"death as their gain, "that "being absent from "the body, they might be present with the Lord." Yet in these days this kind of life not only appears visionary to profane scoffers and infidels; but many who profess and contend for the peculiar doctrines of the gospel, seem not at all aware, that one grand difference between a believer and other men, consists in the decided preference which he gives to eternal things, above all the interests and enjoyments of this sublunary world. "To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually "minded is life and peace."

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The divine law should likewise occupy a large share of our thoughts and conversation. It is spiritual, holy, just, and good, and given to be the rule of our conduct, and the standard of our judgment, and it is written in the hearts of all true believers. Thus David exclaims, "Oh, how I "love thy law! it is my meditation all the day." "I esteem all thy precepts in all things to be right." "I love thy commandments above gold, yea, above much fine gold:" and, "I will walk at liberty for I seek thy precepts."

Numbers of men called Christians, prescribe to themselves no other rule, than the law of fashion, custom, honour, or trade; that is, the law of their own peculiar circle. Others judge of their conduct by some scanty maxims of morality, or their own notions of right and wrong: and few, even of those who profess to believe, seem willing to

use the commandments of God for these important purposes." Thou shalt love the Lord thy God "with all thy heart, thy mind, thy soul, and thy "strength; and thou shalt love thy neighbour as "thyself." These are the two great commandments, in which the whole law is briefly comprehended. But who can fully explain such extensive precepts, or speak of them in terms of commendation equal to their excellency? There can be no part of our conduct, or desire of our hearts; no thought, word, or action whatever; which does not either agree or disagree with these two grand branches of that "holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." With these, the believer, as far as he acts in character, compares himself continually; and thus determines, whether he hath acted right or wrong in the various circumstances and relations of life. By this rule he learns to decide in doubtful cases; and he keeps it in constant view, while he considers how he should spend his time, use his substance, or employ his talents; what connexions he should form; whether he should contract or extend his acquaintance; what business or situation he should prefer; or how he should regulate his methods and habits of living. In short, he endeavours to conform himself to the law of God, as the man of fashion or of business does to the rules of the circle with which he is connected.

But when we have seriously considered the comprehensive, spiritual, and holy requirements of this perfect standard, we shall proportionably be convinced of numberless transgressions, and of immense deficiencies even, in our best services: "for by the law is the knowledge of sin." We shall judge very differently of our own characters, than other men do; or than we ourselves did, before we began to weigh them in this balance of the sanctuary. When each successive hour, and all that passes in our thoughts and conduct, is tried by the law of loving God with all our minds, and our neighbour as ourselves, the boasted goodness of our hearts, the imagined innocency of our lives, the compensating efficacy of our meritorious actions, and the whole fabrick of our self-complacency, vanish "as a dream when one awaketh." Then we readily understand that "by the works of the law no flesh shall be "justified in the sight of God;" and there no longer appears to be any thing absurd, or peculiarly difficult in this part of the apostolical doctrine. That question becomes important to us, which perhaps we once deemed insignificant or speculative, "How shall man be just before God?" We enquire with increasing solicitude, "What must we do to "be saved?" And we are prepared to welcome information, on the method in which the perfect justice and holiness of God can consist with his abundant mercy, in pardoning and saving

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transgressors; without excepting even those who have committed the most numerous and heinous offences. Thus the peculiar doctrines of the blessed gospel of God our Saviour come regularly under consideration; and open to our view, in their nature, glory, and value, in proportion as we judge ourselves by the holy commandment, and anxiously seek deliverance from the wrath to

come.

It is very affecting to the serious mind to reflect on the supercilious disdain, with which men in general treat such enquiries, and those who are engaged in them. The natural philosopher, with an air of self-importance, considers his experiments on the properties of material substances, as an employment of superior excellency: and after having spent many months in most exact and minute investigations, he will smile, with mingled pity and contempt, at the folly of his neighbour, who hath occupied a few weeks in studying the way eternal salvation! Metaphysicians frequently deride all those, as discarding the use of their reason, who decide such questions according to the sure testimony of God! Cold formalists obviate all enquiry by saying that a good life is every thing in

of

religion:' and even men of business and pleasure suspend their eager pursuits to join in ridiculing those humble penitents who seriously attend to this important concern! Yet surely it is most reasonable for a condemned criminal to enquire in

the first place, how he may obtain a pardon: and who can doubt, but that person will be most secure from the danger of a fatal mistake, who learns the way of approach and success from the Sovereign himself?

These subjects directly make way for the right understanding of evangelical truth: the man, whose views have been described, will perceive that the gospel exactly suits his case, and is worthy of his most cordial reception. He will not object to the truths of Christianity, because mysterious; nor despise them, under pretence of attending exclusively to practice; nor abuse the mercy of God, as an encouragement to sin: hé will perceive the connexion and harmony of evangelical doctrines with the whole system of revelation; and will seek the promised blessings in the appointed way: repentance and works meet for repentance will connect with the life of faith in the Son of God; while his faith will work by love, and love sweetly constrain him to live to the glory of "him, who died for him, and rose again." These truths will be the nutriment of his faith and hope; he will meditate on them from day to day; thence he will derive all his strength, motives, and encouragement for obedience: nor would his knowledge of the rule of duty suffice even for practical purposes, were he not influenced by the principles of the gospel. I proceed therefore,