and brought under the yoke of Jesus, -a partaker of the freedom with which he maketh his people free? One great object which we have in view in the preaching of the gospel is to provoke this enquiry; and then have we some ground to hope that our preaching has not been in vain, when we witness in our hearers a sense of the infinite value of their souls, and the necessity for settling without delay, the momentous question, whether or not the imperishable spirit within, is in a state of death or of life,-dead in trespasses and sin, or through the power of regenerating grace, made alive unto God. Much cause of anxiety on our part still remains. The most difficult and responsible part of our office hath yet to be discharged, when we go on to deal with the awakened sinner; to guide his enquiries; to watch over him, least he relapse into apathy once more, and the light which began to dawn, again be extinguished; and to warn him against rash confidences, fanatical delusions, or causeless despondency. But though all this may await us, and the prospect of it may occasion anxious thoughts to spring up in the breast; we cannot but rejoice to know that our hearers are responding to the call which from time to time we address to their souls, and are willing to have the question determined whether or not they have any good and scriptural

grounds for concluding that they know Christ, and have a saving interest in his redemption.

Have not all professing Christians, it may be asked by some, made it their business to settle the question whether or not they are in reality Christians? May it not be affirmed, of at least the great majority of our friends and neighbours, in a land like this, where all are baptised into the name of Christ, and have been instructed from early youth out of the pure oracles of God; that they have sought with all sincerity and good faith to know how far they bear the marks of Christ's genuine disciples? We are constrained to reply, indisputably not.

The greater number of professing christians, it is our persuasion, live, and not only live, but die, without instituting seriously this examination, or coming to any distinct, intelligent, and satisfactory conclusion, with regard to the subject of it.

Of these, one part find it satisfactory to entertain the notion, that it is a very simple and easy thing to be a true christian; requiring only a moderate share of moral propriety of conduct, some outward regard to the institutions and forms of religious worship, with a suitable attention to the decencies and charities of social life; and the argument wherewith they satisfy their minds that these things constitute the sum and

substance of true religion, is nothing more than this, that the world has so judged.Why then trouble ourselves, they will ask you, with a matter so easily settled upon a very broad and simple basis?

Another part consists of men who are conscious, indeed, that their habits of life. are at variance with the doctrine and rule of scripture; but who cling notwithstanding, to certain vague and shadowy expectations, founded on the abounding mercy of God, and connected it may be in their minds, with the remote and faintly conceived purpose of future repentance and amendment of life.These, meanwhile, avoid the enquiry as one which would serve only to perplex and discompose their minds. They shun the light because they love the darkness better than the light.

It is the opinion of yet another part, that this question, am I a Christian? is one which cannot be determined; that no person whatever is able to come to a satisfactory solution of it; for that God has not designed that in this present life we should obtain a knowledge of his judgement concerning us. With these sentiments. they not only themselves avoid the investigation, but regard as visionary and presumptuous, all who, according to their apprehensions, vainly pry into hidden mysteries which they cannot resolve.

And, in forming this conclusion, that multitudes of professing Christians, in ways such as those now specified, do in truth shun all effectual enquiry into their religious state and character, I am not directing my view exclusively to the young, the very thoughtless and giddy-minded, and the uneducated. I see around me, in addition to these, many elderly persons, and many, who as respects the affairs of this life, are thoughtful, prudent, intelligent, of whom the remarks that have been made hold equally true; nay, who are but the more unconcerned apparently about their interest in a world to come, in proportion to the discrimination and forethought they exercise in providing for the futurity of their life upon earth.The near and visible approach of death, it might well be imagined, should rouse the minds of all to a lively anxiety about the state of the r souls, and give rise at length to the enquiry, what preparation have I made for meeting God? In what frame is the undying spirit within me for appearing at the bar of final judgment? Were this indeed a uniform result of Death's near approach, yet who will venture to affirm that it is then time enough to begin in true earnest the business of the spiritual life, when the pains and terrors of the last conflict are impending, and the mind already sinks under the pressure of bodily sickness and disease. But

common observation, on the part of all who are familiar with these solemn scenes, will serve to confute the notion to which we have referred. How rarely is it seen that the work which has been forgotten through life, is remembered at death! In how many instances, on the contrary, are men, once reputed shrewd and sensible, to be witnessed in their last moments, exclusively engrossed with the cares of time, and the necessities of their perishing bodies: as if they well believed that a momentary mitigation of their sufferings, or a day added to the term of their mortal existence, were more worthy their concern than the state of their soul's preparation for an eternity of bliss or of woe!

Reader, let me now ask, is your situation similar to that of which we have spoken? Have you never made it the occasion of heartfelt enquiry to ascertain what is your actual spiritual condition-to discover if it be a thing possible for you to discover, whether or not you are a Christian?

Are you unable at the moment you are reading these lines, to say upon any proper ground that there belong to you the scripture marks of a believer in Jesus? Is it therefore impossible for you to assign any sufficient reasons for your hope of final pardon and acceptance with God, and admission into the kingdom of our Lord Jesus