this scheme, that it fo generally draws those that embrace it into a ftrain of preaching, even on practical fubjects, fo different from that of the apoftles; and inclines them, I know not how, to fuppress those glorious motives (which yet their own principles might allow) by which the apostles enforced. gospel duties. *

§ 23. 4. So only fhall we deferve the name of Chriftian preachers. Only did I fay? I am afraid this may found too harfh.Come, let us put the matter as foft and candid as common fenfe will So fhall we most evidently or beft deferve this honourable title.

allow us.

Whilst a preacher keeps off from the peculiarities of the gospel, and fays nothing but what the light of nature would also suggest and authorize, give me leave to fay, a ftranger might poffibly doubt whether he is a deift or a chriftian; the question is like an imperfect mathematical problem, which equally admits of different solutions.

Suppofe the ghofts of PAUL and SENECA to come, mere ftrangers, into an affembly, where one is haranguing the people in this abftracted manner; I am apt to think SENECA would claim him as a philofopher of his own fect and religion. Now

* What our author confiders as what might be done on the Remonftrant fcheme, is actually done by the Arminian Methodists.

if PAUL fhould alfo make his claim to him as a minifter of Chrift, how could the question be decided, without allowing SENECA to be a preacher of Chrift alfo ?

§ 24. On the other hand, if a preacher infifts upon even the peculiar and glorious truths of chriftianity, but fo unhappily manages them, as not to lead people to holiness, and the imitation of Chrift thereby; what is this to the grand and full purpose of preaching; or, to the ultimate defign of the gofpel? Such preachers are quite off that divine fyftem which is calculated to deftroy the works of the Devil, and to teach men fobriety, righteousness, and godlinefs. It is not only Chrift without us we are to preach, but also Christ in us, and our putting on Christ Jesus, by a holy, heart and life.

If the apostle JAMES fhould come again, and make a vifitation to our churches, and hear fuch a preacher, he would imagine himself among fuch people as he writes against in his epiftle; he would be apt, when the minifter had done, in his zeal for Christ, to take the text in hand again, and fupply what the preacher had omitted, viz. the application; and to fay to the auditors, "Know ye not that faith without works is dead ?" If the preacher fhould here interrupt him saying, ' Hold,

fpare

fpare your pains, the Spirit of God will make the application, and teach men holinefs;'-would not JAMES reply, I and the rest of the apoftles were taught to preach otherwise, and to give particular. exhortations to duty; we judged we might as well leave it to the Spirit, without our pains, to reveal the doctrine, as to instruct men in the practice of the gospel.'

25. Upon the whole, Brethren, let it be our resolution to study and preach Chrift Jesus. On this fubject, there is room for the ftricteft reafoning, and most fublime philosophy; it deferves, invites, and infpires the strongest fire of the orator; in extolling Chrift, we cannot fhock the moft delicate tafte by over-ftrained hyperboles; here the climax may rife till it is out of fight; our imagery cannot be too ftrong and rich.

Should our Lord himself appear, and give you a charge at your entrance on the ministry, would he not fay (what indeed he has faid already)“ As the Father hath fent me, fo fend I you to preach the kingdom of God; that every knee may bow to me, and every tongue confefs me. Teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded. you; and tell them, that without me they can do nothing; that when they have done all, they are unprofitable fervants, and must be found in my

righteousness. Become all things to all men; feek words which the Holy Ghost teacheth; that you may gain fouls, and bring in whom I have laid down my life.

my sheep, for

If ye love me, feed my fheep. I have called you friends; do all in my name, and to my honour; fo I will be with you always; and if you thus watch for fouls, you fhall give up your account with joy, at my appearing.- -This is the preaching which, though it feem foolish to many, shall prove the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Caft forth the net on this fide, and fo may you expect to catch many fouls. Be followers of my apoftles, as they are of me, and in my name shall ye do wonders; if you preach me, I and mine fhall therein rejoice; be not ashamed of my gofpel, and I will not be afhamed of you."

26. But to arrive at any tolerable perfection in preaching Chrift, is a work of time, the result of a careful perusal of the fcriptures, and studying the hearts of men. It requires the mortifying of the pride of carnal reason, a great concern for fouls, and a humble dependence on the Spirit of God, with the lively exercife of devotion in our closets.

As for the reasoning part on the more agreed points of our religion, a young preacher fooner

may

may get to confiderable excellency; but the chriftian orator is longer in finishing. We may fooner get neceffary truths into our own minds, and come at minds of our fize and tafte; but by proper motives and ways to reach the fouls of a different make and turn, even the lowest of the vulgar, is what very few quickly arrive at; but let us not despair; if we thus regard the Lord Jesus in our miniftrations, we may very reasonably expect the affiftance of his Spirit, and we shall be "able to do all things through Chrift frengthening us."

THE