BE FRUITFUL, AND INCREASING.

dued, no unholy pursuit abandoned, no vice mortified and forsaken. Wherever this is the case, the gospel has not been sincerely received into the heart; it has not been felt as the "power of God unto salvation;" it has not been, as it is designed to be, an effectual instrument of righteousness to the soul. To those, who remain in so careless and indifferent and unimproving a condition, we must say, that "our preaching has been vain, and their faith is also vain."

Possibly there may be some amongst us, who never yet bestowed an adequate attention on this important point; if any such there be, I would urgently exhort them, as they tender the salvation of their souls, to neglect this point no longer; deeply to enquire without delay, whether they are growing in grace, and in the

knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."* Let them enter with earnestness upon this necessary consideration; let it be frequently repeated: Is my faith in

WALK WORTHY OF THE LORD, &c.

creased and strengthened? Is my character more holy, my conduct more upright? Does my temper improve? Are my passions better regulated; my thoughts more spiritual; my devotions more pure and fervent; my affections more detached from the world, more fixed on God and heaven? My life and conversation, are they more accordant with the precepts and the example of my Saviour?

But the topics of enquiry are too numerous to be mentioned; I will only add, that the sincere believer sets the "prize of his high calling" continually before him ; and advances to it, in holiness and righteousness, every day; keeps advancing till his race is run; and thus, when his toil is over, receives the crown of victory, and "enters into the joy of his Lord."

SERMON XV.

THE WORD OF THE LORD PRECIOUS.

I SAM. iii. 1.

The word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.

FROM Moses to Samuel, a period of several hundred years, there was ΠΟ prophet regularly appointed; particular revelations were made to individuals, and occasional messages from heaven were publicly delivered to the people; but there was no acknowledged prophet, to whom they might at all times resort, to know the mind and will of God; or, as it is described in the text, "there was no open vision." The natural consequence was, that such intimations of the divine will, as were then given, made a deeper impres

THE WORD OF THE LORD PRECIOUS.

sion; they were more highly valued and more eagerly sought for, than when the gift of prophecy, in after ages, became When the word of God

more common.

abounded, it was received with indifference; when rarely vouchsafed, it was intently desired.

Such is perpetually, and on all occasions, the perverseness of man: blessings of every description are estimated, not according to their excellence, but their rarity; not according to the ease, but the difficulty, with which they are to be obtained. And further, when in possession of a blessing, we are often utterly insensible of its value; we abuse it in thoughtless excess, and are ready to squander it away; but the moment it is departed, we discover our blindness and folly; and would give, perhaps, all we have, to bring the treasure back again. Meat and drink and raiment, the air we breathe, the sun and the shower, excite no spirit of gratitude, and by many are scarcely received and remembered as blessings; but in the

days of famine and of pestilence, amidst the warfare and desolation of raging elements, these benefits and mercies are painfully acknowledged, and ardently desired. Again: the advantages of civil and religious liberty make little impression upon the hearts of those, by whom they are fully and uninterruptedly enjoyed: it is under the iron arm of intolerance and oppression; it is in the dungeon and the mine, that the excellency of these privileges is learned. And thus it is of domestic happiness and comfort: the value of home is frequently not appreciated, until it is forsaken and lost; the worth of a friend, even of the nearest relative, is sometimes but lightly considered, till he goes hence and is no more seen."

66

These observations are also illustrative of the feelings and conduct of men, in regard to their spiritual privileges and blessings. While the light of divine revelation is shining upon their dwellings, pointing out to them the way of salvation, and opening the prospect of a glorious immor