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ciples of Christ; we are not exposed to pain or infamy or death for the sake of our professed religion; and to be baptized in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, even in infancy, has become so general that it is often complied with as a customary rite, with scarcely any consideration of its meaning and importance, either on the part of those who present a child for baptism, or of the baptized person himself when he comes to years of reflection. But very different was the case at the time when these Samaritans became candidates for admission to this holy sacrament; for, in coming to the font of baptism, they solemnly recorded their belief in the Saviour, their reliance upon his atonement, and their determination to live to his glory. They declared by the very act their earnest resolution, through the grace of God strengthening them, "to renounce the devil and all his works, the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh; to believe all the articles of the Christian faith, and to keep God's holy will and commandments, and to walk in the same all the days of their life." And with regard to ourselves, who were baptised in our infancy, our baptism is of no spiritual value to us, yea rather it will increase our condemnation, if, having thus named the name of Christ, we do not depart from iniquity. We

may say of it as the Apostle said of the Jewish rite of circumcision, that of itself "it availeth nothing, but a new creature:" it is only an outward and visible sign and seal of an inward and spiritual grace; which grace is the washing and regeneration of the soul, by virtue of faith in the atonement of Christ, and through the renewing influences of the Holy Spirit.

4. This gift of the Holy Ghost, we are further informed in the narrative before us, was conferred upon the people of the city of Samaria. In the early days of the Christian church it pleased God in many instances to bestow upon its members not only the ordinary influences of his Holy Spirit, for their instruction, consolation, and sanctification, but also especial and miraculous gifts, for the confirmation and extension of the faith. Probably both the miraculous and the ordinary gifts of the Spirit were given to the church of Samaria: the former have long ceased; but the latter are still promised to every true Christian. It is the Holy Spirit who alone can open the heart, as he did that of Lydia, to attend to the things which are spoken in his word. To him must we look up, to enlighten the eyes of our understanding, to convert our hearts, to strengthen our faith, and to lead us in the paths of peace, of joy, and of devotion to the service of God. 5. This beneficial effect of the preaching and

reception of the Gospel was seen in the case of the people of Samaria. Hitherto, though not idolaters like the Gentiles, they had been following the evil inclinations of their unrenewed hearts; some of them were under the dominion of "unclean spirits;" and the whole of them, "from the least unto the greatest," had gone after "a certain man called Simon, who used sorcery, and bewitched the people." But now, believing the preaching of Philip, they turned from their deeds of darkness to newness and holiness of life. Whereas Satan and his ministers had hitherto borne the sway over them, they now became the servants of God. "One was their Master, even Christ," whose personal instructions to them, when he visited Samaria three or four years before, they probably well remembered; and to whom, as the promised Messiah, they now turned with full purpose of heart, trusting in his atonement, endeavouring to walk in his steps, and worshipping God in the manner he had taught them, "as a Spirit," "in spirit and in truth."

6. And in so doing "there was great joy in that city." The Gospel of Christ, wherever faithfully preached and cordially received, is a source, the only true source, of substantial happiness. The joy of the men of this world is founded on no solid basis; it is at the mercy of time, and chance, and casualty; but the

blessings of religion are satisfactory and durable they include the pardon of sin, a conscience at peace with God, adoption into his family, the enjoyment of his favour, and the hope of everlasting glory in heaven. The healing of the sick, and the casting out of unclean spirits, which caused such joy in the city of Samaria, were expressive emblems of the spiritual blessings conveyed by the Gospel. We were weak, and we are strengthened; we were guilty, and we are pardoned; we were sinful, and we are cleansed; and if the angels themselves rejoice over a sinner that repenteth, how much more should the sinner himself rejoice when thus turned from the error of his ways, and restored to the favour of his Creator! Let us then, like the Samaritans in the text, give heed to the things which are spoken to us of God let us believe them; let us duly estimate their importance; and let us hold them fast, amidst the troubles of life and in the hour of death, that we may find them the well-spring of happiness to all eternity. Amen.

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SERMON XXVIII.

OUR LORD'S WEEPING OVER JERUSALEM.

LUKE XIX. 41, 42.

And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things that belong to thy peace; but now they are hid from thy eyes.

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THE circumstances under which these words were uttered, were very remarkable. It was the time of the Passover; and our Lord was approaching Jerusalem, with a view to celebrate its appointed rites. His way lay across the Mount of Olives, which was to the eastward of that city, at the distance of a few furlongs, and commanded a magnificent prospect of the temple and other public buildings. He had arrived at the descent of this mount when the multitude around him "began to rejoice, and to praise God with a loud voice, for all the mighty works which they had seen him perform, saying, Blessed be the King that cometh

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