Thus does the Apostle Peter, in this his second epistle to the Jewish converts dispersed throughout the world, endeavour to "stir them up," by calling to their remembrance the truths he had inculcated, that so they might, after his removal from them, retain their steadfastness even to the end.

In conformity with these examples, I would, after ministering to you for half a century, point out,

First, what, in conformity with St. Peter's example, I have, from the beginning, laboured to instil into your minds.

I might here, in the review of my whole ministerial life, adopt the words which St. Paul used at the close of his career: "Having obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come; that Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people (the Jewish people) and to the Gentiles." Yes, I can appeal to all who have ever known me, that to proclaim a suffering and triumphant Messiah, as revealed to us by Moses and the prophets, has been the one object of my life, without any variation as arising from the persons addressed," whether small or great," and without ever turning aside after novelties, or fond conceits, or matters of doubtful disputation. From the beginning, "I determined," like that blessed Apostle, "to know nothing amongst you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified."

But I will draw your attention rather to St. Peter's conduct, and to his expressions as contained in the foregoing context. He says, "I will endeavour that you may be able, after my decease, to have these things always in remembrance."

What "these things" were which he here refers to, I will endeavour to explain. He addresses himself

d 2 Pet. iii. 17. with the text.

e This was a Jubilee Sermon, preached on that special occasion. f Acts xxvi. 22, 23.

to those who had obtained like precious faith with him, through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:" and he calls upon them to "add to their faith, virtue," and a whole series of other graces suited to the Christian character ". These were the things which their profession of Christianity indispensably required, and which alone could justify any pretensions to the knowledge of Christ, or give them a hope of acceptance in the eternal world".

Now, my brethren, these are the things which I also, according to the grace given to me, have inculcated, from the first moment that I came amongst you. And these are the things which I am anxious that "you should bear always in remembrance after my decease." I am aware that you, my stated hearers, both "know these things, and are, for the most part, established in the truths that have been set before you." But I know also what danger there is of your forgetting them, when he, who has so long declared them unto you, is removed to a better world. You cannot but recollect, that the whole people of Israel, within the short space of forty days after that Moses had absented himself from them, turned away from Jehovah to worship the golden calf and that "King Joash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, no longer than whilst he was under the eye, and the instruction, of Jehoiada the priest." What then can I expect, but that many of you will let slip the things which you have heard'," and "turn aside from the holy commandments delivered to youm ?" Excuse me, therefore, if I lay hold on this present opportunity to bring to your remembrance what you have so often heard delivered to you with all plainness and fidelity.

If it be asked why Peter adopted this course towards his Jewish converts, and why I endeavour to follow his example, I will proceed to shew you,

Secondly, Why he was, as I myself also am, anxious that you should "have these things always in remembrance."

Amongst the numberless reasons that might be assigned, I shall content myself with stating the three following:

First, I would impress these things on your minds, because on your remembrance of them depends the everlasting welfare of your souls.

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation of all your hopes. You all know that you are sinners, and that, as sinners, you are under a sentence of condemnation. And how shall that sentence be reversed? Need you be told, that you can never, by any works of your own, purchase the remission of your sins? You know you cannot. You know, that even your best actions are very imperfect, and incapable of claiming for you any recompence, if tried by the test of God's holy law: so that for them, no less than for any fouler transgressions, you need forgiveness at the hands of God. Hence, I trust, you are ready to say with St. Paul," I desire to be found in Christ, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is of the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith"."

At the same time, you know the necessity of universal holiness in order to prove and attest the sincerity of your faith. I bless God, there is not amongst you all, so far as I know, even one single individual, that leans to Antinomian licentiousness, or that has any conceit that his faith can avail for his salvation, unless it "work by love," and "purify the heart"."

Yes, I am happy to say, that " ye know these things, and are, for the most part, established in them." But is there no danger of your declining from them, when the tongue that now inculcates them shall be silent in the grave? Even in the

n Phil. iii. 9.

。 Gal. v. 6.

P Acts xv. 9.

midst of all endeavours to keep you in the “ good old way," have you never seen any "turned from the simplicity that is in Christ?" Alas! alas! even in the apostolic Churches such declensions were common: we must not wonder, therefore, if, amongst ourselves, some be drawn aside by Satan', to "make shipwreck of their faith, and of a good conscience"." But what must be the result of such instability? The Apostle tells us, that "if any man draw back, my soul," says God," shall have no pleasure in him.” Yes, beyond a possibility of doubt, every such person, whoever he be, and whatever he may imagine, "draws back unto perdition';" and his last end is worse than his beginning"."

And shall it be thus with any of you, my brethren? God forbid. I tremble at the thought of it, and will endeavour, as far as in me lies, to prevent so awful an issue to my present ministrations. Let me tell you again and again, (for "to speak the same things to you, to me is not grievous, but for you it is safe;") let me tell you, I say, that "there is no other foundation for any sinner in the universe to build upon, but that which God himself has laid in Zion, which is Jesus Christ"." And let me further declare, that "it is not a dead faith that shall save you, but one which is productive of good works";" and that "without holiness, real, universal holiness, no man shall see the Lord"."

Next, the Apostle laboured to impress these things on their minds, because he knew that his opportunities for reminding them of them were coming to an end.

The Lord Jesus Christ had told him many years before, that, when he should be old, he should be bound, and crucified by his enemies'. And the time for this catastrophe was now near at hand: yet with such sweet composure did the Apostle contemplate this tremendous death, that he spake of it only as

92 Cor. xi. 3.

t Heb. x. 38, 39.
y 1 Cor. iii. 11.
b John xxi. 18, 19.

1 Tim. v. 15.

u 2 Pet. ii. 20.

z Jam. ii. 14, 20, 26.

s 1 Tim. i. 19. x Phil. iii. 1.

a Heb. xii. 14.

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the taking down of a tent or tabernacle, to rear it again in a better place: but, as it would put a termination to his earthly career, he was anxious to improve his few remaining hours in fixing these things upon their minds, in order " that they might have them in remembrance after his decease." And though I have no reason to expect such an end, yet it cannot now be long before I must be called to 'put off this my tabernacle," and to cease from the work in which I have been engaged these fifty years. I do indeed bless God, that I have one to succeed me in part who shall carry on the work to far greater advantage than I have ever been able to do: but yet, who shall occupy the more ostensible post of your stated minister, God alone knows; and whether he shall maintain amongst you the same doctrine of justification by faith, and hold up before you the same high standard of practical piety, none but God can tell but this I know, that no doctrine but that of a crucified Saviour, can ever avail for your salvation; and that no measure of holiness, less than that of an entire devotedness of heart and life to God, can ever justify a hope of an interest in Christ. And, whether all this be inculcated on you or not, who can tell whether you shall retain the experience of it in your souls? I look at the Seven Churches of Asia, and see how they were fallen, even whilst the Apostle John yet remained to instruct and warn them. And in what state are they now? Or see, if you will, places in our own land, where once a faithful ministry was established, and to what a state are they now reduced! A Sibbs, and a Preston, once ministered in this place; but how little of their mind and spirit was transmitted to later generations, the records of this parish even in my own time, most fully testify. Whilst then God is pleased to continue me amongst you, "I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present The Master of Catharine Hall, in 1626. d The Master of Emmanuel, in 1622.