mercy, and to seek the blessing promised to those who are "pure in heart?" Or, if this more noble motive has less influence over us, do we at least shrink from the apprehension of his resentment; and fear to make bare against us that Almighty arm, which shall be "revealed from heaven, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his powerh?" It were better indeed, that we should be drawn to our merciful Father by the cords of love than of fear. It were better, that we be wrought on by a grateful sense of benefits conferred, than by an alarming apprehension of punishments denounced. It were better, that we be drawn to God by his gracious declarations that " he willeth us to be converted and live," than by his severe threatenings of punishment, if we obstinately refuse his invitations. Still if the Apostles of Christ "persuaded men by the

2 Thess. i. 7, 8, 9.

terrors of the Lord," as well as by mercies; and warned them to flee from wickedness, "because that the, Lord is the avenger of all such" as persist in sin; if Christ himself not only allured men to their duty by the promise of the joys of heaven, but diverted them from sin by a representation of the torments of hell," where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched;" it is not for his ministers to withhold from the sight of men those motives, which are addressed to their fears, any more than those which stimulate their hopes. In this sense the saying of the wise king may be true, that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" for he, who has been diverted from the commission of sin by the fear of those terrors, which God denounces against the sinner, may not improbably by the grace of God make further advances to wards piety. If he once firmly believe, that God is the punisher of those who seek him not, he may soon be led to believe, that he is "the rewarder of them who diligently seek him':" the door of his heart

i

2 Cor. v. 11.

Prov. i. 7.

'Heb. xi. 6.

having been once opened to one guest, others may find admission; and where fear has gone before, love may perhaps follow.

2dly. Do we bear in mind the purpose of God in our high vocation, that "he hath called us not to uncleanness but unto holiness?" Do we seriously meditate upon the cause, which made a Redeemer necessary; even the fatal disobedience produced by the unruly appetites of Adam, and the consequent corruption and impurity of our nature; and upon the object, for which our blessed Redeemer came, namely to remedy the sad effects of our forefather's weakness, to overcome sin, and to cleanse us from all iniquity? Do we earnestly reflect, that he has called us out of the world—an impure and sinful world—“ a world, that lieth in wickedness"—" that we should be holy and without blame before him in lovem;" and that he has translated us into his own body, the church, "which he loved, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with

put

the washing of water by the word; that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish"?" Do we then strive to live in a manner worthy of our high vocation? We" name the name of Christ:" we profess ourselves to be Christians: we have been incorporated into the body of Christ : do we 66 depart from iniquity?" do we "abstain from fornication?" do we 66 off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts?" do we " cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit?" do we "put away from us all filthy and foolish talking and jesting which are not convenient," not agreeable to the purity of the Christian character; not suffering" such things to be once named amongst us, as becometh saints P?" More than this; do we bear in mind that we are called, not only "from uncleanness," but " unto holiness?" Do we then endeavour so to live, that men

• 2 Tim. ii. 19. Eph. v. 25, 26, 27.

v. 3, 4.

may see the purity of our lives, and glorify our heavenly Father, and give honour to that holy name of Christ, whereby we are called? Do we follow his commandments, which require us to be "holy in all manner of conversation?" Do we imitate

the example of Him, who is gone to prepare a place for us; and " having this hope," do we endeavour to "purify ourselves even as he is pure "?"

66

Lastly, do we cherish that gift of the Holy Ghost, which he has given us and shed abroad in our hearts, as "a pearl of great price;" as more precious than rubies or fine gold;" as "sweeter to us than honey or the honey-comb?" Do we fear to "vex" him by our hardness of heart, to "resist” him through the perverseness of our wills, to "grieve" him by any uncleanness? Do we humbly and submissively follow where he leads? Do we dutifully obey his will revealed to us in his holy word? Do we comply with his secret motions in our hearts, being then assured