SERMON V.

PREACHED JANUARY 15, 1804, ON COMMENCING THE NINTH YEAR OF PASTORAL LABOUR.

I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up, by putting you in remembrance.—2 PETER I. 13.

I HAVE been reviewing the time and circumstances attending my settling in this place; the engagements into which I entered with this Christian Church, were of the most sacred nature;-I then engaged to preach the word of life, and contend with simplicity and faithfulness for the faith once delivered to the saints; to promote the discipline of the Church, and regularly administer the ordinances of God; to warn the unruly, and comfort the feeble-minded; in short, to watch for souls, as one who must give an account unto God. When I considered what care, what wisdom, what affection, what zeal, what fidelity, what patience, are necessary to perform a work of such vast compass, to fulfil this ministry, I greatly felt my own insufficiency; and was ready to decline it, but considering I was called to it by Divine Providence, I entered upon the arduous undertaking,

"looking unto Jesus;" nor have I looked unto him in vain. Blessed be his gracious name, having obtained help from his fulness, and success in his service, I continue unto this day, which begins the ninth year of my ministerial work among you.

The return of this day is always attended with a peculiarly solemn impression on my mind; I wish fully to cherish those sentiments, which, under God, may promote my diligence: that with the apostle, (ver. 12,) I may say, "I will not be negligent;" still, I cannot expect much prosperity in my work, without your co-operation; that our active exertions may be united, permit me to adopt the language of our text,

"I think it meet to stir you up, by putting you in remembrance." I propose,

I. To offer a few remarks upon the text, and II. To imitate the apostle, upon the present occasion.

up," is

I. I shall offer a few remarks upon the text. The term which the apostle uses, rendered "stir very strong. The expression (deyɛípw) signifies, to raise, or rouse; to excite, or awaken; it is used in Matthew i. 24, for raising Joseph from his sleep; in Mark iv. 38, 39; the former, "they awoke him," and the latter, "he arose."

First. It appears that the word of God has a tendency to quicken and rouse us.

It never fails to effect this when accompanied by the influence of the Holy Spirit; but we now examine its native tendency and end. Does it

inform you that as sinners you are in a perishing condition? it is to make you cry out for help, "Lord, save or I perish." Are the terrors of the Lord set before you? this is to persuade you to flee to Christ the refuge. Is divine wrath revealed from heaven, as a tremendous storm ready to overwhelm you? it is to quicken your flight to him, who is a covert from the storm, and the tempest. Shall we, in connexion with this, consider the word as a divine call to evangelical obedience ? the work itself is enlivening to an ingenuous mind; the motives are all divine; taken from the highest authority, the claim of boundless grace, and comprehending the truest interest of man. Have you

a course to run? your strength is from heaven, the examples are numerous and animating; and on the goal is placed a splendid and eternal

crown.

Second. To make and keep men lively and active in the things and ways of God, is a great object with a faithful minister. Unless you become decided and active for God, we fear the seed of the kingdom we have sown has been lost; but, when we behold you lively in the way of holiness, we see a harvest to bless our eyes and gladden our hearts.

We are encouraged when we find any attainments in religion have been made, but still exhort,

66

walk by the same rule, and mind the same thing;" and, with us, leave the things which are behind, and press forward to the mark, and for

F

the prize of our high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

We are thankful when you walk without fainting; more so, when you run without weariness; but exceedingly joyful, when you fly as on eagles' wings, to take the prize; then, indeed, are ye our glory and our joy.

Third. In order to this, ministers are frequently to insist upon the most important truths: " putting you in remembrance," i. e. bringing again to the mind.

A faithful minister will not occupy your time by theological speculations or trite tales, nor seek merely your amusement and applause by elaborate discussions or the studied arts of the orator, but, by the manifestation of the truth address himself to the conscience of every man, as in the sight of God: thus our apostle reminded them of the truth and divinity of our holy religion, "We have not followed a cunningly devised fable," &c., verse 16. He shows them the dreadful end of the ungodly, 1 Pet. iv. 18; the importance and glory of redemption by the blood of Christ, 1 Pet. i. 18, 19; the energy of the Holy Spirit making the gospel effectual to regeneration and sanctification; and the final awful end of this lower world and all present things, that day of the Lord, which will come as a thief in the night &c., 2 Pet. iii. 1014. These awful realities, these glorious objects, these interesting truths, the apostle would present frequently to view, urge upon their recol