeltostandalone.ManyarethepeoplewhonevergotoanyplaceofworshipfromthefirstdayofJanuarytothelastdayofDecember,andseemtolivewithoutGodintheworld.Fewarethecommunicantsinanycongregation--amerehandfulcomparedtothosewhonevergototheLord'stableatall.FewarethemenandwomenwhodoanythingforthecauseofChristuponearth,orappeartocarewhetherthose around them are lost or saved. Can any one deny these things?Impossible! Yet here is our Lord Jesus Christ saying, "Many shall sitdowninthekingdomofheaven."

Now,whydidourLordsayso?Henevermadeamistake,andallthatHesaysistrue.Letmetrytothrowsomelightonthisquestion.

(a)Thereshallbe"many"whenallaregatheredtogetherwhohavediedintheLord,fromAbel,thefirstsaint,downtothelastwhoisfoundalivewhenthetrumpetsounds,andtheresurrectiontakesplace.Theyshallbea"multitudewhichnomancannumber"(Rev.7:9).

(b)Thereshallbe"many"whenalltheinfantswhodiedbeforetheyknewgood fromevil,or their righthand fromtheir left, arecalled fromtheirlittlegraves,andassembled.Few,probably,areawarewhatanenormousproportionof childrennever live for a year!They shall be "amultitudewhichnomancannumber."

(c) There shall be "many" when all the believers of every name, andnation, and people, and tongue, the Old Testament saints, like Enoch,andNoah, andAbraham,and Isaac, andJacob, andMoses, andDavid,andtheprophets, -- thesaintsof theNewTestament, like theApostles,thesaintsamongtheprimitiveChristians,andtheReformers,-whenallthesearebrought together, theywillbe"amultitudewhichnomancannumber."

(d)Therewillbe"many"whenthetrueChristiansaregatheredtogether,whoarenowscatteredoverthefaceoftheglobe,andnotknowneitherbythe Church or the world. There are not a few who belong to nocongregation,andarenotnumberedonanylistofcommunicants,thoughtheirnamesareintheLamb'sbookoflife.Someofthemliveanddieingreatneglectedparishesunknownandunvisited.Someofthemgetholdof the truthbyhearing thegospelpreachedbymissionariesathomeorabroad;thoughthepreacherhasneverknownthem,andtheyhaveneverbeenformallyenrolledinthelistofconverts.Someofthemaresoldiersandsailors,whostandaloneinregimentsandonboardship,andarenotunderstood by their companions. There aremyriads of such persons, Ibelieve,who live the lifeof faith,and loveChrist,andareknownto theLord,thoughnotknownbymen.Thesealsowillmakealargeadditiontothe"multitudewhichnomancannumber."

Theplaintruthis,thatthefamilyofGodwillbefoundatlastmuchlargerthanmostofussupposeitis.Welookatthethings,weseewithourowneyes,andweforgethowmuchthereisgoingonintheworld,inEurope,Asia,Africa,andAmerica,whichoureyesneverseeatall.Theinnerlifeofthevastmajorityofallaroundusisahiddenthing,ofwhichweknownothing. We do not think of the ages that are past, and the countlessmillionswhoarenow"dustandashes,"thougheachinhisturnfellasleepinChrist,andwascarried toAbraham'sbosom.Nodoubt it isperfectlytrue, that " wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads todestruction, and many there be which go in thereat" (Matt.7:13). It isfearfultothinkwhatanimmensemajorityofallaroundusappeardeadinsin,andutterlyunpreparedtomeetGod.But,forallthat,wemustnotunderrate the number of God's children. Even supposing they are in aminority,whenjudgedbyhumanestimate,theywillstillproveatlastto

be very many in the kingdom of glory, an enormous company, "amultitudewhichnomancannumber."

Is any reader of this paperdisposed to laugh at religion, because thosewhoprofessitdecidedlyarefewinnumber?Areyousecretlyinclinedtodespise thosewho read theirBibles, andmake a conscience of keepingtheirSundaysholy,andtryingtowalkcloselywithGod?Areyouafraidofmakingaprofessionyourself,becauseyouthinktherewillbesofewwithyou and somany against you, and you do not like to be singular, andstand alone? Alas! there have always beenmany like you!WhenNoahbuilttheArk,therewerefewwithhim,andmanymockedathim;buthewas foundtobe in therightat last.WhentheJewswererebuilding thewall of Jerusalem after the return fromBabylon, Sanballat and Tobiahscoffedatthem,andsaid,"WhatdothesefeebleJews?"--WhentheLordJesus Christ left the world, only a hundred and twenty disciples mettogether in the upper chamber in Jerusalem, while the friends of theunbelievingPharisees,andscribes,andpriestswerenumberedbytensofthousands.Butthediscipleswereright,andtheirenemieswerewrong.-WhenbloodyMarysatonthethrone,andLatimerandRidleywereburntatthestake,thefriendsofthegospelseemedveryfew,andtheirenemieswere a greatmajority.Yet theReformerswere right, and their enemieswere wrong. -- Take care what you are doing! Beware of judging vitalChristianity by the small number of thosewho seem to profess it. Youmayhave thecrowdwithyounow,and the laughmaybeonyour side.Butadayiscomingwhenyouwillopenyoureyeswithamazement,andfindout,perhapstoolate,thattheverypeoplewhomyoudespisedwerenot few, but "many," a vast company, "amultitude which noman cannumber."

Is any reader of this paper disposed to be cast down and discouraged,becausehelovesChrist,andtriestoserveHim,butfindshimselfalmostentirelyalone?Doesyourheartsometimesfailyou,andyourhandshangdown, and your kneeswax faint, because you so seldommeet any onewhomyoucanpraywith,andpraisewith,andreadwith,and talkwithaboutChrist,andopenyourhearttowithoutfear?Doyouevermourninsecret forwantof company?Well, youareonlydrinking the cupwhichmany have drunk before you. Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and

Joseph,andMoses,andSamuel,andDavid,andtheprophets,andPaul,andJohn,andtheApostleswereallpeoplewhostoodverymuchalone.Do you expect to fare better than them? Take comfort, and have faith.Thereismoregraceintheworldthanyoucansee,andmoreChristianstravellingtowardsheaventhanyouareawareof.Elijahthoughthestoodalone,whentherewere"seventhousandinIsraelwhohadnotbowedthekneetoBaal."Takecomfort,andlookforward.Yourgoodtimeiscoming.Youwillhaveplentyofcompanybyandby.Youwill findmanyandnotfewinthekingdomofheaven,manytowelcomeyou,manytorejoiceandpraise with many with whom you will spend a blessed eternity. Howpleasant it is tomeet a single saint now for a few short hours!How itcheersand refreshesus, like snow in summeror sunshineafter clouds!What,then,willitbewhenweshallseeanenormouscompanyofsaints,without a single unconverted sinner to spoil the harmony, allmen andwomen of faith, and none unbelievers, all wheat and no chaff, "amultitudewhichnomancannumber"!Surelythe"many"weshallseeinheaven will make ample amends for the "few" that we now see uponearth.

II.Wehave,secondly,inourLordJesusChrist'swords,thedwellingsandpositionofthosewhoshallbefinallysaved.It iswritten"thattheyshallcomefromtheeastandthewest."

Therecanbelittledoubtthatthisexpressionisaproverbialone.Itmustnotbetakenliterally,asifthesavedwerenottocomefromthenorthandsouth,butonlyfromtherisingandsettingofthesun.WefindthesameexpressioninPsalm103:12,whereitissaid,"Asfarastheeastisfromthewest,sofarhathHeremovedourtransgressionsfromus."Themeaningis simply this:The savedshall come fromdifferentplaces, fromdistantplaces, and fromplaceswhereyouwouldhave thought itmostunlikelytheywouldbefound.

(a) They will not all have belonged to one Church. There will beEpiscopalians, and Presbyterians, and Independents, and Baptists, andMethodists,andPlymouthBrethren,andmanyotherkindsofChristianswhomIhaveneitherspacenor time toname.Howevermuch theymaydisagreeanddisputenow,theywillhavetoagreeatlast.Theywillfindtotheiramazementthatthepointsuponwhichtheywereofonemindwere

avastquantity,andthepointsonwhichtheydifferedwereveryfew.Theywill all be able to say with one heart, "Hallelujah! praise to Him wholovedus,andwashedusfromoursinsinHisownblood!"Andtheywillallbeabletoreplywithonevoice,"Amen,amen!"Theantheminheaven,said good George Whitefield, will be to all eternity, " What hath Godwrought!"Thepointsofearthlydisagreementwillhavedroppedoff,andmeltedlikesnowinspring.ThecommonteachingoftheHolyGhostwillstandoutclearandplainbeforeeveryeyeinheaven.Atlengththerewillbeonereal"HolyCatholicChurch,"withoutspotorblemishoranysuchthing,without quarrelling, controversy, or dissension, allwheat andnotares,allsoundmembersandnoneunsound.

(b)Theywillcomefromvariouscountriesineverypartoftheglobe,fromGreenland'sicymountains,andthescorchingregionsofthetropics,fromIndia andAustralia, fromAmerica and fromChina, fromNewZealandandtheIslandsofthePacificOcean,fromAfricaandfromMexico.SomewillhavelaidtheirbonesinsolitarygraveslikeHenryMartyninPersia,withnonetodothemhonourintheirdeath.Somewillhavebeenburiedatseawithasailor's funeral.Somewillhavedied thedeathofmartyrs,andbeenburnt toashes likeourownReformers.Somewillhave fallenvictimstomalignantclimates,orheathenviolenceatmissionarystations.Andsomewillhavedied,likeMoses,inplaceswherenohumaneyesawthem.Buttheyshallallcometogether,andmeetagaininthekingdomofheaven.Itmatterslittlewhereweareburied,andhowweareburied,andinwhatkindofagrave.ChinaisjustasneartoheavenasEnglandis,andtheseashallgiveupherdeadatthesamemomentastheland.Ourcoffin,and our funeral, and the burial service, and the long procession ofmourners, are allmatters of very secondary importance. The onepointweshouldaimtomakesure,fromwhateverplacewemaycome,istobeamongstthosewho"shallsitdowninthekingdomofheaven."

(c)Theyshallcomefromutterlydifferentranks,classes,andprofessions.Heavenwillbeaplaceforservantsaswellasmasters,formaidsaswellasmistresses, for poor as well as rich, for the unlearned as well as thelearned,fortenantsaswellaslandlords,forsubjectsaswellasrulers,forthepauperaswell as theQueen.There isno royal road toheaven,andtherewillbenoclassdistinctionswhenwegetthere.Atlengththerewill

beperfectequality,perfectfraternity,andperfectfreedom.Itwillmatternothingwhetherwehadmuchmoneyonearth,ornoneatall.Theonlyquestion will be, whether we have really repented of our sins, reallybelieved on the Lord Jesus, and were really converted and sanctifiedpeople.Therewillbenopreferencegivento thosewhohavecomefrommonasteries,nunneries,orhermits'caves.Itisverylikelythatthosewhohavedone theirduty in thatstateof life towhichGodcalled them,andhavecarriedChrist'scrossinthearmyorthenavy,inParliamentoratthebar, in the bank or themerchant's office, behind the counter or at thebottom of a coal-pit, will be found in the first rank in the kingdom ofheaven. It is not necessary to wear a peculiar dress, or to put on anausterecountenance,andtoretirefromtheworld,inordertositdowninthekingdomofheaven.

(d) They shall come from most unlikely places, and from positions inwhichyouwouldhave thought theseedofeternal life couldneverhavegrown up in a soul. Saul, the young Pharisee, came from the feet ofGamaliel, and from persecuting Christians, and rose to be the greatApostleoftheGentiles,whoturnedtheworldupsidedown.Daniellivedin Babylon, and served God faithfully in the midst of idolatry andheathenism.Peterwasoncea fishermanon theseaofGalilee.Matthewwasapublictax-gatherer,whospenthisdaysinreceivingcustom.Lutherand Latimer began life as devoted Papists, and ended life as devotedProtestants.JohnBunyan,theauthorofthePilgrim'sProgress,wasoncea careless, thoughtless, swearing, bell-ringing youngman, in a countryvillage. George Whitefield served in a public-house at Gloucester, andspenthisearlydaysincleaningpotsandcarryingoutbeer.JohnNewton,the author ofwell-knownhymns and letters,was once the captain of aslave-shiponthecoastsofAfrica,andsawnoharminbuyingandsellinghuman flesh andblood.All these truly "came fromeast andwest," andseemedatonetimeintheirlivesthemostunlikelypeopleintheworldtocome toChrist, and "sit down in thekingdomofheaven."But theydidcomeunmistakably,andtheyareaneverlastingproofthatourLordJesusChrist'swordsarestrictlytrue.Menandwomenmay"comefromtheeastandwest,"andyetbefoundat last inthekingdomofeternalhappinessandglory.

Let us learn never to despair of the salvation of any one as long as helives. Fathers ought never to despair of prodigal sons. Mothers oughtnever to despair of self-willed, headstrong daughters.Husbands shouldnever despair of wives, nor wives of husbands. There is nothingimpossiblewithGod.Thearmofgraceisverylong,andcanreachthosewhoseemveryfaroff.TheHolyGhostcanchangeanyheart.ThebloodofChristcancleanseawayanysin.Letusprayon,andhopeonforothers,howeverunlikelytheirsalvationmayappeartobeatpresent.Weshallseemanyinheavenwhomweneverexpectedtoseethere.Thelastmayyetprove first, and the first last. The famous Grimshaw, the Apostle ofYorkshire, when he died, left his only son unconverted, careless,thoughtless, and indifferent to religion. The day camewhen the youngman'sheartwaschanged,andhewalked in thestepsofhis father.Andwhenhelayuponhisdeath-bed,oneofhislastwordswas,"Whatwillmyoldfathersaywhenheseesmeinheaven!"

Letus learnnot to sorrow "as thosewhohavenohope,"whenwepartfrom friends who are true Christians, and part, perhaps, for ever. Theseparations and goodbyes of this world are probably some of its mostpainful things.When the family circle is broken up,when the old nestbegins to lose its inmates, when the youngman sets sail for Australia,New Zealand, or the Fiji Islands, with no hope of returning for ten ortwelveyears,--whenthesethingstakeplace,itisasoretrialtofleshandblood. I havewitnessed scenes on the landing-stage atLiverpool,whenthe great steamships are about to start forAmerica,whichmight bringtears to theeyesof themostcold-heartedstranger.Thepartingsof thisworldareterriblethings;buttruefaithinChrist,andtheresurrectiontoeternal life throughHim, takes thestingoutof theworstofpartings. Itenablesabelievertolookbeyondthethingsseentothethingsunseen,tothecomingoftheSaviour,andourgatheringtogetheruntoHim.Yes,itisapleasantthingtoremember,asthegreatshipmovesaway,andwewaveourlastadieus,"itisbutalittletime,andweshallseethemallagaintopartnomore."God'speopleshallcometogetherfromeastandwest,andweshallallmeetatlast"inthekingdomofheaven,"andgooutnomore.

III.Wehave,thirdly,inourLordJesusChrist'swords,thefutureportionandrewardofthosewhoshallbefinallysaved.Itiswritten,"theyshallsit

downinthekingdomofheaven."

Thatexpression,"sitdown,"isaverypleasantandcomfortableonetomymind. Let us sift it, and examine it, and see what it contains. In thejudgmentday,believersshallSTANDwithboldnessattherighthandofChrist,andsay,"WhoshalllayanythingtothechargeofGod'select.?itisGodthatjustifieth.Whoishethatcondemneth?ItisChristthatdied,yearather,thatisrisenagain,whoisevenattherighthandofGod,whoalsomaketh intercession for us" (Rom.8:33-34). But when the judgment ispassed and over, and the eternal kingdom begins, they shall "SITDOWN."

(a)Sittingdownimpliesasenseofconfidenceandbeingathome.Ifwewere in the presence of a stern judge, or of a king clothed in awfulmajesty, we should not dare to sit down. But there will be nothing tomake believers afraid in the kingdom of heaven. The sins of their pastlives will not make them tremble and feel alarmed. However many,howevergreat,andhoweverblack,theywillallhavebeenwashedawayinChrist's precious blood, and not one spot will remain. Completelyjustified,completelyabsolved,completelyforgiven,completely"acceptedintheBeloved,"theywillbecountedrighteousbeforeGodforthesakeofHimwhowas "made sin for us, thoughHeknewno sin " (2Cor.5:21).Thoughthesinsoftheirlives"wereasscarlet,theyshallbemadewhiteassnow;andthoughredlikecrimson,theyshallbeaswool."Theirsinswillbe"rememberednomore,""soughtfor,andnotfound,""blottedoutasathickcloud,""castbehindGod'sback,""plungedinthedepthsofthesea."Believers will need no purgatory after they die. It is ignorance andunbelieftothinkso.OncejoinedtoChristbyfaith,theyarecompleteinthesightofGodtheFather,andeventheperfectangelsshallseenospotin them. Surely they may well sit down, and feel at home! They mayremember all the sins of their past lives, and be humbled at therecollectionofthem.Butthosesinswillnotmakethemafraid.

The sense of daily failure,weakness, imperfection, and inward conflict,will no longer mar their peace. At last their sanctification will becompleted. The war within shall come to a perfect end. Their oldbesettingsinsandinfirmitieswillhavedroppedoff,andmeltedaway.AtlengththeyshallbeabletoserveGodwithoutweariness,andattendon

Himwithoutdistraction,andnotbeobligedtocrycontinually,"Wretchedman that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"(Rom.7:24).Whocan tell theblessednessofall thiswhileweareyet inthebody?Here in thisworldwedonot realize thecompletenessofourjustification, and "groan, being burdened," by reason of our imperfectsanctification.Ourbestendeavoursafterholinessareaccompaniedbyasorrowfulconsciousnessofdailyfailure.Butwhen"theoldman"isatlastentirely dead, and the flesh no longer lusts against the spirit, -- whenthere is an end of indwelling sin, and the world and the devil can nolonger tempt us, -- then at last we shall understand what God hasprepared for themthat loveHim.Weshall "sitdown in thekingdomofheaven."

(b)Butthisisnotall.Sittingdownimpliesrest,andacompletecessationof work, and toil, and conflict. There is a rest that remaineth for thepeopleofGod.Hereinthislifeweareneverstill.TheWordofGodtellsus,thattheChristianmust"walk,"and"run,"and"work,"and"labour,"and"fight,"and"groan,"and"carrythecross,"andwearthe."armour,"and stand like a sentinel on guard in an enemy's land. It is not till weenterthekingdomofheaventhatwemustexpectto"sitdown."WorkforChrist,nodoubt, ispleasant,andeveninthis lifebringsarichreward,-therewardofahappyconscience,arewardwhichthemerepolitician,ormerchant, ormanofpleasure cannever reap,because theyonly seekacorruptible crown. "They that drink of these waters shall thirst again."But even the Christian's work is exhausting to flesh and blood; and solongaswedwell inamortalbody,workandwearinesswillgotogether.Theverysightofsininothers,whichwecannotcheck,isadaffytrialtooursouls.Nodoubtthefightoffaithisa"goodfight,"buttherenevercanbefightingwithoutwounds,andpain,andfatigue.TheveryarmourtheChristian isbid toputon isheavy.Thehelmetand thebreastplate, theshieldandthesword,withoutwhichwecannotovercomethedevil, canneverbewornwithoutconstantexertion.

Surelyitwillbeablessedtimewhenourenemieswillallbeslain,andwecan lay aside our armour in safety, and "sit down in the kingdom ofheaven."

Inthemeantimeletusneverforgetthatthetimeisshort.Eventhedevil

knows that, and "has great wrath because he has but a short time"(Rev.12:12).Letusworkon,andfighton,infullassuranceofhope,withtheblessedrecollectionthatitshallnotbeforever.WhenthegreatbattleofWaterloowasraging,andtheeventofthedayseemedtotrembleinthebalance, it is said that the Duke ofWellington kept calmly turning hiseyes to the left, in the confident expectation that in a little time hisPrussianallieswouldappear,andhisvictorywouldbesure.Letthiskindofhopeanimateoursoulswhenwearebearingthelabourandheatoftheday.OurKingissooncoming,andwhenHecomesweshall"sitdown,"andtoilandfightnomore.

IV.The fourthand last thingwhich thewordsofourLordJesusChristcontainis,thecompanywhichthosewhoarefinallysavedshallenjoyforever.

Now,companyisonegreatsecretofhappiness.Manisbynatureasocialbeing.Itisaramexceptionindeedtofindanyonewholikestobealwaysalone.A palace filledwith untoldwealth and luxuries,would at last belittlebetter thanaprison ifwe lived in it entirelyalone.A cottagewithcongenialcompanionsisahappierdwelling-placethanaroyalcastlewithnoone to speak to, no one to listen to, no one to exchangemindwith,nothingtoconversewith,butendsownpoorheart.Weallwantsomeoneto livewithand love,andthedweller inasolitary island, likeRobinsonCrusoe, is never satisfied, if he is a real man. Our blessed Lord, whoformedmanoutofthedustoftheearth,andmadehimwhatheis,knowsthat perfectly wellWhen, therefore, He describes the future portion ofHisbelievingpeople,Hetakescaretotelluswhatkindofcompanytheyshall have in the kingdom of heaven. He says that the saved shall "sitdownwithAbraham,Isaac,andJacob"intheworldtocome.

Nowwhatdoesthatexpressionmean?Letuslookatit,analyseit,andseewhatitcontains.

Thecompanionsofthesavedintheeternalworldshallbeallthebelieverswho have ever lived on earth, from the beginning to the end. The oldsoldiers,theoldpilgrims,theoldservantsofChrist,theoldmembersofChrist'sfamily,all,inaword,whohavelivedbyfaithandservedChrist,andwalkedwithGod, theseshall formthecompany inwhich thesaved

shallspendanendlessexistence.

They shall see all the old worthies of whom they read in the OldTestament, -- the patriarchs, the prophets, and the holy kings, wholooked forward to the coming of Christ, but died without seeing Him.TheyshallseetheNewTestamentsaints,theApostles,andtheholymenandwomenwhosawChristfacetoface.TheyshallseetheearlyFatherswhodiedforthetruth,andwerethrowntothelions,orbeheadedunderthe persecution of the Roman emperors. They shall see the gallantReformerswhorevivedthegospeloutofthedustontheContinent,andunstopped the wells of living water which Rome had filled up withrubbish.Theyshallseetheblessedmartyrsofourownlandwhobroughtabout the glorious Protestant Reformation, and gave the Bible to ourcountrymenintheEnglishtongue,andcheerfullydiedatthestakeforthecause of the gospel. They shall see the holy men of the last century,Whitefield,andWesley,Romaine,andtheircompanions,who,inthefaceofbitteropposition,revivedreligionintheChurchofEngland.Aboveall,theyshallseetheirownfriendswhofellasleepinChrist,andwhomtheyonce followed to their graves, withmany tears, and see themwith thecomfortable thought that theyshallpartnomore.Surely thethoughtofsuchcompanionshipas thisshouldcheerusaswetravelon thenarrowway!Itisagoodthingyettocome.

Thereislittlehappinessincompanyunlessthereisentiresympathyandcongeniality of taste. It is one of the heaviest trials of a true Christianupon earth, that hemeets so few peoplewho are entirely of onemindwithhimaboutreligion.Howofteninsocietyhefindshimselfobligedtoholdhistongueandsaynothing,andtohearandseemanythingswhichmake his heart ache, and send him back to his own home heavy anddepressed!Itisarareprivilegetomeettwoorthreeoccasionallytowhomhecanopenhisheart,andwithwhomhecanspeakfreely,withoutfearofgivingoffenceorbeingmisunderstood.But therewill be an endof thisstateof things inthekingdomofheaven.Thosewhoaresavedwill findnonetherewhohavenotbeenledbythesameSpirit,andgonethroughthe same experience as themselves.Therewill not be amanorwomanthere who has not felt deeply the burden of sin, mourned over it,confessedit,foughtwithit,andtriedtocrucifyit.Therewillnotbeaman

orwomantherewhohasnotfledtoChristbyfaith,castthewholeweightofhis souluponHim,andrejoiced inHimashisRedeemer.TherewillnotbeamanorwomantherewhohasnotdelightedintheWordofGod,pouredouthissoulinprayeratthethroneofgrace,andstriventoliveaholy life. In a word, there will be none there who have not knownsomethingofrepentancetowardGod,faithtowardourLordJesusChrist,andholinessoflifeandconversation.Itispleasanttomeetafewpeopleof this kind on earth as we travel along the narrow way that leads toheaven. It refreshesus likeabrookby theway, and is likea littlepeepwithin theveil.Butwhatwill itbewhenwesee "amultitude,whichnoman can number," of saints completely delivered from all sin, and notonesingleunconvertedpersonamongthemtomartheharmony!

Whatshallitbewhenweshallmeetourownbelievingfriendsoncemore,at last made perfect, and find that their besetting sins, and our ownbesetting sins,have all passedaway, and there isnothing left inusbutgracewithoutcorruption!Yetallthisistocomewhenwepasswithintheveil. The inhabitants are not to be a mixed multitude, unable tounderstandoneanother.Theyarealltobeofoneheartandofonemind.Wearenottositdownamidstignorant,godless,andunconvertedpeople,but"withAbraham,Isaac,andJacobinthekingdomofheaven."Heavenitself would be no heaven if all sorts of characters got there, as somepeoplefalselyteach.Therecouldbenoorderandnohappinessinsuchaheaven. There must be "meetness for the inheritance of the saints inlight"(Col.1:12).

(1)Andnow,reader,beforeyoulaydownthispaper,askyourselfwhetheryoushallbefoundamongthemanywhoshall"sitdowninthekingdomofheaven."Thequestiondemandsananswer.Ichargeyoutogiveyoursoulnorestuntilyoucanansweritinasatisfactoryway.Timeispassingquicklyaway,andtheworldisgrowingold.Thesignsofthetimesoughttosetusall thinking."Thedistressofnationswithperplexity"seemstoincrease every year. The wisdom of statesmen seems utterly unable topreventwarsandconfusion ineverydirection.Theprogressofart, andscience, and civilization appear entirely powerless to prevent theexistenceofenormousmoralevils.NothingwillevercurethediseasesofhumannaturebutthereturnoftheGreatPhysician,thePrinceofPeace,

the second coming of JesusChristHimself. AndwhenHe comes, shallyou be found among the "many" who shall "sit down with Abraham,Isaac,andJacobinthekingdomofheaven"?

Whyshouldyounotbefoundamongthemany?Iknownoreasonexceptyourownwantofwill,oryourownindolenceandlaziness,oryourowndetermined loveof sinand theworld.Anopendoor isbeforeyou:whynotenterintoit?TheLordJesusChristisableandreadytosaveyou:whynotcommityoursoultoHim,andlayholdonthehandwhichHeholdsoutfromheaven?IrepeatthatIknownoreasonwhyyoushouldnotbefoundamongstthe"many"atthelastday.

You fancy there is time enough, and no need of hurry or immediatedecision.Youhadbettertakecarewhatyouaresaying.Itisnotgiventoall men and women to live to threescore years and ten, and then diequietly in their beds. The notice to quit this mortal body sometimescomesverysuddenly,andmenandwomenaresummonedtogoforthinamomentintotheunseenworld.Youhadbetterusetimewhileyouhaveit,andnotmakeshipwreckonthatmiserablerock,"aconvenientseason."

Areyouafraidthatpeoplewilllaughatyou,andmockyou,ifyoubegintocareforyoursoul,andtoseekaplaceinthekingdomofheaven?Castthecowardly feelingbehindyourback, and resolvenever tobe ashamedofreligion. Alas! there are toomany who will find at last that they werelaughed out of heaven, and laughed into hell. Fear not the reproach ofman,who atmost can only injure your body. FearHimwho is able todestroybothsoulandbodyinhell.LayholdboldlyonChrist,andHewillgive you the victory over all that you now fear. He that enabled theApostlePeter,whoonceranawayanddeniedhisMaster,tostandfirmasa rockbefore theJewishCouncil, andat length todie for thegospel, isstilllivingattherighthandofGod,andisabletosavetotheuttermostallwhocometoGodbyHim,andtomakeyoumorethanconqueror.

Do you think that youwill not be happy if you seek to have your soulsaved, and to sit down in the kingdom of heaven? Cast aside theunworthythoughtasalyingsuggestionofthedevil.TherearenopeoplesotrulyhappyastrueChristians.Whateverasneeringworldmaypleaseto say, they havemeat to eat which the world knows not, and inward

comfortswhichtheworldcannotunderstand.Thereisnogloominessintruereligion,andnoreligioninlookinggloomy,sour,oraustere.Inspiteofcrossandconflict,thetrueChristianhasaninwardpeacecomparedtowhich the world has nothing to give; for it is a peace which trouble,bereavement, sickness,anddeath itself cannot takeaway.ThewordsoftheMasterarestrictlytrue,"PeaceIleavewithyou,MypeaceIgiveuntoyou: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart betroubled,neitherletitbeafraid"(John14:27).Ifmenandwomenwanttobe truly happy, they should strive to be amongst those who "shall sitdowninthekingdomofheaven."

(2) Last, but not least, let me wind up all by offering a word ofexhortation and encouragement to thosewhohave reason to hope thattheyareamongthemanywhoshallsitdowninthekingdomofheaven.

Wouldyouhavemuchjoyandpeaceinbelieving?Trytodoallthegoodyoucanintheworld.Thereisalwaysmuchtobedone,andfewtodoit.Therearealwaysmanylivinganddyinginignoranceandsin,andnoonegoesnearthem,andtriestosavetheirsouls.Weliveindayswhenthereis much talk about High Churchism, and Low Churchism, and BroadChurchism, and Ritualism, and Rationalism, and Scepticism, but littlereal Christian work done to mend the evils of the times! If all theCommunicantsinallourchurcheslaidthemselvesouttogoamongthosewho are without God in the world, with the Bible in their hands, andChristlikelovingsympathyintheirhearts,theywouldsoonbefarhappierthan they are now, and the face of society would soon be changed.Idlenessisonegreatcauseofthelowspiritsofwhichsomanycomplain.Toomany, far toomanyChristians, seemquitecontent togo toheavenalone, and to care nothing about bringing others into the kingdom ofGod.

Ifyoutrytodogoodintherightway,youneverneeddoubtthatgoodwillbe done.Many a Sunday-school teacher comes home on Sunday nightwithaheavyheart,andfanciesthathisorherlabourisallinvain.Manyavisitor returns from his rounds, and thinks he is producing no effect.Manyaministercomesdownfromhispulpitdespondingandcastdown,imaginingthathispreachingis tonopurpose.Butall this isdisgracefulunbelief.Thereisoftenfarmoregoingoninheartsandconsciencesthan

we see. "He that goeth forth weeping, but sowing precious seed, shallcome again with joy at the last day, and bring his sheaves with him"(Ps.126:6).Therearemorebeingconvertedandsavedthanwesuppose."Manyshallsitdowninthekingdomofheaven"whomweneverexpectedtoseetherewhenwedied.Letusreadon,andprayon,andvisiton,andspeakon,and tellofChrist toeveryonewhomwecangetat. Ifweareonly"stedfast,unmovable,alwaysaboundingintheworkoftheLord,"weshallfind,toouramazement,thatourlabourwasnotinvainintheLord(1Cor.15:58).

But ifwe try todogood,wemustalways cultivatepatience.Wecannothave twoheavens: aheavenhere, andaheavenhereafter.Thebattle isnotyetover.Theharvest-timeisnotyetcome.Thedevilisnotyetbound.ThetimewhenourLord'spromiseshallbefulfilledisnotyetarrived.Butit will arrive before long. When our gracious Queen at the end of theCrimeanwar came forward in front of theHorseGuards, andwithherownroyalhandsgavetheVictoriaCrosstothegallantsoldierswhohadearnedit,thatpublichonourmaderichamendsforallthatthosesoldiershad gone through. Balaklava, and Inkerman, and the hardships of thetrencheswereallforgottenforthetime,andseemedcomparativelysmallthings.What,then,willbethejoywhentheCaptainofoursalvationshallgatherHis faithfulsoldiersroundHim,andgivetoeachoneacrownofglorythatfadethnotaway!Surelywemaywellwait inpatienceforthatday.Itiscoming,andwillsurelycomeatlast.Rememberingthatday,letuscastbehindusdoubtsandunbelief,andsetourfacessteadilytowardsJerusalem."Thenightisfarspent,andthedayisathand"(Rom.13:12).Not one word of the blessed promise before us shall fail: "Many shallcomefromtheeastandthewest,andshallsitdownwithAbraham,Isaac,andJacob,inthekingdomofheaven."

2Sam.23:4-5.WithoutClouds.[13]

"He shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun rises, even a

morningwithoutclouds;asthetendergrassspringethoutoftheearthbyclearshiningafter rain.Althoughmyhousebenot sowithGod;yetHehathmadewithme an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, andsure:forthisisallmysalvation,andallmydesire,althoughHemakeitnottogrow."--2Sam.23:4-5.

THEtextwhichheadsthispageistakenfromachapterwhichoughttobevery interesting to every Christian. It begins with the touchingexpression,"ThesebethelastwordsofDavid."

Whetherthatmeans,"thesearethelastwordswhichDavideverspokebyinspirationasaPsalmist,"or"theseareamongthelastsayingsofDavidbefore his death," signifies little. In either point of view, the phrasesuggestsmanythoughts.

It contains the experience of an old servant ofGodwhohadmanyupsanddownsinhislife.Itistheoldsoldierrememberinghiscampaigns.Itistheoldtravellerlookingbackonhisjourneys.

I.LetusfirstconsiderDavid'shumblingcotillion.

He looks forward with a prophetic eye to the future coming of theMessiah, the promised Saviour, the seed of Abraham, and the seed ofDavid.He looks forward to theAdvent of a glorious kingdom inwhichthere shall be no wickedness, and righteousness shall be the universalcharacterofallthesubjects.Helooksforwardtothefinalgatheringofaperfect family inwhichthereshallbenounsoundmembers,nodefects,no sin, no sorrow, no deaths, no tears. And he says, the light of thatkingdomshallbe"asthelightofthemorningwhenthesunriseth,evenamorningwithoutclouds."

Butthenheturnstohisownfamily,andsorrowfullysays,"MyhouseisnotsowithGod."Itisnotperfect,itisnotfreefromsin,andithasblotsandblemishesofmanykinds.Ithascostmemanytears.ItisnotsoasIcouldwish,andsoasIhavevainlytriedtomakeit.

PoorDavidmightwellsaythis!Ifevertherewasamanwhosehousewasfull of trials, and whose life was full of sorrows, that man was David.

Trials from the envy of his own brethren, -- trials from the unjustpersecution of Saul, retrials from his own servants, such as Joab andAhithophel,--trialsfromawife,eventhatMichalwhooncelovedhimsomuch,--trialsfromhischildren,suchasAbsalom,Amnon,andAdonijah,-- trials fromhisownsubjects,whoatone time forgotallhehaddone,anddrovehimoutofJerusalembyrebellion, -- trialsofallkinds,waveupon wave, were continually breaking on David to the very end of hisdays. Some of the worst of these trials, no doubt, were the justconsequences of his own sins, and the wise chastisement of a lovingFather.Butwemust havehardhearts ifwedonot feel thatDavidwasindeed"amanofsorrows."

ButisnotthistheexperienceofmanyofGod'snoblestsaintsanddearestchildren?WhatcarefulreaderoftheBiblecanfailtoseethatAdam,andNoah,andAbraham,andIsaac,andJacob,andJoseph,andMoses,andSamuel, were allmen ofmany sorrows, and that those sorrows chieflyaroseoutoftheirownhomes?

Theplaintruthis,thathometrialsareoneofthemanymeansbywhichGod sanctifies and purifiesHis believing people. By themHe keeps ushumble.By themHedrawsus toHimself.By themHesendsus toourBibles.BythemHeteachesustopray.BythemHeshowsusourneedofChrist.BythemHeweansusfromtheworld.BythemHepreparesusfor"a city which hath foundations," in which there will be nodisappointments, no tears, and no sin. It is no special mark of God'sfavour when Christians have no trials. They are spiritual medicines,whichpoorfallenhumannatureabsolutelyneeds.KingSolomon'scoursewasoneofunbrokenpeace andprosperity.But itmaywell bedoubtedwhetherthiswasgoodforhissoul.

Before we leave this part of our subject, let us learn some practicallessons.

(a) Let us learn that parents cannot give grace to their children, ormasters to their servants. We may use all means, but we cannotcommandsuccess.Wemayteach,butwecannotconvert.Wemayshowthosearoundusthebreadandwateroflife,butwecannotmakethemeatand drink it.Wemay point out the way to eternal life, but we cannot

makeotherswalkinit."ItistheSpiritthatquickeneth."Lifeisthatonething which the cleverest man of science cannot create or impart. Itcomes"notofblood,norofthewillofman"(John1:13).TogivelifeisthegrandprerogativeofGod.

(b)Letuslearnnottoexpecttoomuchfromanybodyoranythinginthisfallenworld.Onegreatsecretofunhappinessisthehabitofindulginginexaggerated expectations. Frommoney, frommarriage, from business,fromhouses,fromchildren,fromworldlyhonours,frompoliticalsuccess,men are constantly expecting what they never find; and the greatmajority die disappointed. Happy is he who has learned to say at alltimes,"Mysoul,waitthouonlyuponGod;myexpectationisfromHim"(Ps.62:5).

(c)Letuslearnnottobesurprisedorfretwhentrialscome.It isawisesayingofJob,"Manisborntotroubleasthesparksflyupward"(Job5:7).Some,nodoubt,havea largercupof sorrows todrink thanothers.Butfew live long without troubles or cares of some kind. The greater ouraffectionsthedeeperareourafflictions,andthemorewelovethemorewehave toweep.Theonlycertain thing tobepredictedabout thebabelying inhiscradle is this, -- ifhegrowsup,hewillhavemanytroubles,andatlasthewilldie.

(d)Letuslearn,lastly,thatGodknowsfarbetterthanwedowhatisthebest time for taking away from us those whomwe love. The deaths ofsome of David's children were painfully remarkable, both as to age,manner, and circumstances. When David's little infant lay sick, Davidthoughthewouldhavelikedthechildtolive,andhefastedandmournedtillallwasover.Yet,whenthelastbreathwasdrawn,hesaid,withstrongassuranceof seeing the child again, "I shall go tohim,buthe shall notreturntome"(2Sam.12:23).Butwhen,onthecontrary,Absalomdiedinbattle -- -Absalom thebeautifulAbsalom thedarlingofhisheart --butAbsalomwhodiedinopensinagainstGodandhisfather,whatdidDavidsaythen?Hearhishopelesscry,"OAbsalom,myson,myson,wouldGodIhaddiedforthee!"(2Sam.18:33).Alas!wenoneofusknowwhenitisbestforourselves,ourchildren,andourfriendstodie.Weshouldpraytobe able to say, "My times are in Thy hands," let it bewhen Thouwilt,whereThouwilt,andhowThouwilt(Ps.31:15).

II. Let us consider, secondly, what was the source of David's presentcomfortinlife.Hesays,"ThoughmyhouseisnotasIcouldwish,andisthe cause of much sorrow, God has made with me an everlastingcovenant,orderedinallthings,andsure."Andthenheadds,"Thisisallmysalvation,andallmydesire."

Nowthisword"covenant"isadeepandmysteriousthing,whenappliedto anything that God does. We can understand what a covenant isbetweenmanandman.Itisanagreementbetweentwopersons,bywhichthey bind themselves to fulfil certain conditions and do certain things.ButwhocanfullyunderstandacovenantmadebytheEternalGod?Itissomething far above us and out of sight. It is a phrase bywhichHe isgraciously pleased to accommodateHimself to our poorweak faculties,butatbestwecanonlygraspalittleofit.

ThecovenantofGodtowhichDavidrefersashiscomfortmustmeanthateverlasting agreement or counsel between the Three Persons of theBlessedTrinitywhichhas existed fromall eternity for thebenefit of allthelivingmembersofChrist.

Itisamysteriousandineffablearrangementwherebyallthingsnecessaryforthesalvationofoursouls,ourpresentpeace,andourfinalglory,arefullyandcompletelyprovided,andall thisby the jointworkofGod theFather,God the Son, andGod theHolyGhost. The redeemingwork ofGodtheSonbydyingasourSubstituteonthecross,--thedrawingworkof God the Father by choosing and drawing us to the Son, -- and thesanctifying work of the Holy Ghost in awakening, quickening, andrenewing our fallen nature,- are all contained in this covenant, besideseverythingthatthesoulofthebelieverneedsbetweengraceandglory.

Of this covenant, the Second Person of the Trinity is the Mediator(Heb.12:24).ThroughHimalltheblessingsandprivilegesofthecovenantareconveyedtoeveryoneofHisbelievingmembers.AndwhentheBiblespeaksofGodmakingacovenantwithman,asinthewordsofDavid,itmeanswithmaninChristasamemberandpartoftheSon.TheyareHismystical body, and He is their Head, and through the Head all theblessingsoftheeternalcovenantareconveyedtothebody.Christ,inone

word,is"theSuretyofthecovenant,"andthroughHimbelieversreceiveitsbenefits.ThisisthegreatcovenantwhichDavidhadinview.

TrueChristianswoulddowelltothinkaboutthiscovenant,rememberit,androlltheburdenoftheirsoulsuponitfarmorethantheydo.Thereisunspeakableconsolationinthethoughtthatthesalvationofoursoulshasbeenprovidedforfromalleternity,andisnotamereaffairofyesterday.Ournameshave long been in theLamb's book of life.Our pardon andpeace of conscience through Christ's blood, our strength for duty, ourcomfortintrial,ourpowertofightChrist'sbattles,wereallarrangedforusfromendlessages,andlongbeforewewereborn.Hereuponearthwepray, and read, and fight, and struggle, and groan, and weep, and areoften sore let and hindered in our journey. Butwe ought to rememberthatanAlmightyeyehas longbeenuponus,andthatwehavebeenthesubjectsofdivineprovisionthoughweknewitnot.

Aboveall,Christiansshouldneverforgetthattheeverlastingcovenantis"ordered in all things and sure." The least things in our daily life areworkingtogetherforgood,thoughwemaynotseeitatthetime.Theveryhairsofourheadareallnumbered,andnotasparrowfallstothegroundwithoutourFather.Thereisnoluckorchanceinanythingthathappenstous.The least events in our life areparts of an everlasting schemeorplaninwhichGodhasforeseenandarrangedeverythingforthegoodofoursouls.

Let us all try to cultivate the habit of remembering the everlastingcovenant.Itisadoctrinefullofstrongconsolation,ifitisproperlyused.Itwasnotmeanttodestroyourresponsibility.ItiswidelydifferentfromMohammedanfatalism.Itisspeciallyintendedtobearefreshingcordialfor practical use in a world full of sorrow and trial. We ought toremember, amid the many sorrows and disappointments of life, that"whatwe knownot now,we shall knowhereafter." There is ameaningand a "needs be" in every bitter cup thatwe have to drink, and awisecauseforeverylossandbereavementunderwhichwemourn.

After all, how little we know!We are like children who look at a half-finishedbuilding,andhavenottheleastideawhatitwilllooklikewhenitis completed. They see masses of stone, and brick, and rubbish, and

timber, and mortar, and scaffolding, and dirt, and all in apparentconfusion.Butthearchitectwhodesignedthebuildingseesorderinall,and quietly looks forwardwith joy to the daywhen thewhole buildingwillbefinished,andthescaffoldingremovedandtakenaway.It isevensowith us.We cannot grasp themeaning ofmany a providence in ourlives, and are tempted to think that all around us is confusion. ButweshouldtrytorememberthatthegreatArchitectinheavenisalwaysdoingwiselyandwell,andthatwearealwaysbeing"ledbytherightwaytoacityofhabitation"(Ps.107:7).Theresurrectionmorningwillexplainall.Itis a quaint butwise saying of an old divine, that "true faith has blighteyes,andcanseeeveninthedark."

ItisrecordedofBarnardGilpin,aReformerwholivedinthedaysoftheMarianmartyrdoms,andwascalledtheApostleoftheNorth,thathewasfamousfornevermurmuringorcomplaining,whateverhappenedtohim.Intheworstandblackesttimesheusedtobealwayssaying,"It isall inGod'severlastingcovenant,andmustbeforgood."TowardsthecloseofQueen Mary's reign, he was suddenly summoned to come up fromDurham to London, to be tried for heresy, and in all probability, likeRidley and Latimer, to be burned. The good man quietly obeyed thesummons,andsaid tohismourning friends, "It is in thecovenant, andmustbeforgood."OnhisjourneyfromDurhamtoLondon,hishorsefell,andhislegwasbroken,andhewaslaidupataroadsideinn.Oncemorehewasasked,"Whatdoyouthinkofthis?"Againhereplied,"Itisallinthe covenant, andmust be for good."And so it turned out.Weeks andweekspassedawaybeforehislegwashealed,andhewasabletoresumehis journey.Butduring thoseweeks theunhappyQueenMarydied, thepersecutionswerestopped,andtheworthyoldReformerreturnedtohisnorthernhomerejoicing."DidInottellyou,"hesaidtohisfriends,"thatallwasworkingtogetherforgood?"

WellwoulditbeforusifwehadsomethingofBarnardGilpin'sfaith,andcouldmakepracticaluseoftheeverlastingcovenantashedid.HappyistheChristianwhocansayfromhisheartthesewords,--

"IknownotthewayIamgoing,

ButwelldoIknowmyGuide;

WithachildliketrustIgivemyhand

TothemightyFriendbymyside.

TheonlythingthatIsaytoHim,

AsHetakesit,is--'Holditfast;

Suffermenottolosemyway,

Andbringmehomeatlast.'"

III. Let us consider, lastly, what was King David's hope for the future.Thathope,beyonddoubt,wasthegloriousadventoftheMessiahattheendoftheworld,andthesettingupofakingdomofrighteousness,atthefinal"restitutionofallthings"(Acts3:21).

Of course king David's views of this kingdom were dim and vaguecompared to thosewhicharewithin reachof every intelligent readerofthe New Testament. He was not ignorant of the coming ofMessiah tosuffer,forhespeaksofitinthe22ndPsalm.Buthesawfarbehinditthecoming ofMessiah to reign, andhis eager faith overleaped the intervalbetweenthetwoAdvents.Thathismindwasfixeduponthepromise,thatthe"seedofthewomanshould"onedaycompletely"bruisetheserpent'shead,"andthatthecurseshouldbetakenofftheearth,andtheeffectsofAdam's fall completely removed, I feel no doubt at all. The Church ofChristwouldhavedonewellifshehadwalkedinDavid'ssteps,andgivenasmuchattentiontotheSecondAdventasDaviddid.

ThefiguresandcomparisonswhichDavidusesinspeakingoftheadventand future kingdom of the Messiah are singularly beautiful, andadmirablyfittedtoexhibitthebenefitswhichitwillbringtotheChurchand theearth.TheSecondAdventofChrist shallbe "as the lightof themorning when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as thetendergrassspringingoutoftheearthbyclearshiningafterrain."Thosewords deserve a thousand thoughts. Who can look around him, andconsider the state of theworld inwhichwe live, and not be obliged toconfess that clouds and darkness are now on every side? "The whole

creation groaneth and travaileth in pain" (Rom.8:22). Look where wewill, we see confusion, quarrels, wars between nations, helplessness ofstatesmen, discontent and grumbling of the lower classes, excessiveluxuryamongtherich,extremepovertyamongthepoor, intemperance,impurity, dishonesty, swindling, lying, cheating, covetousness,heathenism, superstition, formality among Christians, decay of vitalreligion,--thesearethethingswhichweseecontinuallyoverthewholeglobe, inEurope,Asia,Africa,andAmerica.Theseare the thingswhichdefilethefaceofcreation,andprovethatthedevil is"theprinceof thisworld,"andthekingdomofGodisnotyetcome.Thesearecloudsindeed,whichoftenhidethesunfromoureyes.

Butthereisagoodtimecoming,whichDavidsawfardistant,whenthisstateofthingsshallbecompletelychanged.Thereisakingdomcoming,inwhichholinessshallbetherule,andsinshallhavenoplaceatall.

