The believers cross (Quality: Good)

[0:00] The Lord helping us, I ask your attention to the Gospel as recorded by Luke chapter 23 and verse 26.

[0:14] Chapter 23 of the Gospel as recorded by Luke and verse 26. And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country.

[0:33] And on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus. And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country.

[0:53] And on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus. It is not, I do not desire to but keep to the spiritual.

[1:17] Not to speak anything of what Simon was. Not that he was anything in particular. He came from Cyrenia, which as you will look in your maps at some other time, you will find was of that nation or those nations which were found at Jerusalem at the time of the day of Pentecost.

[1:44] Pentecost, they were that nation or part of those people were, heard the Gospel in their own tongues on that day of Pentecost as it's recorded in the second chapter of the Acts.

[2:03] These were, these were people who were amazed at the goodness and mercy of God that they could hear in their own tongues.

[2:15] The word of God. But it is the spiritual significance of such a word that we must keep to, not the historical nor the geographical.

[2:29] And it is this subject, that they, as they led him away, they laid hold upon one, a Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.

[2:44] To other Gospels have the words compel. They were, he was compelled to carry the cross. But it is the experience, and it shall be the experience of every vessel of mercy, every soul under divine grace, everyone who shall be in faith and love followers of the meek and lowly Jesus, they shall have a cross.

[3:21] And it shall be theirs till the day that they are taken to glory, or until the day the Lord delivers them from it.

[3:33] It will be a cross which will suit, will not suit them, but it is a cross that is given them, that is to be measured for them, to experience.

[3:46] And they can manage, we can manage other people's crosses, we may say so, but we shall never, without the grace of God, continue under the cross that he has given.

[4:06] But it is to be noticed too, that they shall bear it after Jesus. I believe by that, and I stand corrected if it can be proved otherwise, that it is that Jesus first must be before his people.

[4:28] It is a cross too, that without his grace, will indeed be so irksome, and so troubling, and so distressing.

[4:39] And my friends, that is what it is for. And those that carry the cross, that is their own, that cross that is given to them, will find this, that they need continued grace, and they can need continued help.

[5:00] It is not something that is light, that they can go along with unmolested, or unhindered. It is something that will bear them down. And another thing about the cross of Jesus Christ, and the cross of the Lord's dear people, is this, that it is to be known in public, this cross.

[5:22] It's not something that's hidden behind doors. It is often, of course, to be known, more and more, by those who carry a cross.

[5:33] But it will be seen, as one, as it has been given to them, as believers, and followers of Christ Jesus. And the purpose of the cross, well, my friends, what would you do without it?

[5:51] What would you do without it? How high you would fly, as it were, in religion. How high you would stand. The purpose of the cross, dear friends, is to hold you down.

[6:07] To hold you down. Make you to be, more like Jesus Christ. More in complete dependency, upon Jesus Christ. More his presence, you will want to see, and feel.

[6:20] More of his words, you will want to hear. It will be a cross, that is therefore public, as the cross of Jesus Christ, was public. But it is a cross, has its purposes.

[6:34] My friends, to keep you and I low. To keep us from that dreaded, awful sin, of the nature, that we have within us. That we might lose, we may lose, we must lose, the pride of our own heart.

[6:50] We must be delivered, such, exhorted situations, and circumstances, that we might come into, by religion, and by the places, that we are brought in, in our profession.

[7:06] But as they led him away, they laid hold, upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him, they laid the cross, that he might bear it, after Jesus.

[7:18] But then, too, there is the other side, of this blessed word, dear friends, and that is, what the, dear apostle wrote, when he, wrote his, very affectionate letter, to the Philippian church.

[7:38] in chapter 3, we find, these words, that I may, know him, and the power, of his resurrection, and the fellowship, of his sufferings, being made, conformable, unto, his death.

