themselves so far as to think that they do not sin, that they may stand at the bar of divine justice clothed in their own righteousness!

And if, as there is danger, we find that we cannot prove our faith in this manner,-that we hope we believe aright, and yet hardly dare to feel secure that we are not deceived, then let us know that the only unfailing test of faith is to be found in the holiness of our lives. If we find that our time and thoughts are always occupied with matters of pleasure or secular business; if we find that prayer is irksome or irregular; if we find that our minds are not drawn up to high and heavenly things,—that we do not show the signs of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: then we can have no ground of comfort;-then, if we think that we have that faith which justifieth, we do but deceive ourselves. The tree is surely bad and corrupt which bringeth forth bad and corrupt fruit; for by their fruits ye shall know them. Oh! let us pray, my brethren, for such, since they are too blind to pray for themselves, that God will be pleased to bring them to a better mind, that His Holy Spirit may awaken them from their fatal slumber, that even His terrors may be made so effectual with them as to lead them to embrace His mercy!

But if we find, on close examination of our hearts, that we can humbly trust that they are becoming more whole with God, that though the

temptations which surround us still painfully solicit our fallen nature; that though every day convinces us how utterly powerless we are of ourselves to please God, from discovering the sad imperfection of our best services; yet that we do find that our prayers are more regular and more earnest, our reverence of God and His worship more unmixed with worldly thoughts and objects, our hearts stronger to resist temptation, our thoughts more uniformly bent on God's glory and the promise of eternal life ;-then may we hope, humbly and fearfully, yet comfortably, that He who has begun a good work in us will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ; that the Spirit which is in us is such as He will approve; that, under His grace, we are becoming more meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.

But if we desire one test, simple, ready, and, I believe, unfailing, let us find it in our prayers. Let us try and prove our faith by examining how we use that which should be our best and most effectual means of increasing it. If a man does not pray, if he does not feel that he prays regularly, humbly, heartily,-what can his hopes be built upon? Can a man really desire pardon whose business or indolence leaves him neither leisure nor inclination to ask for it? Can a man really desire grace, which is specially promised to the prayers of God's elect, if he for any reason neglects to pray for it? It cannot be. A man may comfort himself

here by some weak excuse, or he may forget God and prayer together; but assuredly it is the truth of God's most holy Word, that without prayer we can have no grace, either to please God, or work out our own salvation. And if to an individual Christian it be thus necessary to offer his own prayers, as necessary is it for one who is entrusted with children or servants to use prayers in his family. A man cannot look for a blessing on himself unless he prays; how can a father or a master look for blessing on those beneath his care, unless he teaches them to join in social worship? Can a man feel quite secure that his heart is faithful, if his life be imperfect in such points?

My brethren, we meet in the house of God, we call ourselves by the name of Christians, we take comfort to our hearts when we hear that Jesus Christ is our resurrection and our life. And not without cause; for we are members of His holy Church, received into His baptism, within the fold and pale of grace. Let us beware lest we fall-lest we fall from INDIFFERENCE. It is the great besetting danger; it is that which fashion, which example, which indolence, which every kind of temptation most solicits us to yield to. Baptized as we are, admitted as we are to lift up our eyes to the heavens, and behold in them the place of our inheritance,salvation is not ours without an earnest, lively faith, without a true habitual holiness. Unless we rise to newness of life on earth, we shall never rise to

glory hereafter. Even with the cross of our baptism upon our foreheads, and the pride of the name of Christian in our hearts, if we go on without prayer, in indifference, in worldliness, our privileges will avail us nothing; they will only increase our condemnation.

And do not search after any certainty of salvation, any assurance of personal acceptance, beyond what is to be gathered from a reasonable examination of your hearts and lives. Holy Scripture does not promise it-many, I fear, are deluded who seek it. Persevere in the diligent discharge of every duty of your station, as unto God who placed you in it. in it. A man thereby makes offerings to God of a higher value than he thinks. Be sure that no religious obligation can call you from the simple path of daily duty. Know that the real mode of learning to have faith, is to rise to it, under God's grace, through the humble and diligent performance of those daily occupations to which God has called you. Above all, pray. Pray for the aid of the everblessed Spirit to keep your hearts alive to the tremendous alternative that is before you. Pray that no temptations to sin or to indifference may ever make your zeal of God less fervent, or your trust in His strength less entire. Pray for increase of faith. Pray for a purer and holier heart. And God will surely hear your prayers as ye cry night and day before Him, and give His Holy Spirit to those who so unweariedly ask it. The most

wholesome state of mind for a militant Christian on earth is one mixed of humble hope and humble fear; the hope in God,-the fear of himself. It is not well to be confident, it is not well to be despairing; above all, it is not well to be indifferent.

Death is before us-God only knows how many of us may now be standing on the very threshold of the grave. The Christian alone can face the prospect with security and cheerfulness. He has been taught, he assuredly knows, that Christ is the resurrection and the life, in whom whosoever believeth shall live though he die, and whosoever liveth and believeth in Him shall not die eternally: and he has examined his heart and life, in prayer, and humbly hopes that he is one of them that believe.

May God of His infinite mercy give us that faith which, through Christ, can alone lead to glory!