for" to whom much is given, of them much will be required." Oh, then, my Christian friends, let it be your great object to rise with the times. I know not how to express myself on this subject, for my desires for your spiritual welfare extend far beyond what words can express. Who can say what good might be effected, if all who attended the communion of this church were to aim at making the words of our text the standard of their religion if there were that simplicity, modesty, detachment from the world, conscientious regard to the affairs of common life, that would be as "holiness on the bells of the horses!" If it had not an effect upon others, I am sure it would tend much to the glory of God, and to our own felicity for the longer I live, and the more I see and feel, the more am I persuaded that holiness and happiness are synominous; that "in the world we shall have tribulation;" that as we enter into the spirit of the world we shall have a cup of trouble, but in Jesus we shall have peace; that the more closely we walk with the Saviour, the more we make Him our delight and our joy, our portion, and our exceeding great reward, the more we shall have of that peace which passes understanding. Let us then, my Christian friends, be much in prayer one for another, that the Lord would quicken

us: "not as though we had attained, or were already perfect; but, following after, that we may apprehend that for which also we are apprehended of Christ Jesus." And, oh! whilst we are praying for each other, let us entreat the Lord to pour out his Spirit upon his church, that they, "walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, may be edified."

Secondly, I would speak to those who may have lately set out in religion, or who may be feeling weak and timid. The subject which we have been considering this day may perhaps discourage your mind but we have by no means this intention. Recollect, that our acoeptance with God does not depend upon holiness being upon the bells of the horses, but upon the precious blood of Christ being sprinkled upon our consciences. And how thankful should we be that thus it is! For what could any of us say, but, "If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, who shall stand?" " Wo is me, for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips!" Do not, therefore, be discouraged, but come again to the Saviour. His gracious words cannot be too often repeated: "Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out." Recollect that the Lord

does not despise "the day of small things;" that he has a family of different ages, but he loves them all with a tender love; he has forgiven the sins of the little children; he shall gather the lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.".

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Finally: let this subject teach those who are not yet in earnest in religion the absolute necessity there is for the Holy Spirit's making a change upon the heart before this can be our standard. Perhaps so far from approving such a religion as that of which we have been speaking, you have considered it a species of pious enthusiasm. But, it is that which the Lord promises, and that which shall assuredly take place. As there has been a day on which the Son of God was seen as the Babe of Bethlehem, so there shall be a day when "holiness shall be written on the bells of the horses;" when the precepts of Christianity shall be brought down. to all the affairs of common life. And therefore let me persuade you to retire to your home, and entreat the Lord to enlighten your understanding, and to convert your heart.

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SERMON XIX.

THE BELIEVER'S CHANGES.

PSALM XXVII. 13, 14.

Wait

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

THE Book of Psalms was, for the most part, written by Divine inspiration during the purest ages of the Old-Testament church; and was given not only for the private meditation of the children of God, but formed a part of the public service of the Temple. Since the providence of God has delivered us from Papal superstition, and brought us back to the simplicity of the early ages, daily do we read a portion of this Divine book. This gracious interposition: of God may afford his servants a very useful lesson in the conduct of their ministry that whilst so much of David's experience is used in the desk, the pulpit also should frequently

develop these varied feelings of the Christian. Those who are acquainted with the people of God know that this is one of their marks, that they are liable to changes-changes which are frequently perplexing and distressing at the time, and under which they require peculiar consolation and support. If you look around the church of Christ, you will scarcely find a Christian who retains a lively, spiritual state of soul, a Christian who has not declined from the simplicity of faith, a Christian on whom the dew of the morning still remains, but you will see him the subject of changes ordered by the providence of God-either changes in his health, changes in his frames, or changes in his circumstances and these of such a nature as require peculiar consolation.

This Psalm is particularly calculated for their support; for it is a Psalm remarkable for the changes it exhibits. You will observe it com mences in the language of strong confidence: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident."