liberty with the sabbath-day. In it they transact business, take their pleasure, and journey from place to place, whenever it suits their inclination or convenience. Such persons, often neglect the public worship of God, or come into his house. at any period during the time that prayer is offered up to God, in the name of Jesus Christ.

How blind are the minds of many, who are grown up to man's estate! They shudder at the thought of breaking the sixth, or seventh, or the eighth, commandment, but they take great liberties with the third and the fourth. Let such know, that they have broken the divine law, that the wrath of God is revealed from heaven" against them, and that "if they repent not, they must all likewise perish." They cannot be saved, unless they flee "for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before them in the gospel." "There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved, but the

name of Jesus."

He invites, but you

refuse; shall this always be so? Be

66

ware, lest God swear in his wrath,

that you shall not enter into his rest." You will find it a greater crime to refuse the mercy of Christ, who is ready to save you, than to have done many sins, while in a state of ignorance, and without the means of grace.

Have you no repentings kindled in your breasts? Will you still refuse godliness, which has the "promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come?" Do you choose the pleasures of sin, which will be quickly followed by remorse, and guilt, and fear? The hour of sickness will come, beware lest it overtake you suddenly. "Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thine heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment." Let the prophet be heard.

E

Tremble, ye women that are at ease: be troubled, ye careless ones."

"What

is your life? It is but a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

APPLICATION.

1. To those in authority.

If you have influence, take heed how you employ it: you may be helpers of the faith and piety of those who are under you, or you may greatly retard the faith and piety of many. Consider how sacred is the trust committed to you, and how fearful the responsibility under which you lie for the use you make of it. Christ has said, "Whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were drowned in the depths of the sea." Let it, therefore, be your first care, to repent yourselves, and then to assist the repentance of those placed under you.

2. To those persons who have hitherto been careless.

Remember, God is serious who calls you to repentance: the ministers of religion are serious who warn you to flee from the wrath to come: sickness and death will be found serious matters whenever they overtake you. Judgment and tormenting fire, prepared for the wicked, are terrible realities.

When you are hearing sermons be serious and thoughtful. Be earnest in prayer to God, through Jesus Christ, that he would give you his Holy Spirit, "that you, worthily lamenting your sins, and acknowledging your wretchedness, may obtain from the God of all grace perfect remission and forgiveness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. "

3. To those who profess themselves to be the disciples of Christ.

This is a season which requires of you much prayer to God, through Jesus Christ, for the increase of true religion in

the world; and especially in the church of which you are members. Those persons between the ages of twenty and thirty years need your prayers. They are capable of doing much harm if they continue in impenitence, and they are able to effect much good if they are turned unto the Lord. Under these circumstances it is your duty to pray that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, in the conversion of many who are in the prime of life, which may God of his infinite mercy grant, through Jesus Christ our Lord.