and sorrows, in their interests, in their objects, and in their prospects, that an agreement between them is simply impossible. The scripture is decisive on this point. The carnal

mind, says Paul, is enmity against God, and therefore cannot love anything that looks like him. The case of some whom Christ calls to follow him exactly tallies with the case of Abraham. How often has it happened that God singles out from a graceless family one of its members to be an heir of eternal life. He speaks in the powerful application of his word, Get thee out from thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house. But mark the consequence. No sooner does the Holy Spirit arrest the attention of this chosen vessel, embitter to him the pleasures of sin, and excite a serious concern for his immortal soul, than his impious relatives use every exertion to stifle in their birth those blessed convictions, which they affect to esteem a disease or a madness. Authority, entreaty, stratagem, threats, are alternately employed. Every principle of human action is artfully plied with arguments calculated to make the deepest impression; and nothing is omitted which promises either to soothe or frighten the soul from Christ. They, who have been thus tried, know it to be a sore

persecution. But they are not alone. All who profess Christ must be persecuted in some shape or other; for they who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. In no age have they been exempted. But to some will appear unaccountably strange what I am going to assert, that notwithstanding the high panegyrics which we constantly hear on the rapid/ progress that mankind are making in a noble and happy liberality in religious sentiment, there never has been, since the expulsion of Adam from paradise, a period in which a certain species at least of persecution was exercised, with more bitterness and rancor against the people of God, than at this moment. Many, indeed, will swell with indignation at what they may deem a groundless calumny, and exclaim, is it possible that the fair character of our polite, our liberal, our philosophic day, is stained with persecution? You may startle, but it is a truth; and the most noisy pretenders to enlightened philosophy are the most active in the unworthy pursuit. What is their boasted liberality? If a judgment might be formed from their conduct, one would imagine that it consists in freedom from the influence of principle and the restraints of decency. Look around you. Is it not a fact that everything serious and sacred VOL. III. 36

is ridiculed with the most shameless effrontery by multitudes of those who affect to be the genteeler world? Is is not a fact that the doctrines of God's holy word are the mirth of the licentious, and that they who wish to regulate their hearts and lives by its salutary precepts, become the mockery of the profane? Nay, is not the infection so general and so deep, that even the young, whose purest happiness and most exalted honor lie in consecrating their powers to the Lord Jesus, are so ashamed of their glory, so glory in their shame, as to commence their career of liberal philosophy by opening their mouths against the heavens? If any begin to remember their Creator in the days of their youth, and are not willing to go to hell with the crowd, what do their gay acquaintances think and say of them? They laugh at and despise them as poor, weak, melancholy, crazy fools. Yes, young Christians, you in particular must expect to be the scoff of impiety; you must endure the mortification to be branded with the opprobrious epithets of madmen, enthusiasts, hypocrites, and the like; nay, to be the song of the drunkard. I know you will find it hard to bear; you will feel the force of the psalmist's petition to be kept from the strife of tongues. But be not disheartened, young believer; your Lord met

with no better treatment; and if they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more them of his household? Oh! see that you add not to the number of those unhappy mortals, who, though they gave their names to Christ, can hear him reviled, and never utter a syllable for his honor; who shrink at the sneer of malice; whose faith is blown away by the breath of profanity; who barter their souls and heaven for a jest.

But the Christian's danger does not arise from those only who are open infidels. His graceless connections, who are more sober in their principles, and more decent in their practice, are no contemptible snare. A pleasant temper and engaging manners, especially if joined with polished education, with opulence and honors, steal upon the affections, throw the heart off its guard, and not only render it liable to be surprised by other temptations, but insensibly draw it into forbidden paths. This enemy to your peace advances under a form so sweet and smiling, that it is hardly possible either to suspect her treachery or resist her persuasions. Here you have need of continued watchfulness, great selfdenial, much of that wisdom which cometh from above, and unfailing supplies of strength from Christ your head.

2. The Christian is not only opposed by the men, he is trammeled also by the things of the world.

Immersed in sense, and imperfect in his graces, the most experienced saint requires to be often reminded that here he has no continuing city, but is a pilgrim and a stranger. We are more prone to nothing, than to misplace our blessings When God showers down upon us the bounties of his providence, we too frequently give them that affection which belongs exclusively to the Lord Christ. Every new comfort is apt to twist a new cord round our hearts; and they tie themselves so firmly, that nothing but almighty grace can loosen the knot. Divine is the lesson, and they alone who are divinely taught will practice it, to abound in this world's goods and yet to set their affections on things above. the effect which prosperity tude of those who enjoy it. Israel, that when the Lord slew them then they sought him. But no sooner did he visit them with peace and plenty, than Jeshurun waxed fat and kicked. Instead of rising higher his hymn of gratitue, he tempted and provoked the most high God, and turned aside like a deceitful bow. Prosperity has detected many a rotten professor; and it becomes the affluent not to forget

Far different is has on the multi

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