men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil."

What is likely to be the present punishment of such as reject this light? "He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." His heart is given up, and hardened after his conscience has been, in a measure, awakened to see the truth, the evil spirit returns again, and finds the house "empty, swept, and garnished." But will this keep the evil spirit out? "Then goeth he and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first." Luke xi. 26. I have seen instances of this: these pretendedly pure and pharisaical characters are among the worst enemies to "the true light." I have observed in those who hear the Gospel without feeling it, greater repugnance to the truth, and more disposition to oppose it, than even in the reprobate who disgraces his family and neighborhood by his vices. I can only say to such, "Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." Eph. v. 14.

I remark, 2ndly, that an obligation is laid on the Church of Christ as regards the treatment of those whose eyes are not as yet opened to behold the true light. We should show great compassion to such: we should avoid every thing that looks like saying, "Stand by, I am holier than thou!" Do you

consider who made That man is a blind

you to differ? who taught you? Pharisee who treats with harshness such as do not see "the true light!" Consider the rebuke given to the Apostles when they wanted to call down fire from heaven upon those who did not receive them: "Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of." What should we have thought of Bartimeus, if, after our

Lord mercifully restored his sight, he had begun to reproach the first blind man he met, because he did not remove his own blindness? Rather, let us pray for those who remain spiritually blind, and direct them to the Almighty Physician of souls. Let us pray for our servants, our children, our friends, and relatives; and take heed that we cast no stumbling-blocks in their way by any inconsistency of conduct.

If light is received, we shall see its effects. See how it appeared in the character of Simeon, and Zaccheus ! If a man seeks God, he has light to direct his feet: he says, Here I follow: this is my direction: "Why art thou cast down, O my soul?" Here is a light to cheer and influence my heart: leave me but this light-this Sun of Righteousness, and I ask no more! I can wait in patience for him who says, " Behold, I come quickly; let no man take thy crown." You that know the benefit of Christ's first coming, look for the glory of his second coming, when he shall gather the wheat into his garner.

3rdly. There may be some present, who have but a glimmering ray of light. I have read of a man who, from exploring a cavern too far, was shut in by robbers. But the man saw at a distance a ray of light, and followed it, till it led to his deliverance. So, in the Gospel a man may have only a ray of light; let him follow it it is a token for good. A man may set out with doubt and faint hope: but let him pursue and follow on, and light will increase. "If any man will do his will he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God." No science gives full satisfaction at first. So in religion our rule is this: "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord." Here is hope for the despairing; life for the dying; pardon for the guilty. As darkness represents sin and ignorance, so light is

used in Scripture to represent whatever is good, and brings man to God. From the Advent of Christ, we derive a brighter evidence to all important truth-a more encouraging aspect to every promise; and a new and animating motive to every duty.

THE DESIRE OF ALL NATIONS.

And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come.

THE Bible is a book which not only points out duty, but it is a fountain of encouragements. It strengthens the feeble hands, in order that what is done may be done with vigor and energy.

I. CONSIDER WHAT IS HERE PROMISED: "The desire of all nations shall come."

In the predictions concerning the Advent of our Lord, He is called "the desire of all nations," because it was in him that all the promises were centered: so that there is not a holy man, in or out of eternity, but he has fixed his eye on Christ.

It is further predicted that there should be a preparation for Christ's coming; "I will shake all nations." Men may call it disturbance, or calamity; but this is our belief, that God is in this: "I will shake all nations." There is also a prediction of the consequences that should take place when the desire of all nations should come, see ver. 9: "In this place I will give peace, saith the Lord of Hosts."

II. CONSIDER WHAT HAPPENED PREVIOUS TO OUR LORD'S ADVENT.

The temple was built: and before Christ came, a shaking took place, more especially among the nations to whom Christ was sent. The Roman eagle fixed upon the carcass; for the sceptre had departed from Judah. The great design of prophecy is to make it appear that there is not a thing can take place from the beginning to the end of time, but that God has declared it. Prophecy is a standing miracle.

The Advent of Christ ever was the grand object of the enlightened man in every age of the world. Ask your hearts, What is the reason of all the disappointments you meet with in the world? What has been your desire? When we have found out our object, we have found out our character.

III. I now proceed to draw A FEW INFERENCES FROM

THIS SUBJECT.

1st. We need not be alarmed because disturbances may be appointed to introduce peace. Before the Prince of Peace came, there was a shaking among the nations.

Suppose a man lay asleep with his house on fire: would you let him sleep? would you not rather say, His very life depends on his being disturbed! When our Lord came, he found the world asleep in security and stupidity. If a minister does not disturb you, he will do you no good. The conversion of a sinner often begins with perturbation of mind: the jailer was going to put an end to his life. There is a "strong man armed," who will endeavor to keep his goods in peace; and he will get his ministers to cry peace, when there is no peace.

Various messengers have been sent to reform the world the deluge-war-pestilence-famine: but all have failed. The law was given: but St. Paul tells

us that, "what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh." Rom. viii. 3. The law could condemn the world, but not reform it. What, then, can mere morality do? This great work can only be effected by that Righteous Branch which should come forth out of the stem of Jesse; and who should "execute judgment and righteousness in the land."

2ndly. When God promises, our hopes should be raised to the highest expectation. God seems to say to every believer, If from within and without, you have ever so much cause for despondency—yet, do not limit ME! Every promise shall be fulfilled in its season.

The first rising beams of the Sun of Righteousness were seen in Paradise, in the promise that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head. But he arose to shine brighter when he came and dispelled the shadows and types of the Jewish economy. And his actual warmth and influence was especially felt, when he sent forth his apostles to spread abroad his Gospel throughout the world. It is by these glorious beams that the sad are cheered, and the mourners are comforted.

3rdly. I remark, that it is God's design to correct the false taste, the pride, the ambition, and corruption of the human heart.

God has called us to meet this gracious Messiahthe desire of all nations, now actually come-not in a splendid court, but in a manger; in the wilderness; at Gethsemane; before the High Priest, when they spat in his face, and buffeted and smote him! We are called to meet him at the cross, and at the sepulchre ! Thus God corrects the false taste of fallen man.

One of God's methods of correcting our false taste