train up saints or holy men to the ministry, that so the church might be edified by succeeding preachers, as well as by those who where first appointed. The Apostle instructs Timothy, that in order to his rightly dividing the word of truth, and shewing himself a workman, who needs not to be ashamed, he must give attendance to reading, study and meditation.

If, in those days of supernatural gifts, a previous education was necessary to qualify one for the ministerial office; and previous study was requisite to the edifying performance of the ministerial duties; how presumptuous are they, who, in these days, rush into the office without an education, and attempt the duties of it without diligent preparation? Whatever pretensions they make of reliance on supernatural assistance, either pride and selfconceit, or indolence and avarice are at the bottom.

You would all condemn the minister, who should thus prostitute a sacred office to his worldly ends. You easily see, that a man who undertakes a work so important-a work which relates to the common salvation-a work in which he is supported at the expense of his fellow mortals, ought to be previously qualified for, and continually diligent in this work. But,

2. Let us, if you please, turn the tables: They who expect the benefits of the gospel ministry, either without supporting it, or without attending upon it, incur equal guilt with a selfish, indolent, earthlyminded minister.

There are few, but who, for some reason or other, choose there should be a decent house of worship near them, and a reputable minister to officiate in it. But some seem to imagine, that the maintenance of these objects is optional with them. If there is a minister, he must perform his duty faithfully, and trust himself in the care of providence. But for them

selves they feel at liberty whether they shall sustain him or not. He is under obligations to them; but they think themselves under none to him. He must always be at their call; but he should have no claim. for, and hardly a desire of a compensation. They would have him rely on providence for supplies; but they will not rely on providence to remunerate the smallest act of liberality, or even of justice to him.

Now such ought to consider, that they have no more right, than a minister, to offer to the Lord that which costs them nothing. When Christ sent forth his disciples to preach, he told them to take with them neither purse nor scrip, none of their own property; for the workman was worthy of his hire. And into whatsoever city they entered, if they were not provided for, and attended to, in their sacred character, they were to retire, and go to some other place, where they might be better received. They were empowered to work miracles in proof of their mission, but not for their own support: This they were to expect from the justice of those whom they served. Christ would not make his gospel so cheap as to bring it into contempt. That worldly spirit, which withholds from the ministry a competent support, defeats its design. For this reason Christ commanded his disciples to leave the people, among whom this spirit prevailed. The cares of this world, the deceitfulness, of riches and the lusts of other things choak the word, and render it unfruitful.One may as well sow his seed among thorns, as sow the word among those, whose hearts are overgrown with worldly lusts. If the brambles cannot be cleared away, the seed will never come to maturity. There are some, who, while they contribute to the maintenance of the gospel ministry, rarely bestow an attendance upon it. They think such an institution answers some good purposes. If a minister

often absents himself from the service of the sanctuary, or performs it in a careless and unedifying manner, they judge him unworthy of his place. But they are seldom seen in the sanctuary to take a part in the service there performed. If ever they appear there, it is when they shall experience no trouble or selfdenial. But what is the ministry to them, if they will not attend upon it? What benefit can they receive from the word preached, if they will not hear it? Why may not a minister neglect to preach, as well as they refuse to hear? As far as they are concerned, it matters little, whether he preaches well or ill; whether he explains the doctrines and duties of the gospel, or gives lectures on husbandry and astron omy; or whether he preaches at all.

Some will say, "We choose he should preach for the common benefit." But if you may refuse your attendance, why may not others? The reasons which oblige them, oblige you to attend. The precepts of the gospel make no discrimination in this matter. And if all men should take the same liberty as you take, the preaching of the gospel would cease; for there would be none to hear it. Can you expect the word preached will profit you? If it does, it must be in a way, which costs you nothing-no laborno attention-no thought. The word will never work a saving effect in this manner. Christians are required to assemble themselves together-to take heed how they hear-and to give earnest attention to what they do hear. Thus they may hope, that by the divine operation the ingrafted word will save their souls. It is in the hearing of faith, that men receive the Spirit. They who neglect the word preached, neglect the salvation, which it brings.

3. Such as content themselves with a careless kind of religion, offer to God that which costs them nothing.

You think it your duty to attend on the worship of God. You wonder at some of your neighbors, who seem to be perfectly easy in the neglect of it. For your parts, you highly value the religious privilege which you enjoy ; and you hope to be accepted, because your attendance upon it is very constant and regular. But is this all the religion, which you of fer to God? If it is, you serve him with little cost, and receive as little profit,

We read of a very wicked people, who daily sought to know God's ways, and inquired of him the ordinances of justice, as if they intended to observe them. But in reality nothing was farther from their hearts.

What is the end of divine worship? Is it to be a substitute for virtue and holiness-for charity and good works? No: It is to be a mean of promoting these. You must, then, come to God's house with serious preparation of mind, with a purpose to hear what is spoken, and to apply what you hear. You must guard against all guile, envy and hypocrisy, and desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, "You must be doers of the word, and not hearers only; for if any man be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like a man who beholdeth his natural face in a glass, and then goeth his way, and forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth in it, being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed?

4

A profitable hearing of the word is a matter, which will cost you something. It must cost you attention, examination, application, prayer, repentance, selfdenial, correction of heart, and amendment of life. Without such exercises as these, it is a service, which costs you little, and will do you little

good. Barely to come and sit an hour in God's house is the smallest and cheapest part of the offer. ing.

Besides the ordinary attendance on the stated worship of the sabbath, you have, perhaps, made a profession of Christ's religion; and you come, at the usual time, to the ordinance of his supper. And because you have called Christ your Lord, and have eaten and drunk in his presence, you flatter yourselves, that you shall be admitted into his kingdom. But remember; some who could make the same plea, were shut out of it. If you have only adopted the words of a Christian profession, and eaten and drunk at Christ's table with his disciples, what have you offered him? You have offered that which costs you nothing. Calling him your Lord, and sitting at his table, if you do no more, are things of little difficulty, and little value, Have you professed his religion with a real belief of it and love to it? Have you taken pains to understand and obey it? When you come to his table, do you bring the temper which he requires? Have you repaired all known injuries, repented of your past sins, banished unfriendly passions, and called up the exercise of faith and charity? When you sit at the table, do you direct your attention to the great things there represented the evil of sin, the worth of the soul, the grace of the Savior, and the nature of the gospel cov. enant? Do you feel or even desire to feel correspondent_tempers and affections? Do you here offer to your Lord the love and gratitude of your hearts and fresh resolutions of future obedience? Do you here renew your covenant, intending to abide in it? Do you forgive, if you have ought against any man, as you hope God for Christ's sake will forgive you? And is it your care to live agreeably to the purposwhich you here renew, and the vows which you

es,