PART 5:

Showing positively what ought to be done to promote this Work.

1. IN considering the means of promoting this work of GOD, I have already observed some instances wherein there has been needless objecting and complaining; and have also taken notice of many things that ought to be amended. I now proceed, in the

Third and last place, to show positively what ought to be done to promote this work. The obligations that all are under, with one consent, to do their utmost, were observed before. I hope that some, upon reading what was said under that head, will be ready to say,’ What shall we do' To such I would now offer my thoughts, in answer to such an inquiry.

And that which I think we ought to set ourselves about, in the first place, is to remove stumbling-blocks. When GOD is revealed as about to come, gloriously to set up his kingdom in the world, this is proclaimed, ”Prepare ye the way of the LOUD, make straight in the desert an highway for our GOD." (Isa. xl. 3.) And again, ”Cast ye up, cast ye up; prepare the way; take up the stumbling-block out of the way of my people." (Isa. Ivii. 14.) And,” Go through, go through the gates; prepare you the way of the people; cast up, cast up the high-way; gather but the stones." (Isa. Ixii. 10.)

And, in order to this, there must be a confessing of faults on both sides:. For undoubtedly many are the faults that have been committed. There is hardly any duty more mortifying to the pride of man; but it must be done. Repentance is, in a peculiar manner, a proper duty, when the kingdom of heaven is at hand. And if GOD does now loudly call upon us to repent, then he also calls to make proper manifestations of our repentance. I am persuaded that those that have openly opposed this work, or have from time to time spoken lightly of it, cannot be excused in the sight of GOD, without openly confessing their fault therein; especially if they be Ministers. If they have, either directly Or indirectly, opposed this work, or in public or private prejudiced their people against it; if hereafter they shall be convinced it is of GOD, they ought by no means to palliate the matter, and excuse themselves, and pretend that they always thought so, and that it was only Such and such imprudences they objected against: But they ought deeply to declare their conviction, and condemn themselves for what they have done; for it is CHRIST that they have spoken against in speaking lightly of, and prejudicing others against this work; yea, worse than that, it is the HOLY GHOST. And though they have done it ignorantly, and in unbelief, yet, when they find out who it is that they have opposed, undoubtedly GOD will hold them bound publicly to confess it.

On the other side, if those that have been zealous to promote this work have in any of the fore mentioned instances gone out of the way, and done that which is contrary to Christian rules, whereby they have openly injured others, and so wounded religion, they must publicly confess it, as they would gather out the stones, and prepare the way of GOD'S people. They who have laid great stumbling-blocks in others' way by their open transgression, are bound to remove them by their open repentance.

Some probably will object, that the opposers will take advantage by this to insult both them and religion. And indeed, to the shame of some, they have taken advantage by such things. But if there are some imbittered enemies of religion, that stand ready to improve every thing to its disadvantage, yet that ought not to hinder an enjoined Christian duty; open repentance, after a fault openly committed. To stand it out, to avoid such an inconvenience, is to do evil to prevent evil. And besides, the danger of an evil consequence is much greater on the other side: To commit sin, and then stand in it, is what will give the enemy the greatest advantage. For Christians to act like Christians, in openly humbling themselves when they have openly offended, in the end brings the greatest honor to CHRIST and religion; and in this way are persons most likely to have GOD appear for them.

2. Again, at such a time as this, GOD does especially call us to meekness and mutual forbearance: Let your moderation be known unto all men: The LORD is at hand. For us to be judging one another, and behaving with fierceness and bitterness, when He who is the Searcher of all hearts, to whom we must all give an account, appears so remarkably present, is exceedingly unsuitable. Our business at such a time should be at home, searching ourselves, and taking heed to our own behavior. If there be glorious prosperity to the church of GOD approaching, those that arc; the meek Till have the largest share in it: For, when GOD remarkably arise to execute judgment, it is to save all the meek of the earth.

Those therefore that have been zealous for this work, and have erred with their zeal, ought not to be treated with bitterness. There is abundant reason to think, that most of them are children of GOD: And as to those things wherein we see them to be in an error, we have reason to say as the Apostle,” If any are otherwise minded, GOD shall reveal even this unto them." (Psalm 3: 15.) Their errors should not be made use of by us to excite indignation towards them, but should influence all of us that hope we are children of GOD, to humble ourselves, and become more entirely dependent on the LORD JESUS. And those Ministers that have been judged, and injuriously dealt with, will do the part of CHRIST'S disciples, not to judge and revile again, but to receive such injuries with meekness and forbearance, and make an improvement of them, more strictly examining their hearts and ways, and committing themselves to GOD. We have not vet seen the end of things; nor do we know who will be most honored of GOD in the issue.” Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit." (Eccl. 7: 8.)

Contrary to this is each party's stigmatizing the other with odious names, which tends greatly to widen and perpetuate the breach. Such distinguishing names of reproach do as it were divide us into two armies drawn up in battle array, ready to fight one with another; which greatly hinders the work of GOD.

3. And as such a time does especially require the exercise of forbearance one towards another; so does it the exercise of great patience in waiting on GOD, under any special difficulties and disadvantages they may be under. The beginning of a revival of religion will necessarily be attended with many difficulties of this nature; many parts of the reviving church will, for a while, be under great disadvantages, by what remains of the old disease. We cannot expect that, after a long time of degeneracy and depravity, things should all come right at once: And to be over hasty and violent in such a case, being resolved to have every thing rectified, or else to separate, is the way to hinder things coming right at all, and to break all in pieces. Not but the case may be such as to allow of no delay, without violation of absolute commands of GOD: But otherwise, though the difficulty may be very great, another course should be taken. We should have recourse directly to the throne of grace, to represent our difficulties before the great Shepherd of the sheep; and when we have done, should wait patiently upon him who in his time will appear for our deliverance: But if, instead of that, we are impatient, and take the work into our own hands, we dishonor GOD, and have reason to fear that he will leave us to manage our affairs for ourselves.

4. What has been mentioned hitherto has relation to the behavior we are obliged to, as we would prevent the hindrances of the work; but, besides these, there are things that must be done, more directly to advance it And here it concerns every one to look into his own heart, and see that the work be promoted in his own soul.

And though I judge not those that have opposed it, yet I would entreat them to leave off concerning themselves so much about others and look into their own souls, and see to it that they experience a true, saving work of the SPIRIT of GOD. If they do not, how can they have any heart to be busily and fiercely engaged about the mistakes of others I would beseech them seriously to weigh the matter with respect to this work, and consider whether, if the Scriptures are the word of GOD, the work that has been described in the first part of this treatise must not needs be, as to the substance of it, the work of GOD, and the flourishing of that religion that is taught by CHRIST and his Apostles; and whether any good medium can be found, between owning this work, and being a Deist. I would now humbly invite them to come and join with us, and be on our side; and, if I had the authority of Mosss, I would say to them as he did to HOBAB,” We are journp_yn)g unto the place, of which the LORD said, I will give it you; come thou with us, and we will do thee good: For the LOBD has spoken good concerning Israel." (Numb. 10: 29.)

As the benefit of improving such a season is extraordinary great, so is the danger of neglecting or misemploying it. For as such a time is a time of great favor to those that are partakers of the blessing, so it is always a time of remarkable vengeance to others. So in Isaiah Ixi. 2, the same that is called” the acceptable year of the LORD," is called also,” the day of vengeance of our GOD." So it is foretold, that at the beginning of the glorious times of the Christian church, as” the hand of the LORD is known towards his servants, so shall his indignation towards his enemies." (/*. Ivi. 14.) There is no time like such a time for the increase of guilt, and desperate hardening of the heart; which is the most awful fruit of divine wrath that can be inflicted on any mortal. So that a time of great grace and pouring out of the SPIBIT, and the fruits of Divine mercy, is ever also a time of pouring out Divine Vengeance on those that neglect and misemploy such a season.

3. The present revival of religion has an awful aspect Upon those that are advanced in years. It has been chiefly amongst those that are young. And* indeed commonly, Vhen GOD has begun any great work, he has taken the young people, and has cast off the old and stiff-necked generation. There was a remarkable pouring out of the SPIRIT of GOD on the children of Israel in the Wilderness, on their younger generation, their little ones that they said should be a prey, the generation that entered into Canaan with JOSHUA. That generation seems to have been the most excellent generation that ever was in the church of Israel. There is no generation, of which there isso much good and so little hurt spoken in Scripture. In that generation that were under twenty years when they went out of Egypt, was that kindness of youth, and love of espousals, spoken of, Jer. 2: 2, 3. But the old generation were passed by, and remained obstinate and stiff-necked, and unconvinced by all GOD'S wondrous works that they beheld. Let the old generation in this land take warning from hence, and take heed that they do not continue for ever objecting, murmuring and caviling against the work of GOD, lest while GOD is bringing their children into a land flowing with milk and honey, he should swear in his wrath concerning them, th'at their carcases shall fall in the wilderness.

So when GOD had a design of great mercy to the Jews, in bringing them out of the Babylonish captivity, there was a blessed pouring out of the SPIRIT upon them in Babylon, and a spirit of prayer, to cry earnestly to GOD for mercy: But it was not upon the old generation that were carried captive. The captivity continued just long enough for them to waste away and die in their captivity. The old generation, and heads of families would not hearken to the repeated warnings of the Prophet; but he had greater success among the young people, as appears by Jer. 6: JO, 11: “To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they

may hear Behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: Behold the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it. Therefore I am foil of the fury of the LOUD; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it put upon the children abroad, and upon the assembly of the young men together: For even the husband with the wife (that is, the heads of families, and parents of these children) shall be taken, the aged, with him that is full of days." Yet, blessed be GOD! there arc some of the elder people that have been made partakers of this work: And those that are most awakened by these warnings of GOD'S word, will be most likely to be made partakers hereafter.

6. But above all others, does it concern us that are Ministers, to see that we are partakers of this work, that we have experience of the saving operations of the same SPIRIT which is now poured out on the land. How melancholy is the case when it is otherwise! For one to stand at the head of a congregation, as representing CHRIS i and speaking in hi-, stead, and to act the part of a shepherd and guide to a people, when many are under great awakenings, and many filled with Divine light, love and joy; to undertake to instruct, and lead them all, under these various circumstances; to be put to it, continually to play the hypocrite, and force the airs of a saint in preaching; and from time to time in private conversation, and particular dealing with souls, to undertake to judge of their circumstances; to talk with those that come to him, as if he knew what thev said; to try1 to talk with persons of experience, as if he had experience as well as they; to force a joyful countenance and manner of speech, when there is nothing in the heart: What sorrowful work is here! O how miserably must such a person feel! What a wretched slavery is this! What pains must such a Minister use to conceal himself! And how weak are his hands! Besides the infinite provocation of the Most High GOD, and displeasure of his LORD and Master, there is reason from the Scripture to conclude, that no sort of men will bow so low in hell as ungodly Ministers; for every thing spoken of in Scripture, as that which aggravates guilt, and heightens Divine wrath, meets in them.

And what great disadvantages are unholy Ministers under, to oppose any irregularities, or imprudences, or intemperate zeal, when they are conscious to themselves that they have no true zeal at all! If enthusiasm and wildness comes in like a flood, what poor instruments are such Ministers to withstand it With what courage can they open their mouths, when they look inward, and consider how it is with them

We that are Ministers not only have need to experience the saving influence of the SPIRIT of GOD upon our heart, but we need a double portion of the SPIRIT of GOD at such a time as this: We had need to be as full of light as a glass is, that -is held out in the sun; and, with respect to love and zeal, to be like the angels, that are a flame of fire. The times extremely require a fullness of the Divine SPIRIT in Ministers, and we ought to give ourselves no rest till we have obtained it. And, in order to this, I should think Ministers, above all persons, ought to be much in secret prayer and fasting, and also much in praying and fasting one with another. It seems to me, it would be becoming our circumstances, if Ministers in a neighborhood would often meet together, and spend days in fasting and fervent prayer among themselves, earnestly seeking for extraordinary supplies of Divine grace; and also if, on their occasional visits one to another, instead of spending their time in sitting and smoking, and in diverting, or worldly, unprofitable conversation, telling news, and making their remarks on this and the other trifling subject, they would spend their time in prayer together, and religious conference. How much do many of the common people shame many of us that are in the work of the Ministry, in these respects Surely we do not behave ourselves like Christian Ministers, like ambassadors of CHRIST! And, while we condemn zealous persons for censuring Ministers, it ought-not to be without deep reflections upon ourselves; for indeed we do very much to provoke censoriousness, and lay a great temptation before others. And if we can prove that they transgress the Scripture-rule, yet our indignation should be chiefly against ourselves.

7. Two things that are exceeding needful in Ministers who would advance the kingdom of CHRIST, are zeal and resolution. The power of these is greater than can well be imagined: A man of but an ordinary capacity will do more with them, than one of ten times the parts and learning without them. More may be done with them in a few days, or at least weeks, than can be done without them in many years. The very sight or appearance of a thoroughly engaged spirit, together with a fearless courage and unyielding resolution, in any person that has undertaken the managing any affair amongst mankind, goes a great way towards accomplishing the effect. But \while we are cold and heartless, and only go on in an old formal round, we shall never do any great matters. Our misery is want of zeal jnd courage Hei)ce often, nhen anv thing very considerable- that is new is proposed to be done for the advancement of religion, many difficulties are found out, many objections started, and it is put off from one to another; but nobody does any thing. And after this manner good designs have often failed, and sunk as soon as proposed.

Zeal and courage will do much in persons of but ordinary capacity; but especially if joined with great abilities. If some great men that have Appeared in our nation had engaged in the Christian cause with zeal and fervor, with the blessing of GOD, they would have turned the world upside down. We have many Ministers in the land that do not want abilities; they are persons of parts and learning; they should consider how much they might do for CHRIST, and how glorious a reward they might receive, if they had in their hearts an heavenly warmth and heat, proportional to their light.

8. And though it may be thought that I go out of my proper sphere, to intermeddle in the affairs of the Colleges; yet I will take the liberty of an Englishman, (that speaks his mind freely concerning public affairs,) and the liberty of a Minister of CHRIST, (who doubtless may speak his mind as freely about things that concern the kingdom of his LORD,) to give my opinion, in some things, with respect to those societies; the main design of which is to train up persons, and fit them for the work of the Ministry. And I would say in general, care should be taken that those societies should be so regulated, as to. be in fact nurseries of piety. Otherwise they are fundamentally ruined and undone as to their main design and most essential end. They ought to be so constituted, that vice and idleness should have no living1 there: These are not to be suffered in societies whose main design is, to train up youth in Christian knowledge and eminent piety, to fit them to be Pastors of the flock of the blessed JESUS. I have had some acquaintance with the affairs of a College; and I cannot but think that it is practicable so to constitute such societies, that there should be no being there, without being virtuous, serious and diligent. It seems to me to be a reproach to the land, that ever it should be so with our Colleges, that, instead of being places of the greatest advantages for true piety, one cannot send a child thither without great dan- > ger of his being infected as to his morals. It is perfectly intolerable; and any thing should be done, rather than it should be so. If we pretend to have any Colleges at all, under a notion of training up youth for the Ministry, there should be some way found out that should certainly prevent its being thus. To have societies for bringing persons up to be Ambassadors of JESUS CHRIST, and to have them places of so much infection, is the greatest nonsense and absurdity imaginable.

And as thorough and effectual care should be taken, that vice and idleness be not tolerated in these Societies; so certainly the design of them requires that extraordinary means should be used in them for training up the students in vital religion, and experimental and practical godliness; so that they should be holy Societies, and the very place be as it the many difficulties with which it is clogged, and the distressing circumstances that some parts of GOD'S Church are now under in this land.

So is GOD'S will, that the prayers of his saints should be one great means of carrying on the designs of CHRIST'S kingdom in the world. When GOD has something very great to accomplish for his Church, it is his will that there should precede the extraordinary prayers of his people; as is manifest by Ezek. xxxvi. 37.” I will yet, for this, be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them." And when GOD is about to accomplish great things for his Church, he will begin bv remarkably pouring out the SPIRIT of grace and supplication. (Zech. 12: 10.) If we are not to expect that the Devil should go out of a particular person, without extraordinary prayer, or” prayer and fasting;" how much less should we expect to have him cast out of the land, and the world, without it

I am sensible much has been done in duties of this nature, but not M) much as GOD m his Providence calls for. I should think the people of GOD m this land, at such a time as this is, would be in the way of their duty, to do three times as much at fasting and prayer as they do; not only for the pouring out of the SPIRIT on those towns or places whereto they belong, but that GOD would appear for his Church, carry on his work in the land, and in the world, and Fulfill the things he has spoken of in his word, that his Church has been so long wishing and waiting for. “They that make mention of the LORD ought not to” keep silence," and should” give GOD no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth." (Isa. Ixii. 6,7.) Before the first great pouring out of the SPIRIT of GOD on the Christian Church, the Church of GOD gave themselves to incessant prayer. (Acts 1: 13, 14) There is a time wherein GOD will wonderfully appear for the deliverance of his Church from all her enemies, when he will” avenge his own elect: " And CHRIST reveals that this will be in answer to their incessant prayers, or “ crying day and night." (Luke 18: 7.) In Israel, the” day of Atonement," which, was their great day of fasting and prayer, preceded and made way for the glorious and joyful” feast of tabernacles." When CHRIST is mystically born into the world, to rule over all nations, it will be in consequence of the Church's” crying, and travailing in birth, and being pained to be delivered." One thing here intended, doubtless is, her crying and agonizing in prayer.

9. GOD seems now, at this very time, to be waiting for this from us. When GOD is about to bestow some great blessing on his Church, it is often his manner so to order things in his Providence, as to show his Church their great need of it, and so put them upon crying earnestly to him for it And let us consider GOD'S present dispensations towards his Church in this land: A glorious work of his grace has been begun; and GOD has, of late, suffered innumerable difficulties to arise, that do in a great measure clog and hinder it, and bring many of GOD'S children into great distress. And vet he does not wholly forsake the work of his hand; there are remarkable tokens of his presence still to be seen; as though he was not forward to forsake us, and (if I may so say) as though he had a mind to carry on his work; but only was waiting for something that he expected in us, as requisite in order to it. And we have great reason to think, one thing at least is, that we should further acknowledge the greatness and necessity of such a mercy, and our dependence on GOD for it, in earnest and importunate prayers to him.

There is no way that Christians in a private capacity can do so much to promote the work of GOD, and advance the kingdom of CHRIST, as by prayer. By this, even women, children, and servants, may have a public influence. Let persons be never so weak, and never so mean, and under never so poor advantages, to do much for CHRIST, and the souls of men, otherwise; yet, if they have the SPIRIT of grace and supplication, they have power with Him that has the government of the whole world: And so a poor man in his cottage may have a blessed influence all over the world. GOD is (if I may so say) at the command of the prayer of faith; and in this respect, as it were, under the power of his people;” as Princes, they have power with GOD, and prevail." Though they may be private persons, their prayers are put up in the name of a Mediator, that is, a public person, being the Head of whole Church, and the LORD of the universe: And if they have a great sense of the importance of eternal things, and concern for the souls of men, though they are not Preachers, they may go in their earnestness and agonies of soul, and pour out their souls before One that is able to do all things. They have a great High-Priest, through whom they may come boldly at all times, and may i vent themselves before the GOD that heareth prayer.

If the people of GOD, instead of spending time in fruitless disputing, and talking about opposers, and animadverting upon the unreasonableness of their talk and behaviour, would be more silent in this way, and open their mouths much before GOD, they would be more in the way of a blessing. And if some, that have been complaining of their Minister, had said and acted less before men, and had applied themselves with all their might to cry to GOD for their Ministers, had, as it were, risen and stormed heaven with their incessant prayers for them, they would have been much more in the way of success.

GOD in his Providence appearing in the present state of things, does especially call on his people, to be very much in praying to him for the pouring out of the SPIRIT upon Ministers in the land. For though it is not for us to determine concerning particular Ministers, how much they have of the SPIRIT of GOD; yet in the general it is apparent, there is, at this day, need of very great degrees of the presence of GOD with the Ministry, much greater degrees of it than have hitherto been granted, for themselves, and for the Church of GOD.

Such a method of keeping a fast as this, has several times been proved, namely; in the forenoon, after the duties of the family and closet, as early as might be, all the people of the congregation have gathered in their particular religious societies; companies of men by themselves, and companies

of women by themselves; young men by themselves, and young women by themselves; and companies of children in all parts of the town, by themselves, as many as were capable of social religious exercises; the boys by themselves, and girls by themselves: And about the middle of the day, at an appointed hour, all have met together in the House of GOD, to offer up public prayers, and to hear a sermon suitable to the occasion: And then, they have retired from the House of GOD again into their private societies, and spent the remaining part of the day in praying together there, excepting so much as was requisite for the duties of the family and closet in their own houses. And it has been found to be of great benefit to assist and engage the minds of the people in the duties of the day.

