our using the water. The water does not act as a charm. When God made man of the earth, the earth gave not life, but the breath of God. He "breathed into his nostrils, and man became a living soul." When the new man is born of water, the water makes not the spiritual man, but God's Spirit operates, and creates the new

man.

And, as you value the benefits of baptism in regard to your children, so bear them in mind in respect of yourselves. The grace of God may be stifled, and quenched. The spiritual babe may sicken before manhood, and die. And this will take place if you live carelessly, and wickedly. Your regeneration then will be of no avail. Take heed, therefore, of the gift of God which is in you.

And, because you have received this gift, boast of no merit of your own performances. Without God's grace you could do nothing. With it why should you boast, as if all were done of your own power Oh! whatever notion you entertain of re

generation, whether such as our Church inculcates, or such as you derive from any other source, consider of your own utter worthlessness "to glory before God.” Think of your past lives, and reflect on the many sins of which you have been guilty; think of the many imperfections you cannot fail to perceive in yourselves even now-the frequent coldness of your prayers-the lukewarmness in God's service-the attachment to the world as interfering with your affections towards heaven-the hastiness of your temper-perhaps, the violence of your tongue-the scanty measure of charity towards your neighbour's faultsthe inadequate alms you give to those who are in need, considering the possessions which God has given you—the few offerings and sacrifices you make for the furtherance of God's worship-the propensity to some besetting sin, or, at least, infirmity— the pleasure with which you recount sometimes the follies of your youth.-You boast of your worth and goodness, because you are "born again"?-no, no-" work out

your salvation" still" with fear and trem bling." (Phil. ii. 12.)

And as to thee, thou sensitive and desponding man, who hast been taught by the blind teacher of the blind to look for experiences which often dwell not but in the fancy, think not thyself a cast-away because thou hast the honesty, the good sense, the religion, to make no Pharisaical pretensions. Be comforted at the covenant thou hast made. If thou hast been washed by the water of that covenant, according to our Lord's institution, thou hast been washed in the water and spirit of thy regeneration. If thou hast repented thee of thy past sins, then hath that spirit moved and assisted thee in thy repentance. If thou still feel anxious to please thy Maker more and more, and to proceed in holiness, then does the Spirit still "live and grow" in thee. Cherish and renew that Spirit by all the appointed means. Pray for His influence by thy bed, at night, and at the morning watch; frequent thy Church, where thy parents brought thee, and

where the Spirit met and blessed thee; receive that communion which the Lord appointed to strengthen and refresh thee; lead that life which he led and taught thee, to the best of thy ability; and then, whatever the heated enthusiast may say, or the self-righteous Pharisee pretend, regard him not; for I am well persuaded that the Holy Ghost will prove thy comforter, as thy Lord is thy Redeemer; "A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench." (Matt. xii. 48; Is. xlii. 3.)

Preached at Hawkhurst, 15th July, 1838.

SERMON VII.

ROMANS vi. 3-4.

Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are bound with him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

THE Epistle which has been read from the altar this day, has always appeared to me to be of difficult interpretation. And the more I have turned my thoughts towards it, the more I think it a fit subject of exposition by those whose office it is to set forth instruction in right

eousness.

I shall therefore endeavour to lay before you two different constructions which divines have put on it, and point out to you that which I conceive to be the preferable one: and, having done this, conclude with a few practical observations.