604 AN HUMBLE ATTEMPT, &C. is baptized shall be saved; and he that believeth not shall be damned; and lo, I am with you alway, to the end of the world; Mark xvi 15, 16. Mat. xxviii. 20. Lat us fulfil the command, let us publish the threatening with the promise, and let us wait for the attendant blessing. Wheresoever this gospel is published with clear and proper evidence, the belief of it is made necessary to salvation, and it is part of the commission of ministers to make known this to the people : nor is there any thing else which can stand in the room and stead of this gospel, or attain those happy purposes for which this holy institution was designed. Unless therefore you have such an high esteem for the gospel of Christ, and such a sense of its divine worth and power, as to take it along with you when you desire to save souls, youhad better lay down the ministry and abandon your sacred profession ; for you will but spend your strength for nought, and waste your breath in vain declamations : you will neither save your own soul, nor them that hear you; and you will have a terrible account to give at the last day, whatyou have clone with this gospel which was entrust- ed with you, for the salvation of men : you have hid this divine talent in the earth, you have traded entirelywith your own stock, you have compassed yourself about with sparks of light of your ou:re kindling, and you must lie down in sorrow with eternal loss. Forgive me, my dear brother and friend, and you, my be, loved and honoured brethren in the ministry, forgive me, if I have indulged too much vehemence in this part of my discourse ; if I have given too great a loose to pathetic language on this needful subject. I doubt not but your own consciences bear me witness that this elevated voice, is not the voice of reproof, but of friendly warning; and, I persuade myself, that you all join with me in this sentiment, that if ever we are so happy as to re- form the lives of our hearers, to convert their hearts to God and -to train them up for heaven, it must be done by the principles of thegospel of Christ. On the occasion ofsuch an head of advice, therefore, I assure myself you will forgive these warm emotions of spirit. Can there be any juster cause or season to exert fer- vour and zeal, than while we are pleading for the name and honour and kingdom of our adored Jesus ? Let him Iive, let him reign for ever on his throne of glory ; let him live upon our lips, and reign in all our ministrations : let him live in the hearts of all our hearers ; let him live and reign through Great Britain and through all the nations, till iniquity be subdued, till theking- dom of Satan be destroyed, and the whole' world are become willing subjects to the sceptre of his grace ! Thus have I finish- edmy third exhortation relating to the preparation of' your sera mons for the pulpit. IV. In addressing your discourse to your hearers, remem»
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