CHAPTER XXXI.

The Sins of Masters and Servants.

FIRST, you Masters, see how guilty you are.

1. Should not your eyes, like DAVID'S, “have been upon the faithful of the land, that they might dwell with you” How curious should you have been in this particular Ye would not buy a horse, a house, a field, but ye would try them: But how careless have ye been whether your servants were godly or no. If they were strong to labor, was not that all ye looked after You looked that they should be diligent in your work; but have you looked for such as walked in a perfect way, to serve you Hence many have been taken into your families, who were found wanton and unclean, and thereby religion has suffered exceedingly: Yea, hence the children are corrupted by evil example, they being more apt to imitate the servant in his wickedness, than the parent in his holiness. If you had been wary in this particular, and had procured holy servants, by their zeal, forwardness, and care of the children, what families might you have had.

Should not you have removed wicked servants, as soon as your counsels would not take effect on them DAVID did so.” He that worketh deceit, and tells lies, shall

not tarry in my sight.” You, on the contrary, keep them as you do horses, if God for labor. It will never be said to your glory,’ The Church in your house;' but may it not be said,’ There is a nest of snakes, a cage of devils, in your house.'

2. Are not you too rigorous towards your servants Do not you too much frown upon them Do not you use words of reproach to them” Whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell-fire.” Do not you strike them unnecessarily or immoderately Have you forgotten the commands from heaven” Thou shall not rule over him with rigor, but shall fear thy GOD.” “Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. And ye masters, forbear threatening, knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.” Do you herein as you would be dealt with Would you have GOD deal with you, as you deal with your servants Remember, you and your servants have one and the same Master, to whom you are both accountable; you for your rule, and they for their subjection.

3. Have not you neglected to give that direction to your several servants as is proper for them, so that they intrench upon each other's work, and the painful work lies neglected How few mistresses, yea, or masters, are like SOLOMON'S virtuous woman, of whom it is said,” She looketh well to the ways of her household!” Every one should know his place and work in the family, that all things may be done decently, and in order. But in how few families is it thus!

4. Do you give your servants examples of diligence So did that virtuous mistress: “She riseth also whilst it is night; she girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms; she layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff; she maketh fine linen; she eateth not the bread of idleness.”

5. What love do ye show to your servants that are godly Do you receive them as beloved brethren As PAUL would have PHILEMON receive his servant after his conversion: “Receive him not now as a servant, but above a servant, as a brother beloved.” A Christian servant should be in the place of a beloved brother, and should be preferred before a lewd son. “A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causes shame; and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.” How seldom do you show them God, as well as receive God from them! When they are sick, how little attendance and necessaries have they, as to diet, fire, and physic! How are many poor servants cast off by them, when sick, as unprofitable burdens!

6. Do you pay your servants their wages Do you pay them fully Hast thou not forgotten that the Israelites were required, when they set any servant free, not to let him go away empty; but “thou shall furnish him liberally out of that wherewith the LORD thy God has blessed thee.” Hast not thou abated them of their dues, for the time of their sickness, or the time they have spent in the service of GOD

7. Do not you deny liberty to your servants to speak unto you God has set masters over servants; but he has not given them liberty to trample them under their feet. Servants are under their masters' power, but not their lusts. You show yourselves Nabals by this churlishness and austerity.” He is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.”

8. Do not you suffer one servant to tyrannize over another

Secondly, You servants that profess religion; I have somewhat in charge against many of you.

1. Your pride, sauciness, familiarities with your governors, make me think that you would easily swallow the error of old; That we are to be subject to none but CHRIST: as if your freedom by CHRIST had exempted you from all subjection to men. By your refusing the yoke of your master's commands, you reflect more upon your Master in the heavens, than upon your earthly governor. What says the Apostle a Let as many servants as are under the yoke, count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of GOD and his doctrine be not blasphemed. Servants, be obedient to them that are your Masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as unto CHRIST. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the God and gentle, but also to the forward.”

But, alas, how saucy are servants! May not your master say,” If I be a master, where is my fear” How fearless are you of your master, especially if your masters be pot rich and honorable in the earth! Who respects GOD's ordinance Hence many servants stand covered in their master's presence, sit before them, bow not to them, nor rise up before them.

2. Do not you, when you meet together, blazon the infirmit es of your masters Do not you carry yourselves as spies rather than as servants You do not herein as you would be dealt with.

3. Are not you disobedient to your master's commands, unless in what pleases you You are the servants of your lusts, rather than your masters' servants: you do not obey in singleness of heart; yea, you are not obedient at all. The Centurion could say to his servant,” Go, and he went.” The heathen servants excel some that pretend to great religion. He is the master that must have his own way: judge, then, whether you abide in the place wherein GOD has set you.

4. As some by silence, so others dishonor their masters by answering again. They should not answer by way of contradiction, or reluctance, as servants are apt to. Some will even brag how they gave word for word; perhaps two words for one. Hereby their governors, if ungodly, fall foul upon religion. Is this the fruit of your prayers; running after Ministers

5. How lazy are some servants! Diligent only when under their master's eye. Few serve their masters, as JACOB, LABAN, “with all their might.” The command, is, that you should “obey in singleness of heart, not with eye service, as men pleasers.” Mark, eye service stands not with uprightness of heart. As you would not be branded for hypocrites, work behind your masters' backs, as if their eyes were upon you. ’Consider how short you fall of this, and mourn before the LORD in secret for your eye-service.

6. How imprudent are some servants, as to the timing their duties! Some, when never so urgent business is to be dispatched, will then go in secret to call upon GOD; whereas going to bed later, and rising earlier, would prevent much straitness as to time and spirit in that great duty. Some will fall a talking of the things of GOD to their fellow-servants very unseasonably, not when they are at leisure, but when they are most busily' employed for their masters, to the hindering their work.

7. How many cheat and defraud their masters! Some cheat them of their time, by idling it away, being tattlers, and busy bodies, or gossipping it away. Others cheat them of their money or Gods, hiring others secretly to do their work, and paying them with their masters' money or Gods.

8. How many are improvident for their masters' Gods They will see things spoil before their eyes; they will give what is not their own to give; they make no conscience to eat and drink what their masters do not allow them; they, will steal small matters, and vet whatever the rake, though but little, is the breach of the Eighth Commandment: and the less the temptation, the greater the sin, that they will break God's law for trifles. What says MR. DOD’ If ever they look for sound peace of conscience, they must make restitution of all such things. “How much so ever they steal, so much they must restore, and the fifth part thereto.” If they keep it, they keep GOD's curse with it, and a woe unto their consciences.'

9. How do many murmur under reproofs and corrections! What says the Apostle “Servants, be subject to your masters, not only to the gentle, but to the froward; for this is thank-worthy, if a man for conscience towards GOD, endure grief, suffer wrongfully: for what glory is it,

if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye take it patiently; But if when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with GOD.”

1O. How unfaithful are many to their masters' children! Not heeding them, and providing meat, and other necessaries for them, in their masters' absence.

11. How many ways do you fail towards your fellow servants! Do not you seek to undermine them in the respect their masters bear them Do not you labor to supplant them Do not you envy them Are not you unfaithful to one anther's -souls Do not you waste time in idle and impertinent discourses Are not you evil examples to each other Do not you suffer sin to rest upon each other Are pot you guilty of not easing and relieving them, when they are overcharged with business Do not you carry yourselves proudly and magisterially towards apprentices Do not you join in a confederacy to tell tales against your governors And do not you charge your fellow-servants with secrecy therein, whereby the name and authority of the master is lost

CHAPTER XXXII.

Their Miscarriages with Reference to the Ministers of CHRIST.

How' little have you esteemed them! Though they were the Ambassadors of the LORD of heaven, and should have had respect, according to the rank -of their Master that sent them; yet how little did you honor them in your hearts Did you “know them and esteem them highly, for their work's sake;” Have you not very much slighted both their persons and message How many have thought - they knew as much as their Ministers How many Ministers have been slighted for their mean parts as if the efficacy of the ordinance depended on the rhetoric of the Preacher; as if no dainties could be brought them in a homely dish, no treasure in an earthen vessel; as if GOD could not speak out of the mouths of babes; as if the using Jordan were too contemptible a means. I have feared the unsoundness of many hearts, from the itching of their ears. PAUL was careful to preach”not with enticing words, with the wisdom of words;” though he could speak with” tongues more than all;” yet he desired” to speak rather to edification.” A sermon full of plain naked Scriptures would not go down in our last times. It is observed by an historian, that before the great massacre in France, the Protestants were for a luscious kind of preaching. How unworthily have the Ministers of CHRIST been slighted by even such as, a little before, pretended to have had their life and growth from them, and that they were the seals of their ministry! Have not many been ready to entertain reports against their Ministers And have not they lost their esteem of them for one real or supposed weakness of theirs Though you have been under so many engagements to them, for your spiritual life; yet if you have seen a little failing or miscarriage in then, have not you forgot all their worth, and all their many years' labors and cares fbr your eternal welfare Have not you been so far from esteeming the messenger for the message, that you have slighted the message for the messenger Has not this been the language of your hearts, if not of your mouths;’ What, nothing but this preaching' Have not those who at first admired, afterwards made nothing of this heavenly manna, because of the commonness thereof Have not you considered only the matter, and not the stamp of the coin Have not your Ministers oft complained to GOD, of the contempt you have put upon them, and how much their embassy has been undervalued by you It may be, you have thought it no great matter to slight them and their counsels: but know, therein you have slighted CHRIST himself. “He that despiseth you, despiseth me.” May you not fear,” it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for you”

2. How full of prejudices have your hearts been against your Ministers! And you have not had the honesty to examine the grounds. When they have delivered truths of a sublimer nature than ordinary, or delivered any thing more obscurely than at other times, how rarely have you conferred with them about it! Have you not God among your companions, and filled your own and their hearts with prejudices against them Let me publish that to thine eye, which was once whispered in the ear;” Take heed what thou doest; this man is a Roman.” Should not you much more have taken heed of filling your own and others' hearts with prejudice against your Ministers, seeing they were the Prophets of the Most High: These men were men of GOD; they were the special Ambassadors of heaven! I think he said well, that prejudice against the Preacher, is great prejudice to the hearers. This fever of prejudice has made many, like the fill stomach, to loathe the honey-comb. Has not GOD met with repulses, whilst your Ministers have been entertained with prejudice So long as you have been prejudiced, though you have been convinced of many duties, yet you have not been persuaded to, obey the truth.

3. How little have you blessed GOD for the Gospel Ministry which you have enjoyed This distinguishing mercy did not affect your hearts as it ought. Some there were (but very few) who would say,’ Brown bread, and the Gospel, is a feast.' Few, like the Christians at Constantinople, cried out,’ Better the sun not shine, than CHRYSOSTOM be silenced.' You could bless GOD for health, and estate; but not for these luminaries of glory, who were appointed to guide you to the heavenly Jerusalem.

4. How little did you pray for them! How little have you prayed for gifts and abilities to go through their whole work, for preservation for them, and for a sanctified use of all GOD's dispensations toward them How little did you supplicate, that their mouths might be kept open,and” that utterance might be given unto them, that they might open their mouths boldly, to make known the mystery of the Gospel” Have not they oft begged your prayers, in the words of PAUL,” I beseech you, brethren, for the LORD JESUS CHRIST'S sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me, in your prayers to GOD for me, that I may be delivered from them that do not believe,” And yet, have not you neglected to call upon God for their deliverance

5. Have not you made sorry excuses for not hearing them How little have you believed that word,” He that heareth you, heareth me” And by consequence, that not hearing them, was not hearing CHRIST himself. What slight excuses have been deemed sufficient to keep you from the shepherd's tents The Apostle would have us” swift to hear.” Swiftness notes diligence in taking the first occasion; but how have you, to compliment with a friend, to indulge the flesh, for fear of a little rain, for fear of wetting your feet, for fear of losing a customer, declined opportunities of attending the ambassadors GOD sent you

6. How did you miscarry, both before, and in, and after hearing! How slender was your preparation to attend• upon these deputies of CHRIST! How little did you meditate on the word you were to receive at their lips! Did you thus consider: The Gospel that I am about to hear, will be” the savor of life unto life,, or the savor of death unto death” I shall be nearer heaven or hell by this sermon I am going to. If the Gospel be always hid, I am a lost soul, and shall perish. Is my soul hungry This is the bread of heaven. Is my soul thirsty This is the water of life: This is the milk whereby I must grow up unto eternal life. This messenger of heaven will be for the fall, as well as the rising of many in Israel. If he be not instrumental for my salvation, he will be for my damnation. How little did you consider the excellency and necessity of the word that you were to partake of That the truths your Ministers taught you, were of as much worth as your souls, as heaven, as salvation

How little did you pour out your souls in prayer unto God before you went to hear your Minister! Either for your Ministers, that God would open their mouths, to speak the word truly, sincerely, powerfully, seasonably, and suitably, to your condition; or for your own souls, that God would open your hearts, to entertain the word, so as to profit by it; that you might not have open ears, and shut hearts; that you might not have ears, and yet hear not, as knowing that the hearing ear, and seeing eye, the LORD has made even both of them.

