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COUNSEL TO NEW CONVERTS,

{SERM.

"from darkness to light, and from the power of "Satan unto God."

Perhaps some are blessing God, that this has been their happy case, during the preceding year; and are now saying within themselves, Had I died before the year 1795, I should have perished in my sins, without Christ and without hope. But the Lord who spared me when others were cut off, and rescued me from numberless dangers, seen and unseen, ⚫ when I habitually trampled on his commandments, • and neglected his salvation, hath at length in boundless mercy, 66 granted me repentance," enabled me to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and taught • me by his grace to walk in newness of life. "Bless "the Lord, O my soul; and forget not all his be"nefits; who forgiveth all thine iniquities, and "healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life "from destruction, and crowneth thee with loving"kindness and tender mercy."-How memorable with you my brethren, even to eternal ages, will be this

acceptable year of the Lord," which to many hath doubtless been "the day of vengeance of our God." O, endeavour to "shew forth his praises, not only "with your lips, but in your lives, by giving up

yourselves to his service, and by walking before "him in holiness and righteousness all your days." Then many will glorify God on your behalf, and you will be in some degree instrumental in bringing others to seek the same blessings. Abide in Christ; keep close to the means of grace; watch against temptation; be not high-minded, but fear, for your enemies are many and your hearts deceitful; yet "be sober and

hope unto the end," "For greater is He that is " in you, than he that is in the world." Wait on the Lord continually, that he may renew your strength: and take heed, lest an increase of knowledge and ma turity of judgment should be attended by an abatement in the fervour of your affections. Be not contented with the low attainments of professors in this lukewarm age; but follow those, who have most closely followed Christ. And now approach with us to his table, to avow your acceptance of his salvation, and surrender of yourselves to his service; that as "bought with a price, you may glorify God with your "bodies and spirits which are his.”

Some perhaps to this very day, may stand in doubt to what class or company they belong. May the Lord enable such persons, to begin this new year, with

giving all diligence to make their calling and election sure!" Enquire, my friends, with impartial strict ness, into the reasons of your uncertainty and darkness! cast away every idol, break off every entangling puru suit or engagement, return from your backslidings and 'seek the Lord with all your hearts: that should this year terminate your lives; your setting sun may break forth with chearing beams, and gild the dark valley through which you must pass or should you be spared; that your walk may be henceforth more close with God, more honourable and comfortable, and more edifying and encouraging to those around

you.

My Christian brethren! let us enter on this new year, by seriously reviewing the one that we have finished: that we may be humbled for the sins,

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EXHORTATIONS TO INCREASING DILIGENCE. [SERM.

into which we have been betrayed, and rendered more simply dependent and watchful: and that we may be more thankful for the special mercies, personal, social, and publick, with which we have been favoured. Let us earnestly beg a blessing from God on every attempt we have made to sow the seed of truth, to speak a word in season, and to recommend the gospel : beseeching him also to prevent the bad effect of our mistakes and inconsistencies. We should likewise remember that time is short: that we may learn patience in tribulation, joyfulness in hope, indifference about things present, and diligence in our proper work. 66 Whatever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might for there is no work, nor device, "nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither "thou goest.""Let your loins then be girded, "and your lamps burning;" and be habitually expecting the coming of the Lord. Endeavour to recollect what designs of usefulness you had formed, and intended to have executed during the last year, or in any former period; and set about them without delay: persevere in every good work and Christian course, on which you have entered; and aim to press forward, to grow in grace, and abound more and more in all the fruits of righteousness. Then should this be your last year, as it possibly may, and as some have proba ble reason to expect; death will be your gain: and while the survivors among us may meet together at the return of this season to set up another Eben-ezer to our merciful God: others will have joined the company before the throne; and be triumphantly rejoicing Eccles. ix. 10.

XVI.]

CONCLUSION.

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and blessing the Lord, that he hath helped them quite through, made them more than conquerors, and placed them for ever out of the reach of dangers and enemies. May we all, as in succession called out of this world, thus join the heavenly worshippers; till at length,

When all the chosen race

Shall meet before the throne,
To bless the conduct of his grace,
And make his wonders known;

we may be found of that happy number, and meet once more, to set up an Eben-ezer in the world above, and to join in eternal adorations of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the one God of our salvation, to whom be praise and glory for evermore. Amen.

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V

.

SERMON XVII.

ISAIAH, ix. 13.

For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them ; neither do they seek the Lord of Hosts.

“THE Lord sent a word unto Jacob, and it hath

lighted upon Israel:" Jehovah had denounced judgments on the nation descended from the patriarchs; which had begun to be accomplished on the kingdom of Israel, by the kings of Syria and Assyria: yet the people disregarded these tokens of the divine displeasure. "And all the people shall know, even

66

Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, that

say, in the pride, and stoutness of heart; The "bricks are fallen down but we will build with hewn

stones; the sycamores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars. Therefore the Lord shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, "and join his enemies together. The Syrians before, " and the Philistines behind, and they shall devour

Preached on the ninth of March, 1796, being a day of fasting and humiliation.