upon self,-which such a belief must inevitably produce?—We may allow that we are sinful-but so also are our neighbours-we may grant that we are licentious-but then, our nature is weak:we may confess that we have broken God's laws-but then, they are too pure and spiritual to be strictly obeyed by any mere mortal:-and in this manner, by crying "Peace, peace-when there peace" we contrive to move smoothly down the broad way which leadeth to destruction, rather than encounter the temporary difficulties and trials of that narrow path, which would conduct us to everlasting life. is no And now-why is it, let us ask ourselves, that we indulge in such destructive folly With the full knowledge of the service which God requires, and the conviction that it is our unquestionable interest to render that service, why do we hesitate one moment?-Why do we not now-even now-turn unto the Lord our God with sincere repentance and true faith? Are the consequences trifling? Is it of little importance whether we do or do not serve him ?-If the sufferings of eternal agony by a body made exquisitely sensible of pain -be a punishment we would wish to avoid, if the enjoyment of eternal and unmingled bliss by a spirit rendered susceptible of the most exalted happiness, be a reward that we should eagerly covet -then is our present lukewarmness and indifference worthy only of the irrational brutes. But perhaps we have not the ability to do better;-" the spirit," perhaps, “is willing, but the flesh is weak."My brethren, let us not deceive our own souls. True, "we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves,"--but is there no one who has promised to keep us outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls?-True, that by our own strength, we cannot one moment stand upright;-but has not our God said that grace shall prove abundantly sufficient for us?-Away then with every excuse, his with every vain pretext. There can be none will bear the inspection of the Almighty,-none that will endure the scrutiny even of our conscience, if we will but give it fair opportunity to inquire.-Religion ought to be the first consideration of our lives-that it is not so, we shall most of us be obliged to confess. Let it be our immediate care to supply what is wanting. The days that are gone are sufficient to have spent in heedlessness and sin; let us now awake out of sleep and call upon our God, "if so be that God will hear us, that we perish not." Christ, and Christ only, has the words of eternal life.-To whom should we betake ourselves but unto him? -And how should we betake ourselves unto him, but by an entire surrender of ourselves, our souls and bodies, to his service?-By renouncing every thing that is contrary to his law;-by cultivating every thing that is in conformity with his Gospel ;-by imitating him, as far as may be in our power -in all our thoughts, words, and actions; and in short, by laying aside the old man and putting on the Lord Jesus Christ. SERMON XVIII. A FAST SERMON. JEREMIAH vi. 8. Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee. "JEHOVAH (saith the divine Psalmist) look- all the inhabitants of this land. He con sidereth all their works. But when thus he looketh, what doth he behold? He beholdeth a great people, much degenerated, and more and more degenerating from that noble simplicity and 1 |