THE Dispensation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Men, Brethren and Fathers, in several important respects, far excels in Glory the Mosaic Dispensa­tion. This the Apostle had observed and clearly proved in the preceding Chapter, and from thence draws the just Conclusion in our Text, Therefore seeing we have this Ministry, as we have received Mercy, we faint not.

Here we may observe several Things.

1. We have the Gospel Ministry refer'd to, call'd, This Ministry.

2. Here are some engag'd in this Work: WE HAVE this Ministry. They are put in Trust with the Gospel ^a.

3. This is to be acknowledged as a Mercy from God: As we have RECEIVED MERCY, Some Expositors chuse to join this Sentence with the last Clause, thus; as we have re­ceived Mercy, we faint not.

[Page 6] These understood the Mercy here intended, to be, that of Ministers being kept from fainting under their Trials.

Others join the two first Sentences in our Text together thus, Therefore seeing we have this Ministry, as we have re­ceived Mercy. They conceive the Mercy here spoken of is that of being call'd and employ'd in the sacred Work. Be­za's Judgment in particular is mentioned in the Continuati­on of Poole's Annotations, in these Words; ‘The Tradu­cers of this great Apostle took Advantage from his great Trials and Afflictions, by reason of them, to conclude him no such Man, as he was by some represented; and the Apostle upon that takes Advantage to magnify his Office. God (saith he) having intrusted us with so glorious a Mini­stration, as I have proved that of the Gospel to be, according to the Measure and Proportion of Gifts and Graces, which God hath bestowed upon us, or by reason of that infinite Grace and Mercy, which God hath shewed us, in calling us to so honorable a Station and Of­fice, though we meet with many Adversaries, many Af­flictions, many Difficulties, yet we bear up, and sink not under them, nor faint in our Spirits because of them.’

Thus far he. In this Sense I propose to consider the Words of our Text.

4. We may observe, that great Difficulties must be ex­pected in the Work of the Gospel Ministry, or there would be no Danger of Fainting.

Again, that we ought not to faint under these Difficulties and Trials, but should be able to say, through Grace, with the Apostle, we faint not.

And further, that an excellent Argument against Fainting in this Work, may be drawn from the Gospel Ministry it­self, and the several Motives, that relate to it. Therefore seeing we have this Ministry, we faint not.

[Page 7] Lastly, That faithful Ministers are kept from Fainting, by these precious Truths and Motives set home with divine Pow­er on their Souls; hence they can say with the Apostle, We faint not; otherwise we should surely faint.

I might comprize these important Observations in a gene­ral One, and lay it down as the Foundation of the present Discourse; but as that would open too large a Field for this Opportunity, I shall confine myself to the Consideration and Improvement of these two Things, viz. The Mercy of being call'd to the Work of the Gospel Ministry, and some of the Reasons and Arguments which are adapted to guard a­gainst extreme Discouragements, and to excite to active and persevering Diligence and Faithfulness in the Work.

And here I would humbly and earnestly intreat my reve­rend Fathers and Brethren (with others of God's People pre­sent) to lift up your Hearts with Faith and Fervency to the God of all Grace and Fulness in Jesus Christ, that I may be enabled so to speak on these Heads, and you so to hear, as that our Souls may be much quickened and animated in our Work, in order to the saving Good of many Souls, and the Advancement of the Divine Glory in the World.

I am, according to the Method propos'd,

1. To consider it as a Mercy to faithful Ministers of the Gospel, that they have this Ministry, that they are call'd to this Work. We have this Ministry, as we have received Mer­cy, saith our Text. God in his Mercy is set forth by an ex­cellent Divine, as God willing to succour sinful Men in their Misery. And how is this remarkably manifested to, and ex­perienced by such of the sinful miserable Sons of Men, as are prepared for, and improved in the ministerial Work. Thus the Apostle Paul, with respect to the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to his Trust, says, I thank Jesus Christ our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the Ministry ^b.

