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petites-upon those carnal and sensual gratifications of which he partakes in common with the brutes, who has known what it is to meditate upon God-who has felt what it is to meditate upon the lovingkindness of a Redeemer-upon Jesus weeping with those who weep, as well as rejoicing with those who do rejoice-upon that entire scheme indeed, which nothing but devout meditation can appreciate, and which will not long suffer a rival in the heart that sincerely welcomes it?

Not that even from such an heart all evil thoughts will be excluded at once and for ever. Not that any part of the precaution, or all the precaution to which we have now alluded, will ever shut the door altogether against these unholy visitors. So long as the flesh is flesh, it will be liable to fleshly weaknesses; and if a man expect to obtain perfect freedom from these while upon earth,--if he expect to purge away every taint of corruption while clothed in a corruptible bodyhe is expecting that which the very conditions of his existence forbid his attain

ing. The question, therefore, whether we have attained perfect immunity from all irregular thoughts and desires, is not the point we have to consider. What we must decide is this-are such thoughts welcome, are they invited, are they cherished? -Instead of shrinking from them, do we court them?-Seek for opportunities to indulge them, and then gloat upon them with fondness and delight? If so, we are deeply criminal in the sight of God, as criminal, probably, as if every thought had been realized in action.

But if such imaginations be looked upon as intruders, if they never steal in unawares without immediate endeavour being made for their ejectment, with loathing and abhorrence-we need not despond. There must be a sound principle of life, the Spirit must still be quick within us, and we have only to watch over all his godly motions, to obey and to promote them. "Jesus knoweth our thoughts," not less when they tend to God, than when they incline to evil. He will bless and accept our feeble efforts, and

render them abundantly effectual, by the aid of that Holy Ghost, the Comforter, which he hath promised in his own most

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holy word. To God then through him, let us offer up our earnest prayers for help and say,

"Almighty God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name, through Christ our Lord."

SERMON III.

THE WIDOW'S SON RAISED.

Luke vii. 13.

And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

THE words of Jesus Christ which were selected as the Gospel for last Sunday, supplied us with some arguments against indulging too much anxiety and solicitude about the future, and suggested reflections well calculated to meet and mitigate the harassing effects of worldly care. have a passage before us to-day from which may be derived arguments as convincing, and consolations as effectual for the relief of all who are under the pressure of

We

worldly sorrow. This is a subject which can be never inappropriate, while addressed to beings, who are "born to trouble as the sparks fly upwards', and in a time of great sickness 2 and mortality like the present, it would be neglectful to pass it by unnoticed. I invite you, therefore, my brethren, to meditate awhile on the interview between Christ and the widow of Nain.

"And it came to pass the day after, that Jesus went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people." This much people had been attracted by the wonderful work of the preceding day. It had been a labour of love, as well as that in which he was now about to engage, though not so affecting in its details. A master-and evidently a kind and considerate masterhad interceded in favour of a servant whom he loved, but who was sick and ready to die. Moved by the character given of the centurion by the Jewish elders,

1 1 Job v. 7.

2 The cholera was raging.

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