Imagini ale paginilor
PDF
ePub

that you had been roused from this sleep of death, and obtained life from the hands of the Saviour!

It is not necessary, that every one should be learned in Theology: but it is necessary that every man should be a Christian. The souls of the learned and the unlearned, are alike immortal; and are alike destined to endless happiness, or endless misery. How will you acquire this glorious blessing, and escape this absolute ruin? There is but one path, which has hitherto conducted; there is but one path, which will ever conduct; mankind to eternal life. This has been pointed out by the finger of God; and was never discovered by human philosophy. The cell of Philosophy is dug beneath the ground; is dark, cold, and comfortless; and was never visited by the sunshine of heaven. The miserable rushlight, which glimmers along its walls, scarcely enables this goddess, of man's creation, to distinguish her own footsteps around the dreary cavern; and shows no avenue to the world above. Here no celestial messenger ever arrived; and no tidings from that world were ever announced. Here God is neither worshipped, loved, nor known; the voice of mercy was never heard; and salvation was never proclaimed, sought, nor found.

The Gospel, at an immeasurable distance from this desolate mansion, is the garden of Eden in its pristine beauty. Here JEHOVAH manifests himself in the Shechinah; as of old he caused the glory of his presence to dwell at the east of Paradise above the Cherubim.* Here his answers are given to the inquiring penitent. Here angels are again heard praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest; peace on earth; and good-will towards men. Here the Saviour is born; and publishes the glad tidings of great joy. Here the Spirit of Grace fixes his divine abode, and sheds piety, and peace, and faith, and hope, upon the assembly of the first-born. Here, finally, commences the high-way of holiness, which leads directly to the regions of immortality.

Who, in this house, can contemplate these things without the strongest emotions? Who can behold his all at hazard; his soul, his eternal well-being, at stake; without inexpressible anxiety? Life and death, both eternal, are here the objects of choice. Whose bosom must not thrill; whose heart must not throb; when, famishing with thirst, and perishing with hunger, he hears a voice from heaven, calling directly to himself, Ho! every one that thirsteth! come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money: come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk, without money, and without price. With what transport will he learn, that the voice, which conveys this delightful invitation, is the voice of the Son of God! Must not his soul expand, with ecstasy, to see the Almighty arm of this glorious Person stretched out, to seize him, while walking on the brink of perdition, and convey him to the world of joy?

* Genesis iii. 24, paraphrased by the Targums.

On the brink of perdition every sinner in this house is walking at the present moment. The only way, back, to eternal life; the only safety, the only hope; is found in the Gospel. Strive, then, with all possible earnestness to enter in at the strait gate, which stands at the head of this delightful path. Now the gate is open soon, to you, it will be shut. Now the path is illumined by the Sun of righteousness soon it will be lost in interminable darkness. Now heaven invites you to enter in, and be saved. Soon its doors will be closed for ever. Now God is reconcileable to you: the Saviour proffers himself, and all his blessings, to your acceptance; and the Spirit of Grace is waiting to renew you to repentance. How soon will all these blessings retire beyond your reach; the hope of salvation set, to rise no more; and the voice of mercy be dumb for ever!

THE END.

INDEX.

vol. page.

Actions of Christ: Creation of the Universe,

Preservation of ditto,

I. 538

do. 539

[blocks in formation]

Adoption,

Agency of the Holy Spirit in Regeneration: its reality, I. 503

nature, do. 506
necessity, do. 509

Air,

Ambition,

Amiableness of Christ,

Angels: holy,

fallen,

I. 280
IV. 5

II. 287

Antecedents of Regeneration,

Antinomians: their objections answered,

Antipædobaptists: their objections answered,

Apostacy of Man,

Apostles their inspiration,

I. 291, 303

I. 317

II. 430

do. 359

IV. 313

I. 404

II. 120

necessity of their preaching the Gospel,
what they preached,

do. 131

do. 140

consequences of their preaching,

do. 141

do. 20

Arianism,

Arminians: their objections answered,

Atheism its objections answered,

its influence with that of Christianity compared, do. 100

do. 362

I. 88

do. 99

do. ib.

credulity merely,

voluntary,

[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

I. 79

do. ib.

Being of God: proved by the Existence of things.

State of things,

Benevolence, vid. Love: consistent with peculiar provision

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

Bishops the same officers in the Church as Ministers, IV. 224

[blocks in formation]

Christianity its influence with that of Atheism compared, I. 100

IV. 182

I. 518

II. 63

do.

74

do. 253

do. 264

do. 287

do. 300

Church of Christ: its members,

IV. 206

its ordinances and employments,

do. 291

Circumcision the same ordinance with Baptism,

do. 324

Complacency,

II. 497

Confidence in Christ: the Faith of the Gospel,
Conscience, Peace of,

Consequences of Christ's Mediation: Justification,

Consequences of Death: immediate,

Regeneration,

remote; Resurrection,
Final Judgment,

[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Punishment of the wicked,

[blocks in formation]
« ÎnapoiContinuă »