this holy Charity reign in your heart-unless you love God supremely, and love your brethren also -unless this divine principle has expelled all selfish, sensual, unholy passions-unless you are animated by that spirit which is pure and peaceable, meek and gentle, patient and long suffering-unless as members of the holy fellowship of Christians, you keep "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace;" and evidence that your love to God, is a practical principle of obedience-your faith, whatever may be its pretensions, is vain; and your hope, whatever may be its expectations, illusive. You are not prepared for the enjoyment of the presence of that "God" who "is love." You are not fitted to enter the blessed and peaceful society of the saints above. "Put on, therefore, charity which is the bond of perfectness." Hold fast Faith-for by faith only can you be illumined and guided in the Christian life. Cultivate Hope-for hope alone can support and animate you under the trials of this mortal pilgrimage. But remember, that Faith and Hope, when genuine and active, terminate in that Charity which is the source of every virtue; which conforms you to the holy image of him who is infinite and eternal love; and which thus alone prepares you for his presence; and renders you meet to

Col. iii. 14.

join in the ranks of those beatified spirits, among whom love for ever reigns. Come then, Holy Ghost," pour into our hearts this most excellent gift of charity, the very bond of peace, and of all virtues, without which whosoever liveth is counted dead before thee,"

It is not without reason, brethren, that the Church, at a particular season, proclaims, with more than usual frequency and earnestness, this command of God. Notwithstanding the numerous calls to repentance, in the word of God, by the warnings of his Providence, and the strivings of his Holy Spirit, and the general exhortations of his ministers, men still continue under the dominion of their sins. It seems proper, therefore, that the Church should devote a special season, in which her services and her ministers should enforce the declaration" God commandeth men every where to repent."

The "times of ignorance" previously to the dis

pensation of the Gospel, when the Gentile nations, sitting in darkness and the shadow of death, had only superficial notices of their duty, of the demerit of sin, of the obligations and the rewards of holiness, God "winked at;" in some degree overlooked and excused. But "now" since he hath sent his only Son into the world to proclaim to men their duty, and to display, by his suffering death, the demerit of sin, as well as the means of pardon, he "commandeth men every where to repent." By the mouth of Apostles and Evangelists, he proclaims the message which his only Son had promulgated-" Except ye repent, ye shall all perish"-" Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand"-" Repent, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out"."

"God commandeth men every where to repent." Repentance is necessary-because

I. Repentance is a divine command.

II. Repentance alone can restore us to holiness and virtue.

III. Repentance alone can confer on us peace of mind.

IV. Repentance alone can qualify us for the favor of God.

V. Repentance alone can prepare us for death and judgment.

VI. Repentance alone can save us from everlas ting woe.

VII. Lastly, repentance alone can assure to us everlasting bliss.

Considerations more powerful than these, brethren, cannot possibly be urged. They embrace every consideration that can alarm our fears, or animate our hopes.

Repentance is necessary-for

I. It is a divine command.

To violate any of the commands of God, involves us in guilt, and subjects us to punishment. But the violation of that command of God, which calls us to repentance, is a crime of peculiar enormity. It is the command of our Creator, to turn from those sins whereby we defy his power. It is the command of our Sovereign, to renounce those sins whereby we insult his authority. It is the command of our gracious Benefactor, to desist from any longer abusing his goodness. It is the command of our heavenly Father, no longer to provoke his forbearance. It is the command of Him who "gave his only Son to be the propitiation for our sins;" that we cease from contemning his justice, his mercy, and his love. and his love. In commanding us