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RI 
 
 TO ABO 
 
 PWNTt 
 
^x 
 
 P^S1.1.II 
 
 'rev. CHARLES BRIDGES' 
 
 m)BM.m 
 
 TO ABOtT F1V:E mTK!>REB ASSEMStED 'CME»CV, 
 
 AT TUT, 
 
 Annual |Ucct(nflS in BuijUu. 
 
 QUEBEC: 
 
 mNTSiD BY vntum cowan & son, fabriqtje strebt, 
 
 1837. .. 
 
^02,094 
 
 
 OCT ^ ^931 
 
 i'i'i-^' 
 
 iii.t l)iit 1 
 
 tni I s!iO 
 
 dear bre 
 
 have loni 
 
 to you ai 
 
 we may 1 
 
 lovj*. i\ 
 
 will of G 
 
 freshed. 
 
 Church ^ 
 
 whiclj w 
 
 secri-tcd 
 
 marks ol 
 
 with an 
 
 loveth \v 
 
 you, not 
 
 your son 
 
 that '^ w 
 
 thou haf 
 
 with m 
 
 lection ( 
 
 purifies 
 
 Lord ar 
 
 look to 
 
 sanie ho 
 
 .^ 
 
 ^i^%(. '-^m))- 
 
, 
 
 ADDRESS, 
 
 Sf. 
 
 My beloved fiitticrs nnr! brethreti, " I nm with you 
 
 in wpakncss and (oar and in much iromlding." I can- 
 not but li; el thin I am standins,^ before men at whose 
 feet I should be glad to sit, and I can only thank you, 
 dear brethren, for the sympathy of your pravew. I 
 have longed to see you, not as though I could impart 
 to you any spiritual gift, but hoping and trustmg that 
 we may be comforted together, by our mutual faitli ami 
 lovo. And now that we have come together, by the 
 will of God, 1 trust that we shall with each other be re- 
 freshetl. We know that we have looked en you as a 
 Church with svmjiathy and fellowship, as sutlermg that 
 which we can well understand; we have seen you con- 
 secri-ted to the service of God with the especial 
 marks of God's election,tried in the furnace of affliction 
 with an especial mark of latherly love, (for whom he 
 loveth he chasteneth,) and we see that we can conrie to 
 you, not to sympathise with your troubles, but to join in 
 vour songs of praise, for surely you are ready to say, 
 that '^ we went through fire and through water, but 
 thou hast brought us out into a wealthy place." Bear 
 with me while I bring before you one practical recol- 
 lection of the Lord's dispensation with me. The Rehner 
 purifies the sons of Levi, that they may offer unto the 
 Lord an offering of righteousness ; and therefore we 
 look to you to set before us and the churches of God the 
 same holy moulding of the furnace, the same holy stand- 
 
 ■k":ti 
 
., ,l,a, wc u„r.elv.s ,„ay .,■ '•"''■■"■■"^''' ""■ ';^" ' ', 
 
 ,1„. ..nuiul (uimary pa^ of our work, m d O.Ht . tl^ 
 . vuliiiv of our dear Saviour m our ministry. l'"-y^ 
 y™ Sw, dear friends, H tl.e object 'or «!>|C. ,^ »« 
 t„ live— li set up Clirist, and notliins! else, before our 
 opk ; Crist" bis blood and rigbteousness the 
 ^ o!:„d of our bo ,e ; Cbrist, bis <j>neken,n, 8,^, , be 
 rrinciplc of lile in our souls ; Clirist, tlie way, the 
 K and the life ; Christ, (be roluge and --0 at on 
 the present, eternal salvation o b,s people. A''. ''y 
 friends, wb'en wo look at the hopes "' » j;^"" \" i"^; 
 when we know that they arc centered in him , it is U s 
 Alt fixes our purpose, to " know notlung but Jesu= 
 Ch istTan h m cn.cilied ;» it is thi. that gives us «u. 
 teK that furnishes the materials of our sermons, ha 
 brings out the commaiKling truths of the gospel ha 
 evhibits the Gospel before , he church n. ■''•""re vmd 
 apprehension of glory in the person and wo k of our 
 Saviour 1 would uist beg to set belore you simply 
 fwo potts ,f moment in this matter, and that is that our 
 n*n tralion inCbrist should be a conlinua ly advancing 
 min strati.,.., and that it should be an entire mmislra- 
 Uon Now vou know, my friends, that the whole sum 
 and substance of the Gospel, is one s.nglo sentence- 
 " Christ Jesus came into the world to save s.nners — 
 and yet, who is there of us that does not know that there 
 U n th. t one sentence the inlinite an.l eter.ial ove of 
 Sod-tbo height, and depth, and le..gth, and breadth 
 of U.atlove whici. passed, knowledge ; a™ ' -« °-v'„f 
 we should be satisfied that our P""!'''^,'^'"'"''' ^f ": ?, 
 d, ildren for ever, why then, we may be « mtent with 
 E vin-. them the mere elementary truths of this matter ; 
 fut U^e really are ministers of Christ, we shall bo 
 going unto perfection, in the exercise ol cur woik, not 
 
 t 
 
 , 
 
 liivi.ig ai:^, 
 })C goiii^t^ ( 
 the things 
 of the trui 
 ar<;to"«p 
 that ;»« i>i 
 
 ?:|> iu .ijei 
 
 Wi'.h lead 
 
 filso to w 
 
 r.nd J'SthI: 
 
 J'cc} to be 
 
 lead us fi 
 
 to afivain 
 
 a minute 
 
 sUion, m 
 
 we fuul 
 
 person^ 
 
 all \m di 
 
 son. ?i 
 
 luimhled 
 
 ministra 
 
 arc ace I 
 
 rot t'oel 
 
 liumhlir 
 
 feei tlia 
 
 my con 
 
 I did 11(1 
 
 mouldii 
 teach in 
 bclongl 
 the w 01 
 try — 1( 
 largem 
 that te: 
 " that 
 
^^:^m:Wm^miuMk W^Sm^gmmmm" 
 
