Pau/V So

Ivw '&

Mv

THE
METHODS To be taken by
M I NI ST ER S
1 'FOR THl
Revival of Religion
Confider'd, in a
DISCOURSE

O M

Rev. III. 2.

By DAVID SOME.

LONDON:
Printed for Rjghard Hett, at the Bible and
Crowii infix Poultry, near Cheapfide,
MDCCXXX*
{Prise 6 d.)

tf H E

PREFACE.

1— * HE declining ftate of religion, engaged
the United Minifters of feveral congce-
- gations of Proteftant Diffenters in pub-
lick, addreffes to God, to direct and fucceed their
endeavours for the revival of it± Thefubftance
of the following Difcourfe •was delivered at one of
thofe jolemn feafons.
I am fufftciently aware, that the hints lhavt
given in favour of Liberty, will Hot be accept*
able to them who complain of it as the fource qf
the evils which now threaten us, and defire ta
have it reftrained rather than enlarged j and
they who confider Chriftianity as a refined.
Syftem of Morality, and not as an inftitution
defigned to recover fallen man, and bring him.
to God, will difliht many things in thefe pa
pers. It will not furprize me, if perfons in
thefe different ways^ of thinking fhould agree in
cenfuring of them.
There was lately published, An Enquiry into
the caufes of the decay of the Diffenting Inte
reft : The principles of that Author are generous,
and fome of his remarks ufeful : But, all things
A 2 confi-

The PREFACE.
confidered, fome further attempts feem neceffary
for the fupport of chat caufe. Whether the me
thods I have propofed are proper, and will be of
fervice for that purpofe, is with great deference
fubmitted" t^ thf judgment of every' impartial
Reader. ; , , ' ';
I am fully perfuaded that in our prefent cir
cumftances, a Jeparation from the National Efta-
bliihment k vf high importance to Chriftianity,
and would by no means encourage any thing in
Proteftattt 'Diffenters which fhould be corrected
and reformed, or which may difguft perfinis of A
better tafte\\ who are 'well affected to religion,
and occafion their leaving of them: But we can
not reafonably expect much fuceefs, in an under
taking where great numbers are concerned, if the
tempe* and fent immts of many among them been*
ttrelynegkcied.

Ub

V.

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Rev. III. 2.
Be watchful, and ftrengthen the things which re*
main, that are ready to die.
WHOEVER will impartially confider the
nature of Chriftianity, muft certainly al
low, that it is admirably calculated for
the reformation of the world. It might
well be expe&ed, that this divine inftitution fhould
have a powerful influence on the hearts and lives of
thofe 'who embrace it ; that it fliould triumph over
the irregularities 'of- the mind, and difpofe men toa
chearful difcharge' of their duty to God, and to each
other. Thefe happy effe<5ts were moft remarkably pro
duced by the Religion of Jefus, when it made its firft -
appearance in the world. The primitive Chriftians
were excellent perfons : There was a dignity and glo
ry in their condudt, a becoming tbe children of God, in
the midji of a crooked- and perverfe generation, among
whom they did fhine as lights in the world, holding forth
the word of life. And the confequence was, that
when k others faw their good works, they glorified their
Father in heaven, and falling down before the luftre
of their bright examples, c were compelled to acknow
ledge, that God was in them of a truth. Nay, it en
gaged them to receive Chriftianity as well as to ap
plaud it, and was one confiderable occafion of its fiir-
prizing propagation in the world.
But things did not long continue in this agree
able pofture ; A the gold became dim, and the fine gold
(hanged. The difciples of the Son of God began ear-
• Phil. ii. i j, 1 6. J Mat. r. $6. *c i Cor. sir. 2j.

, ly to neglect, the precepts he had given theril ; they
were foon carried away with the iniquity of the times,
and yielded a guilty and fhameful compliance* to the
vain cuftoms, and finful manners of the world about
therrh This was the cafe of the Chriftians at Sardis, e ethey
had a name 'to live, but were dead. They maintained
the form of gpdlinefs, but were extreamly deficient
{ In -the -power ¦'¦of' it. It' does hot appear from what is
here mentioned, that the feith which they profefs'd
was corrupted with errors, that their worfliip was
full'ied with fuperftition, or their peace difturbed with
Contentions and divifions. There are no complaints
againft them upon thefe accounts, they had the repu
tation of an honourable and flourifhing church, and
all things went well among them, fo far as human ob-
fervation could reach. But the Redeemer, % whofe
eyes are as a flame of fire, h who fearcheth the reins and
hearts, » he knew their works, and had not found them
perfecl before God; He looked upon them but as a
fair corpfe, when the animating foul is departed from
it. The greateft part of them had k defiled their gar
ments, their temper and their behaviour were not fo
holy and regular as they had formerly been. Vital
•and practical religion was at a very low ebb, and that
which was left in their church was juft expiring. This
gave occafion to the important exhortation in the
text, be watchful, and ftrengthen the things which re
main, that are ready to die.
The Epiftle of which thefe words are a part, Was
directed to the ] Angel (or pallor) ,of. the church atSar-
di.s. He had the over-fight of the flock, and was in
a particular manner concern'd in what was written to
them. It was incumbent upon him to attend to it-him-
felf, to propofe it to thofe under his care, and it was
their duty to regard the inftru&ions contained in it.

« Rev. iii. t. f aTiin. iii. s- * Rer. i. 14.
¦ ii. 23. ; iii. 1, 2. * hi. 4. J iii. i.

In

(?)
In this view I fhall difcourfe upon this fubjeft, and
confider this addrefs to one particular minifter, as
that which by a parity of reafon, is applicable to others
in the like office, and the like Circumftances. It is a
charge given, by the fupreme Head of the church, to
all minifters,which indifpenfably obligeth them, to do
their utmoft for the revival of religion, when it is fink
ing and dying among their people.
It is, alas, too evident, that this is our prefent cafe.
Our religious interefts have an uncomfortable, afpeft :
When we attentively furvey them, we fhall fee much
to lament, and more to fear.
, C^reat breaches have been made in, feveral congre
gations, and™ the gates of the grave have of hie prevail"
id much againft us. Many who were n pillars in the
temple of the Lord, the, ornaments and the fuppdrts of
their refpective focieties, are laid in the dull, and few
of thofe who furvive inherit their piety, or their zeal.
The attendance of fome on publick worfhip is fo in-
conftant, and fo trifling, that we have great reafon
to fear, that family prayer, the private methods of
religious jnftru&ion, and the, exercifes of fecret devo
tion,- are either wholly omitted, or performed in a
very cold and formal manner. The facred obligati
ons of fobriety and temperance, juftice and charity,
are openly violated by others ; and thofe who are free
from fuch fcandalous practices, difcover little of a
heavenly temper or of a generous concern for the
publick good: They are eagerly purfuing the bufinefs
or the pleafures of this animal life, and ° feek only their
own things, not the. things which are Jefus Chrift's. And
what is ftill more lamentable, we are funk into fuch a
confummate ftupidity, as to be infenfible of our un
happy circumftances. p Grey hairs are upon us, the
tokens of decay, and the fore-runners of death, and
we know it not , the life and power of godlinefs de-
» Mat. xvi. 1 8. J Rev. iii. 12. £ Phil ii. z 1 .
I HoCyii. 9, clinc.s

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dines apacei and there are fcarce any to be found who
ferioufly lay it to heart.
But I would hope, and I do. believe, that you my
reverend Brethren are deeply imprefled with the pre
fent pofture of our fpiritual affairs, and are deliberate
ly confidering which way you may retrieve them.
Methinks I hear you inquiring, with a zeal and ten-
dernefs becoming thofe who are*! feeking the welfare of
Ifraek r By whoni Jhall, Jacob arife, for he is fmall?
This emboldens me to ufe the greateft freedom and
plainnefs, in offering you my thoughts on this impor
tant fubjefl. May God diredl: to the moft proper
methods,' affift us in our attempts, and may his good
Spirit add efficacy to all.
In this confidence, and with this dependence^ I
would humbly propofe the following advices :
I. We fhould have a conftant regard to the frame
find temper of our own fpirits.
Providence hath made it our ftated bufinefs to take
Care of the concernments of religion ; and though it
may feem much for our advantage, to be conftantly
employed in fuch excellent workj yet if we are not
upon our guard, our privilege will become a fnare.
We may poflibly degenerate fo far, as to regaird the
facred offices of our minifterial profeffion, juft as others
dp the affairs of a fecular calling ; and may conclude
that we have acquitted ourfelves well, when we have
decently pafled through the ufual forms of divine fer
vice. :. A; • .
But if the temper of our minds be neglected, it
will be attended with the moft fatal confequences. Art
flowed formality is inconfiftent with fincerity; and
if this prevail in us we fhall have reafon to fear, i that
after we have preached to others, we ourfelves fhall bt rcaft
away. This will be the miferable lot of thofe who
have trifled with the awful folemnities of divine wor-
5 Neh. ii. io. ; Amos vii. 2. [ 1 Cor; ix 27. fhip j

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fhip; * they only compafstheinfelves about with fparh of
their own kindling, and Jhall at laft lie down in forrow.
And if we be ' fincere Chriftians, fuperficial fervices
will rob us of that noble pleafure which would attend
a more lively difcharge of our duty, and give* us a
freat deal of perplexity and uneafinefs in the review j
> that if we are concerned either for our own fafety,
or comfort, it fliould be our care, that the vigour of
religion be kept up in our hearts.
I would further recommend this, as what is of the
utmoft importance to our publick ufefulhefs. It is
probable that our people will imbibe the temper and
fpirit which appears in us. This is fo obvious a re
mark, that it is become a proverb ; v like people, like
prieft. If we are ftupid and unaffected,- it will abate
the energy of our addrefles, and at once be the caufe
and the excufe, of the like languor and infenfibility
in them. But if our heart be filled with vital reli
gion, it will have- a happy influence on all our mini-
ftrations. Our prayers and our fermons will be tinc
tured with it. w Out of the abundance of the heart the
mouth fpeaketh. When grace is in exercife within, x it
will be poured into our lips, 'and y many gracious words
will proceed from us. If the * Holy Ghoft dwelleth in-
us, and affifts us, we fliall lead and guide fpiritual
worfhippers, in prefenting' .feafonable and proper pe-
titions to, Go 0, and the divine warmth and fervency
of our own fouls, will be a means to kindle the like
holy fire in theirs : And when we are a declaring the
counfel of God b, our dotlrine will drop as the rain, our
Jpeech 'will diftil as the dew, ' as the fmall rain on the ten
der herb, and as the fhowers upon the grafs : The con-
folations d^figned for thofe c who have fled for 'refuge
to lay hold upon the hope fet before them, will gently in-
finuate themfelves into their minds, d and fill them
* Ifa. I. it. "Hof.iv. 9. * Mat, xii. 34. * Pfal. xiv. 2.
'' Luke iv. 22. a Rom. viii. 9, a A6ts xx. .27.
* Deut. xxxii. 2. «Heb. vi. 18. jRom. xv. 13.
B with

