part of this discourse be just, we are not to consider ourselves, at present, in such circumstances of despondency, but on the contrary, we are arrived at a grand period, for which Providence has been preparing the world for several centuries, when the doctrines of the Unity of God and Humanity of Christ have been freed, not only from the gross corruptions of the dark ages of Popery, but likewise from the less obvious errours, which were re tained by the most enlightened of the Reformers; when these doctrines have been reconciled to the language of Scripture and the principles of reason; when a few men are so fully convinced of their truth and importance, that they have courage to profess them openly; and when mankind are alarmed at the progress which these sentiments are making. We appear to be come to the beginning of a new æra in the Christian church, the commencement of a Reformation, as remarkable and important, as the Reformation from Popery, and which will, in the course of time, eclipse the glory of that event; the first rescuing us from the errours of the church of Rome only partially; this, entirely; the one being the dawn of day, the other the meridian light.

Let every one hasten to apply his hand to so important a work, and endeavour to share in the honour which will arise from it. Let him furnish his mind with the knowledge of the truth; profess it without disguise or fear; labour to communicate it to others, by public instruction, by private conver

sation, and by the distribution of useful books. If the harvest be great, while the labourers are few, this should be considered as a motive, not for despondency but exertion; for the fewer workmen there are in the field, the more will every one have to do, and the greater will be the honour which each will enjoy. Were they more numerous, the exertions of a single person would be overlooked.

But there are more important considerations to stimulate our endeavours, than the hope of honour. We are called upon to rescue mankind from errours, which are highly injurious to the improvement or comfort of those who embrace them, and which, if they continue to be retained by Christians, will sink their religion into universal contempt among men of knowledge and reflection. We are required, by presenting to men a rational system of Christianity, to stop the rapid progress of infidelity, which, if it became general and permanent, would be the greatest calamity that could befall mankind. If we be friends to the welfare of the human race, tuated by genuine benevolence, we shall zeal in so important and useful a service.

if we be acengage with

Although we are few in number, we have no reason, on that account, to despair of success. Great effects have arisen from small and inconsiderable causes. The little cloud, no bigger than the size of a man's hand, swelled, until it had covered the whole Heavens; the grain of mustard seed, which is the smallest of seeds, becomes the greatest among

herbs; and a little leaven leaveneth the whole mass. By a few apostles, aided indeed by the influence of miraculous powers, the ancient empire of idolatry was overturned, and the Christian religion established in the world.

By a few reformers a great part of the Christian world was rescued from the grievous yoke of Popery; and by a few persons, equally courageous and active, may the work, which they left unfinished, be completed, and thus the remains of errour and superstition be banished from the earth.

SERMON XL.

PAUL'S VALEDICTORY PRAYER EXPLAINED AND IM

PROVED.

II THESS. iii, 18.

The Grace of our Lord Jefus Christ be with you all. Amen.

I BEGIN this discourse with words, by which many discourses, and particularly those of Paul, are concluded, and by which our public assemblies are frequently dismissed. It will not be presuming too much, I fear, to suppose, that what is so often repeated may sometimes be pronounced by the speaker without thought, or heard by the audience without consideration; that they may too often be regarded as mere words of course, delivered as a signal to break up and disperse. It cannot be deemed unseasonable, therefore, if I endeavour to secure them more attention by explaining their meaning, and showing that they signify something more than a mere form, and are in fact a solemn prayer addressed to God, expressing a desire of many important blessings, which ought not to be pronounced or heard without serious reflection and. deliberation; still more necessary will such an ex

planation be, if it appear, that some affix to them a false or erroneous meaning.

The original import of the word grace is favour, and, therefore, the grace of God is the favour of the divine Being, or some blessing or benefit, which is an expression of that favour; and, as the Gospel of Christ is more valuable and important than any other benefit, it is called favour by way of eminence. Thus Paul and Barnabas persuade the proselytes of Antioch to continue in the grace of God, that is, in the profession of the Gospel. In another place Paul calls preaching the Gospel, testifying the gospel of the grace of God; and he beseeches the Corinthians, that they receive not the grace of God in vain, that is, that they receive not the Gospel

in vain.

What in these passages is called the grace of God is, in other places, called the grace of Christ. Thus, Paul says to Timothy; "Be strong in the grace, that is in Christ Jesus;" that is, continue firm and unshaken in the profession of the Gospel, or in that favour of God, which comes to men by Jesus Christ. And Peter, speaking of the Jews and Gentiles, says: "But we believe that, through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, we shall be saved even as they ;" that is, we shall be saved by the Gospel of Christ as well as they.

The grace of Christ, then, is not his personal good will or favour, but the grace of God in Christ, that benefit which he is the instrument of commu