cence and happiness grew up together! Within thy sacred enclosure there was no sorrow; no pain; no crying; no death!

The original state of man reflects the highest honour upon God. In that state we behold an astonishing display of Divine wisdom, power, goodness, purity, and love. If the glory be departed, let man bear the blame; let him be ashamed; let him be punished, for the awful change took place through his transgression. God intended him to continue as he made him. He gave him power to stand, but left him free to fall. There is another Eden far above the skies, where human nature is exalted to a state of inconceivable perfection; a celestial paradise, to which the subtle tempter has no access. There the spirits of the just are confirmed in a state of everlasting happiness and glory. Jesus, the second Adam, the Lord from heaven, dwells amongst them; and it would be as easy to shake the throne of God, as to disturb or interrupt their felicity. God has crowned them with immortality, and their hap piness and glory will continue as long as eternal ages roll.

Every man on earth should bend his course to that happy world. The way to it is open and plain. All may enter in at the strait gate, and walk in the narrow way which leads to life. God graciously invites us to it, and condescendingly affords us all the help we need. May we accept of the invitation before it be too late, and gratefully avail ourselves of the aids of Divine grace! If any man on earth deserve the name of "fool," it is the man who neglects his interest in that better world. Let us now be wise unto salvation! Let us devote our hearts and lives to God, that we may know and enjoy him as our God, both in time and in eternity. To him be glory for ever. Amen.

SERMON II.

THE PRESENT STATE OF MAN.

All we like sheep have gone astray. ISAIAH liii, 6.

MAN did not continue long in a state of innocency. Tempted and overcome by the wicked one, he broke the law of his God, and brought ruin upon himself and his posterity. We, his offspring, have followed his sad example, and from our youth up even until now, "all we like sheep have gone astray."

Let us consider wherein men have gone astray from God; the dreadful effects which have followed; and conclude with some advice to wandering sinners.

I. WHEREIN HAVE MEN GONE ASTRAY FROM GOD?

All men have gone astray in their thoughts. They have "forgotten God that formed" them. Deut. xxxii. 18. And they now forget his

being and perfections; his presence and providence; and his goodness, mercy, and truth. They forget their entire dependence upon him, and the high obligations which they are under to love, honour, and obey him: Yea, they forget his justice, his awful threatenings, and his fixed purpose to punish sin. They think about eating and drinking, dress and company, amusements and pleasures, riches and honours; but better, and more important things, seldom employ their thoughts. Sometimes, perhaps, an alarming providence, or an awakening sermon, may lead them to reflect for a moment; but, alas! how soon do their thoughts wander again on the vanities and follies of human life! This was the case before the flood; for then, "God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart, was only evil continually." Gen. vi, 5.

Men of all nations have gone astray from God in their affections; and, in this respect, they continue to go astray: So that He whom they are required to love supremely, is hated and abhorred. Sinners hate his government and laws, his pure and spiritual worship, and his pious and obedient people. Their "carnal mind is enmity against God." Rom. viii, 7. And in this deplorable state of carnality, they are given up" to vile affections." Rom. i, 26. They "love the world," and "the things that are in the world," but "the love of the Father is not in them." 1 John ii, 15. Nothing, in my opinion, can be a stronger proof that men are fallen from God, than this state of their affections. They feel no interest in Divine things. Their hearts are wholly in the world. There is their treasure; and there are their hopes and fears; their joys and griefs. They may feel the fear and terror of an awakened mind, when death and eternity are presented to their view; but they are wholly destitute of that love to God and men, which is the essence of genuine religion. They have gone astray in their conversation. This necessarily follows, for "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.' Matt. xii, 34. While the thoughts and affections of men are corrupt, their conversation cannot be pure. They converse freely and frequently about the world; but God is seldom named, except in profane oaths, curses, and blasphemies. "Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips; whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness." Rom. iii, 13, 14. Modern politeness does not admit of oaths, curses, and blasphemies, in common conversation; but it substitutes nothing which is, in reality, much better. Were we to go through the most polished and refined circles of the rich and great, we should hear but little either of Christian duties or privileges, or of future rewards or punishments, except what is said, on these important subjects, in the way of scorn and contempt. Their conversation, though correct and highly polished, generally turns, like that of the vulgar, on the things of time and sense; and, unconverted persons, even in the lowest stations of life, deem it a disgrace to say much about their God and Saviour.

