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it be, that those whose bed of sickness I was called to attend-who were then so earnest, diligent, anxious?-who entreated me to read to them, to deal faithfully with them, to pray for them?— who seemed so dead to the world, so alive tỏ eternity?—who vowed so solemnly to follow the Lord with full purpose of heart?-who declared their willingness to sacrifice everything, that they might win Christ and be found in him ?-O can it be that these are to furnish an illustration of this awful part of the alternative? Unpromising as are appearances in some cases, may the God of all power and might recover them from the snares of an entangling world, and the deceitfulness of their own hearts!

Mine however, is not the office to decide the

point. I put the question to you merely that you may put it to your own consciences, and would state in general terms, that all those who, having heard the truth from my lips, have yet continued in blindness and alienation of heart from God, in halting and wavering hesitation between Christ and the world, in proud self-righteousness, in hollow formality, in perverse rebellion, in scornful indifference, in impurity, intemperance, uncharitableness-in a word, all who have not submitted to the righteousness of God, fled to Jesus as the Saviour of the lost, and obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which has been delivered them-these, remaining as they have remained, will be amongst them that perish-to these their

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minister will have proved but a savour of death

unto death.”

I feel that I cannot pursue the subject. The truth, in all its magnitude and solemnity, is brought before you in the text. Ponder it well.

Apply it to your own cases. Be faithful to your own souls. Rest not till you have searched out your actual condition before God. Sleep not till you know something of the sweetness of the

savour of the knowledge of Christ.” I urge this upon you-I conjure you to be decided and sincere; not merely for your own sake, but for mine. My interest in your salvation is so close, my responsibility so awful, that as I contemplate it, I am constrained once more to exclaim in the concluding words of the text, "Who is sufficient for these things?" It was thus that the Apostle conveyed his sense of

II. THE IMPORTANCE OF HIS OFFICE which is the remaining topic for our consideration. My limits will merely allow me so far to notice it as to ground upon it a few parting words of admonition.

i. Endeavour to form just and scriptural views of the ministry of the Gospel. Learn that it is no trifling neutral inoperative thing-no plaything— no unmeaning application, which if it profit not, will never injure. Every faithful minister of Christ, whosoever or whatsoever he may be, is the representative of Christ-is the ambassador of God. He comes to you charged with a message

of life or of death. Your eternal interests are involved in your submissive reception of the truths he teaches. You insult his Master-you sin against your own souls-except you receive him cordially, listen to him prayerfully, and "esteem him very highly in love for his work's sake."

ii. At the same time, you must remember what it is that constitutes the sacredness of his character. It is nothing inherent in himself-no talents, learning, gifts, accomplishments. It is simply his high commission as a herald of the Gospel. And this, while it challenges your reverence, should also engage your prayers in his behalf. He is called to a work for which the natural endowments of even an Apostle are inadequate. St. Paul had been chosen, set apart, favoured with revelations from Christ, translated for a season into heaven itself. Yet such is his impression of the magnitude, the solemnity, the responsibility of his trust, that he exclaims, "who is sufficient?" Let this be well fixed in your memories. You dishonour the Spirit of God if you fancy that any human instrument, this or that favourite preacher, this or that setter forth of strange doctrines-nay, this or that faithful servant of Christ, is sufficient to change your heart, or subdue your love of sin. On the other hand, you neglect your duty, you prejudice your soul's advancement, you are unkind to your pastor, you are unfaithful to your God, except you are instant in prayer, that a Divine sufficiency may be supplied to those who minister

to you in spiritual things. Oh! let not this sin be laid to your charge. By your mutual obligations I would plead in my own behalf; by your future hopes and solemn responsibilities, I would entreat you in behalf of him who is called, by God's appointment, to watch for your souls hereafter"Brethren, pray for us." Help together by your prayers for us. Pray that we may be blessed and prove blessings. Pray that God may make manifest the "savour of the knowledge of Christ" by us in every place. Thus, may we not only entertain the confidence that we are unto God "a sweet savour of Christ," but shall possess the evidence that we have been unto you "a savour of life unto life."

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!" "My love be with you all in Christ Jesus! Amen."

SERMON XXVI.

ACTS xx. 32.

AND NOW, BRETHREN, I COMMEND YOU TO GOD, AND TO THE WORD OF HIS GRACE, WHICH IS ABLE TO BUILD YOU UP, AND TO GIVE YOU AN INHERITANCE AMONG ALL THEM WHICH ARE SANCTIFIED."

THE Bible speaks an universal language. It has a word in season for every variety of circumstance. It expresses, in terms more apt and forcible than human eloquence could ever compass, all the varying emotions incidental to these circumstances. I am speaking, I trust, to many who have realized this, and have known the comfort of having, what may be termed such a faithful interpreter of their feelings. I I experience, beloved brethren, that comfort now. My one anxious earnest wish on this occasion is, to lodge in your minds a few parting words of weighty counsel, and to convey my heart's most fervent, tender, prayerful desires for your spiritual advancement, and for your present

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