[Page 8]Indeed, when Men rush into the Ministry, without the Qualifications which the Word of God requires; they act a most foolish Part, and a Part most dangerous and pernici­ous, both to themselves and others: But when they are en­dow'd with those Qualifications, and withal set apart to the sacred Work by Fasting and Prayer, and the laying on of the Hands of the Presbytery ^c they may well be drawn out in Thankfulness to God and Christ, on the Account, and say, This is a Mercy, a great Mercy, confer'd on us unworthy, vile and sinful Dust, that unto us is committed the Ministry of Reconciliation ^d.

This the Ambassadors of Christ justly esteem a Mercy, as it respects themselves, as it respects others, and as they may thus in an eminent Degree promote the Divine Glory in the World.

1. As it respects themselves.

What a Mercy is it to be call'd to a Work, which is cal­culated to promote their Increase of Grace as well as Gifts? And what a Comfort must it be to the faithful Ministers of the Gospel, to consider, that their general and particular Callings do happily coincide and subserve each other? Their general Calling, the Care of their own Souls, their particular Calling, the Care of others Souls. The more closely they walk with God themselves, so much the more faithful and engag'd they are in their Work, and the more likely to be successful; and on the other Hand, the more faithful they are in their Work, through Grace, so much the more they grow in Grace, and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ^e. So much the more their Souls prosper and are in Health ^f and ordinarily the more they enjoy the Consolations of the Divine Spirit, which are not small, the more their Light shines before others, and they adorn their [Page 9] Profession, and the more they are attemper'd to the heaven­ly State, and prepared for eternal Glory.

'Tis true they are from several Quarters beset at times with Temptations, perhaps more so than others; as Officers in an Army are more aim'd and pointed at by the Enemy than private Soldiers; but these Temptations their great Lord and Leader wisely permits, to prove them, and bring them to know more of themselves, that they may take root downwards, in order to bear Fruit upwards; he shews them thus their own Insufficiency, and leads them to depend up­on his All-sufficiency in the New Covenant, and hereupon they find him a very present Help in Trouble ^g: They are thus humbled and purified, and made more meet for their Master's Service, more watchful and circumspect, more pa­tient and resign'd under Trials and Sufferings, and more di­ligent in their Work, and probably more successful too; and this is a great Mercy,

Again, the Ministers of Jesus Christ, are to give themselves to reading, to Meditation and Prayer; and how may they thus, through the divine Blessing, grow apace, both in doc­trinal and experimental Knowledge, yea, I may add, in e­very Christian Grace and Virtue? And is not this a great Mercy?

It is a further Comfort and a Mercy too, that we, who have this Ministry, may be preaching to ourselves, as well as praying over the Sermons we prepare for, and preach to others; yea, we may see more clearly the beautiful Harmo­ny and Connection of divine Truths, as well as feel more of the happy Effects of them; while we are attending on the Exposition of sacred Scripture, and when catechising our People, or making Preparations therefor.

In the Administration of divine Ordinances, especially the Sacraments of the New Testament, how may we reap much Profit and Pleasure ourselves, through Grace, see more of [Page 10] the Faithfulness, Grace, Holiness, and other Perfections of our God and Saviour; and grow more holy, comfortable and fruitful.

In our Pastoral Visits we may often, through Divine As­sistance, caution and comfort, direct and edify others and ourselves at the same Time,

And in the Discipline of God's House, while we endea­vour to reclaim others, we may be not a little guarded and benefited ourselves: We may be led to see much of the Ag­gravations and Evil of Sin, the Snares that lie thick around, the constant Necessity of Watchfulness and Prayer, and of living by Faith on God in Christ; that we may as Christians, and as Ministers, bring forth much Fruit.

In a Word, every Part of the ministerial Work is in some respect or other adapted to promote our increasing Conformi­ty to the Perfections and Will of God in our Hearts and Lives: Is it not then a Mercy, a great Mercy, that we have been call'd to this Work? We have this Ministry, as we have received Mercy.

