FORASMUCH as Reaſon and Experience teach us, that we are (in a moral Reſpect) diſeaſed; and ſeeing, according to the Revelation GOD has graciouſly given us, a Phyſician is provided to heal this Diſeaſe; it muſt therefore be of the laſt Importance to know its Nature and Extent, that we may be ſuitably affected therewith, and apply to the great Phyſician in earneſt for a Cure, without the leaſt Delay; which unleſs we do, we are not like to obtain any Benefit by his Blood; for the Whole need no Phyſician, but the Sick; and many ſhall ſeek to enter into the Kingdom of God, and not be able.

NOW the dangerous and mortal DISEASE we labour under, is SIN; which is two-fold, viz. ORIGINAL and ACTUAL; it is the former of theſe that the Text under our preſent Conſideration treats; to underſtand which, let it be conſidered; that the Apoſtle is therein comparing the Firſt and Second Adam, in reſpect of the World's being corrupted by the one, and reſtored by the other.

WHEREFORE it is as if the Apoſtle had ſaid, ſeeing Things are ſo in reſpect of the Benefits received by Chriſt, as I have repreſented in the preceeding Verſes, then it is evident that what was loſt by Adam, is reſtored by CHRIST: This he proceeds to illuſtrate, by ſhewing particularly what the Loſs was, which we ſuſtain by our firſt Parents Treſpaſs, both in reſpect of Integrity and Happineſs; by one Man Sin entered into the World, and Death by Sin; here obſerve, that Man is the Parent of Corruption; altho' the Devil ſinned before Man, yet he did not Sin to Man, but to himſelf; he was indeed the Procurer of Man's Sin by his Temptations, but not the Committer of it; and therefore it was not from his Seduction, but Man's Tranſgreſſion, that Sin entered into the World.

BUT who was this Man? A. ADAM, and EVE; though theſe were two in reſpect of Sex, yet they were but one by Nature and Mariage; Eve began the Sin, and Adam finiſhed it; nor does it paſs to Poſterity till it be finiſhed (Gen. ii. 17.) But why is not Eve named? A. Becauſe the Hebrews do not cite Genealogies by Women, and becauſe Adam was conſtituted the Parent and Principal of the human Race, and was one with Eve, not only oeconomically but naturally; for ſhe was made out of him, and depended upon him: But why is one preciſely •• med? A. That it might appear the 〈◊〉 , that of one Blood all Nations have proceeded, and eſpecially that Chriſt the ſecond Adam, might be the more conveniently oppoſed to the firſt.

SIN entered; the Word is not taken here improperly, for the Puniſhment of Sin, as it is in ſome other Places of Scripture, but properly for moral Impurity, becauſe it is diſtinguiſhed from Death, from Puniſhment; Sin entered into the World, and Death by Sin: Sin is ſpoken of in the ſingular Number, as it is frequently in the following Verſes, to ſhew that one Sin of our firſt Parents paſſed to their Poſterity; one Sin of Adam only was natural, the reſt were perſonal: But what was that one Sin of which the Apoſtle ſpeaks? A. It was that actual Sin, which our firſt Parents committed by eating the forbidden Fruit, and the Guilt thereof which are charged upon Adam's Poſterity, becauſe the Prohibition did not reſpect him only, but them alſo whom he repreſented; this is commonly called original Sin imputed; together with the Polution conſequent thereupon, conſiſting in a want of original Righteouſneſs, and Propenſity to all Evil; this has ſtained the whole human Nature, as both Scripture and ſad Experience witneſs, and from this fatal Fountain all actual Evils flow; this Polution or Depravity, is commonly called Original Sin inherent.

NOW the Apoſtle aſſures us, that this Sin of Adam has entered into the World; by the Word World, we are to underſtand all the Inhabitants of the World, or all Men, as the Apoſtle himſelf expreſſes it, in the following Part of the Verſe: The Thing containing, is put for the Perſons contained, by a uſual Metonimy; but how did Sin enter into the World? I anſwer, not by Imitation, for then it would not paſs upon thoſe, that had not ſinned after the Similitude of Adam's Tranſgreſſion, which the Scriptures aſſure us it did: It therefore entered into the World at firſt by the Treſpaſs of our firſt Parents, and is therein continually propagated by natural Generation; as appears by the next Words of the Text, and ſo Death paſſed upon all Men. What Death? A. All that Death which was oppoſed, to the three-fold Life that Man enjoyed, while in a State of Innocence, viz. Natural, Spiritual, Eternal. This Interpretation, the Law of Contraries, and indefinite Form of Expreſſion give Ground for.

NOW ſurely the Puniſhment could not paſs upon all, without the Cauſe thereof, the Sin together with it; for the Judge of all the Earth muſt needs do right: And hence we may learn, that Original Sin is propagated after the ſame Manner, that Death is, viz. by natural Generation; Men are begotten ſinful, and ſo by conſequence mortal, for by Sin came Death.

IN the following Words of the Text, we have an Account of the reaſon of the Propagation of Sin and Death to all Mankind, and it is this, for that all have ſinned; ſome render the Words, Eph o, in which, and ſo theſe Words are taken in many Places of Scripture, Rom. 1.2, 3.8. 3. Mat. 18.5. and divers other Places which it is needleſs to mention; and that it is to be taken ſo in our Text, the Apoſtle informs us, by that parallel Place of Scripture, 1 Cor. 15.22. for as in Adam all die, ſo in Chriſt all ſhall be made alive: This ſacred Paſſage is a pregnant Proof, that Adam was a Repreſentative of his whole Poſterity, and it may be obſerved, that the aforeſaid Words are ſo rendered in the Margin of our Bibles, IN WHOM: But if our Tranſlation be retained, it is much to the ſame Senſe, for if the Wages of Sin be Death, and ſuch do die, as never committed actual Sin themſelves, as Infants do; then it will follow neceſſarily, that they ſinned in this one Man, in whoſe Loins they were; as Levi is ſaid to have paid Tithes in the Loins of Abram (Heb. 7.9.) and hence it is as expreſly and categorically aſſerted, in the following Verſes (viz. 15. and 18) as any Thing can be, that by the Offence of one many are Dead, and that by the Offence of one, Judgment came on all to Condemnation.

THIS apoſtolical Concluſion, viz. that by the Offence of one, Judgment has come upon all Men to Condemnation, or, in other Words, that the Guilt of Adam's Sin is imputed to all his Offspring, is the important Point, that I would eſſay to evince in this Diſcourſe, by Scripture and Reaſon, and to anſwer Objections to the contrary; but previous thereto, give me Leave to offer ſome Conſiderations, that tend to caſt Light upon the labouring Subject.

HERE let it be obſerved, that there are two Things conſiderable in Sin, viz. its Guilt and Polution, the former binds us to ſuffer Puniſhment while Impenitent, by the Threatning annexed to the Violation of the Law, viz. that the Soul that ſinneth ſhall die, which divine Juſtice and Truth are engaged to iſſue; but the latter, viz. the Polution of Sin, degrades and corrupts the Soul, by making it (in its general Temper and Diſpoſition) contrary to GOD'S Nature and Law; the firſt is removed by Juſtification, through the Righteouſneſs of CHRIST, imputed and received by Faith; and the latter by Regeneration and Sanctification, whereby pious Principles or Habits are infuſed and confirmed, through the bleſſed Influence of the Holy Spirit, co-operating with the Means of Grace, and Dealings of Providence: Both theſe Graces are neceſſary to Salvation, the one to give a Title to it, and the other to make us meet to enjoy it; and though they are different, yet they are inſeparable; all that are juſtified by Faith, are regenerated and ſanctified by the Holy Spirit; for that Faith which juſtifies, purifies the Heart, and works by Love. In order to make what I have now offered eaſy to be underſtood, by thoſe that are weak and ignorant, give me Leave to uſe this humble Simile, viz. ſuppoſing a Leprous Perſon was condemned to be burnt for ſome atrocious Crime, the Prince's Pardon would not cure the Leproſy, no, there muſt be another Sort of Medicine uſed to that Purpoſe.

BUT what is SIN? I anſwer in the Words of the Apoſtle John, that it is a Tranſgreſſion of the Law, or a being without the Law, or not conformed to it; theſe Things the original Word anomia, ſignifies.

A LAW in general may be thus deſcribed, viz. that it is a Rule of Things to be done, and avoided, enacted by competent Authority, and enforced by the Sanction of Rewards and Puniſhments.

THE Law of GOD in this, differs from the Laws of ſecular Princes, that it preſcribes Limits to the Temper and Acts of the Mind, as well as to the Speech and overt Actions of the Life: For the Mind is the Man, the internal Principles that Men act from, as well as their Views and Frames in acting, are indeed the chief Things that conſtitute the Goodneſs or Badneſs of Action; and they being all open to the Eye of God, it is but right, that the Father of Spirits (from whom the Law proceeds) the juſt Judge of the Univerſe▪ ſhould preſcribe Rules for, take Cognizance of, and reward or puniſh them according to their different Natures, and Degrees of Goodneſs or Malignity: But earthly Potentates having no Knowledge of the Heart, or Empire over it, are utterly diſqualified for ſo arduous a Province; and the Intention of civil Laws being only to preſerve external Order and Right in the State, if theſe Things be obſerved, its End is anſwered: But it is not ſo in Reſpect of the Laws of GOD, there the Spring and Scope of Action, which are concealed from, and impenetrable to human Cognizance, are principally regarded; there the leaſt Diſconformity in the Temper of the Soul, or in any of its Acts, Diſpoſitions, and Deſigns, to that perfect and univerſal Purity the Law requires of all intelligent Beings, is a Tranſgreſſion of the Limits preſcribed by it, and therefore Sin.

THE original right of Power among Men, ariſes either from Generation in Nature, Preſervation in War, or ſome public Service done to Society: Thus the Juriſdiction and Dominion of Jehovah over Mankind, is founded in his Propriety in them, and that ariſes from his giving to them their Beings, and all their Benefits; Iſa. 44.21. Remember O Iſrael, for thou art my Servant, I have formed thee. From hence a ſupream Right of Legiſlation naturally iſſues; in a Word, GOD'S right to Rule over us, is founded on Juſtice, for he has made us, and not we ourſelves, we are the People and Sheep of his Paſture; his abſolute Property: It is alſo founded on Gratitude and Reaſon, for from him we have received innumerable and very valuable Benefits; and the infinite and tranſcendant Excellency of his Nature deſerves the higheſt Eſteem, and qualifies him for ſupream Rule; hence it appears, that every Sin is unjuſt, ungrateful, and irrational, for it robs God of his Right (of the Homage and Service due to him) violates the Laws of Gratitude, and ſlights tranſcendant Excellency. Now

THE Laws of Religion are of two Kinds, viz. moral and poſitive; the former are founded in Reaſon and Equity, and therefore are immutable and perpetual; enjoined becauſe they are intrinſically Good; but the latter, viz. poſitive Laws, proceed from God's ſovereign Pleaſure, without regard had to the intrinſic Goodneſs and Value of Things, and therefore are good only becauſe they are enjoined, and alterable by the Authority that enjoined them, being in themſelves indifferent: An Example of the former we have in the moral Law, and of the latter, in the Precepts to abſtain from the Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.

MAN, at his firſt Creation, was ſubject to the Law of Nature; which contains theſe Rules or Maxims concerning moral Good and Evil, which have an intrinſic, invariable Equity in them, and are the Meaſure, Standard, and Scale of the Offices he owes to God, his Neighbour, and himſelf: This Law is Holy, as it enjoins an Imitation of thoſe divine Attributes, which are the Source and Pattern of Purity; Juſt, as it requires us to give to every one his Due, and, Good, as it recommends Charity and Beneficence, and is profitable to the Obſerver of it; for in keeping this Law, there is a great Reward, even in this Life.

TO the Law of Nature, was annexed the poſitive Precept to abſtain from eating the Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, for important Reaſons, viz. to manifeſt God's Sovereignty, and to try the Creature's Obedience.

JEHOVAH being the Almighty Creator, is of Conſequence the abſolute Proprietor, and Sovereign Lord of all; and therefore Man could have but a ſecondary right of Uſe to his Poſſeſſions, founded on the divine Beneficence, and limited by his Pleaſure; for which he is obliged to render Homage: As Princes when they give Eſtates to their Subjects, ſtill retain the Royalty, and receive a ſmall Rent, which though inconſiderable in itſelf, perhaps but a Barley Corn, is nevertheleſs an Acknowledgment of their Sovereignty, and of the Tenants Dependance on them: Thus it was in regard of the Tree of Knowledge, abſtaining from the Fruit thereof, was a Token of Man's Subjection to, and Dependance on his great and glorious Sovereign; nor could any Thing be better adapted to try Obedience, than the Prohibition of what was in itſelf indifferent, and only became unlawful by the Creator's Pleaſure: For in this View the Precept had no other Excellency to recommend it, but the Authority or Will of God, and therefore to abſtain was pure Obedience to divine Sovereignty, without any Motive from the intrinſic Excellency of the Things enjoined, whereby the Creature's natural Liberty was reſtrained.

THIS Law of Nature being in a great Degree effaced by the Sin of Man, a new Edition was given of it upon Mount Sinai, on Tables of Stone, wrote by the Finger of GOD himſelf, which is called the moral Law, becauſe it preſcribes Rules for the Conduct of Life, or Regulation of Mens Manners, and likewiſe to diſtinguiſh it from Laws purely poſitive: I ſay, this Law of Nature, or moral Law, which is the ſame in Subſtance, in Conjunction with a poſitive Precept of abſtaining from the Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, was delivered to our firſt Parents in the Form of a Covenant, which was a Fruit of ineffable Wiſdom and Goodneſs.

FOR the COVENANT being mutual between GOD and Man, as it gave an Aſſurance of the reward to coroberate his Faith, ſo it was the ſureſt Bond to preſerve his Fidility: It is true, the Precept alone binds by the Authority that impoſes it, but the Conſent of the Creature increaſes and endears the Obligation!

THE Almighty might have demanded the Creature's Obedience to his Sovereign Pleaſure, meerly by way of abſolute Empire; but he was pleaſed to deal with Man in a more condeſcending, engaging Manner, by uſing ſuch Arguments to enforce his Authority, as were adapted to Influence his Reaſon and Ingenuity, his Fear and Love!

NOW the Terms of the firſt Covenant, my Brethren, are rational, for they eſtabliſh an inſeparable Connection between Sin and Ruin expreſly, and between Duty and Happineſs implicitly, as appears by the Sanction, Gen. 2.17. In the Day thou eateſt thereof, thou ſhalt ſurely die; in that particular Species of Sin, the whole Genus was included, according to the Apoſtle's Expoſition; Gal. 3.10. Curſed is every one, that continueth not in all Things, that are written in the Book of the Law to do them: The Death deſigned was not only a Diſſolution of the vital Union between the Soul and Body, together with all the painful Preludes which uſher in this King of Terrors; but likewiſe a Diſſolution of the myſtical (or ſpiritual) Union between God and the Soul, whereby his moral Image, and Communion in his Love were loſt; together with a final Separation from his gracious Preſence for ever; under all which our apoſtate Nature labours: Thus the Law is interpreted by the Lawgiver, the Soul that Sins ſhall die, Ezek. 18.4. and elſewhere the Apoſtle Paul declares, that the Wages of Sin is Death, but the Gift of GOD eternal Life, through JESUS CHRIST our Lord (Rom. 6.23.) Here obſerve, that the Apoſtle ſpeaks of Sin indefinitely, without any Reſtriction, and therefore intends every Sin, and ſets the Wages of Sin (viz. Death) in Contraſt with, or Oppoſition to eternal Life, and therefore declares by the Antithesis or Oppoſition, that it is Eternal; and this is applied in particular to the Sin of Adam, in the laſt Verſe of the Chapter, from whence our Text is taken, in theſe memorable Words; That as Sin reigned unto Death, even ſo might Grace reign through Righteouſneſs unto eternal Life, by JESUS CHRIST our Lord: Now inaſmuch as the Miſeries conſequent upon our Apoſtacy, are in divers Verſes of this Chapter, ſet in Oppoſition to the Benefits received by Chriſt, to reſtrict the Word Death to that which is Temporal only, is in Effect to deny all the Spiritual and Eternal Benefits purchaſed by the Second Adam, which is ſuch a ſhocking Poſition, as tends to overſet at once the whole Goſpel, and all the Chriſtians Hope and Joy! and elſewhere we are informed, that the Letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth Life, (2 Cor. 3.6.) i. e. the Law condemns the Sinner to eternal Death, but the Goſpel gives eternal Life: Was not this the Deſign of Chriſt's coming into the World, that thoſe who believe in him ſhould not periſh, but obtain eternal Life? (John 3.16.)

AND indeed it is highly reaſonable, that eternal Death ſhould be the Wages of Sin, conſidering it oppoſes all the immenſe Perfections of the Deity, and violates all the innumerable, endearing and infinite Obligations we are laid under to ſerve him, by Reaſon of his Eminence, and his Love: If the Threatning of eternal Puniſhment, has but little Influence upon the moſt of Men, how much leſs would that of Temporary? And if the Sinner who deſerves Death, ſhould enjoy Life, without Satisfaction made for his Offence, divine Wiſdom would be eclipſed, the Rights of Juſtice infringed, the Purity of GOD diſparaged, and his governing Authority inſulted and contemned!

BUT becauſe many have too ſlight Apprehenſions of the Heinouſneſs of our firſt Parents Treſpaſs, it may not be improper to obſerve, that the following awful Ingredients are contained in it, viz.

1. UNBELIEF, or Diſtruſt of GOD, who had ſaid, that if they Eat of the Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, they ſhould ſurely die; the Truth of which Declaration they queſtioned, and ſo made God a Liar, as the Apoſtle John obſerves, 1 John 5.16. ſhocking Blaſphemy! As Obedience is the Fruit of Faith, ſo is Diſobedience of Unbelief; and as the Former comes by hearing the Word of GOD, ſo the Latter by liſtning to the Devil.

2. ANOTHER Iniquity included in the Sin of Adam, is a BELIEF of the DEVIL, who in order to weaken the Faith of our firſt Parents, ſuggeſted that they ſhould not ſurely die: Obſerve, he did not directly oppoſe the divine Threatning, by an expreſs Contradiction, for that might have ſhocked them, but laboured ſlyly by Degrees to weaken their Aſſent to it, by ſaying, ye ſhall not ſurely die, as if he had ſaid, the Execution of the Threatning is not abſolutely certain, you may poſſibly eſcape with Impunity, though you do tranſgreſs; this Suggeſtion of the Father of Lies, they believed, and conſequently preferred a Liar, and a Murderer, before the GOD of Truth and Love!

3. THEY charged the bleſſed GOD with the greateſt Cruelty and Meanneſs, as tho' he ENVIED their HAPPINESS, after all his Benignity, Indulgence and Gentleneſs towards them; this was repreſenting him to be like a Devil; the Enemy ſuggeſted, that in the Day they eat thereof, they ſhould be as Gods, knowing Good and Evil, Gen. 3. this they believed, and were ſeduced.

4. IN the Sin of Adam, was included amazing ARROGANCE; he who had but juſt ſtarted out of a State of Nothing, aſpired to be a God; not content with the Image of Jehovah, he affected to rival him in his Attributes, and of Conſequence to uſurp his Throne, and grapple with him for his Crown and Scepter! Strange that a Worm of the Earth who was but of Yeſterday, ſhould ſo ſoon forget his humble Original, and contend with the Deity, for his incommunicable Prerogatives!

5. ANOTHER Ingredient graſped in that many headed HYDRA, is INGRATITUDE; one of the worſt of Evils, the Heinouſneſs of which encreaſes in Proportion to the Number and Moment of the Benefits ſlighted by it; the Almighty had ſhewn more Kindneſs to Man, than to all his viſible Works beſides; he made him laſt of all, as the Crown to the whole material Syſtem, adorned him with his own Image, ſeated him in EDEN, a Paradiſe of Delight; gave him Liberty to eat of the Fruit of all the Trees thereof, but of one (which he needed not) gave him Power to obey his Laws, and Communion in his Love; and in fine, advanced him to the higheſt Dignity, by making him Lord of the Lower Creation; now in the Midſt of all this rich Profuſion of the Divine Benignity, this vaſt Variety of the moſt deſirable and valuable Benefits, to violate a Precept ſo equal and of ſo eaſy Obſervance, is ſuch a Prodigy of Ingratitude, as is without compare. But,

6. ANOTHER Ingredient included in that pregnant Impiety, is REBELLION againſt the Authority of GOD; the Almighty expreſly declared his Will, that our firſt Parents, ſhould not Eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, upon Pain of Death: Yet they impudently ſet up their Will againſt GOD, and preferred their Pleaſure to his; agreeable to that impious and obſtinate Maxim, Sic volo, ſic jubeo, ſtet pro ratione voluntas; My Will and Pleaſure ſhall be Law, and take the Place of Reaſon and Argument; in a Word, they made their Necks as an Iron Sinew, and their Brow Braſs! Again,

7. SORDID DISCONTENT, Covetouſneſs, and Robbing of GOD were contained in that original complicated Treſpaſs: They were diſſatisfied with all the Affluence of Good they enjoyed, they inordinately deſired to have more than God gave them, any how; (per fas nefaſ que ) and did actually take of the Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, which they had no right to, without Leave of the Owner, yea contrary to his expreſs Prohibition. Farther,

8. IT included provoking IDOLATRY, and a haughty Contempt of God's Majeſty, they turned from God to the Creature, loved it more than him, and deſired to have it rather than the Continuance of his Favour: Yea they made an Idol of a little Fruit, ſet it up in the Place of God, and preferred it before him, who is the firſt Truth, the ſupream Good, GOD over all, bleſſed for ever; they were not awed by the Greatneſs of his Power, nor influenced by the Riches of his Gentleneſs, of his Love and Goodneſs; the former did not awake their Fear, nor the latter excite their Ingenuity; the Thoughts of Jehovah's Preſence, and the Severity of his Threatnings, they inſolently deſpiſed, and would tranſgreſs, even under the Eye of God; they bid Defiance to Omnipotence, and ruſhed upon the thick Boſſes of his Bucklers; they mocked at Fear, and were not affrighted, yea, like the Leviathan, they laughed at the ratling of the Spear, and the Shield, as if they had an Arm like God, and could Thunder with a Voice like him; who if he but touch the Mountains they ſmoke, yea, the Hills tremble at his Preſence. But to proceed,

9. IN the Sin of our firſt Parents are contained, perfidious BREACH of COVENANT, and deviliſh APOSTACY; they had but lately entered into Covenant with the Divine Majeſty, and promiſed to ſerve him, and abſtain from the forbidden Fruit; but behold in an Inſtant, and on a ſlight Occaſion, they break Friendſhip with GOD, revolt from his Allegiance, and conſpire with the grand Enemy, againſt his Crown and Dignity: O horrid Treaſon, O monſtrous Impiety! Once more,

10. I may add to the aforeſaid malignant and crimſon Ingredients, graſped in the Sin of Adam, ſtupid FOLLY, and bloody CRUELTY, to all his numerous Progeny, in ſelling his and their Salvation for a Thing of Nought; in Bartering away the Favour of GOD, which is better than Life, for the Pleaſures of Taſte and Curioſity; what but voluntary Madneſs, could enduce him to deſire that which ſhould have been the Object of his conſtant Fear, viz. the Knowledge of Evil, ſeeing nothing but the Experience of this, could deſtroy his Happineſs? Thus Men being in Honour, abode not, but become like the Beaſts that periſh, (Pſ. 49.12). Adam was entruſted with the inexpreſſibly, important, and precious Depoſitum of his own eternal Happineſs, and that of all his Numberleſs Deſcendants, in every Clime and Nation, and through every Succeſſion of Time, to its final Period: This immenſe Truſt of greater Value than Millions of Worlds, though turned into the fineſt Gold, and richeſt Jewels, he knowingly and wilfully betrayed; and thus he commenced a Murderer before a Parent! Thus he diſenherited all his unhappy Offſpring, before they were born! and made them Slaves, before they knew the Value of Liberty! an Inſtance this of Perfidy, without a Parallel; an Inſtance this of Cruelty, which no Words, no Colours are ſufficient, (adequately) to delineate or expreſs!

AND yet, my Brethren, that Iniquity, with all its Ingredients and Aggravations, is ours, becauſe committed by our Repreſentative, and foederal Head, acting in our Room and Place. Wherefore as by one Man Sin entered into the World, and Death by Sin, and ſo Death paſſed upon all Men, for that all have ſinned: O mournful Tragedy, that deſerves to be deplored with Tears and Blood! But becauſe ſome inſtead of acknowledging this complicated Guilt, and bewailing this fatal Source of every Sin and Woe, to which both their Duty and their Intereſt oblige them; yet through the Ignorance, Pride, and Deceitfulneſs of their Hearts, they diſpute or deny the Point, to their own unſpeakable Prejudice; I ſhall therefore in the following Part of this Diſcourſe, endeavour to prove the Charge againſt all the human Race, viz.

THAT THE GUILT OF THE SIN OF ADAM, IS IMPUTED TO ALL HIS OFFSPRING.

THIS appears from the following Places of ſacred Scripture, viz. Epheſ. 2.3. and were by Nature Children of Wrath, even as others; here obſerve, that there is a Difference between Nature and Practice; now if we be by Nature Children of Wrath, we muſt be by Nature guilty of ſome Sin that deſerves it; for ſurely the Judge of all the Earth muſt needs do right; and what can this natural Evil be, but the aforeſaid Sin of Adam, for from him we derived our Nature, Rom. 3.19. Whatſoever the Law ſays, it ſays to thoſe that are under the Law, that every Mouth may be ſtopped, and the whole World become guilty before God; compared with v. 9. for we have before proved, both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under Sin; here obſerve, that the whole World are guilty before GOD; how? not all of them by actual Sin; for all of them have not committed it, Infants are incapable of it, and they are a conſiderable Part of the World; then ſurely the Sin of Adam, in Eating the forbidden Fruit, muſt be imputed or reckoned to all; ſee likewiſe, 1 Cor. 15.21, 22. for ſince by Man came Death, by Man came alſo the Reſurrection of the Dead; for as in Adam all die, ſo in CHRIST ſhall all be made alive; now if we compare with this, what the Apoſtle ſays elſewhere, viz. Rom. 6.23. for the Wages of Sin is Death: Will it not plainly prove that we are ſome how guilty of Adam's Sin? For how elſe ſhould the Wages due for it, be inflicted on us? Yea, upon thoſe that have not ſinned after the Similitude of Adam; that is, who have not ſinned actually in their own Perſons: See Rom. 5.13, 14, 15. for until the Law, Sin was in the World, but Sin is not imputed where there is no Law; the Apoſtle is there proving, that Sin was imputed, before the moral Law was given upon Mount Sinai; becauſe Man had the ſame for Subſtance written in his Heart; and adds theſe Words, nevertheleſs Death reigned from Adam to Moſes, even over them who had not ſinned after the Similitude of Adam's Tranſgreſſion, who is the Figure of him that was to come; i. e. though the moral Law was not given outwardly by Moſes, yet Death, the Wages of Adam's Sin, reigned over ſuch as did not actually imitate it; the Apoſtle certainly points to Infants, in the aforeſaid Expreſſion, who die before the Uſe of Reaſon; Death reigns over them, though they have not ſinned after the Similitude of Adam's Tranſgreſſion; and therefore the Guilt of his Sin is imputed to them; this is indeed the Drift of the Apoſtle's reaſoning in our Context, and therefore he calls Adam, a FIGURE of him that was to come; i. e. of CHRIST; now wherein is the firſt Adam a FIGURE of the Second, but in theſe Things following, viz.

1. IN his being a Covenant Repreſentative, of foederal Head of his natural Offſpring, as Chriſt is of his Spiritual. And,

2. THAT as by the Sin of the Firſt, Guilt and Death were imputed to, and inflicted on his natural Offspring, ſo by the Obedience of the Second, Righteouſneſs and Life are imputed to, and conferred upon his ſpiritual Offspring.

IT appears with the cleareſt Light and Evidence, from the following Verſes, that what I have ſaid is the Apoſtle's Scope and Meaning; ſee Verſes 16, 18, 19. For the Judgment was by one to Condemnation, but the free Gift is of many Offences to Juſtification; therefore as by the Offence of one, Judgment came upon all Men to Condemnation, even ſo by the Righteouſneſs of one, the free Gift came upon all to Juſtification of Life; for as by one Man's Diſobedience many were made Sinners, ſo by the Obedience of one, ſhall many be made Righteous; what can be expreſſed in plainer and ſtronger Terms than this Truth in theſe Verſes, viz. that we are after the ſame Manner condemned by the Sin of Adam, as we are juſtified by the Righteouſneſs of CHRIST? and this the ſacred Scriptures aſſert to be by Imputation, Rom. 4.6. even as David deſcribeth the Bleſſedneſs of the Man, unto whom God imputeth Righteouſneſs without Works.

THE Antitheſis between CHRIST and Adam will not hold, if Adam's Sin be not imputed to us; for as the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt is ſo imputed to Believers, that every one of them may ſay truly it is his own; and hence Chriſt is called by the Prophet, the Lord our Righteouſneſs; and is ſaid by the Apoſtle, to be made of God to us, Wiſdom, Righteouſneſs, Sanctification, and Redemption; ſo every Child of Adam may ſorrowfully ſay, reſpecting his Tranſgreſſion, that Iniquity is mine, and I am righteouſly puniſhed for it.

NEITHER is there any Thing unreaſonable in the Doctrine of the Imputation of Adam's Sin to his Poſterity, if it be conſidered, that he had a Capacity to keep the Covenant made with him; and that the Conſequences of his doing ſo, which were equal to the Loſs that he and his Offspring ſuffered by his Fall, would have been as certainly conferred upon them, as if they were perſonally obedient.

NAY, we may ſafely ſay, that Adam's being conſtituted the foederal Repreſentative of his Poſterity, had a more probable Tendency to promote their Intereſt, than if every one of them had ſtood for himſelf perſonally and particularly; the Reaſon is this, Adam had not only as great a Capacity to ſtand, and was under as great Obligations to do ſo upon his own Account, as any other could for himſelf; even in this reſpect, the Caſes were equal, the Chances parallel, but beſides this, he had a very important Excitement to Obedience, as he was a public Repreſentative, which private Perſons could not have, viz. that of ſecuring the Salvation of his whole Offspring by his Standing, and on the Contrary, involving them in unſpeakable Ruin and Miſery, by his Fall.

THIS Argument muſt be in reaſon ſuppoſed to have conſiderable Influence upon a pious and generous Mind, a good Parent is full of Bowels towards his Offspring, and is apt to be tenderly moved with the Proſpect of their Happineſs or Miſery, and this Concern is like to be proportioned, to the Nature and Duration of them, as well as to the Number or Extent of his Deſcendants, who are deeply intereſted in, and whoſe Fate is determined by thoſe different and contrary Events; the Conſideration of which tends to affect him in a great Degree, unleſs his Mind be ignorant, and his Affections irregular, which cannot be ſuppoſed to be the Caſe of our firſt Parents, before the abuſe of their Liberty, without contradicting the expreſs Teſtimony of Scripture, reſpecting their original Integrity, and aſſerting, in Effect, that GOD himſelf is the Author of Sin; Conſequences abſurd and blaſphemous! Moſt certainly, upon the Hypotheſis of a Covenant Tranſaction with Adam, the firſt Man, the Father of the human Species, for his whole Poſterity, his Conduct muſt be big with the moſt important Conſequences, towards all the human Race! this Conſideration vaſtly turns the Balance in Favour of Adam's Headſhip.

WHAT the Apoſtle ſays of LEVI, Heb. 7.9, 10. ſerves to illuſtrate the Point of Truth, which I am diſcourſing upon; it is ſaid in theſe Verſes, that Levi paid Tithes in, or by Abram, when Melchizedeck met him; while he was yet in the Loins of his Father; and ſo, much more, may the Poſterity of Adam be reckoned to have ſinned in him, ſeeing they were not only included in him, as Branches in the Root, and Members in the Head naturally, but were repreſented by him foederally, or in a Covenant Way.

IT ſhould be alſo obſerved, that when the Imputation of Adam's Sin is denied, the principal Foundation of the Propagation of Sin is taken away, nor can any ſufficient Reaſon be given for the Propagation of Adam's Sin to his Poſterity; I mean the Pollution of it, or, in other Words, Original Sin inherent, if the Caſe be ſo: For ſurely it is not only a Sin, but a Puniſhment, to want Original Righteouſneſs; now Puniſhment neceſſarily ſuppoſes Sin, for the Guilt of which, divine Juſtice inflicts it only; but all have not ſinned actually in their own Perſons, as is evident from the Caſe of Infants, and yet all are puniſhed with the Loſs of God's Image, and therefore the Sin of Adam muſt be imputed to all his Poſterity; otherwiſe there is no accounting for the Juſtice of God, in ſuffering this Propagation, which he could eaſily prevent; it will not remove the Difficulty to ſay, that God only ſuffers one corrupt Creature to beget another, according to the Law of Nature, as a Lepper begets a Lepper, ſeeing that the Almighty could hinder this Propagation of Adam's Sin, by creating them immediately as the Angels, and many other Ways which we know not; we have no reaſon to think that a righteous and good GOD would ſuffer it, to the Puniſhment of Creatures, who are ſuppoſed to be intirely innocent.

IF the Guilt of Adam's Sin be not imputed, whence is it that Pollution ſhould be from thence tranſmitted to his Poſterity, rather than from the particular Sins of private Parents to their immediate Offspring? And ſeeing the Souls of Men are not generated, but immediately created by God, whence is it that they are diſrobed of the Ornaments of Original Righteouſneſs at their Creation, if Original Sin be not imputed?

NOW that we are polluted from our Birth, with the Stain of Sin, the ſacred Scriptures poſitively declare, by aſſerting, that the Imagination of Man's Heart is evil from his Youth, (Gen. 8.21.) that Man is born like a wild Aſſes Colt (Job 11.12.) that none can bring a clean Thing, out of an unclean, not one (Job 14.4.) that he cannot be clean, who is born of a Woman (Job 25.4.) that we are ſhapen in Iniquity, and conceived in Sin (Pſ. 51.5.) that he that is born of the Fleſh, is Fleſh (John 3.6.) and that the fleſhly Mind is Enmity againſt God; that before Converſion, all are ſpiritually blind and dead (1 Cor. 2.14. Epheſ. 2.1.) that there is a Neceſſity of being born again (John 3.3.) which ſuppoſes a Corruption in the firſt Birth, without which a Second would be needleſs; and that this new Birth is a Quickning of the Dead (Epheſ. 2.1.) and farther, that while we are in a State of Nature, we are without ſpiritual Strength, and without a Will to ſpiritual Good (Rom. 5.6. Job 5.40.) and indeed univerſal Experience proves this Point, the whole World is corrupt without ſo much as one Exception (Rom. 3.10, 11, 12.) nemo ſine crimine vivit.

THE Philoſophers acknowledged this Corruption in human Nature, nitimur in vetitum ſemper Cupimuſ que negatum, We ſtrive for what is forbidden us, and deſire what is denied us; but knew not how to account for the Cauſe. Some accuſed Nature or Providence becauſe of that, and called her a Stepmother; and others aſcribed it to a fabulous Original, viz. the Opening of the Box of Pandor; in ſhort, though there evidently appears to be in all an early Bias to Vice, even from Childhood, for one bad Example, influences more than many good ones; yet no rational, conſiſtent Account has ever been given of this hereditary Contagion but in the Bible; and methinks ſuch as do not like that, ſhould give a better, before they reject it with ſovereign Contempt; which I believe will puzzle them for all their Pride, as it did their more modeſt, candid, and ſenſible Forefathers, the Pagan Maſters!

FARTHER, how can the Death of Infants be reaſonably reconciled to the Juſtice of GOD, without acknowledging the Imputation of Adam's Guilt to them; eſpecially if it be conſidered, that Death is repreſented by God himſelf, to be the Wages of Sin, and that it puts a Period to the Creature's Duration here.

TO ſuppoſe that the Guilt of Adam's Sin, is only propagated by Imitation, is to confront the expreſs Teſtimony of ſacred Scripture, which aſſures us that Death, and therefore the Sin that procured it, reigned over thoſe that had not ſinned after the Similitude of Adam's Tranſgreſſion, (Rom. 5.14.) who was the Figure of him that was to come.

IF Original Sin was only propagated by Imitation, then the Apoſtle Paul would never have ſaid, that Sin entered the World by Adam, but by Satan, for he ſet the firſt Example of Sinning.

MOREOVER it cannot, with any Appearance of reaſon, be thought that Baptiſm is adminiſtred to Infants, to blot out Sins of Imitation, for they have them not, and yet the Apoſtle calls it the Levour of Regeneration, Tit. 3.5. Dia 〈◊〉 palingeneſias, per lavacrum Regenerationis, Paſor. Surely if there was no Stain, there would be no need of a Laver to waſh in; and here you may obſerve, that Infant Baptiſm is a ſtanding Teſtimony to the important Doctrine of Original Sin, and therefore of great Uſe in the Church of GOD.

BUT it is objected againſt what has been ſaid, that the Son ſhall not bear the Iniquity of the Father, Ezek. 18.4, 20.

A. THIS Paſſage of Scripture relates to the perſonal Sins of private Parents, which ſhould not be imputed to their Offspring, unleſs they followed their Footſteps, and not to the Sin of Nature, which all have ſinned in Adam, as our Text aſſerts.

IT is likewiſe objected, that Children in Covenant are ſaid to be Holy, Humble, and that of ſuch is the Kingdom of God.

A. WHATEVER good Properties any Children have, they have them not by Nature, but by Grace; for by Nature we are all Children of Wrath, even as others, Eph. 2.1, 3.

ANOTHER Objection is drawn from theſe Places, viz. Rom. 5.18. as by the Offence of one, Judgment came upon all Men to Condemnation, even ſo by the Righteouſneſs of one, the free Gift came upon all Men to Juſtification of Life; and elſewhere, CHRIST is ſaid to take away the Sin of the World (1 Cor. 15.22.) and we are farther aſſured, that as in Adam all die, ſo in CHRIST all ſhall be made alive.

A. THE firſt Place of Scripture, is explained by the following Verſe, thus, viz. that as by one Man's Diſobedience many were made Sinners, ſo by the Obedience of one, ſhall many be made Righteous; obſerve, the Condemnation is here repreſented as a paſt Fact, but the Juſtification as future, ſhall be made Righteous, i. e. when they believe, Rom. 4.20, 22, 23, 24. it is ſaid of Abram, that he ſtaggerd not at the Promiſe of God through Unbelief, but was ſtrong in Faith, giving Glory to God; and therefore it was imputed to him for Righteouſneſs; now it was not written for his ſake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us alſo, to whom it ſhall be imputed, if we believe on him. The Apoſtle draws a Parallel between the firſt and ſecond Adam, which holds good not only as to the Manner of conveying Death and Life to thoſe they repreſented, viz. by Imputation, but alſo as to the Extent of the Loſs and Benefit to their different Offſprings: The ſeeming Difficulty is removed, by conſidering that Adam was a natural Head of a natural Offspring, and Chriſt a ſpiritual Head of a ſpiritual Offspring; and hence the firſt Adam is ſaid to be of the Earth earthly, and the ſecond Adam, the Lord from Heaven; now as Adam's Sin reached all his natural Offspring (i. e. all Mankind) ſo Chriſt's Righteouſneſs extends to all his ſpiritual Seed, viz. all that believe in him (or are regenerated) and we are aſſured by expreſs Teſtimony of Scripture, that the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt extends to the Juſtification of none elſe, John 3.18. for he that believes not, is condemned already.

AS to Chriſt's taking away the Sin of the World, we can underſtand that Place of Scripture, in Conſiſtency with other Places, and with the Dictates of right Reaſon, in no other Senſe but this, viz. that Chriſt takes away the Guilt of all Sin of every Kind, upon our believing in him, but not before: To ſuppoſe the Guilt of Original Sin is taken away, and that in the mean Time the Guilt of Actual remains, or that the Guilt of any Sin is removed without Faith, is antiſcriptural, abſurd, and everſive of the whole Goſpel; for this ſignifies that Perſons receive ſaving Benefits by Chriſt, without a vital Union to him; and likewiſe that they are both juſtified and condemned at the ſame Time; the former of which is falſe, and the latter impoſſible in the Nature of Things, ſee Joh. 15.6. Joh. 3.36.

AND pray obſerve, that the Words referred to, John 1.29. are in the preſent Tenſe, Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the Sin of the World, (ho airoon) JESUS CHRIST as the paſcal Lamb, a Type of him, to which this Paſſage alludes, expiates all the Sins of all that believe in him, of every Nation, whether Jewiſh or Gentile, by the Sacrifice of himſelf, or by transferring their Guilt upon him, and ſuſtaining the Puniſhment due for them; which are here called Sin, in the ſingular Number, by an Analogy of Number, or Synecdche of a Part, to ſignify the Body of Sin and Death, containing all Kinds of Impiety, to atone for which the Lamb of God was ſlain (Rom. 6.12.7.24. 1 Joh. 1.7.) the dear Redeemer takes away the Guilt of Sin, by the Merit of his Blood, and the Dominion of it, by the Power of his Spirit: He taketh away, obſerve it is a preſent Thing, a continued Act, which will never be compleated till the End of Time; he is conſtantly taking away the Guilt and Power of every Sin from thoſe that believe, by the Interceſſion of his Blood in Heaven, and the Influence of his Grace on Earth.

ONCE more, ſeeing the Place of Scripture in the Objection, refers to the whole Efficacy of the Sacrifice of Chriſt, in relation to Sin, it will follow, that if it is reſtricted to Original Sin only, then Chriſt's Satisfaction for Actual is denied, and if ſo, then Sinners muſt ſatisfy for them themſelves or periſh; but how they will pay an infinite Debt, who are but finite and imperfect Creatures, I cannot conceive; they had beſt ſee to it that are immediately concerned, in the abſurd Hypotheſis I oppoſe, before it be too late! But to proceed,

AS to that Place of Scripture in the Epiſtle of Paul to the Corinthians, viz. That as in Adam all die, ſo in Chriſt all ſhall be made alive, it evidently reſpects the Reſurrection of the Body at the laſt Day; it ſpeaks not of the Time preſent, nor ſays that they are made alive, but of the Time to come, and ſignifies that they ſhall be made alive; the Apoſtle in that Chapter, proves the Reſurrection of the Dead, by the Argument of Chriſt's Reſurrection (this is the Scope of the Place) and ſhews particularly the Order in which the Dead ſhall be raiſed, v. 22. Firſt thoſe that belong to Chriſt, then cometh the End, when he ſhall have delivered up the Kingdom to the Father (i. e. in its preſent Form of Adminiſtration) and indeed to ſuppoſe that all are ſpiritually alive, is to oppoſe the expreſs Teſtimony of Scripture, which declares the Unconverted to be dead in Sins and Treſpaſſes, and it likewiſe renders Converſion needleſs, becauſe on this Plan Men would be born converted, for what is Converſion but a Quickning of the Dead (as before obſerved) or the Infuſion of a Principle of ſpiritual Life into them? Surely if the firſt Birth was good, there would be no need of a Second, and thus the Wiſdom of God would have miſſed the Matter, in inculcating that important Doctrine to the Jewiſh Maſter, who to the reproach of himſelf and his Order, was groſly Ignorant of its Nature and Neceſſity! But I proceed,

ANOTHER Objection is this, viz. that our Lord told his Diſciples, That neither the blind Man, or his Parents, had ſinned, but that the Works of God ſhould be made manifeſt in him (Joh. 9.23.)

A. THE Meaning of the Place, is no more than this, that the Almighty did not inflict that Diſorder of Blindneſs upon the Man, as a Puniſhment of any particular Evil committed by him, or his private Parents; but chiefly with deſign to manifeſt his own Power in the Cure of it.

BUT it is farther objected, that the Imputation of Original Sin, is contrary to the Juſtice and Truth of GOD.

A. IT is contrary to Juſtice, to puniſh him that has ſinned in no reſpect, either actually or virtually, but it is not unjuſt to puniſh thoſe that have ſinned virtually only, or in their Cauſe, as we have in Adam; the Caſe is certainly ſo, that GOD does puniſh for that Evil now; and from Fact we may argue to Right, reſpecting the Almighty; for ſurely he does nothing but what he has a Right to do; add to this, what has been ſaid before, concerning the reaſonableneſs of Adam's being made a Repreſentative of his Poſterity, and the Objection vaniſhes.

FARTHER, the Charge of Injuſtice may be with Advantage retorted upon our Opponents, who according to their Hypotheſis, are obliged to acknowledge, that the Wages of Sin, viz. Death, are inflicted upon ſuch as are entirely innocent (viz. Infants) neither guilty of Original or Actual Sin; a Sentiment very harſh and ſevere, and manifeſtly contrary to the Dictates of Reaſon and Maxims of Juſtice: Pray is it not more equitable to believe, that God puniſhes for ſome Sin, though it be Original, than for none at all? Whether it be modeſt and conſiſtent, for theſe Gentlemen to raiſe a Hu-and-cry of Injuſtice, againſt their Neighbours Opinion, while they are ſo deep in the Dirt themſelves, is left to others to determine.

NEITHER is it contrary to the Omnicience and Truth of GOD, to reckon him to have ſinned virtually, or interpretatively in his Cauſe, who has not ſinned actually in his own Perſon.

IT is again objected, that the Sin of Adam does not exiſt, and therefore that it cannot be imputed.

A. ALTHOUGH it does not exiſt Phyſically, yet it does exiſt Morally; though the Act of Sin be tranſient, yet the Guilt it contracts is permanent, and cannot be removed but by the Application of Chriſt's Righteouſneſs to the Soul.

NEITHER is the following Objection of any Validity, viz. that it is unreaſonable that the Sin which was pardoned in Adam, ſhould be imputed to his Poſterity.

A. THOUGH Adam perſonated us in ſinning, he did not do ſo in repenting and believing, by which he obtained Remiſſion; for the State from which he fell, was natural, and therefore involved all, but the State to which he was reſtored was gracious, and ſupernatural, and therefore concerned his own Perſon only, and not his Poſterity; for though Adam was conſtituted the Head or Repreſentative of his Poſterity, in the Covenant of Nature or of Works; yet he was made no Head or Repreſentative of the Covenant of Grace, by which he was reſtored: No; this was the Place of the ſecond Adam.

ANOTHER Objection againſt the labouring Point is this, that it is not agreeable to the divine Perfections, for the Almighty to appoint Adam to be the Repreſentative of his Poſterity, without their Conſent.

A. SEEING the Plan of the firſt Covenant was in itſelf reaſonable, and more to our Advantage, than if every Man had ſtood for himſelf perſonally, as was obſerved before; there is no Foundation for the Objection, unleſs our Opponents ſay, that it is unjuſt for God to confer Benefits upon any without their Conſent, which is ridiculous and abſurd. So proper a Perſon as Adam, the common Father of all, and conſequently the moſt honourable (in the ordinary Way of Generation) of all the human Race, could not be found to repreſent his Poſterity, and therefore had all Mankind exiſted, it would have been both their Intereſt and Duty, to have choſe him for their Repreſentative.

BESIDES it ſhould be conſidered, that the Benefit propoſed to Adam in the Covenant of Nature, viz. a Confirmation of his preſent State of Happineſs, was what he had no natural Right to, antecedent to the divine Will and Pleaſure; and therefore JEHOVAH might without the Charge of Injuſtice ſuſpend the Grant of it, upon a Condition to be performed by him, his Failure in which, might cauſe a Forfeiture of the Benefit propoſed, both to him and his Deſcendants, who cannot be with reaſon ſuppoſed to have a greater Right to it then he.

AND although when our firſt Parents ſinned, we did not exiſt and conſent actually, yet we exiſted and conſented virtually in our Cauſe, Progenitor and foederal Head, in one Adam, as our Text aſſerts; Wherefore as by one Man Sin entered into the World, and Death by Sin, and ſo Death paſſed upon all Men, for that all have ſinned: But our Opponents modeſtly give the Lye to the Apoſtle, and the Spirit with which he was inſpired, and ſay that all have not ſinned.

I might add, that the Covenant of Nature, or of Works, was not INTER PARES, AMONG EQUALS, but between the Almighty Creator, abſolute Proprietor and Sovereign Lord of all, and poor Worms of the Earth, who are but of Yeſterday, cruſhed before the Moth, and have no abiding; Creatures whoſe Goodneſs extends not to Immenſity and Self-ſufficiency; and therefore it is the higheſt Inſolence for ſuch inſignificant Creature, who are as Nothing, and leſs than Nothing, and Vanity, to preſcribe to their Sovereign, and inſiſt upon the uſual Formalities of human Covenants (among Equals) in tranſacting with the ſupream Being, who has abſolute Empire over them, and whoſe Beck they are bound by the ſtrongeſt Obligations inſtantly to obey; and therefore, inſtead of diſputing, they ſhould admire and revere the divine Condecenſion, in treating with ſuch Criminals, Inferiors, and Dependants, in a Way that reſembles a Covenant Tranſaction in any Thing, which is in very Deed, a prodigious Stoop of glorious Sovereignty, and condeſcending Majeſty!

IT is not contrary, my Brethren, to the Law of Nature, or of Nations, for the Children of Traitors to ſuffer for their Crimes; or for the Iniquity of ſome public Perſons, to be puniſhed in many others; whole Cities and Countries have ſuffered on their Account: Was not the Sin of the Amalekites puniſhed in their Children, by the expreſs Order of God, ſome Hundreds of Years after it was committed? (1 Sam. 15.2, 3.) for this a War was to be commenced againſt them, from Generation to Generation (Ex. 17.16.) The Inſtance of Achan is alſo remarkable, for his coveting the Wedge of Gold, he ſuffered not alone, but his Sons and Daughters were ſtoned and burned with Fire, together with himſelf (Joſ. 7.24, 25.) to what has been ſaid, many Examples might be added, viz. of the Sons of Saul (2 Sam. 21.) of Jereboam (1 Kings 4.9, 10.) of Ahab (1 Kings 21.21, 23) and others, and hence the Church mourns, Lam. 5.7. our Fathers have ſinned, and we have born their Iniquities; and our Lord himſelf threatens the Jews, Mat. 23.35. that upon them ſhould come all the righteous Blood ſhed upon the Earth, from Abel to Zecharias, and does not Almighty GOD threaten in the ſecond Commandment of the moral Law, that he will viſit the Sins of the Fathers, upon the third and fourth Generation of thoſe that hate him?

THOUGH none but the Guilty are puniſhed for their Parents Sins, yet inaſmuch as the Almighty takes Occaſion from their Sins to puniſh their Poſterity (in temporal reſpects) it plainly ſhews, that they are in ſome Sort imputed to them; and no wonder, ſeeing the Child is but as it were a Part of the Parent, cloathed in another Skin; and therefore the Almighty being the original Proprietor, and Lord of all, may afflict the Tranſgreſſor in what Part of him he pleaſes.

NOR is that Paſſage in Ezekiel 18.20. to be underſtood abſolutely, that the Son ſhall not bear the Iniquity of the Father, for ſo it would contradict the moral Law; but it ought to be underſtood:

1. OF adult Children, who forſake their Parents Sins, as appears from the 19th Verſe of the Chapter.

2. IT reſpects perſonal and particular Sins, as was obſerved before, and not common and general, in reſpect of the Character or Influence of the Criminals.

3. IT is not laid down as a general Rule of God's Providence and Juſtice, to which the Almighty did always conform his Proceedings in Time paſt, and was determined to do ſo conſtantly with all People in Time to come, no; we find it otherwiſe in the Sanction of the Law, and the Examples before mentioned; the Words therefore intend a ſpecial Favour to the Jewiſh Church and Nation, viz. that the Almighty would not deal with them according to the rigour of his Juſtice, which he might do, but in order to ſilence their Cavils againſt his Government, he would only in Time coming puniſh them for their perſonal Iniquities; this ſeems to be the Series and Scope of the Context.

BUT it is Time to proceed to the Improvement of what has been ſaid.

IS the Sin of Adam imputed to us, let us then acknowledge God's Juſtice in this Matter, and humble ourſelves before him; how awful is the State we are born in, who are condemned as ſoon as born! (Rom. 3.19.) you that are unconverted, know that you are under the Law, and therefore under the Curſe, for breaking of it: For curſed is every one that continueth not in all Things that are written in the Book of the Law to do them; your Mouths are ſtopped, your Pleas are ſilenced, and you cannot get clear of this Sentence, any other Way but by Faith in Chriſt.

O Sinners! labour to be ſenſible of the awful Entail from our firſt Parents, and flee for Refuge to the Hope ſet before you, without the leaſt Delay, for ye know not what a Day may bring forth.

THE ſure Way to get our Wounds not juſt ſkinned over, but effectually healed, is to have them ſearched and probed to the Bottom; the only Method to have the Balm of Gilead ſavingly applied, is to know and feel the Depth of our Diſeaſe, and that ſpeedily, without which, we will not be ſuitably humbled before God, nor with due Engagedneſs, Importunity, and Vehemence ſeek relief.

IT is an awful Proof of the Degeneracy of human Nature, a Confirmation of the Doctrine I have been diſcourſing upon, that many are ſo proud and vain as to deny it; they hereby imitate the wicked Example of our firſt Parents, who after their Apoſtacy, laboured to leſſen and excuſe their Impiety, by caſting the Blame upon others, and if that would not do, even upon God himſelf; The Serpent beguiled me, ſaid the Woman; the Woman that thou gaveſt me, gave me, and I did eat, ſaid the Man; as if he had ſaid, it is the Woman's Fault, not mine; but if that is not a ſufficient Apology, God gave me this Woman, and therefore he is the Author of my Sin and Miſery. O horrid, ungrateful Blaſphemy! Yea ſuch follow the Suggeſtions of Satan himſelf to our firſt Parents, in leſſenning their Danger, ye ſhall not ſurely die; and act over again their fatal Folly, in liſtning to, and believing him: But though thou waſh thee with Nitre, and take thee much Soap, yet thine Iniquity is marked before me, ſaith the Lord God: How canſt thou ſay, I am not polluted? (Jer. 2.22, 23.)

IT is much to be lamented that Men are curious to know every Thing but themſelves, which is nevertheleſs the moſt neceſſary and important Branch of Knowledge; gnoſthe Seauton, know thy ſelf, was ſaid by the Pagans, to be an Oracle ſome how dropt from Jupiter; but waving the fabulous, or poetical Part of their Story, the Moral is an indubitable Axiom: It is certain, from the united Teſtimony of Reaſon and Revelation, that the Knowledge of our ſelves, is neceſſary to humble the pride of our Hearts, to excite us to prize the bleſſed Redeemer, and ſeek after an Intereſt in him, with unfainting Importunity and Vehemence, for the Whole need no Phyſician, but the Sick.

SUCH therefore who labour to hide our hereditary Pravity from our View (which is at leaſt the Practice of many in this Day of Darkneſs and Degeneracy, in our unhappy Nation; may a gracious God pity and pardon them) ſuch who repreſent human Nature, in its apoſtate Circumſtances, in an amiable Dreſs, as having Light within, ſufficient to direct their Conduct in religious Matters, and Strength to do what is pleaſing to God, may probably have a good Deſign (at leaſt ſome of them) to promote a Reformation; which in its Place, is doubtleſs neceſſary, amiable, valuable, and uſeful to Society; but in the mean Time, they certainly act an unfriendly Part to the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and to the beſt Intereſts of Mankind: For theſe Meaſures tend to puff up graceleſs Creatures with Pride and Vanity; tend to make every one that believes the Figment, a Pope, or a Phariſee, or both; tend to fix them on the Bottom of their own ſelfiſh, mercenary, ſuperficial Righteouſneſs, and keep them from Chriſt and vital Holineſs: Sirs, without the Knowledge of ourſelves, and of Chriſt, we cannot obtain the Foundation of real evangelical Goodneſs, without which an outward dead Form of Virtue and Piety, or the irregular Wilds of enthuſiaſtic Fancy and Mechaniſm, will not ſtand us in any Stead in the Day of CHRIST'S Appearance and Kingdom: For we are aſſured by divine Authority, that neither Circumciſion or Uncircumciſion availeth any Thing, but a new Creature; and that except our Righteouſneſs exceeds that of the Scribes and Phariſees, we ſhall in no Caſe enter into the Kingdom of God.

IT is certainly beſt, my Brethren, to begin at the Foundation of Religion; according to our Lord's Direction we ſhould make the Tree good, and then the Fruit will be good (ſpontantaneouſly:) It is as natural as fatal to Mankind, becauſe made under a Covenant of Works, to ſeek Righteouſneſs as it were by the Works of the Law; and with a Zeal, but not according to Knowledge, to go about to eſtabliſh their own Righteouſneſs (though ſome of them falſely call it the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt) and thus they refuſe to ſubmit to the Mediators Righteouſneſs, who is the Truth, the Life, and the only Way to the Father.

OF Conſequence, therefore, all ſuch as commend human Nature, in its lapſed State, as before obſerved, either plainly or myſtically, and inconſiſtently, while they pretend the Contrary, daub with untempered Mortar, heal the Wounds of the Daughter of Zion ſlightly, cry Peace, Peace, where there is no Peace, ſew Pillows to all Arm-holes, with Lies they make the Hearts of the Righteous ſad, whom God would not have made ſad, and ſtrengthen the Hands of the Wicked, that he ſhould not return from his wicked Way, by promiſing him Life (ſee Ezek. 13.) with Ahab's flattering and falſe Prophets, they ſpeak comfortably to the wicked, and propheſy Peace, in Oppoſition to, and ſome times Contempt of, faithful, honeſt hearted Micaiahs, who in Obedience to their Maſters Command, and in Compaſſion to the periſhing Souls of their fellow Creatures, cry aloud, and do not ſpare; but ſhew to Judah their Tranſgreſſions, and to the Houſe of Jacob their Sins; and labour to perſwade them, by the Terrors of God, to forſake them, and fly for refuge to the Hope ſet before them.

HOW good ſoever the Intention of the aforeſaid DAUBERS may be; yet notwithſtanding, they do, in Fact, oppoſe the mediatorial Scheme of Salvation by the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and deceive the Souls of Men; by ſuch flattering of ignorant, conceited Mortals, conducted either with much ſhew of Wiſdom and great Addreſs, or with much Appearance of Devotion, real Chriſtianity, and even Virtue itſelf are ready to expire, and take their final Farewel of our ſinful and unhappy Land and Nation, and we are returning faſt to Popery and Paganiſm; but under the pleaſing, tho' groundleſs Umbrage of Inſpiration, or of Wiſdom ſuperior to all that have gone before us (which Compliment will probably and juſtly be returned by our wiſer Succeſſors) for which the righteous Judgments of God, have been inflicted upon us in divers awful Inſtances, and his Hand is ſtretched out ſtill. O may the Almighty bleſs them to our Repentance and Reformation, in Principle and Practice; that not only our own Souls may be ſaved, but the Ruin of our Land and Nation prevented!

SIRS, How ſhould we admire the Riches of divine Grace, which has provided a Way by the ſecond Adam's Satisfaction, to juſtify thoſe that are condemned by the Sin of the Firſt? O therefore let us haſten to him, by believing, accept of his Righteouſneſs, and depend entirely upon it, for the Remiſſion of our Sins, and the Salvation of our Souls! and let us not reſt, my Brethren, till we get the ſatisfactory Evidences thereof, and having obtained this great Priviledge, let us labour to walk worthy of it, ſtriving to grow in Grace and Uſefulneſs, for hereby is our Father glorified, that we bring forth much Fruit.

AND eſpecially let us walk humbly, which we ſhould be excited to, by thinking often upon the unhappy Portion left to us by our Progenitor, as well as the horrid Ingredients graſped in that monſtrous Iniquity which he committed, in violating the Covenant of Works, and we in him; we ſhould alſo be watchful and afraid of Sin, when we conſider what infinite Miſchief has ſprung from one Treſpaſs of our firſt Parent, to himſelf and all his unhappy Progeny!

HAS Adam propagated Death to his Poſterity! O that Parents would be entreated on the Contrary to endeavour to propagate Life to their Poſterity, by their Inſtructions, Prayers, and Practice; to this, they are obliged by the ſtrongeſt Ties and tendereſt Endearments. I add no more.

THE Apoſtle obſerves in the preceeding Verſes, with great Beauty and Propriety, that in the Wiſdom of GOD, the World by Wiſdom knew not GOD: The gentle Sages by the meer dint of Reaſon and Philoſophy, could not Form conſiſtent Notions of the Supream Being, or how to obtain his Favour.

A Deluge of the moſt abſurd Politheiſm and groſs Prophaneſs, overſpread the greateſt Part of the Infidel Tribes, before the Light of the Goſpel ſhone among them; no Object was ſo deſpicable, as not to be thought worthy of divine Honours; no Vice ſo deteſtable, as not only to obtain in common Converſation, but even to be admitted into their religious Rights, and moſt ſolemn Acts of Worſhip; yea, to give Sanction to the moſt brutiſh and crimſon Iniquities, they aſcribed them to the Gods they adored, as learned ARNOBIUS obſerves, with equal Juſtice and Elegance.

IT is true, the Corruption was not ſo univerſal, but that ſome noble Souls raiſed themſelves above the common Level, they bewailed and contemned the Stupidity and Credulity of the Multitude, yet their Number was ſmall, and the Efficacy of their ſingular Sentiments even upon themſelves but little; the Effect of their Diſcernment was but a State of perpetual SCEPTICISM, a floating in doubtful Uncertainty between all Opinions, diſcarding what was manifeſtly Wrong, but not fixing their Minds in what was Good and Right.

YEA, in Matters of moral Good and Evil, though ſome of the Rules they have left us are truly excellent, yet in many important Things they are very deficient; there is a deep Silence in their Writings of the Nature and Obliquity of ſeveral Vices, ſuch as Pride, Revenge, and Self-murder, they are likewiſe ſilent about the right Principle of Action, Love to God; the right End of Action, the Glory of God; the right Mode of Action, Humility, and a Dependance upon God, for Light, Strength, and Acceptance.

THEY were alſo at a Loſs reſpecting the Method of regaining the Friendſhip of the Almighty when offended, the Certainty of a future State, and the ſtrict Account they muſt render of all their Actions to the ſovereign Lord and Judge of the Univerſe; and are not theſe Things of inexpreſſible Importance, the very governing Principles of a Chriſtian's Conduct? This melancholy Ignorance of the Pagan Maſters, was doubtleſs the Source of that Uncertainty they bewray in their Diſcourſes, and ſuch Inconſiſtency in their Lives, concerning which, one of the greateſt and beſt Judges among them, viz. TULLY, ſpeaks thus, Do you think, ſays he, that theſe Things, meaning the Precepts of Morality, had any Influence upon thoſe Men (excepting only a very few) that thought, and wrote, and diſputed about them, no; who is there of all the Philoſophers, whoſe Mind and Manners were comformable to right Reaſon, who ever made his Philoſophy the Law and Rule of his Life, and not a meer Boaſt and Shew of his Wit and Parts? Who obſerved his own Inſtructions, and lived in Obedience to his own Precepts? On the contrary many of them were Slaves to filthy Luſts.

NAY even the Things which they themſelves knew, they had not Authority enough to inculcate upon Mens Minds, with ſuch Impreſſion as to Influence and govern their Conduct; the Truths they proved by a Train of ſpeculative Reaſonings, were deſtitute of more ſenſible Authority to enforce them with Energy in Practice; the Precepts they propoſed wanted Weight, and evidently appeared to be no more than the Precepts of Men; this was doubtleſs the Reaſon that none of the Philoſophers were ever able to work any remarkable Change in the Minds and Lives of their Hearers; nor does it appear in Hiſtory that any of the Followers of SOCRATES, were ever ſo convinced by his Inſtructions of the Excellency of Virtue, and the Certainty and Value of its final Reward, as to be willing to lay down their Lives for its Sake, as innumerable Diſciples of the Lord JESUS CHRIST have done, with the greateſt Gladneſs and heroic Fortitude.

THE Truth is, the Philoſophers themſelves were ſenſible of the Defect of their own Rules in this particular, and therefore confeſs, that human Nature was ſtrangely corrupted, and that this Corruption was a Diſeaſe whoſe Cauſe they knew not, and for which they could not find a ſufficient Remedy: So that the great Duties of Religion and Virtue, were propoſed by them as Matters of Speculation, rather than Rules of Practice; not ſo much urged upon Mens Hearts and Lives, as propoſed to their Admiration.

THIS was apparently the Condition of Mankind without a Revelation; to recover them out of which Degeneracy, into a State ſuitable to the original Excellency of their Nature, a ſupernatural Diſcovery of their Duty was plainly neceſſary; for if, as has been obſerved, the Generality of the World were ſo ignorant and corrupt, ſo over-run with Idolatry and Licenciouſneſs; if the beſt of the Philoſophers were not exempt from the general Infection, and far from Certainty reſpecting the Doctrines they pretended to advance; if the Points wherein they were certain, they were not able to prove clearly to vulgar Underſtandings, and thoſe they were able to prove, they had not ſufficient Authority to inforce; in a Word, if there was ſo much Inconſiſtency in themſelves, as to give Scandal to others, and ſo much Depravity in others, as to make them deſpair of reforming them, then was there plainly a want of ſome Revelation to ſupply theſe Defects, and to diſcover in what Manner and with what Kind of external Service the bleſſed God might be acceptably worſhipped; a Revelation to diſcover what Expiation he would be pleaſed to accept of for Sin, by which his Honour is affronted and his Authority oppoſed; a Revelation to give intelligent Beings an Aſſurance of the great Motives of Religion, the Rewards and Puniſhments of a future State.

IN fine, ſome particular Revelation was neceſſary, to make the whole Syſtem of Chriſtian Doctrine clear and obvious to all Capacities, to add Weight and Authority to the plaineſt Precepts, and to furniſh Men with extraordinary Aſſiſtance, to enable them to overcome the Corruptions of their Nature; and indeed without the Aſſiſtance of ſuch a Revelation, the wiſeſt of Men were always of Opinion, that the World could never be reformed; Ye may even give over, ſays Socrates, all Hopes of amending Mens Manners for the future, unleſs GOD be pleaſed to ſend ſome other Perſon to inſtruct you! For whatſoever is ſet right, ſays Plato, in the preſent ill State of the World, can only be done by the Interpoſition of GOD.

THIS condeſcending and gracious Interpoſure, appears evidently in the Chriſtian Syſtem, the Plan of Salvation by the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, which though it be deſpiſed by the Ignorant, Inconſiderate, and Prejudiced, is by thoſe that are awakened out of their Security, and divinely illuminated, experienced to be indeed and in Truth a glorious Diſplay of the Power of God, and the WISDOM of GOD; the latter of which let us for a little Space fix our Meditations upon at preſent.

THE bleſſed God, my Brethren, foreſeeing Man's Fall, and the Miſery conſequent upon it, determined his Recovery in a Way worthy of himſelf, and ſuited to the Circumſtances of the apoſtate Creature, in which his Wiſdom is eminently conſpicuous.

THIS will appear by conſidering the END that God propoſed, and the MEANS he concerted to compaſs it; all intelligent Agents firſt propoſe an End, and then chooſe the Means that tend to obtain it; now the more perfect the Underſtanding is, the more noble is the End it deſigns, and the more apt the Means it preſcribes to acquire it.

THE END propoſed by the Goſpel of the Lord JESUS CHRIST is moſt excellent, viz. the GLORY of God, and the Happineſs of Mankind, or their Reſtoration to his Image and Favour.

THE GLORY of GOD, or the Manifeſtation of his Attributes, by their Exerciſe to the moral World, was his ſupream Scope; as God is the beſt of Beings, of Conſequence his Glory muſt be the beſt End, and therefore it is but reaſonable he ſhould aim at it in all his Works; and hence he is ſaid to have made all Things for himſelf, and that of him, and through him, and to him are all Things; ſeeing he is the Creator and Lord of all, it is but juſt and right that he ſhould be the End of all; nothing can be more natural than that what was borrowed from him, ſhould be directed to him, or his Honour; the Heavens are therefore ſaid to declare the Glory of God, and the Firmament to ſhew forth his Hand Work; on this Account the Revelation of the Way to future Happineſs, by the dear, dear Lord JESUS CHRIST, is called, The glorious Goſpel of the bleſſed God; becauſe it is the cleareſt Manifeſtation, the richeſt Diſplay of the tranſcendant Excellency of his adorable Attributes, which was ever given to the Children of Men; and hence Jehovah is ſaid to magnify his Word (i. e. the Word of his Grace) above all his Name: The Apoſtle Paul in his Epiſtle to the Corinthians, aſſures us, that the Miniſtration of Righteouſneſs exceeds in Glory; and that under this Diſpenſation, we all, with open Face, beholding as in a Glaſs the Glory of the Lord, are changed into the ſame Image from Glory to Glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord: In the Goſpel we behold the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and the harmonious Manifeſtation of the divine Attributes in the Scheme of Salvation through him, not under the dark Vail of Types, Shadows, and Propheſies, as the Jewiſh Church, but with open Face as in a Glaſs, and are thereby gradually tranſformed into his Image, through the Holy Spirit's concurring Influence.

TO the aforeſaid Manifeſtation of the divine Attributes, which the Almighty propoſed as his ſupream End, we muſt add the Praiſe and Thankſgiving of reaſonable Creatures on Account thereof; when intelligent Beings acknowledge the Diſplays of God's Excellencies with adoring Reverence, and ardent Affections, they glorify him; he that offereth praiſe, glorifieth me, ſaith the Almighty by the Pſalmiſt; and this undoubtedly the bleſſed God had likewiſe in View as his ſupream End.

BUT the ſubordinate End in Redemption, is the Reſtoration of Man; and this indeed is inſeparably connected with the former, as appears from the Angels Anthem, Glory to God on High, on Earth Peace, and good Will towards Men: Sin had broke the ſacred Alliance between God and Man, and expoſed him to the divine Diſpleaſure, an inexpreſſible and incomprehenſible Miſery; now what is more becoming the Father of Mercies, the God of Love, than to compaſſionate and relieve the Miſerable; than to raiſe from the Depth of ruin many Monuments in which his Kindneſs and Benignity might for ever triumph!

TO compaſs theſe truly valuable ENDS, divine Wiſdom projected the apteſt MEANS poſſible; which appears in the following eaſy Light.

THE Miſery of apoſtate Man conſiſted in the Deprivation of his whole Nature by Sin, and in his Expoſedneſs to the divine Diſpleaſure on the Account of it, which was a juſt and natural Conſequent of his crimſon Apoſtacy; and his Happineſs conſiſted in reſtoring him to his original Purity and Fellowſhip with God, and to the full Enjoyment of him; but the Way to effect this, in Conſiſtency with the divine Juſtice, Law, and Government, was a Depth which no human Underſtanding could fathom.

THAT God, whoſe being is LOVE, ſhould ſhew Kindneſs to the Angels, who never ſwerved from his Statutes, is eaſy to imagine; for though they cannot merit his Favour, yet they never incurred his Diſpleaſure by Maleconduct; and it muſt needs be natural to Jehovah, to Love the Image of his Purity wherever it appears.

NOR is it hard to conceive, that the Almighty would be inclined to ſuccour an innocent Creature in Miſery; for in this Caſe, there would be nothing to obſtruct the free Efluxes of his unexhauſted Goodneſs; but how to ſave a Creature that is as guilty as miſerable by its own criminal Choice, is a Difficulty too hard to be ſolved by the Wiſdom of Men or Angels. Heaven itſelf ſeemed to be divided on this Occaſion. MERCY inclined to ſave, but JUSTICE interpoſed for Satisfaction.

MERCY regarded Man with reſpect to his Miſery, and its Pleas were ſuch as theſe, ſhall the moſt excellent Creature in the lower World periſh, the Fault not being entirely his? periſh for ever, without any Favour! Shall no Compaſſion be ſhewn to miſerable Mankind, who in their original State, were the Beauty and Crown of all the numerous Ranks of Being in this inferior Syſtem; ſhall the malignant Enemy for ever Triumph in the fatal Succeſs of his Perfidy, and reduce the whole human Race to the moſt deplorable and remedileſs Ruin? On the other Hand, JUSTICE, the Nature of which is, to give to every one his Due, conſidered Man as guilty of a moſt ungrateful, murderous, and pregnant Iniquity; the Wages of which, agreeable to the Dictates of Reaſon, and the Law of God, is DEATH; this divine Attribute remonſtrates againſt ſhewing any Favour to the unhappy Delinquents; and queries, ſhall not the Judge of all the Earth do Right? All the other Attributes ſeemed to be Attendants on Juſtice.

THE WISDOM of GOD enforced its • lea; it being moſt indecent, that Sin, which demerits the Execution, ſhould procure the Abrogation of the Law; which would encourage the Commiſſion of it, without Fear.

THE MAJESTY of GOD was likewiſe concerned; for it was not becoming excellent Greatneſs and abſolute Sovereignty, to treat in this humble Manner with Inferiors and Delinquents, and to offer Pardon to preſumptuous, ungrateful Rebels, before they bow at his Foot-ſtool, and make Supplication to their Judge.

THE HOLINESS of GOD confirms and coroborates the Plea of incenſed, leſed Majeſty, and urges Juſtice to execute the Threatning annexed to the Violation of the Law; for Jehovah is of purer Eyes, than to behold Iniquity: As Purity is the eſſential Object of his complacential Will, which he Loves immutably where ever it is, ſo by the Law of Contraries, Sin is the eternal Object of his Hatred; and conſequently ſuch as are (with their full Conſent) under its habitual Rule and Government, becauſe of their Connection with it, he will not, ſaith Job, take the wicked by the Hand, or at all acquit them, as the Prophet Nahum expreſſes it: Purity and Pollution, by reaſon of their contrary Natures, cannot mix or coaleſs, but muſt maintain a perpetual Jar and Diſcord, till one or other is deſtroyed. Farther, SIRS,

THE TRUTH of GOD being plighted in the Covenant of Works, ſtands engaged to ſee to the Execution of the Penalty denounced in Caſe of Treſpaſs; and if it is not, the Matter ſo requiring, divine Truth fails; but that is impoſſible, and therefore this Attribute joins iſſue in the Conteſt with divine Juſtice, Wiſdom, Majeſty, and Purity, and requires the Execution of the threatned Puniſhment upon the Offender himſelf, or if extraordinarily diſpenſed with (in this reſpect) it muſt be on ſuch Terms, as the Honour of God's Truth may be preſerved inviolate.

THIS ſeeming Conflict among the divine Attributes, no created Underſtanding could adjuſt, and find out a Way to reconcile infinite Mercy with inflexible Juſtice; a Way to ſatisfy the Demands of the one, and grant the Requeſts of the other: In this Exigency divine WISDOM interpoſed, and in its unſearchable Depths deviſed an EXPEDIENT, to ſave Man without any Prejudice to the Perfections of the Deity, without any Injury to his Government over the moral World, by conſtituting a Mediator between the guilty Creature and himſelf, that by transferring the Puniſhment on the Surety, Sin might be puniſhed, and the Sinner ſaved; here MERCY and JUSTICE ſalute each other, and ſhine with equal Glory and Luſtre; the latter is fully ſatisfied, and the former exceedingly magnified! Theſe amiable Attributes in this mediatorial Plan, join in friendly Harmony, to promote and ſecure the penitent and believing Sinners perpetual Happineſs!

NOR is it unbecoming the MAJESTY of God, to accept a returning Sinner, when a Mediator of infinite Dignity interceeds for him.

THE PURITY of the Almighty, is not in the leaſt Degree diſparaged by his Clemency to Tranſgreſſors, ſeeing the bleſſed Mediator is a Principle and Pattern of Holineſs, to all that believe in him, and the TRUTH of God engaged to iſſue the Threatnings of the broken Law, is by the Sufferings of the Sinners Surety preſerved inviolate: So that all the divine Perfections concur herein, and expreſs, to the eternal Aſtoniſhment and Delight of Men and Angels, inexpreſſible Charms, Beauty, and Magnificence!

HERE we may ſee the Glory of the bleſſed God, ſhining in the Face of the venerable and dear Lord JESUS CHRIST; who can Fathom the unſearchable Depths of this amazing Wiſdom? who can unfold the boundleſs Riches and Treaſures of this myſterious Prodigy and Miracle of Mercy! this inexpreſſible, tranſcendant, incomprehenſible, and glorious Grace and Love? Surely no Underſtanding either human or angelical, is equal to this Province; it is only the ſame infinite Mind that concerted this illuſtrious Scheme of Salvation by a Redeemer that can comprehend it!

THE ANGELS, thoſe great Miniſters that attend the Throne of God, ſtoop down with the deepeſt Attention, the ſtrongeſt Deſire, and nobleſt Pleaſure, to behold the rich and unſearchable Variety of manifold Wiſdom and glorious Grace that is herein contained! But though we cannot comprehend the Depths of redeeming Goodneſs, yet we may apprehend ſo much as to be thereby powerfully influenced to Admiration, Love, and Obedience! ſo much as to be thereby excited to cry out in the Apoſtle's Language, O the Depth of the Riches, both of the Knowledge and Wiſdom of God, how unſearchable are his Judgments, and his Ways paſt finding out! Surely the Love of Chriſt paſſeth Knowledge! But more particularly, dear SIRS,

THE WISDOM of GOD appears eminently, in taking Occaſion from the Sin of our Progenitor, to bring a greater Tribute of Honour to God, and greater Benefit to Man, than if he had never tranſgreſſed; Sin naturally tends to God's Diſhonour, and to the Creature's Ruin; but contrary to its natural Tendency, it is over ruled by a wiſe Providence, to be the Occaſion of the greateſt glory to God, and good to Man; ſo that out of the Eater, comes forth Meat, and out of the Strong, Sweetneſs; as a Medicine is extracted out of Poiſon by the Alembick; or, as the black Ground in a Picture, though in itſelf it contuminates, yet when fixed, with Judgment, in its proper Place as a Shade, heightens the Luſtre of the brighter Colours, and adds to the Beauty of the whole Piece!

DEAR SIRS, the Glory of God, is more illuſtriouſly apparent, in the recovery of fallen Man, than if he had never ſinned; had Adam perſevered inviolably in his Duty and Allegiance to his great Creator and Sovereign, he could only have been the Subject of divine Goodneſs, but not in its higheſt and moſt endearing Acts, which are to pity and ſuccour the Guilty and Miſerable; had he tranſgreſſed, and Redemption not have taken Place, Juſtice it is true would have been honoured with a ſolemn Sacrifice, a ſolemn Triumph! But Mercy, that amiable, benign, and indulgent Attribute, would have been vailed with a total Eclipſe! But now the Wiſdom of Jehovah in the Redemption of Man appears, by according theſe Attributes, and making them ſhine with rival Charms! The Honour of Jehovah appears as much in preſerving the Authority of his Law, by puniſhing our Surety in our room and Place, as by the Exerciſe of his Mercy in pardoning the Tranſgreſſor!

NOR is it leſs honourable, my Brethren, to the divine Wiſdom, to reſtore fallen Man with infinite Advantage; though innocent Man was holy, yet ſad Experience verifies, that he was mutably ſo; but Holineſs in the redeemed ſhall be perpetual, eternal: Adam's Stock was in his own Hand, and hence he became a Bankrupt, but ours is in the Hands of an Almighty Surety, who has undertaken for us, and will be faithful to his Truſt: Juſtice itſelf being ſatisfied, becomes our Friend, and aſcertains our Poſſeſſion of Paradice: I might add, that there are Graces to be acted by us in our fallen State, for which there were no Objects or Occaſions in Innocence; ſuch as Compaſſion to the Miſerable, Forgiveneſs of Injuries, and Patience; all which being Emblems of the divine Perfections, muſt of Conſequence be ornamental to, and perfective of our immortal Souls, in conforming them to the great Pattern and Original of Beauty and Excellency.

AGAIN, the Wiſdom of God appears, in appointing ſuch a MEDIATOR as is ſuitably qualified to reconcile God to Man, and Man to God: A Mediator that is God and Man in one Perſon, and therefore capable of the Affections and Sentiments of both the Parties to be reconciled: The Wiſdom of the divine Conſtitution in appointing a Perſon to mediate, who is poſſeſſed of the divine and human Natures, appears more particularly from the three Offices he exerciſes in that Character, viz. Prophetical, Prieſtly, and Kingly.

CONSIDERED as a PROPHET, it was neceſſary that the MEDIATOR ſhould be GOD, that he might deliver Inſtructions with more Authority and Efficacy; it is God alone that can enlighten the Mind, convince the Conſcience, teach and change the Heart!

AND it was likewiſe neceſſary, SIRS, that he ſhould be MAN, that he might converſe with us, and convey his Inſtructions to us, in ſuch a familiar Way as we could receive; ſuch is the Weakneſs of our preſent Frame, that the Majeſty of God's Appearance, occaſions a diſtreſſing Pannic, and hence, when Iſrael had ſeen ſome Glimpſes of God's Glory and Majeſty, at the giving of the Law, they beſought the Lord to ſpeak no more to them in ſuch a Manner, leſt they died: And, no Doubt, Guilt increaſes our Dread at the Approach of God, and therefore renders us unfit to attend with due Calmneſs to his immediate Inſtructions: An Inſtance of which we have in the Prophet, who when he heard the Seraphs ſhout, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of Hoſts, the Heavens and Earth are full of the Majeſty of his Glory, lamented in this mournful Language, wo is me, I am undone, for mine Eyes have ſeen the King, the Lord of Hoſts! Infinite Purity, attended with awful Majeſty, ſo alarms our Fears, as to render us unfit for Inſtruction; but the Son of God appearing in our Nature to make Attonement for Tranſgreſſors, the Brightneſs of his divine Majeſty being vailed with the Mantle of his Humanity, is thereby allayed, and ſo more accommodated to our preſent State of Weakneſs; hereby we are encouraged to draw near to him, and to hear with Compoſure his gentle Inſtructions, which drop as the Rain, and diſtil as the Dew upon the tender Herb.

NOR was the UNION of the divine and human Natures, in the Perſon of the Mediator, leſs neceſſary, my Brethren, in reſpect of his PRIESTLY OFFICE; he muſt be Man, that the ſinning Nature might ſuffer, and thereby acquire a right to the Satisfaction made; for our Title to the Benefits of Chriſt's Sufferings depends upon our Union to him, which is not only ſpiritual by Faith, but natural alſo; for as the Apoſtle obſerves, he who ſanctifies, and they who are ſanctified, are all one; i. e. they have Communion in the ſame Nature: Inaſmuch as Suffering according to the divine Declaration was neceſſary to attone for Sin, of which the Deity is incapable, it behoved our High-Prieſt to be MAN, that he might have a Capacity for it; and that thoſe Sufferings might be of ſufficient Dignity and Value, and the human Nature ſupported under them, it was as neceſſary he ſhould be GOD.

NOR was it leſs needful, Sirs, that the MEDIATOR ſhould partake of both Natures, in order to interceed for us as a PRIEST; that ſo he might have a ſufficient Intereſt in his Father's Affection, to prevail in his Suits for us, and at the ſame Time, be poſſeſſed of tender Affections towards us; being the Son of God, him the Father always hears, and being the Son of Man, he is touched with the Feeling of our Infirmities; we have therefore Encouragement to come with Boldneſs to the Throne of his Grace, to obtain Mercy, and find Grace to help in Time of Need!

AND is it not alſo requiſite, that the MEDIATOR ſhould be GOD and MAN, in regard of his KINGLY OFFICE? For unleſs he be God, how can he apply the Fruits of his Death to us, diſpoſeſs the ſtrong Man armed, and ſubdue us to the Obedience of Faith?

AND if he had not been Man, how could he have led us into the Way of univerſal Holineſs, by the Influence of his own Example, which is doubtleſs an excellent Method to reform Mankind? It is not only neceſſary to enact Rules of Virtue by a kingly Authority, but likewiſe by Example to make Precepts practicable and honourable; when brave Generals, though of the nobleſt Lineage, deſign to animate their Armies to heroic Atchievements, they voluntarily ſubmit their Perſons to all the humble Offices and Hardſhips of a State of War; courageouſly lead their Troops into the high Places of the Field of Battle, and expoſe their Lives to the greateſt Perils! This our Lord has done for us, the Captain of our Salvation, the King of the Church, and Lord of the Univerſe, has been made perfect through Sufferings.

ANOTHER Inſtance, Sirs, of divine WISDOM in the Redemption of Man, by the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, is in making the Remedy to have ſome Analogy and Proportion to the Cauſe of our Ruin, i. e. as we fell in the firſt Adam, conſidered as our Repreſentative, ſo we are raiſed by the Second, conſidered in the ſame Character; as by the Diſobedience of one, many were made Sinners, ſo by the Obedience of one, many are made Righteous; as Guilt and Death came by the firſt, through IMPUTATION to all his natural Offspring, that are united to him naturally by Exiſtence, ſo Righteouſneſs and Life come by the ſecond Adam, through IMPUTATION, to all his ſpiritual Offspring, that are united to him ſpiritually by Faith.

MOREOVER, my Brethren, divine WISDOM is conſpicuous in the MANNER whereby our Redemption is accompliſhed, viz. by the HUMILIATION of the SON of GOD; by this Jehovah as it were counter works the Sin of Angels and Men. PRIDE is the Malignity of every Sin, for by it the Sinner ſets up his Will above God; now that our dear Redeemer might cure the Diſeaſe (we labour under) in its original Source, by the Nature of the Remedy, applied to our Arrogance Humility: Man who is but a Worm, and cruſhed before the Moth, was vainly and wickedly guilty of High-Treaſon, in affecting to be like God; and thus he fell from the State of Happineſs in which he was at firſt created! And the eternal Son of God, who was in the Form of God, and counted it not robbery to be equal with him, ſtooped to aſſume the humble Form of a Servant, that by his Sufferings he might reſtore fallen Man to his primitive Purity and Bliſs; and by his Example correct that Arrogance, which was the Fountain of his fatal Apoſtacy, and all its unhappy Conſequences! The Word was made Fleſh, to baniſh the Diſtance between God and it; O ſtupendous Abaſement! the Condeſcenſion of divine Majeſty herein, is equal to the Contrivance of divine Wiſdom; both are indeed incomprehenſible, both inexpreſſible! So dreadful was the Malignity of our native Arrogance, that ſuch unparallelled, aſtoniſhing Abaſement, even of God himſelf, was neceſſary to its Cure; by this our Lord deſtroyed the firſt Work of our grand Enemy!

FARTHER, Sirs, the WISDOM of God (in Connection with Almightineſs) appears, in appointing ſuch contemptible, and to Appearance contrary MEANS, to accompliſh ſuch great and glorious Effects; the Way is as wonderful as the Work; that Chriſt by dying on the Croſs a reputed Malefactor, ſhould be made our eternal Righteouſneſs; that by Death he ſhould deſtroy him that had the Power of Death, and purchaſe our Life; that by deſcending into the Grave, he ſhould purchaſe our Reſurrection from it, and immortal Bleſſedneſs, is trury amazing, and plainly ſhews that the Thoughts and Ways of God are far above ours, as the Heavens are above the Earth; ſtrange that immortal Life ſhould ſpring from Death, Honour from Ignominy, Healing from Stripes, Bleſſedneſs from a Curſe! this is ſo Contrary to the uſual Courſe of Things, that to render it credible, it was typified by many Symbols, and foretold by many Prophets before it came to paſs, that when it came, it might be eſteemed an Effect of God's eternal Council, almighty Power, and unſearchable Wiſdom: Though Chriſt crucified be to the Jews a ſtumbling Block, and to the Greeks Fooliſhneſs, yet to thoſe that are called, he is the Power of God, and the Wiſdom of God! Surely, great is the Myſtery of Godlineſs, God made manifeſt in the Fleſh; whatever our modern Exalters of carnal Reaſon, and Monopolizers of Wiſdom, mutter to the Contrary notwithſtanding; theſe Men ſay they are Chriſtians, and yet with a Shew of Wiſdom, and Pretext of Friendſhip to Jeſus Chriſt, they preſume to confront the expreſs Teſtimony of his inſpired Apoſtles, they labour with Art and Addreſs to rob his Religion of its GRAND PECULIARS, and to ſubſtitute poliſhed PAGANISM in its Place, and would have us to believe the JEST, the JUGGLE, that there is no material Difference between them; but God forbid, we have not ſo learned Chriſt; while they profeſs themſelves to be wiſe, they commence Fools, they become vain in their Imaginations, and their fooliſh Hearts are darkned; for in the Wiſdom of God, the World by Wiſdom knew not God, it pleaſed God by the Fooliſhneſs of Preaching, to ſave thoſe that believe, i. e. the great Sovereign and Lord of all, who has a right to do with his own as he pleaſes, has of his meer Motion, ſo ordered the Matter, that by the humble Preaching of the Croſs of Chriſt, or in other Words, the MEDIATORIAL PLAN of Salvation, by the Sufferings and Death of the Son of God (which ſome ſtumble at, and reckon inconſiſtent and fooliſh) thoſe that believe ſhall obtain eternal Happineſs. Such who reckon the grand Peculiars of the Religion of JESUS fooliſh and abſurd, would act a more candid and conſiſtent Part, if they renounced the Name of Chriſtianity altogether (for what ſignifies the Name without the Thing) and openly declared, that they reject the Bible, as a ſure and ſufficient Guide to Heaven, and betake themſelves to their DAGONS, viz. their CARNAL REASON, and GRACELESS VIRTUE, to a Dependance on the former as their ſupream and ſufficient Guide, in the Matters of Religion▪ and on the latter as their only Saviour; my Soul come not into their Secret, mine Honour be thou not united! Let Jewiſh, Grecian, and Britiſh INFIDELS or PAGANS (the moſt inexcuſable of all the reſt, who in the Midſt of Light and Day grope in Egyptian Darkneſs) who in the Pride and Stoutneſs of their Hearts, deride and burleſque the myſterious and humble Doctrines of Chriſt crucified, as a nonſenſial Scheme; yet they never will be able by all their Art, their Eloquence, and ſovereign Contempt, to drive thoſe that have experienced a gracious Change (a divine Birth) from the Foundation of their Hope; no, ſuch have an inward Witneſs, that Chriſt crucified is the Wiſdom of God, and the Power of God; and in every ſucceſſive Period, till Time concludes its Drama, there will be ſuch, who ſhall not be aſhamed of the Goſpel of Chriſt, but glory in his Croſs, as a Badge of Honour; for the Foundation of God ſtands ſure, JEHOVAH has graciouſly promiſed, that the Gates of Hell ſhall not prevail againſt his Church, and that no Weapon formed againſt her ſhall proſper!

BUT to proceed; the divine WISDOM, my Brethren, appears gloriouſly in forming the PLAN of the GOSPEL, in ſuch a Manner as at once to provide for the COMFORT of Mens SOULS, and promote the PURITY of their MANNERS; and this indeed is inſeparable Character of divine Doctrines, that they equally tend to promote God's Glory and our Benefit; thus as the Way to Bleſſedneſs by a Mediator, effectually ſecures God's Honour, ſo it powerfully incites the Sinner's Hope, Love, and Joy; by repreſenting the bleſſed God as amiable, benign, and gracious, by providing a compleat Satisfaction to injured Juſtice, that thus a Way might be opened, for a liberal, conſiſtent, and honourable Effuſion of divine Goodneſs, in all its innumerable Inſtances, in all its various and valuable Effects, adapted to every changing Scene of Life, adapted to every Circumſtance of the Indigent and Diſtreſſed; and ſufficient to ſupport, relieve, yea, refreſh and content them, in the Midſt of Miſeries and Woes; and under a Train and Complication of the greateſt Calamities, which this Bockim, this State of Exile affords! Theſe primitive and faithful Servants of Chriſt, the Apoſtles, though they were by many reckoned Deceivers, yet they were true, though they had Nothing, yet they poſſeſſed all Things, though they were Sorrowing, yet they were always Rejoicing! the MEDIATORIAL PLAN ſhews us how GOD may be JUST, and yet the JUSTIFIER of HIM THAT BELIEVES IN JESUS, becauſe of his PROPITIATION. This opens to our View, the unſpeakable Gift of the Son of GOD, and aſſures us of the Gift of all Things with him in Caſe we believe; in particular, this fixes our final Perſeverance in Goodneſs, a crowning Mercy, upon the impregnable BASIS of the immutable PURPOSE, the Almighty POWER, and faithful PROMISE of GOD; upon the ſacred SURETYSHIP, the compleat SATISFACTION, and perpetual INTERCESSION of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; and therefore this Goſpel Scheme of Grace and Salvation, opens an unfailing Spring of Joy, and lays a firm Foundation for our Hope and Truſt; this calms the guilty, reſtleſs Mind, and makes it rejoice in the Hope of the Glory of God, with Joy unſpeakable and full of Glory!

AND as the Goſpel of Chriſt provides for our SOLACE, ſo it incites to univerſal PURITY; do not the Sufferings of the Son of GOD for Sin, give us a dreadful Repreſentation of its Malignity and Danger; ſeeing nothing leſs could make Satisfaction for it, and therefore ſerve to deter us from it? We may judge of the Danger of a Diſeaſe, by the Difficulty of its Cure; nothing leſs could heal our mortal Malady than the Blood of God; and ſeeing Chriſt has expreſſed ſuch amazing Love to us, does not this tend to beget Love in us to him, and ſo conſtrain us to a voluntary, ſincere, and uniform Obedience, from that truly noble Principle?

NOW if the Goſpel of Chriſt be ſuch as has been deſcribed, with what Ardour ſhould we celebrate the divine Praiſes, for this Revelation, ſo worthy of God, ſo ſuited to the Caſe of fallen Man? The Apoſtacy of our firſt Parents was ſo fatal to us, that nothing leſs than infinite Wiſdom could find out a ſufficient Remedy!

THERE is no Diſcovery of this in the Works of Creation, the Heavens and Earth do indeed prove the Exiſtence of a Supream Being, by pointing to ſome of his adorable Attributes; but cannot repreſent the Deſign of Redemption, which has no Connection with the Exiſtence of Creatures, but hangs altogether upon the Sovereign Pleaſure of God; the Doctrine of the Trinity, which is the Foundation of the Mediatorial Plan of Salvation, cannot be known by the Frame of the Univerſe.

NOR can natural REASON by its utmoſt Force, attain to the Knowledge of redeeming Grace and Love; it is true there are ſome remains of the Law of Nature in the Heart of Man, ſome common Notices (rudera Veſtigia) of the Differences between moral Good and Evil, otherwiſe the World would ſoon diſband and turn into the wildeſt Anarchy, the rudeſt Chaos, and become an ACELDEMA; though Miſery when felt, excites to look out for a Remedy, yet here Reaſon is at a Loſs, at a Plunge, and quite non-pluſs'd: How could the Izraelites imagine, that by looking to the Brazen Serpent, thoſe that were ſtung ſhould be healed? and how can a poor Creature diſcover, by the meer Dint of his own Genius, or Light within, the Satisfaction of divine Juſtice by Jeſus Chriſt? No, they cannot! and hence it is called a Myſtery hid from Ages and Generations; nay, though the human Mind had never been corrupted, it could not by the Force of its Reaſonings find it out; for this the very ANGELS could not diſcover, till it was made known to them by the CHURCH; by the firſt coming of Chriſt, and the Converſion of many to him, the Depths of divine Wiſdom were unvailed.

THE Apoſtle informs us, that the Caſe of the Gentiles was extreamly dangerous, their Underſtandings were darkned, being alienated from the Life of God, through the Ignorance that is in them, becauſe of the Blindneſs of their Hearts: The Apoſtle Paul declares, that the Epheſians were formerly Darkneſs, i. e. while Pagans, and elſewhere he aſſures us, that the natural Man does not underſtand the Things of the Spirit of God, that they are Fooliſhneſs to him, and he cannot diſcern them, becauſe they are ſpiritually diſcerned; and this was not only the Caſe of the ruder Sort, but of the more polite and learned; for, as has been before obſerved, the World by Wiſdom knew not God: Natural Reaſon cannot inform us, whether God will pardon any Tranſgreſſors at all, or not, or upon what Terms; it is true the modern Deiſts, do now trump up a plauſible Scheme of natural Religion, with Deſign to overſet revealed, but are not ſo candid as to inform us, that they borrowed their Succours from the BIBLE; without the Aſſiſtance of which, notwithſtanding their PRIDE, and Pretence to PENETRATION (or ſuperior acumen) they would ſpeak as darkly, doubtfully, and confuſedly, as their more ingenious and ingenuous Forefathers, the Pagan Philoſophers, long ſince.

WHAT a horrid Confuſion of Sentiments, what a rude, wild, and dark Chaos overwhelmed the Pagan World before Chriſt's coming, in reſpect of the moſt important Points of Religion? Varro declares, that there were among them no leſs than Three Hundred different Opinions about the CHIEF GOOD, nor did they inculcate INTERNAL PURITY, and the Neceſſity of FORGIVING INJURIES; and the beſt of them offered but uncertain Conjectures about the IMMORTALITY of the SOUL; a View of their Miſeries may juſtly heighten our Value for the Mercies we enjoy; while many Nations dwell in Darkneſs, and in the Shadow of Death, the Day-ſpring from on High has viſited us, and the Sun of Righteouſneſs ariſen with Healing under his Wings upon us: This diſtinguiſhing, important, and unmerited Benefit, ſhould fire our Souls with Love and Gratitude, and ſtir us up to the moſt affectionate Thankſgiving: It is the Prerogative of God to reveal the Secrets of his Kingdom to whom he pleaſes; how then can we reflect upon the divine Goodneſs towards us, without the warmeſt Emotion, the moſt admiring, grateful Sentiments? Surely, by Nature we are as blind, corrupt, and perverſe as any other Nation, what are we then, that God ſhould be ſo gracious to us? If the Publication of the Law to the People of Iſrael, was juſtly reckoned their peculiar Treaſure, what then is the Revelation of the Goſpel by the Son of God, which alone diſcovers our Remedy, and of which there is no innate Notice in human Nature, nor any given otherwiſe univerſally?

CAN this Principle be eaſily juſtified, that there is Something in all Mankind which, if attended to, is ſufficient to direct Men to Salvation without the Scriptures? It is no Matter what this Something be called, whether REASON, CONSCIENCE, or the LIGHT WITHIN, ſeeing the Subſtance intended is the ſame.

DO not the Scriptures poſitively declare, that there is no Name given under Heaven, by which Salvation can be obtained, but the Name of Jeſus; that Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, that we cannot hear without a Preacher, that the Heathens are Darkneſs, without the Covenants of Promiſe, without God, that they periſh for Lack of Viſion, and that all the Unregenerate before Conviction are blind, dead, poſſeſſed with Satan, that the Light in ſome is Darkneſs, and that all Men have not Faith; now how can the aforeſaid Principle agree with thoſe Declarations?

AND do not Millions of Facts (which are ſtubborn Things) in the Pagan World, in the preſent and paſt Ages, and in various Nations, confirm the aforeſaid Teſtimony of Scripture? That the PAGANS, whatever Pains they take in their different Ways of Religion (unleſs they obtain ſome Information from the ſacred Scriptures) remain ignorant of the Way of Salvation by Chriſt.

IF the PAGANS had this Knowledge, is it reaſonable to think that they would be brought to the Profeſſion of what they believe with great Difficulty, in Places where this Profeſſion is not attended with any Danger? and yet this has often been the Caſe, and is ſo ſtill; and why have ſo many oppoſed with great Vehemence, and without any Senſe of Guilt, the Profeſſion of Chriſtianity (with Saul before his Converſion) if it be ſo univerſally known as is ſuppoſed? And why do none, among ſuch vaſt Multitudes, and during ſo many Ages, give any Account of this Matter?

FARTHER, is not one Deſign of the ſacred Scriptures, for Doctrine and Inſtruction, to make the Man of God perfect, and throughly furniſhed to every good Work; now what need is there of this, if there be ſufficient Light in every Man to direct him without it? is it not abſurd to ſay, we need more than what is ſufficient, or that we need more than we need! is not the BIBLE therefore needleſs and ſuperfluous, according to this Principle, and is this Principle ſafe, that in its Conſequences deprives us of our BIBLE?

PRAY is it not the Buſineſs of Paſtors after God's Heart, to feed the People with Knowledge and Underſtanding? and is it not the Deſign of their Office to turn Sinners from Darkneſs to Light? But what need is there of this Inſtitution at all, what need of any Labours to inſtruct Mankind, if Men have ſufficient Light without it in themſelves? Is not Preaching at any Time or Place, on this Plan, an Abſurdity, a meer Farce? And why did the Apoſtles take ſo much Pains in traveling and preaching? why did they run ſuch Riſques, and endure ſuch Hardſhips? was it to do a ſuperfluous Buſineſs, to teach People what they knew already, or might know without their Aſſiſtance? if ſo, was this prudent in them (ſeeing they carried on no Buſineſs of Merchandize or Traffick in their Travels to enrich themſelves) or a good Argument that they had the full Exerciſe of their Reaſon? pray did they ſuffer Stripes, Impriſonment, or Death, like wiſe Men, or Fools, for doing what was needleſs, judge ye.

UPON this Hypotheſis, is it probable, that we ſhall be duly ſenſible of the Value of our religious Privileges, ſincerely thankful for them, tenderly concerned for thoſe that want them, and uſe Diligence to proſelite them to Chriſtianity, when we judge that they are unneceſſary.

BUT to proceed, is not the incomprehenſible Myſtery of redeeming Wiſdom and Grace, well worthy of our ſerious Thoughts and Study; ſeeing it excels all other Sciences in the Sublimity of its Object, the Certainty of its Principle, the Efficacy of its Influence, and the Value of its End?

IT is a Doctrine that affects the Soul, with the higheſt Admiration of the divine Wiſdom, Grace, and Love; and makes us ſpeak in the Pſalmiſt's Language, how wonderful are thy Thoughts to us-ward? when the Almighty hereby turns our Captivity, we are as thoſe that dream; this opens before us the grandeſt Theme, that was ever expoſed to mortal Eye, or Ear; a Complication of Wonders, the chief of all the Ways of God; ſtrange that he who fills Heaven and Earth, ſhould be confined in a Virgin's Womb, that Life ſhould die, and being dead, revive! that Mercy ſhould triumph, without infringing on the Rights of Juſtice!

THE Principle of this myſterious Doctrine is immutable, like God the Author and Object of it; whereas philoſophical Sciences are frequently ſhifting, almoſt every one, through Pride and exceſſive Self-love, is diſpoſed to deſpiſe and pull down what another with much Labour builds up.

AND how precious and powerful is the Influence of this Doctrine, upon thoſe that believingly receive it? while they behold as in a Glaſs the Glory of the Lord, they are tranſformed into the ſame Image, from Glory to Glory; this is eternal Life to know God, and Jeſus Chriſt whom he has ſent: O let us cry earneſtly to God, that Chriſt crucified, may be more and more the Wiſdom of God, and the Power of God to us. Amen, Amen; dear Lord JESUS CHRIST, ſay, AMEN.

SOME, by divine WISDOM, in this Chapter, underſtand that Attribute of the divine Nature ſo called, whereby God perfectly knoweth all Things, and maketh known to Men, what he judgeth neceſſary or expedient for them to know; others underſtand it of the ſecond Perſon of the God-head, who is called the Wiſdom of God, becauſe of the Diſplays of this Attribute in the Method of Salvation through his Blood: And indeed ſome Paſſages agree better to the former, and ſome to the latter Opinion; probably both may be joined together, and the Chapter may be underſtood of Chriſt, conſidered partly in reſpect of his Deity, and partly in regard of his prophetical Office, by which he was to impart the Mind and Will of God to Mankind, and actually did ſo.

1. BY revealing it to, and inſcribing it on the Mind of Man at his firſt Creation, and after his Apoſtacy, by renewing the effaced and erazed Characters of the divine Image, in ſome at their Converſion, by the Finger of his Holy Spirit, who are hence called his Epiſtle, written not with Ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in Tables of Stone, but in fleſhly Tables of the Heart, 2 Cor. 3.3. And,

2. BY publiſhing it to the Prophets and Patriarchs, in the Time of the old Teſtament, at ſundry Times and in divers Manners, Heb. 11. And,

3. BY declaring it in his own perſonal Miniſtry, and by his Apoſtles, and others of his Servants, under the Goſpel Diſpenſation.

I Love them that Love me, i. e. though their Affection be a ſmall and inconſiderable Thing to me, I kindly accept it, and will recompenſe it with Love and Favour; and thoſe that ſeek me early, ſhall find me, i. e. thoſe who in their young Years more eſpecially, from a Principle of Faith unfeigned, and ſupream Reſpect, endeavour ſincerely, and ſteadily to obey my Laws, before and above all other Perſons and Things, ſhall find an Intereſt in my Favour and Friendſhip.

IT is only the firſt Part of the Text, that I purpoſe now to diſcourſe upon, I love them that love me: Here let us enquire, what LOVE to the Lord JESUS CHRIST ſuppoſes and implies, and how the bleſſed JESUS loves ſuch, who love him?

NOW Love to the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, ſuppoſes;

1. THE KNOWLEDGE of our want of Love to him, our Enmity againſt him, and Inability to love him? For the Diſeaſe muſt be known and felt, before it be cured.

2. An affecting Diſcovery of his Amiableneſs and Excellency, which are the proper Objects and Incentives of rational Love. And,

3. IT ſuppoſes FAITH in him, for Love is the Fruit of Faith, by which it works (Gal. 5.6.) Now FAITH is the ſenſible, Sin-ſick Sinners, deliberate and unreſerved Conſent to embrace Chriſt, as the free Gift of God to periſhing Mankind, as its Prophet, Prieſt, and King, under an Impreſſion of its abſolute Need of him in thoſe Offices, and with an entire Dependence upon him for all needful Relief by them; together with a full and firm Purpoſe of Heart to cleave to him, to deny itſelf, to take up his Croſs and follow him (Joh. 1.12. Acts 20.22, 23, 24.) And,

4. IT ſuppoſes ſome Senſe and Perſuaſion of his Love to us, without which the Soul will not go forth with free, grateful, and vehement Sallies towards him: We love him, ſaith the Apoſtle John, becauſe he loved us firſt (1 Joh. 4.19.) whom having not ſeen, i. e. by an Eye of Senſe, ye Love; yet believing ye rejoice, with Joy unſpeakable▪ and full of Glory (1 Pet. 1.8.)

FARTHER, Love to the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, implies, Eſteem, Deſire, Delight, and Sorrow.

TO ſuch as love him, he is the Chief among Ten Thouſand, as the Roſe of Sharon, the Lilly of the Vallies, fairer than the Children of Men, fairer than the Sons of God, the holy Angels, his Garments ſmell of Myrrh, Alloes, and Caſia. Farther,

SUCH as love the bleſſed Jeſus, earneſtly and inſatiably, deſire after Communion in his Love, and Conformity to his Laws; as the Hart, when chaſed, panteth after the cooling Brooks of Water, ſo their Hearts pant after God, yea their Heart and Fleſh cry after the living God; as the Pſalmiſts ſpeaks.

AGAIN, ſincere Love implies DELIGHT; I ſat down under his Shadow, ſays the Spouſe, with great Delight, and his Fruit was ſweet to my Taſte, as a Bundle of Myrrh was my Beloved unto me, he lay all Night betwixt my Breaſts.

AND, Sirs, the Sorrow of the loving Soul in the Abſence of his Lord, is equal to his Delight in his Preſence: My Soul, ſays the Spouſe, failed when he ſpake, I ſought him but I could not find him! O nothing can ſupply, to Satisfaction, Chriſt's room in the Soul! when he is gone, it languiſhes and moans, in the Midſt of all the Honours, the Pleaſures, and Affluence this Earth affords, as the poor Turtle Dove, when bereaved of its Mate.

AS to the Conſequents of Love to the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, I may obſerve, that ſuch Perſons have admiring Thoughts of the Freeneſs and Glory of the Grace of GOD to them in particular, being humbled by near Views of his great Majeſty, and unſtained Purity, which in Whiteneſs out-veighs the driven Snow; and ſeeing themſelves to be the Chief of Sinners, they are juſtly amazed, that ſo glorious a Sovereign, ſhould take ſuch gracious, ſuch diſtinguiſhing Notice of ſuch mean and vile Creatures as they are, when many of better Accompliſhments are paſſed by! and are ready to ſay, in the Pſalmiſts Language, what am I, and what is my Father's Houſe, that thou haſt brought me hitherto? and as Jacob, I am not worthy of the leaſt of all the Mercies, and of all the Truth, which thou haſt ſhewn to thy Servant! (Gen. 32.10.)

A Senſe of this inſpires their Souls with Sentiments of the moſt ardent GRATITUDE, which they are at a Loſs how to expreſs, and therefore, ſay, what ſhall I render to the Lord, for all his Benefits towards me? under this Impreſſion, they invite the animate and inanimate Creation, to aſſiſt their grateful Song; and celebrate the divine Honours (Pſ. 148.)

FARTHER, ſuch as love the Lord Jeſus in Sincerity, make Conſcience of keeping GOD'S Commands without Exception, in Heart, Speech, and Behaviour to the Death (1 Joh. 5.3.) for this is the Love of God, that we keep his Commandments, and his Commandments are not grievious; then ſhall we not be aſhamed, when we have an unfailing Reſpect to all the divine Precepts.

I may add, that ſuch as love Jeſus, are heartily concerned for the Honour of his Name, and Intereſts of his Kingdom; and have an unfeigned Love to the Brethren: The Reproaches of thoſe that reproach him, fall upon them; nor can they be eaſy when the Ways of Zion mourn; but on the contrary, when her Captivity is reſtored, when poor Sinners are convinced and converted, they are as thoſe that dream, their Hearts are filled with Gladneſs, and their Lips with Laughter; while others either leſſen, diſpute or deny religious Appearances, and ſeem to be a afraid of ſome Miſchief coming upon the Churches by them; but are eaſy when Religion has ſunk into a dead Form, and is ready to Breath its laſt! Sirs, if we do not love our Brother whom we have ſeen, with a pure Heart fervently, how can we think that we love God, whom we have not ſeen!

NOW the Love of Chriſt to ſuch is unexcited and entirely immerited, he pitied us when in our Blood, when there was nothing to invite his Reſpect, when we were Objects of Loathing and Abhorrence; then he loved us, ſpread the Skirt of his Garment over us, and bid us live! O the incomprehenſible Glories of his Grace and Goodneſs! O the inexpreſſible Riches, and Freeneſs of his dear condeſcending and amazing Love!

FARTHER, the Love of JESUS is ſtrong and affectionate to his People; they are his Jewels, his Treaſure, as the Apple of his Eye, he accoſts them in Terms of the greateſt Endearment, my Love, my Siſter, my Dove; they are written on the Palms of his Hands, and graven as a Seal upon his Heart, for their ſakes he aſſumed human Nature in its moſt humble Circumſtances, laid down his Life, and trod the Wine Preſs of his Father's Wrath alone; he commendeth his Love to us, in that while we were yet Sinners, he died for us; yea, he ſympathizes with us in all our Sorrows!

AGAIN, the Love of Chriſt is effectual, it diſpoſes him to Guide us with his Eye in our Perplexities, to ſupport us with his Arm under all our Preſſures, and to ſanctify and ſweeten every of them to us, by his Spirit and his Love! As he has purchaſed our Salvation by the Price of his Blood, ſo he applies it, and prepares us for the full Enjoyment of it, by his conſtant Interceſſion.

ONCE more, the Love of our dear Lord Jeſus Chriſt, is invariable and eternal; both a parte ante, and a parte poſt, as he loved us from everlaſting, ſo he will love to it; and hence, it is ſaid, that he loved us with an everlaſting Love, and therefore with loving Kindneſs has he drawn us, i. e. in Time; and that whom he loves, he loves to the End; he bears with many Weakneſſes in his People, and though he ſometimes chaſtiſes their Iniquities with Rods, and their Tranſgreſſions with Stripes, yet he will not utterly take away his loving Kindneſs from them, or ſuffer his Faithfulneſs to fail; though he hides his Face for a Moment, to try our Faith, or humble our Pride, yet he will return with everlaſting loving Kindneſs: In this the Love of Chriſt differs from, and is much ſuperiour to all human Love, which often varies, and is at longeſt but of ſhort Duration.

FROM this Subject, we may learn the unhappy and dangerous State of ſuch who love not the bleſſed Lord Jeſus, ſuch who have not experienced what has been before ſaid concerning it; for all thoſe are liable to that dreadful Sentence (1 Cor. 16.22.) if any Man love not the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, let him be Anathema maranatha.

I humbly and earneſtly entreat all, but eſpecially young People and Children (with whom I hope to meet with moſt Succeſs) to Love the Lord Jeſus Chriſt.

REASON invites you, for he is amiable and excellent in himſelf; is not Lovelineſs the proper Object of Love? now our dear Lord Jeſus Chriſt, is infinitely, inexpreſſibly Lovely; he is white and ruddy, the Chiefeſt among Ten Thouſand, his Lovelineſs is beſt near, whereas that of Creatures, in the preſent State of Imperfection, appears beſt at a Diſtance, like a Picture coarſely drawn: The Redeemer's Beauty does neither inſnare or fade; for his Excellency, and our Obligations to him are infinite! But the Beauty of Creatures fades as the Graſs, it is derived, dependent, and limited, and therefore may be over-valued, to the Neglect of the great Original, from which all created Excellency proceeds; and compared with which, it is but as a Drop to the immenſe Ocean, or a little Duſt in the Ballance, to the whole Globe of the Earth! In him there is a Concurrence of all Kinds of Excellency, both created and uncreated, in the higheſt Degree of Eminence, without any Beginning, Wane, or Period: Some Creatures excel in one Grace, and ſome in others, for which they deſerve our Eſteem and Reſpect, but he excels in all at once and for ever, he is the ALPHA and OMEGA, Time or Eternity will never mar his Beauty, or wear and wrinkle in his Brow. And, dear Sirs,

GRATITUDE ſhould likewiſe conſtrain you, on Account of his LOVE to poor Sinners; ſhould not Love incite Love, if not, where is your Ingenuity? are ye not worſe than PUBLICANS, in Neglect of this; for they love thoſe that love them; worſe than PAGANS, for divers of them had noble Sentiments of Gratitude to Benefactors, and acted accordingly; yea, worſe than BEASTS, for the Ox knoweth his Owner, and the Aſs his Maſter's Crib?

BUT not only Reaſon and Gratitude conſpire to invite you, but Intereſt, your grand, your eternal Intereſt calls aloud for your Love to the dear Redeemer; in caſe you love him, he will love you in return; and if the everlaſting God, who has made all Nature with a Word, and manages the vaſt Creation by his BECK, is for you, it is no Matter who is againſt you; he will direct your Steps in every Maze of Life, and make you ſweet and ſafe in his Arms, and under his Wing; among all its ſhifting Scenes, its numberleſs Sorrows and Calamities; and in due Time bring you to a City that hath Foundations, whoſe Builder and Maker is God; a City built upon a firm Baſis, entirely freed from all the Viciſſitudes of the preſent State?

DEAR young People and Children, give me Leave to commend my Maſter to your Eſteem and Acceptance, O he is infinitely great, he is inexpreſſibly good! never was there a Maſter, a Father, a Friend, a Huſband like him! what Labours of Love did he perform, and Sufferings in Name, Body, and Soul did he endure for us. He who is the eternal GOD, a ſelf-ſufficient, independent and glorious MAJESTY, whom all the ANGELS Worſhip, and before whoſe Feet they caſt their Crowns, a BEING to whom our Goodneſs does not extend; that he ſhould be ſo concerned for our Salvation, as though his Happineſs depended upon ours, that he who is Lord of all, ſhould aſſume the Form of a Servant, that we might be made the SONS of GOD? that the Majeſty of Heaven ſhould come not to be miniſtred unto, but to miniſter, and give his Life a Ranſom for many; that he who is from Eternity, and dwells in the Boſom of ineffable Delight, ſhould become a Man of Sorrows, and acquainted with Grief, that we might drink of the River of Pleaſures that is at his right Hand; that he who was RICH ſhould become POOR, that we through his Poverty might be made Rich: That the Sword of God's Wrath ſhould awake againſt the Man that was his Fellow, that the Chaſtiſement of our Peace ſhould be laid upon him, that through his Stripes we might be healed: That the infinite GOD ſhould become MAN, yea, a Worm, a reproach of Men, expoſed to unjuſt Scandal and Contempt, by thoſe he came to ſeek and ſave; that he ſhould Weep, and Groan, and Bleed, and Die for us! that he ſhould be deſerted by his Father, which occaſioned his bloody Agony, and doleful Outcry on the Croſs, Eloi, Eloi, Lama Sabacthani; that he ſhould be ſad and ſore amazed, yea, ſorrowful even to Death, and hang on the accurſed Tree, between Criminals of the moſt enormous Kind, as a Spectacle to Heaven and Earth, who had made both; as if he was fit to be entertained by neither, and there inſulted and derided, in the Midſt of his inutterable Anguiſh; there pierced in his Hands and Feet with Nails, and his Heart wounded with a Spear, from whence came Blood and Water, to heal the Nations; his Body having been before furrowed with Scourges, and his Head pierced with Thorns; ſo that he was all over of a bloody Gore! O ſad, ſtriking Spectacle! to ſee the Saviour of the World thus expiring; no Wonder the Earth ſhook at its Center, the Heavens gathered Blackneſs, the Rocks rent, and the Dead awoke at this extraordinary PHENOMENON, when their CREATOR reſigned his Breath, and Life itſelf died! and ſurely, we muſt be more ſtupid than inanimate Nature, harder than Rocks, than Adamants, if we are not moved with the View of ſuch a mournful TRAGEDY, to which there never was, or ever will be any Parallel! O how aſtoniſhing is the Love and Goodneſs of JESUS, that he ſhould endure ſuch Sufferings for us, who are utterly unworthy of his Regard, and unable to requite it, yea, not ſo much as deſirous of it, till excited by his gracious Influence; that he ſhould endure for ſuch worthleſs Creatures, ſuch Rebels, Wretches, Enemies, who are by Nature poſſeſſed of Enmity againſt him, his Law, his Goſpel, his Government, and covered with the baſeſt Deformity and Pollution, an inexpreſſible, yea, incomprehenſible WEIGHT of WOE, with unbroken PATIENCE, ſtrong DESIRE, and kind INTENTION, to purchaſe for them a HAPPINESS as immerited, as inutterable and immortal, a Happineſs ſuited to the original DIGNITY of a SOUL, and equal to its vaſt DESIRES, and endleſs DURATION!

AND does this adorable Lord Jeſus, uſe the greateſt Earneſtneſs, the humbleſt Condeſcenſion, the moſt endearing Importunity, by a Variety of Means, viz. his Word, Ordinances, Providences, and by the Influences of his Holy Spirit, to allure us to accept of our own Life and Happineſs, to accept of the invaluable Purchaſe of his Blood and Death, and does the compaſſionate Redeemer weep and groan over us, as over impenitent, unhappy Jeruſalem; O that thou had'ſt known in this thy Day, the Things that belong to thy Peace, you will not come unto me, that ye might have Life; does he cry aloud to us, as in the great Day of the Feaſt, if any Man is a-thirſt, let him come unto me and drink; come unto me all ye that Labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you reſt; does the amiable Majeſty of Heaven, knock at the Door of our Hearts, and ſay, if any Man will hear my Voice, and open the Door, I will come in and ſup with him, and he with me; does he wait till his Head is wet with the Dew, and his Locks with the Drops of the Night? O ineffable Prodigy of amazing Godlike dear Goodneſs! and will we dare to ſhut our Ears, againſt this Charmer's Voice, will we harden our cruel Hearts, againſt all the aſtoniſhing Stoops of a dying God and Saviour, againſt all the Yearnings of his tender Bowels, againſt all the Cries of his Sufferings, his Tears, his Groans, his Blood, againſt the Voice of Reaſon, of Juſtice, of Intereſt, of Ingenuity, and Gratitude, againſt the eternal Salvation of our Souls! then is not our Blood upon our own Heads, are we not ſelf, Soul-Murderers, the greateſt Monſters of Ingratitude and Barbarity, the vileſt, baſeſt Wretches upon the Creation, worſe than Jews, who lived under a dark Diſpenſation, worſe than Pagans, who have not the Light we enjoy, yea, worſe than Devils, who never had an Offer of Mercy ſince their Apoſtacy! our Iniquity has no Parallel, no Cloak, no Apology; if I had not come and told them, ſays our Saviour, they would not have had Sin, but now their Sin remains; what Damnation does ſuch Wretches deſerve? this is the Condemnation, that Light is come into the World, and Men love Darkneſs rather than Light, becauſe their Deeds are Evil; how ſhall we eſcape if we neglect ſo great a Salvation? Surely, it ſhall be more tollerable for Sodom and Gomorrha, in the Day of the Lord, than for us?

MY bleſſed Maſter is not only Good and Gracious beyond all Expreſſion, but his Work is Rational, Honourable, Noble; Holineſs is the Beauty of GOD, the Ornament of human Nature, and Bleſſing of Society; his Wages are likewiſe great; O! his Love is raviſhing, it makes the Soul ſerene and glad in every Situation, it turns the thickeſt Darkneſs into Day, and makes the meaneſt Morſel ſweet; by this we feel ſecure in all Dangers and Viciſſitudes, and intrepid in the Midſt of the moſt formidable Enemies; by this the darkeſt Glooms of Providence are enlivened, and a Smile put upon the Face of Death; and if it be ſo here, what will it be hereafter? for Eye hath not ſeen, nor Ear heard, neither hath it entered into the Heart of Man to conceive, what God hath laid up for thoſe that love him.

WHAT a Father is GOD, how tender, indulgent, and rich; ſurely, his Children may expect from him infallible Inſtruction in Doubts, impregnable Defence in Dangers, and an everlaſting Inheritance, that outweighs in Value Millions of Worlds! O how deſirable is the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, as a Friend, he is All-wiſe, knows all the Sorrows of his People, and how to relieve them out of them all: He is Almighty, able to execute the Deſigns of his Wiſdom againſt all Oppoſition from Earth and Hell; he is Affectionate, willing to exert his Wiſdom and Almightineſs in Favour of thoſe who love him: He is every where preſent, if we take the Wings of the Morning, and flee to the utmoſt Ends of the Earth, aſcend the Summit of Carmel, or dive the Ocean's Depths, he is there; his Eye ſees us, and his Arm can help us; whither we are at Home, or Abroad, upon the Sea or Land, in the City or the Wilderneſs, we may have his Preſence, if it be not our own Fault! he is Immutable and Immortal, far from the Shadow of Change, the ALPHA and OMEGA, the Beginning and Ending: Whereas earthly Friends, on the Contrary, are weak ſighted, have ſhort Arms, and are ſometimes unkind; either at Times they miſtake our Diſeaſe, or are unable to help us, or unwilling if able; beſides they are confined to a Place, very variable and but of ſhort Continuance.

IF you deſire to love the Lord JESUS CHRIST, depart from the Fooliſh and live, and walk in the Ways of Underſtanding; beware of ſinning againſt Light, encourage God's gracious Motions, attend with Conſtancy and Seriouſneſs upon the Means of Grace, bewail your Want of Love, and often meditate upon the Miſeries of that State; Pray earneſtly and frequently for this Grace, and O! conſider that Youth is the beſt Seaſon for Religion, the moulding Age, in which the opening Mind, and (comparitively) tender Heart, are more ready to receive worthy Sentiments and pious Impreſſions, and more like to retain them.

Objection. MY Friends will be Angry. Anſwer, It's better they ſhould be ſo, than the great GOD; we muſt forſake Father and Mother, for Chriſt's Sake, when called thereto, otherwiſe we cannot be his Deſciples.

Object. 2. I ſhall ſuffer Reproach. A. What then? it is without Cauſe, the Almighty will bear you up under it, and graciouſly reward your patient and chearful Enduring of it; we muſt go without the Camp to Chriſt, bearing his Reproach; and is it not better to be reproached, than damned?

Object. 3. ALMOST all of my Age neglect Religion. A. More is the Pity! but we muſt not follow a Multitude to do Evil, if ſo, we ſhall be damned with the Crowd; no, we ſhould imitate the noble and manly Reſolution of Joſhua, who in a Time of great Degeneracy, openly declared in the Preſence of the Tribes of Iſrael, if it ſeem evil to you to ſerve the Lord, chooſe you this Day whom you will ſerve, but as for me and my Houſe we will ſerve the Lord (Joſ. 24.15.)

Object. 4. I ſhall loſe all my Pleaſure. A. You will loſe no Pleaſure that deſerves the Name; as for the Pleaſures of Sin, they are brutiſh, of ſhort Duration, and followed even in this Life with more Anguiſh than they yield Delight! what then will be their Conſequences in the Life to come? but in the Service of God, you will find ſolid, ſubſtantial and ſatisfactory Comfort, for Wiſdom's Ways are Ways of Pleaſantneſs, and all her Paths are Peace.

Object. 5. SOME that are Religious have little Pleaſure. A. That is their own Fault, it is not owing to their Religion, that they are at any Time ſad and dejected but to their Wandring from the Laws of it, or to their melancholy Conſtitution of Body, which is a natural Diſeaſe, that does not concern Religion at all, and therefore ſhould not be caſt upon it: So far as any are religious, they have Ground of Comfort, for Light is ſown for the Righteous, and Gladneſs for the Upright in Heart; and all Joy without this is mere Madneſs.

Object. 6. I am now hurried with other Things, I may find a better Seaſon afterwards. A. No it will be worſe, your Inclinations to Good will leſſen, and your Obſtacles encreaſe; beſides you are not certain of a future Seaſon, the Almighty may ſay to thee, as to the rich Fool, this Night thy Soul ſhall be required of thee; and if you ſhould have Time, you may have no Heart to improve it, he that is often reproved, and hardeneth his Neck, ſhall ſuddenly be deſtroyed, and that without Remedy; pray remember theſe awful Words of God (Prov. 1.24, 25, 28.) Becauſe I have called, and ye refuſed; I have ſtretched out my Hand, and no Man regarded; but ye have ſet at naught all my Counſel, and would none of my Reproof, I will alſo laugh at your Calamity, I will mock when your Fear cometh.

Object. 7. I ſhall be called a Fool, a Hypocrite, an Enthuſiaſt. A. We muſt not loſe Credit with God, to get Credit among Men, for this will hurt both our Credit and Uſefulneſs; it is better to be called a Fool, than to be one; our greateſt WISDOM is to ſecure our HAPPINESS, by the Uſe of proper Means in their due Seaſon: As to the Charge of Hypocriſy, when levelled againſt early and ſincere Religion, it is unjuſt, and we ſhall meet with a gracious Reward for our patient enduring of it, in this and a future World: If all are Hypocrites, who are hearty and ſerious in Religion, then where is true and vital Piety to be found? ſurely not among Galeos, Demaſes, Formaliſts, and the Herd of the Prophane (Mat. 5.20.) then it muſt be among thoſe that are in Earneſt, or no where upon Earth; and if no where, then it will follow, that Chriſt has no Church Militant, which is abſurd and falſe; he himſelf has aſſured us, that the Gates of Hell ſhall not prevail againſt his Church: As to the Charge of Enthuſiaſm, it is but a Gingle of Words without a Meaning; it is indeed Enthuſiaſm, to make Fancy, Paſſion, or Impulſe, our GUIDE in religions Matters; but to take the Word of GOD for our Rule, and exerciſe our Reaſon in the Uſe of all appointed Means to underſtand it, to have our Minds firſt informed, and then our Paſſions engaged in Proportion to the Importance of Things, cannot be juſtly liable to that odious Charge, for without theſe, our Paſſions would be given us in vain, and Religion be but a dead Carcaſs, which Chriſt will reject with Abhorrence! Rev. 3.16.

AND now dear young Ones, what have you againſt early Religion? can ye be too ſoon ſafe and happy? would it do you any harm to have God to be your Friend and Father, and Heaven your everlaſting Home? wherefore do you ſpend your Money for that which is not Bread, and your Labour for that which profiteth not? what ſhall a Perſon give in Exchange for his Soul, if he ſhould gain the World and loſe the ſame? why ſtand ye all the Day idle in the Market Place? why do ye delay in a Matter of Life and Death? are ye in Suſpence which is the beſt Maſter, GOD or the Devil, which the beſt Work, Sin or Holineſs, which the beſt Reward, Heaven or Hell, a Place of the greateſt Glory and Bleſſedneſs, or of the moſt exquiſite Torment and Miſery? why halt ye between two Opinions, if God be God ſerve him, or if Baal be God, then follow him? reſolve with the returning Prodigal, that you will ariſe and go to your Father, and ſay unto him, Father, I have ſinned againſt Heaven, and am no more worthy to be called thy Child, O make me as one of thy hired Servants: There would be JOY in HEAVEN at your Converſion, and JOY upon EARTH; O! ſo bleſſed, ſo important an Event would gladden your Parent's Hearts, if pious, in which Delight I ſhould ſhare; will you Comfort my Heart, by loving my dear Maſter ſpeedily, ſincerely and ſupreamly? O if you will ſhew Kindneſs to my Maſter, tell me, and if not, tell me, that I may turn to the Right Hand or to the Left: O that I knew how to perſuade you, alas, will no Argument have any Influence? then you are the Cauſes of your own Ruin: I am loth to leave you without prevailing with you; what Anſwer ſhall I return to my dear Lord that has ſent me to woo you? ſhall I tell him that ſome of you are willing to be eſpouſed to him for ever? O may the Lord grant, for JESUS Sake, that this may be the Caſe of you all!

AND you, dear Children, I beſeech you with Love and Bowels of Tenderneſs, as upon my bended Knees, to love the Lord JESUS CHRIST, to pray earneſtly for the Pardon of your Sins, and that God would make you good in your Hearts, by his Holy Spirit; without which you cannot go to Heaven when you die; it is not, dear Creatures, too ſoon for you to be good; no, the ſooner the better; if you think on Chriſt and love him, you will find more Sweetneſs than in your Play, than in your Victuals, yea, more Comfort than in your fine Clothes: You may ſee in that good little Book, Mr. JANEWAY'S Token for Children (which I beſeech your Parents to procure you) ſeveral Children as young as you, that loved the Lord, and there are ſeveral little Ones, as well as young People, that are now earneſtly ſeeking God in this Country, and why ſhould not you as well as others? your Souls are as precious as theirs, God has been as good to you, Heaven would be as ſweet, and Hell will be as bitter if you neglect; why then won't you try to ſeek God in Earneſt? is it not a Shame for you to be hard-hearted, thoughtleſs, and ſlothful about your Souls, while other little Ones are weeping over their SINS, and praying to GOD for MERCY? won't it be dreadful for you to be left behind them, and to be caſt off, while GOD is embracing others in his Arms, and giving them the Kiſſes of his Love? you are exceeding bad and naughty in your Hearts, and your Lives are full of Sin, you cannot go to HEAVEN as you are, till you be made good, and you cannot make your ſelves good, it is the Lord only that can make you good, and you have no reaſon to hope that he will do ſo, unleſs you pray earneſtly to him for it, and ſtrive to be good! you muſt know, dear little Ones, that you do not deſerve this Favour from him, and that you cannot deſerve it by any Thing that you can do; for you yourſelves, and all ye do, are filthy and polluted by Sin, and therefore you muſt aſk free Mercy, for Chriſt's Sake!

O conſider, that you may never live till you grow big, for the moſt, by far, die when they are little, and this may be your Caſe in a few Days, in a few Hours; ha'n't you ſeen Coffins as ſhort as your ſelves, carried to the Grave? and would not it be terrible for you to die unconverted, and to burn in Hell for ever? your being young and little won't keep you from that bad Place, and from the bad Man, unleſs you be good your ſelves before you die.

THE Lord JESUS calls every one of you, dear little Ones, as though he mentioned you all by your Names, to forſake your Sins and come to him, in theſe ſweet Words, ſuffer little Children to come unto me, for of ſuch is the Kingdom of Heaven; I love them that love me, and thoſe that ſeek me early ſhall find me? O how glad would your poor PARENTS be to ſee you good? their Hearts are ſad and troubled when they find you do not mind your Book, when you neglect your Prayers, ſpeak bad Words, break the Sabbaoth, and keep Company with naughty Children; O try to be good, and Chriſt will love you, and all good People Will love you; out of the Mouths even of ſuch Babes as you, God will ordain Praiſe; his Power and Grace in making you good in your Hearts, will appear glorious; by your early Concern about your Souls, older People would be aſhamed of their Security and Sloth; and you do not know what Good it would do to your poor Relations; your Brothers, or Siſters, and others, might be hereby turned to GOD, and ſaved from Hell; would it do you any Harm, dear little Ones, to have God to be your Friend and Father, and Portion for ever? O may a gracious God bleſs you, dear Children, and help you to love JESUS CHRIST. AMEN.

BY ſeeking CHRIST, we are doubtleſs to underſtand, our uſing all appointed Means to obtain an Intereſt in his Favour, and Conformity to his Image: The Expreſſion ſuppoſes;

1. OUR Diſtance from GOD, not LOCAL, in regard of PLACE, for the Almighty is immenſe, and every where preſent by his ESSENCE, but MORAL in reſpect of Diſpoſition; the Unregenerate are far from GOD, in reſpect of Knowledge, Union, Intereſt, Communion, and Conformity: They have no ſuch experimental and influential Knowledge of GOD, and divine Things, as makes the general Frame of their Minds humble, ſpiritual, heavenly, and reforms the Tenor of their Conduct; their Light is generally cold, or but luke-warm, or if there be Heat with it, it is proud, wild, irregular, and tranſient, having no abiding good Effect upon the Heart and Life; this natural Knowledge puffs up ſilly Souls, with groundleſs Conceits of their Attainments, and makes ſome of them ſo overbearing and pragmatical, that they are the Bane and Peſts of Society, not fit to be touched with a Pair of Tongs; they often meddle with Things too high for them, to their Diſgrace, and go out of their proper Spheres, as buſy Bodies (who are juſtly ſet in Rank and File with Thieves and Murderers) (1 Pet. 4.15.) making Miſchief in the Church and State, and turning all to FLAME and Fury: Farther, the Unregenerate are far from God, in reſpect of vital UNION, for they have no Faith of a ſaving Kind, otherwiſe they could not be unconverted: And without a Union by Faith, the Friendſhip of GOD, Communion in his Love, and Conformity to his Image, cannot be attained, for he that believes not, is condemned already, Faith is by divine Appointment the Medium of Fellowſhip with GOD, and the Means of Conformity to him (2 Cor. 3.18.)

2. SEEKING Chriſt ſuppoſes our loſt State by Nature; till we find the dear Redeemer as our Friend and Huſband, we our ſelves are loſt, our Time, our Talents are loſt, loſt for ever; we are like a Traveller that has loſt his Road, when on an Errand that concerns his LIFE; like a Sheep wandring in a Deſart, amidſt Wolves and other Beaſts of Prey; like a Ship adrift before a Tempeſt, without a Helm, or Compaſs, in a dark Night, towards a rocky Shore!

BUT, how ſhould Chriſt be ſought in young Years in order to find him, and why? I anſwer, he ſhould be ſought in the following Manner,

1. BEFORE all other Things; this is the divine Command, ſeek firſt the Kingdom of Heaven, and all other Things ſhall be added unto you, as this Concern has a Priority of Dignity and Importance to all others, it conſequently deſerves a Priority of Order and Time in our Labours and Purſuits.

2. WITH Importunity, it is our Duty to endeavour to take the Kingdom of Heaven by Violence and Force; our Lord enjoins us to ſtrive to enter in at the ſtreight Gate, the original Word is Agonize, and this Precept is enforced by the following Reaſon, for many ſhall ſeek to enter, and ſhall not be able: SALVATION, my Brethren, above all other Things, deſerves our moſt anxious Inquiries, and earneſt Labours; O! if we were wounded in Heart, with the Apoſtle Peter's Hearers, we would enquire as they did, what ſhall we do to be ſaved? And,

3. HUMBLY; a Bleſſing is pronounced by our Lord (Mat. 5.) upon ſuch as are poor in Spirit; and that for this Reaſon, becauſe theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven; to this Man will I look, ſaith the Almighty by the Prophet, who is poor, and of a contrite Spirit, and trembles at my Word.

4. PENITENTLY bewailing our Offences, and forſaking of them; let the wicked Man forſake his Way, and the unrighteous Man his Thoughts, and let him turn unto God, and he will have Mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon; and except ye repent, ſaith the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, ye ſhall all likewiſe periſh.

5. BELIEVINGLY; he that comes to God muſt believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of thoſe that unfeignedly ſeek him: None will make God their Refuge, unleſs they believe he exiſts and is gracious; and hence the Enemy, to prevent the Flight of awakened Sinners to God in Chriſt, endeavours to perſuade ſome of them, that there is no GOD, no CHRIST, or that he is ſevere and unwilling to help and ſave them; Lord if thou wilt, thou can'ſt make me clean.

6. YOUNG Perſons ſhould ſeek perſeveringly; they ought to continue ſeeking till they obtain, elſe all their Labour is loſt, and their Souls to boot; ſome ſeem to run for a while, but are by-and-by hindered; they begin in the Spirit, but end in the Fleſh: The Almighty complains of the People of Iſrael, in moving Language, upon this Account; O Ephraim, what ſhall I do unto thee? O Judah, what ſhall I do unto thee? for thy Goodneſs is as the Morning Cloud, and as the early Dew, that ſoon paſſeth away: It is the End that crowns the Scene; if any Man draw back, ſays the Almighty, my Soul ſhall have no Pleaſure in him; O then let us run ſo that we may obtain!

7. REGULARLY; pray begin at the right End, and try to lay the Foundation of Converſion firſt, before ye pretend to build the Superſtructure of Holineſs in Life; the Building will ſtand the firmer, when the Foundation is well laid Stabit opus melius, ſi bene fixa Eaſis., ye ſhould ſearch your Wounds by the Law, before ye attempt to get them healed by the Balm of Gilead; ye ſhould firſt uſe proper Means to get the Tree planted in Chriſt, before ye expect it will bring forth Fruit to God; nor dream that a Thorn will bring forth Grapes, or a Thiſtle Figs; ſeeing that a corrupt Tree cannot bring forth good Fruit, be entreated therefore,

1. TO examine your State towards GOD, and that ſpeedily, impartially, and thoroughly, in order to find out whether ye are juſtified by the Blood of Chriſt, and regenerated by his Spirit; it will ſignify nothing to Salvation, to reform the Life, to cleanſe the Outſide of the Cup and Platter, while the Inſide is overlooked, the Foundation neglected, or ſuppoſed to be good without ſufficient Grounds; for all that is built upon a bad Bottom, will come down one Time or other; ſee to it therefore, that the Foundation be good, or ye do nothing to Purpoſe in Religion: For our LORD poſitively declares, that except our Righteouſneſs exceeds that of the Scribes and Phariſees, we ſhall in no Caſe enter into the Kingdom of Heaven (Mat. 5.20.) and we are elſewhere enjoined to examine ourſelves particularly as to the State of our SOULS, 2 Cor. 13.5. Examine your ſelves, whether ye be in the Faith; prove your own ſelves; know ye not that Jeſus Chriſt is in you, except ye be Reprobates.

2. JUDGE your ſelves, that ye be not judged, i. e. in order to prevent the Condemnation of God, condemn your ſelves ſo far as there is Ground for it; and that not only in reſpect of your Thoughts, Words, and Actions, but of your State; this is the Root of the Tree, to which the Ax muſt be laid; this muſt be hewn down before another Foundation be formed, which will not fail you in Extremity; what will it avail to ſuffer a deceived Heart to turn you aſide, to feed upon Aſhes, and go to ruin with a Lie in your Right Hand? it is fooliſh and vain to ſay, you are rich, and increaſed in Goods, while you are poor and miſerable, and blind and naked; and yet this, alas for it, is a common Caſe: For as SOLOMON obſerves, there is a Generation that are pure in their own Eyes, and yet are not cleanſed from their Filthineſs; there is a Way that ſeems right to a Man, the End whereof is the Ways of Death,

HOWEVER you may flatter your ſelves, the great GOD will judge according to Truth; pray is it not better to know the worſt of your Condition, while there is an Opportunity to get it remedied? it is not enough to acknowledge you are Sinners, or to fear you are unconverted, but you muſt know it, and feel its Miſeries, before you are healed.

IF I aſk you, pray how is it between God and your Souls? are you juſtified or not? are you converted or not? perhaps you will anſwer with an Air of Indifference, I do not know; how, not know what is of the greateſt Conſequence for you to know of any Thing elſe? without this you do not know whether you ſhould be comforted or terrified, or how to pray or praiſe, or do any other Duty of Religion; for you know not what to pray for, or what to be thankful for: If your State is good, you need the Comfort of it in a World of Change and Miſery, and if bad, to be affected with a View of the Dangers of it, that ſo you may prize the Redeemer, and ſeek him in earneſt; for the Whole need no Phyſician, but the Sick; the Want of this Knowledge, makes all your religious Labours, a kind of Chance-medley, a By-buſineſs, a Matter of mere Form and Compliment, that are never like to anſwer a valuable End; no! by theſe ignorant, luke-warm, random Performances, you are like to fix your ſelves on a falſe Bottom, to your utter Ruin!

IF your State could not be known by you, you would have ſome APOLOGY; but the Caſe is not ſo, it may be known; the Almighty has inſerted many Characters of a Work of Grace in his Word, by which he commands you to try your ſelves; but you are either ſo lazy, that you do not care to be at the Pains to enquire, or afraid that if you did, you would be uneaſy; well, what if you was uneaſy for a little Time, in order to your obtaining true reſt, is not this better than to be eternally tormented in Hell? your Reaſon muſt ſay yes, why then do you act the Contrary? you take it for granted, either before Trial, or after a very partial, ſuperficial one, that your Foundation is right, nor do you deſire Aſſiſtance in your Inquiries, no you think becauſe you are Fools and blind, that you have Knowledge enough your ſelves, to determine that important Point, upon which your eternal ALL turns; but if you were awakened out of your Sleep, and ſaw your Ignorance, Vileneſs, and the Worth of your Souls, as Peter's Hearers, and the Jaylor did, you would enquire of others, who could direct you, what you ſhould do to be ſaved, and that with great Anxiety! as to your Bodies when in Danger, you will conſult a Phyſician, and a Lawyer about your Eſtates, and why ſo, but becauſe you love and value them? but the Salvation of your poor SOULS, is a mere Trifle in your Eſteem, and therefore you can take that upon Truſt any how! a Proof of which is, your being without any conſiderable Uneaſineſs about them, for Weeks, Months, nay Years; though you do not know whether you are juſtified or condemned, curſed or bleſſed, Children of GOD, or of the Devil, bound for Heaven or Hell: This, without any other Evidence, proves to your Faces, that you are in the Gall of Bitterneſs and Bond of Iniquity, becauſe you are Fleſh; but to bring the Matter to a Point, you may certainly conclude your State is damnable. If

1. YOU build your Hopes of Happineſs upon the uncovenanted Mercies of GOD, you cannot with Reaſon expect Salvation merely becauſe of God's MERCY, without complying with the Terms upon which it is propoſed; for if ſo, the Truth of God would fail, which is impoſſible; the God of Mercy has poſitively declared, that except ye repent, ye ſhall all likewiſe periſh; that he that believes not, ſhall be damned, and that except ye be born again, ye cannot ſee the Kingdom of God; or upon the Death of Chriſt unapplied, unleſs ye receive Chriſt and his Benefits, by that Faith which purifies the Heart, works by Love to GOD and Man, and overcomes the World, i. e. makes us victorious over the Pleaſures, and Enjoyments of the World, he will no more ſave us, than Bread uneaten will nouriſh a human Body. It is equally vain and deſtructive to build your Hopes of Happineſs upon the good Opinion of others, or upon outward religious Priviledges, for many who have a Name to live, are dead, and neither Circumciſion or Uncircumciſion will avail any Thing, but the new Creature: Nor is it to any good Purpoſe, to depend on ſuch Stirrings of Affection, or Reſolutions, as are not followed with an inward Change of the Temper of the Heart, and a holy Life (Joh. 3.6. 1 Pet. 2.7. Cant. 8.5. Heb. 12.14.) it is equally perilous to build your Hopes of Happineſs upon your own Righteouſneſs, viz. that you neither mean or do any Body any Harm, that you are better than you have been, better than many others, and do as God enables you, theſe are the Phariſees Grounds (Luke 18.11.15.) nor is it true, that you do all that God enables you, you might pray more, and ſtrive more many Ways than you do, and therefore you build your Hopes upon Falſhood, O awful! and pray remember, that ſuch as are of the Works of the Law, as ye are, are under the Curſe (Gal. 3.10.)

WELL, but perhaps you will acknowledge that ſuch as have no evangelical Repentance, no ſaving Faith, ſhall periſh; and that you yourſelves want them, and yet if I immediately aſk you again, what if you die this very Day, in the ſame State you acknowledge yourſelves to be in without a Change, where will your Souls go? you will tell me in the ſame Breath, you do not know; (this anſwer I have had from many, and therefore I may well ſpeak it) what don't you know that CHRIST ſpeaks the Truth, when he ſays, you ſhall be damned? But I hope for Mercy; how, againſt the Truth of GOD, then you hope he will prove a Liar to ſave you, that is, ceaſe to be God, for he cannot be a God unleſs he be true to his Word? ſee what Nonſence and Blaſphemy you build your Hopes of Heaven upon; alas, for a miſerable, infatuated World!

2. YOU may conclude your State to be bad, if you ha'n't been ſlain by the Law, to all Dependance upon your Obedience to it, for Juſtification before God; I through the Law, ſays the Apoſtle, am dead to the Law, that I might live unto God.

3. IF the Goſpel of Chriſt has not been opened and applied to you by the Holy Spirit, ſo as to approve cordially of this PLAN of Salvation, thirſt after the Mediator, conſent to embrace him in all his Offices, as the Gift of God, and depend upon him entirely for Salvation.

4. IF, in Conſequence of this, you have not been brought to Fellowſhip with God in the Duties of Religion, i. e. to receive Light, and Life, and Sweetneſs from him, and in return to yield yourſelves and your All to his Service, with Admiration, Love, Gratitude, and Reſolution, to cleave to him and his Ways to the Death.

5. IF you are not ſpiritual and holy in the Bent and general Frame of your Hearts and Spirits (John. 3.6.)

6. IF you Love not God for his Holineſs, the Beauty of his Nature (as the Seraphims do, Iſ. 6.) and his Law, and People, for the ſame Reaſon.

7. IF you do not honeſtly Labour to forſake your Conſtitution Sins, and to be holy in all Manner of Converſation (Mat. 18.8.9.)

8. IF you are not fully determined to forſake Father and Mother, and loſe Name, Eſtate, and Life for Chriſt's Sake, and much more to forſake your wicked Companions (Mat. 10.37, 38. Prov. 13.20.)

NOW ſuch as find their State to be bad, by theſe Things I have mentioned, and yet are ſecure, I adviſe and entreat them to meditate upon their Diſeaſe and Danger, a View of which, is moſt likely to awake and affect them. O conſider, Sirs, you are under the Guilt of the Sin of Adam, in breaking the firſt Covenant, and hence it is ſaid, that we are by Nature Children of Wrath (Eph. 2.) and that in him all have ſinned (Rom. 5.12.) ye are exceedingly corrupted in Heart there are in your Nature an Enmity againſt God, and continual Contrariety to all the Precepts of the moral Law, which being conſtantly in you, are a Breach of the whole moral Law every Moment; O ſhocking Thought! being corrupted Trees, all your Thoughts, Words, and Actions, natural, civil, and ſacred, are more or leſs ſinful, all of them in reſpect of Form, and many of them in reſpect both of Matter and Form; how vaſt then muſt the Number of your Tranſgreſſions be? you are guilty of innumerable Neglects of Duty to God, to Man, and to yourſelves? you are acceſſary to many Sins of others, either by Neglect of Inſtruction and Counſel, or by bad Example, or by both, your SINS are heightened by the Light and Love you have oppoſed; for hereby God's Authority and Grace are in a greater Degree contemned. You have in ſome reſpect brought the Guilt of Chriſt's Blood upon you, crucified him afreſh, by behaving unbecoming your Profeſſion of him, and by ſlighting his dying Love; now if he that deſpiſed Moſes's Law died without Mercy, of how much ſorer Puniſhment, ſuppoſe ye, ſhall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under Foot the Son of God (Heb. 10.28, 29.) how ſhall ye eſcape, if ye neglect ſo great Salvation? this is the Condemnation, that Light is come into the World, and Men love Darkneſs rather than Light, becauſe their Deeds are Evil.

AS to your Danger it is inexpreſſible and amazing, you are condemned by the Law, becauſe you have broke it, and by the Goſpel becauſe you have not complied with its Terms: Becauſe you ſay you ſhall have Peace, though you add Drunkenneſs to Thirſt, therefore all the Curſes of the Book of God are upon you (Deut. 29.19, 20.) becauſe you ſpeak Peace, Peace to yourſelves, without Foundation, therefore ſudden Deſtruction ſhall come upon you, as Travail upon a Woman with Child, and ye ſhall not eſcape; if you perſiſt in your Impiety, the Almighty will meet you as a Lion or a Bear bereaved of her Whelps, and rent the Caul from your Hearts! Jehovah pronounces a Woe upon you that are ſettled on your Lees, and declares, that he will puniſh you, while the Goods are in Peace, the ſtrong Man armed poſeſſes you, you are poor, blind; miſerable and naked, without God, without Hope, without the Covenants of Promiſe, and upon the very Brink of Ruin! O think frequently and cloſely upon Death, Judgment, and the Torments of Hell: How will ye be able to bear the Sting of Death, and ye know not how ſoon ye may be expoſed thereto (for in the Midſt of Life you are in Death) O! it is dreadful to have no God to go to, when you turn your Faces to the Wall, and bid adieu to all your Friends and Enjoyments here; how can ye endure the Terrors of the laſt Judgment, when univerſal Nature ſhall diſſolve in Flames and Agonies, and be reduced to a Funeral Pile! when you will have no Friend in Heaven, or Earth, to help you in your Diſtreſs, how will ye be able to look the great Judge in the Face, whoſe Eyes will be as Flames of Fire, and his Voice as the Sound of many Waters; when the Heavens and Earth ſhall flee from him, and the Great ſhall cry to the Rocks and Mountains to cover them from the Lamb that ſits on the Throne! what inutterable Anguiſh will the pronouncing of your final Sentence produce in your guilty Boſoms, which are now ſtupid and ſenſeleſs as Stones, as Adamants? go ye accurſed into everlaſting Burnings prepared for the Devil and his Angels; remember, that Tophet is prepared of old for you, and that the Wrath of God as a Stream of Brimſtone doth kindle it; how can ye endure that devouring Fire, theſe everlaſting Burnings? O conſider that all your paſt Time, as well as your preſent is loſt, the Word of God is a Savour of Death unto Death, yea all your Bleſſings are accurſed, and be entreated to pray earneſtly to God to awaken you: But if awakened, flee to JESUS who is a hiding Place from the Wind, and a Covert from the Tempeſt, as Rivers of Waters in a dry Place, and the Shadow of a great Rock in a weary Land.

BUT why ſhould Perſons ſeek GOD in Youth? I anſwer,

1. God commands it; remember thy Creator in the Days of thy Youth, before the evil Days come, in which thou wilt ſay thou haſt no Pleaſure; and indeed he has a Right to command it, in Point of Equity, Reaſon, and Gratitude; for he has made us, and not we ourſelves, we are the People and Sheep of his Paſture, his abſolute Property; and ſhould he not be ſerved by the Works of his Hands? ſhall a Man plant a Vinegard, and not Eat of the Fruit of the Vineyard? Beſides he is the higheſt Excellency, and therefore it is but reaſonable, he ſhould be firſt loved, and ſerved; and indeed Gratitude confirms the former claims; we are bound by the Ties of innumerable and invaluable Benefits, preſerving, providing, and redeeming Goodneſs, to give to God the firſt of our Love and Service, which if we decline, we are guilty of the greateſt Injuſtice, Madneſs and Ingratitude poſſible.

2. THE Almighty graciouſly encourages ſerving him in young Years; thoſe that ſeek me early, ſhall find me; find me to be their Father, Friend, and Portion, their everlaſting All in All! I will be a Sun to enlighten them in Darkneſs, a Shield to protect them in Dangers, and their exceeding great Reward: In this Argument, your greateſt and higheſt Intereſt is deeply concerned, which ſhould have Weight with you, as you profeſs yourſelves to be rational Creatures, and have the Shape of ſuch.

3. THE more early ye ſeek God, the more Glory you will bring to his Name, the more Service you are like to do to his Kingdom among Men, and the clearer Evidence you will have of your own Sincerity, by turning from Sin in its Strength: And what greater Motives of Action is it poſſible to ſuggeſt to inteligent Beings? what can be more noble, than to manifeſt the Honour of the moſt excellent MAJESTY? (the Scope at which he himſelf aims in all his Works) what more amiable and benevolent, than to promote the endleſs Happineſs of immortal Spirits, and that, not only by Words, but by Actions, which have greater Energy? for the Proverb is juſt, and verified by innumerable Inſtances, that Precepts inſtruct, but Examples conſtrainPrecepto Docent, exempla cogunt., and what can be more comfortable to us, than a Conciouſneſs of our Intereſt in the invaluable and perpetual Friendſhip of the Deity? if theſe grand Incentives have no Influence on our Minds, we are loſt to all Senſe of Honour, Benevolence, and Intereſt; we are ſunk beneath our Species, into the moſt ſtupid Sort of BRUTES, and have nothing Human left but the Form!

4. AS early Religion is amiable and condecent, like Bloſſoms in the Spring Seaſon; ſo the bleſſed God is beſt able to Reward your early Services, in this and a future World, and will certainly do it: The Degrees of our Happineſs after this Life expires, will be Commenſurate to the Degrees and Duration of our Services and Sufferings in it; and indeed you never will have true Comfort, till you give your Hearts to God: For he is the Fountain of living Waters, and Creatures are but broken Ciſterns; he is the Subſtance, and they but fleeting Shadows, that deceive our Hopes, and fly from our Embraces.

5. THERE is great Danger in Delays, you may for what you know hereby loſe your Souls for ever, and pray what can Ballance this Loſs? by Delays your Hearts which are at preſent hard enough, will be every Day more hardened, the Holy Spirit more grieved, and Satan's Temptations ſtrengthened; and of Conſequence there will be leſs and leſs Probability of your ever turning to God; affecting Thought! if you wilfully perſiſt in Sin, in Oppoſition to all the Warnings and Entreaties you enjoy, the bleſſed Spirit may ſoon be provoked to leave you, and then you are undone for ever! he will not always ſtrive with Man, for that he alſo is Fleſh: Sunk in Senſuality and Sin (Gen. 6.3.) O think frequently and ſeriouſly upon theſe dreadful Words of God (Hoſ. 4.17.) Ephraim is joined to Idols, let him alone (Rev. 22.11.) he that is unjuſt, let him be unjuſt ſtill; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy ſtill; (Ezek. 24.13.) in thy Filthineſs is Lewdneſs; becauſe I have purged thee, and thou waſt not purged, thou ſhalt not be purged from thy Filthineſs any more, till I have cauſed my Fury to reſt upon thee. Your Lives are extreamly uncertain, you may be ſlain by ſome Accident, or berieved of your Reaſon in Sickneſs, if not, you may want Time, and a Heart to ſeek God in your expiring Moments; but if you were ſure of both, it would be diſingenuous to delay; we beſeech you therefore, that ye would not receive the Grace of God in vain, for behold now is the accepted Time, behold now is the Day of Salvation; O call upon God while he is near, and ſeek him while he may be found; leſt, with Eſau, ye ſeek with Tears, when it is too late to obtain the Bleſſing; to Day, if ye will hear his Voice, harden not your Hearts, leſt the righteous GOD ſwear in his Wrath, that ye ſhall not enter into his Reſt: How diſmal was the Caſe of Saul, when the Philiſtine-Hoſt came upon him, and God had forſaken him, and would anſwer him no more, either by Urim or by Thummim; and is not the dreadful PARALLEL of this, like to be the FATE of DELAYING SINNERS, in a ſhort Seaſon?

DEAR young People and Children! I entreat you in the Name and Bowels of the Lord JESUS CHRIST, to ſeek GOD early, if you deſire to find him, or be found of him: Others have, witneſs Joſias and Timothy, and why ſhould not you? your Souls are as precious, and you are at leaſt under equal Engagements, what Harm would it do you to be ſoon ſafe and happy? to have God for your Friend and Father; the little Difficulties you might be expoſed to on a religious Account, would be infinitely over-balanced by the Love of God, and eternal Life! O then taſte and ſee that God is good! O be perſuaded to ſeek him in earneſt, without delay; there would be Joy in Heaven, at your Converſion to the divine Majeſty, and Joy among the People of GOD on Earth: O how would your poor Parents Hearts (if pious) rejoice, on this bleſſed Occaſion; and indeed, this would make my Heart, even mine, glad! I earneſtly beſeech you therefore, in the Name of my dear Maſter, that you would awake out of your Sleep, haſte ye, eſcape for your Lives to the dear Redeemer, leſt divine Vengeance overtake you, and ye periſh for ever! I intreat you by all the Sufferings of the SON of GOD, by all the Happineſs of HEAVEN, and by all the inutterable and eternal Torments of Tophet, that burning fiery Furnace, that you would not put me off with a Denial or Delay, which is the ſame in Effect: O! is there not one Youth, one Child among you all, who is ready to ſay with the Prodigal, I will ariſe and go to my Father, and ſay unto him, Father, I have ſinned againſt Heaven, and in thy Sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy Child, make me as one of thine hired Servants? If any of you are not yet convinced, or but ſuperficially convinced, O awake and ariſe from the Dead, that Chriſt may give you Life; what meaneſt thou, O Sleeper, ariſe, call upon thy God, if ſo he be will pity thee, that thou periſh not? Labour to get your Convictions deeply fixed in your Minds, by frequent and ſerious Meditation upon the manifold and awful Miſeries of your preſent State; you ſhould be often pondering wherever you are, Night and Day, O what ſhall become of my poor Soul? if I die in my preſent Condition, I ſhall certainly be undone for ever; alas, I am unconverted, under the Condemnation, the Curſe, and Wrath of God! all my Time and Talents hitherto have been loſt, and in vain; what are all the Honours, Profits, and Pleaſures of the World to me, if I loſe my Soul? O! I had better never have been born; others take pains about Salvation, and why ſhould not I? how do I know but I may die this Day, this Hour, and if I do (as I am) all is over with me for ever! O Lord, have Mercy upon me, open my Eyes, forgive my Sins, and change my Heart, for Chriſt's Sake; O how dreadful is it to be eternally damned! O! Sirs, conſider how diſmal the Conſequences of Conviction expiring before Converſion will be, this is like Bloſſoms being nipt before the Fruit are ſet, it would be better for ſuch that they had not known the Way of Righteouſneſs, than after they have known it, to depart from the Holy Commandment, and with the Sow that was waſhed, to return to wallowing in the Mire; the latter End with thoſe, is worſe than the Beginning (2 Pet. 2) ſuch as relapſe after Conviction, Sin againſt greater Light and Mercy, and therefore their Impieties are much heightened, their Conſciences ſeared as with a hot Iron, and the Spirit of God quenched, there is therefore much leſs Hopes of their Converſion than before they were awakened, for now they are poſſeſſed with Seven Devils (Mat. 12.44, 45.)

TO prevent APOSTACY, before you make any Profeſſion of Religion, pray count the Coſt upon the one Hand, and the Reaſonableneſs and Advantages of it upon the other; and remember that our Lord himſelf has told you, that if you will be his Diſciples, you muſt bear his Croſs, i. e. not only reſolve to endure it when it comes in the Way of Duty, with Patience, Fortitude, and Chearfulneſs, but actually do ſo, without meanly ſhrinking on Account of any Danger whatſoever; you muſt go without the Camp to Chriſt, bearing his Reproach, forſake the deareſt Relations, if they unreaſonably oppoſe your pious Progreſs, and not count even your Lives dear to yourſelves, that you may finiſh your Courſe with Joy, and not with Grief; upon lower Terms you cannot, in very Deed, be the Diſciples of the holy JESUS.

AND, O let ſuch as are wounded with a Senſe of Sin, be intreated to believe in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and they ſhall be ſaved: However great and many your Iniquities be, believe that Jeſus is the Son of God, co-equal and co-eternal with his Father, able to ſave to the uttermoſt all that come to the Father by him, and that ſuch as do come to him, he will in no wiſe caſt out: Reject immediately all other Refuges, renounce all other Lords and Lovers, and believe that JESUS of Nazareth, is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, every way qualified to relieve you; commit your weary, wounded SOULS into his Hands, ſubmit to the Terms of his Goſpel (viz. Self-denial, taking up the Croſs, and following of him) be willing to be inſtructed, ruled, and ſaved by him; depend entirely on his Mediation, and give him all the Glory of your Salvation; in this Way you may humbly hope, that he that has wounded you, will heal you, and that he who has ſmitten you, will bind you up. AMEN.

THESE Words contain an important Intreaty, in which the following Particulars are contained, viz. the AUTHOR, the OBJECT, the MATTER, and MODE. The AUTHOR of this Intreaty, is the ever bleſſed GOD; he it is who invites Sinners to turn from the Evil of their Ways, his Authority over us is abſolute and unqueſtionable, having made us by his Power, and to him we are under infinite Obligations, in Point of Reaſon and Gratitude, becauſe of his ſupream Eminence and Perfection, and the innumerable, invaluable, and immerited Benefits we have received from him, among which this INTREATY is one, which is calculated to promote not his, but our Benefit, for our Goodneſs does not extend to him, nor is it any Gain to God that we are righteous. The OBJECT of the Intreaty, is more immediately and expreſly the Houſe of Iſrael, but indirectly and virtually all unregenerate Perſons of every Age and Nation; for what was written before Time, was written for our Learning, upon whom the Ends of the World are come; though the People of Iſrael profeſſed God's Name, and were outwardly devoted to his Service; yet many of them had a Temper and Conduct very unſuitable thereto, and alas, this is the woeful Caſe of many among us. The MATTER of this Intreaty, is that they would turn from their evil Ways: The Term is metaphorical, and alludes to the Poſture of Bodies, when it is the very reverſe of what it ſhould be; and therefore ſerves to repreſent our Apoſtacy from God, as well as the Neceſſity of our Endeavours after a Change, and the Uſefulneſs of thoſe Endeavours to obtain it. By our Revolt from the Allegiance due to our Creator and Sovereign, we have contracted ſuch a Degeneracy, that while unconverted, we are,

1. DESTITUTE of all ſpiritual Good, there is no Principle of it in us; in my Fleſh, ſays the Apoſtle, there dwells no good Thing; now Chriſt aſſures us, that he that is born of the Fleſh, is Fleſh; that is corrupted, for there our Lord oppoſes Fleſh to Spirit: Farther, the God of Truth declares, that the natural Man is not ſick and weak, as the Arminians tell us, but dead; and hence Converſion is ſaid to be a Quickning or Reſurrection of the Dead; us hath he quickned, ſaith the Apoſtle to the Epheſians, even when we were dead in Sins; and elſewhere this bleſſed Change is compared to the Creation of the WORLD; we are created in Chriſt Jeſus to good Works; now in a dead Man there is not the leaſt Spark of Life, and before the Creation there was no Matter.

2. IGNORANT of ſpiritual Good; for we are born ſtone blind, as well as ſtark dead (Rev. 3.17.) becauſe thou ſayeſt I am rich, and knoweſt not that thou art wretched, and poor, and blind (1 Cor. 2.14.) the natural Man receiveth not the Things of the Spirit of God, for they are Fooliſhneſs unto him, neither can he know them, becauſe they are ſpiritually diſcerned. Natural Perſons are the blind People that have Eyes, who call Good, Evil, and Evil, Good; the Light that is in them is Darkneſs; and hence they are called Darkneſs in the very Abſtract, as if they were wholly made up of it (Eph. 5.8.) for ye were ſometime Darkneſs: In this thick Egyptian Darkneſs; they know not what they are doing, or where they are going, and are every Moment in Danger of ſtumbling into Death and Ruin before they are aware; and yet poor miſerable Souls, they imagine they are Something, when indeed they are Nothing; and that they know Something, whereas they know Nothing as they ought, and as they muſt, if ever they be ſaved; their Haughtineſs muſt be pulled down, and they made to know to their Sorrow that they are FOOLS, elſe they never will be wiſe.

3. NATURAL Men are utterly impotent, or unable to do any ſpiritual Good, or in other Words, what is pleaſing to God; without Faith, the Apoſtle Paul aſſures us, we cannot pleaſe God, but this natural Men have not; without me, ſays Chriſt, ye can do nothing; now this is the Caſe of all the Unregenerate, they have no vital Union to Chriſt by Faith, otherwiſe their State and Temper would be changed; the ſame Point of Truth the Apoſtle farther confirms, Rom. 5.6. for when we were yet without Strength, in due Time Chriſt died for the Ungodly; ſee all the Unconverted are ungodly Perſons, and without Strength; again ſeeing Converſion is a Quickning of the Dead, a new Creation, then it unavoidably follows, that natural Men and Women can no more do ſpiritual Good, than a dead Man can break open his Coffin and walk, or than Nothing can create a World: Give me Leave to add the Words of our Saviour, Mat. 7.18. neither can a corrupt Tree bring forth good Fruit, and Luke 6.44, 45. for off Thorns Men do not gather Figs, nor off a Bramble Buſh gather ye Grapes: What Chriſt ſpeaks in theſe Verſes, evidently relates to the State of the Perſon; a Perſon is a good Tree, in the Senſe of our Saviour▪ when he is juſtified and converted, for then he is reconciled to God, and has a good Principle of Action communicated, and being thus made a Friend of God, and having a holy Principle, whatever he does agreeable to the divine Law, is pleaſing to God, through Chriſt; but before this, every Man is an Enemy to God, a dead Man, a corrupt Tree, a Thorn, a Bramble-buſh, a Thiſtle, and therefore cannot bring forth good Fruits, no more than theſe can bring forth Grapes and Figs; and yet natural People are puffed up with a Conceit of their Power, as well as of their Wiſdom, they think they can do great Matters, and upon this falſe Notion, they Sleep in their Sins, they ſecretly imagine that they can do Something at any Time, that ſhall make their Salvation certain, and therefore they are eaſy about the Matter; they think the ALMIGHTY would be very ſevere, if he would reject ſuch good Sort of People as they are, and ſuch pious Works as they do; but, pray remember, that it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that ſheweth Mercy; that we are ſaved by Grace, not of ourſelves, it is the Gift of God, and that before Converſion, your Works are dead Works, your Grapes wild Grapes, ye are Enemies to God, dead People, wicked; and therefore all you do, even your very Prayers, are Abomination; you deſerve Damnation for the very beſt Thing ever you did in your whole Life: There is dreadful Blaſphemy in all your Doings, for you do nothing for God's Sake, but your own, and thus you make yourſelves your laſt End, and chief Good, and of Conſequence your God; O horrible Blaſphemy! and yet upon theſe dead, filthy, and blaſphemous Works, you venture your eternal All, O ſhocking! pray be not offended, I ſpeak nothing but the very Truth in Love, with deſign to drive you from a Foundation that will infallibly ruin you, if you abide by it, and to ſhut you up to Chriſt, who is the only Door of Hope: But I know it is a tender Point I ſpeak upon, graceleſs Sinners are as fond of dead Works, and make God's of them, as much as the poor Man did of his Images, and therefore when they are taken away (in reſpect of Dependance) they are apt to complain, as he did, they have taken away my Gods, and what have I more; ah! that may be, that you have no more to truſt to, you have no experimental Religion, no Application of the Law or Goſpel, no Faith in the dear Redeemer, that purifies the Heart, and works by Love; nothing but do, do, in your blind, dry, dead Manner; and yet it is a Kindneſs to you to take away that falſe Prop, that Egyptian Reed, which if you continue to depend upon, will mortally Stab you to the Heart; it is this which keeps you from being rightly humbled, and from believing in JESUS, juſt like the wicked Jews, who had a Zeal, but not according to Knowledge, for going about to eſtabliſh their own Righteouſneſs, they have not ſubmitted themſelves to the Righteouſneſs of God, (Rom. 10.3.)

WHY Sinners do you thus go to the Law for relief? it is a Miniſtration of Death, a Letter that killeth, it condemns to eternal Death, all that do not fulfil it perfectly, and yet depend upon Obedience to it for Juſtification, in Whole; or in Part, he that offends in one Point, is guilty of all; he that continueth not in all Things is curſed; by the Deeds of the Law therefore, no Fleſh living can be juſtified in the Sight of God: The Law which was ordained to Life, in caſe of perfect Obedience, i. e. was deſigned to procure eternal Life upon that Condition, ſentences him that breaks it, to Death; for if Righteouſneſs had come by the Law, i. e. if it might be obtained by Obedience to the Law, then Chriſt had died in vain, for if the Caſe was ſo, there would have been no need of his Death; but the Law was weak through the Fleſh, i. e. unable to Juſtify us by reaſon of our Corruption, the proper Uſe of the Law therefore, in our fallen State, is to be a School-Maſter, to bring us to Chriſt, that we may be juſtified by Faith in him; to awake us to a feeling of our Sin, Miſery, and Impotency, by its Precepts, and the Scourge of its Curſes, that ſo we may be conſtrained to fly to a MEDIATOR, and rely only on his Merits for this Purpoſe; it is added to the Promiſe, and hence when it is applied by the Spirit, it convinces of Sin, cauſes it to revive in our View, and all our falſe Hopes by it to die, it works Wrath, fills the awakned Tranſgreſſor with reaſonable Terror and Dread of the Wrath of God, for it ſhuts him up under Sin, and binds him over to eternal Condemnation. But perhaps it may be objected, that I ſpeak againſt the Law of GOD. A. No; I only ſpeak againſt the Abuſe of the Law; the Law is good, if a Man uſe it lawfully, only as a Rule of Life, and as a School-Maſter to bring him to Chriſt; but if it be uſed as a Covenant of Works, it oppoſes Chriſt, and kills the Soul. You preach Diſpair. A. True; but not of the Mercy of GOD, through a Redeemer by Faith, but of Juſtification by the Works of the Law, this is neceſſary in order to Faith in Chriſt; we muſt through the Law, become dead to the Law, in that Reſpect, divorced from the Law as a Huſband, before we be married to Chriſt; till we are ſlain by the Law, we will not wholly depend upon the Mediator, and yet without this there is no Salvation; we cannot have Mercy through a Mediator, unleſs we buy without Money, No, this is impoſſible, while we depend upon the Law in any Degree; you cannot build a Houſe partly upon Sand, and partly upon a Rock; the Apoſtle ſpeaks fully to this, Gal. 5.4. Chriſt is become of no Effect to you, whoſoever of you are juſtified by the Law, ye are fallen from Grace: See thoſe who do depend in the leaſt Degree upon Obedience to the Law, turn their Backs upon Chriſt, and his Grace, are Debtors to the whole Law, and therefore Chriſt ſhall profit them nothing: Such ſelf-righteous Phariſees, of which there are Multitudes under the Goſpel, ſtand upon their own wretched Bottom, and muſt anſwer for their Millions of Treſpaſſes in their own Perſons. It is again objected, that I diſparage good Works, and diſcourage People from doing them. A. It is a Miſtake; thoſe that believe, ſhould be careful to maintain good Works, for they are good and profitable unto Men; but Works done before Faith and Juſtification, are not good (properly ſpeaking) and it is of ſuch, I have been diſcourſing: Works may be of manifold uſe, though they do not juſtify; Gold is good, though it cannot be eaten; nor do I diſcourage from doing them, but only from depending upon them, which is fatal to the Souls of Men: We ſhould Labour as though we could be juſtified by Works, and yet depend no more upon them, than if we did nothing. Well, but GOD has promiſed that if we ſeek, we ſhall find. A. It is a Seeking with Faith, which you have not, which that Promiſe is made to; you have no Intereſt in any one Promiſe in the Bible, for all the Promiſes are yea and amen in Chriſt; i. e. firm to thoſe who are united to him, but this is not your Caſe, ye are without God, without the Covenants of Promiſe; how can ye have an Intereſt in the ſpecial and ſaving Privileges of a Covenant, when ye have not complied with the Terms on which they are ſuſpended, this is your Caſe? But to proceed,

4. NATURAL Men are not only diſtitute of Good, ignorant of it, and impotent, but they have a fixed implacable SPITE againſt it, and its AUTHOR, Rom. 8.7. The carnal Mind is Enmity againſt God, for it is not ſubject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be; our Lord ſays, that he that is born of the Fleſh, is Fleſh; and here the Apoſtle aſſures us, that the fleſhly Mind is Enmity to God; both the Terms are indefinite, and therefore univerſal; they plainly declare, in their Connection, that the Mind of every Man who has only a fleſhly Birth is Enmity, i. e. is poſſeſſed of a high Degree of fixed Spite and Malice; for abſtract Terms, expreſs a high Degree of the Thing ſpoken of: But againſt whom have they this Malice? The Apoſtle aſſures us it is the glorious God, the Author of their Beings, and all their Benefits; it is no Wonder then our Saviour aſſerted that the wicked JEWS hated him, and his Father alſo, and called them Serpents, and a Generation of Vipers, and told them to their Faces, that they were of their Father the Devil, for his Works they would do: What worſe can you ſay of the Devil himſelf, than that he is Enmity againſt God! what is it but this Enmity that prejudices the Unregenerate againſt the Holineſs of God and his Laws? they ſeem to be pleaſed with Mercy, but they have a Grudge againſt his Holineſs, and fain would have the Law relaxed; nor do they like the Strictneſs of the Goſpel Precepts and Diſcipline; they will not have the Man Jeſus to rule over them, and ſay, as thoſe Rebels of old, let us break their Bands aſunder, and caſt their Cords from us. It is this Enmity that inclines them to oppoſe the Work of God's Spirit in themſelves and others, inſtead of rejoicing in the Conviction and Converſion of Sinners, they try to ridicule, ſlander, and blacken it; to ſuch the Words of faithful Stephen, Acts 7.51. may be juſtly applied, ye ſtiff-necked, and uncircumciſed in Heart and Ears, ye do always reſiſt the Holy Ghoſt: As your Fathers did, ſo do ye. It is this alſo that inclines them to oppoſe the People of GOD for their Zeal and Holineſs; ſo Cain perſecuted Abel, becauſe his own Works were evil, and his Brother's righteous; and indeed in all Ages, he that is born after the Fleſh, perſecutes him that is born after the Spirit; if any Man will live godly in Chriſt Jeſus, he ſhall ſuffer Perſecution; the World ſhall hate you, ſays CHRIST, becauſe ye are not of it: But the Wicked will not own this, that they oppoſe any for their Goodneſs, O no! it is for ſome Thing bad, they hypocritically and falſely pretend, but why then? are not they angry with their own Crew! O no; they are too near a-kin! Appologies muſt be made for them, and Bearſkins put on others: If you will believe Perſecutors in every Age, there never was any ſuch Thing as Perſecution upon Earth; and yet it is certain, that the more holy and uſeful any Perſon is, the more he will be hated! and the more he comes into the Spirit of the World, the more he will be liked (John 15.19.) but if the Unregenerate have no Spite againſt thoſe that are good, why do they watch ſo much for their Halting, and why are they pleaſed at it ſecretly, and ſpread it among their own Company, and why do they charge the whole, with the Faults of ſome? but beſides this Malice againſt the glorious God, with which the Unregenerate are as full as a Snake of Poiſon. They are,

5. PRONE to all Evil; the Seed and Root of which is in them; as Solomon obſerves, Fooliſhneſs is bound in the Heart of a Child; it is true there is not an equal Proneneſs in all to every Sin; for ſome by reaſon of their natural Temper, Manner of Education, or Cuſtom, are inclined to one Sin, and others to other Sins, yet all Men are by Nature virtually diſpoſed to all Kinds of Sin; we are prone to Evil, as the Sparks fly upward; every Sin is formed in our corrupt Nature, and hence it is called the old Man, the Body of Death, to ſhew not only its Subtilty and Strength, but that it is compleat in its Parts; they only want Time, Opportunity, Temptation, and the Removal of reſtraining Grace, to bring thoſe frozen Snakes to Life and active Fury, and then the Sinner ruſhes into the moſt dreadful Evils ever the Creation ſaw, with brutiſh Violence, as the Horſe to the Battle; and if any of us think we would not commit them in ſuch a Situation, we are like Hazael, ignorant of ourſelves; when the Prophet told him what Barbarity he would commit when made King, he replied with Indignation, is thy Servant a Dog, that he ſhould do this Thing; but he did it for all, when advanced: The Blameleſneſs of ſome of the Unregenerate, is (in Compariſon) but a ſorry Huſk, a ſelfiſh Skin; like that of a Rattle-Snake, proceeding not from Love to God, or Regard to his Authority, no; but from low, ſelfiſh Conſiderations, ſuch as to procure and preſerve Credit among Men, to make their own Conſciences eaſy, and to Purchaſe, in a Hackney-way, the Favour of God, by ſuch Truck; and likewiſe from the want of Opportunity, Temptation, and the like, otherwiſe they would run to all Exceſs of Riot: Verily, the beſt of them are but whited Sepulchres, beautiful outwardly, but within, full of dead Mens Bones, Rottenneſs and all Uncleanneſs.

BUT the Matter of the Intreaty, in our Text, turn ye, not only ſerves to repreſent our Apoſtacy and Corruption, which I have diſcourſed of: But,

2. THE Neceſſity of our Endeavours after a Change; the Almighty Addreſſes us as intelligent Creatures, though we have no ſpiritual Life while unconverted, yet we have natural Reaſon, and this ſhould be uſed in the Matters of Religion; though we cannot do what is ſpiritually good, yet we may do what is morally ſo; though we cannot change our Hearts, yet we may lament our want of a Change, we may with Seriouſneſs and Frequency aſk it of God, ponder upon the Miſeries of ſuch a State, attend upon public Worſhip, and other outward Duties. And,

3. THESE Endeavours, when we do not truſt in them, are uſeful; for hereby we obey God's poſitive Command, ſtrive to enter in at the ſtraight Gate, and hereby we put ourſelves in the Way in which he ordinarily communicates Mercy to Mankind, Iſ. 55.7. let the wicked Man forſake his Way: Though we cannot merit God's Favour by them, or entitle ourſelves to any Promiſe of it, or any way aſcertain our future Happineſs by any Goodneſs of ours, which while unregenerate (eſpecially) is as filthy Rags, yet in this way there is a Paradventure of Mercy, Acts 8.22. Repent therefore of this thy Wickedneſs, and pray God, if perhaps, the Thought of thine Heart may be forgiven thee? But how is this Duty to be done? Anſwer,

1. WE ſhould turn to GOD univerſally, young and old, Male and Female, White and Black, Bond and Free, Learned and Unlearned, Rich and Poor, Jer. 25.5. Turn ye again, every one from his evil Way, and dwell in the Land.

2. SINCERELY, affectionately, and thoroughly, with the whole Heart, with deep Sorrow for our Sins, in the mean Time, forſaking all our Iniquities, in Affection and Practice, and turning to all commanded Duty, and to God in Duty; Joel 2.11, 12, 13. Turn ye even to me, with all your Heart, and with Faſting, and with Weeping, and with Mourning. The Term from which we are to turn, is our evil Ways, i. e. ſuch Iniquities as we have made ours by evil Cuſtom, all our evil Ways without excepting any, no not our Conſtitution Sin, that Achan muſt be ſlain, that right Eye muſt be plucked out, or we ruined; nor is it enough to forſake the outward Practice of Sin, while it is loved and indulged in our Hearts, no all ſuch are baſe Phariſees and Hypocrites, whoſe Righteouſneſs we muſt exceed on Pain of Damnation (Mat. 5.20.) we cannot turn to God with all our Hearts, without ſupream Love to him; and ſurely ſuch as love the Lord, hate Evil; the Term to which we come in this Motion, is GOD himſelf, and all Duty enjoined only as the Way to him; he is the ſupream Scope of our Motions, and the Reſt of our Souls.

3. WE ſhould turn to the Lord ſpeedily, without a Moment's Delay, Jer. 18. from the 7th, to the 12th Verſe; at what Inſtant I ſhall ſpeak concerning a Nation, to pluck up, pull down, and deſtroy it; if that Nation turn from their Evil, I will repent of the Evil I thought to do unto them; behold I frame Evil againſt you, and deviſe a Device againſt you, return ye now every one from his evil Way, and make your Ways and your Doings good. But the

4. PARTICULAR in the Intreaty is the MODE whereby it is in forced and urged, and that is an Ingemination or Repetition, Turn ye, turn ye, from your evil Ways. To affect the Souls of ſtupid Sinners, the Almighty ſwears, intreats, and expoſtulates. O! ſuch Condeſcenſion and Importunity, is enough to melt a Rock; ſtrange to ſee the God of infinite Majeſty, make ſuch humble Court to rebellious, ungrateful, and worthleſs Creatures, and ſtranger ſtill if poſible, to behold with what Indifference and Slight, they treat all the amazing, endearing Condeſcenſions of this majeſtick Grace and Love, in which their own everlaſting Intereſt is infinitely concerned! Turn ye, turn ye, from your evil Ways. This Ingemination is doubtleſs uſed to ſignify the abſolute CERTAINTY, and inexpreſſible MOMENT of the DUTY here recommended, as well as the Sincerity and Vehemence of God's DESIRE after Sinners Compliance, and the conſequent HAPPINESS here and for ever! it alſo repreſents the aſtoniſhing Stupidity of Sinners, who want ſo much Importunity to induce them to take Pains about, and accept of their own eternal, as well as temporal Happineſs. O mournful Infatuation!

SIRS, are we corrupted, as was before obſerved, then how unreaſonable are Pride and Self-dependance for ſuch ignorant and impotent Creatures, who are, while unregenerate, not only deſtitute of all Good, but greatly prejudiced againſt it, and the glorious Author of it, and prone to every Evil! and how extreamly Neceſſary is it to prevent our own and our Nation's Ruin, to turn to God univerſally, ſincerely, affectionately, thoroughly, and ſpeedily, without a Moments Delay, from all our evil Ways, and to make our Ways and Doings good. To excite thereto, pray conſider, that Time is a valuable Talent you are enjoined to Redeem by the higheſt Authority, and that becauſe the Days are Evil, for every Moment whereof you are accountable, and pray how will you be able to do this with Honour or Comfort, if ye continue to ſquander it away upon TRIFLES! have ye not already loſt too much, in the Service of Sin and Satan? and will ye notwithſtanding loſe more? O is it not high Time to awake? is not the preſent Time the beſt adapted to the neceſſary and noble Purpoſes of Religion and Salvation, not only becauſe our Improvement of it is an Act of Obedience to divine Authority, but likewiſe it is the only ſure Time, and that which with Propriety may be only called ours; the Time paſſed is elapſed, and cannot be recalled, and future Time we may never poſſeſs! the longer we continue in Sin, in caſe we ſhould be afterwards converted, which is not probable, our future Recompenſe will be leſſened in Proportion; for thus we have leſs Time to improve ourſelves, or profit others, and the Reward will be accordingly; but ſuch as do refer the Buſineſs of Converſion and Salvation to a future Time, ſhould, methinks, be ſure of that Time, otherwiſe they run a great Riſque, for a ſmall Reward, and fiſh with a Hook of Gold; but that they cannot be certain of, becauſe of the Frailty of our preſent State: Why then do they boaſt of To-morrow, ſeeing they know not what a Day may bring forth? The Obſervation of Solomon is juſt, becauſe to every Purpoſe there is a Time and Judgment, therefore the Miſery of Man is great upon him, for Man knoweth not his Time; as Birds that are caught in the Snare, ſo are the Sons of Men ſnared in an evil Time, when it comes ſuddenly upon them! If we turn early and ſpeedily to God, it will be a Fund of Comfort, by Reflection in after Time, and riper Years; this good Hezekiah experienced in his Sickneſs, when other Comforts failed him, he could appeal to Jehovah, reſpecting the Integrity of his Conduct. This Conſciouſneſs of Integrity, likewiſe ſupported the Apoſtles under a crowd of cauſeleſs and cruel CALUMNIES, This is our Comfort, even the Teſtimony of our Conſciences, that in Simplicity and godly Sincerity, not with fleſhly Wiſdom, but by the Grace of God, we have had our Converſation in the World; of this even a Pagan could ſay, Nil conſcire ſibi nullave palleſere culpa murus aheneus eſto.

BUT on the Contrary, Continuance in Sin, not only treaſures up Wrath againſt the Day of Wrath, but makes this Life uncomfortable, and that not only to the Impenitent, whoſe Souls are troubled like the Ocean, vexed with a Tempeſt, and ſometimes ſweat with Horror, as the Poet juſtly obſerves, Tacita ſudant precordia culpa; but even in the Regenerate, a remembrance of former Impieties, cauſes Shame, Confuſion, and Self-abhorrence (Ezek. 16.61.) very diſagreeable and diſtreſſing Senſations! can we fix upon any Point of future Time, better ſuited to obtain Converſion to God than the preſent, no! for the ſame, or equal Hindrances that now obſtruct us, will continue, and have greater Influence, being more indulged; he therefore that defers Endeavours to reform his Life, in Expectation of a more convenient Seaſon afterward, is, as Horace juſtly obſerves, like the Country Man that waited by the River's Side, till it would have done running, that he might go over dry Shod! qui recte vivendi porogat horam, ruſticus expectat dum defluat amnis. Is not the Buſineſs we have to do for God, ourſelves, and others, great and difficult? and is it not therefore reaſonable to begin it ſpeedily, eſpecially conſidering that the more we honour God, promote his Kingdom among Men, and the greater Progreſs we make in Holineſs ourſelves, the more God will honour us, and give us not only more of his Preſence in this Life, but alſo a more diſtinguiſhed Crown in the next! the Cauſes of deffering Converſion to GOD, ſuch as Ignorance, Inattention, Cowardice, and Negligence, are a reproach to human Nature, and the Conſequences thereof are always diſtreſſing, and often ruining to the Souls of Men! Alexander's Motto is juſtly applicable to this Point, which is of the laſt Importance; Meden anabolominos, Defer nothing. O SIRS! why will ye continue doing that which you know you muſt repent of one Time or other, or be loſt for ever? is this wiſe and rational, judge ye! is not Turning from Sin even now difficult enough, why then will ye increaſe the Difficulty by Delays? Sin, by its low Gratifications, and fair Promiſes, gradually ſeduces the Paſſions, and they being ſeduced, darken the Underſtanding in its Views of divine Things, hereby a corrupt Biaſs undiſcernably ſeizes the leading Faculty of the Soul, which ſoon commences Advocate for Error and Vice, and by its ſophiſtical Reaſonings and falſe Colourings, infeebles the religious Reſolutions of the WILL, and weakens the Influence of CONSCIENCE and natural MODESTY, the Guards of Virtue, and Monitors to Duty, and thus the unarmed Soul is expoſed as an eaſy Prey to every Enemy, and at laſt, by a Courſe of Sinning, contracts ſuch an Inſenſibility, that it ſits in the Chair of the Scorners, glories in its Shame, and refuſes to bluſh.

CONVERSION being the Foundation of all practical Holineſs, it is therefore of the laſt Importance and Neceſſity to the Children of Men; and Sin having darkened our Views of its Nature, and rendered us inſenſible of its Neceſſity, it is therefore proper to borrow all the Light that Revelation gives concerning both, and to this End to attend with Seriouſneſs to the various inſtructive Repreſentations, whether metaphorical or proper, contained therein, reſpecting this Change, among which this of Turning to God deſerves ſpecial Notice; but having conſidered the Import of this Phraſe in the preceeding Diſcourſe, to prevent an Expence of your Time, I ſhall not reſume what has been before obſerved, but proceed to ſhew, 1. What Perſons may attain to without Converſion. 2. Speak of what is ordinarily preparatory to this Change. 3. Explain its Nature. And, 4. Repreſent its Neceſſity, to eſcape eternal Death.

I return to the firſt propoſed, which was, to ſhew what Perſons may attain to without Converſion; this ſhould be attended to with the greateſt Earneſtneſs and Care, for if our Attainments in Religion, do not exceed what I ſhall now mention, we are certainly in a damnable State, and muſt aſſuredly periſh if we die ſo. And,

1. PERSONS without Converſion may profeſs Chriſtianity; the fooliſh Virgins had Lamps, but no Oil in them, Mat. 25. i. e. they made a ſpecious Profeſſion of Piety, but had no Grace in their Hearts; it is no very difficult Matter for Perſons of a religious Education, to profeſs CHRIST in a Chriſtian Country.

2. PERSONS may be ſound and orthodox in their doctrinal Sentiments, and yet remain Strangers to the Power of converting Grace. Judas had undoubtebly this Attainment, otherwiſe our Saviour would not have ſent him to inſtruct others, and yet notwithſtanding continued a Traitor, and went to his own Place: No doubt ſound Principles are in their Place neceſſary and valuable, but unleſs they ſuitably influence the Heart and Life, they are inſufficient to Salvation; it is therefore vain to depend upon a Form of Knowledge, and of the Truth in the Law, while the Heart remains unrenewed (Rom. 2.20.)

3. PERSONS may have great Gifts, in reſpect of Knowledge and Utterance, and yet be unconverted, 1 Cor. 13.1, 2. Though I ſpeak with the Tongues of Men, and of Angels, and have not Charity; I am become as a ſounding Braſs, and a tinkling Cymbal; and though I have the Gift of Propheſy, and underſtand all Myſteries, and all Knowledge, and have no Charity, I am nothing: Knowledge attended with true Goodneſs, is amiable and uſeful, but without it, renders us more like DEVILS, who are knowing, but wicked Spirits; ſanctified Knowledge is influential and operative, like the Light of the SUN upon the Earth, but the other is like the Light of the MOON, cold and ineffectual to what is Good, but friendly to what is Evil: This Sort of Knowledge, puffs up fooliſh Sinners with Self-conceit and Prejudice againſt the Goſpel of Chriſt, and hence it is ſaid, that not many wiſe are called, and that Chriſt crucified, was to the Jews a ſtumbling Block, and to the Greeks Fooliſhneſs, for in the Wiſdom of God, the World by Wiſdom knew not God.

4. THE Unconverted may enjoy many outward Privileges, which though neceſſary and valuable in their Place, are inſufficient to Salvation, ſuch as Baptiſm, the Lord's Supper, hearing the Word of God, a Name among the Living and pious Anceſtors: It is ſaid of Simon Magus▪ the Sorcerer, Acts 8.13, 23. that he believed, and was baptized, and yet remained in the Gall of Bitterneſs, and Bond of Iniquity; Luke 13.26, 27. It is natural to graceleſs People to depend upon Externals and exceeding fatal; the Jews did ſo of old, their Cry was, The Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord, are theſe; this the Prophet Jeremiah faithfully oppoſed, and told them, they truſted in lying Words, for ſaith he, if ye thoroughly amend your Ways and your Doings, if ye thoroughly execute Judgment between a Man and his Neighbour, if ye oppreſs not the Fatherleſs and the Widow, and ſhed not innocent Blood, neither walk after other Gods to your Hurt, then will I cauſe you to dwell in this Place, Jer. 7.4, 8. and elſewhere, he excites them to that inward Purity, which was ſignified by outward Ordinances, and which it was indeed their Deſign to promote, Jer. 4.4. and in the 9th Chapter of his Book, and 25th Verſe; he puts the circumciſed Jews, who had not what was ſignified by Circumciſion, and did not act up to the Obligations of it, upon a Par with the uncircumciſed Gentiles. The Apoſtle Paul ſpeaks the ſame Language, in his Epiſtle to the Galatians, 6th Chapter, and 15th Verſe, and ſhews the Inſufficiency of Externals, without an inward RENOVATION, for in Chriſt Jeſus, ſaith he, neither Circumciſion availeth any Thing, nor Uncircumciſion, but a new Creature; and yet the ſame Apoſtle ſpeaks honourably of Circumciſion elſewhere, ſee Rom. 3.1, 2, 3. Though natural Men are inclined to abuſe Externals, by depending upon them, while they in the mean Time want an inward Renovation, yet it is obſervable, that the Method the Prophets, Chriſt, and his Apoſtles took in this Caſe, was not to oppoſe outward Ordinances abſolutely, and to tear them up by the Roots; but only to oppoſe a ſinful Dependance on them, and Contentment with them, in want of what they ſignify, and oblige to; which indeed is very unreaſonable, dangerous, and deſtructive, a notorious Perverſion of the Deſign of thoſe Inſtitutions, which was to repreſent by outward Symbols, ſpiritual and ſpecial Benefits, and to engage Perſons by ſolemn covenant Tranſactions, to ſeek after thoſe Benefits, and to live up to them. The Inſtitutions themſelves, have an Aptneſs and Tendency to promote the Good of Mankind when ſuitably uſed; and is not every Thing valuable abuſed by ſome, muſt they therefore be rejected? then we muſt do no good Works at all, either of Juſtice or Mercy, for many reſt upon them in the Room of Chriſt; nor muſt we eat and drink any more, for certainly both Food and Drink are abuſed by many: The great Pains that ſome modern Enthuſiaſts take to aboliſh the Obſervation of ſome outward Ordinances entirely, is not agreeable to the Practice of the Prophets, of CHRIST, and his Apoſtles, who were ſurely as much in Earneſt to promote inward Holineſs as any of them, and knew better what Methods to take to compaſs that End: Their Zeal is without Knowledge, and diſproportioned in Degree to the Importance of Things; for if the Ordinances they oppoſe were Miſtakes, which they will not eaſily prove, yet the bare Obſervance of them, in caſe they are not depended on, will not ruin any. It is, no Doubt, a precious PRIVILEDGE, and what we have great Reaſon to be thankful for to God, when we deſcend from pious Progenitors, for oftentimes a Bleſſing comes upon the Offspring of ſuch, to the third and fourth Generation, yet when Perſons depend upon this, without imitating their good Examples, yea, when they go on in a contrary Courſe of Impiety, it is very abominable, as our Saviour obſerves; agreeable to which, is the following excellent Saying of a Pagan, What our Anceſtors have nobly done, I cannot call ours Que 〈◊〉 et proavi, et que non fecimus ipſi, vix ea noſtra ecce..

5. THE UNCONVERTED may be RESTRAINED from GROSS IMPIETIES, ABIMELECH, a HEATHEN, was reſtrained from commiting Wickedneſs with Abraham's Wife, Gen. 20.6. as a DOG abſtains from a BONE he loves, while the WHIP is held over his Head, ſo FEAR of REPROACH among Men, FEAR of the Cognizance of the CIVIL LAW, or of DISTRESS of CONSCIENCE here, and of ETERNAL PUNISHMENT hereafter, or a MERCENARY VIEW of recommending themſelves to the divine Favour, and not LOVE to GOD, or GOODNESS, keep the Unregenerate from open and ſcandalous Impieties; whereas ſaving Grace in the Regenerate, ſubdues Sin at the ROOT, and excites an implacable HATRED in their Souls againſt it, 2 Cor. 7.11. agreeable to what has been ſaid, is the following Diſtich; Odent pecare mali formidine poene odent pecare boni virtutis amore.

6. THE UNCONVERTED may attain to ſtrict OUTWARD CONFORMITY to the LAW of GOD, accompanied with a moral Seriouſneſs; they may with Order and Exactneſs, for a long Courſe of Time, perform the Duties of Prayer, hearing the Word, and keeping the Sabbaoth; they may be faithful to their Word, and juſt in their Dealings with Mankind, and yet be Strangers to a Change of Heart; in a Word, they may poſſeſs the whole Form and Carcaſs of Piety, without the Life and Spirit of it: The Apoſtle Paul, while a Phariſee, was, as to the Law, blameleſs, Philip. 3.6. and the young Man in the Goſpel, treated our Lord with Civility and Reſpect, was ſolicitous about the Salvation of his Soul, as well as deſirous to know the Way how to obtain it, he was modeſt and diffident of his own Knowledge reſpecting this, and deſirous of Information from one who could give it, and though he had taken a great deal of Pains to obtain eternal Life, yet he was willing to take more; an amiable, an extraordinary Character, and yet he wanted the one Thing needful, converting Grace; his Heart was too much attached to the preſent World, to be a ſincere Follower of the Lord Jeſus, and therefore he left him ſorrowing, Mark 10.17, 22.

7. THE UNCONVERTED may Experience a conſiderable Change in the ſeveral Powers and Paſſions of their Souls, and yet remain in the Gall of Bitterneſs: The MIND may be in a Degree enlightened by the common Operations of the holy Spirit, Heb. 6.4, 6. the CONSCIENCE awakened by the Terrors of the LORD, Gen. 4.13, 14. Acts 24.25. the WILL almoſt perſwaded to embrace true Religion; Acts 26.28, 29. the AFFECTIONS moved towards divine Objects, e. g. they may DESIRE after Chriſt, Grace and Glory, John 6.33, 36. Mat. 25.8. Numb. 23.10. DELIGHT in Chriſt, and in the Duties of Religion, Mal. 3.19. Mat. 13.20, 21. Iſ. 58.2. they may have ſome LOVE to God, to his Miniſters, and People, Jer. 22.1, 13. Mat. 10.37. Mark 6.20. Mat. 25.8. ſome HATRED againſt Sin, Rom. 2.22. great SORROW for Sin; 1 Kings 21.25, 27. Mat. 27.3, 5. ſome RESOLUTION to forſake Sin, and to ſerve God, Numb. 22.18. Deut. 5.27. ſome FAITH in, and Dependance upon God, and confident PERSWASION of his Favour towards them; John 2.23, 24. Micah 3.11. John 8.54, 55. ſome FEAR of GOD, Jonah 1.5. and ſome ZEAL for God, 2 Kings 10.16. Philip 3.6.

SIRS, if the Caſe be ſo, as has been repreſented in this Diſcourſe, then CONVERSION is not ſo ſlight a Matter, ſo eaſy a Buſineſs as many imagine; no, ſtreight is the Gate, and narrow is the Way, that leads to Life, and few there be that find it: Though the Number of Profeſſors, eſpecially in quiet and peaceable Times, when Profeſſion coſts them little or nothing, be as the Sand of the Sea, yet but a Remnant will be ſaved: Chriſt's Flock is indeed but a little Flock; there is a Generation that are pure in their own Eyes, and yet are not cleanſed from their Filthineſs! O what a Multitude of poor Sinners feed upon Aſhes, and know not that there is a Lie in their Right Hand, the End whereof is the Ways of Death; ſurely, the Hope of the Hypocrite ſhall periſh, and be as one that giveth up the Ghoſt; his Confidence ſhall be rooted out of his Tabernacle, and he ſhall be brought before the King of Terrors! unleſs our Experiences in Religion exceed the Attainments of Hypocrites before mentioned, we are corrupt Trees, in the Gall of Bitterneſs, and (ſo continuing) ſhall die eternally! but inſtead of exceeding them, how many among us fall far ſhort of them!

MAY HYPOCRITES PROFESS CHRISTIANITY STRICTLY, as the FOOLISH VIRGINS did? what then ſhall become of thoſe who even decline this, and treat the very Name of SAINT with Sneer and Redicule, the King of the Church expreſly determines their Fate, Mark. 8.38. Whoſoever therefore ſhall be aſhamed of me, or of my Words, in this adulterous and ſinful Generation, of him alſo ſhall the Son of Man be aſhamed, when he comes in the Glory of his Father, with the holy Angels.

MAY Perſons be SOUND in the DOCTRINES of RELIGION, and yet remain Strangers to converting Grace! how far then are thoſe from it, who not only ſlight the Knowledge, and belief of Chriſtian Principles, but are themſelves unſound in them? Judas, the Traitor, exceeds ſuch; remember that we are commanded to contend earneſtly for the Faith once delivered to the Saints, to be valiant for the Truth upon the Earth, and to reject Hereticks after the firſt and ſecond Admonition: Pray remember, in particular, theſe awful Words of the GOD of Truth, 2 Theſ. 2.10, 11, 12. For this Cauſe God ſhall ſend them ſtrong Deluſion, that they ſhould believe a Lie, that they all might be damned, who believed not the Truth, but had Pleaſure in Unrighteouſneſs!

MAY Perſons have great GIFTS in reſpect of KNOWLEDGE, and yet remain unconverted! then what will become of thoſe who are groſly, and ſome of them willingly ignorant, in the Midſt of the Means of Light, of thoſe Things that are of the greateſt Importance to them to know; ſuch as the State of their Souls, the main Principles of Chriſtianity, the Nature of Faith, Repentance and Converſion? how far are ſuch from Converſion, which begins in Light and Knowledge, 2 Cor. 4, 6? See the final Doom of ſuch, denounced by God himſelf! Iſ. 27.11. For it is a People of no Underſtanding, therefore he that made them, will not have Mercy on them, and he that formed them, will ſhew them no Favour; and 2 Theſ. 1.7, 8, 9. The Lord Jeſus ſhall be revealed from Heaven, with his mighty Angels, in flaming Fire, taking Vengeance on them that know not God, who ſhall be puniſhed with everlaſting Deſtruction, from the Preſence of the Lord, and from the Glory of his Power!

MAY PERSONS who are UNCONVERTED, enjoy many outward valuable PRIVILEGES, ſuch as Baptiſm, the Lord's Supper, hearing the Word of GOD, &c. Then how ſinful and dangerous is the Practice of ſuch who neglect them? if we are Chriſtians, why do not we take the Badge of his Deſciples upon us, and profeſs our Relation to him before Men? are we aſhamed of our Maſter? I am ſure we have no Reaſon; ſhould we not walk in all the Ordinances of God blameleſs? when Peter's Hearers were pricked in their Heart by his Sermon, and inquired what they ſhould do, he adviſed them to repent and be baptized, every one of them, Acts 2. and even thoſe that had received the Holy Ghoſt, were baptized by the Apoſtle Peter, and he plainly ſignifies, that no Body can, with Reaſon, oppoſe this Practice; Acts 10.47. and as to thoſe that are baptized, it is a Sin and a Shame for them to neglect renewing their Covenant with God at the Table of the Lord; this looks ſomewhat like retracting, ſuch are guilty of Rebellion, in diſobeying the Command of Chriſt, to his viſible Deſciples, Do this in Remembrance of me, and of Ingratitude againſt the deareſt Love, in that they ſhew not forth the Lord's Death; and indeed ſuch are cruel to themſelves, in omitting a Mean well adapted to promote their Benefit; and ſeeing Faith cometh by hearing, the Unkindneſs, the Folly, and Cruelty of ſuch, who trifle with Opportunities of this Kind, cannot eaſily be expreſſed! nor will the Puniſhment due for it be eaſily endured; for this, among other Abominations, the righteous GOD now threatens to take away, all our Privileges at a Stroke! Again,

MAY Perſons be RESTRAINED from groſs CRIMES, and yet be UNCONVERTED, what will then become of thoſe who go on in a COURSE of GROSS INIQUITIES? Sinners hear your Sentence, from God himſelf, 1 Cor. 6, 9, 10. Know ye not, that the Unrighteous, ſhall not inherit the Kingdom of God, be not deceived, neither Fornicators, nor Idolaters, nor Adulterers, nor Effiminate, nor Abuſers of themſelves with Mankind, nor Thieves, nor Covetous, nor Drunkards, nor Revilers, nor Extortioners, ſhall inherit the Kingdom of God.

MAY the UNREGENERATE attain a ſtrict FORM of PIETY, and yet be diſtitute of the POWER; alas then, what will become of thoſe who have neither Form or Power, who frequently neglect Prayer, in their Cloſets and Families, who neglect the Inſtruction of their Children and Servants in Religion, and who cuſtomarily break the Sabbaoth by worldly Diſcourſe? Surely, ſuch come far ſhort of Phariſees and Hypocrites, and yet our Lord aſſures us, that we muſt exceed them, upon Pain of Damnation, Mat. 5.20.

MAY the Unconverted be enlightened, alas then, how ſad is thy Caſe, O Sinner, who art in total Darkneſs, and has never had one Glimpſe of Light or Day ſhining into thy benighted Soul? whilſt thou art in this horrible Darkneſs, thou knoweſt not whither thou goeſt, and may ſtumble into Death before thou art aware; remember, to thy Sorrow, that thou comes ſhort of many Hypocrites!

MAY the Conſciences of graceleſs Sinners be awakened by the Terrors of God, and they remain ſtill in a State of Death, what then will become of thee, ſtupid, ſecure Tranſgreſſor, who has never been rouſed out of thy Sleep, by all the Thunders of Sinai, or Allarms of Providence! CAIN and FELIX may make thee bluſh and tremble, for wicked as they were, they bid fairer for Heaven than thee!

MAY the Wills of the Ungodly be in ſome Meaſure bowed, how diſmal then is the State, and inexcuſable the Courſe of thoſe hardned Wretches, whoſe Necks are an Iron Sinnew, and their Brow Braſs! will not Agrippa riſe up in Judgment againſt them, and condemn them, and may not the Lord Jeſus complain over them, as of the Jews of old (John 5.40.) ye will not come unto me, that ye may have Life?

DO ſome of the Unconverted deſire after Chriſt, and delight in him, how far then are you Galeos from Converſion, who are neither cold, nor hot? ſurely, the Lord Jeſus will ſpew you out of his Mouth!

DO ſome of the Unregenerate eſteem and honour pious Miniſters, who deal faithfully with them, and aſſociate with ſuch as are truly Religious; how far then are thoſe from Converſion, and how unlikely to obtain it, who ungratefully hate, and falſely aſperſe honeſt Miniſters, for their Love, and plain Dealing, which deſerves Eſteem, and is indeed the Duty of their Office? In this they imitate wicked, Ahab's unjuſt Treatment of venerable Elijah, becauſe he did not propheſy Good of him, which he could not do without being falſe to his God, and likewiſe ſuch who induſtriouſly ſhun the Society of thoſe that retain the Spirit and Savour of Religion, and treat them with Abuſe and ridicule! Herod, and the fooliſh Virgins, will riſe up againſt thoſe Peſts of Society, and condemn them! Farther,

DO ſome of the Unregenerate hate ſome Sins, reſolve to forſake them, and ſorrow for them, then how far from Converſion are ſuch Wretches, who glory in their Shame, and refuſe to bluſh; whoſe Breaſts are Iron, and their Bowels Adamant? Balaam, the Conjurer, Judas, the Traitor, and Felix, the Pagan, reproach ſuch Monſters in human Shape, who are a Scandal to their Species, and as much out-do Devils in Stupidity, as they come ſhort of Brutes in Gratitude! the Infernals tremble at what they deride, the Ox and Aſs, though deſtitute of the Direction of Reaſon, gratefully know their Owner, and Maſter's Crib!

HAVE ſome graceleſs Perſons, a Sort of Faith, Dependance, and Confidence, then let us take Care we be not deceived, with an Appearance of thoſe Things, that does not Produce right FRUITS!

DID the Pagan Mariners, the Pagan Ninevites, fear God, and cry to him in a Storm for Deliverance, and (the Latter of them) reform their Ways! then woe to us, who pretend to Chriſtianity, if we come ſhort of them in thoſe Duties, in this Tempeſt, which is now gathering upon our Land and Nation, yea, and upon the whole Proteſtant Body; are we LEVIATHANS, made without Fear, who count Darts as Stubble, and laugh at the Shaking of the Spear? or are we like the Horſe, who mocketh at Fear, and is not afrightned, though the Quiver rattleth againſt him, the glittering Spear, and the Shield? but ſooner or later, God will make us know, that we have an Adverſary we are not able to grapple with, and that it is vain to boaſt juſt when we put on the Harneſs.

IN a preceeding Sermon, upon this precious Text, I propoſed to ſpeak upon four Heads, which were theſe, 1. To ſhew what Perſons may attain to in Religion without Converſion, 2. To Diſcourſe of what is ordinarily preparatory to this Change, 3. To explain its Nature, and 4. Repreſent its Neceſſity: It is only the firſt of theſe that has been eſſayed; I now proceed to the

2. HEAD of Diſcourſe, viz. to treat of what is ordinarily PREPARATORY to a gracious CHANGE; and that is a Work of Conviction by the holy Spirit, through the Law, whereby the Sinner is made to ſee the utter Impoſſibility of Juſtification, by Obedience to it, and is ſhut up to Chriſt, as the only Door of Hope; I through the Law am dead to the Law, ſays the Apoſtle Paul, that I might live unto God; and elſewhere the Law is ſaid to be our School-Maſter, to bring us to Chriſt, that we may be juſtified by Faith (Gal. 3.24.) this is effected in the following Manner, viz.

1. THE Law being applied by the holy Spirit to the Soul, convinces of Sin, and hence it is ſaid, that by the Law is the Knowledge of Sin, and the Apoſtle Paul declares of himſelf, that he had not known Sin but by the Law (Rom. 7.7.) without the Law, ſays he, Sin was dead, i. e. in my Apprehenſion, for I was alive without the Law once, e. g. had a falſe Hope of the Safety of my State, was alive to the Law, expected Juſtification by it; but when the Commandment came, Sin revived, and I died; when the Law was applied to my Conſcience by the Spirit, I had an affecting View of my Sins, and loſt my falſe Hope of Righteouſneſs by the Law, and that groundleſs Chearfulneſs that flowed from it! that the holy Spirit concurs with the Law to this Purpoſe, appears from John 16.7, 8. and when he is come, he will reprove or convince (Elenchei) the World of Sin; the Law being the Rule of Action, and Sin being a Tranſgreſſion of this Law, it is therefore a fit Mean to convince of Sin, yet it is but a Mean, and therefore does it not to Purpoſe, till the holy Spirit opens it by his Influence, in its ſpiritual Extent to the Mind, and ſets it Home upon the Heart. Here obſerve, that the holy Spirit (1.) Convinces of Sin in the Life, thus it was with Peter's Hearers, while he boldly and faithfully charged upon them, the Crucifixion of Chriſt, they were pricked in their Heart (Acts 2.36, 37.) the Guilt of this Sin was faſtened upon them, but tho' Conviction begins with one Sin, yet it ſoon diſcovers many more, which appear, as tho' ranged in Battalia, againſt the Sinner; thus it was with the Woman of Samaria, John 4.29. come ſee a Man, that told me all Things that ever I did. (2.) The holy Spirit convinces of Sin in the Heart, after a Diſcovery of Sins in the Life, he leads the Sinner to behold the corrupt Fountain, from which they flow; and indeed the Wickedneſs of the Heart is aſtoniſhing and inexpreſſible, it exceeds that of the Life, as much as a Fountain, the Streams that proceed from it; the Heart is deceitful, and deſperately wicked, who can know it? from it come Murders, Adulteries, and Falſe-witneſs: Now the awakened Sinner may ſee, that there is not the leaſt Grain of Goodneſs in his Heart, that he is quite dead in Sin, an Enemy to God and his Law, ſhapen in Iniquity, and conceived in Sin; whatever Sinners dream, the Teſtimony of God is true, that the fleſhly Mind is Enmity againſt God (Rom. 8.7.) natural Men that are regular in Life, are pleaſed with a Notion of their own Goodneſs, but when their Eyes are opened by the Law and Spirit of God, to ſee their Inſide, they are frightned at the Sight; for they plainly find that they are full of implacable Spite againſt the bleſſed God, full of brutiſh, mean and immoderately ſelfiſh Diſpoſitions, mere Monſters in Iniquity, Myſteries of Sin, and Maſſes of Abomination! in a Word, awakened Sinners find, that their ſelfiſh, ſorry Sort of Goodneſs, of which they boaſted, and on which they depended, is but like the ſpecious Skin of a Serpent; and here give me Leave to ſay, that ſuch as oppoſe a ſtrong Repreſentation of the Corruption of human Nature, act the Part of Enemies to Chriſt, and the Souls of Men; for till Sinners ſee their Depravity, they will not be humble, and flee to the Mediator. (3.) The holy Spirit, by the Law, convinces the Sinner of a State of Sin; he clearly ſees that he is unjuſtified and unconverted, and cannot be ſaved in his preſent State; the Prodigal ſaw he was periſhing, before he aroſe and came to his Father, he felt himſelf loſt and dead, before he was found and made alive (Luke 15.) The Commandment which was ordained to Life, I found to be unto Death; for Sin taking Occaſion by the Commandment deceived me, and by it ſlew me, ſays the Apoſtle; when the Law came with Power and Authority to his Conſcience, he was convinced he was a dead Man, in Law and Fact, i. e. ſentenced to eternal Death, and void of ſpiritual Life, and therefore was ſlain to all preſent and future Dependance upon Obedience to the Law for Righteouſneſs, or for the Remiſſion of Sins, and a Right to Salvation, ſee Rom. 7.10, 11. This lays the Ax to the Root of the Tree; the Law is called the Letter that killeth, a Miniſtration of Death, a Miniſtration of Condemnation (1 Cor. 3.6. 1 Cor. 3.7.) becauſe being applied, it kills the ſecure Sinners falſe Hopes of Righteouſneſs, by any Thing that he can do, and ſenſibly condemns him in his preſent State to eternal DEATH; he now ſees that all the Threatnings in the Book of God belong to him, and therefore he applies them particularly to himſelf; as the Prophet, his Parable to DAVID; I am the Man, that theſe Curſes are directed againſt! he hears his Condemnation frequently ſounded from Mount Ebal!

2. AFTER convincing of Sin in Life, in Heart, and State, as has been obſerved, the holy Spirit convinces of the Miſery conſequent upon it; what Miſery? I anſwer, the Curſe of God, the Wrath of God, and eternal Death; Gal. 3.9, 10. He that is of the Works of the Law, is under the Curſe; for curſed is every one that continueth not in all Things that are written in the Book of the Law to do them: We are by Nature, Children of Wrath; Eph. 2.1: Why? Becauſe we are born in Sin; Wrath is our Inheritance by Law, for our Violation of the Law; the Soul that Sins ſhall die, temporarily, ſpiritually, and eternally, according to Law! now the convinced Sinner ſees clearly and demonſtratively, as the original Word (John 16.8.) imports, the Miſery he is expoſed to for Sin, which is (1.) Real, no melancholy Fancy, but an awful Reality, he knows by the Reflections of his guilty Conſcience, that his Sins have been real, numerous, or rather numberleſs, and highly aggravated; and is induced, by a Conſciouſneſs of the Demerit of Sin, and a Belief of the Word of God, to a full Perſwaſion that the Wrath of God, and Pains of Damnation, due for Sin, are real, and not to be trifled with! (2.) He ſees this Miſery to be great and inexpreſſible! O how terrible is it to be curſed and condemned by that GOD who only can bleſs! curſed by him who is infinite in Wiſdom and Strength, and can execute the Import of the Curſe, againſt the combined Force of the whole Creation! how dreadful is his Vengeance in HELL! there is avenging Juſtice, without the leaſt Mixture of Mercy; Pain without Eaſe, and Torment without Reſt; an unmixed Cup of Wrath, continual Suffering, without any Intermiſſion, Allay, or End; the damned drink large Draughts of the Wine of the Wrath of God, and yet their Cup is always full, becauſe the Vengeance of God, incenſed by Sin, is infinite! But (3.) The convinced Sinner ſees his Miſery to be certain, while in a State of Blindneſs and Security, he uſed to flatter himſelf with the vain and falſe Hopes of Heaven, though he went on in his old Courſe, and kept his old Heart (Deut. 29.19.) he ſpoke Peace, Peace to himſelf, contrary to the expreſs Declarations of God's Word, but now he ſees that God is holy, juſt, righteous, and true, and that he will not be mocked, and cannot be deceived, and therefore that all the Curſes of the Book of God are upon him, and that ſudden Deſtruction will ſurely ſeize him, and he cannot, ſhall not eſcape in his preſent State! (4.) Convinced Tranſgreſſors ſee their Miſery to be juſt and everlaſting, they ſee that it is but the bitter Fruit of their own ſinful Doings, it is what they have brought themſelves into: Can I blame any ſo much as myſelf, did Satan tempt me, did Sinners intice me, well, but why did I yield? they could not Force me; it is true, I was born in Sin, but why have I contentedly continued in that State, and neglected the earneſt Uſe of proper Means to obtain a Change? yea, ſtrengthned my evil, natural Inclinations, by wicked Practices; my Mouth is ſtopped, my Pleas are ſilenced, and I am guilty before God; woe unto my Soul, I have rewarded Evil to myſelf, it ſhall be ill with me, for the Reward of my Hands ſhall be given me; eternal Puniſhment is no more than a juſt Reward for offending in innumerable Inſtances an infinite GOD, to whom I am under inexpreſſible Obligations, and for rejecting a Remedy of infinite Value, freely offered, and urged with much Condeſcenſion and Importunity! (5.) The convinced Sinner ſees his Miſery to be eternal, and near, very near; he ſees himſelf upon the very Verge of Ruin, and knows not but the next Moment he may be paſt all Hope; he ſees with Concern, that the great and holy God is angry with him, and his terrible Vengeance ready to be poured upon him continually, he ſees that Heaven is ſhut againſt him, that the Earth groans under the Burden of ſuch a Catiff, and that Hell is ready to meet him at his coming; he has nothing to depend upon but the abuſed Patience of God, and the ſlender Thread of his Life; and how ſoon theſe may come to a Period he knows not; if the Thread of his Life, which is expoſed to Ten Thouſand Accidents, be once cut while he is in this State, he knows that all is over with him for ever! But the

3d, PARTICULAR included in CONVICTION, is DISTRESS of HEART, or Compunction; the holy Spirit having convinced the Sinner by the Law, of Sin and Miſery, as before obſerved, he muſt needs be deeply affected and diſtreſſed with ſuch a View of Things, which are of ſo great Moment and Duration, in which his eternal All is involved; and hence it is ſaid of the Apoſtle Peter's Hearers (Acts 2.37.) That they were pricked in their Hearts, they had ſuch acute Pains, as if a Spear or Dagger was thruſt into their Hearts, this diſtreſſing Anguiſh is elſewhere termed, a breaking up the fallow Ground of the Heart (Jer. 4.3.) a circumciſing of the Heart (Jer. 4.4.) a renting of the Heart; all which Expreſſions do evidently import great Grief and Anguiſh: I may add that remarkable Paſſage of Scripture, Rom. 8.15. which caſts more Light upon the labouring Point, and gives farther Confirmation to it,Ye have not received the Spirit of Bondage again to fear, but the Spirit of Adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father: Here obſerve, that before the holy Spirit gives a Senſe of Adoption, he works in the Hearts of Sinners, by the Miniſtry of the Law, a diſtreſſing Dread of divine Vengeance, of Death, Judgment, and Hell, by opening their Eyes to ſee the Bondage and Slavery, under which they have brought themſelves by their Apoſtacy, to Sin, Satan, and the Wrath of GOD: It is true, this Diſtreſs is various in different Perſons, in reſpect of Degree and Duration, the Almighty exerciſes a glorious Sovereignty herein; but in the General, it may be ſaid, that the greateſt Conſolations, and ſtrongeſt Aſſurances, of the divine Favour, follow the deepeſt Diſtreſſes, and that ſuch as are to be improved in uncommon Services, or expoſed to ſingular Trials, frequently undergo greater Anguiſh and Trouble of Mind, than many others, as preparatory thereto; witneſs the Apoſtle Paul, Luther, and Bolton; but if our Diſtreſs by the Law be ſuch, that we die to it (in reſpect of Dependance) and conſent to embrace the Redeemer, as the Goſpel offers him, it is enough, the End is anſwered, whether the Diſtreſs be more or leſs!

4. SINNERS being convinced of Sin and Miſery, and diſtreſſed with a View of both, are inclined to enquire of GOD and Man, what they ſhould do; convinced Saul, immediately applied to Chriſt for Direction, Lord what wilt thou have me to do? and the Apoſtle Peter's awakened Hearers addreſſed him, and the Reſt of the Apoſtles, with this Query, Men and Brethren, what ſhall we do? the Jaylor likewiſe when convinced, came in trembling, and enquired of Paul and Silas, what he ſhould do to be ſaved; convinced Sinners enquire with the utmoſt Anxiety and Solicitude, as a Man mortally wounded for a Phyſician, or as a condemned Man for a Pardon; ſuch Enquiries ſhew, that they fully believe that Something is to be done, that they are willing, and determined to do any Thing within the Compaſs of their Power, which they may be directed to, without the leaſt Delay, and that they are at a loſs what to do; blind and ſecure Tranſgreſſors are very wiſe in their own Eyes, and having no juſt Value for their Souls, nor any clear View of their Di ••••• and Danger, ſee no need of Counſel in ſuch Matters, nor do they deſire it; but the Convinced ſee ſo much of their Folly and Treachery, that they do not care to truſt their own Judgment, without Advice, in a Matter of ſuch inexpreſſible Conſequence, and therefore they aſk it, Sirs, what muſt I do to be ſaved? And,

5. HAVING enquired, they ſtrive to preſs into the Kingdom of God, whatever Crowds of Oppoſition and Temptation lie in their Way; like the Hearers of John the Baptiſt, they Labour to take Salvation by the Violence of Importunity, and to ſtorm Heaven with Tears and Groans.

6. UPON the utmoſt TRIAL they can make, they are convinced of the Inſufficiency of all their Endeavours; their Tears and Prayers are polluted with Sin, all their Works are bad, for they are corrupted, evil Trees; hence they Deſpair of Salvation, by their own Wiſdom, Power, and Righteouſneſs, they ſee their Wiſdom is Folly, their Strength Weakneſs, and their Righteouſneſs Sin: They now begin to be FOOLS in their own eſteem, in order to to be wiſe; weak, that they may be made ſtrong, and feel their Unrighteouſneſs, preparatory to their being made righteous, through Redeemer! the graceleſs Sinner cannot obtain Deliverance by any Works of Righteouſneſs that he can do, becauſe nothing ſhort of ſinleſs Perfection will entitle him to Life, and it is too late for this, becauſe he has ſinned already, and ſo is a loſt Creature, nor is there any Hopes on Account of any Thing he can do, for he is continually running deeper into Debt by his Iniquities, he has no right to Mercy of any Kind, temporal or ſpiritual, he can claim nothing by the Law, unleſs he had fulfilled the Law, and he can claim nothing by Chriſt, unleſs he were in Chriſt, and thus having no Claim by Law or Goſpel, he has no Right to any Thing he enjoys, his very Life and Soul are forfeited; it is true he is reprieved, but this is of meer Sovereignty, and may laſt but for a few Moments; Hell is his preſent Due, and he can claim no better, no Forbearance, no Mercy, no not for one Moment; he lies entirely at the Feet of a ſovereign GOD! and yet in the mean Time, he heartily approves of the Law, by which he is condemned, as Holy, Juſt, and Good, both in reſpect of its Precepts and Penalty. The Children of Iſrael, before they took Poſſeſſion of Canaan, a Type of Heaven, heard the Law repeated by MOSES, in the Plains of Moab, and ſignified their hearty Approbation of it, in its utmoſt Rigor, by anſwering Amen, twelve Times ſucceſſively, as the Levites denounced the Curſe; and thus, before a Sinner truly comes to Chriſt, and is by him entitled to the heavenly Canaan, he muſt from his Heart approve of the Law, by which he is condemned, as ſtrictly juſt; and now having endeavoured to open the Nature of Conviction, give me leave to offer ſome Conſiderations, tending to ſhew its Neceſſity. And,

1. IT appears NECESSARY from the poſitive DECLARATION of CHRIST, that the Whole need no Phyſician, but the Sick (Mat. 9.12.) If it be conſidered, that this Speech of our Saviour, was deſigned, as the Context ſhews, as a Reproof and Alarm to the Phariſees, a ſecure and ſelf-righteous Generation; his Meaning therein, will appear to be this, viz. That ſelf-righteous Sinners, that have never been alarmed and ſlain by the Law, applied through the holy Spirit, have no clear and affecting Views of their abſolute Need of the great Phyſician of Souls, the Lord JESUS CHRIST, and therefore do not earneſtly deſire after, or labour for an Intereſt in him.

