FIRST PART.

This firſt part, which is deſigned to be the improvement of an anniverſary Sermon, may perhaps, occaſion a query with ſome, why this ſermon (in part) has the title of an anniverſary ſermon; the reply is, becauſe, that for the ſpace of forty-five years I have annually or every year preached a new-year's ſermon to my people. During this ſpace of time, it has been the practice of miniſter and people in this place, to take ſome ſpecial notice of the beginning of the year, by meeting in this houſe on every new year's day, for ſolemn meditation and religious exerciſes. Careful to avoid every thing of a ſuperſtitious aſpect, yet employing common time to holy purpoſes, as we have opportunity; from a principle of zeal toward God, and of care for our ſouls: wiſhing to redeem time, and to begin the year with God, by the exerciſes of worſhip and ſolemn devotion. I would juſt premiſe and obſerve, that to commemorate the works of God, is a duty of perpetual, as well as univerſal obligation, and can never be out of ſeaſon: but there are times in which it appears eminently in ſeaſon, and ſeems the ſpecial duty of the day: and moſt eminently ſo, is the Lord's-day, and a New-Year's day. Upon theſe days eſpecially, it is important duty to be exerciſed in meditating on, and commemorating God's wonderful works of creation, redemption and providence. To call into view, to commemorate and celebrate the diſplay of the glory of God's creating perfections, the glory of his power, and wiſdom, and goodneſs, ſovereignty and alſufficiency. As alſo the yet more marvellous diſplay of the glory of his redeeming attributes, as they ſhine in their admirable beauty and harmony "in the face, in the perſon, of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the brightneſs of divine glory." Holding in memory his glorious reſurrection; and that as Lord of the ſabbath, he hath changed it from the laſt, to the firſt day of the week. It is alſo eminently in ſeaſon, on the Lord's day, and on a New-Year's day, to commemorate God's wonderful works of Providence, and the diſplay of the glory of his governing perfections. It is therefore natural to obſerve, that we have now a double call to the important duty of commemorating God's wonderful works of creation, redemption, and providence: For this is the Lord's-day, and a New-Year's-day; they are now aſſociated, and unitedly invite us to commemorate thoſe works of God, ſo glorious, inexhauſtable and eternal! The time will not admit at preſent, that we meditate upon theſe divine themes diſtinctly; they muſt only occaſionally be touched upon in the ſeveral parts of our diſcourſe as we proceed. Our text and run of thought upon it, pointing out our "times as in the hand of God," directly tend to invite us at preſent, to commemorate the more ſignal diſpenſations of God's providence and grace toward us. I ſhall therefore now make an addreſs to the aſſembly in general, upon this important point of duty.

My dear people, the moſt of you doubtleſs remember that God required the Iſraelites "to remember all the way which he led them for forty years in the wilderneſs"Deut. 8. 2.—that he called them "to look to the rock whence they were hewn"Iſa. 51. 1.—that it was the pious reſolve of David "to remember the years of the right hand of the Moſt High."Pſal. 77. 1 • . Let me now invite you to call into view ſome ſingular tokens of God's infinite kindneſs toward you, and thereby your infinite obligations to praiſe him, and to be conſecrated to his ſervice and glory. How very ſingular and important our exiſtence here in this world: formed with ſuch an alliance to angel and ſpirit as to take rank above all the creatures on this ſide the ſtars! From the noble ſtructure and powers of the human mind, it appears that we were formed with a ſubjective capacity, capable of the everlaſting fruition of God. Such is our kind of being, as declares our author God, the Father of our ſpirits, and that we are bound to him; as manifeſting ſuch ſingular kindneſs unto us. Let us now for a moment look back to the aera of our exiſtence and the timing of it, and the manifeſtation of the ſingular kindneſs of God therein. Our God, in whoſe hand "our times are," in his deep counſel and infinite wiſdom fixed upon the time for our exiſtence and coming into the world. Not in the period of time aſſign'd the antediluvian world, "when all fleſh had corrupted his way,"—nor in the new world, before, nor under the law given by Moſes, which had only "the ſhadow of good things to come;" but under the chriſtian diſpenſation; when "the wall of partition is taken down"—that Chriſt may be preached to the gentiles." Not in the time of the bloody perſecutions of the church, in the three firſt centuries of the chriſtian aera, under Roman pagan: nor in the dark and idolatrous time of anti-chriſtian tyranny and ſuperſtition; "when all the world wandered after the beaſt;" but ſince the glorious reformation from popery, and the eſtabliſhment of the proteſtant religion: now near two thouſand years ſince the coming of Chriſt our Lord;—and in a day of copious effuſions of the Holy Spirit, and of marvellous grace: ſo as that we ſee the preludes to, and even the firſt dawnings of the latter-day glory. Nor is it to be paſſed over in ſilence, that in conſequence of the late wonderful revolution in America we hope to enjoy perpetual freedom from civil and eccleſiaſtical tyranny: which, with the enjoyment of all goſpel privileges give us occaſion to adopt the language of inſpiration, "The lines are fallen to us in pleaſant places." How hath the Lord opened the treaſures of his goodneſs and pour'd his bleſſings in upon you on all ſides, and followed you with his rich, various, free and repeated mercies from the firſt commencement of your exiſtence to the preſent moment. In the days of helpleſs infancy, and through every ſtage of life, how hath he provided for you, and conferred the bleſſings of health, food and raiment upon you? The luminaries of heaven ſhine, the earth labours, and all the (otherwiſe diſcordant) elements conſpire to promote your comfort. Power and goodneſs divine have accompanied every moment of life, equally ſwift in approach, for your conſervation and conſolation. If the ſeries of mercies ſeem'd for a time in a meaſure interrupted, by afflictive ills, this manner of diſpenſation, was wiſely and well and even kindly calculated to afford you leſſons of uſeful inſtruction. When ſickneſs and death have invaded your neighbours, your friend; or relative, and ſpread havock and deſolation around you, and it may be have taken away a member of the family in which you live, you have eſcaped; and this day appear as monuments of God's ſparing mercy. How great the preventing and delivering goodneſs of God! What numerous ſeen, and yet more unſeen dangers have been eſcaped? What numberleſs poſitive bleſſings, temporal, ſpiritual, perſonal and relative, public and private, have been confer'd upon you by the immediate hand of God, your bountiful benefactor. Permit me to remind you yet more fully of the infinite kindneſs of God toward you, manifeſted by the various means he makes uſe of to promote your eternal ſalvation. In conſequence of the donation, the mediation, the obedience and death of Chriſt, you are invited, and urged by motives that have ſanctions of infinite weight, to make ſure of an intereſt in Him by faith, and thereby of eternal bleſſedneſs. By an early education you have been taught "man's chief end;" divine providence has ſmiled or frowned to draw or drive; bibles have been put into your hands; friends counſel you; thouſands of ſaints are praying for you; for this purpoſe holy angels attend our worſhipping aſſemblies while the goſpel is preached to you, and holy ordinances adminiſter'd; miniſters of the goſpel "knowing the terrors of the Lord perſuade you;"—they ſet life and death eternal before you, in all their glories and terrors; they proclaim your guilt, miſery and danger—and exhibit to view the unſearchable riches of the glorious Emmanuel: his ſuitableneſs as a Saviour, and his infinite ſufficiency to ſave, and his gracious readineſs.—For this purpoſe, heaven darts down its ſplendors to attract—Sinai thunders wrath divine; hell flaſhes forth flaming ruin, to the end you may be excited "to flee from the wrath to come;" conſcience admoniſhes you; the Holy Spirit co-operates with providences and ordinances to excite you to make ſure of an intereſt in the Lord Chriſt, and eternal ſalvation by him. In the view of theſe numerous and mighty efforts of divine goodneſs to promote your well-being in both worlds, may it not be ſaid, "what could have been done more, that has not been done?"—Surely ſuch an amazing ſeries of ſingular unmerited favours ought to inflame your gratitude, and to excite entire conſecration to the ſervice and glory of God, your, ſupreme benefactor. But if you refuſe,—hear O earth, with horror; be aſtoniſhed, O ye heavens, that God the fountain of being and all good, has ſo little gratitude from our ſtupid world! Here I might naturally addreſs the Lord's people, who hope they have experimentally known his love; but this will ſoon come in of courſe. I might alſo take ſpecial notice of the ſignal ſalvations of our God the year paſt, how he has ſurrounded us with his goodneſs, and enriched us with his mercy, and crowned the year with numerous ſalvations; but the time would fail. In the view of ſuch a profuſion of bleſſings let me call upon you cautiouſly to avoid vile and horrid ingratitude; ingratitude that may juſtly ſhock and confound—while it is enough to ſink the whole world into the depths of hell! To be every moment receiving bleſſings from God, and yet perpetually offending him to his face; can infernal ſpirits in everlaſting chains become guilty of ſuch aſtoniſhing ingratitude! Let me invite you to abound in the duty of commemorating glorious divine operations, relative to God's wonderful works of creation, redemption, and providence: and take heed that you don't content yourſelves with a mere hiſtorical and ſuperficial commemoration; but ever look that your remembrance of theſe high and mighty events be attempered to the nature and importance of them, and applied to experimental, devotional and practical purpoſes in religion. Our remembrance muſt be attended with the exerciſe of particular graces and virtues—with aſſent and perſuaſion—with approbation and wonder—with humility and reverence—with contrition and penitence—with affection and complacence—with thankſgiving and praiſe—with faith, hope, prayer, frequency and perſeverence—and with correſpondent life and courſe of action.—Thus let us enter upon a new revolution of time; and as knowing our "times are in the Lord's hand." I have only to add here, as in the view of ſuch peculiar diſtinguiſhing favours as we all ſhare in; and of the anſwerable obligations we are all under,—"I beſeech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you preſent your bodies a living ſacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reaſonable ſervice. And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God."

