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 ■  ■w7 
 
I  he  Duty  of  Minifters  to  be  nurfing  Fathers  to  the 
 Church  i  and  the  Duty  of  Churches  to  regard 
 Minifters  as  the  Gift  of  Chrift :  '         K/. 
 
 A  CHARGE,     '  '  { 
 
 Dp-lf'lVERED  BY 
 
 The  Rev.  John  Ryland,  D.  D.  of  Briftol ; 
 
 AND 
 
 A  SERMON, 
 
 /  DELIVERED  BY 
 
 The  Rev.  S.  Pearce,  M.  A.  of  Birmingham  > 
 
 IN  THE  DISSENTERS  MEETING-HOUSE, 
 
 ANGEL-STREET,  WORCESTER; 
 at  the 
 
 O  RD I N  AT I O  N 
 
 of  the 
 
 The  Rev.  W.  Belsher, 
 
 To  the  Paftorate  of  the  Baptift  Churchy 
 
 MEETING     IN     SILVER-STREET,    IN    THE     SAME     CITY: 
 Together  with 
 
 An  Introdu&ory  Addrefs, 
 
 By  the  Rev.  G.  Osborn, 
 
 AND  ALSO 
 
 Mr.  Belfloer's  Declaration  of  religious  Sentiments, 
 
 Sold  by  Button,  London;    Baskerfield,  Worcefler;   Belghf.r, 
 Birmingham  ;   and  James,  Briftol. 
 
 PRICE  ONE  SHILLING, 
 
AD  FERT1SEMENT. 
 
 THE  Meeting-Houfe  of  the  Baptift 
 Society,  in  Silver-ftreet,  Worcefter,  being 
 now  rebuilding,  they  have  for  the  prefent 
 agreed  to  affemble  for  public  Worfhip,  with 
 their  Friends  and  Brethren  in  Angel-ftreet  ; 
 where  the  following  very  pleating  and  in- 
 ftrucrive  Services  were  attended  on  the  7th 
 of  December,  1796: — ahd  the  common 
 Friends  of  chriftian  Love  and  Order  have 
 requefled  this  Publication,  as  exhibiting  an 
 amiable  inftance  of  both.  May  it  prove  a 
 mean  of  mutual  Comfort  to  the  Churches, 
 and  of  Edification  to  the  Public  ! 
 
 Worcefter >  December  30,  1796, 
 
The  Order  of  the  Service. 
 
 Mr.  T.  Edmonds  read  a  portion  of  Scripture,  and  prayed  j 
 
 Mr.  Osborn  delivered  the  introductory  Difcourfe; 
 
 Mr.  L.  Butterworth  aflced  the  ufual  Queftions  refpe&ing  the 
 Church's  free  Choice  of  Mr.  Be ls her  to  the  pafloral  Office,  and 
 his  willingnefs  to  accept  the  fame;  which  being  recognized, 
 
 Mr.  Belsher  read  the  Declaration  of  his  religious  Sentiments j 
 
 Mr.  L.  Butterworth  committed  him  and  the  Church  to  the 
 Divine  Bleffing,  by  prayer  j 
 
 Dr.  Ryland  delivered  the  Charge j 
 
 Mr.  Pearce  addrefled  the  Church,  and  concluded  the  Service 
 with  prayer. 
 
 J 
 
INTRODUCTORY  ADDRESS. 
 
 T T 7HAT  a  pleafmg  fight  is  this  day  prefented  to  you% 
 my  brethren  and  friends,  in  this  place  !  Children 
 of  one  family,  acknowledging  one  Father,  and  uniting  our 
 chriftian  affe&ions  and  efforts,  for  the  (lability,  order,  an4 
 ufefulnefs  of  the  church  of  jefus,  and  its  minifters!  By 
 particular  defire  I  am  called  upon,  juft  briefly  to  introduce 
 this  folemn  fervice,  and  to  affign  our  reafons,  as  Proteftant 
 Diffenters,  for  fuch  an  obfervance.  It  is  needlefs,  perhaps, 
 to  inform  this  auditory,  that  we  do  not  find  in  the  word 
 of  God,  any  pofitive  command  for  us  formally  to  ordain: 
 — that  we  do  not  pretend  to  any  fuperiox  or  fpiritual  au- 
 thority over  each  other,  as  minifters  of  the  fame  gofpel : — 
 and  that  we  openly  profefs  we  can  neither  communicate, 
 nor  receive  from  man,  any  extraordinary  gifts.  We  be- 
 lieve (with  good  Mr.  Henry,  on  x  Tim.  i.  12)  "that 
 "  putting  men  into  the  miniftry,  is  the  work  of  Jesus 
 "  Christ  :" — that  he  is  the  fupreme  and  only  lawgiver 
 in  the  church  ; — that  fcripture  alone  is  our  rule; — and  that 
 private  judgment  is  facred  in  religion.  While,  therefore, 
 as  to  civil  government,  and  the  lawful  authorities  of  our 
 country,  we  are  frank  to  declare  our  fincere  allegiance,  and 
 not  only  in  words^  but  in  affection  and  conduSi^  "  to  render 
 "  unto  Csefar  the  things  which  are  Caefar's :" — we  are 
 bound  in  confeience,  as  to  the  things  of  God,  to  "  call  no 
 man  mafter  upon  earth."  Yet,  though  we  are  obliged  to 
 difallow  and  reject  the  impofing  dominion  of  any  Lord- 
 bifhop,  or  of  any  Lord-brother,  in  the  prefcription  of  our 
 faith  or  worfhip ;  yet  we  allow,  and  wifh  to  obferve,  the 
 propriety  of  religious  fervice?,  in  religious  concerns:  And 
 
 therefore, 
 
[    6    ] 
 
 sherefore,  according  to  fcriptural  example,  and  apofrolic 
 practice,  we  are  met  together  this  day,  to  help  each  other 
 by  our  mutual  prayers  and  advice,  to  recognize  the  folemn 
 designation  of  our  brother  to  the  work  of  the  ministry, 
 and  the  interesting  relation  now  avowed,  between  him  and 
 his  friends  in  this  city.  Were  I  to  chufe  a  text  to  Sanc- 
 tion our  practice,  I  fhould  fix  your  attention  on  the  apof- 
 tle's  account  of  a  primitive  ordination,  conformable  to  di- 
 vine appointment,  as  you  have  it  recorded, — 
 Ac~h  xiii.  3, 
 
 WHEN  THEY  HAD  FASTED    AND    PRAYED,    THEY   LAID 
 THEIR  HANDS  ON  THEM,  AND  SENT  THEM  AWAY. 
 
 In  this  bufinefs  there  was  no  myftery,  no  fuperfti- 
 tious  right,  no  ceremonious  pomp,  no  ufurpation  of  pre- 
 latieal  authority  :  but  there  evidently  appears  great  Sim- 
 plicity; pure  devotion;  love  of  order;  fubmiffion  to  divine 
 teaching;   and  true  benevolence  to  men. 
 
 I.  Confider  here  who  were  the  ordained,  or  what  is  the 
 efTential  character,  and  necefiary  qualification,  of 
 chriftian  ministers  ?  Plainly  there  were  no  pre- 
 requisites of  human  greatnefs;  no  heights  of  Scien- 
 tific attainments;  no  attachments  of  wealth  or 
 intereSt: :  but  there  were  previously  beftowed,  and 
 perSonally  enjoyed, — 
 
 I.  Moral goodnefs  \ — that  is  to  fay,  the  men  fet  apart 
 for  this  evangelic  work,  were  well  acquainted  with  the 
 things  of  religion.  They  knew  and  felt  the  evidences  and 
 truths  of  the,  gofpel.  Their  hearts  were  renewed  by  di- 
 vine grace;  and  their  lives  correfponded  with  their  profef- 
 fion  and  hopes.  They  were  men  of  faith,  of  purity,  of 
 devotion,  and  of  love  unfeigned,  both  towards  God,  and 
 the  world  :  and  fuch  excellence  of  moral  character,  we 
 deem  efTential  to  the  being,  and  the  acknowledgment  of 
 ^very  minister,  and  paftor  in  the  church  of  Chrift.     So 
 
 Paul 
 
[    7     ] 
 
 Paul  dirca?,  I  Tim.  Hi-  1,  &c.  "  A  bifhop  (or  as  rendered 
 Acts  xx.  28,  overfeer)  muft  be  blamelefs  ;  the  hufband  of 
 one  wife;  vigilant,  fober,  of  good  behaviour,  given  to 
 hofpitality,  apt  to  teach;  not  given  to  wine,  no  ftriker, 
 not  greedy  of  filthy  lucre,  but  patient;  not  a  brawler  (or 
 fighter)  not  covetous." 
 
 2.  Spiritual  gifts,  though  not  miraculous,  nor  equal 
 in  all,  yet  are  moft  important  qualifications  for  every. 
 chriftian  rrijmfrer.  As  he  cannot  be  a  chriftian  without 
 moral  goodnefs,  fo  he  cannot  be  a  minifter,  a  teacher,  or 
 paftor,  without  fuitable  endowments.  Here  we  think  it 
 indifpenfible  that  there  fhould  be  a  found  underftanding ; 
 an  acquaintance  with  natural  and  revealed  religion  in  its 
 doctrines  arid  requirements ;  an  ability  to  lead  the  devo- 
 tions of  the  people  ;  a  capacity  for  learning  ;  and  an  apti- 
 tude and  power  to  inftruct,  perfuade,  and  comfort. 
 
 3.  Difinterejied  zeal  for  the  glory  of  God,  for  the  edi- 
 fication of  the  church,  and  for  the  good  of  all  mankind  j 
 this  alfo  is  a  moft  capital  requifite  in  the  minifterial  cha- 
 racter. This  zeal  is  equally  remote  from  felfiihnefs,  the 
 love  of  eafe,  worldly  ambition,  and  overbearing  officiouf- 
 nefs.  Where  thofe  qualities  are  found  and  cultivated,  we 
 fuppofe  there  is  every  thing  eflential,  efpecially  when  com- 
 bined with  human  prudence,  for  the  difcharge  of  the 
 miniftry. 
 
 II.  Obferve,  in  the  next  place,  who  were  the  ordahers, 
 and  how  did  they  ordain,  or  feparate  for  the  work  of 
 the  gofpel  ?  It  is  faid  "  There  were  in  the  church 
 (i.  e.  the  fociety  of  believers)  "  at  Antioch,  certain 
 "  prophets  and  teachers ;  and  as  they  miniftered  to 
 "  the  Lord  and  failed,  the  Holy  Ghoft  faid,  Separate 
 "  me  now  Barnabas  and  Saul,  for  the  work  where- 
 
 "  unto 
 
[     8     ] 
 
 "  unto  I  have   called  them :     and   when  they  had 
 "  fafted  and  prayed,  they  laid  their  hands  on  them, 
 "  and  fent  them  away  :    (o  they  being  fent  forth  by 
 ,    "the   Holy  Ghoft,   departed."      Hence   we   learn, 
 that  divine  influence  was  the  prime  mover,  the  call, 
 and  the  commiffion  of  thefe  perforft.     We  learn  that 
 they  were  exprefsly  fet  apart  by  their  brethren,  and 
 fellow  members  of  the  church  :   and  that  this  was  at- 
 tended (imply  by  failing,  prayer,  and   laying  on   of 
 hands  :   i.  e.  not  the  hand  of  one  man,  as  having  any 
 peculiar  jurifdidrion  or  gift,  but  the  hands  of  fcveral 
 good  men,  who  united  their  hearts  and  actions,  as 
 the  fervants  of  God,  and  the  organ  of  the  fociety's 
 good  will.     In  like  manner  we  would  infer,  and  ob- 
 ierve  the  will  of  God,  calling  our  brethren  to   the 
 miniftry,  and  us  to  fet  them  apart. 
 
 I.  From  the  direction  and  leading  of  Providence.  It  is 
 God  who  raifes  up  and  qualifies  his  fervants  :  he  fixes  their 
 habitation  ;  he  inclines  their  hearts  to  engage  in  his  work ; 
 he  direas  the  attention  of  his  people;  and  while  he  calls 
 them  to  his  fervice,  promifes  and  affords  all  needful  fupplies 
 of  wifdom,  ftrength,  and  encouragement.  See  Jerem.  i. 
 4 — 8.     2  Cor.  ii.  14 — j6. 
 
 2.  By  the  free  choice  of  the  people  themfelves,  we  look 
 upon  mimfters  as  called,  and  paftors  as  virtually  ordained 
 For  we  mutt  bear  in  mind,  that  fuch  a  fervice  as  this  gives 
 no  frefh  ability  to  our  brother:  Barnabas  and  Saul  were 
 eminent  mimfters  of  the  gofpel,  before  this  feparation  : 
 and  all  intended  by  us,  who  unite  in  the  work  of  this 
 day,  is,  folemnly  to  recognize  the  calling  of  our  brother, 
 as  the  objea  of  his  friends  election  and  confidence. 
 
 3-  By  folemn  acls  of  devotion,  therefore,  we  conceive 
 that  we  equally  comply  with  the  example  of  fcripturc— 
 
 the 
 
f     9    ] 
 
 declared  will  of  God — and  the  wifties  and  feelings  of 
 his  people  in  this  matter.  As  to  fading  and  prayer,  per- 
 haps their  union  on  this,  as  well  as  on  other  occafions,  would 
 .be  found  peculiarly  fuitable  and  ufeful :  certainly  there  is 
 the  greateft  fitnefs  and  beauty  in  commending  the  minifter 
 of  Chrift  to  his  fpecial  influence  and  bleffing.  And  as  to 
 laying  on  of  hands,  it  feems  to  me  both  highly  proper, 
 as  the  mark  of  concurring  in  this  defignat'um  ;  as  well  as 
 the  original  mode  of  intreating  the  divine  benediction, 
 upon  particular  perfons.     Vide  Gen.  xlviii.  14. 
 
 Such,  brethren,  are  our  views  of  evangelical  ox&imX\ox\« 
 We  only  defire  to  follow  fcripture  direction  and  examples. 
 We  venerate  the  rights  of  confeience,  and  of  Chrift.  At 
 the  fame  time  we  cordially  wifh  well  to  all  that  love  the 
 gofpel,  however  they  may  differ  from  us  :  and  I  fincerely 
 fay  may  peace  and  holinefs  be  promoted  by  us  all. 
 
 — =8«»«®®®^@@®-«:^^»-@3®$®§lSft»*»a 
 
 MR.    BELSHER'S    DECLARATION 
 
 OF    HIS 
 
 RELIGIOUS  SENTIMENTS. 
 
 XxFTER  a  ferious  and  repeated  perufal  of  the 
 holy  fcriptures,  earned:  prayer  for  divine  direction,  and  ma- 
 ture deliberation,  1  feel  myfelf  at  liberty,  with  inward  fa- 
 tisfa&ion,  to  ftate,  without  referve,  my  views  of  religious 
 truth,  and  I  now  declare  my  faith. 
 
 I.  In  the  being  of  a  God.  In  every  direction  1  meet 
 with  evidence  of  his  exiftence  and  perfections.  The  mag- 
 nitude, variety,  and  harmony  of  creation — the  prefervation 
 of  the  world-— the  pleafing  vicifTitude  of  the  feafons — the 
 
 B  wifdorrt 
 
[     w    ] 
 
 wifdom  and  defign  that  appear  in  the  difpenfations  of  pro- 
 vidence— the  excellent  ftructure  of  the  human  frame — the 
 amazing  powers  of  the  immortal  foul — with  the  pleafures 
 of  holinefs,  and  the  miferies  that  attend  on  moral  evil  — 
 all  thefe  loudly  proclaim  his  power  and  godhead, 
 
 II.     Though  the  heavens  declare  the  glory  of  God, 
 and  the  firmament  fheweth  forth  his  praife,  yet  he  has  mag- 
 nified his  word  above  all  his  name.     In  creation,  we   per- 
 ceive the  operation  of  almighty  power  and  infinite  wifdom: 
 In  Providence,  unfpeakable  condefcenfion  and  unremitting 
 care  :    But  in  revelation  we  learn  his  moral  character  :    In 
 the  law  appear  unfpotted  holinefs,  and   inflexible  juftice  ; 
 In  the  gofpel,  fovereign  goodnefs,   and  unbounded  love  ! 
 The  doctrine  of  the  crofs  is   reprefented  as  a  mirror,  in 
 which  the  perfections  of  God  are  to  be  feen  to  the  greateft 
 poflible  advantage ;   there,  "  as  in  a  glafs,  we  behold  the 
 "  gl°rv  °f  tne  Lord ;"  for  Chrift  is  "  the  image  of  the 
 "  invifible  God."     Nature's  difplay  of  God  is  partial- 
 Revelation  exhibits  him  "  in  all  his  round  of  rays  compleat." 
 Through  the  facred  humanity  of  our  Lord,  the  divine  per- 
 fections are  foftened  down  in  a  manner  fuited  to  our  feeble 
 capacity;   and  inflead  of  exciting  terror,  encourage  hope. 
 Here  the  finner  may  be  taught  what  he  can  learn  no  where 
 elfe,  a  juft  God  and  a  Savior  ;   the  inflexible  judge,  and 
 companionate  father ;    the  doctrine  of  remiflion,  accept- 
 ance with  God,  the  fure  and  certain  hope  of  a  glorious 
 refurrection  and  blifsful  immortality.     From  the  fublimity 
 and  excellency  of  the  doctrines  ;   the  grace  and  glory  of 
 the  promifes  j  the  freenefs  of  the  invitations ;  the  purity 
 of  the  precepts  contained  in  the  writings  of  the  Old  and 
 New  Teftament ;  connected  with  the  holinefs  and  agreement 
 of  the  infpired  writers  ;   the  accomplishment  of  prophecy  ; 
 the  difperfion  and  prefervation  of  the  Jews;    the  evidence 
 of  miracles,  and  the  aftonifhing  influence  of  fcripture  doc- 
 trines 
 
[     M     ] 
 
 trines  (through  divine  agency)  upon  the  minds  of  men, 
 I  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  word  of  God.  The  facred 
 pages,  whofe  divine  authority  is  fupported  by  this  body  of 
 evidence,  I  confider  as  entitled  to  our  deepeft  reverence 
 and  moft  cordial  affection  ;  and  receive  this  divine  direc- 
 tory as  an  infallible  guide  of  faith  and  practice ;  "  to  which 
 "  we  do  well  to  take  heed,  as  to  a  light  to  that  fhineth  in  a 
 "  dark  place." 
 
 III.  I  believe  God  to  be  a  focial  being,  "  the  Father, 
 "  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghoft ;  the  three  who  bear  re- 
 ?*  cord  in  heaven."  The  fame  in  efTence,  equal  in  majefty 
 and  glory.  My  inability  to  comprehend  this  doctrine,  is 
 no  more  an  objection  to  its  truth,  than  my  not  being  able 
 to  comprehend  my  own  being,  is  an  objection  to  the 
 reality  of  my  exiftence.  If  I  cannot  comprehend  my  own 
 exiftence,  how,  by  fearching,  (hall  I  find  out  God  ! 
 
