dice respecting religion. But let God be true, though every man should be a liar; and he declares, that "Wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." And such the rightly pious have ever found them. Great peace have they that love God's law, and nothing shall offend them. Wisdom is justified of all her children. In proof whereof, where is the genuine Christian who would relinquish religion for all that the universe could offer him? "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.” True, some who "seemed to be religious," have accompanied the Saviour a certain way, and then walked no more with him; but were such ever his disciples indeed? No; for says St. John, "If they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us; but they went out, that they might be made manifest, that they were not all of us." "They that are with the Lamb are called, and chosen, and faithful."

Can that be a melancholy principle, which relieves from alarms of conscience, emancipates from domineering evil passions; strengthens under temptations, comforts under tribulations; fortifies against the assaults of the world and the devil; yea, against the fear of the king of terrors himself, and kindles, even in the article of death, a hope full of immortality? Can this possibly be a melancholy principle? If so, then, what in the whole world is joyous ?1 Religion denies us

1. What mortal is there that can have so much reason to rejoice, as

nothing that is truly profitable for us, and abates the desire of any thing beside. All her prohibitions are briefly comprehended in this injunction, " Do thyself no harm." She is the discreet parent that withholds from her children the sword or the poison, but grants them every expedient gratification. "Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." Her's are the nether and the upper springs. And though, undeniably, many are the troubles of the righteous, yet amidst them all, an oil is suffused upon the troubled waters, an unction from the Holy One-an oil of gladness, which enables the believer to rise superior to them, and to verify the promise of the Saviour, “In me ye shall have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." 1

Is it thus with the ungodly? Ah! no: they are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest; there is no peace, saith God, to the wicked." He that is in the "bond of iniquity" is in the "gall of bitterness."2 Vanity is ever attended with vexation of spirit. Thus then, the change we have been considering is indispensable to your own true happiness.

the true Christian, who has God for his companion, his way to salva.. tion, and his glorious end; to whom God is a Father, Christ a Redeemer, the Spirit a comforter, angels his servants, the world his slave, and heaven for his inheritance; whose enemies are rendered beneficial, afflictions salutary medicines; and death itself his gain?'— Bishop HALL: Treatise on Walking with God.'

Again, it is indispensable to your being forgiven your sins; as we have proved already. "Repentance and remission of sins," are in scripture coupled and inseparable.

Once more Repentance is indispensable to admission into heaven. For, says Christ, "Except

a man be born again, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."1 And be it distinctly understood, that this spiritual renovation is necessary for all— for a moral Nicodemus, as well as for a profligate Mary Magdalene. "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." In him, nothing availeth but a new creature.2

Trust not then, in an amiable temper or moral life. Christianity demands something more transcendent-even the consecration of the heart unto God. We must be spiritual, as well as moral. We must set our "affections on things above; "for, to be carnally" or worldly "minded, is death." In all true piety, this self-dedication to GOD is fundamental. Unless we give the heart to him, he accepts of nothing. First, give your own selves unto the Lord.

And is not this our reasonable service? 3 Is not any other, but a dead carcase and hollow mockery? And "God is not mocked." "Offer it now unto thy governor, will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person, saith the LORD of hosts ? "4

Who appreciates the obedience of the galley

2 Gal. vi. 15.

John iii. 3. See also Matt. xviii. 3.

3 Rom. xii. 1.

4 Mal. i. 8.

slave, who toils in chains, and under the dread of punishment? It is the glorious privilege of the obedience of the gospel, to be one of "liberty;' a "work of faith, and labour of love." "The love of Christ constraineth us; and God will accept only a free-will offering."

Until converted, therefore, you are "dead in trespasses and sins; ""enemies to God; "1 "haters of God; "2" bonds-men of Satan," 3 and "children of wrath."4 O! unspeakably horrible state! How eager should you be to be rescued from it! Had you a deadly disease preying on your vitals, how wretched would you be, till it were eradicated! Such a disease is sin to the soul. It fills it with wounds and putrifying sores,—all those virulent lusts and vices, those moral corruptions, which prove such a perpetual source of sorrow and vexation. How far more dreadful is such a disease in the soul, than any whatsoever in the body. Corruptio optimi est pessima.' O then, how importunate should you be in imploring GOD, to deliver you from this body of death, and restore you to a state of spiritual soundness! "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?"

It never can be well with us, till it is well with our souls. And the soul cannot be in a right state, till it is settled upon GOD,-its original centre, and

1 Rom. v. 10.

32 Tim. ii. 26.

2 Rom. viii. 7; i. 30.

4 Eph. ii. 3.

only rest. Conversion, by restoring us to Him, restores us to ourselves. Previously to experiencing this change, we are alienated from God, and beside ourselves. The prodigal at his conversion, "came to himself."

Let your soul then "return unto her rest.” When God saith to thee," Seek my face," say promptly and gratefully to him, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.'

Remember, however, you cannot turn yourself. • No man can keep alive his own soul,' much less make it alive. But what is impossible with you, is possible with the Almighty. He gives repentance unto the acknowledgment of the truth.' He 'grants repentance unto life.' Turn ye at his reproof: behold, he will pour out his spirit unto you; he will make known his word unto you. "Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." You must therefore pray, and that without ceasing. You must wait upon the Lord, and wait patiently upon him, taking no denial, but wrestling till the dawning of the day, like Jacob, and saying, "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me."

You

Meanwhile, you must do what you can. must renounce your evil haunts, and evil associates, and live up to the light you possess. "If any man will do the will of the Father, he shall know of the doctrine." For "the secret of the LORD is with them that fear him, and he will show them his covenant." "The path of the just is as the shin