are overlooked with contemptuous neglect, and sentiments and feelings incompatible with them are directly avowed.

Amidst all the defects of the English Liturgy, its evangelical tenets and spirit must be admitted; and its devout and glowing addresses to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, are a proof that its framers were aware of the interest Christians have in this doctrine, and that they were not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. There are ceremonies in the worship of that Church which savour of superstition; but it is only just to say. of its litany, that it is rich in the doctrines of Christ, and glows with the spirit of the gospel; and in its sup plications for mercy from each of the Persons in the Godhead, and its ascriptions of glory to each, the pious and the faithful in all denominations will cheerfully accord.

But you may behold also in this benediction the rich and glorious portion of true Christians. The delights of divine love, the supports of the grace of Christ, and the influences of the Holy Ghost are yours. The love of God gives joy in every ordinance, makes every dispensation of Providence acceptable, and elevates and strengthens human friendship. By the grace of Christ duty is made easy, trouble light, temptation is repelled, and death is overcome. By the influences of the Spirit bad passions are not suffered to make the saint wicked, nor gloomy feelings to render him miserable; and by it the holiness that adorns, the peace that tranquillizes, and the communion which blesses the soul, are maintained and perfected.

A good man may be poor; but with these blessings the evils of poverty will be borne with cheerfulness. He may be scorned and abused by the world, but God is his friend. Men may withhold their aid from him

in difficulties; nay, may do what they can to aggravate his afflictions, but the power of Christ shall rest on him. Men may separate him from their company, and

cast out his name as evil for the Son of Man's sake; but the communion of the Holy Ghost is a refuge in which the gloom of solitude is forgotten, and the terrors of persecution cannot be felt.

We trust, Christians, that you now feel the most eager desires after these spiritual blessings; and if you ask them in the name of Jesus, and in reliance on his death and intercession, "grace shall be to you, and peace from him who is, and was, and is to come, from the seven spirits which are before the throne, and from the faithful witness, the first begotten from the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth." May you now have fellowship with the Father in his love, with the Son in his grace, and with the Spirit in his fruits and consolations.

After the Service.

"Truly, O Christians, the lines are fallen to you in pleasant places, and you have a goodly heritage.” Yours is a heritage of which no vicissitude can deprive you, which shall yield you daily new stores of consolation, and blessedness, and whose riches are inex haustible. When you think how unworthy you are of such a heritage, and what a different portion you once madly sought, it will fill you with devout wonder, that God should have "made an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David." Shew in your temper and conduct the moral influence of this benediction. Let the love of God excite you to be zealous for his glory, resigned to his will, fearful of offending him,

and solicitous to please him. Let the grace of Christ render you active in duty, firm and vigorous in resist ing temptation, and let it repress all confidence in yourselves; and beware of grieving the Holy Spirit of God, by the vanity of your thoughts, or the carnality of your hearts, or by any fellowship with the works of darkness. You will find, I trust, in this interest of the Holy Trinity in your welfare, your motives and obligations to all holy obedience strengthened, and will show, in your persevering resistance to every temptation to indolence and apostacy, its power over the conscience, and the moral impulse which it gives to the heart.

Let this benediction excite and direct you to fre quent and affectionate prayer for those who are over you in the Lord. "I beseech you brethren, for the

sake of the Lord Jesus Christ, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me." The more your minister shares in the love of God, the grace of Christ, and the fellowship of the Spirit, the more will you be improved and comforted by his labours.

I call on you also to solicit these blessings in behalf of your fellow worshippers. The wishes of Christian benevolence thus expressed will animate you to all the duties of charity. You will not envy, or defame, or injure the man to whom you wish the love of God; you will not refuse your support to those for whom you solicit the grace of Christ; nor will you scorn the society of a brother, because he is poorer and less intelligent than yourself, for whom you ask the communion of the Holy Ghost. the love of God? it is a call on you to brotherly kindness in all its forms. Do you wish one another the grace of Christ? it calls you to help every man his

Do you wish one another

neighbour, and to say to him be of good courage. Do you wish one another the fellowship of the Holy Ghost? it impels you to say to them, "Come hear ye that fear God, and I will tell you what he hath done for my soul." "Come, O ye house of Jacob, and let us walk in the light of the Lord."

With this benediction friends may solemnize their farewell; parents may thus conclude their parting counsels to their children, who are about to leave their dwelling; and the dying may thus express their last wishes for the prosperity of those who shall survive them. In such circumstances, almost every heart feels the deepest anxiety for the welfare of those from whom it is about to be separated, and a consciousness that this only can be secured by the counsels and the prorection of the Almighty. In uttering this benediction. with the spirit and the voice of piety, a sense of religion may be awakened, and the most favourable inpressions of divine things will be associated with all their recollections of the melting scene. Enjoying the love of God, the grace of Christ, and the fellowship of the Spirit, they will not deplore the want of the counsels of a friend, the kindness of a husband, or the care of a father. Let the worldling desire that pleasure may give enchantment to every scene, that wealth and riches may be in their house, and that they may be crowned with glory and honour; in this benediction you will find wishes to be expressed by you, more suited to your character, and much more adapted to make those whom you love happy.

Study this benediction with more attention than ever. It will lead you to the most interesting views of the divine character, and of the privileges of Christians. In it I see the essence of the gospel, and the

whole course of redeeming mercy. It should be inscribed on the tables of every heart.

Be careful to show your regard for it in your conduct. Leave not the house of God unless imperious necessity requires your departure till it is pronounced, and join in this part of the service of the church with all solemnity. There have been instances in which the minister's voice has been lost while pronouncing it, in the noise made by those who were rushing out of the sanctuary; and others have been oc cupied at that solemn moment in preparing for their departure, or for the expression of civility and respect to their fellow-worshippers. Such behaviour is a proof of a vain and worldly mind, of thoughtlessness, and of irreverence. Be it your care to stand in stillness and awe till it is finished, and to accompany it with the earnest wish, "Bless me, even me, also, O my Father!"

Finally, Look forward to the larger measure of these blessings which you shall receive in the heavenly state. There you shall dwell in love; there the grace of Christ shall reign in your eternal life; and there the Spirit of glory and of God shall rest on you. With this prospect before you, it becomes you to be patient, stedfast, and active in the service of God; since such shall be the issue of your labours, and such your portion for ever.