IV. Let us in the last place make some practical

use of the subject.

The view of the unfathomable love of God, which hath been given, should increase men's abhorrence of sin and dread of its consequences. The more glorious and excellent the Lord appears to be, the greater degree of odiousness must be contained in every transgression against him; and crimes committed under the clear light of the gospel must, on that account, be peculiarly inexcusable. While, therefore, sinners should take warning to flee from the wrath to come, (for "how will they escape if they neglect so great salvation," and harden themselves in disobedience, because our God is merciful?) it is incumbent on us all to humble. ourselves more and more for all our numberless offences, as most hateful and unreasonable, because committed against infinite goodness and excellency.

66

On the other hand the subject is most delightfully suited to encourage the poor trembling penitent, how many or heinous soever his sins may have been. Poor desponding soul, remember that GOD IS LOVE. Consider what he hath done to make way for the honourable exercise of his mercy. There were two obstacles in the way of our felicity; namely, his justice and our proud obstinacy. He hath removed the former by "not "sparing his own Son," but giving him a sacrifice

for our sins; and he overcomes the latter, when he "gives us repentance to the acknowledging of "his truth." If then thou dost now submit to his righteousness, confess thy sins, and apply for salvation, according to his merciful invitations; thou mayest assuredly expect a gracious reception: for he, who commended his love to his enemies, by giving his own Son to die for them, cannot reject the weeping contrite supplicant, who pleads the all-prevailing name of Jesus, in humble faith, and fervent desires of finding mercy and grace through him.

Here again we may learn the standard of true excellency. The most shining characters, which genius hath selected to immortalize, have commonly been illustriously mischievous; and the unqualified admiration, with which they are often mentioned, exceedingly misleads inexperienced youth. But GOD is LOVE; and the more we resemble and imitate him in this endearing attribute, the greater real excellency we unquestionably possess. Let us then be "followers of God," and " walk in love," after his pattern, in all the various displays of it which have been considered: then we shall certainly be known and approved as his children, and found meet for the eternal inheritance of his heavenly kingdom.

Finally, if we be conscious of having "fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us" in the gospel, let us receive the trials allotted us, as

SERMON V.

ACTS, xxvi. 19, 20.

Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision: but shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, and turn to God, and do works mcet for repentance.

THE

HE propriety and address of St. Paul's speech before Agrippa, Festus, and that august assembly, in whose presence he stood as the prisoner of Jesus Christ, have been generally admired: but the faithfulness and courage, with which he pleaded the cause of the gospel, are perhaps still more deserving of our attention. He paid no court to his illustrious auditors: he attempted not to ingratiate himself with them, or even to shun their contempt or aversion; while he used the most effectual means of convincing them, not only that Jesus was the promised Messiah, but

" delivering thee from the people a "to whom now I send thee; to of "and to turn them from darknes "from the power of Satan unto may receive forgiveness of sins, a among them which are sanctifie " is in me. Whereupon," says t was not disobedient to the heave "shewed," first to the Jews and th tiles, "that they should repent an " and do works meet for repentan this, "he was not disobedient to "vision: for in his view of Chr practical subjects perfectly acco doctrines of faith and grace. The

tian graces may, and should, be d

they have their appropriate nature

they cannot be separated in the p

sesses them. For instance, an impe