L

self in the Lord, there is the true happiness of the nortal spirit. Hear and read his word-that tells · labourer of satisfying joy, of the rest which remaïneth' the people of God; there you have set before you *at which will afford you comfort and happiness in all ur toils and sorrows. It is specially needful that u should hear, and thus learn divine truth when you n, for you have not time, nor opportunity, for much udy, and deep learning; and therefore you should ail yourself of those advantages with which you are w favoured. In a Christian country you have, through kind providence, ministers appointed to instruct you, hose special office it is to acquire divine knowledge for biber our edification. In hearing a faithful and wise preacher, ou have, in the short time of the delivery of a sermon, he result of much study and prayer applied to your his particular necessities. By due attention to such sermons, joined to your own reading of God's word, you will increase in the knowledge of the Son of God, till you come to a perfect man, unto a measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Be not, by neglect of such of Christ instruction, unhappy in both worlds. Hear, believe, and obey; and so shall you be blessed here and for Do you say that you are ashamed to appear for want of clothes fit to come in? but are you not ashamed of being away, when the eye of God marks you in your double absence? Do you say there is no room? I reply, O. that our churches were ordinarily crowded as they might be! Be in good time, and you will find room. More churches would be built, if those that are erected were more crowded.

paradise y

Tow a lifest

herefore

res,

en we

ans let Sun

pleasure!

y are

pleasin

the

ever.

Are
should not neglect to hear.
you SERVANTS? you
Shut not yourselves out from so great a privilege, where
you have permission to attend, and remain not in any

P

family where you are excluded from hearing God's word. You have souls as precious as those of the highest monarch. You must be happy or miserable, and that for ever. Neglect not the grand ordinance of God for your eternal salvation. The truths which you hear, received in a believing heart, will sweeten the bitterest service, will smooth the most rugged path, and infinitely heighten the comfort of the happiest condition. How blessed is the portion of one, whom no outward circumstances can separate from the Father's love, the Saviour's redemption, the Holy Spirit's guidance, and the sure prospect of an eternal glory yet to be revealed and fully enjoyed.

To every human being we say-Neglect to hear, and you fall under the sentence of destruction; (Acts iii, 23. hear, and your souls shall live. Isa. lv. We set before you life and death: choose you this day. Be wise for eternity. As far as you are concerned, let it no longer be the reproach of Christians that three-fourths of those called by the name of Christ, despise his word. Slight not your greatest interest. Believe in God. As He cannot deceive, so he will not be mocked. He invites now; but despised, he will arise to judge and condemn. O neglect not so great salvation.

We conclude all with the words of our Lord,

HE THAT HATH EARS TO HEAR, LET HIM HEAR:

AND

BLESSED ARE THEY THAT HEAR THE WORD OF GOD AND KEEP IT.

thema' Address to different classes to attend to hearing those in eminent situations

Page

306

307

fone,

From the Fa

say-Nege

sanctification is promoted

Hey Spas Answers to objections against practical obedience

worldly interests may suffer

the expediency of delay

the fear of an odious name
the dislike of hypocrisy

the opposite opinions of men in general

f destruct Antichrist, Bacon's view of

re. Isa.lv, You this d

concerned,

that three

Antinomian, really rejects the doctrine of the cross
Augustine's writings, quoted

.........

Bacon, his application of Antichrist to the Pope
Barnard, Sir John, his practice'
Baxter's Catholic Theology referred to
Beveridge, quoted

despises Bingham's Christian Antiquities, quoted

Believe in t be mocked

to judge

se to

words of or!

EAR, LETE

Blessedness of faithful hearing,

faculties are employed aright
our advantages are improved
our knowledge is increased,
our calling is ascertained
conviction of sin is given
faith is bestowed
justification is confirmed
adoption is certified
election is secured

spiritual comfort is advanced

299

souls are ripened for glory

300

perfect knowledge will be attained hereafter

301

179

EP IT

for private christians

179

Bucer, quoted,

Bradford, quoted, 35, and his works recommended

137

Bullinger, view of, true prosperity,

38

Campbell, Professor, quoted

Burnet's History of his own time, quoted

24

32

106, 108

things. The time taken from religion is
the time given to it is not lost. How ma
occur of men in high stations so overwhe
selves with work, and so neglectful of hear
and misemploying the sabbath, and thene
of the comfort of that word, that in an ho
sion, despondency prevails, and they d
selves! Such instances are beacons to
station, not to violate God's appointed ord
ever occupied, even if the violation had
ous influence on the present life. The
feel far higher motives: and such men a
Hale, and the late Mr. Hey of Leeds,
possible, even amid other multifarious
engagements, to find time for hearing the
there have been men faithfully dischargi
religion in all those precise situations of
ment which worldly men allege as a s
for neglect.

Are you IN EXTENSIVE BUSINES of large mercantile transactions, and schemes and plans on every side, eit abroad? O, without the divine bless

Cecil's remerks, in his sermon on Jer. xxi

preferring their own notions and dreams to San

truth, are striking-" It pleases God to app

of the Gospel in a neighbourhood; that is, h

life in a dry and barren place. But one me

though he lives in the neighbourhood, and his imaginations: he has dreamed! he is a Sc bear the doctrines taught in the Church of E is a philosopher truly! he has turned his thot and fitness of things, and cannot attend to th preaching of God's word, which calls him to l nations and reasonings, and be taught by his

is that religion which is acceptable to himsel le DHE A

taken from derive from worldly prosperity? You may is not het filth; but even now your wills are perpetualy stations care and anniets rob you of repose; disso neglect follow-death is at hand-and what wil sabbath, when your soul shall be required of you? word, that in What shall I do? moderate your earthly your ambitions projects; attend to are beer, and more really profitable-vour d's appointelor eternall good; make it your main colviolation God and kerep his commandments; here cat life. Tess and true bles. Do you call

and soch nasism? Hearken, men of mere You are extravagant;

ey of Leedse enthusiasts? multifant; your schemes are trifing; your hearing the and delusive! Se, you reply: dischargvisely and cautiously; we have long tuations fee to succeed. Be it a Le

re as a still the charge is true -
ed; your chief innerst is neglected;

USINESS in bazard:

ide,

er. xxi, 2 s to simple

appoint of God-Howa

s, he ope

e man c

word shall not

nd why? And will

your children 2)

onghts Parents

the pla

lay dow

you should should hear .Think of

emple; and

ge was found g and asking sing, as that er entered the > this petition, The way

I overcome the f God abide in

TIONS--Clerks, actories in large ations, where you close and constant yourselves at liberty

, and to spend it in that the inducements rong, when, to adopt the winter is past, the rs appear on the earth, birds is come, to neglect hearing the sacred word; int, the delightful recreabeen shut up all the week scenery of nature, and the re air. Probably the necesyou no other day for such an our earthly master would not, time for such a refreshment. obey him, lest your temporal But-would you think it an act