ing promises made to the people of God, though, to the eleventh hour, they have lived in direct opposition to the truth of scripture, and to the counsels and intreaties of that glorious Redeemer who alone has the words of eternal life, and in whom alone the promises and amen.

are yea

As the text refers particularly to such aged impenitent sinners, let me close this head of discourse with an exhortation to them. Do you, in truth, believe that God is holy, and hates all iniquity; that his righteous indignation will be revealed from heaven upon those who live like beasts of the field, who eat, drink, work, and sleep, but are standing idle as to their most important work, and who have remained for forty, fifty, sixty, or more years, unprepared for death, and unconcerned about eternity? Have you thought how infinitely more precious is your immortal soul than the things that pertain to the body? Can you suppose that any worldly concern is half so important as salvation? Can you imagine that a God of holiness will admit to his immediate presence, both those who have served him, and those who have not served him; those who have given all diligence to

be

be found of him in peace, and those who still continue idle, careless, and secure? Can you think that a forced acknowledgement of sin, or a moment's preparation before death, will fit you for inheriting with the saints in glory; that God will accept of these dregs of time, or that he will be moved with your unavailing penitence, when you can sin no longer on earth?

But if your notions of heaven are thus vague and uncertain, what are your thoughts of hell? Do you never think that you may be doomed to dwell with everlasting burnings, and banished from the glory of the Lord? How can you expect to escape the future condemnation, if you know not God as revealed in scripture, and if you obey not the gospel of his Son? How shall you stand before the Judge of your heart and life, when he calls you to account for the time of your sojourning on earth, for your sabbaths, your sermons, your ministers, your opportunities of hearing and reading the work, of retirement, of prayer, of instruction, and improvement? How shall you answer for not embracing mercy when it was in your offer, and not laying up treasures for heaven in Jesus, when

VOL. II.

I

the

the unsearchable riches of his grace were held out for your acceptance? Aged men and women, put these important questions seriously and sincerely to yourselves. This very evening lay to heart your latter end, and today, while it is called to-day, harden not your heart, but fly for refuge to the hope set before you; be persuaded that there is salvation in none else but Jesus, and count all things but loss and vanity when compared with an interest in his protection. For this end, keep in mind the following plain advices, and pray for grace to put them in practice without delay.

1. Seriously review the way by which the Lord has led you through the pilgrimage of life; think what abundant proofs you have got of the goodness, compassion, and patience of God, in sparing you so long, and Think how giving you so many mercies. little all his goodness has led you to repentance; and how wonderful it is, that after all the days, and months, and years of your provocations, you are not now in hell, but that you are still on praying ground, and still permitted to plead for mercy.

2. Consider how very seldom it is, that any

who

who have continued careless about their souls to extreme old age, do then give good evidence of their being real Christians, and of being brought to love God, to delight in the Saviour, and to obey his word; and let this consideration greatly alarm you, lest like many you should be left to the hardness and impenitence of a corrupted heart. Do not, I intreat you, deceive yourself with a false peace, and go down to the grave with a lie in your right hand.

Under these impressions, seriously resolve that now you will consider your latter end, and begin in earnest to prepare for it; give yourselves to meditate on the holiness of God, the love of Christ, the method of redemption; give yourselves to the Lord in a covenant never to be forgotten, and take no rest to your mind, until you have received, with your whole soul, the offered Redeemer, who is the truth and the life. He waits to be gracious, and saves to the uttermost. Pray that your faith in him may be vigorous and sincere; for, if it be so, to you will belong grace, mercy, and peace, the friendship of God, the blessings of the covenant, grace here, and glory hereafter. Amen and Amen.

SERMON VII.

ON THE SINFULNESS Of idleness IN REGARD TO THE CONCERNS OF RELIGION.

MATTHEW Xx. 6.

And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

THIS parable represents our Maker as the wise and righteous proprietor of all mankind; as the master of his household; as lord of his vineyard; and as the sovereign dispenser of gifts and privileges to the sons of men.

Mankind in general, but more particularly his professing people, are his servants, and dependants, and pensioners. He assigns them their stations, appoints their work, requires