IT hath been in my mind to adopt the language or salutation of Joab to Amasa; but with senti­ments different, far different, from those which actuated the treachery of Joab; even those of true and tender affection, and with a mind replenished with that charity, which wisheth well to all.

I COULD wish, with all possible solicitude, to lead every mind present, into the most careful enquiry, in respect to their spiritual state of health; and to their immediate relation, and affinity, to that supreme almighty Being, who is the just and awful judge of quick and dead. I fear it hath proceeded from too anxious a solicitude for the health of your bodies, and prosperity of your temporal concerns, that too many of you have too frequently, and in a manner totally, neglected the great concern of your immortal souls; which is indeed the one thing needful.

THOSE temporal concerns, I say, which are of a trifling perishing nature, have, I fear! interrupted and taken off from this principle concern: your anxiety and application towards the attainment of the treasures and the enjoyment of the plea­sures of the world, have occasioned too great a neglect of your religious duty.

THE coveniencies of life are, by no means, a contemptible concern, where they are bounded with temperance, and con­fin'd within their proper channel: but as there is a part in us of infinitely greater, of no less than eternal moment; it also [Page 6] requires an attention proportionable to its proper worth; for what are temporal concerns, when compared with the import­ant one of eternity!

THE [...] of the body is subject to divers maladies; and when we have done our utmost to preserve it, we shall find in the end (and how soon that may be none knows) that it is of necessity subject to the stroke of death, and to the inclosure of the grave.

I HAVE therefore thought it by no means an improper en­quiry for each individual to make, and deeply ponder, What is thy state, or how is it with thee, O my soul! who art capa­ble of partaking of immortal joys, and destin'd to triumph over death and the grave? When this earthly, tabernacle shall be dissolv'd, thy appointment and destination, if in proper sound­ness for it, shall be made perfect with the whole family of GOD, and be no longer subject to the diseases, pains, trials and afflictions of this life, but share the things which are of GOD, ^* With the general assembly and church of the first-born, whose names are written in Heaven.

AS this is of the most infinite importance to the sons of men, I have thought it my particular duty, upon the present occasion, to put you in mind of the necessary enquiry into the state of your spiritual health; the conditon of your immortal souls: being very apprehensive that all of you, my brethren, are not in perfect health, who have outwardly the appear­ance of health; but that, on the contrary, many are in a dan­gerous state of disease and stupefaction; have only preserved a lethargic frame, and are tottering upon the brink of de­struction.

THIS enquiry into the present state of experience and of advancement in the work of salvation, hath branched itself out in my view, and divided into several classes, those who are now within the audience of my voice. And, in the first place, I intreat the attention of you, the elders, amongst whom our LORD, as amongst so many shepherds, hath di­vided his flock; over whom you are appointed to watch, and and to teach them to persevere in the path which leadeth to eternal life!

YOU have experienced the power of religion; you have ^† [Page 7] put on the armour of light; and ought to stand as guardian an­gels, and to call as the angel called, saying, ^* Come up hi­ther, and I will shew thee the bride, the lamb's [...].

Are you in health, my brethren?— Are you in health, my sis­ters?— Are you in health, my fellow labourers in the LORD!— Are you in a lively active state in the cause religion? in the cause of virtue and temperance? in the power of the gospel, as it is in CHRIST?

IF those that have been called with an high and holy cal­ling, as delegated shepherds under the one great shepherd, walk uprightly in his fear and to his glory; then the sheep will with them be more likely to be gained upon to follow the great shepherd; they will then have a frequent desire, a long­ing appetite after the divine Manna, which cometh down from GOD out of Heaven: for every life hath its food and its pro­per nutriment; and a soul panting after Heaven can be sa­tisfied with nothing short of the food from Heaven.

IN the next place, I address you, my brethren in the work of the ministry, reminding you of its divine institution, all that have enter'd rightly into it ^† being called of God, as was Aaron.

