Nevertheless, let the messengers of God be faithful in pronouncing these sacred truths! Comfort the people of God, and hold up their heads. Let them be dear to you. One qualification necessary in a bishop, or one who oversees the church of Christ, is, that he be "a lover of good men.” Shew your love by helping them on the way. Be not afraid of the wicked. Whether they will hear or forbear, pronounce God's word! They may curse; but God will bless. They may frown; but God will smile. They may threaten; but God will guard you on every side. They may charge you with ignorance, rudeness, and cruelty; but you are only accountable to God; and while he approves, you will prosper. Thus when your mission ends, when your work is finished, you will hear him say, "Well done, good and faithful servants, enter ye into the joy of your Lord." Amen.

David's Advice to Solomon,

SERMON VII.

1 CHRON. Xxviii. 9.

And thou Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect, heart, and with a willing mind.

THE dying advice of parents should be seriously regarded by their children. David was deeply pious, and his advice 'to Solomon, in the last hours of his life, may be followed with peculiar advantage by all our youth. The life of David had been a life of danger and difficulty; but the knowledge and service of God had been his support. Solomon was about to succeed 'David in the throne of Israel; and he earnestly exhorted him to know and serve his God. "And thou Solomon my son, "know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind."

This passage contains two things: first, we should know the God of David: secondly, we should serve him with a per-fect heart, and with a willing mind.

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I. WE SHOULD KNOW THE GOD OF DAVID.

The gentile world had many gods; but they were all idols of abomination. The God of David was "the living God, which made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein." The pious mind of David could not be satisfied without an enjoyment of this living God, in the ordinances of religion. Hence he cries out," "My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God!" But how should we know the God of David?

1. We should know his existence. The being of a God is the foundation of religion. "He that cometh to God must believe that he is." God has written his being, in legible characters, upon every human heart; and he who turns his eyes inward, may both read and understand. The works of creation teach the being of a God. "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead,"

2. We should know his perfections. Wrong views of God necessarily lead to errors in religion. The Athenians were famous for learning, eloquence, and politeness; but they were deeply plunged in idolatry and

superstition. They had some knowledge of the unseen God; but, being ignorant of his perfections, their worship was imperfect. The apostle Paul was sent to turn them from "darkness to light." He addressed them in the following remarkable words: Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all' things ye are too superstitious; for as I passed by and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To

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UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you." Divinely inspired men have declared the perfections of God, as far as it is necessary for those perfections to be known; and their declarations are recorded in the scriptures for the instruction of mankind. These sacred writings inform us, that God is from everlasting to everlasting; that he is a pure and invisible spirit; that he is infinite in wisdom, almighty in power, and boundless in goodness; that he is holy, just, merciful, and true; that he is every where present; and that he is unchangeable. Let us study these perfections with pious attention, that we may know how to conduct ourselves towards our God, so as to meet with acceptance in his sight.

Christians

3. We should know his works. are cautioned against the philosophy and vain deceit of the heathen nations; but philosophy, as it implies a knowledge of

creation, founded upon reason and experience, should be pursued. The study of nature is important in a religious point of view; and a pious man should be conver sant with God in all his glorious works. A knowledge of the works of God enlarges our views of his perfections, and exalts him in our sight. These glorious works lead pious minds directly to himself. They see him, not only in the globes of light which roll above their heads, but in the grass and flowers beneath their feet; and, how pleasing is the thought, that he who made all things is our Father and our God!

4. We should know his providence. God. governs the, universe; and the meanest creature is a constant object of his care. A sparrow does not fall to the ground without his notice. His providence, indeed, is a great deep, which mortals cannot fathom; but they may rest assured that. he does all things well. A knowledge of providence is a perpetual source of comfort to good men. They feel quite easy amidst the storms of life. Winds may blow, and waves run high; but there is a pilot at the helm, who safely guides their little bark. Wars may alarm, and kingdoms fall; but God directs their steps, and upholds. their goings. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth