"Remember Jesus Christ;" his work as a Saviour, his office and character as a Shepherd. He hath said; "I am the good Shepherd; the good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep" and hence it is, in consideration of this glorious fact, that we sing of restoring grace. It is all in Christ Jesus, and in virtue of his obedience unto death; it flows through him; it is exercised by him. Brethren, let us be thankful-more abundantly thankful; and praise his Name for ever.

You that have known the grace of the good Shepherd, restoring the soul, on you, especially, the obligation rests. Each of you may say—

"Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wand'ring from the fold of God;

He, to rescue me from danger,
Interpos'd his precious blood."

Dwell on this astonishing interposition till your hearts are warmed with love, and elevated with grateful praise. Bear in mind by what means, and at what memorable times, he touched your hearts by his Spirit, inclined you to return to God, shewed you the path of life, and enabled you to prefer the ways of pleasantness and peace. But, in opposition to all this favour, forget not your manifold provocations; in what numberless instances you have swerved from the line of duty, broken the ties of interest, and rebelled against your highest, your best Friend; and yet you are spared! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ hath not only preserved, but restored! That promise, in your behalf, has been signally accomplished: "I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken,

and will strengthen that which was sick*." Be thankful, and let the grateful sentiment of your hearts influence your whole spirit and conduct. Henceforth, not only praise, but love and serve this gentle Shepherd, of whom you can say, with so much truth, "He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his Name's sake."

And

3. Watchfulness is a farther obligation-a duty the most obvious, and of the highest practical importance.-Jesus admonished his disciples; "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. what I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch." Against what must our vigilance be directed? Against the flattering allurements of the world, the unhinging occurrences of life, the baneful influence of evil companions, the artful insinuations of that grand enemy who lieth in wait to deceive-who goeth about to destroy. Watch, especially, your own tempers, and your own hearts! Your worst enemy is within. Be, then, ever on your guard against what is dangerous in your own tempers, deceitful and treacherous in your own hearts. If you reflect on any of the unhappy falls recorded in the Bible, you will find that unwatchfulness led the way to them; a careless spirit, a slothful, selfish mind, has been the inlet of innumerable evils, the criminal cause of most disgraceful conduct. But there are falls of a more secret description; frequent instances of spiritual declension, and departure from God, which come not under the notice of men. These would as effectually work our ruin as the most flagrant offences, were it not for the restoring grace of the good Shepherd.

Let us, then, learn a lesson of holy watchfulness over the hidden springs and principles of the soul * Ezek. xxxiv. 15, 16.

Taught as we are the seat of danger, let us prove that we have learnt it by our future circumspection. Let us manifest our proficiency by gaining wisdom from our past folly, and acquiring strength even from our past falls.

4. Dependence on the grace of Christ, and confidence in his future care, are other obligations resulting from the experience of the truth in the text.

These we cannot urge too earnestly, knowing that all exhortations to watchfulness will amount to little, without a proper regard to the Lord Jesus Christ. Men may be aware of danger, they may be on their guard, and exercise a commendable degree of caution against error and sin; yet this is nothing better than striving in their own strength, unless they have a living faith in him who hath said—“ My grace is sufficient for thee: my strength is made perfect in weakness." Ever remember, all your springs are in him, all your help is from him, who is "made of God unto us, wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption; that, according as it is written, he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."

Can you say of this good Shepherd-" He restoreth my soul?" Then rely on him for the future, as well as praise him for the past. His word warrants your steady reliance; his Gospel encourages your cheerful confidence. You cannot honour the Saviour more than by this reliance, this confidence; and certainly you cannot in any way so effectually preserve your own safety and happiness. Mark the text. It does not refer to past time, asserting that once he did restore: it regards not future time, predicting or promising that at some distant period he will restore: it respects the time present, be this

whenever it may, and its necessity ever so urgent"He restoreth my soul!" For present benefit, therefore, place a present reliance on him who "speaks in righteousness, mighty to save." For grace which he now communicates, now apply to him who "changeth not." For that recovery which he is unalterably adequate to effect, at all times trust him, and your trust shall not be in vain.

To conclude-Some, it is feared, are entire strangers to this restoring grace. Bear with me a few moments. You are wandering, and you continue to wander, in the crooked road to ruin, in the broad way which leadeth to destruction. Men and brethren, have you considered the solemn fact, that, if you persist in error and sin, nothing awaits you but inevitable wretchedness and despair? A few years at most will close the scene of life, and a dismal close it will be to you "that know not God, and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ"-to you who slight the Saviour; who forsake the fold, and refuse the care of the good Shepherd.

Let me urge to a careful consideration of your present state: to serious reflection on sin and its dreadful consequences. It is wise to become thoughtful; it is indeed the first step towards effectual recovery. But not only think, earnestly pray; and not only pray, "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved!" Flee to him as your refuge; build on him as your rock; take shelter in him as a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest;" as your impregnable security in all circumstances of alarm and danger.

Remember, the Lord the Saviour is a Shepherd. Dwell on the peculiar tenderness which this character

conveys and whatever be the disease of sin which you suffer, whatever the sorrow which sin occasions, or the dread which the idea of its future recompence excites; O betake yourselves to him! Seek this gentle Shepherd's care; prove his kindness, and rejoice in this eternal truth-" He came to seek and to save that which was lost."