2. THE Neceſſity of a Work of Conviction, appears from the Invitations 〈◊〉 Chriſt, which are with great Tenderneſs▪ directed to Perſons in this Condition, Mat. 11.28. Come unto me all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you Reſt. John 7.37. In that great Day of the Feaſt, Jeſus ſtood and cried, Saying if any Man thirſt, let him come unto me and drink; now why does the bleſſed Jeſus put ſuch Honour upon, and give ſuch particular Encouragement to thoſe that are under this preparatory Diſtreſs, if he did not require it, and approve of it?

3. THE Benedictions of Chriſt, farther confirm the Point I am diſcourſing upon, Mat. 5.3, 4, 6. Bleſſed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven; bleſſed are they that mourn, for they ſhall be comforted; bleſſed are they which 〈◊〉 hunger and thirſt after Righteouſneſs, for they ſhall be filled; now will any be poor in Spirit, humbled and emptied of a Dependance upon their own Righteouſneſs, mourn from the Heart over Sin, and earneſtly long after CHRIST'S Righteouſneſs, before they be beaten and bruiſed by the Hammer of the Law, and ſee their Filthineſs and Abominations in the Glaſs of it? no, never!

4. THE Neceſſity of Conviction, may be learned from the Curſes of CHRIST, againſt the ſecure, Luke 6.25. Woe unto you that are full, for ye ſhall hunger; woe unto you that laugh now, for ye ſhall mourn and weep: The Almighty fills the Hungry with good Things; that is, the humble, Sin-ſick Soul, that has ſtrong Deſires after Chriſt; but the Rich, the Self-righteous, Self-ſufficient, ſecure Sinner, who is full of the Conceit of his own Wiſdom, Power, Righteouſneſs, and falſe Hope, ſhall be ſent empty away; (5.) The ſame may be infered, from the Tenor of Chriſt's Commiſſion, which is to preach good Tidings to the Meek, to bind up the Broken-hearted, to comfort all that mourn, to give them Beauty for Aſhes, the Oil of Joy for Mourning, and the Garment of Praiſe; for a Spirit of Heavineſs (Iſ. 61.) you ſee Chriſt has no Commiſſion to preach good Tidings to the Proud, but to the Meek and Humble; no Commiſſion to heal the Whole-hearted, or comfort jolly Companions; nor but to bind up the bleeding Wounds of the Broken-hearted; (6.) The Office of the holy Spirit, gives farther Light to this Argument, who firſt convinces of Sin, 〈◊〉 he comforts (John 16.8, 9.) and firſt, 〈◊〉 Spirit of Bondage to Fear, before he is a Spirit of Adoption. (7.) The ſame may be gathered from the poſitive Command of GOD, to 〈◊〉 the Heart, to circumciſe it, to plow up 〈◊〉 fallow Ground of it, to awake out of Sleep, 〈◊〉 be inflicted, and mourn, and weep, and 〈◊〉 their Laughter be turned into Mourning, and their Joy into Heavineſs: All which can imply no leſs, than that the Secure ſhould uſe proper Means to affect themſelves with a Senſe of Sin and Miſery. Of the ſame Tendency, is the following Precept, Mark 1.15. The Kingdom of God is at Hand, repent ye, and believe the Goſpel; that is, the gracious Diſpenſation of God towards Mankind, in the Goſpel, approaches near; lament your Wickedneſs, reform your Ways, and comply with Goſpel Terms. There is a legal Repentance proceeding from Fear, that goes before ſaving Faith, and an Evangelical, proceeding from Love, which follows after it! (8.) The ſame may be infered from the Nature of Faith, which is a flying for Refuge to the Hope ſet before us, Heb. 6.18. plainly alluding to the Manſlayer, who fled from the Avenger of Blood, to one of the Cities of Refuge. Again, (9.) The proper Uſe of the Law, proves the Point under Conſideration, Gal. 3.19. Wherefore then ſerveth the Law, it was added becauſe of Tranſgreſſion, i. e. added to the Covenant of Grace, by way of Appendix, to convince Sinners of their Tranſgreſſions, and thus conſtrain them to comply with the Terms of the new Covenant, Rom. 7.6. But now we are delivered from the Law, that being dead (or being dead to that) wherein we were held, we ſhould ſerve in Newneſs of Spirit, and not in the Oldneſs of the Letter; before we become dead to the Law, through the Law, and embrace the Mediator by Faith, it faſtens us under its Curſe, and binds to Damnation, for the Law is not of Faith, but the Man that doth them, i. e. perfectly, ſhall live in them: The Law and Faith open different Ways to Heaven, the firſt by perfect Works, but in caſe of the leaſt Failure condemns, the other by Faith in a Mediator, through his Righteouſneſs imputed; now when we ſee the firſt Way ſhut up by our Sins, we are conſtrained to fly to the ſecond for Relief.

THE Neceſſity of Preparation for Chriſt muſt be granted, or the whole Jewiſh Diſpenſation denied, which was deſigned by the Almighty for this very Purpoſe; the whole LAW of MOSES, and the Hiſtory interſperſed of GOD'S Dealings with the People of Iſrael in the Wilderneſs, is admirably ſuited to repreſent the Being and Perfections of God, particularly his Sovereignty and Purity▪ I am the Lord, this Jehovah ſpeaks with the Majeſty of a God, he ſhews an 〈◊〉 Regard to his Honour, and requires all to love, fear, and obey him, on Pain of Death, if his Anger waxes hot, the Earth opens 〈◊〉 the Plague rages, and deſtroys Multitudes; or if he is pleaſed to have Mercy, it is as an abſolute Sovereign over Criminals, that have no Claim; I will have Mercy, on whom I will have Mercy, and I will have Compaſſion, on whom I will have Compaſſion! The Law teaches that no Mortal can be approved by God, on Account of his own Goodneſs, unleſs he is perfectly holy in Heart and Life, and that the leaſt Defect expoſes to eternal Damnation, and yet at the ſame Time, obliges to a hearty Approbation of it; without this, the Jew could not conſiſtently lay his Hands on the Head of the Sacrifice, and preſent it to die in his Room; and yet this was the only Remedy for Tranſgreſſors, for without the Shedding of Blood, there was no Remiſſion; all which was exactly ſuited to alarm the Jews out of their Security, to affect them with Views of God's Purity, Sovereignty, and Glory, as well as with Apprehenſions of their Pollution, by Nature and Practice, their Expoſedneſs on Account of both, to the divine Vengeance, their utter. Inability to help themſelves out of this State, and therefore their abſolute Need of the Blood of Attonement! and indeed unbiaſſed Reaſon gives its Suffrage, to what has been ſaid; for is it fit that a Sinner ſhould be pardoned by God, the Law-giver, before he clearly ſees he deſerves to be puniſhed, and approves of the Law, by which he is condemned, as holy, juſt, and good? till a Sinner is brought to this, he cannot ſee an abſolute Neceſſity of an Attonement for Sin, or of his Intereſt in it, or any Beauty in the Way of Salvation by it, and therefore cannot come ſincerely into this Plan, or in other Words, he cannot believe in Chriſt, which is nevertheleſs, of abſolute Neceſſity to Salvation (Mark 16.16.) the Sinner muſt ſee that Sin has infinite Malignity and Baſeneſs in it, as it contradicts and affronts all the Perfections of the infinite God, and breaks through the infinite Obligations of Reaſon, Juſtice, and Gratitude, which we are under to his Love and Service, becauſe of his ſupream and incommunicable Excellency, and by the innumerable and invaluable Benefits we have received from him, by Creation, Providence, and Redemption; and therefore that it is highly reaſonable, and of infinite Importance, that the great God ſhould be honoured, his Purity made manifeſt, and the Rights of his Throne vindicated, by puniſhing Sin as the Law threatens See this more fully opened, in a late excellent SERMON of the Reverend and ingenious Mr. BELAMY, upon the LAW, as a SCHOOL-MASTER; to which I acknowledge myſelf indebted, in this Argument.: But the Words of the Apoſtle, Gal. 3.25. may be objected, For after Faith is come, we are no longer under a School-Maſter. A. The Meaning of the Apoſtle is undoubtedly this, That under the Goſpel, we are no longer under the ceremonial Law, as a School-Maſter; Chriſt the Subſtance being come, there is no more Need of the Jewiſh Shadows that pointed to him; we have now no need to offer the Blood of Bulls and Goats: But in the mean Time, the Law of Nature requiring ſinleſs Perfection, on Pain of eternal Death, which was the chief Part of the Law given at Mount Sinai; was in Force before the Jewiſh Diſpenſation commenced, and will be ſo to the End of Time, which is a perpetual School-Maſter to all the human Race; this Law being built upon the Nature and Reaſon of Things, muſt of Conſequence be immutable and perpetual, and hence the Author of our Religion aſſures us, that he came not to deſtroy the Law, and that till Heaven and Earth paſs, one Jot or Tittle ſhall in no wiſe paſs from it (Mat. 5.17, 18.) (10.) I may add, That the Neceſſity of Conviction, is neceſſarily ſuppoſed by the Tenor of the Goſpel, which is to offer a Remedy, and that freely, Iſ. 55.1. Ho, every one that thirſteth, come ye to the Waters; and he that hath no Money, come ye buy and eat; yea, buy Wine and Milk, without Money, and without Price. Reaſon teaches that a Remedy ſuppoſes a Diſeaſe, and that the Latter muſt be felt, before the Former be valued and ſought in Earneſt, and likewiſe that before this Remedy be accepted as an Alms, their Pride and Stoutneſs muſt be brought down, by ſeeing they cannot cure themſelves, and that their Diſeaſe is mortal and ruining; our Eſteem of the Value of Benefits, and Gratitude for them, riſes in Proportion to the View we have of our Need, and Unworthineſs of them, nor are any, but thoſe who are acquainted with their own Vileneſs, diſpoſed to compaſſionate, and fit to direct others in like Circumſtances. But it is Time to proceed to the Improvement of this Subject. And,

1. FROM it we may learn the perilous State of the Secure and Unconvinced; ſuch are (1.) blind, and hence we are informed, that it is the great Deſign of the Goſpel Miniſtry, to open Sinners Eyes, and to turn them from Darkneſs to Light; if you ſaw your Sin and Danger, you could no more reſt than a Man in a burning Fire. (2.) You are dead, void of divine Life, wholly dead, otherwiſe you would hear the awful Thunders of Sinai, with ſome Dread of God's Vengeance, with ſome Feeling of your woeful Caſe you would mourn, when the Sword of God's Law is ſtabbed into your Hearts, but alas, not one Sigh, not one Groan! (3.) You are mad, Luke 15, 17. As ſoon as the PRODIGAL came to himſelf, he felt he was periſhing, and reſolved to go to his Father; and whenever you come to yourſelves, to your Senſes, you will have the ſame Feeling, the ſame Purpoſe, but alas, it is far from it; you are as blind as Moles, and as ſtupid as Stones; like Madmen, you wound yourſelves mortally in Sport, and ſell your precious Souls to Satan and Damnation, for a Thing of Nought! (4.) You are condemned and guilty Creatures, John 3.18. He that believeth not, is condemned already, by the great God, to Damnation! Mark 16.16. for breaking the LAW, and rejecting the REMEDY offered by the GOSPEL: On theſe Accounts, you are guilty before GOD, who has ſaid, he will by no Means clear the Guilty! Numb. 14.18. (5.) You are curſed of the God that made you, which none can revoke but himſelf, and which he has declared he will not, except ye repent, Gal. 3.10. Luke 13.3. Amos 6.1. Deut. 29.19, 20, 21. (6.) You are poſſeſſed of the DEVIL, and under his Power and Government; his Slaves, Vaſſals, and Children; Luke 11.21. 2 Tim. 2.26. John 8.44: You are like the Man in the Country of the Gadareens, poſſeſſed with a Legion of Devils, who had his Dwelling among the Tombs, whom no Man could bind with Chains or Fetters, who was conſtantly cutting himſelf! O ſhocking Sight! nor will any Bonds bind you to your Duty to God, and your Souls! no, you violently break them all, and are Day and Night wounding your Souls to Death! (7.) You are quite out of the Way of Mercy, and ſhall certainly be for ever damned, if ye continue ſo: It is a mere Jeſt for you to expect to be converted while you are aſleep; in this State, your Hopes of Happineſs are a Deluſion of the Devil, your very Bleſſings accurſed, the Word a Savour of Death unto Death, and the Sacraments Seals of Damnation! The God of Truth has ſaid, he will find you out, who are ſettled on your Lees, and puniſh you? While you ſay Peace, Peace, ſudden Deſtruction ſhall come upon you, as Travail upon a Woman with Child, and ye ſhall not eſcape! Why ſleep ye Sinners on the Top of a Maſt, in the Midſt of the Sea? why are ye thus ſecure, on the Brink of Death and Hell? For God's Sake awake, before it be too late, before GOD forſakes you, before Death graſps you in its Iron Arms, before the DEVIL drags you to the infernal Furnace; before ye hear the Groans of the Damned, and the Fire of Hell flaſhes in your Faces: What meaneſt thou, O Sleeper, ariſe, call upon thy God, if ſo be he will pity thee, that thou periſh not! Pray to God to awaken thee, and think often on Death, Judgment, and Hell! But,

2. FROM this Subject we may learn, the encouraging Situation of the Convinced; there is now Hope of your Converſion and Salvation; I know you are apt to be diſcouraged, and to think it was never ſo bad with you as now, and that there never was any Body like you; you are very much miſtaken, it is better with you now than ever, for you are in the Way to Mercy, and Millions have been in this Caſe before you: See Chriſt takes particular Notice of you, he envites and encourages you, Mat. 11.28. Repent and believe the Goſpel; God's Mercy is high, above your Thoughts, the Grace of Chriſt is inexpreſſibly rich and free; do not be kept from believing, by the Greatneſs and Number of your Sins, or becauſe you have not had ſuch deep Diſtreſs as ſome others; remember, that tho' your Iniquities be as Crimſon and Scarlet, be will make them white as Snow, as ſoon as ye believe. AMEN.

THE two Heads that I am now to diſcourſe upon, according to the Order before propoſed, are theſe, viz. 1, To explain the Nature of Converſion: And, 2. To repreſent its Neceſſity. And,

1. THE NATURE of CONVERSION, may be thus deſcribed, viz. that it is a gracious Renewing of fallen Man, for Chriſt's Sake, after the moral Image of GOD, whereby the ſeveral Powers and Paſſions of the Soul, have new Qualities infuſed, and free and general Tendencies towards God and divine Things, as their Element and Center; the Effect of which is, a Converſation agreeable to the Goſpel of CHRIST. Our firſt Parents were made after the Image of God, which conſiſts in Knowledge, Righteouſneſs, and Holineſs (Gen. 1.27. Ecle. 7.29.) a univerſal Rectitude poſſeſſed the whole Soul, with all its Powers and Paſſions, the Mind with Eaſe and Certainty, apprehended what God required; the Will complied with the Directions of the Mind without Reluctance, and the lower Paſſions were obedient to both; thus harmonious was Man in his firſt State. But the Apoſtacy of our firſt Parents, in violating the Covenant of Works, broke the aforeſaid Harmony, and introduced ſuch a Depravity into the human Soul, as has both corrupted and miſplaced all its Faculties; the Mind is blinded, the Will obſtinate, and the Affections confuſed, either fixed upon ſinful Objects, or carried towards lawful ones immoderately: The Will, a blind Power, uſurps the Underſtandings Place, to direct and rule the Soul, and enforces its arbitrary Dictates by a tyrannical Authority, which is very perilous. The Veſſel muſt certainly be in great Danger, when a blind and furious Man has the Direction of the Helm in a Tempeſt.

NOW Converſion is a Renewing us after the Image of GOD, not the Phyſical, conſiſting in the ſpiritual Nature of the Soul, for that we never loſt, elſe our Souls muſt be anihilated; not the Political, conſiſting in Dominion over the lower Creation; Power over other Creatures, is no Doubt a valuable Privilege, but in the mean Time, no Part of a gracious Change, which may and often does Subſiſt without it; it is therefore the moral Image of GOD, we are renewed after by Converſion, conſiſting in a Reſemblance of God's moral and communicable Perfections, which are repreſented in, and recommended by the moral Law, the invariable Scale of Action. Converſion brings back the ſeveral Powers of the Soul from the Ruins of our Apoſtacy, and reſtores them in ſome Meaſure, to their primitive Beauty, Order, and Harmony, for hereby the Mind is enlightned and enthroned, the Will made pliant, and the Affections rectified. The firſt moving Cauſe of this bleſſed Change, is the mere Mercy of GOD; We are born not of the Will of the Fleſh, nor of the Will of Man, but of God? it is not by Works of Righteouſneſs that we have done, but according to his Mercy he ſaved us, by the waſhing of Regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghoſt (Tit. 3.5.) the deſerving Cauſe, is the Blood of Chriſt, Tit. 3.6. The Apoſtle ſpeaking of Regeneration, in the preceeding Verſe, ſays, Which he ſhed on us abundantly, through Jeſus Chriſt our Saviour; and hence we are ſaid to be waſhed from our Sins in his Blood; had he not laid down his Life for Sinners, they never would be renewed. The inſtrumental Cauſe, is the Word of God, 1 Pet. 1.23. Being born again, not of corruptible Seed, but of Incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever; and hence we are informed, that Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. The efficient Cauſe, is the holy Spirit, and therefore it is called the Renewing of the Holy Ghoſt; becauſe by his Influence, he convinces and converts the Sinner from the Evil of his Ways, to the Wiſdom of the Juſt; without his Operation, neither Law nor Goſpel, however faithfully diſpenſed, will have any ſaving Effect upon the Souls of Men, the dry Bones will never ſhake: Come therefore from the four Winds, O Breath, and breathe upon the Slain, that they may live. The final Cauſe ſubordinate, is Holineſs of Life; We are created in Chriſt Jeſus unto good Works, that we may walk in them; before we are converted, we cannot do any good Works, we are therefore created anew for this very End, that we may do them: But the final Cauſe ſupream, is the Glory of God's Grace, Eph. 1.3, 6. Bleſſed be the God and Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who hath bleſſed us with all ſpiritual Bleſſings in Chriſt, to the Praiſe of the Glory of his Grace; he pitied and loved us in our Blood, when we were Objects of Loathing and Abhorrence, and bid us live; O glorious, O amazing, pure, rich, and ſovereign Grace! But in order to open the important Point under Conſideration, more particularly and fully, let us take a tranſient View of the ſeveral Qualities infuſed into the different Powers of the Soul, and the conſequent Change upon them, or good Tendencies thereby produced. I call them Qualities, to ſignify that the Eſſence of the Soul ſtill remains the ſame, both before and after Converſion; the Almighty by this Change, does not Form a new Soul, as to Subſtance, but only infuſes new and different Qualities or Diſpoſitions, by which the Soul's Powers generally and freely incline to different Objects, from what they did before: Theſe Qualities are that Principle of ſpiritual LIFE, that is inſtantaniouſly communicated at Converſion, which the ſacred Scriptures inform us, is a Quickning of the Dead: As natural Life to which this alludes, is a fixed, abiding Principle of Action, and ſpreads its Influence through the whole Frame, this does ſo likewiſe, and hence our Saviour obſerves, that he that drinks of this Water, ſhall never thirſt again; i. e. ſo as before, after the Things of this Life, but they ſhall be in him as a Well of Waters, ſpringing up to eternal Life. Not like a Land Flood, which is ſoon dried up by the Summer Heat, or frozen by the Winter Cold, but like a living Fountain, whoſe Waters do not fail, but are both free and permanent: To the ſame Purpoſe, the Converted are ſaid to be Partakers of the divine Nature (1 Pet. 1.4.) i. e. of holy Diſpoſitions, reſembling the divine Nature, in regard both of Purity and Permanency; their good Diſpoſitions are not a tranſient Flaſh, but an abiding, pious Temper of Soul, as it were another Nature: To the ſame Purpoſe, are theſe Words of the Apoſtle (John 1. Eph. 3.9.) Whoſoever is born of God, doth not commit Sin (does not go on in a Courſe of Sin) for his Seed remaineth in him. Now the good Qualities infuſed at Converſion are, eſpecially theſe following, viz. (1.) Light in the Mind; as natural Light was one of the firſt Things produced in the old Creation (Gen. 1.3.) ſo ſpiritual Light is one of the firſt in the New, 2 Cor. 4.6. (2.) Pliableneſs in the Will, to follow the Guidance of the enlightned Mind; the Necks of Sinners, by Nature are an Iron Sinnew, and their Brow, Braſs; but the Almighty makes his People a willing People, in the Day of his Power. (3.) Order and Harmony among the Affections, in following the Leadings of the Mind and Will, on which Account the Spouſe is ſaid to be all glorious within. (4.) Tenderneſs in the Conſcience, when it is purged from dead Works (Heb. 9.14.) it rebukes for ſmall Offences; David's Heart ſmote him, becauſe he had cut off Saul's Skirt, 1 Sam. 24.5. and excites to beware of ſmall Sins, as well as great, yea, to beware of Temptations to Evil, and the very Appearance of it; the burnt Child dreads the Fire; it ſtirs up thoſe that have it, to exert their utmoſt Labour and Vigilance, to keep clear of Offence towards God and Man, Acts 24.16. whereas the Conſciences of the Unconverted in general, are large, ſecure, and moſtly ſilent, unleſs when they commit groſs and notorious Crimes; for to them that are undefiled and unbelieving, is nothing pure, but even their Mind and Conſcience is defiled. (5.) Retention of divine Things in the Memory; the converted Perſon loves the Sayings of JESUS, more than formerly, and therefore Endeavours more to lay them up in the Cabinet of his Memory; Thy Word have I bid in my Heart, ſays the Pſalmiſt, That I might not Sin againſt thee, Pſ. 119.11. It is true, the Grace of GOD does not change the natural, but moral Weakneſs of human Nature, for its Deſign is not to heal the Body, but the Soul; and therefore a Perſon may be much advanced in Holineſs, and yet have but a weak Memory; yet as the Grace of God aſſiſts our Apprehenſion of Foundation Truths, and fixes our Love upon them, it muſt of Conſequence make us deſirous to retain them, and grieved when we do not, ſo that we are like to remember more of them than of any Thing elſe. I now proceed to conſider the Change in the principal Powers of the Soul, viz. The Underſtanding, Will, and Affections, which is the conſequent of, and promoted by the gracious Principles of ſpiritual Life, infuſed at Converſion. And,

1. THE UNDERSTANDING is changed in its Views of Things, Aſſent to them, and Eſtimate concerning them; now he ſees the loathſome and abominable Nature of Sin, ſo as to bewail it with Bitterneſs as for a Firſtborn, and groan for Deliverance from it, with the Apoſtle, O wretched Man that I am, who ſhall deliver me from this Body of Sin and Death! He ſees with Affection the tranſcendent Excellency and peerleſs Beauty of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who is now to him, as the Apple Tree among the Trees of the Wood, as the Roſe of Sharon, and the Lilly of the Vallies; his Name is as Ointment poured forth, and his Garments ſmell of Myrrh, Alloes, and Caſſia! He ſees in a ſtrong Point of Light, the Beauty of Holineſs; that inward Purity, and outward Circumſpection, which he before imagined to be needleſs Preciſeneſs, he now looks upon to be neceſſary and lovely; he perceives ſtriking Charms in Humility, and honeſt Zeal for God, which he never ſaw before! (2.) The Mind yields a new Aſſent to them, not grounded upon Conjecture, Opinion, or hiſtorical Credit; but upon the Application of divine Truths to the Soul, by the holy Spirit, whereby ſuch pious Impreſſions are made, as convince him of their divine Original; thus the natural Atheiſm of his Heart is healed, and he induced to yield a full and firm Aſſent to the abſolute Certainty of revealed Religion; he has a Witneſs within himſelf, that it is no cunningly deviſed Fable, but true, as God is Truth; his Views of Things, and Aſſent to them, being altered, it naturally follows; (3.) That the Eſtimate will be altered likewiſe, for that is formed according to the Apprehenſion we have of the Nature, Moment, and Certainty of Things, and the Temper and Character of Perſons: Formerly he uſed to think that Converſion was but a mere Whim of ſome melancholly, enthuſiaſtical People, but now he ſees it to be of abſolute Neceſſity, and that notwithſtanding of all his good Meanings, Words, and Works, which he uſed to think would do great Matters, he muſt periſh without it: Communion with God he now values, as the Life and Soul of Religion, which before he uſed to think was either needleſs, or enthuſiaſtical▪ and dangerous: That noble Zeal for God, that is ready to run any Riſque for his Honour and Kingdom, which he formerly reckoned imprudent Raſhneſs, now he judges to be amiable and heroic! and on the Contrary, trimming according to the Cuſtoms of Times and Places, in Matters of Religion, with deſign to get Credit among the Ungodly, and ſleep in a whole Skin, which he was wont to call Prudence, he now judges to be ſneaking Cowardice, and ſelfiſh Craft! Formerly he verily believed that Happineſs conſiſted in Abundance, and therefore he faithfully ſought it, for that End; but now he finds his Faith to be a Falacy, and that Perſons may be perfectly miſerable, in the Midſt of Affluence! which can no more ſatisfy the Mind, than Wind and Gravel the Stomach; he therefore, with Moſes, eſteems Reproach for Chriſt, to be greater Riches than the Treaſures of Egypt, the Treaſures of the Univerſe (Heb. 11.26.) the truly Pious, whom he uſed to reckon, at beſt, but a ſilly Sort of People, if not Enthuſiaſts and Hypocrites, and therefore deſpiſed them; now he values as the moſt wiſe and excellent in the Earth. Farther, the Mercy and Goodneſs of God, from whence he encouraged himſelf in Sin and Security, he now ſees and feels to be the greateſt Incentive to Holineſs! But to proceed,

2. THE WILL is changed in the following Reſpects, viz. (1.) In its Inclinations and Tendencies, theſe bend towards God, in Chriſt, freely and generally, as a Center, from an inward and powerful Principle of Life (John 4.14.) his Will has an unconſtrained and conſtant Motion, even when outward Enforcements are taken away; becauſe it acts from an inward and vital Cauſe (Pſ. 119.112.) but the pious Tendencies of the Unconverted are conſtrained, and therefore inconſtant, ſome of them under the Views of Eternity, or ſome other Affliction, have weak Motions of the Will towards God (Pſ. 78.34.) but when the Proſpect of Danger is removed, the Motions ceaſe, like that of a Clock when the Spring is taken away. (2.) The Will is changed in its Choice, its principal Acts are Aſſent or Diſſent, theſe are the Hinges upon which it exerts its receptive or excluſive Powers, according to its Love or Diſlike to the Object propoſed; now before Converſion, the Sinner thinks the Terms upon which Chriſt is offered too ſevere, and therefore diſlikes them, and rejects him; they will not come to him, that they might have Life; yea, they keep him without the Door of their Hearts, till his Head is wet with the Dew, and his Locks with the Drops of the Night! but the regenerate Perſon, after having deliberately conſidered the Terms upon which Chriſt and his Benefits are offered to him, freely and fully conſents to them with his Will, and ſo receives the Son of God as his Prophet, Prieſt, and King, yea as his everlaſting All in All; and is hereby actually inſtated in all the precious Purchaſe of his Blood, John 1.12. (3.) It is changed in its Deſigns and Aims, which are now very different from what they were before: While in a State of Security, his Deſigns and Purpoſes were for Sin and Self, but now they are for God and his Soul; now he labours as much to get his Affections dead'ned to the World, as he did before to get great Poſſeſſions in it; now with a ſingle Eye he aims at the Glory of GOD, as his chief Mark in all his Purſuits, and with an anxious Heart, often contrives what Meaſures he ſhall take to honour him, and promote the deſpiſed, but truly noble Intereſts of his Kingdom! The Purpoſes of the Unregenerate reſpecting Religion, are weak, partial, and future; they do but half reſolve to ſerve God, and that not at preſent, but in ſome future Point of Time; nor do they reſolve to forſake all Sin, and perform all Duty, but only ſome, ſuch as are conſiſtent with their Credit, Eaſe, and Intereſt: But the reſolves of the Converted are ſtrong, impartial, and preſent; his Determination is full and firm to forſake all Sin immediately, without a Moment's Delay, and to perform every Duty required, by divine Help, though it ſhould coſt him his Life!

3. THE AFFECTIONS of the Soul are changed, viz. Love, Deſire, Delight, Sorrow, Fear, and Hatred, in reſpect of their Objects and Tendencies; and (1.) The bleſſed God, his People, Laws, Image, and Ordinances, are the Objects of his Love; the ſupream Affection of the Converted is fixed on God, in Chriſt, as their higheſt Good and laſt End, as their compleat ſatisfying, and everlaſting Portion! Lam. 3.24. This Love is ſtrong as Death, which all the Waters of Affliction, Reproach and Oppoſition, can never quench, but are rather as Oil, which makes its dormant Fire break forth into a ſtronger Flame! they love the Perſons they once deſpiſed, and pity thoſe they once admired; nor do they reliſh their Company when they are near God; but the Saints appear to them amiable, vaſtly preferable to all others, however low and mean they are in outward Reſpects, and how much ſoever they are deſpiſed. (2.) The Deſires of the Regenerate run for the moſt Part, and in the higheſt Degree, in a ſpiritual Channel. They

Frequently long after Communion with, and Conformity to God, in Chriſt, here, and the full Enjoyment of him hereafter, from a Sight of his Beauty and Excellency; to this Purpoſe, the Pſalmiſt ſpeaks in the following affectionate Language, My Soul followeth hard after thee, my Heart and Fleſh cry out for the living God! (3.) Their chief Delight is in Chriſt, a Bundle of Myrrh is my Beloved unto me, I ſat under his Shadow with great Delight, and his Fruit was ſweet to my Taſte: Whereas before Converſion, their Deſires were chiefly and generally fixed either upon the Honours, Profits, or Pleaſures of the preſent World; and conſequently their chief Delight placed in them. (4.) Their Sorrow is alſo changed, as to its Objects; they were wont in their carnal and ſecure State, to mourn about worldly Loſſes and Diſappointments, that either they could not acquire or keep ſuch a Quantity of worldly Subſtance, as their greedy Deſires longed for; or their Sorrow principally terminated upon the Loſs of their Credit, Relations, or Friends; but now they chiefly mourn over their own and others Sins, the Abſence of God, their Unfruitfulneſs in Religion, and the low State of it in the World; for he that is born of the Spirit, is Spirit, ſaith our Saviour, i. e. he is ſpiritual in the Governing Frame and Temper of his Soul, and in the general Courſe of his Affections and Paſſions. The Affections are indeed the Pulſe of the Soul, by which we may know ſome Thing of its Temper and State, as we may of the Body by the Pulſe. (5.) The Converted fear to offend God, even in the leaſt Things, they are afraid of the very Appearance of Evil (1 Theſ. 5.22.) when tempted they are apt to ſpeak in Joſeph's Language, how ſhall I do this Wickedneſs and Sin againſt God; they ſee the Baſeneſs, and feel the Bitterneſs of Sin, and therefore fear it; and, (6.) As they fear, ſo they hate it univerſally and implacably, and cannot at any Time fall in Love with it as formerly; I hate every falſe Way▪ ſaith the Pſalmiſt: The Apoſtle likewiſe informs us, that he who committeth Sin is of the Devil, i. e. he who goes on in a Courſe of known Sin allowedly, is a Child of the Devil; whoſoever is born of God, doth not commit Sin; why? becauſe his Seed remaineth in him, i. e. he has a fixed Principle of Holineſs, which inclines him to hate and ſhun a Courſe of Iniquity. Now a neceſſary EFFECT of the aforeſaid Change, upon the ſeveral Powers and Paſſions of the Soul, is a Change in the Life; formerly they grovelled in the Earth like Moles, and, being of the World, they generally ſpeak of it, but now their Converſation is in Heaven, and their Speech eſpecially, when enlivened, is ſeaſoned with Salt, miniſtring Grace to the Hearers; they maintain a continual War with Sin, and ſincerely Labour not only to reſtrain the outward Act, but to crucify the Principle from which it flows, and to repreſs the firſt Motions of it, as well as to flee from the very Appearance of Evil; being diffident of their own Strength, and afraid to offend their God: They that are Chriſt's, ſays the Apoſtle to the Galatians, have crucified the Fleſh, with its Affections and Luſts. I was alſo upright before him, ſaith the Pſalmiſt, I kept myſelf from mine Iniquity! Pſ. 18.23. I now proceed to the

2. GENERAL HEAD propoſed, which was to repreſent the NECESSITY of CONVERSION, in order to Salvation: This Neceſſity appears to be abſolute, with the ſtrongeſt Glare of Light, from the united Teſtimony of Reaſon and Revelation. And,

1. REASON informs us, that Harmony and Pleaſure ſpring from the Suitableneſs between the Object and Faculty, and Diſcord and Pain from the Contrary; now what Harmony and Pleaſure can be expected by the Unconverted, even in HEAVEN itſelf, if they had the Misfortune to be brought there in their preſent State, ſeeing the Happineſs thereof is Spiritual, and they in their preſent State Carnal; the Contrariety between which, is as great as between Fire and Water, Light and Darkneſs, Life and Death: But that this melancholly Contraſt may be more diſtinctly diſcerned, and more ſenſibly felt, let us take a tranſient Survey of future Happineſs, in its ſeveral Parts, viz. its Objects, Subjects, Enjoyments, Buſineſs, and Duration. The OBJECT, viz. the bleſſed GOD, you that are unconverted, have a fixed Enmity againſt, and that becauſe of his Holineſs, the Beauty of his Attributes, and the Glory of his Nature, Rom. 8.7. The SUBJECTS of it, the Saints, you hate for the ſame Reaſon, an Enmity is fixed between the Seed of the Woman, and the Seed of the Serpent (Gen. 3.15.) now what Comfort can you have in Nearneſs to, and Converſe with ſuch? The ENJOYMENTS of Heaven, viz. the Viſion of God, Communion with him, and Conformity to him, you have a Temper of Heart directly contrary to, the near and conſtant View of your almighty Enemy, when all Hope of obtaining his Friendſhip expires, would create a great Diſguſt, and inſupportable Terror! and having no Principle of ſpiritual Life, you can have no reliſh for the proper Food thereof, the Love of God; and as for Holineſs, it is the Object of your Indignation (as was before obſerved) and in this you imitate the Nature of Devils! Nor is the Buſineſs of Heaven, viz. to praiſe God, and converſe with Angels and Saints, more agreeable to your Taſte; for what Pleaſure can there be in Praiſe without Love? and what Delight in converſing with thoſe you hate, and that upon the diſagreeable Subject of Religion, Religion! and indeed the perpetual Duration of this Happineſs, is the moſt dreadful and diſtreſſing Ingredient in it to the Unregenerate; if it laſted but for a Day or ſo, it might be born with, though with a good deal of Difficulty and Uneaſineſs; but that it ſhould laſt for ever, without any Hope of Relief, is a ſhocking Thought! to be obliged to behold an almighty incenſed Enemy for ever, without ſo much as Liberty to fly from his Preſence, for the leaſt Space of Time, is dreadful! to converſe with the deſpiſed Saints, a little now and then, about divine Things, even in this World, eſpecially if they have much of the Spirit and Savour of Piety, and deal faithfully with you, is a Burden which moſt of you dread, and therefore ſhun as much as you can; and when you can get handſomely clear of them, and come among your own Company, you are in your own Element, you breath freely and rejoice! how then could you endure to be among them for ever in Heaven, when they are made much more, diſagreeable to you, I mean holy and zealous, and converſe almoſt continually of that Religion, which you are ſo frequently ſick of now; and together therewith praiſe God, without a Moment's Intermiſſion, throughout a vaſt Eternity, without the leaſt Liberty to get among thoſe of your own Kidney, and talk about your Beloved, the World, even for one Moment? how intollerable would this be? juſt like the Invention of the Tyrant Mezentius, to tie a dead Man to a Living! As to Communion with God, you do not underſtand it, and therefore do not really deſire it now (whatever you may pretend) becauſe according to the Proverb (Ignoti nulla Cupido) Of an unknown Thing there is no Deſire; and how then ſhould you deſire it in Heaven? nay, many of the Unconverted are ſtrongly prejudiced againſt it, and therefore give it bad Names, ſuch as Enthuſiaſm, Diſorder, Diſtraction, and what not that is bad: The dry Form of Religion, you may poſſibly make a Shift to endure, but the Power and Spirit of it you cannot away with, it is an Abomination (to you.) Now what comfort can you have in the Thoughts either of being made an eternal Phanatic, againſt your Wills, or the Companion of ſuch for ever, whom ſome of you ſincerely contemn! That which ſtill bears harder upon you, if poſſible, is the Employment of Heaven, viz. praiſing God. As to public Worſhip in this Life, though Education, Cuſtom, and a hiſtorical Faith, may make ſome of you bear with a little of it tollerably, in caſe the Weather and Ways be good, and the preciſe Minute be duly obſerved, but if the uſual Minute be a little tranſgreſſed, then all is out of Joint; there is great Uneaſineſs, great Longing for the laſt Word, which is reckoned by far the beſt that was ſpoken, and great Gladneſs after the Diſmiſſion of the Aſſembly, that you have once more got happily clear of this Bondage, this Confinement of worſhiping God, and have returned to a Buſineſs you like better! but pray are regular Folks, of ſuch puney Stomachs, fit to go to Heaven? or do you think to go there, and have any comfort? if ſo, it is amazing; if you grow tired of a few Hours Worſhip in this Life, how will you bear to be tied to it, for Millions of Millions of Ages, and not have one ſpare Moment for the Buſineſs you love? O pitious Caſe! in Heaven there is nothing at all ſuited to your preſent Temper, no worldly Riches to pleaſe your earthly Inclinations, no wanton Dalliances to gratify your brutiſh Deſires, no Parraſites to flatter your Vanity, none of the Seed of the Serpent to feed your Envy againſt God and his People, nothing but ſpiritual and holy Exerciſes and Entertainments, in which, for the want of a pious Principle, you can have no more reliſh, than the Blind in Pictures, the Deaf in Muſick, or Brutes in the Mathematicks! you would be grated with its Harmony, ſad and ſorrowful in the Midſt of all its Joys, and perfectly tired with its inceſſant Devotions, as well as terrified with the Proſpect of their perpetual Continuance! in this diſagreeable and diſtreſſing Situation, where you have nothing to your liking, you would long to be out from among a Company, and from Employments you never liked, and get into your own Element, and among your own Company! that you might have a little Liberty, and not be continually plagued with Religion; and ſeeing you could not get them any where elſe but in Hell, you would try to fly there for ſome Shelter, for ſome Comfort, after ſo much Sorrow and Trouble! and though HELL be a Place of terrible Torment, yet even there you would find ſome Mixture of comparative Comfort, for there you would be entirely delivered from converſing with thoſe you hate, and from the diſagreeable Exerciſes of Holineſs; there you would find Spirits of your own Complexion, and there you may without controul, in conſort with them, give free and full Vent to all your Reſentments againſt God, his Ways, and People for ever! thus it appears plainly, that Happineſs for you, in your preſent State, even in Heaven itſelf, is impoſſible, from the very Nature of Things, according to the Dictates of Reaſon, and common Senſe; and that either GOD, or you, muſt have your Natures changed, or you cannot agree together, and of Conſequence cannot be happy in the Enjoyment of each other. But,

2. To the Teſtimony of Reaſon, Revelation gives its Suffrage; by informing us that we are by Nature in a corrupted State, John 3.6. and likewiſe that we are condemned both by the Law, and by the Goſpel, for violating the one, and refuſing the Offers of the other (Gal. 3.10. Mark 16.16.) it cannot be that any unconverted Perſon has Faith of a ſaving Kind, for that would Change his Heart and Practice, Gal. 5.6. Now there never was any Way opened to Heaven, but theſe two, viz. by the Works of the Law, and by the Goſpel, both which are ſhut up to the Unregenerate: That God, who is abſolute Lord of his own Treaſures, and can diſpenſe them to his Creatures, upon what Terms he pleaſes, has by poſitive Conſtitution made Converſion, or Holineſs, which are but different Words for the ſame Thing, of abſolute Neceſſity to Salvation, John 3.3. Jeſus anſwered and ſaid unto him, verily, verily, I ſay unto thee, except a Man be born again, he cannot ſee the Kingdom of God. Heb. 12.14. Without Holineſs no Man ſhall ſee the Lord; without this, neither Circumciſion, nor Uncircumciſion, will avail any Thing to Salvation (Gal. 6.15.) and indeed, it may be with Juſtice aſſerted, that Converſion has ſuch a Relation to, and Connection with future Happineſs, that it is but a Part, or Beginning of it, differing only in Degree and Duration, from the Happineſs of Heaven; for what is that, but the Perfection of the Graces, formed and infuſed in this Life, and the Continuance and Perfection of that Communion with God, and religious Worſhip which is here begun, ſome Circumſtances excepted? The good Man moſt certainly begins his Heaven upon Earth, and finiſhes there what is imperfect here.

BUT it is Time to proceed to ſome brief IMPROVEMENT of this very important Subject; ſeeing the Matter is of ſo great Moment and Neceſſity, upon which our Comfort and Safety, in both World's depend; it is therefore highly Neceſſary, to examine with Speed, Care, and Impartiality, the preſent State of our Souls, by comparing our Experiences in Religion with what has been already ſaid in this Diſcourſe, concerning the Nature of a gracious Change, upon the ſeveral Powers and Paſſions of the Soul, together with the conſequent Reformation upon the outward Conduct. It is true, in the preceeding Sermon, I ſhewed that there may be ſome Alteration made upon ſome, or all the Faculties of the Unregenerate; but that is very defective, and very different from the Change which I have been now diſcourſing of, as may appear to every Eye, by the following Hints (which I offer, to prevent truly pious Perſons from being diſtreſſed, without juſt Cauſe, reſpecting the State of their Souls) e. g. the Light in their Minds puffs up, and is attended with Sloth, whereas the other habitually humbles the Soul, and excites to practical Holineſs. The Reſolutions of the Wills of the Unregenerate, are not humble, preſent, fixed, and thorough; they are not fully determined to forſake every Sin, and to do every Duty; No! they except Conſtitution Sins, and ſuch Duties as are unfaſhionable, difficult, and dangerous to Fleſh and Blood; but it is the very reverſe with the Regenerate: The Will of the Unconverted, not being thoroughly turned from Sin and Self-righteouſneſs to God, in Jeſus Chriſt, makes a Flaw in the Marriage Contract, and ſo ruins all! But the Regenerate being ſlain by the Law, are honeſt, and have no reſerve in their Cloſure with the Redeemer, but gladly accept of him, as the Gift of God, in all his Offices, under a deep Senſe of their abſolute Need of him in them all, with a full and firm Purpoſe, by his gracious Influence, to cleave to him and his Ways to the Death, though it ſhould coſt them never ſo dear. As to the Change in the Affections before expreſſed, this is obſervable, that they do not alter the governing Frame and habitual Temper of the Soul, and make it holy, humble, heavenly; whereas the other really does ſo, he that is born of the Fleſh, is Fleſh, and he that is born of the Spirit, is Spirit, ſaith our dear Lord. The Regenerate make Conſcience of their Thoughts, they likewiſe labour to preſerve the Savour of Religion in their Hearts, and to live by leaning on Chriſt; Sin is their chief Burden and Progreſs in Holineſs and Uſefulneſs, their chief Deſire in general, really and truly; but it is not ſo with the Unconverted, their Thoughts are ſuffered to run at random, nor do they mind the Savour of Piety, if they can but keep up the Form, they are likewiſe Strangers to daily living on the Offices of Chriſt, nor are they truly burdened with their Heart-Corruption, their Unprofitableneſs, and little Growth in Goodneſs; for their Religion is principally calculated for the Meridian of this World: The inward Part with them is a ſorry Thing, a mere Flaſh! let ſuch who have experienced this gracious Change deſcribed in this Sermon, rejoice in God, whatever your outward Situalion is, becauſe being by Converſion made his Children, in a ſaving Senſe, they may with Certainty expect all the Bowels and Aſſiſtance, which a Father ſhould 〈…〉 his Children in this Life, and an Inheritance of immenſe Value in the Life to come! Your Father has Wiſdom, Power, and Tenderneſs enough to confer upon you all that you do, and may need in Time and Eternity, and his Truth is in Pawn, that he will do it.

DEAR BRETHREN, let us therefore live Lives of Thankſgiving and Praiſe to the Glory of God, for this Work of his Grace in us, and all other Benefits we have and do receive from his bounteous Hands; in particular, let us glorify God, by a Life of Faith in his dear Son, and faithful Word; not ſtaggering at the Promiſe; by a Life of Love to his Majeſty, our heavenly Father, and to his Children, our Brethren; by a Life of Humility and Holineſs, Learning of Jeſus, to be meek and lowly in Heart; let us be Followers of God, as dear Children, and walk in Love, imitating the imitable Examples of our great and gracious Father, labouring to be holy, as he is holy, and merciful, as he is merciful: And as to the Unconverted, I beſeech you, by the Mercies of GOD, to pity your poor Souls, and to turn from your evil Ways to Jehovah ſpeedily; remember while you delay this, you are Murderers, Self-Murderers, Soul-Murderers, Self-Soul-Murderers, your Blood is upon your own Heads, your Deſtruction is the Fruit of your own Wickedneſs and Obſtinacy, in rejecting, againſt your own Souls, God's repeated Warnings and Invitations, and therefore it is but juſt that you ſhould periſh, and this you will be obliged to own at laſt, to God's Honour, and your own Shame; what unſpeakable Anguiſh will a Reflection upon this, cauſe in your Conſciences another Day, unleſs you ſpeedily repent and reform, before it be too late, too late? O! think often upon the inexpreſſible Dangers and Miſeries of your preſent Condition, cry to GOD earneſtly and frequently for converting Grace, attend with Seriouſneſs upon the Means appointed for that End; and, in particular, O hear now the gracious Call of God, in our Text, Turn ye, turn ye, from your evil Ways.— AMEN. AMEN.

IN the preceeding Verſes, we are told, that when a Watchman ſees the Sword come upon a Land, it is his Duty to blow the Trumpet, and warn the People; he muſt hear the Word at God's Mouth, and warn them from him; and then whoſoever heareth the Sound of the Trumpet, and taketh not Warning, if the Sword come and take him away, his Blood ſhall be upon his own Head; but he that taketh Warning ſhall deliver his Soul; but if the Watchman ſee the Sword come, and blow not the Trumpet, and the People be not warned, their Blood will be required at the Watchman's Hand; nevertheleſs, if the Watchman warn the Wicked of his Way, to turn from it, if he do not turn from his Way, he ſhall die in his Iniquity, but the Watchman has delivered his Soul! The People of Iſrael, inſtead of being humbled by the Judgments of God, and accuſing themſelves as the Cauſes thereof, murmured againſt God, and accuſed him of Unkindneſs and Injuſtice; they acknowledged that he had ſet Life before them, but in the mean Time alledged, that he had put it out of their Reach, had determined their Deſtruction, and therefore did but mock them by his Propoſals; they alſo plead that God's Ways were not equal, that he was partial in his Providences, and too ſevere! In anſwer to which unjuſt Cavils, the Prophet was ordered to aſſure them, in the moſt ſolemn Manner, that the Almighty had no Pleaſure in the Deſtruction of Sinners, but would rather they ſhould turn and live; and that in caſe they repented and reformed, he would readily accept of them, and prevent their ruin; but if they perſiſted in their Impiety, after all the Warnings given them, their ruin muſt be aſcribed to themſelves: Death is your own Choice, not mine, ſo long as you go on in the Way that leads to it, for whoſo ſinneth againſt me, wrongeth his own Soul; he that wilfully chooſeth Sin, and continues in the Practice of it, does interpretatively choſe Death, which is its Wages and Conſequence: It is therefore owing to your own wicked Will, and not my Reſolution, that ye die; for why will ye die, O Houſe of Iſrael? Theſe Words contain God's Lamentation over the People of Iſrael, and Expoſtulation with them; and (1.) The Almighty laments the unhappy Caſe of that ſinful People, who refuſed to be reclaimed, by all the Meaſures he took with them for that Purpoſe, both by his Prophets, and Providences; he, as it were, groans over them, in the moſt mournful Accents, O Houſe of Iſrael! as if he had ſaid, it grieves me to ſee thy approaching Ruin, O that thou hadſt known in this thy Day, the Things that belong to thy Peace, before they are hid from thine Eyes: How ſhall I give thee up Ephraim, how ſhall I make thee as Admah, how ſhall I ſet thee as Zeboim; my Heart is turned within me, my Relentings are kindled together! Speaking after the Manner of Men, the Almighty feels a ſtrong and tender Reluctance in his Bowels, when he is about to give up with a ſinful People, who profeſs his Name, and whoſe Predeceſſors have been eminent in his Love and Service: Is it not affecting to hear the glorious God himſelf thus addreſſing, thus lamenting over ungrateful, worthleſs Impenitents? O Houſe of Iſrael! Woe to us, we are harder than Iron, than Adamant, if the Groans, and repeated Intreaties of a God, do not pierce and perſwade our very Souls! (2.) JEHOVAH expoſtulates with Tranſgreſſors, why will ye die? q. d. why do ye choſe your own Ruin, By walking in the Way of Impiety, that leads to, and iſſues in it? are not Sin and Puniſhment bound together, by ſuch Chains as nothing but Repentance and Reformation can break? is there any Thing in Sin that will Ballance the Loſs you are like to ſuſtain by it? why then do you court Deſtruction, without a Covering? why are you bent upon your own Ruin? what Apology can you form for your Impenitence? will you be your own Murderers, and imbrue your Hands in your own Blood, after ſo much Pains have been taken with you? what mean you poor Creatures, by your preſent Conduct? why are you ſo infatuated, will you defy Omnipotence, and ſlight all the Riches and Condeſcenſions of my Patience and Goodneſs? have you made a Covenant with Death, an Agreement with Hell? who can ſcreen you from my Indignation, or are you quite Regardleſs of it? have you ſeriouſly conſidered the Terrors of a temporal and eternal Death, that you ſeem ſo fond of them, ſo determined to obtain them, by your unkind, unreaſonable, and cruel Conduct, in giving a deaf Ear to all the Allurements and Alarms of my Word and Providence; whatever your deceitful Hearts ſuggeſt to the Contrary, you ſhall die if you perſiſt in your Iniquities; your Dependencies, Projects, and Attempts, however promiſing, will fail you? you ſhall be diſtreſſed and ruined, as a Nation plucked up by the very Roots; for I am forming Evil againſt you, and deviſing a Device againſt you? you ſhall be divorced as a Church, I will not own you any more in that Relation, becauſe you have behaved unworthy of it, backſliden with a perpetual Backſliding, and refuſe to return; unleſs you repent and reform, you ſhall be utterly deprived of your preſent Plenty and Liberty, both civil and religious, which you have ungratefully abuſed, to Pride and Luxury, to Lukewarmneſs and Profaneneſs, and be ſubject, you and your Deſcendants, to a foreign Yoke; there you ſhall groan under Poverty and Oppreſſion, during the wretched remains of a Life that is worſe than Death; or if faithful to your Religion, in Exile, ſuffer for it; there you will hang your ſilent Harps upon the Willows, and deplore your Loſs of the Solemnities you now deſpiſe and neglect! O Sirs, have ye no regard to your Religion and Liberty, no regard to the Church and Nation, no regard to your Honours, Eſtates, Lives, and to the Lives of your dear Deſcendants and Relatives? if you have, ſhew it, by turning to the God from whom ye have ſtrayed, ſincerely and ſpeedily, otherwiſe your ſpecious Declarations are but Hypocriſy and Mockery; but God will not be mocked, he that ſows to the Fleſh, ſhall of the Fleſh reap Corruption; Turn ye, turn ye, why will ye die? O Proteſtants, O Briton's, O Inhabitants of Philadelphia! God is certainly angry with our poor ſinful Nation, ſee how our Counſels are turned backwards, ſee the dreadful Scandal which the righteous GOD has poured upon our Arms, by Sea and Land; Arms by Sea, which we have as vainly as wickedly boaſted of, and truſted in, as though they could ſcreen us from the Vengeance of God himſelf; blaſphemous Vanity! ſee our important Fortreſſes baſely betrayed, partly by Cowardice, and partly by Indolence and Treachery, into the Hands of our cruel Enemies, who laugh at us, and inſult over our divided State, our weak Meaſures, or our ſluggiſh and cowardly Execution of good ones; you ſee the Sword is drawn and bathed in the Blood of our Countrymen, how awfully is the little Skirt or Peninſula we poſſeſs, along the Sea Shore, upon this Continent, begirt by a bold, vigilant and active Enemy, who are determined, with the prodigious Tribe of their Confederates, united as one Man, under an abſolute Government, to drive us entirely out of this Country, or ſubject us to their Papal Yoke? And have they not made large Strides to compaſs their Deſign? If different Meaſures be not taken by us, and differently executed before long, is not our Caſe in a Manner deſperate? And Sirs, our Danger is increaſed, by the late unnatural and awful Combination formed againſt divers Proteſtant Powers in Europe, to which they are no Match; and yet notwithſtanding of this gathering Storm, though our Land and Nation tremble, and total Ruin haſtens towards us, many are ſecure and ſtupid! what are our Fleets and Armies, except we repent and reform, but a mere Bubble? Let us then turn to God, if we have any Regard to him, or to ourſelves; any Regard to our King, our Country, our Relations, Friends, Eſtates, Liberty, or to our Lives, and our Souls; and then we may expect Deliverance and Mercy: He will direct to proper Meaſures, and bleſs them; but without this, a Curſe and Blaſt will attend our Enterprizes! O therefore, Turn ye, turn ye, why will ye die?

BUT though the Words of our Text, primarily reſpect temporal and national Miſeries, yet they likewiſe intend ſpiritual and eternal; it is Sin that expoſes good Men to Deadneſs, and many other Miſeries in their Minds in this Life, and this expoſes the Impenitent to eternal Death in the next! Turn ye, turn ye, from your evil Ways, for why will ye die? From the Words I may obſerve this Propoſition, that perſiſting in Sin, is unreaſonable and ruining; now, in order to expoſe the Evil and Danger of this Practice, and perſwade to the Contrary, I ſhall, agreeable to the Form of the Text, propoſe ſome expoſtulatory Queries, which I beſeech you to give an attentive Ear to, as you will anſwer it at the Bar of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, in the Day of his appearing. And now moſt gracious GOD, and moſt merciful Father, aſſiſt me, thy unworthy Servant, to ſpeak as under thine Eye, and in thy Preſence, with a ſincere and ſtrong Deſire, that poor Sinners may come from their Wandrings to thy Majeſty! O! for Help to ſpeak as though I were never to ſpeak any more! bleſſed and dear Lord Jeſus Chriſt, ſend, O ſend thy holy Spirit, to ſet home, by almighty Influence, upon the Hearts of theſe thy People, what has been and may be delivered upon this Subject, that they may indeed turn from their evil Ways unto God, and be delivered from Ruin! And,

1. DOES not the Text I am diſcourſing on, plainly declare, that ſuch as do not turn to God, from the Evil of their Ways, ſhall die, i. e. not only be expoſed to innumerable Miſeries of Mind and Body in this Life, but to eternal Death in the next? For ſuch Tophet is prepared of old, the Fuel thereof is Fire and much Wood, the Breath of the Lord as a Stream of Brimſtone does kindle it; the Unregenerate ſhall not ſee God, but dwell for ever in a Furnace of Fire, where our Lord aſſures us, are weeping, and gnaſhing of Teeth! The Damned will then with Bitterneſs lament their Loſs of the Opportunities, and Abuſe of the Means of Salvation! a remembrance of the ſolemn Warnings, and earneſt Invitations they have had from the faithful Miniſters of Chriſt, will extort Tears from their Eyes, and Groans from their Hearts! when they conſider how they have rejected them! it will fill them with perpetual Indignation againſt themſelves, when they review the Pains they have taken to damn their Souls, againſt the repeated Remonſtrances of God and Man, as well as of their own Conſciences, and that they have ſold their Salvation for a Thing of Nought! if Men took as much Pains to be ſaved, as they do to be damned, they would probably ſucceed; if they ſet their Faces towards Zion now, and ſowed in Tears, they would reap in Joy; but in Hell their Sorrows are to no Purpoſe, they will be without Hope, and without End; O what would the Damned give for the Opportunities they once had, for the Seaſons you now have, and but lightly eſteem? O with what Vehemence would they improve them? hear how DIVES roars and groans, Luke 16. In Hell he lift up his Eyes, being in Torment, and cried, and ſaid, Father Abram, have Mercy on me, and ſend Lazarus that be may dip the Tip of his Finger in Water and cool my Tongue; for I am tormented in this Flame. That Wrath which the Damned feel, is infinite, continual, eternal; the Smoke of their Torments aſcends up for ever and ever, nor have they any reſt in the Night or Day; a Gulph is fixed between that awful Place, and the heavenly Paradiſe, which they can never paſs; after Millions of Ages are elapſed, their Miſery is but beginning; O Eternity, Eternity! how dreadful art thou? Here unregenerate People have many carnal Comforts, and pleaſe themſelves with a falſe Hope; but there they will be berieved of them all at once, and ſink in eternal Deſpair! O ſhocking Thought! is it not worth while, my Friends, to take the utmoſt Pains, and that without the leaſt Delay, to eſcape this Place of Torment?

