a servant and a son is, the sympathy, the access, the communion, &c.; " and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." Verse 7. Or, as the Apostle says, in the eighth chapter to the Romans, "If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ." "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." These sons were dead in trespasses and sins: but they are now adopted, and are invested. This is the work of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. See Eph. ii. 4-6. "For God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace are ye saved ;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

Man has fallen so very low, that a few beggarly elements will suffice him. Whereas, God has proposed far more elevated prospects to him. I suppose this was the argument in St. Paul's controversy with the Galatian Church: "Why turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?" You have too low ideas.

Words are too poor to convey what is meant by the expression, "the adoption of sons." It hath not entered into the heart of man to conceive what God hath prepared for them that love him. It is astonishing how low the ideas of even real Christians are as to the great things of salvation. They seem to have no conception of the sublimity and dignity of their relation to God: of the value of their inheritance, and of the greatness of their privileges.

For,

What remains, but that we should bring this doctrine of the incarnation of Christ home to our own hearts? unless it enters further than the understanding only, it is a mere speculation; and will do no more good than the knowledge of any other science. If it only amounts to talk, we cannot give a better name to it than religious cant! Let us receive it as it is, the "one thing needful," the "better part," or the soul will receive no benefit. It was said of some of old, "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me." I contend for reality, that shall end in eternal salvation. For what was the treasure hid in the field? Not for men to talk about it, but dig for it. My desire for you, my dear hearers, is that you should have more than the form of religion-more than a mere Galatian mistake: it is my

earnest desire and prayer that you should have the adoption of children; that you should earnestly seek it of God, and continue praying for it until you have it. None of us think rightly or sufficiently of its importance. You that are real believers, read this text again: "God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." Now receive it as a privilege, and as God's free gift. What a privilege and liberty that we should receive this adoption! In all those who are brought into this high and heavenly relation, there will be found feelings and dispositions of mind suited to it: there will be the spirit of adoption; a filial mind, a taste for the dignity conferred. not only gives the privileges of children, but the spirit of children, and enables them to call him Father. The Spirit works this temper and disposition, so that a man shall be able to say, "O how love I thy law!" Such an one "has the witness in himself."

God

Again, what a ground is this for a minister to come forth and preach the Gospel! A minister of God should not so much denounce the terrors of the law, as he should point out the love and mercy of the Gospel, through a crucified Saviour. This is what subdues the enmity of a sinner's heart against God; while the constantly denouncing the terrors of the law only nourishes that enmity.

What a ground of encouragement is here for parents to teach their children the way to heaven, and to bring them early to the ordinances of grace, and plant them in the house of the Lord! How should children seek to become members of Christ's Church, and seek to join themselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant! How may servants rejoice in the privilege of becoming servants to Christ, and being made the Lord's freemen!

Finally, What ground is here laid for a Christian's entire reliance on his God! and that, under every fear, loss, bereavement, temptation, the world's scorn or hatred! What a ground has he for reliance and confidence under every fear and distress! "If God be for us, who can be against us?"

What! may a Christian say, Is all this true? Pardoned! redeemed! justified! adopted! made an heir! Then, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.' "Forasmuch then as the children are par

takers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." Heb. ii. 14, 15.

[H.-1806.]

XLV. GOD'S MESSAGE TO HEZEKIAH.

PREACHED AT THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR.

Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.
Isa. xxxviii. 1.

So great is the stupidity and infatuation in man—such is his intoxication—such his carnality of heart, that he is disposed to go on minding the foolish trifling things of the moment, and forgetting the great and important things of eternity. He acts as if he were never to die. Little insignificant things are magnified-made of importance-allowed to lie near his heart-while the one thing needful-the greatest and most interesting concern, is pushed into a corner-to be thought of at a more convenient season! There is therefore need of such an admonition as this.

There is sometimes a vain boasting in religion: but however people may talk when they do not consider, I will venture to assert, that there is not a thinking man upon earth, whom such a message as this which was brought to Hezekiah, would not alarm. He has talked about dying-he has thought of it if he is really a thinking man, and has made some preparation for it: but, when it comes, and the prophet says, Set thine house in order-set about the great work-prepare to die! there is not a thinking man upon earth, whom that message would not alarm. What, then, must be the case with the unprepared and impenitent, who have never thought or inquired respecting the foundation on which a sinner must stand; nor regarded the subject when set before them? and yet, it must be said to them-it must shortly be said to each of them-Thou art but a dead man!

