mouth of this tomb, and in the most earnest manner, intreat them to consider their ways; to examine their state; and to regard that provision which grace has made for those who deserve damnation. To what purpose are you called Christians, while you believe not in Christ; bear not his image; delight not in his ways; and think little about him? Why talk of hoping for heaven; while the happiness of that state, and the way to enjoy it, make no part of your business, nor have any share in your affections, your cares, or your pursuits? Is any one, think you, while ignorant of Christ, disaffected to God, and averse from the way of holiness, likely to be everlastingly happy in the divine Presence? What! are ye who live without secret prayer, without selfexamination, without any degree of holy intercourse with God, in the way to heaven? Deceive not yourselves for, verily, " ye must be born again," or you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. Among my fellow-mortals of this careless character, there are, it may be, a few individuals who statedly attended the ministry of our deceased Brother. But if so, they must frequently have heard him describe, in a very pathetic manner, the horrible situation of sinners who die in their enmity to the government and grace of God. What, then, do you think of yourselves, or what shall I say to you? Are you in the youthful stage of life, and promising yourselves much pleasure in a course of dissipation? I will say, with Solomon; Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but, know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.—Are you striving to obtain, or do you already possess, what is called an independent fortune? Do you congratulate yourselves on being successful in business, and on that ease of affluence in which you shall spend the many remaining years of your lives? I will, making some alteration, say with our Lord, in the parable; "Ye fools! this day may your souls be required of you."-Are you hoary with years, and, though labouring under a load of infirmities, forgetful of death? I will say with Isaiah; The sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.—Are you in low, laborious life; extremely illiterate, and very ignorant? Are you pleasing yourselves with supposing, that religious knowledge, and the exercises of daily devotion, are not required of persons in your station? I will again say with Isaiah; 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.-Are you seeking justificabefore God by your own righteousness? I will say with Paul; As many as are of the works of the law are under the curse-To him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.—Are you pleasing yourselves with sound notions of evangelical truth, and of sacred ordinances; while habitually destitute of integrity, of benevolence, of chastity, or of temperance? I will say, with one and another of the apostles; Faith without works is dead-Ye are the enemies of the cross of Christ.-Are you, finally, in a state of unbelief; having all your lives neglected the great salvation? I will say, with inspired teachers; The wrath of God, revealed in the curse of the law, abideth on you-How shall we escape? But, blessed be God, there is forgiveness with him, that he may be feared. |