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FAREWELL SERMON. 
 
 PREACHED AT 
 
 BRAINTREE, MASS. 
 
 ON 
 
 LORD'S DAY, MAY 7, 1809. 
 
 IKE SABBATH AFTER HIS PASTORAL AND MINISTE- 
 RL\L RELATION TO THE CHURCH AND CON- 
 GREGATION WAS dissolved; by an 
 
 ECCLESIASTIG.\L COUNCIL 
 MUTUALLY CHOSEN. 
 
 BY SYLVESTER SAGE. 
 
 FVBLISHED AT THE PARTICULAR REQUEST OF THE SUBSCRIBEXS . 
 
 Boston : 
 
 PRLVFED BY MAjYJVIJVG iJf LORIXC, Xo. C, CORXHILJ 
 
 1 809. 
 
FAREWELL SERMON. 
 
 Brethren and Friends, 
 
 We are assembled, perhaps, for the last 
 lime, until wc meet at the bar of our Omniscient 
 judge. As this is the last opportunity I expect to 
 have to address you upon tlic interesting subject of 
 salvation, so it may be the last you will have to hear 
 me : therefore, let our united prayers ascend to the 
 throne of infinite purity, that I may be enabled to 
 speak, as a dying man to dying men : and that you 
 may, with candour, hear the parting counsel of one 
 who earnestly desireth your souls* prosperity. 
 
 The words 1 have selected for tlie foundation of 
 the present discourse, you will find in 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, x^^ii. IL 
 
 AXD HE CONTINUED THERE A TEAR AND SIX MONTHS, TEACHING 
 THE irORD OF GOD AMONG THEM. 
 
 These words were spoken concerning Paul ; and 
 they express the length of time he continued at Co- 
 rinth, and the business in which he was employed, 
 teaching the word of God : and it is beheved tliey 
 may lead our attention to some things not unsuita- 
 ble, but highly proper, on this solemn occasion. 
 
 Two general ideas are obviously contained in the 
 words of the text, to which wc shall, by divine leave, 
 endeavour to attend. 
 
I. The great business of a minister among the 
 people with whom he is connected. And 
 
 II. That however short the time of any minister's 
 labours among a people, yet that time is important. 
 
 The business of a minister is to teach the word of 
 God. In which duty we may note two things. 
 
 1. The business: Teaching. In this is implied 
 exposition of the scriptures. The scriptures of the 
 Old and New Testament are what he is to explain to 
 his people in his public discourses. The word of 
 God is the treasury of truth ; from which the min- 
 ister is, from time to time, to draw out things to 
 alarm the careless ; to direct the inquiring ; to com- 
 fort the afflicted, and to quicken and animate the 
 children of God in the discharge of duty. He must 
 be cautious not to put any false interpretation upon 
 any part of scripture, but to let scripture be its own 
 expositor ; or, in other words, to put no construc- 
 tion upon any passage that is contrary, but rather that 
 which is according to the general current of the sa- 
 cred volume. In the exposition of scripture, the 
 faithful minister will find it necessary to point the 
 arrows of the lawagainst all the wicked, and denounce 
 the thunders of Sinai against every impenitent sin- 
 ner. He can never cry peace and safety to the wick- 
 ed, when sudden destruction cometh. Nay, he will 
 explain and enforce, with all the cogency of lan- 
 guage, those important truths contained in the Bible ; 
 all which are of consequence to be known, rightly 
 understood, and cordially embraced by every indi- 
 vidual of his charge. In his expositions of scripture, 
 he will endeavour, not only to alarm the secure, but 
 to instruct the inquiring ; will lead them to a view 
 of Christ, and giving them no encouragement of 
 safety while out of Christ Jesus, the gospel ark. He 
 'will never prophesy smooth things to lull his people 
 into security : for his commission declares, " There 
 is no peace to the wicked ;" but he will explain the 
 scriptures, as giving not the least encouragement to 
 sin, nor any ground to hope for happiness beyond 
 the grave, only in the sovereign grace of God, 
 jhough the merits of Jesus Christ. 
 
5 
 
 The minister of Jesus is not only to teach by ex- 
 pounding the sacred scriptures, in his public dis- 
 courses, but by his example. " Be thou an example 
 of the believers," said Paul to Timothy. It is no less a 
 true than a common saying, example teaches more 
 powerfully than precept. It is evident from lexpe- 
 rience and observation, that however faithfully and 
 clearly the scriptures are explained by a minister, if 
 his example be not good, he will not only destroy 
 all the good his expositions and instructions would 
 have been calculated to produce, had his example 
 been such as becomcth tlie gospel; but will have in- 
 fluence on the minds of sinners, and serve to lead 
 them into open infidelity. When his people see him 
 re'jfardless of his own instructions, and manifesting' 
 an open inattention to the solemn injunctions of the 
 divine word, they will readily say. Our minister cer- 
 tainly does not believe it to be important, nor even 
 necessary, to live according to the directions of the 
 Bible ; if he did, he would not exhibit such an exam- 
 ple before us of disobedience to the divine word. 
 He does not conduct in conformity to the rules of 
 scripture, as he explains them to us ; therefore he 
 does not believe them himself; and as it is agreeable 
 to our natural inclinations, we also will disreirard 
 them. Although he has taught us repeatedly, that 
 we must be benevolent, and forgive those wlio have 
 injured us, or we cannot be the children of our 
 Father who is in heaven ; and indeed we cannot 
 deny this to be a duty plainly and repeatedly incul- 
 cated in the word of God ; yet he does not set us an 
 example of obedience, and as it will gratify our dis- 
 positions, we will follow his example, instead of his 
 precepts. 
 