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with joy and peace in believing. And if we partake
of that e Spirit which God gave without meafure to his
Son, whom he fent to fpeak his words, we fliall then
i teach with authority ; our inftru dtions will be deli
vered with an elevation fuitable to our chara&er, and
our people will not only hear, but they will alfo feel
the weight of our admonitions.
There is fomething in the performances of fome
minifters, which ftrangely impreffes their pious hear
ers. Though their difcourfes be deftitute of the or
naments of language, yet they E who are horn of God
find a fweetnefs in thiem, which is incomparably be
yond that which arifeth from elegant phrafes, and
hatpioiuous periods. That which appears low and
flat to the tafte, of many, affords the experienced
Chriftian fuch an inward and fublime pleafure, as is
not to be found in the higheft ftrains of the moft pon>
pous eloquence. Happy h the men of God, who have
this divine un&ion which fo powerfully attra&s de
vout fouls, whofe relifli is formed by converfing with
heaven. They are like Aaron the high-prieft, when
he was cpnfecrated to his office ; the holy oil which
was 'lpouredon his.head, in fo abundant a quantity, that
it flowed down to the Jkirts of his garments, was grateful
to all who were,about him : So when thefe anointed
ones come forth to minifter, a fweet perfume, and a
divine fragrancy diffufeth itfelf through the whole af
fembly, andis delightfully perceived, by all thofe who-
k have, their fenfes fpiritually exercifed.
The advanced piety of our fathers in the miniftry,
did, eminently conduce to their remarkable fucGefs.
The Memoirs which we have of the lives of feveral
of them, manifeft their great attainments in vital and'
inward religion ; and I fear we fhall never recover the
dying interefts of Chriftianity,, 'till that be found in
us, which render'd them fo fignally ufeful in their ge
neration. e John iii. 34. f Mat. vii. 29., & Johni. 13,.
* z Tim. iii. 17. \ Pf, axxiii. 2. * Heb. v. 14.
Ihave

(II)
I have heard it obferved by fome, who are in away
of thinking different from us, that our publick ad-
miniftrations are managed with greater propriety and
ejtadtnefs, than they were in the days of our prede
ceffors. And without fufpicion of flattery* I can.
congratulate the rifing generation of minifters among
us, with the great improvements they have made, in
the method and ftyle of their performances. But if
the form and order of them js better, I am afraid
the temper of our minds is worfe ; and fince the mi
nifters of the laft age did fo much good with their
unpolifhed addreffes, and we fo little with our neater
eompofures, one would think this might fully con
vince us, that ' a favour of the things that be of God
|s of much greater importance to a minifter of the
Gofpel, than that pohtencfs which is now fo much
admired and'affedted. It is happy, indeed, when both
thefe meet in thefame perfon, but inftances of this
are vety rare. Every : pious preacher cannot deliver
himfelf with elegance and exactnefs j and accurate
method and beautiful language, are not always ani
mated and fupported by real devotion. We fhould
therefore divide our work, and prepare our hearts as
well as lips for the fervices of the fanctuary, and en*
deavour after ferioufhefs of fpirit, which will more
effectually recommend , our labours to enlighten'd
minds, than m excellency of fpeech, or the enticing words
of man's wifdom.
II. We fhould not only *lake heed unto ourfelves j but
alfo t» our doftrine-, that our preaching may have the
moft direct tendency to do good.
Upbn this head I cannot but advife, that fublime
fpeculations and abftrufe controverfies, fhould not or
dinarily be introduced into our fermons. Thefe ° mi
nifter qyteft'mns -rather than godly edifying. Chriftianity?
1 Mat xvi z\. m i Cor. 2.4, * i Tiro., iv. 16.
: lb. i. 4.
B 2 is

(:i«.)
is a do&rine, according to godlinefs, and not a ftrife about
words. It is an eafy matter to engage our warmer
hearers in difputes on fubjects, which neither they, nor
we can fully underftand 5 and the moft unfit for fuch
work, are generally the moft forward to enter into it.
I allow, it is the ready way to procure the regards of
thofe, who lay a mighty ftrefs upon their own opini
ons, but their efteem will be purchafed at too dear a
rate, fince inftead of promoting true religion, it will
moft certainly deftroy it. P1 Where this zeal and con
tention is, there is confufion, and every evil work. Some
may poffibly admire it for its fhining luftre, but too
fatal experience proves it to be a raging flame and a
devouring fire, and wherever it breaks out, there is
reafon to fear, that practical godlinefs will foon be
confumed. The thoughts and the difcourfes of
Chriftians, will be fo entirely fwallowed up by the
matters in debate, that things of the greateft moment
will be difregarded by them ; and their tempers will
be fo embitter'd againft each other, that charity it
felf, the 1 greateft of all graces, will perhaps be counted
a crime. We live in an age, in which all advantages will be
taken againft Chriftianity : And our pulpit fkirmifhes
have made fport for unbelievers, and furnifhed them
with matter for banter and ridicule. By thefe we have
given, them occafion to fay, r the prophet is a fool, the
fpiritual man is mad. f Tell it not in Gath, publifh it
not in the ftreets of Ajkelon, why Jhould the uncircum-
tifed, the infidels triumph ? -Happy would it be for us,
if thofe inftances of our weaknefs and folly were bu
ried in everlafting oblivion, that they might no more
be mentioned to our difgrace, nor improved to the
prejudice of that excellent religion which we profefs.
Let us walk in r a plain path becaufe of our enemies, and
act the wifer part for the time to come, and employ
P £«>©* Jaw, iii, 16. «i Cor. yiii. 13. [ Hof. ix. 7,
f z Sam. i. 20. \ Pf. xxvii. 11.
1 2 our

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our faired hours, in confictering thofe important fub-
jects, which cannot be omitted, withbut the greateft
injury to the fouls of our people.
Our firft attempts fhpuld be to imprefs their minds,
with a deep and an abiding fenfe of the, pollution
and mifery of that efta.te into which they are fallen
by fin. Here true converfion begins *, u the whole-
need not the phyfician, but thofe who are fick, and Chrift
did not come to call the righteous, but Jihners to repent
tance. Men will never be concerned about the reno
vation of their natures, 'till they fee the depravity of
them ; neither will they * fi.ee from the wrath which is
to come, unlefs they apprehend they are' b become guilty
before God, and fo expofed to it. :
This, by the bleffing of God, will engage them to
c cry out, What fhall we do to be faved ?.. and difpofe
them to receive the d good tidings of great joy, which
the Gofpel brings. Convinced finners will rejoice to
hear of a Saviour, and therefore we fhould e preach
to them Jefus, and make f manifeft the favour of the:
knowledge of him, s whom to know is life eternal. This
will lead us to cpnfider the. dignity of his perfon as'
the Son of God, and thofe feveral offices which he.
fuftains, as the prophet, the prieft, and 'the king of
his church. Here we fhall. have occafion to treat of
his myfterious incarnation, his holy life, his divine I
do<5trine,( his wonderful miracles, his painful and acr
curfed death; his refurredtion and afcenfion into hea
ven, his exaltation to the right-hand of Goo, and
his glorious appearance to the univerfal judgment.
Thefe arguments fhpuld be frequently and largely
infifted upon, becaufe they are the diftinguifhing ar»
ticks of the Chriftian revelation, and if they are not
of high impprtance, that "revelation was given us in
vain. a Mat. ix. 12, 1 3. a iii- 7- b Rom- iii. 19. c AQ.s xvi. 30.
d Luke ii. 10. * Aftjxvii, 18. * 2 Qor. ii. 14.
* John xvii. 3. Having

Ch)
/Having propofed to loft finners that h redemption
t&Uch the bleffed Jefus hath obtained, we fhould .then
acquaint them with the method in which it is applied
fcy die Holy Ghoft.r . This will bring us to open the
nature of faith^ repentance, and effedtual calling,
and to fhew in what manner they are wrought. An
account of thefe may be ufeful to all forts of hearers,
cheunregenerate firlher may -thereby be convinced
that he is deftitute of them, and this may pttt him
upon fervent prayer, and conftant endeavours after
an acquaintance! "with them: And fincere Chriftians
will -be .wonderfully -confirmed- and comforted j by dif
courfes on thefe myftefies ofthe v kingdom of God with*
%n us, becaufe they will be only a tranfcript of that
eriginal draught} of them, which is more fairly in-
fcribed-upon their hearts,, by the facred Spirit himfelf.
Ic is an excellent attainment in a minifter, to be able
to handle thefe fobjefts clearly and diftinctly ; and
nothing will conduce more to this, than a ftriet ob-
fervation of the various turns and movements of the
foul, and an exjterienee of them in ourfelves •, for as
H in water face' anfwer eth to face, fo the heart of man
to man.
The 'privileges of true believers do likewife deferve
our very attentive regards. Thefe are many and va
luable too; they are ' bleffed with all fpiritual Meflings
in Chrift, and it is fit they fliould know what they
are, that they' may rejoice in them. The apoftie1
Faui hath left u& feveral excellent difcourfes on thefe
heads, which fhpuld greatly recommend them to all
Chriftian minifters, who defire to form themfelves on
fo compleat a model,
¦_ Neither fhould we neglect the various exercifesand
trials, which the fervants of G»d are expofed to in
this life. Thefe proceed from different caufes, and
will require a diftindt and particular confideration, if

