of their brethren, many painful feelings on their account. Others there are whose outward deportment is unimpeachable— but whose general character, notwithstanding, appears oftentimes in a dubious light, for want of decision, and an open, honest avowal of their principles. To render our religion complete, there must be a confession of the mouth, as well as a belief of the heart.* No ostentation is more unseemly than religious ostentation, and an uncalled for display of piety: but neither should any christian, from a studious avoidance of this, cast a veil over his real character, or from feelings of false modesty, refrain from a bold and manly avowal, on proper occasions, of his profession and principles. Christians are the light of the world. The fact, indeed, that their light is wholly borrowed from Jesus, the Sun of Righteousness, ought ever to furnish them with an effectual preventative to spiritual pride, and a powerful motive to humility; inasmuch, how * Rom. x. 10. ever, as they are designed of God to be the light of the world, they must let their light shine before men. Apply then to yourselves, my brethren, impartially and faithfully, the foregoing remarks, agreeably to the individual verdict of your own consciences, according to the character and condition of each. Amongst the things to be diligently avoided, as calculated to make you appear to yourselves, or to others, to fall below the christian standard, are to be reckoned false humility and unbelieving fears, inconsistency or indecision, whether of sentiment, conduct, or profession, the fear of man, and spiritual indolence. Against these, therefore, especially the latter, be entreated continually to watch and pray. Nor let this be sufficient. If formerly you have dishonoured God in any one of these particulars, study now to excel in the very opposite graces; aim at more than the mere avoidance of these evils. Be strong in faith, giving glory to God; be bold and determined in professing the name, and espousing the cause of Him who bought you with his blood; and, to this end, give all diligence to make your calling and election sure. Thus, instead of failing of the grace of God, or seeming to do so, you will be singularly privileged and honoured in your christian experience. For the diligent christian is not one who is "scarcely saved," or who barely escapes falling into perdition, but his walk with God shall be steady, his conversation uniformly such as becometh the gospel; and like the Ethiopian mentioned in the Acts, (ch. 8, v. 39,) he shall go on his way rejoicing. Whereas, many, by reason of those spiritual declensions, into which their inconsistencies have betrayed them, lose the joys of God's salvation; he shall greatly rejoice in the Lord, and his soul shall be joyful in his God. Whilst others are lamenting, "oh that it were with us as in months past," he shall have reason to say "Come and hearken ye that fear God, and I will tell you what he hath done for my soul." Like unto + Ps. xxxv. 9. + Job xxix. 2. the heath in the desert, even sterility' itself, is every natural heart:-but thus, under divine culture, and drinking in the dews of heavenly grace, this wilderness rejoices and blossoms as the rose-for such a soul shall prosper abundantly in fruits of holiness, and in all the graces of the Spirit. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; and shew the same diligence unto the full assurance of hope unto the end. Thus shall you not only avoid the evil against which you are admonished in the text, that of seeming to come short of heavenly blessedness, but so an entrance shall be administered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. SERMON IX. ON CHRISTIAN LOVE. 1 JOHN IV. 7, 8. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love. WHETHER We contemplate the whole human family in general, or the church of Christ in particular, as one collective body, we shall discover the wisdom of God in rendering mankind mutually dependant on each other. For it is this mutual dependance, as a collateral bond, which confirms and strengthens the unity of the whole. Man, instead of being an isolated creature, wrapped up in himself, and seeking exclusively his own interests; is in a great degree instrumentally necessary to the welfare, happiness, and very |