ing... They view it as a duty, an obligation, a law, a task, a burden, a weariness, and the less they can have of it, the better. The shorter the prayers, the sermon, the sabbath, the serious and pious conversation, the more are they pleased. They can find a delight in company, amusements, literary curiosities, philosophy, eloquence, politics, arts, science, merchandise, the gratifications of appetite and passion; but as to the unction and fragrance of the knowledge of the Redeemer, they are utterly ignorant of it. They treat it even with contempt. The Gospel must be handled with exquisite judgment and critical circumspection to gain their approbation at all. But the plain matters plainly stated, of man's ruined condition as a transgressor, of the desert of sin, of the necessity of repentance unto life, of faith in an atoning Saviour, salvation by grace, the regeneration of the Holy Spirit, mortification of every lust, separation from the world, and holy and devoted obedience of the heart and life to God-these they love not; as to the perception of any savour, any gust, any exquisite pleasure in them, they never once pretended to it. Their case, then, speaks for itself. All is with such persons mere form and speculation in religion. They are alienated from the life of God, through the ignorance which is in them, because of the hard

ness of their hearts. They have yet every thing to learn with respect to serious piety.

Awake, then, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee life. Obey at length the voice of conscience, and yield to the conquering Redeemer; cast away the arms of rebellion, and bow to his righteous sceptre. Let Christ triumph in your soul, and open wide the gates, that the King of glory may enter in. Behold, he stands at the door and knocks. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. Perhaps your heart softens as I speak. A secret wish rises in your soul, that you may be the Lord's. With an anxious countenance, you inquire if there be any way for your escape. You tremble for your sins, and feel your need of pardon. You perceive your bondage, and earnestly desire a deliverer. You would gladly forsake and renounce the tyranny of the world. O auspicious moment! This, methinks, is the beginning of repentance; the crisis and very turning point of salvation. Stop not, then, here; but implore earnestly the gift of God's Holy Spirit. You shall not do this in vain. Whatever particular sin opposes the full victory of grace, and the salutary influences of the Spirit in your soul, renounce it, and cut it off, though it be dear as a right hand or a right eye. Nothing, my bre

N N

thren, can be done without energy and effort. Burst then from the chain, and cast yourselves at the Redeemer's feet. Thus shall you hear his voice of mercy; thus shall you receive pardon and strength; thus shall you be saved and blessed in him.

Your ministers also, instead of any longer mourning over your obstinacy and lamenting your opposition to the Gospel, shall thank God for your willing obedience to the law of grace. Instead of fearing lest the name of Jesus should, through your corrupt and perverted hearts, become, to use the Apostle's word, a savour of death unto death, they shall rejoice that it has become a savour of life unto life. Instead of being afflicted and grieved at your hardness and impenitence, they shall bless God for your conversion and salvation; and both to saints and angels the triumph over you shall be the occasion of everlasting adoration and praise.

II. But, further, if, as I trust is the case with many of us, we have obeyed the Gospel, let us inquire wHETHER WE ARE HABITUALLY ACTING AGREEABLY TO IT. Are the effects of the victory evident? Are we growing in that subjection to our heavenly Lord, which we professed when we first knew the Gospel? Do the life and unction and sweetness and power of religion continue? I do not ask if you are per

fect, but if you are consistent; if you live in habitual repentance for sin, in habitual faith towards a crucified Redeemer, in habitual teachableness, humility, simplicity, purity, meekness, and love? I would inquire if you honour the doctrine of the Gospel by holy tempers and a heavenly deportment? I would ask if the gracious effects of the promises, and the joy of reconciliation and the peace of justification through faith, and the communion of prayer, and the fellowship of the Spirit, and the tenderness of an enlightened conscience, and the loveliness of an universal obedience continue? These are the sentiments and conduct which confirm and illustrate the triumph of Christ. These are the trophies of the conquest. Many seem to begin well; but it is only by holy perseverance, and a suitable advancement in sanctification, that they can evince the truth and reality of their Christian character.

When men draw back, or walk disorderly, or are carried about by divers and strange doctrines, the minister's triumph is turned into mourning. He stands in doubt of the individuals concerned; and, if he does his duty, he again and again entreats every one of them, as a father doth his children, to walk worthy of God, who hath called them to his kingdom and glory.

NN 2

On the contrary, when professed believers in Christian truth go on regularly, adorn the Gospel, grow in grace, maintain the unity of the spirit," obey them that have the rule over them," submit to discipline, as well as honour and love their Lord; retain the savour of his knowledge, and manifest this savour in their families and connexions; when the multitude of them that believe are of one mind, and, walking in the fear of God and the comfort of the Holy Ghost, are multiplied,--then the minister triumphs, his people are his joy and crown, and he renders thanks to God without ceasing at every remembrance of them all.

And if even on earth the Christian minister thus shares this transport, what will be the triumph, when he joins the church and assembly of the first-born which are written in heaven! What the exultation, when the mystery of Christ shall be finished, and God shall send out his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other; when the Saviour shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father, that God may be all in all! What will then be the hallelujahs, what the acclamations of joy, what the harmony of praise! The feast which usually succeeded the earthly conquest to which we have so often alluded, is not worthy to be compared with that hea