hear echoing in your ears will be the words you have rejected while on earth, "Depart from me, ye workers of iniquity." And as you recede from the presence of the Judge, exclaiming, "Lost! lost!" before you will open the door of the bottomless pit, into which you must fall, to dwell for ever in eternal misery. No source of consolation there! no door of mercy there! no repentance there! Hear ye that are far off, what I have done; and ye that are near, acknowledge my might. The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? Reader, how solemn the subject! Put it not off: death, judgment, heaven, and hell-joys inconceivable or torments unutterable are hastening on. I charge you before God, if you would enjoy his love, escape his wrath, or value everlasting life, be honest with yourself; go into the secrets of your heart; faithfully judge your own self, lest you be judged of God, "who hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness, by that Man whom he hath ordained,' Acts xvii. 31; "who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the heart," 1 Cor. iv. 5. Then you will have to give an account of every idle word, every unholy look, and every sinful thought; and then your own mouth shall confess the sentence just. I have thus endeavoured to describe the responsibility of the Christian hearer, the unconverted hearer, and the awful consequences of dying as hearers only, and not doers of the word. May the Holy Spirit lead every reader to prove his heart by the touchstone of God's word, and from this time to become doers of the word; then, at the last day you shall hear the welcome sound, "Come, ye blessed children of my Father, enter into the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Then shall you enter the presence-chamber of your Lord, and join in swelling the mighty chorus, "Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." W. P. Wiveliscombe, Somerset, Feb., 1855.

THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. BY THE REV. MATTHEW HENRY. Communicated by Sir John Bickerton Williams, Knt.

"HE that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it."-ROM. xiv. 6.

Is it doubtful that this refers to those Mosaic institutions which, though Divinely appointed, ceased on the coming of Messiah? If so, what reference -though demonstrative of the right of private judgment-can it have to festivals and seasons of earthly origin and imposition, the inventions, traditions, and "commandments of men?"

Some Christians, no doubt, deem it edifying to observe such days and times. Hooker was strenuous for them -he called them "landmarks," though not directed to do so by the inspired word. Nor will any one, who makes due allowance for early training and other influences, for constitutional temperament, and for that thoughtless acquiescence in settled customs and habits which is common, ever judge harshly or fling reproaches. And, surely, those who on searching the Scriptures, and finding no such observances among the things "once delivered to the saints," and therefore withhold their reverence, ought neither to be repudiated nor renounced. Such individuals consider the New Testament, and especially the reasoning of the Apostle Paul, in his Epistle to the Galatians, conclusive against the observances in question; and, consequently, in spite of councils, and calendars, and missals, believe them to be helps to superstition, to be contrary to the mind of Christ, and subversive of the liberty of the Gospel.

Looking at the case thus, it seems a fair matter for wonder that some excellent writers who contend for no canon law but the Bible, and who defend its absolute supremacy, should mention Easter and similar church festivals and saints' days with striking complacency. The words escape their pens as they escape the lips of multitudes, just as if those seasons were verily sacred, and the observation of them scripturally required. Is not this at least unguarded, and ensnaring too, inasmuch as thereby wrong impressions and a wrong belief are fostered?

As the subject is contemplated, it

seems difficult to reconcile the conduct hinted at with a consistent opposition to Popery. For wherein lies the boasted strength of that corrupt system more than in its attention, enforced by authority, to saints' days and holy days, fasts and festivals, and the concomitant forms and ceremonies? In its setting up and treating them, to say nothing of other human devices, as pertaining to the instituted service of God, and so obligatory upon mankind? Nay, in exalting them above the appointments of the Most High? The sad effects are visible enough. How often does the regard for days and seasons, miscalled holy-for instance, Christmas, Lent, Good Friday, Easter, and Whitsuntide appear stronger and more solemn than a regard for the Lord's-day, which is holy, a fact which can be affirmed of no other day.

Although those who observe Easter keep it partly on the Lord's-day, still as one Lord's-day is no more sacred than another, that wise and thoughtful man, "the heavenly" Philip Henry, bore his testimony against the observance of Easter. He admitted the "feast" to be "ancient in the Church;' put he contended that "the Scriptures

are

more ancient." He maintained that "each Sabbath day is our Easter day, a day sanctified and set apart for the remembrance of our redemption, finished by Christ on his resurrection day, the first day of the week," Discourse on "Christ our Passover," p. 36; Appendix to Matthew Henry's Miscellaneous Works. Royal 8vo. 1830. And see Philip Henry's Life, p. 90; the enlarged edition, 1825.

