in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me," Rev. iii. 20.

SERMON LXX. But after all, it is not during the course of a transitory life, at least it is not while you consider death as still remote, that you are capable CHRIST'S VALEDICTORY ADDRESS of knowing the pleasure there is in being a

TO HIS DISCIPLES.
Christian. No, it is neither in the retirement
of the closet, nor seated the table of the
Lord: it is not in your solemn feasts, that you

JOHN xiv. xv. xvi. are capable of relishing the sweetness which is Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, to be found in beholding Jesus Christ, in em

believe also in me, * &c. bracing him, in believing on him: it is in the We begin, this morning, with explaining to last moments of life; it is when stretched on a you the texts which refer to our blessed death-bed. Till then, your passions will some- Saviour's passion. If the knowledge of the times call it in question, whether the man of Christian be all reducible to this, "to know the world does not actually enjoy more hap- Jesus Christ, and him crucified,” i Cor. ij. 2, piness than the Christian; whether the com- it is impossible to fix your eyes too frequently merce of society, whether spectacles, plays, the on the mysteries of the cross. Very few dissplendour of a court, do not confer more real courses, accordingly, are addressed to you, in pleasure than that which flows from commu- which these great objects are not brought fornion with Jesus Christ.

ward to view. Nay, more; it is the pleasure But when you shall find yourselves, like of this church, that, at certain stated seasons, Simeon, in a state of universal dereliction; but the doctrine of the cross, to the exclusion of when you shall behold nothing around you save every other, should be the subject of our unavailing solicitudes, save ineffectual medi- preaching: that all the circumstances attendcines, save fruitless tears, then you will know ing it should be detailed, and every view of it what the religion of Jesus Christ is; then, my displayed. But whatever powers may be apbrethren, you will taste the delight of being a plied to the execution of this work, it cannot Christian; then you will feel all the powerful possibly be accomplished within the space of a attraction of that peace which is mentioned in few weeks. We have especially had to lament the text: “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant that our Saviour's last address to his disciples depart in peace, according to thy word, for should be omitted: I mean the discourse which mine eyes have seen thy salvation.”

he addressed to them, a little while before he May these ideas of the Christian religion at- retired into the garden of Gethsemane, and tach us inviolably unto it. Let us, with Simeon, which St. John has preserved to us in the xiv. embrace the Saviour of the world; let us, with xv. and xvi. chapters of his gospel. This part the wise men of the East, present unto him our of the history of the passion is, unquestionably, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh: or rather, one of the most tender and most interesting. let us present unto him hearts penetrated with We propose to make it pass in review before admiration, with gratitude, with love. Yes, you this day, as far as the bounds prescribed to divine infant, desire of all nations, glory of us will permit. Israel, Saviour of mankind! divine infant, whom Were it proper to make the place where I so many oracles have predicted, whom so many stand a vehicle for communications of this kind, prophets have announced, whom so many types I am ready ingenuously to acknowledge, that a have represented, and whose radiant day so particular circumstance determined my choice many kings and prophets were desirous to be on this occasion. A few days only have elapsed hold: my faith pierces through all those veils since I was called to be witness of the dying which overspread and conceal thee; I behold, in agonies of a valuable minister,t whom Provithe person of a creature feeble and humbled, my dence has just removed from the superintendGod, and my Redeemer: I contemplate thee ence of a neighbouring church. . God was not only as born a few days ago at Bethlehem pleased to visit him for some months past, if of Judah, but subsisting " before the mountains we may presume to speak so, with a "temptawere brought forth, before the earth was form- tion,” more than "is common to man,” 1 Cor. ed, even from everlasting to everlasting,” Ps. x. 13; but he granted him a fortitude more xc. 2. I behold thee not only lying in a man- than human to support it. I was filled with ger, wrapped in swaddling cloths, but I behold astonishment at the violence of his sufferings; thee seated on a throne of glory, "highly ex- and still more at the patience with which he alted," having "a name that is above every endured them; I could not help expressing a name," adored by angels and seraphim, en- wish to know, what particular article of relicircled with rays of divinity.

