he travails in birth again till Christ be formed in them. He will labour to inform their understandings, and to impress their hearts; and thus to secure their attention, and to captivate their affections to divine truth. This is the import of the original expression.*

He will be easy of access, affable and attentive to mankind at large; especially to anxious sinners, who come to converse with him concerning their salvation. He will become all things to all men, that he may by all means gain some. He will reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine, and study to approve himself unto God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth; giving to every one his portion of meat in due season,

If he should labour long with but little apparent success, he will continue to be faithful in his ministry, and leave the issue with God. If suc cess attend his ministry, he will give him all the glory.

From the subject I take occasion to ask you who are parents and heads of families, whether you ever realized the importance of your situa tion? Consider that every soul committed to your care is immortal. Have you discharged your duty to them? Or have you hitherto neglected your own souls and theirs? I pray you to think on these things before it be too late.

If the souls of men are of such importance as hath been proved, you will not, my friends, blame the ministers of the gospel, for their plainness and zeal. If they feel right, they must lift their voice like a trumpet; cry aloud and *Fool's Synopsis, in lec,

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spare not, though the more abundantly they love you, the less they be loved. Their heart's desire and prayer to God is, that you may be saved. Should you think their zeal excessive, you must confess it is benevolent. Will you blame them for being too anxious for your happiness? Assuredly you cannot.

But while some of our friends censure us for being zealous overmuch, we blame ourselves that we are not more engaged to win souls. Brethren, pray for us, that we may be willing to spend and be spent in so good a cause.

I must ask your patience a few minutes longer, while I address myself to the candidate for ordination.

My dear young friend-Full three years have you been of my family; a great part of which time you have laboured with me as a son in the gospel: nor were your first efforts unsuccessful. There are in Boston those who were ready to perish, who rise up and call you blessed. Your continuance with us was the wish of my heart, and of the hearts of your friends; but the Head of the church hath directed your way to this place by very unexpected events. We are therefore obliged to acquiesce in his disposals. It is with great pleasure we behold the union and affection that subsist between you, and the church and society, over whom the Lord is about to make you an overseer. Your prospect of usefulness is pleasing; and we, your brethren in the ministry, most sincerely pray, that the Lord Jesus may hold you as a star in his right hand; furnish you with every gift and grace for the sacred office, and make you wise to win souls; and finally

receive you to his heavenly kingdom, where is fullness of joy, and pleasures forever.

In fine-Brethren of the Church and Society on whose account we are now together, give me leave to congratulate you on this auspicious day. Your union among yourselves, and unremitted and liberal exertions, have enabled you to take your place among the several societies of Christians in this town. Without going to Boston, to Danvers, or to Beverly, as usual, to enjoy your religious privileges, they are brought to your doors. The Lord hath raised up for you a pastor, we believe, after his own heart; whom we do cheerfully commend to your affection and esteem. Let no man despise his youth. Pray for him, that he may prove a lasting blessing to you and to your children. Study to make him as happy as you can. The providence that hath brought him among you is plain and striking. Live in love, and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Entertain a liberal mind towards your fellow Christians, who differ from you in some things. Wise and good men do not yet see eye to eye. While you enjoy your own privileges, leave others to the enjoyment of theirs, and fall not out by the way. This mutual candour becomes the disciples of the same Divine Master, and is not incompatible with fidelity to your own principles and practices.

May grace, mercy and peace rest upon you and your pastor elect, through Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom be glory forever. Amen.

SERMON

XVII.*

THE SINKING SOUL SAVED BY GRACE.

MATTHEW, xiv. 31.

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him.

It may, perhaps, be said with truth, that in the life of every man there has been a critical moment, when nothing saved him but a divine interposition: for in a world like this, in which we are ever surrounded with dangers, we can only be safe when God keeps us. Many of these dangers, seen and unseen, we have escaped, through the goodness of God. Such things should never be forgotten by us: yet how apt are we, like Israel of old, to sing his praise at the moment, and then to forget his works! This is one affecting evidence of human depravity.

In how many instances has the mariner experienced the most threatening dangers. Most of us can recollect such seasons, when with strict propriety we might adopt the language of the textHe stretched forth his hand, and caught me.

The words are part of a very interesting piece of history in the life of Jesus. Having wrought a miracle, in feeding five thousand men, besides women and children, he ordered his disciples to depart by water to the other side of the lake,

* Never before printed. Preached on a Lord's day evening lecture, March 18, 1804.

while he sent the multitudes away. On their passage there arose a violent storm, which evidently endangered the ship and company. About the fourth watch of the night, while the ship was in the midst of the sea, tossed with the waves, Jesus came, walking on the sea. When their fears on seeing him were removed, (for they were affrighted to see a man walking on the stormy billows, and concluded it was a spirit; but he soon convinced them of their mistake ;) Peter said unto him, "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. He made the attempt; but on "seeing the wind boisterous he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him."

I have chosen to address you from this singlesentence, because there is something beautiful in the expression, and important in the idea, which may lead us to a variety of useful observations.

I. The first is, that Peter's previous conditionwas that of a mind agitated with various passions. He had been in fear, on account of the storm; the horrors of which were increased by the darkness of the night. There was every appearance that they would be shipwrecked.

Peter was also agitated, when Jesus appeared, by a fear that he was a spirit; hence we are told, "they cried out for fear;" considering it ominous of their approaching fate. But he said unto them, "Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid."

His fears were succeeded by a joyful surprise, when he beheld Jesus coming to them, walking on the water. Joy indeed to them all, to see