so valuable that men should seek for them as for hidden treasures. But especially we may be led to see, that if ministers of the gospel would hold forth variety in their publick discourses as a prominent trait, their conduct would be in accordance with the divine economy as manifested in the system of revelation.

4th. The particular examples of holy men of old, who spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost; of the Saviour and the Apostles, and many eminently worthy ministers of the gospel, may be held up for imitation as an encouragement to a variety of topicks and illustrations in the discharge of the ministerial office. The writings of Moses are extensive not only as historical records, but they are a rich fund from which may be derived abundant instructions, relating to social, civil, and religious life. Besides those laws and regulations which were peculiar to the Jewish nation, a great variety of important rules are laid down to direct us in the various pursuits of life, and in the more immediate duties of religion. The Psalms of David are full of piety, and an almost continual scene of devotion; but how marvellous for their abundant variety of interesting subjects! The Proverbs of Solomon are a continued series of diversified texts, relating to worldly concerns, to the propriety or impropriety of human conduct, to moral principle, and to a godly or ungodly life. Isaiah and Jeremiah abound with beautiful and sublime varieties. The Saviour is the most interesting preacher, both as it respects temporal concerns and Christian morality, and those more solemn truths which immediately relate to eternity. Perhaps some may be ready to imagine the apostle Paul was averse to a variety of subjects in the preaching of the word, because he declared to the Corinthians, I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified. This expression shows that the Apostle considered his great work and main business to be the preaching of the gos

pel: And that in the expounding of the old Testament, in his conversation and sermons, he aimed to prove that Jesus Christ was the true Messiah, who was to come and be offered as a sacrifice for sin. And the more effectually to accomplish this great object, he avows, I have not shunned to declare unto you the whole counsel of God. By the expression, "whole counsel of God," is not to be understood merely the five Calvinistical points; but that as he had opportunity, he unfolded all the great and important doctrines and duties of Christianity. The writings of this great Apostle of the Gentiles, and his avowal, I am made all things unto all men, that I might by all means save some, may serve to evince his variously extended views in relation to the subject now under consideration.

Now it may be replied, That the life of one man is far too short to exhibit all the varied subjects of some of the sacred historians, much more to endeavour to bring forward the varieties of all of them. Then as they have opportunity, let them abound with an interesting variety, and be imitators of those whom God holds forth as worthy examples. In the present age, some imitate the goodly prophetical and apostolical examples; and instead of having all their ministerial instructions confined within a very small compass, take a wide range as it respects their subjects and illustrations. And yet there is room for others to expatiate in the divine field, and to collect rich materials to add to their treasure. How much of it is still uncultivated; but which will unquestionably be improved as a foundation for religious discourses and a means of accomplishing the various ends of the ministerial office. Then let us, my brethren, be encouraged to hold forth an interesting variety as a prominent trait in our religious discourses, as we are presented with many manly, glorious, and godlike examples.

5th. An extensive variety in publick discourses, is

the method best calculated to repress vice and promote virtue. One important object in the topicks and discussions from the pulpit, is the present good of community. The temporal welfare of individuals, of families, and society, demands the attention of Zion's watchmen; for a proper management of worldly concerns and the morals of a people, are intimately connected with the important duties and interest of the gospel. Hence, vice in all its deformities and destructive tendencies, must be depictured; and the beauties and beneficial results of virtue, strikingly delineated. But in order to this, appropriate discourses are highly important. And a sermon on morality should not be a rare thing, a phenomenon; but a portion of almost every discourse should be of such a nature. If a minister but once a year address his people on the subject of morals, and that discourse be a declamatory moral harangue, they will not be much impressed nor benefited. But if his discourses be frequently interwoven with Christian morality, they will believe him serious and interested in the truths he delivers; and virtue and vice will not be considered as empty names. ever Ivery well know that some professors of religion, and even deacons in the church, imagine that sermons on morality are almost useless, if not detrimental to the cause of religion. Their souls are pained, and they hang down their heads whenever they hear a text named of a moral nature. But let us query: How can they read their Bibles without being much grieved at heart? How can the multiplicity of moral texts be but grating to their feelings? Can they not discern them? Then they must have exerted all their moral faculties to have shut their eyes. But what would such have? Truly, if the sermons of their minister accord with their views, they must be all comprised in a small rotine of fundamental and doctrinal points; and an additional one containing their whole Calvinistical creed, as the climax of their di

How

vinity. If such have indeed tasted the delights of renewing grace and redeeming love, how much is it to be lamented that they have not their hearts enlarged! From a false zeal of contending for the fundamentals of religion and of being pillars in the church, they may render themselves a burden to their brethren and stumbling blocks to the world.

What a contrast in the views, preaching, and life of the Saviour, that great and divine teacher of morality. He not only delivered the most weighty messages relating to eternal realities, but he inculcated all the moral virtues and went about doing good; granting healing to the sick, hearing to the deaf, sight to the blind, and administering to the temporal wants of men. And did the divine Redeemer, whose great object was to be the physician of souls, do well to become the physician of the body, and to discover a lively interest for the present well-being of man? Then let not his ministers think they demean themselves to copy his worthy and glorious example. Shall objects of pity and charity have no claim to their addresses and pleas from the pulpit? Are there no afflicted suffering widows, whose hearts the irregularities of a husband have broken? No half famished orphans whom the indolence, intemperance, or excesses of a father have reduced to want? Surely society burdened with manifold evils, cries aloud for help from the discourses of the minister in the pulpit, and in his volume of sermons. Then let the varied topicks of Christian morality have their due weight and share in the publick discharge of the ministerial office.

6th. If ministers of the gospel bring forth an interesting variety in their religious instructions, they will do much for the promotion of useful knowledge among the people of their charge, and for building up the church in the most holy faith. An ingenious and intelligent minister has it in his power greatly to enlighten the congregation, over which he may be appointed a pastor.

And if

his subjects be wisely chosen, they will be of such a nature and variety as will tend to enlarge the views of his hearers, to excite a spirit of inquiry, and to instruct them in many useful and important truths. Moreover, piety will be encouraged and promoted; for believers must grow in knowledge in order to their growth in grace, Thus an enlightened and faithful minister will be a burning and shining light in the midst of his people, who, from his extended views, will be enabled to take an extensive survey of the kingdom of God. And the man who connects the different departments of knowledge, and the discoveries of science with his prospects of God's universal dominions and government, can with his mental eye, traverse the different regions of the earth, and penetrate into the most distant and retired recesses where human beings have their residence. He can contemplate and adore the conduct of divine sovereignty, in leaving so many nations to grope amidst the darkness of heathen idolatry; can trace the beams of the Sun of Righteousness, as they gradually arise to illumine the benighted tribes of men ; can realize in some measure, the glorious and happy scenes which will be displayed in the future ages of time, when the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ; and when the everlasting gospel shall be published, and its blessings distributed among all who dwell upon the face of the earth. With his mental sight he can view the planetary worlds, and survey far more spacious globes than ours; peopled with a higher order of intelligences, arranged and superintended by the same almighty Sovereign, who doth according to his will among the inhabitants of the earth. With enlarged views he exclaims, Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? who can show forth all his praise? A gospel minister, who bringeth forth from his treasure things new and old, renders his people highly exalted in point of privilege; for they have