sion, by the pouring of water on him that is thirsty as floods on the dry ground; pouring his Spirit on the seed of the righteous, and his blessing on his offspring; so that "one shall say, I am the LORD's; and another shall subscribe himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel." How clearly does this point out the duty of those who would enjoy the fulness of the promised blessing, and feel a Christian influence in the diffusion of it. How weak is the faith of those, who, believing generally the promises of God, can see little connection between fervent prayer and the growth and prosperity of the Church of Christ; and who imagine that to the prayer of faith these converting and sanctifying influences will be denied. We live indeed in an age, when there seems to have been let loose upon the world, a very different spirit from that whose operations were contemplated with such delight by the Prophet. The season which we now commemorate the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, with a view to a yet more glorious manifestation-is one in which the hateful and malignant passions of our nature, and a spirit of daring hostility to the kingdom of Christ, seem to attain an unwonted ascendency. But if we look back to some of the avowals of Christian faith and of Christian practice, which have been recorded in the history of past times, we shall feel that those times were chosen by the Almighty for the pouring forth of his Holy Spirit. The promises here given are connected with accounts of the depravity of the Israelites, and the declarations of the wrath of God denounced against them for their sins. It was under such circumstances, that, at the time of our own Reformation, God was pleased in a remarkable manner to pour water on the Church, and floods on the dry ground, to bless and to increase his Church: so that one said, I am the Lord's, and another called himself by the name of Jacob, and another generation subscribed with their hands unto the Lord, and surnamed themselves by the name of Israel. And have we not reason to believe, that many prayers and many supplications then ascended to heaven from that small but pious remnant, which constituted the safety and glory of this our apostate nation? And was there not a similar spirit among those, who, in other countries, were contending for the truth to the jeopardy of their lives, and endeavouring to lead men who were afar off, to the fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness, which had so generally been lost or forgotten in the midst of an overwhelming superstition? And cannot that same power which then worked, cast down at this day every thing that exalteth itself against God, and manifest itself to the longing eyes of the Church; and, in answer to their prayers, thus pouring forth the Spirit on their seed, and his blessing on their posterity? That portion of the Christian Church to which we belong, leads us expressly to make this a common subject of our common prayer. We entreat that God would grant to us his Holy Spirit that he would not take his Holy Spirit from us. We ask that He who alone worketh great marvels, would send down on our Bishops and Curates, and all congregations committed to their charge, the most healthful Spirit of his grace. We go yet further, praying that the whole Catholic Church may be guided and governed by his good Spirit: and in not a few passages, we pray for a similar blessing on all sorts and conditions of men. We recognize in these addresses, these truly pious and Christian prayers, the duty and the privilege of the Church of Christ : and in the earnest adoption of such prayers, we doubt not, we fear not, that God will, in his own time, bestow the blessings that we ask, according to the immeasurable riches of his grace. And observe, there is this encouragement for the whole body of Christians to present their supplications for the conversion and sanctification of multitudes, so that "they shall spring up as among the grass, and as willows by the water courses. There is ample encouragement likewise to parents, to seek the same influence on behalf of those, whom Providence has committed to their care. The promise is to us and to our children; and whatever be the design of Almighty God, with respect to the larger fulfilment of it, we gather from these words, as we learn from many more direct promises and many examples in the Holy Scripture, that the seed of the righteous man shall be blessed. We are taught that God "will pour his Spirit upon their seed, and his blessing upon their offspring." What a motive is this for Christian parents to present their children, not in the ordinance of baptism only, but in their own fervent prayers to Him that made them and formed them. What an encouragement to train them in the way in which they should go-to instruct them in the things that belong to their peace-to teach them to look upward for heavenly guidance, and to ask for that Spirit, and to ask boldly for that Spirit, that can cleanse them from an evil conscience, refresh them when weary, and sustain them under all the exigencies of their future life. And with this view, how much does it behove them to embrace every opportunity which may serve to impress these things more deeply on their minds; so that, according to the figurative language of the text, they may "subscribe with their hands to the LORD, and surname themselves by the name of Israel." The Lord's Supper, observes a commentator upon this subject, when properly administered and received, is suited to answer these ends. Those young persons who know something of the nature of true religion, and are desirous of a more intimate communion with the Lord, but who are fearful in these appointed means of his grace to avow their subjection to him, and to ask for his spiritual blessings, should remember, that it is not to those advanced in years that the promise is made: it is "to us and to our children." It is not old age only, that needs the blessings and the consolations of the Gospel; all are invited to partake of them. The best season is the season of youth, while the heart is yet open to instruction, before it is hardened by the deceitfulness of sin, or oppressed by the growing cares and anxieties of the world. To the young in a remarkable manner was the attention of our blessed Saviour affectionately addressed; and to them may his gracious words especially apply"I love them that love me, and those that seek me early shall find me." A Sermon DELIVERED BY THE REV. R. VAUGHAN, AT KENSINGTON, JAN. 9, 1831. Job, xvii. 9.