 ' ''^m^t^tm^ 
 
 
 lav. !"• ni^ain Uir fomulati.Mi so as to stop lliotr, l'ut_ to 
 be ^rcjin-ron a>^ in'M.i>i('rs a- well aschrisliaus, toro'ettiiii; 
 thellun?^s that are beliiiKl, ami reaching lorth in tlio path 
 of the truth of God, t.> (he lliin^s that a.v Ix'forr r V\ e 
 ar to "^psak the wmioui of God i» a imsterv /'• t'>\-i^i 
 that ;»ri i^crfecf we arc llieretbre nottobc wUistiecl witli 
 ^erii a- mm to'Christ,hut we are to l»e bmUlu)- iliem 
 ni. iu -iietr most holy ^aith : we are not t->be^at. shed 
 w.'h l-adini them to receive Christ Jesus theLord but 
 filso to walk in eve. y mhxumce^ and be built up lu bun 
 «nd established in the Uiila. Tliis, my dear friends, 1 
 Ice? to be a rnactor of vei V ynmaTy moment ; and it must 
 lead us from Pubbntb to Sabbath, and from year to year, 
 to advance trom ♦he general statements of the matter into 
 a minute, and explicit, and detailed, »«'» ;!^"^«^gf ' ^7,^ 
 sition, not to set out merely the person of Christ, hut as 
 we find in t!,e Book of Canticles, every feature of \ns 
 person, and as we find in the Epistle to the Hebrews, 
 all bis divine mediatorial oilices connected with Ins per- 
 son. Now I reallv feel, wiiile speaking, convicted and 
 iuimbled before God; 1 often would have a>mmitted the 
 ministrations of the last few years, though I believe tliey 
 are accurate in their character, to the tlames, if I did 
 not feel that it was useful to myself to preserve sue a an 
 luimbling memory of scanty Icnowledge ; if I iM not 
 feel that it might be imi)ortant, by these means, to mark 
 my continual progress in thougiit and experience, and if 
 I did not tiiink that J might make a valuable use ol ihem 
 \u s.me future time, in filling them up with richer 
 mouldino-,and the result of a more deep and experimental 
 teachino^ But, be that as it may, the real responsibility 
 belonging to us is, not to preach merely, hut to tuUd 
 the word of God, that is, to make t ull i)rool of our minis- 
 try— to be goimr on in a course of expansion and en- 
 laro-emcnt, as thelipostle mentions so very beautituUy m 
 thai text which was for our consideration yesterday, 
 «t that we may piesent," not that we may brmgour peo- 
 
 
p!(. n.s cliiMrt'ii, 1> 
 
 ut 
 
 '• tlmt \vr mav proscnf fvery nnn«. 
 ,„,,,,,,.( in Chri^l Jesus." N-.nv, n-igiit I )u>t iiiiiik ano- 
 ll,,,, point vvliili' on iliis Mil.i.ci, tlu; ^^eal in.iH)i-t;ince oi 
 iH-ino' coinpleu; iu our inini>l"atior.s- Vou know tin? 
 G„s,Hlc.Misistsoftl:rje|>arts, suited to the complex 
 , ha, a. I. r of mail. There is doctrine for the head, cx- 
 ,„ 1 eure foi the J»eart, aiul j.racllcc for ihe !ite and con- 
 v( 1 Nation. Now then, take one of tliese thmgs scpa- 
 litclv, atid wliat a poor starving inelVcctive ministration 
 it i^ i wlial are diKti-ines witliout experience, but mere 
 abstract theories emotions? What are doctrines without 
 practice, hut Antinomian ungodliness ? So, agam, take 
 experience ; what is experience without doctrine r *Vhy, 
 it is the mere religion of (beling— the rehgionoi dehision 
 —a religion thatls merely foisted b> excitement, instead 
 of connected with princjple—a mere igniis fatuas in- 
 stead of the liL^ht of life, merely inducing contulence m 
 the flesh, instead of rejoicing in Christ Jesus. And so 
 acrain, what would be experience without practice ? 
 Why it would bo a self-deluding religion, while the 
 man wouUi be llie wretched victim of the delusions ot 
 his own b.eart. And so in regard to the other point ; 
 what would practice be willuuit doctrine, but the body 
 witltout the spirit, which is <lea<! '. and so, without ex- 
 perience, what would practice be, but mere external 
 formi'Mty, without anv of the peace or joy ot believmg 
 in Christ ? So that tins, I <J''1>1m will bring the matter 
 to a very simple point, that we should tlirect and con- 
 nect every feeling of the heart, and every obligation of 
 the life, with an entire dependence on Ch.rist, a conti- 
 nual ccm')reh.ension of him; rejoiciug,withjoy unspeak- 
 able and full of glory, that all our springs arc in_ him.^ 
 And then, I will Just mention this in another point oi 
 ' lew. As ftir as mv own expeiience and observation 
 navcKone, I have uniformly marked the irritability of 
 unstable profession to be connected with partial view^ 
 of Sciipture, a sort of favouritism in Scripture ; some- 
 times it is the part of Scripture which relates to general 
 
 (loctrme:^ 
 
 times it I 
 
 those par' 
 
 direct pri 
 
 ever it bi 
 
 >vhich is 
 
 professioi 
 
 whole re 
 
 importaii 
 
 our chil 
 
 cate our 
 
 our chil 
 
 ther it b 
 
 a defect! 
 
 under th 
 
 people ! 
 
 racter, o 
 
 sion. I 
 
 from thi 
 
 pel of C 
 
 great a] 
 
