fice (for whom I have the most cordial Efteem) but fimply to lay before you the indifpenfable Obligations we are under to a diligent Discharge of our Duty in the arduous Work of the Minif try. This is the more neceffary, because through our own Negligence, Indolence, or bad Examples, the Priest's Office is funk into general Contempt. Ministers themselves are looked upon as covetous, crafty, defigning Men; as Men who fay and do not; and who lay Burdens upon other Men's Shoulders, which they themfelves will not touch with one of their Fingers. Let those who are guilty bear the Blame: But let not a whole Body of Men be condemned for the Sins and Failings of the Unworthy. Some there are whose Lives and whofe Labors testify they are in earneft. Some there are who dare to ftand forth in the Caufe of GOD and. Truth, and ftem the Torrent of Sin, Depravity, and Corruption. May the Number be abundantly increased. May Watchmen be fet upon the Walls of our Jerufalem, which will never hold their Peace Day nor Night, till Gon establish, and till he make the Church of Chrift to flourish

and

and bloffom in all the Fruits of Righteousness, and to extend her Borders unto the Ends of the Earth.

JESUS CHRIST is the Great Author of the Gospel Ministry. His Doctrine, and his Example, are allowed on all Hands to be the best Pattern for Chriftians to follow. The only Sermon of any confiderable Length he has left behind him, we have recorded in the 5th, 6th, and 7th, Chapters of St. Matthew's Gospel, His Doctrine is comforting, cheering, animating. He instructs, he cautions, he warns. To the True Christian he opens the Gate of Hea ven. The felf-deceived Hypocrite, the openly Profane, and the lukewarm Formalift, he dooms to eternal Difpair. Let us examine this inimitable Discourse a little more minutely.

Multitudes of People are following the Redeemer from Place to Place. He afcends a Mountain; fits down; the People draw near: Silence being made, he opens his Mouth, and inftructs the attentive Audience: "Bleffed are the Poor in Spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Bleffed are they that Mourn; for they

fhall

fhall be comforted. they shall inherit the Earth. Bleffed are they who do hunger and thirst after Righteousness; for they fhall be filled. Bleffed are the Merciful; for they shall obtain Mercy. Bleffed are the Pure in Heart; for they fhall fee GoD. Bleffed are the Peace-Makers; for they shall be called the Children of GOD. Blessed are they which are perfecuted for Righteousness Sake; for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Bleffed are ye when Men shall revile you, and persecute you, and fhall fay all Manner of Evil against you falfely for my Sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your Reward in Heaven: For fo perfecuted they the Prophets which were before you".

Bleffed are the Meek; for

The Divine Teacher goes on, and levels his Discourse against a great Variety of Sins, which he knew the People to be guilty of. He warns them against the Doctrines of the Scribes and Pharifees; against Murder, Anger, and paffionate Refentment. Adultery, Fornication, Uncleannefs, and profane Swearing, he exposes as Sins, which will ruin and destroy the Soul. Render

ing Evil for Evil; litigious Law-Suits, and warm Contentions, he affures us, are inconfif tent with the Character of True Chriftians.

We cannot go through the whole Sermon, it will take up too much of our Time; but would most heartily recommend it to your future and serious Confideration. The Conclufion however we may obferve is very awful and alarming: "Enter ye in at the ftrait Gate: For wide is the Gate, and broad is the Way that leadeth to Destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; because ftrait is the Gate, and narrow is the Way, which leadeth unto Life, and few there be that find it.

"Not every one that faith unto me, Lord! Lord! fhall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that DOTH the Will of my Father, which is in Heaven. Many will fay unto me in that Day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophefied in thy Name? And in thy Name have cash out Devils?. And in thy Name have done many wonderful Works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: Depart from me, ye that work. Iniquity".

Now,

Now, fays he, fays he, "Whofoever heareth these Sayings of mine, and doth them, I will liken him unto a wife Man, which built his Houfe upon a Rock: And the Rain defcended, and the Floods came, and the Winds blew, and beat upon that Houfe; and it fell not, for it was founded upon a Rock. And every one that heareth these Sayings of mine, and doth them not, fhall be likened unto a foolish Man, which built his House upon the Sand: And the Rain defcended, and the Floods came, and the Winds blew, and beat upon that Ho ufe; and it fell, and great was the Fall of it". That is: He whofe Life, Conduct, and Character, is fuch as I have now laid before you, fhall most affuredly be faved: He whofe Life, Conduct, and Character, is not fuch as I have now laid before you, shall moft affuredly be damned. Such is the Doctrine of Jefus Christ. But was his own Example agreeable to his Preaching? Was his Life unblamable, as his Precepts were pure? Yes: He was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from Sinners. He was poor in Spirit; meek and lowly in Heart; a G 2 Man

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