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nor with that love expressed for all, and seemingly manifested for few, or for none: but with that which Christ himself hath taught us all to feel and act upon in our intercourse with each other, upon the sure principle of believing in that great love wherewith Christ hath loved us; for this is the very test of our own interest in Christ's death: "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love "the brethren. He that loveth not his brother "abideth in death" (1 John iii. 14); and the Lord Jesus Christ hath taught us that all mankind are brethren, each to other.

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In reference to the Saviour himself, whose holy Gospel is now put forth among us, I could add much to what the mere circumstance of the knowledge of Christ will in itself bring before you. But every thing I have already said, and all that I might more advance, all point to Christ. If the true light of his Gospel shines in your hearts, you will read Christ in every portion of the sacred volume, and seek Christ as the sum and substance of all

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you now

enjoy, and of all you hope for hereafter. A sign of the times" so leading to Christ, as does the wide diffusion of the true knowledge of his Gospel, will be as welcome to

your

inmost

soul, and as much move your warmest affections and hopes, as that new, and bright, and glorious star cheered and excited the wondering view of the Eastern Magi, until it guided them to the manger bed of the new-born King. When that star of unusual light "came and stood "over where the child was," 66 young they rejoiced with exceeding great joy." (St. Matt. ii. 9, 10.) Do each of you, my brethren, solemnly put the question to your own hearts as to the effect produced there by this sign of our times also. Is "Christ crucified" unto you, as formerly "unto the Jews, a stumbling

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block;" or unto you, as formerly "unto the "Greeks, foolishness?" (1 Cor. i. 23.) Or, in an increasing participation of the light shining around us, is it your present experience, or your most earnest hope and endeavour to be enabled to take to yourself the happy conviction of the holy Apostle, "for to me to live is "Christ, and to die is gain?" (Philip. i. 21.) Your heart tells you to which of these questions conscience compels you to give your personal testimony; and you live in times too much enlightened by the truth, not to confess, in argument, the momentous result.

SERMON VI.

"THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES."

ROMANS Xi. 25, 26.

Blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved.

THERE is not an argument for the providence of Almighty God more strikingly manifest to us all, than the history of the Jews: and if, in the complexion of the eventful matter of our day, we do not err in the interpretation of it, as matter intended by God for our warning and instruction; there is no portion of it, in itself more interesting, in its consequences more awfully important, than what now seems to affect the spiritual condition of this wonderful people. In reference to this, among the other signs of the times," I proposed it as the fifth, and worded its character thus,-The interest

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felt, and through a considerable portion of the Christian world evidenced by outward deed, for the forlorn and affecting condition of the state of the Jews; a people once greatly beloved, but now, and for many centuries past, cast off and forsaken, until the Divine Word shall speak, "It is enough."

A very brief and general survey of the history of this once favoured nation, separated by miraculous interposition, and a visible theocracy, from all the nations of the earth, will show how the Lord hath spoken to them, and in them to the whole world, in thus making them "a peculiar people." In such a survey of extraordinary interposition as manifested in the Word of God, where their history stands prominently displayed, and as confirmed by every human author who has at all touched upon the subject, we shall see, first, the immediate and miraculous call of their "first father "Abraham," elected by God himself to be the founder of this mighty people, and through whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ, "the "desire of nations," was to spring: for “in "Abraham, and in his seed, were all the fami"lies of the earth to be blessed." We next

follow the Patriarchs believing, but not yet

receiving the promises; their posterity increasing in numbers, and become captive slaves in Egypt; thence led forth by a great deliverance, under the immediate manifestation of divine power; afterwards governed by God's special presence directing them, and by God, as their audible legislator, ruling over them. We see them, nevertheless, rebelling against him, and taking unto themselves the idol worship of the heathen nations around them, God in the mean time showing his unwillingness to give them up, in frequent prophetical warning and inflicted judgment.

But even Divine Mercy, forbearing as it is, forbears not for ever against determined sinfulness; and an entire separation of some of them, and a seventy years captivity for the remainder, was the appointed cure for this especial sin of idolatry. The few of this numerous people who returned to their native land, returned to their former sin no more. But other sins had dominion over them: and when they had "filled up the measure of their iniquities" in rejecting Christ in the very face of their own prophecies, and of his own speaking and working as never man spake or worked before, they were suffered to fall.

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