office of confirmation-we ratified and confirmed in our own persons, in the presence of God and before his Church, the promise and vow that had been made at our baptism— and if we have approached the table of the Lord, we have, over the memorials of the dying love of the Redeemer, offered and presented ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be "a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice unto God."

May conscience, aided by the Spirit's power, do its office-if there be any before me, who, attached to the letter of Christianity, are uninfluenced by its spirit-any who, by indulging in forbidden lusts, deny the very name of Christian-any who are so engaged in earthly pursuits as to neglect the high destinies of a future existence-let me remind them with Christian earnestness and love, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ, and whatever they may think, through the deceitfulness of sin, the pleasures of the world and wiles of the Devil-God is not, and cannot be mocked. He has sent his Son to bless us in turning away every one of our iniquities-but should these his gracious purposes fail, there is nothing before us, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation. A new and living way has been consecrated for us—but if

we wilfully despise this revealed mercy, w shall have to meet our God as "a consuming fire."

It was our intention to have enforced the imitation of the Apostle's example: and w had purposed doing this, by adverting first w the nature of the Christian calling-and secondly, by pointing out the superiority of its enjoyments. But we have already tres passed upon your time, and it must suffice to observe that, perhaps, the most powerful motive to Christian diligence in following the footsteps of the Apostle Paul, will be found in his animating views at the approach of death. Encouraging his beloved Timothy to do the work of an Evangelist, and to make full proof of his ministry, he speaks with as much composure of the hour of death as we ordinarily speak of retiring to rest-" I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8.

Surely there can be amongst us but one expression, "let me die the death of the righteous,

I

and let my last end be like his." To experience consolation in the midst of sorrow-to enjoy light when all is darkness around us—to have an assured confidence in the hour of death, and at the approach of judgment—these are the triumphs of the Christian martyr. "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit down upon my throne, even as I overcame and am sat down on my Father's throne."

SERMON XV.

John xx. 30, 31.

AND MANY OTHER SIGNS TRULY DID JESUS IN PRESENCE OF HIS DISCIPLES, WHICH ARE NOT WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK: BUT THESE ARE WRITTEN, THAT YE MIGHT BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD; AND THAT BELIEVING YE MIGHT HAVE LIFE THROUGH HIS NAME."

THE signs here spoken of, are shewn by the context to be those which our Lord performed after he was risen from the dead; and we have the assurance of the Evangelist, that although he did not specify them all, yet those he has recorded furnish ample evidence of his being the Son of God. We shall proceed to inquire First, into the proofs of his Resurrection, many signs truly did Jesus in presence of his disciples."

Secondly, into the evidence of Jesus being the Son of God, which his Resurrection furnishes, "written, that ye might believe that he is the Christ, the Son of God."

And advert thirdly, to the result of believing