gion had contributed the most to produce in Every power of my understanding shall him that prodigy of resolution: “Have you henceforth be devoted to the knowledge of ever paid a close attention, my dear brother,” thee: it shall be my constant endeavour to said he to me, "to the last address of Jesus please thee, my supreme delight to possess Christ to his disciples? My God,” exclaimed thee; and it shall be my noblest ambition to he, "what charity! what tenderness! but above prostrate myself one day before thy throne, all, what an inexhaustible source of consolaand to sing with the innumerable multitudes tion in the extremity of distress!" His words of the redeemed of every nation, and people, and tongue: “Unto him who sitteth upon the

* Those who wish to derive benefit from the following throne, and unto the Lamb, be honour and sv. and xvi. chapters of John's gospel.

filled me with astonishment: my thoughts were , whorefore trust no longer? Whence then arises immediately turned towards you, my dearly this diffidence? Wherein has his promise failed? beloved brethren; and I said within inyself, I What oracle of the prophets bas he neglected must furnish my hearers with this powerful to fulfil? “O fools, and slow of heart to believe defence against suffering and death. I enter all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not this day on the execution of my design. Cons Christ to have suffered these things, and to descend to concur with me in it. Come and enter into his glory?" ver. 25, 26. meditate on the last expressions which fell from Taking it for granted, then, that the aposthe lips of a dying Saviour; let us penetrate tles had but confused ideas of the mystery of into the very centre of that heart which the the cross, what offence must they not have sacred flame of charity animated.

taken when they were called to be witnesses of I must proceed on the supposition that your that fearful spectacle! From our being acminds are impressed with the subject of the customed to hear the punishment of crucifixion three chapters of which I am going to attempt spoken of in terms of high dignity, we lose an analysis. The great object which our Lord sight of what was ignominious and humiliatproposes to himself, in this address, is to fortify ing in it. Represent to yourself a man whom his disciples against the temptations to which you had made the centre, the fixed point of all they were about to be exposed. And, in order your hopes. Represent to yourself a man, a to reduce our reflections to distinct classes, God-man, to whom you had been accustomed Jesus Christ means to fortify his disciples, to yield all the homage of adoration: repreI. Against the offence of his cross.

sent to yourself this divine personage, whom II. Against the persecution which his doc- you believed to have descended from heaven trine was going to excite.

to remedy the woes of mankind; to remove III. Against forgetfulness of his precepts. your private distresses; to re-establish your IV. Against sorrow for his absence. credit, and to restore to your country all its

I. First, Jesus Christ means to fortify his splendour and all its importance: represent to disciples against the offence of the cross. A yourself this divine personage bound by the man must be a mere novice in the history of hands of an insolent rabble; dragged along the gospel if he know not how extremely con- from one tribunal to another; condemned as a fused their ideas were with respect to the mys- felon, and nailed to a tree. Can this be that tery of redemption. Those who ascribe to them Messiah, into whose hand God was to put a superior illumination are mistaken, both in the rod of iron to break the nations, and to dash principle, and in the consequences which they them in pieces like a potter's vessel?” Ps. ii. 9. deduce from it. Their principle is, that the Can this be that Messiah who should "have Jewish church was perfectly well acquainted dominion from sea to sea, and from the river with the whole mystery of the cross; an opinion unto the ends of the earth?" Ps. lxxii. 8. Can supported by no historical monument what this be the Messiah who was to make us “sit

on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel?" But granting we were to admit this principle, Luke xxii. 30. As this was the grand offence we must of necessity resist the consequences with the apostles, their Master sypplies them deduced from it, with respect to the apostles with more than one buckler to repel it. It is very possible to have a clouded under- 1. The first buckler for repelling the offence standing amidst a luminous dispensation, and of the cross The miserable condition of a to grovel in ignorance be the age ever so en- lost world. “I tell you the truth; it is expe lightened. Had we a mind to demonstrate to dient for you that I go away;, for if I go not what a degree the age in which we live sur- away, the Comforter will not come unto you," passes those which preceded it, whether in ch. xvi. 7. Had not Jesus Christ been offered physical discovery, or in metaphysical and in sacrifice, there had been no Comforter, and theological speculation, would we go to collect no consolation for the wretched posterity of our proofs among our common mechanics, or Adam. The anger of a righteous God was from among the fishermen who inhabit our sea- kindled against them. They had nothing to ports?