2. WILL not eternal Life fully recompence all your Pains in queſt of it? Yes, ſurely; for Eye hath not ſeen, nor Ear heard, neither hath it entered into the Heart of Man to conceive the Things which God hath prepared for thoſe that Love him. In the heavenly Paradiſe, the Glorified ſee Jehovah as he is, are perfectly conformed to his Nature, fully enjoy his Love, and for ever celebrate his Praiſe; there they are eternally raviſhed with a naked View of the Beauty of the divine Attributes; before the tranſcendant Luſtre of this ſupream Excellency, the Sun, that glorious Orb of Light, is turned into Darkneſs, and the Moon into Blood; the Stars forget their Shining, the Beauty of Men and Angels fades as the Graſs, and appears as mere Deformity! O! the Glory of the bleſſed GOD is unparralleled, incomprehenſible, overcoming, eternal! a tranſient Glimpſe of it even in this Life, though through an obſcuring Medium, tranſports and transforms the Soul, and turns Earth into Heaven; what Effects then muſt the immediate and uninterrupted Viſion of this produce in a future State, where Sin and all the Sorrows it has introduced into this lower Globe, are for ever vaniſhed! the little we now perceive of the Wonders of Creation, Redemption, and Providence, affects our Minds with a pleaſing Admiration; but when all their Beauties will be at once and for ever opened to our View, with what Exſtaſies of Pleaſure, of the nobleſt Kind, ſhall our Souls be for ever entertained and ſatisfied? here much of the Wiſdom of Jehovah's Works is hid from the moſt curious Enquirer; here God covers with Darkneſs his Pavillion, and hides the Face of his Throne; his Foot-ſteps are often in the great Deep, and we cannot diſcern them; we ſee but a ſmall Sketch of the Plan of Providence, and therefore cannot diſcover the Connection of its various Parts, their ſecret Movements, perfect Harmony, and mutual Subſerviency to promote the grand Deſign of the whole Syſtem, notwithſtanding of their apparent Contrariety! an obſcure Emblem of which, we have in the Wheels of a Watch! here we are ſo wedded to the Law, and our Faith ſo weak, that our Apprehenſions of the inexpreſſible Freeneſs, Riches, and Glories of redeeming Grace, are at beſt but faint and obſcure; but in Heaven we ſhall ſee its amazing Immenceneſs, its Charms and Endearments, and be eternally raviſhed by the Sight! This, O this! will be the ſweet Subject of everlaſting Songs of Praiſe to God, and the Lamb that ſits upon the Throne! The ſocial Worſhip, and ſocial Converſe of the Church of the Firſt-born, being freed from all Defects, both natural and moral, muſt needs yield a Delight to us, in our preſent State of Darkneſs, inconceivable; but that which Crowns the Scene, is that it is eternal eternal; never will there be any Period to thoſe Enjoyments, or any Fear of it!

3. IS it not then exceeding Abominable, to delay your Converſion to GOD, whereby you are freed from dying eternally; and made meet for the Enjoyment of that great Salvation? a Salvation not only great beyond compare, beyond the utmoſt Force and Fire of Words, but vaſtly beyond the utmoſt Reach of a Creature's Thoughts; a great Salvation, not only in reſpect of the Suitableneſs and Value of the Benefits thereby poſſeſſed, but likewiſe on Account of the invaluable Price whereby they were purchaſed, the abſolute Freeneſs of their Communication to us, and immortal Duration! To Delay in a Matter of ſuch vaſt Moment, is diſhonourable to God, hurtful to others, and prejudicial to yourſelves? Hereby you are guilty of Rebelling againſt his awful and rightful Authority, who has made and preſerves you, and is the great Original of your Beings, and all your Benefits; he it is who holds the floating Breath in your Noſtrils, and in him you live and move; all the Good you have in Hand or Hope, entirely hangs on his ſovereign Pleaſure; this great God commands you to turn to him ſpeedily, without the leaſt Delay; To Day if ye will hear his Voice, harden not your Hearts; behold now is the accepted Time, behold now is the Day of Salvation? and will you confront his Authority, even when it is exerted to promote your beſt Intereſt? will you contemn the Majeſty of God, by prefering the Devil, the World, and your Luſts, before him, by obſerving their Commands firſt, and by giving them the Prime of your Strength and Years, what can be more baſe and degenerous? what to prefer the vileſt Evil, before the greateſt Good! to prefer the baſeſt Slave, the moſt cruel Tyrant, and malicious Murderer, before the great, the rightful Lord of the Univerſe! before the beſt, the moſt indulgent, and beneficent Maſter, Father, and Sovereign! You are alſo guilty of the moſt monſtrous and ungrateful Ingratitude, againſt the Mercy of God, in that inſtead of improving the Morning of Life, in the Service of its Author, you abuſe it to his Diſhonour, by acting the Part of Slaves, and Drudges to his and your implacable Enemy. Miſerable Souls, is this the Way you requite the good God, for all the innumerable, invaluable, and immerited Kindneſſes, he has without Intermiſſion ſhowered down upon you, from your infant Age, till now? has he been a barren Wilderneſs, or a Land of Drought to you? No! he has graciouſly made you a Sharon, a Sorek! for which of all his Kindneſſes do you thus treat him! O! has not Jehovah reaſon to complain of you, as of Iſrael of old, I have nouriſhed and brought up Children, and they have rebelled againſt me? Will ye thus forſake the Fountain of living Waters, and hew to yourſelves broken Ciſterns that can hold no Water! Give Ear, O ye Heavens, and I will ſpeak, and hear, O Earth, the Words of my Mouth, do ye thus requite the Lord, O fooliſh People, and unwiſe? is he not thy Father that hath bought thee, hath he not made thee, and eſtabliſhed thee? Farther,

DELAYING in a Matter of ſuch inexpreſſible Moment, is hurtful to Mankind, round about you, for what has a more pernicious and enſnaring Influence, than bad Example? by this you induce others to Sin, encourage them, and harden them in it, and thereby are like to bring them, and yourſelves with them to Deſtruction? in this State of Things, your Houſe inclines to Death, and your Paths to the Dead! the Companions of ſuch Fools ſhall be deſtroyed! Suppoſing you yourſelves ſhould be turned to God afterwards, which indeed is improbable, how could you perſwade thoſe you have debauched by your wicked Example, and perhaps Counſel added to it, to embrace that Piety, which they through your criminal Influence, have an inveterate Prejudice againſt? O! if you had any Love to the Souls of others, and particularly to thoſe of your dear Relations, would ye thus conſpire with the grand Enemy of Mankind, in procuring their eternal Damnation? what ſignifies your low, brutiſh Love to their Bodies, while you not only baſely neglect their noble Souls, but by your irreligious Example, cruelly corrupt and ruin them! O horrid Impiety! O murderous Madneſs and Cruelty! I add no more at preſent.

IN the preceeding Sermon, after repreſenting the indiſpenſable Neceſſity of a general Reformation of Manners, to ſave our Country and Nation from impending Ruin: I propoſed ſome expoſtulatory Queries, reſpecting the Unreaſonableneſs of perſiſting in Sin, and in particular laboured to ſhew the Baſeneſs of delaying Converſion, by obſerving that it is diſhonourable to God, hurtful to others, and prejudicial to yourſelves; the two former Particulars have been already ſpoken to.

I now proceeed to ſay, that Delays in the grand Buſineſs of Converſion, are peculiarly prejudicial to yourſelves, for they are contrary to the Practice of good People, inconſiſtent, diſingenous, fooliſh, and exceeding perilous. The Pſalmiſt's Practice was of a very different Kind, I made haſte, and delayed not, ſaid he, to keep thy Commandments. Farther,

A Purpoſe of defering Converſion and Repentance, is inconſiſtent with a Purpoſe to repent; becauſe it implies a Reſolution to continue in Sin for a Time, which is notorious Rebellion and Hypocriſy; and yet upon this Foundation, do many make their Conſciences eaſy, and hope for Happineſs; the Language of which Practice is, I will turn to God, when I have finiſhed Buſineſs of greater Conſequence, i. e. gratified my Luſts, or made an Eſtate; I'll ſerve God when I have got nothing elſe to do, or when I can hardly turn upon my Bed; ſhameful Speech! But the Apoſtle Peter informs us, that the primitive Penitents were not of this Caſt, no, the Time paſt of our Life, ſay they, may ſuffice us to have wrought the Will of the Gentiles; when we walked in Laciviouſneſs, Luſts, Exceſs of Wine, Revelings, Banquetings, and abominable Idolatries: It ſeems the Pagans had ſome ſuch Sort of Frollicks as our Dancing Aſſemblies; ay, but not in a Time of public Danger and Calamity; no, ſuch they abhorred, they were ſo far from encouraging them, that they diſapproved of a gay Dreſs, in a Time of public Mourning. Non eſt conveniens (ſaith one of them) Luctibus, ille color; But when they became Chriſtians, they quit them altogether, at all Times, and followed a very different Rule, viz. When they were merry they ſung Pſalms, and when ſorrowful they prayed! How very unworthy then are thoſe of the Chriſtian Name, nay how much are they ſunk below the Pagans, who in a Time of general Calamity, not only put on the gayeſt Dreſs, but even ſhameleſly go to dancing Frollicks, when a general Ruin ſeems to haſten towards their Country and Nation!

BUT deferring Converſion, is not only hypocritical, but diſingenuous; ſuppoſing you could be certain of obtaining it at laſt, it would be baſe and diſingenuous to treat the Almighty ſo, as it is not lawful to treat our fellow Creatures, and ſo as we would not have God to treat us, as the wiſe Man obſerves, we muſt not ſay to our Neighbour, go and come again, and To-morrow I will give, when thou haſt it by thee. Our Deſire of God, is that he would hear us immediately, Pſ. 102.2. Incline thine Ear unto me in the Day when I call, anſwer me ſpeedily; and ſhall we uſe Delays with our Sovereign, in a Matter of Life and Death? But if ye wilfully defer Converſion to the laſt, you are ſo far from a Certainty or Probability of obtaining Mercy, that there is great Hazard of being denied; conſider what God himſelf ſays upon this Head, Prov. 1.24,—28. Farther,

DELAYS in Matters of eternal Conſequence, are the Height of Folly and Madneſs; would he not act like a diſtracted Man, who was bit with a Rattle-Snake, and would tarry ſome conſiderable Time, before he ſent for a Phyſician? is not ſuch a Perſon a Self-Murderer, as well as a Madman? and if he dies by this Delay, is not his Blood upon his own Head? The melancholly Caſe eaſily applies itſelf, if you will not ſhut your Eyes, your Ears, your Hearts, which if you do, it is againſt your own Life! Again,

DELAYS in the Buſineſs of Salvation, are exceeding perilous, and that on many Accounts; hereby the Number of our Iniquities is increaſed, for one Sin naturally leads to, and diſpoſes for the Commiſſion of another; thus an awful Increaſe of Guilt is brought upon our miſerable Souls, as if we had not enough already, whoſe Iniquities rival the Stars for Multitude, and are red as Crimſon in their Aggravations! hereby the Heart is hardened, a ſinful Cuſtom introduced, and vicious Habits ſtrengthened; whereby we are rendered more averſe to God and all Goodneſs, more prone to every Iniquity, and, of Conſequence, Converſion rendered more hard and difficult. (Jer. 13.23.) Can the Ethiopian change his Skin, and the Leopard his Spots, then may ye alſo learn to do Good, who are accuſtomed to do Evil! Hereby the Spirit of God is grieved and quenched, by whoſe Influence Sinners are convinced of Sin, and converted from it; and the Saints ſealed to the Day of Redemption (Pſ. 95.78, 11.) To-Day if you will hear his Voice, harden not your Hearts, as in the Provocation (i. e. by Delays and Continuance in Sin) to whom I ſware in my Wrath, that they ſhould not enter into my Reſt. O ſhocking Sentence! tremble at it you delaying Impenitents, for it may be ſoon your own diſmal Caſe! pray obſerve, that late Repentance is ſeldom genuine, there is but one Example of this in the holy Scriptures, viz. that of the Thief upon the Croſs; but one that none ſhould preſume, and yet there is one that none ſhould deſpair; nor can it be proved, that he was acquainted with the Chriſtian Religion long before, and deferred his Repentance, with the View of obtaining Mercy at laſt Beſides in the Time of Chriſt's Abaſure, miraculous Works were wrought to demonſtrate his Divinity, among which this may be called one.. O! let delaying Sinners read, and conſider that awful Scripture, Mat. 24.48. ad finem. But if that evil Servant ſhall ſay in his Heart, my Lord delayeth his coming, and ſhall begin to ſmite his fellow Servants, and to eat and drink with the Drunken, the Lord of that Servant, ſhall come in a Day when he looketh not for him, and in an Hour that he is not aware of, and ſhall cut him aſunder, and appoint him his Portion with the Hypocrites, there ſhall be weeping and gnaſhing of Teeth! Once more,

DELAYS are exſtreamly perilous, becauſe of a three-fold Uncertainty, viz. of Life, of the Means of Grace, and of a divine Bleſſing upon thoſe Means! What is your Life, but a Vapour, as the Apoſtle James with equal Truth and Beauty obſerves, which appears for a little Time, and then vaniſheth away; and therefore we ſhould work while the Day laſts, for the Night comes, wherein no Man can work? This ſolemn Meſſenger will ſoon wrap us in its ſable Shades, and bury us in Darkneſs, Inactivity, and Oblivion; and therefore what our Hands find to do, eſpecially of a religious Kind, let us do it with all our Might, ſeeing there is no Work, Device, or Invention, in the Grave, whither we are all haſtening; every Moment we are upon the Verge of a vaſt Eternity, and know not what a Day, an Hour, a Minute may bring forth; we may never live to ſee the next Morning's Light, do not therefore depend on your young Years, heat of Blood, and Strength of Nature; what are theſe to withſtand the Force of Sickneſs and Death? Do you not ſee divers of your Years removed to Eternity, who were as likely to live as you, and probably expected to live to advanced Age as much as you do? But they were diſappointed of their Hopes, and may not you alſo? And will not the Diſappointment be fatal and dreadful, if you continue to delay? Do not ſome die in the Bitterneſs of their Souls, ſome when their Breaſts are full of Milk, and their Bones moiſtened with Marrow; ſome, though few, in the Wane of Life, when Age has ſnowed upon them; and by far the greater Number in the opening Dawn, or full Bloom of Life, when their Souls are big with ſecular Expectations and Deſigns, which the Foot of Death cruſhes in an Inſtant! And though Life gradually waſtes away in ſome, by chronical Diſtempers, like a Candle expiring in the Socket, yet are not many ſnatched off the Stage of Time, into the inviſible World, ſuddenly and unexpectedly, both to themſelves and others, either by accute Diſeaſes, or ſurprizing Accidents, with which we are all continually environed, and from which none can with Certainty, promiſe themſelves an Exemption! Now, is it wiſe and diſcreet, my young Friends, to venture your eternal All, upon ſuch a dreadful Uncertainty? O! for God's Sake▪ think ſeriouſly upon this before it be too late! But to proceed,

ARE not the Means of Grace uncertain alſo, in reſpect of their Continuance with us? And does not this Truth appear in a ſtriking and awful Light at this Time, when the holy and dreadful GOD is threatning by his Providence, to take them entirely away from us for ever, for our ungrateful Slighting of them, and to leave us under the Curſe of Papal or Pagan Darkneſs! O therefore, while we have the Light, let us walk in it: We the Ambaſſadors of Chriſt, beſeech you alſo, that you would not receive the Grace of God in vain. And is not a Bleſſing on the Means equally uncertain, in caſe we delay? Converſion is God's Gift (Ezek. 36.26.) which he confers in his own appointed Time and Way, not according to our Pleaſure; and therefore we ſhould improve every Opportunity, and gracious Motion we are favoured with; for if we will not with Earneſtneſs perform the outward Duties of Religion while we can, it is juſt that we ſhall not when we would; and indeed this is what you delaying Sinners have Reaſon to fear, for God's Spirit will not always ſtrive with Man; call therefore upon God while he is near, and ſeek him while he may be found, leſt he ſay to you as to Ephraim, Ephraim is joined to Idols, let him alone. If God takes away his holy Spirit from you, which you are in Danger of every Hour while you delay, your Caſe is moſt miſerable and hopeleſs, it had been better for you, that you had never been born.

YOUR Delaying looks like a Suſpence of Mind which Maſter to chooſe. Why Halt ye between two Opinions? Are ye at a Loſs to determine which is the beſt Maſter, GOD or the Devil, which the beſt Work, Sin or Holineſs, which the beſt Wages, Heaven or Hell? If not, what mean ye by your Delays? Can that which is of abſolute Neceſſity be done too ſoon? Are you ever like to have eaſier Terms? Is not God as amiable now as ever he will be, Holineſs as neceſſary and excellent, your Souls as precious, the Love of Chriſt as ſweet, and Heaven as valuable? If therefore you do ever intend to turn to GOD, do not play the Hypocrite: Turn now, or give up Salvation for ever! Rejoice, O young Man, in thy Youth, and let thy Heart chear thee in the Days of thy Youth, and walk in the Ways of thy Heart, and in the Sight of thine Eyes, take thy Swing, and follow thy vicious Inclinations, but know thou, that for all theſe Things, God will bring thee into Judgment! But to proceed,

MAY not the Neceſſity of Converſion, excite you to ſeek after it? Ye can neither behold God here, by an Eye of Faith, or enjoy him hereafter without it, as our Lord poſitively aſſures us, it is of abſolute Neceſſity to future Happineſs, both from the Conſtitution of God, and the Nature of Things; without Holineſs no Man ſhall ſee the Lord (Heb. 12.14.) This is the one Thing needful, which whoſoever chooſeth, poſſeſſeth not only the beſt, but the moſt neceſſary Part; it is certain God is holy, otherwiſe he could not be abſolutely perfect, and ſo no God; and it is as certain, that we muſt be like him in Holineſs, elſe we can have no Complacence in him, or he in us; for between Contraries, inſtead of Harmony, there is Diſcord and Oppoſition; without this therefore, we muſt give up all Hopes of Happineſs for ever. May I not Addreſs you, in the Language of CHRIST to Martha, Luke 10.41, 42. Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many Things, but one Thing is needful. And, SIRS,

MAY not the Excellency of Converſion, excite our Eſteem of it, and Deſire after it; this reſtores the defaced Image of God in us, which is the Beauty of our reaſonable Nature, to ſome Degree of its primitive Luſtre, and thereby capacitates us to anſwer the Deſign of our Being, which is to ſerve and enjoy our Creator and Redeemer, without this we muſt be unprofitable here, and miſerable hereafter: If Holineſs be the Beauty of God himſelf, it muſt of Conſequence be ours, ſeeing it is our higheſt Excellency to imitate him; but that it is ſo, appears from the Precept, to Worſhip him in the Beauties of Holineſs, and his Title, glorious in Holineſs. Add to this, the Profitableneſs of Converſion, which ſhould be a ſufficient Motive to labour for it; this advances us to the higheſt Honours, and inſtates us in the moſt laſting Benefits; for hereby Jehovah, who is the Fountain of Honour, becomes our Father, the Lord JESUS CHRIST our Huſband, the Cherubims and Seraphims, our Attendants and Guard, and the Church triumphant and militant, our Brethren; is it a Matter of no Moment, for poor polluted Duſt, Heirs of Hell and Wrath, to be cleanſed from their Deformity, and made the Sons of a King, nay to be made Kings and Prieſts to God? Does not the Apoſtle John, ſpeak with juſt Surprize, of this Privilege! 1 John 5.1. Behold what Manner of Love the Father has beſtowed upon us, that we ſhould be called the Sons of God!

ANOTHER Excitement to ſeek Converſion, is the Safety it brings Perſons to; all ſuch have God to be their Shield and Sanctuary, their ſure Refuge, and exceeding great Reward; and who then can hurt them, or make them afraid? How ſecure and pleaſant muſt their repoſe be? But before this Change, you are in Danger of utter Deſtruction every Minute, and have no Shelter to cover you from the Vengeance of an angry God. In fine, the Pleaſure conſequent upon Converſion, ſhould invite Sinners to labour for it; as the regenerated Perſon's Life is the ſafeſt, ſo it is the ſweeteſt Life! (Prov. 3.17.) Wiſdom's Ways are Ways of Pleaſantneſs, Chriſt's Yoke is eaſy, and his Burden light. It is true, Difficulty and Pain are endured before Converſion, but when the Bias of the Heart is turned towards God and Holineſs, and it feels the Power of a Saviour's Love, he goes on his Way rejoicing, for it muſt needs be agreeable to act according to the ſettled Bent of the Soul; and their Joy is rational, ſpiritual, peaceful, perpetual! It is rational and ſolid, ariſing from and confirmed by Conſideration and Reflection, and therefore ſuitable to the Soul, which is the Seat and Fountain of Reaſon; whereas the Pleaſures of Sin are but a Flaſh, the reſult of a cruel Rape upon the Underſtanding by Senſe; which according to the Order of God and Nature, ſhould be its Subject. This Joy is alſo ſpiritual, proceeding from the Father of Spirits, and ſo adapted to the Soul, which is of an immaterial Nature; but the Pleaſures of Sin are groſs and ſenſual, only ſuited to gratify the lower Paſſions and Appetites, which Beaſts poſſeſs in common with Men. Farther,

IT is peaceful; the Paths of Wiſdom are Peace, as well as Pleaſure; whereas thoſe of Sin, though they gratify a brutal Paſſion, do produce Pain and Diſorder, and hence it is truly ſaid, that the Way of Tranſgreſſors is hard, they are like the troubled Sea, that caſteth forth Mire and Dirt! Once more,

THIS Joy is perpetual, at leaſt in State and Habit; Light is ſown for the Righteous, whereas the ſtolen Pleaſures of Sin, cannot be reflected on without Shame and Horror, unleſs by Men of reprobate Minds, and ſeared Conſciences. (Rom. 6.11.) What Profit had ye in thoſe Things, of which ye are now aſhamed, for the End of theſe Things is Death.

THE Joys of Religion are peculiar and noble, in this, that they antidote all our Fears, and equal our vaſt Deſires and Hopes; being fully perſwaded, upon a good Foundation, that the Creator and Lord of the Univerſe, is our cordial, immutable, and immortal Friend, and that he has undertaken to over-rule all for our Good in Time, and to introduce us into his glorious Preſence at laſt, where is Fulneſs of Delight for ever; of whom, or of what ſhould we be afraid, having ſuch Security? ſhall we fear Man, whoſe Breath is in his Noſtrils, whoſe Foundation is in the Duſt, and who is cruſhed before the Moth? No! we need not fear, though Ten Thouſand riſe up againſt us; ſhall we be ſlaviſhly afraid of awful Phoenomenons, in any Parts of inanimate Nature, or at any Preſages, or actual Beginnings of Revolutions in Kingdoms and Nations? No! God is our Refuge and Strength, a very preſent Help in Trouble; therefore we will not fear, though the Earth be removed, and the Mountains be carried into the Midſt of the Sea, yea though the Waters thereof roar and be troubled.

IN the two preceeding Diſcourſes, I firſt conſidered this Text in its primary View, as relating to temporal Miſeries, and afterwards in its Secondary, as reſpecting Eternal; and in order to excite Sinners to ſeek Converſion, I endeavoured to expoſtulate with them, by the following Arguments, viz. eternal Death, eternal Life, the Neceſſity, the Excellency of Converſion, the Advantages, Safety, and Sweetneſs conſequent upon it, together with the great Unreaſonableneſs, and manifold Dangers of Delays, in a Matter of ſuch vaſt Moment! What I farther purpoſe upon this Subject, is to offer more Arguments and Directions, both to Sinners and Saints: Here obſerve, that before Converſion, Sinners are,

1. UNPROFITABLE and loſt Creatures, Philem. 1.11. which in Time paſt was unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and me: Here it is evident, that the Unregenerate are unprofitable, they anſwer not the great End of their Being and Relations; they are in a Manner good for Nothing, Cumberers of the Ground, the very Lumber of the Creation; Luke 15.4. This my Son was loſt. Ye are loſt to God, he has not that Honour and Service from you, which is due; but in Place thereof, Diſobedience and Reproach! You are loſt to the Church of Chriſt, whoſe beſt Intereſt you have not at Heart, and cannot ſuitably promote, nor has the Church any Ground for Joy in you while ſuch, but of Grief and Sorrow! You are loſt to yourſelves, and that in many Reſpects; your Time is loſt, it runs all to waſte, not one Moment of it is rightly improved, to ſecure your eternal Salvation. Your State is loſt, you muſt certainly and eternally periſh, if you continue in it till Death; your Talents are loſt, proſtituted to mean Purſuits, in Place of ſubſtantial Happineſs, which as it adds to your Guilt, will increaſe your future Miſery! Your Schemes and Purſuits are loſt, you ſpend your Money for that which is not Bread, and your Labour for that which ſatisfieth not; your Enjoyments are loſt, your Proſperity being abuſed to Pride and Luxury, is a Snare to your Souls, and fattens you for the Slaughter of divine Vengeance: (Prov. 1.32.) Adverſity awakes your Envy, or makes you deſpond, and thus your Hearts are hardned like Pharaoh's under divine Judgments; O lamentable Caſe! The Word and Ordinances are loſt upon you, and through your Abuſe, become a Savour of Death to you. The Operations of the holy Spirit being quenched by your wilful Iniquities are loſt. The Benefit of private Inſtructions and Intreaties, by the Miniſters and People of God are loſt, they have no abiding Impreſſion on your Hearts! The Benefit of a pious Education is loſt! The Advantage of Converſe with, and the holy Examples of good Relations, Friends, and Acquaintance are loſt; how will you endure to ſee them in the Kingdom of God, and you yourſelves ſhut out? and to hear a Bleſſing pronounced on them, and a Curſe upon yourſelves? And in a Word, your Souls and Bodies will be for ever loſt, unleſs you turn from your evil Ways to God!

2. YOU are exceeding ſinful Creatures, much more ſo than you are aware of, your Hearts are deceitful, and deſperately wicked, as deceitful as wicked; grand Cheats, by their Juggling they hide their Wickedneſs from your View; from them come Murders, Adulteries, and falſe Witneſs, and in them is a fixed Prejudice againſt God himſelf; Rom. 8.7. The carnal Mind is Enmity againſt God, it is not ſubject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be: The Apoſtle does not ſay it is an Enemy, but in the Abſtract, it is Enmity; which heightens the Senſe; an Enemy may be reconciled, as Eſau was to Jacob, but Enmity never can; as Black may be made White, but Blackneſs cannot; thoſe that are at Enmity, croſs each others Wills, and won't ſubmit to each other; the fleſhly Mind is rebellious in the higheſt Degree againſt the Will of God, till it be changed, and it is impoſſible it ſhould be otherwiſe, there is in it a moral Impotency to Obedience. Enmity, ſays Mr. Henry, ſpeaks the Sinner to be a Devil of a Man, it is not only the Alienation of the Soul from God, but the Oppoſition of the Soul againſt God, it rebels againſt his Authority, thwarts his Deſigns, oppoſes his Intereſt, ſpits in his Face, and ſpurns againſt his Bowels! The Mind of the Unregenerate not being ſubject to the Law of God, muſt needs be Contrary, and being Contrary, and that continually, to the whole Law, of Conſequence breaks it every Moment; for what is Contrary to it, muſt needs be a Violation of it; hence it appears, that the Unregenerate break the whole Law of God every Minute, by the evil Frame of their Hearts; for the governing Power of their natural Enmity to God is never broken, till they are converted: Before this Change, there is no contrary Principle infuſed, by which its Dominion ſhould be cruſhed; it is true, this Enmity may be for a Time reſtrained, by a good natural Temper, and hope of Pardon, or politically concealed to anſwer ſome low End; but when theſe Reſtraints are removed, it rages againſt God himſelf; as the Snake when frozen with the Winter Cold, is tame and gentle, but when warmed, and provoked, will ſoon ſhew its native Spite againſt Mankind, and ſpit its Poiſon! But beſides this conſtant Violation of the whole Law of God, in the Frame of your Spirits, all your Thoughts, Words, and Actions, natural, civil, and ſacred, are Violations of the Law, becauſe you are corrupt Trees, i. e. unjuſtified, unconverted Perſons; for ſuch, if we believe our Saviour, cannot bring forth good Fruit; hence it is, that every Imagination of the Thoughts of your Hearts is only Evil continually; and that you yourſelves being Evil, cannot ſpeak good Things; for the ſame Reaſon, your Plowing and Prayers are Sin; how innumerable then muſt your Iniquities be, and how exceeding heinous? Indeed, your whole Life is but one continued Treſpaſs! 〈◊〉 what a diſmal Scene does this open, and yet it is neceſſary it ſhould be ſeen and felt, in order to cure!

3. WHILE unconverted, you are miſerable Creatures, poor, blind, and naked, without real durable and ſatisfactory Riches, without a clear and affecting View of the Things that belong to your Peace and Salvation, without Ornament, without Defence; continually expoſed to all the Artillery of Heaven! without God; you have no Intereſt in his Friendſhip, no Communion in his Love; without the Former you cannot be ſafe, or without the Latter truly comfortable: As this World is but a melancholly Dungeon, without the natural Sun, ſo is the Soul, without God: You are alſo without Hope Eph. 2.12., i. e. a true well grounded Hope; you have indeed a Hope, but it is worſe than none, for it will fail you in Extremity, as a Spider's Web the Perſon that lays hold of it, when falling into a Precipice; the Hope of the Hypocrite ſhall ſurely periſh, and ſuch are all the Unconverted: You are without the Covenants of Promiſe, and hence the Promiſes are ſaid to be Yea and Amen in Chriſt, i. e. firm and ſtedfaſt to thoſe that are united to him vitally by Faith, which is not your Caſe; for he that hath this purifieth himſelf, even as Chriſt is pure; you have therefore no intereſt in any one Promiſe in the whole Bible, No! but in the Threatnings and Executions; every one of which is directed like a Thunder-Bolt againſt you! Yea, the glorious GOD is your Adverſary, an almighty and dreadful One indeed! whom if you do not agree with ſpeedily, while you are in the Way of Means with him, he will caſt you into Priſon, from whence you cannot come, till you pay the utmoſt Farthing! The Perfections of his Nature are againſt you, his Purity abhors you, his Juſtice demands Satisfaction for your numberleſs and crimſon Iniquities, his Truth and Power ſtand engaged to execute the Threatnings of his Word upon you; ſo that if you perſiſt in Impiety, God's Truth muſt fail, and Omnipotence be overcome, if you be not for ever ruined! Now ſeeing God is againſt you, who is able to ſave you from his Reſentments? Seeing all Creatures are under his controul; and indeed all the Creation is againſt you, the Earth groans under you, and Hell gapes for you! you are every Moment upon the Brink of Ruin, hanging over the infernal Furnace by the ſlender Thread of Life, if that be cut, which it is continually liable to, by innumerable Accidents, you will inſtantly drop down among Devils, and be paſt all Hope for ever! and can you be eaſy in ſuch a terrible Situation, O deteſtable Stupidity! may a gracious God awake you by his Word and Spirit!

4. IS not GOD the Center of the Soul, to bring to which, Converſion is a neceſſary Preparative; while the Soul ſeeks for reſt among Creatures, it meets with innumerable Diſappointments, and yet repeats the vain Chace, hoping to find Satisfaction in ſome new Object, which it has not tried before; but this is as wild an Attempt, as to labour with Seriouſneſs to graſp an Armful of our own Shadow: But when God enlightens the Minds of his People, they turn their Backs upon Creatures, and fly to him for Satisfaction, wearied with their vain Purſuits, and ſpeaking in the Language of the Pſalmiſt, return to thy Reſt, O my Soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. See how every Thing in the great Machine of this lower Globe, inclines to its Center; the Rivers in their meandrine Courſes, run with reſiſtleſs Eagerneſs towards the great Ocean, the Original of Waters: See with what Swiftneſs light Things fly upwards, and heavy Bodies ſink downwards to their Center; then ſhould not the unregenerate Sinner ſay, Is God thy Center, O my Soul! and ſhall theſe inanimate Creatures, which are deſtitute of the Direction of Reaſon, exceed thee in their Motion, who art endowed with it; ſhall every Thing haſten to its reſting Place but thee? Did Naomi accoſt her Daughter-in-Law, the Moabiteſs, in the following pious and humane Language, My Daughter, ſhall I not ſeek reſt for thee, that it may be well with thee? And are we not under greater Obligations to be careful for the Comfort of our Souls, and to addreſs them in the ſame Strains? Shall I not ſeek reſt for thee, O my Soul, under the Wing, and in the Boſom of the divine Majeſty, by Converſion to Jehovah, that it may be well with thee for ever?

5. IS it not your own Buſineſs, to uſe proper Means in due Seaſon, to ſecure future Bleſſedneſs? Many are indolent about others Buſineſs, that would not be ſo about their own; ſurely this is your own Buſineſs, if any Thing is or can be ſo; this is what you came into the World to negociate: The proper Uſe of other Labours, is only to ſupport you in the Purſuit of this, whatever you get here goes into your own Treaſury, If you are wiſe in this, you are wiſe for yourſelves, but if you ſcorn Advice and Inſtruction, you alone ſhall bear it; it is equally the Folly and Unhappineſs of degenerate Mankind, that they pervert the Order and Uſe of Things, they enjoy Things that are only to be uſed to obtain a higher End, and uſe Things that are to be enjoyed as the End: They ſet their ſupream Love upon the Things of this World, while in the mean Time, the Purſuit of God and Religion is either wholly neglected, or at leaſt made but a By-Buſineſs! Is it not the higheſt Madneſs, to ſuppoſe that an infinitely wiſe Being, would indow us with noble Souls, Subſtances of a ſpiritual Nature, vaſt Capacity, and immortal Duration, Subſtances big with the Hopes, or perplexed with the Fears of Futurity, for no higher Buſineſs, than that of the Emperor Domitian, to catch Flies, or merely to enable us with greater Art to act the Maſter Beaſt, upon the preſent Theater, in purveighing ſenſual Gratifications?

6. IS it not a Buſineſs of the greateſt Moment, that deeply and tenderly affects your whole Eternity? For does not Converſion make Men meet for a Kingdom that is not ſhaken, a Crown that will never fade? Worldly Things are valued according to their Duration, and why ſhould not this, compared with which, they are Shadows that have no abiding? What ſhall a Man give in Exchange for his Soul, ſaith our dear Lord, or what is he proſited, if he ſhould gain the whole World, and loſe his own Soul? The whole World is not a ſufficient Compenſation for the Loſs of it; how much leſs a ſmall Part of the World, for which many ſell them to Satan, and ſeem pleaſed with the Bargain! but the Time haſtens, when they will be ſick of it, and bewail their murderous Madneſs, with never ending Groans and Lamentations! O do not therefore any longer trifle in a Buſineſs of ſuch inexpreſſible Importance, leſt the dreadful Doom of the Sluggard be executed upon you, which is mentioned, Mat. 25.26, 30. Caſt the unprofitable Servant into utter Darkneſs, there ſhall be weeping and gnaſhing of Teeth. Though Man is taught more than the Beaſts of the Earth, and made wiſer then the Fowls of Heaven, yet ſuch is his preſent Degeneracy, that he may learn Inſtruction of the meaneſt Inſect, and be made aſhamed by their Diligence and Sagacity; the Ant, without a Monitor, by ſeaſonable Labour in the Summer and Harveſt, provides Food for the approaching Winter, and wilt thou an intelligent Creature, under ſo many Advantages, neglect to prepare for the diſtreſſing Time, that will ſoon come upon thee, I mean that of Sickneſs and Death! How long wilt thou Sleep, O Sluggard, when wilt thou ariſe out of thy Sleep?

7. WOULD it not be your higheſt Wiſdom to ſeek converting Grace? Are not thoſe judged wiſe by Wiſdom itſelf, who conſider their latter End? Deut. 32.28, 29, 30. For they are a Nation void of Counſel, O that they were wiſe, that they underſtood this, that they would conſider their latter End! Now can this be conſidered to Purpoſe, without Converſion to God? no ſurely! How affecting is it to hear the Almighty lamenting over an ungrateful and fooliſh People, O that they were wiſe! Woe to thoſe ſtupid Wretches, who refuſe to be allured by ſuch condeſcending Compaſſions! The want of this Wiſdom makes Men like to the Beaſts that periſh, and worſe than they; becauſe it is worſe for one of a higher Order, to be like a Beaſt, than to be one originally; the latter is innocent and unavoidable, but the former is the Fruit of obſtinate Impiety: Is it not a Fool's Property to want a Heart, when he has a Price to get Wiſdom (Prov. 17.16.) Now as it is worſe to be like a Brute, than to be one, ſo it is for the ſame Reaſon, worſe to be a ſpiritual Fool, than a natural one.

8. THE bleſſed God gives great Encouragement to thoſe that ſeek Converſion in earneſt, as appears by the following Places of Scripture, Let the wicked Man forſake his Way, and the unrighteous Man his Thoughts, and let him turn unto God, and he will have Mercy upon him, and to our God for he will abundantly pardon; come and let us Reaſon together, for though your Iniquities be as Crimſon, and as Scarlet, I will make them white as Snow! The Parable of the Prodigal, is enough to perſwade the moſt Obſtinate, and to excite the moſt Diſcouraged to turn to God: No ſooner did he begin to turn to his Father, but immediately he ſpied him a great Way off, his Bowel, were moved with Compaſſion towards him, and he haſtened to his Relief; not a Word of his former Miſcarriages is mentioned againſt him, but on the Contrary, he is treated with the moſt compaſſionate Reſpect, he came Home between Hope and Fear, Fear of being rejected, and Hope of being received, but his Father was not only better to him than his Fears, but better than his Hopes; he was cloathed with the beſt Robe (the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt) had a Ring put on his Hand (the Earneſt of the Spirit given him) and Shoes put on his Feet (a Reſolution to follow Chriſt through all Difficulties.)

9. THY Converſion, O Sinner, would cauſe Joy in Heaven, as appears from the Parable of the loſt Sheep, Luke 15.4,—8. God the Father rejoices in the Accompliſhment of his Love-Deſigns towards Mankind; God the Son is ſatisfied with ſeeing the Travel of his Soul, and God the Holy Ghoſt rejoices in beholding the bleſſed Iſſue of his gracious Operations, purſuant to the Purpoſe of the Father, and Purchaſe of the Son! The good Angels are likewiſe glad, though thoſe of their Order that ſinned, are for ever abandoned, and though thoſe Sinners that repent are of an inferior Nature, and ſome of them have been openly vile, who on their Converſion are made equal to them, and in ſome Reſpects prefered before them (inaſmuch as the Redeemer aſſumed their Nature, and not that of the Angels, and likewiſe, in that they are made the Bride of Chriſt) yet notwithſtanding, the Angels being free from all Envy, and ſwallowed up in their Maſter's Pleaſure, rejoice on this Occaſion, and gladly become miniſtring Spirits to thoſe of the human Race, who are the Heirs of Salvation; as the Birth of the Redeemer excited thoſe generous and amiable Beings to a Song of Praiſe, ſo the Fruits of his Mediation cannot but be an Addition to their Joy, which ſignifieth, the full and diſpaſſionate Satisfaction of the Will, in a Good obtained. But not only the bleſſed God, and the Church triumphant, will rejoice on this Occaſion, but likewiſe the ſincere Members of the Church militant; to them, there is no Sight ſo agreeable on Earth, as to behold poor Sinners awakened out of their Security, ſetting their Faces towards Zion, and weeping as they go; it makes their very Hearts rejoice, to hear them enquire ſeriouſly what they ſhall do to be ſaved? Becauſe they know by Experience, that this is the only Way to obtain Converſion to God; and likewiſe becauſe he is hereby glorified, and the Stakes of his Tabernacle with Men ſtrengthened: When after living Religion has been for a long Time in a declining State, it pleaſes Jehovah to revive his Work, and give Efficacy to his Word, then the upright in Heart are glad, their Mouths are filled with Laughter, and their Tongues with Singing, then do they acknowledge, even among the Heathen, that the Lord hath done great Things for them! (Pſ. 126.1, 2, 3.) But when a Work of Converſion is at a ſtand, the Ways of Zion mourn, and her cordial Friends lament, becauſe ſhould this Scene continue, vital Holineſs would forſake the Earth entirely! It is true, there is a Generation, who treat ſuch glorious Events with an Air of Indifference, or Invective, they look on the Inſtruments of them as peſtilent Fellows, and are therefore ſorry when ſuch come among them (as the Jews of Theſſalonica were reſpecting Paul, Acts 17.6.) and ready to ſay, away with ſuch Fellows from the Earth (Acts 22.22.) ſome that have a Form of Godlineſs, hate the Power thereof, and if it comes among them, they are either ſcared or enraged, like the Phariſees of old, they do not know what theſe Things will come to; when a great Door and effectual is opened, there are generally many Adverſaries! But what then, ſeeing God and his Friends are pleaſed, it is enough! The Almighty will ſupport his Servants and People under ſuch unreaſonable Cenſures, and turn them to their great Advantage in the Iſſue! But on this happy Occaſion, your own Souls, even yours, will be glad; and not the leſs, becauſe you are oppoſed, but the more, for the Spirit of Glory and of God will reſt upon you; then does Chriſt ſpeak to you, as to the Man ſick of the Palſy (Mat. 9.12.) Son be of good Chear, thy Sins are forgiven thee. Whatever outward Diſtreſſes any are in, yet if their Sins be forgiven, they have reaſon to be of good chear, pleaſant, couragious, and confident in their God; for all is well, and will be well with them for ever: The great and glorious Jehovah, is their Father, their Friend, their ſure Heritage! But before this, there is no rational Ground for Chearfulneſs, but the Contrary; and therefore the Merriment of the Unregenerate, is but the Laughter of Fools, and when they take Time to reflect, even in the Midſt of it, their Hearts are ſad! What Ground can any Man have for Joy, while God is his Enemy, and Hell his Portion? ſurely none at all! But the Time is elapſed, I add no more at preſent.

IN the Forenoon's Sermon, I laboured to perſwade Sinners to turn to GOD, by ſhewing that the Unregenerate are loſt, ſinful, and miſerable Creatures; that God is the Center of the Soul, that ſeeking Converſion to him, is your own Buſineſs, a Buſineſs of the greateſt Moment, a Buſineſs which it is your greateſt Wiſdom to negotiate; that the Almighty gives great Encouragement to thoſe that are ſincerely engaged therein, and that your Converſion would cauſe Joy in Heaven, and on Earth. I now proceed to other Excitements. And,

1. THE glorious Jehovah calls you to turn to him, in particular God the Father, Jer. 18.11. Behold I frame Evil againſt you, return ye now every one from his evil Ways, and make your Ways and your Doings good. Our Text is one of the moſt moving Intreaties in the whole Bible, which is the Reaſon I have dwelt ſo long upon it, being ſincerely deſirous to ſucceed in my Errand. God the Son alſo calls, by encouraging Invitations, ſee Mat. 11.28. John. 6.37. Rev. 3.20. The ſovereign Majeſty of Heaven, ſtands without the Door of thy Heart, O Sinner, till his Head is wet with the Dew; and bewails thy Unkindneſs to him, and Cruelty to thy own Soul. (John 5.40.) God the Spirit likewiſe calls you, by his gracious Operations, which if you continue to oppoſe, he will forſake you for ever, Ezek. 24. Becauſe I have purged them, and they were not purged, therefore will I not purge them any more, till I cauſe my Fury to reſt upon them: The Spirit ſays come, and will you be ſo cruel and barbarous as to reſiſt, to your own Damnation, the compaſſionate Calls of the God that made you, the Saviour that bought you, and of the holy Spirit that offers to ſanctify you?

2. DOES not the Word of God, in all its Parts, invite you to turn from your evil Ways to him? There you may ſee the Beauty of that Goodneſs to which you are allured, opened in all its Charms, and the diſmal Conſequences of rejecting it diſplayed, in all its Horrors! There you may ſee a Syſtem of ſacred Truths, ſublime, ſelf-conſiſtent, and harmonious, a Syſtem ſtrongly connected in all its Parts, and of the nobleſt Tendency, to form you to that Purity it enjoins and recommends. There are juſt and ſtriking Repreſentations of the Glory and Grandeur of a God, and all his adorable Attributes, as well as of the Equity of that Law which he has given, to direct our Sentiments, Diſpoſitions, and Conduct; a Law that tends as much to ſupport the primitive Dignity of human Nature, as it does to promote perſonal and ſocial Happineſs! There is a candid, rational Account of the Apoſtacy of our firſt Parents, from that State of Rectitude and Bliſs in which they were created, and of that pregnant Ruin, which in Conſequence of it, came on them and their unhappy Deſcendants! And there a Method of Recovery to the divine Purity and Love, through a Mediator, is propoſed, every Way conſiſtent with the Claims of God's Juſtice, the Dignity of his Law and Government; a Plan, which while it harmonizes with his Purity and Veracity, does at the ſame Time, the higheſt Honour to his Wiſdom and Grace, in giving them the brighteſt and richeſt Diſplays! For hereby God is juſt, and yet the Juſtifier of him that believes in Jeſus: Hereby Occaſion is taken from the Sin of Man, to render divine Juſtice and Grace the more illuſtrious; the Former in the Redeemer's Sufferings, and the Latter in the Sinner's Forgiveneſs: Hereby the Believer's Happineſs is ſecured upon a firmer Baſis, than while Man remained in a State of Innocence (by putting his Stock into the Hands of an almighty Surety) and the Sinner at the ſame Time, laid under more endearing Obligations, to grateful Love and univerſal Holineſs, than ever before! This is a Device worthy of a God, and adapted to the Caſe of fallen Man! There are Inſtances of righteous, but terrible Severity againſt enormous Impenitents, to alarm our Fear, and Examples of the mildeſt Lenity, and richeſt Mercy towards returning Prodigals, to allure our Love, and incite our Hope! In a Word, every Line in the ſacred Pages, beſpeaks thee for God, and calls thee to turn to him; and will ye withſtand, to your own Ruin, all theſe amiable and moving Incentives, of Beauty and Majeſty, Severity and Grace! Alas, have you no Ingenuity, and are ye loſt to Fear? will ye ſhut your Ears, with the deaf Adder, againſt the bleſſed Charmmer's Voice, let him charm never ſo wiſely? Well Sinners, if ye will not hear God calling now, there will ſhortly come a Time, when ye will wiſh you had, a Time when you will call yourſelves, and not be heard?

3. THE Providence of GOD, loudly calls you to ſeek converting Grace; ſhould not God's Mercies lead you to Repentance, and his Judgments upon yourſelves, or others, deter you from Sin, which produces ſuch bitter Effects, even in this Life, a ſmall Preſage of what muſt be indured in the next: When Sinners ſlight the Word of God, he lifts up his awful Rod to awake, and conſtrain them to give more earneſt Heed to the Inſtructions and Reproofs of his Word; for as Solomon obſerves, the Rod and Reproof give Wiſdom (i. e. when attended by divine Influence) the Rod is for the Back of Fools, and he that ſpares it, when it is needed, hates the Child. Some Times the Almighty uſes a wicked Nation as a Rod in his Hand, to chaſtiſe his own People for their Degeneracy, and turns it to their Advantage in the Iſſue, contrary to the Deſigns and Expectations of their Enemies, yea, to their Confuſion and Ruin! ſee Iſ. 10.5, 6, 7, 12, 25. The Almighty informs us, by the Prophet Micah (6.9.) that the Rod of God cries to the City, and that the Men of Wiſdom will ſee God's Name; and he enjoins all to hear it, and him that appointed it: There is certainly a loud Voice in every Rod of God, and eſpecially in that which deeply affects a whole Nation and Country, in their deareſt and moſt important Intereſts! And the Name of God, his Wiſdom, Sovereignty, and Purity are wrote upon it, in legible Characters; which good Men ſee, and learn what God is and requires from what he does, and act accordingly! But alas, a ſtupid World ſee it not, becauſe they do not conſider; God ſpeaks once, yea twice, and they perceive it not; when God's Hand is lifted up, they do not ſee his Controverſy with them; but in the mean Time, it is the Duty, the Wiſdom, and Intereſt of all, to hear God's Rod, when it is approaching towards us, before we feel it, and to awake out of Sleep, to meet the Lord in the Way of his Judgments; we ſhould conſider ſeriouſly, that it is the Lord that hath appointed it; whoever be the Inſtrument, and however unjuſt, yet he is God's Sword, his Rod, and it is juſt, as it comes from him; to him therefore we muſt look, above all Inſtruments, him we muſt hear, and before him we muſt bow; otherwiſe the Rod will be turned into Iron, and break us to Pieces.

THIS Day is the moſt gloomy, in reſpect of our Church and Nation, that ever we have ſeen; nor does the Darkneſs leſſen, but increaſe, and yet alas, there ſeems to be no general Senſe of this Danger, or of the Sins that procured it; nor ſuitable Methods taken in earneſt to get them removed: Hear the Prophet's Direction, upon a parallel Occaſion (Joel, 2 Chap.) The Day of the Lord is great, and very terrible, who can abide it; therefore alſo now, ſaith the Lord, turn ye even to me, with all your Heart, with faſting, weeping, and mourning; for the Lord is gracious and merciful, who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a Bleſſing behind him. See alſo, Jer. 3.12, 13. Go and proclaim theſe Words towards the North, and ſay, return thou backſliding Iſrael, ſaith the Lord, and I will not cauſe mine Anger to fall upon you, for I am merciful, and will not keep Anger for ever, only acknowledge thine Iniquity, that thou haſt tranſgreſſed againſt the Lord thy God.

4. THE faithful Servants of GOD, call upon you to turn to him, and in this Society you have had the Opportunity of hearing many ſuch, who have with Wiſdom and Warmth wooed you to your Duty, and warned you of your Danger, in caſe of neglect, as they are commanded; Iſ. 58.1. As Ambaſſadors for Chriſt, we pray you in his Stead, to be reconciled to God; we beſeech you alſo, that ye receive not the Grace of God in vain. You cannot give the faithful Miniſters of Chriſt ſo much Pleaſure any other Way, as by turning to God, for this they ſtudy, pray, groan and weep; your Converſion would make their Hearts glad, in all their Labours and Sorrows; nor can you grieve their Spirits ſo much any other Way, as by your Obſtinacy in Sin: Inſucceſsfulneſs makes them ſome Times lament, in the Language of the Prophet, Woe is me, I am as thoſe that gather the Grape Gleanings of the Vintage, the good Man is periſhed out of the Earth, there is none upright among Men! And will ye have no Compaſſion upon thoſe that Travel in Birth, till Chriſt be formed in you, or upon your own Souls? O what will become of you in this Congregation, who have heard, and alas, withſtood the pungent Intreaties of ſo many pious Miniſters! ſee Zac. 7.11, 12.

5. YOUR pious Relations, cry after you in the moſt tender Language of Tears and Sighs, to turn ſpeedily to God! O did you but know their ſecret Wreſtlings for your Converſion, their Sobs and Lamentations over you, the Damps they feel in their Hearts, and the Turning of their Bowels, when they think of parting with you for ever, when they think of the Curſe they will hear denounced upon you, by the great Judge of Quick and Dead, before the vaſt Aſſembly of the Univerſe (except ye repent) it makes their Blood chill in their Veins, and their Hearts ſhudder in their Bodies! O did you but know the Agonies of their Souls, when they think of the everlaſting Torments you muſt indure among Devils, you would pity them, and yourſelves, and try to turn to God! O if you knew and conſidered the ſecret Pleaſure they feel, when they ſee any Appearances of your turning to God, you would ſeriouſly and ſpeedily labour to give them the greateſt Joy they can have, next to that of the Salvation of their own Souls!

6. YOUR pious Friends and Acquaintance, invite you to ſeek converting Grace, Jer. 50.4, 5. They ſhall aſk the Way to Zion, with their Faces thitherward, ſaying, come and let us join ourſelves to the Lord, in a perpetual Covenant. The Grace of God cures the immoderate Selfiſhneſs of the Soul, and makes Perſons of a public and noble Spirit, ſincerely concerned for the Honour of God, and Intereſts of his Kingdom among Men, having a View of the Sinfulneſs and Danger of Sin, and of the Value of their own Souls, they are hereby excited to pity, from the Heart, the Souls of others, who are in a State of Sin, and earneſtly to deſire after their Converſion, that Jehovah may be thereby glorified, and they eternally ſaved from Wrath and Ruin! No ſooner was the Woman of Samaria converted, but ſhe wanted her Friends and Acquaintances to be converted too; and therefore ſhe invited them to come and ſee a Man that told her all that ever ſhe did. The Grace of God is generous and diffuſive, and increaſes by Communication, for he that waters others, ſhall be watered alſo himſelf: Such as have taſted the Sweetneſs of a Saviour's Love, want that the whole World ſhould partake of the ſame, and have ſuch a clear View of the Certainty, Glory, and Importance of Religion, that they think, with young Melancton, Sinners will not be able to withſtand their Arguments and Intreaties; but upon Trial, they ſoon, with him, find their Miſtake; alas, others have not the ſame View of Things, and therefore hear them with Indifference, which grieves, and almoſt diſcourages them to attempt any more. But Sirs, we ſhould not deſiſt from endeavouring to do Good to Mankind, though ſome treat us, and what we ſpeak ſincerely for God, with a ſtupid ungrateful Neglect, or proud Diſdain; yet our dear Lord will accept of, and graciouſly Reward our honeſt Endeavours, and probably bleſs them to others: O then let our Speech be ſeaſoned with Salt, miniſtring Grace to the Hearers; let us not ſhut Chriſt and Religion out of our Converſation, agreeable to the wicked Faſhion of the preſent Times; but out of the good Treaſure of our Hearts, let us bring forth good Things, that are edifying; this was the Practice of God's People of old, a Practice which the Almighty highly approves of, ſee Mal. 3.16, 17. Abhor therefore the Sentiments and Conduct of the Unregenerate, whoſe higheſt View is themſelves, their ſecular Affairs are the Sum total of their Religion; when proſperous, they are eaſy, whether Sinners are converted or not; like the Snail, they ſneak into their Shell, and confine their narrow, groveling Deſigns to it.

