trials, we search out the cause, and bring our proud, resisting spirits to unreserved submission; when, not discouraged by the hardships of the way, nor entangled by the solicitations of the world, we press forward for the prize of our high calling; and go from strength to strength, until we appear before our God in Zion.

Be it, then, your daily prayer and mine, that in our temper, attainments, and conduct, we may follow the example of the Christian churches in Macedonia; by sincere reliance on the unchangeable Redeemer for our complete salvation; by unreserved dedication of our powers to his service; and by humble resignation of our lot to his disposal.

May the Lord bless what has been said; and to his name be all the glory. Amen.

SERMON

SERMON X.

SELF-DEDICATION TO GOD.

2 COR. viii. 5.

And this they did, not as we hoped; but first their own selves to the Lord, and unte us by the will of God.

gave

THE Second thing proposed in the illustration of this subject, was to recommend to your imitation the example of the Macedonian churches; and to beseech you, in this the day of merciful visitation, to give youryour selves to the Lord in a covenant never to be forgotten.

In entering on this part of the subject, I wish to have my mind deeply impressed with

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the

the persuasion, that I am now endeavouring to fulfil one of the most important designs of the ministerial office, by doing what in me lies to gain your hearts, my beloved brethren, to the admiration and acceptance of the matchless Saviour. Until this is accomplished, our preaching is vain, and your souls remain strangers to salvation and happiness.

O that my feeble endeavours were made the means, through the Holy Spirit, of captivating your supreme affection and desires to that Saviour who is the chief among ten thousand!

Give yourselves, therefore, to the Lord; for, l. This is a duty, and your most reasonable service: 2. Your doing so is a privilege, and essentially connected with your best interests here and hereafter : 3. Your doing so will open for you sources of consosation through life, and through eternity.

1. Your giving yourselves to the Lord in all the extent already illustrated, is your duty.

Jesus is worthy to receive all blessing, dominion, and glory; therefore it is acting a 'wise and rational part, to give yourselves to

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;

him who waits to be gracious, and who most justly challenges your supreme veneration and homage.

In himself he possesses every excellence; for he is fairer than the sons of men, and without spot or blemish. He is the brightness of the Father's glory, and the express image of his person; full of grace and truth; without any variableness, or shadow of turning. Angels adore him: They celebrate his glories with unceasing ardour; the contemplation of his infinite excellence engages

their whole powers; and the enjoyment of his presence constitutes their highest felicity. The many millions of ransomed saints before the throne lay their crowns at the Redeemer's feet, and, tuning their golden harps, they sing in joyful concert that new and noblest song of Zion, “ Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of all kindreds, and languages, and nations.”-Saints on earth extol him as the Wonderful Counsellor, the Sun of righteousness, the desire of nations, and the pearl of great price.

But

But there is no name or character on earth to which we can compare the dignity and excellence of our blessed Redeemer. Do we speak of the understanding of the wise? In him dwelleth all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Do we applaud the mighty? His greatness is unsearchable. Do we admire the generous ? He giveth liberally, and without upbraiding.

Compared with his greatness, the glory of Solomon is as a feeble distant shadow; compared with his generosity, the virtues of Joseph are only scanty streams; compared with his condescension, the meekness of Moses was only the faint resemblance of that virtue, in him who is meek and lowly in heart.

O adorable Redeemer! art thou thus infinitely perfect, and thus completely amiable? and shall not my whole soul admire, and love, and worship thee ?

United with his personal excellence, contemplate the wonders of his redeeming love.

It well becomes us to devote ourselves to him, for he first loved us; he died, the just for the unjust, to bring us to God; he made his soul an offering for sin, and bare our iniquities in his own body on the tree. Herein