divine power shall accompany the word-My that goeth forth out of my mouth, shall not return me void. The word of man, or of angels, has no power. Certainly, though men by persuasion can -uce many important changes of sentiment, no voice Ford of men can by its native energy impart divine , and regenerate and convert the soul. John i, 12,

James i, 18. True Christian faith will not spring, grow under mere human doctrine. Thus saith the rd, is the only foundation for that faith which overmes the world, and gives peace to the troubled conence. St. Paul restricts the gift of faith in ordinary ses to the hearing of the word, as is evident from the hole passage. Rom. x, 8-17. All systems of ethics, 11 mere human philosophy, all the wisdom of this world, are utterly insufficient. In Jeremiah (xxiii, 28, 29.) it is asked, with amazing emphasis and force of contrast, What is the chaff to the wheat, saith the Lord? is not my word like as a fire, and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? The Holy Scriptures were written for the very purpose of producing faith in those who received them. These things, says St. John,

God's word and true preachers,) therefore accustom yourselves even from your tender age to hear the word of God, that he by his Holy Spirit may move and stir up your hearts to true faith and knowledge of him." Tindal also, in his Exposition of 1 John i, 3-4, says, "To bring unto the fellowship of God and Christ, and of them that believe in Christ, is the final intent of all the Scripture, why it was given of God unto man, and the only thing which all true preachers seek, and whereby ye shall ever know and discern the true word of God from all false and counterfeited doctrine of vain traditions, and the true preacher from the wily hypocrite. We preach unto you, says John, that everlasting life which we have heard, and in hearing received through faith, and are sure of it, to draw you to us out of that fellowship which we have with the damned Devils in sinful lusts and ignorance of God."

they hear; for verily I say unto you, that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. They wer blessed above those around them who disregarded the words of Christ; and above even kings and prophets of former ages, who, though they knew Christ, and trusted in him as a Saviour to come, had yet comparatively very indistinct apprehensions of him, and would have rejoiced to have witnessed what the Apostles did. The particulars of this blessing are worthy of distinct and full consideration. In wha respects is the faithful hearer blessed?

HIS FACULTIES ARE THEN EMPLOYED FOR THE END FOR WHICH THEY WERE GIVEN. Out various senses and abilities, our sight, our hearing our memory, understanding, and affections, wer bestowed upon us for the glory of God, and our own present and eternal good. They are then engaged fo these ends, and used to the best account, when they are exercised upon discovering and receiving the sacred truths of the Gospel. The Gospel alone sets before us that which can fill and satisfy our immortal souls; and when our faculties are employed on other things without reference to, or concern about, the will of God, all our powers are wasted and squandered away; we spend money for that which is not bread, and labour for that which satisfieth not. They are not merely unprofitably expended, but lost in a way that will bring upon us future condemnation and final ruin. But let our faculties be rightly directed to know and do the will of God, and we are so living as he would have us live, will glorify his name, secure his favour, and our own best happiness.

HIS MANY ADVANTAGES ARE IMPROVED to e purpose for which they have been bestowed. eculiar and distinguished are the privileges which we joy in this day, and in this land. We live in a day much light; and, blessed be God, of increasing ligion and piety. We live in a protestant country, ad have the Bible richly diffused among us. We do ot enough thank God for being born in such an age, nd such a country, and that we are spared a combat ith many prejudices of birth, custom, and example, hich our forefathers sustained, and others still sustain. at is true, that some have to struggle through great #ifficulties, before they are brought to see the truth as

is in Jesus: if grace has enabled us to do so, we have only the more cause for gratitude. But there are Caultitudes who neglect all these advantages, and who vill therefore have a worse doom hereafter than Sodom For Gomorrah. To have been led by divine grace to eize the golden opportunity for eternal life, is a blessng for which we shall thank God through eternity. It was not any wisdom in the Christian, more than in others; it was God's mercy, and the teaching of his Spirit, that made all the difference. This wonderfully enhances the blessing, and for this our song shall swell the heavenly chorus hereafter, with endless joy and gratitude.

HIS KNOWLEDGE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TRUTHS IS ENLARGED. It is not merely the reading of good books, or hearing of good sermons, from worldly motives, and in a worldly spirit, that increases divine knowledge. The teaching of God's Spirit is necessary for this end; and that teaching is freely bestowed in a due regard to the preaching of the word. How blessed is it to be thus divinely instructed! AI

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saving knowledge comes from hence; if you negler the means which God has appointed, he may lea your soul to perish for lack of knowledge, in the Ë of the most abundant means. But experience shews the by a bumble, faithful, and regular attendance on ministry of the word, with a spirit of prayer for Go blessing, knowledge of divine things is given to you for above. Thus every sermon may be the means of yo increasing in heavenly wisdom. It is in this view th Solomon says, Hear instruction, and be wise, « refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of doors; for whoso findeth me, findeth life, and she obtain favour of the Lord. A little knowledge, whe it is from above, where it is gracious and saving, has blessedness above all calculation. At the time that of Lord pronounced the Apostles blessed, (Matt. xiii, 16 they knew very little, but they were under his teaching he explained his doctrine to them more fully; and, degrees, they came to the riches of the full assurance! understanding. Let us then earnestly apply ourselve to this source of instruction. How forcible, in thi view, is that address, (Prov. ii, 1–6.) My son, if the wilt receive my words, and lide my commandments wit thee, . so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, eni apply thine heart to understanding: yea, if thou cris after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understand ing; if thou seekest for her as silver, and searchest ja her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God, ja God giveth wisdom.

Hereby WE KNOW THAT GOD HAS CALLED US OUT OF THE WORLD, TO PARTAKE OF THE BLESSINGS OF THE GOSPEL. St. Paul says, Who

did predestinate, then he also called. Rom. viii, 30, ≈ is an inestimable privilege. By the preaching of

Gospel we are called out from a world lying in kedness, from the service of sin and Satan, to follow

Saviour and obtain his glory. 2 Thess. ii, 14. In s heavenly calling, (Heb. iii, 1.) we are invited by the ther of all mercies freely to partake of all spiritual essings. Are we doubtful whether we are included? w can we doubt, when the last lingering words of his vn book again repeat the oft-reiterated (Isa. lv, 1; han vii, 37.) invitation, Whosoever will, let him take of e water of life freely. Rev. xxii, 17. Do you feel so ressed and weighed down with sin, that you think you annot be included? you are the very persons specially vited-Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy rden, and I will give you rest. Matt. xį, 28. Do you Det hesitate? ministers are sent on purpose to entreat you-We are ambassadors for Christ; as though God lid beseech you by us, we pray you, in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled. 2 Cor. v, 20. Are you still full of fears that you MAY not believe? nay, rather fear, lest you SHOULD not obey his commands; for this is his commandment, that ye should believe on the name of his son Jesus Christ. 1 John iii, 23. Rather fear, lest you incur his final wrath by unbelief—He that believeth not the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him. John iii, 36. And as God thus calls all that hear the Gospel by the outward preaching, so he inwardly, by the teaching and internal calling of his blessed Spirit, given with the outward word, disposes his people to attend to his word, and to become partakers of his blessing, and to have fellowship with his Son. 1 Cor. i, 9; 1 Thess. i, 5.

CONVICTION OF SIN FOLLOWS A RIGHT HEAR