us witness that such is our pity to your souls, and concern for their everlasting welfare, we willingly embrace any opportunity and employ any argument while there remains a peradventure that you will hear. I pray you," therefore, by all those monuments of divine mercy which have appeared in different ages of the world, "be ye reconciled to God." Has not the grace of God displayed her sovereignty, her exceeding riches in the salvation of sinners even the chief? in dispensing her pardons to the most criminal? in adorning with the beauties of holiness the most foul? in subduing to the obedience of faith the most obstinate, the most incorrigible of the human kind? in raising to the highest mansions in glory those, who, by every species of abomination, were once debased to the very suburbs of hell? Could we draw aside the veil, and cast our eyes within the walls of the Jerusalem above, we might behold thousands seated high in bliss, shining "as stars and suns in our Father's kingdom," whose names were once loaded with crimes the most reproachful and abominable: Hast thou been a murderer? Such was Manasseh; he caused the streets of Jerusalem to flow with innocent blood; "but he obtained mercy:" Hast thou been dishonest? hast thou either secretly or openly defrauded others of their due? Such was the thief on the cross; "but he obtained mercy." Hast thou been impure, devoted to the low gratifications of the flesh?

Such was Mary Magdalene; "but she obtained mercy." Hast thou been "a blasphemer, a persecutor, an injurious person?" has thou employed thy time, and talents, in reviling the name of Jesus, or scoffing at the professors of his religion? Such was Saul of Tarsus; "but he obtained mercy." Hast thou been a fornicator, an idolater, an adulterer, a drunkard, an extortioner? Such were some of the Corinthians; "but they obtained mercy:" Hast thou long prostituted a godly education, despised the entreaties of parents, quenched the emotions of the Spirit, broken the most solemn resolutions of amendment? Such was a Gardiner; but "he obtained mercy." All these, however foul in themselves, however debased by the number and the enormity of their transgressions, "are washed, and sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." All these have entered into the covenant, and "yet, sinner, there is room" for thine admission. All these obtained peace to their consciences, and reconciliation with God, by the blood of the cross, and yet it flows, freely flows for thy redemption. By all these numerous, these illustrious monuments of mercy,

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I pray you in Christ's stead be ye reconciled to God." Have millions of your nature, of your character "been compelled to come in?" have they become partakers of the Lord Jesus with eternal glory? I ask you by all that is terrible in the majesty of

God, by all that is valuable in that soul which was created after his image, "why will you die?" Why will you "judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life" by indolently or obstinately continuing in sin? Are not the compassions of God, the offices of Jesus, the consolations of the Spirit, the promises of the word, the same that they formerly were? Is not the path to glory, through the rent veil of Immanuel's flesh, as open now, as in the days of Manasseh or of Paul? "why then will you die?" Does not a merciful God as fervently expostulate, "turn ye at my reproof, I will pour out my Spirit upon you, I will make known my words unto you? Why therefore will you die?" Are not you as susceptible of glory or shame, of happiness in the communion of God, or torment under the displays of his justice as others who have complied?" why then will you die?"

Such is the embassy, brethren dearly beloved, with which we are intrusted by the living God; we are commissioned to go forth to sinners of the human family; to announce that that Sovereign whom they had offended, against whom they had raised the arm of rebellion, is now reconciled through the interposition of the Eternal Son; to declare that all things are ready on the part of heaven; that the King of kings has no pleasure in your death, your everlasting destruction, in executing upon you the punishment threatened against your crimes,

but would rather that you "return and live;" that your immediate reconciliation is perfectly consistent with the honors of his law; nay, that it will reflect eternal glory on each part of the divine government. "Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts, let him turn to the Lord and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God for he will abundantly pardon him."

According to the ability which is given me of the Lord, I have endeavored this day to fulfil my commission; I have appeared "as an ambassador for Christ," although infinitely unworthy and insufficient for a station so important, and as "though God did beseech you, I have prayed you, in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." Various arguments have been employed, calculated both to urge and encourage you to accept the of fered reconciliation, and thus conclude a treaty of peace. Now, brethren, it remains to know the issue of this embassy; what return shall I make to that Lord God who appointed me to intercede with you upon this occasion, and compel you to come in?" Must I retire this evening to my closet, and reply, "Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded; I appeared as thine ambassador, and in thy name offered them a complete pardon for their past offences; I endeavored to give them the most satisfactory and affecting proofs of thy good will to our apostate world; that, rather than they should perish

eternally, thou didst appoint thine own Son to suffer in their room, and to expiate their guilt with his most precious blood; that now the glories of each divine Person, of each divine perfection are fully secured, nay, eminently advanced in their restoration to friendship; I attempted, with all possible plainness and earnestness, to exhibit life and death, the blessing and the curse before them, by shewing that those who bowed to thy. sceptre of grace should be immediately received into thy favor, and be eternally blessed in thy communion, while those who obstinately continue in their rebellion will be crushed by the arm of thy justice, and that to all eternity: I argued with them; I expostulated with them by every consideration which imagination could conceive, and with all patience, being willing to endure any toil; to submit to any reproach or persecution, could I only have succeeded in negociating a peace by bringing them to a reception of thy Son: But, Lord, I mention it with humiliation, with grief, with inexpressible anguish of spirit, that "they would have none of thy reproof;" so deep, so damnable is their delusion that they will scarcely listen to thine invitation, or if they do hearken for a time, they afterwards depart apparently as careless as ever, equally regardless of thy favor or thy frowns, the smiles of thy countenance or the lightnings of thy wrath; one is "gone to his farm or his merchandise," as if this gain could profit