Son, is imperfect, is not real nor effectual, unless it bind them so closely to his service, unless it make them so entirely his own, that they are, by his grace, enabled so to prepare themselves, that whenever he comes, whether at midnight, at cock-crowing, or in the morning, they may meet him with joy, having their lamps trimmed and their lights burning. It is then the penitent and zealous Christian, who will have boldness before his Maker's throne. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ which can alone fill the soul with humble and pious confidence, when all the glories and gifts of earth decay and disappear. The holy band of martyrs who died despised and scorned, will reign triumphant there, in the presence of that Saviour for whose name their blood was shed. And every Christian soldier, however humble the rank he holds, however neglected and unvalued here, will in that marriage supper of the great Captain of his salvation, be crowned with a wreath of glory that will never fade.

My brethren, do ye ever turn your thoughts from the vanities which are passing around you, to the contemplation of this future scene of the judgment of the Almighty? Do you consider it as a day, which will be the beginning of an eternal existence either of happiness or sorrow? Do you regard it, not only as deciding the doom of your fellow-creatures, but as fixing your own?

And do you desire to be endowed at this awful period, with that boldness of which the apostle speaks? The same apostle will tell you, that you must dwell in love, and then you will dwell in God, and God in you. Would you still farther learn what is meant by this love, which is the fruit of the indwelling of divine grace, you will read, that "whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him and he in God." To confess Christ, is not merely to acknowledge him as the Lord of all; to give a bare acquiescence in his eternity and power. True indeed it is, that a belief in his holiness, his unity with the Father, his mediation and atonement, must form of necessity the basis of our faith in him. For except we are persuaded of these glories and these mercies of the Redeemer; if they are not ever present with us, as a burning and a shining light; our piety must lose its fervour, and our religion its comfort. It is a truth, of which every Christian penitent must be well persuaded, that the consolations which cheer him in his hours of sorrow; the hopes which brighten upon the path of his weary wayfaring; all spring from his trust in the promised aid of him who hath declared, that he will be with his servants always to the end of the world. But then, the confidence which can thus tranquillize the spirit in its agony; which can thus encourage

the tired and restless traveller to journey on, in the sure hope of finding a home at last, must be something more than a mere sentiment of the mind; a barren assent to truths, which the devils even are unable to deny. To confess Christ indeed, is to become his chosen servants; to be clothed with his spirit; to walk, as far as our sinful natures will permit, in his footsteps. It is to do all for him and through him. And herein, my brethren, consists the difference between the mere moralist and the Christian. I know well, that it is the favourite theory of many, that every deed of kindness and honesty is an acceptable offering to God, and that he will hereafter reward us for the intrinsic merits of these attempts at obedience. But we must ever bear in mind, that the action itself is not holy; that it is the motive alone by which it can be sanctified. If it be done for Christ's sake, God will accept and bless it; if it be performed without any reference to him, if we seek not the assistance of his Spirit to enable us to obey his will, we may not hope that an offering so impure will find any favour where he reigns in majesty and power.

The whole tenour of the gospel indeed, is to purify and sanctify the heart. For this end, it admits no external actions as righteous, except they spring from a penitent and contrite spirit. To this inward purity all its precepts and practice

tend. It commands us to keep ourselves unspotted from the world; it teaches us that we are not to expect a recompense in this life; that we may, on the contrary, look for our share in those sorrows and calamities which are strewed so thickly around our steps: and experience has proved, that its most devoted believers have often tasted largely of the cup of affliction. But the happiness which it forbids us to expect on earth, it promises us abundantly in heaven. This is but the scene of the Christian's warfare; it is his field of battle: and though we view him toiling all the day with fortitude and zeal untired, and winning his perilous way through the thickest of the fight; yet his hour of triumph is not seen on earth; for though the victory be won, the night of death falls around him ere the wreath of conquest has been twined about his brows. But when the sun of eternity beams upon his head; when the corruptible has put on incorruption, and the mortal has been clothed with immortality then comes the moment of his rejoicing, the welcome home of God's chosen warrior. When the throne is set in heaven, and the children of this world tremble before its brightness, be alone will have boldness in that hour of almost universal fear, and hail his Saviour's second coming with songs of gratitude and joy.

Do ye desire, my brethren, this confidence?

Do ye wish thus to have boldness in the day of judgment? You can find it only in the faith of a crucified Redeemer, in confessing on earth the name of him, who will be your Judge and King in heaven. And if this be the privilege of his chosen servants; if they alone may stand in his sight even when he is angry, who would not wish to be one of his household, to become a member of his flock? Serve him then in spirit and in truth; come to him in lowliness and singleness of heart; forsake the world and all its disappointments and vanities, which can give you no comfort in the time of need; and put all your trust in his might and mercy, who in the day of his vengeance will compass you about with songs of deliverance.