b Heb.i?. r2. » Lafcexvji. ai: * Prov. xxvii. to.
»Eph.i.3-

we

we would affift then*, in their way tps hfeavmi It is 4
neceflary and ufeful . p^-fr of our work, ¦ to comfort
them' ww are in trouble, and to fay b unto them wh»
are ef a fearful heart, he ftrong. We fhp&ld always
be ready, • to fpmk a word in feafon to him that in
weary ; thefe ft amitain peculiar need of pur afliftance,.
and we fhall be very defective in our duty, if wft
do not give it them, iri the moft kind and tendec
manner. -, ,.., - --. «¦ <'-;/ - ¦ ¦•
I add,; that wcmufkcdnftantky andeatn^ly A affirm*
that they which have hlieved in Gfid\'~- might be canefab
to maintain good works. The great duties of thcChriftw
aftil life muft be particularly drawn out; ,'andi prefs'd,
that ¦• the dotT/riw of God our Saviour may in all' thing*
ke adorned, by a becoming e©rovOTfati©r«! And if wei
would acquit ourfelves as * minifters of tbe New STefta^
menti and: manage: our practical difcourfes in a way
fiakable to the Gofpel difpenfation, we muft direct-
men td thofe affiftances which are promnifed, and tan
thofe animating motives which are propofed there, t»
enable and incline them, to purify themfelves frPrn
the pollutions 8 of the fiejt and of the fpirit, and to
¦perfeSi holinefs in: the fear of God. Nothing will-be
done without divine influences,- and there are no ar
guments fo forcible: as thofe which are taken fronts
evangelical: confidierationsv ; and if thefe are omittedy
we flaalK treat on moral fubjedte with4efs propriety and?
fpirit; thkn many heathens have done.
Thefe are fome of 'thofe weighty fubjedts, which:
we fhould handle at large in the courfe of our preach-'
ing; And in the management of t&emi- we ought &U<
ways in the firft place to confult h the -oracles of God.'
There is an admirable fulnefs and fuf&cieftcy in the
Holy Scriptures., * for doctrine, for reproof,- for csr-
retJion, andfkr inftruiiion -in- righteoufnefs ; they wilt
¦ 2 Cor. i. 4. * If. xxxv. 4. c I. 4. * Tit. 'in. 8.
c,ii. 10. f 2 Cor. iii. 6. * ,*vii. 1. ,* Rom. iii; 2.
j 2 *Eijn-. iii. 16. - • - ¦ *
*.... furnifh

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fumifh us. with the moft folid and popular thoughts,
to illuftrate^ confirm, and enforce the arguments we
are upon. If we will be at the pains to collect out
of the infpire'd Volume, the hints which are given on
any topic, we fhall be furprifed to find, how well
they are adapted, to render the • man of God perfect,
throughly furnifhed unto all good works. ' In the forming
of our difcourfes, we fliould 'attend more to b that
which the Holy. Ghoft teacheth, comparing fpiritual things
with jpiritualj-and' then our fermons would be more
Compleat, and much more edifying than they gene
rally are.
, It is certainly of great importance, that we fhould
be well acquainted With the contents, and with the
fenfe, of the facred writings. We fhould frequently .
read them, diligendy ftudy them,, and as we !have
opportunity, we fliould expound them in our families,
and, in our congregations: If this be our conftant
practice, we may then hope, that we fhall be c as
Jcribes inftrutled unto the kingdom of heaven, bringing
forth out of our treafures things new and old.
_Nor would I have the writings of other wife and
gpod men entirely laid afide \ I could rather wifh,
that the ufe of fome of them, which are much' neg-.
lected, might be revived. I particularly refer to the
works of fome of the old Puritans, and of the Divines
of the laft age, ' I own myfelf an admirer of them*
and have often thought it a great mercy, that there :
are fo many of 'them in the hands of the common peo
ple, to fupply what is deficient in our more fafhipna-r-
ble inftructions. I allow that the ftyle of thofe ex
cellent men is fometimes heavy, their .diction low,-
and their method not the moft eafy or juft ; buttheir
dioughts are weighty, their matter fubftaritial, and:
their difcourfes fpiritual- and affedting. I once afked
a very popular preacher, (who filled a confiderable
poll amongft us, with great reputation and ufefolnefs)
f 2Tim.iii. 17. *iCor.ii. 13. f Mat. iiii. 52.
how

UT)
how he attained' to fuch an edifying Way of preach
ing; and he apfweifd mej that before he entered on
the miniftry, he fpertt one whole year in readingthe
Bible in a practical vieW, and in perufing the works of
the Englifh Divdnes; adding* that he believed few
hooks of that for t had efcaped him, which had been
written fince the Reformation. X am afraid many who
are undertaking , the minifterial work, would reject
fuch a propofal with vaft contempt ; yet I could
heartily wifh, that they who are. defigned for that fa-
<$ed employment among Proteftant Diffenters, would
not altogether negledt this fort of preparation for it.
Our experienced Chriftians would not then fo fre
quently complain, that &? prcaehing-pf our young
er ministers, is no more to their edificatjpn and com
fort. ,
I fhafl , conclude this head with a few obvious re
marks, xpneerning the form and manner of our fer-
mons. And here I would recommend a diftindt and
clear method, _a due mixture of argument and pathos*
plain, eafy and fcriptural language, with a natural
and lively delivery. If pur difcourfes are confufed,
we fliall but diftract our hearers, and dry and abftract
reafoning will be little-regarded, becaufe few can fol
low us thorough a long train ' of conferences : A
flow of moving expreflions, without folid thought
and rational connexion, may fire vthe paflions, and
command the applaufes of the weak, but will be te
dious and defpicable, to perfons of a better judgment
and deeper penetration, who defire to be * fed with
knowledge and underftanding. If our language be too
lofty, and fublime, we fhall b fpeak in an unknown
tongue to l[he greateft part of our affemblies ; and all
uncouth tones and geftures, will be fhocking to thofe
of a refined tafte and polite education : But good
fenfe and fubftantial divinity, clpathed with proper
and familiar language, and delivered with unaffected
» Jer. iii. 15. u 1 Cor. xiv. 19. •; A
C vivacity

hi

I is :•)
Vivacity and feridufhefs, tends to make an agreeable
and ufeful preacher, and a judicious and improving
auditory." III. Public catechMing of young perfons is a prC-
er method to revive and fupport the interefts of re-
lgion. There is a conftant decreafe of our congregations
by death, and if there are none to fill up the places
of thofe who are removed, fuch focieties muft quick
ly come to an end. Great care fhould therefore be
taken of the rifing age,- that when ¦ we fieep with our
fathers, and are gathered to our people, our children
may appear as *> a feed to ferve him, which may be ac
counted to the Lord for a generation. And7 the beft
courfe we can take to form young perfons for ufeful-
nefs, will be to inftil fome good principles into them
in their tender years. They are then capable of
learning,, and moft difpofed to fubmit themfelves to
our inftrudtions ; and if we are not wanting in our
duty to them, we may hope, that their minds will
early be furnifhed with fuch a ftock of divine know
ledge, as will preferve them from loofe and extra
vagant notions, and lay a happy foundation for their
being ferviceable in the church of God.
,1 have often obferved a vifible difference between
thofe who have been c brought up in the nurture and ad
monition of the Lord, and thpfe who are d called by the
grace of God, out of irreligious families. The latter
have fometimes proved very zealous and affection&te
Chriftians, but they have generally been unliable and
tinfettled, liable to be c carried about with, every wind
vf dptlrine, while the former have been more efta-
' blifhed, both in principle and practice. ,
Befides, catechifing of children will be a means to
*fit us for preaching to our people. 'Tis exceeding
• Gen . xxv. 8. J Pf. xxii. 30. I Eph.vi. 4. * Gal. 1 1 5.
JEph, iv. 14. difficult

(*9)
difficult to fpeak with any tolerable degree of prp.-
priety and exa&nefs, and yet with fuch a plainnefe
and fimplicity, as. fhall be accommodated to the ca
pacities of the loweft of, our hearers. If we ftudy
this as much as wd poffibly can, ;and ftrive to addrefs
ourfelves to them, in aU the condefcending forms of
eafy and familiar language, we fhall fcarcely be able
to carry them with us, from the beginning to the
end of a djfcourfe* But pulpit converfation with
young perfons would wonderfully affift us in this very
important article. . ., _ .,
And as it would teach us how to fpeak, fo it will
enable them to hear with greater advantage. We
often complain that we do little good by our mini
ftry, and-the juft occafion of thefe complaints is but
too evident. Theiignorance of our hearers is a great
hindr-arace- to "their improvement. They are fuch Ut
ter ftrangerrto the affairs of religion, that they ap
prehend, but little of them, when they are propofed
to them. But this would be in a great meafure pre
vented by an early inftruction ; that would enlighten
their minds, and inform their judgments, and fit
them for a more profitable attendance on fermons.
I may.^dd, that'the management -of this work
will lead, us^o- confider the .whole compafs of chrifti
an duty. There are many things which we cannot fo
eafily- come at in the ordinary courfe of our preach
ings If we chufe a text, on purpofe to enforce a du
ty, or reprove a fin, in which fome of our people
are particularly and evidently concerned, . thofe who'
are moft criminal . will be ready to interpret it, as a
perfonal reflection, and a public affront ; and thus
the end of pur- exhortations and admonitions will not
only be loft, but we fhall inflame their pajfions, in-
ftead of reforming their cqnduet. But when we meet
with offenders, iii pur known paths, in the ftated
courfe of our catechetical/ lectures, we may rebuke
th«n with that feverity, ., which, pur pffice, and their
C 2 crimef

(±6 J
crimes do require, without cxpofing ourfelvea to
their refentments.
Neither can 1 omit to obferve, that there are ma
ny in all our.affemblies, whofe age and circumftances
prevent -their fubmitting to this way of Inftruction,
Who yet ftand in great heed of it. vThey are * chil
dren in underftanding, though advanced in years ; and
if this work be wifely managed, k may be fervkable
to them ; ^it may give them the .information which
they want, without thefhame of confeffing theit ig
norance, Upon this account we fhould take thofe
opportunities for it, when the auditory is largeft,
that all may reap the benefit of it.
I know but of one objection of any moment,' which
can be made againft this practice. It may perhaps
be urged, that catechifms are human compofures,
and generally formed upon a particular fcheme of re
ligion ; and confequently by putting thtraSo early
into the hands of young penons, we may pcepofiefll
$iem in favour of a fet of notions and phrafes V and
thefe prejudices of education taking deep root in their
mind, may produce in them a bigotted attachment to
thatfyftem. To this I anfwer, that there is nothing,^- however
excellent and ufeful, but may be perverted to bad
purpofes, Eating and drinking are ahfolutely ne
ceflary to the prefervation of our fives, and yet they
are frequently abufed by intemperance and excels:
But would it not be abfurd for any to move,' that- to
prevent this, they might be entirely' kid afide. The
Application is obvious; and I perfuade myfelf it will
be found a' very ppflible thing,r fo to prder the buli*
nefs pf catechifing youth, ,J as that it fhall be free
from the inconveniencies which have been objected.
The fhorter catechifm of the Affembly of Divines is
generally taught in our churches, The dp&rines of
I i Cor. xiv. 2d. <
redemption

