high and heavenly calling; "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

And here, in concluding this part of the subject, I think it right to offer to you a few very necessary cautions. The first is, to beware, in doctrinal considerations like the present, of separating from each other the three persons of the Godhead, who, though they have distinct functions ascribed to them, are to us but one God and Father of all. Another caution is this;-to remember, that in every view of our moral conduct, man's power of acting must be considered free, or he cannot be a responsible being and therefore we must reject the doctrine of any constraining influence of the Spirit; and not, in opposition to Scripture and common sense, expect miracles in our own case, by calls and conversions forced upon us, or by the gift of grace and election, from which we cannot fall away. A third is this; we must be parti cularly on our guard against the supposition that we can be the sons of God, and therefore be led by the Spirit of God, without sincere and complete obedience in every point of Christian duty; and more especially in vanquishing the power of that sin, which doth so easily beset us. Having now, then, briefly touched upon the subjects which the text presents for our medi

tation, two reflections readily arise from them in the way of application. The first is this:

As we profess this day to celebrate the descent of the Holy Ghost, let us earnestly endeavour to secure to ourselves his aid, and light, and comfort in our hearts. Let us never quench his suggestions, and convictions, and reproaches, whenever he vouchsafes to communicate them. And, more especially, let us use all those means of grace, by which his permanent residence in our souls may be effected; namely, the regular and careful study of God's word, the zealous application of it to the amendment of our own hearts and lives; constant and fervent prayer; scrupulous and devout attendance upon the public worship of God; and frequent partaking of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

The second reflection I would address to each of you individually. As they alone are the sons of God, who are led by the Spirit, let me ask of every one of you here present, what proofs have you to give to your own hearts, that you are led by the Spirit? For, recollect, those who are not led by the Spirit, are led by their own depraved wills and appetites, and are still dead in trespasses and sins. Is your understanding more enlightened and enlarged by spiritual knowledge? Are your affections more pure and

heavenly? Is your piety more ardent ; your faith more lively; your charity more fervent; your hope more steadfast? Is your favourite sin subdued? Are you less subject to relapses? Are you more resigned to the will of God in every thing; more fitted for the blest society of angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect? Have you more joy in your duties; more peace in yourself; less attachment and conformity to the world? Do you cultivate a conscience void of offence towards God and towards men? "Can you count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord ? ”—“ If these things be in you, and abound," "happy are ye." The choicest blessings of the Gospel must attend you, with all its "exceeding great and precious promises." You can, indeed, "rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." May that joy continue to you; "and may the very God of peace sanctify you wholly and I pray God, your whole spirit, and soul, and body, may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!"

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SERMON XVII.

SUPERIOR ADVANTAGES OF THE CHRISTIAN OVER THE WORLDLY, THROUGH TRUST IN GOD.

PSALM XXXI. 16.

My hope hath been in thee, O Lord; I have said, Thou art my God.

THE Christian life is a life of hope and trust; a life of entire and cheerful dependence upon Him who made us what we are, and has placed us where we are. Yet, if we look into the world, how little do we see of this implicit reliance upon God! How few bring into subjection their unruly wills, their headstrong passions, and wayward imaginations, so far as to put on a truly Christian obedience and resignation! In the thousands, whom we see around us, busied with their own interests, pleasures, and advancement, how little do we trace of this self-devotion,- this self-abandonment (I had almost said), - to Him, "in whom we live, and move, and have our

being!" How few look through the clouds and darkness of this world straight up to heaven, for light, support, and guidance! How much fewer, in the hour of success, of health, and of joy, raise their eyes with grateful fervour to their Maker, and say with the Psalmist, My hope hath been in thee, O Lord; I have said, Thou art my God!"

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These remarks apply to every class in society. It is the acknowledged nature and tendency of wealth and prosperity to estrange the heart from the Almighty Giver. There is in it an ease, a plenty, a security, a flattering appearance of duration, that makes men presume, that to-day shall be as yesterday, and to-morrow more abundantly; while the distant future is never thought of. Riches, indeed, exercise a power, like fascination, upon the worldly mind. They seem to fix it exclusively upon the "purple, and fine linen, and sumptuous fare;" upon the luxuries, the conveniencies, the pomp and parade, and abundance of possessions, which they confer. They tend to make men selfish, instead of humble, thankful, devout! Rank and honour have the same power of drawing aside the mind from God. They, too, fix it on other objects, — upon the gratification of pride, the forming of connections, increasing interest, the attainment of influence and worldly consideration. In all