hope set before us, of being enabled to run with patience our appointed course, shall we not, even for our present peace, though no nobler and more enduring reward were in store-shall we not be persuaded with the Apostle to lay aside the weight, and put away the sinful impediment, which makes us journey on our way impatient and full of care?

It was, doubtless, a mighty evidence of divine power, when Jesus strengthened the limbs of the paralytic sufferer, and caused him who before could move only with painful effort, to go freely " on his way rejoicing :" but no liberation from physical suffering-no freedom given to limbs long fettered by disease, can equal that moral amendment, that spiritual cure, when by the grace of God, he who has been sore let and hindered by the weight and the sin which beset him, casts both aside, and in the freedom of a renewed mind begins "to "run with patience the race that is set before him." This, I am assured, you are ready to

admit. There is a force in truth which compels assent, even when we are not obedient to the spirit which would lead us to practice its dictates; but if there be one who now hears me, and who would willingly struggle, no longer to be weighed down by sin, to cast away all hindrance and with patience to run his course; but seeing how many difficulties encumber it, is ready to exclaim "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me?"* let me in conclusion point out to you, in the closing words of the text, how "out of weakness you may be made strong :" even by "looking unto Jesus."+

Here is the Apostolic injunction and the Christian's rule. Whatever other encouragement you may seek to enable you to continue stedfast in the way that leads to victory, something there will be to disappoint or to deceive: in the great Captain of your salvation alone, will you find at once an unerring example,

*Romans vii. 24 + Hebrews xi. 34.

and a constant friend. And we fail because we are not enough impressed with this truth: too readily, in the trials which beset us, we seek for strength in some other, weak and erring as ourselves, instead of "looking unto Jesus;" too often we rest on some earthly support, or cling to some earthly guide, on whom if a man lean, even as of old when the Jews rested on Egypt for strength, it will be as "the staff of a bruised reed, it will go into his hand, and pierce it."*

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But you will say perhaps, we are not ignorant of these things; we know that "there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved;"+ we are 'looking unto Jesus." How then do you interpret the Apostle's words? The phrase itself may be misunderstood-it may be brought down to some low and insufficient standard, or it may be interpreted, on the other hand, after some mystical and enthusiastic fashion.

* 2 Kings xviii. 21. † Acts iv. 12.

E

Where shall we find the reasonable and sound exposition, which shall present the figurative language of the Apostle in its simple and intelligible meaning? May it not be thus rendered? We must "look unto Jesus" in prayer; in the public worship of God, where every blessing is sought only through and for the sake of Jesus; and we must look unto him again, in the Holy Communion of his body and blood. Here, my brethren, is an intelligible way of "looking unto Jesus ;" and in these sacred ordinances will he be seen, and his power to succour and defend experienced.

Is any man, then, weak among us-running the race set before him with faltering and uncertain steps? he will find that he has not thus looked "unto Jesus." Either his prayers have been remitted in private; or he has forsaken the assembling together with God's heritage; or he has turned from the sacred feast of the body and blood of Christ, and therefore, according to the mysterious.

language of our Lord, "hath no life"* in him. It is thus that I would, in earnestness, entreat you to "look unto Jesus." Him you will find in prayer-in public worship-in the Holy Communion! for these things we have the faithful word of his promise. Would you look unto him in prayer? the encouragement is here: "Verily, I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he shall give it you ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."+ Do you seek to behold. him in public worship? lo! saith he, "where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.Ӡ Would you look unto Jesus in the Holy Communion? behold! he saith unto you "Take, eat; this is my body. This is my blood of the new testament, drink ye all of it."||

Let no man believe that he can run with patience, or success, the race that is set before

* John vi. 53. † John xvi. 23-24.

Matthew xxvi. 26-28.

Matthew xviii. 20.