ing cloud; if thou canst believe in Him, thy debts are cancelled through his blood; and that which thou art unable to perform, he hath fulfilled for thee. See how consonant this doctrine is to the whole series of scripture, and the voice of ancient prophecies! See what an unshared revenue of glory and thanksgiving it brings unto the blessed God; both supporting the feeble Christian amidst all his infirmities, and opening a door of hope to the awakened sinner, notwithstanding all his impieties! Surely, then, this precious doctrine is worthy of all acceptation: surely we have reason to receive it with all imaginable thankfulness! But lest it should, after all, seem to us as an idle tale, rather than glad tidings of great joy, let me,

IV. Give some directions that may dispose us to rely on, and prepare us to receive the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

First, Bring a child-like mind to the consideration of it. Lay aside prepossessions, and meekly receive the ingrafted word with a teachable simplicity. Let us sit at the feet of Jesus, and, like very little children, learn heavenly wisdom from his gospel. If we are conceited of our abilities, and lean to our own understanding, God may punish our pride by leaving us in the dark; for he "hides these things from the wise and prudent, and reveals them unto babes." You must acknowledge your natural ignorance, and implore the teachings of his blessed Spirit; for this is his peculiar office, to "convince the world of righteousness;" that is, to convince the world of the fulness of the Redeemer's righteousness, of its unsearchable riches, and of its absolute sufficiency to justify his people.

Secondly, If you would not be offended at this doctrine, get a deep sense of " deep sense of "your own unrighteousness. It is the want of this conviction that indisposes men for a reliance on Christ: so long as they fancy themselves "rich and increased in goods," they will never be concerned to seek the fine gold of their Saviour's obedience. "And, indeed, he

came not to call the righteous;" his gospel is of such a nature, that the self-justiciary will discern no comeliness in it: it will feed the hungry and "poor in spirit" with good things; but the rich, and those that are "righteous in their own eyes," it will send empty away.

Labour therefore to see your own vileness, and then the merits of a Saviour will be precious. Be sensible of your own nakedness, and then the robe of a Redeemer's righteousness will be prized indeed. Consider yourselves as "insolvent wretched bankrupts," who have nothing, who can do nothing that is spiritually good; and then the perfect obedience, the full satisfaction of your divine Surety, will be "as health to your soul, and as marrow to your bones."

Thirdly, Pray for faith. It is faith that unites to Jesus Christ. By faith you are implanted into him. Faith is the hand that lays hold on the Saviour's merits: "By faith ye are saved," says the apostle. This appears, to the soul, the great salvation purchased by our dear Redeemer: therefore, beseech God to beget in you this lovely and lively faith, whereby you may lay hold on Christ, cleave most inseparably to Christ, and, renouncing every other refuge, lay the whole stress of your souls solely on Christ, as a shipwrecked mariner relinquishes all his sinking cargo, and clings only to the planks that may float him safe to shore. Seek this blessing to yourselves, brethren; and if ever I forget to join my best supplications to yours, "let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth." My "heart's desire, and prayer to God," shall always be, that you may "believe to the saving of your souls." And a holy conversation will be a sign unto you that your faith is real. A life of sincere holiness can spring from nothing but from this divine head, Christ Jesus. "By this shall all men know that ye are his disciples, if ye live by his Spirit, and walk as he walked." By this, likewise, your own consciences may be assured, that God hath given you an interest in his dear Son, and sent

him to bless you-if he has "turned you from your iniquities, and created you anew unto good works."

Give me leave, at the close of all, to ask you with all simplicity, Have you understood these things? do you believe this report? or am I as one that speaketh a parable?