[7:56] But it is those words, the fellowship, of his sufferings, the Lord Jesus Christ, which has just turned, aside from the, people of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, bear a cross, bore a cross, publicly, he was crucified, publicly, he fell under, the words, of holy wrath, cursed, by everyone, that is, hung on a tree, oh, he suffered the curse, in carrying the, in being crucified, but the cross, and all its, shame, my friends, was born with, that, grace, and patience, and love, to his people, that cross, which the Lord Jesus Christ, was crucified on, was a place, of mercy, was a place, my friends, where you and I, must come to, if we are believers, and followers of him, to see what the cross, represents, oh, there was contempt, of Christ, there was derision, against Christ, there was the notice, that they put up, on the cross, this is the king, of the Jews, oh, and sometimes, in your feelings, it may well be, that you would have, erased those words, and you would have, put on it, mercy, mercy, because that's where, that, that is where, mercy for sinners, is to be found, at the cross, of Jesus Christ, and he bore it, for his people's sake, he was crucified, to that cross, in love, to his people, there he bore, their sins away, there he suffered, the just, for the unjust, there he suffered, in that way, which is indescribable, by the words, that we might use, because we might, put together words, as it were, to describe, the sufferings, but my friends, it doesn't describe, the pain, it doesn't describe, it doesn't describe, the anguish, it doesn't describe, the loneliness, it doesn't describe, cannot describe, either, the condemnation, of that cross, and it certainly, cannot describe, dear friends, what he so, felt, in his own, holy soul, the hidings, of his father's face, but it is a blessed place, to come to, his cross, oh it is a most, sacred place, if you want, and I'm sure, believers do, and not only once, but many times, in their pathway, if you want, some sweet confirmation, of your interest, in the person, of Christ, may the Holy Ghost, take you by faith, to Calvary, to where the Lamb, was slain, and as they, led him away, they laid, hold upon, one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out, of the country, and on him, they laid the cross, that he might, bear it, after Jesus, it is, and it always, surely, must do, signify, a believer, one of the ways, not only, the way, but one of the ways, in which, a believer, is, to be seen, as a believer, it is, in the cross, that he carries, is, we must also, say this, my friends, and I do so, in love, to your souls, it's not, only to be, it is a cross, that the Lord, will give you, it is not, to be mixed up, or to be, identified, in the many trials, and troubles, of the way, they are different, the hardships, of the way, the crooks, in the lot, and so on, they have their place, and they are, part of the pathway, of which, the Lord's dear people, shall travel, you mustn't, line up, everything, that you have, to experience, as being the cross, afflictions, of body, or mind, may not, necessarily, the cross, you know, they are, what all men, all mankind, will come into, but this, exercised, soul, and this, burdened soul, and the distressed soul, of a believer, because, there is, laid upon him, a cross, of which, he cannot lay down, you will find people,

[12:54] I have found people, who, at one time, will tell you, the cross they have, and in the next moment, I'll say, well we've not got, that cross now, and you're making, inquiries, and they've made, arrangements, they've laid it down, they've managed, to be rid of it, my friends, you will never, get rid of your cross, all the time, you live in this world, of sin and woe, unless the Lord, takes it off of you, unless the Lord, lays it down, and removes it, from you, before the Lord, Jesus Christ, was the cross, and I say it, with as much reverence, as I could command, there was no, avoidance of that cross, there was no, other way, of which, the Lord Jesus Christ, must walk, nor was there, any other death, that he should die, nor there should be, any other suffering, that he should experience, but through this cross, as we may read, this afternoon, and when they were, come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and my friends, it will be a place, which was, appointed of God, and a way, appointed of God, and it was a place, where mercy to sinners, is to be found, it was in, the cross of the Lord Jesus, but the cross, that you and I, must carry, if we are believers, it is after him, why is it, so put then, and on him, they laid the cross, that he might bear it, after Jesus, well, as the hymn said, just now, whether the forerunner, has for us entered, there is the, evidence of the, sufferings of Christ, before his people, bearing it after Jesus, here is the example, of the cross, he is the example, of the necessity, of the cross, he is the example, of the shame, of the cross, he is the example, of the sufferings, of the cross, the necessity, of that cross, the appointed way, of mercy, for the church, was in that cross, and he could not, avoid it, in this gospel, somewhere, it says this, but I have a baptism, to be baptized with, and how am I, straightened, until it be accomplished, now, my friends, to all believers, and followers, of him, they shall, be given a cross, they will not, choose it, they will not, be given, one they could manage, if your cross, is light, it's not a cross, it's not a cross, if it's burdensome, if it is, followed by, the, powers of evil, and satanic, suggestions, and temptations, if it is something, which, even,

