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and acceptance with heaven, through the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ, their glorious Redeemer, and who walk religiously in all good works, and endeavour to "keep a conscience void of offence towards God and man." m These, instead of encouraging sin, strive to mortify and subdue it; instead of making a mock at sin, they are humbled and ashamed that they have ever been guilty of committing sin; and being restored to favour and peace by Christ their Lord, they earnestly pray for grace, that they may go and sin no more." The righteous endeavour to avoid sin, on account of its deformity and odiousness and repugnancy to the holy law of God; and being assured of its dangerous consequences, they fly for refuge to the glorious hope which has been set before them in the Gospel of Christ. Hence they "obtain redemption through the blood of Christ," and are accounted righteous before God, and are at peace with him, and make it their chief study to "walk worthy of him unto all pleasing," "in all holy conversation and godliness."

With the righteous there is favour. God now esteems them as his own peculiar people. He accepts them through the worthiness of his Acts xxiv. 16. Ephes. i. 7. ° Coless. i. 10. P. 2 Pet. iii. 11.

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beloved Son, in whom they believe, and they shall be accounted his servants, in that day, when he will make a final distinction between the righteous and the wicked. Although in the present world they may be reckoned fools by the ignorant and profane, yet, in the day of judgment, they will receive the approbation of their gracious Lord, who is infinitely wise; and they will be placed on his right hand, as having loved what he loved, and hated what he hated; as having fled from sin and followed after righteousness, in the midst of temptations and snares; and as having shone as lights in the world, while surrounded with the darkness and confusion which sin produces. They will be welcomed with those gracious words from the lips of their judge, "Well done, good and faithful servants, enter ye into the joy of your Lord."-These having fought a good fight, having been dead to sin, and alive unto God, and having been careful to walk in all his commandments blameless, will be approved of their Lord and of all the holy angels around his throne.

Is not this favour of God therefore better than life, far more desirable than the uncertain praise of perishing mortals, who generally

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admire those who freely indulge their disorderly appetites and passions? Is not this fear of "the Lord, the beginning of wisdom," and have not they obtained a good understanding who "follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace,' love, temperance, and meekness," the praise of which will endure for ever?

Let us then, my brethren, " dare to be wise;" and let us "not follow a multitude to do evil," that whether we are praised or censured by men, we may obtain the favour and approbation of our heavenly Father. Let us not give any encouragement, either by our words or looks, to those who make a mock at sin; but let us rather check and restrain them by every seasonable admonition and rebuke. Let us cultivate a lively zeal for the honour of God, and diligently seek his favour and approbation, rather than the fickle applause of ten thousands of the people. May we never trifle with sin in any shape, as well remembering its evil nature and awful effects; that it has kindled the flames of Hell, and has occasioned the overthrow and destruction of millions of angels and men: that when any of the careless among mankind make a mock at sin, it is a sight at which the happy angels might be ready to

weep that sin draws a veil between us and God, and deprives us of the light of his countenance and of his gracious favour: that "he who sinneth wrongeth his own soul."" Let us then seek the grace of God, that we may abhor every thing which is evil; that we may "crucify the flesh with the affections and evil desires, and always bear in mind, that he who hates sin, and follows after righteousness and mercy, findeth life, righteousness, and lasting honour."*

SERMON XI.

THE RICH AND POOR MEETING TOGETHER

IN VARIOUS WAYS.

PROV. XXII. 2.

The rich and poor meet together; the LORD is the maker of them all.

IT is a peculiar excellence of the Holy Scriptures that they always lead us unto God, as the first cause of all things, and the supreme Governor of the world. All those events which some persons have ascribed to chance and fortune, are represented in the sacred volume as under his controul. The great distinctions among mankind, with respect to riches and poverty, are assigned to his agency. "The LORD killeth and maketh alive," says the. devout Hannah, "he bringeth down to the