my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee."

greater impartiality, let us at present en-healeth all thy diseases, who hath redeemdeavor to forget, if possible, our personal ed thy life from destruction, and crowned concern in the question; and having sup- thee with loving kindness, and with tenposed that we had received information der mercies." "Return unto thy rest, O of other creatures in a state of apostasy from God, who were favored with a revelation of the same important truths which we have found to be contained in the gospel of Christ, let each of us inquire at his own heart, what effects the firm belief of these truths might be expected to produce in their temper and practice?

But here likewise I must ask, Do you not think that this joy of theirs would be of a nature so pure and delicate, as to disdain any alliance with carnal mirth and levity? Would it not be that kind of joy which a condemned criminal may be sup

mency, and exults in the assurance of present safety, yet cannot help shuddering when he looks back to the dungeon where he lay imprisoned, and recollects the danger he hath happily escaped?

Would we not conclude, without hesita-posed to feel upon receiving the gracious tion, that a discovery of the awful forfeit pardon of his sovereign; who, while he ure they had incurred would afflict their tastes all the sweetness of his prince's clesouls in the most sensible manner; and so possess them with grief, and shame, and the fearful apprehensions of deserved punishment, that all the enjoyments of a short precarious life would lose their relish, till they certainly knew that there was a possibility at least of obtaining the pardon of their sins, and of regaining the friendship of their offended Sovereign ? Would it not occur to us as a probable, or rather a necessary consequence, of this inward distress, that, upon hearing the remotest intimation of a scheme for their recovery, they would anxiously inquire into the foundation of such report; and when they discovered the truth of it, that they would welcome the offered mercy with humble gratitude, and throw them selves at the feet of that generous friend who had interposed for their relief; resigning themselves, without reserve, to his disposal and government, in that very manner which is described and enjoined by the gospel of Christ ?

Surely all who have obtained mercy will perceive and acknowledge the propriety of that advice, "Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling." None indeed have such rational grounds of joy; and they give an unfair representation of the privileges that belong to the sons of God, who walk in heaviness, and wear a dejected, melancholy aspect. But still the cheerfulness of those who have passed from death to life, will, and ought to have an air of composure and solemnity, that will easily distinguish it from the loose, intemperate mirth of the sensualist, which springs from no higher source than the gratification of those appetites he hath in common with the beasts that perish, or the increase of his corn, and wine, and oil. Besides, the prospect of a future judgAgain, let me ask, What do you think ment, which I mentioned as one of the would be the natural effects of pardon ob- great objects of belief, could not fail to tained, and peace restored to their trou- overawe their minds, and to keep them in bled minds, upon that cordial acceptance a sober and serious frame, rendering them of the remedy provided for them which I no less attentive to their thoughts than to have just now supposed? Could any of their words and actions; and constantly us doubt that their hearts would be filled disposing them to "walk circumspectly, with the sincerest joy, and that out of the not as fools, but as wise;" to shun the abundance of their hearts their lips would doubtful as well as the forbidden ground, show forth the praises of their Deliverer, "abstaining even from the appearance of and utter the voice of gratitude and love evil." While, at the same time, the aniin such language as this: "Bless the mating hope of a glorious immortality Lord, O my soul, and all that is within would render them cool and indifferent me bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who

to all the enjoyments of a present world; support them under every thing that is painful and afflicting; and powerfully in

cite them to run with patience the race set before them, till in due time they should obtain the end of their faith, even the complete and everlasting salvation of their souls.

Such, we might well conclude, would be the influence of Christian faith upon the habitual frame and temper of their hearts

But as my text speaks of a conversation becoming the gospel of Christ, let us inquire more particularly into those visible effects which the truths I formerly mentioned might naturally be supposed to produce in the conduct of those who sincerely believed them; first, with respect. to God; and, secondly, with regard to their fellow-men.

with reverence, love, and joy? especially if one great end of its institution was to confirm their faith of the divine friendship, by putting into their hands an authentic seal of that well-ordered covenant, which conveys to every sincere believer an irrevocable title to all the unsearchable riches of Christ? This appears so becoming, and withal so conducive to their personal comfort and interest, that one should think a bare permission to attend upon such an ordinance might suffice, and that there scarcely needed the authority of a dying command to enforce the observation of it.

