devices of the evil one, for the impeding us in our work? How often does he endeavor to intimidate our spirits, and make us afraid? How often to roil us with passion? And how does he sometimes almost quite discourage us? Almost ready with Jonah, to run away from our charge; and to say with Jeremiah, that we will not make mention of him, or speak any more in his name. And if things go well, yet are we not out of danger; for how does he then endeavor to puff us up with pride in some degree or other? Nor is this to be wondered at, since the blessed God improves the ministers of the gospel for the good of souls. And Satan is a most bitter enemy to precious immortal souls. Ministers endeavor to save them; and the devil to destroy them: if there be any thing that that infernal spirit can take pleasure in, it is to ruin souls, and bring them into the same condemnation with himself.

V. Hence we see, what need the ministers of the gospel do stand in of the prayers of God's people. Christians, there are no greater objects of pity and prayers in the whole world than the ministers of Christ. O, brethren, think upon the importance of their work; the difficulties which they have to conflict withal : how much they are opposed by earth and hell. The account which they have to give; and then realize their weakness and infirmities; and see if it will melt you into compassion towards them. There is not one minister of the gospel in this assembly, but asks your prayers, but whose language is, "Brethren, pray for us." O be importunate with God, that he would pour abundantly of his Spirit upon them, that his Thummim and his Urim may be with his holy ones, that the Lord would be with them, and make their labors successful, for the conversion and edification of souls; the more people pray for their ministers, the more good are they like to obtain by them. And as I would request the prayers of this assembly for all of us, who are in the ministry; so particularly, and especially the prayers of the church and people of God in this place for him, who is this day to take the ministerial charge. Who is by and by to be set apart to the service of God, in the gospel of his Son, by solemn prayer, and the imposition of the hands of the presbytery: he speaks to you in that language, Rom. xv. 30. "I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me."

VI. We may also collect the sad condition of those who are without the ministry of the word. It is a certain truth, that a famine of hearing the word of the Lord, is worse than a famine of bread, or a thirst for water, Amos viii. 11. With what compassion was our Saviour moved, when he saw the inultitude scattered abroad," as sheep without a shepherd," Matt. ix. 36.

have read an account that one gives, when preaching was suppressed at Rome, that letters were framed as coming from hell, wherein the devil gave them thanks for the multitude of souls sent to him that year. Souls go fast enough to hell under the preaching of the word; but O how fast do they go where there is none! "where there is no vision, the people perish," Prov. xxix. 18. What pity then is it, that people should refuse it when offered to them. O let the towns who are without it, get it by all means, and endeavor to be as they should, in attending upon it. Therefore,

VII. How conscientious and careful should people be in attending upon the gospel ministry! the gospel ministry! How are the ministers of the gospel like to be serviceable in the converting and for the edification and building up of souls, if people are not careful to wait upon their ministry. Let none therefore forsake the assembling of themselves together, as the manner of too many is. Do not be absent from the public worship upon small or trivial occasions; do not let a little rain, or snow or cold, keep you at home. Is not this to set light by that which God has made the means for conversion and edification of your souls? Shall God find a mouth to speak, and man not an ear to hear? It is not good to balk the known and ordinary methods of grace; those that are truly godly will be careful not to do so. It is the inseparable property of a sincere soul, to "love the habitation of God's house, and the place where his honor dwells;" to be glad when it is said to them, "Let us go into the house of the Lord;" and there the man is in the way of a blessing, in the way to life: "Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors; for whoso findeth me, findeth life, and shall obtain favor of the Lord," Prov. viii. 34, 35.

VIII. How ought sinners to do what they can to have the gospel ministry advantageous and effectual to their conversion; though its being thus beneficial depends entirely upon the divine blessing, yet we must (as has been hinted already) do our uttermost. And who are there, but might do more than they do? To quicken you, I might say, what multitudes remain unconverted under the gospel ministry. Our Lord in the parable, Matt. xiii. 1-9, gives us to understand, that among four sorts of hearers, one only is good. The most remain unconvinced, unenlightened, unconverted. I might remind you also, how long you have lived under the ministry of the word, how many years He that has planted you in his vineyard, has come and sought fruit, but found none, Luke xiii. 6. I might also suggest to you, how that if the gospel ministry be not a means of your conversion, it is to be feared that nothing will. "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one arose from

the dead. If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost," 2 Cor. iv. 3. They are like to be finally lost, to whom the gospel ministry is not blessed to save! And once more, realize the dreadfulness of their condition who continue impenitent and unconverted under the gospel. It will certainly be more tolerable for Sodom in the day of judgment, than for such, Matt. xi. 24. The worst of heathen will fare better in the day of judgment, than such as these. Oh then! do what in you lies towards your being converted under the gospel dispensations, which you are the subjects of. Come to the word to be converted by it; and be importunate with God, that it may be blessed to you for this: and remember to pray for your minister as often as you come. It was the expression of a considerable person, "He that comes to a sermon and does not pray for the preacher, is like one that sits down to his food without asking a blessing." But when sinners do what they can, then are they in a proximity to conversion; though not converted, yet in a hopeful way to be so. A divine power is requisite hereto; and when sinners are in the way of their duty, then are they most likely to experience and feel that power. Up, therefore, and be doing, and the Lord be with you,

