ternal chastisement and restraint is necessary? Is it that our Christianity lives, in external circumstances, too secure, tranquil, and prosperous, and that the want of an external cross must be compensated by internal storms and temptations? Yes, this is very possible; such a state of things is profitable for us. Or, is it that the river flows on in the midst of us, and we intrench ourselves and our hearts behind mounds of every sort, that it may not penetrate to us? Are we, perhaps, too cautious to draw water from this river, and of too little faith to regard the river as our own, and to open our hearts to its waters? Have we perhaps heard too often, that Christians must have a cross, and therefore choose to make a cross ourselves, and voluntarily hang down our heads like a bulrush? That would indeed be folly; and yet of such fools there is no scarcity.-Brethren, we celebrate a festival which commands us to dismiss every doubt, and to open all doors, that peace and joy may fill the house up to the top of its highest pinnacle. He who made this day for us, wills that on this His day of triumph we should rejoice in Him, and participate in His joy. Only look into the resurrection-history, and all must rejoice-none dare remain sorrowful. Jesus looks round to see who is there that sits weeping in a corner, and immediately stands before him, and knows not what else to say, than, "Why weepest thou? Weep not! Peace be with thee! My

peace I leave with you-my peace give I unto you!"

Oh, then, whosoever has never been glad, let him become so this day! The river of peace still murmurs along; may God guide it into our souls and fulfil to us the promise, "I will extend peace to Jerusalem like a river." Concerning this peace we intend to speak in this last festal hour.

PRAYER.

Once more, O risen Prince of Peace! we approach full of adoration, to Thy open grave, and do homage before Thee, compassed with the glory of triumph. Once more we draw near to Thy forsaken resting-place, and with joy behold the fury of the bottomless pit, by Thee annihilated; the serpent with bruised head, and Death lying at Thy feet as a conquered adversary. O meet us, thou Living One, as thou wert wont to meet Thy people, and grant us, too, that we may rejoice on Thy day of joy. Teach us also in the light of Thy resurrection to sing Hallelujah. Oh, take away at length the oppression, the bondage from our souls, and out of our mouths ordain praise for Thyself. Thou art the Sun which makes us joyful! send forth, then, Thy warm rays into our cold hearts, and dwell, as Thou choosest to dwell, in the praise of Israel!

Are they not our enemies that Thou hast slainour victories that Thou hast gained-our triumphs

that Thou hast won? Was it not for us that Thou subduedst Death-for us, that Thou laidst Hell low in the dust-for us, that Thou broughtest life to light? Are they not our garlands in which Thou shinest-our garments with which Thou art adorned—and is not all the glory with which Thou compassest Thyself our own? Oh then, tell us this day that all is ours; make us certain of it, that we may lift up our heads, and as Thy people, willing in the day of Thy power, may, after Thy victory, worship Thee in the beauty of holiness!

ROM. viii. 3.

"Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died; yea, rather, that is risen again; who is even at the right hand of God; who also maketh intercession for us."

THESE words have sounds of mirth and life. They are the music of Easter, and the resurrectiontones of jubilee. Oh that, one and all, we might be able to conclude this festival with this shout of triumph!-Behold, the total amount of consolation, brought to us by Passion-week, Good Friday, and Easter, is expressed in these cheerful and cheering words. Let us then examine it a little more closely, and direct our attention to three points. We shall consider,

I. The defying challenge;
II. Who may join in it;
III. Upon what it is founded.

I.

"Who is he that condemneth ?"-Hold! who is it that calls out there? We look round, and, behold, there stands before us a man with a cheerful countenance and uplifted head; he stands there, firm as a battlement, his arm resting on his side, as if he would say, Now then, who dares take up my gauntlet? His eyes sparkle; victory is pictured in his features; tranquil confidence in the expression of his countenance; and serene defiance on his forehead. Who is he? He is one from Judaha Christian. How! a Christian so full of daring? O yes; these people are lambs and lions at once; like the Captain of their salvation, of whom it is said, "And as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth;" and in another place, "The Lion hath roared, who will not be afraid ?" O yes; Christians can be very daring, and very proud; and well they may be; for is not that pride when they throw your honour in your face, and say, "O world, thine honour I want not?" and is that not daring, when they bind your reproach and shame around their head like a princely diadem, and parade therewith as with a crown? Is not that pride, when in utter indifference they pass by your places of amusement, as those that are accustomed to something better than your empty pleasures? and is that not daring, when in chains and bands, and midst storms of the fiercest persecution, they

can laugh and sing, to the mortification of the world and the devil, as Paul and Silas did in their prison? Yes, Christians are free and courageous people, for the Lord is their boast and their pride. But if they look off from Him, and upon themselves; aye, then their glory shrivels together, and there is an end of their daring and their proud carriage; then the head hangs down as a bulrush; the eyes are cast down, and the man becomes tame as a lamb, and dares not for shame and confusion to open his mouth.

But where have we left the man with the voice of defiance? There he stands, and looks about with sparkling eyes, as if he had a feud with heaven and earth, and therefore cries so loud that the ears tingle: "Who will condemn ?" That sounds boldly. Who is the man that dares to boast thus? According to his state of nature, a godless creature without fellow; an enemy to Jesus Christ and his saints; a persecutor and murderer of the churches, who with a malicious joy can make the blood of an innocent his pasture; a proud, self-righteous disciple of the Pharisees, and a fearful instrument of Antichrist. There you have him as he was: and would you know what he is, hear it out of his own mouth: "I, the chief of sinners-oh wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I see a law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into