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t ALUMNI LIBRARY,

% THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, |

PRINCETON, N. J.

THE

DIFFICULTIES AND TEMPTATIONS WHICH ATTEND THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL IN GREAT CITIES i

SERMON,

rRKACHED IN

THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,

IN THE CITY OF BALTIMORE,

October 19, 1820 ;

AT

Cfje ©ruination anlt Installation

OF

THE REVEREND WILLIAM NEVINS,

AS PASTOR OF SAID CHURCH.

BY SAMUEL MILLER, D. D.

PROFESSOR OF ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORT AND CHuncH GOVERNMENT, IN TnE

THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OF THE PRESBYTKIUAN CHURCH IN THE

UNITED STATES, AT PRINCETON.

BALTIMORE :

PRINTED BY J. ROBINSON, CIRCULATING LIBRARY,

Comer of Market and Bclvidcre-stieets.

1820.

The following Discourse was delivered at the request of the Presbytery of Baltimore; and, in com- pliance with a vote of that Venerable Body, accom- panied by a similar vote of the Session and Board of Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church of Balti- more, it is now committed to the press.

In consequence of a severe indisposition under which the preacher laboured, several parts of the First Head, and the whole of the Second, were omitted in the delivery. The whole is now sub- mitted to the candour of the publick, with the hope and prayer that it may be in some degree useful. Princeton, October 25th, 1820.

THE DIFFICULTIES AND TEMPTATIONS WHICH 1TFBHS THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL IN GUI v I CI TO!

A SERMON.

Romans i. 15, 16. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to 'preach the Gospel to you that are at Rome also : for I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.

It is not known when, or by whom, the Gospel waa first preached in the city of Rome. Indeed the whole of the early history of the Church of Rome is in- volved in great obscurity; as if it had been expressly designed by infinite Wisdom, to discredit the claims of those who pretend to trace a regular descent, and to derive supreme ecclesiastical power, through the first Bishop of that Church. It was probably, how- ever, one of the first planted of the Gentile chun ties; perhaps by some of those who were scattered abroad by the persecution which followed the death of "Ste- phen; or possibly earlier than even this: for among those who heard the Apostle Peter preach on the day of Pentecost, and who were converted on that me-

morablc occasion, are mentioned strangers of Rome. These Roman Jews, on their return home, would not fail to proclaim to others the same precious Gospel which they had heard in Jerusalem; and, we may suppose, were instrumental in making a number of converts to the Christian faith. It is highly probable that the Church of Rome was founded thus early ; for the historian Tacitus tells us, that in the time of Nero, the Christians in that city were a " very great multitude :"* — And when the Apostle wrote his Epistle to them, (which is generally supposed to have been about the year 57, or 58) their faith, we are informed, was spoken of throughout the world.

The city of Rome was now at the height of its glory. It was the Metropolis of the world : — the great centre of all that was refined, scientifick, splen- did, luxurious, and fashionable in the whole Empire. There the wisdom of the wise, the power of the mighty, the magnificence of the rich and noble, and the licentious refinements of the sensual, held a sove- reign and most imposing reign.

The Apostle Paul, at the date of this Epistle, had never been in Rome. He had, indeed, as he tells the Romans in this chapter, long earnestly desired, and often intended, to pay them a visit, but had been hitherto prevented. Rut he was still, as he intimates, ardently desirous of going, and intent upon it. As

* Annal. xv. 44.

much as in me is, I am ready to preach the Gospel to you that are at Rome also ; for I tun not ask of the Gospel of Christ. As if he had said — •• V " withstanding all the splendour and luxurv. and " fashionable philosophy, and hostility to the religion " of Jesus Christ, which I know reigns at Rome, 1 " am ready to go thither, and bear my simple, hum- " bling message. I am ready to go even to imperial " Borne, though I am aware that the rich, the great. " and the learned of that splendid Metropolis, will all " be likely to be arrayed against me; .-still I am r« ad) K and desirous to go thither and preach the Gospel : "for I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ ; for " it is the power of God unto sulcatum to every one " that bclieveth, to the Jew first, and also tt> the " Greek."

By the Gospel we are to understand the glad tidings of salvation by a crucified Redeemer. That yronder- ful message, which informs man that he is a guilty, depraved, and miserable sinner ; but which, at the same time, announces to him, that tlicre is redemption through the blood of Christ, even theforgiix sins, according to the riches of his — which

proclaims, that in consequence of the fall of the first Man, his posterity are, by nature, condemned, pot* luted, and utterly unable to deliver themsefret; but that God so loved the world that he gave his tttty be- gotten Son, that wlwsoever believeth in Him might noi

8

•perish, but have everlasting life. That this eternal Son of God, equal with the Father in all Divine per- fections, in the fulness of time, appeared in our world, in the nature and likeness of man ; that in this mysterious union of very God and very man in the same glorious Person, He obeyed and suffered as the substitute of his people ; that, as their Covenant-Head, He made a complete atonement for all their sins, and brought in everlasting righteousness for their justifica- tion; and that all who, from the heart, believe in Him, whosoever will accept of mercy, ichcther Greek or Jew, Barbarian, Scythian, bond or free, are washed and justified, and sanctified, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God ; and shall be made perfectly blessed in the full enjoyment of God to all eternity.

This is that Gospel which shines in every page of Paul's Epistles ; which he solemnly resolved to preach, and to preach nothing else; and which he was ear- nestly desirous of proclaiming in Rome.

I propose to embrace and illustrate the leading thoughts implied in our text, in the following pro- positions.

I. There are peculiar difficulties and tempta- tions which attend the preaching of the Gospel in great cities; — and

II. It is of peculiar importance that the Gospel be plainly and faithfully preached in such places.

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I. There are peculiar difficulties and tempta- tions which attend the preaching of the Gospel in

GREAT CITIES.

It is not my purpose, at present, to speak of the difficulties and temptations which attend the Gospel Ministry in general, and every where ; but <>l those alone which may be considered as, in some degree, peculiar to great cities.

And, in entering on this branch of the subject, I need not say, that human nature is the same, both in city and country ; and that the same general vir- tues and vices are to be found in both. But it can scarcely, I think, be doubted, that particular circum- stances in both, are productive of appropriate effects, and confer upon the state of society in each an ap- propriate aspect. There is, if I mistake not, a sort of intensity of character imparted to the inhabitants of great cities ; an intensity generated and nourished, by the almost constant intercourse of persons of like taste and employment, and by the unceasing stimu- lants which such intercourse is calculated to apply. In no places on earth, assuredly, do we find inch extremes of character ; such exalted virtue, and diabolical vice ; such fervent piety, and daring pto- faneness ; such noble generosity, and sordid selfish- ness, as in great cities. We are told, that, in the land of our fathers, the phrase, " London piety/* is often employed to express the highest degree of

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heavenly-mindedness ; and " London vice" the most degrading and shocking depravity. We may apply the same remark, with some degree of propriety, to every great city. Cities are commonly the grand theatres on which both the good and the bad dis- play their greatest energies. Now, as in all society, the bad form by far the larger part ; and as their follies and vices are heightened by the circumstances in which they are placed in a great city ; there, of course, we must expect to find, in its most concen- trated virulence, whatever is hostile to the purity and simplicity of the gospel, and whatever is opposed to the success and the enjoyment of a Gospel Minis- ter. But to be more particular.

1. The accumulated wealth, and the consequent luxury and dissipation of a great City, form a serious obstacle to the plain and faithful preaching of the Gospel.

