ourselves from the bondage of Corruption -from the curse of the Law-from the Wrath to come! The very Attempt, were it seriously made, might indeed have this valuable effect-to convince us of its folly, and madness; and so lead us, eventually, to Him, who is both "the Author, and the Finisher, of our Salvation."

For the more effectual establishment of this point-respecting our natural Inability to save ourselves-it should be observed, that, instead of having any constitutional propensity, to seek, or to desire, the blessings of Salvation, we are very strangely, very irrationally, very ungratefully, disposed to neglect them! we do actually, determinately, and perseveringly turn away our thoughts, our attention, our minds, our hearts, from them, to pursuits, possessions, and enjoyments, of an inexpressibly lower, and, in some instances, of the vilest, consideration-which we should blush to own. We are disinclined, to "seek first the kingdom of GOD, and his

Righteousness" we do not like, to "labour for the meat, that endureth unto everlasting life :" we do not chuse, to "set our affections on things above, and not on things in the earth*." And, with all these moral Aversions from our supreme Wisdom, our true Excellence, and our chief Good, shall we still be so blind, so absurd, so infatuated, as to imagine, that we can save ourselves? Surely, nothing but the most pitiable ignorance, or, something worse, can ever indulge so delusive a chimera. No mathematical Axiom can be more incontestible, upon the principles of The christian Faith, than this-that, Mankind are not their own Saviours.

*This is no matter of speculative Theory, or sceptical Philosophy; but, of universal, unexceptionable Experience: and there never was a Person, who understood the nature of genuine Christianity, or that really knew himself, who would dispute it. But, Mankind do not know themselves, for this sole reason-because, they will not study themselves in the only undeceiving mirrour, "The Word of Truth." Rom. vii. 9-14. Those, who do not prefer to read themselves in the holy Scriptures, may consult a very useful little treatise on Self-knowledge, by Mason.

They are, therefore, "saved" saved, by some superior Agency, and Power. They are saved by Him, who is the great prominent figure in the whole of divine Revelation; the spirit of all the ancient Prophecies; the substance of all the exceeding great and precious Promises; the perfection of the Law; the glory of the Gospel; THE GREAT SALVATION of all the ends of the earth; and, whom we have been accustomed to denominate, in one comprehensive title,

THE MESSIAH:

to whom, we must be indebted, by the irreversible decree of Heaven, for all our salvation. We must be saved by Him; because," there is no Salvation in any other."-But, in what way? or,

*Σcowoμsvo: not, by the active energy of any inherent strength, but, by a passive submission to the Almighty power of divine Grace. Ps. cx. 3. In what mode that Grace operates, agreeably to our rational constitution, will hereafter appear.

+ As this is confessedly a Topic of such general Interest, and concerning which the ancient Prophets are said.

SECTION III.

In what sense are those, who are saved, saved by Grace?

In discussing these great questions, which come not at all within the sphere of

to have enquired with the most anxious diligence, 1.Pet. i. 10-12. it would have been, at least, very excusable, had I expatiated upon it more at large. But, my aim is, to epitomise, as much as possible, without omitting any thing really material. Otherwise, I might have stated this Salvation, I. as devised in the everlasting Covenant of Grace, or Counsel of Peace; 2. as revealed in the sacred scriptures: 3. as exhibited in the mediatorial Person and Character of Christ: 4. as applied by the holy Ghost: 5. as the only Source of true Felicity: 6. as a matter of substantial and improving Excellence: and, 7. as consummated in a future and eternal State. Let those, who are habituated to these sublime Researches, pursue it through all this diversity of representation. Their time and labour will be amply rewarded-if they pursue it in the pure word of God-unperplexed, and unobscured, by any human Commentary. I urge this with the greater earnestness, because, that ignorance of the divine Oracles, which prevails among us, is, to those, who are capable of being moved by it, inexpressibly afflictive.

It should however be acknowledged, that, from the tremendous period of national Crisis, in which "The

Science merely human, and in which the greatest Genius, when left to the operation of his own unassisted powers, is upon a level with the most illiterate child of poverty, we have no recourse to the schools of Reason, and Philosophy: because, we wish not to be led astray by their fascinating and perilous illusions. We We go directly into the Sanctuary of divine illumination in which, by an entire submission of our understanding to its unerring Light, we are instructed, that, The Religion of the Bible is altogether a Religion of GRACE; and that, The Salvation of

Age of Reason" did irreparable mischief, the pious and judicious Laity have not had the same cause of complaint-which, previous to that publication, had so long existed-that, "From the Pulpit, Morality had been so earnestly recommended, and Christianity but coolly regarded; much said of the Light of nature, and the Fitness of things; but, little, of the great plan of Salvationof "Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, or Redemption-and those sublime sentiments of Grace and Virtue, exhibited in the Gospel." Original Christianity seems to be reviving, once more, in all its uncorrupt and lovely Simplicity.