And, above all, do we feel our inability to fly from it by our own unassisted efforts? If we only know the names of these things : If we only talk about them: If we only recommend them to others: If they do not sink deeply into our own souls: We are but like the Scribes and Pharisees mentioned in the text.

Again. We declare that through the merits of Jesus Christ alone we can hope for pardon. But does our personal belief of this bear any proportion whatever to its magnitude and importance? Conceive our temporal prospects to be darkened with the deepest cloud of impending ruin. Conceive that we are about to suffer poverty, imprisonment, and disgrace. Conceive that we are about to suffer death, death by the hands of the public executioner, a death of shame and torture, before assembled multitudes, before acquaintances, friends, and enemies. Conceive that this terrible blow can only be averted by some great, and powerful, and benignant deliverer; and conceive that thisdeliverer

deliverer is at hand. He is before us. He is with us. He bears us from the insulting crowd, from the agonies of our friends, from the horrors of our own feelings. He places us in security, in affluence, in happiness, in honour. Conceive the change in our whole frame which would be produced by such a circumstance as this. And now, when we view the miracle of redeeming Love as the generality of us do view it; can we think our religion any thing more than a mere barren, fruitless profession? When we are so totally unawakened, as we hear or read of the mysteries of redemption, can our righteousness exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees?" Shall we in any case enter into the kingdom of heaven ?"

Once more. We declare that all must be renewed by the Spirit of God, before they can be meet for the inheritance of the saints in light. We declare that sanctification must lead us to glory, and chastisement prepare us for eternity. And what are the proofs of our genuine conviction of this grand

truth?

truth? Are we not as cold in our devotions, as languid in our intercessions, as eager to find excuses for absenting ourselves from the footstool of Divine grace, as though we believed that prayer was either unnecessary or unavailing? And if we dismiss the subject of prayer, and consider our conduct when we enter on the business of active life, shall we not feel equal cause to lament the discrepancy between our professed opinions and our apparent convictions; and to tremble lest we have been the children of the world, while we have fancied ourselves the children of God? Are we not as unimpressed with the infinite importance of eternity; as worldly in our habits, feelings, and prospects; as careless of running into temptation; as impatient under provocation; as desponding under temporal disappointment; as distrustful under temporal difficulties; as subdued by temporal sorrow; as they are who live confessedly to the world, and arrogate to themselves no views superior to those of the beasts that perish? If such be the temper of our minds; we may profess all

the

the articles of the Christian faith; describe them accurately; recommend them eloquently; and yet be as far from the kingdom of heaven, as the heathen who has never heard of Jesus Christ, or the Jew who denies him.

These are awful considerations, may we be enabled, through Divine grace, to impress them deeply upon our hearts! May they lead us to rest satisfied in nothing short of an entire change of principles, views, and feelings! May they lead us to a serious and constant preparation for eternity! to spiritual devotion, to the life of faith, to the heavenly dispositions and subdued affections, which are its fruits and its ornaments! Thus alone shall we feel the full influence of the Gospel, find in the merits of Jesus Christ salvation, and in his Spirit renovation of soul. Thus shall we enjoy the consolations of religion in this scene of trial and probation; and obtain the crown of glory and felicity, which will encircle the brows of the real Christian in eternity.

SERMON XI.

On the Sacrifice of the besetting Sin.

5TH. CHAP. OF ST. MATTHEW, 29TH AND

30TH VERSES.

66

If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell."

IT

T seems surprising that men can find in the precepts of Jesus Christ any thing to flatter their pride, and aid their self-de

ception.