If wealth were generally employed, as some pious individuals have employed it, to promote the spread of the Gospel, and the happiness of mankind ; it would indeed be a real blessing, and its increase highly to be desired. But, alas ! in this depraved world, how seldom is wealth thus employed ! It is too commonly made to minister to the vanity and the lusts of its possessors ; and thus becomes a curse both to them, and to all around them. But in great Cities, where many wealthy individuals are brought

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together, and where the principle of competition and display maintains such a peculiar!) powerful influ- ence ; there the " pomps and vanities of the world"" hold an almost undisputed reign. There magnificent houses, grand equipages, splendid dress, and expen- sive entertainments, form, with multitudes the am- bition, and the business of life. There the unceasing effort of many, to rival those above them, to outstrip equals, and to dazzle inferiours, is the grand object, which keeps up the constant fever of anxious pur- suit.

While splendid living is the idol of one class, vari- ous kinds of amusement, commonly called pleasure, employ and corrupt a much larger class. Tin- theatre — the card-table* — the dance — the midnight revel, and every form of dissipation, are summoned to their aid to kill time, or to season the insipidity of sober life. Amusements are multiplied, and combined, and varied, and reiterated, until they become the chief, and, with many, the sole employment. And even some of those who are not engaged in these pursuits themselves, am so connected by various ties with those who arc thai they cannot escape the contagious influence. Cast an eye, my friends, over any populous city, and say whether the picture is not below rather than above the reality.

Now, need I say, that all this is directly contrary to the spirituality and self-denial of the Gospel ? Need

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I say, that a person who walks in such a course, even though he be a stranger to gross vices, cannot be a disciple of Jesus Christ ? No, brethren, as long as the Bible is our guide, it is impossible to decide otherwise. And I have sometimes thought that there is no class of persons more difficult to be approached and impressed by a Minister of Christ, than your gen- teel, decent worshippers of luxury and fashion. We cannot denounce them as immoral, in the popular sense of the term ; and they are apt to imagine that they are saints because they are not profligates. As long as this impression remains, there is no hope of their being profited by any thing we can say. With what an anxious and trembling heart, then, must a Minister of the Gospel go to proclaim his message in a place where such society abounds ! He needs not only all his fortitude as a man, but also all his confi- dence as a believer, and all the gracious aid promised by the Master whom he serves, to support and animate him in the undertaking. He, of course, takes no pleasure in delivering an unwelcome or offensive mes- sage, as such ; but would much rather, if it were possible, please all his hearers. How painful the task, then, to go to the tribes of vanity and frivolity, how- ever elevated in their own estimation, and address them plainly and faithfully, as Paul would have done, on the sinfulness and danger of their course ! How hard to natural feeling, to go to those who, it may

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be, a few days or hours before, caressed liim, and perhaps loaded him with civilities at the hospitable table, and tell them, that except a man be born agamy he cannot see the kingdom of God ; that he that be- lieveth not on the Son of God, shall not see life, but that the wrath of God abideth on him ; that we must noi be conformed to this world ; but must deny ungodli- ness and worldly lasts, and live soberly, righteously, and godlily in this present evil world ! — 0, what a temptation is here to soften or keep back the truth ! What a temptation to avoid dwelling on those great practical, Gospel doctrines, which he knows are so grating and offensive to many of his hearers !

But, alas ! even this temptation, fearful as it is, is not the whole of his danger. It will be well if, besides softening or keeping back the truth, he be not gradually and insensibly drawn to adopt in his own person and family, those very worldly habits, against which he was bound to have lifted up both his voice and his example. It will be well, if. in- stead of being a faithful reprover of prevailing vani- ties and follies, he be not, in effect, their daily patron. There is, I am persuaded, no harder trial of a Minis- ter's graces, than to mingle continually with the mem- bers of a wealthy, polished, and fashionable congre- gation, and at the same time to keep himsrlfnnspolhd from the world. Truly it requires the firmness, as well as the prudence of an Apostle, to be surrounded

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with the spirit of conformity to the world, and yet, without giving just offence, to have no fellowship with it : to be continually solicited by worldly blandish- ments ; and yet to maintain that holy elevation of sentiment and conduct which becomes an " Over- seer of tJie flock" a " steward of the mysteries of God:'

2. The refinements of philosophy, falsely so called, which are apt to reign, in a peculiar degree, in great and polished cities, are unfriendly to the preaching, and the success of the Gospel.

A variety of circumstances concur in drawing to large cities, a greater number, not only of the truly learned, but also of vain pretenders to knowledge, than are commonly found in other situations. In great cities, men of both these descriptions, are most apt to find appropriate society, and appropriate em- ployment. There they find excitement, and gratifi- cation, and scenes in which to display their talents, or their vanity. Of course, places of this kind are generally found to be the favourite theatres of their association and enterprise.

But need I remark, that persons of this character are peculiarly apt to be found arrayed against the simplicity and purity of the Gospel ? Not that I sup- pose genuine philosophy to be unfriendly to the religion of Jesus Christ. The real and profound science of such men as Bacon, and Boyle, and Newton, and

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Locke, and many more, demonstrated that knowledge. in itself, is a handmaid to religion ; a friend to faith. But the pride of knowledge, and the speculation <»i false science, are diametrically opposed to the hu- mility and simplicity of the Gospel. They are o< t- petually disposed to wage, a concealed, perhaps, hut real, and malignant warfare, against the Spirit, and all the distinguishing and most precious doctrines of Christianity. For example, the doctrine of the Divine existence in a Trinity of Persons, that fundamental doctrine in the system of Redemption : — The doc- trine of the fall and ruin of our race in Jtlam, our federal head and representative ; without which I irfll venture to say, both the language and the offer* «>t the plan of mercy are unintelligible : — The doctrine of atonement, by the vicarious sufferings, and of justi- fication, by the imputed righteousness of the Surety. which may be said to be the life and glory of the Gospel : — And, finally, the doctrine of Regeneration, and of progressive sanctification, by the power of the Holy Spirit, without which no man shall sec the I. 4 — are all doctrines which the spirit of false and van philosophy regards with aversion, if not with < on- tempt. When, therefore, a Minister of the <■ I goes to a place where large numbers of those \\ln» possess this spirit are collected and embodied* maat he not, of necessity, meet with peculiar obstacles. with peculiar temptations? If, indeed, he will con-

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sent to betray his Master with a kiss, and to preach another Gospel, all will be quiet ; this kind of oppo- sition will totally cease. But he dare not do it. If he would save himself and them that hear him, he must not think, for one moment, of such complicated treachery.

This consideration appears to have deeply impress- ed the mind of Paul, in the prospect of going to Rome. He was perfectly aware that the proud phi- losophers of that great Capital would regard with disdain a man, who came to them preaching salva- tion in the name of a despised Jew, who had been crucified at Jerusalem as a malefactor ; and preach- ing a salvation, too, which in all its features was adapted to abase human pride. He was sensible that he must go, calculating and contented, to be reckoned a fool and a madman, for coming with such a message to men who accounted themselves more wise than the rest of mankind. So he had found it in the polished and learned Athens ; so he had found it in the proud, luxurious Corinth ; and so he expected to find it, wherever he went among the great ones of the world. And, let me add, bre- thren, so must every Ambassador of Christ expect to find it in every age and clime, if he resolve to preach the Gospel of the grace of God, in all its plainness and primitive simplicity. He must calcu- late on being regarded by the vain, the conceited,

1?

the proud, the self-righteous, wherever he finds then. as a weak, prejudiced, sour, puritanical enthusiast and it will be well if he be not loaded with still more opprobrious names. But he must be wilting to en- counter all this, and more, for the sake of his Mast, r He must be ready to say, with the same Apofftffc, who penned the words of our text — We are count* d fools for Christ's sake : We arc made as thr filth of the ivorld, and as the offscour'urj; of all things. But none of these things move mr. neither count I my life dear unto myself so that I might finish pnjf course with joy, and the ministry which I han ft* ceived of the Lord Jesus.

