vants, that by Thy holy inspiration, we may think those things that be good, and by Thy merciful guiding may perform the same, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 1."

The Collect for the day.

SERMON VI.

CHRISTIANITY A VOCATION.

EPHESIANS iv. 1.

Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.

THE word vocation, as well as the word of which it is here a translation, is frequently used in the sense of civil employment, trade, or profession; and though here perhaps it may rather express the wonderful "calling" out of darkness into light, out of heathenism into Christianity, which God had vouchsafed to those whom St. Paul was addressing, yet even here it implies a state or condition, which was to give a new complexion to their whole character; and conveys to the mind an impression, that this "vocation" was not

a single act only, or a momentary influence, but something which was to have an abiding effect on the character, and to be progressive and constant in its operation; something, in spiritual matters, analogous to a man's daily employment in worldly affairs. Now such, in fact, we find true religion to be; and perhaps we cannot arrive at a just notion of its nature and design more readily and clearly, than by tracing the resemblance that exists between our several vocations as members of society, and that vocation to which we have all been called as members of the kingdom of Christ. If we look round, then, upon the world, and observe how its concerns are regulated, we shall find that all, except a few of the more wealthy, the well-government of whose possessions is of itself a sufficient occupation-except these, that all who are capable of labour, are destined, from their earliest youth, to pursue some employment, calling, or profession, as a means of providing themselves, and those who are dependent upon them, with the

Accord

necessaries and comforts which their station in life requires. This is, or ought to be, the history of every individual among us; for, to say nothing at present of labour and industry being a Christian duty, the good sense and general opinion of mankind are unanimous in declaring, that it belongs to every individual in the community to contribute his share to the welfare and worldly prosperity of the family of which he is a part, and the state of which he is a member. ingly, though there are to be found, in all neighbourhoods, persons who prefer idleness to useful employment, and ease to industry, yet so strong is the feeling of self-interest, and so clear the duty of activity, that the great majority of mankind wisely follow the rule which I have mentioned, and bring up their offspring to some useful calling or profession. Now to ensure any reasonable prospect of success in such pursuit, a great, and, in some cases, a very long process of previous training and education, is absolutely necessary. Many sacrifices are made, much

pains is taken, and many pleasures are passed by, in order to make ourselves duly qualified to discharge the duties attached to our occupations. No one, however humble his calling may be, who possesses such a feeling as it becomes us all to possess, is willing to rest satisfied with but an inadequate knowledge of his own employment, and to be esteemed, and to feel himself, degradingly inferior to those who have enjoyed no greater advantages than himself. The estimation in which he is held by his neighbours, and, in most cases, the profits of his pursuit, depend in a great measure upon his skill and industry; and thus, independent of that higher motive a sense of duty to God and man-we generally find, that the incitements which the world affords-the necessity of previous education in all pursuits, the necessity of long study in some cases, and of manual dexterity in others; the fear of disgrace, the desire of fame, and the prospect of gain, are quite sufficient to lead most men to pay a due regard to their worldly vocation. We see