The remembrance of this, while it reminds us of our duty, will prompt us to discharge it. It will make us humble, and it will make us faithful; it will kindle and regulate our zeal. Having drawn our materials from the word of God, He is present to witness their application; and being applied thus, and by Him, they cannot fail of success. He not only tries our hearts, but has beneath his controul the hearts of our hearers; and we shall find that many are influenced, like Lydia, to attend to the things which we speak.*

But if God thus tries our hearts, we shall know how important and advantageous it is to try and examine them ourselves; and not only to act under the habitual consciousness of God's superintendence, but to fix on special seasons of solemn retrospect and reckoning. And, perhaps, one more suitable to our purpose could scarcely be selected, than when convened, as we now are, to render up our annual account. We ourselves, indeed, are silent on these occasions; but others are interrogated as to the way in which our duty is discharged, and we appear to abide the result. These interrogations are of necessity superficial; extending no further than our outward conduct. The heart is not within the cognizance of any earthly tribunal, but must be left to ourselves and our God. What more appropriate season then could we select than the present, for doing

* Acts, xvi. 14.

what cannot be done by others, or by deputy for sitting in judgment on ourselves, and demanding an account of our own stewardship ?--or by what more similar occurrence could we be reminded of the bar at which we must one day stand, when God, who tries our hearts now, will try our thoughts, and words, and works?

We are stewards of the mysteries of God; and perhaps can call to our remembrance the feelings with which we at first undertook so high a responsibility. Did we over-rate that responsibility then, or do we under-rate it now? May we not seasonably ask God to rekindle whatever ardour may since have subsided; and enable us henceforward to devote ourselves without reserve, and without weariness, to his service ?that, as we grow older in that service, we may become better acquainted with its duties, and more zealous in discharging them-that a recollection of the superintendence exercised by God, may excite a corresponding vigilance on our own part that so, being set to watch for souls as those that must give account, it may be our happiness, when our Lord returns to reckon with us,* that our account be rendered with joy, and not with grief.

* Matthew, xxv. 19.

REV. JOHN WORDSWORTH, M. A.

RECTOR OF WORKINGTON, VICAR OF BRIGHAM, AND DOMESTIC
CHAPLAIN TO THE EARL OF WESTMORELAND.

LONDON:

PUBLISHED BY J. G. AND F. RIVINGTON,

WATERLOO PLACE AND ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD.

M.DCCC.XXXV.

BIBLY

The following Sermon, written and preached under the impression that more was to be feared for the Church of England at present from the relaxation of her discipline, than from any want of zeal in her Ministers, taken as a Body, having been much approved by some of the Author's Clerical Friends, whose judgment He highly esteems, is, at their instigation, published.

A SERMON.

HEBREWS xiii. 17.

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls, as they that must give an account, that they may do so with joy and not with grief, for that is unprofitable for you.

THESE words of St. Paul addressed to the Hebrew converts, set before us, in a most impressive point of view, the relation which subsists between spiritual Teachers, and the people committed to their charge. They are therefore most appropriate for the edification and instruction in their mutual duties of both Ministers and the members of their respective flocks. And as I see many of the Laity around me, no apology can be required for directing the word of exhortation to them likewise; especially as nothing can be addressed to the one party, that may not by implication at least, be profitable to the other. Moreover, this course will in part, free me from the embarrassment of appearing with too great freedom to admonish those, who (most of them at least), from years, learning, and professional experience are more competent to give, than