I. That the subjects of a Christian minister's addresses are worthy of serious consideration.

II. That the Lord alone can give a right understanding of his word; and

III. That this blessing is to be sought in the way of duty.

I. I observe that the subjects of a Christian minister's addresses are worthy of serious consideration.

Ah! it is a vain, trifling, worthless world that we live in! and yet how does it press upon our time, and thoughts, and affections, and plead for attention, as if its cares, and riches, and pleasures, and pursuits, alone deserved our regard, and the things of another world were not worth a thought; and how are silly mortals hurried along with the delusion! else, why those pleas for disregard of God and religion which we so frequently hear; "I have no time to be religious, no time for prayer, no time to read the Bible, or attend public worship; I have so many engagements that must be attended to, I have food and raiment to seek, a family to provide for." Oh! let me beseech you, be not led away with pleas like these; they will never, never be allowed as any excuse for your inconsideration, your inattention to religion, when you come another day to stand before the judgment seat of Christ. It is right, very right, that all these things should be attended to; the word of God commands you to labour diligently, and not to be slothful in

business; and religion neither requires, nor allows you to neglect them; but the concern of another world must be minded too, must have the first and chief place in your time, thoughts, and affections; or else, though you may be rich and gay, and respected in this world, for a few short years, (perhaps less,) you must at last appear before God in everlasting poverty, misery, and contempt.

However highly you may now think of the things of this world, be assured, when death and judgment shall open your eyes, you will behold them as altogether nothing, and lighter than vanity; and the things of God and religion, which you now despise or lightly esteem, will appear the only things worthy the care and pursuit of an immortal soul. Oh! then, be persuaded now for a moment to consider these things in the same point of view in which you must very shortly contemplate them; and let them have their proper influence on your hearts and lives.

The Lord our God is one Lord; infinite, supreme, and eternal in his dominion; we are his creatures, made by his power, and dependant upon his bounty; hence he demands the love of our hearts, and the labour of our hands. This is the first grand truth of revelation, and of the Christian ministry. The second is, we are apostate creatures, rebels against God, refusing the obedience we owe him, daily violating his laws, and in habitual enmity against his perfections and government; in consequence of our apostacy from God we are

ruined miserable creatures, exposed to the just weight of his vengeance, under the dominion of sin and Satan, and under sentence of everlasting condemnation, without either the ability to effect, or the inclination to attempt, our rescue. Wretched state! but we have a message of mercy to deliver unto you; "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life." Here then is the news of salvation for ruined man; a ray of immortality and everlasting life, dawning from the blessed Gospel. But how is this salvation to be obtained? The same Scripture that reveals it, reveals also the way in which any of the sinful race of man may become possessed of it, and the evidences and effects it produces. God's everlasting love to ruined man, was the origin of salvation; Christ's incarnation, obedience, sufferings, and death, are the meritorious cause. application of it (by which we become actual partakers of the benefit) is by the gracious Spirit's holy influences on our hearts, working in us those dispositions which are necessary to our receiving the truth. These are deep sorrow for sin, hatred against it, and a determined forsaking of it; together with a humble believing dependance on the Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour, as he is freely offered in the Gospel; a hearty acceptance of him as our Saviour; and willingness to be saved by him in his own way, a way of humility, self-denial, faith, and holiness. Add to these great truths of revelation,

The

(the being and dominion of God, the state of man as a sinner before him, and the method of salvation by Jesus Christ,) a fourth, which gives importance and energy to all the rest, viz. That God Almighty "has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he has ordained;" even the God Man Christ Jesus. That same Jesus who took on him our mortal flesh, and lived and bled to take away our guilt; and rose triumphant from the grave, and ascended to the highest throne in glory, shall thence return on the clouds of heaven, "with the voice of the archangel and the trump of God," attended by myriads of angels, and shall call every individual of the human race from the darkest recesses of earth and sea, to assemble round his dread tribunal, and hear from his unerring lips, the sentence that shall irrevocably fix their doom in unutterable bliss or agonizing torments; a sentence founded on the character sustained on earth, according to the deeds done in the body, whether they were good or evil.

These, my brethren, are the leading topics of our ministry; to one or other of these grand truths all our addresses have a direct or remote reference: now say, are they, or are they not, worthy of your serious consideration?

Consider, are these matters true? Try if you can prove that they are false, that you may no longer be harassed with any uncertainty about them, but may eat and drink, (since to morrow you die,) and enjoy your mirth and wine, un

disturbed by one: intruding suggestion-What if there should be an hereafter? what if for all these things God should bring thee into judg ment?"

But I can scarcely suppose there is onein the presence of God disposed to deny these truths; then consider whether they are important; consider what salvation is; consider what is the consequence of dying in a state of enmity with God; what it is to have an omnipotent arm inflicting everlasting vengeance; consider how tenfold will be the guilt and condemnation of those who have heard the news of mercy only to despise and reject, to crucify the son of God afresh, and pour contempt upon the Spirit of grace; consider how you can stand before God in judgment, or whether there is any possible way of escaping from it; consider what will be the consequence of being acquitted or condemned; think whether it is worth while to sell your souls and everlasting bliss, for worldly gains or sinful pleasures.

Consider, again, whether what you hear is scriptural. We are far, very far from wishing you to take it for granted that all we say must be true; it is our earnest desire to speak according to the oracles of God; and it is your duty (a duty which we most earnestly and affectionately intreat you will fulfil) to search the Scriptures daily whether these things are so. Consider whether they are as certain, as interesting, and as important as we represent them to be; and if so,