whole, from this faint view of the plan of re. demption, as lying open to the attention of principalities and powers, we may fay with the apostle Paul, Rom. ii. 33. "O the depth of the "riches both of the wifdom and knowledge of "God! how unfearchable are his judgements, and "his ways paft finding out!"

I proceed now to conclude the fubject, by fome practical improvement of what has been faid. And,

1. What you have heard will contribute, I hope, by the divine bleffing, to fhew the guilt of those who defpife the gofpel, and ferve to remove the offence of the crofs. It required no fmall measure of fortitude in the apostle Paul, to declare that he was not "afhamed of the cross "of Chrift," which at its firft publication was "to the Jews a ftumbling-block, and to the "Greeks foolishness.” The doctrine of the cross, in its fimplicity and purity, has been mat ter of offence in every fucceeding age, to men of proud and worldly minds. God knows, there are not wanting many at this time, who treat the doctrine of the crofs, and falvation by grace, with as much contempt and infolence as they dare. Nor is it at all impoffible, that there may be some among you who are infected with these poisonous and deftructive principles. Be perfuaded, O deluded foul! that "the weakness of "God is ftronger than man," and "that the "wisdom of man is foolishness with God." This glorious

glorious and gracious plan hath the approbation and admiration of angels, though it hath the contempt of finners. It aftonished the angels, therefore no wonder though it should astonish us. You will perhaps say, It is indeed astonishing above measure; it teaches me to believe an incarnate God,a fuffering Saviour, the innocent punished, and the guilty forgiven. It is attended with so many furprising circumftances, that I cannot help faying, How can these things be! But as Samfon faid in his riddle, "Out of the eater came forth meat, out "of the strong came forth fweetness;" fo out of the fuggeftions of your corrupt minds, I would derive fome evidence of the truth. A cunning. ly devised fable would be dreffed by the deceiver in a manner fuited to the human tafte; but this doctrine hath not upon it any of the marks of human wisdom. I do not think if it had not been revealed, that it could have entered into any human mind; and therefore we may juftly fay, "Salvation belongeth unto God." It is because he is God, and not man, that we, the children of men, are not confumed.”

2. You may learn, from what has been faid, the encouragement that is given to finners to return to God through Chrift. The very circumstances that are most astonishing and admirable in this great difpenfation, are the undeferved love and unexpected condefcenfion of God to guilty and miferable finners. I know that the inward and effectual call can only be given by the Holy Ghoft; but I know alfo, that "faith cometh by "hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Therefore,

Therefore, in expectation of the blessing of him who "bath the hearts of all men in his hand, and "turneth them howfoever he will," I proclaim in the hearing of every finner within thefe walls, "that God fo loved the world, that he gave his "only begotten Son, that whofoever believeth "in him might not perish, but might have ever"lafting life." I repeat the univerfal call, that "him that cometh to him, he will in no wife " caft out." Are there not many in this house under the power of fin, and the curfe of a bro. ken law? Nay, who is there that is not con. demned by these important words, which you will find Gal. iii. 10. "Curfed is every one that "continueth not in all things which are written "in the book of the law to do them." This fentence ftands uncancelled against all who are not reconciled to God by faith in Chrift Jesus. Is the application difficult? Ye flaves of fin, drunkards, fwearers, profane and lafcivious jefters, envious and malicious flanderers, retainers of unjust gain, and all without exception who are lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, ye shall be flain all of you; "as a bowing wall "shall ye be, and as a tottering fence." Remember the misery of those who die in an unconverted state: "It is a fearful thing to fall into the "hands of the living God. Who can abide with "devouring fire? who can dwell with everlasting "burnings?" Admire the infinite grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, and admire the infinite wisdom of God that hath laid help for you upon

one

one who is "mighty to fave." May I not fay, that, on this folemn occasion, your Saviour speaks to you, not only in his word, but from his crofs ? See the juftice of God in the cross of Chrift, and thence learn the evil of fin. See the power and wrath of God in the crofs of Christ, and tremble at your own state. See the matchlefs love of God in the cross of Chrift, and be perfuaded to return to him with weeping, with fupplication, and with mourning. Let the eye of faith be pointed at the dying Saviour, and say unto him, "O almighty fuffeter, look down,' "look down from thy triumphant infamy, pity "and pierce this hard heart with a sense of guilt "and mifery. Thou haft faid, that when thou "fhouldft be lifted up from the earth, thou "wouldst draw all men unto thee: let this pro"mise be fulfilled to my experience. Draw me,

we will run after thee. Lord, take away

my complicated guilt; Lord, renew and paci"fy my unfanctified affections, form me for "thyfelf, that I may ferve thee here, and after"wards fee thee as thou art !"

3. From what hath been faid upon this subject, you may examine your title to partake of the holy ordinance of the Lord's fupper; or, in other words, your right to the favour of God, and to eternal life. No difpofition more suitable, none more neceffary, at a communion-table, than a grateful and admiring fenfe of redeeming love. Not only the profane blafphemer, or the fcornful defpifer, is unfit to fit down at this feaft, but the self-righteous formalift who never faw himVOL. I.

P

felf

felf undone. It is true indeed, that when angels themselves are put to a stand, all our thoughts muft foon be loft and fwallowed up. But, my brethren, do you desire to look into it? do you feel a fenfible pleasure and delight in this facred employment? do you, in fome measure, fee the glory of divine grace, though you are not able to measure its dimenfions? There is no fubject fo obfcure and unintelligible to those who are trangers to the power of religion, as the mystery of redeeming love; no fubject so odious and diftafteful to those whofe minds are formed upon the maxims of the world, as the doctrine of falvation by grace. Christ upon a cross, Chrift upon a throne, Chrift the believer's rock and refuge, the fource of his ftrength, and the fource of his comfort, they are neither able to relish nor comprehend. All the warm expreffions of gratitude and attachment, which are unspeakably fweet and ravishing to a ferious foul, appear to them in the light of enthusiasm and visionary folly. But as many as it hath pleafed God to blefs with an inward and perfonal conviction of their 1oft ftate by nature, will fee the greatest beauty in this plan of falvation, and will rather rejoice, than fhrink, at fharing with their Redeemer him. felf the contempt of the world. They will fay, with the apostle Paul, Gal. vi. 14. "God for. bid that I fhould glory, fave in the cross of "our Lord Jefus Chrift." There is a beautiful oppofition flated by the fame apoftle, between a believer's understanding the love of Chrift, and yet being unable to fearch it to the bottom, in

the