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in a course of sin, to stifle reflection; they who fly to forbidden pleasure to ease their minds, and allay their fears; who with Felix say to the truths which have affected them, "Go thy way," may well tremble lest these truths should no longer affect them.

(4.) If a Gospel ministry, which once awakened the attention of some, has no longer any influence over them, so that hearing they do not hear, and seeing they do not understand, the terrible conclusion may follow, They are left to them"selves."

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(5.) They who are displeased with a faithful exhibition of the whole truth which the Scriptures unfold, whether that truth be unquestionably drawn from the Scriptures or not, having itching ears, cannot tell but they may belong to those of whom the apostle says, that "they have pleasure in unright"eousness," and "whose end is destruc❝tion."

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IV. The state of those who have past their day is unutterably awful. "The things which belong to their peace are hid "from their eyes." They perish, that is, they are lost in soul and body, for time and eternity.

The loss which they sustain is infinite. It is the loss of all that is excellent, valuable, and interesting. The soul is lost! It has no more happiness or comfort left for its enjoyment; but receives, as its deserved portion, tribulation, wrath, and anguish. Consider its nature. Its faculties bespeak its origin, and its capability of high enjoyments. The body is lost! It suffers the most fearful and tremendous pain. Consider its intimate union with the soul. Together they constitute the person of a man. The sicknesses of the body affect the soul, and the anxieties of the soul affect the body. Their union will add inconceivably to their mutual misery, in those who perish.

They are excluded from heaven, the place of happiness, joy, blessedness, rest, and glory; and are cast into hell, the place of sorrow, anguish, debasement, and tor

ment..

They thus perish, having had a day of grace. Salvation was offered to them, and they were invited to accept of that salvation. They perish, whilst others are saved from among their companions and friends; some of them more, and others less vile than they

were. A consciousness that their ruin has been their own work, and a perception of the wise choice which others, especially those whom they knew, and with whom they had associated, had made, together with the. blessed effects of that choice, will aggravate the fearful sufferings of their awful fate.

Their loss is not only infinite, it is irreparable. The place of their abode is not intended for their reformation, but for their punishment. The natural effect of punishment, where no higher causes prevent that effect, is to harden in sin. Hence we are informed, that they who perish blaspheme God day and night Of them it may be said, and will be said for ever, "The har

"vest is past, the summer is ended, and they

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are not saved."

This loss drew tears from the Redeemer's eyes. He knew full well what was lost. He gave his life a ransom for many. He suffered so as man never suffered. His work of redemption made him to undergo unknown and indescribable agony. In the review of his life and death, the question. presents itself with irresistible force to our

d Jer. viii. 20.

minds, " If they do these things in a green ઃઃ tree, what shall be done in the dry?"

His

Knowing these things, he wept. tears speak more than volumes on this subject. Language cannot describe, nay, the imagination cannot conceive, the fearful condition of those from whose eyes the things belonging to their peace are hid.

I forbear enlarging on a topic so full of horror. It has not been introduced on this occasion because it is congenial to our feelings; but because, "knowing the terrors of the "Lord, we persuade men." The message which has been delivered combines whatever can and ought justly to alarm us, on account of the righteousness of God, with every thing that is calculated to inspire hope in our bosoms, from the revelation of God's mercy and grace. Though we have forfeited his favour, he respites us from the consummation of the curse, by giving us the day and means of grace. Lest we should waste this precious season, he warns us that it will close ere long, and may close before we are saved.

If any, one is disposed to cavil at the

e Luke xxiii. 31,

import of this discourse, or to neglect the admonition which it gives, let him be warned by the example of the Jews. Their case illustrates the Redeemer's words, and gives to his tears the weight of ten thousand times ten thousand irrefragable arguments. Let all beware that they tamper not with God's justice, or sport with his mercy, thus provoking his indignation. Let none dismiss the subject as too gloomy, or reject the exhortation as unnecessary in a Christian land. The right improvement of the subject will promote cheerfulness, will produce real happiness. And the fact that, in Christian lands, men are born sinners, makes the exhortation a duty imperative on all the ambassadors of Christ.

Thus thought and thus acted the reformers in the old world; the pilgrims of New-England: Tenant, Davies, Rogers, Laidlie, Coleman, and the host of worthies who held fast the faith once delivered to the saints. They taught the truths which we preach; they prayed for God's blessing upon these truths to them and their posterity. From their graves proceeds a

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