St* AN HUMBLE ATT$11PT, &C. near God in the way in which yon first came near him, i. e, by the mediation of Jesus Christ. Let no distance and estrange- ment grow between God and you, between Christ and you. Maintain mach converse with God by prayer, by reading his word, by holy .meditation, by heavenly-mindedness, and uni- versal holiness in the frame and temper of your own spirit. Converse with God and with your own soul in the duties of secret religion, and walk always in the world as under the eye of God. Every leader of the flock of God, shouldact as Moses did, should live as seeing him that is invisible; Heb. xi. 27. III. Take heed to your personal religion, as to the growth and increase of it.' Let it he ever upon the advancing hand. Be tenderly sensible of every wandering affection towards vanity, every deviation from God and your duty, every rising sin, every. degree of growing distancé"from God. Watch-and pray much and converse much with God, as one of his ministring angels in flesh and blood, and grow daily in conformity-to God and your blessed Saviour, who is the first minister of his Father's':ing- dom, and the fairest image of his Father. Such a conduct will 'have several happy influences towards the fulfilling of your mi- nistry, and will render you more fit for every part of your public ministrations. 1. Hereby you will improve in your acquaintance with divine things, and the spiritual parts of religion, that you may better -teach the people both truth and duty. Those who are much with God may expect and hope, that he will teach them the secret of his covenant, and the ways of his mercy, by com- munications of divine light to their spirits. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and he willchew them his cove- nant ; Psalm xxv. 14. Luther used to say,- that he got more knowledge in a short timeby prayer sometimes, than by the study and labour of many hours. 2. Hereby you will be more fit to speak to the great God at all times, as a son with holy confidence in him as your father, and you will be better prepared to pray with and for the people. You will have an habitual readiness for the work, and increase in the gift of prayer. You will obtain a treasure and flueney of sacred language, suited toaddress God on all occasions. Hereby you will gain a freedom and interest in the throne of grace, and become a more powerful intercessor for your people, under the influence of Jesus the great, Intercessor, who. is ever near the throne ;, and he sire you improve your interest in heaven, for the edification of those committed to your care. 3. Hereby you 'Will be kept near to the spring of all grace, to the fountain of strength and comfort in your work : you will be ever deriving fresh anointiugs, fresh influences, daily lights
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