saying is identified with the truth of the Bible. It is interwoven in all its parts. The great object of the Bible is to illustrate the character and unfold the mission of the Son of God. All the proofs of the divine origin of the sacred Scriptures go to support this saying.

It is proved by the fulfilment of prophecy. Predictions the most minute and convincing were accomplished-predictions which no human foresight could have suggested-which no human power could have brought about. These prophecies related to different and opposite events; to distant times, to the character, birth-place, life and death of the Saviour; to the fortunes of his visible kingdom. To make a selection out of a great variety, we refer to the fullness of time when Christ was to appear. Many striking predictions were fulfilled by that event. It was foretold by Jacob in his dying moments, that it was to take place before political power departed from Judah. "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet until Shiloh come, and unto him shall the gathering of the people be." The Messiah appeared at that critical period. Roman guards and Roman courts, just then established, proved that the sceptre had departed from Judah and the lawgiver from between his feet. It was predicted by the prophet Haggai that Christ should come during the existence of the second temple: "In this place will I give peace. There appeared the Prince of peace, preaching the gospel of peace. was foretold, moreover, that his coming should be within "seventy weeks" from the period marked out by Daniel; at whatever time the computation commences, they have long since elapsed. The place where he was to be born, his parentage, the most minute circumstances were pointed out, ages before he appeared. The only correct inference from all this is: (6 Holy men spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

It

The truth of this saying is proved by the agreement of the types and antelype. The types were shadows of good things to come: symbolic prophecies. They strengthen the former argument. When we read of the paschal lamb slain in Egypt, each family feeding upon it; of the blood sprinkled upon the door-posts, we see a very significant emblem of Christ our passover, sacrificed for us, whose blood, while it cleanses from all sin, is a defence against the angel of the second death. When we read of the scape-goat on whose head was laid the sins of the people, which he bore into the wilderness, we have no obscure representation of Him who bore our sins in his own body on the tree. Among the types we find the prophet Jonah three days and nights in the whale's belly, which an inspired interpreter has told us prophesied of Christ, who was to be confined an equal length of time in the grave. Such remarkable coincidences evince the influence of a pervading spirit, at once dictating the types and securing their fulfillment.

The truth of this saying is further attested by miracles. Without referring now to the train of miracles by which the mission of Moses was established, (Deut. xxxiv. 10-12,) we confine our attention to the signs and wonders by which Christ and his apostles were approved of God as special messengers of the truth. Christ, in his own name, and by his own underived power, and the apostles, by virtue of his Spirit resting upon them, controlled the laws of nature by a word. Their mighty works were not done in a corner. Their number and publicity gave all an opportunity of an examination. Hence an apostle, addressing the Jewish people, said

that Jesus Christ was approved by signs and miracles which were done among them as they also knew. A man who could heal the sick by a word, raise the dead, cast out devils, still the raging sea, furnished evidence that God was with him; consequently that his messages were inspired. A cloud of witnesses have also attested the truth of this saying-witnesses in heaven and on earth. Says John-"There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth-the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: these three agree in one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth." That Jesus is the Son of God is fully attested by his baptism, in water, and by his blood, or death, followed by his resurrection, the miraculous power of God confirming this great fundamental article of our faith on both occasions. And the Holy Spirit, whose attestations are absolute truth and veracity, attested his divine mission by his miracles, by his re surrection, by the miraculous powers with which the Apostles were en dowed, and even now in the illuminating and sanctifying influences of th Spirit on the hearts of Christians.

Other witnesses have testified to the truth of this saying. Thousandin every age who have been convinced of sin, of their lost condition, have trusted in him for salvation. When ready to perish, he has interposed and saved them. By a life of faith, by resisting temptation, by divine consolation in affliction, by victory over death-they have borne witness that Jesus was mighty to save. It is a true saying, and thousands more will

attest its truth.

2. It is worthy of all acceptation. A saying may be true, and still be unimportant. But this embodies the most interesting truth: to know and believe which is life eternal. It has as much interest and value at one time as another. In every part of this revolted world this report should be circulated and received. The truth contained in it is adapted to the condition and circumstances of all men, for all have sinned and need a Saviour. Such a saying, bearing the seal of Heaven, whose truth and importance have been fully tested by such multitudes in every age, is worthy of cordial, unqualified, and immediate acceptation.

It should be cordially received. The nature and claims of a report should decide the manner of its reception. If it refer to abstract truth, to some distant or unimportant event, it may be believed, but no special interest will be awakened, no emotion will be felt; but when it is announced that the Son of God became flesh, and dwelt among us; that he came to seek and to save that which is lost, were there nothing to blunt the sensibilties and pervert the mind, the most deep and lively interest would be manifested. Were we to hear of peace after a long and ruinous war; or the favorable termination of a cause in which we were deeply concerned, we should receive the tidings with grateful emotion. How then should we receive the tidings of the Gospel, Glory to God in the highest; on earth peace and good will to men;" "That God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."

When it was proclaimed amidst the struggles of the Revolution that a peer of France, powerfully allied, possessed of an ample fortune, had landed upon our shores, determined to devote himself and his all to the service of liberty; such a generous act called forth one universal burst of admiration ; even grave senators could not repress their tears of joy. How should the intelligence be received, not that an earthly noble, but a heavenly King-God's only Son-had come into our world, not to be honored, but to humble himself; not merely to be exposed to hardship, but to be crucified, to die an ignominious death, prompted solely by love? When it is ascertained beyond a doubt that he accomplished the object of his mission, changed the aspect of the world, opened a door of hope, appeased the wrath of heaven-will not every heart be opened to receive the message?

