ceeded by the language of praise. It is seldom that we hear of the conversion of such persons. They are too wise and good, too satisfied and happy in themselves to feel their need of him "who is made to us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption," to solicit his grace, or to place on it any reliance; yet of some in these circumstances it is true that they have been converted from the error of their ways, and from them have been heard the loudest ascriptions of glory to God their Saviour. Nothing can exceed the abhorrence which they feel of the tenets and spirit of their former creed, and the gratitude which swells in their hearts to Him in whom the blasphemer hath found mercy. Let us guard against the tempers and the habits which lead to such errors. Let not any imagine that, by their education and religious connections, they are safe; for some who have been trained in the strictest principles of Calvinism have imbibed them. The pride of reason is offended at the mysteries of the gospel. A system which represents man as so utterly depraved and helpless that Almighty power alone can save him, and which requires the same submission from the learned and the refined as from the poor and the simple, will be regarded with disgust by the vain and the haughty. The love of novelty often leads to the adoption of errors. Superficial thinkers are soon disgusted with what is familiar; and they are easily allured to listen to any thing which promises to excite and to gratify their curiosity. Such persons are "like children tossed to and fro, and carried about by every wind of doctrine." Men also have been led to the adoption of such errors by a wish to be distinguished for learning and acuteness, and by a superiority to popular views and prejudices. It is supposed by some to be a proof of a feeble mind to be satisfied with the creed of the vulgar, and that the farther a man's opinions recede from it, the more evidence does he give of the vigour and the independence of his mind. It is to work on this temper, that Unitarians labour to swell the catalogue of their adherents with every name of eminence in the literary or religious world; and though no party declaims so much against deference to human authority, none has boasted so much of the learning and worth of its advocates, or has availed itself of such pretexts to question the sincerity of distinguished friends of the gospel. Partial views of the character of God, and slight views of the evil of sin, have led men to these errors; for he who believes not the infinite evil of sin, will perceive no necessity for the crucifixion of the Lord of glory to expiate it, and he who considers the Deity as all mercy, will imagine no satisfaction to be requisite to his justice. Beware, then, of leaning to your own un. derstandings. "Ask for the old paths, and the good way." Remember that God declares, after the brightest character of his mercy ever heard by mortals, his strict and inflexible justice, and that talents far nobler, erudition more extensive, and inquiries more ela borate, have been consecrated to the honour of the Lord Jesus, than ever were employed to degrade him. Let the genuine disciples of Jesus bless God that. they have been preserved from such fatal delusions. By grace ye stand." Never forget what you felt when under the horrors of conviction. No merit of any creature could then have engaged the feeblest of your hopes, and no mercy of theirs could then have imparted to you the smallest consolation. And, in a dying hour, you will find that eternity can only be welcomed, and death overcome, by a spirit which re 66 S lies on an almighty Saviour. Be thankful for the able and zealous advocates whom God raises up for the defence of the gospel, and to expose the presumptuous boasts, and the crafty cavils of its enemies; and by the study of their writings, and of the oracles of God, be ready to give a reason of the hope that is in you. Do its adversaries prepare themselves to pervert the gospel, and shall not you give all diligence to maintain it uncorrupted? To perplex the simple, and to silence the ignorant, are no great triumphs; yet by these the adversaries of the gospel try to promote their cause. Recommend your principles by the superior purity and usefulness of your lives. While they boast of their candour and charity, let it be your care to practise them. Carefully improve every observance of the Lord's supper for confirming your faith in the peculiar doctrines of the gospel. It is there that you " perceive the love of God towards you, in that he laid down his life for you." It is there that you shew forth the Lord's death, that "the steps of majesty, of your God and your King," that you taste that the Lord is gracious, and that you dedicate yourselves to his service. If you observe it with the devout affections and wishes which become you, such displays of his power and grace and glory will open on your minds as will call forth the loftiest homage of evangelical devotion. you see Finally, Let the unbelieving and the impenitent consider, that, whatever they profess, they will be found despisers and rejecters of the Saviour. Your creed may be sound, but your hearts are corrupt. You may call Christ, Lord, Lord; but not doing the things which he says, he will scorn your hypocritical flattery, and will lead you forth with those who have been his 2 open enemies. The eyes of the opposers of the truth will then be opened; but your wicked habits shall remain unchanged. You shall find, in the worm that never dies, and in the fire that shall never be quenched, that the wrath of the Lamb is insupportable, and that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But say not in despair, How can I be saved? It is the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, which is appointed to cleanse the soul, and this is the invitation which he addresses to you, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, for I am God, and besides me there is none else." O give him the glory that is due to his name, by entire trust, genuine contrition, and cordial submission; and ye shall have the witness in yourselves that he is God in the pardon which he grants, the change he produces, and the salvation which he bestows. Amen. Printed by Balfour & Clarke, FINIS. |