walked the ways of God no more. tional, how guilty is such conduct! But how irra Did not Christ forewarn us to expect such instances, when he said, "Woe to the world because of offences, for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh ?" Matt. xviii. 7. Such cases, therefore, are but the accomplishment of a prophecy, and prove, like other fulfilled predictions, the inspiration of him by whom they were delivered. And they prove, in another way also, the Divine origin of the christian religion; for if it had not been of God, it must have been destroyed long since by the misconduct of its professed friends, from which it has stood in far greater danger, than from the enmity of its avowed foes. Counterfeits are a presumptive proof of the excellence of that which they profess to imitate, for who is at the trouble of imitating what is worthless? Do not, then, permit your mind to be affected by the conduct of false professors; at least, in any other way than that of deep grief that such things should occur to them; and of anxious, prayerful care, that they may never be repeated in you. Be this your supplication, "Lord, let not all my hopes be vain, Which hypocrites could ne'er attain, AMONG all the objects of human desire and pursuit, there is not one which we have so much encouragement to seek, or to hope for; there is not one, in reference to which despondency is so much out of place; there is not one, to which indubitable certainty so surely belongs, as the salvation of the soul, if it be sincerely desired, and scripturally sought for. The whole Bible is one vast encouragement to seek for eternal life; the death of Christ is another; and the existence and history of the church of God upon earth is a third. Men may despond of gaining wealth, or fame, or rank, or health; but no man out of hell need despond of gaining salvation. It is nearer to us, and more within our reach, than any other blessing we can name or think of. Our feelings in regard to earthly possessions can never rise higher than hope; but, in regard to salvation, they may take the character of certainty, provided we use the proper means. 1. It is one great source of encouragement, that whatever difficulties lie in our way, all centre in ourselves. God will not, and Satan and the world cannot hinder our salvation. There is no obstacle which is in itself insurmountable; no enemy invincible; no objection unanswerable. If a man had any other object in view, for the attainment of which there existed no difficulty out of himself, he would feel greatly en couraged, and be ready to congratulate himself as tolerably certain of success. Reader, the only difficulty in the way of thy salvation, is in thyself. True it is, there are many and great ones there, the least of which thine own strength is too weak to surmount; but the Lord God Omnipotent has engaged to thee his power, if thou art willing to be helped; and therefore, in this view of the case, even thine own weakness is no insurmountable obstacle. The only question is, "Art thou sincerely willing and anxious to be saved?" Once made truly willing, what is to hinder thy salvation? Dwell again and again on this simple idea, for it is full of encouragement; "The only difficulty in my way to heaven, is that which exists in my own heart, and God is willing to remove that." 2. It is a great encouragement, that God's mind is so full of good-will towards us, and that his heart is so set upon our salvation. If we had reason to suppose that he was unfriendly towards us; that he was reluctant to save us; that his mind was upon the balance between friendship and hostility; that it needed much importunity to entreat him to be merciful, and that he granted us salvation unwillingly and grudgingly; this would indeed be discouraging, and might induce a fear that we should not succeed. But the contrary is the fact. "God is love." "He is gracious, and full of compassion;"" is rich in mercy;" and "plenteous in mercy." He even 66 delighteth in mercy." "He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." delighteth not in the death of a sinner, but would rather that he should turn from his wickedness and "He live." Yea, he confirms it by an oath, "As I live, M saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked," Ezek. xxxiii. 11. Yea, it is said that the salvation of sinners is so much his delight, that he has engaged it shall be carried on; "the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hands," Isa. liii. 10. Now "by the pleasure of the Lord" we are to understand the salvation of sinners. Nor is this all, for it is affirmed that "the Lord taketh pleasure in those that hope in his mercy," Psa. cxlvii. 11. We cannot please him better, than by asking him to save us, and by expecting salvation at his hands. Now, inquirer, take this delightful view of God's dispensation towards you; for this is the right one. He is love; he has an infinite delight in making his creatures happy. It is true his love is a holy love, and therefore the more to be depended upon. Having made provision, in the gift and mediation of Christ, for saving you in a way consistent with his truth, and holiness, and justice, and thus removed every obstacle out of the way of the flowing forth of his love towards you, he is infinitely intent on saving and blessing you. All your dark, desponding thoughts of him are unjust, and injurious to his mercy. To conceive of him as unwilling to save you, is a slander upon his love; a false and foul calumny upon his grace. If he were with difficulty persuaded to save you, why did he give his Son to die for you ? The salvation of your soul, the salvation of millions of souls, the salvation of the whole world, is not so great an act of love, as the gift of Jesus Christ. After this you need not wonder at any thing, nor doubt any thing. "He that spared not his own [proper] Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" Rom. viii. 32. You have God's mind, and heart, and purpose, and attributes, all on the side of your salvation; and is not this encouragement enough? 3. Consider the mind, character, and work of our Lord Jesus Christ. He came on purpose to save sinners; he has done every thing necessary for their salvation; he is able to save to the uttermost; he has invited all to him for salvation; he has promised to save them; and will he now fail? Think of the glory of his person, God manifest in the flesh; think of the design of his incarnation, sufferings, and death; think of the perfection of his work in satisfying Divine justice, magnifying the law, sustaining the moral government of God in all its purity, dignity, and effectiveness; think of the love of his heart, the power of his arm, and the connexion between his mediatorial renown and the salvation of sinners; think of his universal dominion over angels, devils, men, nature, providence; think of his continued and prevailing intercession at the right hand of God; think of his universal invitations, and his absolute promises what topics these, what sources of encouragement! How much is his heart fixed upon the salvation of sinners! this was the joy that was set before him, and for which he endured the cross, despising the shame; this is the travail of his soul, and by which its ineffable longings will be satisfied. Your salvation is his business, and the accomplishment of which will be his reward. If he could be conceived to be indifferent to your salvation, will he be indifferent to his own glory? Will he belie his own name, and destroy his own work, and falsify his own promises, and throw away his own reward, and terminate his own renown as a Saviour, |