a Father's aid, in that seek for it.

the gift of the Holy Spirit, to them Religion is the restoration of our fallen and corrupt nature, through Divine grace, to a better state and to an eternal inheritance. It is intended and devised to bring fallen sinners to heaven, and thus manifests the tenderness and mercy which belongs to the character of its Author.

Would to God, that I could prevail with those who have hitherto spurned at his laws, and sought for happiness in the ways of sin, to consider the true character of him by whom those laws were given, and the true nature of that religion of which they form a part. Why will they reject a Father's authority? Why will they despise his offered blessing? Can he enjoin any thing inconsistent with their real happiness? Was religion devised for the sake of God, or for the good of men? Is there so much as one precept in the whole law of God which is not evidently intended for our benefit? Can there be a more decisive proof that it is adapted to our good?

3. Is God our Father? Then we ought to maintain an intercourse with him by frequent prayer, and to praise him daily for his innumerable mercies. To whom should a son apply for the supply of all his wants but to his Father? Where should he look for counsel but from his Father's wisdom? Where for comfort but to his Father's love? But are we to have no intercourse with our heavenly Father? Have we nothing to solicit from him? No wants to be supplied? Does God wish his creatures to be so estranged from him? Can a Father desire to have no intercourse with his children? No: God is our Father; and we ought to pray to him daily; not in coldness and formality, but with the dispositions and affections of children. And while we live every day upon the rich stores of his bounty, let us offer up to him continual thanks and praises. When he looks round upon all his children, supported by his bounty, let him not see us wanting

amidst those who acknowledge that they owe every thing to him.

4. Is God our Father? Let us then place a generous confidence in him. A son would be thought ill to requite the goodness of a tender and generous parent, if he kept at a distance from him, placing no reliance on his kindness, and trusting in distress to others rather than to him.

Now, as God is our Father, and as we have innumerable proofs of his paternal goodness, it becomes our duty, as children, to place our whole trust and confidence in him. Believe that he is able and willing to give all things needful for you. Believe that he will be your friend. Call, then, upon him in trouble; and be persuaded that he will either deliver you from your trials, or, if it is his purpose by them to sanctify and bless you, will support you under them. Be satisfied with whatever your heavenly Father appoints for you: know that there is not an affliction which befals you which is not appointed by him for your good. Receive every mercy as from his hands, and trust that he will still, in answer to your prayers, continue according to your wants to bless and succour you. This, this, my brethren, is our great joy and consolation in a world so full of trials and afflictions, that we have a Father to whose watchful care we may trust. In how forlorn and comfortless a state are those, who look upon the events of life as guided by chance, or who have no resource in their troubles, but in their own prudence to avert, or in their own fortitude to bear them. We have a Father to whom we may apply, and on whom we may depend; and this is our great, our only, solid ground of confidence amidst the changes and chances of life. "My heavenly Father," a Christian will say, "will order and appoint every thing for me. I leave to him my future lot in life. Let him direct what shall be my state: whether I am to be rich or poor: whether I am to be prosperous or in calamity: whether I shall live long or die soon, I cheerfully leave

to the disposal of Him who is my Father. His will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

Lastly, Is God our Father? Let us be careful that he is really such to us in the highest sense. Let us take heed that we are his children, by adoption and grace as well as by nature. And to this purpose let us first draw near to him in his own appointed way, as penitent sinners, owning our sins, and seeking for pardon, through Christ Jesus. Let our whole hope and dependence be placed on our Redeemer; and let his atonement be the only plea we offer to God. Let us lay hold on the hope set before us; and then we shall be emboldened to draw near to God with wellplaced confidence. This is the great end and aim of all religion, to convince us of our depraved state by nature to deliver us from it by faith in Christ-and to communicate to us peace, and a lively hope of pardon, and a firm trust and confidence in our heavenly Father. God grant that we may all be partakers of this hope, and enjoy this confidence, through Jesus Christ our Lord!

SERMON III.

ON THE ATONEMENT.

Heb. ix. 22.

And without shedding of blood is no remission.

IS it not enough (it may be asked,) in order to obtain the pardon of sins, that the sinner should repent of his trespasses and reform his conduct? Is not acknowledgment of the offence, and the reformation of the offender, all which God requires? In his threatenings or punishments, has he any other object? If these are wanting, can any thing compensate for them? If they appear, can the Father of his creatures, who delighteth in mercy, require any other inducement to shew it?

So have men reasoned concerning the Divine proceedings. Of such reasoning, however, we may observe, that it not only supposes us to know adequately the nature of God, and all the ends he has in view in his dispensations of justice and mercy; but assumes also, that there can be no possible reason why he should choose a particular mode in which forgiveness shall be dispensed. Doubtless, whenever God pardons sin, it is of his spontaneous grace and mercy; but yet that free

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