AN ADDRESS TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE COLONIES, ESTABLISHED IN NEW SOUTH WALES AND NORFOLK ISLAND. 

 BY

 THE REV. RICHARD JOHNSON, A. B. CHAPLAIN TO THE COLONIES

WRITTEN IN THE YEAR 1792

PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR

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 TO ALL INHABITANTS, AND ESPECIALLY TO THE UNHAPPY PRISONERS AND CONVICTS ESTABLISHED AT PORT JACKSON AND NORFOLK ISLAND, THIS AFFECTIONATE ADDRESS IS DEDICATED AND PRESENTED, BY THEIR VERY SINCERE AND SYMPATHIZING FRIEND, AND FAITHFUL SERVANT, IN THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, RICHARD JOHNSON. 

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 TO THE BRITISH AND OTHER EUROPEAN INHABITANTS OF NEW SOUTH WALES AND NORFOLK ISLAND. 

My Beloved, I do not think it necessary to make an apology for putting this Addressinto your hands; or to enter into a long detail of the reasons whichinduced me to write it. 

One reason may suffice. I find I cannot express my regard for you, sooften, or so fully, as I wish, in any other way. 

On our first arrival in this distant part of the world, and for some timeafterwards, our numbers were comparatively small; and while they residednearly upon one spot, I could not only preach to them on the Lord's day, but also converse with them, and admonish them, more privately. 

But since that period, we have gradually increased in number every year(notwithstanding the great mortality we have sometimes known) by themultitudes that have been sent hither after us. The colony already beginsto spread, and will probably spread more and more every year, both by newsettlements formed in different places under the crown, and by a number ofindividuals continually becoming settlers. Thus the extent of what I callmy parish, and consequently of my parochial duty, is enlarging daily. Onthe other hand, my health is not so good, nor my constitution so strong, as formerly. And therefore I feel it impracticable, and impossible for me, either to preach, or to converse with you so freely, as my inclination andaffection would prompt me to do. 

I have therefore thought it might be proper for me, and I hope it mayprove useful to you, to write such an Address as I now present you with. Itransmitted a copy of it to my friends in England with a request, that ifthey approved of it, a sufficient number might be printed, and sent to me. Thus I am now able to leave with you a testimony of my affection for you, and of my sincere and heart-felt concern, for your BEST, because yourETERNAL, welfare. My times are in the hand of God. He, and He only, knowshow long I may live, or how long my present connection with you, maycontinue. I trust, however, that so long as the all-wise Disposer of allevents shall be pleased to spare my life, and strength; and governmentshall deem my services in this remote land, necessary, it will still be, as it has hitherto been, my most ardent desire, my uniform endeavour, andmy greatest pleasure, to promote your happiness. And when recalled to mynative country, or removed by my God to my eternal home, to receive thatcrown of righteousness, which I humbly trust is laid upon me, by readingand carefully perusing the following pages, I hope you will be convinced, and reminded how sincerely you were pitied, and how dearly beloved by

Richard Johnson. Port Jackson, Oct. 30. 1792. 

At this date, exclusive of those who died or were born on the voyagefrom England:

 Baptisms. . . . . 226 Marriages. . . . 220 Burials. . . . . . 854

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ADVERTISEMENT. 

The author hopes that all well-disposed persons will excuse theimperfections they may meet in this Address. It is the first time of hisappearance in print, and may be the last. Nor would he have attempted itnow, were it not for the very peculiar situation he is in, and the hope heentertains, that his feeble, but he trusts, sincere, attempt, may, by theblessing of God, be made useful to those unhappy persons, with whom he isso nearly connected, and for whose salvation and happiness he is so deeplyconcerned. 

And he returns his most sincere and hearty thanks to true Christians ofevery denomination, for their kind remembrance of him at the throne ofgrace. He still hopes, because he still needs, a continuance of theirfervent prayers to God for him, that he may be indued with those gifts, and with that wisdom, zeal, and faithfulness which are so needful todirect, support, and strengthen him--and may be favoured with moremanifold and abundant success in that arduous, trying, yet honourable, andat times he can say, pleasant and delightful work, in which he is engaged. 

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ADDRESS, &c. 

PART I. 

I Beseech you, brethren, suffer this word of exhortation. Your soulsare precious. They are precious in the sight of God. They are preciousto the Lord Jesus Christ. They are precious in my esteem. Oh that youyourselves were equally sensible of their value. 

We have now been here almost five years. During this time, I trust, Ihave been faithful in the discharge of my duty, faithful to my God, mycountry, my conscience, and to your immortal souls. 

I would, nay I do, humbly hope, that my labours have not beenwholly in vain. Some of you, I trust, have been convinced of yourfolly, sin and danger; you have earnestly sought, and happily foundmercy with God through a Mediator. You can now approach him as a Godreconciled, a merciful Father and Friend, and are evidencing thereality of you conversion, by an upright life and conversation. 

But I must express my fear, that those of you, who are thus convincedof sin, and converted to God, and reformed from your evil courses, arecomparatively very few. It is too evident, that the far greater part ofyou discover no concern for religion. The Great God, the Lord JesusChrist, the Holy Spirit, death, judgment, eternity, heaven andhell, --these are subjects which seldom, if at all, engage your attention;and therefore you spend days, weeks, months and years, in a profane andcareless manner, though you are repeatedly informed and remindedin the most plain, faithful, and alarming language I can use, that the wages of sin, without repentance, is death, [Rom. Vi. 23. ] thecurse of God, and the eternal ruin and damnation of your souls!

Oh, I intreat you, brethren, to consider what is contained in these twowords, SALVATION and DAMNATION! The one implies every thing thatan immortal soul can want or desire to make it happy. The otherincludes an idea, the most gloomy and dreadful that can be conceived. The former will be the admiration of angels, and the song and joy ofthe redeemed; the latter will be the torment of devils, and of allimpenitent sinners, for ever and ever [1 Pet. I. 12. ; Rev. Vii. 9-17. ;Rev. Xiv. 11. ]. 

Remember likewise, that ere long, either this endless inconceivablehappiness, or unutterable misery will be your portion, or yourdoom, and mine. Our glass of life is running away apace. Our time isfast hastening to a period. Death is making sure and speedy stridestowards us daily, judgment is at hand, and the judge himself is at thedoor. And oh! consider, when the breath we now draw shall depart, thetender thread of life be cut, our state will be unalterably and forever fixed; either to live with God, with angels, and glorified saints, in heaven; or to dwell with devils, in the darkness and torments ofhell. 

On these accounts your souls are, as I have already observed, veryprecious, not only in the sight of God, but also to me. My brethren, God is my record, how greatly I long after you all, in the bowels ofJesus Christ. [Phil. I. 8. ] Next to the salvation of own foul, nothing inthis world lies so near my heart, as the conversion and salvation of myfellow creatures; and especially of you, over whom I am appointed moreimmediately to watch, as one who must give an account [Heb. Xiii. 17. ]. 

And oh, my friends, if this affectionate, though plain address, shouldanswer my ardent wishes and prayers, if it should prove the happymeans of converting even one soul to God, I should indeed rejoice, asone that findeth great spoil [Ps. Cxix. 162. ]. For once, at least, endeavour to lift up your hearts with me in prayer to Almighty God, thebountiful giver of all grace. He only can make this or any other meanseffectual; and should it please Him of his abounding mercy to make asaving impression upon your hearts, you will reap the happy fruits of itin life, at death, and to eternity. Oh that the gracious spirit of theLord may open the eyes and the ears of all who may read or hear what I amwriting. May they who are asleep, awake! May they who are spirituallydead, be made alive!

