THIS reprefentation is not to be received without restriction; but we may fafely 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 fhould encourage us to wrestle with God in prayer, for the effufions of his grace on those who deferve judgment without mercy, and who might receive it from the righteous fovereign, did the righteous hold their peace, and "let him alone."

II. WHEN we witnefs 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 on

ly hope is mercy. "Mofes was faithful in all

God's houfe." His attainments in the divine life were scarcely equalled; yet must have perished forever had forgiving grace been denied him. He knew his ftate; and a view of Ifrael's danger called home his thoughts and led him to implore divine mercy for himself, though he fhould 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 fhould it be denied me."

IF Moses was thus confcious of guilt, who can fay "I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my fin ?-O Lord, enter not into judgment with thy fervant; for in thy fight fhall no man living be juftified--there is not a juft 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 afk mercy for others, and bear them on our hearts before God? We must not therefore conclude that mercy is not neceffary for us. Iike 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 needlefs.

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

SOME in Mofes' fituation, would doubtlefs 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 vaft importance that we know ourselves -if we attain this knowledge, from fenfe 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 ftrange doctrine exploded in the beginning of this difcourfe, finds no fupport in it. And furely the doârine which reafon rejects, cannot be fupported by revelation. Reafon directs us to purfue

that line of conduct which will be moft for our advantage, taking the whole term of our exiftence into the account. And revelation doth the fame"in keeping God's commandments there is great reward." If we look through the holy fcriptures we fhall find abundant rewards annexed to every requirement. The idea that defpifing the promif es, and being willing to renounce the defire and hope of them, fhould be made a condition of receiving them, is pitiable weakness and abfurdity.

QUITE a different fpirit is difplayed 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 recompenfe of reward"-yea, "the captain of our falvation," the divine fon of Mary, "for the joy that was fet before him, endured the cross, defpifing the fhame."*

HERE the way of duty requires felf 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 surpassing the loffes and fufferings of the prefent life. "Bleffed are ye when men fhall revile and perfecute you, and fay all manner of evil againft you falfely for my fake Rejoice and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven." Every one who forfaketh 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 Chriftians. Therefore their fortitude and zeal to do and fuffer in the caufe 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 fufferings of the prefent time, not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

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

THE flaves of Satan are repaid with mifery; but not fo the fervants of God. "He is not unright. These things

cous to forget our labor of love."

are revealed for our encouragement and fupport. Yea, God hath "given us exceeding great and precious promifes; that by these we might be partakers of the divine nature--let us therefore be steadfaft, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forafmuch as we know that our labor is not in vain in the Lord."

SERMON IX.

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 circumftances of Paul's converfion to Christianity were very remarkable, and afford ftrong evidence of its truth. He was not an ignorant youth, who could be eafily deluded. He had all the advantages of education which that enlightened age afforded. He was born indeed at Tarfus, a city of Cilicia; but fent 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 prefident of the Sanhedrim, and renowned for wifdom and erudition,