opposition, they endeavour, at least, to secure to themselves every possible succour to prevent discomfiture; and the prominent features of their character are diffidence and precaution. But are such the distinguishing peculiarities of those whose apology for their crimes is the infirmity of human nature? Oh! no, my friends; on the contrary, they are bold, rash, adventurous. They rush with temerity into the midst of perils sufficient to strike terror into the most daring spirits. They see nothing whatsoever to appal or intimidate them in situations the most alarming and critical. Neither the weakness of their nature, nor the examples of those who, by their presumptuous confidence, have been precipitated headlong into the gulf of perdition, nor the prudent admonitions of faithful friends, nor their own melancholy experience, perhaps, can deter them from the accomplishment of their rash designs. The same intoxicating bowl from which, to use the words of the book of Job, they have so frequently drunk down iniquity like water, (JOB, c. xv. v. 16.) the same circles of giddy dissipation, the same associations of the impious and dissolute, the same enervating and dangerous amusements which have so often been destructive to their virtue, are resorted to again with inconsiderate levity. They now flatter themselves that they are endued with sufficient strength to support them against all the temptations by which they may be assailed. And the same plea which they produce so confidently when there is question of excusing their criminal ex

cesses, is rejected with disdain when advanced with a view of withholding them from the occasions which lead to the commission of them.

Yet

Man is weak.-And the Saints, my friends, were not they also weak? Did they not all bear within them the same natural propensity to evil which we do? Had they not the same difficulties to encounter, the same temptations to resist, the same obstacles to surmount? Had not many of them more, and greater? Assuredly they had. they did not permit them to damp their courage, to shake their resolutions, or repress their efforts. But with an humble confidence in the Divine protection they redoubled their energies, they fought manfully the good fight, they triumphed ultimately over every opposition, and are now in possession of the crown of justice the reward of their spirited and successful exertions. Opposed to such bright and glorious examples of virtuous perseverance, how unsatisfactory does the excuse of human infirmity appear to be?

What, then, it may perhaps be said, are not sinners to be permitted to entertain the most feeble hope of forgiveness? My answer shall be, in the words of the prophet Isaiah, "Let the wicked man forsake his way, and the unjust man his thoughts, and return to his Lord, and he will have mercy on him." Let sinners, therefore, in compliance with the exhortation of the prophet, be converted to the Lord; and then, however great or numerous their sins may have been, let them place in him their

trust. He is ever merciful to the repentant sinner. The conversion of sinners from their evil ways was the peculiar object of Him who came into the world, not to call the just, but sinners to repentance. If, with humble, therefore, and contrite hearts,-with hearts penetrated with penitential sorrow-they sue for pardon at the throne of mercy, and walk with constancy in the way of God's commandments, they will not fail to be restored to his Divine favor, and to be admitted hereafter into his everlasting joys.

SERMON XXI.

ON DEFERRING CONVERSION TO THE CLOSING PERIOD OF LIFE.

SEEK ye the Lord, while he may be found: call upon him, while he is near. ISAIAS, c. lv. v. 6.

SUCH were the terms in which the prophet Isaiah addressed the Jewish people, to induce them to avail themselves of the profferred mercy of the God of Israel. And such, also, is the language in which the Church of Christ exhorts sinners to renounce their evil ways, and to return by repentance to the Lord their God. But, alas! my friends, it too generally happens that compliance with her exhortations is postponed to a period when it is hardly to be deemed practicable. The period to which I allude is that when the minister of consolation is called upon to assist the poor departing soul, when -standing as it were at the verge of time, and winged for eternity-it is about to bid its last farewell to the fleeting scenes of this world. The minister of consolation, did I say?—would to God, my friends, he were always a minister of consolation. But unhappily at the period to which I have just referred, he frequently has it not in his power

to be so. For what subject of consolation can the minister of the Gospel devise to cheer the gloom with which the mind of the sinner is overcast at the close of a life disfigured by every species of wickedness?-of the sinner who may have advanced perhaps in iniquity as he has advanced in years, who has ever been inattentive to the invitation of his God, neglected the inspirations of his grace, abused his mercies, disregarded his threats, and who desists at length from sinning only because he can sin no more? If, therefore, my If, therefore, my friends, you look for the consolation of Heaven at that trying period when all earthly comfort will be without effect; if you wish to close your eyes in peace on the world and its passing vanities; if you expect to find in the minister of the Gospel a soothing dispenser of celestial comfort amidst the vehement struggles of agonizing nature, let it be your endeavour, whilst yet you have time, to lay up treasures of righteousness against the evil day. "Seek ye the Lord, while may be found; call upon him, while he is near." Behold, now is the acceptable time, behold now is the day of salvation." The sun of your mortal lives is farther perhaps advanced in its course than you may be disposed to imagine. Beware, lest you be overtaken by the shades of night before you shall have finished the labors of the day. In order that you may escape so dreadful a misfortune, it is my intention, this day, to present you with a few reflections on the danger of deferring the important work of conversion to the closing period of life.

he

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