And now, for a moment, I turn from you who receive as most welcome these evidences of the harmony of your own view with that of your truly apostolical Communion,-to you, (should any such be here,) who may not be so willing to be determined by the authority of your Church. Examine for yourselves whether your hesitation to adopt what she here so plainly teaches you, and all her members, for comfort and edification, viz., that a believer may know Christ to be his beloved and his friend,-may have assurance of God's favour and goodness towards him, and of his being united to Christ and incorporated into his mystical body, by his being an heir of Christ's everlasting kingdom,-examine for yourselves, I intreat you, whether the case stands thus with you, not only that you have not yet received that faith which is the operation of God, but that you have not yet desired it? If you do not ask of him to give it you, for the sake of your present and eternal peace, yet permit me to urge on you, at least to beware that you do not dispute against it, lest you be found fighting against God! But, oh! if you wish for a calm, serene conscience, free from the guilt of sin, and saved from the power and dominion of it, beg that you may know an interest in the Lord Jesus, for until you know it, you cannot live on the promises, nor enjoy the comfort of his gospel; if you hope at last to stand with a full pardon before the judg

ment-seat, consider that you cannot do so without an application to your soul of the blood of Christ, which was poured out for us all, to bring us all to peace and reconciliation with God. Reflect, that to die without Christ is to be without prospect now, without salvation then :-pause over the thought, not only that without holiness no man shall see the Lord, but that the Spirit of Christ can alone create this holiness in your heart or any heart. Do you not believe yourself a sinner, -then you are the only being in all creation for . whom Christ did not die, and the benefits of his death are unnecessary for you alone, of all the sons of men, and you declare that you stand in no need of peace in possession, and of heaven in reversion. In one of the excellent collects often have you prayed, (have you often prayed it?) "that they who do lean only upon the hope of God's heavenly grace, may ever more be defended by his mighty power, through Jesus Christ." On what or on whom, art thou leaning thy immortal soul at this moment? God at one glance sees where its trust is, if he sees it not relying on his bleeding Son's cross. May he in mercy convince thee of thy dangerous error, and wake thee from the sleep of death!

To you of a third description, happily convinced, by grace, of sin, and guilt, and danger, and willing to accept the offers of a Saviour's love, but not by grace, matured in the

faith which, more and more unto the bright and perfect day increaseth in each seeking soul the comfort and vigour of divine affection, I would not conclude without a word of exhortation. You are brought to the margin of the land of rest; so near are you to it as to have a glimpse of the Canaan that is to be yours; you have not, as yet, however, tasted of the milk and honey reserved for you. You know the promise in the text, I "will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you," to have emanated from the beloved friend of sinners, and therefore to be especially addressed to you. You have not yet the full sunshine of the gospel on your soul; your heavenliness of principle wants further strength from on high; but you are encouraged by past mercies, to go to the throne where all blessings are dispensed on the subjects of the Redeemer's kingdom. With the sense now so secure of Christ's readiness to receive you, and of the necessity of your going to him once and for ever, you will, in a degree, far beyond those who have never known a ray of it in their own souls, be responsible for the light which has been imparted to you. Close then with the invitation that is made to you; take Jesus for your God; commit yourselves into his hands, and he will sweetly, and increasingly give you the present comforts of salvation, and prepare you for the eternal sabbath of the Lord! May the God of all consolation

assure every one of you of your interest in the beloved Redeemer's friendship, that you may receive many happy proofs of it in time, and its entire fruition in eternity.

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SERMON XV.

THE HOLY FEAR OF THE FAITHFUL SOUL.

HEBREWS iv. 1, 2.

Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached as well as unto them, but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

ONE of the leading points on which the gospel fixes the attention of believers is, that so long as they are in the flesh, they are not, as yet, come to their resting place. However deep the holiness, and however spiritual the motives, which are by grace implanted in the soul, and expanded in the life, they are never suffered to forget that upon earth they are strangers and pilgrims, that they have here no continuing city, but that they are to seek one to come. Indeed, a necessary effect of