fallen under his righteous displeasure; instead of leaving us without remedy, to the consequences of our disobedience, he hath revealed himself to us, as "merciful and gracious, forgiving iniquity, trans"gression, and sin;" as "in CHRIST reconciling "the world unto himself;" as "not sparing his own Son, but delivering him up for us, that with "him he might freely give us all things." And, in the most urgent manner, he invites even the vilest of sinners to come and partake of this great salvation.

Beyond all doubt, every additional discovery of the excellency, loveliness, and glory of our great Creator and Judge, proportionably shews the baseness and perverseness of our alienation from him: and the more fully the sinner is encouraged to expect forgiveness and reconciliation, the more inexcusable must he be, if he persist in rebellion. Now, the character of GOD, as revealed in the gospel, comprises such an union of greatness and condescension, justice and mercy, holiness and love, wisdom and truth, as constitutes "the perfection of beauty," and excites the most fervent adoring and admiring praises of the heavenly worshippers: while at the same time, such a foundation is laid for our hope, that nothing "but "neglecting so great salvation," can prevent our attaining everlasting felicity, notwithstanding all our crimes, and all our depravity and temptations!

This may lead us to consider a still further

aggravation of sin: namely, when it is committed by one, who has experienced the pardoning love. and renewing grace of GoD; who has come to him, and walked with him; who has found him faithful and merciful; who has rejoiced in him with joy unspeakable, and been animated to call on others to share in his satisfactions; who has gloried in GOD, as his all-sufficient Portion, his Sun, his Shield, and his exceeding great and everlasting Reward; and who has been favoured with signal deliverances and comforts, in manifest answer to his believing prayers. To sin against such mercy and love as this, to rebel against so gracious a Father and Friend, seems to form the highest aggravation of transgression that can be conceived. Thus the sins of believers, instead of being slight offences, are in fact the most inexcusable of all crimes: and the conviction of this, even in respect to those failures which bring no scandal on religion, powerfully tends to keep the true christian humble before his GOD; as well as to enhance his admiring gratitude for the riches of pardoning

grace.

This was especially the case with David. He had been taken from the sheep-fold, and raised to the throne. He had been honoured in providence ; made a prophet; and inspired as "the sweet singer "of Israel," to compose songs of praise for the use of spiritual worshippers through successive generations. But above all, he had enjoyed such conso

lation in his own soul, while employed in the worship and service of his GoD; as dictated language so animated, and even rapturous, that to this day it seems unequalled. And yet after all, this very person had to say "Against thee, thee only, have I "sinned!" For he had despised the commandment of his GOD; yea, he had even despised GOD himself, who "had comforted him on every side;" and who was ready to add still more, and that abundantly, to all his former benefits!

And have not some, here present, had occasion in many instances, though not so awful as this of David, to look back on the LORD's past kindness, and the comforts they have enjoyed in communion with him and then to confess, with shame and sorrow, that they have most basely treated their gracious Benefactor with contempt and ingratitude? And can the violation of any other tie, be so heinous, as thus sinning against the LORD?

Take into consideration, then, my brethren, the majesty and authority of GOD; his holiness and excellency; our relations to him as our Creator, Governor, Benefactor, and Judge; and all our obligations to him, as rational creatures, as distinguished in his providence, as favoured with his gospel, and, some of us at least, as having been made joyful in his salvation: and then, form your estimate of the evil of sin, as committed against GOD; and endeavour to enter into the spirit of the emphatick

language used in the text, "Against thee, thee only, have I sinned.”

III. I proceed to consider the evil of sin, as committed against GOD, and as violating all our obligations to him.

After what has been already stated, there is no occasion to be very particular on this part of our subject. For who does not perceive, that, however moral, amiable, or respectable, he may have been in his conduct among men; yet if he treat GOD with neglect, or set him at defiance, he must be the object of his indignation and abhorrence? If we consult the Scripture, we shall find one crime in particular, which is constantly called an abomination; and treated as the most heinous and provoking of all others, affording the clearest proof of men's hating GOD. Yet it is a crime not directly and necessarily injurious to men, at least in their temporal concerns; I mean idolatry. That this should be the highest offence, may be easily understood on our principles: but on those, which make utility the standard and test, it is entirely unaccountable, And therefore those pagan moralists, who had some notions concerning the Unity of GoD, and the vanity of the popular theology; not only saw very little evil in the grossest idolatry, but, by precepts and example, shewed that they even thought they did right in conforming to it!

In every government, submission to the supreme authority is the first social duty, and treason the highest crime; nay, other crimes in general are punished, not merely because injurious to individuals, but because they are acts of disobedience against the Sovereign, or the State.

If a person be ever so amiable in private life; if he be punctual in his payments, upright in his dealings, faithful to his engagements, kind to his relations, a good master or a good landlord, compassionate and liberal to the poor, and courteous to all yet, if he have committed high treason, having failed in his highest obligation, the other parts of his conduct are not considered by his judges; his life is forfeited, and nothing but mercy, even the mercy of the prince against whom he has offended, can deliver him from condign punishment.

The same might be fully shewn by other illustrations. Nothing can make amends for a failure in the leading obligation: nothing can excuse or counterbalance, unfaithfulness in a wife, or disobedience in a son: while the more affectionate and excellent the husband or father, the more aggravated is the offence. And to persist, against repeated pardons and kindnesses, in such conduct, would stamp the offender, as a monster of ingratitude, however moral and well-behaved in other respects.

But many endeavour to excuse themselves, by