 Christ, 
 
 We tin( 
 
 as liis w 
 
 workini 
 
 ing to h 
 
 I canni 
 
 deeply i 
 
 that it 
 
 glow ot 
 
 calls fi3 
 
 all our 
 
 man, fe 
 
 every t 
 
 the mil 
 
 ihat th 
 
 this gri 
 
timt'S II i> 'II. ■ [)n-|)lu'in a Ij-an- •'. -< .'i ^ ■'■ 
 
 those parts thai ad inoiv dm tii.' ima'^iiuition than onU»e 
 diivci piiiiripli- urcuiiscicncr aii(! ••niidm't ; hut what- 
 ever it be, U it be pariial, ii is iiK'tTccnial ; no nialh'r 
 which is the luvourit*; t.aa, we can iu'MT nam a slahle 
 prorossion, except wo see the whole C!jrist, mul iliu 
 whole revehition of God : and I Um>k,t«<», it Inais ihis 
 inroortant responsibility with it. We know we i..-vt 
 our cbiKlrcn in the G.)spol ; h.it we <lo moio, we e.hi- 
 cate our children in the Gospel, and wc must expect 
 our children to hear tlu; marks of our educjitjon, whe- 
 ther it he a wise and sound education, or whether it ho 
 a defective or eccentric education ; feo that for instance, 
 under tl»e latter circumstance, we arc sure to see in our 
 people some imperfect development of Christnin cha- 
 racter, or some spiritual <lefornHty in Christian profes- 
 sion. Now I think, my dear friends, you must see 
 from this, tbatitisnoliolit matter to preach the Gos- 
 pel of Christ ; we lind that it exercises the mmd of the 
 great apostle, " in all wisdom," he says, " to preaclj 
 Christ, warnini? eveiv man, and teac!nn«!; every man. 
 Wctindalso, that it* exercised ail his encrtry as well 
 as his wisdom, as he savs, " whercunto i als«» labour, 
 workin'"- to<vether for the faith of the Gospel, accortl- 
 in"- to Ins mT;;ht which worketh in me mightily." Now 
 I cannot hut hope, my hrelhren, that our mmds are 
 deeply impressed witli the ijrand moment of this matter; 
 that It does command the best feelings and warmest 
 glow of our hearts. But it calls for more than this ; it 
 calls for diligent responsibility, for the employment ot 
 all our talents, for the consecration of all the powers of 
 man, for the redempti(»n and improvement of time, ami 
 eve«-v thin^ that belongs to man, to be consecrated to 
 the ministry of the Gospel. I cannot hut say, therefore, 
 Ihat those who feel little preparation necessary l«r 
 this grand and blessed work, have never yet realued 
 
 r'' 
 
8 
 
 tiKM views which we dwire to impxow m every meh 
 M Tlierc U often f^reat danger ftrom fluenrv of Tit- 
 Srtincc-^in«»l valuable t.nf., nsnpmmi^. con.n.nn.- 
 
 cation from a welUtorctl .nm.l ; but wiihuui f^\^''^ 
 mr^hU.^^yWoi lhu^tva..s. injury t« imhvuluaU 
 en.l Isu lu ih. c iuTch; it lemU lo much harm-it leadis 
 r. ustance, to a hahil of .ayiuga great deal, vhen wo 
 have very little to .uy ; it leads us to mistake a .« lee- 
 on of words for solid instrMct.on ; it «-xlal»a. a coUec- 
 Jionofduuliratos, instead of a well a.ss.MU>d stot-k oi 
 k owLdo s lik*. au ilLfurnishod house, |lk'd, wc may 
 «v .^^^^^^^^ articles but allot the same 
 
 k 'nd n . it is plain, tbercforo, tbat xvhauv.r th.re m.y 
 K a Uttl.. u?mi>onuv Interest and exriton.cnt, here 
 s no iL' lu re to lied the .hurch of (;od--to teed the 
 Kltha, arecunnnitted ,o«s. Why w ntever>.«^ 
 mav have tUou^^H about it, I confess I f "" ** ^.' l^* 
 so m 'hink of huildiui? a navy fram the oakn ol n.> o\ui 
 ■ida«linuS»rofbuildin-almuse bv mv own \^^^^^ 
 LassisTea iabou.s «« -f going to the d.verMhed ca^e. f 
 mv own people witli mv own unassi.led tre.isiue, ^v Uh- 
 oiit iHOviou. niei)aration and study, a. well ns prayer. 
 I rcLndK>r an old writer r^ketUhis question, how nm 
 the l»eop'te u'row, ifthe minister does ml grow ; and how 
 ^^i Jministe;,.ow, if he doesnot study to cnlarjje 
 his treasure as well as refresh h.s own mmiI ? You 
 CZ, that the nurse or mother who has an mlunt to feed, 
 i "oil god to fee<l more largely than other. ; so we who 
 have children languishing f.r foo.l must mdec<l ha.e 
 Ll to </ivc them/or else both nc and they wdl languish 
 lu consSmplion ; it is a responsibility resting on you aH, 
 Who feel what a work the ministry .s, to study ami pray 
 Ind prav and studv agai.); ond this way alone, I may ex- 
 r^ct to ulfd mv own responsil>ility and to .tatid belore 
 mroU and render an aecountof my work; m th.s way 
 7me mav I hope to buil.l up my people .n the sobd e^ 
 taSmcnt of Christian profession, and be able to anti- 
 
 inc -pt-rl 
 
 Goftpel. 
 
 tuhis eliii 
 
 at'it'i (luil 
 
 pic with 1 
 
 luo tiial ii 
 
 18 one wl 
 
 out of thi 
 
 gcriptura 
 
 that we 1 
 
 much an^ 
 
 day to la 
 
 and wori 
 
 object — 
 
 rearing i 
 
 more ree 
 
 dence oj 
 
 What si 
 
 more th; 
 
 man wh 
 
 Wliy w 
 
 IOii(' to 
 
 have su< 
 
 o diret 
 
 comfort 
 
 hroughl 
 
 been a I 
 
 point, 
 
 stores, I 
 
 course, 
 
 the pric 
 
 the rul( 
 
 enriclii 
 
 medita 
 
 litter b 
 
 ever s< 
 

 
 ^^,^^, ■,,„,,„. „...i,^u ssiM, ,„.ro, and tl,.. ^ 
 Go«pe\ i remtm»*r well tl .' le .|hm-iuI g; t .1 (.-I 
 
 aftei GmJ'.uwu 1h.;uI nre th.se-they , a^ M )n< ,.j o. 
 
