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REST FOR THE WEARY.

COLXXIL.

REST FOR THE WeEaARy.

UST after Jesus Christ
had spoken in this way of
a} the blessings which God

y had been pleased to reveal

unto “ babes,” He invited
others also to come to Him, that
they too might enjoy the same
blessings. He said “Come unto
me, all ye that labor, and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest.”

Now who were the people to
whom Jesus then spoke so particu-
larly ?. Who are the weary, and the
heavy laden ?

There are many who are weary,
many who are heavy laden, in the
world. Some people are weary with
poverty, and pain, and sickness.
Some with sorrow, and trouble, and
afflictions of different kinds. All
these things are very hard and heavy
to bear; and those who are obliged
to bear them, often feel as Job did,
when he said, “ My soul is weary of
my life.” Jodx. 1.

But there is another burden,
heavier still than these, and more
difficult to bear; and that is—the
burden of sin. This is a burden all
have, but all do not feel its weight.
Proud, self-righteous, unhumbled
people, do not feel their sin; it is
no burden to them, for it gives them
no pain, no weariness at all. But
when people are convinced of sin,
by God’s Holy Spirit, then they
feel how heavy it is; so heavy that
it must sink them down into hell,
if it is not removed, and taken

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away. And who can take it away?
Jesus Christ himself; and He is
willing to do so, and this is why He
Invites sinners in the gospel to
come to Him; and humble, pen-
itent people, who feel the burden
of sin, are those whom He meant
when He said, “Come unto me, all
ye that labor and are heavy laden.”

But how can people come to
Christ? By faith and prayer.
They must come feeling that they
are sinners, and cannot help them-
selves; and then they must ask
Jesus to help them ;—to take off
their burden; that is, to pardon
and to save them.

But what is the “rest” Jesus
promises to give? He will give rest
now to all who come to Him for
pardon. He will give them peace
in their hearts, and in their souls;
and He has prepared an eternal rest
for them, which they will enjoy
hereafter in Heaven.

But Jesus said something more
to the “weary and heavy laden.”
He said, “Take my yoke upon you,
and learn of me, for I am meek end
lowly of heart; and ye shall find
rest unto your souls.” What does
this mean ?

To take a yoke upon us, means to
submit, willingly and obediently,
and to be ready to bear with pa-
tience whatever may be put upon
us. Now Christ has a yoke for all
His people to wear;—He requires
from them obedience to His com-