the bleffed Jefus, reply to the secret cafes and thoughts of our auditors; but by frequently meeting the claffes, and visiting from houfe to house, we shall be enabled to make a proper selection of fubjects, and to apply the promises, or direct the threatnings, as their cafes may require. It is folely by the use of these focial means, that the fpiritual paftor can learn the various effects and fuccelles of his word: and it must afford him the utmost fatisfaction to hear how believers were edified and comforted, and the feeble ftrengthened and confirmed; how the tempted were fupported and relieved, and finners awakened and converted. His foul will be fo encouraged, and his hopes fo revived, as to return to his labours with renewed vigour. He will fow in hope, and reap in joy. Here it is worthy of remark, that a minifter, whofe abilities are cultivated by hearing experience, and advifing in cafes of confcience; by removing objections and fupporting the tempted, acquires a habit of preaching much more pertinent and ufeful, than one who improves them merely by the efforts of reading and ftudy. The latter may judiciously explain and beautifully illuftrate the facred writings; he may inftruct and edify the ignorant, and acquire much applaufe as an orthodox and popular fpeaker; but the former opens and exposes the confcience, and addreffes the finner in the ftriking language of his own heart. His auditors ftand amazed, and not unfrequently fuppofe him to have received previous information of all their state, and to have chofen the difcourfe peculiarly on their account. He gives to all their portion of meat in due feafon; and the general filence which reigns through the affembly, proclaims the truth and power of his word to be felt and acknowledged by all.

Thus, my brethren, is our mutual communion productive of good in every form. It unveils to our view the largest scale of regeneration and holiness, it lays open the devices of Satan, and enriches the mind with an abundant ftore of knowledge which would not otherwise be known. It refines our sympathy and adds 'to our mutual regard; it fortifies our faith, confirms our hope, and gives ftrength and luftre to the whole of our virtues. Above all, it enlarges our views of the focial happinefs of the celestial world; and it increases our communion with God, which is the higheft of all human felicity, and the completion of our utmost with.

In order that the weekly claffes may be edifying and profitable, it is effentially requifi e that the people fpeak their experience with the utmoft freedom and fimplicity: Where this method is attended to, the utility of thefe meetings is found to exceed every thing that can be faid in their favour. We must acknowledge, indeed, that when people are defective in either of these virtues, and discover an unwillingness to open their state, the true end of thefe focial means is fubverted, and the devotion rendered both tedious and unprofitable. When the Leader defires them to speak, `and they reply for the most part negligently and evafively, inftead

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of giving a plain and clear account. It is because they find their minds dull and heavy; and they are not making that progrefs in religion which they ought to do. It were greatly to be wifhed, that all who find their evidence beclouded, or their comforts withdrawn, would be more diligent to enquire into the feveral causes, and more ingenuous and honeft in difcovering them for our mutual good. Should the Holy Spirit withdraw his comforts, it is for fome apparent caufe. We must have grieved him, either by unbelieving reafonings and fears, which bring darkness and difquietude on the mind; by wicked and evil tempers, which are ever attended with fhame and remorfe; or by vain and wandering thoughts, which deprive us of all communion with God, and debase our hearts to be the common fink of all imaginary folly and vice. It evidences a very large degree of facred wifdom, when we are able to trace diftinctly the feveral caufes of our defertion; and a much larger degree of real humility, when we are willing to communicate them for the good of others.

Now, when Satan has tempted us to any particular fin, or overcome us by any of the aforefaid evils, he tempts us also to conceal it; because he is well aware, that the works of darkness are unable to bear the light, and that speaking of our temptations is the fureft way to fubdue them. He fuggefts that our diftreffes are the more deplorable, and our fins more heinous, than those of other men. He fuggefts, again, that if we discover the whole of our unfaithfulnefs and depravity, we fhall be confidered as the pefts of religious fociety, and as the vileft of human characters. And, as every man is better acquainted with the corruption of his own heart, than with any other, we are but too apt to believe him. It is partly, therefore, through temptation, and partly through the prevalence of haughty reason, that many of our brethren, are fo frequently induced to give us a very unfair and partial account of their experience. They fpeak freely enough of the goodness and mercy of God; but they hide, or only hint in an obfcure manner whatever is difagreeable and worthy of blame; and their teftimony amounts to no more than an illufive fragment, instead of a plain and just account.