-" The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger." THE present life is the only scene of probation of man: if he should fail in the scene in which he is now placed, he fails for ever. The merchant who is defeated in one plan may succeed in the second; the general who is overpowered in one contest may be the victor in the next; and so with regard to every earthly pursuit, there may be a remedy follow the evil: but the man who fails with regard to the great object for which he is placed upon the earth, fails for ever. Eternity will then unfold its scenes to his contemplation; its ages roll by, so that the interval that hath been allotted to the world's existence will appear a mere point or shadow, in comparison with some of the ages of the past: still there will be no scene in which the lost may again hear of mercy, in which they who are condemned may again hear of a state of trial. The decree has gone forth, and throughout all the succeeding ages of eternity, it will be reiterated by the solemn voice of infinite justice-" He that is holy, let him be holy still; and he that is filthy, let him be filthy still." How encouraging is it, then, my brethren, with regard to those who have entered on a course of Christian life, to find the word of God stored with so many assurances, that the power which you have considered infinite, will be faithful to the end-that He who has begun the good work will carry it on amid all the perils of our present state, till you reach the state where no danger can arrive. This is the meaning of the Christian life which is presented to us in the portion of the word of God which we have read as our text. I shall advert in the first place, to the character of the people who are here introduced the righteous and those who have clean hands. I shall then call your attention to a few particulars, which, under the divine blessing, may lead you to experience the fulfilment of the promise which the text contains. If you partake of the character which is here introduced, you are authorized to ask, by divinely appointed means, the blessing which is here connected with it, namely, that you 'may hold on your way," and that you may become stronger and stronger." "" First, REGARD THE CHARACTER OF THOSE WHO ARE HERE INTRODUCED -"the righteous," and "those who have clean hands." We need not detain you long for the purpose of describing these. We suppose, that the parties here adverted to, have already commenced the course of the Christian life. The passage relates to their progress in that life which they have already commenced—the journey which is to have a happy termination. We advert to this particular, chiefly for the purpose of remarking, that the course which the Christian is pursuing is followed by him as the result of much deliberation and of deep feeling. He has not committed himself to this pathway lightly; he has not deserted the broad road that leadeth to destruction, and chosen the narrow way that leadeth to life, without having carefully considered as to the point in which these different paths will terminate. Religion is a reasonable service; and those who enter upon this course are called upon by Him who is its author, to sit down and count the cost before they begin, and look onwards to all that is involved in the Christian warfare; and having done this, then with a fair estimate of that which is before them, to address themselves to all its perils and all its difficulties. Unless this be done, my brethren, there may be the appearance of religion without the reality. Men may run well for a time, but they will soon be hindered, because their state of mind is that which is set forth in the parable, by the seed that fell upon stony ground and the way side, which, for the want of having deep root, failed to bring forth fruit. But this is not the chief point which we have to attend to, in order to place before you the character of the people here introduced. The term "righteous” must be supposed to refer to the character of these parties; and the expression, "clean hands," denotes their freedom from those pollutions which are connected with human nature in its unconverted state. They are parties who are regarded as having respect for all that God has enjoined on them; not for some of his commands only, but yielding to him an implicit obedience in every thing. They are men who have learned to consider every thing which God has appointed, as binding upon them at all times. They have taken into consideration the claim which God has upon them, and are prepared to believe, that the path of obedience to his will is alone the path of safety, of honour, and of blessing. Their goodness therefore is not like the morning cloud, or the early dew, which soon passes away; it is the temple, the element, the habit of their souls. Imperfections they have, and they count those imperfections impurities still attached to them; and they loathe themselves on account of those impurities; but they delight in the law of God after the inward man. They have set before their mind the noble model of godly obedience which that law presents; and every danger and failure attending it, they regard as so much of defeat, deformity, and defilement, belonging to their image. It is possible, as you are aware, for men to select certain duties out of the range of religious duty, to which they will give attention, and to pass by others and in doing this they select those which they will find the least difficulty in regarding, and pass over those which may be attended with much self-denial if they observe them. : they do not think it proper to be singular; they wish to avoid what would look like ostentation in religion; they shrink from the thought of appearing at all like hypocrites. There may be something specious in this, but when fairly examined it will not be found to include much of honesty or wisdom; for though it is founded on integrity and honest appearance, I ask such a man, whether by appearing to be less religious than he really is, he is not playing the hypocrite in an equal degree with the man who appears to be more religious than he really is. Honesty requires that our external character should be an index and counterpart of all that is within; and that we should not conceal our religious feelings, under whatever circumstances that may arise, any more than we should seem to partake of a feeling that does not really belong to us. Men will sometimes shrink from appearing as There are others who will be very devout for a season, and who do this for the purpose of plunging into scenes of riot and excess when that season has passed. You are aware, whatever may be said with regard to the devotion of individuals in the Church of Rome, as generally applied to the members of that Church, that they have their lents, their seasons of fasting, and penance; and having gone through these intervals of privation and self-denial, they feel authorized to go forth, and drink deep of the cup of pleasure and transgression. I need not remind you, that in all this there is not only a solemn mockery of God, but of common sense : there is not merely an insult to his Omniscience, but to the every-day discernment of any man who has the least power of attention. And if it be true, that God is all holy, all wise, and all benevolent-then every thing which he has commanded, not merely some precepts, but