selves, and striving to convince our flocks both in our public discourses and domestic intercourse, that the wisdom of the Gospel is chiefly addressed to the heart, and therefore is easily understood by all. It is in affecting that it enlightens us, in affecting that it persuades. Directed by the light of faith, the eye of the true Christian is intensely fixed on the great sphere of eternity. He knows and contemplates the rapid advances of that futurity, which is not measured by the succession of days and nights, or the revolu tion of years and ages. With these profound and magnificent impressions, no interests can possess or transport his heart but those to which he is invited from above. No, not a desire of his soul,-not a movement of his life,-no apprehended evil,—no idea of happiness, that does not in some degree refer to eternity. When once, my beloved hearers, these divine convictions, these sublime elements of faith, are suffered to have due influence upon a minister and his people,—and the inward teaching of the Holy Spirit has convinced a congregation, that the Supreme God is addressing them by the mouth of his appointed delegates, faithfully delivering to them the message of salvation: then, O then, would a little paradise spring up on earth, and flocks of such descriptions, however small at first, would entice many wanderers into their sacred and lovely enclosures! Then would a divine emulation be excited between the pastor and his charge, to aim at such excellence in their several departments, as might create a delightful hesitation in pronouncing, whether the saving lessons of the Gospel are delivered with more zeal and fidelity, or received and obeyed with greater relish and effect!

I trust, my brethren, that on the present occasion, we may, without incurring the censure of presumption, humbly indulge in these pleasing anticipations. In taking upon himself, at this time, the sacred character of a Presbyter in the Church of Christ, I have no doubt but the first desire of our reverend brother's heart for his flock is, that

they should be saved; and I trust a sincere intention to concur with his ministrations to this purpose, is cherished by all the members of this Church. Their past and present exertions, so liberal, so uncommon, are a sure pledge of their future zeal in the cause of the sanctuary. While discarding from their minds every feeling of bigotry, and cherishing for sister churches sincere esteem and affection, they still felt the want of their own peculiar institutions,―of the forms by which their forefathers had worshipped the Eternal. They felt the want, and they have supplied it, supplied, in a manner that reflects the highest credit on their characters, which nothing can enhance but such a punctual and uniform line of Christian conduct, of genuine piety, and of strict conformity to the doctrines, discipline, and usages of our Church, as may exhibit all her works and comeliness to the world; and convince our fellow citizens, that she is indeed deserving of all our zeal to support her.

You will pardon me, my brethren, if, in concluding this discourse, I avail myself of this occasion to present you with one affecting exhortation, or reflection, to strengthen the predilections which have called forth your exertions in behalf of this church. Call to mind, my brethren, the days that are past, the famous men of old,—the founders and fathers of our beloved Zion. "By them," to use the words of the wise man, "the Lord through his power from the beginning has wrought great glory." "Men giving counsel by their understanding, and declaring prophecies. Wise and eloquent in their instructions. All these were honoured in their generations, and were the glory of their times. Their bodies are buried in peace; but their name liveth for ever more." Yes, my brethren, while the world shall last, and merit be regarded, "the people will tell of their wisdom, and the congregation will show forth their

* Ecclus. xl. v.

praise." While, like these our spiritual forefathers, we have no interests distinct from those of our congregations, no pursuits but such as are calculated to insure individual holiness, and social happiness, and a blessed immortality, I am persuaded we shall always experience, from our brethren of the laity, that indulgence to our frailties as men,that attention to our instructions as ministers of Christ,that support for our families,—that affection for our persons-and that co-operation with our exertions, "to turn men from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God," which will sweeten all our labours,-bring glory to God,-extend and hasten the kingdom of the Redeemer, bestow comfort on our Church, and on all the friends of true religion,-confer on our country the most signal benefits, and, in a word, tend powerfully to the attaining of that everlasting salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord, which, together with God's glory, is the end and design of all the institutions and offices of religion. And now, to God the Father, &c. &c. &c.

SERMON X.

CHRISTIAN BAPTISM.

Go YE THEREFORE AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST.-Matt. xxviii. 19.

HERE is the important and divine commission, delivered by Christ to his disciples, when after his resurrection he met them on the mountain,* where he had commanded them to expect him. To convince them that he spoke as one having authority, he begins by assuring them "that all power is given unto him in heaven and in earth." And in consequence of this his supreme sovereignty over all the nations of the earth, he charges his Apostles to go forth among them to communicate to them the glad tidings of his Gospel, and to baptize them in the name of the one living God, existing in three distinct persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. No powers were ever delegated with more solemnity or more precision than these. The words are few, explicit, and unequivocal. They are so plain and simple, that they seem to defy every attempt of sophistry to elude their obvious meaning, "Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations ;" or, as the original Greek expresses it— "Go ye, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

From this explicit injunction and fundamental commission of our Lord and Saviour, delivered on such a solemn

* Matt. xxviii. 16.

+ Ibid. 18.

VOL. I.

12