might avoid giving them a temporary uneasiness, but would they be faithful to their souls? Would they be giving any evidence of their love? Would Would they escape their upbraidings at a future day? And when that day, with all its fearful occurrences, should arrive, would not the reproach peal like thunder in their ears-"You knew that these things were coming upon us, and how could you be cruel enough not to tell us?" By such a line of unkind and unworthy proceeding, they would be doing nothing to "turn the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just;" an effect of such high moment, that they ought surely to contribute all their energies to the production of it, and to deliver the message with which they are put in trust, whether men will hear, or whether they will forbear. Oh! my brethren, (I shall be pardoned the remark,) we cannot think of these things, in connexion with our own convictions, without considerations of an overwhelming description. It is the coming of Christ to judgment that gives to the work of the ministry its most searching and overpowering character. You and we shall meet

again. When the graves are opened, and the dead are raised, you and we shall meet again. When we shall be confronted with each other, will it be in peace? If it be not in peace, it will be to bear a testimony against each other, to eternal condemnation. May it be granted to us, whatever be the will of God concerning us, to "watch for souls, as those who must give an account, that we may do it with joy, and not with grief:" and to you, to receive with due humility, and meekness, that "engrafted word, which is indeed able to save your souls !"

III. Such being somewhat of the nature and character of the ministerial office, considered with reference to the second coming of our Lord, to judge the world, we may, in the last place, see the great propriety of St. Paul's earnest and repeated intreaties to his friends, to "pray" for him, and for all who were engaged in the same most serious employment with himself; as well as the wisdom by which our pious reformers were directed to leave us a prayer, wherewith to address the throne of grace in behalf of "the ministers and stewards of the myste

ries of God." When we consider the true character of our office, and think how closely it is connected with your own dearest interests, well may we say, "Brethren pray for us." Say, do you pray for us? Is it, with the Bible in your hands, your kind, affectionate, conscientious practice? Prayer of this kind implies faith, love, and anxiety for the welfare of those for whom we pray. It is not that we are deserving of your intercessions, but that we need them: and if you love us, you pray for us; and if you are solicitous about your own spiritual interests, you pray for us. But if you do not love us, and are not solicitous on your own account, you do not remember us before God. Do you bear in mind, that an object is unattainable without divine power? Do you consider, that every qualification, requisite in those who are to "turn the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just," must come down from above? On your own account, therefore, it concerns you to supplicate the Father of lights, that they may be faithful to God, to the truth, and to yourselves; and that God may pour out upon them "the continual

dew of His blessing." Pray for us, then, that we may be "filled with the Holy Ghost:" that we may "know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom "He hath sent:" that we 66 may be so replenished with the true doctrine of God, and may be so adorned with innocency of life, that, both by word and good example, we may faithfully serve Him in our office, to the glory of His name, and the benefit of His holy church."* Pray for us, that we may be clothed with righteousness; and that the word, spoken by our mouths, may have such success, that it may never be spoken in vain." Pray for us, that by us, the elect of God may be gathered from the four winds; and that we, with them, may finally be admitted into eternal peace.

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And while you pray for us, pray also for yourselves, that your hearts and minds may be so prepared by divine grace, that you may receive the full benefit of the work which the Lord is pleased to do by us, both as it respects your religious advancement on earth, and your ultimate glorification in

heaven.

*Ordination service.

SERMON IV.

THE CHRISTIAN'S RACE.

Preached on the fourth Sunday in Advent, 1829.

HEB. xii. 1, 2.

"Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us; and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus."

It is the remark of a pious and useful writer, that "the collects of the Church of England fully express the feelings of a soul animated by the Spirit of Christ. The believer finds his necessities and desires so entirely correspondent with the language of the church, that he readily joins in her petitions."* This, I may venture to say, is the

* Peers on the Collects.