"would hear me!-Oh! that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would "consider their latter end!"

But fourthly, The scripture may be considered as a rule of life to us; as a law of God, which is given for the government and well-being of mankind.

And thus the excellence and comfort of them will appear, if we consider the nature of those duties prescribed, and the encouragement to the practice of them. The nature of them is such as is most becoming God to require of us, as being most agreeable to the divine nature, the imita→ tion of which is the end of our religion. For to become as like our heavenly Father as this imperfect state will allow, is the perfection of our being, and it is that alone which will qualify us for, and even make us capable of relishing, the joys of heaven,

For could we suppose it possible for God to admit an unrepenting, unregenerate sinner into his presence, with all his crimes and corrupt inclinations about him, heaven would be no heaven to him, but rather a place of torment, where every thing would be contrary to his favourite sentiments and leading passions. And therefore

we are so often exhorted in scripture to imitate our heavenly Father, and to be perfect as he is perfect; to imitate him in his goodness, and holiness by our constant endeavours to subdue our passions and corrupt affections, and to increase in virtue and piety; to imitate him in his grace and mercy by our kindness to all men, by for giving injuries, and doing good to our very enemies; to imitate him also in his justice, by doing as we would be done by, and by keeping a conscience void of offence towards all men, and by a steady adherence to his religion.

Again: The nature of the duties prescribed in scripture is such as is most reasonable for us to perform; because religion is the service of our most reasonable faculties. The commands of scripture reach to the heart; the service required is a spiritual service; not consisting in meats and drinks and outward ceremonies, but in a right temper of mind, and a due conformity of our actions to the law of God. Nothing is required but what it is our interest to perform, and nothing is forbidden us but what would disturb the peace of our minds here, and be destructive to us hereafter.

And as the services are just and reasonable, so the motives and encouragements to perform them

them are great and glorious. We have the promise of the divine Spirit to strengthen our weakness in running the race that is set before us; we have the meek and holy Jesus as an example of patience and perseverance in holiness; we have the noble army of apostles and martyrs for our patterns in faith and constancy; we have the assurance, that God will never leave or forsake us; we have the holy scriptures for our guide and comfort; and we have the certain hope of an immortal crown of glory for our reward hereafter.

Thus we see then how excellent and comfortable the scriptures are for all the purposes of a happy life; for doctrine, for correction, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness.

How much then does it become us to receive them with reverence and attention! For the clearer are their evidences, the more gracious their promises, the more extensive their privi leges, the more noble their doctrines, the greater also will be our condemnation, if we neglect or despise them.

What remains, then, but that we resolve to make them the constant guides and companions of our lives.-Let us meditate upon them, my P 4 brethren,

brethren, when we lie down and when we rise up. Let us teach them to our children and families; let us be thankful to God for having given us so inestimable a blessing; and, above all, let us be careful to follow the commandments and copy the examples of holiness contained in them. Thus shall we enjoy the surest support against the changes and chances of this mortal life; thus shall we discharge the duties we owe to those committed to our care; thus shall we be the happy instruments of leading others to God, and shall, finally assure to our selves a glorious place in his eternal kingdom.

SERMON

SERMON LVIII.

PROVERBS Xxii. 6.

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

AS our future welfare and eternal happiness

depend upon our present conduct and behaviour in the well-ordering our lives; and as we shall be intitled to an eternity of bliss or mişery, according to the manner and proportion of our religious exercises; so we should make it our first and chief business to acquire so much religious knowledge, as, when rightly obtained, and duly practised, will make us wise unto salvation,

Yet there is nothing more clear, than that the bulk of mankind give themselves very little trouble to form right apprehensions of the religion they profess, and therefore are always