3. Another difficulty and temptation in the wa\ of a city pastor, closely allied to the last which WW mentioned, is — That, in polished and fashionable so- ciety, there is always a peculiar demand for smooth

and SUPERFICIAL PREACHING.

It is not only the spirit of proud philosophy that is hostile to the Gospel. The spirit of luxury, and worldly refinement is equally so ; and is often a more dangerous foe for being more plausible and insidious. The votaries of pleasure and ambition de- light in that kind of preaching which will not disturb them in their unhallowed course. They say. M Pro- phecy to us smooth things" The more a sermon is decorated with the charms of a splendid rhetori< k ; the more it contains of the enticing words of man's

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wisdom, and the less of plain, and pungent Gospel truth, the better adapted it is to their taste. In short, they will not fail to be pleased with a preacher, who gratifies their fancy with brilliant imagery and lan- guage, and their ears with fascinating tones, and says little or nothing to make them displeased with them- selves.

Search Christendom over, my friends, and you will find this to be one of the grand temptations in preaching the Gospel to the luxurious and fashionable, especially in large cities. And, alas ! how many ministers who set out with the purpose and promise of being faithful, have fallen into the snare ! They have begun, perhaps, with that most vain and delusive of all calculations, (for such I verily believe it to be) that the doctrines of the Gospel are never so likely to find their way to the hearts of the gay and the worldly, as when they are covered and disguised with artificial ornament. Hence they have insensibly con- tracted the habit of preaching, — the truth, perhaps, — but truth so gilded over, — so loaded witii ornament, — so studiously divested of every thing adapted to give it edge and effect, as to be little if any better than keep- ing it back. This kind of preaching is greatly ad- mired by the people of the world ; but it leaves the pious to starve and mourn. It excites no alarm. It produces no complaint, on the part of the unbelieving and impenitent. It allows every hearer, who is so

1!)

disposed, to slumber in security ; and is adapted, ul- timately, to make those who statedly attend upon it. Christian in name, but heathen in reality.

Such have been the guilty course, and the fetal in- fluence, of many a polished, courtly preacher, from the age of Paul of Sanwsuta* to the present hour. If you doubt the fact, search with impartiality the records of Jerusalem and Jintioch, of Carthage and Alexandria, of Constantinople and of Rome . ami you will doubt no longer.

But, from a courtly, flattering mode of preaching. the transition is easy and natural to erroneous opini- ons. And, accordingly, great cities have commonly

* Paul of Samosata, was so called from the place of his birth. He was the Bishop of Jntioch, about A. D. 260. Queen '/.cnobia, who then reigned in Syria, had a great esteem for him, on ac- count of his eloquence, though she preferred the Jewish religion to all others. Paul, being a great courtier, in order to gain the favour of the queen, and to win her over to the Christian faith, endeavoured to accommodate his system of doctrine, and his mode of preaching to her taste. He denied the doctrine of tin- Trinity, as held by the orthodox, and also the proper Divinity of Christ ; and took great pains to add new splendour to the publick worship of his church. He at fust attempted to con- ceal, or explain away his opinions, and gave much trouble to the clergy of his time and neighbourhood; but was, at length, detected, and deposed from the ministry. See the accounts given of this man and his errors, by Eiisebius^ Athanasiti*, JVicefihorus, Theodorct, Chrusottom, kc.

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been, in all ages, the hot-beds of error. Because there have been displayed most frequently the pride of intellect, and those splendid temptations which are apt to beguile from the simplicity that is in Christ. In the great cities of the Roman Empire began that clerical ambition, which invaded the primitive parity of Gospel Ministers, and which finally issued in the Papal usurpation. In great cities, likewise, or, at least, in states of society similar to what is commonly found in such places, has generally commenced that fatal decline from orthodoxy, which began, perhaps, with calling in question some of what are styled the more rigid peculiarities of received creeds, and ended in embracing the dreadful, soul-destroying errors of Arius or Socinus* We might easily illustrate and confirm this position, by examples drawn from our

* The above language, concerning the destructive nature of the Avian and Socinian heresies, has not been adopted lighdy ; but is the result of serious deliberation, and deep conviction. And in conformity with this view of the subject, the Author can- not forbear to notice and record a declaration made to himself, by the late Dr. Priestley, two or three years before the decease of that distinguished Unitarian. The conversation was a free and amicable one, on some of the fundamental doctrines of reli- gion. In reply to a direct avowal on the part of the Author that he was a Trinitarian and a Calvinist, Dr. Priestley said — " I do " not wonder that you Calvinists entertain and express a strongly " unfavourable opinion of us Unitarians. The truth is, there

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own country, had we time to trace the history of several sects among us, and especially of American Unitarianism. But I forbear to pursue the illustration farther : and shall only take the liberty to aik, pass along — How it is to be accounted for, thai the preaching of those who deny the Divinity and Atone- ment of the Saviour, and who reject the doctrim Human Depravity, of Regeneration, and of Justification by the righteousness of Christ — How, I ask, u it to ba accounted for, that such preachers, all o\ er the w 01 Id. are most acceptable to the gay, the fashionable, the world- ly-minded, and even the licentious ? That so man) embrace and eulogize their system, without being, in the smallest perceptible degree, sanctified 1>\ it : Thai thousands are in love with it, and praise it ; but that we look in vain for the monuments of its reforming

" neither can, nor ought to be, any compromise between us. II " you are right, we are not christians at ai.i. ; and if we are " right, you are gross idolaters." These were, as nearly as can be recollected, the words, and, most accurately, the substance of his remark. And nothing, certainly, can In- more just B - tween those who believe in the Divinity and Atonement of tin- Son of God, and those who entirely reject both, " tJUre U a gui/ih fixed" which precludes all ecclesiastical intercourse. The former may greatly respect and love the latter, on account of other qualities and attainments; but certainly cannot n them as christians, in any correct sense of the word ; or as am more in the way of salvation, than Mohammedan* or Jeivn.

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and purifying power ? I will not pretend to answer these questions ; but leave them to the consciences of those who believe, that the genuine doctrines of the Gospel always have had, and always will have, a tendency to promote holiness of heart and of life ; and that we must all speedily appear before the judg- ment seat of Christ.

The preacher then, who goes to a polite and luxuri- ous capital, ought to be most vigilantly on his guard against the tendency and the influence of which I have spoken. He ought to be constantly aware of the difficulty and of the temptation before him : and while he endeavours to gratify, as far as is lawful, the taste for elegance and refinement in his publick ser- vices ; he ought, at the same time, so to preach as to be able, with truth, to say — I preach Christ crucified, not with the enticing words of mail's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power.

4. A fourth obstacle to the success of Gospel mi- nisters in populous cities, is the tendency of parti- cular circumstances, in such places, to harden the

HEART.

Of these circumstances I have only time, at pre- sent, to mention two — viz. familiarity with death, and the frequency and publicity of gross vices.

Few things have a greater tendency to impress and soften the heart, than Death, and the various attend- ants on the close of our earthly pilgrimage. The

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coffin, the shroud, the funeral procession, and the

open grave, all tend to inspire deep reflection and seriousness, in every man who has not become ob- durate as a brute. Nay, the most abandoned profln gate, and even the atheist, are compelled to be thoughtful while they stand over the house appointed for all living. Such, in fact, is the impression made. on the minds of most persons, by a death and a fu- neral, in those places in which occurrences of this kind are comparatively rare. But probably e\er\ one who has had an opportunity of making the ob- servation, has remarked, that in large cities, where deaths and funerals, and sometimes large numbers of them, occur every day, they, in a great measure, cease to make the impression which is proper and desirable. The scene is familiar. The mind be- comes, in this respect, hardened. And that whole train of motives which the Gospel preacher is wont to draw from the consideration of death and eternity, and which ought to be among the most awl'ulh power- ful, make, for the most part, but little impression.