Who can look around him in his own neighbourhood, and fail to seewithinamileofhisownhousethattheconsequencesofsinlieheavilyonearth, and that sorrow and trouble abound? Sickness, and pain, anddeath come to all classes, and spare none, whether rich or poor. Theyoung often die before the old, and the children before the parents.Bodily suffering of themost fearful description, and incurable disease,make the existence ofmanymiserable.Widowhood, and childlessness,and solitariness, tempt many to feel weary of life, though everythingwhich money can obtain is within their reach. Family quarrels, andenvies,andjealousiesbreakupthepeaceofmanyahousehold,andareawormattherootofmanyarichman'shappiness.Whocandenythatallthese thingsare tobe seenonevery sideofus?Therearemany cloudsnow.

Willnothingend thisstateof things?Iscreation togoongroaningandtravailing for ever after this fashion? Thanks be to God, the SecondAdventofChrist suppliesananswer to thesequestions.TheLordJesusChristhasnotyetfinishedHisworkonbehalfofman.Hewillcomeagainoneday(andperhapsverysoon)tosetupagloriouskingdom,inwhichtheconsequencesofsinshallhavenoplaceatall.Itisakingdominwhichthereshallbenopainandnodisease, inwhich"the inhabitantshallnomoresay,Iamsick"(Isa.33:24).Itisakingdominwhichthereshallbe

nopartings,nomoves,nochanges,andnogood-byes.Itisakingdominwhich there shallbenodeaths,no funerals,no tears,andnomourningworn.It isakingdominwhichthereshallbenoquarrels,no losses,nocrosses, no disappointments, no wicked children, no bad servants, nofaithless friends.Whenthe last trumpetshall sound,andthedeadshallbe raised incorruptible, there will be a grand gathering together of allGod'speople,andwhenweawakeupafterourLord'slikenessweshallbesatisfied (Ps.17:15).Where is the Christian heart that does not long forthisstateofthingstobegin?WellmaywetakeupthelastprayerintheBook of Revelation, and often cry, "Come quickly, Lord Jesus"(Rev.22:20).

(a) And now, havewe troubles?Where is theman orwoman on earthwhocansay,"Ihavenone"?LetustakethemalltotheLordJesusChrist.None can comfort like Him. He who died on the cross to purchaseforgiveness forour sins, is sittingat the righthandofGodwithaheartfullofloveandsympathy.Heknowswhatsorrowis,forHelivedthirty-threeyearsinthissinfulworld,andsufferedHimselfbeingtempted,andsawsufferingeveryday.AndHehasnotforgottenit.WhenHeascendedinto heaven, to sit at the right hand of the Father, He took a perfecthuman heart with Him. "He can be touched with the feeling of ourinfirmities" (Heb.4:15). He can feel. Almost His last thought upon thecrosswas forHis ownmother, andHe cares forweeping andbereavedmothersstill.

HewouldhaveusneverforgetthatourdepartedfriendsinChristarenotlost,butonlygonebefore.Weshallseethemagaininthedayofgatheringtogether, for "them that sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him" (1Thess.4:14).Weshallseetheminrenewedbodies,andknowthemagain,butbetter,morebeautiful,morehappythanweeversawthemonearth.Bestofall,weshallseethemwiththecomfortablefeelingthatwemeettopartnomore.

(b) Have we troubles? Let us never forget the everlasting covenant towhicholdDavidclungtotheendofhisdays.It isstill infullforce.It isnotcancelled.ItisthepropertyofeverybelieverinJesus,whetherrichorpoor,justasmuchasitwasthepropertyofthesonofJesse.Letusnevergive way to a fretting, murmuring, complaining spirit. Let us firmly

believeattheworstoftimes,thateverystepinourlivesisorderedbytheLord,withperfectwisdomandperfectlove,andthatweshallseeitallatlast.LetusnotdoubtthatHeisalwaysdoingallthingswell.Heisgoodingiving,andequallygoodintakingaway.

(c)Finally,havewetroubles?Letusneverforgetthatoneofthebestofremediesandmostsoothingmedicinesistotrytodogoodtoothers,andtobeuseful.Letuslayourselvesouttomakethesorrowlessandthejoygreaterinthissin-burdenedworld.Thereisalwayssomegoodtobedonewithina fewyardsofourowndoors.LeteveryChristianstrive todo it,andtorelieveeitherbodiesorminds.

"Tocomfortandtobless,Tofindabalmforwoe,Totendtheloneandfatherless,Isangel'sworkbelow."

Selfishfeedingonourowntroubles,andlazyporingoveroursorrows,areonesecretof themelancholymisery inwhichmanyspendtheir lives. Ifwe trust inJesusChrist'sblood, letus rememberHisexample.Heever"went about doing good" (Acts 10:38). He came not to be ministeredunto,buttominister,aswellastogiveHislifearansomformany.Letustry tobe likeHim.Letuswalk in the stepsof thegoodSamaritan,andgive help wherever help is really needed. Even a kind word spoken inseasonisoftenamightyblessing.ThatOldTestamentpromiseisnotyetwornout:"Blessedisthemanthatprovidethforthesickandneedy;theLord shall deliver him in the time of trouble" (Ps.41:1, Prayer-bookversion).Footnotes:

[13] The substance of this paper was delivered as an address at theopeningoftheChapeloftheTurnerMemorialHomeofRest,theDingle,Liverpool,October16th,1885.

Canticles4:12theLord'sGarden.

THELordJesusChristhasagarden.ItisthecompanyofallwhoaretruebelieversinHim.TheyareHisgarden.

Viewed in one light, believers are Jesus Christ's spouse. They are alljoinedtoHimbyarteverlastingcovenantthatcannotbebroken;weddedtoHimbythemarriageoffaith;takenbyHimtobeHisforever,withalltheir debts and liabilities, with all their faults and imperfections. Theiroldnameisgone,theyhavenonamebutthatoftheirBridegroom.Godthe Father regards them as one with His dear Son. Satan can lay nochargeagainstthem.TheyaretheLamb'swife:"MyBelovedismine,andIamHis"(Cant.2:16).

Viewedinanotherlight,believersareChrist'ssister.TheyareliketoHiminmanythings.TheyhaveHisSpirit;theylovewhatHeloves,andhatewhatHehates;theycountallHismembersbrethren;throughHimtheyhavethespiritofadoption,andcansayofGod,"HeismyFather."FaintindeedistheirresemblancetotheirelderBrother!Andstilltheyarelike.

Viewedinathirdlight,believersareChrist'sgarden.Letusseehowandinwhatway.

I. Jesus callsHispeopleagarden,because theyarealtogetherdifferentfirmthemenoftheworld.Theworldisawilderness:itbringsforthlittlebutthornsandthistles;itisfruitfulinnoughtbutsin.Thechildrenofthisworld are an untilledwilderness inGod's sight.With all their arts andsciences, intellect and skill, eloquence and statesmanship, poetry andrefinement,-with all this they are a wilderness, barren of repentance,faith,holiness,andobediencetoGod.TheLordlooksdownfromheaven,and where He sees no grace, there the Lord can see nothing but a"wilderness"stateofthings.TheLordJesusChrist'sbelievingpeoplearethegreenspotoftheearth;theoasisamidstbarrendeserts;theyareHisgarden.

HecallsHispeopleagarden,becausetheyaresweetandbeautifultoHismind.Helooksontheworld,anditgrievesHimtotheheart:Helookson

the little flock of His believing people, and is well pleased. He sees inthemthefruitofHistravail,andissatisfied.HerejoicesinspiritwhenHeseesthekingdomrevealedtobabes,thoughthewiseandprudentreceiveitnot.As in thedayofNoah'ssacrifice,Hesmellsasweetodourand isrefreshed.Itisverywonderful,verymysterious!Believersarevileintheirown eyes, and feel themselvesmiserable sinners; yet Jesus says, "Thouartallfair,---sweetisthyvoice,--thycountenanceiscomely,--beautifulasTirzah, comelyasJerusalem, fairas themoon,andclearas the sun"(Cant.1:15, 4:7, 2:14, 6:10, etc.). Oh, the depths! It soundsincomprehensibleandalmostincredible;butitistrue.

HecallsHispeopleagarden,becauseHedelightstowalkamongthem.He sees the children of thisworld, butHemingles notwith them.Hiseyesareonalltheirways,butHedoesnotcomedowntotalkwiththem,asHedidtoAbraham,likeamanwithhisfriend.

On theotherhand,He loves towalk amongHis candle, sticks, and seewhetherthelightburnsbrightly.HelovestobepresentintheassembliesofHissaints,andtocomeinandsupwiththem,andtheywithHim.Heloves to comewithHisFather, andmakeHis abodewithHisdisciples;andwheresoevertwoorthreearegatheredinHisname,thereisHe.HelovestocomeintoHisgardenandeatHispleasantfruits;togodowntothebeds of spices, and gather lilies; to seewhether the vine flourishes,and the tender grape appears, and the pomegranates bud forth(Cant.7:12).Inshort,HeholdspeculiarcommunionwithHispeople,anddealsfamiliarlywiththem,asHedoesnotwiththeworld.

HecallsHispeopleagarden,becausetheyareuseful,andbearfruitandflowers.Whereistherealuseofthechildrenofthisworld?Ofwhatvaluearethey,whiletheycontinueunconverted?Theyareunprofitabletenantsandworthlesscumberersoftheground.TheybringnoglorytotheLordthatboughtthem;theyfulfilnottheirpartincreation;theystandaloneintheworld of created beings, not doing thework forwhich theirMakermeantthem.TheheavensdeclarethegloryofGod,--thetrees,thecorn,thegrass,theflowers,thestreams,thebirdsspeakforthHispraise,--butthe man of the world does nothing to show that he cares for God, orservesGod,orlovesGod,orfeelsgratefulforChrist'sredeemingdeath.

The Lord's people are not so. They bring Him some revenue of glory.Theybearsomelittlefruit,andarenotaltogetherbarrenandunprofitableservants.Comparedtotheworld,theyareagarden.

II.TheLord'sgardenhasadistinctivepeculiarityaboutit.Itisagardeninclosed.

Thereisaninclosureroundbelievers;orelsetheyneverwouldbesaved.Thisisthesecretoftheirsafety.Itisnottheirfaithfulness,theirstrength,ortheir love, it isthewallaroundthemwhichpreventstheirbeinglost.Theyarea"gardeninclosed."

They are inclosedbyGod theFather's everlasting election.Longbeforetheywereborn, -- longbefore .the foundationsof theworld,Godknewthem, chose them, and appointed them to obtain salvation by JesusChrist. The children of this world do not like to hear this doctrineproclaimed. It humbles man, and leaves him no room to boast. Butwhether it is abused or not, the doctrine of election is true. It is thecorner-stone of the believer's foundation, that he was chosen in Christbefore the world began. Who can rightly estimate the strength of thisinclosure?

Theyare inclosedby thespecial loveofGodtheSon.TheLordJesus isthe Saviour of all men, but He is specially the Saviour of them thatbelieve.Hehaspoweroverallflesh,butHegiveseternallifetothemthatarespeciallygiventoHim,inawaythatHedoestononeothers.HeshedHISbloodonthecrossforall,butHeonlywashesthosewhohavepartinHim.Heinvitesall,butHequickenswhomHewill,andbringsthemtoglory.Heprays for them:Hepraysnot for theworld.He intercedes forthem,thattheymaybekeptfromevil,thattheymaybesanctifiedbythetruth, thattheir faithfailnot.Whocanfullydescribetheblessednessofthisinclosure?

They are inclosed by the effectualworking ofGod theHolyGhost. TheSpirit of Christ calls them out from the world, and separates them aseffectuallyas ifawallwerebuiltbetweenthemand it.Heputs in themnewhearts,newminds,newtastes,newdesires,newsorrows,newjoys,newwishes,newpleasures,newlongings.Hegives themneweyes,new

ears,newaffections,newopinions.Hemakes themnewcreatures; theyarebornagain,andwithanewbirththeybeginanewexistence.MightyindeedisthetransformingpoweroftheHolySpirit!Thebelieverandtheworldarecompletelyputasunder,andeverlastinglyseparated.Youmayplaceabelieverandanunbelievertogether,marrythem,jointhemunderoneroof,butyoucannotunitethemanymoreintoonepiece.Theoneispartof the"garden inclosed,"and theother isnot.Effectualcalling isabarrierthatcannotbebroken.

Whocantellthecomfortofthisthreefoldwallofinclosure!Believersareinclosed by election, inclosed by washing and intercession, inclosed bycallingandregeneration.Greatistheconsolationofthesethreefoldbandsoflovearoundus,theloveofGodtheFather,theloveofGodtheSon,theloveofGodtheHolyGhost!Athreefoldcordisnoteasilybroken.

Does any reader suppose for amoment that all thiswas not needed? IbelievethatnothingshortofthisthreefoldinclosurecouldsavetheLord'sgardenfromutterruin.Withoutelection,intercession,andregeneration,thereisnotonesoulwhowouldgettoheaven.Thewildboaroutofthewoodwould break in and devour; the roaring lion would come in andtrample all under his feet. The devil would soon lay the Lord's gardenlevelwiththeground.

BlessedbeGodforthis,thatweare"agardeninclosed!"BlessedbeGod,our final safetyhangsnotonanythingofourown, --notonourgracesand feelings, -- not on our degree of sanctification, -- not on ourperseverance inwell-doing, -- not on our love, -- not on our growth ingrace,--notonourprayersandBible-readings,--notevenonourfaith.IthangsonnothingelsebuttheworkofFather,Son,andHolyGhost.Ifthisthree-foldworkincloseus,whoshalloverthrowourhope?IfGodbeforus,whocanbeagainstus?

Adam had a heart free from sin. Adam was strong in innocency, andundefiledby contactwith bad examples and corruptneighbours.Adamwas on vantage ground, a thousand times higher thanwe now occupy;andyetAdamfellbeforetemptation.Therewasnoinclosureroundhim,nowalltokeepSatanout,nobarrierroundthefirstfloweroftheLord'sgarden;--andseehowAdamfell!

Letbelieversopen their sleepy eyes, and try tounderstand the valueoftheirprivileges!ThisisthemostblessedpartoftheLord'sgarden.Itisa"garden inclosed." I believe if therewasno election, therewouldbenosalvation. Inever sawamanwhowouldbe saved if itdepended inanywise on himself. Let us all thank the Lord Jesus, every day, and thankHimfromourhearts,thatHispeopleareachosenandguardedpeople,andthatHisgardenisnothinglessthan"agardeninclosed."

III.TheLord'sgardenisnotempty:itisalwaysfullofflowers.Ithashadmany in time past, it has many at the time present. Believers are theflowersthatfilltheLord'sgarden.

I will mention two things about the flowers in the garden of the LordJesus.Insomethingstheyareallexactlylikeoneanother.Insomethingstheyareasvariousanddiverseastheflowersinthegardensofthisworld.

(a)Insomethingstheyareallalike.

(1)Theyhaveallbeen transplanted.Notoneof theLord's flowersgrewnaturally inHis garden. They were all born children of wrath, even asothers.Nomanisbornwithgraceinhisheart.EverybelieveramongtheLord's people was at one time at enmity with Him, and in a state ofcondemnation. It was the grace of God that first called him out of theworld.ItwastheSpiritofChristwhomadehimwhatheis,andplantedhiminthegardenoftheLord.InthistheLord'speopleareallalike:theyarealltransplantedflowers.

(2)TheLord's flowersareallalike in theirroot. Inoutwardthings theymaydiffer,butunderneaththeyareallthesame.TheyareallrootedandgroundedonJesusChrist.Believersmayworshipindifferentplaces,andbelongtodifferentchurches,buttheirfoundationisthesame,--thecrossandtheblood.

(3)TheLord'sflowersareallattheirbeginningweak.Theydonotcometofullmaturityatonce.Theyareatfirstlikenew-bornbabes,tenderanddelicate,andneedingtobefedwithmilk,andnotwithstrongmeat.Theyaresooncheckedandthrownback.Allbegininthisway.

(4)TheLord's flowersallneed the lightof the sun.Flowerscannot livewithout light.Believerscannot livecomfortablyunlesstheyseemuchofthe face of Jesus Christ. To be ever looking on Him, feeding on Him,communingwithHim, -- this is thehidden springof the life ofGod inman'ssoul.

(5) The Lord's flowers all need the dews of the Spirit. Flowers witherwithoutmoisture.Believersneeddaily,hourly,toberenewedbytheHolyGhost in the spirit of theirminds.We cannot Live on old grace, if wewouldbefresh,living,realChristians.WemustbedailymorefilledwiththeSpirit.Everychamberintheinwardtemplemustbefilled.

(6) The Lord's flowers are all in danger of weeds. Flower-beds needconstantweeding.Believersneeddailytosearchandseethattheydonotletbesetting sinsgrowonundisturbed.Theseare the things that choketheactingsofgrace,andchilltheinfluencesoftheSpirit.Allareinperilofthis;allshouldbeware.

(7)TheLord'sflowersallrequirepruninganddigging.Flowersleftalonesoondwindleandgrowsmall.Nocarefulgardenerleaveshisrosesalonealltheyearround.Justsobelieversneedstirring,shaking,mortifying,orelse they become sleepy, and incline like Lot to settle downby Sodom.Andiftheyareslowabouttheworkofpruning,Godwilloftentakeitinhandforthem.

(8) The Lord's flowers all grow. None but hypocrites and wolves insheep's clothing, and painted Christians, stand still True believers arenever long the same. It is their desire to go on from grace to grace,strength tostrength,knowledge toknowledge, faith to faith,holiness toholiness. Visit a border of the Lord's garden after two or three years'absence, and youwill see this. If you see it not, youmaywell supposethereisawormattheroot.Lifegrows;butdeathstandsstillanddecays.

(b) But while the Lord's flowers are all alike in some things, they arevariousanddiverseinothers,evenastheflowersinourowngardens.Letusconsiderthispointalittle.

Believershavemanythingsincommon,oneLord,onefaith,onebaptism

oftheSpirit,onehope,onefoundation,onereverencefortheWord,onedelightinprayer,onenewnessofheart.Andyettherearesomethingsinwhich theyarenotone.Theirgeneralexperience is thesame,and theirtitle to heaven the same: and yet there are varieties in their specificexperience.Thereareshadesofdiversityintheirviewsandfeeling.Theyarenotsoaltogetherandcompletelyonethattheycanquiteunderstandeachotherinallthings,atalltimes,andinallpoints.Veryimportantisittobear this inmind!Believersareone ingenus,butnotone inspecies,oneingreatprinciples,notoneinallparticulars,oneinreceptionofthewholetruth,notoneintheproportiontheygivetothepartsoftruth,oneintheroot,butnotoneintheflower,oneinthepartthatonlytheLordJesussees,notoneinthepartthatisseenoftheworld.

Youcannotunderstandyourbrotherorsisterinsomethings.Youcouldnot do as they do, speak as they speak, act as they act, laugh as theylaugh, admire what they admire. Oh, be not hasty to condemn them!Make themnotoffenders foraword.Set themnotdown ina lowplacebecause they and you have little sympathy, few harmonizing andresponding strings in your hearts, -- because you soon come to astandstillincommuningwiththem,anddiscoverthattheyandyouhaveonlyalimitedextentofgroundincommon!Writeitdownonthetabletsofyourheart, thattherearemanyschools,orders,classes,diversitiesofChristians.YoumayallbeintheLord'sgarden,andbeunitedongranddoctrines; and yet for all that, theLord's garden ismadeup of varioussortsof flowers.AllHis flowersareuseful:nonemustbedespised.AndyetHisgardencontainswidelydifferentsorts.

(1) Some that grow in the Lord's garden are like the flowerswhich arebrilliantandshowy incolour,butnotsweet.Yousee themafaroff,andtheyattracttheworld'seye,andtheirtintsarebeautiful,butyoucansaynomore.

ThesearefrequentlythepublicChristians,-thepopularpreachers,--thespeakersonplatforms,---thelionsoflisteningcompanies,--thepeopletalkedof,andpointedat,andrunafter.Suchpersonsarethetulips,andsunflowers, and peonies, and dahlias of the Lord's garden, wonderful,gaudy,brightandgloriousintheirway,butnotsweet.

(2)Somearelikethoseflowerswhichmakenoshowatall,andyetarethesweetest.

These are the Christians whom the world never hears of; they rathershrinkfrompublicobservation.Theyholdontheeventenoroftheirway,andpasssilentlyontowardshome;buttheysweetenallaroundthem.

These are they that are rare and hard to find: but the better they areknown, themore they are loved. Ask their true character in their ownhomes,and in their families, --askhusbands,wives,children,servants,theircharacter,andyouwillsoondiscoverthatnotatenthpartoftheirbeautyandexcellenceisknownbytheworld.Theneareryougo,themoreperfumewill thesedwellers intheLord'sgardengiveout.ThesearetheLord's violets, -- valued by only few, but to thosewho know them, oh,howsweet!

(3)SomeintheLord'sgardenarelikethoseflowerswhichcannotliveincoldweather.

ThesearetheChristianswhohavebuta littlestrength,whofaint intheday of adversity, who only flourish when everything around them issmoothandwarm.Acoldwindoftrial,andunexpectedfrostofaffliction,nipsthemandcutsthemdown.ButtheLordJesusisverymerciful;Hewillnotsufferthemtobetemptedabovewhattheycanendure.HeplantstheminshelteredandsunnyplacesofHisgarden.Heprotectsthemandhedges them round by strong plants, to break the cold. Let no mandespisethem.TheyaretheLord'sflowers,beautifulintheirplaceandintheirway.

(4)SomeintheLord'sgardenarelikethosehardyflowerswhichflowereveninwinter.

ThesearethoseroughChristianswhoneverseemtofeelanytrials;whomnothing, either of opposition or affliction, appears to move. Doubtlessthere is not that softness and sweetness about them thatwe admire inothers.Wemiss that lovable delicacywhich in some people is such anunexplainable charm. They chill us sometimes by their rudeness andwantofsympathywhencomparedtomanyweknow.Andyetletnoman

despisethem.TheyarethecrocusesinthegardenoftheLord,beautifulintheirplaceandway,andvaluableintheirownseason.

(5)SomeintheLord'sgardenareneversosweetasafterrain.

ThesearetheChristianswhoshowmostgraceundertrialandaffliction.Inthedayofsunshineandprosperitytheybecomecareless:theyneedtheshower "of some sorrow to come down on them to make their fullexcellencyappear.Thereismorebeautyofholinessabouttheirtearsthanabouttheirsmiles: theyaremore likeJesuswhentheyweepthanwhentheylaugh.ThesearetherosesoftheLord'sgarden:lovelyandsweetandbeautifulatalltimes,butneversomuchsoasafterrain.

(6)SomeintheLord'sgardenareneversosweetasatnight.

Thesearethebelieverswhoneedconstanttrialtokeepthemclosetothethrone of grace. They cannot bear the sunshine of prosperity: theybecomecarelessinprayer,sleepyabouttheWord,listlessaboutheaven,toofondofnestlingwithsomeBenjamininthecornerofthisworld.SuchpersonstheLordJesusoftenkeepsunderacloud,topreservetheminaright frame. He sends wave after wave, trouble after trouble, to makethem sit like Mary at His feet, and be near the cross. It is the verydarknesstheyareobligedtowalkinwhichmakesthemsosweet.

(7)SomeintheLord'sgardenareneversosweetaswhencrushed.

These are the Christians whose reality comes out most under sometremendous and uncommon judgment. Thewinds and storms of heavyafflictionrolloverthem,andthen,totheastonishmentoftheworld,thespices flow out. I once saw a youngwomanwho had lain on a bed sixyears in a garret, with a spinal complaint, helpless,motionless, cut offfromeverythingthatcouldmakethisworldenjoyable.ButshebelongedtothegardenofJesus:shewasnotalone,forHewaswithher.Youwouldhave thought shewouldhavebeengloomy; shewas all brightness.Youwould have expected her to be sorrowful; she was ever rejoicing. Youwould suppose shewasweak and needed comfort; shewas strong andable to comfort others. You would fancy she must have felt dark; sheseemedtomealllight.Youwouldimaginehercountenancewasgrave;it

wasfullofcalmsmiles,andthegushingforthofinwardpeace.Youwouldhavepardonedheralmostifshehadmurmured;shebreathedofnothingbut perfect happiness and content. The crushed flowers in the Lord'sgardenaresometimesexceedingsweet!

(8) Some of the flowers in the Lord's garden are never fully valued tilltheyaredead.

Thesearethosehumblebelieverswho,likeDorcas,arefullofgoodworksandactivelovetowardsothers.Thesearethoseunostentatiousoneswhodislikeprofessionandpublicity,andlovetogoabout,liketheirLordandMaster, doing good to souls, -- visiting the fatherless and the widows,pouringinbalmonwoundswhichthisheartlessworldneitherknowsnorcares for,ministering to the friendless, helping thedestitute, preachingthegospelnottosilkandvelvet,buttothepoor.

Thesearenotnoticedbythisgeneration:buttheLordJesusknowsthem,andHisFatheralso.Whentheyaredeadandgone,theirworkandlabourofloveallcomesout.Itiswrittenwithadiamondontheheartsofthosetheyhaveassisted:itcannotbehid.Theyspeakbeingdead,thoughtheyweresilentwhen living.Weknow theirworthwhengone, ifwedidnotwhilewehadthemwithus.Thetearsofthosewhohavebeenfedinsoulorbodyby theirhand tell forth to thewonderingworld that somehavegonehomewhoseplacecannoteasilybesupplied,andthatagapismadewhich it will be hard to fill up. These shall never have that wretchedepitaph,"Departedwithoutbeingdesired."ThesearethelavenderintheLord'sgarden,never somuchappreciatedandadmiredaswhencutoffanddead.

Andnowletmewindupwithafewwordsofpracticalapplication.

There is one thingabout theLord's garden,which I seenothing like inthisworld.

Theflowersofthisworldalldie,andwitherandlosetheirsweetness,anddecay, and come to nothing at last. The fairest flowers are not reallyeverlasting. The oldest and strongest of nature's children comes to anend.

It isnotsowiththeLord's flowers.Thechildrenofgracecanneverdie.Theymay sleep for a season; theymay be taken awaywhen they haveserved their generation, and done their work. The Lord is continuallycomingdowntoHisgardenand"gathering lilies," laying flowers inHisbosomoneaftertheother;buttheLord'sflowersshallallriseagain.

WhentheLordcomesagainthesecondtime,HeshallbringHispeoplewith Him. His flowers shall live once more, more bright, more sweet,more lovely, more beautiful, more glorious, more pure, more shining,more fair. They shall have a glorious body like their Lord's, and shallflourishforeverinthecourtsofourGod.

(1)Reader,areyouintheLord'sgarden,orareyouinthewildernessofthisworld?

Youmustbeinoneortheother.Youmusttakeyourchoice.Whichhaveyou chosen, andwhichdoyou choosenow?TheLordJesuswould faintransplantyou.

HestriveswithyoubyHisSpirit.HewouldfainaddyoutothenumberofHisbelovedones.Heknocks at thedoor of yourheart byword andbyprovidence. He whispers to your conscience, "Awake, arise, repent, beconverted,andcomeaway!"

Oh, turnnot away fromHim that speaketh!Resistnot theHolyGhost.Choosenotyourplaceinthewilderness,butinthegarden.Awake,arise,andturnawayfromtheworld.

(2)Reader!thewildernessorthegarden!Whichwillyouhave?

If thewilderness,youwillhaveyourownway, runwild,grow towaste,bring forth fruitand flowers toyourself,becomeabarren,unprofitable,useless plant, live unloved and unlovable to yourself, and at last begatheredinthebundlewiththetares,andburned!

Ifthegarden,--youwillnothaveyourownway.Butyouwillhavewhatisfar better, you will have God and Christ for your own. You will becultivated, watered, tended,moved, pruned, trained by the Lord Jesus

Himself;andatlastyournameshallbefoundinthebundleoflife.

Prov.22:06TheDutiesofParents

"Trainupachildinthewayheshouldgo;andwhenheisold,hewillnotdepartfromit."--Prov.22:6.

ISUPPOSEthatmostprofessingChristiansareacquaintedwiththetextattheheadofthispage.Thesoundofitisprobablyfamiliartoyourears,likeanoldtune. It is likelyyouhaveheard it,orread it, talkedof it,orquotedit,manyatime.Isitnotso?

But, after all, how little is the substance of this text regarded! Thedoctrine it contains appears scarcely known, the duty it puts before usseemsfearfullyseldompractised.Reader,doInotspeakthetruth?

Itcannotbesaidthatthesubjectisanewone.Theworldisold,andwehave the experience of nearly six thousand years to helpus.We live indayswhenthereisamightyzealforeducationineveryquarter.Wehearofnewschoolsrisingonallsides.Wearetoldofnewsystems,and"newbooks for theyoung,ofeverysortanddescription.Andstill forall this,thevastmajorityof childrenaremanifestlynot trained in theway theyshouldgo,forwhentheygrowuptoman'sestate,theydonotwalkwithGod.

Nowhowshallweaccountforthisstateofthings?Theplaintruthis,theLord's commandment in our text is not regarded; and therefore theLord'spromiseinourtextisnotfulfilled.

Reader,thesethingsmaywellgiverisetogreatsearchingsofheart.Sufferthen aword of exhortation fromaminister, about the right training ofchildren.Believeme,thesubjectisonethatshouldcomehometoeveryconscience,andmakeeveryoneaskhimselfthequestion,"AmIinthismatterdoingwhatIcan?"

Itisasubjectthatconcernsalmostall.Thereishardlyahouseholdthatitdoes not touch. Parents, nurses, teachers, godfathers, godmothers,uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, -- all have an interest in it. Few canbe

found,Ithink,whomightnotinfluencesomeparentinthemanagementofhisfamily,oraffectthetrainingofsomechildbysuggestionoradvice.Allofus, I suspect, candosomethinghere,eitherdirectlyor indirectly,andIwishtostirupalltobearthisinremembrance.

Itisasubject,too,onwhichallconcernedareingreatdangerofcomingshortof theirduty.This ispre-eminentlyapoint inwhichmencan seethefaultsoftheirneighboursmoreclearlythantheirown.Theywilloftenbring up their children in the very pathwhich they have denounced totheirfriendsasunsafe.Theywillseemotesinothermen'sfamilies,andoverlook beams in their own. They will be quick sighted as eagles indetectingmistakesabroad,andyetblindasbatstofatalerrorswhicharedailygoingonathome.Theywillbewiseabouttheirbrother'shouse,butfoolishabouttheirownfleshandblood.Here,ifanywhere,wehaveneedtosuspectourownjudgment.This,too,youwilldowelltobearinmind.[14]

Comenow,andletmeplacebeforeyouafewhintsaboutrighttraining.GodtheFather,GodtheSon,GodtheHolyGhostblessthem,andmakethemwordsinseasontoyouallRejectthemnotbecausetheyarebluntandsimple;despisethemnotbecausetheycontainnothingnew.Beverysure,ifyouwouldtrainchildrenforheaven,theyarehintsthatoughtnottobelightlysetaside.

I.First, then, ifyouwould trainyourchildrenrightly, train themin thewaytheyshouldgo,andnotinthewaythattheywould.

Remember children are born with a decided bias towards evil, andthereforeifyouletthemchooseforthemselves,theyarecertaintochoosewrong.

Themothercannottellwhathertenderinfantmaygrowuptobe,--tallorshort,weakorstrong,wiseorfoolish:hemaybeanyofthesethingsornot,--itisalluncertain.Butonethingthemothercansaywithcertainty:hewillhave a corrupt and sinfulheart. It isnatural tous todowrong."Foolishness," says Solomon, "is bound in the heart of a child"(Prov.22:15). "A child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame"(Prov.29:15).Ourheartsareliketheearthonwhichwetread;letitalone,

anditissuretobearweeds.

If,then,youwoulddealwiselywithyourchild,youmustnotleavehimtotheguidanceofhisownwill.Think forhim, judge forhim,act forhim,justasyouwouldforoneweakandblind;butforpity'ssake,givehimnotuptohisownwaywardtastesandinclinations.Itmustnotbehislikingsand wishes that are consulted. He knows not yet what is good for hismindandsoul,anymorethanwhatisgoodforhisbody.Youdonotlethimdecidewhatheshalleat,andwhatheshalldrink,andhowheshallbeclothed.Beconsistent,anddealwithhismind in likemanner.Trainhim in theway that is scriptural and right, andnot in theway that hefancies.

If you cannot make up your mind to this first principle of Christiantraining, it isuseless foryou to readany further.Self-will is almost thefirstthingthatappearsinachild'smind;anditmustbeyourfirststeptoresistit.

II.Trainupyourchildwithalltenderness,affection,andpatience..

Idonotmeanthatyouaretospoilhim,butIdomeanthatyoushouldlethimseethatyoulovehim.

Love should be the silver thread that runs through all your conduct.Kindness,gentleness, long-suffering, forbearance,patience,sympathy,awillingness to enter into childish troubles, a readiness to take part inchildish joys, -- -these are the cords bywhich a childmay be ledmosteasily,--thesearethecluesyoumustfollowifyouwouldfindthewaytohisheart.

Few are to be found, even among grown-up people, who are notmoreeasytodrawthantodrive.There is that inallourmindswhichrises inarmsagainstcompulsion;wesetupourbacksandstiffenournecksattheveryideaofaforcedobedience.Wearelikeyounghorsesinthehandofabreaker:handlethemkindly,andmakemuchofthem,andbyandbyyoumayguidethemwiththread;usethemroughlyandviolently,anditwillbemanyamonthbeforeyougetthemasteryofthematall.

Now children's minds are cast in much the same mould as our own.Sternness and severity of manner chill them and throw them back. Itshutsuptheirhearts,andyouwillwearyyourselftofindthedoor.

Butletthemonlyseethatyouhaveanaffectionatefeelingtowardsthem,--thatyouarereallydesiroustomakethemhappy,anddothemgood,--that ifyoupunishthem,it is intendedfortheirprofit,andthat, likethepelican,youwouldgiveyourheart'sbloodtonourishtheirsouls;letthemseethis,Isay,andtheywillsoonbeallyourown.Buttheymustbewooedwithkindness,iftheirattentionisevertobewon.

Andsurelyreasonitselfmightteachusthislesson.Childrenareweakandtender creatures, and, as such, they need patient and consideratetreatment.Wemust handle themdelicately, like frailmachines, lest byroughfingeringwedomoreharmthangood.Theyarelikeyoungplants,andneedgentlewatering,--often,butlittleatatime.

Wemustnotexpectallthingsatonce.Wemustrememberwhatchildrenare,andteachthemastheyareabletobear.Theirmindsarelikealumpof metal -- not to be forged and made useful at once, but only by asuccession of little blows. Their understandings are like narrow-neckedvesselswemustpour in thewineofknowledgegradually,ormuchof itwillbespilledandlost."Lineuponline,andpreceptuponprecept,herealittle and there a little,"mustbe our rule.Thewhetstonedoes itsworkslowly, but frequent rubbingwill bring the scythe to a fine edge. Trulythereisneedofpatienceintrainingachild,butwithoutitnothingcanbedone.

Nothingwill compensate for theabsenceof this tendernessand love.Aminister may speak the truth as it is in Jesus, clearly, forcibly,unanswerably;butifhedoesnotspeakit inlove,fewsoulswillbewon.Just so you must set before your children their duty, -- command,threaten,punish,reason,--butifaffectionbewantinginyourtreatment,yourlabourwillbeallinvain.

Loveisonegrandsecretofsuccessfultraining.Angerandharshnessmayfrighten,buttheywillnotpersuadethechildthatyouareright;andifheseesyouoftenoutof temper,youwill sooncease tohavehis respect.A

fatherwhospeakstohissonasSauldidtoJonathan(1Sam.20:30),neednotexpecttoretainhisinfluenceoverthatson'smind.

Tryhard tokeepupaholdonyour child's affections. It is adangerousthingtomakeyourchildrenafraidofyou.Anythingisalmostbetterthanreserve and constraint between your child and yourself; and this willcomeinwithfear.Fearputsanendtoopennessofmanner;-fearleadstoconcealment;--fearsowstheseedofmuchhypocrisy,andleadstomanya lie.There is amineof truth in theApostle'swords to theColossians:"Fathers, provokenot your children to anger, lest they bediscouraged"(Col.3:21).Letnottheadviceitcontainsbeoverlooked.

III. Train your children with an abiding persuasion ca yourmind thatmuchdependsuponyou.

Graceisthestrongestofallprinciples.Seewhatarevolutiongraceeffectswhen it comes into the heart of an old sinner, -- how it overturns thestrongholds of Satan, -- how it casts downmountains, fills up valleys,-makescrookedthingsstraight,--andnewcreatesthewholeman.Trulynothingisimpossibletograce.

Nature,too,isverystrong.SeehowitstrugglesagainstthethingsofthekingdomofGod,--howitfightsagainsteveryattempttobemoreholy,--how itkeepsupanunceasingwarfarewithinus to the lasthourof life.Natureindeedisstrong.

Butafternatureandgrace,undoubtedly,thereisnothingmorepowerfulthaneducation.Earlyhabits (if Imayso speak)areeverythingwithus,underGod.Wearemadewhatwearebytraining.Ourcharactertakestheformofthatmouldintowhichourfirstyearsarecast.[15]

Wedepend, in a vastmeasure, on thosewhobringusup.Weget fromthemacolour,ataste,abiaswhichclingtousmoreorlessallourlives.Wecatchthe languageofournursesandmothers,andlearntospeakitalmost insensibly, and unquestionably we catch something of theirmanners, ways, and mind at the same time. Time only will show, Isuspect,howmuchweallowetoearlyimpressions,andhowmanythingsinusmaybetraceduptoseedssowninthedaysofourveryinfancy,by

those who were about us. A very learned Englishman, Mr. Locke, hasgonesofarastosay:"Thatofallthemenwemeetwith,ninepartsoutoften are what they are, good or bad, useful or not, according to theireducation."

AndallthisisoneofGod'smercifularrangements.Hegivesyourchildrena mind that will receive impressions like moist clay. He gives them adispositionatthestarting-pointoflifetobelievewhatyoutellthem,andtotakeforgrantedwhatyouadvisethem,andtotrustyourwordratherthana stranger's.Hegivesyou, in short, a goldenopportunityofdoingthemgood.Seethattheopportunitybenotneglected,andthrownaway.Onceletslip,itisgoneforever.

Beware of that miserable delusion into which some have fallen, thatparentscandonothingfortheirchildren,thatyoumustleavethemalone,waitforgrace,andsitstill.Thesepersonshavewishesfortheirchildrenin Balaam's fashion, -- they would like them to die the death of therighteousman,buttheydonothingtomakethemlivehislife.Theydesiremuch,andhavenothing.Andthedevilrejoicestoseesuchreasoning,justashealwaysdoesoveranythingwhichseemstoexcuse indolence,ortoencourageneglectofmeans.

Iknowthatyoucannotconvertyourchild.Iknowwellthattheywhoarebornagainareborn,notofthewillofman,butofGod.ButIknowalsothatGodsaysexpressly,"Trainupachildinthewayheshouldgo,"andthatHe never laid a command onman whichHe would not givemangracetoperform.AndIknow,too,thatourdutyisnottostandstillanddispute,but togo forwardandobey. It is just in thegoing forward thatGodwillmeetus.ThepathofobedienceisthewayinwhichHegivestheblessing. We have only to do as the servants were commanded at themarriage feast in Cana, to fill the water-pots with water, and we maysafelyleaveittotheLordtoturnthatwaterintowine.

IV.Trainwiththisthoughtcontinuallybeforeyoureyes--thatthesoulofyourchildisthefirstthingtobeconsidered.

Precious,nodoubt,aretheselittleonesinyoureyes;butifyoulovethem,thinkoftenoftheirsouls.Nointerestshouldweighwithyousomuchas

theireternal interests.Nopartofthemshouldbesodeartoyouasthatpartwhichwillneverdie.Theworld,withall itsglory, shallpassaway;thehillsshallmelt;theheavensshallbewrappedtogetherasascroll;thesun shall cease to shine. But the spirit which dwells in those littlecreatures,whomyoulovesowell,shalloutlivethemall,andwhetherinhappinessormisery(tospeakasaman)willdependonyou.

Thisisthethoughtthatshouldbeuppermostonyourmindinallyoudoforyourchildren.Ineverystepyoutakeaboutthem,ineveryplan,andscheme, and arrangement that concerns them, do not leave out thatmightyquestion,"Howwillthisaffecttheirsouls?."

Soulloveisthesoulofalllove.Topetandpamperandindulgeyourchild,asifthisworldwasallhehadtolookto,andthislifetheonlyseasonforhappiness--todothisisnottruelove,butcruelty.Itistreatinghimlikesomebeastoftheearth,whichhasbutoneworldtolookto,andnothingafterdeath.Itishidingfromhimthatgrandtruth,whichheoughttobemade to learn fromhisvery infancy, that thechiefendofhis life is thesalvationofhissoul.

AtrueChristianmustbenoslave to fashion, ifhewouldtrainhischildforheaven.Hemustnotbecontenttodothingsmerelybecausetheyarethecustomoftheworld;toteachthemandinstructthemincertainways,merelybecauseitisusual;toallowthemtoreadbooksofaquestionablesort,merelybecauseeverybodyelsereadsthem;toletthemformhabitsofadoubtfultendency,merelybecausetheyarethehabitsoftheday.HemusttrainWithaneyetohischildren'ssouls.Hemustnotbeashamedtohear his training called singular and strange.What if it is?The time isshort, -- the fashionof thisworldpassethaway.Hethathastrainedhischildrenforheaven,ratherthanforearth,forGod,ratherthanforman,mheistheparentthatwillbecalledwiseatlast.

V.TrainyourchildtoaknowledgeoftheBible.

YoucannotmakeyourchildrenlovetheBible,Iallow.NonebuttheHolyGhostcangiveusahearttodelightintheWord.Butyoucanmakeyourchildren acquainted with the Bible; and be sure they cannot beacquaintedwiththatblessedbooktoosoon,ortoowell.

AthoroughknowledgeoftheBibleisthefoundationofallclearviewsofreligion. He that is well-grounded in it will not generally be found awavier,andcarriedaboutbyeverywindofnewdoctrine.AnysystemoftrainingwhichdoesnotmakeaknowledgeofScripturethefirstthingisunsafeandunsound.

Youhaveneedtobecarefulonthispointjustnow,forthedevilisabroad,and error abounds. Some are to be found amongst us who give theChurchthehonourduetoJesusChrist.Somearetobefoundwhomakethesacramentssavioursandpassportstoeternallife.AndsomearetobefoundinlikemannerwhohonouracatechismmorethantheBible,orfillthemindsof their childrenwithmiserable little story-books, insteadoftheScriptureoftruth.Butifyouloveyourchildren,letthesimpleBiblebe everything in the training of their souls; and let all other books godownandtakethesecondplace.

Care not somuch for their beingmighty in the catechism, as for theirbeingmightyintheScriptures.Thisisthetraining,believeme,thatGodwillhonour.ThePsalmistsaysofHim,"ThouhastmagnifiedThyWordabove all Thy name" (Ps.138:2); and I think that He gives an especialblessingtoallwhotrytomagnifyitamongmen.

SeethatyourchildrenreadtheBiblereverently.Trainthemtolookonit,notasthewordofmen,butasitisintruth,theWordofGod,writtenbytheHolyGhostHimself,alltrue,allprofitable,andabletomakeuswiseuntosalvation,throughfaithwhichisinChristJesus.

Seethattheyreaditregularly.Trainthemtoregarditastheirsoul'sdailyfood, as a thing essential to their soul's daily health. I know well youcannotmakethisanythingmorethanaform;butthereisnotellingtheamountofsinwhichamereformmayindirectlyrestrain.

Seethattheyreaditall.Youneednotshrinkfrombringinganydoctrinebeforethem.YouneednotfancythattheleadingdoctrinesofChristianityare things which children cannot understand. Children understand farmoreoftheBiblethanweareapttosuppose.

Tellthemofsin,itsguilt,itsconsequences,itspower,itsvileness:youwill

findtheycancomprehendsomethingofthis.

TellthemoftheLordJesusChrist,andHisworkforoursalvation,--theatonement, the cross, theblood, the sacrifice, the intercession: youwilldiscoverthereissomethingnotbeyondtheminallthis.

TellthemoftheworkoftheHolySpiritinman'sheart,howHechanges,and renews, and sanctifies, and purifies: youwill soon see they can goalongwithyou in somemeasure in this. In short, I suspectwehavenoideahowmuchalittlechildcantakeinofthelengthandbreadthofthegloriousgospelTheyseefarmoreofthesethingsthanwesuppose.[16]

Fill theirmindswithScripture.Let theWorddwell in themrichly.GivethemtheBible,thewholeBible,evenwhiletheyareyoung.

VI.Trainthemtoahabitofprayer.

Prayer is the very life-breath of true religion. It is one of the firstevidencesthatamanisbornagain."Behold,"saidtheLordofSaul,intheday he sent Ananias to him, "Behold, he prayeth" (Acts 9:11). He hadbeguntopray,andthatwasproofenough.

Prayerwas thedistinguishingmarkof theLord'speople in theday thattherebegantobeaseparationbetweenthemandtheworld."ThenbeganmentocalluponthenameoftheLord"(Gen.4:26).

PrayeristhepeculiarityofallrealChristiansnow.Theypray,--fortheytellGod theirwants, their feelings, their desires, their fears; andmeanwhat they say. The nominal Christian may repeat prayers, and goodprayerstoo,buthegoesnofurther.

Prayeristheturning-pointinaman'ssoul.Ourministryisunprofitable,andour labour is vain, till youarebrought toyourknees.Till then,wehavenohopeaboutyou.

Prayer is one great secret of spiritual prosperity. When there is muchprivate communion with God, your soul will grow like the grass afterrain;when there is little, allwill be at a standstill, youwill barely keepyoursoulalive.ShowmeagrowingChristian,agoingforwardChristian,

astrongChristian,aflourishingChristian,andsureamI,heisonethatspeaks often with his Lord. He asksmuch, and he hasmuch. He tellsJesuseverything,andsohealwaysknowshowtoact.

PrayeristhemightiestengineGodhasplacedinourhands.Itisthebestweapontouseineverydifficulty,andthesurestremedyineverytrouble.It is the key that unlocks the treasury of promises, and the hand thatdrawsforthgraceandhelp intimeofneed.It is thesilver trumpetGodcommands us to sound in all our necessity, and it is the cry He haspromisedalwaystoattendto,evenasalovingmothertothevoiceofherchild.

Prayer is the simplestmeans thatman can use in coming toGod. It iswithin reach of all, -- the sick, the aged, the infirm, the paralytic, theblind, the poor, the unlearned, -- all can pray. It avails you nothing toplead want of memory, and want of learning, and want of books, andwantof scholarship in thismatter.So longas youhavea tongue to tellyoursoul'sstate,youmayandoughttopray.Thosewords,"Yehavenot,becauseyeasknot"(Jas.4:2),willbeafearfulcondemnationtomanyinthedayofjudgment.

Parents, ifyouloveyourchildren,doall that lies inyourpowertotrainthemuptoahabitofprayer.Showthemhowtobegin.Tellthemwhattosay.Encouragethemtopersevere.Remindthemiftheybecomecarelessandslackaboutit.Letitnotbeyourfault,atanyrate,iftheynevercallonthenameoftheLord.

This,remember,isthefirststepinreligionwhichachildisabletotake.Longbeforehecanread,youcanteachhimtokneelbyhismother'sside,andrepeat thesimplewordsofprayerandpraisewhichsheputs inhismouth. And as the first steps in any undertaking are always the mostimportant,soisthemannerinwhichyourchildren'sprayersareprayed,a point which deserves your closest attention. Few seem to know howmuchdependsonthis.Youmustbewarelesttheygetintoawayofsayingthem in a hasty, careless, and irreverentmanner. Youmust beware ofgiving up the oversight of this matter to servants and nurses, or oftrusting toomuch to your children doing it when left to themselves. Icannotpraisethatmotherwhoneverlooksafterthismostimportantpart

of her child's daily life herself. Surely if there be any habit which yourownhandandeyeshouldhelpinforming,itisthehabitofprayer.Believeme,ifyouneverhearyourchildrenprayyourself,youaremuchtoblame.You are little wiser than the bird described in Job, "which leaveth hereggsintheearth,andwarmeththeminthedust,andforgetteththatthefoot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them. She ishardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: herlabourisinvainwithoutfear"(Job39:14-16).

