1. "Art thou in health, my brother?" Delivered the 17th of the 5th month, 1767, at the Friers in Briftol II. "How much oweft thou unto my Lord ?" Page 12 VI. The "Be not deceived-whatsoever a man soweth that fhall he reap." IX. "Lord, who fhall fhew us any good?" DISCOURSES, &c. The following Sermon was delivered, on First day morning the 17th day of the Fifth month 1767, at the ing of the yearly-meeting, at the Fryers, in Bristol. IT Art thou in health; my brother? * open T hath been in my mind to adopt the language or falutation of Joab to Amafa; but with fentiments 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 wifheth well to all. Art thou in health ; my brother? I could with, with all poffible folicitude, to lead every mind present, into the most careful inquiry, in refpe& to their spiritual state of health; and to their immediate relation, and affinity, to that fupreme almighty Being, who is the just and awful judge of quick and dead. I fear it hath proceeded from too anxious a folicitude for the health of your bodies, and the profperity of your temporal concerns, that too many of you 2 Sam. xx, 9. have too frequently, and in a manner totally, neglected the great concern of your immortal fouls; which is indeed the one thing needful Thofe temporal concerns, I fay, which are of a trifling perishing nature, have, I fear, interrupted and taken off from this principal concern: your anxiety and application to the attainment of the treasures and the enjoyment of the pleasures of the world, have occafioned too great a neglect of your religious duty. The conveniences of life are, by no means, a contemptible concern, where they are bounded by temperance, and confined within their proper channel: but as there is a part in us of infinitely greater, of no less than eternal moment; it also requires an attention proportionable to its proper worth; for what are temporal concerns when compared with the important one of eternity! The state of the body is fubject to divers maladies; and when we have done our utmost to preserve it, we fhall find in the end (and how foon that may be none knows) that it is of neceffity, fubject to the stroke of death, and to the enclosure of the grave. I have therefore thought it by no means an improper inquiry for each individual to make, and deeply ponder, What is thy state, or how is it with thee, O my foul? who art capable of partaking of immortal joys! and defigned, to triumph over death and the grave, When this earthly tabernacle fhall be diffolved, thy appointment and deftination, if in proper foundness for it, will be to 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 fhare 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 infinite importance to the fons of men, I have thought it my particular duty, upon the prefent occafion, to put you in mind of the neceffary inquiry into the fate of your fpiritual health; the condition of your immortal fouls: 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 ftate of disease and ftupefaction; have only preferved a lethargic frame, and are tottering upon the brink of deftruction: This inquiry into the prefent ftate of experience, and of advancement in the work of falvation, hath branched itself out in my view, and divided into feveral claffes, thofe who are now within the audience of my voice. And in the first place, I entreat the attention of you, the elders, amongst whom our LORD, as amongst so many fhepherds, hath divided his flock; over whom you are oppointed to watch, and to teach * Heb. xii. 23. |