nature of sin, the justice of God and the retributions of eternity. The distinctions made by men who take public opinion for their standard, in the grades of sin, are so unlike the decisions of the Bible that they shrink from the idea of eternal punishment. They take their idea of virtue from utility; while the imagination is filled with frightful images, of "lake of fire," " bottomless pit," "worm that never dies," they are ready to ask will the patriot, the moral man, the kind husband, the affectionate child, be consigned to these dismal abodes? It argues great weakness and blindness to be led away by appeals to our feelings. When the venerable John Jay, the conscientious judge and magistrate, was solicited, as Governor of the State, to grant pardon to a criminal under sentence of death, he replied, "that his compassion might lead him to do it, but his oath required him to be governed by his judgment rather than his feelings." God, in pronouncing sentence upon the impenitent at the last day, will be governed by principles of public justice. His judgment will differ from ours. We are selfish, and are influenced by partial views. The coming of Christ into our world modified the moral government of God. The administration of divine Providence previous to that event was shaped in reference to it. It ante-dated creation, became the starting point of computation for all coming time-the character of men was to be judged of according to their views of Christ and their treatment of his messages. Now it will be seen at once that in the opinions of a world which disregards the Saviour and sees no beauty in his person or value in his work, the sins of unbelief and impenitence, which in the sight of God are the sin of sins, will be considered as trivial; while moral virtues, growing out of temporary relationships and having no direct reference to the glory of God or the good of his kingdom, will be regarded by men as of primary importance. Here is the secret of much of the infidelity that prevails in regard to the great doctrine of future punishment. It is to be feared that nothing but the light of eternity will remove it. The man who trusts to his own righteousness will reject the Saviour, nor can he see how the rejection of his grace will expose him to the wrath of God.

In the context, the inference we have drawn of degrees of punishment in the next world, is more plainly implied. "And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works which have been done in thee had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee." Capernaum was the city in which Christ dwelt; they saw his perfect example, heard his daily instructions and witnessed some of his most impressive miracles, and yet they repented not. Nothing is said of gross immorality or out-breaking sins. In all probability most of the people were what the world call moral men. Still our Saviour said they should be thrust down to hell. Nor is this all. Sodom was the wickedest city that ever existed; the inhabitants were the most vile in outward conduct; they became a standard of wicked

ness, so that in all future time, if the worst representations were to be made or the most infamous character was to be given, it would be said, "as wicked as Sodom;" that would be the climax of depravity, and Jesus Christ, who is to be the judge of the world, said, the men of Capernaum would meet a heavier doom in the judgment than they. And if we were now to explore the dark dismal regions of hell, we should find the hearers of Christ in the cities of Galilee, who repented not, lower in the depths of wretchedness and on the scale of suffering than the men of Sodom, and lower still should we find the impenitent who have gone from this place.

3. If many rejected Christ in the days of his personal ministry, though he spake as never man spake, and did so many wonderful works, we must consider it no strange thing if men now reject his ministry. The prophet Isaiah predicted his small success when he said, "Who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?" On some occasions his hearers rudely interrupted him; on others they evinced the most marked contempt and opposition. Although crowds were attracted to hear him by his miracles yet they could not endure his doctrines; when he told them that religion was something more than a form; that morality was an insufficient ground of hope; that they must be born again and live a life of faith, feeding, in a spiritual sense, upon his flesh; that they must become one with him, they said, "this is a hard saying, who can hear it?" And they turned away. After his arduous labors in the cities of Galilee, teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom of heaven, he gathered but few disciples; the great mass remained unaffected; and when he had finished his ministry, all his disciples in Jerusalem and who had followed him from other places, were so few that they could be accommodated in an upper chamber. Paul says, that he was seen after the resurrection of "above five hundred brethren at once." It is true the promise and the gift of his Spirit encourage his ministers to expect greater success; and numerous conversions have taken place under the preaching of the gospel; but men are no better disposed to receive the truth, than they were in the days of Christ. We find the same inattention to divine things, the same disposition to trust in their own righteousness, the same spirit of procrastination.

