the general design of the epistle to the Sardisic church, is to point out on the one hand, the uselessness of a mere profession-as when it is said,-"Thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead ;" and on the other, to commend the individuals whose profession was reflected in the life. And who were they, who were thus pointed out? The answer is plain. They were the very individuals to whom a reference already has been so often made, and spoken of as being worthy to walk with Christ in white. These were they, who, in opposition to others, rested not in appearance, nor were they carried away with an external reputation, which some way or other became attached to that particular church. They examined the vital parts of Christianity, and whether they themselves were personally in the faith. In so doing they proved "the things that were excellent." Had this not been the case, it is not likely that there would ever have been pronounced over them, by One who could not be mistaken, the language of the text-"they are worthy." The commendation itself of these individuals, coming as it does from such a quarter, points out to us the honesty of their religious profession,-that, in a word, their profession itself was based upon principle. It is a discovery, so to speak, of their inward feelings, as being what the exterior of their deportment indicated; and here, as in every case, does the declaration of Jehovah appear to be the declaration of truth; that whilst man can look only on the outward appearance, he looketh on the heart. How else could it have been said of these; or how could it be said of any existing church in the present day-" they are worthy," in opposition to others, who sometimes with a fair exterior, are utterly destitute of the inward power of godliness.

2. "They are worthy," inasmuch as they have stood aloof from the corruptions around them. This is just another illustration of the former remark, that their profession of religion was an honest one. But there is also, in addition to this, a distinct reference to the fact, that they had kept themselves pure from the corruptions of the ungodly and false professor. There must have been something in Sardis peculiarly contaminating, to justify the peculiarly descriptive language before us,-" Thou hast a few names even in Sardis ;" as if it was there where iniquity abounded, and where religion was scanty. The "few " that are commended are otherwise referred to as pure in their garments, denoting their separation from the sensualities of the rest. The moral pestilence was raging, and carrying off in its vile grasp many of the people; and it inay have been, many of the professors of religion, who at one time attended on the worship of the Sardisic church, -And here, with reference to these, that pestilence had every thing to consume. Every portion of their profession was hay and stubble. The fire had nothing to purify in this case. Their external reputation stood connected with no principle, by which it might still have been preserved in the day of temptation and trial; whereas where these two were united, or at least where principle existed, the garment of profession was not even " defiled," but shone with a lustre additionally glorious. This was a sight upon which Heaven itself looked down with complacency, and its noblest inscription was written over their foreheads-" these have not defiled their garments." How high the commendation was! It marked the existence of grace in the heart, for nothing but this could have kept them from falling. They were strong in the grace that was given them in Christ

Jesus; and the day of their temptation was simply the day of its efficacy. It is a glorious sight indeed to see the religious little band, in any season of wickedness and irriligion, standing firm in the strength of honest principlesprinciples which their hearts have tried, and which the gospel has provided them. The fewness of their number may lead the spectator sometimes to fear their being seduced and overthrown, or swept away in the tide of popular iniquity; and yet it is here, where Christianity has won her brightest achievements-it is here that her disciples have been more than conquerors, and strong in the grace that was given them in Christ Jesus-it is here where the voice has proclaimed the declaration of the text "these have not defiled their garments," and it is here also where their prospects of glory have been more distinctly opened up to their view. We apprehend that in this way, or in some way similar to this, the "names" that were in Sardis were "worthy." They were tried, and their principles stood the test. A prevailing iniquity was the storm that blew in their face, but they were enabled to resist its fury; or indifference to the claims of the gospel had taken possession of others, which they for themselves were careful to avoid.

3. "They are worthy," inasmuch as they give to religious joy the preference over all others. Had not this been one of the feelings of their hearts they had opportunity sufficient to have sought after the pleasures of the flesh. But like Moses of old, their religion, though encompassed with dangers and trials, taught them to look through the visions of time to the rewards of immortality. What were the pleasures of sin? they might argue. At longest they are only for a season; and at best they are any thing but satisfying. In the opposite scale, they could place as a

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happiness connected with time, the approbation of God and the peace of their own conscience; and as connected with eternity, a full participation of all that religion had promised them. The conclusion they adopted was a plain one,— that rather than make shipwreck of faith, they would still persevere in their profession of Christianity. How did they know but that angels were applauding their conduct, and gathering round to look down upon the names that were in Sardis, and forming above their heads a great cloud of witnesses;-or how did they know but that their noble resolution was hereafter to become an example to posterity, to allure them onward in the path-way of rectitude, and to operate as with the force of conviction on the mind, to shew that the pleasures of religion, even when its profession is attended with danger, are vastly superior to the enjoyments of the world. The "few names in Sardis" then were worthy, for they choose for themselves the worthier part; and their names are now recorded in scripture to present us with motives to perseverance in our profession, despite the fewness of numbers and the aboundings of iniquity. We may see then the bearing which these things ought to have on our own mind. If we are professing the. religion of the cross, what is there expected to accompany that profession? You may have already found out, that it is no very easy thing to stand clear of the temptations of the world; and yet it is necessary that we preserve our garments from pollution. What a mercy it is that grace may be had for every one of our exigencies! Are we not taught then in conclusion

1. The necessity of watchfulness and prayer.

It is not for the Christian to decry an exercise of this kind, or to neglect a duty so important. "Watch and pray,

lest ye enter into temptation." There are many things in the present day especially, which, if followed after, would pollute the garments of our Christian profession.-Of each professor therefore there is expected a watching unto prayer.

2. We are reminded from the subject of the happiness connected with vital Christianity. "These shall walk with me in white." Heaven and its glories are ours. Christ and his society, and the society of angels are ours-robes of immortal purity are ours, if here we be honest in our profession. What has divine grace not promised for our happiness in time also, as well as in eternity? "The Lord God is a sun and shield—the Lord will give grace and glory." "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me on my throne."

3. We perceive the necessity of self-examination. "Lord," said the disciples, "are there few that be saved?" Let our enquiry be this-Are we walking in the way of life? What other evidence is satisfactory? There can be none-absolutely none.