ford, of Bridgport, preached the fermon, the Rev. Elifba Rexford, of New-Stratford, made the confecrating prayer, the Rev. David Ely, of Huntington, gave the charge, the Rev. Stephen W. Stebbins, of Stratford, gave the right 4. Give me that well establish'd faith PART II. I. hand of fellowship, the Rev. John OMNIPOTENCE hath often chofe Ely, of Bethel, made the conclu The humbleft means, to fhow That power divine, not human ftrength, Could conquer JESUS' foe. 2. Oh, honor me with thy commands To fome poor flaves of fin: Oh, let me hear them fpeak thy name, And try thy love to win. 3. Sinners, can you behold his love 4. By ev'ry moft endearing name He hath your fouls addrefs'd; But you've neglected every call, Not willing to be bleft. 5. Know then, if mercy will not move, That death attends his frown. Hopeless remorfe and keen defpair Shall your falfe pleasures crown! 6. Then shall no vifionary joy Illume the cheerlefs fcene; But while ETERNITY fhall laft, New horrors will begin. ALETHEA. Donations to the Miffionary Society of Connecticut, from May 19, to July 6. May 19. From Deacon David Hubbard, Glaftenbury, D. C. 28. A friend of miffions, to purchase books, Rev. Seth Williston, contributed in new fettlements, 49 63 28. A friend of miffions, to purchase Teftaments, 29. From a Lady of Vermont, Samuel P. Robbins, Plymouth M.T. A friend of millions, July 6. A friend of miffions, 20 25 5 2 10 125 21 MANKIND are very apt to important truth mentioned by Chrift to relieve the minds of his difciples, when diftreffed with the view of a feeming impoffibility in the way of men's falvation, on account of their love of the things of this world, and attachment to earthly riches. run into extremes; and as much fo, perhaps, in regard to religion and their fpiritual concerns, as with refpect to other things. Whilft fome go along eafy and fecure in fin, under a vain imagination that they are able to do all that is requifite to infure A young man, who very re their final happinefs, whenever fpe&fully addreffed to Chrift, this they fhall find it neceffary to apferious queftion, "What shall I do ply themfelves in earneft to the bufinefs; others, perceiving difficulties, which neither they nor any mere men are in all respects able to furmount or remove, may be almost ready, in a kind of defpondency, to abandon the hope and relinquish the attempt of at taining to happinefs beyond the grave; haftily concluding, that because it is impoffible with men to effect all that is neceffary to their falvation, it is therefore utterly and abfolutely impoffible. The fcriptures, duly attended that I may inherit eternal life?" upon being told by Jefus to fell whatfoever he had, and give to the poor, and he fhould have treasure in heaven and to come, take up the cross, and follow Chrift," was fad at that faying, and went away grieved; for he had great poffeffions." Upon this occafion, Jefus looked round about and faid to his difciples, "How hardly fhall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God." His difciples be ing aftonifhed at his words, he F anfwered again, and faid unto Hence, it may fometimes feem, them, "Children, how hard is it efpecially to fuch as have any confor them that truft in riches to fiderable understanding and conenter into the kingdom of God!viction of the true tenor and vaft It is easier for a camel to go thro' extent of the divine law, and of the eye of a needle than for a their numerous tranfgreffions of it rich man to enter into the king- and habitual contrariety to it, as dom of God. And they were though it was impoffible that they aftonished out of meafure, faying or any of mankind fhould be faved, among themselves, who then can unl fs the law is repealed or givbe faved?" But Jefus looking en up. See Rom. vii. 7—12. upon them, to relieve their aftonifhed minds, faid, "With men it is impoffible, but not with God: for with God all things are poffible." See Mark x. 17-27. In these laft words, this general truth is plainly fuggefted, That all things neceffary to the falvation of men are poffible with God. Though in other refpects, as well as in that which occafioned the furprise and confternation of the difciples, yea, though in ever fo many refpects, the falvation of any be impoffible with men; yet it is not abfolutely impoffible, becaufe with God all things are poffible. Therefore, Agreeable to the defign, with which this important and interefting truth appears to have been mentioned by Christ, it may with propriety be improved for the relief and encouragement of thofe, whofe minds are greatly dejected and nearly overwhelmed with a view of things, on account of which falvation may feem impoffible, and really is impoffible with men. Particularly I. Death is the wages of finits deferved reward. The law of God, which is holy, and juft, and good, and muft, at all events, be fupported, curfes every one who doth not perfectly obey it. It is alfo fact, that all have finned, and come fhort of the glory of God: that all have tranfgreffed and daily tranfgrefs the law of God. With men it was impoffible to devife any method, or to make any provifion for the pardon of tranfgreffors, confiftently with the divine law's remaining in full force. But that which, in this refpect, was impoffible with men, was poffible with God, and is actually accomplished. The fcriptures inform us with great plainnefs, that God hath fet forth his fon Jefus Chrift, whe is both God and man in one perfon, "to be a propitiation thro faith in his blood, to declare his righteoufnefs for the remiffion of fins-that he might be juft, and the juftifier of him who believeth in Jefus"-that "Chrift hath redeemed us from the curfe of the law, being made a curse for us"— and that God hath made him to be fin for us," that is, an offering and facrifice for fin in our behalf, half, who knew no fin; that we might be made the righteoufnefs of God in him." This divine perfon, having in our tead, as our reprefentative and fubftitute, rendered a perfect obedience to the whole law, under circumftances moft peculiarly difficult and trying, and borne our fins, or the expreffions of God's righteous anger against them, in his own body on the tree," is the end of the law for righteoufnefs to every one that believeth"-to every true believer in him he is inftead of the perfect perfonal obedience required by the law; or in regard | who is rich in mercy, for the