 It is as important that a minister exhibit a good 
 example, as that he truly expound tlie scriptures. 
 For if his example contradict his preaching, the prob- 
 ability is, both will be worse than in vain, and serve 
 to harden his people in wickedness. It is an unde- 
 niable truth, that every minister of Jesus Christ, who 
 hath any just sense of the importance of the scrip- 
 
tures he expounds, will also feci the indispensable 
 obligations upon him to exhibit a Christian example. 
 In this way he will cause his light to shine, that 
 others beholding his good works, his pious and holy- 
 example, may be induced to glorify God. 
 
 He will also teach by his conversation, Tn private 
 conversation, the minister can be more familiar, and 
 come more near to the peculiar cases of his people ; 
 can better adapt his discourse to their circumstances, 
 than is practicable in his public addresses. His con- 
 versation among his people ought always to be savo- 
 ry, pure and serious. It never should be vain and 
 idle, calculated to render useless his public instruc- 
 tions ; but, on the contrary, such as will be in accord- 
 ance with truth, and serve to recommend the pure 
 doctrines of the gospel to the attention and accept- 
 ance of those with whom he converses. The direc- 
 tion of Paul to Timothy was, " Be thou an example 
 of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in 
 spirit, in faith, in purity." Hence the duty of a holy 
 conversation in all the ministers of Jesus Christ. The 
 same apostle, writing to Titus, said, " In all things^ 
 showing thyself a pattern of good works ; in doc- 
 trine showing uncorruptncss, gravity, sincerity, 
 sound speech that cannot be condemned ; that he 
 that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having 
 no evil thing to say of you." Thus a minister is to 
 teach his people in a threefold manner : by a solemn 
 exposition of the sacred scriptures, by a holy ex- 
 ample, and by a pious conversation. 
 
 We may note 
 
 2. The subject ma'tter of his instructions ; The 
 ivord of God. 
 
 The word of God contains all those doctrines, 
 commands, precepts, prohibitions, promises and 
 threatenings which are to be found in the Bible. 
 These are all to be taught by a minister to his people, 
 as time and opportunity shall admit. All these 
 things must be brought to clear view, even should 
 not his continuance with his people give him oppor- 
 tunity to dwell particularly upon every distinct sub- 
 
ject. The sacred scripture, which is the word of 
 God, is an extensive field from which the minister 
 may gather and bring to his people, things suitable 
 for them in every condition. In that field, every 
 thing may be found that is necessary. There is 
 meat for men ; milk for babes ; medicine for the 
 sick ; strength for the weak ; instruction for the 
 ignorant ; succour for the tempted ; and an iiifalli- 
 ble direction for every weary traveller who is pass- 
 ing through the wilderness of this world to Mount 
 Zion. There are way marks erected, and directions 
 given, impossible to be misunderstood by any one 
 who is really desirous to know and understand the 
 right way. And, as expressed by the prophet 
 Isaiah, " The wayfaring men, though fools, shall not 
 err therein.'* 
 
 In teaching the word of God, a minister will bring 
 the divine character into clear view, and exhibit 
 God as a being possessed of every adorable attribute 
 and glorious perfection ; being one in essence, and 
 yet subsisting in three undivided persons ; according 
 to the declaration of an inspired apostle, 1 John v. 7. 
 " For there are three that bear record in heaven, the 
 Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost : and these 
 three are one.'* However high and mysterious the 
 doctrine of the Trinity in Unity may be to us, crea- 
 tures but of yesterday, as it is a doctrine revealed, 
 it must be declared ; and indeed it will be, by every 
 faithful minister of God our Saviour. The c^odhead 
 of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost 
 must be true, or the scheme of salvation, revealed in 
 the gospel, must be deficient, and can never an- 
 swer the purposes for which it was intended. 
 
 The character of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, 
 the one God, is pure and holy. This God possess- 
 eth the glorious attributes ot wisdom, power, holi- 
 ness, justice, goodness and truth. He is omniscient 
 and omnipresent, and exerciseth an universal gov- 
 ernment over all worlds ; requiring cordial obedi- 
 ence of all his rational creatures in all parts of his 
 extensive dominions. As God is infinite in being 
 
and perfection, is the creator and preserver of ali 
 things, so he is the Governor and Disposer of all 
 creatures, actions and things, by his most wise and 
 holy providence ; working all things after the coyn* 
 sel of his own will. 
 
 Another truth in the word of God, the minister 
 will teach his people, is, that although man vi'^as 
 jnade after the image of him who created him, in 
 knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness, yet 
 hath, by transgression, fallen from his primitive 
 state, become wholly destitute of God*s moral 
 image, and deserving of endless wrath. It is evi- 
 dent that all men, naturally, possess that "carnal 
 mind which is enmity against God, which is not 
 subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." 
 This truth, however wounding to human pride, and 
 however much it may expose the minister to the jeer 
 and contempt of those who have never seen the awful 
 depravity of their own hearts, he will, in a plain and 
 solemn manner, exhibit to the view of his people ; 
 for he must know, that unless they become sensible 
 that " they are wretched, and miserable, and poor, 
 and blind, and naked," and flee to the gospel ark, 
 they must perish in the deluge of divine wrath. 
 Love to God, and to the souls of his people, will in- 
 duce him to use plainness of speech on this subject. 
 
