which takes away peace from life, and hope from death, which brought forth death, at first, and which has, ever since, cloathed it with all its terrors; which arms nature, and the God of nature against us.-It is on account of this cruel enemy, that "the "whole creation groaneth and travaileth in "pain together until now ;" and that even Christians, "groan within themselves, wait

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ing for the adoption, that is, the redemp❝tion of their body.”

To have a still deeper sense of the malignity of sin, let us consider, what would be its consequences, did it universally prevail. Into what a dreadful state of anarchy, would it convert the world! How soon would it blast the beauty of God's works, and involve all nature in desolation and ruin! Now every instance of sin, is a tendency to this. It is that begun, which, if carried much farther, would issue in this fatal consequence.-We cannot, then, indulge an irregular desire, or a wrong thought, without taking a step to all that is terrible; without contributing to deface the beauty of the creation, and overturn all law, and order, and happiness.

Yet the effects of sin, in the present world, however awful, are nothing, when compared to those, which shall take place hereafter; when the righteous and the wicked shall be completely separated, and every one receive according to his deeds. What shall be the punishment of sin, then, we cannot, now, possibly imagine. But when we seriously consider its horrid nature and tendency, we can hardly entertain too dreadful apprehensions of the loss which it may entail, or be too anxious to remove all the remains of it from our tempers, and to escape to as great a distance, as possible, from the danger with which it threatens us. For what danger can be so hugely great, or so truly terrifying? The corruption of the soul, the thorough depravation of the moral principle exposes man to misery, the greatest in degree, and the longest in duration. Here, indeed, there is cause for wailing the most bittter, and affliction the most unrestrained. The impenitent sinner shall be excluded from the favour of God, and thrust into the "outer darkness," to have his dwelling with infernals." It is a fearful "thing to fall into the hands of the living "God.-Who can dwell with devouring

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"flames; who can lie down in everlasting 'burnings?"

Is sin so hateful to God, and is it followed with such awful punishment? and shall we be still at ease, and go on in the commission of it? Shall we be guilty of such monstrous folly? Shall we be so ungrateful to God, and cruel to our own souls? Shall we thus receive the offers of tender mercy? Are we expectants of a future life, and are we content to live in future misery? Future, incalculable misery, must be our fate, if we continue in sin. And we are all sinners; "if we say that we have no sin, we "deceive ourselves and the truth is not in " us." Our sins are more than we can number, and every sin, without being forgiven, "bringeth forth death."-How then, shall we be forgiven? How shall we be saved? We cannot save ourselves; the highest angel in heaven cannot save us. To Jesus Christ only, can we look for help in this time of need.-And surely no person, who duly reflects, can object to this part of the Christian economy. What are we here taught, but to expect blessings, spiritual and eternal, through the instrumentality of Christ? And, certainly,

there is no difficulty in understanding this, for here the economy of grace seems to be perfectly analogous to the economy of nature; to what we, continually, witness and experience. We daily see and feel, that one man is made instrumental in conferring, the blessings of providence, upon another; and we are even told, that the angels themselves, are appointed "ministering spirits "to minister for them who shall be heirs of "salvation.' May we not easily believe, then, that the Son of God was appointed to be the agent of his Father's love; that through his obedience, and sufferings, and death, "sin-the transgression of the law," -was to be abolished, death to be overcome, and all the blessings of redemption fully obtained?-The Gospel graciously reveals him as "the end of the law for " righteousness, to every one that be"lieveth." He has satisfied its demands, and, if we believe, redeemed us from its

curse, being made a curse for us.". Let us all then draw nigh to him, by faith, plead his sufferings and death, and resign ourselves to his government. If by faith, we do draw nigh to him, and "confess our "sins, God is faithful and just to forgive "us our sins, and to cleanse us from all

"unrighteousness." Thus, though transgressors of the law, we may be " justified "by faith-have peace with God, and joy "unspeakable, and full of glory-receiving "the end of our faith, even the salvation of "our souls."

Sinners, turn ye, turn ye, for why will you die? die? Haste, haste, from the tents of sin; break the chains by which you are held, and be not covetous of thraldom and of misery.

Christians," be of good cheer, for your "sins are forgiven you." Only watch and pray, and go on, with determined mind, in the path of duty. Continue followers of that which is good, and nothing shall, eventully, harm you. God is for you, and who, or what can ultimately prevail against you?—The power of sin shall be destroyed; your hearts shall be perfectly hallowed; every angel shall be your friend; God shall be your portion, and Heaven shall be your

home.-O Heaven! thou habitation of the just thou city of the living God! Into thee," nothing that defileth can enter." Thy pleasures are pure and unalloyed; perfect, and eternal !