ed? If men expect to be saved by the gospel, they must attend its ministration. "For faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." We must assemble for the worship of God, and inquire in his temple. If God point out the road to heaven, and we refuse to walk in it, can we without the greatest absurdity expect to arrive in that happy mansion? As reasonably might we expect, that by descending into the earth we should light upon the sun, or become companions of the stars.

Your exertions in this place for the establishment and support of public worship, evince your sense of its importance. Permit me to congratulate you on the success with which your efforts have been crowned. The liberality of your institution does honor to human nature. Like heaven, you receive men of all denominations, without regard to any thing but their goodness. May no standard ever be lifted here to call forth the spirit of party, but may you live together in peace, forbearing and forgiving one another. Let all things be done with decency, prudence and moderation. May you all enjoy the blessings of salvation, and while worshipping your common Parent, enjoy his sensible presence, so that with unfeigned fervor of soul you may exclaim, "this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." I now commend you to him who is able to keep you, and lead you into all truth. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of peace shall be with you.

A

SERMON

PREACHED IN BOSTON,

AT THE

ANNUAL CONVENTION

OF THE

WARREN ASSOCIATION,

IN THE

REV. DR. STILLMAN'S MEETING HOUSE,

SEPTEMBER 12, A. D. 1797.

13

A SERMON.

HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE IF WE NEGLECT SO GREAT SALVATION?

HEBREWS ii. 3.

THE persons for whose conversion, instruction and edification this epistle was written, were Hebrews, the posterity of Abraham, and the only church of God before the introduction of the gospel dispensation.-These Hebrews in the time of the Apostle Paul were distributed into three classes, all differing in their notions of the Chirstian doctrine and worship. The first class consisted of those who had sincerely received and embraced the gospel. These were not disposed to adulterate it with a mixture of Judaism, nor to restrain their liberty by the cumbersome rites of Moses. They believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the true Messiah, and that by his incarnation, obedience, death, resurrection, ascension to heaven, and intercession with God, he had completely fulfilled and abolished the shadowy dispensation; had introduced himself as the only righteousness of God, and commenced a new and glorious era in the economy of man's salvation.

The second class of Hebrews was composed of those who insisted on the necessity of Mosaic rites in conjunction with a profession of faith in Christ. These were of two sorts. The first were those who, not fully understanding the gospel doctrine, continued the observance of their former institutions, with