find that the individuals who are spoken of with approbation, embodied in their faith and practice the doctrines and commandments of God. Neither can it be justly said, that the precepts, and admonitions, and examples of the New Testament, were only adapted to a rude and imperfect state of society, or to those who from infancy had been ignorant of the true God. On the contrary, the sayings of Christ were addressed to a people who were strict professors of religion, and it formed a great part of their guilt that they had only a profession. He reproved them in words like these; "How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only." John v. 44. "In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you pay tithe of mint, and anise, and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith; these ought you to have done, and not to leave the other undone." The solemn expression, "Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God," was addressed to a teacher of the Jews. The declaration, "God is a spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth," was made to a Samaritan woman. The apostolic epistles were addressed not only to Gentiles, but also to Jews,-to all, of every tribe and nation, that could be found in the Roman empire, who were members of Christian churches. No spread of Christian profession

through a whole nation-no refinement of manners --no improvement in science or philosophy-could change the features of the Christian character, or lessen the necessity of spiritual heart-service being offered to the Most High God, by every one that named the name of Jesus. In all ages, and in all countries, the Gospel has produced the same effects wherever it has been received. The doctrines of Christianity are adapted and intended for universal reception. The precepts of the Bible are moral, spiritual, and eternal laws, which demand obedience in every circumstance of human life, and in every state of society. And it will come to pass, when these have produced their intended effects upon the children of men, that incense and a pure offering will be presented to Jehovah from the rising to thẹ setting sun.

The Christian character is thus plainly marked. At the same time, the vanity, wickedness, and danger of a mere profession, are plainly made known. Love of the world, or a preference given to earthly things, is at once declared to be a proof that God is not loved. 1 John ii. 15, 16. James iv. 4. Disregard to the divine law is thus spoken of, "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination." Prov. xxviii. 9. The worthlessness of lip service is described by the prophet Isaiah xxix. 13, 14. Isaiah lix. 1, 2. The Saviour himself states the following truth: "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in

heaven." Mat. vii. 21. The Apostle Paul speaks in the language of prophecy, and foretels what will. happen to mere worldly professors. "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power."

No sophistry of men, no love of error and delu

siọn, can fairly give another meaning to those passages than what they plainly present. It is language, expressing not the danger of the gross and abandoned transgressor merely, but the danger of those also who may possess a fair name among their fellows, and who may have professed for many years the Christian faith. They may have regularly attended some place of religious worship, and, (when they thought upon the subject,) they may have considered themselves very good Christians. They were, however, deceiving themselves, for all the time they were destitute of faith, love, and obedience to Jesus Christ. The dawnings of a spiritual existence were not visible, for their hearts had never been changed by the Spirit of God, and they were still in love with sin. No evil passion was subdued-no grateful emotion towards God was ever cherished; "they had a name to live, while they were dead." It needeth not the breach of human laws to constitute a sinner. It requires no practice of gross immorality to expose the soul to the divine displeasure. He knows nothing aright

of the character of God's law, who does not know, that a refusal to yield the heart to him-to love him better than any other object in the universe, constitutes a crime of the deepest die, and deserves his fiercest anger. Indeed, all that is sinful and imperfect in the conduct of men may be traced to this want of love to God. Now, a worldly profes sor has no love to God; or he could not be satisfied with the things of the world, and an empty form of godliness.

Let those especially, who have been injured by the example of professors, and have formed incorrect notions respecting God, themselves, and the way of salvation, receive the faithful sayings of the Bible, respecting the character of Jehovah-the perfection of his law-the danger arising from the love of the world-the necessity and duty of believing the Gospel, and the purity and consistency of the Christian character, and it will be impossible any longer to be satisfied with the form of religion, either in themselves or in others. It is because the declarations of God's word respecting these things, are not believed, that men go on from day to day deceiving themselves in the great matters of salvation; that religion, which ought to be attended to as the great business of life, is shut up in a corner of time; and even then, is cheated of its claims upon the affections and the heart. Men do not like to believe any charges against themselves—especially when these refer to the subject of religion, which they may have professed for a number of years. Hence their obstinate rejection of the humbling

truths of the Gospel, and their willingness to live and die in their present state.

But above all, those whose darkness has in some measure been dispelled-whose prejudices are in some degree removed-who have seen that a worldly professor is not a Christian; ought to persevere in their inquiries, till they themselves partake of the true Christian character. It is not a matter of option, whether they ought to go forward, or be contented with their present imperfect views. They are bound by the highest considerations, to continue the pursuit. Grant that they have been disgusted and stumbled, by the discoveries they have made of the antichristian conduct of professors. They have also found out, that their whole behaviour is condemned by the word of God. They must acknowledge, that as far as they have proceeded in the examination of the Scriptures, there is not the smallest countenance given to a profession of religion, without corresponding holy effects. That, on the contrary, there are plain and frequent declarations against such will worship-such bodily service, which can profit men nothing. They must also know, that no part of the hypocrisy and worldly mindedness of professors, can justly be charged upon Christianity, but on the deceitfulness and wickedness of the human heart. What is then their duty? It is to seek with all their hearts, the power as well as the form of godliness. To be warned by the evil example of professors, instead of being seduced into evil by it. The subject is of infinite moment, and they cannot now return into the state