good of the church, Matt. xviii. 1 Cor. xi. 20, 22. The uncommon burft of light and influence of God's fpirit occafioned the converfion of many at the Reformation. Now a profane and careless spirit prevails. Great men do not now embrace the gospel, because that would not promote their carnal defigns, John vii. Matt. xi. 25, 26. 1 Cor. i. 25,-30. Such as apoftatife generally shut their eyes, and affect difputes and conferences as mere cloaks of their refolution, to which carnal profit, honour, or pleasure, has moved them. Many of them find themfelves incapable to digeft the abominations of Popery; others God gives up to believe lies, &c. 2 Theff. ii. 10, II. None need ever apoftatife, as if he had no fellowadherents to the truth, 1 Kings xix. Rom. xi.; but the fall of others fhould make us fear, Rom. xi. 1 Cor. x. Prov. xxviii. Phil. ii. 12, 13.: nay, our zeal should kindle, Luke xxiv. 32. Rev. iii. 15, 16. We should never fear the frowns of the world, Ifa. viii. Deut. xx. Rev. xxi. 8. Never feek worldly pleafures or profits, Gal. v. 24. 1 John ii. 1 Cor. vii. 29,-31. Exercife good works. To the threatenings and promifes of the world, oppofe thefe of Chrift, John xix. 11. Matt. x. 28. Heb. vi. 19, 20. 1 Pet. i. 4. Never be difcouraged, Rom. viii. 18, 19. 2 Cor. iv. 17, 18. Think much of death and judgment, Luke xii. 20. 2 Cor. v. 10. Matt. x. 32. Mark and avoid the caufes of apoftacy, Pfal. cxix. 37. Matt. vi. 19, 20. 1 Tim. vi. Prov. xxiii. 5.; or speedily get deliverance from them, Gal. ii. 20. and vi. 15. Pfal. Ixxiii. 23, 24. John vi. 66,-69. Phil. iii. 7-14.

59. Of one afflicted that his paftor hath abandoned his charge and profeffion of the truth-Even among the apostles

apoítles there was a Judas. Few minifters have felt the inward call of God's Spirit, Jer. xx. 7. but enter the office from worldly motives. No wonder that such a vain courter of popular applaufe, fo lazy, unfaithful, unexamplary, unzealous minister, apostatised, Rev. iii. 16. Jer. xlviii. 10. 2 Tim. iv. 1o. Matt. xxvi. John xxi. 15,-17. r Pet. v. 1-4. It is a mercy when such go off, Acts xx. 29, 30. John xiii. 27. Such falls but confirm, Jer. xvii. 9. 2 Kings xvi. 1 Kings xxii. where we fee priests and prophets fo ready to promote idolatry. Not all the preachers becoming zealous Papists could feduce the truly faithful, 2 Cor. iii. 1,-4. We ought not to hate, but to pray for fuch apoftates. It is scarce probable they can believe the articles of Popery themselves.

60. Of a dying minifter, who had been very faithful and diligent-Ministers had often as much need of help on death-beds as any. Christ had more reason of terror in his death than believers, Ifa. liii. 4,-8. 2 Cor. v. 21. Gal. ii. 4. and iii. 13. I fee fuch guilt on me, such defects and filthiness in all my labours, that I tremble to give my account to God. Alas! the infinite multitude of my fins, of omiffion and commiffion, in my personal conduct, and in discharging my office, even though I had great pleasure in it, and though God hath wonderfully honoured and affisted me. I am terrified, left God require the blood of my flock at my hand. Nothing for me but Chrift, and his blood and falvation. I am an unworthy nothing. I fear I may have my mouth fhut, or speak fome wrong words when thus dying. O young generation, who knew not the tenth part of my labour, feek to bury me alive! I fear I have travail

ed

ed in vain. How fweetly I die. Look on me as a poor; finner, needing infinite mercy and grace.

61. Of one whofe faithful minifter hath died-Remember and imitate his holiness and diligence in his whole converfation, Heb. x. 7. God hath removed him . to glory, from his unhappinefs among you, Dan. xii.

Matt. xxv.

per fucceffor.

Mourn his death.

Cry to God for a pro

ORD, I am now entering upon the 34th year of my ministry: An amazing inftance of fovereign mercy and patience to a cumberer of the ground! How strange, that thou shouldst have, for more than fixty years, continued striving to exercife mercy and loving-kindness upon a wretch that hath all along spoken and done all the evil that I could; nor ever would yield, but when Almighty influence of free grace put it out of my power to oppofe it.-Lord, how often have I vowed, but never grown better; confeffed, but never amended. Often thou hast challenged and corrected me, and yet I have gone on frowardly in the way of my heart. As an evil man, and feducer, I have grown worfe and worse.-But where should a finner fly but to the Saviour? Lord, all refuge faileth me, no man can help my foul.-Nothing will do for me but an uncommon stretch of thy almighty grace. To thee, O JESUS, I give up myself, as a foolish, guilty, enslaved, and polluted finner ;—and I hereby X folemnly

folemnly take thee as mine, as made of God, to me wifdom, righteousnefs, fanctification, and redemption !—I give up myself as a poor, ignorant, careless, and wicked creature, who hath been ever learning, and yet never able to come to the knowledge of the truth, to thee, O Lord, that thou mayeft bestow gifts on the rebellious, and exalt thy grace in shewing kindness to the unworthy. Saviour, come down, and do something for me before I die! I give up myself and family, wife, children, and servant, to thee, encouraged by thy promises, Gen. xvii. 7. Jer. xxxi. 1. Ifa. xliv. 3. lix. 21.--I commit my poor, weak, withered congregation, deprived by death of its pillars, that thou mayeft ftrengthen, refresh, and govern it.—I commit all my ftudents unto thee, that thou, O Lord, mayest train them up for the miniftry. May never one of them be fo unfit as I have been! Lord, I defire to take hold of thy new covenant, well ordered in all things, and fure. This is all my falvation, and all my defire. (Subfcribed)

JOHN BROWN.

MR