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of his heavenly spirit, to aid our resolutions of amendment.

If we wish then to profit by the opportunity, if we will not with desperate levity drive from us every serious thought, every pious impression-let us commence this work of amendment. But where shall we begin? Even with the Almighty Ruler of the universe, let us seek the Lord, let us call upon his holy name-vain would be the expectation that slighter obligations should be observed, if the highest were violated; vain the expectation that inferior duties should be fulfilled by him, who neglected the greatest, his duty to his Creator. To seek the Almighty Ruler of the universe, we are drawn by every tie that can bind the human heart; gratitude, veneration, love, fear, all unite to impress the obligation upon our minds. Shall not fear lead us to seek the favour of the everlasting King, at whose wrath the earth trembles, and who doeth according to his will in the army of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stay his hand or say unto him, what doest thou? Shall not love and veneration guide our steps to the Lord, who, though so high yet hath respect to the lowly; who humbleth himself to behold the things that are on earth, and from the height of his sanctuary re

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without one thought that their crimes are not unparalleled. Never by the sacred page, is the voice of conscience roused to address us in the awful words, Thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest those which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

To the Jew the blessings of the Gospel were only depicted in the visions of futurity; to the Jew the spiritual service of the Messiah's kingdom was only the substance of things hoped for; to us all the treasures of divine wisdom and goodness are displayed; to us all the promises of God's word are daily exhibited; to us is it given to dwell in the days of the Son of man. The Son of God has taken our nature upon him, has made the atoning offering for our transgressions, has burst the bonds of death, and opened unto us the gates of everlasting life. With such advantages, what do we more than they? Oh! my brethren, but impartially weigh the subject, and you

will perceive how much less you do, and how much fewer excuses can be alleged to palliate an omission of your bounden duty and service. He that despised the law of Moses died without mercy, of how much sorer punishment think ye shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, hath counted the

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blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of Grace.

When the Almighty calls upon you, you do not indeed answer with the Jews of old, that you prefer the gods of the Heathen, you do not say we have loved strangers, and after them will we go-but you do say to the Almighty, you do say to the blessed Son of God himself, who calls you to him, that you might have life, we will not come, we have loved the world, and after it we will go. You do not like the Jews revel in the execrable impurities and barbarous cruelties of idolatrous worship, but you do offer up yourselves, your souls and bodies at the shrine of the prince of this world.

From such delusions it is now high time to awaken-it is now time to attend to the solemn call of our Creator and our Judge; to-day if ye will hear his voice harden not your hearts. There was a time when this day would have impressed such truths upon your mindsYes, my brethren, there was a time when this solemn season was observed with due respect; this season which for ages, has been set apart by the wisdom of our Church, as a yearly call to seriousness and reflection, but which now only serves to shew in more glaring colours

our utter disregard for all the ordinances di our religion, our contempt for every thing which reminds us of our duty. Far be from me the attempt to introduce pharisaical observances for true religion; far be from me, the wish to substitute the externals of devotion for its spirit; but while our soul is chained to this earth, while the corruption of our nature possesses an influence over our spiritual part some external aids are necessary to enliven our faith, and awaken our devotion. For this purpose, stated times of withdrawing from the world, its pleasures and its cares, are admirably adapted-and have accordingly been appointed by our Church, "wisely foreseeing that should the sinner be permitted to reserve to himself the choice of a convenient season, wherein to turn from sin to righteousness, that convenient season would never come; and the specious plea of keeping every day holy alike would often be found to cover a design of keeping none holy at all."* To further this design the services of our liturgy are well calculated, they lead us irresistibly to examine our conduct, to look well if there be any way of wickedness in us, to implore the pardon of our Almighty Father, and to seek the assistance

* Bishop Horne.

of his heavenly spirit, to aid our resolutions of amendment.

If we wish then to profit by the opportunity, if we will not with desperate levity drive from us every serious thought, every pious impression-let us commence this work of amendment. But where shall we begin? Even with the Almighty Ruler of the universe, let us seek the Lord, let us call upon his holy name-vain would be the expectation that slighter obligations should be observed, if the highest were violated; vain the expectation that inferior duties should be fulfilled by him, who neglected the greatest, his duty to his Creator. To seek the Almighty Ruler of the universe, we are drawn by every tie that can bind the human heart; gratitude, veneration, love, fear, all unite to impress the obligation upon our minds. Shall not fear lead us to seek the favour of the everlasting King, at whose wrath the earth trembles, and who doeth according to his will in the army of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stay his hand or say unto him, what doest thou? Shall not love and veneration guide our steps to the Lord, who, though so high yet hath respect to the lowly; who humbleth himself to behold the things that are on earth, and from the height of his sanctuary re

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