The works of the Rev. William Thom, late minister ... - waughfamily.ca

SERMONS. 21rlty of the diities the gofpel enjoins, or the low conditionof its teachers, or becaufe no worldly honouror gain is annexed to a religious profeflion ? As Jefusfaid to his difciples, after many had gone back, andwalked no more with him, " will ye alfo go away ?"I am perfuaded, that, notv/ithftanding the low ebb ofreligion, there are many of you who can anfwer withfincerity, and v/ith a zeal like that of Simon Peter,*' L©rd, to whom fhall we go but unto thee 5 thourhaft the words of eternal life,and we know, and arefure, that thou art that Chrift, the Son of the livingGod."Let me befeech you, who profefs religion, to livefuitably to it.If you are as unjuft and hard-hearted,as covetous and clofe-handed, as cruel and oppreffive,as thofe who have no profeflion, you might as wellthrow afide the mantle too. You profefs religion,and you pra6life wickednefs jyour temper and youractions are not hid from the difcerning world ; andI do not know but your wickednefs is one of the greatcaufes of irreligion. Profane men fee, that, whateveryou profefs, your condu6l, and the motives of it, areas bafe as their own j and you become the wretchedmeans of hardening them in their profanenefs. Letthere be no ground for any fuch charge againit you" Let your light fo fhine before men, that they mayfee your good works," may honour and profefs religion," and glorify your Father who is in heaven."To conclude : let us all addrefs our prayers to thethrone of grace, that God may pour down his Spiritto check the progrefs of irreligion, and revive hiswork, in thefe years, " when the love of many haswiixed cold j" that the exalted redeemer m^y " rideforth glorioufly, conquering and to conquer ;" thathis arrows may fharply pierce the hearts of men, andbring them in fubjection unto himfelf that the AlmightySpirit of grace may take hold of the hearts-,ofnien, and that this may appear by their upright prac-