washed away in His blood, and that Jesus has made us now kings and priests unto God and His Father:-kings, conquering sin and Satan by the grace of God; and priests, being permitted, through the blood of Jesus, to offer up the spiritual sacrifices of prayer and praise. Priests unto God, holding communion with Him, admitted into the holy of holies, into the presencechamber of the Almighty, not at stated seasons, but at all times and in all places. Oh! what blessings, present and prospective, has the blood of Jesus, and the love of Jesus, procured for His believing people! Surely we shall join with the beloved disciple in saying:-"Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and Amen." ever. "Oh, Love divine, how sweet Thou art! I thirst, and faint, and die, to prove 66 Stronger His love than death or hell: Its riches are unsearchable. The first-born sons of light Desire in vain its depths to see, They cannot reach the mystery, The length, the breadth, the height." [3RD SUNDAY. "Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him."-REV. I. 7. WHO is it that will come one day, and whom every eye shall see? The Lord Jesus, the Saviour of sinners, the Judge of all men. Every eye shall see Him! Mine eye shall see Him too. Will it be with fear and terror, that I shall behold the King of kings coming to judgment; or, will my gaze be that of admiration and love? In order to answer this question, let me ask myself another, "Am I now preparing for His coming-preparing to see Jesus Christ? Do I do everything in reference to the day of His appearing? Have I looked to Him now with the eye of faith? Am I continually looking unto Him as I run the race set before me? Is it my greatest joy now to realize the Saviour's presence and favour?" Then may I also rejoice in the expectation of His second coming, when faith shall be turned to sight. How can I fear the realization of my fondest hopes, the accomplishment of my best desires? The more we look to Jesus now, by faith, the less shall we fear death and judgment. For how, indeed, can we fear to meet our best and dearest Friend? Let us often consider, also, how any feeling or pursuit will bear this touchstone-Will it be remembered with joy at the coming of Christ? As one who expects the Saviour's appearing, can I indulge in this pursuit? As one who loves that appearing, can I indulge in this feeling? St. Paul assures us that there is a crown which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give at His coming to all who love His appearing. Let us not shrink, then, from meditation on the coming of Christ, whether by death or judgment, but rather look for and expect it as the end of all our probation, and the beginning of perfect and eternal happiness. Let us ask ourselves, "Are we willing this very night to leave all on earth and go to Jesus?" The question is a startling one; and, on first hearing it, we would fain say, "Oh, spare me a little, that I may recover my strength, before I go hence, and be no more seen." But if we are true Christians, this arises from the weakness of our faith; for could we really see Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and saying to us this very night, "Come, ye blessed of my Father," I am quite sure that nothing on earth could detain us. "Our souls would leave this heavy clay, "Fearless of hell and ghastly death, |