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of one that can play well on an instrument; but you hear their words, and do them not," Ezek. xxxiii. 32. The church of Christ looks at you with deep and intense interest, and longs to see you verifying all the hopes which she has fondly cherished respecting you, but as yet you have disappointed her expectations, and come short of her privileges. That portion of mankind who are altogether reckless as to the consequences of sinning against God, and less attentive than you are to the forms of religion, are looking up to you as a religious man, and forming their estimate of tical Christianity from your partial conformity to its claims; and they are hereby in danger of being confirmed in their mistaken notions as to what it is to be a Christian. Meanwhile, your own mind is not at rest. You enjoy no solid "Your peace. calling and election are not made sure," 2 Pet. i. 10. You are 66 not saved." You are still "without Christ, having no hope, and without God in the world," Eph. ii. 12. Are satisfied with your position? I know that you are not. If sometimes you feel at ease and are quiet, it is only when your thoughts are not turned in upon yourself, or directed forward to the judgment seat of Christ. On other occasions, you feel that something more is necessary to be done, and to be acquired. Permit then the voice of friendly expostulation and entreaty. I plead with you for the sake of my great master, our only Redeemer and Saviour. I plead with you for your own soul and its everlasting happiness. By all the joys of heaven, and by all the miseries of hell, I plead. Give at least one short hour to serious consideration. Why should you deceive yourself? "God

you

is not mocked; whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap," Gal. vi. 7.

I have

"Thou hast a name that thou livest." adopted in the foregoing statements, general language applicable to a large majority of those who enjoy the general privileges of the gospel kingdom, without making the appointed improvement of them. The description includes many varieties of opinion, many shades of character, and many degrees of religious conviction and feeling; but in its general outline, it exhibits the case of all those whose outward observance of gospel ordinances secures for them the name of Christians, at whatsoever point they stop short of the spiritual obedience which the Saviour demands, and by what considerations soever they are held back from giving up their hearts and lives unto him. Let no reader of this page then hastily conclude that because at some minor point the description may fail exactly to mark his individual peculiarity, he is not intended. Art thou still an unbeliever? "Thou art the man." I do not speak of the theory of Christian truth; the historic facts and the general doctrine; thou believest all this; ("the devils also believe and tremble;") but I speak of that sincere and practical regard to the gospel testimony, which has to do with its true nature and design; which receives it as "a message from God unto thee" for thine own salvation; which acts upon it and obeys it as the authoritative announcement of the one plan of God for bringing spiritual life to thy soul. If in this sense thou dost not believe, "thou art the man;" thou art only "almost a Christian."

Whether your case is described by Jesus as the

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way-side" hearer, from whose recollection the word spoken at once vanishes, and upon whose heart it produces only a momentary impression; or, whether the seed of the kingdom is choked by "the cares of this life, and the deceitfulness of riches," as in their case who "receive seed among thorns;" or, whether with those who are compared to the "rocky ground," you "receive the word with apparent joy," and for a season continue to express an interest in it, and to exhibit something like fruitfulness, but who afterwards wither and die away; "thou art the man." Whether you are building your hopes of salvation upon your native virtues, or your acquired excellencies; upon the mere fact of your privileged relation to Christianity, or on the general doctrine of God's mercy, without respect to Jesus the sole medium of its exercise; "Thou art the man." Careless hearer of the gospel, "Thou art the man." Thou, who art living without prayer, "Thou art the man." Thou, who art indulging some secret sin, or neglecting some known duty, "Thou art the man." Thou, whose heart is filled with the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, "Thou art the man." Thou, who murmurest at the doctrine of Christ, as a hard saying;" thou who doubtest the grace of Christ, as if he were unwilling to save, or unfaithful to accomplish the promise which he has spoken; thou who art calling into question the authority of Christ, as if he had not the right to rule over thee; thou who art presuming on the love of Christ, as if his patience would last for ever, Thou art the man.' Whosoever thou art, who dost not make it thy one great business to be saved by the Lord Jesus,

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"thou art the man" to whom the appeals of this little treatise are immediately addressed. No mere worldly distinctions of wealth or property, of learning or ignorance, have any place here. No age nor country creates an exception. Thus saith the Lord Jesus, I am the way, the truth, and the life; and no man cometh unto the Father but by me," John xiv. 6. The single point of inquiry is, "Dost thou believe on the Son of God?" John ix. 35; for "this is the work of God," the one thing required by him of every man to whom the gospel of reconciliation comes, "that ye believe on him whom he hath sent," John vi. 29. "He that believeth shall be saved, he that believeth not shall be damned," Mark xvi. 16.

Lay aside, then, dear reader, all evasive excuses, and every vain attempt to escape from the force of the truth. Art thou a believer, in the scriptural and saving sense of the term? Is sin an evil and bitter thing in your estimation? Are you grieved and pained at your heart that you have sinned against God? Do you see and feel that God would be just in sending you to hell, as the punishment of your sins? Are you convinced that as a sinner, you lie at God's mercy, and that if saved at all, it must be in such a way as he shall appoint; since he only can say what is due to himself as governor and judge of all? As a sinner, then, ready to perish," do you welcome with lively gratitude the message of the Gospel ; and with simplicity and faith "look unto Jesus,” and to him alone, that you may be saved? you appeal to Him and say-

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"Other refuge have I none,

Hangs my helpless soul on thee ?"

Can

Is this your habitual frame of mind? And is it your settled purpose and endeavour to serve God in holy obedience to his will, and zealous pursuit of his glory all your days? Then you are a Christian. But if this be not the case, you are not a Christian. That state of mind towards the gospel of God, which is in accordance with its character and design, is wanting in you. You may be as near to the kingdom as it is possible to come without entering it, but faith is the only key which unlocks the door. You part company with those who are walking Zionward, at this point. You fail as to that principle upon which God divides mankind into two classes. The promise is left you of entering into his rest, but you come short of it by your unbelief," Heb. iv. 1. Be persuaded to look calmly and dispassionately at your situation. Deal faithfully with yourself. The eye of God is upon you. His book records the secret workings of your mind. Everlasting consequences are involved. "The time is short." Life is uncertain. Procrastination is as sinful as it is dangerous. The gospel demands as it deserves immediate reception. “Behold, now is the accepted time," 2 Cor. vi. 2. "Thou hast a name that thou livest." Innumerable mer

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cies surround you. "Consider thy ways," Hag.

i. 3. Realize thy position, and open thine ear to instruction. There is much to be thankful for, but there is not less to be humbled over. There is room for hope, but there is equally a place for fear. Thus saith the Lord, "Incline your ear, and come unto me; hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David," Isa. lv. 3.