 The minister will also feel it his duty to teach this 
 scripture truth, that although men are rebels against 
 the King of heaven, they are capable of knowing 
 and doing the whole of their duty, were their hearts 
 but suitably disposed : consequently are proper sub- 
 jects of God's moral government, and without ex- 
 cuse for every degree of sin. There is no inability 
 under which men labour, that will in any degree 
 excuse them ; because the whole difficulty lieth in 
 disaffection of heart to God ; in an indisposition to 
 comply with gospel requirements, and in a heart 
 fully set in them to do evil. 
 
 Another prominent doctrine of the Bible is, that 
 God could not, consistently with his law and charac- 
 ter, save an individual of the apostate race of men 
 
without an atonement. "Without shedding of 
 blood is no remission.** Christ, the second person 
 in the adorable trinity, did undertake the business ; 
 offered himself as a sacrifice for sin, by which offer- 
 ing he hath made it consistent for the Father to jus- 
 tify every one who believeth in his Son Jesus Christ, 
 and opened up a new way of life, out of which there 
 is no snlvation for an individual of Adam's guilty 
 race. This plainly revealed doctrine, the minister 
 will teach his people in the most affectionate manner, 
 knowing it to be a truth essentially necessary for 
 them to understand and believe. 
 
 He will also teach them another, no less import- 
 ant doctrine of the word of God. That although the 
 way is opened, and all are invited, yea, even com- 
 manded, to return to God through Christ, that they 
 may live ; yet all men are naturally so opposed to 
 God, in their hearts, and to the scheme Df salvation by 
 Jesus Christ, which exalts God and humbles the crea- 
 ture, that they will forever perish, unless prevented 
 by the sovereign grace of that God who " hath 
 mercy on whom he will have mercy." 
 
 In connexion with this, he will also teach, that 
 God, in holy sovereignty, in his own time and way, 
 by the energetic operation of his Holy Spirit, will 
 draw to Jesus Christ all those to whom he will give 
 eternal life ; and that this is wholly of God's free, 
 rich, and abounding grace. " Not of works, lest 
 any man should boast." That regeneration, or being 
 born again, is a change wrought in the heart of man, 
 by the agency of the Holy Ghost ; and that such is 
 the native enmity of the carnal mind against God, 
 not an individual of mankind can ever be admitted 
 into the kinsfdom of heaven, unless he is made to 
 experience this change, and to possess, in this life, 
 a holy temper of heart. 
 
 The minister of Christ will not only state and 
 prove the afore-mentioned doctrines of God's word, 
 but will also endeavour to enforce them upon his 
 people by the solemn considerations of a general re- 
 
 B 
 
10 
 
 surrectlon of the dead, and a future judgment ; at 
 which time all true believers in Jesus will be receiv- 
 ed into the everlasting joys of their Lord, and all 
 who Hve and die impenitent in sin shall be rejected, 
 and consigned over to endless punishment ; " Who 
 shall be punished with everlasting destruction from 
 the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his 
 power." 
 
 The truths that have been brought to view are not 
 doubtful, although they are much disputed ; for they 
 are written, as with a sun-beam, in the volume of 
 sacred inspiration ; and one would think they must 
 be seen by every candid searcher after moral truth ; 
 and they will be cordially loved and embraced by 
 every pious mind. 
 
 The minister of Jesus, from a sense of duty to his 
 God, to his people, and to his own soul, will not 
 shun to declare all the revealed counsel of Heaven. 
 This he will endeavour to do, " not in the words 
 which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy 
 Ghost teacheth ; comparing spiritual things with 
 spiritual." Feeling desirous of being a humble in- 
 strument, in the hand of God, of promoting the 
 divine glory, in the salvation of his dear people, he 
 will study to preach the unadulterated word of God ; 
 in opposition to tradition. Although he may avail 
 himself of the best expositors, yet he will be careful 
 to call no man father ; and he will follow none where 
 he imagines they depart from the simplicity of the 
 gospel. All traditionary notions and pre-conceived 
 opinions which will not bear examination by the 
 light of truth, will find no place in his discourses ; 
 but he will reject them as mere rubbish, compared 
 with the truths so prominent in the gospel revelation. 
 
 The true minister of Jesus will also preach the word 
 of God in opposition to heresy and impure mixtures. 
 He will be careful not to corrupt the word, by en- 
 deavouring to make it speak a language contrary to 
 its most plain and obvious meaning. It will be his 
 prayerful solicitude to light his lamp at the pure 
 source of trutJi ; that the light of doctrine he com- 
 
11 
 
 municates may be pure and briglit ; that it may 
 shine with steady though increasing lustre, and not 
 be eclipsed with any heresy, or rendered variable by 
 any impure ingredients. 
 
 Carnal reasoning he will reject, as not tending to 
 godly edifying. Remembering that " cursed be he 
 that doth the work of the Lord deceitfully," it will 
 be his studious and prayerful endeavour to be found 
 faithful. Like holy Paul, he will be bold in his God 
 to speak to his people the gospel of God with much 
 engagedncss, that he may be able to adopt the apos- 
 tolic language, and say, " My exhortation was not of 
 deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile : but as I 
 was allowed of God to be put in trust with the gos- 
 pel, even so I speak, not as pleasing men, but God, 
 who trieth my heart." 
 