[16:08] I was going to say, fellow believers, do not understand, if it is given of God, it has a purpose, and you will not, be able to lay it down, nor turn from it, nor to be released from it, and there are, there are occasions, in the experiences, of the people of God, and they are very few occasions, when they would not be, without that cross, and on him, they laid the cross, that he might bear it, after Jesus, it is the sign, it is the evidence, of a believer, in Jesus Christ, one of the signs, one of the evidence is, it is also, as it is decreed, by almighty God, who it shall be, who are his people, and what their cross, shall be, it will be, a cross, that has its effect, and it will, continually, have its effect, you will prove, my friends, to your shame, and sorrow, that you will, rebel against this cross, you will fight, against it, you would wish it away, but so, did the apostle Paul, in that second epistle, when he was given, event to, the blessings, of his soul, in that remarkable, occasion, he said, 14 years, previously, he had such a blessing, and then he said this, lest I should be, exalted above measure, there was given unto me, a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, and that was his cross, and he did, what you and I, would do, we would, take it to the throne, of grace, we would, beg the Lord, to remove it, and I feel, my friends, there is some understanding, of the man's feelings, that he could do, he could do well,

[18:12] I was going to say, in his ministry, or in his, in his exercises, without such a, cross to carry, but, thrice, he said, I prayed, and then, the Lord spoke, and the Lord spoke, those, I was going to say, immortal words, they surely are, they came from heaven, they came with power, to the soul, of the apostle, and he said unto me, my grace, is sufficient, and dear friends, if you, if you and I, have a cross to bear, it will only be, by his grace, will we be, upheld, under that cross, well, we said what it's for, let this mind, be in you, which was also, in Christ Jesus, I believe, we mentioned, those words, which is in the second, chapter of the, Philippians, Romans, but read them again, at sure leisure, who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery, to be equal with God, but made himself, of no reputation, and took upon him, the form of a servant, and was made, in the likeness of men, and being found, in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient, unto death, even the death, of the cross, dear friends, if you have a cross, you know your old nature, well, you will know that well, you will know, it's rebellious, mind, you will know, it's irksome spirit, you will know, that it will, connive, and it will, attempt to, be rid of such, things, but dear friends, the purpose of the cross, is that you and I, might walk more like, the Lord Jesus Christ, in spirit, now the cross, will have this, this effect also, my friends, it will, as we,

[20:17] I believe said, as we started, it will keep us, low, and will keep us, humble, and will keep us, dependent, you know, there's nothing, better, for a child, of God, to be, poor, and needy, and religious, in spiritual, things, nothing, nothing better, to be poor, and needy, there's nothing, better, to adapt, in your profession, or in your walk, that you are, absolutely, and totally, dependent, on the grace of God, to uphold you, support you, and deliver you, and bring you through, there's nothing, more important, my friends, than absolute, dependence, on your God, and another, great, important thing, my friends, is this, that it will, that he will, sustain you, under that cross, and on him, they laid the cross, that he might bear it, after Jesus, oh, he will indeed, sustain, he will uphold, that cross, is not there, to destroy, that cross, is not the frown, of God, upon you, although you may be, given a cross, because, for the effect, of his chastening hand, it's certainly, not there, to destroy, the chastening, of the Lord, is misunderstood, by even believers, if they view, the chastening hand, of God, it's not judgment, and it never, will be judgment, you remember, what the apostle, wrote to the Hebrews, no chastening, therefore, seemeth to be, joyous, but grievous, nevertheless, afterward, it yieldeth, the peaceable fruits, of righteousness, to them, which are, exercised thereby, but remember, the words of Christ, those are the words, you want to remember, as many as I love,

[22:14] I rebuke, and chasten, be zealous, therefore, and repent, and on him, they laid the cross, that he might bear it, after Jesus, who are these, therefore, that are, bearers, of the cross, they're not, necessary, those who, wear them, round their neck, not at all, that, give a symbol, of religion, as they walk about, they're not, the sort, my friends, these are not, these, so, well, upheld, and supported, people, in religion, that would boast, of their, involvement, in religion, would boast, of their profession, would boast, of what they do, for the church, or what they do, for Christ, these are not so, such, that are given, crosses, to carry, my friends, are those, who are, by the cross, made humble, made, by the cross, made obedient, by the cross, and as I said, a moment ago, and there are those, very infrequent, occasions, when you will, bless the Lord, for the cross, and you will, bless the Lord, for his grace, that he's given you, to carry the cross,

