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We have already observed, that to enter into the fold, is in fact to pass from death unto life; from a state of guilt and wrath to a state of pardon and peace. This, we have also seen, can only be done through Jesus Christ. By Him alone these blessings have been purchased for us; and through Him alone we can obtain possession of them. But what must we do to obtain possession of them? This is the question now before us; and to this question, if we would answer it according to Scripture, there is but one answer to be given. The Gospel teaches us, that in order to enter in by Jesus Christ, there is but one thing to be done by us, and that is, with the heart to believe on Him. "By faith ye are saved." "With the heart, man believeth unto righteousness."

"Whosoever

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believeth on Him, shall not perish." Him all that believe are justified from all things." These are the statements of Scripture. And was not the answer which St. Paul gave to the jailor at Philippi, who asked him what he must do to be saved, of the same kind and tendency with these? "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." It is then by faith that we enter in. By believing in Christ, we pass through the door of the sheep-fold, and gain admission into that place of peace and safety.

This faith, however, includes many particulars. To enter in by the Door, implies, that we come to it; that we knock at it; that we seek and strive to obtain an entrance by it; and cast away every thing which would prevent our entering in. In other words, with the heart to believe in Christ for the -remission of sins, implies, that under a feeling sense of our guilt and misery as sinners, and a full conviction of His power to save us, we anxiously draw near to Him in our hearts, and earnestly pray to Him to pardon, receive, and save us; that we follow Him with importunity for these blessings; that we persist in our application to Him, notwithstanding delays, difficulties, and seeming denials; that we part with our sins, however pleasant or profitable; separate ourselves from evil companions and pursuits; mortify our pride; and are resolved, at any price, or by any sacrifice, to secure an interest in the salvation of the Gospel. This is to enter in. They who thus seek shall find; to them who thus knock the door shall be opened, And whosoever shall thus enter in by Christ shall be saved.-We now come to the last subject of enquiry.

IV. How do we know that this will be the case? What certainty have we, that if any man enter in by Christ, he shall be saved?

We have the word of Christ Himself in the text. He assures us that it shall be so. Indeed, the whole Scriptures proclaim the same truth. They all unite în declaring, that as there is no salvation but in Christ, so that in Him there is full and complete salvation for every sinner who comes unto God by Him. In the mysterious glory and excellence of His person, a wonderful and allsufficient provision is made for the pardon of every sin, and the justification of every penitent and believing sinner. And that whosoever does enter in by Christ into the fold, shall be saved with an everlasting salvation, is clear from this circumstance, that the very perfections of God, which form the barrier round the fold, and which before shut him out from the blessings of it, are now become their defence and security. The Divine Justice, Truth, and Holiness, which condemn the unbelieving sinner to a perpetual exclusion from the joys of Heaven, are pledged to secure to every believer in Christ eternal life and glory. They shall never perish," says Christ in this very chapter; "neither shall any pluck them out of my hand." "My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and none is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." The same word of the Lord, which denounces destruction on all that are without this fold, promises

safety to all that are within. Here rests their security; on the person and promises of Christ; on the perfections of the Godhead; on the word of the Lord. Hence we are assured, that "by Christ, if any man enter in, he shall be saved."

And now, my Brethren, what is the great design with which I have brought this subject before you, but that I might have the better opportunity of exhorting such of you as stand in need of the exhortation, and of beseeching them, as I most earnestly do, to lose no time in securing to themselves the blessings and privileges of the kingdom of God. If you have not as yet entered by the door into the fold, let me intreat you to enter, while yet there is an entrance to be had. O consider the happiness, the blessed. ness of those who have entered in. They are in safety. They have peace with God. Their sins are washed away by the blood of Christ. They are under the care and guidance of the Good Shepherd. They are now refreshed and provided for, and they have the promise of an eternal inheritance.

So long as you continue without the fold, which of these privileges belong to you? Not one of them. You have not an interest in any one of them; no safety, no pardon, no peace with God, no present consolation,

comfortless. Lost and entangled in the wilderness, you are exposed to dangers and enemies, from which no strength or wisdom of your own can save you, and to some of which you must one day fall a prey. that your eyes were but opened to see that roaring lion, who is going about, seeking to devour you; and those numerous snares and pitfalls, which the world is spreading before your feet, to entangle and destroy you! O that you would but believe the Word of God, which tells you of these things, and kindly warns you of your danger! For then you would seek to enter into the fold, that you might be safe from all these evils. Then you would earnestly come to the Door, and would knock for admission, and would seek and strive to enter in. Then you would no longer halt between two opinions; nor hesitate what course to take. You would flee to the refuge provided for you; nor think yourself safe, till you were once seIcured within its sacred limits. You would humbly pray for faith, for a heart to believe in Jesus Christ. Thus would you knock at Mercy's door; and thus knocking, you would be let in. O then, my Brethren, delay no longer. Think how much time you may have already lost; how many years you may have been erring and straying like lost sheep, without a shepherd, and at a distance from

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