10. One thing more I would mention concerning fasting and prayer, wherein I think there has been a neglect in Ministers; and that is, that although they much insist on the duty of secret prayer in their preaching, yet little is said about secret fasting. It is a duty recommended bv our SAVIOUK to his followers, just in like manner as secret prayer is. Though I do not suppose that secret fasting is to be practiced in a stated manner, as secret prayer; yet it seems to me, it is a duty that all Christians should practice, and frequently practice. There are many occasions, of both a spiritual and temporal nature, that properly require it; and there are many particular mercies, that we desire for ourselves or friends, which it would be proper in this manner to seek of GOD.

Another thing I would mention, which is of still greater importance, and that is the duty that is incumbent upon GOD'S people, to take heed, that while they abound in external duties of devotion, such as praying, hearing, singing, there be a proportionable care to abound in Moral Duties, such as acts of righteousness, truth, meekness, forgiveness, and love towards our neighbour; which are of much greater importance in the sight of GOD than all the externals of his worship: This, our Savior was particularly careful that men should be well aware of: “ But go ye, and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice." (Matt. 9: 13.) And, chap. 12: 7.” If ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless."

The internal principles of the worship of GOD, or the worship of the heart, in the love and fear of GOD, trust in GOD, and resignation to GOD, are the most important of all duties of religion; for therein consists the essence of all religion. But of this inward religion there are two sorts of external manifestations or expressions: The one sort are outward acts of worship, such as meeting in religious assemblies, attending outward institutions, and honoring GOD with gestures, as bowing, or kneeling before him, or with words, in speaking honorably of him, in prayer, praise, or religious conference: The other sort are the expressions of our love to GOD, by obeying his moral commands, of self-depial, righteousness, meekness and Christian love, in our behaviour among men. And the latter arc of vastly the greatest importance in the Christian life; GOD makes little account of the former, in comparison of them; they are abundantly more insisted on by the Prophets in the Old Testament, and CHRIST and his Apostles in the New. When these two kinds of duties are spoken of together, the latter are evermore greatly preferred: Isa. 1: 12, to the 18th, and Amos 5: 21, &c. Mic. 6: 7, 8. Isa. Iviii. 5, 6, 7. Zech. 7: ten first verses. Jer. li. seven first verses. Matt, xv, 3. &c. Often, rhen the times were very corrupt in Israel, the people abounded in the former kind of duties, but were at such times always notoriously deficient in the latter; as the Prophets complain, Isa. Iviii. four first verses, Jer. 6: 15, compared with verse 20. Hypocrites and self-righteous persons do much more commonly abound in the former kind of duties than the latter; as CHRIST remarks of the Pharisees, Matt, 23: 14, 25, and 34. When the Scripture directs us to” show our faith by our works," it is principally the latter sort are intended; Jam. 2: from ver. 8 to the end, I John 2: 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. And we are to be judged, at the last day, especially by these latter sort of work; as is evident by the account we have of the day of judgment in the 25th of Mat. External acts of worship, in words and gestures, and outward forms, are of little use, but as they are a profession of inward worship: They are not so properly showing our religion by our deeds; they are only a showing our religion by words or outward profession. But he that shows religion in the other sort of duties, shows it in something more than a profession of words, he shows it in deeds.

And though deeds may be hypocritical, as well as words; yet in themselves they are of greater importance, for they are much more profitable to ourselves and our neighbor. We cannot express our love to GOD by doing any thing that is profitable to GOD; GOD would therefore have us do it In those things that are profitable to our neighbors, whom he has constituted his receivers: Our goodness extends not to GOD. but to our fellow Christians. The latter sort of duties put greater honor upon GOD, because there is greater self-denial in them. The external acts of worship, consisting in bodily gestures, words and sounds, are the cheapest part of religion, and least contrary to our lusts. The difficulty of thorough external religion, does not lie in them. Let wicked men enjoy their covetousness, their pride, their malice, envy and revenge, their sensuality and voluptuousness, amongst men, and they will be willing to compound the matter with GOD, and submit to what forms of worship you please, and as many as you please; as is manifest in the Jews of old, the Pharisees in CHRIST'S time, and the Papists and Mahometans at this day.

