But here, perhaps, fome may ask the queftion, To what works do you refer? If they are works of a doubtful nature, we acknowledge that they ought to be tried, and that those are highly to blame who neglect to try them. But are there not. other works, fo eininently good and excellent in themfelves, that the perfon who doth them, may conclude, without hefitation, that they are certainly pleasing and acceptable to God? This, my brethren, is a rock upon which thoufands have made

fhipwreck. It would make one fad to think what multitudes will be furprised with the everlafting burnings, who, in confequence of this very opinion, flatter themfelves, while they live, with the hopes of heaven. You must therefore allow me to retort the question, and to ask, What are those works which are fo eminently good and excellent, that there is no need to prove them? or rather, Are there any duties of an external nature, which an hypocrite cannot perform as well as you? Do you frequent the church, and attend upon the preaching of the word? So did the impeni

tent

nitent Jews in the days of the Prophet Ezekiel, with as much decency, perhaps, and apparent devotion, as are seen in you. For thus faid the Lord unto that Prophet, They come unto thee as the people co"meth, and they fit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they "will not do them: for with their mouth

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they fhew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetoufnefs." Are you

ftrict obfervers of the Sabbath? We read of fome who perfecuted our Saviour for working a miracle of mercy on the fabbathday and furely you pretend not to a greater degree of ftrictnefs, than this. Do you pray? So did the Pharifees; they made long prayers, and they prayed with a loud voice. Do you faft before the obfervation of the Lord's Supper? The Pharifees did more: They fafted twice in the week. Do you partake of that holy facrament? Many think that Judas did fo too: we know at least that he was prefent at the paffover, which was also a folemn rite of religion: And therefore no certain conclu

fion

fion can be drawn from the outward exercifes of religious worship.

Where then shall we go next? Will we judge with more certainty from the duties of the fecond table of the law of God?

Here, my brethren, the matter may be brought to a very fhort iffue. We read of a young man who profeffed, in the prefence of our Lord, that he had kept all these commandments from his youth:-and yet we learn from the fequel of his ftory, that he preferred the poffeffions of this earth to the enjoyment of God; for he refufed to fell his lands for the relief of the poor, although our Saviour had affured him of treasure in heaven.-But you have perhaps to say for yourselves, that you are charitable and kind to the poor; and ask if this is not a duty applauded in Scripture? I confess it is much applauded. But were not the proud and hypocritical Pharifees alfo charitable? They gave alms and more liberal alms than most of us; otherwife, I fuppofe, they would have founded the trumpet as little as we do. -We may therefore conclude, that none of all these outward deeds are fufficient, by themselves,

themselves, to distinguish us from the hypocrite: But the question will return, May we not join all thefe works together? and in that cafe, may we not draw from them a certain conclufion?

My brethren, If I were now fpeaking of the judgement which others ought to form of your characters, from what they fee in your actions, I would certainly fay, that those favourable appearances ought to perfuade them that you are real Chriftians. But as I fpeak of the estimate which you are to make yourselves, I must tell you, that all this fair fhow may certainly confift with a heart that is not "found in God's

"statutes." For Amaziah, the king of Judah, was not far fhort of this, of whom we read (2 Chron. xxv. 2.), that he "did that " which was right in the fight of the Lord;" "but (obferve what follows, he did it). not with a perfect heart.” What a promising appearance was here blasted! Amaziah gave God every thing but his heart; the very thing which God valued, and without which all that he could give befides was infignificant. Does not this shake the VOL. III. foundation

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foundation of your confidence, and maké you, like one newly awakened out of a flattering dream, fummon up all your attention to fee whether you are in the unhappy fituation of Amaziah, or are really in the circunftances in which your own fancy hath reprefented you? This, my brethren, is the very thing which I have been aiming at. I foresee the day, when many who were fomething in their own eyes, and trufted in themselves that they were righteous, will present their specious roll of outward duties to the heart-fearching Judge, faying, Lo! this is the life which we spent in the flesh; who will not be able to add, This life was "by the faith of the Son of God." Methinks I hear the Judge fay to them, Thefe are indeed the duties which I enjoined; but where is the fpirit which fhould have animated them? Thefe are the facrifices which I appointed; but the ftrange fire with which offered them, can find no acceptance you here. Ye have not ferved me, but yourfelves. "I never knew you." And there

fore ye can receive no reward.

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