IT is written, ^‡ he maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire; and tho the term angels be generally under­stood of the glorified spirits in Heaven; yet, as it signifies mes­sengers, it here seems to be applicable to those whom the Most High prepares and sends forth, to excite and enliven his mi­litant church on earth.— Are you in health, my brethren?—It is the divine will that you be fed with celestial food; not with the unlawful things of the world, nor with the unlawful love of its lawful things; but that you become as angels, and like his ministering spirits, as a flame of fire. He will make you, if with due constancy ye adhere to, and attend on him, a sa­cred and fixed flame of love, and of light never to be extiguish­ed: your care, and pains, and labour here will be but a mo­ment, your reward will be a crown of life everlasting. The bread that you eat, and the water that you drink, and of which ye minister their due share unto others, will be daily springing up in you unto everlasting life! The divine Manna and the daily sacrifice will be continued. Rest in hope,— look for the coming of the LORD.—Labour in the discharge of your duty.

[Page 8]INDEED it hath sometimes happened that some of the mi­nisters [...], ^* stewards of the mystery of God, have not been [...] to what he required. Be ever mindful of the nece [...] of putting on and wearing the spiritual robes, prefigured by those of Aaron: the holy girdle about the loins; the breast-plate, with the Urim and Thummin; the Bell and the Pomegranate. Some indeed have had the Bell sending forth an empty unavailing sound, but have wanted the Pome­granate, the soul-enlivening fruit of the good spirit of CHRIST, our everlasting high priest.

But I hope better things of you, beloved in CHRIST, and things that accompany salvation. I am sure we have need, with the utmost diligence, appplication, and care, to keep the loins of our minds girded about: we had need to stand upon the watch: we have great need to maintain the utmost steadiness: for if we who stand in the fore front, should fall, we fall not alone: if we slide from the path of truth, who amongst us will be able to stand!

WE ought to be endued with the spirit of wisdom, of judg­ment, and with sound minds, which he hath promised to them that ask this blessing from him, and hath made good his promise.

Are you in health, my brethren? are you strongly attached to the promotion and exhaltation of that glorious cause which you have embarked in? have each of you a share in and a proper care of the LORD's work? do you watch over the flock attending on your ministry, under the great shepherd, and with the tenderness of gospel love, seeking to save that which was lost?

I FREELY confess my own sears, that I am not in a state of perfect health and sound mind; labouring as I ought in the work of the LORD. As it is a task of the utmost importance, I ought to remain ever diffident of my own care, and to watch daily in the discharge of a trust so great and important as that of the recovery and preservation of the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

THE prostration of the soul before the GOD and Father of mercies, in a cause of such infinite concern, is a continual duty, which can scarce ever be sufficiently discharged. The secret cry of my soul has, after this manner, frequently arisen, [Page 9] "LORD! spare thy people and bless thine heritage." I am fully persuaded, my friends, were all the ministers and elders more blessed with sound health, the minds of the flock would be more fill'd with brotherly kindness, and more and more ap­proach to that state which I have mentioned, they would know what is meant by the angels being spirits, and how to understand his ministers being a flame of fire.

I COME now to another class, whom I mean to address un­der the title of those within the audience of my voice, who continue in a single state.

Are you in health; my brethren and sisters? are you possest of inward virtue, and of ability to live to GOD, as becometh his saints; and which alone will lead you to eternal life; do you aspire after these, with an unabated zeal?

YOU must not expect always to rest satisfied with the good things of this life. The day may come when you will loath the abundance of your temporal possessions: you will then be concerned that you have so indulgently ^* dwelt in ceiled houses, and have let the house of God lie waste. Then you would be glad to have exchanged the fading pleasures of life for the substantial joys of eternity.

RECOLLECT yourselves in the spring time of life; consider early the importance of this exchange, while you have it in your power to make it Look up to an object more glorious than the present world can afford you, even the joys of that eternal inheritance, which the children of the first-born, the in­numerable company of happy spirits, the general assembly of just men already made perfect, are replenished with.—Pleasures unspeakable! that exist for evermore!

Art thou in health; my brother?—my dear brethren, are ye fervently engaged in labouring, necessary labouring, for the promotion of the cause of GOD upon earth?

O YE parents and heads of families, who are placed as de­legated shepherds over them; timely beware, lest the blood of your children, or of any part of your charge, fall on your heads: (if through your misconduct they become corrupted, and their souls perish.) Know that inquisition for blood will hasten from the supreme judge, who hath divided the classes of mankind; and, as it were, seperated from the rest those [Page 10] who are parents, and have children:—his call is to these, "Go work in my vineyard."

