such believers, as have here been imperfectly described, will remain in its effects from generation to generation; and indeed, in one respect or another, to the end of the world and to all eternity. "All "the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him, "9 saith the Lord concerning Abraham; " for I know him that he will command his children and his "household after him, and they shall keep the way "of the Lord to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham, that which he hath spoken of him*."

04

5. Growth in grace is peculiarly desirable, in order that we may possess an assured hope and strong consolation at the approach of death. This last enemy is indeed the king of terrors, in his original nature and consequences; and though he is disarmed of his sting, when he approaches as a friend to release the believer from his uneasy situation in this evil world, and convey him to his Father's house, yet our nature is apt to recoil; and when faith and hope waver, we cannot but look forward to the solemn season with trembling anxiety. Indeed, were we sure of having one day of spiritual light and comfort, and no more, during our continuance on earth, it would be very desirable to reserve that cordial for this last season of conflict. But a lax and slothful conduct, even if gross sins are avoided, prepares distress for the closing scene; and the Christian who habitually yields to indolence, or, in other words, does not grow in grace, makes, as it were, an assignation with terror to meet him on his death bed: while, on the other hand, evangelical principles, a

*Gen. xviii. 18, 19.

"conversation becoming our profession," and diligence in our proper work and in the great business of religion, constitute an habitual and actual preparation for that solemn scene. Our loins are thus girded, our lamps burning, and we are like men who are waiting for the coming of the Lord. We may not indeed beforehand be able wholly to discard our apprehensions; nor ought we to perplex ourselves on that account: but we are indisputably safe; and at whatever time, or manner we may be summoned hence, that day will not overtake us as a thief, with terrible surprise, or fatal consequences, but we shall be graciously addressed in these most condescending words, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

It would be wholly superfluous to speak particularly concerning the day of judgment in this inquiry; but we may very properly close it with the apostle's words to the Philippians: "Be blameless and "harmless, as the sons of God, without rebuke, in "the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, "among whom shine ye as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in "the day of Christ that I have not run in vain, nei"ther laboured in vain*.""

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Ir the things we have considered, be indeed the principles of the Gospel reduced to practice, and accord to their genuine tendency, what an excellent religion is christianity! how base must they be, who Phil. ii. 15, 16.

●ppose, insult, and reproach it, for the faults of many of its professors! and how inexcusable are those persons who give them such an occasion!-It is indeed a most palpable falsehood to pretend that the doctrines of grace diminish our obligations to obedience, or supersede the necessity of good works: but the holy lives of those who embrace them is the best, and in fact, the only effectual confutation of this slander. If then the advantages and consequences of growth in grace be so important, and the nature of it so evident, little need be said concerning the way in which we ought to seek so great and desirable a blessing. The motives and encouragements of the Gospel are abundantly sufficient, to animate those who duly attend to them; we have free access to the throne of grace; exceedingly great and precious promises to plead with our merciful God and Father, and an inexhaustible fulness from which to draw all things" pertaining to life "and godliness." We are directed and commanded to "ask and receive, that our joy may be full:" God hath appointed various means, which he hath engaged to render effectual to all those who diligently attend on them in humble faith; and every person may soon learn for himself, if he duly watch and keep his own heart, what employments or companions prove helps or hindrances to his soul, in this grand concern. Could we, therefore, succeed in convincing men that it is possible even in this world, to arrive at degrees of spirituality, fruitfulness, and stability, far beyond what is commonly attained; that it is their bounden duty to "press "forward-forgetting the things which are behind

" and reaching forward to the things which are be"fore ;" that they have great cause for deep humiliation, on account of their unfruitfulness in times past, and yet ought not to be discouraged from expecting more effectual help in their future endea vours: if, I say, men could be thus induced, heartily to set themselves to seek and pray for more abundant growth in grace, as the most important and desirable of all blessings, there can be no doubt, but they would make greater progress than they generally do. Yet Christians would not on that account become better satisfied with themselves or their attainments. Perhaps, through self-acquaintance, tenderness of conscience, and deep humility, they might not be sensible of making any advances in grace and assuredly they would more and more hunger and thirst after righteousness, till they come to the fountain above, when they shall drink, and thirst no more for ever. But to such persons, the words of the apostle are peculiarly suitable and encouraging. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be "ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the "work of the Lord: forasmuch as ye know that 06 your labour is not in vain in the Lord*."—" Now "the God of peace, that brought again from the "dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the

sheep, through the blood of the everlasting cove"nant, make us perfect in every good work to do -"his will, working in us that which is well pleasing "in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory, for ever and ever.-Amen."

* 1 Cor. xv. 58.

VINDICATION

OF THE

DIVINE INSPIRATION

OF

THE HOLY SCRIPTURES,

AND THE DOCTRINES CONTAINED IN THEM,

IN ANSWER TO

MR. PAINE'S AGE OF REASON.

"Be ready always to give an answer to every man, that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." 1 PETER iii. 15.

"For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God." 1 SAM. xvii. 26.