ing efficacy. They may mingle in their instruction, much that is not absolutely contrary to scripture, with not a little that is, and with their manner and other accompaniments, interest, awaken, and impress the minds of sinners; but the effect will be chiefly on the imagination and the passions. Sinners will not be PRICKED IN THEIR HEART, and made to feel the unspeakable magnitude of their guilt and danger. And their impressions, though often apparently strong, not being deep, soon pass away. By this fact the hearers of a preached gospel, may learn how important it is to hear in the manner pointed out in the morning discourse. Unless they receive it as the word of God-as the sole instrument of their salvation-with a teachable temper, and with desires for the influence of the Spirit of truth, they have no reason to expect to be convinced of sin, to be made penitent, and sanctified for heaven.

2. Genuine conviction of sin leads those who are its subjects instinctively to the bible and to prayer. They cling to the very weapon that has pierced their heart. Though they do not love it, they know it to be a friend whose wounds are faithful. While it gives them pain, they see that it points them aright. They see, too, that the Spirit which winged the weapon home to their bosom, alone can effectually heal their wounded spirit, and bring peace and comfort to their agitated minds. It is therefore they pray. It is no doubtful question in their minds, whether or not, an awakened sinner should be directed to pray. With their views and impressions, they cannot restrain prayer. It is often uttered involuntarily. Selfish and sinful as they clearly perceive every such act to be, they cannot be prevented crying for mercy. From this it may be seen that such as seem to be awakened, but who feel no peculiar interest in the word of God, and are rarely if ever alone with their God and his truth, have no true conviction of sin. They may be greatly excited, appear very anxious, speak much of their distress and desires, and feel at

rest only when with those who are supposed to pray, and to have much religious ardor. But they are all the while wholly dead at heart, ignorant of themselves, of their depravity, of the real cause of their wretchedness, and of their approaching danger. They have never felt that sorrow and compunction of heart, which would induce them earnestly and honestly to inquireWHAT SHALL WE DO?

3. It is proper to notice the direction suitable to be given to such as do thus inquire. Sometimes they receive directions fitted to allay their fears, and quiet their agitations of mind. They are exhorted to banish their gloominess and mingle in society. That they are not so sinful as they imagine-that God is merciful—and that to be religious is to be cheerful. By others again, they are directed simply to attend to some of the outward duties, and to make a profession of religion. And persons, who have some right views of the state of convicted sinners, and would not lead them astray, frequently err in the counsel they give to inquirers. They direct such to read the bible, to pray, to attend on the common means of grace, and to persevere; and encourage them to expect that by these means, they will ultimately be brought into a state of acceptance with God. But such was not the apostle's direction. Not that he forbid them to do these things. These are duties not to be neglected at the peril of sinking into perdition. But their great, present, indispensable, and pressing duty, is to repent, and do works meet for repentance. Until they do this, instead of making approaches towards a state of acceptance with God, they are in heart only departing from him. You then, who would ask with a strong sense of your sins and danger, WHAT YOU SHALL DO? may see how the God of heaven answers that interrogatory. He bids you bring to him a broken and believing heart. This is the only sacrifice he requires of you-the only acceptable one you can offer. You must repent, or perish. Until you do

this, your tears, and your prayers avail nothing. You are yet highminded, and you must be humble. You are attached with unabated relish to sin, and you must loathe it. You in heart reject the only Saviour of the lost, and you must cordially embrace him. And he, in sinning against whose grace and compassion you have accumulated your deepest guilt, is waiting still to receive you, and to wash away all your guilt in his own blood. Oh, can you look to him, and not loathe yourselves and repent in dust and ashes? Can you think of his matchless condescension, his love and mercy, and not cling to him with the ardor of inextinguishable affection, with the grasp of unalterable faith and confidence? He is your all. There is no hope-there is no rest-there is no salvation but in him.

One word to you who have no proper sense of your sins. You endeavor to believe yourselves safe-but you are in imminent danger. You imagine that you have need of nothing-but you are poor indeed-miserable, and wretched and blind and naked. You think yourselves whole-but you are afflicted with a disease which is preying upon your souls, and must terminate in their everlasting death, unless you apply to the great Physician. Shrink not, I beseech you, from a true discovery of your state. Cherish any slight impression you may receive of your danger. O, do not rest as you are. Do not sleep on the verge of ruin. Do not destroy your own souls eternally. Do not despise, and wonder-and perish? Do not resist the Holy Spirit of promise; but invite his blessed influence. Obey his motions; and you may yet participate all the blessedness of convicted, repentant, and purified sinners.

SERMON XII.

Millennial Scenes Anticipated.

ISAIAH LX. 8.

WHO ARE THESE THAT FLY AS A CLOUD, AND AS THE DOVES TO THEIR WINDOWS?

A LARGE part of the prophecy of Isaiah, relates to the advent of Christ, and the establishment of his spiritual kingdom in the world. Ever since it was first communicated to men, there have been those who have considered numerous portions of it, as expressly foretelling the rapid progress of the gospel and the conversion of Gentile nations, immediately previous to the beginning of millennial days. The whole of the sixtieth chapter, is one continued, glowing description of the advancement of a pure and spiritual christianty to its universal prevalence and dominion among men. Much that is here foretold, is undoubtedly yet to receive its accomplishment. With all proper allowance for the highly figurative language employed by the prophet, it must be apparent to every one, who has carefully attended to the subject, that nothing has yet occurred in the moral condition of men, which can be viewed as coming up to even the lowest import of this impassioned description. In interpreting prophecy, it is not, indeed, for us to venture to prophesy, or to forget that the times

and the seasons are at the disposal of God. What is predicted will, however, be fulfilled. And though my own mind is by no means very strongly affected by those views of prophecy, which are sometimes expressed by persons of ardent minds, who think they can discern in the existing aspect of things, the very commencement of the millennium; I am yet far from thinking there are no cheering symptoms of its near approach. The increased measures of divine influences, widely shed forth simultaneously on different portions of the world, the growing zeal, activity, and joy of the visible church, and the crowds that are seeking Zion with their faces thitherward, all betoken the approaching dawn of the latter day. These extended and powerful effusions of the Holy Spirit, are presenting scenes, which, although we cannot regard them as fully answering the description of the prophet in the text, may serve to aid our conception of those he had in view, and, at the same time, deservedly call forth from the visible church of Christ, as they, from time to time, are permitted to witness numerous accessions to their consecrated community, the grateful and admiring interrogatory-WHO ARE THESE

THAT FLY AS A CLOUD, AND AS THE DOVES TO THEIR

WINDOWS? The conversion of one sinner occasions joy among the angels of God, and may well excite admiring gratitude and joy in the hearts of his people on earth. But when many turn and subscribe with their hands unto the Lord, it surely becomes us to ponder on the event with wonder and adoring thankfulness. The fervent language of the text, however, which the church are justified in adopting by existing occurrences, and which is especially appropriate to believers, who may live at some future day, is not only expressive of the manner in which the people of God must regard the gathering crowd that are pressing into his kingdom, but furnishes some suggestions as to the nature and circumstances of those conversions, which are to mark the