strictly imputable to these causes, but rather to a lack of something on their own part. And till this want is happily supplied, the greatest ability, the highest degrees of grace, spirituality and diligence in those who exercise the pastoral office, will produce but very inconsiderable effects.

We are informed that, on a certain occasion, our Lord performed not many mighty works in the city of Nazareth, because of their unbelief. To this day he acts by the very same rule in all the assemblies of his saints where there is faith, a proportionable blessing is communicated; but where this is wanting, there the divine grace is restrained in its operations. Be ye not, therefore, faithless, but believing. Fight the good fight of faith, and lay strong hold on eternal life. Be at length convinced, that nothing less than the hand of faith is sufficient for these things; yea, that it can stretch itself beyond the whole visible creation, and take within its mighty grasp the invisible things of the eternal world.

Engrave it then, my brethren, upon the tablet of your heart, and let it have a due influence upon your conduct and conver

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sation, that by grace ye are saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Be persuaded, that it is Father's good pleasure to give you dom. There may, indeed, be many obstacles in the way, much internal unfitness, and many external discouragements: but, under the powerful operations of faith, these mountains shall melt away and flow down till their place be known no more.

Meditate upon the truth of the promise, the faithfulness of the Promiser, and the strength of his arm to accomplish his word. Upon these solid grounds let us build our humble confidence. And then, looking calmly around us upon all the uncertainties of our course, we may adopt without presumption the triumphant expression of the prophet—I will trust, and not be afraid : for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation.

SERMON VII.

JOHN VIII. 31.

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.

THE term disciple signifies a pupil or scholar. The ancient teachers of philosophy had their chosen disciples, who adopted their opinions, frequented their schools, and studied under their direction. In like manner, the blessed Jesus had his admiring and devoted disciples, who followed him whithersoever he went, listening to his discourses, imitating his manners, and imbibing his spirit. And we have reason to believe, that his disciples were exceedingly numerous; since we find his most determined enemies exclaiming on a certain occasion, Behold, the world is gone after him!

It may not be quite unnecessary here, to distinguish between the apostles and the

disciples of Jesus. The latter consisted of a large, but uncertain number; while the former were limited to twelve. The apostles were chosen out of the great body of our Lord's disciples; they were favoured with peculiar privileges, and called to peculiar services. They were taken, moreover, into nearer connexion with their Master, had access to him at all times, occupied the most honourable places in his school, and were initiated into all the arcana of his kingdom. We read of our Lord sending forth, at one time, seventy of his disciples, two and two, that they should go before his face into every city whither he himself would come, for the purpose of publishing his approach, and proclaiming the speedy manifestation of his kingdom. But, though his disciples were sometimes so employed, yet the apostles were honoured with a more direct nomination to this high duty, being solemnly sent forth as Envoys extraordinary to treat with all nations in the name of their adorable Lord. Under this commission, especially after the ascension of Jesus, the apostles acted with unexampled energy and success: insomuch that vast multitudes, not

only of the Jewish people but also of the neighbouring states, became obedient to the faith, and cheerfully ranged themselves under the banner of the cross.

From that period to this, the gospel of Jesus has been spreading in all directions, from country to country, and from nation to nation; till a very considerable portion of the globe is now inhabited and governed by the professed disciples of Christ. And still the Church of Christ is extending its influence among men of all ranks, of all colours, and of all conditions; overcoming every obstacle, and putting down all opposition, on the right hand and on the left; penetrating into the most dark and distant parts of the earth; and planting its standard upon every mountain and in every valley of the habitable world. And this shall continue, according to the sure word of prophecy, till the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ.

But however the christian standard bearers may feel disposed to glory in the growing number of Christ's reputed disciples, it cannot but somewhat abate our exultation to recollect that striking declaration of the