the heart, and cause it to draw near to him. But he has various ways of doing it. Some he drives more with terror; others he draws more with love. He suits tempers and circumstances, and acts with infinite variety of wisdom in his methods of bringing sinners to Christ and to true rest. And while we are apt to attend little to this work of God, He is going on in convincing and converting souls, and gathering into his church such as shall be saved. While we are taken up, some with the affairs of nations, and the tumults of countries; some with merchandise; some with pleasures, he is steadily doing good to souls, and rescuing them from the tyranny of Satan, by the effectual grace of his Son Jesus. Jesus is interceding continually, and rejoicing to see of the travail of his soul. The Holy Spirit is quickening, enlightening, and sanctifying their hearts.

Oh, that we attended more to this; studied God's word more; our own hearts more; and brought these concerns more to our own case, which are so profitable, so important! How little would then appear to us the grand, the noisy, the busy pursuits of the world! Do you say, you have not brought the matter to a point? I have gone as far as my text directs, and if there is here a soul in this state, and he be brought to feel it, it may prove a wholesome lesson of instruction. May he learn to prize the means of salvation, and to profit by them. Having a price in his hands to get wisdom, may he diligently improve it, and may his heart be bent upon knowing the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he has sent, which is life eternal.

SERMON XXII.

THE TEMPORAL ADVANTAGES OF GODLINESS.

1 Tim. iv. 8.

Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

THE

HE Apostle's own remark, which immediately follows the words of the text, naturally leads us to conclude that they teach a truth of immense importance. This is a faithful saying," says he, "and worthy of all acceptation." Let us then view and consider, with God's assistance, this sentiment dictated by the Holy Ghost, which he holds out to us as of eminent worth.

What godliness itself is, I stay not now to consider at large. To describe it is the constant business of the Gospel-Ministry. Suffice it to say, that where the heart is brought to depend on the Lord Jesus Christ alone for all things, there the love of God and our neighbour will be implanted, there, and there only. This is faith working by love. This is the godliness of Scripture. There may be, and have been many other things said to be GODLINESS, or parts of it: but christian godliness is that which I have mentioned, and which alone is worth the name. It is acquired by believing in Christ. For there is no way to God, and goodness, but by him.

Oh! that young persons would seek after godliness, as the one thing needful. Weakened by a corrupted nature, and tempted by a subtile devil, and an enchanting world, how are you liable, O young persons of both sexes, to be seduced and flattered to your destruction! How prone to yield to the insinuations of those who call godliness melancholy! Alas! if you be not acquainted with godliness, you will never know true satisfaction of mind, even in this world.

Mighty Saviour of Sinners! be pleased to shine through the gloom that sin hath spread upon our minds; overcome our prejudices; make known the real pleasantness of thy ways; let our hearts feel the joy, the gratitude, and the love which the manifestation of thy grace, by thy Spirit, can create; and, Oh! give us to know experimentally, that godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come."

I would beg, indeed, the attention of all, but in a particular manner of young persons, while I endeavour to set forth some of the advantages of godliness. Great they must be even in this life! Consider what our Lord says, Luke xviii; "Verily I say unto you, there is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting," We see from hence, that in godliness there is a self-denial, which in the nature of things is unpleasant to the flesh; but yet in proportion as self is denied, that is, as godliness

is really followed, manifold more pleasure, even in this present time, is obtained than lost; besides the inconceivable surplus of eternity.

Believe it, then, on the credit of our Lord, that godliness has the advantage even in this life. All godly persons know this to be true, so far as they are godly. It is to the imperfection of their godliness that the troubles, for the most part, which they undergo in this life, are to be ascribed. If then you find you do not enjoy such and such advantages as we shall describe, yet if you really believe in Christ, you may possess them, by living up to your privileges better than you hitherto have done. All that All that you can conclude from your present situation is, that you need to grow in godliness, since your experience of the love of God, little as it may have been, proves to you its superior pleasures. You know enough to believe, that "the grace of your God is exceeding abundant with faith and love in Christ Jesus," and that in godliness only is to be had true pleasure and satisfaction.

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The first advantage of godliness, which is received in this life, is the "peace of God which passeth all understanding, keeping the heart and mind through Christ Jesus.' I choose to express this in Scripture language. It is also the language of our Church, with which she concludes her morning service. To describe this peace of God, and what a blessing it is in itself, I shall not attempt. Even those who enjoy the most of it cannot describe it; because though it "keep their hearts and minds through Christ Jesus," and they are "filled with all peace and joy, in believing" by the God of their hope,

yet the same word of God which thus asserts the reality of the peaceable and joyful feelings of the believer, describes them as "passing all understanding." Though they are not contrary to, yet they are above human reason. And no wonder, considering the incomprehensible greatness of the Author of them. I," saith God, "create the fruit of the lips; peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord, and I will heal him."-Indeed if God be for us, who or what can be against us? "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him, also, freely give us all things?" What an advantage then of godliness is this, that it brings divine peace along with it. that infests the world?

What is the evil of evils Is it not the loss of the

favour of God? All the other evils that sin hath caused are not worthy to be compared with this, that it separates between God and us. But the godly soul, reconciled to God in Christ, "who is our peace," has the sense of this peace imparted to him, and is made to " abound in hope by the power of the Holy Ghost."

With what cheerfulness and joy may he bear many temporal evils that flesh is heir to, who enjoys the sense of peace with God. To God as his refuge he can flee in all times of distress, and find unspeak able consolation in pouring out his heart before him, "who is the strength of his heart and his portion for ever."

I wish godly souls walked more closely with God than they do; were more watchful unto prayer; more simple in spiritual desires; and more steady