6

"boldly to the throne of grace, that we "obtain mercy, and find grace to help in"the time of need." That we may be encouraged so to do, we are here reminded by the Apostle, that the WORD OF GOD, who is to be our judge, is the Son of God, who, in consequence of his having taken upon himself our nature, cannot fail to be touched with a feeling for our infirmities; for "he knoweth "whereof we are made." However condemned then we are in ourselves, and condemned the very best of us must be, if standing by ourselves, in him the great and everlasting High Priest, who, by his one oblation of himself, hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified, we may have boldness in the time of need, provided we fall not after the example of the Israelites in the wilderness, through unbelief; who, being carnally minded, and devotedly attached to the things of this world, were destitute of that principle of faith, with out which, we are told, it is impossible to please God. Whilst from Scripture we are given to understand, that infidelity was to be one striking characteristick of

those

those last days in which we live. An awakening consideration this to all those, whose thoughts are too much taken up with the things of this lower world, to pay attention to the great work they have to finish in it, as preparatory to the account they are one day to give.

But whatever may be the state of many among us, and whatever cause we have to lament the deficiency in spiritual attain ments which must more or less be the consequence of that worldly mindedness, that dissipation, and that indifference to true religion, which so strongly mark the character of the present times; there are yet, we trust, to be found in this enlightened nation, a very considerable body, who, not having drank of the intoxicating cup of modern licence, or having, through grace, recovered from its effects, still continue to bear testimony to the pious Reformation of our forefathers. This consideration, under God, leads us to hope, that the ark of his Church, however tossed about and endangered by the proud waves of superstition, infidelity, and profaneness, may here find a resting place; in other

words,

words, that Christianity, to however low an ebb it shall elsewhere be reduced, may, in this favoured country at least, continue to be professed in unadulterated purity. And God grant that we, my brethren, may be in the number of those spiritual professors of it; who, through faith, made perfect by love, and patience unexhausted by trial, may be found among those who, in the great day of account, at the consummation of all things, shall be accepted in the BELOVED.

DISCOURSE XI.

2 TIM. III. 17.

That the Man of God may be perfect; thoroughly furnished unto all good Works.

To a due proficiency in any science, a proper acquaintance with the fundamental principles of it is a matter of indispensible necessity. The science of Christianity, whilst it boasts an essential distinction in its favour; that of being of all sciences the most important that can possibly engage the human mind; differs not in this respect from any other. An observation which obviously leads to the conclusion, that in this, not less than in other sciences, some regular system of instruction is necessary, to the attainment of that com

petency