:'

Once more; might it not be hoped, that creatures who believed and confessed that they were redeemed from death by First, with respect to God. We should an act of pure grace, would judge it their hardly be able to doubt, that creatures indispensable duty to live unto him by redeemed from misery, dignified with such whose mercy it was that they lived at honors, and enriched with such privileges, all? that they would feel in their hearts, would be fond of expressing their grati- and practically acknowledge the constraintude in the most public and significant ing force of such exhortations as these: manner, and embrace every opportunity "Ye are not your own, ye are bought with of celebrating the praises of their great a price; therefore glorify your Redeemer Deliverer. We should certainly take it in your bodies and in your spirits which for granted, that if any day was set apart are his :" "Ye were some time darkness, for his more immediate worship and ser- but now are ye light in the Lord; walk as vice, they would long for the return of children of the light:" and, "If ye call that precious season, and "wait for it on the Father, who, without respect of more than they that watch for the morn- persons, judgeth according to every man's ing." We should not be able to suppose, work, pass the time of your sojourning that they would reckon it a burdensome here in fear; forasmuch as ye know that institution, and say, "What a weariness ye were not redeemed with corruptible is it?" or, (6 when will the Sabbath be things, as silver and gold, but with the over?" far less that they would waste precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb it in idleness, profane it by gaming, in- without blemish and without spot? temperance, and lewdness; or even de- Would you think it creditable, or even base it by those employments which are possible, that with such great and interlawful on other days. Such presumptu-esting objects in their eye, they could deous ingratitude would appear so shock-liberately and wilfully trample upon his ing, that we should not dare to suspect, authority, by breaking his laws; or arand least of all should we believe, without raign the wisdom and justice of his ocular proof, that creatures endued with reason would be guilty of it.

Again, if any ordinance was appointed for the express purpose of commemorating redeeming love, and showing forth the death of that compassionate Saviour, who was "wounded for their transgressions, and bruised for their sins, that by his stripes they might be healed," could we doubt, that they would regard it as a distinguishing privilege, and attend upon it

government by fretting and murmuring against any of his dispensations? Doth it not seem far more likely, that they would habitually be disposed to say, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" "O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!" Or if at any time they should be exercised with trials and sufferings, that the language of their lips and hearts would be, "Here am I, let the Lord do unto me as seémeth good

unto him:""The Lord gave, and the | sented with the morning and evening Lord hath taken away, blessed be the sacrifices of humble adoration, of fervent name of the Lord?" prayer, and of thankful praise ? How would they behave, do you think,

These conclusions appear so reasonable, and indeed so moderate, that, were it pos- to such of their brethren, if any such sible for us to forget that we ourselves there were, who neglected the great salare parties to the cause in question, Ivation, and still remained in their natural am verily persuaded this whole audience state of distance and alienation from God? would readily acquiesce in them without Would they regard them with supercilious one dissenting voice. Let us then pro- contempt, or treat them with harsh severceed to inquire, in the ity? would they lay aside all concern for their recovery, and leave them to perish in their folly? or rather, would they not look upon them with an eye of the tenderest pity; and, regarding them as criminals, who, though at present under an awful sentence of condemnation, may nevertheless obtain mercy, even as they themselves have obtained mercy? would they not take hold of every favorable opportunity, nay, may we not conclude, that they would even seek out opportunities of awakening them to a sense of their guilt and danger, that they might feel themselves constrained to implore the protection of that good Shepherd who laid down his life for the sheep, and came from heaven to earth to seek and to save that which was lost?

