shelter and sanction of his immutable promises. He is, as we have already remarked, a child of mercy. He is redeemed by the blood of an incarnate God. He is "given to Christ," under the seal of a covenant, which is "ordered in all things and sure." In virtue of this gift, he is become the property of Christ. "He is bought with a price."

Christ is be

United to

Because a "branch

come his Mediator and his Saviour. him by faith, he possesses his life. I live, ye shall live also." He is of the true vine," and partakes of its fruitfulness and strength! He approaches God" in the fellowship of Christ," as his Father. By the indwelling of the eternal Spirit, he feels the emotions of a child, and he cries, Abba Father."

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It was the office of the high priest, under the Jewish law, both to "offer sacrifices for sins," and to make intercession for the people. This two-fold office referred to Christ as the great Antitype of the high priest. Christ hath shed his blood as an atonement for sin; and Christ is ascended into the heavens "to make intercession for us." He is gone thither as "our forerunner." He is " gone to prepare a place for us," and "he will come again to receive us to himself," according to that prayer, Father, I will that they whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, to behold

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my glory." Therefore "Fear not little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

Consider the influence of this relation upon the nature of prayer. Under the priesthood and intercession of Christ, prayer is no longer the unauthorised application of a weak and sinful being to the Deity whom he worships; but of whose existence and attributes he has but a confused and conjectural idea. It is the language of a child reconciled and renovated in character by an interposition of mercy and grace on the part of God himself. Under the pressure of his guilt, his weakness, and his sorrow, he comes to the throne of mercy, knowing whom he has believed." He says with the patriarch of old, "I know that my Redeemer liveth."

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What an encouragement is this to prayer! What an inducement to rest the burden of the heart upon a Mediator of infinite strength! to rely for pardon upon the accepted offering of the blood of the cross, and to shelter the harassed mind beneath the omnipotence of him who "ever liveth to make intercession for us."

Believer in Christ! mark well the grounds upon which the efficacy of thy prayer depends. Thy very cry of guilt and sorrow, is the result of the Spirit, whose habitation thou art! Thou art the property of God, and under the sure

"In

protection of Jesus thou wilt reach thy eternal home. Pray then in faith. Consider thy great High Priest. Think of the virtue of his blood; of the prevalency of his intercession. Come boldly to his throne of grace; unfold all thy heart; lay bare to him its guilt, defilement, weakness, and inconstancy. Implore mercy with incessant repetition of anxiety. every time of need seek grace to help." Jesus Christ knows all thy wants, and "has received gifts," that "out of his fulness thou shouldest receive grace for grace." grace." He has opened the way to God. He has unbarred the gates of acceptance. He has overcome death, and hell, and sin; and he bids thee "be of good cheer." Come then with holy confidence into his sanctuary. Attach the highest value to prayer. Deem it to be thy best preservative from sin, and thy best antidote to sorrow. Expect large and full relief at the throne of grace. Remember the eternal covenant; and contemplate the nature of everlasting love. Retreat from the accusations of conscience; from the stern voices of the law; from the calumnies of men ; from the malice of Satan; from the fears and inconstancy of their own heart: retreat from all these enemies, and take thy shelter within the sanctuary of the Lord! Thou hast an heritage in the heart of Christ.

Thy name is writ

ten there, and "thou shalt never be forgotten."