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cumstances, is the most cheering thing in the world. The pardoned sinner may depart this life in peace, without fearing death or the grave; for he is assured that this corruptible shall put on incorruption, and this mortal shall put on immortality, and death shall be swallowed up in victory. This poor man's bodily afflictions led him apparently to reflect on his sins, and to lift up his heart to the Lord for pardoning mercy, although he might not be able to utter a word with his lips. The God of mercy heard the cry of his heart, and granted him an answer of peace. An assurance was given to him, Thy sins be forgiven thee. How full of encouragement is this declaration to those who are humbled before God on account of their sinful state, and are anxiously desirous to obtain spiritual blessings. To the penitent sinner who is abased at His footstool, who really deplores his sinful and helpless condition, who confesses his transgressions unto the Lord, and seeks for the healing of his spiritual malady, that he may walk in the ways of God, and may serve and please Him in newness of life; that being delivered out of the hand of his spiritual enemies, he may walk in holiness and righteousness before Him, to such a one He says, Son, be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee. Were we as anxious to receive the blessing, as He is will

781 Corinthians xv. 54. 79 Psalm xxxii. 5. 80 Luke i. 74, 75.

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ing to bestow it, we should find that our application for it would not be made in vain. He who commanded that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, will not deny the blessing to them that humbly and earnestly seek it. But it is bestowed in order that they who receive it may go and sin no more, that being reconciled to God, they may live as His children, in subjection to His authority, and obedience to His laws. Where the practice of sin is allowed in the conduct, it is a delusion to imagine that past sin is forgiven. His servants we are to whom we obey.83 The servants of sin will not be acknowledged as the children of God. To the workers of iniquity, He says, Depart from Me, I know you not.84

But are we really anxious to know that our sins are forgiven? If we are made willing by Divine grace to forsake all sin, to turn from every evil way, we are directed in the word of truth to behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world; and are assured, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him, shall receive remission of sins. Through Christ Jesus is preached unto us forgiveness of sins, and by Him all that believe, are justified from all things; are reconciled to God, and admitted to the enjoyment of communion and fellowship with Him,

81 Luke xxiv. 47. 82 John viii. 11. 83 Rom. vi. 16. 84 Luke xiii. 27.

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as children with their heavenly Father. be our concern to partake of this holy fellowship, under the influence of the Holy Spirit; that we may walk with God day by day, and may live to His glory, adorning the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things, and desiring to promote His cause by every means in our power. Then we shall be of good cheer, believing that our sins are forgiven us for Christ's sake; and we shall be enabled also to look beyond this present evil world, and the perishing things of time and sense, with a good hope through grace, that when we have done with all things here below, an entrance shall be ministered unto us abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, there to praise and magnify His holy name throughout eternity.

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SERMON LV.

FOR

THE TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER

TRINITY.

THE WEDDING GARMENT.

Matthew xxii. 11, 12.

AND WHEN THE KING CAME IN TO SEE THE GUESTS, HE SAW THERE A MAN WHICH HAD NOT ON A WEDDING GARMENT: AND HE SAITH UNTO HIM, FRIEND, HOW CAMEST THOU IN HITHER, NOT HAVING A WEDDING GARMENT? AND HE WAS SPEECHLESS.

THE parable contained in the Gospel for this day sets before us the goodness of God in the provision which He has been pleased to make for the restoration of mankind to His favour; and the ingratitude of men in refusing to accept the invitations of His mercy. It describes the blessings of the great salvation of Christ, as having been first made known to the Jewish b b

nation; and His displeasure against them for rejecting it. And it shows that the invitation was then to be sent to the other nations of the earth, who would thankfully accept it.

This parable is supposed to have been delivered only three days before that Passover, at which our adorable Redeemer was taken, and by wicked hands was crucified and slain. The Evangelist records that our Lord Jesus Christ then said: The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage, or rather a marriage feast, for his son. The blessings proposed to the children of men, by means of the gospel-dispensation, are compared to the gratification derived from partaking of a royal banquet, prepared on a most joyful occasion, when no expense would be spared in the provision of whatever might be pleasant to the eye, and delicious to the palate. But sumptuous as the entertainment was, we are told that when the king sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the

wedding feast, they would not come. How extraordinary was their conduct! These persons appear to have been previously invited, and to have expressed their intention of being present at the feast, when the time for it should arrive; but when they were informed, by a special message, that every thing was ready for their

87 Acts ii. 23.

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