4. The example of Christ in the text, teaches us, that we must expose the sins of men, if they will not repent. Having made his circuit of the cities of Galilee, pressing them with arguments, working miracles for their conviction and offering them salvation, while they repented not, he began to change his tone, he reproved and condemned them. He preached peace, and they believed not; he then pointed them to the gathering storm of divine indignation. It is often asked of what use is denunciatory preaching? why deal in terrors? It is said that the heart that is barred against mercy will only resist the harsh tones of wrath. In answer it may be remarked, the denunciations of Jonah brought the city of Nineveh to repentance. "Knowing the terror of the Lord," says an apostle, "we persuade men." Although the

preaching of the law will not change the heart, it will show men the necessity of it. By the law is the knowledge of sin. Benevolence, therefore, prompts to an exhibition of the wrath of God. When Jesus wept over Jerusalem, he pronounced her doom. Who can tell how many who have read the awful sentence traced with the Saviour's tears, "Behold your house is left unto you desolate, and the things that belong unto thy peace are for ever hidden from thine eyes," may have taken the alarm and fled to the refuge of the gospel? And it will be well if the words of Christ in the text, setting forth the aggravated sin and punishment of the cities of Galilee, arouse the guilty in this congregation to flee from the wrath to come. God may bear with you, the light of the Sabbath may still shine upon you, overtures of mercy may be presented, but if you put off repentance and sin against truth and love, you must lie down in deeper sorrow than the Jews who heard Christ.

Finally. This discussion teaches us the great danger of continuing to reject the Gospel. When Christ went through these cities, his preaching and miracles must have awakened deep interest; but they who remained impenitent, becoming familiar with these solemn scenes, were less disposed to renounce their sins; their fears gradually subsided, till the mighty works of the Son of God only hardened them in unbelief. It is a law applicable as well to our moral as to our physical nature, that powerful stimulants oft-repeated lose their effect. The men of Galilee had heard and seen enough to move the cities of Tyre and Sidon, and yet they repented not. It is dangerous to trifle with serious things. If we do not yield to first impressions of the truth, a habit of indifference is contracted; and it is like attempting to wash out the leopard's spots, to break up such apathy. In the conversion of sinners the Holy Spirit moves in a line with nature. God works by means; and novelty is one of the most powerful. To the heathen everything is new in the religion of Christ. Its great truths strike the mind with force; its awful scenes kindle the imagination; its simple worship affects the heart; but to us who have long been accustomed to these things, they have comparatively little interest. To us no new truths will be revealed, nor any new form of the old. The regularity with which the Sabbath returns, the uniformity of the services of the sanctuary, serve to weaken the impression, and diminish the prospect of salvation. Let the impenitent think of this; what is to arouse you ? You hear the same voice, the discussion of familiar topics; were we to go to the destitute heathen, they would hear. There are those here, who have heard enough to convert half the heathen world; every Sabbath's delay is like rolling another stone to the mouth of the sepulchre, which will increase the difficulty of rising to newness of life.

THE FAMILY REVIVAL.

THE family, whose condition I am to describe, is a representative of thousands in our churches, who are living in the full enjoyment of the highest Christian privileges. The father is actively engaged in the business of life. The pursuits of the world engross his chief care, from day to day. Yet, he is a Christian. He maintains, in his general intercourse with his fellow-men, a character consistent with his religious profession. In his household arrangements, all the forms and appearances of Christian worship are daily observed. The morning calls the inmates of the dwelling to the family altar. The Scriptures are read, and perhaps a hymn is sung. The prayer is offered but when the circle are dispersed, it is at once evident that the exercise has made no strong impression..