 IV.  I  believe,  in  oppofition  to  the  doctrine  of  chance, 
 that  the  events  which  take  place  in  the  natural  and  moral 
 world,  are  objects  of  the  divine  purpofe  or  decrees.  "  He 
 "  worketh  all  things  according  to  the  counfel  of  his  own 
 c<  will."  Thepurpofes  of  God  I  conceive  to  be  fovereign, 
 though  not  arbitrary  ;  that  is,  without  reafon  :  They  are 
 infinitely  wife  and  good  ;  for  if  God  purpofe  or  decree, 
 he  muft  decree  and  act  like  himfelf — an  infinitely  wife  and 
 gracious  Being.  From  the  word  of  God  I  learn  that  be- 
 lievers are  the  objects  of  Jehovah's  eternal  choice.  "  God 
 "  hath  from  the  beginning,  chofen  you  to  falvation  through 
 "  fanctification  of  the  fpirit,  and  belief  of  the  truth." 
 Faith  and  obedience,  I  confider,  as  the  effects,  and  not  the 
 caufe  of  our  election.  "  As  many  as  were  ordained  to 
 "  eternal  life,  believed."  "  According  as  he  hath  chofen 
 "  us  in  him  before  the  foundation  of  the  world." 
 
 B  2 
 
 V. 
 
[      12      ] 
 
 V.  I  believe  that  God  created  the  firft  man  Adam 
 fuperior  to  all  other  creatures  on  earth ;  being  endowed 
 with  a  rational  and  immortal  fpirit;  for  "  the  Lord  God 
 ur  breathed  into  his  noftrils  the  breath  of  life,  and  man  be- 
 "  came  a  living  foul" — The  underftanding  was  as  clear  as 
 the  light — the  will  pure  and  holy — the  affections  kept-  in 
 due  fubordination — the  memory,  retentive — theconfeience, 
 peaceful  and  ferene  :  This  is  to  be  made  in  the  image  of 
 God,  and  after  his  likenefs  in  the  higheft  and  moft  proper 
 fenfe.  In  this  ftate  of  rectitude,  man  had  the  law  of  God 
 written  in  his  heart;  in  addition  to  whieh  he  received  a 
 command  not  to  eat  of  the  tree  of  knowledge  of  good  and 
 evil  :  and  upon  his  attention  to,  or  violation  of  this  injunc- 
 tion, depended  his  enjoyment  of  God,  or  lofs  of  happinefs. 
 
 VI.  As  Adam  was  the  firft  man,  fo  I  believe  him  to 
 be  the  covenant  head,  and  reprefentative  of  all  mankinds 
 and  that  the  confequences  of  his  obedience  or  difobedience, 
 did  not  merely  extend  to  himfelf  as  an  individual,  but  to 
 all  his  pofterity ;  wherefore,  by  his  apoftacy,  he  not  only 
 brought  himfelf  under  the  awful  penalty  of  Jehovah's  law? 
 and  loft  the  image  and  favor  of  God  ;  but  tranfmitted  tp 
 all  his  defcendants  univerfal  corruption  and  depravity,  with 
 the  profpecT:  of  everlafting  woe.  "  By  one  man's  difobe- 
 *c  dience  many  were  made  Tinners." 
 
 VII.  Man  having  deftroyed  himfelf,  I  believe  God 
 was  pleafed  to  reveal  his  purpofe  of  grace  and  mercy,  made 
 with  Chrift  the. covenant  head  of  his  people,  before  the 
 commencement  of  time;  which  "  covenant  is  ordered  in 
 "  all  things  and  fure;"  and  fecures  free  pardon,  full  falvation, 
 perfect  righteoufnefs,  the  promife  of  the  fpirit,  and  final 
 glory  to  every  believer.  To  realize  this  merciful  defign, 
 in  the  fulnefs  of  time  the  Son  of  God  became  incarnate, 
 siTuming  human  nature,  with  all  its  finlefs  infirmities,  as 
 
 necefTary 
 
[  >J  ] 
 
 ficcefiary  to  conftitute  him  an  able  and  fuitable  Savioi. 
 This  interefting  truth  is  declared  to  be  without  controverfy 
 the  "  great  myftcry  of  godlinefs ;  God  was  manifeft  in 
 $  the  flefli." 
 
 Our  Lord  was  not  only  made  under  the  law,  but  by 
 his  holy  life  and  vicarious  death,  he  magnified  and  made 
 it  honorable  :  he  has  fatisfied  the  demands  of  juftice ;  glo- 
 rified the  divine  character  to  the  greateft  poffible  degree; 
 made  an  end  of  fin  ;  and  brought  in  an  everlafting  righte- 
 oufnefs.  On  the  crofs  he  fpoiled  the  powers  of  darknefs, 
 and  ruined  the  empire  of  Satan.  He  was  buried,  and  on 
 the  third  day  he  rofe  fuperior  to  death  and  the  grave  :  he 
 afcended  into  heaven,  to  receive  the  honors  due  to  his  vic- 
 tories; to  pofTefs  the  reins  of  univerfal  government ;  and 
 to  prepare  manfions  of  blifs  for  all  his  followers, 
 
 VIII.  I  believe  that  all  who  are  interefted  in  the 
 undertaking  and  work  of  the  Redeemer,  are,  by  the  power- 
 ful influence  of  the  Divine  Spirit,  called  from  darknefs  to 
 light ;  from  fin  to  holinefs ;  from  Satan  to  God.  Their 
 underffandings  are  illuminated  ;  their  wills  renewed;  their 
 affections  fanctified  ;  and  in  all  their  powers  devoted  to  the 
 Lord  ;  being  w  created  in  Chriff  Jefus  unto  good  works, 
 "  which  God  hath  before  ordained  that  we  fhould  walk 
 "  in  them." 
 
 Faith  and  repentance  are  blefiings  of  the  new  cove- 
 nant, and  are  implanted  in  us  by  the  power  of  the  Divine 
 Spirit — By  faith  we  embrace  the  Savior,  and  build  our 
 hopes  upon  him  for  forgivenefs,  acceptance,  and  eternal 
 life — Repentance  is  that  grace  by  which  we  are  difpofed  to 
 abhor  ourfelves,  and  determine  no  longer  to  live  in 
 the  indulgence  of  fin — It  teaches  to  deny  ungodlinefs, 
 and  perfect:  holinefs  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord — Faith  and  re- 
 pentance 
 
[      '4     ] 
 
 pentance  never  fail   to   produce  good  works;   natural!) 
 "  having  their  fruit  unto  holinefs." 
 
 EfTe&ual  calling  and  j unification,  I  believe  are  infe- 
 parably  connedled — u  Whom  he  called,  them  he  alfo  juf- 
 *'  tified."  Juftification  I  confider  as  a  complete  acquittal 
 from  imputed  and  contracted  guilt :  a  deliverance  from 
 the  deftruclive  and  condemning  power  of  fin : — but  out- 
 works or  obedience  have  no  meritorious  influence  on  our 
 acceptance  with  God,  either  in  whole  or  in  part ;  fince 
 we  are  juftified  alone  by  trie  righteoufnefs  of  Chrift  imput- 
 ed and  received  by  faith. 
 
 All  who  are  juftified,  are  taken  into  the  family  of 
 heaven ;  enjoy  the  bleflings  of  grace ;  are  the  objects 
 of  divine  love,  and  unremitting  attention — they  are  the 
 care  of  Providence,  and  the  charge  of  angels.  By  virtue 
 of  adoption,  they  have  a  right  to  an  inheritance  incor- 
 ruptible and  undefiled,  and  that  fadeth  not  away — they 
 are  heirs  of  God,  and  joint-heirs  with  Cbrift-r- Jehovah 
 himfelf  is  their  portion  and  reward. 
 
 Thofe  who  have  received  grace,  will  be  crowned  with 
 eternal  glory  —  the  love,  promife,  wifdom,  honor,  and 
 power  of  Chrift,  induce  me  to  believe  this  comfortable 
 truth, <c  He  which  hath  begun  a  good  work  in  you  will  per- 
 form it  until  the  day  of  Chrift." 
 
 IX.  Chriftians,  uniting  and  agreeing  to  walk  toge- 
 ther in  the  commandments  and  ordinances  of  the  Lord ; 
 to  ftrengthen  each  others  hands ;  to  bear  each  others  bur- 
 dens; and  promote  each  others  beftintereft  ;  doconftitutea 
 gofpel-church,  of  which  Chrift  is  the  only  head  and  Lord ; 
 fo  that  whofoever  exalts  himfelf,  and  prefumes  to  take  part 
 In  the  dominion  with  him,  is  no  other  than  Antichrift,  in- 
 vading 
 
[   «s   ] 
 
 yading  the  Redeemer's  prerogative,  and  lording  it  over 
 God's  heritage — "  One  is  your  mafter,  even  Chrift,  and 
 "  ye  are  all  brethren." 
 
 X.'  Baptifm,  and  the  Lord's-fupper,  are  pofitive  infti- 
 tutions  of  the  gofpel  difpenfation.  The  fcriptural  mode  of 
 adminiftering  the  former,  I  apprehend,  to  be  by  imrnerfion. 
 The  latter,  I  conceive,  is  defigned  to  preferve  alive  an  affec- 
 tionate remembrance  of  the  love,  fufferings,  and  death  of 
 our  Lord. 
 
 XI.  At  death  our  bodies  will  return  to  the  earth,  and 
 our  fouls  afcend  to  God,  to  receive  an  immediate  and  unal- 
 terable fentence  to  eternal  life  or  death — to  be  admitted 
 into  heaven,  or  fent  down  to  hell. 
 
 I  believe  that  God  has  appointed  a  day,  wherein  he  will 
 judge  the  world  in  righteoufnefs  by  Jefus  Chrift  ;  when 
 the  awful  trumpet  fhall  be  blown,  and  its  alarm  difturb  the 
 {lumbers  of  the  dead.  Thofe  who  have  done  evil  fhall 
 come  forth  to  the  refurreftion  of  damnation  ;  thofe  who 
 have  done  good  to  the  refurrection  of  life  everlafting. 
 u  Depart  ye  curfed,"  will  fill  the  finners  heart  with  terror 
 and  defpair  ;  while  thofe  who  have  believed  in  the  Savior, 
 fhall  be  cloathed  with  the  garments  of  falvation,  and  ad- 
 mitted into  the  paradife  of  God — "  Come  ye  bleffed  of  my 
 c<  Father,  enjoy  the  kingdom  prepared  for  you  from  before 
 "  the  foundation  of  the  world." 
 
 A  CHARGE, 
 
[     i6  '] 
 A     CHARGE 
 
 My  dear  Brother, 
 
 J\  S  I  am  called,  by  your  own  requeft,  to  ad- 
 drefs  you,  on  the  prefent  folemn,  but  pleafing  occafion, 
 permit  me  to  turn  your  attention  to  a  pafTage,  which  ap- 
 pears to  me  well  adapted  to  imprefs  our  minds,  with  fome 
 affe&ing  and  interefting  ideas,  juftly  applicable  to  the  work 
 of  a  Gofpel  Minifter,  and  a  Chriftian  Paftor. 
 
 The  expreffion  to  which  I  allude  is  contained  in 
 
 NUMB.  xi.  12. 
 — THAT  THOU  SHOUD'ST  SAY  UNTO  ME,  CARRY  THEM 
 IN  THY  BOSOM,  AS  A  NURSING  FATHER  BEARETH 
 THE  SUCKING  CHILD,  UNTO  THE  LAND  WHICH  THOU 
 SWAREST  UNTO  THEIR  FATHERS. 
 
 THESE  words  are  included  in  a  complaining  ad- 
 drefs,  which  was  made  to  the  Lord  by  Mofes,  in  an  hour 
 of  fingular  trial ;  when  he  was  ready  to  conclude,  that  a 
 tafk  had  been  afllgned  him,  too  difficult  for  him  to  execute; 
 fo  that  he  almoft  prefumed  to  remonftrate  with  Jehovah 
 concerning  it ':  yet  they  contain  a  charge,  which  he  ac- 
 knowledged had  been  virtually,  if  not  verbally,  given  him 
 by  the  God  of  Ifrael;  and  which  is  couched  in  language 
 beautifully  defcriptive  of  the  nature  and  importance  of  his 
 commiflion,  and  efpecially  expreffive  of  the  greateft  ten- 
 dernefs  for  Ifrael, 
 
 This 
 
[     '7     ] 
 
 This  charge,  my  brother,  appears  to  me  as  juftly  ap- 
 plicable to  our  employment,  as  to  that  of  Mofes  ;  though 
 our  fphere  of*  action  is  le'fs  eXterifive,  and  our  bufinefs  more 
 entirely  fpiritual.  God  is  now  no  lefs  careful  of  the  fouls 
 of  his  people,  than  he  was  then,  of  the  concerns  of  Ifrael 
 ^fcer  the  flefh  :  and  it  furely  requires  as  much  attention, 
 fidelity,  and  tendernefs,  to  conduct  chriftian  pilgrims 
 through  a  wildernefs  world,  to  a  heavenly  Canaan;  as  to 
 guide  the  defcendunts  of  Abraham,  to  the  earthly  inheri- 
 tance, promifed  by  oath  to  their  fathers.  He  who,  in  the 
 days  of  old,  conducted  Mofes  and  his  people,  and  put  his 
 Holy  Spirit  within  him,  that  he  might  a£t  as  the  fhepherd 
 of  his  Mock,  has  given  as  ftricl  an  injunction,  and  as  gra- 
 cious encouragements,  to  thofe  whom  he  has  made  over- 
 feers  of  the  church,  which  God  our  Savior  has  purchafed, 
 with  his  own  blood. 
 
 Seafons  of  trial  may  occur,  in  which  we  may  be  tempt- 
 ed to  complain,  that  our  work  is  too  heavy  for  us,  and  that 
 we  cannot  bear  the  weight  of  the  people  alone  ;  but  then, 
 to  reflect  on  the  far  heavier  trials  endured  by  this  man  of 
 God,  who  had  the  care  of  a  whole  nation,  for  forty  years 
 together,  may  tend  to  check  our  readinefs  to  repine. — ■ 
 With  what  ingratitude  did  he  meet,  from  thofe  whom  he 
 brought  forth  out  of  the  houfe  of  bondage  ?  How  deeply 
 were  they  infected  with  the  idolatrous  cuftoms  of  the 
 Egyptians  ?  How  often  did  they  murmur  againit  Mofes, 
 and  againft  God  ?  How  did  they  flight  the  manna  which 
 came  down  from  heaven,  and  was  daily  fpread  round  their 
 tents ;  while  they  lufted  for  the  fifh,  the  cucumbers,  and 
 the  melons,  the  onions,  the  leeks,  and  the  garlic  of  Egypt: 
 and  for  the  fake  of  fuch  fenfual  gratifications,  were  ready 
 to  return  to  the  land  of  oppreflion,  and  deliver  themfelves 
 again  into  the  hands  of  their  cruel  tafk-mafters  ?  We 
 cannot  juflify  the  impatience  of  Mofes,  but  we  may  well 
 
 C  acknowledge 
 
[     i8     ] 
 
 acknowledge  that  far  lefs  trials  would  tempt  us,  to  adopt 
 the  word  part  of  his  language,  and  that  we  fhould  be  ready 
 to  afk  God  to  kill  us  out  of  hand,  that  we  might  not  fee 
 our  wretchednefs.  But  under  the  wor ft  of  our  diftreiles, 
 the  divine  injunction  he  quotes  in  our  text,  may  prove  fome 
 antidote  againft  the  dejection  he  exprefies  in  the  context ; 
 and  a  recollection  of  the  Lord's  indulgence  and  compaf- 
 fion,  manifefted  on  this  occafion,  may  operate  as  a  farther 
 means  of  counterbalancing  our  burdens. 
 
 Mofes  himfelf,  when  his  mind  was  freed  from  extra- 
 ordinary perturbation,  could  not  but  acknowledge  the 
 loving  kindnefs  and  companion  of  the  Lord,  both  to  him- 
 felf, and  to  Ifrael ;  the  commiflion  here  given  him  was 
 highly  honorable  to  himfelf,  as  well  as  expreflive  of  Jeho- 
 vah's pity  for  his  people  :  and  though  the  execution  of  it 
 was  arduous,  fuch  afliftance  was  afforded  him,  both  medi- 
 ately by  the  afliftance  of  the  feventy  elders  (verfe  16,  17, 
 24J  and  immediately  by  the  fupply  of  the  divine  fpirit,  that 
 Mofes  was  enabled  to  difcharge  his  oflke  with  comfort  and 
 credit  j  and  having  brought  the  chofen  tribes  to  the  borders 
 of  their  promifed  inheritance,  and  enjoyed  the  fight  of  the 
 good  land  from  the  top  of  mount  Pifgah,  he  entered  into 
 eternal  joy. 
 
 The  fame  joy,  my  beloved  brother,  is  fet  before  us ;  the 
 fame  grace  is  fufficient  for  us  ;  let  not  the  greatnefs  of  our 
 work  difcourage  us,  nor  the  profpedt  of  difficulties,  fimilar 
 to  his,  difmay  us  ;  but  let  us  regard  the  language  of  the 
 text  as  the  commiflion  given  us  by  the  divine  Redeemer 
 (who  bought  us,  and  our  dear  people,  with  a  price  angels 
 cannot  compute)  faying 
 
 Carry  this  people  in  thy  bofom,  as  a  nurjing  father  bear •- 
 
 eth  the  fucking  child,  unto  the  lend}  which  is  fecured  to  them 
 
 by  the  oath  of  God. 
 
 As 
 
[     '9     ] 
 
 As  your  brother,  and  companion  in  tribulation,  and  in 
 the  kingdom,  and  patience  of  Jefus  Chrift,  I  invite  you  to 
 join  me  in  ferious  meditation,  on  this  memorable  day, 
 wherein  you  have  taken  the  over-fight  of  a  church  of 
 Chrift. 
 
 Firjl.  Upon  the  nature  of  our  charge,  as  reprefented  by 
 this  defcriptive  language. 
 
 Our  charge  is  real  and  divine.  We  were  neither  of 
 us  conftrained  by  human  authority,  nor  engaged  by  human 
 perfuafion,  to  enter  on  the  work  of  the  gofpel  miniftry  : 
 we  entered  upon  it  voluntarily.  And  the  particular  poft 
 you  now  occupy,  was  not  allotted  you,  by  any  earthly  fu- 
 perior,  by  any  patron,  prefbytery,  or  prelate,  but  you  wil- 
 lingly acceded  to  the  free  invitation  of  the  Baptift  Church 
 in  this  city.  We  have  both  profefTed  that  it  was  in 
 obedience  to  a  divine  call,  we  undertook  to  preach  the 
 gofpel ;  having  been  inwardly  moved  by  the  Holy  Spirit, 
 who  excited  us,  from  love  to  Chrift,  and  from  companion 
 to  perifhing  fouls,  to  defire  this  good  work.  In  this  way, 
 a  neceflity  has  been  laid  upon  us,  and  Woe  unto  us,  if  we 
 preach  not  the  gofpel.  We  know  that  the  manifestation  of 
 the  fpirit  is  given  to  every  man  to  profit  withal ;  and  having 
 received  gifts,  of  whatever  degree,  from  the  head  of  the 
 church,  woe  unto  us  if  we  hide  our  Lord's  talent  as  in  a 
 napkin,  and  do  not  occupy  till  he  Jhall  come.  To  him  mult 
 we  give  an  account  of  our  ftewardfhip,  who  hath  entrusted 
 us  with  the  myfteries  of  God  ;  knowing  that  as  every  man 
 hath  received  this  gift,  fo  muft  he  minifter  the  fame  unto 
 others,  as  a  good  fteward  of  the  manifold  grace  of  God. 
 And  as  the  fame  God,  who  called  us  to  this  work  in  ge- 
 neral, hath,  by  the  guidance  of  his  Providence,  allotted  to 
 us  our  particular  Stations,  we  cannot  interpret  the  com- 
 bined language  of  his  word  and  providence,  refpe&ing  the 
 
 c  2  people 
 
[      20      ] 
 
 people  of  our  charge,  as  amounting  to  lefs  than  this. 
 Cany  them  in  thy  bofom  (as  a  nurfing  father  beareth  bis- 
 fucking  child)  unto  the  promifed  land. 
 