SECOND PART.

Foraſmuch as a large number of this large auditory have this day partaken of the commemorating ordinance of the Lord's ſupper, this hath given occaſion for this part of my diſcourſe, which is called Euchariſtical. The ſacrament of the Lord's-ſupper hath ſeveral names by which it is known. It is frequently called the euchariſt; ſo the Greek church called it, and we from them give it the ſame name, which properly ſignifies a thankſgiving; and it is ſo called in the firſt place, becauſe our Lord in the inſtitution of it, gave thanks, (1 Cor. 11. 24.) In the next place it is ſo called, becauſe we in partaking thereof ought to give thanks. It is an ordinance of thankſgiving, appointed for the joyful celebrating of the Redeemer's praiſes. The cup of ſalvation muſt be "the cup of bleſſing:" the high praiſes of God ſhould be in our mouths and in our hearts.It hath been the practice of many churches of Chriſt to have a thankſgiving day, following the euchariſt—others have a euchariſtical ſermon, exhorting to give thanks, and to walk with God. To attend the euchariſt or holy ſacrament, is to take an oath of allegiance unto the Lord. God doth in and by this ordinance ſeal to us, "to be to us a God:" and herein we ſeal to him "to be to him a people." We reſign and give up our whole ſelves, body, ſoul, and ſpirit to God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt; covenanting and promiſing to walk cloſely with him in all manner of goſpel obedience all our days.—Therefore it will be natural upon this occaſion to exhort the Lord's people to thankſgiving—and conſecration to the ſervice of God.