redeiftptfop and grace are there propofed, as they.ap>
pearM to that venerable body, to be deliver'd in. tiaej
lcr-iptures, and as they had been generally received by
our' firft reformers. If any fhould attempt to draw
conclufipns from them, prejudicial to the intfif efts of
jpradtical godlinefs, they are abundantly prevented^
by the particular account that is given, ofthe duty
which God requireth of man. The principles laid
down by the judicious authors pf that fyftem, are fu£
ficiently fecured^rom fuch dangerous inferences, by
their admirable comment upon the ten command*
ments, and by their infifting on faith, repentance,
and thc ufe of all outward means appointed by Goni
as neceflary to falvation. I have given a public cefti-
mony of my regard to that valuable compendium of
chriftianity, and yet I would by no means oblige
others to declare their affent to every thing contained
in it. Our brethren who fcruple the baptizing of in
fants, may make a g@od ufe ofthe other parts of it ;
and fo may they, who are not fatisfied with , fome
other particulars which are aflerted there. Or if they
apprehend;, that the catechifm itfelf is^rather * meat
for ftrong men, than milk for babes, and is not fo well
adapted to the capacities of children, and the circum
ftances ofthofe they are to iriftruct, they may go di
rectly t*» the fcriptures, and' from thence draw out the
great principles of our holy religion, tt is one happy
confequence of our being 'deliver'd from the reftrainrs
of a national eftablifhment, that we are not confined to
a prefer ibed form of words in our adminiftrations ;
and if we will not allow each other the liberty in cate-
chifing, which we take in the other parts of our wprk,
we are-too, narrow andtoo fevere in bur fentiinents,
Impofitions are feidomWery agreeable, and they can
never appear in a mpre ungraceful view, than when
attempted by thofe who have long cpthplained of
t ¦ " ¦' A A t ,.
J Reb. v. 13, 14.
c* them,

( 22 )
them, and who are deftitute of all authority to fop-
port.them. . '..
And I further advife, that whatever Catechifm we
ufe, we fhould infift chiefly upon the general prin
ciples of chriftianity, and explain the catechifm by
the fcriptures, and not the fcriptures by the catechifm ;
and that we fhoUld frequently inculcate it upon our
Catechumens, that there is a great difference between
the regards which we owe to theinfpir'ed writingsj
and thofe which are due to the comppfures of fallible
men. Public catechifing carried on in thefe catholic
methods, will conduce to the fupport of the de
clining interefts of religion, and fhould not be neg
lected. If any of us have not allowed it a fhare in
our public labours, we ought immediately to fet
about it, and where it- hath been difcontinued, it
fhould be revived. . And I would prefs this with
earneftnefs, becaufe I have found the advantage
of it , by the experience of more than twenty
years. ..A
IV. We fhould frequently vifit our people, and
manage our vifits in fueh a mariner, as will moft
effedtualty prompte their- fpiritual improvement.
By perfonal conference, we fhall have opportu
nity of informing ourfelves particularly in ithe' cir
cumftances of their cafe, and fliall know: how to
addrefs our difcourfe to them, in the manner moft
immediately .'adafptedk to their genius and their tem
per, their exercifes and their - temptations. Befides,
on fuch pccafionst our counfel may be more diredtj
and our, reproofs more determihate ; we have then
an opportunity, pf faying, thou ^ari the man1. Where
as in our addreffes to a multitude,' .people are prone
to apply tp.otherfe, what was defigned for them
felves, whereby our intentions' are frequently de
feated, On both thefe accounts, more gppd may
» 2 Sam. xii. 7.

( *3 )'
be done tp the perfon we are fpeaking to, -by qne
hour's free converfation, than by many fermons.
But if we defire to attain thefe valuable ends,: we
muft conduct ourfelves in a mainner becoming our
character. I fear there is a foundation for many
uneafy refledtions on this head, -and that the hours.
weifpend in vifiting our people, muft be often pla
ced to the account of our loft time. It is well if we
do hot fometimes faji jnto thofe ftrains of converfa
tion, which we fhould always difcoufage, and turn
them out of the way of # duty, ¦' inftead of -leading of
them in it. And where there is a greater care to
keep our tongue from evil, and our lips from fpeaking
guile*, though the difcourfe be not criminal, it is,
perhaps, empty and unprofitable. A gay turn and
a diverting ftory, are oftentimes the- moft innocent,
and the moft important parts of it. Not that I
Would be fo fevere, as to cenfure every thing that
hath the air of chearfulnefs, even -in a minifter. A
fedentary life, or a thoughtful, or perhaps a melan
choly temper, may render fuch relaxations not only
pardonable, but heceflary. But furely a man in the
facred office fhould rife higher, and aim at fomething
more noble and fubftantial_ in his vifits, than to raife
a laugh and divert the company; b they fhould talk
of God's righteoufnefs all the day long, and make knowft,
the glorious majefty of his kingdom*, that they might
be examples to the believers in word*, and in the gra
vity of their converfation. '
Some minifters have a very happy ¦; talent, of cori-
nedting ferious and ufeful refledtions with the fubject
of difcourfe, be it what it will. They know how to
give it a furprifing but natural turn, and can intro
duce, fomething which fhall be entertaining and in-
ftructing, without the leaft appearance of indecency
and affectation. c The company they keep are often
"' ' ' '
» Pf. xxxiv. 13. ' b Pf- lxxi. 24. ,f Pf, cxlv. 1 2,
J 1 Tim. iv. 13. ' a Cor. xii. 16.
2 caught

tattght with guile, and contrary tP their intentions^
are infeniibly led to that which is profitable and edi
fying-. This is an art Which we fhould ftudy and
cultivate, that we might not only teach our people
publickly, but from houfe to houfe S by the prudent
management of our miniftefial vifits. And indeed
this is neceflary as well as expedient ; for if we ne
ver mention religion but in public, and take no
notice of it button the Lord's-day, the life of it
will not be long preferved, 'and many will fufpedt,
that we are not heartily engaged in the fupport
pf it. , • .¦"?.'
Arid our vifits ought to be feafonable as well as
ufeful. Times of affliction will require a conftant
attendance ; but when it is otherwife, we fhpuld
withdraw vurfoot from our neighbour's houfe, left he be
weary cf us and hate us b. If we intrude ourfelves
uppn our people when they are engaged in bufinefs,
we fhall either make them uneafy, or lead them into
a neglect of it-; and we fhall do. them, a greater in-'
jury, if by our late hours, we interrupt the religious
ejiercifes of their families.
I will only add, that we ought to have >a great
regard to children and young perfons, and endea
vour to manage our. vifits fo as to preferve an inr
tereft in their efteern and affedlion. It is very un
happy, when our company is burdenfpme and un
eafy to thetfii and they cannot fee us enter the-hou-
fes of their parents, without difguft and refentmeri't.
In fome fonh of Belial c, and children of the wicked
one, this may arife from a fixed and fetded. enmity
againft godlinefs. But it is not always fo.. The
negligent, and perhaps forbidding airs which fome
put on, have made them indifferent to perfons of
pur profeffion, or even incens'd; them againft: us. I
Jiope many .are not criminal in this refpect, but. thofe
whofe natural temper inclines them to» diftance and
?A£isxx. 20. -bProv. xxv. 17. f 1 Sam. ii. 12. A
. % feve-

US) . -::
^rverfty'fhbatd particularly dwell upon the reflection;
And "we fhould ill be on Pur. guard againft every
thing of this nature, left we put ourfelves out1 of a
capacity of ;doinjg good, whfcre we might, ptherwife
moft reaforiably/hope it. This Will certainly-be much
to the detriment of religion in the general, and "a pe
culiar grief to pious parents.
_ ; V. I further proppfe, that we take a particular- no
tice of thofe who are under religious impreffionsi ,
'ThCy have the greateft need of our affiftance, and
generally fpeaking are very defirous of it ; ,but an ex-
eefs- pfmodefty" often hinders them from .making
their application "to us,: and giving vent tothe fulnefs
Pf their "hearts. -And the enemy of fouls lays pb-
ftrudtions'in their way, left we fhould animate them
in their-- attempts of throwing off his yoke. We
fhould rl6t therefore ftay 'till they come to us, but
fhould inquire after them, and find them out, and
talk freely with them about thofe great concerns whiph
Meupon their minds. Thefe are the lambs which our
Saviour hath commanded us to * fedd; yea w.e fhould
*>:lay 4bem'in'our bojbm, and in the "moft gentle and
tender manner, lead them on in the ways, of holinefs
and comfort: We fhould cherifh thefe- little ones,
« even as a nurfe ycherifheth' her ehildrenr d taking them
by thethan'd^'and teaching them to go, until increafe of
ftrength arid' greater maturity enable them to walk
without fo much of our affiftance:
This may be ufeful to u$ in pur public work. By
converting -with kwakened Cdnfcierices, we lhall be
acquainted with the methods which the Holy Spirit
takes, in the converfion of finners unto Gpd. We
fhall fee a beautiful arid" eritertaitiirig variety; in them,
according to the different tempers and circumftances
of i thofe, on whofe hearts he is moving. Upon thefe
we are to make" our ftricteft- obfervations, as the wife
3 John xxi. i J. '* If*.sl. 1 1. c *Thi ii. 7. * Hof. xi. 3.
\:l D phyfi-