May backsliders from God be reclaimed! May every one be stirredup to consider, What will become of him in another world! For whoamongst us can dwell with everlasting burnings? [Isa. Xxxiii. 14. ] Yetsuch MUST be our lot, unless we repent. May the Lord God give, to each ofyou, repentance unto life, that you may be holy in this world, and happyin that which is to come!

My brethren, I trust I can say in truth, and with a sincere conscience, That I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. [Rom. I. 16. ] It is aknowledge, and I hope an inward experience of this precious gospel, thatbears up my spirits when I am ready to sink as in deep waters, and when Iam almost overwhelmed by the many heavy and daily trials, crosses, difficulties and disappointments, that I meet with in this, alas! mostuncomfortable situation. An acquaintance with this gospel, an experienceof its truth and power, sweetens every bitter, makes my crosses comforts, and my losses gains. It is by this knowledge that I am enabled to bear thecross of Christ, not only with some degree of patience and resignation, but at some seasons, with consolation and joy; while I at one time reflecton what our dear Lord and Saviour endured for me, and at anotheranticipate the unspeakable honour and pleasure, which, through grace, I hope ere long to enjoy at his right hand for evermore. And toendeavour to bring you, my dear friends, to a saving knowledge of whatis contained in this gospel, is not only my duty and inclination as aminister, but also my earnest desire and pleasure, and that which Ilong for more than for any other thing that can be named. [Rom. X. 1. ]

I have often explained to you, according to my sentiments, what iscontained in the gospel. But as I fear, and am indeed well aware, thatmany of you, after all you have heard, still remain ignorant, Iwill now tell you again briefly and plainly, what my views of thegospel are; that by putting this book into your hands, you may, if youplease, more carefully and attentively examine and search foryourselves, whether what I lay before you be agreeable to the holyscriptures, or otherwise; and consequently, whether you ought tobelieve, or to reject it. 

The gospel, I conceive, in its most extensive sense, comprehends thewhole revealed will of God, recorded in the holy scriptures of the Oldand New Testament [Tim. Iii. 16. ]. 

This sacred book, which we call the Bible, describes the original stateof man, as a state of perfect purity and innocence. He was made in theimage of God. He was made upright [Gen. I. 26, 27. ; Eccles. Vii. 29. ]. His understanding, will, his affections and conscience, hisbody and soul, were free from defilement, guilt, or guile, andwhile he continued so, he was not liable to pain, misery, or death. 

But man did not continue in this state. Our first parents disobeyedtheir Maker. By sinning against God they lost their originalrighteousness, and became earthly, sensual, devilish. Such are all hisposterity: for who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Man isnow the very reverse of what he was when first created. Hisunderstanding [2 Cor. Iv. 5; Ephes. Iv. 18. ; Titus i. 15. ; rom. Viii. 7. ]is darkened, yea darkness itself; his will, his carnal mind, is enmity against God; his conscience is defiled; his affections, nolonger fixed upon God his Creator and Benefactor, are engrossed by thevain and perishing things of this world; by sin his body is becomemortal. Subject to pain, disease, and death [Rom. V. 12. ]; and his soul isexposed to the displeasure of God, and to the curse annexed to thetransgressions of his holy law. All this misery is implied in that awfulthreatening, In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surelydie[Gen. Ii. 17. ]. 

And is not this threatening, at least in part, already put intoexecution? Whence is there so much ignorance and contempt of God? Whydo mankind so eagerly, so universally pursue the vain pleasures andfollies of the world, while they seldom think of God their Maker? Fromwhence proceed the infidelity, blasphemy, lying, theft, sabbath-breaking, slandering and the many horrid evils, which everywhere abound? Whence is it that so many in this colony, labour undersuch sore and complicated disorders, pains, and miseries? Why are somany, both young and old, taken away by death? And why is it thatothers who see all those things, do not take warning by them, toprepare for their own latter end? Brethren, all these are so manyundeniable proofs and evidences of what I have said; namely, that weare fallen and guilty creatures. These are the effects of Adam'ssin and disobedience. The certain consequences of which would havebeen unavoidable and endless misery, both of soul and body, tohimself and all his posterity, had not some means been provided, someway laid open, for his and their recovery. 

But, blessed be God, a door of hope is opened by the gospel formiserable sinners! A gracious promise was given early, even to ourfirst parents, immediately after their fall. The seed of the womanshall break the serpent's head [Gen. Iii. 15. ]. This promised seed is theLord Jesus Christ, who, in due time, was to appear in the world, to beborn of a woman, that by his life, sufferings, and obedience unto death, he might recover fallen man from the misery and ruin in which he wasinvolved. Brethren, this gospel which, as the ministers and ambassadors ofGod, we are commissioned and commanded to preach to sinners, proposes afree and gracious pardon to the guilty, cleansing to the polluted, healingto the sick, happiness to the miserable, light for those who sit indarkness, strength for the weak, food for the hungry, and even life forthe dead [Gal. Iv. 4, 5. ; Gal. Iii. 13. ; I John i. 7. ; Matt. Xi. 28. ;Matt. Xi. 5. ]. 

All these inestimable blessings are the fruits and effects of the deathand mediation of Jesus Christ. His great design in coming into theworld was to seek and to save those who are lost[Luke xviii. 10. ;I Tim. I. 15. ]; he came from heaven, that he might raise us to those holyand happy mansions; he endured the curse, that we might inherit theblessing; he bore the cross, that we might wear the crown; he died, thatwe might live; he died, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us toGod [1 Pet. Iii. 18. ]. 

These blessings become ours, only by believing, or faith. Thus it issaid, God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten SonFor what purpose? Why, That whosoever BELIEVETH in him should notperish, but have everlasting life [John iii. 16, 18. ], --he that believethin him is not condemned; he that believeth in him who juftifieth theungodly, his faith is counted to him for righteousness [Rom. Iv. 3, 6. ]. My friends, search the scriptures, and you will find that this is thetenor of the whole Bible; I may add of our church also, inthe Articles and Homilies. This believing is sometimes called a comingto Christ, a looking unto Christ, a trusting in him, a casting ourburden upon him [John vi. 37. ; Isa. Xlv. 22. ; Eph. I. 12. ; Ps. Lv. 22. ]. And remember, that until we do thus come to Christ, trust in him, cast our cares and burdens upon him, we have no part or interest inwhat the gospel unfolds and offers; however others, who havebelieved, and daily act faith upon him, are rejoicing in the participationof those rich benefits and blessings which the gospel freely offers toguilty and perishing sinners. 

The faith whereby a sinner receives Christ, and becomes a partaker ofall the blessings of the gospel, is the sole gift of God, wrought inthe heart by his Holy Spirit [Eph. Ii. 8. ]. This Holy Spirit produces aninward change in the soul, called, in the scripture, the new birth, regeneration [John iii. 3-7], or conversion, and thus enables a sinner, convinced of his sin and misery, to look to Jesus, and to believe on him. 

But though repentance and faith are the gifts of God, which none canobtain by any endeavours of their own, yet we are encouraged andcommanded to pray for them [Luke xi. 17. ]. 

