heavenly objects, whereon to rest its troubled self? This change in human nature must be ascribed to the Spirit of God.

But further, the knowledge of the Spirit is evidenced towards us in the time of trouble. Could a merciful and kind God suffer our friends to droop and die before us, till we become almost solitary in the world, without raising up for us other comforts? We have seen the once happy wife left almost without an earthly protector. We have beheld the fatherless children without the kind hand of the parent to cheer them, or the soft voice to bless them. We have beheld the orphan a spectacle of pity for the compassionate heart to relieve. We have seen death walk into the domestic circle and scatter its members, like the dust before the gathering storm-yes! we have seen the gnawing worm-the careworn brow-the cankered happiness, the blight of beauty-the consumer of our shadowy days; but, has God left us in this wretched state? Has he raised up no deliverer in the place of an earthly protector? Has he not smoothed the care-worn brow,

restored the long lost happiness?—dispersed the blight of beauty, and brought peace and joys to our bosoms ?—This and more he has effected through his Holy Spirit, the Comforter, for whom Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to day, and for ever, prayed the Father, and whom the Father graciously sent to his redeemed creatures. Thus does the Holy Spirit work in our behalf. First by preventing and exciting man to be saved, then by bringing comfort to his distracted bosom, when he needs it the most, and often at the time, when he least expects it.

We have now shown to you, that the knowledge of God consists in an acquaintance with his attributes, the redemption wrought out by his Son, and the working of the Holy Spirit. Hence to know God, is to know the Trinity, and the offices which the three distinct persons in one God hold: God is our Creator, but our offended Father: Christ his Son, is our Redeemer and the Holy Ghost, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, is our Sanctifier and Comforter. Have you

the knowledge of these persons in one Godhead? We are told in Scripture, that some have not the knowledge of God; I speak this to your shame."

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It may appear impossible for the minister to tell, whether or not the congregation have the knowledge of God, but a very little attention upon his part will enable him to ascertain it. He can by observation easily discern the attention given to his discourses, and perceive, whether his hearers profit by them. There is the hanging upon the preacher's lips, and there is also the inattention too frequently shown throughout the service. But the hanging on the preacher's lips does not show the benefit, that every attentive member derives from the Gospel-preaching. We know that many things may become attractive, novelty for example, energy in the cause, and sometimes injudicious zeal. But unless the Gospel only be the attractive-unless God's word faithfully preached be the sole motive of the regular attendance upon his house, we must affirm, that men have not "the knowledge of God," that they come to

hear, not to learn to pass censure, not to profit to vent spleen, not to reap benefit: and thus they live, and thus die, without the knowledge of God, unlearned in the redemption by Jesus Christ, and unsanctified by the Holy Spirit. But shall such a case be yours, brethren? Shall we be obliged to keep up novelty to ensure attentive hearts, and have recourse to means which will thus attract and not instruct? God forbid!! Our humble endeavours shall be directed towards preaching the Gospel faithfully, and delivering the message, not in the storm and the tempest, but in the still small voice directing sinners humbly to rely upon the Saviour's merits, truly "to repent them of their former sins, steadfastly purposing to lead a new life, and have a lively faith in Christ Jesus, and live in charity with all men." If we perform these works, we indeed have the knowledge of God, and practically show the result and benefit, which this knowledge produces. To keep up the attention is not a slight difficulty on the part of the preacher; but on whom rests the fault?

it may be urged, in his deficiency of eloquence and uneven powers; but, if true, are such deficiencies an excuse on the part of the hearers, where the theme of eternal salvation is preached? where the promises of the Gospel on the one hand-on the other, its terrors and the means of working out salvation with fear and trembling, are honestly propounded?

Do those who have the knowledge of God require these momentary impulses to excite and rouse the attention? if so be, judge for yourselves, whether "the knowledge of God" be not wanting among you. Oh! Brethren, let not this knowledge be wanting it is but once in a week, that we desire your attendance here, which with your own industry at home may be sufficient to instruct you thoroughly in the knowledge of the Lord. We speak thus plainly, but it is affectionately; it is urgently-for your immortal souls are at stake. Upon your acceptance, or rejection of the Gospel, depends your eternal salvation. Is not this then a theme of moment? Re