was said of Paul, after his conversion, "Behold, hé prayeth." Paul had doubtless prayed before; for he was a Pharisee; and the Pharisees prayed long and often. But his Phariseean prayers are not reckoned here. Now it is said; "Behold he prayeth." He prayed, as a man ought to do, from his heart. His soul quickened to a new life, felt new desires, and made new requests.

They will aspire after improvements in knowledge and holiness, and delight in the means of spiritual growth. Babes in Christ long for the stature of per fect men.

You see then, what this rising from the dead means. Let us now,

III. Attend to the encouragement, which the text contains."Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light"-shall shine upon and enlighten thee.

1. This may be understood as a promise of pardon and eternal life on your repentance.

"Repent and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out." However great and numerous they are, they may all be forgiven through the blood of your Redeemer. This cleanses from all sin." "The rightcousness of God through the faith of Christ is unto all who believe, and there is no difference." The greatness of your guilt is no obstruction to God's pardoning mercy-it is only your impenitence which excludes you from the hopes of the gospel. See, what light arises in darkness.

2. The words farther import God's gracious attention to awakened souls, when they frame their doings' to turn to him.

The call is, Awake, arise from the dead-repair to the Saviour. Say not, "We are unable to discern the way" Christ will shine upon you and give you light. Say not, "We are unable to rise and walk :" He will meet you with his grace. "Arise, he calleth you." VOL. III.

3 I

He will guide your steps. Stretch out to him your withered hand; he will give it strength. When the prodigal, having come to himself, felt his own wretched condition, and contemplated the rich supplies in his father's house-what did he say? Did he complain, "I cannot return?"-No: He resolved, "I will a

rise and go to my father." "And while he was yet a great way off, the father saw him, had compassion on him and ran to meet him.

Do you ask, "What can the dead do toward their own resurrection ?-To what purpose are the prayers and endeavors of sinners for their own conversion?" These are questions of a soul at ease-of a sluggard who pleads, "A little more sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep." Your danger has been set before you. If you have been wholly inattentive, and are still unawakened, I can only tell you again, your danger is exceeding great, and greater than before. The same stupidity, which has hindered your attention to this warning, will, I am afraid, defeat any advice which can be given you. But if, convinced of your guilt, and sensible of your danger, you seriously inquire, what you must do, you will gladly re

ceive the word.

Acquaint yourselves, then, with the nature of religion. Think on your ways, and compare them with the word of God. Read and hear this word with honest selfapplication. Avoid whatever might extinguish your present sober sentiments. Shun the occasions of, and temptations to sin. Daily implore God's quickening and sanctifying grace, and in humble dependence on this grace form your resolutions against sin, and your purposes of new obedience.

this

Consider your present awakening as a new call from God to turn to him and hope in his grace. To grace you are indebted for the work begun in you. Receive it not in vain. However insufficient you are to do any thing as of yourselves, yet remember you

are not left to yourselves. By that grace which is now striving with you, there is something which you may do. "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who worketh in you."

You see, on the one hand, how dangerous is your condition, while you continue in your sins; and on the other, how great is your encouragement to repent and seek God's mercy. If you are still unpersuaded-if neither a view of God's wrath makes you afraid, nor a view of his mercy animates your hope-if despising both the terrors of the law, and the invitations of the gospel, you go on still in your trespasses, what more shall be said?-Know, my friends, it is high time to awake out of sleep. Though you may sleep in sin, and delay your repentance, yet your judgment lingereth not, and your damnation slumbereth not; but you are bringing on yourselves swift destruction. Therefore awake, ye who sleep, and arise from the dead, for now Christ will give you light.

SERMON XXXVII.

Christian Circumspection.

EPHESIANS v. 15, 16, 17.

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wisebecause the days are evil. Wherefore be not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

THESE Ephesians, who were sometimes in darkness or Heathenism, had now by the preaching of the gospel become light in the Lord. The Apostle therefore exhorts them to walk as children of light"not as fools, but as wise." To walk in wisdom is a phrase, which may be understood as comprehending the whole of religion: But here it is used more especially to express the prudence and discretion, which ought to distinguish the Christian life. It is to walk circumspectly. And the reason assigned is, "because the days are evil.”

We will explain the duty, and then apply the argu

ment.

I. The duty recommended is, "to walk circumspectly."

The original word is often rendered, diligently; as where Herod inquired diligently of the wise men, what time the star appeared; and commanded them to

search diligently for the child, whom the star designated. It is composed of two words, one of which signifies the height or top of a thing; the other signifies to go or walk. The phrase then imports such a caution and exactness in our Christian conversation, as resembles that which men use, when they are walking on the top of a precipice, or the summit of a building, where a small mistep would endanger a fall, and a fal! would be fatal.

This circumspection will best be illustrated by its application to particular cases.

1. Walk circumspectly that you may keep within the line of your duty.

you may

Religion is not an extended plain, in which walk at large, and turn to any point without passing its limits; but it is a strait and narrow path, in which you must pursue one steady course without deviating to either side. Your course often lies in a medium between two extremes. If from this course you deviate, you step into the territory of vice. There are some virtues, which are not capable of excess. There are others which consist in a mediocrity. With reference to these the Apostle says, "Let your moderation be

known to all men."

Be circumspect, that you may not mistake your duty. Prove all things; and hold fast that which is good." Form your religious sentiments, by the plain doctrines and precepts of the gospel-not by the vague opinions, or corrupt practices of the world. There are errors, which some embrace with airs of assurance, and defend with ostentation of argument. But be not deceived: "Ponder well the path of your feet, and let your ways be established."

Be watchful to retain a sense of virtue and rectitude. Give earnest heed to the things which you have learned, lest by any means you let them slip."-" Having chosen the way of truth, lay God's judgments before you, and cleave to his testimonies."