THESE precious gifts which he hath given, as pledges of his love, are to be led and instructed by them with a proper authority.

IF the parents experimentally felt the advantages of spi­ritual health in themselves, then would they be concerned that the tender minds of their children should be properly cultivated with the knowledge of the LORD, and a fearful apprehension of transgressing his supreme commands. They would teach them to look further than mere temporal acqui­sitions; even to GOD their Creator. They would bring them up in the nurture and fear of the LORD; in order that their minds might be fill'd from the store-house and magazine of boundless good, and early enriched with the joys of GOD's sal­vation: and this would naturally diffuse the greatest satisfac­tion to the parents themselves, to see their children become the delight and ornaments of human nature, and fitted for a glorious change! the company of Angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect. The ties of nature, and the stronger ties of gratitude to him who gave the blessing, call aloud for teaching the tender minds of your children, to walk in the safe and delightful paths of virtue. With what satisfaction and composure of mind will such parents be enabled to answer the great GOD, upon his awful examination to this purpose; ‘What have you done with those tender sheep which I com­mitted to your care in the wilderness? have you trained them up in safety?’ —How will such parents be supported by a consciousness of having done their duty, in that solemn hour!—They then may truly say, ‘I have done my utmost within my contracted sphere, within the narrow precincts of allotment in life, to fill up my stated duty,’ Then the supreme judge will set at his right hand such parents, and they shall be united to him in glory.

AND I beseech you parents, elders, ministers, (and I in­clude myself) let us all say Amen, to this solemn care in our respective famili [...] let us all discharge our several duties as men, hoping for the coming of our LORD; who then will say unto us, "well done good and faithful servants," even in the hour when he shall come with terrors to make inqusition for [Page 11] blood thro' the various ranks, whether ministers, elders, heads of families, even throughout the various classes of mankind.

I WISH all parents and heads of families would continually walk, hand in hand with their children and families, in the path which leadeth to life eternal; daily watching over, and improving their rising judgments, with the wisdom which cometh from above; instructing and encouraging them in the contemplation of divine things! persuading them to believe, as the truth is, that the things of this world are all uncertain, and fading away; that they have everlasting mansions erected for them in the city of their GOD; where (if they fall not short, or turn not aside (they will enjoy the company of saints and angels for ever more.

EXERCISE yourselves in this your present state, differently from those, whose faculties are bounded within the narrow li­mits of this world; cultivate, continually cultivate, the minds of your offspring: endeavouring to raise in them a proper comprehension of the dignity of their natures, and to fix in them early a steady belief of their immortality; which is of the utmost importance to all!

THE hearts of those are unsound, who live in a perpetual attachment to the pride of life, who are contaminated with the love of the world, wherein their chief happiness appears to be placed: how can such point out the way to the city of GOD? how can they say to their children, ‘Let us retreat from the world, from this scene of corruption: let us with­draw from the cares, the solicitudes of life: let us ascend to our appointed home: let us contemplate the joys of eter­nity: let nothing separate us from that blessed hope’

HOW can parents thus address their children, when they have, perhaps, for a long course of years, ceased to consider the awful importance of the subject; and their own minds continue fixed, and tyed down to the fading enjoyments of life Alas! that the folly and vanity of the superfluous plea­sures of the world should so entirely engage and engross the attention of any one immortal individual, as to take up almost every moment of their precious time!

HENCE, sometimes, parents, instead of instructing the minds of their children, have so totally corrupted their own [Page 12] that they have laid obstructions in the way to the immortal happiness of their offspring, and, when their children have for a time trod in the ways of religion and virtue, they have been so extremely corrupt themselves, as to oppose them in their passage; to obstruct them, with violence, in their way to glory; and thereby aggravated their own guilt beyond ex­pression; alas! what will their punishment prove, when con­victed of so great a neglect and violation of their duty? when he that is the judge of quick and dead shall appear in judg­ment, to render to every man according to his works! May all parents, who are negligent in the discharge of their duties, lay it seriously to heart.

