heaven. It is possible; but behold what calmness even upon the cross! Thence he opened paradise to the poor penitent who was crucified by his side; thence he prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem; thence he comforted his blessed mother; thence he prayed for his murderers; and calmly resigned his life, and said, "It is finished." Look, then, upon his inward peace; how unmoved he was by the horrible malice which frowned in a thousand forms upon him; how divinely he closed his eyes to earth, and called God his Father, and finished the work of man's redemption.

The cross is the Christian's peace.

He is at peace when he looks into himself; for he applies to the cross for the pardon of past sin. He learns that there is a constant and unceasing supply of holy resolutions, to purify his dispositions and to refine his desires for the time to come. The love of Christ crucified so orders all his principles, that he

feels sure of their union, of their working together, of their engaging in quiet and harmonious regularity, and disposing of his will, under the influence of heavenly truth. The cross is to him pardon and purity; and they produce peace.

He looks upon others. He checks the corrupt workings of nature: he seeks not revenge, for his Master sought it not: he does not foment strife, for his Lord was the Prince of peace: he does not envy, for " through envy men crucified Christ:" he does not harbour malice, for Christ prayed for his murderers, and with the heart, for he did all things sincerely. The Christian, therefore, is at peace with the world, for the spirit of the world is crucified in him by the cross of Christ.

3. As to the outward circumstances of life, afflictions and adversity, here also the Christian takes up his cross daily with a willing mind. His need is God, and God is his portion; therefore doth he lack nothing. For so Christ gave up

all things for the cross. What lack I that Christ lacked not? what sorrow have I equal to the cross? If I suffer, I suffer justly; but he was without sin. If Isuffer, I need to be put upon the cross, that the love of this world and of self may be taken away; but he took the cross for me. He was perfectly pure without it. He was cut off, but not for himself. Such is the peace which the cross brings to the suffering children of light. O my friends, who would not envy sufferings so full of comfort and peace? who would not suffer with Christ, so to reign with him? afflicted soul thus purified by the cross of Christ, empties itself of its own will, and saith, "Glorify thyself in me;" take that is thine own, for I am redeemed by thy blood.

The

And as the cross of Christ is the comfort of the soul in the afflictions and trials which come from God, so it is its strength under the temptations which come from What shall terrify the servant who

man.

expects no better treatment of the world than his Lord received? and that Lord was crucified. Christ hath forewarned his servants whom they should fear: therefore they are unmoved by the mockery or the graver insults of the world; therefore they suffer gladly, but hold on their even course through the false crowd, and keep their eyes fixed upon the cross. They do not fear though a host encamp about them; for their Master maketh them to dwell in safety, gives them confidence in the evil day, and reminds them that he overcame the same enemies, and was not frightened from the most difficult of his labours, the taking up of his cross.

And, lastly, with what a clear and unclouded hope doth the cross bring heaven and the life to come before those who live by the faith of the Son of God. They who can suffer for Christ's sake, who deny themselves for his sake, and are of one mind with him who prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what

they do," find little difficulty in directing their thoughts to better things than this world can present.

For as their interest in the world is moderated so far, that they love life as it offers opportunities of following Christ in doing good; as without this the highest and the purest enjoyment of society is inadequate to satisfy their wishes; so the world of peace and of love, of purity and of perfect happiness, is the more esteemed. They are contented to be in the world; but they would rather be with the pure and perfect above. The love of Christ crucified hath made the earth, at its best estate, to appear altogether vanity. So doth the cross lift the soul to heaven.

How blessed, therefore, is it to behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world! to rejoice in the exaltation of his cross, till we feel that he is worthy of being ranked above every name; to experience in our hearts the victory of the cross over the principles of