It is of the utmost confequence, that these people be better informed of the nature of religious fociety, and of the duties which we owe to the church of God. If we are defirous to have any connection whatever with that bleffed community, it must be as children of the fame father, and as branches of the fame family. If we be members of the body of Chrift, we muft of course be members one of another: and the harmony which fubfifts between the members of the natural body, is inftructive to us of the harmony which fubfifts between the members of the fpiritual body: efpecially where they endeavour to keep the unity of the fpirit in the bond of peace, and to be all with one accord in one place. In a christian society, it is true, we cannot be intimate and acquainted with all, but as the Lord Jefus had a felection of difciples

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and friends, who were witneffes of all his words and works; fo we may chufe a clafs, and affociate with thofe to whom we are moft attached. It is further remarked, that as the converfation is confined to the ftate of the foul, and no one allowed to divulge it elsewhere; as nothing is faid with regard to private, or family concerns, there can be no juft caufe for our reftraint and want of freedom. If we fuffer from delicate circumstances, we may speak of being tried without entering into particulars, and the brethren will feelingly pray for our deliverance and comfort. But if we have backflidden in heart, if we are tempted by Satan, or tried by our corruptions, we ought to communicate it without evafion and without referve. It is of confequence that the ignorant be inftructed in the truths of the gofpel, and it is of confequence alfo that the chriftian warrier be informed of the nature and ftrength of his enemies. We wish to hear of the depravity of the old man as well as the grace of the new. As the voice of nature and truth is known when it is heard, and as little children win their parents' affection by their artless tales; fo are we always delighted when we hear a real and original account of a brother's experi ence. Never, therefore, let us entertain the thought, that we shall be despised for telling the truth; for, however wile and holy those may now be to whom we fpeak, their minds were once as ignorant, and their hearts as much depraved as our own; and the numerous conflicts they have had in obtaining the victory, have taught them to be the more compaffionate towards the weak.

It is not intended here, to give any formal directions for fpeaking experience, but only to point out what is conceived to be the happiest method, And, it is certain, that thofe fucceed best who are much in prayer, and diligent in communication with God; who are frequent and faithful in the duty of felf-examination; and who are accurate in obferving the work of grace upon their own foul. By living in the divine prefence, they acquire a calmnefs and compofure of mind, which raifes them above the fear of man, and above that hurry and flutter which the timid often find in fpeaking. They relate the feafons they have had in public or private devotion; and they fpeak of their temptations and trials, their faults and comforts, with all that eafe and freedom which mark a humble and devout mind. They never make the meeting tedious and dull, by a repetition of the fame things from week to week; by ufing little elfe but common place terms; or by affecting the style and manner of others. To do fo, is fure to produce an unpleasant effect; and it indicates the foul to be in a flothful and lukewarm ftate: or, that what they fay is not their own, but borrowed from fome other perfon. Their experience is always interefting, original, and new; becaufe it is impoffible that the Lord fhould forget them for a whole week, or, even for a fingle moment and the reputation and refpe&t they acquire from others, is, that of fathers and pillars in the church of God.

VOL. XIX. April 1796.

