the part of the subject. The application of this remark is obvious. Upon the same principle that the professed follower of the Lamb is bound to keep any commandment or ordinance of Zion's King, he is bound to keep whatever he has commanded, and ordained. If he observes one institution rather than another, because the performance is more easy, this is virtually to make his own ease and inclination, and not the will of his Lord, the foundation of his duty; If he observes one, and neglects another which might require a greater sacrifice of interest or honor, this is making his own interest and honor, rather than the interest or honor of Jesus, the principle of his conduct. It is an awful evidence that he is ashamed of the Son of Man, and consequently has never cordially enlisted under his standard. When the apostles were sent abroad to convert the nations to the gospel it was with this positive instruction, "teaching them to observe ALL things whatsoever I have commanded you." An implicit, cordial submission to his authority, by an observance of all his institutions, is the test established by our Master for ascertaining his real disciples. "Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I have commanded you.' This is a consideration which, in fidelity to Him, and friendship to you, I wish to impress upon your consciences. There are many in the visible church who profess to believe the scriptures, who are regular in their attend

ance at the sanctuary, and whose moral character is unstained by the pollutions of the world, and yet habitually neglect those more discriminating ordinances of religion, baptism and the supper of our Lord. Now, is not the discharge of some duties, and the omission of others which are enjoined with the same solemnity, both inconsistent and dangerous? Has not he who commanded the heralds of the cross "to preach the gospel to every creature" also commanded go and baptize? And has he not added for the instruction and encouragement of his followers," he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved?" But we cannot preach to men unless they will hear, neither can we baptize unless they offer themselves for baptism. Is the institution more clear, more solemn, "search the scriptures; remember the sabbath day to keep it holy," than the institution, "take, eat, this is my body which is broken for you: this do ye in remembrance of me?" Surely then if gratitude to the Son of God as our Saviour, and respect for him as our Prince, should constrain us to keep either, they should constrain us to keep all these commandments; or if there be any discrimination, our anxiety to observe the latter should be the greatest, because it was his dying injunction, and in discharging this duty, our confession of his name is more public and formal. It is readily acknowledged that the ordinance of the supper is peculiarly solemn, and the de

nunciations against the unworthy communirant are awful. Some therefore who consider it their duty and privilege to attend other ordinances of religion have not freedom to approach the table of the Lord; With such we ought to sympathize, but are they who labor under these fears diligent in using the means by which their doubts may be removed, and their minds more enlightened and established? Do they meditate often upon the promises which exhibit a plenitude of grace for the supply of all our wants; which reveal pardon for the guilty, holiness for the polluted, and consolation for the oppressed and disconsolate? Do they converse with experienced christians, and with the ministers of religion expressing their doubts, and asking counsel at their lips? Above all, are they importunate with the Holy Ghost who as the Spirit of light "leads his children into all truth, and makes darkness light before them;" as the Spirit of liberty looses the chains from the spiritual captive, "sets his feet upon a rock, and establishes his goings;" as the Spirit of joy "comforts the mourner in Zion, and gives quietness and assurance for ever?" Are they thus giving all diligence in the more private exercises of religion, that their souls may become light in the Lord, and they enabled to attend this and all his ordinances "without distraction?" Surely the affectionate, dutiful child would regret that any thing should occur to prevent it from complying with the request of

a beloved, revered father; or the generous soldier would feel mortified that any accident should render him incapable of appearing at his post, and performing his duty, especially that he should be absent on some great occasion when the honor of his captain peculiarly required his presence; and is it no grief, no humiliation to a professed christian to neglect from year to year one of the most sublime, interesting ordinances of New-Testament worship, the last injunction of "him who was slain, and redeemed us unto God by his blood?"

Bear with me while I notice another irregularity with which many professors are chargeable, particularly in relation to the ordinance of the supper. Some who, I believe, are conscientious in performing the other duties of religion are easily tempted to absent themselves from the table of the Lord. An offence taken at a member of the church, or any supposed irregularity in the manner of administering the ordinance, is considered a sufficient reason for their neglect of it. But however conscientious such persons may be in their conduct, conscience in this instance is not properly enlightened. Suppose that one child in a family should give offence to another child, would this justify the latter in trampling on the command of their common father? Or if one soldier in a corps behaves disorderly, would his disorder justify another in departing from the ranks, and deserting the service of his cap

tain? I know it is often objected that if our brother have ought against us we are commanded to leave our gift at the altar, and go and be reconciled to our brother." But suppose that he refuses to be reconciled; suppose that his bosom burns with rage against us, still it becomes us to forgive and to aim with humility at performing our duty. Our obedience to Jesus Jehovah should not only be universal, but uniform: It is not sufficient that "we keep all his commandments and ordinances," but this observance should be rendered at all times when opportunity is enjoyed. I have spoken freely and largely on this subject from a conviction of its great importance. I am persuaded that many christians, by making their own feelings, perhaps in some instances yielding to their own caprice, as the rule of their duty, rather than the authority of the living God, lay a snare for their own consciences, militate against the edification of others, tarnish the beauty of the church, and expose themselves to the rod of their heavenly Father.

2. We are obligated to "walk in all the ordinances of God," because there is an intimate connexion between them, and each is essential in its own place. When the institutions of religion are considered separately, they may not all appear of equal importance, and the observance of some may seem more indispensible than that of others. The omission of prayer in secret may not