lately died to become this way. It is new, because newly and more plainly revealed in gospel times than it was before; and because it will always be new, and never give place to any other.

2. It is a living way. This way to heaven was by Christ's dying: yet it is called a living way, because all our life springs from his death. Christ is the life of all who live spiritually or eternally. This way is trodden only by such. All who are in this way are alive to God, and what is more, they shall never die. The eternal life of all who are in Christ, and walk in him, is secure; for because he lives they shall live also. No man ever died upon this road. "I am," said Christ," the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die."-The body, indeed, must die, because of sin; though that is more properly called sleep in the New Testament, and the body shall be raised in glory; "but the spirit is life, because of righteousness," and shall never perish, but have everlasting life.

3. It is a plain way. Some ways are hard to find; have many turnings, and windings, and cross-paths: but this way is easy to be found, and to be kept. The prophet Isaiah, speaking of it, says, "the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein." Isa. xxxv. 8. It is an infinite mercy that the things which belong to our peace are not difficult. There are, it is true, deep and difficult things in the Bible; but the grand truths which concern our salvation are perfectly plain and easy. What can be plainer than what is said about our fallen, sinful, helpless state, as sinners?-or about Jesus Christ, as the only all-sufficient Saviour?—or about our duty, as saved sinners, towards God and man? It is a great blessing to poor people that these things are so plain, and that God

by his Spirit makes them so, even to "babes and sucklings" for "the entrance of his word giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple."

4. It is a free way. There are private ways that belong to great men, and they are open to few: it would be a trespass for a stranger to be found in them; but this is a public way, the King's highway. St. Paul says, it is consecrated, that is, appointed, dedicated, devoted to this purpose, and free for the use of all who desire to travel in it. There are no bars or toll-gates, where travellers must pay for permission to enter or proceed; for salvation is "withont money and without price." Isa. lv. 1. It is a way prepared on purpose for the use of sinners, who are returning to God; and no objections are made to such persons. No worthiness, nor qualifications, nor conditions are required of the traveller; whosoever will, may come and welcome. It is a free way.

5. It is a safe and sure way. It is a firm, solid road, there is no danger of sinking in it, for Christ is the rock of ages. It suffers no alterations by rains and floods, as other ways do; it is passable at all times; there is nothing at any time to hinder our access to God, and progress to heaven. Nor is there any occasion to fear enemies upon it. There are such; but they cannot prevail. "The devil (says one) has been busy upon this road for about five thousand years, but yet never slew one believer; for every traveller is kept by the power of God, through faith to salvation.' So that he may walk on with boldness, and fear no evil: rejoicing to think that every believer that once set his foot in this way, has been enabled to proceed, and not one of them failed of "receiving the end of his faith, even the salvation of his soul."

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6. It is a pleasant way. The Scripture says, "the ways of wisdom are pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." Satan invites men to travel in the ways

of sin, under the notion of their being pleasant; and there certainly are pleasures in sin; but they are for a short season: they are now mingled with bitter pains and pangs of conscience, and they will issue in misery everlasting. But "the ransomed of the Lord," who return to the heavenly Zion, "shall come with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads." Believers are called upon to "rejoice always in the Lord.” Those who travel in this way are not only secure from harm, as you have heard, but the Lord has engaged for their supply on the road; he has promised that "they shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of his house, and drink of the river of his pleasure." They shall "sit under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit be sweet to their taste." They shall enjoy the company of the saints as their fellow-travellers, with whom their communion shall be sweet. Yea, the Lord of the way himself has promised to bear them company, and has said, "Fear not, for I am with thee;" and, "I will never leave nor forsake thee."

Lastly, It is the only way. Many ways to God and heaven have been proposed by mistaken men, under the influence of the great deceiver, the devil: and it is too commonly supposed that any way will do, if a man is but sincere in it. But this cannot be true; for if any way of man's invention might suffice, what occasion was there for Christ to come from heaven, obey the law, and endure the curse, that he might become our way?-for, "if righteousness come by the law," or men can be their own saviours, or partake of the mercy of God without an atonement, all the vast expense of Christ's sufferings and death might have been spared; yea, in that case, "the grace of God is set aside, and Christ is dead in vain." Gal. ii. 21. But Christ crucified is the only way; so St. Peter solemnly declares, Acts iv. 12. "Neither is there salvation

in any other; for there is no other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved." There is salvation in his name; it was procured by him, and he ever lives to bestow it: it is also published by divine authority; it is given forth in the preached Gospel; but there is no other under heaven, given for that purpose: none given by God's orders; if any others are given, it is by impostors and deceivers. Jesus only is the way to God and heaven. Thus you see that Christ is a new way-a living way—a free way—a safe way—a pleasant way, and the only way.

APPLICATION.

My dear friends, suffer me to remind you that as certainly there is a way to heaven, and Christ is that way, so certainly there is a way to hell, and sin is that way and so surely as the believer in Christ shall arrive at heaven, so surely shall the sinner, going on in his wicked way, get to hell at last. O Sirs, do not despise this! Do not laugh at it! It becomes you to be serious in serious matters. "Now, therefore, thus saith the Lord, Consider your ways." The Scripture speaks of a false way, a crooked way, a perverse way, a wicked way. Now what is your way? Is it the way of the flesh, the way of the world? Then, give me leave to tell you, "It leadeth to destruction." The Lord's eye is upon you. He knows the way you take: "and the way of the wicked is an abomination to him." Now, it is possible you may be deceived concerning the way you are in; you may think it safe while you are in the utmost danger, for the way of the wicked seduceth them, Prov. xii. 26; and the Scripture declares, that there is a way which seemeth right to a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death. Prov. xiv. 12. Is it not, then, your wisdom to examine very carefully whether you are in the right way or not?

and, as the heart is very deceitful, let me recommend it to you to pray for the Lord's help, lest, after all, you should be deceived. Let me advise you to use that prayer with the Psalmist-Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Listen to the voice from heaven, which says-Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Pray that God would teach you his from the error of your and convert you way, own ways, and for this purpose read and hear the word of God; and oh that he may direct your feet into the way of peace!

Is Christ the way to God?-then, believers, make daily use of him as such. Come boldly to the throne of grace. This is a way consecrated for you, and free for your use. Remember, he is a living way. Live upon him, and live to him. Remember, he is a sure way, you may walk with confidence in it, without fear of miscarrying: "He is faithful who hath promised." Christ hath engaged to keep his sheep, and that none shall pluck them out of his hand; and "if God be for us, who can be against us."

Is Christ the way to heaven, and are any of you in him?-look forward with joyful hope of the glory of God. Bless him for bringing you out of the paths of destruction, and leading you into the way of peace, Love Jesus, for becoming your way, at such an expense to himself! and be concerned to walk even as he walked. Thus shall you recommend this way to others, and constrain them to say, "We will go with you, for God is with you of a truth."