 '    Our  commifllon,  my  brother,  is  extenjive  and  particular. 
 Not  like  that  of  Mofes  indeed,  comprehending   the  con- 
 cerns of  a  nation,  nor  connected  with  any  right  to  inter- 
 meddle with  the  fecular  affairs  of  our  people  :   It  is  confined 
 merely  to  their  fpiritual  interefts.      But  in  that  refpect  it 
 extends  not  merely  to  the  communicants,  belonging  to  our 
 refpective  churches,  that  have  elected  us  to  the  paftoral 
 office;  but  to  all  who  are  connected   with    them,  or  to 
 whom  we  can  have  accefs  by  their  means ;    to  their  chil- 
 dren, their  fervants,  their  acquaintance  whom  they  may  in- 
 vite to  hear  their  minifters  :    yea,  to  all  around  us  whom 
 we  can  engage  to  attend  to  our  miniftrations.     O  may  you 
 imitate  him,  who  acknowledged    himfelf  a    debtor,  both 
 to  the  Gxeeks,  and  to  the  Barbarians,  both  to  the  wife,  and 
 the  unwife ;  laboring  to  approve  yourfelf  unto  God,  as  a 
 workman  who  needeth  not  to  be  afhamed ;  or  like  a  good 
 houfholder,  bringing  out  of  your  treafury,  things  newznH  old* 
 Let  the  inhabitants  of  Worcefter,  and  of  the  adjacent  vil- 
 lages, find  that  God  has  fet  you  here  as  a  watchman,  tp 
 watch  for  fouls.     Let  them  who  have  long  known  the 
 Lord,  be  convinced   that  you  are  diligently  ftudying  his 
 word,  to  bring  forth  new  ftores  of  profitable  truth  j    and 
 let  the  old  fundamental  and  interefting  doctrines,  in  which 
 thefe  are  well  eftablifhed,  be  faithfully  reprefented  to  thofe 
 who  have  not  yet  received  them. 
 
 The  great  effentials  of  religion,  the  doctrine  of  falva- 
 tion  by  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  and  by  the  renewing  of 
 the  Holy  Spirit,  are  like  daily  bread,  which  muft.  never 
 be  forgotten  ;  but  the  whole  fyftem  of  faith  and  duty  muft 
 be  brought  more  and  more  to  light,  if  we  would  edify  the 
 
 fouls 
 
L      *«      ] 
 
 fouls  of  men.  1  perfuade  myfelf,  brother,  that  you  will 
 neither  affect  unfcriptural  novelties,  nor  yet  confine  your 
 whole  miniftry  to  four  or  five  favorite  points,  to  the  neglect 
 of  all  the  truths  in  the  Bible  befides.  But  all  you  fay, 
 will,  I  truft,  have  an  ultimate  reference  to  our  glorious  Re- 
 deemer j  to  fhew  the  need,  the  fuitablenefs,  the  glory,  the 
 tendency  of  his  great  falvation.  Him  you  muft  preach, 
 as  dwelling  in  his  people's  hearts,  and  being  the  hope  of 
 glory :  like  Paul,  warning  every  man,  and  teaching  every 
 man,  in  all  wifdom ;  that  you  may  prefent  every  one  of 
 your  hearers  perfect  in  Chrift  Jefus.  To  this  end  you 
 muft  labor,  as  long  as  you  can  find  an  unbelieving  finner, 
 or  an  irnperfe&  faint,  jlriving,  according  to  his  working, 
 who  worketh  in  you  rnightily.  Every  one  of  your  auditors 
 pofleffes  a  foul  of  ineftimable  worth,  which  nothing  but 
 the  blood  of  Jefus  could  have  ranfomed  from  eternal  burn- 
 ings. Every  one  of  them  demands  your  pity,  your  prayer, 
 and  your  earneft  endeavors  to  fubferve  his  falvation.  The 
 rich,  who  cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God,  but 
 with  extreme  difficulty ;  the  poor,  who  muft  be  fo  wretched 
 in  both  worlds,  if  not  made  heirs  of  the  kingdom ;  the  aged,, 
 who  ftand  on  the  brink  of  hell,  and  muft  fall  in,  if  not 
 very  foon  converted  j  th.e  young,  who  may  be  fo  very  ufe- 
 ful,  if  called  by  times,  and  who  are  the  chief  objects  of  our 
 hope  for  the  continuance  of  the  church,  after  we  are  filent 
 in  the  duft  :  All  the  claffes  into  which  we  can  divide  our 
 congregations,  demand  our  exertions  ;  and  how  fhould  it 
 roufe  us  to  think,  every  time  we  preach,  that  fome  of  our 
 hearers  are,  probably,  hearing  the  lajl  meflage  we  can  de- 
 liver to  them  from  God. 
 
 O  how  interejling  and  important  is  this  charge  !  The 
 charge  of  fouls  already  expofed  to  eternal  mifery  !  All  the 
 evils  which  accurfed  war  has  inflicted,  on  them  that  have 
 fallen  in  the  bloody  field,  or  whofe  mangled  carcafles  have 
 
 sorged 
 
[   ^   ] 
 
 gorged  the  monflers  of  the  deep  ;  on  thofe  who  have  lan- 
 guifhed  in  hofpitals,  or  have  been  fcorched  to  death  in  their 
 burning  dwellings,  within  thefe  fev/  years  pafr  ;  all  the 
 temporal  miferies  or"  all  the  inhabitants  of  Poland,  France, 
 or  Germany,  &c.  have  en&ured,  cannot  equal  the  eternal 
 mifery  of  a  fingle  foul.  Yet  this  mifery  inevitably  threat- 
 ens all  who  die  in  their  fins.  Into  this  gulph  of  woe  our 
 hearers  muft  fink,  if  they  are  not  foon  brought  to  repent- 
 ance toward  God,  and  faith  toward  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrifr, 
 Yet  you  have  room  to  hope  that,  through  your  inftrumen- 
 tality,  many  may  not  only  be  faved  from  fo  great  a  death, 
 but  be,  through  the  righteoufnefs  of  God  our  Savior, 
 made  heirs  of  eternal  life.  Thus  fhall  you  be  accefiary  to 
 their  enjoyment  of  bleffings  doubly  infinite  ;  even  deliver- 
 ance from  eternal  woe,  and  the  enjoyment  of  an  eternity 
 of  unfpeakable  blifs.  O  what  an  honor  has  our  Divine 
 Mafter  conferred  on  every  faithful  minifter.  Of  what  im- 
 portance is  the  office  of  a  fpiritual  guide,  to  reclaim  unto 
 God  thofe  who  had  wandered  far  out  of  the  way,  and  guide 
 them  into  the  path  of  righteoufnefs  and  peace  !  Of  how 
 much  confequence  is  it  that  we  guide  them  on,  in  that 
 truly  narrow  way  which  God  has  marked  out  for  them  in 
 his  word,  and  guard  them  againft  all  bye-paths,  whether 
 they  turn  to  the  right  hand,  or  to  the  left !  What  innu- 
 merable dangers  furround  them,  and  of  how  much  depra- 
 vity are  they  flill  the  fubjecls !  How  then  do  they  need  our 
 conftant  attention  !  If  we,  in  any  refpecT,  miflead  them,  it 
 will  be  awful,  both  for  them,  and  for  us  :  but  if  they  arrive 
 fafely  at  the  heavenly  Jerufalem,  with  what  tranfport  fhall 
 we  meet  each  other,  before  the  throne ! 
 
 Our  charge  muft  be  conjiant  and  abiding.  It  is  here 
 beautifully  compared  to  that  of  a  nurfing  father ;  a  cha- 
 racter which  would  be  well  underftood  among  the  Ifraelites, 
 in  the  time  of  their  travels  through  the  wildernefs.     Their 
 
 lono- 
 
[     "-3     ] 
 
 long  fatiguing  marches,  muft  render  it  peculiarly  needful) 
 that  the  tenderer  female  fhould,  in  many  inftances  at  leaft, 
 he  eafed  of  the  burden  of  her  fucking  infant,  and  that 
 the  ftronger  parent  fhould  carry  it  in  his  bofom  ;  nor 
 would  this  tafk  be  needful  merely  for  a  few  months,  bu; 
 for  a  very  confiderable  period,  till  the  child  had  acquired  a 
 degree  of  ftrength  proportioned  to  the  toils  of  the  difficult 
 journey.  Mofes,  however,  was  called  to  a  longer  exercife 
 of  anxious  care  refpe&ing  the  collective  body  of  Ifrael, 
 than  the  moft  weakly  fuckling  could  require,  from  the  moft 
 robuft,  and  affectionate  father.  And  herein  our  duty  re- 
 fembles  his.  It  will  need  to  be  continued,  not  merely  for 
 a  few  months,  or  years,  but  as  long  as  our  lives,  and  theirs 
 who  hear  us,  are  protracted.  We  mufl  not  leave  the  work 
 of  God,  in  which  we  are  engaged,  while  we  are  able  to 
 profecute  it ;  nor  muft  we  lightly  abandon  the  particular 
 fkuations,  allotted  us  by  Divine  Providence.  We  hope 
 for  a  fucceflion  of  new  converts  :  but  fuch  will  need  the 
 fincere  milk  of  the  word,  for  their  growth  in  grace ;  and 
 their  inexperience  and  weaknefs  will  render  peculiar  atten- 
 tion neceflary.  Nor  muft  we  leave  off  admonifliing  an 
 individual,  who  ftill  remains  obftinate  in  his  rebellion, 
 as  long  as  he  will  pay  the  fmalleft  attention  to  our  remon- 
 ftrances:  while  the  beft  faint,  with  whom  we  are  con- 
 nected, as  long  as  he  is  on  this  fide  Jordan,  will  fometimes 
 need  our  affiftance;  for  he  is  ftill  in  an  enemies  land,  and 
 may  fuffer  the  fevereft'lofs,  in  fome  of  his  lateft  conflicts. 
 Yea,  if  both  we,  and  our  people,  are  not  always  on  the 
 watch,  fome  of  them,  in  whom  the  change  appeared  moft 
 confpicuous,  when  they  were  firft  brought  home  to  God, 
 may,  through  that  very  circumftance,  be  the  more  in  danger 
 of  temptations  to  carnal  fecurity.  But  the  longeft  expe- 
 rience, and  the  livelieft  exercife  of  grace  in  times  paft, 
 will  not  warrant  us,  nor  the  chriftian  himfelf,  to  relax  our 
 
 folicitude, 
 
[     24     ] 
 
 iblicitude,  that  he  may  be  kept  from  difgracing  his  pfofei-' 
 hon,  even  toward  the  clofe  of  his  pilgrimage. 
 
 I  fcarcely  need  to  add,  that  the  charge  given  us,  will  be 
 found  difficult  and  laborious  in  its  execution.  To  deliver 
 and  guide  Ifrael  was  an  arduous  undertaking,  which  Mofes 
 could  never  have  accomplifhed,  had  he  not  been  commif- 
 fioned,  and  affifted,  from  on  high.  But  he  feared  not  the 
 wrath  of  the  King;  nor  fainted  under  the  toils  of  the  wil- 
 dernefs;  for  he  endured,  as  feeing  him  who  is  invifible. 
 And  we  need  as  great  refolution  as  Mofes:  for  though 
 we  are  not,  at  this  period,  called  to  ftand  againft  oppofi- 
 tion  from  the  Kings  of  this  world,  we  have  to  contend 
 with  the  god  of  it,  who  is  very  unwilling  to  part  with  his 
 flaves.  And  we  need  daily  affiftance  to  enable  us  to  imitate 
 the  diligence,  the  faithfulnefs,  the  patience,  and  the  meek- 
 nefs  of  Mofes,  in  our  intercourfe  with  our  very  friends. 
 How  elfe  fhall  we  keep  them  from  being  ddfcouraged  be- 
 caufe  of  the  way ;  from  being  drawn  afide  after  idols  ;  or 
 even  from  turning  back,  as  it  were,  unto  Egypt  ?  How 
 fhall  we  direct  them  to  the  antitype  of  the  brazen  ferpent  ? 
 How  fhall  we  affift  them  to  fight  againft  that  Amalek, 
 with  whom  the  Lord  hath  fworn  that  he  will  have  war  for 
 ever,  till  he  be  utterly  deftroyed  ?  How,  in  a  word,  fhall 
 we  conduct  them  fafely  to  the  heavenly  Canaan  ?  You 
 fully  conceive,  brother,  the  import  of  thefe  figurative  ex- 
 preffions ;  and  are  ready  to  fay,  Who  is  [ujficient  for  thefe 
 things  ?  You  know  that  God  alone  can  accomplifh  them  ; 
 but  as  he  condefcends  to  employ  his  minifters,  in  executing 
 his  gracious*  defigns,  and  has  given  us  the  charge  of  his 
 people,  as  he  gave  unto  Mofes  the  care  of  conducting  an- 
 cient Ifrael,  let  us  proceed  to  fome  further  reflections, 
 
 Secondly.     On  the  principal  requiftes  to  a  due  difcharge 
 of  our  important  trufr. 
 
 Certainly, 
 
t  n   ] 
 
 Certainly,  to  guide  fouls  to  heaven  muft  require  know- 
 ledge  and  judgment .  It  muft  require  an  acquaintance  with 
 the  true  character  of  the  God  of  Ifrael,  and  a  cordial  fenfe 
 of  his  glory  ;  with  the  knowledge  of  his  holy  law,  its  wide 
 extent,  fpirituality,  equity  and  excellence.  Thereby  it  is, 
 that  we  muft  acquire  that  knowledge  of  fin,  which  is  ne- 
 .cefiary  to  prove  the  neceffity  of  falvation,  by  a  great  and 
 gracious  Redeemer.  And  we  muft  be  able  to  inftruct 
 ilnners  in  the  way  of  peace,  whereby  they  may  approach 
 to  a  holy  God,  and  live;  in  which  he  can  be  juft,  and  yet 
 be  gracious  to  whom  he  pleafes,  forgiving  iniquity,  tranf- 
 greffion  and  fin,  without  clearing  the  guilty ;  and,  without 
 injury  to  his  righteoufnefs,  rrianifefting  his  pardoning  mercy, 
 to  all  thofe  who  have  entered  into  covenant  with  him,  by 
 pleading  that  propitiatory  facrifice,  which  he  himfelf  pro- 
 vided, to  take  away  fin.  We  muft  cultivate  an  extenfivc 
 acquaintance  with  the  whole  revelation  God  has  made  of 
 his  will ;  and  be  able  to  direct  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord, 
 in  all  the  ways  of  holinefs  and  righteoufnefs,  in  which  they 
 fhould  walk  before  him,  till  they  entered  his  promifed  reft. 
 All  thefe  fubj eels  fhould  be  underftood  in  their  harmonious 
 connection  :  that  the  law  may  be  ufed  in  fubferviency  to 
 the  gofpel ;  and  the  gofpel  employed  for  practical  purpofes. 
 But  for  this  end,  we  need  to  pray,  that  the  fpirit  of  judg- 
 ment may  reft  upon  us,  to  make  us  of  quick  understand- 
 ing in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  that  we  may  teach  our  dear 
 people  the  good  knowledge  of  the  Lord  ;  that  their  love 
 may  abound  yet  more  and  more,  in  knowledge  and  all 
 judgment ;  that  they  may  prove  the  things  that  differ,  and 
 approve  the  things  which  are  excellent. 
 
 Wifdom  and  prudence  are  highly  neceflary  for  us,  as  well 
 
 as  knowledge  and  judgment;  both  to  affift  us  in  our  ad- 
 
 drefles  to  our  hearers,  and  to  regulate  our  own  example. 
 
 It  is  of  great  importance  that  aminifter  fhould  know  the 
 
 D  due 
 
[  *  ] 
 
 due  limits  of  his  province,  that  he  may  avoid  intermeddling 
 with  that  which  does  not  appertain  to  his  office  ;  and  mav 
 difcharge  his  duty,  refpe&ing  all  that  truly  belongs  to  ir, 
 m  the  manner  which  is  the  mod  likely  to  be  fuccefsful. 
 It'  is,  for  inftance,  our  bounden  duty  to  bear  teftimony 
 againft  all  fin,  and  this  muft  not  be  omitted,  on  account 
 of  our  knowing  that  fome  of  our  friends  are  guilty ;  but 
 if  we  would  be  truly  ufeful,  we  muft  forbear  thofe  perfo- 
 ©alities  which  would  point  out  an  individual  to  great  part 
 of  the  aflembly,  and  even  in  our  private  admonitions,  we 
 muft  be  careful  to  make  it  appear  that  they  are  not  angry 
 reproaches,  but  reproofs  dictated  by  love ;  and  then,  if 
 men  will  hold  us  as  enemies  for  fpeaking  the  truth,  in  real 
 good-will  to  their  fouls,  we  may  leave  it  with  our  mafter, 
 to  fupport  us  under  their  refentments;  we  muft  offend 
 any  body  rather  than  him.  But  while  we  oppofe  fin  in 
 others,  may  we  efpecially  mortify  it  in  ourfelves ;  and  be 
 more  ftricl:  at  home  than  any  where  :  Abftaining  from  the 
 appearance  of  evil;  concerned  to  order  all  our  affairs  with 
 difcretion,  and  to  cut  off  occafion  from  thofe  who  feek  an 
 occafion  againft  us.  **  As  there  are  many  who  are  ready 
 <l  to  make  a  minifter  an  offender  for  a  word,  or  the  leaft 
 "  inadvertent  action,  he  needs  prudence  every  where,  and 
 ct  in  every  thing.  Imprudence  is  one  of  the  greateft  ene- 
 <c  mies  to  the  paftoral  office  :  and,  excepting  a  gracious 
 "  heart,  no  qualification  is  more  neceffary,  for  a  minifter3 
 "  than  prudence  *." 
 
 Jfliduity  and  diligence  are  very  needful  for  the  difcharge 
 of  the  minifterial  calling.  Not  only  fhould  we  be  ready  to 
 preach  the  word,  in  feafon,  and  out  of  feafon ;  but  we  muft 
 apply  clofely  to  ftudy,  and  unite  with  it  fervent  prayer. 
 