The same general remarks may be applied to groei vices. In the retirement of the country, when KM b vices seldom occur, and when they do occur, are in a great measure concealed from publick \iew. liny are regarded with a kind of instinctive honor. But, in great cities, where they occur ererj d;n.and setter times every hour, and frequently court the publick

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eye, they are, insensibly, regarded with less and less horror. And it will be well if the minds of many, who once thought themselves beyond the reach of such an effect, are not gradually poisoned by the con- tagious example. It will be well if practices once considered as unquestionably and highly criminal, be not, by and by, so familiar to the mind, as to appear scarcely criminal at all, and as hardly a proper object of ecclesiastical discipline.

Now, it cannot be questioned, that whatever har- dens the heart — whatever renders death and eternity less impressive, and sinful practice, of whatever kind, less abhorrent to the soul, forms a real obstacle to the success of the Ambassador of Christ. It can scarcely, I think, be doubted, that this was one of the difficulties which the Apostle contemplated in the prospect of preaching the Gospel at Rome. There, he knew, that many of those practices which he must denounce as unchristian, were not only loved, but sanctioned by publick opinion, and by general habit. But in spite of this, and of every other obstacle, he declared himself ready to go forward ; ready to put his reputation, and even his life in jeopardy, to plead the cause of his Master against all opposition.

5. The only other peculiar difficulty which I shall mention, as attendant on the labours of a Minister of the Gospel in a great city, is that love of va- riety, and that fondness for religious dissipation,

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if I may so speak, which are apt to prevail in po- pulous places.

When a Minister is settled in a retired situation, or in a town where there is but a single church, and hut seldom an opportunity of comparing the ministrations of others with his, he has, comparatively, an esq task. He is, in a great measure free from thai pe- culiar pressure, which a very different state of things imposes on the city pastor. In great cities there is created a sort of morbid appetite for variety, and for an excessive quantity, as well as delicacy, of publick preaching. There is such an easy access to every sort of talent and manner, that it cannot fail of being extremely difficult for any one man to keep together, and to satisfy, a large congregation. If he hope to do it, he must not only preach the pure Gospel, with diligence and with power ; but he must also labour, as far as is lawful, to give his people that variety and richness of matter, which may be adapted to the various tastes of those who attend on his minis- try. He must labour, as our Lord expresses it, like a good householder, to bring forth out of hit treasure things neto and old. He must, as the Apostle, in writing to Timothy, exhorts — He must give attention to reading, as well as to exhortation : he must me? dilate upon ttvese things, and give himself irhotUj to them, that his jyrofiling wwy appear unfa tUL

But that love of variety, which is peculiarly strong

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in the inhabitants of great cities, and which a city pastor must make peculiar exertions to consult, and, as far as is proper, to satisfy, is not the whole of his difficulty. There is also a tendency in large towns, where publick exercises of religion abound, and where some churches, of one denomination or another, are almost always open ; there is a tendency among many professors of religion, otherwise exemplary, by far too much to neglect the duties of the closet, and of the family, and to be almost perpetually engaged in attending on publick services. I am a warm friend, not only to a punctual attendance on the stated ser- vice of the house of God on the sabbath ; but also to an attendance on prayer-meetings, and other si- milar exercises, as Providence may afford an oppor- tunity, in the course of the week. The person who has it in his power to attend such meetings, but has no taste for it, and seldom or never appears at them, gives too much reason to fear that if he have real religion at all, it is at a very low ebb in his soul. Nay, I have no doubt that, where the principle of piety is in a lively and growing state, such meetings will be regarded as a feast, and there will be a desire to enjoy them as often as is consistent with the other duties of the Christian life. But this desire may be, and often has been, indulged to excess ; especially by parents and heads of families. Many hasten from church to Ghurch, and from one social meeting to

27

another, until every hour on the sabbath, and everj evening in the week, are employed in publick ser- vices^ In fact, they seem to think thai tlu\ serve God acceptably just in proportion to the dumber M publick exercises on whirl) they can attend This religious dissipation — for it realty appears to me W deserve no better name — is productive Of multiplied evils. It interferes, almost entirely, with that critt self-examination, and sell-converse, which art M l sential to a life of growing piety. It abridge*, « prevents, in a most fatal degree, that faithful irtrtWc- tion of children mu! seiVanfe, which is indispensabk to training up a family in the nurture and admtotfMn of the Lord. And it tends to surcnar^ the niind with an amount of spiritual provision. wh'n * it rtfc* -r properly digested, or likely to be advantageousl) ap- plied. The consequence is, that the ybting and rising generation, in such families, are riftfe* prepared bj adequate training at home to hear the GOSpel with profit. While those who are more advanced in life, taking little or no time for meditation an«l reading in private, do not grow as they ought in Scriptural knowledge, and remain but hah. -s. while th.v ...Uit to be strong men in Christ.

Hence arises what is alleged by man) to t> fact, and what, I suspect, is really so ; that among the mass of the professors of reli-mn in great cities, there is, commonly, less accurate and digested know-

28

ledge of Christian doctrine, than among an equal number of professors in the country. Not that there is less general intelligence, or less access to books, in the former than in the latter : but, on the con- trary, more, usually, of both. But because there is more mixed society ; more of those distracting in- terruptions which multifarious society cannot fail to produce ; and, of course, less retirement, less religi- ous reading, and less leisurely digestion of what is read and heard.

Now, it is perfectly obvious that all this is un- friendly both to the comfort and the success of a Christian pastor. Whatever has a tendency to in- terrupt or to abridge the exercises of retirement and devotion ; whatever has a tendency to prevent pro- fessors o\ religion from enjoying much deep, undis- turbed converse with themselves, their Bible, and their God ; and whatever tends to interfere with the patient, laborious pursuit of family instruction, and family discipline, will always be found to have an equal tendency to increase the toil, and at the same time to diminish the fruit of a Minister's work : will render the closet a less edifying preparative for the sanctuary, and the parental mansion a less whole- some nursery for the church of God.

Such are some of the peculiar difficulties and temptations, which beset the Ambassador of Christ in a great city \ and which either hinder hi? sue-

01

cess, or increase his labour, or tempt him to employ unhallowed means for avoiding the trouble ulm b thej induce.

It cannot be necessary to add, that, mete th being so, the situation of a city-minister i>. bj no means to be coveted or envied If he have B mofc comfortable temporal support than usually folk feo the lot of his country brethren (though this ie bj n<> means always the case, and perhapi more leldom than is imagined, when everj thing ia taken into me account) ; and if he enjoy the advantage of more intelligent society, and of greater literary pri he has, at the same time, if he be faithful, more severe labour ; more perpl oring care j more die- tracting interruptions from unprofitable company : less command of his time, for either rtudj or de- votion; and less ministerial comfort, lie is like ■ soldier, who is not only always on duty j but ahvayi in the front of the battle ; often on the forlorn hope ; and if he be sometimes cheered with the voice of appro- bation, and the ahout of victory, be ia, perhape, atOJ more frequently assailed by the murmurs of COD> plaint, and discouraged by the faiffleaanem of mi

toils.

I have dwelt so Ion- on this branch of me sub- ject, that less time than I couWwiab « l«ft for con- sidering the second proposition. Which is

II. That, as peculiar diilicullies and ten.ptatioi^

30 attend the preaching of the Gospel in great cities ;

SO it is Of PECULIAR IMPORTANCE THAT THE GOSPEL BE PLAINLY AND FAITHFULLY PREACHED IN SUCH PLACES.

