inability, nor where their great strength lies. When we view a natural man wedded to the world, or tied and bound with the chains of his sin, or wallowing in the mire of sensual lusts, we are ready to say, Can the Ethiopean change his skin, or the Leopard his spots? But nothing is too hard for the Lord. The Gospel first directs the sinner to repair by faith to Christ, and to obtain the pardon of his sins through his precious blood. This is his first business. And if the sinner be enabled to believe in Jesus, his faith will work by love, will purify his heart, and overcome his lusts. We are not, by our own power, first to reform our lives, and then, as gracious and good people, to trust in Christ for salvation; but, as soon as ever we discover our need of a Saviour, to fly to him without delay, just as we are. And he casts out none that come to him. Believing in him will give a new turn to our affections. We shall mourn for pardoned sin. We shall hate the murderers of our Lord. We shall be crucified to the world by the cross of Jesus; and the ways of godliness will no longer be a burden and a task, but our pleasant and easy service. The love of Christ will constrain us, and we shall judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead; and that he died for all, that henceforth they who live should not live to themselves, but unto him who died for them.

Besides, Whoever believes in Jesus is really united to him, in the same manner as the vine and its branches are united. All our fruitfulness in good works depends on this union. "Abide in me," said our Lord; "thus shall ye bring forth much fruit, for without me ye can do nothing." This is the true secret of godliness, the Gospel mystery of sanctification, and the only way of becoming holy. In this way nothing is too hard to be accomplished; and on this ground every believer may say, with St. Paul, "I can do all things, through Christ which strengtheneth me." We shall now conclude with some Inferences

and Exhortations.

1. Is the Gospel the Grace of God? The Gift of his grace? The Revelation of his grace? And the Instrument of his grace? Then take care to distinguish the Gospel from all false doctrine. Beware of "another Gospel." Whatever does not bring to helpless sinners the good news

of a free grace salvation is not the Gospel. Reject it. And O take care that "you receive not the grace of God in vain." 2 Cor. vi. 1. The grace of God, as a divine principle in the heart, cannot be received in vain, but the Gospel, which is also called the grace of God, is often received in vain. It is a great privilege to have the Gospel preached to us, but a dreadful thing to have it prove "the savour of death to death;" for, Christ has said it, "He that believeth not shall be damned." Mark xvi. 16.

Is the Gospel the grace of God? Prize it yourselves,. and recommend it to others. Next to Christ himself, it is the greatest gift of God to a ruined world. What an inexpressible privilege and honour is it, to be in any way instrumental in communicating this heavenly gift to others! Let us invite our neighbours to hear it. Let us put some Gospel tracts into their hands. Let us speak of it to our relations and friends. Let us support and countenance the preaching of it at home and abroad; and, especially, let us recommend it to others by the holy effects it has produced on ourselves. Let us recommend it by our lives.

It is a

It appears from what has been said that there is no ground for the reproach often cast on the Gospel of grace, that it leads to licentiousness, or that the doctrine of faith and grace is hurtful to morality and good works. foul and groundless slander. Nothing is more false. Our text confutes it at once. We have shown that the Gospel is properly called the grace of God; it is the Gospel that bringeth salvation by grace; and this free-grace Gospel teacheth us to live a holy life. What can be plainer? And let it be noted, that nothing but the Gospel of grace can truly teach or produce a holy life. This was, at first, the power of God to the salvation of bigotted Jews, and beastly Heathens. In every succeeding age it has had the same blessed effects. And it is the same to this day. While moral preachers labour in vain, and many of them address their heathen lectures to sleepy hearers and empty pews, we know and are sure, that the plain truths of the Gospel are effectual to quicken dead sinners, to convert notorious rebels, and to produce in numberless persons "the fruits of good living.' This is its proper tendency;

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these its genuine fruits. And we adore the grace that renders the word powerful for these blessed purposes. If any false professors of religion abuse the doctrines of grace for licentious practices, they have no countenance in so doing from the Gospel, or the preachers of it. Our text will at once confront and confound such base hypocrites. It teaches them the nature, necessity, and method of attaining a holy life. Believers were "chosen in Christ, that they might be holy, and without blame before him in love." All the commands of God, both in the Old and New Testament, require it. It was an eminent branch of the design of Christ in dying for his people. It is necessary to the present peace and happiness of our souls, in this world of sin and vanity. This is the way in which God expects us to glorify him among men. And in this consists our 66 meetness for the inheritance of the saints in light."