I therefore now make an addreſs in particular to you my fellow-communicants, and fellow-candidates for eternal glory. That I may inflame your love, increaſe your gratitude, and excite you to give thanks and praiſe to the Divine Trinity, "and to walk as you have received the Lord Jeſus Chriſt," anſwerable to the deſign of this euchariſtical part of my diſcourſe, it may be uſeful to exhibit to your view the infinite obligations you are under to the performance of theſe and all other duties; and the exerciſe of theſe and all other graces: obligations reſulting from the infinite perfections of God, and his communicative goodneſs, and ſingular kindneſs toward you. But here let me juſt obſerve, that whatever my charitable perſuaſion •• ward you may be in general, by that which I may now ſay, I do not mean to give my ſanction to your hope that you have received the grace of God. If in our Lord's little family of twelve, there was a Judas that betrayed him under the maſk of friendſhip, it will be marvellous indeed, if there be not a traitor found among hundreds. But as knowing that thoſe who come to the Lord's-ſupper in this place, come with a prevailing hope that they have experienced a ſaving change, I now meet and addreſs you on your own ground.—Ye children of God, his peculiar favourites, you have heard "that your times" in every point of view, are in "the hand of your God," therefore make confeſſion of this truth with thankſgiving and praiſe. View the kindneſs of your God in your admirable formation; "there is a ſpirit in man, and the inſpiration of the Almighty giveth him underſtanding." You will view the timing of your exiſtence and coming into the world, and with gratitude acknowledge the kindneſs of your God: your lot is caſt in a land of marvellous light, and in a day of abounding grace, by plentiful meaſures of divine influence. You will often recognize with gratitude the infinite kindneſs of the Lord toward you in that he preſerved you in life amidſt perils of death, from the moment of your exiſtence, for a number of years "when lying in your blood" and guilt, until the fixed time came for your effectual calling. You will remember, that when the Holy Spirit firſt took hold of your heart by way of powerful conviction of your ſin, guilt, and miſery, he found you ruſhing on toward deſtruction, and that even then when "the arrows of the Almighty were within you; and his terrors took hold of you," ſo that in the view of your guilt you were trembling every moment with fears of juſt and ſpeedy damnation eternal, I ſay even then ſuch was the reigning power of enmity in your heart; and ſuch the pride, the daring and horrid pride of your heart, that you obſtinately oppoſed the ſoul humbling method of ſalvation by the goſpel: and you would have reſiſted 'till dead, and damned forever, had not your oppoſition been conquered by the irreſiſtible energy of divine and ſovereign grace, in the day of the Lord's power, when you became the willing ſubjects of the Lord Chriſt your King Redeemer. You will often review the more ſignal tokens of the Lord's infinite loving-kindneſs towards you through all the viciſſitudes of life ſince your firſt ſaving acquaintance with him. How you have been aſſiſted by the holy Spirit to exert your graces, and to perform duties ſpiritually and evangelically; and to conform to the divine will, providential and revealed, with a ſacred pleaſure. How you have by the power of divine grace repelled and broke the force of temptation, by ſatan, the world and the fleſh. How when diſmal gloom by deſertion over-ſpread your mind, and tormenting doubts and fears ruſhed in upon you, the Lord diſpelled your darkneſs, and revived your hope and comfort by light divine. How he often enabled you "to cry Abba Father," and often appeared for you as a prayer-hearing God. How he hath upheld and ſupported you under trials and afflictive ills, and hath cauſed your conſolation to exceed your tribulation. How ſome events moſt unpromiſing and adverſe in themſelves, have by the over-ruling power and love of God ſerved to promote your temporal and ſpiritual felicity. How when your graces and virtues withered, he noticed your ſighs for want of the abſent Comforter, and granted you "freſh anointings, ſo that your ſouls became "as a watered garden."—How hath the Lord, from time to time admitted you to converſe with him in public ordinances, and alſo met with you in your retirements, both by day and night, in the houſe and by the way, and held divine communion with you. In a word, how have you found upon all occaſions a ſufficiency in the grace of God, for doing and ſuffering his will: ſo that you have been ready to ſay a thouſand times, "ſurely God is good to Iſrael." Eſpecially when he hath, as it were, unlocked his peculiar treaſures to inrich you with light, love and peace divine, and even cauſed you to rejoice with "joy unſpeakable and full of glory."

Thus hath the Lord le •• you on in your way to heaven by his Word and Spirit to this day; and this day hath given a renewed teſtimony of his infinite kindneſs by admitting you to communion with him at the holy euchariſt, which demands thankſgiving and praiſe. You will now reflect, that this is the Lord's Day, our communion Day, and a new-year's Day.—Have we not to day, as it were, heard the Lord of love ſaying unto us, "Come ye children of my love, I will begin this new year with you at a love feaſt: as inviting you to behold the Lamb of my election and affection in ſufferings, even unto death for the purpoſe of your eternal ſalvation. Here at my board, richly furniſhed, in and through the Mediator the Son of my love, I make over my ſelf to you in all my infinite perfections, and all my moſt glorious ſubſiſtences, I will be your God, and you ſhall be my people. By faith avouch me to be your God, and the promiſes and bleſſings of the new covenant are ratified to you by ſolemn oath, and ſealed by ſacred blood. Thus begin this year with me, perform your vows, walk with me, and I, who Am that I Am, will be your confederate God for ever and ever."—With holy joy and admiration we ſay Amen, we give thanks, and let the high praiſes of the adorable TRINITY be in our mouths and in our hearts, henceforth forever. If any of you have not had that ſenſible nearneſs to the Lord, and that delightful communion with him, that you longed and prayed for, ſearch after the cauſe why you have not, and be humble. Learn the ſovereignty of God in timing his communications, and the neceſſity of the divine influences in order to exerciſe graces, and to perform duties as you ought:—mourn your deficiences—perſevere in thirſting after and praying for nearneſs to God—and improve this holy ordinance for the purpoſe of a purifying effect upon the heart and life, and it will not be a loſt, but gainful opportunity.—If the Lord in infinite condeſcending love and grace hath admitted you to delightful converſe and communion with him;—if he has brought you "into his banqueting houſe, and his banner over you has been love," and his love has been ſhed abroad in your hearts;—if by faith you have fed on the bread of life from heaven, and drunk of the ſoul-refreſhing waters of eternal life—you have infinite occaſion to give thanks and to ſing unto the Lord. We have all indeed occaſion ſo to do, who are truly the Lord's people and have had ſuch marvellous ſights exhibited to view to day. In the holy ſacrament is to be ſeen the Lamb of God ſlain, and as both able and worthy to open the ſeals of the everlaſting goſpel, the book of light and life eternal.—Here we ſee the infinite evil of ſin in the red glaſs of Chriſt's ſufferings, and by his atonement made for it, even by blood and death:—here we ſee his free, diſtinguiſhing, condeſcending, expenſive, ſtrong and everlaſting love; and all needful bleſſings for time and eternity flowing to us, as believers, in the ſtream of his precious blood as incarnate God. Here we ſee the harmony of the redeeming attributes of God as meeting in Chriſt, relative to the ſalvation of fallen man, ſhining forth in their united full blaze of infinite everlaſting glory. Theſe marvellous things apprehended by faith are enough to whelm the ſoul as in an unfathomable, ſhoreleſs ocean of love, grace, and glory!—and to excite the angelic ſong, "glory to God in the higheſt." And now, ye ſaints of the moſt high God, who has loved you with an everlaſting love, everlaſting in its counſels, effects and conſequences, and therefore with loving-kindneſs has he drawn you; drawn you by his arm exerted by infinite love, and ſprinkled with the blood of his co-equal, co-eternal, "well beloved Son," when driving back the devouring flame, and ſnatching you "as brands out of the burning," and drawing you near to himſelf. Making you the monumental pillars and trophies of his boundleſs power, love and grace; thereby intending to ſhew to all worlds what the exertion of his perfections can produce out of the ruined maſs of mankind. And having loved you, "he will rejoice over you, and reſt in his love for ever." For you he hath opened the inexhauſtible fountain of his goodneſs▪ and conferred upon you an affluence of ſpiritual bleſſings in Chriſt;—bleſſings moſt excellent in their nature and quality, the ſure pledges of infinite love, and eternal in duration:—And let me now add a conſideration which gives an amazing emphaſis to all now ſaid, viz. all this profuſion of ſingular, immortal, infinite, god-like bleſſings muſt be reſolved into the rich, free, ſovereign, overflowing, infinite and unmerited goodneſs of God. If the queſtion ſhould be aſked, Why are we thus bleſſed? this is the only ſolution, that can be given to all eternity, "even ſo Father for ſo it ſeemed good in thy ſight!" The demerit of our crimes was infinitely the reverſe.—We deſerved not the leaſt mercy—but to be made miſerable, perfectly and eternally. Now in ſuch a view of things, what ſay you, my fellow candidates for eternal glory, ye favourites of heaven, can ye refrain from praiſing God for what he is in himſelf, and from giving thanks to him, for the overflowings of infinite goodneſs to you. Is it poſſible for you to keep ſilence, that the poſts of the houſe, and ſtones of the wall may utter their voice, and cry, Ingratitude, aſtoniſhing ingratitude! What evidence can you have that every evil ſpirit is caſt out of your heart, while a dumb ſpirit holds poſſeſſion? Can it ever be, that you who are the ſubjects of ſuch a profuſion of bleſſings and bemiracled with mercies, ſhould be the ſubjects of ſuch vile and ſhocking ingratitude? Surely, in as much as you enjoy bleſſings as great as the infinite goodneſs of God can beſtow, and as great as the infinite merit of Chriſt could purchaſe, you will reſolve with the ſweet ſinger of Iſrael, "every day will I bleſs thee, and I will praiſe thy name for ever and ever."Pſal. 145. 2. And again, "while I live I will praiſe the Lord; I will ſing praiſes unto my God, while I have any being."Pſal. 146. 2. You will ſing "the ſong of Moſes the ſervant of God, and the ſong of the Lamb, ſaying, "Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty."—You will every day join the everlaſting ſong of ſaints, and ſing—"Unto him that loved us, and waſhed us from our ſins in his own blood; and hath made us kings and prieſts unto God and his Father; to him be glory, and dominion, forever and ever, Amen."

