and acceptable to God in Christ, and do spring out necessarily of a true and lively faith: insomuch that by them a lively faith may be as evidently known, as a tree discerned by the fruit.'

One other declaration shall be added from the 32nd Canon, and you will see at once, what the judgment of the Church of Rome is, as to the merit of good works.

'If any man shall say, that the good works of a justified man are so the gifts of God, that they are not the justified person's good merits; or that he who is justified by good works done by him, through the grace of God, and the merits of Jesus Christ, of whom he is a living member, does not truly merit increase of grace, eternal life, and (if he depart this life in grace) the obtaining of eternal life, and even an increase of glory; let him be accursed.'

Strip this Canon of all subtlety, and of useless additions, which are intended to puzzle and mystify the great point, and it asserts that the works of a justified person have such merit in them, as to deserve larger measures of divine favour here, and of eternal glory hereafter. And is not ground for boasting here furnished? Is not man exalted, and God dishonoured? "If righteousness," in any refined sense whatever, come by the law, Christ died in vain; the grace of God is frustrated, and we are fallen from grace." "If by grace, then it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work."*

*Rom. xi. 6.

The Lord is jealous, and will not give his glory to another. It is his will, that no "flesh shall glory in his presence; he that glorieth let him glory in the Lord." Besides, matter of fact proves, that in the very degree in which we trust in any thing human, self is cherished, humility is destroyed, and sin triumphs. One mark of the false wisdom of fallen man is, to encourage the practice of good works, by ascribing to them a measure of merit. But this is, in truth, a cunning device of satan to lift us up with self-sufficiency, and to pull the crown from the brow of Immanuel. "Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith." Perhaps, there is no one truth of a more practical tendency than justification by faith without works and hence every effort is put forth to pervert it, to misrepresent it, and to tear it from the pages of the Bible. Hear, in opposition to the Church of Rome, the noble confession of your own Church :This faith the Holy Scripture teacheth: this is the strong rock and foundation of Christian religion; this doctrine all the old and ancient authors of Christ's Church do approve: this doctrine advanceth and setteth forth the true glory of Christ, and beateth down the vain glory of man; this whosoever denieth, is not to be accounted for a Christian man, nor for a setter-forth of Christ's glory; but for an adversary of Christ and his gospel, and for a setter-forth of man's vain glory.'

Protestant fellow Christians, know your own mercies. Search the Scriptures for yourselves, and hear

*Second Part of the Sermon on Salvation.

them with constancy and devout attention. That you may understand your own principles, and discern things which differ, apply your minds to them closely, 'mark and inwardly digest them.' Seek the illumination and guidance of the Spirit, and clear, heartpiercing views of the glorious perfections of the living God. Especially, cultivate humility, a deep sense of sin, a knowledge of the law and of the gospel, and of the design of each. Search out your own sins, and wash their filthiness away in that "fountain which is opened for sin and for uncleanness." Glory in nothing save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, and see that by it "the world be crucified unto you, and you unto the world." You may thus hope to be kept from all error, and to be led into the truth, and to be sanctified by it. Give no encouragement to those who deny the Godhead of Christ, or who pervert the glorious gospel of the blessed God, and exalt the traditions of man above the revelation of God. Some errors may be of less moment: these are fundamental and destructive. Presume not to sit in judgment upon those who hold them; but bear your most decided testimony against such a dangerous denial, and against such perversions, of the truth. "Whosoever trangresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed, is partaker of his evil deeds."* Should we not come out and be separate"

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* John iii, 9-11.

from such characters? Shall we compromise our principles by joining with them to advance any selfish and unhallowed ends? Let us rather obey that warning voice; "Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." *

To the people of my charge, and to the members of my congregation, I would speak with affection and sincerity.

We live, my beloved friends, in troublous times. The foundations of the earth are out of course. Principles are at work, whose breath is poison, and whose tendency is desolation and anarchy. Infidelity, insubordination, superstition and impiety, are marching around us, and assuming the boldness of defiance. If well-fixed principles be requisite under any circumstances, if firm consistency of conduct be a bounden duty at any time,-if the meekness of wisdom, and the hardihood and courage of martyrdom, and the hope that lives beyond the grave, and the foretaste of unchanging glory, ever be demanded of us; they are so at this crisis. Receive, then, by an obedient faith, "the first principles of the oracles of God." Let not your "minds be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." The plainest food is the most wholesome. Mix no dependance upon yourselves with a trust on your Surety. Build all your hopes on the Rock of ages. Let others see the purity of your creed by the purity of your lives. Adorn your principles by meekness, by benevolence, by self-government, by integrity and heavenly mindedness. Many

Rev. xviii, 4.

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will not take the pains of comparing your opinions with Scripture; but your tempers, your dealings with man, your words, your spirit and daily actions, are an 'epistle known and read of all men. Wipe off that reproachful charge, that many are protestants in name, but not in deed and in truth. Abound in the fruit of the Spirit, and "crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts." Above all, wait with eager expectation for the coming of your Judge. And

though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and are troubled; though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof; the Lord of Hosts will be with you; the God of Jacob will be your refuge."

Roman Catholics, (if such be present) be not offended with the statements we have now made. We believe you to be in error, and in serious error, and you have heard our reasons for holding that opinion. Weigh without prejudice the arguments that have been urged. See whether the principles maintained by your Church will stand the test of Scripture. Make the trial fairly. Judge calmly for yourselves. But did you ever inquire earnestly after the method of justification? If the holiness of God has never alarmed you, and if his law has never convinced you of sin, can you be safe? If Job was full of anxiety on this point, should not you also? Can you compare your best actions with that commandment which is exceeding broad, and trust in them? Abraham, Job, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Paul, all renounced their own righteousness, and relied only upon Christ. Are you more holy than they were? The truth is,