Though it is a difficult, yet it is also a delightful and use­ful, as well as honourable Work; and it is a Mercy, not only with respect to us, but also,

2. With respect to others.

It is truly adapted, both in the public and private Parts of it, as a Means to promote the best, the everlasting Interests of all our Hearers; but Men are hardened by Sin and Unbelief, and blinded by Satan and the World: They hate the Light, and will not come to the Light, lest their Deeds should be repro­ved ^h. And nothing short of the Almighty Energy of the Holy Ghost, will make the Word effectual to saving Purpo­ses; well may the Regenerate then be said to be born of the Spirit ⁱ. By Grace we are saved, through Faith, [Page 11] and that not of ourselves, it is the Gift of God: Not of Works, lest any Man should boast ^k. But as the Spirit makes Use of the Word, so we are said to be born again by the Word of God, and begotten through the Gospel ^l. And Faith is said to come by Hearing, and Hearing by the Word of God; for how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a Preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent ^m? The Apostle was not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for, says he, it is the Power of God unto Salvation to every one that believeth ^‡; and to these we are the Savour of Life unto Life, through rich Grace, although to others the Savour of Death unto Death ⁿ.

We are call'd in the ministerial Work, as Instruments to instruct the Ignorant, to convince the Erroneous, to reclaim the Vicious, to awaken the Secure, to rouze the Slothful, to sap the Foundation of Hypocrites, and to shew the Self-righteous their extream and destructive Folly; and though this is truly hard Work, yet it must be done in God's Strength, and when done and blest, very useful.

It is further useful and pleasant withal, to direct enquiring Souls to Christ, to win them over to him, through his all-powerful Grace, that they may receive him in his most glorious Person and precious Benefits, as he is offer'd in the Gospel: And what a Mercy is this both to us and them.

Again, we are call'd as Instruments, to build up the Saints in Faith, and Holiness, and Comfort. We are to comfort them in their Trials from within and without, with the [Page 12] same Consolations, wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. And is it not a Favour to be made thus useful to God's Peo­ple? We were call'd in our Work to carry the Lambs in our Bosom, and gently to lead those that are with Young, after the Example and under the Influence of the great, the chief Shepherd ^p. We are to give Milk to Babes, as well as strong Meat to the more grown ^q to strengthen the Weak, to fix the Wavering, to guide the Doubting, to quicken the Backward, to succour the Tempted, to direct Believers to be strong, not in the Grace they have received, but in the Grace which is in Christ Jesus; and to be engaged, through Grace, in improving the Comforts they enjoy, as Encouragements and Means to an higher End, even Holiness and the Divine Glory. Thus our Work, the ministerial Work is adapted, and thus it is blest to the Benefit of many Souls: We may justly say then, We have this Ministry, as we have received Mercy: Especially since,

3. We may, with Divine Assistance, by and in this Work, in an eminent Degree promote the Divine Glory in the World.

How is the Glory of God and Christ and true Religion ma­nifested by our Increase in Gifts and Grace, in Holiness and Usefulness Thence it appears in some Measure what a Mas­ter we serve, what a God we worship, what a Saviour we preach and offer, what a Religion we profess and recom­mend.

My Brethren, certainly God is the greatest and best of Be­ings; surely then, the setting him forth to be, or manifest­ing him as such, is the greatest and highest End that can be: This is his Glory, this End is worthy of a God, and this is the highest End of all his Friends, Children and Servants: This End, the Work of the Ministry, is wonderfully suited and blest to promote: What a Mercy is it then to any of us vile, apostate and perishing Sons of Men, to be brought [Page 13] home to Christ, and call'd to this sacred Work. We have this Ministry, as we have received Mercy.

I would here make two Remarks on this Head, before we pass to the next.

1. We may plainly see, that we who are in the Ministry, have no reason to think highly of ourselves, no reason to be proud and Vain-glorious. We should indeed take Care to magnify our Office, and in no Instances or respects to under-act the sacred Character; but at the same Time, the Lan­guage of each of our Souls, must be that of Job, Behold I am vile ^{r ‡}. The Temper of our Minds, and the Tenor of our Lives, should be humble and holy. How should we be clothed with Humility, as it were from Head to Foot, who are Ministers of the meek and lowly Jesus: How should we watch and pray against Pride, hate and shun this vile Monster and this dangerous Snare, this awful Condemnation of the De­vil. Let us often think, for our Humiliation, What have we, that is in any Measure good and valuable, that we have not received? And again, what have we that we have not misimproved? And as to the Gospel Ministry, it will be a special Guard against Pride, to realize, through Grace, how we came by it, namely, by meer undeserved Mercy, and shall we be proud of Mercy? We have this Ministry only as we have received Mercy. Where is Boasting then? It is ex­cluded.