all, must be the re-religious as they really are, because sult of that holiness, that wisdom, and that goodness. So that every measure in which we are found careless of that which he enjoins, is a measure in which we oppose ourselves to the purity, the holiness, and the kindness of his- nature. We become the foes of God and of ourselves, in exact propor-rectness of this description; and it tion as we become the foes of that which God has enjoined upon us. The "righteous man," therefore, and "one who hath clean hands," is an individual who has learned to judge after this manner, with regard to the things which are set forth by divine authority; and there is nothing which he covets so much, as to shake away from him the pollution to which he is exposed in this depraved world. they will not incur the contempt of others; and in other cases they will appear more religious than they really are, because they wish for the praise of others. At the bottom of all this there lies a deep layer of selfish vanity. Every man must be aware of the cor behoves us, therefore, if we are indeed attached to those ways of righteousness which God in his word has placed before us-if we are concerned to be found among his ranks in the latter days-honesty requires that we make it manifest to others that it is so. We know what is said in the Scriptures with regard to religious hypocrisy; and nothing can be said too strongly on that subject. But when This language must be further under- the Redeemer censured the Pharisees stood, as meaning an open and honest pro- on account of their long prayers, he fession of their attachment to the ways of could not literally mean on account of God and righteousness. The religious their long prayers-he uttered long integrity which the words of the text prayers himself; he prayed through places before us, as connected with whole nights. That which he comthese characters, involves this. We plained of-that which he denounced advert to this particular because it is in such forcible language, was, that one with regard to which many perthese men should put on the appearsons, of whose religion we would hope ance of exceeding piety, at the very well, seem to be seriously deficient. same time that their hearts were desThey seem anxious to conform, as far titute of all the great elements of piety. as they may do with any tolerable de- It was not what they were in appeargree of safety, to the manners of the ance, but what they were in reality. world, adopting its language and yield-It was not because they had the form ing to its customs, on the plea, that of godliness, but because they had not the power of it. It was on this ground | that he censured them; and it is only on this ground that they are liable to censure. Men therefore who would be right, that is, men who would act honestly with reference to the claims of religion, as they conceive themselves bound to do with regard to other things, are called upon to evince all the religion they possess, if they feel that the claims of the Gospel upon them are paramount. They should be prepared to assert this, and to do it not merely by words, but by their actions, whether deluded men will admire them or hate them for it. And surely, as we shall presently show, I trust there is enough in the glorious things that are revealed to us in the Gospel, to induce this humble effort of heroism in the cause of Christianity. We may remark further, that the man who partakes of this character will necessarily be concerned that he may hold on his way, and wax stronger and stronger. As certainly as he has learned to judge, in the manner we have described, concerning God and those obligations which God has imposed upon him, so certainly, my brethren, will he be anxious that he may press forward, that he may grow in grace, and in the knowledge of his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It will not be enough for him, that he should be for a time among the disciples of the Saviour; he will be anxious to have his place with them, to share with them in all that constitutes their experience and their lot. He will be concerned to forget the things that are behind, and to reach after those that lay before. Amidst all the difficulties that shall beset him, he will be anxious that the hands that hang down may be again lifted up, and the knees which are ready to give way may be again strengthened. He may toil long, and appear to toil without effect the mean and ungodly passions which belong to his nature, and over which he may have triumphed, may seem to come forth anew. His spiritual enemies may appear to be more powerful than ever; and old age may come on him, and all the infirmities that belong to it; but over all these things, or in anticipation of them as certainly as the heart, underUng, and affections of the man have become fixed on God and his ways, so certainly will it be his concern and his prayer, that amid all these things he may hold on his course, and become stronger instead of weaker, until he shall reach that glorious day, when the conflict will have terminated and the crown be attained. Now, brethren, I speak to some of you to whom this character pertains, and who know these feelings which I have endeavoured to describe, to arise necessarily out of the change of heart which has been wrought by the truth and Spirit of God. To you the promise of the text is immediately addressed; you shall hold on your way; you shall become stronger and stronger. Instead of being overpowered, you shall overpower; instead of being carried away by the current, you shall bear up against it; and in the face of all tumult you shall enter the haven of rest. I will now call your attention to a few particulars which may tend to produce something of this state of mind at the present time; THE CONSI DERATIONS WHICH LED YOU TO SEPARATE YOURSELF FROM THE WORLD, AND TO DEVOTE YOURSELF TO GOD. All these claims are now at hand, and possess all the claim they ever possessed. Why did you at first bow your knee to God? Why did you at first call upon his name, and entreat him to have compassion on you? Was it because the Gospel came to you as a system of truth, as attested by signs and wonders and divers miracles? Was it because it came to you so attested by evidence down to our own time, that it left you no ground upon which to doubt? Was it because you saw in its character, as well as in its external testimony, that which conspired to make you believe it a reasonable service? If so, all these things remain; the authority is the same now as it was at the first, and will be to the end. There is still the same concentration of light with regard to every thing which this book contains; and with regard to its outward testimony. Hold on your way, and look to the exercise of that cleanness of spirit which every honest mind will be concerned to possess. Look to the exercise of purity of intention, to the testimony which God has connected with his word, that it may |