neither feel remorse for the past, nor concern for the future. Death draws nearer and nearer; but you prepare not to meet your God. What! do you not know, that a messenger from heaven cries, Woe to them that are at ease in Zion? Amos vi. 1.

Perhaps you glory in a calm, settled indifference to religion! Whatever others may think, say, or do, you determine neither to favour nor oppose it. But do you believe, that, by being careless, you shall be found guiltless? Do you really think, you can steer an even course between the righteous and the wicked? Solon made a law in Athens, that those who, in a sedition, or contest of the citizens, refused to take either part, should be esteemed infamous. It is certain, God has made a law, that, in the grand concerns of religion, no one shall stand neuter. He that is not against us, says Christ, is for us. There is no middle path between the broad and the narrow way. After the gates of death are passed, there are but two final homes for all, and these are heaven and hell! Continue, then, no longer to halt between two opinions, which are directly opposite; but choose you whom ye will serve. Perhaps you give yourselves to sloth: you think you are free from the crimes of the profligate. "We were never habituated to

fraud, falsehood, gaming, intoxication, and pro faneness. We have neither wronged the helpless, nor corrupted the innocent; neither despised governments nor mocked at religion." But though you may not be chargeable with gross, disgraceful crimes, yet, if you be estranged from God, unmindful of the gospel of Christ, and unconcerned about an eternal world, your souls are exposed to ruin.

Remember the doom of the unprofitable servant, whose talent had been suffered to rust in a napkin. Thou slothful and wicked servant, out of thine own mouth thou art condemned.-And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matt. xxv. 26, 30. - You may flatter yourselves with a false peace, and sit down in sloth and indifference; but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

3. I address myself to the self-righteous and bypocritical.

Is it asked, whom do I mean? I mean you, who are puffed up with the pride of self-sufficiency, and contented with a dull round of cere monies. If regularly going to a place of worship on a sabbath, be religion; you have been very religious from your childhood. You say your prayers every night, as constantly as a man winds

up

his watch, and much in the same formal and listless manner.

There are no persons, on whom the gospel has so little effect, as the self-righteous. They strike out a great variety of ways, by which to compass their end. Truth does not furnish one argument, for which their pride cannot find an objection. Being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteous. ness, they do not submit themselves to the right eousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Rom. x, 4, 5. Persons of this stamp will quib. ble away the plainest testimonies of scripture, rather than yield to become indebted to the free grace of the gospel, for justification and life. They not only err, but also fortify themselves in error. If one scheme fails, they try another. They say in the pride and stoutness of their heart, The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycamores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars. Isa. ix. 9, 10.

When Noah had entered the ark, it is emphatically said, The Lord shut him in. But when the self-righteous have built their own refuge, they shut themselves in, and there rest secure, till they are either driven out by the sword of the Spirit,

or burnt out by the fire of divine wrath. Those cloaked hypocrites, and proud boasters, the pharisees, were full of self-sufficiency, but looked upon all others with disdain. They scarcely thought the publicans worthy to take place within the same walls, or walk in the path which they had made holy by their steps. Instead of trusting in the merits of the Redeemer, they hoped for acceptance with God, from their fasts, and prayers, and alms.

And are you resting your dependence on the wretched foundation of your own goodness? I must tell you, while you despise God's way, you will never be able to climb to heaven in your own way. All your virtues will not atone for one of your vices. Your scheme of religion makes void the righteousness, the sacrifice, and the grace of Jesus Christ, and therefore must assuredly fall; and if you cling to it, you must fall with it. Then, how dreadful it will be, to behold a frown on the face of the Judge, when you are expecting a welcome into the habitations of glory.

Deceitful views of future bliss, farewell!

You'll read your sentence at the flames of hell.

You are mistaken in supposing your good works will buy you a place in paradise. Christ

does not save men by halves. God will not barter away eternal blessedness, for any thing that is offered by your hands. I tell you nay; but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Your minds must be changed, and your hearts renewed, or you are utterly undone. Surely with one grain of common sense, and one ray of light from above, you may know a truth so plain, as the necessity of deep repentance. What ideot is there, as one well observes, who cannot per ceive the difference between a shadow and a substance? And do you mistake the form of godliness for the power of it? Can you really believe that a fine varnish will recommend a filthy vessel? Are you so stupid as to expect you shall enjoy the kernel, when you sit down contented with the empty shell? It was in vain for that false prophet, Balaam, to cry, Let me die the death of the righteous! Heaven was never yet gained by an idle wish! And as Balaam, at that very time, was following the wages of unrighteousness, though he uttered such fair words, he was quite as unfit for the perfect bliss of saints and angels, as the dumb ass which reproved him for his folly and madness. Think then of the holiness and majesty of God.

the standard of the divine law.

Try yourselves by

Beware of that

close lurking traitor in your own bosom, sin.