when he cries Peace, peace! This is the true secreť why we have so few Christians comfortable and happy in their religion. They have lost their first love-they have relaxed their former diligence; and of course they have lost their former evidence. If you wish for peace of mind, and a good hope through grace, be faithful to the terms of the covenant, which you have sealed at the table of the Lord. Covenant. "The secret of the Lord (says David,) is with. them that fear him; and he will shew them his And again" Great peace have they which love thy law !" Great shall be their peace in this world; and great shall be their glory in the world to come! As you value this peace and this glory, I again entreat you, to perform the vows which you have made unto the Lord. 5. Finally; I exhort you to be stedfast in your profession, by reminding you of the guilt and the danger of apostacy. And how can I place this consideration before you in more striking terms, than those which Scripture employs? Recollect the words of Christ: "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of heaven." Let the awful denunciation of the God of Heaven ring in your ears, and sink deep in your hearts: "If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him!" Remember, too, the words of the Apostle Peter :" For if after they have *Ps. xxv. 14. Ps. cxix. 165. 1 Luke ix. 62. 2 Epist. ii. 20—22. cscaped the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesu Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning! For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them! But it is happened unto them, according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." Knowing therefore the terrors of the Lord, we persuade men. We place before you the crime and the curse of Judas, to deter you from apostacy; and we earnestly entreat you to make it manifest, by persevering and holy obedience, that you" are not of them who draw back unto perdition, but of them that believe to the saving of the soul."* But I must hasten to give you a few directions, the observance of which, I flatter myself, will have a happy tendency to make you faithful to your covenant engagements, and, at the same time, examplary in all your deportment. 1. It will be of great use frequently to meditate on the standing which you occupy in the church of God, and the solemn engagements you have made at the Redeemer's table. That goodness which has given you a name and a place' among the saints, evidently deserves the tribute of your gratitude; and those vows, which, as a communicant in God's * Heb. x. 39. house, you have made, are certainly not to be disregarded. Arraign yourself frequently at the bar of conscience; and enquire whether your conduct is answerable to the high and holy obligations which rest upon you. Often remind yourself of what you have done at the sacramental table, in the presence of men, of angels, and of the heart-searching God! Say to yourself: I have made engagements, and I cannot recall them; I have enlisted under the standard of the Lord Jesus Christ, and I dare not desert it ; "I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments." 2. Be diligently engaged, from day to day, in ascertaining and discharging your duty. Endeavour to be both acceptable to God, and useful to men. When Paul was converted to the faith, he immediately enquired "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" A similar enquiry it is proper for you constantly to make; and, without expecting direction by a voice from heaven, you are to go to your Bible for an answer. "Search the Scriptures." have also a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts."* "We Be constant also in your attendance on the ministry of reconciliation. On the return of every Sabbath, say to those around you, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house * 2 Pet, i. 19. of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths."* Be attentive also to the intimations of Providence; and follow on, as the Lord in his righteous dispensations shall point out the way. In these different ways, seek to become acquainted with your duty; and when you have ascertained what the Lord requires from you, be prompt and diligent in its performance. "Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing." 3. The third direction we give you is to be regular, fervent, and persevering, in the duty of prayer. You need, the grace of God to fortify your minds against temptation, and to aid you in the discharge of duty. By daily prayer and supplication let your requests be made known: Come to the throne of Grace that you may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in every time of need. Pray without ceasing. Neither imagine that it is enough if you join in the prayers of the sanctuary; nor yet, if you pray in the family. "Public duties (it has well been remarked,) maintain our credit, but private duties maintain our life." Neglect not the devotions of the closet be regular in your attendance on them: Pray in secret, and your Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward you openly. 66 Restraining prayer, we cease to fight: Prayer makes the Christian's armour bright: The weakest saint, upon his knees! *Micah iv. 2. +Mat. xxiv. 46 Were half the breath, that's vainly spent, Our cheerful songs would oft'ner be Hear! what the Lord has done for me!" 4. Finally; I exhort you to watch, as well as pray. These must go together to ensure success. Our Saviour's direction is." Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation."* Be on your guard against sin. Avoid the scenes of temptation,. and the company of the profane. Make the people of God your chosen companions; and flee the contaminating influence of the ungodly! An inspired Apostle has told us, that "evil communications corrupt good manners ;" and there is always cause to tremble for the professor who loves the company, and the amusements of the enemies of the Lord Jesus Christ. "Blessed is the man, that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful." And now, brethren and sisters in the Lord, I affectionately entreat you, to lay to heart these considerations, and to improve these directions. At the Redeemer's table you have solemnized a mystical marriage and you must now perform the duties which devolve upon the spouse of Christ. Honour him, and seek to live near him, that his soul may delight in you. Manifest also, in all your conduct, an affectionate regard for your fellow-professors,. Mat. xxvi. 41. +1 Cor. xv. 33. Ps. i. 1. |