proportion and combination; thus introducing its subject into the high privilege of "adorning the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." We must also enforce the importance of inculcating subjection and conformity to superiors (whether in age or relative connection) in all things consistent with the paramount authority af God. Young Christians (those particularly who are young in age) often offend here. Untempered zeal brings needless offence upon religion, and (as they afterwards discover) difficulties into their own path. With a yielding character, firmness in withstanding worldly compliances should be urged. On a naturally firm temperament, submission- especially to parentsshould be pressed; else a warm zeal for God will prove to be the indulgence of self-will, and impatience of restraint. Let it be ever recollected, that nothing but the positive obligation of a Divine command can set aside the deference so justly due to parental authority. To preserve the just equilibrium in this exercise, as well as to assist the progress towards maturity, the counsel of a friend of tried sympathy, experience, and consistency, would be of material service. But after all-our watchword of counsel, admonition, and encouragement is-" Press forward." Let not the novice satisfy himself with being a sincere Christian. Let him seek to be an advancing Christian. Let him remember, that his present attainments are but the commencement, and not the finishing, of his work. Let him constantly examine and exercise his faith. Let him guard against neglecting his own heart in remissness or security; against needless fellowship with the world; inordinate enjoyment of lawful pleasure; neglect of the Word of God; formality in duty; and the power of besetting sins and temptations. Let him enter upon the course of holy violence, in the assurance that the fruit of his conflict will abundantly recompence his toil. Let him know, that the privileges, which he had anticipated at some indefinitely distant period, were his portion from the earliest dawn of his faith, as being not attached to its degree, but to its sincerity; and that his more full apprehension and enjoyment of them, so far from giving licence to indolence, will furnish a fresh stimulus for renewed and increased 1 Matt. xi. 12. exertion. Forgiveness of sin is his present possession; union with Christ is the direct source of his spiritual life" springing up," by the power of the Spirit in his heart, "unto everlasting life." Thus receiving the promise, the Author, the earnest, and first-fruits of salvation-he "receives salvation" itself, as "the end of his faith." 4 3 VII. THE BACKSLIDER. 5 WHAT Minister is not conversant with this most affecting case; connected with unsoundness of doctrine, love of the world, the indulgence of sin, or the neglect of prayer? Perhaps also, the power of unbelief, and the want of Christian establishment, are causes, less obvious, but not less frequent or injurious. The unsettled professor, unable to plead a certain title to the promises of support, is paralyzed in prayer, and left to his own unassisted weakness. His comforts (if indeed he could speak of them) not being built upon a personal interest in the Gospel, were feelings, fancies, delusions-not faith-no solid ground of support. Sometimes we find the backslider in a hardened state-flinching from close dealing-advancing rapidly on the high road to apostacy. Solemn recollections (such as "Where is the blessedness that ye spake of?" 6-Are the thoughts of eternity peaceful?)-the awful declarations of Scripture, or (as in David's case) a sudden and unexpected self-accusation-may however produce conviction. Yet until the man begins to feel restless and miserable, the case is hopeless. 8 The convinced backslider should be treated as if we really grieved over him-not spared, but yet felt for-his conscience 11 John ii. 12. 2 John xv. 1-5. 3 Ibid. iv. 14. 5 The reader is referred to a tract by the late Andrew Fuller, for the most full and instructive description of this case, and of the best mode of treatment. Compare also Blackwell's Method. Evan. pp. 212–223. See also an admirable letter in Sidney's Life of Walker, pp. 286-294. 6 Gal. iv. 15. also iii. 1-4. 7 Such as Prov. xiv. 14. 82 Sam. xii. 1—13. probed, yet with tender recollection-the depth of his departure pointed out, yet himself "restored in the spirit of meekness."1 Thus was the incestuous Corinthian first handled with severity, in order to produce conviction; when convinced, sustained and confirmed in the most tender regard, "lest haply such a one would be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow," and Satan should get advantage of the church. Let him be exhorted to a diligent use of means, and a resolute abandonment of the ways which had drawn him aside. Let him be guided afresh, as if he had never known the way, to the foot of the cross, there to "look on him, whom he has pierced, and mourn; "3 in the assurance, that the same love that pardons sins, "heals backslidings." Peter's case illustrates the tenderness employed at once to deepen conviction, and to complete the restoration. 