Although deeply sensible that he is, by nature and practice, a guilty ruined creature; that he has “erred and strayed from God's ways like a lost sheep; " yet he flees for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before him. He believes with the heart unto righteousness, and with the tongue he makes confession unto salvation. He honors God by a holy life, the necessary consequence of a lively faith. He daily labors, and watches, and prays that his heart may be true to his lips, and that his life may be true to both. He experiences the grace of God which bringeth salvation; but, while he exults in its enjoyment, he discovers, by his spirit and temper, that he has been taught by that very grace to deny ungodliness and worldly lust, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. And it is only while thus endeavouring to have a conscience void of offence, that he ventures to indulge in the blessed hope of the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ Nor does such a man ever dare to sin that grace may abound, because while he looks to the Cross as the

basis of all his hopes, he remembers that Jesus gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Such is the man that honors God. How widely different from the other character mentioned in the text. A despiser of God!! Monstrous impiety! you are ready to exclaim: can such a character be found in God's creation? Alas! it is more than possible, or even probable; it is a lamentable fact. Yes, there are those who despise God. That immaculate Purity which holy angels contemplate and adore, they behold not with admiration or delight. That stupendous mercy, which accomplished man's redemption, they can hear of with frigid indifference, and return with base ingratitude. That all-sufficient grace, which is so freely offered in the Gospel, they not only reject themselves, but are anxious that others should reject it too. They despise the holy humbling doctrines. of the Cross, and reject the counsel of God against themselves. They blaspheme his sacred name, by profaning it with oaths

and curses; and shew their contempt of his holy day by desecrating it to worldly business or pleasure. They despise his ministers who dare to be faithful to their souls, and whose only object and desire is to promote their salvation. Him they account their best friend, who flatters their vanity and cherishes their carnal security: him they regard as their worst enemy, who tells them of their real state, who declares their impending doom, and in the language of Nathan ventures to say to the sinner, however opulent or however powerful, Thou art the man.

Such the striking difference between the individuals who honor God and those who despise him. Let us briefly mark their different treatment. The former shall themselves be honored; the latter shall be lightly esteemed. In this world, we are sometimes called to witness the truth of this assertion; while we behold the righteous exalted and dignified, and confusion covering the face of the wicked. But it is reserved to the solemn hour of death, and to the glorious morning of the

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resurrection, to unfold the full import of the text. When they that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. In the mean time, let us all, and, especially, let such as are in circumstances of temptation, allurement, and danger, remember the words of our glorious Saviour and final Judge; Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. For, even on that solemn day, the rule laid down in the text shall be adhered to; Them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

Having considered these words in their bearing upon individuals, let us now proceed to notice their application to

II. FAMILIES.

The man who is really in earnest about the salvation of his own soul, will not feel indifferent respecting the spiritual interests of his household. If the hypocrite be only

anxious that the form of godliness should be maintained, the Christian will be satisfied with nothing that falls short of its life-giving, renovating power. The man of God will determine with Joshua, As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. After the example of the great father of the faithful; he will command his children and his household after him, to keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon them the good things which he hath promised to them that fear him. With David he will endeavour to walk before his house with a perfect heart. His offspring shall be seen rising around him, instructed in the good and the right way, so that, like Timothy, from their childhood they shall be taught the holy Scriptures, which are able to make them wise unto salvation, through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.

The person I describe will accompany his instructions with his prayers, and crown the whole with a bright and Christian example. He will not, one hour, teach his children to honor the Divine law; and the next, pour