tained, without such resolutions: and these should be made by Christians at an early period of life; and the more solemn the engagement, the more deep and lasting is the impression likely to be. To add solemnity to this holy resolution, was confirmation designed; to implore on those who receive it, the divine blessing by the mouth of the highest officer in the Church, that they may be enabled to fulfil their baptismal promises.

Confirmation being thus expedient and beneficial, let us consider with what preparation of mind, it ought to be received. Now, I conceive that they who wish to dispose themselves duly to take upon them the Gospel covenant, can do no less, than, first, to strive to obtain a firm belief and competent knowledge of the Gospel doctrines; secondly, to intend with full purpose of heart, to use all diligence, that their whole behaviour be regulated by such knowledge and faith, according to the letter and spirit of the Scriptures; and, lastly, that all this should be attended with constant care and study, to lead the rest of their lives answerable to this beginning, that their faith and vir tue may daily be improved, until at length they are brought to God's everlasting kingdom and glory.

I. First, then, a firm belief and competent knowledge of the Gospel doctrines, are requisite to confirmation. For how can any persons solemnly dedicate themselves to God the Father, for the sake of God the Son, and through the assistance of the Holy Ghost, unless they be, in some measure, instructed in, and assent to, these great truths, relating to the three sacred persons of the Godhead; unless they know and believe, that the supreme Maker and Governor of the world, who formed, sustains, and preserves all mankind, and will one day summon all nations, and generations of men, to stand before him in judgment, has openly and explicitly declared his will and purpose to save mankind, by their entering into a covenant with him, through Jesus

Christ; unless they be convinced and made sensible, that the terms of this covenant are, "that they renounce the Devil and all his works," the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh,-that they believe all the articles of the Christian faith,-" and are resolved to keep God's holy will and commandments, and to walk in the same all the days of their life." They must also be firmly persuaded, that while they continue faithful to this covenant, God has engaged to accept them as members of Christ's mystical body, the Church, and that they shall reign with their head in glory. That he will receive them as his own beloved children, and confer on them a sure title to heaven and happiness. To bring you, my young friends, to this faith and knowledge, the holy Scriptures were given, and to make your attainment of Christian knowledge still more easy, you are furnished in the catechism with so plain and perfect a collection of scriptural doctrines on all points necessary for a Christian to believe and know, that it is hardly possible for you to be ignorant of your duty, unless by your own fault and inattention. To assume the character of consistent Christians, it is necessary to understand what the name implies, and what obligations it comprehends. You cannot enter into a covenant with God, without being acquainted with what services it requires, and what rewards it holds out. True it is, that the tender love and piety of your parents, or friends, induced them to make an early offering of you in your infancy, to serve the living God, when you could not possibly understand these things; reasonably presuming, that when you should be capable of this knowledge, you would gladly assent to an agreement and engagement made by them of such infinite advantage to you. You have now attained to an age to comprehend these things, and their incalculable importance, and are now solemnly called upon with sincerity of mind and heart, to make that your own act and deed, which others kindly did for you, when you were unable to

act for yourselves. To neglect this, when opportunity offers, looks like a tacit renunciation of your religion, and a rejection of the benefits of redemption. It amounts to an implied revocation of the promises made at your baptism, and consequently of some of the special graces which that sacrament was instituted to confer. Considerations of this nature will, I trust, induce you to regard confirmation as no trifling ordinance, but as a rite eminently calculated to create and strengthen in you those holy dispositions and habits which Christianity enjoins upon all its professors. You are now entering upon a new course of life, as baptized Christians; and as apprentices to some fresh employ. ment, or service, naturally inquire what work and labour, what care and attendance their masters may expect, so you should reflect seriously upon the duties and obligations, which you now take upon you in the service of your heavenly Master, to perform the same with fidelity and perseverance, to the end of your lives,-that Master who stands in no need of your services, and claims them for no other end, than to promote his own glory by your final happiness. It will be no excuse for the neglect of duty, that you were ignorant of it, if want of knowledge proceed from disinclination to practice it. Ignorance no longer can excuse a violation or omission of duty, than while it is not in our power to remove it. When once information is within our reach, and we neglect to obtain it, this neglect, instead of furnishing an excuse, will prove an aggravation of the sins, into which our ignorance betrays us. Fatally erroneous, therefore, is the disposition and conduct of those, who, averse to information, wilfully put far from them the light and knowledge of God and his laws, in hopes of being excused in their evil and irreligious courses by the ignorance of what they know will condemn them, and place their transgressions in a more glaring point of view. Far more wise is it, and safe, to acquaint ourselves with God and our duty, before sin has got the dominion over us; to be

