of this world. We have seen that as long as we are in the world, we must more or less associate with the people thereof; but to use a familíar expression," the less the better." No good can possibly result to us from the conversation of worldly and unconverted people, and much, yea very much, evil has always been the consequence of frequenting their society. For the company of worldly people is infectious. Mingling with them, is like entering the chamber of one that has a fever. Their principles, their manners, their language, their habits of life, are so completely at variance with the Gospel of the Son of God, that it is almost impossible for us to be in habits of intimacy with them, without being more or less tainted with their spirit, and having our integrity endangered. While, therefore, I by no means counsel you, my Brethren, to behave with rudeness or moroseness to any, but on the contrary to shew all "meekness unto all men;" and to discourage as much as possible that pharisaical pride which would say to others, "Stand off, I am holier than thou;" I do, at the same time, most solemnly admonish you, as you value your own integrity and peace of mind, that be ye not conformed to the vain and unprofitable conversation of this world! Close your ears as much as possible against all language that has the least tendency to profaneness or licentiousness. "Set a watch upon the door of

your lips."

"Avoid foolish talking and jestings, which are not convenient." Remember the words

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of the Son of God, For every idle word men speak, they must give account thereof at the day of judgment." Let your conversation be "with grace, seasoned with salt." Knowing that our conversation is in Heaven, from whence also, we look for the coming of our Lord Jesus, "Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

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Hence we learn, that if we be indeed amongst the number of the Lord Jesus Christ's redeemed people, we must needs be peculiar, without any affected singularity. And this peculiarity whereby we are distinguished as belonging to Christ, consists in our being "transformed by the renewing of our minds in righteousness and true holiness." For it is written, If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold all things are become. new." His old love of the world, and of the vanities thereof, is brought into subjection to the will of God; and the believer is henceforth actuated by a new spirit, governed by new principles, filled with new hopes, and desirous of new enjoy

ments.

Let us examine ourselves, my Dear Brethren, whether this be our case. Let us fervently pray

to God our Saviour to "create clean hearts and to renew right spirits within us." Let us follow after that scriptural holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. And let us ever keep in mind the declaration of St. John, "Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world, and this is the victory which overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"

Now to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, &c.

SERMON IV.

THE BELIEVER "GIRDED WITH STRENGTH FOR THE BATTLE."

2 TIMOTHY II. 1.

Thou, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus.

THE Christian's life, as it is described in the Scriptures of Truth, is a life both of action and of passion. There is no such thing as idleness permitted under the gospel dispensation. Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, on the contrary, are called upon both to do and to suffer many things in their way to the kingdom of glory. For example, we are called upon, my Beloved Christian Brethren, to "Work out our own salvation with fear and trembling." "To labour that we may enter into eternal rest." "To deny and mortify our sinful lusts and propensities." "To put off the old man with his deeds, and to put on the new." "To watch and pray, lest we enter into temptation." "To take up our cross, and patiently endure hardship,

persecution, and suffering, for Christ's sake." In a word, to be ready to give up every thing, our property, our prospects, our friends, our reputation, yea, even our very lives themselves, should the glory of our crucified Master require it.

It is for this reason that our blessed Lord declares, that the road to the kingdom of heaven is straight and narrow, frequented but by few, and that He exhorts His disciples to endeavour, with all their might, to gain admission into it. "Strive," He says, "to enter in by the straight gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way which leadeth to destruction, and many there be that go in thereat; because straight is the gate, and narrow the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." And it is also with reference to this, that the Christian's life is compared by the Apostle to so many things which imply in them difficulty and danger. Thus, for instance, it is likened unto a "pilgrimage" or wearisome and hazardous journey. They count themselves," saith St. Paul, strangers and pilgrims on earth.” It is also compared, by the same Apostle, to a race, "So run," he says, "that ye may obtain." And again, in the chapter from which our text is taken, the Christian's life is likened unto a warfare or campaign, in which soldiers are contending for victory. Thou, therefore," says the Apostle to Timothy, "endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus

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