In ſhort; the doctrine of the croſs, is ſuited to anſwer all the great ends of our miniſtry, and promote all the truly valuable intereſts of our people. By this, the holy Spirit delights to work. And this, O Satan, ſhall be thy plague: This O ſin, ſhall be thy deſtruction, Hoſ. xii. 14. -However, therefore, the croſs might be to the Jews a ſtumbling block, and to the Greeks fooliſhneſs; God forbid, that we ſhould glory in any thing elſe - Let this be the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and ending[1], of all our public miniſtrations. Let us leave a favour of this knowledge, which is far better than precious ointment, in every private company. -Let it appear, from all our converſation; That the affections of our heart, and the labours of our life, are devoted, wholly devoted, to our adored Redeemer's croſs. -Happy the people, who are under the care of ſuch miniſters! and bleſſed the miniſters, who walk according to this rule.
II. Let me exhort all true believers. Thoſe who are vile in their own eyes, and to whom Chriſt alone is precious. -Remember, brethren, what is written in the Prophet: It is a deſcription of your ſtate: It is a direction for your conduct. In the Lord, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, ſhall all the ſeed of Iſ-
- ↑ The Author, who could write the ſpirited and
weighty lines which follow, muſt doubtleſs have this
conviction deep on his heart:
-Thou, my All! My theme! my inſpiration! and my crown!
My ſtrength in age! my riſe in low eſtate!
My foul's ambition, pleaſure, wealth! -my world!
My light in darkneſs and my life in death!
My boaſt through time! bliſs through eternity!
My ſacrifice! my God! What things are theſe!
Night Thoughts, N. 4
