connection. The verse is introduced as an inference from what had been stated of the priesthood of Christ: "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost, that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." The intercession of the Saviour, you perceive, is the ground of the ability here asserted : but his intercession implies something else; it implies his office as Mediator, his work as Redeemer: and it directly regards his deep humiliation, his meritorious sufferings and death, whereby he is furnished with an all-powerful plea in behalf of transgressors. Having "humbled himself, and become obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, God hath highly exalted him;" and in this state of exaltation he ever lives to intercede.

"He pleads his merit there to save
Transgressors doomed to die."

Look unto Jesus! You find in Him not only the power of a God, but the compassion of a Saviour, the tenderness of a Friend. It is his right to save; as much so as it is the right of a father to protect his child-of a king to pardon, or a judge to acquit. You are thankful to contemplate the Omnipotence of Christ, but authority is his; an authority to save and to bless which no power can possibly controul. Hence we observe,

III. HIS MORAL ABILITY:-His ability of mind, if it may be so expressed; his inclination; in one word, his willingness to save.

This is unspeakably interesting, especially considered in connection with what has been advanced. Suppose the Saviour willing, but devoid of power and right, what would avail his willingness? And sup

pose him possessed of right and power, but not willing, lost and wretched we must remain. But behold the happy union of all these; an ability of power, of right, and of will; an ability of settled inclination, of fixed design and purpose! And how does this appear? How is it proved?-Consider,

1. What he hath said.-He hath given the strongest assurances of his ability, his resolution, to save; and shall we not believe him? "Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? This that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength?" The Messiah answers, "I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.' This was his explicit design, his compassionate errand in visiting the world, "to seek and to save that which was lost;" and hence the language of his grace, "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else." How tender is that invitation, how kind that promise, "Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest!" and again, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink!" As if he had said, "In me is salvation in all its fulness, in all its variety of inestimable blessings, for needy perishing men: come, and you shall have; ask, and you shall receive; seek, and you shall find." Would he have spoken thus if his willingness were not equal to his power, his compassion commensurate with his right? Consider also,

2. What he hath done.-He hath saved sinners, the greatest sinners; and facts are decisive. What was Matthew the publican, and Zaccheus a chief of the publicans? They were men of covetousness and extortion, but they were saved; called with a holy calling, and distinguished as eminent saints. What

were the converts at Ephesus before their conversion? "Dead in trespasses and sins; fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; without God in the world; but they were "quickened together with Christ, and saved by grace." And what were the converts at Corinth? The Apostle gives a dreadful account of characters, and observes, "Such were some of you; but you are washed, you are sanctified, you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." Now these are proofs, clear and convincing evidence, of the ability of Christ to save his ability of willingness and of grace. The case of Saul of Tarsus is remarkable. He was not a grossly wicked man; he had received a sort of religious education, and had lived in the observance of moral duties; but he was a proud man, a self-righteous man, filled with high conceit of his own goodness and worthiness; and this conceit was the main obstacle in the way of his conversion, but it was surmounted by the glorious ability of Christ to save. Howbeit, I obtained mercy; and the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant." He leaves it on record for the encouragement of others, proud and self-righteous as he had been-" This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief *."

3. What he is now doing is farther proof of the ability, the willingness, of the Saviour.-I refer not to his intercession in heaven, though this is decisive; but to the grace which he bestows on earth, the saving power which he now exerts among the sons of men. Are there no proofs of the ability of Christ

to save, within our notice? Brethren, are there no witnesses to this great truth among us? I trust there are! You know some who are not the heedless characters they once were; and several of you have passed a change which only the ability of Christ to save could effect.

But in order to illustrate this subject, I cannot defer more explicit mention of our dear departed friend. I have no hesitation in affirming, she proved the truth of the text. And it is with real satisfaction that I look back on those weeks of affliction in which the words were frequently repeated, while the sentiment they express was most interesting to her heart: "He is able to save."

Suffer me to speak of her religious feelings and supports. I do it not for her praise, but for the honour of Divine grace; and though she did not request it, she would not forbid it. I shall not go back to any distant period, but confine myself to her last illness.

About five weeks before her removal, when the family was together, we thought it right to intimate our fear that she might not recover. She was, in a degree, surprised, but not distressed: her apprehensions were serious, but not alarming; and she spoke freely of death as "a great concern." This was on the Saturday,

The three following days were peculiarly affecting and instructive. Her mind collected and in its vigour, yet in the near prospect of eternity, she spoke much, and greatly to our satisfaction. Indeed, scarcely any thing seemed to interest her, except what related to Jesus and salvation by Him.

On the Monday, some of her expressions in my hearing, were

"In all my fears in all my straits,

My soul for His salvation waits."

"The Lord reigneth; I would rejoice in his ruleI would."-"Thy mercy, O Lord, is the theme of my soul. The world, what is it? It is so deceitful!" "These are the joys that satisfy, and sanctify the mind." "A well-grounded hope is all I want:" a friend added, "A good hope through grace;" she replied, "Yes; a good hope through grace, through grace."

On the Tuesday morning, reminding her that the Lord had helped her in the night, she replied, "He did help me; I was comforted." Soon after, she said, "He will not leave me-not leave me, a poor, helpless creature!-it is not HIS CUSTOM." The same day, when I had left the room but a few minutes, she sent for me, and said with evident concern, "Death is upon me; what shall I do?" I mentioned the name of Jesus, and reminded her of what he had done and suffered, in order to deprive that enemy of his power: she caught his precious name, and often repeated it-" Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, help me!" Not long after, she said, "Jesus is all in all. It will soon be over; but Jesus, take me as I am guilty! guilty!"

That night her feeble frame was strongly and repeatedly convulsed. These distressing agitations considerably increased her debility both of body and mind, yet she was serene and happy. Offering her a little refreshment, she declined it, saying, "It will do me no good-Heaven! heaven!" Soon after, she said, with a sweet smile, "Glory! glory! glory! why are his chariot wheels so long in coming?" It was observed to her, that the Lord had a wise design in