SECTION III. Yet once more, give me leave to put you in mind, that you generally profess to desire such a ministry as not only instructs the head, but strikes the heart in a powerful and affecting man- ner ; you delight to hear your ministers in the applicationof their discourses speak with life and zeal, like messengers who are sent fromGod to sinners on an errand ofeverlasting importance: You love to hear them address the consciences of their auditory in such a serious, a penetrating, and a persuasive style and *manner as becomes persons who are in good earnest, who feel the power of the words which they speak, and who are resolved if possible to reach the hearts of the assembly, and to save the souls of men from hell by the concurrent influence of the grace of God. But then, my friends, if you chose such a ministry, and suppose that you enjoy any such advantages, what have you profited thereby more than others? Do you frequent places of worship where there are such awakening, fervent and persua- sive ministrations, and why are you not more remarkably re- formed, and more eminently religious ? Why are you not more effectually convinced of the evil of sin and the danger of eternal wretchedness under the wrath of God ? Why are you not all more powerfullypersuaded to break ofyour sins by repentance, to cry out what shall I do to saved ? to flyfor refuge to the onlyhope, to receive Jssus the Saviour in all his blessed offices, to resign your souls to his care and grace and government, and devote yourselves to him for ever ? Why are you so cold,, so indifferent in the practice of the duties of pietyand virtue, which are so warmly recommended to you ? What ! is all the fervour of the pulpit lost upon you ? Do the words die on your ears, and never reachyour souls ? Why are you so unaffected with the important and eternal things of the invisible world, which are set before you in the ministry with some zeal and affection ? What will you say for your own defence, when some of your brethren and neighbours of the established church, who have sat all their days under that which you suppose to be a less affectingministry, shall have their hearts awakenedand warmed with the great and awful scenes of religion more than you How will you answer, it to your final Judge, if he shall find their' souls have been drawn near to God, and engaged in the lively exercises of faith and love and every grace, and yet you your- selves who profess to enjoy superior advantages shall be found cold triflers and mere formalists in religion ? A dreadful sen- tence awaits such sinners from the tribunal whenee there is no appeal. Thus I have finished the fourth advantage which you who worship God in separate assemblies, profess to enjoy above your brethren of the church of England, vie. you chase your own ministers, and put yourselves under the preaching and the
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