Prayer is, of all habits, the onewhichwe recollect the longest.Many agrey-headedmancouldtellyouhowhismotherusedtomakehimprayinthedaysofhischildhood.Otherthingshavepassedawayfromhismindperhaps.Thechurchwherehewastakentoworship,theministerwhomheheardpreach,thecompanionswhousedtoplaywithhim,--allthese,itmaybe,havepassed fromhismemory,and leftnomarkbehind.Butyouwilloftenfinditisfardifferentwithhisfirstprayers.Hewilloftenbeabletotellyouwhereheknelt,andwhathewastaughttosay,andevenhowhismother lookedall thewhile. Itwillcomeupas freshbeforehismind'seyeasifitwasbutyesterday.

Reader,ifyouloveyourchildren,Ichargeyou,donotlettheseed-timeofa prayerful habit pass away unimproved. If you train your children toanything,trainthem,atleast,toahabitofprayer.

VII.Trainthemtohabitsofdiligence,andregularityaboutpublicmeansofgrace.

Tell them of the duty and privilege of going to the house of God, andjoining in the prayers of the congregation. Tell them thatwherever theLord'speoplearegatheredtogether,theretheLordJesusispresentinanespecialmanner,andthatthosewhoabsentthemselvesmustexpect,liketheApostleThomas, tomiss ablessing.Tell themof the importanceofhearingtheWordpreached,andthatitisGod'sordinanceforconverting,sanctifying,andbuildingupthesoulsofmen.TellthemhowtheApostlePaul enjoinsusnot "to forsake theassemblingofourselves together, asthemannerofsomeis"(Heb.10:25);buttoexhortoneanother,tostironeanotheruptoit,andsomuchthemoreasweseethedayapproaching.

IcallitasadsightinachurchwhennobodycomesuptotheLord'stablebuttheelderlypeople,andtheyoungmenandtheyoungwomenallturnaway.ButIcallitasaddersightstillwhennochildrenaretobeseeninachurch,exceptingthosewhocometotheSundaySchool,andareobligedtoattend.Letnoneof this guilt lie at yourdoors.Therearemanyboysandgirlsineveryparish,besidesthosewhocometoschool,andyouwhoaretheirparentsandfriendsshouldseetoitthattheycomewithyoutochurch.

Donotallowthemtogrowupwithahabitofmakingvainexcusesfornotcoming.Givethemplainlytounderstand,thatsolongastheyareunderyourroofitistheruleofyourhouseforeveryoneinhealthtohonourtheLord's house upon the Lord's day, and that you reckon the Sabbath-breakertobeamurdererofhisownsoul.

See to it too, if it canbesoarranged, thatyourchildrengowithyou tochurch, and sit near you when they are there. To go to church is onething,buttobehavewellatchurchisquiteanother.Andbelieveme,thereisnosecurityforgoodbehaviourlikethatofhavingthemunderyourowneye.

Theminds of young people are easily drawn aside, and their attentionlost,andeverypossiblemeansshouldbeusedtocounteractthis.Idonotliketoseethemcomingtochurchbythemselves,theyoftengetintobadcompanybytheway,andsolearnmoreevilontheLord'sdaythaninalltherestoftheweek.NeitherdoIliketoseewhatIcall"ayoungpeople'scorner" in a church. They often catch habits of inattention andirreverence there, which it takes years to unlearn, if ever they areunlearnedatall.WhatIliketoseeisawholefamilysittingtogether,oldand young, side by side, -- men, women, and children, serving Godaccordingtotheirhouseholds.

But thereare somewhosay that it isuseless tourgechildren toattendmeansofgrace,becausetheycannotunderstandthem.

Iwouldnothaveyoulistentosuchreasoning.IfindnosuchdoctrineintheOldTestament.WhenMosesgoesbeforePharaoh(Ex.10:9),Iobservehesays,"Wewillgowithouryoungandwithourold,withoursonsand

with our daughters: for we must hold a feast unto the Lord." WhenJoshuareadthelaw(Josh.8:35),Iobserve,"TherewasnotawordwhichJoshuareadnotbeforeallthecongregationofIsrael,withthewomenandthe little ones, and the strangers thatwere conversant among them." "Thrice in the year," says Ex.34:23, "shall all yourmen-children appearbefore the Lord God, the God of Israel." And when I turn to the NewTestament,IfindchildrenmentionedthereaspartakinginpublicactsofreligionaswellasintheOld.WhenPaulwasleavingthedisciplesatTyrefor the last time, I find it said (Acts 21:5)," They all brought us on ourway,withwivesandchildren,tillwewereoutofthecity:andwekneeleddownontheshore,andprayed."

Samuel,inthedaysofhischildhood,appearstohaveministereduntotheLord some timebeforehe reallyknewHim. "Samueldidnotyetknowthe Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him" (1Sam.3:7). TheApostles themselves do not seem to have understood allthat our Lord said at the time that it was spoken: "These thingsunderstoodnotHis disciples at the first: butwhen Jesuswas glorified,then remembered they that these things were written of Him" (John12:16).

Parents, comfort your minds with these examples. Be not cast downbecauseyourchildrenseenot the full valueof themeansofgracenow.Only train themup to a habit of regular attendance. Set it before theirmindsasahigh,holy,andsolemnduty,andbelieveme,thedaywillverylikelycomewhentheywillblessyouforyourdeed.

VIII.Trainthemtoahabitoffaith.

Imeanby this, you should train themup to believewhat you say. Youshould try tomake them feel confidence in your judgment, and respectyour opinions, as better than their own. You should accustom them tothink that, when you say a thing is bad for them, itmust be bad, andwhenyousayitisgoodforthem,itmustbegood;thatyourknowledge,inshort,isbetterthantheirown,andthattheymayrelyimplicitlyonyourword.Teachthemtofeelthatwhattheyknownotnow,theywillprobablyknowhereafter,and tobesatisfied there isa reasonandaneeds-be foreverythingyourequirethemtodo.

Who indeed can describe the blessedness of a real spirit of faith? Orrather,whocantellthemiserythatunbeliefhasbroughtupontheworld?Unbeliefmade Eve eat the forbidden fruit, -- she doubted the truth ofGod's word: "Ye shall surely die." Unbelief made the old world rejectNoah's warning, and so perish in sin. Unbelief kept Israel in thewilderness,-- itwasthebarthatkeptthemfromenteringthepromisedland.UnbeliefmadetheJewscrucifytheLordofglow,---theybelievednotthevoiceofMosesandtheprophets,thoughreadtothemeveryday.Andunbeliefisthereigningsinofman'sheartdowntothisveryhour,--unbeliefinGod'spromises,--unbeliefinGod'sthreatenings,--unbeliefin our own sinfulness,- unbelief in our own danger, -- unbelief ineverything that runs counter to the pride and worldliness of our evilhearts.Reader,youtrainyourchildrentolittlepurposeifyoudonottrainthemtoahabitofimplicitfaith,--faithintheirparents'word,confidencethatwhattheirparentssaymustberight.

Ihavehearditsaidbysome,thatyoushouldrequirenothingofchildrenwhichtheycannotunderstand:thatyoushouldexplainandgiveareasonforeverythingyoudesirethemtodo.Iwarnyousolemnlyagainstsuchanotion.Itellyouplainly,I thinkitanunsoundandrottenprinciple.Nodoubtitisabsurdtomakeamysteryofeverythingyoudo,andtherearemanythingswhichitiswelltoexplaintochildren,inorderthattheymayseethattheyarereasonableandwise.Buttobringthemupwiththeideathat they must take nothing on trust, that they, with their weak andimperfect understandings, must have the "why" and the " wherefore"made clear to them at every- step they take, -- this is indeed a fearfulmistake,andlikelytohavetheworsteffectontheirminds.

Reasonwithyourchildifyouaresodisposed,atcertaintimes,butneverforgettokeephiminmind(ifyoureallylovehim)thatheisbutachildafter all, -- that he thinks as a child, he understands as a child, andthereforemustnotexpecttoknowthereasonofeverythingatonce.

SetbeforehimtheexampleofIsaac,inthedaywhenAbrahamtookhimtoofferhimonMountMoriah(Gen.22.).Heaskedhisfatherthatsinglequestion,"Whereisthelambforaburnt-offering?"andhegotnoanswerbutthis,"GodwillprovideHimselfalamb."How,orwhere,orwhence,orinwhatmanner,orbywhatmeans,--allthisIsaacwasnottold;butthe

answerwasenough.Hebelievedthatitwouldbewell,becausehisfathersaidso,andhewascontent.

Tellyourchildren,too,thatwemustallbelearnersinourbeginnings,--thatthereisanalphabettobemasteredineverykindofknowledge,thatthebesthorseintheworldhadneedoncetobebroken,--thatadaywillcome when they .will see the wisdom of all your training. But in themeantimeifyousayathingisright,itmustbeenoughforthem,--theymustbelieveyou,andbecontent.

Parents,ifanypointintrainingisimportant,itisthis.Ichargeyoubytheaffectionyouhavetoyourchildren,useeverymeanstotrainthemuptoahabitoffaith.

IX.Train,themtoahabitofobedience.

This is an object which it is worth any labour to attain. No habit, Isuspect,hassuchaninfluenceoverourlivesasthis.Parents,determinetomake your children obey you, though itmay cost youmuch trouble,and cost themmany tears. Let therebenoquestioning, and reasoning,anddisputing,anddelaying,andansweringagain.Whenyougivethemacommand,letthemseeplainlythatyouwillhaveitdone.

Obedience is the only reality. It is faith visible, faith acting, and faithincarnate.ItisthetestofrealdiscipleshipamongtheLord'speople."YeareMyfriendsifyedowhatsoeverIcommandyou"(John15:14).Itoughtto be the mark of well-trained children, that they do whatsoever theirparents command them.Where, indeed, is the honour which the fifthcommandmentenjoins,iffathersandmothersarenotobeyedcheerfully,willingly,andatonce?

EarlyobediencehasallScriptureonitsside.ItisinAbraham'spraise,notmerelyhewill train,his family,but"hewillcommandhischildren,andhishouseholdafterhim"(Gen.18:19). It issaidof theLordJesusChristHimself,thatwhen"HewasyoungHewassubjecttoMaryandJoseph"(Luke2:51).ObservehowimplicitlyJosephobeyedtheorderofhisfatherJacob(Gen.37:13).SeehowIsaiahspeaksofitasanevilthing,when"thechild shall behave himself proudly against the ancient" (Isa.3:5).Mark

how theApostle Paul namesdisobedience to parents as one of the badsignsofthelatterdays(2Tim.3:2).Markhowhesinglesoutthisgraceofrequiring obedience as one that should adorn a Christian minister: "abishopmustbeonethatrulethwellhisownhouse,havinghischildreninsubjection with all gravity." And again, "Let the deacons rule theirchildrenandtheirownhouseswell" (1Tim.3:4-12).Andagain,aneldermust be one "having faithful children, children not accused of riot, orunruly"(Tit.1:6).

Parents, do youwish to see your childrenhappy?Take care, then, thatyoutrainthemtoobeywhentheyarespokento,--todoastheyarebid.Believeme,wearenotmadeforentireindependence,wearenotfitforit.EvenChrist's freemenhaveayoketowear, they"servetheLordChrist"(Col.3:24).Childrencannot learn too soon that this isaworld inwhichwearenotall intendedtorule,andthatwearenever inourrightplaceuntilweknowhowtoobeyourbetters.Teachthemtoobeywhileyoung,or else they will be fretting against God all their lives long, and wearthemselvesoutwiththevainideaofbeingindependentofHiscontrol.

Reader,thishintisonlytoomuchneeded.Youwillseeninnyinthisdaywhoallowtheirchildrentochooseandthinkforthemselveslongbeforetheyareable,andevenmakeexcusesfortheirdisobedience,asifitwereathingnottobeblamed.Tomyeyes,aparentalwaysyielding,andachildalwayshavingitsownway,areamostpainfulsight;--painful,becauseIseeGod'sappointedorderofthingsinvertedandturnedupsidedown;--painful, because I feel sure the consequence to that child's character intheendwillbeself-will,pride,andself-conceit.Youmustnotwonderthatmen refuse to obey their Fatherwhich is in heaven, if you allow them,whenchildren,todisobeytheirfatherwhoisuponearth.

Parents, if you love your children, let obedience be a motto and awatchwordcontinuallybeforetheireyes.

X.Trainthemtoahabitofalwaysspeakingthetruth.Truth-speakingisfarlesscommonintheworldthanatfirstsightwearedisposedtothink.Thewholetruth,andnothingbutthetruth,isagoldenrulewhichmanywoulddowelltobearinmind.Lyingandprevaricationareoldsins.Thedevilwas the fatherof them, --hedeceivedEvebyabold lie, andever

sincethefallitisasinagainstwhichallthechildrenofEvehaveneedtobeontheirguard.

Only think howmuch falsehood and deceit there is in theworld!Howmuch exaggeration! How many additions are made to a simple story!Howmanythingsleftout,ifitdoesnotservethespeaker'sinteresttotellthem! How few there are about us of whom we can say, we putunhesitatingtrustintheirword!VerilytheancientPersianswerewiseintheir generation: it was a leading point with them in educating theirchildren,thattheyshouldlearntospeakthetruth.Whatanawfulproofitisofman'snatural sinfulness, that it shouldbeneedful tonamesuchapointatall!

Reader,IwouldhaveyouremarkhowoftenGodisspokenofintheOldTestamentastheGodoftruth.Truth.seemstobeespeciallysetbeforeusasaleadingfeatureinthecharacterofHimwithwhomwehavetodo.Heneverswervesfromthestraightline.Heabhorslyingandhypocrisy.Trytokeepthiscontinuallybeforeyourchildren'sminds.Pressuponthematall times, that less than the truth is a lie; that evasion, excuse-making,andexaggerationareallhalfwayhousestowardswhatisfalse,andoughtto be avoided. Encourage them in any circumstances to bestraightforward,and,whateveritmaycostthem,tospeakthetruth.

I press this subject on your attention, notmerely for the sake of yourchildren'scharacterintheworld,--thoughImightdwellmuchonthis,--Iurgeitratherforyourowncomfortandassistanceinallyourdeal-lugswiththem.Youwillfinditamightyhelpindeed,tobeablealwaystotrusttheirword. Itwillgo far toprevent thathabitofconcealment,whichsounhappily prevails sometimes among children. Openness andstraightforwardness depend much upon a parent's treatment of thismatterinthedaysofourinfancy.

XI.Train them toahabitof always redeeming the time. Idleness is thedevil'sbestfriend.Itisthesurestwaytogivehimanopportunityofdoingusharm.Anidlemindislikeanopendoor,andifSatandoesnotenterinhimselfbyit,itiscertainhewillthrowinsomethingtoraisebadthoughtsinoursouls.

No created being was ever meant to be idle. Service and work is theappointedportionofeverycreatureofGod.Theangelsinheavenwork,--they are the Lord'sministering servants, ever doingHiswill. Adam, inParadise,hadwork,hewasappointedtodressthegardenofEden,andtokeep it.The redeemedsaints inglorywillhavework, -- "They restnotdayandnight,"singingpraiseandglory toHimwhobought them.Andman,weak,sinfulman,musthavesomethingtodo,orelsehissoulwillsoongetintoanunhealthystate.Wemusthaveourhandsfilled,andourminds occupied with something, or else our imaginations will soonfermentandbreedmischief.

Andwhat is trueofus, is trueofourchildren too.Alas, indeed, for themanthathasnothingtodo!TheJewsthoughtidlenessapositivesin: itwasalawoftheirsthateverymanshouldbringuphissontosomeusefultrade, -- and they were right. They knew the heart ofman better thansomeofusappeartodo.

IdlenessmadeSodomwhatshewas."Thiswasthe iniquityof thysisterSodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idlenesswas in her"(Ezek.16:49). Idleness hadmuch to do with David's awful sin with thewife of Uriah. -- I see in 2 Sam.11. that Joab went out to war againstAmmon, "butDavid tarried still at Jerusalem."Was not that idle?AndthenitwasthathesawBathsheba,--andthenextstepwereadofishistremendousandmiserablefall.

Verily,Ibelievethat idlenesshas ledtomoresinthanalmostanyotherhabitthatcouldbenamed.Isuspect it isthemotherofmanyaworkofthe flesh, the mother of adultery, fornication, drunkenness, and manyother deeds of darkness that I have not time to name. Let your ownconscience saywhether I donot speak the truth. Youwere idle, and atoncethedevilknockedatthedoorandcamein.

AndindeedIdonotwonder;--everythingintheworldaroundusseemstoteachthesamelesson.Itisthestillwaterwhichbecomesstagnantandimpure:therunning,movingstreamsarealwaysclear.Ifyouhavesteammachinery,youmustwork it,or itsoongetsoutoforder. Ifyouhaveahorse,youmustexercisehim;heisneversowellaswhenhehasregularwork. If you would have good bodily health yourself, you must take

exercise. If youalways sit still, yourbody is sureat length tocomplain.Andjustsoisitwiththesoul.Theactivemovingmindisahardmarkforthedeviltoshootat.Trytobealwaysfullofusefulemployment,andthusyourenemywillfinditdifficulttogetroomtosowtares.

Reader, Iaskyou toset these thingsbefore themindsofyourchildren.Teach them the value of time, and try tomake them learn thehabit ofusing itwell. It painsme to see children idling overwhat they have inhand,whateveritmaybe.Ilovetoseethemactiveandindustrious,andgivingtheirwholehearttoalltheydo;givingtheirwholehearttolessons,when they have to learn; -- -giving their whole heart even to theiramusements,whentheygotoplay.

Butifyoulovethemwell,letidlenessbecountedasininyourfamily.

XII.Trainthemwithaconstant.tearofover-indulgence.Thisistheonepointofallonwhichyouhavemostneedtobeonyourguard.Itisnaturaltobetenderandaffectionatetowardsyourownfleshandblood,anditistheexcessof thisvery tendernessandaffectionwhichyouhave to fear.Takeheedthat itdoesnotmakeyoublindtoyourchildren'sfaults,anddeaf to all advice about them.Takeheed lest itmake youoverlookbadconduct, rather than have the pain of inflicting punishment andcorrection.

I know well that punishment and correction are disagreeable things.Nothingismoreunpleasantthangivingpaintothosewelove,andcallingforth their tears.But so longasheartsarewhatheartsare, it is vain tosuppose,asageneralrule,thatchildrencaneverbebroughtupwithoutcorrection.

Spoilingisaveryexpressiveword,andsadlyfullofmeaning.Nowitistheshortestwaytospoilchildrentoletthemhavetheirownway,--toallowthemtodowrongandnottopunishthemforit.Believeme,youmustnotdo it, whatever pain it may cost you unless you wish to ruin yourchildren'ssouls.

Youcannot say thatScripturedoesnot speakexpresslyon this subject:"He that spareth his rod, hateth his son; but he that loveth him,

chasteneth him betimes" (Prov.13:24). "Chasten thy son while there ishope,andletnotthysoulspareforhiscrying"(Prov.19:18)."Foolishnessis bound in theheart of a child: but the rodof correction shall drive itfromhim" (Prov.22:15). "Withhold not correction from the child, for ifthoubeatesthimwiththerodheshallnotdie.Thoushaltbeathimwiththe rod, and deliver his soul from hell" (Prov.23:13-14). "The rod andreproof givewisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth hismother toshame." "Correct thy son, andhe shall give thee rest, yea, he shall givedelighttothysoul"(Prov.29:15-17).

Howstrongandforciblearethesetexts!Howmelancholyisthefact,thatinmany Christian families they seem almost unknown! Their childrenneed reproof, but it is hardly ever given; theyneed correction, but it ishardlyeveremployed.AndyetthisbookofProverbsisnotobsoleteandunfitforChristians.ItisgivenbyinspirationofGod,andprofitable.Itisgivenforourlearning,evenastheEpistlestotheRomansandEphesians.Surely the believer who brings up his children without attention to itscounsel ismakinghimselfwiseabove thatwhich iswritten,andgreatlyerrs:

Fathersandmothers,Itellyouplainly,ifyouneverpunishyourchildrenwhentheyareinfault,youaredoingthemagrievouswrong.Iwarnyou,this is the rockonwhich the saints ofGod, in every age,haveonly toofrequentlymadeshipwreck.Iwouldfainpersuadeyoutobewiseintime,andkeepclearof it.See it inEli's case.His sonsHophniandPhinehas"made themselves vile, and he restrained them not."He gave them nomorethanatameandlukewarmreproof,whenheoughttohaverebukedthemsharply.Inoneword,HehonouredhissonsaboveGod.Andwhatwastheendofthesethings?Helivedtohearofthedeathofbothhissonsinbattle,andhisowngreyhairswerebroughtdownwithsorrowtothegrave(1Sam.2:22-29,3:13).

See,too,thecaseofDavid.Whocanreadwithoutpainthehistoryofhischildren, and their sins? Amnon's incest, Absalom'smurder and proudrebellion, -- Adonijah's scheming ambition: truly these were grievouswoundsforthemanafterGod'sownhearttoreceivefromhisownhouse.Butwastherenofaultonhisside?Ifeartherecanbenodoubttherewas.IfindacluetoitallintheaccountofAdonijahin1Kings1:6,"HISfather

hadnotdispleasedhimatany time insaying,Whyhast thoudoneso?"Therewasthefoundationofallthemischief.Davidwasanover-indulgentfather, father who let his children have their own way, and he reapedaccordingashehadsown.

Parents, I beseech you, for your children's sake, beware of over-indulgence.Icallonyoutoremember,itisyourfirstdutytoconsulttheirreal interests, andnot their fanciesand likings; -- to train them,not tohumourthem;--toprofit,notmerelytoplease.

Youmust not giveway to everywish and caprice of your child'smind,howevermuchyoumaylovehim.Youmustnotlethimsupposehiswillistobeeverything,andthathehasonlytodesireathinganditwillbedone.Donot,Iprayyou,makeyourchildrenidols,lestGodshouldtakethemaway,andbreakyouridol,justtoconvinceyouofyourfolly.

Learntosay"No"toyourchildren.Showthemthatyouareabletorefusewhateveryouthinkisnotfit forthem.Showthemthatyouarereadytopunish disobedience, and thatwhen you speak of punishment, you arenot only ready to threaten, but also to perform. Do not threaten toomuch. [17] Threatened folks, and threatened faults, live long. Punishseldom,butreallyandingoodearnest,frequentandslightpunishmentisawretchedsystemindeed.[18]

Bewareoflettingsmallfaultspassunnoticedundertheidea"itisalittleone." There are no little things in training children; all are important.Little weeds need plucking up asmuch as any. Leave them alone, andtheywillsoonbegreat.

Reader,iftherebeanypointwhichdeservesyourattention,believeme,itisthisone.Itisonethatwillgiveyoutrouble,Iknow.Butifyoudonottake troublewithyourchildrenwhen theyareyoung, theywillgiveyoutroublewhentheyareold.Choosewhichyouprefer.

XIII.TrainthemrememberingcontinuallyhowGodtrainsHischildren.

TheBibletellsusthatGodhasanelectpeople,afamilyinthisworld.Allpoorsinnerswhohavebeenconvincedofsin,andfledtoJesusforpeace,

makeupthat family.AllofuswhoreallybelieveonChrist forsalvationareitsmembers.

NowGodtheFatherisevertrainingthemembersofthisfamilyfortheireverlastingabodewithHiminheaven.Heactsasahusbandmanpruninghisvines,thattheymaybearmorefruit.Heknowsthecharacterofeachof us, our besetting sins, our weaknesses, our peculiar infirmities, ourspecial wants. He knows our works and where we dwell, who are ourcompanions in life, andwhat are our trials,what our temptations, andwhatareourprivileges.Heknowsallthesethings,andiseverorderingallforourgood.Heallotstoeachofus,inHisprovidence,theverythingsweneed, in order to bear the most fruit, as much of sunshine as we canstand,andasmuchofrain,asmuchofbitterthingsaswecanbear,andasmuchofsweet.Reader,ifyouwouldtrainyourchildrenwisely,markwell howGod the Father trainsHis.He doeth all thingswell; the planwhichHeadoptsmustberight.

See, then, how many things there are which God withholds from Hischildren.Fewcouldbefound,Isuspect,amongthemwhohavenothaddesireswhichHehasneverbeenpleased to fulfil.Therehasoftenbeensomeonethingtheywantedtoattain,andyettherehasalwaysbeensomebarrier to prevent attainment. It has been just as ifGodwas placing itaboveourreach,andsaying,"Thisisnotgoodforyou;thismustnotbe."MosesdesiredexceedinglytocrossoverJordan,andseethegoodlylandofpromise;butyouwillrememberhisdesirewasnevergranted.

See, too,howoftenGodleadsHispeoplebywayswhichseemdarkandmysterious to our eyes.We cannot see themeaning of allHis dealingswithus;wecannotseethereasonablenessof thepath inwhichour feetare treading. Sometimes so many trials have assailed us, -- so manydifficulties encompassedus, thatwehavenot been able todiscover theneeds-beof it all. Ithasbeen justas ifourFatherwas takingusby thehand into a dark place and saying, "Ask no questions, but followMe."TherewasadirectroadfromEgypttoCanaan,yetIsraelwasnotledintoit;butround,throughthewilderness.Andthisseemedhardatthetime."Thesoulofthepeople,"wearetold,"wasmuchdiscouragedbecauseoftheway"(Exod.13:17;Num.21:4).

See,also,howoftenGodchastensHispeoplewithtrialandaffliction.Hesends them crosses and disappointments; He lays them low withsickness;Hestripsthemofpropertyandfriends;Hechangesthemfromone position to another;He visits themwith thingsmost hard to fleshandblood;andsomeofushavewell-nighfaintedundertheburdenslaidupon us.We have felt pressed beyond strength, and have been almostreadytomurmuratthehandwhichchastenedus.PaultheApostlehadathorn in the flesh appointed him, some bitter bodily trial, no doubt,thoughweknownotexactlywhatitwas.Butthisweknow,hebesoughtthe Lord thrice that itmight be removed; yet itwas not taken away (2Cor.12:8-9).

Now, reader, notwithstanding all these things, did you ever hear of asinglechildofGodwhothoughthisFatherdidnottreathimwisely?No,Iamsureyouneverdid.God'schildrenwouldalwaystellyou,inthelongrun,itwasablessedthingtheydidnothavetheirownway,andthatGodhaddonefarbetter for themthantheycouldhavedonefor themselves.Yes!Andtheycouldtellyou,too,thatGod'sdealingshadprovidedmorehappinessforthemthantheyeverwouldhaveobtainedthemselves,andthatHisway,howeverdarkattimes,wasthewayofpleasantnessandthepathofpeace.

IaskyoutolaytoheartthelessonwhichGod'sdealingswithHispeopleismeanttoteachyou.Fearnottowithholdfromyourchildanythingyouthinkwilldohimharm,whateverhisownwishesmaybe.This isGod'splan.

Hesitatenottolayonhimcommands,ofwhichhemaynotatpresentseethe wisdom, and to guide him in ways which may not now seemreasonabletohismind.ThisisGod'splan.

Shrink not from chastising and correcting him whenever you see hissoul'shealthrequiresit,howeverpainfulitmaybetoyourfeelings;andremembermedicinesforthemindmustnotberejectedbecausetheyarebitter.ThisisGod'splan.

Andbenotafraid,aboveall,thatsuchaplanoftrainingwillmakeyourchildunhappy.Iwarnyouagainstthisdelusion.Dependonit,thereisno

surerroadtounhappinessthanalwayshavingourownway.Tohaveourwills checked and denied is a blessed thing for us; it makes us valueenjoymentswhentheycome.Tobeindulgedperpetuallyisthewaytobemade selfish; and selfish people and spoiled children, believe me, areseldomhappy.

Reader,benotwiserthanGod;trainyourchildrenasHetrainsHis.

XIV. Train them remembering continually the influence of your ownexample.

Instruction,andadvice,andcommandswillprofit little,unless theyarebackedupbythepatternofyourownlife.Yourchildrenwillneverbelieveyou are in earnest, and really wish them to obey you, so long as youractions contradict your counsel. Archbishop Tillotson made a wiseremark when he said, "To give children good instruction, and a badexample,isbutbeckoningtothemwiththeheadtoshowthemthewaytoheaven, while we take them by the hand and lead them in the way tohell."

Welittleknowtheforceandpowerofexample.Nooneofuscanlivetohimselfinthisworld;wearealwaysinfluencingthosearoundus,inoneway or another, either for goodor for evil, either forGodor for sin. --Theyseeourways, theymarkourconduct, theyobserveourbehaviour,andwhattheyseeuspractise,thattheymayfairlysupposewethinkright.Andnever,Ibelieve,doesexampletellsopowerfullyasitdoesinthecaseofparentsandchildren.

Fathersandmothers,donot forget that children learnmoreby theeyethan they do by the ear. No school will make such deep marks oncharacter as home. The best of schoolmasterswill not imprint on theirminds asmuch as they will pick up at your fireside. Imitation is a farstrongerprinciplewithchildrenthanmemory.Whattheyseehasamuchstrongereffectontheirmindsthanwhattheyaretold.

Takecare, then,whatyoudobeforeachild. It isa trueproverb, "Whosins before a child, sins double." Strive rather to be a living epistle ofChrist,suchasyourfamiliescanread,andthatplainlytoo.Beanexample

of reverence for the Word of God, reverence in prayer, reverence formeansofgrace,reverencefortheLord'sday.--Beanexampleinwords,intemper,indiligence,intemperance,infaith,incharity,inkindness,inhumility.Thinknotyourchildrenwillpractisewhattheydonotseeyoudo.Youare theirmodelpicture, and theywill copywhat you are.Yourreasoningandyourlecturing,yourwisecommandsandyourgoodadvice;allthistheymaynotunderstand,buttheycanunderstandyourlife.

Children are very quick observers; very quick in seeing through somekinds of hypocrisy, very quick in finding outwhat you really think andfeel, very quick in adopting all your ways and opinions. Youwill oftenfindasthefatheris,soistheson.

Remember the word that the conqueror Caesar always used to hissoldiersinabattle.Hedidnotsay"Goforward,"but"Come."Soitmustbewithyouintrainingyourchildren.Theywillseldomlearnhabitswhichtheyseeyoudespise,orwalkinpathsin.whichyoudonotwalkyourself.Hethatpreachestohischildrenwhathedoesnotpractise,isworkingaworkthatnevergoesforward.ItislikethefabledwebofPenelopeofold,whowoveallday,andunwoveallnight.Evenso,theparentwhotriestotrain without setting a good example is building with one hand, andpullingdownwiththeother.

XV.Train them remembering continually thepowerof sin. Iname thisshortly,inordertoguardyouagainstunscripturalexpectations.

Youmustnotexpecttofindyourchildren'smindsasheetofpurewhitepaper, and to have no trouble if you only use rightmeans. I warn youplainly you will find no such thing. It is painful to see how muchcorruption and evil there is in a young child's heart, and how soon itbegins to bear fruit. Violent tempers, self-will, pride, envy, sullenness,passion, idleness, selfishness, deceit, cunning, falsehood, hypocrisy, aterribleaptnesstolearnwhatisbad,apainfulslownesstolearnwhatisgood,areadinesstopretendanythinginordertogaintheirownends,--all these things,or someof them,youmustbeprepared tosee,even inyourownfleshandblood.Inlittlewaystheywillcreepoutataveryearlyage;itisalmoststartlingtoobservehownaturallytheyseemtospringup.Childrenrequirenoschoolingtolearntosin.

But youmust not be discouraged and cast down bywhat you see. Youmustnotthinkitastrangeandunusualthing,thatlittleheartscanbesofullofsin.ItistheonlyportionwhichourfatherAdamleftus;itisthatfallen naturewithwhichwe come into theworld; it is that inheritancewhich belongs to us all. Let it rathermake youmore diligent in usingeverymeanswhichseemmostlikely,byGod'sblessing,tocounteractthemischief.Letitmakeyoumoreandmorecareful,sofarasinyoulies,tokeepyourchildrenoutofthewayoftemptation.

Never listen to those who tell you your children are good, and wellbroughtup,andcanbetrusted.Thinkratherthattheirheartsarealwaysinflammable as tinder.At their verybest, theyonlywant a spark to settheircorruptionsalight.Parentsareseldomtoocautious.Rememberthenaturaldepravityofyourchildren,andtakecare.

XVI.TrainthemrememberingcontinuallythepromisesofScripture.

Inamethisalsoshortly,inordertoguardyouagainstdiscouragement.

Youhaveaplainpromiseonyourside,"Trainupyourchildinthewayheshould go, andwhenhe is oldhe shall notdepart from it" (Prov.22:6).Thinkwhatitistohaveapromiselikethis.Promisesweretheonlylampofhopewhichcheered theheartsof thepatriarchsbefore theBiblewaswritten.Enoch,Noah,Abraham,Isaac,Jacob,Joseph,--alllivedonafewpromises,andprospered intheirsouls.Promisesare thecordialswhichineveryagehavesupportedandstrengthened thebeliever.He thathasgot a plain text upon his side need never be cast down. Fathers andmothers,whenyourheartsarefailing,andreadytohalt,lookatthewordofthistext,andtakecomfort.

Thinkwhoitisthatpromises.Itisnotthewordofaman,whomaylieorrepent; it isthewordoftheKingofkings,whoneverchanges.HathHesaidathing,andshallHenotdoit?OrhathHespoken,andshallHenotmake it good? Neither is anything too hard for Him to perform. ThethingsthatareimpossiblewithmenarepossiblewithGod.Reader,ifwegetnotthebenefitofthepromisewearedwellingupon,thefaultisnotinHim,butinourselves.

Think,too,whatthepromisecontains,beforeyourefusetotakecomfortfrom it. It speaks of a certain timewhen good training shall especiallybear fruit, -- "whenachild isold."Surely there is comfort in this.Youmay not see with your own eyes the result of careful training, but youknownotwhatblessed fruitsmaynotspring fromit, longafteryouaredeadandgone.ItisnotGod'swaytogiveeverythingatonce."Afterward"isthetimewhenHeoftenchoosestowork,bothinthethingsofnatureandinthethingsofgrace."Afterward"istheseasonwhenafflictionbearsthepeaceablefruitofrighteousness(Heb.12:11)."Afterward"wasthetimewhenthesonwhorefusedtoworkinhisfather'svineyardrepentedandwent (Matt.21:29). And "afterward" is the time to which parents mustlookforwardiftheyseenotsuccessatonce,--youmustsowinhopeandplantinhope.

"Castthybreaduponthewaters,"saiththeSpirit,"forthoushaltfinditaftermanydays"(Eccles.11:1).Manychildren,Idoubtnot,shallriseupinthedayofjudgment,andblesstheirparentsforgoodtraining,whonevergave any signs of having profited by it during their parents' lives. Goforwardtheninfaith,andbesurethatyourlabourshallnotbealtogetherthrown away. Three times did Elijah stretch himself upon the widow'schildbeforeitrevived.Takeexamplefromhim,andpersevere.

XVII.Train them, lastly,withcontinualprayer forablessingonallyoudo.

WithouttheblessingoftheLord,yourbestendeavourswilldonogood.HehastheheartsofallmeninHishands,andexceptHetouchtheheartsof your children by His Spirit, you will weary yourself to no purpose.Water,therefore,theseedyousowontheirmindswithunceasingprayer.TheLord is farmorewilling tohear thanwetopray; farmorereadytogive blessings thanwe to ask them; -- butHe loves to be entreated forthem.AndIsetthismatterofprayerbeforeyou,asthetop-stoneandsealofallyoudo.Isuspectthechildofmanyprayersisseldomcastaway.

LookuponyourchildrenasJacobdidonhis;hetellsEsautheyare"thechildrenwhichGodhathgraciouslygiventhyservant"(Gen.33:5).LookonthemasJosephdidonhis;hetoldhisfather,"TheyarethesonswhomGodhathgivenme"(Gen.48:9).CountthemwiththePsalmisttobe"an

heritage and reward from theLord" (Ps.127:3).And then ask theLord,withaholyboldness,tobegraciousandmercifultoHisowngifts.Markhow Abraham intercedes for Ishmael, because he loved him, "Oh thatIshmaelmight livebeforethee"(Gen.17:18).SeehowManoahspeakstotheangelaboutSamson,"Howshallweorderthechild,andhowshallwedo unto him?" (Judg.13:12). Observe how tenderly Job cared for hischildren'ssouls,"Heofferedburnt-offeringsaccordingtothenumberofthemall,forhesaid,Itmaybemysonshavesinned,andcursedGodintheirhearts.ThusdidJobcontinually"(Job1:5).Parents,ifyouloveyourchildren, go and do likewise. You cannot name their names before themercy-seattoooften.

And now, reader, in conclusion, letme oncemore press upon you thenecessity and importanceofusing every singlemeans in yourpower, ifyouwouldtrainchildrenforheaven.

IknowwellthatGodisasovereignGod,anddoethallthingsaccordingtothe counsel of His own will. I know that Rehoboam was the son ofSolomon,andManassehthesonofHezekiah,andthatyoudonotalwaysseegodlyparentshavingagodlyseed.ButIknowalsothatGodisaGodwhoworksbymeans,andsureamI,ifyoumakelightofsuchmeansasIhavementioned,yourchildrenarenotlikelytoturnoutwell.

Fathers and mothers, you may take your children to be baptized, andhavethemenrolledintheranksofChrist'sChurch;--youmaygetgodlysponsorstoanswer for them,andhelpyoubytheirprayers; --youmaysendthemtothebestofschools,andgivethemBiblesandPrayerBooks,andfillthemwithheadknowledge:-butifallthistimethereisnoregulartrainingathome,Itellyouplainly,Ifearitwillgohardintheendwithyourchildren'ssouls.Homeistheplacewherehabitsareformed;--homeistheplacewherethefoundationsofcharacterarelaid;--homegivesthebias to our tastes, and likings, and opinions. See then, I pray you, thattherebecarefultrainingathome.Happyindeedisthemanwhocansay,asBoltondiduponhisdyingbed,tohischildren,"IdobelievenotoneofyouwilldaretomeetmebeforethetribunalofChristinanunregeneratestate."

Fathers andmothers, I charge you solemnly before God and the Lord

Jesus Christ, take every pains to train your children in the way theyshouldgo.Ichargeyounotmerelyforthesakeofyourchildren'ssouls;Ichargeyouforthesakeofyourownfuturecomfortandpeace.Trulyitisyour interest so to do. Truly your own happiness in great measuredependsonit.Childrenhaveeverbeenthebowfromwhichthesharpestarrowshavepiercedman'sheart.Childrenhavemixedthebitterestcupsthatmanhaseverhad todrink.Childrenhavecaused thesaddest tearsthatmanhaseverhadtoshed.Adamcouldtellyouso;Jacobcouldtellyouso;Davidcouldtellyouso.Therearenosorrowsonearthlikethosewhichchildrenhavebroughtupontheirparents.Oh!takeheed,lestyourownneglectshouldlayupmiseryforyouinyouroldage.Takeheed,lestyouweepunder the ill-treatmentofa thanklesschild, in thedayswhenyoureyeisdim,andyournaturalforceabated.

If ever youwish your children to be the restorers of your life, and thenourishers of your old age, if you would have them blessings and notcurses, joys and not sorrows, Judahs and not Reubens, Ruths and notOrpahs,ifyouwouldnot,likeNoah,beashamedoftheirdeeds,and,likeRebekah, be made weary of your life by them: if this be your wish,remembermyadvicebetimes,trainthemwhileyoungintherightway.

Andasforme,IwillconcludebyputtingupmyprayertoGodforallwhoreadthispaper,thatyoumayallbetaughtofGodtofeelthevalueofyourownsouls.Thisisonereasonwhybaptismistoooftenamereform,andChristian training despised anddisregarded. Too often parents feel notforthemselves,andsotheyfeelnotfortheirchildren.Theydonotrealizethetremendousdifferencebetweenastateofnatureandastateofgrace,andthereforetheyarecontenttoletthemalone.

NowtheLordteachyouallthatsinisthatabominablethingwhichGodhateth.Then,Iknowyouwillmournoverthesinsofyourchildren,andstrivetopluckthemoutasbrandsfromthefire.

The Lord teach you all how precious Christ is, andwhat amighty andcompleteworkHehathdoneforoursalvation.Then,IfeelconfidentyouwilluseeverymeanstobringyourchildrentoJesus, that theymay livethroughHim.

TheLord teachyouall yourneedof theHolySpirit, to renew, sanctify,andquickenyoursouls.Then, I feel sureyouwillurgeyourchildren toprayforHimwithoutceasing,andneverresttillHehascomedownintotheirheartswithpower,andmadethemnewcreatures.

The Lord grant this, and then I have a good hope that youwill indeedtrainupyourchildrenwell,--trainwellforthislife,andtrainwellforthelifetocome;trainwellforearth,andtrainwellforheaven;trainthemforGod,forChrist,andforeternity.Footnotes:

[14] As a minister, I cannot help remarking that there is hardly anysubject about which people seem so tenacious as they are about theirchildren. Ihavesometimesbeenperfectlyastonishedat theslownessofsensibleChristianparentstoallowthattheirownchildrenareinfault,ordeserveblame.Therearenota fewpersonstowhomIwouldfarratherspeak about their own sins, than tell them their children had doneanythingwrong.

[15] "Hehas seenbut littleof lifewhodoesnotdiscerneverywhere theeffectofeducationonmen'sopinionsandhabitsofthinking.Thechildrenbringoutofthenurserythatwhichdisplaysitselfthroughouttheirlives."--Cecil.

[16]Astotheagewhenthereligiousinstructionofachildshouldbegin,no general rule can he laid down. The mind seems to open in somechildrenmuchmorequickly than inothers.Weseldombegin tooearly.There arewonderful examples on record of what a child can attain to,evenatthreeyearsold.

[17]Someparentsandnurseshaveawayofsaying,"Naughtychild,"toaboyorgirloneveryslightoccasion,andoftenwithoutgoodcause.Itisavery foolish habit. Words of blame should never be used without realreason.

[18]Astothebestwayofpunishingachild,nogeneralrulecanbe laiddown.Thecharactersofchildrenaresoexceedinglydifferent, thatwhatwouldbeaseverepunishmenttoonechild,wouldbenopunishmentat

alltoanother.Ionlybegtoentermydecidedprotestagainstthemodernnotion thatnochildoughtever tobewhipped.Doubtless someparentsuse bodily correction far too much, and far too violently; but manyothers,Ifear,useitfartoolittle.

Phil.1:01theRightsandDutiesofLayChurchmen.[19]

"Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints inChrist Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons." --Phil.1:1.

THIS opening verse of St. Paul's Epistle to the Philippians is a veryremarkabletextofScripture.IsuspectitreceivesfarlessattentionfromBible- readers than it deserves. Like the gold of California, men havewalkedoveritforcenturies,andhavenotobservedwhatwasundertheirfeet. In fact, if someAnglican divines had stood at theApostle's elbowwhenhewrote this verse, Ibelieve theywouldhavehinted thathehadmadeamistake.

NowwhatdoImeanbyallthis?WhatistheremarkablepointtowhichIrefer?ThepointonwhichIplacemyfingerisSt.Paul'smentionof"thesaints"before the "bishopsanddeacons."Heplaces the laitybefore theclergywhenheaddressesthePhilippianChurch.Heputsthebodyofthebaptizedinthefrontrank,andtheministersintherear.

Thereisnoroomfordisputeaboutthevariousreadingsofmanuscriptsinthis case. Here, at any rate, the Revised Version does not touch thelanguageofthetext.

It was unmistakably given by inspiration of God, and written for ourlearning.As such, I see in it the germof a great truth,whichdemandsspecialnoticeinthepresentday.Inshort,itopensupthegravesubjectof

therightsanddutiesofthelaymembersofaChristianChurch.

TherearethreequestionswhichIproposetoexamineinthispaper:--

I.WhatwasthepositionofthelaymembersofaChurchinthedaysoftheApostles?

II.Whathasbeenthepositionof the laityof theChurchofEnglandforthelast200years?

III. What ought we to aim at, in the matter of the laity, in order tostrengthenandreformtheEstablishedChurchofEngland?

I approach the whole subject with a deep sense of its delicacy anddifficulty. I disclaim the slightest sympathy with those revolutionarycounsellers who want us to throw overboard Creeds and Articles andFormularies, and turn theChurch into aPantheon, in the vainhopeofbuying off invaders. I desire nothing but scriptural and reasonablereforms, and I know no reform so likely to strengthen the Church ofEnglandasthatofplacingherlaityintheirrightfulposition.Oneofthebest modes of promoting effective Church defence in this day is topromotewiseChurchreform.

I.What, then,was the position of the laymembers of Churches in thedays of the Apostles? Let us imagine ourselves paying a visit to thebaptizedcommunitiesatRome,orCorinth,orEphesus,orThessalonica,or Jerusalem, and let us see what we should have found, and whatScriptureteachesaboutthem.Inthis,asinmanyothermatters,wehavearighttoask,"WhatlightcanwegetfromtheNewTestament?"

This is an inquiry which deserves special attention, and I am muchmistaken if the result doesnot astonish somepersons, andmake themopentheireyes.

I say then,withouthesitation, thatyouwillnot findasingle text in theNewTestamentinwhichtheordainedministersaloneareevercalled"theChurch," or ever act for the Church without the laity uniting and co-operatingintheiraction.

Are the deacons appointed? The twelve recommend it, but "the wholemultitude" choose (Acts 6:5). Is a council held to considerwhether theheathen converts should be circumcised, and keep the ceremonial law?Thedecisionarrivedatissaidtocomefrom"theapostles,andelders,andbrethren," with "the whole Church" (Acts 15:22-23). -- Are inspiredEpistleswrittenbySt.PaultoparticularChurches?Ineightcasestheyareaddressedto"theChurch,thesaints,thefaithfulbrethren"--andinonlyonecase(theEpistletothePhilippians)isthereanymentionof"bishopsanddeacons"intheopeningaddress.DoesSt.PaulsendinstructionstotheChurchabout theLord'sSupper, andabout speakingwith tongues?He sends them to "them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus" not to theministers. -- Isdisciplineexercisedagainstanunsoundmember? I findSt.PaulgivingdirectionstothesaintsatCorinth,withoutmentioningtheministry: "Put away from among yourselves that wicked person" (1Cor.5:13).--Isaman"overtakeninafault"toberestoredtocommunion?St.Paultellsthosewhoare"spiritual"amongtheGalatianstodoit,anddoesnotreferittotheirministers.(Gal.6:1).--IsanEpistlewrittentotheChristianHebrews?Notaword issaidabout"rulers"untilyoucometothelastchapter.DoesSt.JameswriteaGeneralEpistle?Headdressesthe"twelvetribes,"andonlynames"teachers"inthethirdchapter.DoesSt.PeterwriteaGeneralEpistle?Hewrites to thewholebodyof theelect,and says nothing to the "elders" till he arrives at the last chapter, andeventhenheiscarefultoremindthemthattheyarenot"lordsoverGod'sheritage."As for theSecondEpistle of St.Peter, and theEpistles of St.JohnandSt.Jude,theynevertouchthesubjectoftheministryatall.

Nowletnoonemistakeme.ThattherewastobeadistinctorderofmentoministertotheChurchis,tomyeyes,mostplainlytaughtintheNewTestament.St.Paul,wearetold,"ordainedeldersineveryChurch"(Acts14:23).See 1Cor.12:28;Eph.4:11; 1st and2ndEpistles toTimothy;andTitus.But that "theChurch" inanycityorcountrymeantespecially thelaity, and the ministers were only regarded as the "servants of theChurch"(2Cor.4:5),seemstomeasclearasthesunatnoon-day.AsforaChurch in which the clergy acted alone, settled everything, decidedeverything,judgedeverything,andmanagedeverything,andthelaityhadnovoiceatall,IcannotfindtheghostoftheshadowofsuchathingintheActs orEpistles of theNewTestament.On the contrary,while St. Paul

tellstheThessaloniansto"esteemtheirministersveryhighly,"itistothelaity, andnot theclergy, thatheaddresses thewords, "Warn themthatareunruly,comfortthefeeble-minded,supporttheweak"(1Thess.5:13-14). I trust that Churchmen who remember the Sixth Article of ourEnglishChurchwillnotfailtoobservethis.

