for mortar. So the Christian professors at the present day have the scriptures of truth, which are an effect, a record of that divine wisdom which is above all the knowledge and sciences of the earth; and with them they are building towers, the tops of which they intend shall reach to heaven. If we build a tower so as to serve a valuable purpose, we should go to God as our foundation. But what are we building with? Is it with the divine wisdom, or our own creaturely imaginations? How much better would it be to turn inward, and gather materials there for erecting that spiritual building which would be an everlasting covering to us in the storm! We live indeed in the enjoyment of all outward blessings, but what are our returns of gratitude? How can we manifest the gratitude we owe to the Lord, but by surrendering ourselves wholly to him! Take home with you therefore these reflections, and consider whether your love is fixed upon your Heavenly Father. We all have one supreme love, and that decides the will. If our greatest concern is to procure to ourselves a name, and praise, and popularity among men, we acknowledge that we do not love God, and that all our religion is to make gain of the profession of godliness.

A religion without godliness or righteousness is worse than none. Those who thus profess it are hypocrites, and those are better who profess nothing. They are in a more dangerous condition, even than those who are indifferent about it, and make no profession at all. Let such as have only the form of godliness, by a close investigation, search out their own hearts. Nothing is to be lost, and every thing to be gained by such an examination. Can we hope to deceive the Almighty? Can we, by forms and ceremonials, and by the vain fashions of a deceitful world, expect to elude his justice? Would to God that this might not be the case of one individual present! But it is fatally true that there are many, up and down, making great professions of religion, who have little of the fear or love of God. The doctrine which purifies the heart and directs the life unto salvation, produces a fear in the mind of wounding that which we love. We are always anxious so to mark our course as to retain the affections of a beloved object. God invites us to give up self-to come out from the world, and to place our vain desires on the altar of self-denial. The only way to become the sons of God, is to be led by the spirit of God. As we make him our God, we become his sons and daughters.

There is no other way of obtaining relationship to him. We must surrender our earthly delights, and if we do not, it is equivalent to attempting to take away his prerogative. We should not exercise a will independently of our Heavenly Father. A disposition to do so, is the spring of evil to our souls, and by it we are led to prefer our own will to the will of God. But the sacrifice must be first made, before we can attain unto righteousness. It is a hard saying that "except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you." What does it mean? It intends that unless ye take up the same spirit, and yield with the same submission to your Heavenly Father, thereby partaking of the holy nature which enabled him to perfect the great work which he was sent to accomplish, ye have no life in you. The simile of an animal was made use of, as one animal finds sustenance by the flesh of another, partaking of the same nature, and obtaining nourishment therefrom. Let me therefore, tell you for your encouragement that if you counteract not the strivings of his spirit, and are willing to bow to his sceptre, you may become the children of God -the sons and daughters of the Most High. Blessed condition! I speak from experience what I have seen, and what my hands have

handled of the words of life-there is one thing needful, to wait for the rising of the true light, which in God's own time will beam upon you. For nothing but this righteous principle, which is the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world, can guide you to glory. It was this light which enabled Jesus Christ to become what he was. It is this light which enables us to fulfill the great end of our creation, to glorify God, and enjoy him forever.

But let us not deceive ourselves. Let us not imagine ourselves to be walking by the true light; when, at the same time, we are wallowing in our own pollution and filthiness. If we profess the gospel, let us proceed to the work, take off all our ornaments, and all the superfluities and vanities of the world, Let us do away our clothing, in a religious sense, and consider it as a burthen, even to think of the vain ornaments of pride. His hands will not spare, nor his eye pity, until the great work shall be done. Before we can come to experience the true light we must subcue our wills and vain imaginations and bring them into subjection unto God. We must strive after those feelings which animate and enable us to become the sons of God. For if we are children, then are we sons—and if sons, then heirs heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.

Here the real Christian experiences the true fellowship of God-this is the earnest of his inheritance. He must arrive at this knowledge or what will become of his soul? It must sink into perdition, and lie down in sorrow. Let us, therefore, be up and a doing, and manifest ourselves to be a willing people. Then shall Christ be beautiful to us. Then shall we behold the King in his glory. Then shall we enjoy the happiness of the Heavenly state, and have full assurance of attaining that peace which consists in obedience to the will of God, and of that righteousness which shall give joy and rest forever and ever.

I have often been led to mourn over a weak and backsliding generation, and especially over our own sins. When we contrast the plain and unadorned simplicity of our fathers, with the dress and address of the present day, we have great cause of lamentation. We have become estranged from the purity and simplicity of the gospel. Prosperity in worldly concerns has hidden from us the light. It turns out in the providence of God, that the truth always prospers best under persecution. We have become so flourishing that we mingle with the pride of life, and