All who have thus, through grace, believed, and are daily living alife of faith in the Son of God, shall be saved: but such ascarelessly neglect, or wilfully reject this gospel must be damned[ Mark xvi. 15. ]. Think, I beseech you, of this! Remember, that it is thesolemn declaration of the Lord Jesus Christ himself. 

Now is the time to obtain the blessings revealed in the gospel, andwhich are set before you when it is preached. Many have had thesegracious declarations made to them, before we were born, and theywill be repeated to many after we are dead. But THIS is our day. NOW isthe accepted time, now is the day of salvation [1 Cor vi. 2. ]. TO-DAY--foryou and I may not live to see to-morrow. TO-DAY; if you will hear hisvoice, harden not your hearts [Heb. Iii. 7, 8. ]. My brethren, it is yourduty, your wisdom, and will finally prove to be your greatest happiness, to seek an interest in this salvation for yourselves. It is your personal, and must be your heart concern, to make your calling and electionsure [2 Pet. I. 10. ]. 

For death will soon put a period to all the overtures of graceand mercy, with which many, and particularly YOU, are now favoured. It is as I have said, both my duty and my pleasure, to preach andproclaim these glad tidings. But to whom? Not to the dead, but to theliving; even to you [Acts xv. 22. ]. To you is the word of the salvationsent. But, alas! should you still put it from you, and should death atlast find you in an unprepared state, it will then be too late for you tobegin to cry for mercy [Eccl. Ix. 10. ]. 

A day is likewise coming, when our mortal bodies, which must shortlymoulder into dust, will be raised again from the dead. Whetherbelievers or unbelievers, whether saints or sinners, we must all appearbefore the judgment-seat of Christ [2 Cor. V. 10. ; Dan. 12. 2. ;Matt. Xxv. 21. ]. For the Lord Jesus will shortly appear in the clouds ofheaven, the last trumpet shall sound, the graves shall open, the seagive up her dead, and all who have lived upon earth, from the creationto the final consummation of time, will then be judged, and rewarded orpunished according to their works. Mark well St. John's representationof this solemn transaction, "I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God, and the books were opened, and another bookwas opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged out ofthose things which were written in the books, according to theirworks"[Rev. Xx. 12, 13. ]. Such are the declarations of scripturerespecting this awful season! Sinners, whatever you may now think of thesethings, or think or say of me, for declaring them to you, in this, plainand solemn manner, I must and will tell you, that there is not a profaneoath which you have uttered, nor a lie which you have told, nor a sabbathwhich you have broken, nor a single act of adultery, fornication, theft, or any wickedness of which you have been guilty; in aword, there is not an evil you have committed, nor a duty you haveomitted to perform, but what is noted down in the book of God'sremembrance, and will be produced against you in the day of judgment, unless you repent, and believe the gospel. You must then give anaccount how you improved the advantages now afforded you, for attendingto the things pertaining to your peace. If you do not improve them, theBible will condemn you, every faithful sermon you have heard willcondemn you, nay, every sermon which you might have heard, but wouldnot, because you despised and neglected the ordinances of publicworship, will condemn you: And alas! this address, by which I try towarn you, because I love you, and wish well to your souls; which youare now reading, or perhaps, about to throw aside with scorn, will thencondemn you. The admonitions, intreaties, prayers, and tears of godlyparents, the advice and reproofs of pious friends, the warning andexpostulations of faithful ministers, will all witness againstyou. My brethren, what shall I say? The law of God, the gospel, saints, sinners, angels, your own consciences, the Holy Spirit, theLord Jesus, the great Judge himself, will all witness against you, foryour contempt and neglect of that mercy and salvation, which are setbefore you in the gospel. 

Then all ungodly and impenitent sinners, being tried, cast, andcondemned, must hear that final terrible sentence pronounced upon them, Depart, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil andhis angels![Matt. Xxv. 41. ] And remember that those who have been yourassociates in wickedness here, will then be your companions in misery. This will, if possible, aggravate your torment. You and they will rue theday when you first met; and mutually charge the ruin of your souls uponeach other. Oh, think of this, and pray for grace to repent, before it betoo late!

At that solemn season, the righteous shall be publicly and fullyacquitted before the assembled world. The judge will say to them, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you, from the foundation of the world [Matt. Xxv. 34. ]. The holy angels willthen conduct them to the mansions of eternal bliss. Happy souls! They willthen have no more cause to weep and mourn, to fight and wrestle. They willno more be exercised with darkness or temptation; for sin, which is thecause of all their conflicts and sorrows, shall be done away; and Godtheir gracious Father, and everlasting Friend, shall wipe all tears fromtheir eyes [Rev. Vii. 17. ]. 

The righteous, however obscured and reproached upon earth, shall thenshine forth like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Theyare represented to us, as standing before the throne, clothed in whiterobes, with palm-branches (the emblems of victory) in their hands, andsinging to their harps their Redeemer's praise [Matt. Xiii. 43. ;Rev vii. 9, 10. ]. There they will join in company with Abraham, Isaac, andJacob, with the apostles, prophets, and martyrs, with their dear friendsand relatives, who died in the faith before them, and with the gloriousangels; and above all, (without which heaven itself would be no heavento them) they will enjoy the unclouded presence of their Lord andSaviour, who once suffered pain, and shame, and death for them. Theywill see him seated upon a throne of glory, and unite with all theheavenly host, in ascribing salvation, glory, and honour, and praiseto him who loved them, and washed them from their sins in his ownblood; and has made them kings and priests to God, and to the Lamb, forever and ever [Rev. V. 9. ]. 

For the joys of heaven, and the pains of hell will be eternal. Otherwise, indeed, neither the happiness nor the misery of a futurestate could be complete. It would damp the joys of the blessed, toapprehend that they must at length terminate. And the horrors of thedamned would be in a degree alleviated, if there was the most distantprospect that they would have a period. But the word of God assures us, that believers, after death, enter into life eternal, and that thepunishment of the wicked will be everlasting [Matt. Xxv. 46. ;Dan. Xii. 2. ; 2 Thes. I. 7-10. ]. 

I have now given you a summary of the great truths, which, as aminister of the gospel, I am commissioned and commanded to preach. And I can call God and your consciences to witness, that I have notshunned thus to declare to you the whole counsel of God [Acts xx. 27. ]. I have explained to you the meaning, and I have urged the importanceof these things over and over. I have pointed out to you, thewretched and dangerous condition of sinners, the necessity ofconversion or the new birth, the nature of this change, and by whatpower it is wrought, and the fruits and effects which such a changewill produce in a man's tempers, words and actions. I have also shewnyou the way, in which you MAY and must be saved, if you are saved atall. I have told you again and again, that Christ is the Way, thetruth, and the life, and that there is no coming to God with comfort, either in this world, or in that which is to come, but by him. He hastold you so himself [John xiv. 6. ; Acts iv. 12. ]. And the apostle assuresyou, that there is no other name under heaven, given unto men, wherebythey can be saved. Look unto him, and you shall be saved; if not, you mustbe damned. This is the plain truth, the express declaration of the Bible. Life and death are set before you [Deut. Xxx. 15. ]. 

Permit me then, as your minister, your friend, and a well-wisherto your souls, to press these serious and weighty considerations homeupon your consciences once more. I hope and believe that I haveaffected nothing, but what can be proved by the highest authority, the word of the living God. They certainly deserve your closest andmost careful attention, since it is plain beyond a doubt, that uponyour knowledge or ignorance, your acceptance or rejection of thisgospel, your everlasting happiness or misery must depend. 