 *  Spring's  Sermon,  at  the  ordination  of  Thurston,  in  Sbm- 
 merfworth,     1792. 
 
 Under- 
 
[  27  ] 
 
 iJiKicrflanding  is  a  well-fpring  of  life  to  him  that  hath  it; 
 but  this  well  is  deep,  and  it  is  laborious  work  to  draw 
 up  thefe  living  waters.  Clearly  to  exhibit  to  our  people 
 the  great  truths  of  religion,  and  to  point  out  their  falutary 
 tendency,  to  pacify  the  confeience,  and  purify  the  heart ; 
 keeping  back  nothing  that  is  profitable  ;  but  defending  the 
 doctrines  of  the  gofpel  againft  all  oppofers,  and  abufers  of 
 them,  and  guarding  our  hearers  againft  error  on  either 
 hand,  is  no  trivial  bufinefs,  which  may  be  performed  with- 
 out exertion  or  toil.  Not  only  to  produce  in  the  pulpit 
 things  new  and  old,  but  continually  to  watch  over  them 
 who  are  committed  to  our  care,  endeavoring,  in  truly  paf- 
 loral  vifits,  to  water  privately,  what  we  had  fown  in  public, 
 requires  our  utmoft  diligence.  And  when  the  name  of 
 Chrift  is  openly  dishonored  by  his  profefTed  followers,  his 
 tninifters  rauft  not  decline  the  painful  taflc  of  keeping  up 
 difcipline  in  his  church,  admonifhing  offenders,  and,  if  they 
 cannot  be  reclaimed,  impartially  excluding  fuch  wicked 
 perfons  from  chriftian  communion. 
 
 Fidelity  and  a  fenfe  of  refponftbility  to  our  Lord,  are  in- 
 difpenfible  qualifications  of  a  minifter  of  Jefus,  and  will 
 carry  him  through  unnumbered  difficulties.  Mofes  had. 
 this  teftimony,  from  God  himlelf,  that  he  was  faithful,  as  a 
 fervant,  in  all  his  houfe ;  though  the  Son  of  God  himfelf, 
 who  once  appeared  in  a  fervile  character,  and  as  the  apoftle 
 and  high-prieft  of  our  profeflion,  became  obedient  unto 
 death,  hath  in  all  things  the  pre-eminence,  and  is  juftly 
 accounted  worthy  of  fuperior  glory,  in  refpec~t.  of  his  per- 
 fect fidelity,  as  he  is  infinitely  fuperior  to  all  the  houfehold 
 of  God  in  native  dignity.  His  work  was  unfpeakably  more 
 arduous  than  that  of  Mofes,  and  executed  with  fublimer 
 zeal,  though  with  greater  abafement  and  difficulty.  But 
 Mofes,  who  was  employed  in  fettling  that  oeconomy  which 
 was  introductory  to  a  better  difpenfation,  was  careful  to  do 
 d  2  nothing 
 
* 
 
 [     28     ] 
 
 nothing  as  of  his  own  will,  but  in  every  punctilio  to  a£t 
 agreeable  to  the  orders  he  received  from  Jehovah.  Even 
 in  the  framing  of  the  tabernacle,  he  was  admonifhed  of 
 God :  See,  faid  he,  that  thou  make  all  things  according  to 
 the  pattern  Jhewed  thee  in  the  mount.  And  thus  muft  we, 
 my  brother}  be  in  all  things  faithful  to  him  who  has  appoint- 
 ed us.  As  fervants  of  the  wifeft,  greateft,  and  beft  of  maf- 
 ters,  we  muft  implicitly  obey  his  will  :  or,  as  foldiers,  who 
 are  accuftomed  to  the  ftricteft  fubordination,  we  muft  re- 
 gard every  command  of  the  Captain  of  our  Salvation  ;  wil- 
 ling endure  hardfhips,  for  his  fake,  and  be  fo  intent  upon  our 
 holy  warfare,  as  not  to  entangle  ourfelves  with  extraneous 
 concerns ;  but  muft  make  it  the  whole  bufinefs  of  our 
 lives  topleafe  him,  who  hath  chofen  us  to  ferve  under  his 
 banner.  God  has  placed  us,  as  watchmen  on  the  walls  cf 
 Zion,  and  enjoined  that  we  (hould  watch  for  fouls,  as  thofe 
 who  muft  give  an  account  how  we  perform  that  duty.  I 
 know  that  youconfiderthe  xxxiiid  of  Ezekiel  as  of  divine 
 authority,  and  are  well  aware,  that  the  decrees  of  God 
 would  no  more  excufe  our  neglect  of  the  Spiritual  interefts 
 of  our  people,  than  they  would  excufe  the  negligence  of 
 one,  who  was  appointed  to  keep  watch  in  a  city,  by  night; 
 or,  who  was  placed  as  centinel  to  alarm  an  army,  in  cafe  of 
 the  enemies  approach :  but  our  crime  would  be  as  much 
 more  heinous,  as  our  charge  is  of  greater  importance.  O 
 may  we  both,  on  our  dying  beds,  be  found  pure  from  the 
 Hood  of  fouls  ;  and  be  able  to  atteft,  that  having  renounced 
 the  hidden  things  of  dijhonejly,  not  handling  the  word  of  God 
 deceitfully,  but  as  of  fincerity,  but  as  of  God,  in  the  fight  of 
 God,  fo  [peak  we  in  Chrijl ;  by  the  manifejlation  of  the  truth, 
 commending  ourfelves  to  every  man's  conjeience. 
 
 With  thefe  qualifications  we  muft  connect  tendernefs 
 and  affeclion.  This  idea,  efpecially,  is  beautifully  exhibited 
 jn  the  text.     Carry  them,  in  thy  bofom,  as  a  nurfing  father 
 
 beareth 
 
[    »9    ] 
 
 }>eareth  the  fucking  child,  Sec.  Let  us  endeavor  to  give  it$ 
 full  force  to  this  pathetic  allufion.  Picture  to  yourfelf  a 
 cafe,  which  muft  have  repeatedly  occured,  in  the  courfe  of 
 the  forty  years  Mofes  fpent  with  his  people  in  the  wilder- 
 nefs.  An  Ifraelite,  we  will  fuppofe,  foon  after  he  firft  be- 
 came a  father,  is  bereaved  of  the  delight  of  his  eyes,  while 
 an  only  pledge  of  conjugal  affection  remains,  alternately 
 to  increafe  and  affuage  his  grief.  How  weighty,  but  how 
 interefting  would  he  feel  that  charge,  which  yet  he  would 
 not  for  all  the  world  decline  or  transfer  !  A  neighbor's 
 wife  might  he  hire  to  fuckle  it  j  but  he  himfelf  would  alfo 
 feed  it,  with  the  frefheft  manna,  and,  as  much  as  poffible, 
 take  the  care  of  it  himfelf.  However  long  and  tedious  his 
 march  by  day,  parental  affection  would  make  the  burden  of 
 a  motherlefs  babe,  not  only  light,  but  pleafant :  and,  at 
 night,  he  would  lay  it  to  reft  in  his  own  bofom.  When 
 God  vjfited  the  fins  of  Ifrael  with  fiery  ferpents,  which  bit 
 them,  fo  that  much  of  the  people  died  ;  how  would  this 
 nurfing  father  feel  his  anxiety  increafed  !  His  only  fon 
 would  fcarce  ever  be  off  his  knee,  in  the  tent ;  never  out 
 of  his  bofom  on  their  journeys:  and  if,  in  fpite  of  all  his 
 precautions,  a  ferpent  had  bitten  his  darling  child,  its  dead- 
 ly poifon  was  fpreading  rapidly  through  his  veins,  he  began 
 to  be  convulled,  and  nothing  but  the  remedy  prefcribed 
 by  the  merciful  Jehovah,  could  fave  him  from  the  agonies 
 of  death  j  how  would  the  father  run,  and  hold  him  up  in 
 his  arms,  gently  forcing  open  his  clofing  eyes,  to  view  the 
 brazen  ferpent  ?  With  what  gratitude  would  his  bofom 
 glow,  when  he  perceived  his  infant  inftantly  revive  ?  How 
 would  he,  after  this  recovery,  purfue  his  courfe  with  re- 
 newed vigor ;  and  though  he  knew  himfelf  doomed  to  fall 
 in  the  wildernefs,  he  would  fondly  anticipate  his  offspring's 
 ruture  poffeifion  of  the  promifed  land  j  and  that  hope 
 would  counterbalance  all  his  prefent  affliction  and  toil. 
 O  my  brother,  this  is  the  pattern  we  are  taught,  by  the 
 
 text, 
 
[    3°    ] 
 
 text,  to  place  before  us.  With  luch  feelings  as  thefe; 
 may  we  direct  the  eyes  of  our  dear  people  to  a  crucified 
 Savior  :  with  fuch  feelings  as  thefe  may  we  bear  them  in 
 our  bofoms,  to  the  confines  of  glory  !  We  find  Paul,  in 
 the  New  Teftament,  applying  like  fimilitudes,  to  reprefent 
 the  affection,  which  he,  and  his  brethren,  felt  for  their  con- 
 verts.  He  tells  the  Theflalonians,  We  were  gentle  among 
 you.)  even  as  a  nurse  cherifietb  her  children:  Jo  being  af- 
 fetlionately  deftrous  of  you,  we  were  willing  to  have  imparted 
 unto  you,  not  the  go/pel  of  God  only,  but  alfo  our  own  foul*, 
 becaufe  ye  were  dear  unto  us.  Ye  know,  how  we  exhorted, 
 and  comforted,  and  charged  every  one  of  you,  as  a  father 
 bis  children,  that  ye  Jhould  walk  worthy  of  God,  who  hath 
 called  us  to  his  kingdom  and  glory.  Surely  minifters  have 
 fpecial  reafon  to  take  to  themfelves  the  charge  given  to 
 the  churches.  Let  all  your  things  be  done  in  love.  Genuine 
 benevolence  mould  evidently  diffufe  itfelf,  through  all  our 
 fermons,  our  prayers,  our  warnings,  our  reproofs,  our 
 whole  conversation  and  conduit.  It  was  a  lovely  charac- 
 ter, which,  I  was  long  ago  informed,  was  given  by  a  deif- 
 tical  phyfician,  of  the  late  Dr.  Gillies,  of  Glafgow:  he 
 faid,  "  He  believed  that  John  Gillies  would  be  glad  to 
 a  carry  all  mankind,  in  his  bofom,  to  the  kingdom  of  hea- 
 M  ven."  May  the  enemies  of  the  gofpel  never  find  any 
 thing  worfe  to  fay  of  you,  my  brother  i 
 
 Patience  and  meeknefs  will  naturally  flow  from  this  fin- 
 cere  affection  :  and  the  patience  and  meeknefs  of  chriftian 
 minifters  will  be  often  tried.  Mofes,  the  meekeft  of  all 
 men,  had  enough  to  do,  to  bear  with  the  frowardnefs  of 
 Ifrael.  We  have  feen  an  end  of  all  human  perfection,  and 
 this  context  fhews  us  his  patience  nearly  worn  out :  I 
 fear,  brother,  ours  would  be  found  far  more  defective,  in 
 much  fmaller  trials.  But  what  parent  would  abandon  his 
 peevifh  child  in  a  wafte  howling  wildernefs  ?  What  minis- 
 ter 
 
[    Si     ] 
 
 ter  of  Jefus  fhall  dare  to  give  up  his  office,  becaufe  he 
 meets  with  ingratitude,  and  unmerited  reproach  ;  after  all 
 his  anxieties  and  labors  for  his  peoples  welfare?  Let  us 
 count  the  coft,  brother,  and  go  no  further  on,  in  our  work, 
 if  our  matter's  fmiles  will  not  make  us  amends  for  our 
 people's  frowns.  They  who  are  employed  under  the  phy- 
 fician  of  fouls,  muft  expect  delirious  patients  to  give  many 
 provocations  to  their  tendered  friends.  We  muft,  there- 
 Fore,  not  be  eafily  moved  to  refentment,  by  unkindnefs  and 
 injuries;  but  inftead  of  being  overcome  of  evil,  muft  la- 
 bor to  overcome  evil  with  good.  Let  us  remember  our 
 Lord's  loving  kindnefs  to  us ;  what  patience  and  long-fuf- 
 fering  he  has  difplayed,  ever  fince  we  entered  his  fervice ; 
 and,  if  he  hath  kept  us  in  his  family,  and  now  called  us  to 
 bear  an  honorable  office  in  his  church,  verily,  we  muft  ac- 
 knowledge, it  is  his  gentlenefs  hath  made  us  great. 
 
 Self-denial  and  refolutiott  are  graces  we  fhall  be  daily 
 called  to  exercife  ;  and  without  them,  it  will  be  impofiible 
 to  continue  fteadfaft  in  the  work  of  the  Lord.  In  the 
 ftrength  of  grace,  we  muft  be  determined  not  to  forfake 
 the  flocks,  of  which  the  Holy  Spirit  has  made  us  overfeers, 
 in  the  time  of  danger  :  that  is  the  time  when  the  hireling 
 fleeth,  but  it  is  our  beft  opportunity  to  fhew  our  love  to 
 the  Lord,  and  to  his  people.  Then  it  is,  that  like  David, 
 we  muft  venture  our  lives  for  the  fheep  ;  or  rather,  muft 
 fliew  that  we  have  the  very  mind  of  his  Son  and  Lord, 
 who  bought  both  us,  and  them,  with  his  precious  blood. 
 If  we  are  duly  impreffed  with  the  glory  of  his  difinterefted 
 love,  who  laid  doivn  his  life  for  us,  it  will  not  appear  an 
 extravagant  inference,  of  the  beloved  John,  that  ive  ought 
 to  be  ready  to  lay  down  our  lives  for  the  brethren.  Whe- 
 ther providence  fhall  literally  call  us  to  this  duty,  or  not, 
 may  we  fhew  that  we  have  the  temper  from  which  it 
 would  afiuredly  fpring:  habitually  feeling  the  force  of  that 
 
 obfervntion, 
 
[  r-   ] 
 
 obfervation,  For  even  Chrift  pleafed  not  him  [elf.  He  lis- 
 tened not  to  the  temptation  of  fhunning  the  crofs,  even 
 though  it  came  from  an  apoftle ;  but  replied,  Get  thee 
 he  bind  me,  Satan  ;  for  thou  favor  eft  not  the  things  that  be  of 
 God,  but  the  things  that  be  of  men  :  And  immediately  he 
 began  to  inculcate  the  abfolute  neceffity  of  felf-denial,  and 
 bearing  the  crofs,  upon  all  his  difciples.  Let  us  look, 
 therefore,  to  him  who  endured  the  contradiction  of  finners 
 againft  himfelf,  fuftaining  the  crofs,  and  defpifing  the  fhame^ 
 for  the  fake  of  our  falvation  ;  and  may  his  love  co'nftrain 
 us  to  fpend,  and  be  fpent,  if  we  may  but  fubferve  the  in- 
 tereft  of  immortal  fouls,  and  bear  them,  as  in  our  bofoms, 
 to  the  paradife  of  God. 
 
 Laftly,  Faith  and  confidence  in  God  will  be  found  need- 
 ful for  us,  throughout  the  whole  of  our  pilgrimage;  that 
 we  may  hold  on  our  way,  and  flnifh  our  own  courfe  with 
 joy;  and  alfo  fulfil  our  duty,  as  fpiritual  guides,  and  nurfmg 
 fathers,  to  others.  Often  has  the  Lord  tried  his  minifters 
 with  outward  ftraights,  but  never  has  he  deferted  them. 
 Many  are  their  inward  conflicts,  but  grace  fhall  make  them 
 more  than  conquerors.  Both  their  external  trials,  and 
 their  fpiritual  exercifes,  are  commonly  means  of  their  ac- 
 quiring the  tongue  of  the  learned,  that  they  may  know  how 
 to  fpeak  a  word  in  feafon  to  him  that  i3  weary,  and  comfort 
 thofe  who  are  caft  down,  with  the  confolations  wherewith 
 they  themfelves  are  comforted  by  God.  Thus  are  they  en- 
 abled to  atteft,  from  experience,  that  he  can  furnifh  a  table 
 in  the  wildernefs,  and  open  dreams  in  the  defart.  They 
 can  fet  their  feals  to  the  truth  of  his  promifes,  and  encou- 
 rage others  to  caft  their  care  upon  him,  who  careth  fo  af- 
 fectionately for  them.  And  as  to  all  the  dangers  and  diffi- 
 culties of  their  minifterial  work,  the  Lord,  by  the  fupply 
 of  his  fpirit,  communicates  wifdom  and  grace  ;  that  they 
 may  make  a  fuccefsful  {land  againft  the  enemies  of  his 
 
 truth  ; 
 
t     33     1 
 
 truth ;  and  feed  and  guide  his  people.  We  cannot  enfurc 
 the  fruit  of  our  labors,  but  he  can  do  it  infallibly ;  and  he 
 Will  accept,  and  reward,  thole  whom  he  makes  faithful, 
 whether  their  fuccefs  equal  their  expectations,  or  not. 
 
 Let  us,  finally  reflect, 
 
 Thirdly.  On  the  Motives  and  encouragements* 
 which  fhould  induce  us  to  perfevere  in  our  work,  notwith- 
 ftanding  the  difficulties  which  may  attend  it. 
 
 Confider,  my  dear  brother,  whofe  people  they  aret  that 
 are  committed  to  your  affe&ionate  regard  :  They  are  a 
 people  peculiarly  the  Lord's.  Mofes,  when  his  patience 
 was  nearly  exhaufted,  faid,  Have  I  conceived  all  this  peo- 
 ple ?  Have  I  begotten  them  that  thou  fhould'ft  fay  unto  me, 
 Carry  them  in  thy  bofom  ?  &c.  But  Mofes  a£ted  more 
 in  character,  as  a  man  of  God,  at  a  former  period,  when 
 their  being  God's  people  was  a  weightier  confideration 
 with  him,  than  if  he  himfelf  had  been  their  immediate  fa- 
 ther. Exod.  xxxii.  7 — 14.  Scarcely  ever  did  mere  man 
 fhew  fuch  difinterefted  benevolence,  as  he  then  exempli- 
 fied. O  that  we  may  thus  care  for  our  dear  people,  as 
 being  God's  people,  whom  he  hath  formed,  and  is  ftill 
 forming,  for  him/elf  that  they  may  Jloew  forth  his  prai/e : 
 while  we  hope  that  he  who  gathereth  the  outcafrs  of  lfrael, 
 will  gather  others  to  himfelf,  befides  thofe  whom  he  hath 
 already  gathered  ;  and  that,  by  oUr  inftrumentality,  he  will 
 enlarge  the  frontiers  of  his  vifible  kingdom,  and  go  on  to 
 accomplifh  the  number  of  his  chofen. 
 
