established by all the evidence which establishes the Gospel. So far from yielding to the erroneous notion, that no such intercourse can be believed without enthusiasm; remember that it is the object of all Divine revelation, and most especially the nature of the Christian faith, by removing the veil of ignorance, and setting aside the barrier of sin, to diminish the distance which separates God from men; and thus to prepare them by degrees for that future state of glory, in which they may see their "Maker face to face, and know him, even as they are now known of him." * The assurance of the Scriptures is, "Draw nigh unto God, and he will draw nigh unto you+: but a vague apprehension that any of the acts or thoughts by which we can draw nigh unto him are to be avoided as enthusiastic, that any of the comfortable assurances by which he draws nigh unto us are to be regarded as visionary, deprives us of all the "joy and peace in believing" which that mysterious mercy, "God manifested in the flesh," was designed to afford. Indeed, you will not long incline your hearts towards him, or apply to the study of the Scriptures, to religious meditation, and prayer, without experiencing proof of the reality of a spiritual union with the Author of our faith, far beyond what argument can give, or external evidence supply. You will find the truth which is received within answered by the peace which arises in your hearts; you will find the surest testimony of Christ's presence there, from your in 1 Cor. xiii. 12. + James, iv. 8. creasing desire of holiness, and increasing power over your remaining corruption. You will find that the " grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the communion of the Holy Spirit," are real and substantial gifts, attesting the divinity and confirming the truth of Him who hath redeemed us, and rewarding as many as receive him, and abide in him, with that "peace of God which passeth all understanding." JOHN HEWLETT, D.D. F.A.S. RECTOR OF HILGAY, MORNING PREACHER AT THE FOUNDLING HOSPITAL, AND LATE CHAPLAIN IN ORDINARY TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE REGENT. "Sermons on Various Subjects." Rivingtons. 1825. THE DUTY OF STUDYING THE HOLY SCRIPTURES WITH PATIENCE. ROM. XV. 4. Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. WHENEVER We are led by the temptations of the world, acting on our own sinful propensities, to violate the obligations of any Christian duty, we know not what an accumulated train of evils may follow, as the natural consequence. For example, by first transgressing the bounds of temperance in a slight degree, habits of sensual indulgence and extreme profligacy have been gradually formed, which have led to disease and ruin, to infamy and untimely death. Many a thoughtless youth also, who in early life, when released from the wholesome control of parental authority, neglected his duty to God, and listened to the seductive voice of idleness or pleasure, has sunk, almost insensibly, into the lowest state of vice and dissipation; and, when standing on the verge of eternity, has confessed, with all the bitterness of remorse, that his sufferings and his crimes originated from the |