 pt.withkn..wl.".luv,n,,l,in(l."rstanaiujj;uiull Mn.mhrr 
 
 isoncwhol,asastoreh.»nMVMul wl. _,s «b.e U.> 4 
 
 out of that storehouse thini;s new luxl -ul i >.> ^trd in lu 
 scriptural niouhlins,^ uf tlu^ Christum i.!ini>ii v , nv Ih-i 
 
 r-:^ 
 
 upon 
 
 us, 
 
 (111(1 
 
 that we ha\o much resi)()nsil>ility '>'"-.,... , , 
 much aiul deeply indeed arc ^s. ^^'^V^'l^f^l^'^'^f'^^J^ 
 liav t« hihaur and pray-to h.h.nir and s(ud>--to hdu) i 
 and work, and eoncoiitratc all in our k-vh( hu.1 u'Ih; ,u ,s 
 obiect^savinj; souls, feoditig souls, Nyununir souls ctml 
 reiriiii? families for heav.n. 1 would ..dyrn nark one 
 more reeollection on this suhjcct-f Ac ^ccc.hn^ impru> 
 (knee of neqleding the responsibihtij oj Ins xvm A. 
 What should we think of the man who was hiyi.'., yut 
 more than ho h.id i;. ? What shouh we th.'.K ol he 
 man who is having out hts capital without nuMvasm,;; .t 
 Whv we cannot hut feel that (hat tm.n is ni Iho liii;U 
 loJto bankruptcy. It is plain then, "'^^^ ;^^^'' •'.;;;■ 
 have such demands on us for know ed^o and wis on , 
 o direct and to control, to establish and in uphold i. 
 comfort and to rebuke, and ta cxho.t we iiave iiuleed 
 S,ght upon us all the responsibility that wc ha^ <> jus 
 been alluding »o. Perhaps this may lead us to ano liei 
 S,v.ry "natural indeed-if w. are to gain these 
 itores' from whence are we to obtain them ? JSow, ot 
 course, we come first to the bm)k of God ; it is, indeed 
 the priest's book; the book to which we may well apply 
 tie ?uleofanan;ient father-" There 1. no study so 
 enriching as the deep and diligent and amn .te and 
 meditati?<r study of the word of God.' ll'.^rfi^ f 
 X barrinnes^ in all other studies, even if tliey he 
 ever so iiccurate, if this book, in all Us r • .mctiun, and 
 
 ■v^:' 
 
10 
 
 all its divine influences, be not the ground, and sub- 
 stance, and foundation of all. But oh, bow barren is 
 even the Book of God, il it is not read and studied on our 
 kne:?s ? How uttcrlv uninstructive it is to us it we are 
 n(»t walkiiiir in fellowsbip with our dear Lord and Sa- 
 viour > It is only when we are walkint,^ witli him, and 
 he with u.s and opening to us the Scriptures, that our 
 hearts burn witbni us. And so with regard to this 
 point, I would just observe, that it is no trilhng matter 
 to sit down to the study of the word of God : there is a 
 great deal of time frittered away, even in the reading 
 of that sacred book ; I feel deeply the responsibility and 
 value of that rule, "- let the word of God dwell m you 
 richlv, in all wisdom ;" I feel, that that rule directs to 
 the iM-oiitable studv of the word of God; I have seen and 
 heard sermons that are full of scripture, and yet that are 
 most unedifying sermons; I have seen and heard sermons 
 in which the sacred treasure has been largely drawn on, 
 and vet they are profitable neither " tor doctrine, for re- 
 proof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness ; 
 the power of the word of God depends not on the letter, 
 not on the careless, proi.iiscuous throwing in of a pas- 
 sa<re in a sermon ; but on tlie way we direct a suitable 
 and pract cal application. I hope I shall not be suppos- 
 ed to derogate from the entire sullicicncy oi the word ot 
 God, if I should sliow the importance, as opportunity is 
 offered and Providence should enable us, of pursuing 
 more or less a course of sound theological reading. I 
 feel that in so doing, I am in no respect dishonouiing 
 the perfection of tho word of God ; I feel thai I am^ only 
 reverino- and admiring the contemplation of ihat wisdom 
 of God bv which he has made man a helper to his fellow 
 man; Tfeel that part of the delightml privilege of the 
 communion of saints, is the communion and fellowship 
 with that world of contemporaneous minds, which is 
 embodied in their writings ; and even though they be 
 dead, we may sav they speak to us, find we with them. 
 
 Ifeelth 
 
 an enlarge 
 
 terest and 
 
 anodier, i 
 
 distrust c 
 
 spirit by t 
 
 the impor 
 
 and on tin 
 
 ing, noto 
 
 given to i 
 
 stable. 
 
 such a th 
 
 or our th 
 
 want of 
 
 We hav 
 
 is frittei 
 
 all he 
 
 lence sh 
 
 and vig 
 
 effort of 
 
 importai 
 
 habits a! 
 
 I have 
 
 my dea 
 
 o;low of 
 
 form ai 
 
 the gre 
 
 I derive 
 
 but inv 
 
 of the I 
 
 tance t( 
 
 which ^ 
 
 the wo 
 
 before. 
 
 that :f: 
 
 ness of 
 
 them a 
 
 ■^"^L-y 
 
"-^ 
 
 n 
 
 I feel that our own minds, our own conceptions, obtain 
 nn enlargement, a .^limplicity, a more vivid power of in- 
 terest and attraction, by the help we receive one from 
 another, in a simple dependence on God, and a carelul 
 distrust of man, and in the habit of the soul to try every 
 spirit by the word of God. But again, when we speak ot 
 the importance of concentrating study on the wordoi God 
 and on the course that may be set before us; we are speak- 
 ino- not of the posture of studv, or of the time that may be 
 o-iv-en to it, but of the mind, concentrated, and liKcd, and 
 liable. You can easily conceive— 1 have no doubt ot 
 such a thino— of sitting at a study-table without thought, 
 or our thoughts wandering to the ends of the earth, tor 
 want of the power or habit of concentrating them. 
 We have sometimes known that tiie time of study 
 is frittered av/av in preparing for study, and that 
 all he while there is the chaining power ot indo- 
 lence shrinking from the decided habit of application 
 and vigouvousness of mind, ec^ually repelling every 
 etVort of concentration ; and therefore we see the great 
 importance of considering the value of intellectual 
 habits as means of an etfective communication of trutli. 
 I have once or twice thought of recommending to 
 my dear brethren, a work totally free from any 
 vrlow of feeling, and therefore most ur;nviting m its 
 form and character. I cannot but recollect myse f 
 the great value, in the establishment cf my own mind, 
 I derived h'om an attentive digestion of a very small 
 but invaluable book—" Locke's Essay on the Conduct 
 of the Understanding." I hope there may be no reluc- 
 tance to discipline the mind into habits of thought, 
 which will enrich the mind with a far deeper store of 
 the word of God than ever was known or understood 
 before. I would only just remark farther on this point, 
 that :f I could relieve any of my brethren from the dry- 
 ness of such a book as that, I would just bring before 
 them another book in which, according to the testimony 
 
