be questioned for the following reasonsfirst, there is found among nominal Christians a deplorable degree of ignorance respecting the gospel dispensation: secondly, there is visible among them, a shameful neglect of christian duties: thirdly, they discover an unaccountable indifference to the christian cause.

First-There is found among nominal Christians a deplorable degree of ignorance respecting the gospel dispensation. Though the bible is in our hands; though it is publicly and statedly explained; and though an almost infinite variety of helps have been published and disseminated through every part of our land for this very purpose; yet the true intent and meaning of the gospel seems to be very little understood by professing Christians in general. The prophecies which preceded the publication of that gospel, and the immediate effects produced by that publication, are passed over with a strange insensibility, as circumstances of very trivial interest. The sacred character and extraordinary advent of our condescending Lord, the full atonement he made for sin,

the wonderful efficacy of divine grace, and the scriptural method of salvation—these important doctrines, for the most part, are neither felt nor comprehended by those who bear the Christian name. Whenever they are questioned on these fundamental points, they either make no reply, or they stammer out such an answer as renders it too evident, that they are absolute novices even in the rudimental parts of our holy religion. They cannot endure to be lessoned on these subjects, and shew a great unwillingness to associate with any who are likely to touch on these unwelcome topics. Such poor and insignificant characters as these are far from being uncommon among us. We meet them in our daily walks; we mix with them in our public assemblies; and number them among our general acquaintance. They hear the word, but they do not receive it. It never melts their hearts, nor does it ever form the subject of their meditation. They sit under its ministrations with the most perfect indifference, neither alarmed by its threatenings, nor encouraged by its promises; wholly ignorant of its saving power, and apparently incapable of profiting by it.

Secondly-There is discoverable among the professed disciples of Christ, a shameful neglect of christian duties. Prayer, self-denial, renunciation of the world, and a fearless confession of Christ before men, are usually counted among the prime duties of Christianity: let us then observe how these duties are performed among us.

As to the grand duty of prayer—it is every where either wholly or partially neglected, There are christian families who never assemble together for the purpose of social worship. They are never seen to bow the knee in homage to the great King of all the earth. They never draw near to kiss the sceptre of his love, or renew their vows of allegiance; to solicit his protection, or praise him for his goodness. They are totally unacquainted with the sublime and hallowed feelings of those who are accustomed to bring their morning and evening sacrifices before God; when parents and children, superiors and dependants, pour out their consenting souls together at the throne of grace. As persons of this description never consecrate their houses to God by solemn acts of supplication and thanksgiving; so there are

others who do but occasionally engage in these religious exercises. Perhaps on a sabbath evening, or when labouring under the pressure of some severe affliction, they draw nigh unto God in prayer, if haply He may be moved thereby to deliver them out of their distress. But, on ordinary occasions, they manifest no inclination of this sort; lying down and rising up, without entertaining one serious thought of Him, who giveth them all things richly to enjoy.

With regard to self-denial.-A great majority of Christ's professed followers are so far from perceiving its necessity or approving its practice, that their chief study is, how they may minister more abundantly to the gratification of their natural appetites. They refuse to bear the cross of Christ; and, instead of crucifying the flesh with its affections and lusts, the secret language of their hearts is like that of the sensualist in the gospel-Soul, take thine ease; eat, drink, and

be merry.

As to renouncing the world-our hearers seem almost to forget that such renunciation forms a part of their baptismal covenant. They contemplate the world under every

alluring point of view and so wholly are they indisposed to form any purpose of rejecting it, with all its pomps and vanities, that it is the very idol which they have set up in their hearts and their houses, and before which they burn daily incense. The present evil world is the grand object of their pursuit. And though an apostle hath said, Love not the world, nor the things of the world; for if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him-yet, notwithstanding all that the inspired writers can urge to the contrary, they persist in adopting its manners, applauding its maxims, and courting its favour; admiring and delighting in it under all its vain and varying forms.

Nor is it otherwise, with respect to the indispensable obligation of confessing Christ before men. Perhaps there is no christian duty more generally disregarded than this. As Peter once denied his Master, lest he should involve himself in all the danger and disgrace of his rejected Lord; so many thousands of his professed followers, for the very same reason, are still adopting the same pusillanimous conduct. They are disinclined to talk much of Christ, whose name they