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are satisfied that you really occupy that spot where you believe God in his providence has placed you. Then, punctually discharge every duty enjoined upon you, live near to Christ, leave every event, however painful, to his wise disposal; and, in due time, you will find that the Lord hath done all things well.

The other volume I purposed to recommend to your frequent meditation is on a truly solemn subject; it is what I may name the Book OF ETERNITY. Our bles sed Lord taught his disciples fortitude, resignation, and dependence on his Father for perpetual supply out of this very volume. Fear not, little flock; it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Of course, they might be content under the vicissitudes of present life, and the discouragements of their ministry. He that hath prepared them a kingdom, will most assuredly take care of them in their way thither. Our Lord and Saviour hath brought life and immortality to light by the Gospel. Many volumes have been written, inquiring, “If there be a future state?" But, it is the excellence of the Bible to assure us of that state, and to inform us in what that state consists. The unbounded bliss of the righteous, and the inconceivable misery of the wicked, are so rationally and justly described, that they ought to make the most solemn impression upon the thoughtful mind. You will not fail to learn a lesson on contentment from the account which our Lord hath recorded on the rich man's avarice, which led him to hell; and of poor Lazarus, with all his misfortunes, who was safely conveyed by Angels to Abraham's bosom.-Let us remember, that time is short. We shall not want the world much longer; death, and a vast eternity, will soon appear. If heaven is our final home, the less we have upon our back the easier we shall

travel, and the sooner it will be thrown off at death. Besides, the more you meditate on Eternity, and hold your conversation in heaven, the more contentment will you have with your Father's will on earth. Your spirit will be preserved serene; your example will be valuable to others, and you will prove an honour to that God who is your guide and your portion for ever.

Let me now exhort you who are in a single capacity, and you who have families, in your various relations in life, frequently, with attention, to read the book of Human Life-the Holy Bible,-and the Book of Eternity; and may the Spirit of God inspire you with faith, prayer, and love, that your profiting may appear unto all. You will find it true according to the Scripture, that Godliness, with contentment, is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content. Let your conversation, therefore, be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have; for God hath said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you. All that is transitory; our wealth, connections, dearest friends, must be left soon. If we are really interested in Jesus, and live by faith upon him, all we can quit by death is a mere shadow, compared with what we most certainly shall enjoy with him in heaven. Therefore, live above the world; be content and thankful for the abundant goodness of God towards you; be ready for your great and last change by death; and be assured your latter end will be crowned with peace and unutterable joy.

THE CHRISTIAN'S PROGRESS.

PSALM 1xxxiv. 7.

They go from strength to strength.

Lord, hast thou made me know thy ways?

Conduct me in thy fear;

And grant me such supplies of grace

That I may persevere.

Be Thou my all-sufficient Friend,
Till all my toils shall cease;

Guard me through life, and let my end
Be everlasting peace.

THIS text was descriptive of the happy progress of the worshippers in ancient Zion, and is equally so of the persevering saints of God in every age. In this Lecture I shall attempt to describe the persevering Christian, in hope God may enable you to perceive your own likeness, and assist you with greater animation to pursue the arduous journey of life.

1. That the persevering Christian is a LIVING CHARACTER, must be obvious to all. To go from place to place, from strength to strength, is the evident motion of a living body, and is strictly true of the spiritual motion of that soul which is made alive by the power of the Lord Jesus. Such have experienced what in scripture is denominated a new birth. Christ is our life. The soul that possesses him is set in motion towards God; desire, faith, hope, love are in the most sensible and happy exercise. He hath eyes to see objects of a spiritual nature, never beheld before; he tastes the sweets of re

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deeming grace in Jesus, for which he never possesseð a relish until now; and his feet are taught to walk in paths, the reverse of his former life and conversation. Thus, though sometime darkness, he is now made light in the Lord. Before, he was a vassal in the kingdom of Satan : now, he is translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son. Let me, therefore, ask if the Lord hath performed this mercy for you? Unless you have life in you, it is impossible you should have spiritual motion. Bring this first and most important point home to the heart, and be assured, unless you have been born again, you have not yet taken one step towards the kingdom of heaven. But, should you have received life from Christ, you will perceive

2. That the next trait in a persevering Christian is, a consciousness of a CHANGE OF PLACE. Going, expressed in our text, is leaving one point, and passing on to another. Christ first gives life, then calls it into exercise. My sheep hear my voice, they follow me. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. Like Ephraim, the Lord taketh him by the hand, and teacheth him to go. Jesus leaves not the sinner as he finds him; but gives him power to fly from the wrath to come. He finds such under the curse of a violated law; yet unguardedly attached to it, as the source of his hope; therefore Jesus conducts him to the burning mountain of Sinai for sentence of death, and then directs him to Calvary for everlasting life. He goes out of himself, step by step, to enjoy a completeness in Jesus. All men in these first stages of experience, passing from nature to grace, do not take equal number of steps, nor possess the same degree of sensibility. With confidence may we say, many a weary step did Saul of Tarsus take in the travel of his soul, from the moment when Jesus met him on the

way, until he was assured that he was a chosen vessel. But no sooner was Lydia's heart opened, than with easy steps she embraced her Saviour, and moved forward in sweet obedience. Thus, as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of God. And such often look back to review the state of ignorance and guilt from which they have been called, and are astonished at the change. Although they may not know the number of steps they have taken, nor remember the day and the spot when they commenced their journey; yet they are certain such a change is wrought, which none but God could possibly perform; and thus go on from strength to strength, praising the wonders of redeeming grace.-If we follow the Christian, and mark his future steps, it cannot but afford us pleasure to behold him exchanging the conversation of a vain world for the company of the righteous, like the worshippers in Jerusalem going up the stairs of the temple, from strength to strength, until each in public solemn profession appears in Zion before God. We see him advance, step by step, in a persuasion of the authenticity, variety, history, doctrine, precept, promise, and preciousness of the Bible.-To which we may add the several stages of human life, babes, children, young men, fathers in Christ, each are expressive of the believer's growth in grace and perseverance, until he takes his last step out of time into eternity.

3. Taking another glance at our text, by going from strength to strength must evidently imply difficulties surmounted. None that ever were called to march the Christian road to glory, but, more or less, found evils in the way, which incessantly demanded the exercise of faith, patience, and self-denial. The souls of the Israelites in

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