himself to the favor of God. But when he has a view of the entire depravity of his heart; his distress is unutterable. Before the sinner discovers that his heart is wholly depraved-and that all his thoughts, purposes and feelings are sinful, he persuades himself that he can do something to secure the favor of God. In this state any modification or withholding of the most painful truths may be ruinous to the soul, that is anxious to obtain relief. Any encouragement to hope, while the heart of the sinner remains unrenewed seems to be shutting the door of heaven against him, when he is about to enter. Tenderness of feeling prevents some, when they see the sinner in distress from declaring the whole truth. They sympathize with the transgressor and feel more compassion for him than regard for the honor of God. Such are not persons of deep piety. Their views of the character of God are obscure and very imperfect. Great firmness and decision are necessary in giving instruction, or direction to an awakened sinner. It is feared that many have been encouraged to indulge a hope of salvation, who have never experienced a saving change. It is extremely difficult for a sinner to renounce all dependence on his works, and on himself, and to cast himself at the feet of his offended Sovereign, and to look to him alone for salvation. But he must strive to enter the strait gate, or he must perish.

In view of the subject under consideration, I must urge all, who are without any good hope of salvation, to attend without delay to the interests of their souls. The soul is immortal, but its continuance in the body

is of short duration. Life we know is frail, and time is short. What are the possessions of this world compared with that inheritance, which is incorruptible, undefiled and that fadeth not away? An object is presented to the view of every impenitent sinner of inestimable value, compared with which all the treasures of this world are but vanity. This object may be obtained without money and without price. It cannot, however, be obtained without repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ. No one can exercise repentance without a knowledge of the divine law. A man must be made conscious of his guilt before he can exercise true repentance, the essence of which is hatred of sin. Now the deformity of sin must be discovered before it can be hated; and by the law is the knowledge of sin. How, it may be asked, is a knowledge of the law of God to be obtained except by searching the scriptures and meditating on them? Religion is not the offspring of ignorance. How do we obtain a knowledge of the laws of our own country except by reading them with care, and by endeavoring to understand them? We cannot expect that the law of God which has been published will again be revealed to any who have the scriptures, and refuse to study them. The teaching of the Spirit is enjoyed by those, who are serious inquirers for the truth. The more diligently they search the scriptures the more the Holy Spirit assists them to understand the divine law. The same remarks may be made with reference to christianity. How can we believe the testimony of God concerning his Son, without a knowledge of that testimony? How can we unreservedly trust in Christ without a knowledge of his holy

character and true divinity? The doctrines peculiar to christianity, it has been observed, are not discoverable by the light of nature or of reason. They are made known to us by revelation. A knowledge of the doctrines peculiar to christianity is necessary to the exercise of true faith in its author. This knowledge must be acquired, as we acquire any other knowledge-with this difference, the Holy Spirit assists every serious inquirer for the truth. Now, where we have in view an object of immense value, we ought to be very cautious lest we embrace any dangerous

error.

Those, who acknowledge and feel that they are not secure without religion, ought to place themselves in circumstances favorable to the acquisition of the knowledge of the truth. Now we know that the company we keep and the books we read have a transforming influence. Many, who have received serious impressions, when listening to a solemn discourse, have lost them by being associated with the thoughtless and gay. We know that every awakened sinner, who is deeply impressed, avoids as much as possible the company of the irreligious. All such lay aside those books, which are suited to divert their minds from those subjects, which most deeply concern them. Those discourses, which contain anecdotes or illustrations, which awaken associations, which are not of a serious character, are by them rendered powerless. When any are anxious, Christians ought to be careful not to say any thing, by which the mind can be drawn from serious considerations. If all the circumstances, which have been mentioned are regarded; there is still work to be done, which none

but God can accomplish. This ought to be understood that none may depend on what they do, and imagine as a matter of course they will become Christians if they pursue a particular course. They must at last depend on his power, who will have mercy on whom he will have mercy. There is no merit-nothing holy and truly excellent in what is done by the unrenewed. But we find that none do become pious, who do not direct their attention to the subject of religion. I do not hesitate to say that God is pleased to see any degree of success attend the means he is using for the conversion of sinners. How can it be then, as some assert, that the awakened sinner is more guilty in the sight of God, than the person, who wholly neglects religion? Why are the most devoted preachers pleased, when they see the house of God filled with attentive hearers? Do not the warm feelings of their hearts flow out to them? Is not Christ himself ready to embrace them? Many when listening attentively to the preached word, or when meditating on divine truth have experienced that change, which has encouraged them to hope for future life and happiness.

Since life is uncertain delay not, I pray you, sinner, to strive to secure a good title to an inheritance in heaven. This secured, you will be happy; for you will have in this world an earnest of that which will be unspeakably excellent and everlasting in duration. The irreligious are not happy however large their possessions. They are afraid of death. The pleasures of the world are hardly tasted before they are forgotten. But the Christian has a constant source of happiness. Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, said our Savior, shall never thirst; but the water

that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. Seek, ye, then, my hearers the Lord, while he may be found, and call ye upon him while he is near. Amen.

DISCOURSE XI.

GLORYING IN TRIBULATION.

But we glory in tribulations also.-ROM. v. 2.

How excellent must be the nature, and how mighty the power of that religion, which enables those, who have cordially embraced it, not only to endure without a complaint, or a tear, but with satisfaction and joy the most painful sufferings; but to meet without fear the most dreadful death.

Christianity prepares its subjects, and especially its ministers, to labor with untiring perseverance for the salvation of their fellow creatures, among the most ungrateful and the most bitter enemies, and in the faithful discharge of their duties to submit with cheerfulness to the greatest privations and the most insupportable hardships.

Being justified by faith, said the Apostle, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom also we have access by faith into this grace,