which our younger brethren will be called to encounter in their future life, and of the power and strength of the instruments with which effectual resistance must be made. Let the inexperienced not scorn the word of exhortation, nor deem it an unjust restraint on the ardent curiosity of the inquisitive, or on the sanguine zeal of the faithful, if they be dissuaded from examining the mazes of Unitarian theology, even for the purpose of disentangling them, without having acquired a competence of scriptural knowledge, and from penetrating the labyrinth without bearing the thread always in their hands. Let it not be offensive to recommend a prudent caution in the exposition of what we conceive to be the truth, that there be no occasion given to the adversary, of which he will not fail to avail himself in reproaching the righteous cause, and fastening upon our common faith the private errors of the individual.

Now

may

the God in whose name we have been baptized, the Father, the Son,

f Carpenter, p. 345, 346.

and the Holy Spirit, enable us to hold fast and without wavering the profession of our faith: may he preserve us in constant adherence to the great "mystery of godli"ness," and from all temptation to deny "the Lord who bought" us, to disparage his nature, or depreciate his office. May we learn to "honour the Son even as we "honour the Father," and to believe in Christ as we believe in God." In Christ, though now we see him not, yet believ

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ing," may we always " rejoice with joy "unspeakable and full of glory," until in the fulness of time, the veil of mystery shall be removed from every eye, and "we ❝ shall see him as he is," and "receive the "end of our faith, the salvation of our " souls."

SERMON III.

THE DOCTRINES OF THE MODERN CALVINISTS COMPARED WITH THE SCRIPTURES.

ACTS xx. 27-30.

I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. IT was the strict law of righteousness,

which

was delivered to the Jews, that they should do all which was

do all which was "written in the

"book of the law of Moses, and turn not "aside from it either to the right hand or "to the left." The law was worthy to

a Joshua xxiii. 6.

be delivered by a Governor whose wisdom is infinite, and to be received by a people who were placed in a condition of servitude to fulfil the pleasure of his will.

The rule which was addressed to the Jews with the absolute authority of the supreme Governor, is recommended to Christians as a measure of necessary prudence in doing all things which Christ hath commanded. It is in merciful accommodation to our infirmities that we are taught to "make straight paths for our "feet, that that which is lame may not be "turned out of the way, but rather that it "he healed," that our natural weakness may not be inflamed nor aggravated by treading in intricate paths, or by neglecting the highway in which the weakest traveller may pursue his journey in safety and

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with success. To facilitate the means of salvation, the "workman that needeth not "to be ashamed," will rightly divide "the "word of truthc;" he will sow the good seed in such straight and even furrows,

b Heb. xii. 13.

c 2 Tim. ii. 15.

that the roots may strike deep in their proper soil, and the fruits be matured without prejudice to each other, that every precept and every doctrine may be established in the heart, and the analogy of the whole Christian dispensation may be seen in a life of consistent obedience.

The error which is in opposition to this wholesome practice of the skilful teacher is foretold by St. Paul in his address to the elders of the Church of Ephesus: "I have "not shunned to declare unto you all the 66 counsel of God. Take heed therefore "unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over "the which the Holy Ghost hath made you “overseers, to feed the Church of God, “which he hath purchased with his own "blood. For after my departing, I know "that grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your ❝ own selves shall men arise, speaking per*verse things, to draw away disciples after "them d." The offence of these men who arise from their body, and draw

should

d Acts xx. 27-30.