The scope of prophecy, and the types of the law, point out also a higher object in his death; and the New Testament expressly declares that his death is a propitiation for the sins of the whole world. To this repeated testimony, therefore, let us humbly bow; and instead of reasoning on the things which God has not seen fit to reveal to us; instead of speculating on the fitness of Christ's atonement, or on the mode in which his death can deliver us from the penalties of our sins, let us, with repentance for our transgressions, and with faith in his merits, meekly submit to be saved by his grace; and let us rejoice with gratitude, while we give thanks to God for his unspeakable gift: "Unto him that hath loved us, and hath washed us from our sins in his own blood, unto him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

II. Briefly, then, let us remark the practical results which follow from the consideration of Christ's death, as an atonement for sin.

It impresses us with the most correct and consistent ideas of God's holiness, and his indignation against iniquity. It was absolutely necessary that the plan of human redemption, in providing for the forgiveness of sin, should vindicate the inflexibility of divine justice, and exhibit the danger of violating the law of God. If the demands of the law should appear to be relaxed, then might we imagine, that repentance and

amendment of life would suffice for the attainment of pardon. No one, however, who contemplates the death of Christ; no one who, in the services of the past week, has trodden with our church the paths of Gethsemane and Calvary, can for one moment suppose that sin is an evil of trifling magnitude, or of little danger to the soul. What must have been that burden which weighed down his innocent head; the agony that made his soul exceeding sorrowful even unto death? What must that have been which made him faint without sickness, and bleed without a wound? That deep mysterious sorrow, which caused him to pray that this cup might pass from him, and drew from him that expression of unknown and unconceivable wretchedness, "My God, my God! why hast thou forsaken me?" Would you estimate the heinousness of sin, and the hatred of God against iniquity? This can only be done when you have comprehended the magnitude of Christ's sufferings, and have measured the outpouring of that wrath which he suffered, and which he alone could endure.

But if the death of Christ exhibits the terrors of divine justice, it also shows us the wonders of divine love. And who can contemplate that love which was thus stronger than death, the mercy which thus gave up the only begotten Son, for us men, and for our salvation, without some emotion of gratitude towards our compassionate Redeemer?

If human kindness meets with love and regard, if an earthly benefactor justly demands our gratitude and esteem, what shall be the measure of our joyful acknowledgment of this blessing of redemption and peace? In proportion as we value the salvation which he has purchased for us by his blood; in proportion as we recognize the great object of his death, in our deliverance from the power, as well as from the punishment of sin; so shall we be anxious that we may not receive the gift of God in vain, but that the great labour of his love may indeed be accomplished in us. As we are bought with a price, and ransomed from the dominion of Satan, and brought into the glorious liberty of the children of God, we are surely bound to shake off the fetters of sin, to submit cheerfully to the law of Christ, and to glorify God in our bodies, and in our spirits, which are God's. We cannot have acquired a true estimate of his love, if we cherish the sins that nailed him to the cross, and pierced him through with many sorrows. We cannot have learnt the real object of his sufferings, if we seek not to cultivate holiness of life. Christ himself bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sin, should live unto righte

ousness.

Knowing, therefore, the terrors of the Lord, and acknowledging also the urgent motives of grateful affection, let us endeavour to follow

him as our example, who died for us as our sacrifice. Let us be diligent in our employment of the means of grace, which he has in mercy given us. By meditation on the wonders of his love; by fervent prayer for the assistance of his Holy Spirit; and by patient continuance in welldoing, let us wait for his salvation. Need I, on this day, point to that altar on which the memorials of our Saviour's love are spread before you? Need I call upon him who feels the conviction of the love of Christ, to show forth his death in his own appointed way? Need I repeat in his name the holy summons to that sacred feast? If there be any reality in that atonement, which these symbols commemorate; if there be any efficacy in that death which they represent; if there be any glow of faith, and hope, and charity, in the heart that contemplates their mighty import, come, that you may learn more of that salvation which is here assured to you; come, that you may find each Christian grace expanded and invigorated; come, that you may raise on earth the song of humble thanksgiving, and prepare yourselves to join in that strain of holy joy, in which the heavenly company of the church triumphant celebrates, with the church on earth, the Saviour and the God of their united praise.

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SERMON XX.

THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST.

Easter Sunday.)

1 PETER i. 3.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

To a bewildered wanderer during a dark and tempestuous night, no one can doubt that the first rays of a calm and glorious sunrise would produce almost unqualified joy. The dangers and inconveniences which he had suffered would soon pass away from his mind, or would be remembered only to enhance, by comparison, the beauty of the altered scene. We need not therefore wonder, that after the dark and painful subjects which, during the past week, have been presented to our contemplation, the church should