the world, but to be transformed in the renewing of your minds. If mercy is the cordial of repentance, it is also frequently a fnare of the adversary to create prefumption. And as our fouls are immortal, as it is appointed for all men only once to die, it is contrary to reason, and the express word of God, that the state of foul in which death finds us fhould afterwards be changed; we then enter upon an unalterable condition, and the wicked like the rebellious angels, will be reserved for the blacknefs darkness for ever. Finally to

fin now, to hazard prefent falvation for the chance of to-morrow, carries fuch strong marks of folly with it that it demands grief, but needs not confutation.

XXV.

But how many bring an ill report upon this good land, or deny its reality? And what can I say to awaken them? O moft merciful Go D, whofe compaffions fail not, take pity upon thy miserable creatures. They are thine, let them not perish. O deliver them

for

for thy great Name's Sake!

Thou delightest not in the death of a finner, but hadst rather that he fhould turn from his wickednefs and live; turn us, O good Lord and fo fhall we be turned. Be favourable unto us. O remember thine everlafting covenant. Behold, fuch was thy love to a finful world, that. thou didst fend thine only. Son JESUS CHRIST, to the end that all that believe on him fhould. not perish, but have everlasting life. Is there one in this place that fhall then perifh? Is there a finner who refufes to come to the Saviour, to the friend of finners? Is there death` that fcorns life? Sickness that fpurns health away? Labour and wearinefs that will not hearj and behold the voice of reafon, of rest and peace? LOR D, if there are fuch, behold they are those to whom thou art fent; Q quicken them with thy fpirit, awake, awake, put on ftrength left the heathen say, where is now their God!

1

XXVI.

You are pleas'd to hear of an heavenly place, but the moment you are told, If a man do not deny himfelf, and take up his crofs and follow me, he cannot be my difciple, you are offended-Nay, but O man, who art thou? Shall the clay fay to the potter, why haft thou formed me thus? Are not the things which are highly efteemed amongst men, an abomination in the fight of Gop? Behold you are a fallen creature. You are called upon to arife, and confefs your fins, and repent, then you will find that Go Dis. faithful, and juft, to forgive your fins, according to his promife, and to cleanfe you: from all unrighteoufnefs. O defpife not that holy way, which a fuffering SAVIOUR hath fanctified, and which the joyful feet of confeffors and Martyrs have trod with fortitude before us.

XXVII

XXVII.

But, confider seriously, of whose law is fin the tranfgreffion? Is it not of the law of a GOD, great in juftice, great in power, great in holiness? And what is the tranfgreffor? A worm. And this finful worm is called to pardon, life, adoption and immortality. And behold, to all its other wickedness, this yet is added, that it will not obey the call, it is difpleased with the means to fuch a glorious end ; it treasures up wrath against the great day of wrath and indignation, and it goeth on finning against mercy, finning against patience, and worse than all the reft, finning against the light. The narrownefs of the way, the ftraitnefs of the gate, the greatness of religious difficulties, arife from ourselves, and not from divine wisdom, whofe ways are ways of pleasantnefs, and all her paths are peace; and who will remove every obftacle, if we run with patience the race fet before us.

XXVIII.

And now thanks be to GoD for his unfpeakable mercy, of which ye are witneffes, who believe in these things, a bleffed remnant of grace, to whom it is given to receive a fure and certain hope of eternal life, which hope is laid up for you in heaven. Your peace the world knoweth not, for your life is hid with CHRIST in GoD, you are come unto the Mount Sion, unto the city of the everliving God, the heavenly Jerufalem, where fhall be no more death nor agony, nor pain, but love, and holy transport for evermore. There is your treasure, and there will be your hearts.

There the wicked ceafe

voice of the oppreffor is

from troubling; the

Let patience then have its

no longer heard.

perfect work; abide in CHRIST, and pray that

you may bring forth much fruit, as knowing the grace of GoD in truth.

XXIX