look for from heaven, but thonderbolts and Let us call to remembrance the indiscreet horrible tempest,” to crush their guilty heads. zeal of Peter, when Jesus Christ declared to On the cross it was that Jesus Christ restored him, “How he must go unto Jerusalem, and a blessed correspondence between heaven and suffer many things—and be killed,” Matt. xvi. earth; "for it pleased the Father, that in him 21, “Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not should all fulness dwell; and, having made be unto thee,” ver. 22. Recollect the reply peace through the blood of his cross, by him which Jesus made to that disciple: “Get thee to reconcile all things unto himself, whether behind me, Satan: thou art an offence to me,

,” they be things in earth, or things in heaven," ver. 23. Recollect farther the question which Col. i. 19, 20. the apostles put to their master some time be- 2. The second buckler against the offence fore his ascension: “Lord, wilt thou at this of the cross—The downfall of the enemy of time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" Acts mankind, I mean the devil and his angels: i. 6. Above all, recollect the conversation “the prince of this world is judged," ch. xiv. which passed between certain of them imme- 30, xvi. 11. The crucifixion of the Redeemer diately after his resurrection: "we trusted that of the world, it is true, seemed to complete the it had been he which should have redeemed triumph of Satan, but it was, in reality, preIsrael: and besides all this, to-day is the third cisely the point of his decline and fall. He day since these things were done,” Luke xxiv. “bruised the heel" of the promised seed, but 21. “You trusted that it had been he which Jesus Christ “bruised his head," Gen. iii. 15. should have redeemed Israel!” Well! and on the cross it was that Jesus executed the

ever.

a

design of his coming into the world, namely, to your children,” Luke xxiii. 28. You shall be“destroy the works of the devil," 1 John iii. 8. I hold the Jews driven to desperation, imploring On the cross it was that Jesus Christ poured assistance from the rocks and from the mounout the precious blood which was going to be- tains, to shelter them from the strokes of that come the true seed of the church. On the divine vengeance which pursues them: you shall cross it was that he dashed down to the ground behold that Jerusalem, that murderess of the the trophies of idolatry, and there he “ spoiled prophets, deluged with her own blood: two principalities and powers, and made a show of millions of Jews offered sacrifice to the ihem openly, triumphing over them in it,” justice of that God, who requires at their hands Col. ii. 15.

the blood of the Messiah. 3. The third buckler against the offence of 5. The fifth buckler against the offence of the cross—The sovereign command of his the cross— The spectacle of charity which Jesus heavenly Father: “the prince of this world Christ presents to his disciples: “Greater love cometh, and hath nothing in me. But that hath no man than this, that a man lay down the world may know that I love the Father; his life for his friends,” chap. xv. 13. Accordand as the Father gave me commandment, ingly, when this divine Saviour had arrived even so I do," chap. xiv. 30, 31. What was at the period of his death, and had formed, if I the commandment given of the Father to Je- may use the expression, the ultimate resolution sus Christ You know it, my brethren; the to die, every flood-gate of his charity is set commission which he had given him, was to open: from this fountain of love, whence deliver from the dreadful abysses of hell a emanated the heroic purpose of immolating world of miserable wretches, whom divine himself for his disciples, we behold every other justice had there doomed to undergo the pun- proof of affection gushing out in copious ishment of everlasting fire. This was the su- streams: “Henceforth I call you not servants, preme will which the Redeemer had continu- for the servant knoweth not what his lord ally before his eyes. For this it was that he doeth: but I have called you friends; for all says, when he corneth into the world: “sacri- things that I have heard of my Father I have fice and offering thou didst not desire: but a made known unto you," chap. xv. 15. If you body hast thou prepared for me: burnt-offering have been faithful to me while I was giving and sin-offering hast thou not required: then you strong proofs of my tenderness, is it possisaid I, Lo, 1 come: in the volume of the book ble you should be unfaithful, now that I am it is written of me: I delight to do thy will, o preparing to give you a demonstration of it my God,” Ps. xl. 6—8. For this it was that, still more irresistible? Is it possible you should dismayed, and cast down, it were to the choose the time of my crucifixion to betray me? ground at Gethsemane, at the bare apprehension Is it possible you should deny your Redeemer, of approaching sufferings, he prayed, saying: precisely at the moment when he is dying to “o my Father, if it be possible, let this cup accomplish the work of your redemption? pass from me,” but immediately added, “never- II. Our blessed Lord having spoken to the theless, not as I will, but as thou wilt,” Matt. disciples, of the cross which he was about to Xxvi. 39.

