sanctified our whole conversation-" Be ye holy "in all manner of conversation." But have we not to apprehend, that we should be considered troublesome, or should expose the truth to the derision and contempt of those who hear it? Surely not. A worldly, and dissipated, Clergyman would not act consistently with his general character, were he to converse upon edifying subjects, among men devoted to the world: he forfeits that privilege, by his misconduct : it would be ridiculous to suggest to the minds of others, truths which he seems to have forgotten, as useful to himself. The doctrine of piety would blush in his mouth; it would be heard with derision and contempt; and his companions would enquire, with bitter taunts-"Is Saul also among "the prophets?" But the opinion and advice of a godly Pastor, because they are. edifying, are always well received; the world may, indeed, reject the truth, but it secretly esteems him that declares it. Upon these occasions, prudence must, invariably, be our guide; charity, whose object always is to become useful, reminds us, that we are to make a proper choice of opportunities; and how many are presented to a godly Minister, in his conversation with men of the world? They converse with him upon their projects, their disappointments, their embarrassments;-now, many are the occasions which present themselves of deploring the miserable and distracted state of those," whose affections are set on the things. of the earth," and of shewing them the wisdom, whatever be the issue of their schemes "treahere, of providing for themselves a 66 sure, which neither moth nor rust can des"troy, and where thieves cannot break through "and steal?" Besides, there are innumerable occasions where we need not be apprehensive of being esteemed importunate, and where zeal, alone, ought to predominate. A Clergyman is a public Minister, to whom the glory of God, and the interests of religion are committed among men; wherever he may be, he ought not, through complaisance, or timidity, to listen to any one-be his rank or consequence what it may-whose discourse is directed against religion, who contemns its precepts, who proposes doubts of its divinity, or treats its holy mysteries, or distinguishing ordinances, with derision, who justifies vice, or ridicules virtue in a word, whose licentiousness and impiety dishonour our presence, in such cases, zeal, under the direction of prudence, should be alive in our breasts. Entrusted as religion is, to our preservation, we" should know no one accord ing to the flesh;" we should forget the names, the titles, the distinctions, of those who forget themselves; and it may be right, sometimes, to "answer a fool according to his folly ;" to humble his pride by exposing his ignorance. We undertake with eagerness, and support with warmth, the defence of a friend, whose name is calumniated, and whose interests are injured; and, in order to stop the mouth of impiety, and to support the interests of Him, "who calls "us not servants, but friends," shall we not shew the same zeal, shall we not exhibit the same spirit? Can we persuade ourselves that we have fulfilled what the honourable title of a Minister of the Gospel requires of us, by dissimulation, by silently disapproving the attacks made upon that Gospel, which we preach, and by sacrificing, through a weakness, esteemed mean by every observer, the name and glory of him, who sealed the truth of it with his blood? No, my reverend Brethren, we are no longer the friends whom the blessed Jesus hath chosen; the title which we bear is a reproach to us, when his name, outraged by folly, and denied by blasphemy, does not awaken our love, and enkindle our zeal. Such is the manner in which we are to live in and associate with the world; a certain society we are to shun; we are not to devote our whole time even to that which is allowed us; and gravity, edification, and zeal, are always to accompany us. Do you, O man of God, as the Apostle styles a Minister of the Gospel, conduct yourself according to these rules, lest you cause those, to whom you deliver the word of life, to blaspheme against it. I address to you, in conclusion, the words of the Apostle-"Thou, O man of God!" Were you men of the world, its interests, errors, and prejudices, would be your heritage; you would then, not inconsistently, conform to its maxims, and adopt its language. But you are, individually, men of God upon earth; in the midst of the world, you are entrusted with the interests of God, with the support of his glory, and the maintenance of his worship. An ambassador of a prince speaks only in the name of his master; he lays aside the private, he exhibits only the public, man-the representative of a king. And we, my Reverend Brethren, who are men of God, in the midst of the world, shall we lay aside this holy and public character, with which we are honoured, in order that we may, with the greater freedom from restraint, become men of the world? Shall we blush to speak the language and enforce the doctrines, of him who sent us ? Forgetting the majesty of him whom we represent, and the dignity which he hath conferred upon us, by commissioning us to confess his name, and preach salvation to his people; shall we sanction, by our conduct, the maxims of that world, which is at enmity with him? Thou, O man of God! Let us bear the high title on our forehead; let us be, on every occasion, men of God: Let our most common actions, our conversation, |