What remains now, but to teſtify your gratitude, and ſenſibility of obligation to praiſe and give thanks, by holy admiration, holy joy, and ſelf-dedication to the ſervice and glory of God. You come from the holy euchariſt, full of abiding holy admiration. That "God is mindful of man," vile man: that he will dwell with man on earth, and hold communion with him—'tis a truth, but an aſtoniſhing one!—You will come from this holy ordinance rejoicing in God, as your exceeding joy; in all his infinite attributes; attributes which guaranty your eternal ſalvation; and rejoicing in the whole of his will as abſolutely good and infinitely perfect.—Rejoicing in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, in his perſon—in all his offices—in the benefits of redemption by him—in his high exaltation and univerſal government—in all his promiſes and all his precepts: Rejoicing in the Holy Spirit, in all his infinite perfections, and glorious operations: Rejoicing in the proſperity of Zion, and in the word and ordinances of God, and in his people as the excellent of the earth. Let me exhort you to ſee to it that your rejoicing in theſe glorious topics remains in you; and that your joy in them is the death of all joy in ſin.—At the ſame time interſperſe lamentations with your joy, in the view of your numerous deficiences and offences.

" It grieves me, Lord, it grieves me ſore, " That I have liv'd to thee no more.

You will alſo ſee to it that you come from the Lord's table with firmneſs of reſolution made in the ſtrength of the Lord, that you ſerve him, honour Chriſt, cautiouſly avoid all evil; and perſevere in the practice of every chriſtian duty and virtue. You profeſs experimental religion, and that you will endeavour the practice of univerſal holineſs. Without chriſtian practice and an holy life, you will lack ſcripture evidence that you have grace and holy affections; for they directly, and powerfully tend to, and have their exerciſes and fruit in holy practice. In order to your being univerſally holy and obedient, your obedience muſt conſiſt not only in negatives, univerſally avoiding wicked practices; but alſo you muſt be univerſal in the poſitives of religion. Chriſtianity requires that you not only ſhun the very appearance of all evil; and that as having named the name of Chriſt, you depart from iniquity in love and practice, totally and finally; but alſo that you become fervent in ſpirit ſerving the Lord; and holy in all manner of converſation. You muſt not only be blameleſs and harmleſs; but ornaments to chriſtianity. "Shining in the beauties of holineſs;" "your light ſo ſhining before men, that they may ſee your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Let it appear that you have been with the Lord Jeſus; and that his life is manifeſt in you: in that, as branches ingrafted in him by faith, as the true vine, you bring forth evangelical fruits of heart, lip, and life; having your converſation as becometh his goſpel: Let his love conſtrain you to live to him, who you hope, has died for you. It is true, that all perſons under the goſpel diſpenſation, are under infinite obligation to ſerve God and their generation; obligation reſulting from the infinite perfections of God, his commanding authority, and his communicative goodneſs. The violation of infinite obligation is iniquity infinite. You hope the Lord hath done ſingular things for you, that he hath dealt more kindly with you than others; may he not then expect you will do more for him than others? Others ſhare in the good things of the kingdom of common providence, and in the good things of the kingdom of the goſpel, they enjoy the privilege of bibles, miniſters and ordinances; but you ſhare not only in theſe, but in the ſpecial ſpiritual bleſſings of the kingdom of grace; and have a firm title to the boundleſs bleſſings of the kingdom of eternal glory. Surely all poſſible infinite obligation is devolved upon you to exert yourſelves in your ſeveral proper ſtations to glorify God, to honour Chriſt, and to do all the good you can to others.—Teach the world by your practice that the ſcripture doctrine of ſalvation by free and ſovereign grace, is a doctrine according to godlineſs: "as a peculiar people ſhewing forth the praiſes of your God, who hath called you forth out of darkneſs into marvellous light:" with full purpoſe of heart cleaving to him, by faith, love, and obedience; "walking in his fear," as you would walk in the comforts of the Holy Ghoſt." Reſt not in paſt experiences and preſent attainments; but "go on to perfection." Chriſtians that find they are under neceſſity of having recourſe to paſt experience for evidence of their gracious ſincerity and comfort, have not at preſent that exerciſe of grace and nearneſs to God they ought to have: if they had, light of evidence and comfort would ariſe from the preſent exerciſe of grace, as it always ſhould. The more frequently the exerciſes of grace are renewed, the more abiding and confirmed our aſſurance will be▪ therefore, "forgetting thoſe things which are behind,"—"Preſs toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Chriſt Jeſus."—"Give diligence to make your calling and election ſure▪ for if you do theſe things you ſhall never be moved."—Stand upon your watch tower, at all times, watching againſt ſin and temptation; watching unto duty—the matter of it, the timing of it, and the manner of performance. Pray and praiſe without ceaſing—converſe much with God every day in your cloſets—and every day, and every hour in the day by ejaculatory or mental prayer. Chriſtians that do not abound in ejaculatory prayer and praiſe, do not live near to God; they neglect a duty and mean eminently uſeful to ſupport and promote the vigor and vitality of grace in the heart, and that by which the ſoul of the real chriſtian is much fed and nouriſhed.—Pray with an importunity that ſhall pierce even heaven, that the work of God among us, and where ever it is begun, may go on, and make glorious progreſs. That every department of Zion may be viſited with a plentiful effuſion of the Spirit. That "the latter-day glory" may ſpeedily commence, and ſpread through the world. "That the knowledge of God may fill, and cover the earth, as the waters do the ſea." To add no more here, I beſeech and entreat you, "as you have therefore received Chriſt Jeſus the Lord, ſo walk ye in him." You received him as your ſupreme felicity and all-ſufficing portion for time and eternity, preferring of him above all other things, either in heaven or on earth, ſo walk as living to him, and upon him.