of the gospel, to a fuller and more enlarged interest in its truths and privileges. It is this that leads to a sincere regard for the Saviour, beyond the bare consideration of what he has done for our salvation.

Regard him by faith. There is no regard or esteem of him without this. As he really suffered for our sins, we must believe that he did so: we must honour him by an immediate acknowledgment of this great benefit of his passion, that our sins were borne by him, while he suffered the full penalty of the law against them. There is no real advantage in the knowledge of Christ till this is attained-till you can say, "Christ died for me." Indeed it is this which constitutes the knowledge of Christ, which we are to seek and labour after, which even an Apostle was striving continually to lay hold of more and more. "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not," he adds, "as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that, for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.'

Without this knowledge of Christ you cannot love him as you ought. "We love him because he first loved us." Do you know this love? Have you been taught it by the view of Christ

in your stead, so bearing the weight of your punishment as your Surety, to secure your deliverance, which he has thus purchased-as your pledge, to testify, that as he died for sin, and rose again, so shall you die to sin, and rise again to newness of life. These are the elements of christian knowledge, through which you pass on to perfection. Have you passed this entrance, and, forgetting the things that are behind, are you pressing forward?

Have you ever felt the power and influence of the knowledge of Christ for the mortification of sin-that as the death of Christ is the only warrant of faith in looking for strength to destroy sin, so love to Christ is the only motive to pursue its destruction in the exercise of self-denial.

What shall be said to you who do not know or regard this Saviour? This indifference to him will be your condemnation. You would not come to him, that you might have life. How will this prey upon your souls in the view of eternal misery, and add to the anguish you will then feel, at having lost for ever the hope of heaven! I know not any point which more clearly proves your state than this neglect of the Saviour, as it will be the first ray of conviction that will dart across your mind when you see him in the clouds of heaven. Oh! with what earnestness will some, who have now no interest in the Saviour, then cry: "Lord, Lord, hear us; carest thou not that we perish?

Hast thou no regard for us? Must we be banished for ever from thy presence?" Regard him now, that he may regard you then; and remember how gracious, and yet how powerful the means, by which he calls you to return: "Look unto me, all ye ends of the earth, and be saved.”

SERMON XII.

SPIRITUAL RESURRECTION.

COLOSSIANS iii. 1.

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above.

THE festival of Easter has ever been particularly regarded by the christian church, and celebrated by such customs as might tend to increase men's veneration for it, or to enlarge and enliven their view of the blessed truths with which it is connected. The spiritual benefits conferred on us by Christ were acknowledged by peculiar acts of beneficence and mercy-liberal alms were distributed-slaves were set free-and the prison doors were thrown open. And it has been a fixed rule with the church in every age, that each member of it, who knows the value of being so, should this day testify it, by partaking of the communion of the holy sacrament. "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above."

The spiritual improvement of this, as well as of every other festival, is clearly marked out by the service of our church. We are not invited merely to celebrate the event of the resurrection, but to

a thankful commemoration of the interest which we have in it, even on this side the grave. I shall therefore consider,

II. The EXHORTATION founded upon it: "Seek those things that are above."

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1. What INTEREST is implied in the words of the Apostle : If ye be risen with Christ." Some effect had been wrought upon the Colossian converts, some change had passed upon them, on the certainty of which he rests his admonition. This change bore some resemblance to the resurrection of Christ, as it was in some way consequent upon it. Christ rose from the dead the third day, and they had risen with him spiritually.

Man, by nature, is dead in trespasses and sins. Every one that liveth in pleasure is dead while he liveth. 1 Tim. v. 6. "Let the dead bury their dead," said our Saviour of those who were not his disciples. "Arise from the dead," saith the scriptures, "and Christ shall give thee light."

Every one, who is not a partaker of the Holy Ghost, is relatively dead. He is alive to every thing that concerns his present interest and gratification, but he is dead to God and to spiritual things. "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolish