he is ours, all things are ours, and in him we have enough for eternity. The soul that lives on him covets nothing else, but saith, "Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.” Knowledge of salvation will wean the very hearts of men from the earth, and crucify them to the world, and the world to them. When they know that they dwell in Christ and Christ in them, they will count all things but dross in comparison of him. Now they cast all their cares upon him, knowing that he careth for them, and so are happily relieved from a thousand fears that used to torment their hearts. And the more we grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and in assurance of his salvation, the more we shall drink into his spirit, and be transformed into his likeness. The real Christian longs for nothing so much as to be like his Lord and Saviour. And this is the highest glory that we expect to receive at the resurrection of the just in the last day, to be perfectly in the likeness of Christ. When he appeareth, we shall be like him, and be with him.

4. Once more, if assurance of salvation be possible this side the grave, we should give all diligence to obtain it, for it is of all others the highest and the best knowledge. None but the Holy Spirit can teach man this lesson. Some men with their natural powers can soar high in the mysteries of nature and science. But the wisest philosophers cannot say that their souls are safe till they are taught of God. This must be the most sublime knowledge, for it is to know the highest and best object: it is to know God in Christ, and

that he is our own God. It is to know that our sins are blotted out, and our souls washed in the blood of the Lamb, and that we shall finally appear without sin unto salvation. What knowledge so excellent and useful to man as the knowledge of salvation! Yet sublime and mysterious as it is, the poor and illiterate may attain to it as easily and as effectually as the most learned-for" to the poor the gospel is preached."

"God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise." The ignorant poor often receive instructions readily, when the learned are too proud to receive information from heaven itself. The pride of intellect has laid many astray, and plunged them into the darkest pits. Let the poor glory in this, that God can communicate the highest wisdom, where he finds the meanest intellect. He can give them to know that the God of salvation is become their own God and portion for ever.

5. What weeping and mourning fill the Church on earth, for want of the assurance of salvation! Thousands of pious souls, who pant for glory, are all their lifetime subject to bondage through fear of death. We need not wonder at this deep anxiety, when we consider the vast concerns of the human soul. Men are often in deep distress of mind, when their temporal life is in danger. How much more when they have no assurance of eternal life. For what is our life on earth to the life in heaven? and what is time to eternity? No more than a drop of dew is to the ocean. No wonder at all, that pious souls are extremely unhappy till they know that they are safe, and their salvation certain. As this is the highest and most beneficial

knowledge, we may indeed expect Christians to be cast down and disquieted, while this greatest point of all is in doubtful suspense. How infinitely desirable it is for every Christian to know that he is now reconciled to God, and shall be hereafter in the joys of heaven to sing of salvation by grace.

Young converts expect full assurance of faith as soon as they begin the way of life, and feel grieved and dissappointed if kept any length of time without it. They are soon dejected, and begin to cry out, "Will the Lord cast off for ever, and will he be favourable no more? Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? Hath God forgotten to be gracious? Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies?" (Psalm lxxvii.) Under such painful impressions they cry, "Where is God my Maker? Oh, that I knew where I might find him! As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God." These mournful seekers find no relief till they come within view of the cross, to behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. When they first see the glory of Christ, they are transported with joy unspeakable, and begin to sing, "My mountain shall stand fast for ever." But they are not long before they come down to weep in the dark valley of humiliation. The warfare is yet before them. Though they came out of Egypt in triumph, they have before them nations of enemies to subdue.

REMARKS.

1. It is indeed deeply to be lamented that the generality of those who profess the Christian religion continue willingly ignorant of their spiritual state in this life, and of their future inheritance in the next world. It might reasonably be expected that all would have made this their first and chief concern. For what concern so great; what so necessary to attend to, or so beneficial to ascertain, as to know the real state of our souls, and to see that we are safe for eternity? Eternity is an awful subject, and we should press on our minds, that it is to be our own eternity. We now stand on the brink of that boundless world, and very soon shall put on immortality. But what kind of eternity will ours be? Shall it be all joy and triumph, or all weeping, wailing, or gnashing of teeth? all glory, or all torments? Important question! If it be possible now on earth, to know where we shall have our eternal abode-in heaven or in hell-surely we should spare no pains to ascertain a point of such immense concern. What point so momentous, so interesting and desirable for man to know, as that there is an eternity of bliss and glory before him, for his portion and inheritance for ever? We should lose no time, spare no pains, and neglect no means to know that we have passed from death to life; that we are in Christ and shall never come into condemnation. But where are the men that act so? They are few in number. The generality of mankind sleep in sin, mind earthly things,

and neglect the concerns of the eternal world.

Men will take great pains to learn a trade, by which they are to get their livelihood during their short stay on earth. What pains, then, ought we to take to procure and to feed on that bread, of which, if a man eat, he shall live for ever. Many will travel the world over, by sea and by land, and encounter storms and dangers, to possess uncertain riches, and yet will take no pains to obtain the true riches, and the inheritance. that fadeth not away. The dreadful unconcern of mankind in general about everlasting things is truly lamentable, and shall be for a lamentation.

2. Multitudes of the ungodly are confident of salvation, though they are in the most perilous condition. In their pride, ignorance, and unbelief, they cry, "Peace and safety," till sudden destruction cometh upon them. They live estranged from God, and dead in trespasses and sins; they live after the flesh and not after the Spirit; yet they have no fear of being cast into hell, or of being excluded from heaven. They lead a life of thoughtlessness and unconcern, taking for granted without inquiry, that all is well with them, and that it shall be always well. This carnal confidence is no security, nay, it hastens their destruction. When storms arise, their building must fall, because it is founded on the sand, and not on the rock of truth. Blind and presumptuous sinners live in false confidence, which must soon terminate in despair; for when they are weighed in the balance they shall be found wanting. Though they are destitute of every qualification for heaven, yet they take it for granted that they shall be there at the last. It is very evident that