overlook the operation of the hand of God. They may discover nothing which bears distinct evidence of being His work. They may choose to account religion a pretence, and a zeal for God's honour, nothing more than the working of an overheated mind. But, notwithstanding the inobservance of man, there is still a gracious work going on in the world. Angels rejoice at the sinner's repentance. The Throne of Grace is approached by anxious suppliants. The language of prayer and praise is going up as a memorial before God. Mercies are vouchsafed: the Holy Spirit given: souls in sorrow comforted: souls in conflict strengthened. Daily and hourly, in the midst of the multitude of prayer, which escaping, unthought of, from the lips of those that use them, are but as idle words: there are going up before God, the desires of the contrite heart, and the aspirations of the faithful after holiness and a conformity to Christ. Deliverances granted, are followed by a return of praise. Blessings bestowed, are answered by heartfelt thanksgivings. The hope of glory enlightens the eye and supports the spirit of the contented sufferer. Peace is vouchsafed to the penitent and pardoned: yea, joy unspeakable is experienced by the faithful and devout. And thus, my brethren, the children of men-those who are true disciples of our Sa

viour-are being trained and prepared for the blessedness of heaven, They are being disciplined and fashioned for the high eminence in creation, which they are hereafter to occupy. They are being made meet for the inheritance of the saints in light. Yes! however little these things may be known or cared for, by a thoughtless world, yet they are really going on. Day after day, new triumphs are achieved by the power of the Gospel: new glory is added to the cross of the Redeemer. And thus there is a preparation making for His promised return. work is in progress, which stands connected with the coming of our Saviour. The hearts of the disobedient are being turned to the wisdom of the just, and a people are being prepared for the Lord to bless.

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But let us consider, somewhat more closely, in what this preparation consists. And you will observe, my brethren, that this preparation consists in the return of man to God. the disobedient must be turned. peopled by a disobedient family. erred and strayed from the ways one of the whole family of man has continued faithful to his heavenly King. And, not only have we all turned aside from following the path of right not only have we all forsaken the

We have all of God. Not

Fountain of living waters, and foolishly and wickedly imagined, that we could better satisfy our souls' thirst for happiness, by hewing out cisterns for ourselves, than by drinking of those rivers of pleasure which are at God's right-hand : but having once forsaken God, we have no power and no inclination to return to Him again. If left to ourselves, we should never have retraced our steps: we never should have returned to the God of our salvation. This then being our condition, God sends His own Son to seek and to save that which was lost. And the Son of God, having opened for us a way, by which we may come to God, in the full assurance, that we shall find acceptance in His name, has now sent His servants into the world to persuade men to turn from the error of their way, and with penitence and in faith, to walk before God.

The preparation needful, therefore, is that we come back from our own ways, and walk henceforth in the ways of God. But then, my brethren, this return of men to God is something more than the adoption of a new creed, or the reformation of a few irregularities. The hearts of the disobedient must be turned. The enmity which sin has produced in our hearts against God and against His ways, must be destroyed. We must be prepared to meet a Being, who can read our secret thoughts,

and knows most perfectly our most hidden desires. We may mislead our fellow creatures by false appearances: but we cannot disguise any thing from the all-searching eye of God. The preparation that is requisite, therefore, consists in the conversion of our hearts to God. It is a transformation in the spirit of our mind: a turning from the ways of sin, and a turning to the ways of God. And this is the great work in which the ministers of Christ are engaged, while occupied in making ready a people for the Lord their God. Though we know it is beyond the power of man to convert a sinner from the error of his way: though experience sufficiently shews, that arguments the most conclusive: and eloquence the most brilliant: and appeals the most earnest, cannot insure the turning of the heart to God: yet the ministers of Christ are the instruments which God employs to turn the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just. And hence, the minister is spoken of as saving himself and also those that hear him.' Whatever may be the difficulties of the work, this it is that is requisite, that men's hearts should be turned to love and serve the Lord. And, my brethren, until this great change be manifest in you, what hope can be entertained that you are

prepared to meet your God? Your manner of life may be creditable: you may possess many amiable qualities: you may have gained the good will of your neighbours, and may really be a blessing to the place in which you live: but if your hearts are not turned to God, the one thing needful is neglected, and your soul's eternal welfare is in greatest peril. It is not, remember, any little change that is required: a change, which can scarcely be discovered by those around you. It is a great and evident change: a change which cannot be hid: a change which must be manifest to all. For a change of heart cannot but be accompanied with a change of life. And when the life is changed; when a man, instead of wandering from God, is seen to be returning to God; when, instead of making religion a subordinate matter, it is made his chief concern: then only, is the work of good rightly going on: then only, is the required preparation advancing as it ought to do. For then, to adopt the forcible language of one of the most excellent of the earth, we may make this account with ourselves: "I was in times past dead in trespasses and sin: I walked after the prince that ruleth in the air, and after the spirit that worketh in the children of disobedience : but God, who is rich in mercy, through His great love, wherewith He loved me, even when I was