utterance may be given unto them that they may open their mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gofpel, that therein they may speak boldly, as they ought to fpeak (p). What is our united fupplication? Make, "we beseech thee, O Almighty God, all bishops and paftors diligently to preach

66

thy holy word, and the people obedi"ently to follow the fame. Grant that "the minifters and ftewards of thy myfte"ries may prepare and make ready thy

66

way, by turning the hearts of the difobe"dient to the wisdom of the juft. Grant "unto us all that we, being called by thy "holy word, may forthwith give up our"felves obediently to fulfil thy holy com"mandments, through Jefus Christ our "Lord."

() Ephef. vi. 19. 20.

SERMON II.

On Believers and Unbelievers.

ACTS, XXViii. 24,

And fome believed the things which were Spoken; and fome believed not.

ST. PAUL, delivered by his falfe accufers in Judea into the hands of the Roman governor, perceived that no prospect of preferving his life remained, but by an ap peal unto Cæfar. Exercifing therefore the right of a Roman citizen, he demanded to be fent to the Emperor, that by him the caufe might be examined and decided. He was accordingly conveyed, as a prifoner, to Rome. His first care, on his arrival in that city, was to affemble his countrymen, the Jews to fatisfy them, that he had never purpofed, in appealing unto Caefar, to exhibit any complaint against the Jewish nation; and diftinctly to fet before them that faith in Jefus of Nazareth, the promised Saviour,

13

1

Saviour, for which he was an ambaffador in bonds. His countrymen replied, that no charge against himself had reached their ears; that they had received but imperfect accounts concerning the doctrine which he profeffed; that they knew it, however, to be univerfally fpoken againft; and that they were defirous of hearing a full ftatement of his opinions. A day was appointed. Numbers came to his abode. Earnest for their converfion, and zealous for the glory of his Mafter, he expounded to them the Scriptures, and teftified the kingdom of God, perfuading them concerning Jefus, both out of the law of Mofes, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. What was the effect of his labour? Some believed the things which were spoken; and some believed not. Some believed: Why? They could not refift the power and wisdom with which he fpoke. They were willing to liften to the truth; therefore their prejudices yielded. They turned their eyes to the light; therefore the light fhone not in vain. They difcerned in Jefus of Nazareth the undeniable characters of that Meffiah, to whom the Law and the Prophets bare witnefs: they difcerned them with joy and thankfulness; therefore they glorified C 4 God

God by faith in his beloved Son. Some. believed not: Why? Because they were exactly fuch men as the foreknowledge of the Holy Ghost had defcribed by the mouth of Ifaiah. Their heart was waxed grofs, and their ears were dull of hearing, and their eyes they had closed; left they fhould fee with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and be converted, and God fhould heal them. Their heart, fixed upon ceremonial ordinances and worldly purfuits, was averfe to fpiritual religion, humility, and holiness. Their ear gave no attention to doctrines which contradicted their prepoffeffions, and proclaimed the iniquity of the self-righteous. Their eyes they wilfully fhut against that light from above, by which ignorance was detected, and guilt expofed. Therefore it was that Mofes and the prophets teftified before them, and produced not conviction. Therefore it was, that hearing they heard, and did not underftand; and feeing they faw, and did not perceive. Therefore it was, that they withstood the evidence of the Gofpel. Therefore it was, that they would not be converted and healed. Therefore it was, that they would not accept the falvation of God. How

How ftands the cafe with respect to Christians? To them univerfally is the Revelation of Jefus Chrift addreffed. To them Mofes and the prophets, and all the infpired writers of the New Testament, deliver their teftimony concerning the Redeemer of mankind. To them the Sabbath, as well as many an intervening day, opens the houfes of God, that, with humble fupplication and fincere thanksgiving, they may hear the words of eternal life. To them, the minifters of religion cease not to direct appropriate inftruction; cease not to unfold the whole counfel of God; to unveil the radical corruption of human nature; to make manifeft the power, the deceitfulness, and the confequences of fin; to difplay the grand doctrines of redemption and fanctification; to explain and enforce the precepts, admonitions, and exhortations of Holy Writ; to animate the righteous by the examples of faints of ancient days; to alarm the guilty by the fate of former rebels against the Moft High; to strengthen the feeble, to confirm the wayering, to convince the gainfayer, to comfort the afflicted, to inftil caution into the rafh, humility into the prefumptuous. (The minifters of religion, thofe at least who

cordially