suffer, and this is the second article of media4. The fourth buckler against the offence of tion, proceeds to speak to them concerning the cross—The idea of the storm which was their own. He disguises not either the horror ready to burst on the authors of those suffer- or the weight of it

: “These things I have ings, and upon a whole guilty nation which spoken unto you, that you should not be ofhad obstinately rejected his ministry: “If I had fended. They shall put you out of the synanot come and spoken unto them, they had not gogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever had sin: but now they have no cloak for their killeth you will think that he doeth God sersin. He that hateth me, hateth my Father vice," chap. xvi. 1, 2. But while he utters a also," chap. xv. 22, 23. This parricide filled prediction so melancholy and discouraging, he up the measure of the incredulity and barbari- softens it, and supplies them with motives the ty of the Jews: it was going to put the last best adapted to fortify and sustain then against hand to an accumulation of criminality. But the fearful accomplishment of it. The objects let not the impatience of the flesh hurry the which Jesus Christ presents to the eyes of his spirit into the formation of precipitate judg- disciples, in the three chapters which we are ment: let not the libertine and the profane attempting to analyze, are the same which have here display their abominable system; let them supported our own martyrs and confessors in not say, as they point to the cross of the Sa- this age of fire and blood, when the enernies viour, on which innocence is immolated to ini- of religion have taken for their models the perquity, where is that Providence which guides secutors of Christ and of his apostles. the helm of the universe? Where are those I suffer, I die for the gospel, said each of eyes which go up and down through the earth, our confessors and martyrs within themselves, to contemplate the actions of men? Where is in the extremity of their sufferings: I suffer, I that righteous judge of all the earth, ever ready die for the gospel: it is my highest glory; it is to administer justice? Have a little patience, my badge of conformity to my adorable Saand you shall see, that as this parricide con- viour: "I fill up that which is behind of the stituted the most atrocious of all crimes, it afflictions of Christ in my flesh,” Col. i. 24. was likewise speedily followed by the most " I bear in my body the marks of the Lord tremendous of all punishments. You shall be- Jesus,” Gal. vi. 17. It is one of the motives hold the accomplishment of that prophetic which our Lord himself proposes to the aposdenunciation: “Daughters of Jerusalem, weep tles: “ if the world hate you, you know that it not for me, but weep for yourselves and for I hated me before it hated you. The servant is

not greater than his lord. If they have per- | hold Moscs approaching the last closing scene secuted me, they will also persecute you,” of life: “ Take this book of the law,” says he chap. xv. 18. 20.

to the Levites, “and put it in the side of the I suffer, I die for the gospel. The world ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, places before me a theatre of misery and per- that it may be there for a witness against thee, secution only: but it is because I am not of for I know thy rebellion and thy stiff neck: this world I am looking and longing for an- behold, while I am yet alive with you this other establishment of things, and every stroke day, ye have been rebellious against the Lord; aimed at me by the men of the world, is a and how much more after my death?” Deut. pledge of my being a citizen of another, of a xxxi. 26, 27. Behold St. Paul: consider the heavenly country. This is a farther motive terrors which he feels as he prepares to go up suggested by Jesus Christ to the disciples: “If to Jerusalem: it is not that of being made a ye were of the world, the world wouid love his partaker of his master's sufferings: “no," says own: but because ye are not of the world, but he, “the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, I have chosen you out of the world, therefore saying, that bonds and afflictions abide me at the world hateth you,” chap. xv. 19.

