their hearts, and they have known my ways; I' there-fore swear unto them in my wrath, that they shall not enter into my rest."

Such is the view given in the Text of the Duties, which Ministers and their People mutually owe to each other, and of the Obligations by which they are sev-. erally bound to the performance of these duties. On thewhole, one reflection strongly forces itself on the mind. If such be the awful and sacred Relation between a Minister and his. People; if such be their respective Duties and Obligations, then how greatly do both parties need the constant and affectionate intercessions of each other! How earnestly should the People pray for their Minister, that he may distinctly see his Duty, and. have grace, wisdom, and courage, faithfully to perform it! How earnestly should the Minister pray for his.. people, that they may submit to his spiritual guidance, and may profit by his labours among them! If this mutual Intercession were more generally practiced, the most happy effects might justly be expected to follow. Prayer is the hand which brings down blessings from heaven. And prayer would bring down a blessing both on ministers and people. Great grace would be. upon them all, The word of God would run and be glorified. Sinners in great multitudes would be turned from the error of their ways; and the servants of God would be strengthened and built, up in their most holy faith.

In the words of our Church then, let us beseech Almighty God, that, he would make all Bishops and.

Pastors diligently to preach his holy Word, and the people obediently to follow the same, that they may receive the Crown of everlasting glory for Jesus Christ's sake.'c

SERMON VIH.

CONVERSION TO GOD A REAL CHANGE OF HEART...

ISAIAH, LXV, 1.

Kam sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not; I said, Behold me, Behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.

IT was God's design from the beginning, to call.

the Gentile nations into his Church; and in due time, to admit them to all the blessings and privileges of the Gospel. The Jews, indeed, were his peculiar people; but this distinction in their favour, was made only for a particular purpose, and for a limited season. They were chosen especially for this end, that they might preserve in the world the knowledge of the true God,. and thus prepare the way for the coming of that promised Redeemer, who, when he should come, was to be " a light to lighten the Gentiles," as well as "the glory of his people Israel."

c See Collect for Saint Peter's Day..

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It is this great event, to which the text chiefly relates, as we are taught by St. Paul, who brings it as an express prophecy of the conversion of the Gentiles. Under the guidance of such an inspired Interpreter, we cannot err in making this application of the passage. "I am sought of them, that asked found of them, that sought me not. behold me, unto a nation that was name." In this view we may consider the passage, as setting before us three things.

not for me: I am I said, behold me,

not called by my

I. The wretched state of the Gentiles before their conversion to Christianity.

II. The surprising and glorious change, which was then wrought in them.

III. The simple but powerful means, by which this great work was accomplished.

I. In speaking of the wretchedness of the Gentiles, before their conversion to Christianity, it is not meant to describe them as savages or barbarians, altogether sunk in want and ignorance, and destitute of the necessaries, the conveniences, or even the elegant comforts of life. Many of the Gentiie nations, in these respects, had made considerable progress. So far as worldly things were concerned, they came very little, if at all, behind ourselves. In arts, in arms, in learning, in agriculture, and in commerce they greatly flourished. They were rich and powerful, and produced many eminent characters, whose talents and exploits have commanded the admiration of mankind. But notwithtanding all these things in their favour, the Gentile world was wretched. There was one grand point, in

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which they were totally wanting; one point, for the want of which, no other advantages, however great or many, could make amends. They knew not God. In this respect, with all their riches, they were miserably poor; with all their knowledge, they were miserably ignorant. In this respect indeed, "darkness covered the earth, and gross darkness the people." Nay, they not only were without God in the world, but they even made no search and enquiry after Him. Such is the representation, which the Almighty gives of the Gentiles in the text. They asked not for Him;" they sought Him not." Surrounded with the wonderful works of God, they yet asked not who was the maker of them. They bowed down before stocks and stones; before four-footed beasts and creeping things: and satisfied with these religious performances, they sought no farther. Senseless and stupid as the idols which they worshipped, they gave themselves over to lasciviousness, and worked "all uncleanliuess with greediness." Considered in this light the Gentiles were wretched. Considered in respect to their state as sinners, ignorant of the nature and holiness of the true God, and of the only way to His favour and acceptauce, they were sunk in the most deplorable wretchedness.

- II. Observe in the next place, the surprising and glorious change, which was wrought in them. "Fam sought of them that asked not for me: I am found of them that sought me not." See the Gentile nations coming forth out of that dreadful darkness, in which they had been so awfully plunged! See them awakening from their spiritual sleep!-They are seeking that God

for whom they formerly asked not. Brought to diss - cern His infinite perfections, His majesty, holiness, and power, they tremble before Him. Convinced of their apostacy and guilt, they are imploring His mercy, and seeking reconciliation and forgiveness--They have found that God, whom once they sought not. They have discovered His-goodness, grace, and glory in the gospel; and confounded and ashamed on ac count of their former transgressions, they are now crying out; "What have we to do any more with idols ?” Contemplate the glorious change! See those, who were lately sacrificing to devils, now worshipping the Lord in spirit and in truth those, who lately were led captive by satan at his will, now delivered from his wretched slavery, and become the willing servants of God: those, who lately lived in lust, in rapine, in the `commission of the most execrable crimes, in the gratification of the most abominable passions, now made new creatures in Christ Jesus, and bringing forth the fruits of righteousness, in all holy conversation and godliness. In these particulars, contemplate the glorious. change foretold in the text: the glorious change, which at the appointed time, gradually took place in the Gentile world : when in the figurative language of the Prophet; "The desert rejoiced and blossomed as the rose. The parched ground became a pool, and the thirsty land, springs of water;" when, instead of the thorn, came up the fir-tree, and instead of the briar came up the myrtle-tree."a

a Isaiah, xxxv. 1, 7.—lv. 13. *