Lo, then I now preach it to you —
[Christ has died that you may live.
Believe on him and you shall live.
This I declare to all, without hesitation and without excep- tion.
Avail yourselves of the opportunity afforded you.
Contemplate the sad alternative if you reject our word.
If our word be not a savour of life unto life, it will be a savour to your death and condemnation ]
Acts v. 30 — 32. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye sleio and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things ; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
AMONG the various things which have weight and influence in forming decision of character, there is nothing so powerful as religion. The fear of God operates to the dissipating of all other fear ; and the love of God subjugates or refines all creature attach- ments. Persons actuated by any other principle, will bend to circumstances : but religion will give us an uniform direction, like that of the needle to the pole. We see this very strongly illustrated by the conduct of Peter and the other Apostles. We ac- knowledge that they were not destitute of a religious principle during their Master's life : but it was not till the day of Pentecost that they fully understood the nature of Christianity, or were completely sub- jected to its dominion. From that time, the most timid of them were emboldened to confess Him whom they had just before forsaken and denied. They had just been imprisoned for bearing their testimony to his office and character : yet, when threatened with still heavier vengeance, they undauntedly persevered: charging the very rulers themselves with the guilt of murdering the Lord of glory, and affirming that the