BeforeIgoanyfurtherinthispaper,Ithinkitrighttosayafewwordsinself-defence, topreventpossiblemisunderstanding. IfanyonesupposesthatIwishtoexaltandexaggeratethepositionofthelaityattheexpenseoftheclergy,andthatIthinklightlyoftheministerialoffice,heistotallymistaken. In a deep sense of the value of the Christianministry, as anordinanceofChrist,andanecessity ina fallenworld, Igiveplace tonoman. But I dare not overstep scriptural limits in this matter. I cannotrefrainfromsayingthatasacerdotalministry,amediatorialministry,aninfallible ministry, a ministry of men who by virtue of episcopalordination have any monopoly of knowledge, or any special ability tosettle disputed questions of faith or ritual such a ministry, in myjudgment, isan innovationofman,andutterlywithoutwarrantofHolyScripture. It is a ministry which has been borrowed from the typicalsystem of the Jewish Church, and has no place in the presentdispensation. The Christian minister is a teacher, an ambassador, amessenger, a watchman, a witness, a shepherd, a steward, and isexpressly authorized by the Epistles to Timothy and Titus, where hisdutiesareclearly laiddown.But there isaconspicuousabsenceofNewTestamentproofthatheisasacrificingpriest.

InsayingthisIdonotstandalone.ThelearnedBishopofDurham,inhisexhaustiveworkonPhilippians,usesthefollowinglanguage:--

"The kingdom of Christ has no sacerdotal system. It interposes nosacrificialtribeorclassbetweenGodandmanbywhoseentreatiesaloneGod is reconciled and man forgiven. Each individual member holdspersonal communionwith theDivineHead. ToHim immediately he isresponsible, and from Him directly he obtains pardon and drawsstrength"(p.174,ed.3).

Again, he says: "The sacerdotal title is never once conferred on theministersoftheChurch.Theonlypriestsunderthegospel,designatedas

such under the New Testament, are the saints, the members of theChristianbrotherhood"(p.132,ed.3).

Thisissoundspeech,whichcannotbecondemned.

Firstpublishedin1868,ithasstoodthetestofeighteenyears'criticism,and its principles remain unanswered and unanswerable. To theseprinciples I firmly adhere, and I press themon the considerationof allEnglishChurchmeninthepresentday.

I leave the subjectof the laymembersof theapostolicChurchesat thispoint,andcommendittotheattentionofallwhoreadthispaper.Itismyconviction that the prominent position occupied by the laity in theseprimitivecommunitieswasonegrandsecretoftheirundeniablestrength,growth,prosperity,andsuccess.Therewerenosleepingpartnersinthosedays. Every member of the ecclesiastical body worked. Every one feltbound to do something. All the baptized members, whether men orwomen, if we may judge from the 16th chapter of the Epistle to theRomans, tookadirectactive interest in thewelfareandprogressof thewholeecclesiasticalbody.Theywerenottame,ignorantsheep,ledhitherandthitheratthebeckofanautocraticshepherd.Thebestregimentinanarmy is that inwhichofficersandprivates takeanequal interest in theefficiencyofthewholecorps.Itisthefermentinwhichtheofficerstrustthe privates and the privates trust the officers, as they did when theyfoughtthroughthateventfulnightatRorke'sDrift intheZuluwar.It isthe regiment inwhicheveryprivate is intelligent, andbehavesas if thesuccess of the campaign depended on him. It is the regiment inwhicheveryprivateknowshisduty,andishonourablyproudofhisprofession,andwouldfighttothelastforthecolours,evenifeveryofficerfellSucharegimentwasaprimitiveChurchinapostolicdays.Ithaditsofficers,itsbishops, anddeacons. It hadorders, due subordination, anddiscipline.But the mainspring and backbone of its strength lay in the zeal,intelligence, and activity of its laity. Oh that we had something of thesamesortintheorganizationoftheChurchofEngland!

II.ThesecondthingwhichIproposetodoistoexaminethepositionofthelaityoftheChurchofEnglandduringthelasttwocenturiesandatthepresentday.

Let us begin with a definition. When we talk of the laity of our.EstablishedChurch,whatdowemean?Wemean,of course, allwithinher pale who are not ordained to any ministerial office. Wemean thepeopleoftheChurch,incontradistinctiontotheclergy.Howimmenselyimportant a body they are, it is needless to say. Itwould be awaste oftimetodwell longonsuchapoint.Without the laymembers,aChurchcanhardlybesaidtoexist.Nodoubttheoldsayingistrue,"Ubitres,ibiecclesia."Butageneralwithoutanarmy,acolonelwithoutaregiment,orashipcaptainwithoutacrew,arenotmoreuselessandhelpless thanaChurch consisting of clergywithout laity. In the Church of England, atany rate, there is atpresentno lackof laymen.Thereareprobably500laymen in proportion to each clergyman. In point of numbers alone,therefore, apart from all other considerations, the laity are a mostimportantpartoftheChurchofEngland.NowIcontendthatthepositionof our lay Churchmen at this moment falls very short of the NewTestamentstandards,andisthereforeveryunsatisfactory.IholdittobeacanonandaxiomoftheChristianfaith,thattheneareraChurchcangettothepatternofScripturethebettersheis,andthefarthershegetsawayfromittheworse.ItisvaintodenythatintheactualworkingmachineryandadministrationofourChurch, in its arrangements,plans, schemes,andnormalorganization, the laymembershavecomparativelynoplaceat all! Do the bishops meet in solemn conclave at Lambeth Palace toconsider the state of our Zion? There is no place for the laity.- DoesConvocationhold its annual debates?There is no representation of thelaity.-DoesthebishopofadiocesemakehisannualarrangementsfortheworkofhisSee?Hasheanydifficultproblemtosolveaboutdisciplineorthebestmodeofdealingwithsomecriminousclerk?Hehasnocounciloflaymen.- Has a vacant living or incumbency to be filled up? Theappointment ismadewithout the slightest regard to the opinion of theparishioners.Istatesimplefacts.Idefyanyonetodenytheircorrectness.

OfcourseIshallberemindedthatthelaityarerepresentedinourChurchby the churchwardens, who are elected every Easter, and summonedannually to the visitation of the archdeacon or bishop. I have notforgottenthisatall.Ionlyask,inreply,whetherchurchwardensarenot,as a rule, appointedwith very little regard to spiritual qualifications? Iask whether their annual attendance at visitations is not ordinarily a

mere ceremony and form? How many churchwardens know anythingabout a visitation, except that they go to a certain town, hear a chargeabout some dry subject which very possibly they do not understand,perhaps dine with the other churchwardens, and then go home? HowmanychurchwardensacceptofficewiththeleastideaoftakingaconstantactiveinterestinalltheChurch'saffairs?HowmanyofthemareexpectedtoknowanythingabouttheChurch'sdoctrines,ceremonies,government,difficulties, schemes, or plans?They are oftenmost excellentmen, andcapable of doing excellent service. But practically little or nothing isexpected of them, and little or nothing except secular and financialbusinessisevergiventhemtodo.Themanwhothinksthattheofficeofchurchwarden completely fulfils the New Testament idea of the laity'sposition in aChurchmusthave taken leaveofhis commonsense.Thatthere are exceptional churchwardenswho really do great things for theChurchIamwellaware.Buttheyaresuchbrilliantexceptionsthattheyonlyprovethetruthofmyrule.Ifallchurchwardenswoulddotheirdutyalways,assomechurchwardensdotheirdutysometimes, theChurchofEnglandwouldbeafarstrongerChurchthanitis.

Of course I shall be reminded again that lay Churchmen occupy aprominent place in Church confesses and conferences, and fill a veryusefulpositiononthecommitteesofreligioussocieties.Iamquiteawareofthis,butitisentirelybesidethequestion.Allthesearepurelyvoluntaryagencies, which form no part of the Church's authorized and normalmachinery.ItistheorganizedsystemoftheChurchthatIamlookingat,andnotthegratuitousserviceofexceptionallayvolunteers.

But some one, again, will remind me that the House of CommonsrepresentsthelaityoftheChurchofEngland.Surelythelesswesayaboutthatthebetter!Themanwhotalksinthiswaymusthavereadhistorytoverylittlepurpose,orhasbeenasleepfor200years.Wearenotlivingin1686,butin1888.ThepleasantoldtheorythatChurchandStateareco-extensive and identical has long since vanished into thin air, and is athingofthepast.TheHouseofCommonsisapowerfulbody,nodoubt,and"monarchofall itsurveys."But it isno longeranassemblyofnonebut "Churchmen."Moreover, it isnotorious that there isno subject theHouseofCommons"caresso little todiscussasreligion,andthat there

arenoreligiousinterestswhichfaresobadlyinitshandsasthoseoftheChurchofEngland.

Butunhappilythisisnotall.Thereissomethingmorebehind.ThelaityofourChurcharenotwhere theyought tobe in thedirectworkofChrist,and the furtherance of Christianity in the land. Amischievous habit ofleavingallreligiontotheparsonoftheparishhasoverspreadthecountry,andthebulkoflayChurchmenseemtothinkthattheyhavenothingtodowith theChurchbut to receive thebenefit ofhermeansof grace,whiletheycontributenothinginthewayofpersonalactiveexertiontopromoteherefficiency.Thevastmajorityofchurch-goersappeartosupposethatwhentheyhavegonetochurchonSunday,andhavebeenat theLord'sSupper, they have done their duty, and are not under the slightestobligationtowarn,toteach,torebuke,toedifyothers,topromoteworksofcharity,toassistevangelization,ortoraiseafingerincheckingsin,andadvancingChrist'scauseintheworld.Theironlyideaistobeperpetuallyreceiving,butneverdoinganythingatall.Theyhavetakentheirseatsintheright train,andareonly tositquiet,while theclericalenginedrawsthem to heaven, perhaps half asleep. If an Ephesian or Philippian orThessalonian lay Churchman were to rise from the dead and see howlittle work lay Churchmen do for the English Church, he would notbelieve his eyes. The difference between the primitive type of a layChurchman and the English type is the difference between light anddarkness, black and white. The one used to be awake and alive, andalways about his Master's business. The other is too often asleeppractically,andtorpid,and idle,andcontent to leavethereligionof theparishinthehandsoftheparson.Eachisbaptized.Eachusesmeansofgrace. Each hears sermons, and professes himself a Christian. But theChurchmanshipoftheoneisutterlyunlikethatoftheother.Whenthisisthe case -- -andwhowilldeny it? -- theremustbe somethingpainfullywronginourorganization.IfthePhilippianlayChurchmanwasright,theEnglishlayChurchmancannotberight.Weareweighedinthebalancesand foundwanting. The very language in common use is a plain proofthatthereissomethingsadlywrong.The"Church"now-a-daysmeansthe"clergy;"andwhensomeyoungmanproposestobeordained,hisfriendstell you thathe is "going into theChurch,"as ifhehadnotbeen in theChurchlongago!

WitheverydesiretomakethebestofourChurchanditsconstitution,Icannotavoidtheconclusionthatinthematterofthelaityitssystemisatpresentdefectiveand infra-scriptural. I cannot reconcile thepositionofthe English lay Episcopalian in 1888 with that of his brother in anyapostolic Church eighteen centuries ago. I cannotmake the two thingssquare.Tomyeyes,itseemsthatintheregularworkingoftheChurchofEngland,almosteverythingis left inthehandsoftheclergy,andhardlyanythingisassignedtothelaity!Theclergysettleeverything!TheClergymanage everything! The clergy arrange everything! The laity arepracticallyallowedneithervoice,norplace,noropinion,norpower,andmustacceptwhatever the clergydecide for them. Inall this there isnointentional slight. Not the smallest reflection is implied on thetrustworthiness and ability of the laity. But from one cause or anothertheyareleftoutinthecold,passiverecipientsandnotactivemembers,ina huge ecclesiastical corporation, -- sleeping partners, and notworkingagents inanunwieldyand ill-managedconcern.Inshort, in thenormalaction of the Church of England, lay Churchmen have been left on asiding.Likesoldiersnotwanted,theyhavefallenoutoftheranks,retiredtotherear,andsunkoutofsight.

:Now,whatisthetruecauseofthisanomalousstateofthings?It isonewhichmayeasilybedetected.ThepositionoftheEnglishlaityisneithermore nor less than a rag and remnant of Popery. It is part of that"damnosa haereditas"whichRomehas bequeathed to our Church, andwhich has never been completely purged away. Our Reformersthemselves were not perfect men, and the characteristic jealousy ofQueen Elizabeth prevented their perfecting the work of the EnglishReformation. Among other blots which they left on the face of ourChurch,Imustsorrowfullyadmitthatneglectoftheinterestsofthelaitywasnottheleastone.TomaketheclergymediatorsbetweenChristandman,--toexaltthemfarabovethelaity,andputallecclesiasticalpowerintotheirhands,--toclothethemwithsacerdotalauthority,andregardthemasinfallibleguidesinallChurchmatters,--thishasalwaysbeenanessentialelementoftheRomishsystem.ThiselementourReformers,nodoubt,oughttohavecorrectedbygivingmorepowertothelaity,asJohnKnoxdidinScotland.Theyomittedtodoso,eitherfromwantoftimeorfromwant of royal permission. The unhappy fruit of the omission has

beenthatgradually thechiefauthority inourChurchmattershas fallenalmostentirely intothehandsof theclergy,andthe laityhavebeen leftwithouttheirduerightsandpowers.TheeffectatthepresentdayisthattheEnglishlaityarefarbelowthepositiontheyoughttooccupy,andtheEnglishclergyarefarabovetheirs.Bothparties,inshort,areinthewrongplace.

Whataretheconsequencesofthisunsatisfactorystateofthings?Theyarepreciselywhatmightbeexpected--evilandonlyevil.DeparturefromthemindofGod,evenintheleastthings, isalwayssuretobearbitterfruit.Lifted above their due position, the English clergy have always beeninclined to sacerdotalism, priestism, self-conceit, and an overweeningestimate of their own privileges and powers. Fallen below their dueposition, the English laity, with occasional brilliant exceptions, havetakenlittleinterestinChurchmatters,andhavebeentooreadytoleaveeverythingecclesiastical tobemanagedby the clergy. In themeantime,forthreecenturiestheEstablishedChurchofEnglandhassufferedgreatandalmostirremediabledamage.

Seldom considered, seldom consulted, seldom trusted with power,seldominvestedwithauthority,theEnglishlayChurchman,asarule,isignorant, indifferent, or apathetic about Church questions. How fewlaymenknowanythingaboutChurchworkintheirowndiocese!Howfewcare one jot for Convocation! How few could tell you, if their livesdepended on it, who are the proctors of their diocese! How fewunderstand the meaning of the great doctrinal controversies by whichtheirChurchisalmostrentasunder!Howfewexhibitasmuchpersonalinterest or anxiety about them, as a Roman spectator would haveexhibited about the fight of a couple of gladiators in the arena of theColiseum!Howfewcouldtellyouanythingmorethanthis,"thatthereissomesquabbleamongtheparsons;andtheydon'tpretendtounderstandit!"--Thisisamelancholypicture;butIfearitisasadlycorrectone.Andyetwhocanwonder?TheEnglishlaityhaveneveryethadtheirrightfulpositioninthemanagementoftheChurchofEngland.

Youmaylayitdownasaninfalliblerule,thatthebestwaytomakeamanfeelaninterestinabusinessistomakehima"partoftheconcern."Theruleappliestoecclesiasticalcorporationsaswellastocommercialones.

The Scotch Presbyterians, the English Nonconformists, the AmericanEpiscopalians, the Colonial Episcopalians, all realize the importance ofthisprinciple,andtakecaretocarryitout.TheChurchofEnglandalonehas lost sight of this principle altogether. The laity have never beenproperly employed, or trusted, or considered, or called forward, orconsulted,orplacedinposition,orarmedwithauthority,astheyoughttohave been. The consequence is that, as a body, they neither know, norcare, nor feel, nor understand, nor think, nor read, nor exercise theirminds,nor trouble theirheadsmuch, aboutChurchaffairs.The systemunderwhichthisstateofthingshasgrownupisagiganticmistake.Thesooneritiscutupbytherootsandturnedupsidedownthebetter.Ifwewant to remove one grand cause of ourChurch's presentweakness,wemust completely alter the position of the laity. On this point, if on noother,thereisgreatneedofChurchreform.

III. Let us, in the last place, consider our own immediate duty. Whatoughtwetoaimat, inthematterofthelaity, inordertostrengthenthe.EstablishedChurchof.England?

WhenIspeakofaims,Ishallhavetocometopracticaldetails,andIshallnotshrinkfromsayingpreciselywhatImean.Grant foramomentthatwe have at length discovered that our lay Churchmen are not in theirrightfulposition.--Whatistheremedyfortheevil?Whatisthechangethatisrequired?Whatoughttobedone?

Theanswersthatsomemenmaketothesequestionsaresopuerile,weak,and inadequate, that I am almost ashamed to name them.They tell uscoolly that the laity may become lay- agents and Scripture- readers,though even this at one time, I remember, was thought a shockinginnovation.Theymayevenexhortandgivelittleaddresses--mayteachSunday schools andbeparochial visitors --maymanageReformatoriesand Houses of Refuge -- may attend Committees, and superintendChurch finance IMy reply is, that all such suggestions are ridiculouslybelow the mark, and show woeful ignorance of the Church's need. Imarvel that sensiblemen can have the face tomake them.Oh,mightycondescension! Oh, wondrous liberality! We will let laymen do roughworkwhichcouldnotbecloneatallwithoutthem,andwhichtheyhavenoneedtoasktheclergy'sleavetodo!Ifthisisallthatpeoplemeanwhen

they talk of enlisting "lay co-operation," I am sorry for them. SuchdoctoringwillnothealthewoundsofourZion.Suchreformswillnotwinbackthelukewarmsympathiesofourlaity,andmakethemtherightarmoftheChurchofEngland.

ThereformIpleadforinthepositionofourlaityissomethingfardeeper,higher, wider, broader,more thorough,more complete. I plead for thegeneralrecognitionofthemightyprinciple,thatnothingoughttobedonein the Church without the laity, in things great or in things small. Icontendthatthelaityoughttohaveapart,andvoice,andhand,andvote,in everything that the Church says and does, except ordaining andministeringinthecongregation.IcontendthatthevoiceoftheChurchofEnglandoughttobenotmerelythevoiceofthebishopsandpresbyters,butthevoiceofthelaityaswell,andthatnoChurchactionshouldeverbetaken,andnoexpressionofChurchopinioneverputforth,inwhichthelaityhavenotanequalsharewith theclergy.Suchareformwouldbeareturn to New Testament principles. Such a reform would increase ahundredfold thestrengthof theChurchofEngland.What thedetailsofsuchareformoughttobe,Iwillnowproceedtoexplain.

(a)Theunitwithwhichweoughttobegin,ifwewouldraisethepositionof layChurchmento thestandardof theapostolic times,beyonddoubt,the parish. From one end of the land to the other we should try toestablish the great principle, that every clergyman shall continuallyconsulthislayparishioners.

If he does not like to have anything so stiff and formal-sounding as a"parochial council," let him at any rate often confer with hischurchwardens,sidesmen,andcommunicantsabouthiswork.Especiallylethimdonothinginthewayofchangingtimesandmodesofworship,nothinginthematterofnewceremonials,newdecorations,newgestures,newpostures,withoutfirsttakingcounselwithhislay-people.Thechurchistheirs,andnothis;heistheirservant,andtheyarenothis:theyhavesurely a right to be consulted.Who can tell the amount of offence thatmightbeprevented if clergymenalwaysacted in thisway?Nopeople, Ibelieve, are more reasonable than lay Churchmen, if they are onlyapproached and treated in a reasonable way. Above all, let everyparochialincumbentmakeapointofteachingeverycommunicantthathe

isanintegralpartoftheChurchofEngland,andisboundtodoallthathecanforitswelfare,--tovisit,toteach,towarn,toexhort,toedify,tohelp,toadvise,tocomfort,tosupport,toevangelize;toawakenthesleeping,toleadontheinquiring,tobuildupthesaints,topromoterepentance,faith,and holiness everywhere, according to his gifts, time, and opportunity.He should educate his people to see that they must give up the lazymodern plan of leaving everything to the parson, and must be activeagents instead of sleeping partners. On this point, I grieve to say, theMethodists and Dissenters beat Churchmen hollow. With them, everynewmemberisanewhomemissionaryintheircause.Neverwillthingsgo well with the Church of England until every individual memberrealizes that he has a duty to do to his Church, and keeps that dutycontinuallyinview.

Ibeginpurposelywiththispoint.Iamcertainitisavitalone,andliesattherootofthewholesubjectwhichweareconsidering.Bestofall,itisareform which may be commenced at once, and needs no Act ofParliamenttostartit.Itneedsnothingbutadeterminationonthepartoftherectors,vicars,andperpetualcuratesofEnglandtobringthematterbeforethecommunicantsoftheirrespectiveparishes,andtoincitethemtocomeforwardanddotheirduty.Theyhavethematter,Ibelieve,inthehollow of their hands. The laity, I believe, would respond to theinvitation,iftheyoncerealizedthatthehealthoftheChurchwasatstake,and that there was work for them to do. In truth, it is our day ofvisitation. In ourEstablishedChurch itwill never do to try toman thewalls with officers, and let the rank and file sit idle in their barracks.Clergyandlaitymustlearntoworktogether.Wemusthavenotonlyanapostolical succession of ministers, but an apostolical succession oflaymen,ifourChurchistostandmuchlonger.

(b)Thenextpointwhichdemandsourattention,ifwewanttoraisethelaity of the Church to a scriptural position, is the absolute necessity ofgiving every parish and congregation some voice and vote in theappointmentofitsministers.Imakenoapologyfortakingupthisdefectin our present system, because it is directly handled in the ChurchPatronageBillwhichisbeingbroughtbeforeParliament.IownthatIcarelittle for some of the provisions of that Bill, and I doubtmuch if they

would work well, supposing they passed the fiery ordeal of Lords' andCommons'Committees.Butthereisoneclauseintheproposedmeasurewhichismostpraiseworthy,andIhailitwithdeepsatisfaction.Irefertothe clause which would enable the inhabitants of any parish to offerobjectionstoaclergymanbeingplacedoverthem,foracertaintimeafterhisnameismadeknown.Iregardthisasemphaticallyamoveintherightdirection. I amnot anxious to seepatronage concentrated inone set ofhands.Much lessamIanxious to see clergymenelectedentirelyby theparishionersorcongregation.ButIdothinkthatthepeopleshouldhavesomevoiceintheappointmentofministers,andthattheyshouldnotbelefttothemercyof.anincompetentpatron,andnotallowedtomakeanyobjectiontohischoice.Weallknowthatasiquismustbereadbeforeanordination,andIcontendthatasiquisshouldberequiredineverycasebeforeanInstitution.

Ourpresent systemof appointment to livings entirely ignores the laity,andoftenprovesagrievousabuse.Clergymenareconstantlythrustuponunwillingparishesanddisgustedcongregations,whoareentirelyunfitfortheirposition,andthepeopleareobligedtosubmit.Theparishionersareconsequently driven away from church, and the Establishment suffersirreparable damage. It is high time to give up this system. Let everypatronberequiredtosendthenameoftheclergymanwhomhewishestonominatetoavacantliving,tothechurchwardens,onemonthbeforehepresents the name to the bishop. Let the name of the proposed newincumbentbepublicly readout inchurch likebanns,andaffixed to thechurchdoors,onthreeorfourSundaysconsecutively,andletanyonebeinvitedtoobjectifhecan.Lettheobjectorbeobligedtosatisfythebishopand his council that there are good reasons, whether doctrinal orpractical, for his objections, and let the bishop and his council havepower, if satisfied, to refuse the patron's nominee. Of course such asafeguard as this might often be ineffectual. The objections to thenomineemayoftenbe frivolousor incapableofproof.Butatanyrateaprinciple would be established. The laity of a parish could no longercomplainthat theyareperpetuallyhandedover tonewparsonswithouthavingtheslightestvoiceinthetransaction.Onerightthelaityevennowpossess,Iremindthem,whichIheartilywishtheywouldexercisemorefrequently than theydo.Theymayeffectuallypreventyoungmenbeing

ordainedwhoareunfitfororders,byobjectingwhenthesiquisisread.Well would it be for the Church of England if the laity in this matterwouldalwaysdotheirduty!

(c)Thethirdandlastreforminthepositionofthelaitywhichweshouldaimtoobtain,istheadmissionoflayChurchmentotheirrightfulplaceintheadministrationandmanagementofthewholeChurch.Ientirelyagreewith two of my Right Rev. Brethren, that we greatly want a NationalChurchCouncil,composedofbishops,presbyters,andlaymen.

Suchacounciloughtnottopossessanylegislativepowers,ortointerferein the slightest degree with the prerogative of the Crown or the Royalsupremacy.Thereought,therefore,tobenogreatdifficultyinobtaininglegal powers for its formation, and it ought not to be regarded withjealousywhenformed.Itsmainobjectshouldbetobringtheclergyandthelaityfacetoface,andtoenablethemtoconsiderallmattersaffectingtheChurch'swelfare,and,ifnecessary,tobringthemunderthenoticeofParliament.Itsmainadvantagewouldbe,thatwhenitbroughtanythingbefore Parliament which required legislation, it would be able to say,":Here is a matter about which the clergy and laity of the EstablishedChurchareagreed.InthenameofthatChurchweaskyoutotakeitup,andmakeitthelawoftheland."

I am afraid it is vain to hope for any large measure of Convocationreform. Ancient and venerable as the Synods of Canterbury and Yorkundoubtedly are, I think no one will say that they truly represent theChurchofEngland.Even if theyadequately represented theclergy, it iscertainthattheydonotrepresentthelaity.Thisaloneisanimmenseandintolerabledefect,andcompletelypreventsthelaity,asarule,takinganyinterestintheproceedingsofConvocation.Theyfeelthattheyareleftoutin the cold, andhaveneither voice,nor vote,norplace,norpart in thediscussions, either at Westminster or York, even when the subjectsdiscussedconcernthemselvesmostintimately.Weneednotwonderthattheydonotlikethis.AccordingtothewordofGod,theyare"theChurch"asmuchastheclergy.TheyhavequiteasmuchatstakeintheChurch'swelfare.Theyareoftenaswelleducated,asintelligent,aswell-informed,asspiritually-minded,asabletodiscern"thingsthatdiffer"inreligion,asany clerk, man. The words of the judicious Hooker are worth

remembering:"Till itbeprovedthatsomespecial lawofChristhathforeverannexeduntotheclergyalonethepowertomakeecclesiasticallaws,wearetoholditathingmostconsonantwithequityandreason,thatnoecclesiastical laws be made in a Christian commonwealth, withoutconsentaswellofthelaityasoftheclergy."(Hooker,Bookviii.chap.6.)Thesimplefactthatthelaypeoplehaveatpresentneithervoicenorplacein the English Convocation, is enough to show that it is an institutiontotallyunsuitedtotheage,andbehindthetimes.

Of course I do not forget that a house of laymen has been called intoexistence in the province of Canterbury, with the express purpose ofactingasaconsultativebody,andanassistanttoConvocation,andithasbeen resolved to forma similarhouseof laymenatYork.Nodoubt theformationofthesetwobodiesisagreatstepintherightdirection.Itisapublic acknowledgment that the time has come when lay Churchmenmust be asked to take a more active interest in the affairs of theEstablished Church, and that their past torpid position, as sleepingpartnersinthegreatecclesiasticalconcern,cannolongerbemaintained.For this tardy recognition of the rights andduties of laymen I amverythankful.Agreatprinciplehasbeenestablished,andItrusttheclockwillneverbeputback.

But though I lay no claims to infallibility of judgement, I mustrespectfullyexpressadoubtwhetherthesenewHousesofLaymenmeetthewantsoftheday,andareanythingmorethanatemporarymakeshift.I might say something about the extreme difficulty of getting a reallyrepresentativeHouseofLaymentomeetatYork!ButIwillnotdwellonthis.Iwillonlypointoutthreeobjectionswhichappeartomenoteasilyanswered.

(a) In the firstplace, theseHousesofLaymenwillhaveno legal status,unless they are formally authorized by the Crown and Parliament, andwillbenothingmorethanvoluntarydebatingsocieties.Convocation,onthecontrary,isoneoftheoldestlegalinstitutionsintherealm.Howthesetwobodiesaretoworktogetherundertheseconditionsisnotveryclear.Itisanattempttouniteironandclay.Itissewinganewpatchonanoldgarment.

(b) In the second place, themode of forming, composing, and electingtheseHousesofLaymenappearsatpresentfarfromsatisfactory.Iftheyaretoconsistoflaymenelectedbythevariousdiocesanconferences,theycertainly will not be a fair representation of the laity of the Church ofEngland. For one thing, the constitution of diocesan conferences is notuniform,anddifferswidely indifferentdiocesesofEnglandandWales.For another thing, it is notorious that in most dioceses very few layChurchmen attend a diocesan conference, and most of them ignore italtogether.

(c)Last,butnotleast,itdoesnotseemquiteclearwhattheseHousesofLaymen are to be allowed to discuss. The idea which has beenpropounded,thattheyarenevertoopentheirmouthsabout"questionsoffaithanddoctrine,"istomymindmostobjectionable.ItisunreasonabletosupposethatintelligentEnglishlaymen,menoflightandleadingandintellectual power, will ever submit to be practically muzzled, andforbiddentospeakofanybuttemporalmatters.

Suchprohibition,inmyopinion,issuretoleadultimatelytofrictionandcollision.IfyoucallinthelaitytoaidintheadministrationoftheChurch,youmusttrustthem,andgivethemlibertyofspeech.

Itisverypossiblethatanswersmaybefoundtotheseobjections,thoughatpresentIfailtoseethem.Iamthankfulfortheavowedexpressionofadesire to call in thehelpof the laity, andmakeuseof their opiniononChurchmatters.But Ihavea firmconviction thatnomovement in thisdirectionwilleverdomuchgood,untilwehavearealNationalCouncil,composedof the30bishops, and some60presbyters, and 120 laymen,electedfromthe30diocesesofEnglandandWales,andincludinglaymenofthemiddleclass,aswellasoftheupperranksofsociety.ButIbelievethatthebestandablestlayChurchmenwillneverjoinamerevoluntaryassembly, in which their discussions and decisions would be utterlydestituteofanyauthority,andtheirresolutionswouldcarrynoweight.

Aboveall,wewantaCouncil inwhichbishops,presbyters,and laymen,shallsittogetherandconsidersubjectsfacetoface.Theclergywouldthenhave an opportunity of finding out what public opinion is, anddiscovering that they are not infallible. The laity would have an

opportunity of showing the clergywhat is really going on in theworld,and introducingpracticalbusiness-likewisdom into their councils.Thisplanwouldbeofimmenseadvantagetoallparties.

I leave the rights and duties of lay Churchmen at this point. I have notimetopursuethesubject further.IamconsciousthatIhaveadvancedopinionswhich are distasteful to someminds, and startling because oftheirnovelty.ButIhaveyettolearnthatthereforminthepositionofthelaity which I have suggested is notmost desirable in the abstract, andmost imperatively demanded by the times. Between Liberationists,Romanists,andAgnostics,thegoodshipoftheChurchisonaleeshore,andthebreakersareinsight.Clergyandlaitymustco-operate,iftheshipistobesaved.Itisnotimetoprophesysmooththings,andlookthroughtelescopeswithblindeyes,andcry"Peace,peace!Letussitstill."

(a)"Sacrilegiousreform!"somewillcry.Theythinkitdownrightwickedtoletthelaityhaveanythingtodowithspiritualmatters.TheywishthemtobenothingbutGibeonites,hewersofwoodanddrawersofwater forthe clergy. They talk gravely about Dathan, and Abiram, and Uzzahputtinghishandtotheark,andUzziahtakingonhimselftoburnincenseinthetemple.TosuchmenIreply,"LookattheIrishChurch,andlearnwisdom."IfDisestablishmentcomes,--andmanyfar-sightedmensayitissuretocomeatlast,--youwillbeobligedtocastyourselvesontheaidofthelaity,whetheryoulikeitornot.Evenifitdoesnotcome,youwillneverbereallystrong,unlessyouplacethelaityintheirrightfulposition.Astothevaguetalkaboutsacrilege,itisallnonsense.TouchtheideawiththeIthurielspearofScripture,anditwillvanishaway.

(b)But"itisadangerousreform,"somemenwillcry."Thelaitywilltakethereinsintotheirhands,andlorditovertheconsciencesoftheclergy."Suchfearsaresimplyridiculous.Thereisfarmorerealdangerinlettingthelaitysitidle,andgivingthemnoactiveinterestintheChurch'saffairs.I have a better opinion of the laity than these alarmists have. The newecclesiasticalmachinerymayworkawkwardlyatfirst, likeanewsteam-engine,when its jointsare stiff, and itsbearingshot.The laitymaynotunderstandatfirstwhattheyhavetodo.Butgivethemtime,givethemtime.Showthemthatyoutrustthem,andmakethemseewhatiswanted,andIhavenodoubtthelaitywouldsoonsettledownintheirplace,and

workwithawill.RememberhowadmirablytheIrishlaitysettheirhouseinorderafterDisestablishment,andhavemorefaithinEnglishlaymen.

(c)"But it isauselessreform,"somemenwill finallycry."The laityareunfittoadvisebishops,orsitinChurchcouncils,orgiveanopinionaboutthe fitness of incumbents." I donot believe it for onemoment.The laymembersofourChurchmaynotbecriticsofGreekorHebrew,ordeeptheologians, compared to many of the clergy. But many of them havequiteasmuchgrace,andquiteasmuchknowledgeoftheEnglishBible.Aboveall,theyhave,asarule,muchmorecommonsensethantheclergy.Nomancanbeignorantofthatwhoknowshowourbestlaymenconductthemselves on the committees of our great religious Societies. TheobservationofLordClarendonabout the clericalbody is, alas!only tootrue. After long experience, he declared his conviction that "clergymenunderstandtheleast,andtaketheworstmeasureofhumanaffairsofallmankindthatcanwriteorread."Ifear,ifhelivedinthepresentday,hewouldnotgiveus,asabody,amuchbettercharacter.Nothing,I firmlybelieve, would be such an advantage to the Church as to leaven all itsactionwithajudiciousmixtureofthelayelement.Thetruecauseofhalfthe Church'smistakes in these latter days has been the absence of thelaityfromtheirrightfulplace.

The greatest peril of theEstablishedChurch in this day consists in thefavourite policy of total inaction which pleases so many, and theirinability to see thatweare indanger. "A littlemore sleep!a littlemoreslumber!Whycannotyouletthingsalone?"Thisisthereplycontinuallymade when Church reforms are spoken of, and pressed on men'sattention."Whyshouldwefear?"theycry."Thereisnorealdanger."Willanyone tellme there isno inwarddanger,whentherealpresence,andtheRomishconfessional,andecclesiasticallawlessness,andHomeRule,are quietly tolerated on one side, and the atonement, and Christ'sdivinity,andtheinspirationofScripture,andtherealityofmiracles,arecoolly thrownoverboardon theother?Will anyone tellme there isnooutward danger, when infidels, Papists, and Dissenters are hungeringandthirstingafterthedestructionoftheEstablishment,andcompassingsea and land to accomplish their ends? -- What Z no danger, whenmyriadsofourworkingclassesneverenterthewallsofourChurch,and

would not raise a finger to keep her alive,while by household suffragetheyhavegotallpowerintotheirhands!What!nodanger,whentheIrishChurch has been disestablished, the Act of Union has been trampledunderfoot,ProtestantendowmentshavebeenhandedovertoPapists,thethinedgeofthewedgeforseveringChurchandStatehasbeenletin,andthe statesmanwhodid all this is still alive, and thoughtbymany tobeinfallible. No danger, indeed! I can find no words to express myastonishment thatmen say so. But, alas! there are never wantingmenwho, having eyes see not, and having ears hear not, and who will notunderstand.

The Established Church of England is in danger. There is no mistakeabout it.This is theonebroad,sweepingreasonwhyIadvocateChurchreforms.There is a "handwritingon thewall," flashing luridly from theothersideofSt.George'sChannel,whichneedsnoDanieltointerpretit.ThereisacurrentsettingintowardstheDisestablishmentofallNationalChurches,andwearealreadyinit.Wearegraduallydriftingdownwards,thoughmany perceive it not; but thosewho look at the old landmarkscannotfailtoseethatwemove.Weshallsoonbeintherapids.Afew,averyfewyears,and,unlessweexertourselves,weshallbeoverthefalls.The English public seems drunk with the grand idea of "free trade" ineverything, inreligionaswellas incommerce, inchurchesaswellas incorn. A portion of the daily press is constantly harping on the subject.Andshallwesitstillandrefusetosetourhouseinorder?I,forone,say,Godforbid!Shallwewaittillweareturnedoutintothestreetandobligedtoreformourselves inthemidstofahurricaneofconfusion?I, forone,say, God forbid! The experienced general tells us that it ismadness tochange front in the face of an enemy. If we believe that danger isimpendingovertheChurchEstablishment, letusnotwait till thestormbursts. Let us gird up our loins while we can, and attempt Churchreforms.

1. I now commend the whole subject to the prayerful attention of theclergy."ConsiderwhatIsay,andtheLordgiveyouunderstandinginallthings." Oh that I could blow a trumpet in the ear of every rector andvicarinEngland,andawakenhimtoasenseoftheChurch'sdanger!Thehorizonisveryblack.Ibelieveitisourtimeofvisitation.Itisnotimeto

foldourarmsandsitstill.IsourChurchgoingtoliveordie?Ifwewoulddefendher,wemust"setinorderthethingsthatarewanting,"andaimatChurchreforms.

2. I commend the whole subject to the minds of all thoughtful layChurchmen. I invite you to assist us inmaintaining the Church of ourforefathers, theoldProtestantChurchofEngland,andtocomeforwardandtakeupyourrightfulplaceandposition.It isyourbestpolicytodoso. Except clergy and laity close their ranks and work shoulder toshoulder,weshallneverholdthefort,andwintheday.Itwouldbeyourhappinesstodoso.Youwouldfindarichrewardforyoursoulinactivityfor Christ's cause in this sinfulworld, and being general fellow-helperswithyourclergy.ThinkwhatanimmenseblessingonesinglelaymanlikeLord Shaftesbury may be to the land in which he lives. Think whatEnglandmightbeifwehadahundredmorelayChurchmenlikehim.Youwouldsoonfindouttheenormousluxuryofdoinggood,andbeingusefultoyourfellow-creatures.JustnowyouwouldgivenewlifetotheChurchof England, render her, by God's blessing, invincible by her foes, andhandherdowntoyourchildren'schildren,"Fairasthemoon,clearasthesun,andterribleasanarmywithbanners"(Cant.6:10).

NOTE:

I commend to all readers of this sermon the following extract from aleadingarticleintheGuardiannewspaperofJanuary5,1870.Fromsuchaquarter,testimonytotheimportanceofthe"PositionofLaity"isdoublyvaluable:--

"Wehaveshown,wetrust,thatwearefarfrominsensibletothedangersthatmightpossiblyarisefromtheadmissionofthelaitytoalargerdegreeof authority and influence than they now enjoy in the Anglicancommunionasknownwithintheseisles.Letusnowglanceforamomentatthestrengthofthecaseonbehalfoftheclaimsbeingurgedbythelaity.

"Underthepatriarchalsystem,theregaleandthepontificalwereunited.The head of the family was at once king and priest; and the idea thatsomesacrificescouldonlybeofferedbyakingwassowidelyspreadthatAthens,afterbecomingademocracy,retainedforthisendaKing-Archon,

andRomeinlikemanneraRexSacrificulus.Thisunionistosomeextentstill preserved in Thibet, in China, and in most countries underMahometans rule. In Palestine we know that the two authorities weredissevered;theroyaltyultimatelyfallingtoJudah,andthepriesthoodtoLevi.SubsequentlywereadofSaul,Uzzah,andUzziahbeingpunishedforusurpationofofficesnot intrustedtotheircare.Yet,whenwereflectonthe great pains bestowed by David in the matter of ritual, on thedepositionofAbiatharbySolomon,ontheactionofpiousmonarchssuchas Josiah and Hezekiah, and on the position of Zerubbabel and hisdescendantsafter thecaptivity, itmustsurelybeacknowledgedthat thelay influence under theMosaic dispensation was immense. One of thefamous Jesuit commentators (either a Lapide orMaldonatus) does nothesitate toadmit that in theJewishpolity theStatewassuperior to theChurch. In the time of our Lord at least one-third of the Sanhedrimconsistedoflaymen.

"When we turn to the infant Church Catholic, almost the earliest steptakenbythecommunityisoneinvolvingtheactionofthelaity.Thesevendeacons were chosen by the whole multitude. And if various readingscause some difficulty respecting the Council of Jerusalem, yet theconfirmation of its decision by the whole Church is a recorded fact.Evidence of the continuation of a line of thought and action consistentwiththesecommencementsissuppliedbyDr.Moberlyfromtheworksofgreatandsaintlydoctors,aCyprianandaChrysostom,andfromtheActsofearlycouncilsheldatCarthage,atEliberis,atToledo,andamongourownAnglo-Saxonancestors.AttheCouncilsofPisaandofConstance,aprominentplacewasassignedtoCanonistsandotherdoctorsoflawwhoweresimple laymen.Moreover, thegreatuniversitiesofEurope, thoughlay corporations, having received from the Church as well as from theState commissions to teach theology, were constantly appealed to foropinions both on questions relating to the faith and on cases ofconscience. The reference concerning the lawfulness of Henry VIII.'smarriage to these famous bodies is the best known instance in ourhistory, but it is bynomeansa solitaryone. In the fourteenth century,suchjudgments,especiallythoseproceedingfromtheUniversityofParis,hadbeenverynumerous;andsomuchweightwasattachedtothemthatthey almost supplied the place (says Palmer) of the judgments of

ProvincialSynods.

"Norhavethelaityachievedmerelysmallthingsinthewayoftheology.Itis true, as might have been expected, that the formation of dogma,necessitated byheresy, has been for themost part thework of bishopsand presbyters, an Athanasius, a Leo, an Augustine. But not only havemasterly apologies for the faith and works of Christian literatureproceeded in great numbers from laic pens, but laymen have also, atcertain times and places, shown themselves superior in their zeal forpurity of doctrine to that portion of the Church which, as a rule,constitutes Ecclesia docens. A notable example occurs in the history ofArianism.Certainbishopsof semi-Arian tendencies found it impossibleto infuse into the laity of their flocks the heretical poison which theythemselveshadimbibed.Itwasalayman,too,whofirstcalledattentionto the heresy of Nestorius. In our own time, the lay members ofecclesiastical Conventions in the United States have not unfrequentlyexhibited a more moderate and conservative tone than their clericalbrethren."Footnotes:

[19]ThesubstanceofthispaperwasoriginallypreachedasasermoninWinchesterCathedralonApril2,1886.

John3:3;2Cor.5:17QuestionsAboutRegeneration

THEpaperwhichbeginsatthispageisintendedtosupplyinformationtoall Churchmen who are puzzled and perplexed about baptismalregeneration.Thatfamousdoctrineissowidelyheld,andsoconfidentlydeclaredtobetrue,thatIthinkitdesirabletodiscussthewholesubjectunder the simple form of questions and answers. Iwish to show thosewhosemindsare ina stateof suspense, thatChurchmenwhohold thatbaptism and regeneration do not always go together, have a great deal

moreofreason,logic,Scripture,andthePrayerBookontheirsidethaniscommonlysupposed.Theirviews,atanyrate,oughtnottoberegarded,as they too often are, with supercilious and unreasoning contempt. Iventure, therefore, to think that the arguments contained in this paperdeserverespectfulconsideration.

1.Whatisregeneration?

It is that complete changeofheart and characterwhich theHolySpiritworks in a person when he becomes a real Christian. The ChurchCatechismcallsit"adeathuntosin,andanewbirthuntorighteousness."Itisthesamethingasbeing"bornagain,"or"bornofGod,"or"bornofthe Spirit," "Except a man be born again" means "except a man beregenerate.""IfanymanbeinChrist,heisanewcreature;"thatis,heis"bornagain,orregenerate"(John3:3;2Cor.5:17).

2.BatarenotallprofessingChristiansrealChristians?

Certainly not. Thousands, unhappily, are only Christians in name, andhavenothingofrealChristianityeitherintheirheartsorlives.JustasSt.Paul said, "He isnotaJew,which isoneoutwardly" (Rom.2:28); sohewouldhavesaid,"HeisnotaChristian,whichisoneoutwardly."Justashesaid,"HeisaJew,whichisoneinwardly;"sohewouldhavesaid,"Heis a Christian, which is one inwardly." In short, real Christians areregenerate,andmerelynominalChristiansarenot.

3.Buthowarewetoknowwhetherweareregenerateornot?Isitathingwecanpossiblyfindoutbeforewedie?

Regenerationmayalwaysbeknownbythefruitsandeffectsitproducesonaperson's lifeandcharacter. It isalwaysattendedbycertainmarks,evidences, effects, results, and consequences. Every regenerate personhasthesemarksmoreorlessdistinctly,andhethathasthemnotisnotregenerate.Aregenerationwhichproducesnoeffects,bearsnofruit,andcannot be seen in a person's life, is a regeneration nevermentioned inScripture.

4.Whatarethemarksandevidencesofregeneration?Theyarelaiddown

forussoclearlyandplainlyintheFirstEpistleofSt.John,thathewhorunsmayreadthem.Itiswrittenthere,"WhosoeverisbornofGodclothnotcommitsin;""WhosoeverbelieveththatJesusistheChristisbornofGod;" "Everyone thatdoeth righteousness isbornofHim;" "EveryonethatlovethisbornofGod;""WhatsoeverisbornofGodovercomeththeworld;" "He that is begotten of God keepeth himself" (1 John 3:9, 5:1,2:29,4:7,5:4,5:18).IfplainEnglishwordshaveanymeaning,thesetextsmeanthathewhohasthesemarksis"bornagain"or"regenerate,"andhewhohasthemnotisnotregenerate.

5.Haveall regeneratepersons thesemarksof regeneration in thesamedegreeofdepth,strength,clearness,anddistinctness?

Most certainly not. There is awide difference between the highest andlowestmeasureofgracepossessedbythosewhoare"bornagain."TherearerealandtrueChristianswhoareonly"babes"inspiritualattainments,andthereareotherswhoare"strong,"andvigorous,andabletodogreatthingsforChrist(1John2:12-14).TheScripturespeaksoflittlefaithandgreatfaith,oflittlestrengthandgreatstrength.Onethingonlyiscertain,-- every regenerate person hasmore or less themarks of regeneration,and he who has none of them is not born again (Matt.14:31, 15:28;Rev.3:8;Rom.15:1).

6.Butarenotallbaptizedpersonsregenerate,anddoesnotregenerationalwaysaccompanybaptism

Certainly not.Myriads of baptized persons have not a single Scripturalmarkofregenerationaboutthem,andneverhadintheirlives.Theyknownothing whatever of "a death unto sin, and a new birth untorighteousness." On the contrary, they too often live in sin, and areenemies of all righteousness.To say that suchpersons are "regenerate"onaccountoftheirbaptism,istosaythatwhichseemsflatlycontrarytothe First Epistle of St. John. The Church Catechism says that baptismcontains twoparts, -- theoutwardandvisible sign,and the inwardandspiritual grace But the Catechism nowhere says that the sign and thegracealwaysgotogether.

7.Butdoesnot theBaptismalServiceof theChurchPrayerBooksayof

everybaptizedchild,"Thischildisregenerate,"anddoesitnottellustothankGodthatithath"pleasedHimtoregeneratetheinfant"?Whatcanthismean?Howcanitbeexplained?