 It will be his study to teach his people the whole 
 system of Christian doctrines and duties, in opposition 
 to partiality. He will not dare to dwell solely on 
 some more plain and easy subjects, while lie neglects 
 others more di/licult. Those doctrines that serve to 
 exalt free and sovereign grace, and tend to humble 
 the pride of man ; which serve to show man his true 
 character as a rebel against God, and the only way 
 of salvation through a crucified Saviour, however 
 contrary to the wishes of his people, and the feelings 
 of the corrupt heart, he will not shun to teach and de- 
 clare, with great plainness of speech ; because he feels 
 himself accountable to his Lord and Master, for the 
 manner in which he discharges his ministerial func- 
 tions. Thus he will, if faithful, teach the word of 
 God to every man, and warn every man ; and will 
 be careful to do nothing by partiality, that he may 
 approve himself to God, and to every man*s con- 
 science as in the sight of God. 
 We pass to consider, as proposed, 
 II. That however short the time of any minister's 
 1 ibours among a people, yet that time is important. 
 The truth of this proposition is evident from this 
 single consideration, viz. If it were not important, 
 tlie' particular time of Paul's continuance at Corinth 
 
12 
 
 would not have been mentioned in the sacred scrip- 
 tures, where nothing is mentioned in vain. But 
 here it becomes us to consider in what respects the 
 time of a minister*s continuance among a people is 
 important. It is so in various respects : 
 
 1st. Because by teaching in the manner above 
 mentioned, something of God's glorious character, 
 and plan of grace by Jesus Christ are manifested. 
 In teaching the word, it is impossible but that the 
 character of God should be brought to view ; for it 
 is God's word that is taught. Whenever vi^e are 
 conversant with any writings, we generally learn 
 something of the character of their author, by the 
 subjects they contain, and the manner in which he 
 treats them ; even though nothing particularly re- 
 lating to his character should be expressed. But es- 
 pecially should we learn it, if the writer had been 
 particular in his description of himself. That God 
 hath done this, in his word, every page in that sacred 
 book testiiieth : and that teacher of the word,who is 
 engaged rightly to divide the word of truth, cannot 
 fail in every discourse, either explicitly or implicitly 
 to bring into view some one or more perfection be- 
 longing to God's glorious character. In the plan of 
 grace, by Jesus Christ, the character of God shines 
 with peculiar brightness, as a God of boundless com- 
 passion and mercy, as well as of justice and truth. 
 In this wonderful scheme into which angels desire 
 to look, the wisdom, power, and goodness of God 
 are displayed ; and the teacher of the word cannot 
 but dwell with enraptured delight upon that glorious 
 plan of grace, by Jesus Christ, revealed in the gospel, 
 for the salvation of apostate men, which might well 
 astonish angelic hosts. 
 
 That preacher who can, from sabbath to sabbath 
 pass along, without bringing to view the purity and 
 holiness of God ; his opposition to all sin, and his 
 determination to punish it ; his love of holiness, 
 and designs of mercy to the penitent ; who can 
 neglect saying any thing respecting the divinity of 
 Christ, which would give his people to understand 
 
13 
 
 what his sentiments of Christ are, must meet with 
 much difficulty ; for these truths will meet him on 
 every page of that word he pretends to teach ; and 
 it must require much ingenuity, and no less disaffec- 
 tion of heart to the true scheme of grace by Jesus 
 Christ, to teach things which serve to bring the de- 
 mands of the law and gospel down to the feelings of 
 corrupt nature, and the character of God our Sa- 
 viour on a level with that of man. Such will not 
 be the teaching of a true minister of Jesus Christ ; 
 but, however short the time may be of his continu- 
 ance among a people, God's true character, and the 
 gospel scheme of gvace, will be brought to view in a 
 clear, scriptural light, and held up to them in the 
 most affectionate and en^jao-ins; manner. 
 
 '^d. Because the terms of acceptance with God 
 are proposed for their reception. 
 
 To those who live where the light of the gospel 
 never shined, and where no information respecting 
 the character of God, the plan of salvation, and the 
 terms of acceptance with the Lord is communicated, 
 except what is learned from the light of nature, time, 
 comparatively, is of little importance. But to those 
 who Uve under gospel light ; who do or might enjoy 
 continual opportunities of learning the way of life ; 
 who have the terms of acceptance with God presented 
 before them, and are urged by all the most powerful 
 arguments and motives to comply, every moment is 
 precious, and ought to be rightly improved. Every 
 individual, who lives where the gospel is faithfully 
 preached, hath the terms of acceptance with God 
 proposed to him, even though he should be so 
 abandoned to sin, that he will not come to the house 
 of worship to hear. He must be accountable, not 
 only for what he did hear, but also for all he might 
 have heard, of the way of life and salvation by Jesus 
 Christ. 
 
 In the preaching of the gospel, repentance and 
 faith are proclaimed as the terms of salvation, or as 
 those exercises without which salvation can never 
 be obtained. 
 
