are without excuse. If we be condemned, it will be "at the Mouth of Two," yea of "Three Witnesses, that every word shall be established against us ""-even at the Mouth of the "THREE That bear record in Heaven, the FATHER, the WORD, and the HOLY GHOST, "2

1 Deut. xix. 15; 2 Cor. xiii. 1.

2 1 S. John v. 7. Evening's Second Lesson.

SERMON XVII.

ALL THINGS COME TO AN END.

For the end of the Christian Year.

PSALM CXIX. 96.

"I SEE THAT ALL THINGS COME TO AN END: BUT THY COMMANDMENT IS EXCEEDING BROAD."

We have now come to the last Sunday in the Christian year. With next Sunday the Christian year commences afresh. Another year gone! Another turning-point in our road to the grave passed! Who can think of this, and not be moved? Who can look back, and not be ashamed, and grieved, at so much time spent with so little profit? Who can look forward, and not resolve to amend, and not earnestly long for GOD to pardon and confirm his irresolution ? And who

shall say whether, henceforward, his life shall be reckoned by years, or by months; by weeks, or by days; by hours, or by minutes? Who knoweth how soon he shall "see all things come to an end" here below? It is but a little spot whereon we have to stand— and it may be, rather it must be, but for a little while. We stand on the shore of our eternal state, and the tide of minutes and of years is coming in, and gaining upon us, surely and stealthily. And some are young, and some are advancing, or advanced in life; and some are strong, and some are feeble; and some are sick, and some are well; yet none may say to time, as it tides onward, "Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed."" And so is it with each of us, as it was with the holy prophet in his vision of the rising waters, be they, at the first, so shallow that they reach but “to the ankles,” they will, in time, reach "to he knees;" and from the knees they will come up "unto the loins;" and, at last, be "waters to swim in, a river that cannot be passed over "-deep waters, "where no ground is.'

1 Job xxxviii. 11.

2 Ezek. xlvii. 3—5.

As surely as we have seen another Christian year drawing to an end, so surely shall we, to our joy or sorrow, "see that all things come to an end; and that GOD's commandment is exceeding broad,"-spreading far, embracing much.

Now GOD's commandment is God's word. And in truth the word of GOD is exceeding broad it does spread far, it does embrace much. That word reaches from everlasting to everlasting; it came forth from Heaven; and GOD was its Author. How can His commandment be less than "exceeding broad?"

But let the Psalmist himself teach us, in the very Psalm from which the text is taken. Are we in youth ?" Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? even by ruling himself after THY word." Are we aged?— "Teach me, O LORD, the way of THY statutes, and I shall keep it unto the end." Lack we learning?" I have more understanding than my teachers, for THY testimonies are my study. I am wiser than the aged, because I keep THY commandments."

1 Ps. cxix. 9.

3 Ps. cxix. 99, 100.

2 Ps. cxix. 33.