We read, it is true, in the Acts of the Apostles, xii. 4, that when Herod had apprehended Peter, "he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him, intending, after Easter". - after the Passover, according to the common consent of the learned-" to bring him forth to the people."

Matthew Henry, indeed, says not only that it ought to be read, after the Passover, the same word being always so rendered, but that "to insinuate the introducing of a Gospel feast instead of the Passover, when we have nothing in the New Testament of such a thing, is to mingle Judaism with our Christianity," Expos., in loc.

Then do not Nonconformists, it may

WHY DID CHRIST RISE?

1. That the Scriptures might be fulfilled. This was looked at, and is taken notice of all along, in divers circumstances of his life and death. This was the burden of the story, "that the Scriptures might be fulfilled." The Apostle, in Acts xiii. 33, etc., mentions divers Scriptures which had their accomplishment in Christ's resurrection. One is, Psa. ii. 7, 8: "This day have I begotten thee." At Christ's resurrection it was that he was declared to be the Son of God with power. Another is, Isa. lv. 3: "I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David." The pardon of sin, according to the everlasting covenant, was sealed by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Another is Psa. xvi. 10: "Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell." This Peter observes in another sermon, Acts ii. 25-30; so that you see that the fulfilling of Scripture was largely concerned in Christ's resurrection.

The promise to Christ that his soul should not be left in hell-the invisible state-was to encourage him. So to the fathers: "We declare unto you glad tidings; how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again," etc., Acts xiii. 32, etc. Consider that promise, Hos. vi. 2: "After two days he will revive us; in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight."

And the types look the same way. Under the ceremonial law, that concerning the two birds, Lev. xiv. 4-6; one bird slain was a type of Christ dying; another saved was a type of Christ rising again. And the living bird was dipped in the blood of the slain bird; so the scape-goat, mentioned in Lev. xvi. 20, 21. "Christ died for our sins, but rose again for our justification."

2. It was not possible that it should be

otherwise, Aets ii. 24. Death and the grave would have held him if they could; but they could not. Christ was our Samson, bound with the cords of death, which he snapped asunder like threads of tow. He suffered them to bind him, for he knew they could not hold him. He satisfied for sin which was the sting of death, taking that away by dying. So that death may hiss, but cannot hurt. He destroyed him that had the power of death. When death was disarmed, and the devil destroyed, he could not be held.

3. He rose again for our justification, Rom. iv. 25. This is the great reason; and a comfortable reason. If he had not risen we had never been justified. He rose not only for his own justification, 1 Tim. iii. 16, "justified in the Spirit;" that is, the Spirit that quickened him, 1 Pet. iii. 18; but for our justification-our acquittance from guilt.

WHAT LESSONS DO WE LEARN FROM IT? 1. That there certainly will be a day of judgment, Acts xvii. 31. Herein he has given assurance that there shall be a judgment, and that he, Jesus Christ, shall be the Judge. This is terrible to the wicked.

2. That those who humble themselves shall be exalted. Christ humbled himself in his death, and then God exalted him in his resurrection. Before honour is humility. 3. That when we have done our work, we shall have our wages. As he did by him, so he will do by us. Therefore, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord," 1 Cor. xv. 58. That is the use the Apostle makes of the doctrine of Christ's resurrection.

WHAT USES ARE WE TO MAKE OF IT? The Apostle is very ambitious to know the power of Christ's resurrection, Phil. iii. 10. Not, know what power he was raised by, but the power which this doctrine should bear upon us every day. The doctrine of Christ's resurrection is a very powerful doctrine. When it is suffered to work, it will have strange effects, both in point of consolation and sanctification. It is of use for comfort and quickening.

