which relates to the religious instruction of their children. The principles, which children imbibe in youth, are those which generally give a direction to their conduct in maturer years. Hence in youth the features of character are almost invariably laid—which riper age tends only more fully to develop.

This then at once shows the great necessity that is laid upon parents to watch over the forming ideas of their tender offspring. If wrong impressions be made at first upon their tender minds, it will be found a very difficult task afterwards to efface them. Parents therefore should endeavour by every proper means to instil into the minds of their children the pure doctrines and holy precepts of the religion of Jesus Christ.

In order, however, to do this properly and effectually, under the blessing of God, it will be incumbent upon parents to set before their children a consistent godly example. Living example is more powerful than any doctrine which can be taught, or any precept which can be inculcated. When therefore doctrine, precept and example are united, parents have certainly much better reason to expect in their children piety and virtue, than when they instruct without practising themselves; or when they may exemplify the doctrines of religion in their own lives, without informing their children of the precepts and doctrines, which ought also to influence their principles of action, and regulate the whole tenor of their conduct.

To give their children a habit of attending to the doctrines and precepts of religion, parents should likewise be careful to accustom them, as early as possible, to attend regularly in some place of public worship. The effect which the public exercises of God's house often produce on the minds of children is very remarkable. The solemnity which obtains where the worship of

God is properly conducted, must tend in no small degree to impress upon their tender minds the idea that the Supreme Being is an object worthy of the esteem, respect and veneration of his creatures.

Family prayer, when properly practised, is also an excellent means, under the influence of God's Spirit, for promoting in the minds of children a love for the doctrines and precepts of religion. By the stated performance of this duty in a family, children are daily called on to contemplate their Father in heaven as their constant guide and benefactor. And must not this tend to beget in their bosoms love and gratitude to that being who daily sustains them, and supplies all their returning wants? This will also have no small tendency to teach them to respect parental authority, and will therefore naturally lead them to submit to those necessary and judicious restraints which that authority may impose upon their conduct.

Thus must parents proceed in respect to their children, if they would have them to walk in the path of wisdom. This path is nar

row,

and therefore the greater care is necessary on the part of parents to use all proper endeavours to induce their offspring to enter upon it. The minds of youth ought to be well fortified with good doctrines and pious habits, to enable them to oppose those seducing attractions which vice daily presents to their view to entice them from the service of God. Should parents then. endeavour "to train up their children in the way in which they should go," they may have the happiness, when about to leave this world themselves, of seeing them walking in the path of religion and virtue, and by their industry, honesty and integrity, securing the esteem and confidence of their fellow men; and, when this world and all things in it shall have past away, may have the cheering prospect of meeting

them in that happy region, where those pious friends, who have once been divided by death, shall meet to part no more. T. G. M'I.

BRIEF DISCOURSES-NO. II.

FROM THE REV. J. COPES.

"That they, without us, should not be made perfect. HEB. xi. 40.

The vital union of the whole church, to the Mediator, and of all the members to each other, is a doctrine plainly taught in the gospel.

Without this union, there can be neither glory to God, nor salvation to man. "I am the vine; ye are the branches. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine: no more can ye, except ye abide in me." Cut off the branch from the vine, and the consequence is the death of that branch. "If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth, as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire; and they are burned." "If a man love not his brother, whom he hath seen, how can he love God, whom he hath not seen ?" "We know that we have passed from death unto life; because we love the brethren." 66 By this shall all men know, that ye are my disciples, if have love, one to another."

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To form and sustain this union, is the great design of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the work of redemption. "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee; that they also may be one.in

Judah. Errors and heresies must prevail in the church; and even the dear children of God, Paul and Silas, must contend with each other. Acts. xv. 39.

To show the importance and extent of this holy union, was the design of the apostle, in this chapter. He proves, that the same faith, wrought in Abel, Enoch, and Noah, which afterwards wrought in Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: and that Moses, and all the patriarchs and prophets, laboured and suffered under the ancient dispensation, by the same grace; and with respect to the same Redeemer. For Moses esteemed the reproach of Christ, greater riches than the treasures of Egypt.

