SERMON IV.

DELIVERED BY EDWARD HICKS IN FRIENDS' MEETING HOUSE, HESTER-STREET, new-york; FIRST DAY AFTERNOON, THE 15TH OF FIFTH MONTH, 1825.

THE affecting and encouraging intimation of our blessed Saviour to the desponding soul has been very feelingly brought to my mind in my private exercises, since I came into this meeting in which he made use of language on this wise "Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Come unto me is the language. This is the only place, and we can never find rest to our souls but by coming to Christ. The Apostle Paul in the course of his religious experience found that there remained a rest unto the people of God. And although many may suppose that the testimony respecting the condition where "the wicked cease from troubling, and where the weary be at rest," refers to a future state, yet I have no doubt that it may be experienced in a degree in the present. For the apostle says, "he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his." Now what are we to understand

by this? Many think it will furnish an argument that this means the day of rest. But I believe that the apostle went deeper, and considered the rest to be the condition into which the soul of man should be brought. The soul of man was created in the image of God and must partake of his nature. It must be clothed with his attributes. Yet how difficult it is to be still! But we never can know by experience the rest spoken of, until we come to cease from our own works, as God did from his. It is stated in the scriptures of truth, that after creating the universe he rested on the seventh day, and from this many think the seventh part of time more holy and consecrated than the rest. The corporeal sense would think that on the seventh day the Creator sat down, as it were to rest, having ceased from creating. But the more rational soul will consider that He might have gone on, creating worlds forever, and never been tired. All God's children rest when they cease from their own works. Man, being created in the image of God, is a very active creature, and has been creating little worlds for his own glory. Have you not often witnessed with what activity their minds are employed, when engaged in this work? But this activity is injurious to the soul; for this it is which keeps us from the enjoyment of that peace which forms the rest of

the people of God. They set their ingenuity to work to create something of their own hands which shall furnish to them a source of enjoyment—and it is one of God's greatest blessings that he has demolished these temples. It is a great mercy that he has frustrated these plans of happiness. When these vain defences are swept away, the soul feels weary and heavy laden, and in a proper state to come unto his rest. O the goodness and mercy of God! Jesus our Saviour is still inviting us. He addresses every soul, “Come unto me, ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Come unto Christ and he will give you that rest which remaineth for the people of God. Cease from all your own willings and runnings-follow after his pattern, be guided by his precepts, and he will give you rest. This is the city of rest; a city which hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it; for the glory of God doth light it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. Why do ye spend your precious time in the pursuit of that which can never bring you into his, rest? Come to the rest in the Holy Jérusalem, having the glory of God, clear as crystal. Strive to enter into it through the pearl gates, there alone is safety-for without it are dogs. There is deep instruction in this. The soul that has not come to this, is in jeopardy, and in a state of

confusion and darkness; and in this state shall we continue until we enter in through the pearl gates. If ye are buried with Christ in baptism, no matter by what name or denomination ye are called. I have no doubt that there are many among the various professors of Christ who are allowed to enter the peaceable city. Here they are brought within the sacred enclosure, where the everlasting Shepherd feeds his flock, and gives them rest at noon. The dog, without the gates, is a voracious animal, and disturbs the flock; but the spirit of the dog may be sometimes found even among those who fill the highest seats. Christ said, give not that which is holy unto dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. Has this an outward allusion? No-it is used as a figure. The dog is a carnivorous animal. He scents out his game, and pursues it with eagerness. He seeks after the innocent and helpless little animals, and makes a prey of them. Christ knew this, and therefore he gave forth a caution, and told his disciples not to give that which was holy to them, for it rather increased than appeased their voratious nature. This was apparent in the case of the Scribes and Pharisees. It is evident that all Christ's miracles and wonderful works had no other effect upon them than to increase

holy to dogs, for it

the voracity of their doggish spirit. Now therefore, brothers and sisters, let us look well to our state and condition. Let us see whether we are yet within the city. A confused spirit is going forth in the world. Our Saviour told us not to give that which is would answer no valuable purpose. It would not satisfy their rage nor excite their kindness. Resist them not for it is better even to be turned out of the synagogue than to resist with violence. Follow after this pattern. He gave up -he made no contention. "I could pray to my Father, he said, and he should presently give me more than twelve legions of angels." But he quietly submitted to the iniquity of their doggish spirit, and this lamb-like disposition on his part did more to exalt the glory of his kingdom than all the outward acts of his life. He had no idea of making resistance. He knew it was in his power to do so, but he yielded to the dispensations of his Heavenly Father. There is great danger of coming into contact with the dog-like spirit. The Scribes and Pharisees retained it to the last stage. They committed the unpardonable sin. Why? Because they knew betterthey sinned against knowledge. They admitted to Nicodemus that none could do those mighty things which he wrought except they were sent from God. But darkness covered their minds.