tence of the divine law, and justly exposed to endless destruction. Christ said, "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish." This declaration certainly implies, that sinners are in a perishing condition. He said to his hearers, "Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers! how can ye escape the damnation of hell!" He said, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." And again, "He that believeth not, is condemned already." And it is written, "He that believeth not the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him." He illustrated these declarations in a number of parables; and particularly in the parable of the rich man and the beggar. And he taught the same doctrine in his representation of the general judgment. These representations of the ill-desert and condemnation of sinners, they, who have embraced the gospel, know to be true. They know what it is to be evidently and sensibly under the condemning sentence of the law and exposed to the awful wrath of God. They have seen and felt, that they justly deserved that everlasting punishment, which God in the law threatens to every sinner, and have known themselves to be imminently exposed to it. They have seen the pit of destruction opened before them, and viewed themselves ready to fall into it at any moment. They have found

themselves to be in a condition as guilty and wretched, as sinners are declared to be in the scriptures. They know, by experience, that they deserve everlasting condemnation and punishment, and that it is wholly of the Lord's mercies, that they have not been consumed and destroyed for ever.— By such a conviction and impression of their own ill-desert, which is confirmed and increased by their constant experience, they are prepared, more and more clearly to see and deeply to feel, that the gospel reveals and exhibits the true way of salvation.

3. The gospel has taught those who embrace it, the necessity of renouncing self-righteousness and self-dependence, in order to be saved. Christ said to his hearers, "Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." He illustrated this declaration by the parable of the pharisee and publican, to convince those, who trusted in themselves, that they were righteous, of their dangerous error. He represented the pharisee as boasting of his goodness, and relying upon his worthiness for acceptance with God. And by way of contrast he represents the publican, as discarding self-righteousness and self-dependence, and crying, with the deepest self-abasement, "God be merciful to me, a sinner." And Christ says, "This man went down to his house justified rather than

the other." They who have embraced the gospel, know what it is to renounce self-righteousness and self-dependence, in regard to their justification before God.-They have found, that they could do nothing to make any atonement for their offences, or to recommend themselves to his forfeited favor. They have, therefore, understandingly and voluntarily renounced their own righteousness and worthiness as the foundation of salvation. They have been thoroughly taught, that it is perfectly unreasonable and altogether dangerous to place any dependence upon their own worthiness for justification. They have, therefore, been prepared to see and know, that the gospel establishes a real and solid foundation for their pardon and salvation. It may be observed,

4. That Christ has taught those who have embraced the gospel, the necessity of believing in him, and coming to him, for salvation from endless punishment. He says, "Come unto me, all ye, that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." He says, "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." He said, "All that the Father giveth shall come unto me; and him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out." Peter and the other apostles found these declarations to be the words of eter

me,

nal life. For when Christ put the question, whether they would renounce their entire dependence upon him for salvation, they replied, "To whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure, that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." They who have embraced the gospel, can adopt the same language.— They know, that by coming to Christ, they have found rest to their souls. They see and know, by experience, that having understood, believed and loved the doctrines, which Christ taught, they have found the true way of salvation. And they are conscious, that they have those holy affections in embracing the gospel, by which they are entitled to salvation, and qualified to enjoy the kingdom of God. They have the witness in themselves, that the gospel is true, and that it has produced a saving effect upon their hearts. They have an assurance, which is founded upon their own knowledge, and upon the exercise of holy and gracious affections in view of the essential and peculiar doctrines of the gospel, that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the true way of salvation.

A CONTRAST,

JOHN.

This world in itself, is involved in the most gloomy and perplexing darkness. In this darkness there appears no light, but what

shines in the face of Jesus Christ. An innumerable multitude of rational creatures, who are hateful and hate one another, and who also hate their holy and blessed creator, are an affecting and sorrowful sight. Few of the ungodly allow themselves to think closely and deeply on the wickedness of human beings. Yet some infidels have possessed superior discernment and sensibility. When such persons have considered the character and condition of them selves and their fellow-creatures, they have been perplexed and unhappy. Yet in the pride of their hearts, they have usually maintained a haughty silence, and refused to confess the humbling truths, which they have been obliged to feel, Every reflecting person, who refuses to view this world in connection with the work of redemption, must be wretched and hopeless. The unbeliever finds himself a sinful, hateful and guilty creature. Yet he is so wise in his own conceit, that he refuses to be taught the counsel of heaven. Still he sighs and wonders, why a world of creatures like himself should exist. Would he humbly seek wisdom and listen to the voice of God in the gospel, he might be relieved; he might be happy and rejoice forever. But the way of the wicked is as darkness; they know not at what they stumble."-Hear the mournful reflections of one of the acutest and proudest of infidel philosophers.*

* Voltaire.

"Who can, without horror, consider the whole earth as the empire of destruction! It abounds in wonders; it abounds also in victims. It is a vast field of carnage and contagion. Every species is, without pity, pursued and torn to pieces, through the earth and air and water. In man there is more wretchedness than in all other animals put together. He smarts continually under two sources of evil, which other animals never feel;-anxiety and listlessness in appetence, which make him weary of himself. He loves life and yet he knows he must die. If he enjoy some temporal good, for which he is thankful to heaven, he suffers various evils and is at last devoured by worms. This knowledge is his fatal prerogative. Other animals have it not. every moment rankling and corroding in his breast, Yet he spends the transient moments of his existence in diffusing the misery which he suffers; in cutting the throats of his fellow-creatures for pay; in cheating and being cheated; in robbing and being robbed; in serving, that he may command; and in repenting of all that he does. The bulk of mankind are nothing more than a crowd of wretches, equally criminal and unfortunate; and the globe contains rather carcasses than men. I tremble upon a review of this dreadful picture, to find that it implies a com plaint against divine providence ;

He feels it