the law from Mount Sinai, and many other valuable privileges above the other nations of the world. That the Almighty should thus select one family, and bestow upon them such extraordinary advantages, has by many been thought highly derogatory to his wisdom and goodness; but I shall hope, by a very familiar instance, to prove, that it was perfectly consistent with both these attributes. Suppose the father of a numerous family takes his eldest child, and gives him a superior education; stores his mind with useful knowledge, instructs him with unremitting attention, day and night; gives him the best information on important subjects, and fits him to appear in society with credit and advantage. Do you ask why he gives this child such superior advantages? Certainly, that he, in his turn, may instruct the younger branches of his family. Thus he is, in fact, providing for the happiness and improvement of all, while in appearance, he has been partial in the education of one of his children. In like manner, my reason and my Bible teach me to account for the preference shown by the Almighty to the Jews. He selected them from the rest of the world, that they might, by the purity and holiness of their conduct, reform the other nations.

They were the depositaries of scripture; into their care were committed the oracles of God; they had the Psalms for devotion, and the Prophets for examination; that when the Messiah appeared, they might perceive the truth of his pretensions, from his exact conformity to the words of those prophecies. When our Saviour appeared upon earth, he came to that very spot, and appealed to those very prophecies; which he could not have done, had they been scattered through distant parts of the world. When he appeared, how large his offers! How extensive his commission ! He invites all to come unto him, and promises rest unto their souls. He declares himself the Saviour of the world, and addresses his messages of love to every human being! He selected twelve fishermen to be his companions, dark as night in their ignorance, narrow as a jail by their bigotry; he enlightened their understanding, he removed their prejudices; and having fully instructed them in the nature and design of his coming, gives them this wide and benevolent commission, "Go and preach the gospel to all nations."

It has been stated by those, who were endeavouring to depreciate the moral goodness of God," Christianity, we know, will

finally be established through the world; but how many millions in the present time, and in former ages, have died without ever hearing of the gospel; and are they to perish?" My friends, there is an expression, which, though generally used by those who differ from us in religious tenets, I think, so applies in the present instance, that I cannot help introducing it. This is, "magnifying the grace of Christ;" he is certainly equally able to effect the salvation of all, as of a part of the human race; and I doubt not, many a virtuous Heathen (though he may not enjoy the superior felicity of a Howe, or a Doddridge) will be admitted into the heavenly state, who never heard of his Saviour while on earth.

I am indebted to my late aged parent, for an idea on this subject, which I never met with in any other author. "When our first parents were expelled from paradise, and the curse was pronounced on their posterity, the promise, that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head, was at the same time given; so that, literally speaking, every descendant of Adam was born under the blessing of that covenant.' Thus do we reconcile the justice with the mercy of our Creator. Devoutly do I subscribe to those words in my Bible; "There

is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved;" but I likewise firmly believe, that many, who in this world have lived unenlightened by the rays of the gospel, will, through divine grace, partake of the blessedness of immortality. Amen

SERMON XXIII.

THE MODE OF THE

CHRISTIAN DISPENSATION

BEST SUITED TO

THE STATE OF MAN.

These things write we unto you, that our joy may be full. I JOHN i. 4.

THERE is no passage in the New Testament which precisely meets the subject selected for our present meditation. But I think the words I have chosen, may, with great propriety, serve as a motto for a discourse of this

nature.

All the knowledge of Christianity we possess, is acquired by the historical and epistolary writings of the New Testament. St. John is the only Apostle who has enriched both these parts. As an Evangelist, he wrote the life of our Saviour; and as a friend, he has written unto the churches.