A Prayer before Sermon. GR RANT, O Lord, that all those who dedicate themselves to the Service of thy "Altar, may be inwardly moved by thy Holy Spirit to take upon them that facred Minif"tration; that their Confciences may teftify to "them, that having engaged in this holy Call"ing, their chief Design is to serve and pro"mote thy Glory, and edify thy People. Grant "that we may neither be led by Ambition nor "Covetoufness; that neither the Honors, nor "the Revenues that are annexed to our Profef fion, may have any Competition in our "Minds with a mighty Zeal for thy Glory, and a Defire to promote the Salvation of Souls. "To this End, O Lord, grant that we may "make thy holy Writ the chief Subject of all our Studies; that we may from thence in"ftruct thy People committed to our Charge, " and filence Gainfayers; that we may faithful ly and diligently administer thy holy Sacra"ments; that we may labor in Seafon and out "of Season, by private and publick Admoniti "ons "ons and Exhortations; that we may maintain "Peace and Love among all Chriftians, and frame ourselves and all our Difcourfes accord ing to the Precepts and Doctrines of thy ho"ly Gospel. Finally, O GOD, we beseech Thee "fend down upon our Bishops and Clergy, and "all Congregations of Chriftian People, the "healthful Spirit of thy Grace; and that they may truly please Thee, pour upon them the continual Dew of thy Bleffing. Grant this, O Lord, for the Honor of our Advocate and "Mediator Jefus Christ". Our Father &c. F2 ISAIAH. ** ** ISAIAH lxii. 6. 7. I have fet Watchmen upon thy Walls, O Jerufalem, which shall never hold their Peace Day nor Night: Ye that make Mention of the Lord, keep not Silence, and give him no Reft, till he eftablish, and till he make Jerufalem a Praife in the Earth. BEA EAUTIFUL indeed is the Address of the Evangelical Prophet in these Words; First, to the Church; and then, to the Ministers of the Church. To the Church he is communicating glad Tidings; "I have fet Watchmen upon thy Walls, O Jerufalem, which shall never hold their Peace Day nor Night": To the Minifters of the Church; "Ye that make Mention of the Lord, keep not Silence, and give him no Reft, till he establish, and till he make Jerufalem a Praise in the Earth". Earth". As if he had faid; "O my People and Nation, of which Jerufalem is my pleasant Dwelling-Place, I have raised up, and fet over you, Pastors and Magiftrates clothed with Righteousness; Men, who will above all Things be careful to promote the Interest and Happiness of my People; Men, who will never hold their Peace; but by Day will be inftructing, exhorting, and warning; by Night interceding, and offering up Prayers and Supplications for the World in general; for the People committed to their Care in particular. Yes, O ye Priests, that make Mention of the Lord; ye Ambassadors of GOD; ye Meffengers of the Lord of Hofts, keep not Silence; cry aloud and spare not; give Almighty no Reft, Eafe, or Peace, by your Prayers and Entreaties, till he establish, and till he make Jerufalem, his Church, a Name, and a Praife, and a Glory, throughout the whole Earth". I have chofen thefe Words for a Text, because it is our Design to speak chiefly upon the Office and Duty of a Clergyman; not aiming hereby to depreciate any of our Brethren in Of |