forth of the Persian commandment to restore and build Jerusalem. This prophecy, which the Jews, even now, cannot deny, though their hearts are slow to believe it, even points out the exact year in which Christ was to suffer; and declares that 62 weeks, or 434 years after the time of Nehemiah, Messiah the Prince, was to be cut off, but not for Himself.' And this, naturally, leads us to the second part of the subject, namely, that this Mighty Conqueror and Saviour was to be made perfect by suffering: And that, before He entered into His glory, it was necessary that He should be despised, rejected, and tormented.-This I shall defer till next Friday; beseeching you, in the meantime, to reflect seriously on the truths which you have heard this day. Remember, that all mankind were naturally unable to satisfy the justice of God; that the favour, which He had shewn to Adam, was lost for ever by Adam's disobedience; and that it was in the power of no man to redeem his brother, or to give unto God a ransom for him. Remember, that, in this danger and distress of the world, God had, in every age, spoken comfort to mankind; promising them a wonderful Deliverer, who should cleanse them from their sins; redeem them from death and misery; 1 Daniel, ix. 25, 26. -- teach them to serve and to please God; and give them that peace, which the world cannot give, peace with themselves, and with their Maker. Remember, lastly, that we are all partakers in these precious benefits; that, on us, the ends of the world are come; to us, the mysteries of Providence are revealed; we have heard those truths, which prophets and kings have, in vain, longed earnestly to hear; and have understood those secret things of God, which the angels desired in vain to look into. We are not now instructed, by dark sayings, or by mysterious ceremonies; but have the true word of Life, "which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." Our Priest and Leader is not, as Moses was, a mere man, like ourselves; but sitteth at the right hand of His Father, hearing our prayers, guiding our actions, comforting us in sorrow, and asking pardon for our sins at the throne of mercy and of righteousness. The present week is particularly proper for such thoughts as these; and our Church has appointed, for every day in it, short, passages of Scripture; which may be read, and considered, attentively, with great profit and comfort. In the portions of Scripture appointed for the Epistles of Monday and Tuesday, you will learn the majesty of Christ's Person; and how glorious 1 St. John, i. 9. and honourable He is in the sight of God. When you read these things, commune with your own hearts; and consider, with yourselves, how can you escape if you neglect so great a salvation, such wonderful and exceeding mercy. The men of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah ; -the queen of the South came from far to hear the wisdom of Solomon ; Ahab himself was changed for awhile, and put on sackcloth, when Elijah rebuked him: And shall not we repent, when God Himself hath come down from Heaven to visit us; shall not we be converted, whom the living voice of Christ calls every day to amendment? Oh, while you yet feel the motions of His Spirit; while the door is yet open to salvation; - arise, and arise, and go to your Father, that Father Almighty, who is the God, the friend, and the comforter, of all, who, with hearty repentance, turn unto Him. To Him, in Three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, be praise, honour, and glory, now, and for ever! SERMON XXI. EASTER SUNDAY. REVELATION, i. 17, 18. He laid His right hand on me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. JOHN, the beloved disciple, had been, after various torments and sufferings, banished by the cruel Emperor Domitian to the small and desolate island of Patmos. While thus persecuted for the word of God, and for the testimony, of the Lord Jesus Christ, he was visited on the Lord's day by a dreadful and majestic vision. He beheld, in all the glory of the eternal God, one like unto the Son of Man ;-like Him whom he had seen poor and lowly ;-the Son of Man, who had been betrayed into the hands of sinners; whose wanderings he had followed; whose sufferings he had seen; and who had loved him, above all his companions; the same, of whose humiliation and death you have heard; who gave His back to the smiters, and His cheek to them that plucked off the hair; whose life was accounted madness: and His end, without honour. But He was now arrayed in long and kingly robes; His girdle was of gold; His eyes, as the fire; His feet, as bright as burning brass; His voice, as the sound of many waters; seven stars were in His right hand; a flaming sword went out before Him; and His countenance was as the Sun shining in His strength. "Fear not," He said, as His ancient follower sunk in lifeless terror at His feet, "I am the first and the last I am He that liveth and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell, and of death." In this declaration of our Lord, now glorified, and raised above principalities and powers and archangels, we have clearly laid down both His nature and eternity;-that He is the first and the last-His death and resurrection ;-that He liveth and was dead :-and, lastly, His glorious and triumphant condition; that He is alive for evermore, and hath the keys of hell, and of death;—that is, that by Him only we can hope to escape either of these calamities. Not that these truths were now first discovered to this beloved Apostle; who had often heard similar declarations from the mouth of Christ Himself; both while He abode among men, and while, for forty days after His resurrection, He |