SERMON XXVII.

THE WEARY AND HEAVY LADEN INVITED TO CHRIST.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."-Matt. xi. 28.

The tender compassion of our blessed Lord.

1. The Characters invited; 2. The Invitation given; 3. The encouraging Promise.

I. The Characters invited: "Ye that labour and are heavy laden."

1. The Jews were at this time in subjection to the Romans.

2. The ceremonies of the Jewish dispensation were grievous.

3. But here our Lord expressly refers to the penitent. 4. The words may be applied to the afflicted believer. II. The Invitation given: "Come unto me." 1. Receive my doctrines.

2. Believe upon me with a heart unto righteousness. (1.) This implies the rejection of every other atonement. (2.) An implicit confidence in the atonement of Christ. III.-The encouraging Promise: "I will give you rest.” 1. Rest from the influence of conflicting opinions. 2. Rest from the allurements of Satan.

3. Rest from inward condemnation.

4. Rest in a life of holiness.

5. Rest in everlasting glory.

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul?"

London, 25th April, 1850.

SERMON XXVIII.

LITTLE SINS.

"Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one; O! let me escape thither, (Is it not a litte one?) and my soul shall live."

GEN. xix. 20.

The visitations of God's wrath, while they are severe judgments to the rebellious and ungodly, are frequently chastisements to the righteous. In illustrating this subject we shall consider some of the criteria, by which men judge of little sins; and the danger of so doing.

I.-Those sins do not appear so heinous, which are not individually prohibited in the moral law. From the Divine law we must deduce principles for our whole practice.

II. By contrast-see Lot, and the imperfect obedience of some believers.

III.-By viewing minor sins and their consequences alone. We forget they bring a motley train behind them.

London, 25th April, 1850.

SERMON XXIX.

CHRISTIAN PERSEVERANCE.

"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus, the Lord, so walk ye in him.' COL. ii. 6.

The caution and solicitude of the Apostle Paul, for the welfare and prosperity of his infant churches.-Thoughtlessness of the responsibility of our character, a prevalent evil. It is checked in the text.-A sameness, though a progression in the divine life.

I. As ye have received him in humility.

II.-As ye

have received him in faith, so retain. "The just shall live by faith."

ye

III.-As have received him in the use of his appointed ordinances, continue to observe them. Spirituality must be sustained by the grace supplied through them.

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IV. As ye have received him in simplicity, so walk in him: verse 8th.

V.-As ye have received him expecting additional supplies of grace, seek to realize them. "Grow in grace."

1. Let us frequently review the time of our conversion. 2. Sinner, be not discouraged.

London, 25th April, 1850.

SERMON XXX.

THE CHRISTIAN COMFORTED BY THE
EXAMPLE OF CHRIST.

"Therefore, Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

"Let us go forth, therefore, unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.-HEB. Xiii. 12, 13.

I. We have here a striking example.

1. "He suffered without the gate." This refers to the sin offering, which, when the Jews were in the wilderness, was carried without the camp. And when the Temple was built at Jerusalem, was carried without the gate of the city. See this in the sufferings of Christ.

2. The design: "That he might sanctify the people with his own blood."

II. Our obligations are enforced: "Let us, therefore, go forth, &c."

1. Here our sufferings are dignified.

2. This is a reasonable demand.

3. It is connected with abundant consolation.

1. How ungrateful is impatience.

2. Self-denial is incumbent on all Christians.

London, 25th April, 1850.

SERMON XXXI.

ACKNOWLEDGING GOD.

"In all things acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

PROV. iii. 16.

Promises in Scripture are connected with the injunction of religious duties.

I. The Duty: "In all thy ways acknowledge him."
This acknowledgement must be adapted to,-

1. Avowed infidelity—by believing the truth.
2. To practical infidelity—by obeying the truth.

3. To sinful shame-by confessing him in all our ways, business, and conversation.

II.-Its connection with the Promises: "He shall direct thy paths."

1. Here is a necessary connexion. Virtue is its own reward; obedience is happiness.

2. Religion prepares us for the Divine will.

3. This direction is the reward of obedience.

London, 27th April, 1850.