in publishing them for the benefit of my pa rishioners. In the mode of publishing them, the accommodation of the industrious poor, was particularly kept in view; and the plan succeeded beyond my expectations, inasmuch as nearly twelve hundred copies of the sermons were almost immediately demanded. This circumstance claims my most devout gratitude to a gracious God; since by this means I am enabled to declare his counsel to many of my parishioners, who will not give themselves the trouble of com ing to hear me. And who knows but these discourses may prove instrumental, through the blessing of our Divine Master, in awak. ening some poor thoughtless sinners to a sense of their dangerous state, and in leading them to a right knowledge of God, themselves, and their duty, who perhaps otherwise would have never been induced to listen to similar truths from the pulpit?-Who knows but that when those seats shall have been resigned by you for a place in the tomb, and shall be filled by another generation; and that when this tongue shall be silent in death, and this pulpit be occupied by another vicar-who knows, I say, but that even then, these important subjects, may attract the devout attention of our children, and our children's children, and induce them to bless God that ever they were delivered in this house of prayer? Should not, however, these blessed effects be the result, one important end will certainly be answered, both by preaching and publishing these sermons.― I shall be pure from the blood of all men. This leads me to make an application of 96 tes II. The Apostle's appeal founded on his ministerial fidelity. -"Wherefore," said that holy man, “I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men." The expressionpure from the blood of all men, is an evident allusion to Ezekiel, ch. xxxiii. ver. 8, and 9. "If thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul." By a minister, therefore, being free from the blood of sinners, is meant, that he will be free from all guilt in the event of their ruin. Their condemnation will not be owing to his negligence or unfaithfulness, but to their own misconduct. Their guilt will fall upon their own heads-they will have none to blame for their destruction but themselves. This, my brethren, is a very serious consideration for those amongst us, who continue in a state of sin and irreligion. It will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for such men. It would afford the wicked some kind of plea in that day, could they say in their own defence-"We were never warned of our " danger-we were never instructed in the ways of religion-we had no opportunities of hearing the will of God explained, the sinfulness of sin described, and the method of salvation enforced." But, ah! no such plea can be made, by any of the wicked and unconverted, in the parish of Dewsbury. To you, my beloved brethren, I have not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God, as far as my knowledge, strength, and abilities allow. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. This appeal I shall apply to those who may be denominated-ignorant and ungodly. How many, it is to be feared, are frequently attending the preaching of the gospel who are extremely ignorant even of the first principles of religion! They scarcely ever understand a sermon which they hear, The minister is addressing them from time to time; addressing them in a most plain, faithful, and affectionate manner, and yet not the least impression is made on their hearts. Hence they necessarily remain in a state of awful ignorance. They obtain no knowledge of the real character of God-of their own naturally fallen condition—of salvation through the atonement of Christ-of the nature of saving faith-of the influences of the Holy Ghost-and of the necessity of becoming new creatures. What a deplor-able state to be in! And yet perhaps some of you, men, brethren, and fathers, are in it! Perhaps several of you might be selected, who are quite unconcerned about what you hear; and never seriously endeavour to understand a sermon from one year's end to another. Is it then any wonder, that you continue in ignorance respecting divine things?-But, my brethren, this is an alarming consideration. You and I must shortly die. You and I shall soon be called to give an account of ourselves before God. I to give an account of my preaching--you of the improvement you have made of it. And will the day of judgment find you in a state of ignorance? Supposing God were to say to one of you, "This night shall thy soul be required of thee"-how would you be prepared to give up your account to him? When he should examine into your know ledge of himself, of sin, of the way by which you are to be saved, and the like, what answers would you be able to make? Could you refer to your minister and say-" He never instructed us in these things?—We never had any opportunities to obtain a knowledge of spiritual concerns?-Ah! would not your consciences rather inform you that the counsel of God had been repeatedly declared to you; but that you would not take any pains to understand it. Alas, my brethren, what then would become of you? Your minister would be pronounced clear of your blood.-Your guilt would be found upon your own heads. You could blame none for your ignorance but yourselves. Dreadful thought! What an awful condition would you then appear in! Elements would be melting the world would be burning up the vast heavenly bodies would be starting from their spheres the sun be turning black as sackcloth-the stars falling from their orbits the moon withdrawing her light-on earth would be a general uproar-the pit of hell would be seen opening its yawning mouth-and the Judge, with awful frown, would be heard to address you denouncing that dreadful curse, which he had long before threatened against all that know not God, and that obey not his gospel.Alarming prospect indeed! Be warned by it, my beloved friends, I earnestly beseech you. Remain in your present ignorance no longer. Cry earnestly to God in prayer for the teachings of the Holy Spirit. And, for your encouragement, recollect that it is written, If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given himt." * I next apply the Apostle's appeal to those who are wicked as well as ignorant. Upwards of five yearst, my brethren, I have been permitted to declare the counsel of God unto you. Lately I have more particularly called your attention to a series of subjects, designed, under God, to instruct you in all the * 2 'Thefs. i. 8. + James, i. 5. ور |