IN the mean time, may you, my brethren and sisters in a spiritual relation, continue in a state of lively active health— labouring in the sure ground of hope; that, when the great shepherd himself shall appear, you may also appear with him in glory. If you so persist, I cannot but yet hope, that your stedfast continuance will prove the means of spreading spi­ritual health, in an eminent degree. For as, on the one hand, minds infected and vitiated with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, or the pride of life, are very apt to spread the contagion to all that are round about them: so, on the other hand, such as are restored by CHRIST, to a state of spiritual health, and by him steadily preserved in it, often become instrumental in his hand, to diffuse that blessing; from whence, healthy parents have been frequently observed to have healthy children.

I AM convinced that the LORD is at work amongst the rising generation; many of whom stand convicted in their own minds, of the want of spiritual health; and are im­ploring the mercy of the GOD of their salvation.

IN order to your attaining it, let me call upon you again, the present rising generation; whose stations in life may be likely to have some little continuance; be ever stedfast in the performance of your religious duties, that you may become heirs of the kingdom; and have your portion, with the children of GOD.

IT seems to me of the greatest importance, in relation to the various affairs of life, to form aright the minds of youth; and therefore, I once more entreat every parent present, that [Page 13] you watch over, and carefully nourish every seed of virtue springing up in the minds of your children, for the sake of their, and your own, temporal welfare; as well as for the hope and assurance of both their, and your own, eternal happiness.

AND here, let me class every single individual; as every single individual is posting on his way to an eternal state of existence—and that they may be guided by an infinite wis­dom, is my earnest desire; and be at last received into glory! welcom'd thither by their dear redeemer!

IN this city he hath laid his hand upon one, and upon another. He hath preserved many from the pollutions that too frequently reign in the world; and hath mercifully in­duced some to look early into the law of liberty, into the counsel of his will, who thereby learn the things which be­long to their peace.

Art thou in health; my brother? Art thou not only called from a state of darkness, into his marvelous light; but, obedient to the call, enter'd upon the road to eternal glory? Art thou in health; my fellow pilgrim?

A SENSE of the want of that food which CHRIST gives, is at least a symptom of life.

I BELIEVE it may be said concerning some among you, as was said formerly to CHRIST; Lord, he whom thou lovest is sick. The decay of health in many, has been owing to foul feeding; to their daily feeding upon the spirit, maxims and manners of the world, upon exterior appearances, upon comparative righteousness, upon a comparison of their pre­sent, with their former state; whose minds are relaxed with the love and spirit of vanity. Some have relaxed into evil, and are now become too much unacquainted with GOD and his law; which, to holiness, and to that only, annexes hap­piness. Many of the [...]e might have gone on from one degree of strength to another; had they not too much [...] the things of time, and fed too greedily upon the temptations and pleasures of this life; not enough considering, that the diseases and disorders of the mind thus fed, must certainly at last bring death, even the death, tho' not dissolution, of the s [...]ul. They might have been cloathed, if not with a perfect heart, yet with a certain degree of strength; and been more and more advanced on their way to the regions of bliss.

[Page 14]I BESEECH you, continue in your love to the gospel of CHRIST: that, day after day, you may feed on the holy sa­crifice, and on that eternal fruit with which he nourishes the soul that hungers and thirsts after righteousness. And, I cannot help, while I am speaking, pressing you in a more immediate manner, if possible, that, not relying on your own wisdom, and your own strength, but in a full dependence and lean­ing upon the breast of the beloved JESUS, you all, patiently, with a holy soundness, proceed in the highway to the city of God; that you may be crown'd at last with glory, honour, and immortality!

I FIND in me (at least) one qualification of a gospel mi­nister; even that of a strong and ardent love, which wisheth well to all mankind: and in particular that you who are pre­sent, may enjoy such a state of perfect health, as I have been at this time enforcing to your serious consideration: may it spread through every class; may you all increase in the stabi­lity of righteousness, through this life; and may it carry you into the boundless joys of eternity, into that glorious city, not one of whose inhabitants, can say, "I am sick."

HAVING in the morning enlarged on our debts or obligations to GOD, for the abundant variety of temporal blessings received from him, in trust, for the good of others, &c. he proceeded thus:

^† If we are besides ourselves, it is unto God: If we are sober, it is for your sakes. If, with the strength of love, and a zea­lous fervency of mind, we labour in and for the church, and for the good of those to whom we are sent; if rising early and lying down late; if being willing to spend and to be spent, disinterestedly, without any lucrative motive, or receiving any thing, but mere food, from those amongst whom we la­bour; if ministring to our own wants, and to the wants of others, carry any kind of evidence to the considerate and prudent mind, of a disinterested gospel ministry; we have, so far, a valid claim to it.