How careless were you to purge your souls before you came to hear the word! Mosas, before he was to hear God speaking, put off his shoes, to intimate that you should put off your earthly affections before you come to hear God's word: But have not you rushed out of your worldly employments to many a sermon How careless were you to” lay apart all filthiness, and superfluity of naughtiness,” that you might” receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls” If you have not come without habitual, have you not neglected actual, preparation

When you have been actually under the ministry, have Hot you heard irreverently, without awful apprehensions of God's majesty and presence Have you said of the place where any Minister of CHRIST has preached, as JACOB of Bethel,” How dreadful is this place” Have you, in your hearing sermons, set yourselves in the presence of GOD, as CORNELIUS did, when PETER was preaching unto him

Have not you evidenced your irreverence in hearing carelessly, dully, drowsily, sleepily Have not you lent a more attentive ear to a tale, to a fable, to a romance, to a ballad, to a stage-play, than to a sermon Have not you come to church as to an apothecary's shop, for a recipe to sleep Has not the Gospel come unto you “in word only, and not in power” When the Minister threatened you from the Loin, could you say,” My flesh trembleth for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy judgments” When your Ministers came with tidings of peace, were their feet beautiful When they declaimed against your sins, did you so mind what they delivered as to be any whit troubled Did not you harden your hearts as an adamant Were you not so far from being troubled for your sins, that it was your only trouble you could not commit them without control Were not you even troubled with admonitions and counsels, commands and threatenings, that crossed you in your sins Can you say, that you” received the word with all readiness of mind”

Have not you heard heartlessly without a real sense of your want of the word, and without an appetite to it Had you such vehement desires after the treasure your Ministers were bringing you, as covetous men have after the treasures of the earth Could you ever, with DAVID, say,” My soul breaketh for the longing that it has unto thy judgments at all times”

Have not you heard unbelievingly Not crediting your Minister's doctrine, and not applying it to, but shifting it off from, yourselves Have not their sermons been unprofitable to your souls, because” not mixed with faith” Can you say, that you received their word as the word of GOD That you applied it to your souls May not we say, with grief of soul, as our Loan has said already, “You have not heard his voice at any time!” When you heard the word, which is GOD'S word, did you hear GOD himself speaking his own word unto your hearts

Have not you been cautioned by the LORD JESUS CHRIST, and by his Ministers,” Take heed how you hear” And yet, how oft have you heard the Ministers of CHRIST carpingly! Not with a willingness to be judged by the word, but to judge it, and the Preacher-for it. Have not you let slip the most material passages of the sermon, and pitched upon the weaknesses or impertinences of the Minister How oft have you, when you could not blame the subject-matter, found fault with the method, and the manner of delivery, and overlooked that wherein your souls were especially concerned.

Have not you heard disobediently, Have not you been untractable and unteachable Have not you heard proudly, not humbly With hard hearts, and not with hearts of flesh, ready to receive the impression of the word, and willing to be moulded and fashioned according to it When could you say to any of GOD's Ministers, as CoRNELIUS to PETER,” We are all here present, to hear all that is commanded of GOD” His ear and heart were open to every command: So were JOB'S, “That which I see not, teach thou me.” Have not you had your exceptions If Ministers have enjoined you to pray in your families, perhaps you heard them therein; but if they enjoined from the LORD that you pray in your closets, and that you examine yourselves, that you fill your hands with both the tables, they could not be heard;, one reserve at least: Whereas the right hearer cries out, “LORD, what wilt thou have me to do” I will do any thing, LORD, actively, or passively, to get hell out of my soul now, and to keep my soul out of hell hereafter.

After hearing the ambassadors of heaven, how faulty have you been, in not examining what you have heard by. the written word The Bereans consulted with the oracles of GOD, brought the measuring line of the sanctuary; but so have not you. How many were there, to whom the reputation of the teacher, was sufficient proof of his doctrine, receiving all that was stamped with his tongue Have not you called such and such a Minister, your Father on earth, in the same sense in which CHRIST forbids it Have not you had the persons of men in admiration No wonder that errors have abounded. Men, that through an over esteem of the Minister, take all upon trust, or, through sloth, will not examine doctrines, are like to be deceived.

May not CHRIST check you rather than the Disciples, with,’ Why do you not remember' Have not you heard the word, and instantly forgot it Has not the word

God in at one ear, and out at another Have not you let slip the word The word * is metaphorical, taken from a sieve, or leaking vessel, when the liquor runs out as fast as it is put in. Have not you hereby been ever learning, but not come to the knowledge of the truth” Your memories should be like the ark, wherein the pot of manna was kept; but alas! when you heard the word, then came” the wicked one, and caught away that which was sown in your hearts.” And was not the word, and the labors of CHRIST'S Ministers, fallen so low, that you were contented, at least little troubled, thus to be pillaged of this heavenly treasure

Have you not neglected meditation upon the word you have heard It was one special way, whereby,, in time of the law, the clean beasts were known from the unclean, chewing the cud. But how few ruminate upon what they have heard and received They do not, with MARY, keep the sayings, and ponder them in their hearts.” Blessed are they. that hear the word, and keep it.” How few retire into their closets, and reflect on the word, for the nourishment of their graces, for the destruction of their sin! How few consider whether they have met with God in a sermon or no! You should gather up the words of CHRIST'S Minister, as CHRIST said of the fragments, so as none should be lost; or as the goldsmith looks after the very dust of gold: But as soon as conscience was quieted, did you ever think more of it

How few have God from the church to the closet, there to pour out their souls for a blessing upon what they have heard! If when your sin was discovered, you had God into your chambers, and begged humiliation for it, and victory over it; and if when neglected duty was, pressed in public, you had retired, and prayed to God to incline your hearts to keep God's statutes; would it not have been better with you than it now is

Have not you neglected to talk of what you have heard

Have not some, as soon as dismissed from the sermons fallen into impertinent discourses about news and trifles; or into worldly business; and so the thorns choked all the convictions which they received They: consider not, that the word they heard has been “the savor of life or of death;” and that every one that goes from a sermon, goes off either with God or the Devil in his company.

Have not you been hearers of the word only, and not doers of it Have not you so deceived your own selves Your Ministers have pressed you to secret prayer, and to constancy in it; but have not you God- away, and continued in the neglect of that, wherein the power of godliness mainly consists” Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it;” i, e., that are God; practitioners; that have a care to regulate heart and life according to what they hear and know. They are rather blessed than the mother of CHRIST was, for bringing him into the world. But, alas! let it be for aa lamentation, that so- many professors have been for hearing, but for doing only what they listed. Have you been cast into the form of the doctrine which ye have received Have you”obeyed from the heart the form of doctrine delivered to you” Has your profiting appeared answerable to the many months and years you have sat under the dews of heaven What do you believe, love, and hope for, more than you did Have your hearts stooped more and more to this sceptre of CHRIST Believe it, if sin be not more odious, and CHRIST more precious, after you have heard, you have lost your hearing hours; yea, contracted more guilt to your souls. That you have not been” changed from glory to glory,” is a great ground of sadness to the poor Ministers, who fear they have labored in vain. If you had come down from these mounts with your faces shining,-if you had received more of God upon your hearts and lives, you had more credited the ministry, and put to silence foolish men.

7. Have not you greatly miscarried, as to consulting with them, Though one great work of your Ministers was to deal personally with your souls, yet how little weight have you laid upon their judgment.

Have not you more credited the Physician's opinion of your bodies, and the Lawyer's about your estates, than you have your Ministers concerning your souls

If you have consulted with your Ministers, have not you delayed going to these Physicians When the wound was newly given, and bleeding, you should have repaired to them; but, like FELIX, you have dismissed your convictions to some other opportunity. How has SATAN befooled many, persuading them that there needs not so much ado, that the Minister is too legal, that he will drive to despair,-that (as AHAB thought of MICAIAH) he will not speak one comfortable word,-or that he will blazon the secrets of their souls, and so they shall get a blot by unbosoming themselves.

S: How oft have you invited them to your houses only to feast them, and to show outwardly your respect unto them; but have not put the opportunity to such uses as MARY did CHRIST'S coming to her house! How light, vain, unserious, have you been in their company! It had been more your wisdom, as well as duty, to have proposed some necessary queries to them, with respect to eternity. You should have drawn out their gifts and graces by proposing such questions as these How, Sir, shall I know the difference between the assisting and the inhabiting presence of the SPIRIT How shall I know whether the Gospel has had a saving efficacy on mine heart How shall I know SATAN'S temptations from the suggestions of mine own heart How shall I know when SATAN, and when the SPIRIT applies promises How shall I discern the motions of the HOLY GHOST from the impulses of SATAN, “transforming himself into an angel of light” How shall I know the teachings of the SPIRIT from the teachings of men How shall I get assurance that my sins are pardoned How may I obtain victory over the world How may I be delivered from spiritual sloth

What shall I do, that I may retain the influence of ordinances upon my spirit How may I be more useful to all my relations How may I bridle my tongue, so as to speak evil of no man How shall I do to work the works of GOD What shall I do to get a trembling heart under the word and works of God How shall I get a soft heart, to mourn for my own and others' sins How shall I know what is my constitution-sin How shall I know whether my courage be from natural temper, or the grace of GOD

Such questions as these should have been seriously debated with your Ministers; but, alas! when you and your Ministers have spent hours together, have not you contracted guilt, and made yourselves unfit for secret duties; nay, perhaps have had not time for the discharge of them

9. Have not you been a trouble to their souls Your Ministers were so affectionately desirous of you, that they were willing to have imparted to you, not the Gospel only, but their own souls, because ye were dear unto them; aid is this your kindness to your friends, to break their hearts, who were glad to spend and be spent for you How proudly have you carried it towards them! God threatened the Israelites, that “the Canaanites should be pricks in their eyes, and thorns in their sides.” Surely it better became Canaanites to be thorns to the Israelites, than for you to be thorns to your Ministers. How oft have you grieved them, to see your stoutness and rebellion against all their counsels! May not your Ministers say as -DAVID,”I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word” May not they say, We have seen your lukewarmness, your sloth, your earthliness, and our souls were troubled You should have been, like-the Thessalonians,”the crown of our rejoicing,” but you have been crowns of thorns, which have pierced, not our heads, but hearts. You should have refreshed our bowels, been as cordials after all our wearisome labors; but have not you dealt unkindly with us And the more we have loved you, have not we had the less love from you I cannot but think of a passage of holy MR.SHEPHERD:’ The Jews,' says lie, `did long for CHRIST, and when lie came they crucified him. And you would have Ministers, and you had them; and though you did not immediately cast them out of their places, yet you so wearied their spirits, and grieved the Spirit in them, that you made them glad to bury themselves, and leave their places.' How little did you”obey them that ruled over you, and submitted yourselves, that they might give their account with joy, and not with grief!”

CHAPTER XXXIII. Want of Love among the Professors of Religion.

“As touching brotherly love,” says the Ap stle PAUL to the Thessalonians,” ye need not that I writeunto you; for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another, and indeed you do it.” But may not I say to you,’As touching brotherly love, you need that I write to you, for you are not taught of GOD V’ The fire of brotherly love,' says one,’ is almost ready to go out, scarce any spark of it yet remaining among us; but instead of the fire of love, the wild-fire of passion rageth, and is predominant. Many live as if they had been born on the mountains of Bether, the mountains of Division; and as if they had been baptized in the waters of Meribah,-the waters of strife.' 11O that my head were waters, and my eyes fountains of tears, to weep day and night” for the want of love in the Christians of this generation one towards another. How common has it been to confine our love to our own party! We have not loved all the saints. How few BUCERs are there! How few love all, *, in whom they see any thing of CHRIST! Many even hate those that differ from them, though but in circumstantials; or, they “love in word and in tongue only, but not in deed and in truth.” In order to the convincing us of our guiltiness herein, O that our consciences may be suffered to give in full answers to the following queries:

1. How have we called- for fire from heaven, when we have thought ourselves dishonored, in that others have not given such a reception to our ways and practices in religion, as we expected! Have not we wished those that divided from us in some circumstances of worship, even banished Have not we been glad, when such were put out of all offices and places of profit Even at this day, if men scruple the lawfullness of some ceremonies and gestures in the service of GOD, they are thought worthy to be cast out of the Church.

