God, say, thou hast gone backward, thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Your condition resembles that of a person who, having been exposed to a paralytic seizure, requires some severe shocks to recover him again to sensibility. I would stir you up by putting you in remembrance how much better it was with you formerly than now, how offensive is a state of lukewarmness to Christ, Rev. iii. 16. What he pronounces concerning such, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and fit for the kingdom of God." soul hath no pleasure in him." backslider! take with you words, and turn unto the Lord, say unto him, "Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously;" and he will heal your backsliding, and love you freely; he will be as the dew unto your soul, so will you grow beautiful as the lily, and firm as the deep-rooted cedar of Leba

non.

looking back, is God saith, "My

Return then, O

Those who are truly conscientious and watchful may be exhorted to greater diligence in cultivating christian graces. "Add to your faith virtue and knowledge," &c. ver. 5. These things require and are worthy your diligence. To maintain the dignity of your christian character and profession, that both may be unsullied, rather that they may be adorned, be fervent in prayer, unwearied in good works, abounding in praise, and aiming to promote the highest end of life and religion. To conclude, 1. Here is a rule of duty for me. I am bound by duty and office to stir you up. I am inclined

by grace and affection; I renew my engagements to do so in dependence upon God, in his sight, and the presence of this assembly; better my tongue be silent, and my lips be sealed, than be unfaithful to your souls. I am in this tabernacle which must be put off, shortly put off. This the Lord hath shown me, not as he did Peter, but by his providence in the death of others, and in afflictions; and then, the soul, I hope, would go to the hands of a Saviour, I know it must to the bar of its Judge.

2. This should regulate your expectation in coming to hear; not to be charmed with novelty, not to have curiosity gratified, not to pass away an hour or conform to a custom, but to feel, to be impressed, to be quickened with the life of God, and to be active for his glory, and the promotion of his interest. This is to act agreeably to the design of providential dispensations sent to quicken us.

3. Inquiry. Is your knowledge connected with divine power? Has the gospel come to you in word only; or, do you know it to be the power of God unto salvation?

4. Let us unite in prayer. Brethren, pray for me, that I may not be negligent to put you in remembrance. Pray for yourselves, and each other, that my faithfulness may be received in love, and be made effectual of God; and now, unto him I commend this discourse, and you, and myself. Oh that it may appear, I have not run this day, nor laboured in this discourse, in vain!

SERMON VI.

PREACHED JANUARY 20TH, 1805, ON COMMENCING THE TENTH YEAR OF PASTORAL LABOUR.

Now 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.-ROMANS XV. 30.

I INTEND to dwell chiefly upon the latter part. The good providence of God has brought us to that sabbath in the year which is the anniversary of my coming to settle in this place. On this occasion, I have been accustomed particularly to address myself to the congregation and church under my pastoral care in reference to the relation between us.

I hesitated for some time, whether to continue the course or not, because it naturally leads to say something of self; and to speak of ourselves, in general, lays us open to misrepresentation and unkind comments: but, as I pursued the subject, I thought, if any should feel such a disposition, I have no particular occasion to regard them; certainly, not to regard them so much, as to make me deviate from a course that has gratified those

I am most desirous to please. But above all, “God is my witness" that my design in this discourse corresponds with the request-the pious, sincere, repeated request of the holy apostle-to engage the prayers of his Christian friends.

The text affords us two observations suited to the present occasion.

I. The union of interest which subsists between ministers and their people.

II. The co-operation of efforts desirable.
We are led to consider,

I. The union of interest which subsists.

In every existing relation, the concerns it involves necessarily become mutual; inattention to these in either party forbodes evil to that connexion. When we consider the relation in which a pastor and his people stand to each other, we shall perceive that it enfolds concerns of no small moment, and interests of no short duration.

What say the Scriptures? In what light does the truth of God represent this matter? Are we "the ministers of God?" 2 Cor. vi. 4. It is "the ministry we have received of the Lord," the ministry of his truth and grace. We have received it for your good; both the truth and grace are proposed to your faith, reception, and enjoyment, that it may prove the ministry of your reconciliation, the word of your salvation, and eternal life.

Do we, in consequence of this

seed of the kingdom?" Matt. xiii.

office, sow "the

This is to yield

fruit, in some thirty, some sixty, and some an hun