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prophet-Though the number of the children of Israel, be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved. The apostle Paul applies this declaration to the visible Church of Christ; intimating that, as all were not Israel who bore that sacred name, so all are not Christians who go under that honourable appellation. And this view of things is confirmed by the dubious language of my text, If ye continue in my word then are ye my disciples indeed. Our Lord had just addressed the multitude in an impressive discourse; and the sacred historian remarks that, as he spake, many believed on him. It is probable that they who were thus wrought upon, took some method of signifying to Christ the credit they gave his word: when, instead of commending their ready assent to the truth of his doctrines, we find him expressing a suspicion of their insincerity and irresolution; assuring them that, unless they continued in his word, regularly depending upon its truth, and submitting to its authority, they could not be counted in the number of his disciples.

We are here significantly taught, to distinguish between those who merely declare

themselves to be followers of Christ, and those who are such in sincerity and truth. A large proportion of mankind are, at this day, professed disciples of our blessed Lord. Such is the state of this whole assembly. And were it otherwise, it might reasonably be inquired, What do we here? We are here met together in the name of Christ, and in obedience to his command. This house has been consecrated to his worship, and this day dedicated to his service. Here his word is taught, and his presence expected; we bow the knee before him, and repeat his praises. In addition to this, we consider and treat one another as followers of Christ, and do all affect to indulge the blessed hope of everlasting salvation, through the redemption that is in him. Such is the profession which we have all individually made, and which we jointly maintain: and were it not so, our very appearance here would imply an inconsistency. On these grounds, then, there is no room to doubt about the public declaration of your attachment to the Church of Christ: but how far that declaration is conscientious and sincere, may very properly be questioned. And it may especially

be questioned for the following reasonsfirst, there is found among nominal Christians a deplorable degree of ignorance respecting the gospel dispensation: secondly, there is visible among them, a shameful neglect of christian duties: thirdly, they discover an unaccountable indifference to the christian cause.

First—There is found among nominal Christians a deplorable degree of ignorance respecting the gospel dispensation. Though the bible is in our hands; though it is publicly and statedly explained; and though an almost infinite variety of helps have been published and disseminated through every part of our land for this very purpose; yet the true intent and meaning of the gospel seems to be very little understood by professing Christians in general. The prophecies which preceded the publication of that gospel, and the immediate effects produced by that publication, are passed over with a strange insensibility, as circumstances of very trivial interest. The sacred character and extraordinary advent of our condescending Lord, the full atonement he made for sin,

the wonderful efficacy of divine grace, and the scriptural method of salvation-these important doctrines, for the most part, are neither felt nor comprehended by those who bear the Christian name. Whenever they are questioned on these fundamental points, they either make no reply, or they stammer out such an answer as renders it too evident, that they are absolute novices even in the rudimental parts of our holy religion. They cannot endure to be lessoned on these subjects, and shew a great unwillingness to associate with any who are likely to touch on these unwelcome topics. Such poor and insignificant characters as these are far from being uncommon among us. We meet them in our daily walks; we mix with them in our public assemblies; and number them among our general acquaintance. They hear the word, but they do not receive it. It never melts their hearts, nor does it ever form the subject of their meditation. They sit under its ministrations with the most perfect indifference, neither alarmed by its threatenings, nor encouraged by its promises; wholly ignorant of its saving power, and apparently incapable of profiting by it.

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