The Baptismal Service uses these expressions in the charitablesuppositionthatthosewhousetheService,andbringtheirchildrentobebaptized,arereallywhattheyprofesstobe.AsBishopCarletonsays,"AllthisisthecharityoftheChurch;andwhatmorecanyoumakeofit?"AsBishopDownamesays, "Weare todistinguishbetweenthe judgmentofcharityandthejudgmentofcertainty."

8.ButisthisexplanationofthelanguageoftheBaptismalServicehonest,natural, and just? Is it the realmeaningwhich ought to be put on thewords?

It is the onlymeaning which is consistent with the whole spirit of thePrayerBook.Fromfirst to last thePrayerBookcharitablyassumes thatall who use it are real, thorough Christians. This is the only sense inwhich the Burial Service can be interpreted. This is the only sense inwhich we can teach children the Church Catechism.We bid them say,"TheHolyGhostsanctifiethmeandall theelectpeopleofGod."YetnomaninhissenseswouldsaythatallchildrenwhosaytheCatechismarereally"sanctified"orreally"elect,"becausetheyusethesewords.

9.ButoughtwenottobelievethatallwhouseChrist'sordinancesreceiveablessingasamatterofcourse?

Certainlynot.ThebenefitofChrist'sordinancesdependsentirelyonthespirit andmanner inwhich they areused.TheScripture expressly saysthatamanmayreceivetheLord'sSupper"unworthily,"andeatanddrink"to his own condemnation." The Articles of the Church of Englanddeclare that in such only as receive sacraments "rightly, worthily, andwith faith," they have a wholesome effect and operation. They do notconveygraceasamatterofcourse,"exopereoperato," inthesamewaythat amedicine acts on the body. The famousHooker teaches that "allreceivenotthegraceofGodwhichreceivethesacramentsofHisgrace."To maintain that every child who is baptized with water is at onceregenerated and born again, appears to turn the sacrament of baptism

into amere form, and to contradict both Scripture and theThirty-nineArticles.

10. But do not all infants receive baptismworthily, since they offer noobstacle to the grace of baptism? and are they not consequently allregenerated,asamatterofcourse,themomenttheyarebaptized?

Certainlynot.Noinfantisofitselfworthytoreceivegrace,because,astheCatechism says, it is "born in sin and a child ofwrath." It can only bereceivedintotheChurch,andbaptizedonthefaithandprofessionofitsparents or sponsors. No true missionary thinks of baptizing heathenchildren without friends or sponsors. The Church Catechism asks thequestion,"Whyareinfantsbaptized?"Butitdoesnotgiveasananswer,"Because they offer no obstacle to grace," -- but "because they promiserepentanceandfaithbytheirSureties."Letusalwaysrememberthataninfant has no title to baptism but the profession of its Sureties. SurelywhentheseSuretiesknownothingofrepentanceorfaith,orofwhattheyarepromising,commonsensepointsoutthattheinfantisnotlikelytogetany inward benefit from the sacrament. In plain words, if parents orsponsorsbringan infant tobaptisminutter ignorance,without faithorprayer or knowledge, it ismonstrous to suppose that this infantmust,nevertheless, receive regeneration.At this rate, itwouldmatternothingin what way sacraments are used, whether with ignorance or withknowledge, and it would signify nothing whether those who use themwere godly or ungodly; the children of believing and of unbelievingparentswould receive precisely the same benefit frombaptism! Such aconclusionseemsunreasonableandabsurd.

11. But does not St. Paul say in hisEpistles that Christians are "buriedwithChristinbaptism,;"andthatbaptizedpersonshave"FatonChrist"?(Gal.3:27;Col.2:12).

NodoubtSt.Paulsaysso.Butthepersonsofwhomhesaidthiswerenotbaptizedininfancy,butwhentheyweregrownup,andindaystoowhenfaith and baptism were so closely connected, that as soon as a manbelieved he confessed his faith publicly by baptism. But there is not asinglepassageintheNewTestamentwhichdescribesatlengththeeffectofbaptismonaninfant,norasingletextwhichsaysthatall infantsare

bornagain,or regenerated,orburiedwithChrist inbaptism.AsCanonMozley says, "Scripture nowhere asserts, either explicitly or implicitly,theregenerationofinfantsinbaptism"(Mozley'sBaptismalControversy,p.34).Besides this,we are expressly told that Simon the sorcerer, afterhisbaptism,had"nopart" inChrist,andhis"heartwasnotright inthesightofGod."Simon,therefore,couldnothavebeenregenerated,orbornagaininbaptism(Acts8:21).

12.Butdoesnotfit.Petersay,"Baptismdothalsosaveus"?andifitsavesus,mustitnotalsoregenerateus?(1Pet.3:21).

NodoubtSt.Petersaysso.Butthosewhoquotethistextshouldnotstopatthewords"saveus,"butreadcarefullyontotheendof thesentence.They will then see that St. Peter distinctly fences and guards hisstatement, by saying that the baptism which "saves" is not the mereoutward application of water to the body, but the baptism which isaccompanied by the "answer of a good conscience toward God."Moreover, it is a curious fact that St. Peter, who uses the expression"baptismsaves," istheverysameApostlewhotoldSimonafterbaptismthathewas"inthebondofiniquity,"andhis"heartwasnotrightinthesightofGod"(Acts8:21).

13.ButdoesnotourLordJesusChristsaytoNicodemus,"Exceptamanbe born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom ofGod"?(John3:3).Doesnotthiswovethatallwhoarebaptizedwithwaterareregenerate?

Certainlynot.Itprovesnothingofthekind.Theutmostthatcanbemadeof this famous and often quoted text is, that it shows the necessity ofbeing"bornofwaterandtheSpirit"ifwewouldbesaved.Butitdoesnotsay that allwho are baptized, or "born ofwater," are at the same time"bornof theSpirit." Itmayprove that there is a connection sometimesbetween baptism and regeneration, but it does not supply the slightestproofthataninvariableconnectionalwaysexists.

14.Butmay itnotbe true thatallbaptizedpersonsreceive thegraceofspiritualregenerationinbaptism,andthatmanyofthemafterwardsloseit?

ThereisnoplainwarrantforsuchastatementintheBible.St.Petersaysexpressly, that we are "born again, not of corruptible seed, but ofincorruptible"(1Pet.1:23).TheSeventeenthArticleofourChurchspeaksof grace as a thing that cannot be lost: "They that be endowedwith soexcellentabenefitofGod,walkreligiouslyingoodworks,--andatlengthattaintoeverlastingfelicity."ItisverydishonouringtothemightyinwardworkoftheHolyGhosttosupposethatitcanbesocontinuallylostandtrampledunder foot.Moreover,myriadsofbaptizedpersons from theirveryearliestinfancynevergivetheslightestevidenceofhavinganygracetolose,andarenotonebitbetter,asboysandgirls,thantheunbaptizedchildrenofQuakersandBaptists.NowonderthatRobertAbbott,Bishopof Salisbury in 1615, asks the question, "If there be that cure that theyspeak of in the baptized, how is it that there is so little effect or tokenthereof?"

15.Butmay itnotbe true thatallbaptizedpersons receive thegraceofregenerationinbaptism,andthatitremainswithinthemlikeadormantseed,alive,thoughatpresentbeachingnofruit?

Certainlynot.TheApostleSt.Johnexpressly forbidsus tosupposethatthere can be such a thing as dormant or sleeping grace. He says,"WhosoeverisbornofGoddoesnotcommitsin,forhisseedremainethinhim, and he cannot sin because he is born of God" (1 John 3:9). Thiswitness is true.When therecanbe lightwhichcannotbe seen,and firewithoutheat,then,andnottillthen,theremaybegracethatisdormantand inactive.Thewell-knownwords, "Stirup thegift ofGod that is inthee,"arefartoooftenaddressedtothebaptized.YetcommonsensewilltellanyonewhoreferstohisBiblethatthesewordswerenotusedatallabouttheeffectsofbaptism,butaboutthegiftsofministers(2Tim.1:6).

16. But do not the early Fathers hold that all baptized persons arenecessarilyregeneratedinbaptism?andhavenotmanygreatandlearneddivinesineveryagemaintainedthesameopinion?

TheFathersusedveryextravagant languageaboutboththesacraments,and are not safe guides on this point. Moreover, they often contradictthemselves and one another. The divines who deny that regenerationalways accompaniesbaptismare asworthyof attention, andas learned

and wise, as any divines who ever held baptismal regeneration. It issufficient to say that Archbishops Cranmer, Whitgift, Usher, andLeighton,BishopsLatimer,Ridley,Jewell,Davenant,Carleten,Hopkins,andRobertAbbott,haveleftdistinctevidencethattheydidnotconsiderthegraceofspiritualregenerationtobenecessarilyandinvariablytiedtobaptism.Afterall,inquestionslikethesewemustcallnomanMaster.Itmatterslittlewhatmansays.WhatsaiththeScripture?

17. But does not this view of regeneration, according to which manybaptized persons are not regenerate at all, and receive no benefitwhatever from their baptism, do great dishonour to one of Christ'ssacraments,andtendtobringitintocontempt?

Notatall.Thetruthisexactlytheotherway.Tosaythatinfantbaptismconfersgracemechanically,asachemicalsolutionproducesaneffectonaphotographic plate, and that if water and certain words are used by athoughtless, careless clergyman over the child of thoughtless, ignorantparents, the child is at once born again,-to say, furthermore, that animmensespiritualeffectisproducedbybaptismwhennoeffectwhatevercan be seen, -- all this, tomany thinking persons, seems calculated todegrade baptism! It tends to make observers suppose that baptism isuseless, or that regeneration means nothing at all. He that would dohonourtobaptismshouldmaintainthatitisahighandholyordinance,which,likeeveryordinanceappointedbyChrist,oughtnottobetouchedwithoutsolemnreverence;andthatnoblessingcanbeexpectedunlessitisusedwithheart,andknowledge,andfaith,andprayer,andfollowedbygodly trainingof the childbaptized.Above all, he shouldmaintain thatwhenbaptismdoesgood,thegoodwillbeseeninthelifeandwaysofthebaptized.Thosewhodonotfeelsatisfiedaboutthismatterwilldowelltostudy attentively the strong language which God uses about His ownordinances, when used formally and carelessly, in the prophet Isaiah(Isa.1:11-12).

What did the prophet mean when he wrote these words: "To whatpurpose is themultitudeofyoursacrificesuntoMe?saiththeLord.--Idelightnotinthebloodofbullocksoroflambs"?HeevidentlymeantthatGod'sownordinancesmaybemadeperfectlyuselessbyman'smisuseofthem.

18.Butmaywenotbelievethatregenerationmeansnothingmorethanachangeofstate,anddoesnotmeanamoralandspiritualchangeatall?Maywenotbelievethatitisamereecclesiasticalword,signifyingnothingmorethanadmissiontoastateofChurchprivilege?Andmaywenotthensaythateverypersonbaptizedisregeneratedinbaptism?

Of coursewemay say andbelieve anythingweplease in a free countrylikeEngland,andthisideaofanecclesiasticalregenerationcutstheknotof some difficulties, and has always satisfied someminds. But it is aninsuperabledifficultythattheword"regeneration"isneveronceusedinthissenseintheNewTestament.Moreover,theparallelexpression"bornof God," in St. John's First Epistle, most certainly means a great dealmorethanbeingadmittedintoastateofecclesiasticalprivilege!Tosay,for instance, "Whosoever is baptized doth not commit sin, -- -andovercomeththeworld,"wouldberidiculous,becauseuntrue.-Moreover,the Church Catechism distinctly teaches that the inward and spiritualgraceinbaptismisnotamereecclesiasticalchange,but"adeathuntosinand a new birth unto righteousness." Moreover, the Homily forWhitsundayexpresslydescribesregenerationasaninwardandspiritualchange.Onethingisverycertain:nounlearnedreaderoftheBibleeverseemstounderstandhowapersoncanbe"regenerate"andyetnotsaved.The poor and simple-minded cannot take in the idea of ecclesiasticalregeneration!

19.Butisitnotmorekind,andliberal,andcharitable,toassumethatallbaptizedpersonsareregenerate,andtoaddressthemassuch?

Mostcertainlynot.Onthecontrary,itiscalculatedtolullconscienceintoa fatal security. It is likely to feed sloth, check self-examination, andencourageaneasy,self-satisfiedconditionofsoul.Noreligiousstatementiskindandcharitablewhichisnotstrictlytrue.TokeepbackanypartofGod'struth,inordertoappearkind,isnotonlyamistakebutasin.Thewaytodogoodistowarnpeopleplainly,thattheymustnotsupposetheyareregeneratebecausetheyarebaptized.Theymustbetoldtoexaminethemselves whether they are "born again," and not to believe they areregenerate,excepttheyhavethescripturalmarksofregeneration.

20.Butisitreallynecessarytoattachsuchimportancetothisdoctrineofregeneration?Isitnotsufficienttoteachpeoplethattheymustbe"good,"andgo tochurch,andbe "inearnest,"anddo theirduty,and that thenthey will get to heaven, somehow, at last, without telling them in thispositivedogmaticway,theymustbe"bornagain"?

The answer to these questions is short and simple. Christians have noruleof religious faith andpractice except theBible. If theBible is true,regenerationisabsolutelynecessarytosalvation.It iswritten,"Exceptamanbebornagain,hecannotseethekingdomofGod;""Yemustbebornagain'",--"Exceptyebeconvertedandbecomeaslittlechildren,yeshallin nowise enter the kingdom of heaven" (John 3:3-8;Matt.18:3). It ispossibleforpeopletoenterheavenandbesaved,likethepenitentthief,without baptism; but no one can be saved and go to heaven withoutregeneration.Thepenitentthief,thoughnotbaptized,was"bornagain."Regeneration, therefore, is a doctrine of primary and first-rateimportance.

21. But if these things are true, and no one can be saved withoutregeneration,aretherenotmanyprofessingChristianswhoareinaverydangerous position?Are not thosewho arewithout themarks of being"bornagain"inimminentperilofbeinglostforever?

Ofcoursetheyare.ButthisisexactlywhattheBibleteachesfromfirsttolastaboutthem.Itiswritten,"Wideisthegateandbroadisthewaythatleadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat." It iswrittenagain,"ManywalkofwhomItellyouweeping,thattheyaretheenemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction" (Matt.7:13;Phil.3:18). It is the most miserable part of many people's religiouscondition, that they fancy they will go to heaven because they arebaptizedandgotochurch,whileinreality,notbeingregenerate,theyareontheroadtoeternalruin.

22.CanministersoftheChurchofChristgiveregeneratinggracetotheirpeople?

Most certainly not. St. John expressly says that those who are born ofGodareborn,"notofblood,norofthewilloftheflesh,norofthewillof

man,butofGod"(John1:13)."ItistheSpiritthatquickeneth."Paulmayplant,andApollosmaywater;butGodonlycan"givetheincrease"(John6:63;1Cor.3:7).Ministers,likeJohntheBaptist,canbaptizewithwater,butChrist alone can "baptizewith theHolyGhost" (Mark 1:8). To givespiritual life, aswell asphysical life, is thepeculiarprerogativeofGod.Mancanneithergiveittohimself,nortoanother.

23. But supposing these things are true, what aught those unhappypersons todowhohavenomarksof regenerationabout them,and feelthattheyarenotbornagain?Aretheytositstillinhopelessdespair?

TheBiblegivesasimpleanswertothatquestion.Ifamanreallyfeelshisneedofregenerationanddesiresit,hemustseekChrist,thefountainoflife, and crymightily toHim.Hemust askHimwho baptizeswith theHolyGhosttobaptizehisheart,andtogivehimgrace.Itiswritten,"ToasmanyasreceivedHim,HegavepowertobecomethesonsofGod"(John1:12).Hemustprayforanewheart.It iswritten,"YourFatherwillgivetheHoly Spirit to them that askHim" (Luke 11:13)"Hemust seek lifediligently in the use of God'sWord. It is written that "faith cometh byhearing." -- " Of his own will begat he us with the Word of truth"(Rom.10:17;James1:18).Nomaneversoughtgracehonestlyinthisway,and sought in vain. He that will not take the trouble to seek in thisfashiondoesnot really desire regeneration, and is not in earnest abouthissoul.

24.Butsupposingapersonfindsinhimselfsomereasontohopethathereallyisbornagain,andhasthetruemarksofregeneration,whatishetodo?Ishetositstill,andtakenomoretroubleabouthissoul?

Certainlynot.Hemuststrivedailyto"growingraceandintheknowledgeofChrist"(2Pet.3:18).Hemustseektodeepenandstrengthentheworkof theHoly Spiritwithin him, by diligently exercising the grace he hasreceived.Hemust"cleansehimselffromallfilthinessoffleshandspirit,perfectingholinessinthefearofGod"(2Cor.7:1).Hemustendeavourto"abide inChrist"more closely, and to live the lifeof faith in theSonofGod.Hethatthinksheisregenerate,anddoesnotfeelacontinualdesireto be more holy and more like Christ every year he lives, is in a veryunsatisfactory and unhealthy state of soul (John 15:4-5; Gal.2:20; 2

Pet.1:5-10).

25. Have Evangelical Churchmen who hold the views of regenerationmaintainedinthispaperanycausetobeashamedoftheiropinions?

Nonewhatever.Theycansafelydefyanyonetoprovethattheirviewsarenot in harmony with Scripture, with the Thirty-nine Articles, with thePrayer Book, with the Catechism, with the Homilies, and with thewritingsofmanyofthebestdivinesintheChurchofEngland.Thosewhooccupysuchapositionasthishavenocausetobeashamed.Thelastdaywillprovewho is right.To the judgmentof thatdaywemaysafelyandconfidentlyappeal.

Iconcludethispaperwithonegeneralremarkaboutthegreatprincipleonwhich the"BookofCommonPrayer"wasat first compiled. It isonewhichrunsthroughouttheLiturgyfromendtoend.Themischiefwhichhasarisen,andthefalseteachingwhichhasflowedfromgrossignoranceorneglectofthisprinciple,aresimplyincalculable.Letmeshowwhatitis.

TheprincipleofthePrayerBookistosupposeallmembersoftheChurchtobeinrealitywhattheyareinprofession,tobetruebelieversinChrist,to be sanctified by theHoly Ghost. The Prayer Book takes the higheststandard of what a Christian ought to be, and is all through wordedaccordingly. The minister addresses those who assemble together forpublicworship as believers. The peoplewho use thewords the Liturgyputsintotheirmouthsaresupposedtobebelievers.ButthosewhodrewupthePrayerBooknevermeanttoassertthatallwhoweremembersoftheChurchofEnglandwere actually and really trueChristians!On thecontrary,theytellusexpresslyintheArticles,that"inthevisibleChurchthe evil be evermingledwith the good." But they held that if forms ofdevotionweredrawnupatall,theymustbedrawnuponthesuppositionthatthosewhousedthemwererealChristians,andnotfalseones.Andinso doing I think they were quite right. A Liturgy for unbelievers andunconvertedmenwould be absurd, and practically useless. The part ofthecongregationforwhomitwasmeantwouldcarelittleornothingforanyLiturgyatall.Theholyandbelievingpartofthecongregationwouldfinditslanguageentirelyunsuitedtothem,andbeneaththeirwants.

Howanyone can fail to see this principle running through thePrayer-book Services, is one of those thingswhich Imust frankly say I fail tounderstand.ItisquitecertainthatSt.PaulwrotehisEpistlesintheNewTestamenttotheChurchesuponthisprinciple.Heconstantlyaddressestheirmembersas"saints"and"elect,"andashavinggrace,andfaith,andhope,andlove,thoughitisevidentthatsomeofthemhadnograceatall!IamfirmlyconvincedthatthecompilersofourPrayerBookdrewupitsServicesuponthesamelines,thelinesofcharitablesupposition;anditisonthisprinciplealonethatthebookcanbeinterpreted,andespeciallyonthesubjectofBaptismandRegeneration.[20]Footnotes:

[20] Those who wish to study this subject more deeply are advised toreadCanonFaber'sPrimitiveDoctrineofRegeneration,8vo.DeanGoodeon The Effects of Infant Baptism, 8vo. Canon Mozley on BaptismalRegeneration,8vo.CanonMozleyonTheBaptismalControversy,8vo.

Titus2:6-ThoughtsforYoungMen

WHENSt.PaulwrotehisEpistletoTitusabouthisdutyasaminister,hementioned young men as a class requiring peculiar attention. Afterspeakingofagedmenandagedwomen,andyoungwomen,headdsthispithyadvice,"Youngmenlikewiseexhorttobesober-minded"(Tit.2:6).IamgoingtofollowtheApostle'sadvice.Iproposetoofferafewwordsoffriendlyexhortationtoyoungmen.

Iamgrowingoldmyself,buttherearefewthingsIremembersowellasthedaysofmyyouth.Ihaveamostdistinctrecollectionofthejoysandthesorrows,thehopesandthefears,thetemptationsandthedifficulties,themistakenjudgmentsandthemisplacedaffections,theerrorsandtheaspirations,whichsurroundandaccompanyayoungman's life.IfIcanonly say something to keep some young man in the right way, andpreservehimfromfaultsandsins,whichmaymarhisprospectsbothfor

timeandeternity,Ishallbeverythankful.

TherearefourthingswhichIproposetodo:--

I.Iwillmentionsomegeneralreasonswhyyoungmenneedexhorting.

II.Iwillnoticesomespecialdangersagainstwhichyoungmenneedtobewarned.

III. I will give some general counsels which I entreat young men toreceive.

IV.IwillsetdownsomespecialrulesofconductwhichIstronglyadviseyoungmentofollow.

OneachofthesefourpointsIhavesomethingtosay,andIprayGodthatwhatIsaymaydogoodtosomesoul.

I.ReasonsforexhortingYoungMen.

1. In the firstplace,Whatare thegeneralreasonswhyyoungmenneedpeculiarexhortation?Iwillmentionseveraloftheminorder.

(1)Foronething,thereisthepainfulfactthattherearefewyoungmenanywhere who seem to have any religion. I speak without respect ofpersons;Isayitofall.Highorlow,richorpoor,gentleorsimple,learnedorunlearned, in townor incountry, -- itmakesnomatter. I tremble toobservehowfewyoungmenareledbytheSpirit,--howfewareinthatnarrow way which leads to life, -- how few are setting their affectionsupon things above, -- how few are taking up the cross, and followingChrist.Isayitwithallsorrow,butIbelieve,asinGod'ssight,Iamsayingnothingmorethanthetruth.

Youngmen,youformalargeandmostimportantclassinthepopulationof this country; but where, and in what condition, are your immortalsouls?Alas,whateverwayweturnforananswer, thereportwillbeoneandthesame!

Letusaskanyfaithfulministerofthegospel,andmarkwhathewilltell

us.Howmanyunmarriedyoungpeople canhe reckonupwho come totheLord'sSupper?Whoarethemostbackwardaboutmeansofgrace,--themostirregularaboutSundayservices,--themostdifficulttodrawtoweekly lectures and prayer meetings, -- the most inattentive underpreachingatalltimes?Whichpartofhiscongregationfillshimwithmostanxiety?WhoaretheReubensforwhomhehasthedeepest"searchingsofheart"!Whoinhisflockarethehardesttomanage,--whorequirethemost frequentwarnings and rebukes, --who occasion him the greatestuneasinessandsorrow,--whokeephimmostconstantlyinfearfortheirsouls,andseemmosthopeless?Dependonit,hisanswerwillalwaysbe,"TheYoungMen."

Letusask theparents inanyparish throughoutEngland,andseewhattheywill generally say.Who in their families give themmost pain andtrouble? Who need the most watchfulness, and most often vex anddisappointthem?Whoarethefirsttobeledawayfromwhatisright,andthe last to remember cautions and good advice? Who are the mostdifficult to keep in order and bounds?Whomost frequently break outintoopensin,disgracethenametheybear,maketheirfriendsunhappy,embitter the old age of their relations, and bring down grey hairswithsorrow to the grave? Depend on it, the answer will generally be, "TheYoungMen."

Letusaskthemagistratesandofficersofjustice,andmarkwhattheywillreply. Who go to public-houses and beer-shops most? Who are thegreatest Sabbath-breakers? Who make up riotous mobs and seditiousmeetings?Who are oftenest taken up for drunkenness, breaches of thepeace, fighting, poaching, stealing, assaults, and the like?Who fill thegaols, and penitentiaries, and convict ships? Who are the class whichrequires themost incessant watching and looking after? Depend on it,theywillatoncepointtothesamequarter,--theywillsay,"TheYoungMen."

Letus turn to theupperclasses,andmark thereportweshallget fromthem.Inonefamilythesonsarealwayswastingtime,health,andmoney,in the selfish pursuit of pleasure. In another, the sons will follow noprofession,andfritterawaythemostpreciousyearsoftheirlifeindoingnothing.Inanother,theytakeupaprofessionasamereform,butpayno

attention to its duties. In another, they are always forming wrongconnections, gambling, getting into debt, associating with badcompanions, keeping their friends in a constant fever of anxiety. Alas,rank,and title,andwealth,andeducation,donotprevent these things!Anxiousfathers,andheart-brokenmothers,andsorrowingsisters,couldtell sad tales about them, if the truthwereknown.Manya family,witheverything this world can give, numbers among its connections somename that is never named, -- or only namedwith regret and shame, --someson,somebrother,somecousin,somenephew,--whowillhavehisownway,andisagrieftoallwhoknowhim.

There is seldoma rich familywhichhasnotgot some thorn in its side,some blot in its page of happiness, some constant source of pain andanxiety;--andoften,fartoooften,isnotthisthetruecause,"TheYoungMen"?

Whatshallwesaytothesethings?Thesearefacts,--plainstaringfacts,--facts whichmeet us on every side,-facts which cannot be denied. Howdreadfulthisis!Howdreadfulthethought,thateverytimeImeetayoungman,ImeetonewhoisinallprobabilityanenemyofGod,--travellinginthebroadwaywhichleadstodestruction,--unfitforheaven!Surely,withsuchfactsbeforeme,youwillnotwonderthatIexhortyou,--youmustallowthereisacause.

(2)Foranotherthing,deathandjudgmentarebeforeyoungmen,evenasothers,andtheynearlyallseemtoforgetit.

Youngmen,itisappointeduntoyouoncetodie;andhoweverstrongandhealthyyoumaybenow,thedayofyourdeathisperhapsverynear.Iseeyoungpeoplesickaswellasold.Iburyyouthfulcorpsesaswellasaged.Ireadthenamesofpersonsnoolderthanyourselvesineverychurchyard.Ilearnfrombooksthat,excepting infancyandoldage,morediebetweenthirteen and twenty-three than at any other seasonof life.And yet youliveasifyouweresureatpresentnottodieatall.

Are you thinking youwillmind these things tomorrow?Remember thewordsofSolomon:"Boastnotthyselfofto-morrow;forthouknowestnotwhatadaymaybringforth"(Prov.27:1)."Seriousthingstomorrow,"said

a heathen, [21] to one who warned him of coming danger; but his to-morrow never came. Tomorrow is the devil's day, but to-day is God's.Satancaresnothowspiritualyourintentionsmaybe,andhowholyyourresolutions,ifonlytheyarefixedforto-morrow.Oh,givenotplacetothedevilinthismatter!answerhim,"No:Satan!Itshallbeto-day:to-day."Allmendonotlivetobepatriarchs,likeIsaacandJacob.Manychildrendiebefore their fathers.Davidhad tomourn thedeathofhis two finestsons;Joblostallhistenchildreninoneday.Yourlotmaybelikeoneoftheirs,andwhendeathsummons,itwillbevaintotalkofto-morrow,--youmustgoatonce.

Areyouthinkingyouwillhaveaconvenientseasontomindthesethingsbyandby?SothoughtFelixandtheAthenianstowhomPaulpreached;butitnevercame.Hellispavedwithsuchfancies.Bettermakesureworkwhileyoucan.Leavenothingunsettledthatiseternal.Runnoriskwhenyoursoulisatstake.Believeme,thesalvationofasoulisnoeasymatter.All need a "great" salvation,whether young or old; all need to be bornagain,allneedtobewashedinChrist'sblood,--allneedtobesanctifiedby the Spirit. Happy is that man who does not leave these thingsuncertain,butneverreststillhehasthewitnessof.theSpiritwithinhim,thatheisachildofGod.

Young men, your time is short. Your days are but a span long, -- ashadow,avapour, --a tale that is soon told.Yourbodiesarenotbrass."Even theyoungmen," says Isaiah, "shallutterly fall" (Isa.40:30).Yourhealthmay be taken from you in amoment .' -- it only needs a fall, afever,aninflammation,abrokenblood-vessel,-andthewormwouldsoonfeeduponyou.Thereisbutastepbetweenanyoneofyouanddeath.Thisnightyoursoulmightberequiredofyou.Youarefastgoingthewayofallthe earth, -- youwill soon be gone. Your life is all uncertainty, -- yourdeathandjudgmentareperfectlysure.YoutoomustheartheArchangel'strumpet,andgoforthtostandbeforethegreatwhite throne, --youtoomust obey that summons, which Jerome says was always fining in hisears:"Arise,yedead,andcometojudgment.""SurelyIcomequickly,"isthe language of the JudgeHimself. I cannot, dare not, will not let youalone.

OhthatyouwouldalllaytoheartthewordsofthePreacher:"Rejoice,O

youngman,inthyyouth,andletthyheartcheertheeinthedaysofthyyouth,andwalkinthewaysofthineheart,andinthesightofthineeyes;but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee intojudgment"(Eccles.11:9).Wonderful, thatwithsuchaprospect,anymancanbecarelessandunconcerned!Surelynonearesomadas thosewhoare content to liveunprepared todie. Surely theunbelief ofmen is themostamazingthingintheworld.WellmaytheclearestprophecyintheBiblebeginwiththesewords,"Whohathbelievedourreport?"(Isa.53:1).Wellmay theLord Jesus say, "When the Son ofman cometh, shallHefind faithon theearth?" (Luke18:8).Youngmen, I fear lest thisbe thereportofmanyofyouinthecourtsabove:"Theywillnotbelieve"I fearlestyoubehurriedoutoftheworld,andawaketofindout,toolate,thatdeath and judgment are realities. I fear all this, and therefore I exhortyou.

(3)Foranotherthing,whatyoungmenwillbe,inallprobabilitydependsonwhattheyarenow,andtheyseemtoforgetthis.

Youth is the seed-time of full age, -- themoulding season in the littlespaceofhumanlife,--theturning-pointinthehistoryofman'smind.

By the shootwe judge of the tree, -- -by the blossomswe judge of thefruit,--bythespringwejudgeoftheharvest,--bythemorningwejudgeof theday, --andby thecharacterof theyoungman,wemaygenerallyjudgewhathewillbewhenhegrowsup.

Youngmen,benotdeceived.Thinknotyoucan,atwill, serve lustsandpleasuresinyourbeginning,andthengoandserveGodwitheaseatyourlatterend.ThinknotyoucanlivewithEsau,andthendiewithJacob.Itisamockery to deal with God and your souls in such a fashion. It is anawfulmockerytosupposeyoucangivetheflowerofyourstrengthtotheworld and thedevil, and thenput off theKingof kingswith the scrapsandleavingsofyourhearts,thewreckandremnantofyourpowers.Itisan awfulmockery, and youmay find to your cost the thing cannot bedone.

Idaresayyouarereckoningonalaterepentance..Youknownotwhatyouaredoing.YouarereckoningwithoutGod.Repentanceandfaitharethe

giftsofGod,andgiftsthatHeoftenwithholds,whentheyhavebeenlongofferedinvain.Igrantyoutruerepentanceisnevertoolate,butIwarnyou at the same time, late repentance is seldom true. I grant you, onepenitentthiefwasconvertedinhislasthours,thatnomanmightdespair;but Iwarnyou,onlyonewasconverted, thatnomanmightpresume. Igrantyouit iswritten,Jesus is"abletosavethemtotheuttermostthatcometoGodbyHim"(Heb.7:25).ButIwarnyou,itisalsowrittenbythesameSpirit, "Because I have called, and ye refused, I alsowill laugh atyourcalamity;Iwillmockwhenyourfearcometh"(Prov.1:24-26).

Believeme,youwillfinditnoeasymattertoturntoGodjustwhenyouplease.ItisatruesayingofgoodArchbishopLeighton:"Thewayofsinisdownhill;amancannotstopwhenhewould."HolydesiresandseriousconvictionsarenotliketheservantsoftheCenturion,readytocomeandgo at yourdesire; rather are they like theunicorn in Job, theywill notobey your voice, nor attend at your bidding. It was said of a famousgeneral [22] of old, when he could have taken the city [23] he warredagainst, he would not, and by and by when he would, he could not.Beware,lestthesamekindofeventbefallyouinthematterofeternallife.

WhydoIsayallthis?Isayitbecauseoftheforceofhabit.Isayitbecauseexperience tellsme that people's hearts are seldom changed if they arenot changedwhenyoung.Seldom indeedaremenconvertedwhen theyareold.Habitshavelongroots.Sinonceallowedtonestleinyourbosom,willnotbe turnedoutatyourbidding.Custombecomessecondnature,and its chains are threefold cords not easily broken. Well says theprophet, "Can theEthiopianchangehis skin,or the leopardhis spots?thenmay ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil" (Jer.13:23).Habits are like stones rollingdownhill, the further they roll, the fasterand more ungovernable is their course. Habits, like trees, arestrengthened by age. A boy may bend an oak, when it is a sapling, ahundredmencannotrootitup,whenitisafull-growntree.AchildcanwadeovertheThamesatitsfountain-head,thelargestshipintheworldcanfloatinitwhenitgetsnearthesea.Soitiswithhabits:theolderthestronger,thelongertheyhaveheldpossession,thehardertheywillbetocastout.Theygrowwithourgrowth,andstrengthenwithourstrength.Custom is the nurse of sin. Every fresh act of sin lessens fear and

remorse, hardens our hearts, blunts the edge of our conscience, andincreasesourevilinclination.

Youngmen,youmayfancyIamlayingtoomuchstressonthispoint.Ifyou had seen old men, as I have done, on the brink of the grave,feelingless,seared,callous,dead,cold,hardasthenethermill-stone,youwould not think so. Believeme, you cannot stand still in the affairs ofyoursouls.Habitsofgoodorevilaredailystrengtheninginyourhearts.EverydayyouareeithergettingnearertoGod,orfurtheroff.Everyyearthat you continue impenitent, the wall of division between you andheavenbecomeshigherandthicker,andthegulftobecrosseddeeperandbroader.Oh,dreadthehardeningeffectofconstantlingeringinsin!Nowistheacceptedtime.Seethatyourflightbenotinthewinterofyourdays.If youseeknot theLordwhenyoung, the strengthofhabit is such thatyouwillprobablyneverseekHimatall.

Ifearthis,andthereforeIexhortyou.

(4)Foranotherthing,thedevilusesspecialdiligencetodestroythesoulsofyoungmen,andtheyseemnottoknowit.

Satan knows well that you will make up the next generation, andthereforeheemployseveryartbetimestomakeyouhisown.Iwouldnothaveyouignorantofhisdevices.

You are those on whom he plays off all his choicest temptations. Hespreads his net with the most watchful carefulness, to entangle yourhearts.Hebaitshis trapswith the sweetestmorsels, toget you intohispower.Hedisplayshiswaresbeforeyoureyeswithhisutmostingenuity,in order to make you buy his sugared poisons, and eat his accurseddainties.Youarethegrandobjectofhisattack.MaytheLordrebukehim,anddeliveryououtofhishands.

Youngmen,bewareofbeingtakenbyhissnares.Hewilltrytothrowdustin your eyes, and prevent you seeing anything in its true colours. Hewould fainmake you think evil good, and good evilHewill paint, andgild,anddressupsin, inorder tomakeyou fall in lovewith it.Hewilldeform,andmisrepresent,andcaricaturetruereligion,inordertomake

youtakeadisliketoit.Hewillexaltthepleasuresofwickedness,--buthewillhidefromyouthesting.Hewillliftupbeforeyoureyesthecrossanditspainfulness,--butHewillkeepoutofsighttheeternalcrown.Hewillpromiseyoueverything,ashedidtoChrist,ifyouwillonlyservehim.Hewillevenhelpyoutowearaformofreligion,ifyouwillonlyneglectthepower.Hewill tell you at the beginning of your lives, it is too soon toserveGod,--hewilltellyouattheend,itistoolate.Oh,benotdeceived!

Youlittleknowthedangeryouareinfromthisenemy;anditisthisveryignorancewhichmakesmeafraid.Youarelikeblindmen,walkingamidstholes and pitfalls; you do not see the perils which are around you oneveryside.

Your enemy is mighty. He is called "The Prince of this world" (John14:30).HeopposedourLordJesusChrist all throughHisministry.HetemptedAdamandEvetoeattheforbiddenfruit,andsobroughtsinanddeath into theworld.He temptedevenDavid, themanafterGod'sownheart, and causedhis latterdays tobe full of sorrow.He tempted evenPeter,thechosenApostle,andmadehimdenyhisLord.Surelyhisenmityisnottobedespised?

Your enemy is restless.He never sleeps.He is always going about as aroaringlion,seekingwhomhemaydevour.Heisevergoingtoandfrointheearth,andwalkingupanddowninit.Youmaybecarelessaboutyoursouls:heisnot.Hewantsthemtomakethemmiserable,likehimself,andwillhavethemifhecan.Surelyhisenmityisnottobedespised?

And your enemy is cunning. For near six thousand years he has beenreadingonebook,andthatbookistheheartofman.Heoughttoknowitwell, and he does know it; all its weakness, all its deceitfulness, all itsfolly.Andhehasastoreof temptations,suchasaremost likelytodo itharm.Neverwillyougototheplacewherehewillnotfindyou.Gointotowns,-hewill be them.Go into awilderness, hewill be there also. Sitamongdrunkardsandrevilers,--andhewillbetheretohelpyou.Listentopreaching,--andhewillbetheretodistractyou.Surelysuchenmityisnottobedespised?

Youngmen, this enemy is working hard for your destruction, however

little you may think it. You are the prize for which he is speciallycontending.Heforeseesyoumusteitherbetheblessingsorthecursesofyourday,andhe is tryinghardtoeffecta lodgment inyourhearts thusearly, inorder that youmayhelp forwardhiskingdombyandby.Welldoes he understand that to spoil the bud is the surest way tomar theflower.

Ohthatyoureyeswereopened,likethoseofElisha'sservantinDothan!Oh that you did but see what Satan is scheming against your peace! Imust warn you, -- I must exhort you.Whether you will hear or not, Icannot,darenot,leaveyoualone.

(5)Foranotherthing,youngmenneedexhorting,becauseofthesorrowitwillsavethem,tobeginservingGodnow.

Sinisthemotherofallsorrow,andnosortofsinappearstogiveamansomuchmiseryandpainasthesinsofhisyouth.Thefoolishactshedid,thetimehewasted,--themistakeshemade,thebadcompanyhekept,--theharm he did himself, both body and soul, the chances of happiness hethrewaway,theopeningsofusefulnessheneglected;allthesearethingsthatoftenembittertheconscienceofanoldman,throwagloomontheeveningofhisdays,andfill the laterhoursofhis lifewithself-reproachandshame.

Somemen could tell you of the untimely loss of health, brought on byyouthful sins. Disease racks their limbs with pain, and life is almost aweariness. Their muscular strength is so wasted, that a grasshopperseems a burden. Their eye has become prematurely dim, and theirnaturalforceabated.Thesunoftheirhealthhasgonedownwhileitisyetday,andtheymourntoseetheir fleshandbodyconsumed.Believeme,thisisabittercuptodrink.

Otherscouldgiveyousadaccountsoftheconsequencesofidleness.Theythrew away the golden opportunity for learning. They would not getwisdomat the timewhen theirmindsweremost able to receive it, andtheirmemoriesmostreadytoretainit.Andnowitistoolate.Theyhavenot leisure tositdownand learn.Theyhaveno longer thesamepower,eveniftheyhadtheleisure.Losttimecanneverberedeemed.Thistoois

abittercuptodrink.

Otherscouldtellyouofgrievousmistakesinjudgment,fromwhichtheysufferalltheirfiveslong.Theywouldhavetheirownway.Theywouldnottake advice. They formed some connection which has been altogetherruinoustotheirhappiness.Theychoseaprofessionforwhichtheywereentirely unsuited.And they see it all now.But their eyes are only openwhen the mistake cannot be retrieved. Oh, this is also a bitter cup todrink!

Young men, young men, I wish you did but know the comfort of aconsciencenotburdenedwitha long listofyouthful sins.Theseare thewounds that pierce the deepest. These are the arrows that drink up aman's spirit. This is the iron that enters into the soul. Be merciful toyourselves.SeektheLordearly,andsoyouwillbesparedmanyabittertear.

ThisisthetruththatJobseemstohavefelt.Hesays,"Thouwritestbitterthingsagainstme,andmakestmetopossesstheiniquitiesofmyyouth"(Job13:26).SoalsohisfriendZophar,speakingofthewicked,says,"Hisbonesare fullof thesinsofhisyouth,whichshall liedownwithhiminthedust"(Job20:11).

Davidalsoseemstohavefeltit.HesaystotheLord,"Remembernotthesinsofmyyouth,normytransgressions"(Ps.25:7).

Beza,thegreatSwissReformer,feltitsostrongly,thathenameditinhiswillasaspecialmercythathehadbeencalledoutfromtheworld,bythegraceofGod,attheageofsixteen.

Goandaskbelieversnow,andIthinkmanyanonewilltellyoumuchthesame. "Oh that I could live my young days over again!" he will mostprobablysay.

"OhthatIhadspentthebeginningofmylifeinabetterfashion!OhthatIhadnotlaidthefoundationofevilhabitssostronglyinthespring-timeofmycourse!"

Youngmen,Iwanttosaveyouallthissorrow,ifIcan.Hellitselfistruthknown too late. Bewise in time.What youth sows, old agemust reap.Give not the most precious season of your life to that which will notcomfortyouinyourlatterend.Sowtoyourselvesratherinrighteousness:breakupyourfallowground,sownotamongthorns.

Sinmaygolightlyfromyourhand,orrunsmoothlyoffyourtonguenow,butdependon it, sinandyouwillmeetagainbyandby,however littleyoumaylikeit.Oldwoundswilloftenacheandgivepainlongaftertheyarehealed,andonlyascarremains:--somayyoufinditwithyoursins.The footprints of animalshavebeen foundon the surface of rocks thatwereoncewetsand,thousandsofyearsaftertheanimalthatmadethemhasperishedandpassedaway;[24]soalsoitmaybewithyoursins.

"Experience,"saystheproverb,"keepsadearschool,butfoolswilllearninnoother."Iwantyoualltoescapethemiseryoflearninginthatschool.Iwantyoutoavoidthewretchednessthatyouthfulsinsaresuretoentail.ThisisthelastreasonwhyIexhortyou.

II.DangersofYoungMen.

2. In the second place, There are some special dangers against whichyoungmenneedtobewarned.

(1)Onedangertoyoungmenispride.

Iknowwellthatallsoulsareinfearfulperil.Oldoryoung,itmattersnot;all have a race to run, a battle to fight, a heart to mortify, a world toovercome,abody tokeepunder,adevil toresist;andwemaywell say,Whoissufficientforthesethings?Butstilleveryageandconditionhasitsownpeculiarsnaresandtemptations,anditiswelltoknowthem.Hethatis forewarned is forearmed. If I can only persuade you to be on yourguardagainstthedangersIamgoingtoname,IamsureIshalldoyoursoulsanessentialservice.

Prideistheoldestsinintheworld.Indeed,itwasbeforetheworld.Satanandhisangelsfellbypride.Theywerenotsatisfiedwiththeirfirstestate.Thuspridestockedhellwithitsfirstinhabitants.

PridecastAdamoutofparadise.HewasnotcontentwiththeplaceGodassignedhim.He tried to raisehimself, and fell. Thus sin, sorrow, anddeathenteredinbypride.

Pridesitsinallourheartsbynature.Wearebornproud.Pridemakesusrestsatisfiedwithourselves,-thinkwearegoodenoughasweare,--stopourearsagainstadvice,--refusethegospelofChrist,--turneveryonetohis own way. But pride never reigns anywhere so powerfully as in theheartofayoungman.

Howcommonis it toseeyoungmenheady,highminded,andimpatientofcounsel!Howoftentheyarerudeanduncourteoustoallaboutthem,thinking they are not valued andhonoured as they deserve!Howoftentheywillnotstoptolistentoahintfromanolderperson!Theythinktheyknow everything. They are full of conceit of their own wisdom. Theyreckonelderlypeople,andespeciallytheirrelations,stupid,anddull,andslow.They fancy theywantno teachingor instruction themselves: theyunderstandallthings.Itmakesthemalmostangrytobespokento.Likeyoung horses, they cannot bear the least control. They must needs beindependent, and have their own way. They seem to think, like thosewhomJobmentioned,"Wearethepeople,andwisdomshalldiewithus"(Job12:2).Andthisisallpride.

Such an one was Rehoboam, who despised the counsel of the oldexperienced men who stood before his father, and hearkened to theadvice of the young men of his own generation. He lived to reap theconsequencesofhisfolly.Therearemanylikehim.

Suchanonewas theprodigal son in theparable,whomustneedshavetheportionofgoodswhichfell tohim,andsetupforhimself.Hecouldnotsubmittolivequietlyunderhisfather'sroof,butwouldgointoafarcountry, and be his ownmaster. Like the little child that will leave itsmother'shandandwalkalone,hesoonsmartedforhisfolly.Hebecamewiserwhenhehadtoeathuskswiththeswine.Buttherearemanylikehim.

Youngmen,Ibeseechyouearnestly,bewareofpride.Twothingsaresaidtobeveryraresightsintheworld,oneisayoungmanhumble,andthe

otherisanoldmancontent.Ifearthissayingisonlytootrue.

Be not proud of your own abilities, your own strength, -- your ownknowledge,--yourownappearance,yourowncleverness.Benotproudofyourself, and your endowments of any kind. It all comes from notknowingyourselfandtheworld.Theolderyougrow,andthemoreyousee, the less reason you will find for being proud. Ignorance andinexperiencearethepedestalofpride;onceletthepedestalberemoved,andpridewillsooncomedown.

RememberhowoftenScripturesetsbeforeustheexcellenceofahumblespirit.Howstronglywearewarned"nottothinkofourselvesmorehighlythan we ought to think"! (Rom.12:3). How plainly we are told, "If anymanthinkthatheknowethanything,heknowethnothingyetasheoughttoknow"!(1Cor.8:2).Howstrictisthecommand,"Putonhumblenessofmind"! (Col.3:12). And again, "Be clothedwith humility" (1 Pet.5:5).Alas,thisisagarmentofwhichmanyseemnottohavesomuchasarag.

ThinkofthegreatexampleourLordJesusChristleavesusinthisrespect.HewashedthefeetofHisdisciples,saying,"YeshoulddoasIhavedonetoyou"(John13:15).Itiswritten,"ThoughHewasrich,yetforyoursakesHe became poor" (2 Cor.8:9). And again, "He made Himself of noreputation,andtookuponHimthe formofaservant,andwasmade inthe likenessofmen;andbeing found in fashionasaman,HehumbledHimself"(Phil.2:7-8).Surelytobeproudistobemorelikethedevilandfallen Adam, than like Christ. Surely it can never be mean and low-spiritedtobelikeHim.

Thinkof thewisestmanthatever lived-- ImeanSolomon.Seehowhespeaksofhimselfasa"littlechild,"--asonewho"knewnothowtogooutor come in," or manage for himself (1 Kings 3:7-8). That was a verydifferentspiritfromhisbrotherAbsalom's,whothoughthimselfequaltoanything:"OhthatIweremadejudgeintheland,thateverymanwhichhathanysuitorcausemightcomeuntome,andIwoulddohimjustice"(2Sam.15:4).ThatwasaverydifferentspiritfromhisbrotherAdonijah's,who"exaltedhimself,saying,Iwillbeking"(1Kings1:5).Humilitywasthe beginning of Solomon's wisdom. He writes it down as his ownexperience, "Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more

hopeofafoolthanofhim"(Prov.26:12).

