of
^ 2 Cor. v. 14, 15. MThess. v. 23. ^Rom.xii. 1.
e 1 Cor. vi. 20. '' Lev. vii. 12. Deut. xii. 6, 7, 17, 18.
' Ps. ixv'u 13—16. & cvii. 22. " Matt. xxvi. 27.
' 1 Cor. xi. 25. "'Heb. xiii. 15.
" Ps. 1. 13, 14. with Hos, xiv. 2.
of all the mercies we have ever received, and be taken by us as a memorial of God's unbounded love to us, and of our unfeigned surrender of ourselves to him. In these expressions of our love and gratitude we should have all the powers of our souls called forth : " all that is within us should bless the name of our God :" and the entire devotion of ourselves to his service should bear witness to our sincerity before him. Never are we to be restrained by fear or shame: no ; we must pay our vows^'* in the presence of all his people." If we are ashamed of Christ, what can we expect, but that he will be ashamed of us ? But, " if we confess him before men, then will he also confess us in the presence of his Father and his holy angels." Here then is the service which we are to render unto God in return for all his benefits : we are to confess him, to magnify him, to adore him, to give up our- selves to him as his redeemed people, to live altogether by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, receiving all out of his fulness, and im- proving all for the honour of his name. So entirely should we be the Lord's, that " whether we eat, or drink, or whatever we do, we should do all to his glory"."]
Address,
I. Those who have never yet instituted this inquiry —
[Alas ! how many have never made any other use of God's mercies, but to render them means of self-destruction, and instru- ments of dishonouring their God ! Has he given them abundance ? they have employed it in riot and excess. Has he vouchsafed to them health and strength ? they have turned these blessings into an occasion of more unbridled licentiousness. Has he bestowed intellectual powers upon them ? they have perverted these to justify their evil ways, and to dispute the authority of God. The very Gospel itself they have abused as sanctioning their presump- tuous hopes, and as affording reason for dissipating all fear of God's displeasure. Ah, Brethren ! what will be the end of these things? " Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people, and unwise?" How will ye answer it at the last day? When your Judge shall put the question, " What could I have done more for my vineyard than I did ? what excuse will ye offer for bringing forth only wild grapesP?" Do but think of these things, ere it be too late. But if ye will not lay these things to heart, then know assuredly, that, if ye will not render iinto the Lord according to his works of mercy, he will render unto you according to your aggravated iniquities.]
1. Those who profess to feel their obligations to their God —
[Examine, 1 Cor. X. 31. P Isai. y. 1—4.