Semi. XX z.a the Incarnation of' Chri . done all this for us, tho' he hath purchafed fo great Bleffings for us, as the Par- don of our Sins, and Power againft them, and Eternal Life and Happinefs ; yet there is fomething to be done on our parts, to make us Partakers of thefe Benefits. God hath not fo loved us, as to fend his Son into the World, to carry Men to Heaven whether they will or no ; and to refcue thofe from the flaveryp o£the Devil, and the Damnation ofHell, whoare fond of their Fetters, and wil- fully run themfelves upon Ruin and De ftru&ion, But the Son of God came to offer Happinefs to us, upon certain Terms and Conditions, fuch as are fit for God to propound,and neceffary for us to perform, to make us capable of the bleffed- riefs which he offers ; as namely, repentance towards God, andfaith in our Lord yefus Chri/i ; a fincere and conftant Endeavour of Obedience to the Laws and Precepts of our Holy Religion.. Thefe are the Terms of the Gofpel ; and the Grace of God which brings Sal- vation, offers it only upon thefe Terms, that we deny Ungodlinefs and worldly Luffy, and live foberly, righteoufly, and godly in this prefen, world : then we may expel the ble/fed hope. But if we will not fubmit to thefe Conditions, the Son of God will be no Saviour to us ; for he is the Author of Eternal Salva- tion only to them that obey him. If Men will continue in their Sins, the Redemp- tion wrought by Chrift will be ofno Advantage to them ; fuch as obftinately per- lift in an impenitent Courfe, Ipfa fi veut fain: fervare non poteft, falvation it felf cannot fave them. Thefe are the Conditions of our Happinefs, and if we fubmit to them we are Heirs of Eternal Life ; if we refufe, we are Sons of Perdition, eternally loft and undone ; for we may affure our felves, that thefe are the beft and eafieft Terms that can ever be offered to us, becaufe God fent them by his Son. This is the laft Effort of the Divine Love and Goodnefs, towards the Recovery and Salvation of Men ; fo the Apoftle tells us, Heb. t. t, 2. that God, who at fundry tines, and in divers manners fpake to the fathers, by the Prophets, loath in thefe kill days fpoken to us by his Son ; and if we refufe to hear him, he will fpeak no more. After this it is not to be expe&ed, that God fhould make any farther Attempts for our Recovery ; for he can fend no greater nor dearer Perfon to us, than his ownSon; and if we refufe him, whom will we reverence If after this we flill wilfully go on in our Sins ; there remains no morefacrifice fir Sin ; but a fearful looking for of judgment, and fiery indignation to confume us. 3. With what Joy and Thankfulnefs fhould we Commemorate this great Love of God to Mankind,, in fending his only begotton Son into the world, that we might live through him ! This is the proper End Of the Bleffed Sacrament, which we are now going to receive, to reprefent to our Minds the Incarnation and Paffion of our dear Lord, by the Symbols of his Body broken, and his Blood flied for us. With what ac- knowledgments fhould we Celebrate the Memory ofthis wonderful Love, which the Son of God hath fhewn to the Sons of Men ; endeavouring to make all the World in love with him, who hath fo loved all Mankind ! When ever we fee his Blood poured forth, and his Body broken for us, fo.mo- ving a Sight should raife ftrange Pallions in us, of love to our Saviour, and hatred to our Sins ; and fhould infpire us with mighty Refolutions of Service and Obedi- ence to him ; and when ever the Pledges and Seals of thefe Benefits are delivered into our Hands, the fight of them fhould at once wound and revive our Hearts, and make us to cry out, Lord, how unworthy am I, for whom thou fhouldeffdo and fuffer all this ! I am overcome by thy love, an can no longer bold out a- gainfl the mighty firce of fuch kindnefs L I render my felf to thee, and will férve thee for ever, who hafl redeemed me at fo dear a rate ! Now to him that fitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb that was flain, to God even our Father, and to the Lord yefus Chrift, the pirft begotten from the Dead, and the Prince of the Kings of the Earth ; unto him that bath loved 'us, andwafhed us from our Sins in his own Blood, and loath made us Kings andPriefts to God and his Father, tohim be Glory andDominion for ever and ever, Amen. Gg2 SERMON 227
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