[23:33] I think it was, and again, correct me, at another time, I think it was, Francis Coval, wasn't he, that somebody said, to him, that you're so, graciously helped, and you're so, supported, in your ministry, there must be, some ballast somewhere, and he drew, a curtain aside, and he showed us, his son, who was, mentally, afflicted, and there, was his cross, and on him, they laid the cross, that he might bear it, after Jesus, one of the, most effectual, benefits of this cross, dear friends, and I, forgive me, if I just go over, those words, but it will keep you, more and more, closer to Christ, many errands, to the mercy seat, you will have, many cries, from your, sorrowing heart, and distress, spirit, you will make, oh it will be, and you will know, by it my friends, and you will, and you'll have to, cry and mourn, and beg, because of it, you know this, that the cross, will never get lighter, not as you, are so, opposed to it, by nature, but you'll be found, at the throne of grace, seeking, the presence of the Lord, the fellowship of Christ, and to be your comfort, in carrying the cross, and I, as I said, it was a, it is a public way, and manner, it is something, that to keep you and I, humble, and submissive, and low, at his feet, it is the evidence, of his mercy, towards us, because he balances it, by his grace, and by his presence, the words of Elihu, in the book of Job, just drops in, where he says, does thou know, the balancing of the clouds, whether I can find it, to read it correctly,

[25:36] I, feel my friends, when you, when you, read the script, or when you quote the scriptures, we should, quote them accurately, and if not, read them, so that you get it, correctly, correctly, first of all, in the 37th chapter, of Job, he said, he causes it to come, whether for correction, or as the margin says, a rod, or for his land, or for mercy, but then he says, does thou know, the balance into the clouds, the wondrous works of him, which is perfect in knowledge, you may wonder sometimes, you may be left, to query or question, what it is, that the Lord has done, and why does he do it, why does he give you this cross, this burden, this severe exercise, why does he do it, what's his method, I thought you would say, I thought it was in love, to my soul, that he would lead me about, and guide me, and direct me, and bring me to the glories, of heaven at last, you know, one of the, one of the, fruits of the cross, that a child of grace, carries you know, is it will make you, sick of self, and fond of him, it will, it will take from your, spiritual view, at least, from you, from the spiritual view, of it, it will take, it will take from you, the love of this world, it will remove, far from you, as you are in, graciously exercised, about it, my friends, to be conformed, to this world, oh, what is it, the apostle said, be not conformed, to this world, and the cross, will deliver you, from conformity, to this world, it will deliver you, from seeking, for what the world, seeks after, you know, the cross, will be a burden, to you, and to your precious soul, and it will be, the means in God's hands, to make you, more like him, and indeed, to bring it, to bring you, to inconformity, to the way, in which he will, have you go, and I believe, there is something else, that we might say, about the purpose, of this cross, and I would say, very carefully, my friends, it will make you, useful to the church, of Christ, useful to the church, of Christ, whatever office, it may please, the Lord, to put his people in, whether as a humble, believer, and follower, of the Lord Jesus, or in a desk, or in a pulpit, my friends, if he gives you, ballast, to hold you down, to make you, conform to his image, more, to walk in the ways, appointed by him, in obedience, to him, who walked, his suffering pathway, for you, my friends, he will give you, this, burden, this cross, this deep exercise, which shall be, for the profit, of the people, of God, you know what, it comes to me again, what the apostle wrote, to the church, at Philippi, though it was, a very deep, and distressing, occasion, to him, but what a gracious, blessing, it was, to his soul, and you know, though it has, the adverse effect, upon nature, though it is, by, reason, not understood, and though you may, by nature, so, be, rebellious against it, and distressed by it, and so on, my friends, the purpose of God, in these things, is for the, first of all, for his own, honour and glory, but also, dear friends, for the, enlargement, of, the knowledge, of grace, and of Christ himself, and for the good, of your spiritual experience, now, the dear apostle, who was in prison, when he wrote to Philippi, and he said this,

