duous in hearing the word of God, but let it always be attended to with docility, and an earnest desire of applying it to the exigencies of your souls. Amidst the decay of piety every

where so visible, one duty of a Christian life seems to be attended to with fondest attachment. To assist at sermons is in this country considered a pleasing employment, and excepting amongst the most irreligious and profligate of society, is a practice generally observed. But even the word of God may be ineffectual like his secret graces, if it be sought or received with improper dispositions, or from improper motives. If vain curiosity lead you to hear public instructions; if you are anxious only about the composition, the style, the delivery of the preacher; if, as in other public exhibitions, you seek only to be entertained, or if you hear only to apply occasional passages to the foibles or vices of your neighbour, never to your own; if these, or similar motives, actuate you in hearkening to sermons; or if, when they are over, they are immediately let loose from the memory; idle is your pretended devotion, like the professions we so often hear from persons who impressively declare that to hear a good sermon is to them the greatest satisfaction. But let it be your care to beg of the Almighty, that he will assist you in applying

what you hear to his honor, and the salvation of your souls, and let it be your endeavour to benefit by what you hear, by practising whatever may be useful to you in your particular circum

stances.

Many there are who content themselves with approving the advice of the preacher, but stop there, never thinking of practising what he advises. But do you, my brethren, take example from those who heard the precursor of our Lord: say to God with the publicans and the people: what shall we do? and having heard what is required of you, set about the performance of what you find is your duty, without delay. Lay the axe to the root of your passions; cut down every enemy of your soul; every aspiring thought or desire of odious pride, vanity and ambition. Confess your sins with unfeigned repentance; throw off every habit that makes you displeasing in the eyes of your sovereign Lord; and, above all, for all depends upon this, shun the occasions of sin, whether they proceed from your own negligence and temerity, or from the solicitations or suggestions of others. Consider how trifling a pleasure, how contemptible an interest, perhaps how vile a gratification, robs you of God's love and friendship, and will, if continued to be cherished, rob you for ever

of his happiness, and plunge your souls into unquenchable fire. Now then, while time is in your hands, given to you by the Almighty for this very purpose, at this acceptable time, in these days of salvation, confess your sins with sincere repentance, with horror and detestation of your past guilt, and of whatever can displease your heavenly Father. The day of retribution is at hand, the Lord will come, and will not delay; he will then bring to light the things hidden in darkness, and manifest the designs of hearts. (1 Cor. iv.)

Let this be the fruit of what you hear this day, and let the week into which we have just entered, be spent in studious and impartial investigation; in probing your hearts to the bottom; in laying before your eyes every secret disorder of your soul, and in imploring the grace of a true conversion, a contrition of heart for sin, which may continue to the end of your lives. Resolve to confess your sins at the tribunal of penance to the ministry of Christ, the dispensers of the mysteries of God. Then shall the blood of Jesus cleanse your polluted souls from all the abominations of iniquity, from the filth and ordure of sin; then shall your hearts beat with sentiments of joyous exultation and lively gratitude; then shall the sunshine of peace irradiate

your consciences; the feast of Christmas be a festival of spiritual gladness, and your spirit be renewed in the Lord, who will come to visit you and lead you by the hand through life, till he brings you to the joys of his kingdom. Amen.

SERMON V.

CHRISTMAS DAY.

ON THE LESSONS TO BE DRAWN FROM THE BIRTH OF CHRIST.

This day is born to you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. (Luke 2, ii.)

DURING the time of Advent, the church of God, the spouse of Jesus Christ, has been raising her voice to the Lord in fervent and incessant supplications, praying that the heavens would would shower down its salutary dews, aud the clouds rain down the just one; that the wisdom of the Most High would beam upon her children; that the root of Jesse would bud forth; that the orient star, the splendor of eternal light, the sun of justice, would enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shade of death; we have besought the God of mercy and peace, that the King of nations, and the desired of them, would make haste to deliver us; that the