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the law; nor does the word relate to Jerusalem, and to rites and ceremonies long since forgotten, but to a spirit and temper which is daily besetting us, a disposition that serves God without loving him; that wishes to escape his anger, but does not care to love him and be loved by him. And if we look into our own hearts, as many of us as are thus minded, shall we not see how truly the Apostle has said that as many as are under the law are in bondage to sin and death? Shall we not find that we feel not as Christ felt, and therefore that we do not live as Christ lived; that it is not in human nature to be for ever doing what it dislikes; and that thus till we learn to love the service of God, we shall never do it? Let not one word that I have spoken discourage those whose love for God is in fact proved by their very sorrow that they do not love him enough; whose hearts are truly in the service of God, while they grieve for their own coldness; who fear him greatly, not because they do not love him, but because they think themselves so sinful, that the most holy God cannot love them. But the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ can love those whom Christ is not ashamed to call his brethren; and the Spirit of Christ will give them the victory over their sins, because they

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so greatly grieve for their own unworthiness. These persons are safe in their Father's and in their Saviour's care; who in his own good time will establish their weak spirit, and make them strong and happy in the faith of Christ. these are not the greatest portion of those who call themselves Christians: nor is there any comfort or encouragement wanted for that larger number, whose consciences will tell them that they are at once fearful and careless; fearing God, and thinking him a hard master, when they are led to think of him at all, but not fearing him enough to overcome their carelessness, and so to have their fear purified from aversion and murmuring, and gradually changed by the Spirit into love.

SERMON XIII.

HEBREWS iv. 9.

There remaineth a rest to the people of God.

AMONGST the various blessings which the Scriptures promise to the true children of God, there is none, perhaps, more soothing, or which affords a stronger contrast to our present condition, than the one which is spoken of in these words: "There remaineth a rest to the people of God." Rest is one of those things of which we have in this world the greatest want, and the least enjoyment. We have often many pleasures, and a large portion of happiness; but we have not rest; we cannot lay aside all care, and repose ourselves on the bosom of our Father with a complete consciousness that there shall be no more anxiety, or pain, or trouble, or danger. It is still true, that man goeth forth to his work and to his labour until the evening; that is, that the return of day brings to every one of us a renewal of labour; if we have it

not imposed upon us by the necessity of our condition, we make it for ourselves: we have schemes and pursuits in view which interest us deeply, and in the uncertainty of all human things, deep interest cannot be free from anxiety, nor anxiety from weariness of spirit. Nay, even if we enjoy for awhile some periods of entire relaxation, yet we know that these are but the halts which we make upon a journey, that we may gain fresh strength and spirits to proceed further: we may not lay aside our shoes from our feet, nor the staff from our hands: our relaxation must be like the Passover of the Israelites, which they were to eat standing and in haste we have not yet done our work, nor may we dare to take our rest without the fear of trespassing too much upon the hours which must again be employed in labour.

"There remaineth, therefore, a rest to the people of God." Our natural craving will one day be fully satisfied, when we shall rest from all our labours for ever. Yet I must not say "our natural craving," unless I could venture to hope that we all were included in the Apostle's description, as being all the living and obedient people of God. For it is to them only that he declares that there remaineth a rest. Let us look, my brethren, at this gracious promise, and let us

remember to whom alone it is applied: that so many of us as are walking by faith in Christ, may be cheered, and comforted, and enkindled to do the work of God, by the contemplation of the glorious prize that is set before us; and that so many of us as are practically in unbelief, may, if possible, be excited to a godly jealousy, by seeing before our eyes the blessings of the kingdom of God, from which, until we are converted, we are for ever shut out. But what shall we say to those who see the blessings which God holds out to them, and yet do not desire them, and cannot therefore be stimulated by them as they ought to be? To some, perhaps, the notion of perfect rest is nothing desirable; they do not feel the need of it. These are persons for the most part tolerably easy in their outward circumstances, who are enjoying themselves freely and fully, and to whom therefore rest seems less welcome than a continued activity. They are to be found either amongst the very young, or amongst those who have carried on to more advanced years the selfish thoughtlessness of their youth. These are they on whom it is so hard to make any impression, and of whom the Scripture speaks therefore in the language of almost hopeless condemnation. "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye

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