stand any one of the fundamental truths of the gospel and reject it, and at the same time be the friend of God. Lord, to whom shall we go, but unto thee? for thou hast the words of eternal life; and we know and are sure, that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

But we add,

3. And we desire to add with emphasis, Rest not satisfied with mere intellectual attainments in religion. Many a man, we fear, does rest satisfied with a mere speculative knowledge of the truth of God. Multitudes under the light of the gospel have been educated in the belief, that religion is a mere science. They have been taught to "say their prayers;" to read the Bible; to repeat the catechism; to attend the worship of God on the sabbath; to come to the Lord's table; and here their religion ends. From childhood to youth, and from youth to manhood, they grow up under the influence of such a religion, and live and die in all the usages and orthodoxy of their fathers-and mournful to relate, live and die the enemies of God. They have never been made acquainted with the plague of their own hearts; they have never come as ruined and condemned sinners to the cross of Christ; and they have no more

piety, than the heathen. scribes and Pharisees.

knowledge of internal, vital

Such was the religion of the Such was the religion of Paul

before his conversion. And if any of us are satisfied

with such a religion, dear hearers, unless sovereign grace interpose, we shall most certainly die in our sins.

A mere intellectual acquaintance with the truth of God is not godliness. "Though I speak with the tongue of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and have not love, I am nothing." There is many a well informed understanding where there is an unhumbled heart. "Thou believest there is one God: thou doest well. The devils also believe and tremble." Clear and strong perceptions of moral truth only enhance the turpitude "He that and aggravate the guilt of wicked men.

knoweth his Lord's will, and doeth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes." You may see and approve the better, and follow the worse. "They know too much of religion, far too much, for their future comfort, who know more than they obey." The truths you understand must be loved and obeyed. However humbling, they must be loved and obeyed. However particular and personal in their application, they must be loved and obeyed. However offensive to the carnal mind, they must be loved and obeyed. Yes, they must be loved and obeyed! And this is the religion, my respected audience, which it is the design of these lectures to urge upon you. A knowledge that puffeth up and does not edify; a knowledge that justifies obduracy and impenitence, and does not excite tenderness

and susceptibility, would only become a savour of death unto death. While we therefore respectfully solicit your attention to some of the more important doctrines of the gospel, in the name and by the authority of the God of truth and holiness, we claim for him and his truth the submission of your hearts. As ambassadors of Christ, as though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. They are no obscure and deep points of speculation, that are about to be presented to you. Few, very few such points are to be found in the Bible. They are plain, solemn, interesting truths, which we hope may not only enlighten your minds and our own, but find a passage to our hearts. And God of his infinite mercy grant, that they may be so preached and so accompanied by his omnipotent Spirit, that we who preach may be helpers of one another's joy, and you who hear may be our crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus. Amen.

DISCOURSE II.

THE LAW OF GOD.

ROM. vii. 12.—" Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good."

THE seventh chapter of Romans is a compendium of experimental theology. It is a proper standard of that kind of religious experience which alone is enlightened, genuine, and everlasting. It remains an inspired protest against extravagance, airy conceits, presumptuous hopes, lawless fervours, spurious joys, unholy satisfactions, and heartless forms in religion. Against ignorance, presumption, pretension with no experience, and affections not "the fruit of the Spirit," its total testimony is lifted; and those only, whose piety is acquitted by this criterion, "shall be able to stand" the fiery ordeal of eternity. The exercises it describes are certainly gracious: but they are initial, and respect mainly