SERM.

ΧΙΧ.

It is but too plain, that such as make this excuse are in that way which leadeth to destruction. The only question is, whether they are resolved to go on in it? Especially when [Mark 9. they consider, that it certainly leadeth to that place, "where 44.] their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.”

Is it for nothing that God has made this known to us? Is it not that we may awake out of sleep? That we may see the danger we are in, and overcome all difficulties, for a few days, that we may escape being miserable for ever? And that we may be encouraged to do so, the Spirit of God has assured us, that our reward shall be great hereafter,-our comfort in the mean time such as cannot be expressed,—and that we shall have such assistance as shall enable us to overcome all difficulties. We have therefore but this choice, either to follow our own inclinations for a while, and be miserable for ever; or to obey the will of God (though we meet with uneasiness), that we may obtain His favour, and be eternally happy. And it is mere folly to expect any other issue of our obedience or disobedience. For thus God has dealt with men since the world began: Such as obeyed Him, with their whole hearts, found their advantage in it; and such as followed their own wicked imaginations were rejected of God, and delivered up to destruction.

Lastly; When no other excuse will do, people are apt to shelter themselves under the mercy of God, and hope through His infinite goodness, all will be well with them at last, though they should not do their best to please Him.

It is most certain, that mercy of God in Jesus Christ is the only hope of sinful men; but then, it is strange presumption to hope, that because God is good, I may therefore be bold to provoke Him; especially, after God has expressly declared how far and to whom His mercy shall extend,-who may and who must not depend upon it. In particular, He has declared, that to the impenitent and unbelievers no mercy shall be shewn, whatever they may hope for. And that we [Matt. 3.8; may not mistake His meaning, He has plainly told us, true 1 Pet.1.22.] penitents are such as bring forth fruits meet for repentance; and that true faith is such as purifieth the heart. So that if this word is the rule by which God will judge us, and by which we may judge whether we are out of danger or not,

Acts 15.9;

we see plainly, that the mercy of God will be of no advantage to us, while we knowingly transgress His laws.

Nay, that this may be no cloak for our sin, the Spirit of God has told us with what contempt God will treat those that, being often reproved, and called upon, do still harden their hearts till affliction comes upon them: "I will laugh at [Prov. 1. 26.] your calamity, and mock when your fear cometh."

And now you see, how much people may be mistaken; how apt they are to deceive themselves; how rash, and how presumptuous, in concluding all may be well with them, without any warrant from God's Word. And this should make us more cautious of trusting to a false peace, a peace of mind without reason and without promise.

What I mean is this: let us carefully examine ourselves, whether we do not depend upon some of these, or some such like pretences, for our future happiness? Always remembering, that without holiness no man shall see the Lord. That [Heb. 12. 14.] the duties of christianity are indispensable. That God did never excuse any one of His servants, from the beginning of the world to this day, from observing them faithfully. That [Matt. no man can serve two masters; so that it is in vain to call myself a servant of God, when I do not the things which He has commanded.

24.]

Let us consider farther, that if we meet with temptations, it was designed we should do so, that we might thereby be obliged to depend more entirely upon God. That if we are sometimes at a loss, it is so ordered, that we may look up to God for light and salvation. That if we love darkness rather [John than light, it is no wonder if we miss our way, 19.] and are bewildered. That if we want hearts to set about the work of our salvation in good earnest, it is because we know, in our consciences, that we never sincerely prayed to God to give us grace to do so. That if we are careless because the rest of the world are so, and hope to come off as well as others, it is because we do not consider, that it will be no comfort to be damned for company, no more than it would be pleasure to be poor, or sick, or tormented here, for company.

Let us consider a little farther: That want of time can be no excuse in a christian country, where one day in seven is set apart for this business and none else. That want of capa

.

XIX.

SERM. city cannot be pretended, when we understand things much more difficult to be known. That to put off the concern of our souls to the last, is plainly to value them less than any thing else. That to think ourselves safe, because we do not fear any danger, is to be ignorant of a great truth, which is— that people may be given over to a reprobate mind, that is, a mind void of judgment. Lastly; that such pretences as these will rather increase our guilt, than serve to obtain our pardon, when we appear before God. And the conclusion will be, that he who seeks out excuses for not living as becomes the Gospel of Christ, is only contriving how to shut himself out of heaven.

