extreme to another. Because the week's preparation was an unscriptural book, many seem to think a week's preparation, even that preparation of the heart which is of the Lord, an unscriptural work, and entirely neglect it. What is the consequence? Month after month they commemorate the Saviour's dying love; and yet, the end for which He said, "do this in remembrance of Me," does not seem answered. They are not strengthened or refreshed. They do not become stronger or livelier, holier or happier Christians, more spiritual in their tastes, or heavenly in their tempers, more consistent in their walk, or Christ-like in their character. Let me conjure all you, who love the Saviour, to take good heed that it be not so with you. Before each attendance on the table of the Lord, set apart a portion of time for solemn self-examination, as to what progress you have made in the divine life, since your last commemoration of your Redeemer's love; if you have not made any, take shame to yourself; if you have, give all to the glory of God. Try yourself by each of the vows I have specified. Whereinsoever you find you have been unfaithful, humble yourself in the lowliest self-abasement; and let the tenderly-reproachful look of Jesus, turned on you in the solitude of your chamber, constrain you to weep bitterly. Be not ashamed of such tears they are in truth the only tears you need never be ashamed to shed; and pray fervently that

each successive attendance on the sacramental table may give you an increasing foretaste of, and meetness for, the blessedness of sitting down at the marriage supper of the Lamb-where every guest will be a glorified saint, where not one of all you love in Christ will be absent, and the Saviour Himself will preside in person, in all His unveiled beauty and glory; while the feast is celebrated with all the sweetness and solemnity, that the presence of Jesus, and the pomp of heaven can throw round it.

SERMON XIV.

THE CONDESCENSION OF CHRIST.

REVELATION, iii. 20.

"Behold! I stand at the door and knock !"

THIS is certainly one of the most wonderful passages in the Bible! almost unparalleled, even in the word of God, as a display of the divine condescension, long-suffering, and love. May the Eternal Spirit abundantly bless to each of us the consideration of it, that we may all have reason to remember this day, with joy and thankfulness, throughout eternity! "Behold! I stand at the door, and knock!" The door here represents the human heart; and who is He that is represented as standing at that doorknocking-soliciting admission? It seems to be some one who conceives that the announcement, that He is standing and knocking, ought to com

mand immediate attention-it is the voice of one who speaks with authority. "Behold I stand!" Who then is He that thus lifts up His voice? If we turn to the eighth verse of the first chapter of this book, we will hear: "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty!" And again, in the opening of the eleventh verse, "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last!" From the thirteenth to the seventeenth verse, you will find the description of this mysterious personage as He appeared to St. John; a description so overpoweringly grand and awful, that it is scarcely possible even to read it, without sharing the Apostle's feelings, on beholding the majestic being who stood before him! "When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead! and He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, fear not! (compassionate Saviour, how does Thy tenderness break forth amidst the most awful displays of Thy majesty!) Fear not, I am the first and the last! I am He that liveth, and was dead! and behold, I am alive for evermore!" Now, connect these four verses together, the 8th, 11th, 17th, and 18th, and then turn to Isaiah, 44th chapter, 6th verse: “Thus saith the Lord, (Jehovah, as the word Lord signifies, whenever it is printed in capital letters, being the translation of the Hebrew word, used by the Jews, to express the incommunicable name of

the only true God!) Thus saith the Lord, Jehovah, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of Hosts! I am the First, and I am the Last, and beside me there is no God!" Now surely, either language has no meaning, or it is as plain as language can make it, that He who says in Isaiah, "I am the First, and I am the Last, and beside me there is no God!" must be the same as He who says in Revelations, "I am the First and the Last! I am He that liveth, and was dead! and behold, I am alive for ever more!" and, therefore, that the Jehovah of the Old Testament, is the Jesus of the New. Is it not then incontrovertible, that the comparison even of these verses, (independently of a host of passages, in which the essential and incommunicable titles, attributes, and operations of Deity are ascribed in language the most unequivocal to the Saviour,) is sufficient to establish that all-important doctrine, which is the very key-stone of Christianity-the full, perfect, essential and eternal Godhead of the Redeemer, on a basis which man can no more shake by his puny reasonings, or rather sophistry, than he is able to put forth his hand, and pluck the sun out of the heavens, or shake the pillars of the throne of God? We are now prepared to answer the question-who stands at the door of the human heart and knocks, soliciting admission? and to declare (oh! mystery passing all understanding!) He who thus beseeches