Young men, lay to heart the Scriptures here quoted. Do not be tooconfident in your own judgment. Cease to be sure that you are alwaysright, and otherswrong. Be distrustful of your own opinion, when youfinditcontrarytothatofoldermenthanyourselves,andspeciallytothatof your own parents. Age gives experience, and therefore deservesrespect.ItisamarkofElihu'swisdom,inthebookofJob,that"hewaitedtill Job had spoken, because theywere older than himself" (Job 32:4).Andafterwardshesaid,"Iamyoung,andyouareveryold;whereforeIwas afraid, and durst not show youmine opinion. I said, Days shouldspeak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom" (Job 32:6-7).Modesty and silence are beautiful graces in young people. Never beashamedofbeingalearner:Jesuswasoneattwelveyears;whenHewasfound in the temple, He was "sitting in themidst of the doctors, bothhearing them,andasking themquestions" (Luke2:46).Thewisestmenwouldtellyoutheyarealwayslearners,andarehumbledtofindafterallhowlittletheyknow.ThegreatSirIsaacNewtonusedtosaythathefelthimself no better than a little child,whohad picked up a fewpreciousstonesontheshoreoftheseaofknowledge.

Youngmen,ifyouwouldbewise,ifyouwouldbehappy,rememberthewarningIgiveyou,Bewareofpride.

(2)Anotherdangertoyoungmenistheloveofpleasure.

Youth is the time when our passions are strongest, -- and like unrulychildren,crymostloudlyforindulgence.Youthisthetimewhenwehavegenerallymosthealthandstrength:deathseems faraway,and toenjoyourselves in this life seems everything. Youth is the time when mostpeoplehavefewearthlycaresoranxietiestotakeuptheirattention.Andall these things help tomake youngmen think of nothing somuch aspleasure. "I serve lusts and pleasures:" that is the true answermany ayoungmanshouldgive,ifasked,"Whoseservantareyou?"

Youngmen,timewouldfailmeifIweretotellyouallthefruitsthisloveofpleasureproduces,andallthewaysinwhichitmaydoyouharm.Whyshould I speak of revelling, feasting, drinking, gambling, theatre-going,

dancing,andthelike?Fewaretobefoundwhodonotknowsomethingofthesethingsbybitterexperience.Andtheseareonlyinstances.Allthingsthat give a feeling of excitement for the time, -- all things that drownthought,andkeepthemindinaconstantwhirl,--all thingsthatpleasethesensesandgratifytheflesh;-- thesearethesortof thingsthathavemightypoweratyourtimeoflife,andtheyowetheirpowertotheloveofpleasure. Be on your guard. Be not like those of whom Paul speaks,"LoversofpleasuremorethanloversofGod"(2Tim.3:4).

RememberwhatIsay:ifyouwouldcleavetoearthlypleasures,thesearethe things which murder souls. There is no surer way to get a searedconscienceandahardimpenitentheart,thantogivewaytothedesiresofthefleshandmind.Itseemsnothingatfirst,butittellsinthelongrun.

ConsiderwhatPetersays:"Abstainfromfleshlylusts,whichwaragainstthe soul" (1 Pet.2:11). They destroy the soul's peace, break down itsstrength,leaditintohardcaptivity,makeitaslave.

Consider what Paul says: "Mortify your members which are upon theearth"(Col.3:5)."TheythatareChrist'shavecrucifiedtheflesh,with itsaffectionsandlusts"(Gal.5:24)."Ikeepundermybody,andbringitintosubjection"(1Cor.9:27).Oncethebodywasaperfectmansionofthesoul;mnowitisallcorruptanddisordered,andneedsconstantwatching.Itisaburdentothesoul,--notahelpmeet;ahindrance,--notanassistance.Itmaybecomeausefulservant,butitisalwaysabadmaster.

Consider,again,thewordsofPaul:"PutyeontheLordJesusChrist,andmakenotprovisionfortheflesh,tofulfiltheluststhereof"(Rom.13:14)."These," says Leighton, "are the words, the very reading of which sowroughtwithAugustine, that froma licentious youngmanhe turned afaithfulservantofJesusChrist."Youngmen,Iwishthismightbethecasewithallofyou.

Remember, again, if you will cleave to earthly pleasures, they are allunsatisfying,empty,andvain.LikethelocustsofthevisioninRevelation,theyseemtohavecrownsontheirheads:butlikethesamelocusts,youwillfindtheyhavestings,--realstings,--intheirtails.Allisnotgoldthatglitters. All is not good that tastes sweet. All is not real pleasure that

pleasesforatime.

Goandtakeyourfillofearthlypleasures ifyouwill,youwillneverfindyourheartsatisfiedwiththem.Therewillalwaysbeavoicewithin,crying,likethehorse-leechintheProverbs,"Give,give!"Thereisanemptyplacethere,whichnothingbutGodcan fill.Youwill find,asSolomondidbyexperience, that earthly pleasures are but a vain show, -- vanity andvexation of spirit, -- whited sepulchres, fair to look at without, full ofashesandcorruptionwithin.Betterbewiseintime.Betterwrite"poison"on all earthly pleasures. The most lawful of them must be used withmoderation.Allofthemaresoul-destroyingifyougivethemyourheart.[25]

AndhereIwillnotshrinkfromwarningallyoungmentoremembertheseventh commandment; to beware of adultery and fornication, of allimpurityofeverykind. I fear there isoftenawantofplainspeakingonthispart ofGod's law.Butwhen I seehowprophets andApostleshavedealt with this subject, -- when I observe the open way in which theReformersofourownChurchdenounce it, --whenIseethenumberofyoung men who walk in the footsteps of Reuben, and Hophni, andPhinehas,andAmnon,--Iforonecannot,withagoodconscience,holdmy peace. I doubt whether the world is any better for the excessivesilencewhichprevailsuponthiscommandment.Formyownpart,Ifeelitwouldbefalseandunscripturaldelicacy,inaddressingyoungmen,nottospeakofthatwhichispre-eminently"theyoungman'ssin."

Thebreachoftheseventhcommandmentisthesinaboveallothers,that,asHoseasays,"takesawaytheheart"(Hos.4:11).Itisthesinthatleavesdeeperscarsuponthesoulthananysinthatamancancommit.Itisasinthatslaysitsthousandsineveryage,andhasoverthrownnotafewofthesaintsofGodintimepast.Lot,andSamson,andDavidarefearfulproofs.It is the sin that man dares to smile at, and smoothes over under thenamesofgaiety,unsteadiness,wildness,andirregularity.Butitisthesinthatthedevilpeculiarlyrejoicesover,forheisthe"uncleanspirit;"anditis the sin that God peculiarly abhors, and declares He "will judge"(Heb.13:4).

Youngmen, "flee fornication" (1Cor.6:18) if you love life. "Let noman

deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh thewrath of God upon the children of disobedience" (Eph.5:6). Flee theoccasionsof it,--thecompanyofthosewhomightdrawyouintoit,theplaceswhereyoumightbetemptedtoit.ReadwhatourLordsaysaboutitinMatt.5:28.BelikeholyJob:"Makeacovenantwithyoureyes"(Job31:1).Fleetalkingofit.Itisoneofthethingsthatoughtnotsomuchastobenamed.Youcannothandlepitchandnotbedefiled.Fleethethoughtsofit;resistthem,mortifythem,prayagainstthem,--makeanysacrificeratherthangiveway.Imaginationisthehotbedwherethissinistoooftenhatched.Guardyourthoughts,andthereislittlefearaboutyourdeeds.

ConsiderthecautionIhavebeengiving.Ifyouforgetallelse,donotletthisbeforgotten.

(3)Anotherdangertoyoungmenisthoughtlessnessandinconsideration.

Want of thought is one simple reasonwhy thousands of souls are castawayforever.Menwillnotconsider,willnotlookforward,willnotlookaroundthem,--willnotreflectontheendoftheirpresentcourse,andthesureconsequencesoftheirpresentways,--andawakeatlasttofindtheyaredamnedforwantofthinking.

Youngmen,noneareinmoredangerofthisthanyourselves.Youknowlittleoftheperilsaroundyou,andsoyouareheedlesshowyouwalk.Youhatethetroubleofsober,quietthinking,andsoyouformwrongdecisionsand run your heads into sorrow. Young Esau must needs have hisbrother'spottageandsellhisbirthright:heneverthoughthowmuchheshouldonedaywantit.YoungSimeonandLevimustneedsavengetheirsisterDinah,andslaytheShechemites:theyneverconsideredhowmuchtroubleandanxietytheymightbringontheirfatherJacobandhishouse.Jobseemstohavebeenspeciallyafraidofthisthoughtlessnessamonghischildren:it iswritten,thatwhentheyhadafeast,and"thedaysoftheirfeastingweregoneabout,Jobsentandsanctifiedthem,androseupearlyin themorningandofferedburnt-offerings,according to thenumberofthemall: for Job said, Itmaybe thatmy sonshave sinned, and cursedGodintheirhearts.ThusdidJobcontinually"(Job1:5).

Believeme, this world is not a world inwhichwe can dowell without

thinking,andleastofalldowellinthematterofoursouls."Don'tthink,"whispersSatan:heknows thatanunconvertedheart is likeadishonesttradesman's books, it will not bear close inspection. " Consider yourways," says theWord of God, stop and think, -- consider and be wise.WellsaystheSpanishproverb,"Hurrycomesfromthedevil."Justasmenmarry inhasteand thenrepentat leisure, so theymakemistakesabouttheir souls in a minute, and then suffer for it for years. Just as a badservantdoeswrong,andthensays,"Inevergaveitathought,"soyoungmenrunintosin,andthensay,"Ididnotthinkaboutit,--itdidnotlooklike sin."Not look like sin!Whatwouldyouhave?Sinwillnot come toyou,saying,"Iamsin;"itwoulddolittleharmifitdid.Sinalwaysseems"good,andpleasant,anddesirable,"at the timeof commission.Oh,getwisdom, get discretion! Remember thewords of Solomon: "Ponder thepathsofthyfeet,andletthywaysbeestablished"(Prov.4:26).ItisawisesayingofLordBacon,"Donothingrashly.Stayalittle,thatyoumakeanendthesooner."

Some,Idaresay,willobjectthatIamaskingwhatisunreasonable;thatyouth is not the time of life when people ought to be grave andthoughtful.Ianswer, there is littledangerof theirbeingtoomuchso inthe present day. Foolish talking, and jesting, and joking, and excessivemerriment,areonlytoocommon.Doubtlessthereisatimeforallthings;but to be always light and trifling is anything but wise.What says thewisestofmen?"Itisbettertogotothehouseofmourningthantogotothehouseoffeasting:forthatistheendofallmen;andthelivingwilllayit to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of thecountenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in thehouse of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth"(Eccles.7:2-4).MatthewHenry tellsa storyofagreat statesman[26] inQueenElizabeth'stime,whoretiredfrompubliclifeinhislatterdays,andgavehimselfuptoseriousthought.Hisformergaycompanionscametovisithim,andtoldhimhewasbecomingmelancholy:"No,"hereplied,"Iam serious; for all are serious round about me. God is serious inobservingus,--Christisseriousinintercedingforus,theSpiritisseriousin striving with us, -- the truths of God are serious, -- our spiritualenemiesareseriousintheirendeavourstoruinus,--poorlostsinnersareseriousinhell;--andwhythenshouldnotyouandIbeserioustoo?"

Oh,youngmen, learn tobe thoughtful!Learn to considerwhatyouaredoing, and whither you are going. Make time for calm reflection.Communewithyourownheart,andbestill.Remembermycaution:--Donotbelostmerelyforthewantofthought.

(4)Anotherdangertoyoungmeniscontemptofreligion.

Thisalsoisoneofyourspecialdangers.Ialwaysobservethatnonepaysolittleoutwardrespecttoreligionasyoungmen.Noneattendsobadlyonmeans of grace, none take so little part in our services, when they arepresentatthem,--useBiblesandPrayerBookssolittle,--singsolittle,--listen to preaching so little. None are so generally absent at prayer-meetings, and lectures, and all suchweek-day helps to the soul. Youngmenseemtothinktheydonotneedthesethings,--theymaybegoodforwomenandoldmen,butnotforthem.Theyappearashamedofseemingto care about their souls: one would almost fancy they reckoned it adisgracetogotoheavenatall.Andthisiscontemptofreligion;--itisthesamespiritwhichmadetheyoungpeopleofBethelmockElisha;--andofthisspiritIsaytoallyoungmen,Beware!If itbeworthwhiletohaveareligion,itisworthwhiletobeinearnestaboutit.

Contempt of holy things is the high road to infidelity. Once let amanbegintomakeajestandjokeofanypartofChristianity,andIamneversurprisedtohearthathehasturnedoutadownrightunbeliever.

Youngmen,haveyoureallymadeupyourmindstothis?Haveyoufairlylooked into the gulf which is before you, if you persist in despisingreligion?CalltomindthewordsofDavid:"Thefoolhathsaidinhisheart,ThereisnoGod"(Ps.14:1).Thefool,andnonebutthefool!--Hehassaidit:buthehasneverprovedit!Remember,ifevertherewasabookwhichhasbeenprovedtrue frombeginning toend,byeverykindofevidence,thatbookistheBible.Ithasdefiedtheattacksofallenemiesandfault-finders. "TheWord of the Lord is indeed tried" (Ps.18:30). It has beentriedineveryway,andthemoreithasbeentried,themoreevidentlyhasitbeen shown tobe theveryhandiworkofGodHimself.Whatwill youbelieve,ifyoudonotbelievetheBible?Thereisnochoicebuttobelievesomethingridiculousandabsurd.[27]Dependonit,nomanissogrosslycredulousasthemanwhodeniestheBibletobetheWordofGod;--and

ifitbetheWordofGod,takeheedthatyoudespiseitnot.

Menmaytellyoutherearedifficulties in theBible; -- thingshardtobeunderstood. Itwould not beGod's book if therewere not. Andwhat ifthereare?Youdonotdespisemedicinesbecauseyoucannotexplainallthat your doctor does by them. But whatevermenmay say, the thingsneedfultosalvationareasclearasdaylight.Beverysureofthis,--peoplenever reject the Bible because they cannot understand it. Theyunderstanditonlytoowell;theyunderstandthatitcondemnstheirownbehaviour;theyunderstandthatitwitnessesagainsttheirownsins,andsummons them to judgment. They try to believe it is false and useless,becausetheydonotliketoallowitistrue."Abadlife,"saidthecelebratedLordRochester,layinghishandontheBible,"abadlifeistheonlygrandobjection to this book." "Men question the truth of Christianity," saysSouth,"becausetheyhatethepracticeofit."

Youngmen,whendidGodever fail tokeepHisword?Never.WhatHehas said,Hehasalwaysdone; andwhatHehas spoken,Hehasalwaysmadegood.DidHefailtokeepHiswordattheflood?--No.DidHefailwith Sodom and Gomorrah? -- No. Did He fail with unbelievingJerusalem?--No.HasHefailedwiththeJewsuptothisveryhour?--No.He has never failed to fulfil His word. Take care, lest you be foundamongstthosebywhomGod'sWordisdespised.

:Neverlaughatreligion.Nevermakeajestofsacredthings.Nevermockthose who are serious and in earnest about their souls. The timemaycomewhenyouwill count thosehappywhomyou laughedat, --a timewhen your laughterwill be turned into sorrow, and yourmockery intoheaviness.

(5)Anotherdangertoyoungmenisthefearofman'sopinion.

"Thefearofman"doesindeed"bringasnare"(Prov.29:25).Itisterribletoobserve thepowerwhich ithasovermostminds,andespeciallyoverthemindsoftheyoung.Fewseemtohaveanyopinionsoftheirown,ortothink for themselves. Like dead fish, they gowith the stream and tide:whatothersthinkright,theythinkright;andwhatotherscallwrong,theycallwrongtoo.Therearenotmanyoriginal thinkers intheworld.Most

menarelikesheep,theyfollowaleader.Ifitwasthefashionofthedaytobe Romanists, they would be Romanists, -- if to beMahometans, theywouldbeMahometans.Theydreadtheideaofgoingagainstthecurrentof the times. In aword, the opinion of the day becomes their religion,theircreed,theirBible,andtheirGod.

The thought, "What will my friends say or think of me?" nipsmany agoodinclinationinthebud.Thefearofbeingobservedupon,laughedat,ridiculed,preventsmanyagoodhabitbeing takenup.ThereareBiblesthatwould be read this very day, if the owners dared. They know theyoughttoreadthem,buttheyareafraid:--"Whatwillpeoplesay?"Therearekneesthatwouldbebentinprayerthisverynight,butthefearofmanforbidsit:--"Whatwouldmywife,mybrother,myfriend,mycompanionsay,iftheysawmepraying?"Alas,whatwretchedslaverythisis,andyethow common! "I feared the people," said Saul to Samuel: and so hetransgressedthecommandmentoftheLord(1Sam.15:24)."Iamafraidofthe Jews," said Zedekiah, the graceless king of Judah: and so hedisobeyed the advicewhich Jeremiah gave him (Jer.38:19).Herodwasafraidofwhathisguestswouldthinkofhim:sohedidthatwhichmadehim "exceeding sorry," -- he beheaded John the Baptist. Pilate fearedoffendingtheJews:sohedidthatwhichheknewinhisconsciencewasunjust,hedeliveredupJesustobecrucified.Ifthisbenotslavery,whatis?

Youngmen,Iwantyoualltobefreefromthisbondage.Iwantyoueachtocarenothingforman'sopinion,whenthepathofdutyisclear.Believeme, it is a great thing to be able to say "No!" Here was good KingJehoshaphat'sweakpoint,--hewastooeasyandyieldinginhisdealingswithAhab,andhencemanyofhis troubles (1Kings22:4).Learntosay"No!"Letnotthefearofnotseeminggood-naturedmakeyouunabletodo it. When sinners entice you, be able to say decidedly, "I will notconsent"(Prov.1:10).

Consideronlyhowunreasonable this fearofman is.Howshort-lived isman's enmity, and how little harmhe can do you!"Who art thou, thatthoushouldestbeafraidofamanthatshalldie,andof thesonofman,which shall be as grass: and forgettest the Lord thy Maker, that hathstretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth?"

(Isa.51:12-13). And how thankless is this fear! None will really thinkbetterofyouforit.TheworldalwaysrespectsthosemostwhoactboldlyforGod.Oh,breakthesebonds,andcastthesechainsfromyou!Neverbeashamedoflettingmenseeyouwanttogotoheaven.ThinkitnodisgracetoshowyourselfaservantofGod.Neverbeafraidofdoingwhatisright.

Remember thewords of the Lord Jesus: "Fear not themwhich kill thebody,butarenotabletokillthesoul:butratherfearHimwhichisabletodestroybothsoulandbodyinhell"(Matt.10:28).OnlytrytopleaseGod,and He can soonmake others pleased with you. "When a man's waysplease the Lord, hemaketh even his enemies to be at peacewith him"(Prov.16:7).

Youngmen,beof good courage. --Carenot forwhat theworld saysorthinks:youwillnotbewith theworldalways.Canmansaveyoursoul?No.Willmanbeyourjudgeinthegreatanddreadfuldayofaccount?-No.Canmangiveyouagoodconscienceinlife,agoodhopeindeath,agoodanswerinthemorningofresurrection?No!no!no!Mancandonothingofthesort.Then"fearnotthereproachofmen,neitherbeafraidoftheirrevilings: for themoth shall eat themup likeagarment, and thewormshall eat them like wool" (Isa.51:7-8). Call to mind the saying of goodColonelGardiner:"IfearGod,andthereforeIhavenoneelsetofear."Goandbelikehim.

Such are the warning I give you. Lay them to heart. They are worththinking over. I ammuchmistaken if they are not greatly needed. TheLordgranttheymaynothavebeengivenyouinvain.

III.GeneralCounselstoYoungMen.

3.Inthethirdplace,Iwishtogivesomegeneralcounsels

toyoungmen.

(1)Foronething,trytogetaclearviewoftheevilofsin.

Youngmen,ifyoudidbutknowwhatsinis,andwhatsinhasdone,youwouldnotthinkitstrangethatIexhortyouasIdo.Youdonotseeitinits

true colours. Your eyes are naturally blind to its guilt and danger, andhenceyoucannotunderstandwhatmakesmesoanxiousaboutyou.Oh,letnotthedevilsucceedinpersuadingyouthatsinisasmallmatter!

Think for a moment what the Bible says about sin;-how it dwellsnaturally in the heart of every man and woman alive (Eccles.7:20;Rom.3:23), -- how it defiles our thoughts,words, and actions, and thatcontinually (Gen.6:5; Matt.15:19), -- how it renders us all guilty andabominable in the sight of a holy God (Isa.64:6; Hab.1:13), -- how itleaves us utterly without hope of salvation, if we look to ourselves(Ps.143:2; Rom.3:20), -- how its fruit in this world is shame, and itswages in the world to come, death (Rom.6:21-23). Think calmly of allthis.Itellyouthisday,itisnotmoresadtobedyingofconsumption,andnottoknowit,thanitistobealivingman,andnotknowit.

Thinkwhatanawfulchangesinhasworkedonallournatures.ManisnolongerwhathewaswhenGodformedhimoutofthedustoftheground.HecameoutofGod'shanduprightandsinless(Eccles.7:29).Inthedayofhis creationhewas, likeeverythingelse, "verygood" (Gen.1:31).Andwhat is man now? -- A fallen creature, a ruin, a being that shows themarks of corruption all over, his heart like Nebuchadnezzar, degradedandearthly,lookingdownandnotup,--hisaffectionslikeahouseholdindisorder, calling nomanmaster, all extravagance and confusion, -- hisunderstandinglikealampflickeringinthesocket,impotenttoguidehim,notknowinggood fromevil, --hiswill like a rudderless ship, tossed toand fro by every desire, and constant only in choosing any way ratherthanGod's.Alas,whatawreckisman,comparedtowhathemighthavebeen! Well may we understand such figures being used as blindness,deafness,disease,sleep,death,whentheSpirithastogiveusapictureofmanasheis.Andmailasheis,remember,wassomadebysin.

Think,too,whatithascosttomakeatonementforsin,andtoprovideapardonand forgiveness for sinners.God'sownSonmust come into theworld, and take uponHimour nature, in order to pay the price of ourredemption,anddeliverusfromthecurseofabrokenlaw.HewhowasinthebeginningwiththeFather,andbywhomallthingsweremade,mustsufferforsinthejustfortheunjust,--mustdiethedeathofamalefactor,beforethewaytoheavencanbelaidopentoanysoul.SeetheLordJesus

Christdespisedandrejectedofmen,scourged,mocked,andinsulted;--beholdHimbleedingonthecrossofCalvary;--hearHimcryinginagony,"MyGod,MyGod,whyhastThouforsakenMe?"markhowthesunwasdarkened,andtherocksrentatthesight;-andthenconsider,youngmen,whatmustbetheevilandguiltofsin.

Think,also,whatsinhasdonealreadyupontheearth.ThinkhowitcastAdamandEveoutofEden, -- --brought the floodupon theoldworld,caused fire to comedownon SodomandGomorrah, drownedPharaohand his host in the Red Sea, destroyed the seven wicked nations ofCanaan,scatteredthetwelvetribesofIsraeloverthefaceoftheglobe.Sinalonedidallthis.

Think,moreover,ofallthemiseryandsorrowthatsinhascaused,andiscausing at this veryday.Pain, disease, anddeath, strifes, quarrels, anddivisions, envy, jealousy, and malice, deceit, fraud, and cheating,violence, oppression, and robbery, selfishness, unkindness, andingratitude;allthesearethefruitsofsin.Sinistheparentofthemall.SinitisthathassomarredandspoiledthefaceofGod'screation.

Young men, consider these things, and you will not wonder that wepreachaswedo.Surely, if youdidbut thinkof them,youwouldbreakwithsinforever.Willyouplaywithpoison?Willyousportwithhell?Willyou take fire in your hand?Will you harbour your deadliest enemy inyourbosom?Willyougoonlivingasifitmatterednothingwhetheryourownsinswereforgivenornot,whethersinhaddominionoveryou,oryouoversin?Oh,awaketoasenseofsin'ssinfulnessanddanger!Rememberthe words of Solomon: "Fools," none but fools, "make a mock at sin"(Prov.14:9).

Hear, then, the request that I make of you this day, -- pray that Godwouldteachyou"therealevilofsin.Asyouwouldhaveyoursoulsaved,ariseandpray.

(2) For another thing, seek to become acquaintedwith our Lord JesusChrist.

Thisis,indeed,theprincipalthinginreligion.Thisisthecorner-stoneof

Christianity.Tillyouknowthis,mywarningsandadvicewillbeuseless,and your endeavours, whatever they may be, will be in vain. A watchwithoutamainspringisnotmoreunserviceablethanisreligionwithoutChrist.

But let me not be misunderstood. It is not the mere knowing Christ'snamethatImean,--itistheknowingHismercy,grace,andpower,theknowingHimnotbythehearingoftheear,butbytheexperienceofyourhearts. IwantyoutoknowHimby faith, -- Iwantyou,asPaulsays, toknow"thepowerofHisresurrection;beingmadeconformableuntoHisdeath" (Phil.3:10). Iwantyou tobeable to sayofHim,He ismypeaceand my strength, my life and my consolation, my Physician and myShepherd,mySaviourandmyGod.

WhydoImakesuchapointof this?Ido itbecause inChristalone"allfulnessdwells"(Col.1:19),--becauseinHimalonethereisfullsupplyofallthatwerequireforthenecessitiesofoursouls.Ofourselvesweareallpoor,emptycreatures,---emptyofrighteousnessandpeace,--emptyofstrength and comfort, -- -empty of courage and patience, -- -empty ofpower to stand, or go on, or make progress in this evil world. It is inChrist alone that all these things are to be found, -- -- grace, peace,wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. It is just inproportionaswebyeuponHim,thatwearestrongChristians.ItisonlywhenselfisnothingandChristisallourconfidence,itisthenonlythatweshalldogreatexploits.Thenonlyarewearmedforthebattleof life,andshallovercome.Thenonlyarewepreparedforthejourneyoflife,andshallgetforward.ToliveonChristintodrawallfromChrist,--todoallinthestrengthofChrist,--tobeeverlookinguntoChrist;--thisisthetruesecret of spiritual prosperity. "I can do all things," says Paul, "throughChristwhichstrengthenethme"(Phil.4:13).

Youngmen,IsetbeforeyouJesusChristthisday,asthetreasuryofyoursouls;andIinviteyoutobeginbygoingtoHim,ifyouwouldsorunastoobtain.Letthisbeyourfirststep,--gotoChrist.Doyouwanttoconsultfriends? -- He is the best friend: "a friend that sticketh closer than abrother" (Prov.18:24).Doyou feelunworthybecauseofyour sins?Fearnot:Hisbloodcleanseth fromall sin.Hesays, "Thoughyour sinsbeasscarlet,theyshallbeaswhiteassnow:thoughtheyberedlikecrimson,

theyshallbeaswool"(Isa.1:18).Doyoufeelweak,andunabletofollowHim?-- --Fearnot:HewillEveyoupower tobecomesonsofGod.HewillgiveyoutheHolyGhosttodwellinyou,andsealyouforHisown;anewheartwillHegiveyou,andanewspiritwillHeputwithinyou.Areyou troubledor besetwithpeculiar infirmities? -- Fearnot: there is noevilspiritthatJesuscannotcastout,--thereisnodiseaseofsoulthatHecannot heal.Do you feel doubts and fears? -- Cast them aside: " ComeuntoMe,"Hesays;"himthatcomethIwillinnowisecastout."Heknowswell the heart of a young man. He knows your trials and yourtemptations,yourdifficultiesandyour foes. In thedaysofHis fleshHewaslikeyourselves,--ayoungmanatNazareth.Heknowsbyexperiencea young man's mind. He can be touched with the feeling of yourinfirmities,- forHe sufferedHimself, being tempted. Surely youwill bewithoutexcuseifyouturnawayfromsuchaSaviourandFriendasthis.

Hear the request I make of you this day, -- -if you love life, seek tobecomeacquaintedwithJesusChrist.

(3)Foranother thing,never forget thatnothing isso importantasyoursoul.

Yoursouliseternal.Itwillliveforever.Theworldandallthatitcontainsshallpassaway, -- firm,solid,beautiful,well-orderedas it is, theworldshallcometoanend."Theearthandtheworksthatarethereinshallbeburned up" (2 Pet.3:10). The works of statesmen, writers, painters,architects,areallshort-lived:yoursoulwilloutlivethemall.Theangel'svoiceshallproclaimoneday,that"Timeshallbenolonger"(Rev.10:6).--Butthatshallneverbesaidofyoursouls.

Try, I beseech you, to realize the fact, that your soul is the one thingworth living for. It is the part of you which ought always to be firstconsidered.Noplace,noemploymentisgoodforyou,whichinjuresyoursoul.Nofriend,nocompaniondeservesyourconfidence,whomakeslightofyoursoul'sconcerns.Themanwhohurtsyourperson,yourproperty,yourcharacter,doesyoubuttemporaryharm.Heisthetrueenemywhocontrivestodamageyoursoul.

Thinkforamomentwhatyouweresentintotheworldfor.Notmerelyto

eatanddrink,andindulgethedesiresoftheflesh,--notmerelytodressout your body, and follow its lustswhithersoever theymay lead you, --notmerelytowork,andsleep,andlaugh,andtalk,andenjoyyourselves,andthinkofnothingbuttime.No!youweremeantforsomethinghigherandbetterthanthis.Youwereplacedheretotrainforeternity.Yourbodywasonlyintendedtobeahouseforyourimmortalspirit.ItisflyinginthefaceofGod'spurposestodoasmanydo,--tomakethesoulaservanttothebody,andnotthebodyaservanttothesoul.[28]

Youngmen,Godisnorespecterofpersons.Heregardsnoman'scoat,orpurse,orrank,orposition.Heseesnotwithman'seyes.Thepoorestsaintthat ever died in a workhouse is nobler in His sight than the richestsinner that ever died in a palace. God does not look at riches, titles,learning,beauty,oranythingof thekind.OnethingonlyGoddoes lookat,andthatistheimmortalsoul.Hemeasuresallmenbyonestandard,onemeasure,onetest,onecriterion,andthatisthestateoftheirsouls.

Donotforgetthis.Keepinview,morning,noon,andnight,theinterestsofyoursoul.Riseupeachdaydesiring that itmayprosper, -- liedowneach evening inquiring of yourself whether it has really got on.RememberZeuxis,thegreatpainterofold.Whenmenaskedhimwhyhelabouredsointensely,andtooksuchextremepainswitheverypicture,hissimpleanswerwas, "Ipaint foreternity."Donotbeashamed tobe likehim.Setyour immortalsoulbeforeyourmind'seye,andwhenmenaskyouwhyyouliveasyoudo,answertheminhisspirit,"Iliveformysoul."Believeme, the day is fast comingwhen the soulwill be the one thingmenwillthinkof,andtheonlyquestionofimportancewillbethis,"Ismysoullostorsaved?"

(4)Foranotherthing,rememberitispossibletobeayoungmanandyettoserveGod.

I fear the snares that Satan lays for you on this point. I fear lest hesucceed in filling your minds with the vain notion, that to be a trueChristian inyouth is impossible. Ihaveseenmanycarriedawayby thisdelusion. I have heard it said, "You are requiring impossibilities inexpecting so much religion from young people. Youth is no time forseriousness. Our desires are strong, and it was never intended thatwe

should keep themunder, as youwish us to do.Godmeant us to enjoyourselves. There will be time enough for religion by and by." And thiskindoftalkisonlytoomuchencouragedbytheworld.Theworldisonlytooreadytowinkatyouthfulsins.Theworldappearstothinkitamatterofcoursethatyoungmenmust"sowtheirwildoats."Theworldseemstotake it for granted young peoplemust be irreligious, and that it is notpossibleforthemtofollowChrist.

Youngmen, Iwill ask you this simple question, --Wherewill you findanythingofallthisintheWordofGod?WhereisthechapterorverseintheBiblewhichwillsupportthistalkingandreasoningoftheworld?DoesnottheBiblespeaktooldandyoungalike,withoutdistinction?Isnotsin,sin, whether committed at the age of twenty or fifty?Will it form theslightestexcuse,inthedayofjudgment,tosay,"IknowIsinned,butthenIwasyoung"?Showyourcommonsense,Ibegofyou,bygivingupsuchvainexcuses.YouareresponsibleandaccountabletoGodfromtheverymomentthatyouknowrightandwrong.

Iknowwell therearemanydifficulties inayoungman'sway, Iallow itfully.Buttherearealwaysdifficultiesinthewayofdoingright.Thepathtoheavenisalwaysnarrow,whetherwebeyoungorold.

Therearedifficulties,---butGodwillgiveyougracetoovercomethem.God is no hardmaster.Hewill not, like Pharaoh, require you tomakebricks without straw.He will take care the path of plain duty is neverimpossible.Henever laid commandsonmanwhichHewouldnot givemanpowertoperform.

There are difficulties, but many a young man has overcome themhitherto,andsomayyou.Moseswasayoungmanof likepassionswithyourselves; --but seewhat is saidofhim inScripture: "By faithMoses,when he was come to age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh'sdaughter;choosingrathertosufferafflictionwiththepeopleofGod,thanto enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach ofChristgreaterrichesthanthetreasuresofEgypt:forhehadrespectuntotherecompenseofthereward"(Heb.11:24-26).Danielwasayoungmanwhen he began to serve God in Babylon. He was surrounded bytemptationsofeverykind.Hehadfewwithhim,andmanyagainsthim.

YetDaniel's lifewassoblamelessandconsistent, thatevenhisenemiescould find no fault in him, except "concerning the law of his God"(Dan.6:5).Andthesearenotsolitarycases.Thereisacloudofwitnesseswhom I couldname.Timewould failme, if Iwere to tell youof youngIsaac,youngJoseph,youngJoshua,youngSamuel,youngDavid,youngSolomon, youngAbijah, youngObadiah, young Josiah, youngTimothy.Thesewerenotangels,butmen,withheartsnaturallylikeyourown.Theytoohadobstaclestocontendwith,luststomortify,trialstoendure,hardplacestofill,likeanyofyourselves.Butyoungastheywere,theyallfounditpossibletoserveGod.Willtheynotallriseinjudgmentandcondemnyou,ifyoupersistinsayingitcannotbedone?

Young men, try to serve God. Resist the devil when he whispers it isimpossible. Try, -- and the Lord God of the promises will give youstrength in the trying.He loves tomeet thosewho struggle to come toHim,andHewillmeetyouandgiveyouthepowerthatyoufeelyouneed.BelikethemanwhomBunyan'sPilgrimsawintheInterpreter'shouse,--goforwardboldly,saying,"Setdownmyname."ThosewordsofourLordare true, though I often hear them repeated by heartless and unfeelingtongues:"Seek,andyeshallfind;knock,anditshallbeopeneduntoyou"(Matt.7:7).Difficultieswhichseemedlikemountainsshallmeltawaylikesnow in spring. Obstacles which seemed like giants in the mist ofdistance,shalldwindleintonothingwhenyoufairlyfacethem.Thelioninthewaywhichyoufear,shallprovetobechained.Ifmenbelievedthepromisesmore,theywouldneverbeafraidofduties.Butrememberthatlittle word I press upon you, and when Satan says, "You cannot be aChristianwhileyouareyoung:"answerhim,"Gettheebehindme,Satan:byGod'shelpIwilltry."

(5) For another thing, determine as tong as you live tomake theBibleyourguideandadviser.

TheBibleisGod'smercifulprovisionforsinfulman'ssoul,--themapbywhichhemuststeerhiscourse,ifhewouldattaineternallife.Allthatweneedtoknow,inordertomakeuspeaceful,holy,orhappy,isthererichlycontained.Ifayoungmanwouldknowhowtobeginlifewell,lethimhearwhatDavid says: "Wherewithal shall a youngman cleanse hisway? bytakingheedtheretoaccordingtoThyword"(Ps.119:9).

Youngmen,I"chargeyoutomakeahabitofreadingtheBible,andnottoletthehabitbebroken.Letnotthelaughterofcompanions,--letnotthebad customs of the family youmay live in, -- let none of these thingspreventyourdoingit.DeterminethatyouwillnotonlyhaveaBible,butalsomake time to read it too. Suffer noman to persuade you that it isonly a book for Sunday-school children and oldwomen. It is the bookfrom which King David got wisdom and understanding. It is the bookwhich young Timothy knew from his childhood. Never be ashamed ofreadingit.Donot"despisetheWord"(Prov.13:13).

Read it with prayer for the Spirit's grace to make you understand itBishop Beveridge says well, "A man may as soon read the letter ofScripturewithouteyes,asunderstandthespiritofitwithoutgrace."

Read it reverently,as theWordofGod,notofman,-believing implicitlythatwhat it approves is right, andwhat it condemns iswrong.Be verysurethateverydoctrinewhichwillnotstandthetestofScriptureisfalse.Thiswillkeepyoufrombeingtossedtoandfro,andcarriedaboutbythedangerousopinionsoftheselatterdays.BeverysurethateverypracticeinyourlifewhichiscontrarytoScripture,issinfulandmustbegivenup.Thiswillsettlemanyaquestionofconscience,andcuttheknotofmanyadoubt.Rememberhowdifferently twokingsofJudahread theWordofGod:Jehoiakimreadit,andatoncecutthewritingtopieces,andburneditonthefire(Jer.36:23).Andwhy?--Becausehisheartrebelledagainstit,andhewasresolvednot toobey.Josiahread it,andatoncerenthisclothes, and cried mightily to the Lord (2 Chron.34:19). And why? --Becausehisheartwastenderandobedient.HewasreadytodoanythingwhichScriptureshowedhimwashisduty.Ohthatyoumayfollowthelastofthesetwo,andnotthefirst!

And read it regularly. This is the only way to become "mighty in theScriptures."AhastyglanceattheBiblenowandthendoeslittlegood.Atthat rate you will never become familiar with its treasures, or feel theswordoftheSpiritfittedtoyourhandinthehourofconflict.Butgetyourmind stored with Scripture, by diligent reading, and you will soondiscover its value and power. Texts will rise up in your hearts in themomentoftemptation.Commandswillsuggestthemselvesinseasonsof

doubt. Promises will come across your thoughts in the time ofdiscouragement. -- And thus you will experience the truth of David'swords,"ThywordhaveIhid inmineheart, thatImightnotsinagainstThee" (Ps.119:11); and of Solomon's words, "When thou goest, it shallleadthee;whenthousleepest,itshallkeepthee;andwhenthouawakest,itshalltalkwiththee"(Prov.6:22).

Idwellonthesethingsmorebecausethisisanageofreading.Ofmakingmanybooksthereseemsnoend,thoughfewofthemarereallyprofitable.There seems a rage for cheap printing and publishing. Newspapers ofevery sort abound, and the tone of some, which have the widestcirculation, tells badly for the taste of the age. Amidst the flood ofdangerousreading,IpleadformyMaster'sbook,--Icalluponyounottoforgetthebookofthesoul.Letnotnewspapers,novels,andromancesberead,while theprophetsandApostlesaredespised.Letnot theexcitingand licentious swallow up your attention, while the edifying and thesanctifyingcanfindnoplaceinyourmind.

Young men, give the Bible the honour due to it every day you live.Whateveryou read, read that first.Andbewareofbadbooks: thereareplentyinthisday.Takeheedwhatyouread.Isuspectthereismoreharmdonetosoulsinthiswaythanmostpeoplehaveanideaispossible.ValueallbooksinproportionastheyareagreeabletoScripture.Thosethatarenearest to it are thebest, and those that are farthest from it, andmostcontrarytoit,theworst.

(6)Foranother thing,nevermakean intimate friendofanyonewho isnotafriendofGod.

Understandme, -- Idonot speakof acquaintances. Idonotmean thatyou ought to have nothing to dowith any but true Christians. To takesuch a line is neither possible nor desirable in this world. Christianityrequiresnomantobeuncourteous.

But Idoadviseyou tobevery careful inyour choiceof friends.Donotopenallyourhearttoamanmerelybecauseheisclever,agreeable,good-natured, high-spirited, and kind. These things are all verywell in theirway,buttheyarenoteverything,Neverbesatisfiedwiththefriendshipof

anyonewhowillnotbeusefultoyoursoul.

Believeme, the importanceof thisadvice cannotbeoverrated.There isnotellingtheharmthatisdonebyassociatingwithgodlesscompanionsandfriends.Thedevilhasfewbetterhelpsinruiningaman'ssoul.Granthimthishelp,andhecareslittleforallthearmourwithwhichyoumaybearmed against him. Good education, early habits ofmorality, sermons,books,regularhomes,lettersofparents,all,heknowswell,willavailyoulittle,ifyouwillonlyclingtoungodlyfriends.Youmayresistmanyopentemptations, refuse many plain snares; but once take up a badcompanion, and he is content. That awful chapter which describesAmnon'swickedconductaboutTamar,almostbeginswith thesewords,"ButAmnonhadafriend,averysubtleman"(2Sam.13:3).

Youmust recollect,weareall creaturesof imitation:preceptmay teachus, but it is example that draws us. There is that in us all, thatwe arealwaysdisposed to catch thewaysof thosewithwhomwe live; and themorewelikethem,thestrongerdoesthedispositiongrow.Withoutourbeingawareofit,theyinfluenceourtastesandopinions;--wegraduallygiveupwhattheydislike,andtakeupwhattheylike,inordertobecomemore close friendswith them.And,worst of all,we catch theirways inthings that arewrong, farquicker than in things that are right.Health,unhappily,isnotcontagious,butdiseaseis.Itisfarmoreeasytocatchachill than to impart a glow; and tomake each other's religion dwindleaway,thangrowandprosper.

Youngmen,Iaskyoutolaythesethingstoheart.Beforeyouletanyonebecomeyourconstantcompanion,beforeyougetintothehabitoftellinghim everything, and going to him in all your troubles and all yourpleasures,--beforeyoudothis,justthinkofwhatIhavebeensaying;askyourself,"Willthisbeausefulfriendshiptomeornot?"

"Evilcommunications"doindeed"corruptgoodmanners"(1Cor.15:33).Iwishthattextwerewritteninheartsasoftenasitisincopy-books.Goodfriendsareamongourgreatestblessings;--theymaykeepusbackfrommuch evil, quicken us in our course, speak a word in season, draw usupward, and draw us on. But a bad friend is a positive misfortune, aweight continually dragging us down, and chaining us to earth. Keep

companywithanirreligiousman,anditismorethanprobableyouwillinthe end become like him. That is the general consequence of all suchfriendships.Thegoodgodowntothebad,andthebaddonotcomeuptothe good. Even a stone will give way before a continual dropping. Theworld'sproverbisonlytoocorrect:"Clothesandcompanytell truetalesabout character." "Showmewhoaman liveswith," says theSpaniards,"andIwillshowyouwhatheis."

I dwell themore upon this point, because it hasmore to dowith yourprospectsinlifethanatfirstsightappears.Ifeveryoumarry,itismorethan probable you will choose a wife among the connections of yourfriends.IfJehoshaphat'ssonJehoramhadnotformedafriendshipwithAhab's family, hewouldmost likely not havemarriedAhab's daughter.Andwhocanestimatetheimportanceofarightchoiceinmarriage?Itisastep which, according to the old saying, "either makes a man or marshim." Your happiness in both lives may depend on it. Your wife musteitherhelpyoursoulorharmit:thereisnomedium.Shewilleitherfantheflameofreligioninyourheart,orthrowcoldwateruponit,andmakeitburn low.Shewill eitherbewingsor fetters, a reinora spur toyourChristianity,accordingtohercharacter.Hethatfindethagoodwifedothindeed"findagoodthing;"butifyouhavetheleastwishtofindone,beverycarefulhowyouchooseyourfriends.

Doyouaskmewhatkindoffriendsyoushallchoose?Choosefriendswhowillbenefityoursoul, -- friendswhomyoucanreallyrespect, -- friendswhomyouwouldliketohavenearyouonyourdeath-bed,--friendswholove theBible, and arenot afraid to speak to you about it, -- -- friendssuchasyouwillnotbeashamedofowningatthecomingofChrist,andthedayofjudgment.FollowtheexamplethatDavidsetsyou:hesays,"Iama companionof all them that fearThee, andof them thatkeepThyprecepts" (Ps.119:63). Remember the words of Solomon: "He thatwalkethwithwisemenshallbewise;buta companionof fools shallbedestroyed" (Prov.13:20).Butdependon it,badcompany in the life thatnowis,isthesurewaytoprocureworsecompanyinthelifetocome.

IV.SpecialRulesforYoungMen.

4.Inthelastplace,Iwillsetdownsomeparticularrulesofconductwhich

Istronglyadviseallyoungmentofollow.

(1)Foronething,resolveatonce,byGod'shelp,tobreakoffeveryknownsin,howeversmall.

Lookwithin,eachoneofyou.Examineyourownhearts.DoyouseethereanyhabitorcustomwhichyouknowtobewronginthesightofGod?Ifyoudo,delaynotamomentinattackingit.Resolveatoncetolayitaside.

Nothing darkens the eyes of the mind so much, and deadens theconsciencesosurely,asanallowedsin.Itmaybealittleone,butitisnotthelessdangerousforallthat.Asmall leakwillsinkagreatship,andasmallsparkwillkindleagreatfire,andalittleallowedsininlikemannerwillruinanimmortalsoul.Takemyadvice,andneversparea littlesin.IsraelwascommandedtoslayeveryCanaanite,bothgreatandsmall.Acton the same principle, and show nomercy to little sins.Well says thebookofCanticles,"Takeusthefoxes,thelittlefoxes,thatspoilthevines"(Cant.2:15).

Besurenowickedmanevermeanttobesowickedathisfirstbeginnings.Buthebeganwithallowinghimselfsomelittletransgression,andthatledon to something greater, and that in time produced something greaterstill, and thus he became the miserable being that he now is. WhenHazaelheardfromElishaofthehorribleactsthathewouldonedaydo,hesaidwithastonishment,"Is thyservantadog, thatheshoulddothisgreatthing?"(2Kings8:13).Butheallowedsintotakerootinhisheart,andintheendhedidthemall.

Young men, resist sin in its beginnings. They may look small andinsignificant,butmindwhatIsay,resistthem,--makenocompromise,let no sin lodge quietly and undisturbed in your heart. "Themother ofmischief,"saysanoldproverb,"isnobiggerthanamidge'swing."Thereisnothingfinerthanthepointofaneedle,butwhenithasmadeahole,itdraws all the thread after it. Remember the Apostle's words, "A littleleavenleaveneththewholelump"(1Cor.5:6).

Manyayoungmancouldtellyouwithsorrowandshame,thathetracesuptheruinofallhisworldlyprospectstothepointIspeakof,--togiving

waytosininitsbeginnings.Hebeganhabitsoffalsehoodanddishonestyin little things, and they grew upon him. Step by step, he has gone onfrombadtoworse,tillhehasdonethingsthatatonetimehewouldhavethoughtimpossible;tillatlasthehaslosthisplace,losthischaracter,losthiscomfort,andwell-nigh losthissoul.Heallowedagap inthewallofhisconscience,because it seemeda littleone, --andonceallowed, thatgapgrew largereveryday, till at length thewholewall seemed tocomedown.

Remember this especially in matters of truth and honesty. Makeconscienceofpinsandsyllables."Hethatisfaithfulinthatwhichisleast,isfaithfulalsoinmuch"(Luke16:10).Whatevertheworldmaypleasetosay,therearenolittlesins.Allgreatbuildingsaremadeupoflittleparts;--thefirststoneisasimportantasanyother.Allhabitsareformedbyasuccessionof littleacts,andthefirst littleact isofmightyconsequence.Theaxeinthefableonlybeggedthetreestolethimhaveonelittlepieceofwood tomakeahandle,andhewouldnever trouble themanymore.Hegotit,andthenhesooncutthemalldown.Thedevilonlywantstogetthewedgeofalittleallowedsinintoyourheart,andyouwillsoonbeallhisown.ItisawisesayingofoldWilliamBridge,"ThereisnothingsmallbetwixtusandGod,forGodisaninfiniteGod."

