silenced, the reality of the life of faith—the need of conversion-the happiness of the path of the consistent Christian, these may become obscured to your view, until you justify that lukewarmness at which now you tremble, and "sport yourselves with your own deceivings."" Oh! beware of the pleadings that the flesh puts forth; beware of taking up your rest, "not far from the kingdom of God;" beware of trifling with convictions, lest the thread of vanity become the cart-rope, and you be holden with the cords of your sins, yea be hardened through the deceitfulness thereof. Once more,

2

3. The uncertainty of life bids you hear the warning voice and press into the kingdom. Who art thou? a worm of earth; there is "but a step betwixt thee and death," some sharp instrument may divide an artery, and life flow out ere the seconds hand of thy watch hath finished its tremulous circle; or fever, pestilence, may come, and the bell toll for thee before another day has run its course; or gradual decay may sap thy strength, while at the same time it may incapacitate thee for thought, or prayer, or public means of grace. Lord, I will follow thee," (say est thou,) "but

suffer me first to go bid them farewell, that are at home at my house," suffer me to do this or that, and then- Alas! hast thou not a suspicion that such purposes are likely to come to nought? hast thou not before thy mind's eye some that thus have failed ; whose record now is " twice dead plucked up by the roots," who once were "not far from the kingdom of God?" What if the closing scene find you even thus, "not far from," yet not within the kingdom; almost persuaded, yet not turned; almost rescued, and yet the prey of Satan, almost saved, and yet but a lost soul? Lord, sound the note of warning to the heart of the wavering 'ere it be too late, and fix them for Thyself for ever!

But not only as a Word of Inquiry or of Warning, does this address of our Lord reach us, to some it is,

III. A Word of Blessing. Yes, to the honest inquirer after truth, to the concerned soul, pressing into the kingdom of God,-to these, and such as these, He who " will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax," speaks hereby words of encouragement; bids you, brethren, know, that He "doth not despise the day of small things," that "He That hath begun a good work in you,

will perfect it unto the day of Christ," "that your hearts shall live that seek God."

1. In the language of approval our text speaks to these. "Fear not ye," it saith, "for ye seek Jesus." Thus encouraged, the Publican no longer lingers on the threshold of the temple, but enters in and pours out his complaint before his God.... thus is the heart of the Prodigal cheered, and the heavenly desire fanned, till thoughts of his father's house no longer suffice, but he is emboldened to arise and come to his Father. The God of Hope breathes His influence on the fearful yet desiring soul, and it cries with Ephraim, "What have I to do any more with idols?" it "believes the love God hath to it;" it cries with Thomas, " My Lord and my God!" But whilst our text may well be understood, as the language of approval, cheering and encouraging these, it also,

2. Urges them to exertion; "be not slothful," it cries, but" diligent," "strive to enter in at the strait gate," prayer must be yours; and meditation, with your own heart and on the Word of God; and watchfulness, and holy zeal; there are strongholds to be pulled down, conflicts to be maintained (by His mighty power who worketh in you,)-"ye are not yet come to the rest and to the inheritance which the

Lord your God giveth you." Onward then, seeking souls! a cloud of witnesses compass you about, and cheer you onward; “looking unto Jesus," you shall yet run the race and in due time finish your course.

There is a day when the words of my text shall be heard no more by the evil or by the good; the judgment seat proclaims none such, there the language of decision alone speaks, "Depart ye cursed," or, "Come ye blessed." He that is not "with Christ," will then be reckoned as "against Him." Those that are "WITHOUT," whether far from, or near to, that kingdom, shall then, be "WITHOUT" for ever! Neither shall these words any longer belong to the children of God; now, believing, you are indeed safe; but then you shall be housed,--folded, -carried home,-you shall enter in, through the gates, into the city, that city of which it is written, "the glory of God doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." Gracious God! make us altogether Thine, prepare us for that dwelling place, for "in Thy presence is fulness of joy, and at Thy right hand are pleasures for evermore."

XX.

"A WAY THROUGH IMPOSSIBI

LITIES."

EXODUS xiv. 15.

"Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward."

SUCH was the command given by JEHOVAH to the many thousands of Israel on that eventful day, when, with the sea before them,—the enemy in their rear,-they were past the help of man. Faith heard and received the startling word, gave glory to God in prompt obedience to the same, trod that mysterious pathway of the deep, and soon broke forth in rejoicing and in praise; "Sing ye to the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously, the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea." Christian brethren! who are asking amidst difficulties and dangers, "Lord, what wilt Thou have us to do?" hear the Lord's word unto Moses, and take it as a word in season unto yourselves, trust your God and go forward; the prize is worth pursuing, the goal is worth the struggle to reach it true it is that there are enemies