SERM.On the merits of Christ, will discharge their VII. confciences from the guilt of secret vices,

and of appetites and passions immoderately indulged. Let us not be deceiv'd this way, God is not to be mocked, he has put confcience in every one of our breasts, as the guide of our actions, and a judge for him; if we violate its rights, he will certainly require it, nor is there any pretence by which we can cover our felves from his justice; nay, conscience itself will one day loudly complain of its wrongs, and be the fiercest accufer before the divine tribunal; make it therefore a friend by repentance and good works.

SER

SERMON VIII.

Perfect Love gives Boldness in the
Day of Judgment.

1 John iv. 17, 18.

Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, So are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath torment; he that feareth is not made perfect in love.

T

HE happiest state of mind we can SERM attain to in this world, is an inward VIII.

security and confidence towards God concerning our future felicity. Since we are convinc'd that we shall die, yet have all the reason in the world to believe that death is not an utter extinction of our being, nay, the religion we profess expressly assures us, that after it we shall be perfectly bless'd, or extremely miferable, by the righteous sen VOL. I.

N

SERM.tence of God; fince it is so, nothing can be VIII. of greater importance than to know, if it is

to be known, what foundation we have of hope or of boldness, as the text expresses it, in the day of judgment. Many, however, of mankind, even of christians, give themfelves very little trouble about this matter; not that they are fatisfied on any rational grounds their condition is safe, and it shall be well with them hereafter; but they pass away their time in a stupid inattention, their thoughts are wholly employed about the business, the cares, and enjoyments of the present life, and for what shall come hereafter, they fet it at a great' distance, and therefore are little affected with it; or build uncertain hopes on general unexamin'd pretences, such as that God is merciful, that Christ is the Saviour of finners, of them among others, that they profess a pure and true religion, and pay a respect to its institutions, that their fins are not very heinous, or if they be, 'tis their purpose to repent some time before they die, and apply themselves diligently to the work of their salvation. But, how unworthy is this of reasonable creatures? I may justly apply here the words of the

1

the prophet Ifaiah, * Remember this and shew SERM.
yourselves men, call to mind, Oye tranfgreffors; VIII.
shall we leave at such uncertainty a concern
which above all others is of the greatest mo-
ment? When God has put it in our power,
and afforded us the best means for making
our calling and election sure, shall we give no
diligence in it, but leave the business of our
falvation at all adventures, even treat it with
more indifference than we do the affairs of
this life? Which of us that had any preten-
fions to a large estate in this world, would
not be very careful to enquire into our title,
and make it as clear as possible ? And shall
we be remiss in endeavouring to ascertain
our claim to the inheritance incorruptible,
undefiled, and that fadeth not away, referved
in heaven for them that fincerely obey the
gospel.

Be assured there is a sufficient certainty in this point to be attain'd; and we need not say, † who shall afcend to heaven for us, or go down to the deep, that we may know it? Some have actually possessed an establish'd tranquillity, in expectation of eternal life. St. Paul knew whom he had believed, and was perfuaded he was able to keep that which by him had been committed to him against that N 2

SERM.day; † that neither death, nor life, nor VIII. angels, nor principalities nor powers, should

be able to separate him from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. Nor is this the peculiar priviledge of extraordinary characters, of men honour'd with divine inspiration, as the apostle was; the grounds of it are common to fincere and good minds, and the evidence fuch as every one for himself is best qualified to judge of his own temper, and his own deliberate actions. My text teaches us the true, the solid foundation of confidence in the profpect of the future judgment, which every fincere christian may arrive to, sufficiently supporting to the upright heart in all events, and stable againft all confounding fears. Herein is our love made perfect that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, so are we in this world; there is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath torment; be that feareth is not made perfect in love. In discourfing on which words, I will

First, Endeavour to show you what is meant by the perfection of love, or our being made perfect in it.

Secondly,

† Rom. viii. 38.