his we
may rise to dishonour, fraud and theft; and as we rise in crime, our
miseries increase in degree, till we imbrue our hands in innocent
blood, and thus render our bosoms a hell and our very existence a
burthen.

Every man is in a condition of uneasiness, suffering, guilt, hardness
of heart and blindness of mind exactly in proportion to his moral
conduct. Let us then be wise;--and if we desire happiness, let us seek
it in that course where the unerring word of God assures us it can
alone be found. Let us acknowledge "that the heavens do rule," and
rest assured that He, who notices the fall of a sparrow, will not wink
at our evil doings.

SERMON V

"For what if some did not believe, shall their unbelief make the faith
of God without effect? God forbid; yea let God be true, but every man
a liar." Romans iii:3, 4.

The doctrine of salvation by Jesus Christ, is worthy the solemn
consideration of all men. It is this, that rendered a revelation
necessary. It is this that kindled the flame of transport in celestial
bosoms, and raised that triumphant song, "glory to God in the highest,
on earth peace, good will towards men." Salvation is the doctrine of
the Bible, and ought ever to be the theme of the pulpit. Salvation is
the oracle of heaven around which all denominations assemble, receive
their instructions, and believe according to the force of evidence.

Prefaced with these remarks, we will now proceed to state what we
conceive to be the _law and gospel_--point out the distinction between
them, and defend the gospel doctrine of salvation of faith.

The law was a conditional covenant between God and man. It was
predicated on works. Under this covenant, if a man were strictly moral
in his external deportment--if he lived up to its letter, he was
considered righteous. This covenant was imperfect, because it could be
kept externally without reaching the heart. They could exclaim like
the young man, who came to Jesus--"all these things have I kept from
my youth up," and still lack the one great point, charity. Therefore
by the deeds of the law no flesh could be justified in the sight of
God. The law, being temporary in its nature, had nothing to do with
eternal things.

Paul says, "sin is the transgression of the law. Where there is no law
there is not the knowledge of sin." From this it appears that sin,
being a transgression of that law, which was given us for the
regulation of our conduct in this life, can rece