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ward of finding him: and I also believe, that every man who has not this measure of operative faith, is inexcusable before God, as the servant who buried his talent in the earth.

I have long lamented the high style of preaching introduced into the congregations of professed Christians; and well assured I am, that more simple, plain, practical Christianity is wanting. It is truly the case, that great is the mystery of godliness, now, in our day; and what makes it so is, that men soar above it, by intruding into things which they ought not. It is dangerous to be puffed up with speculative knowledge on things too high for communication. Man is prone to love preeminence; but, alas! what will it do for him? it will never fill his soul with love to God and his neighbour, which is the essence of charity; and without which, the comprehending mysteries, and great outward performances, profit nothing.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, let us all mind our movements, and follow first after charity, and then desire spiritual gifts. There is no knowledge how to use spiritual gifts without it, and, therefore, I beseech you to follow after it, seeing it is the most excellent way, as it contains all the healing virtues that poor divided Christendom stands in need of, to heal the breaches, and restore the mark of true discipleship, by which the holy Head said that all men should know them, and that is love to one another; it is an ensign

held up to the people, which carries a powerful evidence with it, that no power on earth is able resist. This was what formed the basis of Christianity in the morning of the gospel day, and caused it to prosper and flourish; and now, as the day seems to be dawning, that Christians are inclined to labour in the Lord's vineyard, I long that each one may be willing to do what is right, and then, no doubt but the Lord of the vineyard will pay what is right. But remember ye first, that ye envy not the last; because your great Lord and Master does you no wrong by shewing his bounty to these, whose labour hath been of much shorter duration than yours. It is enough for us all, at the end of the day, to receive the reward of peace, which always accompanies those servants of the Lord who love him and keep his commandments.

Here is another mark that our Saviour requires of his followers-to love him, and keep his com mandments. There is no other way of shewing our true fidelity to a master, but by obeying his commands; it is of little use to be eye servants, or tongue servants, to a penetrating master; he will soon find out our unsoundness, and cover us with shame and confusion. I am well persuaded, that, where true love reigns in the heart, there will be no want of fidelity to the object loved; and if ever we love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, we love him under a sense that we could not have loved him except he had first

loved us. Here is a spring of love opened in us, which receiveth its supply from the well-spring of life when this comes to be felt, there is enlargement of heart; no finding fault with the Lord's bounty to others. We know that he hath fulfilled his promise to us, and we know that we are unprofitable servants: when we have done all we can, it adds nothing profitable to him, who giveth us life, breath, and being, and worketh in us, to will and to do of his good pleasure. Without him we can do nothing, and through him, we do all things that are needful to be done, even "work out our salvation with fear and trembling." Oh! that more of this reverential awe were stamped on the professors of Christianity! how would it enable us to answer them who glory in appearance, and not in heart. There is no rejoicing in heart, my brethren, until it is enlarged by the love of God shed abroad in it. This the true servants of the Lord have known in all ages; the Psalmist David, addressing the Most High, said, "I will run the way of thy commandments when thou hast enlarged my heart;" and this deep experienced servant was favoured to experience a fixedness of heart, and to say, "My heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord."

This is a precious state; I long that it should be more known in this gospel day, that there were more living witnesses of the power of truth, who

b

Philip. ii. 12.

с

Ps. cxix. 32.

d Ps. cxii. 7.

could lift up a standard to the people, that may attract their attention to come and hear; and that we could tell them what the Lord hath done for our souls, and make it manifest, by our hearts being fixed, trusting in him; knowing ourselves, like the experienced king David, "to be brought up out of the horrible pit, and set upon a rock, and a new song put into our mouths, and our goings established; then we may rightly sing, and give praise, with a degree of that holy reverence which we so much admire in the Psalms of David. It is a blessing to us, that his fervent prayer is answered, and that we may all be living witnesses of it, by partaking of the power and strength of that which he was so anxious to leave behind him, for the benefit of the generation in which he lived, as well as to all that should succeed.

Behold his holy, universal, and fervent supplication, and, in beholding, imbibe a measure of that Holy Spirit which influenced the holy man to feel such an extensive desire to reach to the very end of time, and consequently to you and me; and be assured that his desire to shew the Lord's power was, that all men might be stimulated to long and desire, and consequently to seek and find it for themselves, as he had; and thereby "be turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God.

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I am fully persuaded, in my mind, that every every one who is brought into a feeling sense of that spiritual religion, of which the Psalmist has left a perpetual testimony of its operation upon his own mind, will, in proportion as he feels the power of it to quicken and regenerate his soul, witness an enlargement of heart, and feel the overflowings of desire that others " 'may come, and magnify the Lord with him," and exalt that high and holy name, which was the strength and song, rock, tower, walls, bulwarks, and palace, of his servant David; who, having been quickened by the power of truth on his mind, could find no place of refuge elsewhere in the day of trial. Behold his earnest cries and supplication for fresh quickening in every trying season; and behold his soul quickened, offering up thanksgiving and praise, to the High and Holy One, through the influence of the eternal Spirit, which quickened him, and caused his sentences to come forth from the feeling of his presence, and his prayers to ascend like incense, and to expand to the end of time. Thus he saith, "Oh God, thou hast taught me from my youth, and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works; forsake me not, now I am old and grey headed, until I have shewn thy strength to this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come."

Here is a prayer, uttered by inspiration, in

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