Peter using a similar phraseology describes Christians as follows: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. Here Christian truth, the instrument of the moral change, is brought into view; and the effect must be such as to correspond to the character of the instrument. The character of the new born soul must be such as the doctrines and motives of Christianity are calculated to produce, that is, man must be holy in heart and holy in life.

it

On the whole, from the illustrations already attempted, appears that to be in Christ in such a manner as to entitle a man to the epithets, saint, new man, regenerate, the truths of the gospel must have so far wrought upon him, as to bring him to a willing subjection to the Christian law. It must be his desire and endeavor to imbibe the the spirit, and to obey the precepts of Jesus Christ. It is not supposed that he is perfect in every Christian grace, but that perfection is his aim. This man, wherever he may be found, and whatever may be his particular experience, is a new man, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.

The formation of this character is essential to every man's happiness under the government of God. It hardly need be said, that, in order to secure the blessings of the divine government, conformity to the divine laws is requisite. If these laws be wise and good, they cannot be disregarded with impunity. If heaven be a state of happiness, the habits necessary for the possession of its joys must be acquired. These are obvious dictates of common sense, as well as principles of the Christian religion. When therefore we say that it is necessary that men be converted, that they be born again, that they become new men in Christ Jesus, we simply assert, that it is necessary that they become good men, Christians in principle, Christians in temper, Christians in practice. This necessity no

man can deny, without at the same time denying the truth of Christianity, and the reality of a future state of rewards and punishments.

How then is this character to be formed? In the first place, by education. Christian parents are expected and required to exert an important agency in the production of this character. They are to be unwearied in their endeavors, by instruction, example and prayer, to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Suppose that they should be successful, and that their children should be directed heavenward from their earliest childhood. Would it then be proper to say to these children as they advance toward maturity : It is necessary that you be converted, that you experience some sensible change, that you be born again? Certainly it would not. They are already believers. They need not that their faith should be changed, though they may require that it should be strengthened. They need not that their early habits should be entirely uprooted; for they desire and endeavor to serve the Lord. They may require advancement; but they need not a total change. To them conversion would be a turning from right sentiments into the paths of error, from habits of piety into those of irreligion and vice. On them therefore we should press the importance of growth in grace, and a grateful sense of their obligations to God for leading them thus far in the paths of safety.

In this class of persons, I am persuaded, both from actual observation and from the history of the church, are to be found those, who are the most likely to support the cause of virtue in the world, and to adorn the doctrines of the gospel. Yet among these there often exists much unnecessary distress of mind with regard to their spiritual state. They are told, that they must be born again, and they are unconscious of any such remarkable change as the new birth supposes. They refuse to take comfort in

Christ's promises, and, though fearing the Lord and obeying his commands, they walk in darkness. This is the melancholy consequence of injudicious and erroneous instruction. Sometimes those, who have been for years treading in despondency the safe path, are, by a striking dispensation of providence or by a pungent exhibition of God's truth, made to experience an unwonted tenderness of heart, and great spiritual conflicts. They seize upon this as evidence of having passed from death unto life, and are comforted, though in fact no important change is wrought in their characters. Others, on the other hand, go mourning to their graves, though, but for a mistaken faith, they might rejoice in hope, and cheerfully give their whole influence to the cause of Christ. It ought not so to be. Evidence of the Christian character should in all cases inspire the Christian hope.

But many grow up in Christian communities, who are not educated in piety, and many more, who abuse their Christian privileges. They drink in iniquity like water; are estranged from God from their birth; and, if they make a decent show, are all hollow within. What is requisite for them, that they may hope in Christ? They must be born again. They must be converted. They must become new creatures. There is hope for them on no other conditions.

Do I now address any of this character? Then my duty is plain, and your duty is as plain. There is a future account. You must stand before the judgment seat of Christ. You are not prepared to appear there, and yet at any moment you may be called into the presence of your final Judge. Your duty calls you to immediate repentance. By the mercies of God, and by the terrors of the Lord, I entreat you to flee from impending ruin. By the present joys of an approving conscience, by the terrors of a guilty mind, by all that is solemn in the hour of death, by the

fear of hell, and the hope of heaven, I exhort you to Now is an accepted time.

repentance and a new life.
God is waiting for your return to him.

He is entreating

Now is a day of

you not to throw away an immortal soul. salvation. Tomorrow you may stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

SERMON VII.

JOY IN HEAVEN OVER THE PENITENT SINNER.

LUKE XV. 9.

JOY SHALL BE IN HEAVEN OVER ONE SINNER, THAT REPENTEth.

WERE one of the happy spirits, who now bows before the throne of God, and drinks in felicity at the fountain, to be introduced among men, to become for a season an inhabitant of the earth, and to be made familiar with human dangers and wants, where, think ye, would he spend most of his time, and in what kind of service would he be the most deeply interested? Would you expect to find him moving in circles, where devotion breathed forth its confiding spirit to God; where there were hearts filled with heavenly love, and minds employed on heavenly themes? There he would find sympathy; a spirit in unison with his own; immortal beings, who were to be his companions in the bright world above. There he might communicate the treasures of his own mind to those who would gladly receive information of that world, whither they were travelling, in which they had already began to lay up treasures, and where their highest hopes were fixed. There indeed you might expect, that he would delight to witness the progress of truth, the developement of pure affections, successful struggles to overcome moral dangers, the brightening of intellect, the advancement of holy love,