his mind, the virtues of his heart and the excellence of his views, was the victim of ambition. Unfortunately for him, he had been presented at the baptismal font by the reigning queen; and the honour which had thus been conferred upon him by his royal sponsor, an honour concerning which he had been early and well instructed, took full possession of his mind. To this circumstance, which connected all his ideas of happiness with court-favour and protection, we may fairly trace that desire of preferment which harassed his spirits, and gave a mortal wound to his peace.

If an impression so powerful can be made by the knowledge of an honour conferred by a fellow-creature, can we doubt that, if an equal share of pains were taken to instruct us in the nature of those hopes and privileges of which we are made partakers

in

in baptism, they would not likewise have an influence over us?

Were we

to be made sensible, from the first dawn of reason, that we had by this ceremony been devoted to the service of God, and admitted as candidates for immortality, as heirs of the promises and partakers of the blessings purchased by the Redeemer of mankind, could it fail to awaken our hopes and elevate our views?

It is truly melancholy to observe how little this is attended to. An institution commanded by the Son of God to be observed in all nations, and which was sanctioned by signs and wonders, and which is to us a seal of the promises of grace, is either considered as a mere form attached to the habits of our country, in the ceremony of giving a name, or converted into an instrument of superstition. It is not thus that you have been

0 2

been taught to think of it, nor is it thus that it will be thought of by any of my little friends: I hope and trust the conviction with which I endeavoured to inspire them, of their having been presented in baptism to that good and gracious Being. who bestowed all the happiness they so liberally enjoyed, will never be obliterated. But on you, my dearest Lady Elizabeth, I depend. for renewing and strengthening the impression. On you the religious instruction of your brothers and sisters will most probably devolve. The ascendancy which you have already obtained over their tender minds, renders the task an easy one; and how can you employ that ascendancy in a way so delightful, so glorious to yourself, as in conducting those who thus love you to the gates of Heaven?

All that was in baptism engaged

for

for us by others, we in the sacrament of the Lord's supper deliberately ratify. We renew the pledges of faith and the promise of obedience, and make a solemn profession of our acceptance of the terms of salvation. These terms imply repentance of our sins; sincere and hearty resolutions of amendment; thankfulness to God for the assurance that our sincere repentance will be accepted of, through Jesus Christ, in lieu of that perfect and unsinning obedience of which our frail natures are incapable; and a determined purpose of sacrificing every selfish and vindictive passion.

This sacrament affords a salutary aid to human weakness, and by the exercise which it gives to all the benignant affections, is calculated to increase our own happiness, and to render us instrumental in promoting the happiness of society. I hope I

shall

shall be able to render this yet more evident by some farther considerations; but before we proceed so far, it may be proper to take a view of the circumstances which attended the institution of this divine ordi

nance.

Unable as we are to comprehend the ways of God, or to penetrate the mysterious plans of his divine government, we need only exercise our reason to perceive, in all that he has unfolded of it, a unity of design, a correspondence, and harmony, by which it is distinguished from all that proceeds from man. In displaying the progress of revelation, I have been at some pains to direct your attention to this circumstance, as thinking it of much importance to religious principle; and I am persuaded that an examination of the concluding act of our Saviour's ministry, will

tend