two Opinions among the Generality of Chrif tians. Religion does not seem to poffefs the whole Man, even of those who profess themfelves religious. But how is this confiftent with Reason, with Sincerity, or with the following Paffages of Holy Writ? "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart, with all thy Mind, with all thy Soul, and with all thy Strength. Strive, i. e. agonize, contend, struggle, to enter in at the ftrait Gate; for many will feek to enter in, and fhall not be able. Whatsoever thy Hand findeth to do, do it with all thy Might; for there is no Work, nor Device, nor Knowledge, nor Wifdom in the Grave, whither thou goest. Work out your own Salvation with Fear and Trembling. I befeech you by the Mercies of GOD that you prefent Yourselves a living Sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reafonable Service".

Now if thefe Texts of Scripture have any Meaning in them, they imply an earnest, steady, vigorous Endeavor", to add to our Faith, Virtue, and to Virtue, Knowledge; and to Knowledge,

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Knowledge, Temperance; and to Temperance, Patience; and to Patience, Godliness; and to Godliness, Brotherly-Kindnefs; and to Brotherly-Kindness, Charity".

Let then the gay, unthinking Sons and Daughters of Pleafure content themselves with their Tinsel and their Plumes; let them enjoy the Things of Senfe and Time; let them neglect and difpife a little longer the fublime Delights of "Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost": We know that "GOD is not mocked, and whatsoever a Man fows, that shall he also reap: He that fows to the Flesh, shall of the Flesh reap Corruption: But he that foweth to the Spirit, fhall of the Spirit reap Life everlasting ".

Wherefore, my dear Brethren, "gird up the Loins of your Mind"; lay afide every Incumbrance; "be fober and hope to the End, for the Grace and mighty Glory, that is to be brought unto you at the Revelation of Jefus Chrift: As obedient Children, not fashioning yourselves according to your former Lufts and Inclinations in the State of your Ignor

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ance and Hardness of Heart; but as He, which hath called you is holy; fo be ye holy in all Manner of Conversation: Because it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy".

The Nature and Neceffity of REGENERATION:

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"We fhall gain Nothing by our Applaudings and Praises "of Chrift, without a renewed Nature. Nicodemus comes "with much Reverence; gives Christ the Title of Rabbi ; "confeffeth him to be fent of GOD; owns the Divinity of "his Miracles, Chrift doth not compliment him again; "takes no Notice of his Civility, but falls roundly to his "Work, acquaints him with the Neceffity of Regenerati

on, without which he could not fee the Kingdom of "GOD, notwithstanding all his fine Praises of him. A 66 glavering, reverential Religion is infignificant with Christ. "A new Birth, a Likeness to Chrift in Nature, a Con

formity to him, is accounted by Christ an higher Esti"mation of him, than all external Applauses given to him.

"No natural Privilege under Heaven can entitle us to the "Kingdom of Grace or Glory. 'Tis not our carnal "Traduction from the best Man. 'Tis no natural Birth, "with the choiceft Privileges, gives us a Right to either "of them. 'Tis a Birth of a higher Strain, from an "higher Principle; a Change of Nature, and a Removal << from the old Stock". CHARNOCK.