directly before him? What were the principles, which so distinguishingly purified his heart and life, gave efficacy to his labours, bore him up to the last, and made his very name a savour?"-If we are to judge of causes by their effects, surely here is another and a noble proof, that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation; and that His was the true knowledge of it.--I thank God for such a testimony to the Truth, in a day of rebuke and blasphemy like the present. May it never be resisted!-May it never rise in judgment against Him that records, nor against him that reads it!

I shall mourn if this address, instead of being received in the same spirit as it is written, proves an occasion of offence to any. I would strive, with the Apostle, to avoid giving such offence to any one, so far as I honestly could. I am, however, aware that some, who have patiently passed through the history, will be ready, like the auditors of Stephen, to take umbrage at the application. But, with the best of causes, the best of examples, and, as I trust, with the best of intentions, I will proceed.

Nor is it to men who are at enmity with these truths that I now speak, though for even such I desire continually to pray. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world; and the world heareth them; but they themselves will neither hear nor bear

the truth.

But, to men of more tender and enlightened consciences let me say, shall we-we ministers and stewards of the mysteries of God, not resolve diligently to study and faithfully to inculcate them? In us, even to be unskilful or unresolved, is to be deeply criminal. Shall we not lay it to heart, how many are looking up to us for instruction in the things that belong to their peace?-dependant upon us for it-committed to us-many of them in simplicity taking each of us by the hand, saying, "Lead

us: take care of us: direct our steps in the way of life; for THOU art our guide ?"-dropping, also, one after another into enternity, before they can have their minds well directed to meet it?-The most labourious ministers of Christ, when they think of these things, tremble at their office:what then should others do?

best, the wisest and the

I would, therefore, urge it first upon my own heart, and then upon that of every one conscien tiously engaged in the sacred office, to go aside. and daily revolve, "Is my Bible true? What are the truths it contains? What awful and astonishing prospects does it present of that world, into which ministers and their congregations are hastening! Should not every nerve be strained to bring men acquainted with these truths,-especially such as are particularly committed to my care? And if, in the faithful discharge of this duty, the reproach of the fearful and unbelieving, as well as of the profane, lights upon me, let me, in such a cause, resolve to be singular--let me dare to be right-let me become a fool that I may be wise!?"— Yea, I would add still more, let us, with our late brother, rejoice in that day and be exceeding glad, for great is our reward in heaven, for thus treated they the prophets which were before us.

I go on to speak freely, because I know there are many of my brethren who are seriously seeking to do good in their parishes, but are discouraged at observing how little fruit appears after many years' labour. I have heard them express it; but I have heard it without surprise. Whoever considers the guilty and grovelling habits of men, and aims to erect their minds to the highest objects, and to implant habits of faith and holiness, should, before he attempts building such a tower, sit down and count the cost. He proposes a moral miracle, and should contemplate the means as well as the

end. Power belongeth unto God; and he has a right to annex the communication of it to what ordinances he pleases. Had MOSES, instead of lifting up a serpent, and directing the Israelites to look to that alone as God's ordinance for healing them, been so weak and presumptuous as to have employed remedies which seemed in themselves more eligible, the Israelites might have concurred with him in the application, but would have died of their wounds. Had CADOGAN proceeded as he began, some good would have been done among his people, because he knew something of God's remedy, and employed what he knew; but no such extensive benefits as those which followed when he knew the way of the Lord more perfectly, and determinately rejected every other. Then it was, that, working with God, he prevailed with men like JOSEPH, the Lord was with him, and the thing that he did, the Lord made it to prosper.

Some, indeed, may attempt to resist this fact; and what fact, when it bears hard upon men's interests or humours, will they not attempt to invalidate? But a man might as well go about to prove that Robespierre was not outrageously mischievous, as that Cadogan was not eminently useful. Let us not then be deceived by those self-flattering and false statements, with which the profane or the pharisaical attempt to intrench themselves-resisting and misrepresenting true religion by raking together a few ridiculous or scandalous abuses, (rejoicing in evils which we lament) while they wilfully close their eyes to the most cogent facts and arguments. Which of us, if he were so blindly or corruptly disposed, could not, with even feeble abilities, thus decently dress out the carcase of a dead profession, as Michael did an image, when David himself was gone: till, on the matter being examined, behold! there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goat's hair for his

VOL. I.

21*

bolster!-Ah! how easy is it, in health and repose, for men to lose sight of the nature and value of true religion; and of that dying pillow, when the mere images of it will yield them no comfort! and much more to lose sight of that day, when such images must be examined and exposed!

Nor let us be imposed upon by the sound of words, as if something new in religion was here advanced. Let any one satisfy himself on this head, by turning to the Reformers-the Articles of our Church-or the writings of its most eminent and useful Bishops. Wherein did the principles of Andrews and Davenant, Hall and Usher, Reynolds and Leighton, Hopkins and Beveridge, &c. &c. differ from those of our departed friend? If he differed from others, it was because he so entirely agreed with these. Both they. and he were convinced, that till the heart is humbled and animated with the principles and promises of the Gospel, we shall exhort men in vain to the performance of its duties; and till then, even such performances must be undertaken on a wrong principle. It is therefore the good old way, that ignorance so frequently mistakes for a new path. Mr. C. chose that old way for himself and his people: they walked therein, and found rest for their souls. Many of them have accompanied him to glory; and if, after his departure, the rest should so wander and degenerate, as to return to the world from whence they came out (a supposition not to be admitted) still the fact remains : under his ministry they were called out from that world: under the same they walked toward the world above; and there I also trust he will meet them as his crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord

Jesus.

Let us then no longer halt between two opinions! especially as they lead to two such opposite and important results. Soon will an eternal world open upon us, and the kingdom of our Redeemer break

forth with an unutterable splendour and irresistible conviction, to the honour and joy of his friends, and the eternal confusion of his enemies. He has warned us that the gate of it is strait, the way narrow, and that comparatively few are found walking therein: and if we perceive this, shall men in our predicament consult the taste of a blind, disordered, and perishing world about it? or ask leave to declare it plainly? Let us know men better, love them more, and fear them less, that we may both save ourselves and them that hear us.

But, whatever zeal we may attain for evangelical principles, let us be no less zealous to follow our brother as he followed CHRIST, in a parental tenderness and forbearance toward those that oppose themselves, if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. If we would succeed as Mr. C. did, "we must," to use his words, "show these people a more excellent way: we must overcome evil with good: we must pray for them as Christ did, for they know not what they do." We must, like him, shake hands with the man that would insult us; and, by a friendly approach to the house of an enemy, attempt to disarm his heart.* Benevolence of character is a sort of eloquence that is understood in every country, and which every one finds it very difficult to resist: Christian love is a still higher principle, and has a look and a language even toward its enemies, which have often melted down the most obdurate.. Fas est et ab hoste doceri, and from one of the worst we may learn that, "the good man alone knows the art of making others so."

The work, indeed, is arduous, and man is weak; but, with the warrant and promise of our God, any thing may be done. His power precludes all despair, in making this grandest of attempts. Whatever has been related of our late brother is but an exhibition of

* See page 212.