ployed in the service of his heavenly Father, his own great object was to finish that work which had been given him to do.

It becomes a primary duty, therefore, in us to ask ourselves whether we are thus following Christ. Whether, there be in us any portion of this meekness, this gentleness, this constant diligence in the great work of salvation. If any man serve me, let him follow me; let him prove his profession by his practice; let him not take the name, without being at the same time an active and laborious servant, of Christ. Perhaps, we find it an easy thing to be zealous and indefatigable in all other labours; we can run with alacrity after profit or pleasure; we are not ashamed of following a multitude to do evil; but we should be quite ashamed of being thought in earnest in the pursuit of true religion. Nothing but a principle of faith, implanted in the soul by the Holy Spirit of God, can gain the victory over this false shame. And that, because the natural man loves the things of this world, and dreads to have any close connexion with the things of God. Therefore it is that our Lord so plainly declares,

"Whosoever shall be ashamed of me, and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed when he cometh in the glory of his Father, with his holy angels." It is a difficult thing to be faithful in the covenant of our God. Of how many of the kings of Israel was it said, "their heart was not right with God." And after maintaining some good qualities, Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away, the people offered incense yet upon the high places." Alas! we are too many of us exactly of this character. Some idol grove takes its place in the heart with the one Jehovah. We forget that the Commandment runs, "thou shalt have none other gods beside me.'

2ndly. An all-wise and all-gracious God never makes any promises which do not tend to the good of his creatures, nor does he ever impose any restrictions which are not ultimately for their happiness. There is some merciful design in all that the Lord purposes. If the servant of Christ must follow him; if, to do this, he must at times take up his cross; surely, the sacrifice will seem as nothing when it is added, "and where I am, there shall also my servant be."

The servant of an earthly master has many unpleasant scenes to witness. If his master be in trouble, he will feel for him. If he has engaged to follow him into distant climates, he must be a partaker in the hardships which his master will be called upon daily to endure. And if, upon his master's return to his native country, he lives in comparative ease, the servant will have his comforts in his master's house. The man who was led to share the enterprise, will not be forsaken amidst the quiet of domestic life. Look, then, for a moment at the Great Lord of heaven and earth, sojourning amongst us, taking our nature and paying in that nature the price of man's redemption. "He humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross; wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and hath given him a name which is above every name." He says to a few poor fishermen, "Follow me!" They leave their nets and obey the call. He says to Matthew at the receipt of custom, "Follow me!" He rises, makes a feast for the Saviour, and then forsakes all

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and follows him. After his resurrection from the dead, and glorious ascension into heaven, he calls to a bitter persecutor of the christian faith, Saul of Tarsus, who on his journey to Damascus, saw round about him a light from heaven, and fell to the earth and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" He asks, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" The answer is, Arise, go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." Now all these men were servants, eminent servants of Christ; they followed him through much evil report and good report; they bore cheerfully and willingly such sufferings as astonished their bitterest persecutors; but if they thus followed Christ on earth, they are now with Christ in heaven. The promise is made good to them, “Where I am, there shall also my servant be. Ye that have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall be revealed, ye also shall sit upon thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." No man who serves Christ shall lose his labour. Sin pays wages-death. But the great Lord of

the vineyard will most assuredly call his labourers and give them their hire-very different indeed—even life everlasting. "I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand." And above all, they shall enjoy it in his presence. "Where I am, there shall also my servant be." This will be, in the highest sense of the word, "Heaven." It is under this blessed idea, that our Lord comforts his disciples when about to leave them, "Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions; I go to prepare a place for you; and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again to receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also." When St. Paul had a desire to depart, it was to be with Christ. When St. Stephen suffered martyrdom, his dying prayer was, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit! Well, therefore, may we ask for grace to enable us to follow Christ, when in a short time, if we do so follow him, we shall be with him in heaven.

But 3rdly. A higher privilege yet remains for the servant of Christ: it is added

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