you

in question.-You all believe that industry is the readiest way to procure wealth—according to that maxim of Solomon,-"the hand of the diligent maketh rich." But does any rational person think, that a mere belief of this truth will lead him to opulence, whilst, in the whole of his conduct, he is idle and dissipated? Now, apply the illustration :-You believe that true religion will make you happy-and so far do well. But does But does any rational person think, that the faith of Christianity, without its exercises, will lead him to heaven;-or that the soul can ever satisfy itself in the consciousness of its own approval, while it is a stranger to every good disposition, and glories in folly and wickedness? Again, a man is a murderer,-but being a believer, he therefore expects heaven. He is a thief,—an adulterer,—a drunkard, but, as he is a believer, he therefore expects heaven. In one word, without going through the revolting catalogue of crimes, he is a wicked man ;-impenitent-" going on still in his wickedness:"and yet, being a believer, he therefore expects heaven. Now, to convince such an one of the fallacy of these presumptuous expectations, it would be superfluous to use a single argument: for they who, by the light eyen of their own understandings, do not, or rather will not, see them to be utterly vain and groundless, prove that their hearts are wilfully hardened against

any salutary impressions:-and having thus rendered themselves incapable of being benefited by any religious instruction, they must remain bound in the self-created shackles of their own perverse minds. Still, as it behoves the preacher of the Word, to be "instant in season, and out of season"-to "add line upon line, and precept upon precept,"-I would say to such as have thus "turned away their ears from the truth," and are unwilling to "endure sound doctrine;"do you indeed believe the Scriptures? Hear then the words of that Saviour, by whose inspiration they were "given for your learning:"— hear the blessed Jesus say of those who, (like yourselves) because they "called him Lord, Lord," expected to be received into his kingdom," then will I say unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Hear farther what the beloved Apostle says of the heavenly Jerusalem:-"There shall in no wise enter into it, anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a lie." Hear, I repeat, and ponder these things: and if, in defiance of such plain declarations of the written Word, ye are still unconvinced, and your "hearts still hardened in pride,”—we can only hope and pray, that, in the mysterious workings of God's providence, you may be led, before the day of grace is past, to "seek the Lord, if haply you may yet find him :”—that he

may be pleased to "take away your stony heart of unbelief," to "open your eyes, and turn you from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God:"-and that, in his abundant mercy, he may yet give you repentance and remission of sins, and make you "meet for an inheritance among them which are sanctified."

Lastly, I would observe, that, by God's immutable law, there is established, an essential connexion between virtue and happinessbetween sin and misery. This may be perfectly understood, not only from the deductions of reason and the declarations of Scripture, but from the opposite feelings of happiness and misery, which are excited in the bosom of every righteous and every wicked being in the universe. What is it that constitutes the misery of the accursed spirits? Is it not their total want of virtue—their pride—their envy—their malevolence—in one word, their utterly wicked dispositions? On the contrary, what is it that constitutes the happiness of angels in heaven? Is it not their purity-their piety-their conviction, that, by loving and adoring God, the great source of perfection, their bliss is certain, and will endure for ever?

Reasoning upon the same just and undeniable principles, what is it that constitutes the happiness of mankind? What is it that constitutes our own? Is it that we were born in a

Christian country? that we have been instructed from our infancy in the pure principles of the Christian religion? This is indeed a blessed privilege-a privilege demanding our constant thankfulness—our unfeigned gratitude: for what are we, that we should be thus highly favoured? But, the happiness of rational and accountable creatures, called through grace to the knowledge of divine truth, must flow from hallowed and heavenly dispositions ;-dispositions formed to piety, justice, benevolence, and charity. These dispositions, blessed and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, from whom alone they are derived, have a direct tendency to purify our corrupt hearts, to exalt and spiritualize our affections, and, by making us, even in this world, partakers of the divine nature, to give us that "peace which passeth all understanding," and to fit us for the enjoyment of that perfect and endless felicity, purchased for us by the blood of our adorable Redeemer. Such dispositions, as fruits and evidences of our faith, will assuredly render us "pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ :' while, if we are destitute of these, all our professions, will, in his sight, be "nothing worth :' and while we "live," in our own false esteem, we shall be "counted dead before him:" nay,

though we have all faith, so that we could remove mountains," "and though we speak with the tongues of men and of angels," (in the pro

if

fession of our faith,) it will "profit us nothing," but we shall be "as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." Listen, then, yet again, I beseech you, to the voice of inspiration. Holy Scripture does not say, when speaking of religious duties, Happy are ye if ye know these things; but it says, If ye know these things, happy are ye ye do them." It does not say, Blessed are they that believe in God, and despise his commandments; but, "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the Tree of Life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." And it deserves our peculiar notice, that the blessed Jesus, in his sublime Sermon on the Mount, where he describes the true nature of religion, and of human happiness, does not annex blessedness to a mere barren speculative faith, but to practical obedience. He does not say, Blessed are they who have faith without works; but, on the contrary, he says,-"Blessed are the poor in spirit :-Blessed are the meek :-Blessed are the merciful :Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled :Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

Think not then, my brethren, I entreat you, that the mere calling of Christ "Lord, Lord," will ever take you to his kingdom, unless you do also the will of your Heavenly Father. Think