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the measure of their studies; desiring and labouring that wherever the lot of these young soldiers of Christ is cast, they may be so many "burning and shining lights, adorning the gospel of Christ in all things?" And permit me to ask, Do you put forth all your strength in the vast work you have undertaken? Do you labour herein with all your might? Exerting every faculty of your soul? Using every talent which God hath lent you, and that to the uttermost of your power?

7. Let it not be said, that I speak here, as if all under your care were intended to be Clergymen. Not so: I only speak as if they were all intended to be Christians. But what example is set them by us who enjoy the beneficence of our forefathers? by Fellows, Students, Scholars; more especially those who are of some rank and eminence? Do ye, brethren, abound in the fruits of the Spirit, in lowliness of mind, in self-denial and mortification, in seriousness and composure of spirit, in patience, meekness, sobriety, temperance; and in unwearied, restless endeavours, to do good, in every kind, unto all men; to relieve their outward wants, and to bring their souls to the true knowledge and love of God? Is this the general character of Fellows of Colleges ? I fear it is not. Rather, have not pride and haughtiness of spirit, impatience and peevishness, sloth and indolence, gluttony and sensuality, and even a proverbial uselessness, been objected to us, perhaps not always by our enemies, nor wholly without ground? O that God would roll away this reproach from us, that the very memory of it might perish for ever!

8. Many of us are more immediately consecrated to God, called to minister in holy things. Are we then patterns to the rest," in word, in conversation, in charity; in spirit, in faith, in purity?"* Is there written on our forehead and on our heart, "Holiness to the Lord?" From what motives did we enter upon this office? Was it indeed with a single eye "to serve God, trusting that we were inwardly moved

* 2 Cor. iv. 2.

by the Holy Ghost, to take upon us this ministration, for the promoting of his glory, and the edifying of his people?" And have we " clearly determined, by God's grace, to give ourselves wholly to this office?" Do we forsake and set aside, as much as in us lies, all worldly cares and studies? Do we apply ourselves wholly to this one thing, and draw all our cares and studies this way? Are we apt to teach? Are we taught of God, that we may be able to teach others also? Do we know God? Do we know Jesus Christ? Hath "God revealed his Son in us?" And hath he "made us able Ministers of the New Covenant?" Where then are the "seals of our Apostleship?" Who that were dead in trespasses and sins, have been quickened by our word? Have we a burning zeal to save souls from death, so that for their sake we often forget even to eat our bread? Do we speak plainly, “by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God?"* Are we dead to the world and the things of the world, "laying up all our treasure in heaven?" Do we lord over God's heritage? Or, are we the least, the servants of all? When we bear the reproach of Christ, does it sit heavily upon us? Or, do we rejoice therein? When we are smitten on the one cheek, do we resent it? Are we impatient of affronts? Or, do we turn the other also; not resisting the evil, but overcoming evil with good? Have we a bitter zeal, inciting us to strive sharply and passionately with them that are out of the way? Or, is our zeal the flame of love, so as to direct all our words with sweetness, lowliness; and meekness of wisdom?

9. Once more, What shall we say concerning the youth of this place? Have you either the form or the power of Christian godliness? Are you humble, teachable, advisable; or stubborn, self-willed, heady, and high-minded? Are you obedient to your superiors as to parents? Or, do you despise those to whom you owe the tenderest reverence? Are you diligent in your easy business, pursuing your studies with all your strength? Do you redeem the time, crowding as

* 2 Cor. iv. 2.

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much work into every day as it can contain? Rather, are ye not conscious to yourselves, that you waste away, day after day, either in reading what has no tendency to Christianity, or in gaming, or in-you know not what? Are you better managers of your fortune than of your time? Do you, out of principle, take care to owe no man any thing? Do "remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy;" to spend it in the more immediate worship of God? When you are in his house, do you consider that God is there? Do you behave," as seeing him that is invisible?" Do you know how to "possess your bodies, in sanctification and honour ?" Are not drunkenness and uncleanness found among you? Yea, are there not a multitude of you who 66 glory in their shame?" Do not many of you "take the name of God in vain," perhaps habitually, without either remorse or fear? Yea, are there not a multitude of you that are forsworn? I fear, a swiftly-increasing multitude. Be not surprised, brethren. Before God and this congregation, I own myself to have been of the number; solemnly swearing to observe all those customs, which I then knew nothing of; and those statutes, which I did not so much as read over, either then, or for some years after. What is perjury, if this is not? But if it be, O what a weight of sin, yea, sin of no common dye, lieth upon us! And doth not the Most High regard it?

10. May it not be one of the consequences of this, that so many of you are a generation of triflers; triflers with God, with one another, and with your own souls? For, how few of you spend, from one week to another, a single hour in private prayer! How few have any thought of God in the general tenor of your conversation! Who of you is, in any degree, acquainted with the work of his Spirit, his supernatural work in the souls of men? Can you bear, unless now and then, in a church, any talk of the Holy Spirit? Would you not take it for granted, if one began such a conversation, that it was either Hypocrisy or Enthusiasm? In the name of the Lord God Almighty, I ask, What Religion are you of? Even the talk of Christianity, ye cannot, will not

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bear. O, my brethren! What a Christian city is this! "It is time for thee, Lord, to lay to thine hand!”

11. For, indeed, what probability, what possibility rather, (speaking after the manner of men) is there that Christianity, Scriptural Christianity, should be again the religion of this place? That all orders of men among us should speak and live as men "filled with the Holy Spirit?" By whom should this Christianity be restored? By those of you that are in authority? Are you convinced then that this is Scriptural Christianity? Are you desirous it should be restored? And do ye not count your fortune, liberty, life, dear unto yourselves, so ye may be instrumental in the restoring of it? But, suppose ye have this desire, who hath any power proportioned to the effect? Perhaps some of you have made a few faint attempts, but with how small success! Shall Christianity then be restored by young, unknown, inconsiderable men? I know not whether ye yourselves could suffer it. Would not some of you cry out, "Young man, in so doing thou reproachest us?" But there is no danger of your being put to the proof; so hath iniquity overspread us like a flood. Whom then shall God send? The famine, the pestilence, (the last messengers of God to a guilty land) or the sword? The armies of the Romish Aliens to reform us into our first love? Nay, "rather let us fall into thy hand, O Lord, and let us not fall into the hand of man."

Lord, save, or we perish! Take us out of the mire that we sink not! O help us against these enemies! for vain is the help of man. Unto thee all things are possible. According to the greatness of thy power, preserve thou those that are appointed to die; and preserve us in the manner that seemest to thee good; not as we will, but as thou wilt.

SERMON V.

JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH.

ROMANS iv. 5.

"To him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the Ungodly, his Faith is counted to him for Righteousness."

1. HOW a sinner may be justified before God, the Lord and Judge of all, is a question of no common importance, to every child of man. It contains the foundation of all our hope; inasmuch as while we are at enmity with God, there can be no true peace, no solid joy, either in time or in eternity. What peace can there be, while our own heart condemns us? And much more, he that is "greater than our heart and knoweth all things?" What solid joy, either in this world or that to come, while "the wrath of God abideth on us?"

2. And yet how little hath this important question been understood! What confused notions have many had concerning it! Indeed, not only confused, but often utterly false; contrary to the truth, as light to darkness: notions absolutely inconsistent with the Oracles of God, and with the whole analogy of Faith. And hence, erring concerning the very foundation, they could not possibly build thereon; at least, not "gold, silver, or precious stones," which would endure when tried by fire; but only "hay and stubble," neither acceptable to God, nor profitable to man.

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