 ^' V;„ 
 

 12 
 
 and verdict of Dr. Johnson, these principles are rami- 
 fied and brouoht out with a glow of animation more 
 suited to Irisirminds. I remember, when I was a child, 
 one who knew me best gave me " Watt's Treatment of 
 the Mind " I never allect to be so old as not to derive 
 new and increasing benet;t from the repeated perusal of 
 that inestimable book. Now, 1 hardly know my dear 
 friends, what I have more to say to you upon tins matter, 
 except one or two w ords of a local nature. 1 think that 
 it is likolv that my dear younger brethren feel some 
 times a difficulty in persevering in habits ot study ; and 
 I tell you where this difficulty shows itself in a very 
 natural, but a very hurtful way. Now, tor instance, m 
 the matter ofchoosing a text for our sermons, we are 
 led we will suppose to choose a text for the next bab- 
 batli ministration, but, upon going through th~ text it 
 does not seem so fruitful as we at first anticipated, or 
 rather it requires more labour and activity of mind and 
 meditation tlian we feel either time or disposition to 
 «ive to it ; and sc, it very often happens, tliat this text, 
 before the week is ended, is changed for some other 
 text Now, I cannot but think that that is a habit m 
 vouno- ministers to be watched and checked, with 
 a most determined etfort. If we select a portion of the 
 word of God, as a minister ought to take it, (I suppose 
 that we have taken it as the resuU of prayer.) I feel, 
 therefore, that in that spirit we ought to consider it is 
 God's text, and not ours— that it is God's appointed 
 means of feeding our people on the next Sabbath. I 
 conceive then, that any difficulty we mav hnd in draw- 
 ino- out materials for that text, only just shews this that 
 thS iron of our spade is somewhat blunt ; and you know 
 the Scripture rule, if the iron be blunt do not lay it 
 aside, but put out more strength; and I conceive we 
 shall never fliil, even in all the difficulties that belong 
 to even the minute exercise of our m.uistry,^if we are 
 living and acting in the spirit of our dear Master ; we 
 
 
 shall '' liu 
 
 want niop 
 
 tlisappoinl 
 
 jrono to ' 
 
 which I h 
 
 break up 
 
 applicatio 
 
 it may be 
 
 ful how > 
 
 will appe 
 
 that mind 
 
 indulgina 
 
 on the ha 
 
 of the m 
 
 and Fath 
 
 which, w 
 
 had csca] 
 
 dincss ai 
 
 from moi 
 
 just, in c 
 
 praation- 
 
 that he f 
 
 made li( 
 
 .strength'- 
 
 tion ; an 
 
 pear froi 
 
 ration {it 
 
 ceived tl 
 
 ing — by 
 
 of God! 
 
 Why, ii 
 
 of mean: 
 
 and we 
 
 really h; 
 
 want of 
 
 fulness 
 
 tain \m\ 
 
 confess, 
 
 IS. -111^ /-^ 
 
1 
 
 ,ve are 
 ict Sab- 
 text it 
 ted, or 
 ind and 
 it ion to 
 is text, 
 e other 
 labit in 
 , with 
 n of the 
 suppose 
 
 I feel, 
 ler it is 
 )pointed 
 jath. I 
 in draw- 
 liis, that 
 :ni know 
 )t lay it 
 ^eive we 
 t belong 
 
 we are 
 iter; we 
 
 13 
 
 ^haU " liud -laco lu liLdp in the time ofncd." Do Wd 
 want more light ? Shall wc ever n;o to God and be 
 viisapnointed of our hope ? and tben when we haVe 
 oone to God, and removnd that textual (hdicidty hi 
 wlilch I have just relbrr.Hl, let ns o;o to oui people atid 
 lu-eakupthe oiound-work of our text iu some sniipU' 
 ai)i)lication to 8ome two or three of oiii people to whom 
 it may be mon3 dircetlv applied, and it will be wondei | 
 ful how we will break up the soil— how rich the soi 
 will appear, how full of matter— how fuU ol mmd, and 
 that mind the mind of God. With regard to the ovil (,l 
 indidgino- this changeable spirit, see the nnoad it makc>* 
 on the habit of mental perseverance, winch is about ouu 
 of the most valuable ministerial habits whicli our God 
 and Father could infuse into us, and by ll^e exercise ot 
 which, we not only enrich om-selveswith the noes that 
 had escaped our view, but we establish a h.ibit o slea- 
 dincss and application, which is increasingly valuab o 
 from month to month, and from year Ui year, i w^^ultl 
 lust, in concluding this subject, again remark as to pre- 
 ■,;,i-.ition— sometimes, a brother clergyman tel s inoj 
 that he found himself greatly encouraged when lie hail 
 made litUo or no prcparatii)n, as wed as greatly 
 streno-thcned when he ha<l made very diligent prepara- 
 tion Tand, therefore, the natural result, as it would ap-- 
 pear from this, would be, it is bettor to make no prepa-' 
 ration at all. N<>w just maik how exceedingly miscon- 
 ceived this view of the matter is ; it is judging by kvU 
 ino— bv sense, instead of by tho standard of the worti 
 of God: We are to walk by h.ilh ; and what is (ailh .? 
 Why, faith is the habit of dilig.'nce. God is the God 
 of means ; we trust God, therefore, in the use of memis 
 and we tempt him in the neglect of them. 1 should 
 really have tliought of v(Ty litllc else than niv own 
 want of self-knowledge, if I were to judge o( the Iruit- 
 fulness of mvowii ministrations, by any such uncer- 
 tain impressions from my own mind and feeling, y 
 ronfess, mv doar fricndr., in ph. n words, luu habitually 
 