Jerusalem. But none of these things move I suffer, I die for the gospel. How glorious me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, it is for a man to devote himself in such a

so that I might finish my course with joy, and cause! How glorious it is to be the martyr of the ministry which I have received of the truth and of virtue! Our Lord suggests thís Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace likewise as a motive to his disciples: “all these of God,” Acts xx. 23, 24. But that which things will they do unto you for my name's fills him with painful apprehension is the dansake, because they know not him who sent ger of apostatizing, to which his beloved Epheme," chap. xv. 21.

sians, among whom he has been so successful, Í suffer, I die for the gospel; but God is were going to be exposed after he had left witness of my sufferings and death: he feels them: for this reason it is, that in bidding them every stroke which falls upon me: he who a final adieu, he expresses an ardent wish that toucheth me, toucheth the apple of his eye,' a last effort should indelibly impress on their Zech. ii. 8. And as he is the witness of the hearts the great truths which had been the barbarity of my tormentors, he will likewise subject of his ministry among them; “I take be the judge and the avenger. This likewise you to record this day, that I am pure from is a motive suggested by our Lord to his dis- the blood of all men: for I have not shunned ciples: “he that hateth me hateth my father to declare unto you all the counsel of God. also," chap. xv. 23.

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to I suffer, I die for the gospel: but I have be all the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath fore my eyes the great pattern of patience and made you overseers, to feed the church of fortitude. I derive the support which I need God, which he hath purchased with his own from the same source whence my Saviour de- blood. For I know this, that after my departrived his: I look to “the author and finisher of ing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, my faith, who for the joy that was set before not sparing the flock,” Acts xx. 26—29. him endured the cross, despising the shame,” Jesus Christ, in like manner, is ready to Heb. xii. 2, and I aspire after the same triumph. finish the work which his heavenly Father has This is a motive suggested by Jesus Christ to given him to do: he shrinks from it no longer: his disciples; “ in the world ye shall have tri- he advances forward, braving the cross, being bulation: but be of good cheer, I have over- now ready to be offered,” 2 Tim. iv. 6. come the world," chap. xvi. 33. What cross “ Arise,” says he to thein, “arise,” (he was would not appear light, when the mind is sup- still in the house where he had just eaten the ported by motives so powerful?

passover, when he pronounced the discourse III. We observed, in the third place, that which we are endeavouring to explain) “let our blessed Lord is, in this address cautioning us go hence," chap. xiv. 31. I must pass no his disciples against forgetfulness of his com- more time with my beloved disciples; I am mandments. The presence of a good pastor is going to be delivered up to my executioners; a bulwark against error and vice. The re- I must "no more drink” with you “ of the spect which he commands by his exemplary fruit of the vine,” Luke xxii. 18, in a feast of conduct, and the lustre which his superior in- love; it is time for me to go and drink to the telligence diffuses, impress truth upon the un- very dregs the cup which the justice of my derstanding, and transfuse virtue into the Father is putting into my hands: "let us go heart. He has his eyes ever open upon the hence:” let us go to Gethsemane: let us ascend various avenues through which the enemy to Golgotha. But, “Simon, Simon, behold, could find admission into the field of the Lord, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may to sow it with tares, and by the exercise of sift you as wheat,” Luke xxii. 31. But," all constant vigilance defeats the cunning of the ye shall be offended because of me this night,” wicked one.

Matt. xxvi. 31. But, the devil, and the world, Conformably to this idea, one of the most and all hell, are going to unite their efforts to grievous solicitudes which, at a dying hour, dissolve your communion with me. What have oppressed the minds of those extraordi- does he oppose to danger so threatening? nary men to whom God committed the over- What means does he employ to prevent it? sight of his church, proceeded from the ap- What ought to be done by a good pastor prehension of that corruption into which their when stretched on a death-bed; not only earcharge was in danger of falling after their own nest prayers addressed to heaven, but also departure; and the object of their most anx- tender exhortations addressed to men. He ious concern has been to prevent this. Be- gives them an abridgment of the sermons

which, during the period of his intercourse | preaching to his interest; he will carry his with them, had been the subject of his min- passions with him into the pulpit; he will istrations: “if ye love me, keep my command-conceal the heart of a wolf under the clothing ments," chap. xiv. 15.