In one word; a man that is heartily concerned for his salvation will ask himself this one short question, Why do I hope to be saved? He that dares not do this, may depend upon it he is not in the way of salvation. And he that is once fully persuaded, that without a sincere repentance, a lively faith, and an unfeigned charity, he cannot be saved, will never think of making excuses to free himself from these duties, and the fruit of them-holiness of life. For a man to be at ease upon any other account, or to hope that any thing in the world will atone for want of true piety, is to hope without reason and without Scripture.

This is what was necessary to be said, to keep us from false hopes, and an unsafe peace of conscience; which that it may do, I commend it and you to the good blessing of God. And I beseech you, my beloved, remember this one thing,that all is vanity, besides taking care of your souls.

Now to God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, &c.

SERMON XX.

CORRUPTION OF HUMAN NATURE, AND THE NECESSITY
OF A REDEEMER.

LUKE V. 5. We have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing. And so we shall ever do, without Thy grace and help, O Jesus. Enable me, therefore, I beseech Thee, to speak to the hearts and to the capacities of those that hear me. Let me learn and be able, from the sense of my own corruption and frailties, to pity such as are ignorant of the danger they are in; to warn such as are careless; and to comfort and direct such as are weary with the burden of their sins, and lead them to Thee, their Redeemer, for Thy merit's sake, O Blessed Saviour. Amen.

ROMANS Vii. 24, 25.

O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body See Ps. 85. of this death? Why; the grace of God, through Jesus Christ 2; Baruch our Lord.

4. 4; John 15. 4; Acts 4. 12; 13. 26; Rom.

if 3. 23; 5.8; Gal. 3, 13; Eph. 2. 4; Tim.1.15; 4. 19.

THE meaning of these words will be fully understood, we look back to some verses going before; particularly to verse 18: "I know" (that is, I feel by sad experience), "that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will" that which is good "is present with me;" that is, I easily perceive it; "but how to perform that which is good I find not," that is, of myself I am not able to do it.

Now, it being thus with me, the good that I would (that is, that which my reason approves), this I do not; but the evil which I would not (which my conscience tells me I ought not to do), this I do ;-this troubles me, grieves me, and makes me afraid for myself, and even forces me to cry out, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from this body of death?" (who shall free me from these bodily appetites, which enslave me, and expose me to ruin?) who shall deliver me? why; THE GRACE OF GOD, vouchsafed unto mankind, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD; this will de

1

1 John 3. 1;

SERM. liver every man, who sincerely lays hold of it, from the slavery of those sins which do so easily beset us.

ΧΧ.

Now, I shall take occasion, from these words, to lay before you-First; The great corruption of human nature. Secondly; The great danger we are in on that account. Thirdly; This will shew the necessity and blessing of a Redeemer. Fourthly; We shall then see plainly the great love of God in sending His Son to redeem us. Fifthly; We shall consider, the great obligation this love of God lays upon christians. And lastly; The dreadful condition of all such as neglect or despise this great mercy of God vouchsafed

unto men.

Believe it, christians, that what I am going to say to you upon these heads will be worthy of your most serious attention. They are truths on which our salvation depends, and therefore I would press them upon your hearts with all imaginable plainness, as well as earnestness.

I. Let us first consider the great corruption of our nature; the knowledge of this being the foundation of all true reli[Matt. 9. gion. "They that be whole (saith our Redeemer) need not 12.] a physician, but they that are sick;" these, and these only, will desire and value the help that is offered them. Jesus Christ (said the Prophet Isaiah, lxi. 1.), when He cometh, will preach glad tidings-but to whom? why, to the meek; [Isa. 61. 1.] for such only would be disposed to receive His message: He would bind up the broken-hearted, for such only would be glad of help: He would proclaim liberty to the captives, for such only as are sensible of the bondage of sin will be glad to be set at liberty.

[Matt. 11. 28.]

It was such as these that our Lord invited, when He said, "Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden," with the burden of your sins, " and I will give you rest."

In short; wherever the Gospel was preached, all such as feared God, and were in fear for themselves, when they were told of a judgment to come, these received the Gospel with a glad heart, as shewing them the way to obtain pardon and [Mal. 4. 1.] happiness. Whilst all the proud, as the same Prophet speaks, and such as do wickedly, fearing no evil, to such the Gospel will be preached without effect.

Now, my design, in the first place, is, to raise in your