[29:55] I would, that you should understand, brethren, that the things, which happened unto me, have fallen out, rather, unto the furtherance, of the gospel, sure it is, there will be many people, for, the apostle Paul, will be praying for him, pray for his deliverance, pray that once more, he may, take his journey, and preach the word, and demonstrate, the gospel of Christ, to know, look not upon the cross, as being something, that prevents, but, not only, as it does prevent, but, as it may be spiritually viewed, that you might, look upon the cross, by the grace of God, given to you, that he will make it, more profitable, to your immortal soul, the thing, which happened unto me, has fallen out, rather, to, for the furtherance, of the gospel, within you, and as they, led him away, they laid hold, upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out, of the country, and on him, they laid the cross, that he might bear it, after Jesus, be sure of this, too, troubled soul, you will know, much of the need, of his presence, but you will also know, much of his presence, there will be those, sacred times, and seasons, where he himself, will draw near, where he himself, will speak, to you, and support you, by his mercy, and his goodness, oh, it is a favoured, and yet, my friends, it's only a favour, to your, to the new man, of grace, it is only a comfort, to the new man, of grace, one of the mercies, you know, which perhaps, we might just, deviate a moment, one of the most, gracious blessings, that we may, learn from these things, is when we're brought, into them, and within the, control, and appointments, of God, within these things, they turn to us, as blessings,

[32:08] I think, of affliction, as one of those, places, none of us, would ever, want to be in, the Lord, keep us in health, that we don't have to, walk paths, of affliction, we would say, but if the Lord, laid affliction, upon you, and took you aside, for a while, and in that, taking aside, and, weakening your, strength in the way, and bringing you, into, those, sad places, that afflictions, bring a people, that he might, meet your precious soul, and bless you, you would glorify, God in your affliction, you would praise him, and bless him, that though the means, to all nature, may seem strange, it is by these, means, these means, that he's, that he does, do your soul good, when it came to my mind, then, and you probably guessed, in the 38th, of Isaiah, that case, of Hezekiah, when he was, first of all, troubled with, the enemies, of Judah, and they were, amassing it, as it were, in the borders, of Judah, and Jerusalem, they threatened, to overthrow his kingdom, and to remove him, and so they could, left to themselves, they had many, victories, that they could, point to, as examples, of their strength, and then, in the midst of this, great adversity, from outside, came the adversity, inside, there came affliction, upon his loins, and it drove him, to the throne of grace, and we read, he turned his face, to the wall, and wept, but you know, he came to a time, when he could say, by these things, men live, and in all these things, is the life, of my spirit, oh, you may look, at affliction, with wrong views, you may look, at your cross, with wrong views, you may look, at the pathway, with a wrong view, why does it, and I suppose, everybody knows, this text, but why does, the apostle, write to the,

[34:15] Roman church, and say this, for we know, that all things, work together, not some things, not some of these things, which we can manage, not some of these things, that, well, with a bit of help, from someone else, we shall get through, but, for we know, that all things, work together, for good, to them, that love God, to them, who are the called, according to his purpose, to be a believer, and a follower, of Christ Jesus, dear friends, is to walk, in ways, of tribulation, the Lord Jesus, in the gospel of John, said in me, you shall have peace, in the world, you shall have tribulation, but, what else, did he say, in me, you shall have peace, in the world, you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome, the world, now, why does it, my friends, why does the Lord, do this, for his people, why do you have to walk, in these adverse paths, when you can see the world, like,

[35:18] Asaph did, as he records, in the 73rd Psalm, when you can see the world, and the world, he professes as well, we must include, that they get along, quite easy, they don't have the burdens, you have, and they don't seem, to be tried, like you are, and they even meet death, face to face, without, any distress, or trouble, or concern, because the Lord, would appoint it for you, my friends, and for me, such a pathway, but then you know, there is this underlying, truth, and comfort here, it's the path, of a believer, and it's a pathway, which will end in glory, these other characters, whom you have to let go, my friends, where does it end, where does it end, but it ends in, perdition, perdition, but the pathway, of a believer, is, is tribulation, in this world, it is opposition, in this world, it is persecution, in this world, of some sort, or another, it either comes, from within, or from without, but it's the pathway, my friends, and in your right mind, and when you're brought, in so sweet submission, to the will of God, you have to say, with the dear, psalmist of old, where he wrote, in that hundred and, seventh psalm, wasn't it, he led them forth, by the right way, that they might go, to a city of habitation, my friends, you are blessing, for the tribulation, because, and there is another thing, about this cross, this tribulated pathway, this distressing season, and time, of which believers, come into, it's also, a preventative means, it is also, a preventative means, where would you go, where would you get to, where would you be found, my friends, if there was no, cross to carry, no burden, to distress you, no trial, to trouble you, where would you get to, my friends, you would have religion, on the one hand, and the world, on the other, but the Lord, gives his people, those things, which is, meant, and does indeed, come to pass, it is for their, souls, profit and good, and it prevents them, and it keeps them, and it delivers them, my friends, from what their, natural self, would go into, and seek after,

