and shapeless block, will gradually bring up the lost and sinful creature “to a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ."

If we now look back and trace the progress we have made in this inquiry, we shall find that this is the sum. That in coming into the world, it was our blessed Lord's design" to redeem us," not simply from punishment but, “from all iniquity," and to "purify to himself a peculiar people zealous of good works"-" to present us holy and unblameable and unreproveable in the sight of God:" that this design had its origin in actual necessity from the order and nature of things: and finally, that sufficient means for its accomplishment were at the same time appointed and provided.

If we receive this for an evangelical truth, and I do not see how it can be denied, its consequences must unavoidably force themselves upon every mind.

In the miserable ruin which sin has brought down upon the world; under the expectation of that terrible destruction,

8 Colossians, i. 22.

which it will at last provoke from the great Judge, when the fountains of long-withheld indignation are broken up, and the windows of heaven are opened to shower down the fierceness of God's wrath: under these circumstances, we know that there is no safety, no salvation, but for those who enter the ark of Christ's holy church: that church was appointed, was designed for the special purpose of renewing the heart of man to righteousness, and of making him partaker of the divine nature: if we refuse to be thus renewed, if we love our present carnal state, and desire not to be partakers of the divine nature, will not the door of the ark be shut against uswill not the Master say, "begone from me, I know you not?" To speak more plainly still Christ will have none of you for

his people, save those who study to have their hearts and their lives formed after his heavenly example; none, save those who "with well-doing seek for glory and honour and immortality.' " h It is in vain

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that we call him Lord, Lord," if we "do

Romans, ii. 7.

not the things which he say;" it is in vain that we talk of God's mercy to sinners, and of Christ's blood which was shed for many for the remission of sins; until we are delivered from the love and power of sin, there is no deliverance from its punishment. What are we that we should choose one half of the gospel of life, forgiveness of our offences; and cast away the other equally precious half, the sanctification of our souls, renewal to righteousness. If the gospel be thus divided, like the child in the judgment of Solomon, both halves will be found equally dead and worthless.

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Finally, brethren, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think of these things;" discover, whatever it may cost, "what manner of spirit ye are of." Take the word of life, keep it before you, study it without ceasing, and compare what you are with what you ought to be; if your thoughts be not now Christian thoughts, if your practices be not now Christian practices, cast them from you as a polluted give diligence to make your

garment;

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i Phil. iv. 8.

calling and election sure;" "work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his own good pleasure." Bear ever in mind that you are no Christian if you do not glorify him who hath called you; and "hereby is your Father glorified that ye bear much fruit;" for if you be called Christians, and the gospel have produced in you no fruit, have wrought no spiritual change in your hearts, the intention of the gospel is frustrated in you, and the work of the Lord dishonoured.

SERMON XV.

ON SAVING FAITH.

ST. JAMES, ii. 17.

Faith, if it have not works, is dead, being alone..

THE error, which St. James reproves in this chapter, of trusting for salvation to faith, and forgetting the necessity of good works or righteousness of life, is not confined to his times. Many Christians in the present age have fallen into the same, and probably from the same cause their minds have been so strongly impressed by those texts in St. Paul's epistles, which appear to speak lightly of works and highly of faith, as the sole means of salvation, that they have given no attention to other pas