We may add, that, men have gone astray in their conduct; and, after all the means which have been used to bring them back, they still continue far from the paths of piety, justice, mercy, and truth. They are

proud, self-willed, passionate, covetous, cruel, and full of deceit. And, while these evil passions reign in their hearts, there is not a command of God which they do not break; not a promise which they do not slight; nor a threatening which they do not despise. These remarks may be viewed, by inconsiderate people, as unfounded reflections on human conduct; but let any man examine the subject, without prejudice, and he will soon be convinced that the whole world, while in a state of nature, lieth in wickedness; that "they are all gone out of the way;" that "they are altogether become unprofitable;" and, that, "there is none that doeth good, no not one." Rom. iii, 12.

II. THE DREADFUL EFFECTS WHICH HAVE FOLLOWED.

By wandering from God, men have justly provoked his wrath and indignation against them. And how can it be otherwise, while they trample his laws under their feet? He "is angry with the wicked every day" and his "wrath abideth upon unbelievers." Ps. vii, 11; John iii, 36. This is a most alarming thought, enough, one would think, to terrify the most hardened wretch! We fear the anger of a man, if he have power over us; but what is that, when compared with the anger of God? At his presence, "the mountains quake, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned; yea, the world, and all that dwell therein." Nahum i, 5. Sinner, how wilt thou stand before him? When he ariseth in judgment, what will become of thee? I tremble for thee! O that thou wouldst tremble for thyself!

Having chosen darkness, the light of heaven is withdrawn from men ; and the true knowledge of God, and of divine things, is nearly lost. How little do fallen men know of themselves, of God, or of Christ? How astonishingly ignorant are they, both of the nature and the design, of pure religion! They understand arts and sciences, trade and commerce, and whatever else belongs to the present world. On these

subjects they converse rationally; but when religion is the subject of conversation, we evidently perceive they are in the dark. "Professing themselves to be wise, they" have become "fools." Rom. i, 22. This is the case with Heathens, Jews, Mahomedans, and nominal Christians: They are all strangers to God, and vital godliness, till visited by the Day-spring from on high.

In this state of darkness real happiness is lost. Men talk about it, and expect it in ten thousand objects, but find it in none. Sin and misery, holiness and happiness, are inseparable companions. The soul of man, without an union with God, in true holiness, cannot be happy. No created object can satisfy its large desires. Never, then, let us expect happiness in wandering from God. We can find it only in returning to him, and in being made partakers of the Divine nature: For, "There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked." Isa. xlviii, 22. Sin has separated us from our heavenly Father, and driven us from his house; and while we live without him in the world, we can no more be happy than the prodigal son was, when he fed swine in a far country.

Wandering from God has not only deprived men of happiness, but has produced much misery. Men are mortal, and they feel a thousand

pains in consequence of their mortality. But this is the effect of transgression; for "the body is dead because of sin." Rom. viii, 10. In this state of mortality, some linger in pain year after year; and others are hurried away, suddenly, by the plague, by fire, by famine, and by war. They are scourged by the elements, and destroyed by the beasts of the field. In short, their days are few and full of trouble. They are made miserable by the depravity of their own nature: Anger, wrath, hatred, and malice, often burn within them like the fire of hell; and awfully resemble the torments of that dreadful place. And when these raging passions are still, others frequently succeed of a painful and tormenting nature; such as fretfulness, discontentment, murmuring, and complaining. To these considerations we may add another: Future punishments will be inflicted on all who continue to wander from the Lord. it is written, "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God." Ps. ix, 17. In that place of horror, the damned feel all the dreadful effects of their wanderings; such as painful recollections of past opportunities, the tormenting company of devils and fallen human spirits, and black despair. O that we may never know these things by sad experience; for if we do, it had been better for us that we had never been born!

