discouragements taking place, the premature preacher becomes unfit for glorying God either in a ministerial or a private station.

"This, I suppose, may be laid down as a general rule, that a new convert, if not previously employed in this work, ought not hastily to leave his former station to engage in it: for this is expressly to contradict the apostle's rule. Some time ought to intervene, to mature his judgment, enlarge his views, increase his knowledge and experience. Much prayer, meditation, and self-examination as to the leading motives which influence him in this matter, ought certainly to precede. The advice of aged and experienced Christians and ministers ought to be taken, and much deference paid to it. The question of ability for the work should be submitted to the judgment of others than the person himself, qualified and authorized thus to judge: and a clear opening in the providence of God ought to be waited for. Were these plain rules attended to, while some would be brought forward, humble, judicious, able, and determined ministers of Christ, many, I am persuaded, would on due deliberation judge it their duty to glorify God in a private station; and a wide spreading scandal, yea numerous scandals would be prevented.

"Previously to a sinner's conversion, he and all circumstances belonging to him, his natural capacity and acquired abilities, his distinguishing disposition, whether more bold or more timid, or however varied, is perfectly known to the Lord. When he is called by divine grace, and a proper direction is given to these preparatory endowments, the great Head of the church furnishes him with that measure of knowledge, utterance, and other gifts which he pleases. And in all this he has respect to the post which he has assigned him-whether his present station or some other. He knows best for which the person is fitted and designed: and therefore until, in the ways which have been mentioned, he gives intimation of his pleasure that a change should take place, it is the new convert's duty to go on in his present work, however sanguine he may be, and however earnest in his desires to enter upon a new sphere of action. And he that believeth will not make haste: he will wait for God, and not run before him,

"This is a delicate subject: but the observation I have made of the bad effects of mistaken notions in this matter influences me tremblingly to venture my judgment in the

case; though probably it may give undesigned offence.Generally, I am convinced, it is a believer's duty to abide in the same calling wherein he was called, (provided it be a lawful one,) and to endeavor to glorify God therein."*

THE THIEF ON THE CROSS.

"THE penitent thief crucified with our Lord (the only scriptural example of dying repentance-and example calculated alike to preclude presumption and despair,) eminently glorified Christ. He justified the blessed Jesus when all condemned him; acknowledged him to be the Son of God, even while he was hanging upon the cross for declaring himself such; avowed an unshaken faith in him, while even the apostles were staggered; and committed his departing soul into his hands, judging himself safe and happy if Christ did but remember him when he came into his kingdom; though both were then in dying agonies together. Still further, he took shame to himself, justified both God and man in his condemnation, openly rebuked his impenitent companion, and even, by implication, reflected upon the whole company of by-standers, as men that fear ed not God, seeing they could so insult the holy and glorious sufferer at his side.-It may be questioned whether any great number of believers ever did more honor to Christ in their whole lives, than this man did in his dying moments!-Thus guarded in the word of God is the possibility of the salvation of a sinner who only begins to repent when near death. Only one instance, and that so distinguished for deep repentance, strong faith, and the proper fruits of repentance and faith, according to the opportunity afforded for them."

DIVISION OF THE WORK.

THE author now lays down the three following propositions, to be discussed and illustrated in the remainder of his work.

"I. That every believer is required to glorify God, adorn the gospel, and serve his generation in the exercise of such graces, and the practice of such duties, as are common to all stations.

"II. That he is required to do the same in the practice of all such duties as are peculiar to the station assigned him by God, and to the talents committed to his stewardship.

* See the author's later judgment, above pp. 148, 149.

"III. That, in so doing, every such character may reasonably hope, that some, both in the present and in future ages, will be the better for his holy and useful life."

It is only, however, the first of these propositions that the author has discussed, or rather "illustrated by an induction of particulars:" and what he has executed even upon this is only a part of what he designed, the manuscript closing in the middle of a sentence.

The following are the particulars which he has adduced.

