good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you: all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof." David the king of Israel, the man after God's own heart, avows, "Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, according to thy word." Asaph testifies, "Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon the earth that I desire beside thee." Nahum tells his flock, "The Lord is good: a strong hold in the day of trouble: and he knoweth them that trust in him." Paul says, "I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day." Peter says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again to a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." Now these were opinions derived from his service and presence. And the conduct of these saints testified their sincerity. Many of them sacrificed reputation, property, possessions, comforts, parents, friends, and life itself, for his sake. For believing in his Son,

separating themselves from the world, and avowing their love in Christ, "some were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented:" yet all bear record to his faithfulness and loving-kindness to their souls. Should not their testimony have some weight with you? Go, sit, and hearken to the conversation of an old disciple. Jesus appeared to the disciples as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. It naturally strengthens our affection to hear another speak well of the friend we love; and the Spirit of the Lord shall fan your spark of love into a flame, by the breath of such heavenly converse. Their good words shall make your heart glad, and help you to say with David, "Our fathers trusted in

thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered; they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. Therefore will I say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God, in him will I trust."

Every sincere minister of the gospel is the] friend of God. He has been previously called by his grace to the fellowship of his Son, and having handled the word of life, he comes to you as a faithful witness of the blessedness' of this acquaintance. "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us. And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." The substance of the report he brings is, "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." The work of the ministry was appointed to introduce you to a higher esteem of the friend of sinners, and through him to an acquaintance with God. "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ; as though God did

beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." If then you sleep away sermons; if the ambassadors who bring the treaty of peace are disesteemed; if the good news be disbelieved, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and reconcile them by his blood unto God; this acquaintance can never be begun. Think what an affront such impious disdain of such transcendent love must be to the Majesty of heaven. As soon as the Jews began to despise the messages of the prophets, of Jesus, and of his apostles, misery followed them; and they are now monuments of divine vengeance, for putting away from them the word of life. And think, I beseech you, what the reflections of a conscience already enlightened will be, when looking back upon neglected sabbaths, despised ordinances, and rejected sermons; "How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof!" And how can the reproach be borne, from him whom you might have served and enjoyed for ever? "For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:

they would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof: therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own ways, and be filled with their own devices."

Ye blessed disciples of the Lord Jesus, did not believing the witness of God concerning his Son first introduce you to him? "For the gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; and ye became followers of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, and joy of the Holy Ghost." Oh, when the news of a free pardon reached your convicted and condemned soul, when you saw that the Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, had loved you, and given you everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, what sacred and delightful communion had you with the Father and the Son! If the stones could speak and the chamber tell, they would each report the tears you shed, and the happiness. you experienced, while uttering sentiments similar to these: