to raise liim from the dead, and to set him above all the princi- palities and powers whether of heaven or hell," he conceives that similar conquests are not to be expected by mortal man ; and that to rise thus superior to sin and Satan, is an object to be desired rather than attained. Hence he satisfies himself with tlie poor performances of outward duty ; and never dreams of being " changed into the image of the Lord Jesus, from glory to glory, by the Spirit of his God." " Through the strength of Christ he might do all things :" but, being ignorant of Christ, he is left to his own resources, and " can do nothing." Say, Brethren, whether in this view also he does not fear- fully illustrate the truth contained in my text.]
V. No hope in his end —
[At the approach of death, an unenlightened man is in a truly pitiable state. He has no other hope but what is founded on the uncovenanted mercies of his God, and a persuasion that he has done his duty to the utmost of his power. As for an assurance of faith, or a spirit of adoption enabling him to cry Abba, Father, he knows not of it ; nor can imagine how it is that some attain such joy in the prospect of eternity. Of the covenant of grace, and of all its blessed provisions, he, alas ! is ignorant. He cannot take hold of the promises of the Gos- pel, or rel}^ on the faithfulness of God. He sees not how a title to heaven may be attained, or with what confidence it may be pleaded at the throne of grace. He sees not Christ as his fore- runner, that is gone to prepare a place for him, and has engaged to come and take him to himself. Hence he clings to life even to the last ; and never reckons death amongst his treasures, or accounts it gain to die. St.Paul well describes the state of such an one ; that being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish his own righteousness, and not submitting himself to the righteousness of God, he perishes at last under the guilt of all his sins. Whatever his exertions be in the pur- suit of righteousness, he fails, " because he seeks it by works, and not by faith only ; for he stumbles at that stumbling- stone'';" and thus, as God has said, "he is destroyed for lack of knowledge ''." The unhappy man living all his days " without Clu-ist," dies at last " without hope ^." Who will doubt now the truth of Solomon's assertion, that for the soul to be with- out knowledge is the greatest calamity that can befall a man on this side the grave ?]
And now. Brethren, what shall I say unto you ? O,