^‡ We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for his sake.

[Page 16] If we are besides ourselves, it is unto God. If we are sober it is for your sakes. Having known the terrors of the Lord for sin; having experienced a gradual progression from the pit of pollution, from the mire and clay; having, in some measure, tasted of the good word of life, and of the [...]wers of the world to come, we apprehend we have authority, more than any human laws or ordination of men can give us, to tell to others, what GOD hath done for our souls. I may proceed yet further with truth and sincerity, having the sanction of him, who is the searcher of hearts; ^† for the love of Christ constraineth us. The foundation of the gospel mi­nistry is this constraining love of CHRIST.

WE enter not into the ministerial office with any applica­tion of this sort. viz. ^‡ Put me (I pray thee) into one of the priest's offices, that I may eat a piece of bread. We think higher of the gospel ministry; so that no temporary emolu­ment can possibly be an adequate inducement to us, to enter upon it; for, the love of Christ constraineth us. We speak with reverence and a feeling heart; and we believe the Christian religion will never flourish, in its full perfection and excellency, still their being thus constrain'd, becomes the case of all that take the name of GOD in their mouths in a public manner. ^* The love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge that if one died for all, then were all dead. And that he died for all, that they which live, should not henceforth live to themselves, but to him that died for them and rose again.

THIS expression seems to me, if properly considerd, to cast no inconsiderable light upon the propriety of that query applied to us, viz. How much owest thou unto my Lord? which I cannot yet relinquish; though some may think I dwell upon it too long. The love of Christ constraineth us, because if one died for all, then were all dead. I look upon this as a funda­mental part of the Christian faith; and that life and immorta­lity have been brought to light by the gospel. We were all dead: we have all partaken of guilt: we have all been in a state of estrangement from the covenant of GOD: we have all become, more or less, ^‖ aliens to the commonwealth of Israel.

IN this state of death the voice of GOD hath been signally [Page 17] extended unto mankind. I have sometimes consider'd with great attention, his declaration, ^* O! death, I will be thy plagues; and it hath made a deep impression upon my mind. This declaration of the most high GOD, hath been amply verified in the experience of all, who have been quickened into a life of piety. Christ hath been the resurrection and the life to all such▪ Tho' death hath come upon all, we are not all included under death; so as to be left without the quicken­ing vivifying power, that is offer'd to raise the dead to life.

The dead have heard the voice of the Son of God ^† and have been raised again to life. I cannot think but it has been the experience of divers, within the audience of my voice, who know the certainty of this important truth, tho' others may reflect upon me, as being beside myself; yet if so, I may say with the apostle, it is unto God. But I would gladly speak intelligibly to the soul that is on its way to the regions of immortality; for if we are sober, it is for your sakes. I would ask whether a secret something hath not often visited your souls, an unspeakable something, often secretly and im­mediately attended, that hath engaged you to send up hea­venly and earnest wishes, and rais'd in your minds strong aspirations, or breathings, after GOD' when we are told that ^‡ the whole creation groaneth together in bondage until now, we have no doubt of its being relative and applicable to the present times, or such times of longing after GOD to be delivered by him. ^‖ The Lord from heaven is the quicken­ing spirit. An expression of want, from a real sense of it▪ is an evidence of life; or being raised by him, from a state of death. We have not been left in a dead state, this predic­tion hath been verified, O! death, I will be thy plagues. He hath brought the first evidence of life, which is a sense of want. The spiritually dead, have receiv'd it; and it hath been of his pure mercy, that he hath followed us from time to time; hath met us, as it were, in a narrow place, with in­structions and reproofs, and secretly raised up in us the hid­den life of his own divine wisdom; he hath caused the ani­mating and warming beams of the sun of righteousness to break forth. And, yet more, the word which called Lazarus [Page 18] out of the grave, hath already, in a good degree, rais'd some of us to life even life eternal! hence ^* death is swallowed up in victory!

AND therefore the love of Christ constraineth us, because he hath proved "the plagues of our death. He not only died, but the immediate manifestation of his quickening spirit hath led captivity captive, that we, by him, may triumph over the united powers of darkness.

