have known, more or less, the sweetness of such meditation; and if so, that no pleasures of earth are to be compared with it. But have you been diligent as you ought to be, in following after what

is so satisfying, so improving? Do you not come vastly short of what you must have observed in David, and other Scripture saints; such even as possessed fewer advantages than you? Is there not much in Christians that calls for humiliation in this respect? Much, I will add, that calls for blame and reprehension? Do we not suffer our minds to be careful and troubled about many things, to the great detriment of our souls? Do we not devote much more time and thought to the world, and much less to the retired service of religion, than is our duty and our interest?

This is an age in which men-religious men-do so in an uncommon and lamentable degree: in a degree which the writings of some preceding ages would condemn, as almost incompatible with a state of true piety. To this, it is owing no doubt, that Christians are no more fruitful and no more joyful.

I would address a few words to another description of persons. Are there none who are consciously strangers to all that joy in God, of which we have spoken? Who, if they at all read the Scriptures, and attend divine worship, do it not from

any spiritual pleasure they find, or expect to find in it? You, my friends, are unable to say, with the Psalmist, My meditation of God shall be sweet."

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On the contrary, you have not loved to think of God: with more pleasure, you turn your thoughts to any other subject. Especially with regard to the holiness of God; so far from saying with exultation, Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill, for the Lord our God is holy;" your inward wish has been that he were not so holy, that he would wink at sin, that he would let you go on in it, and yet not punish you. Not deliverance from every sin, but impunity in it, has been your heart's desire. Does not this shew that you are without true internal holiness; consequently that in your present state, you "cannot see the Lord ? You care not to think of God: surely then you love not God: for what friend is there whom you love, of whom you do not like to think?

You wish he hated sin less, or that he did not know your sins: that is, you wish he were not what he is and what is this but to be as the apostle says" enemies against God." The being what he is especially so holy, is what constitutes his character and his glory; to wish that he were not so, is so to dislike his true character, as to

wish it did not exist. See then your need of reconciliation. See then your need of being born again. See your awful state,-enemies against God, "The wrath of God abideth on you." All the perfections of God, so sweet to the believer, are directed against you!-Who can rest in such a state? "Flee from the wrath to come." Even now God waiteth to be gracious-beseecheth you to be reconciled. "Now therefore is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation." "Be ye reconciled unto God."

SERMON II.

PSALM XLII. 5.

HOPE THOU IN GOD.

THESE words may be considered not only as the address of David to his own soul, in a season of great distress; but as the voice of Revelation to man, the one grand exhortation which it addresses to him. The Almighty "looketh upon men: he sees them as all creatures must necessarily be -in themselves, poor, needy, and dependent: he sees them as sinners, bound fast in the chains of depravity, the slaves of Satan, exposed to the terrors of a guilty conscience; to the penalty of a broken law; and cursed with the sense of vanity and vexation in all their pursuits. He sees them in this miserable situation to which by sin they are reduced, looking out for some one to comfort them; but, alas! instead of betaking themselves to Him who alone can effectually help them, fleeing to objects which can only increase disaplooketh upon pointment and distress.

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men," thus entangled in error and overwhelmed with misery; and though their crimes might well provoke his wrath to their destruction, yet, he is pleased to regard them with mercy, and to hold out to them the light of hope. The language in which he addresseth them is such as this: " ye sons of men," ye have destroyed yourselves, but in me is your help : "Look unto me and be ye now yourselves with me, and be at peace : Hope ye in God:" possess ye indeed, the hope which ye so anxiously grasp at, but let it not be placed on things which cannot profit, on creatures which can only disappoint you, but on ME; in me, whom by your sins ye have justly displeased, but who am still ready to have mercy upon you and succour you!'

saved: " Acquaint

Such is the merciful and gracious address of Divine Revelation at large, and of the Gospel of Christ in particular, to mankind: and it is briefly summed up in my text: "Hope thou in God." I will speak

I. Of the NATURE OF THIS HOPE IN GOD. II. Shew the EXTREME NEED WHICH MAN HAS OF IT.

III. Consider the OBSTACLES AND THE ENCOURAGEMENTS TO ITS EXERCISE.

IV. And Lastly, apply the text as AN EXHORTATION, and say to each of you-" Hope thou in God."