than the bite of a serpent; and that not seldom during his weary wayfaring, when "fearfulness and trembling have come

66

upon him," and "an horrible dread”. hath overwhelmed him, he has been tempted to breathe the melancholy wish of the afflicted David: "Oh! that I had wings. “like a dove, for then would I flee away, "and be at rest. Lo! then would I get "me away far off, and remain in the wil"derness. I would make haste to escape, "because of the stormy wind and tempest. Such is the real picture of human life as

it

appears to the tried, observing, and experienced eye; and such must it be from the fallen nature of our sinful race, which has rendered it a mixed condition of being, made up of good and evil, moral and physical: an existence, which, indeed, demands constant returns of thankfulness and gratitude for the innumerable mercies with which it is blessed; but which is darkened, at the same time, by various and frequent disappointments, afflictions, and sufferings, for the trial of our virtue, the purification of our hearts, or the punishment of our transgressions.

It cannot be doubted, however, that, among the sad variety of griefs to which we are exposed during our pilgrimage through,

less) in a manner conformable to the will of the God who bestowed it?

That no such being as one thus perfectly sinless exists among the sons of men is a truth assented to by the consciences of us all; and is confirmed by an authority which the highest spiritual pride or personal vanity cannot dispute,-even by Holy Writ; for the inspired David, speaking of our whole fallen race, has positively informed us thatthey are all gone out of the way; they are altogether become abominable; "there is none that doeth good, no, not ❝ one.'

66

To beings thus circumstanced, therefore, knowing and approving the good, but perpetually and wilfully plunging into evil; experiencing, like the Israelites in the Wilderness, a constant succession of God's mercies, but, like these wanderers also, forgetting them as soon as they are received, and rebelling against their bountiful Donor; how sharp must be the sorrow, how painful the sting, when (as the Prodigal in the parable) they happily come to themselves, see, their conduct in its proper light, and feel their sin in all its force. When they compare their duty with their omissions, and look fearfully towards that "fiery indignation," which is denounced upon

66

66

every soul of man that doeth evil!" Assu redly, every other wound which the various evils of our mortal pilgrimage can inflict upon the heart, compared with this, is light and tolerable; for kindness may assuage, medicine may heal, or time may cure, it: But a wounded spirit who can bear?" No human art will reach the seat of this disease, no human consolation can mitigate its anguish. While the awakened soul sees at once its guilt, its misery, and its danger, it is conscious that the whole world, and all that therein is, cannot afford it security or peace.

But is there nothing to which the soul can flee in this its time of greatest need? Is there no object to which it can direct its anxious gaze with confidence of relief and certainty of cure? Yes, my brethren, the CROSS OF CHRIST, elevated for the healing of the nations, will restore the spiritual soundness of the soul, as the Brazen Serpent raised by Moses restored and re-invigorated the expiring Israelite. They that look on it shall live. The Light of Heaven, which plays around its summit, will dissipate the darkness of despair; the streams of holiness and comfort which flow from its foot will at once both purify and heal; while its small still voice," speaking "com.

fortably" to the spirit, will soothe its agonies, and allay its fears, in these encouraging accents," Come unto me, all ye "that travail and are heavy laden, and I "will give you rest."

The great and prominent doctrine, indeed, of the Gospel is, that Jesus Christ died for sinners; and that, through the blood of his cross, we have forgiveness of our offences, acceptance with God, and the well-grounded hope of peace and happiness hereafter; for this is the language of Holy Writ," This is a true saying, and worthy "of all men to be received, that Christ "Jesus came into the world to save sinners." "If any man sin, we have an advocate "with the Father, even Christ the righte"ous; and he is the propitiation for our "sins." "So God loved the world, that "he gave his only-begotten Son, to the "end that all that believe in him should "not perish, but have everlasting life." So that to them who look at his cross with the eye of faith, "there is now no condem

nation," but remission of punishment, ransom from thraldom, and life from the dead.

But the healing of the soul is not an unconditional blessing; and unspeakably important is it to those who labour under