Therearetwowaysofcomingdownfromthetopofachurchsteeple;oneistojumpdown,--andtheotheristocomedownbythesteps:butbothwill leadyoutothebottom.Soalsotherearetwowaysofgoingtohell;oneistowalkintoitwithyoureyesopen,--fewpeopledothat;theotheristogodownbythestepsoflittlesins,---andthatway,Ifear,isonlytoocommon.Putupwithafewlittlesins,andyouwillsoonwantafewmore.Even a heathen [29] could say, "Who ever was content with only onesin?"Andthenyourcoursewillberegularlyworseandworseeveryyear.Well did JeremyTaylor describe the progress of sin in aman: "First itstartles him, then it becomes pleasing, then easy, then delightful, thenfrequent,thenhabitual,thenconfirmed,thenthemanisimpenitent,thenobstinate,thenresolvesnevertorepent,andthenheisdamned."

Youngmen, if youwouldnot come to this, recollect the rule I give youthisday,--resolveatoncetobreakoffeveryknownsin.

(2)Foranother thing, resolve,byGod'shelp, to shuneverythingwhichmayproveanoccasionofsin.

ItisanexcellentsayingofgoodBishopHall,"Hethatwouldbesafefromtheactsofevil,mustwidelyavoid theoccasions.'' [30] It isnotenoughthatwedeterminetocommitnosin,wemustcarefullykeepatadistancefrom all approaches to it, By this test we ought to try our ways ofspendingour time, -- thebooks thatweread, the families thatwevisit,thesocietyintowhichwego.Wemustnotcontentourselveswithsaying,"Thereisnothingpositivelywronghere;"wemustgofurther,andsay,"Isthereanythingherewhichmayprovetometheoccasionofsin?"

This,beitremembered,isonegreatreasonwhyidlenessissomuchtobeavoided.Itisnotthatdoingnothingisofitselfsopositivelywicked;itistheopportunityitaffordstoevilthoughts,andvainimaginations;itisthewidedooritopensforSatantothrowintheseedsofbadthings;itisthiswhichismainlytobefeared.IfDavidhadnotgivenoccasiontothedevil,by idlingonhishouse-topat Jerusalem,hewouldprobablyneverhaveseenBathsheba,normurderedUriah.

This, too, is one great reason why worldly amusements are soobjectionable. Itmay be difficult, in some instances, to show that theyare, in themselves,positivelyunscriptural andwrong.But there is littledifficulty in showing that the tendency of almost all of them is mostinjurioustothesoul.Theysowtheseedsofanearthlyandsensualframeofmind.Theywar against the life of faith.Theypromote anunhealthyandunnaturalcravingafterexcitement.Theyminister to the lustof theflesh,andthelustoftheeye,andtheprideoflife.Theydimtheviewofheavenandeternity, andgive a false colour to the thingsof time.Theyindispose the heart for private prayer, and Scripture-reading, and calmcommunion with God. Theman whomingles in them is like one whogives Satan vantage-ground. He has a battle to fight, and he gives hisenemythehelpofsun,andwind,andhill.Itwouldbestrangeindeedifhedidnotfindhimselfcontinuallyovercome.

Youngmen,endeavour,asmuchasinyoulies,tokeepclearofeverythingwhichmayproveinjurioustoyoursoul.Neverholdacandletothedevil.People may say you are over scrupulous, too particular, where is the

mightyharmofsuchandsuchthings?Butheedthemnot.Itisdangeroustoplaytrickswithedgedtools: it is farmoredangeroustotakelibertieswithyourimmortalsoul.Hethatwouldbesafemustnotcomenearthebrinkofdanger.Hemustlookonhisheartasamagazineofgunpowder,andbecautiousnottohandleonesparkoftemptationmorethanhecanhelp.

Where is theuseofyourpraying,"Leadusnot into temptation,"unlessyouareyourselvescarefulnot to run into it; and"deliverus fromevil,"unless you show a desire to keep out of its way? Take example fromJoseph,--Notmerelydidherefusehismistress'ssolicitationtosin,buthe showedhisprudence in refusing tobe "withher" at all (Gen.39:10).LaytohearttheadviceofSolomon,notmerelyto"gonotinthepathofwickedness,"butto"avoidit,passnotbyit,turnfromit,andpassaway"(Prov.4:15);notmerelynottobedrunken,butnotevento"lookuponthewine when it is red" (Prov.23:31). The man who took the vow of aNazarite in Israel, not only took no wine, but he even abstained fromgrapesinanyshapewhatever."Abhorthatwhichisevil,"saysPaultotheRomans(Rom.12:9);notmerelydonotdoit;--".Fleeyouthfullusts,"hewrites toTimothy; get away from themas far aspossible (2Tim.2:22).Alas,howneedfularesuchcautions!Dinahmustneedsgooutamongthewicked Shechemites, to see their ways, and she lost her character. LotmustneedspitchhistentnearsinfulSodom,andhelosteverythingbuthislife.

Youngmen,bewise in time.Donotbealways tryinghownearyoucanallowtheenemyofsoulstocome,andyetescapehim.Holdhimatarm'slength.Trytokeepclearoftemptationasfaraspossible,andthiswillbeonegreathelptokeepclearofsin.

(3)Foranotherthing,resolvenevertoforgettheeyeofGod.

TheeyeofGod!Thinkofthat.Everywhere,ineveryhouse,ineveryfield,ineveryroom,ineverycompany,aloneorinacrowd,theeyeofGodisalwaysuponyou."TheeyesoftheLordareineveryplace,beholdingtheevilandthegood"(Prov.15:3),andtheyareeyesthatreadheartsaswellasactions.

Endeavour,Ibeseechyouall,torealizethisfact.Recollectthatyouhavetodowithanall-seeingGod,--aGodwhoneverslumberethnorsleepeth,-- a God who understands your thoughts afar off, and with whom thenight shinesas theday.Youmay leaveyour father's roof,andgoaway,like the prodigal, into a far country, and think that there is nobody towatchyourconduct;buttheeyeandearofGodaretherebeforeyou.Youmay deceive your parents or employers, youmay tell them falsehoods,andbeonethingbeforetheirfaces,andanotherbehindtheirbacks,butyoucannotdeceiveGod.Heknowsyouthroughandthrough.Heheardwhatyousaidasyoucamehereto-day.Heknowswhatyouarethinkingof at thisminute. He has set yourmost secret sins in the light of Hiscountenance, and theywill one day come out before theworld to yourshame,exceptyoutakeheed.

Howlittleisthisreallyfelt!Howmanythingsaredonecontinually,whichmenwouldneverdoiftheythoughttheywereseen!Howmanymattersare transacted in thechambersof imagination,whichwouldneverbearthelightofday!Yes;menentertainthoughtsinprivate,andsaywordsinprivate,anddoactsinprivate,whichtheywouldbeashamedandblushto have exposed before theworld. The sound of a footstep coming hasstopped many a deed of wickedness. A knock at the door has causedmanyanevilworktobehastilysuspended,andhurriedlylaidaside.Butoh, what miserable driveling folly is all this! There is an all-seeingWitnesswith uswhereverwe go. Lock the door, draw down the blind,shut the shutters, put out the candle; it matters not, it makes nodifference;Godiseverywhere,youcannotshutHimout,orpreventHISseeing."AllthingsarenakedandopenuntotheeyesofHimwithwhomwehavetodo"(Heb.4:13).WelldidyoungJosephunderstandthiswhenhismistresstemptedhim.Therewasnooneinthehousetoseethem,--nohumaneyetowitnessagainsthim;--butJosephwasonewholivedasseeingHimthat is invisible: "HowcanIdo thisgreatwickedness,"saidhe,"andsinagainstGod?"(Gen.39:9).

Youngmen, I ask you all to readPs.139. I advise you all to learn it byheart.Makeitthetestofallyourdealingsinthisworld'sbusiness:saytoyourselfoften,"DoIrememberthatGodseesme?"

LiveasinthesightofGod.ThisiswhatAbrahamdid,--hewalkedbefore

Him.This iswhatEnochdid,-hewalkedwithHim.This iswhatheavenitselfwillbe, -- theeternalpresenceofGod.Donothingyouwouldnotlike God to see. Say nothing you would not like God to hear. WritenothingyouwouldnotlikeGodtoread.GotonoplacewhereyouwouldnotlikeGodtofindyou.ReadnobookofwhichyouwouldnotlikeGodtosay,"ShowitMe."NeverspendyourtimeinsuchawaythatyouwouldnotliketohaveGodsay,"Whatartthoudoing?"

(4)Foranotherthing,bediligentintheuseofallpublicmeansofgrace.

Be regular ingoing to thehouseofGod,whenever it isopen forprayerandpreaching,anditisinyourpowertoattend.BeregularinkeepingtheLord's day holy, and determine that God's day out of the seven shallhenceforthalwaysbegiventoitsrightfulowner.

Iwouldnot leave any false impressionon yourminds.Donot go awayand say I told you that keeping your church made up the whole ofreligion. I tell you no such thing. I have no wish to see you grow upformalistsandPharisees. Ifyou think themerecarryingyourbody toacertainhouse, at certain times,ona certainday in theweek,willmakeyou a Christian, and prepare you tomeetGod, I tell you flatly you aremiserably deceived. All services without heart-service are unprofitableandvain.Theyonlyaretrueworshipperswho"worshipGodinspiritandintruth:theFatherseekethsuchtoworshipHim"(John4:23).

Butmeansofgracearenottobedespisedbecausetheyarenotsaviours.Goldisnotfood,--youcannoteatit,butyouwouldnotthereforesayitisuseless,andthrowitaway.Yoursoul'seternalwell-doingmostcertainlydoesnotdependonmeansofgrace,butitisnolesscertainthatwithoutthem,asageneralrule,yoursoulwillnotdowell.Godmighttakeallwhoaresavedtoheaveninachariotoffire,asHedidElijah,butHedoesnotdoso.Hemight teach themallbyvisions,anddreams,andmiraculousinterpositions, without requiring them to read or think for themselves,butHedoesnotdoso.Andwhynot?BecauseHeisaGodthatworksbymeans, and it is His law and will that in all man's dealings with himmeans shall be used. None but a fool or enthusiast would think ofbuildingahousewithoutladdersandscaffolding,andjustsonowisemanwilldespisemeans

I dwell themore on this point, because Satanwill try hard to fill yourmindswithargumentsagainstmeans.

Hewilldrawyourattentiontothenumbersofpersonswhousethemandare no better for the using. "See there," he will whisper, "do you notobservethosewhogotochurcharenobetterthanthosewhostayaway?"But do not let this move you. It is never fair to argue against a thingbecauseitisimproperlyused.Itdoesnotfollowthatmeansofgracecandonogoodbecausemanyattendon themandgetnogood from them.Medicine isnottobedespisedbecausemanytake itanddonotrecovertheir health. No man would think of giving up eating and drinkingbecause others choose to eat and drink improperly, and so makethemselvesill.Thevalueofmeansofgrace,likeotherthings,depends,inagreatmeasure,onthemannerandspiritinwhichweusethem.

Idwellon thispoint too,becauseof thestronganxiety I feel thateveryyoung man should regularly hear the preaching of Christ's gospel. Icannot tell you how important I think this is. By God's blessing, theministryofthegospelmightbethemeansofconvertingyoursoul,---ofleadingyoutoasavingknowledgeofChrist,ofmakingyouachildofGodindeedandintruth.Thiswouldbecauseforeternalthankfulnessindeed.Thiswouldbeaneventoverwhichangelswouldrejoice.Butevenifthiswere not the case, there is a restraining power and influence in theministryofthegospel,underwhichIearnestlydesireeveryyoungmantobebrought.Therearethousandswhomitkeepsbackfromevil,thoughithas not yet turned them unto God; -- it has made them far bettermembers of society, though it has not yet made them true Christians.There isa certainkindofmysteriouspower in the faithfulpreachingofthegospel,which tells insensiblyonmultitudeswho listen to itwithoutreceivingit intotheirhearts.Tohearsincrieddown,andholinesscriedup,tohearChristexalted,andtheworksofthedevildenounced,-tohearthekingdomofheavenanditsblessednessdescribed,andtheworldanditsemptinessexposed;tohearthisweekafterweek,SundayafterSunday,is seldom without good effect to the soul. It makes it far harderafterwards to run into any excess of riot and profligacy. It acts as awholesomecheckuponaman'sheart.This,Ibelieve,isonewayinwhichthatpromiseofGod ismade good, "Myword shall not returnuntoMe

void"(Isa.55:11).ThereismuchtruthinthatstrongsayingofWhitefield,"Thegospelkeepsmanyaone from thegaolandgallows, if itdoesnotkeephimfromhell."

Let me here name another point which is closely connected with thissubject.LetnothingevertemptyoutobecomeaSabbath-breaker.Ipressthisonyourattention.MakeconscienceofgivingallyourSabbathtoGod.A spirit of disregard for this holy day is growing up amongst us withfearful rapidity, and not least among youngmen. Sunday travelling byrailways and steamboats, Sunday visiting, Sunday excursions, arebecomingeveryyearmorecommonthantheywere,andaredoinginfiniteharmtosouls.

Youngmen,bejealousonthispoint.Whetheryouliveintownorcountry,takeupadecidedline;resolvenottoprofaneyourSabbath.Letnottheplausible argument of "needful relaxation for your body," -- let not theexampleof all aroundyou, -- letnot the invitationof companionswithwhomyoumaybethrown;--letnoneofthesethingsmoveyoutodepartfromthissettledrule,thatGod'sdayshallbegiventoGod.

OncegiveovercaringfortheSabbath,andintheendyouwillgiveovercaringforyoursoul.Thestepswhichleadtothisconclusionareeasyandregular. Begin with not honouring God's day, and you will soon nothonourGod'shouse; -- cease tohonourGod'shouse,andyouwill soonceasetohonourGod'sbook;ceasetohonourGod'sbook,andbyandbyyouwillgiveGodnohonouratall.LetamanlaythefoundationofhavingnoSabbath,andIamneversurprisedifhefinisheswiththetop-stoneofnoGod.ItisaremarkablesayingofJudgeHale,"Ofallthepersonswhowereconvictedofcapitalcrimeswhilehewasuponthebench,hefoundonlyafewwhowouldnotconfess,oninquiry,thattheybegantheircareerofwickednessbyaneglectoftheSabbath."

Young men, you may be thrown among companions who forget thehonouroftheLord'sday;butresolve,byGod'shelp,thatyouwillalwaysremember to keep it holy. Honour it by a regular attendance at someplacewherethegospelispreached.Settledownunderafaithfulministry,andoncesettled,letyourplaceinchurchneverbeempty.Believeme,youwill find a special blessing following you: "If you call the Sabbath a

delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour Him, notdoingthineownways,norfindingthineownpleasure,norspeakingthineownwords: thenshalt thoudelight thyself in theLord;andIwill causethee to ride upon the high places of the earth" (Isa.58:13-14). And onethingisverycertain,--yourfeelingsabouttheSabbathwillalwaysbeatestandcriterionofyourfitnessforheaven.Sabbathsareaforetasteandfragment of heaven. The man who finds them a burden and not aprivilege,maybesurethathisheartstandsinneedofamightychange.

(5)Foranotherthing,resolvethatwhereveryouare,youwillpray.

Prayeristhelife-breathofaman'ssoul.Withoutit,wemayhaveanameto live,andbecountedChristians;butwearedead in thesightofGod.The feeling thatwemust cry toGod formercy and peace is amark ofgrace; and the habit of spreading before Him our soul's wants is anevidencethatwehavethespiritofadoption.Andprayeristheappointedway to obtain the relief of our spiritual necessities. -- It opens thetreasury,andsets the fountain flowing. Ifwehavenot, it isbecauseweasknot.

PrayeristhewaytoprocuretheoutpouringoftheSpirituponourhearts.JesushaspromisedtheHolyGhost,theComforter.Heisreadytocomedown with all His precious gifts, renewing, sanctifying, purifying,strengthening, cheering, encouraging, enlightening, teaching, directing,guidingintoalltruth.ButthenHewaitstobeentreated.

And here it is, I say it with sorrow, here it is that men fall short somiserably.Fewindeedaretobefoundwhopray:manywhogodownontheirknees,andsayaformperhaps,butfewwhopray;fewwhocryuntoGod,fewwhocallupontheLord,fewwhoseekasiftheywantedtofind,fewwhoknockasiftheyhungeredandthirsted,fewwhowrestle,fewwhostrivewithGodearnestly forananswer, fewwhogiveHimnorest, fewwhocontinueinprayer,fewwhowatchuntoprayer,fewwhoprayalwayswithoutceasing,andfaintnot.Yes:fewpray!It isjustoneofthethingsassumed as amatter of course, but seldom practised; a thing which iseverybody'sbusiness,butinfacthardlyanybodyperforms.

Youngmen,believeme, ifyoursoul is tobesaved,youmustpray.God

hasnodumbchildren. If youare to resist theworld, the flesh, and thedevil,youmustpray:itisinvaintolookforstrengthinthehouroftrial,ifithasnotbeensoughtfor.Youmaybethrownwiththosewhoneverdoit,youmayhavetosleepinthesameroomwithsomeonewhoneverasksanythingofGod,--still,markmywords,youmustpray.

I can quite believe you find great difficulties about it, difficulties aboutopportunities,andseasons,andplaces.Idarenot laydowntoopositiverulesonsuchpointsasthese.I leavethemtoyourownconscience.Youmust be guided by circumstances. Our Lord Jesus Christ prayed on amountain;Isaacprayedinthefields;Hezekiahturnedhisfacetothewallashelayuponhisbed;Danielprayedbytheriver-side;Peter,theApostle,onthehouse-top.Ihaveheardofyoungmenprayinginstablesandhay-lofts.AllthatIcontendforisthis,youmustknowwhatitisto"enterintoyourcloset"(Matt.6:6).TheremustbestatedtimeswhenyoumustspeaktoGodfacetoface,--youmusteverydayhaveyourseasonsforprayer.Youmustpray.

Without this, all advice and counsel is useless. This is that piece ofspiritualarmourwhichPaulnameslastinhiscatalogue,inEph.6.,butitisintruthfirstinvalueandimportance.Thisisthatmeatwhichyoumustdailyeat,ifyouwouldtravelsafelythroughthewildernessofthislife.ItisonlyinthestrengthofthisthatyouwillgetonwardtowardsthemountofGod.Ihavehearditsaidthattheneedle-grindersofSheffieldsometimeswearamagneticmouthpieceattheirwork,whichcatchesallthefinedustthatfliesaroundthem,preventsitenteringtheirlungs,andsosavestheirlives. Prayer is themouthpiece that youmustwear continually, or elseyouwill never work on uninjured by the unhealthy atmosphere of thissinfulworld.Youmustpray.

Youngmen,besurenotimeissowellspentasthatwhichamanspendsuponhisknees.Maketimeforthis,whateveryouremploymentmaybe.ThinkofDavid,kingofIsrael:whatdoeshesay?"Evening,andmorning,and at noon will I pray and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice"(Ps.55:17).ThinkofDanielHehadall thebusinessofakingdomonhishands;yetheprayedthreetimesaday.SeetherethesecretofhissafetyinwickedBabylon.ThinkofSolomon.Hebeginshisreignwithprayerforhelp and assistance, and hence his wonderful prosperity. Think of

Nehemiah.HecouldfindtimetopraytotheGodofheaven,evenwhenstandinginthepresenceofhismaster,Artaxerxes.Thinkoftheexamplethesegodlymenhaveleftyou,andgoanddolikewise.

Oh that the Lordmay give you all the spirit of grace and supplication!"Wilt thou not from this time cry unto God, My Father, Thou art theguideofmyyouth?"(Jer.3:4).GladlywouldIconsentthatallthisaddressshould be forgotten, if only this doctrine of the importance of prayermightbeimpressedonyourhearts.

V.Conclusion.

And now I hasten towards a conclusion. I have said things that manyperhapswillnot like,andnot receive;but Iappeal toyourconsciences,Aretheynottrue?

Youngmen,youhaveall consciences.Corruptand ruinedby the fall asweare,eachofushasaconscience.Inacornerofeachhearttheresitsawitness for God, -- a witness who condemns when we do wrong, andapproveswhenwedoright.To thatwitnessImakemyappeal thisday,ArenotthethingsthatIhavebeensayingtrue?

Go then,youngmen,andresolve thisday to rememberyourCreator inthe days of your youth. Before the day of grace is past,- before yourconscience has become hardened by age, and deadened by repeatedtrampling under foot,- while you have strength, and time, andopportunities,goandjoinyourselftotheLordinaneverlastingcovenantnot to be forgotten. The Spirit will not always strive. The voice ofconscience will become feebler and fainter every year you continue toresist it. The Athenians said to Paul, "We will hear thee again of thismatter," but they had heard him for the last time (Acts 17:32). Makehaste,anddelaynot.Lingerandhesitatenomore.

Thinkoftheunspeakablecomfortyouwillgivetoparents,relations,andfriends, if you takemy counsel. They have expended time,money, andhealthtorearyou,andmakeyouwhatyouare.Surelytheydeservesomeconsideration at your hands.Who can reckon up the joy and gladnesswhichyoungpeoplehaveitintheirpowertooccasion?Whocantellthe

anxietyandsorrowthatsonslikeEsau,andHophni,andPhinehas,andAbsalommaycause?TrulyindeeddoesSolomonsay,"Awisesonmakethagladfather,butafoolishsonistheheavinessofhismother"(Prov.10:1).Oh,considerthesethings,andgiveGodyourheart!Letitnotbesaidofyou at last, as it is of many, that your "youth was a blunder, yourmanhoodastruggle,andyouroldagearegret."

Think of the good you may be the instruments of doing to the world.AlmostallthemosteminentsaintsofGodsoughttheLordearly.Moses,Samuel, David, Daniel, all served God from their youth. God seems todelightinputtingspecialhonouruponyoungservants;--rememberthehonourHeplaceduponourownyoungking,EdwardtheSixth.Andwhatmight we not confidently expect, if young men in our own day wouldconsecratethespring-timeoftheirlivestoGod?Agentsarewantednowinalmostever)"greatandgoodcause,andcannotbefound.Machineryofeverykindforspreadingtruthexists,buttherearenothandstoworkit.

Moneyismoreeasilygotfordoinggoodthanmen.Ministersarewantedfornewchurches,missionariesarewantedfornewstations,visitorsarewanted for neglected districts, teachers are wanted for new schools; --manyagoodcauseisstandingstillmerelyforwantofagents.Thesupplyofgodly,faithful,trustworthymen,forpostslikethoseIhavenamed,isfarbelowthedemand.

Youngmenofthepresentday,youarewantedforGod.Thisispeculiarlyanageofactivity.Weareshakingoffsomeofourpastselfishness.Mennolongersleepthesleepofapathyandindifferenceaboutothers,astheirforefathersdid.Theyarebeginningtobeashamedofthinking,likeCain,--"AmImybrother'skeeper?"Awidefieldofusefulnessisopenbeforeyou,ifyouareonlywillingtoenteruponit.Theharvestisgreat,andthelabourersare few.Bezealousofgoodworks.Come,cometothehelpoftheLordagainstthemighty.[31]

This is, in some sort, to be like God, not only "good, but doing good"(Ps.119:68).ThisisthewaytofollowthestepsofyourLordandSaviour:"Hewentaboutdoinggood"(Acts10:38).

ThisistoliveasDaviddid;he"servedhisowngeneration"(Acts13:36).

Andwhocandoubtthatthisisthepathwhichmostbecomesanimmortalsoul?WhowouldnotratherleavethisworldlikeJosiah,lamentedbyall,than depart like Jehoram, "without being desired"? (2 Chron.21:20).Whether is it better to be an idle, frivolous, useless cumberer of theground,toliveforyourbody,yourselfishness,yourlusts,andyourpride,-- or to spend and be spent in the glorious cause of usefulness to yourfellow-men;---tobe likeWilberforceorLordShaftesbury,ablessingtoyour country and the world, -- to be like Howard, the friend of theprisoner and the captive, -- to be like Schwartz, the spiritual father ofhundreds of immortal souls in heathen lands, -- to be like thatman ofGod,RobertM'Cheyne,aburningandashininglight,anepistleofChrist,knownand readof allmen, thequickenerof everyChristianheart thatcomesacrossyourpath?Oh,whocandoubt?Whocanforonemomentdoubt?

Young men, consider your responsibilities. Think of the privilege andluxury of doing good. Resolve this day to be useful. At once give yourheartstoChrist.

Think, lastly, of the happiness that will come to your own soul, if youserve God, -- happiness by the way, as you travel through life, -- andhappinessintheend,whenthejourneyisover.Believeme,whatevervainnotions you may have heard, believe me, there is a reward for therighteous even in this world. Godliness has indeed the promise of thislife,aswellasofthatwhichistocome.Thereisasolidpeaceinfeelingthat God is your friend. There is a real satisfaction in knowing thathowevergreatyourunworthiness,youarecompleteinChrist,--thatyouhaveanenduringportion,--thatyouhavechosenthatgoodpartwhichshallnotbetakenfromyou.

Thebacksliderinheartmaywellbefilledwithhisownways,but"agoodmanshallbesatisfiedfromhimself"(Prov.14:14).Thepathoftheworldlymangrowsdarkeranddarkereveryyearthathelives;--thepathoftheChristianisasashininglight,brighterandbrightertotheveryend.Hissunisjustrisingwhenthesunoftheworldlyissettingforever;--hisbestthingsareallbeginningtoblossomandbloomforever,whenthoseoftheworldlyareallslippingoutofhishands,andpassingaway.

Young men, these things are true. Suffer the word of exhortation. Bepersuaded.Takeupthecross.FollowChrist.YieldyourselvesuntoGod.Footnotes:

[21]ArchiastheTheban.

[22]Hannibal.

[23]Rome

[24]SeeBuckland'sBridgewaterTreatise,vol.ii.plate26.

[25] "Pleasure," says Adams on Second Peter, "must first have thewarrant, that it be without sin;--then the measure, that it be withoutexcess."

[26]SecretaryWalsingham.

[27]SeeFaber'sDifficultiesofInfidelityonthissubject.

[28] The Assembly's Larger Catechism begins with this admirablequestionandanswer. "What is thechiefandhighestendofman?""ToglorifyGod,andfullytoenjoyHimforever."

[29]Juvenal

[30]Thereisanoldfable,thatthebutterflyonceaskedtheowlhowsheshould deal with the fire, which had singed her wings; and the owlcounselledher,inreply,nottobeholdsomuchasitssmoke.

[31]TheChurchofEnglandYoungMen'sSocietyforAidingMissionsatHome and Abroad; and the Young Men's Christian Association, inLondon, deserve the support of all true Christians. It is one of the fewcheeringsigns inanevilday, thatsuchinstitutionshavebeenformed.Irejoice to see that kindred societies have been established at otherplaces.--ItrustthatGodwillabundantlyblessthem.

QuestionsAbouttheLord'sSupper

THEpaperwhichbegins at thispage requires a fewwordsofprefatoryexplanation. It consists of fifty-one questions about the Lord's Supper,with special reference to points which are the subject ofmuch disputeandcontroversyinthepresentday.Itsuppliesfifty-oneanswerstothesequestions, chiefly drawn from the New Testament, and the Articles,Communion Service, and Catechism of the Church of England. Itcontains, in addition, some valuable extracts from the writings ofstandardEnglishdivines.

It is a painful fact, and one which it is impossible to deny, that theprincipal cause of differences amongChurchmenat thismoment is theSacramentoftheLord'sSupper.Whetherthatblessedordinanceistoberegardedasasacrificeornot,whethertheLord'sTableisanaltarornot,whethertheofficiatingclergymanisasacrificingpriestornot,--whetherthere is a corporal,material presence ofChrist's body andblood in theconsecratedelementsofbreadandwineornot,--whethertheseelementsandtheLord'sTableoughttoberegardedwithasmuchlowlyreverenceand honour as if Christ was bodily present or not, -- all these arequestions which are continually coming to the front. To speak plainly,theyseemlikelytodividetheEnglishclergyintotwodistinctparties,andtoraintheChurchofEngland!

Nor is this all. It is another painful and dangerous fact that the greatmajorityofEnglishlayChurchmenseemutterlyunabletounderstandtheveryseriousnatureofthequestionwhichisdividingtheclergy,andthedoctrinalconsequenceswhichareboundupwithit.MostlayChurchmencanonly see that the service in somechurches ismoreornamentalandmusical than in others, and that in some there is more importanceattachedtotheLord'sTable,andtoflowers,decorations,gestures,dress,andpostures,thaninothers.Buttheycanseenofurther.Theycannot,orwillnot,perceivethattheceremonialactionsinadministeringtheLord'sSupper,aboutwhichtheclergydisagree,arenotmereornamentaltrifles,as some suppose. So far frombeing "trifles," they are the outward andvisibleexpressionsofamostmischievousdoctrine,whichstrikesatone

ofthefirstprinciplesoftheReformedChurchofEngland.Theythinkallearnest,eloquent,zealous,hard-workingclergymencannotbefarwrong.Andwhen you tell them that there is an avowed determination amongmanyclergymentounprotestantizetheEstablishedChurch,togetbehindthe Reformation, and to bring back the Romish Mass and theConfessional, you are too often smiled at as an alarmist, and are notbelieved. It is my deliberate conviction that unless English layChurchmen can be awakened to see the real nature of the existingdifferences about theLord's Supper, therewill come in a few years thedisestablishment,thedisendowment,andthedisruptionoftheChurchofEngland.Half the lay Churchmen seem so absorbed in politics, or finearts,orcotton,oriron,orcoal,orcorn,orshipping,orrailways,thatyoucannotgetthemtolookatreligiousquestions.Oftheotherhalf,toomanyarecrying"Peace,peace."whenthereisnopeace,andinsistingthatevery"earnest" clergyman should be allowed to" do what is right in his owneyes,tobreakthelaw,andtobeletalone.Inshort,unlessachangecomessoon,ourcandlestickwillbetakenaway,andourChurchwillberuined.

The paper now in the reader's hands is a humble contribution to thecauseoftruthabouttheLord'sSupper.ItistruthasIfinditintheNewTestament,truthasIfinditintheauthorizedformulariesofourChurch,truthasIfinditinthewritingsofourgreatestEnglishdivines;--itisthistruthwhichIadvocateinthesepages.

1.Is theLord'sSupperasubjectofprimary importance intheChristianreligion?DonotthousandsofChurchmenliveanddiewithoutreceivingit?Donotthemajorityofchurch-goersturntheirbacksonit,andalwaysgoawaywhenitisadministered?Howisthis?

NothingcanpossiblybeofsmallimportancewhichtheLordJesusChristordained and appointed. Our Lord most distinctly commanded Hisdisciplesto"eatbread"and"drinkwine"inremembranceofHim.WhatrighthasanyChristiantodisobeythiscommandment?Nodoubtamanmaybesaved,likethepenitentthief,withouthavingreceivedtheLord'sSupper. It is not amatter of absolute and indispensable necessity, likerepentance, faith, and conversion. But it is impossible to say that anyprofessingChristianisinasafe,healthy,orsatisfactoryconditionofsoul,whohabituallyrefusestoobeyChristandattendtheLord'sTable.Ifheis

not fit tobeacommunicant,asmanysay,he isconfessingthathedoesnot liveasheought todo,and isnot fit todieandmeetGod. It isverydifficult to seewhat habitual non-communicantswill be able to say forthemselves in the judgment-day. There is a judgment to come, ajudgmentofthingsleftundonewhichweoughttohavedone,aswellasofthingsdonewhichweoughtnottohavedone.

2. Is it ofmuch importance to have right and true views of the Lord'sSupper?

Itisoftheutmostpossibleimportance.OnnosubjectinChristianityhasthere been such an immense amount of superstitious error taught andheld for nearly eighteen centuries. No error probably has done moreharm to the souls of men. Those who think it does not signify whatopinionswehold about theLord'sSupper, so longaswe receive it, areunderastrongdelusion.NoordinanceappointedbyChristdoesgoodtooursouls"exopereoperato,"orbythemereoutwardbodilyuseofit.Thevalue of the Lord's Supper depends entirely on its being rightlyunderstood,andrightlyused.

3.WhereshallwefindrightandtrueviewsoftheLord'sSupper?

WeshallfindtheminthefouraccountsoftheinstitutionoftheordinancegivenbySt.Matthew,St.Mark,andSt.LukeintheirGospels,andbySt.Paul in the First Epistle to the Corinthians (see Matt.26:26-28; Mark14:22-24;Luke22:19-20;1Cor.11:23-29).Theseareouronlyfullsourcesof informationinGod'sWord.InthethreePastoralEpistlestoTimothyandTitus,written especially for the instructionofministers, theLord'sSupper is not once named. The views and principles of the Church ofEnglandaretobefoundinherArticles,CommunionService,Catechism,andTwenty-seventhHomily.Anyviewswhichcannotbereconciledwiththeseformulariesarenot"Churchviews."

4.WhatistheLord'sSupper?

It is an ordinance or sacrament appointed by Jesus Christ the nightbeforeHewascrucified, for theperpetualbenefitandedificationofHisChurch, until He comes again at the end of the world. The only other

sacrament is baptism. The Church of Rome holds that Confirmation,Penance(orConfessionandAbsolution),Ordination.

Matrimony, and Extreme Unction, are sacraments of the gospel. TheChurchofEnglandinherTwenty-fifthArticlesaysdistinctlythattheyarenot.

5.HowmanyTartsarethereintheLord'sSupper?TheCatechismoftheChurch of England rightly tells us that there are two parts. One is theoutward and visible part, which is received by all communicants, bothgoodandbad,without exception.Theother is the inwardand invisiblepartwhichisthethingsignifiedbytheoutwardpart,andisonlyreceivedby believers, and received by them, as the Twenty-eighth Article says,"afteraheavenlyandspiritualmanner."

6.WhatistheoutwardandvisibleTartorsignintheLord'sSupper?

Theoutwardandvisiblepartofthesacramentconsistsofbreadandwine,which areplacedon theLord'sTable, consecrated and set apart by theminister,seen,touched,received,eaten,anddrunkbythecommunicants.

7.What is the inwardpartorthingsignified intheLord'sSupper?Theinward or invisible part is that body and blood of Christ which wereoffered for our sins on the cross. It is neither seen, nor touched, nortasted,norreceivedintothemouthbycommunicants.Itisnotatangibleandmaterialthing,andcanonlybeeatenanddrunk,spiritually,withtheheart,andbyfaith.

8.What did our Lordmean, when He said of the bread, " This isMybody,"andofthewine,"ThisisMyblood,"atthefirst institutionoftheLord'sSupper?

He certainly did not mean, "This bread is literally and materially Mybody, and this wine is literally My blood." It is quite plain that theApostles did not so understand His words. As devout and well-taughtJews,theywouldhavebeenshockedandhorrifiedattheideaofdrinkingliteral blood. Our Lord simply meant, "This bread and this winerepresent, and are emblems of,My body andMy blood." It is just the

formof speechHehadusedwhenHe said, "The field is theworld; thegoodseedarethechildrenofthekingdom"(Matt.13:38).

9.WhywasthesacramentoftheLord'sSupperordained?

TheansweroftheChurchCatechismisthebestthatcanbegiven.Itwasordained"forthecontinualremembranceofthesacrificeofthedeathofChrist,andofthebenefitswhichwereceivethereby."Thebreadbroken,given, and eaten, was intended to remind Christians of Christ's bodygiven for our sins on the cross. The wine poured out and drunk wasintended to remind Christians of Christ's blood shed for our sins. Thewhole ordinance was intended to keep the Church in perpetualrecollectionofChrist'sdeathandsubstitutionforus,andHisatonementforoursins.FivetimesoverintheCommunionOfficeofthePrayerBook,thewords"memory"and"remembrance"areexpresslyused,todescribetheprincipalobjectoftheLord'sSupper.

10.WhooughttocometotheLord'sSupper?

Onlythosewhohavethemarksandqualificationswhicharedescribedinthe last answer in the Church Catechism. People who "repent truly oftheirformersins,andstedfastlypurposetoleadanewlife,"--peoplewho"have a lively faith in God's mercy through Christ, and a thankfulremembranceofHisdeath,"--peoplewhoare"incharitywithallmen,"--these,andonlythese,arefittobecommunicants.

11.WhatgooddofitcommunicantsreceivefromtheLord'sSupper?

Theirsouls,as theCatechismsays,are"strengthenedandrefreshed"byinwardspiritualcommunionwiththebodyandbloodofChrist,afterthesamemanner that amaterial body is strengthened by bread andwine.Their repentance is deepened, their faith increased, their hopebrightened, their knowledge enlarged, their habits of holy livingstrengthened.

12.WhooughtnottocometotheLord'sSupper?Thosewhoarelivinginopensin,thosewhoaremanifestlyignorantoftruereligion,thoughtless,careless, unconverted, and without the Spirit of Christ. To tell such

persons that it will do them good to come to the Lord's Table is to dothem positive harm. Justification is not by the sacraments. To eat thebreadanddrinkthewine isnotthewaytoobtainforgivenessofsinsorconvertinggrace.Onthecontrary,St.Paulsaysthatamanmayeatanddrink tohis own condemnation (1Cor.11:29).TheTwenty-ninthArticlesaysthat"thewicked,andsuchasbevoidofalivelyfaith,althoughtheydocarnallyandvisiblypresswith their teeth thesacramentof thebodyandbloodofChrist,yetinnowisearetheypartakersofChrist:butrathertotheirowncondemnationdoeatanddrinkthesignorsacramentofsogreatathing."

13.ButoughtnotallpersonswithoutexceptiontobepressedtocometotheLord'sTable,inorderthattheirsoulsmaybesaved?Isnotreceptionof the Lord's Supper the truest, shortest, and best way to obtainforgivenessofsinsandhaveeternallife?DoesnotourLordJesusChristsayinthe6thchapterofSt.John'sGospel,"ExceptyeeatthefleshoftheSon ofman and drinkHis blood, ye have no life in you;" and again, "WhosoeatethMyfleshanddrinkethMybloodhatheternallife"?(John6:53-54).DonotthesetextsrefertotheLord'sSupper?

Those two texts havenothing to dowith theLord's Supper.This is theopinion of all the best Protestant commentators, and also of someRomish ones. The " eating and drinking" here spoken of mean thespiritual eating and drinking of the heart by faith, and the "flesh andblood"meanChrist'svicarioussacrificeofHisbodyuponthecross.--Thepenitent thiefmost certainly did not receive the bread andwine of theLord's Supper, yet it is certain that he "had eternal life," and went toparadisewhenhedied.JudasIscariotdideatthebreadandwine,buthedidnot"haveeternallife,"anddiedinhissins.ThePrayer-bookServicefortheCommunionoftheSickcontainsthefollowingstatementinoneofitsconcludingrubrics:" If thesickmandotrulyrepenthimofhissins,andstedfastlybelievethatJesusChristhathsuffereddeathonthecrossforhim,andshedHisbloodforhisredemption,earnestlyrememberingthebenefitshehath thereby, andgivingHim thanks therefore,hedotheatanddrinkthebodyandbloodofChristprofitablytohissoul'shealth,although he do not receive the sacrament with his mouth." In fact, tomaintain thatnoone "has eternal life"whodoesnot receive theLord's

Supper, is amost narrow, cruel, and illiberal doctrine. It condemns toeternal deathmyriads of our fellow-Christians who, from one cause oranother,haveneverbecomecommunicants.ItcondemnsthewholebodyoftheQuakers,whoallownosacraments.Hethatcanholdsuchdoctrinemustbeinastrangestateofmind.

14.DoesnotSt.Paul tell theCorinthians, that "the cupof blessing is acommunion of the blood of Christ, and the bread a communion of thebody of Christ "? (1 Cor.10:16). Is not this a proof that there is a realcorporal presence of Christ's natural body and blood in the Lord'sSupper?

Itisnoproofatall.St.PauldoesnotsaythatthebreadandwinearethebodyandbloodofChrist,butonlyaCOMMMUNIONofthem.Bythathemeans that every communicant who rightly, worthily, and with faithreceivesthebreadandwine,doesinsoreceivinghavespiritualandheartcommunion with the sacrifice of Christ's body and blood which wasofferedforhissinsonthecross.Forthisispreciselyoneoftheobjectsforwhich theLord'sSupperwasappointed. Itwas intended todeepenandstrengthentheheartunionofbelieverswiththeircrucifiedSaviour.Morethanthiscannotbefairlygotoutofthetext.

15.DoesnottheChurchCatechismsaythatthe"bodyandbloodofChristare verily and indeed taken and received by the faithful in the Lord'sSupper"? Do not the words "verily and indeed" mean that, in thejudgment of thosewhodrewup theCatechism, there is a real corporalpresenceofChrist'snaturalbodyandbloodintheconsecratedbreadandwine?

ThesimplestanswertothisquestionistobefoundintheTwenty-eighthArticle:"ThebodyofChristisgiven,taken,andeatenintheSupperonlyafteranheavenlyandspiritualmanner.Andthemeanwherebythebodyof Christ is received and eaten in the Supper is faith." The followingquotationfromtheworkofaverylearneddivine,ArchdeaconWaterland,deservescloseattention:---"ThewordsoftheChurchCatechism,Verilyandindeedtakenandreceivedbythefaithful,arerightlyinterpretedofarealparticipation in thebenefitspurchasedbyChrist'sdeath.ThebodyandbloodofChristaretakenandreceivedbythefaithful,notcorporally,

not internally,butverilyand indeed, that is,effectually." --Waterland'sWorks,vol.iv.p.42.

16.DoesanychangetakeplaceinthebreadandwinewhentheministerconsecratesthemintheLord'sSupper?

Mostcertainlynot.Thebreadcontinuesbreadjustasitwasbefore,andthewinecontinueswine,thesameincolour,taste,andcomposition.TheTwenty-eighth Article of the Church of England declares,"Transubstantiation,orthechangeofthesubstanceofbreadandwineintheSupperoftheLord,cannotbeprovedbyholywrit;butitisrepugnanttotheplainwordsofScripture,over-throweththenatureofasacrament,andhathgivenoccasiontomanysuperstitions.

17. Is there any real presence ofChrist's natural body andblood in thebreadandwineafterconsecration?

Mostcertainlynot,ifby"real"ismeantacorporalandmaterialpresence.The rubricat theendof thePrayer-bookCommunionServicedistinctlysays,"ThenaturalbodyandbloodofourSaviourChristareinheavenandnothere, itbeingagainst the truthofChrist'snaturalbodytobeatonetime inmoreplaces thanone." If thebodyofHimwhowasbornof theVirginMarycanbepresentinthebreadandwineontheLord'sTable,itcannotbeatruehumanbody,andthecomfortabletruththatourSaviourisperfectmanwouldbeoverthrown.Thosewhotellusthatassoonasthewords of consecration are pronounced, at once the body and blood ofChristcomedownintothebreadandwine,areingreaterror,andassertwhattheycannotprove.

18. Ought the consecrated bread and wine in the Lord's Sapper to beelevated,adored,andworshipped?

Mostcertainlynot.Thebreadisstillreallyandtrulybread,andthewinereallyandtrulywine.Theyoughttobereverentlyandcarefullyhandled,as signs and emblems of very holy things after consecration. But thechangeisintheuseofthem,notinthesubstance;andtoadorethemistobreakthesecondcommandment.ThePrayer-bookrubricexpresslysays,"The sacramental bread and wine remain still in their very natural

substance,andmaynotbeadored;forthatwereidolatrytobeabhorredofallfaithfulChristians."TheTwenty-eighthArticlesays,"Thesacramentof the Lord's Supper was not by Christ's ordinance reserved, carriedabout,liftedup,orworshipped."

19.IsthereanysacrificeofChrist'sbodyandbloodintheLord'sSupper?

Mostcertainlynot.Theordinance isneveroncecanedasacrifice in theNewTestament.Thereisnottheslightesttraceofanysacrificeinthefouraccounts of its first institution. There is not a word to show that theApostles thought they saw any sacrifice offered up. Moreover, we arerepeatedly taught in the New Testament, that as soon as Christ wassacrificedforoursinsonthecross, therewasnomoresacrificeneeded,and that after His one offering of Himself there was no need of otherofferingforsin(Heb.10:14-18).ToattempttoofferupChristagainisanactofignoranceakintoblasphemy.ThePrayerBookneveroncecallstheLord'sSupperasacrifice.The"oblations"itspeaksofinoneplacearetheofferingofmoneyintheoffertory.Theonly"sacrifice"itmentionsisthatof"praiseandthanksgiving;"andtheonlyofferingitmentionsisthatof"ourselves, souls and bodies," to be a "reasonable, holy, and livelysacrifice" unto God. Those who call the sacrament a sacrifice cannotpossiblyprovewhattheysay.

20. Is the minister who consecrates the bread and wine in the Lord'sSupperapriest?

Heisapriestnodoubt,ifbytheword"priest"weonlymeanapresbyter,orone in the secondorderof theministry; and in this senseonlyhe iscalledapriest in thePrayerBook.Buthe iscertainlynotapriest, ifwemeanbythatwordonewhooffersupasacrifice.Hecannotbe,becausehe has no sacrifice to offer, and a priest without a sacrifice is anunmeaning title. He cannot be, because Christian ministers are neveroncecalled"priests"intheNewTestament.TheJewishpriestsintheOldTestamenthadtooffersacrificesdaily,andweretypesandfiguresofthegreatHighPriestwhowastocome.ButwhenChristofferedupHimselfon the cross, a sacerdotalministrywas at once done away for ever.Allbelieversarenow"kingsandpriests,"becausethey"presenttheirbodiesa living sacrifice to God" (Rom.12:1). But Christian ministers are not

sacrificing priests, and cannot be. They are Christ's ambassadors,messengers, witnesses, watchmen, shepherds, and stewards of themysteriesofGod,butnothingmore,whateverdresstheymaywear,andwhatever title they may assume. Christians have only one Priest, evenHimwhois"passedintotheheavens,Jesus,theSonofGod"(Heb.4:14).

21.IsthetableintheLord'sSupperrightlycalledanaltar?

Mostcertainlynot.ItisneveroncecalledanaltarintheNewTestament.Thetextin(Hebrews13:10),"Wehaveanaltar,"hasnothingwhatevertodo with the Lord's Supper. That learned divine, Dr. Waterland, says,"That altar is Christ our Lord, who is Altar, Priest, and Sacrifice all inone" (Waterland's Works, vol. v. p.268, Oxford ed.).:Not once is theLord'sTablecalledan"altar"intheEnglishPrayerBook.TheReformersofourChurchorderedaltarseverywheretobepulleddownandremoved,andwoodentablestobesetup.ThoseChurchmenwhocarelesslycalltheLord'sTablean"altar,"andtalkof"altarservices,"andbridesbeing"ledtothealtar"atweddings,aredoingimmenseharm,ignorantlyborrowingthe language of the corrupt Church of Rome, and countenancing amischievous error. If St. Paul rose from the grave, and was shown an"altar"inaChristianChurch,hewouldnotunderstandwhatitmeant.

22.Isthereanythingsinfulorwrong"inhavingtheLord'sSupperintheevening? Most certainly not. It cannot possibly be sinful to follow theexampleofChristandHisApostles.EveryreaderoftheNewTestamentmust know that the institution of the Lord's Supper took place in theevening. It is certain that no special hour is recommended tous in theActs or Epistles. It is equally certain that the Prayer Book leaves themattertothediscretionofeveryclergyman,andallowshimtodowhatisbest for his congregation, and wisely lays down no hard and fast ruleabout the time. To forbid evening communions would completely shutout many persons in large town parishes from the Lord's Table. Themothers of many families among the working classes cannot possiblyleavehomeinthemorning.Theveryname"Supper"seemstopointtotheeveningof a day rather than themorning. In the face of these facts, todenounce evening communion as irreverent and profane is neitherreasonablenorwise.

23.Isitneedful,advantageous,anddesirabletoreceivetheLord'sSupperfasting?

It iscertainlynotnecessary,becausethepracticeisneithercommandednorrecommendedinScripture.Moreover,itisperfectlyclearthatatthefirstinstitutionofthesacrament,theApostlescouldnothavereceivedtheelementsfasting,becausetheyhadjusteatenthepassover.Therecannot,therefore, be anything very important in this point, and every believermay use his liberty, and do what he finds edifying to himself withoutcondemningothers.But itmaybe fearedthat there lies in themindsofmanywho attach immense value to fasting communion, a vague beliefthat the consecrated bread and wine which we receive are in somemysteriouswaynot realbreadandwine, andoughtnot therefore tobemixed with other food in our bodies! Such a belief cannot be praised.Thosewhoteachthatfastingcommunionisaruleobligatoryonalltakeupapositionwhichisnotonlyunscriptural,butcruel.Togofastingtoanearlymorningcommunionislikelytocausethedeathofdelicatepersons.