(-26)
pjhyfician does on the fymptoms which appear-, in his
patients^ that he may know how to adminifter pro
per methods to thpm, and to others in the like cafe*
A good collection of fuch remarks, with the affiftance
of our Bibles, -will teach us how to preach, much
better than; the methods which are frequently taken;
for' that purpofe. '" — : :
Arid really we cannot with any reafon expect, that
religion fhould flourifh, while this, duty is negjedtfed.
The perfons whofe cafe I have now been describing,!
muft fill up our breaches ; but if We neglect them,
they will either be difhearten'd and difcouraged, or
grow remifs #nd indifferent. 'Tis poffible as to ma-»
$iy of them, the impreffions may entirely Wear off*
and their ¦ goodnefs become like thef morning clouds and
qarlyj dew, that foon.goe^h away. Or if their hearts
be touched, with Gp».%fpecial grace, much oi their
improvement and comfort may be. loft, and; they may
perhaps, ncpnt;ent themfelves with continuing in the
number of our hearers, without joining in cpromurii-.
on with our churches. I am fully perfuaded, the in
terefts of. religion have funded; very much by our
ECglect in this particular, and I fyeartjly. wifh' I was
the only perfon whovh^d-reafen to larnent, thefe kind
of omiffions. May we reflect upon them --with- .a fe-
yerity bearing fome proportion to the guilt, and may
this produce fuch an. holy * zeal: and carefulnefs-, that
in our future conduct we might in' all things approve
ourfelves to be clear in- this ^att.er.
* : j . . .' ". . • ~
VI> Admonition and reprp<rf. muft not be neglect
ed, if we defire religion, :- fhould .flourifh under ouc
care. I confefs, this is a difficult work, confidering our
own circumftances, and the humour, of the age in,
which we live. Reproof is. feldpm weU received^ and
is fometimes peculiarly difpleafingi. when, it comes
* ffof.Tri, f.; *,4 Con vii. n. from

from th^mduth of a minifter. Of thpfe tp tarhptn
we fhall have occafion " to addrefs it, fome perhaps
will treat us with tolerable decency and gpod man-
ners^ and yet fecredy charge us as very impertinent,
for pretending to meddle with their conduct ; at beft
they will pity our weaknefs, in imagining that we
have any authority over them. They value them
felves fo much on their- liberty, that they think a
vifible neglect of every thing we fay, to be a neceffa
ry defence of it. But others of a more tough and
boifterous '-difpofition » will turn -again and rent us.
Their refentments will exprefs themfelves infeverer
ways, Which may be felt by ourfelves and families,
and it- is jtoffible they may faftcy thfey are actihg ah
heroic part, without confideringb//&<# he who hafetb re
proof is brutifh.
But we muft perform our duty, Whatever the con-
fequences may be. That hardnefs of heart Which
generally prevailed amongft the Jews-, might make
this work peculiarly difficult and hazardous, and yet
God exprefsly enjoins it, not only on the priefts, but
on every Jfraelite,- and declares that the neglect of it
was rather cruelty than friendlhip. c Thou fhalt not
hate, thy brother in thine heart, thou fhalt in any wife
.rebuke thy neighbour, and not fuffer fin upon him. And
Chriftians fhould adriionifh d and exhort one another
daily, left any of them be hdrdned through tbe deceitful-
tiefs of fin. And if this be the duty of thofe in a more
private capacity, a minifter by virtue of his public
character, muft be under' ftronger obligations to it,
and ought to ^reprove and rebuke with all authority.
The difficulties which, do attend it, ought not to
deter «us frpm it ; they may indeed convince us, that
we want wifdom |P manage it aright, and fhould en
gage us { to afk it of God, who giveth to oilmen liberal-
Jy, andupbraidethnot; and they fhould alfo lead us to
* Mat. vii. 6. b Prov. xii. i . ' Levil. xix. 1 f. * Heb. iii. 1 3 ..
» T»t- ii- IS- ,f Jam.i. 5.
O Z. ufe

' (\»8.-)
ufe,all neceflary precautions, with regard to the timfi,
and the manner of giving the reprpof, ,but not dif-
courage us from attempting of it. I
There are few tempers fo rugged and untradt able,
but they have their fofter and milder intervals,, in
which we may have accefs to them. Thefe fhould be
attended to and embraced, as the happieft opportu
nities of doing them good. * A word fpokeft in due
feafon, . how good is it ? It muft likewife be our care
to deliver, the admonition in b the fpirit of meeknefs i
in the 'gentleft language, and moft obliging manner.
This wijl make it evidently appear, that we.are n°t
venting our fpleen, but a,ct on the principles of con
fcience and friendfhip, and that while we fee and
blan^e fomething amifs, we have not forgotten what
is agreeable and praife-worthy. c The wrath of man
Worketh nqt-thi righteoufnefs qf God. When we mix
anger and bitternefs with our reproofs, they look
like the maliqious attacks of an enemy, and not the
kind advices of a friend, and may engage a man's
reputation in the defence of his faults ; A whereas a
foft -tongue- breaketh the bone, and often overcomes the
morpfe and obftinate. ....... ,
And if fuch meafures be taken, we fhall prevent
many of thpfe troublefome confequences, which, we
may be ready to apprehend from the difcharge of
this duty. e We Jhall commend ourfelves to the con-
fciences dfmen; and though a few' incorrigible and
worthlefs creatures, may for the prefent f trample
under their feet our wholefome counfel, yet s we jhall
have delight, and a good bleffing will be upon us, and
afterwards h we may find more favour even with them^
than he thai- flatter eth with the tongue. And the more
candid part of mankind, in whprn there is a princi
ple of true piety, will efteem fuch admonitions as

a Prov. xv. 23.

b Gal. vi. 1.

' James i. zo.

* Prov. xxv. 15.

" z Cor. iv. 2.

{ Mat. vii. 6-

' B Prov.' xxiv. 25. ,

h xxviii. 23 , ' '

inftances

(29)
anftahces "of uncommon fidelity and affection. : They
-will value us: more than they would have doner, had
thefe igood offices been negledted? and wijl fay with
David; let the righteous finite me, it Jhall be a kindnefs;
and let him. reprove me, it Jhall be~ an excellent oil,
which -jhall- not break my head*, but will engage me
to pray for them in their calamities'* Thus a wife
¦reprover upon an olkdienp.ear, will be as an ear-ring of
(gold,? 'and as an. .ornament of fine gold \. . A ' happy
¦ConjUndfion of thefe, will add J beauty ^and glory to
both of them. He who gave the reproof will re-
jpfce'in the fuccefs, and recommend himfelf by his
prudence and faithfulnefs: He that received it, will
be thankful for the benefit, arid appear amiable, aS
being c xloaihed .-.with humility and patience > their re
gards, to each other will increafe, and their hearts;
will, be united by, the bonds of an inviolable af-
fedtidn.¦ .¥11. If we defire- the revival of. religion, we fhould
he much in prayer for the bleffing of God upon oue
endeavours. '•:¦. ' .-.'-¦¦ ',•_•_„.
Without this . all our attempts will be ineffedlual.
*Who is Paul, and. who is Apollos, but.- minifters by
whom we have, believed, even as the Lord- gave to-eve-r.
ry man? e Paul, planted, Apollos watered^ but God gave
fhe increafe. So then neither is he that planteth any
things < neither, h& that watereth, but God that giveth the.
increafe. The, zeal,- the fkill,. and the fidelity of an;
infpired apoftle, were infufficient for the' converfion
of finners, and the edification of the church of God ;
and what can we dp with o.ur meaner furniture, f if
the hand ofthe Lord, is not with its ? . , '
-, Surely experience muft have taught, many of us,
that the moft convincing arguments, and the^moft
pathetic addreffes, "are* loft upon our people, *till
• * Pf. cxli^if. h Prov. xxv. 12. f 1 Pet. v. 5.
^ 1 Cor. iii. 5. fvi.7. f Afts xi. 21.
God

(30)
God come in to add efficacy, to them. And if we
will not learn this important leflbn, or will not re
gard it, but ftill indulge a dependance upon our
felves, we juftly provoke him, to exercife us wifh
Repeated difappointments. To prevent this, let us
fly tp the^ * throne of grace, and earneftiy plead for
thofe divine influences, which are ahfolutely neceffah
ry.for our fucceeding, in the work in which, we are
employed. .Let ras fay, b Return, we befeech thee, O
God of hofts ; look down from heaven, ' and behold, and
Vifit i this vine, andlthe vineyard which thy right-hand
hath planted: c Let the beauty of the Lord our< God be
Upon. us, dndyeftaSliJh thou the work of our -bands,
*.ihM we might fm-if the travel tf our foul, andiie fa
tisfied: 'Open the hearts of our bearers, that they may
attend to the.things which are fpoken by us, that the arm
©f the Lord i being with us, i.greai numbers may be
lieve, and turn to the Lord. .;>  - -
We fhould allow thefe petitions a fhare in the fta
ted devotions of the clofet, the family, and & the
Haufe of God. And I cannot but think it highly, con
venient, that at proper periods, both in .private and
p'ubfic, we fet apart time, for extraordinary addreffes
to the .throne of grace,, on this momentous occafion. ,
And if we revived that laudable but much neglected
practice of fafting^. and joined it with prayer, it might
render the facred exercife. more lively and fpiritual,
and would rnanifeft a deep concern for the divine re
gards. Andi it 'will conduce much to the preparing
<af us for this? folemn work, if before we engage in
it, a ftriet account were taken of our own temper
and condudi, of the ftateof religion in our refpective
congregations, and of the fuccef& of our miniftry
among our people : This would h teach us to order our
fpeech before God, in the moft proper manner.
* Heb. iv. 1 6. b Pfalm lxx*. 14, 15. « Ibid. xc. 17.
* If. l.iii. i 1. , -.eAfl:s xvi. 1 4. { Jfeid. xi.2 1 . *> iTinxiii. 1 5.
* Job-yxxvii. 19. . r , The

-'-The careful obfervation of fuch pious folemnirieSy
as I have now been recommending, might be attend
ed with many happy * confequences. When they * pafs
in fecret, they may awaken our fouls out of that fpfc
riasual lethargy, inido which we are too apt to relapfe,
and when we join with others irf them, ferious im
preffions might be communicated to each other, and
to our people. But it is above all things to be con-
fider'd, that by thefe applications we might humbly
hope,* to engage much of the prefence of God with
us, * to revive his work-in the midftofthe years. b Thi
i^idue of the fpirit is with him, which he will c give to
them that afk him. And this Holy Spirit is all we
need, to recover the languifhing i&terefts of religion*
and diffufe beauty and vigour through our churches.
A If God pour water on him that is thirfty, and flouds on
the dry ground : If he pour his fpirit on our feed, and his.
bleffing on our offspring ; they fhall fpring up as among
the graft, as willows by the water courfes. One JhaH
fay, I am the Lord's ; another Jhall call himfelf by , the
name of Jacob, and another Jhall fubfcribe with his*
hand to the Lard, andfirname himfelf by the name of
Jfcvel. >
-'.3fi- :•• '-'¦> ¦
r VIIL We muft take the greateft care to fupport?
thefe attempts, by a regular and exemplary: be
haviour. ,.,-,-..
. The eyes of many are .upon us, e for we are as a
city. fet upon, a: hill, which cannot be hid. Notice yrjUl'
be taken of what, we dp, as well as of what we fay j'
and if we-Jay<and do-not-*, neglecting *9-ta?c& ourfelves,
while we teach others, but difbonour G^d through break-'
ing the Jaw,'-, arid;- yet *»«fc our boaft of the law s, we'
lhall da great differvice to the interefts of religion,
and infinite mifchief to dies fouls of men; Our acti-
.- x - - -
* Hab. iii. 2. b Mal. ii. ij. c Luke xL 13.'
.* If. .xliv. 4, 5i,6..- " '-: I Mafc v.vi4,;A f-'xxiii. 3.
""* Rom. ii, ai, 23.
 +- ons

