GoD cannot in any wise, consistent with his wisdom, holiness, justice and truth, admit of it; for if he could possibly have done it, consistently with these attributes, there is no doubt but his goodness would have done it! therefore, I conclude, that there is no possibility of escaping for those who neglect this great salvation.

But it may be said, "Suppose I should neglect this salvation, cannot I escape by depending on the mercy of of. God?" I answer, No. For though it be a great and sacred truth, that GOD is infinite in mercy, it will not follow-that the abusers of this mercy shall be saved thereby. St. Paul tells us, chap. x. verse 28. that "He that despised Moses' law died WITHOUT mercy, under two or three witnesses." He then adds, "Of how much SORER punishment suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God," &c. As if he had said, The sin of despising Moses' law was so aggravated, that the mercy of GoD would not interpose

in behalf of such an offender. Now, as the sin of those who have trodden under foot the Son of GOD, &c. is so much more heinous, there is abundantly more reason to believe that mercy will not interpose on their behalf; but rather that it will suffer the punishment they have so dearly deserved, to fall on them without remedy, and to remain on them forever.

"But suppose I neglect this salvation, by totally and finally apostatizing, cannot I escape the afore-mentioned punishment by living a sober, moral life?" I again answer, No.For the apostle declares, all over this epistle, that our salvation is by Christ, and by adhering unto him. So chap. i. verse 3. Christ is said, by himself to have purged our sins: chap. ii. verse. 9. to have tasted death for every man: verse 10, that he is the captain of our salvation: verse 14, 15. that he died to destroy the power of death-and to deliver them who through fear of death were all their life-time subject to bondage: verse

17. that he madę reconciliation for the sins of the people; chap. iv. verse 14. that he is our great High Priest: verse 16. that he has erected a throne of grace, unto which we are to come for mercy, &c. chap. v. verse 9. that he is become the author of eternal salvation unto all that obey him: chap. vi. verse 18. that he is our refuge to which we are to fly, that we may lay hold on the hope set before us: chap. viii. verse 6. that he is the Mediator of the new Covenant: chap. ix. verse 12. that he has obtained eternal redemption for us: verse 14, that it is his blood which purgeth our consciences from dead works to serve the living God: verse 15. that by his death we receive the promise of the eternal inheritance: verse 26. that he hath appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself: chap. x. verse 5-9. that when God had no pleasure in Jewish sacrifices and offerings, a body was prepared for Christ, in which he freely and cheer fully came to do the will of God:

verse 10. by the which will we are sanctified, through the offering of the body of Christ once for all; verse 19. that we have boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus: verse 38. that we live by faith in him: and that thus it is, according to chap. xii. verse 2, that he is the author and finisher of our faith.

Now, from this account we learn, that the whole of our salvation, both in time and eternity, is by Christ and his gospel only: I say, only; for we are told, chap i. verse 3. that Christ BY HIMSELF hath done it. And that our salvation is only by Christ, is so strongly implied, in almost every part of this epistle, that it cannot, with any shadow of reason, be denied.Therefore, I conclude, that whatever laws, or rules, a man may walk by, whether they be those delivered by Moses, or those laid down by Epictetus, Socrates, Seneca, or Plato; if he is a total and final apostate from this great salvation, he never can escape the dreadful consequence.

But it may be said once more, Suppose I should at present, or at any future period thus neglect this: great salvation, will not my former attachment to it be sufficient to screen me from the punishment above mentioned?" I answer, it will not. And for proof of this I observe, that, perhaps there never was a people more cordially, and zealously attached to Christ and his gospel, than these Hebrews had formerly been. For the apostle tells them, chap. x. verse 32, 34 that, After they were illuminated, they endured a great fight of afflictions: partly, said he, whilst ye were made a gazing-stock, both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. On this passage I observe, that here was not only great zeal for Christ, his gospel and perse