If any be of this opinion, I shall address them in the words of St Paul to the Galatians, and commit them to enlightening grace. The apostle, inculcating this very point, and persuading them to this selfsame belief, says, "Brethren, be as I am, for I was as ye are," Gal. iv. 12. Thus the words I would translate; and then they are very pertinent to the purpose, and applicable to you and me; and, when paraphrased, will run thus: "I do not wonder, brethren, that ye are prejudiced against this doctrine. I myself was strongly possessed with such prejudices. I verily thought that my own rightcousness would, at least, bear a part in procuring my acceptance with the eternal Majesty. Determined I was, in some measure, to stand on my own bottom;' and advance my plea for life everlasting from my own holy endeavours. But now these arrogant resolutions and vain confidences are dropt. I now disavow all such pretensions. God hath brought me to a sounder mind. And as ye have been partakers with me in my mistake, be partakers also of my righter judgment. I trusted to I knew not what: but now I know in whom I have believed.' I put myself, and the whole of my salvation, in my adored Immanuel's hands; and doubt not of his sufficiency for my security. Henceforward I set my heart at rest, not because I have gone through such offices, or done such duties; but because my Redeemer is mighty and meritorious. is God, the incarnate God, that justifies me: who is he that shall condemn me?' Never, never shall my heart cry to divine justice, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all:' this were the language of gross ignorance, or great presumption. But in all

It

my temptations, in every discouragement, this shall be my acknowledgment, this shall still be my earnest prayer, The righteousness of thy obedience, most blessed Jesus, is everlasting; O grant me an interest therein, and I shall live." Amen, amen; so let it be, O Lord.

SERMON III.

THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION,

Representing the benign tendency of the gospel; and that it is the friendly office of ministers, as the ambassadors of Christ, to press men with all imaginable tenderness, humility, and earnestness, to accept the treaty of reconciliation, as established in him, and urged by him, while on earth.

Preached at the Parish Church of All-Saints, in Northampton.

2 Cor. v. 18.-" All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation."

THE love of God, that supremely glorious and supremely gracious Being, is, of all other tempers, the most delightful and divine; a sacred flower, which in its early bud is happiness, and in its full bloom is heaven. To plant this noble principle in the breast, to cultivate its growth, and bring it to maturity, is the grand end of all religion, and the genuine fruit of faith unfeigned. Angels are happy, because the love of God triumphs eternally, and without a rival, in their exalted affections. True believers are happy, because the love of God, in a prevailing degree, is shed abroad in their hearts. The gospel is a dispensation of happiness, because it discovers the superabundant loving-kindness of God to man, and urges the most engaging motives for our ardent love to his almighty Majesty.

The gospel represents the great God, not only as bestowing upon his creatures all the good they enjoy, but as effecting their reconciliation to his own adorable self; effecting this most desirable of all bless

He is the giver of every good and perfect gift. The whole earth is filled with the profusion of his beneficence. And where, where is the creature, that has not tasted, that does not subsist on, the inexhaustible stores of his bounty? And, though affliction also comes from the Father of our spirits, yet this is no derogation from his tender mercies; since he chastens not with an arbitrary severity, but with a parental pity; he chastens only to amend; and these light, these transient tribulations, are preparatives for an exceeding great and eternal weight of glory.

And is not such a Being worthy of our highest admiration, and our devoutest love? Has he not, by such ineffable excellencies, such unmeasurable benignityhas he not an undoubted claim to the affections of our hearts, the praises of our tongues, and the unintermitted services of our lives? He is the source of all our good; should he not also be the centre of all our gratitude, and of our whole obedience? But our obligations will rise immensely higher, if we consider,

Secondly, How much more illustriously the delightful attributes of the Deity are displayed in the accomplishment of our redemption; in that "he hath reconciled us to himself in Jesus Christ." Man was created upright, immaculate, and in the image of God. Heavenly wisdom shone bright in his understanding, and true holiness sat enthroned in his heart. But how soon, how fatally, did he fall! from what height of perfection, to what depth of degeneracy! Since that destructive transgression, all flesh has corrupted his way; every man is become brutish in his knowledge; and the imagination of the thoughts of his heart is only evil continually. "Our iniquities separated between us and our God, and our sins hid his face from us," as from an abominable object. Nay, our sins accused us at his righteous tribunal, and, like the blood of Abel, cried to heaven for vengeance. Vengeance and fiery indignation was our expected doom, and eternal death the wages due to our offences. What rendered the misery of mankind