May our holy God, who has favoured us with his holy Gospel, render it effectual by his Holy Spirit, to make us "holy in all conversation and godliness;" and, at the great day, "present us holy, and unblameable, and unreproveable, in his sight." To Him be glory, now and for ever. Amen.

SERMON LI.

NON-CONFORMITY TO THE WORLD.*

Romans xii. 2. And be not conformed to this world.

HIS is a general exhortation, adapted to a great va

the Christian's conduct, which he may readily apply, when tempted to follow the course of this world. It is easy to

*As this sermon is designed to expose the sin and danger of Carnal Games and Amusements, especially in the professors of religion, it may be usefully read in Holiday seasons; at the time of a Fair, or Wakes; or when Theatrical amusements are introduced into a town. It may also be lent to a friend, who is in danger of being tempted to sinful compliances upon such occasions.

know what the world loves and pursues, and it is easy to remember that the Christian must take a different course. The way of the world is the broad way to destruction; the way of life is narrow, and trodden but by few.

The text is a plain and direct prohibition against conformity to the world. It is addressed to the people of God, and stands connected with an affectionate exhortation to be devoted to him. This chapter is wholly practical; and follows a large and excellent discourse upon the exceeding riches of divine grace to sinners, in their free and full justification through faith in Christ Jesus, and the most noble and glorious privileges to which they are called. "I beseech you, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Thus are the doctrines of grace sweetly connected with a gracious walk and conversation. They are connected in the Bible, and they are connected in all those who are taught of God. May we happily know their sacred union by our own experience!

In order to this complete devotedness to God, the apostle here advises believers "not to be conformed to this world"-not to be moulded into the same fashion-not to comply with their temper and spirit-not to imitate their depraved customs and manners; but on the contrary, to "be transformed, by the renewing of their minds;" to be changed into a contrary, better, more glorious, and abiding form-in the daily renovation of their souls, yet more and more by the Holy Spirit The text, therefore, teaches us this great and useful doctrine, that,

CHRISTIANS must not be conformed to this world.

By "the world," we are certainly to understand, the men of the world, in opposition to true believers, or the people of God. That there is a real and essential distinction between the world and the Church, is abundantly plain from the Scriptures. Jesus Christ saith of his disciples, "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world;" and St. John saith of believers, "We know we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness." This important distinction prevails throughout the Bible.Every where, God's people are represented as differing

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NON-CONFORMITY TO THE WORLD.

from the world. Believers are called children of God; others, the children of the devil and the children of wrath; the one are friends, the other enemies: the one far from God, the other are brought nigh to God..

It was the design of Christ, in dying for his people, "to deliver them from this present evil world"-to save them "from the evil that is in the world"-to make an evident separation, and "to purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works;" that is, to separate them from the wicked world for his own use, and for his own glory, as his precious and peculiar property, that they might be zealously affected towards him and his cause, in the performance of every good work.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ calls believers to this separation, and is the instrument of effecting it. "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you." 2 Cor. vi. 17. There is much danger in the company of idolaters, and in connexion with unbelievers; there is danger of being infected and defiled; therefore a proper distance must be kept. And the Gospel of Christ becomes an occasion of this separation; it creates division, it causes disunion; the believer is crucified to the world, and the world unto him. Thus faith, which is the bond of union with Christ, is the instrument of separation from the world. And how reasonable is it to expect, that persons, whose state and character now differ essentially from others, and who will be eternally separated as far as heaven is from hell, should now bear the visible marks of distinction, and not be conformed to this world!

We may now proceed to inquire in what this non-conformity consists, or in what degree it is required; for a total separation is impossible, in the present state of things. There are family connexions, which are not to be dissolved, because some of the parties are gracious, and others remain in their sins, 1 Cor. vii. 10. There are also civil connexions, in the lawful affairs of this world, with which religion cannot interfere. If we would wholly avoid intercourse with the wicked, "we must needs go out of the world," for the world is full of them, 1 Cor. v. 10. Neither does religion require or countenance a morose and