XIII. councils, nor ordained by the church of SERM. England or the church of Rome; but enjoined by a Power which none can difpute:-From the Fountain of knowledge and goodness it proceeds, by the Lord of heaven and earth it is commanded; he, therefore, that defpifeth, defpifeth not man, but GOD *. Since fuch at least are its pretenfions, fhall any of us neglect to try the evidences of the Gospel? and if we are convinced that its origin is divine, fhall we a moment delay to examine whether we are guided by this unerring rule?-We cannot surely disbelieve; we dare not surely disobey. Know ye, then, your ownfelves? Are ye masters of your own hearts, and perceive ye that JESUS CHRIST is in you, except ye XIII. SERM. be reprobates? Are ye ready to receive the words of truth, and eager to obey the call of grace? Happy is the man who can juftly declare that he is a Chriftian in deed, as well as in name.-Let no one be difcouraged by the uneafiness he may feel upon felf-examination, nor defift through fluggish indolence, or hopeless defpondency: Though the heart be found corrupt and fenfual, the grace of GoD can pervade and cleanse it from all impurity; the Spirit of Holiness can change this whitened fepulchre, full of all uncleanness, into a pure temple, enlightened with celestial glory. ON SERM O N XIV. Preached on the DEATH of a FRIEND. REVELATIONS xiv. 13. I heard a voice from Heaven, faying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, faith the Spirit, that they may reft from their labours; and their works do follow them. A XIV. MIDST the numerous calamities SERM. of human life, nothing can afford fubftantial repose, but the bright expectation of immortality. While the prospect |