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and of morning. They have attended public worship, and even the facrament, with decent frequency. But let every person of this description answer to himself a short queftion: Where has your heart been fixed? On the next world, or on this? Your answer will tell you that, if you die in your prefent state, your condemnation is certain and just. Others make pleasures and amusements their idols. They conceive that, because they are under no pccuniary neceffity of addicting themfelves to bufinefs, they need not disappointtheir inclinations. They do not mean, they profefs, to live wickedly: but they think that they have a right to entertain themselves. Amusements accordingly conftitute their leading purfuit. Hounds and horses, or other fports of the field; or public places and unprofitable vifiting and the indolent perufal of trifling and uninstructive books, take poffeffion of their time and their thoughts. The amufements which each person selects for himself depend on his fituation, and other accidental circumftances. But of all fuch perfons, amusement, whatever shape it may affume, is the object. And because they follow fuch amusements as are not in their own nature neceffarily finful; and because they are not regardless of the forms of devotion, and fome other outward

duties of religion; they flatter themselves that they are fufficiently good Chriftians. But let fuch perfons alfo be asked: Where has your heart been fixed? Can you think that the life which you have led has been to live unto God and unto Chrift? Has your life been that of a man who feeks firft the kingdom of God and his righteoufnefs? The perfons who were previously defcribed perish by the cares and the riches of the world. You perish by its idleness and its pleasures. Industry, grounded on Christian motives, and governed by Christian rules, is not only not a fin, but an abfolute duty. Recreations, innocent in their nature, and moderate in degree, are at proper times beneficial and neceffary. But if either the acquifition of money, or the pursuit of amusement, be the leading object of your thoughts and wishes, the ruling principle of your heart: ceafe to imagine that you are religious; anticipate the condemnation which awaits you. I dwell not on other idols. What though power and learning, and reputation, have alfo their worshippers? Is the idolatry of another man a vindication of yours? God acknowledges none as his fervants, except those whose predominant defire and delight is to promote his glory and obey

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his commandments. To no others does he promise pardon and grace and falvation through Jefus Chrift. Deceive yourself no longer. Lean no longer on a broken reed. Away with ever excufe for delaying to refign your whole heart to your Redeemer. Some excufes may be more abfurd, fome may be more prefumptuous, than others. But if you trust to any excufe whatever, you will fall into everlasting condemnation,

SERMON X.

On Stedfaftness in Obedience to God.

But

my

NUMBERS, xiv. 24.

Servant Caleb, because he had another Spirit with him and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the Land.

THE children of Ifrael, about fifteen months

after their departure from Egypt, were now arrived on the borders of the land of promise. Mofes, according to the command of God, fent forth twelve chofen men, one from each tribe, to examine the country: and directed them to bring accurate information to their brethren, whether the foil was rich and fruitful or lean and barren; whether the inhabitants were few and feeble, or numerous and warlike; whether they were dwellers

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dwellers in tents, or in cities and ftrong holds. The twelve fpies, after having been engaged during forty days in executing the commiffion, returned. They delivered a most favourable account of the fertility of the land of Canaan. They defcribed it as indeed flowing with milk and honey. And among other fpecimens of the luxuriance of its ductions, they brought with them a cluster of grapes fo vaft in fize, that it was carried between two of them upon a ftaff. But the remainder of their report filled the camp of Ifrael with alarm. They reprefented the people of Canaan as men of great ftature, some of them even as giants, and as dwelling in very large and fortified cities. And ten of the spies vehemently diffuaded the Ifraelites from attempting to enter the country; and averred that its inhabitants were far too mighty to be attacked by them with any hope of fuccefs. The other two fpies, Caleb and Jofhua, remained firm in dependence upon God. They protefted against the impious cowardice of their affociates. They earneftly entreated their countrymen not to rebel against the ordinance of the Lord, who had commanded them to go up and take poffeffion of the land; who had promised to beftow it upon them and their children for ever; and

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