If you are ever to be near God, you may come freely to Hini now Why keep so far away ?

(3.) Their dress; white robes and palms.—They have all the same dress, there is no difference. It is the garment of Christ. One was a far greater believer than another,-made far greater advances in holiness, yet the same dress. Whiter than the angels, verse 13. The angels also are represented as dressed in white; yet it would appear that their robes were far outshone by the bright sbining raiment of the redeemed. The angels have on creature-righteousness, the redeemed the righteousness of God. This is what is now offered to you, sinners. Awakened persons are sometimes led to cry, “Oh that I had never sinned!” but here is something better than if you had never sinned. Palms are signs of victory. The Jews used to take branches of palms at the feast of tabernacles, or ingathering, which was a type of heaven. The angels have no palms, for they have fought no fight, they have gained no victory. Every one that has a white robe has a palm. Every one that is in Christ shall overcome. Be not afraid of your enemies.

(4.) Their song. The substance of it-Salvation.—They give God all the glory. On earth, there are many that cannot believe in an electing God—that God chose them for no good in them; but in heaven they all feel it, and give Him all the praise. On earth, many speak of making themselves willing ; but in heaven they sing “Salvation to God.” On earth, many go about to establish their own righteousness; in heaven, “ glory to the Lamb." On earth, many take Christ as part of their righteousness, and their duties as part; in heaven, all give glory to the Lamb. What say yon to this song? Does it find an echo in your heart ? Remember you must begin it now, if you are to sing it afterwards. The effect of it-it stirs up the hearts of the angels, verses 11, 12. Often on earth, when one believer begins to praise God for what He has done for his soul, it stirs up the hearts of others. So in heaven, wher the angels hear the voice of redeemed sinners,-brands plucked out of the fire,--standing in near the throne, they will obtain a ravishing view of the glory of God, his mercy and grace, they will fall down and worship God. They will not envy the redeemed their place; but, on the contrary, be filled with intense praise by hearing of what God has done for their souls. How do you feel when you hear of others being saved and brought nearer to God than you? Do you envy and hate them, or do you fall down and praise God for it?

II. Their past history-verses 13, 14,

Two particulars are given. Each had a different history; still in these two they were alike.

(1.) They had washed their robes.—This leads us back to their conversion. Once every one of that company had filthy garments. They were like Joshua, their garment was spotted by the flesh. It was like a garment with the leprosy in it. Some stained with blood,-spots of blood upon their garments; some with adultery; some with disobedience to parents; some with pride, falsehood, evil speaking, -all, all were stained. Every one was convinced that he could not make himself clean ; he could not wash his garments nor throw them off; he was brought to see himself lost and helpless. Jesus was revealed to him, and his precious blood shed for sinners, even the chief, saying to the heavy laden, “Come to me.” Of all that company, there is not one stands there in any other way. All are washed in blood. It is their only way of standing. Have you been washed in blood? You will find not one in heaven who went there in any other way. You think to go to heaven by your own decency, innocency, attention to duties. Well, you would be the only such one there : all are washed in blood. Come and let us reason together.

(2.) They came out of great tribulation.—Every one that gets to the throne must put their foot upon the thorn. The way to the crown is by the cross. We must taste the gallif we are to taste the glory. When justified by faith, God led them into tribulations also. When God brought Israel through the Red Sea, He led them into the wilderness ; so, when God saves a soul, He tries it. He never gives faith without trying it. The way to Zion is through the Valley of Baca. You must go through the wilderness of Jordan if you are to come to the Land of Promise. Some believers are much surprised when they are called to suffer. They thought they would do some great thing for God; but all that God permits them to do is to suffer. Go round every one in glory-every one has a different story, yet every one has a tale of suffering. One was persecuted in his family,-by his friends and companions; another was visited by sore pains and humbling disease,-neglected by the world; another was bereaved of children; another had all these afflictions meeting in one,-deep called unto deep. Mark, all are brought out of them. It was a dark cloud, but it passed away; the water was deep, but they have reached the other side. Not one of them blames God for the road He led them: “Salvation” is their only cry. Is there any of you, dear children, murmuring' at your lot? Do not sin against God. This is the way God leads all his redeemed ones. You must have a

palm as well as a white robe. No pain, no palm ; no cross, no crown; no thorn, no throne; no gall, no glory. Learn to glory in tribulations also. “I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us."