 :t 
 
14 
 
 to neolect ailigent proiraralion for my work, would be 
 in^ultino- both God and mv own people— insuUing my 
 Go\ in servin.^ him witli Umt whicl' lias cost me nolhmg 
 —and insulthi"^ mv peo-jle, in stunting their growth m 
 craoo, and in iho kn.)wle(!p;r. of the Lord and Sav.our 
 je'^us Christ. But tl.ose who neglect prcpai ation have 
 notthou'vhtsodpcplv .»a this matter as I trust they wil 
 think of'it. Wo luivc little idea of what a personal 
 lo^s it i:^ to our own selves ; I can conceive ol no more 
 interesting exercise oi enjoyment in the world than in- 
 tellectual exercise and a spiritual habit on the deepest 
 book in the universe of God ; I can conceive that where 
 the h»art and mind are both engaged, that there is no 
 tixercisc of the inner man so rich in enjoyment, and 
 so fruitful in blessiiig as our intense and persevering 
 application of the r.iin.U so as to point out and apply the 
 word of God. Here is a fiel I at once for the expan- 
 «tonofth« most spkMid.d iutclloct, and for the warmth 
 of the most glowing heart. Now, just let me remark 
 the oreat evil i liave known to follow from the want of 
 this^exerclscj of the mind of the minister of Gtwl ; we 
 s-e it in th"s respect : you will very often find a crude 
 exposlti.m of the Scriptures of truth. Oh, there is one 
 r.-sponsibilitv that presses upon mo more heavily than 
 «il~when 1 sit down with the word of God bek)re me, 
 that is, in the character of an interpreter, and it vvould 
 really seem from an allusion in the book of Job, that It 
 Is a very difficult and rare character ; he calls it one of 
 a thousand ; and undouhtedlv, it is a character of deep 
 and anxious responsibilitv. Now you know, to sit down 
 and expaud the m.nd of Gocl-^not to show what the 
 H ble may mtmn, but what it ivas intended to mean-- 
 in>t to show what the Bible d<»es m-can, b.-aring out all 
 that imagination might bring up, but setting forth the 
 spiritual test'nionv of the li^ ing God ; why, the undisch 
 plined m'tid is amusing th(' imaginatii^n luid funcv, in- 
 stead of being eu!i;aged in active meditation oa the book 
 of Gwl, And so it very often hapiwns, that in this mis- 
 
 
 called spi 
 are maint 
 by the ot 
 of the vv( 
 
 exciting i 
 
 Christ. 
 
 joyous ai 
 
 every thi 
 
 the glory 
 
 cise of ol 
 
 lege, eve 
 
 glorious 
 
 said, mi 
 
 was a bo 
 
 the enen 
 
 bond of( 
 
 another 
 
 Louldrt 
 
 ly have 
 
 treated. 
 
 who enl 
 
 if passir 
 
 takes hi 
 
 weeks ; 
 
 interest 
 
 sonal re 
 
 millenii 
 
 their re 
 
 sorbing 
 
 opinion 
 
 circum 
 
 glory 
 
 made I 
 
 points 
 
 faith— 
 
 docttii 
 
 Curio: 
 
 N 
 
 ^v •%^-' 
 
)5 
 
 aid be 
 ngmy 
 olhing 
 .vth in 
 aviour 
 n have 
 jy will 
 21'sonal 
 o more 
 lian in- 
 Jeepest 
 where 
 re is no 
 It, and 
 evering 
 iply the 
 ex pan- 
 warmth 
 remark 
 want of 
 m\ ; wo 
 a crude 
 e is on« 
 ily than 
 "ore me, 
 it would 
 b, that it 
 it one of 
 ■ of deep 
 sit down 
 ^vhat the 
 mean— 
 lO- out all 
 forth the 
 s undisci' 
 \mcv^ in- 
 the book 
 this mis- 
 
 called spiritualizing ot- Scripture, oiie set of opinions 
 are maintained bv one party and the contrary opniions 
 bv the other. Now to refer to some of the doclnni^^ 
 of the word of God. Take that doctrine of the most^ 
 excitinj; interest, the doctrine of the second advent of 
 Christ. Oh, who of us does not know, that m the 
 iovous anticipation connected with that holy doc r.ne, 
 every thin^r is doomv to him who is not illummed with 
 the glorv o'f this grand consummation » Every exer- 
 cise of obligation, every endearing exercise «t privi- 
 [ec^e, every enlivening hope is linked to this blessed and 
 glorious doctriPo ; but how has t been-l had a m..t 
 said murdered l^how has it been, that that nhich 
 was abend of union should be made by the subtlety of 
 the enemv, acting on the undisciplined mmd of man a 
 b!)nd of dlsunion,%o that brethren are set one against 
 another in the very recollection, that the commg of the 
 toul draweth near. For instance, how very d.iTerent- 
 ly li 4 the points connected with this doctrine been 
 treated. There is one, the proselyte of a hvely faney, 
 who enters into details of this day, and brings U out «. 
 f pa 'sing before us; another nmn of calculatir^rnind 
 takes hi" dates as if they were as certain as Daniel s 
 week ana another man c<mcentrates all h-s mind md . 
 interes onthe mode, whether it is a spirUaal or pcr- 
 Sreign, or as to d.e time whether ^^-J^^ 
 millenudor post millenial. Now, these 1 admit, ha\e 
 he r i-e idve imoortance ; but I fear they have too ab- 
 It ^rlg a^nterost ; and I n.el con^^^^^^^^ 
 
 opinion, that far to. great stress ^^^^^^f^ ^^ 
 circumstances , and the spiritual contcmp at.^ «f the 
 eloryofthe vrrand event far too much overlooke-l and 
 made little of, for want of discriminating, what are the 
 point of f>rbearance-~what are the forbearances of 
 laith-and so, the pure, re.d^ practical -flnenre-^^^^^^^^ 
 doctrine have been diverted into » pP^^"';^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
 Curiositv has been i<i^. instead offaith and loMr , an4 
 
 %l 
 
16 
 
 tfu' rr.nsonneuce is thnl the real ^c.veuly glory L^*. 
 
 con painfully v}o^M. I l.avo f.xcd it m my owi. 
 
