follows the same way; and yet they will go after them, because they think not whither they are gone! Oh, but when death hath once opened their eyes, and they see what is on the other side of the wall, even in another world, then what would they give to be where they were!"

8. Another objector says—But I do hope to do better than many, for I am not so bad a sinner as some. I answer, You are not to compare yourself with others, but with the law of God, which requires perfect_obedience. Now, compared with this, you will be found a sinner; and it is not being a less sinner than another that will save you; but faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose righteousness is "to and upon all that believe in him." Besides, the folly of such an excuse is manifest; for, if finding another man worse than one's self would do, then all sinners might escape except that one who is the worst of all.

9. Perhaps another person will say—It is true I am a sinner, bad enough; but I do some good things, and will not they atone for my sins? St. Paul shall answer: "Without shedding of blood there is no remission ;" the good works of men were never appointed to the office of a Saviour; for, if "righteousness come by the law, Christ is dead in vain." Why do we call Jesus a Saviour, and yet hope to be saved by our works? which is to become our own Saviour. But the word of God has settled this, and declares, Eph. ii. 8. "By grace are we saved, through faith; and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." And, to say the truth, no man can do works good in the sight of God until he is first justified by faith; for even "the prayer of the wicked is an abomination to Him." And the thirteenth Article of the Church of England truly says, that "Works done before the grace of Christ, and the inspiration of his Spirit, are not pleasant to God; and we doubt not but they have the nature of sin.”

10. Unwilling to humble himself, and cry for mercy, another says-I am no scholar, and God expects no more than he gives. I answer, You may be a true Christian, and yet no scholar. God has sent you his word, and you can hear it, if you cannot read it: not to say, that since Sunday schools have been set up, every person almost may learn to read if he will. But know this, my friends, that ignorance will excuse none who have the means of instruction. Where knowledge is a duty, ignorance is a sin. It is not your want of opportunity to know the Gospel, but your want of inclination to it, that keeps you ignorant. You take pains to know how you may get food and raiment, or charity; why then remain contentedly ignorant of "the things which belong to your everlasting peace?" Isa. xxvii. 11. 2 Thess. i. 8.

11. Another person, advanced in years, says-I am too old to change my religion. What do you call religion? Is it a set of notions and ceremonies? Is it an attachment to certain ministers and buildings? This is not religion. Religion is the devotedness of the heart to God; and without this, the most pompous forms are of no avail. Nicodemus was an old man when he came to Christ, who said to him as we say to you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." In a word, if your religion has not changed you, it is high time to change your religion.

66

12. Methinks I hear another say-I intend to be better at some future time. So did Felix who trembled when Paul preached; and said to him, "When I have a convenient season, I will call for thee:" but that season never came. Hell is paved with good intentions. Should you die in your sins, which God forbid ! out of your own mouth will you be condemned; for you are forced to admit that all is not right; and yet you venture to go on in sin, though you know not what a day may bring forth. Go to the sick and dying bed of a neighbour, and hear him groan and complain of an

aching head and a sick stomach: observe his shaking hand and disordered pulse; the rattling throat, the convulsed limbs, and the cold sweat; and say, Is this a time for repentance? Are these poor dregs of life all you should offer to God? Oh, be wiser; nor leave the service of God, or the salvation of your soul, to so improper a season!

But, after all, the true reason remains untold.-May not all your excuses be summed up in this one?-I love sin and cannot part with it! but observe, you must part with sin, or part with heaven. You must turn or burn. And are you content to enjoy the present pleasures of sin for a moment, and endure everlasting pains, which are their certain consequence? I have read of a man, who, by his excesses, was in danger of losing his sight; and being told by the physician that he must change his course or lose his sight, replied, "Then farewell, dear light!" Thus many, by persisting in sin, seem to say,-Farewell, God of mercy, Saviour of sinners, Spirit of holiness! Farewell, ye people of God! Farewell life and happiness, heaven and glory! And, for the sake of dear sin, welcome devils, welcome darkness, despair, and misery, for evermore!

APPLICATION.

Thus, Sirs, we have taken notice of some of those excuses which sinners often make, who love darkness rather than light; who follow lying vanities, and forsake their own mercies. But it is plain that all these excuses arise from the darkness, worldliness, and enmity of our fallen nature, and they show the necessity of having a new heart and a right spirit." These excuses will scarcely now satisfy those who make them; they will miserably fail them in the prospect of death; and they cannot be accepted at the bar of God. In this parable before us, it is said, that "when the servant showed his Lord these things, he was angry, and

66

said, None of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper." God will resent, with infinite wrath, the contempt which worldly men put on his infinite mercy. So, when provoked by the unbelief of the Jews in the wilderness, he sware in his wrath, that they should not enter into his rest. God forbid that sentence should go forth against any person here. As yet our gracious Lord commands us to "go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that his house may be filled." În his name we come, and call you to the gospel-feast. Knowing the terrors of the Lord, we persuade you; and knowing the bounty of the Lord, we invite you. To you is the word of this salvation sent. You who are poor, come to be enriched. You who are maimed, come to be healed. You who are halt, come and be restored. You who are blind, come and be enlightened. None ever repented of coming; nor were any rejected who came. Come, then, to Jesus. "The Spirit and the Bride say, Come; and let him that heareth say, Come; and let him that is athirst come; and whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely."-"Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room! "

CA

505

of Faith in him.

SERMON XXII.

JOHN VI. 27.

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of Man shall give unto you.

W

WHEN our Saviour had fed five thousand people with five loaves and two fishes, they were so struck with the miracle, that they determined to proclaim him their king-the Messiah. But he refused their offer, and got out of their way. They followed him next day to a great distance; but our Lord, who knew their hearts, told them plainly that they acted from a corrupt principle in following him, ver. 26. "Jesus said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled." There may be a great show of zeal in running after prayers and preaching, without a spark of grace. Few persons seek Christ for his own sake, or for spiritual blessings only. Many follow him for loaves, and not for love. Let us beware of hypocrisy. These people had come many miles in hopes of another miracle; all their labour in coming so far was for bread. Now Christ shows them a more excellent way; he puts them upon a better plan: he bids them be more moderate in their worldly pursuits, and more diligent in their heavenly pursuits. But when he says, "Labour not for the meat which perisheth," you cannot suppose that he forbids men to labour in an honest way to get their daily bread. No; for God has laid