Preach we modified truth; or by selecting truth, do we sit in judgement upon the wisdom, and propriety of heaven's communication to men? We stand in the naked exposure of our own feebleness, and our failure is inevitable. Preach we the whole truth, and so, become the echo of the voice of God to our fellow sinners ?-We stand in the panoply of the high attributes of Jehovah, and our success is as certain, as that God is almighty. 66 66 We will not say to you brethren, in reference to what has now been said, we hope better things of you." We would rather say, in the language of another, we pronounce nothing, we decide upon nothing, we leave every man to his conscience, and his God." Truth is mighty. It is the sword of the Spirit. It is the grand instrument by which that infinite Agent operates to promote conviction, and to effect that change in the hearts of men, that is an indispensable preparative, for the kingdom of glory. Are we workers together with this divine Agent, in extending the triumphs of the Redeemer? We shall lift our heads with joy, on that day, when he shall open upon the universe, with all the wonders of the judgement scene. Finally-Placed as we are, my brethren, as watchmen on the walls of Zion, let us each remember, the authoritative injunction of our King-" Lift up thy voice like a trumpet; show my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins." "Tis our appropriate office-work, to warn the wicked of his way; to show him, his character of guilt, and his condition of danger. : We are set to watch for souls. Let us do it, under the deep, and solemn conviction, that we must give an account. The souls committed to our charge will meet us before the tribunal of eternal justice. With the solemnities of the great day of God Almighty, constantly in our view, let us labour so to preach, as to save, both ourselves, and those who hear us. It will not be a subject of regret to us, in the hour of our departure, that we have with too much ardour, and faithfulness, urged upon our dying auditors, the great truths of the Bible; and entreated them, by the mercies of God, to fly to the cross of Christ as their only refuge. The time that remains to us, for activity in the service of our Master, is short. Let us gird up the loins of our mind, and watch, and be sober. Let us look well to ourselves, that our skirts be not stained with the blood of lost souls. Let us preach the word. Be instant in season, and out of season. Let us declare the whole truth, whether sinners will hear, or whether they will forbear. Let us, to the best of our abilities, exhibit the full glories of our Maker, as they beam upon us from the face of Jesus, that it may appear at last, that we have not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God. Then, may we hope to stand before our judge, in garments made white in the blood of the Lamb, and to shine in the kingdom of glory, as the stars for ever and ever.-AMEN! AMEN! SERMON XVI. "O my people, what have I done unto thee? And wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me." MICAH VI. 3. IN language highly figurative, and rich in ornament, God, by calling to the mountains, and to the hills to listen to his controversy with his people, addresses the great, and wise, and powerful of the earth, and invites them to attend to the argument. He then makes a direct appeal to Israel, which is calculated to bring the subject to a speedy issue. He recurs, very briefly, to a few facts in their past history, as illustrative of the whole course of his providential dealings with them. Their deliverance from Egypt, where they were slaves-His leading them out by the hand of Moses, and Aaron, and Miriam.-His kind and successful interposition in the case of Balak, and Balaam. By the facts here exhibited, of the method of his dealings, with them, he challenges them to point out an instance, in the whole course of his conduct, since the calling of Abraham, which was not of the same general character; and from which they might not learn, the deep interest which he took in their prosperity and happiness as a nation. He K K appeals to them in the most affectionate language, and invites them to a careful, and candid review, of what he had done, and what he had required; and as if dealing with an equal, seems willing to abide the result of the investigation. In looking at the history of Israel, the benevolent heart is a thousand times pained, at the numerous and affecting instances of their ingratitude; and is lead to admire the patience, and forbearance, and condescension of God. The evidence of human depravity seems most palpable and convincing, as it is exhibited in the records of human conduct; and the riches of divine goodness are the most strikingly illustrated, in the conduct of God's providence towards those, who have requited him evil for good, and have practically despised the infinitely gracious source of all their mercies. We may be told, a thousand times, that men are depraved and ungrateful creatures; and we may believe them so: But when we see them abusing their Benefactor, and charging their miseries upon the hand that has multiplied blessings on them without number, the evidence becomes so clear, and impressive, as to command the strongest expressions of disgust and condemnation. We may be told too, that God is good; that infinite compassion dwells in his heart; and we may believe it so: But when he addresses the ungrateful objects of his bounty and care, in the affectionate and melting language of the text, and see so much ingratitude meet with such heavenly mildness and compassion-"O my people, what have I done unto thee?" The feelings become interested, the heart is moved, and our conviction of the Divine good |