[Page 14]2. Hence we may observe Ground of peculiar Encourage­ment in the Work of the Ministry amidst all the Difficulties that attend it. We have this Ministry, as we have received Mercy; and is it a Mercy we have it, and shall we be dis­couraged with it? Shall we be discouraged with Mercy? Therefore let us not faint.

With this Thought we come by an easy Transition, to the

2. General Head, under which I am to consider and set be­fore you some of the many Reasons and Arguments inducing to Faithfulness in the Ministerial Work: And here,

1. The Command in God's Word should powerfully and constantly engage to be faithful and not faint in this great Work. This Command we have in these Words ^ſ Go ye and teach all Nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all Things whatsoever I have commanded you. And in another Place, Take heed to yourselves, and to all the Flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made You Overseers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own Blood. And again, I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the Quick and the Dead at his Appearing, and his King­dom: Preach the Word, be instant in Season, and out of Season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all Long-suffering and Doctrine. Watch thou in all Things, endure Afflictions, do the Work of an Evangelist, make full Proof of thy Ministry. With many other Passages to the same Purpose. Surely, my Brethren, the Mind and Will of the Lord, infinitely glorious in him­self, and withal our Maker, Preserver, and Governor, Be­nefactor and Redeemer, thus revealed in his Word, should engage us, through Grace, to chearful, constant and faithful Obedience. Therefore seeing we have this Ministry, as we have received Mercy, let us not faint.

[Page 15]2. The Example of Christ should animate us in the mini­sterial Work.

Here we have a perfect Pattern to copy after. The bles­sed Jesus discover'd from Time to Time the most ardent Love to God and Man in his more public and private Trans­actions and Ministrations, and sought not his own Glory, but the Glory of him that sent him; so should we, through his Grace.

How zealous and couragious was he, and yet how pru­dent and discreet? How plain and pungent, and yet how compassionate, how regardless of the Flatteries or Frowns of the World? how meek and lowly of Heart? how faithful in the Discharge of personal and relative Duties? how holy and pure? how resigned to his Heavenly Father's Disposal? how frequent and fervent in Prayer, and how laborious in his beloved Work? ^t I must work, says he, the Works of him that sent me, while it is Day. And again, My Meat is to do the Will of him that sent me, and to finish his Work.

How willing was he to do and suffer what he was call'd to, even to the Death? Oh Sirs! Let the same mind be in us, that was in him: Wherefore, holy Brethren, Partakers of the heavenly Calling, let us consider the Apostle and High Priest of our Profession, Christ Jesus; who was faithful to him that ap­pointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his House ^u. Let us not then be weary or faint in our minds, or flag in the more difficult Part, or latter Stages of our road; but may we say, and speak it with Truth, Seeing we have this Mini­stry, as we have received Mercy [of the Lord] we faint not.

3. The Example of Christ's faithful Servants in the Mini­stry should animate us in the Work. 'Tis true, my Bre­thren, the best of Christ's Ministers are imperfect in the pre­sent State, and therefore not to be propos'd as perfect Pat­terns [Page 16] for Imitation; but we are to be Followers of them, even as they are of Christ ^w; so far as they are so, and no far­ther. How encouraging is it to observe them, while attend­ed with a Body of Sin and Death, and assaulted by Temp­tations from the World and the Devil, as we are; yet, through Grace, approving themselves sincere, and in a good Degree engag'd in their Work.

