copy after him in his indifference towards worldly objects, in his zeal for the divine honour, and submission to the divine will; in his humility, meekness, patience, disinterested benevolence to mankind, and unwearied endeavours for their salvation. These characteristics of the Saviour, are, in a measure, the discriminating features of all who have truly known him. "We all," says the Apostle, "with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the spirit of the Lord."

Here, then, my brethren, is the criterion by which we are to judge of ourselves, whether we be truly acquainted with the Redeemer or not. If, upon an impartial review, the proofs should seem to be in your favour, still you will not rest in past discoveries. In every approach to the ordinance before us, you will draw nigh with earnest desires to see Jesus. On the present occasion may he be made known to each communicant in the breaking of bread! May we all, in beholding him symbolically crucified, entertain such views of his perfections and glory, as shall render us henceforward like him, unwavering in our faith in him, steadfast in our imitation of him, and in our obedience to him, that he may dwell in us and we in him.

SERMON XXII.

COMING TO CHRIST.

JOHN vi. 68.

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

In the verse but one preceding the text, we thus read: "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him." They had hitherto followed after him, and attended upon his preaching; but taking umbrage at some of his doctrines, and finding no encouragement for their carnal views, they withdrew to their secular pursuits, giving over all hope and expectation from him. Being thus forsaken by numbers who had professed themselves his disciples, our Lord saw fit to try the faith and constancy of the twelve Apostles, by saying to them, "Will ye also go away ?" You see me deserted by the crowd. It is at the option of all, whether to abide with me or

not. I detain none against their will.

If ye

mean to leave me, now is the time, when so many

set the example.

To this, Simon Peter, whose

natural warmth of temper rendered him forward on every occasion, answered in the name of the rest: Lord, if we were disposed to leave thee, "to whom should we go?" Whither should we turn ourselves, where look, or in whom confide as a leader to true and ultimate felicity? "Thou hast the words of eternal life."

My hearers, what Peter here says of the instructions dispensed by Christ himself during his personal ministry, is to be understood of his Gospel. In this, and in this only, are contained "the words of eternal life." Though the man Christ Jesus be long since passed into the heavens, yet, as the Saviour of the world and the Head of the church, he is still present wherever his word and ordinances are duly administered. In every country and among every people favoured with the light of the Gospel, Christ is still preaching in their synagogues and streets, inviting men to become his disciples, and to approve themselves his sincere followers. All christendom profess a regard for him, and, in some sort, attend upon his instructions. But among these multitudes, there have been many, through each successive age, who, stumbling or taking offence at his doctrines, have professedly or practically renounced all relation to

him. This is a guilt not chargeable upon the heathen nations. They who have not known Christ, nor sustained a professed relation to him, cannot be said to forsake him. Of course, their condemnation will be far less aggravated than that of those who perish from under the Gospel. With reference to the unbelieving Jews, our Saviour says, "If I had not come and spoken unto them, they would not have had sin," that is, no sin comparable with that of which they are now guilty, by rejecting me and my doctrines. This should be regarded as an awful admonition to ourselves against copying after them in their unbelief. By his Gospel, Christ has come and spoken unto us; but many among us attend not upon his instructions. They turn their backs upon his word and ordinances, and show that they love darkness rather than light. Not a few, like the unbelieving Jews of old, complain of mysteries in the Gospel, and deeming them too hard and difficult for their faith, openly avow the principles of infidelity.

My hearers, were the question to be put to ourselves, "Will ye also go away?" should we universally answer, with the firmness and confidence of Peter in the text, "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life." In so saying, after duly weighing the subject, Peter expresses a full and perfect conviction that

by Christ alone we have any hope of future and everlasting felicity. A similar conviction would undoubtedly be produced in each of our minds, did we consider the case with that attention, interest, and concern, with which it was regarded by Peter and his brethren. It is the It is the object of the present discourse, to recommend it to those who are under temptations to forsake Christ or to disregard his religion, seriously to consider to whom they will go, or where they will look for happiness, after having relinquished the hopes of the Gospel. "Lord, to whom shall we go ?"

ness.

In all men there is a natural thirst after happiWho will show us any good? is the general inquiry. We feel our own emptiness and insufficiency, and are constrained to look without ourselves for the objects of our felicity. The Gospel points us to Christ as the way, the truth, and the life. To them who believe and obey him, it promises present peace and durable felicity hereafter. But if we forsake him, to whom shall we go? Ought we not to consider with what we shall part, when we turn away from his religion? The world by wisdom knew not God. By the Christian revelation we have received the good knowledge of him, and how to serve him acceptably. It also instructs us in every branch of virtue, and in the right government of ourselves upon all occasions. It sets