their duty faithfully toward those committed to their care and those of the faithful must bear such correction patiently, knowing that it is necessary that they should be thus handled. They must not murmur against those who seek their salvation; for what shall it profit us to be honourable in the eyes of the world, if in the mean time God abhorreth us? But there are many who are displeased if they are told of their faults. If he who hath authority to teach, point out the wickedness that reigneth among them, they will be displeased with him, and mock him.

We see how justice is corrupted, and what favours are granted; men speak of wickedness in their houses, in their shops, in the streets, and in the market-place; but if it be mentioned in the pulpit, if wickedness be made known by the preaching of the word of God, we see them displeased, and full of malice. There is no man but what can say, "such a sin is common; such a man hath done such a fault." Every one may see what sins reign among the people; and yet, those who are appointed to watch over them, dare not reprove them, although their office requireth it of them.

It is said the word of God is like a two edged sword, which pierceth the most secret thoughts, separating joint and marrow: yea, it reacheth even to the bottom of the heart, and maketh known whatever sins lurk within us. If we wish to be taken for christians, we must have quiet and contented minds, and not be angry when we are reproved for our faults. When we have any apostume about us, we must be willing to have it lanced; when the sore is ripe and raging, let us be willing to receive the remedy, knowing it is for our profit. It is said by our Lord Jesus Christ, that he will send the Comforter; "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of julgement." Therefore, if we will not bow down our necks, and

receive God's yoke, that is to say, if we do not condemn ourselves, and suffer him to exercise spiritual jurisdiction over us, by those whom he hath appointed to preach his word, we shall be condemned. This is the cause why the papists speak evil of us. St. Paul exhorteth us to walk uprightly, and to have a good conscience before God.

If we wish not to be condemned by infidels, we must be meek and patient, and show ourselves ready and willing to receive instruction from the word of the Lord. When our faults are made known to us, we must confess them. We are commanded throughout the scripture to reprove the wicked: but it is a common practice in these times for men to cast off all correction, and take free liberty in all manner of sin and iniquity, being under no subjection. But those who wish to pass for christians, must not behave themselves in this manner. St. Paul saith," Admonish one another;" and again, "Reprove sin." To whom doth the Holy Ghost speak in these two places? To all the faithful without exception. For although God hath chosen some, to whom he hath given a special charge to admonish, exhort, and reprove those that do amiss, yet notwithstanding, he chargeth every man to set himself against sin and wickedness.

If this be lawful for those who have no public charge, what must the minister do, whom God hath expressly charged to fill this office? There are bastard christians among us at this day, who know not God, nor obey his word; therefore they will not bear correction. St. Paul reproveth the Cretians by putting them in mind of the witness of their own prophet; who saith, "The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts," &c. When God maketh known our faults, and reproveth us, he doth it for our salvation; we ought therefore to be displeased with ourselves, and confess our sins with the deepest humility. We

gain nothing by being stubborn: it is of no use; for if we will not bow, God will break us in pieces.

It seemeth that God wrought a miracle, in sending the gospel into Crete. Although the people were very wicked, yet notwithstanding, the Lord in his goodness visited them. We may therefore perceive that God hath no regard to our worthiness, when he calleth us to be first in his church; but he oftentimes does it to set forth the brightness of his mercy. If, when we were cast away, he reached out his hand and took us to himself, he deserveth so much the more honour and praise.

We have deserved nothing at his hands; and if we have received the gospel, it is not by reason of our own virtue; for nothing can move God to call men to himself, and make them know his will, but his free mercy. Let us therefore learn to glorify our God in the spirit of humility; and if he hath chosen us, and forsaken others, and we wish to remain in possession of so great a blessing, let us examine our lives daily. When we see that there is nothing in us but wretchedness, and that we can do nothing but provoke him to anger, let us prevent his wrath by condemning ourselves. When every man judgeth himself, then shall we be justified before God; who will not only purge us from all our wretchedness, but cause his glory to shine more and more, that we may have occasion to call upon him as our Father, and proclaim to the world that he hath redeemed us by the merits of his Son, that we may become his inheritance.

SERMON XIII.

1 TIMOTHY, Chap. ii. verse 8.

8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

AFTER St. Paul hath informed us that our Lord Jesus Christ came into the world, and gave himself a ransom for all, and that the message of salvation is carried in his name to all people, both small and great, he exhorteth every one to call upon God. For this is the true fruit of faith, to know that God is our Father, and to be moved by his love. The way is open for us to run to him, and it is easy to pray to him when we are convinced that his eyes are upon us, and that he is ready to help us in all our necessities.

Until God hath called us, we cannot come to him without too much impudent boldness. Is it not rashness for mortal man to presume to address himself to God? Therefore we must wait till God calleth us, which he also doth by his word. He promiseth to be our Saviour, and showeth that he will always be ready to receive us. He doth not tarry till we come to seek him, but he offereth himself, and exhorteth us to pray to him; yea, and therein proveth our faith.

St. Paul saith, Romans x. 14. "How shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" Thus it may be understood, that God is ready to receive us, although we be not worthy: when we once know his will, we may come to him with boldness, because he maketh himself familiar to The apostle addeth, Romans xv. "Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people:"

us.

giving us to understand thereby, that the gospel belongeth to the Gentiles as well as the Jews, and that every mouth ought to be open to call upon God for help.

We must call upon God in all places, seeing we are received into his flock. The Gentiles were strangers to all the promises which God had made to his people Israel. But the apostle saith, behold, God hath gathered you into his flock: he hath sent you his only begotten Son, even for the fatherly love which he bare you: you may therefore boldly call upon him, for it is to this end, and for this purpose, that he hath given you this witness of his good will.

As often as the goodness of God is witnessed by us, and his grace promised, (although we be wretched sinners,) as oft also as we hear that our sins were forgiven us by the death and suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that atonement was made for our transgressions and the obligations which were against us, and that God is at peace with us, the way is opened for us to pray to him and implore his blessings.

It is said in Hosea ii. "I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people, and they shall say, Thou art my God." Therefore, as soon as our Lord God maketh us taste his goodness, and promiseth that even as he sent his only begotten Son into the world, he will accept us in his name, let us doubt not, but come immediately to him in prayer and supplication. If we have faith, we must show it by calling upon God. If we make no account of prayer, it is a sure sign that we are infidels; notwithstanding we may make great pretence to a belief in the gospel. Thus we see what great blessings God bestoweth upon us, when we can have the privilege of prayer.

God informeth us that if we call upon him, it shall not be in vain; we shall not be deceived in our expectations if we come to him aright; we shall never