is the only way of averting those dreadful
maledictions you have this day heard de-
nounced ; and it is to bring men to this way,
to stamp upon their souls a strong conviction
of the danger of sin, and the necessity of a

» * ^ «

speedy repentance, that our church has thought
fit to make use of such strong and impressive
terms. It does not, it must be owned, pro-
phesy smooth things. It does not, in a mor-
tal, disease, deceive and flatter the patient with
s9ft and soothing palliatives. - It tells him
what, in his condition, it is highly fitting he

filiould know, the plain truth in plain words. '

*■ • • . • •

* Ezek. xY)ii/27.
It



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t • *



SERMON XVr. 341

It selects, oiit of Scripture itself, the most
awakening admonitions which that sacred
boojt contains. It makes use of that inspired
language which is quick and powerful, and
sharper than a two-edged sword, which probes
our wounds to the bottom, , and reaches tho
most secret maladies of the heart. Jn fact,
almost the whole of the service of this day,
which has been so often, and so unjustly
c^ensured, is expressed in the very words of
Scripture ; and whoever thinks fit either
to condemn or to ridicule it, is not con-
demning the English liturgy, but the word
of God..
