If you doubt whether all this appeal to the Law and to the Tes the scriptures: see whether they d to give the Lord our hearts and entirely to him; and whether Christ, concerning self-denial, world, enduring the cross, labouri to enter in at the strait gate, be no than any thing here stated. If an not be able to reconcile these pa views of salvation by grace; be as views are unscriptural; and beg c your understanding, that you ma discern the truth as it is in Jesus. indolence and partiality in reading do not select a few passages, and rest, as unsuitable to your system, to you; for this springs from lu. tends to its rapid increase.

But are any of you convinced, that you have hitherto been infected with this Laodicean spirit, and almost ready to tremble for the consequences? Let me call your attention to the subsequent part of our Lord's address to such luke-warm professors. He condescends to say even to them, "I counsel thee to buy of me, gold tried in the "fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white rai"ment that thou mayest be clothed, and that the "shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and a"noint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou may"est see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; "be zealous therefore, and repent."

Think then frequently and intensely on eternity and its infinite importance: meditate seriously on the death of Christ; the design, manner, causes, and effects of it; the instructions conveyed and the obligations conferred, by that great event.Pray earnestly for the sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit, which alone can prevent or cure lukewarmness, and maintain the life and power of godliness in the soul. Examine particularly every part of your disposition and conduct: be willing to know the whole of your case as it really is. Withdraw from the company of the lukewarm, and associate with zealous christians : and never admit a doubt, but that the more fervent, diligent, and fruitful you become, the greater will be your peace and comfort in life and death, and the more abundant your gracious recompence in the realms of blessedness.

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" overcometh will I give to sit dow my throne: even as I also overca "down with my Father on his thr "that hath an ear let him hear what

" unto the churches."

SERMON XII.

MATTHEW, V. 16.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

OUR

UR blessed Lord just before his ascension into heaven, thus addressed his apostles: " All power " is given unto me in heaven and in earth: Go ye "therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in "the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the "holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things "whatsoever I have commanded you." Hence we learn, that there is a measure of instruction which precedes an intelligent profession of the gospel, comprising the first principles of the doctrine of Christ: and that there is also a more particular and exact instruction, by which ministers should endeavour to form the judgment and

Matt. xxviii. 18-20.

direct the conduct of believers, in all the several parts of Christianity. This distinction ought to be carefully remembered; that we may not suppose, the practical exhortations given to believers supersede the necessity of regeneration, repentance, and faith in the Son of God, as numbers seem to think; nor yet deem it inconsistent with the purest evangelical views, to explain particularly, and inculcate most earnestly, the several parts of our duty to God and to our neighbour.

In the Sermon on the mount, our Lord first shews, in the several beatitudes, that happiness principally depends on the state of the heart: and then addressing the disciples, in the presence of the multitude, he said, "Ye are the salt of the "earth: but if the salt have lost its savour, where" with shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for "nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under"foot of men." Christians, as scattered over the earth, ought to communicate a purifying savour of piety and righteousness, and thus to prevent the increasing depravity of the human race: but graceless preachers and professors of the gospel are the vilest and most hopeless of men. -" Ye are," says Christ, "the light of the world; a city set

upon an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men "light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but

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on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all "that are in the house." True Christians, placed in different families, villages, streets, cities, and