weep now; for ye shall laugh:" Hag. ii. 7. Heb xiii. 8. Matt. v. 4. Luke vi. 21.

I scarcely need observe, that, in an address like this, (a bow drawn at a venture,) formal statements of the different topics would be improper; and therefore, I shall not attempt to describe, in their order, the various Provisions comprehended in that scheme of redemption, usually termed the Gospel. It may be necessary, however, to remark, that the whole is a proposal to the broken heart; answering all its objections, and meeting all its wants and that such a proposal will be cordially received, only in proportion as this disposition prevails.

As it is the Sick who best knows how to value a physician, the Debtor a surety, and the Criminal a pardon; so it is the awakened conscience alone, which will embrace a constitution calculated to humble the pride, and mortify the corruptions, as well as relieve the wants of man. 'If without shedding of blood there can be no remission,' Heb. ix. 22; he, who is earnest to obtain it, will rejoice to find it though on the accursed tree' and, however the 'preaching of this cross' shall be esteemed 'foolishness among them that perish,' 1 Cor. i. 18; such an one will not only rejoice in the provision, but magnify the means. 'God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world' Gal. vi. 14.

Our Lord represents the blessings of his kingdom under the parable of a magnificent feast, which a 'King made for the marriage of his Son' but points out the ruin of the world in its indisposition to accept his gracious proposal, when 'all things were ready,' and invitations repeatedly sent. They made light of it,' and went 'their ways!' However different their pursuits, they all agreed to reject the invitation. They began

with one consent to make excuse: some urged reasons, and some abused the messengers: Matt. xxii. 1—6. But what is this, more than the history of human nature in every age?

Let us, however, my dear friend, never forget that the gate lately mentioned, though strait, is open; and that only unbelief and indisposition stand without. Christ has declared that all things are ready: may his gracious influence, accompanying this humbling providence, form in you a spiritual taste for them! Certain I am, that whenever this is attained, his name will be ‘as ointment poured forth: Cant. i. 3. It will give a savour even to obsolete poetry:

Christ is a path—if any be misled:
He is a robe-if any naked be:
If any chance to hunger-he is bread:
If any be a bondman-he is free:

If any be but weak-how strong is he:

To dead men, life he is to sick men, health:

To blind men, sight-and to the needy, wealth:

A pleasure, without loss-a treasure, without stealth.

To prepare the heart for the reception of this treasure, as a God of order, he is pleased to use a system of means; one of which I hope he is now employing for your soul's health.

I love to indulge hope; for affliction is a seed time. And let me freely inquire, since God has called you aside, has spoken so emphatically, and you have had leisure for serious meditation, do not the Provisions of the Gospel appear new, sufficient, and exactly suited to your case? Do you not mark that Gold, which the thief cannot steal? that Foundation, which no tempest can shake? that Life, over which death hath no power? and that Peace, which the world can neither give nor take away? Does not the religion of JESUS, so forgot

ten and degraded among men, stand forward now as the one thing needful? Does not his friendship appear now to be 'that better part,' which 'shall not be taken away?' Luke x. 42; and which alone can help in extremities? In the wreck of human affairs, indeed, it is, that God often makes his truth appear; and causes his Gospel, like a plank thrown out to the perishing mariner, to be properly known and prized.

"These are the great occasions which force the mind to take refuge in religion: when we have no help in ourselves, what can remain but that we look up to a higher and a greater Power? and to what hope may we not raise our eyes and hearts when we consider that the GREATEST Power is the BEST.

"Surely there is no (truly wise) man, who, thus afflicted, does not seek succour in the Gospel, which has brought Life and Immortality to Light. The precepts of EPICURUS, who teaches us to endure what the Laws of the Universe make necessary, may silence, but not content us. The dictates of Zeno, who commands us to look with indifference on external things, may dispose us to conceal our sorrow, but cannot assuage it. Real alleviation of the loss of friends, and rational tranquillity in the prospect of our own dissolution, can be received only from the promises of him, in whose hands are life and death; and from the assurances of another and better state, in which all tears will be wiped from the eyes, and the whole soul shall be filled with joy. Philosophy may infuse STUBBORNNESS, but Religion only can give PATIENCE."*

In health and ease, ingenious speculations may amuse and satisfy us; but I think you now feel with me, that, when he 'takes away the desire of our eyes with a stroke,' Ezek. xxiv. 16, our sorrows are too deep to be * Johnson.

alleviated by the mere Orator or Philosopher. We even turn in disgust from him who would thus trifle with our case. We need a support, which the world cannot afford. "I faint," says the wounded soul: "I want an almighty arm to lean on now; yea a very tender and compassionate one too;-one like that of the Son of Man. I need 'a merciful and faithful High-Priest, who, having been tempted, knows how to succour the tempted:' Heb. ii. 17, 18: that Man of sorrows, that Brother born for adversity, who being acquainted with grief, can enter into my case and commune with me in all the peculiarities of my distress. I now need one, who can quiet me on his own breast, and speak to me with his own voice, 'Weep not,' the child 'is not dead, but sleepeth:' Luke viii. 52. Weep not, thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, --when thou passest through the waters I will be with thee: Isa. xliii. 2. It is true, this is the land of death; but 'I am the resurrection and the life: John xi. 25. This is indeed 'a dry and thirsty land where no water is,' Ps. lxiii. 1: but I will lead you to 'fountains of living waters:' I will 'wipe away all tears from your eyes:"" Rev. vii. 17.

You are ready, perhaps, to say, "Oh that I knew where I might find him! But religion has been with me rather a case of necessity, than the high privilege of communing with such a comforter. I feel the misery of living at such a distance from my Heavenly Friend, (especially at this time,) but want liberty to approach nearer. Could I indeed repose on the bosom you just mentioned' but, alas! my understanding is clouded, my faith weak, sense strong, and Satan busy in filling my thoughts with false notions, difficulties, and doubts respecting a future state and the efficacy of prayer."* Though I see very gracious proposals made to returning * Lady Russel's Letters.

sinners, I tremble to venture. Death itself reminds me of transgression. My thoughts fly every where but to God."

We readily acknowledge, that, among other views of death, it should be regarded as the wages of sin. Rom. vi. 23. It is also natural for convinced sinners to tremble before a Judge who charges even angels with folly. However Pride may boast, or Ignorance presume, he, who measures by the standard of a law which is so spiritual as to notice a corrupt desire, will conclude with the Apostle, that 'every mouth must be stopped, and all the world become guilty before God:' Rom. iii. 19. A view of the divine character, and of his own, led not only a Publican to smite upon his breast as the seat of apostasy and pollution, and cry, 'God be merciful to me a sinner,' Luke xviii. 13; but so perfect and upright a man as Job to 'abhor himself,' and repent 'in dust and ashes: Job xlii. 6. I may add, that, as we become proficients in their school, we shall be more ready to confess than to complain: we shall learn to justify God, in any instance of his righteous displeasure: and humbly own, that he has laid upon us far less than our iniquities deserve: Ps. ciii. 10.

But, while the Christian, as a penitent, looks upon Him, whom he has pierced, and mourns; as a believer, he looks at Him, who was wounded for transgression, and hopes. He finds it as desperate to doubt the remedy, as to deny the disorder. Having formerly rushed headlong with the presumptuous, he now fears perishing with the fearful and unbelieving: Rev. xxi. 8. He sees an atonement of God's own providing: he pleads, upon God's own authority, the merit of that blood 'which cleanseth from all sin :' 1 John i. 7. And, by thus receiving' the record which God gives of his Son, he sets his seal to it that God is true:' John iii. 33.