2. To facilitate this, have not we blotted out the reputation of their holiness, and represented saints as devils’ It is utterly a fault among you,' said one of our English worthies formerly,’ that the difference in judgment and practice about ceremonies, has caused such strangeness and alienation of mind and affection between such as truly fear GOD, both Ministers and people. We are so far from receiving, esteeming, loving, and maintaining society one with another, notwithstanding this difference of judgment, that we are apt to despise and judge one another for it, and doubt whether there be any truth of grace in them that differ from us in these things. Thus do both sides grossly and dangerously err, and sin against their brethren; “and when ye sin so against the brethren, ye sin against CHRIST.” For the experience of all times proveth evidently, that there be of both sides that fear GOD unfeignedly, and in the whole tenour and course of whose conversation, the life and power of true godliness doth appear. And if thou dost not see this, (whoever thou art that art violent on either side,) then art thou certainly thyself most wilfully blind. And I do assure thee, in the name of the LORD, and by God warrant out of his word, that if thou canst not unfeignedly love every one that truly feareth the LORD;-if thou canst not bewail and strive against these hard conceits thou hast been wont to

entertain against such, thou canst have no comfort at all in thine own estate before GOD.'

Thus far he that was in his time England's best Preacher. And is the matter any whit amended now! O how many have spoken all manner of evil against those that have differed from them in circumstances Have not they publicly railed one at another What names have they given one another Have not we been cooled and blunted; and lost our zeal in matters of greatest moment, by letting outt our zeal against the supposed errors of our brethren

3. How little have we heeded the commands of GOD against backbiting!” Thou shall not go up and down as a tale-bearer among the people. Cursed be he that siniteth his neighbor secretly.” When the Apostle would set forth the great abominations of the Gentiles, he says, they were” whisperers and backbiters.” Were there love, it would cover all sins. Whom we love, we are wont to commend; but instead of this, how do we speak against those that differ from us, behind their backs Whom we love, we would have others to love; but by backbiting we seek to draw off others also from their duty. Herein, how do we serve the Devil, who is the great mediator of differences! I have oft thought upon the artificial kind of backbiting in BERNARD'S time’When they slander, they will fetch deep sighs, as if they were much grieved that others should be so and so guilty; yea, they will say, “I am exceedingly sorry' for such an one, that lie should commit so heinous a crime;'' when perhaps it was all the while but a base lying report. Besides, they will charge the tale-bearer with the greatest secrecy, when they will take liberty to asperse as far as they have opportunity. They tell the fault only to a friend, that will tell nobody of it. But why may not he have forfeited the gift of keeping counsel, as well as thyself Why shouldest thou think that the hearer will conceal, when thou, the teller, canst not And if thou halt a mind the brother's infirmities should be hid, why dost not thou hide them If a man of a different persuasion live so, that we are forced to commend him, yet we will surely bring in one calumny or other, that shall blot the person, and weaken all our encomiums of him. When we have been forced to speak of others' God actions, how commonly do we lay in a but; something or other, to abate the esteem that is due:’ It were well done, if the ends were right; if they acted from God principles:’ And by these insinuations, we restrain others from loving proportionably to the merit of the person.' At feasts, if not in more solemn meetings, what liberty have we taken to speak against our brethren! When Dionysius feared PLATO would revile him in the academy among his companions;’ GOD forbid,' says PLATO, ’that there should be such scarcity of matter to talk of in the academy, that they should talk of thee.' Believe it, we had spent our time better, to warm one another's hearts with the love of CHRIST, than to inflame the spirits of each other against our brethren.

4. How easily have we entertained a report, and credited it against brethren of different persuasions! The love of mothers makes them incredulous as to any charges laid against their children; but how seldom have we driven away a backbiting tongue with an angry countenance! flow have we been tale bearers; how have we encouraged the backbiter to open his pack; how have we received all the deformations he would bring us! How have we credited reports upon hearsay, without any examination! How apt are we to censure and judge before he, who is the accused, have the accuser face to face! This was theoman's law: I wish it were the Christian's. Some of you learned long ago, that it is injustice to determine without hearing both parties. Have we loved our neighbor's name and credit as our own May we not conclude that God will measure to us, as we have to our brethren! Is it our wisdom to believe every word Would not DAVID cut off those whom we embrace We pretend we are not the first reporters; but are not we glad the report is spread Are not. we glad that others' God names are stolen away Do not we harbor the stolen Gods When others set our neighbors' names on fire, do not we look on, and cry, Aha! so would we have it! But when do we go to the defamed neighbor to hear what apology he can make for himself

5. How have we aggravated the offences of differing parties beyond their due proportion! For fifty have not we set down an hundred Have not we represented that as done against light, which was done ignorantly And that done with deliberation, which was done rashly We have not made a difference between sins and human frailties; between sins repented of, and not repented of. How have we been guilty of drawing consequences from our adversaries' assertions, and fastening such opinions on them, as their souls abhorred! And yet hardly has one of a thousand retracted these unjust charges, or humbled himself for this great iniquity before GOD or man.

6. Did we begin to stop breaches betimes Did not we suffer our wounds to be kept open too long And how few yet are there that endeavor to compose the jars and differences that are among us! When there were bickerings concerning Moses, the Law, Circumcision, and Sacrifices, how doth PAUL beseech EUODIAS and SYNTYCHE! How few are like one of the Fathers, who was so much affected with the divisions of Christians, that lie professed himself ready to let out his heart's blood to cement them together. Few entreat for peace, and those few that do endeavor to hinder the strife of brethren, fare no better than MOSES. He is thought to carry on a design for a party that sues for peace, and desires brotherly and amicable conferences. Many cry for peace and commend it; but they will riot be at cost for it. The cursed principle is still harboured, that it' is a dishonorable thing to yield first; but that others must begin to stoop to us: whereas, it is GOD'S honor that he stooped to us first. We are loath to sue for peace, and to beg reconciliation with those that have been more in the offence than we. I find little condescending to remove mistakes and prejudices. If we have once offered terms of peace and reconciliation, we satisfy ourselves therein; but have not pursued and followed after peace: we have not used means upon means. This is a clear evidence of our too much indulging our discords and animosities.

7. Have not our differences come to that height, that we condemned those actions of our brethren, which, before they dissented from us, we approved and commended 2 DEMETRIUS of Alexandria liked ORIGEN's making himself an eunuch, until they fell out, and then he wrote against it. Yea, have not we discommended some very God enterprises, merely because they had an hand in them Thus some confessed that they had liked many of LUTHER'S reformations, but that so contemptible a monk should have the honor of beginning them. When men are highly inflamed for some one thing, they will dislike all the party does. Besides, have not we been apt to quarrel with, and mistake whatsoever is done by a whole society, if we are fallen out with one of that society.

8. How strong are our memories (even to this day) to retain all bitter and unchristian passages of one party towards another! And if some have buried them, yet are there not some of the Devil's agents that are raking them out of the dust, to exasperate spirits afresh, and widen our difference

9. How have we suffered sin to rest upon others! And why They are not of our church. Thou shouldest not deal with a Turk, as thou hast dealt with Christians; nor with a beast going astray, as thou hast with thy brother's soul. Into what times are we fallen! that the Jews were kinder to beasts than we are to one another. If any go astray, we help them not to return into the right way: If they perish, let them perish, for any care we take to reclaim them: If not of us, they must not be regarded. u Thou shouldest not hate thy brother in thy heart, but reprove him;” and not foolishly confine brotherhood to any particular congregation, and suffer others to be damned, when thou by a faithful reproof mightest have saved them.

Instead of reproving a Christian that differs from us, according to the rule of CHRIST, for any miscarriage that we are privy to, have not we let him run on, and then told on the house-top what was done in secret O how have we uncovered that which humanity should have concealed Can you talk so of your friends that are most dear to you

1O. Have not we restrained prayer for such Christians as have differed from us Whom we love we pray for: But have not our differences been so great, that we have excluded one another out of our prayers How seldom are we earnest in wrestling with God for others, if in some things divided from us! If we had counted them enemies, we should have so loved them, as to have prayed for them. O that ABRAHAM should pray so vehemently for the Sodomites, and not we for saints! That SAMUEL should pray for SAUL, and not we for the LORD'S anointed ones! Have not our differences interrupted not only civil, but religious communion Yea, have not we neglected to pray, not only for dissenting brethren, but for the reconciling of them Should we not have been encouraged to pray for that which Christ so affectionately desires Will not petitions be welcome to heaven for that, -which would be the joy of all the heavenly host to see effected”Peace on earth” among the saints, would be the joy of GOD, who is the” God of peace;” of CHRIST, who is ~~ the Prince of peace.” May we not confidently pray for what CHRIST sweat and bled

11. How has the spirit in us lusted to envy! Whom we love, we rejoice at their gifts and enjoyments; but has not a spirit of CAIN prevailed among us Have not we envied, if others had greater acceptance with God than ourselves Have we rejoiced at the gifts and graces of differently persuaded brethren, as if they were our own Or, have not we (secretly at least) repined at their being praised Have not we been afraid that we and our party have been obscured thereby Math not this been evident in our bein; uiorc backward to speak of their graces, than of their imperfections If we know one of a differing congregation from ours, that has a blemish, our mouths are full of him; but others' graces, and heavenly walks, we can pass over in silence.

12. Have not we refused to help such Christians We help what we can, those whom we really love. But are we not like spectators in a tragedy, who mourn much to see a sad story acted, but let the play go on True love would express itself by the hand as well as the tongue. We read of” the labor of love: “ Love is bountiful. We pretend to love all our brethren; but what do we for those that are of different persuasions If such an one be in prison, do we visit him If naked, do we clothe him If hungry, do we feed him If we remember all the LORD's people, that are in bonds as if we were bound with them, then do we really love them. Love will suffer any pains for the sake of the beloved: So PAUL loved all the saints, that” he was willing to-spend and to be spent,” to waste himself for their God. Which of us has so spent himself Love will counsel the beloved, especially in any strait; but God knows how little others have been beholden to its even this way: Possibly we have afterwards told them, this you should have done; but as we found them in a ditch, so we left them, and directed them not to away of deliverance. The best counsel we can give is for the soul; but let the divided parties, yea, and others, consider seriously how backward they have been, and are to this day, to advise to the best way for peace, holiness, and glory. If we believe such an undertaking will impair our neighbor's name, estate, or soul; yet how slow are we to interpose for the dissuading him from it. I should hardly think that parent loves his child well, that sees him run over a cliff, and withholds him not what he can.

13. Have not we been so far from helping them, that we have not sympathized with them How little have we laid to heart the afflictions of any of God's people! Have not we been unconcerned in their sufferings in Germany and France How seldom have `we had any great conflict for those whose faces in the flesh we never saw!

Now, when these things are amongst us, shall we sit still in silence and stupidity, and suffer the sweet and soft fire of love quite to expire, and the wild fire of passion and contention to spread and prevail, without moving a tongue or hand towards the repressing the one, and reviving the other This were enough to make the dumb to speak; and therefore may, justify my writing, yea, my expatiating a little, in venting my thoughts about this great evil.

Is it nothing to us, that hereby we are in a special manner guilty of disobedience to JESUS CHRIST That all Christians would love one another, was our LORD JESUS's dying charge, which he frequently inculcated, sweetly insinuated, and powerfully enforced as a commandment, not a bare advice and counsel. It is a commandment of CHRIST'S own prescribing: “A commandment I give unto you.” It is a commandment given as a special love-token, in his last will and testament. It is a new ’commandment;” A new commandment I give unto you.” It is a most excellent commandment, in a new edition, corrected and amended from the false glosses of the Scribes and Pharisees, and enlarged from his own example. Before, it was only,” Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself;” now it is, “Love one another, as I have loved you.” This new commandment is not once only given, but again and again, by our dying LORD, to intimate, that as he bad one disciple who went by the name of the disciple whom JESUS loved; so he would have a favorite commandment, and that this should be it,”Love one another: “ Yea, he calls it, “These things,” as if this one thing were all things, and disobedience to this commandment were disobedience to all.

Is it nothing to us, that hereby as much as in us lies, we make the prayer Of CHRIST of none effect CHRIST knew the evil of heart-burnings and divisions, of wrath and bitterness, against one another; and therefore, having preached tip love. among his disciples on earth, he sets upon praying down union from his Father in heaven; and what he insisted most upon in his sermon, that he enlargeth most upon in his prayer.” And now I am no more in the world; but these are in the world, and I come to thee holy Father, keep through Chine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one as we are: That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: That the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gayest me, I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know, that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”

Is it nothing to us, that hereby we throw off CHRIST'S distinguishing livery” By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” He doth not say, Hereby you shall be my disciples; but, hereby it shall be known. Nor doth he say, Hereby shall I know; nor, hereby you shall know; but, hereby shall others know. Nor doth he say, Hereby they shall conjecture; but, hereby they shall know, as by a sure and infallible sign. Nor doth he say, Hereby some, a very few, shall know this great secret; but, hereby all men shall know. Nor doth he say, Hereby all men shall know, that you seem to be my disciples; but, that you are so indeed.

