law? Of works? Nay, but by the law of faith." This doctrine not only cuts off the buds of vain glory, which shoot forth with a luxuriant growth; but also deadens, to its very root, the parent stock, the principle of self-righteousness, from which they spring. The true Christian, humbled to the dust under a sense of his utter unworthiness, and filled with gratitude at the view of his vast obligations, can exclaim, "By the grace of God I am what I am.'

A very little attention to the sacred Scriptures may suffice to convince us, that as God is the giver of every blessing, so he has a sovereign right to bestow or withhold his favours, according to the good pleasure of his will. None without presumption can question his wisdom or authority, and say, What doest thou? None can arraign his justice, without charging God foolishly. Art thou then a subject under the government of reigning grace? Who maketh thee to differ? or what hast thou that thou hast not received? Surely all, who have tasted that the Lord is gracious, have great reason to adore the hand that singled them out from the thoughtless multitude, and snatched them as brands from the burning. Works, as a cause of salvation, as a ground of acceptance, are irreconcilably op

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posed to the whole scheme of sovereign, discriminating mercy.

"If it be by grace, it is no more of works, otherwise grace is no more grace," Rom. xi. 6.

The saint is compassed with infirmities, he has many wants to be supplied, many corruptions within to be subdued, and many foes and temptations without to be resisted. Where then are his resources? Whence does he derive his supplies? How is he strengthened to do and suffer according to the will of God? I answer, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is exceeding abundant, with faith and love, which are in Christ Jesus. Here is a fountain which can never be exhausted by the application of saints, through every age. Hither the feeble and the strong, the babe, the young man, and the father, repair for fresh succours and constant help. From his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. Are you, my reader, deeply conscious of your own insufficiency, and willing to rely wholly on an Almighty arm? It is true, you have to wage warfare against hosts of subtle and powerful enemies, but be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. You have sometimes to meet temptations, and bear afflictions, which are painful as thorns in the flesh; but the Saviour stands by and whispers, "My grace is suffi

cient for thee, my strength is perfect in weakness." Are not these reasons sufficient to render Christ precious to those who truly believe?

It may not be improper here to subjoin a few words of caution.

This, if it were well formidable objection.

1. Let not any think, that these privileges encourage, or even permit licentiousness. Some, under a pretext of zeal for virtue and holiness, raise an objection to the doctrines above stated. If, say they, men be pardoned, justified, and saved, through the atoning blood, imputed righteousness, and unmerited favour of Christ, without any dependence on their own works, it is a matter of no consequence how they live, there remains no check to evil, nor motive to what is good. founded, would be a But let us examine it. We read in the Scriptures, indeed, of ungodly men turning the grace of God into lasciviousness, but they are, on that very account, censured in the strongest language. There is no doctrine which has not been misrepresented, nor any blessing which may not be perverted. It is expressly said, we are justified freely by his grace. What then, shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid. Every one, who receives the truth in the love of it,

must revolt with abhorrence from the very thought of a conduct marked with the most shameful ingratitude. To make the privilege of abounding mercy a licence to sin, is to

"Rebel, because 'tis easy to obey,

And slight for its own sake the gracious way."

If you, reader, feel inclined to take the doctrines of the Gospel as a pillow for indolence, or a cover for sensual indulgence; it is a sad sign that you are living without hope and without God in the world. In vain is your head stored with sound doctrines, if your heart be unsanctified. The best motives to obedience spring from evangelical principles. "The grace of God, wherever it is truly received, teacheth to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present evil world."

2. Let not any think Christ precious to them because they have accustomed themselves to speak in tender, endearing terms concerning him. Can any thing be more disgusting than the manner in which some people are ever talking of the sweet, lovely, and precious Jesus; while, at the same time, they are grossly ignorant of his doctrines, and habitually inattentive to his commands? The judicious and sincere Christian ardently loves,

indeed, but he also venerates his Lord; and cannot, therefore, address him, or commend him to others, with a profusion of the same fond, familiar language, as is commonly used in caressing children. It is granted, that some pious, but weak Christians, have in this way unintentionally degraded religion. But what apology can be made for those who speak in the most affectionate style concerning Christ, while total strangers to religious experience? What words can too pointedly reprobate the conduct of those who catch, among professors of the Gospel, a few favourite phrases, which they employ as a disguise more successfully to gain their selfish purposes? The character of Judas, that arch dissembler, who cried, "Hail, master!" and kissed him, at the very moment of betraying him, is in such persons copied stroke for stroke. Awful beyond description is their state, whose religion dwells on the tongue in good words, without ever influencing the heart or the conduct. No specious professions can deceive the Searcher of hearts; and Christ will say to such, Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things that I say?" But happy are they, who not only speak of the glorious honour of his Majesty, and the wonders of his love; but also feel an entire, undistracted dependence upon him, and

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