II.

SERM. ing the temper and duty of a Minister of the Gospel, which appeared to me of great importance, and which I find much need to inculcate frequently on my own mind. I fhall rejoice, greatly rejoice, if I be found to be the only one who has any occafion to be reminded of them.

Having exhorted my reverend fathers and brethren to take heed how they teach, allow me now to call on you, the people, to take heed how ye hear. We hear. We may justly invite you to listen to our instructions with an unprejudiced mind, and a fincere intention to know the will of God, that ye may do it. To this end, hearken to us with humbleness of mind, with a deep fenfe of your want of divine knowledge, or at least of your great need to have the impreffions of divine things renewed and more deeply engraven on your hearts. Hearken to us also with a ftrong fenfe of your manifold hidden corruptions of heart; or, at least,

of

your want of that pitch of purity and fpiritual-mindedness which becomes the followers of Jefus Chrift. In this favourable ftate of mind, lay open your fouls to the light of divine truth, and to the lively impref

impreffion of heavenly and eternal objects. Seriously confider what ye hear, and honeftly apply it.

The main hindrance to your receiving real advantage from facred inftructions, is the want of that fimplicity and honesty of heart which would lead you to confider every rule of life, every admonition, every enforcement of duty, as fomething that concerns yourselves in particular, and may be of use to mend your hearts or better your lives. There is nothing more obfervable among mankind than a certain careless humour of looking upon religious inftructions as not belonging to themfelves, but only to the reft of the world. Perhaps, indeed, they will not entirely difregard them; poffibly they may liften to them with pleasure, treafure them up in their memories, fpeak of them afterwards with fomething of warmth and emotion, admire the juftnefs of them, applaud the preacher, and exprefs great furprise and wonder that the reft of mankind do not apply them to correct the diforders of their hearts and irregularities of their lives. But they feidom allow themfelves to reflect that thofe very inftructions

IL.

SERM. which they apply to others, might be highly useful to themselves. Confider, it is not enough that you approve of the difcourfe and applaud the fpeaker;-applause will not fatisfy a fincere inftructor-he requires more fubftantial praife,-your reformation and amendment. What a mortifying difappointment is it to a faithful teacher, to meet with nothing but empty praise from his hearers, when he intended, wifhed, and expected to have infpired them with worthy refolutions, or engaged them in generous undertakings! To conclude; remember that it will more effectually animate your Minifters in their public miniftrations, to be affured that there is one perfon in their feveral congregations liftening to them with an carneft defire to learn his duty that he may practise it, than to know that all the reft are applauding them; and that it will rejoice their hearts more, to find that they have been fo happy as to convey one important inftruction, or rivet one worthy impreffion, than to be furrounded with the praises of the moft numerous and difeerning audience.

May

May the Minifters of the Gofpel of Jefus be taught to teach, and you to hear, in fuch a manner that we may be mutual comforts to one another in this present world, and at laft meet together in the divine affembly above, to live in immortal friendship with one another, and in eternal communion with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen,

SERMON III.

The Nature, Reasonablenefs, and Advan tages of Prayer.

MATT. xxvi. 41.

Pray, that

ye enter not into temptation.

SERM.
III.

WHE

HEN we confider that our blessed Saviour has commanded us to pray, directed us in what manner we ought to pray, and fet us an example of frequent prayer in his own practice; it must appear furprising, that any who pretend to be his followers fhould indulge themselves in a determined contempt, or carclefs neglect, of this important duty. But, furprising as it is, a little acquaintance with what paffes in the world, puts it beyond all doubt that the exprefs precepts, and confpicuous example, of the great Inftructor of mankind with regard to prayer, are treated flightly,

nay