clofed; a proper attention to this unspeakable gift, will tend more to comfort and ftrengthen than a profeffion of words which carries away the proper fenfibility of our state and condition. I know the matter requires diftinction; I want not to difcourage any thing of an heavenly birth: but fear fome have been carried out of their depth, the divine fpirit of religion has been evaporated, greatly to their lofs. Let not those who care for none of these things, run into difcourfe fubverfive of religion. Wisdom leads in the middle paths of judgment; and though the gift is unspeakable, yet we have a right understanding of the effects upon our own minds. We know there is a fun in the firmament, we feel its warmth, it extends its light and warmth through the globe, but the utmost intent of its nature is inexplicable; the divifion of its rays, the source of its heat, after what manner placed in the planetary world, or how formed; these things are inexplicable, so it is with the fun of righteousness; but though the properties of the fun be unspeakable, we know, we rejoice in its effect; we have indubitable proofs of its exiftence: fo the unspeakable gift, the fun of righteousness; to enlighten men, to guide them in wisdom, to replenish their affections and fet them on things above. Though an unfpeakable gift, yet intelligible, reaches to the minds of men, affects them, quickens them, raifes them from death and dead works, to a contemplation of those things which are of infinite importance. I cannot but entreat you of the rifing generation, arefully to attend to this gift,-in its right hand is length of days, on its left hand are riches and honour: watch unto prayer, be not ashamed of this unspeakable gift, and its tendency. What is the reafon of the scepticism and infidelity that is amongst us? it is enough now to make one ridiculous, to revive, in the remembrance of Christians, their own principles. What is the reason that youth falls a prey to the gloomy doctrines of infidelity that abound in this age? the want of attending to this unspeakable gift. Were their minds endued with a sense of its virtue, there would be no more reasoning them out of the efficacy of religion, and the existence of this unfpeakable gift, than perfuading them that there was no fun in the firmament. From the strongest of all convictions, that of experience, they could give it in their teftimony to the nature, power, and spirit of the Chriftian religion, and their minds would be enabled to see that this is He, and we look not for another. I beseech you, therefore, my friends, fuch of you as know this unspeakable gift, feek after a capacity of praifing God, of afcribing thanks for this unfpeakable gift he that offers praise, glorifies God, "and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I fhew forth my falvation." We have abundance of what is called public worship, fometimes many exterior acts, which amufe the minds of mankind; but vain and foolish is it to apprehend infinity to be organized like us, and the ears of him that filleth immensity to be like ours. Thanks be to God for his unfpeakable gift; let it appear by its own influence; it is the living that praise : him the glory of the workman is difcovered by the beauty of the workmanship. Was the mind endued with this unspeakable gift, and all within us brought into fubjection to its divine nature and tendency, there would be an inceffant oblation arifing with holy efficacy to a God hearing prayer; though filent with regard to the human ear, yet intelligible to him. I would recommend you, my brethren and fifters, that profess this gift, I beseech you by the mercies of God, by your hopes of ftanding at laft accepted in the beloved, you that have poffeffed this gift, dwell with it, abide with it, let it have its utmost effect upon your minds. Be what you profess, lie not in the fight of God and man, or of the Holy Ghoft; live by that unfpeakable gift, and you will fhew forth his praife that has called you to glory. Attend to it that it may shine more and more unto the perfect day: there is not a more deteftable character than a profeffor of this unspeakable gift, that contradicts it in practice; high in profeffion, low in practice; flattery and smooth tales, may please fools, but they are inconfiftent with the folemn work of the falvation of the foul. Let the profeffors of this religion, who are placed in a confpicuous point of view, be what they profefs, as they would be fixed amongst the stars in eternal glory from their firm attachment to this unfpeakable gift. The following Difcourfe was delivered at Leeds, the 26th of the Sixth Month, 1769. IT is not in the "oldness of the letter," or in unfeeling formality, but from the animating warmth of gofpe! love, that I falute this affembly in thefe expreffions; "The grace of our Lord Jefus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghoft, be with you all always."+ It is the conftant language of that evangelical fpirit, from which arifes this tribute of " Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, and good-will to men," ‡ and which I am thankful to feel not reftrained within lefs compass than the bulk of mankind : but zealously and ardently pointing towards all fuch as profefs faith in the Lord Jefus Christ, and a hope of falvation by him. There is fomething farther couched in this affectionate falutation, than the language of love; the language of wisdom. That wisdom which is " profitable to direct," § feems to me very evidently and very eminently displayed by the Father of mercy and kind"nefs, in thefe expreffions; which, by divine affiftance, * Rom. vii. 6. + 2 Cor. xiii. 14. Luke ii. 14. I would endeavour a little to open, and to urge as words of fome fignification, unto all fuch whofe minds are at times turned to contemplate, and not only to contemplate, but also to purfue," the things which make for peace." "The grace of our Lord Jefus Chrift." There is no language, or form of words, fufficiently copious and expreffive, though raised to the utmost extent or height of defcription, for reprefenting the adorable manifestation of heavenly kindness, goodness, condefcenfion, and mercy.; or for exhibiting the things which proceed from the grace of our Lord Jesus Chrift; but it is allowable to speak whereof we know, according to the measure of knowledge; and to utter according to the proportion of ftrength given, what we now fee in part, and what from experience we feel, of the merciful kindness of God; and which, as we faithfully follow his will, we fhall hereafter more fully and comprehenfively behold. This I apprehend is neceffary for all, to whom a revelation of the Chriftian religion has been made by means of holy writ; and in an especial manner, where he that is the difcoverer of states, has opened their understandings to believe the doctrines of the Christian religion, and the facred records of tha: miraculous favour and grace that came by Jefus Chrift. • Rom. xiv. 19, |