and if we make light of it, whatever be the prize we pursue, we are "observing lying vanities, and forsak ❝ing our own mercies." Hence we expostulate. Can the service of sin, or the pursuits of the world, afford you advantages like these? Can earthly things even in their abundance, heal a wounded conscience, sustain you under the troubles of life, take away the sting of death, and raise you above the dread of eternity? What have they done for you already? You have tried their efficacy; are you happy? Why will you refuse a fresh proposal sanctioned by the experience of millions, and the success of all who have tried it? "Acquaint now thyself "with Him, and be at peace; thereby good shall come "unto thee." "Have the workers of iniquity no "knowledge?" "Wherefore do ye spend money for "that which is not bread; and your labour for that "which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and "eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight " itself in fatness." "Incline your ear, and come unto "me; hear, and your soul shall live: and I will make "an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure "mercies of David." ત We congratulate others. "All hail, ye highly fa"voured of the Lord." "Happy art thou, O Israel; "who is like unto thee, O people, saved by the Lord, "the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy "excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars દર se unto thee, and thou shalt tread upon their high places." "Blessed is the people that is in such a case! yea, happy is that people whose God is the Lord." We have heard, O God, that thou hast à people "upon earth diftinguished by innumerable and inefti"mable privileges. We would not be satisfied with "knowing and admiring their portion; weary of the "world which has yielded us nothing but vanity and "vexation of spirit, we would seek our inheritance "among them that are sanctified by faith that is in "Chrift Jesus. We would take hold of the skirt of "him that is a Jew, saying, I will go with you, for I " have heard that God is with you. I am a compan❝ion of all them that fear thee, of them that keep thy "precepts. Look thou upon me, and be merciful "unto me, as thou useft to do unto those that love thy name. Remember me, O Lord, with the fa"vour that thou bearest unto thy people; O visit me "with thy salvation: that I may see the good of thy ❝ chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy na❝tion, that I may glory with thine inheritance." May God inspire us with these sentiments. Amen. SERMON XII. THE CONDITION OF CHRISTIANS IN THE WORLD, ST. JOHN xvii. 15. Ï PRAY NOT THat thou shouldEST TAKE THEM OUT OF THE WORLD, BUT THAT THOU SHOULDEST KEEP THEM FROM THE EVIL. THESE words were spoken by our Saviour, on a very memorable occasion; an "hour" unparralleled in the annals of time. Having loved 66 "his own which were in the world, he loved them "unto the end." While he was with them, he had withheld no proof of his kindness and care. He gave them free access to his presence, he removed their doubts, he relieved their complaints, he bore with their infirmities. Such an intercourse of sacred friendship had endeared him to their affections, and rendered the prospect of a separation inexpressibly painful. When the venerable Samuel died, "all the Israelites were "gathered together, and lamented him." When the amiable friend of David fell" on his high place," the bleeding survivor said, "I am distressed for thee, my "brother Jonathan; very pleasant haft thou been to "me; thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love 66 "of women," When Elisha beheld the reformer Elijah ascending, "he cried, my father, my father, "the chariots of Israel, and the horsemen thereof." The case of the disciples was more peculiarly afflictive ; and "sorrow filled their hearts." Our Saviour was never deprived of self-possession; in every state he had the full command of his powers; and even in the immediate view of his tremendous sufferings, he does not forget one circumftance which claims his atten tion. He thinks more of his disciples than of himself; he enters into their feelings; they were to remain behind, poor and despised; " as sheep among wolves;" as passengers in a vessel "tossed by the waves." He will not leave them "comfortless." On the evening before his crucifixion, and a few moments before his agony, by the gate of the garden of Gethsemane, surrounded with his family," he lifts up his eyes to "heaven," and commends them into the hands of his "Father and our Father, his God and our God."Do not say, my fellow chriftians, this prayer was for the apoftles; it was for them primarily, but not exclusively. Hear his own words; "neither pray I for "these ALONE, but for THEM ALSO which SHALL BE66 LIEVE On me THROUGH THEIR WORD." Thus it extends to all the followers of our Lord in every age, in every place; he prays for you; even for you; and this is his language; "I pray not that thou fhouldeft "take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest "keep them from the evil." From these words the following inftructions may be derived. I. IT IS THE PROVINCE OF GOD TO TAKE US OUT OF THE world. II. THIS WORLD IS A PROPER SITUATION FOR THE RIGHTEOUS TO LIVE I. IT IS THE PROVINCE OF GOD TO TAKE US OUT OF THE WORLD. It is the obvious design of the Scripture to bring the mind into a pious frame, by inducing us to ac knowledge God in all our ways; to apprehend him in every occurrence; to adore him in the field, as well as in the temple; to hold communion with him in his works, as well as in his word, in his dispensations, as well as in his ordinances. While our minds are perplexed and discomposed by beholding the mass of human affairs, and the perpetual fluctuations of worldly things; this blessed book lends us a principle, which when applied reduces the confusion to order, explains the mystery, satisfies and calms the inquirer. It teaches us that nothing occurs by chance; it shews us the Supreme Being superintending the whole, "seeing the "end from the beginning;" "working all things after "the counsel of his own will;" advancing towards the execution of purposes worthy of himself, with steady, majestic steps; never turning aside; never too precipitate; never too slow. We see divine Providence fixing "the bounds of our habitation," and presiding over all the circumstances of our birth, and |