This saying is worthy of unqualified acaptation. Christ Jesus came to save sinners to turn away every one of us from our sins. The terms of salvation are explicit and benevolent. They are of the same character with the message. We must renounce our sins and pleasures, the world, and every evil thing, because they are a fruitful source of sorrow. If self-moved, the Son of God came to our world on such an errand of love, it should be left to him to settle the terms of salvation. How absurd for those who have ruined themselves, who are under sentence of condemnation, to attempt to modify the ground of pardon! In view of the great interests of God's kingdom, of the highest happiness of sinners themselves, in view of all concerned, Jesus Christ has said, that whosoever would be his disciple and share in his mercy, and hope to be saved in heaven, he must deny himself, and take up his cross-he must forsake all that he hath. And heaven and earth shall pass away before one tittle of the gospel shall change. Never were terms more suitable. They are simply that we come in our real character, as lost sinners-that we honor him as the only Saviour: and then, no matter how numerous or aggra. vated our sins, they shall be forgiven, and our names be written in the book of life.

It is worthy of immediate acceptation. It is addressed to those who are in imminent danger; who are lying under the curse of a broken law; whose hearts are depraved, and are therefore unmeet for the kingdom of heaven. Danger cannot be too soon escaped; the evil too soon averted. The message relates to a momentous concern-it deserves immediate attention. No matter what our condition in this life-no matter what our age, or how pressing our engagements-we are directed to seek first the kingdom of God. While we are in an unconverted state, while under the dominion of selfishness, we cannot please God. The gospel publishes pardon to the guilty, salvation to the lost-why then should we defer acceptance of the terms, when life is so uncertain, and an evil heart of unbelief is so dangerous? God is sincere in sending this message to us. He says, " To-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts." Every thing depends upon our acceptance of it. "He that believeth not, shall be damned." "What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul." Prudence, reason, self-interest, the word and Spirit of God, the triumphant and the despairing death-beds of sinners, all dictate and urge to an immediate acceptation of the gospel. Lay hold on eternal life.

I address multitudes to-day who have heard this saying ten thousand times, but it has been as an idle tale. Is it a true saying that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners? and how can you reject it? Gratitude should prompt to an acceptance. When guilt, like a heavy cloud, hung over our world, ready to burst upon us-when the wrath of God was kindled against us when earth, smitten with the curse, gave signs that all was lost-then the Lord Jesus Christ came into our world, took upon him our nature, obeyed the divine law, endured its penalty, yielded up his life on the cross, that we might live. Are your hearts steeled against such love? "God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ did for us." O listen to his kind invitation this day, though you might justly be left to perish, and might expect the minister of death to vindicate slighted mercy and abused goodness, still the voice of love is addressed to you, "turn ye, why will ye die." How long will ye refuse to yield your hearts to Christ? Recollect under what circumstances I stand before you, as an ambassador of Christ. I place before you life and death; if you reject this message, it is at your peril. God is concerned for the honor of his Son. Such grace as that offered in the gospel, necessarily involves the deepest responsibility. How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation? Think of the guilt you contract by rejecting this gospel. You reject the truth of God; for it is a faithful saying; every line of it is true, and sealed with God's seal; you are reflecting upon the wisdom and goodness of God, for it is worthy of all acceptation; your every interest, for this world and the next, for time and eternity, is it; in refusing to believe, you sin against your own soul. The objects for which you are about to barter your immortal interests, are vanishing away. Soon you will be left, devoid of comfort; youth and beauty fled; pleasures and honors gone; friends and companions removed; the world a blank; the soul unsaved; defiled with sin; stung with remorse; before you, an undone eternity-above you, an offended God— behind you, a misspent life. O the guilt and folly of unbelief! Is there no way to arouse you to reflection? Has a sleep-the prelude of eternal death-fallen upon you? O that you were wise-that you would accept the offer of life. Two worlds concentrate their interests here. Now is the accepted time.

IT IS GOOD FOR A MAN THAT HE BEAR THE YOKE IN HIS YOUTH.

"It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth."-LAMENTATIONS OF JEREMIAH iii. 27.

YES, it is good for a man, that he bear the yoke-bear it always: not in his youth only, but in his manhood, and old age, bear it, and carry it, patiently and cheerfully all his life.

Youth, we will all admit, is the forming period of human character--the time when impulse and restraint-when check and spur -when indolence and effort are most largely influential for good or evil over our future condition and destiny. And yet, it is true, that always, and everywhere, and under all conditions, the will of man must bow to a Higher Will: it must submit itself to an omnipotence mightier than its own. Man must always acknowledge a Law-a Sovereign--a Might and a Right, out of, and above himself, or he fails in the healthful and proper unfolding of his nature: he loses the dignity and nobleness of his humanity. His life and character, without this, take a wrong direction-a twist, a gnarl, a bend, which distorts and deforms both. Man must always be governed and restrained. Look at a child! It has hardly gained strength to erect and hold itself up, before its will expresses itself in actions and wishes which show you how much the neck of childhood needs, absolutely needs a yoke, a curb-a rein--a guiding and controlling power to keep that child in the