For comfort. 1. In reference to the guilt of sin. That is a thing that we are all concerned in. And where there is anything of spiritual life or sense, there is feeling from it. Our sins are our debts; we owe satisfaction. Now how shall you and I satisfy? Deny the debt we cannot. We know we have sinned. Time will not do it. We cannot say, "Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all." Nothing we can do or suffer can ever satisfy the demands of justice. We cannot have help from any other creatures. The Pope's pretending to pardon sin is a cheat. "Lo! I come," saith Christ. Sacrifice will not do; let me try, then, what I can do. I will die to make atonement. That shall satisfy, saith God. He was presently arrested. God had him in prison in the grave, and the third day he discharged him.

Is not this great comfort? See him thrown into prison for your debt; and, withal, see him legally discharged, coming out of the grave with his acquittance in his hand; so that all you and I have to do is to make it

sure to ourselves that Christ is our surety. Go to him. Acknowledge the debt. Believe the report of the Gospel concerning him. Hear him saying, "The curse be upon me." Let your souls answer, "Lord Jesus, I am well pleased with thee; I renounce all my own righteousness, and take thee upon Gospel terms." And the terms are easy. You must be willing to be ruled by him in everything honestly and truly; and he will be your surety. Suppose you were, any of you, going to prison for a great debt, and I should meet you, and ask you, "Are you able to pay it?" "No; far from it." "Why, if thou wilt be ruled by me, I will pay the debt, and discharge you?" Would you not say, "Aye, that I will; and thank you, and love you, and be ruled by you." Yet many will rather go to prison than be beholden to the surety. You see the case. You are all in debt to Divine Justice. The debt is paid. The surety hath his acquittance. It is in his hand. You must go to him for it. He died for little sins as well as great. He did not leave little venial sins for us to satisfy, as the Papists say. When he paid the talents he paid the pence. If he had left the least farthing token for us to pay, we could never have paid it.

2. In reference to outward troubles and afflictions, which are often compared to death and the grave, Psa. lxxxviii. 3—5; 2 Cor. i. 8,9; Psa. cxli. 7. Suppose that be our condition. Yet trust in the living God, and be not discouraged, Hos. vi. 1, 2. God can bring us up from the grave, whereof he has given us assurance in that he has raised up Christ. He that could do that, can do anything. Dry bones are made to live by the breath of the Almighty, Ezek. xxxvii. 6. Such is the condition of the Protestant churches; such the condition of faithful ministers at this day. But God can soon send an angel to roll away the stone.

3. In reference to our own resurrection. As Christ's burial perfumed the grave, which is some comfort, so is his resurrection much more comfortable. Christ's resurrection is an earnest of ours, 1 Cor. vi. 14. The Apostle, 1.Cor. xv., makes a long argument about it. Christ is risen, therefore we shall rise. It follows upon two accounts:

(1). Upon the account of the union which believers have with him.

He is the head, and we the members. Even our bodies are members of Christ, 1 Cor. vi. 15. Now Christ will lose none of his members. If any one should be lost, the body would be maimed. If our bodies be members of Christ, they must be made like unto the head-glorious bodies, Phil. iii. 21. He will not have the head in heaven, and the members on the earth always, though it be so now for a time. Christ's body is not like Nebuchadnezzar's monstrous image, a head of gold and feet of clay.

He is the root, and we the branches. Though now in winter the trees seem dead, yet, forasmuch as there is life in the root, when spring comes the branches shall be green again. If Christ be a living root, the branches, though seemingly dead and buried, shall revive. 66 'Lo! the winter is past, the rain is over and gone," Cant. ii. 11. Some

apply this to the resurrection. Other trees have their root in the earth, but Christ is a root in heaven, John xiv. 3.

He is the firstfruits, and we are the lump. The law of the firstfruits we have in Lev. xxiii. 10, and Deut. xxvi. 1, etc. When the sheaf that was brought as the firstfruits was offered to God, by way of acknowledgment, all the corn in the country was holy; and they might cut it when they would. The firstfruits were holy, and then all the rest were. Now Christ was the firstfruits of them that slept, 1 Cor. xv. 20. He presented himself to the Father. Then were the firstfruits offered; that sanctified the whole lump. Adam was the firstfruits of all that die. It is observable that the day on which Christ rose was the day on which the firstfruits were offered at the Passover. Christ was the first that raised himself by his own power. Others were raised.

