layed not his love to us, and to give himself for us, and we are still invited to come unto him and be saved; but many delay to repent of their sins and love and serve him, which is a matter of the highest concern-the greatest necessity-in comparison of which all other things are dross. O, the ingratitude of mankind. How deep the de pravity of the human heart. "Gracious God! How wonderful a compound mixture strange, David made haste and delayed not to keep the commandments of God, and we see the happy result. Saith he, I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the mirery clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God. Ps. xlviii. 1, 2. Here is true evangelical experience—and it is plain that we must comply with the means that we may attain the end. "Brief time Advances quick in tread; few hours and dark Some people object against religion because of the many opinions and differences among its professors. How can I, says one, judge what is right? one is for this way, another is for thatone says, lo here is Christ, another says, lo he is there; and Christ says, believe them not. One pleads for this doctrine, another for that, and a third denies them both. One is for this way of worship, another for that, another is neither for this nor that, but above all. So that I see whom to avoid, but I see not whom to follow. So they think this a sufficient excuse to pay no regard to religion. But what is. there, I ask, in which all men agree they differ in their politics, philosophy, their manner of reasoning, appetites, complexion, &c. low absurd, how dangerous are all such excuses. All Christians are agreed that he that believeth not shall be damned, and in the necessity of fearing God and keeping his commandments; that we must live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world; and that without holiness no man shall see the Lord. Although all good men are agreed in the fundamental principles of religion, they are liable to err and differ in non-essential points. These differences are not inconsistent with a life of godliness and salvation. St. Paul speaks of some that are on the true foundation, yet build with wood, with hay and stubble upon it; yet these shall be saved, though their works shall be burned. There are many that were of differing opinions when here on earth, who are all of one mind now in heaven. Therefore he that condemns religion because of the differences of them that fear God, shall be condemned to hell, as abiding in the state of them that fear him not. Some put off attending to the concerns of the soul, supposing that to be religious they must give up every worldly delight and pleasure, and live a life of dulness and dejection. But it is not so there are many innocent pleasures which pertain even to this life, which are not inconsistent with the Christian character-religion doth not extinguish, but sanctify our enjoyments. For godliness hath both the promise of this life, and of that which is to come. 1 Tim. iv. 8. Our Savior tells us, That whoever hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for his sake and the Gospel's, shall receive a hundred fold now in this time, and in the world to come eternal life. Mark x. 29, 30. Whatever pleasure (if it can be so called) that religion prohibits, it gives in their room far greater and more lasting pleasures.— What is the judgment and report of good men respecting it. David says, one day in thy courts is better than a thousand elsewhere-I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. Ps. lxxxiv. 10; and again, I rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies more than all riches. xix. 14 Solomon says, Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding, for the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared to her. Length of days is in her right hand, and in her eft hand riches and honor-her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace. Prov. iii. 13-17. St. Paul, describing the privileges of the Christian, says, For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come: all are yours. 1 Cor. xxi. 25. How important it is that all should attend to the concerns of the soul in the time of youth. Religion is the greatest and most necessary business of life, and therefore should be the first engaged in. Nothing can be of equal moment with this. If it is put off till old age, it is very rare that it is attended to at all. Life is short and uncertain; no one knows the place where, the manner how, or the time when he shall die. How many diseases we are subject to, and each one sufficient to deprive us of life. The next hour or the next moment may usher us into another state of existence. "One dies eating, another drinking, another laughing, another weeping, another walking, another praying, another cursing and swearing, one dies at an ordinance of God, another at a play-house. One dies at sea, another on shore. One asking a seaman where hisfa ther died, he answered, at sea; and where did your grandfather die? He also died at sea; I wonder then, said he, why you will venture to go to sea. The seaman asked him, Where died your father? He answered, In his bed; and where died your grandfather? He answered, in his bed too; why then, said the seaman, I wonder you will venture to go to bed." We are liable to meet death at any time, and wherever we are, or whatever may be our situa tion in life, the king of terror is still approaching. O how dangerous it is to defer coming to Christ till the time of old age, when the health and vis gor of youth, and the best of their days are past, when the grasshopper shall be a burden, and the years draw nigh when they shall say, I have no pleasure in them. Our Savior says, 'Strive to |