mend the several virtues of the Christian character, let him conceive himself employed in these works of faith, and labours of love, which will superinduce a disposition to engage in them when opportunities occur in actual life. And when these do occur, let him revive the sentiments which he formerly entertained, let him act according to his convictions for a few instances, and he shall at last acquire a facility in discharging his religious and moral duties, until he has respect to all God's commandments. And by continuing in the practice of that commendable course of conduct which his heart approves, he will by degrees relish those very actions to which he formerly felt the greatest aversion. The reasons which recommend that particular virtue which he is cultivating will offer themselves frequently to his thoughts, and appear more conclusive the oftener they are repeated. His practical principles will be strengthened within him by daily exercise; and he will at last delight in the law of God after the inward man. Thus bad habits will be relinquished, and good ones will be formed in the soul; till the convert is reclaimed from the error of his ways, and learns to walk in newness of life. This is the usual process, by which holiness is produced, and sin mortified in the soul; till we are enabled by divine grace, to lay aside every weight, and the sins that most easily beset us, and run in the path of the divine commandments, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. Such then are the means, both natural and supernatural, which are generally effectual in promoting our sanctification and growth in grace. This being the case, I proceed to shew,

III. The necessity of holiness for rendering us acceptable in the sight of God, both here and hereafter.

That such a conversion from sin to holiness, as has now been described, must take place more or less in every one who would find favour with God, may be proved from various arguments. The scripture uniformly declares the indispensable necessity of a new heart, and a right spirit; and that no pretensions however great, no profession however zealous, can compensate for the want of true

goodness. Thus, the prophets were directed to instruct the Jews, who placed their confidence in ceremonial observances, that "they should bring no more vain oblations, that incense was an abomination" to the Almighty; and that if they would obtain his loving-kindness, they must "put away the evil of their doings from before his eyes, cease to do evil, and learn to do well."-The same doctrine was preached by our Lord and his apostles. He testifies, that "it is not every one who saith Lord, Lord, who shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he who doeth the will of our Father in heaven." They declare that "the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God; but indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, shall be on every soul of man that doeth evil; and that without holiness no man shall see the Lord."

The terms of the gospel-covenant also, are such, that repentance and reformation are the conditions on our part of obtaining justification and pardon of sin through the merits of our Saviour. Thus, the first preachers of Christianity taught men, that they should "repent and be converted, that their sins might be blotted out:" that God saves us when we are "washed in the laver of regeneration, and renewed by the Holy Ghost." And to shew the efficacy of sanctification and holiness, for procuring acceptance with God, St. Paul reminds the Corinthians, that they were sometime foolish and disobedient, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another." But since they had cast off all these practices, "they were pardoned, they were justified, they were sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."

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Moreover, the scripture every where abounds with exhortations to Christians, to stand fast in their integrity, as the only means of securing the divine favour. Thus, they are instructed "to continue rooted and grounded in the faith, and not to be moved away from the hope of the gospel, and God would receive them, and be a Father unto them, and they should be his sons and daughters: but if any man draw back, God would have no pleasure in him." Therefore they are entreated" to cleanse themselves from

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all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

And perseverance in righteousness to the end of life is no less requisite to obtain final acceptance with God at his judgment seat. Accordingly, we are said "to be created again in Christ Jesus unto good works, which he hath ordained before, that we should walk in them, to render us meet for the inheritance of the saints in light." For, to those who by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for glory, God will render eternal life. "Blessed are they who do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city." It is not indeed by works of righteousness which we can do, that we can merit salvation: no: that is procured for us by the mediation of Christ; but then he is become the author of eternal salvation, only to those who obey him.

Indeed it is highly reasonable, that justification here, and glory hereafter, should be limited to those who are transformed by the renewing of their minds; because the holiness of God, and the heavenly inheritance require men to become new creatures. He who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, cannot look upon impenitent sinners with complacency, but is angry with the wicked every day. He cannot change his nature, so as to approve of ungodliness and worldly lusts; and therefore if we would be received into his favour, we must be assimilated in some measure to his image, which consists in righteousness and true holiness. If he were to dispense with righteousness in his creatures, and justify us while we continued in an unrenewed state of mind, he would henceforth manifest a disregard to rectitude, and leave men at liberty either to keep his commandments or not; since the righteous and the wicked were equally acceptable in his sight. If he should reward with everlasting life those who pretend even to believe the gospel, and trust in Christ, while they do not bring forth fruits meet for repentance, nor amend the errors of their lives, then "he would make Christ the minister of sin," and the gospel dispensation an encouragement for men to continue

in it, that grace might abound.-Very different, however, is the intention of that plan of mercy, which teaches men, "that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, they should live soberly, and righteously, and godly, in the world." God therein declares his readiness to pardon our sins that are past when we forsake them, through the merits of our Saviour; but he requires us to "bring forth fruit unto holiness, that in the end we may obtain everlasting life."

Besides, acceptance with God, and his pardoning mercy can only be the portion of those who are converted from the error of their ways, and who walk henceforth in the obedience of the just. According to the constitution of all governments, human and divine, only the penitent can expect forgiveness. No prince will extend his clemency to any subject that persists in rebellion, till he professes regret for his treasonable practices, and promises to return to his duty and allegiance, Neither will the King of kings receive us into the number of his subjects, till we have resolved to live in his fear, and keep his commandments, and walk in the same all the days of our lives. For in every nation, it is only he who feareth God, and worketh righteousness, that is accepted of him.

Finally, if we would be received into his heavenly kingdom at last, we must be sanctified in soul, body and spirit. For as long as ungodliness and worldly lusts, such as hatred and envy, malice and revenge, covetousness and discontent, remain unsubdued; they will render us unhappy in our own minds, and disqualify us for the enjoyment of those peaceful regions, where saints love one another with pure hearts fervently, and serve God in his temple, day and night, for ever and ever. But if we be renewed after the image of him who created us, and become holy as God is holy, then shall we be fitted to see him as he is, and be satisfied with his likeness. Let us all then be persuaded of the necessity of a renewed nature and a holy life, if we would obtain the favour of God in this world, and be admitted to his presence in the world to come.

From the whole of this subject as now explained, let us learn by way of application,

1. Whether we are renewed in the spirit of our minds, and sanctified in soul, body and spirit. Let us enquire whether we are in' any measure different in our dispositions, sentiments and habits, from what we once were: whether we have become sensible of the importance of. religion, and regard the salvation of our souls as the one thing needful. Whether, if we have been addicted to sins of the flesh, or sins of the spirit, we have now renounced them, or at least are daily striving against their indulgence; and whether we have exchanged our former inconsiderate and careless mode of living, for a more serious and circumspect plan of daily behaviour. If we do, then, though not till then, we may conclude that we have passed from death unto life.

2. Let us impress upon our minds a deep conviction, that no opinions however sound, no observances however punctual, will be of any avail, unless we are renewed after the image of God, in righteousness and true holiness. Let us consider, that all our professions of faith, all our attendance on ordinances, and all our application to the means of grace, should produce in us the fruits of righteousness; and that if we expect salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ," we should purify ourselves even as he is pure.' Then, when our hearts are right in the sight of God, we shall be justified by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, and be found of him at last, without spot and blameless at his second coming.

3. As the Holy Spirit is the agent employed in beginning and contriving this good work in us; let us constantly pray for his sacred influences, to quicken us if we are yet dead in trespasses and sins, that he may raise us up to newness of life. And if we have reason to think that we are already converted, let us depend upon him to help our infirmities, and perfect strength in our weakness, till our whole souls be rendered more and more meet for celestial glory.