Is it nothing to us, that hereby we make the Jews and Heathens look on CHRIST as an impostor How can they look upon him otherwise, whilst they see his coat so full of seams, yea, his body so full of rents Hereby we hinder the world from being convinced that CHRIST is sent Of GOD. CHRIST therefore prayed, that his”might be one, that the world may know that GOD sent him.”

Is it nothing to us, that hereby we make, as much as in us lies, the cross of CHRIST of none effect, and his blood to be shed in vain CHRIST not only preached up love, and prayed for it, but also paid for it. As he went from preaching up love on earth by his sermon, to pulling it down from heaven by prayer; so he went from praying to

paying for it, and the price which he laid down for it was his blood.” For he is our peace, who has made both one; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace And that lie might reconcile both unto GoD, in one body, by the cross.” Shall CHRIST die to break down partitionwalls; and will we dare to keep them up Shall he shed his blood for peace; and shall we employ our wit and interest to blow the trumpet to war

Is it nothing to us, that hereby we grieve our LORD JESUS, and the ever blessed SPIRIT. May not we easily imagine what a grief it is to the Head, to see the members of his body, rending and tearing each other; to see - heirs of the same hope, whose names are on his breast, and whom he presents before his FATHER together in heaven, to be thus broken asunder on earth Methinks if we had any love to JESUS CHRIST, we should study to be of one affection. What Lutnea said once to the Ministers of Nuremberg, is very considerable:’ Suppose,' said he, 4 you saw JESUS CHRIST standing bodily in the midst of you, and thus bespeaking you, What do you, O my dear Children, whom I have redeemed by my blood, that you might mutually love one another-There is no danger in your difference, but there is much in your dissension: Do.not thus sadden my spirit! Do not thus spoil the holy angels of their joy in heaven! Am not I more to you than all your matters of difference 2' How can we expect the company of the Spirit of grace and peace, whilst such contentions are amongst us Were the Disciples quarrelling when the HOLY GHOST fell upon them No;” They were all with one accord, in one place.” Where men dwell together in unity, there the LORD commands the blessing for ever.’ God will not,' says a learned man,’ sow the precious seed of his grace and love among briers and thorns, the enemies of peace.'

Is it nothing to us, that hereby we make real saints, the pillars of the world; weary of staying in the world, to support it any longer It was the sight of the divisions

among Christians, that made GRYNAETUS, MELANCTHON, STRIGELUS, those precious souls, weary of earth, and to wish and desire the” wings of a dove, that they might fly away, and be at rest,” as from all other evils, so from this of divisions and dissensions among brethren. It was the conjecture of one, that as GOD's first judgment against the old world was by water, against the heat of lust; so his last judgment upon the world that now is, will be by fire, against the coldness of love: If this be true, how do we hasten the great and terrible day, by our coldness in love one towards another

Is it nothing to us, that hereby we gratify the Devil, rejoice the hearts of the wicked, and justify their reproaches The great stratagem of hell is to promote our differences, and to keep us from union: The Devil knows that societies of Christians are immortal, if they do not kill themselves by division. Divide them, and rule them, is a maxim in hell, and among the anti-christian party. Why should we be employed in the Devil's work Has he not instruments and tongues enough of his own O how doth Antichrist get round by the animosities and divisions among Christians Certainly, what TACITUS says of some in his time, we may of the Papists, and all our foreign enemies, Nihil spei, nisi per discordias habent. All their hopes of ruining us, arise from our home-bred discords and divisions. Were all the arrows in one bundle, they would find it next to an impossibility to break them. Methinks the proud boasts of the man of sin should make us bury all our discords. Were we but of one heart before GOD, and uniting our prayers, the mountains would become plains, yea, the seven hills among the rest. Surely we do not consider where, and among whom, we are. Are we not in the world, where SATAN rules Shall the children quarrel in their enemies' quarters ABRAHAM sues for peace upon this consideration, that’ we are brethren, and the Perizzite dwelt in the land.” Wicked men are spectators of our discords. The very Heathen have calmed the mutinies of their soldiers, by saying, “Your enemies yonder behold your mutinous behavior.”

What one said prophetically some years ago, I cannot but recall:’ That unless GOD did stir up some in the Protestant Churches, and clothe them with a mighty spirit to accommodate our differences, the end of them may be, that our enemies will laugh when we shall weep.' Have we not enemies enough, but must we be cruel to one another We say, the fire burns the hotter for the cold weather: would to God that the cold abroad, the oppositions against us, may intend our affections the more to God, to his ways, to his people. And are not the wicked justified in their reproaches, whilst they do but write after our copy

Lastly. Is it nothing to us, that hereby we hinder the forgiveness of our own iniquities How can we hope we shall be forgiven, if we forgive not one another How can we look that Scripture in the face; “If ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”

I shall conclude this Chapter with beseeching, yea, conjuring you, in the words of the Apostle PAUL to the Philippians: “ If there be therefore any consolation in CHRIST, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spin iv, if any bowels and mercies; Fulfilll ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”

CHAPTER XXXIV.

The Faults of Church-Members towards those of their particular Congregations.

You have professed in your creed to believe “the Communion of Saints: “ You have been admitted to the privileges of this communion: You thought it not-safe or

God for man to be alone; to live retired from the society of Christians: You have been enrolled among them; and yet what an unprofitable hermit hast thou been in Zion Thou art no way serviceable to the body. It is a wonder to me, how Christians can content themselves with the privileges of God's house, and neglect the mutual duties that are incumbent on them. The Apostle tells us, that the meanest members in the Church are necessary.” But, alas! how many are there, who immure themselves within their own walls; who are so involved in worldly business, and have so little care and zeal for the house of GOD, that they no way profit, no way edify, their brethren! flow can you overlook those plain Scriptures

`Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. Wherefore; comfort (or exhort) yourselves together, and edify one another. From whom, (i.e., CHRIST,) the whole body fitly joined together, and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body, unto the edifying of itself in love. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is God to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Let every one of us please his neighbor, for his God to edification.”“ Exhort one another daily, while it is called to-day, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

And let us consider one another, to provoke unto love, and unto God works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more as ye see the day approaching. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” None are excluded: It is every man's work. Look diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of GOD, lest any root of bitterness springing up, trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” If they do not overlook, how dare they contemn all these commandments of our LORD JESUS CHRIST How can they look upon themselves as no way concerned- in these duties It is a lamentation, that so many church-members, through spiritual sloth, through a loathness to displease, through want of pity to the souls of their brethren, stiffer them to perish in carelessness, sensuality, formality, rather than they will labor to quicken, restore, and save them. An engrosser is hateful to men: but of” how much sorer punishment shall ye be thought worthy,” who engross your graces, your gifts, your experiences, wherewith the Church of CHRIST might be edified! Every man is a steward; but you are stewards in an especial manner: You are stewards of the gifts of the SPIRIT, which are given “to profit withal.” flow dare ye” hide your talents in a napkin” You have a greater trust committed to you, than others have. You have souls committed to your care: for churchmembers are to care even naturally one for another. What, are you afraid you shall have the less light, the less grace, the less comfort from CHRIST, for that others share with you Know, the more useful you are, the more you yourselves will be enriched and supplied; and whilst you are dividing your loaves, God will act at a wonderful rate for you. The bread will multiply; you shall receive, whilst you are disbursing. Your light and heat will increase by your disbursing it.

2. How is Godly Conference neglected even among church-members What, are you ashamed of your God Is the speaking of grace and glory some kind of disparagement to your tongues When you come together, precious time is devored in backbiting, in censuring absent persons, who are not capable of making their defence; or else in impertinent discourses of worldly matters. Few, like the disciples in their journey to Emmaus, discourse of such matters, as CHRIST himself joins with them in, and causes their hearts to burn. When do you warm one another's hearts, and fit each other to enter into communion with GOD in secret How do many complain of you, that their hearts are estranged from GOD by converse and intimacies with you, and that they lose their affections by keeping up correspondences with you; and therefore, count it their wisdom to retire into their closets, rather than mis-spend precious hours in foolish communication

How many weak Christians are there, who are not acquainted with the wiles of SATAN, and they sit down pensive and dejected, thinking no condition like theirs, and conclude hereupon that they are none of God's children, whom (if you were spiritual, pitiful, active, and free to acquaint them with your own experiences) you might succour under their temptations, and comfort them with the comforts wherewith you have been comforted, and ease them by hearkening to their doubts and complaints, and showing them a way how to deliver their souls Were you of a CHRIST-like spirit, you would not break these bruised reeds; but labor to scatter those mists which overcloud their souls You should be eyes to the blind; but you are not. You should be of a merciful spirit to all souls; more especially to the souls of all God men, most especially to the souls of those to whom you are particularly related; but you are not. In the old law God took care of asses: if they lay under a burden, Israel was to help them. Doth God take care for beasts; and will not ye for men, for” the Redeemed of the LORD.” God requires of you, that you” comfort the feebleminded.” “ The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. CHRIST expects his own with increase. “They that feared the LORD spake often one to another;” (to comfort one another with the promises of GOD made to his people, against the flourishing of the wicked, and the overflowing of ungodliness;)” and the LORD hearkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him.” The LORD booked that God service. He put it upon record. But though the LORD hearkeneth and heareth, yet he seldom finds us so employed.” Our neglects are sealed up in his bag. I pray GOD we may lay it to heart, repent, and reform. BERNARD'S complaint may justly be revived: 1: Not a word of' the Scriptures, nothing of the salvation of the soul; but trifles and toys, laughter, and words as light as the wind, eat up the time.' Let us give the ministry their due; and yet not neglect to build up ourselves -in our most holy faith.” Mutual duties should be exercised between Christian and Christian: The Apostle is express for it in the places already quoted: I shall add one more,”Let the word of CHRIST dwell in you richly, in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another. O if GOD would be with me so far, as to make me an instrument to prevail with you, to go and visit one another, and stir up one another, that,” knowing the terrors of the LORD, you may persuade men!” O bewail thy unserviceableness, thy private spiritedness, thy want of love and bowels to others; especially now, when there is so great an apostasy. Sure, there is no time wherein Christian fellowship is more called for, and wherein it may be more profitable, than at this time: But, alas! how few are there like JONATHAN and DAVID, How few enter into a brotherly promise to exhort one another, to call one another to account, to tell one another their fears, to know of one another their growth in religion!

3. How is fraternal correction neglected, or spoiled in the managing Some totally neglect reproving their brethren. They little care for these things; they are little concerned whether God be honored or dishonored.

Others delay admonition. The flesh is backward to this self-denying work, and so the many weighty circumstances which should bring the offender to repentance, are forgotten: The offender is also hardened in his sin. He thinks by thy silence, thou art altogether like him. It is much easier to fetch out a spot of ink from a cloth the day it is stained, than afterwards. Sin, like a mole, will quickly bury itself; and the longer let alone, the harder it is to be dug up. The longer a disease is let alone,’the harder it is to be cured. Besides, if you neglect the reproof this day, or hour, perhaps by the next he will commit the same sin again: for either lie knows it not to be a sin, or in case lie knows it, yet every new act doth strengthen the habit.

It is the nature of sin to blind the mind, to stupify the conscience, and to harden the heart. “ Exhort,” therefore, “one another daily, while it is called today, lest you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” If the sinner add sin to sin, put that to your account for neglecting the ordinance of GOD for his reducement; if he loseth the favor of God, and neglects hereupon all private communion with the LORD, put that to thy account; if at length he becomes impudent in sin, so that he feels not the pricks of sharp admonition, put all this to your account, because you have delayed to cure, to heal, to save the soul of your brother! A timely reproof might have saved a soul,” and covered a multitude of sins.” Besides, have you time at your command, that you will do your duty “at a more convenient season” May not thou die, or the offender die, and both in sin, (thou in the sin of omission, and he in the sin of commission,) before the day comes, wherein thou art resolved to tell him of his fault Why art thou not trembling with fear of bloodguiltiness Is soul-murder no sin with thee Or have you the HOLY GHOST at command without the HOLY SPIRIT's assistance your labor will be vain; you will get a blot by reproving; the delinquent will fly in your face, and hate you for telling the truth; he will add sin to sin, and perhaps put you into a flame too. And must the HOLY GHOST be always in attendance on you If you observe his hour, you must go presently, whilst the wound is fresh and bleeding; but if ye neglect his call, it is a question whether your hour will be GOD'S. Others miscarry in reproving. Some reprove, but not privately, though CHRIST be so express for it: “If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone.” Though the law of charity binds us to cover our brother's nakedness as much as we can,” Love covereth all sins;” yet some, Doglike, backbite their neighbor, and tell it to every one save him who should hear it. How few modestly, affectionately, and humbly, in the most private manner, communicate their fears of sins, decays, and infirmities, to the supposed delinquents! Are not most too forward to divulge their suspicions to others, whereby the names of some suffer, souls lie neglected, prejudices are promoted, schism is made in the body of CHRIST Though the law of wisdom binds us not to use more means than needs must; if private reproofs will reclaim, not to blazon infirmities; yet many through pride, envy, want of charity, at least want of wit, publish on the house-top what is done in a corner. Herein we do as we hate to be dealt with; hereby we make the offender hate us. It will be hard to make him believe thou comest to heal his soul, if thou hast already wounded his name. Have not sortie been for bringing it immediately to the Church Hereby innumerable evils ensue; many are grieved, many offended, the party that is impeached stands on his guard, pleads for his sin, extenuates it, or is strengthened in his sin by the uncharitable proceeding of the brother, who first took cognizance of the miscarriage.