In this admonition there is implied, 1st, Set thy temporal affairs in order thou art a king; put everything in a proper posture for removal; thou hast had special privileges, and

must give an account of them; for "thou shalt die, and not live." It is an ornament to a Christian in his profession, that he is a man of order, and a pattern to others as respects his temporal matters. Thus, in regard to his family, he will look around and say, I have endeavoured to do my duty to each; I have done what I could for them.

But, 2d, and more especially, it implies,-"Set thine house in order" in respect to thy spiritual affairs,-in regard to the things which concern salvation: so that when God comes, thou mayest be ready to give in thy account. For, are we not stewards, who must give account of our stewardship? Are we not soldiers, who have to fight before receiving a crown? Have we not a "course" to finish before receiving a prize?

If we consider what death is the passing from a changeable state into an eternal and fixed one-it will appear the most awful consideration in the world! Therefore, "Set thine house in order:" put thy temporal and spiritual affairs in such a posture, as becomes a dying man who must shortly appear before God.

3d. But there seems to be something further: "Set thine house in order," for thou art specially warned. Another may be dying, and not know it; but thou art dying under an express declaration of its approach. It is God's plan in his moral government, that a humbling dispensation should follow a prosperous one. The best of us need admonition, and to be called up to reflection. We are acting as if we were not to die at all.—The world does not know what dying is: "The man is gone!" they say; such a one "has put an end to his existence!" This is an Atheistical way of talking. Is there an end of the man? was there an end of Dives? was there an end of Lazarus ?

While God employs ministers-poor sinners to stand up and speak to others-earthen vessels, in which he is pleased to put his treasure, and to convey it; yet, it is not uncommon for God to become a preacher expressly himself: as if he should say to a man-You have heard from Sunday to Sunday what is said from the pulpit, and have listened in a formal and careless manner; but I will make you feel that I AM HERE: I will make you feel the truths preached: I will shake thy frame I will open the grave before thine eyes; I will bring it sensibly before thee: I will take one, or two, or three out of thy family: I will make thee feel that thou art thyself

within sight of the pit: I will place thee as among the dead: I will make thee contemplate the eternal world as at hand: I will say to thee, "Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.

Did you ever know anything of this? Did you ever know what it was to look death in the face? If you have, I will ask you another question-What was your view of the world at that time? What was your view of those fond imaginations that have taken hold of your heart in times past? What, then, did you think of religion? What, then, did you think of the Lord of life? What, then, did you think of a foundation to set the sole of your foot upon? What, then, of Christ? What, then, of his atoning blood, shed upon the cross to purchase pardon-to reconcile thee to God-and to make death gain? And let me ask you, now that you are restored to life and health-Are these things different to what they were then? Does the coldness that is come upon conscience since you have got over your sickness, and have been mixing with the world, take from the reality of these things? If they appeared so important in contemplation, what must they appear in vision in another world! You see, therefore, that it is a most important message to be broughtto a man's conscience-" Set thine house in order;" especially since it must be said to every one- -Thou art but a dead man:-if not to-day, thou shalt be to-morrow.

4th. The great wisdom of man, therefore, is to know how to set his house in order; i. e. to put his heart, and affairs, into such a posture, as that whenever death comes, he may be ready and prepared ;-however he may be alarmed at the moment—yet that he may be ready to meet it without fear of consequences.

If you will set out this next year as a truly wise and rational creature, begin with considering your state as a dying sinner. And though you may not all at once be able to enter into the comfort, and encouragement, and privileges of the Gospel-yet, set about religion; think of your eternal affairs; consider that death may be at hand. Setting your house in order, will not make death come the sooner, but the safer. Begin with your state consider that death will strip you of everything like disguise or pretence: begin with your own heart; and begin with God. Putting off the matter will only harden your conscience. Begin, I say, with your heart; carry it to God, and beg of him to cleanse the thoughts of your heart by