III. Future history.

(1.) Immediate service of God.-Here, we are allowed to spend much of our time in our worldly callings. It is lawful for a man to win his bread, to plough, sow, reap, to spin and weave. Then, all our strength will be put forth in the immediate service of God. We shall stand before Him, and He shall dwell among us. It will be a perpetual Sabbath. We shall spend eternity in loving God, in adoring, admiring, and praising God. We should spend much of our present time in this. Some people imagine that they are not serving God unless they are visiting the sick, or engaged in some outward service; whereas the highest of all service is the love of adoration in the soul. Perhaps God gets more glory by a single adoring look of some poor believer on a sick-bed, than from the outward labours of a whole day,

(2.) Not in the wilderness any more.-At present we are like a flock in the wilderness, our soul often hungry, and thirsty, and sorely tried. Often we feel as if we could go no farther, but must lie down and die. Often we feel temptations too much for us, or persecutions too strong for us to bear. When we are with Christ we shall hunger no more, all our pains shall be ended. Learn to glorify Him in the fires, to sing in the wilderness. This is the only world where you can give God that glory.

(3.) Father, Son, and Spirit will bless us.-The Lamb shall feed us : He that died for us. We shall always see our security before us in our Surety; no trembling shall ever come over our soul. He shall be one like us-a Lamb-like the least of us; we shall learn of God from Him. The Spirit will be like “living fountains of waters.” Here, we never have enough; there, without measure. The Father will be a father to us. He will wipe away tears--tho tears we shed in dying wilderness tears, the tears over lost friends, and a perishing world. “What manner of persons ought we to be!”

DUNDEE, 1840

SERMON X

For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the

seed 7. Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto his brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He himself hath suffered, being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted."-HEB. ii. 16-18.

Doctrine Christ a merciful High Priest.

1. The sovereign mercy of Christ in becoming man.-"For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of Abraham.” We read of two great rebellions in the history of the universe—the rebellion of the angels, and the rebellion of man. For infinitely wise and gracious purposes God planned and permitted both of these, that out of evil He might bring forth good. The first took place in heaven itself. Pride was the sin by which the angels fell, and therefore it is called “ the condemnation of the devil.” “ They kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation.” “God spared them not, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.” The next fall took place upon earth. Satan tempted, and man fell,-believed the devil rather than God, and so came under the curse: “ Thou shalt surely die.” Both of these families came under the same frownunder the same condemnation; both were condemned to the same “everlasting fire.” But the glorious Son of God resolved, from all eternity, to die for sinners. Now, for which of the two shall He die? Perhaps the angels in heaven would long that He should die for their once brother angels. The angelic nature was higher than that of man. Men lad fallen deeper into sin than the rebel angels. Will He not die for angels? Now, here is the answer : “ Verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of Abraham." Here is sovereign mercy passing by one family and coming to another. Let us wonder and adore the sovereign mercy of Jesus.

(1.) Do not be surprised if Jesus passes many by. The Lord Jesus has been riding through our country in a remarkable manner, seated on his white horse, and wearing many crowns. He bas sent out many arrows and pierced many bearts in this place, and

brought many to his feet; but has He not passed many by? Are there not many given up to their own hearts' lust, and walking in their own counsel ? Be not surprised. This is the very way He did when He came to this earth; He passed the gate of hell. Although his bosom was full of love and grace, although “ God is love,” He felt it not inconsistent to pass fallen angels by, and to come and die for men. And so, though Jesus is love still, yet He can save some, and leave others to be hardened. “Many widows were in Israel in the time of Elijah the prophet; but unto none of them was Elijah sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Zidon, unto a woman that was a widow.” And many lepers were in Israel at the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.

(2.) If Christ has visited your soul, give Him all the glory. “ Not unto us, Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory.” The only reason why you are saved is the sovereign compassion of Jesus. It is not that you are better than others, that you were less wicked, of better dispositions, more attentive to your Bible. Many who have been left have been much more blameless in their life. It is not that you have sat under a peculiar ministry. God has made the same ministry a means of hardening multitudes. It is the free grace of God. Love God for ever and ever, becacse He chose you of his own free will. Adore Jesus, that He passed by millions, and died for you. Adore the Holy Ghost, that He came out of free sovereign mercy and awakened you. It will be matter of praise through eternity.

(3.) If Christ is now visiting your soul, do not trifle with Him. Some persons, when Christ begins to knock at the door of their heart, put Him off from time to time. They trifle with their couvictions. They say, I am too young yet, let me taste a little more pleasure of the world: youth is the time for mirth; another time I will open the door. Some say, I am too busy; I have to provide for my family; when I have a more convenient season I will call for Thee. Some say, I am strong and healthy; I hope I have many years to live; when sickness comes, then I will open the door. Consider that Christ may not come again. He is knocking now: let Him in. Another day He may pass by your door. You cannot command convictions of sin to come when you like. Christ is entirely sovereign in saving souls. No doubt, many of yon have had your last knock from Christ. Many of you that were once concerned are not so now; and you cannot bring it back again. There is no doubt a time in every man's life, when, if he opens the door, he will be saved ; if he does not, he will perish. Probably