It is of unspeakable importance that the Gospel be plainly and faithfully preached every where. For it is the -power of God unto salvation, to every one that be- lieveth. If the salvation of the soul be of infinite moment ; if the Gospel of the grace of God be the only message of life and peace to fallen man ; and if he that believeth this Gospel hath life, but he that believeth it not, shall not see life, but hath the ivrath of God abiding on him ; — then no tongue of men or of angels can tell the importance of preaching the Gospel, in its simplicity and purity, to every creature.

But the thought which I wish to illustrate and enforce is, that there are some considerations which render it peculiarly important that the Gospel be plainly and faithfully preached in great cities. Among many which might be suggested, I will only request your attention to the following.

If there be any justness in the remark offered in a former part of the discourse, that there is a certain intensity of character usually observable among the inhabitants of great cities ; that, especially, their luxury and dissipation, their follies and vices are, in common, more strongly marked, than in the more

3]

spare population of the country ; then it follows thai there is, humanly speaking, more m;, J( of the <■ in the former than in the latter: .1 more unpen,. us call for exhibiting, in all its solemnitj end power, that most potent of all means for opposing ud snbduin* the depravin of man. It is g nnxiin. among physicians, that the most strongly marked di-. call for the most bold and vjgourous treeinent To counteract a poison of peculiar virulence, remediei of the most active character must !«• employed N it is in the moral and spiritual world Where diffi- culties more than common]] powerful ami obstinate exist, remedies of corresponding potencj ought to be sought and diligently applied. Since, then, tin' I pel of Christ exhibits the onl\ adequate remedy (oi human depravity and misery, it ought to !»«• preached with peculiar plainness, fidelitj and perseverance, wherever the diseases which it is intended to heal reign with more than ordinary malignity.

Again; it is of peculiar importance t!''t the 1 1 pel be faithfully and powerfully preached in - cities, because there it is commonh addressed to

GREATER NUMBERS AT OMCB tll.'lll ill more M

places. There the preacher has a more favourable opportunity of doing good upon ;i I !■• : ind,

of course, the result of a given amount <•! labour, other things being equal, will !>•• likelj to be more extensively useful When Peter preached at Jem

32

salem, and Paul at Antioch and Corinth, they seem to have accomplished more by single sermons, than by many, in the smaller settlements which they visited.

A large city, likewise, forms, as it were, the heart, the most vital portion of the State or Country to which it belongs. It gives fashion, and almost law, to the surrounding districts. A favourable impression made here, will be extended in every direction. A happy impulse given here, will vibrate, and be be- neficially felt to the remotest bounds of the social body. How important, then, that in the Metropolis of a State or Nation, the truth be known and ho- noured, and orthodox churches established and edi- fied ! How peculiarly desirable, that in such a great centre of action and of influence, there be able, faithful men, well qualified to be guides of the faith and practice of those around them !

Further ; in a great city, there is special need of instructive, faithful preaching, because there, as you have heard, there is apt to be less reading, less re- tired devotion, less patient use of the private means of growing in scriptural knowledge, than are com- monly found in other places, where the means of grace are statedly enjoyed. It often happens, in large cities, that the instructions given from the pulpit, form the greater part of what many professors of religion and others, ever receive. Of what unspeak-

3S

able importance is it, then, that the preaching, n. such circumstances, be plain, clear, sound, able, faith* ful, and edifying! How important that preachen scribes, well instructed m ih< kmgfrm of S qualified rigidly to divide the word of (rata, ami give to every one his portion in due SSOfflM I

In a large city, moreover, the faithful, popular preacher will, almost everj sabbath, addreai i auna> ber of strangers, who flock to the Metropoha, on business or pleasure, from every pail of tbt sur- rounding country; and who. if they be bene! themselves by his labours, will earn with them a portion of the sacred treasure, wherever the] journ, or wherever they abide. When I't U t preached in Jerusalem, on the day of Pentecost, be was 4a instrument of saving benefit bo main who resided m almost every part of the Roman Empire. Borne "I the inhabitants of Egypi and of the L Crete and Arabia, of Rome and of Purtliia. I found together, drinking in the Word "I" lift from his lips; and each, afterwards, -r oing to I"- am home, we may suppose, became B saaani • knowledge to many around him. 0 how aium and, at the same time, how >oh nm. h thai thought to one who, from sabbath to sabbath, proclaims the message of salvation in a populou> citj I Brerj lime he enters the pulpit, he will, perhaps, preach to -„„ who never heard him before, and will new hats

5

34

him again ; and who may carry away an impression eternally beneficial or injurious, according to its cha- racter, not only to themselves, but also to many others over whom they may exert an influence !

Finally ; in a large city, as we have seen, there is generally collected a much greater amount of intellec- tual power, of literary acquirement, and of pecuniary means, than are to be found in other places. Of course, if a right direction be given to publick sen- timent by the faithful preaching of the Gospel (and we cannot hope that it shall be given by any other means) we may expect to see a much greater amount of talent, of learning, of wealth, and of exertion de- voted to the cause of the Redeemer, to the promotion of human happiness, than could otherwise be reason- ably expected. The servant of Jesus Christ, then, who takes the oversight in the Lord of a large and wealthy city congregation, may consider himself as called to preside over the movements of an Engine of mighty power, which, under wise guidance, may accomplish more than can easily be estimated ; — not for his own personal aggrandisement ; — not to gratify the littleness of sectarian bigotry ; — but to support and extend those great plans for building up the church of God, at home and abroad, which now do honour to those who engage in them, and which will promote the happiness of unnumbered millions in time and eternity.

35

It is plain, then, that the labours of a Gospel Mi- nister, in a great capital, are more important than those of most others in the sacred office :-— That greater benefits, or greater mischiefs are likeJ) to flow from them, according to their character ! — Ami that, as lie is called to struggle with many peculiar and most painful difficulties ; so he has. al-<>. pi cubar in- ducements to be faithful, and maj expect peculiar rewards for his fidelity.

This subject appears to mo to be replete with in- struction both to our young Brother, who i> tin- to be invested with the sacred office ; and also to thai portion of the inhabitants of this great city, who are statedly to attend on his ministrations.

First ; let me apprj the r in irks which have b made to the youthful Candidate, whose investment with the office of an Ambassador of Christ, and whose pastoral charge over this people, are this daj to I" -in My beloved Brother! the great Head of the Church has cast your lot in a most important and interesting station. He has been pleased to place too on one of the most conspicuous hills of Zkm. 1 >u hare heard of the difficulties and temptations which will attend you. Contemplate them without self-flattery, but, at the same time, without dismay. Thej are real. They are formidable. Nay, the half has not been told vou. Allow one who himself resided more

36*

than twenty years in a large city, to speak with some degree of confidence on this subject. Rely upon it, the splendour of wealth, the fascinations of refined and elegant society, the charms of luxury, the caresses of respect and kindness, and the insinuating voice of popular applause are more truly dangerous to a Mi- nister of Christ, than the terrors of persecution. More dangerous to his ministerial fidelity, — more dangerous to his ultimate peace. Turn not away, I beseech you, from a distinct view of this danger ; but, in the name and in the strength of your Master, regard it with a steady eye, and as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, gird on your armour.

