under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts iv. 12.

4. From the nature of atonement, nothing can with certainty be inferred as to the numbers who shall finally be saved. Had God given us no farther light on this subject than what we derive from the sufferings of Christ, whether we consider them for a part or for all of mankind, we should have been wholly in the dark as to the final issue of those sufferings. As the nature and design of these were to render the pardon of sin consistent, it appears that the atonement is as sufficient for the salvation of millions of worlds, as of an individual. For whatever would render one act of pardon consistent, simply as to the exercise of mercy, would render another consistent, and so on in infinitum. The number of instances in which atonement will be applied, and pardon granted, will depend wholly on the sovereign will and determination of God. One thing is doubtless certain, salvation will be extended as far as is consistent with infinite perfect benevolence, or as far as the glory of God and the highest good of the universe require.

I now conclude this subject, by recommending it to your most serious and careful attention. You will find it to be the only ground on which you can hope for future felicity. Atonement for sin is a peculiar and distinguishing doctrine of the Christian system. Viewed as the scripture represents it, it appears as high above all human thought and invention, as heaven is above earth. Upon a thorough examination it will be found consistent with the soundest reason, suited to advance the happiness of man, and to display the glory of GOD.

.

A SERMO N.

THIS IS NONE OTHER BUT THE HOUSE OF GOD; AND THIS IS THE GATE OF HEAVEN.-GENESIS XXXviii. 28.

A BELIEF in the existence of God, and in his intercourse with rational creatures has pervaded all ages and nations. Every temple that has been built, every victim that has been slain, all the rites of paganism, and all the institutions of Christianity, bear testimony in favor of this assertion. The various and opposite methods in which men have attempted to approach God, to render him their worship and to receive his favors, evince that they were ignorant of their true state by nature, of the divine attributes, and of the great Mediator, through whom all blessings descend. Inspiration assures us, that "there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." 1 Tim. ii. 5. Through him every true Christian, worshipping in spirit and in truth, looks up to God as his parent, and receives divine favors. Intercourse in this way with God, is a peculiar privilege of every real believer, and a distinguishing trait in his character. It marks his progress through life. It bears him above immoderate attachment to earthly, perishable objects, sublimes his soul, invigorates his affections, enlarges his capacity of enjoyment, and qualifies him for the service of heaven. While he sits under the shadow of the Almighty, his ravished soul, struggling with extasy, bursts from her confines

of clay, joining with "angels and the spirits of the just made perfect." His religion is not founded on conjecture; it is no idle formality, no uninteresting speculation; but it is a truth, a substance, a heart-felt reality, a heaven on earth. All the operations of the divine spirit, in regeneration, repentance, faith, sanctification and communion with God, are indications of his favor, and incontestible evidences of the reality of vital piety. Though reason abundantly confirms the divine original of the Christian religion, and points it out as the only road to glory; yet reason is by no means the chief source from which believers in general derive their assurance and consolation. They assent because they realize. They believe, because they feel. They rest assured, because they have the evidence of their internal senses. "He that believeth on the Son of God, hath the witness in himself." 1 John v. 10. He who has been brought by the power of God to a cordial reception of the gospel, can no more doubt the reality of religion, than he can the existence of the material world. In both cases he relies on the veracity of his sensible experience. How absurd then and vain is it, for those who possess no real knowledge of religion, to represent it as a phantom, a cheat, or delusion! With the same propriety might a deaf man deny the existence of sound, or a blind man the existence of light and colors. Christians, in all ages and countries, have the happiness to "know in whom they have believed. God is limited neither by time nor place. He often comes sensibly near to his people by day and by night, on the ocean or on the land, in the populous city or in the lonely desert. Behold Jacob, taking leave of his aged father, flying from the rage of an incensed brother, having no one to accompany him through a strange country. The sun falls beneath the horiDarkness spreads over the earth, and muffles up the sky. Jacob in the open air lays his head upon a stone. He sleeps. In this exposed and solitary state, his heavenly Father meets him, and fills him with consolation. God says to him, "behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest.' And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and said, "surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not."-"How dreadful is this place! This is none other but the house of God,

zon.