day of the Lord's coming, and will stand, when he appeareth." He indeed will not be able, any more than others, to stand on his own merits, to excuse his sins, or to justify his conduct. He will not be able, any more than others, to plead innocence, to say, • I have done no harm.' No. But he will have other grounds on which to place his confidence. He will claim an interest in the death of Christ his Saviour. His plea will be," who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died."* His penitence, his uprightness, his secret striving with sin, his useful life, his godly motives, will be brought in evidence of the soundness and reality of his faith. The judge himself will own him as a friend; will claim him as one of his people, for whom he died, will stop the accuser's mouth; will fully acquit him of every charge; and will welcome him into the joy of his Lord.

I have thus answered the solemn question in the text. I have shown you who the person is, that with comfort, with confidence, and with acceptance, will stand before the Lord at his appearing. It is the real Christian. By way then of application let me remind you, that it is in the power of every one of us to become such a person as I have here

described. We may all be real Christians. We may all have Jesus Christ for our friend and Saviour in the day of judgment. He is now waiting to be gracious. He is now inviting every sinner of every description to turn unto him, and to accept his offers of free forgiveness. The open and profane transgressor, the worldly man, the long dissembling hypocrite, the self-righteous Pharisee, are all alike included in his merciful invitations. He bids all to forsake their evil ways, and in true faith and repentance to come unto Him, and he will give them rest: he will give them peace now, and confidence in the day of his appearing. He assures them, that while others shall be overwhelmed with horrible fear before him at his coming, those who have fled to him for refuge, shall in that day lift up their heads with joy.

My brethren, may you have grace to lay these things to heart! Consider the certainty of Christ's second coming. He will surely come. Consider the manner of his coming. You shall yourselves be witnesses of his glory; for "every eye shall see Him." You know not how soon he may come. You know not how suddenly you may be called before his judgment-seat. Consider the consequences of his coming. He will come to fix you in everlasting happiness, or in eternal

misery. Be ready then for his coming. Blessed is that servant whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find watching. "Prepare to meet your God." Live under a constant expectation of his appearing: so that when he shall really appear, you may be enabled in that day to say, "Lo, this is our GoD: we have waited for him, and he will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him ; we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation."*

* Isaiah, xxv. 9,

END OF VOL. I.

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