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cy to all that call on him: for whosoever calleth on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Such proclamations of help and power from above, are not only necessary for all as motives and arguments to abound in the practice of good works, but more evidently still in their case, who have been long accustomed to do evil, and made themselves ten-fold more the children of hell, than they were before. Persons of this black character, oftener than is commonly supposed, despair of ever being better. Their long-indulged passions, stronger than iron fetters, bind them in the house of their prison. They are falling victims to love of liquor, or vile lewdness, though temporal ruin and death stare them in the face. Led captive, and borne down by impetuous passions, in vain withstood in their own strength, how do tradesmen lie and defraud: the poor steal and pilfer; the covetous oppress, the passionate quarrel, and men in general vex and devour one another! Out of this multitude some are recovered: their life, their mind is changed. But this marvellous transformation is always brought about in a way which clearly proves, that much more than the knowledge of our duty is necessary to make us perform it. Such converts to Christ and righteousness, are first heavy laden with their sins, and so grievous

ly feel their own inability to cast away their transgressions, that they cry unto the Lord. day and night for mercy and for power. Their state is drawn to the life in those remarkable words: "When the poor and needy seek for water, and there is none, and their tongue fail. eth for thirst. Then the Lord saith, I will hear them, I the God of Israel will not for. sake them," Isa. xlvii. 17.

From hence we may account for a very surprising fact; I mean, that some of the most profligate on earth, during great part of their lives, far exceed afterwards in the excel lency of their practice, and the good example they set, even many who have served the Lord from their youth up. The reason is, their helplessness and misery have been more deeply felt; their prayers for deliverance, and some suitable return for such mercy, more fervent and persevering; their salvation is astonishing to themselves, and their sensibility of that adorable grace, to which they owe it all, quick and permanent.

This change evident in the most extraor dinary converts through every age of the church, fully proves, that the most effectual way to promote good works, is not only or principally to show they are excellent or necessary; but on the contrary, to fix conviction on the unbelieving and impenitent, that they

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are as wicked and base as the word of God affirms them to be; as much need his power to help them, and importunate prayer for it, as the scripture teaches; and may be absolutely certain, that when they implore pardon and strength, in and through Christ, they shall be saved. The very worst of men in this way, and in no other, have been converted, made wise, and just, and good, and holy; whilst the most decent and regular, by denying their own weakness and guilt; by presuming they needed no deep humiliation. for sin, or cleansing in the fountain opened for it, go on till death, self-exalted, unchanged, unforgiven. In one case, we see, in the strongest light, excellent fruit from deep. conviction of sinfulness and helplessness; in the other, a fair exterior, and regular deportment, prove the greatest hindrance to selfknowledge, to faith in Christ, to real prayer, and abounding in every good work. In both the truth of scripture appears, that “ pride always goes before destruction ;" and before. honour in the sight of God, humility..

When this neglect of Christian doctrines, pregnant with so many evils, has been justly condemned and censured, the general reply from those who allow they are intelligible by the poor, is, that we ought in charity to take

it for granted these doctrines are known and believed; and for this reason there is no oc* casion to teach them constantly.

What! take it for granted, against the evidence of our senses, and daily observation? Take it for granted, when the very means of Christian cruction are so notoriously neglected, and even despised? Do the poor know and believe any of the articles of the Christian creed, when almost without exception they plead their condition in excuse for the grossest ignorance, with no less confidence, than if God had declared, he would allow the plea! Do men, engrossed in following their trade, their farms, and their merchandise, understand and believe these doctrines, without the least application to their bible, or fervent prayer, or feeling of the infinite importance of things spiritual and unseen? Can schoolmasters, if religiously disposed themselves, do more in general than hear their scholars repeat the Catechism by rote, which may be done in perfect ignorance of all it means? Or in universities, is Christian religion the sci-ence which students are called upon in any degree to regard?

Unless, therefore, the pulpit is employed constantly to supply the guilty neglect of the vast multitudes of parents, ignorant and profane in educating their children, and the de

plorable defects of schools and colleges, it seems hardly possible, humanly speaking, that we should be more than nominal Christians; so far from discerning the excellency and end of the faith and hope of the gospel, as not even to know what they mean; be perfectly satisfied with ourselves if we do no harm; and think we are Christians to all intents and purposes, if we are but good members of society.

Let us now sum up the several evil effects which have been proved natural consequences of dwelling on the practice of good works in neglect of Christian doctrines. It makes the most important part of the bible appear of little use; contradicts the judgment of Christ and his apostles; and their express command to teach these sacred truths. It defeats one great end of the Christian ministry, which is to expound the scripture; leads men into such unscriptural notions, as makes them first to dislike, and at last reject the bible. It keeps out of sight the most effica cious motives to abound in good works; gratifies pride, excites to odious comparisons, and passes over in silence those beneficent proclamations of help and power from above, without which no man is sufficient to walk in, obedience before God.

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