through their love of his name, and their joy in his presence. And most

truly He is in the midst of them; to forgive their sins; to strengthen their feebleness; to enable them to resist, stedfast unto the end. As they confess their faults, his promise is brought home to their hearts that He will cleanse them from all unrighteousness. As they implore assistance, his Spirit whispers to their fainting souls, "My grace is sufficient for thee." (2 Cor. 12. 9.) As they hear his word, their minds are opened by his influence, their understandings enlightened to behold, their hearts to feel, their souls to desire, the blessed things, which He hath prepared for them that love Him. (See 1 Cor. 2. 9.)

.

Such are the blessings to be derived from being here gathered together in the name of Christ. Such the disposition, with which you my brethren will henceforth I trust resort continually, to where He is in the midst of you.

But especially should all lay to heart his sacred presence on an occasion so

solemn, so joyful, so edifying, as this; when by the bounty of one, the means of divine worship have been extended to thousands; those means to be made yet more effectual, this church yet more suited to its holy uses, by our own united contributions. Much we have had done for us. Much we owe to the cordial cooperation of those Christian neighbours, in whose presence we rejoice this day. To them I would hope that the reflexions which have been suggested on the text, may be helpful to their more profitable attendance on divine worship. And to my own congregation I would urge, that such an occasion as this is never likely to recur, of testifying their zeal in the due adorning of their church. Remember then what this building is; even the house of God; the place of gathering together in the name of Christ; even where He is in the midst of you. Give as unto Him; knowing that He is here. Give not with the hand only, but with the heart; even with a heart delighting in the honouring of his name. So whilst you join outwardly with those

around you in promoting the good work we have in hand, you shall in spirit be more closely united with Him, who seeth within you, knoweth the love you bear Him, and will return it with love unspeakable.

For He is here; though the eye behold not his form; yet really as our invisible souls, truly as the word of God is true; surely as we are gathered together in his name; He is in the midst of us. He, who became the son of man to make us sons of God, vile to make us precious, subject to death to make us live for ever; He, before whose judgment seat each of us must hereafter give account, of every talent we have committed to our charge; He, in whose merits and mercy lies our only hope of entering into eternal joy; He is in the midst of us. Let then your souls be conscious of his presence, your prayers earnest for his grace.

And do thou, O blessed Lord, in whose name we are here gathered together, do thou ever be in the midst of us for good. Let thy grace direct us how here to behave. And

as Thou best knowest what is in man, consider our frailty, accept our prayers, bear with our distraction of thought, enliven our warmth of devotion. Receive with favour every offering here made to thee this day; every gift here given to thy honour; every devout aspiration of love and thankfulness, which shall, now or ever be uttered in this thy House. That as we have Thee here this day in the midst of us, we may profit by thy presence to the salvation of our souls; ever more and more increasing in the knowledge, and the love of Thee, unto the enjoyment of thine everlasting glory, in the heaven where Thou art!

SERMON XVII.

OF PLEASURE IN THE SIGHT OF SIN.

ROM. 1. 32.

Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

THESE words occur at the end of a long list of sins, wherein St. Paul is reckoning up the gross offences to which God had given up the presumptuous Gentiles. And it seems by the order of the sins enumerated, that there was none more presumptuous, none more hateful, than that they should not only do such things, but have pleasure in them that do them. I propose therefore to consider what kind of pleasure is here meant, and