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suitable to your own cases; such trust have we through Christ to God-ward," that is, such we trust you are through the grace and to the glory of God. We are the instruments, but it is by the divine hand alone that the great work must be performed.

My dear hearers, the most glorious thing in the world is to bear at all times and in all places before men, a fine transcript of the image of Christ upon the mind; "as he that hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation." Some may have a great deal of profession of religion, and yet not possess its substance; they may be very saint-like in the house of God and in public, while their conduct is most satanic in their own houses; but true Christians, whatever their stations and whereever they may be found, are always careful that what the Spirit has engraven upon their bosoms should be "known and read of all men." The real believer never forgets the high importance of his duties and pursuits, nor follows the frivolous example of the world. The swallows which appear in the summer months are useful in their way, destroying the insects which might otherwise increase to the inconvenience of men; yet they sing not and soar not, like others of the

feathered tribe, but from dawn to sunset are unceasingly engaged in catching the little flies which swim in the air. Thus thousands have no aim but the trifles of time, while the Christian has a nobler nature, and his attention is fixed on the glorious things pertaining to eternal sal

vation.

I want to see you, brethren, "mounting up with wings as eagles,” and, instead of following after follies as insignificant and ephemeral as flies, I beseech you rise aloft above the world with holy exultation, and when you descend upon the prey, let it be to seize and destroy those evils which impede the work of religion in the soul. O honour your aged preacher by a conduct which shall prove that he has not preached in vain, and that the Lord has made his word a blessing to your minds.

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SERMON III.

THE SALT OF THE SACRIFICE.

EZRA vii, 22.

-"And salt without prescribing how much."

I NEVER wish to adopt fanciful phrases, that have no definite meaning; but it appears that there is a very beautiful meaning in these words, which describe part of the preparation for those typical services which were figurative of things pertaining to the church of Christ. It was particularly commanded that Aaron in all his offerings should offer salt; the salt of the covenant was not to be wanting on any account whatever. This, like all the other old testament ceremonies, was ordained to teach us of heavenly things. At the time when the words of our text were spoken, the Lord had been afflicting his people. O could we but see the criminality of our hearts aright, we should never think the Lord's hand was too hard upon us: should "a

living man complain for the punishment of his sins?" But the Lord was also in mercy about to restore the Jewish worship and economy, to remain till such time as Christ should come to abrogate the whole of it, and by the sacrifice of himself to bring in that everlasting righteousness, which is to be in and upon all them that believe-to justify his church by his atonement, and prepare it for himself by his Spirit. Glory be to God, we now live under a dispensation wherein all essential things are plain, and have an immediate tendency to come home to the mind, when it is wrought upon by the powerful influence of the Holy Ghost. May you and I now feel that which is according to the spirit we should all enjoy.

The deaths of the Persian kings quickly succeeded each other. We hear of the rapid succession of Cyrus, Artaxerxes, and Darius who made a decree favourable to the Jews; and here we read of a second Artaxerxes, who appeared equally well disposed. Under the auspices of his government, Israel was to be protected, and the sacrifices of the Lord instituted again. His decree was decisive and urgent, and all encouragement was given to its

1 Lam. iii, 39.

execution. What a mercy it is that all hearts are in the Lord's hands, and that he turneth them severally as he will, and where he will. O the solemnity of the idea, that there is an infinitely glorious God who reigns above, presiding over millions of intelligent minds created by his sovereign power. It is mysterious to me, and I cannot tell how it is, that these various minds so differ from each other; one possessed of faculties, bright, beauteous, and good, and another all that is vicious, hateful, and profane. I cannot believe that God creates evil in the wicked mind, but I believe that he leaves hardened sinners to themselves. All minds are assuredly his workmanship, and it is impossible to deny that he has the power to control, and restrain every existing being; and we shall make a right use of this reflection, if, leaving things beyond our depth, we simply desire that our hearts may be sweetly and solemnly given up to God, that he may have entire dominion over them, and that they may be consecrated to his glory, while our bodily actions are so regulated by the spirit of our minds, that we may do his will and live to his praise, through the Holy Ghost living and dwelling within us.

But to come more immediately to the matter