apprehensions as to your true interest in Jesus Christ. Having some distinct perceptions of Christian Holiness, seeing what manner of persons true Christians ought to be in all holy conversation and godliness, and comparing with this exalted standard your own defective attainments in holiness, you are ready to conclude that you are no real Christian. Finding so much evil remaining in your hearts, you are tempted to doubt, whether you were ever made a partaker of renewing grace. But at such seasons, "Look unto the Rock whence you were hewn, and to the hole of the Pit, whence you were digged." Call to mind your original state, the natural deadness of your heart to spiritual things. At that time you knew nothing, you felt nothing, you desired nothing in respect to true, vital, spiritual religion. Compare your state then with your state now. Now you know what spiritual religion is. You have spiritual feelings and desires. You long and endeavour after spiritual objects. Surely this is a sign of life. The dead feel not, desire not, strive not. Let these reflections allay your fears, and invigorate your hopes. Though you may as yet be only a babe in Christ; yet an infant as truly lives as a fullgrown man. Prove to yourself that you have life in you by seeking after the sincere milk

of the word. Seek it and grow thereby. Prove to yourself that you are indeed a partaker of a new and holy nature, by following after holiness, and walking in newness of life.

Such are some of the Lessons here suggested to those, who in the way which has been described, "follow after righteousness and seek the Lord."

But the subject admits also of another less exclusive application. It furnishes one lesson of general importance: for it teaches us how holy and practical in its tendency is true, vital, evangelical Religion; that Religion, which beginning in a deep spiritual conviction of sin, leads to faith in Christ as the only source of peace, hope, and consolation, and the main spring of life and action. Religion thus described, is often encountered by prejudice, or regarded with suspicion, on the supposition that it tends to weaken the obligations to moral obedience, and to open a door to licentious and Antinomian consequences. Let, however, the use which has been made of the text show how unreasonable are such prejudices, how erroneous are such suspicions. True, vital, evangelical Religion is closely and uniformly connected with personal holiness. So intimate is the union between them, that they can never be

separated. Should any one speculatively suppose the contrary, it is evident, that he is entirely unacquainted with the subject on which he professes to hold his opinion. Should any one practically conclude that such a separation is possible, it is as evident that he has never felt the power of true Religion on his Soul. Both show their utter ignorance of the truth as it is in Jesus. Both show the need they have of coming to Him as little children, that they may be taught of God; that being born again by the regenerating influences of his Spirit, they may be brought experimentally to know, what it is to follow after righteousness, and to seek the Lord. Here is their remedy. Here, my Brethren, is your cure, your only cure, for those erroneous and distorted views of true Religion. Come humbly to Jesus Christ. Laying aside prejudice and self-conceit, cast yourselves before His throne of Mercy. Confess to Him your ignorance. Pray to Him for His Spirit to enlighten and convince you; to take of the things of Christ, and to show them unto you. So shall you find rest unto your souls. He who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, will give to you. He will give you wisdom, even that wisdom which is from above; "the merchandize of which is better than the mer

chandize of silver, and the gain thereof than of fine gold."- May the God of all grace and mercy incline your hearts to seek Him. May He lead you into all Truth, and blessyou with all spiritual blessings in Jesus Christ!

Printed by A. Strahan, Printers Street, London.

THE END.