vinced, that God's ways and thoughts are so much above ours, as to make it no sort of presumptive proof against a doctrine's being true, that it contains in it things hard of digestion to us. He ought to give over making so audaciously free with the mercy of God, as too many do; and to open his eyes, and behold in the world many dreadful symptoms of his divine wrath against sin, displayed even in the present scene of things. And if he considers how severely sin is often punished in this world, in long, awful, and horrible inflictions, he may justly suspect that there is something in sin not so slight as he apprehended. A good and gracious God," whose mercy is over all his works," would not punish it so severely as he does, even here, if it were not an infinite evil.

He will find reason then to ask seriously, when he views himself a sinner, and makes any observation on the greatness and number of his sins, "What must I do to be saved?" If he looks abroad into the world, notwithstanding the flattering view of it which too many writers have given, he will find that matter of fact proves it as a wicked and a miserable world, in a state of war and enmity against God. Yet it is utterly inconceivable that such a vain, wicked, miserable world could have originally been formed in the state it now is in: it must have been thus degraded, by the just punishment of God for sin, in consequence of the fall of Adam.

Reflections of this kind (says the late judicious Bishop Butler) are not without their terrors to serious persons, the most free from enthusiasm, and of the greatest strength of mind: but it is fit things be stated, and considered as they really are. There is in the present age a certain fearlessness with regard

to what may be hereafter under the government of God, which makes it quite necessary that men be reminded, and, if possible, made to feel, that there is no sort of ground for being thus presumptuous. For may it not be said of any person, upon his being born into the world, that he may behave so as to be of no service in it, but by being made an example of the terrible effects of vice and folly? And is there any pretence of reason, for people to think themselves secure, and talk as if they had certain proof, that, let them act as licentiously as they will, there can be nothing analogous to this, with regard to a future and more general interest, under the providence and government of the same God?—— What other use is to be made of these striking observations of this very judicious author, and of many more such awful observations as may be made, than that to escape hell, and to obtain heaven, deserves to be thought of most intensely by us all!

Surely it is not enough for a man to say, we must do our best, and then God's mercies may be hoped for. This is a wretched plan of religion. Here are no distinct resting-places for the weary soul; no decisive instruction for a bewildered mind; no guidance and comfort for a burdened conscience. I am persuaded, that none but careless people, however decent they may be in outward conduct, can rest in such views as these. They whose minds have been previously exercised with careful thought, and who have obtained a just sight of human corruption and wickedness, as well as of the Divine greatness and purity, will never rest in a general notion of a Saviour, and call that Christian faith. For is it not plain, that immense numbers, who profess this

general notion, are as unhappy in sin, and as enslaved in corruption, as deists, or those who avowedly disregard Christianity altogether? But the faith of the gospel is the instrument of all sanctification, which I have not considered in this discourse, as well as of justification, which I have been considering. It is called a PRECIOUS thing in my text, and exceeding great things indeed are said in Scripture to be the effect of it-nothing less than the being born again, the total change of a man's state before God, and the bringing him into happiness out of misery. Now may not I appeal to too many, that they know of no such effects of their faith? May not too many justly say, certainly I have not the right Christianity, because I know no good it has done me?

The

My brethren, a general notion of Christ is not that which the Scripture calls faith in Christ, neither will it be of any more service to a sinner than a general notion of a physician will be to a sick man. people who were bitten by serpents in the wilderness were not cured by A GENERAL NOTION of the brazen serpent which Moses made. There was a particular looking at the object required of each wounded man, and then the good effect ensued. Thus are we to obtain the healing of our souls. For "as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the son of man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life."

This, then, is the advantage to be derived from those awful, affecting, and if you please melancholy, but true views of our sin and misery, which I have said are necessary to make a man relish true Chris

tianity. They lower a man's pride, and cure him of all hope from his own works. They show a man the inefficacy of all general notions of religion, and of Christian faith. They prepare a man to receive the real gospel. I have no doubt but every person who is seriously affected with the actual state of human nature, will receive the righteousness of Christ as the very thing that is calculated to relieve his soul. Despised it may and will be by too many; but they are only the careless, the proud, the deluded votaries of this world, who have no abiding conviction of the value of eternity and their need of a Saviour.

I may ask such, did you ever feel and deeply consider the need that you, in particular, have of a Saviour? Were your hearts ever humbled and affected with the thought of your deserving hell? Did sin ever appear to you in such a light, your own sins in particular, as to make you see the propriety; adore the wisdom; be humbled before the holiness; and admire the goodness of that way of God, by which he sent his Son to redeem us? Then, in the view of his righteousness, and the utter want of any in yourself, did you, as in the case of those bitten by serpents, did you receive this gift of righteousness? Did you make it make it your own by faith? This is Christianity indeed, taken out of the dead line of general notions, and applied to particular use. You may well call this faith PRECIOUS, you obtained it from above. By it you rest in Christ your Redeemer. You are completely recovered, in title and by divine promise, as we have seen, and will in fact be more and more

recovered, from the evil and ruin of the fall. Eternal life awaits you in the world to come, and joy unmixed, uninterrupted in your God for ever and ever. You can say a good word for Christ, as the physician of a sick soul, by experience.-But if you are void of these things, you are yet under the condemning covenant of works, the gift of righteousness in Christ, by which alone a man can obtain eternal life, is not yours, and if death seize you thus, judgment without mercy will overtake you.

I have delivered the gospel doctrine and application of it. To those who have received it, I would say, rejoice alway in the Lord, and live up to your privileges-To those who have not, I say, “ repent ye and believe the gospel."-But after men have thus believed, have they nothing to do? Ah! yes: much. If they be spared to live any time on earth, very much. I have described only the door, the entrance of Christianity, in this discourse. If you will hear, I will endeavour, as God shall help me, to go on with a course of Sermons on the progress of religion. At present, be this observed. Let not men over drive either themselves or others. Are you clearly instructed in the fundamental doctrine of the righteousness of Christ, and precious faith in that as all your justification, for ever, before God? If you be steadily placed on this foundation, go on and build, and you shall grow up an holy temple to the Lord. If not, do what you will besides, you build castles in the air; for "other foundation can no man lay, than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."