He rose as our attorney, feoffee in trust, factor, or representative; so that what he did, we did in him; and what was done to him, was done to us in him. All believers are represented in Christ. God hath gathered all together in him, Col. i. 20, etc. We are dead with him; buried with him; risen again with him; gone to heaven with him; sit in heavenly places with him.

(2). Upon the account of the victory that he hath obtained over everything that might oppose and hinder our resurrection.

Sin, the sting of death, is satisfied for, and so taken out; the grave conquered; the devil destroyed. Now comfort yourselves, and one another, with these words. The primitive Christians usually saluted one another thus on the Lord's day: "Brother, the Lord is risen!" to which was answered, "Yes, brother; he is risen indeed!"

It is of use for quickening. It should quicken us to be conformable to Christ in his resurrection. Then we know the power of Christ's resurrection, when we are quickened by it to new obedience; when we make it our sampler and pattern, and conform to it. As he came out of the grave, so must we

come out of our sins, Rev. xx. 6. It is "the first resurrection," Eph. iv. 22; Col. iii. 8, 9; Col. iii. 1.

1. If, then, ye be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above. If Christ be come out of the earth, let us come out too. He is not here, he is risen; therefore let not our hearts be here. You that are engaged in bad company, "Why seek ye the living among the dead?" living saints among dead sinners. He left his grave-clothes behind him; so must we the old man.

2. Christ rose very early in the morningat the dawning of the day. You that are young, conform to Christ herein; you cannot come too soon out of your sins. Sirs, what time of day is it with you?

3. When Christ was risen, he made it his business to show himself, that others might see he was risen. So let your light shine, Matt. v. 16. Show forth his virtues and praises. Live so that your conversation may be convincing and winning. Let those who knew you were dead, know that you are alive.

4. Christ rose from the dead, never to die any more, Rom. vi. 9. Apply it to perseverance in godliness. Having begun in the Spirit, do not end in the flesh; your latter end will be worse than your beginning. We read of some who were "twice dead," Jude 12; once dead by natural corruption, and again by apostacy. See that it be not so with any of you.

To conclude. It has pleased God, in his infinite wisdom and mercy, to appoint us one day of seven for his special service. The first day of the week is set apart to keep in remembrance the resurrection of Jesus Christ. EVERY SABBATH IS A CHRISTIAN'S EASTER DAY. Though we should be thinking of Christ's resurrection every day, yet especially on Sabbath days. It is a pity that a Sabbath should pass over a Christian's head without feeling the power of Christ's resurrection, comforting and quickening. "This is the day which the Lord hath made," Psa. cxviii. 24.

THE HOME SCHOOL.

Whatever may be said of the comparative advantages of educating children at boarding schools and at home, it is very manifest that home instruction should be most effectual, inasmuch as it has the first opportunity to reach the heart and mind. Long before the child has reached an age suitable for formal education in school, it has been susceptible to the impressions of home example, and the thousand trivial influences of affectionate intercourse with parents, brothers, sisters, and friends. Every kind word, every affectionate smile, every sympathetic tear, is a means of education to the infant mind and heart. And before we have thought of it as possible, the child, reared amid the sunny influences of a

loving home, may have received the rudiments of that most important of all learning which is the foundation of the character as an affectionate, confiding, devoted being. The first lessons are not given in words, but in looks, in smiles, in tears, in gestures, which the infant of a few weeks inay understand. Let us never overlook this truth in our families. Let us remember that the beginnings of characters and destiny are laid in silence and in the unspoken teachings of example at home.

THE SECRET.

I noticed, said Franklin, a mechanic among a number of others, at work on a house erecting but a little way from my office, who always appeared to be in a merry humour,

who had a kind word and a cheerful smile for every one he met. Let the day be ever so cold, gloomy, or sunless, a happy smile danced like a sunbeam on his cheerful countenance. Meeting him one morning, I asked him to tell me the secret of his constant happy flow of spirits. "No secret, doctor," he replied, "I have got one of the best of wives, and when I go to work, she always has a kind word of encouragement for me; and when I go home, she meets me with a smile and a kiss, and then tea is sure to be ready, and she has done so many little things through the day to please me, that I cannot find it in my heart to speak an unkind word to anybody." What an influence, then, hath woman over the heart of man, to soften it and make it the fountain of cheerful and pure emotions! Speak gently, then-a happy smile and a kind word of greeting, after the toils of the day are over, cost nothing, and go far toward making a home happy and peaceful.

