is really followed, manifold more pleasure, even in this present time, is obtained than lost; besides the inconceivable surplus of eternity.

Believe it, then, on the credit of our Lord, that godliness has the advantage even in this life. All godly persons know this to be true, so far as they are godly. It is to the imperfection of their godliness that the troubles, for the most part, which they undergo in this life, are to be ascribed. If then you find you do not enjoy such and such advantages as we shall describe, yet if you really believe in Christ, you may possess them, by living up to your privileges better than you hitherto have done. All that you can conclude from your present situation is, that you need to grow in godliness, since your experience of the love of God, little as it may have been, proves to you its superior pleasures. You know enough to believe, that "the grace of your God is exceeding abundant with faith and love in Christ Jesus," and that in godliness only is to be had true pleasure and satisfaction.

The first advantage of godliness, which is received in this life, is the " peace of God which passeth all understanding, keeping the heart and mind through Christ Jesus."" I choose to express this in Scripture language. It is also the language of our Church, with which she concludes her morning service. To describe this peace of God, and what a blessing it is in itself, I shall not attempt. Even those who enjoy the most of it cannot describe it; because though it "keep their hearts and minds through Christ Jesus," and they are " filled with all peace and joy, in believing" by the God of their hope,

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yet the same word of God which thus asserts the reality of the peaceable and joyful feelings of the believer, describes them as passing all understanding." Though they are not contrary to, yet they are above human reason. And no wonder, considering the incomprehensible greatness of the Author of them. "I," saith God, "create the fruit of the lips; peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord, and I will heal him."-Indeed if God be for us, who or what can be against us? "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him, also, freely give us all things?" What an advantage then of godliness is this, that it brings divine peace along with it. What is the evil of evils that infests the world? Is it not the loss of the favour of God? All the other evils that sin hath caused are not worthy to be compared with this, that it separates between God and us. But the godly soul, reconciled to God in Christ, "who is our peace," has the sense of this peace imparted to him, and is made to " abound in hope by the power of the Holy Ghost."

With what cheerfulness and joy may he bear many temporal evils that flesh is heir to, who enjoys the sense of peace with God. To God as his refuge he can flee in all times of distress, and find unspeak able consolation in pouring out his heart before him, "who is the strength of his heart and his portion for ever."

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I wish godly souls walked more closely with God than they do; were more watchful unto prayer; more simple in spiritual desires; and more steady in dependance on the Lord Jesus than they are! The full assurance of faith and hope described in Scripture, and David's experience of the forgiveness of his sins, or God's peace, spoken of in the 23d Psalm, would not be so uncommon as it is among professors of religion. Probably too many who are not without spiritual desires cannot, as they wish, bear witness to the truth of this first advantage of godliness, "the peace of God." They may thank for this the love of the present evil world. The little reality of godliness there is amidst much profession is owing to this. For be it remembered, that it is not the profession of godliness, but godliness itself that has the promises belonging to it: so that still it is true, that godliness does bring with it all the advantages that the word of God describes.

Reflect, then, you who have known in a little degree, it may be, the divine peace of godliness, and have lost it again, upon the cause of this. Your conscience bears witness to the excellency of godliness. "Oh! if I had had more of it, I should have had more peace; and if I had not left the Lord, he would not have left me." Will you, then, return to God more heartily than ever? Again you shall have God's peace. It is not, that you are to work out a righteousness of your own to justify you. There is no peace to a troubled conscience, but torment, in that way. Renounce self and come to Christ, that is repentance, that is faith. Cleave steadfastly to Christ as all your salvation and all your desire, that is holiness. Expect from Christ, both in this life, and the next, all your comfort and

happiness, renouncing all other pretenders that would rival him, and surely you will find, as it is written, "thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." Yes: show us a man or woman whose mind is stayed on Christ in the gospel way, and

there, there is true peace. Be that man or woman in much worldly adversity, in rags, they are even now-setting aside the happiness of the next lifethey are now by far the happiest persons on earth. Ungodly men have no conception of the bliss of communion with God; how he fills and satisfies the believing soul. And then to see all one's concerns kindly ordered aright, by the care of infinite power, wisdom, and love; to be freed from all guilty fears and heart-devouring cares by the dear Redeemer and Intercessor-how great is this! I trust, there are persons here, who know in some real degree, what these things mean. You can witness that

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godliness has promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come." But perhaps the most instructive view of this part of our subject may be, to show the want of peace attendant on ungodliness.

Say, ye careless sinners, amidst all your prosperity and jollity, are you happy? No. There is an uneasy void in your soul; you want something to fill it. You try first one thing and then another. Nothing satisfies the soul. The " peace of God" can do this for you. This is to be obtained by coming to him, as lost wretches, through the blood of the Lamb; and nothing else can do it. But besides this uneasy void, there is the sense of guilt, and the

slavish fear of divine displeasure, often embittering the soul. From this you find no refuge, but the temporary one of flying from thought. Still you are gnawed by an evil conscience.

Even those decent, but unconverted men, who by formality and external morality have procured to themselves a false peace, are not happy in it. They have nothing of that enjoyment, which results from the application of the blood of sprinkling, which speaketh peace. They know nothing of joying in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Their hope being built on self, is liable to be shaken continually. Not so the true christian's. His hope is set on the Lord; and Christ is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. Besides, if ever the self-righteous man obtain true peace, all this false peace must be destroyed, else he dies self-deceived, and his end is so much the more miserable. Oh, fellow christians, know ye God's peace? Examine what you build on for eternity. One foundation only is authorized for a sinner to rest on, that is Christ Jesus. You who are stayed on this shall have perfect peace, and be kept in it, for it is written, "Thou shalt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee." I have dwelt long on this first advantage of godliness. The rest flow from it.

While the creature lives at a distance from the Creator, as all men do by nature, the state of the soul is like that of the earth at its first creation, " without form and void, and darkness upon the face of the deep." But when the Spirit of God has quickened the soul, and the Lord has caused his face to shine upon her, through Jesus, in peace and