perceive that we have; for the apostle saith, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

If the Gospel, with which we are put in charge by God, should have its designed, its saving effect, you will next inquire, whether or not you have repented; that is, whether sin has been so embittered to you, as to cause you to cry mightily to God for power to resist it. And if you have not, you will this day set about it with serious alarm; and this alarm will probably be increased, when we assure you, that you have not only your own sins lying upon you, but that many of the sins of your fellow-creatures are pressing you down to perdition. For, however little we may have considered it in the bustle of life, there are but few, who, in a greater or less degree, do not partake of other men's sins.

The primary design of these words was, to prevent Timothy, and, through him, all who have the appointment of preachers, of every sect and party, from hastily bringing forward those into the ministry who are not well approved. "Lay hands suddenly on no man." Do not, without much prayer and serious deliberation, appoint any person to the sacred ministry; for as it is a sin for an improper person to thrust himself into that sacred office, so he that sanctions him is a partaker of his sin.

Having premised thus much, we design to improve the subject, by pointing out in general, the nature and danger of partaking of other men's sins.

I am led to treat of this subject by a belief that the caution which it contains is much more necessary than men are apt to suspect; both on account of the

aggravation which our own sins receive, from a participation of the sins of others, and of our liability to partake of them, either directly or indirectly.

1. To begin with the leading thought which occupied the apostle's mind-When may a minister be said to partake of other men's sins? We have already stated, that a premature ordination, or imposition of hands, was the primary allusion of the apostle. In this there is injury done to the person who is ordained-to those to whom he is recommended or sent-and to the general cause. To the person so ordained, in that he, being a novice, is liable to be lifted up with pride, and to fall into the condemnation of the devil: to those to whom he is sent, in that he cannot take care of the church of God: to the general cause, in that the office and dignity of the ministerial character are disparaged. O what a serious account will those bishops, presbyters, and others, have to give to God, who, sustaining the responsibility of a general superintendence over the church, abuse it by ill-judged sanctions; and by "laying careless hands on empty skulls, that cannot teach, and will not learn."

2. But again, senior ministers may partake of the sins of their younger brethren in the ministry, in other ways. I say, sins; for who can doubt that pride is a sin; and what so likely to excite it as unqualified praise? Moreover, who will dispute that too great depression of spirit is criminal; and what so well calculated to produce and increase it, as that reserve, which by some has been miscalled prudence; by

which senior ministers withhold from their juniors the enlivening assurances of probable success, if they continue devoted to God, and attentive to reading? St. Paul was not afraid of doing harm, when he exhorted Timothy to stir up the gift that was in him; nor need we fear it, when we are speaking to Timothies!

3. But again; a minister may be said to partake of other men's sins in a more general sense. If he has run, not being sent, he shall not profit God's people; consequently the part of the vineyard entrusted to his care, must suffer for want of proper cultivation. If, being sent of God, he should become remiss or indolent; if, instead of giving himself to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine, he should fritter away his time in idle visits and frivolous conversation, such as is not profitable to the use of edifying; he falls under the denomination of an idler; and it is said, "Wo to the idle shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm; and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened." Zech. ii. 17. If the scruples of believers themselves are to be satisfied-if Moses and the prophets are to be brought to bear witness to Jesus of Nazareth-if the calumnies of the blaspheming Jews are to be repelled, and their misinterpretations of their own books confuted -if we are to be ready, that is, if we are to be qualified and prepared to give an answer to every man that asketh us a reason of the hope that is in us :-then a penetration in abstruse questions; a familiar knowledge of the Jewish history, and of all parts

of the sacred writings; a sound judgment; a faithful memory; and a prompt elocution, (to say nothing of a quickness in philosophical discussion, and a critical knowledge of the ancient languages) are talents, without which the work of an evangelist will be but ill performed.

4. But again; a minister may be said to partake of other men's sins in a still more direct manner. Leaving his example, when not in the pulpit, quite out of view, I shall not mention that misplaced familiarity which he indulges with the ungodly; unlike the conduct of David, who, when the wicked were before him, kept his mouth with a bridle. Ps. xxxix. 1. A familiarity which renders them much better satisfied with their state, and much more callous under his ministry, than if he were generally to manifest a respectful reserve towards them; as if he were sensible that the wrath of God abideth on them, till they have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before them. I shall not mention that time-serving sanction, which is given by some modern ministers, when asked their private opinion concerning some of what the world would call, and have them call, the innocent amusements of the day, or rather of the night: I shall only speak here of his public ministerial duties.

The design of the Christian ministry is to convert and save men. Now, prejudice against the peculiar doctrines of the Gospel, is one of the most common obstacles in the way of conversion.

The Scripture describes man as alienated from the life of God; as in a state of enmity against God; as in a state of wrath and condemnation; as dead in

trespasses and sins; as incapable of discerning the things of the Spirit; as evil, only evil continually, in the imagination of the thoughts of his heart; as without hope, and without God in the world. Does the minister, either through inadequate views of man's total apostacy from God, or to court the approbation of the worldly and superficial, satisfy himself with a qualified representation of the subject? Does he, by a general and timid description, weaken the whole force of this fundamental doctrine? He runs the risk of partaking of all the sins which arise from the impenitence of his hearers.

1. The word of God, when skilfully handled, is like fire, and a hammer; it is also compared to a sword. The minister who does not unfold the law, and strive to show men all the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and their need of repentance and salvation in Christ, is, in some sort, chargeable with their destruction. 66 I have made thee as a watchman unto the house of Israel-when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thy hand.” Ezek. iii. 17, 18.

2. Again, the Scriptures declare the indispensable necessity of regeneration, or the new birth; and describe it as the awaking out of sleep; the resurrection of the soul from a death of sin to a life of righteousness: the translation of the soul from the power of darkness to the kingdom of God's dear Son; the new creation in Christ; and so on.