answer to this question may serve for an application, of our subject. It is because we are so worldlyminded; because our thoughts and affections are so much fixed on the things below. Examine yourselves, brethren, on this point. When your minds are led to look forward with anxious care to to-morrow, what are the things which most harass, and distress you with fears and apprehensions. I do not say that the subjects are wholly unimportant, wholly unworthy of your attention; but I will venture to say, that they are almost, if not entirely relating to this present world. They may be important, but they are only important to you, as an inhabitant of earth, and not to an immortal being, standing on the verge of eternity. so? And could your thoughts and cares and anxiety be thus confined to this spot, and to these concerns, which you are just about to leave for ever, if it were not that you were too, far too worldly? Have you not need, urgent need of the exhortation, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world!"

Is it not

Would you then get rid of this fruitful source of unhappiness, look beyond to-morrow! "Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eye-lids look straight before thee; ponder the paths of thy feet.” Consider thyself as not formed for time only, but for eternity, not for this world, but for another. It is only when the things of this life are spoken of, that anxious care about the future is forbidden.

It is only then, that it becomes the source of unhappiness. There are subjects of infinite moment to each of us, where forethought, and solicitude, are not only allowable, but required of us. Such solicitude as will make us fear and tremble, even while we are using the means appointed by God to secure the prize set before us. Take thought for eternity, labour to secure an inheritance beyond the grave, to find pardon of sin through faith in the Lord Jesus; and then your most anxious solicitude your most indefatigable exertions for the future, will incur no censure. No, nor will they do any thing towards diminishing your happiness, but the more earnest you are, the more present peace will you enjoy, and the brighter will be your future prospects.

SERMON XXI.'

2 CORINTHIANS iii. 2.

YE ARE OUR EPISTLE, WRITTEN IN OUR HEARTS, KNOWN AND READ OF ALL MEN.

NEVER had any one a more painful task to perform, than that which was imposed on St. Paul by the conduct of the Corinthians. Though he had been the instrument of making them acquainted with the gospel of Christ, and had imparted to them those spiritual gifts, and miraculous powers, in which they so much gloried; yet certain persons had come in among them, who taught them to deny his apostolic authority, and to pour contempt on his knowledge of the mysteries of Christ; while they represented him, as endeavouring to exercise a tyrannical authority over them. Such were the insinuations thrown out against him, when he wrote his first Epistle to the Corinthian church; and he expected a repetition of the same charges, now that he addressed them a second time.

He had not, however, undertaken the painful

1 Mr. Scott had been upwards of twenty-five years at Gawcott, when this sermon was preached.

task of vindicating himself from these calumnies, because he was anxious for commendation and applause, but because he was grieved to see the wrong state of mind, into which the Corinthians had fallen. There are few things, which more clearly shew a sad declension in spiritual feeling, than when those who profess the gospel, lose their attachment to the ministers by whom they believed. This was the case at Corinth to an extraordinary degree and the Apostle dwells upon it, with feelings, evidently of the most painful nature.

Among other points, he declares to the Corinthians, that he was not like some of their favorite teachers, who were so little known in the Christian church, or who were of so doubtful and equivocal character, that when they went from one place to another, they had need to carry with them letters of recommendation. He wanted nothing of the kind. If he came to Corinth, he was well known there, as the minister who had first preached to them the gospel of God. Their existence as a Church, was the seal and evidence of his apostleship. If he went to other places, still the Corinthians were his epistle of commendation, written on his own heart, so as never to be obliterated; and was known and read of all men; all had heard of the church of Corinth. And though, in some respects, he "had had sorrow of them, in whom he ought to have rejoiced," yet still, such an effect had been produced, there were so many thriving Christians

among them, that he could not but still rejoice over them, as manifestly declared, to be the epistle of Christ, ministered by him, written, not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in the fleshly tables of the heart."

It is not my intention, to enlarge any further at present on the subject, as it relates to St. Paul and the Corinthians; but to dwell on the fact, that those who attend on the preaching of the gospel in any place, and profess to embrace the doctrines they hear; form the minister's epistle of commendation. And, in order to make a practical use of the subject, I shall point out

I. WHAT OUGHT TO BE READ IN SUCH AN EPISTLE. And

II. Apply the subject, by enquiring WHAT MAY

THUS BE READ AMONGST OURSELVES ?

Since then, a congregation, hearing and professing to receive the gospel of Christ, is the minister's epistle of commendation, we will proceed to consider,

I. WHAT OUGHT ΤΟ BE READ IN SUCH AN

EPISTLE.

The subject, as you must perceive, is immensely broad; coextensive with all the doctrines and duties of Christianity; it is not therefore to be expected that I should enter very minutely into it, I will only touch on a few leading points.