ing the vessels of wrath fitted for destruc tion?" Even to these he imparts innumerable blessings in the present life: He permits them to walk on his earth; to breathe in his air; to enjoy the light of his sun; he gives them rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, and thus crowns them with numer ous marks of his loving kindness, all which they had forfeited by their fall: He gives them a clear dispensation of his word; he affords them the common operations of his Spirit; he offers them everlasting redemp tion through his Son, and spares many of them ten, or twenty, or thirty, or forty years, "beseeching them to be reconciled." If he finally permits them to perish in their unbelief, and excludes them from his gracious presence, there is no room for the presumptuous challenge, "what doest thou," or for the more daring assertion, "the ways of the Lord are not equal." Ought we not rather to mingle in the devout ascription of the spirits before the throne, "great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty: Just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints?" Or in the humble, yet ardent and elevated language of the great apostle, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God; how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out: For who hath known the mind of the Lord;" what finite understanding is capable of exploring the fathomless profound of his purposes, or tracing him

through the immensity of his operations "Or who hath been his counsellor?" what cherub, or seraph, however enlarged his comprehension, or intimate his communion with Jehovah, dares to intrude an advice relative to the government of his creatures? For of him, and through him, and to him are all things; to whom be glory for ever." AMEN.

2. Let all be admonished from this doctrine to aim "at making their calling and election sure." This exhortation is frequently given by the apostles of our Lord, and our compliance with it is a part infinitely wiser than to be disputing against the sovereignty of his decrees. Were men as industrious in improving the promises, and that everlasting remedy which is presented in the promises, as they are in raising objections against particular truths of christianity, it would conduce much more to their peace in this world, and their felicity and honor in the next. If a doctrine is mysterious, or to their false ideas of propriety appears unreasonable, many consider it a sufficient reason for neglecting religion altogether; they resolve not to perplex themselves about things which they are unable to comprehend; conscience drops asleep, and they continue in their transgressions without remorse, and without anxiety: But this is a resolution both impious and dangerous in the extreme. Must not that be true which Jehovah has declared, although my VOL. 2.

limited, depraved understanding does not fully conceive it? must not that be right which he has determined, although his counsels may be unsearchable? "Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than his Maker?" Dost thou love thy soul, proud man, lay aside thy carnal reasoning, and make sure thy salvation in the way which divine mercy has prescribed. Be not discouraged from the consideration that "few are chosen," because thou dost not know; an angel in heaven does not know but thy name is now "written in the Lamb's book of life;" and in this glorious gospel thou hast every encouragement which thy soul can possibly desire. Here are riches for the poor, light for the blind, liberty for the lawful captive, a robe for the naked, rest for the weary, strength for the weak, and healing for every spiritual disease. Art thou secretly objecting, "I know not whether I was chosen in Christ Jesus, and therefore am not certain that these blessings were designed for me?" Art thou a sinner of the human family, a son or daughter of Adam? for thee a full salvation is provided; to thee this salvation is freely, freely offered, and this offer is an ample warrant for thee to accept. None were ever invited as persons predestinated to life, but they are invited as guilty to come for pardon; as polluted to come for sanctification; as slaves of corrup tion, and heirs of wrath to come for redemption; as diseased to apply for healing; as

lost to come for recovery; as aliens to seek the adoption of sons; as poor to accept of everlasting riches; and as miserable to ask mercy of the Lord. None were ever condemned as persons passed by, but as refusing that remedy which the promise exhibits. The evangelist does not assert, he whose name is wanting in the records of life, but "he that believeth not is condemned already, and the wrath of God abideth upon him." The apostle does not ask, "how shall ye escape," not being ordained to eternal life, but how shall ye escape if ye neglect so great salvation? It is not declared, he that being omitted in the secret purposes of God, but "he that being often reproved, and hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." No sinner was ever rejected that sought mercy of the Lord with humility and self-denial and perseverance: "He will regard the prayer of the destitute,and not despise their prayer. Be encouraged therefore to wait on Jehovah in every ordinance of his appointment; wait upon him with all patience and perseverance: Meditate frequently on thy wants, and the all-sufficiency of Jesus; on thine unworthiness, and the freedom, the infinite freedom of his covenant-blessings; on thy guilt, and the everlasting efficacy of his sacrifice for thy remission. Art thou still in awful anxiety about the decree of election, and afraid that thou art not included in the number? remember that "the Father sent

his Son to be the Saviour of the world," endeavor then to embrace him in the arms of faith as thy "Saviour; he is made of God,” clearly exhibited, unconditionally offered to sinners without exception for wisdom, for righteousness, for sanctification, for redemption; aim at embracing him as thine own wisdom, thine own righteousness, thine own sanctification, thine own redemption; and be assured, thou shalt not seek in vain. "With the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.

3. This doctrine is a perenial, everlasting source of admiration and joy to each believer in Jesus Christ. Every lively exercise of grace; all the actings of thy faith, thy love, thy repentance; all thine ardent desires after greater conformity to God, and thy longings for more intimate communion with him are to thee, christian, satisfactory, reviving proofs that thou wast "chosen to salvation." Thy "calling now" is merely the counter-part of thine "election" from eternity. "He that hath wrought thee for this self same thing, is God" the Holy Ghost, and he hath thus wrought, because on thee the Father's love centred from everlasting. "He hath saved and called thee with a holy calling, not according to thy works, but according to his own purpose and grace given thee in Christ Jesus before the world began."-Does not the very thought fill thee with surprise and astonishment unutterable at the sovereign goodness of Jehovah ?