versal application, that they may be considered as addressed to the whole human race. indeed a duty incumbent upon all his creatures. Those to whom he was only known as the world's creator, owed him gratitude for the blessings of existence; and from those whom he had favoured with the superior light of a particular revelation, who had been instructed by his prophets, and lived in the actual enjoyment of benefits which he had promised, and which he had specified, a still greater degree of gratitude was due. But if love, and reverence, and gratitude, increase in proportion to the benefits received, to love the LORD OUR GOD with all our heart, and mind, and strength, must be the inevitable consequence of our belief in the promises of the Gospel. The love of God was The more carefully we examine the nature of the additional light thrown upon the Divine government by the revelation of Jesus Christ, the more completely shall we be convinced of our superior obligations. It is not in such a rapid sketch as the present that these can be properly unfolded, nor is my feeble hand equal to the momentous task. May the bare mention of a few particulars be sufficient to awaken reflection, and to convey some idea of the magnitude of our debt of grati tude to the God of our salvation! It has, in the first place, given us such an assurance of the evil nature of sin, and of the punishment to which it necessarily leads, and the unwillingness of God to punish, as affords clearer views of the infinite justice and infinite mercy of the Supreme Being, than were ever before displayed to the human race. Another, and to us a most important truth, has been by the coming of Jesus Christ revealed, in the assurance it has given us of the efficacy of repentance. While external ordinances ordinances were given as the test of obedience, obedience was required to be perfect. But the test of obedience being now changed, no longer consisting in the mere observance of outward ceremonies, but in the inward purity and unsinning righteousness of the heart, the goodness of God, in compassion to our infirmities, has thrown open the gates of mercy to the penitent offender. This is a source of gratitude unknown before. How much is it augmented by the assurance of pardon being given by Him in whom we believe as the mediator between God and man! by Him "who ever liveth to "make intercession for us," and who has solemnly declared that he will be with us to the end of the world! All All that has been revealed of the Holy Spirit in his office of sanctifier, calls likewise for our highest grati tude. Can we look up with hope for this Divine assistance, and be in sensible to the goodness of our God? Can we beseech him to purify our hearts by the blessed influence of his Holy Ghost, without experiencing such emotions as must infallibly lead to an exercise of all the best affec tions of the soul? These, had nothing more than these been revealed to us by the coming of the Messiah, would have afforded sufficient argument for gratitude, and love, and reverence, towards our Saviour and our God. But still the future world would have been wrapt in darkness. The promises given to the children of Israel would have been accomplished, but accomplished in the annihilation of hope. It was not thus that the Almighty had ordained. By Jesus Christ new and more gracious promises were made and ratified. By his mysterious sufferings and voluntary death, we are assured that we shall be saved from the power of death; that is to say, that death shall not destroy our souls. By his resurrection and ascension, we have a farther assurance of the faithfulness with which God will perform the promise of eternal life to all who on their part faithfully fulfil the conditions of the engage ment. It would surely be superfluous to point out what strong additional motives we have for devoting our heart, and mind, and strength, in love to "him who thus loved us." If we truly believe, we cannot fail to fulfil this great commandment. And if the love of God dwells in our |