14 
 
 Sinners are urged to these exercises, by every mo- 
 tive that can influence an ingenuous mind ; urged 
 by the love of God the Father in providing a Sa- 
 viour, and giving him as a propitiatory sacrifice for 
 sin ; by the dying love and compassion of God the 
 Son ; and by the glories of heaven and the terrors 
 of hell, to accept of that salvation w^hich was procur- 
 ed, by a bleeding Saviour, on Calvary's mount. 
 They are also ui*ged to accept the terms of the gospel, 
 and become reconciled to God, by the operation of 
 the Holy Spirit on their hearts. All these, and many 
 Other things^ are proposed to the consideration of 
 sinners, in the preaching of the M^ord : therefore, 
 however short the term of time, in which you are 
 taught the way of life, and urged to a compliance 
 with gospel requirements, that time is of great 
 importance. 
 
 tid. k is important, because those who refuse to 
 hear and obey are hardened in sin. Under the 
 Xneans of grace, it is impossible for sinners to remain 
 stationary. Evil men and seducers, yea, all impeni- 
 tent sinners, under whatever means they may live, 
 wax worse and worse. So long as sinners continue 
 to slight gospel calls ; set at nought God's counsel 
 land disregard his reproofs, they rapidly increase in 
 tiardness. The more frequently they are called, the 
 4ess attention they manifest. The oftener they 
 are threatened, the less they regard the threatening. 
 Every compassionate call of God that is disregarded, 
 and every denunciation of wrath that is contemned, 
 Serves to increase the weight of guilt, and sink the 
 'sinner into hardness of heart, and blindness of mind, 
 Stupidity and insensibility increase in some pro- 
 |)ortion to the number of calls disregarded, and com- 
 4nands disobeyed. After long continued courses of 
 disobedience, conscience will become less faithful ; 
 and the sinner will commit iniquity with less re- 
 morse. That every voluntary act of disobedience 
 serves to harden the heart, and render the sinner's 
 case more awfully hazardous, is evident from facts 
 or examples, too frequently before our eyes, and also 
 
15 
 
 from scripture testimony, " Can the Ethiopian 
 change his skin, or the leopard his spots ; then may 
 ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. 
 A solemn consideration to those who are continually 
 rejecting the messages of God, and refusing obedi- 
 ence to the precepts of the gospel, brought them by 
 the fairliful ministers of Christ. A consideration that 
 ought to excite every one to immediate repentance, 
 faith and new obedience, lest he should become more 
 " hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." 
 
 4th. The time of a minister's continuance with 
 a people is important, because the faithful among 
 them are built up in holiness. By a pious ministry, 
 the righteous are nourished up in the way of life. 
 In the sanctuary tliey learn more and more of God*s 
 character ; of the extent and spirituality of his holy 
 law ; of the plan of grace by Jesus Christ ; of the 
 rich and distinguishing grace of God towards some 
 of the guilty race of men ; and are led to humility 
 under a sense of their unworthiness and ill-dfesert. 
 They are also brought to adore and glorify that holy 
 Being who hath, in sovereign love and compassion, 
 delivered them out of the darkness and defilement 
 of sin, placed them in the light of his countenance, 
 and adorned them with the spotless robe of Christ's 
 righteousness. With an abiding impression of these 
 truths on their minds, they see the importance of a 
 holy walk, and are animated to live as blam.elessly 
 as possible, in an observance of all the ordinances 
 and statutes of the Lord. Their delight is in the 
 law of the Lord ; and the word of God is sweet to 
 their souls. The meek will God teach his way ; 
 and his word will do good to the upright. " It 
 pleaseth God by the foolishness of preaching to save 
 them that believe." Through the instrumentality 
 of the word preached, God is building up true be- 
 lievers in holiness, and preparing them to be pillars 
 in the temple above : therefore, to them, every op- 
 portunity to hear the word of life is important 
 and highly valuable. 
 
 5th. Antnhcr thing that mak<:s the time of ;i 
 
16 
 
 minister's continuance among a people important, 
 however short it may be, is, the future happiness or 
 misery of all who hear, is infinitely concerned. 
 
 The faithful minister Of Christ will feel, in some 
 good measure, the weight of his charge j and, know- 
 ing the consequences of his ministry will extend 
 into eternity, he must be desirous of feeding his 
 people wath knowledge, and of instructing them 
 into the most important doctrines in Christian 
 theology. He will not attempt to amuse them with 
 things of no profit, but will endeavor to teach them 
 the way of life truly. The word preached will be, 
 as an apostle expresseth it, " either a savor of life 
 unto life, or of deatli unto death," to those who 
 hear. Under the means with which God is pleased 
 to favour people, they are forming characters for 
 eternity ; are training up, under the nurturing in- 
 fluences of divine ordinances, for that society which 
 will eternally increase in holiness and happiness ; or 
 under all the meansGod is using with them, are ripen- 
 ing for a more awful and aggravated condemnation, 
 at the last day ; at which solemn period they will be 
 sentenced to depart into everlasting fire, where shall 
 be weeping and gnashing of teeth ; and where the 
 smoke of their torment will ascend forever and ever. 
 How important, then, is even the shortest space of 
 time people enjoy the"ministry of reconciliation. 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 1. We are led to reflect, as well in view of our 
 subject, as on this particular occasion, on the rela- 
 tion which hath subsisted between us. I have been 
 among you, as your pastor and teacher, for the space 
 of one year and six months. And with what fideUty 
 I have fulfilled my duty to you, as a teacher of the 
 way of life, God is witness, and ye are witnesses. 
 But the connexion is now dissolved : therefore, 
 
