paralysis: he is incapable of spiritual actions and enjoyments. But, through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, fallen man is quickened : his understanding is enlightened to see his state; his heart is softened; his various powers are brought into exercise; pious resolutions are formed; peace takes possession of his conscience; hope springs up in his breast; he flees for refuge "to lay hold on the hope set before him." Thus he is passed from death unto life: he is raised "from a death in sin to a life of righteousness."

This life has its existence in the soul, in virtue of a vital union with Jesus Christ. It is a life which is infused by the gracious influence of the Holy Ghost. It consists of joy, peace, hope, love, holiness, and the prospect of life everlasting. He who has this, has a life of the same nature with the future, though it is inferior in its degree. Hence, it is called the earnest, the first fruits, the foretaste: the same life that he shall have in future, he has now in part; the present is a drop of that mighty ocean.

This "everlasting life" includes the fulness of joy which is at God's right hand the pleasures which endure for ever more. This includes a nearer and fuller view of the Redeemer, a closer union with the Father of our spirits. Every hindrance to serving God will be fully removed; every desire will be enlarged and fulfilled; every thing that is evil will be put out of the way; the soul will be filled with bliss and happiness unutterable, and endowed with a "far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." In consequence of sin man lost all right and title to this life; but through the death of Jesus Christ, and the benefits of his death, man may be brought to rejoice in all this. Let us consider,

IV. THE WAY IN WHICH WE MAY BE INTERESTED IN THE BENEFITS OF THIS GIFT OF THE REDEEMER.

That we may "not perish, but have everlasting life," believing is indispensably necessary.

The word believing is sometimes to be understood in a simple sense, as expressing an act of the mind. To believe is neither more nor less than to take God at his word.

1. We must believe the record God has given us of man. And what is this? Why, that he is ignorant, wicked, depraved, dead; that "the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint;" that in his flesh dwells nothing that is good. When we understand, believe, and feel this, it humbles our proud spirits, induces true penitence of heart, and urges us to flee for refuge from the wrath to come.

2. We must believe the testimony God has given of his Son. And

what is this? That he was equal with God; that he has "borne our sin, and carried our sorrow; that he has satisfied the demands of the divine justice; that he has healed the honors of the broken law; that he has "finished transgression, and made reconciliation for iniquity;" that he has obtained salvation for us at the hands of his heavenly Father. To receive this testimony aright, is to believe that Jesus Christ is made over to sinners as a complete and willing Savior. A sure trust and confidence in this; a firm reliance in Jesus Christ, as made a sinoffering for us; as coming to free us from condemnation, and save us; this is the faith which brings comfort and peace into the soul.

And there must be a continuance in this. This will give us power over every sin, and victory over every temptation, till our natures are conformed to that of Christ; till our lives are formed upon the model of his; till "as he was, so we are, in this world." So that, in order that we "may not perish, but have everlasting life," we must believe, and continue to believe; "the life that we now live in the flesh," must be" by faith on the Son of God;" and the faith we exercised at first we must continue to exercise, till we receive the crown of life which is laid up for us in heaven.

From this subject we may,

1. See the evil of sin. It must be a great evil, a grievous and a bitter thing, when it required such a sacrifice- such sufferings-to make an atonement for its commission. For if God had given more than was necessary, it would have been as unworthy of his wisdom as if he had given too little. If God gave his only-begotten Son, it was absolutely necessary he should so do, in order that we might "not perish, but have everlasting life."

2. See the value of the soul. Most men think little of their souls; the body engrosses all their care, while the soul,- compared with which the whole world is but as a grain of sand,—is totally neglected by them. Yea, they can give their souls to the devil, with both hands, as a free-will offering! "The redemption of the soul is precious." Go to Bethlehem! visit Calvary! see the darkened sun - the rending rocks the opening graves- convulsed nature! and in the sufferings of the incarnate God, discover the value of the soul, and learn to say, "What is a man profited, if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" And think, also, what is all that you can do for the bodies of your fellow-creatures, in comparison with saving a soul from death!

3. See the condemnation of sinners. Notwithstanding all that God has done, the mass of mankind are careless, wicked, depraved, seeking death in the error of their ways. And are there none here who are

in danger of perishing? of perishing amidst the blaze of light — amidst

the calls of mercy amidst the displays of love? These men rush on the loaded artillery of heaven! they are despising the overtures of mercy, levelling the mountains which infinite goodness has thrown up to prevent their ruin, opposing the swelling tide of divine love, which would set full on their souls, and, with lighted torches in their hands, forcing their way to eternal ruin! Surely theirs will not be ordinary pangs! If those who hear the gospel perish, they must, as it were, take hell by force, and be lost, spite of all God's love could do to prevent their ruin! O brethren, privileged as we are in reading and hearing this truth-"God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life;" let it not become as a millstone about our necks, to drag us down to the depths of perdition!

