which Moses required of him. especially to my young hearers, to whose hearts the call of the

Now I say, and to those Gospel has

you

but begun to come with power, do this at the first. Oh! it will save you a world of trouble and difficulty and pain, to give up, at the very first, all that is contrary to a life of godliness. Let there be an entire submission of every part of your naturally rebellious will. Put away from you every carnal appetite and desire. Forsake all unrighteous gain and every ungodly pursuit. Bow down every proud imagination that exalts itself against the Gospel of Christ. Banish from every sin which is hateful to his purity. Separate yourselves from every worldly vanity, which would mark you as lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. Come at once, I beseech you, to a decision on these points. Let your God and Saviour have instantly a whole and unreserved surrender of yourselves to his service. Attempt not to make terms with him. Let him not have to chastise you for delay, or to scourge you into obedience. Nay fear, lest, if you delay, and if you hold

back, he should not chastise you. Fear lest he should leave you to harden yourselves against him. And oh! fear above all things lest he should at last inflict upon you a judicial hardness, for trifling with his word, doing despite to his Spirit of grace, and resisting his mercies and judgments. O brethren, suffer again this word of exhortation, and become obedient to it now even from henceforth.

In the second place let me exhort you to a serious and constant attendance on the Sacrament of the Lord's supper. It has pleased him to have always in his church such ordinances of outward service. They are to be observed as memorials of his mercies, and expressions of our devotion and love. They are moreover signs and seals of inward and spiritual blessings. You have seen the institution of the Passover for the Jewish church, and heard the command that they should "keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever." Equally positive is the institution of the Lord's supper in the Christian church, and equally express the command that it shall

be observed by us. It has been instituted also for a similar purpose. This is well expressed in the office of our own communion; To the end that we should alway remember the exceeding great love of our Master, and only Saviour, Jesus Christ, thus dying for us, and the innumerable benefits which by his precious blood-shedding he hath obtained to us, he hath instituted and ordained holy mysteries, as pledges of his love, and for a continual remembrance of his death, to our great and endless comfort.' Here then, brethren, is a Christian duty and service positively enjoined upon you, and for the affectionate and grateful remembrance of him who died for you. Oh! then let it not be neglected. Think also, I pray you, that it is also the very best way in which you can make, seriously and solemnly, that entire surrender of yourselves to Christ, which was the subject of my former exhortation. And for this also the church will supply you with a most suitable form of words, Here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable,

holy, and lively sacrifice unto thee.' Oh! that every member of your bodies, every faculty of your minds, and every emotion of your hearts, may indeed be thus consecrated and devoted to your blessed and gracious Lord and Saviour. And oh! that our heavenly Father may accept you in that, and in every other part of your service to him. May he strengthen and refresh your souls by his grace, as our bodies are strengthened and refreshed by bread and wine. May he' pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord.'

SERMON XIII.

THE PILLAR AND CLOUD.

EXODUS XIII. 21.

And the Lord went before them by day, in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night.

THE Lord God is the constant guide and protector of his people, as well as their immediate deliverer. His eye is upon them in all their straits and difficulties, and his hand is with them to lead them in his way, and to defend them from their enemies. The purposes of mercy which he hath purposed towards them shall be accomplished; having begun a good work he will perform it; having loved his own that were in the world, he will love them unto the end, and will perfect that which concerneth them.