 2. Serious examination becometh us. It becomes 
 me to examine with seriousness, how I have dis- 
 charged my duty as a watchman on this important 
 part of the wall of God's spiritual Jerusalem j and 
 
17 
 
 with what views. Although I may not have dwelt, 
 distinctly, upon every particular doctrine and pre- 
 cept of God's word ; yet I trust, you can bear me 
 witness, that they have been brought to view, and 
 their importance described. The character of the 
 Triune God, as a holy sovereign, " having mercy on 
 whom he will have mercy," and hardening whom 
 he will ; the character of man as an apostate from 
 God, destitute of every degree of holiness, and pos- 
 sessing a " carnal mind, which is enmity against 
 God ;" the importance of regeneration, wrought by 
 the special agency of the Holy Ghost ; the neces- 
 sity of immediate repentance and faith ; and of a 
 gospel walk, have been exhibited, as the subjects 
 which have been under consideration, will testify. 
 The feelings and the exercises of the real child of 
 God have been very particularly and repeatedly des- 
 cribed, as being in the preacher's apprehension, better 
 calculated to force conviction upon the mind of a 
 sinner, of his being totally destitute of a Christian 
 temper, than any other one method that could be 
 adopted. Although the increase is wholly of God, 
 and ministers cannot cause one soul to repent and 
 believe ; yet, your preacher hath not considered 
 that as any reason why he should relax his exer- 
 tions ; but rather as a stimulus to be faithful in duty, 
 and to look to God, that he would appear for your 
 help, that you perish not. He hath, it is believed, 
 in some measure, felt the importance of obeying 
 that command, " Go and preach unto them the 
 preaching that I bid thee," and he hath been willing 
 to leave the issue with him who is the sovereign Dis- 
 poser of events. Yet he seeth great occasion, and 
 desireth to be humble, that he hath been no more 
 engaged and importunate in urging sinners to be- 
 come reconciled to God. O God ! pardon thy ser- 
 vant ! Brethren, forgive him this wronoc. 
 
 Serious examination also becometh you^ once the 
 people of my charge. Hath it been your hearty 
 desire to gain instruction in the great things which 
 
 C 
 
18 
 
 relate to the glory of God, and the everlasting fe- 
 licity of your own souls ; that you might better un- 
 derstand your duty, and bring a greater revenue of 
 glory to your Lord, by a stricter walk, and a more 
 uniform obedience to his precepts and commands ? 
 — That you might obtain more light and knowl- 
 edge, and be enabled the better to recommend the 
 religion professed and taught among you, to those 
 with whom you are connected ; and that you might 
 cause an example of holy obedience to shine more 
 equally and increasingly bright before others, that 
 they, beholding you labour of love and good works, 
 might be induced to glorify your and their Father, 
 who is in heaven ? Hath it been the rejoicing of 
 your hearts, at the return of every Lord's day, to 
 appear in the assembly of his people, and here unite 
 in the solemnities of divine worship ? Hath it been 
 your grief, when you have been necessarily detained 
 from divine service ? 
 
 Have you been made sensible of your lost and 
 criminal condition as sinners against God ? Or are 
 you still regardless of the God who made you, and 
 lightly esteeming the Rock of your salvation ? It 
 certainly becomes you to examine how the case now 
 stands between God and your souls. What im- 
 provement have you made of my ministrations, dur- 
 ing the period of a year and six months, in which 
 I have been " teaching the word of God among 
 you ?** Have you been " nourished up in the words 
 of faith,** and been made more spiritual, and more 
 heavenly minded ? If so, you have reason to rejoice 
 and give glory to God ; and to manifest by your 
 future life and conversation the high sense you en- 
 tertain of God's goodness, in giving you so long a 
 standing in his vineyard. But if you find, on ex- 
 amination, that you have not profited by the word 
 preached, and that you are still under the power of 
 an evil heart ; strangers to experimental religion, 
 your case is truly alarming ; and you ought to 
 make no delay, but haste for your lives to the cit)^ 
 of refuge, before tha avenger of blood overtake you. 
 
19 
 
 Linger not a moment longer in the meads of fasci- 
 nating pleasures, lest you b^ surfeited and sink down 
 into the lap of every sinfal indulgence, and at last 
 awake from your reveries, in the fire that never shall 
 be quenched. 
 
 The consequences of the connexion which hath 
 subsisted between us are important ; and they will 
 be eternal. They will be for the glory of God ; 
 and if we have been actuated by pure motives, and 
 have faithfully performed the duties incumbent on 
 us respectively, our hoHness and happiness will be 
 promoted in this world, and in the world to come, 
 our endless felicity. But if we have been governed, 
 in our conduct in this connexion, by selfish views, 
 and to promote unsuitable purposes, or to obtain any 
 sinister objects, the consequences will be no less im- 
 portant ; for even in that case, God will be glorified, 
 and his justice wonderfully displayed, in our endless 
 destruction, unless we improve the present time in 
 deep humiliation and hearty repentance. It there- 
 fore becomes each of us, with much prayerfulness 
 and deep searchings of heart, to review every part 
 of our conduct ; how, and with what views I have 
 taught the word of God among you ; and how you 
 have heard and profited by it. Let us ask forgive- 
 ness of God, in every thing in which we have 
 come ;ihort of our duly ; and heartily seek his direc- 
 tion and assistance in all our future conduct. 
 
