"Be

will have compassion;" but the value of it is not made the subject of any arithmetical calculation. An indefinite mode of address on this point, is one striking characteristic of the sacred writings. "The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." hold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." "And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me, (this he said signifying what death he should die)."

Behold then, brethren, Jesus Christ is evidently set forth, crucified among you, look unto him, and be ye saved. Is there a man in this congregation whose heart condemns him, whose understanding, and memory, and conscience, are quickened from their native lethargy by the power of the holy spirit of God, and whose views of eternity are all fearful anticipations of the consequences of his guilt? Are you indeed convinced that you are a lost man, a helpless wretched sinner in the hands of Almighty God, and justly exposed to his wrathful indignation? Have you been terrified at the thoughts of eternal misery? and hearing from the Bible, that "When the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness which

he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive;" have you accordingly set yourself to turn away from your iniquities, and have you succeeded

in many respects to do that which is lawful and right? Have you been further instructed of the Holy Ghost, to feel that this reformation of conduct will not bear the divine scrutiny? that there are sins of heart as well as of lifesins of omission as well as commission-advantages and opportunities slighted-known duties neglected-covetousness, pride, malice, envy, and other evil passions indulged? Has this discovery renewed your alarm, and driven you to seek some other remedy; and have you had recourse to religious observances, praying more fervently, reading the Scriptures, and attending divine worship more regularly, in the expectation of procuring, by a sort of penance, remission of your sins past? Has the heavenly Teacher penetrated deeper still, and shown you the iniquity of even your most exemplary duties, that your fasting, and mourning, and praying, and repenting, and reading, are all selfish in their motive, and sinful in their performance? Driven from this dependence, have you endeavoured to compound with God, persuading yourself that he is so kind and merciful, he will overlook your failures, and that since you have done all you could, God will not be so

rigid as to demand any more? And just when your conscience was settling down in peace under this delusion, have you been again roused and terrified, by the recollection that God is a just God, and that it is written, "the soul that sinneth it shall die?" Thus forced to give up one subterfuge after another, have you at last been tempted to give up hope also, and to conclude that your case is so desperate, your provocations so multiplied, your corruption so inveterate, that whatever there may be for others, there cannot possibly be salvation for you-no, not even in the gospel of Christ? Is your experience in any part of this process at this moment? Then hear once more the invitation of our text: "Look unto me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.". You are on the earth, this invitation extends, therefore, to you. The Saviour requires no qualifications of personal merit in you, to recommend you to his favourable regard. His justice is not to be so satisfied. It has been satisfied already and altogether. His invitation to you is in perfect sincerity. It is not intended to excite expectations, which he will not realize; it is not a prelude to a disappointment. None who came to him, renouncing completely their own righteousness and strength, were ever cast out. That which was spoken of old, in scorn against him, is emphatically true-he receiveth sinners!

freely, "without money, and without price," without looking for any good qualities of heart, or waiting for any amendment of life. Nay more, he receiveth not those who take credit to themselves for any such qualities or any such amendment; the proud he sendeth empty away. "The Pharisees and Scribes murmured against Jesus, saying, this man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them," and modern Pharisees, our self-justifying formalists of every denomination, murmur against the free unqualified forgiveness of sinners, revealed in the gospel of the Lord Jesus. The objections of the ancient Pharisees did not cause the Son of God to desist from his gracious practice of receiving sinners. On the contrary, they called forth his repeated declaration, that it was for that express purpose he came into the world. In like manner, the objections of modern Pharisees must not be permitted to silence the precious statement, but rather call for its reiteration with increasing plainness.

Whatever reception this doctrine may meet with, whether men believe or deny it, rejoice in, or oppose it, it lies at the very foundation of the whole gospel building; it is the theme of unwearied thanksgiving amongst the inhabitants of that city, whose walls are called salvation, and her gates praise-free forgiveness of sins by the blood of Jesus Christ, without

any respect whatsoever to the previous character or conduct of the individuals on whom the blessing is bestowed! What! objects the Pharisee; why this is to hold out an encouragement to wickedness—or, at least, to withdraw every encouragement to virtue; this is to sink the moral, the moderate, the inoffensive, -nay, the useful, and active, and honourable member of society, to the level of the vilest profligate; this is to make no difference between the man who is amiable, affectionate, kind, charitable, and the man who is openly and notoriously profane; this is to say, that a sinful publican is as likely to receive mercy and forgiveness from God, as a strict and upright Pharisee; this is horrible, it cannot possibly be the doctrine of the holy Gospel. Now, in answer to this objection, let me use sound speech which cannot be condemned: "Two men went up into the temple to pray, the one a strict Pharisee, the other a sinful publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself: God, I thank thee that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican; I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you this man went down