 The  confideration,  whence  God  had  brought  this  people, 
 had  great  weight  with  Mofes,  at  the  time  to  which  I  have 
 juft  referred  :  and  fo  it  mould  with  us.  He  has  brought 
 out  his  fpiritual  lfrael,  from  worfe  bondage  than  lfrael  after 
 the  flefh  had  felt  in  Egypt  j  and  has  herein  given  a  fupe- 
 
 E  riof 
 
t     34     ] 
 
 rior  difplay  of  his  great  goodnefs,  and  the  efficacy  of  h'j 
 mighty  arm.  And,  I  truff,  you  will  foon  find  fome  among 
 your  own  congregation,  of  whom  it  may  be  truly  faid,  that 
 you  were  the  honored  inftrument  of  their  happy  deliverance 
 from  the  yoke  of  their  tyrannic  lord.  This  furely  will  en- 
 fiance  your  earneft  folicitude,  that  they  may  be  fafely  con- 
 dueled  to  the  Canaan  above. 
 
 Reflect,  that  God's  peculiar  people,  were  not  only  re- 
 deemed by  power  from  the  yoke  of  Satan,  as  Ifrael  was 
 redeemed  from  Pharoah's  cruel  dominion  ;  but  have  been 
 alio  redeemed,  from  deferved  deftruction  by  an  invaluable 
 price.  God  had  done  great  things  for  thofe  whom  he  en- 
 trufled  to  Mofes,  but  now,  God  incarnate  has  fuffer  td 
 greater  things,  for  thofe  whom  he  has  committed  to  you. 
 He  who  has  given  you  charge  concerning  them,  bought 
 both  them,  and  you,  with  his  own  blood.  Were  either  of 
 us,  brother,  to  neglect  the  church  of  God,  how  muft  it 
 awaken  the  difpleafure  of  our  blefTed  Lord  !  Might  he 
 not  afk  us,  *■'  Did  I  die  for  thefe  precious  fouls,  and  will 
 you  refufe  to  labor  for  them  ?  Did  I  fuffer  fo  much  for 
 them,  and  are  you  unwilling  to  fuffer  a  little  for  their  fakes  ? 
 Did  I  bear  the  curfe,  in  their  ffead  ;  and  will  not  you  en- 
 dure a  light  crofsj  for  their  benefit  ?■" 
 
 Remember,  brother,  that  your  interefi  is  connected  with 
 theirs.  The  more  they  thrive  in  vital  godlinefs,  the  more 
 they  will  pray  for  you,  fympathize  with  you,  and  help  you. 
 Thofe  fubjefls,  which  would  be  mod  edifying,  and  that 
 manner  of  treating  them,  which  would  be  moft  intereft- 
 in'g  to  them,  will  tend  moft  to  your  perfonal  edification. 
 If  they  are  fed  with  chaff,  leannefs  awaits  your  own  foul ; 
 but  if  you  enter  truly  into  the  fpirit  of  the  gofpel,  you  are 
 moft  likely  to  do  them  eflential  fervice.  Then  you,  and 
 they,  fhall  at  once  experience  divine  light,  irradiating  your 
 
 minds ; 
 
[    35     3 
 
 iiiinds;  the  peace  of  God,  which  panes  underflanding, 
 pacifying  your  confeiences,  and  his  love  fwcctly  con- 
 draining  you  to  new  obedience. 
 
 Let  us  confider  ferioufly,  that  ;/ our  hearts  are  not  cou- 
 itantly  fet  upon  our  people's  welfare,  our  work  is  likely 
 to  become  a  jnare  to  ourfeives.  Being  officially  converfant 
 with  the  things  of  God,  from  day  to  day,  they  will  either 
 make  a  deeper  impreffion  on  us,  than  on  others,  or  they 
 will  affect  us  fo  much  the  /e/s ;  and  we  fhall  become  the 
 more  indifferent  towards  them,  through  their  being  fo  ha- 
 bitually taken  into  our  lips  :  for  to  us,  as  well  as  to  our 
 hearers,  the  word  will  be  either  a  favor  of  life,  or  of  death. 
 Befides,  as  our  refearches  lead  us,  more  than  private  chrif- 
 tians,  to  attend  to  theological  controverfies,  and  to  notice 
 the  objections  that  are  urged  againft  the  truth;  if  we  arc- 
 not  continually  making  ufe  of  the  truth,  we  fhall  be  mo/e 
 likely  than  mod  others,  to  be  turned  afule  from  it.  Alfo, 
 if  we  are  not  profitable  to  our  hearers,  we  fhall  moft  pro- 
 bably prove  prejudical  to  them  :  It  is  next  to  impoflible 
 that  a  minifter  fhould  do,  neither  good,  nor  harm.  But 
 how  awful  would  it  be  for  us,  to  miflead  the  fouls  of  men, 
 and  inftead  of  alluring  them  to  Chrift,  to  draw  them  off 
 from  his  genuine  gofpel,  or  prejudice  them  againft  it !  Be- 
 fides, if  we  look  not  well  to  our  own  heart?,  and  are  not 
 truly  concerned  for  our  people's  edification,  they  will,  in 
 various  refpects,  do  us  harm  ;  and  it  may  go  ill  with  us, 
 for  their  fakes,  if  we  aim  not  heartily  at  making  them 
 more  fpiritually  minded,  they  will  make  us  more  earthly 
 minded.  If  we  pluck  them  not  out  of  the  net,  they  will 
 draw  us  into  a  fnare.  It  was  fad  for  Mofes,  through  his 
 impatience,  in  the  day  of  provocation,  to  be  himfelf  ex- 
 cluded from  the  earthly  Canaan,  after  he  had  led  a  whole 
 nation  to  its  borders  :  but  how  much  more  awful  would  it 
 be,  to  be  excluded  the  heavenly  Canaan,  after  being  cm- 
 
 E  2  ployed 
 
[    3«     ] 
 
 ployed  to  {hew  others  the  way  to  it  ?  While  I  rejoice  in 
 the  fulleft  perfuafion  of  your  fincerity,  I  need  make  no 
 excufe  for  introducing  this  thought,  fince  we  both  recollect, 
 that  an  apoftle  counted  it  expedient,  to  cultivate  a  godly 
 jealoufy,  left  after  preaching  unto  others,  he  himfelf  mould 
 be  acaft-away. 
 
 Let  the  dangers  of  the  wildernefs,  to  which  we,  and  our 
 people  are  ftill  expofed,  awaken  our  folicitude  for  their 
 fafety.  Here  a  roaring  lion  prowleth  about,  feeking  whom 
 he  may  devour ;  may  we  refift  him  fledfaft  in  the  faith, 
 and  encourage  our  people  fo  to  do.  This  is  a  land  of 
 darknefs,  like  the  fhadow  of  death ;  let  us  urge  them  clofely 
 to  follow  the  pillar  of  fire,  that  goeth  before  them,  to  give 
 them  light  in  their  pilgrimage.  It  is  a  land  of  drought, 
 and  of  barrennefs  ;  but  God,  by  his  miniflers,  furnifhes 
 his  people  with  heavenly  manna,  and  with  water  from 
 Chrift  the  true  rock.  They  are  travelling  through  a  land 
 infefted  with  fiery  ferpents;  we  need  to  direct  them  to  look, 
 again  and  again,  to  him  who  was  typified  by  that  ferpent 
 of  brafs,  which  Mofes  lifted  up  in  the  wildernefs.  Ene- 
 mies will  harrafs  them  all  the  way,  often  making  open 
 oppohtion,  and  at  other  times  more  dangeroufly  vexing 
 them  by  their  wiles;  we  muft  lift  up  our  hands  for  them  to 
 God,  as  Mofes  did  during  the  battle  with  Amalek,  and  en- 
 courage them  to  truft  in  the  Captain  of  the  Lord's  hoffo, 
 and  to  take  to  them  the  whole  armor  of  God.  Surely  they 
 need  a  faithful,  fkilful,  companionate  guide,  who  (hall  carry 
 them  in  his  bofom,  as  a  nurfing  father  beareth  the  fucking 
 child,  till  they  enjoy  the  inheritance  given  them,  by  the 
 promife,  and  oath  of  Jehovah. 
 
 Sink  not  under  difcouragement,  nor  fay,  as  Mofes  once 
 did,  O  my  Lord,  fend,  by  the  hand  of  him  by  whom  thou  wilt 
 fend.  For  you  have  been  called  to  an  office  the  nobleji,  the 
 "moft  important,  the  moil  benevolent,  that  can  be  entrufted 
 
 to 
 
[     o7     3 
 
 jo  man.  God  has  commiffioned  you,  not  to  execute  ius 
 wrath,  but  to  fubferve  the  glorious  purpofes  of  his  grace. 
 Indeed  he  feldom  employs  thofe  whom  he  means  to  fave, 
 in  inflicting  vengeance  on  others.  Once  he  conmifiioned 
 Jolhua  indeed,  to  expel  the  idolatrous,  and  barbarous  na- 
 tions of  Canaan,  whofe  iniquity  was  fully  ripe.  But  he, 
 generally  employs  thofe  as  inftruments  of  vengeance  to  de- 
 ftroy  mens  bodies,  whom  he  means  alfo  to  deftroy  ;  and 
 though  they  have  fubferved  his  righteous  purpofes,  yet  as 
 they  aimed  at  a  very  different  end  from  his,  they  have 
 afterwards  been  punifhed  for  their  conduct  (Ifa.  x.  5 — 15, 
 Hof.  i.  4) :  but  on  the  other  hand,  he  commonly  employs 
 thofe  as  inftruments  of  mercy,  to  fave  mens  fouls,  whom 
 he  intends  to  be  tnemfelves  partakers  of  his  great  falvation. 
 You,  my  brother,  are  not  called  to  kill  mens  bodies,  but 
 to  fave  their  fouls  j  not  to  burn  down  their  dwelling?, 
 but  to  prevent  their  dwelling  with  everlafting  burnings. 
 The  work  of  a  gofpel  minifter  is  the  neareft  akin  to  the 
 work  of  Jefus  Chrift  of  any  work  in  the  world.  He  has 
 fet  us  an  example  the  moft  perfect,  to  direct  us  in  the  dis- 
 charge of  it ;  though  it  was  wifely  ordered  that  he  had  no 
 great  fuccefs  in  his  miniflry,  to  teach  us  that  he  had  a  frill 
 higher  end  in  coming  into  the  world.  He  preached  the 
 gofpel  to  teach  us  how  to  preach  it  j  but  he  died  to  purge 
 away  our  fins,  which  was  work  none  could  do  but  himfelf. 
 We,  indeed,  feparate  from  him,  can  do  nothing  ;  but  he 
 has  faid,  My  grace  is  fufficient  for  thee.  Paul  himfelf  had 
 no  more  fufficiency  of  his  own,  than  you,  or  I.  And  it 
 was  for  the  fake  of  ordinary  minifters,  as  much  as  of  the 
 apoftles,  that  Jefus  Chrift  declared,  Lo,  1  am  with  you  al- 
 ways to  the  end  of  the  tvorld.  You  haveapofiolic  authority 
 to  apply  to  yourfelf,  and  to  every  true  believer,  the  promife 
 once  made  to  Jolhua,  /  will  never  leave  nor  forfake  thee, 
 Therefore,  my  beloved  brother,  Be  Jlrong  in  the  gra.ee 
 that  is  in  Chri/l  Jejus :  and   when  you  have   the  deeped 
 
 conviction 
 
[  #  i 
 
 conviction  of  your  own  insufficiency,  remember  that  ha 
 ftrength  is  difplayed,  to  the  molt  perfect  advantage  in  our 
 weaknefs.  To  encourage  your  expectations,  let  me  re- 
 mind you,  that  the  power  of  Jehovah,  inftead  of  bein^-  ex- 
 haujledy  in  the  days  of  old,  was  far  from  being  all  exerted  \ 
 he  has  taught  us,  upon  whom  the  ends  of  the  world  are 
 come,  to  hope  for  more  glorious  difplays  of  alUconquerin°- 
 grace,  than  ever  the  jewifh,  or  even  the  primitive  chriftian 
 world  beheld.  Let  then  the  watchmen  of  Zion,  who  make 
 mention  of  the  name  of  Jehovah,  not  keep  filence  j  nor  let 
 him  reft  in  filence,  till  he  ejlablijh  Jerufalem,  and  make  her 
 a  prai/e  in  the  earth.  The  hujband  and  redeemer  of  the 
 church,  mall  foon  be  called  the  God  of  the  whole  earth. 
 Ihe  glory  of  the  Lord  /bail  be  revealed,  and  all  flefly  flail 
 fee  it  together,  for  the  month  of  the  Lord  hath  fpoken  it. 
 
 To  conclude  :  I  would  remind  you  that  you  /hall flare 
 the  heavenly  inheritance,  with  thofe  whofe  guide  and  con- 
 ductor you  are  now  appointed.  The  great  and  precious 
 promifes  of  the  gofpel,  which  are  the  refult  of  the  divine 
 counfel,  and  are  confirmed  by  the  oath  of  God,  enfure  an 
 inheritance  incorruptible  and  undefiled,  and  that  fadeth  not 
 away,  to  all  true  believers.  The  land  of  Canaan,  flowing 
 with  milk:  and  honey,  the  glory  of  all  lands,  while  the 
 bleifing  of  the  Lord  was  upon  it,  was  only  a  fhadow  of  that 
 perfect  felicity  that  awaits  all  the  redeemed.  And,  unlike 
 the  children  of  Ifrael,  your  toils  (hall  end  as  foon  as  you 
 enter  the  promifed  land  ;  Death  is  the  laft  enemy,  and 
 death  itfelf  is  conquered,  and  mail  be  fwallowed  up  in 
 victory.  In  that  day,  when  the  greater  part  of  the  mighty 
 potentates  of  the  earth,  (hall  tremble  at  the  recollection 
 of  all  their  boafted  victories,  and  of  the  myriads  they  had 
 facrificed  to  Abaddon ;  when  they  fhall  cry  to  the  moun- 
 tains and  rocks  to  fall  on  them,  and  hide  them  from  the 
 wrath  of  the  Lamb,  in  the  day  that  he  maketh  inquifition 
 for  blood  J  then  you,  my  brother,  I  trufh  like  the  other 
 
 faithful 
 
[    39    ] 
 
 faithful  ambafTadors  of  the  Prince  of  Peace,  fhall  head  a 
 goodly  company,  whom  you  had  directed  to  the  fountain 
 opened  for  fin  and  uncleannefs  :  and  you  fhall  fay,  with 
 humble  grateful  tranfport,  "  Behold,  Lord,  here  am  I,  and 
 here  are  the  children  thou  haft  given  me,  whom  I  bore  in 
 my  bofoiw,  as  a  nurfing  father  his  fucking  child,  in  the 
 wildernefs;  through  thy  grace,  are  we  now  arrived  at  the 
 inheritance  thou  haft  promifed  and  prepared."  With  them, 
 you  fhall  enter  into  the  joy  of  the  Lord,  and  furely  the 
 eternal  happinefs  of  every  individual,  to  whofe  conveVfion 
 and  falvation  your  miniftry  was  rendered  fubfervient,  will 
 make  a  fenfible  and  everlafting  addition  to  your  own. 
 
 May  ail  thefe  motives,  and  many  more  which  the  word 
 of  God  exhibits  to  our  view,  be  deeply  impreffed  on  your 
 heart,  and  mine  !  And  may  the  peculiar  happinefs  yon 
 enjoy,  in  the  cordial  friendfhip,  and  chriftian  harmony, 
 which  fubfifts  between  you,  and  our  honored  brother, 
 the  paftor  of  the  church  which  aflembles  ftatedly  within 
 thefe  walls,  and  between  his  people,  and  thofe  that  are 
 committed  to  your  care,  never  fuffer  the  leaft  interruption; 
 but  may  it  prove  an  additional  excitement,  to  be  always 
 abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord.  This  union,  fo  na- 
 tural an.  effect  cf  divine  grace,  though  feldom  feen>  through 
 the  influence  of  deplorable  infirmity,  affords  peculiar  plea- 
 iure  to  all  the  friends  of  religion,  who  are  here  from  a 
 diftance;  and  excites  to  unite  in  prayer,  that  the  minifters 
 and  people  of  both  congregations,  continuing  to  purfue  the 
 nobleft  of  all  defigns,  the  glory  of  God,  and  the  falvation 
 of  the  fouls  of  men,  a  large  harveft  of  converts  may  be 
 gathered  in  unto  God  from  this  neighborhood,  and  though, 
 at  times,  you  may  fow  in  tears,  may  you  both  at  laft  reap 
 with  joy  unfpeakable.     Amen. 
 
 A   SERMON, 
 
I     40     ] 
 
 A    SERMOR 
 
 eft 
 
 eph.    lv.    ir. 
 HE  GAVE  SOME— PASTORS  AND  TEACHERS. 
 
 My  Christian  Brethren, 
 
 XTlLTHOUGH  I  partake  of  your  pleafure  iri 
 this  public  recognition  of  the  interefting  relation  which 
 you  have  formed  with  our  dear  brother  ;  yet,  I  could 
 have  wiflied  that  the  duties  which  now  devolve  on  you, 
 were  to  be  ftated  and  enforced  by  fome  more  experienced 
 minifter,  whofe  better  knowledge  would  have  furnifhed 
 you  with  more  fuitable  inftruction,  and  whofe  fuperior 
 years  would  have  attached  a  greater  weight  to  his  advice; 
 but  fince  you  have  requeited  me  to  undertake  this  part 
 of  the  folemn  fervice  of  the  day,  1  will  endeavor,  with 
 affectionate  fidelity,  to  difcharge  it ;  hoping,  that  the  Head 
 of  the  Church  may  put  fome  treafure  into  the  earthen 
 vefTel,  and  enrich  and  comfort  us  all  with  his  prefence. 
 
 The  words  of  my  text,  with  the  preceding  verfes,  are 
 defigned  to  illujhate^  to  connett^  and  to  confirm  fome  pre- 
 dictions in  the  Old  Teftament. 
 
 In  the  fixty-eighth  pfalm,  the  prophet  having  in  view 
 fome  illuftrious  conqueror,  thus  celebrates  his  triumphs  : 
 v.  1 8,  "  Thou  haft  afcended  on  high,  thou  haft  led  cap- 
 "  tivity  captive,  thou  haft  received  gifts  for  men."     This 
 
 prophefy 
 
[     41     ] 
 
 jjfOphefy  the  apoftle  illuftrates,  by  teaching,  that  the  tri- 
 umphant language  of  the  pfalmift  defignates  the  a/cenfion  of 
 Jefus  Chriji,  when  "  having  fpoiled  principalities  and  pow- 
 "  crs,  he  made  a  (hew  of  them  openly,  triumphing  over 
 "  them  by  his  crofs,  and  took  his  feat  at  the  right  hand 
 "  of  God." 
 
 In  the  third  chapter  of  Jeremiah's  prophefy,  the  Lord 
 comforted  his  people,  by  promifing  to  "  give  them  paftors 
 ic  according  to  his  heart,  who  mould  feed  them  with  know- 
 "  ledge  and  undemanding  :"  Now  Paul  connecls  prophefy, 
 by  declaring,  that  the  gifts  which  the  Pfalmift  fays  the  Mef- 
 fiah  received  for  men,  were  the  fame  as  the  paftors  and 
 teachers,  which,  by  Jeremiah,  were  promifed  to  the  church ; 
 and  he  confirms  the  joint  prediction,  by  appealing  to  mani- 
 feft  and  multiplied  proofs  of  its  accomplifhment,  in  the 
 perfons  of  «  apoftles,  prophets,  evangelifts,  paftors  and 
 "  teachers/'  which,  at  that  very  time,  were  employed  for 
 the  edification  of  the  difciples  of  Chrift. 
 
