This

cern of salvation, is properly called natural dependence. Such therefore as will find fault with it, are in reality finding fault that they are made creatures, and not Gods for it is the incommunicable prerogative of the God-head to be independent. Moral dependence is a temper of mind that corresponds with our natural dependence; wherein the soul feels its own dependence on God, with approbation and complacency, with suitable exercises of heart toward him. moral dependence, I have shown to be a very material property of that original conformity to God, in which that divine image wherein man was created, did consist. This dependence was blotted out of the heart by the apostacy: but it again takes place in the soul, in its restoration to the divine image. This doctrine of the gospel therefore which teacheth the necessary dependence of the sinner upon the sovereign grace of God, for needed divine influences, is wisely suited, and naturally tends to produce in us a feeling sense of our natural dependence; and in that way, to work in our hearts that temper of moral dependence which is such a material part of the divine image. But all such representations of things as tend to prejudice the mind against, and to take off the attention from this dependence upon free and sovereign grace, do, so far as tucir influence prevails, oppose the reconciliation of the heart to God, and the recovery of the soul to the divine image. The satisfaction with which a believing soul, in the lively exercises of faith, feels its natural dependence, and exercises moral dependence, upon God, clearly shows that those gloomy and desponding apprehensions that arise in the sinner respecting his dependence on the Creator, arise not from any just ground of objection that he can have of it, but are wholly owing to his unacquaintedness with God's character, and the want of a right temper of mind towards him. Upon the whole then

when we consider the unsearchable riches of divine grace towards the sinful children of men, in providing such a glorious Savior, in setting up his church in the

world, giving to it such a complete revelation which is able to make us wise to salvation, instituting such spiritual and heavenly exercises of religious worship, promising his divine assistance and the influences of his Holy Spirit with his church, and institutions, to render them effectual for the salvation of his people; and that by these things, Christ as a mighty and all sufficient Mediator of the new covenant, is carrying on a treaty of peace and reconciliation with God among the sinful children of men; I say, when we consider these blessings, we see abundant reason to bless God for the unsearchable riches of his grace; in setting before us such a fair and glorious prospect of obtaining eternal life; and notwithstanding the impotence of our fallen state, must acknowledge, that if we come short of it the fault will be wholly our

own.

God manifestly dealt very graciously with Adam in making the first covenant with him; and he thereby had a much fairer prospect of life than he would have had if he had stood under the law of his creation. And if the state and circumstances of our present probation under the glorious Mediator of the new covenant be but fairly viewed; it will appear that our prospect of obtaining salvation; provided we would labor for that meat which will endure unto everlasting life, with equal diligence as we do for that which perisheth; is little or nothing short of that prospect which was set before Adam of obtaining his immortality, notwithstanding all the impotence of our fallen state. In Adam's case under the first covenant, any rational mind would have judged, antecedent to his fall that the prospect of his standing, compared to his falling, was perhaps, ten thousand to one; yet we see he fell. So when we consider the rich provision divine grace has made for the recovery and salvation of sinners, we should judge concerning all such as live under gospel light, and enjoy gospel privileges, that the prospect of their ob taining salvation stands unspeakably greater than

of their coming short of it; were it not for what we daily see among mankind, of their sloth, carelessness, carnality, and voluntary yielding themselves up to the government of their own lusts; in opposition to the dictates of reason, the remonstrances of conscience and the plain and frequent warnings of God's word and providence. "And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard: What could have been done more to my vineyard that I have not done in it? Wherefore, when I looked that it should. bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?"

FINIS

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