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YOUR WAY TO HEAVEN.

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at they have tranfemperance, have a good them of taking revenge upon

by mortification and felf-denial: pending their time, by retirement; and for neglect of duty, by refolving upon, and fetting about the duties of their proper calling, with more care and diligence.

Such as have been at variance will take this occafion of labouring to be reconciled, and to forgive, as they hope for forgiveness themfelves at God's hands.

They that are engaged in a finful way of living of any kind fhould confider, that this may be the laft opportunity offered them by God, of beginning a repentance not to be repented of.

In fhort; we fhould all take this occafion of confidering, (and this the most ignorant can do, as well as the most learned) That we have not long to fojourn here;-that death is ever at hand, and to be furprised would be the most dreadful thing in the world, for that we shall rife out of the grave juft as we lie

down

them, from charging him foolishly; and make them more importunate for grace to fecure them (as far as God thinks fit) from both these extremes-from a finful fecurity, and from caufelefs fear; that they may serve him acceptably with reverence and godly fear

There is another fear which we are far from recommending, and that is, a flavish fear; fuch as wicked people, until their confciences are feared, do always labour under-a fear of the vengeance of God for the wickedness they are not willing to forfake.

But this flavish fear is easily known from that religious fear recommended in the text. A flave looks for no favour when he has done amifs: he hates the mafter he fears; he is obedient only for fear of punishment, and has no concern but to hide his faults. On the contrary, a child of God is afraid indeed when he has done amifs; but he remembers that he is a father whom he has offended, and with an humble confidence hopes for his pardon, and loves him the more because he is fo good as to forgive him.

You fee by this time, my Christian brethren, what I have aimed at; namely, to recommend to you a ferious temper, which is the true Christian frame of mind and spirit. That this confists in loving God, and fearing to offend him; and lastly, in refolving to amend wherever we are fenfible we have done amiss.

Heb. xii. 28.

I confider

I confider that the approaching feafon [LENT] is obferved by all ferious Christians with a more than ordinary regard for religious duties.

Many, it is to be hoped, will call themfelves to an account for the errors of their lives past, and make fober resolutions of amendment for the time to come.

Such as are fenfible that they have tranfgreffed through intemperance, have a good occafion offered them of taking revenge upon themselves by mortification and felf-denial: for mifpending their time, by retirement; and for neglect of duty, by refolving upon, and setting about the duties of their proper calling, with more care and diligence.

Such as have been at variance will take this occafion of labouring to be reconciled, and to forgive, as they hope for forgiveness themfelves at God's hands..

They that are engaged in a finful way of living of any kind fhould confider, that this may be the laft opportunity offered them by God, of beginning a repentance not to be repented of.

In fhort; we should all take this occafion of confidering, (and this the most ignorant can do, as well as the most learned) That we have not long to fojourn here;-that death is ever at hand, and to be furprifed would be the most dreadful thing in the world, for that we shall rife out of the grave juft as we lie

down

down in it, either the objects of God's wrath, or of his mercy to all eternity;-that therefore we fhould at all times endeavour to preserve ourselves in a ferious temper of mind, and avoid every thing that may make us forget that we have fouls capable of the extremest mifery, if not taken care of;-that we are sure to be most happy when we die, if we are careful to please God while we live;—and,

Laftly; That whenever we fuffer ourselves to grow unthoughtful, indifferent, and carelefs, we are in greater danger than we are aware of, of hardening ourselves against all motives and means of falvation, the fear of hell, and the hopes of heaven.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, let it be feen, by the seriousness of our lives, that we hope to go to heaven when we die.

Which God grant, for Jesus Christ's fake, our most bleffed Lord and Saviour.

Amen.

SERMON

SERMON XII.

THE CHARACTER OF A FAITHFUL SERVANT CONSIDERED AND APPLIED, (FOR OUR DIRECTION COMFORT) AS WE ARE THE SERVANTS OF GOD,

AND

MATTHEW XXV. 20, 21.

HE THAT HAD RECEIVED FIVE TALENTS, CAME AND BROUGHT OTHER FIVE TALENTS, SAYING, LORD THOU DELIVEREDST UNTO ME FIVE TALENTS: BEHOLD, I HAVE GAINED BESIDES THEM FIVE TALENTS MORE, HIS LORD SAID UNTO HIM, WELL DONE, THOU GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT; THOU HAST BEEN FAITHFUL OVER A FEW THINGS, I WILL MAKE THEE RULER OVER MANY THINGS: ENTER THOU INTO THE JOY OF THY LORD.

THE

HE more thoughtful people are, the more apt are they to be caft down with the remembrance of their imperfections and failings; while they that are less careful of their ways are apt to run into another extreme, and hope well for themselves, not always with good reason.

Now all this proceeds from people's having wrong apprehenfions of God. And there is no way fo likely to free our minds from falfe hopes on the one hand, and on the other from unreasonable fears, as this: to confider well

the

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