cup into his hands, that he might drink them on your account-nay, that you might obtain immortal joys, and share eternal day. Let then your hearts break, for your past vileness in neglecting such love as this. Fly, ye sinners of every description! to the cross of Christ-take refuge there-seek the pardoning love of God in your Redeemer's sufferings. From thence peace flows, and mercy extends its healing efficacy.

O ye young people, who are acting the part of the foolish prodigal, return to your heavenly Father's house-feed on the husks of this world no longer, but seek your pleasures from God. See, your heavenly Father waits to be gracious! He holds out the best robe, even the Saviour's righteousness, and stands ready to put it upon you; and, although it was purchased by the blood of his only Son, he is willing to give it to you without money, and without price.

Suffer me also to exhort you, my dear aged friends, to flee from the wrath to come. Your hearts are perhaps harder than the nether millstone, by your long continuance in sin; but nevertheless sovereign grace can soften them and enable you to look, with tears of penitential sorrow, to him whom you have pierced and wounded. Yes, Jesus died for the old, as well as for the young. And who knows, but that even you may become

trophies of conquering grace, and diadems of beauty in our Immanuel's Crown? Stir up yourselves, therefore, and seek an interest in redeeming love. Lose, however, no time. Your hoary locks proclaim that this is your eleventh hour. Your glass is nearly runthe last grain of it is descending. And even admitting this were not the case, still you would not have a moment to call your own, Like one of your aged neighbours yesterday, you may sit down as usual to take a meal, and then lie down to die almost in an instant*. As, therefore, you value your eternal welfare, see that you lose no time. Beg of God to convert you; and say from your heart, "Other Lords have had the dominion over us, but by thee only will we henceforth make mention of thy name."

And you who are the lambs of Christ's fold-I mean you, my dear children, be persuaded to submit to God's authority while you are young. Remember Jesus Christ died upon the Cross to save your souls, and to make you his children. Pray then to him night and day. Do not wait till other people become religious. Do not neglect your souls, because many bad children do. And even if Fathers and Mothers are care

your

• This alludes to a person of Daw-Green, who died thus suddenly on the day before this Sermon was preached.

1

less, follow not their example. But love that precious Saviour-and think of that precious Saviour and serve that precious Saviour, who took little children in his arms and blessed them; and then wept, and bled, and died, on purpose to open to them the kingdom of heaven. And now, my dear brethren, you who are subjects of his spiritual dominion, praise his name for that conquering love, and reigning grace, which sweetly subdued your souls, and made you the objects of his everlasting care. Live now unto him that died for you. Redouble your diligence

in the best of causes, and shout the victories of redeeming grace through all your journey. And remember that HE, under whose dominion you are, has an everlasting kingdom for you in reserve-a kingdom which cannot be moved-in which you will be made Kings and Priests unto God, and shall wear an immortal crown for ever and ever.

All Mankind are Sinners.

BY

NATURE AND PRACTICE.

SERMON VI.

ROMANS, CHAPTER V, VERSE 12.

By one Man Sin entered into the World, and Death by Sin, and so Death passed upon all Men, for that all have sinned.

THESE words contain a truth of the most impressive and important nature. It is a truth, however, which by no means meets with a cordial reception from mankind. It strikes at the root of human merit, and brings in the whole world guilty before God both by nature and practice; and therefore the proud and wicked heart of man will not submit to it.

Unwelcome however as this truth is, since it is clearly revealed in the Scriptures, and most intimately connected with our eternal welfare, it becomes me, as your minister, to attempt to induce you, by the aid of the Divine Spirit, to embrace it. The discourses

which have already occupied our attention relate to our knowledge of God:* the present subject, with others which we have in view, will refer to a knowledge of ourselves; and will be found, it is hoped, appropriate and interesting. The text states three particulars: A CASE--A CAUSE-AND A CONSEQUENCE, which shall be distinctly considered. I call your attention,

I. To the case stated in the Text.

The introduction and prevalence of sin is the case; represented in the words, "Sin hath entered into the world ;" and "all have sinned." That sin is introduced amongst mankind, is a fact which requires no arguments to establish it. The awful truth is depictured in colours so striking, that the most ignorant cannot but notice it.

Sin,

alas! has not merely"entered into the world;" but it has also extended its baneful influence over the whole human race; for, as the text observes, "All have sinned." Melancholy declaration! This, my brethren, is a dark 'case,' indeed. Shall I attempt to illustrate the gloomy theme? Or shall I draw a veil over the forbidding and humiliating subject?

• Several difcourfes on the character and attributes of God, which, in the course of preaching, preceded this Sermon, are omitted, to prevent the volume from becoming an inconvenient fize.