7. YOUR Conſciences, theſe Witneſſes for God, in your Boſoms, call you to turn to Jehovah, and tell you that it is now high Time, they ſet before you a Map of thoſe Miſeries, which you ſhall quickly feel, if ye continue in your preſent State; and will ye be deal to the Warnings of your own Minds? Do not you know that if your Heart condemns you, God is greater than your Heart, and knoweth all Things? 1 John 3.20. Will not your holding the Truth in Unrighteouſneſs, or in other Words, ſuppreſſing and counteracting the Impreſſions and Directions of it, prepare Matter for the moſt tormenting Reflections in the coming World, when Conſcience, however diverted or ſuppreſſed now, will have full Liberty to ſpeak out, and that for ever, and no worldy Buſineſs, Amuſement, or Comforts, to divert its Cenſures; or any falſe Hope to allay for one Moment, the Bitterneſs thereby occaſioned through Eternity! Conſcience is either the greateſt Friend, or the moſt formidable Foe, juſt as it is obeyed or oppoſed; a good Conſcience will make one bold as a Lion, even in the greateſt Dangers, but a bad one will make Men tremble at the ſhaking of a Leaf, and fly when none purſues: In Caſe of Hypocriſy, Conſcience is as a Thouſand Witneſſes to condemn us, and hence is that memorable Saying of a Pagan Philoſopher, Turpe quod acturus, te ſine teſte time: In this doleful State of Things, the groundleſs Applauſe of the whole Creation, is an inſipid Trifle, that rather reproaches and diſtreſſes, than contents the Mind, when we know it is a mere Fallacy: But on the other Hand, when we walk uprightly before God, and earneſtly labour to promote the everlaſting Good of Mankind, if in return (which is often the Caſe) we meet with Abuſe and Slander, the Conſciouſneſs of our Integrity will Support us, as it did the Apoſtles, whoſe Comfort was the Teſtimony of their Conſciences, that in Simplicity and godly Sincerity, not with fleſhly Wiſdom, but by the Grace of God, they had their Converſation in the World; it is little Matter to us, what Mankind think or ſay of us, if we have but the Approbation of GOD, and our own Minds; and truly the greater Part of People, are bad Judges of Things, for they have but little Leiſure or Capacity to form a right Judgment, and are generally ſo much biaſſed by Favour or Prejudice, that they paſs Sentence before Trial: So that it is Unreaſonable for any wiſe Man, to be either lifted up, or caſt down, with their Applauſe or Cenſure; for both are generally the Iſſue, rather of Affection and Prejudice, than of impartial Judgment: O! then let us labour to get our Conſciences rightly informed by the Word of God, ſprinkled with the Blood of Chriſt, and waſhed by the holy Spirit, and act up to them, then we may with Certainty expect a continual Feaſt from them! Again,

8. REASON calls you to turn from Sin to Jehovah, by ſhewing the Neceſſity and Equity of this Change; the Enjoyment of a holy GOD, without Holineſs, is abſurd and impoſſible, in the Nature of Things; it is likewiſe juſt that the divine Goodneſs be acknowledged, and the Powers you have received from God, directed to him, and employed in his Service; it is alſo rational, to accept of Goſpel Liberty; in your preſent State you are diſrobed of the Ornaments of Innocence, confined in the darkeſt Dungeon, in Bondage to Sin and Satan; but now the Day-ſpring from on High viſits you, the Sun of Righteouſneſs ſhines upon you; now the Goſpel proclaims Liberty to the Captive; and will you not accept the Offer of this everlaſting Liberty, purchaſed by the Blood of God? When Liberty was proclaimed among the Greeks, after a State of Servitude, they received it with Tranſports of Gratitude to their Deliverer, crying aloud, Soter, Soter, a Saviour, a Saviour, and will you reject a much more valuable and coſtly Liberty? then you deſerve no Pity, from GOD or Man!

IN the laſt Sermon upon this Subject, I propoſed the following Arguments, to excite Sinners to turn to GOD, viz. the Call of God the Father, Son, and Spirit; the Call of the Word, Providence, and Miniſters of God; the Call of Relations, Friends, Conſcience, and Reaſon: In Addition to which, give me Leave to offer the following MOTIVES, viz.

1. THE Pains the dear Lord Jeſus Chriſt took to purchaſe Salvation for you; for this End, he willingly aſſumed human Nature, while covered with the Ruins of its Apoſtacy, he came in the Likeneſs of ſinful Fleſh; the moſt high God took upon him the Form of a Servant, the Conſolation of Iſrael, became a Man of Sorrows, though he was rich, for our ſakes he became poor, that we through his Poverty might be rich; the Chaſtiſement of our Peace was laid upon him, that through his Stripes we might be healed; his Life was full of Labour, Sorrow, and Suffering, his Name was treated with Scandal, and himſelf with great Ingratitude, Cruelty, and Contempt, by thoſe he came to ſeek and ſave; and in the mean Time, he bore all with Patience, that he might purchaſe Salvation for you, and excited himſelf to Speed in performing the mediatorial Work, by the Shortneſs of the Time he had to do it in; I muſt, ſaith he, work the Work of him that ſent me while it is Day, for the Night cometh wherein no Man can work: Now did the Lord Jeſus Chriſt labour ſo hard, and ſuffer ſo much from God and Man, did he ſweat great Drops of Blood, through Anguiſh of Soul, and cry out on the Croſs, Eloi, Eloi, Lama Sabbathani, that he might procure Salvation for us, and ſhall we be indolent and careleſs in applying it to ourſelves? O unaccountable Infatuation! can we look upon the Agonies and Labours of the Son of God for us, with Indifference and Neglect?

2. THE Pains the DEVIL takes to damn your Souls, ſhould affect you; he goes about like a roaring Lion, ſeeking whom he may devour; ſome Times he appears as a Lion, to terrify us from Duty, and ſome Times as an Angel, to allure us to Sin; O how innumerable are his fiery Darts, and deep Devices, if he fails in a Hundred Attempts, yet he will not deſiſt; but watch for an Opportunity, and try other Meaſures; ſhall Satan take more Pains to damn your Souls, than you to ſave them?

3. SEE the Pains, the Generality of Mankind take, about Things of infinitely leſſer Moment; the Merchant ſpreads his Canvaſs Wings, and flys acroſs the boiſterous Deep, to the Extremities of the Earth, incompaſſed with Miſeries and Dangers of various Form; Farmers and Tradeſmen riſe up early, ſit up late, and eat the Bread of Care and Sorrow; and will not ye be perſwaded to take as much Pains about your Souls, as others about their Bodies and Eſtates, about an eternal, as they about a temporal Good? how aſtoniſhing is your Madneſs!

4. SEE the Care and Pains that many take to obtain Salvation, who want your Advantages, and be aſhamed of your Negligence! The Mahomitans pray five Times a Day, are true to their Word, honeſt in their Dealings, and keep one Month every Year as a Faſt; but many Chriſtians have no regard to their Word, are diſhoneſt, do not pray ſo much as once a Day ſtatedly, nor have kept one Day of Faſting in their whole Lives. And ſome of the Pagans have excelled in moral Virtue, e. g. Seneca, Cato, Socrates; yea, many in divers Parts of the World, have taken great Pains in Pilgrimage, and bodily Auſterities; e. g. the People of Narſinga, reſort to an Idol in Pilgrimage, in great Numbers, with Ropes about their Necks, and Knives ſticking in their Legs and Arms, and when the Idol is carried about in Proceſſion, the Pilgrims ſtrive to be cruſhed to Death under the Chariot Wheels; a Multitude of Lives have been ſacrificed by the Pagans, in divers Places, to pacify their Deities; yea, even Parents, contrary to the ſtrong and tender Ties of Nature, have made theirs beloved Children paſs through the Fire to Moloch. Now, though the Pagans were miſguided in their Severities, yet their Concern for future Happineſs, and Labour to obtain it, may juſtly put to ſhame the Secure and Indolent, who by the Goſpel have Life and Immortality brought to Light! Some of the Phariſees, were alſo eminent in Virtue and Devotion, e. g. Saul before Converſion, and the young Man in the Goſpel (Philip. 3.6. Mat. 19.20.) and yet our Righteouſneſs muſt exceed theirs, on Pain of Death, Mat. 5.20.

5. SEE how all inanimate Creatures, with the greateſt Readineſs and Conſtancy obey their Creator, Pſ. 19. The Heavens declare the Glory of God, and the Firmament ſheweth his Hand Work, by their Beauty, Order, and Obſervance of the Law of their Creation; as immortal and univerſal Preachers, they objectively declare the Reality of the divine Exiſtence, and the Glory of his Government; ſo exact and regular are the Motions of the heavenly Bodies, that the preciſe Minute of Eclipſes, may be foretold long before they happen; the Sea alſo obeys his Voice, the Hail, Snow, Vapour, and ſtormy Wind fulfil his Word (Pſ. 148. Mark 4.39.) while you inſolently controul his Authority! The Trees and Plants bring forth Flowers and Fruit, according to their Kind, and attain the End of their Creation, while you are barren, and live in Oppoſition to the Deſign of your Exiſtence; and therefore every Pile of Graſs, Flower, and Fruit you behold, may be an awakening Monitor to you!

6. SEE how irrational Creatures, by a natural Inſtinct, ſeek after their Safety, the ſick Dog ſeeks a purgative Herb to cure himſelf, the wounded Hart after Dittany to heal her; but alas, few poor Sinners repair to the great Phyſician, for a Leaf from the Tree of Life, to cure their mortal Maladies! O! ſhould not the Care of thoſe poor Creatures, who are deſtitute of the Direction of Reaſon, excite you, who are endowed with it, to haſten to Chriſt for converting Grace, without which you muſt die in your Wounds? Hear, O Heavens, and give Ear, O Earth, for the Lord hath ſpoken, I have nouriſhed and brought up Children, and they have rebelled againſt me; the Ox knoweth his Owner, and the Aſs his Maſter's Crib, but Iſrael doth not know, my People doth not conſider, Iſ. 1.2, 3.

7. HAVE not many in former Times, and do not ſome even now, who enjoy no better Advantages than you, preſs into the Kingdom of God, full of Fear and Diſtreſs about their Souls, crying Night and Day for Mercy! and why ſhould not you do likewiſe? Have not you reaſon to be troubled for your Sins, as well as others, are not your Souls as precious as theirs? Have you not the ſame Encouragement to ſeek God, and are you not under equal Obligations? What then do you mean by this horrid Cruelty againſt your own Souls, in neglecting to ſecure their Salvation, by a faithful Improvement of the Seaſons of God's Grace? Jer. 8.20. The Harveſt is paſt, the Summer is ended, and we are not ſaved; we have had in this Land, bleſſed be Jehovah for it, a glorious Harveſt ſome Years ſince, wherein many were converted, O! then poor Souls flocked to Chriſt, as Doves to their Windows; Multitudes were awak'ned out of Sleep, and ſought Jeſus ſorrowing; how much was the Word preached, prized, and with what Eagerneſs and Delight attended, as often as Opportunities of this Kind preſented, and that not only on the Sabbaoth, but upon Week Days? Small Matters would not keep People from hearing, as they do now, nor were they ſoon tired, though the Diſcourſe was a little longer then uſual; no, they were all Attention, all Deſire, all Delight! But alas, this harveſt Seaſon is paſt and over, and yet many of you are not ſaved; the Bellows are burnt, the Lead is conſumed of the Fire, the Founder melteth in vain; all Means uſed to reform you are to no Purpoſe, though the Inſtruments are waſted in their Work; and is there no Reaſon to fear the awful Judgment, threatned in the latter Part of the Words referred to, Jer. 6.29, 30. Reprobate Silver ſhall Men call them, becauſe the Lord hath rejected them! If you continue to ſlight all the Warnings and Invitations given, you are worſe in ſome Reſpects than Jews, Sodomites, and Devils; for the Jews and Sodomites had not ſuch Light as ye enjoy, and the Devils never had an Offer of Mercy after their Apoſtacy, which you have repeatedly been favoured with, but to no Purpoſe; Heb. 10.28, 29. He that diſpiſed Moſes's Law died without Mercy, under two or three Witneſſes, of how much ſorer Puniſhment ſuppoſe ye ſhall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under Foot the Son of God; Mat. 11.23, 24. And thou Capernaum which art exalted unto Heaven, ſhall be brought down to Hell.

8. WHAT would you loſe by turning to God, is it Diſhonourable to be related to the divine Majeſty, to the Church of the Firſt-born, and to Jeſus the Mediator of the everlaſting Covenant? Heb. 12. Is it Diſhonourable to be adorned with the Beauties of Holineſs? Pſ. 110.3. Is it Uncomfortable to partake of the Cluſters of Canaan, in Communion with a God of infinite All-ſufficiency, Goodneſs, and Glory? Is it Diſadvantageous to be intitled to an unalienable and everlaſting Inheritance, extending infinitely beyond the narrow Circle of the Creation, and to be enriched with a Jewel of immence Value? Is it a Loſs to enjoy the Friendſhip and Protection of a God of infinite Power, or to forſake that which is the Diſhonour of your reaſonable Nature, and Poiſon of your immortal Souls? O Sinners, what hinders your Compliance with the Invitations of Heaven? Sin is pleaſant; true ſome Sins do pleaſe the Senſes, but their Fruits here, and in Hell are bitter, beſides theſe Pleaſures are tranſitory, mean, and brutiſh, but thoſe of Religion noble and permanent. I ſhall be cenſured by my Relations and Neighbours, what then, theſe groundleſs Reproached will turn to your Honour and Benefit, Philip. 1.29. Mat. 5.10, 11, 12.

THE Sufferings of this preſent Life are light, and but for a Moment, not worthy to be compared with the exceeding great and eternal Weight of Glory in the Heavens, which is reſerved for thoſe that ſincerely Love and ſerve God. I ſhall loſe ſome worldly Advantage by the Profeſſion and Practice of Religion. A. And what if you do, it will be infinitely more than made up to you, by the Love and Favour of GOD here and hereafter! Why then do not you Endeavour, poor Sinners, to turn to God? Why will you prefer any temporal Enjoyment, before the Safety of your Souls? Did it not argue a vile Temper in Eſau, to prefer a Morſel of Bread, before his Birth-right, which contained both ſacred and civil Privileges? The World is to you as Jael's Milk to Siſera, as Delilah to Sampſon: Is it not a pity that Men ſhould be ſuch Enemies to themſelves, as to prefer the diſguiſed Vanities of a fading World, to eternal Riches? To ſeek for reſt among temporal Enjoyments, is as vain as if Iſrael had endeavoured to fix his Abode in the Wilderneſs among Serpents and Enemies, or as if Noah had made the Ark his Home, when the Waters were fallen? Why ſtand ye ſo careleſs and indolent on the Shore of a vaſt Eternity, not knowing but the next Tide will ſweep you off, beyond all Hopes of a Remedy, and ſink you in the dark Retreats of Death? Have ye nothing to do for the immortal God, and your deathleſs Souls? O ſpeak in the Language of the poor ſtarving Leppers, who ſat at the Gate of Samaria (2 Kings, 7.3, 4.) Why ſit we here till we die, if we ſay we will enter into the City, the Famine is in the City, and we ſhall die there, and if we ſit ſtill here we die alſo; now therefore come and let us fall unto the Hoſt of the Syrians, if they will ſave us alive, we ſhall live, and if they kill us, we ſhall but die. If we return to a Courſe of Sin, we ſhall ſurely periſh, if we abide in our preſent Security and Sloth, we ſhall periſh; come then let us go to God, in Chriſt, for converting Grace, he can but deny us, we can but periſh: But if he has Mercy upon us, we ſhall live, live eternally. Up then Sinners, awake, ariſe, and haſten, O haſten to Chriſt for Life; behold the Treaſures of Heaven are opened, reſolve with Queen Eſther, to go to the King, and if you periſh, you periſh; ſhe reſolved to interceed for the Safety of her Nation, though it ſhould coſt her her Life; and ſhould not you for the Salvation of your Souls? She met with a favourable Reception from an imperious Man (Eſt. 5.) and may not you expect this, much more from the God of Love? Sinners are ye paſt Feeling? When we repreſent God's Majeſty armed with Vengeance, and caſting with his unbared Arm Thunder-Bolts of Death, ye are not moved; and when we repreſent Jehovah enthroned on Grace, and with importunate, endearing Condeſcenſion, alluring Rebels to accept of Liberty and Life, not only with Arguments, but with Tears, Groans, and Blood, and yet you are unaffected, be aſtoniſhed, ye Heavens, and mourn, O Earth, at this!

I PROCEED to offer ſome Directions to Sinners and Saints, agreeable to the Order before propoſed, O be intreated to ſeek Converſion, in the following Manner.

1. EARLY, Ecleſ. 12.1. Remember now thy Creator in the Days of thy Youth, while the evil Days come not, nor the Years draw nigh, in which thou wilt ſay, I have no Pleaſure; endeavour to fear, love, and ſerve GOD, with all thy Heart, in young Years, for he is the Author of thy Life and Being, and of all thy Benefits; to him thou art under the ſtrongeſt Obligations, and upon him thou haſt a continual Dependence: As Youth is moſt ſuſceptive of religious Impreſſions, ſo it is beſt fitted for the Performance of religious Offices; and as thou oweſt the beſt of thy Time and Strength to God, the Giver of both, the Improvement thereof in his Service, will be moſt acceptable to him, and moſt comfortable to thee; This is the beſt Proviſion for old Age, one of the greateſt Comforts of which, is the Remembrance of a well ſpent Youth: Age has enough to do with itſelf, theſe are Years in which we have no Pleaſure, then with Barſilai, we cannot reliſh the Delights of Senſe, and in the mean Time, are loaded with bodily Infirmities; our Strength becomes Labour and Sorrow, and we feel ourſelves die by Inches. It is ungrateful to give the Flower of our Days to the Devil, and reſerve the Bran for God, this is to offer the Torn, the Lame, and the Sick in Sacrifice, for which a Curſe is denounced, Mal. 1.14.

2. YOU ſhould ſeek Converſion to GOD earneſtly, as the poor Woman the loſt Piece of Silver, the Lord JESUS CHRIST could not Purchaſe our Happineſs without great Labour and Agony, and why ſhould we think to get an Intereſt in it without Pains? We are enjoined to ſtrive to enter in at the ſtreight Gate, or to agonize into it, and informed, that many ſhall ſeek to enter, and ſhall not be able; i. e. doubtleſs becauſe they do not take Pains enough! The Gate of Converſion, by which we enter into the Way of true Holineſs, is ſtreight, it is hard to find, and therefore few find it, becauſe it is above Nature, and only revealed to ſome, by God the Father: (Mat. 13.11.) It is likewiſe hard to be entered into, for this is contrary to Nature; the Way of Holineſs is narrow, both in reſpect of Sin and Puniſhment, ſo narrow that it will not hold a Man and unmortified Sin together; unleſs we pluck out our Right-Eye, and cut off our Right-Arm, we muſt be loſt for ever: It is alſo an afflicted Way, through many Tribulations we muſt enter into the Kingdom of God; and indeed the Travellers in this Way are few (Luke 12.32.) Though the Number of Iſrael be as the Sand of the Sea, but a Remnant is ſaved (Rom. 11.7.) Many are called, but few choſen. Add to this, that many and powerful Enemies, endeavour to hinder us in this Work, viz. the World, the Fleſh, and the Devil, which muſt be contended with; and indeed the Salvation which Converſion makes us meet for, is of ſo great Moment, and of ſuch abſolute Neceſſity, that it deſerves the greateſt Care and Pains.

3. HUMBLY be perſwaded, that notwithſtanding of any Thing you have done, or can do, ye are unprofitable Servants, and that the Lord may juſtly caſt you off for ever; till you be brought to this, you are not proper Objects of Mercy, you have no ſuitable Eſteem of it, nor are you diſpoſed to give to God due Glory for it: The Hungry ſhall be filled with good Things, but the Rich, the Full in their own Eyes, ſhall be ſent empty away.

4. YOU ſhould ſeek converting Grace conſtantly, until you obtain it (Luke 15.8.) a Perſon ſtarving with Hunger would not be contented with aſking for Bread, unleſs he got what he aſked; bare Begging would not ſatisfy the Cravings of his hungry Stomach: So neither ſhould ye be ſatisfied with praying for Converſion, till you get what ye pray for, nor ſhould you be diſcouraged becauſe you obtain not the Anſwer of your Prayers, ſo ſoon as you expected, or do deſire, for the Almighty acts as a Sovereign, in diſpenſing his Grace to the Children of Men, to ſome he gives it ſooner, and to others later, juſt as he pleaſes; his Time we ought to wait for with Diligence, Patience, and Hope, for it is certainly the beſt Time, and his Mercy, when obtained, will ſufficiently recompence our Pains and Patience in queſt of it, and waiting for it! Do not give over ſtriving and hoping, becauſe Things ſeem to grow worſe with you than before Conviction; for this is owing partly to that new Light of God's Spirit, through his Law, now given you, which diſcovers that Heart-Wickedneſs which you were ignorant of before; the more this increaſes, the more you ſee of your own Vileneſs, from whence you are induced, though without Foundation, to conclude it grows in you, when it is only your View of it; ſee Rom. 5.20. The Law entered, that the Offence might abound.

BESIDES, Satan with a malicious Deſign to diſcourage you, tries by the Law to enrage inward Corruption, and to bring it into Act more than ever before, ſee Rom. 7.8. Sin taking Occaſion by the Commandment, wrought in me all Manner of Concupicence, for without the Law, Sin was dead. While Sinners remain in a State of Blindneſs and Security, and pleaſe themſelves with Dreams of their preſent Goodneſs, and future Happineſs, he lets them alone politically, for he knows while they remain ſo, he is ſure of them, and that if he tempted them, as he does thoſe that are convinced, they would be probably frightened out of their Sleep, and he in Danger of loſing them; he therefore encourages their falſe Hopes, and if they get Half awakened, he labours with all his Might to lull them a-ſleep again, by high Encomiums upon their Goodneſs, ſuch as theſe, that they mean well, never wronged any of a Penny in their Lives, are much better than many of their Neighbours, and ſuch like; and that there is no need of ſuch Soul Diſtreſs, that if they give way to it, it will perhaps hurt their Credit, their Senſes, their worldly Intereſt, and it may be, bring them to an untimely End: But if they get ſo wounded, that he cannot bring them back to their former Security, then he tries all the Arts he is Maſter of, to drive them to Deſpair, ſome of which are ſuch as theſe, he ſuggeſts, 1ſt, That it is now worſe than ever, that God is more provoked. A. It is falſe, you are now in the Way to Mercy, and never were before; ſee Mat. 11.28. 2d. He ſays, that no Body ever had ſuch a wicked Heart, ſince the Foundation of the World, as you; never any Body ſinned ſo in Life, nor was ever any in ſuch ſtrange Circumſtances. A. This is the Teſtimony of the Father of Lies, who was a Murderer from the Beginning, as Face anſwers Face in a Glaſs, ſo does the Heart of one Man another. The Almighty has graciouſly left upon Record in his Word, divers Inſtances of glorious Grace, vouchſafed to the vileſt of Sinners, on purpoſe to confute this cruel Stratagem of the Enemy of Souls, and to manifeſt and magnify the exceeding Riches of his Grace, e. g. Manaſſes, a Murderer, a Conjurer, who ſlighted God in Proſperity, obtained Mercy; and ſo did Saul, a Perſecutor, Mary Magdalen, a Harlot, the unclean, unrighteous Corinthians, the idolatrous Epheſians, yea, and even thoſe that actually embrued their Hands in the Blood of our dear Lord, were waſhed by the Blood they ſhed, from their Guilt in ſhedding of it! But ſuppoſing your Sins were greater in reality than the Sins of any other, there is no reaſon to deſpair of God's Mercy, in caſe you endeavour to repent and believe; becauſe it is not according to Works of Righteouſneſs that we have done, but according to his Mercy that he ſaves us: The Blood of Chriſt is of infinite Value, and cleanſes from all Sin, and ſurely Sin cannot be of more than infinite Guilt: The greater our Iniquities are, the more the Riches of God's Grace will be magnified in pardoning them, and this indeed is the great Deſign of the Goſpel Method of Salvation, Eph. 1, 5, 6. 3d, He injects blaſphemous Thoughts into their Minds, in a thick Succeſſion, which they try to get rid of, but cannot; now Satan artfully and falſly labours to father thoſe Brats of his malicious Brood upon the Convinced, with deſign to drive them to Diſpair or Diſtraction; and they, poor Things, are too apt, through Ignorance, to give Way to the Charge, to their own great Prejudice: But Friends, put on the Shield of Faith, whereby ye may be able to quench the fiery Darts of the Wicked; they are called Darts, becauſe of their ſudden Injection; and fiery Ones, becauſe of the Pain they occaſion; both which are plain Proofs, that they are not the Product of your own Nature, for if ſo, they would be gradual and agreeable; do not therefore charge upon yourſelves, the Sins of the Devil, or be frightned or troubled about them, let him anſwer for his own Sins himſelf; Temptations that come from without, not conſented to by our Wills, are not our Sins, for thus our Saviour was tempted, and yet without Sin. 4th, He repreſents God to be all Anger and Revenge againſt them, inexorable to their Cries, and that he is only waiting for an Opportunity to deſtroy them; while they were in Security, he repreſented God in too favourable a Dreſs, as if he was all Mercy, and no Juſtice; and now in too ſevere a one, as all Juſtice, and no Mercy: But how can it be, that the Almighty ſhould ſpare you, when you were going on with a high Hand againſt him in Sin, and take this Opportunity to deſtroy you, when you are mourning for your Iniquities, and endeavouring to turn from them to him: No it can never be, for he himſelf has by his Spirit ſtirred you up to this, he that with Compaſſion heard Ephraim's Moans, hears yours alſo, and will help you in due Time. 5th, Satan ſuggeſts that the Day of Grace is paſt, for, ſaith he, God takes no Notice of your Prayers, and you are judicially hardened. A. It is no Proof that God takes no Notice of your Prayers, becauſe you are not immediately anſwered; the Church complained, that God had ſhut out her Prayers, but without Cauſe; he is not bound to our Times, the Viſion is for an appointed Time, which we muſt wait for; while you bewail your Hardneſs of Heart, it is not judicial; the ſpiritual, rational, and beſt Part of Contrition, conſiſts in the Pliableneſs of the Will, and not in the ſoft Flow of the Affections, which though agreeable, is not eſſential to Contrition, but accidental and ſeparable; while you are with Seriouſneſs endeavouring to mourn over Sin, and turn from it to God, the Day of Grace is ſo far from being over with you, that this is the ſpecial Seaſon of it; now God is working by his Word and Spirit upon you, and graciouſly calling you to his Arms. 6th, Satan knowing that ſo ſoon as ever the poor Sinner embraces Chriſt, and depends upon him entirely by Faith, the Match is made, which will endure for ever, and that then the Sinner will get out of his Clutches; he tries with all his Might to keep them from Faith, he adviſes them as a Friend to beware of preſuming, and of being deceived, and to cover this Device, he tells them the Soul is precious, it would be a great pity to be miſtaken, and likewiſe that they have been great Sinners, and have not yet been ſufficiently humbled and reformed, to prepare them for believing; without which, it would be raſh and dangerous. A. But for ſuch as feel their Diſeaſe, to receive the Gift of God, and lean upon him for Salvation, is ſo far from being preſumptuous, that it is a Duty; this is the Commandment, that ye believe in the Name of his Son Jeſus Chriſt, and to the Performance of this, the dear Redeemer earneſtly invites the Wounded (John 6.37.) this is therefore the Way to be ſaved and healed, inſtead of being deceived; nor does the ſacred Scriptures preſcribe any particular Degree of Humiliation and Reformation, as abſolutely neceſſary, previous to Faith, only this in general, that we be ſo ſenſible of the Danger of Sin, that we are willing to forſake it, and embrace the Redeemer, as he is offered to us in the Goſpel: It is therefore exceeding dangerous to defer any longer, a Cloſure with Chriſt, on Account of theſe, or any other Pretences whatſoever; let us then come to him as we are, as Sinners, without any Price in our Hands, and give ourſelves up to him for ever, in order to be made righteous and holy by his Blood and Spirit! 7th, Once more, Satan ſome Times tempts the Convinced, to believe that they have committed the unpardonable Sin, and therefore that it is too late for them to ſtrive; by this Means, through implacable Malice againſt God, and the Souls of Men, he labours to drive them to Madneſs, Deſpair, or Self-Murder, and to keep them from Chriſt: But pray, how ſhould you be guilty of the unpardonable Sin? Before you were convinced, you could not commit it, for want of Light, and ſince you could not, for want of Will; ſince you have been awakened, you have been trying to bewail your Offences, and come to Chriſt, which are inconſiſtent with that Sin, and plainly ſhew you are not guilty of it; but I have ſinned againſt Light and Mercy, and quenched God's holy Spirit. A. So have all of adult Age, more or leſs, and even many of thoſe that are now in Heaven; witneſs David, Solomon, Peter, Manaſſes, yea Paul himſelf acknowledges, that what he would not, that he did, even after he was converted; this Objection concludes too much, and therefore nothing at all: But I have Enmity againſt the Father, and the Son. A. What then, this is no more than all Mankind have naturally, and therefore it proves nothing againſt you; pray conſider, that the Phariſees, who are charged with this Sin, were convinced by the miraculous Works which Chriſt wrought, that he was the Meſſias, and yet contrary to their Conſciences, they rejected him, and the Way of Salvation by him, and from a Habit of Malice, aſcribed (openly in Words) his miraculous Works to the Devil, charged him with divers Crimes, and perſecuted him, and his Servants, to the Death. Theſe Things you cannot with Juſtice and Truth aſcribe to yourſelves, and therefore the Enemy's Charge is falſe; and indeed you ſhew little Judgment in giving heed to it, reſiſt the Devil, and he will flee from you; be the more frequent and earneſt in Prayer, and Satan will ſoon be tired, for he does not like to excite you to Devotion; the darkeſt Time of the Night, preceeds the Break of Day; in the Mount, God is ſeen; our Extremity, is his Opportunity to ſhew Favour; believe in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and ye ſhall be ſaved. Amen.

BUT I proceed to offer a Word of Advice to ſuch as are converted. Labour to love your heavenly Father, bleſs him for his diſtinguiſhing Mercy to you, and endeavour to live a Life of Thankſgiving and Praiſe, which as it is the moſt pleaſant, ſo it is the moſt profitable Life; Gratitude for paſt Mercies, is the beſt Method to obtain more: Seek your Father's Honour, by bringing forth much Fruit to him, for hereby he is glorified; John 15.8. Imitate his Example, by endeavouring to be Holy, as he is Holy; and Merciful, as he is Merciful; this will be the beſt Evidence of your Sonſhip; obey his Laws with Sincerity and Steadineſs, and then ſhall ye have no Reaſon to be aſhamed (Pſ. 119.) Submit with Silence and Reverence to his fatherly Chaſtnings, as knowing they proceed from Love, and will iſſue in your Benefit (Heb. 12.9, 10.) Depend with Firmneſs on your Father's Promiſe, as knowing it will never fail (2 Cor. 1, 20.) Maintain honourable Sentiments of your Father's Care and Love (Pſ. 103.13.) Let Zion lie near your Heart, and engroſs a Part of your Thoughts and Cares (Pſ. 137.5.) Grow in Grace, and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt; in fine, add to your Faith, Virtue; and to Virtue, Knowledge; and to Knowledge, Temperance; and to Temperance, Patience; and to Patience, Godlineſs; and to Godlineſs, Brotherly-Kindneſs; and to Brotherly-Kindneſs, Charity. AMEN, AMEN.

IN theſe Words is contained a gracious Invitation, in which four Things are remarkable, viz. the Perſons inviting, the Perſons invited, the Duty invited to, and the Mode of the Invitation; each of which, I would diſcourſe upon in their Order.

1. THE Perſons inviting, are the Spirit, the Bride, and him that heareth; and, 1ſt, The Spirit invites poor Sinners to haſten to the Mediator, by his gracious Influences, through the Word, Ordinances, and Providences of God; by ſhewing the Reaſonableneſs, Neceſſity, and Advantages thereof, in a clear and ſtrong Light to the Mind, and diſpoſing the Soul hereto; without his Operations all Means are like the Staff of Elijah, and the Pool of Siloam, before the Angel deſcended and troubled the Waters, unable to awake the Dead, or heal the Wounded! 2d, The Bride, i. e. ſuch as are really eſpouſed to Chriſt, ſincerely and earneſtly long after the Converſion of others: They have found by Experience, the Danger of Sin, and the Sweetneſs of a Saviour's Love; and therefore bid awakened Sinners, heartily welcome to the dear Redemer. And, 3d, Him that heareth, ſayeth come; this Phraſe may intend ſome that wiſh well to the Redeemer's Kingdom, but are kept by unbelieving Fears, about the State of their Souls, from joining with the Church, in ſealing Ordinances; even ſuch are pleaſed, when they ſee Sinners flocking to the great Emmanuel, as Doves to their Windows! And bid them God Speed, at leaſt by the ſilent, but expreſſive Language, of their Looks and Behaviour. But the

2. PARTICULAR contained in the Invitation, is the Perſons invited; 1ſt, Him that is a-thirſt; this Character ſuppoſes a Sight and Senſe of Sin and Miſery, and implies earneſt and inſatiable Deſires after Relief, which are uſually attended with Reſtleſſneſs and Pain, and followed with vehement and unwearied Endeavours to obtain Mercy, ſuch pray with Importunity, like convinced Saul, and preſs with determined Reſolution, into the Kingdom of God, though it be ſome Times, through a Crowd of Oppoſition and Temptation. And, 2d, Whoſoever will, i. e. is willing to forſake all Sin, all Self-Dependance, and accept a whole Saviour, with his Law and Croſs, as well as depend entirely on his Blood, and live to him; every ſuch Perſon is invited by the bleſſed God, to come and take the Water of Life freely; let his outward State be never ſo poor and mean, his Sins ever ſo many, or ſo great; and his Troubles for them, in his Apprehenſion, ever ſo ſmall? All theſe are no Hindrances to Remiſſion and Salvation, in caſe you believe. The

3. PARTICULAR in the Invitation, is the Duties invited to, which are theſe, 1ſt, To come to Chriſt, and his Benefits, which are doubtleſs intended by the Water of Life, in this Text: Now coming to Chriſt, moſt certainly ſignifies, our believing in him; he therefore that believes that Chriſt is the Son of God, the Saviour of the World, able and willing to ſave all that come to the Father by him; 〈◊〉 that ſeriouſly conſiders upon the Terms of Self-Denial, taking up the Croſs, and following Chriſt, that the Goſpel offers him, and his Benefits upon, and fully Conſents to them; he that relies upon his Mediation entirely, for a Right to Happineſs, under a Senſe of Guilt and Impotency, and commits the Concerns of his Salvation into his Hands, with Freedom, Deſire, and Hope, and in Conſequence hereof, brings forth the Fruits of the Spirit, comes to Chriſt, John 1.12, Cant. 8. 2 Tim. 1.12. 2d. The other Duty here recommended, is to take the Water of Life freely, i. e. to accept of Chriſt, his Spirit, and Grace, as the Gift of God's unexcited Mercy, which you do not, nor can deſerve, by any, or all of your Performances, paſt, preſent, or future, and which he is under no Obligation to vouchſafe, either by his Nature or Promiſe, but may abſolutely deny in Conſiſtency with both, after you have done your utmoſt: This is intended by the divine Injunction, of buying Wine and Milk, without Money, and without Price; the Poor in Spirit are bleſſed, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven: JEHOVAH hears the Cries of the Poor and Needy, nor does he deſpiſe the Prayers of the Deſtitute; in him the Fatherleſs find Mercy; i. e. ſuch as feel themſelves to be worthleſs, helpleſs, forlorn Orphans, and flee to him for Relief, ſhall be graciouſly received by him. The grand Qualification, is to be ſenſible we have none, and come to the bleſſed Jeſus, as condemned Criminals, for the free Remiſſion of all our Guilt by his Blood; as polluted Lepers, for cleanſing from all our Filthineſs by his Spirit; as Orphans, for ſhelter from all our Enemies, under his Wing; as Beggars, for an Alms of mere Mercy; as little Children, to be inſtructed in all we ſhould believe and do: Unleſs we have this Temper of Mind, we cannot depend upon the Mediator entirely, nor are we diſpoſed to value ſuitably, and ſeek intenſely, the important Benefits of his Purchaſe, or to render to God, the Honour due for themSee Rom. 9.15, 32. Eph. 1.3, 62, 3.9. Rom. 3.23, 28. James 1.18. John 1.13. 2 Tim. 19. Tit. 3.5..

The Lord JESUS CHRIST, and his Grace, are in our Text, called WATER OF LIFE, or compared to a Fountain of Waters, becauſe of ſome Analogy between them, which appears in the following Inſtances; as Water cools in the ſultry Heat, ſo the Blood of JESUS pacifies the Conſcience; as Water quenches the Thirſt of the Body, ſo does the Grace of Chriſt that of the Soul; he that drinks of this living Water ſhall never Thirſt, but it ſhall be in him as a Well of Water; (John 4.10, 13, 14.) As Streams of Water are not only beautiful in themſelves, but beautify the Bodies they are applied to, ſo the dear JESUS is not only in himſelf lovely, but he makes his People ſo, with his Comlineſs; as Water runs freely and ſteadily from a Fountain, when Land-Floods are either dried up with the Summer Heat, or frozen with the Winter Cold; ſo the Grace of Chriſt, is in the Souls of his People, as a Fountain of Waters, ſpringing up to eternal Life: Chriſt, and his Grace, may be truly called Water of Life, becauſe through this, he gives a Right to eternal Life, purchaſed by his Blood, as well as implants and preſerves to the End, a Principle of divine Life, by his Spirit and Interceſſion; which makes meet for Eternal! But the

4. PARTICULAR in the Invitation, is the MODE of it. The Invitation is preſſed three Times, in our Text, to ſhew, 1ſt, The abſolute Certainty, and great MOMENT of the Duty enjoined; our eternal All depends upon it; without Union to Chriſt, we can have no Title to his precious Benefits; now FAITH is the Band of this Union; as Bread, if it be not eaten, will not nouriſh us, as Raiment not put on, will not cloath us, as a Medicine unapplied, will not heal us, ſo Chriſt, and his Benefits, will be of no ſaving Service to us, unleſs they be received by FAITH; by this we feed on the Bread of Life, put on the Lord JESUS CHRIST, and are healed by the Balm of Gilead. Nothing is more frequently enjoined, and ſtrongly recommended in the ſacred Oracles, than this Grace of Faith; by this we are juſtified from the Guilt of Sin (Acts 13.39.) ſanctified from its Stain (2 Cor. 3.18.) adopted into the Family of God (John 1.12.) and admitted into Heaven (John 3.16.) by this we are comforted in all our Sorrows (Rom. 5.2.) in this we ſhould pray (James 1.6.) by this we ſhould live (Gal. 2.20.) and in this we ſhould die (Heb. 11.13.) the total Want of this Chriſt abſolutely condemns (John 8.24.) Averſion to this he paſſionately bewails (John 5.40.) Weakneſs in this he ſharply reproves (Luke 24.25.) a great Degree of this he highly commends (Mat. 15.22, 29.) Behold, a Woman of Canaan cried unto him, ſaying, have Mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David, my Daughter is grievouſly vexed with a Devil; but he anſwered her not a Word: And his Diſciples came and beſought him, ſaying, ſend her away, for ſhe crieth after us: But he anſwered and ſaid, I am not ſent but to the loſt Sheep of the Houſe of Iſrael; then came ſhe and worſhipped him, ſaying, Lord help me: But he anſwered and ſaid, it is not meet to take the Childrens Bread and caſt it to Dogs; and ſhe ſaid truth Lord: Yet the Dogs eat of the Crumbs which fall from their Maſter's Table; then Jeſus anſwered and ſaid unto her, O Woman, great is thy Faith, be it unto thee even as thou wilt. Here obſerve, the Petitioner was a Pagan, the Errand ſhe came upon, was the Cure of her Daughter, who was under ſome diſtreſſing bodily Diſtemper, in which Satan had a Hand; this humane and amiable Parent, ſympathized with her poor Child, and came to the Mediator on her Account, for Help. O! may not the noble Example of this virtuous and devout Pagan, make thoſe PARENTS, falſly called CHRISTIAN, aſhamed, whoſe Children are under the Tyranny of the Devil, poſting faſt to Ruin, and yet neglect to bring them to Jeſus to be healed, as this Canaanite did her Daughter, who petitioned with Modeſty and Vehemence for Mercy in her Behalf, and looked on it as Mercy to herſelf! ſhe cried unto him, ſaying, have Mercy on me, O Lord, and waited with Patience and Perſeverance in the Way of Duty, for the Anſwer of her Suit, till ſhe was three Times repulſed! At firſt Chriſt was ſilent, he anſwered her not a Word, which was a dark Symptom! and when his Diſciples interpoſed, perhaps more to befriend themſelves than her, being wearied with her Importunity; he repeats the Repulſe, by ſaying, I am not ſent but to the loſt Sheep of the Houſe of Iſrael: The Door of Mercy ſeemed to be now quite ſhut, yet this poor Woman, the Honour of her Sex, was neither offended nor diſcouraged, but renews her Importunity, with increaſing Reverence and Vehemence, then came ſhe and worſhipped, ſaying, Lord help me; a ſhort, but ſubſtantial and humble Prayer: Upon this our Lord gave her a third Repulſe, accompanied with a Reproach, ſaying, It is not meet to take the Children's Bread, and caſt it to Dogs; this brought her Calamity to the higheſt Criſis, for it ſeemed to be a final Rejection, and that with an Appearance of Contempt; for our Saviour hereby implicitly called her and her Daughter DOGS: Surprizing that the compaſſionate REDEEMER, whoſe Speech diſtills as the Rain and Dew upon the tender Herb, ſhould ſpeak thus roughly to a humble, importunate Supplicant! but it was with a kind Intention, to try and manifeſt her Faith, and render the Mercy implored, the more agreeable and affecting, when vouchſafed! as well as to magnify his own Power and Grace in the Iſſue! But let us attend the Petitioner's Anſwer, to the third Repulſe; here let us be all Ear, all Aſtoniſhment! and ſhe the Syrophaenician ſaid, truth Lord, yet the Dogs eat of the Crumbs which fall from their Maſter's Table: It is, as if ſhe had ſaid, Lord, I confeſs, the Jews are Children, and I and my Daughter are DOGS, poor HEATHENS, no Members of God's viſible Kingdom; and that it is unreaſonable, that we who are Dogs, ſhould be ſerved before all the Children are ſatisfied; but Lord, I do not preſume to aſk a full Manifeſtation of thy Power and Goodneſs to the Gentiles, till an Offer of Mercy is made to the loſt Sheep of the Houſe of Iſrael; I only beg a CRUMB of Mercy for myſelf and my poor Child, and Lord, though it is not cuſtomary, to give whole Loaves prepared for Children to Dogs, yet they are permitted to pick up the Crumbs that fall from their Maſter's Table, O let us have the ſame Privilege; I believe Lord thou haſt a ſufficient Fullneſs of Grace and Bleſſing, to ſatisfy the Children, and ſpare us a few Crumbs! What Humility appears in this Anſwer, in acknowledging herſelf to be a Dog? What Modeſty, in begging no more but a Crumb? What Faith, Fervency, and Ingenuity, in bearing up under ſo many Repulſes, in continuing her Suit notwithſtanding of them, and in forming a Plea from a Refuſal to inforce it! The Iſſue of this Struggle was honourable and comfortable, and Jeſus ſaid unto her, O Woman, great is thy Faith, be it unto thee even as thou wilt: Hitherto, the dear Redeemer put on a ſtern Aſpect, but now he looks ſerene, and ſpeaks like himſelf, as Joſeph, when he made himſelf known to his Brethren, ſaying, I am Joſeph! Though divers Graces ſhone with uncommon Luſtre, in this amiable Lady's heroine and exemplary Conduct; yet the greateſt Honour is put upon her Faith (becauſe this honours God more than any other Grace) the Greatneſs of which, appears in her importunate perſiſting, after ſo many Diſcouragements and Refuſals; as Jacob, who wreſtled with his God, and prevailed; ſhe as a Princeſs, ſucceeded in her Suit, and obtained the Bleſſing ſhe deſired! And truly Brethren, the Way to get our Will, is to believe in Jeſus!

ANOTHER Inſtance of our Saviour's commending a great Degree of FAITH, is the Centurion, who waited upon our Saviour, for the Cure of his ſick Servant; to whom our Lord ſaid, he would come and heal him; but this Roman CAPTAIN anſwered and ſaid, Lord I am not worthy, that thou ſhouldſt come under my Roof, but ſpeak the Word only, and my Servant ſhall be healed; when Jeſus heard it, he marvelled, and ſaid, verily I have not found ſo great Faith, no not in Iſrael; ſee Mat. 8.8, 10. The Anſwer of this Gentleman, was truly admirable, full of ſingular Humility, Reverence, and Faith: He was loth that our Lord, ſhould put himſelf to the Trouble of going to his Houſe, a Favour which he reckoned himſelf unworthy of, nor did he think there was the leaſt Neceſſity of his perſonal Preſence to effect the Cure: Only ſpeak the Word, ſaid he, and my Servant ſhall be healed; he nobly believed, that our Lord, had as abſolute controul over Diſeaſes, as he over his Soldiers: An Example of Piety and Humanity this, worthy the Admiration, and Imitation of all, and eſpecially of ſuch, who are of the military Order! Once more,

FOR Eminence in this glorious Grace of Faith, an honourable Title and Encomium, were given to Abraham, and are tranſmitted to all Generations, as a Motive and Pattern, to all his ſpiritual, as well as natural Offſpring, Rom. 4.17, 22. I have made thee a Father of many Nations; who againſt Hope (or the outward Appearance, and general Courſe of Things) believed in Hope: He ſtaggered not at the Promiſe through Unbelief, but was ſtrong in Faith, giving Glory to God, being fully perſwaded, that what he had promiſed, he was able to perform. After the Promiſe of a numerous Poſterity, he had no Iſſue by Sarah, till they were both ſo advanced in Years, that it was utterly improbable, according to the Courſe of Nature: Twenty Years elapſed, before Iſaac was born, this SON of his aged Years, this Son of his pregnant Hopes, this Son of the Promiſe, the Staff of his Age, the Darling of his Heart, his only Son, the Son whom he loved, he is commanded peremptorily, without any Reaſon aſſigned, to SLAY, and that with his own HAND; O amazing Trial! what unſurmountable Difficulties attended his Compliance? How could it conſiſt with the moral Law, which is of invariable Equity? How with Reaſon, with Humanity, with natural Affection, with the Promiſe of GOD to him, the Peace of his own Mind, the Peace of his Family? How with his Honour, and the Credit of Religion, that he ſhould ſlay his Son? But Abram being fully convinced of a divine Warrant, notwithſtanding of all that has been ſaid, prepares for a Compliance, and with an unparalleled, invincible Firmneſs of Reſolution, begins it; though the Child put an additional Remora in his Way, by his tender Appellation, and innocent Query; Father here is the Wood, but where is the Lamb, for a Burnt-Offering? This Addreſs, in ſuch Circumſtances, muſt pierce an affectionate Parent's Heart, and make his Bowels turn within him! Yet this extraordinary Man ſtood the Shock, and remained immovable; built the Altar, bound his Son, laid him on it, took the awful Knife, and ſtretched forth his Hand, to give the fatal Stroke, at the very Throat of his Iſaac! Be aſtoniſhed, O Heavens, at this, and wonder, O Earth! here is an act of Faith and Obedience, which deſerves to be a Spectacle to God, Angels, and Men! Abram's Darling, Sarah's Laughter, the Churches Hope, the Heir of Promiſe, lies ready to bleed and die, by his own Father's Hand! Here is an Inſtance of HEROIC FAITH, that merits everlaſting Admiration and Renown, an Example, that our Duty, our Honour, our Comfort, our Uſefulneſs, our immortal Intereſt, conſpire to incite us (who profeſs a Relation to him) to imitate, with an inviolate, unfainting Firmneſs, to our dying Breath!

BUT the Mode of the Invitation, in our Text, is not only deſigned to ſignify the Certainty, and great Moment of the Duty enjoined, of coming to Chriſt, or believing in him: But, 2d, The Almighty's Earneſtneſs, to obtain our Compliance; to this End, Chriſt Jeſus ſtands at the Door and knocks, ſaying, if any Man will hear my Voice, and open the Door, I will come in and Sup with him, and he with me: Rev. 3.20. With what Terms of Endearment does the bleſſed Jeſus accoſt his worthleſs Bride, to excite her to perform this important Duty? Cant. 4.8. Come with me from Lebanon, my Spouſe, look from the Top of Amana, from the Top of Shenir and Hermon: Cant. 5.2. Open to me my Siſter, my Love, my Dove, my Undefiled, for my Head is filled with the Dew, and my Locks with the Drops of the Night, waiting for Admiſſion, into the Heart I have formed, and which I only can ſatisfy! To this Purpoſe, God commands, threatens, invites, encourages, 1 John 3.23. This is the Commandment, that ye believe in the Name of his Son Jeſus Chriſt, he that believes not is condemned already, he ſhall not ſee Life, but the Wrath of God abideth on him; John 3.18, 36. Come unto me all ye that labour, and are heavy Laden, and I will give you Reſt.

BUT the MODE of Invitation, ſpeaks the convinced Sinners great Backwardneſs to believe; it is as difficult to perſwade a convinced Sinner to believe, as the Secure to awake: The Secure have many Excuſes, e. g. God is merciful, I am not ſo bad as many others, nor ſo bad as I have formerly been myſelf; I have a good Heart, thank God, and many good Thoughts, and mean no Harm to any; I have never wronged a Man of a Penny in my Life, and am no Hypocrite, as many are: On the Contrary, the Convinced have many Excuſes againſt believing, which is owing to the following Cauſes, viz. 1ſt, To our being born under a Covenant of Works, the Veſſels retain a Tang of the Liquor firſt put into it; the Law is not of Faith, but he that doth the Things written therein, ſhall live by them; i. e. he who perſonally, perfectly, and perpetually obeys the Law, ſhall obtain eternal Life, by his Obedience, without FAITH in a MEDIATOR: But we have broken the Law, in our firſt Parents, and therefore Salvation by it, is now rendered impoſſible, for we are all condemned for Original Sin, and curſed for the leaſt Actual, Gal. 3.9, 10. Yet, though this Way be ſhut up, our natural Deſire after Salvation by it continues. 2d, Another Cauſe of our Backwardneſs to Believe, is our Ignorance of the Goſpel Method of Salvation, by Grace; the natural Man does not underſtand the Things of the Spirit of God, and in particular, he does not clearly perceive the Difference, between Salvation by the Law, or by Grace; but ſtill dreams contrary to God's expreſs Declaration, that it is of him that willeth, and of him that runneth, and not of God that ſheweth Mercy. Mere ſpeculative Knowledge, will not divorce us from the Law, as a Huſband; let Men hear ever ſo much of the new Covenant Way of Salvation by Grace, they have not a diſtinct, affecting View of it, till it be opened to them, by the Word and Spirit of God, and therefore even when they are awakened, they try to cure themſelves by a more ſtrict and earneſt Performance of Duty, and are amazed and nonpluſſed, when they find this Method does not anſwer their Deſign! They labour to join the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt, and their own, and make a patched, Cloak to ſcreen them from the divine Vengeance; but they may as eaſily make a Rope of Sand, or unite Light and Darkneſs, ſee Rom. 11.5, 6. Gal. 5.4. 3d, Pride oppoſes Faith, it goes againſt the Grain to be beholden to Chriſt for a free Cure, haughty Sinners ſcorn to ſtoop to the humble State of Beggars, and therefore try to barter and truck for Salvation with Almighty God, as if they could keep even Scores with him, or bring Immenſity in Debt; they love the Spider's proud Motto, I am Debtor to myſelf alone; and hence it is ſaid of the Jews, Rom. 10.3. That being ignorant of God's Righteouſneſs, and going about to eſtabliſh their own, they did not ſubmit themſelves to the Righteouſneſs of God. This is the Reaſon why natural Men ſpurn with ſuch Indignation againſt the Sovereignty of God, and grapple with him for his Throne; they cannot endure to think of being under his Controul: No, inſtead of that, they will have their Creator dependant on their Wills forſooth; and obliged to lacky after their inſolent and precarious Nod! and tell ſmooth Stories, to palliate their blaſphemous Arrogance; as if it was right and reaſonable, that they ſhould take the Reins of Empire, and occupy Jehovah's Place: But Sinners muſt bow, or be broken in Pieces, humbled or damned! Iſ. 28.18, 20. Gal. 2.16. 4th, Another Cauſe of Men's Backwardneſs to believe, is FEAR of PRESUMPTION; preſuming of Mercy out of God's Way, was their Sin before, and the Fear of preſuming in the Way of Duty, is their Sin now: It is, no Doubt, Preſumption to expect Mercy, in the Way of Impiety and Unbelief; but it cannot be Preſumption to obey God's poſitive Command, and kind Invitation, in believing his faithful Word, and accepting his gracious Offers: The Devil is as buſy to keep the Convinced from Faith, as the Secure from Conviction; and this he does as an Angel of Light, under a Cloak of Friendſhip; to the Secure he ſays, take care you do not Deſpair, and to the Convinced, take care you do not preſume, by believing over haſtily, before you are ſufficiently prepared for it; and alas, the Misfortune is, he is ſooner believed than the God of Truth! 5th, Another Cauſe is, EASE in DUTIES WITHOUT CHRIST; they mourn, pray, reſolve, reform, and theſe Things give them Eaſe; but alas, Friends, this is a falſe Cure: Though theſe Duties are good in their Places, as neceſſary Means to obtain the Favour of God, yet they are not the End, they are not Chriſt; we muſt be acquainted with him, or periſh for ever: The ſtung Iſraelites muſt look on the brazen Serpent, or die in their Wounds; now, as Moſes lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderneſs, even ſo muſt the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoſoever believeth in him ſhould not periſh, but have eternal Life, John 3.14, 15. If Duties would heal without Chriſt, then there was no need of his being ſent into the World.

