vouchsafed, and confessing himself unworthy of the least of them; in soliciting His continued favour and direction under every circumstance of life, and in recommending to His grace and goodness all those who have an interest in his affections, and whose welfare is connected with his own. Let occupations of this kind frequently occur; let them engage the mind at the opening and the close of every day, and they will generally produce a lasting effect upon the disposition and character; for prayer is indeed among the chief means by which all spiritual blessings are procured; and he, who would obtain the communications of the Spirit, must thus diligently seek them. But we are speaking here chiefly of their effect in producing an habitual sense of the presence of God: and although even this benefit is not derived from any virtue or excellence in the prayer itself, yet we may mention this as a natural result of the practice, because it can scarcely be long pursued without an operation upon the mind in some measure correspondent with it.

The last remark which we shall offer, points to the importance of fixing these impressions in early life.

Would you wish your children to remember

their Creator as they advance in years ? Teach them to do so in the days of their youth. Would you wish them to act in their future intercourse with the world as in the presence of Him who will one day call them to account? Let them be taught while they are yet unacquainted with its temptations, and while they have no particular motive for resisting the truth, that there is an eye which pursues them even to the deepest retirement; and that however they may escape human observation, they cannot screen themselves from the notice of God. Let them be instructed in the relation which they bear to Him, and be told with what compassion He looks down upon them that fear Him. Let them learn to lift up their little hands in prayer, to thank Him for the mercies which they are conscious that they enjoy, and to entreat that favour and protection of which they stand in need. Will the lessons thus imparted be forgotten in advancing years? The assurance of the wise man, that a child trained up in the right way, will not depart from it,* may convince us that the seed which is thus sown will rarely be lost. Impressions, which seem almost to be obliterated, are not unfrequently renewed by

* Prov. xxii. 6.

apparently casual occurrences in life; and the piety of old age may often be traced to the blessing of God upon the lessons which have been afforded in the morning of our days. May every parent who now hears me, feel the importance of his duty in this respect, and every child profit by that parent's instructions; and may we all live as under the immediate observance of a merciful Creator, and our last moments be cheered with the consolation, that God is with us!

SERMON III.

CHRIST THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH.

ISAIAH XXviii. 16.

"Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone; a sure foundation; he that believeth shall not make haste."

It is remarkable, that the promise of the Messiah is sometimes introduced by the prophets in the midst of severe reprehensions of the people, and the denunciation of approaching judgments; as if the heart of the divine messenger, oppressed with the view of sin and retribution, sought to refresh itself by a glance at the Saviour of mankind; or as if He, by whose inspiration the prophet spake, were thus desirous to show that even in wrath He

remembers mercy.* On this principle we are perhaps to account for the introduction of the passage just read in this part of the book of Isaiah. The Israelites are severely rebuked in * Hab. iii. 2.

In

this chapter for their intemperance and pride; and the vengeance of God is denounced against that rebellious people. Instead of being alarmed at the tidings, they seem to have mocked at the preacher, and to have made a jest of the warning. They fancied that, so politic were their schemes, no danger could reach them: they had the boldness to vaunt that they had made a covenant with death, and an agreement with hell; and that when the overflowing scourge should pass through, they should easily escape it. * reply to this vain and impious boast, the Almighty Himself is introduced as addressing them: Therefore thus saith the Lord God:and what does He tell them? that their covenant with death shall be disannulled? that their agreement with hell shall not stand? that when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then they shall be trodden down by it? Yes, such are the words of Jehovah; but they are preceded by the declaration of His purpose of mercy before He admonishes them of vengeance, He tells them of a Saviour; He speaks, in the first place, to comfort the pious remnant of Israel, and then to awaken and alarm the scorners. The connection of the whole passage appears to be as follows,