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tians. "The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." How ought we to receive this promise, but as at once a command and an encouragement? It conveys a command to the church to send out the gospel to the distant parts of the world, and holds out an encouragement to effort, by guaranteeing ultimate success. Come, then, to the assistance of the institutions organized for that object: let them not languish for lack of your support; refresh and stimulate them by all the countenance you can afford, and bid them go up, in the name of the Lord, and possess the land.

But, my brethren, in drawing to a conclusion, I cannot conceal from myself, that you are not all members of a christian church;— and why are you not? Are you lovers of Christ and bearers of his name, and yet estrange yourselves from the house and the privileges he has ordained? Have ye "no portion, nor right, nor memorial in Jerusalem ?" These questions I press upon you; I beg you to answer them to your own con

sciences. They are of a serious nature; they are closely connected with your well-being, for time and for eternity. Blink them not; consider them with grave attention, and lose not sight of them till you come to a conclusion in which you can safely rest. If, indeed, you are conscious that you have no portion in Israel, that you are still of the world, and therefore not warranted to enrol yourself with the people of God, then what warrant have you to hope for heaven? If you are not in a condition to join the church militant, you are not fit to mingle with the church triumphant. But you cannot take up this position with safety: it is not tenable for a moment, without rendering it still more dangerous by closing your eyes upon it,-by refusing to think of it! Oh deal not thus untowardly by yourselves! Remember the current of time is hurrying you along;—and what is it carrying with it while you remain thus?—a criminal to the bar of his Judge! Time is precious,incalculably precious. "Repent ye, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out." Come to the cross of Christ;

look to the sacrifice there offered for sins ;— believe and be saved. Then, feeling your immense obligations to the Redeemer, you will account his yoke easy and his burden light. Becoming his, you will honour every expression of his will by cheerful compliance; you will make common cause with his people; you will partake of their privileges, their labours, and their hopes. God grant you this happy issue, and to him be glory both now and for ever. Amen!

LECTURE VI.

THE DUTIES OF THE HEARERS OF THE WORD.

"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."— James i. 21, 22.

WHAT Word is that which we are required to receive? It may be quite right to put this question at the outset of a discourse intended for the hearers of the word; and we will endeavour to answer it. The term "word" is used under various meanings in the sacred scriptures. It is used in a peculiar sense to signify the second person of the adorable Trinity, the Son of God, who is also our Lord Jesus Christ. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God;-and the Word was made

flesh, and dwelt among us." The term is employed also to signify a particular prophecy, or command, or promise, by which the mind or will of God was made known on special occasions. But the term, as it occurs in our text, and in numerous other passages, is intended to mean what is also styled "the truth," the "way of salvation," the "grace of God," the "everlasting gospel," or, "the gospel," as preached according to the will of God. It is the revelation of that truth, which, ere the foundations of the earth were laid, was hid in the bosom of the Eternal alone.—It is the message of a merciful God to an alienated world, revealing to it a pathway prepared by himself for its return to him. It is the unfolding of God's gracious plan of human redemption,-the glad tidings to sinful and wretched men, that he is waiting in Christ Jesus, his Son, to pardon, to purify and receive them to his favour and to life everlasting This is the word which the apostle exhorts us to receive and obey;-the only word which claims the high character he gives it," able to save our souls." In vain had erring man,

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