Preach the simple and pure Gospel. Be not ashamed of it ; though the children of gaiety and dissipation call you rigid, and even fanatical ; and though the self-righteous and philosophical consider the cross as folly ; — be not ashamed of it. Let your resolution be that of Paul — For I determined to know nothing among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified. Whether men ivill hear, or whether they will forbear, hold forth the word of life. Hold it forth, without disguise or concealment ; in all its majesty and pu- rity ; in all its humbling and elevating character. And be careful not only to preach the gospel ; but also to live the gospel. Let all your deport- ment be a living, striking comment on the holy, humbling, and self-denying doctrine which you will

preach. Remember, that, not <>nl> ererj leneon you deliver, but ever] word you utter, mm! everj

part of your example, <>n thi> liill of Zion, wil of peculiar importance; nay, perhaps, anil be the rise or fall of many m brad. Let thi m •!!. nb< ft, (more I cannot say, and more I need not raj h I tl all be such as becometh the Qoepei qfJt i I I

In pursuing this course, \<>u will gain with al, and lose with none. It is a common opinfc n, thai when a Minister of Christ is in the company of the gay and the worldly, he con< their rei

as much conformity to tbeir practice! rmn

will permit. There never wae ter mini

I grant, that, by pursttifcg mis coune, toaj i ciliate their prevailing tami; and their preaent wish- es; BUT NOT THEIR JUDGMENT, Of their I

They never fail to think the leal of him, al the time, for all his concessions to their habits of life j seldom fail to speak of it to bis diaadfi B n* he has withdrawn. No ; the jodgment and the science of every worldly man, nay, of the m gate man fomiacky, are stronglj in fcronrol i holy, retiring, Beltaenied character on the Ministers of' the Gospel When snco i ch exhibited, it imariably extorts evea from I licentious, the homage of md -'"'"'

and they are amon, the lirM to remark wit* on every departure from it. Be t»«ed, then, that

38

a Minister of the Gospel, by every act of conformity to the maxims and maimers of the world, loses in the estimation of the worst of men, and grieves to the heart the generation of the righteous.

When I think of your ministry in this place, my dear young Brother, I am ready fondly to hope that we may apply to you the same exhortation, and the same encouragement, which were given by the Saviour himself to the Apostle Paul, when he was about to preach in the city of Corinth. Be not afraid, said the ascended Redeemer ; Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace ; for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee ; for I have much people in this city. Acts xviii. 9, 10. So, in my Master's name, I would say to you. Be not afraid ; but speak, and hold not thy peace ; for the Lord is with thee. Be faithful ; for the Lord, I trust, has much people in this city. Be faithful unto death, and thou shalt receive a crown of life. Remember that the true honour of a Gospel Minister consists, not in receiving greetings in the markets, or in being invited to tlie uppermost rooms at feasts, or in being called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. No ; his honour con- sists in doing good ; his laurels are conversions ; the highest eulogium that can be bestowed upon him is that which is recorded of a Minister of old — He was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith, and much people was added to the Lord.

Remember, also, the shortness and on life ; and endeavour everj everj daj to live, hi if if mighl (•• jour last 0 an affecting comment oo tfaii counsel i> the - removal of that precious young Miniate] ol I who, not long since, proclaimed hi* \1 - within these walls, but has recently been trans another, and, we trust, a better world ! ¥es, the p the eloquent, the noble-minded, the beloved Larm your brother, and companion in study, i* no mi Ecen so, Fullur. foi • i m thy s\ I

Make it your daih and hourlj care, mj

* The Rev. Syi.visi i h I.\ terian ciiurcli in the city ol before the delivery of this discourse, in I age, and in the midst of high prom vicum to a malignant fever, which wi of his residence. He and Mr. Ntrob the Theological Seminary, of whi< h th< \ is one of the Professors, and were much attsched I Mr. Lamed, not long before his i First Presbyterian church in Baltimore to be ISM I with a disinterestedness, M Btrikmg M i( ii to forsake a congregation which he b forming, and which he considered labours Few young Ministers of the pi i a higher place in the publick regsxd, and generally lamented

40

Brother, to be ready to follow him ; ready to obey the summons to yourself, whenever it may arrive. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, may you receive a crown of glory that shall not fade away !

In the second place, let me apply the subject be- fore US tO THE MEMBERS OF THIS CONGREGATION.

You are not to imagine my friends, that the dis- cussion in which we have been engaged, is applicable only to him who is about to become your Pastor. It has a direct, and very solemn application also, to the flock of Christ, of which he is to be an overseer. You reside in a great, rich, polished, and luxurious city ; a city which appears destined to become one of the greatest in this Western World. While this circumstance will be, as you have heard, a source of difficulty and of temptation to your Pastor, it will be a source of no less temptation to yourselves. O my friends ! such a situation is a trying, a peculiarly try- ing one to professing Christians. They walk every hour in the midst of contagion and of danger. Watch and pray without ceasing, I beseech you, .against the unhallowed influence of the worldly splendours and attractions which surround you. Cherish in your persons, and in your families, those Christian virtues of moderation, simplicity, self-denial, and purity, which are so essential to social and ecclesiastical happiness. Guard against a criminal conformity to the world, that reproach and bane of the church of Christ.

41

Above all, invite die holy, sanctifying Spirt -.1 G into your city, and into roar church j and dm from this great centre of lit'.' and activity, beaJtkM

influence will be pouring forth in everj dm-, Hon, and diffusing blessings far and wide.

lou have invited this young Brother., great)] ; loved and respected i»\ bis Teachers, bo be row Pastor. Despise not his yuutli. I; Embassador of Jesus Christ; for he cornea in II name, and bears His message. Remember tin- diffi- culties ami temptations which will await htm in this wealthy capital, and add not to then Qomber bj yom manner of treating him. Instead of weakening bis hands, or tempting him. h\ anj conduct on your | to be ashamed of the (losprl, or to keep ' disguise it, let your treatment of him and bis minis- trations be always such as to excite and anil him to greater fidelity and holy seal. Make i p of encouraging and supporting him in the exi n ■ enlightened christian discipline. Without aaaac sood measure of oiai ipliwb, there ma) I"

OBE6ATION ; but I nil! \ciitnn- to lay, I •"•<

be a ( in i;« ii. Never account him four onenay, cause he tells you the truth. Win n bfl leti h you your guilt and depravity bj natural irliei ha reminds you of your sins aid your danger | when he describes to yon *e terrors of the jnrigni "' and the miseries of the danned in li.-ll. — l-

42

offended. He will take no pleasure in dwelling on these things for their own sake : but only that by exhibiting your danger, he may constrain you to flee from the wrath to come, and to lay hold on the Hope set before you in the Gospel. And surely, my friends, if the danger of impenitent sinners be as great, as tremendously great, as the word of God declares it to be, that Minister who should fail to warn them, and to set before them their real situation, would deserve to be accounted their worst enemy, and to be abhorred for his want of" fidelity.

When I look round on this great city, I think of Borne, as it was when Paul went thither to preach the Gospel. I think of its prosperity and grandeur in that day ; and I ask myself — Where is it now ? Alas ! its glory is departed ! Had Rome been faithful to its privileges, it had retained its glory to this day. But it became corrupt and corrupting ; and the righ- teous Governor of the world brought upon it his destroying judgments. My dearly beloved brethren, read in the history of that city, at once what will be your happiness and safety, and where your danger lies. Your happiness and safety will consist in che- rishing the Gospel ; in opening your houses and your hearts, as well as your church, to its blessed influence. Your danger will lie, in rejecting that Gospel, or in turning away from its spirit and power, while you bear its name. Behold, I set before you, this day.

43 life and death, blesshaj; and turning Tin <> u>\< < /mv

Jife, J/ia£ 7/oju' souls mayUve. The Lord Hen

and fcee^ i/o?t .' TV Lord make by /bo /" »/"n>

upon 7/ow, am/ 6e gracimis unto yon ' '/'//< / /i/Y T<j)o»i jfoti //"• KgfcJ o/Jbifl (vault linn" . and i/oit jpeace / Amen.

