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ever kind, are talents; and they are an order of talents intrusted, in a greater or less degree, to every one of us, according to the sphere in which we severally move. It is an assertion equally correct and important,—that "opportunity to do good, constitutes an obligation to enter on the performance." This sentiment was so intimately incorporated with the moral feelings of the excellent Dr. Cotton Mather, that he was accustomed, previously to his entering on the engagements of every day, to inquire what opportunities of doing good he had reason to anticipate. His habitual inquiries were such as these: "What have I to do, for the interests of God, in my own heart and life?

What shall I do for the good of my family? What shall I do, for the good of the flock under my charge? What good may I do, in the several societies to which I belong? What shall I do, for the general interests of religion in the world?" Let the spirit of these inquiries be imbibed by us, and let the principles on which they proceed be the principles of our conduct; and beyond all doubt we shall find, that the most useful life is at the same time the most happy.

Fifthly, Let there be an habitual solicitude to guard against every thing which would bring reproach upon your Christian profession.

I am presuming that there is Christian profession as well as Christian

principle. Unless there be, how can there be given satisfactory evidence of a sincere and prevailing desire to live to the glory of God? Not more explicitly are we required," with the heart to believe unto righteousness," than "with the mouth to make confession unto salvation." That very confession, if unequivocal, uniform, and consistent, is one of the most direct methods of giving glory to our God and Saviour. "Whosoever," said the Saviour," shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father who is in heaven;-but whosoever shall be ashamed of me, and of my words, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's,

and of the holy angels." And will he be less ashamed of the man who, in words, confessed him, but in works denied him? Can that profession be available or acceptable, which is falsified by actions, or neutralized by the spirit and the love of this present world? O, of what incalculable importance is it, that "every one who nameth the name of Christ should depart from iniquity;" and that every one who contends for the faith once delivered to the saints, should "adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things!" Can you calculate the evils. which have arisen from the conduct of those professors of religion who have proved themselves to be, in reality, the bitterest enemies of the

cross of Christ? Can you estimate the influence or the extent of the prejudices they have created, the scepticism they have encouraged, the persecution they have awakened, and the aid they have rendered to the cause of the tempter and the destroyer? Be it then your solicitude, my Christian brethren, that " your light may so shine before men, that they, seeing your good works, may glorify your Father who is in heaven." Be it your concern to "do justly, and to love mercy," as well as "to walk humbly with your God." Let these essential duties of Christian obedience be conjoined in constant and inseparable alliance. Let it never be said, that you are deficient in the principles

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