source arose that torrent of eloquence which frequently, bore down all before it: from this, that astonishing force of persuasion, which the most, hardened sinners Could not resist. This it was, which often made his head as waters, and his eyes a fountain of tears. This it was, which enabled him to pour out his soul in prayer, in a manner peculiar to himself, with such fulness and ease united together, with such strength and variety both of sentiment and expres

sion.

9. I may close this head with observing, What, an honour it pleased God to put upon his faithful servant, by allowing him to declare his everlasting gos pel in so many various countries, to such numbers of people, and with so great an effect, on so many of their precious souls! Have we read or heard of any person since the apostles, who testified the gospel of the grace of God, through so widely extended a space, through so large a part of the habitable world? Have we read or heard of any person who called so many thousands, so many myriads of sinners to repentance? Above all, have we read or heard of any, who has been a blessed instrument in his hand of bringing so many" sinners from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God? It is true, were we to talk thus to the gay world, we should be judged to speak as barbarians. But you understand the language of the country to which you are going, and whither our dear friend is gone a little before us.

III. But how shall we improve this awful providence? This is the third thing which we have to consider And the answer to this important question is easy (may God write it in all our hearts!) By keeping, close to the grand doctrines which he delivered: and by drinking into his Spirit.

1. And first, let us keep close to the grand scriptural doctrines, which he every were delivered. There are many doctrines of a less essential nature, with regard to which, even the sincere children of God (such is the present weakness of human understanding!) are and have been divided for many ages. In these we 4-2-2 Volteon may

may think and let think; we may "agree to disagree." But mean time let us hold fast the essentials of the faith, which was once delivered to the saints; and which this champion of God so strongly insisted on, at all times, and in all places.

2. His fundamental point was, Give God all the glory of whatever is good in man. And in the business of salvation, Set Christ as high, and man as low as possible. With this point, he and his friends at Oxford, the original Methodists (so called) set out. Their grand principle was, There is no power (by nature) and no merit in man. They insisted, all power to think, speak, or act right, is in and from the Spirit of Christ and all merit is (not in man, how high soever in grace, but merely) in the blood of Christ. So he and they taught: There is no power in man, till it is given him from above, to do one good work, to speak one good word, or to form one good desire. For it is not enough to say, all men are sick of sin: no, we are all dead in trespasses and sins. It follows, that all the children of men are by nature children of wrath. We are all guilty before God, liable to death temporal and eternal.

3. And we are all helpless, both with regard to the power and to the guilt of sin. For who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? None less than the AL mighty. Who can raise those that are dead, spiritually dead in sin? None but he who raised us from the dust of the earth. But on what consideration will he do this? Not for works of righteousness that we have done. The dead cannot praise thee, O Lord! Nor do any thing for the sake of which they should be raised to life. Whatever therefore God does, he does it merely for the sake of his well beloved Son; he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities. He himself bore all our sins in his own body upon the tree. He was delivered for our offences, and rose again for our justification. Here then is the sole meritorious cause of every blessing we do or can enjoy in particular of our pardon and acceptance with God, of our full and free justification. But by what means do we become interested in what Christ has done and suffered? Not by works, lest any, man should boast; but by faith alone. We conclude, says. the apostle, that a man is justified by faith, without the works

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of the law. And to as many as thus receive him, giveth he power to become the sons of God: even to those that believe in his name, who are born, not of the will of man, but of God.

4. And except a man be thus born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. But all who are thus born of the Spirits have the kingdom of God within them. Christ sets up his kingdom in their hearts; Righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. That mind is in them, which was in Christ Jesus, enabling them to walk as Christ also walked. His indwelling Spirit makes them both holy in heart,. and holy in all manner of conversation. But still, seeing all this is a free gift, through the righteousness and blood of Christ, there is eternally the same reason to remember, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord..

5. You are not ignorant, that these are the fundamental doctrines which he every where insisted on. And may they not be summed up, as it were, in two words, The new birth, and justification by faith? These let us insist upon with all boldness, at all times, and in all places in public (those of us who are called thereto) and at all opportunities, in private. Keep close to these good, old, unfashionable doctrines, how many soever contradict and blaspheme. Go on, my brethren, in the name of the Lord, and in the power of his might. With all care and diligence, keep that safe which is committed to your trust knowing that heaven and earth shall pass away; but this truth shall not pass away.