Brethren, I do not ask you, what religious persuasion or denominationyou have espoused. I fear, that, if I may judge of your hearts byyour actions, too many are destitute of any sense of religion at all. But I do not address you as Churchmen or Dissenters, Roman Catholics orProtestants, as Jews or Gentiles; I suppose, yea, I know, that thereare persons of every denomination amongst you. But I speak to you asmen and women, as intelligent creatures, possessed of understandingand reason. I speak to you as mortals, and yet immortals; assinners, who have broken the laws of God, and are therefore obnoxiousto his displeasure. And my sole aim and desire is, to be instrumentalin turning you from darkness to light, from sin to holiness, from thepower of Satan to the service and favour of God [Acts xxvi. 18. ]. 

Seek then, I beseech you, above all things, an interest in theblessings of the gospel. Be assured it is a matter of much less moment, whether you are rich or poor, respected or despised in this world. Therich have their cares, fears, crosses, and vexations, no less than thepoor; but admitting that they could pass through life with greater easethan others, we all know that they cannot escape death. The great pointis, how we shall die? whether as believers or unbelievers, as saintsor sinners. One soul, according to our Lord's declaration, is ofmore value than the whole world [Mark viii. 36. ]. If you lose your soul, you lose all at once. You lose heaven and happiness for ever. Whatever, therefore, you do, or leave undone, for God's sake, and for your own sakes, neglect not for one day or hour longer, the vast concerns of another life. Delays are dangerous. Themore we have to risk or lose, the greater folly it would be accounted, to defer securing our property and goods, which we know to be indanger. What folly, therefore, what madness must it be, to put off withcareless indifference, the concernments of eternity; and to preferthe trifles of this transitory life to heaven, and the favour of God!Let the parable of the rich man, who pleased himself with the thoughtof having much good laid up for many years, be a warning toyou![Luke xii. 16-28. ] That very night his soul was required of him. Such persons may now deem themselves wise; but ere long they will besensible they were fools. 

It you consider what a valuable price was paid for our redemptions youmust be convinced that the soul of man is very precious in the sightof God, and that sin is not so light and small an evil, as many of youhave supposed. To disobey the commandments of the just and holy God, is, as far as in us lies, to renounce our allegiance to him, and ourdependence upon him, and to set up for ourselves, and even to joinwith the devil in open rebellion against our Maker. It is, in plainterms, to fly in his face, and to bid defiance to his almighty arm. Sinis such a horrid evil, that unless it is forgiven, and blotted out, bythe blood of Jesus, it will sink your souls lower than the center ofthe earth, even into the very depths of hell, never, never, never moreto rise [Mark ix. 44-48]. 

So heinous was sin, in the sight of God, that rather than permitit to pass unpunished, he would punish it in the person of his own, hisonly, his well-beloved Son, who was made sin, that is, treated as asinner deserved to be treated, for us. He was delivered up into thehands of wicked men, and crucified, that by his suffering and death, hemight make atonement for our sins, and procure an honourable and happyreconciliation, between a righteous God, and offendingsinners [2 Cor. V. 18-20]. I beseech you, therefore, to prize and to studythis gospel, that you may obtain a growing experience of its benefits. Praise God for such a Saviour, and such a salvation as he has provided. Adore him, for that infinite wisdom, and boundless mercy which he hasdisplayed in the redemption of fallen man and never rest, nor besatisfied, till you have good and scriptural reason to hope, that thisSaviour is yours, with all the blessings he is exalted to bestowwithout money and without price. 

Our food, my brethren, then only can nourish us, when it iseaten and digested. Medicines can only profit us, by being applied andtaken. It is exactly thus with the gospel. We may hear, and talk ofthese things, but so long as they remain matters of speculation, and donot enter into our hearts, into the very vitals of our souls, (if I mayso speak) we cannot be the better for them. Christ is the bread oflife. His flesh is meat indeed, and his blood is drink indeed! Butunless we ourselves do SPIRITUALLY eat the flesh and drink the blood ofthe Son of man (for our Lord speaks of food for the soul, not for thebody) we have no life in us [John vi. 52-58. ]. 

Moses, by the express command of God, erected a brazen serpent upon apole, in the view of the camp of Israel [Numb. Xxi. 9. ]. Such of thepeople as were stung by the fiery serpents, were directed and commanded tolook up to the brazen serpent. They who did so were healed. But if anyresisted, they were sure to die. For no other means or physicians couldrelieve them. In like manner Christ Jesus our Saviour, once lifted up onthe cross, is exhibited in the preaching of the gospel. Sinners, who arewounded and diseased by sin, are directed, exhorted, encouraged, andcommanded to look up to him [John iii. 14, 15. ]. And they who arepersuaded so to do, are infallibly cured of all those spiritual maladies, under which they have long and sorely laboured. But all, who despise andreject this sovereign remedy of God's gracious appointment, either by atotal indifference to religion, or by expecting salvation in any otherway, will be left, and that most deservedly, to perish in their wilfulobstinacy and unbelief [John iii, 36. ]. 

PART II

In the former part of this address, I have already laid before you, inthe plainest manner I was able, my views of the gospel of Christ. Andas an experimental knowledge of this gospel is so very important, Ihave endeavoured to press that importance upon your consciences. Whether you have paid that attention to the subject, which it deservesand requires, yourselves best know. I can only say, that if I did notknow it to be of great weight, I should not either speak or write of itwith so much earnestness. But being persuaded and assured, by theexpress testimony of the holy scriptures, that these things are true;and truths, the knowledge of which is essential to your presentand future happiness, I must be plain and faithful in declaring them. I ought to be very indifferent what men of depraved morals, and corruptprinciples may say, or think of me, if I have the witness of a goodconscience, and the approbation of the God whom I serve. My concernis for YOUR welfare and salvation; for I am certain, as I have told youbefore, and now tell you again, that unless the gospel is made thepower of God to your souls, you must be miserable in time, and toeternity. 

I propose now to give you some advices, to assist you in understandingthe gospel for yourselves, which if you observe, I trust, you willattain to the possession of those principles, and walk by those rules, which will both afford you present peace, and secure your futurehappiness. For godliness has promises pertaining to the life that nowis, and to that which is to come. 

Let me then exhort you to attend seriously to what you are tobelieve; and to what you are to do. These two points include the sumand substance of the gospel, the whole of the christian life, and maybe comprised in two words, FAITH and PRACTICE. 

I. You must learn from the word of God, what you are to believe. Truefaith is the root and foundation of all real religion. Without thisinward principle, nothing that we have done, or can do, will beacceptable to God [Heb. Xi. 6. ]. I have briefly informed you what you areto believe--That you are sinners, that Jesus Christ is an all-sufficientand willing Saviour--and that the word of God both warrants and commandsyou to look to him for salvation. This looking unto Jesus, is what weparticularly mean by faith or believing. When we cordially and entirelyrely upon him, upon the invitation of the promises of God, forpardon, peace, and eternal life, then we believe. 

