of religion for what talent is there that has not been abused and misapplied? But if, on account of the abufe, we were to renounce the use of a thing in itself good, all means whatever ought to be laid afide. Even preaching, than which nothing has been more abufed, must be given up for ever.

Let it not be imagined, that what was faid in regard to the ufe made of arts and fciences by the Popish miffionaries, was with a view to condemn or difcredit fuch expedients. It was only with an intention to fhow, that there were many causes to which the fuccefs of thofe miffionaries, comparatively little, might be attributed, without recurring to miracles; whereas there was nothing that could account for the astonishing succefs of the apoftles, in whom all thofe advantages were wanting, but miracles alone. It was not to depretiate the wifsdom of man, but to fhow that the foolishness of God is wifer. So far from condemning the Roman Catholics in this, I approve, I applaud their zeal, their folicitude, their perfeverance. I only regret they are fo much mistaken in the object; and that it is not for the fimple truth as it is in Jefus, that these qualities are exercifed. I exceedingly regret, that it has fared with the gospel in their hands, as it did with the Mofaic law in the hands of the fcribes and Pharifees; that the precepts and gloffes of men have corrupted and disfigured the word

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of God; and that the traditions of the Romifh, as formerly of the Jewish rabbis, have, in many inftances, rendered the divine commandment of none effect. If our industry were equal to theirs, we might well expect fuperior fuccefs from the fuperiority of our caufe. Let us not hesitate to take example in what is praife-worthy from those whom in other refpects we difapprove. Our Lord did not fcruple to recommend to his difciples, as a leffon of prudence, the provident care even of an unfaithful fteward : "For the chil"dren of this world," fays he," are in "their generation wifer than the children "of light *.” The Romanifts claim the high prerogative of working miracles; yet they purfue fuch politic meafures as fhow that they lay no ftrefs upon that privilege. There are, on the other hand, enthufiafts, who, though they do not in words arrogate fupernatural power, act as if they poffeffed it, treating with contempt the ordinary and natural means. Both are in extremes. And I fhall only fay of them, that if the latter speak with more honefty, the former act with more judgement.

Still however we are to be understood with this limitation, that the means employed muft never be repugnant to the unalterable rule of truth and right, or to the fpirit of that holy

*Luke, xvi. 8.

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religion which we defire to propagate. A good end will never fanctify bad means. Men have too often, in the cause of God, as they pretended, had recourfe to deceit and violence. Thefe unhallowed inftruments, fo contradictory to the precepts, and fo fubverfive of the fpirit of the gospel, they have thought they confecrated, by chriftening them pious frauds, and wholesome feverities. Let us ever remember, that it is impoffible that the God of mercy and truth fhould accept fuch deteftable offerings "Thou shalt destroy them that speak "leafing," fays David. "The Lord will abhor "both the bloody and the deceitful man *.”

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I OBSERVE, thirdly, and I conclude with it, that though in thefe days no miffions can hope for fuccefs comparable to that which attended the miniftry of the apostles, this confideration ought not to difcourage fuch attempts, or leffen the ardour of Chriftians for the advancement of the gofpel. It was fitting that the miniftry of the Son of Ged, and of his felect fervants, by whom the foundations of the church were laid, fhould be fignalized by the moft glorious manifeftations of divine prefence and agency. This was to ferve to all future ages as a proof that the commiffion came from God. But let it not be fufpected by any, that God will ever fail to countenance the caufe of his Son, the

* Pfal. v. 6. VOL. III.

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cause of truth and virtue, and to honour thofe with his approbation who exert themfelves to promote it. For one to fay, Be

caufe I cannot do good equal to that which with the aid of miracles the first < preachers of the gofpel did, I will do none at all,' would be talking neither like a Christian, nor like a reasonable perfon. The great and the rich have it in their power to be more extenfively ufeful to their fellowcreatures than the ignoble and the poor: are the latter therefore exempted from being as ufeful as they can? God requireth of every man according to what he hath, and not according to what he hath not *. Will it be a good apology for the fervant who receives one talent, to fay, Because I re⚫ceived not, like fome others, five talents,

I thought it unneceffary to employ myself in the improvement of fo fmall a stock?' The cafe of individuals, and that of whole generations, is in this refpect fimilar. To do what we can to diffufe the light of the gofpel, and communicate the benefits thereof to others, is what every motive of piety to God and benevolence to men requires of us. And we may fay, with the greatest juftice, that none deserve better of mankind, than those whofe labour and wealth are employed in promoting the intereft of their fellow-creatures, the most valuable for time and for eternity. For this reafon, the dif2 Cor. viii. 12.

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ciples of Jefus will entertain a due veneration for that truly Christian and truly Patriotic Society, who have honoured me with their commands to addrefs you on this occafion. Their affiduous attention has long been fixed, and by the bleffing of Heaven has not been fixed in vain, on the most fublime and important of all objects, the extenfion of the kingdom of Meffiah, and the falvation of the fouls of men. I fpeak not thus to convince you of the just title they have to your esteem. This is a very fmall matter to those who seek not the praife of men, but that which cometh from God, the omnifcient and unerring Judge. But I speak to awaken the fame zeal in the breafts of you, my hearers, and to excite every one of this affembly, to co-operate to the utmost of his power, in promoting the fame noble ends.

And let us all add fervent prayers to ftre-, nuous and virtuous endeavours. "Pray," faid David *, "for the peace of Jerufalem." Our Jerufalem is the church of Chrift the antitype of that metropolis, the true city of the great King. Of HER we may justly fay, "They fhall profper that love THEE. Peace "be within THY walls, and profperity with"in THY palaces! For our brethren and "companions fakes we will fay, Peace be with"in THEE. Because of the houfe of the "Lord our God, we will seek THY good."

*Pfal. cxxii. 6. &c.

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