itself unspent, is the grand characteristic of the Christian, the one proof of Christ in us as the hope of glory :-O what a call is this on those who have it not, to rouse themselves to its attainment! Religion, Brethren, is not a thing of forms and phrases, of outward show, or casual impulse and can you think then to obtain it by a few vague thoughts, and a listless presence at its ceremonies? and a momentary purpose, and a desultory endeavour? Remember, it is no less than a passing from one life to another it is no less than a shaking of the soul out of its former conditions into new ones: the renouncing of one set of principles, and the implanting of another: the crucifying the old man and the putting on the new man; the becoming, as our Homily says, "altogether different men from what we were before :" the repudiating of our former Self, "that we may be married to another, that we may bring forth fruit unto God." And is not, therefore, something great and powerful needful to so great a change?—and does the Bible, therefore, ask too much when it demands from you Repentance, Change, Conversion, being born again, becoming renewed in the spirit,-the very central core and principle,—of your mind? And does it speak too strongly, when it declares" that only

which is born of the Spirit can thus be spirit;" and refers you therefore to the one divine Agent, the Almighty Author of this necessary work, God the Holy Ghost ?-To be Christians, we must have Christ living in us: we must be altogether new men, actuated by a new principle; and how shall this be effected?—" not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord!" Awake to the mighty change, which must pass upon you! Pursue the means by which that change must be prepared, assisted, accelerated, effected!—means, remember, which are not mysterious and sudden in their operation, but such as every man may use, and all may make effectual; the cherishing new and holy thoughts, and the repressing old and evil ones; the breaking off injurious habits and connections, and the forming better; the exercise of mind upon yourselves, which self-examination, meditation, prayer, and reading will produce ;— the exercise of mind on God and on eternal things, which results from a constant reference and cry to him who can and will assist and bless you. Pursue, I pray you, but these means, with constant faith in Jesus, and you also shall at last exclaim, "I am crucified with Christ, and though I live, it is no longer I, but Christ liveth in me!"

SERMON VII.

CHRISTIAN FAITH.

GAL. II. 20.

And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

THE Christian has become a new man, and his new principle is, I would live unto God, even as Christ lived to Him: I would spend my future life in His service and to His glory. This is what we learned last Sunday from the former part of the verse now before us.

But what, let us now further inquire, is the prevailing sentiment which encourages the Christian in the prosecution of this purpose, and cheers him on to its fulfilment ?—The Scripture answer is, It is Faith:-it is that filial confidence in our reconciled Father, that quiet

reliance on his constant love and care which is the parent of all that is good and holy; which excites to duty and preserves in the midst of temptation; which issues in patience, energy, heavenly-mindedness, and love. This is the characteristic temper of the renewed mind; the state of feeling peculiar to it: the atmosphere in which it lives, and flourishes, and expands. "The life that I now live in the flesh," says St. Paul in our text, "I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me:"

-the new man which has been raised up within me is cheered and animated by a sure and holy trust in God through Christ. I did indeed gain peace of mind from the law; I derive it now solely from faith in God's own Son and henceforth I am soothed and quickened, not by my own self-esteem ;-nor by human reputation ;nor by ceremonial privilege ;—but only by the all-sufficient sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

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Not from his own Self-Esteem, therefore, does the Christian derive his peace: not from the whispers of that delusive voice which would cry, Peace, Peace, when there is no peace. This voice indeed is too often heard, and is too often successful in repelling a salutary doubt and fear. When first the light of instruction

beams in upon the mind, and the sense of right and wrong awakens in its strength, then a conflict commences between the force of truth, and the strivings of conviction;-and that love of ease which shrinks from all change, or disturbance portending change. And the first remedy sought is in excuses: excuses to ourselves, reasons fetched ingeniously from every quarter to prove either that both our judgment and our practice are right, and are consistent with each other; or else, that even though our judgment has not been followed by a corresponding practice, yet there is sufficient to be said why no sentence of guilt and condemnation should go forth against us, and why all may yet be well." The nature of man is so frail, his purposes are so weak;-the law of God so far beyond his possible attainment; that but to have perceived its excellence is something to have desired its fulfilment is enough. And then, besides, if we have failed in some things, who has not done so! while towards other sins we have had no inclination, nor even thought: we may therefore surely hope the good will far outweigh the evil, and our minds may be at peace. God knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are but dust; He will never exact from us that which is beyond our