technical phrases of human invention, which have, with equal frailty, been idolized by some, and anathematized by others. We shall, I hope, learn more and more to bear one another's burdens, and to study the kindest interpretations which the words of each other will admit. But I must take the liberty to say, I am, in my conscience, persuaded, that this view of things which is here proposed, though perhaps not very fashionable, is, in the general, so edifying, and so naturally leads to the frequent review of many other important doctrines of Christianity, which are closely connected with it, that I am well satisfied it will be our wisdom to adhere to it, and to make it very familiar to our own minds, and to those of our hearers. Nor can I imagine, that any variety in the idioms of different languages, or the customs of different ages and nations, can be a sufficient reason for bringing Scripture phrases into disuse, while we keep to the original ideas signified by them. There seems to be a peculiar felicity in them to express divine truth; and they will undoubtedly be found the safest vehicle of religious knowledge, and the surest bond of union among Christians; while, however we may differ in other matters, we so generally agree in acknowledging that our Bibles contain the oracles of God.

Let us, therefore, who, under different denominations, are honoured with the ministry of the everlasting gospel, agree, for a while at least, to suspend our debates upon less necessary subjects, that we may, with united efforts, concur in prosecuting that great design for which the gospel was revealed, the

Spirit given, and our office instituted. And since it is so evident that irreligion has grown upon us, while we have been attending to other, and, to be sure, smaller matters, let us, by a plain, serious, and zealous way of preaching the most vital truths of Christianity, joined with a diligent inspection of the souls committed to our care, try what can be done towards preventing the progress of this growing apostacy, and recovering the ground we have already lost. Ignorant and prejudiced people may perhaps accuse us of bigotry or enthusiasm; but let us do our best to convince them of their error by the candour of our temper, and the prudence of our conduct; and remember, that, as Chrysostom excellently speaks in those lively words, "It is a sufficient consolation for our labours, and far more than an equivalent for all, if we may have a testimony in our consciences, that we compose and regulate our discourses in such a manner as may be approved by God, in whose name we speak."

NORTHAMPTON, Nov. 7, 1741.

SERMONS

ON

REGENERATION.

SERMON I.

OF THE CHARACTER OF THE UNREGENERATE.

EPHESIANS ii. 1, 2.

"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience."

AMONG all the various trusts which men can repose on each other, hardly any appears to me more solemn and tremendous than the direction of their sacred time, and especially of those hours which they spend in the exercise, of public devotion. These seasons take up so small a part of our lives, when compared with that which the labours and recreations of them demand, and so much depends upon their being managed aright, that we who are called to assist you in the employment and improvement of them, can hardly be too solicitous that we discharge the trust in a manner which we may answer to God

and to you. If this thought dwell upon the mind with due weight, it will have some sensible influence upon our discourses to you, as well as on the strain of those addresses which we present to the throne of grace in your name, and on your account. We shall not be over-anxious about the order of words, the elegance of expression, or the little graces of composition, or delivery; but shall study to speak on the most important subjects, and to handle them with such gravity and seriousness, with such solemnity and spirit, as may, through the divine blessing, be most likely to penetrate the hearts of our hearers; to awaken those that are entirely unconcerned about religion, and to animate and assist those, who, being already acquainted with it, desire to make continual advances, which will be the case of every truly good

man.

It is my earnest prayer for myself, and for my brethren in the ministry, of all denominations, that we may, in this respect, approve our wisdom and integrity to God, and "commend ourselves to the consciences of all men." It is our charge, as we shall answer it another day to "the God of the spirits of all flesh," to use our prudent and zealous endeavours to make men truly wise and good, virtuous and happy. But, to this purpose, it is by no means sufficient to content ourselves merely with attempting to reform the immoralities and irregu larities of their lives, and to bring them to an external behaviour, decent, honourable, and useful. undertaking like this, while the inward temper is neglected, even when it may seem most effectual, will be but like painting the face of one who is ready

An

to die, or labouring to repair a ruinous house by plastering and adorning its walls, while its foundations are decayed. There is an awful passage in Ezekiel to this purpose, which I hope we shall often recollect: "Woe to the foolish prophets, because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace, when there was no peace: and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered mortar: say unto them that daub it with untempered mortar, that it shall fall. Thus saith the Lord God, I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury, to consume it. So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered mortar, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered; and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I am the Lord."

If there be any, in one body of Christians or another, that abet men's natural disposition to flatter themselves, "in a way that is not good," by encouraging them to hope for salvation, because they were regularly baptized in their infancy, because they have diligently attended on public worship, in its established, or its separate forms, or merely because they do nobody any harm, but are rather kind and helpful to others; or because their faith is orthodox, their transports of affection warm, or their assurance confident; I pray God to awaken them by the power of his grace, before they are consumed, with their hearers, in the ruins of their deceitful building. Those of you who stated hearers can witness

are

my