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by whom he is surrounded the fellow-heirs of a glorious and blissful eternity, does not love them less, though he loves them more wisely. Every day, as it passes, augments his treasure, instead of decreasing its value. The gradual yet perceptible decay which foretels the dissolution of the strongest earthly ties;, the sudden stroke of fate which destroys in an instant the work of years; are alike unable to shake his rooted confidence in God, his permanent consolation in religion. His treasure is the rock of ages; against which the storms will beat, and the rain descend, in vain. It is beautiful to see the real Christian, when the blow, which falls most heavy upon the excellent of the earth, has fallen upon him. It is beautiful to see the meekness of resignation temper the anguish of the wounded heart; to see the light of faith and hope beam through the tears of nature; to hear in the language of the soul, which cannot be mistaken, "it is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good." Conceive the blessed anticipations of eternity;

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the "sure and certain hope" of meeting in Heaven those who are lost to us on earth; where the transports of mutual affection shall be heightened as well as purified; and where every enjoyment shall be perfected by the knowledge that it will never expire.

If then, my brethren, we would not have lived in vain; if we would labour with success; if we would enjoy with safety; we must live to God; we must work out our own salvation; we must place our affections on things above. This can only be done by the total change of heart produced by the Spirit of God. It can only be done in reliance on the merits of Jesus Christ, without which our efforts are powerless, our virtues unacceptable, our devotions unblest. While we strive therefore, as reasonable and accountable beings; let us pray as guilty, weak, and perishing sinners; let us fly to the promises of the Gospel; that we may be enabled to strive effectually for imperishable objects; that "where our true treasure is, there may our hearts be also."

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SERMON XIV.

On the Danger of an unenlightened
Conscience.

6TH. CHAP. OF ST. MATTHEW, PART OF THE 23rd. VERSE.

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If the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness !"

IT is no uncommon thing to hear the dic

tates of reason and conscience represented as abundantly sufficient to regulate the conduct of mankind. But reflection and experience, observation of the habits of others, and examination of our own feelings, will soon convince us that this is an important and dangerous error. If reason were not liable to be warped by passion, and conscience to be lulled by self-deception; if, under

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all circumstances of difficulty or temptation, they exercised their legitimate office; we might rely upon them with safety. But when we see the most atrocious crimes committed without any apparent compunction, and the most pernicious notions entertained without any suspicion of their falsehood; we must suppose that something more is necessary than to attend to that internal light which may thus lead us astray, or plunge us in utter darkness. It is an adequate guide to holiness and to happiness, only when it is regulated by the precepts of the Gospel, and enlightened by the Spirit of God. It is otherwise only a more dangerous vehicle of self-deception, affording us the sanction of perverted reason, and the fatal repose of unawakened conscience. And what is to rouse us from this state of unconscious peril? The conduct which we deplore we may eventually relinquish. The vices, of which we dread the consequence, may yield at length to increased conviction of their guilt, or growing experience of their tendency. But when

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