given, from time to time, not to the most wife, the most laborious in the work of the ministry, the most mighty in the Scriptures, the most devoted to God; but to those whose connections had the greatest parliamentary intereft or, if now and then a learned man was promoted, it fhould be for fuch a kind of learning as oftener hinders, if poffible, than promotes the glory of God. On fuch a facrilegious ufe of power could a bleffing from on high be expected? Might it not be feared that, on account of fuch a wilful and horrid abuse of the design of our pious forefathers, it should be withheld? and that, as nothing more was aimed at than the promoting of private ends, nothing more should be obtained? Under fuch circumftances, our ecclefiaftical fuperiors being, in general, deftitute of the power of godlinefs, would content themselves with the form of it, and confult more their own eafe and honour in their elevated ftations, than the confcientious difcharge of their duty, and the interests of religion. Difcipline would be relaxed. Vifitations would be unfrequent and always formal. Little or no regard would be paid to orthodoxy, uniformity, or the necessary qualifications of candidates for the ministry. The contagion would foon spread. A traffic would

be

be made of facred things. The next prefentations to and advowfons of livings would be carried to market, and purchased by lay men in order to make a decent provision for fome of their children. What could be expected from fuch perfons when admitted into the church? As their appointments were bought for them, they would hardly concern themselves about much more than making the most of their livings. More thought would probably be taken about the fleece, than the flock. Many of the people would foon be discontented, murmur, and keep from the public worship; and so the good defign of a religious establishment be, in a great measure, fruftrated. It would, no doubt, be fo in many places. Diffenters would take advantage, and draw feveral of the more ferious people to their meetings; or the more ferious people, finding that their ministers did not preach according to their articles, and had a very imperfect fenfe of facred things, would go over to the Diffenters. Perhaps the Lord would fhew his displeasure, and at the fame time his mercy: would give unto feveral of the laity to understand and feel the importance of the beft things; and having given them this knowledge, permit them to go out into the highways and hedges, and

compel their fellow finners to hearken to that gospel, which their own minifters would not preach to them. Perhaps, in his fovereign pleasure, he would open the eyes of fome of the hitherto thoughtlefs clergy, and give them to be able, faithful, and fuccessful minifters of the New Teftament. What would be the confequence? Would not the reft be flighted, and the better fort of their people attached to others? And would not they, in return, cry out against the ferious people and the ministers who acted more confcientiously than themselves? Would they not load them with reproach, and find out fome ridiculous name by which they might diftinguish them from others. These things might reafonably be expected; for agreeable to fuch a conduct is the fpirit of the world. It then might not be thought fufficient to fay, "Ye are righteous over much;" but be judged necessary to add gross mifrepresentation, flander, perfecution; any thing that would weaken their influence with thinking perfons, and hinder their ufefulnefs. But would this conduct prove their knowledge of the truth? No; rather their ignorance of it. Would it proceed from a love to the interefts of true religion? No; but rather from an enmity against it. From

an

an evidence that thefe perfons were wrong? No; but from a confcioufness that they themselves did not endeavour to fulfil their engagements, and therefore, that they who did, were as pricks in their eyes and thorns in

their fides.

God will have his work done; and if they who undertake it, will not do it, he will certainly employ others; for his counfel fhall ftand, and all that he has determined fhall affuredly come to pass. For the laft fifty years, at least, there has been fuch a departure from the doctrines and spirit of Chriftianity, among those who undertook and were regularly fent to be builders, that, like the Jewish priefts of old, they have "refused that ftone which is become the head of the corner." What has taken place in the mean time? God has raised up others.

He has chofen the foolish things of the world, to confound the wife; and God hath chofen the weak things of the world, to confound the things which are mighty." I. Cor. i. 27. Many have gone forth and declared publicly the way of falvation through Jefus Chrift; and though they were not regularly ordained to the work of the ministry, God has bleffed his truth delivered by them, fo that they have been the inftruments of bringC 4

ing

ing many to the knowledge and practice of the gofpel. Thus it was of old. When the chief priests and rulers of the Jews had departed from, and almoft forgotten the law of Mofes when they laid more stress on the traditions of men, than on the commandments of God-when, having lost the spirit of religion, they were looking for a mere temporal Meffiah; then God raised up the apostles. They had little or nothing of human learning, but God taught and endued them with power from on high; and then they went forth, preaching every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with figns following." Mark xvi. 20. Thus it has been in every age of the church; and thus, Sir, I fcruple not to affirm, it has been in our day.

us,

If, then, we meet with no fuccefs in our miniftry, fhould we not fear that the Lord is displeased that his awful denunciation against the falfe prophets of old is against they shall not profit my people at all?” Should it not caufe us to inquire, what were our motives for entering into the ministry? What did we then undertake? Are we labouring to fulfil our engagements? "Them that honour me, fays God, I will honour; and they that defpife me, fhall be lightly efteemed."