execution, and, we hope, in no long space of time, promises their repeal.

But in the mean while many are afraid, or ashamed of being singular, of making open profession of what they believe, and of worshiping God according to their consciences, differently from what the laws have established.

And this is the trial of many now. As in former times they were deterred by the dread of torments and loss of worldly substance, now they cannot endure the reproach of going out of the common track, and being unfashionable in practising what they are persuaded to be their duty and the truth. How different this from that noble suffering spirit by which our religion was first propagated, and by which alone it can be consistently maintained and promoted!

III.

We do not enough consider the

great subject before the apostle, which moved those worthy persons whom he mentions, to be baptized for, or on account of, the dead,--~of those christian heroes, who did not count their lives of any value, but voluntarily parted with

them,

them, in testimony of the truth, and in full assurance of a resurrection to an endless existence. We do not lay this to our hearts as we ought, or we should all of us behave in a different manner; show a greater zeal for the purity and prevalence of our religion, and boldness and self-denial in the practice of it.

What indeed can excite us, if we are not affected by the consideration of the immense benignity of our Creator, of which we have the knowledge and assurance by our Lord Jesus Christ, and of which his resurrection is a pledge to us, that we are not to lie for ever in the grave to which we are going; but that as he was brought to life, after a few days passed in the sepulchre, by the power of God, and now lives, and will live for ever, high in bliss, and in his favour, so shall all his faithful followers in their degree and due appointed time.

But into those happy abodes, which our Maker hath in reserve, we are told (Rev. xxi.) there shall in no wise enter any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie. All characters that are and remain such will for ever be excluded.

But what purification and constant aim at

moral

moral perfection is necessary, our Saviour's precepts, and above all his example, teach.

There must be a predominant piety, and love and reverential fear of God, to influence us in all our actions, and to dwell with us. A love and preference of truth and righteousness are to be cultivated by us, so as to become part of our make as it were, and to be always with us. And we are to strive to keep up a constant ardour to promote the present and future good of others; unabated as little as may be by the selfish passions, which we are always to be striving to combat and to subdue. Small and imperfect at the best will be the attainments of this our beginning state; but the utmost sincerity and integrity are to be sown and incessantly attended to and cultivated, if we expect to reap any thing hereafter.

We have seen above, that in the first ages of our religion the virtues and sufferings of its professors made numerous converts to it. The blood of an eminent martyr baptized whole cities. This is what the apostle signifies by being baptized for, or on account of, the dead, as I have endeavoured to explain to you. We are not put to the difficult trial, we are not called out to die for the truth of the go

spel;

spel; but it should be our thought and labour every day, by our lives and in every other way, to endeavour to recommend it to others.

If this aim and desire be in us, and habitual piety to God, and benevolent exertions for our fellow-creatures' good in its fullest extent be cherished and increasing in us ;-we shall in the same proportion become qualified for the company of virtuous beings, and for our unknown happy employment hereafter, in making progressive improvements in all that is excellent; for which our next state will be fitted in ways and methods that we know not of, in a long succession, through infinite never-ending ages; and for which we must lay in the preparation now, according to the means put before us, or suffer loss for ever.

In the beautiful moral imagery of our great Master and heavenly Teacher, we are to be careful to have our lamps always burning, and oil in them, lest we be called away suddenly to meet the bridegroom, when unready and unprepared, and the door of admittance be shut upon us.

Unto God be glory and thanks for all his mer

cies to us.

PRAYER.

PRAYER.

O Thou, who art from everlasting to everlasting God, blessed and adored for ever! the sovereign, all-bounteous disposer of thy creatures, and of all their concerns!

Brought by thee into a world wherein we are to sojourn but a few days, whilst on our virtuous demeanour here our most lasting future happiness will depend; we crave help and direction of thee to guide us safely through it, to our lasting home.

Make us attentive to the methods of thy providence, and of the government which thou exercisest over us, in promoting the virtue and felicity of all thy chosen servants, in calling them to labour and suffer for thy truth, and for the good of others: which thou didst signally manifest in our Lord and Master, the holy Jesus, who was made perfect by sufferings nobly sustained, and which did also appear in his apostles, who followed him in the same narrow way that leadeth unto thee.

Incline us, we beseech thee, cheerfully to fall in with thy designs, and the disposals of thy providence towards us, in exerting all our endeavours to forward the virtue and happiness

of