to provoke (i.e. to excite, to stimulate) unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another : and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

Much useful instruction may be derived from this exhortation of the apostle, addressed, in the first instance, to the longfavoured people of God; but addressed likewise to us, and to all his people, to the end of time for the wall of partition between Jew and Gentile is now thrown down, God hath invited all men everywhere to repent: he declares, for our great and endless comfort, that he is "no respecter of persons, but that in every nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousness is accepted of him." To us, "who were once afar off, but who are now brought near by the blood of Christ ;" to us, "wild olive branches by nature," but by grace now grafted on the parent stock-to us he extends the gracious promises, the welcome invitations of the Gospel. He speaks peace to the troubled soul: he bids the anxious inquirer after truth, whether Jew or Gentile, come unto

Him, and learn of Him, and then he will find rest, safety, and satisfaction.

Thus is mercy offered, thus is favour shown, thus is grace extended, to all who really seek for it. Nor are the invitations of the Gospel merely given, without further instruction as to the way in which we are to close with them. The road is not pointed to, without suitable directions to keep us in it. The means of grace are abundantly displayed: they are spoken of in every page of Scripture as absolutely necessary to aid and succour us. God promises to bless them to our use, to be with us in the employment of them, and to make them effectual as well to the accomplishing of his gracious purposes, as to our progress in the way of salvation. The promise runs after this form: "Seek, (in God's appointed way,) and ye shall find;" "ask, (as God would have you ask,) and ye shall have." "Knock, (as the man mentioned in the parable did, who wished to borrow of his neighbour three loaves, ask with his earnest importunity,) and it shall be given you. "For every

one," saith Christ, that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him

that knocketh, it shall be opened." These are some of the most effectual means which God has vouchsafed to give us. He bids us

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pray without ceasing," in private and in public-" in everything to give thanks." "In the evening and morning, and at noonday," says David, "will I pray, and that instantly; and thou shalt hear my voice. Seven times a day will I praise thee, because of thy righteous judgments." Whether we eat or drink, or whatsoever we do, we are to do all to the glory of God; and he promises still more particularly to bless us when assembled together for the purpose of public worship-he promises to be with us on those occasions. "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." With what propriety, therefore, does the apostle exhort us "not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is; but to exhort one another: and so much the more, as we see the day approaching." The day here spoken of might be the day of Jerusalem's destruction, which was then near at hand; or the day of death, or the day of judgment. Either of these events would

call for more than common watchfulness. May we be prepared for the hour of death: for as death takes us, judgment will find us: there is no repentance in the which we are all hastening.

grave, towards

The words of the text would be applicable to a congregation of Christians, at all times and at all seasons; because the generality of those who frequent public worship stand in need of continual remembrance how necessary a duty it is. The most zealous worshippers of God need exhortation, and we are commanded to put them in mind continually of these things. Others, who are still less attentive to this great duty; who perhaps seldom, or but occasionally, frequent the house of God; and when they are cold and indifferent, wearied and tired of that service which ought to be perfect freedom,—these persons have greater need of exhortation and reproof. To those, likewise, who are repeatedly invited, but as often refuse to come, who make light of God's house, God's ministers, and God's word, all we can say is, that we wish them better dispositions-we wish they may see their danger before it be too late; we pray for them, that God would

give them a new heart and a new spirit; that he would open their eyes, and turn them from darkness to light, from the power of Satan unto God. Suffice it to say, that the believing Christian, who feels his absolute need of God's help, will neglect no possible opportunity of asking it at his hands. He will go into God's house with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. He will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; he will make mention of his righteousness only. But as the words of the text are of general use, so do they strike me as being more particularly applicable to the close of a year: because all exhortation should lead to self-examination, that we may see clearly where we are deficient, and amend in future. If we have forsaken the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, let us from this day forward be more careful to frequent his courts; if we have failed in the performance of our religious duties this year, which is, as it were, expiring, let us resolve, if God should spare us, to serve him better and more acceptably for the remainder of our days. This is the last day of the year—the last day

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