that their tendency is to everlasting death. Oh let us not give occasion to him and his infernal associates to say concerning us in hellish exultation,-" There, there, so would we have it !"

2. In the next place, while we admire the irrefragable argument of our Lord in his reasoning against the impious cavil of the Pharisees, we should particularly attend to the intimation which he has closely connected with it. In respect to that contest in which he is engaged against Satan and his wicked associates, as we have already observed, it is impossible for us to occupy neutral ground. And oh! let it be remembered, that in the issue of that contest the adversaries of Jesus will be crushed beneath the weight of His destructive power. Are we then, my beloved hearers, on His side? Do we own Him as our Lord, and follow Him as the Captain of our salvation? Are we seeking to advance His cause, and to promote the diffusion of His Gospel? Let us not put away from us such inquiries as these. Let us rather pray that

we may be enabled to give them a satisfactory answer. Let us beware of the awful alternative of being regarded as His enemies, lest with them we should be consigned to the endless torments of the second death! It is the faithful and true Witness who hath declared, "He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad."

3. Finally. While our attention is directed to that most solemn declaration of our Lord, which has furnished a prominent topic of this Discourse, let

us keep in view its respective bearings on different characters in the present day. We have already intimated an opinion that none, perhaps, can under existing circumstances be guilty of that precise sin of which our Saviour speaks in such alarming terms, inasmuch as the same visible display of the Divine power in the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit is not now afforded, which that sin, as described by our Lord, seems to suppose. Of this, however, we do not hesitate to affirm our belief, and the sentiment we wish to be impressed on every mind,—that in proportion to the degree of evidence tending to establish the truth and obligation of the Christian religion, which is wilfully, deliberately, and scornfully rejected, is the approach made to the identical guilt of that most tremendous of all sins. Perhaps, indeed, the very obscurity which is thrown around this awful subject, may have been graciously designed as a powerful warning against the danger of coming near to the confines of so fearful a condemnation. For if "it" was impossible for those who were once enlightened, and "had" tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and "had" tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they "should" fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they" crucified" to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame; "—and if such persons, sinning "wilfully after that they had

received the knowledge of the truth," were

brought into a situation beyond the reach of forgiveness, because they had resolutely rejected the only atonement offered to their acceptance with the most indisputable credentials of its Author; (for "there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins ;") -well may we deprecate the most distant approach to so fatal a precipice-so tremendous a downfall. Let the infidel, let the scorner, let the profane scoffer at religion tremble and pause! Oh may each of them be arrested by sovereign mercy, ere he arrive at the verge of everlasting perdition! Let all watch and pray, lest they fall into temptation!

The very fearfulness of this subject, however, may be turned into consolation for those who tremble under the appalling apprehension that they may have committed the unpardonable sin. That distressing apprehension is itself a sufficient proof that they have not contracted so heinous a guilt. The descriptions given of that surpassing crime, and the allusions. made to it in the New Testament, shew that it is characterized by a daring and contemptuous vilification of the truth as it is in Jesus, reckless of the most tremendous consequences that may ensue. Were we then even prepared fully to admit,— which, however, as we have already intimated, we are not prepared to do,-that the precise sin of which we have been speaking may be now committed; still we should adhere to the conviction expressed by the pious Bishop Hopkins, with which we shall conclude our Discourse; namely, "That the consideration of the nature of this sin will per

suade us, that there is no man guilty of it, but he, that is also given up by God to a reprobate mind and a seared conscience, and so grown quite past feeling as never to complain of his miserable condition." 1

1 Works, Vol. iii. p. 30. Pratt's Edition.

DISCOURSE XVII.

THE DAUGHTER OF THE SYROPHENICIAN WOMAN DISPOSSESSED.

MATTHEW XV. 28.

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

A COMMENDATION SO full and direct, proceeding from such a quarter, accompanied with a promise or assurance so encouraging, and followed by a blessing so desirable, may well excite a more than ordinary interest as to the occasion with which it is immediately connected. On this subject we are furnished with important information.

Our Lord had withdrawn himself to the remotest part of Galilee, intending, it should seem, to enjoy for a season the benefit of retirement from the laborious occupations of his active life. Such, however, was the reputation of his name, and such the notoriety of his works, that it was impossible for him long to remain in seclusion. The case which is now to engage our attention seems first to have broken in