down into," and in glorifying Christ and promoting the salvation of souls. Learned men would also do eminent service, if they would infuse into those approved publications, on various subjects, by which they attract the attention of mankind, a savour of evangelical religion, as an antidote to the poison conveyed in the poems, histories, and scientific treatises, which are sent out by the enemies of revealed truth. In short, the consistent Christian will take care not to abuse his endowments in any way to do mischief to mankind, whatever lucre or credit it might give him; and he will endeavour, with persevering diligence, to do good in the world by every means in his power: and if he have only a mediocrity of talent, he will occupy with it according to the duty of his station, as one who expects the coming of his Lord, and desires to be numbered with those faithful servants whom he will bid to enter into his joy.

III. The pastoral office is a subject of too great importance to admit of any adequate discussion in this place. Yet, as a talent that demands improvement, it must not be wholly omitted. Such persons as have just been mentioned, may often be led to examine how far the due improvement of their talents may require them to enter into this sacred office and though many considerations may induce them to decline it, yet the love of ease and lucre, or the fear of contempt, should not deter them. The sacred ministry, in every degree, is a good work and he who desires to be the Lord's steward in so important a concern, should carefully scrutinize his motives and intentions, and seek, with unremitting diligence and fervent prayer, every qualification for the due performance of it. Alas! what numbers utterly neglect these things, and rush into the ministry from the lowest motives, and in the worst manner imaginable! Let us pity and pray for them, for, alas! in general, "they

know not what they do ;" and perhaps they who design them for this profession, and they who concur in admitting them into it, have the greater guilt. But the apostle's message to Archippus may be considered as addressed to all who are actually entered: "Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received of the Lord, that thou fulfil it" (Col. iv. 17). Such are stewards of the mysteries of God; ambassadors for Christ to sinners; watchmen to give warning, as they will answer for it at their peril; shepherds to feed the flock of God, which he hath purchased with his blood; labourers in his vineyard, and builders in his holy temple. Surely, then, they who have received such a ministry, should renounce "the works of darkness, and the hidden things of dishonesty;" they "should take heed to themselves and to their doctrine;" they "should labour and not faint," but endure hardship and face danger as good soldiers of Jesus Christ; they should be instant in season and out of season; and, laying aside all worldly pleasures, diversions, and pursuits-all avarice, ambition, and mere secular studies which subserve not the end of their holy calling-they should devote their hours, health, abilities, and influence, to the service of the sanctuary, 66 giving themselves wholly thereunto." Nothing, however lucrative, creditable, or congenial to their taste, should engross those powers and that time which they have engaged to employ in seeking the salvation of souls: for the desire of spending their lives in this good work, in preference to more lucrative and easy situations, seems to be that very work of the Holy Ghost, by which men are indeed " moved to take this sacred office upon them." The consistent believer, therefore, whether his office in the church be more exalted or more obscure, will certainly endeavour to improve it as a talent, by all means in his power, and with steady perseverance.

His example, domestic concerns, converse, doctrine, public ministry, private labours from house to house, attention to the instruction of children, influence over his brethren in the ministry, occasional services, employment of time spared from necessary duties, or money saved from current expenses, will all be adverted to, in subserviency to the end he has in view: he will delight in his work, study the scriptural rules and examples for his conduct, and pray to be made an able minisBut they who are concerned in this subject, may easily enlarge on these hints in their private meditation.

ter.

IV. Wealth is a talent intrusted by the great Proprietor of the world to some, for the good of many; but it is commonly so wasted in gratifying all the senses and appetites, "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life;" or hoarded up in idolatrous avarice; that it is considered in scripture as exceedingly dangerous to the souls of those who possess it (Matt. xix. 25-26; 1 Tim. vi. 9, 10, 17-20). Yet the wise man had reason to say, that "money answereth all things," (Eccles. x. 19), as it may be made extensively useful to others, and thus eventually profitable to the faithful steward himself; and "the wisdom that is from above" will teach the consistent Christian to make this use of it. The wealthy are not required in scripture to part with their estates; nor is it generally advisable to abolish all distinction between them and their inferiors in their style of life. Nay, such men as are engaged in lucrative business, provided it be lawful, and they are on their guard against its snares, will generally be more useful by carrying it on as the Lord's servants, and using its profits as his stewards, than by retiring from it in the prime of life, to a situation which perhaps hath not fewer snares, but inferior advantages for doing good. The consis

tent believer, however, will be influenced by his principles to retrench a variety of superfluous expenses, and exceedingly to moderate his desires of providing for his family, that he may raise a fund for charitable and pious uses: and whilst he shows a readiness for every good work, by which the wants and miseries of men may be relieved, he will especially endeavour to render all his libe. rality subservient to the more important interests of religion. This may be attempted by disseminating divine truth in the world, as the only seed of genuine piety and holiness, dispersing useful books, assisting in the religious education of children, in training up pious young men for the ministry, or in various ways promoting the faithful preaching of the gospel. Wealth gives a man influence also; and the affluent Christian may use this influence to important purposes: and when the leisure it affords is accompanied by a suitable turn of mind, he may do more good by an edifying example, pious converse, and prudent efforts, in his own sphere (from which others are often excluded), than by retiring from it, even though he expend in charity what is saved by that measure. His conduct may also be rendered very useful among his tenants, domestics, and neighbours; and if he frequently dispense his charity with his own hands, accompanied by pious exhortations, &c. it will have a vast effect in conciliating men's minds to his religious principles. But, indeed, the reflections already made suffice to show in general how this talent may be improved; and particulars on so copious a subject, in this compendious Essay, can scarcely be expectedonly it may be added, that far more should be thus employed than commonly is. They also who are in more narrow circumstances, have a talent to improve in this respect. Much might be saved from superfluous expenses by most Christians, to

employ in those good works which are " through Christ Jesus to the praise and glory of God." Nay, such as labour, working with their hands, are expected to give something to those that are in want. This specimen may illustrate what is meant by "the improvement of talents." Many others might be mentioned; but brevity must be consulted. Time is an universal talent, which every Christian should redeem from useless ways of killing it, that he may employ it in some beneficial manner; for idleness is intolerable in a disciple of him who "went about doing good.” Every man has influence in his own circle, however contracted, and he may improve it to good purposes. For did we duly consider our obligation to God our Saviour, the great end for which our lives are continued, and the near approach of death, a desire would be excited in our hearts to live to his glory, and to serve our generation; and this would influence us to improve all our advantages to this purpose. And were every professor of the gospel "thus steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord," the blessed effects that would follow may in a measure be conceived, but cannot be fully estimated.

As "

ESSAY XXIII.

ON PRAYER.

every good and every perfect gift cometh from above,' so nothing can be done aright, in any of those things that accompany salvation, except as we seek communications from God by the prayer of faith. It must therefore be considered as essential to the design of this compendious pub lication, to treat expressly on a subject of such