every species of idolatry, with whatever was inimical to the doctrine of our Lord-that they should believe in him, and be baptized; and should make a complete surrender of themselves, and adhere to and obey the divine precepts: in short, they were to become Christians. And some, we know, became his true and faithful disciples and followers, who sealed their faith in him with their blood: the Jews, however, were reproached " that they would not come unto him, that they might have life." And it is worthy of ob servation here, that, as if foreseeing how men would slight the gospel-invitation, it is reite rated in various parts of Scripture. Under the parable of the marriage-supper, we are to understand there is the same invitation given; and those who accept the offered terms of salvation, and put on the spotless robe of Christ's righteousness, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord, are promised "that they shall sit down at the marriage-sup per of the Lamb:" but those who slighted the King's invitation, were cast into outer darkness, where was weeping and gnashing of teeth.

In this is portrayed the final judgment of the wicked; of those who reject the gos pel, and will not come unto Christ. But in all who come to Jesus in sincerity, and were

desirous of receiving some benefit from him, there is one very striking feature or characteristic they had faith! ́And more than this, we read of the deep humility of some, and the love of others. The Roman centurion said, "Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof:"_ the publican, as represented by Christ, durst not so much as lift up his eyes unto hea ven, but smote upon his breast, saying, "God be merciful to me a sinner." And our Saviour must have intended by this, to inculcate the necessity of such humility, in all who come unto him, as well as faith. And of the positive assurance of many who had faith, we have numerous instances. Our Lord said to St. Peter, "I have prayed, that thy faith fail not." And we are told of many who believed on him; and of those who came to be healed of their bodily diseases and infirmities, it is said, 66 they had faith to be healed"—they believed that Christ had the power to heal them. No one, my friends, would go to a - physician whom he did not believe had power to restore him. In the 9th of St. Matthew, we find there was one who did but touch his garment, and was made whole-and Jesus turning round, said, "Daughter, be of good comfort, thy faith hath made thee whole." And to another who cried after

him, and then came and worshipped him, saying, "Lord, help me!" Jesus said, "O woman, great is thy faith; be it unto thee even as thou wilt:" and her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

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But many who came unto him did not know of his divine power to forgive sins also for we read that when they brought unto him one sick of the palsy, our Lord, seeing their faith, said unto the sick of the palsy, "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee." But the scribes and pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this that speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God only? To the woman who was a sinner, and stood behind Jesus weeping at the pharisee's house, and threw herself in deep humility at his feet, washing them with her tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and anointed them, he said to Simon, "Her sins, which are many, are forgiven her; for she loved much:" and to the woman he said, "Thy sins are forgiven thee-thy faith hath sayed thee." Thus we see, in addition to her faith, humility, and contrition, she loved much, and wrought a good work. And we learn by this, how faith and love wrought with her work. Such are also now the necessary requisites in all who would come unto Christ.

And here I wish, if possible, to correct an error which is very general among those who are prejudiced against ministers and professors of the gospel: it is said, that a common expression of theirs is" The greater sinner, the greater saint;" meaning to imply, that only the greatest and vilest sinners become true Christians. But all are great sinners (and we must acknowledge ourselves such), of whom St. Paul declared he was the chief. Let any one, who has the least discernment, read over attentively the whole of what is related to have passed at the pharisee's house, and he must perceive that our Lord forgave this great sinner, because she loved much, and had faith. All to whom much is forgiven, the Saviour said, will love much. It is not then because they have been the greatest sinners that any become devoted to God, but it is in consequence of their being made sensible that they need forgiveness, and how much they have been forgiven, and what a debt of gratitude and love they owe. Like this woman, therefore, and the contrite publican, we must stand bewailing our sinfulness: till our Saviour holds out the sceptre of his love, and saith to the trembling soul, "Be of good cheer; thy sins are forgiven thee." But some may say, "we cannot come personally to Christ, as

those did who are mentioned in the Gospels:" to such, and to all I would say-Come to his house, to worship him in spirit and in truth-come to his holy ordinance, and make a complete surrender of yourselves to God and his service; for we are not our own, but bought with an inestimable price: and let not a sense of guilt or unworthiness prevent any one from coming to him: the arms of his mercy are always open to you; and his ambassadors, the ministers of his word, stand beseeching, intreating, inviting you to come in. Come to him in faith, with humble, penitent, contrite hearts, and at his throne of grace hold communion with him by earnest prayer; and he hath promised to meet you, to pardon, and to bless you. Wherever two or three are gathered to gether in his name, there will he be in the midst and if we continue faithful to the end, he will hereafter present us faultless before the throne of glory. But again, be fore I close this part of my subject, I shall inquire still further, How, and in what manner we are to come to Christ? First, then, we are enjoined and admonished to come in sincerity to seek him with our whole heart to seek first the kingdom of God-to seek him early, and that we shall find him. For it is written, I said not to