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miraculously, or as the natural result of their intemperance, we have no means of ascertaining. You cannot fail to perceive how groundless any apprehensions must be, that are founded on either of the foregoing passages.

Others, again, may feel inclined to take alarm at the solemnity of the pledge, which they may be supposed to give, by an attendance on this rite, that they will endeavour, in future, to amend their lives, and act as becomes disciples of Jesus. They may feel afraid, perhaps, and not without reason, that the world may feel disposed to point the finger of scorn at them, when it shall perceive the glaring discordance that exists between their solemn profession and their habitual practice. The apprehensions of such persons cannot, certainly, be considered as groundless. But what then? Are they to refuse the pledge? Are they, then, resolved to persist in their wickedness? Will this plea avail them before God? Will it avail them on the day of judgment? The only rational mode of escaping from such a dilemma, is to give the pledge, and to resolve to redeem it.

Another class of persons, perhaps, may be unwilling to appear too religious. They fear the ridicule of some thoughtless acquaintance.—

This obstacle is so extremely childish in its nature, that it is difficult to know how to deal with it. Were we summoned in the cause of Christ to submit to some serious calamity,-to testify the sincerity of our faith in him, by relinquishing some favourite and long cherished object of ambition, by parting with a considerable portion of our property,—by laying bare our breasts to persecution, and assuming the unbending port and dauntless aspect of a martyr, then, perhaps, it might be recommended to us, with a view of strengthening our resolution, to consider seriously the words of Christ, "Whoso shall be ashamed of me, and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father, with the holy angels." As it is, however, we should hardly be justified in such an application. Shame upon the ungrateful levity that can suffer the gratitude and affection we bear to a crucified Master, and the respect which we entertain for his authority, to be outweighed in the balance by the laughter of fools!

SERMON IX.

THE BOOK OF PSALMS.

PSALM i., 1.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

I HAVE selected this passage of Scripture at present, merely with a view to the position which it occupies. My object is to lay before you a few general observations relative to the Book of Psalms, of which it forms the com

mencement.

No person, my friends, who is convinced of the importance of revealed religion to the welfare and happiness of man, can avoid regretting most deeply, that too many persons in the present day are very neglectful of the perusal of the sacred writings. It is to be feared that they are not always read by individuals in private, or by parents to their families, with that care and constancy to which they are so well entitled. The causes of this neglect are va

rious; and some of them will require time for their removal. One of them is undoubtedly to be found in the very imperfect knowledge which most men possess of the true nature of the contents of the sacred volume. If, therefore, by now and then submitting to you a few remarks on the subject of the origin and contents of different books of Scripture, we can succeed in exciting in any mind an additional interest in them, or lead any one to draw more frequently or more copiously from those inexhaustible wells of pure enjoyment, as well as of salvation, the time so spent will not have been misemployed. May God accompany with his enriching blessing the humble efforts we make to promote our own improvement, and that of others.

There is no part of the Old Testament writings which has been found more productive of instruction and edification than the Book of Psalms. They have supplied the pious and the thoughtful, both amongst Jews and Christians, with subjects for reflection, and incitements to devotion. We are indebted to them for much of what is most valuable in the poetical productions, on sacred subjects, that have been presented to the church in modern times. They form, in short, a manual of piety, which is, in the strictest sense of the word, inestimable. To

employ, with a little alteration, the beautiful language of one who had made them the subject of his most careful study,-" Composed upon particular occasions, yet designed for general use, delivered out as services for Israelites under the law, yet, in most cases, no less adapted to the circumstances of Christians under the gospel, they present religion to us in the most engaging dress, communicating truths which philosophy could never investigate, in a style which poetry can never equal; while history is made the vehicle of prophecy, and creation lends all its charms to paint the glories of redemption. Calculated alike to profit and to please, they inform the understanding, elevate the affections, and entertain the imagination. Indited under the superintendence of Him to whom all hearts are known, and all events foreknown, they suit mankind in all situations, grateful as the manna descending from above, and conforming itself to every palate. The fairest productions of human wit, after a few perusals, like gathered flowers, wither in our hands, and lose their fragrancy; but these unfading plants of Paradise become, as we are accustomed to them, still more and more beautiful: their bloom appears to be daily heightened; fresh odours are emitted, and new sweets extracted from them. He who has once tasted

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