when we join with our fellow-christians in the public worship of GOD; in praising and glorifying his holy name for our creation, preservation, redemption, and all the various blessings He bestows upon us; we can hardly fail of feeling a grateful reverence for this Almighty Being, which will prove a powerful means of influencing our conduct, after we have left his house.

When we hear those blessed promises of eternal happiness to those who obey GoD, and the dreadful judgments that must be the portion of those, who neither love, nor fear, nor serve Him; when we listen to the truths of the gospel pronounced by GoD's ministers; truths awful to the wicked, but encouraging to the sincere and humble christian; we can hardly fail of becoming sensible of the comforts, the advantages, and the happiness of a holy and religious life. And the constant attendance at church, where these truths are repeated and enforced, cannot but prove a very probable, as well as proper, means to encourage such as are serious and good, and also to awaken and amend the wicked.

And so it may be said, also, of all other ordinances of christianity; they are truly means of salvation, when they are observed, as they ought to be," in sincerity and truth."

By Baptism, we are received into the church of GOD; and what an invaluable privilege is it to be "made a member of "CHRIST, a child of GOD, and an inheritor "of the kingdom of heaven;" to be under the government of GoD's holy spirit, and under the care of his holy angels! These are powerful motives to those who have any thought or care for their souls; and ought to induce them to lead such a life, as becomes the children of GoD, and heirs of the kingdom of heaven..

The Sacrament of the LORD's Supper is another outward and powerful means of salvation. We are too apt to forget what was promised for us when we were made christians; and too apt, Gon knows, to fall into those sins, which we think we have re-.pented of. Now, in this sacrament, JESUS CHRIST has provided a remedy for both these evils. We are here put in mind to examine into our lives and conduct; to enquire, whether we live as becomes those who profess to believe the gospel of CHRIST? and if, on strict and impartial examination, we find that we have not done so, we are required to "repent us of our sins," and resolve to amend our lives, as we hope for. salvation; and, on these conditions, we are assured of pardon, through the merits and

mediation of that CHRIST, whose sacrifice we have been celebrating.

These ordinances are means of making us religious, and, as such, highly acceptable in the sight of Gor; but then, we must guard against flattering ourselves, that, because, we observe these outward forms, we are, therefore, truly religious, and in a state of salvation. For a man may have a form of godliness without the power; that is, he may be a strict observer of the LORD's day, a careful attendant upon public worship; and yet not possess a heart sincerely disposed to lead a christian life, to govern his conduct by the word he has heard, and the precepts laid down for observance in the gospel. They hear my words," (saith GOD, by his prophet,) "but will not do them."

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You go to church to glorify God, by owning our whole dependance upon Him; and to give Him thanks for his providence. and care of you and your concerns; but you must not forget, that GOD ALMIGHTY is more glorified by your good conduct, when you return home, than by your good words at church; for our Saviour tells us, "in this is my Father glorified, that ye

bring forth much fruit." You go to church to confess, and beg pardon for, your sins; but, if you carry with you an unfor

giving temper, or a disposition not to attend, and benefit by what you hear there; you cannot expect, that your sins will be forgiven you, or that the "grace of God" should "prevent and follow you."

You go to church, also, to make an open confession of your faith; you there profess your belief in GOD the Father, the creator and preserver of all things, and his everlasting Son, the LORD JESUS CHRIST; and if, as such, you strive to practise his gospel, your faith is right, and will save your souls; but if it be not proved by your good works, it will be of no avail-for, we are told, that those who profess to "know GOD, but in "works deny him, are reprobates." "Not

every one that saith unto me, LORD, LORD, "shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; "but he that doeth the will of my Father "who is in heaven."

You go to church to hear God's holy word read and explained, to be put in mind. of your duty; to awaken you, if you have forgotten it, to a sense of your danger: but all this is lost upon you, with the lossof your own souls, if you do not return home with sorrow for past sins, and a full purpose of leading a life, in future, answerable to what you have heard: "For "not the hearers of the law are justified.

"before GOD; but the doers of the law "shall be justified."

Lastly, you leave the church with a solemn blessing upon you from GOD, pronounced by his minister, appointed to bless the people in his name. Now, that this may prove an effectual blessing to you, let it be your sincere desire and endeavour to grow in grace; that you may live to God's glory, by leading an holy and christian life; the only security by which you may assure yourselves, that the blessing you have heard, will be fulfilled upon you; and GOD be your preserver, his blessed Son your redeemer, and his Holy Spirit your sanctifier, unto your lives' end. Such will be the effects of your attendance on the public worship of GOD, "in spirit and in truth." But, if the service of the church doth not create in you holy and devout affections ; sincere purposes of amending your ways, where you have done amiss; and of honoring GOD, not only with your lips, but in your lives; you may rest assured, that all your religious forms and ceremonies will be as sounding brass and tinkling cymbals, in the sight of GOD; and avail you nothing, either now, or at the awful day of judgment.

Self-love, indeed, will induce us to be pleased with, and to place confidence in, the