through him, will give eternal life to as many as believe in him. His mercy is unto all, and upon all who believe in Jesus, and there is no difference. We cannot imagine, that the all wise and unchangeable God, who, for the salvation of sinners, has performed a work, marvellous in the eyes of all holy beings, will drop his great design, throw aside all that he has done, and leave repenting, hoping sinners, to perish. We cannot imagine, that the God, who has displayed such astonishing mercy in laying the ground work of our happiness, will frustrate the humble expectations of those, who build on this foundation. Thus reasons the Apostle : "Godcommended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. more, then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath by him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." Impressed with a sense of guilt, we may confidently repair to that God, who gave his Son to expiate our sins by his death, and who raised him from the dead, and gave him glory, that through him our faith and hope might be in God. There is laid in Sion a corner stone, elect and precious. He who believeth, will not be confounded.

Much

4. Our subject reminds us of the great evil of sin, and teaches us the utter inconsistency of avi cious temper with the happiness of rational beings.

What a work God has done for the recovery and salvation of apostate men! Having revolted from him, they could not be restored to the hope and prospect of happiness, without such a divine work, as fills heaven with wonder. The Son of God came down from heaven, took part of our flesh and blood, - and offered himself on the cross a sacrifice to God for human guilt. Could any thing give so striking

a demonstration of the contrariety of sin to the will of God, and to the design of his moral government?-We can think of nothing-Had it not been opposite to the nature of God, inconsistent with the happiness of man, and destructive of the beauty and order of the rational world, Can we suppose, any thing like this would have been done?

If you think lightly of sin, look to Jesus suffering on the cross to expiate your guilt, and be convinced of your mistake.

If sin is of such a detestable nature, and ruinous tendency, then entertain not the hope of salvation without repentance.

The gospel tells us, God would not that any should perish. At the same time, it tells us, He would that all should come to repentance. Without repentance, there can be no salvation. Christ bare our sins in his own body on the cross, that we, being dead to sin,should live to righteousness. He shed his blood, that he might redeem us from our vain conversation. He gave himself for us, that he might purify us to himself, a peculiar people, zealous of good works. He came to call sinners to repentance, and thus to save them who are lost. The gospel displays the purity, as well as the mercy of God; and, while it brings us the hope of pardon, it shews the necessity of a renovation of our nature. Christ died to deliver us from the wrath to come; but he delivers us from wrath only in a way of holiness. Notwithstanding all that has been done, still cometh the wrath of God on the children of disobedience.

5. We are taught our obligation to universal benevolence.

The gospel is a plan of benevolence. Here we see the independent Creator exercising his compassion to fallen creatures. Here we see the Saviour coming down from heaven, to accomplish, by his labours and sufferings, the wonderful design which

divine wisdom and goodness had formed. Here we see angels rejoicing and giving glory to God, that there is peace on earth, and good will to men. Here we see the richest blessings held forth to the most unworthy creatures. Here we see heaven expanding its gates to receive us, and an eternal weight of glory there prepared for us. The whole scheme of the gospel is goodness and love; and it is perfectly adapted to teach us our obligation, and inspire us with a disposition, to do good, as we have opportunity.

Whoever really falls in with the gospel, partakes of that spirit of benevolence, which it exemplifies and inculcates. The man of an envious, malicious, haughty, unforgiving temper, whatever regard he may profess, is, in heart, an enemy to the gospel of Christ. To receive the gospel, is to receive the genius and spirit of it, which is love and good will. That regeneration, which is our preparative for the happiness revealed, is a transformation of our souls into the temper required in the gospel; and of this temper, an eminent and distinguishing part is love. "Be ready," says the Apostle, "to every good work; speak evil of no man; be gentle, shewing all meekness to all men. For we were sometimes foolish, disobedient, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another; but after the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, he, according to his mercy, saved us by the washing of regeneration, and by the renewing of the Holy Ghost.-Thus we are made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." The change, which the gospel produces, where it takes effect, is a change from a temper of envy, malice and hatred, to a temper of gentleness, and meekness, and good will toward all men. This change is effected by the kindness and love of God our Saviour; not by works of righteousness which we had done, but

according to the mercy of God, who through Jesus Christ hath shed forth his spirit abundantly. By this change we become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. They who have seen such an example of love in the Saviour of the world, and have felt the power of his love on their own hearts, will put on, as the elect of God, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness and longsuffering. They will rejoice in the happiness, and sympathize in the miseries of their fellow creatures. They will look with concern on stubborn sinners, who appear to be hastening their own destruction, in contempt of all the grace of the gospel. They will wish the universal spread of true religion, and rejoice, in the hope of its future power and prevalence among the nations of the earth. They will pray for all men, knowing, that this is acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who will have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth.

If the benevolence of the gospel inspires our hearts, we shall not only desire and pray that others may share with us in its blessings, but endeavour, within our sphere, to promote its influence. We shall openly profess it before men, and, by a conversation agreeable to it, shall recommend it to all around us. We shall encourage an attendance on its institutions, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, but considering one another, to provoke unto love and good works. We shall regard, with particular attention, the young who are placed under our care; shall lead their tender minds to some just apprehensions of the gospel; shall inculcate on them the tempers and duties which it enjoins, and aid their preparation for that glorious state which it reveals; and great will be our joy, when we see them walking in the truth.

Did the kind and friendly spirit of the gospel generally prevail, how greatly would it diminish the miseries, and advance the happiness of the world! It is the nature of true religion to make men happy. Its work is peace, and its effect is quietness and assurance forever.

6. Awful is the danger of those who reject the gospel.

A way of salvation so marvellous, as this, which the gospel reveals, we may be assured is the only way. They who refuse it, must perish; and marvellous will be their destruction. Hear the Apostle's warning to the contemptuous, unbelieving Jews:-"Know ye, that through Jesus Christ is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by him, all who believe, are justified from all things, from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses." Beware therefore lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets :-" Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish.”—Ye shall perish wonderfully-" for I work a work in your days, which ye will in no wise believe, though a man declare it to you." As the way of salvation is wonderful, so will be the destruction of those, who despise it. It will be wonderful, as it will come upon them by surprise-will exceed all human apprehensionwill be inconceivably aggravated by their abuse of God's grace-will be distinguished, by its severity, from the punishment of other sinners.

A like warning follows our text. Our Saviour tells the Jewish rulers, that in them would be fulfilled the prophecy of the Psalmist :-"The stone, which is rejected of the builders, is made the head of the corner." Though they despised him, and would soon put him to death, yet he was to be exalted to glory, and made the Head of God's moral kingdom. "Whosoever shall fall on this stone, shall be broken." Whoever, through ignorance,