parish, the curate finds his people involved in a kind of spiritual lethargy, unaware of their spiritual depravity, and vainly trusting that, because they are free from gross immoralities and flagrant crimes, therefore they are walking in the narrow path to heaven; confiding in their own ability to steer their course, they seek not the guidance of Him who is the way, the truth, and the life. How many are there, amongst the professing followers of Jesus Christ, who are unconscious that they are infected with the leprosy of sin; who, thinking themselves whole, perceive no need of applying for medicine to the Great Physician of our souls! Such persons cannot feel the deep sighing of a contrite heart, and, when they repeat, in the words of the Church, "We do earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry for our misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous unto us, the burden of them is intolerable," they know not what they say. They cannot understand that Christ requires more from his followers than the morality of an enlightened heathen, or the ceremonial observances of a conscientious Jew-they cannot realize the fact, that Christ was crucified to make an atone

ment for their sins, as well as to purchase to himself a peculiar people zealous of good works; and their ignorance proceeds from their making the practice of the world the standard of their duty, instead of being guided by the word of God-they have not learnt that it is not only necessary to obey the laws of their country, but that they must also take up their cross and follow their Saviour; that they must subdue their evil passions, mortify their lusts, soften the hardness of their hearts, exercise self-denial, and wage continual war against the world, the flesh, and the devil. These things they do not understand, and therefore they think

they have no sin.

Others are ready to concede that all men are frail and imperfect; but they imagine that their own errors are of a venial description; their failings are the infirmities of their nature, rather than sins originating in the depravity of their hearts; when they have acknowledged that their conduct is not always upright, and asked forgiveness of the Almighty for what has been amiss, they think they have done all that is required to make them meet for the salvation which is through Jesus Christ.

Comforting themselves with this vain delusion, these persons make no strenuous efforts to subdue their self-styled infirmities; they make no exertion to resist their temptations, and content themselves with the belief that they are not less holy than their neighbours.

The characters I have been describing are very common, and when the minister knows that such are among his hearers, he will remind them that it is only "when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness, and doeth that which is lawful and right, that he shall save his soul alive:" and again, he will warn them that "if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us; but if we confess our sins," that is, if we acknowledge our sins to God with real sorrow and a firm resolution to forsake them through his aid, then, and only then, "He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Now it may be, my brethren, that some of you are among that very numerous class of professing Christians of whom I have been speaking; and, if so, when you next hear these sentenees read in the church, remember that they were written for your particular

benefit, and are worthy of profound consideration; let them sink deep into your hearts, and excite you to examine seriously into the state of your soul's health; if you sincerely desire to discover it, the truth will open upon your mind. When thoroughly awakened from your dream of safety, you will prostrate yourselves before your Almighty Father, who, with the genial calls of his Holy Spirit, quickens the souls of those who are dead in trespasses and sins. You will bless the Lord for sending a beam of his heavenly light to pierce the thick darkness by which you have been so long surrounded, darkness more terrible than that which was miraculously felt by the Egyptians; for whilst you vainly fancied you could see your way to the gates of heaven, you were daily more involved in the obscure mazes of sin. How unspeakable will be your gratitude, if you discover that you have now escaped, like a bird out of the snare of the fowler, and can say unto the Lord, I have heard the voice of thy Gospel crying unto me, "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." Then, by that allsearching light, you will perceive that you

have hitherto been like the fool that is wise in his own conceit, guilty whilst you thought yourselves innocent; miserable, and yet fancied yourselves happy; believing yourselves safe whilst standing on the brink of destruction. By that glorious light, you will be enabled to see that, although you have been tempting God with your pride, and provoking Him every day with your hard and worldly hearts, yet, like as a father pitieth his own children, so has the Lord had compassion. upon you, has withheld his hand from punishment, and called you to repentance. By that life-giving light, and the aid of the Holy Spirit, you will be constrained to acknowledge the mercy of your Redeemer-you will implore that, for his sake, your past transgressions may be blotted out, and that you may be inspired with resolution to search your hearts diligently. By his grace your consciences will be aroused, and you will not shrink from its reproaches, but you will cast the burden of your guilt upon your Saviour; you will resolve, by his help, to lead a new life, and implore that a clean heart and a right spirit may be renewed within you; henceforth you will enlist yourselves under