 3. Our subject affords consolation under many of 
 the changes through which we arc called to pass on 
 our journey through this world. It supposeth there 
 may be changes, and frequent changes of ministers, 
 Paul, though caressed and beloved by all the friends of 
 Jesus where he was called to preach the gospel of the 
 kingdom, was not allowed to continue long in any one 
 place, God having important purposes to answer by 
 his removal. Thus it hath been in every succeeding 
 period of the church. If ministers of Christ have not 
 generally been removed from place to place, as were 
 the apostles in the first ages of the Christian era ; yet 
 changes have frequently taken place. (Aving to va- 
 
20 
 
 rious causes, ministers have been separated from their 
 people, suddenly ; and fiot unfrequently by death. 
 JBut under such adverse scenes of Providence, if peo- 
 ple place their happiness in the highest good of God*s 
 kingdom, it will be the ultimate object of every right 
 desire of their hearts. However dark the dispensa- 
 tions of heaven may be, yet the pious mind will re- 
 main in peace ; knowing all events are ordered by the 
 Lord ; and will, in the general issue, terminate for the 
 good of the universe. It will rejoice, because " the 
 Lord God omnipotent reigneth.*' 
 
 It is of small consequence, my brethren, by whom, 
 if the word of God be really taught and obeyed. Paul 
 may plant, and Apollos may water, in vain, unless 
 God should give the increase. Christians are God's 
 workmanship ; and it is of no great consequence, 
 by what instruments he carries on his work. If 
 the pure doctrines of the gospel are taught and 
 obeyed, God will be glorified, and souls trained up, 
 by divine influences, into a meetness for heavenly 
 joys. Although it is of little consequence by whom 
 the word is faithfully taught, yet you may expect 
 that minister will be unfaithful, who has not an 
 experimental acquaintance with divine things : 
 therefore, it is important that every minister should 
 have the love of God a, ruling principle in his heart ; 
 as this would lead him to fidelity in the discharge of 
 ministerial duties. 
 
 I hope you may, through the blessing of God on 
 your endeavours, obtain a pastor, who will be 
 made an instrument of greater good in the cause 
 of Christ and of souls, than I have been ; one 
 who may be made by the great Head of the church, 
 a burning and shining light in this golden candle- 
 stick ; and may many here rejoice in his light. May 
 you have the consolation of receiving one who shall 
 more than restore the breach that is now made ; 
 one who will manifest, by his preaching and conver- 
 sation, that the love of God is a ruling principle in 
 his heart, and that his greatest desire is to promote 
 the glory of his Lord and Master, in the salvation of 
 your souls. 
 
21 
 
 4. As my relation to you is now dissolved, by a 
 venerable ecclesiastical council, mutually chosen ; let 
 the exhort you, in view of this subject, to make all 
 laudable exertions to obtain a minister who will 
 preach the word of God in the manner that hath 
 been mentioned. 
 
 The settlement of a gospel minister is one of the 
 most important transactions in which a people can 
 be employed in this Hfe. It is important to the min- 
 ister himself, and important to the people with 
 whom he is connected, because eternal consequences 
 are depending. In settling a minister, let me be- 
 seech you, to have a particular regard to experi- 
 mental piety, exemplary conduct, and sound doctrine. 
 Although you cannot certainly know the heart, yet 
 you may learn something respecting its exercises, by 
 the external conduct and conversation, and the 
 doctrines a minister may inculcate. Beware of one 
 who does not bring into view the great and leading 
 doctrines of the gospel; one who saith little or 
 nothing respecting the pure and holy character of 
 God, the divinity of Christ, and the atonement he 
 hath made ; one who is silent on the doctrines of 
 sovereign grace, on man's natural enmity against 
 God, and the necessity of a change of heart, wrought, 
 not by light or moral suasion, but by the special 
 agency of the Holy Spirit : for you may rest assured, 
 that he, who doth not openly avow these sentiments, 
 but keepeth them out of sight, in his preaching and 
 conversation, neglecteth those parts of his duty 
 which are most important, and giveth just occasion 
 for you to suspect he has not an experimental ac- 
 quaintance with the awful depravity of the human 
 heart, and that he is a stranger to the work of grace 
 on his own soul ; and indeed, that he hath very im- 
 perfect, if any, ideas of the infinite importance of vi- 
 tal piety. 
 
 Take heed that ye be not deceived in this highly 
 interesting business of choosing a minister. You 
 must not be governed, in this matter, by a desire to 
 obtain one who will help to amuse you in the ways 
 
22 
 
 and practices of sin, and to keep conscience from be- 
 ing awaked to an execution of her office ; one vvl^Q 
 will prophesy smooth things, and make the way tQ 
 heaven so easy, that it will be almost if not quite 
 impossible to fall short of eternal bliss : for, the touch 
 of such an one is poison, and his embrace is death. 
 
