own works, in rites and ceremonies-or stand aloof from God, regarding him as a stern, inexorable judge.

Never, until we have clear and spiritual apprehensions of this subject, can we rise above all doubts and fears, and rejoice in full assurance of faith. But clear views here will inspire a confidence and joy unspeakable and full of glory. And with reason. For what can the soul desire, which it does not possess in Jesus himself? It has a prophet to enlighten, a priest to make atonement and intercession, and a king to subdue all its corruptions and establish within it an empire of purity and love. And, then, what can the soul crave which it does not receive from Jesus? The text assures us of 66 mercy and grace;" what blessings these! "Mercy"this word has reference to human misery, the misery which sin hath brought us all. And all are invited to

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come boldly and obtain mercy"-to come knowing that there is abundant mercy, to come assured that this mercy is for them though unworthy of it, to come assured that the great High Priest is touched by their wretchedness, and will delight in extending mercy to them. Mercy," free, rich, pardoning, saving mercy.

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"And grace to help in time of need;" this promise is for human weakness, and is united in the text with "mercy." We sympathize, we are satisfied with the penitence of an erring brother; but our hearts sink as we remember how often before he has repented only to fall again. We cannot impart strength to sustain him in the hour of temptation. Christ, however, can bestow grace sufficient for all weakness, "grace to help in time

of need"-grace to deliver in time of temptation-grace to revive in time of declension-grace to cheer in time of depression-grace to restrain in time of prosperity-grace to comfort in time of affliction-grace to animate in time of sacrifice and duty-grace to support in time of sickness grace to fill us with serene, triumphant consolation and joy in time of death.

By this compassionate High Priest all may come, and obtain this mercy and, find this grace. God invites you to come; "the Spirit and the Bride say, come; and let him that heareth say, come ;" and let him that is condemned and ruined and helpless, come; and whosoever will, let him com -come boldly, come freely, come just as he is, and come now. For I testify unto every man that heareth me this day, that, without this Mediator and Intercessor, none can approach God in this life either for mercy or grace; and that hereafter we must be forever banished from "the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power." The language of Jehovah to every child of Adam is that of Joseph to his brethren, "Ye shall not see my face except your brother be with you."

Christians, beloved brethren, let us "consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession." Consider him; contemplate him habitually as "touched" with all your griefs, and you will exclaim with the Psalmist, "Thy gentleness hath made me great ;" you will rejoice in a confidence which nothing can shake. And let the thought of his love and the great salvation he hath wrought inspire a loyalty which shall cause us to feel

that we are not our own, that we have been bought with a price. Here, Christian, is the whole of your theology, your confession of faith, your perfect body of divinity—I have a High Priest, a Friend and Mediator, who has undertaken for me, whose almighty power and unchangeable love are engaged to care for me, and teach me, and sanctify me, and save me. My whole duty is, to consecrate myself unreservedly to Him-to ask daily, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ?"-to devote wealth, talents, influence, time, health, life, to him who died that I may obtain mercy, and who rose again and ever liveth to make intercession, that I may now find grace to help in every time of need, and that when times of need are all past, I may find an eternity of bliss-grace may be consummated in glory.

SERMON VIII.

THE INSANE RICH MAN.

"So is he that layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God."-LUKE, xii. 21.

My brethren, if the busy stir and activity around us were for a subsistence, it would not be necessary that a preacher should select such a text as this; nor, indeed, would the Saviour have uttered this parable. But, in fact, a very small part of this hum and bustle, this hustling and jostling, is for a competency. It is the absorbing love of money, it is the insane lust of accumulation, above all-in this country; where everybody is crying out "equality!" and everybody dreading nothing so much as equality-it is the eager strife of social rivalry which is driving on the machinery, and keeping in an eternal whirl all this restless and articulate vitality.

"Give us this day our daily bread;" what a lesson of moderation and contentment in that petition. I doubt if there be a single individual in the world, or the church, who offers this prayer sincerely; how different the prayer, the vernacular and almost universal prayer, uttered day and night in the conduct of men.

The passage just read is taken from a parable with

which you are all familiar. We cannot read it without exclaiming with the Psalmist, "Lo this is the man that made not God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches." Our text is the general improvement which Jesus makes of the parable, applying it to all ages and to us. "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God." "So is he"-so insaneso restless and unhappy-so ruined. Let us resume these thoughts.

I. "So is he;" so insane. The conduct marked here is not simply folly; the word translated "fool," means madman. The case is one of real insanity; the man before us is a confirmed moral lunatic; and if he be not in an asylum, it is simply because the people around him are as infatuated and deranged as himself.

Do not misunderstand me. Do not class me with those fanatics who condemn thrift, and shrewdness, and industry. I would have Christians the wisest and most industrious men in the city and country, the most judicious and successful merchants, and mechanics, and farmers. Nor is it wrong to desire to accumulate wealth. The parable points no censure against these things. Piety is not so much the performance of actions strictly spiritual, as the having spiritual motives in all our actions. Care and diligence in a proper vocation are as much religious duties as prayer and reading the word of God. "Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit; serving the Lord."

Nor must you place me among those cynics who regard it as sinful to enjoy the possessions which God has