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imitation. He gave up at once his plans of selfdestruction, and called for aid; and eagerly seeking counsel, he inquired of Paul and Barnabas, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

Now, it has been written for our admonition, that "to be carnally-minded is death" (by nature we are all so how many, alas! remain in their original condition!)"; that "without holiness no man shall see the Lord" (how many are without this necessary holiness, and seem not to value it !); that" as the tree falls, so must it lie ;" and that in the state in which we die, in the same precisely shall we rise again. Well, then, indeed may each of us, in the sad and bitter contemplation of our manifold sins, look anxiously to our own condition, as well as to the state of those around us, and like the panicstricken jailor, inquire, "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Oh! is there not a remedy? What must I do to be saved?"

To all such awakened sinners-to all so penitent and distressed-there is indeed a most cheering message, as revealed to the world in the Lamb's book of life. For though you have come short of the glory of God, and a curse deep and total is impending, you nevertheless need not be disheartened. It was said to the penitent jailor, and through him to you, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." (Acts xvi. 31.) The transgression, it is true, is universal; but so is likewise the remedy, being free to all. "For if by one man's offence death reigned by one, much more

they which receive abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Therefore, as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation, even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." (Rom. v. 17-19.)

Thanks be to God, what mighty consolation is there in various blessed promises to the wearied soul of man! How sure and steadfast is this anchor of the soul amidst the many storms of temptation to which we are hourly exposed, and which we, if unassisted, could never overcome! Like the vessel that wafted the Apostle to the Roman shores, we may be tossed and tempest-driven; the sails may be rent, and the rudder gone, neither sun nor stars in many days appearing; all our earthly hopes may be darkened and destroyed; yet still there is a Pilot, who can and will conduct us through this stormy deep, safe to the haven whither we would wish to steer.

"Rendered safe by His protection,

We shall pass the wat'ry waste;
Trusting to His wise direction,

We shall gain the port at last;

And with wonder

Think on toils and dangers past."

Yes, it is my pleasing duty to address you in the language of the same Apostle, and to declare,

"There shall be no loss of any man's life among you, if ye abide in the ship;" if ye only continue in the ark of Christ's Church, casting your cares upon Him, who governs the tempest, and rescues those who look to Him for help. "Fear not," He says, "I am the first and the last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." (Rev. i. 17, 18.)

Oh! believe me, we are all, as sinners, in most imminent danger. A very subtle enemy is close at hand. A fearful hell is prepared for those whom he can deceive. Death is rapidly approaching, to transfer us, it may be, to Satan's keeping.

Will

we not, then, listen to an invitation, which can protect us from all evil, and prevent every harm? May God give us grace to hearken to His voice of mercy! May God's Spirit impart to us, for time and for eternity, the full and unchanging consolations belonging to all such promises as these: "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away;" (Matt. xxiv. 35;) and "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." (Acts xvi. 31.)

Wertheim and Macintosh, 24, Paternoster-row, London.

ARE WE THANKFUL?

A TRACT,

BY THE

REV. BEAVER H. BLACKER, M. A.,

ST. MARY'S, DONNYBROOK, DUBLIN.

"Let us praise, and join the chorus
Of the saints enthron'd on high;
Here they trusted Him before us,
Now their praises fill the sky:
'Thou hast wash'd us with thy blood,
Thou art worthy, Lamb of God!'"

LONDON:

WERTHEIM AND MACINTOSH,
24, PATERNOSTER-ROW.

DUBLIN: W. CURRY AND CO., UPPER SACKVILLE-STREET.

1852.

Price One Penny.

MACINTOSH, PRINTER,

GREAT NEW-STREET, LONDON.

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