son in this emergency, found a quarry at no great distance, exactly suited to the purpose. Running therefore without delay to inform the citizens of this fortunate event, he was saluted and afterwards called, Evangelus, or the bringer of good tidings; a name of exactly the same import, with that rendered a preacher of the gospel, or an evangelist. But though his tidings were infinitely less important and joyful than ours; it may be questioned, whether any whole city ever thus gladly welcomed the message of salvation; and we know that in general it meets with a very different reception!

Good tidings often derive a great part of their value, from their suitableness to the case of those who hear them. The promulgation of good laws, and the impartial adminstration of justice, though valuable blessings in themselves, can give no pleasure to condemned malefactors: but a report of the king's clemency, or an assurance of a pardon would suit their case, and tend to cheer their drooping hearts. An act of grace is glad tidings to confined debtors; though it may give umbrage to their creditors; and the arrival of a fleet with provisions, in a time of urgent famine, occasions a joy, of which such as live in plenty can form no adequatè conception. We must therefore understand something of our own condition, before we can cordially welcome the gospel of Christ; and inattention or mistake, in this respect forms one grand reason, why so many slight the message of salvation. But lectures on moral duties separated from the doctrines of grace, no more meet the case of lost sinners, than an extract from the statutes of the realm can give comfort and hope to condemned criminals.

We may know something of our situation by facts; and the Scripture further explains the humiliating and alarming subject. It cannot be denied, that the world is full of crimes and miseries; this is equally certain, whether men believe or disbelieve the Bible. Even they who are averse to the doctrine of human depravity, when applied to themselves and their connections; shew by the caution with which they transact their affairs, that they consider mankind in general as basely selfish: and he who at first disdains this sentiment, as unjust and illiberal, will be at length constrained to adopt it, or become a prey to designing men. Hence it is, that incautious young persons, having been repeatedly deceived, often grow suspicious and peevish as they advance in years; and, when this is the case, they give vent to their vexation by reviling this or the other description of men. As if the fault lay in their rank or profession, and were not common to the human species, however restrained, disguised, or modified, except as true religion produces an effectual change of disposition.

At the same time, it is evident, that all our comforts are entwined with cares and disquietudes; every enjoyment, after a while, palls and grows insipid: all our possessions are precarious, and may either be torn from us, or become the causes of the most exquisite anguish. Pain and sickness are entailed upon us; death is certain, and who knows how near? Its approach is dreadful, its stroke inevitable, and its visible effects intolerably mortifying. A dark gloom overshadows the rest: who but he that believes the sure testimony of God, can say, what is beyond the grave? Yet there are forebodings of future retribution, which most men experience to their additional alarm; so that numbers seem to suffer many deaths in fearing one! To escape such distressing reflections, they who are not confined by daily business, have recourse to some species of dissipation. These at first yield a childish delight; but soon become irksome, unless novelty be superadded by unceasing variety. This is the real secret of public and private diversions; and of the liberality with which immense sums are expended, in encouraging new species of amusement, however frivolous and absurd! These enable men, for a moment, to escape from the tediousness of life, or the anguish of solitude and reflection; and tend to promote forgetfulness of God, of death, and of a judgement to come.

We appeal to every man's feelings and observation, whether this description does not accord with facts? and whether it have any dependence on re

ligious opinions, except as men are seldom able wholly to disbelieve a God and a future state? Let us then inquire what light the Scriptures throw upon the subject. There we learn, that "God made man in his own image,” and created the world " very good:" but that the first parents of our race ungratefully rebelled against their bountiful Creator, and disobeyed his express and easy command. Thus "by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, in that all have sinned." Thenceforth the human race became subject to labours, pains, afflictions, and diseases, until "they return to the dust, whence they were taken." The holy image of God was also effaced, and men became incapable of spiritual felicity, dead in sin, and prone to every kind of evil.