—You received him as your teaching prophet to enlighten you by his word and ſpirit, that by his divine inſtruction you might become wiſe to eternal ſalvation; ſo walk.—You received him as your great high-prieſt, and interceſſor in the preſence of God; as having made complete atonement for ſin, and brought in a law-fulfilling, everlaſting righteouſneſs, rejecting your own righteouſneſs, you depended entirely upon his for juſtification before God; ſo walk.—You received him as your king and law-given, pleaſed with his government, and chooſing he ſhould reign in your heart forever; thus walk ye in him.—I beſeech you by all the infinite attributes of Jehovah, engaged from everlaſting, and exerted in time, for the purpoſe of your eternal ſalvation. I beſeech you by the ineffable 〈◊〉 operation of the adorable Trinity, to effect and conſummate your eternal well-being. I intreat you by the name and love of our dear Saviour—by his incarnation, obedience, and ſufferings, by every drop of his precious blood, as the bleeding Lamb of God; by the unutterable anguiſh which he bore when lifted up upon the croſs, "when the arrows of the Almighty were within him," and died an accurſed death for you his redeemed.—I beſeech you by the triumphs of his reſurrection, and his aſcenſion to the regions of glory, and all the beneficial conſequences thereof on your behalf:—By all the gracious invitations, ſpiritual precepts, and precious promiſes, he has given you as your enthroned Lord and Saviour:—By all that he has done for you in time, and that you expect him to do for you in time, and for an eternal duration. I intreat you by all the honor, glory and praiſe that is, and ever will be due to him, as God, man and mediator.—I beſeech you by the infinite perfections and dignity of the Holy Spirit; by his ſaving influences given for regeneration, for ſanctification, for conſolation; and for edification, until you arrive at perfection in glory. I beſeech you by the love and compaſſion you have, (or ought to have) to the faithful miniſters of Chriſt, and to the friends and divine lovers of Jeſus, and of Zion's proſperity, as you would not cauſe their hearts to bleed, and their eyes to weep. I intreat you by the immenſe worth of immortal ſouls and the benevolence you have toward them, as you would not caſt ſtumbling blocks in their way, to fall over into endleſs flaming ruin. I beſeech you by the love you have to your own ſouls—by the ſure and ſolemn proſpect of a dying bed, and comfort in the final hour; and by the joyful proſpect of a perſonal appearance before the flaming tribunal of Chriſt, to ſtand trial for fixation in an eternal ſtate. I beſeech you by your, ſacramental vow and oath of allegiance you have taken over the broken body and ſhed blood of your Redeemer, that you will walk with him, and as his people walk.—I beſeech and intreat you by the eternal agonies of the damned, which you hope to eſcape, and by all the joys and beatitudes of the ſanctuary of immortality and glory that you hope to poſſeſs, "that you walk as you have received Chriſt Jeſus the Lord."

Thus I leave my endearing addreſs and exhortation before you, and before the Lord. I have diſcharged my embaſſy, I have told you my errand; more weighty, awful and intereſting arguments and perſuaſives I cannot ſuggeſt. I now conclude, with a benevolent wiſh and prayer in the language of inſpiration, "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jeſus, that great ſhepherd of the ſheep, through the blood of the everlaſting covenant; make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleaſing in his ſight, through Jeſus Chriſt; to whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen."

THIRD PART.

I am now come to the third and laſt part of my diſcourſe, and muſt intreat your patience and attention, while I make mention of ſome ſignal diſpenſations of God, and manifeſtations of his ſovereign, infinite, unmerited goodneſs towards me: in doing which, you will obſerve, that in ſome of thoſe diſpenſations you are intereſted, as they have a relative reſpect unto you as the dear people of my paſtoral care and charge. Doubtleſs, every private chriſtian and eſpecially ever miniſter of the goſpel, ought to acknowledge God as the author, preſerver and diſpoſer of our lives. I • as miniſters of Chriſt our Lord, upon ſome proper public occaſions we ſpeak out our experience of the power of divine grace—and our trials and ſufferings; our abounding labours, and ſucceſsful eſſays (by the bleſſing of God) to promote the Redeemer's kingdom—St. Paul (and other apoſtles and even prophets) will keep us in countenance; provided that we primarily have and hold in view the glory of God, the honour of Chriſt, and the benefit of others. We lay no claim to that which is properly apoſtolic and extraordinary; we act in a lower ſphere and comparatively our labours are ſmall and our uſefulneſs inconſiderable: Yet "we cannot but ſpeak the things which we have ſeen and heard;"—"we alſo believe and therefore ſpeak." If any are diſpoſed to cenſure us, yet we hope that others will profit thereby. Here I am naturally led to make the confeſſion of the ſaint as in my text,—"My times are in the Lord's hand;"—and to ſay with the apoſtle,—"Having therefore obtained help from God, I continue unto this day▪" You may recollect that when I preached to you on the Lord's day October 30th, I then obſerved to you that that day compleated half a century or fifty years ſince I commenced a preacher of the goſpel. On that day I invited your meditations upon the words of Moſes to Iſrael—"He is thy life, and the length of thy days:" I then obſerved, that I would defer preaching an half century ſermon 'till this day; if happily we might live to ſee it: The hoped for day is come and brought with it numerous ſolemn ſervices, and ſacred pleaſures. You will allow me boldneſs and freedom of ſpeech, even beyond what I ſhould think proper, did I not look upon myſelf near to another and better world.—

