Does the minister confound this universal change of heart and life with the sacrament of baptism? Does he make it out little more than the decency of professional character? He runs an awful risk of destroying the souls of his hearers, by thus lowering the energetic influence of vital Christianity so infinitely beneath its own magnitude and design, which is to renew the heart, and save us from the world, self, and sin.

3. Once more; the Scriptures speak of God as willing the perfection or sanctification of believers, and promising that sin shall not have dominion over them; as having provided a Saviour for them, whose blood cleanseth from all sin. Does the preacher

plead for the necessity of indwelling sin? He runs the risk of eclipsing the glories of that Gospel, which, proceeding from God, is as pure as its Author, and which effects not its purpose till it purifies as he is pure.

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I cannot close these remarks without observing, that without a clear perception of Gospel truth, and all the freshness and permanency of its moral influences; without a sense of God, and of the rightful allegiance that is due to him; without a dexterity in comparing the heart with the requirements of the law of God; without practical appeals to the conscience; without an inward discernment of the very element and principle of rebellion in the heart, and that general coldness which prevails concerning the matters of duty and salvation; unless there is such an earnest and overpowering sense of all this, as will fix a minister down to the single object of deliverance; as will make him awake only to those realities

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which have a significant and substantial bearing on the case that engrosses him; as will teach him to nauseate all the impertinencies of tasteful and ambitious description; as will attach him to truth in its simplicity; fasten his every regard on the Bible; and endear him to that plainness of speech, by which his own experience is set evidently before him; and that plain phraseology of Scripture, which is best suited to send home the doctrine of redemption in all its truth, and all the preciousness of its application in one word, unless the wisdom of winning souls is dearest to him-throwing away all the loveliness of song, and the insignificancy of its passing fascination: unless these, which we denominate the gifts of the Holy Ghost, are possessed by a minister of the Gospel; though his deficiency may not be of a nature to be referred to any particular head, he is a solemn trifler-he is a prostitutor of the sacred office-he is a canker to religion-he is dragging down his fellowcreatures to damnation, by weakening the vital influence of Christ's all-powerful Gospel, by his ill-judged eloquence, or by the spiritless impotence of a dead ministry.

My time, well nigh exhausted, will not suffer me to abstract from the primary design of these words, and apply them, as I had intended, generally to all men. I intended to show how pernicious is the influence of example; and how, by the mysterious sympathies of our nature, mankind are drawn together, and formed on each others character and model; and how they insensibly slide into manners that are continually pre

sented to view in the public example; and how the greater part of the world follow just as they are led. We did design to point out especially, what a fatal currency actions receive from the example of the rich. For proof of this, I might refer you to the perpetual change in the article of dress, and every thing whose chief recommendation arises from fashion. The agreeable effect of an ornament arises from the principle of the association of ideas; and it is only while such an article of dress is confined to the rich, that it will please. When it is obtained and worn by the poor, who strain every nerve to keep up with the rich, it not only ceases to please, but fills the mind with disgust; being associated with the ideas of absurd imitation and vulgarity, and is accordingly laid aside by the rich. Hence too, it is, that the abettors of riotous amusements and pleasures, which debauch the mind, seek to give celebrity to an intended ball, by exhibiting a few leading names as managers: this obtains for the rout the denomination of decent. But I confess, I never could think that great names can sanctify crime, or weaken the force of God's word, which places revelling among the seventeen black marks of abomination, and declares that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven. O ye corrupters of the age, who give tone to the public manners, how many crimes, not absolutely your own, will appear against you in the day of eternity..

I did design also to show, how easily we may unawares partake of other men's sins by counsel; and

the evil effect of the counsel is greater, when those who give it are regarded as superiors.

It would be easy to show that we partake of other men's sins by ridicule, and attaching disagreeable ideas to religion, either through enmity to the cross of Christ, or to show our wit. We are, doubtless, chargeable with the sins of others, which we might have prevented by a proper exercise of that authority, which nature or Providence has given us over them. And here we can but observe, what cause we have to fear, lest, for want of parental restraint, our children should charge us with their destruction in a coming day.

We partake of other men's sins, when we furnish them with means and opportunities of sinning. How oft is this verified in the indulgences allowed to children, both in their dress, and in the company they are permitted to keep. But I cannot enter fully into these subjects; nor shall I even mention provocation, flattery, and concealment, as so many different methods by which we partake of other men's sins.

What we have said will cause every one to examine, whether, in addition to his own sins, he may not have to answer for the sins of others also. And those who have been promoters of sinful actions in others, may be well assured that they will have the greater punishment.

But as it is possible for us to partake of the sins of others, may we not also be the promoters of other men's righteousness? May not the faithful minister of the Gospel, though but a humble instrument in the hands of God, look forward with joyful antici

62 HARRIS'S SERMONS ON IMPORTANT SUBJECTS.

pation to that day, when those who have turned many to righteousness shall shine as stars in the firmament for ever and ever? O what will he feel in the contemplation of a laborious, successful, and completed ministry, when hundreds shall arise in the face of saints and angels, and point to him as the honoured instrument of their salvation. And you, who, by a godly example, have shown the power of religion, what ecstacies will feel, when younger saints in glory will say, In you was I first taught to set a proper value on religion. And you, parents, how will it overflow your hearts with transport indescribable, when, in the congregation of the righteous, your children shall arise and call you blessed.

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My brethren, the kingdom of Jesus Christ is to be established in this world, and we may all regard ourselves as called to help in the great work. But you, the ministers of my God, you, in particular, are workers together with God. O let us bring every talent to the foot of the cross, and work for God; he will pay us by and by. Go on, honoured fathers, in the glorious work and you, my younger brethren, feel for Zion; take pleasure in her stones and dust. Help, local brethren, or let us help you.

O Lord Almighty! do thou help us all. Baptise us with the Holy Ghost, and the pure fire of thy love: and hasten the triumphs of thy coming kingdom: Amen.