And all the holy martyrs of following ages, in the same faith, looking to the same Mediator, "subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword; out of weakness, were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, and turned to flight the armies of the aliens." And now, he represents the saints in glory, like a "great cloud of witnesses,' surrounding every believer, and calling to him, "Lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth most easily beset you; and run with patience the race set before you: looking to Jesus, who was the author, and will be the finisher of your faith."

The peculiar nature of this union, its evidence, and its consolation, will form the method of this dis

course.

1. The peculiar nature of this union, is the first and most important part of this subject. Nothing in the whole circle of revealed religion, has been more misunderstood or abused. By many, it has been esteemed the effect of retirement and meditation; and that after a certain course of bodily mortification, the divine nature would con

descend to dwell in the body, and possess the soul. Hence divine converse and extraordinary visions have been imagined, and confidently asserted; and hence fearful delusions have arisen. Others have imagined, that this union took place, in consequence of a public profession of the true religion; and that it is the voluntary act of the professor. On this account, the person is numbered with the visible church, and has the name of Christ put on him. He declares himself a disciple or follower of Christ; and for his sake, breaks away from the world; and, therefore, God will receive him into union and fellowship with himself through Christ. But whenever this holy union is considered as the work of man, he will be proud of his work; and say, like Nebuchadnezzar, "Behold great Babylon, that I have built." "To the law and to the testimony. If they speak not according to this word, there is no light in them." Can the branch unite itself with the vine? Can the member unite itself with the body? Just as well might the dead sinner unite himself with a living Saviour. And yet he is bound to the utmost activity; not in joining himself to Christ, but in seeking and obtaining the almighty agency of the Holy Spirit promised in the scriptures, to perform that glorious work for him. And seeing this mighty promise is free, without money, and without price, all who neglect it, and attempt this great work in their own strength, are justly rejected.

Let us then show the peculiar nature of this holy union. It is a covenant union. In the covenant of redemption, Jesus Christ was chosen, as the Mediator and covenant head of all his people. Isa. xlii. 1. "Behold my servant, whom I uphold, mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth. I have put my Spirit upon him; and he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles." "He is given, to be head over all things to

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the church." Eph. i. 22." And all his people are chosen in him, before the foundation of the world," ver. 4, 5, 6. The end and design of this choice is," that they should be holy, and without blame, before him in love." This is the deep foundation, which God has laid in Zion, for the establishment of this holy union. In the fulness of time, this glorious covenant head, and Redeemer, was sent forth, and came into the world, made of a woman, made under the law; that he might redeem them that were under the law." He then laid down his life for his sheep, both of Jews and Gentiles. They were then his, by actual purchase, as they always were by covenant. He not only purchased them, but he procured the Holy Spirit for them. "The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name; he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance." By the agency of this divine Spirit, this union embraces the persons designed in the covenant. They are effectually convinced of sin, of righteousness and judgment..

They see the fulness and fitness of Christ; and they feel his Holy Spirit, leading them in the footsteps of his flock. They then desire to set their seal to the holy covenant. They earnestly inquire, "what shall I render unto the Lord ?" and the Holy Spirit answers, "I beseech you brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies, a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." They answer, "I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord; I will pay my vows unto the Lord, now, in the presence of all his people." The holy covenant is then closed. The internal work is wrought by the Holy Spirit, in fulfilment of the covenant of redemption; and the willing acceptance of the believer is the consequence. The public

confession of his Redeemer, is at

once his duty and his privilege; and he accounts it greater honour and happiness, to be united to Christ, and to God in him by this everlasting covenant, than to have the treasures of Egypt poured down at his feet. The same faith, and the same obedience, which unite him to Christ, unite him also to his people. The same bond which binds the members to the head, binds them to each other. And as our own hearts are weak and deceitful; and we can know them only by their habitual desire of Christ, and submission to his service; so we know fellow members, by the same rule. Not every one that saith "Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of God: but he that doeth the will of his heavenly Father." Those therefore who openly confess Christ, are to be esteemed his members, and covenant people. With these, the sacred bond of the covenant remains unbroken, so long as they walk worthy of their holy vocation. Such is the nature of this holy union.

