sincere milk of the word. If our food be corrupted with unwholesome mixtures, it may be expected that our health and vigor will decline. If churches do not hold fast the form of sound words in faith and love, the house of God is not only defaced, but its foundations and pillars are weakened, and the breaches will be likely to become greater and more dangerous, unless they be speedily healed. The unity of the spirit ought indeed to be maintained among all christians who hold the main principles of christianity, however they may differ in other points. But we should not be so Catholic, as to bear any doctrines, or to hear without concern the great truths of our religion denied, or called in question, and dangerous errors maintained. Churches will not be likely to keep the faith pure and undefiled, unless they have the zeal to contend for it, against those who corrupt the word of God. They must not believe every spirit, but try them whether they be of God.

Another great cause of the decay of christian picty, is the neglect or abuse of gospel ordinances.These are the outward and ordinary means of the building up of the church and preserving the form and power of religion. If the Lord's day, which ought to be kept holy, be profaned and mispent by idleness, by sinful, or unseasonable employments and amusements; if men forsake the assembling themselves for the public worship of God through sloath, careless indifference, or any insufficient reasons, if they do not give a serious and devout attention to the religious exercises, but suffer their minds to be occupied by vain, worldly and sinful thoughts, when they should be lifting up their hearts to God in prayer and praises, and hearing what he has to say to them in the word preached, considering the weight and importance of the truths of religion, mixing them with faith, and applying them to themselves for their edification. If we are chiefly attentive to the beauties

or defects in the composition, the language, or delivery of the discourses, rather than to wait on God for his blessing in the way of his ordinance; we cannot reasonably expect to be as trees planted by rivers of water, bringing forth their fruit in season. The good seed will not be likely to be fruitful in a soil so ill prepared for it. The abuse of ordinances tends, by the righteous judgment of God, to render men more indisposed, and hardened, against receiving edification from them.

The neglect or undue attendance of professors on the ordinance of the Lord's Supper, requires to be particularly mentioned among the causes of the decay of christian piety. How many, alas, carelesly neglect this holy ordinance, which if rightly used, is by the blessing of Christ, eminently conducive to the edification of the church? And are not many guilty of approaching thereto unworthily, which especially if securely indulged, is, I fear, of more dangerous consequence than many seem to be apprehensive.

This leads us to observe, that the neglect or abuse of the ordinances of discipline, for the removing of scandals which may arise in churches, is to be reckoned among the causes of a declining state of religion. If a church suffers its members to walk disorderly without reproving them, and bearing a faithful testimony against their miscarriages, disorder will be likely to spread, and become more malignant in consequence of such sinful indulgence. By neglecting to rebuke an offending brother, and to apply gospel means for his healing, they make themselves partakers with him. When they have so little concern for the honor of the christian profession, and for the souls of their brethren who have fallen to their wounding, it must greatly provoke Christ to withdraw his gracious presence from them. If church members do not consider and watch over one another to provoke

to love and good works, the love of many will wax cold. That churches may shine as shine as lights in the world, they will sometimes need to have the snuffers of the sanctuary applied to them.

A neglect of the religious instruction and government of families is also to be reckoned among the chief causes of the decay of christian piety. Religious families are the nurseries of the church. In them the materials are chiefly formed and prepared, with which the house of God is built up. If christians were faithful and prudent in the religious instruction and government of their families, the churches would doubtless receive desirable and hopeful additions. But when family religion declines, growing apostacy will be the natural consequence. The rising generation will be likely to be more corrupt than the prepreceeding and the ruins of the house of God become more dangerous and alarming. The religious education of children is too much neglected by many, who, we hope, are sincere christians. And how many by this neglect have laid a foundation for heart breaking sorrow to themselves, and misery to their children!

May it not also be mentioned among the causes of the low state of religion, that christians are no more earnest and persevering in their prayers to the God of all grace for a blessing on the means which are used for the building up of the church, and for the converting, sanctifying and quickening influences of his good spirit. The interests of the Redeemers kingdom should lie near our heart, and we should be much concerned to see the enemies of the church roaring among us, setting up their ensigns and trophies, making such unhappy progress in battering and undermining the house of God. The building up of the church is, I suppose, commonly an article in the prayers of christians; but are we not often too cold and slight in our supplications for so important

a blessing? Should we not be instant, and humbly importunate with God, and give him no rest, as the prophet speaks, till he arise and plead his own cause, rebuke and scatter his enemies, and suffer no wea pon formed against Zion to prosper? This is a blessing for which he will be enquired of, by us. But he hath not said to the seed of Jacob, seck ye me in vain. The rebuilding of the temple was accomplished in answer to the prayers of the pious Jews; and it is in answer to the prayers of the church that satan's kingdom is to be destroyed, and the kingdom of Christ built up and enlarged.

I shall only add, that when christians indulge themselves in such tempers, and such a conversation, as is contrary to the rules and spirit of the gospel, in spir itual sloth, carnal security, sensuality, worldly mindedness, pride, envying, uncharitable disaffection, and contentions, the power and influence of religion upon their hearts and lives will, while they remain in such unhappy frames, be likely to decay, more and more, and the baneful effects will become more visible, contagious and malignant. Those who are near and conversant with them, will catch infection as it were from their breath, and be corrupted by their example; and unless, such backslidings are speedily healed, the interest of true religion may be expected to decline in a rapid progression.

It may be asked, whether the particulars which have been mentioned, as causes of the decay of christian piety, are not rather instances of that evil whose causes are enquired for. I answer, though they are indeed instances of apostacy, yet they are also causes, disposing and tending to further and greater evils; so a breach made upon a house, causes it to decay more and faster. When churches begin to decline, and fall away from their first purity and love, their strength or vigor is enfeebled, and their enemies gain a great advantage to make further and more danger

ous breaches, and break in upon them like a flood; and God is hereby justly provoked to suffer their enemies to prevail against them-And this leads us to observe,

Thirdly. When the house of God goes to decay, the hand of his holy providence is to be acknowledgéd in such a dispensation. Shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it? A visible decay of religion in any place, is a token of divine displeasure. It is always a just punishment on a people for their neglecting or abusing the privileges of the kingdom of heaven. God will not forsake us, unless we first forsake him. Though he is sovereign in the exercises of his mercy, yet he never visits a people in a way of judgment, in mere sovereignty. If He withdraws his gracious presence, and the influences of his spirit from them, it is because their iniquities have separated between them, and their God, and hid his face from them. Free grace is the source of all our blessings; but all the evils with which we are affected, originate with ourselves. If a people are deprived of the means of grace, or of a divine blessing with them, it is their sin which causes God to frown upon them.-We now proceed to the

THIRD Proposition, viz.-When the house of God, or the interest of his church and kingdom is visibly declining among a people, they ought not to give themselves up securely to their worldly pursuits and enjoyments, but they should so consider their ways and state, as to be suitably affected, and seek and apply proper remedies or means of redress.

While we live in this world, a competent portion of the comforts of this life is desirable; and it is not only lawful, but a duty for christians, according to their ability, to provide things honest in the sight of all men. And they may enjoy the comforts of their worldly conveniences, and use the world, provided