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re born again of the Spirit of God, it is your privilege to overcome the devil, the world, and the flesh. Live then up to your privilege. Live in the exercise of it. "Let your profiting appear unto all men," To this end pray that the divine life may be increased in your soul. Pray for larger supplies of the spirit of grace. Seek that the fruits of the Spirit may more and more abound in you. So shall your lives be more happy and useful; your walk more consistent in itself, and more honourable to God; your pros pects more glorious, and your end more blessed.

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SERMON III.

FORGIVENESS OF SINS THROUGH CHRIST.

ACTS, xiii. 38, 39, 40, 41.

Be it known unto you therefore, Men and Brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the Forgiveness of Sins and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the Law of Moses. Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the Prophets, Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days; a work which you shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.

WHEN Christ appeared to his Apostles after his Resurrection from the dead, He gave to them this Commission, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature." This was to be their office: they were to preach the Gospel. And what was the Gospel which they were to preach? We

find from St. Luke's account of this interview of Jesus with them, that they were to "preach remission of sins in his name among all nations." This then was the Gospel, those glad tidings of great joy, which they were to proclaim throughout the world, "Remission of sins in the name of Jesus Christ."

Such was the Gospel which St. Peter preached to the Jews on the day of Pentecost, when he said to them, “ Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." Such was the Gospel which the same Apostle preached to the Gentiles, when he said to Cornelius, and to those assembled with him to hear the things commanded of God," To Him," that is, to Jesus Christ, "give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins."

Such in like manner was the Gospel which St. Paul preached in the text to the Jews at Antioch in Pisidia. Having entered into their synagogue on the Sabbath-day, and obtained permission to address them, he showed them very fully and clearly that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ, the promised Saviour, whom the prophets had foretold, and their nation had so long expected. And having proved this point, he proceeded to apply the

subject in the words of the text, "Be it known unto you therefore, Men and Brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." These were the gracious tidings which he was commissioned to bring them; while they, having heard the heavenly message, were to be careful how they neglected it. For as it would be a message of life to them if they received it, so it would be a message of more dreadful death to them, if they received it not. Beware, therefore, (pursues the Apostle) lest that come upon you which is spoken of in the prophets, Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish : for I work a work in your days; a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you." The judgements predicted by the prophets would surely fall with tenfold vengeance on that generation, if they slighted and rejected the Gospel, which now was preached unto them.

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But, my Brethren, let me remind you, that the office of the Ministers of Christ is the same now that it ever was. We come not to you indeed with the same authority which the Apostles exercised; we come not unto you claiming divine inspiration, nor confirming our words by signs and miracles: but

we come to you preaching the same Gospel, proclaiming to you the same gracious tidings of Forgiveness of Sins through Jesus Christ, and warning you in the same solemn manner to beware how you slight these mercies, and reject so great salvation. This is the office which we hold among you; and in discharge of it I would say to you, as Saint Paul said to these same Jews at Antioch, "Men and Brethren, unto you are the words of this salvation sent." I would address I would address you this day as he then addressed them in the words of the Text, setting before you, on the one hand, I. The glad Tidings of the Gospel; and, on the other hand,

II. The Guilt and Danger of rejecting them.

And may that blessed Spirit, who alone can give efficacy to the preaching of the Word, so bring it home with power to your hearts, that you may feel its quickening influence on your soul, and find that God is with us of a truth!

I. Let me set before you the glad Tidings of the Gospel, as they are stated in the text. "Be it known unto you, Men and Brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses."

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