When the root of our race thus fell, all the branches must share his doom, and become mortal and sinful: And as "it is appointed to all men once to die, and after death the judgement;" still more terrible miseries may justly be dreaded in a future world. A criminal may suffer many things previous to his trial and condemnation, but his principal punishment follows afterwards. And as the human soul is subject to sinful passions, corresponding to the diseases of the body, we must inevitably be exposed to condemnation at the tribunal of God, and we also carry in our lapsed nature the seeds of misery and destruction.

But our pride and self-love start a thousand objections to these doctrines; though the difficulty of reconciling facts with our notions and reasonings unavoidably recoils upon us. We have, however, another view given us, in the sacred oracles, of our actual condition, still more suited to stop every mouth, and to bring in all the world guilty before God.”—We are doubtless, as reasonable creatures, accountable to our supreme Governor and Judge, for every part of our conduct; and his holy law is the rule, by which every disposition, word, and action must be tried. Now, without entering further on the subject, who does not feel, that he hath in many instances violated the reasonable and righteous commandments of God? Who hath not heard that "cursed is every one that continueth not in all things written in the book of the law to do them ?"

Thus "the Scripture hath concluded all under sin :" and it was not without cause, I hope not without meaning, that we this morning added after each of the commandments, Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.'

The man, who carefully compares his past and present conduct, with this most strict and spiritual standard, will soon find his own conscience bring in a verdict against him: "And if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and knoweth all things." No repentance or amendment can compensate for past offences: because we cannot in any instance exceed our present duty; and our debt increases in proportion as we still fall short of perfect obedience. Nor can we estimate the intrinsic evil of our sins against the infinite majesty of heaven, or the punishment we deserve for our ungrateful rebellion.

When we attempt to frame our conduct by the holy law of God, we feel a wonderful reluctance and backwardness to this most reasonable service, and a strong propensity to disobedience. These evil dispositions, though common to all, are in some exceedingly strengthened by habit, and rendered ungovernable by peculiar temptations. Such men therefore, as have some serious thoughts and form good purposes, commonly find their resolutions enervated, and their endeavours baffled; and after some fruitless efforts, they return to their former course of life, unless relieved by the gospel of Christ. When these things are seriously considered, the condition of mankind appears truly deplorable. Related to God and an eternal world; exposed to death and a future judgment; already guilty of many heinous crimes, and propense to increase the number; liable to final condemnation, and vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: what can any one do, to rescue or ransom himself or his brother, from the awful sentence already published by the

Judge, "Depart, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels ?" It is in vain to reason and dispute against facts, and the sure testimony of Scripture: "Who art thou, that repliest against God? Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than his Maker?" Job iv. 17.

Let us rather submit to his righteousness, and seek that relief which his gospel proposes to us. The Lord, against whom we have rebelled, hath revealed himself to us, as " merciful and gracious, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin:" and hath made way for the exercise of his boundless mercy, in harmony with infinite justice and holiness, in the person, redemption, and mediation of his beloved Son. And the divine Saviour, having made a complete atonement for sin, brought in everlasting righteousness, and triumphed over all our enemies, now reigneth Lord of all worlds, and is "able to save to the uttermost all them that come to God by him; seeing, he ever liveth to make intercession for them."

The proposal of mercy and grace, without money and without price, to the chief of sinners; the pressing invitations and persuasions with which God doth by his ministers beseech us to be reconciled to him; the actual pardon and complete justification of every true believer; the gift of the Holy Spirit to renew and sanctify our souls; the exceeding great and precious promises, privileges, and engagements of the new covenant; and the present comfort and future inheritance of the Lord's adopted children, might be particularly insisted on, in discussing the subject. These are in all respects good news, glad tidings, most needful for us, suited to our case, sufficient for our happiness, springing from love unspeakable, and terminating in the everlasting salvation and glory of all, who obtain an interest in them. This is the gospel of Christ; the most rejoicing report that ever reached the ears of mortal man! Little indeed has been said on such a subject; yea that little may serve to introduce an attempt,

II. To shew, that this gospel, when rightly understood and truly believed, will produce a correspondent conduct and conversation.

