all our trials, we must "come out from the world, take up our cross, deny ourselves," and identify ourselves with Christ's church and people, in a profession of the truth as it is in Jesus, and a diligent observance of His appointed ordinances.

But, while all this is true, still it is equally true that a mere profession of Christ, a mere outward observance of ordinances, is vain, worthless, and dangerous to salvation. It cannot do good to others, it cannot do good to ourselves, and it cannot glorify our Saviour. It is, in the moral world, what a monster is in the natural world, and bears no more resemblance to real piety than a picture does to a living

man.

A picture is an imitation, and is perfect in proportion as that imitation is complete. And thus, also, is a profession of religion by membership and communion in some church, an imitation of true religion, which, existing in the heart, makes itself manifest in the life and conduct. Such a profession is considered good just so far as it is characterized by what are the outward natural acts and exercises of a believing, loving heart, and may thus deceive

others, and even a man himself. But it cannot deceive God, nor will He accept it as a substitute for heart religion. Without this it is worthless and dangerous. It is but a tare among the wheat, and can only at last be destroyed. Such a profession of religion God does not require, nor would I encourage. The rule of Christ is, "first give yourselves unto the Lord, and then unto His church-first believe with the heart, and then confess with the mouth."

Neither a profession, then, without faith, nor faith without a profession, is a complete, perfect, or symmetrical whole-a true development of man's glorious powers under the influence of the gospel. And the reason is, that man is a compound being, possessed of a body as well as a soul-of affections as well as intellect-of active powers as well as an understanding—and of social qualities as well as of personal attributes. What he does as man, he does with ALL his faculties; and what he approves in his understanding, he carries out into action by his will and his active powers. When a man, therefore, believes in his heart, he lives, and moves, and acts, in accordance with the

nature of the thing believed. There is no power which can paralyze the will to do where there is a heart to do, and a possibility of doing. In order to enable any man, therefore, heartily to do, it is necessary that he should heartily believe. This belief is the principle-the beginning the fountain-the elastic spring-the ever-living power which works in us to will and to do.

nature.

Faith is the mightiest principle of human It is the only inlet to our knowledge of every thing without us, every thing past and to come, every thing invisible and divine. It lies at the foundation of character and conduct. A man is what he really, not seemingly believes, and by inevitable necessity a man will act in accordance with what he sincerely and firmly believes. And as in regard to every thing else, man is ever ready to hazard anything, and to make any sacrifices, for what he believes requires, and will remunerate, the cost; so it is with him who truly believes in the truths of the gospel. They will become to him principles of life and conduct, and mould and transform his character, and direct and control his actions. As coals of fire they will burn within

him, until they find vent in the flames of devotedness and zeal.

"Tis faith that changes all the heart,
'Tis faith that works by love,

That bids all sinful joys depart,

And lifts the thoughts above.

"Tis faith that conquers earth and hell,
By a celestial power;

This is the grace that shall prevail

In the decisive hour."

SECTION III.

YOU MUST FIRST BELIEVE WITH THE HEART.

Would you, then, my dear reader, be saved? Would you "be reconciled to God, and be at peace with him," and thus be prepared for death, judgment, and eternity? Then you must do all that God requires, and in the order which He prescribes. You must first believe the testimony of God concerning Christ, with your heart, and then you must confess Christ with your mouth. God has in infinite mercy provided salvation through the incarnation, life, death, resurrection, and intercession of Christ. He has made a perfect atonement for all sin, and wrought out a righteousness which is of infinite merit and sufficiency. His "blood cleanseth from all sin." God is now reconciled and satisfied, so that while "he is a just God, he is also a Saviour." "GOD IS NOW IN CHRIST." We have no longer to do with an absolute Deity, with God as angry, jealous, and consuming as a fire.

God is now in Christ, to whom