1. INTEGRITY AND SINCERITY.

"A Christian is called upon by the word of God to observe the great rule, Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: which, carefully attended to, would produce evident and eminent integrity and sincerity, in word and deed, running through his whole conduct and conversation in the world, marking all his commercial transactions, and giving a weight to his character. Every appearance or suspicion of dissimulation, equivocation, or imposition, of fraud or exorbitancy in profits or advantages, is to be carefully avoided. All should be open and undisguised, courting inquiry, and avoiding darkness or shuffling: that his character in this respect may be so established, that the better any are acquainted with him, and the longer they have dealings with him, the more entirely they may depend on his word, and confide in his honesty, even where his interest is deeply concerned.— Even persons making no pretences to religion not unfrequently acquit themselves so punctually in social life, that their word is as good as their bond, and men confide in them without hesitation. And, although it must be allowed that religious people, having more eyes upon them, more to watch for their halting, and more who, from prejudice, will be ready to credit idle reports, and put bad constructions upon whatever will admit of it, have more difficulties in this respect to encounter than others have; yet, having so much more powerful motives and encouragements, and such exceeding great and precious promises, both that they shall receive assistance in performing their duty, and that the Lord will make those ashamed who falsely accuse their good conversation in Christ, it is very possible for them so to behave themselves in this matter, as, in process of time, nearly to put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, and to force the very enemies of religion to acknowledge them men of approved and unimpeachable uprightness.This is the character of the citizen of Zion, that he swear

eth to his own hurt, and changeth not. Truth, righteousness, disinterestedness, contempt of those things for which ungodly men lie, equivocate, dissemble, defraud, and injure one another, are essential to his character. Nor can the true Christian allow himself in any thing inconsistent with this; though he may inadvertently be betrayed into things which are evil, or bear the appearance of evil.

"On the other hand, A false weight and unjust balance are an abomination to the Lord. Every species of falsehood, injustice, oppression, exorbitant profit, grinding the faces of the poor, taking advantage of their necessities and dependence, and all other practices of this sort, are clear marks of a selfish, mercenary, carnal heart, and are ever reprobated in God's word as evidencing the hypocrisy of such professors as are guilty of them. And, until all those whose conduct in these respects is notorious, or even greatly suspicious, be refused the right hand of fellowship by Christians, whatever they may profess, or however they may make long prayers, and in many other respects imitate their predecessors the Pharisees of old; and until true Christians are inspired with a holy ambition of recommending religion by eminence in such duties as have been pointed out; it cannot be expected that true religion should be respectable, or flourish. So long as it can with any semblance of truth be said, that accredited professors of religion are as bad to be trusted, as hard at a bargain, as selfish, and as insincere, as irreligious persons generally are, the religion they profess will appear contemptible, and the despisers and opposers of it will think themselves justified. What, know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? From such then, Christian, withdraw thyself: against such bear thy testimony: with all watchfulness, and diligence, and perseverance, ever avoiding all appearance of evil, and providing things honest in the sight of all men, as well as in the sight of God, oppose to them by upright, punctual, disinterested example. And, as a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump, we should endeavor to purge out from among us those who act unworthily, that we may be a new lump, and keep the feast, not with the old leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. When the Achans* are put out of the camp, we may hope that the Lord will be with us and prosper us in fighting his battles; but not before. Most certainly an insincere, dissembling

* Joshua vii.

selfish, and fraudulent behavior is stronger evidence of a man's hypocrisy, than any orthodoxy of sentiment, or narrative of experience, can be of the contrary. The law of God is written in the heart of the true believer, and the second grand precept of that law is, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. But surely he doth not love his neighbor as himself, nor indeed in any measure at all, who makes no conscience of truth and honesty in his dealings, when his interest or conveniency is to be served."

2. BEING HARMLESS AND BLAMELESS.

"A Christian is to be an example not only of integrity, but of a harmless and blameless conduct, to prove the sincerity of his profession, and to recommend religion to others. Do all things without murmurings and disputings, that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom shine ye, as lights in the world.* Even when we are habitually free from any allowed insincerity or injustice, in word or deed, towards any man, and are exemplary in this respect, we may in other things occasion mischief or uneasiness to others, and give needless offence. But to fulfil the meaning of the divine rule of doing to others as we would have them do to us, we must make it our study to do and speak nothing which may do harm, or cause uneasiness to any one, in his connexions, character, or peace of mind. Not only should a Christian so govern his tongue as not to invent or propagate slanders, but to be as tender of the reputation of others as he would have them to be of his; and not even to speak of the faults of his neighbor in words of simple naked truth, without addition, aggravation, or comment, (which is rarely done,) except where the glory of God and the good of others require it-which is comparatively seldom the case. That secret satisfaction, which our envious and malignant nature feels in expatiating on the miscarriages of others, must be daily mortified ar.d opposed; a guard kept on the door of our lips; the tongue, that unruly evil, that world of iniquity, which sets on fire the whole course of nature, and is set on fire of hell, brought under exact government; and the whole conduct carefully and watchfully regulated, that we may not do or speak any thing which may disturb the peace of families, cause dissensions among friends or neighbors, widen breaches already made, wound men's characters, interfere with their inter

*Phil. ii, 14, 15.