transcribe into our lives and practice, the perfect system of Christian morality described by the Apostle: and to this end, let us contemplate and dwell upon it, with a sincere and hearty desire to make it the rule and guide of our thoughts, our words, and our actions. Thus "giving all diligence to make our calling and election sure," we shall so effectually co-operate with the Holy Spirit's work in our hearts, that, "justified by His grace," we shall daily be more and more prepared for "the prize of our high calling in Christ Jesus.” Yet above all, brethren, let us remember, we can build our hopes of heaven on no other foundation than that is already laid. Faith in Christ must be the great corner-stone:-upon that must be raised the noble superstructure recommended by St. Peter in the text: and whilst it should never be forgotten that the glory to be revealed is "not of debt but of grace," we may still be assured, that he who thus, in humble confidence, reposes his faith, and thus, in the strength of divine grace, builds upon it, "shall never fall."

SERMON XVII.

ON THE BENEFIT OF THE SABBATH.

JEREMIAH XVII. 22.—“ Hallow ye the Sabbath Day."

THERE are certain duties which cannot be performed without self-denial, or the loss of some temporal advantage; there are others which are so manifestly beneficial to us, even in this present life, that one might imagine it would be a matter of no difficulty to comply with them. Of this kind is the duty of observing the Lord's Day; a duty which, whether we consider its beneficial tendency in a civil or religious light, unquestionably claims our peculiar attention.

In discussing this important subject, I propose, in the first place, to consider the appointment of the Sabbath, as an acceptable rest from the toils and labours of life.

While we see so many doomed to labour for "the meat that perisheth," can any wise or good man fail to regard that as a merciful dispensation, by which one day in seven is allotted to rest, that the poor man may recruit his wasted strength, and partake, in his heavenly Father's house, of the bread of life? On the morning of that sacred day, he rises, not to renew his labours, but, by God's command, to rest from them :— to put on seemly attire, that he may go with the multitude, to worship God in his holy temple, and to spend the remainder of this blessed day in the bosom of his family :-to sit down with them, and to enjoy the pleasures of a father, a husband, or a son. He has this day graciously given him, that he may, according to his ability, instruct his family in their duty to God and man,—urge them, on Christian principles, to the discharge of it,-teach them, from the Word of Truth, "the things which belong to their eternal peace," shew them the redeeming love of their Saviour to a lost and guilty race, and converse with them about that better world which is to come.

Ye, then, my friends, more especially, whose station compels you to labour throughout the week, welcome the dawn of the Sabbath, as a day of comfort. Bless God for it, as one of his most gracious appointments; for such, when properly employed, according to his divine purpose, it will most certainly be found. Receive

it with heartfelt gratitude to your heavenly Father; and while you thankfully enjoy the rest which it affords you, let your thoughts ascend to that merciful Being, whose "loving kindness is over all his works." Seek during its continuance, by diligent prayer, the aid of God's Holy Spirit; and instead of allowing it to be spent in idleness and sloth, in thoughtlessness and vain amusements, let it be a day of religious exercises, and of peaceful enjoyment to yourselves and to your families. Thus, by divine grace, you will reap the benefit which God mercifully designed it to bestow. You may be assured, indeed, your beneficent Creator ordains nothing that is not intended for the good of his creatures,-nothing which, if properly improved, will not conduce to that end; and, as the Sabbath is an institution peculiarly calculated to benefit mankind, take heed, I beseech you, that ye slight not the ordinance of the Most High; lest, by your negligence or impiety, that which "should have been for your health, become me unto you an occasion of falling."

Pure and undefiled religion is undoubtedly the greatest of earthly blessings: and thus it is constantly found that the most religious nation is the happiest; that the society which is formed upon Christian principles is the best and most orderly; and that those persons who conform with most exactness to the precepts of the Gos

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pel, are the most valuable members of the state, and, under all circumstances, the most truly happy in themselves: nor can it be otherwise; for while on scriptural authority, we know that righteousness exalteth a nation," and that it is "a good and pleasant thing for brethren to dwell together in Christian unity;" we are no less certain, with regard to individuals, that he, whose sure hope is in "the Lord his Redeemer," enjoys that "peace" which the world can neither give nor take away.

The great usefulness of the Sabbath depends upon its being made a religious institution. This was certainly the design of its divine Author: and indeed the peculiar distinction of this holy day is its religious character. The Sabbath is the pillar that supports the temple of piety. It is the Sabbath which affords the best opportunity of implanting right principles, of correcting errors, of shewing the true nature and the hideous deformity of sin, of explaining the duties we owe to God, and the scriptural grounds and reasons for performing them. Were it not for the Sabbath, and the sacred ministry connected with it, how many are there who would have no means of learning even the necessary duties which belong to their station in civil society. But, eternal thanks to this gracious institution, such persons (throughout the whole civilized world) can repair to the house of God; they