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.ord, good works are necessary, in order ur escaping eternal ruin and misery; not as an atonement for our sins, as I have sufficiently proved, or a right to be freed from condemnation, but as evidences of our union with Christ, at that momentous period, when he "shall appear in flaming fire, taking vengeance" on the ignorant and disobedient, "then he shall be glorified in his saints, and admired in all those who believe."

To conclude :-If the reader had an opportunity of perusing the many elaborate volumes, written by our first reformers, he would find this doctrine set in its proper light;-that it was the greatest occasion of our glorious Reformation; and that justification, through the imputed righteousness of Christ, was esteemed by LuTHER and all our excellent reformers, to be "Articulus stantis vel cadentis Ecclesia," THE ARTICLE BY WHICH THE CHURCH MUST EITHER STAND OR FALL. And shall we again build up those things which that glorious army of martyrs destroyed? What advantage can be expected from hence? Granted, that sincere obedience would justify us; what then? Is it probable that sincere obedience, performed from a principle of spiritual life and holiness, and a dependance upon Christ alone to do all in us and for us, will be more unacceptable to God than if it had been done in our own strength, and with a view to establish our own righteousness? Will Christ reject us at last, for having done too much honour to his infinite merit, and to the rich and free

grace of God in him? On the other hand, what if the objector's reasoning should fail, when it comes to the decisive trial? Dare he venture his eternity upon it, that in this case he cannot possibly be deceived? If the reformation in general, and the most excellent men for parts and piety that the reformed churches could ever boast of, should be found on the side of truth, at the day of judgement, in determining that we cannot be justified upon the footing of a moderated covenant of works, what will become of all those who have practical'y built their eternal hope on that foundation?

And now, reader, permit me to ask an all important question, inseparably connected with your salvation. Are you, or are you not, in a justified state? This is a part of the plan of eternal life which God has revealed, that he first jusfies all those whom he will glorify. If you are in this happy state, you have "peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ," and may "rejoice in the hope of his glory;" to you, "the ways of wisdom are pleasantness, and all her paths are peace;" you can rejoice in Christ Jesus, without confidence in the flesh." scriptural joy, is the joy of faith. Having fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before you, you may have strong consolation," knowing that he, in whom you have believed, is able to keep that which you have committed to him, against that day." For, though your frames be very mutable, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, to day, and for ever." "In whom, though

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now you see him not, yet believing" you have cause to "rejoice with joy unspeakable and glorious." As he has undertaken for you, and promised that "he will never leave, nor forsake you," therefore you may hold fast your confidence unto the end." The more cheerfully and firmly you trust in him, the more shall you increase in holiness, and comfort, and the more evidently sure, will be the foundation of your eternal hope; you may, therefore, "go on your way rejoicing in the strength of the Lord, making mention only of his righteousness," knowing that, at last, you shall" arrive at the end of your faith, even the salvation of your sou!." "There

is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit." Rom. 8. 1.

But, is, it your unhappiness to remain in an unjustified state? be entreated to consider, that your situation is dreadful beyond description; to you, there is not a promise applicable in all the book of God; you are in a state of condemnation; self-condemned, soul-condemned, and willingly condemned. This implies a want of spiritual understanding, under all the means of information from the word of God, and the light of the gospel; a spirit of insensibility, under the most awakening visitations in the providence of God. It implies an incorrigible spirit, under all the means of grace and salvation, and a progression in sin, notwithstanding the most alarming threatenings or alluring mercies. "Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the

kingdom of God?" that "the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all unrighteousness, and ungodliness of men, who hold (or imprison) the truth in unrighteousness?" Do you not believe that "the Lord Jesus shall one day be revealed from Heaven, with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ? and that all those who impenitently continue in an unjustified state, "shall be punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and the glory of his power," or despising the rulers of his grace," and the offers of salvation? Are you determined to go on in an obstinate course of enmity, and rebellion against all the perfections of God, and the authority of Heaven? Do you not consider that you are "treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgement of God," and thereby challenging the Almighty to display his power in your destruction? Alas! whatever may be your views on this subject, the practical language of all those who remain in an unconverted and consequently in an unjustified state, under a gospel dispensation, is that, though wrath should at last be poured on them, to the uttermost, in "suffering the vengeance of eternal life;" they are resolved to go on in sin, and risk the consequence! Let me beseech you to pause and consider your condition; suffer me to repeat the words of the apostle : "Be it known unto you, men and brethren, that through this man, (this Jesus, whom you have slighted through all

your past life,) is preached unto you, (even to you,) the forgiveness of sins; and by him all that believe are justified from all things." Here is the freest offer of the greatest good, made to the chief of sinners, and the most unworthy. But, if it is your determination to continue inflexibleto reject the Saviour-to resist the Holy Spirit, and so to forsake your own mercy, "Beware, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets. Behold, ye despisers, and wonder and perish;" the contempt of the gospel, is the condemnation of the world. "This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." John 3. 19. To you, there remains nothing while in this deplorable state, but a certain fearful looking for, of judgement, and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries." During the short, uncertain span of human existence, you may amuse yourself with the vanities of time, and mispend your days in the worship of the world's trinity, "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life " But be assured, death will overtake you. "Know that for all these things, God will bring you into judgement." "In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and those that look out of the windows, be darkened;" when this tenement of clay, this highly finished piece of mechanism, shall be dissolved, what will become of its inhabitant, which belongs to another system, and must exist for ever! "This I say, brethren," in the language of the