1935.] Apostolic Preaching. 53

when you look back upon the opportunities which you have neglected to improve ? Have you no reason to fear, lest he who seeks your eternal welfare, and longs above all thino-s to have you as his " joy and crown of rejoicing in the last day," should, after all, be a swift witness against you to your ever- lasting confusion ? Begin then, if you have not yet begun, to cherish this salutary fear. Remember, what his object is ; and then inquire, whether that object have been attained in you. It is not to an approbation of his ministry, or to a mere profession of the truth, that he wishes to convert you, but to a cordial acceptance of the Gospel salvation, and an entire surrender of your souls to God. Less than this will not answer the ends of his ministry, or bring any substantial blessing on your own souls. I pray you, examine well how far this good work has been wrought within you ; and learn to " work out your salvation with fear and trembling." We do not mean that you should be kept in a state of slavish fear ; for the very scope and intent of the Gospel is to " cast out all such fear as hath torment." It is a jilial fear that we recommend to you ; and it is a Jilial fear that we would cultivate ourselves : but the more that abounds in ministers and people, the more will the work of God flourish among them, and God himself be glorified in the midst of them.]