with which they go away, can go away with their consciences quite at ease. Many a one, I am sure, feels some misgivings as he or she rises to turn the back on the Table prepared before their eyes, and which stands in its snowy dress, as a white robed angel, testifying against them; and, with a silence more forcible than the preacher's voice can be, proclaims, in the Name of the Lord, and saith, "All the day long have I stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. Ere they rise, as they kneel in farewell prayer, something whispers to many, Stay!

Behold, all things are ready!" Would that they would stay! Would that they would listen to that still small voice, the voice of the Holy Ghost, knocking at the door of their hearts, and bringing to remembrance what parents or pastors or friends taught them, perhaps long, long ago, and saying, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in

d Rom. x. 21.

to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me!" for, I am He of Whom the Scribes and Pharisees said, "This man receiveth publicans and sinners, and eateth with them." Yea, I am the good Shepherd, Who am come to seek thee, thou lost sheep; why wilt thou yet turn from Me, and go astray; nor be taken in My arms, and laid upon My shoulders, and brought back to the green pastures and the fresh waters of comfort, that there may be joy in the presence of the Angels of God, even over thee? This is the meaning of that misgiving, this is the interpretation of the whisper that bids many stay, who yet go away. If it be so this day with any who would fain come, and are not living in any grievous crime, let such remain yet one moment more upon their knees, and pray to Christ that He will keep them. Keep them but this once; perhaps this first time, and it will not be the last.

All good thoughts come from the Holy

• Rev. iii. 20.

Ghost every desire to do what God has commanded comes from the Holy Ghost: Christ has commanded us to do this in remembrance of Him. Whoso quenches the thought, and resists the desire, of doing as He has commanded, resists the Holy Ghost.

There is, however, one more piece of plain advice for all in the Book of Common Prayer. People who cannot quiet their own consciences, are directed to apply to some Minister of God's word. Ignorance might, in many cases, be cleared up, and doubts removed, if this direction were attended to. It is impossible in Sermons to explain every thing, meet the wants of every case, satisfy every one. Least of all, (indeed not at all,) can be given in Sermons that "further comfort" which the Minister, if so required, is bound to give, the comfort of "the benefit of absolution" of such sins as may be confessed as troubling a person's mind, and preventing his approach. No one is absolutely bound to private confession, as the Papists falsely

teach; but our Church holds that every one is allowed it, and entitled also to absolution on confession.

But enough has been said on this point; at least for the present. "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." Let him hear how Christ received, and did eat" with, publicans and sinners," who entered into the kingdom of heaven before the Scribes and Pharisees. Let him hear, how He came "to call not the righteous, but sinners to repentance;" and let him not, when he hears Him speak of Himself as the Bread of Life, and of His "Flesh as meat indeed, and His Blood as drink indeed," let him not, as, "from that time, many of His disciples" did, "go back, and walk no more with Him." Let it be asked again, Do any feel ashamed, and reluctant, to go away, and sensible that they shall not do quite right in leaving the church as soon as the Sermon is ended? Then let them be assured that it is the Holy Ghost that pleads with them to stay, and eat, and drink, and live. "Then said Jesus unto

the twelve, Will ye also go away? Simon Peter answered Him," (and so let others now make answer, and say,) "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." Even so let us now all make answer, and say, Thou art that Christ, yet didst Thou receive publicans and sinners, and didst eat with them. Receive us therefore graciously, and nourish us unto life everlasting; for we do earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry, (as for all other our misdoings, so) for our long neglect of Thy Holy Sacrament. The remembrance of them is grievous unto us, the burden of them is intolerable, 66 Save," therefore, "now, we beseech Thee." "O Son of David, have mercy upon us!"