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These, together with all other reasons, why "the word preached does not profit those who hear it," may be summed up in one word-unbelief. The word of God, we are told, is capable of producing the most important effects, connected with the present happiness, and future salvation of the soul; but it "effectually worketh only in them that believe." They who hear the word profitably, hear it under a deep and sensible conviction of their natural ignorance, blindness, and depravity: in a prostrate submission to the divine will, as it is revealed in the Holy Scriptures; in an humble reception of it, as the pure word of God, not the word of man; and, therefore, not to be moulded as they please, to meet their natural views; but to be obeyed and adopted, as their infallible guide, and the unerring, uncompromising rule of their faith and conduct. The faith they mix with it is the special gift of God, by which they are enabled to see and comprehend it, in its transforming efficacy; and to "receive it in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance :" and thus, with an enlightened understanding, and a divinely di

rected judgment, looking into the perfect law of liberty, and by grace continuing therein, not being "forgetful hearers, but doers of the work, they are blessed in their deed;"--blessed to their best advantage here, and blessed to the ultimate attainment of an incorruptible crown of glory.

My dear brethren, if the Israelites in the wilderness were favoured with very great privileges, and yet were excluded from the enjoyment of the land of promise, because of their unbelief; if the word of God be really unprofitable to the soul, unless mixed with faith in them that hear it; and if it be true that so many fail of profiting by it, for the reasons I have stated, as well as for other reasons which might be mentioned, it becomes a question, in the answer to which you all have a most important interestwhat effect the gospel of Christ, as recommended to your attention, has had upon you? Have you believed it :-savingly and experimentally believed it? Do you individually know what is meant by the gospel being "the power of God unto salvation ?" If you say you have believed the gospel, and that it has been profitable to you, upon what

evidence are you satisfied, and what proof do you give to others, that you are not deceived? Do you really know "the love that God has" to sinners? Can men discover in you those fruits of holiness by which the people of Christ are distinguished from others? It was a most important caution which our Lord uttered:" Take heed how

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ye hear." If you say you have heard the gospel to good purpose, are you showing yourselves to be under its practical influence, by a fearless confession of Christ before men; by a decided coming out from the maxims and spirit of an ungodly world; by a resolute determination to live to the glory of Christ; by a willingness to encounter the scoffs and opposition of men, who are "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God?" If you have not so heard the word preached, if this be not your consequent character, and if you do not so hear it, nor are so conformed to it, you will never attain to the "rest that remaineth to the people of God." And, oh! how dreadful to think, that many who have never had the lengthened enjoyment of your privileges, shall sit down in the kingdom of hea

en with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, hile you are cast out, and bid to depart om the presence of God for ever! May e God of grace avert so awful a calamity! nd show you the things which belong to our everlasting peace, before they be hid om your eyes! And may it never be said f you, after long abuse of the long-suffering oodness and mercy of God,-" Because I ave called, and ye refused; I have stretchd out my hand, and no man regarded, but e have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof, I also will augh at your calamity: I will mock when Four fear cometh."

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SERMON VI.

THE INVITATION OF CHRIST.

ST. MATTHEW Xi. 28.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

OUR Church, in the most interesting, spiritual, and experimental of her services, describes these as "comfortable words:" "Hear what comfortable words our Saviour, Christ, saith unto all that truly turn unto Him." To such as do truly turn to Him they must indeed be comfortable; if by "turning to Him," we are to understand, the exercise of that living faith, through which God justifieth the ungodly; and by which all the blessings of the everlasting covenant-pardon, righteousness, peace, grace, and eternal life, are made the

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