 SmostaJply that the real power and practicul .n- 
 
 i uc . of this <,^?cat matter is linked, not with he ap- 
 
 r e ,ances oHI.e doctrine, but with t]>e hel.ev.no- np- 
 
 Pw,u of the event hself. | -ouM r.naH. .d.> 
 
 l.at if we are restin- t.n, stron-ly on praeticalHilu. 
 enU oa uncertain ^.aleulations, we are t^^king he 
 
 |.,„,i;tions of our faith from t^.e ^^"P'^/-^^^'^. "^ 
 Uimony of God. I rememhcrthat tln^ e y Cln .^ 
 ians realizi'd the nearness, m contemplat.on, ot lia, 
 .V(M,f, even as we <lo now, when the oven itsell wa 
 
 i^tuailv distant. They n-^'-^^!:, ^V- 1 "IvS 
 to realize it, in the very exercise o( that la.thwhich is 
 11 t^,e .uhstJnces of things hoped i^)r, the evidence o 
 thino-s not soen"-with that faith wluel. sees as with 
 he ?ve of (- :o>l, with whom a thousand years are as one 
 by and in this exercise of living laidi we rejo.ce tha 
 "llnv is our salvation nearer than when we bel.eved;' 
 juKlNVe shall exercise ourselves in a Posture of wai ling, 
 n the iovous anticipation of that event winch w. la^c 
 L grovelling souls from earth to l-^ven " .om 
 uhciK-e we look for the Saviour, the Lord J.^us Chi ist, 
 ; Hindi change our vde body, thatit may be his nur. 
 ,d like unto his glorious body." ^->'V'*''^^ ''^.^/^ 
 Untion tvo or three practical ^eccdl^^'^^^J l.'^ V 
 hope that God will enable me to sP'^^^J^/^f^'^.v^^''^ * ; 
 I U speaking io you. I am sure there .snot ^>ne am g 
 ■4 who needs a word lio)n God n,ore tlun. Id ^^ 
 1 t^evci could sia.u! up belbre you, il I dul not hope 
 l^t my God wouKi sp.ak the w ord to me, that desire o 
 Ipbak to you. Well, then my dear r.ends let us h - 
 member ho great importance of Tmng m the .p'^t " 
 arministivr J wi^!» to connect ihese last inee mgs 
 "^Zrn i^osent meeting, and 1 would ,ust_ say here, 
 Uow clear it is. thai if you and 1 are hvmg in tire ^ 
 .;» ofqur NVQrk, v;u mu:.l grow m grace, and ill tfu- 
 
 knnwled'j 
 
 We must 
 
 spirit of c 
 
 as in a gl 
 
 what is tl 
 
 ^' We an 
 
 glory, as 
 
 we arc a 
 
 stationar 
 
 I am afr; 
 
 causo I I 
 
 having t 
 
 commun 
 
 tions. 
 
 work, V 
 
 will reci 
 
 surely, 
 
 must sh 
 
 to God 
 
 receive 
 
 part to 
 
 joice to: 
 
 liow pi 
 
 privilc! 
 
 iiaving 
 
 dinatir 
 
 ject foi 
 
 were < 
 
 hope t( 
 
 have r 
 
 sonal 
 
 pends 
 
 ments 
 
 pntiui 
 
 with ' 
 
 cxerc 
 
 tQ thii 
 
 > 
 
17 
 
 ry hm 
 y own 
 till in- 
 lie ap- 
 nii; ap- 
 k iilso 
 
 ng llio 
 on tlic 
 
 Chris- 
 
 of Uiu 
 •If was 
 ouiilit. 
 ^liich is 
 ciicc of 
 IS witli 
 ? as one 
 lice llint 
 
 1 T) 
 
 wailing, 
 ill raise 
 " from 
 . Christ, 
 hishiMn"- 
 V mo to 
 ; anil I 
 yifwhilo 
 lO fUnong 
 tlo ; and 
 lol hopo 
 desire to 
 L,'t us ro- 
 ; spirit of 
 meetings 
 say hero, 
 (J tlie sj)i- 
 id iu tlio 
 
 ,<„.wlo,K.. of o„r I..n-.l ana Suv.our J«»»; f l;,';;^;; 
 
 Wo mu"<t stuclv Clirist, t.. \neach Clinst. W hat is ih« 
 
 nk ™r our w..,k .= i,„,n«vemm,t,-" we I.elioWmg 
 
 ■•T n • lu'l tl.o .'lory "t H'o l.or.l ;" ""'" >'"" ''"';"' 
 
 " Wc are elian^ca into tlic same inia!;o, lom i;! ly i|i 
 d^v aX lie S,,;,it of llic L«r.l ;" an, , tliereloro, .( 
 w arc at a stand still in our ministry, if even we aro 
 Xt na V h our statements and cl.aractor as;|on'slers, 
 ri^n-iiil there is a neglect of the ^J^^r " .^'^'■- f, ' - 
 ■•■nisulam surcwc can never stuily CInist wiiiioui 
 l,av V. c moulding of his Spirit in our own son Is a ul 
 mmunieating a ri.li mould into ""'■ "wn nis - 
 ilims Wc know if wc arc living in the spiril oi our 
 "k, we honid be like Moses, going ii;. to ( od ; we 
 w receive our message afresh from God : ad n 
 Kurclv vfhcn wc stand up before our people, oui I.kcs 
 rl'siiU; before them : 'we cannot, you know, go up 
 to God without receiving from hirn : and llion as vu. 
 receive mercy from him, we liave mercy to ira- 
 nrt to on people, and so we sow together and tc- 
 ?cc t'^eLJ, and s^, as it regards,the spint of our wo k 
 low plain and simple it is just »» ■■«"'™*^^;^ *f ,, ';^ 
 nrivilcos, our dignity, our happiness, all center here, 
 vint-bu't one ol^cc/, living for that "l^ect and .sidio - 
 din-.tin.' every tliinir to exalt Canst. J his is V'^ °" 
 e t o wl ic f we a?c separated, the fa lb for which we 
 icre consecrated, the faith in which we live and 
 hooctodle I find from my own experience, and I 
 re no doubt but you iind the same -t ^ ' ;- F - 
 sonal spiiituality, all onr mm.stena el b^t. encs «^ 
 nends not nimn talent, not upon advantages, or enuow 
 Ii US . even upon exemplary .liligence and consc,- 
 X^eL bn, n on the .simplicity "f ?; -V -•-™ ^ 
 tviib which wc devote every lecling ol oui lie, 1 1, every 
 Txe cl o olr mind, mid o(ery -1»— ' 'fli^r^ 
 tu this one subject, We may depend upa.i it U-d du me 
 
