ceedingly ungrateful to the feelings of the natural heart: but lightly to pass over them, for this reason, is to set up his own, in opposition to the wisdom of God; is to give himself up to the dictation of a worldly policy, in direct contrariety to the teachings of the Spirit of all truth.

What God has taught in his word, we ought to conclude, he had the best reasons for teaching: and who can hope to succeed, by declaring that system of instruction imprudent, and dangerous, which has been dictated and sanctioned, by the wisdom of heaven? The minister of the gospel is an ambassador for Christ. His commission is given him, all filled out to his hands. Nothing is contained in it, that the King did not deem important; and no man can look upon himself, as having any claim to the character of loyalty, if he does not faithfully deliver the whole of his message.

Let him look at the mighty interests that are committed to his hands the honour of God; the glory of the church; the salvation of souls. Jesus Christ has made it his duty to labour with the people committed to his charge, with a solemn reference to the judgement scene. He cannot discharge his duty, without plainly declaring to them, what God is, and what he requires; what they themselves are, by nature, and what change of views and feelings, they must experience, if they would hope to meet their Judge in peace. Under these considerations, it is too dreadful, from any motive of human prudence, or policy, or a love of the world, or of popular applause, to barter away the honour of God, and to consent to trifle with souls. Eternity is without end; and there is no

capacity in the combined methods of computation, to reach the amount of pleasure, or pain, possible, to one soul. 'Tis the truth of GOD with which we have to do, and he who makes his selection from motives of human policy, is guilty of a daring, that would be appalling to the courage of an angel, and well might make a fallen spirit tremble.

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Finally, From the nature of the truths, which it is the duty of the minister of the gospel to exhibit, we see, that the preaching of the cross of Christ, must be attended with a condemning, or saving effect. It will tell, in its results, upon the joys, or sorrows of eternity. Every minister of the gospel, will prove a blessing, or a curse, to those who hear him. He will become the instrument, either of their salvation, or, the occasion, of aggravating, and enhancing their guilt and ruin. He is appointed by Jesus Christ, to communicate truths to his fellow creatures, that deeply interest all holy beings: truths, which point directly to eternity, and with whose train of consequences, will be connected, in endless duration, the songs of glory, or the wailings of wo. Who is able to measure the responsibility attached to an office of such amazing importance, in the nature of its communications, and in its infinite results?

Brethren, the time is short. In a little moment, the judgement will open upon us, and we shall appear before GodSoon, we shall look with other eyes, and through a different medium, upon the wonders of redemption. Thoughts, of deep and solemn interest, press themselves upon us, in this short, important hour. Time, and death, and judgement, and

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heaven, and hell. The shouts of the victor, and the possession of glory; the cry of the vanquished enemies of God, and the prison of their wo. O may we stand at last before the judge, with garments, unspotted with the blood of lost souls.

SERMON X.

"Son, remember that thou in thy life time receivedst thy good things." LUKE XVI, 25.

In his life time! Where was he now, that his life time should be spoken of as a season already past? "In hell he lifted up his eyes being in torment." And who was he? A man, who in his life time, had been the possessor of great wealth; who had gratified his appetite with sumptuous living, and indulged his love of display, by clothing himself in purple and fine linen.

He is addressed in the text, and is represented in the context, as an active, conscious being. He is called to remember the past; to look back on his life time: and he is directed to this recollection of the events of his time, and what he then enjoyed, as constituting the ground, or reason, that the request he had made, that Lazarus might impart to his tongue the comfort of one drop of water, was not granted. He had had his day, and he had lived it down. It had been crowded with blessings; but he had not improved them for eternity and the good of his soul. He freely used what heaven be-

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stowed, to gratify his pride of distinction and wealth; but under the multiplied blessings he enjoyed, he neither reverenced nor regarded, the God that gave them. As the swine never looks up, while he is feeding upon the acorns that are falling from the oak, so neither did this rich man raise a thought on high, or feel, for a transient moment, the glow of a grateful emotion, towards the rich source of all his mercies. dews and the rains of heaven moistened his fields, and the earth yielded her increase. His graneries were filled, and his board was crowned with plenty. In the possession of great riches, he was above the fear of want; and unwilling to hoard like the miser, or like the prodigal to throw away, without reason, and without object, he supplied himself, not only liberally, but sumptuously also, with all that he desired to gratify his appetite, to decorate his person, or to adorn and beautify his princely habitation.

If the possession of the world, and a taste for the enjoyment of it, would ever engage the heart to love God, the case of the rich man was one, where such a result might have been expected. But, surrounded with a profusion of mercies, his heart is estranged from God, and destitute of every pious feeling. He holds his wealth, merely for the purpose of controling the means of his own gratification, and beyond this, he extends neither a thought, nor a care. He loved his money, because it was the instrument of his happiness; and if he ever loved his fellow creatures, it was for the same reason. His heart never knew, what it was to be influenced by a disinterested emotion. His bosom never heaved a sigh for