that perfection of nature which they had lost. In this fundamental inquiry, they had no light to their feet, nor lamp to their path. For, as it depended upon the good pleasure and will of God, it could not possibly be known without a revelation. Who hath been admitted into the secrets of the Most High? Who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counsellor ?

But this mystery, hid from ages and generations, was made manifest by the Son of God. In the gospel we are informed of the disease under which we labour, and the remedy which God has provided for us, in his wisdom and grace. We are told, that man at his formation was placed in a state of perfection and innocence, but, that by the abuse of that liberty of choice which was interwoven with his frame, he has degraded himself into a state of the utmost wretchedness and guilt: that all men are now dead in trespasses and sins, and alienated in their minds from God by wicked works: and that they are incapable of delivering themselves, or indeed of doing any thing acceptable to God, or blameless in his sight. Revelation, likewise, discovers to us, that the iniquities of men have separated them and

their God, and blocked up that intercourse which formerly took place between heaven and earth: that God is angry at the disobedi→ ence of his children: that the doors of their Father's house are shut against them: and that, though he is the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long suffering, and abounding in mercy, yet he will not pardon the guilty. It shows, likewise, that repentance, though the most proper course for a sinner to pursue, can have no efficacy in procuring pardon; for a return to obedience can be no compensation for past offences, and sorrow of the heart can be of no avail with that Merciful Being who rejoiceth only in the happiness of his crea

tures.

But this light which hath come into the world, while it opens our eyes to the wretchedness of our condition, and the frightful disorder of our nature, leaves us not without hope: it shows how this disorder is to be removed; it points out an arm bringing salvation. It informs us, that, the Son of God having left the bosom of his Father to become a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, having spent a life of pain and humility while he sojourned upon earth, and having, at length,

given himself up to the cross for us all, has by his sufferings and death, and by the perfect obedience of his life, made an atonement for the sins of men, procured their forgiveness, satisfied the justice of God, reconciled the Father of all to his rebellious children, delivered them from the curse of the law, and the dominion of sin, and purchased for them an eternal inheritance. The gospel gives us, also, the comfortable assurance, that, there is, now, no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus; that, whosoever believeth on him shall not perish; that the intercourse between heaven and earth, which sin had interrupted, is again opened, and that we may approach with boldness and confidence unto a throne of grace: seeing we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, who is the propitiation for our sins.

The gospel also provides for the weakness and degeneracy of nature, by the aids of grace, and assistance of the Holy Spirit which it promiseth, and which Jesus Christ hath procured for us to enable us to mortify our affections and lusts, and raise our souls by holy obedience from earth to heaven, until we all come to the stature of perfect men in Jesus Christ.

These are great, essential, and interesting truths, which the Sun of righteousness hath discovered to the world, of which the heathen nations had not the smallest intimation or conjecture, and which the Jews saw only afar off, and through the dark medium of types and sacrifices.

III. Jesus Christ revealed to the world, a more perfect system of morals, and a more complete rule of conduct, than were known to either Jews or heathens. To confess the truth, the moral system of the ancient heathens was, in itself, much more complete than is commonly imagined. When we behold the exertions of the philosophers, and reflect on the discoveries which they made in this branch of knowledge, we must contemplate them with awe and respect, as the venerable ruins of that intellectual and moral fabrick which was once so glorious. We cannot but lament the unfortunate situation of those men whose unhappy lot it was to sit in the region and shadow of death; we cannot help wishing that they had enjoyed those privileges which many christians enjoy, but despise or misimprove. But, while we allow them to possess much merit, we must, also, confess that their

morality was defective in many respects. It had not sufficient universality. They recommended, chiefly, virtues of a peculiar cast; temperance, fortitude, and love of their country. Jesus brought to view many virtues of a milder nature, which the false and dazzling splendour of philosophy had cast into the shade; and in his first discourse to the world, recommended humility, godly sorrow, meekness, righteousness, peace, patience, and purity of heart. Besides this, the precepts which they actually delivered were not carried to a sufficient extent. But Jesus explained the law in its full extent; and showed, that, it was applicable to the thoughts and intentions of the heart, as well as to the outward actions.

By the old law, and by the usages of all nations, murder had been forbidden, and he who committed it was in danger of the judgment; but Jesus went farther, and taught that all unreasonable anger and abuse, though they were not carried to the length of murder, were nevertheless liable to the same condemnation— In every nation, except the most rude and barbarous, marriage had been instituted, and consequently adultery was reckoned a crime; but it was never supposed that there was any