When in the morning of life and bloom of youth, in the ever to be remember'd year 1735, it pleaſed a ſovereign God to make me the ſubject of clear, powerful and heart affecting conviction of ſin, guilt, and miſery; and to give me ſight of his juſtice in my eternal condemnation; after a powerful work of the law and an abſolute ſubmitting of myſelf to God as rightful Lord and ſovereign. He was pleaſed "to ſhine into my heart to give the light of the knowledge of his glory in the face of Jeſus Chriſt." I now beheld the infinite amiable glory and all ſufficiency of Chriſt, as God, man mediator, and felt my heart go forth to him in acts of truſt and ſupreme love: I now ſaw the infinite excellence and ſafety of the goſpel method of ſalvation, and found my whole heart gained over to an approbation of, and an entire acquieſcence in that divine plan as the device of infinite wiſdom and boundleſs love.—From that hour to this, (through infinite riches of ſovereign grace) I have found a new temper of heart, and tenor of life. At this time reigning benevolence toward fellow-men took poſſeſſion of my heart, and has been kept up to this hour. Here let me obſerve, that if my miniſtry has been uſeful to you, or others, the Lord was now preparing the way therefor, even before moſt of you were born.—In conſequence of theſe divine manifeſtations, for about the ſpace of two years I was held before the throne of grace daily praying for the knowledge of duty with reſpect to my ſeeking a liberal education; and obtaining ſatisfaction in this point, ſoon after the 20th year of my age I fixedly entered upon ſtudies, that prepared the way for taking my firſt degree at Yale-College in 1741. In a few weeks after, I was invited and urged by ſome worthy miniſters of the goſpel to attend their aſſociation, which was ſoon to have a ſeſſion: I did ſo, and offered myſelf to examination, was approved, and received licence as a candidate for the goſpel miniſtry.Before and after I took my degree, I was fully determined to live for half a year or a year with the Rev. Mr. Edwards, of Northampton, purſuing theological ſtudies, not having a ſingle thought of preaching, 'till I had ſo done: But falling in company with the Rev. Mr. Jedediah Mills and Dr. Bellamy, they inſiſted upon my offering myſelf upon trials ſoon. Still I had in view living with Mr. Edwards before I preached. After about five months I arrived at Northampton, and was obliged to preach almoſt daily there, as well as elſewhere: The Lord was pleaſed to crown my labours with aſtoniſhing ſucceſs, even there Mr. Edwards would not admit me to ſit down to ſtudy under him; inſiſting upon it, that it was my indiſpenſible duty to go on preaching as I had begun.—And about a year after was ordained at large, by members of the ſame aſſociation. From the firſt I became an itinerant preacher. Making my tours in various parts of theſe northern ſtates. Preaching almoſt every day, and often two and three times in a day; and often to very large congregations. I journey'd about two thouſand miles, and preached ſeveral hundred times in the ſpace of a year. I preached in many congregations where the work of God had made great and glorious progreſs: In ſome places it had juſt begun.—In ſome places I ſaw much oppoſition made to the work:—In ſome obſerved many imprudences chargeable upon the friends of the work.—Many congregations (and ſome numerous ones,) I found under the power of awful ſecurity in ſin: ſome of which, were ſoon univerſally awakened by the preaching of the word, and plentiful effuſion of the Holy Spirit; ſo that in a few weeks ſeveral ſcores of perſons were in thoſe places hopefully converted from ſin to God. Thus amidſt abounding labours and an amazing run of ſervices, I had the pleaſure of ſeeing the work of God going on and proſpering gloriouſly.—Thus I continued itinerating and preaching for about four years. But here it may be noted, that during this ſpace of time, I was twice ſeized with a fever, which each time ſat heavy upon me, eſpecially the laſt; ſo that my life was given over by myſelf and friends: But it pleaſed the ſovereign Lord of life, "in whoſe hand our times are," to reſtore me again to health and uſefulneſs.—During the forementioned ſpace of time, your fathers in this place repeatedly and warmly applied to me requeſting that I would accept of a call to this place, with a view to my ſettlement in the goſpel miniſtry among them; which call I repulſed, as I did many others in that day.—In September 1745, Preſident Edwards, (who had from the firſt of my miniſtry acted the part of a kind father to me) by his importunity prevailed upon me to ſet out upon a journey for the purpoſe of preaching the goſpel in the ſouthern ſtates. I proceeded as far as the Jerſeys on my way; where meeting with the Rev. Meſſi. Dickinſon, Tennant and Preſident Burr, they profeſſed a well pleaſedneſs with my deſign; but as two of them had juſt returned home from this place, and knowing the ſituation of this people, they deliberated and propoſed my coming here before I proceeded.—I complied, and came to this town November 9, 1745, and the next day being the Lord's-day, I preached for the firſt time here upon the words of St. Paul, viz. "I determine to know nothing among you, ſave Jeſus Chriſt and him crucified." When I came into town I was fully reſolved to leave it in a few months; but ſpending the winter here, the people in the ſpring gave me a very unanimous call to ſettle in the miniſtry with them. I was thereupon for ſeveral months much exerciſed as to my duty; but finally accepted the call; and was inſtalled here September 19th, 1746. Preſident Edwards preached upon this occaſion from a text that ſome have ſince thought almoſt prophetical.Iſai. The Rev. Mr. Hunting being very infirm was diſmiſſed from his paſtoral relation to this people upon my inſtalment. In his day, in the years 1741 and 42, there was a very powerful work of God in this place.In the time of vacation at College, May, 1741, Mr. David Brainard and myſelf, having heard of the work of God as going on at Southold, and in this place, came upon the Iſland to acquaint ourſelves with it. I had then much ſatisfaction, not only in hearing the Rev. Mr. Burr preach ſeveral ſermons in this place, but alſo in converſation with many of the ſubjects of this work. It was ſuppoſed, that upwards of a hundred perſons were then ſavingly wrought upon: In conſequence of which, about three ſcore perſons were added to the church ſoon after my inſtalment. In 1749 the work of God's grace was carried on powerfully in our eaſtern and weſtern villages: a conſiderable number of young people were wrought upon in each. The work was not ſo powerful in the body of the town at that time. But in the ever memorable year 1764, the work of God became general and univerſal: perſons of every age, from five or ſix years to eighty, were the ſubjects of the work. This work of God was the moſt powerful, the moſt genuine and evangelical that ever I knew. My printed Narrative of this work in ſome of your hands, may inform you more fully. In conſequence of this glorious work, in a few months after it began, I propounded for full communion 99 perſons at one time, who were added to the church; and ſoon after a large number more.—There were a great number of children, ſome youth, and many that wanted more aſſurance, who were hopefully the ſubjects of a ſaving change, that did not offer themſelves to join the church at this time. This work brought ſome of the ſubjects of it to the poſſeſſion of the latter day glory to an eminent degree, in which they lived and died. In the year 1785, it pleaſed a ſovereign God to grant again another plentiful effuſion of the Holy Spirit upon us.—The work of God at this time was carried on with amazing power in the midſt of us. As many as ſix or eight every week for the ſpace of three months, were hopefully ſavingly wrought upon. As faſt as ſome met with light and comfort, others were awakened; yet the work was not ſo univerſal as in 1764: yet in a few months above an hundred were added to the church; profeſſing experimental and practical religion. Others at this time became the ſubjects of ſome hope of a ſaving change. In the laſt year, 1791, the work of God among us, claims our remembrance "as one of the years of the right hand of the moſt high." The Lord "with whom is the reſidue of the ſpirit" has been pleaſed to viſit us again with the divine influences. Between thirty and forty have been lately added to the church, more we truſt are on their way about to come, in that many hope they have been the ſubjects of this work. The ſubjects of this work have been very powerfully wrought upon; and ſeem to have been uncommonly ſelected out from among others. This late work has not been ſo general among ſinners as uſually we have known. But for a univerſal viſitation and freſh anointings of the Lord's people and their increaſing light and comfort, I never know a revival of religion among us equal thereto ſince I have been your paſtor.—It is to be noted and remember'd, that in the intermediate ſpaces of theſe plentiful effuſions of the Holy Spirit from firſt to laſt there have been ſome hopeful inſtances of ſaving converſion to God. We have during the whole time enjoyed ſome ſpecial tokens of the Lords gracious preſence with us. Thus have we ſeen and known ſince I have been your paſtor, (excluſive of 41-2) four harveſt times and ſeaſons of the plentiful out pouring of the Holy Spirit, and times of the flocking of ſouls to Chriſt, and of acceſſions thereupon to his church. I have not heard or known of a people in any department of Zion that within the ſpace of fifty years, have been ſo frequently favoured with ſuch plentiful "out pourings of the Holy Spirit" upon them; infinitely vile, unworthy and ungrateful as we are! Having thus briefly reminded you of the infinite kindneſs of the glorious and eternal Trinity toward us, you will naturally reflect that our obligations to thoſe divine perſons riſe anſwerably high; and that our ingratitude will be proportionably aggravated, baſe, and vile.