2. We now consider the proof of it.

This evidence must be fourfold. It must be proved at the bar of conscience. That man, who never doubted concerning himself, is to be suspected. If he never had any anxious misgiving thoughts, that possibly, after he had preached to others, he should himself be a castaway, he has never yet felt the Christian warfare. My spirit made diligent search, says the Psalmist; and still he implores the divine scrutiny."Search me, O God, and know my thoughts; try me, and know my thoughts, and see if there be any wicked way in me; and lead me in the way everlasting." He watches the workings of his heart in prosperity and adversity. "Will the hypocrite always call upon God P9 When wealth and friends, and success and health, are all surrounding him, is the heart still humble? Does it breathe out its afVOL. I.

fectionate acknowledgments ? "I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth which thou hast shewed unto thy

servant."

And when relations and possessions are swept away in a moment, and tokens of divine displeasure pass over, like the billows of the raging ocean; then does the heart fall prostrate before a sovereign God, and say, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away: blessed be the name of the Lord." These are evidences, by which this holy union may be proved at the bar of conscience. It must be proved also, before the world. Let not the people of God imagine, that they may bury their talent in the earth. They must answer for its increase. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Yet in this exhibition of evidence to the world, all ostentation and will-worship, are to be avoided. In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrine, the commandments of men." Mat. xv. 9. The path of duty marked in the oracles of God, is the only way, in which this holy union can be manifested to the world. The careful sanctification of the Sabbath; the constant and devout attendance on the public ordinances; and a watchful conversation among men, will compel them, to take knowledge of the disciples, that they have been with Jesus. This sacred bond of union, must be proved also, to the church of God. As every member receives comfort and protection from the rest, in the natural body; so in the spiritual body, "if one member rejoices, all the members rejoice with it: and if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. The reproaches and distresses of the church, and of every member of it, will excite sympathy and exertion for their relief. "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand for

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get her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy." Psalm cxxxvii. 5, 6. Toward the church, and every member of it, the greatest tenderness, forbearance, and compassion; the most generous self-denial, and suffering for their sake, are the proper evidences of this holy union. "Therefore I endure all things, for the elect's sake; that they may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory." 2 Tim. ii. 10. But this holy union, must finally be proved at the judgment seat. "For God will judge the world in righteousness." Acts, xvii. 31 It will then be declared to all the world, that the salvation of the saints, is an act not only of grace, but of strict justice. This is to close the mouths of blaspheming men, and evil spirits, who would charge the Judge with partiality, unless the evidence was then displayed, upon which the final sentence shall be founded. Then their works of faith, and labours of love, which they had long forgotten, shall be brought to light. Then shall the King say to them on his right hand, come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you, from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye clothed me; sick and in prison, and ye came unto me." Matt. xxv. 34.

Such are the evidences of this holy union, as they are exhibited in the word of God.

3. Let us now pass to the third head of discourse, and show the consolation resulting from this evidence. Is conscience satisfied? After many anxious and painful inquiries; after years of observation and watchfulness; is the soul enabled to say, "Lord, I am thy servant, I am thy servant. Thou hast loosed my bonds?" Psal. cxvi. 16.

Consolation, such as the world cannot give, flows directly from this evidence. "For this is our rejoicing, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, we have had our conversation in the world, and more especially to you-ward." 2 Cor. i. 12. The world cannot be satisfed. But has the evidence been faithfully exhibited? Have we confessed ourselves to be strangers and pilgrims in it, like the saints of old? Have its frowns, and its smiles, been received with holy indifference; while prayer for its salvation has employed our hearts and our tongues. Then we may be comforted.

Is the church of God satisfied? How comfortable to meet brethren and sisters, the fellow heirs of the great salvation, in the sanctuary of God! This made David say, "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!" 66 “I was glad when they said unto me, Come, and let us go up into the house of the Lord." Psal. lxxxiv. 1. cxxii. 1. But how great the joy and consolation to reflect, that we are even now holding communion and fellowship with the whole church of God! Abel and Enoch are not made perfect without us; and we are not made perfect without them. "The great cloud of witnesses" surround us, and look down with holy transport, when only one sinner repenteth. The more perfect therefore our union, with the church on earth, the more perfect it is, and will be, with the church in heaven. And as their felicity is intimately connected with ours, and our eternal reward with theirs, with what holy alacrity and zeal, should we labour and suffer, for the whole family of God! Well may we endure, and even glory in tribulations; knowing that we shall receive a full reward, together with the whole church of God, from the beginning to the end of time.

And with these glorious prospects, can we look forward, and look upward, and joyfully antici