finished the work which Thou gavest me to do." In his agony in the garden, though he prayed most earnestly, that if it were possible that cup might pass from him, he added, "Not "Not my will, but thine be done;"* and having performed that will by his dreadful sufferings on the cross; having by his full, perfect, and all-sufficient sacri. fice, taken away the sin of the world; then, and not till then, he says, "Father! into thy hands I commend my spirit."+

This, my Christian brethren, is the great example, which every one of us is called to follow, in that station in which it has pleased GOD to place him, We all were sent into this world, not to do our own will, but the will of our Father which is in heaven. Piety towards GOD is the first and great duty of a Christian; and the difference between a good and a bad man is thisthat the good man endeavours to do the will of Gop, the bad man does his own will. We may see the difference even in those who are not guilty of what are called great crimes; and we may see it in every circumstance of life. The man who is without GoD in the world, is constantly engaged in the pursuit of riches, or plea ↑ John' xvii. Luke xxii 42 † Luke xxiii. 46.

sure, or whatever he thinks will contribute most to his happiness on earth. When he rises in the morning, he considers how he can in the course of the day get most money, or enjoy most pleasure. In his behaviour to other men he is perhaps honest, because he is afraid of the laws of his country; good-natured, when it does not interfere with his own interest; a good husband and father, if he love his wife or children, and as long as they contribute to his pleasure; a good subject, if he have sense enough to see that it is every man's interest to be one. Such a man may pass through life with a decent character; for if he be prudent, and really consider only his own comfort in this world, he will take care of his affairs, he will endeavour to gain friends, and he will avoid vices which are always attended with shame and misery; but all this while he is not a good man, because he does his own will, and not the will of GOD. When the hour of trial comes, this will be often evident to the world, as it always is to the eye of GOD. If it should happen that this man could get some great advantage by dishonesty, in a way which did not expose him to shame or punishment, what Adam, "In the sweat of thy face thou must

should restrain him from doing it? If sickness or vexation should ruffle his temper, he is no longer the pleasant companion, the kind husband or father. If bad company entice him to join in riot or rebellion, from which he expects some & advantage to himself, he is no longer a loyal a subject. In short, whenever he thinks it for his Linterest to do wrong, there is reason to fear that The will do it, for he has no principles to prevent him. And when the hour comes, which must come to all, when the body returns to the dust of which it was formed, and the spirit returns to Gon who gave it; with what comfort can that man look back on his past life? With what hope can he look forward to the judgment of the great day?

DaBut the good man has the fear of GOD always

before his eyes, and the love of God always in his heart. When he begins each day, he considers t how he can best please GOD; he resigns himself to his direction, he trusts in his care, he humbly prays for his assistance, and then goes on his way rejoicing. He follows the honest duties of his station, because GOD has said to every son of seat bread."* If he be rich and prosperous in bbm pons 601 * Gen. iii, 19. 14 1.

life, he does not consider that as a reason why he should be idle. He knows that to whom much is given, of him shall be much required; and he endeavours to do all the good he can. If he be poor and distressed, he knows it is the will of God, and he submits with cheerfulness. He remembers that his Saviour was poor, that he had not where to lay his head; and he knows that the same Saviour is able to raise the poorest and meanest man on earth to be the greatest in heaven. He is honest, though no eye behold him, for he knows that he cannot be hid from the sight of God. He is cheerful, because his mind 1s free from the guilt of any deliberate sin, and full of the hopes of immortality. He is kind to all his relations and friends, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward; for his sake who maketh his sun to shine on the evil and on the good. He is kind even to his enemies, after the example of him who prayed for his murderers. He is loyal and faithful to his king, because the King of kings commands it. At the close of every day he considers whether he has done the will of God, in that station to which He has called him. He endeavours to recollect all his faults, and he humbly begs forgiveness

through JESUS CHRIST; he prays for his friends and relations, and even for his enemies; and then in charity with all the world, he lays him down in peace, and takes his rest. He sees the hand of God in every thing. In prosperity, he thanks him for the blessings he enjoys; in affliction, he acknowledges the kind severity of his Heavenly Father. In sickness, he is humble and patient; in death, he is resigned and happy. He is found in his Father's house, the church; and is constant in all the public as well as private duties of religion. In every action of life he considers what is his duty. He asks with St. Paul, 66 LORD, what wilt thou have me to do?"* and when he has finished his appointed work, and is called to receive the reward which has been graciously promised to every good and faithful servant, still looking unto JESUS the Author and Finisher of his faith, he may with humble hope and pious resignation say, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit!"

And now, my brethren, let me entreat every one who hears me, to consider with himself to which of these descriptions of men he belongs., The question is of infinite importance, for his

Acts ix. 6.