DISCOURSE It 563 such a holy fervour, as to light up a divine flame of desire, hope and love, in the souls of all that hear it. 'ro what purpose were the fancies of the holy writers enriched, from heaven, with so bright and various a treasure of sacred images, but to raise the devout passions of their readers, by flashing upon their imagina- tion with divine light ? Their words are sun-beams, that not only diffuse a sacred illumination around the eye of the soul, but kindle the heart into life and zeal. 'ro what end doth all the pomp of oratory display itself in their writings ? To what end do they use all the arts of trope and figure, all the beauteous, the alluring and the terrible colours that naturecan afford, and that metaphor can borrow ? Is it not all with a design to strike the soul of man in its most passionate powers, and spread vital reli- gion through the inmost recesses of the heart ? Let the ministers of the word, whoare zealous for the honour ofGod, for the glory of Christ, and for the success of their la- bours, read the writings of the holy prophets night and day, and make them their pattern, transferring thebeauties of the law to the ministry of the gospel. The prophets do not merely tell us in adry and cold manner, that sin is an evil thing, but theyterribly denounce the thunder of the wrath of God against it, and pour down his vengeance on the heads of guilty rebels, to work upon our fear, to affright us from sin, and hasten us to fly to the arms of divine mercy. Nor dothey merely say to us, that God is mer- ciful ; but in a most delightful and inviting manner, they display the boundless mercies of God, and the workings of his bowels of compassion, in all the pathetic language of tenderness, asthough he were made of flesh and blood as we are. When our blessed Lordhimself came down on earth, to be- come a preacher of his Father's wrath and mercy, what eternal woes doeshe pronounceagainst hypocrites and impenitent wretch- es ? How gently does he invite the weary andheavy laden sin- ners to come to him that theymayfind rest Mat. xi. 21. How widely does he unfold the gates of his Father's mercy, and that even to murderers, and adulterers, thieves and blasphemers, that sinners of the largest size may enter in and be partakers of divine salvation. How happily does St. Paul imitate his blessed Master ! Knowing the terrors oftheLord, hè persuaded men, and he beseeches them in the most endearing language, in Christ's stead, to be reconciled to God ; 2Cor. v. 11, 18-20. Inwhat pa- thetic language dothhe set before us the glorious love of God, in contriving the recovery of fallen men, and providing grace for them in Christ Jesus, before theworld began ; and in saving them by such a surprising method of mingled severity and mercy, as the death and agonies ofhis most beloved Son ! And all this on purpose to melt or soften our affections into repentance, love, and gratitude ! Howwonderfully do the sacred writers attack the N n 2
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