actings, if he does not reveal himself. The description given of him, "as forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin, and yet by no means clearing the guilty," exceeds all the understanding of the natural man; and would still have been a mystery, if Christ had not explained it, by bearing our sins in his own body, reconciling us to God by his death, bringing in a perfect righteousness for us, enabling us by his Spirit to subdue the power of sin in ourselves, and completing our redemption by making us 66 new creatures," fit for heaven.

These great points are clearly opened, and pathetically enforced in the following Discourses; which we doubt not will be generally considered as the result of experience, answerable to their title, and a fair draught of the Christian. And if the author should be remarked by any as one of the over-doers, hurting the cause he would serve; let him be entitled to no apology, if he has gone beyond the rule of Scripture: which indeed prescribes an amazing height of purity for such a weak and sinful creature as man ; but is nevertheless necessary to be proposed to him in its full extent, to convince him of his sin, bring him to Christ, direct him in his aims, prove his sincerity, and quicken his endeavours. And to speak only of an absolute submission to the will of God, who will presume to affirm that less is required of us? It would be an ill office in a Christian divine, to tell men exactly where they may stop without hazard; and he would have but little thanks for his pains from zealous persons, endued from above with a true spiritual taste, whose state is progressive, and their hearts bent upon continual advancement in

holiness: which is what his description of the "new creature," implies; and not that none can be saved who come short of it, provided they are going on to perfection, and trust not in themselves, but in the Lord Jesus Christ.

It must be confessed, he is somewhat plain, does not palliate matters, bears hard upon the old man, and strips him of all his disguises. And therefore it may be supposed, that some, who have been used to prop themselves with the false divinity of their moral character, and a decent conformity to the external parts of religion, will be offended. This he knew very well, and that his hardest work would be with those who will let religion do any thing with them but change their hearts, and alter the earthly bent of their affections. And that there are such at all times in Christian countries, pretenders to godliness, but in the main opposers of the reality of it, and the bitterest enemies, of all others, to those who would lead them into that depth and mystery of iniquity, their own heart, is not to be denied. But whoever thou art, sinner or formalist, be so just to thyself, and to thy eternal interest in the Saviour, as to read what is here offered thee without prejudice, if not with good will, to one whom thou must acquit in thy conscience of any design but good will towards thee. And if the formalist, especially, should be disgusted at the home expostulations upon his case, and more inclined to reject them with disdain, than to take occasion from them to enter upon an impartial examination of himself, let him be assured, that he has just cause to suspect that all is not sound with him at the bottom.

And let all watchful improving Christians, who know their want of deliverance, their disability in their natural state, and want of merit in their best, Christ's power and will to save them to the utmost in all respects, their willingness to be saved by him, faithful adherence to him, and faithful co-operation with the Spirit of holiness for a renewed will, and a sanctified heart, choosing God for its portion, and seeking his kingdom and righteousness in the first place; let them, I say, bless God for the light and spirit of the Author, and pray with me that he would raise up, every-where, such painful labourers and faithful stewards of the word of life; and that they may be blessed with a measure of success, as he is in his ministry at Truro; and it is reasonably presumed, will be in other places, by the publication of these discourses, as the first impression of them has been so quickly sold off.

One thing more is humbly submitted to the reader's consideration, namely, whether the points of man's sin and guilt, restoration by grace, acceptance through Christ, and the necessity of spiritual renovation, are not fairly reasoned; and whether, though not discoverable by human wisdom, yet, when revealed, they do not come within our capacity of judging, and recommend themselves to our belief and approbation? And what I would observe upon it is, that it is doing unspeakable mischief to the Christian religion, to distinguish those who, either from principle or compliance with the corrupt taste of the age, soften, or too generally suppress these points, by the name of Rational Divines.

SERMON I.

THE SINFULNESS AND MISERY OF MAN.

PSALM xiv. 2, 3.

The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are altogether become filthy: There is none that doeth good, no not one.

WITH whatever degree of coolness and insensibility the present high privileges and the eternal glorious promises offered in the gospel, may now be received; yet there have been times, when Christianity held an honourable dignity in the eye, and carried a reviving joy into the heart. But in our day, "the God of this world," seems to have blinded men's eyes, and hardened their hearts: they have little pleasure in his beauty, who is "fairer than the children of men;" nor do they find the gospel of his lips to be full of grace. The king is come bringing salvation; he is come in the name of the Lord to " preach good tidings unto the meek, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." But

where are the knees and hearts of his people? where "the children crying Hosanna! Blessed is he that

cometh in the name of the Lord?" We name ourselves after the name of Christ; but interest, pleasure, and vanity, have gained to themselves our allegiance and devotion. Here we can "bow down and worship," with eager importunity; here we can amuse away life; here, calmly steal into grey hairs and the grave: but should we invite men by the mercies of the Lord; should we go about to engage them by a full display of that excellent love of God, which is manifested in Jesus Christ, to beseech them by the dignity of Christ's person, and by the sufficiency of his power to every purpose of their salvation; should we strive with them that they would lay hold of this everlasting life, dearly purchased, and freely offered; who is there almost that would lend an ear? Men are careless and asleep: security, the offspring of pride, ignorance, and hardness of heart, hath shut them in as with a fenced wall of brass: God is left "far above out of sight;" and every awful consideration of duty, gratitude, and true interest, due to him, is negligently cast behind their backs.

With what confidence then can I address you upon the glorious blessings of the gospel salvation; lay before you the way of life, and mark out the evidence upon which you may set up a claim to God's favour through the Redeemer! I shall only speak into the air, only gratify your curiosity, only engage your imagination, and amuse you with an entertainment of an hour, "as one that hath a pleasant voice,