Other busy bodies would be thought very tender of CHRIST's honor; “they tithe mint and anise; they reprove such things as are disputable, and neglect to reprove where there are just accusations. They will be very severe in censuring their brethren for some controverted points; and yet let them alone to live in worldliness, sensuality, lukewarmness, pride, sloth.

Others are so magisterial in their reproofs, as if they had forgotten that they were in the body,-as if they had no corruption in them. They have forgotten the Apostles' advice: “ Brethren, ifa man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness.” O how haughtily do some carry it towards offending brethren! I wish you would fling the first stone at yourselves. If you are not guilty of the same offence, yet you are of others; at least you have the seed of the same sin within you. Let them see that it is only conscience of duty that brings you to them, and that it is love to their souls that puts you upon such displeasing work. But, alas, how few will condescend! The work is not managed with that humility it ought, and therefore no brother is gained. Others are so light and unserious in this business, that they spoil all. They do not invocate God to accompany them in the work; they do not cry out,”Who is sufficient” They forget how abortive such labors have been; they do not set upon it with that fear and trembling which they should. Few” rebuke with authority,” as having Gun's glory, and men's everlasting salvation, in their eye. And hence, when they come off from this work, their conscience smites them, that they have been no more serious and fervent in a matter that concerns life and death.

Few continue their admonitions, and follow them until the delinquent be brought to confession and amendment. We soon tire, and put the ill names of dogs and swine', upon our offending brethren, to excuse our sloth. We should” in meekness instruct them,” though they” oppose themselves.” We should bear with their present stubbornness and abuses, and wait “if GOD peradventure will give them repentance.” We forget how many years GOD waited on us, though we were stubborn and refractory.

4. How few behave themselves christianly under reproof! When men come to you from the great God, to discharge the duties they owe to your souls, your behavior is such, that none will meddle with such patients, to dress their wounds, if the LORD had not charged them with this commission.

How few receive a reproof kindly and affectionately! It is a great mercy to be reproved: “As many as I love, I rebuke.” To sin against reproof, is aggravated wickedness. It is an argument of hatred not to reprove: “Thou shall not hate thy brother in thine heart, thou shall in any wise rebuke thy neighbor.” Yet how are they accounted turbulent, pragmatical, rigid, and censorious, who will not let them go on in' their sin! Others seem to hearken to the reprover, and give him verbal thanks for his plain dealings; but from that day their hearts boil inwardly, and they are filled with prejudice, which will express itself, when it meets with a fair opportunity. How few engage some friend to be a faithful monitor to them, to be open-hearted to them, in telling them their faults! We are so over-run with self-love, that we think no stander-by can discern so much as we; and we are so unwilling to be censured, that we stand aloof from such a looking-glass.

Few, with DAVID, would count it a kindness for the righteous to smite them.

How few amend upon a solemn, serious reproof! How. few retire to their closets, and there upon their knees bless God for emboldening any to tell them of their sins, and beg pardon and strength to reform, and vow by the grace of God to amend whatever is amiss!

5. Most seek to please themselves, and not their neighbor. A man would think they never read, “We ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one please his neighbor for his God to edification.” Many are self-willed; they will walk to the utmost of their liberty; and if others be offended, they little care. But what says the Apostle

“Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.”‘ A firm and full knowledge of our liberty in things indifferent, (says a learned man,) if it be separated from charity, is apt to swell the mind with pride, and make men to despise doubting and scrupulous brethren; but charity is careful to avoid what may stumble the weak, and cause them to fall into sin and therefore”judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block, or occasion to fall, in his brother's way. Hast thou faith” concerning the lawfullness of things indifferent (for of them the Apostle speaks,)”have it unto thyself before God;” make not a vain publication thereof, to the grieving or stumbling the weak, who may, by thy example, even, against conscience, use the same liberty; and so,” through thy knowledge, shall thy weak brother perish.” You may think this is no great matter; but the same Apostle informs us, that you hereby “sin against CHRIST; you destroy the work of God,” the soul of thy brother, and no man on earth can privilege you from the wrath of God, if you destroy them with your meats” (with the use of your liberty)”for whom CHRIST died;” and therefore the Apostle professeth, “If meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.” O that men were so humble as PAUL: but, alas! all men seek their own things. If they are satisfied concerning the lawfulness of the things, they look no farther; they little mind the souls of their brethren; but are securing themselves some outward peace, and earthly advantages. Few naturally care for the God of others, for the glory of God, and the edification of their brethren.

How are Christians valued and preferred by externals, rather than by internals! By outward honors and privileges, rather than by their graces. They who should have most of your love and respect, have least. A rich formalist's company is more prized, than a humble, mortified, poor Christian's. The miscarriage that was in the Apostles' days is descended to this age: 41 My brethren, have not the faith of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, the LORD of Glory, with respect of persons.” How are men's judgments blinded by external glory, so that a little in a great, rich, honorable man, is counted much; and much grace in a poor man is despised, overlooked, and accounted but little. You do not value men by their eminency in grace, but in parts and worldly endowments; as it' gold did set men off more than grace. When you should fix your affections where you see most grace, you are taken where you see either most of the world, or most gifts, God breeding, prudence, or learning. This having men's persons in admiration, over-reverencing men for worldly things, is a great disparagement to the grace of God, as if riches were more excellent than religion. “My brethren, if there come into your assembly a man with a gold ring, and there cometh also a poor man in vile raiment, and you have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, are not you partial in yourselves” Have not you made a difference, a groundless difference, a difference grounded on carnal respects, and not upon solid reason”Are not ye become judges of evil thoughts” Have not you made your judgment of such persons according to the dictates of your own evil thoughts, and not according to the rule of the word O how seldom do we valued respect as GOD does! Let rich men be sick, what ado is there! what running to them, what sending after them, what endeavors to comfort them! But O, how are the poor of the Church despised! Little sending to them, though they want necessaries for their bodies, in the time of their visitation, and their souls are ready to sink for want of a word in season. Your frequent visiting of some, when under God's hand, and seldom resorting to others, when in the same extremity, evidenceth that a you despise the poor.”

7. How do they who account themselves Christians, who have had great acquaintance with CHRIST and his ways, who have had a long experience of CHRIST'S Sweetness, and SATAN's deceits, keep by themselves, with the neglect of the lambs, of them who know little of the mind of GOD! Whereas all grace “is given to edify the body of CHRIST,” the eye is not for itself, but for the blind members, to lead them in paths of righteousness. Your care should be like GOD's; his care is for the least fly, as well as for the greatest of the creatures. CHRIST did not will the salvation of one more than another: he died equally for all; all believers stand alike justified through the blood of CHRIST: CHRIST knocks at the poor man's door, as well as the rich; if CHRIST makes any difference, it is in this: The poor weak Christian has more expressions of his love and affection than the strong have: He shows most pity to the greatest objects of pity; to those that are in greatest want. I wish there were more of this among Christians. It is lamentable to see how little honor is bestowed upon the weaker vessels, and how few there

are to be found, that “carry the lambs in their bosoms,” (next their hearts,)” and gently lead those that are with young.”

8. How little compassion is showed to fallen brethren! To such as are overtaken with a fault; yea, with many faults. We do not labor to pull the brands that are half burned, out of the fire. To save ourselves this labor, we deem them cast aways; as if there were no hope of their restoration and salvation, we never more look after them. We carry it, as if we held that sins committed after conversion were unpardonable. Art thou a stranger to thy own heart If not, thou knowest God pitieth thee, though thou fallest; and it ill becomes thee, who hast been so often holpen out of the deep ditch, to deny help to thy brother that lies there, and perhaps will perish, if none be more merciful than thyself. Are there no solemn engagements upon thy soul towards thy neighbor Will not God take thee by the throat for thy un mercifulness”O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all thy debt, because thou desiredst me: shouldest not thou have had compassion upon thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee” Verily the LORD is wroth with you, and if this be not amended, “He will deliver you to the tormentors, till you pay all that is due unto him.” O repent of this. Multitudes are departed from their former profession; some of them are become scandalous. Their sifts will lie at your doors, and their blood too, if you, through unfaithfulness, or through negligence, or through fainting, endeavor not to restore them.” Ye which are spiritual, restore such an one.” Are ye all carnal Are none of you spiritual If there be one, here is work for him, as lie will answer the contrary at his peril.

9. On how insufficient accounts do many withdraw from the communion of their brethren! What, have not they read or heard, “Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is” It was then dangerous not to separate; but it was more dangerous to separate. Not to separate was dangerous to the outward man; but to separate was dangerous to the inward man. It is no wonder to hear a house is robbed, that stands alone from neighbors.” Two are better than one.” The Church of GOD is compared to a city; the weaker. walls of the houses therein would never endure a blustering wind; but by their neighborhood and contiguity, they succour each other; but when one stands divided, the next news you may expect to hear of is a fall. And yet, alas! upon every prejudice and discontent, if one brother falls out with another, presently the whole congregation is threatened with the loss of the prejudiced party's company, and condemned for the miscarriages of one; and perhaps the supposed offender has not the liberty to know his offence, in order to his repentance.

CHAPTER XXXV.

Their Miscarriages towards Sinners.

MAY not too much familiarity with profane men be justly charged upon us I know man is a sociable creature; but that will not excuse Christians as to carelessness in the choice of their company. Is it not thus with thee Is it not all one, whether thou art with a child of God, or with a child of the Devil Are not those fit companions for thee, who slight and rebel against God every day.

O how few believe the Scripture, setting forth the enmity of wicked men against God's people The Scripture tells us, “They eat up God's people as bread;” which implies a strange inclination in them to devour the saints, and that they take as great delight therein as a hungry man in eating. Wicked men will break through all natural, civil, and moral obligations, to ruin GOD's people. The HOLY GHOST calls them a implacable men, fierce and headstrong;” they are like the hot oven for fury, like the sea for boundless rage; yet who has believed this Scripture report

Did we believe what enemies all wicked men are unto all real Christians, we should not lean to our own prudence and discretion to secure us from any danger by these men. We should get an ark to secure us from the deluge of their wrath. If any time we were cast among them, and delivered, we should bless God, with the three children, that the fiery oven did not consume us; we should not wonder when we hear of any of their barbarous cruelty, but rather wonder at GOD's restraining them every day; we should be suspicious of receiving hurt when cast among them; we should shun their company, as we do lions and scorpions; we should never commit any trust or secret to their hands; we should not be light-hearted whilst in their society; we should not rely on their promises any more than on the promise of the Devil, their father; we should not count any true Christian secured from danger, though related to any great wicked man; we should not twist ourselves with them, by matching ourselves and children to these sons and daughters of Belial; neither should we make choice of devils to be our servants.

How few believe what a quarrel GOD has with wicked men! And that not only with the loose, but the formal also. If we did, we should tremble as much to be among them, as to be in a house that is falling; we should endeavor to save ourselves” from this untoward generation.” The Apostle would not so have adjured them, so charged, so entreated them, had he not known the danger of wicked company. How was the Apostle afraid to be in the has with CERINTHUS! “Depart,” says God by MOSES, “from the tents of KORAU, DATHAN, and ABIRAM, lest you be consumed in all their sins.” Will you put GOD to work miracles to save you from your ungodly company It is dangerous being in the road with thieves, whilst GOD's hue and cry of vengeance is at their backs. c companion of fools shall be destroyed.”

