the case with the truths of religion? Are they trifling and insignificant, unimportant to our happiness, and such as may be neglected with safety? Or is not the bare supposition replete with folly? Christianity is the child of the Divine Wisdom. The recovery of the human race from death and misery, the restoration of man to happiness and glory-these are its objects; and eternity-the great for ever-is the period, through which the influence of its truths will operate. To despise it, is impossible; to hold it unworthy of the most serious regard, is madness.

What then is the real cause, why so many do in fact neglect religion? Is it because she requires sacrifices, which they are unwilling to make? Is it because to be Christians, we must renounce what is low and sensual, what is proud and lofty, what is crooked and disingenuous, what is rugged and uncharitable? Are not these the great obstacles, at which most men stumble? these the objections which they feel to practical religion? If so, how melancholy a case is this! We cling to the disease, and therefore spurn the remedy; we dislike the light, because our consciences shrink from the disclosures which it would make to us; and inasmuch as we like better the low haunts of the world, its lofty hills, its crooked paths, or even its rough ways of uncharitableness, for this reason it is that we

are not found in the straight way of the Gospel, which, though narrow, is yet, when fully tried, a way of pleasantness and a path of peace.

Finally, let me address a few words to those who are earnest in the Christian life; and who, in particular, are thirsting for a farther acquaintance with the excellence of the Gospel.

In order to success in this happy object, I need not remind you, how necessary it is to avail yourselves diligently and constantly of the appointed means of religious knowledge; to read the Scriptures habitually, to attend to public instruction, and to pray for the enlightening grace of God's Holy Spirit. But besides these direct means of knowledge, we learn, from what we have been at present considering, that something more is necessary, and that if we would make effectual progress in faith, we must be scrupulously attentive to the regulation of the character, that our affections may be raised, our thoughts humbled, our dispositions sincere, our tempers full of charity. These are indispensable, and most powerful helps to faith. "If any man," saith our Lord, "is willing to do the will of Him that sent me, he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God;" thus inculcating upon us a spirit of holiness, as the great help to a knowledge of the truth. To the same effect our Lord also speaks of the seed of God's word, as thriving only in an honest and good heart;

in a heart turned to God by sincere repentance, so as to desire to pursue whatever is excellent and good. Thus too the apostle St. Peter exhorts to add to our faith" various graces, and tells us, at the close of his exhortation, that "if such graces be in us and abound, we shall not be barren and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." But continues the apostle, "he who lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off." 66 Prepare ye then the way of the Lord, make his paths straight:" let every valley be raised, and every mountain and hill be brought low; the crooked paths let them become straight, and the rough ways be made smooth.

In other words, put away sensuality and earthlymindedness; put away pride and vain-glory; put away deceit and guile, together with every malevolent, envious, and uncharitable temper ; then shall ye be fit disciples in the school of Christ, so as to understand his truth: yea, then shall ye see the glory of the Lord, even the salvation of our God.

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SERMON II.

CHRISTIAN REJOICING.

LUKE ii. 10, 11.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people: for unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

IT will be remembered, that these words were originally spoken to a company of shepherds, who were watching their flocks in the neighbourhood of Bethlehem; and that the person who spoke them was an angel, sent by God to announce to these favoured shepherds the birth of the Redeemer, which had just taken place. This was the joyful news communicated by the heavenly messenger. The shepherds, when the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, "were sore afraid." The mysterious message terrified them. Conscious of frailty,

man shrinks from communion with the world of spirits. Not sufficiently accustomed to look up to God as his Benefactor, and upon the angels as his friends, he turns with terror from