world, but he has much to do in the management of himself. Then, towards others he is so meek and benevolent, so diligent and faithful, so much to be depended on in transactions of every kind, so liberal to friends and connections, and yet so prudent in domestic affairs, that no decent person exists who does not approve and respect his conduct. But several may think him too rigid: they are not easy in his company: his practice on some occasions rebukes the mirth and gaiety, not to say the licentiousness, of their diversions.

If you pretend to be influenced by the fear of God, take care that you adorn your profession, as fathers, as husbands, as citizens, as masters, as servants. I have not time to detail the duties belonging to these respective heads. Take care, therefore, that in all things you exhibit yourselves patterns of godliness: in all things exercise long-suffering and forbearance; and on all occasions discover an ardent love for the immortal interests of men. Severity, in a man who fears God, is to be allowed in nothing but in contests against vice: here you are never to relent; you are to make no truce, no compromise.

Yet, again, the man who fears God always reckons himself an unprofitable servant, even at

the close of any one of his most unexceptionable days. He reviews the day with a jealous retrospection; and, though we have represented him as strict and rigid in his deportment, he finds in himself little to commend and much to blame; ample room for animadversion and amendment, none for pride and self-applause. This is the explanation, he sees defects in a thousand instances which escape the eye of the selfrighteous; he has a deep sense of sin and of human depravity; and his chief prayer is, "God be merciful to me a sinner!"

What a contrast are the habits of men who fear God, to those of men of the world! These latter retire to their chamber-chagrined by disappointment, shall I say? or elevated with the success of ambitious and worldly schemes?-it matters not a great deal which; both states of mind are equally remote from the humble, dependent spirit of a sanctified penitent. Or perhaps they are mortified with the loss of money and temper during ill-spent hours at a gaming-table; or fatigued with some frivolous amusements; or incapacitated by intemperance? Alas! after a review of the day, devotion is an ungrateful task.

Custom, or habit, may direct the hand to the prayer-book, but God is not in all their thoughts. "Thou fool! this night thy soul may be required of thee," is a threatening they dare not contemplate. They lie down with unsatisfactory hopes in their minds, and with plans and prospects of worldly grandeur, wealth, pleasure, and amusements in future.

I conclude, brethren, with observing, that, on the comparison of these two systems-viz. the fear of God, and the ways of the world-ye surely cannot hesitate long which ye ought to prefer. Ye cannot take much time in considering which of the two characters is to be envied in those awful moments when all human scenery shall be folded up, when death approaches, or when the day of judgment is at hand.-Indeed, there is no answer to be given to these scriptural representations. Yet, after all, several will continue to say, "They hope they are not entirely without the fear of God; and that they are not completely men of the world." They flatter themselves there is a sort of medium, in which they may be included with safety at the last day. This is that

delusive resource of many, which silences the reproaches of conscience, 'effaces serious impressions, mocks the admonitions both of Scripture and of an honest instructor, and equally sets at nought the crowns of heaven and the flames of hell! Once more, with all the seriousness which belongs to so important a subject, and with all the positiveness that arises from the certainty of Revelation, I conclude with informing every descendant of Adam, who is not living in the fear of God, that there is no such thing as this fancied medium, which is thought to be so safe; and I admonish him, with tenderness and charity, to beware lest he should be found to be travelling" the broad way that leads to destruction." Think ye that this medium road is safer because crowded with a thoughtless multitude? Remember who it was that said, "Strait is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

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SERMON XXVI.

LUKE ix. 26.

Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.

IN this awful denunciation there seems every circumstance combined that can command the most serious attention and concern. It is pronounced by One who was himself so disinterested, that, out of the purest regard for our eternal welfare, he voluntarily suffered every thing that was painful and ignominious; by One who commended his love to us, not by liberally rewarding any labours we had undertaken on his account, or repaying any kindnesses we had shewn to him, but by dying for us while we were yet sinners; and, lastly, by One who is ordained of God to be the