circumstance; and repining, fretfulness, and discontent are entirely inconsistent with evangelical principles.

Confidence in God likewise peculiarly becometh the gospel of Christ. "The Lord is our Light, and our Salvation: whom then shall we fear?" "If God be for us, who can be against us?" To be calm and collected in perilous situations; to recognize the hand of God in the alarming events of life, and hence to assume courage and chearful expectation; to rely on his providential care amidst temporal losses and difficulties; and in every case to say, "It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good;" becomes the character of his redeemed people. But too often he may rebuke us and say, "Why are ye so fearful, Oye of little faith?"-We act also consistently with our principles, when we take pleasure in attending on the ordinances of God; when we count the holy day of rest honourable and delightful; when we are glad to have it said to us, "Let us go unto the house of the Lord;" and when we prefer his courts, and the communion of the saints, above all other places of resort, and every other kind of society. It becomes the professors of the gospel, to abound in praises and thanksgivings; to reverence the name and the word of God; to worship him in their families with evident alacrity and punctuality; to seek his blessing on every undertaking; to praise him for every deliverance and benefit; to act habitually as in his presence; to devote themselves to his service; and to seek all their happiness from him. But whatever is contrary to this is unbecoming the gospel, and dishonourable to our profession.

Even worldly men, while they charge our doctrines with a licentious tendency, expect more from us in our conduct towards them, than they do from each other. This is evidently the case: for a single instance of immorality, in one that professes the gospel, excites general attention, and becomes a topic of discourse; while the numberless crimes of other men are very slightly noticed. This should remind us, that strict integrity, veracity, sincerity, and punctuality to our engagements, become our profession; and that both the world and the church will charge us with inconsistency, if we at all deviate from this direct uprightness of conduct and conversation. An inoffensive deportment is likewise necessary, if we would walk "worthy of God," and as it becometh saints." We must no more injure a man, wantonly or heedlessly, than from selfishness: We must not wound any person's character, interrupt his domestic comfort, or needlessly disquiet his mind. We should carefully avoid exciting men's passions, provoking them to anger, or tempting them to envy, ambition, or discontent. We should "study to be quiet and mind our own business," without intermeddling with other men's matters; and to be peaceable, orderly, and industrious neighbours, and members of the community. We ought so to avoid evil, and the appearance of evil, that none may have any thing to say against us, except it be for our religious peculiarities.

General benevolence also becomes the gospel of rich grace and mercy. Every man almost, may at some times, by retrenching superfluities, do a little to shew his compassion and good-will to his afflicted neighbours. From those to whom much is given much shall be required. There are likewise various other methods, by which a friendly disposition may be manifested; and this is peculiarly ornamental to the gospel. The more entirely we renounce all dependence on our good works, the greater alacrity and zeal we should manifest in performing them: and this will be our disposition, if, indeed "we know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ," and understand our obligations to him, who "loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood." Indeed, even in this lukewarm age, the excellency of the gospel does appear in this respect; for the liberality of those, who profess to rely on the mercy of God in Christ Jesus, is vastly greater, in proportion to their circumstances, than that of such persons, as expect to atone for their sins, and to purchase heaven, by their good works. But "we beseech you," brethren, "to abound more and more."

We should also exercise meekness, forgiveness of injuries, and unwearied perseverance in endeavouring to overcome evil with good; for these things peculiarly become those, who own themselves so deeply indebted to the pardoning mercy and abundant grace of God our Saviour. An exact attention to every relative duty; a condescending, affable, and modest demeanour, "in honour preferring one another;" a constant endeavour to "keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace;" to promote brotherly love; and to concur in every design, for advancing the purity and enlargement of the church, and the benefit of mankind, are evidently and eminently becoming the gospel of Christ.

To these we should add, habits of strict sobriety and temperance: moderation and regard to expediency in the use of things lawful, and in worldly pursuit; and indifference about external decoration; and entire disregard to these frivolous amusements, in which numbers waste their time and substance; a disinterested conduct, remote from all suspicion of covetousness; a strict government of the passions; and a tongue bridled and refrained from vain and improper discourse, but prepared to speak such things as are edifying and useful. These are evidently parts of that conversation which becometh the gospel of Christ; and reflection may enable every one to add to this specimen many others of a similar nature. We proceed therefore,

IV. To make some observations on the emphatical word "Only." Some persons think, that the apostle meant in this manner to intimate the reasonableness of his exhortations; and no doubt we have abundant cause to consider them in this light; yet I apprehend that it is not the import of the expression in this place. It rather implies that nothing could prove injurious in the event to professed Christians, provided their conversation were consistent with their principles. And we may apply this general instruction to various cases.

