power of God unto salvation,

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unto my

soul, and unto every one that believeth. No, instead of this, the faint-hearted flinches in the day of battle, and suffers Satan's emissaries to stalk about the field in fancied triumph. It is this meanness of soul, which makes the trembling spirit slink away in silence, instead of bidding defiance to the hiss of venomous insinuation. Or, if he speak, it is in that under-tone of faultering hesitation, which, almost, betrays the cause, which he has vowed at the Altar to defend. My beloved brethren! go not forth in this mind. Be the same for Christ, before one man, and one company, that you are before another. Be the fervent, conciliating, stedfast defender of the truth. Lift up your heart to God, in these moments of subtle assault, for strength; and while the enemy comes on in pride and selfconfidence, go thou forth, in lowliness and faith in Christ; and rejoice, if you can speak

4 Rom. i. 16.

boldly for your Saviour, when He is insulted. He is looking down upon you. The cause is His. "Be faithful unto death, and He will give thee a crown of life'." But if you deny Him by silence, or unworthy compliance, He will deny you before His Father, and the holy angels, in the day of retribution.

Was God

III. Nay, rather let the Gospel be dearer unto us than life itself. manifest in the flesh, for us, and for our salvation? Let us humble ourselves for Him; serving Him among His people, with humility of heart, and condescension to men of the lowest estate. As the Son of God was humble and lowly, so let us be humble and lowly in deed and in truth. That Spirit, which justified the Saviour of men; and with full unction poured out His grace on the head of Christ, will descend also to sustain all the members. For, if we be in Christ, the Spirit dwelleth in us; and

1 Rev. ii. 10.

I

more grace is given to them, that use His preventing influences, and profit thereby. Even to them, is He precious, that pray for His help, morning, noon, and night; as hungry and thirsty souls, living “in a barren and dry land, where no water is." Cherish, then, His promised help in private and public; in God's word, in His Sacraments, and in all the channels of grace. 'Ask, and ye shall have 1.” "He waiteth to be gracious 2."

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Gazed at by angels was the Son of the blessed. Shall we, "members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones "," be slow to meditate on Jesus? To adore Him, to prostrate the heart before Him, by faith, until, faith is turned into vision, and hope into enjoyment? Look, indeed, unto Him, and be saved: for in Him only, is salvation. He is "the Lord, our Righteousness +." But, for the impenitence

4

1 Luke xi. 9.

3

' Eph. v. 30.

2 Isaiah xxx. 18.

4 Jer. xxiii. 6.

of man, such a system of mercy as the Gospel, must long since have spread over the earth. Be it our care, that every soul, both far and near, shall know, that Jesus died to give him life; and that "whosoever cometh unto Christ, shall in nowise be cast out 1." Preach unto the poor and ignorant, with as much tenderness, and interest in their salvation, as unto the rich among your flock: that, when the chief Shepherd shall appear, we may be found with Him, acknowledged for His own; endeared to Him by our services, cleansed and accepted by His mercy, however in themselves imperfect; and our chief joy shall then be, that they, who have believed on Him, through our word, shall be found with Jesus, "received up into glory."

1 John vi. 37.

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LECTURE IX.

66

1 TIM. iv. 1-10.

NOW THE SPIRIT SPEAKETH EXPRESSLY, THAT IN THE LATTER TIMES SOME SHALL DEPART FROM THE FAITH, GIVING HEED TO SEDUCING SPIRITS, AND DOCTRINES OF DEVILS; SPEAKING LIES IN HYPOCRISY; HAVING THEIR CONSCIENCE SEARED WITH A HOT IRON; FORBIDDING TO MARRY, AND COMMANDING TO ABSTAIN FROM MEATS WHICH GOD HATH CREATED TO BE RECEIVED WITH THANSGIVING, OF THEM WHICH BELIEVE AND KNOW THE TRUTH. FOR EVERY CREATURE OF GOD IS GOOD; AND NOTHING TO BE REFUSED, IF IT BE RECEIVED WITH THANKSGIVING FOR IT IS SANCTIFIED BY THE WORD OF GOD AND PRAYER. IF THOU PUT THE BRETHREN IN REMEMBRANCE OF THESE THINGS, THOU SHALT BE A GOOD MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST, NOURISHED UP IN THE WORDS OF FAITH AND OF GOOD DOCTRINE, WHEREUNTO THOU HAST ATTAINED, BUT REFUSE PROFANE AND OLD WIVES' FABLES; AND EXERCISE THYSELF RATHER UNTO GODLINESS; FOR BODILY EXERCISE PROFITETH LITTLE; BUT GODLINESS IS PROFITABLE UNTO ALL THINGS;