a day. But by means of this atonement we are em- powered both to arrest its progress, and to take away its guilt.
And need I say, that such ministers are a blessing in the land ? Truly they are a blessing, and shall be accounted so as long as the world shall stand. What if, like Phinehas,they overstep the bounds observed by their more lukewarm fellows ? They shall, like him, be honoured both by God and man ; whilst the memory of less faithful ministers shall pass away into oblivion, like a morning cloud. Their zeal shall be counted to them for righteousness to the latest ages : not for their justifying righteousness, as I have before ob- served; for in Christ alone can that righteousness be found, and from him it must be received by faith alone : but, as an evidence of their piety, it shall be counted to them, and be a ground of praise and thanksgiving to God amongst all who shall be called to imitate their bright example.
What then do I look for on this occasion ? I call for zeal, even for the zeal of Phinehas, in all the magistrates, and in all the ministers, of our land. In Phinehas these offices were united ; as in some instances they are amongst ourselves; though I think, for the most part, unhappily and unwisely. A minister, instead of affecting a double occupation, should rather say, with our blessed Lord, " Who made me a ruler and a judge over you?" And sure I am, that, if a minister will give himself entirely to his own proper work, he will find enough to occupy all his time and all his thoughts. The offices of the magistracy and the ministry are perfectly distinct. Magistrates have to uphold and enforce the laws of man ; ministers have to propagate the glorious gospel of the blessed God. The office of the magistrate has respect to the temporal welfare of mankind ; the office of a minister is to promote, in every possible way, their spiritual and eternal interests. Still, how- ever, there should be in both a cordial and energetic co-operation for the honour of God, and for the good of man. A minister often needs the support of