I will not now inquire as to the alleged cases of death-bed salvation, how many of them are cases of men who had neglected gracious opportunities of mercy all their lives; I may intimate, however, my strong impression, that satisfactory instances of conversion at death will chiefly -(I do not say always)—will chiefly be found amongst those who have seldom or never heard the gospel, and whose minds are not fortified against its appeals, by the numerous considerations which have so long kept you in disobedience and unbelief. But admitting the fact to be, as it is here assumed, I ask, how many instances do the same parties witness, of men who die leaving no evidence whatever of their genuine conversion to God? Far be it from me to limit the Holy Spirit of God. He can work, and may sometimes do so, even when men are passed beyond the influence of ordinary means. But we have no promise that he will do this, and we can have no evidence of it. The idea can afford therefore no relief. What I would gain from you is, a serious attention to the testimony of the dying themselves upon this point. Is there any thing to show, that to obtain an interest in "the great salvation" is easy at death? Numerous cases have I seen of gratitude to God, that the great work had not been left to the day of affliction, and the hour of death. Multitudes of times have I been told of the difficulty which there must have been to bring the heart to Christ, if it had not been brought before; and of the blessedness resulting from a conscious sense of "hope towards God." Often have I heard the sad lamentation over a mispent life, and the fruitless wish that religion had not been neglected when the oppor

tunities were so numerous, and so pregnant with mercy. And often have I witnessed the grossest ignorance of the way of salvation, and an almost utter carelessness about it, even when life was fast ebbing, and the cold death-sweat was already on the brow. What room is there, then, for the presumptuous procrastination which is recommended to you? Most men find it quite difficult enough to meet death with satisfaction, who have made the best preparation for doing so. "And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" 1 Pet. iv. 18. The gospel indeed provides that they should have an abundant entrance into the kingdom of God;" who have fled to Christ for refuge, aye, and requires too that they should so enter; and many But I speak simply to a fact, and that I may save you from longer yielding to delay. Will you not then "seek the Lord while he may be found, and call upon him while he is near?"

do.

You

IX. To keep you still from God, it is perhaps now suggested that "there is no hope." have sinned away your day of grace, and God will not show you any mercy. It is now too late to seek the Lord.

Observe how the tempter seeks your ruin, and betrays his true character. It is but a little ago, that he would have persuaded you that your condemnation is all but impossible, and that God will never withhold his mercy. Now, when he finds that you have some inclination to seek it, he tells you that it is too late. "Be not deceived" by such a deceiver; no, not even upon this point. Truly, "he is a liar, and the father of it."

Is there "no hope," when "God has so

loved the world as to give his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life?" "No hope;" when "the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin?" and "he is able to save them to the uttermost who come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them?" "No hope;" when the invitations of the gospel are sounding in your ears, and striving with your heart? Is there "no hope," when Jesus says, "Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out?" Where is the sentence of divine truth, which excludes from the hope of salvation any sinner who is willing to receive it as "the gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord;" whatever be his age, his circumstances, his weakness, his guilt? "The Spirit and the bride say, Come; and let him that heareth say, Come; and let him that is athirst come; and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Try if you can increase the force and the extent of this encouragement. It is yours, in all its fulness.

X. But, after all, you are still told, that there is no need of all this effort to be saved; that if you are appointed to salvation, you will be called; it is quite right to keep under the means; but you must wait for the effectual calling of the Spirit.

True, indeed, it is that you need divine influence in order to your salvation. But this is promised, not to inactive waiting, but to believing prayer. And is there no need of effort? What, then, does the Saviour mean when he 66 says, Strive to enter in at the strait gate, for many will seek to enter in, and shall not be able?" "Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal

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life, and they are they which testify of me. Ask, and it shall be given you." Deny yourself, and take up your cross, and follow me.” The purposes of God cannot be the rule of your conduct; they are known only to himself. The written word is your directory, and this commands you to obey the gospel," and live; and to do it now.

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"None can come that shall not find,
Mercy called whom grace inclined;
Nor shall any willing heart

Hear the bitter word, Depart.

Come, ye bought, but not with gold:
Welcome to the sacred fold!"

XI.

THE PROMISE OF DIVINE INFLUENCE, THE GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT TO IMPROVE GOSPEL PRIVILEGES AND SERVE GOD.

Your position has now been shown you to be one of great privilege and responsibility. By various considerations arising out of its deficiency and its guilt, its danger and its obligations, I have endeavoured to persuade you to the holy improvement of it. I have tried to free you from the difficulties which arise in your mind, and to guard you against the temptations by which you are assailed. May I hope that you are now sincerely struggling against self and sin, anxious to embrace and love the Saviour? Are you longing after him, and earnestly desiring the sense of his favour. Are you trying to rise superior to all opposition, and to bring yourself

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to his feet? Most affectionately do I entreat you not to look back. The struggle may be painful, but the issue will be blessed, if you persevere. A thousand encouraging considerations urge you to be stedfast, and warrant you to expect the "great salvation.” You may now "groan, being burdened;" your guilt may alarm you; your weakness may hinder you; sin may strive within you; your prayers may seem to be all confusion and insincerity; you may be sometimes ready to give up all, and yield to despair. But be assured that deliverance is at hand, if you will be faithful. "Fear not, neither be dismayed." God will help you, and deliver you for his name's sake. Only cry unto him, and he will make" the light of his countenance to shine upon you, and will give you peace." The rich grace of the gospel encourages you to expect his blessing. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool,” Isa. i. 18. “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come ye; yea come, buy wine and milk, without money and without price,' Isa. lv. 1. "The Spirit and the bride say, Come; and let him that heareth, say, Come; and let him that is athirst, Come; and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely," Rev. xxii. 17. God is faithful; trust in him; he neither can, nor will, shut out your prayer. His great longsuffering towards you encourages you to look for the fulness of his mercy. If he had only designed to destroy you, would he thus have borne with you? If he had cherished no thoughts of mercy