1 CORINTHIANS I. 23, 24.-“We preach Christ cruci- fied, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called. both Jews and Greeks, Christ the HEBREWS iv. 14, 15.—" Seeing then that we have a great High Priest that is passed into the hea- vens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our ACTS II. 23.-_“Having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth SERMON XXVII. CHRISTIANS CONSOLED UNDER ALL TRIALS AND SUFFERINGS. ROMANS VIII. 28.-“We know that all things work together for good, to them that love God." 366 FAGE HEBREWS XII. 22, 23.—“Ye are come unto Mount Sion, and unto the City of the Living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the First-born, which are written in Heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to SERMON I. ON PROFITABLY PREACHING AND HEARING GOD'S WORD. ERRATA. LINE. PAGE. 36. 197. 231. 266. 321. 348. for necessities, read necessitous. 21. for we, read ye. 1. for examine, read examine ourselves. 11. for though, read through. 22. for make, read maketh. 6. for undistinguished, read undisguised. anu Iona of novelty, their severai lavourers admirers. Some contended for a simplicity of manner suited to the plain doctrines and precepts of the Gospel; some, for an extensive range through all the mysteries of godliness : others sought an alliance between the humble unadorned articles of faith, and the blandishments of Gentile wisdom : others declared warmly against such adulterations; each professing his particular attachment to the teacher who most amused his fancy, or conformed with B his opinion. Therefore, one said, “I am the follower of Paul;” another, “I am the disciple of Apollos;" a third, declared himself the hearer of Cephas; while others, with more just and more scriptural views, looking up to the great Author and Finisher of their faith, professed that they were “of Christ.” Wherefore Saint Paul asks, “What are the several teachers, that you should glory in ranging yourselves under their names or opinions?” They are merely ministers of a religion derived from God, not from human wisdom; instruments of salvation, not standing in rivalry with each other, but uniting in the same holy work, and for the same great purpose, according to their different faculties and endowments, to be esteemed for their work's sake, but of themselves ineffectual. To God's grace alone is their success to be ascribed. This it is which maketh the Word take root and prosper. “I have planted,” says he, and “ Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then, neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” The Apostle then ascribes all the success that attended his ministry to the “grace of God” given him “as a wise master-builder,” declaring that he had only “ laid the foundation;" and cautioning his successors in the Christian ministry “how they build thereon:" "for” says he, in the text, “other foundation can יל יל |