who deny either the Being or the Providence of God, or the obligations mankind are under to obey him, are seldom to be met with but in countries where the Bible is known. The heart must have obstinately and repeatedly resisted light and conviction, before it can ordinarily proceed to these dreadful lengths. But while the blind stumble in the noon of day, MESSIAH's people shall walk in confidence and peace*, and shine as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generations.

IV. The third verse of this chapter foretels, and therefore secures, the conversion of the Gentiles or Heathens. The times and the seasons are in the disposal of God, but the Scriptures must be fulfilled. Much was done in the first age of Christianity. A single instrument, the apostle Paul, as he himself informs us, preached the faith, which he formerly laboured to destroy, "from Jerusalem round about to

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Illyricum," and probably much further afterwards. And the Lord, who appointed him to this service, accompanied his message with his own power; so that he had signal success in turning men from darkness to light, and from the worship of dumb idols, to serve the living and true God; and in planting the Gospel, and gathering churches in every province. The Gospel found an early reception at Rome, which facilitated its spread into the different parts of the Roman empire. And we have reason to believe it was introduced into our island in a few years after our Lord's ascension. And though what was called the conversion of Heathen nations, in some following ages, went little further than to prevail on them to assume the name of Christians, and left them, considered as nations, as destitute of the

* Psal. Ixxxix. 15, 16. † Phil. ii, 15.

Rom. xv. 19,

spirit and blessings of Christianity as it found them; yet, I cannot doubt, that wherever the New Testament, and the sufferings of MESSIAH, were known, some individuals, at least, experienced a real and saving change. And we are warranted to hope for still greater things; for a time when the gross darkness, which as yet covers a great part of the world, shall be dispelled; and the Redeemer's kingdom, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, as "a stone cut out without hands, shall become a great

mountain, and fill the whole earth*." But this pleasing subject will come more directly under our consideration hereafter.

V. The call in my text may be taken in a general sense, like that of the apostle, Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." Natural light requires eyes to perceive it. It would be absurd to point out the beauties of an extensive prospect to a blind man. To him the face of nature presents only a universal blank. But the light of the Gospel not only discovers the most important objects to those who can see, but has a marvellous efficacy to open the eyes of the blind. It is the appointed instrument of Divine Power for this purpose. In vain would be the labour and expectation of the husbandman, if God did not afford the rain and the 'snow, to water the earth, and the enlivening influences of the sun, to draw forth the tender blade, and to ripen the corn. Equally unsuccessful would the preaching of the Gospel prove to sinful men, though in itself it be eminently the truth and wisdom of God, exactly suited to their state, and of the highest importance to their welfare, if he had not promised that his word, where

simply and faithfully delivered, in dependence upon his blessing, shall not be spoken in vain, but shall certainly accomplish the end for which he has sent it. This promise, together with the experience of its truth in our own case, and our knowledge of its uniform effects in every age and country where the doctrine of the cross has been preached, encourages ministers to persevere in publishing the glad tidings, in defiance of all the opposition and disappointments we meet with. We lament, but cannot wonder, that the Gospel is so generally neglected. As a dispensation of grace, it offends the pride of man; as a dispensation of holiness, it contradicts his desires and passions. His spirit is degraded, his heart is pre-engaged, he loves the present world, and has no more taste or inclination for a life of communion with God here, and such a heaven as the Scripture proposes hereafter, than the beasts of the field. But the Lord has said "I will work, and who "shall let it†?" When he is pleased to clothe the word preached, with the influence of his Holy Spirit, and to apply it to the conscience, it is quick, powerful, penetrating, and irresistible as lightning; it conveys a voice, which the deaf, yea, the dead, must hear it forces a light upon the mind which cannot be evaded. Then things are seen as they are. The nature and desert of sin is apprehended, and then the Gospel is found to be the only balm for a distressed and wounded conscience. Therefore, having the Lord's command and promise, we are not to be discouraged by the carelessness or obstinacy of those who know not what they do. We are aware of the difficulty, yea, the impossibility of succeeding in our endeavour to save the souls

Isa. lv. 10, 11.

VOL. IV.

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Isa. xliii. 13.

of our hearers, if we had only to depend upon our own arguments or earnestness. We are not to reason, but to obey. Our business is to deliver our message, and in our happier moments to water it with our prayers and tears. When we have done this, we can do no more. The event must be left with him in whose name we speak. We must not suppress nor disguise what we are commanded to declare; nor wilfully make any additions of our own, to accommodate it to the taste or prejudice of our hearers*. Let those preach smooth things who will venture to answer, at the great tribunal, for the souls that have miscarried under their ministry; we dare not. Let those be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, who feel no obligations to him for his dying love; we cannot, and, by the grace of God, we will not. We will glory in it. "God forbid that we should glory "in any thing" else! Like Ezekiel, we are commanded to preach and prophesy to dry bones; and he who sends us can cause the dry bones to live. “O

ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lords." The word of his salvation is sent to you. "The Lord is "risen indeed!" "Arise, shine; for your light is come." In his name we proclaim pardon and peace to all who will seek him. But seek him to-day, while it is called to-day; to-morrow is not yours. Seek him now, while he may be found. Harden not your hearts. Tremble, "lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should finally come short of it||.'

+ Gal. vi. 14.

SERMON VIII.

THE SUN RISING UPON A DARK WORLD.

ISAIAH ix. 2.

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

CONTRASTS

'RASTS are suited to illustrate and strengthen the impression of each other. The happiness of those who, by faith in MESSIAH, are brought into a state of peace, liberty, and comfort, is greatly enhanced and heightened by the consideration of that previous state of misery in which they once lived, and of the greater misery to which they were justly exposed. They are not only made "meet to be partakers of the inherit"ance of the saints in light *;" but they have been delivered from the powers of darkness. Thus, while they have communion with God as a Father, they contemplate their privilege with a greater pleasure, than they probably could do if they had never known a difference. They remember a time when they were "afar off, without hope, and without God in the world;" and they remember how carelessly they then trifled upon the brink of destruction. In this deplorable and dangerous situation they were "found of the "Lord, when they sought him nott." He convinced, humbled, and pardoned them, and brought them near to himself, into a state of adoption and communion by

* Col. i. 12, 13.

† Isa. Ixv. 1.