What a lovely Example is set before us in our Text, and the following Verse; Therefore seeing we have this Ministry, as we have received Mercy, we faint not: But have renounced the hidden Things of Dishonesty, not walking in Craftiness, nor handling the Word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the Truth, commending ourselves to every man's Conscience in the Sight of God. And again, in the same Epistle, We do all Things, dearly Beloved, for your Edifying ^x. Our Exhort­ation, saith this great Apostle of the Gentiles, in another E­pistle ^y was not of Deceit, nor of Uncleanness, nor in Guile, but as we were allowed of God to be put in Trust with the Gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing Men, but God, which trieth our Hearts. For neither at any Time used we flattering Words, as ye know, nor a Cloke of Covetousness; God is Witness. Nor of men sought we Glory, neither of you, nor yet of others: Be­ing affectionately desirous of You, we were willing to have im­parted unto You, not the Gospel of God only, but also our own Souls, because Ye were dear unto us. Ye are Witnesses, and God also, how holily, and justly, and unblameably we behaved ourselves among You that believe: And elsewhere ^z. I take You to record this Day, that I am pure from the Blood of all men; for I have not shunned to declare unto You, the whole Counsel of God. Ye know how I kept back nothing that was pro­fitable unto You, but have shewed You, and have taught You pub­lickly [Page 17] and from House to House. Remember that by the Space of Three Years, I ceased not to warn every one Night and Day with Tears. Again speaking of Bonds and Afflictions abiding him, he says, But none of these Things move me, neither count I my Life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my Course with Joy, and the Ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the Grace of God.

Oh! how willing have the faithful Servants of the dear Redeemer been in the primitive Times, and since, to keep un­der their Bodies ^a to live near to God, to spend and be spent in the Service of Christ and of Souls; and even when call'd to it, to seal the Truth with their Blood.

We have great reason, my Brethren, to bless God, that a considerable Number of the Ministers of the Gospel, in Great-Britain and America have, in our Day, been much engag'd in the Cause of God; among these may be reckon'd godly Mr. Whitefield, whose indefatigable and successful La­bours, for almost twenty Years together, should be improv'd for the Encouragement and Quickening of all truly engag'd in the sacred Work; whose Name is justly very dear to us: May God Almighty always keep him, with other his Ser­vants, humble; bless them, and make them Blessings, and that more and more abundantly, to the Praise of his Glory in Christ Jesus.

While we are musing on these Things, let the Fire of Divine Love and Zeal be enkindled in our Breasts, and burn vigorously, that we may be sweetly constrained to say, Therefore seeing we have this Ministry, as we have received Mercy, we faint not, and, throngh Grace, we will not faint.

[Page 18]4. The Example of the holy Angels, should quicken us in our Work. They are Messengers of the Lord, as their Name imports; in several respects their Work and ours re­semble each other; no Wonder then, that Ministers of the Gospel are called Angels ^b. It may further be intended by this Appellation, that we should be excited, as far as the Imperfections of the present State admit, to an Imitation of the holy Angels, who are said ^c always to behold the Face of our Father which is in Heaven, and fly with winged Zeal to execute his Commands, encamp round about those that fear the Lord, for their Comfort and Deliverance, and rejoice at the Conversion of Sinners, &c.

Are the Angels heavenly-minded, zealous and faithful in their Work, let us be so in ours, through Grace; There­fore, seeing we have this Ministry, as we have received Mercy, let us not faint.

5. The Industry and Malice, Subtilty and Success of the Devil in his Attempts to ruin Mens Souls, should engage us the more in faithful Endeavours, that they may be rescu­ed and saved; or in other Words, should quicken us to Diligence in our Work.

We are not ignorant of Satan's Devices ^d: Let us then be concerned, that we, and others, especially those under our immediate Care, may be guarded against them.

The Drift of the Spirit of God, in order to the recovery of poor captive Souls out of the Snare of the Devil, is to counter-act, and to guard against his Devices ^e. The Ministers of the Gospel, as Workers together with God ^f [Page 19] are engag'd as Instruments to guard against the same Devi­ces, and are especially concern'd that Souls may not receive the Gospel of the Grace of God in vain ^g. Our Adversary the Devil, as the Apostle Peter observes, as a roaring Lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

Is the Devil, the Enemy of all Good, an Adversary to Souls? Shall not we Ministers of the Gospel be Friends to them?

