with the text. Verse 14-21. Let us turn it into prayer for ourselves and for others.

In review of the whole subject,

1. Let us take care, that, notwithstanding this rich provision, we are not eternally poor.

2. Let us be thankful for the unsearchable riches of Christ, and make new resolutions and renew our efforts to partake more largely.

3. Let us use our best endeavor "to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery." There is enough here for a world of sinners, and for every sinner in it.

SERMON XCVII.

THE CRUCIFIXION.

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama, sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matthew xxvii. 46.

EXORDIUM.

Solemn grandeur of the scene. Important-extraordinary—overwhelming in circumstances.

First. The "darkness which was over all the land from the sixth unto the ninth hour." The Jews computed time from sun-rising, noon the sixth; and 3 o'clock, the ninth hour. They also divided the day into four intervals, three hours in each. Hence the Evangelist, Mark xv: 25, speaks of these occurrences at the third hour or interval of the day. This "darkness" occurred on the fourteenth day of March-at the full of the moon-hence it could not be ecliptical.

Second. "The veil of the temple was rent in twain, from the top to the bottom"—the veil which covered the holy of holies, Exodus xxvi: 31. Abolition of Jewish covenant.

Third. There was the shaking of the earth, the rending of rocks, opening of graves, and rising of saints.

These are circumstances which transpired in connection with the deepest suffering and the most astonishing agony. Let us turn aside and behold this great sight which the lights of heaven could not endure. Let us contemplate,

I. The Sufferer.

Jesus Christ, "who knew no sin;" our voluntary Saviour, on whom has been "laid the iniquity of us all."

Consider the sufferings of Christ in reference,

1. To their extent and intensity. Poverty-infirmity-slander -blasphemy-physical torture-mental agony. Language is too impotent, and description too feeble, to delineate the woes which accumulate on the Saviour in the garden and on the cross. Three hours of silent agony.

2. They were penal, expiatory, vicarious.

"He bore our sins in his own body on the tree," i. e., was punished for them. "His soul was made an offering for sin." Consider his infinite dignity, his unspotted innocency.

3. Sin was the occasion-God the cause.

Our sin as a burden was laid upon him. No sin in him.

II. Let us consider the unparalelled position of the great sufferer.

1. In reference to his own divinity-which ceases now to sustain his humanity.

2. In reference to the Father and Holy Spirit-judicially saken" by them both.

"for

3. In reference to angels. In the garden they might comfort, him, but now may not approach him.

4. In reference to the law. Born under its provisions-now dying under its curse. Galatians iii. 13.

5. In reference to man.

ciples forsook him and fled.

6. In reference to devils.

ness."

None can help him-some revile-dis

"This was the hour and power of dark

Luke xxii. 53. Oh! what a position!

(1.) Three hours of silent wo.

(2.) Then the heart rending cry, "My God," etc.

(3.) Then the complaint, Why art thou so far from helping me? (4.) Then the taunt of the multitude "He saved others," etc. (5.) Then yielding up the Ghost, "It is finished."

Behold him now! The world passes in procession before the bleeding Redeemer. Adam leads the way, and calls him the "Seed

of the woman;" Abraham, and points to him in "whom all the families of the earth," etc; Jacob, and calls him "Shiloh;" Moses, and calls him the "Prophet" etc.; David, and in his song declares though dead, "he shall not see corruption ;" Isaiah, and says, this is he "that cometh from Edom," etc; Haggai, and he proclaims him the "Desire of all nations."

REFLECTIONS.

1. How enormous the evil of sin, if it requires a sacrifice like this

as atonement.

2. How can we escape the vengeance of Heaven, if we neglect the Son of God, or trample on his blood?

THE CRUCIFIXION.

BY MILMAN.

"Bound upon the accursed tree,
Faint and bleeding, who is HE?
By the flesh with scourges torn,
By the crown of twisted thorn,
By the side so deeply pierced,
By the baffled, burning thirst,
By the drooping, death-dew'd brow,
Son of man! 'tis thou! 'tis thou!

Bound upon the accursed tree,
Dread and awful, who is HE?
By the sun at noon-day pale,

Shiv'ring rock, and rending veil,
Eden promised ere he died

To the felon at his side,

Lord! our suppliant knees we bow,

Son of God! 'tis thou! 'tis thou!

Bound upon the accursed tree,

Sad and dying, who is HE?
By the last and bitter cry,
Ghost giv'n up in agony,
By the lifeless body laid
In the chamber of the dead,
Crucified we know thee now,-
Son of man! 'tis thou! 'tis thou!

Bound upon the accursed tree,
Dread and awful, who is HE?
By the spoil'd and empty grave,
By the souls he died to save,
By the conquest he hath won,
By the saints before his throne,

By the rainbow round his brow

SON OF GOD! 'TIS THOU! 'TIS THOU !

Selected.

SERMON XCVIII.

CONSERVATIVE POWER OF THE WORD OF GOD.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee, Psalms cxix. 11.

INTRODUCTION.

THE peculiarities of this psalm. It is divided into as many sections as there are letters in the Hebrew alphabet. Each section has eight verses; and each verse a distinct mention of the law of God, under some one of the terms, usual to the sacred writers when speaking of the law.

Of the original design of the psalm, or the reasons for the peculiarities already pointed out, nothing clearly can be determined. It seems intended to magnify the law and make it honorable. It breathes in every passage the profoundest reverence for the law; and is pervaded by a spirit of the most ardent piety. The Psalmist deprecates sin, and seeks deliverances from it by all the means of faith and obedience. Sin is a great evil, and is to be greatly dreaded by all Christians.

I. An evil to be avoided.

"That I might not sin against thee."

Very different views are entertained 'respecting sin,—both as to its nature and consequences. Human opinions are of no weight in settling this matter. The Christian knows sin is a transgression of God's law; and he fears and abhors it. The word of God de

termines all questions respecting sin. In the light of this word Christians regard it as an evil.

1. It is an offence against God.

2. It is the cause of all the disorder in the world.

3. It is ruinous in all its effects-now and hereafter.

So Christians consider sin; and hence they strive to cease from all sin.

II. The antidote to this evil.

17.

The word of God hid in the heart. It was given for our instruction, reproof, etc. 2 Timothy iii. 16, 1. Love for the word of God. reading and diligent study of it.

This is evinced by the devout

2. Obedience to the word of God. In what it commands, in what it prohibits.

3. Confidence in its power to preserve and strengthen. It is in the heart as a vital energy. Psalms xxxvii. 31. Illustrated in the case of Mary. Luke ii. 19, 51. The word of God is quick and powerful, etc. Hebrew iv. 12.

Selected.

SERMON XCIX.

GOD'S CARE OF THE LITTLE FLOCK.

Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Luke xii. 32.

INORDINATE care for this life is condemned by Christ. Verses 22

-30.

But first of all seek the kingdom.

These directions are for individuals.

Verse 31.

The text considers Chris

tians in a body-and prescribes their duty-and the grounds of

their comfort and security.

I. The church of God.