5 The power of this love will mark the subsequent character with a deeper hatred of sin-a more contrite abasement in the recollection of guilt-a more careful circumspection of conduct, 6 combined with a constant attention to the means of grace, and with a higher estimation of the Saviour. VIII. THE UNESTABLISHED CHRISTIAN. THE sincerity of our Lord's disciples was not more evident than their want of establishment in faith and knowledge. We often remark a similar defectiveness among our people. Grace is more in the seed than in the operation. It wants exercise to draw it out into practical influence, that love may be more fervent; faith more active; prayer, if not more frequent, yet more spiritual. The Apostle did not treat this case with the soothing tone of sympathy, but with the strong stimulants of conviction and reproof.7 And indeed such professors, if they do not actually at least "seem to come short." If they are alive, 21 Cor. v. 1-7, with 2 Cor. ii. 1-11. 8 3 Zech. xii. 10. Gal. vi. 1. * Micah vii. 18. Hosea xiv. 4. The whole book of Hosea, together with Jer. iiiv. 1, deserves most careful study for the treatment of this case. 5 Luke xxii. 61, 62. Mark xvi. 7. John xxi. 15-17. 6 Comp. Isa. xxxviii. 15. Ezek. xvi. 63. 7 Heb. v. 11-14. 8 Ibid. iv. 1. it is a bare sickly existence, with little power of exertion, or capacity for enjoyment. If they did not undervalue even their scanty measure of progress, they would reach forth for higher attainments and more aspiring hopes. True grace sets an edge upon the appetite, rather than satisfies it. But where unbelief is faintly resisted; indolence substituted for exertion; and they are" lying on their faces," instead of exercising painful diligence in their work; "the things that remain," for want of being "strengthened," will be "ready to die." 2 Hence we see a narrowness in their charity, an unconcern for the spiritual wretchedness around them, and a lack of interest and exertion for perishing souls and the grand cause of Christ. 3 Possibly the first impressions may have been made rather by the novelty than by the direct power of truth. Hence the impulse to shape a religion after our own fancy, instead of embracing the true revelation of God-to live upon the continual excitement of novelty, in preference to the old established truths. This naturally results in an imperfect apprehension of the Gospel, that fully accounts for defects of Christian temper, as well as for an unsteady resistance to the world. The neglect also of the Ministry (the institution expressly ordained for the prevention of this evil 5) issues in a feeble and inconstant profession. Perhaps the most effectual discipline for this case is the inculcation of an accurate comprehension of the whole compass of Scripture, as the grand means of arriving at Christian perfection. 6 Favoritism in Scripture is the grand parent both of heresy and instability of profession. The word of God loses its power, when displayed from its position, dissevered from its practical connexion, or when a part, however important, is taken for the whole. It would be well also to set forth the full glory of evangelical privileges, not only for the consolation of the established, but for the excitement and conviction of the indolent. For, what do they know of being "filled with all joy and peace in believing?" How little comprehension have they "with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of the love of Christ," as the medium of being "filled with all the fulness of God!"7 Should we not warn them against resting in 1 Josh. vii. 18, with 2 Pet. i. 5-10. 3 Gal. v. 1-8, 15, 26. vi. 14. 1 John v. 4, 5. 5 Eph. iv. 8-14. 2 Rev. iii. 2. 4 Ibid. vi. 14. 62 Tim. iii. 16, 17. 7Eph. iii. 17-19. with Rom. xv. 13. the perception of truth, without realizing its experimental and practical influence? And should we not labour to stir up a close self-inquiry, an earnest habit of prayer, deep self-acquaintance and self-abasement, increasing activity in obedience, and a stronger excitement to ascend the elevated stations of faith, that they might gain more extensive, animating, and heavenly prospects? Especially should we not quicken them to a more habitual contemplation of Christ, as the means of more complete conformity to his image, 1 and a more steady and enlightened profession of his name. 2 Oh! let them remember also, that it is only in the persevering exercise of faith and diligence that our Christian privileges can be enjoyed, or our Christian confidence assured. 3 IX. THE CONFIRMED AND CONSISTENT CHRISTIAN. HERE we find the combination of Scriptural doctrine, holy privilege, and consistent practice. The sum of the prayers and exhortations of the Apostles for their converts, was, that their views of doctrine might be enlarged: their sense of obligation more deep and active; 5 their standard of profession more elevated; their enjoyment of privileges more exciting; their fruitfulness more abundant; 8 their course of obedience more complete. 9 The Apostle's example directs us to substitute instruction in the deepest and most solid truths, in the room of the elementary principles of the Gospel; 10 entering largely into the counsels of God concerning his people-the security of his covenant on their behalf-the more full exhibition of his perfections in the work of their redemption, of the office and work of Christ, and of the Divine life derived from him. " By this system of "strong meat" the adult Christian is "nourished up in the words of faith and of sound doctrine," and "his |