Is he, with his Instruments, set with Boldness, like Li­ons, against Souls? Sha'n't we be couragious as Lions in go­ing through all Difficulties to promote their saving Good? Does he roar with Malice and Wrath against Souls? Sha'n't we cry with Fervency to God for them, and cry aloud to them with Bowels of Pity and Compassion, and beseech them to be reconciled to God? Does the Devil walk about, seeking whom he may devour, and that with awful Success, and shall we stick at any Pains, Night or Day, in public or pri­vate, at home or abroad, in the Business of our Calling as Ministers, which is to seek whom we may as Instruments save from the Jaws of this devouring Lion, and guide to the regions of Glory? If we, Brethren, should faint, the De­vil will not; Therefore seeing we have this Ministry, as we have received Mercy. let us not saint.

6. The Worth of Souls should engage Ministers of the Gospel to Faithfulness in their Work. The great Worth of Souls makes the Devil so eager to destroy them.

This makes the holy Angels engag'd for their Good; this causes Joy in Heaven on their Conversion. Here are two Worlds at Strife; about what? about earthly Crowns and Scepters? no! these are Trifles. About what then? The [Page 20] Souls of Men, whose Worth is exceeding great. What are all the Kingdoms of the World, and Glory of them, in Compa­rison with the Soul? If you put these in one Scale, and the Soul in the other, they come up light as Vanity itself.

Our Blessed Saviour has determined this Point, both by his Words and Practice; by his Practice, when he pour'd Contempt on the World; but laid down his precious Life, and shed his Heart's Blood, to redeem and save perishing Souls:—By his Words, which are these ^h What is a Man profited, if he shall gain the whole World, and lose his own Soul? Or what shall a Man give in Exchange for his Soul?

Oh! Shall we not be engaged then, agreeable to the De­sign of our Commission, and from a Sense of the Worth of Souls, in the most painful and faithful Endeavours, through divine assisting Grace, to open Mens Eyes, and to turn them from Darkness to Light, and from the Power of Satan unto God, that they may receive Forgiveness of Sins, and Inheritance among them that are sanctified by Faith which is in Christ. Therefore, beloved Brethren, seeing we have this Ministry, as we have received Mercy, let us not faint.

7. Mens Care and Pains about Things of less Worth, should engage and animate us in our Work^†. How will Men rise up early, and sit up late ⁱ and eat the Bread of Sorrow and Care, in order to obtain earthly Enjoyments, which perish in [Page 21] the Using. What Pains will Men take, yea, what Ha­zards will they run, in pursuit of "glittering Gems, gaudy Honors, and shining Dust," which after all are Vanity? How will Men be at vast Expence and Labour, some Way or other, to please and pamper their Bodies, which yet must soon moulder into their kindred Dust; and shall not we be as much, nay more concern'd about their precious Souls, that must surely live forever, either in a State of Happiness, or Misery^†? Therefore seeing we have this Ministry, as we have received Mercy, let us never faint.

Again, the Sufficiency of Divine Grace held forth to us in the precious Promises of God's Word, should comfort and a­nimate us in our Work. Many and great are our Trials and Difficulties from without and within, and they often meet and join their Forces; we may well say then, Who is sufficient for these Things ^k? And we should surely sink, had we not a more than human Prop, at such a Time, a divine Support; such as Paul had given him, when afflicted with a Thorn in the Flesh, the Messenger of Satan to buffet him: When in this Distress, he besought the Lord thrice, he had this Answer ^l My Grace is sufficient for thee, for my Strength is made perfect in Weakness. How is it with Paul now? he is kept from fainting, he is refresh'd, he even re­joices and triumphs, and gives God the Glory; Most gladly therefore, says he, will I rather glory in my Infirmities, that the Power of Christ may rest upon me. Again he tells us else­where, [Page 22] where ^m He can do all Things, through Christ, which strengtheneth him; so may we too, living by Faith on the same Mediator of the New Covenant, which is well ordered in all Things, and sure: Let us then trust in the Lord for ever; in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting Strength ⁿ. But what need I enlarge? Have we not the express Promise of our Lord Jesus Christ to his faithful Ministers ^o Lo, I am with you always, even unto the End of the World. Therefore, seeing we have this Ministry, and these Supports and Encourage­ments, as we have received Mercy, we faint not.

