perance, and brotherly love among mankind. Others, on the contrary, consider true religion as consisting in being, what is called, good sort of people; that is, in refraining from injuring their neighbour; living on good terms with those around them; minding. diligently their own business; and, now and then, givng somewhat to supply the wants of others. They occasionally go to church, too, for decency sake, or because they have nothing else particularly to do; and they refrain (from habit or prudence, or a sense of propriety) from the gross vices of uncleanness, intemperance, swearing, and so forth. This they call religion, and are satisfied; though their souls, in the meanwhile, know nothing of JESUS CHRIST, or the power of his gospel; though they have no sense of their sin, or of the want of a Saviour; feel no wish, and make no endeavour, to increase in the "knowledge of GOD;" nor do a single act, upon the principle of its being either commanded by the LORD, or being "pleasing" unto Him. There are others, lastly, who make religion, like the Pharisees of old, to consist in an attention to outward forms. They are strict in attending public worship; they make long prayers; and observe, with great regularity, days, and times, and seasons; they are solemn in their gait,

gloomy in their countenances, and harsh in their manner. But their hearts, in the meanwhile, are entirely unattended to. No spark of true religion dwells there. No conviction of personal worthlessness; no feeling of humility; no real love of GoD and CHRIST; no charity for their brethren in the flesh. All is selfishness, self-conceit, and self-justification; a full belief that they alone are righteous; and a contempt of all others, who do not put the same value upon outward ceremonies as they themselves do.

Very unlike, however, to all these "forms "of godliness," without its power, is the religion which the text describes. It tells us, that true christianity consists in "being "fruitful in every good work, and increasing "in the knowledge of GOD;" that is, in making greater progress every day in faith ; and improving, as we increase in years, in the performance of our duty to GOD and man. As faith is the great foundation, and only scriptural motive, of a holy, virtuous, and useful life; so it should be our study and endeavour to grow constantly stronger in the faith of CHRIST, and of him crucified. The human mind cannot stand still; and if it be not improving, it will be losing ground. So is it with our faith; if it do not increase, it will diminish. If we do not often converse with

our Saviour, by reading or hearing the scriptures, by worshipping in the church, attending the sacrament, and praying for grace, we shall gradually grow cool towards him. In time we shall be ready to cry out with Peter," I know not the man of whom

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ye speak." His burthen will become heavy, and his yoke irksome. Whereas, on the other hand, if we have frequent converse with our blessed LORD, (the great object of our faith,) we shall increase in the "knowledge of GOD;" and gain, daily, additions to our faith, and to our power of leading a christian life. By frequently considering the unspeakable mercy of Gon in sending his Son JESUS CHRIST into the world, as a means of the redemption of us miserable sinners; and the great love of CHRIST in laying down his life for us; by frequently looking at him, standing in the hall of Pilate, and stretched upon the accursed tree; by often recollecting his ascension into heaven; his sacred promise to send us his Holy Spirit, to comfort, enlighten, and assist us; and his blessed assurance, that he will raise us from the grave, and give us everlasting life By these constant exercises of our faith, I repeat, we shall gradually "increase in the knowledge of GOD;" and, every successive day, not only see more

clearly the necessity of practising "good "works," as the best proofs of our having this knowledge, but also acquire ability to to perform them. These, my brethren, are the views which the Ministers of your church have of faith. They know its great value and importance; they know, that without faith it is impossible to please GOD; they know, that there is no name under heaven, by which man can obtain salvation, but the name of the LORD JESUS CHRIST; and they know, too, that there is no foundation. on which any good works can be pleasing to GOD, (if done by those who have the light of the gospel,) except the principle of faith, and obedience to his holy will. But, while they sacredly believe, and conscientiously teach, this doctrine; they also believe, and maintain, that this faith, without the accompaniment of good works, unless it be followed up by a pious, an honest, and a pure life, will not find acceptance with GOD. Hence it is, that, anxious to convince their hearers also of the same great truth, they dwell with frequency and force on the necessity of being "fruitful in every good work;" bringing forward the commandments of GOD, and the precepts of JESUS CHRIST, to the view of their congregations: but "teaching none "other things" than what the scriptures

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reach; that the surest way of shewing love to CHRIST is " doing what he says;" and that, "without holiness no man can see the "LORD." Do the Ministers of your church, then, my brethren, "make void" faith, by thus urging you to be "fruitful in every good work? Nay, verily, they rather establish it; because they tell you, that a true and saving faith will as naturally bring forth christian virtue in the conduct of life, as a well-tilled and a well-sown field will produce an abundant harvest; and because they tell you, that unless "good works" themselves spring out of a desire to please GOD, and from an obedience to the law of CHRIST, they have no claim to the character of christian virtue. When we consider that GOD intended men. to be of mutual assistance and comfort to each other; and formed society to consist of various ranks, orders, and degrees of life; -the rich and the poor; the high and the low; the prince and the subject; the master and the servant; the husband and the wife; the parent and the child; we see imme diately, that there are a thousand, important duties, connected with these different rela-. tions, on the performance of which depends all the peace, comfort, and safety of society. That these might be performed, strictly and conscientiously, GOD, in his moral law, and