MONY OF HIS OWN CONSCIENCE.

--' begotten again to a lively hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead!' Can ye refrain from pronouncing him blessed, who was the happy instrument of making you feel your ruin and your relief? Will not many of you, who have been warned, instructed, encouraged, and tenderly conducted as by a nursing father-meet him in the great day with heart-felt gratitude? You feel what you owe to his labours; and what a peculiar act of grace it was that placed you

you where the bread of life was dispensed in season, with integrity, wisdom, and affection. It matters not what others thought of your privileges : but it is impossible for you to think of them, and not to say, ‘ Blessed is that servant.' Blessed is that servant, likewise, in THE TESTI

I remember, on hearing a pious minister under depression, express some doubts of his own conversion, Mr. Newton replied, “Whatever I may doubt on

1 other points, I cannot doubt whether there has been a certain gracious transaction between God and my soul. I cannot doubt whenever I look at my former and my present objects, whether I ought not to cry, •What hath God wrought!" It was not the peculiar privilege of St. Paul, to say, 'I have fought the good fight: I have finished my course: I have kept the faith : henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: for, observe the words following, where he adds, not to me only, but unto all them that love his appearing.'. Such a witness will not detract from the glory of God: he rather magnifies the power of his grace: he stands, like Legion, as a monument of it: and he will cry, after his boldest efforts to display it, “Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.' In the testimony of his own conscience, therefore, Blessed is that servant.' . One cannot help here contrasting the real state of

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such a servant with his reception among men.

A real Christian, and much more a Christian Minister, is a character utterly unknown in the world. He reminds us of that Scripture, 'He, that is spiritual, judgeth (or discerneth*) all things, yet he himself is judged (or discerned) of no man: that is, he knows them, but they do not know him.

It is, therefore, no matter of surprise, with the real servant of God, if he be scouted as a fanatic, by the profane ; if he be scorned, by the proud; if his character be misunderstood by the ignorant; or if his doctrine be wilfully misrepresented, by the malicious. All this he is taught to expect; and all this, and much more than this, he is willing patiently to bear. For, as that · faithful witness in heaven,' the moon, appears steadily to pursue its course among opposing clouds, cheering the pilgrim through the horrors of the night, while owls hoot and dogs bark at its splendour; so the faithful witness on earth above mentioned, while he illuminates his particular station,--hailed by the children of light, but neglected, if not hated, by others,will recollect how his master was received, and that he testified, “This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil.'

Consider such a Minister coming to bring men from their state of apostacy back to God. If we regard the standard of truth on this point, and see the end of men, we shall learn, that 'many of them that sleep in the dust shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” But, where are their instructors ? and what is said of them? It is added, and they, that be wise, (or instructors, as the word significs,) shall shine as the brightness of the firmanent; and they, that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever.' One cannot help viewing with grief the reception

ανακρινει, discernelh.

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which such an Instructor meets with, when placed in the centre of a great city. In such a station he may present (as your late Instructor did) the inestimable treasure of the Gospel, not only on the Sunday, but in the course of the week. What then did you see? The Merchant rushes to the Exchange, heedless of his privilege: some friend points to the church as he passes, but he replies, "I have no time now: 'I pray thee have me excused."" The Banker, engrossed with the 'gold that perisheth,' forgets that 'gold tried in the fire' which would make him really rich; and he also 'prays to be excused.' The Stock-broker hastens to his one object, and inquires of the first man he meets, "How are things now?" Would to God he knew! Would to God he had asked your late Minister as to the real state of things! things that infinitely more belong to his peace, than those which he seeks. The lady drives hastily by the church to purchase a toy, totally unmindful of that 'pearl of great price' now offered to her without money. In the mean time we are deafened with the clamour. Commerce, with its ten thousand voices, seems to cry aloud, "Money is the one thing needful." Crowds passing to the Temple of Mammon, are ready to trample you under foot, as you endeavour to approach the Temple of God.

Besotted men! To pursue business, is your duty; but to pursue that ONLY, is your crime. What! has Wisdom so long cried aloud among you for this? Has she uttered her voice in the chief place of concourse, that scorners should still delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? What shall it profit you,' cries her preacher, 'if ye gain the whole world, and at length lose your own souls? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Some, with a death-like apathy, pass the church, and say, 'He seems a good man: others say, 'Nay, but he deceiveth the people: when will he die and his name perish? We reply:

NEVER. For, at length, the JUDGE HIMSELF rises up, and pronounces, Blessed is that servant-yea. blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching!"

The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart; and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.' HE SHALL ENTER INTO PEACE. The change of your late Minister is but a change of preferment: it is but the call of his Master to come up higher' to take his harp, his palm, his crown, and bid an eternal farewell to all his cares, and sorrows. Blessed are those servants: for God shall wipe all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away.'

Having attempted to drop a few general hints on the CHARACTER and COMMENDATION of a faithful Minister, and having shown their application to your late Pastor, permit me to address a word,

I. TO HIS STATED CONGREGATION.

Your vigilant and prepared Servant is now called off his post your faithful and wise Steward is gone to deliver his account. He doubtless will do it with joy, having made it the grand object of his life. But let us consider, my dear hearers, the account which we also have to give. If special benefits involve special obligations, where are the people that have enjoyed your privileges? Some of you are his spiritual children, born and brought up in this House of Prayer. Many of you have been 'nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine,' as by a nourishing-father. Others have been warned to 'flee from the wrath to come,' as by a faithful monitor; and others cautioned by a guide who seemed in his experience to have explored the very 'depths of Satan.' The afflicted have been comforted: the doubtful have been relie

ved: and ministers (among whom I stand as a witness) have been enlarged and confirmed, as by a father in Christ.

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Let us admire and adore the grace, which 'plucked such a brand from the burning,' and marvellously formed him afterwards to be that vessel of honour' which he became. Let us recollect to whom we are indebted for such a Steward; who, with wisdom and faithfulness, apportioned our meat in due season. And, if the remark of one of our divines be just, that a faithful minister being taken away before the age of threescore is taken in judgment," let us stand encouraged, that the departed lived far beyond the age of man before he was removed; and let us earnestly pray to the Lord of the Harvest, that this Church, which had been favoured with eminent Pastors long before the coming of your late minister, may enjoy a continuance of them till time shall be no more.

But infallible authority lays a ground for the comfort of every mourner in Zion when it enjoins, Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of GOD: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation,* or as the word is, the blessed departure which they made; and more especially considering that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever.' He ever lives! He, the great 'Shepherd and Bishop of souls,' will still provide for his flock; that 'where he is, they may be also.'