means of grace they use. This is a subject that deserves inquiry. There must be a cause for it, and if that cause be searched out, it will, in general, be found to consist of some physical bodily infirmity, or of a want of spiritual earnestness and prayer. It should ever be remembered that much of our sensible, comfortable feelings depend on the natural turn and state of the constitution. Some men are naturally more cheerful and lively-spirited than others. Some, from a naturally low and depressed disposition, or from certain diseases in the body, are never what is called light-hearted and merry. These naturally low-spirited people will, even when they are partakers of the saving grace of God, often walk, if not in darkness, yet in depression of spirits. And to such the Lord sends this message, "Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God." Isa. 1. 10. But, in many cases, it

is a want of real, earnest, close walking with God that is the cause of the professor sinking under his burden, and falling under the power of temptation; of walking in spiritual darkness, doubts, and perplexities; in much confusion and sadness of heart. My friends, let me tell you the cause lies here-you pray too seldom and too coldly; you read and hear the Word without profit, because you do not pray. You enjoy few or no refreshing seasons of soul, because your walk is not steady, consistent, and earnest before the Lord. You must, therefore, be more frequent and more earnest in prayer for all those blessings and influences of the Holy Spirit before mentioned, and then you will have more light and more joy and peace in your soul.

One word to the seaman who lives habitually without prayer, or who, at best, only says over a few words, night and morning, without feeling or understanding their meaning. Be assured, that if ever your soul is saved from everlasting destruction, the work must begin in

prayer for mercy and pardon through Jesus Christ. Until you begin to pray, and that in earnest, you have not the smallest hope held out to you in the Word of God. A prayerless soul is a graceless soul, and a graceless soul is the servant and slave of the devil. May the Lord deliver you from such a master, and from such slavery, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

"And dost thou say, ' Ask what thou wilt?' O, I would seize the golden hour:

I pray to be released from guilt,

From shame, and sin, and Satan's pow'r !

"More of thy presence, Lord, impart !
More of thine image let me bear!
Set up thy throne within my heart,
And reign without a rival there!

"Give me to read my pardon seal'd,

And from thy grace to draw my strength;

To trace thy boundless love, reveal'd

In all its height, and breadth, and length.'

"Grant these requests, I ask no more,
But to thy care the rest resign;
Sick, or in health, or rich, or poor,
All shall be well, if thou art mine."

SERMON XVIII.

CHRIST DECLARES WHO ARE BLESSED,

MATT. V. 26.

"And Jesus opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

SUCH were the great and important doctrines our blessed Lord commenced his first sermon with. He knew that all men wished to be happy, while so few took the right course to obtain it, and therefore he here acquainted them in what paths they were to seek, and in what dispositions of mind they were to expect to be blessed or happy: and oh, how widely different were the rules he laid down to those the world has ever advanced! Go and ask those around you what their opinions are on the subject,

and they will tell you, that blessed or happy are the rich, the great, and honourable in the world; those that spend their days in mirth, and their years in pleasure; those who feel no pain, who fear no want, and who find, as the days come round, this same course of things comes over and over again. No, says Christ Jesus, these are not blessed and happy people, nor can the paths they are treading, and the pursuits they are engaged in, and the dispositions they cherish, ever make them so. On the contrary, I tell you, "Blessed (or happy) are the poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek, and such as hunger and thirst after righteousness." This must have sounded very strangely in the ears of the multitude, and so do these declarations now; so strange, indeed, that few will stay to hear them. Few will believe, or give them one minute's consideration. And, perhaps, no set of men are more inclined to treat these words of Christ with disregard than seamen are. Let us, then, inquire into the matter, and take things