of course it is marvellous in our eyes; and it is also true and steadfast. Heaven and earth may pass away, but this saying shall not pass away.

And if it be a faithful saying; if the Lord be thus merciful, and "has done such great things for us," and for our salvation, what the apostle further declares of its character, cannot be questioned; That it is worthy of all acceptation, or as we have it rendered in our communion service, "worthy of all men to be received." It is worthy, very worthy to be received, by all men who desire to be happy themselves, or to see others happy; for the many and great blessings and comforts which it confers upon men, and upon society in this present world. The gospel brings with it, as an angel from heaven declared, "peace on earth, and good will towards men." If this saying were indeed by all men received; if all people living, were in faith and practice truly Christians, the lost image of God in the soul of man would be restored, and this earth again be a paradise. Far the greater part of the pains and sorrows and other miseries of this life, would be banished from the world, and the fabulous accounts of a golden age would be realized. Indeed, it is one of the most remarkable properties of the gospel, and one of the most convincing proofs that it is of God, that by all men it CAN be received; that it is adapted to every state of human society, and to the case of every individual. Its simple truths and saving doctrines, can easily descend to the understandings, and sanctify the hearts of the lowest grades of the human race; and not only will they reach, but very much refine and exalt the highest. They who

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are well acquainted with Christianity, must perceive that it is calculated to suit and to produce a higher, more refined, and perfect state of society than this world, since the fall of man, has ever seen. this I doubt not, is to be its ultimate tendency. The words of Christ, that his kingdom is like a little leaven operating in a large mass of meal, till the whole is fermented, shall yet be fulfilled. Not only from the scriptures, but from the present state and appearance of the world, we may well believe that the gospel of Christ is to be made the instrument of civilizing the whole earth, and uniting all its nations and languages in commerce and religion, as one great family. Then, we may believe, will " pure and undefiled religion" be better understood, and better practised, and mankind will far more generally be convinced, that it is worthy of all acceptation. And this improved, and generally diffused state of knowledge and liberty, of morals and religion, will probably be the true millennium.

But that which, far above every other consideration, renders this saying worthy of all men to be received, is its power to save the soul with an everlasting salvation; it will prepare us to be members of a family; of a society far more numerous than all the inhabitants of this earth, and infinitely more perfect and happy than any state which we can hope to attain in this present life. In this view, who is not deeply interested in these good tidings? Who is there not included under the appellation of sinners? Have you not violated the laws of God? Are you prepared in your own merits, and by your own strength, to stand before his judgment? Can we save ourselves,

or is there any other name but Christ's given under heaven, whereby we can be saved? Shut your bible, and what then can you see in the whole frame of nature to satisfy the cravings of your immortal soul? What assurance can you find of a blessed immortality? What comfort or consolation to support you in the trials of life? No: well may you say with Peter, "To whom else shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life." Certainly this is a saying worthy of you and of all men to be received. There is no other Saviour offered; there is no hope for the pardon of sin, but through the merits of his cross; there is no life or immortality brought to light, but through his gospel. There is no other saying worthy to be compared with this, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And how shall they who neglect so great salvation, escape the righteous judgment of God?

Permit me, by way of improvement, to apply this subject to three descriptions of sinners. And first, to those who deliberately live in wicked courses. You certainly, (should such unhappily be the case of any here present,) you must acknowledge yourselves to be sinners; you certainly are included in the apostle's description of those whom Christ Jesus came into the world to save. We are told that the righteous are scarcely saved; where then shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? To you, surely, this report must be of infinite importance. You cannot possibly hope to be justified by your works, nor expect that, without a Saviour, a righteous God will acquit you in the day of judgment. And you have very great encouragement; you have the word, not only of apostles, but

of Christ himself, that he came, not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. You then, of of all men, will not question the importance of this report. Though you have heard it, perhaps, a hundred times before, it is not the less interesting and worthy of your acceptation. On the contrary, it is daily becoming more important, because the day of grace is continually wasting away. Every fleeting hour shortens the time allowed for your receiving this report, and making your peace with God. The time is drawing near and still nearer, when you will leave this state of trial. And also, should you consider, that by rejecting the counsel of God, and despising his offered mercies, your sins are aggravated, and your condemnation is more to be feared.

And let no sinner despair of mercy, do not fear that one so wicked as yourself, cannot be pardoned and blessed. St. Paul tells you, "Christ came to save sinners of whom I am chief." Though he was one of the most wicked, one who was most unworthy of such mercy, yet even he obtained it. Sin in him abounded, but grace did much more abound. The Lord is mighty to forgive; he is rich in mercy; though your sins be as scarlet, by repentance and faith, they shall become white as snow. He whose merciful goodness so bountifully provides for your temporal sustenance, does not neglect your spiritual nature. "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" He who while suffering on the cross, prayed for his blaspheming persecutors, and took a penitent thief with him to paradise, will still save those who look to him for

salvation. To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against him." 2. But there are other sinners who are comparatively called good men; and who, for that reason, are in danger of trusting in themselves, that they are righteous; men who avoid scandalous vices, and live what we call good moral lives. To such, we say this report is worthy of your acceptation. "If you say you have no sin, you deceive yourselves, and the truth is not in you." For you a Saviour is no less necessary, that you may be accepted of God, and blessed in heaven, than for the most atrocious sinner. If you are saved, it can only be through the same Lord Jesus Christ. Divine wisdom has appointed his sacrifice and mediation, as the only door, by which men can enter the kingdom of heaven. Though (like the pharisee, who blessed God that he was not as other men,) you have happily avoided scandalous vices, and more heinous sins, are not you guilty before him, in whose sight the heavens are impure? Do you indeed love God with all your heart and soul, and your neighbour as yourself? The vilest sinner who smites upon his breast, and calls for mercy, will be justified, rather than the moralist, who justifies himself. Publicans and harlots will enter the kingdom of heaven, before those who trust in themselves that they are righteous.

3. Christians also are to consider themselves as sinners, though through faith in Christ, they are delivered from the condemnation, and through the sanctification of the Spirit, they are, in some happy degree, preserved from the dominion of sin. St. Paul, who was the best of Christians, was among the