The benevolent intention of God in promulgating to mankind his perfect law, and revealing to them the riches of his grace, is, to "set before them the way of life, and the way of death;" and to lead them, by Him, who is alone "the way, the truth, and the life," to holiness and happiness. Such is the clemency of our Heavenly Father, that he exercises toward sinners much patience and long suffering; He waits to be gracious, that he may be exalted in shewing mercy; He affords them the most important assistance, by his Spirit, his Word, and ministers; He warns them of their danger; He grants them time for repentance; He allures them by his promises; He strikes them with awe by his threatenings; He instructs, he invites, he intreats them to be saved; He awakens them by the remonstrances of conscience; He strives with them by his Spirit; He offers to them the pardon of all their sins, through the blood of Christ, with complete redemption from all evil; and enforces their acceptance of these precious benefits, by the most weighty considerations. He knocks at the door of their hearts, by his providence, by his Word, and Spirit; He seeks to win them by mercies, and to alarm them by judgments, exhibiting to their view the joys of heaven, and the torments of hell. Indeed, the Lord God does every thing that becometh "the High and Lofty One," as Supreme Legislator

and Sovereign Disposer, to demonstrate his good will and tender compassion to the children of men, even to the wicked. And what more shall we ask of Him? He does all that infinite wisdom directs, that He may rescue the wicked from death: had He gone further to accomplish this kind purpose, their obedience and salvation would not have been a matter of choice, but of necessity. Who then shall dare to assert, that "the ways of God are not equal?"

These things I have spoken, my brethren, in order, by divine grace, to bring down those high thoughts which exalt themselves against the knowledge of God-to satisfy you that He does all things well; and, under this conviction, to induce you cordially to acquiesce in all his dispensations, and to rejoice that "the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth," who is the friend, and guide, and guardian of his people. Thus, having replied to the objections urged against the equity of the divine administration, to which the words of the text were intended to be an answer; the next point is, to establish the truth of the proposition, of which the most solemn assurance is here given :-" As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.”

If it be said, “there may be a wicked man, of whom we can have no hope:-is it possible that mercy can be extended to him?" Yes! the

Lord will abundantly pardon ;-pardon above all that we can either ask or think. He will multiply pardons according to the sinner's multiplied transgressions, if he turn to God, in God's own appointed way. That way is Jesus Christ-the Lord our righteousness, whose blood, on any one's sincere faith and hearty repentance, cleanseth from all sin.

Here, my brethren, we behold a most wonderful proof of the infinite mercy and tender compassion of God;-whether we consider the illustrious person, who came into the world "for us men and for our salvation"-the condescending manner in which he executed his mission-or the benevolent purpose of his Almighty Father, for which it was intended. "In this," saith St. John, "was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. And what is the name by which the great Ransomer is called?-"Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace; the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, God over all, Blessed for ever; who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." This person of infinite dignity, the everlasting object of his supreme delight, God was pleased to send into the world, not arrayed with terror, to alarm;-not attended with circumstances of magnificence, to dazzle and overpower;-but in

the likeness of sinful flesh, and in the lowly form of a servant. Whilst He dwelt on earth, He was "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." His poverty, temptations, trials, afflictions, and ignominious death, open to our view a subject of contemplation truly, awfully astonishing. And for what purpose did Jesus, the beloved Son of God, sustain all these indignities and distresses; and at last lay down his precious life upon the accursed tree? What! but that we, "who were dead in trespasses and sins," might live through Him:-that He might give the most convincing proof of his disinterested love; and afford the strongest testimony that his Heavenly Father hath indeed "no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live." Can you then, my hearers, refuse to admit and acquiesce in that great body of evidence which I have set before you, to prove that the Lord our God is a merciful God; and that he taketh pleasure in the conversion of the wicked? Thanks, eternal thanks, to our gracious Creator, Redeemer, Sanctifier, for those tender mercies, the truth and excellence of which I have humbly attempted to celebrate.

Hearken, ye profane despisers of things sacred, ye proud and disobedient, ye malicious and revengeful, ye intemperate and impure, ye slanderers and false accusers, ye unjust and

fraudulent, ye covetous and avaricious :-God is

not willing that any, that even you, should perish;

but that all should come to repentance, and live. And ought not this blessed assurance to penetrate every heart, and excite in all a fervent desire instantly to comply with this kind invitation? To all, remember, does this invitation extend. Not one is excluded; nor does a single obstacle exist to the entire conversion of any-of every sinner, that may not be overcome by constant, and earnest, and diligent prayer. For, though our Lord saith, “No man can come unto me, except the Father draw him;" yet, such "is the mystery of godliness," that this is far from a discouragement;-for, hath not the same divine Saviour graciously promised his holy Spirit to all that ask it? And say, "on what principle does St. Paul exhort the Philippians to "work out their own salvation?" Not on any power in "themselves to help themselves;" but, because "it is God that worketh in them, both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Wherefore, "be not disheartened, O ye of little faith;—but turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for, why will

ye die?"

And O! may God give you all grace to comply with this merciful injunction and remonstrance, through Jesus Christ our only Redeemer. But, woe be to that man, who, by impenitence and unbelief, refuses to attend to this gracious