SERMON III.

DELIVERANCE FROM THE DEATH OF SIN.

ROMANS, vii. 24, 25.

O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

WHILE the scriptures, which alone teach the religion of Jesus Christ, plainly declare that men are by nature sinful, and must perish without mercy if they die in that state; the greater part of those concerned. in this truth, and professing to believe the same scriptures, appear perfectly satisfied with their condition, without having obtained or indeed sought any change whatever. If we had reason to suspect only that the Bible teaches truth, not to get satisfaction upon a matter so important

would be the most unreasonable thing in the world but to be assured that it is truth itself, and consequently that we are indeed, as it declares, "dead in trespasses and sins;" yet to live on without one thought of our danger or one struggle for escape, is worse madness than his who should sit trifling with straws or flowers, while his boat glides rapidly to the brink of a tremendous waterfall.

Such madness, however, is the wisdom of this world. Its prudent ones, who give to prudence the first place among the virtues, and think none acquainted with her but themselves, will repeatedly examine their accounts to see how they stand in the world, and, if they find the balance against them, will use every means that wisdom can devise or activity execute, until their circumstances flourish as before. But seldom do they conceive it necessary to examine their souls, to see how stands with them the balance between eternal misery and salvation. Yet they know the truths which the Bible speaks to their souls; nor do they deny their importance; but that

knowledge has no effect upon their hearts, nor influence over their conduct: they are as certain of it, and as little acted upon by that certainty, as that king Charles was beheaded, or that St. Peter's stands at Rome. Even so are "the children of this world wiser in their generation than the children of light."

Let us not be like unto them: but while we acknowledge the wisdom and the duty of attending to our worldly estate, let that be an argument for the far greater wisdom, the higher duty, the more imperative necessity, of arriving at a certainty respecting the present state and future prospects of our immortal spirits. The word of God itself can produce no effect if it be "not mixed with faith in those who hear it." Let us therefore listen to it in faith, in the same strong assurance of its truth which we have of the pressure of pain, or the call of hunger. And when in the most solemn and unquestionable language it pronounces, that we are by nature carnal, sin;" that we are born children of wrath, and, unless truly renewed by the Holy

sold under

Ghost, according to the Gospel of Christ, "vessels fitted for destruction"-when it declares that "all are concluded under sin ;" and that, unless a spiritual change has taken place within us, we cannot see light nor happiness-shall we not search fearfully into our hearts to see if tokens of grace be dwelling there? And if we find them not, if in their place we see the works of the flesh, the proofs of a carnal mind, and of a spirit unrenewed to righteousness, must we not stretch forth our hands for that salvation which we espy not in the desolation of our ruined hearts. Are we not constrained to cry, with earnest craving, "O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" who could bear for a day the certainty that he is at "enmity with God?" Knowing that, if one of the ten thousand causes of death should cut him off, he goes without remedy to the place prepared for the devil and his angels, who could reap satisfaction or pleasure from any thing which this world might offer? But let the anxious feeling of want, danger, and misery, be astir in the

For

heart, and awaken that strong crying for salvation, and already the gospel has done half its work. We need but show to the hungering and thirsting soul" the bread of God" and the well-spring of eternal life, trusting to the certainty of its finding there complete refreshment. We need but direct the eyes of him who is wounded by the serpent sin, to him who was lifted up upon the cross for sinners, secure that the sight must, in time, restore health and comfort. Attend therefore, if there be any who know sin and danger, but as yet know not redemption, and you shall hear "what the Lord hath done for your souls." In two words lies the cure of all your disease, the escape from all your danger, the shelter for all your fears-" Christ crucified!"

When sin had overcome the faithfulness of man, and corrupted his innocence; as soon as he became sensible of his shame, and convinced of his wretchedness, his Creator, "in judgment remembering mercy," gave the first promise of a Saviour: declaring that, as woman was the first transgressor, one born of a woman should