of a sinner's hope At the same time we must require
of men to obey the commands of God, and must admit of no other standard of holiness than that which God has given us
in his word
To address ourselves to this work in our own strength were folly and madness. But,]
We have also the very same encouragement as
they — -
[The Lord Jesus Christ will be with his Church and people " even to the end of the world:" and every faithful minister may expect from him all needful direction and sup- port. He will " give testimony to the word of his graced," and will clothe it with power divine, that it may effect that for which he has sent it". However weak in itself, it shall in his hands " be quick and powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword'." It shall be as " a hammer or a fire that breaketh the rock in pieces^." In dependence on him therefore we go forth, expecting assuredly, that, notwithstanding the weakness of those who deliver it, " it shall be the power of God to the salvation of those who hear it^"
e 2 Cor. v. 18—20. f John ill. 16. e Acts xiv. 3.
"^ Isai. Iv. 11. i Heb. iv. 12. ^ Jer. xxiii. 29.
1 Rom. i. 16.
Were it not for this encouragement, no man, possessed of reason, would presume to undertake the office of a minister: but depending on Christ's promised aid, we do hope that our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord™."]"
m 1 Cor. XV. 58.
" The Application of this subject must he suited to the occasion on which it is delivered. If it be an Ordination or Visitation Sermon, the Address should be adapted to ministers. If it be on a young minister s first entrance on his labours, his hearers should be respectfully told what they are to expect throughout the whole of his ministrations ; and he entreated both for his sake and their o\\ti to implore the Divine presence, without which he must preach in vain, and they liear in vain. If it be to persons recently confirmed, their " baptismar' vows must be particularly enforced, seeing that they liave been baptized info these principles, and these engagements.