I have now to obſerve, that the Rev. Mr. Hunting, my predeceſſor, and myſelf, have between us, compleated 92 years in the goſpel-miniſtry in this place. That ſince my inſtalment in the year 1746, nine hundred eighty nine perſons have departed life, that belonged to this town—thirteen of them the year paſt. In the ſame ſpace of time I have baptized in this place ſixteen hundred—45 of them the year paſt: near two hundred more than there are inhabitants at preſent. When I received this church, it conſiſted of 81 members, but three of which are now living. During this time, we have been called to part with many excellent chriſtians, rich in experience of divine grace; many of them died in the triumphs of faith, others comfortably. Many valuable chriſtians have removed from us into various parts of the country, where, as we hear, they are uſeful.—Numerous heavy breaches and mournful vacancies have been made in this our Zion; but the Lord, from time to time, hath filled them all, and more than filled them; "and cauſed joy, rejoicing, thankſgiving, and the voice of melody to be heard in this city of our God." We have had the acceſſion of hundreds to the church: and perhaps the number of communicants was never larger than at the preſent time. It muſt be regiſtered in the catalogue of divine favours that I have enjoyed ſuch a ſeries of health, that for 44 years I was not ſo much as once prevented preaching by indiſpoſition, nor had I a ſick day or hour during the whole ſpace of time. Forty-three of thoſe years I ſpent in your ſervice; and never to this day have I been prevented—except when for a few ſabbaths I was debilitated by the influenza. Such an uncommon meaſure of health, but little broke in upon for fifty years, hath been improved for the purpoſe of abounding miniſterial ſervices: I have preached in this ſpace of time, above ten thouſand times. Deſignation to office, opportunities for miniſterial labours, gifts, graces, abilities more or leſs, aids, aſſiſtances and ſucceſſes, are all of and from the Lord; to whom be all the glory. "A man can receive nothing (of this kind), except it be given him from heaven." The Lord as an infinite ſovereign upon his throne, in raiſing up inſtruments for his ſervice, can take them from the ruſhes, the ſheepfolds, or fiſh-nets, qualify them for uſefulneſs, and by them "confound the wiſdom of the mighty." If He crowns our feeble attempts in his ſervice with any degree of ſucceſs, we wiſh to ſpeak of it with undiſſembled gratitude, and with deep abaſement, as conſcious of our unworthineſs, of our deficiences, and our ſelfiſhneſs intermixed with all our performances; and with a ſpring of joy, that yet a little while, and He will have all the glory of our uſefulneſs.

Although I have preached abundantly in other places, ſince my connexion with you, yet moſtly with you, the people of my ſpecial charge. With you, my dear people, I have laboured and travelled in the work of the goſpel miniſtry, for a long courſe of years; I may ſay it without oſtentation, that "I have obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful: I have made it my conſtant endeavour and buſineſs to gain ſouls to Chriſt, and build them up in faith and holineſs: principally inſiſting upon ſuch truths as expreſs the ſpirit of true religion; and tending to direct, quicken and encourage you in the way to eternal life. I eſteem it as one of the precious mercies of the Lord towards me, that I have not "run in vain nor laboured in vain." I have abundant cauſe to bow my knee to the Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and bleſs his name that I have grounds to hope that he hath made me inſtrumental of bringing many among you into a ſaving acquaintance with himſelf.—Although you can eaſily recollect many of the important capital doctrines which I have mainly inſiſted upon in the courſe of my preaching; yet I have prepared therefor, and deſigned now to have given you a ſummary account of them, but the time is elapſed.—I muſt only ſay, "I have not ſhunned to declare to you the whole counſel of God;" "and have kept back nothing that is profitable unto you." The apoſtolic doctrines I have preached to you are your crown and glory, as St. John ſpeaks, "your crown of twelve ſtars:" If ever you depart from ſuch doctrines and let theſe truths go, the "crown falls from your head," and the glorious God himſelf will depart and be gone; yea, be gone far from a forſaken ſanctuary; and you will ſee an Ichabod upon the miniſtry! It is the more needful that I give you warning, and exhort you to become rooted and eſtabliſhed in the faith, and belief of the truth at preſent, and thereby become guarded and fortified againſt error, becauſe you live in a day in which errors abound.

