A REFORMATION SERMON. war. Let others be encouraged to list themselves in this service, which is now grown more tolerable since the forerunners have broke down the strongest bars of diffi- culty, have made rough ways'plain for those that follow, and have born the burden and heat of the day. Consi= sider again, Secondly, What an influence you have had to save the nation from overflowing iniquities, and perhaps also from overflowing scourges. Surely you have been some of those that have mourned in secret forall the abominations that were done in former years in the midst of the land, and no doubt there is a divine mark set upon your fore- heads, which the destroying angel shall read, if ever he be sent " through the midst of thecity to slay utterly the old and the young ;" Ezek. ix. 4. But ye have been some of those that hitherto have stood in the breach, as Phinehas did, when the anger of the Lord has been breaking in upon the camp of our Israel. " Ye have been zealous for his name sake: Ye have executed judgment, and turned away the wrath of the Lord;" bursa. xxv. 11. And as we have reason to believe your interest in the court of heaven has been considerable on the peace of the nation : so it is unknown what valuable service ye have clone for particular souls. Perhaps, there are some that bless God at this day for the first inward convictions . of sin they received by your providential discovery of their vices. Perhaps, there are some now in heaven, whose stupid consciences you first awakened, and made themmore susceptible of the impressions of the gospel. Go on then according to the advice of Solomon ; Prov. xxii, 13, 14. " Withhold not correction from the child, for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt heat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell. Go on with this design to convert the sinner from the error of his way. Thus shall ye save his soul from death, and by the discovery of a few, ye shall hide a multitude of sins ;" James v. 20. Consider, Thirdly, That you- are engaged'on the side of God, you are fighting his battles, and the inscription of your banner is .Iehovala îrissi. Think on the high honour that he bath bestowed 'upon you by translating you out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of his dear Son, and employing you in this service. Remember that you were once on the side ofsin, and rebels against hea-
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