WE follow not formally; but we believe in, and are con­vinced, fully convinced, of the doctrines of the christian re­ligion, the incarnation, glory, life, death, mighty miracles, and various circumstances, relative to the holy life of JESUS, ^† as in the volume of the book is written; and can in an aw­ful and reverent sense, commemorate those vast and most in­teresting events.

WE admire, with humble hearts and minds, the awful transactions of that time, when sweat, like drops of blood, ran from the face of the holy JESUS! when, being in an agony, he pray'd more earnestly! when he was betray'd, his sacred head crown'd with thorns! his face spit upon! he was most ignominiously treated, and ^‡ as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, he complained not!

WE behold him in his agonies on Calvary Mount, offer­ing himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world; that he might purify us, by the shedding of his precious blood! more precious than the blood of goats and lambs; or any other that was shed under the law. We believe in his amaz­ing mercy▪ in offering himself there; when, loaden with the immense weight of the sins of mankind, and the immediate sense of the father's presence withdrawn, he was left to suffer alone; under this extreme pressure crying out, Eloi, Eloi, lama Sabacthani! was crucified! dead! and buried.

HERE pause a little, I beseech you!—contemplate the adorable theme! acknowledge, O man! that unbounded gratitude, which is ever due from thee: O! my soul, how much thou owest unto thy Lord!

I KNOW we have been stigmatiz'd, as disbelieving the truths of the Christian religion. However, I call the divine record, the SAVIOUR of the world, that was offer'd a sacri­fice [Page 19] without the gate of Jerusalem, to witness for my belief, that he was sent from God, to do the father's will: and I do, without controversy, believe that he was ^* God manifest in the flesh, justified in the spirit, believed on in the world, and re­ceived up into glory. We do not at all doubt that ^† God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself. ^‡ That Christ gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time; ^| that with his stripes we are healed.

BY virtue of that holy sacrifice the remission of sins is gained; the awakening power of that sentence which is due to sin is felt in a state of alienation from GOD; and as we be­lieve, that if one died for all, then were all dead; so, we be­lieve that he who was crucified, dead, and buried, likewise triumph'd over the grave, and now sitteth at the right hand of God, in a glorified body, to make intercession for man, in order that he might effectually purchase, and redeem to him­self, a people to the praise of his name; and diffuse, through­out his universal empire, a similarity of opinion and nature, arising from the experience of his universal redeeming love.

I AM no Arian, far from it:—I believe in the clear emphatic testimonies laid down in holy writ, that CHRIST was more than a prophet. I repeat my belief, that he suf­fered, died, ascended, and is now come ^¶ the second time, without sin, to salvation: in order to reconcile the world to himself. I know many are willing to admit that he died for all, as all were in a state of death; and that, by the impu­tation of his righteousness, all are justified in the sight of GOD. Whereas I think it more just to proceed in the lan­guage of the holy inspired apostle; that they which live, should not henceforth live to themselves; but to him who died for them, and rose again; that there may be an effectual redemp­tion, a thorough change; not the imputation of righteous­ness, without works; but a real substantial righteousness in the heart and life; which may operate upon, and regulate the mind and will, and lead us to a conformity to his divine na­ture; not a righteousness imputed to as from what CHRIST did and suffered without [...]; but a righteousness raised by him within us; thro' our surrendering ourselves to his go­vernment, [Page 20] and yielding entire submission to [...] clean­sing, re [...]ining power.

HOWEVER this doctrine may relish with some, I am con­vinced he died for all, that all should be saved; that, through him, we might be justified in the [...]ght of GOD; that we might put on the Lord Jesus Christ, with all his di­vine affections.

^* The whole creation of God groaneth together, ^† to be cloathed upon with a house from heaven; not an imaginary house and an imaginary righteousness; but, to be cloathed upon with the grace of compleat salvation; to put on the LORD JESUS CHRIST; having first put off the old man, with all his works, and with all his corrupt wisdom, or know­ledge; which puffeth up, instead of that charity which edifieth.

Christ is made unto us Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption.

IN remembering therefore that he died for us, let us con­sider what follows; that henceforth, we should not live to our­selves. ^‡ I am crucified with Christ, says one of the apostles, as a private person: and it should, or ought to be the lan­guage in truth of each individual, thro' all succeeding ages. Nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ, liveth in me. He is become my righteousness; not by imputation only—but he actually liveth in me: and the life which I now live, is by the faith of the Son of GOD. I think I may now say, ^‖ let us press forward toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God. Let us be crucified with CHRIST, crucified to the world, and the world to us.

