obliged to hold their meetings often in secret, to avoid interruption and persecution. If this be what Paul intended, then these zealous disciples opened their doors for the accommodation of the company of believers. Whatever the danger, they cheerfully incurred it; not now and then only, but constantly. And they, who had exposed their lives for the apostle, exposed them also for the church. The words may bear another sense. By "the church in their house," may be meant their piously regulated family. A church is a select body of Christians, meeting often for the worship of God and for religious instruction, which cheerfully subjects itself to religious order and discipline, and maintains peace and mutual affection. Such is a pious family, under suitable regulation. Such may Paul have regarded the family of Aquila, and greeted under the figure of a church. By a family of this description, exhibiting religion in the domestic sanctuary in one of its most lovely and persuasive attitudes, Aquila and Priscilla, in an important sense, were helpers of Paul in Christ. But it is time to improve our subject.

1. The sketch we have taken of Aquila and Priscilla presents to us a bright example of christian duty in private life. As heads of families, let us be anxious to copy it. They appear truly lovely by the invariable harmony which subsisted between them. Too much care cannot be taken to preserve perfect peace at the head of the family. "Study the things which make for peace," says the apostle. Study, consider, devise, the best means to that end. It is an object worthy of much and daily

reflection; and for this there should be bearing and forbearing; kindness studiously shown, and studiously returned. And further, it is of great importance, that the heads of a family be united in judgment, and views, and counsels, in worthy objects to be obtained, and in the best means for obtaining them. When parents have one plan in their family, and execute it as with a single spirit, uniting their strength, every good thing seems easily accomplished. The children are instructed and governed, and kept affectionate to each other, and dutiful to their parents, and peace and happiness reign throughout the little community. Let me beseech my hearers,

2. To imitate these exemplary persons in extending help and encouragement to their minister. Such sacrifices as were rendered to Paul, by these primitive converts in exposing their lives for his sake, are not needed or desired in these times of peaceful enjoyment of our religion; but you may greatly aid him, in his anxious and eventful labours, by your affectionate hospitality, your constant and exemplary attendance on his ministry, by your pious conversation, and by your prayers. There will be no occasion to complain of any want of affectionate hospitality. He is much affected by the kindness and feeling, with which he is received in his visits to your houses, and returns wishing he could make them much oftener. In these, he is sometimes rejoiced to get near to you in spiritual conversation, and indulges the hope that hints are dropped, which prove more effectual, than the more general in

structions from the pulpit. Hints, thus given, he has learned with joy many years afterward, have been good seed in a good and honest heart, bearing fruit of promise to everlasting life.

Much also, my friends, may you help your minister by your constant attendance on his public ministrations. It gives him courage and hope, to see a full and listening house; it awakens his powers into some degree of energy, and his affections to pathos. And you act on each other, producing a deeper sense of the weighty truths which you hear. Much may you aid your minister by your pious conversation. There should be much of this in the family. As heads of it, you should stir up each others' minds by way of remembrance, and be often dropping seasonable thoughts in the presence of your children, "line upon line, and precept upon precept; here a little, and there a little," as they can bear it, enough to shew that your hearts feel a deep interest in your own, and their salvation. Increase the power of your minister to do them good, by inspiring them with love and respect for his person and ministry. Also, let your devout conversation appear beyond the limits of your own family; let its good influence be diffused around you not ostentatiously-not controversially-not reproachfully to persons of sentiments or of churches different from your own-but with true humility, candor, and kindness.

Once more.

3. Regard the commended character of these primitive disciples in what is said of "the church in their

house." To this end, let your children be dedicated to God. Let them be instructed in the nature of baptism, and the Lord's supper. In every respect, let

them be trained in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Let them be subjected to christian discipline, and maintain from early years a blameless conversation. Then, figuratively at least, your pastor may greet the church that is in your house, and with hope and joy regard it as a nursery for the visible church on earth, and, which is far more important, for the spotless church in glory.

SERMON XVII.

DEATH-BED REPENTANCE.'

LUKE XXiii: 42, 43.

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, to-day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

There is something surprising and touching in these words, the humble and pathetic petition of the dying malefactor, and the princely assurance of the crucified Jesus; a wretched man dying for his crimes, and yet assured of passing immediately to paradise, the place of happy departed spirits, there to be with his Saviour. Precious passage in the blessed gospel! How many, whose sins are of a scarlet color, and a crimson die, upon true repentance and faith in Christ, has this passage encouraged to hope; but how many, alas! has it emboldened to presume! Let us all beware of perverting this historical fact, to delay in religion, hoping to find, at the last hour, that mercy, which was declared to the crucified thief.