 Although  apoftles  and  prophets,  in  the  ftri&  fenfe  of 
 the  terms,  are  no  longer  upon  earth,  becaufe  the  peculiar 
 and  miraculous  powers  with  which  they  Were  inverted  are 
 no  longer  necefTary  in  thechurcH;  yet,  fuch  gifts  as  are 
 adapted  to  its  circumftances  are  not  withheld  ;  and  you,  rriy 
 brethren,  are  put  in  pofTe/fion  of  one  to-day — a  paftor,  to 
 feed  you  with  knowledge  and  underftanding.  You  have 
 requefted  me  to  introduce,  as  it  were,  your  minifter  among 
 you  :  how  can  I  better  fulfil  your  defire,  than  by  prefent- 
 ing  him  to  you  as  the  gift  of  Chrift,  and  earneftly  recom- 
 mending you,  as  fuch,  to  receive  him  now;  and,  as  fuch,1 
 invariably  to  confider  him  in  future. 
 
 Minifters  of  Chrift,  my  brethren,  like  moft  other  blef- 
 fings,  are  over-valued  byfbme,and  held  in  too  little  efteem 
 by  others :  happy  will  it  be,  if  you  are  enabled  to  find  our* 
 
 F  and 
 
[     4*     1 
 
 and  prcfcrve,  the  medium  between  thole  extremes ;  ;uui, 
 happy  (hall  I  account  myfelf,  if  I  am  enabled  to  aflift  you, 
 in  regulating  your  regards  for  the  fervant  of  God,  whom 
 you  have  freely  chofen  for  your  pallor. 
 
 The  pafTagc  I  have  felected,  places  your  minifter  exadtly 
 in  that  point  of  view,  in  which  you  cannot  behold  him 
 without  refpetSr,  at  the  fame  time  that  it  fecures  you  from 
 efteeming  the  fervant  above  his  Lord  :  it  teaches  you  to 
 regard  him  as  a  gift,  but,  at  the  fame  time,  a  gift  not  to 
 be  defpifed  ;  for,  he  is  the  gift  of  Christ.  "  Unto  every 
 ♦c  one  of  us,"  faith  the  apoltle,  in  the  preceding  verfes, 
 11  is  given  grace,  according  to  the  meafure  of  the  gilt  of 
 "  Chrift — be  gave  gifts  unto  men  ;"  and  among  other  of 
 his  gracious  beftowments,  "  he  gave  fome — paftors  and 
 "  teachers." 
 
 From  various  remarks,  which  are  fuggefted  by  the 
 confideration  of  minifters  being  the  gifts  of  Chrift,  let  us 
 felecl  a  few  that  may  be  fui table  to  the  prefent  occafion. 
 
 Firft.     It  fuggefts  the  care  which  the  blessed 
 
 REDEEMER  EXERCISES  OVER  HIS  CHURCH  UPON 
 EARTH. 
 
 When  our  Lord  gave  his  laft  inftructions  to  his  apof- 
 tles,  he  encouraged  them  and  their  fucceflbrs  to  obedience, 
 by  promifing  to  be  with  them  alway,  even  to  the  end  of 
 time.  He  Coon  began  to  fulfil  this  promife,  when  on  the 
 day  of  Pentecoft  he  fo  remarkably  "  endued  them  with 
 ct  power  from  on  high,"  and  attended  their  miniftry  with 
 fuch  wonderful  efficacy,  that  the  very  perfons  who  were 
 hardened  under  the  groans  of  the  Mafter,  now  melt  under 
 the  words  of  his  fervants,  and  joyfully  become  the  difci- 
 plcs  of  him  whom  they  had  crucified. 
 
 Powerful 
 
[     43     ] 
 
 Powerful  oppofition  from  the  world,  followed  the  early 
 profperity  of  the  church  :  "  The  kings  of  the  earth  and 
 il  the  rulers  took  counfel  together  againft  the  Lord,  and 
 "  againft  his  anointed  ;  but,  he  that  fitteth  in  the  heavens 
 u  iau'hcd  them  to  fcorn  ;  the  Lord  had  them  in  derifion — 
 u  He  fpokc  to  them  in  his  wrath,  in  his  fore  difpleafure 
 "  he  vexed  them  ;"  and  triumphing  over  their  fubtilty  and 
 power,  he  faith,  u  Ytt  have  I  fet  my  king  upon  my  holy 
 "  hill  of  Zion."  Perfecuted  and  defpifed  as  it  was,  yet 
 u  the  truth  ran  and  was  glorified" — Neither  the  influence 
 of  princes,  the  terror  of  armies,  the  pride  of  learning,  the 
 ignorance  of  the  barbarian,  the  prejudices  of  the  Jew, 
 nor  the  threatning  nor  the  torment  of  fcourges,  racks,  or 
 fires,  could  prevent  its  prevalence ;  and,  though  the  in- 
 ftruments  employed  in  its  propagation  were,  for  the  moft 
 part,  deftitute  of  the  ornaments  of  fciencc,  or  the  fupport 
 of  civil  power  j  yet,  "  mightily  grew  the  word  of  the 
 H  Lord,  and  prevailed." 
 
 Many  indeed  of  the  faithful  minifters  of  Jefus  fuffered 
 in  his  fervice,  and  fealed  the  truth  they  had  propagated 
 with  their  blood  :  The  church  was  bereaved  of  thofe  pre- 
 cious gifts  of  Chrift,  whilft  fome  of  its  members  were 
 martyred,  with  their  paftors,  and  others  lived  to  bewail 
 their  lofs  ;  but,  whilft  the  enemy  was  thus  impoverifhing 
 the  city  of  God,  Jesus  was  "  leading  captivity  captive;" 
 and,  with  the  fpoils  he  took  from  the  foe,  he  ftill  enriched 
 and  adorned  Jerufalem.  Thofe  who  erewhile  where 
 "  breathing  out  threatning  and  Slaughter"  againft  the  men 
 who  called  on  the  Savior's  name,  were  fubducd  by  the 
 power  of  his  grace,  and  became  "  preachers  of  the  faith 
 "  they  had  once  deftroyed."  If  the  Jewsftone  Stephen, 
 the  deacon^  the  church  (hall  have  Paul,  the  apojile^ 
 in   his   room — if  the   hearers    of    the   gofpel    be  driven 
 
 F  2  from 
 
[     44     ] 
 
 from  Jerufalem,  they  (hall  "  preach  it  at  Phenice,  and  Cyt 
 ^  prusj  and  Antioch." 
 
 The  more  persecution  prevailed,  the  more  did  it  calj 
 ,forth  the  powers  and  the  graces  of  the  faithful :  the  weak 
 became  ftrong— the  timid,  bold — the  indolent,  active — zeal 
 warmed  the  heart  and  infpired  the  tongue — frefh  payors 
 and  teachers  were  ftill  raifed  up,  and  their  labors  were  at- 
 tended with  great  fuccefs ;  for,  "  the  Lord  added  daily 
 u  unto  the  church  fuch  as  fhould  be  faved." 
 
 The  fame  procefs  has  more  or  lefs  been  carrying  on 
 ever  fince ;  and,  whether  the  paftors  of  Chrift's  flock  have 
 been  removed  by  means  of  violence,  or  by  a  natural  death, 
 their  places  have  again  been  occupied  j  and,  in  many  in-r 
 ftances,  by  thofe  who  have  excelled  their  predeceflbrs  in 
 piety,  wifdom,  and  fuccefs. 
 
 When  the  Hebrew  chriftians  mourned  over  their  de- 
 ceafed  teachers,  how  did  the  apoftle  comfort  their  hearts, 
 but  by  reminding  them,  that  "  Jefus  Chriji  is  the  fame 
 '*  ye/ierday^  to-day.,  and  for  ever/"  and  thehiftory  of  nearly 
 eighteen  centuries,  gives  liability  to  this  ground  of  confo- 
 lation.  Behold  a  new  evidence  of  it  to-day  !  Behold 
 another  proof  that  our  Lord  remembers  his  church,  "  now 
 "  he  is  in  his  kingdom !"  and  may  the  recollection  of 
 this  day  enliven  your  hope,  my  brethren,  and  eftablifh  your 
 confidence,  fhould  you  live  to  attend  your  prefent  paftor 
 to  the  tomb !  Though  Chrift  has  prefented  you  with  a  va- 
 luable gift,  you  mud  not  forget  that  it  is  a  mortal  one — 
 a  veffel,  which,  though  it  contain  a  heavenly  treafure,  is 
 eompofed  of  earthly  materials,  and  may  foon  be  broken. 
 
 We  fhould  never  form  an  earthly  connexion  without 
 reflecting  on  the  certainty  of  its  diflblution— The  hufband 
 
 and 
 
[    4S     3 
 
 •Mid  the  wife,  the  parent  and  the  child,  dear  and  foft  as  thole 
 relations  are,  muft  think  of  parting  ;  and  youy  my  breth- 
 ren, mull  part  with  your  minifter.  Should  fuch  an  event 
 be  occafioned  by  any  improper  behavior  on  your  part,  the 
 Lord  may  correct  you  for  your  fin,  by  withholding  a  blef- 
 fing  you  abufe  ;  but  mould  your  paftor  be  taken  away  by 
 the  hand  of  God,  comfort  yourfelves  with  the  thought, 
 that  mini/iers  are  the  gifts  of  Christ — that  he  can  eafily 
 replace  your  lofs — and  that  his  continued  care  over  his 
 church,  lays  a  ground  of  expectation  that  it  will  be  fo. 
 
 Secondly.  The  confideration  fhat  minifters  are  the 
 gifts    of   Chrift,    fuggefts    the    obligations   under 
 
 WHICH  A  PEOPLE  WHO  ARE  INDULGED  WITH  A  FAITH- 
 FUL PASTOR  ARE  LAID  TO  PECULIAR    GRATITUDE. 
 
 Every  good  thing  we  enjoy  cometh  from  above,  and 
 therefore  demands  our  thankfulnefs  ;  but  Angular  bleffings 
 demand  finguhr  acknowledgments  ;  and,  to  thofe  who 
 know  how  to  value  it  aright,  there  are  few  gifts  to  be  more 
 highly  prized  than  a  worthy  minifter.  The  difficulty 
 which  you,  my  brethren,  have  found  in  replacing  your 
 iate  paftor,  muft  have  convinced  you  that  a  fuitable  fuc- 
 ceftbr  is  no  common  favor.  A  man  of  piety,  prudence, 
 zeal,  and  other  minifterial  gifts,  is  a  fcarce  commodity, 
 which  no  human  labor  can  produce,  nor  wealth  procure ; 
 and  which,  if  obtained,  can  be  only  enjoyed  as  the  gift  of 
 Chrifl. 
 
 Above  five  years  you  have  been  feeking,  and,  I  pre- 
 fume,  praying  for  a  fpiritual  guide  ;  your  prayers  are  now 
 anfwered ;  many  churches  in  the  fame  fituation  have  been 
 waiting  and  praying  for  a  fimilar  blefling;  our  brother 
 might  have  been  given  to  them  inftead  of  you  ;  confider 
 yourfelves  as  peculiarly  favored,  and  be  peculiarly  grateful. 
 
 Thirdly. 
 
[     40     ] 
 
 Thirdly.  If  ministers  are  the  gifts  Ce 
 Christ,  they  ought  to  be  highly  esteemed 
 For  Christ's  sake. 
 
 True  friendfhip  prizes  a  gift  more  for  the  giver's  falce, 
 Shan  for  its  intrinfic  value;  and,  though  I  would  not  fug- 
 ged: that  Minifters  have  a  lefs  claim  on  the  affe£tions  and 
 refpecl:  of  a  people  than  other  good  men  ;  yet,  it  is  as  the 
 gifts  of  Cbrift,  that  they  demand  peculiar  regard.  As  long 
 as  they  conduct  themfelves  in  a  manner  worthy  the  exalted 
 office  they  fuftain,  fo  long  their  Mafter  faith  unto  them, 
 "  He  that  receiveth  you,  receiveth  me  :"  and  the  becom- 
 ing or  unbecoming  conduct:  of  their  people  to  them, 
 Chrift  confiders  as  to  himfelf,  and  will  fay  refpedting  both 
 the  one  and  the  other,  at  laft,  "  Inafmuch  as  ye  did  it 
 "  unto  one  of  the  leaft  of  thefe  my  brethren,  ye  did  it 
 <c  unto  me," 
 
 Poffeft  with  this  idea  of  your  minifter,  you  will  be 
 always  difpofed  to  view  his  perfon  and  his  miniftry  in  the 
 moft  favorable  light ;  and  fhould  you  perceive  an  imper- 
 fection in  your  paftor  (for  to  abfolute  perfection  what  mo- 
 dern paftor  can  pretend,  when  an  apoftle  difclaimed  it ,?) 
 you  will  either  bury  it  in  his  virtues,  or  cover  it  with  the 
 mantle  of  your  own  affections. 
 
 As  the  gift  of  Chrift  to  you,  your  minifter  ftands  in  a 
 relation  interefting  and  intimate — he  is  become  as  it  were 
 your  property  ;  but  this,  fo  far  from  allowing  you  to  treat 
 him  with  feverity  or  neglecl,  is  defigned  to  endear  him  to 
 you  the  more ;  for  no  man  is  fuppofed  to  "  hate  his  own 
 tc  flefh,  but  on  the  contrary  to  nourilh  and  cherifh  it,  even 
 "  as  the  Lord  the  church."  Indeed,  when  a  man  devotes 
 his  time,  with  his  bodily  and  mental  powers  for  a  peoples 
 good,  equity  to  him,  requires  the  return  of  affe&ion  and 
 
 refpeft ; 
 
t     47     ] 
 
 relpecl  ;  but  how  much  more  compulfory  is  the  demand, 
 when  his  perfon,  his  graces,  and  his  minifterial  endow- 
 ments, are  confidered  as  the  gift  of  Christ  ! 
 
 fourthly.    If  ministers  are  the  gifts  of  Christ. 
 
 IT  IS  OF  IMPORTANCE  THAT  THEY  SHOULD  BE  IM- 
 PROVED TO  THE    PURPOSES    FOR    WHICH    THEY  WERE 
 
 bestowed.  This  is  the  laft  obfervation  1  fhall  make  on 
 the  fentiment  of  the  text,  and  to  this  I  wtfh  more  amply  to 
 engage  your  attention. 
 
 None  of  God's  gifts  are  beftowed  without  defign — the 
 falling  fhower,  and  the  clear  fhining  of  the  fun  after  rain, 
 the  wintry  frofts  and  the  fummer  heats,  have  their  refpec- 
 tive  ufesj  nor  can  you  fuppofe  that  the  great  Head  of  the 
 Church  hath  called  our  brother  by  his  grace,  put  him  into 
 the  miniftry,  and  given  him  to  you  as  a  paftor,  without 
 having  in  view  fome  important  end.  It  will  now  be  your 
 wifdom,  as  it  is  your  duty,  to  confider  ferioufly  what  that 
 end  is,  and  to  be  practically  concerned  to  have  it  anfwered. 
 
 Plainly  is  this  defign  unfolded  in  the  words  following 
 the  text,  "  for  the  perfecting  of  the  faints,  for  the  work 
 *'  of  the  miniftry,  for  the  edifying  of  the  body  of  Chrift  :" 
 that  is,  not  for  your  increafe  in  numbers  only,  but  alfo  for 
 your  improvement  in  wifdom  and  goodnefs.  Now  your 
 duties,  my  brethren,  are  confequent  on  your  paftors  :  if  he 
 be  a  teacher,  you  muft  be  learners;  if  he  have  a  building  to 
 ere&,  you  muft  be  fellow  laborers ;  and,  unlefs  you  be 
 wanting  in  the  duties  of  your  ftations,  you  may  be  aflured 
 that  the  divine  blefling  will  not  be  withheld  :   and, 
 
 i.  If  you  would  have  the  defign  of  the  paftoral  rela- 
 tion anfwered,  you  muft  be  much  in  prayer  for  your  mi- 
 nifter :  His  work  is  great,  and  the  necefTary  qualifications 
 
 for 
 
[     48     ] 
 
 far  the  difcharge  of  it,  are  neither  unimportant  nor  fcw< 
 It  requires  much  wifdom  to  underftand  the  fcriptures — 
 much  fortitude  to  oppofe  the  errors,  the  indifference,  and 
 the  impurities  of  the  times — -much  zeal  to  labor  exten- 
 sively and  habitually  for  Chrift  and  fouls— much  prudence 
 to  advife  and  a£t  in  difficult  cafes,  and  much  perfonal  reli- 
 gion to  impart  a  favor  of  Chrift  to  all  his  converfation,  his 
 difcourfes,  and  his  prayers. 
 
 Here  then  is  fcope  for<your  petitions;  the  furniture 
 of  a  chriftian  minifter  muft  come  from  above,  and  from 
 thence  it  muft  be  fought.  "  Brethren,  pray  for  us,"  faid 
 the  apoftle  of  the  Gentiles — Brethren,  pray  for  us,  we  alfo 
 fay:  Men  of  like  paffions  with  yourfelves — expofed  to 
 temptation  frorn  numerous  quarters — as  prone  naturally  to 
 depart  from  God  as  you — liable  to  ftjupidity,  carnality,  and 
 vanity — O,  if  you  have  any  defire  to  fee  us  holy,  fpiri- 
 tual,  a£Kve,  honorable — pray  for  us. 
 
