brought under two general heads, the duty we owe to God and man, The former we are to regard as a kind and tender Father, who watches over us with the affection of the fondest parent; and even when he chastens us, corrects us in mercy for our future benefit; who loved us so well, that he gave his Son to die for us on the cross; and has provided for us, in the holy Spirit, an adviser, a guide, and a protector, who will never fail us, unless by our sins or our indifference to our duty, we oblige him to leave us. We are to regard man, all mankind, every one of our fellow creatures, not as strangers, but as neighbours and brethren, and to do unto each as we should think it reasonable that they, in like circumstances, should do to us. This is á plain rule of conduct which no honest enquirer can mistake. And this rule, if we will have recourse to it, will be found, by God's grace, sufficient to direct us on every occasion for you cannot but see that there is no possible situation, no circumstance whatever, to which it may not be applied. With such a rule of action, with the example of Christ set before us, with the aid

of the holy Spirit to guide our steps, with the promises of peace in this world, and everlasting happiness in that which is to come, what encouragement has the Christian, not only to be faithful, but "to go on his way rejoicing!"

Be ye constant unto death, and receive the reward of eternal life.

ye shall Be Be ye

therefore stedfast and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord Patto

For our farther encouragement to enliven our hopes by some faint glimpses of the joy which is laid up " for the saints in light," which the "spirits of just men made perfect" will partake of the holy Spirit has been pleased to tell us of "a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, who should stand before the throne (of God) and the Lamb, (the Lord Jesus,) clothed in white robes, (the sign of holiness,) and with palms in their hands," (the token of triumph and joy.) We

1 Cor. xv. 58.

read also in another place, that they who have fought the good fight of faith, when they have finished their course, shall stand "before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb (the Lord Jesus) which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes","

9 Rev. vii. 9, 15-17.

SERMON II.

THE DUTY OF FAMILY PRAYER.

COL. iv. 2.

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.

THE duty of prayer rests upon this authority, that it is commanded by Jesus Christ. He has not only employed a parable to teach men that they ought always to pray and not to faint, but he has given them also a form of prayer for their instruction. He has moreover recommended the practice by his own example.

The benefits derived from prayer are so great, that no one, I am persuaded, who would give the subject a careful and serious consideration, could be content to cut himself off from such advantages, when he found that they were placed within his

a Luke xviii. 1.