ter the announcement, "I am a Christian," and from thenceforward ever looks from his seat of glory to see how they fulfil the obligations which they have thus publicly, solemnly, and voluntarily taken upon themselves. He never loses sight of them for a moment, but is ever watching to see how they sustain his name, his dear, and sacred and honoured name, which is above every other name, and which they have confessed before men.

What a profession, and how publicly made! By how many spectators you are surrounded and watched. From the hour you call yourself a disciple of Christ, the church with a tender interest, the world with malignant curiosity, angels with kind solicitude, devils with rooted enmity. God with a jealous eye, and Christ with tender sympathy, mark every step of your progress; for " ye are come to Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly, and church of the firstborn which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant."

This view of the nature and obligation of the Christian profession is confirmed and forcibly stated in the following address to persons on their joining the church, taken from a Manual used in one of the Presbyterian churches in America.

EXPLANATION.

"You have now presented yourselves in this pub lic manner before God, to take his covenant upon you-to confess Jesus Christ before men,-to testify your faith, and hope, and joy in his religion,—practically to condemn your former selves, together with the whole world' as 'lying in wickedness'-unre

servedly to dedicate yourselves to the service of your Creator, and definitely to incorporate yourselves with his visible people. You are about to profess supreme love to God, sincere contrition for all your sins of heart and life, and faith unfeigned in the Lord Jesus Christ. You are about publicly to ratify a solemn compact to receive the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost,' as revealed in the Scriptures, in all the agencies they execute for the government of the world, and in all the offices they sustain for the salvation of the Church; and to 'walk,' henceforth, in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless.'

ENCOURAGEMENT.

"We trust you have fully considered the purport of these several professions and engagements. The transaction before you is solemn in its nature, and will be followed with eternal consequences. God and holy angels, as well as this Church, these spectators, and your own consciences-your Pastor and these Elders, are witnesses. Your vows will be recorded in heaven; they will be publicly exhibited on your trial at the last day. Nevertheless, with these reflections you need not be overwhelmed. In the precious name of Jesus Christ, which is as ointment poured forth,' you may boldly enter into the holiest, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the vail, that is to say, his flesh and having a High Priest over the house of God, you may draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having your hearts sprinkled ' with his atoning blood, 'from an evil conscience, and your bodies washed with pure water,' by baptism, according to his appointment. For this is he that came by water and blood,' even Jesus Christ; NOT

'by water only, but by water and blood: and it is the Spirit that beareth witness that the Spirit is truth. God is indeed great in majesty, infinite in power, 'glorious in holiness,' inflexible in justice, and 'fearful' even in 'praises :' still, he is abundantly merciful and gracious;' and as such, manifests himself by graciously condescending, through Jesus Christ, to enter into covenant with sinners. You may venture then, in the filial spirit, IRREVERSIBLY thus to commit yourselves, and trust to his promised and inviolable faithfulness,' for strength to discharge your obligations, and perform your engagements.

DEDICATION.

“And now, in the presence of God, angels, and men, you do solemnly avouch the LORD JEHOVAH to be your God and portion, the object of your supreme love and delight; and THE LORD JESUS CHRIST to be your Saviour from sin and death, your Prophet to instruct you, your Priest to atone and intercede for you, and your King to rule, protect, and enrich you; and the HOLY GHOST to be your Illuminator, Sanctifier, Comforter, and Guide, looking to HIM for light, grace, and peace unto this TRIUNE GOD-this wonderful Name of THE FATHER, and of THE SON, and of THE HOLY GHOST,' into which we are baptized-you do now without reserve, give yourselves away, in a covenant never to be revoked, to be his willing servants for ever, to observe all his commandments and all his ordinances, in the sanctuary, in the family, and in the clo

set.

:

You do also bind yourselves by covenant to this Church, to watch over us in the Lord, to seek our purity, peace, and edification, and conscientiously to submit to the government and discipline of Christ as here administered; counting it a privilege

and a favour-not a privation and a grievance,-to be subject in the Lord, to that authority which HIMSELF hath established in his church, and which HE hath made it not more the duty of his officers to exercise, than of his members to obey.

All this, in the divine strength, you do severally profess and engage.

ACCEPTATION.

"In consequence of these your professions and engagements, we do affectionately open our arms to receive you as members of this Church, and, in the name of Christ, declare you entitled to all its visible privileges. We welcome you, as brethren in Christ, to this fellowship with us in the labours and the blessings, the toils and the honours, the crosses and the crowns, the trials and the rewards of the Gospel of our risen Redeemer: and on our part, engage, in his strength, to watch over you, to seek your edification, and to aid your progress through this wilderness to the fields of real pleasure beyond it. Should you have occasion, in providence, to remove from us, to live within the bounds or in the neighbourhood of another Church, we shall hold it our duty to give, as it will be yours to seek, a recommendation from us, which will place you under the watch and care of that portion of the family of Christ: for, hereafter, you can never withdraw from the pale of the church, or live in the neglect of sealing ordinances, without a breach of covenant.

EXHORTATION.

"And now, beloved in the Lord, let it be impressed on your minds that you have entered into a solemn condition, from which you can never escape. Wherever you may be, and however you may act,

these vows will remain upon you through life. They will follow you to the bar of God, and in whatever world you may be fixed, they will abide upon you to eternity. You can never again be as you have been! You have unalterably committed yourselves, and henceforth you MUST be the servants of God! Hereafter, the eyes of the world will be upon you, and as you demean yourselves, so will religion be honoured or disgraced. Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ, and you will be a credit and comfort to us: but if it be otherwise, you will be to us a grief of heart, a stumblingblock, and a vexation! and if there be a wo pronounced upon him who offends one of Christ's little ones, wo, wo to the person who offends a whole Church! But, dearly beloved, we hope better things of you, and things which accompany salvation, though we thus speak. May the Lord strengthen you, and give you a comfortable passage through this transitory life, and after its warfare shall be accomplished, bring us all together into that blessed Church, where our communion shall be for ever perfect, and our joy for ever full. Grace be with you. Amen."

Christians, ye who make this profession, and make it thus, does not the subject require and demand your very serious consideration, and your devout and prayerful examination, whether you are sincere and consistent? Do you understand what is included in that all-comprehensive appellative, "A CHRISTIAN," in that public declaration, I AM a Christian? Have you studied your name, analyzed your profession? Are you aware what the world, the church, and angels expect from you, and what God and Christ demand of you? Or have you thrust yourself into the church, rushed to the Lord's table, and thoughtlessly