O! MY friends, for such I term you in the course of that universal love, which reacheth forth to the whole human race, which floweth from him who hath thus wrought for me, and brought life and immortality to light in my soul. Is any one of you desirous of being inform'd, how much owest thou unto my Lord?—lay hold on his offers of redemption; live in his fear, in fellowship with him, in communion with the church of the first born, whose names are written in heaven: so will you far better know than any one on earth can ever inform you.

[Page 21]EXAMINE the rising suggestions of your own minds; you are not form'd to live merely to yourselves, merely within the contracted bounds of human privileges, in the narrow li­mits of mortality. Consider the dignity of your nature; you are form'd for the most glorious purposes.

I EARNESTLY wish the rising youth would lay these things seriously to heart, and often meditate upon them, as one formerly did; who thus expresses himself, ^* while I was musing the fire burned. My heart was hot within me; then spake I with my tongue, Lord! make me to know my end, and the measure of my days▪ what it is, than I may know how frail I am.—That they would contemplate the great design of providence, with regard to their immortality, which would lessen their esteem of the unsubstantial joys of time, and engage them to pursue those which are unspeak­able and full of glory for ever. While I was musing the fire burned.

CONTINUE this musing, this state of meditation; prize the invitations of the Spirit of CHRIST, mercifully extended to your immortal spirits; and let your minds mount upwards; remember your pious predecessors, now perhaps in glory; and their connections in the world of spirits: likewise put this question to yourselves, upon every serious occasion, How much o [...]st thou unto my Lord?

I AM fully convinced were the Christian world in general to leave out exterior ceremonies, and enter more into this in­ward meditation, their minds would be more largely replen­ished with divine fruits; and those who are entering as it were upon the wilderness of this world, would then partake of the advantage. O! that we might all live in the beauty of ho­liness!

My heart was hot within me; then spake I with my tongue. —A necessary preparation for a preacher! Abel's offering on account of such a preparation, was more acceptable to God [...] his brother's.

Then spake I with my tongue.—O! rising generation, what you speak with your tongues, let it be from the same good source of hearts divinely prepared; since on the other hand for every [...]le word that men speak, they must give an [Page 22] account in the day of judgment. As you often speak with your tongue, fervently desire that the sacred faculties of the mind may be fitted for divine meditations, and the tongue to publish for the honour of GOD and benefit of others, what you have been taught by him▪ so will you never ad­mit or utter any thing contrary to the divinity of CHRIST JESUS your LORD.

Lord, let me know mine end! O that this sound may dwell upon your minds, who are the hope of the next generation! upon whom the weighty trust and care of the cause of GOD must, in a little time, necessarily devolve; that you may come to the knowledge of the measure of your days. I think, without violence to the text, you may learn from it that you are destined for immortality: but the love of worldly things is too apt to engage the attention of that immortal part, the soul; which occasions, to many, the [...]ant of their know­ing the great and glorious end for which they were formd, a little lower than the angels, and intended to be crown'd with glory and honour.

I TREMBLE methinks upon the brink of eternity! and so, with a little proper reflection, you might say all; the aged, the middle aged, and the youth.—The end of all things is at hand: flatter not yourselves therefore with length of days, and a long prosperity of worldly possessions; suffer me to beseech you for the sake of your immortal souls.

What do I owe to my God?—What do I not owe him?— He hath snatch'd me as a brand out of the fire; and I would not, tho' to gain the world, tread back again in the path of folly.

I KNOW it by experience, and therefore I would persuade you, not to turn aside from the GOD of your salvation; but to acknowledge the infinite debt you owe him, and to pay him daily with obedience, adoration and praise.

OUR sins have been great, and our transgressions never could have been obliterated, had not CHRIST done it for us; let us therefore no longer dwell upon the rock of presumption with Satan, who hath been a lyar from the beginning; but let us rather descend into the valley of humility and peace, and settle accounts with the GOD of our lives, from whom I had [Page 23] aray'd to that degree that my life became a burden to me, and I have wish'd that I had never been born; but CHRIST, who was a friend to publicans and sinners, is now become the rock of my salvation! he hath caused me to trust in him, and to seek the LORD my GOD The debt I owe is infinite, I desire ever to acknowledge it with all possible gratitude; and to do my utmost towards the discharge of it, while I have my being.

