converted, not to the Chriftian faith, but to the Romish fuperftition, they are inviolably attached to the French intereft. And that politic, but fraudulent nation, are able to cover and excufe their own treacherous defigns, by the ungovernable and savage barbarity of their Indian allies.

Can there be therefore a more noble, a more important, or more neceffary exercise of Christian charity, than enabling the fociety to carry on their ufeful and falutary schemes, efpecially to extend their miffions to the Indian. tribes? Who that knows the value of immortal fouls, can refufe to contribute his share in promoting this excellent defign? Who that fears the juft judgment and displeasure of God, can refuse to take this ftep, amongst others, evidently neceffary for averting his threatened vengeance? And who that loves his Redeemer's name, but muft defire that it fhould be adored from the rifing to the setting fun? The boldness and ac. tivity of finners in fpreading every species of cor ruption, fhould excite an emulation in believers not to be behind-hand in the fervice of a much better mafter. Have we not feen much profane zeal difcovered in fupport of the most pernicious and criminal amufements, which confume time, enervate the body, and pollute the mind? And fhall there not be a like concern to promote knowledge and holiness in the uncivilized parts

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of our own country, and to carry the glad tidings of the gofpel of peace to those who now fit in darkness, and in the region and fhadow of death? Are there not many to whom the name of a Saviour is precious, even as ointment "poured forth;" who burn with defire, that the riches of divine grace, which can never be exhaufted, may be more largely diffufed? And will not all fuch chearfully and liberally contribute to extend the bounds of their Redeemer's kingdom, in the profpect of that bleffed time, when the knowledge of God fhall cover the earth as the waters cover the fea? or of that ftill more glorious period, when every veffel of mercy, from the eaft, weft, north, and fouth, fhall be gathered together, and fit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of their Father?

I fhall now conclude my difcourfe, by preaching this Saviour to all who hear me, and intreating you, in the most earnest manner, to believe in Jefus Chrift; " for there is no falvation in

any other." This is far from being unneceffary or improper, even in an audience of profeffing Chriftians. Wherever there is a national profeffion of the gospel, there are always many who, though they retain the name of Chriftians, are ftrangers to real faith in Chrift, or union with God through him; nay, who in their hearts

are

are enemies to the truth in its fimplicity and pu Fity. It is in vain to attempt, by reasoning, to bring men to an acknowledgment of the truth of the Chriftian doctrine in fpeculation, unless we alfo bring them to fuch a perfonal conviction of their guilt and wretchedness, as will make them receive the information of Chrift's character and work, as glad tidings to their own fouls. No other converts receive any benefit themselves by the change; nor are they of any fervice to Christ and his caufe, except fo far as they are overruled by the fovereign providence of that God who only can bring good out of evil.”

Wherefore, my beloved hearers, be perfuaded, from the word of God, which you profefs to believe, from the ftate of the world, which you may fee, and of your own hearts, which you may feel, that you are by nature wretched, and miferable, and poor, and blind, and naked. You are so far from having such a conformity to the pure and perfect law of God, in your thoughts, words, and actions, and the principles from which they ought to flow, as can intitle you to his favour, that the imaginations of your hearts are only evil from your youth, and that continually. Whatever imaginary fchemes of a virtuous character you may reft or glory in, you are wholly unable to stand the trial of God's impartial judgment. Oh! how hard is it to convince

men of fin, even while the earth groans under their guilt! Would but those who are most apt to boast of the dignity of their nature, and the perfection of their virtue, make an exact register of all the thoughts that arife in their minds; there remains ftill as much of the law of God written upon their hearts, as would judge them out of their own mouths. Inftead of being able to bear that such a record fhould be exposed to public view, they could not even endure themfelves to peruse it for felf-flattery is their ruling character, but felf-abhorrence would be the effect of this discovery. Ought you not therefore to be ready to acknowledge, that you are altogether as an unclean thing, and unable to stand before God if he enter into judgment? But whether you acknowledge it or not, I bear from God himfelf this message to you all, that whatever may be your character, formed upon worldly maxims, and animated by ambitious and worldly views, if you are not reconciled to God through Jefus Chrift, if you are not clothed with the fpotlefs robe of his righteousness, you must for ever perish.

But behold, through this man is preached unto you the forgivenefs of fins. There is a fulnefs of merit in his obedience and death to procure your pardon. There is no fin of fo deep a dye, or fo infectious a ftain, but his blood is fufficient

fufficient to wash it out. This is no new doc trine, or modern difcovery, to gratify a curious mind. Perhaps you have heard fuch things fo often, that you nauseate and difdain the repetition. But they are the words of eternal life, on which your fouls falvation abfolutely depends; and therefore, though this call fhould come but once more to be rejected, it is yet again within your offer; and as "an ambaffador from Chrift, as "though God did befeech you by me, I pray

you in Christ's ftead be ye reconciled unto "God." You have heard the danger of all who are without Chrift; but I beseech you remember the aggravated guilt, and the fuperior danger of those who continue obftinate under the gospel All the mercy that is shown to finners in the offer, fhall inflame the charge against them in the great day, if they are found impenitent. Mercy and justice are never feparated in any part of the gospel plan. They illuftrate each other in the contrivance, they fhine together on the cross, and they shall be jointly manifeft in the day of judgment. Shall not the blood of Chrift, which is fo powerful in its influence for taking away the guilt of those who truft in it, greatly add to the guilt and danger of those who defpife it?" Be "wife now, therefore, O ye kings," and all of every rank;" be inftructed, ye judges of the "earth.

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