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they will ask the more." "In that day," said our Master and our future Judge, "I will profess unto them, that have not done the will of my Father which is in heaven, I never knew you, depart from me, all ye that, work iniquity."

Coming to the study of the truth as it is in Jesus, with purity of heart and purposes of obedience, we must also come with docility and in humility. "For except we be converted and be as little children," and receive the kingdom of God as meek, teachable, guiltless infants, "we shall not enter therein." We shall never either rightly apprehend its nature, or be impressed by its promises. They that are "proud," as well as " they that do wickedly," will inherit not favour, but shame. For said Jesus again, "Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased, but he that humbleth himself shall be exaltedd "

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And lastly, in carrying on the important inquiry after divine truth, we must ever remember that it must be learnt from God; from his written word, from the words and upon the authority of Jesus, who "spoke as the Father gave him commandment,”—and through the enlightening, and sanctifying, and transforming influence of that Holy Spirit, who can give us a right judgement

* Luke xii. 47, 48. b Matt. vii. 21-23. 4 Mal. iv. 1. Luke xiv. 11. and xviii. 14.

c Matt. xviii. 3.

in all things, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by his holy inspiration, that so we may think those things that be good, and by his merciful guiding perform the same.' This our Lord has distinctly taught in that important, though difficult, discourse respecting the "living bread which came down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.” -"But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me, and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.' This is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day. Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come unto me, except the Father, which hath sent me, draw him. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all TAUGHT OF GOD. Every man, therefore, that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father."-I need scarcely to repeat to you, what I have already stated, as collected from a careful examination of these

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• Isai. liv. 13. Jer. xxxi. 33, 34.

John vi. 37-46.

words, that if we are so to believe on the Son as to obtain at the last day a resurrection to eternal life, we must learn of the Father by the witness which he has given of his Son. We must be taught of him through his word, and be drawn by his Spirit, by that holy Spirit of his promise, which "he giveth to them that ask him ;" and which "shall be in us a well of water springing to everlasting life;" refreshing and fertilizing our souls, and causing us to "wait for the hope of righteousness by faith"."

We must, therefore, diligently avail ourselves of those means of grace, by which the knowledge of God may be obtained and increased,our affections drawn heaven-wards, our holy resolutions strengthened; until we are brought into that happy state, of which our Saviour speaks in those mysterious, yet consolatory words: "If a man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." But if, on the other hand, we neglect those means of grace' which are designed to communicate a hope of glory,'-if we neglect to pray for God's continual help,'- if we are wilfully ignorant of his word, if we are puffed up with a conceit of

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* See 1 John ii. 20—27; iv. 1-6, and 12—16; v. 9-13. Luke xi. 13. John iv. 14. Gal. v. 5. James i. 5, 17, &c.

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our own sufficiency and wisdom,—if we are averse from the holy ways and requirements of God, and prefer the lusts, and riches, and indulgences of the world, to the promised blessings of eternity, if we are unwilling to practise patience and self-denial,- if the fear of man deters us from duty, and the applause of man is more esteemed than the approbation of God,-if we are suffering any of these propensities to grow and gather strength within us, then are we in imminent danger of apostacy and infidelity.

Let our's, then, be the endeavour and the prayer, that we may ever share in the character and hopes of those, of whom Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one." For, upon hearing such words as these, we may say with the beloved Apostle, "We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true; and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ.

the true God, and eternal life"."

This is

John x. 27-30.

с

e 1 John v. 20.

LECTURE XX.

OUR LORD'S NOTICE OF INFIDELITY IN ITS LAST AND CONFIRMED STAGE. THE BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE SON OF MAN, AND THAT AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST. THE DEMAND OF ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE, WHEN THAT WHICH IS OFFERED HAS BEEN REJECTED.

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WITH WHICH THE GOSPEL IS

CONCLUSION.

SANCTIONS

ACCOMPANIED.

St. LUKE XII. 8-10.

Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: but he that denieth me before men, shall be denied before the angels of God. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven.

CONFORMABLY to the directions of the pious founder of this Lecture, I now appear before you for the twentieth time, that I may on this day complete the task assigned to me. It has been my endeavour to lay before you, in the very words of Jesus himself, the claims which he advanced, and the arguments by which he supported them. Adopting the same method, I have also considered the

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