3. This narrative strikingly exhibits the evils produced by a love of gain.

St. John, speaking of the love of the world, calls it inconsistent with the love of the Father; and I am sure, in this instance, it is clearly inconsistent with the love of the Son. For the sake of a paltry gain, (and that obtained by a traffic expressly forbidden by their own ritual,) these Gadarenes forgot the benefit which their poor unhappy brother had recently received, and caused the greatest Benefactor who had ever appeared among them, instantly to " depart out of their coasts."

4. We are taught the folly and danger of slighting religious privileges, when they are placed within our reach, lest they should be for ever withdrawn.

When Paul preached the gospel before Felix, that monarch, touched with contrition, yet not willing instantly to embrace the doctrines he delivered, said to him, "Go thy way for this time, when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee." He had his prisoner safe within the bounds of his castle, and could recal him to his presence at the moment he wished, though we have every reason to fear that the convenient season never

arrived. But with respect to the narrative we have been reviewing, the case was widely different. I have examined the New Testament with minute attention, and cannot discover any traces of our Saviour having ever again visited this ungrateful city. Oh, unhappy people! His friendly foot will never again impress your shores! No boat or vessel will again conduct him to your coasts! He will never again exert his miraculous power to heal your sick, or to soften the still worse effects of pride, envy, ambition, and malice, which reign in the hearts of your rulers! You must for ever remain in ignorance of his instructions, and of his mission, for you slighted his counsel, and despised his reproof; you set at nought "the Holy One of Israel!"

Oh, may we all take warning by the subject we have been contemplating! May we never neglect privileges while they are continued unto us, lest God should, in displeasure, withhold his mercies! Let us carefully examine our talents, and endeavour to apply and improve them to the glory of God, and our own everlasting salvation. Let us remember, that, now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation."

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May it be so to every one of us, and may we so occupy our talents while on earth, as that we may, through their instrumentality, be fitted to partake of that glory which shall be eternal, reserved for those who are kept by the mighty power of God through faith unto salvation. Amen.

SERMON XXXVI.

THE BLESSINGS OF PEACE.

He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. PSALM xlvi. 9.

IT is probable, though not certain, that David composed this Psalm in consequence of a remarkable interposition of the Almighty in his favour; when he had delivered him from all his enemies, subdued internal rebellion, and established his throne in security and peace. The phraseology of it alludes to the ancient manner of going to war. The bow and arrow were, from their nature, designed for distant engagement. The spear might either be employed as a missile weapon, and thrown from afar, or be used in the closest combat hand to hand. The chariot was in

general use among the ancients, (and by the Israelites, equally with the rest, although expressly prohibited by a divine command,) as the vehicle of heroes. There they could watch every motion of the enemy; and from thence, as from an elevated stage, they could behold and direct the war. It is dreadful to relate the barbarous invention of the Scythians to render these carriages destructive; they affixed scythes to their wheels, and then, driving furiously into the midst of the enemy, mowed down living armies by ranks.

The Almighty Ruler of the universe is represented, in my text, as destroying these instruments of slaughter, and putting a period to the ravages of war: "He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; be burneth up the chariot in the fire."

These words may, I think, serve as an appropriate motto to a discourse on the duty of thanksgiving to God, for restoring to Britain the invaluable blessing of peace.*

I am naturally led to remark :

1. How desirable is peace!

II. In what sense God is the Author of peace.

* Preached June 1, 1802, the Thanksgiving Day for the Peace of Amiens.