of the Divine message that the cross of Christ suggests to us neither Divine power nor Divine wisdom?

"There has been in the doctrine of Redemption an efficacy that has surprised even those that have administered it. Go forth, it might be said to one who had undertaken to win souls for Christ, and preach the whole truth without distrust. You may not see how the news that Jesus loved and suffered is to enter into and vehemently move the souls you try to instruct; but for well nigh 2,000 years has the cross of Christ been lifted up, and has been drawing all men unto it. In every congregation, though the attrition of custom seems to have rounded all men into the same outward manner almost like the twinned pebbles in the brook, there are many secret influences at work, and for each does the news of Christ provide some food or medicine. There is the yearning of affection, and the heartache of baffled hope, the irritation of sickness, the decay of manly strength, the fear of the end. Bid them know that their Redeemer liveth; tell them that one who is the resurrection and the life compasses them about already with the cords of sympathy, and will never forsake them. And you will wonder at the tenacious grasp with which those will embrace the cross who have no other hope; you will see that so long as we teach all things that He has commanded he is with us always unto the end of the world." *

Closely connected with the former views of ChrisThompson's Bampton Lecture."

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tianity, it is important to remark, that it recognises and appeals to man as a free and intellectual being. Every system of Paganism, and indeed of false or corrupt religion, overlooks these important prerogatives of man and depresses them. Instead of consulting the freedom and independence of the mind of man, such systems, which are everywhere characterised as systems of power and not of thought, required the blind and unhesitating submission of the mind without the intelligent assent of the understanding and the heart. The Gospel, on the contrary, is "the law of liberty,"—it emancipates and proclaims the spiritual freedom of the mind of man. It invites to an investigation of its claims; it appeals to the intellect as well as to the heart; its language is, "I speak as unto wise men, judge ye what I say." And wherever it is received the effect is to liberate from moral, intellectual, and political bondage. In truth, it may be said, that Christianity, in the first preaching of it by the apostles to the nations, had almost to create an intellect as well as a conscience. And such is the case now with Christian missionaries who go to the heathen. The effects of the Gospel in enlightening the conscience and elevating the intellect show that it is one of the greatest blessings which God has ever vouchsafed to the world.

Many schemes and systems have been suggested for the moral renovation and melioration of the world; but the Gospel has been found the only one which possesses a character of adaptation and power to this end. That

E

alone can change and sanctify the world, which has power to change and sanctify the heart of man. By its direct and indirect influence, its action and reaction, it diminishes and destroys those evils which afflict and degrade humanity; it gives existence and power to that true love, sympathy, and compassion, which impel to the relief of physical and moral wretchedness wherever it is found; it opens up unfailing springs of consolation and hope to sweeten and mitigate all human sorrow. By the renovation and sanctification of hearts it spreads abroad purity and happiness. It brings man into fellowship with God, and unites man to man in the fellowship of Christian love. It will put an end to oppression, slavery, and war, by securing and advancing the reign of righteousness and peace. In one word, its predicted and universal triumph will restore to our fallen world the harmony and bliss of Paradise, lost and forfeited by the sin of man. What words, then, could more fitly or expressively have been used by the apostle to set forth the blessings of the Gospel dispensation from its commencement to its close, than these, "times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord"? To some of these "times of refreshing" we shall direct our attention. "Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."

CHAPTER IV.

"TIMES OF REFRESHING " AT THE RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION OF CHRIST.

"TIMES of refreshing" must truly have been the happy season of personal intercourse which the disciples enjoyed with their incarnate Lord. herd" made his "little flock

"The good Shep"lie down in green

pastures, and led them beside the still waters; He restored their souls and led them in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." He cheered them by his presence; instructed them in infinite wisdom; protected them; supplied their wants; and comforted them under all their sorrows. What proofs had they of his love and all-sufficiency in the gracious promises He gave them, and in the miracles of power and benevolence which He wrought in their presencefeeding multitudes in the wilderness, healing all manner of diseases, giving sight to the blind, and raising the dead to life? What might they not expect of blessing from the presence, the love, and power of such a friend! How painful and disappointing to them must have been the intimations, often repeated, and with greater clear

Ps. xxiii. 2, 3.

ness as the time drew nigh, of his separation from them, of his approaching sufferings and death! When assembled with Him, in the upper room, where He kept with them the last passover, how must it have affected them to hear him say, "With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer;"* and when afterward, instituting the Lord's Supper, "He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my Body, which is given for you; this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you;"† and especially when He announced to them that one of their number would betray Him into the hands of his enemies, and that they all would abandon Him in the time of his sufferings! What must have been their confusion and agony when going forth from Gethsemane they beheld their Lord basely betrayed by Judas, bound and led away as a criminal to the hall of judgment, and heard that He was condemned to be crucified! That day of unusual bustle, excitement, and triumph in Jerusalem, when He was led forth through the gates to be crucified, must to them have been one of unspeakable agony. When the tidings that He was dead reached them in their hiding place, such an announcement must have been to them the death of all their fondly-cherished expectations. In that grave, where was laid the dead body of Jesus, is buried all Luke xxii. 15. † Luke xxii. 19, 20.