we repent, to fall again into sin, then must we endure His wrath, for ever trembling as the devils do. A wholesome, manly fear of sin, is one that drives us from sin, and brings us to Christ; but that fear which keeps us from Christ is but a slavish and degrading fear. By such a fear as this Satan keeps his hold on trembling sinners, as some serpents are said to hold unhappy birds, fascinated by their glittering eye.

Be bold therefore against sin, whilst thou art humbled in thine own eyes, and meek and lowly before God. For be sure, my brother, if thou fearest to forsake thy sin resolutely, the fold of Christ will not therefore be left destitute of its appointed number. Every one of the elect will be gathered in, while thou art excluded by thy faint-hearted sloth.

There are those who will hear the voice of Christ, and will follow Him. "Them also He must bring," and He will bring them in. "They shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God," while ye, the children of the kingdom, who have ranged yourselves with "the fearful, and unbelieving," and other sinners denounced in God's book, shall have your "part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." 10

God will make up His elect, for whom are His fold, His pastures, and His shepherds; that is, His Church, His ordinances, and His ministers. Of all the glorious number of His chosen ones, not one St. Luke, xiii. 29.

10 Rev. xxi. 8.

shall fail, in spite of the sins of men, their unbelief, and hardness of heart. The slothful, the wicked, the worldly-minded, and the double-minded, Balaam-like, shall perish among the enemies of God and the Lamb.

Even now, the heathen in distant lands are being gathered in, while WE hear the words of love and warning with indifference; and the time will come, perhaps, if we read holy Scripture aright, when the remnant of the ancient people of God shall be gathered in again, and with them many thousands now lying in darkness, "and there shall be One Fold and One Shepherd" over all-Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be ascribed all honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

154

SERMON XIII.

CHRIST PRESENT AND TO COME THE SOURCE OF CHRISTIAN JOY.

ST. JOHN, xvi. 22.

"And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you."

We know, my brethren, the occasion for sorrow which the disciples had when our Saviour spoke these words. They were spoken some little time before He was taken away from them by death, when the clouds of heavy grief were already hanging over them, through His prophetic words, "Now I go my way to Him that sent Me," and, "A little while, and ye shall not see Me." The shadows fell thickly upon them, and soon they were about to enter into the cloud of doubt, and sorrow, and dread. "Because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart." The heavy foresight of sorrow weighed them down, because they were about to lose Him in whom was all their joy and hope, their highest love, their deepest reverence.

But He had promised to revisit them, and bring joy with Him; and this His promise was fulfilled, when the holy women "departed quickly from the sepulchre, with fear and great joy, and did run to bring His disciples word." It was fulfilled when the hearts of the two disciples, going to Emmaus, burned within them as they walked by the way, and when He was made known unto them in breaking of bread. It was fulfilled when He came silently among the assembled Apostles, and gave them the salutation of peace, and, breathing on them, said, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost." It was fulfilled when they stood gazing up into heaven, and then "worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God."1

For observe, my brethren, this His second departure was no grief to them, because it was the means of a more glorious return. The cloud which received Him out of their sight was no dark cloud of sorrow, but bright and glorious, the emblem of their holy hope. For forty days He was with them in bodily presence, and after that He came again to them by His Spirit, and abode with them for ever. Accordingly they sorrowed no more, but "continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people." And this happy, thankful frame of mind, continued with them

1 St. Matt. xxviii. 8; St. Luke, xxiv. 30-32; St. John, xx. 21, 22; St. Luke, xxiv. 52, 53. Acts, ii. 46, 47.

2

through life, in spite of all the trials and hardships they were called upon to undergo.

Now I observe that our condition-the condition of Christian believers in this life-may be compared in some respects to that of the Apostles rejoicing in their Lord returned to be with them for ever, and in some respects to the condition of the same Apostles sorrowing because He was away, though under promise of return. We ought to be rather like them, rejoicing in His presence and His love. We are, alas! in reality, too much like them, overshadowed with doubt and fear, faint-hearted, and bewildered. Let us consider for awhile our condition under these two aspects.

I. Whoever loves the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, and works the work of God while it is called to-day, can sympathize at this holy season with the Apostles in their joy, peace, and confidence in their risen and ever-present Saviour.

Yes, dear brethren, every true Christian should possess that joy of heart, that peace of conscience, which is Christ's special promise to His people at this season; and, indeed, for the most part, sincerity of purpose and truth of love are their own reward. There is within the faithful heart a secret spring of quiet contentment, refreshing the whole life, and adding grace and beauty to every flower of promise and fruit of holy deeds. Each act of self-denial is at once rewarded by an inward satisfaction and peaceful sense of security, which the guilty conscience never knows. The never-dying hope of an eternity of happiness gives energy and stedfastness to every