END OF THE SERMON

BY THE REV. ELIA^ EABBI80N,

OF Al.r.X ANUKI v

THE CHARGE TO THE PASTOR.

You are now, my brother, standing before tin- sembly, and in the presence ol the greai Search r of all heavts, in circumstances the most interesting, the most solemn, and the most affecting. The g] Head of the church, who watches over all its in- terests, and who is invisiblj directing the desti of the created universe, baa this day, bj an ordi- nance of his own appointment, selected yon from the world, and invested you with the sacred office of the ministry of reconcilktium : — an office, si i the most important, the most honourable) and the most responsible that has ever been committed into the hands of men.

From the transactions of this solemn boor, you have become a Minister of Jems Chris! • — a ftssasfd of the mysteries of Qod : — an Ambassador >>/ th KingofZion : — and a Dispenser ofiht word of fy that flock, over which God in his electing proridi has made you an overseer. The relation into which you have now entered, and the character which frota this period you are to sustain in life, are »i« h a- a? awaken the liveliest interest ; and t" eicita bo the bosoms of the friends of Zion. the BBOet pV asing

48

animating expectations. As office-bearers in the church of our Divine Master, and as co-workers with him, in the building up of his gracious kingdom in the world, we cannot help hailing this event, not only as propitious to the general interests of religion in this place ; but as an increasing evidence, that the superintending care of the great Shepherd of Israel, is still extended to every portion of his widely-scatter- ed flock. We hail it as a token for good to this people who have affectionately called you among them to be their pastor ; to watch over their spiritual and eternal interests ; to go in and out before them, and break unto them the bread of life : — as an evidence that Zion is still enlarging her borders, and stretching forth the curtain of her habitation : — and as a pledge, a renewed pledge, that God will never forsake that church which has been so dearly bought with the blood of his only-begotten, and well-beloved Son.

But while we do this ; and while with the most affectionate cordiality we welcome you into the mi- nistry of reconciliation, as one well furnished, and well qualified to sustain the sacred office ; we must inform you at the same time, as much in affection for you, as in faithfulness to ourselves, that the stand which you now occupy, is the most solemn and re- sponsible under heaven : that it has connected with it, a weight of responsibility, which, without support, would be sufficient to make, even the shoulders of an

U)

angel bend; and which, uhen n.immplat.d ■ * proper light by an inspired AfKtttfe, bdeced almost in despair, to cry out, M7,o u *,,/; tJiesc things ? Are you, too, read] to link ,, prospect, and to break out in the MUM df »QHJM| exclamation. Let not your heart be troubled ; fa He who has said, " Go and preach tin- Gospel," also said, for your encouragement aad rapport, ■■ Mi

grace is sufficient for you." From

this moment you belong almost exclusive!) to the church. It has now claims upon \»»n of racfa impor- tance, and of such a binding natun . is that thej never be cancelled in any other manner, than bj tin- withering scythe of death. Jesus Christ I missioned, and sent you forth n preach the mysl of his everlasting kingdom — to dispense the ordi ces of his house — to watch for the sihatioa -•! mi- mortal souls — to nourish his children pith me bi of life — and both by precept and cxamplr. spiritual guide to that people, the charge of whom is now committed into \oiir hands From h« m «•- forth, you are to know nothing anion- them preach nothing among mesa, bat Jbam Ck m\ <ans! km cmrijhd. We charge you nefef n your fatter of instructions* has been dictated inspiration of Omnipotence. M Be • ' • God) I hate Bet mac ■ I watchman to the h Israel. Therefore thou shall bad the RPSJfd frosa BJ

7

50

mouth, and warn them from me. When I say of the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die ! if thou dost not speak, to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity ; but (mark the appalling consequence) his blood will 1 require at thine hands."

This then is to be your guide, in all your after ministrations. You are to search the Scriptures, and preach the whole truth, as it is in Jesus. You are not to keep back any thing, because it may not hap- pen to suit the taste or feelings of your auditory, even though it may be disagreeable to yourself. Shun not to declare the whole counsel of God. With a spirit of love, of meekness, and humility, contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. You are to alarm the careless and secure, by the thunders of Sinai, while you sooth the desponding penitent, by pointing him to the balm of Gilead, and the glo- rious Physician. And these things you are to do, without being influenced by smiling favour on the one hand, or the appalling frown upon the other. Acting under the broad commission of the eternal Son of God, and having his precious promise, that he will be with you always, — giving you strength equal to your day, and even making his own strength perfect in your weakness ; you have but little cause for fearful apprehension, even though your labours should be unsuccessful : — though your message should

be rejected, and your name east Ml with mf.un) and reproach. Whither nun will bear, or whether they will forbear, i> \<> you a matt r <>i i omparaam h small importance ; provided yaa warn than in 1 1 1 « - spirit of Christian meeknesf and affection. l>v deal1 ing faithfully with them, that tremendoue load responsibility which now reata upon jroo, mil thrown off upon the heada of thoee bj wham poet message is rejected. Heaven and earth will witneee for you, that if the] perish, you will I" free from the guilt of their blood.

In order, however, that your miniatrj D - a>

cessful, and that you may be cheated with the p pect of many souls, who shall be M i iwwia ol pm rejoicing in the day of the Lord; 1. 1 **■ peopk see, that their interwrta, are in a Uftiaiawe, idc.iui.-d with your own— that you indeed lore tin in— that tin- salvation of their immortal boov m an object which

lies very mar ymir hrarl-\\vA to Im- tin- bapfl I

honoured instrument of earing linn. Iron, ruin, and of exalting them to the bhsi of beaten, tea an bill- ing to deny yourself of many outward oanfcrti .-lu be& instant in season, and out of m every thing for them, wlurh the naiun- of toot i tion renders either nee,-.,, or cmmm*M* I

the doctrines which rou pteach in .1- pulp

preachedal.oin^ourholvandhUn.l^.n.ou, L Be an example t. the whole iWk-m -nd.

52

in faith, in charity, in meekness, in patience, in con- versation, in purity, and in whatsoever things are lovely and of good report. It is the very essence of folly, for a Minister to expect the fruits of holiness in his people, or that they will listen with edification to his preaching, unless his own walk and conversation be such as becometh the Gospel of Christ. While, therefore, you exercise the wisdom of the serpent, let your life be an exhibition of the harmlessness of the dove. Follow up the instructions given publickly in the house of God, into the families of your flock. Instruct them in the domestic circle — converse with them with freedom and familiarity ; and on all suit- able occasions pray with them. Make this a matter of conscience, as frequently as the important duties of the study will leave you opportunity. For let me tell you, and I do it in some measure from success- ful experiment, that there is nothing, which so much endears a Pastor to his people, or a people to their Pastor, as frequently visiting, and conversing with them in their families. The union which is here formed, in this publick and official manner, is there cemented. The hearts of Minister and people, become knit together in the strongest ligaments of mutual affection : their interests seem to be one : they bear one another's burdens with cheer- fulness— sympathise in one another's afflictions, and thus become co-workers together in helping for-

63

ward the interests of their common Masti p'i k dom.

With these remarks, we shall leave you . i you, at the same time, before <'«"1 ami the Lord J< Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead, il appearing and kingdom, preach tin IM in-

stant in season, and tnd of M rebuke, with all long-sufferings and patience. II ing fast ihe faithful word, at you Ana been tax that ijou may be abh to conmnct tkt And now may the God of peace, who brought if from the dead our Lord Jeeue, that g Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the ofariai

Covenant, make you perfecl in eferj | I work, U)

do his will: working in jou thatwhich iewefl i ing in his sight, through Jenu Cbrial : to whom k- glory for ever. Amb*

54

CHARGE TO THE PEOPLE.

