SERMON VII.

MAN ADMONISHED OF HIS DUTY, BY INFERIOUR CREATURES.

Proverbs, vi. 6.

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be

wise

MANKIND were not made for inactivity and sloth; but for activity and diligence. Still we find they need many excitements to action and industry, in order to prevent a state of indolence, and a course of prodigality. Both from observation and the word of God, we are taught that much of the precious time which is entrusted to mortals, runs to waste. Solomon, the wisest of men, beheld this, and his heart was deeply affected with the melancholy truth. He saw that many not only neglected a prudent management of their temporal concerns, but that they were also unwilling to seize the most favourable opportunity for attending to those which are eternal. He beheld the sons of men negligent and averse to spiritual duties, and eternal concerns. And as those things which have a particular reference to eternity, are of vastly greater importance, than those which may be said to end with time, he saw that folly and madness were in the heart of every one, who was not laying up a treasure for another and better state of existence. The words of the text, in a figurative manner, show the vast importance of having something laid up in store for the soul. when it forsakes its tenement of clay, to dwell in a world invisible, and to mortals unknown. And as the wise man saw that time is the only day of grace, the only space for repentance and state of preparation for eternity, he

was grieved to the heart to behold his fellow mortals, loitering in sluggishness, and squandering away this precious, this invaluable season. They would not listen, they would not consider, they would not take heed to their ways, by redeeming their time, notwithstanding he gave salutary counsel and good instruction. But Solomon seemed to hope, that, although many would not listen to his friendly admonitions, they would be led to consider their ways and be wise, if he should turn their attention to the preaching of the beasts of the field, or to creatures which have not intelligence, as man. He directs them to go to the ant, an insect industrious and wise, to consider her ways and learn a lesson of wisdom. This little insect, by her worthy example, would teach them that they ought to be greatly engaged, in preparing for their future well-being. To illustrate this subject, I shall in the

First place, Show what men need for a future day. Secondly, Show how they may lay up a store to supply their future wants.

Thirdly, Offer some reasons to show, that they ought now to be greatly engaged, in preparing for their future well-being.

First. I am to show what men need for a future day.

1st. I would observe, they need a store of spiritual food, upon which the soul may feed after death. Animal nature must be refreshed with animal or material food. But the soul is a spirit; and when it leaves its animal frame, or earthly tabernacle, to dwell in a world of spirits, it cannot be satisfied with that food, which is designed for the body. The very nature and condition of an unbodied spirit, prevent it from being made happy by sensual enjoyments. An intelligent mind must centre in God as the fountain and source of all good, in order to the perfection and blessedness of its existence. A departure from him fills the soul with an aching void, and nothing but a return can make up the deficiency, or restore true

and lasting enjoyment. We have reason to conclude, that the Lord could not make a disobedient and unbodied spirit happy, unless he should perform a constant series of miracles in order to produce the effect. In the invisible state, there are none of the objects of time and sense to engage the attention, and gratify the mind. From what source then can it find delight, unless in the immediate enjoyment of that Being, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift? Were a finite spirit permitted to wander through the utmost bounds of the invisible state, it must be miserable indeed, unless it have the approbation and smiles of God. To be happy in the invisible and future state, mankind must have the bread of life, upon which their souls may feed; and that drink, which is eternal life. The provisions of this life will not avail in the life to come. In this view is the command of the Saviour, Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Hence we may see, that mankind need a store of spiritual food to be laid up, upon which their souls may feed after death.

2d. They need an atoning Saviour, and an advoIcate with the Father at the court of heaven. The treasure which they have been laying up, is for a place very different from that of heaven. They have been treasuring up for themselves wrath against the day of wrath. Many have been very active in preparing their souls for an awful inheritance. As a miser, who hoards up gold in treasure; or as the clouds treasure up rain to be poured forth upon the earth, so have they been laying up in store a treasure of iniquity against the revelation of the righteous judgement of God. And to such, without the presenting of the atoning blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, a holy and just God is a consuming fire. How will guilty creatures appear in the immediate presence of their righteous and final Judge, unless they have an advocate with the Father, even Jesus Christ the righteous? When the sinner's crimes shall appear, ven

geance will call for his blood, except the great Saviour present his own blood as the ground of pardon and acceptance. Unless his sins be cast into the depths of the sea as it were, in consequence of the Saviour's sufferings and death, they will appear in judgement for his condemnation. Nor can rebels of Adam's race appear without consternation in the invisible state of retribution, except the great and glorious Mediator between God and man, make intercession for them in the solemn presence of their offended Sovereign. They will not be able to stand before the Son of man, unless Immanuel plead their cause, and acknowledge them before his holy angels and an assembled universe as his redeemed ones from among men. Hence, then, mankind for a future day, need an atoning Saviour; and an advocate with the Father at the great court of heaven.

Having made some observations to show what men need for a future day, i proceed to notice in the second place, how they may lay up a store to supply their future wants. And will not all be anxious to know how they may make such rich provision, and attain this great and desirable end? Will not every one be ready to comply with almost any condition? or unremittingly pursue the hardest labours, and encounter the greatest difficulties, even through the whole of their lives? The gain would be unspeakably great to any who would thus engage? But the pearl of great price, a store of never fading treasures, may be obtained, even by rebels against the King of the universe, by doing the most reasonable things in the world. The terms are the lowest, the most favourable and suitable, that can possibly be made. And I would observe the first thing to be done, by those who would make preparation for a future day, is to repent of their sins. Their immediate duty is to look into their wicked and rebellious hearts, and exercise repentance, to loathe and abhor themselves for their transgressions. It is morally fit and suitable for all

who have departed from God, by walking in the paths of disobedience, to exercise true, evangelical repentance on the account of the malignity of their actions, and thus begin to walk in newness of life. And surely the great and infinitely blessed Jehovah could not possibly receive his guilty creatures into his favour, to treat them as his friends, on any other ground, consistently with the honour of his name, and the glory of his kingdom. If the Lord should raise a heart of enmity, a spirit of rebellion against him to a mansion of glory, while in impenitence, he would virtually declare to the universe, that his requirements had been unreasonable and cruel, and that the sinner must be justified to the reproach of his Maker. Nor could a sinner find soul-satisfying enjoyment, even in the abodes of the blessed, if his heart of impenitence should follow him there. How reasonable and suitable then, for those who would lay up a store to supply their future wants, immediately to exercise that repentance which the gospel requires, and which is unto life eternal.

2d. Saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the reasonable duty of every one, and what entitles to salvation. Since Christ has died, the just for the unjust, to make a sacrifice for sin, how reasonable for all to love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, and embrace him as their God and Saviour. And it is unreasonable for any to demand of the Father, that he would pardon and save them, while they continue to reject his Son, by refusing to exercise that faith, which worketh by love, and purifieth the heart. God the Father would tarnish his own glory, if he should save one gospel sinner, who refuses to have the Saviour reign over him; for, by so doing, he would announce to the universe, that the race of Adam might as well have been saved without the death of his Son. It is necessary for the honour of the divine law, and for the righteousness and consistency of the divine conduct, that gospel sinners believe on the Lord Jesus