of a sheep, and will avail himself of the law But what merits especial attention in the of charity itself, to diffuse through the whole last address of Jesus Christ to his apostles, is church the pestilential air of that hatred, anithe precept on which he particularly insists; mosity, and envy, which torment and prey and the subject of that precept is charity: “by upon his own mind. this shall all men know that ye are my disci- It was, in a peculiar manner, the desire of ples, if ye have love one to another," chap. Jesus Christ, that charity should be the reignxiii. 35. "A new commandment I give unto ing principle in the college of the apostles, you, that ye love one another; as I have loved that united together in bands of the tenderest you, that ye also love one another,” ver. 34; affection, they might lend each other effectual a precept which they were bound to observe support in the great work of publishing the as Christians, and more especially as ministers gospel. Never does the devil labour with of his gospel.

more success against a church, than when he 1. As Christians: without charity Christi- acquires the power of disuniting the ministers anity cannot possibly subsist. A society, the who have the oversight of it. Call to the individuals of which do not love each other, pastoral charge of a flock persons of the greatcannot be a society of the disciples of Jesus est celebrity, preachers the most eloquent, Christ. Tell me not of your passing wholo geniuses the most transcendant, unless they days and nights in meditation and reading the are closely united in the bands of charity, Scriptures; of your uninterrupted assiduity in small will be their progress; they will sepaexercises of devotion; of your fervour and rate the hearts which they were bound to frequency of attendance at the table of the unite; they will foster the spirit of party; Lord. The question still recurs, where is thy they will encourage the fomenters of discord; charity? Lovest thou thy neighbour? Makest they will instruct one to say, “I am of Paul; thou his interest thy own? Is his prosperity a and another, “ I am of Cephas;" and another, source of satisfaction to thee? Canst thou bear "I am of Apollos," 1 Cor. iii. 4. They will be with and overlook his infirmities? Respectest in constant mutual opposition. Apollos will thou, recommendest thou his excellencies? do his utmost to pull down what Cephas has Defendest thou his reputation? Labourest built up; Cephas will attempt to rear what thou to promote his salvation? Such ques- Paul had demolished. Discover the art, on tions are so many touchstones to assist us in the contrary, of ting the hearts of those attaining the knowledge of ourselves: so many who have the care of a flock, and you ensure articles of condemnation to multitudes who their success; they will strengthen each other's bear the Christian name. Of charity, alas, hands; they will attack the common enemy little more is known than the name: and the with concentrated force; they will concur in whole amount of the practice' of it is reduced pursuing the same object. “A new comto a few of the functions altogether insepara- mandment I give unto you, that ye love one ble from mere humanity: when a man has another. By this shall all men know that ye given away a small portion of his superfluity are my disciples, if ye have love one to anto relieve the poor; when he has bestowed a other." O charity! the livery of the disciples morsel of bread to feed that starving wretch; of Jesus Christ, must it needs be that thou when he has covered those shivering limbs shouldst be as rare as thou art indispensable! from the inclemency of the air, he considers Banished from the rest of the universe, flee for himself as having satisfied the demands of refuge to the church. Exert thy sovereign charity: he founds, shall I venture to say it, power at least in the sanctuary. Bind together he founds on this symptom of love a title to in bands of indissoluble affection the shepwarrant his indifference, his vengeance, his herds of this flock. Let all animosity, let dishatred: he backbites without control, he ca- cord, let envy, be for ever banished from the Juminates without hesitation, he plunges the midst of us, my beloved companions “in the dagger without remorse: he pines at the pros- work of the ministry,” Eph. iv. 12. perity of another, and his neighbour's glory clothes him with shame. 2. But if the disciples of Jesus Christ are

SERMON LXXI. engaged as Christians to love one another, they more especially are so as ministers of the

CHRIST'S VALEDICTORY ADDRESS gospel. Where are we to look for charity, if not in the heart of those who are the her

TO HIS DISCIPLES. alds of charity? What monster so detestable as a minister destitute of charity! The more that charity is inculcated by the religion

John xiv. 1. which he professes to teach, the more it must expose him as a most unnatural being, if he is Let not your hearts be troubled: ye believe in God; capable of resisting the power of motives so

believe also in me. tender. The more venerable that his minis- IV. The fourth and last great end which try is, the more liable must it be to suspicion our blessed Lord had in view, in addressing and contempt, when exercised by a man who this farewell discourse to his disciples, was to is himself a stranger to charity. He will warp furnish them with supplies of consolation unthe truths of religion according to seasons der the sorrow which his absence was going to and circumstances; he will accommodate his excite in them. This sorrow is one of those

PART II.