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relations they have left behind them. But this is, the accepted time for them, as well as for us. Let us, then, address them ourselves: and let us beg our living friends to give us all the help they can, without waiting for assistance from the inhabitants of another world. Let us earnestly exhort them to use the helps they have; to "hear Moses and the Prophets." We are, indeed, apt to think, like that unhappy spirit, "If one went to them from the dead, they will repent. But Abraham said, If they hear not Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead."

III. I am, in the third place, to prove the truth of this weighty sentence, which I will do, first, briefly, and then more at large.

And, First, to express the matter briefly: It is certain, that no human spirit, while it is in the body, can persuade another to repent; can work in him an entire change, both of heart and life; a change, from universal wickedness, to universal holiness. And, suppose that spirit discharged from the body, it is no more able to do this, than it was before: no power less than that which created it at first, can create any soul anew. No angel, much less any human spirit, whether in the body or out of the body, can bring one soul from darkness to light, from the power of Satan unto God. It might very possibly fright him to death, or to the belief of any speculative truth; but it could not fright him into spiritual life. God alone can raise those that are "dead in trespasses and sins."

2. In order to prove more at large, that if men "hear not Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be [effectually] persuaded to repent, though one rose from the dead:" I will propose a case of this kind, with all the advantages that can be conceived. Suppose, then, one that does not "hear Moses and the prophets," that does not believe the Scripture to be of God, to be fast asleep in his bed, and suddenly to awake, while the clock was striking one. He is surprised to observe the chamber as light as if it were noon-day. He looks up, and sees one whom he perfectly

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knew, standing at his bed-side. Though a little surprised at first, he quickly recollects himself, and has the courage to ask, "Are not you my friend, who died at such a time?" He answers, "I am. I am come from God, with a message to you. You have often wished you could see one risen from the dead, and said, then you would repent. You have your wish: and I am ordered to inform you, you are seeking death in the error of your life. If you die in the state you are in now, you will die eternally. I warn you in his name, That the Scriptures are the real Word of God. That, from the moment you die, you will be remarkably happy, or unspeakably miserable. That you cannot be happy hereafter, unless you are holy here, which cannot be, unless you are born again. Receive this call from God! Eternity is at hand. Repent, and believe the gospel!" Having spoken these words, he vanishes away, and the room is dark as it was before.

3. One may easily believe it would be impossible for him not to be convinced for the present. He would sleep no more that night, and would, as soon as possible, tell his family what he had seen and heard. Not content with this, he would be impatient to tell it to his former companions. And, probably, observing the earnestness with which he spoke, they would not then contradict him. They would say to each other, "Give him time to cool; then he will be a reasonable man again."

4. Now it is constantly found, that impressions made on the memory gradually decay that they grow weaker and weaker in process of time, and the traces of them fainter and fainter. So it must be in this case, which his com panions observing, would not fail to seize the opportunity. They would speak to this effect: "It was a strange account you gave us some time since: the more so, because we know you to be a sensible man, and not inclined to Enthusiasm. But, perhaps, you have not fully considered, how difficult it is, in some cases, to distinguish our dreams from our waking thoughts. Has any one yet been able to VOL. VIII.

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find out an infallible criterion between them? Is it not, then, possible, that you may have been asleep, when this lively impression was made on your mind?" When he had been brought to think, possibly it might be a dream, they would soon persuade him, probably it was so: and not long after, to believe, it certainly was a dream. So little would it avail, that one came from the dead!

5. It could not be expected to be otherwise. For what was the effect which was wrought npon him? 1. He was exceedingly frightened. 2. This fright made way for a deeper conviction of the truth then declared. But, 3. His heart was not changed. None but the Almighty could effect this. Therefore, the bias of his soul was still set the wrong way: he still loved the world, and, consequently, wished that the Scripture was not true. How easily, then, as the fright wore off, would he again believe what he wished! The conclusion, then, is plain and undeniable. If men "hear not Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded to repent and believe the gospel, though one rose from the dead."

6. We may add one consideration more, which brings the matter to a full issue. Before, or about the same time, that Lazarus was carried into Abraham's bosom, another Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, was actually raised from the dead. But were even those who believed the fact, persuaded to repent? So far from it, that "they took counsel, to kill Lazarus," as well as his Master! Away, then, with the fond imagination, that those who "hear not Moses and the Prophets, would be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."

7. From the whole we may draw that general conclusion, That standing Revelation is the best mean of rational conviction: far preferable to any of those extraordinary means which some imagine would be more effectual. It is, therefore, our wisdom, to avail ourselves of this; to make full use of it, so that it may be a lantern to our feet, and a light in all our paths. Let us take care, that our whole heart

and life be conformable thereto; that it be the constant rule of all our tempers, all our words, and all our actions. So shall we preserve in all things the testimony of a good conscience toward God: and when our course is finished, we too shall be "carried by angels into Abraham's bosom."

Birmingham,

March 25, 1788.

SERMON XLIX.

ON THE WILDERNESS STATE.

JOHN XVI. 22.

"Ye now have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you."

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1. AFTER God had wrought a great deliverance for Israel, by bringing them out of the house of bondage, they did not immediately enter into the land which he had promised to their fathers, but " wandered out of the way in the wilderness," and were variously tempted and distressed. In like manner, after God has delivered them that fear him from the bondage of sin and Satan; after they are "justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus,' yet, not many of them immediately enter into the rest which remaineth for the people of God. The greater part of them wander, more or less, out of the good way into which he hath brought them. They come, as it were, into a waste and howling desart, where they are variously tempted and tormented. And this, some, in allusion to the case of the Israelites, have termed, A Wilderness State.

2. Certain it is, that the condition wherein these are, has a right to the tenderest compassion. They labour under an evil and sore disease; though one that is not commonly

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