An Address to the Inhabitants of the Colonies | Page 9

(the emblems of victory) in their hands, and
singing to their harps their Redeemer's praise [Matt. xiii.43.; Rev vii.
9,10.]. There they will join in company with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
with the apostles, prophets, and martyrs, with their dear friends and
relatives, who died in the faith before them, and with the glorious
angels; and above all, (without which heaven itself would be no heaven
to them) they will enjoy the unclouded presence of their Lord and
Saviour, who once suffered pain, and shame, and death for them. They
will see him seated upon a throne of glory, and unite with all the
heavenly host, in ascribing salvation, glory, and honour, and praise to
him who loved them, and washed them from their sins in his own blood;
and has made them kings and priests to God, and to the Lamb, for ever
and ever [Rev. v. 9.].
For the joys of heaven, and the pains of hell will be eternal. Otherwise,
indeed, neither the happiness nor the misery of a future state could be
complete. It would damp the joys of the blessed, to apprehend that they
must at length terminate. And the horrors of the damned would be in a

degree alleviated, if there was the most distant prospect that they would
have a period. But the word of God assures us, that believers, after
death, enter into life eternal, and that the punishment of the wicked will
be everlasting [Matt. xxv. 46.; Dan. xii. 2.; 2 Thes. i. 7-10.].
I have now given you a summary of the great truths, which, as a
minister of the gospel, I am commissioned and commanded to preach.
And I can call God and your consciences to witness, that I have not
shunned thus to declare to you the whole counsel of God [Acts xx. 27.].
I have explained to you the meaning, and I have urged the importance
of these things over and over. I have pointed out to you, the wretched
and dangerous condition of sinners, the necessity of conversion or the
new birth, the nature of this change, and by what power it is wrought,
and the fruits and effects which such a change will produce in a man's
tempers, words and actions. I have also shewn you the way, in which
you MAY and must be saved, if you are saved at all. I have told you
again and again, that Christ is the Way, the truth, and the life, and that
there is no coming to God with comfort, either in this world, or in that
which is to come, but by him. He has told you so himself [John xiv. 6.;
Acts iv. 12.]. And the apostle assures you, that there is no other name
under heaven, given unto men, whereby they can be saved. Look unto
him, and you shall be saved; if not, you must be damned. This is the
plain truth, the express declaration of the Bible. Life and death are set
before you [Deut. xxx. 15.].
Permit me then, as your minister, your friend, and a well-wisher to your
souls, to press these serious and weighty considerations home upon
your consciences once more. I hope and believe that I have affected
nothing, but what can be proved by the highest authority, the word of
the living God. They certainly deserve your closest and most careful
attention, since it is plain beyond a doubt, that upon your knowledge or
ignorance, your acceptance or rejection of this gospel, your everlasting
happiness or misery must depend.
Brethren, I do not ask you, what religious persuasion or denomination
you have espoused. I fear, that, if I may judge of your hearts by your
actions, too many are destitute of any sense of religion at all. But I do
not address you as Churchmen or Dissenters, Roman Catholics or
Protestants, as Jews or Gentiles; I suppose, yea, I know, that there are
persons of every denomination amongst you. But I speak to you as men

and women, as intelligent creatures, possessed of understanding and
reason. I speak to you as mortals, and yet immortals; as sinners, who
have broken the laws of God, and are therefore obnoxious to his
displeasure. And my sole aim and desire is, to be instrumental in
turning you from darkness to light, from sin to holiness, from the power
of Satan to the service and favour of God [Acts xxvi. 18.].
Seek then, I beseech you, above all things, an interest in the blessings
of the gospel. Be assured it is a matter of much less moment, whether
you are rich or poor, respected or despised in this world. The rich have
their cares, fears, crosses, and vexations, no less than the poor; but
admitting that they could pass through life with