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your destinies in both worlds with those of God's people? Does the solemn choice appear any the less wise, than at the decisive moment, when you joyfully bound yourselves to be the Lord's, and one of his afflicted people? Do afflictions, reproaches, and persecutions that fall upon you, make your hearts turn back, and covet the short lived pleasures of sin? Are any of you of the number of professed believers, who by some secret reservation, seem to think themselves released from following Christ and with his disciples, except on certain conditions-except he leads you through smooth paths-except he lays on you no heavy burden-except he requires of you no painful task-except he asks of you no acts of self-crucifixion-except he remits a part of his plan and order in respect to you? Then you had better keep away from this sealing ordinance, until you are prepared unconditionally to vow to your Lord and Master-as did Ruth to Naomi-Whither thou goest, I will go and where thou lodgest I will lodge-thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God!

But beloved, I trust this is the language of most of our hearts, although I thus speak. With this sentiment in your hearts, open your eyes on the great objects of faith. Behold the Saviour, and thence gain some new views of the lightness of your affliction compared with what he bore. Through the visions of a quickened faith, take a nearer and clearer view of the littleness of your earthly sorrows compared with the surpassing greatness of eternal pleasures at God's right hand. Look away to unseen things, and deepen the conviction of the wisdom of your choice. Gaze amidst these scenes, and afresh bind your souls to the cause and the people of God. Bend a believing eye on these objects, and learn a lesson of patience. It will soon be over. The warfare will soon be accomplished. The last agony will speedily wring your hearts. The last struggle in a little moment will place crowns of everlasting victory on your heads. Soon in the hearts of rising generations, in the chronicles of heaven it shall be written of you-THESE ALL DIED IN FAITH, having come out of much tribulation and washed their robes white in the blood of the Lamb !

SERMON XVIII.

Characteristic of True Faith.

ISAIAH XXVIII. 16.

HE THAT BELIEVETH SHALL NOT MAKE HASTE.

It is a common remark, that the inspired volume exceeds all others in the brevity and comprehensiveness of its language. With inimitable clearness, it often indicates by a single word or phrase, qualities and traits of character, which uninspired men describe by a laborious accumulation of epithets. Many of the virtues which are deemed estimable among men, being often included in some one religious or moral quality, have their nature and tendency luminously portrayed by the pen of inspiration in only a brief clause. Men of great learning and acuteness have written ably on decision, consistency, and stability of character. But while they have abundantly shown its importance, their efforts, though swollen into volumes, have almost entirely failed to disclose the source or cause of this most desirable quality. The bible, however, points directly to this source. It developes at once what alone can give consistency to the human character. It shows us, in a word, its true spring and essence. It informs us, that faith in Christ is the grand secret of genuine decision, or fixedness of character in man. HE THAT BELIEVETH, SHALL NOT MAKE HASTE.

These words were addressed by the prophet to a class of individuals, who in the stubbornness of a rebellious spirit, were determined to escape from all the restraints of piety, and who with finished presumption were using such language as this: We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement -when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves. Assured as he was, that, notwithstanding their boasted covenant and agreement with death and hell, they were not at ease, but were still the subjects of fear and alarm; and in their refuge of lies, were conscious of insecurity, the devout Isaiah announced to them, in the language of the Most High, that there was an antidote for their fears, a refuge from peril-a place where they might be safe, when the overwhelming scourge should pass through. Thus saith the Lord God, Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone-a sure foundation he that BELIEVETH, shall not make haste. He that confides in this, makes this his refuge, and is built on this sure foundation, shall not be agitated, dismayed, and thrown into confusion, when dangers threaten-shall not be driven to false refuges, when troubles come; but shall feel a sacred consciousness of safety from the one, and of quiet repose amidst the other.

Such is the connexion, and obvious sentiment of the text. Christians in the exercise of true faith shall not make haste. Their steps are not only safe, but uniform. Their progress is at once secure and steady. It is not the fitful flash of the meteor, but the steady warm glow of the morning light, shining more and more unto the perfect day. In all the varied circumstances in which they are placed in whatever posture they are called to act, christians, swayed by a lively faith, will evince its operation by a uniform, a decided, and consistent character.

I. They will thus show the influence of their faith in time of danger. Believers have no security against the approach of dangers. Indeed, they are exposed to a more numerous array, than an apostle thought proper to enumerate. Their very character renders them obnoxious to many, and those too of no ordinary magnitude, of which the unbelieving multitude are entirely unconscious. Every step in their progress is thronged with hosts of spiritual enemies. In many of the objects which minister to their innocent gratification and delight, lie often concealed their deadliest foes. Amidst scenes of refined and rational enjoyment, dangers of threatening aspect are constantly springing up. But the shield of faith is their protection. "What time they are afraid they trust in God." And because they believe, when dangers thicken along their path, they are neither thrown into an attitude of haste and alarm, nor driven into precipitate defence. Because cordially resting on the sure foundation, they find themselves on safe ground-none of these things move them. The psalmist has expressed the feelings of all believers in seasons of peril. The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fearthough war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

Whether the danger threatens their own personal well being, or the interests of religion in the world, they pursue the same steady and consistent course. Having an undoubting persuasion that all things will work together for the good of such as love God, and that no weapon formed against his church shall prosper, they hasten not to adopt their own counsels, nor are they hurried into any questionable expedients; but calmly wait the counsel and direction of God. They are as far from being induced, through unbelief and impatience, to look only on existing appearances, and to consult

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