ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me-In as much as ye have done it unto me one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." What wonderful condescension is here ex-' pressed!" Amazing words! That the mean'est saint should be owned by the King of glory as one of his brethren! Irresistible argument to those that do indeed believe 'these words, to stir them up to abound in

every good word and work! Under this 'impression, methinks, instead of hiding • ourselves from those who should be to us as our own flesh by virtue of our common ' union to him, we should not only hearken 'to their entreaties, but even search them ' out in those corners to which modest want 6 may sometimes retire, and cast about in our thoughts how we may secure any hap'py opportunity of relieving some poor saints, for their sakes, and for their Master's, and even for our own. What if Christ came 'to us in person as a poor helpless stranger? What if we saw him destitute of food, and raiment, or in want of any other of the ne

cessaries of life? Should we not contend for it as an honour, which of us should receive him into our houses, which of us should entertain him at our table, which of us 'should even strip ourselves of our cloth

ing to give it to him? And yet he tells us • that he is in effect with us in his poor mem'bers; and we invent a thousand cold excuses for neglecting to assist him, and send our compassionate Saviour away empty. Is this the temper of a Christian? Is this 'the temper in which we should wish to be found at the judgment day*?"

We cannot, my brethren, ever enough admire "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for our sakes. he became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich." Let us imbibe his spirit, and cheerfully minister of our substance, according to our ability, to supply the wants of his needy members, and for the advancement of his kingdom in the world. How glorious will be the state of the church on the earth, when the prophecy in Isaiah lx, 9. shall receive its full accomplishment? "Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the

* Dr. Doddridge's Family Expositor. Vol. 2. p. 398.

ships of Tarshish first to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the Lord thy God and to the holy one of Israel, because he hath glorified thee."

The church is to pass through sharp conflicts before the Lord will make her a name and a praise among all people of the earth. "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as though some strange thing happened unto you." (1 Pet. iv. 12.) It is predicted, "that in the last days perilous times shall come;" (2 Tim. iii. 1.) and that violent commotions will arise among the nations which had been corrupted by Antichrist. Let us not be dismayed in this day of rebuke and blasphemy; but in patience may we possess our souls. May our faith in the holy religion of Jesus Christ be confirmed while infidels amidst their professions of seeking the happiness of the human race, may become as cruel as inquisitors, and may fill the earth with violence.

Be not surprised that apostates should appear at the present time. They have appeared in every age; and have always discovered a bitter enmity to the truth, and to those of

its friends in particular, with whom they had formerly associated. "They went out from us," saith the apostle, "but they were not of us, for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that they were not all of us." (1 Epist. John ii. 19.) In days when your faith and constancy are tried, be excited to watch and keep your garments. The disappointments, sorrows, pains, and all the sufferings of this life, are but for a moment. Be patient, brethren, stablish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. The faithful will soon enter into the rest which remaineth to the people of God. Man's life is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. The fathers of this church and town are all laid in the grave. But here and there one of their immediate descendants remain; and a large part of the third generation are removed into the land of silence. Many whom we in elder life once met at the communion table, are gone into the eternal world. How happy are they if associated with the spirits of just men made perfect. Glorified saints are beyond the reach of sin and sorrow; they are before

I

the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple, and he shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

You will hope in vain for immortal joys, if you only call Christ Lord, Lord, with your lips, and eat and drink in his presence. Το many such he will declare in the day of retribution, "I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." It is through faith and patience that the redeemed inherit the promises. "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your ownselves know ye not your ownselves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" Make the statutes of the Lord your songs in the house of your pilgrimage; and let your conversation be in heaven. I pray that Christ may present you to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but as holy and without blemish.

Those to whom I have been called to minister in this place, who have not as yet publicly covenanted with God, will suffer the word of exhortation.

I have reason to believe that some of you, my friends, have come to a fixed purpose of confessing Christ before men without delay;