making part of the same declaration; but the time of Christ's death, which was the completion of the Old Testament prophecies, and the termination of its legal institutions, being now at hand, there was added on the present occasion to the voice which was uttered at his baptism, this memorable and important clause, "Hear ye him!" The disappearing of Moses and Elias, with the addition of this clause, clearly intimates, that now the gospel was to take place of the law. The substance being now come, the shadow flies away. The law and the prophets were now fulfilled in Christ; and his people were no more to worship God, and seek acceptance with him according to former ordinances, but in

the

way which Jesus should teach and

appoint.

He is the Prophet foretold in ancient prophecy; the sole Head and King of the Church, and his laws alone are binding on the conscience. Whoever, therefore, shall have the presumption to make laws contrary to his, or inconsistent with them; whosoever shall add to, or take

from what he hath said; whoever shall make for themselves terms of Christian Communion which he hath not instituted, are not to be regarded: Nay, my friends, you are bound not merely not to regard them, but to beware of their delusions. This is invading Christ's prerogative; and though it were possible for an angel or saint from heaven to assume such a power, we would not be at liberty to hear, or to obey his words. The well-beloved Son of God, to whom Moses and Elias surrendered their authority and influence in the Church, you are to hear, in opposition to, and in exclusion of all others; and you are to confess him alone as the Lord of your faith and conscience.

Secondly, We may infer, that the hearing of Christ, as already explained, is the sure and only way to happiness. "He is the way, the truth, and the "life," and there is no coming to the Father but by hearing him. All other methods which men may invent will prove vain and insufficient, and must disappoint their hopes.

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None ever yet trusted in God and were ashamed ; "Christ is the chief "corner-stone, laid in Zion, elect and precious; he that believeth on him "shall never die." O! my brethren, let me urge it on you, as a truth never to be forgotten, that Christ is the only Saviour. Whatever may be the foundation on which you attempt to build, if it be not Christ, it is worthless and unsound. Neither can you join any other foundation with him. If asked to give a reason for the hope that is in you, the language of the lips, the language of your hearts must be," Christ is all."

But though Christ be indeed come upon the best errand, and though he be every way qualified to save, yet, if we do not hear him, we cannot share in his salvation. Nay, our conduct will be the more inexcusable. For God says, by his servant Moses, concerning this Prophet whom he was to raise up, "that whoso"ever will not hearken to my words, "which he (viz. Christ) shall speak in

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my name, I will require it of him.” Our Saviour and his Apostles speak the same language. "If I had not come,"

said Christ, and "spoken unto you, ye "had not had sin; but now ye have no "cloak for your sin."

The Apostle to the Hebrews reasons thus: "For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgres"sion and disobedience received a just 66 recompence of reward, how shall we 66 escape if we neglect so great salvation, "which at the first began to be spoken "by the Lord, and was confirmed unto

us by them that heard him?" He, of old, sent Moses and the prophets to teach men his will, and to engage them to their duty; but when this was insufficient, he sent his own Son, as his last and best gift to the human race. And be assured, O Christians, that if you do not hear Christ and obey not his gospel, God will grant you no other method of recovery; he will employ no other arguments, or means, to bring you to salvation. If these are wilfully resisted, he will leave you to your own hard and impenitent hearts; to treasure up to yourselves wrath, against the day of wrath and the revelation of his righteous judgments. You shall be punished with everlasting

destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. Behold the miserable condition of gospel despisers! for them there remains no other sacrifice for sin, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment, and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. "See, then, that ye refuse "not him that speaketh; for if they escaped not, who refused him that spake "on earth, much more shall not ye escape, if ye turn away from him that speaketh from heaven."

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What now remains, my friends? But that I, in conclusion, earnestly and affectionately call upon every one of you to obey the command of God revealed in the text, and to hear and lay hold on his well-beloved Son.

Your compliance with this divine precept is not a thing that is of itself indifferent, and which you may neglect or perform according as fancy or humour may direct. It is the positive command of the great and eternal God himself, and at your peril you are bound to obey. For although God himself is not now requiring you, by an audible voice from

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