esteemed by you as of no value, any farther tlian they may enable you to glorify his name. Enter then minutely into the consideration of this subject, and say, Whether, " if you hold your peace, the very stones will not cry out against you ?"
2. The necessities of the heathen world —
[The whole Scriptures speak of the heathen world as perish- ing for lack of knowledge : and though we will not presume to say, that none of them shall be made partakers of God's mercy for Christ's sake ; yet we are sure, that, as a body, they are under a sentence of guilt and condemnation. Can we then know the remedy which God has provided for them, and not feel our- selves bound to reveal it to them, and to labour, as far as pos- sible, to extend to them its saving benefits ? Can we reflect on the unhappy state of the Jews, and not pity them ; blinded as they are bv prejudice, and bent as they are on their own destruc- tion? Can we look on all the different classes of the Gentile world, and see what penances they endure to pacify the supposed wrath of their sensele&s idols, and not feel a desire to proclaim to them the glad tidings of the Gospel ? If it would be our duty to stretch out our hand to one sinking in the waters, and to rescue him from destruction, much more is it our duty to exert ourselves to the utmost of our power for the preservation of a ruined world.]
Address,
1. Those who are lukewarm in the cause of Christ —
[Many are so afraid of enthusiasm, that they banish from their minds all that may subject them to such an imputation. Hence, whilst they are correct and accurate in their principles, they are grievously defective in the sublinier parts of practical religion : they have a form of godliness, but no experience of its power. But let such persons know, that the Lord Je.sus Christ is more di>pleased with the lukewarmness of those who profess thenjselves his friends, than he is with the neglect of his avowed enemies*. If from our inmost souls we love him not, he de- nounces a solemn curse against us^: and if we serve him not with the talents entrusted to our care, he will require them at our hands, and punish us severely for our abuse of them^.]
2. Those who are active in his service —
[God forbid that we should ever speak a woid to discourage activity in the service of our Lord. But it it certain, that many are diligent in doing what thev suppose to be his will, who yet are far from cultivating that spirit which he will approve. Pride, ostentation, and a variety of other corrupt motives, may stitmdate men to exertion ; whilst humility and modesty, and all the lovelier graces of the iSpirit, are wanting in them. Look to it then, that
your
* Rev. iii. 15, 16. ^ 1 Cor. xvi. 22. f Matt.xxvi. 20.