that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father." Thus it is, that to a certain point many a professor will consent to receive Christ and his word; but when the whole truth is to be adopted, loved, and obeyed, then it is a hard saying, they cannot "hear" it, they go back from the word and sacraments, they leave its ministers, but oh! worse than all, they "walk no more" with the blessed Saviour himself!

One point remains for our consideration from the text, and that is the confession of Peter in reply to the searching and affectionate question which our Lord put to the twelve, "will ye also go away?" "Lord, to whom shall we go?" was the immediate reply, "Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe, and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." The confession is of a two-fold character, and in each view, indicates a true and perfect faith in the Lamb offered up and slain for sinners. First, it was a faith in the messenger of the covenant himself; "thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God ;" and next, it was a faith in the substance of his message, "thou hast the words of eternal life." In the former part, the confession was distinguished for its entireness, by the question he first put, Lord, to whom shall we go?" evidently importing that in the whole world

there was none but Jesus for the sinner to flee to, as the Messiah, the Christ, the anointed of God; in the latter, that confession is conspicuous for its aptness and zeal, because made immediately after the false-hearted among his disciples had taken umbrage at their Master's discourse, and gone back from him. And we may observe further, the depth and energy of devotedness contained in the language he uses on behalf of himself and his fellows; "we believe, and are sure" that thou art the desire of all nations. None ever denied their Redeemer more awfully than in one instance did this apostle; but it is pleasing, at the same time, to reflect that on all other occasions none ever shewed more ardent love for the Lord of life. Notwithstanding the eclipse of his faith which in an hour of weakness took place, that faith was at all other seasons of so true and heavenly a character, that our Lord distinguished it with special observation and honour, "blessed art thou Simon Barjona, for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." He was indeed, at the time, not only unacquainted with some evangelical truths, but obviously prejudiced against them, he shewed that he understood not clearly the plan of redemption by the blood of Christ, and still more, that he knew but little of his own heart; nay, to convict him of his hurtful self-confidence, he was left to commit even grievous sins, yet was he in the best sense

blessed, because, being born again, he was a most sincere believer in the spotless Lamb.

Now, my brethren, how are we answering our Lord's important question, "will ye also go away Do we reply, not only in the words, but with the simple integrity of Peter, "to whom can we go?" From him alone we receive salvation by the remission of sins, his religion it is which enlightens the understanding with true knowledge, warms the heart with true charity, brings confidence, comfort, and joy, and bids fear and despondency flee away. Can we find any rest and peace out of him? for whom then, or for what shall we leave him? Shall we go to the world for it?-the world will be to us, as to all our race, a bitter and deceiving portion at last; whatever it give us or however it delude us now, we shall, in the end, find "madness in its laughter," and in its "sorrow, death." But the contrite, enlightened, and undissembling believer knows it is vain to think of returning to the world, of seeking salvation by the works of the law, of resting in forms or notions, or feelings themselves; with nothing short of eternal life can he rest satisfied, assured that only Jesus hath the words of eternal life, as being the Christ, the only Son of the living God.

Shall we return to sin? It will certainly destroy us; its bread will be ashes, and its issue will be ruin..

From the wavering of others, from their lamentable "going back" to the world and to sin, let us take warning, lest, as in their case, the result be with us also, that we "walk no more with" the friend of our immortal souls. The nearer we have approached to Christ, and the longer we have been with him, the greater will be our sin if we desert him. Let us earnestly entreat the influences of divine grace, that we may not only be drawn closer to him than we have yet been, but become so firmly attached to his interest, that whoever else forsakes him, we may never go away. On the contrary, may we rather resolve, from their ingratitude and folly, more strenuously and more affectionately to adhere to him. Since he alone has the words of eternal life, let us from him learn, in all lowly subjection of soul, those lessons on which our everlasting happiness depends.

365

SERMON XXIV.

THE DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS.

PSALM CXVI. 15.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

So much has been written by moralists and divines, so much has been sung by poets, and reasoned by philosophers, on the subject of death, that it is, and it must be, beyond the hope of a preacher to utter anything that has not been already better said, or to establish a truth which has not already been amply and eloquently proved. And indeed, the subject is not one that can, beyond the moment, appear before the ordinary mind in an engaging light, however set off in the alluring colours of oratory, or enforced by the heavenly sanctions of religion. To the man whose widest range of plans, hopes, or views, is confined to this side of the grave, it is not inte