66 66 continuing daily with one accord in the temple, did eat their meat with gladness "and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people*." 66 Such were the chearful scenes which the first dawn of the Gospel, and the first appearance of the comforter, present to us; and although these were, indeed, preternatural effects, arising from such extraordinary effusions of the Spirit, as were peculiar to those times, and not to be expected in our own; yet, in some degree, his sacred influence will still remain; and to every one that is worthy of his consolations, he will still be a comforter. We are assured by the best authority," that "he will abide with us for ever; that he will "dwell with us; that he will be with us 66 always to the end of the world; that the "fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace; that "the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, "and joy in the Holy Ghost." If, therefore, we constantly and devoutly pray for his divine assistance; if we do not grieve him by Acts, ii. 46, 47 † John xiv. 16; Rom. viii. 9; Matth. xxviii. 20; Gal. v. 22; Rom xiv. 17. any A any sinful thoughts and actions; if we endeavour by the most unblemished purity of mind, and sanctity of life, to render ourselves fit temples for him to inhabit; we may depend upon it that he will be our guide and companion, our comfort and support: will, in temptation, give us fortitude, in affliction patience, is prosperity thankfulness, in poverty content; will, in every condition and circumstance of life, impart to us that PEACE OF GOD, that heartfelt joy and satisfaction, which passes all understanding and all description. Before I conclude, I must beg your attention to one short, but, as I conceive, important observation, resulting from the foregoing discourse. We of this kingdom have been repeatedly stigmatized by the other nations of Europe as a melancholy, dejected, gloomy people. The charge, I fear, is upon the whole but too well founded; and the proofs too visible, and sometimes too dreadful, to be evaded or denied. It behoves us therefore, surely, to inquire a little into the true causes of this national malady; and to consider, whether one of these causes may not be à contemptuous disregard, C 3 disregard, or, at least, a cold indifference for that most pure, and holy, and enlivening Religion, which contains the only true remedy for our disease. Instead of this, we have too commonly recourse to a very different mode of relief, to those pernicious cordials of unbounded pleasure and endless dissipation, which, though like other cordials, they may raise our spirits for the moment, yet afterwards sink and depress them beyond recovery, and leave the unhappy patient infinitely more in distress and danger than they found him. If this be the case we know what we have to do. We must fly to a totally opposite regimen ; to that purity of mind, that sanctity of manners, that self-government, that moral discipline, that modesty of desire, that discreet and temperate enjoyment of the world, that exalted piety, that active benevolence, that trust in Providence, that exhilarating hope of immortality, that reliance on the merits of our Redeemer, which the doctrines and the precepts of the Gospel so powerfully impress upon our souls, and which, as we have seen, are the best and most effectual preservatives against all depression of spirits. It is here, in short, if any where, true true chearfulness is to be found. To those, indeed, who have been long dissolved in luxury and gaiety, that moderation in all things which Christianity prescribes, may, at first, appear a harsh and painful restraint; but a little time, and a little perseverance, will render it as delightful as it is confessedly salutary. Be prevailed on then, for once, to give it a fair trial; and accept, with all thankfulness that most gracious invitation of our blessed Redeemer, "Come unto me all ye that labour "and are heavy laden, and I will give you 46 rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn "of me, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. "For my yoke is easy, and my burthen is |