4. See the encouragement afforded to those who are seeking the Lord those who are weary of sin, and of the service of the world, the flesh, and Satan. Like the prodigal, they are come to themselves; they are alive to a sense of their condition. Seeing their ingratitude, their rebellion, they exclaim, "My iniquities are more in number than the hairs of my head! I am a grievous sinner! I am unworthy of the least of all God's mercies!" All this is true, very true; and it is also true that God loves thee loves thee with a love of pity and compassion and is not willing that thou shouldst perish. O believe the record of heaven! believe the record that God has given of his Son ! believe that Christ came into the world to seek and save the lost-to save sinners, even the chief! Receive this record; cordially grasp it with all thy soul. Say, "It is worthy of all acceptation! it is worthy of my acceptation!" God enable thee so to believe, that thy soul may live for ever!

5. And if God" spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" He will surely give an answer to our every prayer, and supply our every need. Let us, then, honor him by our implicit confidence. "My God shall supply all your need, according to his riches in glory, by Christ Jesus." From this love let believers fully expect grace here, and glory hereafter.

6. And who is there among us that can think on all this love, and not wish to make suitable returns? Who does not say,—

"What shall I do, to make it known

What thou for all mankind hast done?"

Should it not be proclaimed to the ends of the earth? and should it not be made known in our own land? and that, not only by preaching

-by the distribution of the sacred Scriptures by the circulation of religious truth; but also by the education of the young? It has been found that by schools, and by schools on the Sabbath day, habits of order and decency have been induced, the most valuable instructions have been communicated, and a powerful influence has been exerted to save souls from ruin. These schools have been found a very powerful engine for preventing much evil, and for promoting a great deal of good. They have been in use for half a century; and they have been greatly increased and supported by the liberality of Christians. This is a strong proof that they have been, and are, useful; were it otherwise, they would not be so supported. One object we have now in view, is to promote the interests of a Sunday school in connexion with this chapel. It was established in the year 1791; the year in which the venerable John Wesley died. Since that period 14,731 children have passed through its instructions. They have received the light of knowledge, and some of them the light of life; some have gone from this world, after having brought forth fruit to the honor of God on earth; and others are still walking upon earth, in the fear of the Lord, and the comforts of the Holy Ghost. When it is considered that this has taken place in the dense and dark population of Spitalfields, we think it will be duly appreciated. There are 350 children at present in the school. When we think on the length of time this school has been instituted; on the many children who have passed through its instructions; on the number of pious and intelligent persons who have been engaged in this work, some of whom are, perhaps, bending from their lofty thrones on the present occasion, to see how the recital of the Redeemer's dying love influences your minds in reference to the support of this school; we cannot but hope that you will render it all the assistance in your power. God has loved you: he has proved his kindness to you in ten thousand instances, as to your own persons, your substance, your families, your friends. And see what he has brought you through; and how bright he has made your prospects for another world. Surely you are saying- "What shall I render to the Lord for all his mercies?" What? why render love-love for love. God has loved you, and he requires your love in return. He addresses you as he did his servant formerly, and he addresses you personally, and hearts your "Lovest thou me?" And if you say, "Lord, thou knowest that I love thee!" he replies, "Feed my lambs." Some of these children, it may be, are bereaved of their parents: they are almost outcasts of the world; but they are the tenderlings of Christ's flock: he calls them to himself; he bears them in his bosom; he intends to bless them; but he honors his servants, by

he addresses himself to

allowing them to take these lambs under their care. If you regard his authority, if you have tasted of his love, attend to his injunction, and return the love wherewith he has loved you, by feeding his lambs. Supply their minds with knowledge; make them acquainted with his truth and guardianship; and do all that is needful to support those schools, which profess to accomplish this great object. And what you do, do from a principle of love to Christ; do it, also, out of love to your fellow-creatures, and an earnest desire for the welfare of posterity. And what you do, do it with all your hearts, and with all your might. "God will not be unrighteous, to forget your work and labor of love;" and you shall receive from him happiness here, and life everlasting!

SERMON XV.

THE SPIRITUAL BUILDING.

BY REV. ISAIAH BIRT.

"In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of GOD through the SPIRIT. EPHESIANS ii. 22.

THE gospel ministry, in all its departments, is conducted on the same principles. Whether it be stationary or itinerant; whether it be pastoral or missionary; these principles are ever the same. These principles are very few, but very important. They relate to all men - to all without distinction, whether Jew or Gentile, bond or free, kings or subjects; - they consider all as far from God; that the whole world"lieth in wickedness;" that "there is none righteous, no not one. This is the first principle of a gospel ministry; it contemplates every man as a sinner, exposed to wrath and indignation. These principles relate to Jesus Christ also. This ministry exhibits the Lord Jesus Christ, in his person, his offices, and his works, as the great, the only Redeemer, appointed for salvation by God, to the ends of the earth. We must also consider the ministry of the gospel as relating to the means, under divine influence, by which a church is to be formed out of this world, set apart for the worship and service of God upon earth, and finally to be made like him, and be with him, and enjoy him for ever.

These principles are ever exhibited in the ministry of the gospel.And in order to confine them in our view, the church of God is repre