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great things already. But there are greater things in store. There is the marriage supper of the Lamb-there is the hidden manna-the tree of life in the midst of the Paradise of God. The sanctified are to walk with their Saviour in white robes-robes of eternal beautygarments of salvation. On them He will write his new name. He is preparing a place for them, and where he is they shall be-and shall come with songs and everlasting joy on their heads, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

What an omnipotent motive in the remembrance of what He has done in providence and grace-what He has engaged to do, to charge upon our souls this return! How can we live away from Him, whose astonishing love has devised and accomplished so much for our eternal felicity, and at the cost of His own Son's humiliation, agony, and death!

What encouragement, in the considera

tion of His loving-kindness, may be found to resort unreservedly and confidingly to Him for the rest we so deeply and constantly need!

Let it be ours then, Christian, in very truth, this morning to enforce the charge, "Return unto thy rest, O my soul."

Some, possibly, may be in church to-day who have been seeking rest and finding none-seeking it in earthly fame, or wealth, or pleasure—yet experiencing, notwithstanding the attainment of these, an aching void all this world's good is unable to fill.

Some, perhaps, have been seeking rest for a disturbed conscience in the zealous observance of outward religious dutiesbut they are still as far from peace, quietness, and assurance, as ever. The true, the only rest is God in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them. And blessed be His name, this gracious, this all satisfying

rest is not hidden. It is not far off, that we should say in our hearts, Who shall ascend into heaven, or who shall decend into the deep, to obtain it? Nay, it is brought nigh to us-it is proclaimed in the word of truth-in the everlasting gospel, as a gift absolutely free-and infinitely adapted to our need. Oh! then let us hear His voice who is saying "Come unto me, and I will give you rest.” us now acquaint ourselves with Him, and be at peace. Let the wanderer retrace his steps and return to the fold of the good Shepherd, and he shall be led in the green pastures and beside the still waters of redeeming mercy, and shall have a foretaste, a pledge of the perfect, the immortal rest which remaineth for the people of God.

Let

SERMON III.

NATIONAL PROSPERITY.

PROVERBS XXXiv, 14.

"Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people."

THE word of God is a universal guide. With the utmost clearness and precision it indicates to nations, as well as to individuals, the course in which true dignity, security, and happiness, are to be found. It announces and unfolds certain principles-eternal and immutable principleswhich constitute the sole basis of a nation's preservation and honour.

It will be conceded that no one could

be better qualified to speak of these aright than Solomon, the royal preacher. But it is our imperative duty and high privilege to look above the preacher, however profound and accurate his experience, remembering that he spake as he was moved by the Holy Ghost. And though it may have been that mere worldly politicians in all ages have proved ignorant or regardless of the scripturally defined elements of national stability and greatness on the one hand, or of national decay and degradation on the other, in all the majesty, authority, and earnestness of truth, the omniscient and infallible Monitor, in words which can never be annulled or modified, because in them principles lasting as eternity are involved, proclaims-and proclaims this day, to high and low, rich and poor together "Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people."

My brethren, the calamity of war,'

* Preached on the day of humiliation on account of the war.

*

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