cheering rays; the river of salvation flows genial through your borders, but you refuse to approach, and drink, and live for ever; the heavenly manna descends in showers around your habitation, yet you fold your arms in sloth, and wilfully perish with hun

ger.

These considerations have often led me to reflect with myself what method I should embrace for alarming your security, and, if possible, become the instrument of delivering you "from the wrath to come."

This

object, however important, could not be overtaken from the pulpit, as your attendance there is refused. I have therefore concluded, in this familiar and affectionate manner, to address you from the press. This letter, in my bodily absence, or when my lips are closed in silence, may serve as a monitor, and through the blessing of the gracious Spirit may become the happy means of converting you from the error and danger of your ways.

I cannot proceed farther without calling to your attention that awful query of the Holy Ghost" how shall ye escape, if ye neglect so great salvation?" This solemn challenge, or rather denunciation, against gospel despisers, fully excuses me in intruding upon you the present address: it will form an ample apology for any warmth and earnestness with which the duty of attending ordinances may be urged, and recommends all that may be said on this sub

ject to your serious consideration. But should you, notwithstanding, think proper to pronounce this freedom an impertinent intrusion, I will cheerfully bear the charge, when the honor of my Master and your most precious interests for eternity, are so deeply involved.

Permit me to intreat you to the duty of attending the sanctuary by the authority of God who requires it; by gratitude to the great Redeemer, in whose name pardon and glory are there proclaimed; by a regard to your immortal souls, the salvation of which these ordinances are appointed to promote; by a concern for the welfare of your children, and others who may probably be influenced by your example.

1. I would urge your attendance upon public ordinances by the authority of God, in whose name they are dispensed. The preaching of the gospel is no contrivance of mortals, but appointed by Him who is the supreme Lord of our time and talents; who possesses an undeniable right to establish any ordinance which his sovereignty may dictate, or his glory require. He gave apostles, and prophets, and evangelists, and pastors, and teachers for the work of the ministry, and has positively commanded them, "cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet; preach the word, be instant in season, and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine." Ministers are merely ambassa

dors for Christ; they are only "stewards of his mysteries," and therefore in neglecting their ministry you pour contempt on that high authority by which they are appointed. But your inattention to ordinances not only betrays contempt to the authority of God, but also a shameful despite of his grace. The ministry of the gospel is a most illustrious display of the divine condescension and goodness. There Jehovah reveals himself "as the Lord, the Lord God, merciful, gracious, long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth." There, by his servants, he stands and announces the general jubilee of reconciliation, through the obedience and blood of his co-equal Son: Seated on his throne of mercy, he proclaims pardon to the guilty, holiness to the polluted, adoption to the alien, consolation to the mourner, redemption to the spiritual captive, and an inheritance of glory to the children of wrath and destruction. He there affectionately expostulates-"come now, and let us reason together: As I live I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they would turn from their ways and live." "The ministry of reconciliation is given to us"-a ministry, which is the wonder of angels, and fills all heaven with acclamations of praise to the riches of divine grace, "that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing unto them their trespasses." Therefore, a neglect of this institution is equally a contempt to the

authority and grace of Jehovah; it is virtually saying, that you neither fear his displeasure, nor value his favor.

2. Let me entreat you to the performance of this duty by gratitude to the loving Saviour, who procured our salvation at the expense of his own blood, and in whose name pardon and glory are freely offered.

Do you not necessarily feel some sense of obligation to the man whose conduct towards you has been marked with singular generosity? Had another rescued you from certain ruin at the hazard of his own life, would you not feel obligated to serve him? Had this interposition in your behalf been unexpected, undeserved—had it taken place after ten thousand insults given him, would it not heighten your obligation? All these circumstances in their highest possible degree meet in the kindness of the Lord Jesus, and unite their claim constraining to obey his commandments. He interposed in our behalf, not at the hazard barely, but at the certain sacrifice of his life; he died not for friends, but for foes, for apostates from his family, and rebels to his crown, because Jesus, being Jehovah, was the person to whom we had forfeited our lives." He hath commended his love towards us" beyond all expression, and to the endless astonishment of angels," in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Now, beloved brethren, is it not ingratitude the most criminal, habitually to neg

lect these ordinances, where the riches of grace are proclaimed? Ministers are ambassadors for Christ; their whole employment is to offer to perishing sinners a free salvation through his name: They are appointed "to preach not themselves but Christ Jesus the Lord;" in the glories of his Person, as "God manifested in the flesh;" in the excellencies of his offices; in his endearing relations as our head, our husband, our shepherd, our father; in the perfection of his righteousness, and in the fulness and freedom of his salvation..

With his garments rolled in the blood of his cross, the divinely compassionate Saviour walks through the galleries of the sanctuary; "Behold me! Behold me!" he affectionately entreats, presenting himself to the view of every worshipper: "Behold me, wounded for your transgressions; bearing the curse, that you might be redeemed from it; degraded to the condition of a servant, that you might be exalted to the liberty of sons; a man of sorrows, that you might be crowned with unutterable joy; a child of wrath, that you might obtain the adoption and inheritance of sons." Lo! what a succession of wonders rushes upon our view in the sanctuary of divine grace: We are led to Bethlehem, and behold the Saviour in the meanness of his birth; the everlasting Father becoming a child of yesterday; the mighty God a feeble, helpless babe; creation's Lord putting on the form of a servant;