[37:54] I've often, been reminded, there was a, there was a, a lady we knew, who used to live in, Kent, but she ended her days, back in the north, of England, and she was, extremely, afflicted, extremely, afflicted, she had to be, pushed about, in a, in a chair, and helped, do anything, and everything, and one day, when I was at, Rochdale Road, she says, you know, I bless God, for this infirmity, because I don't know, where I'd get to, if I was well, what I'd be left, to get to, and on him, they laid the cross, and I said, you know, a few moments ago, there are times, when you think, and I'll use a word, I hope it's the right word, of the privilege, of the cross, of the privilege, of the cross, it's not often, you can bless God, for trouble, or for the trial, or for the affliction, let alone the cross, my friends, it's that clear evidence, of the Holy Spirit's, teaching in your soul, when he gives this, cross, this burden, this exercise, to carry, and it is because, you shall be, not only a believer, in the Lord Jesus, but a follower, of the Lord Jesus, and it will be too, that, you will be made, so utter, utterly, and completely, dependent on his grace, and mercy in it, and on him, they laid the cross, that he might bear it, after Jesus, bear it with what, with patience, you say, where will you get, your patience from, my friends, the same place, where you get, your grace from, where will you get, the faith, to continue in the path, which is so, so distressing, to old nature,

[39:54] I often read, these words, and they are, precious words, my friends, but you are in a dark, and a deep place, in experience, when you come into, these words, and what grace, is needed, to lay hold of them, and to believe them, cast not away, therefore, your confidence, which hath great, recompense, of reward, for you have, need of patience, and after you have, done the will of God, you might receive, the promise, for yet a little while, and he that shall come, will come, and will not tarry, well, my friends, it isn't a light thing, not at all, it's not to be, lightly spoken of either, but it is, a one pathway, which, is the lot of God's people, find a Christian, without a cross, you know, and you'll find, an imposter, find a man, who boasts, of his profession, and he's got, no cross to carry,

[41:00] I'll tell you, one cross, I was not going to, I didn't feel, it is right either, to publicly speak, of what, sort of cross, you'll be given, you know, one of the greatest, and heaviest, and most distressing, crosses, of which a child, of God, can carry, you know, is himself, is himself, because you can't, lay down self, can you, you can't, as it were, separate, self, from your experience, because it's, always with you, it's always, at your, hand, to distress, or to trouble, it is, something, which is, in league, with Satan, and is often, the means, to distress, the child of God, the cross, my friends, often, is yourself, and you have, to mourn, over it, you have, to seek, the Lord, for grace, one of the, one of the most, trying, circumstances, and situations, of which, a child of God, shall endure, is this, you know, he'll learn, this truth, but being called, by invisible grace, never changed, his nature, never changed, his nature, being called, by invisible grace, never stopped, him, sinning, oh, it gave him, a hatred to sin, made him, mourn, over sin, made him, weep, over sin, but it made him, pray that grace, would subdue sin, and grace, would subdue self, and as they, led him away, they laid hold, upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out, of the country, and on him, they laid the cross, that he might, bear it, after Jesus, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen,

[43:20] I'll close this morning, by singing hymn number 216, by the tune Sweet Name, number 730. now, well, the tune's sweet name, number 730.

[43:37] Hymn number 216 Lord, come in thy appointed ways and teach me now to sing thy praise for thou art dear to me and all the openings of thy love in coming from thy courts above prove I was dear to thee.

[44:14] Hymn number 216 O Lord, come in thy voice O Lord, come in thy voice O Lord, come in thy voice O Lord, come in thy voice O Lord, come in thy voice O Lord, come in thy voice Amen.

[45:44] Amen. Amen.

[46:44] Amen. Amen.

[47:44] Amen. Amen.

[48:44] Amen. Amen.

[49:42] Amen. We seek, O Lord, thy blessing. We ask of thee forgiveness. O Lord, thine own word use and bless.

[49:54] O pardon all that has been wrong in thy sight. Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship and communion of the Holy Spirit remain with us each, both now and forever.

[50:12] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.