lieve feelingly in God, before our guilt make it necessary to wish he did not behold us, to judge and to punish us; to acknowledge, and reverence divine revelation, before our lives, blinded and corrupted, are at variance with those examples and rules, by which it directs us to walk. In short, it is every man's bounden duty, and truest interest, to embrace the earliest opportunities of understanding himself, to inquire to what end he was sent into the world, and the means of attaining the purpose of his creation. In youth, he should call to mind his beginning and latter end, and remember his Creator and Judge, before he has done any thing to dishonour him, and provoke his almighty vengeance. An aversion to such thoughts and knowledge as this, is among the proofs of man's apostacy, and is altoge ther unreasonable. For is it any hindrance to the enjoy ments of this life, to know the means of inheriting life eternal? Is it any way becoming intelligent beings, to lavish all their care and solicitude upon their perishing bodies, in providing for their pleasure, support and ornament, while they feel little or no concern for the welfare of their precious and immortal souls, after they go hence, and are no more seen in their earthly dwellings? Ought it not to be our hearty endeavour and prayer, to walk so as to please God in this present transitory state, that we may rest with him in the mansions which endure for ever? Think not, then, my young friends, that it is too much to call upon you, on this occasion, to revolve seriously in your minds, what you must do to be saved, and escape the wrath to come; and to convince yourselves that this can be done only by complying with the promises made at your baptism, and an open profession of your Christian faith. Upon the stability of your performance of this baptismal engagement, depend the joy and comfort of your future and eternal condition.

II. This performance, therefore, must be the object of your steady purpose and invariable resolutions, which was the

second particular, meant to be impressed upon your minds. Accurate knowledge and Gospel faith, are certainly among the first steps towards leading a Christian life, and ought to precede the dedication of ourselves to God's service. But something more is required; you must also examine your inward purposes, and see whether you be seriously disposed to regulate your whole conduct by the letter and spirit of Christ's religion. To render your hearts an acceptable offering to God, you must convince yourselves, that they are disposed to obey him, and it would seem that no motives could be wanting to make any persons sincere in their religious determinations, because nothing else can prevent their being miserable, and secure their final happiness. Known to God, and hateful, is every species of hypocrisy. To what purpose, then, can any persons draw near to him with their lips, and outward profession, when their hearts are far from him, and are full of the world? To those who live regardless of God and religion, no prospect can present itself but of regret and misery, in a future world; and even in the present state of existence, the indulgence of vicious passions, is sooner or later attended with disgrace, repentance, and wretchedness. What is generally the reward of unrighteous dealing, of harsh and unfeeling behaviour, to our fellow-men, but the danger of contracting habits of injustice and profligacy, which cry to heaven for exemplary vengeance? Is not the wild intoxication of unlawful pleasures, attended with the stings of bitter remorse? And will not ill-gotten preferment, opulence, and favour, fail their possessors in the hour of death, and leave nothing in reversion, but a fearful and fiery looking-for of judgment, from Him, who is terrible in vengeance; and whom, after having presumptuously and grievously offended, the sinner has taken no measures to pacify and appease? Contrasted with such a character, how enviable is the lot of the pious Christian! He is active in all his duties, and fervent in the love of his Creator, and accordingly he delights in meditating on the