blameless to the end. Nor can our efforts, how multiplied soever they may be, produce any good effect without God's special blessing. If ever we be " mutually refreshed" by our intercourse with each other, either in public or private, it must be through the out-pouring of his Spirit upon our souls. I hope, too, that I may say, I have some claim to your good offices in this respect.]
But, waving that part of my subject, I will remind you of your obligations to the Lord Jesus Christ, and to the Holy Spirit —
[Where would you have been, if the Lord Jesus Christ had not come down from heaven to expiate you guilt, and to work out a righteousness for you by his own obedience unto death ? Or what would still have been your state, if the Holy Spirit had not opened your eyes, and sealed instruction upon your souls ? You would, all, without exception, have been in darkness and the shadow of death, under the guilt of all your sins, and obnoxious to the wrath of an offended God. What spark of love would you have had in your hearts to the Saviour and to the members of his mystical body, if it had not been kindled there by the Holy Spirit? And if your ears had not been opened by that Divine Agent, you would have been as deaf to the motives here urged, as if the Lord Jesus Christ and his Church had no claim upon you whatever. Then I say to you, Be sensible of your obligations to every person in the ever- blessed Trinity ; and be ready to shew your gratitude and love, by every exertion in your power for the honour of your God, and for the benefit of his Church and people.]
Above all, I would call upon you to engage in prayer, with all possible earnestness, for your own souls —
[If you ought to " strive," as if you were wrestling for your life, in behalf of others, what exertions should you not make for yourselves ? Be assured, it is not a few lukewarm petitions that God expects from you ; nor are such addresses to the Deity at all suited to your state. You are sinners before God : you are exposed to his everlasting displeasure : you have all the powers of darkness leagued together for your destruction. It is but a little time that is allotted to you for the obtaining of mercy, and for working out your salvation : and it is by prayer alone that you can obtain deliverance from your enemies, or strength to fulfil the will of God. You must ask, if you would have ; and seek, if you would find ; and knock, if you would have the door of mercy opened to you. I entreat you, then, to be in earnest : yea, I beseech you, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for your own soul's sake, to strive with