PRACTICAL ERROR, AND THE TEST OF TRUE HOLINESS.

Junior Minister of the Second Congregational Society in Worcester.

PUBLISHED BY REQUEST.

Worcester :

SPOONER AND CHURCH, PRINTERS.

SERMON.

HEBREWS, XII. 14. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

Br holiness we understand true excellencedisinterested goodness-an uniform desire-a constant endeavor-a general habit of doing right from a right motive. And to see the Lord is to enjoy his favor-to be admitted to those peculiar privileges which are found in his presence. And the meaning of the text is, no one whose life is not penetrated and pervaded by the spirit of religion, and whose actions are not directed by its principles shall enjoy the promised rewards of immortality and bliss.

A truth so clear and momentous, one would think, could not be misunderstood, and would not be evaded. To keep it alive in the world extraordinary means have been adopted by the providence of God. It was preached by the ancient prophets. It was taught by the Son of the most high; and all the means and motives and sanctions of his religion inculcate it. For this, its institutions were appointed-to keep alive and explain this, is the great purpose of the Christian ministry. The wise and the good that from the days of the apostles have sat in the places of instruction, and have caught the spirit