(30
ons will be, accounted the true interpreters of the in
ward fentimerits of our minds ;. and if we difcover
a practical indifference towards : the duties which we
recommend to others, many will conclude, that we
ourfelves are not convinced of the importance of
them ; and from . thence will very, briskly <, though
very weakly infer, that thereis nothing real in the
whole affair. Thus we build again the things we would
deftroy *, and abundantly confirm finners in their in
fidelity and wickednefs, while we attempt to, turn
them "from the errors' of their ways b. .-
, On thefe accounts we fhould be \harmlefs as • doves:
and, moft folicitpufly avoid every thing that is ap-
parently^evil. And it is neceffary that webe wife af
jerpents c, and conftantly guard againft indifcretibns ,
of, behaviour. They . fink our reputation, and muft
prppprtionably impair our ufefulnefs. • Prudence k
an excellent qualification in a minifter ; the want of
it will cloud the brighteft talents, and eclipfe the
greateft abilities. It is a moft unhappy circumftaacey
when people are to hear thofe on the TAbrd's-day,"
whp have all the week been , expofirig, themfelves by.
their follies. If their performances are extraordinary^
they are but as a fair woman without diJcretion'd: their
beautiful comppfures may pleafe'a' younge^ audience,
and procure them a. multitude .of unexperienced ad-*
mirers, but the men of good conduct will always'
be prefer'd- by the moft valuable part "of mankind.
The Lord will make the .wife ferv ant ruler: over bis hpuf-.
bold, to give them meat in due feafon c.
Our treatment of each other ought to be generous:
and kind, fincere and friendly, je.mernbring that we
are engaged in a caufe, , wl%h will require the ftridt-
eft union to fupport it. If -we are divided among
our felves, and make it our bufinefs by little ftbries,
to leffen one another in the eyes of the people, the
a Gal. ii. 1 8. b Jam, v. 20. - £ Mat. x. 16. f Prov. xi. 22.
* Mat. xxiv. 45.
, common

f 33 )
common interefts of ferious piety will fuffer very
much by it. Are our hearers fuch ftrangere tp the
arts of backbiting and defamation, that they need to
be taught them by our example ? Or is it a thing
fp reputable, that we fhould defire it may appear
to be a part of our character ? Are we fecure that
after all, the reproach will not turn upon ourfelves, or
that the very perfons we are fpeaking to will' not
defpife us, as acted by principles of envy and ill-
nature ? Or if we were fure the reflection wouJd fix
where we intended it, is the ufefulnefs of minifters
fo great, that we fhould defire to hinder it? Is an
attachment to one minifter to the neglect of all
others, fo amiable a temper, that- we fhould attempt
tp infufe it into thofe committed to our care? Shall
we endeavour to revive that carnality, which the A-
pbftle condemns in the Corinthians, " while one faid I
dm of Paul, and another I am of Apollos? Should we
not rather make the moft vigorous efforts to fupprefs
every thing of this fort, as that which will always be
prejudicial to Chriftianity? It affords me a peculiar ,
fatisfadtion, that the minifters in thefe parts have been
happily preferved from thefe vile and difhpnourable
practices: But the preyalency of them elfewhere,
hath led me to mention them with a warmth and fe-
verity, which the malignant nature of them does re
quire ; fince I never yet faw religion , flourifh, where
there was not harmony and friendlhip among the mi
nifters of thc Gofpel.
Our carriage toward our people ought to be tender
^nd affedtionate, full of all beneficence and kindnefs.
"yVe fhould fpeak courteoufly to them* and always act
the part of fincere and active.friehds, both towards
them and. their families. We fhould frequently vifit
them in their ficknefs, condole with them in their for-
rows, and at all times compaffionately bear them up-
pn our hearts. We fhpuld carry abeut with us a pa-
? I Car. iii. 4. "
1 Ccrnal

(34)
t-ernal affedfeion for them, and look ' upon ourfelves
obliged to affift them in. all the exigences of life.
^ Such a behaviour as this will give us a fhare . in
their efteem, arid put us into a capacity pf being ufe
ful to them in their fpiritual concernments* far be-
yorid what the moft eminent rrynifterial gifts can fe-
cure without it. This will make our public labours
edifying, our private converfation defirable, and will
procure a favourable reception for our reproofs. If
they refpect and love us, every thing' will be viewed
in the beft Hght, and all proper allowances made for
human frailties ; whereas, if the contrary temper pre
vails in them, nothing that we can fay or do will be
acceptable, Prejudicerwill find fomething to blame,
or to de.fpife in our beft actions ; and if there be any
thing.doubiful in our conduct, the worft turn will be
0vtn to it. Our faults will be reprefented in the moft
invidious colours, and our infirmities Will be blackeri'd
into thei|m©ft enormous crimes : and when this comes
to be, the unhappy cafe between a minifter and his peo
ple, what can be expected, but the ruin of religion
in thatfociety ?
Thefe .ate. the methods which I would propofe to
the minifters of the Gofpel, for the ftrengthening the
things which remain, that are ready to die. I hope that
you, my reverend brethren, to whom I now fpeak,
will pardon the freedoip with which I have laid them
before, ypu. I would fpeak to myfelf in the firft
place ; and as we are apt to judge of others by our
felves, fo perhaps a deep fenfe of my own defects
may have carried me further into thefe particulars,
$han I fhould ptherwife have prefutned tp have gone,
If I have exceeded my bounds, an horieft intention,
and a tender concern for the dying interefts of Chrifti
anity, muft be fome apology for me. I doubt not,
put your own thoughts will fuggeft to you Things of
greater importance, than foine 'Pf thofe .1 havej men
tioned ; others are apparently of greateft moment,
and I hope, none of them-^J mt\tety foreign to the
fubjedt,

( ts )
•fubject, pf the Pccafion of our meeting tPgethef thfe
day* May what has now been offered, and every
thing' elfe which our confciences fhall charge on u%
as neceflary to the revival of religion, be moft care
fully attended to by us.
And that it might be fo, I fhall propdfe the fol
lowing confiderations.
i . Confider what it is that is dying ; it is vital and,
pradtical religion, the glory of our churches.
The Chriftian church is very glorious. The glory
of it is infinitely fuperior to that of the Jewijh. Then;
was fomething very amiable and beautiful in the or-*,
dinances of the tabernacle, and much more of the
temple ; but they had no glory in refpeffl of the evan
gelical difpenfation. a Por if that which was dons away
was glorious, much more that which femaineth.
And wherein does the glory of the gofpel church
confift ? Some place it in ftately buildings, |n curi
ous paintings, in embroider*d veftments, in the fineft
murk, and in other things which regale the fenfes,
and amufe the imagination. But, alas, external det-
hcacy and pomp, are only: a mean and contemptible
image of it. Practical godlinefs, the life of God in
the fouls of men producing b the fruits of righteoufnefs*
is the ornament of the church, fince Chrift hath ap
peared under the character of its head. ,
The prophet Ifaiah had a much hetter notion of
the glory of the chriftian church, than many who
live in ehe gofpel age, and lhould be fuppofed by
their office beft to underftand it. According to him,
t.-wherijervifdem is become the holy city, and the uncir-
nwfaeifeji and unclean are not to be found-in it, _ then Zion
'puts on her. beautiful garments. When the difciples of
Jefus are d all glorious within, by being made * par-
lakers -of the divine nature, and fhall be fo eminent for
piety arid virtue, f that men Jhall call them the holyffo-
•zCor.ifi. io, it- k Phil. 1. n. eIf.$. i. 'Pf.xlv.13.
;«P*t, i. 4. I If. lx". 1 z-

,(36)
ipfe, » then the glory of the Lord is feen upon them.
But if godlinefs declines, and the fpirit of grace with
draws, the new teftament Shechinab is gone, and
k the glory is departed from us.
Our fathers in the miniftry made a noble ftand, in
-defence of pure arid: primitive Chriftianity, when
they formed feparate focieties for the worfhip of God-
Many excellent Chriftians countenanced the defign,
and committed themfelves to the care of thofe "paftors
after Govt's, own heart, for their fpiritual improve
ment. d How amiable were the tabernacles of the Lord
of hofts in thofe happy days, when they who refort-
ed to them were e holinefs to the Lord, and our churches
were edified, and walking in the fear of the Lord, and
in tbe comfort of the Holy Ghoft, were multiplied! thefe
faithful f . fervants of Jefus Chrift, after xhey'had ho
nourably ferOed their 8 own generation by the will of God
¦fell onfteep, and we h are enter' d into their labours ; and
if ' pure religion and undefiled fhould die with them,
all beauty will be departed from the daughter of Zion,
and we fhall lofe the ornament and glory of our af-
femblies. We may boaft of our liberty in calling
*¦ no man father Upon the earth, and value ourfelves up
on an attachment to that fupremacy which is vefted
in our Saviour, in the facred concernments of his king
dom, but if we are x the fervants of corruption, we on
ly "i fpeak great fwelling words of vanity, and our glory
ing is not good. We reject the Redeemer's authority in
fome of its moft important branches, are inconfiftent
/with ourfelves, and difgrace the caufe in which we
are engaged, if we do not n depart from all iniquity,
and are not a ° peculiar people, zealous of good
works.
• "If. lx. i. b i Sam. iv.24. c Jer. iii. 15. * Pf.lxxxiv.i.
e Jer. ii. 3. f Rom. i. 1 . ' * Afts xiii, 36. h John iv. 38.
1 James i. 27. * Mat. xxiii. 8. l 2 Pet. ii. 18, 19.
¦ 1 Cor. v. 6. az Tim. ii. 19. ° Tit. ii. 14. 2. The-

( 37 )
' 2. The revival of religion among us may prevent
the growth of infidelity, and bigotry.
*¦ In our degenerate age, there are many ¦ making to
themfelves a captain and returning into Egypt. They re
ject the gofpel revelation, and adhere to the light of
nature, as fufficient tp conduct them to happinefs.
Arid the importunate applications which have fre
quently been made to the rulers of this world, to
employ^their power in fuppreffing unbelievers, have
greatly increafed their prejudices againft Chriftianity.
This hath led them to conclude, that it is only an
artful fcheme, contrived by fubtle and dcfigning men,
and fupported for the purpofes of this prefent life,
which would foon fall to the ground, if the civil ma-
giftrate fhould withdraw his affiftance from it.
Through the favour of wife and moderate gover
nors, we are protected in our chriftian profeffion ;
and this, perhaps, is all the fervice they can do us,
fo far as our religious interefts are concerned. Our
Saviour's b kingdom is not of this world ; it appeared in
its bri^hteft glory, c whew the kings of the earth took
counfel together to deftroy it, but hath vifibly declined,
ever fince its facred affairs have been managed by
them. The annexing large revenues to the obfer-
vance of external forms may eftablifh the ufe of them,
and length of time may produce a bigotted attach
ment tb them, but real godlinefsis infinitely beyond
the reach of all human authority.
This fhould infpire us with the warmeft zeal for
tKe revival of Chriftianity, in a way agreeable to its
nature, that it may flourifh in all our affeinblies. The
enemies of it will then fee, that it may be fupported,
without the fences of penal laws, and the props and
'. buttreffes of a legal eftablifhment. The intrinfick ex
cellency and goodnefs of the chriftian inftitution will
$hen appear in the ftrongeft light, and we fhall ftand
. * Numb. xiv. 4. » John xviii. 36, fMl.iL*. as

