salvation of men; and therefore, gentle unto all, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, if God, peradventure, will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. (2 Tim. ii, 24, 25.)

SERMON I

THE SECOND ADVENT OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

"Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." -ACTS i. 11.

Y brethren, we have been for some weeks examining the leading facts on which Christianity is founded. I have called your attention to the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus as a fact, stating it distinctly, and drawing forth some of the most momentous truths connected with it. Then I brought before you the resurrection of the Lord Jesus from the dead, showing you the nature and evidence of the fact, and the glad tidings of the truth connected with it. Then the ascension of our risen Lord into heaven, again stating with distinctness what the fact is, and pointing out the glorious truths resulting from it. On last Sunday I called your attention to the coming of the Holy Ghost as a fact, stating what and how it was, and pointing out some of the truths connected therewith.

I am now to direct you to another fact,—the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. This differs essentially in our views from the former, in

SER. I. THE SECOND ADVENT OF OUR LORD.

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that they are all past, while this is future they are history, this still remains prophecy. The reason why this makes such a difference with us, is, because we are in the habit of attributing more certainty to that which is actually done, than to that which is only promised. In this we are right when the word is the promise of man, because man is deceitful, and may promise against his intention of acting; or, granting him sincere, man is changeable, and may alter his mind after promising; or supposing him resolutely to endeavour to do what he honestly promises, he is weak and may be hindered by sickness, by calamity, or death, or by a variety of impediments with which he is continually surrounded, and over which he has no commanding control. But we must guard ourselves against applying this principle where God is concerned. The word of God is sure, "Hath He said, and shall He not do it? Hath He spoken, and shall He not bring it to pass ?" God is essentially truth,—He cannot deceive. God is unchangeable, -He cannot alter His mind. God is almighty,He cannot be hindered by any impediment.

The first coming of Christ, to which we have been giving our attention, was long a theme of prophecy. It had its deep and imperishable roots in the Word of God. At the fulness of the appointed time, it blossomed forth into manifest history. But now, centuries after it has come to pass, it is not a whit more certain than it was centuries before it came to pass: and our reliance on it, now that it is history, cannot be more safe than was the

reliance upon it of Moses or Abraham, while it was prophecy.

The second coming of the Lord Jesus is still prophecy. Here is a plain statement, delivered by angel messengers, sent direct from God to address the astonished disciples of the ascending Saviour. "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?" They were awe-struck; they were stupified with amazement, and stood gazing up like men beside themselves. Why is this? said the angels: "This same Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." This is the fact: this fact is not directly disputed by any persons professing and calling themselves Christians; it is reiterated in the Scriptures; it is embodied in the confession of every Christian Church: "He shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead." But though generally admitted as a fact, it is not looked to,—it is not enjoyed,—it is not leaned on by the Christian Church, in the same manner as the fact of the first advent. It is contemplated only occasionally, and then, doubtfully, and of course, ineffectually. There is not that repose of soul upon it which we throw on the cross. And why not? God's word is as certain before accomplishment as after. One reason is, that the particulars of it are not understood. They are not examined as if men wished to know them; and we are all aware of the amazing difference it makes in our interest on any subject, whether we hear or read only the general statement, or are made acquainted

with a variety of particulars. It is upon particulars that the mind dwells. Our attention is arrested by each as they successively pass in review, and thus the general object becomes invested with the combined interest of all the details. We have felt

this when taking a view of the several particulars connected with our Lord's first coming. I wish now to adopt the same course connected with the second; in order that, by having the subject broken into its constituent parts, and presented seriatim to our minds, the general vagueness may be dispersed, something of individuality and precision given to the subject, and we may experience that species of interest in it which it is our duty, and our Christian privilege to enjoy, in every word of God.

I. The first point, then, to which I call your attention is the TIME of our Lord's coming again. This may be considered either directly, with regard to the age of the world, or relatively, with regard to other events which are also to take place.

1. In connexion with the first we neither know nor can know the period of our Lord's coming; -and for this simple reason, that God has not made it known. It is not recorded in the written Word of God. It is not given to be revealed in the living Word of God-Jesus Christ, God manifested in the flesh. It is amongst the secret things which are yet hid in the Father, who is God invisible. In this chapter we read, that when the apostles asked our Lord if He would at that time restore the kingdom to Israel, they received this reply: "It is not for you to know the times and