 You  arc  not  unacquainted,  brethren,  With  the  difficul- 
 ties which  lie  in  the  way  of  our  fuccefs.  The  labor  of 
 the  Carthagenian  general  is  not  to  be  compared  with  ours  ! 
 What  are  the'ftony  iVlps  to  a  Jlony  heart !  or  what  the 
 Roman  legions  to  the  powers  of  darknefs— "  to  fpiritual 
 "  wickednefs  in  high  places  !"  Not  merely  to  inform  the 
 judgments — to  excite  the  paflions — to  conquer  the  pre- 
 judices of  education,  and  to  reform  the  manners  of  men, 
 are  before  us — a  more  arduous  tafk  prefents  itfelf.  My 
 brethren,  our  point  is  not  gained  without  a  change  of  heart ! 
 .  a  renovation  of  the  whole  foul !  a  converfion  from  the 
 power  of  Satan  unto  God  !  But  who  is  fufficient  for  thefe 
 things  ?  Can  human  energy  effect,  them  ?  Nay,  my  brethren, 
 v/c  are  compelled  to  own  that  "  we  are  not  fufficient  of 
 w  cwfclves  to  do  any  thing  as  of  ourfelves — all  our  fuffi- 
 <c  ciency  is  of  God."  Were  all  the  moral  virtues,  and 
 fupernatual   endowments,  which  have  ever  adorned  the 
 
 faint, 
 
[     49     ] 
 
 faint,  or  diftinguifhed  the  apoftle,  concentrated  in  one 
 chriflian  paftor,  neither  will  believers  be  improved,  nor  Tin- 
 ners converted,  without  the  prefence,  the  power,  and  the 
 grace  of  Chrift  !  In  vain  we  enter  the  pulpit — in  vain 
 we  perfuade — we  exhort— we  befeech — we  reprove — we 
 warn — or  we  invite  ; — the  word  will  never  come  with  a 
 faving  power,  unlefs  it  u  come  in  the  Holy  Ghoft."  A 
 faithful  addrefs  to  a  guilty  confcience  may  make  a  Roman 
 governor  tremble  ;  and,  "  the  manifestation  of  the  truth," 
 may  "  almoft  perfuade  a  jewifh  monarch  to  become  a 
 tc  chriftian;"  but  to  bring  a  finner  from  "  darknefs  to  light 
 "  — to  tranflate  him  from  the  kingdom  of  Satan,  into  the 
 "  kingdom  of  God's  dear  Son" — to  conftitute  thofe  who 
 were  "  aliens  from  lfrael,  without  hope  and  without  God 
 "  in  the  world,  fellow  citizens  with  the  faints  and  of  the 
 "  houfhold  of  God,"  is  a  work,  which  it  would  be  pre- 
 emption for  an  archangel  to  undertake ;  and  can  only  be 
 accompliflied  by  him  with  whom  "  nothing  is  impoflible." 
 Our  only  encouragement  to  labor,  and  our  only  hope  of 
 fuccefs,  arife  from  the  promife  of  God,  and  as  a  mean  of 
 enjoying  it,  the  prayers  of  our  people. — My  dear  brethren, 
 you  had  better  difpofe  of  your  paftor  to  fome  other  church, 
 unlefs  you  have  a  heart  to  pray  for  him. 
 
 2.  If  you  would  anfwer  the  end  of  fucH  a  gift,  make 
 your  minijler's  work  as  eafy  to  him  as  you  can.  I  do  not 
 mean  by  abridging  the  duties  of  his  office,  but  by  rendering 
 him  as  eafy,  both  in  preparing  for  them,  and  engaging  in 
 them,  as  you  are  able.  In  proportion  as  his  heart  is  in 
 the  work  of  God,  fo  may  that  work  be  expected  to  prof- 
 per  in  his  hand  :  it  muft  be  your  care  to  prevent  or  re- 
 move, as  much  as  poflible,  whatever  might  divert  his 
 mind  from  the  immediate  concerns  of  that  relation  in 
 which  he  now  ftands  to  you ;  that,  as  the  apoftle  advifes 
 Timothy,  he  may  "  give  himfelf  wholly  to  them,"  or  liter- 
 
 G  ally 
 
[    50    ] 
 
 ally  be  in  them:  For  this  purpofe,  two  things  efpechl'y  de- 
 mand your  concern. 
 
 (r.)  That/tich  provifion  be  made  for  his  fupport  as 
 may  free  his  mind  from  all  anxieties  refpe&ing  his  domes- 
 tic affairs.  For  a  minifter  to  owe  a  bill  which  he  cannot 
 difcharge,  or  to  want  a  meal  which  he  cannot  obtain,  is 
 enough  to  turn  his  dwelling  into  a  prifon,  and  will  fooner 
 or  later  enervate  his  mind  too  much  for  ftudious  applica- 
 tion at  home,  or  vigorous  efforts  abroad. 
 
 The  duty. of  rhinifterial  fupport,  is  enforced  in  the 
 fcriptures  with  energetic  plainnefs.  "  Do  ye  not  know," 
 faith  the  apoftle,  i  Cor.  ix.  13,  14,  «  that  they  which  m* 
 "  nifter  about  holy  things,  live  of  the  things  of  the  temple  ? 
 "  And  they  who  wait  at  the  altar  are  partakers  of  the 
 "altar?  Even  fo  hath  the  Lord  ordained,  that 
 "  they  who  preach  the  go/pel^  fhould  live  of  the  go/pel;" 
 and  verfe  n,  «  If  we  have  fown  unto  you  fpiritual  things, 
 "  is  it  a  great  thing  if  we  fhall  reap  your  carnal  things  ?" 
 
 Such  language  as  this,  convinces  Our  judgments,  whilft 
 it  binds  our  confcience  : — it  is  the  language,  not  merely 
 of  authority,  but  of  juftice  ;  and,  whilft  it  forbids  our  dif- 
 obedience,  it  compels  us  to  acknowledge,  that  to  obey, 
 is  our  reafonahle  fervice  j  efpecially  when  we  confider,  that 
 had  the  man,  who  confecrates  himfelf  to  the  good  of  this 
 or  that  people,  employed  only  the  fame  powers  in  a  me- 
 chanical or, commercial  line,  he  might  have  been  as  much 
 their  fuperior  in  opulence,  as  he  is  now  in  theology. 
 
 It  ill  becomes  a  member  of  a  chriftian  fociety,  to  uro-e, 
 as  an  apology  for  the  fcanty  pittance  of  a  paftor,  that  he 
 confented  to  receive  fuch  a  ftipend,  when  firft  he  fettled 
 with  his   people :  —  Perhaps   he   did,    and   it   might   be 
 
 enough 
 
[  J<  ] 
 
 enough  for  his  comfortable  fupport  then,  though  it  may 
 be  that  both  bis  family  and  the  expence  of  living,  have  been 
 doubled  fince.  —  Where  fuch  men  rule  the  affairs  of  a 
 church,  it  is  a  comfort  to  reflect,  that  ct  God  takes 
 u  care  for  oxen." 
 
 You,  my  brethren,  know  what  is  neceflary  to  a  mi- 
 nifter's  comfortable  and  refpe&able  fupport,  in  this  city; 
 and  will  take  care  to  keep  your  minifter  free  from  any 
 pecuniary  embarraflments. 
 
 (2.)  You  fhould  be  careful  not  only  to  allow  your 
 minifter  an  adequate  fupport,  but  muft  alfo,  as  far  as  pof- 
 fible,  withhold  yourfelves  from  any  intrufions  on  his  time. 
 
 Nothing,  next  to  the  honor  of  Chrift,  and  the  intereft 
 of  fouls,  is  fo  dear  to  a  ftudious  paftor,  as  time  ;  and  a 
 minifter  who  thinks  lightly  of  its  value,  betrays  an  igno- 
 rance and  indolence,  which,  if  indulged,  will  eventually 
 debafe  both  his  character  and  labors. 
 
 A  ftudious  habit,  as  you  have  heard  to-day,  is  eflential 
 to  a  ftated  minifter.  A  lively  imagination  may  ferve  an 
 itinerant ;  but  when  a  man  becomes  ftationary,  and 
 preaches  three  or  four  times  a  week  to  the  fame  people, 
 unlefs  he  be  induftrious  in  furnifhing  his  mind,  his  fervices 
 will  foon  become  infipid,  void  of  folidity,  fraught  with 
 tautology,  and  unfit  for  edification.  And  what  is  the 
 refult  ?  Why,  the  thoughtful  hearers  muft  either  abide 
 with  diflatisfaclion,  or  in  grief  retire  ;  whilft  the  ignorant 
 are  kept  in  their  ignorance,  and  remain  babes,  when,  under 
 a  judicious  miniftry,  they  might  have  become  "  fathers  in 
 «  Chrift." 
 
 Am  I  not  now  fpeaking  to  your  paftor  ?  No,  my  breth- 
 ren, he  has  had  better  advice  than  I  can  give  him,     I  fpeak 
 
 to 
 
[    5*    ] 
 
 to  you.  I  want  to  convince  you  that,  for  your  own  Jaks^ 
 you  fhould  promote  a  ftudious  habit  in  your  minifter : 
 allow  him  every  inch  of  time  he  wants :  neither  call  upon 
 him,  nor  expect  him  to  call  upon  you  for  no  better  purpofe 
 than  togoffip ;  efpecially  let  his  mornings  and  his  Saturdays 
 be  facred — it  is  little  Ihort  of  cruelty  to  interrupt  him  then. 
 As  you  love  him,  fo,  no  doubt,  you  will  feel  a  pleafure  in 
 his  company  ;  but  let  him  choofe  his  own  times  for  feeing 
 you  j  and  do  not  accufe  him  of  criminal  negligence,  if  his 
 vifits  are  lefs  frequent  than  you  expect :  Perhaps  at  the 
 very  moment  of  your  difappointment,  he  was  ftudying 
 fomething  againft  the  Lord's-day  for  your  cafe— perhaps 
 at  the  moment  that  you  are  cenfuring  him  for  his  neglect, 
 he  is  wreftling  with  God  for  you  in  his  clofet ! 
 
 If  a  paftor  devote  thofe  hours  to  the  theatre,  the  card- 
 table,  or  the  race-ground,  which  ought  to  be  given  to  his 
 people,  God  forbid  I  fhould  become  his  apologift  ;  but  to 
 apologize  for  a  ftudious  minifter,  is  always  juft,  and  often 
 neceiTary  j  fuch  an  one,  and  fuch  only,  will  anfwer  to  the 
 character  of  the  predi&ed  paftor,  who  fhould  "  feed  his 
 "  flock  with  knowledge  and  under ftanding"— the  paftor 
 "  after  God's  own  heart." 
 
 (3.)  If  you  would  improve  the  gift  of  a  paftor,  you 
 mujl  duly  attend  upon  the  facred  ordinances  that  he  admi- 
 nijlers.  Without  this,  your  profiting  will  be  hardly  pol- 
 fible.  Irregular  attendance  will  not  only  prevent  your 
 own  improvement ;  but  prove  a  pernicious  example  to 
 others,  and  greatly  difcourage  your  minifter.  Painful 
 indeed  !  when  a  man  has  been  laboring  a  week  to  get  food 
 for  the  fouls  of  his  people,  to  fee  them  turn  their  backs 
 upon  it  when  it  is  fet  before  them ;  and,  in  effe&,  pronounce 
 it  unworthy  their  acceptance. 
 
 Nor  fhould  you  only  avoid  irregular,  but  /^attendance 
 alfo—a  practice  as  difgraceful  to  thofe  who  are  found  in  it, 
 
[     S3     ] 
 
 £3  it  is  difturbing  to  the  congregation  on  which  they  fa 
 unfeafonably  intrude  themfelves  ;  and  infulting  to  their 
 Maker,  on  whofe  worfhip  they  fet  fo  little  value,  and  whofe 
 authority  they  treat  with  fo  little  reverence.  The  devo- 
 tees of  the  world  might,  if  thefe  dilatory  attendants  on  fa- 
 cred  ordinances  were  not  loft  to  fhame,  put  them  to  the 
 blufh.  Look  into  places  of  amufernent,  my  brethren,  and 
 long  before  the  bagatelles  of  the  evening  begin  to  be  ex- 
 hibited, you  will  fee  the  feats  occupied,  and  the  fpeaators 
 waiting  O  my  God  !  how  few,  do  the  minifters  of  the 
 fanduary  find  thus  waiting  for  thee  !  Say,  my  brethren, 
 is  it  feemly  that  the  God  of  this  world  fhould  glory  over 
 the  God  of  heaven  ;  and  fay,  c  my  worfhippers,  are  more 
 faithful  than  thine  !'  and  will  you  affift  his  triumphs? 
 
 With  a  few,  a  very  few  exceptions,  I  will  venture  to 
 fay,  that  no  jufi  apology  can  be  made  for  this  indecent  prac- 
 tice. Have  you  families  that  require  your  attendance  ? 
 Rife  but  a  quarter  of  an  hour  fooner,  and  you  will  no 
 longer  find  an  inconvenience  there.  The  excufes  that  arc 
 derived  from  food  or  drefs,  are  fo  inconfiftent  with  fmcere 
 religion^  that  to  fuppofe  them  in  a  chriftian  fociety  would 
 be  abfurd :  the  man  who  can  neglect  the  honor  of  his 
 God,  and  theinterefts  of  his  foul,  to  gratify,  either  the 
 interior  or  the  exterior  of  his  body,  wants  fomething  more 
 than  argument  to  "  turn  him  from  idolatry,  to  ferve  the 
 '  living  and  true  God." 
 
 Farther,  public  ordinances  will  be  followed  with  little 
 profit,  unlefs  you  ferioujly  attend  to  minifterial  injlrucliw, 
 and  devoutly  engage  in  divine  worfiip. 
 
 How  unfeemly,  during  the  feafons  of  prayer  or  praile, 
 k>  behold  people  flaring  about  them  with  vacant  counte- 
 nances,   which  betray   the   indevotion    of    their  hearts ! 
 
 Brethren, 
 
[     54     ] 
 
 Brethren,  1  intreat  that  this  may  not  be  the  cafe  with  you  5 
 nor  fhould  you  merely  attend  to  the  devotional  parts  of 
 public  fervice,  but  unite  in  them.  This  is  not  the  time  for 
 the  exercife  of  a  critical  tafte  ;  nor  is  the  intercourfe  of  a 
 rebel  with  his  God,  to  be  judged  by  the  rules  of  ancient  or 
 modern  oratory.  Forget  not,  my  brethren,  that  fuch  only 
 worfliip  God  acceptably,  who  «  worfhip  him  in  fpirit  and 
 il  in  truth." 
 
 And,  how  unfeemly  for  people  to  be  gazing  upon  the 
 congregation,  whifpering,  fmiling,  or  fleeping,  when  the 
 meflages  of  falvation  are  delivered  !  Is  it  thus  that  crimi- 
 nals receive  the  news  of  pardon  ?  Is  it  thus  that  fubjefts 
 receive  the  mandates  of  their  prince  ?  Is  it  thus  that 
 chriftians  hear  the  gofpel  of  the  Savior  ?  Never,  I  fin- 
 cerely  truft,  will  your  paftor  witnefs  fuch  indecencies  in  you. 
 
 4.     You  cannot  improve  the  gift  of  a  paftor,  unlefs 
 you  cordially  embrace  the  truth  he  delivers,  and  yield  to  the 
 ■  jufl  reproofs  he  may  adminifter^  and  the  fcriptural  precepts 
 he  may  enforce. 
 
 Satisfied,  as  you  have  this  day  publicly  profefled  to  be 
 with  his  miniftry,  it  is  a  warrantable  preemption  that  you 
 confider  what  he  delivers  as  evangelic  truth :  but  minif- 
 terial  wifdom  and  fidelity,  require  much  variety  in  the  mode 
 of  reprefenting  and  enforcing  it.  In  a  congregation  of  any 
 fize,  the  circumftances  of  the  hearers  will  greatly  vary. 
 One  may  be  living  in  habits  of  iniquity,  whilft  he  is  care- 
 lefsly  haftening  to  everlafting  burnings — another  may  be 
 diftreffed  under  recent  awakenings — a  third  may  want  in- 
 duction about  coming  to  Chrift — a  fourth  may  be  ftrug- 
 gling  with  temptation— a  fifth,  burdened  with  heavy  af- 
 fliction—a fixth  may  be  rejoicing  in  the  God  of  his  falva- 
 tion—a  feventh  may  have  defiled  his  garments,  and  by  fome 
 
 awfu! 
 
[    55    ] 
 
 awful  crime,  have  brought  a  reproach  on  the  religion  he 
 profeffed.  Now,  amidft  this  variety,  is  it  poflible  for  a  mi- 
 nifter, who  is  u  to  give  to  every  man  his  portion  of  meat 
 "  in  due  feafon,"  to  be  always  infilling  upon  one  topic,  or 
 aiming  at  one  character  only  ?  And  would  it  not  be  highly 
 unreafonable  for  an  individual  to  complain,  and  fay,  *  My 
 1  minifter  has  neglected  me  to-day  !'  Give  your  minifter 
 credit  for  this*  that,  as  he  has  had  the  moft  experience,  fo 
 he  muft  be  the  bed  judge  of  what  is  feafonable  ;  and  ra- 
 ther water  his  miniftry  with  your  prayers,  than  blacken  it 
 by  «;our  complaints. 
 
 Should  you,  my  brethren,  when  your  minifter  is  dif- 
 fering the  human  character,  difcover  fome  darling  fin  in 
 your  bofom,  hitherto  concealed  from  your  notice,  be  not 
 offended  at  the  preacher — he  did  not  put  it  there.  Of 
 yourfelves  be  afnamed — with  yourfelves  be  offended — of 
 your  own  heart  fay,  "  It  is  defperately  wicked  ;"  but  thank 
 the  honeft  man  who  difcovered  to  you  the  viper,  before  it 
 gave  the  mortal  bite. 
 
 Strange  it  is  that  fuch  advice  fhould  be  neceffary  ;  but 
 inftances  have  occurred,  and  not  a  few^  of  perfons  who 
 have  turned  mod  bitter  adverfaries  to  their  minifter — for 
 what?  only  "  for  telling  them  the  truth  !"  The  love  of 
 delufion  is  an  ancient  feature  in  the  human  character. 
 "  Prophefy  fmooth  things,"  faid  the  people,  "  who  would 
 "  not  hear  the  law  of  the  Lord ;  prophefy  deceits :  the 
 falfe  prophets  obeyed,  and  "  the  blind  led  the  blind,  until 
 1C  both  fell  into  the  ditch." 
 
 There  is  one  reflexion,  bleffed  be  God !  that  affords 
 us  habitual  fatisfa£f.ion.  When  we  difcharge  our  office 
 with  fidelity,  we  "  manifeft  ourfelves  to  the  confcienca  of 
 *c  men,"  although  it  frequently  occafion  the  lofs  of  their 
 
 affeflions 
 
t  56  ] 
 
 affeftions :  But  be  aflured,  my  brethren,  that  whether  mi- 
 nifterial  fidelity  be  pleafant  or  not,  it  will  always  be  found 
 profitable. 
 
 Give  me  the  preacher  who  opens  the  folds  of  my  heart ; 
 who  accufes  me,  convicts  me,  and  condemns  me  before 
 God ;  who  loves  my  foul  too  well  to  fuffer  me  to  go  on 
 in  fin,  unreproved,  through  fear  of  giving  me  offence  ;  who 
 draws  the  line  with  accuracy,  between  the  delufions  of 
 fancy,  and  the  impreffions  cf  grace  ;  who  purfues  me  from 
 one  hiding  place  to  another,  until  I  am  driven  from  every 
 refuge  of  lies;  Who  gives  me  no  reft  until  he  fees  me, 
 with  unfeigned  penitence,  trembling  at  the  feet  of  Jefus  ; 
 and  then,  and  not  till  then,  fooths  my  anguifh,  wipes  away 
 my  tears,  and  comforts  me  with  the  cordials  of  grace. 
 
 Give  me  the  preacher  tc  who  constantly  affirms  that 
 w  they  who  have  believed,  be  careful  to  maintain  good 
 "  works ;"  who  infifis,  that  a  life  of  peace  and  communion 
 with  God,  is  utterly  abhorrent  to  the  practice  of  iniquity  J 
 and  faithfully  reminds  me,  that  "  if  I  fin,  that  grace  may 
 "  abound,  my  damnation  is  juft." 
 