( 3§ )
as an invincible barrier, to ftop the mighty progrefs
of infidelity. We fhall then * take away the reproach
from Ifrael, and convince men, that the regards due
to Jefus may be fecured by more mild and gentle me
thods, than thofe which have been taken by the vo-
laries of Mahomet^ to defend the honour of their pre
tended-prophet. As to bigotry, it hath a very unhappy influence
upon thofe who are under the power of it. Such are
often forming good defigns, and purfuing of them
with uncommon vigour ; but every thing muft be car
ried on in their own way, or elfe they have no. opinion
of it. Their principles are always orthodox, and
thofe who differ from them are fallen into great and
dangerous errors. Their church is the pureft, if nof
die only one in the world, and their forms of wor
fliip are, all of them, apoftolical and divine. In the
Kjedeemer's catholic religion, ^ there is neither Greek
nor Jew, tirttmcifion nor uncircumcijion, Barbarian,
Scythian, bond nor free, c but Chrift is all in all, and
we are idi in him; and yet they confine it to their own
narrow inclofures, and can fee no beauty even in
Chriftianity itfelf, unlefs it be cloathed with their An
gularities, and does appear in their diftinguifhing
drefs. It will be to very little purpofe to enter into any
debates with them. That turn of mind which dif-
pofeth them to this way of thinking, will render the
ftrongeft arguments ineffectual. It is but feldom that
cheyfee, or will attend tothe force of them; and if
at any time they are prefled with' them, inftead of re
turning a folid anfwer, or fubmitting to conviction,
their paflions rife, and the difpute generally ends ^ in
wrath, clamour, and ewlfpeaking. There is another
method by which we are much more likely to do
&em good, and that is, e 4a be fervent infpi0t Jem*
* tiSam. xvii. 26. b Col. iii M. f Gal. iii. 28.
* Eph. ir. 31. I Rom. xii. 11.
"- • ing

(39 >
big ih'e Lord, that when thofe pf a denomination diffe
rent from us, obferve in us the fubftantial parts ofthe
chriftian life, they may be brought to acknowledge,
that » as they are Chrift's, evenfo we are Chrift's. & If
we are pafed from death to life, we Jhall love the bre
thren. Real godlinefs will powerfully attradt the af
fections of all its hearty friends, and a pious mind
will always feel the force of a bright example. Thus
our attempts to revive religion, may be a means to
diffufe a noble and excellent c fpirit of love among all
the difciples of Jefus, and to enlarge their hearty
which are often too much contracted by a bigottea
fondnefs for their own fchemes. This is of much'
greater- importance than the moft exact uniformity,
either in articles of faith, or in modes of worfhip, and
will prevent thofe mifchieyous ccmfequences;, which
have proceeded from different apprehenfions about
them. j. A regard to our reputation fhould engage us to
attempt the revival of jfeligion. 'J
God and man have peculiarly referr'd it to our care.
The d Holy Ghoft hath made us overfeers of the flock?
^nd the focieties we minifter to, have made choice of
us to attend their fpiritual affairs. We haVe been fo-'
kmnly fet apart to this fervice, and have voluntarily
devoted ourfelves to it. e The vows of God are upon
us, and if we corrupt the covenant of Levi, and betray
this important truft, ( we fhall become contemptible-be-
fore ' all the people, and be the moft guilty and defpi-
cable wretches upon earth. Treachery is defervedly
infamous ; and can there be a fouler inftance of ft;
than this ! That a man who calls himfelf a minifter off
the gofpel, and hath enter'd upon that work with
ihe moft awful folemnities, and facred engagements to
fhe Redeemer and his church, fhould after ali entirely
¦ aCor.x. 7. ':* i John Hi." 14.'. « 2 Tim. i. 7.'
!$&sj«. ij, * MUvifi2. .{MiLu>Y» S. negle&

( 4* )
jfegledt it,' rind go over to the « tents of wickednefs t
We fhall fcarcely meet with fo deteftable a character,
among the dregs and refufe of the people. The per-"'
jur^d villain, whofe crimes have brought him under
the 'penalties ofthe law, and expofed hirri'to public
difgrace, is but a puny offender, if compared with
thefe vile betrayers of their rriafter's intereft. Think-*
ing men are now fufficiently aware of the hypbcrify
of fuch a conduct, and will no longer be amufed witl»
fine difcourfes, on the .honours due to thofe invefted
With the facred fUndfion, while they indulge them
felves in the blackeft crimes. If they . are become. vile,'
arid b make men abhor the offerings of the Lord, their
diftinguiftiing profeffion will render their vices' more
Gdious, and will certainly draw on them, that negledb
and contempt whidi they have fo juftly deferved.
And if we fhare in the guilt, we' muft 'expect tp take
part in the difgrace. .£.'.
r On the contrary, if we faithfully difcharge the du
ties of our office, we fhall not only efcape the fhame
aod the reproach, but fhall fecure tp pyrfelves honour
both from GPd and man,
', It is the declaration of that God whom we fervt;,"
c -thefe that honour me, I will honour . If like Zerub-
habel of old, we diftinguifh ourfelves by our zeal for'
the houfe of the Lord, in an age of prevailing cold-
nefsand indifferdncy, like him we fhall be d fet as. a
fignet. Arid though our efforts are not fo fuccefsful*
as we could wifh for the gathering of Ifrael, we fhall
ueverthelefs e be glorious in. the eyes, of our God, and-
be { to him a fweet favour of ChHft, in them tbatperifif
as well as in thofe who are faved. '¦ '?
And with regard to riien ; fincere Qiriftians will
confider us as i the excellent of tbe earth, h the fait and
the. light of if, ' and will eftesm us very highly in love.
_*: Pfal. Ixxxiv. io. i ,k;i Sanr. ii. 17. ' j Sam. ij. 30.
' * Hag. ii. 23. e Ifa-Jflnf, " Si ° ,f?CPr-"ii5-
* Pfal, xvi. 3. J Matth.' v.' 13, 14. j 1 Thef. v. 1 3.
I for.

(4i)
fir 'our work fake. And the conduct I have been
recommending, will procure us the regards of thofe
who are aliens to the commonwealth of Ifrael, and
ftrangers to the covenants of promife. If we renounce
thehiddden things of difhonefty, and. do not wklk in
&aftihefs, nor handle the word of the Lord deceitfully »,
-but labour to, do our utmoft, to promote and adorn
religion, we fhall irrefiftably command the approbar
tion pf the more degenerate part of mankind. He
rod feared John, knowing that he was > a juft man
and hobyy though he himfelf was abandoned to luxu
ry arid injuftice. That b meffenger from the Lord was
c a burning and Jhining light, zealous and active in
the difcharge of the duties of his office, and emi
nent in the ftrictnefs of his life: Thefe added fuch
a majefty and ereatriefs to his behayiour, as gained
the reverence or- a wicked ruler. And if we adt the
fame honourable part as that d prophet of the Higheft,
e iniquity, Jhall ftop its mouth, and the loofe and pro
fligate will applaud our characters, covet our friend
lhip, and upon all occafions treat us with decency
and refpedt. -(
4. Our fupport in hfe depends upon the regard
Which our'people have to true religion.
•-"The facred office of the miniftry, is often traduced
as { a craft by which men get wealth, and an employ
ment calculated for the purpofes of this world. And
it cannot be denied, but great occafion hath been
given for thefe fufpicions. But it is very urigepe-
rous to caft fuch reflections upon thofe who give up
the inviting profpects of a national conftitution,-
^nd fubmit to the" many difadvantages* of an exclu-
fion from it. This will incline the fober and candid
part of /mankind to conclude, that they are not en
tirely determined by fecular views, in the choice bf
* 2 Cor. i v. 2. ''Mat. xi. io. c John iii. 35. fLuicei. 76.
fjoby. 15. fAftsxk. 2$. 1 J . ' ."'
F their

their way; 'Surely it is fome evidence of a,difint^;
refted zeal for religion, when they who are devoted
to the care of it, are willing to refer the fubfiftence
of themfelves,. and families to the affedtion of their
people ? This was the primitive and apoftolical way
of niaintairig the minifters of the gofpel, and is ad
mirably well, adapted to that liberty, which is the "pe
culiar glory :of the chriftian difpenfation." • .
The decays of real piety may fometimes render
this method inconvenient.- A growing indifference
towards religion itfelf will difpofe perforis to treat
minifters of all forts with neglect. They will ac
count them' a nfelefs, if not a mifchieyous ; fet of
-men, that are only a dead Weight upon the public,
tarid wilKthirikriif a very pardonable, and perhaps a.
very laudable piece of ceconomy, to contradt their
jexhibitions ' towards them^ where the matter is left
to their own choice. But when the- hearts of our
-people are Warmed with a lively fenfe of the ex
cellency of godlinefs, » they will be rich, in good
¦works, ready -to Jiftribute, and willing to communi*
cate. They will then pay a chearful regard to
.thofe fa«ted;;, injunctions, which ordain ; that they
who wait at the altar, Jhould be partakers', with fhe
¦..altar, and they which ' preach > .the Gofpel .Jhould live
of the Gejpelb. When they feel the. powerful effects
'of our: miniftrations upon , their fouls, .they, will
think it a fmall return for fpiritual things, that they
who have zfown them,, fhould reap their carnal things'.
;And what they give upon thefe occafions, will be
.with a bountiful ; hand, and a. friendly heart : And
-I may sanfw.er- for it,, that to a rhan of a truly ge
nerous temper, the moft rnbderate allowance : upon
thefe honourable terms,;, will be far more agreeable,
;%han the larggft revenues;; extorted by corripulfion,
and yielded with regret, and many loud /Complaints.

I i Tim. iv. iS. J \ Cor.-fr, 13, 14. « ix. 1 !.