This will appear, if we consider the information which it affords us, on the most interesting subjects connected with our judgement and practice. "That God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined into our hearts, to give us the light of the knowledge of his glory in the face of Jesus Christ." The discoveries made to us in the gospel, concerning the mysteries of the Godhead, and the harmonions perfections of the divine character, are suited to excite our highest admiration, adoration, and love; and to make us exclaim, "How great is his goodness! how great is his beauty!" This directly influences our judgement and affections, which are as the regulator and main-spring of all our words and actions: and hence we must perceive, that God is worthy of all possible love, worship, confidence, and obedience; that happiness consists in his favour, that his image is beauty and excellency, and his service perfect freedom.

The views which the gospel of Christ gives us of the holy law of God, as worthy to be honoured, both in its requirements and sanctions, by the obedience and atoning sacrifice of Him, whom all angels worship, is suited to impress our minds with the deepest sense of its excellency and authority. The clear revelation of an eternal state of righteous retributions, and of the unmingled happiness or misery which succeeds this present life, is sufficient, when truly believed, to swallow up all our anxiety about this vanishing scene; and to make the eager pursuits of worldly men appear as frivolous as the sports of children, or as infatuated as the intoxicated mirth of condemned criminals.

The gospel of Christ shews us also the evil of sin in the most affecting light. "We know that the judgement of God is according to truth:” and here we especially learn his judgment on this disputed subject. The language of the gospel is that of infinite and everlasting love and mercy; it declares sin to

be so enormous and malignant an evil, that rather than leave it unpunished, "God spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all." "How can an enlightened believer look to the cross, without mourning for his sins, abhorring them as the murderers of Christ his Lord, and earnestly longing for the destruction of every evil propensity in his heart and nature?

Various other subjects might be mentioned, but they frequently call for our attention. The worth of an immortal soul, the ruined state of mankind, the vanity of worldly prosperity, and many similar instructions, emphatically conveyed to us by the gospel of Christ, are exactly suited to form the believer to a holy and heavenly temper and conversation.

The knowledge of our duty, and of the divine authority by which it is enjoined us, is not sufficient for practical purposes, in the present state of human nature: our affections must also be influenced by such powerful motives, as may preponderate against all that can be cast into the opposite scale. But proximity gives earthly things an immense advantage. As objects appear large when near, but seem to diminish when removed to a distance; so present things are considered as important beyond all proportion; while things future, though immensely more valuable, are thought to be of little consequence, and scarcely possess any influence over the minds of men in general. But faith, like a telescope, brings objects invisible to unbelievers near to the soul; and enables us to contemplate, as real and of infinite magnitude, those things which other men consider as doubtful, remote, and uninteresting: while the Holy Spirit, producing in us a new and heavenly nature, makes us capable of perceiving the glory, and relishing the excellency of spiritual blessings. Thus they obtain the ascendency in our judgment and choice, we become spiritually minded, and savour the things which are of God; bonds which fastened our hearts to earthly objects are broken; the balance turns the other way; and we set our "affections on things above, not on things on the earth."

"Fear not," says our Lord to his disciples, "fear not them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do: but fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."-When the gospel is really understood and believed, we "fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into heavenly rest, any of us should seem to come short of it;" and this apprehension prevails over our dread of labour, reproach, scorn, self-denial, or persecution: yea, the fear of divine chastening, of grieving the Spirit, of a wounded conscience, or of dishonouring the doctrine of Christ, is a powerful motive to watchfulness and prayer. The desire of everlasting felicity in the favour of God, and of the present consolations found in communion with him, subordinate our hungerings and thirstings after earthly objects. A kingdom that cannot be moved; glory, honour and immortality; treasures in heaven that fail not, and pleasures at God's right hand for evermore, are blessings commensurate with our largest wishes and capacities, and durable as our immortal souls; and the lively hope of this incorruptible inheritance, grounded on the sure word of God, and sealed by his sanctifying Spirit, is capable of triumphing over all our expectation of temporal advantages, distinctions, and gratifications; and of animating the soul to patient continuance in well-doing. Love to our God and Saviour, likewise, unites its powerful influences: and while we cleave to him with fervent desires, rejoice in him with admiring gratitude, and are fervently zealous for the honour of his name; we shall feel constrained by his supreme affection "to live no longer to ourselves, but to him who died for us and rose again." Thus we shall be prepared to venture, suffer, and labour, in seeking to glorify his name and recommend his precious salvation.