It has also become my duty, on this solemn, and pe- culiarly interesting occasion, to address a few words to the members of this congregation.

My beloved Christian brethren, He who watches over the interests of his Zion, and who for this purpose, is represented as walking in the midst of his golden candlesticks, has this day given an assured evidence that he has neither forsaken, nor forgotten you. God has this day answered your petitions. From the heights of his sanctuary, upon the holy hill of Zion above, he has beheld the afflictions and difficulties under which you have been struggling, and lias at length fulfilled your wishes, by granting you a Pastor — a Pastor, we trust, after his own heart : one who will go in and out before you, and feed you with knowledge and with understanding. . . . . On this auspicious occasion, then, while we tender most sincerely our Christian congratula- tions, we would, at the same time, unite with you in devout thanksgiving to our common Lord and Saviour, for this renewed instance of his grace. It is with gratitude, as well as joy, that we hail this event as a token for great good : not only as a pre- cious pledge of Christ's acknowledgment of you as his people •, but of his continued merciful remem-

bnmte of tins portion of hn nnnmnl /', |

ft//fcJ7ofA-, for the Urdu ill Ik,, „„,,., „,,„„ ,

* this cm of our Boiemnhief. \\ , believe, n, i„, - thren, (and we ,,.,•„!,-,. in „„. (,)Mli(|nii,. .^^ by this belief) (ha! the , Inn, h .„ mhkk now convened, has beei h„,|, „,„,„ me fain* of the Prophets and Apostle*- .1, , ( brfc |llIIl8etf being the chhf-conuv stone. U e belie* A .. has thoughts of peace lower* tins ,1,,,,,!,. ;iI)(! of evil: that he will give it in expected end oi :.il its troubles— water it abundanth uiih the dewi ai heaven— build it op bj the ini-lih w,,rkm- ol own Spirit— and estabhafa n m MamM Zioft, td cannot be mooed.

Id order, however, thai thii objeoi maj be complished, it hum not be forgotten, thai important duties to be discharged, m ireH bj the members of this congregation, aa bj oar beloved brother whom you have this daj received to future Pastor.

That he may be successful in building op jn church, in winning aoula to Christ, and in edifj those who are of die household of faith, n will necessary that you should belp him forward u work. That your bDeralitj will keep ham ibove the reach of temporal want, and ofeoorae mii-inkuraased with any secular employment, is whal the Presbyl take for granted. And more man mis, wa beJ

56

that you will bid him God speed, in all his future labours : that you will wish him success in every Christian and benevolent undertaking ; and that his publick ministrations may be followed up with an enriching blessing from above. And this, as far as it goes, is certainly all very well. But, brethren, it is not enough. Commendable as it is, something more is still wanting. There are too many in the world, I am well aware, who, after they have gone thus far ; after they have settled their Pastor, — made suitable provision for his temporal support, and com- forted him with their congratulations, and general good wishes, are in the habit of supposing, that then they have done every thing, which, for persons in their situation, was either necessary or proper. And were nothing more expected, or desired, than the mere exercises of the pulpit, on each returning sab- bath, this, perhaps, would be sufficient. But, my brethren, something more than this is expected, and something more ought to be expected. The Chris- tian Minister, who trembles under the awful weight of responsibility, which rests upon him as an Ambas- sador of Jesus Christ, feels for the eternal welfare of the people of his charge. He longs for the salvation of their immortal souls : pants for seasons of refresh- ing from the presence of the Lord, that the fruits of his labours may be seen in the pious and godly con- versation of his flock And unless his

people stand by him— unless they hold up \m b by their united ami importunate wrettl the

throne of grace— unless th* \ give bin their deckled countenance and support \ And, in boom i bour with him, he must inevitable sink under the burden. It is almost impossible that any tl should be expected. He would find himsell incessantly against a strong and impetuous i which, unless ultimately counteracted bj the inter- posing arm of Omnipotence himself) would render all his pious and well-directed efforts compk U l\ fruit- less and unavailing.

We charge you, therefore, to renn mber this : and while your Pastor is labouring, and praying, and striving to promote your eternal int him your most unlimited countenance, I heerfulrj help him forward in his arduous work, bj your ad well as your wishes: give liim a cordial \\.l<"in<- into your families: make his publkk mhnstntioni efficacious, by your united prayers : aid him bj j counsel, in administering the disapUxu of the i bun h and make that discipline to I"- retpeded, not by. a determination t<> Bee it rigidly enforced upon others; but by cheerfully submitting t<» it when it is found necessary that it Bhould be I I ! "i""' v"">- sclves. Without this, our honk <•! dm inline would be- come a mere (\vm\ letter; and. for all the g I n would

produce, might as well be thrown twaj si on

B

58

Give your Minister sufficient time to study ; and occasional opportunities for relaxation from the duties of the study. There is, I find, a very mistaken im- pression gone abroad in the world, with respect to this matter also. Multitudes suppose, that, as a Clergyman has but little bodily labour to undergo, therefore the life which he lives, must of necessity be a very easy one, to say the least of it ; if not a very lazy one. They seem to imagine, that he ought to be able to preach not only at any time, but at all times : and that, too, with the same appropriateness of subject — the same excellency and variety of matter — the same elegance and polish of diction — and the same animation and impressiveness of manner. And it is a fact, that he is often made the subject of se- vere censure and animadversion, because he will not preach more than three or four times in a week, be- sides attending to all his other parochial duties. If, brethren, Ministers at the present day are influenced in the same manner as the Apostles were, i. e. by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, this impression is then undoubtedly correct. If, however,* it appear, that they are nothing more than mere men after all — prepossessed of nothing more than ordinary capaci- ties, and capable of acquiring nothing except through the same means which are made use of for this pur- pose by other persons ; that is, by the most patient, laborious, and persevering exertions : — if this be true,

5<J

as it most assuredly is, the impression i. not oolj injurious one, but such as no person i rous

feeling ought to harbour in bis bosom for a sii moment. I am no advocate for indolence, an* any class of people : much less among the Clergy, I know that much is expected <>!' diem — much ought to be expected of them : and if Ihej perform ti duty, in reference to the account which thej must last give of the manner in which mej bavedischaq their Stewardship, I know they Witt never I tied, without doing even thing mat Ihej well can do But I must protest, and I </o. meal solemnly, against overloading them with am burden, which meg not able to bear. Let them onls be rith the

same deference to feeling, and the same regard to comfort, as other people are ; and it' thq are < tistied with this, they will have imbodj to blame but

themselves.

If, then, my brethren, you wish your Ministe be respectable— if you expect instructioii from publick ministrations— if you desire him to the truths of the Gospel in such ■ man* arrest, and keep up me attention— if yon wish him to arouse those who are alumberii m*

those who arc wavering— w animate those who desponding-tocon.nl,. those who an > afflict- in one word, to perform biedutj with fidelity to bim- self, and with benefit to you, we charge you, ft* hi

60

lay too much upon him. Allow him always sufficient time to prepare himself beforehand : and never find fault with him for not doing, what in the nature of the case it was not possible that he could do. Be mutual helps and comforts to one another — forbear- ing one another, and forgiving one another in love. If there be any strife between you, let it always be who shall be most forward in advancing the interests

of our Redeemer's kingdom And may

the very God of peace be with you : may his bless- ing which maketh rich, and addeth no sorrow, ever attend you : and may that endearing relation, into which you have now entered, be a source of con- tinued comfort — a cause of incessant gratitude ; and, to multitudes, the commencement of everlasting fe- licity and joy. Amen.

THE END.

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