24. Is it necessary, or desirable, or useful for communicants to confesstheir sinsprivately to aminister, and to receiveabsolution,before theycometotheLord'sSupper?

Necessaryitcannotbe.ThereisnotasingleverseintheNewTestamenttoshowthattheApostlesrecommendedsuchconfession,orthatthefirstChristianspractisedit.Desirableorusefulitcertainlyisnot.Thehabitofprivateorauricularconfessiontoaminister,underanycircumstances,isone of the most mischievous and dangerous inventions of the corruptChurch of Rome, and has been the cause of enormous immorality andwickedness.Moreover, it is so expressly condemned in the "Homily ofRepentance,"thatnoministeroftheChurchofEnglandhasanyrighttorecommend, encourage, or permit it, if he is honest, and faithful tohisordinationVOWS.

25.But is not private confessionbefore communion sanctionedby thatpassage in the Communion Service of our Prayer Book, in which theminister says, "If any of you cannot quiet his own conscience, butrequirethfurthercomfortorcounsel, lethimcometomeorsomeotherdiscreet and learnedminister of God's HolyWord, and open his grief,

that by the ministry of God's Word he may receive the benefit ofabsolution"?

It is impossible, with any fairness, to extract auricular confession andsacramentalabsolutionoutof thispassage.Thesimplemeaning is, thatpeople who are troubled in mind with some special difficulties ofconscience,areadvisedtogotosomeministerandtalkprivatelywithhimaboutthem,andtogetthemclearedupandresolvedbytextsofScripture,that is,"bytheministryofGod'sWord."This isexactlywhateverywiseminister inthepresentdaydoeswiththosewhoseekprivate interviewswithhim,orwaitforanafter-meetingattheendofasermon.Butitisasutterly unlike the mischievous practice of habitual confession beforecommunion,aswholesomemedicineisunlikeopium-eating,andwaterisunlikepoison.

26.Does aminister do anythingwickedorwrong if hepronounces thewordsofadministration,onceingivingthebreadandwinetoanumberofcommunicantsaltogether,andnottoeachoneseparatelyhecertainlydoesnothingwrongaccordingtoScripture.hedoesexactlywhatourLordJesusChristdidwhenHefirstinstitutedtheLord'sSupper.Ineachofthefour accounts given in theNewTestament,He used the plural numberandnot the singular. In eachHepronounced thewordsonce, andonlyonce, and then gave the bread and wine to the whole company of theApostles.InthefaceofourLord'sownexample,toblameandcondemnministerswhofinditnecessarytodothesame,issurelynotwise.

27.Doesnot therubricof thePrayerBookorderthat theministershallsaythewordsofadministrationtoeachcommunicantseparately?

Mostcertainly itdoes.Yetreasonandcommonsensepointoutthatthecompilers of the Prayer Book could not have meant this rubric to beinterpreted and obeyed literally and exactly, when such obedience isseriously inconvenient, if not impossible.When a clergyman with onlyone curate has to give the elements of bread and wine to 300 or 400persons, the servicemustnecessarilybe so long, that agedanddelicatepeople are wearied, and any following service is interfered with, orpreventedaltogether.Nodoubt,whentherubricwasdrawnup,parishesweresmall,communicantswerefew,therewerenoSundaySchools,and

fewclergymenhadmore thanone full serviceaday.Rulesdrawnupatthatdate,undersuchcircumstances,arenot toberigorouslyapplied tothisday,especiallywhentheapplicationinjurestheSundayservices,anddoesmoreharmthangood.

28.Doesanyclergymanliterallyobeyall therubricsof theCommunionServiceinthePrayerBook?

Itisprobablethatthereisnotonewhoobeysthen:all,andcertainlynooneobeys the fourwhich immediatelyprecedetheCommunionService.Theordertoplacethetable"inthebodyofthechurch"isneverattendedto by any one! Custom in this matter has completely overridden therubric.But thisbeing thecase, theremustevidentlybesomediscretionallowedininterpretingthecommunionrubrics.

29. Are communicants more likely to be edified if the words ofadministrationaresaidtoeachoneseparately, thantheyare if theyaresaidtothewholerailcollectively?

It is impossible to answer this question. It is a matter of feeling andopinion.Itiscertainthatmanycommunicantsfeelpainedandoffendedifthey do not each hear thewords addressed to themselves. It is equallycertain thatmanyothers stronglydislike the incessant repetitionof thewords of administration, and especially where seven or eightministersare employed, some giving the bread and some the wine, at the sametime.Manycomplainthatitconfusesanddistractstheirminds.Onsuchapointwemustthinkandletthink,andnotjudgeoneanother.Leteveryman be fully persuaded in his own mind. The argument that someclergymen will not repeat the words to each communicant separately,becausetheyholdthedoctrineof"particularredemption," isanabsurd,baseless,andignorantsuggestion,destituteoftruth.

30.Inreceivingthebreadandwine,areanybodilyactions,attitudes,orgesturesspeciallyobligatoryoncommunicants?

Noneareprescribed inScripture.TheApostlesat the first institutionoftheLord'sSupperwereevidentlyrecliningafterthemannerofthetimes.Kneeling iswisely ordered in the Prayer Book, to use thewords of the

rubric: "Forasignificationofourhumbleandgratefulacknowledgmentof the benefits ofChrist given in the sacrament to allworthy receivers,and for the avoiding of profanation and disorder."Whether we shouldreceive thebreadwithour fingersorupontheopenpalmofourhands,seemsanopenquestion,whicheachmustdecideforhimself.Letitonlyberemembered,thattorefraintotouchthebreadwithourhands,andtorequire it to be put into our mouths, has a strong appearance ofsuperstition.Astobowingdowntillwealmostgrovelonthegroundlikeserfs, it is a posture unworthy of Christ's freemen, and is a painfullysuspicious symptom of ignorance of the real nature of the consecratedelements.

31. Does it add to the value and usefulness of the Lord's Supper, orpromote the edification of the communicants, to have the sacramentadministratedwiththefollowingaccompaniments,viz.

1.LightsontheCommunionTableinbroadday;

2.Mixingwaterwiththewine;

3.Clothingtheministerinapeculiardresscalledachasuble;

4.Burningincense?

Thesethingscannotbeshowntobeofanyrealvalue.Notoneofthemisrecommended,orevennamed,intheNewTestament.Notoneofthemisprescribedorordered in thePrayerBook, and thebestEnglish lawyerspronounce them illegal.Theyareborrowed from the corruptChurchofRome, and not a few clergymen, after beginning by using them, haveended by believing the sacrifice of the Mass, and joining the Romishcommunion.Suchthingsnodoubthave"ashowofwisdom,"and"satisfytheflesh"(Col.2:23).Theysuitthemanyignorantpeoplewholikeamereoutward religion.But it is vain to suppose that theypleaseGod. In thenature of things, they tend to distract and divert the minds ofcommunicants from the true, scriptural, and simple view of the Lord'sSupper.Nooneinhissensescandaretosaythattheyareessentialtothevalidity of the sacrament, or that our Lord or His Apostles ever usedthem. They are neither more nor less than "will-worship," and the

inventionofman(Col.2:23).Theclergymanwhopersists inusing theseillegal ceremonial acts, in defiance of his bishop's monitions, causesdivisions,offences,strife,andcontroversyintheChurchaboutthingsnotessential,andisjustlydeservingofcensure.

32. Did the reformers of the Church of England, towhomwe owe ourArticlesand.PrayerBook,attachmuchweighttorightandtrueviewsofthe lord'sSupper, andespeciallyof the realmeaningof thepresenceofChristinthatsacrament?

Yes! most certainly. It was precisely on this point that our ProtestantReformers differed most widely from the Church of Rome. It waspreciselybecausetheywouldnotadmitthatthenaturalbodyandbloodofChristwerecorporallypresentundertheformsofbreadandwineafterthe words of consecration were pronounced, that many of them werecondemned to death and burned at the stake in Queen Mary's reign.Fuller,thefamousChurchhistorian,says:--"Thesacramentofthealtarwasthemaintouchstonetodiscover thepoorProtestants.ThispointoftherealcorporalpresenceofChristinthesacrament.,thesamebodythatwascrucified,wasthecompendiouswaytodiscoverthoseoftheoppositeopinion."--Fuller'sChurchHistory,vol.iii.p.399,Tegg'sedition.

33.WhywasJohnRogers,theprotomartyr,VicarofSt.Sepulchre'sandPrebendaryofSt.Paul's,burnedinSmithfield,onFebruary4,1555?

Letushearhisownaccount:--

"IwasaskedwhetherIbelievedinthesacramenttobetheverybodyandbloodofourSaviourChristthatwasbornoftheVirginMary,andhangedonthecross,reallyandsubstantially?Ianswered,'Ithinkittobefalse.Icannot understand really and substantially to signify otherwise thancorporally.ButcorporallyChristisonlyinheaven,andsoChristcannotbecorporallyinyoursacrament.'"Foxeinloco,vol.iii.p.101,edit.1684.

Andsohewasburned.

34.WhywasHugh Latimer, sometime Bishop ofWorcester, burned atOxford,onOctober16,1555?

LetushearwhatFoxesayswerethearticlesexhibitedagainsthim:-

"Thatthouhastopenlyaffirmed,defended,andmaintainedthatthetrueand natural body of Christ after the consecration of the priest, is notreallypresentinthesacramentofthealtar,andthatinthesacramentofthealtarremainethstillthesubstanceofbreadandwine."

Andtothisarticlethegoodoldmanreplied:--

"After a corporal being, which the Romish Church furnisheth, Christ'sbody and blood is not in the sacrament under the forms of bread andwine."Foxeinloco,vol.iii.p.426.

Andsohewasburned.

35.WhywasNicholasRidley, Bishop of London, burned atOxford, onOctober16,1555?

OncemoreletushearwhatFoxesayswerethewordsofhissentenceofcondemnation:-

"The said Nicholas Ridley affirms, maintains, and stubbornly defendscertainopinions, assertions, andheresies, contrary to theWordofGodandthereceivedfaithof theChurch,as indenyingthetrueandnaturalbody and blood of Christ to be in the sacrament of the altar, andsecondarily,inaffirmingthesubstanceofbreadandwinetoremainafterthewordsofconsecration."Foxeinloco,vol.iii.p.426.

Andsohewasburned.

36.WhywasJohnBradford,PrebendaryofSt.Paul's,chaplaintoBishopRidley,andoneofEdwardtheSixth'schaplains,burnedatSmithfield,onJuly1,1555?

Let us hear what Foxe says he wrote to the men of Lancashire andCheshirewhilehewasinprison:--

"The chief thing which I am condemned for as an heretic is because Idenythesacramentofthealtar(whichisnotChrist'sSupper,butaplain

perversionas thePapistsnowuse it) tobea real,natural,andcorporalpresence of Christ's body and blood under the forms and accidents ofbreadandwine, that is,becauseIdeny transubstantiation,which is thedarling of the devil, and daughter and heir to Antichrist's religion." --Foxeinloco,vol.iii.p.260.

Andsohewasburned.

37. But may not these four men who were burned have been isolatedcases,andnottruerepresentativesoftheChurchof.England?Maytheynothavebeenviolentfanatics,andunlearnedandignorantmen?

Nothing can be further from the truth than these suggestions. Thedoctrines for which these four men laid down their lives were thedoctrines professed by the whole Church of England in the reign ofEdwardtheSixth.Sofarfromstandingalone,theiropinionsweresharedby 280 other persons, who were burned in QueenMary's reign. As toignoranceandwantoflearning,RidleyandRogerswereamongthemostlearnedmenoftheirday,andtoRidleyinparticularweareindebtedforthefoundationsofourEnglishPrayerBook.

38.ButisitnotsaidthattheEnglishReformers,havingjustcomeoutofRome, adopted very extreme and rather defective views of the Lord'sSupper?HavenotEnglishdivinessincetheReformationtakenupmuchmoremoderate and temperate opinions about the doctrine of the RealPresence?

Whosoeversays this sayswhathecannotpossiblyprove.Withvery fewexceptions,allthegreatest,ablest,andmostlearnedEnglishtheologiansof every school of thought, for three hundred years, have agreed inmaintaining that there is no real corporal presence of Christ's naturalbodyandbloodintheconsecratedbreadandwineintheLord'sSupper.

39.WhatdoesBishopJewell,inhisworkontheSacraments,say?

"LetusexaminewhatdifferencethereisbetweenthebodyofChristandtheSacramentofHisbody.

"Thedifferenceisthis:asacramentisafigureortoken;thebodyofChristisfiguredortokened.Thesacramentalbreadisbread,itisnotthebodyofChrist;thebodyofChristisflesh;itisnobread.Thebreadisbeneath;thebodyisabove.Thebreadisonthetable;thebodyisinheaven.Thebreadisinthemouth;thebodyisintheheart.Thebreadfeedeththebody;thebody feedeth the soul. The bread shall come to nothing; the body isimmortal and shall not perish. The bread is vile; the body of Christ isglorious. Such a difference is there between the bread which is asacrament of the body, and the body of Christ itself. The sacrament iseatenaswellofthewickedasofthefaithful;thebodyisonlyeatenofthefaithful.Thesacramentmaybeeatenuntojudgment;thebodycannotbeeatenbut unto salvation.Without the sacramentwemaybe saved; butwithoutthebodyofChristwehavenosalvation:wecannotbesaved."--Jewell'sWorks, vol. ii., Treatise on Sacraments, Parker Society edition,p.1121.

40.WhatdoesRichardHooker,inhis"EcclesiasticalPolity,"say?

"TherealpresenceofChrist'smostblessedbodyandblood isnot tobesoughtforinthesacrament,butintheworthyreceiverofthesacrament.

"AndwiththistheveryorderofourSaviour'swordsagreeth.First,'Takeandeat;'then,'ThisisMybodywhichisbrokenforyou.'First,'Drinkyeall of this;' then followeth, ' This is My blood of the New Testament,whichisshedformanyfortheremissionofsins.'IseenotwhichwayitshouldbegatheredbythewordsofChrist,--whenandwherethebreadisHisbodyorthewineHisblood,butonlyintheveryheartandsoulofhimwhichreceiveththem.Asforthesacraments,theyreallyexhibit,butforaughtwe can gather out of thatwhich iswritten of them, they are notreallynordoreallycontaininthemselvesthatgracewhichwiththemorbythemitpleasethGodtobestow."Hooker,Eccl.Pol.,bookv.p.67.

41.WhatdoesJeremyTaylor,inhisbookontheRealPresence(edit.1654,pp.13-15),say?

"WesaythatChrist'sbodyisinthesacramentreally,butspiritually.TheRoman Catholics say that it is there really, but spiritually. For soBellarmineisboldtosaythatthewordmaybeallowedinthisquestion.

Where now is the difference? Here by spiritually, they mean spiritualafterthemannerofaspirit.Webyspiritually,meanpresenttoourspiritonly.TheysaythatChrist'sbodyistrulypresentthereasitwasuponthecross,butnotafterthemannerofalloranybody,butafterthatmannerofbeingasanangel is inaplace.That's their spiritually. --Butweby therealspiritualpresenceofChristdounderstandChristtobepresent,astheSpiritofGodispresent,intheheartsofthefaithfulbyblessingandgrace;andthisisallwhichwemeanbesidetopicalandfigurativepresence."

42. What did Archbishop Usher, in his sermon before the House ofCommons,say?

"In the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, the bread and wine are notchanged in substance frombeing the samewith thatwhich is servedatordinary tables. But in respect of the sacred use whereunto they areconsecrated, such a change ismade that now they differ asmuch fromcommon bread andwine as heaven from earth. Neither are they to beaccountedbarelysignificative,buttrulyexhibitivealsoofthoseheavenlythingswhereuntotheyhaverelation;asbeingappointedbyGodtobeameansofconveying thesametous,andputtingus inactualpossessionthereof.Sothatintheuseofthisholyordinance,asverilyasamanwithhisbodilyhandandmouthreceiveth theearthlycreaturesofbreadandwine,soverilywithhisspiritualhandandmouth,ifhehaveany,dothhereceivethebodyandbloodofChrist.Andthisisthatrealandsubstantialpresencewhichweaffirmtobeintheinwardpartofthissacredaction."

43.WhatdoesWaterlandsay?

"TheFatherswellunderstoodthattomakeChrist'snaturalbodytherealsacrificeoftheEucharist,wouldnotonlybeabsurdinreason,buthighlypresumptuous and profane; and that to make the outward symbols apropersacrifice,amaterialsacrifice,wouldbeentirelycontrarytogospelprinciples,degrading theChristiansacrifice intoaJewishone,yea,andmakingitmuchlowerandmeanerthantheJewishone,bothinvalueanddignity.Therightway,therefore,wastomakethesacrificespiritual,anditcouldbenootherupongospelprinciples."--Works,vol.iv.p.762.

"NoonehasanyauthorityorrighttoofferChristasasacrifice,whether

reallyorsymbolically,butChristHimself;suchasacrificeisHissacrifice,notours --offered forus,notbyus, toGodtheFather."Works,vol. iv.p.753.

44.WhatdoesBishopBurnet,inhisworkontheArticles,say?

"WeassertarealpresenceofthebodyandbloodofChrist;butnotofHisbodyasitisnowglorifiedinheaven,butofHisbodyasitwasbrokenonthe cross,whenHis bloodwas shed and separated from it; that is,Hisdeath,with themerits and effects of it, are in a visible and federal actofferedinthesacramenttoallworthybelievers.--Byrealweunderstandtrue,inoppositionbothtofictionandimagination,andtothoseshadowsthatwereintheMosaicaldispensation,inwhichthemanna,therock,thebrazenserpent,buteminentlythecloudofglory,weretypesandshadowsofMessiahthatwastocome,withwhomcamegraceandtruth,thatis,amost wonderful manifestation of the mercy and grace of God, and averifying of promises made under the law. -- In this sense weacknowledgea realpresenceofChrist in thesacrament.ThoughweareconvincedthatourfirstReformersjudgedrightconcerningtheuseofthephrase, Real Presence, that it was better to be let fall than to becontinued, since the use of it, and that ideawhich does naturally arisefrom the common acceptation of it, may stick deeper, and feedsuperstitionmore thanall those larger explanations that are given to itcanbeabletocure."---BurnetonTwenty-eighthArticle.

45.WhatdoesHenryPhilpotts,BishopofExeter;inhislettertoCharlesButler,say?"TheChurchofRomeholdsthatthebodyandbloodofChristarepresentundertheaccidentsofbreadandwine;theChurchofEnglandholds that their real presence is in the soul of the communicant at thesacramentoftheLord'sSupper.

"She holds that after the consecration of the bread and wine they arechanged,notintheirnature,butintheiruse,thatinsteadofnourishingour bodies only, they now are instruments by which, when worthilyreceived,GodgivestooursoulsthebodyandbloodofChristtonourishandsustain them, that this isnota fictitiousor imaginaryexhibitionofourcrucifiedRedeemertous,butarealthoughspiritualone,morereal,indeed, because more effectual, than the carnal exhibition and

manducationofHimcouldbe,forthefleshprofitethnothing."

"In the samemanner, then, as oar Lord Himself said, ' I am the truebreadthatcamedownfromheaven'(notmeaningtherebythathewasalumpofbakeddoughormanna,butthetruemeansofsustainingthetruelifeofman,whichisspiritual,notcorporeal),sointhesacramenttotheworthyreceiveroftheconsecratedelements,thoughintheirnaturemerebreadandwine, are yet given truly, really, andeffectively, the crucifiedbodyandbloodofChrist;thatbodyandbloodwhicharetheinstrumentsof man's redemption, and upon which our spiritual life and strengthsolelydepend.ItisinthissensethatthecrucifiedJesusispresentinthesacramentofHisSupper,notin,norwith,thebreadandwine,norundertheir accidents, but in the souls of communicants; not carnally, buteffectuallyandfaithfully,andthereforemostreally."--Philpotts'LettertoButler,8voedit.1825,pp.235,236.

46. What did Archbishop Longley say in his last Charge, printed andpublishedafterhisdeathin1868?

"The doctrine of the real presence is, in one sense, the doctrine of theChurch of England. She asserts that the body and blood of Christ are'verilyandindeedtakenandreceivedbythefaithfulintheLord'sSupper.'And she asserts equally that suchpresence, isnotmaterial or corporal,butthatChrist'sbody'isgiven,taken,andeatenintheSupper,onlyafteraheavenlyandspiritualmanner' (Art.28.).Christ'spresence iseffectualforallthoseintentsandpurposesforwhichHisbodywasbrokenandHisbloodshed.Astoapresenceelsewherethanintheheartofabeliever,theChurchofEnglandissilent,andthewordsofHookerthereforerepresentherviews:'TherealpresenceofChrist'smostblessedbodyandbloodisnot to be sought in the sacrament, but in the worthy receiver of thesacrament.'"

47. What did the Judicial Committee of Privy Council declare in thefamouscaseofShepherdV.Bennet.

"ItisnotlawfulforaclergymantoteachthatthesacrificeandofferingofChrist upon the cross, or the redemption, propitiation, or satisfactionwroughtbyit,isorcanberepeatedintheordinanceoftheLord'sSupper;

nor that in thatordinance there isorcanbeanysacrificeorofferingofChrist which is efficacious in the sense in which Christ's death isefficacious,toprocuretheremissionofguiltorpunishmentofsins."

"AnypresenceofChristintheHolyCommunion,whichisnotapresencetothesoulofthefaithfulreceiver,theChurchofEnglanddoesnotbyherArticlesand formulariesaffirm,or requireherministers toaccept.Thiscannotbestatedtooplainly."

48.Whatisthedeclarationwhich,underthe"ActofSettlement,"andbythe law of .England, every Sovereign of this country, at his or herCoronation,must"make,subscribe,andaudiblyrepeat"!

Itisthedeclaration,beitremembered,whichwasmade,subscribed,andrepeatedbyHerGraciousMajestyQueenVictoria.

"I,Victoria,do solemnlyand sincerely, in thepresenceofGod,profess,testify,anddeclare that Idobelieve that in thesacramentof theLord'sSupperthereisnotanytransubstantiationoftheelementsofbreadandwine into the body and blood of Christ, at or after the consecrationthereof,byanypersonwhatsoever;andthattheinvocationoradorationof theVirginMary or any other saint, and the sacrifice of themass, asthey are now used in the Church of Rome, are superstitious andidolatrous. And I do solemnly, in the presence of God, profess, testify,anddeclare,thatIdomakethisdeclaration,andeverypartthereof,intheplain and ordinary sense of the words read unto me, as they arecommonly understood by English Protestants, without any evasion,equivocation, or mental reservation, and without any dispensationalreadygrantedmeforthispurposebythePopeoranyotherauthorityorpersonwhatsoever, orwithout anyhopeof any suchdispensation fromanypersonorauthoritywhatsoever,orwithoutthinkingthatIamorcanbe acquitted beforeGod orman, or absolved of this declaration or anypartthereof,althoughthePopeoranyotherpersonorpersonsorpowerwhatsoevershalldispensewithorannulthesame,ordeclarethatitwasnullandvoidfromthebeginning."

49. After all, are these nice and deep questions about a real corporalpresenceandasacrificeintheLord'sSupperofanyvitalimportance?Do

theyreallyinterferewithanyleadingtruthsofthegospel?Aretheynotallstrifesaboutwordswhichareofnoconsequence?Aretheynotallmereaestheticsquabblingaboutornaments,onwhichtastesmaybeallowedtodiffer?

Themanwhocansaysuchthingsasthis,exhibitsmostwoefulignoranceofChristiantheology,as laiddownintheNewTestament,andhasverymuch to learn. The harmless theory, as some people call it, of a realcorporal presence of Christ's natural body and blood in the bread andwine, if pursued to its legitimate consequences, obscures every leadingdoctrineofthegospel,anddamagesandinterfereswiththewholesystemofChrist'struth.GrantforamomentthattheLord'sSupperisasacrifice,andnotasacrament---grantthateverytimethewordsofconsecrationare used, the natural body and blood of Christ are present on thecommuniontableundertheformsofbreadandwine--grantthateveryonewho eats that consecratedbread anddrinks that consecratedwine,does really eat and drink the body and blood of Christ -- -grant for amoment these things, and the most momentous consequences resultfrom thesepremises.You spoil theblesseddoctrine ofChrist's finishedworkwhenHediedonthecross.Asacrificethatneedstoberepeatedisnotaperfectandcompletething.YouspoilthepriestlyofficeofChrist.Ifthere are priests that can offer an acceptable sacrifice to God besidesHim, the great High Priest is robbed of His glory. -- You spoil thescripturaldoctrineoftheChristianministry.YouexaltsinfulmenintothepositionofmediatorsbetweenGodandman.Yougivetothesacramentalelementsof breadandwine anhonour andveneration theywerenevermeant to receive, and produce an idolatry to be abhorred of faithfulChristians. -- Last, but not least, you overthrow the true doctrine ofChrist's human nature. If the body born of the VirginMary can be inmoreplacesthanoneatthesametime,itisnotabodylikeourown,andJesuswasnotthesecondAdaminthetruthofournature.OurmartyredReformerssawandfelt thesethingsevenmoreclearly thanwedo,and,seeingand feeling them, chose todie rather thanadmit thedoctrineoftheRealPresence.

50. But may not these unhappy divisions about the, Lord's Supper behealedandlaidtorestbysanctioningapolicyofgeneralcompromiseant

toleration,?WhyshouldnotChurchmenagreetoalloweveryclergymantobelieveandteachjustwhathelikesabouttheLord'sSupper?Whynotproclaimby authority, that for peace' sake one clergymanmay call thisordinance a sacrament, and another clergyman in the next parishmaycall it a sacrifice, -- one man may tell his people that there is a realcorporal presence of Christ on the Lord's Table, and another tell hispeoplethatthere isnosuchpresenceatall?Whynotpermitall this forthesakeofpeace?Whynotsacrificealldistinctdoctrineinordertoavoidcontroversy?

The answer is plain and obvious. This "policy of compromise andtoleration" would bring no peace at all, but would rather increase,emphasize, crystallize, and solidify our unhappy divisions. It would beregarded by the laity of the middle and lower classes as a deliberateattempt to bring back theRomishMass, and get behind theProtestantReformation.Itwould:splittheclergyofeverydioceseintotwodistinctbodies, neither ofwhichwould hold any communionwith the other. Itwouldincreasethedifficultiesofbishopstenfold,andmakeitimpossibletoexamineanycandidateforordersabouttheLord'sSupper.Aboveall,thispolicyofuniversal tolerationwould sooneror laterbringdown thedispleasureofGod,andruintheChurchofEngland.Peace,cessationofcontroversy, free thought, and liberty in administering sacraments, areexcellent things to talkabout,and the)-lookbeautifulatadistance.Buttheymusthavesomebounds.TheChurchwhich,inzealforpeace,throwscreeds and rubrics overboard, and regards Deism, Socinianism,Romanism,andProtestantismwithequalfavourorequalindifference,isamereBabel,acityofconfusion,andnotacityofGod.ThisiswhattheChurchofEnglandwillcometo,ifsheevergivesuptheprinciplesofhermartyredReformersabouttheLord'sSupper.

51.WhatistheRealPresencethattheChurchofEnglandspeciallyneedsintheselatterdays?

ItisthepresenceofGodtheHolySpirit.Thisisoffarmoreimportancethan any corporal presence of Christ. Our question in every place ofworship should be, not, "Is Christ's body here?" but, "Is the Spirit, theComforter, here?" Excessive craving after Christ's material bodilypresence before the Second Advent is in reality dishonouring theHoly

Spirit.WhereHeis,therewillbeGod'sblessing.WhereHeis,therewillbetruehonourgiventothebodyandbloodofChrist.WhattheChurchofChrist needs everywhere is the real presence of theHoly Ghost. If theHoly Spirit is not present, the highest show of reverence for theconsecratedbreadandwineintheLord'sSupperisuselessformality,andcompletelyworthlessinGod'ssight.

1Thess.2:1-2."ForKings."

"Iexhort,therefore,that,firstofall,supplications,prayers,intercessions,andgivingofthanks,bemadeforallmen;

"Forkings,andforallthatareinauthority."--1Thess.2:1-2.

THEwordswhichhead thispageare taken fromapassageofScripturewhich is eminently suitable to the solemn occasion which gathers ustogether,theJubileeofourgraciousSovereignQueenVictoria'sreign.AroyalJubileeisaveryrareeventinhistory,andinallhumanprobabilitythisistheonlyoneinEnglandwhichanyofuswilleverlivetosee.Letuslaythisseriouslytoheartinto-day'sserviceofprayerandpraise!

ThewordsofthetextoccurinthefirstdirectionwhichSt.Paulgave,byinspiration of the Holy Ghost, to his young friend Timothy about theconductofpublicworship."Firstofall,"hesaysemphatically----"firstof all, I exhort that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving ofthanks,bemadeforallmen; forkings,andforall thatare inauthority;thatwemayleadaquietandpeaceablelife."

ImightsaysomethingaboutthestrikingcontrastbetweentheelaborateandminuteritualoftheOld

1. The paper now in the reader's hands contains file substance of asermon preached in Liverpool Cathedral, on June 20th, 1887, on the

occasionoftheJubileeofQueenVictoria,beforetheMayorandleadinginhabitantsofLiverpool.

Testament Church under the ceremonial law, and the remarkablesimplicity and brevity of the ritual provided for the Church of the newdispensation. It is a contrast easily explained. The worship of the OldTestament was designed for the Jews alone, -- for one single nationpracticallycutofffromtherestofmankind,--andwasfulloftypesandemblemsofgoodthingstocome.TheworshipoftheNewTestamentwasintendedforalltheworld,andastheThirty-fourthArticleofourChurchhas wisely said -- " Ceremonies may be changed according to thediversitiesofcountries,times,andmen'smanners."

Onething,however,isverycertain.Therule,orrubric,laiddownbySt.Paul for the guidance of Timothy at Ephesus, ismeant to be a rule ofperpetual obligation as long as the world stands, and until the Lordcomes. Whenever Christians meet together for public worship, thereought to be "prayers and intercessions for all men," and specially "forkings," aswell as "thanksgiving formercies received.This primary ruleyouareinvitedtoobservethisday.

I.Concerning thegeneraldutyofpraying forothers, I think ituseful tosaysomething.Butmywordsshallbefew.

I suspect the thought crosses someminds -- -"What is the use ofmyintercession?WhatamIbutadebtortoChrist'smercyandgrace?Howcantheprayerofsuchapoorsinnerbeofanyusetoothers?PrayingformyselfIcanunderstand,butnotprayingforanother."

Theanswertoallsuchthoughtsisshortandsimple.ItisthecommandofGod,anditisaplaindutytoobeyit.Inthis,asinmanyothermatters,itbecomesamortalmantobelievethatthelightofthelastdayshallmakeallclear.Inthemeantime,the"how"andthe"why"andthe"wherefore"hadbetterbeleftalone.Whatweknownotnowweshallknowhereafter.The practice of almost every saint in the Bible, of whom much isrecorded,oughttosilenceallobjections.Patriarchs,prophets,kings,andapostles have left us examples of intercession. Dowe knowmore thantheydid?Dowe think theywasted their timewhen theynamedothers

beforeGod?Arewewiserthanthey?

Ihavea firmconviction that in thismatterGod testsour faithandourlove.DowebelievethattheeternalGodistoowisetomakeanymistake?Then,whenHesays"Prayforothers,"letusnotstandstill,reasoningandarguing,butdoasHetellsus.WhenourLordJesusChristsaysthebestproofof ahigh standardof love is to "Pray for themwhichdespitefullyuseyouandpersecuteyou"(Matt.5:44),letusbelieveandobey.IalwaysthankGod that our time-honoured Prayer Book contains such a grandspecimen of intercession as the Litany. I believe the last day alonewillshow how the prayers of God's elect have affected the history of thisworld,andinfluencedtheriseandfallofnations.TherewasdeeptruthinthesayingofunhappyMaryQueenofScots--"IfeartheprayersofJohnKnoxmorethananarmyof20,000men."So,whenwekneeltoprayforourselves,letusneverforgettoprayforothers.

II. Concerning the special duty of praying for kings and all that are inauthority, Imust not omit to say something. But once againmywordsshallbefew.

Amoment's reflectionwill tell us that St. Paul's injunction to "pray forkings" is a very singular and remarkable one. For consider in whosehands the government of theworld lay at the timewhen theEpistle toTimothywaswritten.ThinkwhatamonsterofiniquityworetheimperialpurpleatRome--Nero--whoseverynameisaproverb.Thinkofsuchrulers of provinces as Felix andFestus,HerodAgripPsalms andGallio.Think of the ecclesiastical heads of the Jewish Church Annas andCaiaphas.YetthesewerethemenforwhomSt.PaulsaysChristiansweretopray!Theirpersonalcharactersmightbebad.But theywerepersonsordainedbyGodtokeepsomeoutwardorderinthissin-burdenedworld.Assuch,fortheiroffice'sake,theyweretobeprayedfor.

Afterall,wemustneverforgetthatnonearesotrulytobepitied--nonein such spiritual danger -- none so likely to make shipwreck to alleternity-andnonestandinsuchneedofourprayers,asthekingsofthisworld.Fewoutofthemanywhocriticisetheirconductseriouslyconsidertheenormousdifficultiesoftheirposition.

Thinkofthetemptationswhichsurroundthem.Seldomadvised,seldomcontradicted,seldomwarned,theydwellinbodieslikeourown,andhavelikepassionswithourselves,andareliabletobeovercomebytheworld,theflesh,andthedevil,justlikeothermen.IdonotwondertoreadthatwhenBuchanan,oncetutortoJamestheFirst,waslyingonhisdeathbed,hesentalastmessagetohisroyalpupil,"thathewasgoingtoaplacetowhichfewkingsandprincesevercame."Ifitbetrue,asofcourseitmustbe, because our Lord said it. How hardly shall a rich man enter thekingdomofGod,"howmuchmorehardshallentrancebeforaking!

Thinkofthecountlessknotswhichakinghastountie,andtheawkwardquestionswhichheoftenhastodecide.Howtoarrangedifferenceswithother countries, -- how to promote the prosperity of all classes of thecommunity, -- how to decidewhen to tighten the reins of government,andwhen to loosen them, -- how to select the rightmen to fill vacantposts,--howtodealfairlyandjustlywithallranks,sorts,andconditionsofmen,attending impartially toall andneglectingnone -- all thesearedifficultieswhichthepoorfallibleoccupantofathronehastofaceeveryweekofhislife.Canwewonderifhemakesmistakes?Wellmightapoetofourownsay---"Uneasysleepstheheadthatwearsacrown."

Think of the immense responsibility of a king's office, and thetremendous issues which depend on his decisions. A single error injudgmentinmanaginganegotiation,awantoftemperindealingwithanambassador, a hasty reliance on erroneous information -- any one ofthese things may involve his subjects in a war attended by fearfulbloodshed,lossesabroad,discontentathome,heavytaxation,and,finallyperhaps, revolution and deposition fromhis throne. And allmay comefromoneman'smistake.'

Yes!wemaywellbeexhortedto"prayforkings."Ifwecouldonlybelieveit,ofallthechildrenofAdamtheymostdeserveourdailyintercessions.Raisedabovetheirfellowsbytheirposition,theyfindthemselves,liketheAlpinetravellerwhoscalestheMatterhorn,fearfullyalone.Inthenatureof things, they can have no equals with whom to exchange hearts andsympathies. They are surrounded by those who are tempted to beflatterersandsycophants,andtomakethingspleasanttoroyalears.Theyseldomhearthewholetruth.Theyareonlyhumanbeingslikeourselves,

needing the sameChrist -- the sameHoly Spirit. Yet they are expectednevertoerr,andareblamediftheydo.

Yes!wemaywell"prayforkings."Itiseasytocriticiseandfindfaultwiththeirconduct,andwrite furiousarticlesagainst theminnewspapers,ormake violent speeches about them on platforms. Any fool can rip andrendacostlygarment,butnoteverymancancutoutandmakeone.Toexpect perfection in kings, prime ministers, or rulers of any kind, issenselessandunreasonable.Weshouldexhibitmorewisdomifweprayedforthemmore,andcriticisedless.

III.Letmenowinviteyourattentiontothespecialsubjectwhichcallsustogether thisday,viz. thecelebrationof theRoyalEnglishJubilee.Thisvery day our graciousQueenVictoria completes the fiftieth year of herreign.Iaskyoutocomewithmeandlookbackonthehalfcenturywhichisjustconcluded.Myaimistoshowyouasbrieflyaspossiblesomeofthegreat reasonswhywe ought to be a very thankful people this day. In afallenworld like ours there alwayswill bemanyunredressed evils, andmurmurersandcomplainerswillbefoundineveryquarter.Formyself,Icanonlysaythat,onacalmretrospectofthelastfiftyyears,Iseesomanycausesfornationalthankfulness,thatIfindithardtoknowwhatIshouldselect,andwheretobegin.Letme,however,trytonameafew.

(a) First and foremost among the reasons for thankfulness, let memention the stainless and blameless personal character which ourgraciousSovereignhasborneduringthelongfiftyyearsofherreign.Inall the relations of life as a mother and a wife -- in the high moralstandardwhichshehasmaintainedinherCourtandhousehold--inherscrupulousanddiligentdischargeofthecountlessdailydutieswhichherhighofficeentailsuponherinherboundlesssympathywiththesorrowsofherhumblestsubjects--where,inthelongrollofEnglishsovereigns,willyoufindonewhocanbecomparedwithourgoodQueenVictoria?

I believe we do not realize sufficiently the immense importance of aSovereign's personal character in the present day. The character of aruler,liketheinsensiblepressureoftheatmosphereoneverysquareinchofourbodies,willalwayshaveasilent,quietinfluenceontheconductofsubjects.Thelivesofsovereignsareanopenbookwhichallcanread,and

theexampleofa crownedheadoftendoesmore than legalenactments.TherecanbenodoubtthattheenormousimmoralityoftheFrenchCourtin the eighteenth century was the true cause of the first FrenchRevolution, and the Reign of Terror. During the last half century thefoundations of not a few governments in the world have been rudelyshaken,andsomehavebeencompletelyoverturned.Nothing,Isuspect,hadcontributedsolargelytothestabilityoftheBritishthroneasthehighcharacterof theRoyalLadywhohasoccupied it.Arevolutionaryspirit,weallknow,hasbeenfrequentlyintheairduringthelastfiftyyears,andadispositiontopulldownallestablishedinstitutions,andsubstitutenew-fangledschemesofgovernment,hasrepeatedlyshownitself.Theriseandprogress of Chartism and Socialism have often made many afraid.Nothing,Ifirmlybelieve,haskepttheshipoftheBritishStateonanevenkeelsomuchastheinnerlifeofourbelovedQueen.IfthatinnerlifehadbeensuchasthelivesofsomeofthePlantagenets,Tudors,andStuarts,Idoubt extremely whether the royal standard would have been flying atWindsorCastlethisweek.

(b)Inthenextplace, letusbethankfulforthesingularlylongperiodoftimeduringwhichGodhaspermittedourgraciousSovereigntositonthethrone of her ancestors. Of all the kings of Judah who reigned inJerusalem,UzziahandManassehweretheonlytwowhoheldthesceptreformorethanfiftyyears,andevenDavidandSolomon'sreignswereonlyfortyyearslong.Ourownkings,HenrytheThird,EdwardtheThird,andGeorgetheThird,eachreignedmorethanfiftyyears.But,sincetheworldbegan,weknowofno femalesovereign inhistoric times,on the faceoftheglobe,whohaswornacrownsolongasourgoodQueenVictoria.Iamsurewearenotsufficientlygratefulforthis.Evenunderaconstitutionalmonarchylikeours--inwhicheverythingdoesnotdependonthewhimofanimperialautocrat-- frequentchangesonthethronearecalculatedtohaveadisturbinginfluence,andanewsovereign'sviewsofhispoweranddutiesmaynotalwayscoincidewiththoseofhispredecessor.Thereis a deepmeaning in Solomon'swords-. -- " For the transgression of alandmanyaretheprincesthereof"(Prov.28:2).InearlyEnglishhistory,thebloodywarsof theRosessweptawaytheflowerofournobility,andstruggles between the rival houses of York and Lancaster frequentlyshookthethrone,anddesolatedtherealm.Ata laterdate, theunhappy

Commonwealth struggle overturned for a time our long-establishedinstitutions. Happy is the land in which there are few changes on thethrone. " Grant our Sovereign a long life," and "God save the Queen,"shouldbethedailyprayerofeveryBritishpatriot.

(c) In the next place, let us thank God for the enormous growth innational wealth and prosperity by which the half century of QueenVictoria'sreignhasbeendistinguished.Itisasimplematteroffact,thatinnoprecedingfiftyyearsofEnglishhistoryhastherebeenanythinglikeit.Touseawell-knownphrase,thecapitalorincomeofthecountryhasmoved on "by leaps and bounds." In spite of occasional cycles of badtimes and commercial depression, -- in spite of bloody and expensivewars, such as the Crimean War and the Indian Mutiny, -- in spite ofprovidentialvisitation,suchascholeraandtheIrishpotatofamine,--theprogress of thenation and the increase ofwealthhave been somethingastounding. The waves on the shore have seemed to come and go, toadvance and retire, but on the whole the tide has been steadily risingeveryyear.In1837,thesumsofmoneydepositedinSavingsBankswereonly14millions.Theyarenow90millions.--In1843,whentheincometaxwasfirstimposed,eachpennyinthepoundbroughtintotheNationalExchequer £772,000. In 1885, each penny produced £1,992,000. -- In1843,theassessablevalueof landsandtenementswasonly95millions.In 1885, it was 180 millions. The assessable value of trades andprofessionsin1843wasonly71millions.In1885,itwas282millions.---ThepopulationoftheUnitedKingdomwas25millionsin1837.Itisnow,inspiteoftheIrishfamineandaceaselessemigration,37millions.InourowncityofLiverpool,thepopulationin1837wasonly246,000.Itisnow,including suburbs, 700,000. -- The tonnage of shipping at our port in1837 was only 1,953,894. It is now 7,546,623. -- The number of shipsenteringwas15,038.Itisnow21,529.--In1837,Liverpoolhad9docks,witha frontageof twomilesandahalf to theriver.Therearenowfiftydocksandbasinswithafrontageofsixmiles.--In1837,Liverpooldockdueswere .£173,853.Theyarenow£694,316. --Surelyweought tobethankful- This is the finger of God. It is "the blessing of the Lord thatmakethrich."--"BothrichesandhonourcomefromHim"(Prov.10:22;1Chron.29:12).[32]

(d) In the next place, we ought to be thankful for the extraordinaryadvanceswhichsciencehasmadeduringthehalfcenturyofourgraciousSovereign's reign.Wehavebridged theAtlanticwithour steamers, andbrought our English-speaking cousinswithin aweek of our shores -- athingwhichIwellrememberDr.Lardnerdeclaredtobeimpossible.Wehave covered the land with a network of railways, making journeyspossible inafewhours,whichformerlyoccupieddays.Wehaveopenedcommunicationwitheverypartoftheworldbyelectrictelegraph,andcansend messages in a few hours, which formerly would not have beenconveyedinasmanymonths.

Allthesethings,andmanyothers,havebudded,blossomed,andbloomedsinceQueenVictoriaascendedherthrone.Theyhaveaddedimmenselytothe comfort and convenience of modern life. They have practicallyannihilatedtimeandspace,andlengthenedlife,andenabledustodoanamountofworkintwenty-fourhours,whichourgrandfatherswouldhavethought Quixotical, romantic, absurd, and impossible. But they aresimplefacts.Surelyweoughttobethankful-

(e)Finally,andaboveall,weoughttobemostthankfulfortheimmenseadvancewhich the cause of religion, education, andmorality hasmadethroughout the realmsinceQueenVictoria came to the throne.Humannature, no doubt, is not changed. Themillennium has not begun, andmuch evil abounds. But still, that man must be blind or obstinatelyprejudiced,whodoesnotseeanimmensechangeforthebetter,bothasregardsdutytoGodanddutytoourneighboursthroughoutthecountry,inthelasthalfcentury.Churchbuilding,nodoubt,isnoteverything,andbricksandmortardonotconstitutereligion.Yetthemerefactthat2000new churches, besides Nonconformist chapels, have been built inEnglandandWalesduring the last fifty years,byvoluntary efforts, andnearlythirtymillionsofmoneyhavebeenspentinrestoringoldplacesofworshipandbuildingnewones,speaksvolumes.EvenhereinLiverpoolanditssuburbs,therewereonly36churchesandabout70clergymenin1837.Atthismomentthereare90churchesand185clergyin1837,theincome of the Church Missionary Society was £71,000. It is now£232,000.ThePastoralAidSocietyonlyreceived£7363.Itnowreceives£50,122.--In1837,therewereonly58,000childrenreceivingeducation

inalltheschoolsoftheNationalandBritishandForeignSchoolSocietiesthroughout England andWales. In 1885, there were nearly 4,000,000underinstructionandinspection.Itisastrikingfactthatduringthehalfcentury of Queen Victoria's reign, her Governments have spent fiftymillionsoneducation.

Astoworksofphilanthropyandeffortstopromotemorality,timewouldfail me if I tried to recount them. The labours of men like LordShaftesburyandothershaveraisedtheconditionof theworkingclassescent.percent.TheTenHoursFactoryAct, the legislationaboutwomenand children working in mines, the creation of ragged schools andreformatories, the rise and progress of the temperancemovement, themany efforts to ameliorate the condition of the working classes byeducation, sanitation, public parks, and recreation grounds, hall thesethingshavebeen the creationof the last fifty years. I call themhealthysymptomsofourconditionasanation.Ihumblyconfessthatwearestillvery imperfect. There is still a vast amount of improvidence, wilfulpoverty,drunkenness,impurity,andSabbath-breakinginthelandwhichis greatly to be regretted. But these evils are less than they were inproportiontothepopulation.And,atanyrate,weseethem,knowthem,andarehonestlyusingmeanstoprevent them.Surelyourhearts,whenwecompare1837and1887,oughttobedeeplythankful.

Onaday"likethisitismeet,right,andourboundendutytopraiseGod.LetmeearnestlyentreatallwhomIaddressto-daytoturnfromtheblackcloudsinhishorizon,tolookatthebluesky,andtobethankful.Whereisthenationon the faceof theglobewhichhashadsuchreason to thankGodforthelasthalfcenturyasGreatBritain?Andwhocandenythat,inreckoningupthemanyblessingsofthatperiod,wehavereasontothankGodforthewiseandbeneficentreignofourQueen?TherearenamesinthelongrollofEnglishkingswhichnoEnglishmancanthinkofwithoutshame.ThememoryofaRoyalWilliam,orHenry,orEdward,orJames,orCharles,orGeorge,isbynomeansalwaysfragrant.ButIdoubtifthefuturehistorianwillever record thenameofamonarchwhosesubjectswillhavehadsuchcausetobethankfulaswehaveforQueenVictoria.

Andnowtothesepraisesandthanksgivingsletusaddanearnestprayerthat the lifeofourbelovedSovereignmayyetbesparedtous formany

years, and that these years may be years of increasing happiness andusefulnesstotheend.Weallknowthatshehashadmanysorrowfultimestopassthrough.ThedeathsofthePrinceConsort,thePrincessAlice,andtheDukeofAlbany,were crushing trialswhichwill never be forgotten.Let us pray that shemay he spared further trials of this kind, that shemay longcontinue to live in theaffectionsof aprosperous,united, andcontented people, and that when she is removed from this world ofsorrow, she may enter with an abundant entrance into that kingdomwheretearsarewipedfromalleyes,andreceivethatcrownofglorywhichaloneneverfadesaway.

THEENDFootnotes:

[32]ForthefiguresinthisparagraphIamchieflyindebtedtomyfriendSirJamesPicton,ofLiverpool,awell-knownmasterofstatistics.

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