The first reasons by which I shall persuade you to this duty, are taken from the benefits of it: The second, from its difficulty: And the third, from its necessity, and the many obligations that are upon us for the performance of it.

ARTICLE I.

MOTIVES FROM THE BENEFITS OF THE WORK.

When I look before me, and consider what, through the blessing of God, this work, if well managed, is like to effect, it makes my heart leap for joy. Truly, brethren, you have begun a most blessed work, and such as your own consciences may rejoice in, and your parishes rejoice in, and the nation rejoice in, and the child that is yet unborn rejoice in. Yea, thousands and millions, for aught we know, may have cause to bless God for it, when we shall have finished our course. And though it is our business this day to humble curselves for the neglect of it so long, as we have very great cause to do, yet the hopes of a blessed success are so great in me, that they are ready to turn it into a day of rejoicing.

I bless the Lord that I have lived to see such a day as this, and to be present at so solemn an engagement of so many servants of Christ to such a work. I bless the Lord, that hath honoured you of this county to be the beginners and awakeners of the nation to this duty. It is not a controverted point, as to which the exasperated minds of men might pick quarrels with us, nor is it a new invention, as to which envy might charge you as

innovators, or pride might scorn to follow, because you had led the way. No; it is a well-known duty. It is but the more diligent and effectual management of the ministerial work. It is not a new invention, but simply the restoration of the ancient ministerial work. And because it is so pregnant with advantages to the church, I will enumerate some of the particular benefits which we may hope to result from it, that when you see the excellency of it, you may be the more set apon it, and the more loath, by any negligence or failing of yours, to frustrate or destroy it. For certainly he who hath the true intentions of a minister of Christ, will rejoice in the appearance of any further hope of attaining the ends of his ministry; and nothing will be more welcome to him, than that which will further the very business of his life. That this work is calculated to accomplish this, I shall now show you more particularly.

I. It will be a most hopeful mean of the conversion of souls; for it unites those great things which most further such an end.

1. As to the matter of it: it is about the most necessary things, the principles or essentials of the Christian faith.

2. As to the manner of it: it will be by private conference, when we may have an opportunity to set all home to the conscience and the heart.

The work of conversion consisteth of two parts: The informing of the judgment in the essential principles of religion; 2. The change of the will, by the efficacy of the truth. Now, in this work, we have the most excellent advantages for both.

For the informing of their understandings, it must needs be an excellent help to have the sum of Christianity fixed in their memory. And though bare words, not understood, will make no change, yet, when the words are plain English, he that hath the words is far more likely to understand the meaning and matter than another. For what have we by which to make known things which are themselves invisible, but words, or other signs P Those, therefore, who deride all catechisms as unprofitable forms, may better deride themselves for talking and using the form of their own words, to make known their minds to others. Why may not written words, which are constantly before their eyes, and in their memories, instruct them, as well as the transient words of a preacher ? These "forms of sound words" are, therefore, so far from being unprofitable, as some persons imagine, that they are of admirable use to all.

Besides, we shall have the opportunity, by personal conference, to try how far they understand the catechism, and to explain it to them as we go along; and to insist on those particulars which the persons we speak to have most need to hear. These two conjoined,-a form of sound words, with a plain explication,-may do more than either of them could do alone.

Moreover, we shall have the best opportunity to impress the truth upon their hearts, when we can speak to each individual's particular necessity, and say to the sinner, "Thou art the man;" and plainly mention his particular case; and set home the truth with familiar importunity. If any thing

in the world is likely to do them good, it is this. They will understand a familiar speech, who understand not a sermon; and they will have far greater help for the application of it to themselves. Besides, you will hear their objections, and know where it is that Satan hath most advantage of them, and so may be able to show them their errors, and confute their objections, and more effectually convince them. We can better bring them to the point, and urge them to discover their resolutions for the future, and to promise the use of means and reformation, than otherwise we could do. What more proof need we of this, than our own experience? I seldom deal with men purposely on this great business, in private, serious conference, but they go away with some seeming convictions, and promises of new obedience, if not some deeper remorse, and sense of their condition.

O brethren! what a blow may we give to the kingdom of darkness, by the faithful and skilful managing of this work! If, then, the saving of souls-of your neighbours' souls-of many souls, from everlasting misery, be worth your labour,up and be doing. If you would be the fathers of many that are born again, and would "see of the travail of your souls," and would be able to say at last, "Here am I, and the children whom thou hast given me,"-up and ply this blessed work. If it would do your heart good to see your converts among the saints in glory, and praising the Lamb before the throne; if it would rejoice you to present them blameless and spotless to Christ, prosecute with diligence and ardour this singular

If you are

opportunity that is offered you. ministers of Christ indeed, you will long for the perfecting of his body, and the gathering in of his elect; and you will "travail as in birth" till Christ be formed in the souls of your people. You will embrace such opportunities as your harvest-time affords, and as the sun-shine days in a rainy harvest, in which it is unreasonable and inexcusable to be idle. If you have a spark of Christian compassion in you, it will surely seem worth your utmost labour to save so many "souls from death, and to cover" so great "a multitude of sins." If, then, you are indeed fellow-workers with Christ, set to his work, and neglect not the souls for whom he died. Oh! remember, when you are talking with the unconverted, that now you have an opportunity to save a soul, and to rejoice the angels of heaven, and to rejoice Christ himself, to cast Satan out of a sinner, and to increase the family of God. And what is your "hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing ?" Is it not your saved people "in the presence of Christ Jesus at his coming? Yes, doubtless "they are your glory

and your joy."

II. It will essentially promote the orderly building up of those who are converted, and the establishment of them in the faith. It hazardeth our whole work, or at least much hindereth it, if we do it not in the proper order. How can you build, if you first lay not a good foundation? or how can you set on the top-stone, while the middle parts are neglected? Gratia non facit saltum, any more than nature. The second order of