How few believe their own experience; what they have suffered by the company of the ungodly It had been better we had God to the pest-house, and eat and drank with persons infected with the plague, than to accompany with wicked men: our bodies would have been endangered only by the one; but our souls are by the other. Is not”the poison of asps under their tongues” Doth not the Devil act them Doth lie not a work effectually in the children of disobedience” Doth he not inform them Is there any breath, that is not infectious coming from their lips We are insensibly ensnared and defiled by wicked men, as we are discoloured by lying long under the scorching sun-beams. Do not we yet know and feel how” a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump;” and that one sinner destroys much God; and that those that were mingled among the heathen, learned their ways Have not you found after such company, how your hearts have been dead, dull, straitened, and unwilling to come into God's presence And how suddenly after your refreshments in your closets, have you lost all your spiritual fervor, and have instantly cooled by going forth into cold and corrupt air When one has been in private ravished with the love of God, and afterwards meets with company, which neither doth, nor can speak one word of such matters, what a damp is it to him Nay, is not that true which one says, that I The people of God generally lose more by worldly men, (that are of a blameless conversation before men,) than by wicked and profane men' How oft has communion with carnal men been at least an occasion of deadening your soul, whilst you have omitted the duties of admonition and reproof, when there was a call thereto You hold the wolf by the ear, whilst among them: If you reprove them, you get a blot; if not, you wound your own soul. I will acquaint you with an observation of mine: When I have seen a Christian fall into an intimacy with vain company, I have counted it a sure mark of a backsliding heart.

How few consider, how they harden wicked men, by an

intimacy with them; whereas with drawment from them might be a means to make them ashamed Whilst we are cheerful with them, we make them believe their condition is not deplorable, their danger is not great; whereas, if we shunned them, as we would a bowed wall, whilst they remain enemies to the LORD, this might do them God, for the startling of them, and rousing them out of their unhappy security, and strong delusions.

Secondly, May not neglect of discharging the duties owed to wicked men, whilst in their company, be also justly charged upon us It is an iron age, and men's hearth are strangely hardened, as to any pity to the multitudes who are in a natural and damnable condition. Methinks you should reflect on the misery of an unconverted state, whilst you yourselves were so lately in it.

Are not you convinced, that those with whom you converse daily, have immortal souls, capable of eternal life or misery Have not they the same common nature with you Are there not many civil bonds, wherein you stand related to them Doth not their misery call aloud for your compassion Are they not “in the gall of bitterness, and bonds of iniquity” Have they yet any part or fellowship in the pardon of their sins The endeavoring to heal the backslidings of Christians, though a very necessary work, is not more necessary than to endeavor to open the eyes of these poor blind wretches, and” to turn them from the power of SATAN unto God.” Would you not make more haste to cure a man, that is taken with a swooning fit, than one that has a little swelling in his finger I wonder you are no more affected with the miseries that attend your unregenerate friends and acquaintance, who must suddenly be converted, or damned. Methinks you should pity them the more, because they pity not themselves. Methinks the value that CHRIST has put upon souls, by bleeding for them, the ransom that he has given for miserable man, and the unwearied pains he takes for the reducement of fallen man, should teach us to open our lips, to give some counsels to them who are within a step of hell. And yet how are God's people straitened towards these forlorn and miserable, undone, condemned

creatures! Though they are under the curse of the Law, though the sentence of death be passed against them, and is ready to be executed every moment, yet you exhort them not to t' fly from the wrath to come.” If they will perish they may perish, for any help you afford them. It grieves me to see how God's people eat up their own and other's time, with unprofitable words! When they should be speaking some rousing, startling words of hell and damnation; of the necessity of regeneration; of eternity; of the foolish choice men make in preferring ' the pleasures of sin, which are but for a season,” before eternal joys; of the deceits of the heart, of the cheats of the Devil, of the malignity of sin, of the curse of the Law, they are talking of this fashion, or that; they are perhaps censuring one another, but endeavoring nothing for the undeceiving their deluded companions. You cannot but know what advantages you have by your intimacies with them, to deliver that to them, which they will receive from you, when SATAN perhaps has imbittered them against your Ministers. Besides, you are in private with them, and you know by yourselves, how backward you were to apply the truths of God to your own souls; but you, as NATHAN to DAVID, may go and say, “Thou art the man.” You may hear their pleas for themselves, and so have an opportunity to confute them: And yet, bow do you neglect all these opportunities of serving the necessities of your friends. You pretend love unto them but how can ye see the blind before your eyes, tumbling into the lake of hell, and yet not call them to return and live Can you have the Divine nature within you, and yet be void of companions to these miserable objects, who lie wounded before you, wherever you go or come

Methinks, when you enter the house of an unregenerate man, you should thus meditate;’ Now have I an opportunity to save a soul from hell, to make a greater conquest than CAESAR or ALEXANDER could boast of: Now may I show myself a friend of God, by pleading his right to the creature: Now may I have an occasion to make all the angels of heaven sing, by saving a lost soul.'

Will you see these wounded in your way, and pass them by with an unmerciful spirit If you see your brother have need of outward things, (much more of grace, of peace with God,) a and shut up your bowels of compassion from him, how dwells the love of God in you” You have some pity left, when you see a man fallen under his horse, or struggling for life upon the waters, or in a house on fire: But, alas! here are they that. are dropping into the lake of fire every moment; that are dragged up and down, from one lust to another, by the Devil; and yet you do not pity them. O go “over to Macedonia, and help them!” It is a grief to my soul, to consider how dull, how useless Christians are, in the towns and villages where Providence hash cast them. If they meet with a man, they will not so much as ask, whether he be bound for heaven or hell whether he knows the necessity of the New Birth, or no Whether he has forsaken sin, as his greatest burden Whether he be willing to accept of CHRIST, and salvation by him, upon his own terms Nay, we will not so much as counsel them to read a God book, or lend them one, if he be poor and unable to buy. We will be at no cost to save a soul, that is really of more worth than a world.

How is it, that you account yourselves Christians, whilst you have no higher esteem of souls Or, how can you have any assurance that you hate sin, whilst you labor not to remove it in whomsoever you find it If you see men trifling away their time, why do you not put them upon redeeming their time If you find them lovers of pleasures, why do you not invite them and press them to look after the true pleasures, that are at God's right hand If you are the subjects of CHRIST, how can you endure treason against him, and not suppress it I will never believe, that man ever mourned for his own sins, that doth not mourn for the sins of others; or, that he ever hated sin in himself, that doth not endeavor to destroy it in others' souls, as well as in his own. Be ashamed at your pretensions to have hearts of flesh, when you have hearts of stones; the hearts

of tigers, the hearts of infidels; or else you would pity miserable unconverted souls. And what, if they desire not your help The more need you have to pity them.

The less awakened they are out of their cursed security, the more miserable and dangerous is their state. O put on the bowels Of JESUS CHRIST! Carry not yourselves in a high, proud way; in a lofty, magisterial way, towards these poor souls. Do not think thou hast discharged thy duty towards them, by running into a corner, and backbiting them for blindness, hardness, and contempt of CHRIST; but rather help them to some of your eye-salve, that they may see. Consider, you have talents, and account you must for them; and bethink yourselves, whether you may not give a better account, by endeavoring to reduce these poor souls, that are straying to hell, than by letting them alone to damn themselves. Consider sadly, what answer you will make, when CHRIST shall arise and plead with you; when CHRIST shall say,” Where is thy brother” Will CAIN'S answer serve,” Ain I my brother's keeper” Will not CHRIST reply on you, “Did not I - come from heaven on purpose to redeem these perishing souls Did not I charge you to exhort one another daily; to do God to all Did not I furnish you with wisdom and experience, that you might be able and ready to help others Did not I by wonders of providence prolong your days, that you might be useful Did not I give you an interest in the affections of your neighbors, that you might be as the dew, and as the rivers of waters to the parched ground; that you might be the light and salt of the earth And is this your answering all my designs and expectations, to rail at the ungodly, and not endeavor to make them better’

O consider how sad your case will be, if the blood’ of thousands of souls shall be laid at your doors. How do you know, but a few words of yours might have been as forcible as JONAH to Nineveh, Is this to “love thy neighbor as thyself” Dost thou love thyself, and not regard thy soul And canst thou love thy neighbor, and not endeavor to save him from perishing; to pull the brand out of the fire Have you so learned CHRIST When our LORD dwelt among us, was he dumb before sinners as you are When he saw the multitude wanting bread, did not he deal forth the bread of life to them Did not he prefer this work before his meat and drink Had not He compassion upon the ignorant; did not He enlighten poor ignorant souls, and reprove others When he went into the publicans' houses, did not he preach of the kingdom of God unto them And has not he given you an example, that you should do as he has done Should not you make it a matter of conscience to write after so great, so safe, so glorious a copy And withal, what stumbling-blocks you have laid in the ways of sinners! How many have been offended by our conversation And will you send so many to hell, and not endeavor the conversion of some You pretend the want of parts; but, alas! you want bowels, you want affections, you have not a real sight, and deep sense, of eternal matters. If you had, you would, with tears in your eyes, beseech your neighbors to mind their perishing souls.

Have not you cause enough to say to your neighbors, Repent and pray, if perhaps your sins may be forgiven. Go into thy closet, and there mourn over thy hard-heartedness, and unmerciful ness to the souls of thousands, of whom thou mightest have been an instrument of conversion. O could you not have God and besought your Ministers to lay to heart the perishing state of such a man or woman! Or might you not have entreated those souls to consult some Minister about their everlasting state

You have not done what you could. You pretend you cannot convert them; but you will not try whether you can bring them over from sin to God. You say they are

dead in sins and trespasses, they have hearts of stone, as insensible as stones, as stupid, as impenetrable as stones And roast not thou so some years ago Hast thou forgotten “the rock out of which thou vast hewn” Nay, is there not still too much stone in thy heart, that thou canst see God so dishonored, CHRIST so reproached by those who are baptized in his name, and yet not endeavor to pull them out of the fire Thou comfortest thyself with the mercy thou showiest to the bodies of the poor that beg at thy door: These things thou oughtest to do; but not to lay aside the spiritual alms that were due unto them. Thou shouldest have counselled them, admonished them, enlightened them; and now if they perish in their ignorance, will not their blood be required at thy hands O tremble at your blood guiltiness! The LORD of heaven and earth, who says,”All souls are mine,” has charged thee,” not to hate thy brother in thine heart, not to suffer sin to rest upon him, but to reprove him: “ And yet thou lettest him alone, to perish in his iniquity!

You are so taken up with yourself, that you little regard what becomes of others to all eternity. O that you would be prevailed with, to help, counsel, and direct others to heaven! If you have found the way thither, show others the way to life, the way to glory. O pity them, as CHRIST pitied you! CHRIST has led you out of’the wilderness of sin and trouble: Be thou eyes to the blind; direct them the right way to the” land of promise;” tell them what course you took; declare unto them what God has done for your souls. Do not you see how industrious CHRIST'S enemies are to diffuse their poison Do not Turks and Papists endeavor to proselyte Will they not compass sea and land to spread their leaven Do not all people, besides you, labor to win to their gods Do not unclean persons and drunkards entice others to the same wickedness Shall SATAN'S vassals be filling hell, and will you not labor to fill heaven Is it not your honor to bring many sons and daughters unto GOD What will become of the next generation How few servants, if any, will CHRIST have, if others take no more pains than you do! I fear CHRIST will take up the old complaint, “The foxes have holes, and the birds have nests, but the SON of Man will not have where to lay his head.” How has a dumb devil possessed you! O that yet you. would commune with your own hearts, whether you are willing that thousands should go to hell And if they answer, No; ask them a second question, Why do not you use the means to prevent it: namely, exhortation, reproof, and counsel You have covered over your want of zeal and tenderness, with the pretence that you have not the gifts of Ministers. But have not you been told, that GOD can work by small means as well as by great; and that by things that are not, God can bring to nought the things that are Is not this like the pretence of not being eloquent Do you not know, have you not heard, that the event depends on the blessing of the Loan, rather than the work itself Cannot GOD bless a few words in thy mouth, as he did in CHRIST'S, and the Apostle's Canst not thou say, Follow CHRIST And may not presently a MATTHEW, a publican, leave his sinful courses Canst thou not say, “Repent and believe, that your sins may be blotted out” And may not God concur with thee, as he did of old times “Is the LORD's hand shortened, that it cannot help And if Israel be not gathered, yet thy reward is with the Loan; “if thine heart were upright, and could testify that night and day thou hast not ceased to warn, to rebuke, and counsel. Certainly your memories are not so bad, but you must remember the weight of sin, and of the wrath of God. You have seen the wonders of the LORD in the deeps. You that have escaped to the shore, can tell of the rocks and shelves, and storms, which you have been delivered from: and will you let others shipwreck their souls, rather than hold out your light unto them What shall I say to humble you

There is more charity in hell, than you can afford. Blush, blush, and be ashamed to have less zeal, love, and pity to perishing souls, than Divas in hell had! He would have had his brethren saved from the valley of Hinnom. Your silence will make others think that sin is not so evil. and bitter a thing that to lie under God's wrath, is not so great a misery; whilst you are slow and backward to warn your friends and acquaintance that they flee from these, and take sanctuary in the true city Of refuge, the LORD JESUS CHRIST. O if you know the worth of a soul; pity the multitude, with whom the day is not broken, whose forlorn souls are under a continual massacre, from the bloody butcher of hell! Besmear your souls no longer with the guilt of their blood. I shall bless GOD for ever and ever, if this your negligence of the souls of those who are without, may be cordially bewailed, and you for the future double your diligence for their conversion. Though SATAN, and thy own lazy heart has told thee, thou art unfit to set upon this work, yet better do it meanly, than wholly omit it. What GOD did by illiterate fishermen, by PRISCILLA, he can do by thee. The LORD pardon thy former unmerciful ness to the souls of men. But if thou continue careless and cruel, if thou wilt not by prayers for them, and counsels to them, seek their reducement, as sure as thou art reading, “the voice of thy brother's blood is crying against thee from the earth.”

