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to "weep, not for Him, but for themselves." For thus did they confirm those Scriptures, which so loudly denounce their woes: thus did they fulfil the prophecy of Isaiah concerning the "man of sorrows," that he should not only be "despised and rejected of men," but that he should be "numbered with the transgressors," and should "make his grave with the wicked.” “ Thus," says the Evangelist, "it was written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer."

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But, brethren, for whom did that "Holy One," who "knew no sin," and in whose mouth no guile was to be found-for whom did he thus suffer? For whose "offences" was he "delivered up into cruel hands to crucify and slay him?" For whose sins did he minister, and die a willing sacrifice in the hands of a defied God? It was for your sins and mine. It was "for the sins of the whole world." Yes, we have seen and do testify that the Father hath sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” None are excluded from "the mercy of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" but those who exclude themselves, by continuing in sin, and "daily crucifying afresh the son of God." "I, if I be lifted up from the earth," (said the Redeemer, "signifying that death he should suffer,") " will draw all men unto me." And, oh, may we be all found of that blessed number! May we all, "looking unto him as the author and finisher of our faith," meekly come unto him that we may have life." The world is as a field, in which are sown tares as well as wheat. The world is as a net, in which are collected both good and bad. The world is as an assembly, in which all have not on wedding garments. The godly and the ungodly are here mixed together. And, like the Saviour himself,

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who, in life and death, was "numbered with transgressors," "so are we in the world." On every side are sinners: nay, in our hearts-in the hearts of the wisest and the best of men, the principle of sin still remains. And though some may be more holy, some more righteous, some more excellent, than their neighbour;" all, nevertheless, are sinful mortals, and all require the sinner's satisfaction-the atonement of the Cross.

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"May we never cease to confess and bewail the manifold sins, which we, from time to time, have committed." May we never forget that, though "to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness," the Cross of Christ is, "to us the power of God" unto salvation. And, however some may "trust in horses and some in chariots," may we ever "remember the name of the Lord our God" and Saviour; and with heart and soul exclaim, in the word of an Apostle, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Amen.

PAUL.

Он, that we might learn from these friendly ashes not to perpetuate the memory of injuries, not to foment the fever of resentment, nor to cherish the turbulence of passion; that there may be as little animosity and disagreement in the land of the living, as there is in the congregation of the dead.-From J. G. M's Adversaria,

A PREPARATIVE AGAINST AFFLICTIONS AND

DEATH.

Ir is a most useful and necessary course, for men in prosperity, to take up the frequent contemplation of theirchange, and sometimes, and oftentimes, to encourage such serious thoughts as these, both in reference to birth and other external afflictions. "I am now well and alive; but I cannot but know that I am mortal and must die, and my own reason and every day's experience tell me that my time is very uncertain and casual: a small distemper, or disorder in any little vein or artery, a little cold, a little meat undigested, may cast me into a mortal disease; a crumb going aside, a contagious air, the fall of a stone on me, or me on a stone, may suddenly take away my life. There are such infinite casualties that may be mortal to me, that it is no wonder I should die; but the wonder is that I should live. What if it should please God, by any disease or accident, suddenly to call me to account for my stewardship, are my accounts ready? is my pardon sealed? is all as ready as becomes that hour? If it be, well: if not, it becomes me speedily to set things in order, especially my great concern, for as this tree of mine falls, so it will lie to all eternity.”—Sir Matthew Hale.

Abon Hannifah, chief of a Turkish sect, once received a blow in the face from a ruffian, and rebuked him in these terms, not unworthy of Christian imitation-" If I were vindictive, I should return you outrage for outrage-If I were an informer, I should accuse you before the Caliph. But I prefer putting up a prayer to God, that in the day of judgment, he will cause me to enter heaven with you.

No. 100.]

THE PENNY

[Vol. IV.

SUNDAY READER.

EDITED BY THE REV. I. E. N. MOLESWORTH,

RECTOR OF ST. MARTIN'S, CANTERBURY, AND ONE OF THE

SIX PREACHERS OF CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL.

ST. MARTIN'S CHURCH, CANTERBURY,

IN WHICH CHRISTIANITY WAS FIRST EMBRACED BY A

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KINGS SHALL BE THY NURSING FATHERS AND THEIR QUEENS THY NURSING MOTHERS.-Isaiah xlix. 23.

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