roduces an
inward change in the soul, called, in the scripture, the new birth,
regeneration [John iii. 3-7], or conversion, and thus enables a sinner,
convinced of his sin and misery, to look to Jesus, and to believe on him.

But though repentance and faith are the gifts of God, which none can
obtain by any endeavours of their own, yet we are encouraged and
commanded to pray for them [Luke xi. 17.].

All who have thus, through grace, believed, and are daily living a
life of faith in the Son of God, shall be saved: but such as
carelessly neglect, or wilfully reject this gospel must be damned
[ Mark xvi. 15.]. Think, I beseech you, of this! Remember, that it is the
solemn declaration of the Lord Jesus Christ himself.

Now is the time to obtain the blessings revealed in the gospel, and
which are set before you when it is preached. Many have had these
gracious declarations made to them, before we were born, and they
will be repeated to many after we are dead. But THIS is our day. NOW is
the accepted time, now is the day of salvation [1 Cor vi. 2.]. TO-DAY--for
you and I may not live to see to-morrow. TO-DAY; if you will hear his
voice, harden not your hearts [Heb. iii. 7, 8.]. My brethren, it is your
duty, your wisdom, and will finally prove to be your greatest happiness,
to seek an interest in this salvation for yourselves. It is your personal,
and must be your heart concern, to make your calling and election
sure [2 Pet. i. 10.].

For death will soon put a period to all the overtures of grace
and mercy, with which many, and particularly YOU, are now favoured.
It is as I have said, both my duty and my pleasure, to preach and
proclaim these glad tidings. But to whom? Not to the dead, but to the
living; even to you [Acts xv. 22.]. To you is the word of the salvation
sent. But, alas! should you still put it from you, and should death at
last find you in an unprepared state, it will then be too late for you to
begin to cry for mercy [Eccl. ix. 10.].

A day is likewise coming, when our mortal bodies, which must shortly
moulder into dust, will be raised again from the dead. Whether
believers or unbelievers, whether saints or sinners, we must all appear
before the judgment-seat of Christ [2 Cor. v. 10.; Dan. 12.2.;
Matt. xxv.21.]. For the Lord Jesus will shortly appear in the clouds of
heaven, the last trumpet shall sound, the graves shall open, the sea
give up her dead, and all who have lived upon earth, from the creation