But who are the persons from whom true Christians, in the present day, are commanded "to come out, and be separate"?-In the first place, those persons must be included who openly avow infidel opinions, or whose conduct is notoriously disgraceful to the name of Christians. This is manifest from the passage already quoted; in which it is affirmed, in the way of interrogation, that Christ can have no concord with Belial, nor he that believeth have any part with an infidel, nor righteousness have any fellowship with unrighteousness.But are they the only persons to be avoided, who either avowedly are not Christians, or proclaim openly, by their conduct, that they are, at best, only nominal Christians? Alas, my friends! there are many others, besides these, with whom Christians, who would be true to their professed principles, must have no very intimate connexion. There is a very large class of persons, who, though they were baptized in their infancy, and have never cast off the profession of Christianity, are evidently little influenced by Christian principle, but act and feel nearly as they would, in their actual circumstances, if they were fully per

suaded that the Christian Religion is an invention of man. Their motives and maxims the objects for which they are living—are essentially worldly. The advancement of themselves, or their families or connexions—and the enjoyment of such pleasures as suit their taste or circumstances, and are in repute amongst the persons with whom they choose to live-these are the things uppermost in their desires and thoughts, and to which they make every thing else give way. Amongst such persons, who are living only for this world, there may be a great variety of character. One may choose those pleasures and pursuits which are in esteem amongst the more decent part of mankind ;-another may set at defiance their opinions; and please himself, by yielding to vicious and sensual indulgences. There will also be a great diversity, arising from a difference, not only of temperament and education, but also of age. The same man, who in youth addicts himself to one class of occupations and enjoyments, in more advanced age may take up another; and the latter may be the more reputable of the two; but all the while he may be living only to himself and to the world, even when he is flattering him

self that the change in his pursuits proves that he is become a religious man, and may therefore expect the favour of God. Now, my friends, if you would be Christians indeed, you must "come out, and be separate" from such men as these-not only from the avowedly infidel and openly profligate, but from all who are practically strangers to real Christianity. "But what?" it may be said; "must we renounce all intercourse with such persons? We must, then, needs go out of the world!"-Not so. There are many occasions, on which true Christians not only may, but must, and ought to have intercourse with those who are not true Christians, or not even

Christians in name. Their lot may be providentially cast amongst such persons, in the domestic circle, in their unavoidable mercantile and official connexions, and in various relations in which men may stand to one another. In such cases, they should shew a readiness to perform, towards all, any of the kind offices which one man can render to another; and to co-operate cheerfully with others, in whatsoever they are disposed to do for the good of their fellow-creatures. They should be more than ordinarily attentive to their duties, as sons, husbands,

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fathers, brothers, friends, and neighbours; so that no one may be able to say, with truth, that they, who profess to follow Christ, are indifferent to the interests and feelings of those with whom they are connected; but that all who will judge candidly, may be constrained to acknowledge the contrary.

But, while true Christians must endeavour to discharge to all men the relative duties which they owe to them—and will therefore necessarily be brought into frequent intercourse and communication with those who are, at the best, only Christians in name-still, they must perform even these duties with a mind and spirit different from those of worldly men. These do all things to please or to be seen of men, to rise to the expectations formed concerning them, or to uphold their selfestimation. But they must do the same things, as serving the Lord Christ, from respect to His glory, in obedience to His commands, and after His precepts and example. They should endeavour to make it manifest, that their motives and rules raise them above the standard of the world, even in those things which the world approves. But, besides

these, there are many other duties which they must endeavour to fulfil, though worldly men will not: and the fulfilment of these duties, especially, will mark them as a distinct people from those who are living for this world. In the discharge of these, they must not scruple to shew that they are a distinct people; and, so far as is necessary thereto, they must absolutely keep themselves separate. The duties of which I now speak, are those of which God is the more immediate object; such as, a conscientious use of the means of grace in the congregation, and, especially in private, devout reading of the Scriptures, prayer and watchfulness, and the improvement of time. By the performance of these duties, of which others are very negligent, they must make it manifest that God has the first place in their affections, and that it is their determination to serve and obey Him in all things. Many persons will acknowledge, in words, that it is right to do so, who yet have no settled purpose of acting accordingly, and who do not, in point of fact, obey God any further than His commandments accord with their own inclination, and with the maxims received in the circle in which they move.