the new covenant as a certain evidence of its truth and reality. It is a fenfible affurance to all, that whofoever commits his foul to Jefus, to be faved by the constitution of the gospel, he fhall furely obtain everlafting life. It is a confirmation to us, that all who believe fhall be redeemed from all the confequences of fin. In this fenfe it is with propriety ftiled a feal. It feals the truth of the covenant of grace, and enfures falvation to all fuch as believe. It feals the benefits and bleffings of the covenant to all who comply with it. And the creature in this ordinance feals the covenant by faith, in the full purpofe of fulfilling all duties required therein, and in fweet fatisfaction that all its promises will be accomplished.

Secondly, the eucharift is a fenfible notification and public declaration, that this covenant is founded in the death of Christ and ratified by his blood. When we fee the wine in the cup poured forth it is a full affurance to us that the cove nant of grace is laid in the blood of the Redeemer, and it is only by it we can obtain the forgivenefs of fins, be cleanfed from all our moral pollutions, made partakers of all the blef fings purchased thereby, and it is only thro' his mediation they are conferred upon us.

A few reflections by way of improvement shall clofe this difcourfe.

First, of what importance is the death and undertaking of Chrift unto us. Great and numerous are the bleffings flowing herefrom, which eternity alone can fully unfold. In the blood of the covenant God is to be feen with fmiles and mercy in his face, from whom we had nothing to expect but wrath and fiery indignation. Whence do these invaluable bleffings come to us who are less than the leaft of all mercies? Only through the undertaking of Immanuel: by his death, light and life are arifen, and the day fpring from on high hath vifited us. It

is only owing to his voluntary undertaking to be a mediator for finners, that the covenant of grace was established, and the propofition was made to fave and recover loft men by his blood. This is the foundation of every overture of grace and falvation to a ruined world. Were it not for the mediation of Chrift, there never would have been one tender of mercy made to a fallen race; we fhould have never heard the joy. ful found of peace and reconciliation with God. We fhould not have had one addrefs made to us in favour of our fouls, nor one exhortation to flee from the wrath to come. Our falvation would have been impoffible, and eternal despair our heavy doom. But glory to God in the higheft, Jefus hath died, and by dying deftroyed him who had the power of death; he hath appeared to open a way into the holiest of all through his blood. He has finished tranfgreffion; and by the facrifice of himself rendered God propitious to his guilty creatures. How much reafon have we to confider him as fuftain ing a character of the greatest importance and confequence, and with what a glow of love and gratitude should we afcribe to him, who hath loved us, praife and glory and dominion forever and ever.

Secondly, how great the encouragement and fecurity the moft guilty have to return to God through Chrift. Here are the best tidings with which their ears could have been blessed; news of falvation by a Saviour's blood, and that God hath fettled it into a conftitution and covenant, that whatsoever finner commits his foul to Chrift, fhall eventually and infallibly be faved. "The Spirit and the Bride fay, come, and let him that is a "thirst come," and the ftreaming blood of Jefus cries, come, "And whofoever will, let him take the water of life freely."

Thirdly, how ftrong may be the confolation of all fuch, who have laid hold on this covenant. Such have all the perfections of God pledged and engaged for their falvation; he

will fupport and bear them up through all the difficulties with which they may be furrounded. Tho' hell and earth should confpire against them, they have an almighty shield for their defence, an infinite Saviour for their fecurity. He hath prom ifee, that when they go through the fire, it fhall not hurt them, and through the waters they fhall not overflow them, In fix troubles he will be with them, and in feven he will not forfake them. God hath confirmed his promife by an oath, and ratified it in the blood of his Son, that by two immutable things in which it was impoffible for God to lie, they might have ftrong confolation, who have fled for refuge to lay on the hope fet before them.

Laftly, let all communicants approach this table to day, in brokenness of heart for your fins, in a firm faith in the blood of the covenant, and a fervent love to your precious Saviour. Behold the promises and the wonders of divine grace. Here is enough to heal all your maladies. Give yourselves to the Lord Jefus without refervation, and feal the gift in this holy ordinance. Remember there is a fuperabundance in the covenant of grace to supply all your wants and fatisfy all your de fires. Take the cup of falvation and fing praifes to the Lord. Eat, O friends, drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.

SERMON XXXII.

The nature of fainting in afflictions, and cautions against it.

Heb. xii. 5. Nor faint when thou art rebuked of him.

THE most proper light in which we can confider the prefent world, is that of a state of trial and difcipline in refpec to a future one. This is an idea that ought conftantly to be retained in our minds. There are few reflections in our pre

fent fituation, better calculated to direct our conduct, or regu

late our purfuits and views in life. tually awake to this fenfe of our

If our minds are not habicondition, it is probable our

prefent conduct will be a series of capital and fatal errors.

As this is a state of trial, and intended as fuch, the whole administration of providence is adjusted to this view and defign; adjusted with fuch wifdom and exactness as to give it the proper perfection of fuch a ftate. So univerfally is it adapted in all its branches and periods to this defign, that not only fome more fignal and eminent events are to be confidered in this view, but every occurence and incident of our

lives is formed to answer this purpofe. The intention of them is to difcipline, inftru&t, and try us; to prove what is in our hearts, to show us to ourselves, and exhibit the divine character and government in a juft and proper light. All this is done with an exprefs regard to the folemnities of a future ftate, and the unchangeable decifions of a judgment to come; with the express defign of being a mean of curing the vicioufness of our natures, or prove that we are incurable vessels fitted to deftruction.

When we confider our state in this view, and ourselves under an adminftrataion of this fort, the prefent life mult certainly appear to be a ftate of existence of the higheft importance and every condition, circumstance and event in it, extremely interefting. Living is a delicate and momentous business; with regard to which the utmost attention, the utmost wisdom and vigilence are neceffary to act with propriety and fuccefs in reference to our future condition. To conduct in all fituations in fuch a manner, as not to defeat the falutary end of our present exiftence, and render ourselves unmeet for eternal life. If these confiderations lay with due weight on our minds, what different creatures should we be ? How holy, how circumfpect in all our converfation? But alas! how far are the most from looking on the prefent ftate in this folemn manner? How far from governing themselves in all their conduct and purfaits by these most important views? How inconfiderately, how much at random do they act, as if life was of no confequence, but was really a ftate in which they might act as they pleased, without any hazard to their eternal intereft? But my brethren, God forbid that we should act this foolish and unhappy part. Let thofe conduct themselves in fuch a form, and purfue carnal and prefent pleasures, who have made a covenant with death, and are at an agreement with hell. But let us choose a wifer conduct, and feriously confider the nature of our prefent life, and its relation to one that is eternal.