Churches that were in Christ during their day; and they have not been so embodied in the sermons and expositions of our own church, though the truth of the events has never been doubted, and much less denied. Meanwhile, it is notorious that, from various causes, a dread has existed in our community of the study of prophecy; a timid apprehension which certainly was not learnt from early Christian writers, or from those holy men of God who spake the prophecies as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, the sense of which was not revealed to them, but was still a subject of anxious inquiry in their minds;-a hesitation of spirit there has been, which stands in direct opposition to the precept and promise which begin and conclude the deepest of prophetic oracles in our possession the Revelation of St. John the Divine, whose emphatic command it is, "Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book!"

I know not how men can act on such convictions of the purpose of God in revealing, however dimly, His counsels to man, with more straightforwardness than by giving public exposition of their conclusions, year by year; or how they can better shew the sincerity of

their design, than by bringing their principles to the light, that the simplicity and the humility of their pretensions may be known. The balanced harmony of sacred truth requires, what the most awful utterance of the Holy Spirit enjoins, that as no man should add to the words of the Revelation of God, by teaching for doctrines any mere expositions of men, so no man should take from its words, by setting aside any part of it as his guide. And yet, as has been truly said, it is an undeniable fact, that, because of an aversion to the study of prophetic truth, a portion of the Bible, not much less in compass than the New Testament, has been continually slurred over by professing Christians, as matter with which they had very little concern.

Now, if things indeed be so, what really Christian mind will not sympathise with any humble effort made, in dependence on the grace of God, to reassume the standard and manner of apostolic teaching concerning the coming of the Lord;-and to have fellowship with the brethren, striving to walk in the light which is already given to the church, and in following which the promise is, that we shall

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see light; and endeavouring (while this is done) to make others perceive that fellowship of the mystery which from the beginning of the world was hid in God, but is now revealed, and in progress towards its complete manifestation to

men.

Such manifestation unto others of the light we may enjoy, or attain to, is the purpose of our meeting here in prayer ;-to stir up the minds of some, by way of remembrance, to think of these things;—and to awaken others to the awful importance of them, in order that the life of God may be cherished and matured in the souls of men.

Brethren, let me ask your prayers, that we, who are so assembled now to inquire after the mind of God, may ever give its holy principles free course in our lives;-that we may receive the word with all readiness, searching the Scriptures daily, whether the things be so as may be said;-and that, moved by the example of holy men of God, provoked to noble efforts by the zeal of angels, who desire to look into these things-we may neither be deterred by the mysterious depths of the sacred oracles, nor by the discrepancies and ignorance of

fallible men ;—but may ever keep the things which are written treasured up in our hearts, and ponder the sayings, and set our face unto the Lord, labouring to make known to others the manifold wisdom of His counsels ;-and taking heed to the sure word (sure, amidst all the uncertainties of man) as to a light which shineth, though in a dark place, until the day dawn and the day star arise in our hearts.

In this spirit I invite your thoughts to the Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, as a subject of present glory to the Church.

Now, in the very commencement, it may be asked, is it needful to travel out of the beaten path which the ordinary believer treads, in order that we may glory in the coming of the Lord?-Must we leave the old paths, and quit the trodden ways, that we may find rest for the troubled conscience, and joy in awaiting the return of the Son of man? Do not all who love His appearing, in the prospect of their departure hence (knowing that their warfare is ended and they have kept the faith) anticipate with delight the crown which the Lord shall give in that day? Assuredly they do.-The very elements of such Christian

truth animate every heart in which they have found a place. The mere name of a Redeemer is joy to the sin-sick soul. The most simple doctrine of repentance from dead works, of faith towards God, of the resurrection of the dead, of judgment to come, these are the foundations and corner-stones on which we build, from the very beginning, our sure and blessed hope. Because of these we trust, that being dead with Him we shall also live with Him; and that if we have been partakers in His sufferings, we shall also share in the likeness of His resurrection. And in these things the whole family of believers who bear His hallowed name, have cause for unceasing and unspeakable joy.

But is this the fixed boundary of the sacred prospect set before the believer's view?-Is this the compass of his far horizon, when he has attained to full age as a father in Christ?— Nothing of the kind, is the scriptural reply; God forbid !-On the contrary, the apostle emphatically tells how-leaving these very principles of the doctrine of Christ, forsaking them as the milk of babes, and not fit meat for menwe are to go on to perfection (Heb. vi. 1);