All who thus believe, through grace, are required and commanded to becareful of maintaining good works [Titus. Iii. 8. ]. As our moral, and whatare often called, our virtuous actions, are to be tried by our religiousprinciples; it is equally true, that our religious principles or atleast the proof that they are indeed OUR principles, must be evidencedby our moral conduct. These two are so inseparably connected, that youmay depend upon it, where one of them is wanting, what bears the nameof the other, is no better than pretended. If what we profess tobelieve does not make us humble, honest, chaste, patient, and thankful, and regulate our tempers and behaviour, whatever good opinion wemay form of our notions or state, we are but deceiving ourselves. Thetree is known by its fruits [James. Ii. 17, 18. ; Matt. Vii. 20. ]. In thisway true believers are equally distinguished from profane sinners, andfrom specious hypocrites. The change in their hearts always produces achange in their whole deportment. Sin, which was once their delight, isnow the object of their hatred. It was once necessary as their food, butnow they avoid it as poison. They war, watch, and pray against it. Andtheir delight is to study the revealed will of God. 

By these tests you may judge of your true state before God. Surely youcannot suppose that your inward state is GOOD, while your outwardconduct is BAD. Hence you may be assured that no unclean person, orprofane swearer, no one who lives in direct opposition to the commandsof God, can be, while he continues in this course, a true christian. Such a supposition would be no less absurd, than it would be tosuppose, that a man is a good and peaceable subject, though he lives inopen rebellion against the king. You may as well conceive of aholy devil, as of an unholy christian. 

I hope you will not mistake me. I do not mean that true christians arewithout sin. But I affirm, that no true christian can live in anhabitual course of sin. No, sin is their grief, their burden[1 John. Iii. 8, 9. ; Rom. Vii. 23, 24. ]; and when through temptation, orunwatchfulness, they are drawn aside, like the dove sent out of the ark, they can find no rest, till by hearty repentance, and true faith, theyobtain a new sense of forgiveness. 

I now proceed to offer you some directions, with which if you comply, Itrust, that by the blessing of God, you will enjoy peace in your souls, and be enabled to regulate your conduct and conversation, as becomeththe gospel of Christ. 

Read and study the scriptures. This was our Lord's direction to theJews. Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye haveeternal life, and they testify of me [John v. 37; Acts xvii. 11. ]. TheBereans were commended for their attention and diligence in this respect. They received the word with all readiness of mind, not with a blind andimplicit faith in what they heard, even from an apostle, but they searchedthe scriptures daily, to know whether what he taught them was agreeable tothe word of God. 

The Bible is our only sure and infallible guide. It was given byinspiration of God. All other books, however good and useful, are butof human composition, and are therefore not perfect. [2 Tim. 8-16. ; Isa. Viii. 20. ]

This sacred book, as I have already observed to you, contains all thatis needful to make us wise unto salvation. It informs us of ouroriginal, how pure and innocent; and our present condition, howguilty, polluted and miserable! and the happiness or misery whichawaits us in a future state. From this book we may learn, the malignityof sin, the holiness, spirituality, extent, and sanction of the law ofGod; and consequently, the just and certain condemnation due to ourdisobedience. It shews us, likewise, the way of our recovery. Howperfectly the mediation of Christ is suited to vindicate the honour ofthe law, and to display the justice of God, in harmony with his mercy, and thereby to give peace to the consciences of convinced sinners. 

I intreat you, therefore, to read the word of God carefully. Many ofyou have had Bibles or New Testaments given to you, and others mighthave them, if they had but an inclination to read. 

Some of you will perhaps object, and say, as you have already said tome, We cannot read. Others, We have no time given us. If youcannot read yourselves, you might prevail on some of your comrades toread to you*. As to your having no time, I much question it. Rather youhave no inclination. Too many of you can find time to jest, to talkobscenely or profanely, to read and sing idle songs; why might notsome, or rather the whole of this time be employed in reading, orhearing the Bible? You might find time, if you could find a will. Butremember, that such excuses as you now make, will stand you in no steadwhen you appear before God in judgment. There are few, if any of you, but might have opportunity of attending to these things, if youwere but willing. 

[*Footnote: Two or three hours thus spent on the Lord's day, ininstructing each other to read, would be a very commendable employment. I have often expressed my longing desire that such a plan was set onfoot among you. And if there could be a convenient building created forthis purpose, I should think myself happy, not only to furnish you withbooks, as far as I am able, but also personally to attend and assistyou, as much as my immediate calls of duty would permit. ]

II. Observe and reverence the sabbath, or Lord's day. Remember thesabbath-day, to keep it holy [Exod. Xx. 8. ], is a solemn and positivecommand of God. To live in the neglect of this commandment, is absolutelyto despise God, and to defy him, as it were to his face. Consider, myfriends, you have orders frequently given you here, by your superiors, which you know you must obey, or you know the consequences ofdisobedience--judge then for yourselves, what have those persons toexpect, who, in defiance of the authority of the great God, presume toneglect and profane the day which he has so expressly enjoined to be keptholy?

It gives me a deep and continual concern to observe how the Lord's-dayis spent by many of you. What would a stranger think, whoregards the sabbath, if he visited every part of this colony on theLord's day? Ah! my brethren, I have seen and heard enough (alas! muchmore than enough) to form my own judgment on this subject. If my dutydid not require my attendance on the public worship, and were I tovisit your different places and huts, I fear I should find some of youspending the hours appointed for divine service in cultivating yourgardens and grounds, others indulging themselves in mere sloth andidleness, others engaged in the most profane and unclean conversation, and others committing abominations, which it would defile my pen todescribe. Now what must be the end of these courses? God says, Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy. But the language, both of yourhearts and actions, is, "We will not keep it holy. It is a day given usfor ourselves; and we wish, and we are resolved to spend it as weplease. We do not chuse to be confined, or compelled to hear so muchpreaching and praying. " Is not this the language of your hearts?Your conduct too plainly proves it: but, my brethren, let me reasonand expostulate a little with you upon this head. 

Consider, what have been the consequences to many who have thus brokenGod's commands. I have known, and you likewise have known, those whohave been brought to an untimely and disgraceful end, and who havedated their ruin from this one evil, the profanation of the Lord's day. Instead of spending it in the manner which he has enjoined, they keptbad and profligate company. By this practice, all serious impressions(if they formerly had any) have been driven from their minds. Theirhearts have become more and more hardened and insensible; till atlength, lost to all prudent reflection, they have regarded neither thetender solicitations and tears of parents, relations, and friends, the faithful warnings of ministers, nor the checks and rebukes of theirown consciences. And what has been the event? I need not tellyou, that having given way to their own wicked wills, the advice andexample of their ungodly companions, and the temptations of the devil(for, be assured, that he is always at the bottom of these mischiefs)they have, at length, committed some act of depredation and villainy, which has brought them to an untimely grave. 

Such, brethren, have been the free and ingenuous confessions of many ofthose unhappy people who have suffered death. And if you were tospeak the sentiments of your hearts, I doubt not, but many of you, whoby the mercy of God are yet living, would make the like acknowledgment;that breaking the sabbath was the first step towards bringing youinto that pitiable situation, in which you either have been, or stillare suffering. And will you still persevere in the road of misery?Will you still prefer the chains of your own depraved inclinations, tothe service of God, which is perfect freedom? According to theJewish law, a man was stoned to death, for gathering sticks on thesabbath day [Numb. Xv. 32-36. ], whereas you are doing a number of thingson the Lord's day, which might as well be done before, or left undone tillafterwards. But such is the long-suffering of the Lord, that thoughothers have been cut off, you are spared to this hour. May his goodnesslead you to repentance! Or otherwise, light as these things may appearto you now, and though you may plead a necessity for what you do, Itell you again, as I have often told you before, that a day is comingwhen God will call you to a strict account. 

