mass of distinctions without differences to support them, a bundle of perplexities which only puzzle the preacher, and distract or disgust his hearers. It deserves attention from every preacher, that men, really and greatly distinguished for metaphysical talents, have rarely, if ever, preached metaphysical

sermons.

Distinctions which are, or which can be made obvious, are the only distinctions which should ever employ discourses delivered to popular assemblies. All the preacher's illustrations should be drawn, according to Cicero's direction to his orator, de medio, from the common objects with which men are customarily acquainted. These are wholly better, clearer, and more forcible than any other. Accordingly, we find such illustrations, and such only, used by Christ, the prophets, and the apostles, in all their discourses.

"Would I describe a preacher," says the excellent poet whom I have before quoted,

"Would I describe a preacher, such as Paul,

Were he on earth, would hear, approve, and own,
Paul should himself direct me. I would trace
His master-strokes, and draw from his design.
I would express him simple, grave, sincere ;
In doctrine uncorrupt, in language plain,
And plain in manner, decent, solemn, chaste,
And natural in gesture: Much impressed
Himself, as conscious of his awful charge,
And anxious mainly that the flock he feeds
May feel it too: Affectionate in look,
And tender in address, as well becomes
A messenger of grace to guilty man."

In a word, let the minister forget himself, and think only on his business, and on the means of accomplishing it. Let him ask himself what considerations would most convince him of his duty, and persuade him to embrace eternal life; let him direct all his efforts to produce the same conviction and persuasion in his hearers; and there will, with the ordinary blessing of God, be little danger that he will fail of preaching with wisdom and success.

III. Such a preacher will, without reserve, address himself boldly and directly to the consciences of his hearers.

Of this conduct the text furnishes us with a glorious example. Paul, humble as he was, endangered as he was, and great and guilty as his hearers were, came directly home to their consciences. He did not go round about with his discourse, to insinuate cautiously the truths which he wished to teach. He did not attempt to secure their favour and his own safety, by soft addresses, amusing speculations, or lying panegyrics.

On the contrary, he set their guilt, their danger, and their duty, directly before their faces. He held up to them the mirror of the Gospel, and showed them their true resemblance, awful in its form, and terrible in its colours. The image was their own, and so striking a likeness that it could not be mistaken. Felix trembled, and confessed himself unable to endure the sight.

What Paul did on this occasion, all ministers of the Gospel, so far as they are able, are bound to do. Every minister, when he comes into the desk, should remember what office he sustains; who sent him; to whom he is sent; and for what purpose. He is a preacher of truth and righteousness, a messenger from the Lord Jesus Christ, sent to sinful, perishing men, and sent to accomplish their salvation. How solemn the of fice! how great and glorious the author of it! how pitiable and distressed the objects! how divine the purpose! With infinite authority the awful Being, whose message he is sent to deliver, requires him to deliver it faithfully, and in no wise to "shun," or neglect "to declare all the counsel of God" to his hearers. With a cogency, only inferior to that authority, the infinite danger of his flock compels him to the same duty. The all-searching eye, with clear and piercing view, unceasingly surveys his heart and his conduct, to mark the manner in which he performs this duty. Before him a multitude of immortal beings who may be saved, and who, if not saved, will be lost, plead, with silent but overwhelming eloquence, for a punctilious discharge of his ministry. God has declared, that if he and they are faithful," he shall save both himself and

"those that hear him." How can any man, thus circumstanced, prove unfaithful?

The message is sent by the Creator of all men, of kings and beggars alike. It is sent alike to all men, both great and small. Can he fear and betray the former? Can he forget and ruin the latter?

Away thus with all trifling from this solemn scene, with all displays of talents, brilliancy, sagacity, eloquence! Away with all displays of the preacher, with all remembrance of himself! with all prettinesses of thought and language! Away with all the fear and flattery of man! with all the homage customarily rendered to greatness, power, and splendour. Felix is no longer a governor, a judge, a man who controls life and death. Paul is no longer a prisoner, in question for his life, and suspended over the grave. Paul is an ambassador of the eternal God, come to proclaim his awful pleasure to the creatures whom he has made. His audience are all raised or sunk to one common level. Who is that splendid being, arrayed in purple and fine linen, and rolled to the house of God in a chariot of state? He is a child of apostate Adam, and by nature "a child of wrath, being a child of disobedience, even 66 as others." Who is that wretch, half covered with rags and dirt, come to the same solemn place, supported by a beggar's staff? He is another child of the same apostate, and sustaining precisely the same character. Both, together with all around them, are sinners exposed to the wrath of God, and in the most imminent danger of final perdition. All, also, are immortal, are probationers for eternal life, and are now prisoners of hope. To this place are they come to hear words by which they may be saved.

In this single character, then, they stand before the preacher. What shall he say to them? He shall deliver the message which God has put into his hands. He shall "cry "aloud, and spare not; he shall lift up his voice as a trum"pet; he shall show the house of Jacob their iniquities, and "his people their trangressions." He shall say, "Repent, "and turn yourselves from all your transgression; so iniquity "shall not be your ruin. Break off your sins by righteous

"ness, and your iniquities by turning to the Lord. Make

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you a new heart and a new spirit, for why will ye die, O "house of Israel! For I have no pleasure in the death of "him that dieth, saith the Lord God, wherefore turn your"selves and live ye. Behold the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor his ear heavy, that it cannot "hear. But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you. "Wherefore do you spend money for that which is not bread, "and your labour for that which satisfieth not? Incline "your ear, and hear, and your souls shall live; and I will "make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mer"cies of David. Seek ye the Lord while he is to be found; "call ye upon him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake "his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him "turn unto the Lord, for he will have mercy on him, and to "our God, for he will abundantly pardon him. For thus "saith the High and Lofty One, who inhabiteth eternity, "whose name is Holy, I dwell in the high and holy place, "with him also that is of a humble and contrite spirit, to re"vive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the "contrite. For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be "always wroth, for the spirit would fail before me, and the "souls which I have made."

To the children of God he shall, at the same time, address the most solemn reproofs, and the most delightful consolations, to stay their backslidings on the one hand, and, on the other, to cheer their progress through this vale of temptation and sorrow. He shall say, "My beloved brethren, work out your "salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who worketh "in you to will, and to do, of his good pleasure. Be ye, "therefore, blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without "rebuke. Forget the things which are behind, and reach "forth to those which are before, pressing forward towards "the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus "Christ our Lord. Remember, that without holiness no "man shall see the Lord; that circumcision is nothing, and "uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments

SER. 29. "of God. Be ye, therefore, holy in all manner of conversa❝tion. Without love ye are, and can be, nothing in the di"vine kingdom. Let no man deceive you. Evil communi"cations corrupt good manners. Flee filthy lusts. Be not "satisfied that you have a name to live. Humble yourselves "in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. Strength"en the things that remain, and are ready to die. Hold fast "that which ye have, and let no man take your crown. "Build yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the

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Holy Ghost. Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking "for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."

He shall also speak comfortably to Jerusalem, and shall say unto her, that her "warfare is accomplished, that her ini"quity is pardoned. For thus saith the Lord that created thee, “O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, fear not, for I "have redeemed thee; I have called thee by thy name, thou "art mine. When thou passest through the waters I will be "with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow "thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be "burnt, neither shall the flame kindle on thee. For I am the "Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel thy Saviour. The "Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory; "and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of "the Lord shall name. Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in "the hand of the Lord; a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. "Thou shalt no more be called forsaken, neither shalt thy land

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any more be called desolate. But thou shalt be an eternal "excellency, a joy of many generations. For although in my "wrath, I smote thee for a small moment, yet with everlasting “kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord Almighty.”

sins.

In a word, he will rouse the consciences of sinners by disclosing to them their true character, their real danger, their amazing guilt, and the anger of God denounced against their He will point out to them the only way of safety, the righteousness of Christ received by faith in his blood, and applied for their salvation by the Spirit of truth in the sanctification of their souls. He will call them to repentance and holiness, to the renunciation of their sins, and the reformation of