benefit alone, but for the instruction of the Church at large, in all ages. -For their case was by no means singular. Repenting sinners, at their first turning to God, are often very clouded in their views. They discern neither the real depth and pollution of their sins, nor the absolute necessity that salvation should be altogether through Christ. They lean too much to themselves. Mere self-love impels them, rather than a desire to please God. But where the heart is right-that is, under the influence of God's Holy Spirit-this is but a short-lived night. If they be sincerely seeking after him, the day is at hand which shall dispel the mists of error, and bring well-grounded peace to their consciences. "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord." "To you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise, with healing in his wings."2

3. In reference to each individual Christian, whosoever and wheresoever he may be, the night of temptation, trial, and trouble is far spent, and the day of heavenly glory and bliss is at hand.

"Through much tribulation" must the kingdom of heaven be entered, even by the most faithful and most favoured believer. In this world, Satan will still labour to terrify or ensnare the soul. The ungodly, whether in friendship or enmity, will still interrupt the Christian's progress. His own heart will still pour forth its corrupt streams, which can never be sweetened. His conflict with evil must be painfully sustained, all through this night of his earthly existence. But cheer up, thou friend of God! "the night is far spent." All these "days of thy vanity"s have their appointed time, beyond which they cannot be prolonged; and then cometh the glorious morning. "The

Hos. vi. 3.

2 Mal, iv. 2.

3 Eccl. ix. 9.

day-spring from on high hath visited thee, to guide thy feet into the way of peace; " it shall shortly visit thee again, to guide thee to "the throne of God and of the Lamb." Be not startled, if Death stand in the way—he cannot keep thee from the light of glory; nay, he is the messenger from Him who is "thine everlasting Light." A few more weary steps, and thy night shall be ended, and thy eternal day begin.

II. THE EXHORTATION FOUNDED ON THIS FACT is as follows. "Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light."

The Apostle, you observe, is keeping up his allusion to the Night and the Day. Each of these has its appropriate dress. At night we are comparatively unprotected, and loosely clad; when day brings back the active employments of life, the night-dress is thrown aside, and another put on. The warrior, more especially, puts on his "armour" when day is at hand, that he may be prepared for every assault. Thus both the night of heathenism, the night of imperfect Christian knowledge, and the night of earthly trial, have each their appropriate garb; which ought to be diligently thrown off, as the day of Christian privilege and blessedness advances. This seems to be the meaning of the Apostle's words; but we may take a more general view of his exhortation, as intended to` lead the Christian

1. From the Practice of all sin. The dress to be "cast off" is certain works-" the works of darkness." No one can doubt what these are. They are works of iniquity: and well are they so called; for

Their source is darkness. They were first plotted in that kingdom of darkness over which Satan presides; 1 Luke i. 78. 2 Isaiah 1x. 19.

and, since the fall of Adam, the human heart itself is become a council-chamber of rebellion against Godfor "out of it proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, murders, fornications, revenge, wickedness "1 of every kind and degree. Look in the face of man, as tamed and restrained by human laws and by Divine providence, and you see little or nothing of this. But look into your own heart, with God's Spirit for your teacher, and you will find there "a darkness which may be felt ;" and will cry out with St. Paul-" O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me?"2

Their scene of action is darkness, as far as man can render it so. Sin is practised in secret, long before it takes courage to shew its hardened face abroad; and vast as is the amount of the open wickedness prevailing in the world, it is as nothing when compared with the hidden iniquities- the secret intemperance, the concealed impurity, the unknown frauds, the unuttered malice, which no eye but that of God can behold.

Their end is darkness-the "blackness of darkness for ever!" Sin must return to the place from whence it came; and woe to him who shall be found in its company at the time! Oh make haste, therefore, to cast it from thee; lest thou hear that fearful word-" Cast him into outer darkness! there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth."

But St. Paul is not content with dissuading, unless he may succeed in leading us

2. To the Pursuit of all holiness. "Let us put on the armour of light."

In the Epistle to the Ephesians, he enumerates the several particulars of the Christian armour.3 But it is more briefly described, in the verse almost immediately following my text: "PUT YE ON THE LORD

1 Mark vii. 21, 22. 2 Romans vii. 24. 3 Eph. vi. 13-17.

JESUS CHRIST." It is a striking expression; and may be regarded as including two distinct admonitions.

First, Make the Example of Christ your pattern. Copy his purity, patience, benevolence, condescension, forgiveness, spirituality, fortitude. He left us this example, that we should tread in his steps; 1 an example the more persuasive, since all he did, and all he endured, was for us men and for our salvation.'

1

Secondly, Seek for Union with Christ, as your strength. His example is too high a pattern for man to attain unto, unless by strength derived from him. He must be to you, what the vine is to its branches, or the head to the body. And how shall this union be maintained? By faith, and by persevering communion with him. The sanctifying influence of his Spirit will in this way descend upon you, and you will be enabled to "do all things, through Christ which strengtheneth" you. Dwell in him, therefore, and walk in him. Daily put him on afresh, and “abide in him;" that you may not, like Adam and Eve, be found naked to your shame, but may have confidence when he shall appear, and not be confounded before him at his coming.3

In this exhortation, the enlightened believer is the person mainly concerned. But HAVE YE BELIEVED, in deed and in truth? Are not some among you still in the night of nature? If so, your first business is to awake, and come to Christ for pardon and reconciliation with God. "Repent, and believe the gospel!" "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light! "4

1 1 Peter ii. 21.

3

1 John ii. 28.

2 Phil. iv. 13.

+ Eph. v. 14.

SERMON XLVIII.

SONG OF SOLOMON i. 7, 8.—Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon; for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?— If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents.

THOSE who are familiarly acquainted with the holy and affectionate intercourse which took place between Jesus and his friends eighteen hundred years agoespecially as it is described by "the disciple whom he loved"—will have no difficulty in discovering, that the dialogue in my text is between the same persons, and conducted in the same spirit. It is the Church addressing her Lord: it is the condescending Saviour giving in reply the instruction required. May he, by his Spirit, be present among us, while we humbly draw nigh, to overhear and profit by the conversation.

do

I. THE CHURCH ADDRESSES HER LORD. What you observe in her Address? You perceive

1. A conscious Love to her best Friend. She has, in fact, no other name for him, than that which at the same time expresses her own affection-"O thou whom my soul loveth!"

This is not the language of compliment: it is the fervent ardour of the heart. It is addressed to a Being, with whom any attempt at imposition would be utter