IF there is a soul within the audience of my voice which (upon this awful query) How much owest thou unto my Lord? is ready to apprehend, that it owes too much ever to hope for a discharge, or freedom from the heavy load of debt it has contracted; I have a little to say to such, even from my own experience: thy transgressions do not exceed the bounds of his mercy; he still careth for thee, with an inexpressible fa­therly care and tenderness. Even when his afflictions are upon thee, they are intended for thy good. The bruised reed he will not break, the smoaking flax he will not quench. The more any of you see your real state, the more you remember the favours you have received, and feel the burthen of your injustice and ingratitude; the more readily will he meet the penitent dis­position of your minds.

I HAVE no manner of doubt but he, whose work is salva­tion, who came into the world purely and purposely to save sin­ners, will carry on his own work, and, as you wholly resign yourselves to his forming hand, will purify your hearts, re­concile you to the Father, and make you everlasting instances and monuments of his infinite mercy. Lift up therefore thy head in hope, whoever art in this humbled penitent state; for thy salvation draws nigh. Thou owest abundance to thy LORD; and there is an abundance which thou canst never pay: but there is the good Samaritan, ever ready to do for thee, as for him, who going from Jerusalem to Jericho, fell among robbers; by whom he was wounded; and to say, take care of him, and I will pay. There is a glorious sound from the great and good friend of publicans and sinners; he is ready to say to thee who art in this penitent state before him, Take thy [...]ill and write down fifty. He will ^* blot out thy sins as a cloud, and thy transgressions as a thick cloud.

[Page 24]I CANNOT but remember with renew'd feeling, and warm emotion of heart, the day that anxiety (in the view of my condition) seized me; and how his mercy relieved me from it. He made my soul feel his compassion, and in the depth of gratitude thankfully to adore him. And hence I often feel a tenderness of mind toward those who are weary of va­nity, and heavy laden with a sense of their manifold trans­gressions. I beseech such, by the mercy of GOD, that they would fly to him in their anguish of mind; for it is he, and he alone that can speak peace to the sinner; tho' your un­righteousness may be great, it is not in any degree of pro­portion, to his infinite mercy! Again, such among you to whom I have spoke, who delight to dwell in the path of temptation, wherein you have too [...]ng continued; I warn you to consider, that you are in the road to de­struction.

I WOULD not give up, like Esau, ^* my birth-right to seek a place of repentance with tears, and not find it. O my soul! for ever acknowledge how much thou owest unto thy LORD! Let none say ‘he hath blessed me variously, and in some future time I will awake my soul to gratitude. I have now something else to do;’ like him who, when an apostle ^† reasoned of righteousness, temperance and judgment to come, replied go thy way for this time; when I have a conve­nient season I will call for thee.

THE like disposition continues to prevail in too many; and this seems, to be the language of their hearts, ‘Go thy way this time; call upon me when I have lived to myself, and answered my own purposes a little longer: visit me at some distant time hence.’ Oh! rather to day, while it is called to day.—Harden not thy heart: do not defer thy re­pentance a moment; thou knowest not what a moment may produce. Consider thy repeated transgressions; thy multi­plied offences against GOD: heap not up wrath against the day of wrath: swell not the dreadful account. Thou hast hitherto trampled upon the goodness and the mercies of the GOD that made thee; venture not on presumption and delay. Time is uncertain: Immortality is at hand.

I BESEECH you therefore my friends at the present time, [Page 25] that you will lay to heart the necessity of your making up this great account: delay it not to the decline of life. Many are on the brink of the grave! reflect upon your extreme dan­ger! think not of crowding the account of your repentance into your last hour of life! You will find it extremely dif­ficult to labour under the infirmities of the body, upon a death-bed, without a reasonable ground of hope: all the offers of mercy having been long continued, and often re­peated; yet by you as long slighted, and as often rejected; what then will discharge you from that dreadful account! I wish it may never be the case of any within the audience of my voice. Let us all immediately ponder, rightly consider, and seriously improve this consideration, How much owest thou unto my Lord?