and would heal them, made them proper objects of his miraculous power-The mercy of God forgives all their past offences, and the Holy Ghost leads and directs them in all holiness of living-Peace of conscience is their portion in this world, and the heavenly inheritance their sure reward in the world to come.

We read, that in his own country, Christ could not do many mighty works, because he was hindered by their unbelief. Could Christ do good to the souls of those people? Could he pour on them the forgiveness of God, and the blessing of the Holy Spirit, when their unbelief prevented his doing many mighty works even on their bodies ? Why should not unbelief be as strong a bar in one case, as in the other? Is it easier to heal the soul than the body, that unbelief should prevent the one, and be no impediment to the other ?

It has been remarked, that God deals with his creatures according to the nature he hath given them. And that Christ treated men as beings endued with reason and a will of their own, appears from his never forcing the blessing of his miracles on any one-That he healed diseases of the body, and cast out devils, when application was made to him under such qualifications as he judged to be proper ones-That his miracles were also signs; and, among other things, signified that he could heal the soul as well as the body; give life to the soul when dead in trespasses and sins, as well as life to the body when dead and laid in the grave-Particularly, that he cast out devils from those who were possessed, to shew that satan was subject to him; and that he could as surely cast him out from that heart which in faith and humility turned to him, as he would cast him out from the body; thereby to invite and induce all men to look to him, and depend on him for spiritual health and salvation. If we do so; and, with the same faith and humility give up our will to be directed by him, as they did whose bodies he healed; we shall find his power as great over the maladies of the soul as of the body-able to give health and salvation to them both. But as he forced the blessings of his miracles on no one; so neither will he force remission of sins and spiritual health on those who reject his gifts, by hardening the heart against him.

The Text furnishes us with another observation, respecting the danger of those who being called by God out of this wicked world, and taken into his Church, neglect to walk in that holiness of life which the Gospel requires. If we suppose the Text bears any relation to Christians; the similitude of a man who having had satan cast out of him, courts his return, and prepares his heart to receive him, must belong to them: And the Text assures us, satan will again enter into them with sevenfold power; and that their last state will be worse than the first. They may suppose themselves secure from this dreadful situation, because, never having had their bodies possessed by him, they come not within the description of those people from whom he hath been cast out. But if they will turn their thoughts from the body to the soul, to which point all the miracles of Christ were intended to lead them, a little reflection would convince them, that the evil tempers and dispositions of the heart are as truly the work of the devil, and as really marks of his possession, as any tortures and distortions of the body can be. Therefore it is, that we renounce the devil, the world, and the flesh, when by Babtism we are taken into the Church of Christ; because the works of the devil, the spirit of the world, and the sinful lusts of the flesh stand in opposition to the holy nature and will of God; render us incapable of the communications of his Spirit, and of all happiness with him. To renounce these enemies of our salvation means, no longer to follow or be led by them. Now,

From the baptised person, if not in a literal, yet in a true and proper sense, satan may be said to be cast out; that is, before his Baptism he renounces and rejects the devil and his works, and promises no longer to follow his inspirations; but, on the contrary, obediently to keep God's holy will and commandments; and to live as they direct, to the end of his life. That he may fulfil this

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solemn vow; his duty, the promises of God, and the blessings of his new state are recited and explained to him. He has, moreover, the benediction of God's authorised Minister, and the prayers of the Church to God for him. If, after this solemn promise made to God in the face of his Church, and his consequent admission into that Church, the animating principle of which is the Holy Spirit, the Author of all goodness; this person should turn away from the inspirations of the Spirit of holiness, to those malevolent passions and affections of the mind which are eminently called the works of the devil; what is it but to court the devil to enter again into him, and to make the heart ready to receive him? He goeth about seeking whom he may devour; and we can. not doubt but that he will readily return, and enter in and dwell there; nor can we suppose, that the power of that person in whom he dwells will be greater than it was before. The last state of that man will be worse than the first. His wickedness will probably be greater, and his repentance attended with more difficulty.

The dreadful effects of obstinate impenitency have been set before us in the example of the Jews, who rejected all the admonitions of Christ and his Apostles.Their destruction ought to be an effectual caution to wicked Christians, and should convince them, that the same impenitency under the Gospel, will be also punished by God; if not in this world by temporal destruction, yet in the world to come, by everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord.

How far God interposeth in the government of the world by inflicting judgments on particular persons, may be impossible for us to determine. With regard to nations, we are more certain, because if they are punished by him, it must be in this world; for in this world only the national capacity subsists. But that he hath reserved the full display of his justice, as it relates to particular persons, to the next world, we have sufficient authority to say. He hath told us that he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ, to whom all judgment is committed:

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and in consequence of his having made this judgment known to the world, he hath commanded all men every where to repent.* To persuade ourselves, that though. we live in wickedness, we shall escape the judgments of God in this world, is to found our hopes on very insecure ground.

Who can be sure that sickness, or accidents and misfortunes which happen to us, are not judgments from God, brought on us by our evil deeds? St. Paul told the Corinthians expressly, that it was on account of their unworthy behaviour at the Lord's table, that many were weak and sickly among them, and that many had died. Every thing which happens to us, happens by the dispensation of God's providence; and is intended to exercise and perfect our patience and resignation to his will; or to correct us for our sins, and call us to repentance and amendment.

With regard to the general judgment at the end of the world, it does not seem possible that any person who believes the New Testament, can hope to escape the tribunal of Christ at that time; because it asserts nothing more certainly and positively than that God " hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness, by that man whom he hath ordained." It also declares, that "we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."§

There is, therefore, no security for us but in repentance. "If we would judge ourselves," and amend our lives, "we should not be judged." And "when we are judged" in this world, "we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.'"|| The judgments of God in this world are, therefore, intended to bring us to repentance, that we may be acquitted at the final judgment of God, when the wicked world shall be condemned. The longer this repentance is de

layed, the more difficult will it become; because the power of the evil one, the lusts of the flesh, and the cares and covetous desires of the world, will become stronger, the longer they are indulged by continuance in sin.

"Take heed," therefore, "lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God;"* by disregarding his declarations and threats, and continuing in obstinate impenitency to the end of your lives. Thereby your last state will be worse than the first; and your condemnation in the day of judgment heavier than theirs, to whom the glad tidings of salvation through Christ have never been made known.