The last delusion is that of those who are resolved not to think of a judgment to come; and who, if they can but escape in this world, are not concerned for an after-reckoning. But will this

secure us? Are we sure we shall not be accountable, because we have not thought of such an account? It is impossible to describe the folly of such a way of reasoning. Pray let us make the experiment in matters of less moment; let us try, for instance, whether by such an indifference as this, we can help ourselves from poverty or from death? Whether a spendthrift is farther off ruin, because he does not think of it? Let us also consider what St. Paul saith to this purpose, [2 Tim. iii. 13.] "If we believe not, yet God abideth faithful, he cannot deny himself;" that is, what God has appointed will come to pass, though all the world should resolve not to believe it. This was exactly the case of the old world. They were forewarned of the approaching flood, but not one would lay this to heart; and what was the consequence, but that they all perished in their iniquity? So that you see what will be the consequence of sin, though we should altogether hold our peace, though you should altogether refuse to hear us. "If you have sinned against the Lord, your sin will surely find you out;"-that the world may be convinced, that God governs it in truth and justice, and that he sees all things that are done under the sun;-that good men may be reclaimed by his fatherly corrections; that wicked

men may be left without excuse; and that all men may be awakened unto a due care of their ways, that they may avoid what will otherwise certainly come upon them.

I will conclude the whole with these short observations-First; that since God has, in all ages, and upon all sorts of people, given so many instances of his severe displeasure against sin, it is the greatest folly and presumption to sin, depending upon the goodness of God, or in hopes that our being called by his name will excuse us from punishment.-Secondly; that we ought not to repine, if, when our sin has found us out, we receive the just reward of our iniquities; but, with an humble submission to God's will, be well pleased that our punishment is not reserved to the next world. Thirdly; that since all afflictions are designed in mercy to better us, the best use we can inake of them is, to search our ways, see whom we have offended, . and, by a sincere repentance, endeavour to appease the anger of God: or, in our Saviour's word and advice, "to sin no more, lest a worse evil come." Fourthly; and above all things, let us consider, that however well we may escape, or bear afflictions here, yet, if we do not sincerely repent of our sins, our sins will one day · find us out, and overtake us, when God shall judge the world in righteousness, and give to every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doing; whether they have been good or bad.

Now,

Now, may God, of his infinite mercy, turn from us all those evils that we most righteously have deserved. May we ever acknowledge the hand, and the justice of God, in whatever his providence brings upon us; and, whatever befalls us in this world, may we, by a timely repentance, prevent and escape the wrath to come, for Jesus Christ's sake. To whom, with the Father, &c.

SERMON IV.

SALVATION BY JESUS CHRIST.

1 TIM. i. 15.

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all ac ceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

THAT is; there is no truth more certain, no truth more worthy of our knowledge, no truth which so much concerns us to know, or which we may more surely depend on, than this; "That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."

But however worthy this truth is to be received of all men, yet few, God knows, receive

it as they ought to do. For how many are there, who, because Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, hope for salvation, without taking any care to live as becomes the gospel of Christ? How many who believe this. truth, and yet receive no comfort from it; either suspecting themselves not to be of the number of those whom Christ came to save; or that their sins were too great to be pardoned? And lastly, how very many are there, who, though they are indeed sinners, never think of the danger of being such; and are, therefore, as careless and unconcerned for what may come hereafter, as if there were nothing to be feared, nothing to be hoped for?

Now; all these being sad delusions, and a great dishonour to Christianity, it well becomes the servants of him, who came into the world to save sinners, to use their utmost endeavours to remove them; to support the spirits of those who fear where there is no danger; to awaken the consciences of those, who are secure and careless in the very midst of danger; and lastly, to reprove the presumption of those, who hope for salvation through Jesus Christ, without observing his laws. And these are the things which I beseech you to give attention to with the greatest seriousness. And, that I may set these things before you after as plain a manner as possible, will consider,-First; the meaning and extent of this truth, "That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;" that,

we

we may be able to judge, who may, and who may not, hope for salvation, through his merits. Secondly; we shall consider the delusion, and the danger, of those, who neglect or despise the salvation purchased for them by Jesus Christ. I. We will consider the meaning, and then the extent of this truth, "That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." Now; a sinner is one, who, having broken the laws of God, has reason to fear that God will severely punish him for so doing. He sees very plainly, that he cannot deliver himself from the wrath of an angry God. He is so far from being able to make any satisfaction for the sins he has been guilty of, that he finds in himself a proneness, an inclination, to evil; and an aversion, an unwillingness, to close with what God has commanded us for our good. This is the condition of a sinner; this is the condition of every man by nature; and a sad condition it will appear to be to every one, who knows and considers that the end of sin is not to be seen in this life; but that a day is coming, in which God will judge the world in righteousness, and give to every man according to the works done in the body. What sinner, what man living could think of this without despair, if Jesus Christ had not undertaken to deliver us from the just displeasure of God; to make satisfaction for our sins; to restore us to God's favour; and to put us into a way of being happy for ever.

But