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It ought, however, to be obferved, that many very ferious people are unable to fpeak their experience with the fame eafe and freedom, as thofe who are endowed with a better elocution. And it ought alfo to be obferved, that it is fimplicity and truth, not a fludied fpeech we expect in the clafs. We expect to hear what God has done for their fouls, and to hear it in a plain and unstudied manner. There are few, indeed, who fucceed better in speaking their experience than colliers, tinners, and other illiterate people who live in the country villages. As few of these could read before their converfion; and as they are totally unacquainted with the ordinary phrafes in which more intelligent chriftians exprefs themselves; their manner is altogether new and peculiar to themfelves. They relate as well as they can, the finfulness and mifery of their former lives; how they heard and how they received the gofpel; what they fuffered under conviction for fins; how the pro mifes were applied, and how the love of God was fhed abroad in their heart. Their manner is diftinguished by a certain boldness which ftrongly evinces they feel what they fpeak; and the whole of their narrative is fo ingenuous and incapable of art, as cannot fail to intereft and entertain the molt enlightened believer. Moreover, they furnish us with a moft decifive argu ment in favour of vital chriftianity. Would we discover the native beauty and power of religion, would we triumph over fcepticism, and be confirmed in the faith, let us go to the school of thefe innocent people, who are taught of God. They cannot prove by learned arguments the authenticity of the Scriptures, but they know that they are true, because they have felt the force of the threatnings, and tafted the fweetnefs of the promises; they cannot vindicate the miracles, and defend the Godhead of Chrift, but they know that he is glorified with the Father, because he has given them the Comforter; they cannot contend for the divine authority of the chriftian faith, but they know that it is from heaven, because it has raifed their fouls from a carnal, fenfual life, and ennobled them with the image and prefence of God.

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Those who are weak and dejected, fhould be careful not to give way to the thought, that their experience is fo low and inconfiderable, as not to deferve the attention of the more holy and intelligent. Such a temptation might be as injurious to them on the one hand, as prefumption on the other. As the smallest plant and minutest infect, is worthy the obfervation and ftudy of the greatest philofopher; fo is the experience of the feeble child of God, worthy the notice and attention of the moft enlightened and diftinguished chriftian. All thofe that fincerely love the Lord, are fincerely attached to his people; and to comfort and fupport their weak and feeble brethren is not confidered as a toil, but is the most pleasing and inftructive of all religious duties.

ADVICE

ADVICE TO YOUNG MINISTERS.

By an aged Servant of GOD, in the laft Century. RESUMING you will accept of Advice from one that you know most fincerely loves and wishes you well; and whofe comforts are much bound up in your well-doing; I thought it my duty to deal plainly and faithfully with you, in a few seasonable Admonitions.

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1. Take particular care that in all your Studies and Preaching, you chiefly mind JESUS CHRIST. Let the Glory of God, and the Salvation of Souls, be your grand defign. Remember, that you are called to preach the Gofpel; and the Gofpel is the Doctrine of the Saviour, and the tender of a free, full, and prefent Salvation, through faith in his Name. Think much on that fay ing of Luther, "When I meditate upon religion, I always take care to keep CHRIST in my view." Is it any particular fin you fpeak of? remember it ftillas a piercer, a perfecutor, a crucifier of Chrift. So look on it, and him together, as to caufe you to mourn over both. Is it a duty you would inforce? remember always whence ftrength comes to perform it. Without Chrift we can do nothing; no not fo much as think a good thought. Is it a divine threatening you denounce? Let it be confidered as a fpur to greater diligence. Or is it a Promife you would explain? let it be confidered as a lure to draw the foul to the Lord Jefus Chrift. The threatening may be used as a rod of the Law, a schoolmaster; but the promife, as a branch of the covenant of grace, which through Chrift, is yea and amen. Do you offer Prayer or Praise unto God, not only remember the formal, or common close, Through Jefus Christ our Lord," but in every branch, let the hand of faith, with holy, humble, and lively affection, tender and deliver it into the Mediator's hand, that it may be accepted of God through the beloved.

Thus fhall you avoid the unfavoury way of giving Lectures on Meral Philofophy, inftead of Preaching the Gofpel; and following the example of the bleffed Apoftle, determine "To know nothing but Jefus Chrift, and him crucified."

2. Seriously remember the grand end of Preaching, which is to teach men, into what an holy, fpiritual, and heavenly ftate of mind the Lord will bring them; and how in that ftate they may live to his glory. Direct your fpeech fo as that it may, by the bleffing of God, enlighten the mind, and touch the tendereft part of the heart. What we fpeak to God in prayer, must be aimed at his heart; and what we speak from God to man, must be aimed at theirs. The Church is Chrift's School, every member is a Dif ciple or Scholar, and a Minifter is a Teacher fent from God. He fhould therefore perfonate at the leaft a Tutor, if not a Father, feeling the fame tender concern for the people, which the Apoftle expreffes when he says, " My little children, with whom I travail

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