quences. It has been shown that sin, dwelling in the heart of man, makes not only some single actions or acquired habits hateful to God, but has such an effect upon our very nature, that with every soul unrenewed by grace, unsprinkled by the blood. of Christ, he must deal as with an enemy: for that every soul is by nature carnal, and "the carnal mind is enmity against God." We have also seen that this is the condition of every man that is born into the world: for, unless he has an interest in the blood of Christ, sin, reigning in a man of the best natural qualities, must prove his destruction.

But the most important part of my task remains yet to be executed: it is, to bring home to the heart of each hearer, the observations which have been made upon mankind in general. I wish I could be as sure of success here, as I am certain that the doctrine now set forth is that of the gospel. But a wretch may cry for bread by the way side while plentiful harvests are carried home around him-may perish

i Romans, viii. 7.

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by famine within a few steps of loaded granaries; and alas! you may confess the truth that "the scripture hath concluded all under sin," yet want the effectual persuasion that it applies with its full force to your own case in particular: that you are, by nature, dead in trespasses and sins." Upon a full and active conviction, however, of this great truth, hangs your hope of everlasting life. Examine, therefore, and prove your own selves." Of many means of proof within your reach, two or three simple questions will supply enough for the purpose; will unveil the most deceitful heart, and mortify the most deluded selfrighteousness.

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Can you recollect no time when you have found it a heavy and unpleasing task to think upon, and to pray with the heart to the Lord? Nay, are you now at all times well pleased to "commune with your own heart and in your chamber;" to pour out your frailties and wants before the throne of grace? ? Do you always give up that which seems to promise pleasure or profit because you have reason to think it dis

pleasing to your God? Does your heart never swell with anger against a fellowcreature for a small offence? I know what answer you must give to each of these questions; and you know that they prove,

without a shadow of doubt, that sin dwelleth in you. You say that no man can altogether avoid these things, that the fault is in your nature.-Aye! in that corrupt, lost nature, which you share with all mankind, which "concludes you under sin." That nature which, until renewed by means far beyond any earthly power, renders you inevitably a child of wrath.

For remember, that with the general sin you share its universal consequences: the absence, namely, of any thing within yourselves which can give you a claim to the kingdom of heaven: the being by nature subject to the justice of God, whose hand is quicker than his lightning, and the slightest breath of his displeasure more hot than flames of sulphur: the certainty that, unless saved by grace, you must, after a few years of trouble and vanity on earth, dwell for ever with Satan, the father of

sinners, in that dismal place, "where their worm dieth not and the fire is never quenched." You are by birth a sinner, and your home is the " valley of the shadow of death;" a valley full of the sloughs of ignorance, perplexity, and wretchedness, surrounded by the dark mountains of despair, whose tops reach to the clouds. Look round you and see your real state; open your eyes to a true sense of your danger; make earnest enquiry for relief! There is a path of deliverance: it is difficultyou must endure toil in climbing it; it is narrow-you must leave behind you many favourite indulgences. Christ is "the way, the truth, and the life!" If you have already found him; if you know him as he is; if, by penitence, by faith, and prayer, you have obtained grace to be numbered among his true and faithful people, you "have the witness in yourselves." These remarks have not been meant for you, for you have long known and felt their truth. But if you have loitered on the way, and trifled with your high calling-understand,

k John, xiv. 6.

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believe, that as by nature you are lost, "by grace are ye saved through faith ;" and do not rest, do not be comforted, until by study of the scriptures with prayer, by serious thought, you have obtained justification, and renewal by the Holy Ghost "unto righteousness and true holiness." back one look upon the "rock whence ye are hewn, and the hole of the pit whence ye are digged," upon the fearful state of those who are yet under the dominion of sin, and fly with trembling haste to the city of refuge, Jesus Christ, who died "to save his people from their sins."

1 Matthew, i. 21.