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idle and indifferent. It is a character the possession of which requires much thought, vigilant care, unwearied patience, and unremitting exertion.-The whole of our journey through life is attended with difficulty and danger. Who then, that has any regard for his immortal soul, will blindly follow the impulse of unregenerate nature, walk according to the course of this evil world, and say to himself, peace, peace, "when there is no peace." Awake thou that sleepest, hear the voice of God, and harden not your hearts. He now calls you to glory and to virtue: obey his call; escape from the miserable thraldom of sense and passion: accept the liberty of the freeborn sons of light: pray for faith to direct and elevate your mind; to enable you to "overcome the world," and to go on from strength to strength, till you appear before God in Zion. Only let your prayer be sincere, and it shall be heard and accepted. "Ask and you shall receive: seek and you "shall find." You shall obtain mercy"

through Jesus Christ; " and find in every time of need.”

"help you

grace to

Christians, I intreat you, in particular, never to be discouraged in your spiritual

warfare. You have every reason to stand, and be of good courage; but none to be weary, or faint in your minds. Arduous, I know, is the work you are called to perform; but you are not called to perform it in your own strength: you have to overcome the world; but you are to overcome it by faith; and faith, let me remind you, is the gift of God. Pray then to God who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not:-earnestly pray," Lord we believe, "help thou our unbelief." There is no adversary too powerful; no work too difficult for him who relies on the Omnipotent. David, though a stripling, vanquished with ease the giant of Gath, because "he went "out against him," not in his own strength, but "in the name of the Lord of hosts; "the God of the armies of Israel." The world with all its temptations and allurements, will be as easily overcome by him who is truly "born of God," as the uncircumcised Philistine was by the hand of David. "All things are possible to him "that believeth." He "puts on the whole "armour of God," and God himself is with him, and will be with all who put their trust in him, even to the end of the world.

Christians, consider this: consiler too, that the same armour and the same mighty Power are yours-all things are yoursconsider this, and persevere in your glorious conflict. Never" cast away your confi"dence, which hath great recompence of "reward; but building up yourselves in

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your most holy faith; praying in the Holy Ghost; keep yourselves in the love "of of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord "Jesus Christ unto eternal life."-" Now, our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God,

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even our Father, who hath loved us, and "hath given us everlasting consolation, "and good hope through grace, comfort

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your hearts, and stablish you in every "good word and work:" and enable

you to say, with gratitude and with triumph, when your labours are ended,-" I have fought a

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good fight; I have finished my course: "I have kept the faith: henceforth there " is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, "which the Lord the righteous Judge shall

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give me at that day; and not to me only; but unto all them also that love "his appearing."-Amen.

THE PRESENT HAPPINESS OF

BELIEVERS.

ROM. XV. 13.

Now, the God of peace fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

THE first Christians not only believed in the religion of Jesus; but were peculiarly qualified" to give to every one that asked "them a reason of the" belief" that was "in them." At once, they referred to the heavenly doctrines which they heard their Master deliver; to the divine life which they saw him lead; and to the astonishing miracles which they saw him perform. They referred also to "the power of the "Holy Ghost," which they themselves had received from him. They were therefore

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strong in faith, giving glory to God." They felt too their faith producing the most desirable; the most delightful effects upon their minds. They believed, and were "filled with all joy, and peace, and "hope in believing."

When we consider the many and distinguishing privileges with which, both before and immediately after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, the primitive believers were favoured, we are apt to regret that it was not our lot to live in those happy days. We sometimes imagine that we have reason to complain of not having the same impelling motives which they had, to attach us to our holy religion. However wrong this spirit is, yet, perhaps, we have all more or less indulged it; and exclaimed like Esau, when deprived of his father's blessing," Hast thou but one "blessing, my father?" But such language should never proceed out of our mouth; for he who was so eminently the God of the first Christians, is our God likewise. The miraculous powers and extraordinary grace conferred upon them, tended to establish and extend our religion, and thus to

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