penalty of transgression; nothing short of a divine power can redeem the sinner. Whilst, then, we exhort you, according to the invitations of scripture, to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ that you may be saved"-to "come unto him that you may have rest -to trust in him that you may be preserved from the devouring wolf and roaring lion, we likewise admonish you to "be sober, be vigilant." And is there not need of sobriety in every appetite and passion, when through intemperance and self-indulgence men are tempted to lewdness and every description of sin? Is there not need of watchfulness, when Satan, the god of this world, is perpetually “suggesting to the minds of men such thoughts as may weaken and destroy their faith;" such pleasures as may blind their understanding and harden their hearts; such fellowship with sinners as may betray them into vice and ruin; such conduct and sinful pleasures as may hurry them headlong to hell? Is there not especial need of watchfulness and vigilance in the present time, when the enemy of souls has burst from his ordinary concealment, and is stalking abroad, by open day, in the form of men like ourselves? For, my brethren, is there any power in the world, except the artifice of "the ruler of darkness," that is likely to raise up men as professed

missionaries of infidelity,*-to induce men to seek a horrid notoriety by doing the devil's work-to encounter the detestation or pity of every good man—the anger of a jealous God— and an aggravated punishment in the regions of everlasting torment? For if the preparation for heaven is by the fitness of holiness, how fit must be the preparation for the place of misery after death by practising satanic employment during life. But we denounce them not, brethren, from malice against them, for rather need they our prayers and Christian compassions, whose eyes hath been so dreadfully blinded; but we denounce them for your sakes, lest any of you should be betrayed through the deceitfulness of Satan to enter their unsanctified presence. Our Lord cautions you against them, when he says, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, (as if they were so harmless, meek, and inoffensive, that a child might lead them) but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits:" and if their fruit be evil, it is because the tree is corrupt. Brethren;

* This discourse was preached at the time when two infatuated men visited Liverpool in the professed character of Infidel Missionaries," in order to endeavour to promote their own infidel sentiments, and to disturb the faith of those who receive the truth as it is in Jesus. But happily the design of their iniquitous mission was, by the good providence of God, apparently altogether defeated.

remember that it is dangerous to tempt the devil by visiting the temple of his prophets; you may enter it, perhaps, from a mere idle curiosity, and yet Satan may find the means either of turning you to himself through his infidel prophets, or of disturbing your peace and comforts by doubts and fears. Say, then, after the manner of dying Jacob, of those instruments of cruelty,"O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united." We moreover say unto each of you, in the words of the wisest of created men, "My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy feet from their path; for their feet run to evil.” And we add the words of an inspired apostle,"Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." Brethren, consider this test of forbidden associates,-that their works are unfruitful works of darkness. Try, then, these infidel missionaries, as well as all others who tempt you to evil, by this simple test,-Where is the fruit-the profit-the good of their principles? They ask you to barter your Christian principles and your peace on earthyour souls' comfort and your bodies' welfareyour present hopes and future glory! And for what? Is it for a more blessed life, and more peaceful death? Is it for a more exalted hope, or a more glorious paradise? Is it for a happier

time, or a more lasting and blessed eternity? No! It is the foolish barter of a hopeless chance— that, if the scriptures be not true, peradventure there may be no hereafter; that if they be true, it is brave and manly to be a volunteer for hell! "Brethren; I speak as unto wise men; judge ye what I say!"

2. But time warns that I hasten to a close, by the concluding exhortation of the text:-that "because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour,"-" resist [him] stedfast in the faith."

Those who are convinced of the reality and formidableness of satanic power, and of the awful consequences of being ensnared by it, will be grateful for this important word of admonition. For the very command to resist in the faith, implies, that such is the most hopeful means of resistance. And, it is doubtless true, that the only chance of escaping destruction from the subtle and formidable attacks of our adversary, the devil, is, by a stedfast resistance in the faith of Christ,-through a firm belief in the truth and power of the gospel, and an unwearied diligence in employing the scriptures, as the only effectual weapons for the spiritual warfare. And this application of the sacred scriptures is taught us by the Apostle, when he charges us to "put on

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the whole armour of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil;-and mark the formidable necessity, and the solemn importance, of his admonition, for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." What a mighty and overwhelming host to be arrayed against an unarmed man! Whereupon the apostle further exhorts us to take unto us the whole armour of God, the shield of faith, the breast-plate of righteousness, the sandals of the gospel of peace; and above all, he adds, in beautiful explanation of the concluding admonition of our text,-" taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked [one]; and take the helmet of salvation, and [observe] the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." the devil, we are asssured that us." And, brethren, call to mind the practical proof of all this in the case of our blessed Lord,

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And thus resisting "he will flee from

who was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin," that according to his method of combat with the enemy of souls, we may fight and conquer through him that hath loved us. Now in all that extraordinary exercise, we find that the unvarying practice of our Lord was-to resist the devil by the sword of the Spirit, the