 Give  me  the  preacher  who  pants  not  for  my  fafety 
 only,  but  alfo  for  my  increafe  in  grace ;  who  cautions  me, 
 "  reproves  me,  rebukes  me,  exhorts  me  with  all  long-fuf- 
 <c  fering  and  doctrine;"  who  charges  me  u  to  give  all  di- 
 w  ligence  to  add  to  my  faith,  virtue  ;  and  to  virtue, 
 K  knowlege;(  and  to  knowlege,  temperance;  and  to  tem- 
 <{  perance,  patience ;  and  to  patience,  godlinefs  ;  and  to 
 "  godlinefs,  brotherly  kindnefs ;  and  to  brotherly  kindnefs, 
 "  charity."  Brethren,  if  Ohrift  have  given  you  fuch  a 
 man  as  this,  receive  him  as  an  angel  from  heaven  ;  and 
 prize  fuch  a  paftor  as  one  of  the  moft  valuable  gifts  that 
 can  be  imparted  to  the  church. 
 
 What 
 
t    57    ] 
 
 What  are  we  better  than  meteors,  my  brethren,  if  we 
 only  catch  the  eye  of  tranfient  admiration  ?  May  you  find 
 in  your  paftor  a  more  permanent  and  influential  luminary  ! 
 As  the  rays  of  the  fun  penetrate  the  frozen  earth,  locfen 
 the  clods,  and  call  forth  the  verdure,  the  beauty,  and  the 
 fruitfulnefs  of  the  plant — fo,  beneath  the  divine  blefftngi 
 may  the  faithful  difcourfes  of  our  brother  fink  into  your 
 hearts,  detach  them  from  the  embraces  of  the  world,  and 
 caufe  you  to  be  fruitful  in  every  good  and  work. 
 
 He  who  fends  his  hearer  away  with  mere  admiration 
 of  the  fpeaker,  doth  nothing ;  he  that  fends  him  away 
 with  admiration  of  himfelf,  doth  worfe  than  nothing  j  but 
 he  that  fends  him  away  penetrated  with  conviction,  felf- 
 accufed,  felf-abhorred,  crying  for  mercy  to  pardon  his  guilt, 
 and  grace  to  fan&ify  his  polluted  heart; — that  preacher,  or 
 rather  God  by  him,  hath  done  much — "  he  hath  turned  a 
 '*  finner  from  the  error  of  his  way" — he  "  fhall  be  had  iri 
 <c  everlafting  remembrance," 
 
 To  what  end  do  I  make  thefe  remarks  ?  For  this  end, 
 my  brethren,  that  the  more  faithful  your  paftor  is,  the 
 more  you  may  honor  him  as  a  man  of  principle,  and  prize 
 him,  as  one  of  all  men  the  moft  likely  to  do  you  good. 
 
 You  will  find  it  neceffary,  not  only  to  guard  your/elves 
 againft  entertaining  any  unbecoming  fentiments  of  your 
 minifter ;  but  alfo  to  difcountenance  every  appearance  of  it 
 in  others :  for  one  complaining,  difTatisfied  member  in  a 
 religious  fociety;  if  encouraged  by  the  reft,  will  be  like 
 the  poifon  iri  the  blood,  or  the  leaven  in  the  meal,  which 
 fecretly  but  effectually  infinuates  itfelf,  until  the  whole  mafs 
 be  contaminated.  "  Mark  them,"  fays  the  apoftle,  "  who 
 u  caufc  divifions  among  you,  and  avoid  them ;  for  they 
 
 H  "  gratify 
 
[     J8     ] 
 
 a  gratify  their  own  paffions,  but  fervc  not  our  Lord  jel'u;, 
 "  Chrift."  Such  perfons  will  afTume  the  fpirit  of  zeai, 
 and  pretend  a  concern  for  truth,  but  "  by  their  fruits  ye 
 "  fhall  know  them ;"  and  when  they  are  discovered,  unlefs 
 they  give  the  fincereft  proofs  of  penitence,  let  them  be 
 put  from  the  church,  as  the  leper  from  the  camp,  left  they 
 defile  all  who  come  near  them. 
 
 ReflecT:,  my  brethren,  of  how  much  importance  it  h 
 for  each  one  of  you  to  "  ftudy  the  things  that  make  for 
 "  peace*  and  things  whereby  ye  may  edify  one  another.'' 
 What  is  an  unworthy  member  of  a  chriftian  focicty  r 
 What,  but  a  blotch  upon  the  face  of  beauty — a  bramble 
 in  a  garden  of  lilies  !  O  that  each  of  you  may  be  preferved 
 from  disfiguring  or  difgracing  the  church  of  God  ! 
 
 You  muft  not  only  be  concerned  to  avoid  difhonoring 
 the  church,  but  to  be  growingly  ornamental  to  it.  Moll 
 juftly  doth  the  apoftle  reprefent  one  end  of  minifterial  in- 
 ftruc*tion,  by  the  effe&s  of  the  continual  nourifhmenr,  and 
 the  foftering  care  of  a  tender  nurfe  upon  the  body  of  a 
 healthy  child.  Chrift,  faith  he,  "  hath  given  paftors  and 
 st  teachers,  that  ye  may  grow  up  unto  a  perfect  man — to 
 if  the  meafure  of  the  ftature  of  the  fulnefs  of  Chrift." 
 You  fee,  brethren,  Chr'iji  is  the  ftandard  of  chriftian  matu- 
 rity. Before  we  are  "  born  from  above,"  we  are  all  in  the 
 likenefs  of  the  firft,  the  fallen  Adam  :  In  regeneration  we 
 are  formed  anew,  but  we  are  brought  forth  babes,  and  our 
 character  h  imperfedt:  Every  gradation  from  a  refem- 
 blance  of  the  firft  Adam,  to  the  likenefs  of  the  fecond,  is 
 adding  another  cubit  to  our  fpiritual  ftature  j  but  we  fhall 
 never  be  perfeft  men,  until  we  attain  to  "  the  fulnefs  of 
 "  Chrift,"  and  for  that  we  muft  wait  till  «  we  fee  him  as 
 «  he  is."    In  this  world  there  is  always  room  to  adyance ; 
 
 let 
 
[    59    ] 
 
 let  us  then  be  going  on  to  perfe&ion,  and  fo  receive  ft  the 
 "  fincere  milk  of  the  word,  as  to  grow  thereby."  O  what 
 a  heaven  on  earth  would  that  church  be,  all  whofe  mem- 
 bers were  thus  "  growing  up  unto  the  head,  even  Chrift;" 
 or  to  follow  the  apoftle  in  a  figure  of  greater  boldnefs,  and 
 not  lefe  expreflion,  "  forgetting  the  things  that  are  behind, 
 H  and  reaching  forth  to  thofe  which  are  before,  were 
 "  preffing  towards  the  mark  for  the  prize  of  their  high 
 M  calling  of  God,  in  Chrift  Jefus  !" 
 
 Let  Greece  pour  forth  from  all  her  cities,  to  gaze  on 
 the  Olympian  contefts — with  fuperior  fatisfacYion  would  I 
 fix  my  eyes  on  fuch  a  fcene  as  this ;  and,  pointing  to  the 
 holy  company,  addrefs  each  heedlefs  paflenger  and  fay, 
 "  Behold  I  fo  run  they  not  as  uncertainly — fo  contend  they 
 tC  not  as  thofe  who  beat  the  air — they  ftrive  not  for  a  cor- 
 "  ruptible  crown,  but  an  incorruptible,  a  crown  of  righte- 
 "  oufnefs,  which  the  Lord,  the  righteous  judge,  fhall  give 
 4i  them  in  that  day."  O,  my  brethren,  Jirive  to  be  the 
 moft  zealous,  the  moft  affectionate,  the  moft  holy  people 
 in  all  the  world,  ','  Let  your  profiting  appear  unto  all 
 M  men ;"  then  alfo  fhall  your  teacher,  with  pious  tranfport 
 exclaim,  "  I  have  not  run  in  vain,  nor  labored  in  vain." 
 
 5.  The  laft  thing  I  would  recommend  to  you  in  or- 
 der to  improve  the  gift  of  Chrift,  is  to  render  him  as  ex- 
 tenfive  a  blejjing  as  you  can.  He  is  given  by  Chrift  "  to 
 "  edify,"  that  is,  to  build  the  church  of  God,  to  put  more 
 ftones  into  the  facred  edifice,  that  the  fuperftru&ure  may 
 rife  until  it  become  a  compleat  temple  for  the  Lord. 
 
 The  enlargement  of  the  church  univerfal,  is  the  wifh 
 of  every  chriftian,  and  the  increafe  of  a  particular  chrif- 
 tian  fociety,  ought  to  be  purfued  by  each  member  of  it : 
 But  feck  not,  my  brethren,  to  augment  your  congregation 
 
 h  2  at 
 
[    6o    ] 
 
 at  the  cxpence  of  others.  Few  that  are  feduced  to  a  new 
 communion,  prove  for  any  length  of  time  a  comfort  or  an 
 honor  to  it.  "  Covet  not,"  therefore,  in  this  fenfe,  "  any 
 tC  thing  that  is  your  neighbors;"  and  do  nothing  in  re- 
 lation to  another  evangelic  congregation,,  which  you  would 
 not  approve  in  the  conduct  of  that  congregation  to  you. 
 There  are,  indeed,  fome  cafes  where  the  admiffion  of  mem- 
 bers from  other  communions  is  juft;  but  would  it  not  be 
 proper,  in  fuch  cafes,  to  take  no  fteps  whatever  until  the 
 perfons  who  make  the  application,  be  referred  to  their  for- 
 mer minifter,  that  he  may  have  an  opportunity  of  ferious 
 converfation  with  them  upon  the  fubject,  before  they  defert 
 him  ?  Such  an  open,  generous  conduct,  would,  I  fhould 
 hope,  prevent  thofe  party  feuds  and  jealoufies,  which  have 
 too  often  been  the  difgrace  and  the  torment  of  chriftian  fo- 
 cieties,  whofe  great  aim  mould  have  been  to  "  walk  in  love," 
 and  to  "  ftrive  together  for  the  faith  of  the  gofpel." 
 
 If  we  may  judge  of  future  affedtion  among  the  churches 
 of  Chrifl  in  this  city,  by  the  fingular  circumftances  of  the 
 prefent  day,  we  may  warmly  congratulate  you  on  the  open- 
 ing profpec-L  It  is  not  a  common  cafe  for  a  minifter  to 
 be  ordained  over  one  congregation,  in  the  houfe  belonging 
 to  another  in  the  fame  town.  In  fome  inftances,  indeed, 
 it  has  not  been  neceffary  ;  but  in  others,  too  often  the  one 
 have  been  too  haughty  to  afk,  or  the  other  too  unkind  to 
 grant.  With  joy  I  contemplate  ail  you,  my  brethren,  as  rif- 
 ing  above  the  government  of  thefe  unlovely  tempers  ; 
 and  moft  fincerely  do  I  pray,  that  you  may  ever  confider 
 yourfelves  as  members  but  of  one  family,  though  you  find 
 it  convenient  to  occupy  different  apartments. 
 
 Whence  then  fhall  you  feek  for  additions  ?  From 
 whence  your  Lord  directs  you — from  the  highways  and 
 hedges — from  the  unawakened,  the  carelefs,  the  prophane : 
 
 By 
 
t  b*  ] 
 
 By  the  awakening,  the  enlightening,  the  renewing  of 
 fuch  as  thefe,  feek  to  build  up  that  part  of  the  church  to 
 which  you  particularly  belong.  Look  into  your  families  ; 
 are  there  none  of  this  defcription  there  ?  Reflect  on  the 
 character  of  your  neighbors— are  there  none  among  them? 
 Thefe  are  the  perfons,  whom,  by  every  affectionate  per- 
 fuafion,  you  muff  «  compel  to  come  in,  that  the  Lord's 
 "  houfe  may  be  filled." 
 
 "  Invite  the  ftrangers  all  around 
 
 f*  Your  pious  march  to  join, 
 "  And  fpread  the  fentiments  you  feel 
 
 "  Of  faith  and  love  divine." 
 
 Encourage  your  minifter  in  going  among  the  neigh- 
 boring villages ;  get  houfcs  opened  and  regiftered  for  him 
 to  preach  in ;  ufe  your  influence  in  bringing  perfons  to 
 hear  ;  countenance  him  by  your  attendance,  when  he 
 makes  thefe  evangelical  excurfions ;  and  when,  either  at 
 home  or  abroad,  you  perceive  perfons  affected  under  the 
 word,  fpeak  to  them,  introduce  them  to  the  minifter,  en- 
 courage their  attendance,  comfort  them  under  the  perfecu- 
 tions  to  which  they  may  be  expofed  for  the  fake  of  religion; 
 and  finally,  fhould  they  decidedly  appear  renewed  perfons, 
 and  be  defirous  of  partaking  with  you  of  the  privileges 
 of  church-fellowfhip,  let  no  unneceflary,  no  unfcriptural 
 delay,  prevent  their  admiffion  to  the  table  of  the  Lord. 
 Thus  will  you  hold  up  the  hands  of  your  paftor,  become 
 bleflings  both  to  the  church  and  to  the  world,  and  prove 
 that  you  have  not  received  the  gift  of  Chrift  in  vain. 
 
 Finally,  «  If  there  be  any  confolation  in  Chrift ;  if  any 
 "  fellowfhip  of  the  fpirit ;  if  any  comfort  of  love  ;  if  any 
 <c  bowels  and  mercies,  fulfil  ye  your  paftor's  joy  :"  that 
 beholding  your  rapid  improvement  in  every  amiable  temper, 
 
 and 
 
[     61     ] 
 
 and  chriflian  grace  j  feeing  your  "  love  and  your  zeal 
 u  abounding  yet  more  and  more,  in  knowlege  and  in  all 
 " judgment,"  and  yourfelves  "filled  with  the  fruits  of 
 "  righteoufnefs,  which  are  by  Jefus  Chrift  unto  the  glory 
 "  and  praife  of  God/'  he  may  have  increafing  reafon  to 
 join  the  happy  and  affectionate  apoftle  in  faying,  "  What 
 w  is  my  hope  ?  What  is  my  joy  ?  What  is  my  crown  of 
 "  rejoicing?  Are  not  even  ye  in  the  prefence  of  the  Lord 
 V  Jefus  Chrift  at  his  coming  ?" 
 
 Note 
 
t    63    3 
 
 Note  to  p.  61. 
 
 1  T  is  matter  of  juft  lamentation,  that  fo  many  preferring 
 chriftians  feem  to  think,  that  contribution  towards  the  fupport  of  a 
 mini  iter,  exempts  them  from  all  obligation  to  perioral  activity  in  pro* 
 motinc-  the  interefts  of  religion  in  the  world.  To  the  fcrious  confi- 
 deration  of  fuch  profeflbrs,  the  following  expoftulation  of  the  pious 
 Mr.  R.  Baxter,  is  affectionately  iubmitted. 
 
 "  O,  if  you  have  the  hearts  of  chriftians  or  of  men  in  you,  let 
 them  yearn  towards  your  poor,  ignorant,  ungodly  neighbors.  Alas  ! 
 there  is  but  a  ftep  betwixt  them  and  death  and  hell ;  and  if  they  die 
 unregenerate,  they  are  loft  for  ever.  Have  you  hearts  of.  rock,  that 
 cannot  pity  men  in  fuch  a  cafe  as  this  ?  If  you  believe  not  the  word 
 of  God,  and  the  danger  of  finners,  why  are  you  chriftians  yourfelves  ? 
 If  you  do  believe  it,  why  do  you  not  beftir  you  to  the  helping  of  others  ? 
 Do  you  not  care  who  is  damned,  fo  you  be  faved  ?  If  fo,  you  have 
 as  much  caufe  to  pity  yourfelves  }  for  it  is  a  frame  of  fpirit  utterly  in- 
 coniiftent  with  grace.  But  hath  God  had  much  mercy  on  you,  and 
 will  you  have  no  mercy  on  your  poor  neighbors  ?  You  need  not  go 
 far  to  find  objects  for  your  pity  1  Look  but  into  your  ftreets,  or  into 
 the  next  houfe  to  you,  and  you  will  probably  find  fome.  Have  you 
 never  an  ignorant,  an  unregenerate  neighbor,  that  ftts  his  heart  below, 
 and  neglecteth  eternity?  O  what  bleifed  place  do  you  live  in  where 
 there  is  none  fuch  !  If  there  be  not  fome  of  them  in  thine  own  family, 
 it  is  well }  and  yet  art  thou  filent  ?  Deft  thou  live  clofe  by  them,  or 
 labor  with  them,  or  travel  with  them,  or  fit  ftill  and  talk  with  them, 
 and  fay  nothing  to  them  of  their  fouls,  or  the  life  to  come  ?  If  their 
 houfes  were  on  fire,  thou  wouldeft  run  and  help  them,  and  wilt  thou 
 not  help  them  when  their  fouls  are  almoft  at  the  fire  of  hell  ?  If  thou 
 kneweft  but  a  remedy  for  their  bodily  difeafes  thou  would'ft  tell  it 
 them,  or  elfe  thou  would'ft  judge  thyfelf  guilty  of  their  death ; — what 
 mall  we  fay  then  of  them  who  know  of  the  remedy  for  curing  fouls, 
 and  do  not  reveal  it,  and  perfuade  men  to  make  ufe  of  it !  Is  it  not 
 hypocrify  to  pray  daily  for  their  converfion  and  falvation,  and  never 
 once  endeavor  to  procure  it?  Alas !  that  your  prayers  and  your  prac- 
 tice fliould  fo  much  difagree  !  How  forward  are  hypocrites  in  their  fa- 
 crifice,  and  how  backward  to  fliew  mercy  !  how  forward  to  cenfure 
 mjnifters  for  neglecting  their  duties ;   yea,  to  expect  more  from  one 
 
 mirifter 
 
[    H   1 
 
 minifter  than  ten  can  perform,  and  yet  they  make  no  confcience  o! 
 negletting  their  own  j  as  if  other  men  were  to  work,  and  they  only 
 to  fit  by  and  judge  ! 
 
 ,  Look  chriftians,  with  an  eye  of  companion,  on  the  ignorant,  un- 
 godly finners  about  you :  Be  not  like  the  prieft  and  levite,  that  faw 
 the  man  wounded,  and  paffed  by.  God  did  not  fo  pafs  by  you  when 
 it  was  your  own  cafe.  Are  not  the  fouls  of  your  neighbors  fallen 
 into  the  hands  of  Satan  ?  Doth  not  their  mifery  cry  out  to  you  Help  ? 
 Help '.  As  you  have  any  companion  towards  men  in  the  greatelt  mifery, 
 Help  !  As  you  have  the  hearts  of  men,  and  not  of  tigers  in  you, 
 Help!" 
 
 Saint's  Rest,  Part  III.  Chap.  xiv.  §  i 
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 P.  a i,  line  24,  for  by  times,  read  betimes. 
 P.  29,  line  3,  for  occured,  read  occurreiX, 
 In  p.  52  dele  the  ()  from  part  3. 
 
 FINIS.