IS 
 
 influence will be manilested on oui own character when 
 we are simply devoted to exalt our Master. Bat then, 
 it is not pulpit work, thouo;h it must be and ought to 
 be the work of every pulpit; but it is the exhibition 
 of our character befo're our people that is required, we 
 must be living epistles of our ministry, they cannot 
 understand our ministry, except it be seconded by our 
 profession ; and then, when they see the holiness and 
 blessedness of it in us, it will be a powerful means to 
 draw thorn to the Saviour, and to brmg them into union 
 with him ; we cannot maintain the spirit except we are 
 separate from the world. Oh, how hard it is to be in 
 the world without being mixed up with its formality . 
 How hard es(,eciallv it is, I have no doubt, to live m 
 such a countrv as tins, and to be separated rom the 
 spirit of party ! Wbile you are obh-^ed, in the exer- 
 else of vour rights, connected as they are with the pre- 
 servation of y.ur religion, to adhere to one party, let 
 it be your dailv care, in the exercise ol watchfulness, 
 to be separated from the spirit of party. What have 
 we to do with the politics of this world but to say, 
 " lot tlie potsherds strive with the potsberds o the 
 ..arth, woe to the man that striveth with his Maker 
 WhaJ is our Lord's message to us ? ' Let the dead 
 bury their dead, but go you and preach the kingdom 
 x)f God." And then, as it regards the cluuacier ol 
 the spirit ot our ministry, time does not allow me, and 
 ignorance of this co.mtry does not allow me to enter 
 <3n this polni ; all I will say is this, that the minister 
 who is most full of tenderness, of yearning sympathy, 
 airectionate confidence, self-denying ten- -rness, and 
 devotedness, to the immediate interests of the people, 
 is the minister that will make us one m them and 
 make them more or less one with us. 1 will just touch 
 on another consideration. I feel the importance 
 hope I shall not be .pen to misconcep ion when] 
 spfiak of il, I rM the imp.^rtan^ oUfforlih/ carrymg 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 '^iSPifc. '^Sfck. 
 
 ■"m,. 'v 
 
10 
 
 r when 
 
 t then, 
 
 ight to 
 
 ubitioii 
 
 ■fed, we 
 cannot 
 by our 
 
 ess and 
 
 leans to 
 
 union 
 we are 
 to be in 
 mality ! 
 
 live in 
 •om the 
 le exer- 
 tlie pre- 
 tty, let 
 ifulness, 
 lat have 
 
 1 to say, 
 ; of the 
 Vlaker." 
 the dead 
 kingdom 
 acier of 
 rne, and 
 to enter 
 
 minister 
 "Tipathy, 
 CSS, and 
 e people, 
 bem, and 
 ust touch 
 rtance, I 
 1 when I 
 
 
 o/» the work upon our own pfal/orm, I do net luy h ul 
 
 to every word of mv dear biciluen ; one object Ihail 
 in desirintr to see and visit you, was, under G<)d, t<» 
 link myself with you, inairecti.)natc, increasing attach, 
 ment to our own cimrch. (hear, hear.) U a somewhat 
 dilferent system of discipline may open a wider door 
 for the preachino- of Iho Clospel in your own land, as 
 far as it would be consistent witli canonical obedience 
 and Christian consideration, I |.ray God to ble^^ you a 
 thousand fold ; and I have no doubt that m diligently 
 waitin.r upon God, manv a door that may now b.' shut 
 up ma? be opened; that st.imbrmg blocks that now 
 hinder, mav be removed ; only remember the word of 
 wisdom and the word of God-*' he that bel.eveth shall 
 not make haste." / do feel the pircat importance of 
 Christian order m a Christian Church. I »-^^"^embe'- it 
 was a matter of jov to the apostle, that he heheld the 
 order of the Christian Church ; and he had good rea- 
 son for it, for he knew in his own mmd that U\\J& 
 connected with steadfastness of iaith m Christ, i d« 
 feel there is great need of caution, lest a relaxation oV 
 discipline may produce a relaxation of iho whole 
 system ; I do feel that the more liberty you have over 
 vourEno-lish brethren, the more watchlulncss you have 
 need of," that your libertv do not degenerate mto dis- 
 order I would intreat vou to consider the maportance 
 of ioining with the general preaching of the Gospel th. 
 distinct d..ctrines of your own church. You will neve 
 he at a loss in preaching Christ, while you have such c 
 system of doctrinal articles luith which your church 
 furnishes you, to be thr faundation of your Gospel 
 rrdnistrations. You never need fear your love oi f?ouls 
 b'^in^^ deadened, or vour love of your Saviour being 
 weakened,iy/ii/e in this church and in connection miii 
 these responsibilities and those ordination engage- 
 ments which are specially binding on thenicmbcraof 
 the estitblUhment, you preach ike Gfi^i-^i or. tn-i rm- 
 
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 rorm of the Church of Entrland. 1 want no broader 
 vlatform than this, as I fed that thh plat form mvcs 
 me from wandering into the field of error nm\ .t at- 
 fords mc the nriviloirc of idoutiry iiu; niyscll wit)- all those 
 .ympall.ics of my dear ».rcllircii in Uhs country, >vUo 
 ,ire livin"- and working, and serving God, and c^altm^ 
 Christ upon this same interest with me. Now, anotner 
 consideration, and 1 have done. I vannot lorget lo say 
 A few words on the trials of your own mnnstry. As a 
 thucch I say, you arc in the turnace, and perhaps you 
 may say that the furnace is heated '' seven times more 
 than it was wont to he heated j" he that as it may, a 
 hair of your head will not be snigod, for the Son ol 
 God is walking with you, ta«ave you m the houi ot 
 conflict. You arc on tiio conquering side, the seetl 
 of the woman shall br.iisc the scrpent^s head —the 
 victory is sure— tlie hattlo of our Gideon will be lought, 
 and the. crown will he ours for ever : '^ De thou (aitii- 
 ful unto deatli, and Christ will give tliee a ciown ol 
 life " And is it regards individual trials, lov(a «« 
 Christians, and we shall never he discouraged in our 
 ministrv. Live as Christians, a life ol faith on tlie 
 Son of God, and you shall be able to light the good 
 fight of faith, «nd lay hold on eternal hfe : we havti 
 mch a witness, and haw rcceivct! such mcjcy, that 
 
 low can we faint ! • . • i ^ 
 
 Remember it is ydur privilege to rejoice in hope. 
 Wherever we are, we must e\\icct trials, but they 
 should not cause us to leave our work ; they are sent 
 lo brino- us nearer to our God, and strengthen the joy- 
 )us expectation that belongs to us, as partakers ot the 
 .ulferinirs of Christ ; and when he shall appear, wtr 
 ihall bc^'likc him, aiid may be gUul idsa, with exceetl- 
 
wtr 
 
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