They are scourged by the elements, and destroyed by the beasts of the field Their "days are few and full of trouble." They are made miserable by the depravity of their nature: anger, wrath, hatred, and malice, often burn within them like the fire of hell; and, in some degree, are like the torments of hell. When these raging, tormenting passions, are still, others frequently succeed of a very painful description; such as fretfulness, discontentment, murmuring, and complaining. Reflexion upon the past gives pain, and fears of the future create distress to him who wanders from the right way. 5. Great punishments await them. They wander till they fall into the pit. Their way leads directly to it. "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God." In that place of horror are felt all the dreadful effects of wandering from God. O that we may never know them by experience! III. ADVICE TO THE WRETCHED WANDERERS. Seriously consider your present state. You have forsaken God your maker; you have, perhaps, no desire to return; you have no power of yourselves to return; you have no means of returning, unless God in great mercy afford you the means. But what reason have you to hope for mercy? Will he seek you, will he receive you, after all you have done to provoke him? Often ask yourselves, How will these things end? You think God is merciful, and your thoughts are right. He delights in mercy. But will he have mercy on you while you continue to offend? How can you hope for happiness, while every sin you commit plunges you deeper into misery? Think how hateful sin is to God, and how destructive it has been to men. Abhor and detest it. Earnestly seek the way of salvation. It must be by Jesus Christ. "He came into the world to seek and to save that which was lost." Draw nigh to God through him. Pray for mercy, and for grace to help in the time of need. Do not delay a moment. "Now is the accepted time, and now is the day of salvation.' The Mediation of Christ. SERMON III. 1 TIM. ii. 5. There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. ༈ THAT sinful men cannot be saved without a mediator, is one of the most obvious truths of holy writ, God, who is transcendently holy, will not suffer them to approach him in their own name; but in the name of Jesus they may draw near with humble confidence, for he is their mediator. "There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." Let us consider, first, the character of our Mediator: secondly, his mediatorial work: and, thirdly, the happy consequences of his mediation, I. THE CHARACTER OF OUR MEDIATOR. 1. His name is called Wonderful; and every thing which is said of him by the inspired writers is wonderful. Having two natures, the divine and human, he stands nearly related both to God and man. He is the beloved Son of God, and the despised Son of Man. Without "form or comeliness" in his human nature; but in his divine, “the brightness of his Father's glory, and the express image of his person.' The Word was God, and the Word was made flesh. This is a deep mystery which the human mind cannot fathom, but which we are bound to believe on the authority of inspiration. We cannot explain it, because it far exceeds the limits of our contracted understandings. The best method for us to take, is to give full credit to that which God has revealed, without either attempting to pry into hidden secrets, or to explain that which is inexplicable. Had all men adopted this plan, many painful disputes, in the christian world, would never have been known; and the real character of our blessed Mediator would have been maintained on scriptural principles. For my part, I see nothing in the union of Godhead and manhood, in the person of Christ, contrary to reason; and he who objects merely because it is above reason, must, to be consistent with himself, object to every part of God's creation. 2. The wisdom of our Mediator exceeds all our conceptions. Peter said to him, "Lord, thou knowest all things." And the apostle Paul informs us, that " in him are hid all the treasures of wisdom." He is perfectly acquainted with the sinfulness, weakness, frailty, and temptations of man, and with the best methods of delivering him from all; so that we may safely depend upon him as our guide to heavenly glory. 3. His power is equal to his wisdom. He made and preserves the world: "For by him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist." This power, blessed be God, is employed in saving a lost world. Well might the apostle to the Hebrews say, "He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him." Let us commit ourselves wholly to him, remembering that he is able to keep that which we commit unto him against that day-that great decisive day, which will determine the everlasting state of all mankind. 4. He is perfectly holy. "Such an high priest became us who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens." On this account sinners can have no union with him till they are saved from their sins. In reference to this, the angel of the Lord said to Joseph, "Thou shalt call his name JESUS; for he shall save his people from their sins." 5. He is full of compassion for all the human race; yet, such is his regard for the honour of |