fear, and in much trembling." If he asks his own heart, Where is the ardent love to Christ, the compassion for perishing sinners, the delight in the service of God, which are the qualifications of a faithful pastor? Where the purity of heart, the meekness, the humility, the heavenly mindedness, the fervent piety, which should adorn the example of the flock? Such questions impress him with a sense of something more than "weakness;" and lead him to "fear and tremble," lest, by his conduct, he should injure rather than assist the holy cause of which he is the advocate.

The account which I have given of the weakness of a Christian Minister is indeed very humiliating; yet there is a point of view in which the contemplation even of this weakness may serve at the same time to encourage man and to glorify God. When the Lord had said to St. Paul, "My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness," the Apostle at once founded this conclusion upon the review of his infirmities; "Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me; for, when I am weak, then am I strong." And the same language may every Christian Pastor humbly adopt. His

strength is indeed perfect weakness," but he may be strong in Christ Jesus. Christ has pro

"

mised to be with his Ministers always, even unto the end of the world." Encouraged by this gracious declaration, I would trust that the word spoken in great "weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling," may yet be made effectual, by the power of Christ, to "pull down the strong holds of sin and satan."

I have now briefly stated the causes which ought to produce, in every Christian Minister, a sense of weakness and an impression of fear. It will not, I trust, be thought foreign to my subject, to apply what has been said of the duties of the Minister to the practice of his Hearers.

If he, then, is impressed with awe, from a sense of the worth of their souls, ought not they also to consider their inestimable value? Ought they not to reflect seriously upon the importance of their eternal happiness; and to weigh all that relates to their salvation with attention, with impartiality, and with a wish rather to profit by what is said than to criticise the mode of saying it? If, again, the glory of Christ fill the Minister with a consciousness of utter inability to sustain the character of His steward or ambassador; should not the majesty and power of the Master induce you to respect His words, and the doctrines drawn from them, though conveyed by the medium of a feeble

and unprofitable servant? If, also, the strict account he will be required to give of his ministry, induce him to labour that he may discharge it faithfully; shall not the sincerity of his intention, and the awfulness of his responsibility, excuse the freedom of his admonitions? And is it not of moment to consider, that it is not he alone who shall render an account of his conduct; and that if the preacher be responsible for his preaching, the hearer must, in an equal degree, be responsible for his hearing?-Again; if the minister is in danger of sinking under the impression of his own weakness and incapacity, is it not the duty of the congregation to interpret both his words and actions with candour and charitable allowance? Ought they not to reflect, that a weak and unworthy messenger may faithfully and honestly convey a most important message? Ought they not to weigh impartially, and without prejudice, the doctrines which derive their sole authority from God's written word, although delivered by one neither possessed of any authority in his own person, nor indeed ambitious of it? Ought they not to afford him encouragement, not only by a patient hearing of his counsel, but by that best and most animating reward-a ready compliance with it in their practice?

Finally, my brethren, let me entreat of you, that which indeed might have been added to

your duties, to join with me in earnest prayer to God, that He who "giveth eyes to the blind and feet to the lame," may preserve me from faltering or fainting in my Christian course; that He, who ordaineth strength of praise even out of the mouth of babes, may enlighten me by his heavenly wisdom, encourage me by his strength, and sanctify me for his service by the inspiration of his Holy Spirit; that he may look down with mercy on my weak and defective services, and so bless the seed of the word sown among you, that it may bring forth a fruitful harvest of righteousness and true holiness; and that thus we may together render up a clear and acceptable account to the great Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, Jesus Christ: to whom, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, &c. &c.

16

SERMON II.

ON PREACHING THE GOSPEL.

MARK XVI. 15.

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.

SUCH was the commission given by Christ to his Apostles, and, virtually, to all who should succeed them. They were to preach the Gospel to all the world; and it was declared, that "he that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not, shall be damned.". How momentous was the trust thus reposed in them! They were to be the ministers of eternal life, or of eternal death. With what earnestness were they bound to impress their important message upon the consciences of their

hearers !

But what is it to preach the Gospel? This is a momentous question, both to preachers and