that as well by us thy ministers, as by those over whom we are appointed thy ministers, thy holy name may be ever glorified, and thy blessed kingdom enlarged, through thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who liveth and reigneth with thee, and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end." Amen. THE END. GILBERT & RIVINGTON, Printers, St. John's Square, London. SERMON PREACHED IN THE PARISH CHURCH OF SAINT PETER, SANDWICH, 6th NOVEMBER, 1836, IN SUPPORT OF THE INCORPORATED SOCIETY, FOR PROMOTING THE ENLARGEMENT, BUILDING AND REPAIRING OF CHURCHES AND CHAPELS. BY THE REV. H. PEMBLE, RECTOR. SANDWICH: PRINTED BY E. F. GIRAud, markeT STREET. 9 II. CORINTHIANS ix. 7. EVERY MAN ACCORDING AS HE PURPOSETH IN HIS HEART, SO LET HIM GIVE-NOT GRUDGINGLY, OR OF NECESSITY, FOR GOD LOVETH A CHEERFUL HEART. HIS was St. Paul's recommendation to his Con THIS verts, when he pressed them to contribute to the necessities of the Saints at Jerusalem. He had himself recently been at Jerusalem-to communicate the Gospel, which he had preached among the Gentiles, to the Apostles resident there, and who, when satisfied with the correctness of his doctrine, and the purity of his zeal, gave him and Barnabas, he tells the Galatians, the right hand of fellowshipwith a request that in their progresses among the Heathen, they would remember the Poor-the same also, he adds, which he was forward to do. The text occurs in one of his Epistles to the Corinthians, in which he seizes the opportunity of complying with the injunction of the Apostles, to urge an immediate collection for the service of the Poor at Jerusalem. They, it is probable, were subjected to severe and unusual hardships from the active and vindictive hatred, on the part of the ruling Jews, to the new doctrines. Their case however might not appear to concern the Corinthians mucha foreign people, and in a distant country;-but St. Paul's object, in conformity with the universality of Christian principles, was to promote a community of interests to induce all Christians to make common cause, and advance the common welfare. The Apostle presses the subject of contribution with great delicacy and effect-not as a matter of obligation, or compulsion, but as one of expediency and equity—a duty on which, while he issues no command, he significantly gives his advice. I mean not that other men be eased, and ye be burdened;-but by an epuality, that now at this time YOUR abundance may be a supply for their want, that THEIR abundance also may be a supply for your want-that there may be an equality. The grace and virtue of the deed depend on the willingness of the giver-if there be a willing mind, it is accepted according to what a man hath, and not according to what he hath not. He exhorts them, therefore, to do according as they are disposed-above all, not grudgingly, nor of necessity, but what they do, to do willingly ;-for God, he adds, on terms familiar to Hebrew literature, loveth a cheerful giver. Even so, and in the self-same spirit, I lay before you the claims of the Society for Building and Repairing Churches. They solicit assistance of all for local exigencies; but the object is common, and all may, at one time or other, partake of a similar advantage, though the immediate benefit be destined for others. The Society is a voluntary one, countenanced and patronized by the authorities of the Country, both civil and ecclesiastical, and you are not bound by any legal tie to contribute to its support;-but you are bound by your profession, as Christians, to forward, to the extent of your ability, the moral and religious interests of society-to second whatever appears to be wisely and effectively planned for such purposes,and, in these days especially, are you bound to shew, |