doing wrong. We are in a different state from cases of the thief and the servant. We sin with light and knowledge, and it is by the grace of God only, that we are, or can be saved. The scriptures teach us to deny all ungodliness, and worldly lusts, and to live righteously, soberly, and godlily in the present world; and nothing less than this, my friends, can make us safe.

Much has been said of the falling away that has occurred; but we are informed that it was necessary that this should first happen; that the man of sin and son of perdition should be revealed, who exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God, sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God, and taking the seat of God in the heart; arraying himself as an angel of light, would, if it were possible, deceive the very elect; but this is impossible; for who are the elect? those only who elect God for their portion, and those he will not permit to be deceived. It is not all that have the religion of virtue, who claim to be religious. There are many hypocrites in the earth. What else can we call

those Presidents and Clergy, who, for office and vanity, and to be seen of men, profess in their frolics and assemblies, even pretending to open them by a prayer to advance the work of the Lord. It is evident, to every man of observation, that this is no part of religion. It is as far from the kingdom of Heaven as Antichrist.

SERMON II.

DELIVERED BY ELIAS HICKS IN FRIEND'S MEETING HOUSE, HESTER-STREET, NEW-YORK; FIRST DAY AFTERNOON, THE 8TH OF FIFTH MONTH, 1825.

WHILST sitting in this meeting, the tenden

cy

of the declaration of Jesus to his followers has been strongly brought to my mind, wherein he certified to them that without him they could do nothing. It brought to my rembrance likewise, what he said concerning the Comforter, whom he declared his Father would send, and who should abide with them for ever. He had said to them a great many things which they had not realized, and which consequently had been of no use to them. Nor could they be useful unto them, until brought to their recollection by his spiritual operation; for which whilst with them, outwardly they could look no higher. To believe in him in his outward manifestation, was the highest ascent of their minds. Hence, there were many things which they could not comprehend until the veil of his body was re

moved. They could not understand the gospel until that event took place; for they were under the law and limited to that manifestation. But many things were important for them to understand, when the period of his sojourning on earth was accomplished.

I need not rehearse what this assembly has undoubtedly read and understood that it was necessary that he should go away, in order to remove the veil, and to enable the people to behold the light of the Son of God, the Comforter. But who was this Comforter, my friends? It was not an outward and external one, but an inward and spiritual revelation to the soul. Under the old dispensation the Lord visited his people, saved them from sickness, and enabled them to see and enjoy the promised land. This was outward, and typical of what was to come. But under the gospel dispensation it all relates to the soul, and there is no matter about it. The Comforter is altogether spiritual, and it was promised that when he came he should open and reveal to them those things which had not been made manifest. A mystery is like a nonentity until it is revealed, and therefore a revelation was necessary. Secret things belong unto God, but the things that are revealed belong unto us and our children forever; and this brought to

my mind what Jesus said on this subject; as laying the foundation of the little which I would say to this large assembly, and as showing the object and reward of what I wished to recommend to them, which is a life of righteousness.

Righteousness is necessary to religion, for religion without righteousness is nothing, and worse than nothing. Religion and righteousness are really the same thing, and how beautifully is this shown to us, in Christ's sermon on the mount! It makes the way easy and plain, and none, unless wilfully, not even the way-faring man, though a fool, can err therein. The real doctrines of the gospel are very. unpleasant to the children of men, whilst in their natural state. They can perceive no beauty nor comeliness in them; but the soul that really delights in God, is also delighted with his gospel. He is ready to give up his own will to the will of God, and rejoices in a life of righteousness. It is such, and such only, as these, whom he chooses to anoint with the oil of gladness above their fellows. What was the answer when the question was put concerning the first and great commandment? It was to "love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." The Almighty was to have no competitor in the heart; but