how difficult it is to trace the slender line which separates innocence from guilt, and how frequently the shades are so minutely blended, as to perplex the most accurate definer. Besides, we are commanded so to use the world as not to abuse it, and to avoid even the appearance of evil. (1 Cor. vii. 31; 1 Thess. v. 22.) How, then, with these cautions before our eyes, can that system be considered an enemy to pleasure, if it teaches us to husband our resources of gratification; if it warns us to be moderate, because God will surely visit our intemperance; and if, by so doing, it protracts and extends our powers of enjoyment, and guards the path of pleasure against the inroads of sensuality and sin? I shall further endeavour to show briefly, that this inward joy, this spiritual rejoicing, which throws a brightness around prosperity, and softens the rigours of adversity, arises from the doctrines and practice of Christianity. And, first, from the doctrines. Whence can this inward peace more evidently spring than from the enlarged view of the moral government of the universe, which Christianity affords? The expanded notions which are thus produced in the mind, at once convince us that we ought to be resigned under every circumstance, because necessarily so ignorant of the tendencies and results of our situation. This humbles pride, and thus removes much unhappiness; for, where pride is, there can be no peace. This humbles pride and self-conceit; for Revelation teaches man that, while placed on earth, he can discern but little of Divine arrangements, and that "now he sees through a glass darkly." Revelation, however, at the same time convinces him that, in justice and reason, he ought to acquiesce, even under inscrutable circumstances, believing that, though God may not now explain the meaning and the uses of His dealings with men, an hour is at hand when everything shall be unravelled. But the doctrines of Christianity do more towards imparting peace, than by merely warning us to be humble and to acquiesce. They open the prospect wider, and discover to us that God is all-merciful and good, and that the sinner has not only a Maker, but a Saviour who has redeemed him-a Saviour who, moreover, renews him by His Spirit, and presents every petition for him before the throne of grace, interceding with all the tenderness of the dearest friend-a Saviour who will guide him by His counsel here, and will afterwards receive him into everlasting glory. Now, this is no fanatical presumption, but the doctrine of truth and soberness, being the simple teaching of the Holy Scriptures. Widely different indeed from delusive ecstasy is this humble joy: it is a chastened and serene hope that weak and sinful man, because invited, may repose in confidence on the arms of a Saviour, who is his Lord and God. } His redemption by the blood of Jesus, his consequent justification before God, his sanctification by the Holy Spirit, all assure him that he is an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven, and that his hope is full of immortality. In a word, if this rejoicing becomes the ruling principle of the soul, it will abate the tumult, allay the influence, and mitigate the severity of every evil passion; it will regulate, direct, and increase every temporal enjoyment; it will moderate our desires in the pursuit, and our conduct in the possession; while it will lessen, if not altogether remove, our disappointment and sorrow for their loss. I might now, in the last place, address myself to three classes of readers-the irreligious, the wavering, and those who believe in the rich promises of God. May the Holy Spirit speak to, and rouse the hearts of those who forget God, and of those who will not decidedly choose Him for their portion; whilst I, assisted by the same Spirit, conclude with a few words to those who devoutly love Him. We are told in Scripture to acquaint ourselves with God, and to be at peace. (Job xxii. 21.) Many of you, I trust, have formed this acquaintance, and have found this peace; but some of you perhaps have sought it, and have been disappointed in your hopes. It may be that you have not found, in the course of your endeavours to obtain a saving faith, that full and uniform satisfaction which the promises of Scripture hold forth as within your reach. And this disappointment has perhaps depressed your souls with alarming apprehensions that you have been deceiving yourselves, and that you are not in the number of those who shall eventually be saved by faith in a crucified Redeemer. Yet, although we are taught that the fruits of the Spirit are love, and joy, and peace which passeth knowledge, God forbid that we should pronounce those persons, who may not have experienced in religion full and complete satisfaction, to be of the synagogue of Satan, sons of Belial, and not adopted children of God. The promises made to man, through Christ, shall never fail. Sometimes the Lord quickly grants our prayer at other times He, as it were, hides His face, withdraws His smile, and, as in the case of the widow of Canaan, passes on as though He heard not. Circumstances, therefore, have existed, you may be sure, which hitherto have prevented you from reaping the expected benefits. It may be that bodily weakness or malady causes a depression of your spirits. Perhaps some secret sin is ruling in the heart which, on the whole, seems devoted to the cause of heaven. Perhaps your sense of sin has not sufficiently raised your thoughts to the atonement and intercession made and making for you by God the Son; or perhaps you do not estimate as highly as you ought the purifying and allsubduing aid of God the Holy Ghost. Besides, it often happens that the worshippers of God fix their minds so intently on the doctrines of the Gospel as to pay little regard to the regulations of the heart and conduct, or, on the other hand, whilst careful in the performance of good works, overlook the necessary condition of their acceptance, that they shall be the fruit and evidence of a lively faith. Oh! then, charge not your want of faith to Christ's religion, but place it to the account of your own deficiency. If we are sinful, we must expect the wages of sin if we hope for "perfect peace," we must strive to be thoroughly devout. Accordingly, if peace is not forthwith vouchsafed, be not impatient; but wait the Lord's time, in humble reliance that He who has promised will not in anywise disappoint you. Let the world and the things of the : world keep a subordinate place to the glory of God and the salvation of your souls. In compliance "Seek ye first with our blessed Redeemer's words, the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matt. vi. 33); and then, thanks be to God, as Isaiah tells us: "The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever." (Isa. xxxii. 17.) "COME, ye that love the Lord, |