Now, brethren, my advice, in the conclusion of this matter, is-that you will not perplex yourselves about the manner, in which God operates upon your hearts, but rather follow the counsel of St. James, who commands you to "receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls."* "Of his own will," saith that Apostle, "begat he us with the word of truth; wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear." And again, And again, "Submit yourselves to God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double-minded." "Humble yourselves in the sight of God, and he shall lift you up." In the last place, carefully member the words of Saint Paul, which are written for your instruction, 1 Thess. v. 21—24, "Prove all things. Hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil; tenets, I determined to leave the writings of uninspired men, and to search the Scriptures. In pursuance of this plan, I set down under one head, 1st, The texts, which speak of God's operation alone; 2nd, Those that speak of free will; and, 3rd, Those also that speak of God's operation with man's consent. The result of my enquiry was, that Calvinists and Arminians had both of them scripture on their side, and that the wisest part I could take would be to wait upon the Lord, to obtain that influence and instruction, which he never fails to give to those that seek him with all their hearts. * James i. 21. † 18, 19. iv. 7-10 and the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he, who hath called you, who also will do it." Now, consider what I say, and may the Lord grant you understanding in all things. SERMON XII. REVELATIONs, xx. 12. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God, and the Books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life; and the dead were judged out of those things, which were written in the Books, according to their works. WHAT an awful consideration is it, that we are all, in a few years, to stand before the judgment seat of Christ! And more awful is it still to think, that if we are not allowed, after the examination of our deeds, to have our inheritance with the Saints in Heaven, we must be thrust into hell with the Devil and his Angels! It is truly wonderful, that persons, who have ever heard of these states, and have been told by an authority, which they cannot contradict, however they may wish to dispute it, that one or other of them must be their portion; it is truly wonderful, I say, that such persons can be easy, while they are in any suspense about their future condition; and the wonder will be greater, when it is known, that many, if they will only allow themselves |