Page images
PDF
EPUB
[ocr errors]

Lord may have free course and be glorified" in the conversion of sinners, and the edification of believers, in every region of the earth, and among all the nations and tribes of mankind. But you are in a very particular manner concerned to pray, and accordingly, your fervent petitions should constantly be offered up to the God of all grace, that he may be pleased "to dwell in this house as one of his chosen habitations and places of rest;" that he may abundantly bless the provisions of his grace, with which you shall here be favoured, and satisfy his poor among you with the bread of life, and that he may clothe your minister with righteousness and salvation," so that through his instrumentality, "such may be added to the church as shall be saved," and the Lord's people made to triumph with great joy in the praises of their Saviour and their God.

In these, and in all other instances, let it be your study and care, that you may understand what the Lord requires of you as a people so highly favoured with those gopesl privileges which you now enjoy; and that through the grace of God, you may so comply with your obligations, and improve your advantages, that you may obtain the approbation and acceptance of the great and gracious Head of the church; and be the hope and comfort of your pastor on earth, and meet him with joy and triumph unspeakable at the right hand of your Redeemer and your Judge in the last day, even in that great day, "when the Lord Jesus Christ shall be revealed from heaven, with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall be punished with an everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and the glory

of his power; when at the same time he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe, (because the testimony of the gospel was believed by them) in that day."

"This charge, delivered, as before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead, at his appearing and kingdom;" I now conclude, with an earnest recommendation to both minister and people, that, in the very tender, interesting and important relation, in which you are connected, you will respectively endeavour to pursue that course of conduct, which may be most conducive to your mutual benefit and comfort, "studying particularly the things that make for peace," and cultivating that union of hearts, and that harmony of views, dispositions, and measures, which will be among the best means for securing your stability, growth, and prosperity. Then may you rest assured that the God of love and peace, will be with you and bless you and keep you," during the term of service and discipline allotted to you in the church on earth; and finally admit you to "the society of the spirits of the just made perfect, and to the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven;" where all the Lord's people shall appear in the dignity and lustre becoming those "whom the Son of God has loved, and washed from their sins in his blood, and made kings and priests to his God and his Father;" and where "they who have been wise and faithful in their designs and labours to win souls to Christ and salvation, shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they who have been successful in turning many to righteousness, shall shine as stars of the first magnitude and splendour for ever and ever."

"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ." "And unto him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, and who will be found as faithful as be is able to keep his servants and people from falling, and to present them faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy; to the only wise God our Saviour be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever." AMEN.

[blocks in formation]

Dear Sir,

ORPHAN-HOUSE, OCT. 18th, 1799.

The Commissioners of the Orphan-House feel themselves obligated to you, for the very elegant and well adapted discourse, this day deliv ered at this house, for the benefit of the Institution.

That the advantages to be derived from it, may not be confined to those only, who had the pleasure of hearing it, but be more generally diffus ed; I am directed by the Board of Commissioners, to request a copy of it, with your permission to print the same.

With respect and esteem, I am Sir,

REV. DR. KEITH.

Your obedient servant,

J. B. HOLMES, Chairman. Com.

N. B. The copy of this Address was prepared for the press by the Author; but now appears in print for the first time. EDITOR.

« PreviousContinue »