 Let it be your earnest solicitude to obtain a spirit- 
 ual guide and instructor, who will with prudence 
 and plainness show you the right way of the Lord : 
 who will point out your sin and danger, and lead you 
 to the ever full and ever flowing fountain of Christ's 
 blood for pardon and for cleansing ; one who will 
 not shun to declare unto you the whole revealed 
 counsel of God ; who will faithfully warn you not 
 to trust in your own doings for salvation, but in the 
 mercy of God, through the merits of Jesus Christ : 
 one who will not only be apostolic in his preaching, 
 but holy and heavenly in his life and conversation : 
 one who will cordially comply with the apostolic 
 exhortation, and show himself " a pattern of good 
 works ; in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, 
 sincerity, — sound speech that cannot be condem- 
 ned ; that he who is of the contrary part may be 
 ashamed, having no evil thing to say of him." 
 
 Having, by the blessing of God on your endeav- 
 ours, obtained such an one to minister to you in 
 holy things, pay constant attendance upon, and atten- 
 tion to, his instructions. "Forsake not the assem- 
 bling of yourselves together, as the manner of some 
 is :" for, should you forsake the house of worship, 
 you will discourage your minister, and give him 
 melancholy occasion to complain, in the language of 
 the prophet, " I have laboured in vain, I have spent 
 my strength for nought, and in vain.*' Let him 
 see, and have evidence, by your constant and seriojas 
 attendance upon his tc;{ching, and by your holy con- 
 versation and exemplary walk, that you profit by 
 his labours ; and that you " esteem him very highly 
 in love for his works' sake." Let not his instruc- 
 tions fall upon you, like seed by the way-side, or 
 upon a rock j but may tliey find an entrance into 
 
23 
 
 good and honest hearts, that fruit, in rich abund- 
 ance, may be produced to the glory of God, the di- 
 vine Husbandman, and to your unspeakable peace 
 and endless happiness. Your dearest, your immor- 
 tal interests are concerned, in a right improvement 
 of all ministerial instructions. Be wise in time for 
 eternity. 
 
 Your aged and venerable pastor, who has grown 
 grey in your service, although unable to instruct you 
 from this sacred desk, yet can do it in private con- 
 versation ; and he must certainly feel himself bound, 
 by the most sacred ties, to watch for souls as one who 
 must give account : and you are under no less sol- 
 emn obligations to hear, receive and obey his scrip- 
 tural instructions. Be not forgetful of those truths 
 you have repeatedly heard from his lips ; but may 
 he observe them having influence on your hearts 
 and lives. May he continue to experience your 
 kindnesses which have been numerous ; his declin- 
 ing sun set in smiles ; and his falling mantle rest on 
 some Elisha who shall be bold in the Lord to declare 
 unto you the messages of heaven ; whose example 
 shall be luminous, and whose conversation such as 
 becometh the gospel of God our Saviour. 
 
 Let no root of bitterness be suffered to spring up 
 to trouble you. " Be at peace among yourselves.'* 
 " Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, 
 live in peace ; and the God of love and peace shall 
 be with you." 
 
 Whilst I bid adieu to the dear children of God 
 who are training up, through the nurturing influ- 
 ences of divine ordinances, for heavenly glory, 1 do 
 it with feelings very different from those 1 experi- 
 ence when taking leave of those of you who arc yet 
 in your sins ; strangers to the pure pleasures of relig- 
 ion, and exposed every moment to all the awful hor- 
 rors of endless destruction. O precious immortals 1 
 suffer me, for the last time, and as it were with my 
 expiring breath, to beseech every impenitent sinner 
 present, whether old or young, parent or cbiU^ pre- 
 fessor ov 7ion-profissor,^'-\n Christ's stead," to become, 
 immcdiatelv, *' reconcilevl to God." 
 
24 
 
 After departing from this house of worship, at 
 this time, your next meeting may be at the solemn 
 bar of your omniscient Judge. Do you ever reflect, 
 with due seriousness, that the last great day is near ; 
 when that divine Jesus, whom you now reject with 
 scorn and derision, will come to judgment ? Hark ! 
 do you not hear his chariot-wheels ? Cast your eyes 
 upward ! see the heavens opened ! behold the God 
 Christ Jesus, seated on a cloud, moving with majesty 
 towards this earth ; attended with myriads of an- 
 gelic hosts. Hark ! the trumpet sounds, in language 
 articulate. Arise ye dead, and come ye living, to 
 meet your Judge ! My fellow sinners and fellow im- 
 mortals, are you ready to hear and attend to the 
 solemn call ? If you be, you will ascend to meet the 
 Lord in the air, and thus be ever with the Lord. 
 But if not prepared, by grace, for that important 
 summons, your sentence will be, " Depart, ye cursed, 
 into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his 
 angels." Is this a final sentence ? Yes : it will nev- 
 er be reversed. Can you endure it ? Dare you make 
 the trial ? or do you feel somewhat concerned to make 
 your escape from this awful doom ? Let me inform 
 you, then, for the last time, that there is no way of 
 escape, but by fleeing to the purifying blood of 
 Christ, experiencing a change of heart, and being 
 united in love to the Lord Jesus ; clothed with his 
 righteousness, received by faith. That you may, now 
 while you are prisoners of hope, attend to divine 
 calls, turn to the strong hold of the gospel, and find 
 sanctuary in Christ ; and that you may all be pre- 
 pared to meet in the unchanging temple above, to 
 unite with all the redeemed from among men, in 
 ascriptions of thanksgiving to him who hath washed 
 you in his own blood, is the earnest prayer of your 
 servant, for Christ*s sake, who now bids you a most 
 affectionate Fareivcll, Amen and Amen. 
 
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