doctrine, and have some confused notions about the work of the Spirit upon the heart of a Christian; but having no spiritual perception of these things, they are ever fluctuating and wavering, and will sooner renounce the truth than suffer for their adherence to it: nay, Dr. Goodwin, that truly evangelical writer, has a whole chapter to prove that the principles of religion are not really believed by carnal men, which seems agreeable to that of the apostle :-" If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost, in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."

I might add under this head, that as this way of life is above the understanding of wicked men, so it is out of the reach of all their malicious attempts to obstruct or destroy it; for "no lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon; it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there."

3. The way of life may be said to be above, in that its tendency is upwards. Whatever comes from God leads to God; as he is the source, so the centre, of all true religion. The good man sets his affections on things above, and has his conversation in heaven: he is of a truly noble disposition. He has a greatness of spirit to which others are strangers; and his desires and designs are much higher than those of the great bulk of mankind. He looks not at the things which are seen and are temporal, but at the things which are not seen and are eternal; an invisible God, an unseen Saviour, and the unknown glories of a future state, engage his attention, and attract his regard; whereby his graces are strengthened, his corruptions mortified, his soul quickened and invigorated, and his affections taken off from the transitory enjoyments of the present life.

4. The way of life is above; that is, there is no downward tendency: it is still upwards. The higher the Christian mounts, he still finds there is an ascent before

immense distance still appears, and great difficulties are to be surmounted, before he gains the summit, and obtains that complete happiness after which he aspires; "forgetting," says the apostle," the things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." The way to heaven is all rising ground, and we make the greatest advances by looking upwards.

If it be the way

By this time, methinks, you will all be inquiring, and solicitous to know, what way you are in. Is it the way of holiness or of sin? of life or of death? that you were always in, then you may be sure it is the wrong way; and the same may be said if it is the way of the multitude. If it is the way of ignorance or error, formality or hypocrisy, these, though more specious, are altogether as dangerous as the way of downright wickedness and open profaneness: but if it is the way of life, bless your Guide, seek to him for continual direction and assistance, mourn that you walk not more carefully and circumspectly, and look to the end of your journey, when the ransomed of the Lord shall return.

SERMON XVII.

THE HEAVENLY CALLING.

REVELATION XVII. 14.

Called.

HERE we have the companions of Christ, when he goes forth as a mighty conqueror, to trample his enemies under his feet, and break with his iron rod those who will not submit to his royal sceptre. They are chosen, called, and faithful. How full and comprehensive these three words! How beautiful also in the order and connexion! 1. Chosen. For God's electing love, and not the merit of man, is the fruitful source of all the good that he bestows upon his people here, or designs for them hereafter. 2. "Called." As the saints are chosen, so they are called in Christ Jesus; and as their election, so their vocation is the fruit of free and sovereign grace. 3. Faithful. As we cannot know that we are chosen until we are called, so we cannot know that we are called, unless we are at least, in some degree, faithful. This faithfulness is not to be considered as a distinct grace or duty, but as that which pervades and is ornamental to all graces and duties; so that a man who is faithful, religiously faithful, in one instance, will desire and endeavour to be so in all. He will faithfully fulfil his engagements, improve his talents, and both preserve and render back whatever is for that purpose committed to

lim but what is been enlightened or large his attainStart of Ged, neither

ey are spiritually discerned." ejects and, therefore, it is

taste for them, though

true; but he does n : know them; nay, he Lem any more than Ulind man can distin

co'cars, or a deat man, sounds. Spiritual things are arddle to carnal minds Thus was the new birth to Nicode was, who thought he must enter into his mother's womb, and be born a second time; and when Christ declared the necessity of eating his flesh and drinking his blood, in order to eternal life, many of his professed disciples rejected it as a bard saying, and walked no more with him. Wicked men my give their assent to this or the other evangelical

doctrine, and have some confused notions about the work of the Spirit upon the heart of a Christian; but having no spiritual perception of these things, they are ever fluctuating and wavering, and will sooner renounce the truth than suffer for their adherence to it: nay, Dr. Goodwin, that truly evangelical writer, has a whole chapter to prove that the principles of religion are not really believed by carnal men, which seems agreeable to that of the apostle :-" If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost, in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."

I might add under this head, that as this way of life is above the understanding of wicked men, so it is out of the reach of all their malicious attempts to obstruct or destroy it; for " no lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon; it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there."

3. The way of life may be said to be above, in that its tendency is upwards. Whatever comes from God leads. to God; as he is the source, so the centre, of all true religion. The good man sets his affections on things above, and has his conversation in heaven: he is of a truly noble disposition. He has a greatness of spirit to which others are strangers; and his desires and designs are much higher than those of the great bulk of mankind. He looks not at the things which are seen and are temporal, but at the things which are not seen and are eternal; an invisible God, an unseen Saviour, and the unknown glories of a future state, engage his attention, and attract his regard; whereby his graces are strengthened, his corruptions mortified, hist soul quickened and invigorated, and his affections taken off from the transitory enjoyments of the present life.

4. The way of life is above; that is, there is no downward tendency: it is still upwards. The higher the Christian mounts, he still finds there is an ascent before