while, in the ardor of their desires for the universal diffusion of Christ's kingdom, they are led to contemplate and rest upon the promises of God's word; their faith in these promises waxes stronger and stronger, and their hopes and consolations proportionally in

crease.

4. It is a privilege to christians that they are allowed to co-operate in the building up of Christ's kingdom, since this work will excite them to frequent and earnest prayer.-The real christian knows that it is good for him to pray. He believes that a life of prayer is not less his privilege than his duty. It is prayer, he finds, which renders him solemn, spiritual, and humble. It is this which keeps his conscience tender, and excites him to increased watchfulness against the approaches of sin. It is in prayer too, that he gains the most exalted and delightful views of his heavenly Father; feels most deeply his dependence on him; and enjoys the sweetest communion with him. Indeed whenever he goes to the throne of grace in a proper manner, he can come from it with the declaration of the devout Psalmist on his lips," My prayer is returned into mine own bosom."-But if prayer is so great a privilege to the Christian, then those things must be counted privileges which lead to prayer. And where, among all these, shall we find a more powerful excitement to it, than the appointed work of the Christian in spreading the gospel? Prayer is in fact an important part o this work; and in the prosecution of other parts of it, how often will he be led to his Infinite fellowworker in the heavens, for his direction and his powerful help? How often will he feel that he cannot take another step, without first consulting with his heavenly Father?

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5. The people of God should esteem it a privilege that they are allowed to co-operate in the building up of Christ's kingdom, because this affords them an opportunity of exhibiting their religion. It is of great importance that their religion should be exhibited. It is in this way only, that the world can see what religion is, and be made sensible of its reality, excellence and power-that religion can be honored and its Divine author glorified-and that saints can refute the charges, and silence the reproaches, which are cast upon them. But how can Christians so clearly and satisfactorily exhibit their religion, as by cheerful sacrifices and persevering exertions for its support and prevalence in the world? Whose piety ever shone forth in a more clear and amiable light, than that of the Apostle Paul? And who in modern times have exhibited more bright and attractive evidences of piety, than Brainerd, and Elliot, and Martyn, and the whole number of those, who have devoted themselves to labors and to death, in spreading the gospel of the Son of God? This is the way, my brethren, in which our religion must be exhibited. It must be by a cheerful and faithful performance of that work which our Father has given us to do. I add,

6. That christians should be thankful for their appointed work, since this is adapted more than any thing else to give life and vigor to the Church.-The Church on earth has uniformly exhibited deplorable marks of the corruption of the materials of which it is composed. It has exhibited evidence to this effect, in its constant propensity, except when under the influence of some powerfully exciting cause, to sink down into a state of spiritual torpor and death. To counteract this fatal propensity, and impart life and vigour to his drowsy church, God has employed a

variety of methods. In some periods, he has lifted over it the rod of correction; and at others, has kindled around it the fires of persecution. But the proper means of keeping alive his Church is doubtless its great and appropriate work-the work of co-operating with him in spreading abroad the religion of the Saviour. Accordingly it has in all instances exhibited the most life and vigor, when called to make the most costly sacrifices, and the most laborious exertions, for the diffusion of the gospel. Look at the Church in the days of the apostles. When has it put on its garments of beauty, and shone forth, as it did then? And if equal life and vigor are ever imparted to it again, it must probably be, under an equal pressure of calls and obligations, in regard to the work of spreading the gospel.

On the whole, my brethren, we have the utmost reason to be not only satisfied but thankful, that God is not accomplishing his plans and promises alone; but is graciously pleased to honor and benefit his unworthy children, by admitting them as "workers together with him," in advancing his holy cause and kingdom.

REFLECTIONS.

1. If the view we have taken of this subject is correct, then many probably are under a mistake in regard to the work of spreading the gospel. The enemies of religion will of course regard the labor of promoting it as needless and oppressive; and the friends of religion may in some instances have so far coincided with them, as to consider and speak of it as a burthen. They may not have refused utterly to engage in it, but whatever they have done has been

from a sense of duty, and not of privilege-from a regard to the authority of their Saviour, and not from a consideration of the general interests of the Church. The remarks which have been made are fitted to convince such persons, that they have entertained low and unworthy views of the work of spreading the gospel. This work we have seen is more a privilege than a burthen. Paul was thankful that he was permitted to bear an important part in it; and Christians now have reason to be thankful that they may have a part too. Instead of considering it a burthen, which their Saviour has imposed, and from which they cannot be released; they should regard it as a privilege which he has in mercy granted, and of which they could not on any account consent to be deprived.

2. If the work of spreading the gospel is a privilege to the Church, then all openings and opportunities for engaging in it should be viewed with gratitude by Christians. How do we feel, my brethren, in respect to other things which we esteem as privileges? Do we not regard new openings and opportunities for improving and enjoying them as occasion of gratitude? The Apostle Paul urged it upon his brethren to pray for him, that "God would open unto him a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ;" although he was aware at the same time that such an opening must involve him in new labors and sufferings, and although he was at that moment, for his attachment to the gospel, a prisoner "in bonds." He regarded every new opportunity of labor and usefulness as a precious privilege to be seized and improved―a privilege, for which prayers should be offered, and thanks returned. And it obviously becomes us to view the subject in the same light. We

should consider every new field of labor which is opened, every new Missionary that is raised up, every now and practicable method of doing good which is devised, and every new opportunity which is afforded of making exertions or contributions for the spread of the gospel, not as an additional burthen imposed upon us, but as a new and precious privilege, to be acknowledged with gratitude, and to be improved so far as other and higher considerations will admit.

3. If the work of promoting the gospel is a privilege to the church, then those christians who are most engaged in it enjoy the greatest privileges, and are the most happy. This remark has been true in all periods of the church, and is true now. Who was ever more engaged in this benevolent work than the Apostle Paul; and viewing his whole existence as a Christian, where was there ever a more highly privileged or a more truly happy man ? man? During his ministry on earth, notwithstanding his many and cruel sufferings, he customarily spoke of himself as having "great joy"-being "filled with joy"-and as being" exceeding joyful in all his tribulations."

And who can describe the ever flowing tide of his joys, now he has entered on his eternal rest? How much more happy was he on earth, and how much more happy will he be forever, than though his course had been that of a comparatively idle and slothful christian? and as it was in his case, so is it in every other. Those individuals now, and those churches, and those portions of the christian world, which are most engaged for the spread of the gospel, are doubtless the most highly privileged, and altogether the most happy.