Besides, If you would reasonably hope for the blessing of God tosucceed your labours, it is certainly your interest, as well as yourduty to obey his commands. And this in particular, Keep the sabbath dayholy. If, in direct opposition to this plain, precept, you willwork and labour, as on other days, what ground can you have to expectthat God will bless and prosper your undertakings? You have muchgreater cause to fear that his curse will follow you in your affairs, and blast and disappoint all your wishes and prospects. 

Let then the misconduct and fatal ends of others, and the calamitiesand troubles that you have brought upon yourselves--Let the graciouspromises of God, on the one hand, and his awful threatenings on theother, induce you, in future, to remember the sabbath day, to keep itholy!

And let me offer you a few plain directions, as to the observance andimprovement of the sabbath:

Begin the day with prayer; and for this purpose seek some place ofretirement, if you find it impracticable to meditate or pray, from theinterruptions you are exposed to in your dwellings*, from thosewho ridicule and scoff at every appearance of religion. Retire fromthem, and pray to him who seeth in secret; and praise him for the manymercies you have received. Consider with yourself, how little you haveimproved them. Humble yourselves before God, under a sense of your sinsand imperfections, and pray for pardon and repentance. Intreat him, toenable you to watch over your hearts, words, and actions, throughoutthe day, and that you may not be hindered or hurt by the snares andtemptations around you. Intreat God to assist your minister, and toaccompany what you may hear from him, with a blessing to your soul, andto all who shall be present with you. 

[*Footnote: Many complaints have been made to me on this head. ]

If you have families, you should call them together, and pray withthem, and for them. There are many promises made to worshipingfamilies, and to those who, like Abraham, endeavour to teachtheir children and household to know and serve the Lord. [Gen. Xviii. 19. ; Prov. Iii. 33. ] And the neglect of this is one reason, why many families live uncomfortably. They live without prayer, andtherefore without peace. 

Having thus endeavoured to impress your minds with serious thoughts, insecret or at home; attend constantly upon the public worship, and therepay a close attention to every part of the service. Remember that theeye of God is particularly upon you there. He has promised to be withtwo or three that meet together to call upon his name [Matt. Xviii. 20. ;John iv. 24]. He is to be worshipped in spirit and in truth; and whetherthey assemble in a church, or in the open air, he can give them cause tosay with Jacob, This place is surely the house of God, and the gate ofHeaven [Gen. Xxviii. 17. ]. Attend the public worship again in theafternoon, with your hearts lifted up to God, that you may not hear invain; and accustom yourself in the evening to recollect what you haveheard, concerning the miseries which sin has brought into the world, thelove of God in sending his own Son to redeem sinners from those miseries;the sufferings, life, death, and resurrection of the Saviour; and thateternal rest, which remaineth for the people of God--FOR YOU, and FOR ME, if we are believers in Christ. 

If, by the blessing of God, I can happily persuade you thus to observeand improve the Lord's day, I am sure it will promote both yourpleasure and your profit. Can it be a question with you, whether theGod who made heaven and earth, or Satan, the god of this world, is thebest master? Indeed I too well know the indisposition and averseness ofthe carnal mind to God and his ways. Hence the thought of many is, Whata weariness is it? And, When will the sabbath be ended? Hence that opencontempt and scorn, which is cast upon the sabbath, and uponpublic worship by many, both high and low, rich and poor, bond andfree, old and young, men and women. To them the worship of God istedious and disagreeable. They neither find pleasure in it, norexpect benefit from it. And therefore their attendance is not fromchoice, but from constraint. 

But the thoughts and the conduct of true Christians are very different. No day is so welcome to them as the Lord's day; not merely consideredas a day of rest from labour; but because, having their heads andhearts freed from the cares and incumbrances of the world, it affordsthem opportunities of waiting upon God. And, brethren, you must allowthat these persons are best qualified to judge of the question I haveproposed, Whether is best, to walk in the ways of God, or in the waysof sin? For they have experienced both sides of the question. They havetried the pleasures of the world, and they have also tried thepleasures of religion. And they will readily assure you, that in theirdeliberate judgment, one day thus spent in devotion, and the exercisesof religion, is preferable to a thousand days wasted in the vain andunsatisfying pleasures, which they sought in their former wickedpractices [Ps. Lxxxiv. 10. ]. 

I have written thus largely upon the due observance of the Lord's day, because of that shameful, open, and general neglect, that daringprofanation of the Sabbath, which abounds amongst us. It is well known, and it is matter of great grief and concern to me, that numbers of youpay not the least regard to this day. Numbers of you will not come topublic worship at all, others but seldom, and then with muchreluctance. And when spoken to, different persons frame differentexcuses, all which, when examined, amount to little more than a want ofinclination. 

I have here a more special reference to those of you, who arecalled Settlers and Free People. You think, perhaps, and some of yousay, That having served out your appointed term, you are now your ownmasters, and have therefore a right to employ your time as youplease. But, indeed, it is not so. I must tell you, brethren, that mycommission from God, and my appointment from government, extendequally and alike to all the inhabitants, without distinction. It is myduty to preach to all, to pray for all, and to admonish every one. Andit is no less the duty of all, to come to public worship, to hear thegospel, and to pray for me. These mutual ties and obligations betweenyou and me, are not lessened by any change in your circumstances. Andremember, that the slight you put upon the public worship, is notproperly a slight of me (if that was all, it would be a matter of utterindifference) but upon the Lord himself; for I trust it is his message, and not my own, that I deliver to you [Luke x. 16. ]. I wish, therefore, what I have said upon this subject, to be understood as addressed TO ALL, whether of higher or lower rank, who are guilty of breaking thesabbath. Whatever our station or calling may be, our obligations to keepholy the sabbath-day, are precisely the same. If any are moreinexcusable than the rest, it must be those, who, from their stationand office, are peculiarly bound to set a good example to others. Ihope this friendly hint will be received in good part. I mean not tooffend. But I must admonish you, that whatever be your situation inlife, you will gain nothing in the end, by doing what God forbids, norwill you be a loser by yielding strict obedience to his commands. 

III. Be constant and diligent in prayer to God. Intreat him to give hisblessing to what you read and hear, and to all your concerns. As we areweak and needy creatures, always dependent upon God, andalways receiving mercies and favours from him, we ought to be frequentand earnest in prayer. Daniel was accustomed to pray three times in theday [Dan. Vi. 10. ; Ephes. Ii. 12. ]. I hope you will be punctual in prayer, morning and evening, at least. So long as any of you live without prayer, you live without Christ, without hope, and without God in the world. They, who do not pray to God while upon earth, will not be admitted topraise him in heaven. When the rich careless man who had fared sumptuouslyevery day, for a time, lifted up his eyes in torments, he only desiredand prayed for a drop of water to cool his tongue, but it was notgranted to him. Oh! if you value your souls, pray earnestly to God. Consider your obligations to do so. He is your Creator, Preserver, Benefactor. In him you live and move, and have your being. Andtherefore not to acknowledge, by prayer, your dependence upon him, would manifest the greatest ingratitude and insensibility. Consider, likewise, the encouragement you have to pray. Though youare by nature sinners, and by practice enemies and rebels, he gives youfree and sure promises, that whoever is disposed to return to him, andseek him by earnest prayer, shall not seek him in vain. Oh! mybrethren, that there was less cursing and swearing, and more prayeramong you!

