3. Finally, constantly and faithfully aiming at abounding in all the fruits of righteousness, attend on all the divinely constituted means of instruction

and grace.

Our vocation as Christians demands of us the renunciation of all sinful passions and pursuits, supreme devotedness to God, unfeigned love to him, and constant obedience to his commands. In those who are finally admitted to his holy presence in his kingdom above, every sinful passion must be subdued, and every holy grace established. To gain a victory over all their sinful passions, and to abound in righteousness, and goodness, and truth, must be the uniform object of those; therefore, who look forward to the glorious fruition of the divine presence in the kingdom of heaven. To aid them in this warfare, to insure their success in their holy aims, they are furnished with divine means of instruction and grace. The word of God is a lamp unto their feet and a light to their path. He hath promised to answer their humble prayers by the gift of his Holy Spirit. He hath insured to them the presence of this blessed Comforter, Sanctifier, and Guide, in the ordinances of his church on earth, in which they are to be trained for the joys and glory of the church triumphant in heaven. Devout meditation, therefore, on the word of God; frequent and earnest prayers to him for his Holy Spirit; uniform and faithful attendance on the worship and ordinances of the church-are sacred duties incumbent on Christians; they are the only means by which they can derive strength to resist and overcome the temptations which assail them, and to love and serve their God and Saviour; they are the only means by which they can be enabled

to fulfil the holy engagements and secure the glorious privileges of their calling in Jesus Christ.

How vain then the expectation, brethren, of securing the blessings of that salvation to which we are called, while we neglect, or only partially use the means which God for, this purpose hath appointed! Is it possible to advance in the knowledge of the will of God-of the nature of the plan of salvation through Jesus Christ-of the duties and privileges of our Christian vocation, while we neglect the study of that sacred volume in which only these infinitely momentous subjects are exhibited? Can we hope to obtain the forgiveness and blessing of God, while we neglect the means on which they are suspended-earnest supplication. and prayer? Can we expect to be trained up for the praises and bliss of heaven, while we neglect the worship and ordinances of God's church on earth? Let us not deceive ourselves. As probationers for an immortal existence, surely it should be our supreme concern and aim to prepare for the awful scenes which that existence will disclose. Let us then constantly and devoutly meditate on God's holy word: let us supplicate in earnest prayer his forgiveness and blessing-his grace to create a clean heart and to renew a right spirit within us: let us express our reverence and love towards him in the worship of his church: by our regular and devout attendance on its ministrations, let us seek to fortify our souls in all holy dispositions, and principles, and resolutions: let us study to be sincere and faithful members of Christ's church on earth, and thus to make our calling and election sure; and in his good time we shall be exalted to that heavenly kingdom where the redeemed of the Lord

cease not day nor night to celebrate his praises, and to partake of the fulness of his love.

Consider, I beseech you, the folly and guilt of neglecting and contemning the inestimable blessings of salvation which are proffered to us. God hath called us into his holy church, in which the merits of his Son are applied to us for the forgiveness of our sins; the powerful grace of his Holy Spirit dispensed to purify us from all iniquity, and to establish us in holiness and virtue; and everlasting life proffered as the prize of our high calling in Jesus Christ. When we may attain a destiny thus glorious, be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light, shall we continue under the dominion of sin, and choose the miserable. destiny of sinners? Shall the intercession of the Son of God be in vain exerted for us-the Holy Spirit in vain proffer his powerful aids and consolations-everlasting life in vain solicit our acceptance and excite our exertions? If so, better had it been for us never to have known the way of righteousnessnever to have been called to God's grace and mercy. Health and prosperity affording the means of sensual enjoyment, may now appear to sanction the policy of that choice which may have devoted us to the world; but sickness and death are monitors that will come-unwelcome as they may be, come they will-and they are monitors that will speak— monitors which we must hear. In the dark and agonizing hours when sickness and death assail us, oh! how much, how much shall we need the support and the consolation which no human arm, no human voice can supply-the support and consolation that come only from the living God! Alas, alas! in the days of health and prosperity we des

pised his warnings, we rejected his merciful invitations, we would none of his counsel; and our perplexed and fearful spirits are left, solitary, unsustained, to look back on a life of folly and of sin, whereby we have forfeited our title as children of God and heirs of heaven, and made ourselves the bond-slaves of Satan and the heirs of hell.

But if to secure the privileges of our Christian calling be our supreme concern-if truly repenting of our sins, and depending on the merits and grace of the Saviour, and faithfully using all the means of divine instruction and grace, we seek supremely to love and to serve him who hath called us with our high, and holy, and heavenly calling-then we shall enjoy here a happiness which no changes can subvert, no afflictions blast; and which even death, the universal spoiler, cannot wrest from us; for death will then be stripped of his terrors, and welcomed as the messenger that leads us to the consummation of the privileges of our Christian calling, in the eternal vision and enjoyment of God-infinite truth, supreme good, exhaustless felicity.

SERMON XIX.

THE GRACE OF GOD REQUIRING HUMAN CO-OPERATION.

PHILIPPIANS . 12, 13.

Work out your own salyation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

To the man who seriously reflects on his spiritual character, on his condition as a candidate for immortality, the important inquiry will frequently occur-How am I to attain the salvation of my soul? In this momentous concern, am I to rely solely on my own endeavours? or are my own endeavours to be entirely superseded by the efficacious grace of God! My text resolves these inquiries" Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."

The concurrence of human agency with divine grace is the important doctrine here established. On this doctrine the following views may be presented:

1. There are two opposite opinions on the subject of human agency and divine grace, which are both erroneous.

2. The correct doctrine embraces a portion of both these opinions.

3. This doctrine is perfectly agreeable to reason, and may be vindicated from all objections.

4. Its practical influence is highly important.