make you happy-that you have found the pearl of great price, the one thing needful both for time and eternity; and recollect, that should you meet with disappointments, or trials, or afflictions for the word's sake, that you are only treading the path which the Lord of life and glory trod before you; and ever remember, "that eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath the heart of man conceived the good things which thou, O God, hast prepared for them that love thee."

This will sustain you when tried, and comfort you when cast down; and in thus contemplating the goodness and mercy of God, and the abundant consolations contained in his word, you will be enabled to rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory, "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith."

In conclusion, allow me to remark, that if I address any here, who are still in the state mentioned in the text, dead in sin, and dead to God-and, remember, this is the state of every man, until quickened by divine grace— I would beseech them to think, what will be the end of all such. The word of God declares, that not only the wicked, shall be turned into hell," but all the people who forget God." However amiable you may appear in

Second Series.

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your own eyes-however useful you may be in the world, or however inoffensive towards your fellow sinners, in the sight of God, you are utterly defiled and polluted-"dead in trespasses and sins"-"Awake, thou that sleepest, and ARISE FROM THE DEAD, and Christ shall give thee light." The day of judgment is fast approaching, and the offers of free pardon, and mercy, and grace have been set before you; and if you madly neglect the warning, stifle the convictions of conscience, and plunge into the cares or pleasures of the world, what will be your portion, when the righteous judge shall sit upon his great white throne-when the judgment shall be set, and the books opened? In that day, the careless, the impenitent, the unbelieving, the pleasure-loving, shall call on the rocks to fall on them, and the mountains to cover them from the presence of the Lamb. But they shall call in vain; because they have slighted his mercy, despised his reproof, and disregarded his servants, he also will mock at their calamity, and laugh when their fear cometh; the longsuffering Saviour will then appear as the lion of the tribe of Judah, to take vengeance on them "that believe not God, and that obey not his Gospel." In compassion then to yourselves, in compassion to your never-dying

souls, hear the voice of sovereign love and mercy, "Turn ye, turn ye to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope"-turn to that gracious Saviour, who willeth not the death of a sinner, but "rather that he should turn from his wickedness and live"-turn to him, and verily ye shall find rest to your souls; a rest here from sin, and that glorious and blessed rest, prepared for the people of God hereafter.

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SERMON V.

1 John v. 19.

« THE WHOLE WORLD LIETH IN WICKEDNESS."

IF you take any man, who is living just like his neighbours around him—that is, in the spirit of this present world, and are desirous of bringing such a person under the influences of serious religion; the first point to be gained with him, is to convince him of sin, to show him, and prove to him, that he is a sinner. Nor is this an easy task. I am not now supposing the case of one who lives in what the world itself calls sin a murderer, an adulterer, an open violator of any known law. These will be seldom found so infatuated as to set up a righteousness of their own, and in consequence will often submit themselves to the righteousness which is of faith while the prudent liver, and the formal professor, reject the counsel of God against themselves.