but a light punishment, if any at all. Therefore, let all take heed to their ways, and endeavour to flee from the wrath to come; lest their portion be with those unbelievers, murderers, whoremongers, liars, &c. which are to have their part in that lake that burns with fire and brimstone, the smoke whereof ascends up forever and ever. See Rev. xiv. 9, 10, 11, 19. chap. xx. 10.

xxi. 8.

Now this mode of expression "forever and ever," being divers times used in the New Testament, upon the subject of future torment, beside the other various forms of words to the same purpose, does it not seem as if no words, no modes of expression, no kinds of representation were to be omitted, that might strike our minds to advantage on this great subject; nor a stone left unturned, that might be turned to our profit? And as this phrase "forever and ever," is frequently used to express the never-ending life or existence of the Almighty, the eternal duration of his kingdom, glory, dominion, and reign, why should we not suppose it means an eternal duration, when applied to future punishments? I believe no one instance can be shown in all the New Testament, where these words mean any thing short of a neverending duration, in any other case; why then shall we reject their plain, natural, and constant meaning, where we find them used in this case? especially as no kind hint is ever once given us in all the sacred records, that though in all other cases, they mean eternal, yet in this one case, they mean infinitely short of eternal! Might we not expect, if they meant so vastly different in this case from their otherwise constant meaning, that the goodness of God would have found out a way to signify this important difference to us, and not have left us so much in the dark about it? But indeed the numerous concurring methods of conveying instruction to us in scripture upon this point, seem so loudly to confirm the sentiment, that the meaning of these words is the very same in this as in other cases, that we have little reason to tell of being in the dark about their meaning in any case. Does not the whole current of the scripture throw such a light upon this subject, as must forever render it impossible for all the art and cunning craftiness of men, to establish a system upon the plan of the actual eternal salvation of all men,

that will not run counter to the plainest doctrines of the gospel, and to the manifest design and intent of Christ and the apostles, in their preaching and writings? For unless the many positive. assertions in scripture do fully establish the doctrine of eternal punishments, I would ask how it could have been established by any possible expressions? What words, what phrases, what modes of assertion, could have satisfied the reasoners of our age? Is there any word in any language, that more plainly means an eternal duration, than those used to point out the duration of future punishments? We have on this head, such words and sentences as these: "the second death;" "everlasting punishment;" "everlasting fire;" "everlasting burnings;" "ever lasting confusion;" "everlasting contempt;" "eternal fire;" "eternal damnation ;" "damnation of hell;" "hell fire;" “unquenchable fire;" "the fire that never shall be quenched;" "the great wine press of the wrath of God;"" their worm dieth not ;" "the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever;" "they have no rest day nor night;""the blackness of dark, ness forever;"" the mist of darkness forever;""the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation;""everlasting destruction;" "whose end is destruction" "whose end shall be that he perish forever;" "judgment without mercy-without mixture;" "under chains of darkness;""fiery indignation;"" bottomless pit;" "suffer. ing the vengeance of eternal fire;" and such like; many more than may be necessary here to recapitulate.

What else could have been said? What more could have been done that is not done, as was queried of old? What other striking images, similitudes, or representations, could have been used, more strongly to establish this point? I believe a small part of the evidence which scripture affords in favour of endless punishment, would be thought abundantly sufficient by any of its opposers to establish forever any one of their darling notions. Could their union say half so much for itself, I believe their triumphings would be with far less mixture of doubt, fear, and misgivings of heart, than they now are.

But the truth is, this new scheme has little or nothing of the nature of religion in it; but is calculated exactly for a plan of

libertinism, uncleanness, and dissipation. And though they may all deny this, I believe the true state of facts will in some degree favour it; for if a few of the most sober ought to be excepted, I think it is pretty clear that far the greater part of them, are more or less lulled into carelessness, or kept at ease in such a state, by the influence of this flattering persuasion: and is it not evident that many of them are the very sons of dissipation, rushing headlong into the pit of pollution?

