BERM. XL.] LIVING ABOVE THE DEAD. 179 Let ministers call up all their powers then to the blessed work of the gospel. Let them stir up all their gifts, and employ them all for the welfare of immortal souls. What is their furniture of human learning ? What are their talents of oratory, their flowing language, and their art of persuasion ? What is their vivacity of spirit, their sweetness of voice, their penetrating force ofelocution ? What are all these but weapons of warfare to fight against the kingdom of Satan among men, and instru- ments to build up the:church of God on earth? What are they all but consecrated gifts to win souls to Christ out of the kingdom of this world ? They are given only for service in the present life. Let us use them then with our utmost skill for these holy purposes : For, " whether there be tongues they shall cease : Whether there be knowledge and human learning, that shall vanish away;" 1 C'or. xüi. 8, 9. These;poor imperfect talents are not made for heaven. Let our zeal therefore em- ploy them to the utmost on earth. O let us be instant in season and out of season, and proclaim the terrors of the law toawaken the stupid and impenitent, to make them fly from the wrath to come. Let us publish the glad tidings of the gospel, and by all the methods of compassion and tenderness, let us be- seech and entreat sinners to be reconciled to God. Let us set the unsearchable riches of Christ before them, the all-sufficiency of his righteousness, and the power ofhis grace ; and study and contrive howwe may address their consciences in the most successful manner, till we have won their hearts over to Christ and salvation. And let this not only be the labour of the sanctuary, and the work of our public offices in the church, but let the houses where we dwell, and the families where we visit, be witnesses for us in the great day, that we have instructed and warned the souls of men, that we have carried on the business of the pulpit in the parlour, and have spread the savour of the knowledge of Christ through all our conversation. Let parents that are solicitous for the eternal welfare of their offspring; 'and love their sons and daughters as their own souls, let,them seize the present opportunity for this sort of work. Let themmake use of all the lan- guage of gentle authority, and of constraining love, to IN 2
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=