difficult to refer to other instances both in the Bible and out of it, which have occurred since his. Perhaps it would not be difficult to refer to some which exist at the present day, but we leave all that. The subject may be somewhat tempting, but it is also somewhat delicate, and ought to be touched with a trembling hand. Concerning scripture instances we have a right to speak with certainty. Concerning others perhaps we ought to speak more cautiously, firmly resting however in the general c onclusion that whatever despotic dynasties may now exist, Christ is a king pledged to make them all subservient to the interests of his own sacred cause. "God hath set him at his own right hand far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this world but in that which is to come, and hath put all things under his feet, and given him to be head over all things to the church." Beneath his rule "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to his purpose." There is "given unto him dominion and glory and a kingdom that all people, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed." "He must reign till all his enemies are the footstool of his feet." "He will judge the poor of the people and break in pieces the oppressor. All kings shall fall down before him and all nations serve him." "I saw heaven opened" says the rapt Apostle "and behold a white horse and he that sat upon it was called faithful and true and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire and on his head were many crowns. He was clothed in a vesture dipped in blood and the armies of heaven followed him. Out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword that with it he should smite the nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, and

he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written King of kings and Lord of lords." Brethren, with such texts as these let us learn amidst the present heavings of the world to put our trust in the sovereignty and grace of Christ, and with an increased confidence let us sing

Whatever ills the world befall

A pledge of endless good we call

A sign of Jesus near;

His chariot will not long delay;

We hear the rumbling wheels, and pray,

Triumphant Lord appear!

"He which testifieth these things saith surely I come quickly-even so-come Lord Jesus."

SERMON VIII.

EARLY PIETY EXPLAINED AND URGED.

BY THE REV. JOHN BROWN, OF BARNET.

"REMEMBER NOW THY CREATOR IN THE DAYS OF THY YOUTH, WHILE THE EVIL DAYS COME NOT, NOR THE YEARS DRAW NIGH, WHEN THOU SHALT SAY, I HAVE NO PLEASURE IN THEM."-ECCLESIASTES XII., 1.

Or the writer of this book we read, that "God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart even as the sand which is on the sea shore. And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men."-1 Kings iv., 29. His fame had spread among the nations, so that, "there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.”—1 Kings iv., 34, and his sayings dictated by infallible inspiration were regarded as oracles. Possessing every opportunity for terrestrial enjoyment that earth could afford, whatsoever his "eyes desired he kept not from them, and withheld not his heart from any joy."Eccl. ii., 10, but he only reaped the inevitable result of the

eager pursuit of sublunary bliss :-"vanity of vanities; vanity and vexation of spirit." Happy will it be for those who take warning and instruction from his example! But alas! what multitudes disregarding his lessons of wisdom, and prompted by their mistaken views and corrupt inclinations, seek in "riches, honours, or what else this short enduring world can give," the happiness which creation entire was never intended to furnish.

Few are less disposed to listen to the advice of the aged, than they who are just approaching the state of manhood; full of self-importance, and wiser, in their own eyes, than seven men that can render a reason, they throw off the restraints imposed upon them by their early guides, and deliver themselves up to the dominion of their youthful passions. The words of our text are addressed to the young; and claim special attention, as being those of a great king; the wisest of men; a man of vast experience; and who "spake as he was moved by the Holy Ghost"-They contain three points; which I shall make the three heads of this discourse

I. THE DUTY ENJOINED.

II. THE TIME FIXED FOR ITS PERFORMANCE.

III. THE REASONS BY WHICH IT IS HERE URGED. I. The Duty: "Remember thy Creator"-This implies the knowledge of Him; as we cannot remember whom we do not know. To know Him, as Creator, himself uncreated, self-existent, independant, existing from eternity, essentially one, and infinite in all his attributes and perfections to know Him as the author of all existence, absolute in power and dominion, ruling his rational and intelligent creation, in justice, holiness, truth and love— to know Him as revealed in the economy of redemption, a trinity in unity; that economy originating in the love of the Father, effected by the mission and work of the Son,

and the procession of the Holy Ghost in his influence and offices. To know Him as our God and Father, through faith in Jesus Christ; that faith preceeded by deep, sincere repentance, followed by reconciliation with God, and the indwelling of the Spirit of God, "the Spirit itself bearing witness with our spirit that we are the children of God," and filling the heart with the fruits of the Spirit.

2-It is to love Him. "My son," he says "give me thine heart." "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, mind, soul and strength," is the first and great command. We are to love Him for what He is in himself, as absolutely good; for what He has done for us in our creation, preservation, and redemption; for what He has engaged to do for us, in bringing us through grace to glory. His love is our happiness here, and constitutes the happiness of saints in glory, as we sing: "The heaven of heavens is love." To raise us to that state of love is the end and intention of all that God has done in the great scheme of human salvation. It is true that by nature we have not the love of God within us; nor is it possible by any arguments grounded on our relations to him, or obligations to the duty, to kindle in ourselves this holy flame; but when God manifests his pardoning mercy, shedding "abroad his love in our hearts by the Holy Ghost given unto us;" it is then we can adopt the words of St. John: 66 we love him because he first loved us."

3-It is to delight ourselves in Him. In His manifested favour and love; in the indwelling of God by the Spirit; "I will dwell in you and walk in you, and ye shall be my people and I will be your God." To delight in Him as our Father, our Friend and Chief joy, yea, "our exceeding joy." To delight ourselves in Him, as the happiness for which we were created, and as our everlasting portion, MAY, 1855.