highest exertions of which the human mind is capable? Shall the management of the contested claim of a house or a field, or the interest of contending political parties, be deemed of such consequence as to engage the attention and admiration of hearers? And shall a minister of the Gospel, when called by his office to unfold the wonders of redemption, or to enlarge on the solemn themes of judgment, hea ven, and hell, be thought the only man who has chosen a subject incapable of justifying his earnestness, or of furnishing him with such thoughts and expressions upon the spot, as the most judicious part of his auditory need not disdain to hear? Certainly, if the Bible be true, a minister must have the advan. tage of all other persons who speak in a public character! His subject is more weighty, and of infinite. ly more concern to his hearers. He speaks in the name of God, and has an express promise of the assistance of his Holy Spirit, if not to supercede his faculties, yet to influence, animate, and guide them, to bring things seasonably to his remembrance, and to apply them to the heart with a divine energy. We know that it is so in fact; and though we are slighted, and perhaps despised, by many, there are others who receive our testimony with joy, and will acknowledge that what the world esteems the foolishness of preaching, 1 Cor. i. 21. has, by the bles. sing of God, made them wise unto salvation, 2 Tim. iii. 15.

I earnestly entreat you, my beloved friends, seriously to consider these things. In the midst of the various sentiments, and opinions which prevail, it is at least certain that we are all mortal, and that life is not only short, but highly precarious. If you believe the Scriptures, you acknowledge, that after death there is an appointed judgment, and an unchangeable, everlasting state. If so, should you not carefully examine the ground of your hope, and fear even the possibility of a mistake, which, if not rectified before death, will then be fatal and without reinedy? If you would not sign a lease or a contract without examining it for yourselves, why will you venture your eternal concernments implicitly upon the prevailing opinions of those around you? Especially, when our Lord himself has told us, that whoever may be right, the many are undoubtedly wrong. For" wide is the gate, and broad is the way, "that leadeth to destruction, and many there be that

go in thereat; because straight is the gate, and narrow " is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be "that find it," Matt. vii. 13. If for the present. you seeni confirmed in your manner of thinking and living, by the numbers, names, and examples of those with whom you agree; yet consider, you must soon be separated from them all. Not one of them will be able to comfort you in a dying hour, or to answer for you to God. You may live in a throng, but you must die alone. Religious subjects are seldom the chosen topics of conversation, in what is usually called good company; if occasionally introduced, how sperficially are they treated, yet how peremptorily are they decided upon, and then how readily dismissed! But sooner or later their importance will be known. The Scripture is the rule by which we must all be judged at last; it is therefore our wisdom to judge ourselves by it now. Would you be persuaded to do this, praying to God for that assistance which you need to direct your inquiries, and which he has promised he will afford to them that ask him, it would have a happy effect upon your principles and your peace. Search and read for yourselves, if the Scripture does not speak to all mankind as in a state of condemnation, Rom. iii.; 19. if it affords us any hope of deliverance but for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ; Acts iv. 12. if it intima tes any

method of being saved through him, but by a faith, wrought by the operation of God, Mark xvi. 16. and evinced by a temper of love, and a habit of cheerful obedience to his precepts, Col. ii. 12. Gal. v. 6. 1 Pet. i. 2.; if these points, which comprise the general scope of my preaching, are contained and taught in the Bible, they ought not to be spoken against.

I can have no interest to forward by this address, except that interest which I feel in your welfare. I have no favour to solicit from you, but that you would attend to the things which pertain to your eternal happiness. I can truly say, I seek not yours, but you, 2 Cor. xii. 14. Though I am not indifferent to your good opinion, so far as respects my integrity and moral character, yet it is a small thing with me to be judged of man's judgment; nor would your united approbation content me, except I could hope it was founded in your cordial acceptance of the Gospel which I preach. I have taken this method, as it seemed the only one in my power of acquainting some of you with my sentiments, which yet it highly concerns you to know; not because they are mine, but I speak it with confidence) because they are true, and of the utmost consequence. However amiable and benevolent in your private characters, except you are born again, John iii. 3. born from above, delivered from the love and spirit of the world, Gal. i. 4. and made partakers of the love and spirit of the Lord Jesus, Rom. viii. 9. you cannot be accepted of him in the great approaching day of his appearance. My heart longs for your salvation; but whether you will hear, or whether you will forbear, I must take your consciences to witness, that I have been faithful to you. If after this (which may God forbid!) any should perish, I am clear of their blood, Acts xx. 26. Permit me to make one request. It is not likely that I shall ever trouble you in this way again, and therefore I would intreat you to preserve this paper. If it makes no impression on you at present, a more favourable season may come. If you pay but little attention to it in your prosperity, a time of affliction may invite you to peruse it again. If you regard it not while I am living, you may, should you survive me, read it more carefully after my decease. It is however probable, that some of you will not survive me. Death may be even at your door. If the thought of such a visitant be unwelcome to you, it is owing to a secret consciousness that you are not prepared for it, and therefore you seek refuge from the painful apprehension, in a round of business or pleasure; perhaps, for the present, with too much success. Yet sooner or later, the hour you dread must come. "It is appoint"ed for all men once to die, and after death the " judgment." There we shall all meet. May the Lord God so influence your minds now, that our meeting then may be comfortable and happy!

Thus far I have written chiefly to those who absent themselves from the church. But I thank God I am not wholly deserted by my parishioners. With regard to those who have patience and candour to hear me, I have a hope that what may now seem harsh and difficult in my sermons, may hereafter approve itself to their judgment. No person in the congregation can be more averse from the doctrines which I now preach than I myself once was. This gives me encouragement for others, especially when they are willing to attend on the means which God has promised to bless.. For faith cometh by hearing, Rom. x. 17. If I have at any time, contrary to my intention, uttered a single sentence in my own spirit, or that might give them just cause of offence, I should be glad, if I knew it, to ask their pardon.

Some of you there are (may God increase the num

ber) who not only hear, but approve, because they have an experience in their own hearts that I speak the truth. They have felt the evil of sin, and the necessity of a Saviour. They have received the record God has given of his Son, and place their whole dependence upon him, as their wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, 1 Cor. i. 30. To these I can address myself with more freedom. You know the difficulties of my situation, and will assist me with your prayers. I trust likewise you will assist me by your conduct, and that your lives and conversations will contribute to stop the mouths of gainsayers, and constrain them to acknowledge, that the doctrines of grace, which I preach, when rightly understood and cordially embraced, are productive of peace, contentment, integrity, benevolence, and humility. Many eyes are upon you, watching for your halting, and seeking occasion by your miscarriages, if they can observe any, to speak evil of the way of truth, 2 Pet. ii. 2. May the Lord Jesus Christ enable you to disappoint them, and make them ashamed! We must expect some opposition, many temptations and trials; but we are engaged in a good cause, and we have a mighty Saviour, a compassionate friend, a prevailing advocate. He knows your path; he sees your conflicts. And he has engaged to support, to guide, and to guard you, and at length to make you more than conquerors, Rom. viii. 37. and to bestow upon you a crown of everlasting life, Rev. ii. 10.

I am your affectionate servant,

JOHN NEWTON.

Hoxton, Nov. 1, 1781.