elegantly, with pleasure, even by the most profligate. To such preachers, all vain worldly-minded people usually attach themselves, where they have not cast off the very form of religion; but most part of serious Christians, together with professing hypocrites, who cannot easily be distinguished in this world, always follow preachers of another strain. It is easy to see the reason of this from what hath been said above: there are none who set the strictness and obligation of the law, the holiness and justice of God, in so awful a light as those who believe there is no shelter from the sanction of the law, and the wrath of an offended God, but in the blood of Christ. Perhaps I am already insnared and exposed to censure, by affirming that there are among us preachers of different strains. But it is so certain a truth that I cannot deny it, and so important that I will not disguise it. Upon the whole, as the present aspect of public affairs, as the state of the world and character of the age loudly call upon all, of every station, to exert themselves with diligence for the support and revival of truth and righteousness, I hope the ministers of the gospel will promote this end, by zealously labouring to bring men to the saving knowledge of Christ, "the way, and the truth, and the life-the foundation-the tried stone-the precious corner stone"-the strength and security of the building. To deny, explain away, or neglect to impart the truths of the everlasting gospel, is the way to leave the world in wickedness; but by preaching them in purity and with simplicity, which, we have reason to think, will be accompanied with "the demonstration of the Spirit,” sinners are ciled unto God, the power of sin is broken in them, the divine image is formed in them, and upon these truths their hopes of eternal life must rest and depend. Let us be ever ready to say with the apostle Paul, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." And let us quicken our dili recon gence, and animate our endeavours, by expressing with the Psalmist David, our faith in the perpetuity of his kingdom: "His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun; and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed. Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name forever; and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen, and Amen." ** |