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has ftudied to improve, as inftruments of godliness, the means and fupplies of divine grace which have been placed within his power, additional grace fhall be afforded. From him that hath not; from that flothful and wicked fervant who has neglected the talent which his rightful master had entrusted to his care, under an injunction that it fhould be turned to advantage; even that which he hath fhall be taken away; the grace which he had received and despised shall be withdrawn.

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Finally, if you would obtain the affistance of divine grace, you must apply for it through the mediation of Redeemer. Through whofe merits have we accefs to God? Through the merits of him who died for us. In whofe name are all our prayers to be prefented to the Father? In the name of his beloved Son. Whofe is the grace which we folicit? The grace of the Lord Jefus. "My grace," faid Chrift to his apoftle, "is fufficient for thee." Through him, and unto him, let us apply for the fanctifying influence of his Spirit.

The confideration, however brief, of the fubjects which have already been noticed, has unavoidably occupied fo much time, that the remaining heads must be deferred unto a

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future difcourfe. Let me conclude, therefore, with addreffing to you fome few words of general application, drawn from the remarks which have been laid before you.

Endeavour throughout life to bear in mind that of yourselves you can do nothing that you inherit a nature radically corrupted, prone to fin, averfe to piety and holiness. Unless you build your religion upon this foundation, you build it upon fand: for you do not build it upon the only folid foundation, that foundation, that corner-ftone, which is laid in the word of God. But beware of deceiving yourselves by imagining, that this original corruption of your nature affords you any plea for continuing in fin. The grace of God, by which you may be preserved from falling into fin, by which you may be redeemed from the strongest bonds of depravity, is freely offered to you through Christ at all times; and power is at all times given unto you from God to accept it. Confider St. Paul's account of himself. In my flesh, faith he, dwelleth no good thing. I cannot do that which I would. The good which I approve, I do not. The evil which I disapprove, I do. This is the description of his state by nature. But how fpeaks he in another paffage? I can do all things through Chrift that Strength

Strengtheneth me. Here he speaks of himself as under the influence of divine grace: and as thus enabled to perform the whole of his duty. Chrift is at all times ready to ftrengthen every one of you to perform your whole duty; and whenever you fail, you fail by your own fault. Turn your eyes then upon the Bible to learn the full extent of your duty. Beware of being fatisfied with that half-reli gion, that fhadow of Chriftianity, which in the eyes of the world is regarded as the complete fubftance; that counterfeit coin which paffes current with multitudes, but bears not the stamp of the King of kings. Take your standard of duty from the word of God; for by that ftandard you will be tried at the last day. See what devotedness to God, what holiness of temper and of conduct, what living not unto yourself but to Chrift who died for you, the Scriptures require. Say not within your heart, "These things cannot be

required of me; for I cannot attain unto "them." They are required of you; for fo God hath announced to you beforehand. You can attain unto them; for God offers to enable you by his grace. Seek then his grace, that you may attain to that holiness, without which no man fhall fee the Lord.

So

So fhall your fins be blotted out, and mercy and falvation extended to you through the atonement of the Lord Jefus. But if you vainly perfuade yourself that you may make religion a fecondary concern: if you fall short of scriptural holiness, because you would not ftrive for the grace through which you might have performed it: you will ftand felf-condemned at the judgement-feat of Chrift, and will confefs that God would have had you to be faved, but that you have yourself pulled down destruction with your own hands upon your own head.

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My Grace is fufficient

for thee: for my ftrength is made perfect "in weakness."

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N a former difcourfe on this paffage, when I had explained to you the occafion on which the words of Chrift, as quoted in the text, were spoken; and the particular fenfe in which they referred to the existing fituation of St. Paul: I endeavoured to fhew that the instruction which they conveyed was applicable to all men. I laid open to you, first, the evidence which the fcriptures furnish of the indispensable neceffity of divine grace to falvation; fecondly, the unbounded mercy

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