The encouragements of the gospel also are very efficacious. The sinner who attempts to amend his life, according to the word of God, is very liable to grow weary in his attempts. The law seems to say to him," Pay me that thou owest ;" and he feels as if he were further and further removed from the righteousness he went about to establish, and that victory over his pas

sions which he expected speedily to accomplish. On the other hand, if he make the principles of morality, or some mitigated law his standard, he is at a loss to determine how much obedience will entitle him to acceptance, and uncertainty tends to discouragement. For the diligent and conscientious are in this case always harassed with doubts; and none but the heedless and self-confident think themselves good enough to be the objects of the divine favour.

But the gospel of Christ invites all that are athirst to come to him, and he will give them of the fountain of the water of life freely and assures the trembling sinner, that " him, who cometh to the Saviour, he will in no wise cast out." It runs in this gracious tenor, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find, knock, and it shall be opened unto you for every one that asketh receiveth." As therefore every blessing is freely given, for Christ's sake, to the poor supplicant however unworthy; nothing but pride, unbelief, contempt of heavenly things, aversion to God and religion, or idolatrous love of the world, can exclude any sinner from this great salvation. Every part of the plan is free from ambiguity: our wants are distinctly stated; promises are given exactly answering to them; means are appointed, in which we may apply for the performance of these promises; and God pledges the honour of his faithfulness, that every one who seeks the blessing in the appointed way, shall certainly obtain it. Delays and difficulties may intervene to prove our sincerity; but sooner shall heaven and earth pass away, than any word of God shall fail of its accomplishment.

The assistance likewise, proposed by the gospel, tends to produce a peculiar conduct and conversation in the true believer. Evil habits, corrupt propensities, bad connections, and strong temptations, are not easily broken off and mastered; and our resolution is found by experience to be unequal to the conflict: but the promised assistance of the Holy Spirit enables the Christian to surmount every obstacle, and to resist and overcome all his enemies. He feels he can do nothing of himself; but he finds, that he can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth him."-Thus by "waiting on the Lord he renews his strength," and rises superior to those difficulties, which all other men find in the event to be insurmountable.

The assurances made of an abundant present and future recompence, to those who renounce temporal things for the sake of Christ and the gospel the supports afforded in seasons of trial and affliction; the authoritative and perfect example set before us; the obligations conferred upon us, and the glorious prospects that open to our view, are all of them exceedingly influential on the believer's spirit and conduct. But we must proceed,

III. To mention some leading particulars, in which "a conversation becoming the gospel of Christ," more especially consists.

Every doctrine of the gospel requires, and is suited to produce humility in all its variety of exercises. The whole seems arranged on purpose to lay us low in self-abasement, to exclude all boasting and glorying in ourselves, to produce deep repentance, to render us poor in spirit and contrite in heart, and to form our dispositions teachable, lowly, unambitious, and unassuming. When therefore we speak and act in this manner, our conversation is consistent with our principles, and becomes our profession: but self-confidence, self-importance, vain-glorious vaunting, desire of praise or pre-eminence, and an unteachable, dogmatizing, or overbearing deportment, are more unbecoming and odious in an evangelical professor, than in any other person.

From this deep humility, patience, contentment, and thankfulness must proportionably arise. "It is of the Lord's mercies we are not consumed :" our sufferings are less than our iniquities; our mercies are invaluable and unmerited: our situation is appointed by God our Saviour, in perfect wisdom, truth, and love: our light afflictions are counterbalanced by divine consolations; and they "work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." So that it becomes us to be resigned, satisfied, and thankful in every