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sionate Saviour brought him into fellowship with himself, numbered him among his own people, and gave him a personal interest in all the blessings of grace and glory. Thus he speaks on another occasion; Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children;" that hath made any sacrifice whatever in the cause of Christ and the Gospel, or "for the kingdom of God's sake; who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting*." And what is this "manifold more?" Doubtless it refers to spiritual blessings, to heavenly consolations, and a good hope through grace. It refers to what the world knows not of, and is totally unable to appreciate. It refers to what multitudes affect to despise, and do actually reject; but which is in reality of the highest moment to a rational and immortal being; and all this consummated, you perceive, in a future world, with "life everlasting!" Hence those emphatic words of the Apostle; "It is a faithful saying, For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him; if we suffer, we shall also reign with him t." And what it is to live and reign with Christ, we can have no just conception, till we know it in our own personal enjoyment.

3. To act honestly, according to the light we have, is the way to be favoured with greater illumination. -This man did not dissemble, or temporize in the least as far as he knew Christ, he confessed him. At first he knew but little, regarding him only as a kind Benefactor: when he knew him better, he confessed him more fully; and, possessing a disposition to learn, he was readily taught. Do you learn a use

Luke xviii. 29, 30. +2 Tim. ii, 11, 12.

man.

ful lesson from the spirit and conduct of this poor Be faithful to the convictions which you feel. Be not ashamed of Christ, or his words, nor afraid of the consequences of avowing your settled attachment to his cause. You are lamenting, perhaps, that your knowledge of the Saviour is so defective; that you have not clearer discoveries of his truth, more impressive views of the glorious realities of his Gospel; that your minds are so dark, your hearts so hard; that your resolutions and enjoyments so exceedingly fluctuate:-ask yourselves, Are you faithful to the knowledge you have attained? to the convictions you already feel? this matter, the enemies of ourselves; cause of humiliation before God. meaning in those words, as they apply to us; "If any man will do his will," the will of God," he shall know of the doctrine" of Christ *.

Are you honest
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4. The radical importance of faith in Jesus Christ is here taught. Why was this question asked, in the first place, "Dost thou believe on the Son of God?" The answer is easy: Faith regards the foundation of all Christian excellency: it lies at the root of all that is included in the salvation of man. "Without faith it is impossible to please God," to possess the favour of Heaven, or to enjoy any one blessing of the covenant of grace. The justification of a sinner, than which nothing is of more essential moment, is only by grace, through faith." "Neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but faith which worketh by love t." Faith not only brings the transgressor to Christ, but it rests on Christ for

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a free and full salvation; and while it receives all from him, it gladly gives all to him. Let this inquiry, therefore, be pursued by every individual, with all the attention it demands-" Dost thou believe on the Son of God?"

5. When we are most in earnest in our inquiries after Christ, then he is nearest to us.-The earnestness of the poor man is remarkable: "Who is he, Lord?" Little did he think that his eyes then saw him; and that he then talked with him! You, also, may be solicitous in your search after the Saviour : you may be saying, "The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Oh that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat!" Remember, He is in his word, in his ordinances, in his house. You may not have that sense of his nearness which you could wish; but while you seek him, he is not far from you. Listen to his voice; in his word he speaks to you. his beauty; in his house, and in the worship of his house, he places himself in the view of your faith; he passes by and proclaims his Name, his immeasurable love, the exceeding riches of his grace. Truly, "the Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him; to all that call upon him in truth." Be you thus engaged, and he will graciously manifest himself to you.

Behold

6. The more we know of Christ, the greater honour we shall render to him.-Yes, we shall exclaim with this man, "Lord, I believe." We shall fall down and "worship him." Then learn to give him the homage of your hearts, the glory which is due unto his Name. Is it not enjoined, "that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the

Father?*" Honour the Son, therefore, as a Saviour, by submitting to be saved by him; honour him as a Teacher, by sitting at his feet, and learning his words; honour him as a Sovereign, by yielding subjection to his government, and willing obedience to his laws. The better you know him, the more scriptural and steady will be your faith, the more easy and pleasant your practical compliance with his will. Honour him, not only by acts of worship, but by proving yourselves decidedly his disciples; by following him fully, and by serving him faithfully; remembering this word which he hath said-" Where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour †."

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SERMON III.

FAULTS REMEMBERED.

GENESIS xli. 9.

I do remember my faults this day.

THE memory is an useful faculty of the mind. Events the most distant in time and place, as well as the incidents of our own life, are there recorded. Many, however, complain of "a treacherous memory;" yet it is interesting to remark, that while good things are easily forgotten, things indifferent, or hurtful, are carefully retained. Listen to the conversation of multitudes: they remember the most trifling occurrences; they have a clear recollection of their acts of kindness, and of injuries which they have received from others; but few are careful to bring in view their own transgressions: few are saying, "I do remember my faults this day."

Pharaoh, king of Egypt, had dreamed two dreams; and, suspecting they had a significant meaning, was anxious to have them explained. Thus we read in the verse preceding the text; "And it came to pass in the morning, that his spirit was troubled ; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof; and Pharaoh

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