NATURE AND THE GOSPEL. There is not one Gospel truth which Nature doth not kick at with all her might. Even awakened souls cannot receive them but as the Lord is pleased to teach them, little by little, in a way of experience; and whoever gets them in any other manner had better be without them. Nature knows nothing of any religion but that of works. Even after the soul is married to Christ, she is hankering after her first husband, the law, and notwithstanding an Apostle tells her he is dead, she can hardly give full credit to him, though at the risk of being thought an adulteress. Rom. vii, 2-4. Nay, there are some truths which Nature kicks at with both legs, and she kicks contrary ways, till she even kicks herself in the face. For instance, when she hears of salvation by faith only, the haughty dame kicks this away as licentious doctrine; but when she hears of vital holiness, and close walking with God, oh, this she kicks at as unnecessary preciseness, and being righteous overmuch!

HINT TO CHURCH MEMBERS.

Did you never, dear reader, see the language of our Lord," By and by he is offended," Matt. xiii. 21, illustrated by the conduct of some members of Christian churches? They become associated with the body, highly delighted with all they see and hear; but after awhile they discover that their brethren, like themselves, are imperfect, and "by and by they are offended," and awful is the progress of evil. At first there is but a "little cloud, the size of a man's hand," but it soon indicates a brooding storm-a tempest-a hurricane - a moral tornado! And what then? Ah, how he changes countenance, and frowns! then his voice alters, and he becomes harsh; then he absents himself from prayer and conference meetings; then his views of Divine truth differ from those of the church, and he becomes offensive; then he stays occasionally from the public means of grace, then from the Lord's table, and then he is absent from the church altogether. Brethren, depend not too much on

each other; for, alas! how many are "offended," because their love to Christ has become cold. Guard, too, against the first temptation to give or to take offence; for who can tell what may be the final result of being thus offended?

A STRIKING SIMILE.

Imagine yourselves amid Alpine scenery. Yonder is a broad road which leads to the edge of a precipice-the precipice overhangs a deep, dark gulf. Out of that broad road there is a path-a narrow path, winding about among the rocks; difficult of ascent, but terminating in a region of Eden-like beauty. A band of travellers, thoughtless and lighthearted, are pressing along the highway, and nearing the edge of the abyss. There are barriers set up-there are beacons raisedthere are warnings given-there are guides close by, earnestly advising them to turn aside, and climb up the narrow footpath. But while a few are persuaded to do so, the multitudes, in spite of all which is done to prevent them, press onwards, reach the edge, and fall over, one by one, into the yawning depth-and even their ruin does not suffice to warn their followers. The rest rush to the awful margin, and sink into that enormous grave! You say this is unparalleled folly. No, not unparalleled. Folly equal -nay, greater, is commonly displayed by the children of men.

WHO IS CHRIST!

Ask Moses, and he shall tell you: "The Seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head." Ask Jacob, and he shall tell you: "The Shiloh of the tribe of Judah." Ask David, and he shall tell you: "The King of glory." Ask Isaiah, and he shall tell you: The Wonderful-Counsellor-Mighty God -Everlasting Father- Prince of Peace." Ask John the Baptist, and he shall tell you: "The Lamb of God." Ask the God of the prophets; he hath told you: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Yea, the devils themselves have been forced to say, "I know thee, who thou art, the Holy One of God." On no side hath Christ left himself without testimony.

THE BIBLE

What a wonderful book is the Bible! Just let us look at it. There it lies-a book several thousand years old-a book at war with all the evil passions of a wicked world-a book dwelling in an enemy's country-a book exposed to every species of assault-a book that has been shot at by innumerable archers, and yet there lies-unhurt-invulnerable -not a crevice to be found in its coat of mail-not the shadow of a genuine doubt upon its divinity-not a speck upon its glorious robes. Well may we say as we gaze upon it, "Surely God is in this book!-how dreadful is this book!-it is none else than the book of God-it is the gate of heaven!"

FAMILY PRAYER.

Family prayer may be made a vast engine of power to the whole domestic circle. It says there is a God, and inspires a reverence