know God and Christ Jesus whom he hath sent, is life

eternal.

3. The joyful expectation of future glory. Intercourse with God naturally enlarges the mind, and elevates the sentiments of the human heart. When the conceptions and aspirations, the views and the affections of the soul are holy and heavenly, they are earnests of future felicity. Grace nurtured by habitual communion with God, is the forerunner of unceasing glory. Indeed, in the present state of human nature, however advanced it may be in sanctity, the very best of men must content themselves that they are privileged to rejoice with trembling. The variations of religious experience in the same individual, the necessity of having different graces occasionally called into action, and the changing, yet wise and gracious dispensations of providence, do not admit of unceasing joy, of uninterrupted felicity. This world is the school in which the christian is educated for heaven. His interest, as well as the honour of his Sovereign, demands that he should submit to self-denial, mortification, and the assumption of the cross. He is, however, promised strength proportioned to his day. He that soweth in tears, shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing. Cast thy burden on the Lord, and he will sustain thee. Various are the trials to which the people of God must submit; but their encouragements are numerous and powerful. If heaven did not occasionally open to their view, their courage would languish, their exertions become enfeebled, if not effectually paralized. Conscious that after a few more struggles, sin and sorrow shall cease, and sanctity and joy characterize their existence, they go on with firmness in the way of the divine eom

mandments. In commiseration of their condition, piereing winds are tempered, and storms that would otherwise overwhelm them robbed of their greatest fury. Hope steadily attends them, joy sometimes expands their bosom, when by faith they are enabled to claim as their own, that inheritance, which is incorruptible, unfading, and full of glory.

These are some of the precious fruits of justification. And should they not make us anxious to know the state of our souls, whether our iniquities are forgiven, and whether we are in possession of a title to life everlasting? Without the knowledge, or at least a well grounded hope of our justification, we must remain strangers to the consolations and pleasures of religion, for we cannot look to the future world without fearful, distressing apprehensions. We are therefore called upon by duty and interest to ascertain our true spiritual condition. The test of examinaiton is plain, decisive, and within the reach of every individual. The tree is known from its fruits. If you are enemies to holiness and aliens from God-and your hearts are never gladdened by the smiles of redeeming love, you are still in your sins, in a state of condemnation, and therefore in danger of perishing forever. But even by you, who are in this awful situation, this doctrine must be regarded as consolatory, for it directs you to the only, the effectual and the never-failing remedy. Though in consequence of your transgression, despondence thickens around you, the consolations of justification pierce through the gloom, and call forth your reliance on that compassionate Redeemer, who never suffers any to seek him in vain. Indeed he invites-importunes you to look unto him and live. But remember that proffered friendship, obstinately rejected, may be

come indignant at such treatment; for God, the merciful God has declared that his Spirit shall not always strive with man; and should he once consign you to the blindness of your minds and to the hardness of your hearts, you are wretched without the remotest prospect of relief. Dream not then of slighting, rejecting and yet experiencing mercy. Come without delay to this once crucified but now exalted Redeemer, as to the only medium of reconciliation with your offended God, and as to the only source of holiness and happiness. He gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Therefore intreat, earnestly entreat God for his righteousness sake, to have mercy on you, to pardon your iniquities, and bless you with hearts devoted to his service, that you may rejoice in the hope of glory.

But if to the guilty this passage is encouraging, it certainly must be more eminently so to those who are in actual friendship with God. Your aspirations, believers, your faith, your hopes and your joys, are testimonials in your favour that God will not withhold from you a single blessing which your happiness demands. He will open for you rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of rallies, he will make the wilderness a pool of water and the dry land springs of water. He will give you wine and milk without money and without price. A new spirit will he put within you, and cause you to walk in his statutes. Proceed therefore in cultivating the sentiments and duties of your highly privileged relation. Proceed in honoring your God, in doing good to your fellow creatures, and in the advancement of your own

sanctity, happiness, and dignity. Proceed with confidence in this your course of duty, for yet a little while, and you shall receive a crown of glory, that fadeth not away, eternal in the heavens.AMEN.

SERMON XIV.

THE TRUE AND FALSE GROUNDS OF

RELIGION.

(IN TWO SERMONS.)

Phil. iii. 7, 8, 9.

But what things were gain to me those I counted loss for Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, &c. &c.

BY JOSEPH CLARK, D. D.

Pastor of the Presbyterian Congregation of New-Brunswick.