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prove in the wisdom that is from above*, SER M. the enlargement of our own understand

ings, nay, even the falvation of our own fouls, must not be the ends at which we exclufively aim. By turning many from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, by contributing to add to that glorious affembly, who fhall at last proclaim in heaven, Worthy is the lamb that was slain, to receive power and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and bleffing ‡, we must promote the extenfion of our divine Sovereign's kingdom. If we deliver to our brethren, and illustrate the great truths of the gospel, or establish and inculcate its beautiful and falutary precepts, we must seek, not our own reputation, but their inftruction, not our own influence, but their amendment, not our own popularity, but their edification. If we be actuated by other motives, and pursue other objects, we are unfaithful to our truft, are not the fervants of our fellow Chriftians, but of our own groveling paffions, and betray those whom we profefs to inftruct, to guide, and

James iii. 17. + Acts xxvi. 18.

Rev. v. 12.

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SERM. and to comfort. We are servants in the

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moft exalted sense; servants, not to the prejudices, the errors, the follies, or the vices. of men, but to the present comfort and everlafting falvation of immortal fpirits. We are the ministers of Jefus Chrift, the best friend of mankind, and, for his fake, from a deep fense of obligation to him, and from profound reverence for his principles, views, and character, we profess and endeavour to ferve our brethren for whom he died. How can we serve them fo effectually, as by correcting error, by eradicating prejudice, by exploding fuperftition, by oppofing enthufiafm, by tearing the mask from hypocrify, by reclaiming vice, by recommending virtue, by encouraging fincere repentance, by advancing the divine life in the foul, by infufing celestial confolation into the afflicted heart; in a word, by illuftrating, establishing, recommending, enforcing the principles and precepts of pure and undefiled religion*,-that certain refuge from the evils of life,―that principal sweetener of all its enjoyments, that which, alone, plucks the

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sting from death, and fnatches from the grave $ ER M. its victory. Can we more effectually ferve our fellow Chriftians, than by exhibiting, in our conduct, the living image of the faith which we preach, and of the virtues which we inculcate.

What, my brethren, can be conceived more exalted and blissful than the reflexion that we are co-operating with the Father of spirits †, and are inftruments, in his hands, for promoting the fupreme felicity of mankind? Feeling, thus, the impreffions of divine wisdom and goodness ftrong upon our fouls, we share some portion of divine happiness. We confine not our views and exertions to our own highest interest, an object both lawful and laudable in itself, but extend them to the prefent comfort and eternal falvation of thousands of our brethren. We perceive, opened before us, a profpect of felicity, of which we can neither measure the compass nor calculate the duration.

The fubftance of the text thus exhibits à refult of purfuit and of character, the pureft, the most beneficent, the most exalted!

*

B

I Cor. xv. 55.

t

It

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SERM. It presents to our view an understanding employed in difcovering the Creator in the operations of nature, and in apprehending his will in the pofitive dictates of revelation. It presents a heart ftrongly impreffed with gratitude, love, and reverence to the Saviour, rejoicing in his gracious scheme of redemption, ardently defirous of promoting it, and actuated by the most comprehensive and enlightened benevolence. It presents a voice devoted to the propagation and enforcement of the most important and falutary truths. It presents a course of conduct regulated by the precepts of the gofpel, moulded, directed, and continually improved by that Holy Spirit which has been promised to all who ask it*, in fincerity. It presents a delineation of all that is good, and great, and amiable in human nature, but a delineation which few, fince the days of the great Apoftle who penned my text, have been able to exemplify.

When I confider the picture of the Chris tian orator which I have drawn, and, at the same time, reflect on my own inability to

* Luke xi. 13.

copy

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copy it into real performance, even in any SER M. tolerable degree, I cannot help feeling the most lively apprehenfion of having furnished you with a standard to evince my own deficiency. But, your candour will apply that measure with the charity which our religion teaches both to afford and to expect, and you will acknowledge that models of excellence are fet before us, not to excite the vain prefumption of our ability to attain to them, but to rouse our most vigorous efforts, and to affift us in the application of them to their proper objects. A sense of inherent infufficiency leads us to apply for affiftance to that grace which can give, to penury, abundance, beftow ftrength on weaknefs, and crown with fuccefs the most humble endeavours, when purity of intention dictates, and perfeverance accompanies them.

I am not, indeed, deftitute of fuch encouragements, as may infpire me with hope, if not with confidence. I have already preached, during a confiderable period, to a congregation, small, undoubtedly, in comparison of your number, my brethren! but