which he is commissioned to carry to all people. But this general message branches into a variety of particulars; and in fact has something distinct to say to every individual according to his state and character: nor, till it be thus personally applied, will it probably be heard with much real profit, or come home with power to the heart.

May the Lord be with us by his Spirit, while we endeavour thus to deliver and apply this message!-To this end, let us consider what it says to persons of different characters.

I. To the careless, thoughtless person: to the person who, whether old or young, whether learned or ignorant, whether rich or poor, is living in a state of actual unconcern, with respect to his soul and Eternity. Many, it is to be feared, are living in this state. Industrious, it may be, in their calling, decent in their conduct, even respectable in their general character, so far as this world is concerned; they are yet criminally indifferent to another world. If they make some little appearance of religion, and occasionally join in the outward forms of it, yet they have no serious or abiding thoughts on the subject. Religion is not a matter in which they feel any real interest. Other things engage their minds, and stir

up their desires and wishes, their hopes and fears; but the one thing needful is neglected, and makes no deep or lasting impression on their hearts. Now to all such persons, to any one among us, who answers this description, there is a message in the Gospel: and the Message is this: " Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." "It is high time to awake out of sleep:- for the night is far spent, the day is at hand." "Strive to enter in at the straight gate." "Consider your ways." Lay hold on eternal life." *

2. Let us turn next to the ungodly and the profane: to those who are living in the allowed practice of some known sin; in the habitual indulgence of sensual lusts, of dishonest inclinations, of evil tempers; -to those, who are ready to run into excess, whenever an opportunity offer; or of overreaching and imposing on others, whenever the means may be in their power; or of gîving way to passion, envy, or malice, whenever the temptation recur. What is the message of the Gospel to all persons of this description?" Know ye not, that the unrighteous and they which do such things, shall not inherit the kingdom of God ?” "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever

* Ephes. v. 14. Rom. xiii. 11, 12. Luke, xiii. 24.

a man soweth, that shall he also reap." "The wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness, and unrighteousness of men * You are only treasuring up to yourselves wrath against the day of wrath. Be warned in time. Break off your sins by repentance; "for except ye repent, ye shall perish." Be converted, and believe the Gospel for all the unconverted, and all the unbelieving, will "have their portion in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone."

3. The next person to be addressed is the humble and serious enquirer after Divine Truth: the person whose soul is athirst for God; who, being brought to feel the value and importance of heavenly knowledge, is anxiously seeking for it in all the appointed means; who with this view reads and hears the word of God; listens to it with meekness and attention; prays for wisdom from above; and searcheth for it as for hid treasure. Is there a person of this description among us, there is a message also from God unto him; a message full of grace and consolation. "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled." Because you seek, you shall find; "for every one that seeketh, findeth." " If any of you lack wisdom, let

* 1 Cor. vi. 9.-Gal. v. 21. —vi. 7. Rom. i, 18.

him ask of God, that giveth to all men li berally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."*

4. There is yet another sort of persons, to whom a word may pointedly be spoken. They are those, who having once known the way of righteousness, are turned from the holy commandment delivered unto them. They are persons who, at some time or other, have been convinced of the importance of religion, and have made even something of a serious profession of it. Their affections have been excited by the truths of the Gospel. They have "felt the powers of the world to come." They have been conscious that a great change has been wanting in their hearts and lives: and under these impressions they have begun to amend their ways, and for a time to walk in new paths. But their goodness has been like a morning cloud: it has gradually passed away. Their serious resolutions have in the end come to nothing. "The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life," have proved too strong for their convictions. Old habits have prevailed, and have recovered their former power over them. They are become remiss in coming to church, careless in reading the Bible, negligent in * Matt. v. 6.

their private devotions. Their conscience is growing every day more hardened. Their affections are returning fast to the world. The ways of sin give them more pleasure than the ways of God. Now, if there are any persons of this sort among us, let them know, that there is a message also for them. You are drawing fast back into perdition. You are joining yourselves to the number of those of whom the Lord says, " My soul shall have no pleasure in them." O beware of your danger, your latter state is likely to be worse than your first. "Remember therefore (saith the Lord) from whence thou art fallen; and repent, and do thy first works, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, ex cept thou repent." *

5. But perhaps there may be one of another description among us. There may be one whose heart now labours under a sense of sin; who, being brought to see his guilt and danger, is full of fear, and trembles for the consequences. He feels that he has long time offended God, and has deeply incurred his wrath; and now what shall he do? How shall he escape the sentence of his righteous law? Whither shall he flee? What shall be do to be saved? Is there a person here Hebrews, x. 38. Rev. ii. 5.