themselves. With respect to Him, they believe the record, that his "blood cleanseth from all sin:" with respect to themselves, that they must be washed in that blood. With respect to Him, that he hath "brought in an everlasting righteousness" with respect to themselves, that they must be clothed with that righteousness. With respect to him, that "He is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity:" with respect to themselves, that they must " purify themselves even as he is pure." With respect to Him, that his kingdom is not of this world:" with respect to themselves, "that they love not the world, neither the things of the world."―They know him full of grace, and therefore confidently cast themselves altogether on his mercy: they know him full of truth, and therefore meekly, and as little children, surrender themselves to his disposal.

"

But they know him as he is revealed, not from the word of revelation alone, but also from their own experience: they know experimentally that he bindeth up the wounded, and healeth them that are broken in heart: for he hath given them the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Their hearts are stayed on him: therefore He keepeth them in perfect peace; and they find, what they received on the word of his truth, that the king

dom of God is indeed righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. And whence have they this experience? They have drunk of that living water, for they know the gift of God, and they know him through whom, and in whom, the gift is. They have therefore asked of him, and he has given them living water.

My brethren, do I address any such? Do I indeed address those who know the Saviour, even as he is revealed; and have found him, even as he is promised, above all we can either think or ask? Do I address those who have drunk of the water of life, and in whom it hath become a well of living water, springing up into everlasting life? My brethren, to you belongeth the word of exhortation: As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him, rooted and built up in him; and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught; abounding therein with thanksgiving; and shewing out of a good conversation your works with meekness of wisdom: that men, seeing your good works, may glorify your Father which is in heaven.

But do I address those who are still ignorant of him whose name they bear? Do I address those, who, like the woman of Samaria at the well, know not the gift of God, nor Him through whom and in whom the gift is? who, not knowing, have never asked; and, not asking, have therefore never received nor drunk of the water of life? My brethren-But before I pro

ceed I would make one observation: I know it is, unfortunately, too often the custom of such persons to complain when thus spoken to. They are apt to consider the address of the minister as an angry and reproachful sentence of condemnation which most certainly it ought not to be-rather than a faithful but affectionate warning, which is in truth intended. My brethren, mistake me not. To you belongeth the word, not of reproach, but the word of reconciliation. For unto us is given the ministry of reconciliation, saith the Apostle; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now, then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you, in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. To this word of reconciliation would I direct you; with this word of reconciliation would I address you. You have not drunk of the water of life: and why? even because you have not asked. But will you therefore never ask? Nay; but as you have never asked as yet, will you not the rather ask now? will you not the rather ask to-day? Hearken to the invitation of the Prophet; Ho every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters. Hearken to the invitation of the Saviour; If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. Do you doubt? Do Do you hesitate? My brethren,

they are the words of truth, from the lips of Truth itself. Or do you reject them? My brethren, they are enduring, everlasting words. We may reject them, but, blessed be God, we cannot annul them-man's unbelief cannot make them false: for heaven and earth shall pass away, but the words of truth, the words of Jesus Christ, shall never pass away.-Do you still refuse? Hear him again: As my soul liveth, saith the Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked.-He willeth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should turn unto him and live. He willeth not the death of any of you, my brethren; for he hath spared you unto this day: and though you may have lost the days that are past, still this day is yours; and this day saith the Lord, even to-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Yesterday and tomorrow are alike out of our power; but this day is ours, for the Lord hath given it to us; and this day doth the Lord beseech you, Be ye reconciled unto God. Hear his final invitation, from the last chapter of Revelation; And the Spirit and the bride say Come; and let him that heareth, say Come; and let him that is athirst, come: and whosoever willmark those words-and whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.

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SERMON III.

1 JOHN V. 10.

He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself.

A VERY great proportion of the professors of Christianity in the present day regard the leading doctrines of the Gospel as mere matters of speculation, admitting of the greatest variety of opinion, which each individual is at liberty to form for himself, at least with impunity, if not with credit; according to that false standard of charity which prevails among men in the world. There cannot be a more pernicious and dangerous error; there cannot be a more false, and a more unfounded position. Speculative opinions have just as much resemblance to vital Christianity, as the shadow of the human body has to the spirit that animates it. At best, they are but only the forms of those words in which the Divine Mind is revealed to his creatures: they are the shadows of a real