Second place, What influence the faith of the gospel might be expected to have upon the conduct of such creatures in their social intercourse one with another? It might suffice to observe in general, that the supreme love to their God and Saviour, which the true faith of his rich and unmerited grace could not fail to inspire, would naturally, and even necessarily, lead them to listen with becoming attention and reverence to all the intimations of his will, and habitually dispose them to perform, with alacrity and zeal, what duties soever he should be pleased to enjoin. Upon this obvious principle, then, nothing more would be needful for the illustration of this head, than to collect from the sacred records the several laws concerning truth, justice, mercy, benefi View them once more in their intercence, and any other precepts that re- course with those who have obtained the garded them in their social state; as we same grace, and are become coheirs of the should not be able to entertain a doubt, same incorruptible inheritance. Would that, so far as the imperfection of their you not take it for granted, that they nature permitted, these would be the in- could not be long together, without talkvariable rules of their conduct. But as ing of those matters that most nearly the LAWS of the gospel are afterwards to concerned them? Surely none could susbe considered apart by themselves, I shall pect, that in a company of such persons, it at present confine our inquiry to the in- would ever be reckoned a breach of good fluence which a serious relief of the great manners to introduce any thing that redoctrines of Christianity might be sup-lated to their Father in heaven; to his posed to have upon those kinds of inter- house with many mansions, where they course which more immediately pertained all hoped to dwell; or to that precious to their common salvation. Say, then, Redeemer, who hath gone before to predoth it not appear highly probable, that they who relished the joyful tidings, while they made them the subject of their own delightful meditation, would likewise take pleasure in imparting them to others, especially to those with whom they were most intimately connected? that parents in particular would rehearse and commend them to their children; and that in every family, the God of all grace, and the Saviour of a lost world, would be pre

pare a place for them. Might it not rather be expected, that besides occasional converse upon subjects of so interesting a nature, they would choose to set apart some portions of time for the sole purpose of "comforting themselves together, and edifying one another," according to the early practice of the Christians at Thessalonica, which our apostle so highly commends, 1 Thess. v. 11. ?

THUS have I given you my cool, delib

SERMON XXXI.

THE CHRISTIAN'S CONVERSATION.

PHILIPPIANS I. 27.—“ Only let

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of CHRIST."

erate sentiments upon the practical influence of the great doctrines of the gospel, and that kind of conversation towards God and man which is best suited to the belief of them. Should any indeed be so perverse as to resist the influence of these doctrines, and counteract their native and most obvious tendency, while at the same time they acknowledged the evidence of WE have already considered the most estheir truth, it would not at all surprise sential doctrines contained in the gospel of me, to see them crowding, from day to Christ, and the influence that the cordial day the public theatres, that the regularity belief of such interesting truths might be and decorum of a fictitious representation expected to have upon our temper and might draw their attention away from that practice. real and ill-conducted medley in which I am not sensible that any of the conthey themselves acted their disgraceful clusions I drew were strained, or even parts. I should not wonder to behold obscure. To me they appeared, and, after them flying with eagerness to cards and the most serious and impartial examinadice, and seeking aid from every engine of dissipation and noise, to conceal the lapse of time, and to bear down the clamors of an accusing conscience. It would not even surprise me to see them rushing headlong into the haunts of riot and debauch, that the intoxicating cup might either stupefy or madden their reason; which, if left to its sober exercise, would anticipate the evil day, and torment them before the time. Such things as these I should expect to see; but for none of them could I find any place at all in the natural and orderly state of reasonable creatures, whose temper and conduct, as I have all along supposed, were formed and regulated by the doctrines of the gospel.

tion, still do appear, so reasonable and obvious, and withal so moderate, that I cannot think they are liable to any just objection.

At the same time, as they present to our view a state of things so widely different from that which daily passeth before our eyes, I shall now proceed to consider the LAWS or precepts of our holy religion; that, from the review of these, we may discover, with still greater certainty, what the conversation is that may be said to become the gospel of Christ.

BUT before I descend to particulars. upon this extensive subject, I must beg your attention to a few remarks I have to make upon the precepts or laws of the gospel in general.

