of our own personal transgressions is inexpressibly awful : but the thought of perishing under the guilt of destroying hundreds and thousands of immortal souls, is so shocking, that it cannot be endured : if once admitted into the mind, it will fill us with consternation and terror; and the excuses which now appear so satisfactory to us, will vanish like smoke. We shall not then think it sufficient to have fulfilled our duties by proxy ; since others can but perform their own duties ; nor can any diligence of theirs ever justify our neglect : having sworn for ourselves, we must execute for ourselves ; nor ever be satisfied with committing that trust to others, which at the bar of judgment we must give account of for our- selves. Nor shall we then think it sufficient to plead, that we have other engagements, which interfere with the discharge of our ministerial duties; unless we can be assured, that God will wave his claims upon us, and acknowledge the labours which we have undertaken for our temporal advantage, more important than those which respect his honour, and man's salvation. On the other hand, if we have the testimony of our own consciences, that we have endeavoured faith- fully to perform our ordination vows, and to execute, though with much imperfection, the work assigned us, we shall lift up our heads with joy. Matter for deep humiliation, indeed, even the most laborious ministers will find ; but at the same time they will have an inward consciousness, that they have exerted themselves sincerely for God, though not so earnestly as they might : and, in the hope that the Saviour, whose love they have proclaimed to others, will have mercy upon them, they cast themselves on him for the acceptance of their services, and expect, through him, the salvation of their souls. Moreover, if we have been diligent in the discharge of our high office, we shall have a good hope that we have been instrumental to the salvation of others, whom we shall have as our joy and crown of rejoicing in the last clay. With these prospects before us, we shall labour patiently, waiting, like the
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