s Jews, and to be an occasion of adness, for a warning to all others ght because their deeds are evil." of genuine encouragement to the were by no means peculiar to the will not indeed follow from an rance of forgiveness: but they are comfort obtained by the exercise n Christ, under the teaching and Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul, abundant labours and sufferings, obtained mercy, we faint not;" "For the love of Christ constrainse we thus judge, that if one died ere all dead: and that he died for who live should not henceforth elves, but to him who died for se again." It was "his earnest nd hope, that Christ should be is body, whether by life or death2;" oved him not, neither counted he ato himself, so that he might finish 1. v. 14, 15. Phil. i. 20, 21. "his course with joy, and the ministry which he " had received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." Deep humiliation for sin; firm confidence in the mercy of God, gratitude to the divine Saviour, "who loved him, and gave himself for him;" zeal for his glory, and compassion for perishing sinners, combined in rendering him superior to all other hopes and fears, and prepared him for most unwearied exertions and patient sufferings, in making full proof of his sacred ministry. We allow that the subject applies with peculiar propriety to the case of those who are engaged in the same good work: but all Christians are bought with a price, that they may glorify God " with their bodies and spirits which are his." They all love the Lord Jesus Christ on the same grounds, though not in equal measure; they partake of " like precious faith" with that of the apostles; and " If any man have not the Spirit of "Christ, he is none of his." When therefore the deeply humbled sinner has been delivered from gloomy fears of deserved wrath, and enabled to rejoice in Christ and his pardoning love: he will certainly enquire, "What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits?" Nor will he, when under the lively impressions of admiring love and gratitude, be disposed to think any sacrifice too costly, any labour too great, or any danger too imminent, to which he may be called, in his attempts to serve contrary, he live in a private and -a labourer, a servant, in deep a in a state of slavery. And whatistian's outward situation and cirovided he aim to serve the Lord cientious attention to his peculiar sty, quietness, and contentment: ed to "adorn the doctrine of God and as certainly meet with a grae, as if he were sent, like Isaiah arry his message to the church and nce of relative duties, even when d returns are experienced; strict heavy losses and in trying circumce and meekness amidst sufferings are in some respects equivalent to acrity in undertaking the painful him. And, in proportion as the ite deep humility with assured hope 1, he will act with decision accordof a more arduous nature, for the gl the benefit of his church. When] grievously overcome by temptati that conscious guilt rendered hin renewing his bold and zealous en service of God. He therefore pray tion is restored, the lively exercis affection renders a man ready to sa "send me:" 'If so poor a worm as 'rify thy name, O Lord, I would t 'myself to thy disposal, that I m ''in any way, which may seem goo If then these be indeed the effect bling and encouraging views of th venly things, as have been descri certainly to enquire with great se ther we have learned or experienc the same nature? - And this may introduce an address to different descriptions of persons. There are numbers, who do not wish to be thought infidels or irreligious; but call themselves believers, render some worship to God, and respect the name of Christ and the leading truths of Christianity: yet they by no means think that they are altogether sinful, and exposed to just condemnation even for the defilements of their religious duties. They adopt various methods of eluding the inferences we draw from the general declarations of scripture, concerning the deceitfulness and desperate wickedness of the human heart; and object to every attempt made to convince them, that they themselves, as well as Gentiles and wicked Jews, are included in these unrestricted charges. These appear to them hard sayings; because they deprive them of every plea, undermine the foundation of their hope, and exclude all boasting and self-preference. But, if you have been used to reason and object in this manner, let me earnestly intreat and conjure you, seriously to answer the following questions: Do you really think your own hearts, characters, and services to be more holy and excellent, than those of Job, Isaiah, Daniel, or Paul? Or do you sup pose that your superior sanctity is proportioned to the difference of the language you use in speaking of your virtues and duties? If you cannot without affectation adopt their humiliating expressions, |