How far my reasoning upon this branch of the subject hath been just will more With regard to their authority, there fully appear afterwards. It no doubt ex- can be no doubt. He who enacted hibits to our view a state of things widely them hath an unquestionable right to our different from what we at present behold; most perfect obedience: "In the beginwhich, I am aware, may furnish us all ning was the Word, and the Word was with matter of humbling and painful re- with God: and the Word was God: all flection. This, however, shall not dis- things were made by him, and without courage me from proceeding in my inquiry; him was not any thing made that was as I well know, that if, "by the sadness made." We are therefore his property in of the countenance the heart be made the most absolute and unlimited sense of better, we shall in the issue be infinite gainers, and obtain from him, who is "the comforter of those that are cast down," "the oil of joy for mourning, and the garments of praise for the spirit of heavi.

ness."

MAY God dispose and enable us all to "judge righteous judgment." Amen.

that expression. He called us into being when as yet we were not, and every moment he sustains that existence which he gave us; for "in him we live and move. Nay, all that we possess is so necessarily dependent upon him, that with regard to soul, and body, and outward estate, we have nothing but what we daily receive from his liberal hand. Besides this orig

and in every situation. They utter their voice with such precision and perspicuity, that none can be at a loss to discover their meaning. They do not bend to the humors of men, nor accommodate themselves to those flexible maxims and customs which by turns prevail in this or the other age and country; far less do they grow obsolete, as human statutes do, which by long disuse lose their force, and become void: like their great Master, what they were yesterday they are the same to-day and in every succeeding period their efficacy will continue till time itself shall be no more. And, therefore, when I repeat the

inal and unalienable right to govern us, there is another title, which, as Christians, we profess to acknowledge, and ought always to do it with the warmest and most humble gratitude; I mean, the right he hath obtained by redemption and purchase. As his natural subjects, we are bound to serve him to the utmost extent of the powers he hath given us; and this original obligation, instead of being relaxed or impaired, is rather confirmed and strengthened by the mercy he hath shown us as the objects of his grace: "We are not our own, we are bought with a price; " and are therefore bound, by the united ties of gratitude and justice, "to glorify our Re-words of this sacred book, you are to condeemer, both with our bodies and spirits, which are his."

But what I would chiefly lead your at tention to, is the nature and properties of those laws to which our subjection and obedience are required.

They are all holy, just, and good," resulting from the very frame our Creator hath given us, and from the relation we bear to himself, and to other beings with whom his Providence hath connected us. Hence it follows, that they are equally incapable of repeal or abatement. The laws of men are local, temporary, changeable, and always partake of the imperfection of their authors. Some of them are so obscure, that they need another law to explain them; and it often happens that the commentary is darker than the text. The best of them take their aim from some temporal evil that is either presently felt, or foreseen in its cause; and the highest end they propose, is to restrain from injuries of the grosser kind: they do not even pretend to be a rule of moral conduct; they prohibit and denounce vengeance against theft, robbery, murder, and the like; but lay no restraint upon heart hatred, covetousness, and envy. They tell us in what instances injustice or cruelty become excessive and intolerable; but where do we find it written in any body of human laws, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself;" and, "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them?" Whereas the laws of the gospel extend to the heart as well as to the life, and speak to all men without exception, at all times,

sider them as spoken to yourselves in particular; and no less binding upon you in their most simple and obvious meaning, than they formerly were upon those to whom they were primarily addressed.

One thing further I would recommend to your notice, viz., that the laws I am speaking of are the laws of Him "who loved us, and gave himself for us, an of fering and sacrifice to God of a sweetsmelling savor;" and therefore we may rest assured, that they are kind as well as righteous, and suited with perfet wisdom to be the means of promoting our truest interest. They are laws which he himself hath magnified and made honorable; not only by answering all their demands, so far as his high character would permit, or his peculiar circumstances afforded occasion; but likewise expiating the guilt incurred by the transgression of them, and bearing in his own person the punishment that was due to the offending creature.

This last consideration sets the obedience required of us in a most endearing point of light. It is not the servile task of a hireling who labors for his wages, but the ingenuous and grateful service of a loving child. Christ hath purchased the glorious inheritance; and to all who believe on him, eternal life is the free gift of God through the merit of his blood: so that nothing is required of them, but what tends to purify and perfect their natures, that, by a growing resemblance to the Father of their spirits in this state of discipline, they may be rendered meet for the full and everlasting enjoyment of him,