which the principle itself either in

volves or requires.

Beginning, then, with the principle itself, let me say :—

FIRST, Aim, in every action, and in every enjoyment, to please and to glorify God.

Character is ascertained by motive: and the governing motive in the con. duct of life cannot be right, unless it correspond with the design for which life itself is given. What the design of Him who made us is, we may learn from the recorded expressions of the inhabitants of the world above, in the act of rendering homage to the Almighty-"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honor, and power; for thou hast created all

things; and for thy pleasure they are and were created." With the

design of creation, that of redeeming mercy is in perfect unison. "Ye are

not your own," said an Apostle to believers in Jesus, "for ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God with your bodies and your spirits, which are his. Of him, and through him, and to him, are all things, to whom be glory for ever. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Our lowly, yet aspiring ambition, then, as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, should be, to enjoy the honor of perpetual employment

in his service, and to receive the intimations of his gracious acceptance and approval. We should desire to be "in the house of God, which is the church of the living God,-vessels unto honor, sanctified and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Whatsoever we do in word or deed, we should do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving glory to God by him." That such was not only the precept but the practice of the Apostles and first Christians, is evident, not only from their declarations, but from the general tenor of their lives. And does this require a sanctity peculiar to the primitive Christians, and not to be attained by us? Let me exhibit to your view the

prevailing sentiments and actuating motives of some devoted servants of God in periods recently past. I will first adduce the example of that theologian of distinguished intellect, the excellent President Edwards, of America. Among the resolutions which he formed, in dependence on divine grace, for the government of his conduct, and which he determined every week to review, were the following:

"Resolved; never to do, or to be, any thing, in soul or in body, but what tends to the glory of God.".

"Resolved; never to act as if I were in any way my own, but entirely and altogether God's."

"Resolved; to live with all my might while I do live."

The sentiment of this resolution is

thus beautifully amplified by Dr. Doddridge :

"Live, while you live, the Epicure would say,
And seize the pleasures of the present day.
Live, while you live, the sacred Preacher cries,
And give to God each moment as it flies.

Lord, in my view, let both united be,

I live in pleasure, when I live to thee."

"I have been before God," (said President Edwards, in one of his private papers,) "and I have given all that I am, and have, to God, so that I am not, in any respect, my own. I can claim no right in myself; no right in this understanding, this will, these affections that are in me; no right to this tongue, these hands, these feet, these senses. I have given every