The duties at home, the business abroad, and the pleasures of life, engage the attention of the various members of the household. It is not the great object of this family to glorify God. The parents are real Christians; but their affections have wandered from God, and are too much set upon this world. Their children are not interested in the great salvation, and their parents are so much devoted to their mental improvement and social accomplishments, as to feel too little that the claims of God and his kingdom are paramount to everything else. They would shudder at the thought of saying that religion is not the great concern; and in their daily prayers they always offer the supplication, that they may have first an interest in the kingdom of God. But the children and the domestics see, from the yielding current of their life, that Christian duty is not unfrequently made to compromise with the customs of the world. Thus they go on, from time to time, their offspring growing up in impenitence. Their dwelling is not illuminated by the cheering light of the Saviour's face. The altar is there, but its fire is dim. The sacrifice is offered, but the lamb has a blemish. "Holiness to the Lord" is not legible on the walls of their tabernacle, and upon all its furniture. And the stranger "in their gates" would scarcely infer that their house is the Lord's, and all that appertains to it, consecrated to his service.

But He, who loves his people, will not suffer them to go on, satisfying themselves with the cup of emptiness. He sends an affliction, to recall their affections to him. Sickness falls upon a child. Their loved one suffers, and the whole circle sympathize with it. The parents think of their past course. They call to mind what God has done for them, and what they have been doing in his cause. They feel convinced that a cold and worldly spirit has damped the ardor of piety, and that their lives have been barren and unfruitful. They plead for the recovery of their child, and they confess the guilt of their own backsliding. Their hearts are softened. They weep and pray. They return to God, and God returns to them.

Now, the spirit which reigns in their dwelling is changed. The worldly visitor does not come. Their minister, and their most devoted Christian friends, renew their visits, and the house of affliction becomes the place where God is acknowledged, and sought, and honored.

How altered is the family prayer! No heartless formality now. It comes from stricken hearts. A father's and a mother's tenderest sympathies are touched, and an avenue is opened into their bosoms, through which the good Shepherd can communicate the richest of his spiritual blessings.

Morning and evening the word of truth is read, and regarded with far different feelings. It is seen and felt to be the bread of life to their souls, as well as to the sick sufferer's, whose days are apparently numbered. The parents think their child must die. They know, that if unrenewed, the soul must be lost! They cry to God. Faithfully now, if never before, they warn the child they love, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and in no other name can one hope for salvation. The truth reaches the heart, with an emphasis never felt before. And the reason is, it comes from the heart. A father's and a mother's bosom bleed at the withering prospect of giving back thus to its Maker, the immortal spirit which had been entrusted to their care, with this injunction: "Take this, and train it up for me." They have not done it. Parental affection is almost agonized at the recollection of past neglect, and the dreadful anticipation of the grave, over which they must ever weep with hopeless grief.

But God in tender mercy hears the cry of his chosen. God is a Father, and he pities a parent. He averts the dreadful stroke. He spares the child. And the hearts of Christian parents are melted and subdued by gratitude. If anything can reach them, this will.

But, what is the effect of such a visitation upon the household who receive it? Religion resumes the place in that habitation, from which she was removed. Enter the dwelling,-you cannot fail to see her there. She is conspicuous from morning to night. If business calls, it does not call away from her. Her light is in the path. Her shield protects, and her smiles cheer and bless. In that family now, she in reality presides. At the altar, her mantle falls on every sincere worshipper. The blessing invoked at the table, is not an unmeaning formality. The words that are uttered, are felt in the heart. At the fireside her presence is acknowledged; and if the stranger enters their gates, he finds that Israel's God is there. In short, the spirit of religion in that family, is revived. The sick one slowly recovers; and were it not for the uncertainty of a sick-bed repentance, there would be hope that the sufferer had found, in the sickness of body, the life of the soul. Others in the household, brothers, sisters or domestics, have sympathized in the sorrow, have seen religion restored to her throne in the heart, have listened to the counsel which now has been given them, and have profited by the prayers offered up in their behalf. They have repented, and embraced the Saviour; and it might be