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misled by me, whom thou hast brought into this, place of torment! Yet, have we power to curse thee for thy cruelty. This, be our eternal joy. Peace expect not. If there be no peace to the wicked, there shall be none to them that made us to sin.'

And if we can imagine the contrast, see the blessed, while they acknowledge Christ their all in all, through whom salvation hath come unto them; see them, gratefully rejoicing around the Pastor, that cared for, and guided his people: that awakened, and convinced, and reproved, and advised, and comforted, and strengthened them, as they needed his fostering care. How is his hap

piness increased by the

reflection, that

Christ had used his humble services for bringing any unto glory! O! if it be gladness to make the child happy by an act of well-timed kindness; to spread a smile over the poor man's face, by judicious charity; to cheer the soul of the penitent by the promises of Christ's mercy; what shall be his joy, whom Christ hath made

the means of providing everlasting happiness, perfect glory, and boundless riches, for his fellow creatures, who were dead, but became alive again; who were lost, but are found.

And now, when I consider how many congregations are bound up in the calling of them that are before me; how much it depends on the zeal, constancy, knowledge, discretion, and pureness of life, in a great number of my hearers, how many or how few souls (of those for whom they shall one day become answerable) be saved, or perish, shall I not feel anxious, at the conclusion of our first academic stage, lest, in the eyes of Him that is perfect, there may have been some weakness of government, some feebleness, in knowledge imparted; lest there be some germ of failure in this institution, by Him not unobserved?

Yet can I be otherwise than thankful, for the gracious encouragement, which, thus far, His goodness hath been pleased to vouchsafe. And ought I not to intreat

you all to let no day pass, without distinctly praying to God for a continuance, to this institution, of His support and His loving correction? Remembering that some of you are, at no distant time, to be ordained, I cannot help occasionally addressing you, almost, as belonging to the Ministry. The longest view of such things is the safest. I feel sure that he, who is in heart turned unto the Lord, will find a chord in his soul ever vibrating to this touch. Judge ye yourselves by this trial.

Finally, brethren, "The Lord is at hand." Within a few days, and the descent of Christ upon earth to take our nature, to redeem, purify, and lead us to heaven, will be celebrated. As the Roman soldier, ere he went to battle, took the sacrament of fidelity, so do ye, at the altar of God, renew your vows of covenanted service to our Lord and Saviour. While you eat and drink in remembrance that Christ died for you, feed on Him in your heart, by faith, with thanksgiving: and pray

for strength from His Holy Spirit, to stand fast and to adorn His Gospel.-Let each year give its record of your triumphs against the enemies of your souls, by his in-dwelling power. Be strong, and he shall establish your heart. heart. Yea the Lord himself will deliver you from every evil work.

212

LECTURE XI.

66

1 TIM. V. 1-17.

REBUKE NOT AN ELDER, BUT INTREAT HIM AS A FATHER; AND THE YOUNGER MEN AS BRETHREN; THE ELDER WOMEN AS MOTHERS; THE YOUNGER AS SISTERS, WITH ALL PURITY. HONOUR WIDOWS THAT ARE WIDOWS INDEED. BUT IF ANY WIDOW HAVE CHILDREN OR NEPHEWS, LET THEM LEARN FIRST ΤΟ SHOW PIETY AT HOME, AND TO REQUITE THEIR PARENTS: FOR THAT IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE BEFORE GOD. NOW SHE THAT IS A WIDOW INDEED, AND DESOLATE, TRUSTETH IN GOD, AND CONTINUETH IN SUPPLICATIONS AND PRAYERS NIGHT AND DAY. BUT SHE THAT LIVETH IN PLEASURE IS DEAD WHILE SHE LIVETH. AND THESE THINGS GIVE IN CHARGE, THAT THEY MAY BE BLAMELESS. BUT IF ANY PROVIDE NOT FOR HIS OWN, AND SPECIALLY FOR THOSE OF HIS OWN HOUSE, HE HATH DENIED THE FAITH, AND IS WORSE THAN AN INFIDEL. LET NOT A WIDOW BE TAKEN INTO THE NUMBER UNDER THREESCORE YEARS OLD, HAVING BEEN THE WIFE OF ONE MAN, WELL REPORTED OF FOR

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