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thing if his minifters alfo be transformed. as the minifters of righteoufnefs."

I BESEECH you, alfo, to remember that the innocence of rejection of the Gofpel, and of irreligious principles, is not to be inferred from the behaviour of infidels, in particular circumstances. Natural difpofition, education, company, habits of life, independence, shame, and fuch like, may be restraints to them, and keep them within the bounds of decency, which are none to their disciples. To their difciples, the doctrine is, Do what ye will, and dread no hereafter. We are told an infidel's fervant profited fo by his master's converfations at table, that on being threatened with the gibbet for theft, he coolly anfwered, "You have taught me not to be "afraid of being hanged."

LET not any confideration whatever leffen your attachment to the Gospel, or your abhorrence for its enemies: by the one or the other being diminished or loft, your love of excellence, your enjoyment of tranquillity, and high delight, is alfo impaired and deftroyed: you are fliding from the firm ground of

duty,

duty, of fafety, of happiness, of falvation. But your greatest danger arifes from being frequently with the irreligious, and becoming their companions. Therefore, let me exhort you to diflike and fhun the company of the enemies of the Gofpel.

"COME out from among them: cease to "hear the inftruction that caufeth to err "from the words of knowledge:-Bleffed is "the man that walketh not in the counsel of "the ungodly, nor ftandeth in the way of

finners, nor fitteth in the feat of the fcorn"ful." How to reconcile frequency or forwardnefs of adulation, refpect and deference, and cultivating friendship with the ungodly, the finner and the fcornful, with faith in CHRIST, I know not: I ought rather to fay, and I have endeavoured to convince you, they are abfolutely incompatible and irreconcileable. To be morofe, rigid and forbidding; to be any thing but gentle, kind, and obliging, is condemned; is unchristian, and antichriftian: nevertheless, we ought to fay

Depart from us, ye enemies of our LORD.” So the faints have faid, fo the Scriptures command. You ought to testify against

them,

them, and to feparate yourselves on your own account: "leaft ye being led away by "the error of the wicked fall from your own "stedfaftness:" left your feeming friendfhip for them prove a ftumbling block to others, who may be in greater danger from equal intimacy and left, by your imprudently aflociating with them, ye encourage the irreligious themselves, in the belief that homage belongs to them; or in their fufpicions that, as you do not obey the Scriptures in having fellowship with them, you do not really obey them at all and that your profeffed belief and refpect for revelation is mere hypocrify.

LET me exhort you, finally, to counteract the enemies of Chriftianity in your sphere, according to your ability, and as opportunities offer, and by every method in your power. This is the duty of all Christians: it is a duty to which your indignation against irreligion will difpofe and conftrain you: you are reproved by their zeal if you have been negligent and fupine in this duty, to any degree, hitherto their fuccefs you dread and deplore, and are compelled to exert yourfelves, not to check irreligion only, but also

to

to encourage and advance the interefts of religion, and the fpread and power of the Gospel.

AND here, my friends, let each of us inquire what are the exertions to which we are called? what are the most effectual methods of forwarding and fecuring these objects in the particular circumftances in which we are placed. According to the various conditions, abilities and relations of men, are the exertions exacted of them. It is for us to attend to them, and to employ those talents with which we are entrusted, and to avail ourfelves of whatever Providence puts in our power, for turning the tide of irreligion, and contributing to the word of God having free courfe and being glorified. Knowing this to be your duty, and it is more than duty, it is the highest honour and most blissful employment of Chriftians, you will be quick fighted in difcovering the time, the circumftances, and the manner of performing your duty.

THAT fome claffes of men are more efpecially called to the defence and furtherance

of

of the Gospel, is evident: Let the men of ftation, of influence, of wealth; let parents and fuperiors, do whatever their hands find to do, and take the lead;-but let not the moft obfcure fay, "I can do nothing:" there is one way in which all without exception may contribute to the defence and furtherance of the Gospel most effectually, and if this is neglected, we can expect little or no good from any other. I point to this by reading you the following Scriptures.

I BEGIN with the exhortation of our LORD in the Sermon on the Mount. "Let your

light fo fhine before men, that they may "fee your good works, and glorify your Fa"ther which is in heaven." The influence of good example, is at once ftrongly afferted and warmly recommended by the Apostle Peter in his first epiftle. "Dearly beloved, "I beseech you as ftrangers and pilgrims, "abstain from fleshly lufts, that war against "the foul; that whereas they speak against 26 you as evil doers, they may by your good works which they fhall behold, glo"rify GoD in the day of vifitation:" and again." If you fuffer for righteousness Dd

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