After these positive directions what you ought TO DO, I proceed to somenecessary cautions, against what you ought to avoid. 

I. Profane swearing is one thing against which I am especially bound towarn you, because it is an evil which so much abounds amongst you. 

God has said, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless, that taketh his name in vain. Our Saviour likewise has said, Swear not at all [Exod. Xx. 7. ;Matt. V. 34. ]. But how can you reconcile these prohibitions toyour conduct; or your consciences? When instead of not swearingat all, many of you seldom open your lips, but the first and lastwords which you utter, are blasphemous oaths, and horrid imprecations?Is this acting like rational or accountable creatures? Who gave you thepowers of reason and speech? Was it not God? And can you think thathe gave them to you, that you may blaspheme his holy name, and to usethe most profane, obscene, and desperately wicked language your heartscan invent; a language only fit for incarnate devils, and shockingto the ears of the ignorant heathens? This is a dreadful evil whichyou may be assured, will not pass unpunished. This sin has oftenbrought heavy judgments upon individuals, families, and kingdoms. Because of swearing the land mourneth [Jer. Xxiii. 10]. Shall not I visitfor these things, saith the Lord?

As a proof of the enormity of this sin, you read, that Moses, bythe command of God, ordered a man to be stoned to death, for cursingand blaspheming [Lev. Xxiv. 10-16. ]; and it would be well, both on theirown account, and for the good of others, if magistrates would strictlydischarge their duty, by enforcing the laws of our land, which areengaged against this horrid practice. And in few places, perhaps in noplace, such strictness would be more needful, or more salutary, than in this colony. 

Our Lord assures us, that for every idle word that men shall speak theyshall give an account in the day of judgment! [Matt. Xii. 36] How dreadfulthen will be the case of those persons, who during their whole lifehave employed their tongues in cursing, swearing, lying, and allmanner of vile and unclean conversation. Oh! think of this in time, and tremble and repent, and learn to use your tongues to better purpose infuture! Read carefully the third chapter of James, and pray to God forhis grace, and use your best endeavours to bridle your tongues which, if you do not subdue and conquer, will surely destroy and ruin you. 

II. Consider, also, what must be the consequence of that unclean andadulterous course of life, which many of you follow. Common as thiswickedness is in our colony (I believe no where more so) do notsuppose, that the frequency will take away, or in the least abate thecriminality of it. Neither suppose that this sin is less odious in thesight of God if committed in Port Jackson, than in England. You mayframe excuses or plead necessity, for what you do, or permit to bedone; but the word of God by which you must be at last judged, admits, of no plea, or excuse. The command is positive and absolute. Thedeclaration of God, Thou shalt not commit adultery [Exod. Xx. 14], isequally binding upon persons of all ranks to whom it is known, at alltimes, and in all places. Think not, that the holy and just God willdispense with his law, or relax the sentence he has denounced against thebreach of it, that you may with impunity indulge your corrupt desires. No;it is written, whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. The apostledeclares that no fornicator, adulterer, or unclean person, can enterinto the kingdom of God; he repeats this warning nearly in the samewords, a second and a third time. The heavens and the earth shall passaway; but not one jot or tittle of his word can fail. All shall befulfilled [Heb. Xiii. 4. ; Gal. V. 17-21. ; Eph. V. 3-5. ]. And therefore, however this sin may be connived at by some, and committed by others, Godwill severely punish offenders, unless they repent of their wickednessand forsake it. 

But I need not enlarge upon this subject, I have told you mythoughts of it again and again with faithfulness. It seems theplainness of my language has hurt the delicate feelings of some, and thefaithfulness I have used has excited the censure and ill-will ofothers. But why am I blamed, if I have only affirmed and proved fromthe scriptures, that no fornicator, adulterer, or unclean person cango to heaven WHEN HE DIES, unless he repents of his evil practices, andturns from them, WHILE HE LIVES?

But whether you will hear, or whether you will forbear, I must repeatthe unwelcome truth. My conscience, my duty, and my compassion, allurge me to deal faithfully with you. I mean and desire to be understood, and therefore I must speak plainly. It is my intention anddesire to awaken and alarm your consciences: but alas! after all I cansay or do, I am too little understood or regarded. But I must delivermy own soul, whether you will regard me or not. The day iscoming when the Lord himself will judge between you and me. Oh, repent, repent, before it be too late. 

III. The conduct of too many of you induces me to exhort and cautionyou farther against theft, and all kinds of dishonesty and villainy. 

I have often told you, both publicly and privately, that honesty is thebest policy. None have more reason to be convinced of this, than youwho come hither as convicts. You have known by bitter experience, theunhappy consequences of dishonesty. Have not many of you, for the sake, perhaps, of a few shillings, unjustly obtained, plunged yourselvesinto misery for the remainder of your lives? Several have made thisacknowledgment to me, in their dying moments. Learn therefore, strive, and pray to be honest. Honesty has its present advantages. Anhonest man, however poor, can face this world with confidence. But a dishonest behaviour, with its constant attendant a guiltyconscience, will always fill the mind with fear and dismay. [Job. Xxiv. 16, 17. ]

I do not mean, my friends, to reflect harshly upon you for what ispast, and cannot be recalled. I pity your past misconduct; Isympathize with you under your present sufferings. And therefore Iadmonish and caution you to abstain from this course for the time tocome. Let then the troubles and afflictions you have brought uponyourselves be a warning, to regulate your future behaviour. Learn to bethankful for what God in his providence gives you, whether it be moreor less. Attend to what our Lord says, Whatsoever ye would that menshould do unto you, do ye even so unto them. And to his apostle'sdirection, Let him that hath stolen, steal no more, but rather let himlabour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that hemay have to give to him that needeth [Matt. Vii. 12. ; Eph. Iv. 24. ]. Follow this advice, and you will soon experience the benefit. 

IV. Beware of idleness. This is the forerunner of many evils. Poverty, disease, disgrace, misery, and too often an untimely death, are the consequences of sloth and indolence. Yield not to idleness; ifyou indulge it, you will find it grow upon you. Therefore, be diligentand industrious in your lawful callings. It is written in the Bible, and confirmed by experience and observation, The idle soul shallsuffer hunger, but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. [Prov. Xix. 15. & xiii. 14. ]

V. Be careful also to pay due respect, submission, and obedience toyour superiors. It is the good pleasure of God that some should beplaced in more exalted, and others in a more humble station. Andit is a proof of his wisdom and goodness. The present state of theworld, and the general good of mankind, render such distinctionsnecessary. But whether we are high or low, whether called to command, or required to obey, our duties and obligations are mutual. It is insociety as in the human body. There are many members, and every memberhas its proper place, and its proper office. Let every soul be subjectto the higher powers [Rom. Xiii. 1. ]. 

I have thus given you my best advice respecting what you ought to do, or to avoid. Permit me to invite your serious attention to what I havewritten. Consider it carefully FOR YOUR OWN SAKES. It concerns yourPRESENT comfort. For though no works of ours, or what are called, moralvirtues, can possibly procure us the favour of God, (for our bestservices are imperfect and defiled, and need forgiveness) yet thatknowledge and experience of the gospel, which I have explainedto you in the first part of this Address, (and of which I earnestlypray you may be made partakers) must be accompanied by a correspondentconduct, such as I have set before you in the second part. Andthis knowledge and this conduct will always be attended, though notalways in the same degree, with an inward settled peace, whereby themind is reconciled to support crosses and afflictions, however great, or of long continuance, with a degree of fortitude and resignation. Persons under this influence will say, when they meet with troubles, I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinnedagainst him [Micah. Vii. 9. ]. Should it please God, to answer the earnestdesire of my soul, by giving you an experience of the gospel peace, youwill thank and praise him, even for bringing you hither; and you will seeand confess, that your heaviest afflictions have, in the event, proved tobe your greatest mercies. 

