averred, then, instead of being grace, it would rather be condemnation: instead of restoring us to happiness, it would rather, by augmenting our sin, augment our misery: instead of delivering us from going down to the pit, it would rather, by adding to our guilt, sink us deeper and deeper in wretchedness and woe.

Thus do we see, from considering the very nature of this grace, how abhorrent it is of all manner of licentiousness.-But besides reasoning, in this way, from its nature, let me now, to make the argument, if possible, still more complete, appeal to the sentiments which the grace revealed in the gospel is calculated to inspire.-Love, we know, naturally begets love; and is it then natural for divine grace to beget ingratitude ?— A multiplicity of unexpected blessings bestowed naturally produce a most intimate and inviolable friendship; and is it natural for the very richest and highest blessings which heaven has in store, only to increase neglect, and prompt to disobedience? Much happiness imparted, and many splendid honours freely conferred, naturally incline the feeling soul to impart happiness

and render honour in return; and is it then really natural for the grace of God, which offers no less a happiness than the happiness of angels, which honours with no less an honour than the crown of immortality ;is it natural for this grace, thus, richly blessing, and thus highly honouring, to make men only slight the authority of its adorable Author; to make them "only crucify afresh" his beloved Son, and, by their wicked works, put him to open shame ?-Ye who are the children of this grace, I appeal to you, for you know its value:-I appeal to you, and tell me, if, of all things impossible, this, if I may so express myself, seemeth not the most impossible. Tell me, O Christians! for ye can tell me from experience, if this grace of God, instead of leading to carnal liberty and criminal indulgence, doth not rather incite the mind to repentance, and compel it, in the multitude of its thoughts, thus to say;" God hath saved me; Christ "hath died for me: I am then no longer "mine own; I am bought with a price, and "therefore will live no more to myself, "but to God who saved me, to Christ who "died for me and rose again. And now "let my right hand forget its cunning, and

"let my tongue cleave to the roof of my "mouth, if I adhere not to this purpose "which I have formed, if I devote not my"self for ever to the Lord, if I live not "in his service, if I die not in his fear, and "if, living or dying, I be not the Lord's."

These are the blessed effects which, I am persuaded, the grace of God, revealed in the gospel, is naturally fitted to produce; -and to show a becoming solicitude, that they may feel it producing these blessed effects upon their minds, is the proper improvement which I would earnestly pray every one of my fellow-creatures to make of it. To urge them to comply with this request, and to point out particularly the manner in which their compliance should be manifested, is an important part, which I must not attempt, at present, fully to execute, but reserve as a separate subject of discussion. It is most foolish needlessly to fatigue, and, perhaps thus to offend, when our avowed object is to interest and to edify. Yet I cannot conclude without expressing my ardent wish, that I myself and all mankind would duly ponder the glorious doctrine which has been now stated,

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would think often and maturely upon the nature and abundance of the grace of God, and upon the great and wondrous things which it hath done for our souls. And while we think often and maturely of this, may we think also of the grateful and admiring sentiments which we ought to feel, and "what manner of persons we ought "to be in all holy conversation and godli "ness."—" To whomsoever much is given, "of him shall be much required." To us much grace hath been given, and, of consequence, proportionally great, will be the account, which, at the general judgment, we must render. O that we were wise, that we seriously considered this!-considered the indispensable obligations which we are under, and the multitude of mercies which we are daily invited to enjoy!-And as a proof that we consider them aright, may we plead for the pardon of our numberless sins, and for grace to help us in every time of need to help us to forego all earthborn cares, to abstain from all fleshly lusts, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance. This is the great, the best, and indeed the only indubitable evidence which we can give the world, that we have received the

grace of God, in reality.

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our Lord himself,) shall all men know that 66 ye are my disciples, if ye keep my com"mandments." Henceforth then, let us walk, "not as other Gentiles walk, in the

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vanity of their mind;—but walk worthy "of the Lord, and be followers of him as "dear children. Let us be blameless and "harmless, the Sons of God, without re"buke, in the midst of a crooked and per"verse nation, that among them we may "shine as lights in the world, holding forth "the word of life.-Finally, whatsoever "things are true, whatsoever things are "venerable, whatsoever things are just, "whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever "things are lovely, whatsoever things are "of good report ;-if there be any virtue, "and if there be any praise, let us think

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on these things," and pray to God, without ceasing, that we may faithfully practise them. And happy for us, shall it be, if we prove wise enough to do so. Great grace shall be multiplied upon us; the joys of salvation shall visit us; so long as we live, we shall live in comfort; when we come to die, we shall die in peace; and after death, when Christ, who is our life, shall appear,