There may be wars and rumours of war, famines, pestilences, revolutions, and distress of nations with perplexity; yea, the sun shall be turned into darkness, the heavens shall be rolled up as a scroll, the elements shall melt with fervent heat, and the earth with all its works shall be burnt up: but none of these events need alarm the consistent Christian: For "what shall

separate us from the love Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." Rom. viii. 35–39. "God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble: therefore we will not fear though the earth be removed, and the mountains be carried into the depths of the sea." Psalm xlvi. 1, 2.

Affecting changes may likewise take place in our families: our beloved relatives may be torn from us, our friends alienated, and our property lost; poverty, contempt, and sickness, may oppress us; and we may fall under unmerited censure and reproach, so that even our brethren may mistake our case and character, as Job's friends did his : but "if our conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ," none of these things can hurt us. The Lord will enable us to rejoice in the testimony of our conscience; he will plead our cause, and vindicate our reputation; he will not leave us comfortless, but will afford us proportionable supports: "No weapon formed against us shall prosper, and every tongue that ariseth against us in judgment we shall condemn;" and when we have been tried we shall come forth as gold purified from the furnace.

Changes may likewise take place in the church: many who have been useful to us, may be removed, and among them the very "ministers by whom we believed;" nay, such persons as we most looked up to, may "forsake Christ, having loved this present world;" or become zealous teachers of destructive heresies. But if our conversation be consistent with our profession; our own experience of the Lord's faithfulness, and the sanctifying efficacy of his word, will preserve us from fatal effects, and teach us by such events, to be more watchful, and simple in our dependence on divine grace.

Some persons may be perplexed with difficulties, in respect of certain points of doctrine; but if they truly embrace the salvation of Christ and walk worthy of it, they will be at length led to establishment in the truth. "If any man will do the will of God, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God." An upright heart and an obedient will, directly tend to free the mind from the clouds of various prejudices and passions, to produce teachableness, and to improve spiritual discernment; and there are numerous promises of divine teaching to persons of this description. But they "who love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil," are given up to strong delusions, and fall into final condemnation.

Difficulties also occur to many, in determining whether they be in a state of salvation or not; nor are they able, after much self-examination, to decide the important question. To these likewise we may say, "Only let your conversation be, as it becometh the gospel of Christ ;" and this will have a powerful, though gradual efficacy, in producing the desired satisfaction. "Then shall ye know, if ye follow on to know the Lord." "For the path of the just shineth more and more unto the perfect day."

The exhortation before us also points out, to those who are labouring to do good in their families and connections, or in a more extensive sphere, the grand method of obtaining the desired success; and when the interest of the gospel in any place seems greatly declined; the consistent conduct of the few who adhere to it, will have the happiest effects in promoting a revival. Finally some persons are harrassed with apprehensions of future trials and temptations, or with the dread of death; but let all such trembling believers attend to the apostle's exhortation; and they may rest assured, that the grace of the Lord Jesus will be sufficient for them; and his strength be perfected in their weakness. "For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come; nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Seeing we address ourselves to those only, who expect to be thought Christians, the exhortation may be applicable to every individual. Let a becoming conversation prove that you are Christians in reality. But alas, what gloomy reflections crowd into the mind, when this subject comes in our way! Do the generality of nominal Christians live as becomes the gospel? Is not the conversation of a vast majority diametrically opposite to the spirit and precepts of our holy religion? Who can imagine that Christ will own such men as his true disciples? Who can doubt, but that it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for them?

There are persons who say, When you instruct us in our duty, we regard you; but we are not infidels, we have always believed the doctrines of Christianity. But let me ask you, have these doctrines properly influenced your heart and life? If they have not, then surely you have believed in vain ! You would say to an Antinomian professor of justification by faith alone, who lived an immoral life, " Know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead." Beware then lest you slide into Antinomianism of a more reputable kind. Faith and practice are not like grapes tied upon a vine branch, but like grapes growing upon a living vine. True faith receives the doctrines of the gospel into the heart, where they produce a change in the judgments, dispositions, and affections; thus the tree becomes good, and good fruit is the genuine consequence.

This is real Christianity: and all that comes short of this, however distinguished, is a mere name, notion, or form. But if we have thus received the gospel, we shall be conscious that we have in many things fallen short of a becoming conversation. Let us then humbly seek forgiveness of the past, and beg to be enabled henceforth so to abide in Christ," that we may bring forth much fruit." "and walk worthy of God, who hath called us to his kingdom and glory.”—Amen.

THE

WARRANT AND NATURE

OF

FAITH IN CHRIST

CONSIDERED,

WITH

SOME REFERENCE TO THE VARIOUS CONTROVERSIES ON THAT SUBJECT.

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.-ACTS xvi. 31. Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.-1 JOHN v. 1. I speak as unto wise men: judge ye what I say.-1 COR. x. 15.