and to ensure his death by confirming the charge of treason against Cæfar (m). Is there an Herodias whom you will not divorce? Let suitable temptations arife: and guilt equal to that of Herod may become yours. If we fin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more facrifice for fins; but a certain looking for of judgement, and fiery indignation. If he that defpifed the law of Mofes died without mercy of how much forer punishment fhall be be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the Covenant wherewith he was fanctified an unholy thing, and hath done defpite unto the Spirit of grace (n)?

I would leave on the recollection of the careless finner one additional truth, to which Herod, could his voice reach our ears, would bear witness. It is poffible for you to refign yourself to habitual wickednefs, until your heardened heart lofe all fenfe of its enormity. It is poffible for you to add crime to crime, until you entirely forget numbers which you have committed. But an hour when they fhall be remembered is approaching. The guilty deed is not dead, but fleepeth. When you are laid on your death-bed, all your (m) Luke, xiii. 6. 12. A&s, iv. 27, 28. (n) Hebr. x. 26-29.

crimes hall return to life: and as the fuppofed revival of John the Baptist dismayed the king who had murdered him, shall rack your foul with horrors known only to the finful wretch when he trembles on the brink of the grave, and fhrinks from the profpect of damnation. May your heart be renewed by the Holy Spirit! May you fly without. delay to Chrift. May you furrender yourself to Him without referve. By His blessed atonement may you be rendered acceptable to God. May your laft hours be cheered by fcriptural hopes of entering through His merits into everlafting glory!

13

SERMON XIV.

On the Extent of genuine Religion.

MICAH, vi. 8.

He hath fhewed thee, O Man, what is good.. And what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

IN

N urging upon men their various obligagations as fervants of the Moft High, thé Holy Scriptures have recourfe in different places to a diversity of arrangement. Moft commonly, they prefs upon us in the first inftance that fupreme and affectionate faith towards God and Chrift, which is the foundation of every Christan virtue: and then proceed to inculcate thofe pure principles, thofe holy tempers, and those good works, which genuine

genuine faith in God and Chrift will neceffarily produce. Sometimes, however, folicitous to recommend the tree by a reference to the excellence of the fruit, they specify works in the outfet: and then direct our views to that faith, from which every acceptable work is to spring. And though, in delivering a statement of human duties, they ufually commence with thofe of which the Almighty is the immediate object; the order is fometimes changed, and the duties which we are to perform towards our neighbour are prefented first to our confideration. Let the minifters of religion,, folicitous that they may be found in the day of Chrift not to have run in vain, neither to have laboured in vain, purfue the several tracks of

per

argument and fuafion, which they fee recommended by the footsteps of prophets and apostles. Yet whatever be the course to which the ambaffador of Chrift reforts in his exertions to conciliate a refractory world to the offer of pardon and peace; love to God and our Redeemer, whether mentioned firft or laft, muft be the fountain from which every human duty is derived. Chrift is the corner-stone of the belief and the practice of a Chriftian. Is faith preached? It must be faith in Chrift. Are good works inculcated? They must be good

good works growing out of that faith. Are holy principles and views and tempers required? It is that your fouls may be conformed to the image of Chrift. Is love to your neighbour enjoined? It is in imitation of that love wherewith Chrift loved him, and gave himself for him an offering and a facrifice unto God. Whatever is taught, whatever is commanded, whatever is forbidden; whether we exhort, or perfuade, whether we fpeak of the glory that shall be revealed, or as knowing the terrors of the Lord: this is our ground-work and our purpofe, that God may in all things be glorified through Jefus Chrift; to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever.

On the present occafion I purpose to explain the different branches of human duty according to the order, in which they are arranged by the prophet.

The chapter, whence the paffage before us is taken, opens with fingular magnificence.. Jehovah commands his chofen people to arife, and plead their caufe against Him: and fummons the hills and the mountains, and the frong foundations of the earth to hear and to decide the controverfy between his rebellious fervants and Himself. Scarcely has he. made mention of his mercies in refcuing

the