IX. Hence, Christians should be much in examining themselves, how they profit under the gospel ministry; does God use and improve this ministry, as for the conversion of sinners, so also for the edification and building up of his saints? Then how do you Christians grow in grace under the means of grace? Do you go backward or forward in religion? Self-examination is a duty to be attended, not only now and then, but we are to be most frequent in it let it then be part of our daily exercise, that so we may see what ground we get or lose. And if we can find our souls in any measure edified and built up, we cannot be sufficiently thankful; and let us go on towards perfection; let us, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those which are before, press toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, Phil. iii. 13, 14. But if we find ourselves under any spiritual decays, how deeply ought we to be humbled before God! How earnest and importunate in our seeking to him, that he would revive his work in us, that he would quicken us in his way! That to be sure must be minded, Rev. ii. 5. "Remember from whence thou art fallen and repent, and do the first works."

X. Hence God must have the glory, when any souls are profited by the gospel ministry. Ministers, when any thing of this nature is conspicuous and to be taken notice of, must give the glory to God that must be their language, "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory," Ps. cxv. 1. Thus did he, 1 Cor. xv. 10. "I labored more abundantly than

they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." And people must give the glory of every thing of this nature to God. Not to the minister: though they ought to have a very tender regard for those ministers whom God hath made instrumental for their conversion and edification; (they are their spiritual fathers, and a very great value they ought to have, yea, they will have for them ;) but yet as the good they have experienced by them, was from the divine blessing, so the praise of all must be entirely ascribed to the divine being.

XI. How ought such as God is calling to, and are engaging in the ministerial work, to do it in the strength of heaven; and with an entire dependence on help from above? Verily, they that are like to be most serviceable in this work, will be most humble in their own eyes, will have the greatest sense of their own nothingness; and after all their study and pains; after their learning and knowledge; after all their attainments and qualifications, their language will be agreeable with that, "Unto me who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? I will go in the strength of the Lord; I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. If thy presence go not with me, carry me not up hence: but if the Lord will be with me, and prosper me in the work that I go about, praise shall wait for thee, O God, and unto thee shall the vow be performed."

XII. Is it as you have heard? Let those of us whom God has put into the ministry, with an entire dependence upon Heaven, endeavor, and this more and more, the conversion, edification, yea, and salvation of souls: let us be sure to see to it, that we ourselves are converted, that so when we have preached unto others, we ourselves may not be castaways. When we have been made keepers of the vineyard, may not be found not to have kept our own vineyard. And let us use all possible means and endeavors, that ourselves be edified; that ourselves be built up in our most holy faith; that we ourselves be lively and thriving Christians; and then let us do our uttermost to convert and edify, and save others. Let us endeavor to be so in our studies, so in our pulpits, so in our visits, so in our whole conversation, that we may be in the way to attain this great end. In our studies let us be most diligent, that so we may provide the most agreeable doctrines, find out such acceptable words as may both please and profit. In our pulpits let us be vigorous; in our visits, advantageous and in our whole walk and deportment, most circumspect and exemplary; and if God will please to make us useful, and any way advantageous in the converting, and for the edification and building up of souls, as he will have glory, so we shall, as

the apostle speaks, Rom. xv. 17, have whereof we may glory through Jesus Christ, in those things which pertain to God. For undoubtedly the success of our labors, is our most solid reputation: and that minister has the best and greatest name, that is most beneficial and advantageous to the souls of men.

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Finally. When those who are called to the ministerial office are very young, how ought the people that call them to that office, to do all they can, that so they may be a means for the converting and edification of souls? In all those ways (in which it is proper for them) people should endeavor to be helpful to their ministers. Most remarkable are the words of David, 1 Chron. xxix. 1. Solomon, my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender. And the work is great, v. 5. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?" When such as are chosen and called to this great work are young and tender, certainly every one should consecrate his service (in what is suitable for him) for the carrying on the work of God.

I shall therefore close with one word to the church and congregation in this town, who have called a person that is young to the pastoral office among them, and whom the Lord has inclined to accept their invitation; and who is now solemnly to be separated to the work whereto he is called.

Honored, reverend and beloved in our Lord Jesus Christ:

What remains but that you receive him as a minister of the gospel; a gift received by Christ of his Father for you, and now graciously bestowed upon you. That you look upon him not only as a minister of the gospel, but as your minister, set by the Lord of the harvest to labor amongst you; set by the Great Shepherd over you, to feed and rule you. Our hearts' desire and prayer to God for him is, that he may so plant and water, as that there may be an abundant increase; that the seed which shall be sown, may be blessed to the bringing forth of fruit, thirty, sixty, yea an hundred fold.

And for yourselves, that you will hold him in reputation, that you esteem him very highly in love, and be at peace among yourselves. "O how good and how pleasant is it for brethren to dwell together in unity!" Give him double honor, do not readily be offended at hin, do not easily be prejudiced against him; have a care of grieving him, and making his heart sad; encourage him to your uttermost in his work; let him have a continual remembrance in your supplications to God. And endeavor above all, to improve and be fruitful under his ministry. Let sinners fear to remain in an unconverted state. And let such as have been enabled to receive Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, rooted and