rounded with such a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us; and let us run with patience the race set before us; looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith: who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despised the shame, and is set down for ever at the right hand of God."

I have conducted this inquiry, as well as I could, without referring to any controverted points. Duty requires now, that we should not pass over an objection to aggressive Christian labours founded on the Saviour's presence in his church, and the work of his Holy Spirit. It is said, "the Lord himself is here, let him work." I reply, he is; and he commands you to work, and affirms that if you do not, the blood of those who perish shall be required at your hands. Which imperative will stand, think you; that of our Divine Lord, who shall judge both quick and dead, or that of his neglecting servant, who, having refused to obey a positive command, adds to the guilt of his rebellion, by impudently telling the Creator of all things," to do his work of love himself?”

Besides, causation is every where sustained

by God himself: through observing, and obeying, the rules by which the Divine Being acts, every part and process of nature is rendered useful to man. If a besieged town, famishing for bread, should command a chemist to change a large heap of dung, earth, and water, into corn, he would cry out against the cruel absurdity of the demand; and yet, by observing the laws of nature, every country farmer gets his livelihood, and feeds the empire, by doing this very thing every year. Without the Divine power, and obedience to the laws of nature, he could not change earth into corn; but, observing the laws of nature, the power of God will seldom or never let him fail. So in the work of grace; the wisest man could never change an earthly, sensual, and devilish creature into the image of Christ, without Divine assistance. The word is given to teach us where and when that assistance may be expected. This forms the law of grace; and where it is observed, the uniformity of nature is not more remarkable than the triumphs of But shall the promise of this power mercy. prevent our exertion and obedience? If so,

why does not every farmer cease to plough and sow, because he is unable to change dung into wheat? Why are not all duties despised, and all hopes resigned, since God is the cause of all causation?

Moreover; a captain leads his troop into the field, commanding each soldier to maintain his position against a most desperate foe. When the conflict has grown quite hot and dreadful, measuring the strength of every man, he, seeing them about to be overpowered, draws his sword, plunges himself into the conflict, and stands before his men, covered with wounds and smeared with blood. And while he is seen thus bearing down upon the enemy, shall his personal engagement and danger be regarded as a reason for the flight of his own followers, whom he came to assist? Would not the wretch who turned at such a time be punished as a traitor of the worst kind? Such then is the case of our Lord: he stands before us in his wounds, to make us heroes in his cause -not cowards and traitors.

DISTINGUISHING GRACE.

CHAPTER V.

ON THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN MAKING REQUISITION FOR NEGLECTED SOULS, AS IT

IS SEEN IN THE RICHES OF DISTINGUISHING

GRACE.

"For who hath made thee to differ ?" 1 Cor. iv. 7.

ONE characteristical feature of the Divine oracles, which proves their inspiration, is, that fidelity through which they demand at once our most entire confidenee. By this we are made acquainted with many facts relating to the ancient churches, which are much to their discredit; and the study of which is often exceedingly painful to us. From hence, however,

we derive great and valuable instruction. We see the character of those men, on whom the riches of grace were first poured forth with such munificence. They appear before us with many degrading features of heathen nations. By this we are taught that mercy, from the beginning, was extended to sinners as they existed in the world; and hence we derive a full encouragement to seek that mercy in our deepest necessities, and to proclaim it with freedom and zeal, to the most degraded of our species.

Perhaps it will be found that the Corinthian church had more deplorable defects than any other. Crimes are reprehended amongst its members, at the name of which we tremble. One reason for this will be found in the extreme corruption of their city. It was as eminent for its debaucheries as Athens was for its politeness. The converts, who were rescued from this degradation, brought with them into the church remains of former habits; amongst them was a love of parties, and an undue estimation of themselves. Our text contains a severe rebuke for this folly; all the ground of

I