I would not bear too hard on any. I often fear that my own feet will yet slide, through want of due attention to that which only can preserve; but leaving that, with desires for my own preservation, and that of all mankind, I would just query, whether it is not certain that too many have visibly grown more openly profane and debauched, upon adhering to this plan? On the contrary, has ever one man, woman, or child, been reformed upon embracing it? Do not these things cast a dark shade over this system, and seem to stamp just obloquy upon it? I think the Indian's answer to one of these men, (and I think it was to one of their teachers,) worthy of serious regard. I have been informed that an Indian, after hearing much said in favour of this doctrine, wisely answered thus: "I think my religion better than yours; for if mine fails me, yours will catch me; but if yours fails, you are lost forever," or words to this import. I would it might be duly regarded, lest presuming upon the cer. tainty of salvation, and the corruptions so often consequent upon that belief, cast away many a poor soul, at the great day, the time of final reckoning!

And here I believe I may properly address the libertines of our age, in the last words of Doctor Cheyne's Essay on Health and long Life. After describing the death of the sober and virtuous, and speaking of them as departing "in peace, as a lamp goes out for want of oil," he concludes thus: "And let the gentlemen of wit and fire, of banter and sneer, hug themselves ever so much in their boasted tranquillity and security; gratify their passions, appetites, and humours to the full; and despise futurity and whining,-I dare promise, when the farce is ended, and the last minutes are drawing on, they would prefer a life thus led,

and an end so calm, to all the pleasures of lewdness and sensuality, and the bounces of a false and ignorant security.":

And now, concerning such as have once known better things, been washed in degree from their filthiness, and felt the consolating streams of God's love shed abroad in their hearts, but have met with a loss, and received a wound by hearkening to this syren song, this musical enchantment, my soul truly mourns over them, whether they be such as make open profession of this opinion, or such as among the various denominations have, without professing it, been inwardly hurt by secretly giving way to its poisonous influence. Oh! that ye may yet profitably consider the divine refreshment of spirit once enjoyed in the day of your espousals. Oh! that ye would exercise holy retrospection, would review the state from whence you are fallen, and endeavour to do your first works, renew your first faith, and improve your first love; lest darkness, total darkness, come upon you! O ye who have been the Lord's called! my soul's desire, and prayer to him is, that ye may be his chosen; that as in degree you have once had a foretaste of heaven's true joy, so ye may be admitted into the full fruition thereof, in a mansion of never-ending glory. But know ye, and take it for certain, that all those who stand on Mount Sion with harps of God in their hands, singing the new song, which no others can learn, are only those who are redeemed from the earth, and from among men; those who follow the Lamb wheresoever he goeth, and that in the regeneration; those who bear their daily cross in the true self-denial. It is no plea of union, inclusion, &c. without this that will avail. No unclean thing can ever enter; and no human quibble, of clean in Christ, whilst you remain unclean in yourselves, will ever stand in the presence of Christ, or meet the approbation of him who views all men as they really are.

Come, my friends, look about you a little. I seek your eternal welfare. I wish you to be able to stand before that tribunal, where no false gloss will avail. Unless you now feel God's owning presence, and witness real sanctification, you have no sure evidence of salvation. Oh! have a care lest your foundation fail you; lest your building fall; for if it does fall, great

will be the fall thereof. Oh! that ye had continued to hearken to the Lord's commandments; then should your peace have been as a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea. My heart's desire is, that you may yet, ere you go hence, return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on you, and to our God, who will abundantly pardon the truly repentant and returning soul; but will reject and forsake the generation of his wrath forever!

And, now, all ye pleaders for universal salvation, I wish you may really witness eternal salvation in the realms of bliss, with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in God's everlasting kingdom. But remember well that Christ has no un-cross-bearing disciple: your reward, after all, must be according to your works, according to "the deeds done in the body;" that is, here, in time. Therefore, let not the silken cords of this boasted union hold you fast in sin and pollution; lest ere you are aware they are rent in sunder, and fail you, to a dismal disappointment. Do not, I beseech you, suspend your eternal happiness upon a rotten reed of speculative error. I warn you, as you must give an account, do not trifle with your own souls, nor trust to any of these vain, ideal dreams of union, inclusion, or any other false hope of future happiness. But now, in season, for now is the time, set about, and in earnest pursue, through divine assistance, a work of renovation and cleansing, of real sanctification and true holiness; lest, too late, you rue your sad neglect, and mourn your awful disappointment; having, after all your boast of certain happiness, in shame and confusion, when you are called to your final inheritance, to read in awful, legible characters, in a dread hand-writing on the wall against you, "Mene, mene, tekel, upharsin," or at least thus much of it, "Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting." Farewell.