racter which impofes it, will foften what might otherwise be deemed an impofition, and give it the pleafing denomination of a favor, a privilege, an honor. Such is the cafe with refpect to the yoke of religion. It is itself eafy and more than this, it is not forced on our necks by the fevere and rigorous arm of tyranny and oppreffion, or of ignorance and fuperftition; but by the kind and gentle hand of him, to whom we are infinitely obliged, and who is full of mercy and truth. It is the yoke of Chrift; of him who made us, who upholds us in our existence, who gave his life for us; of him, whofe authority wisdom and goodness stand confirmed by unquestionable evidence.

Behold, Chriftian, the adorable Saviour, furvey the beauties of his countenance, contemplate the grace of his heart, reflect on the bounty of his hands! And then say, whether the commands his lips pronounce, can ever found harth in your ears, or ever be ungrate ful to your inclinations. What, O what hath he done for you? rather should I fay, What hath he not done for you? In all your guilt and mifery he faw you, he pitied you, he ran to your relief. The blifs and glory he poffeffed in heaven could not detain him there-fuch was his love!-when your redemption made

it neceffary for him to defcend thence. No, nor could the direful agonies he had in profpect, fhake his refolution, or hold him back from the great undertaking. He bowed his willing neck, and patiently, yea chearfully for your fake took the yoke of human nature on him, with all its finless infirmities. He was made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem you from the curfe of the law, and to intitle you to the adoption of fons". On him was laid the heavy burden of your iniquities, and of the fons of the mighty there was not one, either able or willing to help him. He bore your griefs, he carried your forrows. He pleafed not himself, but as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee, fell on me ". For you he lived, for you he died, for you he rofe again. For you he now lives in heaven, to shower innumerable bleffings upon you in your way through this world, and to prepare manfions of glory for you, against your arrival at that blissful state.

He bore

And can you, after all the evidence you have of his dignity and glory, dispute his authority to lay this yoke upon you? Or after all the proofs he hath given of his mildnefs and love, hefitate one moment at

Gal. iv. 4, 5.

R 4

w Rom. xv. 3,

your

your obligations to fubmit to it? Is not he who requires you to hear and obey him, the Prophet whom the Lord your God hath raised up unto you, and in whom are bid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge? Is not he who demands your allegiance and subjection, the Prince who hath obtained your liberties for you at the expence of his blood? A Mafter who hath too much gentleness in his nature, to impofe a hard fervice on you; and a Friend who loves you too well, to expect any other office at your hands, but what reafon dictates and gratitude approves? In a word; is he not that righteous Judge, who will of his infinite grace, reward all your labor of love in another world, with a crown of unfading glory?

And now fay, whether these confiderations, when impreffed upon the heart by a lively faith, accompanied with a divine influence, may not well render the yoke of Chrift is eafy, and his burden light.

* Deut. xviii. 15.

y Col. ii. 3.

DISCOURSE

DISCOURSE VI.

PART II.

S a farther motive to animate us to our duty, it is to be remembred,

III. That when Chrift invites men into his fervice, he means not to leave them to their own ftrength.

of the bat

and he hath them. My

They who enter the lifts with fin and fense, under the banner of Jefus the great Captain of falvation, fhall not fail to be fupported by him in the heat tle. His power is almighty, promised it shall rest upon grace is fufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Bleffed promife! If it were not for this, how foon fhould we faint and tire in the path of duty! how foon fhould we yield to the power and rage of * 2 Cor. xii. 9.

the

the enemy! how foon should we fink under the weight of our own fears! Difficult it is indeed to fubdue corruptions, which refifting all the reasonings of philosophy, have obftinately triumphed over mankind. But through Christ who ftrengtheneth us, we can do all things. Difficult it is to make a bold stand against the world, its fnares and temptations, its paffions and prejudices. But having him on our fide, who hath said, Be of good chear, I have overcome the world', the conqueft will, it must be eafy. Difficult it is in a word, to fupport the heavy weight of affliction, which Providence fometimes judges it neceffary to lay upon us; and efpecially to refift unto blood, in the caufe of truth and religion. But can it be imagined, that the merciful Saviour will call men to fuffer for his fake, and when he has done fo, defert them in the hour of trial? Have not fome of the moft timorous of his difciples, ftrengthned by his grace, approved themfelves champions on these tremendous occafions? The habit, it is true, in which religion at fuch times appears, is by no means pleafing to an eye of fenfe. Nature starts back at the fight. The yoke feems hard, and the burden heavy. But faith, that grand

2 Phil. iv. 13.

b John xvi. 33.

I

principle