XX. down our sins at the foot of his altar, de- SERM. termined within ourselves to make every effort to merit his redemption, by turning away from our wickednesses, that we may live? Surely we are not come hither, only hypocritically to sanctify his day, heedless, from the moment our devotions are over, how, by the indulgence of our lusts and passions, we " crucify the Son of "God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” Surely we are not come hither under pretence of commemorating his advent in the flesh, and yet can quit this place, turning our backs upon his altar, and upon those holy mysteries which he instituted and ordained himself as pledges of his love, and for a continual remembrance of his death and passion, to our great and endless comfort? If our pretended devotions are so lukewarm and indifferent, or rather so base and unworthy, as this, we had better retire from the commemoration of our Lord's Day; for he came to bring no good tidings to such worthless and ungrateful servants. How can we dare to join in the angelic hymn which we adopt in our ser vices, XX. SERM. vices, if our actions tend neither to the glory of God, the peace of the world, nor to the establishment of the Covenant of Christ's Gospel, whereby the good-will of God to fallen man is manifested and made sure. To conclude-You are called, you are invited, to become joint heirs with Christ in the glory of God the Father! Are you sensible of this? If you are, have you ever studied the conditions upon which your adoption depends? If you know these conditions, have you done your utmost to live up to them? If you have at any time violated them, have you done all in your power to repair the breach? Have you repented of such wickedness, and prayed to God to forgive you? Have you been careful to seal and confirm your repentance by an amendment of your lives, and a studious endeavour, by the cultivation of every Christian virtue, to bring forth fruits meet for repentance? Do not go from hence, fancying it to be a day of joy, because it is so denominated, and so marked by the appointed services. Christ, by his own Covenant, is precluded from being the Sa XX. viour of the incorrigible sinner; his coming SERM. is big with heavy tidings and bitter forebodings to the perverse and headstrong, and no good tidings of great joy can this day, well understood, bring with it to them! But, beloved, I hope ye have not "so learned Christ," but that your dovotions this day may have been so fervid and sincere, your sorrow for past transgressions so contrite and humble, your purposes of future amendment so steady and resolved, your praises so sanctified, your hopes so reasonable, your faith so strong, your charity so warm, that they may be regarded in heaven as memorials before God in your behalf. Let me hope that you will accompany me to his altar, there to commemorate what he came to suffer, and did suffer, for our sins! And may God, of 66 his infinite mercy, who "" daily be renewed by his Holy Spirit, through "the same, our Lord Jesus Christ.” 66 SERMON SERMON XXI. COMMENCEMENT OF THE YEAR, PSALM XIX. 2. 3. 2. One day telleth another, and one night certifieth another. 3. There is neither speech nor language, but` their voices are heard among them. IN the Bible-version it is differently ren- SERM. dered: 66 66 66 Day unto day uttereth speech, and XXI. night unto night sheweth knowledge:"There is no speech nor language where their "voice is not heard." The instruction afforded us by a contemplation of the heavenly bodies is two-fold. First, they convey to us the brightest knowledge of God's everlasting power, majesty, and glory: "The "heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his handy-work." Secondly, they warn us of the lapse of time, our |