ADVERTISEMENT. my WHEN the following Sermon was put into hand in manuscript, as Archbishop LEIGHTON'S, I began to read it with a mixture of pleasure and jealousy. As I proceeded, that feeling of heart, which is excited by the fear of imposition, subsided; and I am now satisfied, that it is the composition of that venerable Prelate whose name it bears. In thus publicly declaring my thoughts concerning it, I have no motive but the hope of its being useful. If any should be induced to read it on my recommendation, I am persuaded they will not repent. And I hope none will reject what is LEIGHTON'S because recommended by HENRY FOSTER. A SERMON, &c. 2 COR. v. 20. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. "It is appointed unto all men once to die, and after that to come to judgment," saith the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews. Two sad necessities to sinful man. This last, nature's light discovers not; but the other, though it be seldom deep in our thoughts, is almost always before our eyes: and though few seriously remember it, yet none can be ignorant of it. Against this known and universal evil, the chief of the heathen moralists, the Stoics, have much endeavoured to arm them. selves; and others have bent the strength of their wits to master the fear of death, and have made themselves and some of their hearers conquerors in imagination: but when the king of terrors really appeared, he dashed their stout resolutions, and turned all their big words and looks into appalment. And the truth is, there are no reasonings in the world able to argue a man into a willingness to part with a present being, without some hopes at least of one more happy; nor will any contentedly dislodge, though they dwell never so meanly, except upon terms of changing for the better. The Christian then (not nominal, but really so) is the only man that can look death immediately in the face; for he knows assuredly that he shall remove to "a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." This discourse beginning this chapter, occasioned by the end of the former, continues to the 12th verse, where the apostle subjoins an apology for his high and confident manner of speaking; which apology serves likewise for a very pertinent re-entry to the main discourse of the former chapter, concerning the worth and work of the ministry. But because of the apostle's frequent, yet seasonable digressions, proleptic and exegetic, divers may model the analysis after divers manners. To take then the discourse as it lies here together, abstract from precedent and consequent, I think (with submission) it may be divided into these two heads: first, The apostle's resolution for death; secondly, His course and manner of life; each supported with their proper grounds, or reasons: the former to ver. 9, the other to the end of the chapter. The resolution is so strong, that he expresses it by the words of earnest desiring and groaning; and this resolution for death, springs from his assurance of life after death: "We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, not made with hands, eter nal in the heavens." He speaks in his own and his colleagues' names: and the whole matter of both is set forth by an elegant continued metaphor. Both the desire, and assurance causing it, is illus trated by their chief cause, ver. 5. "Now he that hath wrought us for the self-same thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit." Both in his gracious purpose for this, hath he made us, and in a pledge of performance he hath given us earnest, even his Spirit.. Then by their subordinate cause, faith, ver. 7. "For we walk by faith, not by sight." His course and purpose; for he both signifieth what he doth, and how he intends to continue to do. His course and purpose of life is in general to walk acceptably in this absence from the Lord, ver. 9. "Wherefore we labour, that whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him." And in particular, walking diligently and faithfully in the ministry, ver. 11.-18. “ Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God, and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences," &c. One reason of this course and purpose is implied in that illative (AIO) which knits this part with the former. And indeed a good frame of life hath a most necessary connection with a strong resolution for death, and assurance of life eternal; and they mutually cause one another. That a pious life gives strength against death, and hope of eternal life, none will deny nor is it less true, that that assurance ani, |