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which are seen, but at the things which are not seen."* In all these instances faith overcame this world by making known another. And thus it does in every instance in which it obtains the victory. Whence comes it, that men are naturally so devoted to the world? so desirous of the good, so afraid of the evil, which it sets before them? Because naturally they see nothing beyond this world. "The god of this world has blinded their eyes." The mind is darkened, and reaches not to unseen and spiritual things. But faith, when it comes, takes away this darkness; opens the eye of the mind; discloses to it a new world; brings unseen things to sight; and gives to spiritual things substance and reality. And what a wonderful change is thus brought about in the apprehensions and judgment of the soul! Standing, as it were, on new ground, and seeing every object in a new light, it learns to value every thing in a new way. It once thought highly of this world, of its riches, its pleasures, and its friendship. It judged these things deserving of all its care, and followed them with all its might. But it now sees them in their true colours. It sees, "that, compared with unseen things, they are but vanity: that all * 2 Cor. iv. 17, 18.

the riches of the world cannot profit a man if he should lose himself or be cast away; that the pleasures of the world are deceitful and perishing, and lead in the end to shame and misery; that "the friendship of the world is enmity with God."

Thus are the affections gradually weaned from worldly things; while other objects of real value and infinite importance, are presented to the view-the favour of GOD; à life of communion with him; a blessed death; a crown of righteousness; a glorious immortality; above all, that object, which before every other demands unceasing gratitude, love, and admiration - the great mystery of redemption, "God in Christ reconciling the world unto himself;" the love of the Father in giving his Son for sinners, the love of the Incarnate Son in

dying for them on the cross. This glorious object, when seen by the eye of faith, completes the victory over the love of the world. Here men see the world in its true light and character, as the crucifier of the Son of GOD. Henceforth they love it no longer; "the world is crucified unto them, and they unto the world."-In the same manner Faith overcomes their natural fear of the world. Formerly they were afraid of undergoing poverty, pain, or sorrow. They

were afraid of being pointed at as precise and singular, and of incurring the reproach and ridicule of the world. But faith has taught them better things. It has opened their eyes to see the folly of such fears. It shows them that they "who sow in tears, shall reap in joy;" that "blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. It assures them that "if they be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are they;" that, if they" are persecuted for righteousness' sake, they are blessed; for great is their reward in heaven;" that, "if they suf fer with Christ, they shall also reign with him."*-Especially, faith sets before them the true object of their fear, not men, but GOD: not men, who "can kill the body," but after that have no more that they can do; but God, "who after He has killed, has power to cast into hell." Faith bids

them to fear Him; to fear his wrath and judgments; to fear the loss of their souls, the coming short of the great salvation of the Gospel, the being ashamed of Christ, the doing despite unto the Spirit of grace. And the fear of these things overcomes the fear of the world.-Its opposition no longer

* Psalm cxxvi. 5.-Matt. v. 4. 10.

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1 Peter, iv. 14.

terrifies. Its scorn and enmity are no longer regarded. The emptiness of its threatenings, the weakness of its rage are clearly seen. Nor can any of these things any more prevent the soul from habitually striving to walk in the path of duty, and to live unto GoD.-Thus faith obtains its victory.

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By way of application, my brethren, let me ask, do you thus overcome the world? The question is most important. For remember what St. John says immediately before the text, that "whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world." If you do not overcome it, you are not born of Him. Let me then press upon you two leading enquiries on this subject; and may God give you grace to see that you are indeed his children!!

1. Do you overcome the world as to its cares, business, and employments? On this point let me be clearly understood. ⠀⠀ To discharge with fidelity and diligence the work of that station in which God has placed you, is a part of the service which you owe to him. The proper management of your worldly business, the doing all that is right and in your power, for the support and maintenance of yourselves and families, and the attending to the concerns of your particular calling, are duties which the

gospel of Christ commands you to perform. But the question is, with what views, and temper, and spirit, do you perform them? Do you look upon them as your first and great concern; your main point, as they are frequently called? Do you give to them the chief place in your heart? Do you perform them merely for their own sake, for the worldly advantages which they hold out to you, and without à regard to any higher principle or end? It is not the being engaged in worldly concerns, that proves a man to be the slave of the world, but the being engaged in them with a worldly spirit. If your heart be set on the world, you clearly have not overcome it. Consider

then, when engaged in your worldly callings, on which do you place your heart, on GOD, or on the world? Which do you most value and seek, his favour or your worldly interests? When you must sacrifice one of them, which do you give up? Do you never pursue your worldly interests by means which you know to be unlawful and displeasing to GOD? to Gov? Do you never ne glect your known duty to him, with the view of thereby gaining some little temporal advantage? And when you meet with losses and disappointments in your worldly coneerns, how do you bear them? Do you be