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CAUSES OF DISCOMFORT TO THE RELIGIOUS. [SERM.

to the gospel would be removed. You, my young friends, have doubtless found already, that disappointment and disgust often succeed to sanguine expectation: be persuaded therefore, we earnestly intreat you, to regard those, who have dearly bought their experience, when they declare,—that this will more and more be the case, as long as you seek that happiness in the world, which can only be found in God and religion. "Come" then, taste and see, how gracious the

Lord is; and how blessed they are that trust in "him." Make a fair trial, whether peace of conscience, and joy in God, be not preferable to turbulent mirth, with an aching heart and bitter remorse....

But are not religious people often melancholy and uncomfortable ?-No doubt many who speak about religion, and live at open war with their convictions, are very miserable, Others, taking up distorted views of truth, and prematurely or disproportionately studying matters too deep for them, disquiet their minds and cast a gloom over their piety: while negligence, unwatchfulness, evil tempers, or cleaving to worldly objects, will render those uneasy, who fear God or have a

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any tenderness of conscience. But these effects arise not from godliness, but from the want of it; and they would vanish, were the scriptures more implicitly believed and obeyed. We ought therefore to infer from these things, that we should carefully compare. our religion with the word of God; and pray without ceasing, that we may be enabled to have our conversation as it becometh the gospel of Christi

Perhaps some of you, who have heglected godliness, meet with continual disappointment in your worldly

X.]

ADVICE TO POOR CHRISTIANS.

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pursuits. Does not the Lord then say to you, "Wherefore do ye spend your money for that which " is not bread? and your labour for that which "satisfieth not?-Hearken diligently unto me, hear "and your soul shall live?"Few of the numerous candidates for wealth, honour, or power are successful and the most assiduous application has only the probability of success: but the unfailing word of God ensures the blessing to all, that seek his kingdom and righteousness in the first place, and in the way which he hath prescribed.

Are any of you who trust that you possess godliness, oppressed by poverty, sickness, or trouble? Seek after contentment, my brethren: seek divine peace and consolations with redoubled earnestness; and strive to serve God chearfully in the humble duties of your station. Watch against envy and covetousness, and a repining disposition. Learn to pity such as have wealth without godliness, and to pray for them: and be very cautious what measures you adopt to mend your outward circumstances: "for they that will be "rich fall into temptation, and into divers foolish " and hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction "and perdition," or " pierce them through with 66 many sorrows'."

Finally, let the rich remember, that they are only stewards, and entrusted with wealth for the benefit of others. Let me charge you then, my brethren of superior degree, that you "trust not in uncertain riches but in the living God." That you be "rich in good works, ready to distribute, and glad to communicate; 1 Tim. vi. 9, 10.

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EXHORTATION TO THE RICH.

"that you do good to all men especially to the hous"hold of faith."-Fear above all things having your portion in this life: and remember, that of all your possessions, nothing is your own, but godliness with contentment, and such things as accompany salvation. All else will soon be left behind. Happy then are they and they only, who have chosen the good part that shall never be taken from them.

SERMON XI.

REVELATION, iii. 15, 16.

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot. I would thou wert cold or hot: so then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

THIS chapter, and that which precedes it, contain a message from our blessed Saviour to each of the seven churches in Asia; which, in one part or another, suit the state and character of all Christian churches whatever. As therefore they were intended for the use of other ages and nations, it is added at the close of each, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the "Spirit saith unto the churches."

The message to the Laodiceans differs materially from all the rest; for the professed Christians in that city had degenerated far more than any of the others. They were become lukewarm, yet proud of their imagined proficiency: and the reproofs, warnings, and counsels of our Lord were adapted to this peculiarity of character and conduct.

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CASE AND DOOM OF THE LAODICEAN CHURCH. [SERM.

We know that lukewarm water is exceedingly disagreeable: the stomach recoils at it, and we spit it out with loathing. Thus Christ declared that he would cast off the church of Laodicea with disdain and abhorrence. There might, however be some individuals of a better character, though probably infected with the same disease; and others might be brought to repentance. For the sake of these, therefore, the message was sent: they were warned, rebuked, instructed, counselled, and encouraged; and we may hope that many derived special benefit. Yet the church at large seems to have degenerated more and more: so that, while those churches, which our Lord mentioned with approbation, continue in some poor remains to this very day: there has not for a long time been a single professed Christian at Laodicea!

יין

Many commentators have thought, that these epistles are prophetical of seven distinct periods in the history of the church: but there seems no sufficient ground for this opinion. If, however, such an interpretation should be admitted, it must be feared, that this to Laodicea is descriptive of the present times; for we are unquestionably fallen, very much into the same spirit. In prosecuting the subject, I purpose,

دارد:

I. To describe the nature and symptoms of lukewarmness,

II. To explain the grounds of that decided !... abhorrence of it, which Christ expresses.

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III. To add something by way of solemn warning and particular application.