great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in fins, hath quickened us together with Chrift to his juftification before God, he answers for the believer every end, every purpofe, which would have been answered by the perfect perfonal righteousness required in the law as the condition of his juftification. But admitting the fufficiency of Chrift's righteousness and atonement, to render the juftification of every true believer in him, confiftent with the juftice of God, and with the honor and authority of the divine law; nevertheless II. It is still true, that with out holiness no man fhall fee the Lord-That the finner, in order to be justified thro' the righteoufnefs of Chrift, muft exercise repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jefus Chrift, even faith which worketh by love, and involves the principle or beginning of real holiness. But all mankind are by nature the children of wrath, unholy and finful: and many fenfibly find, by their own experience, that they are dead in fin, prone only to evil, but averfe to God and holiness. Hence, to fome it may still seem as though it was impoffible that they fhould be faved-as though there could not be produced, in their hearts, fo great and effential a change as is ncceffary for this purpose. With men, it is confeffed, this is impoflible. No man can change his own heart, or produce fpiritual life in his heart which is fpiritually dead. Nor can any other man do it for him. But this is poffible with God, and hath often been effected. Paul having made to the faints at Ephefus an affecting statement of his own and their former character, as being totally depraved and altogether finful, immediately added," But God, and hath raifed us up together, &c.-For by grace are ye faved thro' faith, and that not of yourfelves it is the gift of God.For we are his workmanship, cre ated in Chrift Jefus unto good works." The power of God is every way equal to the production of this effential and all important change. And his grace is like. wife fufficient, and will be dif played by the effect, in every inftance wherein it is, on the whole, wife and beft, that it fhould be wrought. But one, and another, whofe eyes are opened to fee himself, may yet be ready tó fay, My cafe is fingular. My fins are fo many, fo great, and fo aggravated-my heart is fo hard and ftupid, and my will fo obftinate, and all man. ner of finful lufts and habits, by long indulgence, have become fo deeply rooted, fixed and confirm ed, that is impoffible that I should. be converted and faved. True: This is impoffible with men. By your own exertions you will never overcome the pow er of fin in yourfelves, or break its habits, or make yourselves new hearts, or repent, or believe, or love or obey the truth in fincerity. For all the exertions of a totally depraved heart are opposed to thefe effects. But the power of God is fufficient to effect all these things in and for you And you. it is poffible that he will, notwith ftanding the number, and greatnefs, and aggravations of your fins and provocations. Though your cafe be, indeed, very threatening, dangerous and alarming, and you really have great reafon to fear and tremble; it is neverthelefs poffible that God, in the exercife of his infinite fovereign mercy, may yet difplay his almighty power in your converfion and falvation. For he is not a man; nor is he like to men with refpect to the degree and duration or length of his forbearance and mercy. But in regard to fhowing mercy, as well as in other refpects, his thoughts and his ways are higher than ours, as the heavens are higher than the earth. [See Ifaiah v. 6-11.] III. The Chriftian, confidering the ftraitnefs and narrownefs of the way which leads to lifethe temptations and difficulties attending it-the oppofition he hath to encounter from the world, the flesh, and the devil; and fenfible of his own weaknefs, of the deceit and treachery of his heart, and the remaining ftrength of his Jufts; and obferving that, according to the fcriptures, they only who endure to the end are to be faved that the promifes are to thofe only who overcome; may, at times, be ready to fay within himself, it is impoffible for me to fucceed I fhall one day perifh by the hands of thefe enemies; as David, after numerous, great and fignal deliverances, faid in his heart, "I fhall perifh one day by the hand of Saul." : Alas! how much anxiety and diftress do Chriftians undergo and experience, for want of a conftant, lively and firm faith in the all-fufficient power and grace of God, in his infinite wisdom and inviolable faithfulness, and in the inexhauftible merits of Jefus Chrift! It is, indeed, impoffible with men, to keep the ftrait and narrow way, to overcome all temptations and oppofition, from within and from without, by their own fkill and exertions. But hath the Chriftian, therefore, any reafon to defpair?-none at all. For the things which are impoffible with men, are poffible with God. And to the real Chriftian, thefe words of the Lord are applicable, "My grace is fufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weaknefs." Therefore, he may be able to do all things through Chrift who ftrengtheneth him. God's faithfulness is engaged, not to fuffer him to be tempted above that he is able. And he will never leave him, nor forfake him; but will keep him by his power thro' faith to falvation. True, perhaps, one and another' may be ready to fay; was I a real Chriftian, thefe promifes would apply to me, and I might confidently expect their fulfilment. But, alas! this is not the cafe,. though I once thought it was. For a number of years, I lived in the pleasing perfuafion, that I was a child of God, and an heir of heaven. Then, as I thought, I beheld the glory of God in the face of Jefus Christ, and loved him, and put my trust in him, and delighted in drawing nigh to him, and had at times, as I then fuppofed, fweet communion with him. -But now the fcene is entirely changed. I have no clear or lively fenfe of the glory and amiablenefs of God. He rather appears to me as a being of awful majefty and terrible wrath, juftly incenfed againft me for my numerous fins, and ftupid hypocrify. For it now appears to me, that my former hopes and joys, and religious affections, were founded in felfishnefs, under the influence of a mifaken perfuafion, that I was reconciled to God and in a state of favor with him. If this had not been the cafe, |