By your example before, if not since, you believed, you have been the cause of the destruction of souls: of how many who can tell And, as “JEROBOAM made Israel to sin,” many years after he was in his grave; so your sin, your wicked examples, may propagate sin from generation to generation, until. CHRIST shall come to judgment. Tremble, tremble at the thoughts of it; if thou hast not the heart of a beast in thee! O how many souls are crying in hell against thee, cursing the day they knew thee, for that by thee they learned to sin the more, and were strengthened in their wickedness And now, are not you bound to do your utmost to make restitution

To labor to save them that are alive Is it not reasonable that you should labor to win souls to God's, as you have to the Devil's service And to have many blessing GOD in heaven for you, that ever they were in the company of such an active, zealous Christian, who by his word and life was instrumental to bring them to the

knowledge of themselves, and of their God. And is it not a glorious work, to hold forth such light to the world, that they seeing your God works, may glorify GOD, and you may be propagators of zeal and holiness, from generation to generation, until CHRIST shall appear to judge the world, and to reward you for all the services you have done to his name O how welcome shall that man be to CHRIST, who has fed, and clothed, and visited them which he has purchased with his own precious blood CHRIST will own thee for his own benefactor.

CHAPTER. XXXVI.

What Use the Professors of Religion should make of this Gospel-Glass.

AND now to all thy former sins, do not add this great abomination, that, having had the glass of the word, faithfully revealing many of thy sins to thee, thou shouldest go away and straight forget what manner of man thou hast been. Let not SATAN tempt thee to quarrel with the enterprise; for that the glass is not broad enough to show thee all thy stains and deformities: Know here are enough presented to thy view, to lay thee low enough in hell without repentance. Perhaps also thy corrupt reason may suggest that thou canst plead for one or two particulars, or bring it under debate, whether they are stains or not: Yet know, here are spots, unquestionable spots, discovered, and such as are not the spots of GOD'S children. But wouldest thou improve this, or any other such glass for the God of thy soul Let GOD'S honor, and thy precious soul's everlasting welfare persuade thee to receive in meekness and love the following counsels.

1. Reflect on all the particulars, that thou may see what are thine iniquities. Do not behold only, and so go away. Be not contented with slight apprehensions; but muse, that the fire may burn. Consider how oft in the bill of attainder, thy conscience tells thee thou art guilty. O ponder these things in thine heart! Recoil upon thyself: Let the Loan hear thee crying out, What have I done! How have I provoked the LORD! By meditation retain the memory of thy sins, with all their aggravations, as much as thou canst. Set past sins in present view, and possess the sins of thy youth, as if they were just now committed. Now track the abominations of your lives. Charge this duty upon thine own soul, as that which must be done, as thou wilt answer it at thy peril before God and his angels. Perhaps hitherto you have forgotten your corrupt lives, and hearts, as you have your natural faces forthwith; but let it be so no more, for CHRIST'S sake! Consider not only how many of these sins you have been guilty of; but how frequently, and for how many days, or years, thou hast lived in some of these abominations, in the same sin; though perhaps thou knewest it to be a sin, arid hast prayed and resolved against it. And because the particulars may seem little sins; (though in truth there is no little sin, because there is no little God, and sins have their aggravation from the person who is affronted;) yet because it is with sin as it is with stones, you may carry this stone and that stone without trouble; but when many little stones are heaped together, they become weighty and heavy to bear Therefore, I advise, that by serious meditation, you sum them up jointly, until your hearts be broken, and you take up the language of the Prophet: u!(y sins are passed over my head, they are become too heavy for me to bear.” Reflect not only on thy pride, and carelessness, and other particular miscarriages; but put all into one main sum, that it may humble thy heart.

2. Away now, and present thyself before the great and holy GOD, whom thou hast provoked by these, by all these great abominations, and upon thy knees give glory to him by confessing to him as many of thy sins as thou canst remember, with all their aggravating circumstances. It is the same advice, that JOSHUA gave to ACHAN; tell God what thou hast done, add what thou hast left undone, hide i t not from him: confess to God all thy low and unworthy thoughts of him, all thy enmity against him, his laws, and people. Go and confess what envy, what malice, what rancor, has lain in thy heart against thy neighbor. Confess to the LORD how oft thou hast spoke evil of dignities, of the favorites of heaven, of the sons and daughters of the Most High. Many times thou hast boasted with the Pharisee what sins thou hast not been guilty of; now confess what thou hast been guilty of. I know thou art loath to bring it forth; thou thinkest it will be a shame to thee; but let me tell thee, it is a shame that thou art guilty of so much sin; but it is no shame to acknowledge it. Only in your confessions take this advice:: Set your sins in order: enumerate the several sins you have been guilty of; and though every thought and act of sin is not possible to be cited; yet give diligence to find out as many a, thou cant, and spread them before the Lord.

Bring forth especially, that sin, or sins, which are thy special sins, whereby thou hast most provoked God. DAVID gave a touch at all his sins in the beginning of his penitential psalm: but his adultery and blood-guiltiness lay most upon him; and he is never at ease till lie has confessed them.

Be sure then, that upon a review of this, or any better catalogue, thou cry unto thy heart, as SAMUEL to JESSE, cc Are here all thy children” Are here all thy sins He that doth not confess a sin, has a mind to commit that sin again. But certainly it is extreme folly to impose upon GOD; for he knows every thought of thy heart, yea, he knows thy thoughts before thou knowest them. He knew what Israel would have in the wilderness. I meet with many who will confess such sins as are most in fashion, their dulness under ordinances, their formality, their vain thoughts in duty; but when did you hear them confessing their envy at the gifts, graces, and privileges of their brethren

Bring forth the aggravating circumstances, and lay them before the LORD. Some confess sin, but their confessions are accompanied with strange excuses and extenuations viz., it was done through the instigation of the Devil; it was done inconsiderately. Such are not for shaming themselves before the LORD; but like lawyers, plead as well as they can for a bad cause. Avoid all extenuating confessions: lay not thy own sins upon the Devil, lest thy account swell even for wronging SATAN, when indeed thou wast enticed and drawn aside by thy own lust. Beware of this folly: for know, that extenuating sin aggravates it before the LORD.

Let thy confession be ingenuous and free. -Sometimes conscience, like an over-charged stomach, doth so over pressmen, that they cannot hold, but must out with their uncleanness. Thus it is especially when the horrors of death have compassed them round. This confession of sin proceeds not from a hatred of sin, but from fear of punishment. They hope if they confess sin, any way, they shall obtain mercy, and this makes many throw up what otherwise they would hide for ever. I know what you will do upon perusing this sad catalogue, if GOD do not sanctify the book unto you: You will confess sin, but not your own: You will fall a censuring the person or party you do not love; crying out, how guilty are such and such before the LORD How is God dishonored by them How cloth religion suffer by them Yea, but how much has God's name suffered by thy lightness, pride, sensuality, backsliding! O run with tears, and confess all thine own sins before GOD! God requires it: “ Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Loan thy GOD; “and GOD tells you it is a means of obtaining remission: “ If y e confess your sins, he is faithful and just to forgive.” If you had rather be damned than be shamed, thou lovest thy name better than thy soul.

The Loan be merciful to thee, or else thou wilt lose both, when CHRIST shall come to judge the earth; for then whatsoever is hid shall be published. Let your confession be frequent, yea, constant, at least till GOD has done away thy sin. It may be, you may fear your heart is so hard, that you shall but sin by a formal, dull confession, or enumeration of your sins; but yet do it as well as thou canst, and if thy heart be hard, go, and complain of it to GOD, and beg of him to take away the heart of stone: Let the sight of this hardness drive thee the sooner and the oftener to the throne of grace; and there lie before the Loin, till he cleave the rock, that the waters gush out.

3. Labor to get your hearts broken for all your rebellions against God, for all the impurities of your hearts and lives. GOD has been exceedingly dishonored by falsehood, breaking of vows, backbiting, murmuring, neglect of his worship. Should we then make mirth Have not we great cause, even more cause than ever people had, to tremble, not only at the dreadful judgments of GOD that hang over our heads, but the hellish impieties that swarm in our hearts View not only this imperfect catalogue, but look from Genesis to the Revelation, and whatever filthiness was found in men or kingdoms, may be found upon our skirts. And shall not we refuse to be comforted Shall not we lie prostrate before GOD, and weep till we can weep no more Tremble, O my heart, under all these provocations: and let your hearts be as the leaves of a tree that is shaken by the whirlwind. What so many hellish lusts to swarm in thy heart! What, guilty of so many iniquities against the GOD of heaven; and yet art thou secure, light, and vain If I did not know what a stone I have within, I should wonder all the day long how it is possible we can stand under so much guilt, without shrieks, cries, and lamentations. I should wonder how you eat, and drink, and sleep; how you can laugh or sing, whilst GOD is so provoked. Can I think that man lives, who is not moved by the weight of a mountain on his back Thou hast that which is heavier than mountains of lead upon thy soul; and yet thou hardly feelest it. Thou dost, not groan under that which drew not only tears of water, but of blood, from the eyes and veins of JESUS CHRIST. I wonder how you can call GOD, Father, or CHRIST, Redeemer, whilst you have so little love to him, and whilst you were never pricked at the heart, for all the injuries that you and others have done him. Whom you love you are troubled for, if he be injured, by yourselves or others: But where is your trouble for your own or other men's sins

How can you trade with so much guilt upon you You have had your pleas for your covetousness, and inordinate affections to the world, that GOD bids you provide for your own: But what thinkest thou of thy soul Is that no part of your own, O provide for thy soul! Thy soul cannot be safe whilst stained with so many impurities, which were never mourned over to this day. O let sorrow enter into the very inwards of thy heart; and let the insupportable pressures of sin, sink thy very soul! Mourn as the tender mother for her only son. Be in bitterness, so as thou canst not relish those things which thou hast hitherto followed with so much eagerness. Let the loathsomeness of thy sins be continually before thine eyes: So it was with repenting DAVID: ’My sin is ever before me.” In order to the promoting of this godly sorrow, I irnpovtune thee, with the highest fervency I can, that thou separate some extraordinary time to humble thyself, by fasting and prayer, that GOD would give thee repentance, for thine own and other men's sins: perhaps to this day thou hast never observed one in order to the getting'of a broken heart. O that I could now prevail with thee, for this is the means that God has blessed again and again: on such days, God has softened many a heart, and cast out the devil of security and hardness, which could not be cast out in ordinary times of waiting upon God. Let thy main request on that day be for a deep consideration of all thy sins, with their several aggravations, and a deep humiliation for them. 1 beseech you, if you have any love to CHRIST, to the credit of religion, to your perishing souls, break through all business and impediments, and retire, and fall down at the footstool of GOD, more solemnly than ever you did. If you are, by the consideration of your provocations, humbled in the dust, be sure to keep conscience tender: let not your convictions die; strike again and again;” smite on the thigh,” again and again, whilst the iron is hot: This fire may be kept alive, by bringing new fuel to it. Labor exquisitely to afflict your souls, that you should be so foolish, so vile, as under CHRIST's livery to commit so great abominations. Take words and say,’ O the light that I have abused! O the means of grace that I have slighted! O the little service that I have done to CHRIST! O the many disservices!’ Let these things cut and afflict, and humble thy soul exceedingly from morning to evening, and from evening to morning, till GOD be pacified towards thee. Beware lest the motions of a lazy heart, cause thee to desist sooner. A patient that has had a long disease, must continue in the use of the prescriptions, till it is thoroughly cured.

