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tion; when you are reminded that they sow to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption." Instead of accounting of the servants of the sanctuary "as the ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God," the great object of whose ministerial labour should be the conversion of sinners, the "perfecting of the saints, and the edifying of the body of Christ," the most serious offence is frequently most unjustly taken at the faithful exposition of God's word; at the uncompromising avowal of doctrines necessary to salvation, the rejection of which implies a most lamentable ignorance of divine truth; and at the reprehension of vices which are far from being regarded as vices by the men of the world. But what can be more unwarrantable than the indulgence of such feelings toward those, whose object in warning and teaching their fellow-men in all wisdom, is to be enabled" to present them perfect in Christ Jesus;" who are charged "before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing; to preach the word, to be instant in season and out of season, to reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all long suffering and doctrine;" whose earnest desire and prayer to God for their people, is, that they may find pardon and acceptance with him through the Son of his love; who must individually answer

at a heavenly tribunal the solemn question, "Where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?" and upon whom the heaviest woe is laid, if they preach not the gospel? No state of mind can be more truly alarming than that which was manifested in the declining state of the kingdom of Judah, when the messenger of the Lord of hosts in vain expostulated with the people, and when the accusation was too justly brought against them, that they were lying children, children that would not hear the law of the Lord, "which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits." If the minister pleased men he would not be the servant of Christ. Then only is he deserving of your esteem, for then only is he true to his high and holy calling, when, having your salvation at heart, and convinced of the malignity and miserable consequences of sin, his aim is to warn you to flee from the wrath to come, to lay hold on eternal life; when seeking not yours, but you, and uninfluenced by that "fear of man," which "bringeth a snare," he will make no compromise that he may gain your approbation or escape your censure, when he will not flatter you that the wound of sin is healed, by saying, "Peace, when there is no peace;" but when, like the messenger sent to prepare the way of

the Lord, he constantly speaks the truth and rebukes vice. Be assured, also, that then only are you aroused from the sleep of sin, and seriously concerned for your eternal welfare, when so far from being offended, you rejoice at the faithful preaching of God's word, and seek to profit by it, and esteem it as a privilege to be answered for at that great day, when God the righteous Judge shall demand an account of every talent committed to your care; and when in the case of those who will not listen to the Saviour's expostulations will be lamentably experienced the wretched doom denounced against the unbelieving who would not hearken to the disciples whom he sent forth to preach and to teach; "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily, I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment than for that city." In the hour of health and strength, indeed, when death, and judgment, and eternity, are carefully kept out of sight, he may be viewed as an effective pastor, and hailed as a judicious friend, who seeks not to obtrude subjects of the most vital importance upon your notice, who aims not to draw your affections from the fleeting objects of time and sense, and who is willing to join with you in

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amusements which, to say the least, have a dissipating effect upon the mind; but a most miserable comforter, and a most wretched counsellor will he be, when the soul is about to enter the confines of the world of spirits; when you shall deeply deplore the infatuation which induced you to be blind followers of a blind leader, and to put off to a dying hour all concern as to the things which belong to your eternal peace.

SERMON XVI.

HEROD AGRIPPA THE FIRST.

ACTS xii. 23.

"And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost."

"THE wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity." How strikingly has this declaration of the psalmist been exemplified in the conduct of many of the great ones of the earth, but in no instance more remarkably than in that of Herod Agrippa, whose persecution of the infant church, and whose miserable end, are recorded in the chapter before us.

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