"works."

"He died for all, that they who "live," by the merit of his death, "fhould not "henceforth live unto themfelves, but unto "him who died for them, and rofe again." This is fo much infifted upon in the New Teftament writings, that the Socinians have represented it as the fole end for which our Lord both lived and died. But though we juftly maintain, in opposition to them, that the death of Chrift was, in the ftricteft propriety of language, a true propitiatory facrifice for expiating the guilt of fin, and rendering the exercise of mercy to the finner confiftent with the holiness and juftice of God; yet in expreffing our abhorrence of their error, we must beware of running into the oppofite extreme; for nothing can be more clearly afferted in the oracles of truth, than that "the Son of "God was manifefted for this purpose, that he "might deftroy the works of the devil;" or, in other words, that he might prepare men for heaven, by the fanctifying influences of his Spirit, as well as that he might purchase a heaven for them by the merit of his blood. And it deferves particular notice, that though the main difficulty the first preachers of Chriftianity had to struggle with among their own countrymen, was to bring them off from a proud dependence upon their own righteoufnefs, that they might rely upon Christ alone for pardon and acceptance; yet in declaring this doctrine, they never failed to eftablish the infeparable connection between faith. and holiness, left any fhould turn the grace of God unto wantonnefs, and, by claiming the privileges of the gofpel, while they refused sub

jection

jection to its laws, fhould represent Christ as the minifter of fin.

2dly, We are further obliged to live unto the Lord, as we regard the honour of our Master, and the credit of that saving religion which he taught. For hereby we most effectually stop the mouths of gainfayers, and cut off occafion from thofe that defire occafion to blafpheme that worthy name by which we are called; prefenting to their view a convincing proof, that Chriftianity is an effectual means of falvation, and that Chrift is truly and properly a Saviour. The death of Christ appears to have a mighty efficacy indeed, when it maketh those that believe on him to die unto fin. And it is impoffible to doubt, that he is alive, and hath all power committed to him in heaven and in earth, when he visibly lives in his members by his all-conquering grace, and causeth them to live unto him: Whereas a contrary behaviour doth the greateft poffible injury to the cause of truth, furnishing the world with a handle to fay, that Chriflianity is nothing more than an airy fpeculation, and that the religion of Jefus is of no effect towards reforming the hearts and lives of its profeffors.

3diy, I fhall only add, that we are bound to live in the manner I defcribed by the strictest ties of juftice and equity. " Ye are not your "own," faith our Apoftle, 1 Cor. vi. 19, 20. "for

for ye are bought with a price." From whence he draws this practical inference, "Therefore

glorify God in your body, and in your fpirit, "which are God's." As creatures who derived their being from God, we are bound to love him

with all our heart, and to ferve him to the utmoft extent of the powers he hath given us. But his redeeming grace brings us under a new and ftill more endearing obligation to his fervice. When we had deftroyed ourselves, and lay exposed to all the dreadful effects of his righteous difpleasure, having no eye to pity, and no hand that could help us, then did he pity us, and his own arm brought falvation. He iffued forth the gracious command, "Deliver them from going "down to the pit, for I have found a ranfom." And in the fulness of time our Lord Jefus Chrift, "the Lamb flain" in decree" from the foun"dation of the world," appeared in our nature; and with the infinite price of his own precious blood redeemed us from the hand of justice, and purchased for us complete and everlasting falvation. And now, with what face can we decline his fervice, or refuse subjection to any of his laws? It is purely by his merit that we live at all: and shall we reckon it grievous to walk by his direction? Surely nothing can appear more juft and equitable, than that he who bought us fhould poffefs us, and that the ranfomed fhould be entirely devoted to their Redeemer.

LET thefe confiderations prevail with us to live unto him, who "died, and rofe, and reviv"ed, that he might be Lord both of the dead "and living." And while we look up to him for that divine aid, which he hath not only en couraged us to afk, but commanded us to expect, let us go forward in his ftrength, making mention of his righteoufnefs, even of his only; that

when

when we die, we may fall asleep in that Jefus, unto whom we now live, and commit our bodies to the duft, in the affured hope of a glorious refurrection; when that promise fhall be fulfilled in its largest extent, " If any man ferve me, let "him follow me; and where I am, there shall "alfo my fervant be. If any man ferve me, him "will my Father honour.'

Amen.

SERMON

SERMON VII.

I PETER V. 7.

Cafting all your care upon him, for he careth for you. EXHORTATIONS of this kind, which frequently occur in the facred Scriptures, reprefent our holy religion in the most amiable light. It appears, in all refpects, fuited to our prefent neceffities, and friendly to our higheft, our most important interefts. How deplorable would be the ftate of men upon earth, were they left to ftruggle in their own ftrength with the trials and fufferings to which they are continually expofed? In profperity, when the mind is vigorous and undisturbed, Reafon may discover a variety of arguments for bearing affliction with patience and fortitude; and may even fuggeft fome topics of confolation, which in the diftant view of adverfity, feem to promise a seasonable and effectual relief: but these are rather specious than folid; and when brought to the teft, have always been complained of as feeble and unavailing. The beft of them are thofe which lead our thoughts upwards to the Supreme Difpofer of all events, the wife and righteous Governor of the world. But as it is impoffible for a creature, confcious of guilt, to feparate the idea of punishment from fuffering, it is not easy to conceive how the mere perfuafion, that our fufferings proceed from one who is incapable of doing

wrong,