neglect it? Great as are the forbearance and long-suffering of God, may they not be exhausted by obstinate perseverance in sin? The threatenings contained in his word are plain and positive-the impenitent shall die in their sins, and the wicked shall be turned into hell.

Meditations on this subject will encourage us to commence the great struggle against our besetting sin. We shall, however, assuredly fail in the combat, if we rely on our own strength alone; but God, who has awakened us to a sense of our danger, will give us power to avert our ruin, through the intercession of his blessed Son. For his sake the repentant sinner will obtain grace to pluck out the sinful eye, or cut off the offending hand; yet it must not be forgotten that, tribulation and sorrow are the inevitable consequences of guilt. How heavy was the penalty paid by the afflicted David for his transgression! See where he lies, prostrated by shame and remorse, never ceasing to lament his offence, and keeping his sin for ever in his sight, that he may flee from future temptation. He did not shrink from the bitterness of contemplating his guilt, nor

He

from the humiliation of confessing it. had sinned against the Lord, therefore was his soul bowed down with anguish.

May the example of his godly sorrow excite in the conscious sinner a desire to imitate his penitence. The voice of the Saviour tells him that blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. May each of you, my brethren, so mourn over your sins as to be deemed worthy to receive the promised consolation; may each of you flee to your Saviour, whilst He is yet ready to receive you; approach Him whilst He is near, and let Him say of you, as of the repentant Saul," Behold he prayeth."

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LECTURE IV.

THE SENTENCES.-CONTINUED.

PSALM XCV., 6.

O come let us worship and fall down, and kneel before the Lord our Maker.

ISAIAH i., 13.

Bring no more vain oblations.

Ir is universally acknowledged that long continued habit makes us indifferent to those things which at first affected us most deeply; this natural effect contributes greatly to our happiness in this life; and, although it tends to diminish the devotional feelings that are excited by the several offices of religion, yet, even in a spiritual point of view, it is beneficial to us for in matters that concern the soul, as well as in those that relate to the body, we often experience a state of excitement which is far from being durable or healthy.

One of the advantages of a form of prayer is, that it helps us to ascertain the real state of our religious feelings: the charm of its

novelty quickly wears away, and, unless our religion be indeed genuine, our devotion will vanish with the novelty. This is the reason why we have so many formal professors of Christianity in our congregations.

The number of those who, like the ancient Pharisees, make long prayers that they may be seen of men, is, I should hope, very small; but the formalists of another kind constitute a considerable class. These persons really wish to be religious, and deceive themselves into thinking that they are so; but, alas! theirs is a religion which appeals only to the passions, and, consequently, is transient and fickle,they talk much about religion, are bustling in charitable and religious societies, will go to a distant church to hear an eloquent preacher who touches their feelings, and they seem to be entirely absorbed in providing for the salvation of their souls; but, with all this, they are frequently mere formalists: their religion is the effect of constant excitement, and is not rooted and grounded in their hearts. Take away that excitement; place them in a small country parish, where there is an exemplary pastor, though not a talented orator, who preaches the

sound doctrines of the Church, and enforces them by his example; where schools, and other institutions for the benefit of the poor parishioners, are established, but where the pastor desires that the superintendence of them should not be taken out of his own hands; in such circumstances these persons become dissatisfied, and the fervour of their religion relaxes, because they are not content to walk humbly with their God, cheerfully submitting to fulfil the subordinate duties which He has assigned to them. They are desirous of serving God in their own way, but not with a single eye to his glory.

The same spirit existed among the Jews, although it appeared in a different form; it was the same anxiety for the exteriors of religion which led them to clothe themselves with sackcloth, and put ashes on their heads, to seek the reputation of setting a good example, and the applause which their apparent sanctity and zeal obtained for them.

Such characters the minister addresses when he chooses these words of the prophet Joel, "Rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow