the Apostle. And as for the true Intent SER M.

of it,

2. IT will be obvious, I believe, to every one's Observation, upon the reading the whole Context, that this finning wilfully, in ver. 26. is the total and open forfaking the Christian Affemblies, in the Verfe before: which was accounted a renouncing and being ashamed of, the Christian Faith, in Compliance with the Infidel World about them. And that this finning wilfully, here spoken of, is to be understood of a publick Renunciation of Chriftianity, and Apoftacy from the Gospel, feems plain from the 29th Verse in which the wilful Sinner, mentioned here, is opposed to one amongst the Jews that defpifed Mofes's Law, and profeffedly oppofed it; and is farther defcribed to be one who hath trodden under Foot the Son of God, and bath counted the Blood of the Covenant, wherewith He was fanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done Despite unto the Spirit of Grace: Phrases, very like to those by which the Author of this Epiftle defcribes an open Apoftacy from the Chriftian Faith, in the Paffage which I laft confidered; and which cannot agree fo well to any other N 2

..

fort

VIII.

SER M. fort of wilful Sins, as to that of a DeparVIII. ture from the Profeffion of Christianity, and, m as much as in Men lies, giving an open Affront to that Difpenfation, and bringing a publick Difgrace upon it. So that the wilful Sinners, here spoken of, are not the wilful Sinners, of whom we are now treating; viz. those who are fo, at any time, during their Profeffion of Chriftianity.

3.

WHAT is affirmed of these Sinners, in the Paffage now before us, is that there remaineth no more Sacrifice for Sin: that is, either that the Force of Chrift's Sacrifice fignifieth nothing to fuch as have renounced his Religion or that there is no other Sacrifice of any Force, befides that which they have renounced; which cannot profit them, whilst it is publickly renounced by them. But certainly this is faid of them, confidered as continuing in their Apoftacy; and not as returning fincerely again to their former Profeffion. And this indeed may be faid of any wilful habitual Sinners, continuing fuch, that the Sacrifice of Chrift will profit them nothing: but this, without taking from them the Hope of the Favour of God, upon the

Altera

Alteration of their Lives, and their coming SER M.

It appears, therefore, I think, very plain. ly, that the Perfons here fpoken of, are not wilful Sinners, who are fuch, during their open Profeffion of Christianity; and that, fuppofing the thing here affirmed, to be affirmed of all wilful Sinners in general, it is not an utter Exclufion of any of them from all Hopes, but as remaining in their Sins and confequently, that this Palage proves nothing against the Poffibility of wilful Sinners, of all Degrees, amongst such as profefs Christianity, obtaining the Favour of God, upon the Terms appointed by Himself in the Gofpel: viz. the forfaking what is evil; and the fincere, univerfal Amendment of their Lives, in all those Inftances, in which they can discover themselves to have been formerly finful, or defective.

AND it being fo evident, from what I have heretofore difcourfed, that these are the only Conditions of their final Juftification, and Acceptance; and fo plain from what I have now faid, that, upon their coming up to these Conditions, they need not doubt of that Juftification and Acceptance; what reN 3 mains,

VIII.

SER M. mains, but that we all shake off

every PreVIII. tence of Despair and Defpondency, on the one hand; and every vain Hope and fruitlefs Expectation, on the other; and heartily fet our felves to amend whatever is amifs in our Tempers, or Practice; to run our Christian Race in that Path which Christ himself hath marked out to us; and, by patient continuance in well-doing, to feek after Glory and Immortality? Which God grant we may all obtain, for the Sake of his Son Jefus Chrift, our Lord!

SERMON

The Miftake, of relying upon Faith, confidedered, &c.

SERMON IX,

EPHESIANS ii. 8.

For by Grace are you faved, through Faith; and that not of your felves: it is the Gift of God.

IX.

Now come to the Second part SER M. of that Defign, which I have, for fome Time, had in View; viz. to examine particularly the principal of thofe falfe Pretences, and mistaken Notions, concerning the Terms of our Acceptance with God, by which Men fupport themselves in their Continuance in their beloved Vices; and endeavour to elude the Force, and arm themselves against the Power, of those plain Texts of Scripture, and those convincing Arguments,