risen with him, through the faith of the operation of God who raised him from the dead. And as surely as he hath entered into his glory, shall his people at length be with Him where he is; for nothing shall pluck them out of his hands, nor shall any thing separate them from his love. Blessed, therefore, be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Henceforward be it known unto you, men, brethren, and fathers, that we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we declared unto you the atoning death and glorious resurrection of the Lord Jesus.*-No: He that suffered on the cross is the Christ of God, and his resurrection has proved him to be such. There is an infinite satisfaction in his death and passion, and an infinite merit in his righteousness; and these his resurrection has demonstrated. The personal safety of all who are trusting in Christ for salvation, is also thus shown; for he who died for their sins, rose again for their justification.

* 2 Peter i. 16.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who hath abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light, who hath made. an end of sin, and brought in everlasting righteousness. It may then be confidently demanded, "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? it is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? it is Christ that died, yea, rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."

II. But Christ our passover having been sacrificed for us, what now remains, but that we should, by faith, apply to ourselves the merit of his blood, and actually use and enjoy the various blessings and privileges flowing from his grace and righteousness, for all the purposes of individual salvation. "Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: THEREFORE LET US KEEP THE FEAST." And this is the exhortation which remains to be enforced.

The gospel is a feast; it furnishes a continual banquet for the believing soul. Herein provision is made-the most suit

able and abundant, for the wants of perishing sinners; herein the richest spiritual blessings are provided; blessings as universally needed, as they are, alas! almost universally slighted and despised. Am I not addressing some, who, to say the least, have hitherto neglected this great salvation? To such, let me now appeal upon a principle of reason and common sense. If you are in danger, will your mere insensibility diminish, or in any way counteract that danger? If you are guilty, will your hardness of heart, and the dulness of your conscience, either extenuate your guilt or avert its consequences? May the Lord then awaken you from your indifference, and stir you up to give diligence to secure the salvation of your souls. Mercy, grace, and righteousness are now set before you, purchased indeed at a costly price, the blood of God's dear Son; but freely proposed to your acceptance, " without money and without price." Though, through your own negligence, you may have hitherto remained destitute of these blessings, yet come this day and possess

66

them. All things are ready, the door is open, the invitation goes forth from the Master of the feast, and addresses itself even to you- Come unto the marriage." Accept this invitation; be but persuaded to come, and angels will rejoice over you. Come, and the people of God, whose heart goes along with the invitation, will joyfully welcome you. Come, and the

Saviour himself, the friend of sinners, will graciously receive you.

"Let us

But I repeat the exhortation, keep the feast." It is a rich feast, a banquet to be often repeated and observed, even a continual feast. Have we therefore, in times past, obtained mercy? We need mercy still; yea, multitudes of mercies and renewed loving kindnesses.*Have we found grace? let us seek more; and having tasted that the Lord is gracious, let us regard this but as a pledge and an earnest of greater blessings, and of richer experience of his grace and goodness, still in reserve for us. Believers, we call upon you, young and old, whether babes in Christ, or young men and * Numb. xiv. 19.

fathers, to renew your repentance. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart the Lord will not despise. Renew the immediate exercises of faith, and the direct actings of love. If you have grace, put it now forth, not in profession, but in deed and in truth. Love the Lord, ye that are his saints, trust in him at all times ye people, and pour out your hearts before him. Renew your approaches unto God, your fellowship and communion with him, and the surrender of yourselves in solemn acts of self-dedication to his service. If, my friends, you are indeed crucified with Christ, you desire, I am persuaded, to attain greater deadness to the world, to self, and to sin; and if risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, you earnestly desire greater proficiency in all the exercises of that newness of life wherein you have hereby learned to walk. As true penitents, you want more brokenness of spirit; as those who love Christ, you long to increase and abound in love more and more. If then you would realize these fondest wishes of your