man.

one of those who may walk by a different light. If they are faithful and sincere, they will grow from one degree of strength to another, until they all come, in the unity of faith, unto a perfect No marvel therefore that such sentiments prevail. I remember the time when I was first met with. I was weak-but as I advanced in spiritual life, I laid by childish things. Many doubtless believe unto righteousness from the sufferings of the outward spirit. The soul as well as the body is capable of great improvement, and as we advance in life we should progress towards the centre of everlasting rest and peace. Be faithful unto the Spirit. As you attend to it, you will be brought more and more under its guidance. We live in a day of great religious inquiry. I would by no means discourage you; and although I have no controversy with my friends on these topics, yet I dare not presume to set up my own opinion as a standard for others. If by setting up an outward form or ceremony good can be produced, then obedience may be shown to it, and it will evince its charity by its fruits. But if it produces a kind of violent zeal and enthusiasm, like the whirlwind and the fire, and carries away the mind in scattered fragments, then may we know that it is not of God. God has nothing

to do with the deluded votaries of ambition. "Wo unto him that striveth with his Maker. Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say unto him that fashioneth it, what makest thou? or thy work; He hath no hands?" Have your faces covered with the mantle of God's love, and all the reasonings of man shall not be able to confound you. You shall stand sure amid the confused noise of the battle of the warrior and garments rolled in blood. Be steadfast, therefore, and firm, for he that hath fear hath sorrow. Perfect love casteth out all fear. Be afraid only of thinking an evil thought, or doing an evil action. Go on in obedience to the will of God, and he shall preserve you forever from the snares of death.

SERMON IV.

DELIVERED BY EDWARD HICKS IN FRIENDS' MEETING HOUSE, HESTER-STREET, NEW-YORK; FIRST DAY AFTERNOON, THE 15th of fifth month, 1825.

THE affecting and encouraging intimation of our blessed Saviour to the desponding soul has been very feelingly brought to my mind in my private exercises, since I came into this meeting in which he made use of language on this wise -"Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Come unto me is the language. This is the only place, and we can never find rest to our souls but by coming to Christ. The Apostle Paul in the course of his religious experience found that there remained a rest unto the people of God. And although many may suppose that the testimony respecting the condition where the wicked cease from troubling, and where the weary be at rest," refers to a future state, yet I have no doubt that it may be experienced in a degree in the present. For the apostle says, "he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his." Now what are we to understand

by this? Many think it will furnish an argument that this means the day of rest. But I believe that the apostle went deeper, and considered the rest to be the condition into which the soul of man should be brought. The soul of man was created in the image of God and must partake of his nature. It must be clothed with his attributes. Yet how difficult it is to be still! But we never can know by experience the rest spoken of, until we come to cease from our own works, as God did from his. It is stated in the scriptures of truth, that after creating the universe he rested on the seventh day, and from this many think the seventh part of time more holy and consecrated than the rest. The corporeal sense would think that on the seventh day the Creator sat down, as it were to rest, having ceased from creating. But the more rational soul will consider that He might have gone on, creating worlds forever, and never been tired. All God's children rest when they cease from their own works. Man, being created in the image of God, is a very active creature, and has been creating little worlds for his own glory. Have you not often witnessed with what activity their minds are employed, when engaged in this work? But this activity is injurious to the soul; for this it is which keeps us from the enjoyment of that peace which forms the rest of

the people of God. They set their ingenuity to work to create something of their own hands which shall furnish to them a source of enjoyment-and it is one of God's greatest blessings that he has demolished these temples. It is a great mercy that he has frustrated these plans of happiness. When these vain defences are swept away, the soul feels weary and heavy laden, and in a proper state to come unto his rest. O the goodness and mercy of God! Jesus our Saviour is still inviting us. He addresses every soul, "Come unto me, ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Come unto Christ and he will give you that rest which remaineth for the people of God. Cease from all your own willings and runnings-follow after his pattern, be guided by his precepts, and he will give you rest. This is the city of rest; a city which hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it; for the glory of God doth light it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. Why do ye spend your precious time in the pursuit of that which can never bring you into his, rest? Come to the rest in the Holy Jerusalem, having the glory of God, clear as crystal. Strive to enter into it through the pearl gates, there alone is safety-for without it are dogs. There is deep instruction in this. The soul that has not come to this, is in jeopardy, and in a state of