that he has had a concern, a fellow-feeling, for all christians; such as there should be amongst the members of the same body: that he has communicated his talents, whether of wisdom, or riches, or power, to others, in order to make the whole body of Christ as happy as may be.

And, forasmuch as Jesus Christ has commanded, that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name; that is, repentance on man's part, and remission of sins on the part of God; every Christian will sadly suffer for it, if this goodness of God has not led him to repentance, has not put him upon begging of God the grace of repentance, even that repentance to which God has promised mercy and pardon.

There is not a Christian so ignorant, who does not believe and confess this truth, That the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation. [John v. 28.] And will any Christian flatter himself, that this hour will not make a prodigious difference betwixt good and bad livers.

Is there a Christian so ignorant or unlearned as not to know, that now is the time in which we are to choose where, and what, we are to be to all eternity? And will it not be required of every Christian who knows this, that he did not set his heart upon a world which he was so soon to leave; and that he has laid up his treasure in heaven, where he did hope to live for ever?

These, good Christians, are all truths which we could not have known, had not God revealed

them unto us; but now we do know them, you see plainly how much depends upon our living as becomes people to whom such things are revealed; that is, that we obey the laws which God has given us to walk by, and that we do not do what he has forbidden, upon pain of his everlasting displeasure.-But how shall we know this? say the ignorant and unlearned; sure much will not be required of us, to whem se little knowledge, so few talents, are given!

Why now, the most unlearned Christian, who flatters himself with these hopes, that little will be required of him, will be condemned of his own conscience, (as well as by his great Judge,) when he sees that the duties which he is commanded, and the things forbidden him, are in themselves necessary, reasonable, and easily known; and (what is our great happiness and comfort) when he knows that we shall have all necessary assistance for asking, and that a sincere endeavour of doing what God has commanded will be accepted instead of a perfect obedience.

Will it not then, do we think, be required of every Christian, that he make the law of God the rule of his life; that he love and fear God above all things; depend upon his providence; worship him with reverence; never take his name in vain; that he abhor all manner of oaths, except when called before a magistrate, and then to speak the truth, as he hopes the Lord, who knows it, will hold him guiltless?

Does not every Christian know, and will it not be required of him, that he has conscientiously observed the Lord's Day, to keep it holy;

by laying aside all business or pleasures which may divert the mind from serving God; by going to the place of public worship, where God is acknowledged, honoured, and prayed to?

Are not children taught from their very infancy, and will it not be required of them, that they have honoured their parents? And do they not know the meaning of this; that they are to obey them in all lawful things; that they are not to grieve them by any stubborn or evil course of life; and that they are to assist them, if ever they should stand in need of their help?

And do not all parents know their duty? And they will severely answer for it, if they have not brought up their children in the fear of God; if they have not taken care to have them instructed; if they have not set them a good example; if they have not corrected them when they have done amiss; and if they have not constantly prayed for them.

Will the meanest subject have it to say, that he did not know that it was his duty to obey, and that disobedience and rebellion were grievous sins, for which he was to answer?

Need any servant to be told, that he has a master in heaven, to whom he will, one day, be accountable for his fidelity to his earthly master? —that if he has been an eye-servant, that if he has wasted his master's goods, or suffered others to do so, that it will be required at his hands?

And the same Lord and Judge of the world will require it of the master, that he hath been just and kind to, and careful of his servants, there being with God no respect of persons.

The most ignorant knows, as well as the most learned, that God will requre it of him, if he does any violence or hurt to his neighbour, if he wishes any man's death, if he takes pleasure in the calamities that befal other men, if he is inhuman and hard-hearted.

And they that know, (and who is there that does not?) that they themselves shall stand in need of pardon from God, cannot but conclude that, if they do not forgive others, God will not forgive them at the great day.

Whoredom, adultery, and all sins of uncleanness, are so contrary to the notion which every body has of heaven, and the happiness we there expect, that the most ignorant Christian cannot, dare not hope for any favour from God, who has been so unhappy as to fall into these sins, and has not bitterly repented him of his folly.

Drunkenness, intemperance, and an idle life, because they send men out of the world sooner than God and nature designed; God has therefore strictly forbidden these things, and will therefore strictly require it of all Christians, if they do not obey his commands.

Who will say, that we have not received a mighty blessing, in having the will and laws of God, and the way of life, made known to us, after so plain a manner, that, as the prophet speaks, The wayfaring men. though fools, shall not err therein? And will not much be required of every Christian man, who has these helps to salvation, and will not make use of them?

Will any Christian say, that the things which

are commanded are too hard for him to observe, who confesseth, that with God all things are possible, and who knows that God has promised all necessary assistance to them who sincerely pray for it? And what will any Christian have for himself, who hath such encouragement to pray to God, and yet neglects to do it; or does it after such a manner as shews plainly, that he is very indifferent whether God grants or denies him his petitions?

to say

Christians confess, that the laws of God are holy, just, and good, and that they are designed purely for our good; they readily confess their own inability, without the special grace of God, to keep these laws, and yet they will not ask this grace as they should do. Will not such have a great deal to answer for?

And because the most ignorant person may not have it to say for himself, that he knows not how to pray, our Lord has given us a most perfect form of prayer, which we may use without fear of praying amiss, provided our hearts be well disposed; that is, if we are truly sensible of our sad condition, and that we want God's help, and that we resolve to do what he has commanded, to the best of our power.

Will it not then, do we suppose, will it not be required of every Christian, that he has let no day of his life pass without praying to God for himself, and for all Christians, as that holy prayer directs we should do? That we pray for pardon, for grace, for God's protection and blessing upon ourselves, upon our neighbour,