tained by any although none are completely delivered from the power of any corrup tion, yet they deliberately give themselves up to the influence of no corruption. "Being made free" from the condemnation of sin through the atoning blood of the Lamb, "and become servants to God" by their own voluntary dedication, they will endeavor "to have their fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life."

3. This subject may be concluded by urging all immediately to comply with the exhortation of the text, "strive," carnestly "strive that ye may enter in at the straight gate." Surely if any thing be entitled to our unwearied pursuit; if any thing claim our constant, our ardent attention, by day and by night, it must be the happiness, the endless happiness of the soul. Awake, therefore, to a holy earnestness in securing this infinitely important concern.-"Labor not for the meat that perisheth, but for that which endureth to everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give you." Reflect, beloved reader, that thou must succeed, or thy soul shall perish, and that for ever. As a mean of awakening you to becoming diligence and importunity, contemplate the prize to be obtained, "glory and honor and immortality; riches that are unsearchable; an inheritance that is incorruptible; a crown of glory that fadeth not away," and "palms" which shall flourish in immortal bloom; the communion of Jehovah, Father, Son and Spirit, in his un

utterable glories and consolations. Consider, on the other hand, the miseries to be avoided, "the blackness of darkness for ever; weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth; a lake which the breath of an avenging God like a stream of brimstone will set on fire." These, brethren, are not my doctrines, then they might be regarded with indifference; they are the "true sayings of God," and would to God you all heard them with a solemnity becoming the majesty of their author, and their immense, infinite importance. "He will render to every man according to his works; to them who, by patient continuing in well doing, seek for glory, and honor, and immortality, eternal life. But unto them that are contentious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile." Read the procedure of the adorable Judge, and the final destiny of all men described in language, more interesting by the holy Evangelist. "When the Son of Man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all nations, and he shall separate them one from the other, as a shepherd divideth the sheep from the goats; and he shall set the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left. Then shall the King say to them on his right hand, come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the

kingdom prepared for you from the founda tion of the world: Then shall he say also to them on the left hand, depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels." Art thou unconcerned where will be thy station on that awful occasion, whether on the right hand or on the left band of the judge? art thou uninterested to what thou wilt be awarded, whether to endless life or endless perdition? or wilt thou be indulged to stand merely as a spectator? "As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth," thou, even thou thyself, wheth er bond or free, whether male or female, whether rich or poor, shalt constitute a portion of the throng, either of the damned or the redeemed; thine own eyes shall behold the judge in the full blaze of his glory; thine own ears shall hear from his lips thine unchanging destiny. Are all these miseries dreadful? shouldst thou not aim without delay to avoid them? Are all these joys, these glories desirable? shouldst thou not earnestly strive for obtaining them? O, my brethren, be not slothful in the great work of salvation. Is not the prospect of inheriting eternal life; "of shining as the sun in the kingdom of our Father; of being ever with the Lord, beholding his beauty, and satisfied" with his consolations, is not this prospect sufficient to prompt us carefully to use each mean of salvation? Read daily, read diligently, "the holy scriptures; they are all given by inspiration of God, and

are profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and instruction in righteousness. These are written that ye might believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that believing, ye might have life through his name.' Does the philosopher, merely to gratify his curiosity, search eagerly into the various appearances of nature? Does the student waste the midnight lamp in pursuit of knowledge, which is at best but perishing in its nature; which can impart no hope in a dying moment? and shall we neglect those scriptures "which testify of Jesus," and which, when sanctified by the Spirit of grace," make wise unto salvation? Unto us are given exceeding great and precious promises," and salvation in these promises; and thanks be to God, they are all given that they may be read, and received into actual possession.Again, attend diligently, and conscientiously the preaching of the word. No matter what opinion the world generally entertains of this ordinance. Although considered feeble by some, and foolish by others, it has in all ages been eminently countenanced for the conversion of sinners. "It has pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. Faith usually comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Of Zion it shall be said, this and that man was born in her." THERE, through the instrumentality of the gospel, and the agency of the sanctifying Spirit, they were convinced" of sin, and of righteousness, and of

judgment." THERE, they were driven to despair of any help, or hope in themselves, and were led to the covert of the Redeemer's blood as their only, and everlasting refuge. Suffer no opportunity of waiting on the sanctuary to be neglected. Thomas was absent at the first interview of our Lord with his apostles, and therefore was permitted to continue eight days in unbelief. Thus, if we are the children of election, by deliberately neglecting this means of salvation, we may be left days, and weeks, and months "to blindness of mind” and impenitence of heart. Again, pray; frequently, fervently pray for the sealing influences of the Holy Ghostwithout his co-operating grace, all your reading, and hearing, and meditating must be utterly unprofitable; they will neither avail to the glory of God, nor your spiritual edification. When, therefore, you cast your eyes on the sacred volume, look up by earnest supplication in the name of Jesus that he would "open your eyes to behold wondrous things out of his law;" that he would render it an effectual instrument of imparting light to your understandings, and holiness to your hearts. When the Sabbath draws near, let it be your prayer in secret, and as you approach the holy temple, that the steppings of Jesus Jehovah may be seen in his sanctuary; that he would graciously direct the speaker to seasonable truths, and powerfully apply his message to your own heart, and the hearts of all.