At a time when there is an appearance of the approach of any glorious revival of GOD'S church, GOD does especially call his people to the practice of moral duties.” Thus says the LORD, keep ye judgment, and do justice; for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed." (Isa. Ivi. 1.) So when JOHN preached that” the kingdom of heaven was at hand," and cried to the people,” Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make his paths straight," as we have an account, Luke 3: 4, the people asked him,

" What they should do" He answers,” He that has two coats, let him impart to him that has none; and he that has meat, let him do likewise." The publicans said,” What shall we do" He answers,” Exact no more than that which is appointed you." And the soldiers asked him,” What shall we do" He replies,” Do violence to no man; neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages." (Verse 10, 11,12, 13, 14)

11. GOD'S people, at such a time as this, ought especially to abound in deeds of charity, or almsgiving. We generally, in these days, seem to fall far below the true spirit and practice of Christianity with regard to this duty.—At a time when GOD is so liberal of spiritual things, we ought not to be sparing of our temporal things. So far as I can judge by the Scripture, there is no external duty whatsoever, by which persons will be so much in the way, not only of receiving temporal benefits, but also spiritual blessings, the influences of GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT in the heart, in Divine discoveries, and spiritual consolations. I think it would be unreasonable to understand those promises made to this duty, in the 58th Chapter of Isaiah, in a sense exclusive of spiritual discoveries and comforts: “ Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him, and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy health shall spring forth speedily: And thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward. Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am: If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon-day. And the LOUD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: And thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters fail not." (Isa. Iviii. 7, &c.) So, that giving to the poor is the way to receive spiritual blessings, is manifest by Psalm cxii. 4

Unto the upright there arises light is the darkness He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. A good man showeth favor, and lendeth; he will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he shall not be moved for ever; the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: His heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. His heart is established; he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies. He has dispersed, he has given to the poor; his horn shall be exalted with honor."

12. Some may object, that for persons to do deeds of charity in hope of obtaining spiritual blessings, would seem to show a self-righteous spirit, as though they would offer something to GOD to purchase these favors. But if this be a good objection, it may be made against every duty whatsoever. All external duties of the first table will be excluded by it, as well as those of the second. These have as direct a tendency to raise self-righteous persons' expectations of receiving something from GOD, on account of them, as those; and on some accounts more, for these duties are more immediately offered to GOD, and therefore persons are more ready to expect something from GOD for them. But no duty is to be neglected for fear of making a righteousness of it. And I have always observed, those that are most exact in external duties of the first table, and slack as to those of the second, are the most self-righteous.

If GOD'S people in this land were once brought to abound in such deeds of love, as much as in praying, hearing, singing, and religious meetings and conference, it would be a most blessed omen: There is nothing would have a greater tendency to bring the GOD of love down from heaven; so amiable would be the sight in the eyes of our loving and exalted Redeemer, that it would soon, as it were, fetch him down from his throne, to set up his tabernacle with men. I do not remember ever to have read of any remarkable pouring out of the SPIRIT, that continued any long time, but what was attended with an abounding of this duty. So we know it was in the Apostles' days: And so in the late remarkable revival of religion in Saxony, which began by the labors of the famous Professor FRANCK, and has now been carried on for above thirty years, and has spread its happy influences into many parts of the world; it was begun, and has been carried on, by a wonderful practice of this duty. And it is foretold, that GOD'S people shall abound in this duty, in the time of the great effusion of the SPIRIT in the latter days: “The vile person shall no more be called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful.—But the liberal deviseth liberal things, and by liberal things shall he stand."

Thus I have (by the help of GOD) finished what was proposed. I have taken the more pains in it, because it appears to me that now GOD is giving us the most happy season to attempt an universal reformation, that ever was given in New-England. And it is a thousand pities, that we should fail of that which would be so glorious, for want of our being sensible 01 our opportunity, or being a are of those things that tend to hinder it, or b> taking improper courses to obtain it, or not being sensible in what way GOD expects we should seek it. If it should please GOD to bless any means for the convincing the country of his hand in this work, and bringing them fully and freely to acknowledge his glorious power and grace in it, and engage with one heart and soul, and by due methods to endeavor to promote it, it would be a dispensation of Divine providence that would have a most glorious aspect, happily signifying the approach of great and glorious things to the Church of GOD, and justly causing us to hope that CHRIST would speedily come to set up his kingdom of light, holiness, peace and joy on earth, as is foretold in his word. Amen; even so: Come, LORD JESUS!