Are any here present who are entrusted with the care of youth that are intended for the ministry? My text warns me not to leave you out in this address. _John_ directed his disciples to behold the Lamb of GOD: and ought not such, who have the oversight of those who are hereafter to be employed in the same divine work as _John_ was, to make it one main part of their daily endeavours, to bring their pupils to a true, experimental, and saving acquaintance with the ever-blessed Lamb of GOD? This may be done without leaving any one necessary branch of true knowledge and useful learning undone. A neglect of this important point hath been, and it is to be feared even now is, the bane of the christian church. For, if young men’s minds are from year to year wholly engaged in studying the heathen mythology, instead of being shewn the beauties of the New Testament; if they are taught to delight more in reading _Cæsar_’s Commentaries, or the exploits of an _Alexander_, than to admire the miracles of _Jesus_ of _Nazareth_; if they are directed to employ themselves more in giving an account of _Homer_’s battles, than of the important war between _Michael_ and the Dragon; if it is esteemed a greater excellency to be engaged in studying the folds of a _Roman_ garment, than to enquire into the various turnings and windings of their own corrupt hearts: if these, and such-like trifling things, are recommended to their daily study, and the glorious doctrines of the gospel, such as regeneration, justification, &c. wholly neglected, or superficially spoken of, is it any wonder, that so many ignorantly strike their heads against the pulpit, or appear when put into it, more like heathen philosophers or _Roman_ orators, than gospel preachers, though without half the clearness and sound reasoning of the one, or a thousandth part of the true pathos and unaffected eloquence of the other? The recommending and enforcing the practical study of the doctrines and example of the blessed JESUS, seems to me to be the only remedy for this great, not to say growing evil.
And therefore, I beg leave in the next place to address myself to those who are now actually engaged in the study of divinity, and are desirous of being prepared according to the preparation of the sanctuary, for the great and solemn work of calling upon sinners, to behold the Lamb of GOD. When _John_ the Baptist was thus employed, he took care to allure the people, that he himself was well acquainted with that CHRIST. “I saw, said he, and bear record, that this is the Son of GOD.” And doth not this at least intimate to you, young students, that above all things you should study to get an experimental acquaintance with the LORD JESUS in your own hearts, before you attempt to recommend him to the choice of others? Then, having believed, you will speak; speak not as mere dead, formal, letter-learned scribes, but as men having authority. You will then, like _John_ the Baptist, be the voice of one crying; you will lift up your voices like trumpets; you will preach not with the enticing words of man’s wisdom, but with the demonstration of the spirit and of power. This, with a moderate share of useful learning, which is quite necessary in its place, will enable you to do wonders. Vallies shall be filled up, mountains shall be brought low, and a highway made, through your instrumentality, into sinners hearts, by the blessed and all-powerful operations of the Spirit of the everliving GOD. Such a method, perhaps, may render your preaching a little unfashionable, but it is the only way to render it useful, and truly evangelical. Take the Apostle _Paul_ for your ensample. He was a great scholar, as well as a great saint; and, if called to it, could have fought the learned world with their own weapons; but he chose to fight only with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of GOD. And even, when preaching at so polite a place as _Corinth_, determined to know nothing among them, but JESUS CHRIST and him crucified. He too, like another _John_, made it his constant, uninterrupted employ to beseech poor sinners to behold the Lamb of GOD. May that mind be in you, which was also in him!