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another. Thus did He by his vineyard in the parable, i.e. his Church; destroying those wicked husbandmen, the unbelieving Jews, and letting it out to other husbandmen, even the believing Gentiles, who might render him the fruits in their feafons. And the fame hath he declared in a special manner to be the general method of his governing with refpect to the advantages of grace; which shall be taken away from Him that hath not, i. e. that uses them not, and be given to Him that hath, i.e. that improves them. So that if we confider the neceffity we are under of quitting our Stewardship one time or other; and the uncertainty of the time when we be called upon to that end; together with the feveral ways whereby it may be taken away from us, either by an earlier or later departure out of life, or by the just judgment of God, leaving us deftitute of means, which we obfti

may

nately

nately neglect or misuse; I fay, upon all thefe confiderations it concerns us to adminifter our truft with all virtuous wisdom, whilft we have opportunity to improve it to our future and eternal intereft; that at what time foever we shall be no longer Stewards, we may be received into everlasting habitations.

For, let it be confidered in the laft place, that the Steward in the parable was not barely to refign his office, but withal to give an account of it: And in like manner are we, every man for himself, to answer before the tribunal of God, for the good or ill management of our respective occupations in this life. And then a new ftate of things fhall commence; a ftate of rewards and punishments, as we fhall appear to have merited the one, or deferved the other. If we have lived in a manner answerable

to those relations and capacities (in which Providence

Providence hath placed us) by honouring God, and doing good to our fellowcreatures; how comfortable that reckoning! when, having the merits of Chrift on our fide, to fanctify our good endeavours, we shall be entitled to the joy of our Lord. On the other hand, if perad venture we be found to have wafted our Mafter's goods by a mifapplication of them; to have impaired our health and ftrength by intemperance and debauchery, corrupted our minds and confciences by dishonesty, profaneness, and irreligion, or have confumed our substance in idleness or riot; how dreadful the apprehenfion of judgment at that awful season! when the mercy as well as juftice of God fhall be glorified in the condemnation of fuch finners, as have despised the riches of his goodness, and ungratefully dishonoured Him in his own Gifts.

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Whatever therefore be our talents, whatever our condition in this world ; whether we be high or low, rich or poor; let us in no wife forget that we are all Stewards to the fame univerfal Lord 3 but rather let that earthly wisdom which directs men in the pursuit of their temporal welfare, ferve for a good leffon to Us in the more important concerns of our eternal falvation; being well affured that that just and merciful Judge, to whom All muft render an account without refpect of Perfons, will require more of them to whom he hath committed much, and will plenteously reward those who have been faithful in a little.

SERMON

SERMON XVIII.

MATTHEW, x. 16.

Be Ye therefore wife as Serpents, and barmless as Doves.

IT appears from the context that this

excellent advice was immediately and peculiarly directed by Christ to thofe twelve Disciples, whom he first commiffioned to preach and propagate his new Religion And with what fingular propriety I need not fay. But forasmuch as every one who names the name of Chrift is equally concerned to pass the time of his fojourning here in this world

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