4. Let your sorrow be accompanied with detestation. See all your sins; and loathe them and yourselves too. How much sin have we confessed, which yet we have secretly hugged in our hearts! Labor to have your hearts rise against your pride, hypocrisy, anger. Hate sin, not only for hell, but as hell; yea, hate yourselves for your sills: yea, hate yourselves, that you can hate your sins no. more. O that my hatred of my lusts might be greater than ever Iny love was unto them! Labor for such sorrow as DAVID had, when he was wounded in, his heart for sin. Though NATHAN told him his sin was forgiven; yet he continued his sorrow for his great transgressions. Labor, I beseech you, for tears of hatred and indignation; be greatly displeased with yourselves, because you have so foolishly and wretchedly dishonored GOD, and ventured your eternal- undoing. And if yet thine eyes be not like the fishponds of Heshbon for thy sins, take words, and lament before God thine hardness of heart, that thou shouldest so grievously offend and provoke so God, so gracious a God, and that notwithstanding thine heart should remain unbroken.

5. Let there be added hearty cries to God, for pardon of all these and all other abominations. Who forgives him that scorns to sue for remission Here is your work, in this day. The Devil and a false heart will put you upon other work; but this is your present work. O do not leave the work that GOD sets you about! I know it is your duty to provide for the bodies of your children; but consider the danger of thy soul, and give the LORD no rest till he has blotted out all thy sin, and thou art assured that he will remember it no more. Comfort not thyself with the free grace and mercy of GOD, whilst thou neglectest to cry to GOD for grace and mercy.” He will be sought unto by the house of Israel.” Prize thy condition, that thou art alive to pray: (thou mightest have been in hell, there to howl for ever and ever.)” Seek the LORD while he may be found.” Seek in time, before it be too late. And if thou doubtest whether thou hast an interest in CHRIST and the promises, because of thy transgressions; yet, remember the gracious words that fell once from the mouth of CHRIST to the Samaritan: “If thou knewest the gift of God, thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” Though thou art unworthy of children's bread, and hast deserved to be cast forth among the dogs; yet thou hast to do with a bountiful and merciful LORD; and, therefore, be not cast down, so as to be discouraged from waiting on the LORD. Rather say,’ LORD, I am unworthy to be the object of thy mercy, unworthy to live; because thou didst call, and I did not hear, therefore, if I call, thou may justly turn me off in thy fury: thou mightest answer me by terrible things in thy righteousness. But deal not with me according to my deservings. O make me the great instance of the power of thy grace! Let thy mercy in pardoning be great, exceeding great, O GOD!

Do not delay the suing out thy pardon. Away quickly to the throne of grace. There is danger in delays, lest your sense of sin and sorrow for it vanish and decay. Blow up the sparks. of grace, lest they go out and die again. Take the first advantages of the grace of GOD. Hast thou an inclination to humble thyself, to pray, to seek God's face Improve it quickly, lest the wrath of God break forth upon thee. Do not you know that you have lost the sense of the love of GOD But have you also lost all sense of GOD'S wrath 2 Do not you wonder you escape That you are yet alive That you are not free among the dead Will you, dare you, go on in your hardness of heart Will you” treasure up wrath against the day of wrath” O GOD forbid! Lay by the world, thy false friend, thy treacherous JOAB, that has smitten to the earth with its kisses, and its smiles! Here is a business on which thy life, the life of thy precious soul, depends.” Prepare to meet thy GOD!” Wrath is God out from the LORD: howl, weep, cry; it may be you shall be hid in the day of the Lo RD'S wrath it may be, your sins shall be forgiven. Though the law be a looking-glass,. to show you your spots; yet it cannot cleanse you: It is the Gospel alone that pardons. Away, ye wandering sheep, to the great Shepherd of your souls. Great he is in love to his flock. He has laid down his life for you; he has purchased you with his own blood. NATHAN'S parable of the ewe-lamb is most true of CHRIST and his beloved flock: he has nourished you up, and he is willing to lay you in his bosom. View your great Surety this day. He came under an arrest for you: he has discharged the debt of all that come by faith to him.” He was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” If there be” repentance towards God,” let, there be” faith towards the LORD JESUS CHRIST.” If be has given you the forerunner, you have his pledge that he will forgive you. Do not say, God heareth not sinners, whilst there is” a fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness.” All thy sins cannot shut it, because it is opened to wash away sin.

6. Add to supplication, resolution. How can you pardon your own child, that will not promise to do so no more Let it be the purpose of your heart to neglect meditation no more, to keep up bitterness among Christians no more. Enter into an holy vow against your sins. Be a thorough Protestant; protest against the world, the flesh, and the Devil. It will be thus if your hearts be thoroughly humbled for your sins, and truly inflamed against them. O say, What have I to do with idols any more O that you were resolute! Come life; come death, cone heaven, come hell; yet I will change my course I will not (through God's grace helping me) do as I have done; omit, as I have omitted. If you are not very peremptory to resist SAT A x and sin, not to yield unto temptation, you encourage the enemy to tempt you. That woman is in danger of new solicitations to uncleanness, who doth not resolutely bid defiance to the first temptation. Perhaps you wonder, that after so many prayers, your sin still prevails:’ But know,' says one,’ sin will be your conqueror, if you be not resolved to be its enemy.' Till resolution against all sin be wrought in you, God will bate all your prayers for the pardon of your sins. Fe has a forehead of brass, that dares go in before GOD, and say,’ O Lo RD, I beseech thee to pardon my worldliness, and earthly mindedness; for I am not yet resolved to be heavenlyminded. O LORD, pardon my envy, and I trust thou. wilt do it; for I am yet unresolved to part from it. Pardon my rebellions; for I am not yet resolved whether I shall cease to be a rebel.' Believe it, whilst you do not resolve to hate sin, it is a clear sign you have not a spiritual knowledge of its evil. Did you in the light of the Spirit see sin in its nature, and in its hitter effects; did you see it as utterly inconsistent with all real happiness, and as the unavoidable precipice into eternal damnation, this would make you hate sin, and be irreconcilable to it.

But here I must give this caution, that you raise not your resolutions on your own strength. When you bind yourself by a vow against such a sin, take CHRIST into

the bond to be surety for you, to give you help and strength to perform in the hour of temptation. And then make haste, friends: your sands run fast, and no stop is put to them. You may not expect that the shadow will go backward ten degrees: it may rather go forward. You may hardly have one hour's warning before you must remove hence. How suddenly has God cut down the cedars and the thistles amongst us! O in that day it will be as scalding lead to thee, that death and judgment surprised the, when thou has not so much as resolved to leave thy rebellions against thy GOD.

7. See what becomes of your resolutions: how they are made God. Thou hast purposed not to offend: yea, covenanted with thy God far better obedience; yea, thou hast sworn to keep his righteous judgments. But hast thou dealt uprightly with tlxy GOD Be not satisfied with purposes and resolutions; but look to. the performance. Blessed are ye of God, if all the sins you have been convinced of, and have engaged against, be now put away: If there be no more pride, covetousness, contention, self seeking, returning with seven worse devils upon you. I pray God we may see some real and permanent effect of all your confessions, sorrows, and resolves. How would it rejoice my soul, to see an effectual alteration in your faces, and lives, and conversations' How shall I bless God for ever, if by seeing your faces in this imperfect glass, you be transformed into new obedience! Among all the sights in the world, none is sadder than to see multitudes, that had their faces Zionwards, now facing about to the vanities of the Gentiles. O how glorious, how desirable a sight will it be, to see these returning with weeping and supplication!

CHAPTER XXXVII. Motives to make such Use thereof.

AND now to hasten to a conclusion. O that it would please God to make my words as a hammer, to break the rocks! O that somewhat may be hinted, that may, through the blessing of God, break your hearts for and from sin! That may promote your repentance, for your own, and other men's sins! And, indeed, unless y ur hearts be broken for sin, they will never be broken from sin: but the more bitterness of spirit you are in for sin, the more probability there is you will not return to it. That is certain, either a man's sin will make an end of his mourning, or his mourning will make an end of his sin. Yea, if your hearts be not broken for other men's sins, they are not kindly broken for your own sins. The truth is, the sins of others become thine if thou knowest them, and mournest not for them. Consider, therefore, by the help of this glass, their sins, as well as thine own, to help on thy brokenness of heart, for and from sin. Behold, with DAVID, the transgressors, and be grieved; because they keep not God's word. How can you evidence, that you are translated from death to life, because you love the brethren, whilst you are not troubled to see them wounding and damning their souls You are grieved to see any friends of yours in danger by sword, by sickness, by fire; but the souls of your friends are in the greatest danger, yet you lament not the sight of these deplorable spectacles. But to lay before you some considerations, that may, set home by the SPIRIT, draw water out of the flint:

1. Should not your hearts be broken for and from your sins, seeing so long as you are impenitent, all you do and suffer for God is abominable in his sight Hardness of heart is like a leprosy, that makes all to shun a man. If you had such a disease that all would abhor you, would it not humble you to the very dust Your impenitency makes you neither fit company for God, nor his people. You are loathsome in the sight of both, whilst you are under so much guilt, and yet insensible of it. A tender, broken-hearted Christian, is lovely in God's, and his people's eyes; but how ugly a sight is it, to see a daring, bold, insensible sinner, persisting in a course of sin, without repentance” If the wicked turn from all his sins that he has committed, and keep all my statutes; in his righteousness that he has done shall he live. But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live All his righteousness that he has done, shall not be mentioned.” And is it nothing to you to lose the things you have wrought Is it nothing to suffer, and to suffer so many things in vain

2. Should not your hearts be broken for and from your sins, seeing so long as you are impenitent, GOD doth not only loath your services, but he cannot take any delight in your persons; yea, you cannot be restored to his love and favor without repentance there is no remission” Repent ye, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” What! have you no mind to be forgiven Have you no will to be at peace with GOD, and to be restored to his love and favor Are you content that all these, and innumerable sins more, should be charged upon your account O then, beg of God to break your hearts for and from your sins! A broken vessel, a broken heart, will hold best the oil of mercy.” The sacrifices of GOD are a broken spirit: A broken and a contrite heart, O GOD, thou wilt not despise.”

Lastly, Should not your hearts be broken for and from your sins, even by what may be seen in this glass; seeing now God gives you not only time to repent, but an opportunity of repentance, and such a one, as, if you neglect it, you may never have the like again Now, time and means meet together to effect your repentance. If this opportunity be lost, you may never have another: and if you should never have any other, your case is desperate; Opportunities cannot be prayed or wept back again. In God's opportunity it is an easy thing to repent;- but if this opportunity should be lost by you, it may be impossible-for you to repent: GOD may justly give you up to judicial impenitency. It may be, God doth now by this treatise speak home unto thy soul; now, it may be, GOD warms thy heart; now, it may be, God works in thee God thoughts and desires; now is thy day of grace: But if thou let this day pass, thou may desire to have one of the drops of that blood that has been offered to thee, and yet never have it; thou may desire to feel one drop of his SPIRIT, that has knocked at thy heart, and yet go without it; thou may entreat for one dram of that mercy that has been offered, and thou hast rejected; but it shall never be granted to thee: GOD may pass that fearful sentence upon thee;” Now, henceforth never grow fruit more on thee;” never repentance come into thine heart more. If now thou wilt not repent and be converted, the Lo-no may set it down in his decree, that from this day forward thou may never get victory over thy sins; thou may ever be mourning for thy corruptions, but never mourn aright for them; thou may. blunder about repentance, but never do the work. a Yoh shall not mourn, nor weep; but you shall pine away in your iniquities.” There is many a soul, for contemning GOD, and not taking repentance while lie may have it, upon whom this plague of God is come, That they are ever repenting, but never able to repent: ever poring upon their sins, but never able to come out of them: they pray and pray against them, but their prayers moulder away under them; for they shall pine away for their transgressions. What is the reason Why, because ’I would have purged thee, and thou wast not purged, thou shall not be purged any more.” May not Got say to thee thus,” Because I have given thee line upon line, precept upon precept, call upon call, not only outward but inward calls; ordinance upon ordinance, providence upon providence, book upon book, motion upon motion: because I have used all means, fair means and foul means; I have plainly showed thee thy sins, by my word and rod, and by this glass; I have awakened thy conscience, and stirred up God desires in thee;” because I would have cleansed thee, and thou vast not cleansed,-thou shall never be cleansed.” Is not this a fearful sentence Alas! thy heart is very hard, and thy conscience very touch seared, if the reading hereof doth not make thee quake and tremble. What shall I say” Now is the axe laid to the root of the tree.” Thine opportunity is now: If thou pass by this now, thou art God, for aught I can tell, for ever. O neglect not this present now, lest thou be cut off for ever! Thou art in danger of being presently cut down, if thou dost not presently repent. “Every tree which bringeth not forth at the present God fruit, is hewn down and cast into the fire” I shall conclude with the words of the Apostle: The earth, which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, received blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing, whose end is to be burned.” But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, such a repentance as cannot be separated from salvation, though we thus speak: Yea, therefore we thus write.

END OF VOL. XIX.