forgiveness at God's hands, then had his case been somewhat tolerable; because he might have attempted some way how to deliver himself from eternal death. But there was no way left to him; he could do nothing that might pacify God's wrath; he was altogether unprofitable in that behalf." 19 And then, in allusion to the sovereign, and only remedy, for man's universal malady, this same homily continues: "But, O the abundant riches of God's great mercy! O the unspeakable goodness of His heavenly wisdom! When all hope of righteousness was past on our part; when we had nothing in ourselves, whereby we might quench his burning wrath, and work the salvation of our own souls; and rise out of the miserable state wherein we lay: then, even then, did Christ, the Son of God, by the appointment of his Father, come down from heaven, to be wounded for our sakes; to be reputed with the wicked; to be condemned unto death; to take upon him the reward of our sins;

19 Vide Second Homily upon our Lord's Passion.

and to give his body to be broken on the cross for our offences!"

The practical duties suggested by our subject are too important to be overlooked.

1. We are taught by it to seek the assistance of the Holy Spirit; to discover to us our wanderings. We do not perceive them clearly by the mere light of our reason. One effect of the fall is, that the understanding is blinded, and the heart hardened, and we therefore need divine illumination. And what a distinguished blessing is it, that the Lord Jehovah is willing to bestow this gift upon us! That we may not be discouraged in our search after it, by the invaluable nature of the boon, or our entire unworthiness of it, Christ expressly encourages us to apply for it. "For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more

shall your heavenly Father give his Holy Spirit to them that ask him." 20

2. Humble and persevering prayer, therefore, is a practical duty, of which the consciousness of weakness should remind us, since grace to press onward in our course; preservation from the innumerable perils by which that course is surrounded; and victory over our spiritual adversaries, must each, and all, be sought at a throne of grace, by earnest and diligent supplication. It is of the highest importance for the Christian ever to recollect where his spiritual strength lies. "I can do all things," said the apostle of the Gentiles," through Christ, who strengtheneth me." 21"Without me," said our Lord, "ye can do nothing."

3. Our subject should, moreover, teach us to beware, how we stray again from the fold. It is our duty to keep close to the good shepherd; to remember the snares and temptations which await all wanderers, from the pastures provided for the flock; to bear in

20 Luke xi. 10, and following verses
21 Phil. iv. 13.

mind, that there is a powerful enemy waiting to allure, and watching to destroy the sheep; one who is roaming abroad as a roaring lion and ravening wolf, "seeking whom he may devour."

4. We are taught, lastly, to view, by faith, the guilt of our wanderings transferred to the head of our Shepherd; even to him "who bore our sins, and carried our sorrows; who was wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities; upon whom was the chastisement of our peace, and by whose stripes we are healed."""" And great was the enormity, and heinous was the guilt, which demanded such an expiatory sacrifice! Fearful was the incumbrance, and prodigious was the debt, which could only be cancelled by the payment of such a ransom! Appalling was the wrath, and tremendous was the curse, which could only be averted from us by bursting upon the head of our Almighty surety! And vain would the puny efforts of man have been, to effect that mighty and stupendous work,

22 Isaiah liii. 4-5.

which brought him, who framed the world. out of nothing, from heaven to earth; which veiled the glories of his Godhead in the humiliation of his manhood; and which caused him, "who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, to make himself of no reputation; to take upon him the form of a servant; to humble himself; to become obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross!"23 Contemplate, my brethren, the marvellous display of compassion and mercy, which that cross exhibits,-look at the victim extended upon it,-inquire, what was his crime, ask, who were his murderers,-learn, the purpose of his suffering! The victim was, "He who spake and the world was made; who commanded, and it stood fast!" His crime was, that "He loved us, and gave himself for us!" His murderers were, those "whom he came to seek and to save!" And the purpose of his suffering was, that "dying, the just for the unjust, he might bring us to God!"

"Behold, then, the Lamb of God, which

23 Phil. ii. 6-8.