him to his proper good-he makes him to reject with abhorrence what he should aspire to with all the ardour, and all the ambition of the soul. Be assured, brethren, that the dying saint never regretted his having suffered shame for the name of Jesus, nor would he exchange the glory which encircles him for all the diadems of a world.

Dear friends, God speaketh to us in and by his Word. May his Spirit reach every heart here present-may he show us sinners that we are so may he lead us to see the exceeding sinfulness of sin-may he discover to us the impossibility of our being justified by the lawmay he constrain us to come to Christ for justification, making us to see the all-sufficiency of his atoning blood and perfect righteousness—may the same blessed Spirit testify to our spirits that we are the children of God--become to us the Spirit of adoption, whereby we may cry, Abba, Father-work in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure-produce in us the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of God. Then shall the end for which we live at all, be answered-his presence shall cheer our pilgrimage—his smile shall irradiate the bed of death-our departing breath shall then be hallowed by the Spirit's

influence. Then shall our memory be fragrant, and fresh instances shall then be furnished, that " Right dear in the Lord's sight is the death of his saints."

263

SERMON XIV.

Romans viii. 7.

66 THE CARNAL MIND IS ENMITY AGAINST GOD; FOR IT IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF GOD, NEITHER INDEED

It is an axiom universally admitted, that the foundation must be solidly laid before the superstructure can be safely erected; and, with respect to mental edification, no science can be well known till its first principles be well understood. This observation holds most forcibly true when applied to the knowledge of divine truth-the only knowledge in which every man is interested. Now it is evident that one of the first principles of the doctrine of Christ, is a knowledge of our state and character as we stand before God; and we are taught both by Scripture and experience, (those incontestible witnesses,) that our state

by nature is a state of wrath; that we are born in sin; and that as man's character developes itself, forgetfulness, contempt, and hatred of God is awfully manifested. Yes, my friends, we are taught that "the carnal mind is enmity against God;" proof, melancholy proof, is given that "it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."

This view of human nature is, I am fully aware, very different from that given by heathens, and even by many who call themselves Christians. The heathen generally represented man as naturally disposed to goodness, and as being capable, by his own exertions, of rising to the sublimest heights of moral excellence; and strange as it is, there have been, and still are, many who, with the Bible in their hands, hold similar language. They hold up what they call the fair side of human nature; and if they are forced to allow any thing wrong at all, they do not like to give it the offensive name of sin, but gloss it over with the softer terms of frailty and imperfection. But, my friends, if we admit this representation, what shall we say is the meaning of God's declaration-" The wickedness of man is great in the earth, and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart only evil continually?" Oh! my friends, let God be true,

though every man be thereby made a liar. Whatever others do, believers hold fast the form of sound words; they believe that the plain representations made in sacred Scripture concerning man's state by nature, are not the representations of man, but of that God to whom all hearts are open, and who alone fully knoweth what is man, and what is in man.

The awful truth stated in our text, is carefully kept out of view by every writer or preacher whose aim is to please and gain applause; but it is the duty of the preacher of the Gospel of the grace of God, to open to the bottom the deplorable corruption of human nature, and to maintain that there dwells in the heart of every man and woman, an aversion to God; yes, "the carnal mind is enmity against God"-awful accusation! Oh! may the Holy Spirit enlighten our minds, whilst we consider what experience and Scripture say on this subject.

1st.-Experience.

When we look back on the history of mankind, what are we presented with but a lengthened record of man's rebellions against Goda black list of actions, in which man was not subject to the law of God? Deduct this disgraceful sum, and how very little remains! For the truth of this, I appeal not merely to