There are preachers and writers in this day, who boldly and freely ſpeak out and publiſh errors and principles, pernicious to the ſouls of men: and ſome, ſo artfully, under the ſpecious ſhew of ſanctity, that they would deceive the elect, if that were poſſible. The moſt artful ſeducers are thoſe who aſſert many goſpel doctrines, which they ſuppoſe will be pleaſing to ſuch as are ſound in the faith, concealing their corrupt principles, until they ſuppoſe they have ſufficiently gain'd intereſt in the affections of their hearers, and then they will gradually give vent to them with as much plauſibility as poſſible. You will watch againſt verging to "another goſpel." and contend earneſtly for the ſaith once delivered to the ſaints; as knowing that the Holy Spirit co-operates with truth; "and makes the goſpel the power of God to every one that believeth."—But as having preach'd the grand principles of the everlaſting goſpel to you, I might now naturally put you upon examination and enquiry how you have received and improved them: And obſerve to you, that if any of you continue finally to ſlight and neglect them, your eternal condemnation will be amazingly aggravated; "your blood will not be required of me;" I ſhall appear as a witneſs againſt you before the awful bar of Chriſt, our final judge: But the time will not admit to dwell here.—If it ſhould pleaſe the Lord to prolong my life I ſhall count it worth while to ſpend the reſidue of my days in promoting the welfare and proſperity of your ſouls. Although I do not perceive that public ſervices are now more weariſome than they were thirty years ago, yet, if no acute diſeaſe invades according to a courſe of nature I cannot continue your paſtor much longer. For length of time we have had endear'd connection as one, mutually rejoicing in proſperity; ſympathetic in adverſity. I preſume I am not now preaching my valedictory ſermon, however, I take this opportunity to thank you for all your benevolence and kindneſſes expreſſed towards me and mine.—Who will be my ſucceſſor I know not; though I know what he ought to be in character. I hope, "no grievous wolves will enter in among you, not ſparing the flock:" Nor "ſubtle foxes that ſpoil the tender vines which have grapes:" Nor any that will dare "to liſt up their axes upon the carved work of the temple."—I pray the Lord in infinite mercy to preſerve you from the greateſt outward judgment and calamity that can befal you, viz. that of an unconverted miniſtry! I have often thought, that could I know this would be your awful doom, from love to your ſouls, and the ſouls of your dear children, I ſhould grieve myſelf down into the grave. I ſpeak the truth, the very thought thereof, gives me a more ſenſible ſhock, than the thought of death itſelf.—I ſhould account it one of the choiceſt favours in life to ſee an aſcenſion gift of our enthroned Saviour Chriſt Jeſus the Lord, conferred upon you, before my departure hence.—Now you obſerve that all is harmony, love and good-will—that there is not a ſeparate, a ſectarian, or any one of a different denomination from us in the boundaries of the town:—but who can ſay it will be thus, if after my departure, you are called to the re-ſettlement of the goſpel miniſtry among you?—There may be that concealed in the heart, which as yet is not acted out in the life, for want of time and anſwerable temptation to draw it forth. Your preſent outward viſible harmony, by reaſon of an internal different taſte and reliſh, may be broken in upon, when you come to elect a paſtor, and diſcord unhappily prevail. Although I thus ſpeak (with a degree of fear) "yet I hope better things." I preſume you will not take up ſatisfied with a flouriſh of words, and the art of oratory in ſpeaking, if there be wanting, ſolidity of thought, and apparent ſolemnity of ſpirit: Nor with an unconnected, undigeſted, and confuſed manner of ſpeaking, with much apparent fervency and little knowledge. You will wiſh to have a miniſter that is "both a burning and ſhining light;" having knowledge and zeal proportionably aſſociated, and both riſing to a degree of eminency;—a man of ſolid judgement, of a fruitful invention, of learned acquirements, and Pauline in principle;—endowed with gifts and graces, and furniſhed with a fund of doctrinal and experimental knowledge; not preaching up all his divinity in a few ſermons; but bringing out of his treaſures things new and old—"feeding you with knowledge and underſtanding;"—rightly dividing, and cloſely applying the word, giving to ſinners their portion; and "feeding the ſheep and lambs of Jeſus, as a workman that need not be aſhamed:"—a preacher that does not divine for money, (though to be honorably ſupported) preaching Chriſt, and wiſe to win ſouls to him—powerfully preſſing upon you faith and repentance, and ſtrict conformity to all divine precepts; but always with evangelical references.—You will aſſuredly ſee to it, that your elect paſtor, both in praying and preaching gives due honour to the Holy Spirit;—that he frequently reminds you of the neceſſity, the excellency, and advantage of the Spirit's miſſion—that his gracious preſence is the moſt neceſſary, vital, and fundamental good;—that where He ſuſpends his influence there will be weakneſs, darkneſs, and deadneſs,—that where He divinely exerts the powers of his office and the perfections of his nature, there will be light, ſtrength, and life divine.—And that as a preacher he comes to you in the demonſtration of the Spirit and of power.—May the aſcended and exalted Saviour, from his unwaſted ſtores and immenſe fulneſs, confer upon you the royal donative of a ſpiritual paſtor and teacher, "that the Lord God may meet with you in every place, where He has recorded his Name," bleſs you, and dwell with you forever!

Finally, brethren, pray for me, (as I hope to for you, 'till my expiring breath) and when I have gotten beyond the reach of your prayers, I hope you will have occaſion to praiſe the Lord for ever, that I was once for a time your miniſter.

I ſhall now conclude in few words.

Having this day entered upon the threſhold of a new year, let us now unite in making the ſaint's confeſſion, Jehovah, "my times are in thy hand."—Let us offer undiſſembled praiſe to God, that we have life prolonged to this day.—Let us alſo enter upon this new revolution of time under realizing views of the brevity and uncertainty of life. Nothing is more certain than that our time here will be ſhort; nothing more uncertain than how ſhort it will be.

" The days how few, how ſhort the years " Of man's too rapid race! " Each leaving as it ſwiftly flies, " A ſhorter in its place. " They who the longeſt leaſe enjoy, " Have told us with a ſigh, " That to be born, ſeems little more " Than to begin to die."

It ſeems that neither revelation, nor providence will let us live long in this world. How ſhort a duration is there for us on this ſide the grave? It is not only poſſible, but highly probable, that death may meet ſome of us within the compaſs of this year. If we could look into the volume of the divine decrees, no doubt, one and another of us would there ſee our ſentence, and the time of its execution fixed—"this year thou ſhalt die."—Surely it infinitely concerns each and every one of us to be found in readineſs for an exchange of worlds:—without interpoſing delay to tranſact with God through Chriſt the divine Mediator relative to our eternal ſalvation. Suffice it to ſay, my dear hearers, (or readers) you muſt remember, always remember, that you were made for God, religion and eternity; and that you muſt have a religion that will befriend you in life, at death, at judgment, and be as laſting as eternity.

In fine—"whether we live, may we live unto the Lord; or whether we die, may we die unto the Lord; whether we live therefore, or die, may we be the Lord's."

AMEN and AMEN.