Ta

(43 )
Tp all this I may add, that if we be faithful to
God, arid the fouls of men, we may refer ourfelves
to the care of our great Mafter. When he fent
forth his apoftles to preach the gofpel, he ;diredted
them to * provide neither gold,, nor • fi.lv er, ,nor brafs,
in their purfes, for tbe workman was worthy of his
meat. ¦ They depended on providence for. the fup-
ports of life, and yet b they lacked nothing. '. And if
we are not too folicitoqfly careful about jthefe out
ward 'things, but truft' in God*, c he will fupply . all
our need, for the d earth is ihe Lord's, und the ful
nefs thereof. -We. may readily conclude,- that he
who would not have e the mouth of the ox muzzled,
while he was treading, out the corn± to hinder his eat
ing at his work, will certainly provide for his la
borious fervants. If we; plant and water the Lord' 3
vineyard, we fhall eat of the fruit' thereof: If we
feed the flock j we fhall eat of the milk of the flock f.
And fince no man goeth a warfare1 any time at his
own charges, if we £ -endure hardnefs, as good foldiens
of t Jefus Chrift, and %. play the men for. our people^
and the cities of our God, 'l the great captain of our
falvation will maintain us honourably in his fer
vice. 5. A confcioufnefs of our having done our utmoft
for the revival of religion, will be a noble fupport, in
our dying moments. .A .^
In a little time the days of our miniftration will
be -Pver, and we fhall follow the multitude of our
hearers, who are. gone to the dark and filent
grave.t And the manner of our dying; is of great
importance 'both to ourfelves and others. Our
(iomfort, and their benefit, are evidently concerned
in it. Surely, we muft earneftiy defire, that our
?MatI .x..~j$i 10. ,, , ¦? Lulcexxii. 35., . . c Phil. iv. 19.
d Pfalm xxiv. 1 e 1 Cor. ix. 9. {. ix. 7. & 2 Tim. y, 3.
5 4 Sam* x. 12. | HekiiiiiQ. F 2 erid,.

( 44 )
end may be feace *, and it will be a pleafure, and
a confirmation to thofe who have attended on our
labours, to fee b an entrance miniftred unto us abun
dantly, into the everlafting kingdom of our Lord and
Saviour J ejus: Chrift. When, they vifit us in the
concluding fcene of life, and behold a fmile in our
countenances, flowing from the joy of our hearts,
they will be eftablifhed in the belief of the , truth
and excellency of that religion, which we have re
commended' to them.
And there is nothing which can lay a furer fpnn?
dation, for a comfortable departure out of this world,
than diligence and care to c fulfil the miniftry,"Uohicb
we have received in the Lord. Such a fruitfulhefs in
good works will be a happy evidence of the fincerity
of our faith, and by confequence of our intereft in
the great Redeemer, whofe Gofpel we have preached.
This was the confolation and rejoicing of the Apoftle
Paul, when he ftood , as it were , between bpth
worlds. d He was ready to be offered up, and faw
death making its approa,ches, in a form of violence
and peculiar terror : e But none of thefe things moved,
him, { he had fought the good: fight, finifhed his courfe,
and kept the faith, and this infpired him with that
refolution and courage, which delivered him from the
fears of s what man could do unto him. And- if, we
can apply thefe characters to ourfelves, we may ex^
pecf. tranquillity in our laft moments. The pleafing
views of that h crown of righteoufnefs, which the. Lord
the righteous judge will give us, as the reward of all
our faithful fervices, will revive and comfort us,
» when walking through the valley of the jhadma of
death. This leads me tp add,
» Pfalm xxxvii. 37. >?. 2 Pet. i. j 1. ?:Col. 1V..17.
d 2 Tim. iv. 6. ' e A&s xx. 24. • f 2 Tim.iv; 7. '
«Pfahnlvi.tr. * 2 Tim.-iv. 3v j Pfelrnxxiiii' 4.
6. That

(45)
r€. That our degree of glory in- the future ftate<
will be proportionable to our prefent zeal for the re
vival of religion. i
¦The Redeemer hath furnifhed his minifters with
different talents, and their advancement |n the
next -world, will be according to their improve
ment of them. a He who gained ten pounds, Jhall
have authority over ten cities, and he that gained
five pounds, Jhall be over five cities. The Apoftles*
thofe b wife mafter builder s, fhall be prefer'd to the
diftinguiftiing honours c of fitting on thrones, judg*
ing the twelve tribes of Ifrael. And other wifemeft
and teachers Jhall Jhine as the brigbtnefs of the fir~
moment dj and the moft eminent among them,
« it/ho have turned many to righteoufnefs, as the ftars
for ever and ever, one ft or differing from another fiat
in glory. All the faithful fervants of Jefus Chrift, / wfo
feed the fisck of God, taking the overfight, thereof not
by conftraint, but wMngly, not for filthy lucre, but of a
ready mind, fhall ftand with honour before the
throne of the great Judge of the world. But thofe
whd are attended with the largeft ^rain of happy
fouls, fhall appear with a peculiar glory. The
linnets .they have converted, and the faints they
have edified, are now their hope, and will be their
joy and rejoicing, in the prefence of our Lord Jefus
Chrift at Ms comings. Each of thefe fhall be as a
jewel, to adorn h the crown that fadeth not away*
which the chief fhephsrd . fhall then place upon their
heads. To conclude, Let us make the moft vigorous
efforts for the revival of religion, that it may ap
pear among us in its former glory. And I would
» liufcc jax. 17, r8. k 1 Cor. iii. io. e Luke xxii. Ja.
d Dan. xii. 3. c 1 Cor. xiii. 41. f i Pet. v. 2.
f1Th.ii.19j J i Pet. v, 4. further.

(46 )
farther obferve "for our encouragement, that though
religion be dying,, yet it is not dead. Though it
be a finking caufe, yet it is not a loft caufe : There
is ftill fomething remaining which may be ftren'gthen-y
ed. ' There were a a few names even in Sardist
which had "not ' defiled ¦ their garments ; and I am ful
ly perfuaded we are not b, left alone^ - but there are
many in our refpedtive congregations, whofe hearts
are touched with a fenfe of our prefent decays,
and are 'as -much concerned about therri as we our
felves. This- c chofen generation are 'ready to fet
their hands, to the work, and to join with us in
all .neceflary . erideavours to retrieve our religious"
interefts,; that a new face of things may appear in
ail our churches : And if the d glorious gofpel of the
bleffed God does not depart from this nation, we
may hope that we fhall riot c labour in vain.' But
if we 'fhould not fucceed in thefe our pious attempts,
yet f whereas it- was in our heart to build the houfe
ef the Lord, vsedid well ; and' We may comfort our->
fefvesf with this, that the Redeemer's s kingdom Jhall
not be deftroyed; though the1 diffenting intereft fhould
be,' fwallowed up in \ that degeneracy, which 'like, a
mighty flood Is: now breaking in upon us] ¥fhe
earth jhall be fidl-of the- knowledge of the Lord, as
the waters cover the fea, and the chriftian church
ihall' enlarge the place of its tent, and ftr etch forth
tbe curtains of its habitation, and, fhall l break forth
on' the righ^hand and on the 'left.- k The man of fin,.
Who f Sppoftth: and -¦ jxalteth fimfelfi above " ¦¦ all that is
called God, and fitteth in the temple of God,1' thi-
E/frd' ' fihull'Aconfume' with the fpirit of his mouthy ^and
the<brightn'efs of 'his coming: > And then the religion1
tj Jefus Khali appear again* in its native purity, and.
i
.c? Eev. iii. 4." » Ro-m.xi. 3.O.-1 c 1 Pet. ii.,'9.; f AiTimJUi.
e Phih ,ii-2j6-: f z Kipgs':viii i8. s Darfe -vi»> 14*- '
fc If. xi. 9. ' ! liv. 2, 3. k a;.Th,;ii/4'. - ' Ibid.igA- * :

(47)
triumph over every thing which now obftructs thfe
propagation of it. Thus the Lord will comfort Zion,
and make her wilder nefs like Eden, and her defart as
the garden of the Lord, joy and gladnefs (hall be found
therein, thankfgiving and the voice of melody1. In
thofe happy, times, Chriftianity fhall have a power
ful influence on its profeffors," righteoufnefs and peace
fhall flourifh among them, b and Jerufalem fhall be a
praife in the earth. Then c the feeble fhall be as Da
vid, and the houfe of David as the angel of the Lord ;
all the differing characters of Chriftians fhall be im
proved, minifters and people fhall be a crown of glo
ry in the hand, of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the
hand of their God d, adorning the doctrine of. God our
Saviour in all things e; and their honourable and ufe
ful lives fhalj conclude with an entrance abundantly f
into that blefled world of light, life and love, where
religion fhall fhine in its brighteft glory, withput the
leaft mixture of imperfection or decay. Amen. .
* If. li. 3. b lxii. 7. c Zech. xii. 8. ¦• If. lxii. 2.
cTit. ii. jo. { 2 Pet. i. 11.

FINIS,

BOOKS printed for Richard Hett,
at the Bible and Crown in the Poultry,
near Cheipiidc.
I. f~T"i H E Scripture. Chronology demonftrated by
J^ . aftronomical Calculations, and alfo by the
Year of Jubilee, and the Sabbatical Year among the
Jews : Or an Account of Time from the Creation of
the World to the deftruction of Jerufalem ; as it may
iJe proved from the Old and New Teftament. In a
method hitherto unatfempted, and which was firft
propofed by the learned Archbifhop Ufher. In which
the Hebrew Text is vindicated ; and the Objections
.againft it, as confifting of many' Mutilations, and
numerical Alterations, are occasionally confider'd,
and the Authority of the Samaritan and Septuagint
Verfions, in opposition to the original Copy, is con
futed. Together with the Hiftory of the World,
from the Creation to the Time when Dr. Prideaux
began his Connexion. Illuftrated with greUt variety
of Tables, Maps, and Copper- Plates. By Arthur
Bedford, M. A. Rector of Newton St. Loe in the
County of Somerfet, and Chaplain to the Haber-
dafhers Hofpital at Hoxton, near London. Foi.
II. The Hiftory of the Council of Confiance, by
James Lenfant. Tranflated from the new Edi
tion printed at Amfterdam 1727, which the Author
has not only revifed arid corrected, but confiderably
augmented. Illuftrated with twenty curious Copper
Plates. In 2 Vol. 410.
III. The Works of Dr. John Tillotfon, late Lord
Archbifhop of Canterbury. 3 Vol. Folio.
IV. The Works of Dr. Ifaac Barrpw. 2 Vol.
Folio.

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