it is not the minister, but God, who for Christ's sake, forgives.

This is what is designed to be conveyed by the absolution, which the priest alone is to pronounce, standing, as the ambassador of God, representing his person: while the people are to listen to it kneeling, as it is fitting that in the same suppliant posture in which they asked forgiveness, they should hear, as it were from the mouth of God," transgression forgiven, sin covered." The kindness of him who "Willeth not the death of a sinner," is here strikingly depicted for the joyful annunciation is made, that "he pardoneth all them that truly repent, and unfeignedly believe his holy gospel."-Brethren, when you hear this happy news, receive it: "Be not faithless, but believing."-To this declaration there is properly appended an exhortation to ask for "true repentance and his Holy Spirit," that being bought with a precious price, we may glorify him with our bodies and in our spirit which are his. Let no one who desires not, whatsoever he does, to do all to the glory of God, imagine that the mere repetition of this form has put away his sins.

It is to the penitent, that the message comes, it is the heart-broken transgressor, it is intended to comfort-" Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee:" and he "to whom much is forgiven," will certainly give evidence in his conduct, that "he loveth much."

We then approach our heavenly Father in the words of that most divine prayer which Christ has committed, as a precious legacy, to his church. Concise, yet comprehensive, it includes petitions for all that we can need. Four versicles succeed, in which we ask God to quicken our devotions and to raise our hearts to him, while with joyful lips we speak his praises: we are thus prepared to magnify him in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual

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songs; but the consideration of these must be reserved for another discourse.

I make two very brief observations in CON

CLUSION.

1. There is no man so righteous, but that he is a miserable sinner. “If we say we have not sinned, (says the apostle) we make God a liar, and his word is not in us."1 And sin

1 1 John i. 10.

is not a trifle, brethren :-you may judge of its atrocity by the fact that the blood of Christ was required to wash away its stain. Strive to attain a clear view of this first great principle of the oracles of God; and rest assured that you have not a clear and proper view of it, till you are roused, individually and personally, to ask the anxious question,

shall I do to be saved?"

What

2. Lastly, There is no man so sinful, but that Christ can pardon him. For this very purpose he suffered, that he might make atonement for transgression: for this very purpose he was exalted, that he might be "a merciful High Priest, able to have compassion." In the visions of the ancient seers,1 it was foretold that help should be laid on One mighty" to save even to the uttermost; and he has abundantly already given proof of this power. Can you fix your eyes on the assemblage of "just men made perfect?" The nearest to the throne, are Saul the persecutor and blasphemer, and Peter the apostate: the blood that washed them clean, can now

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1 Psalm lxxxix. 19,

cleanse you. Then, I say, make trial of his love; make instant trial; tempt him no longer by unbelief. He invites you to draw near; the scriptures proclaim his mercy ; his church," the pillar of the truth," confirms the testimony, that "if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous, and he is the propitiation for our sins." 1

1 1 John ii. 1, 2.

LECTURE III.

ON THE ASCRIPTION OF PRAISE.

PSALM C. 4, 5.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

THE most delightful part of God's service is praise. It is a higher and nobler employment than prayer, inasmuch as satisfaction is above desire. In prayer we bring our empty vessels, in praise we carry them home rejoicing, full of the waters of salvation. Prayer will have an end, at least as to its present form, when faith shall be swallowed up in vision, and even