Scripture, and must be fulfilled; that the natural man cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God; that the carnal mind is not subject to the law of God, neither, indeed, can be.

But, even admitting that the general suffrage of society is always right, and that peculiar sentiments, opposed to that suffrage, must consequently be wrong;—yet a distinction is to be made, between men's convictions, and their practices. And, assuredly, nothing can be more inconsistent, than the opinions and the conduct of the world, in matters connected with religion. Certain it is, that many, who are living just as the multitudes around, are, at bottom, persuaded that they are leading a foolish, unprofitable, and dangerous life. It is hard, in general, to come at this conviction: for, in fact, it is the great object of life, with such persons, to stifle it, or to conceal it even from themselves. Business, and sports, and company; the fulness of the table; and, even when they are alone, dreams of the past, and castles in the air for the future; keep up a certain hurry of mind, which has wonderful success in parrying the assaults of conscience, and putting down the risings of serious reflection. And if they can, in some degree, conceal these suspicions, from themselves, they can do so far more effectually, from others. Long practice gives

thorough skill, in appearing satisfied, when a man is ill at ease; in looking gay, when his heart is disquieted within him; in seeming to like the very persons he most dislikes; in joining, with apparent pleasure, in things which, in his inmost soul, he feels a tiresome, toilsome drudgery. Such a skill is one of the leading accomplishments, of what is called good society. And no wonder that, in a system of such practised falsehood, and refined hypocrisy, it is not easy to discover the real sentiments of the heart.

Nevertheless, in the midst of this self-deception, and this deception of others; in spite of all that outward homage which the multitude pay to the maxims of the world; there is, in the breasts of the very individuals who compose that multitude, a secret suspicion that the whole is a system of the most consummate folly. Conscience will often pierce the clouds, in which they are enveloped. And at such moments, how agonizing must be the convictions of the children of this world! Believe me, that many who appear amongst the gay and happy, bear ample testimony against themselves. “What am I living for?" they will sometimes ask themselves; "and what is to be the end of this? Am I pursuing the same fruitless course I was, ten years ago;with no difference but that I am growing older;

that every object is less fresh and interesting, than it was; and that I am drawing nearer to the gate of death? Have I rejected the service of God-have I thrown from me the blessedness of loving God with all my heart; that I may be the slave of that world, which I know, in my conscience, is all delusion, and which will be sure to give me over, in my grey hairs, and upon my dying bed? Am I scraping up riches, that strangers may gather them; or that my children may wish me dead, that they may scatter them? Or am I following after pleasures—after pleasures which have lost their relish-pleasures which I pursue, only because I have cultivated no higher tendencies, no purer tastes; or because I am afraid to show the world, that I consider her ways as vanity, her paths as misery, and her gods as idols?"

Oh! my brethren, these questions are sometimes asked in the silent chambers of the soul: and are answered, in some cases, by misgivings of the heart, which are secrets to all, but those who feel them; and in others by rushing again into the world, as a horse rushes into the battle.

Such persons may affect indifference towards, if not contempt for, piety: but, here again, their heart misgives them. They inwardly admire that fortitude, that manly courage, that only sterling

principle, which, in the face of general disaffection and revolt, maintains true allegiance to the King of heaven. They envy those who dare to live as conscience dictates; to practise the religion they profess; to perform the solemn promises they have made to God; to aim at being happy, rather than appearing so; to confess that Saviour, in their lives, who for them endured the shame and agonies of the cross. Yes, my brethren: often will a worldly mind pay that homage to religion, which is known only to itself. It will, at times, perceive a wisdom, and a sunshine of the soul, in true religion, which make it pine its loss in solitary places; and look on those who are faithful to their God, with an agony like his, who lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom; and contrast its own dark and gloomy prospects, with those scenes of light and glory, to which a joyful resurrection will conduct the righteous.

But there is another argument, by which those who follow the multitude, would satisfy their consciences. "The multitude," say they, "may be safely followed; because it is a thing incredible, that God will suffer the greater part of his creatures in this world to perish." To this I answer, that even on the false and horrid supposition, that every child of man, hitherto born, would be

finally lost; their numbers would be, to the countless myriads of God's creation, but as a handful, to the sand upon the sea-shore. And while worlds unnumbered have held fast their integrity, and are filled with blessed spirits, and loud hosannas unto God; this may be, as it were, the petty prison-house of the universe, in which alone are found the children of disobedience. This earth may be like a miserable and insignificant corner of a distant province, in fruitless rebellion against a monarch, who rules a mighty and illustrious empire, with the mild authority of a father. What argument can, then, be drawn, against the danger of following a multitude, from numbers?-from numbers, which, though all the human race were lost, would sink into nothing in comparison of God's happy children, and faithful subjects, in his universe at large?

But, independently of this, prophecy informs us, that the days will come, even in this world, when the multitude will be on God's side; that an age of righteousness is yet in prospect, when they shall be all taught of God, and all shall know the Lord, from the least to the greatest. "It shall come to pass in the last days," saith Isaiah (ii. 2), "that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all