of our heavenly friends reaches deeper. By them every hidden crime is witnessed -every deed of darkness known.-Not a pang therefore is spared them. They grieve, so far as grief can be known in heaven, that is to say for our sakes, not for their own-over every transgression, and while we rush blindly on from sin to sin-their number unheeded, their guilt unatoned, they mark every downward step, and sorrow to see the madness that is destroying us.-Shall we, my brethren, by our evil deeds give pain to those whose greatest joy it would be to minister to us, as heirs of salvation?

Yet why do I urge this argument?— What hope is there of its producing any effect? What hope is there, that he will regard the sympathies of angels, who cares not to crucify his Redeemer afresh, and to grieve the Holy Spirit of God.

To those, however, who are not enslaved to sinto those whose desires are fixed on heaven, and who are anxious to profit by every impulse which may

forward them towards the attainment of it, meditation upon the existence and ministry of the angelic host may be of much practical benefit.-It may bring home to our hearts a livelier conviction of the mercy and goodness of God towards us--who, not content with blessing us with all the good things of this bounteous earth-and showering upon us the heavenly treasures of his love in Christ Jesus, extends his minute regard to our daily life, and "gives his angels charge over us, to keep us in all our ways It may teach us a striking lesson of humility. These spirits who excel in strength, and are crowned with glory, do not hesitate, at the bidding of him around whose throne they dwell, to quit their bright abodes, and minister upon earth to us, who are but dust!-Who art thou, O man, that despisest thy brother worm-and art so high exalted that the cry of his affliction cannot reach thee. That Lazarus, clad as he is in

filth, and covered with sores, from whose very touch thy pride would shrink with loathing-that poor abject is the charge of angels who are even now waiting to bear his soul to heaven!

It may teach us charity also.-If these noble and exalted beings are always occupied in doing good to us, in ministering to our wants, in preserving us from dangers, in forwarding us in the ways of everlasting happiness, if they by God's appointment so love us, it is surely one additional reason, why we also should love one another 1."

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May these, and all other lessons to be learned by reflecting on the truth declared in the text, sink deep into our hearts, and bear fruit abundantly in our lives and conversations.-May we be numbered among those heirs of salvation, for whom the angels minister while upon earth-and hereafter, when the Lord shall send them" with the great sound of a trumpet," to " gather together his elect

1 John xiii. 34.

from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other 1," may we be borne by them to the bosom of our heavenly Father, for the sake of him whom all the angels worship, even our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

1 Matt. xxiv. 31.

SERMON XVI.

ST. PAUL AS AN EXAMPLE.

PHIL. iii. 17.

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

THESE are very remarkable words, my brethren, and for this reason-they are the words of a mere man.-They are the words of one, who was a being of flesh and blood like ourselves-exposed to the same temptations-subject to the same infirmities liable to the same sins.-Of one who has himself told us, that he found it necessary to keep a constant watch over his carnal appetites and passions, lest after having preached to others, he himself should eventually be a castaway. -The first question that arises, therefore,