III. ADVICE TO WANDERING SINNERS.

Hence

Seriously consider your present state. You have forsaken your Creator and Preserver; and, perhaps, have no desire to return to him. You have no power, of yourselves, to return; and if the Father of mercies. do not seek you, you will never seek him. There is but one way in which you can be saved, namely, by the mercy of God, in Christ Jesus. But what reason have you to hope for mercy? Will your offended God seek you? Will he receive you into his favour, after all you have done to provoke him? Often ask yourselves, How will these things end? You think the Lord is merciful and gracious, and your thoughts are correct: He delighteth in mercy. But will he have mercy on you while you continue to offend? Think how hateful sin is to God, and how destructive it has been to men!

Then humble yourselves, and repent of your sins, lest they prove your ruin. Earnestly seek salvation by Jesus Christ, "who came into the world to seek and to save that which was lost.’ Luke xix, 10. God is now seeking you, and is willing to afford you his grace and mercy. Draw nigh to him, through his beloved Son. Pray for acceptance and salvation, through the mediation of your Saviour. Do not delay a moment; for now is "the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation." 2 Cor. vi, 2.

By returning to God, you will regain his favour; divine light will shine upon you; you will be happy in this world; and escape the wrath to come. Lay this subject to heart. It is of infinite importance. What do you enjoy in the paths of vice? When did you spend a truly happy hour? The pleasures of sin, which you have pursued, have produced pain; the world has deceived you; your own hearts have deceived you; the devil has deceived you; and it is of the Lord's mercy that you are not consumed!

But, if you desire to return, be not discouraged. Draw nigh to God with contrite hearts, in the name of Jesus, and he will receive you with kindness. The prodigal son met with a kind reception; the publican, in the temple, obtained mercy; and you will be pardoned and adopted into the family of God. God grant it for Christ's sake. Amen.

SERMON III.

THE MEDIATION OF CHRIST.

For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1 TIMOTHY ii, 5.

THAT sinful men cannot be saved without a Mediator, is one of the most obvious truths of Holy Writ. God, who is transcendantly holy, will not suffer them to approach him in their own name; but in the name of Jesus they may draw near with humble confidence, for he is their Mediator. "There is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ."

Let us consider the character of our Mediator; his mediatorial work; and the happy consequences of his mediation.

I. THE CHARACTER OF OUR MEDIATOR.

Our adorable Mediator is called WONDERFUL; and every thing which is said of him, by the inspired writers, is truly wonderful. Having two natures, the Divine and the human, he stands nearly related both to God. and man. He is the beloved Son of God, and the despised Son of Man. Without form or comeliness in his human nature; but in his Divine nature, "the brightness of his" Father's "glory, and the express image of his person. Heb. i, 3. The WORD was God; and the WORD was made flesh. This is a deep mystery, which the human mind cannot fathom, but which we are bound to believe, on the authority of Divine inspiration. We cannot explain it, because it far exceeds the limits of our contracted understandings. The best method for us to take, is, to give full credit to that which God has revealed, without either attempting to pry into hidden secrets, or to explain that which is inexplicable. Had all men adopted this plan, many painful disputes, in the Christian world, would never have been known; and the real character of our blessed Mediator would have been maintained on scriptural principles. For my part, I see nothing in the union of Godhead and manhood, in the person of Christ, contrary to reason; and he who objects, merely because it is above reason, must, to be consistent with himself, object to every part of God's creation.

The wisdom of our Mediator exceeds all our conceptions. Peter said to him, "Lord, thou knowest all things." John xxi, 17. And the apostle Paul informs us, that in him "are hid all the treasures of