Your FUTURE comfort and welfare in this world, depends upon thisknowledge. For though no one knows what may befal him in this life, yetthe real christian has the comfort of knowing, that however it may gowith the wicked, or whatever may happen to himself of a temporalnature, or whatever may become of his body, he is sure (because Godhas promised) that it shall be well with his soul at death. Ah! mybrethren, then, more especially then, believers will find the advantageof having made the word of God the foundation of their hope, and therule of their life!

Several of you, some to my knowledge, have left affectionate, tender, and serious friends, husbands, wives, parents, brothers, sisters, orchildren, in your native country, to lament your misconduct, thesufferings you have brought upon yourselves, and the disgrace inwhich you have involved your families. Let me intreat you, FOR THESAKE OF THESE, to consider your ways. Great comfort it willafford to those who are now almost overwhelmed with grief on youraccount, to hear of your reformation and conversion. These would beglad tidings, indeed, from a far country. The hopes they might thenform of seeing you again, would be truly pleasing; it would be littleless than receiving you again from the dead. Or if they never see youin this world, the prospect of meeting with you in heaven, would addcomfort to their dying hours. Oh! let not their prayers and their tearsbe lost upon you!

Attend to these things, FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS, who may follow youhither, in the like unhappy circumstances. When they see yourreformation, and that in consequence of it, you are more comfortablehere than you were at home, they may be induced and encouraged tofollow your examples. Thus you will be instrumental in saving soulsfrom death. 

I would farther plead with you, for the sake of the poorunenlightened savages, who daily visit us, or who reside amongst us. Ifthese ignorant natives, as they become more and more acquainted withour language and manners, hear you, many of you, curse, swear, lie, abound in every kind of obscene and profane conversation; and if theyobserve, that it is common with you to steal, to break the sabbath, tobe guilty of uncleanness, drunkenness, and other abominations; how musttheir minds become prejudiced and their hearts hardened against thatpure and holy religion which we profess? Oh beware of layingstumbling-blocks in the way of these blind people [Lev. Xix. 14. ], lestthe blood of their souls be one day required at your hands. 

And yet I fear, yea, I well know, that they have already heard and seentoo much of such language, and such practices amongst us. Already someof them have been taught to speak such language as theycontinually hear, and though they do not yet understand the meaning ofthe words they use, they can utter oaths and blasphemies almost asreadily as their CHRISTIAN instructors. By-standers divert themselveswith their attempts in this way, and think it is fine sport. But, myfriends, the scripture declares they are fools who make a mock atsin. [Prov. Xiv. 9. ] But these things cause much sorrow to those who haveany reverence for God, or pity for their fellow creatures. I readilyprofess my own deep concern for these proceedings, and my utter abhorrenceof them. And I most earnestly intreat you, if you cannot instruct them inwhat is better, to have no communication at all with them. For if you makethem partakers of your sins, you must answer for it at the great day ofjudgment; if they then rise up against you, for misleading them, itwill be much more tolerable for them than for you. 

But consider, on the other hand, what may be the happy effects, were the natives to see, hear, and observe in you, and in all theEuropeans here; in ministers and people, high and low, a conductanswerable to the doctrine and precepts of the gospel. This might, bythe blessing of God, be one of the most effectual means, to bring themto reflection, and to engage them to seek an interest in theblessings of the gospel for themselves. 

Shall I beg and intreat you, FOR MY SAKE, to attend to the thingspertaining to your true peace. My dear people, I will again declare (Ican appeal to the great God, who searcheth the hearts, that I speak thetruth) to see you converted from your evil ways, and seeking thesalvation of God, Yes, to see you pay a due regard to these mostimportant concerns, and to have reason to hope and believe, that youwere brought to a saving acquaintance with the truths which you hearof, or might hear, as often as the Lord's day returns, wouldindeed greatly rejoice my soul. But to see so many of you turn acareless and deaf ear, this, my dear friends, is a cause of great, constant and increasing grief to my soul. It wounds me to think, thatany (alas! what numbers) should thus refuse and reject their ownmercies; and risk the ruin of their immortal souls, for the prospect ofa small gain, or a short sinful gratification. 

My brethren, what shall I, what can I say more. I neither know what toadd, nor how to leave off: once more, I beseech you, for God's sake, for the sake of Jesus the Saviour, who shed his precious blood toredeem sinners, and for the sake of your own souls: by the holyincarnation of the Redeemer, by his agonies, temptations, death andresurrection, by all the terrors of his frown, and by all theblessings of his love, by the joys of heaven, by the torments of hell, and by the solemnities of the approaching day of judgment; byall these considerations, I most earnestly, affectionately, andfaithfully admonish and intreat you, carefully to weigh what I have nowset before you. And oh! that the holy angels may carry to heaven thejoyful news [Luke xv. 10. ] of some sinners being awakened and born to God, by reading or hearing this little book. O gracious God, do thou, by thepower of thy Holy Spirit, make it thus effectual to the salvation andhappiness of this people!

And now to this gracious Lord, and to his care and blessing, I commendyou. May he enable you to examine your hearts, principles, andpractice, by the standard of his holy word. If you are still ignorantand careless, it is a proof that you are, as yet, in the state ofnature, which is a state of darkness, guilt, condemnation, and death. Will you not pray to be delivered from it? You must, at least, allow, that perhaps what you have read, MAY BE the truth. And even, ofa possibility of these things being true, they deserve your earnestattention. For should they be found so at last, what will become ofyou, if you live and die impenitent? Therefore, read this plain, affectionate Address seriously. Read it a second, a third, and afourth time, till your hearts are affected by it. Remember, this is theadvice of a friend, of one who sincerely seeks, wishes, and longs foryour happiness. It is the advice of your minister, expressly appointedto watch over your souls, and who must shortly give an account of hismission to the Great judge of all. Whether I shall die amongst you, orbe separated from you while living, we shall, at last, meet before him. Then I must answer for my preaching, and you for your hearing. Oh thatthis awful day of judgment may be often, yea, always, present to yourthoughts, and to mine! that we may live in constant expectation of itsapproach! So that when the last loud trumpet shall sound, we maystand with acceptance and boldness in his presence, and be admitted asbelievers in the great Saviour, into his heavenly kingdom, with a'Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thyLord. '[Matt. Xxv. 23. ]

This will be my daily prayer to God for you. I shall pray for youreternal salvation, for your present welfare, for the preservation, peace, and prosperity of this colony: and especially for the moreabundant and manifest success of the Redeemer's cause and kingdom, and for the effusion and out-pouring of his Holy Spirit, not onlyhere, but in every part of the habitable globe. Longing, hoping, andwaiting for the dawn of that happy day, when the heathen shall be givento the Lord Jesus for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of theearth for his possession: and when all the ends of the earthshall see, believe, and rejoice in the salvation of God. [Ps. Ii. 8. & xcviii. 3. ]

I am your affectionate Friend andServant in the Gospel of Christ, RICHARD JOHNSON. 

FINIS.