Yes, and thousands

lief from these cares, any more than from other cares, but in the way which the apostle here points out. So David found. "I said, I will confess... and thou forgavest." O then, poor, burdened sinner, thou needest not to stay, and examine what sort of cares thou hast to bring. God says to thee, Bring all. of poor sinners, like you, who have tried, and found him gracious, say the same: Bring all. "Cast all your care upon him, for he careth for you." The greatness of your load, and misery, is that which moves his compassions. Go, make them his, and it shall be well. "Come (saith he) unto me, all ye that are weary, and heavy laden, and I will refresh you: I will give you rest."

And then, lastly, Remember, This casting your cares on God is a leaving them with him. You are not to go, merely, and complain, and weep about them, and then rise from your knees, and complain, and weep about them, away from him; as if they were yours, still. No; if you believe his care for you, you will be like Hannah. She went to God with a sore burden; "a woman (as she describes herself) of a sorrowful spirit;" but she "poured out her soul before the Lord" prayers and tears, and she "went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad." (1 Sam. i. 18.) The reason was, she had

in

told God her sorrows, and left them with him; and she felt, he had undertaken them.

May the Lord instruct you to do the same! He has set his throne of grace, on purpose to receive there his troubled children to listen to their cares and sorrows, and take off their burden, and bear it for them himself. There must we meet him with it, and there, assuredly, we shall find him. "Be careful for nothing, but, in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, make your requests known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds, through Christ Jesus." Amen.

SERMON X.

SINNERS INVITED TO RECONCILIATION.

Be

2 COR. v. 20.

ye reconciled to God.

THESE few and simple words express the great and primary duty of every man, as he is a fallen creature, under a dispensation of mercy. They speak the great message of the gospel calling men into a new relation to God: seeking to win back to him their alienated affections, by the revelation of his most sweet love in Christ, in the free forgiveness of all their trespasses: thus drawing them to him, and engaging them to choose him as their chief good, and to walk with him in holy and happy intercourse. Hence the gospel, as having this end in view, is called, here, (ver. 19,) "the word of reconciliation." It is God's voice of mercy, to a lost and miserable world, miserable by estrangement from him ; wherein he beseeches them to lay aside their

enmity, and accept the proffered peace, in Christ. "As though God did beseech (men) by us, we pray (them) in Christ's stead, Be ye

reconciled to God."

Wonderful condescension of a holy God, toward sinful, rebellious man! But when God designs to show mercy, he will act, herein, like himself. The Creator stoops to his offending creature! comes to those who are alienated from him, and hate him, and pleads with them to be happy! It is not enough, to have provided a way of salvation; to have given his own Son for our ransom, by the sacrifice of him, in our stead; but, because the wretched, unfeeling sinner will not have this mercy, when it is provided; neglects it, or tramples it under foot, as an affront to him, therefore does God come forth, as it were, out of his place, and by his word, his ministers, his Spirit, press on men, beseech men, to consider, and turn, and live! God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself."

This, then, my brethren, is God's aspect toward men, in the gospel; one which must make him, (if anything can make him such, to the mind of fallen man,) most amiable and attractive. Preaching peace, by Jesus Christ." (Acts x. 36.) Hence the character under which the angelic host contemplated this gospel, on its first announcement, was, "Peace on earth,

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good-will towards men." And the whole design of the preaching of the gospel is, to prevail on men to close with these overtures of mercy, while yet they are continued to them. "Be ye re

conciled to God."

The matter, then, of our present address is the most important that can be presented to you. Every soul, here present, is concerned in it; and on his acceptance, or neglect of it, depends his destiny, for an unchanging eternity. O that I may so speak, and you so hear, through the grace of our God, that this message of divine love may be effectual, in persuading many to be reconciled unto God! Let Let me,

I. Dwell upon the matter of the exhortation.

II. Press on you the exhortation itself.

I. Consider the matter of the exhortation : Reconciliation to God. I may treat this, in the way of answer to three several inquiries.

1. Whence arises the necessity of this reconciliation. 2. Wherein it consists. 3. How it is to be effected.

1. Whence arises the necessity of this reconciliation. “Be ye reconciled to God." The exhortation manifestly supposes enmity towards God, in the persons addressed, of which them