SECTION V. 633 Twelfthly, We charge and warn you, my dear brother, and we warn and charge ourselves, by all the terrors written in this divine book, and by all the indignation and vengeance of God, which we are sent to display before a sinful world ; by all the tormentsand agonies of hell, which we are commissioned to denounce against impenitent sinners, in order to persuade men to turn to God and receive and obey the gospel, that we take heed to our ministry that we fulfil it. This vengeance, and these terrors will fall upon our souls, and that with intolerable weight, with double and immortal anguish, if we have trifled with these- terrible solemnities, and made no use of these awful scenes to awaken men to lay hold of the offered grace of the gospel. Knowing thereforethe terrors of the Lord, let ús persuade men, for we must all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, to re- ceive according to our work ; 2 Cor. v. 10, 11. In the last place, We entreat, we exhort and chargeyou, by all the joysof paradise, and the blessings of an' eternal hea- ven, which are our hope and support under all our labours, and which in the name of Christ we offer to sinful perishing men, and invite them to partake thereof: Can we speak of such joys and glories with a sleepy heart and indolent language ? Can we invite sinnerswho are running headlong into hell, to return and partake of these felicities, and not be excited to the warmest forms of address, and the most lively and engaging methods of persuasion ? What scenes of brightness and delight can animate the lips and language of an orator, if the glories and the joys of the christian heaven and our immortal hopes cannot dó it? We charge and entreat you therefore, and we charge ourselves, by the shining recompences which are promised to faithful ministers, that we keep this glory ever in view, and awaken our (lying zeal in our sacred work. There is a crown of righteousness laid up for those who have fought the good fight, who havefinished their course, who have kept thefaith; 2 Tim. iv. 7. There is a glory which is to be revealed, a crown of glorywhichfadeth not away, prepared for every under-shepherd who shall feed the flock of God under his care, and be found faithful in his work : when the great Shepherd shall appear, be himself will bestow it upon them. O let us look up continually to this immortal crown l Let us shake off our sluggishness, and rouse all our active powers at the prospect of this felicity. Let us labour and strive with all our might, that we may become possessors of this bright reward. Before we conclude this exhortation, let us try to enforce it still with more power, by considering in whose presence are these solemnities transacted, and these charges given. We exhort and charge you then, in the presence of this church, who path called you to minister to them in holy things, and who give up
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