the scriptures for divine truths, as for the pearl of great price or on his knees imploring larger measures of grace to be able to rise above the world, and have the heart of stone changed, by the silent operations of the spirit, to the heart of flesh? Has he cast worldly pleasures behind his back, or trodden its gains under his feet, when he felt that his Saviour required him to "take up his cross and follow him?" Has he laboured to subdue the natural feelings of pride, self-seeking, and resentment, that in meekness, lowliness of heart, and love to enemies, he might have within himself the witness that he was approaching heaven by the same steps which his Lord had trodden before him? did he, finally, count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ; and, enduring with patience this present state of trial, look forward with earnest hope to the time when he should "depart and be with Christ;" repeating the words of the good apostle, "to me to live is Christ and to die is gain?" This is "living unto Christ "this, only this, is indeed to be a Christian.

Upon these conditions, and no other, can we have assurance that, as the spirit of Christ is in us, so are we truly his; and that, being of his people, we shall for ever dwell with him in heaven.

Yet of the thousands who, in different degrees, resemble the character I have drawn, the world and themselves, if they have no precise expectation of salvation, certainly have no idea that they shall be sentenced with "the wicked and all the people that forget God." But to you who now hear me I appeal—have I falsely stated the demands of Christ our common master, or the conditions of salvation? Have I not rather proved, and that without a possibility of denial, that because

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straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life"-because the generality of men will live unto themselves

-"many are called but few are chosen?"

SERMON V.

THE EFFECTS OF BAPTISM.

MARK, xvi. 16.

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.

THERE are seasons in the lives of most persons, when the question "what shall I do to be saved?" comes before their minds with especial force, and leads them to enter upon a serious enquiry for a time, though it may presently be diverted and smothered by worldly pursuits. In the course of that enquiry, it is natural that they should consider the information which the lips of Christ himself have delivered, as that most decisive of the question, and entitled to their chief consideration: though in truth,

every part of scripture being "given by inspiration of God," has the same authority. In the text, our blessed master expressly and distinctly makes the salvation of our souls to depend upon two conditions, belief and baptism. We have, therefore, his warrant to rest our hope securely upon our fulfilment of these: but as his declaration is given in two words only, which may by possibility be wrongly understood, we ought to get satisfaction respecting their full and true meaning: for that hope can scarcely be strong enough to give comfort, which is built upon an indistinct, imperfect understanding of our Saviour's promise. Let your attention then accompany me, while I "search the scriptures" to discover, what portion belongs to baptism in the work of our salvation; how far, and in what sense, our having been baptized permits us to hope for everlasting life.

Our first inquiries lay open this unquestionable truth; that the ceremony of baptism is, as our church declares, "generally necessary to salvation;" that is, necessary in every case where it may be rightly and

duly administered. Situations may easily be conceived, where "the outward sign or form" cannot be applied; here, if “the inward spiritual grace" be not wanting, the absence of the forms will be no hindrance to salvation. That in circumstances, however, under which baptism may be had, it is absolutely necessary to eternal life, the express language of scripture, coupled with the known practice of the earliest Christians, leaves no room to doubt.

When Peter first preached the gospel after he was filled with the Holy Ghost; "the same day there were added to the disciples three thousand souls." To these persons who "were pricked in their hearts," and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, "men and brethren, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent, and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." To mention no other examples, we find the same course followed in the cases of the family of Cornelius, the eunuch, the households of Lydia, and the jailor. We know,