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THIS representation is not to be received without restriction; but we may safely infer that "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much"-that it often draws down bleffings from above on those who deferve no good.

THIS should encourage us to wrestle with God in prayer, for the effusions of his grace on those who deferve judgment without mercy, and who might receive it from the righteous sovereign, did the righteous hold their peace, and " let him

alone."

II. WHEN we witness this holy many praying to be blotted out of God's book which he had written, it fhould remind us of our state as finners whose only hope is mercy. "Moses was faithful in all God's house." His attainments in the divine life were scarcely equalled'; yet must have perished forever had forgiving grace been denied him. He knew his state; and a view of Ifrael's danger called home his thoughts and led him to implore divine mercy for himself, though he should fail to obtain it for an ungrateful people. "Oh! forgive the fin of this people, but if not, forgive my fin-pardoning grace is all my dependence-hope would fail should it be denied me."

IF Mofes was thus conscious of guilt, who can say " I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my fin?-O Lord, enter not into judgment with thy servant; for in thy fight shall no man living be juftified--there is not a just man upon earth, who doeth good and finneth not." While praying for others, it ill becomes us to forget ourselves. ARE we by office appointed to ask mercy for others, and bear them on our hearts before God? We must not therefore conclude that mercy is not necessary for us. Like the high priests of old, "We must offer, first for own fins, and then for the people's." There is only one Interceffor to whom this is needless.

WITNESSING the fin and danger of others, should stir us up to the duty, as it did this leader of Ifrael. While crying to God for others, we must beware wrapping up ourselves in fancied purity. To this we are tempted by a view of greater fins in others, which serve as a foil to fet off our fancied goodness; and especially by the knowledge of certain great fins in others, of which we know ourselves to be clear.

SOME in Mofes' situation, would doubtless have adopted that language-" God I thank thee that I am not as other men are not as this people." Very different was the effect it had on him-it reminded him of his fins, and led him to cry for mercy.

It is of vast importance that we know ourselves -if we attain this knowledge, from sense of demerit, we shall add to our prayers for others, but if not, blot me, I pray thee out of thy book which thou haft written.

III. IF we do not mistake the sense of the text, the strange doctrine exploded in the beginning of this discourse, finds no support in it. And surely the doctrine which reason rejects, cannot be supported by revelation. Reason directs us to pursue that line of conduct which will be most for our advantage, taking the whole term of our existence into the account. And revelation doth the same "in keeping God's commandments there is great reward." If we look through the holy scriptures we shall find abundant rewards annexed to every requirement. The idea that despising the promif. es, and being willing to renounce the defire and hope of them, should be made a condition of re ceiving them, is pitiable weakness and abfurdity.

QUITE a different spirit is displayed in the hiftory of the faints, whom we are directed to follow. All the worthies of old " died in faith not having received the promises, but seen them afar off."The renowned leader of Ifrael " had respect to the recompense of reward"-yea, "the captain of our salvation," the divine son of Mary, "for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, def pifing the shame."*

HERE the way of duty requires self denials. The good man is often called to take up his cross ; but the rewards which follow are conftantly held up to view, in revelation, as infinitely furpassing the losses and sufferings of the present life. "Bleffed are ye when men shall revile and perfecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my fake: Rejoice and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven." Every one who forsaketh worldly advantages, out of regard to God, will "receive an hundred fold reward, and inherit eternal life."

* Hebrews xi. 26. xii, 2.

THIS was made known to the primitive Christ

ians. Therefore their fortitude and zeal to do and suffer in the cause of God-"Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.I reckon the sufferings of the present time, not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

TOTALLY groundless and unjust, was that charge-"I knew thee that thou art an hard man." We serve a just, a kind, a good master. Even a cup of cold water, given out of love to him, will in no wife go unrewarded--he asks no facrifice of us for nought. Much less that we should facrifice ourselves, and be castaways. "Those who honor him, he will honor."

THE slaves of Satan are repaid with misery; but not so the servants of God. " He is not unright. eous to forget our labor of love." These things are revealed for our encouragement and support. Yea, God hath "given us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these we might be partakers of the divine nature--let us therefore be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as we know that our labor is not in vain in the Lord."

SERMON IX.

4

St. Paul's Wish to be accursed from Christ.

ROMANS ix. 3.

For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh. FEW characters more remarkable than that of St. Paul, are to be found in history. He is introduced to our acquaintance on a tragical occafion-the martyrdom of Stephen, where he appears an accomplice with murderers--" he was standing by and confenting to his death, and kept the raiment of them that flew him."

THE circumstances of Paul's conversion to Chriftianity were very remarkable, and afford strong evidence of its truth. He was not an ignorant youth, who could be easily deluded. He had all the advantages of education which that enlightened age afforded. He was born indeed at Tarfus, a city of Cilicia; but sent to Jerufalem for an education, and brought up at the feet of Gamaliel," a famous Jewish Rabbi, who is faid to have been many years president of the Sanhedrim, and renowned for wisdom and erudition.

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