which the ministry of reconciliation is to be conducted, Saint Paul does not mean altogether to exclude the severer method of threatening and reproof: for in the very chapter from which the text is taken, he speaks of "the terrors of the Lord;" and evidently shews that in bringing sinners to Jesus Christ, He would induce them, if necessary, no less by threatening and alarm, than by the gentler modes of entreaty and persuasion.

These remarks will suffice for explaining the statement in the text. I will now proceed to apply what has been said to ourselves.

My brethren, the office which I bear among you is that which I have been describing. I stand before you as an Ambassador for Christ. I come to you in His stead. I speak to you in His name. I am instructed what to say by His word. May I be enabled to be faithful to this trust, and to execute my office at this time to His Glory, and for your good!

The Object which I have in view, as you have already seen, is to prevail with you to be reconciled to God, to lay aside your enmity to Him, and to accept His most gracious offers of pardon and eternal life. Surely, when the nature of these offers is considered, it could hardly have been supposed that there would be any difficulty in

inducing persons to accept them. When it is considered, what are the blessed consequences of reconciliation with God, it could hardly have been supposed that any persuasion would be necessary to bring men to be reconciled unto Him. Yet experience proves the contrary. Experience proves, that immense as are the benefits which flow from a compliance with the terms of peace in the Gospel, yet nothing is so difficult as to procure such a compliance. So blind is man to his true interests, so fastened to his sins, so prone to unbelief, that nothing in fact but a Divine influence on his heart can cordially engage him in the great work of religion. And were it not for the gracious Promise that the Lord will be with his ministers in their great work of reconciling Sinners to Himself, and by his Spirit will bless and render effectual their humble endeavours in his service, they might as well desist from their work, for they must utterly despair of success in it.. If it were not for this Promise, they could have no hope of doing any good. It is the only ground on which they can build their expectations of being useful. But it is a ground on which they do build expectation. They do humbly hope, that the Lord will bless their feeble attempts to reconcile Sinners to Himself that He will give them the hearing ear and

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the seeing eye; that He will grant them a heart to receive His truths, to comply with His terms, and to devote themselves to His Service. -O Blessed and Merciful Lord, grant that while in Thy name Thy Ministers pray the People to be reconciled to Thee, Thy Holy Spirit may be shed abroad in their hearts, and effectually engage them to Thyself!

My Brethren, let me distinctly remind you of the Work which we are commissioned and anxious to accomplish, namely, to bring you, if you should not already have been brought, into a state of peace and favour with Almighty God; and so to secure your happiness here and for ever. It is not about a small thing that we wish to treat with you, but about your everlasting salvation. We wish to prevail with you to save your immortal Souls. Surely both the object which we have in view, as well as our motive for attempting it, demand your very serious and favourable attention.

If you consult your own consciences, or the Word of God, you must know that you are sinners. You have broken God's Law; you have lived without Him in the world; you have not worshipped Him as God; neither have you been thankful to Him as you ought for the Gifts of His Providence, much less for the still richer Gifts of His

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Grace. You have neglected His great Salvation. You have made light of His Son. You have resisted and grieved His Holy Spirit. If you know any thing of yourselves, you must know that all this charge You must know that you have not lived a holy, righteous, and godly life; but have followed the devices and desires of your own hearts; have indulged your lusts; have served the world, and the devil; have joined with the multitude in doing evil; and, at the very best, have given to God only a formal service, without any living obedience, without any real devotion of Spirit.

And now what is the necessary consequences? Into what condition has this state of things brought you? It is a part of my duty plainly to tell you. The consequence is, that you are at variance and enmity with Almighty God. It cannot be otherwise. For He hates the sin, which you have loved and practised; and He loves that holiness, which you dislike and neglect. Besides, the sin which you have committed is a direct transgression of His Law, an affront to His Majesty, and rebellion against His Government. In this state, then, there can be no peace between you and God. You and He must be Enemies, the one to the other.

But let me entreat you to reflect on the misery of such a state. You had better have all the world for your enemy than God. For consider how entirely dependent you are on Him for every enjoyment which you either have or hope to have. You have not one moment's peace of mind, or health of body, which you do not owe to Him. If He chose it, He could embitter every moment of your life. He could fill your mind with such horrible and distracting thoughts, as would make you a terror to yourself and others. He could afflict your body with such pains and diseases, as would make life a burden and a torment to you. If there is one thing in the world of which you are fondest, and which appears to be necessary to your happiness, He can in an instant deprive you of it. In what a fruitless contest, then, are you engaged! What a What a dreadful state is that of enmity with God!

It is true, indeed, that in His great forbearance God may not at present shew his wrath against you. He may spare you for a season. He may neither disturb your mind, nor afflict your body, nor deprive you of your worldly enjoyments. But remember, He is not the less your enemy all the while. He may begin at any time to discharge his fury upon you. You are liable to it every