If then we thus neither dare range ourselves under the appellation of hot, nor will yet own ourselves to be absolutely cold, it remains I fear too obvious that we are liable to the imputation of the text; in danger of being counted, by Him who knoweth our works, for no better than lukewarm. Let us then no longer flatter ourselves that such can be a very safe condition. Let us henceforth never forget, that the faithful and true witness would rather we were cold or hot; and that against those who are lukewarm He hath pronounced the strong and awful sentence: "I will spue thee out of my mouth." Such is to be hereafter the portion of them who are neither hot nor cold; of them who would serve two masters; of them who know without doing Christ's will, who are aware of his love without loving Him in return. Of this portion we all run some risk, and one way only have we to escape, that henceforth we love Him as He hath loved us.

An effectual fervour of religious affection however greatly it may have been

misused by some, and therefore by others distrusted and discouraged, is from this passage most plainly proved to be an essential part of our Christian duty. As faith without works is dead, so are works also without love. And as love that worketh not, is no love at all, so works that are done without good affection towards God are no works worthy of his service. In this we are to make manifest our love, that we keep his commandments. (See 1 John 2. 5.) But before we can make it manifest, we must feel it within our hearts. We are to prove it not by outward professions, not by presumptuous boasting, or forward irreverent talking of it, but by its fruits, in charity and holiness of life. And, on the other hand, these fruits to be genuine, to be acceptable to God through Christ, must really spring from love. These duties must be discharged, these prayers and praises offered, this sabbath hallowed, this work of selfdenial performed, this daily labour of well doing diligently discharged, out of a warm

child to a tender father, of a friend to one who hath called us friends, of a brother to a brother that has redeemed us from death, a spouse towards Him who hath loved his spouse the church, and gave Himself for it.

This feeling we cannot too deeply entertain, too firmly cling to, or too earnestly promote. Without it, however correct be our outward demeanour, we are worse than cold, we are lukewarm. The sentence of Laodicea hangs over our head; to be fulfilled, as in that church it has been, in final destruction. With it, with this affection cherished in our hearts, manifested in our lives, and witnessed in our inmost souls by Him who knoweth our works, we shall attain unto the end of our Christian calling, unto the glorious things that are revealed in this book. For "blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein." (c. 1. 3.)

SERMON VII.

SPIRITUAL NEED.

REV. 3. 17.

Thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.

FEW things are more painful to the pride of our corrupted hearts, than to know ourselves to be "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Some of us are beguiled by outward prosperity. Some are buoyed up by the hope of attaining it. Some are elated with the conceit of their own wisdom. Some are full of confidence in youth, and health, and strength. And many, very many, being encouraged by the approbation of the world, put their trust in what they count the righteousness of their own evil ways and

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works. Thus do poor as well as rich, young and old, ignorant and learned, say to themselves often, I "have need of nothing;" when all the while they labour under the most deep necessity for faith more lively, affection unto God more hearty, and charity more fervent towards all their fellow creatures.

I. And first I would address those who are beguiled by the influence of prosperity, those who day after day count up their gains with satisfaction, those who have the means of procuring every comfort they desire, and who look forward with confidence to secure for their families the enjoyment of the like abundance. If, I say, there be any who thus count with satisfaction on the enjoyment of this world's goods, and who on the score of these advantages are tempted to regard with scorn the poor and needy, such an one I would ask, Is not this saying in thine heart, "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing?" To such an one I would say, Thou art now, though thou knowest it not," thou art wretched, and miserable,