of the Spirit is an enlightened principle, founded on a clear perception and settled conviction of the truth professed. This principle wanting, there is nothing in the character of a man on which you can rely. "Unstable as water, he will not excel." He fails in gaining confidence, especially in times of trial and difficulty. I fear, indeed, that many, in the present day, are to be found in the lists of benefactors to christian institutions, and not a few even personally engaged in christian services, who are not actuated by this holy principle, and have no settled conviction of christian truth. But God forbid that I should urge any man to the discharge of offices, in which religion is concerned, without this steady, self-satisfying conviction of the truths involved in them. No, however much I might long to see these offices discharged, and all their happy results accomplished, before I urged you to action, I would pray you to study the grounds on which they claim your exertions;-to pray for an enlightened view of your duty in their case; and, having obtained a clear and settled con

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viction, I would abide in it and act upon it. You will then come to the duty in the love of it; whatever your hand findeth to do, you will do it with your might; God will accept your work; and you shall be blessed in your deed. It is the truly enlightened believer in Christ,-he who is rooted and grounded in the faith, who in the exercise of his duties, at once glorifies his Lord, and enjoys the satisfaction of a conscience clear in the sight of God,-such a Christian, when duty calls, has no misgivings in his mind, as to whether it will comport with his station in society, or be in any way inexpedient for him to engage in it. Enough for him that it is a work of piety, a service of christian love, a duty of human kindness or charity: like the Psalmist, "he makes haste, and delays not to keep the commandments of the Lord." His settled conviction of the soundness of his principles gives him a promptness and decision in acting, which the man who is moved by inferior motives seldom displays. The enlightened and fully assured Christian feels that he is not his own. Bought as he is with a

price, even with the blood of his Divine Master, he has nothing to withhold; is wholly at his Lord's command; and his labours, whether common, or more extraordinary, are rendered with delight, as his "reasonable service." Conscious that he has received the doctrines of the gospel, not as mere opinions and speculations, but as principles of character and conduct, he recognizes the duties arising from them; and the love of Christ constrains him to obey. It is thus his principle is vouched by his practice. The reality of his religion becomes visible and available. He impresses and benefits the community in which he lives; and his light so shines before men that they, seeing his good works, glorify his Father who is in heaven."-But,

2. We exhort you also to pursue the duties of your christian profession with unyielding firmness of principle. The Apostle writing to the Thessalonians admonishes them to "prove all things, and to hold fast that which is good;" an admonition of great weight and importance, which it is at our peril we neglect in either of its branches. We are, in the first

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place, to guard against deception. Numerous are the errors afloat; and numerous the agents employed in their propagation. But, "beloved, believe not every spirit; but try the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world." Our Lord himself enjoins the same duty of caution and serious inquiry, in these emphatic words, "Take heed what ye hear." We are therefore under serious obligations to carefully examine whatever we admit as an article of our faith. The importance of this duty arises from its consequence to ourselves; for on what we believe our feelings, our sentiments, our conduct, in short, our character, are formed, and what, of course, must follow, our well-being for time and for eternity. Truth is the light of the soul, and essential to its safety. The eye is said to be the lamp, or light of the body. If that member be single, not vitiated by any distemper, our "whole body shall be full of light." In like manner, truth, heavenly truth, is inward and spiritual light. If we form our judgment and conduct on the maxims and doctrines of sacred truth,

we shall then be "light in the Lord. We shall walk as children of light, proving what is acceptable unto the Lord." But we live in a world abounding in falsehood, subtleties, vain conceits, and wild and novel theories ;all emanations from the father of lies, who has given them in commission to his emissaries; and they are "going to and fro in the earth, and walking up and down in it," enticing and ensnaring the weak and the unwary. In this labour their success is various. Many they bewilder and draw aside, greatly to their discomfort; while of others, pre-disposed to wander, they make an easy prey; and bring upon them, as upon themselves, "swift destruction." How essential then to the right proving of all things is the aid of the Spirit of truth! Blessed be God, this aid is promised! Let us earnestly invoke his presence with us; and he will

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guide us into all truth." And having been enlightened by this Divine Instructor, and received from him the truth as it is in Christ, it is our next concern to "hold it fast." It is for the health and prosperity of the soul to be "immoveable" here. The infusion of this