But, brethren, it is a solemn fact, calculated to make the stoutest sinner tremble, that the day of grace may be past before death. Thus it may be past,

1. When, in the course of Divine Providence, the external dispensation of the Gospel is taken away from a people, before they have properly improved it; or when individuals are removed from such a dispensation, to places where there are silent sabbaths, and closed sanctuaries, without being previously made partakers of God's grace.

Both people and individuals, in such a case, may not have another season of mercy. God may, in just judgment, deprive them through life of the means of grace. They may never again hear the voice of mercy in the messages of the Gospel. The instructions which they have received, will soon be lost; the power of corruption, unrestrained by the word of God's grace, will become greater and greater: and they grow more and more careless; more and more alienated from God; more and more fitted for destruction. Nay, the effects of their conduct; the fruits of their abuse of God's

mercy, may extend beyond them, to their posterity.

The history of the Church furnishes proofs sufficient of this solemn fact. Where now are the flourishing Churches of Asia, to whom John addressed his seven epistles? The Lord Jesus removed their candlesticks, and from generation to generation the darkness. consequent on that removal has been perpetuated. Where once God was seen in the sanctuary, Mahometan superstition reigns. Many of the posterity of those who, in former times, served Christ, now deny him, acknowledging an impostor as the Prophet of God. The glory is departed!

Thus individuals who, from worldly motives, have removed to places where the Gośpel is not known, have not merely forgotten God themselves, but have been the agents of ruining their children, and their children's children also, by depriving them of the day of grace.

2. This day may be past also, when the Spirit of God does not bless the Gospel to the salvation of sinners. As in the natural day there is light and life from the influence of the sun, so in the day of grace there must

be not merely knowledge, but also spiritual life.

A people or individuals may harden themselves against the power of the Gospel, so as to draw down upon them that judicial sentence, "Let them alone." Then their day is past. Conscience is seared, the judgment thoroughly perverted, the affections are wedded to sin, and the whole soul is resolutely bent on opposition to God and his cause.

This is especially to be feared on their part who reject experimental religion; for such there are, even under the light of the Gospel, who deny its life. They call Christian experience mysticism or fanaticism; and ridicule, or at least disbelieve, the doctrine of regeneration, or a radical change of heart. Such expressions as these, "A 66 new creature,' "The life of God in the "soul," "Our life hid with Christ in God," "Christ living in us," "The Spirit testify

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ing to our spirits," "Living in the Spirit," "Walking in the Spirit," "Having fellow"ship with the Father, and the Son," according to these persons, are unmeaning expletives. They pretend not to comprehend

them. But, blessed be God, there are those who know what they mean, from their own experience. The Spirit of God has enlightened them. I avow the truth. I do not hesitate to declare my firm belief, that there is no real religion, but that which these persons call mysticism. If this be not the religion of the Bible, according to its letter and its spirit, I shut it up for ever. Never will I enter this or any other sanctuary to hear the doctrines of this volume explained, or its duties enforced. I hesitate not to pronounce the system contained in it an imposition, and the Ministers who preach it deceivers. I fling my faith in it to the winds of heaven, and consign my hopes to the chillness of the grave. I have done with the religion of the Bible. I wish no more to hear of it, no more to think of it, no more to respect it.But I am sure I am not deceived concerning the nature of religion. God knows that I am not. However deceived I may be about myself, about his truth in this respect I cannot be deceived. His religion is experimental, and they who oppose this religion, or sport with it, do despite to the Spirit of

God. They grieve him, so that he ceases to strive with them. Thus their day is past.

Instances of such effects, resulting from such conduct, are not wanting in the history of the Church.

You perceive, in both these respects, that the day may be past to a people and not to individuals, and so it may be past to individuals, and not to a people.

3. Besides these general cases, there are particular ones, in which there is cause for apprehension. Such are the following:

(1.) When the consciences of sinners, having once been uncommonly awakened, have become silent through the cares or enjoyments of the world, so that they no longer testify against them, they have reason to apprehend that the things which belong to their peace are hid from their eyes.

(2.) They who feel pleased that their consciences trouble them no more; who delight in their exemption from their former alarms, yet live in sin and in estrangement from God, have reason to fear that their day is drawing to a close.

(3.) They who, contrary to the remonstrances of conscience, engage and persevere

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