where such tremendous interests are involved, to run a risk so awful,--to look at the one thus saved in the eleventh hour, and forget the ninety and nine who perish! Consider that deliberately to calculate upon this late return, is fearfully to abuse that mercy which you look for. God is charging you to-day, while it is called to-day, to hear his voice; and if you shut your ears, you are not only hardening your own heart, but you are saying to him in effect,—“I will turn my back upon thee, now in this accepted time; and when this world can hold out to me no more, I will then give thee my heart, and turn my eyes towards Zion." They are indeed the least likely to receive grace to hear the call aright, who have wilfully neglected the invitation. The soul-destroying delusion consists in this,-that you fancy it is at your option to turn to God whatever time you please; while the truth is, that the preparations of the heart are from the Lord, and that except a man be born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Beware how you trifle with that goodness and forbearance which should lead you to repentance. Beware how you quench the striving of God's Spirit in your conscience, lest he say, "Let him alone," and then you perish. Since you are alive here

this day, take this as a token that God would not have you die the death of the wicked, but rather that you should be numbered with the righteous, and with his saints in glory everlasting; but do not treasure up to yourself wrath by abusing mercy.

Are you accepted in the Beloved? Remember that he who is in Christ-he who hath the Son of God-alone is righteous, and hath everlasting life. Remember, if you are not in Him, where you are at this moment standing, yet in your sins, and under the wrath of the Almighty. Remember that judgment is laid to the line, and is ready to be revealed. Seek shelter, then, under the skirts of that righteousness which is by faith of Jesus Christ, and upon all them that believe. Say not in your heart, "Peace and safety, and to-morrow shall be as this day."

Without this righteousness, whatever you may seem to yourself and to others, you are wretched, and poor, and naked before the God of Heaven, and there is no peace to you. Get that wisdom which giveth life to them that have it. A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished. Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you. Bring your many sins without reserve to

the Lamb of God, who will take them away; and though they be as scarlet they shall be white as snow. Take his easy yoke and light burden upon you. Hear his voice and follow him, and you shall find rest to your soul, and finally enter, among the righteous, into the everlasting rest which remaineth for the people of God.

XII.

THE INDESTRUCTIBLE KINGDOM.

"Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre."-Ps. XLV. 6.

THE Lord is a great King above all gods. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endureth from generation to generation. He doeth according to his will in the army of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, "What doest thou?"

Yet what do we see in the world around us? What do we see when we look into our own natural hearts? And what do we find written in the word of Him who pondereth all our goings, and who weigheth the spirits? If he be a King and a Master, where is his fear? Why does the Son of God teach his disciples to pray, "Thy kingdom come"? Is his will done

on earth as it is in heaven?

Who has not said

in his heart, "What is the Almighty that we

should serve him?" Who is there, from Adam

downwards, that has not more or less cast God's law behind him?

Now, inasmuch as God is wise in heart, and mighty in strength, there is surely none who can harden himself against Him, and prosper. God is a righteous Judge, no less than King of kings,it is easier for heaven and earth to pass than for one tittle of the law to fail,-how then shall we account for his forbearance, that sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily?

The truth is, we are in this world under a mediatorial system. An almighty Mediator, who is both God and man, stands between God and sinners, and lays his hand, as it were, on both. He has opened a way of reconciliation. He has obtained for all a day of grace, during which he invites them to return; and for those who obey his call, and will have him to reign over them, he secures peace with God, and all the blessings of his kingdom. He reinstates them in his favour, brings them back to their allegiance, and finally, when his government as Mediator shall cease, he shall place them with him in his Throne, and reign with them in that Kingdom which shall never be destroyed. To Christ is given all power in heaven and in earth, and he is appointed heir of all things in the world to come. Willingly or