able, what will become of those who sleep out life in carnal security? If in time of war, many strong men, with all their exertions, are crushed by the rushing foe, what will become of those who are asleep on the field of battle? When such difficulties obstruct the way, what infatuation has seized on those who, like Jonah, are slumbering in "the sides of the ship." Hark! how the storms beat and break around you, and you are fast asleep! Arise, O sleeper, and call upon your God, that you perish not in the waves.

(5.) It is another reason for striving, that, notwithstanding all these difficulties, they who "strive lawfully" will certainly be "crowned." In numberless instances men will strive earnestly when the issue is very uncertain, and when the thing sought is of little value; and will they neglect to strive here, where the strife will be crowned with certain success, and where success will make them for eternity?

(6.) Comparatively speaking, there is nothing else worth striving for. And indeed without a comparison, no other pursuit but that which leads to immortality is worthy supremely to engross the powers of a rational soul, or worthy to have been the object for which that soul was formed. Such a wonderful substance was never created to exhaust itself in the pursuit of toys. In any other respect than as related to eternity, these things are unworthy of its attention. And shall we waste ourselves in pursuit of these vanities and neglect the heavenly prize? No, my brethren, if we will not strive for VOL. I.

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this there is no further use for our powers-we have nothing more to do on earth;-and like the worm which winds itself in its web when its work is done we may as well fold up our arms and lie down and die.

(7.) Consider, ye who need such arguments, how much God and the Lord Jesus Christ have striven for your salvation; how much the holy angels in their ministrations to the Church; how much have ministers and christians. And shall heaven and earth conspire to pluck you out of the pit, and will you lie still and refuse to help yourselves? Has all this zeal been employed about a worthless thing that you are so indifferent about it? O man, that hast an immortal soul within thee, why so regardless of thine eternal destinies when heaven and earth are so solicitous for you?

(8.) Attend to the awful consideration suggested in the context. With a solemn accent our Saviour assured the Jews, that the time would come when the gate of the kingdom would be forever closed; when they would stand without and pray for admission, but in vain; when, with "weeping and gnashing of teeth," they would see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of God, and themselves thrust out. Ah, who can sketch a glimpse of that distressing scene,-when the die is cast once and forever; when the door of the kingdom is shut and there is no more entering in; when sinners shall look away through their tears and behold their former companions in heaven and themselves forever thrust out; when they shall see their pious parents

"afar off," with an impassable gulph fixed between them, and shall beseech them by all their former love to send them one drop of water to cool their tongue, and shall find them deaf to all their entreaties. O children,-sinners,-old and young,-will not this be a most distressing hour? Hour, did I say? a most distressing eternity.

Are there any present under the calls of the divine Spirit? You see why you have so long striven in vain, and how you may strive to better purpose. The present is the crisis of your existence, and probably good and bad angels are anxiously watching the issue. Do not calculate too confidently on a change in your favor, and thus relapse into stupidity. Thousands have sought as earnestly as you to enter in and have not been able. Cast down the weapons of your rebellion at once and submit to God. Can you bear the thought of being at last in the condition which has been described?

It is painful to disturb the ashes of the dead;but are there not some present who in former months or years were awakened by the Spirit of God, but relapsed into stupidity, and cannot now be moved by all that is passing before their eyes? Wretched men! you little know how they who understand your case tremble for you, lest you should be of the number of those who sought to enter in and were not able. There is reason to fear that your eyes will never more be opened. But if they are not forever sealed, open them this once before you die, and behold the dangers among which you are sleeping secure. Could you see one who was

known to be abandoned of God, with what feelings would you regard him! And yet how know you but this is your condition? Many, for resisting the Spirit as you have done, have been sealed over to destruction. But if your fate is not already fixed, it is in imminent danger of soon becoming so. O that one could speak so that the dead would hear: "Awake, arise, or be forever fallen."

One word to professing christians. Many of the visible church will seek to enter in and will not be able. Many will go down from sacraments and confident hopes to everlasting burnings.

Let impenitent sinners of every description attend. I could hope by this time that you are all convinced of the importance of striving for the kingdom of heaven first or last; but when will you begin? You have often had this conviction, but being disposed to delay, it has passed off like "the morning cloud and early dew." Thus it has doubtless been with thousands now in hell. Take care that delay does not prove your ruin. After all, this is the rock on which many of you will probably split. But will not some, wiser than the rest, be induced to escape to day? The Saviour's arms are yet extended to receive you. The compassions of God say, Come. O come, for why will ye die?

SERMON XIV.

GOSPEL DESPISERS PASSED BY AND THE HEATHEN TAKEN.

MAT. VIII. 11, 12.

And I say unto you, that many shall come from the east and west and shall sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

This was originally spoken with reference to the rejection of the Jews, (who by profession and dedication had constituted the visible kingdom of God,) and the calling of the Gentiles. The occasion was this. When Jesus, at a certain time, entered into Capernaum, a centurion, (a Roman officer who commanded a band of a hundred soldiers,) who was himself a Gentile, came to him and entreated him to heal his servant. And when Jesus promised to go with him the centurion replied, "Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof, but speak the word only and my servant shall be healed;" and subjoined what imported that diseases