posal something was implied more than he express ed. In taking leave of his friends to follow Christ, he would consult their wishes, ask their opinions, hear their objections, and relinquish his new and feeble resolutions. This was not a case, nor a time, in which he might safely confer with flesh and blood. He was already convinced of the divine authority of his teacher, and of the importance of embrac ing and spreading his religion; and there could be no justifiable cause for hesitancy and delay. The man who deliberates and seeks advice in a case of

plain, obvious and important duty, is only studying evasions of duty, and contriving excuses to pacify his conscience in the neglect of it; and he is already more than half an apostate.

Further; The whole story of the marriage sup per is figurative. The spiritual kingdom of Christ is here illustrated by similitudes taken from earthly things. The gospel dispensation is compared to a great supper. The invitation to attend it was first sent to opulent farmers. By them it was rejected; for they had a fulness at their own tables. It was next carried to the poor and impotent people, who were begging in the streets. To them it was acceptable; for they felt their misery and necessity, and could not but rejoice in the happiness of being guests at a royal table.

So it is in the kingdom of Christ. They who trust in themselves, that they are righteous, look not to the Saviour for pardon. The poor and im potent-they who feel their guilt and misery, know their need of a Saviour and to them he is precious. To them it is a doctrine glorious and acceptable, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sin

ners.

Christ's message to the church in Laodicea illus trates this circumstance in the parable. "Thou art lukewarm, neither cold nor hot." Though

thou hast not openly rejected my religion,, yet thou art not engaged in it. Why? "Because thou sayest, I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing." But thy real condition is just the reverse. "Thou knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked." This, though thou boastest of the contrary, is thy true state. "I therefore counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich, and white raiment that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness may not ap pear; and to annoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Be zealous therefore and repent."

The gospel plan excludes boasting. Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty or noble are called; but God has chosen the base, weak and foolish things of the world to confound the wise, mighty, and noble, that no flesh should glory in his presence, Christ came to save them who are lost. They who feel not themselves to be lost, will not trust in him to save them. He came to call sinners to repentance. The call is disregarded by those who are unconvinced of their guilt and pollution. The knowledge of sin by the law is a necessary preparative to receiving Christ by faith. If the gospel were to be preached to a race of beings, who never had offended their maker, but remained perfectly innocent and righteous, they would not know how to understand the doctrines, which teach salvation by sovereign grace without works, and justification by the righteousness of an. other, and not by their own; nor how to apply the precepts, which require repentance of sin, and faith in one, who came to save them from punishment. And they who are exalted in their own supposed goodness, can no more understand and apply these doctrines and precepts, than such a race of beings,

If you think of, and hope for salvation by Christ, first know yourselves. When you view your condition as resembling that of the poor, maimed people in the lanes of the city, and the hedges of the fields, and feel yourselves incompetent to supply your own wants, and relieve your own impotence, you will hear with joy, and accept with gratitude, the invitation to come to the house, and participate in the supper of the great king. But if, while such is your real condition, you are vainly puffed up with a fleshly mind, and imagine you have need of nothing, you will make light of the invitation addressed to you, and will never taste of the supper.

The supper now before us is an emblem of the great supper prepared in the kingdom of heaven. Let us come to this in such a manner, that we may be deemed meet guests at the other.

Here Jesus Christ is set forth crucified before us. He suffered for our sins, that he might bring us to God. He ascended to heaven to prepare a place for us there, and thither to draw our affections. He has appointed this supper, that we might remember how he died, how he rose, and whither he is gone; and that here we might have some foretaste of the entertainment prepared for us above, and be quickened in our endeavours to ascertain our title to it, and perfect our qualifications

for it.

Let us who enjoy the privilege of coming to the Redeemer's table, walk worthy of our relation to him, who has admitted us to this honour and freedom here, and has called us to his kingdom and glory above.

There are some, who have never come to this ordinance. May I ask you-or rather, may I advise you to ask yourselves, why you come? You are invited; and if

your

have not

hearts are

rightly disposed, all things are ready. You wish you may be admitted to eat bread with Christ in his heavenly kingdom. Will you not eat bread with him here? Your devout attendance on this supper will assist your preparation for, and afford you a foretaste of the great supper in heaven. Does the world, its interests, manners, company and occupations detain you? Give them up; and accept the invitation of your Redeemer. If you knew, that, in relation to this ordinance, it would in a few weeks be denounced, that none who had been bidden and still neglected, should taste of the supper, you would probably come without longer delay. Such may soon be your situation; therefore hear your Saviour's gracious voice, while it is called to-day, lest he speak with a different voice to-morrow. Banish all excuses, obey his affectionate call. And let every one, who nameth the name of Christ, and eateth at his table, depart from iniquity, and by the purity of his life make it manifest to all, that he has been with Jesus.

FINIS.