sorrow which they feel on account of them, the very conflict which they maintain against them, are apt to put distressing thoughts into their minds, and lead them to question their claim to mercy. Their earnest desire is to have peace with God through Jesus Christ. They see their need of his salvation. They admire the wisdom of it. They long for nothing more than an interest in it. But they distrust their title to it. They fear that God will not include them in it. They cry for mercy, but cannot believe that they shall find it. Now to such the text holds out great consolation. Was God so unwilling to give up even impenitent Ephraim? Was He so backward in delivering up Israel to punishment, even when Israel sought not deliverance? And will He be unwilling to receive and pardon penitent offenders? Will He be backward in shewing mercy to them that seek it? Could He not find it in his heart to destroy those who were going on still in their wickedness? And will He find it in his heart to be unmerciful to such as are striving to renounce their sins, and are anxiously desirous of walking in newness of life? Consider how unreasonable is such a supposition. Surely, if you are seeking God in your heart, condemning yourself, and imploring his mercy,

surely his bowels are yearning over you. He sees you with delight. He feels for you the tenderest pity. He will meet you with loving-kindness. Surely He is saying to every person of this description, Ŏ, thou afflicted and contrite soul, be of good cheer; mine anger is turned away. I can never give thee up, nor deliver thee to punishment. I can never make thee as Admah, nor set thee as Zeboim. How can I destroy thee, who humblest thyself • before me? I am God and not man. " I • have not said in vain, seek ye my face."

I am thy God who am at peace with thee; who have blotted out at all thy transgres❝sions: who will never leave thee nor forsake

thee.'-May He who thus speaks to us in his word, enable us to receive it with faith and hope, that we may be strengthened and comforted, and go on our way rejoicing!

SERMON VI.

DESCRIPTION AND DIGNITY OF TRUE
CHRISTIANS.

ST. MATTHEW, xii. 50.

Whosoever shall do the will of my Father, which is in heaven, the same is my Brother, and Sister, and Mother.

WHILE Jesus, on a certain occasion, was busily engaged in teaching the people, it was told him, that "his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with Him." They probably came with the design of persuading Him, if not altogether to desist from his preaching, yet to abate much of the zeal and energy of his ministry; and were prepared to justify their interference on the plausible pretext, that through his excessive exertions, He would injure his health; or by his inconsiderate boldness might provoke the malice of his enemies. But He by no means approved of their conduct; and in his answer has incul

cated a very important lesson. He has taught us, that the love which we feel for our nearest relations, and the duty which we owe to them, must not interfere with our love and duty to God: that though we are required to honour our parents, and to be kindly affectioned towards our brethren, yet still we must honour God more, and love his service and his commandments above all things. "Who," he asks," is my mother ? and, who are my brethren ?"— as if he had said, Who are they that they should interrupt my ministerial duties, and endeavour to draw me off from that work, which my heavenly Father hath given me to do? In attempting such things, they so far lose their claim to my obedience and 'love.' - Then stretching forth his hand towards his disciples, He said, “ Behold my mother and my brethren." Ye, who wait on my ministry, are dearer to me than even my natural relations, who would oppose it. Ye, who favour the design of my coming into the world, are nearer to my heart, than those who, however allied to me by blood, would endeavour, by dissuading me from my duty, to defeat my purpose.' "For," (as He adds in the text,)" whosoever shall do the will of my Father, which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."

In these words, then, we have two things proposed to us: a Description of Christ's disciples; and the Dignity conferred on them. In the first we learn, Who they really are; in the second, What are their Privileges.

I. The disciples of Christ are thus described: " They do the will of his Father which is in heaven." In this respect they follow their Divine Master, and walk in his steps for He "came from heaven, not to do his own will, but the will of Him that sent Him:" of which he gave a striking proof, when in that trying hour He said to his heavenly Father, "Nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt."

There are many marks given in the Bible, of Christ's true Disciples; but perhaps there is not any one so expressly and repeatedly insisted on as this in the text. We must all remember that remarkable saying of our Lord's, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that docth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Hence St. Peter speaks of the Christian as one, who "no longer lives to the lusts of men, but to the will of God:" and St. John says, "He

that doth the will of God abideth for ever."* * Matthew, vii. 21.1 Peter, iv. 2.-1 John, ii. 17.