Christ," and making known eternal life, through him, to lost and miserable man. He hath proclaimed, “I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, wis the day of salvation: Receive not, therefore, the grace of God in vain."+

The punishment which the Jews suffered, ought to be our adnionition not to sin after their example of unbelief; and the obstinacy of heart which they showed should caution us, not to harden our hearts through the deceitfulness of sin, lest God should "swear in his wrath, Ye shall not enter into my rest." For the same self-denial, and renunciation of the world, and of evil habits, and wicked tenpers and passions, which were necessary in the time of Christ's personal ministry to qualify men to be his disciples, are necessary now. That teachable disposition which then enabled them to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of God, must enable us to receive instruction in the same divine science. And the blessings of Christ's redemption must be received by us in the same way of lively faith and holy obedience, in which they received them, who heard his personal preaching.

Examine yourselves, therefore, whether your hearts are, in these respects, right with God? whether you do attend to his word, the doctrines of the Gospel of Christ, with ears that hear, and with hearts that understand; that is, with minds free from the bias of worldly views, and party attachments, and evil habits? If you do, blessed are your eyes and ears: With the holy apostles and followers of Christ, "to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven." By the illumination of the Spirit of God, you will discover the "hidden things of his law," and will have your "senses exercised to discern both good and evil." By his heavenly influence you will also choose that which is good, and avoid what is evil; and will grow in grace and knowledge, in faith and holiness to the end of your lives. Then shall you receive, with the apostles and faithful servants of God, your portion in that place

* 2 Cor. iv. 6.

† vi. 1, 2.

Heb. iii. 8, &c.

§ Heb. v. 14.

which Christ hath prepared for those who love and obey

bim.

On the contrary; if you are attached to schemes of ambition and covetousness, which you, do not choose to relinquish; to habits of vice, which you are not disposed to abandon; to your own system of religious opinions, by which, right or wrong, you are determined to abide, know that you are in the same state with those Jews of whom Christ said, they had eyes which saw not, and ears which heard not, and hearts which understood not; and unless you repent, like them you will suffer the judgments of God; possibly not temporal destruction, but what is infinitely worse," everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power."*

Consider these things; and may God, who is rich in mercy, make the hours of your consideration conducive to your soul's health. May he pour upon you the abundance of his grace; give you those blessed eyes which see, ears which hear, and hearts which understand; that you may perceive, and pursue the things which belong to your everlasting peace; through the merit and mediation of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

* 2 Thess. i. 9..

Amen.

DISCOURSE VIII.

PART I.

THE ATONEMENT OF CHRIST.

1 JOHN ii. 1, 2.

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for our sins only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

THE

HE design of this Epistle of St. John seems to have been to guard the Jewish converts against apostacy from the Christian faith, and to preserve them stedfast in the belief, that Jesus was the Christ the Son of God, and in that holiness of life which his religion required. The pernicious doctrines which then prevailed among the Jews; that men were accounted righteous with God by faith alone, without doing the works of righteousness; that zeal for God, and his laws, and service would atone for all crimes, even for the hatred and murder of their brethren, made this conduct of the apostle necessary at that time; and his judgment and authority in these points, will serve for the instruction and correction of the church, to the end of the world,

Our Saviour had foretold, that, a little before the destruction of Jerusalem, many false Christs and false Prophets should appear, and should deceive many. To guard the Christians against their seductions, was another point the apostle had in view. He tells them, that these false Christs and false Prophets were then abroad; and, with the most affectionate zeal and prudent advice, cautions them against the pollution of their destructive errors.

VOL. II.

The text shows particularly the exact judgment and prudence of the holy man; being calculated to preserve them, on the one hand, from presumptuous sins; and, on the other, from desperation of God's mercy.

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not." To live in innocence, free from the defilement of sin, is the first and great aim of every Christian. It ought to be also the great aim of every one of Christ's Ministers to imitate this holy apostle, in their endeavours to preserve the people of God committed to their charge, free from the stain of guilt, and the anguish of remorse. They will, therefore, earnestly warn them of the dreadful end of a wicked life, and particularly of the fatal tendency of those errors in doctrine which may prevail in their neighbourhood, especially if they should be such as may influence their practice. But with their people it will remain to make their cautions and instructions effectual. Unless they apply them to their own circumstances, and beg of God his grace and holy Spirit to lead and preserve them in the way of truth and holiness, all their Ministers can do, will be lost labour.

The text seems more particularly addressed to young Christians, either in age, or on account of their late conversion to the faith; for of a Father in the church, these are properly the "little children." And these, through the levity of youth, and the strength of appetite and passion; or through ignorance and inexperience in Christian knowledge and practice, are more exposed to temptations, and more liable to be overcome by them. To them, therefore, the Christian Minister should particularly attend, for they particularly need his admonitions and instructions. In general they will be more candidly received by them. Their hearts are tender, their sense of duty to God is quick, and blessing will be on the head of him who helps to preserve their innocency, and keep them free from the pollutions of this wicked world.

The other danger of which the text warns us, is desperation of God's mercy, should we be so unhappy as to sin against him. The weakness of nature, ignorance, inat