ready for it? Are we in a state of habitual-are we in a state of actual-preparation? We may ascertain this by our readiness to die. None are ready for a judgment day but those who are ready for a death day. If our sins lie down with us in the grave, they will rise with us and appear against us in the judgment. In a word, be concerned from a consideration of judgment to come, to hold fast the profession of your faith without wavering. Hence says the Apostle to the Thesssalonian church, 2d epistle, "Now we beseech you brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Abound in the duties of religion

Preparation for it consists in these two things: professing the doctrines and practicing the duties of Christianity—In holding the mystery of faith, in a pure conscience, holding it fast, holding it forth

SERMON,

BY THE REV. THOMAS HAMILTON.

Preached in Philadelphia, July, 1815.

"Who is on the Lord's side?" (Exodus xxxii. 26.)

BOTH the political and the religious world are divided into a great many sects. Each is zealous to enlarge and extend its own power and interest. Opposing banners are displayed and strenuous exertions are made to enlist persons to serve under them. But in this selfish struggle for superiority and pre-eminence, the glory of God, which should be the chief aim, is in a great measure overlooked and disregarded. Rallying around their own standard, they cry with Jehu—“ Who is on my side? Who?" Whereas their language, with that of Moses, the servant of the Lord, should be "Who is on the Lord's side?" Highly memorable and mournful was the occasion on which Moses uttered these words. The congregation of Israel had been guilty of a most foul and general departure from the Lord their God. During the absence of Moses on the mount, where he received from the immediate hand of God, the law written upon two tables of stone, they became impatient, and gathering themselves to Aaron they said"Up, make us gods which shall go before us, for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him." Accordingly they framed and worshipped a golden calf. When Moses was apprised of the heinous offence which they had committed, he descended from the mount, and proceeded to inflict on the most conspicuous transgressors, exemplary vengeance. Standing in the gate of the camp, he cried, "Who is on the Lord's side? Let him come unto me." We are informed that, "All the sons of Levi gathered themselves unto him, aud putting their sword by their side, at the commandment of the Lord, they

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went in and out from gate to gate, throughout the camp, and slew every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbor."

This whole transaction is recorded for our admonition, on whom the ends of the world are come. The unbelief and depravity which excited the children of Israel to idolatry, are not extinct. They exist, they operate, they reign in the minds of all natural men. They prompt persons to an idolatry more secret and refined, but not less criminal than the worship of the golden calf. Now, as well as formerly, to this assembly as well as to that of Israel, the Lord is saying, "Who is on the Lord's side?" He is not indeed calling his servants to be instruments of his vengeance on them who are his enemies, though they may be even gross idolaters and transgressors of his law, and rebels against his government. But he is calling them to distinguish themselves from others, and to show that they are on the Lord's side.

In the prosecution of this subject, we shall

I. Consider what is intended by the "Lord's side;"

II. What it is to be on his side; and

III. The seasons, when in a particular manner the Lord is calling on us to appear on his side.

I. We shall consider what is intended by the "Lord's side;" and it includes the following things:

1. The Lord has an interest in the world.

This is very important and diversified. He has indeed an universal interest. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. He is the Creator, and Preserver, and Governor of all things. His kingdom ruleth over all. But the interest of which we are speaking is confined to the church, his visible kingdom.

It is his word, including all the truths which it contains. These are very precious in his eyes. His glory is intimately concerned in their reception, preservation, and influence among

men.

It is his worship, the religious homage to which he is entitled from all, and especially from his professed people, to whom the call is, "For he is thy Lord, and worship thou him." And the ordinances in which he is to be worshipped,-these we are required to receive, observe, keep pure and entire. The honor of his name is much concerned in the purity of his worship. A high offence is offered to him, when men either neglect his worship, or worship him in any way not appointed in his word.

It is his law. This comprehends all the precepts and rules

which are found in the word of God, and which are summarily comprehended in the ten commandments, which bear an impress of his authority, wisdom and holiness. They are holy, just and good, and the observance of them is universally required. God is glorified by obcdience to his law, and dishonored by the violation of its precepts, either in heart, lips, or life.

It is his people, who are represented as his portion and inheritance. "The Lord's portion is his people, and Jacob is the rod of his inheritance," his treasure, his jewels, a crown of glory and a royal diadem in his hand. They are called his chosen people, the redeemed and ransomed of the Lord, his children, and above all, his spouse, in whom he takes great delight. "Thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah; for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married."

It is his work. The Lord has a work going on in the church on earth. With respect to this Habbakuk prays, "O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years." This work is two-fold, visible and invisible; commenced and carried on in the heart, and thence extending its influence into the actions of the life. "He that hath begun the good work, will carry it on unto the day of Jesus Christ." And as he has a private personal work, so he has a public ecclesiastical work. This work has for its object a pure and spiritual administration of the ordinances and laws of the house of God. It is subject to vicissitudes. Sometimes it has been low, at other times it has been eminently prosperous.

2. There is opposition made to the Lord's interest, which renders it his cause. A cause is the subject of litigation. He has had a cause ever since he has had an interest in the world; for his interest has always been opposed, resisted, and disputed. "I will put enmity between thee and the woman, between thy seed and her seed." (Gen. iii. 15.) In allusion to a court of judicature, where causes are considered and issued between man and man, the Lord is represented as producing witnesses in his behalf, against those who opposed his divine claims and prerogatives. "Fear ye not, neither be

afraid; have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? Ye are even my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? Yea, there is no God; I know not any." (Isa. xliv. 8.) "Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord; and my servant whom I have chosen." (Isa. xliii. 10.) "Who will contend with me?" says Christ; "let us stand together; Who is mine adversary? Let him come near to me." (Isa. 1. 8.) The opposi

tion which is made to the Lord's interest in the world springs from various sources. There are diabolical enemies. The fallen spirits who kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, began to oppose the authority of God in Eden, in the seduction of our first parents from their allegiance to God. They have been unwearied ever since, in the most malignant and hostile attacks, to counteract the divine will and government. They have succeeded in drawing men into the practice of every kind of sin. The works of the devil are most extensive, complicated and mischievous. He has brought desolation and ruin into the world. There are human enemies of the government and glory of God. Under the influence of their father, the devil, the sons of men have erected the standard of rebellion. "Ye are of your father, the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do." Multitudes of them worship and serve the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. "Becoming vain in their imagination and their foolish heart being darkened, they have changed the glory of God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts and creeping things." Of those who profess to be the worshippers of the true God, how many have corrupted his worship and his word? They have sought out inventions, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. How much error, and superstition, and willworship prevail in churches called Christian, and even Reformed! How much opposition is made to the work of the Lord, both of sanctification and reformation! How is the holy and righteous law of God trampled under foot! Iniquity abounds; it comes in like a flood. How great the enmity which the men of the world discover against the humble followers of Christ. They are reproached, despised, and persecuted.

There are things, which are opposed to the interest of God in the world. Sin and the world are opposed to the glory, honor, and Government of God. Sin makes a malignant opposition to all the prerogatives and perfections of God. It tends to the subversion of the divine throne. It obscures the glory of his attributes, as displayed in the moral government of the world. It strikes against the existence of all of them. It is opposite to the unspotted holiness of God, which is the distinguishing glory of the Deity. It vilifies the wisdom of God, which prescribed the law to men, as the rule of their duty. It bids defiance to the power of God, which will be exercised in punishing sin. It is a high contempt and abuse of the divine goodness, which should constrain man to keep the law of God. It is an implicit denial of the omnis