Furthermore, surrounding Dangers join'd to the last Con­sideration, should engage us to Faithfulness in our Work. Indeed Dangers in themselves tend to damp and discourage, but when they meet with a Mind prepar'd for them, they serve to quicken and animate. This is remarkable in Per­sons of a martial Spirit; I may instance in Alexander the Great, who in a Time of great and uncommon Peril, breaks out into this Expression, Hoc est periculum, par animo Alex­andri: ‘This is a Danger fit for the Spirit of an Alexander to encounter.’

As the Devil would fain ruin Souls, so he would fain keep Ministers of the Word from being faithful; and often stands at their Right-hand to resist them ^p. The remains of Corruption within us, give great Strength to his Temptati­ons; and the Difficulty and Danger is increas'd by the World; I mean by the Fears and the Hopes of the present State. Oh! what Need have we to live near to God, that we may be well supplied and fortified against these Assaults; and likewise strength'ned and engaged through Grace, to [Page 23] pluck Souls as Brands out of the Burning, and to use skilfully and faithfully those Weapons of Doctrine and Discipline, which are not carnal, but mighty, through God, to the pulling down of strong Holds ^q the strong Holds of Sin, especially Licentiousness and Self-righteousness, and of Satan and the World, who are join'd in a most dismal and dangerous Con­federacy.

Again, the Dangers that at present surround our Land and Nation, should deeply affect us, and engage us in en­creasing Zeal, Labours and Faithfulness.

We are indeed blest with very great Privileges both civil and sacred, under the Smiles of indulgent Heaven, and the mild and just Administration of the best of Kings, who may well be stiled a Father of his People; but the haughty, perfidious and cruel French, with their Confederates, are bent upon rending these Privileges if possible from us; up­on destroying our Lives, or, which ought to be much dear­er to us, our Liberty and our Religion.

An holy and righteous God, tho' he has favour'd us with some remarkable Instances of undeserved Goodness and Suc­cess in the East and North; for which we ought surely to return him our most grateful Acknowledgments in Heart, Lip and Life; yet because of the many and grievous Sins of this Land and Nation has suffer'd our Enemies to gain some Advantages against us, especially in our late awful Defeat to the Westward.

Thus we see in some Measure what we are when left to ourselves; but Wo will be indeed to us if God depart from us ^r and a Deluge of Popery, Tyranny and Slavery overwhelm us.

Our Danger is evidently much encreased by the aforesaid terrible Frown of Divine Providence; but what makes our [Page 24] Case most of all dark and dismal is this, viz. Our continuing in general stupid and unreform'd, unbelieving and impenitent under this late awful Judgment, added to the Drought, and to other Judgments sent before, as well as under the many and great Mercies and Privileges we have long enjoy'd, and long abus'd and misimprov'd, which the Lord in his Provi­dence therefore loudly threatens to take from us, to with­draw his gracious Influence and Protection at once, and what would then be left behind, but Darkness and Perplexi­ty, Confusion and Horror, Desolation and Misery?

In this Day of Darkness and Gloominess, my Brethren, we should be deeply humbled and penitent ourselves, and faith­fully promote others being so. In this Day of imminent Danger, let us not fail to sound the Alarm with Faithfulness and Compassion, with Plainness and Pungency. Let us cry aloud, and not spare ^ſ let us shew to our People, and the People of this Land and Nation, their Transgressions and their Sins, Sins against God's Law and against his Grace, &c. and let us, through Grace, be more faithful than ever in our Labours, both in public and private for the good of dear precious Souls: And how should we Brethren withal, as Daniel successfully did ^t set our Face to the Lord God, to seek by Prayer and Supplication, with Fasting and Humiliati­on, and confessing our Sin, and the Sin of our People.

Thus let us stand in the Gap, as well as on the Watch Tower: For Zion's Sake we will not hold our Peace, and for Jerusalem's Sake we will not rest, until the Righteousness thereof go forth as Brightness, and the Salvation thereof as a Lamp that burn­eth ^u. Therefore seeing we have this Ministry, as we have re­ceived Mercy, we faint not, and, thro' Grace, we will not faint.

[Page 25]Several other Arguments engaging to Faithfulness in the ministerial Work, might here be considered, but as I would not be tedious, I purpose to mention them more briefly in a concluding Address, and pass now to the