FROM what has been ſaid, we may learn, the Goodneſs and Love of God, in providing ſuch a ſuitable and ſufficient Redeemer, for fallen Mankind, and in uſing ſuch humble Importunity, to perſwade them to accept of him, and Salvation through him! There is a Balm in Gilead, there is a Phyſician there, a Fountain is opened for Sin and Uncleanneſs, the Man Chriſt Jeſus is a hiding Place from the Wind, and a Covert from the Tempeſt, as Rivers of Waters in a dry Place, as the Shadow of a great Rock in a weary Land (Iſ. 32.) him the Lord hath anointed, to preach good Tidings to the Meek, to bind up the Broken-hearted, and proclaim Liberty to the Captives, Iſ. 61. Poor, miſerable, blind, and naked Sinners, are expreſly counſelled by Chriſt himſelf, to buy of him Gold tried in the Fire, that they may be rich, white Raiment that they may be cloathed, and to anoint their Eyes with Eye-Salve, that they may ſee, Rev. 3.17, 18. In his immenſe, unwaſted Fullneſs, every Bleſſing is contained, which guilty and indigent Sinners need, for it has pleaſed the Father, that in him all Fullneſs ſhould dwell. Come then, my guilty Friends, and welcome to an all-ſufficient and compaſſionate Saviour, and conſent to be entertained, with the beſt Bleſſings Heaven can afford, a Soul receive, or a God can give, upon free Coſt! When we conſider, my Brethren and Siſters, the Value and Duration of this Proviſion, the infinite Price whereby it was procured, the Freeneſs of the Offer thereof to all, yea the very worſt of Mankind, the independent Majeſty, and yet condeſcending Importunity of the Inviter, together with the Meanneſs and Vileneſs of the Gueſts; it is enough to tranſport and raviſh us; be aſtoniſhed, O Heavens, at this Prodigy of Love and Grace, which is infinitely too big for the Thoughts or Words of Men and Angels, in Heaven and Earth, for ever to conceive or expreſs! Behold what Manner of Love is this, that we ſhould be called the Sons of God! herein is Love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and ſent his only begotten Son to be a Propitiation for our Sins! O the Depth of the Riches, both of the Wiſdom and Knowledge of God, how unſearchable are his Judgments, and his Ways paſt finding out!. O the Breadth, the Length, the Depth, the Heighth, of the Love of Chriſt, which paſſeth Knowledge! And what Gratitude, dear Sirs, does this matchleſs, gracious Love, deſerve from us, for ever? What a Monſter then of Iniquity, muſt Unbelief be, that caſts a Slight upon all this Love and Grace, thwarts the Deſign both of the Law and Goſpel, oppoſes the gracious Purpoſe of God towards his Elect, oppoſes the Purchaſe of Chriſt, the Agency of his holy Spirit, oppoſes all the Invitations and Promiſes of the whole Book of God, oppoſes all the Diſpenſations of divine Providence, and makes them, where it habitually governs, of no effect! O horrid! This, this then is the Sin of Sins, worſe than any other, yea than all the Reſt; and hence, when the holy Spirit convinces the World of Sin, the Iniquity that is only mentioned, is Unbelief, as if there was no other, to ſignify that it is the worſt of all; as Faith is the cardinal Grace, ſo is Unbelief the cardinal Sin; the GENERALISSIMO of all Satan's Troops, that leads them on to Battle, and ranges them in Battalia, John 16.8, 9. In this Monſter are graſped theſe malignant Ingredients, viz. Rebellion againſt the higheſt Authority, 1 John 3.23. Ingratitude againſt the richeſt Grace and Mercy, Iſ. 1.2, 3. Blaſphemy againſt ſupream Majeſty, in charging Falſhood upon the God of Truth, 1 John 5.10. Madneſs in contending with Omnipotence, Murder in faſtning the Guilt of all other Sins, and entailing God's Wrath and Curſe upon us for ever, John 3.36. Treaſon againſt GOD, and Confederacy with the Devil; hereby Men enliſt under the Colours of the Prince of Darkneſs, gratify his Spite, and obey his Orders, in fighting againſt the Being, Honour, and Government of God, ſpitting in his Face, the Seat of Beauty and Majeſty, and deſpiſing his Grace and Love And yet this Hydra is quite overlooked, by the Pagan Schemes of pretended Chriſtianity, which our unhappy Nation abounds with, in this Day of Degeneracy and Blaſphemy!! I therefore earneſtly beſeech you to comply with the Invitation, in our Text; to excite hereto, O conſider, the gracious Nature of GOD (Ex. 34.6.) the dying Love of God (Rom. 5.8.) his Purpoſe (Eph. 1.6.) Promiſe (John 6.37.) Power (Heb. 7.25.) Grace (Iſ. 43.21, 26.) and Invitations to the Chief of Sinners, the Wretched, Poor, Blind, and Naked (Rev. 3.17, 18.) to all that labour and are heavy laden (Mat. 11.28.) to all that are a-thirſt, and are willing to come, as our Text aſſures us. Once more, conſider that the Offers of Mercy, are not by proper SALE, but by free ſovereign GIFT, without any Righteouſneſs of ours as a Price of Purchaſe; it is called indeed a buying, to ſhew the poor Sinners Willingneſs to give all he has, but then that he is ſenſible his All is nothing to God, no Price, and therefore he buys as a Beggar without Money, and takes the Water of Life freely. AMEN.

NOTWITHSTANDING all the Goodneſs of GOD, the People of Iſrael treacherouſly departed from him, as an adulterous Wife, from an affectionate Huſband; for which, divers Calamities were ſent upon them, with which, the holy Spirit graciouſly co-operating, many had an affecting View, both of their Sin and Puniſhment; ſo that a Voice of Weeping and Supplication was heard in the Places of public Convention, they affectionately acknowledged their Iniquities, and earneſtly implored Mercy: O! that as we have imitated them in their Sin and Puniſhment, we may be enabled to imitate them in their Weeping, Devotion, and Diſpoſition, to return, to the God from whom we ſtrayed. Verily, Brethren, there is as great Neceſſity, that our Places of public Worſhip ſhould be BOCHIMS; for our Sins are more heinous, being committed againſt greater Light and Love; and divine Juſtice is certainly diſpoſed to proportion Calamities, to the Crimes of Offenders, nor is there any Reaſon to expect a national Deliverance in Mercy, from the Diſtreſſes we feel or fear, without a general Repentance, and Reformation of Manners: But theſe, would open a Door of Hope, and diffuſe a Gleam of Light upon our benighted Nation, as on the People of Iſrael; for behold, while they bemoan themſelves, a gracious God addreſſes them in the loving Language of our Text; Return ye backſliding Children, and I will heal your Backſlidings: The Words contain a gracious Invitation, in which four Things are obſervable, viz. The Inviter, the bleſſed GOD; the Perſons invited, the People of Iſrael; the Duty invited to, returning to God, a Motive to this propoſed, and I will heal your Backſlidings. And,

1. THE Inviter is the glorious God, to whoſe Service, they had bound themſelves by Covenant Engagements; a Being who deſerved their ſupream Love, and humbleſt Homage; becauſe of his ſupream Eminence, and communicative Goodneſs, in innumerable, immerited, and important Inſtances!

2. THE Perſons invited, more immediately the People of Iſrael (and mediately all in their unhappy Circumſtances in after Time) here called Children, which they were in ſeveral Reſpects, viz. by Creation, thus all the human Race are Children of God, for he has made of one Blood all Nations; by Covenant Dedication, in this Senſe all the Nation of Iſrael are called God's Son, Ex. 4.22. and ſome of them were Children, in a ſpecial and ſaving Senſe, by Regeneration and Adoption, the former of which communicates the Diſpoſition of Children, and the latter enſtates in their Privileges! Farther,

THE People of Iſrael, are here called backſliding Children; the Almighty does not caſt them off, on Account of their Declinings in Religion, though they perhaps caſt off themſelves, and are caſt off by others, yet the gracious God owns them to be his Children ſtill, in their loweſt State; O amazing, glorious Goodneſs! This is Language becoming the God of Love and Grace, for none but a God would do thus! O poor Backſliders, when you hear the great Jehovah accoſt you in this endearing Manner, after all your Wandrings, it is enough to revive your diſcouraged Hearts, and diſſolve them into the tendereſt Contrition; who would not love and ſerve ſo gracious a God, and hope for great and good Things, from Goodneſs and Love itſelf? Here give me Leave to ſpeak of the NATURE, KINDS, CAUSES, and CONSEQUENCES, of Backſliding in Religion.

1. WE decline in Sentiment, when through the Corruption of our own Nature, together with the Stratagems of Satan, and artful Colourings of his Inſtruments, we depart, in any Degree, from the Simplicity of the Truth, as it is in Chriſt, and embrace thoſe Doctrines, which flatter the Pride of Nature, and tend to fix fooliſh Sinners, upon the ſandy Bottom of their own Wiſdom, Power, and Righteouſneſs, to the Diſparagement of Chriſt, and his Goſpel, and the Ruin of many Souls: Of this Stamp, are Doctrines of a Light in all Mankind, ſufficient to Salvation, without the ſacred Scriptures; a free Will, in the Unregenerate, to do ſpiritual Good; and of Juſtification, partly, or wholly, by Works; add to theſe, the Arian, Socinian, and Deiſtical Schemes, whereby many have with ſome ſhew of Wiſdom, endeavoured to baniſh the grand Peculiars of Chriſtianity from the Earth; but his Church is built upon a Rock, againſt which the Gates of Hell ſhall not prevail: Wiſdom will, in every Age, be juſtified by her Children. Corruption in Foundation Principles, when long continued in, under Advantages of Inſtruction, is no Doubt, an awful Symptom, of unhumbled Pride, Self-Ignorance, and Hypocriſy; and hence the Apoſtle obſerved, that ſome went from them, becauſe they were not of them: Yet it is certain, that truly pious Perſons, may not only err in leſſer Points of Truth, which is a common Caſe; but may for a Time be dangerouſly corrupted, in Matters of great Importance, as appears from the Caſe of the Galatians, who by the Induſtry and Stratagems of falſe Teachers, were induced, in ſome Degree, as it would ſeem, by the Epiſtle inſcribed to them, to warp in the great Doctrine of Juſtification, and to ſlight the Apoſtle Paul, who was, under God, a mean of their Converſion to him; and here it may be obſerved, that as falſe Doctrines favour Decays in Religion, ſo do the Latter the Former; they are indeed frequently mutual Cauſes of each other. Among the other Wickedneſſes of the preſent Age, this is one, that divers Pretenders to a Monopoly of Wiſdom, have with all their Art and Eloquence, laboured to repreſent the Doctrines of Religion to be of little or no Conſequence, though our Saviour declares, that we are ſanctified by them, and Reaſon itſelf teaches, that Sentiments have a Tendency to influence the Mind and Practice; nor is it eaſy to vindicate the Conduct of divine Wiſdom, in giving us ſo large a Syſtem of Doctrines in the BIBLE, if they are of no Importance: Theſe Philoſophers, by their laboured Harangues, upon a graceleſs, chriſtleſs Morality, have almoſt baniſhed, not only Chriſtianity, but even moral Virtue (which they pretend a Veneration for) out of the Church, and World: May God deliver his People from ſuch Pagan Preachers. There is an eaſy and natural Gradation, from Arminianiſm, to Arianiſm, and from that to Socinianiſm, and Deiſm; and this is the Path that many have trod in the preſent Age; let us therefore be afraid of falſe Doctrine (eſpecially in important Points) Contend earneſtly for the Faith once delivered to the Saints, and be valiant for the Truth upon the Earth; in the mean Time, taking care to ſpeak the Truth in Love, and to proportion our Zeal for it, to the various Degrees of Importance, of the different Truths that compoſe the Chriſtian Scheme; leſt the righteous God ſend ſtrong Deluſions, and ye believe a Lie, and be damned, 2 Theſ. 2.11, 12. But,

2. WE Backſlide in Diſpoſition and Practice, when we forget our firſt Love, and fall from our firſt Works; i. e. when our Views of divine Things are darkned, our Love to God and Man abates, and our Labours for God's Kingdom, as well as for our own Souls are relaxed, either at Times wholly neglected, or ſuperficially performed; when the Savour of Religion languiſhes in our Souls, and we have no Appetite for ſpiritual Food, but are indifferent whether we attend upon our Meals or not; and are more ready to carp at the Cookery, than to eat for our Nouriſhment, when no generous and pious Projects fire our Boſoms, and the Reproach of Zion does not trouble us, when we want to feather our Neſts, and ſleep in a whole Skin, more than to grow in Holineſs, or do Good; when Credit with blind Folks is a great Matter with us, and we fear the precious Croſs of Chriſt, when the World looks big in our Eyes, and its People wiſe and amiable, while in the mean Time, we neglect and ſlight the Saints of God, that are either poor in outward Eſtate, or through Backſliding, lean in their Souls, and inſtead of praying for them, and covering their Faults with a Mantle of Love, we aggravate their Blunders, and quite forgetful of our own, unmercifully condemn the State of their Souls.

THE Cauſes of Backſliding, are either General, or Particular; the general Cauſes are the Body of Death within us, and the numberleſs Devices of Satan, in concurrence therewith, which for the Sake of Brevity, I ſhall wave, and proceed to ſpeak upon the particular Cauſes, which are principally theſe following, viz. 1ſt, Neglect of the Heart; when Perſons take chief Care about the Outſide, and ſeem eaſy if that is regular, how wretched ſoever it is within, and are rather deſirous to have Praiſe of Man, than of God; this is the Beginning of Sorrows, for the Heart is the Parent of Action, and when that is not attended to, every Thing goes wrong; in this Situation, the Soul is like a Watch, when the Main-Spring is not well ſet; we are therefore enjoined to keep the Heart with all Diligence, becauſe out of it are the Iſſues of Life, Prov. 4.23. 2d, Another Cauſe is Sloth, in reſpect of the ſecret Duties of Religion, ſuch as frequent ejaculatory Prayer, and ſtated Prayer, and Meditation in the Cloſſet, or a ſuperficial Performance of them: When the Spouſe made Excuſes about riſing to open to her Lord, he preſently withdrew, Cant. 5.3, 6. When we are negligent, God is grieved, our reliſh of Religion abates, and we are gradually carried farther into the Spirit and Practice of the World: This deteſtable Iniquity, is at the Root of all Backſlidings and Apoſtacies in Religion, for the Proverb is true, That nemo repente fit turpiſtsimus; A Man does not ſit in the Scorners Chair at firſt, no, he firſt ſtands in the Way of Sinners, and walks in the Council of the Ungodly: O! it is no eaſy Matter to perſevere to the End, in a Courſe of religious Diligence; and yet the Savour of Piety cannot be preſerved without it: It is eaſy to begin well to Appearance, but to continue (hic Labor, hoc opus) is the grand Difficulty, and yet this is neceſſary to crown the Scene; for it is ſuch only, that perſevere to the End, who ſhall be ſaved. But, 3d, Another Cauſe is Unwatchfulneſs; when we do not watch againſt Temptations to Sin, or for Opportunities of doing and receiving Good; this makes us an eaſy prey to our vigilant and cruel Enemies, who are ſtrong and numerous, and we but weak and corrupt: Our Honour and Safety, as well as the Credit of Religion, do much depend upon our keeping a good Look-out; unleſs we are conſtantly on our Guard, we ſhall be ſoon enſnared and taken by Surprize, to our own Reproach and Loſs, and to the Shame and Grief of thoſe that fear God, who will be wounded through our Sides: This Conſideration, juſtly moved the Pſalmiſt, to pray earneſtly to his God, that none that ſought him ſhould be aſhamed on his Account; a very neceſſary Petition for us all; for we are in the Body, in great and conſtant Danger. And, dear Sirs, it would be much better for us to be hid in the Duſt, than to live to the Diſhonour of God: O then let us ſtrictly and ſteadily obſerve the important Counſel of our Lord, to watch and pray, leſt we enter into Temptation: While others are only watching to divert the Company, we ſhould watch for an Opportunity to put in a Word for God, this would be as Apples of Gold, in Pictures of Silver. 4th, Another Cauſe is, Trifling with Opportunities of public Worſhip; ſtaying at Home ſome Times without ſufficient Reaſon, and when they do come, do it not after earneſt Endeavours to get their Hearts in a right Frame, and with ſerious Deſires to profit; nor do they attend with Engagedneſs, and afterwards labour to digeſt what they have heard, by Meditation and Prayer: In ſuch a Courſe, nothing can be reaſonably expected but Decays; for as the natural Life cannot be ſuſtained without Food, and that digeſted, ſo neither can the Spiritual: The Word preached, is not only deſigned to form, but to finiſh Faith, and perfect the Body of Chriſt, Rom. 10.17. 1 Pet. 22. Eph. 4.11, 12. We ſhould therefore, as new born Babes, deſire the ſincere Milk of the Word, that we may grow thereby, and with Meekneſs receive it; for unleſs it be mixed with Faith, it will not profit us: We ſhould attend, my Brethren, from a Principle of Obedience to God's Authority, with an Eye to his Glory, and our own eternal Happineſs; for he commands us not to forget the Aſſembling of ourſelves together, as the Manner of ſome is, Heb. 10.25. and graciouſly promiſes, that where two or three are gathered together in his Name, he will be in the Midſt of them, Mat. 18.20. and that in all Places where he records his Name, he will come unto his People, and will bleſs them, Ex. 20.24. But to proceed, 5th, Neglect of the frequent Exerciſe of Repentance and Faith, is doubtleſs a Cauſe of Backſliding; when Perſons do not often mourn over their Sins, and oppoſe their Conſtitution Iniquity, they can have no Conſciouſneſs of Integrity, or reaſonably expect divine Influence, Mat. 5.29. Rom. 8.13. Nor is it leſs prejudicial to our Growth in Goodneſs, to neglect a frequent renewing of our Conſent to the Terms of the New-Covenant; and a reallizing by Faith, the Perfections and Friendſhip of GOD, and a State of future Glory: We ſhould frequently exerciſe Faith, upon divine Objects, and in particular, on the All-ſufficiency of God; he is infinitely more than ſufficient to ſatisfy our Souls in any Situation, and without him there is none to be had in any, that deſerves the Name; his Love will give Content in Rags, and make Bread and Water ſweet: Faith being the Conduit, whereby all divine Influence is communicated from Chriſt to us; it is therefore vain to expect Growth in Goodneſs, without the frequent Exerciſe thereof. 6th, Neglect of living upon the Promiſes, is another Cauſe of Backſliding; the Words of God are not Yea, and Nay, uncertain like thoſe of Creatures; but Yea, and Amen, of infallible Certainty: The Promiſes are deſigned for the Support of our Faith, that thereby Holineſs and Comfort may be promoted in us, 2 Cor. 7.1. Now when we either do not conſider, or ſtagger at the Promiſes, it is no Wonder our Comfort and Progreſs in Holineſs are mar'd: The Promiſes are admirably ſuited to all the Difficulties of this preſent Life; conſider in Perplexity, Pſ. 32.8. in Danger, Pſ. 32.7. Pſ. 91.4. in Want, Philip. 4.19. Iſ. 33.16. in Sickneſs, Pſ. 41.3. in outward Diſtreſſes, Pſ. 46.1. Deut. 33.27. Rom. 8.28. Iſ. 27.9. Heb. 12.10. under the Power and Guilt of Sin, Rom. 6.14. Hoſ. 14.2, 4. Iſ. 1.8, 19. Iſ. 43.25. if tempted by Satan, Rom. 16.20. under Fears reſpecting Perſeverance, Jer. 32.40. if dejected, John 16.22. if deſerted, Iſ. 54.7, 8. under Fears reſpecting Salvation, John 10.28.

UNTHANKFULNESS to God, for his innumerable Benefits, and neglect of rejoicing in Chriſt Jeſus, is another Cauſe of Decays; when we take every Thing by the worſt Handle, are always complaining, and croud Thankſgiving into a Corner, how can we grow? Should we not in all Things give Thanks? There is not one Difficulty that we ever met with, that we could ſpare without Injury; they are all ſuited by infinite Wiſdom, in reſpect of their Kind, Meaſure, Duration, and Time of Infliction, to our ſpiritual Advantage; and what would we have more? Should we not therefore heartily bleſs God for them all, ſeeing they are Fruits of his fatherly Care and Love, which is not a feminine Fondneſs, but a maſculine Affection, that proſecutes the propereſt Meaſures to compaſs the Good of its Object! But how ſhall I be thankful for Afflictions, ſeeing I have found no Good by them. A. Have not you, under them been at Times humbled, as well as ſtirred up to pour out Prayers before God, with unuſual Importunity, and reſolved to be holy? And are not theſe Benefits? But if you ſhould reject this Reply, God's Promiſe is a ſufficient Anſwer, viz. that they ſhall work together for your Good, in his Time, and Way; though no Affliction for the preſent is joyous, but grievous, nevertheleſs it afterwards yields the peaceable Fruits of Righteouſneſs, to thoſe that are exerciſed therewith; God's Government over the World is holy and good, he is wiſe in Counſel, and wonderful in Working? But how can I rejoice, who am ſo full of Sin, and of no Uſe in the World? A. If Sin be your principal Burden, it does not reign, and therefore you will not be condemned for it; and if you ſincerely deſire to be of Uſe to Mankind, it is an Argument of true Goodneſs: It ſhould alſo be obſerved, that there are different Kinds of Service, becauſe of the different Stations in Life we ſuſtain, and the different Talents we poſſeſs; ſome more eminent, direct, and diſcernable, and ſome leſs ſo; yet all acceptable to God, through Chriſt, and all uſeful: Though the Foot has not the Place, or Uſe of the Eye, yet it is Neceſſary, and of Service in the Body. The Kind, Degree, and Times of our Uſefulneſs, are fixed by the divine Purpoſe, to which Providence exactly correſponds; Eph. 1.11. with which we ſhould be ſatisfied; Duty is ours, but Succeſs is God's, and therefore ſhould be left to him; we may be of more Service by our Prayers, and the ſilent Influence of good Examples, than we know of; nor will our future Recompence be commenſurate to our Succeſs, but to our Fidelity in our Maſter's Service; though Iſrael be not gathered, yet if ſincere and laborious, we ſhall be precious in the Eyes of the Lord: But ſuppoſing we are in a great Degree uſeleſs, will Murmuring and Unbelief mend the Matter? No! but make it worſe! for hereby we offend God, and break our Conſtitutions: Let us therefore be pleaſed with God's Providence, and go on in the Way of Duty rejoicing! But my State is bad, how can I rejoice? A. If you have been ſlain by the Law, and embraced the Mediator without reſerve, in all his Offices, and in the general Courſe of your Lives, are endeavouring to come out of this World, leaning upon him, if the Temper of your Hearts, is for the moſt Part ſpiritual; and you make Conſcience of your Thoughts, Words, and Actions; if you Love all pious People for Chriſt's Sake cordially, and are ſollicitous to preſerve the Savour of Religion in your Hearts, and to grow in Goodneſs in Life; notwithſtanding of your Weakneſſes, you are vitally united to Chriſt, he is your Head and Huſband, and therefore whatever Cauſe you have of Humiliation and Sorrow upon your own Account, you have Cauſe to Rejoice in him, for he is your Righteouſneſs and your Strength, and will be your Song at laſt.

LET us therefore labour to get more into the Spirit and Liberty of the Goſpel, by avoiding judging of our State in a Time of Deſertion, for Objects cannot be diſcerned in the Dark, and in that Situation we are in Danger of paſſing too ſevere a Judgment againſt ourſelves, which is very prejudicial both to our Comfort and Growth, Iſ. 50.10. Let us beware of condemning the State of our Souls, becauſe we have not had ſuch a great Degree of Diſtreſs as ſome others, or ſuch Comforts, Sealings, and Progreſs in Religion; if we have but the Root of the Matter, let us go on towards Perfection, Heb. 6.4. to be every now and then digging up the Foundations of our Hope, and poring too much upon the Law, tends to damp our Spirits, diſcourage us in Religion, and keep us always in a State of Infancy; no, when the Law has done its Work, in Slaying us, it is of no farther Uſe but to Guide our Conduct, and humble our Spirits, for our Violations of it; having felt the Spirit of Bondage to Fear, let us believe in JESUS, in this we cannot be wrong, for Chriſt is the End of the Law, for Righteouſneſs to every one that believeth (Rom. 10.4.) this is the Commandment (1 John 3.23.) if we were before wrong, this is the Way to be right, and if right, to know it: O then let us learn to live by Faith, and not by Senſe; hereby we ſhall Evidence ourſelves to be the genuine Children of Abram, who ſtaggered not at the Promiſe, through Unbelief, but was ſtrong in Faith, giving Glory to God.

ANOTHER Cauſe of Backſliding, is Cowardice in the Cauſe of GOD, which is as offenſive to him, as prejudicial to us, Mark 8.38. O let us reſign our Names, Eſtates, Liberty, and Lives, into the Hands of God, and rejoice in the Hope of his Glory, bearing with Fortitude and Chearfulneſs, Sufferings for his Sake, from Sinners, or Saints, or from both; in this honeſt, reſolute, and faithful Courſe, which is not like to ſuit well with an ungodly World, or even with backſliding, degenerate Chriſtians, who have got too much into the Spirit of it, we may expect that the Spirit of Glory, and of God, will reſt upon us.

NEEDLESS aſſociating with graceleſs People, is doubtleſs, one Cauſe of the preſent prevailing DEADNESS; depart from the Fooliſh, and live, and walk in the Way of Underſtanding. When we make Companions of the Ungodly, by frequent and unneceſſary Converſe, they by their plauſible, but ſelfiſh ſhew of Moderation and Prudence, draw away our Hearts from God, and by Degrees bring us into their Spirit; and indeed the farther we get from God, we like them the better, and no wonder, for we are like them ourſelves: I do not hereby inſinuate any Thing againſt converſing with them about neceſſary Buſineſs, or in order to their Cure, for that is commendable.

COVETOUSNESS is alſo a Cauſe of the preſent Degeneracy, Iſ. 57.17. For the Iniquity of his Covetouſneſs, I was wroth and ſmote him, I hid me, and was wroth. The Bulk of Mankind are fully of Opinion, that Happineſs is to be had in Wealth, if we may judge of their Sentiments, by their Conduct; and therefore they ſet their Hearts and Souls upon it, and try to get it with the utmoſt Vehemence (per f • s nefaſq) by Hook and Crook, as the one Thing needful, and they make the Buſineſs of Religion vail to it; now pious People, in Deſertion, are apt to be influenced by their Example, and for a while to run in the ſame Gooſe-Chace, to their Shame and Loſs; it is true, when Perſons are firſt converted, having near Views of God, and divine Things, the World looks ſo mean and contemptible in their Eyes, that they are apt to run to an extream in neglecting it, which the Ungodly take good Notice of, and cry out with great Reſentment, they are Idle, they are Idle! Scandalum Magnatum! Great is Dianah of the Epheſians, the People will be ruined by hearing ſo many Sermons: But afterwards, when pious People are at a Diſtance from their God, their Minds are ſo blinded, that they regard the World too much, and entertain fooliſh Expectations from it, which they find baffled by repeated Experience.— I may add,

THAT Pride is a great Cauſe of Backſliding; when Perſons go out of the Places Providence has put them in, and meddle with Things too high for them, Pſ. 133.1. When they refuſe that Honour to others which is due, are Maſterly and Cenſorious, this Iniquity God abhors, and puniſhes, James 3.1. and 4.6. Iſ. 65.5. James 2.13.

ANOTHER Cauſe of Backſliding, is ſinning againſt Light; hereby the Heart is hardened, and the holy Spirit grieved, who in order to puniſh this Heaven-daring Iniquity, withdraws his ſealing Influences, Eph. 4.30. Farther,

NEGLECT of the Communion of Saints, keeping ſhy of thoſe that fear God, not ſpeaking at proper Seaſons, in a humble Manner, of our Chriſtian Experiences, contrary to the Pſalmiſt's Practice, Pſ. 66.16. and not aſſociating for Prayer, and religious Diſcourſe, Mal. 3.16, 17. Again,

NEGLECT of private Faſting, and extraordinary Prayer, in ſecret, under Temptations, is a Cauſe of declining in Religion; extraordinary Circumſtances, require extraordinary Meaſures, and are not like to be anſwered without them, Mat. 9.15. When the Bridegroom ſhall be taken from them, then ſhall they faſt; when a Meſſenger of Satan was ſent to buffet Paul, he beſought the Lord thrice, 2 Cor. 7.8. I may add,

THE Neglect of frequent and attentive Reading of the holy Scriptures, an Evil, pregnant with Sin, and Danger, and yet alas, too general among us! Once more,

A glorious Work of God's holy Spirit, in this Land (ſome Years ſince) in the Conviction and Converſion of many Sinners, has been unjuſtly ſlandered, and ungratefully oppoſed, by which great Injury has been done to the Souls of Men: Probably one Reaſon of the Leanneſs of Soul, that ſo much obtains, is that, that Iniquity has not been ſufficiently laid to Heart!

NOW the CONSEQUENCES of BACKSLIDING, are DREADFUL, for it makes Life uncomfortable, unprofitable, and dangerous; without the Sun, this World would be a melancholly Place, and ſo it is with thoſe that fear God, when they enjoy not the Shining of the Sun of Righteouſneſs? What Heart have ſuch to do, or endure any Thing for God, no! many of them have enough to do, to keep their Heads above the Water, and are in continual Danger of making Religion, and its Friends, ſtink in the Noſtrils of the Inhabitants of the Land, by the groſſeſt Impieties!

TO what Degree and Duration, BACKSLIDING may extend, in ſuch who have the Root of the Matter in them, the Scripture is ſilent, only thus far we are informed, by the Inſtances of the Churches of Epheſus, and Sardis; that pious People may for a Time, forget their firſt Love, and fall from their firſt Works; and that the Things that remain, may be ready to die (Rev. 2.3.) that they may fall into groſs Crimes, witneſs LOT'S Inceſt and Drunkenneſs, DAVID'S Adultery and Murder, SOLOMON'S Senſuallity, and Worſhipping falſe God's; ſuch as ASTORETH, and MILCOM; and PETER'S Denial of his Maſter, with Curſes, after all his Confidence; dreadful Inſtances, yet encouraging to the Wounded, for which Purpoſe I now mention them! It is probable, that DAVID continued ſtupid, after his Impiety, till NATHAN reproved him, which was Nine Months at leaſt; but how long Solomon continued in his Wickedneſs, the Scripture ſaith not, which Silence, is doubtleſs deſigned, to leave a Door of Hope to thoſe, who have wandred very far, and very long, from God, and to encourage their return to him! In this diſmal Caſe, many try to tear up their Hopes by the Roots, and are ſorry when they cannot get it effected! By this Method, they are diſcouraged, and made to roar, their Moiſture is turned into the Drought of Summer, their Bones broken, and with HEMAN they are almoſt diſtracted!

SOME deſerted Perſons are like a Tree in the Winter, on which you can ſee neither Leaves nor Fruit, they get to ſuch a Length of Impiety, that they are condemned by themſelves, and all around them? Was it not ſtrange in pious King ASSA, who inſtead of receiving the Prophet's Warning with Meekneſs, impriſoned him; and ſtill more ſtrange in JONAH, that he impudently caviled with God himſelf about a Trifle, and told him to his Face, he did well to be angry. O the awful Power of Temptation and Deſertion! What Feathers are the beſt of Men before their Force? For God's Sake then, let thoſe that ſtand, take heed leſt they fall.— But the

3. PARTICULAR in the Invitation, is the Duty invited to; Return, That is, bewail and abhor your Offences, and yourſelves for them; reform from them ſpeedily and ſincerely, and believe that I am willing and able to help you; believe that my Grace is not only free at firſt, but ever after; the Top-Stone of this ſpiritual Building, is brought forth not by human Might and Power, but by the Spirit of the Lord of Hoſts, with Shoutings, crying Grace, Grace unto it (Zac. 4.6, 7.) raiſe and enlarge your Thoughts of my Goodneſs, and my Grace, and Hope in my Mercy, which endures for ever?— But the

4. PARTICULAR in our Text, is the ENCOURAGEMENT PROPOSED, and I will heal your Backſlidings. This gracious Promiſe includes Remiſſion of the Guilt of Sin, Subduction of its Power, and the Comforts of the Holy Spirit; I, for my own Name's Sake, will blot out your Iniquities, and forgive your Sins, ſaith Jehovah. He giveth Power to the Faint, and to thoſe that have no Might, he encreaſes Strength: He likewiſe comforts thoſe that are caſt down. Very memorable are the Words of God by the Prophet Iſaiah, I will not contend for ever, for the Spirit ſhould fail before me; for the Iniquities of his Covetouſneſs, I was wroth and ſmote him, and he went on frowardly in the Way of his Heart: But what follows for ſuch a perverſe Behaviour? Wrath and Vengeance; no! be aſtoniſhed, O my Soul, at the gracious Declaration of God! I have ſeen his Ways, and will heal him; I will lead him alſo, and reſtore Comfort unto him, and to his Mourners. The dear Redeemer makes the Bones that are broken to rejoice, his poor People are as glad as if they had never backſlidden: Where Iniquity has abounded, Grace does ſometimes much more abound. Shall we ſin that Grace may abound? The Damnation of ſuch is juſt.

FROM this Subject we may learn,

1. THE deep Corruption of the beſt of Men in their Bent to backſlide from the bleſſed God; Jer. 2.11, 12, 13. Hath a Nation changed their Gods, which are yet no Gods, but my People have changed their Glory, for that which doth not profit. O this ſhould excite the deepeſt Abaſement, and ſtricteſt Watch over ourſelves, and the greateſt Tenderneſs over ſuch as have fallen, whom we ſhould reſtore with the Spirit of Meekneſs, conſidering that we ourſelves are alſo in the Body; and that it is by meer Mercy that we have been preſerv'd from the greateſt Crimes.

2. WE may learn the glorious Grace of God, inviting ſuch Backſliders to return in the endearing Manner here expreſſed; Return ye backſliding Children, and I will heal your Backſlings. O the Breadth, the Length, the Depth, the Heighth of the Love of Chriſt, which paſſeth Knowlege! O the Wonders of his Grace! Let us therefore who have backſlidden, imitate the Example of the Penitents in our Text, and ſay, Behold we come unto thee, for thou art the Lord our God. The penal Conſequences of our Departure from God, are parallel to thoſe of the People of Iſrael, and our Obligations to return, more than parallel, becauſe of the ſuperior Privileges we enjoy. Hark, poor deſerted Believers, your compaſſionate Father invites you to come to him, and promiſes to heal your Backſlidings; O godlike, glorious Grace! Alas he does not invite me, for I am not his. A. You ſometimes thought he lov'd you, and felt Love to him, you ſhould remember the Hill MIZAR, the Days of God's right Hand, the Word on which he cauſed you to hope; for he is the ſame ſtill, and loves to the End; he does not diſdain to call you Children for all your Wanderings, and why ſhould you diſown your relation to him; no! you ſhould call him, Abba Father, and plead your relation! It cannot be that I ſhould be a Child of his and backſlide ſo far. A. You ſpeak without Book; the Almighty has not told you in his Word how far a Child of his may backſlide, and therefore the rule you go by is a Fancy or Deluſion; why will you gratify Satan in rejecting the Wiſdom and Goodneſs of God againſt your own Souls? You would honour God, and act more like a Child of Abraham, if you hoped againſt Hope. I grow worſe and worſe, there's no Body like me. A. What ſignify theſe Glooms? We ſhould walk by Faith, and not by Senſe. You do not know others Hearts, elſe you would think them as bad; but if the Caſe was really ſo, there is no reaſon for Diſcouragement, becauſe God's Grace is free; he will heal your Backſlidings, and love you freely: Whether they be more or leſs; where he has not limited, you ſhould not. Believe, and be eſtabliſhed.

THOSE that feared God among the People of Iſrael are, in the preceeding Verſes, enjoined to ſay to their Brethren, Ammi, and to their Siſters Ruhama: i. e. Tell them they are my People, and have obtained Mercy; which was indeed the Caſe of all of them in reſpect to external Dedication, and of ſome in a ſaving Senſe. In the mean Time they muſt plead earneſtly with their Mother the Jewiſh Church and Nation concerning their Idolatries, here juſtly termed Whoredoms and Adulteries, becauſe they were Breaches of their Marriage Covenant with God, and to let them know how diſpleaſing they were to him; that they had hereby forfeited their right to the Privileges of that relation, and deſerved a Divorce; and that if they did not repent and reform, the Almighty would ſue it out againſt them. Plead with your Mother, plead, remonſtrate plainly and pungently againſt the Church to which you are ſo nearly related, for ſhe is not my Wife; ſhe is not de jure, by right; ſhe deſerves not this Honour, having forfeited it by Male-conduct, and ſhe ſhall not belong ſo de facto, in Fact, if ſhe perſiſts in violating her Faith, and abuſing my Patience by her Lewdneſs, I will ſtrip her naked, make her as a Wilderneſs, and ſlay her with Thirſt: I will not have Mercy upon her Children, for they be the Children of Whoredoms, i. e. I will deprive her entirely of all her Comfort, Defence and Ornament, and expoſe her and her ſpurious Deſcendants to the moſt diſtreſſing and deſtructive Calamities! The reaſons of this Severity are mention'd in the 5th Verſe; For their Mother hath done ſhamefully; ſhe ſaid I will go after my Lovers, that give me my Wool and my Flax. She was impudent and reſolute in her Impiety; I will go after my Lovers; and with the greateſt Unkindneſs and Injuſtice aſcrib'd to their Influence the Benefits ſhe receiv'd from God: But obſerve what ſhe proudly calls her Wool and her Flax, as if they were hers more than in Fee-ſimple, the Almighty juſtly calls his, and threatens to recover out of her Hands; thereby intimating that the Right of Creatures is only a right of Uſe (as Tenants at Will) which is by Male-conduct forfeited, and reverts to the Original Owner, who is by Creation abſolute Lord over all Nature. I will hedge up thy Way with Thorns, and make a Wall that ſhe ſhall not find her Paths: q. d. Becauſe this People are ſo ſhameleſs, impetuous and boundleſs in their Luſts, I will deal with them as Men do with unruly and rambling Beaſts, viz. Set a Hedge of Thorns about them, i. e. Encompaſs them with Wars and other Calami- which ſhall wound and pierce them, that if they will follow their evil Courſes, they ſhall have but little Pleaſure in them; but if theſe are inſufficient to reſtrain them, and they impiouſly attempt to force their Way through the Hedge of Thorns: I will make a Wall; i. e. Increaſe the Number, and heighten the Degree of their Diſtreſſes, and make them inſurmountable, that though they follow after their Lovers they ſhall not overtake them; they ſhall be ſo environ'd and immur'd with a Train of great and growing Calamities, that even though they attempt to gratify their corrupt Inclinations, they ſhall not be able to effect the Deſign againſt my Honour and their own Happineſs, no more than they can by a ſudden Sally break through or leap over a ſtrong and high Wall. Such indeed was the Aſſyrian Army under Salmanezar to the Jews; it coop'd them up in the City of Samaria during the Space of three Years, and at laſt ſtripp'd them to the Skin, and carry'd them captive to a ſtrange Country: And ſuch was Sennacherib, who took all the fenced Cities of Judah (2 Kings 18.) In the mean Time Encouragement is imply'd in the Word LEAST, that in caſe they abandon'd their Impieties, the threatned Judgments would be averted. Then ſhall ſhe ſay, I will go and return to my firſt Huſband: Firſt, both in reſpect of Time, of Dignity and Right; for then was it better with me than now: Being wearied in the Greatneſs of their Way with fruitleſs Labour and vain Purſuit, and being aſham'd of their Hopes, like the Troops of Tema, and diſpairing of Help and Satisfaction from their Idols in Time coming, and likewiſe remembering the Comfort they formerly had in God, as a Huſband; they now reſolve to return to him in earneſt, and without Delay. From the Text, I may obſerve theſe Propoſitions; 1ſt, That ſome who are pious, do at Times, greatly decline in Religion. And, 2d, That to reduce them, the Almighty ſends many and great Afflictions. And, 3d, That when theſe are ſanctified, they diſpoſe them to return to their firſt Huſband, becauſe it was better with them then, than now. Having ſpoken upon the Subject of Backſliding, in the preceeding Diſcourſe, I ſhall wave the firſt Propoſition entirely, and proceed to the two remaining: The firſt of which is,

THAT to reduce pious People from their Wanderings, the Almighty ſends many and great Afflictions upon them, he hedges up their Way with Thorns, and makes a Wall. He embarraſſes the Councils, croſſes the Meaſures, and diſappoints the Expectations of his backſliding People; he at firſt, lays leſſer Sorrows upon them, in reſpect of their Names, Bodies, Eſtates, or Relations, to keep them from their IDOLS; but if this Method, fails of Succeſs, JEHOVAH ſends heavier Calamities, and raiſes ſuch Barriers in their Way, as they cannot ſurmount, to gratify their perverſe Inclinations; which through the dreadful Influence of long Deſertion, and violent Temptation, they are in a Manner bent upon; if his People Sin againſt him, he will chaſtiſe their Iniquities with Rods, and their Tranſgreſſions with Stripes; if they walk contrary to him, he will walk contrary to them, and puniſh them ſeven Times for their Iniquities. And indeed no other Method will promote their Intereſt; for a Series of eaſy Honour and Proſperity, in this Situation, would but increaſe their Pride, Senſuallity, and Ingratitude: The fatter they grow, the more with Jeſhurun, they kick againſt the tender Bowels of their Benefactor; and therefore he multiplies Diſtreſſes upon them, until they come to their Senſes, humble themſelves before him, and ſtop in their wicked Career: And ſome Times they are ſo ſenſual and ſtupid, that one or two Diſtreſſes do not anſwer the End; but Deep muſt call unto Deep, before they awake to purpoſe, and turn to their God! Well if the Caſe be ſo, that the Deſign of the Almighty in afflicting us, is to reduce us from our Wanderings to his Boſom, that he may impart ſublimer Sweets, than this Earth affords; if he chaſtens us, that we may not be condemned with the World? What Reaſon then have we to bleſs him for his fatherly Love and Care, and ſubmit without Murmuring to his Rod? We have had Father's of our Fleſh, who corrected us, and we gave them Reverence, ſhall we not much rather be in Subjection to the Father of Spirits, and live? Heb. 12. Why ſhould a living Man complain, a Man for the Puniſhment of his Sins? Let us then humble ourſelves under the mighty Hand of God, ſtretched out in perſonal, domeſtic, or national Calamities, that in due Time he may lift us up. I proceed to the

2. PROPOSITION, viz. That when Afflictions are ſanctified, they diſpoſe pious Perſons to return to their firſt Huſband, becauſe it was better with them then, than now. The Truth of this Propoſition, is ſufficiently evident from the Text. Here let us enquire, 1ſt, When Afflictions are ſanctified? 2d, What Sort of a Huſband Chriſt is? 3d, What it is to return to him? And, 4th, Open the Force of the Spouſes Enducement, by ſhewing in Contraſt, wherein it appears better to be near Chriſt, than to be far from him. I return to the

1. PROPOSED, viz. to ſhew when Afflictions are ſanctified. Now this is, 1ſt, When we diſcern GOD to be their AUTHOR; is there any Evil in the City, and I have not done it, ſaith the Lord (Amos 3.6.) That is, EVIL of PUNISHMENT; for moral Evil, the Almighty cannot be acceſſary to, becauſe of his infinite Purity: We are apt to pore too much upon the immediate Inſtruments of our Sorrows, while in the mean Time, we overlook the ſupream Director of all Events, who juſtly puniſhes us by them; this fooliſh Conduct tends to leaven our Minds with Revenge againſt our Fellow-Creatures, to our own Prejudice; but when we look above them all to God, and conſider that he uſes them, as a Rod in his Hand, to chaſtiſe us for our Offences againſt him, and that however unreaſonable the Inſtrument is, God is righteous; this Method calms the Soul. And, 2d, When we diſcern our Sins to be their procuring Cauſe, ſurely againſt me is he turned, ſaith the Church. 3d, When we diſcern Reformation to be their Deſign, and that they come from fatherly Love; whom God loveth he chaſtens, and ſcourges every Son he receiveth, Heb. 12. And, 4th, When we endeavour ſincerely to comply with this Deſign, by humbling ourſelves under God's Hand, confeſſing our Sins, and bewailing them, confeſſing the Righteouſneſs of God's Judgments, and our Inability to deliver ourſelves from them, praying frequently and earneſtly for Forgiveneſs, Iſ. 26.16. by reſolving and endeavouring to reform from the Cauſes of God's Diſpleaſure, without Delay, and with full Purpoſe of Heart; in this Way, we may Hope for Relief, upon an infallible Foundation, 2 Chron. 7.14. If my People which are called by my Name, ſhall humble themſelves, and pray, and ſeek my Face, and turn from their wicked Ways, then will I hear from Heaven, and forgive their Sin, and heal their Land. When Ahab humbled himſelf, though a bad Man, the Almighty took Notice of it, and would not inflict the Judgments threatned in his Day; and of the Ninivites, it is ſaid, Jon. 3.10. God ſaw their Works, that they turned from their evil Way, and repented of the Evil that he ſaid he would do unto them, and did it not: Now if the Almighty takes ſuch favourable Notice of the Humiliation and Reformation of unregenerate Perſons, will he not much more of his own People? Yes ſurely; but without this, our Miſeries will be continued, Hoſ. 5.15. I proceed to the

2. PROPOSED, which was to enquire, what Sort of a Huſband Chriſt is? The dear Redeemer is a Huſband honourably deſcended, the Son of God, by Nature, he is amiable in all Reſpects, as God, he poſſeſſes all his Father's Excellencies; as Man, he is holy, harmleſs, undefiled; as Mediator, the hypoſtatical Union of the human and divine Natures in his ſacred Perſon, his Offices, his Sufferings for poor Sinners, and Obedience in their Room and Place, render him wonderful and amiable; eſpecially when we conſider the Fullneſs and Suitableneſs of the one, and the Depth and Deſign of the other, together with the Majeſty of his Perſon, and the Meanneſs and Vileneſs of thoſe he came to ſeek and ſave; he is inexpreſſibly rich, beſides the Riches of his Godhead, which are immenſe and incomprehenſible; all Fullneſs dwells in him as Mediator; he is Lord of the Univerſe, and King of the Church; all Nature and Grace are under his Check, and at his Diſpoſal; he is the Reſurrection and the Life, and carries the Keys of Hell and Death; the Law was given by Moſes, but Grace and Truth came by Jeſus Chriſt; his ſpiritual Riches are ſublime, ſatisfactory, eternal! He is an affectionate Huſband, who loved us with an everlaſting Love, and therefore with loving Kindneſs has drawn us; his Regard to us before Time, is the Source of all the ſpecial Kindneſſes he ſhews us in it: He loved us in our Blood. and bid us live; and has given the moſt ſubſtantial Expreſſions of Affection, by aſſuming an inferior Nature for us, and enduring therein an accurſed Death, by bearing with innumerable Unkindneſſes in us, and after repeated Breaches of Covenant, by inviting us to his Embraces, thou haſt played the Harlot with many Lovers, yet return to me, ſaith the Lord; O glorious Grace and Love!—As he is the Wiſdom of God, ſo he is the Power of God, able to break the Bars of Death, and conquer the Powers of Darkneſs, able to do abundantly above what we can aſk or think.— He is a generous Husband, he makes his Bride comly, through his Comlineſs, and though ſhe brings nothing with her but Deformity and Guilt, he bequeaths upon her a Dowry or more Value than Millions of Worlds! He is an everlaſting Husband, the Alpha and Omega, Death that diſſolves the tender Ties of other Relations, ratifies this; which much commends its Worth. Now to be married to him, ſuppoſes a Divorce from the governing Love, and habitual Practice of Sin (Pſ. 97.10. 1 John 5.18.) as well as from the Law, in reſpect of Dependance (Phil. 3.7.) and ſuch a Diſcovery of his Excellency, Ability, and Love, as excites earneſt Deſires after him (Philip. 3.8. Mat. 5.6. Acts 11.23.) and implies a deliberate, unreſerved Conſent, to accept of him as a Huſband, with a fixed Reſolve to perform the Duties of a Wife, viz. Love, Reverence, Obedience, and an inviolate Adherence to the Marriage-Covenant; the Conſequences of which, are Fellowſhip in his Love, and a conſciencious Endeavour to perform the Duties of Marriage, 1 John, 1.3. Acts 24.16.— But I proceed to the

3. PROPOSED, which was to enquire, what it is to return to him. This includes a clear and diſtreſſing Diſcovery of the Miſeries of his Abſence, compared with the Comforts of his Preſence; ſerious Deliberation thereupon, together with an affectionate Bewailing over our Sins, the Cauſes of his Departure from us. In this Caſe, the awakened Penitent, with Ephraim, bemoans himſelf, pours out Floods of Tears, and fills the Air with Sighs and Groans; he determines to forſake all his Sins in general, and his Conſtitution Sin in particular, and to perform all the Duties required of him, at all Adventures; his Soul goes out after the dear Redeemer, with vehement Sallies, and renews with Freedom its Conſent to the Articles of the Marriage Covenant, and is laborious in performing the other Duties enjoined, to obtain an Aſſurance of his Love, and to walk worthy of it; now this Duty ſhould be done without the leaſt Delay, and with the moſt determined Purpoſe of Heart, and truly that is the Caſe, when the holy Spirit diſcends from on High. The

4. PROPOSED, comes next to be conſidered, which was to open the Force of the Spouſe's Enducement to return to her Lord; by ſhewing in Contraſt the Benefits of his Preſence, and Miſeries of his Abſence: Or, in other Words, wherein it is better to be near him, than far from him. In his Preſence, we have the following valuable Benefits, viz. 1ſt, Reſt; thoſe that do believe, ſays the Apoſtle, enter into Reſt; they have not only a Right to, and Proſpect of Reſt in another World, but poſſeſs a Degree of it, amidſt the Sorrows and Labours of this; return to thy Reſt, O my Soul, ſaid the Pſalmiſt, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee; he had wandered from his God, and ſought for Reſt among Creatures; but being diſappointed of his fond Hopes, and tired with his vain Purſuits, he returns aſhamed of his Sin and Folly to his God, and having obtained the Light of his Countenance, reſts under the Shadow of his Wing, and in the Embraces of his Boſom. 2d, Delight; I ſat down under his Shadow with great Delight, ſays the Spouſe, and his Fruit was ſweet to my Taſte. There is ſome Thing in the Love of Chriſt, which is exactly ſuited to the reliſh of a renewed Soul; their principle Deſires are after Pardon of Sin, Peace with God, Holineſs in Heart and Life, and a well grounded Hope of future Bleſſedneſs; all which, the Love of Chriſt gives Aſſurance of, and therefore muſt needs yield Delight; other Things flatter, but deceive our Hopes, and can no more ſatisfy the Mind, than Gravel the Stomach; but this being ſpiritual and immenſe, gives ſolid and ſatisfactory Nouriſhment to the Soul, as Marrow and Fatneſs to the Body. 3d, Wonder; ſuch as have a juſt View of the Majeſty and Purity of God, and of their own Meanneſs and Vileneſs, muſt needs be aſtoniſhed at the Love of Chriſt, which pulls them back from the Brink of Ruin, and will not ſuffer them to deſtroy themſelves! 4th, Praiſe; the Soul is hereby inclined to return the moſt affectionate Gratitude for the divine Goodneſs, Pſ. 103.1. Bleſs the Lord, O my Soul, and all that is within me, bleſs his holy Name. 5th, Joy; having obtained the Smiles of God, they rejoice in the Hope of his Glory, in the Purity of his Law, and in the Wiſdom, Goodneſs, and Firmneſs, of that gracious Plan, on which their Salvation is ſecured; by beholding holding the Beauty of the divine Perfections, their Hearts are enlarged to run in the Path of his Precepts with Pleaſure, they mount up with Wings as Eagles, they run and are not weary, they walk and do not faint; now their Bowels bleed with compaſſionate Tenderneſs over a periſhing World, and their Hearts are big with generous Deſires after their Happineſs, and pious Projects how to promote it; which yield the moſt ſublime and noble Pleaſure, are worthy the Dignity of a human Soul, and become the Deſign of its Exiſtence. Now they are fearleſs of Evil to come, feeling themſelves immured in the impregnable Fortreſs of the divine Attributes, they are intrepid 'amidſt the Wrecks of Nature, and the Cruſh of Worlds:' The Strength of the whole Creation, compared with the divine Immenſity, is contemptible, as nothing, yea leſs than Nothing, and Vanity.

BUT on the Contrary, the People of God, in his Abſence, are expoſed to the following Miſeries; 1ſt, They are diſtreſſed, like a disjointed Bone, and can find no true Eaſe any where, or in any Condition; their Souls pine and languiſh in the Midſt of Honour and Affluence: What are theſe Trifles, ſeeing they cannot ſee the King's Face? The Praiſe of Creatures, is a lean Thing, while God frowns, and Conſcience reproaches; nor can pious People take that brutiſh Comfort in worldly Enjoyments which graceleſs Perſons do; though they ſleep, their Hearts wake, and often put them in Mind, how it has been with them, and how it ſhould be, and what are like to be the diſmal Conſequences of their living in ſuch a baſe Manner; all which mix Wormwood and Gall with their forbidden Sweets? But the Unregenerate having never had the Experience of Communion with God, and uſing little Reflection about their Souls, make a ſorry Shift, to acquire in ſome Degree, the Happineſs of a Brute! 2d, Pious Perſons, when Chriſt is far off, have little or no Delight in God, or in his Word and Ways; nay, ſome wander ſo far, that the Thoughts of God are a Terror to them, they either for a Time neglect ſecret Duties, and ſome of them Public alſo, or elſe perform them ſlightly, and ſoon grow weary in God's Service; they gad about changing their Way, ſeeking Comfort here and there in poor Creatures, or at leaſt ſome Mitigation of their Grief; while in the mean Time they neglect God, and keep aloof from him and their own Hearts; but the Reſt they ſeek in this criminal Courſe, flees as a Shadow from their Embraces. 3d, Their Eyes being blinded, they are not affected with the Freeneſs of God's Grace, nor are they diſpoſed to praiſe him, or rejoice in him: No! By their Sloth, and other Iniquities, they have blotted their Evidences for Heaven, and fear they are deceived about the State of their Souls: This mixes Vinegar and Nitre with their Comforts, and encreaſes the Weight of their Woes, fearing they come from the Wrath of God, and are deſigned to promote their Deſtruction; this View of Things, magnifies their Miſeries, and caſts a Gloom over the whole Creation. 4th, Having their Evidences for Heaven mar'd by their Iniquities, they are conſequently full of diſtreſſing Fears, which not only hurt their Uſefulneſs, but deſtroy their Comfort; they are afraid of the Judgments of God in this Life, and of Damnation after it expires; afraid of evil Tidings, and of falling into Sin, to the Scandal of Religion; afraid of being quite uſeleſs, of Poverty, of Sickneſs, and Death; and yet weary of Life, being neither fit to live or die; yea when the Power of Melancholly prevails, they tremble at the Shaking of a Leaf, and antedate their Miſeries, by a diſtruſtful Fear of Futurity; hereby they make imaginary Evils real Ones; as if the Evils of the preſent Day were not ſufficient, without this Addition, and yet complain of the Greatneſs of them: Theſe anxious and diſtruſtful Fears, eat out the Comfort of their Lives, and bring them, in ſome Degree, in Bondage to the Law, to Death, and to the Wrath of God; which ſhuts their Lips, that they dare not ſpeak for God, when Neceſſity requires, and are indeed afraid of ſpeaking to him; this freezes their very Souls with Melancholly and Dejection; O dark, O diſmal State! Thus Backſliders are ſnared in the Work of their own Hands, and find the Way of Tranſgreſſors hard: But in this unhappy Situation, they are not only diſtreſſed by Fear, as has been obſerved, but ſome Times with Anger againſt ſuch as do them real or ſuppoſed Injuries, whoſe Proſperity they ignobly envy; for a Series of Affliction and Sorrow, naturally tend to ſower the Mind, and whet the Paſſions, which grow ungovernable: While they overlook divine Providence, and fix their Thoughts upon the immediate Inſtruments of their Miſeries, they are carried into extravagant Sallies of Revenge, to their own equal Torment and Prejudice; like Dogs who bite the Stone, but do not Eye the Hand that caſt it. But the Pſalmiſt's Practice, in the Caſe of Shimci, was very different, and is an Example worthy of our Imitation: When that ungrateful Man curſed his King, in extream Diſtreſs, he kept Poſſeſſion of his Soul in this Tempeſt, and would not ſuffer his Servant Abiſhai to ſlay him; let him curſe, ſaith he, becauſe the Lord hath ſaid unto him curſe David; 2 Sam. 16.10. i. e. God has righteouſly ſuffered this, as a Puniſhment of my Sins. Our Paſſions are blind and furious Powers, dangerous and enſnaring, if not kept under a ſtrict Watch, and tight Rein; the good Government of them is as difficult, as it is comfortable, advantageous, and honourable; he that is ſlow to anger, ſaith SOLOMON, is better than the Mighty; and he that ruleth his Spirit, than he that taketh a City: Such as learn of Chriſt, to be meek and lowly in Heart, ſhall find Reſt to their Souls, 5th, When far from Chriſt, our Blindneſs, Senſuallity, Love to the World, and Fear of the Croſs of CHRIST, increaſe; the holy Spirit is grieved, and withdraws his Influence; by all which, we are in Danger of coming into carnal Compliances, and of falling into the groſſeſt Impieties, whereby the Name of God will be more ſcandalized than we have ever honoured it, which is very diſtreſſing!

WHEN the People of GOD are quickened by him, and, with Attention, view theſe two different Conditions in Contraſt, it is no Wonder they reſolve to return to their firſt Huſband; for by a juſt Compariſon, they find it was infinitely better with them then, than now. Then they had their Peniels, Bochims, and Piſgas; then they could wreſtle with their God, and prevail; then they could with Joy and Pleaſure, behold the promiſed Canaan, as their ſure Heritage, and long to be there with God: But now they are involved in Darkneſs, Guilt, and Miſery, have little Diſpoſition to do Good, and are full of the perplexing Fears of penal Evil; now their Lives are in a Manner uſeleſs to others, and a Burden to themſelves; and this Uneaſineſs is heighthened, by reflecting on the Comforts of their former State: Thoſe Things they have in Remembrance, and therefore their Soul is humbled in them; they put their Mouths in the Duſt, if ſo be there may be Hope, and mourn in ſuch Language as this, O that it were with me as in Time paſt, when his Candle ſhone upon my Head! O that I knew where I could find him, that I might come even to his Seat!