6. But will it be sufficient, to keep close to his doctrines, how pure soever they are? Is there not a pointof still greater importance than this, namely, to drink into his spirit? Herein to be a follower of him, even as he was of Christ? Without this, the purity of our doctrines, would only increase our condemnation. This therefore is the principal thing, to copy after his spirit, And allowing that in some points, we must be content, to admire what we cannot imitate: yet in many others we may, through the same free grace, be partakers of the same blessing. Conscious then of your own wants, and of his bounteous love, who giveth liberally and upbraideth not, cry to him that worketh all in all, for a measure of the same precious faith of the same zeal and activity, the same tender-heartedness, charitableness, bowels of mercies. Wrestle with God for some degree of the same.

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grateful,

grateful, friendly, affectionate temper of the same openness, simplicity, and godly sincerity. Love without dissimulation. Wrestle on, till the power from on high works in you the same steady courage and patience: and above all, because it is the crown of all, the same invariable integrity.'

7. Is there any other fruit of the grace of God, with which he was eminently endowed, and the want of which among the children of God he frequently and passionately lamented? There is one, that is, Catholic love that sincere and tender affection, which is due to all those, who, we have reason to believe, are children of God by faith in other words, all those in every persuasion, who fear God and work righteousness. He longed to see all who had tasted of the good word, of a truly Catholic spirit, (a word little understood, and still less experienced by many, who have it frequently in their mouth.) Who is he that answers this character? Who is a man of a Catholic spirit? One who loves as friends, as brethren in the Lord, as joint partakers of the present kingdom of heaven, and fellow-heirs of his eternal kingdom, all of whatever opinion, mode of worship, or congregation, who believe in the Lord Jesus; who love God and man who rejoicing to please, and fearing to offend God, are careful to abstain from evil, and zealous of good works. He is a man of a truly Catholic spirit, who bears all these continually upon his heart: who having an unspeakable tenderness for their persons, and an earnest desire of their welfare, does not cease to commend them to God in prayer, as well as to plead their cause before men who speaks comfortably to them, and labours by all his words, to strengthen their hands in God. He assists them to the uttermost of his power, in all things, spiritual and temporal, He is ready to spend and to be spent for them; yea, to lay down his life for his brethren.

98. How amiable a character is this? How desirable to every child of God! But why is it then so rarely found? How is it, that there are so few instances of it? Indeed, supposing we have tasted of the love of God, how can any of us rest, till it is our own? Why, there is a delicate device, whereby Satan persuades thousands, that they may stop short of it, and yet be guiltless. It

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is well, if many here present are not in this snare of the devil, taken captive at his will. "O yes, says one, have all this love for those I believe to be children of God. But I will never believe, he is a child of God, "who belongs to that vile congregation! Can he, do you "think, be a child of God, who holds such detestable

opinions? Or he that joins in such senseless and super stitious, if not idolatrous worship?" So we justify our selves in one sin, by adding a second to it! We excuse the want of love in ourselves, by laying the, blame on others. To colour our own devilish temper, we pronounce our brethren children of the devil. O beware of this! And if you are already taken in the snare, escape out of it as soon as possible. Go and learn that truly Catholic love, which is not rash or basty in judging : that love which thinketh no evil, which believeth and hopeth all things which makes all the allowances for others, that we desire others should make for us. Then we shall take knowledge of the grace of God, which is in every man, whatever be his opinion or mode of worship. Then will all that fear God be near and dear unto us, in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

9. Was not this the spirit of our dear friend? And why should it not be ours? O thou God of love, how long shall thy people be a bye-word among the Heathen? How long shall they laugh us to scorn, and say, "See how these Christians love one another ?" When wilt thou roll away our reproach? Shall the sword devour for ever? How long will it be, ere thou bid thy people return from following each other? Now at least, let all the people stand still, and pursue after their brethren, no more! But whatever others do, let all of us, my brethren, hear the voice of him that being dead yet speaketh! Suppose ye hear him say, "Now, at least, be ye followers of me as I was of Christ! "Let brother no more lift up sword against brother, nei"ther know ye war any more! Rather put ye on, as the elect of God, bowels of mercies, humbleness of mind, brotherly kindness, gentleness, long-suffering, forbearing one another in love.. "Let the time past suffice for strife, envy, contention; " for biting and devouring one another. Blessed be God, "that ye have not long ago been consumed one of another! "From henceforth hold ye the unity of the Spirit in the "bond of peace."

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10. O God,