But it is necessary to mention, thirdly, a caution-and it is this. Let not the subject we have been considering, cause remissness in du ty, or lead any to settle upon their lees. their lees. Were you, from what has been said, to rest satisfied with any present attainments, it would be an abuse of encouragement. It would be an evidence that you know nothing of the power of divine grace in reality. For

"Whoever says I want no more,

"Confesses he has none."

Those who have seen the Lord, will always pray I beseech thee shew me thy glory. Those that have once tasted that the Lord is gracious, will always cry, ever more give us this bread to eat.

Besides more is attainable.

There is a ful:

ness from which you may receive and grace for grace.. There is a command: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill. it.

ask and ye shall receive,

full.

There is a promise;

that your joy may be

And more is desirable. There are particularly two reasons why you should seek after a growth in grace. The first is taken from usefulness. For supposing you are safe-ought you to have no concern for the welfare of your fellow-creatures, and the spread of the Saviour's

cause around you? Ought you to wish merely to creep to heaven, without doing any good upon earth? Should you not wish to recommend religion every step of the way; and to honour God, who has done such great things

for you, both in the life that you live, and in the death that you die?-And the other is drawn from comfort. It is with grace as it is with other things; when little, it is not easily seen: but by growing it becomes more visible. There are richer and higher consolations in religion, which some never taste of; they see them-but are not tall enough to reach them. For these depend-not upon the existence, but the degree of grace In a word, to use the language of an old divine, "a little grace will

bring us to heaven hereafter, but great grace "will bring heaven to us now." Weak faith may be compared to a small infirm leaky vessel, which does indeed carry the passenger safely over, but subjects him to many a restless anxiety, and many a dreadful fear while strong faith is a firm, and well constructed ship, that enables him to smile at the waves, to defy the storm, and gloriously enter the desired haven.

Wherefore giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to know

ledge temperance, and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity. For

these things be in you, and abound, they make you that he shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see far off, and hath, forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for, if ye do these things, he shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

DISCOURSE XIII.

MARTHA AND MARY.

Now it came to pass, as they went that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman, named Martha, received him into her house; and she had a sister, called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word; but Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered, and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things; but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Luke x. 38 to 42.

BIOGRAPHY is a species of history pecu. liarly interesting and useful. And in this

the bible excels.

to the very life.

The sacred writers describe

They fear no displeasure;

VOL. II.