hopes of mercy; but leaves her votaries exposed, for every transgression, to his justice, who is "of purer eyes than to behold evil," and who will not let the wicked go unpunished.* To the mercy of God there can be no appeal for without atonement, the punishment, not the forgiveness of offenders, must support the authority of his government, and give efficacy to his laws. Unsinning obedience is therefore the only condition of the religion of nature. Where this condition is fulfilled, there is no need of an atonement. Where it is not fulfilled, an atonement must be accepted, or condemnation must ensue. But as bad as this pretended religion of nature is, which the advocates for human reason are so anxious to establish as their rule of life, apparently because under it they can live as they please; it is not so bad as the having no religion at all. Should there be any such persons, who, " born like the wild asses colt," wish to live like them, and like them to die and be no more; let them know that for this very thing "God will bring them into judgment." There is one in heaven "higher than they, higher than the highest, who regardeth" all their actions.t "The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom ruleth over all." "His eyes are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." Neither darkness nor the grave can screen from his power. "He hath appointed a day in the which lie will judge the world in righteousness, by that man whom he hath ordained," and whom " he hath raised from the dead," who is now the Mediator between God and man, the propitiation for the sins of the world, and our Advocate in heaven. Then will "he bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts" of all men.** Therefore he "commandeth all men every where to repent." "Consider this, ye that forget God, lest he tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver."†† For he will " pour out his wrath upon them that have not known him, nor called upon his name." Repent, therefore, "while it is called To-day, lest you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin;" * Habb. i. 13. Prov. xi. 21. Acts xvii. 31. Ps. cxxxix. + Eccl. v. 8. Ps. ciii. 19. †† Ps. 1. 22. § Prov. xv. 3. ‡‡ Ps. lxxix. 6. for "behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."* When this life is ended the time of retribution will come; and "it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." "Kiss the Son," therefore-pay your homage and adoration to him who is Messiah, Christ, the Son of God, the Mediator, the Redeemer, the Saviour of men-" lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way: when his wrath is kindled but a little; blessed are all they that put their trust in him."+ Dreadful, also, is their state, who "hold the truth in unrighteousness;" who believe the mediation and atonement of Christ, and live wickedly. Heavy will be their condemnation, when God shall judge the world. If he spared not his own Son when he became our Substitute, but gave him up to the bitterest sufferings; how shall the impenitent sinner escape, who would not be reclaimed by all that Christ hath done for him? To those who believe the gospel, the kingdom of God is come, to deliver them from the kingdom and tyranny of satan. But if entering into this kingdom, they refuse to be governed by its laws, and still keep themselves in bondage to the adversary by doing his work; the judgment of God will be to them a consuming fire. To those who believe the gospel, and rejoice in the glad tidings of salvation through the propitiation of Christ; who strive to adorn the doctrine of their Lord and Saviour in all things, living in the constant exercise of penitence and faith, and in the observance of all the commands and institutions of God, with an upright heart; I have only to observe, that it is by " patient continuance in well-doing;" by holding "fast their confidence" in their Redeemer, and "their rejoicing in the hope" of the glory of God, that they must enter into the heavenly rest of eternal life. Let them remember, that their High Priest, who is now in heaven making intercession for them, "was,' in this world, "tempted as they are." He knows, therefore, how to pity and succour them in all temptations and † Ps. ii. 12. VOL. II. *Heb. iii. 13. 2 Cor. vi. 2. adversities. In all their difficulties, then, "let them come boldly unto the throne of grace, that they may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." DISCOURSE IX. THE NECESSARY EFFECTS OF SIN AND HOLINESS. GAL. vi. 7, 8. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption but he that soneth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. THIS chapter begins with some directions from St. Paul to the governors and rulers of the church. From them he turns his attention to the people, and puts them in mind of their obligations to support their Ministers with decency, according to their ability; "Let him that is taught in the word, communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things;" or, of all his goods. Then fol lows the text, "Be not deceived," &c. which may be thus paraphrased: Let not any man persuade himself that libe rality to his spiritual teachers is not a matter of duty, but only of mere generosity; for in this work of pious liberality to those whom God employs in his immediate service, as well as in all other works of charity, let every man know, that as he deals with God, so God will deal with him; as his practice is, so shall he speed at God's tribunal. He that makes provision only for himself and his family, that he may feed and gratify his own worldly desires, shall thereby bring loss and ruin on himself; but he that fulfils the gospel rule of liberality and charity, and according to his ability lays himself out in works of piety and mercy, shall thereby inherit eternal life. This was the occasion on which the text was written, and in their primary view this is the purport of the words of it. But it is not my design to confine myself to this meaning of them. In every sense it is true, that a man must reap what he sows; as his life is, so will its consequences be. So far as we are capable of observing, this is invariably the case with regard to this life, and that not only in things natural, but in moral ones also. Thus idleness produces poverty; debauchery, sickness; pride, contempt: And God has told us that the same law of nature holds invariably with regard to the next life; that the fruit of holiness and charity will be eternal life; of sin, everlasting misery: And yet we are apt to consider the happiness and misery of a future state, not as the fruit which our own ways produce, but as the arbitrary appointment of Almighty God; and to suppose that if he would, he could not only remit the punishment with which impenitent sinners are threatened, but receive them to heavenly happiness just as they are, with all their evil tempers and passions in their full strength: So that the proud oppres sor, the unjust extortioner, the impure debauchee, the covetous worldling, the malicious murderer, the despiser of God, the hater of goodness, may all, if God please, go as certainly to heaven, and be as happy there, as the humble, penitent, faithful, and holy Christian. Instances sometimes happen of people who, having lived in open wickedness and profaneness, at least very loosely and carelessly with regard to God and religion, when sickness brings the apprehension of death home to them, seem to think that the words of a prayer, and professions of general sorrow for their lives past, will sufficiently recommend them to the mercy of God. Far be it from me to undervalue the slightest appearances of repentance: every degree of it is from God. Penitence and faith are, on our part, the fulfilling of the Gospel, and make that state in which we ought to live, and in which we must die, if we hope to be happy with God: and though they be late, yet if they be real, they will be accepted by him who sees the heart, and can judge of their sincerity. But may we then live wickedly, and when we die, cry, Lord have mercy upon us! and be happy with God? The frequent opportunities we have of hearing the strong expressions of repentance which are made by people in sickness, and |
