^«^'- ^ DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY IKAxNK BAKKR CO L L K C"T ION OF WESLKYANA AND H Kir ISM MKTHODISiM SERMONS, ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS, And MOST OF THEM ON THE PRINCIPAL SUBJECTS OP GENUINE CHRISTIANITY. BY JOSEPH BENSON. *' I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the Power of God unto Salvation to every one that believeth." Rom. i. 16. ** I have believed, and therefore have I spoken. " aCoR. iv. 13, LONDON: Printed at the Conference- Office, North-Green, Finshury-Square, G. Story, Agent. Sold by G. Whitfield, Nevv.Chape]> City-Road: and at the Methodist P reaching- Houfcs in Town and. Country, iSoa. , [ V ] PREFACE. B I/Ill ^ npHE following Difcourfes, delivered on dif- •^ ferent occafions, and written after their de- livery, with fuch alterations and enlargements as were requifite, and publifhed at the requeft of many who heard them, have all been for fome years before the public. Some of them, as thofe on the Second Coming of Chrift and the Future Mifery of the Wicked, and on San(5lification, have gone thro' fundry Editions, and many thoufands of them have been circulated in different parts of this Kingdom, efpecially among the Members of the Methodift Societies and Congregations. And if I may give credit to the information I have re- ceived, the divine Blefling has attended the read- ing of them to many individuals, and moft of thofe into whofe hands they have fallen, have fig- nified their approbation of them. They are there- fore here colledled into one Volume, at the re- queft of our laft Conference, with a view to their prefervation when their Author is no more. Thus, not only my Friends, and thofe that have been pro- fited by my Miniftry, may hive a memorial of me when I am removed out of their fight ; but, what may be of much more moment, when dead I may i^yx% fpeak to thofe of them that fliall furvivc me ; and perhaps alfo to many others that never knew my face in the fleHi, but into whofe hands this Book may fall. a 3 Moft vi PREFACE. Moft of thofe truths of experimental and prac- tical Chriftianity, (the only Chriftianity that will afford anyone conifort at a dying hour,) to which I have believed myfelf to be called of God to bear Teflimony, and which, in conjundlion with my Brethren, I have been labouring, for upwards of thirty years, to propagate in moft parts of Great Britain, are here explained and enforced accord- ing to the beft ability God hath given me. The end I have had in view, in writing and publifli- ing thefe Sermons, is the fame that I have purfued thro' the whole courfe of my Miniftry, and that is /imply and only to glorify God in the Reforma- tion and Salvation of my fellow-creatures. I have therefore not ftudied elegance of flyle, or the oratorical ornaments of fpeech, becaufe, if I could have attained to this excellency, and have fpared the time which this kind of compofition would have coft me, I had no reafon to fuppofe that it would either have recommended thefe Ser- mons to fuch, as it was probable, would perufe them, or have given the truths contained in them a greater influence on their minds. But I have endeavoured to write, exadlly as I always wi(h to preach, in a plain, chary and intelligible manner ; and with fuch a proper arrangement of the matter, and fuch a connexion of the parts of each dif- courfe, as feemed befl calculated to aflift the con^ ceptions and memories of my Readers, I have ftudied alfo to write with fome degree of force and :nergy, efpecially in the applicatory part of each Sermon. PREFACE. vii Sermon. How far I have fucceeded, mufl be left to the public to judge. I am, however, not with- out hope, that as I am confcious I have written, as I truft I generally fpeak, from the heart, fo that fome part at leaft of thefe plain and un- adorned Difcourfes will reach the hearts of thofe Readers, that receive the Truth as it is in Jefus, with attentive and unprejudiced minds, and in a fpirit of prayer. This laft obfervation is of vaft importance. For, if as St. Paul declares, *< The natural man difcerneth not the things of God, nor can he know them, becaufe they are fpiritually difcern- ed ;"— if, ** The things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God," it is not to be fuppofed that thefe truths of fpiritual and experimental re- ligion, which are here declared, will be either difcerned or relilhed, by thofe who do not fincerely and fervently pray for <' the Spirit of wifdom and revelation," any more than by thofe w^ho do not endeavour to diveft their minds of prejudice, and to confider ferioufly what is advanced. This therefore, I cannot but moft earneftly recommend to all my Readers. I muft alfo advife them rather to read thefe Difcourfes, in the order in which they are here placed, than in any other. For, altho' they were neither written, nor firft publiflicd in this order, yet I believe they will be read with moft advan- tage according to it ; as each preceding Sermon will thus, in general, prepare the mind to under- hand viii PREFACE. ftand and relidi the following, and each following Sermon will illuftrate and confirm the preceding, I had intended to include in this Volume, all the Sermons I have publi(hcd, but found that this would fwell the fize of the book tou much. I have therefore omitted fuch as have appeared in our Magazine, or have been publiflied in fingle Sermons, within the lafl: fix or eight years ; in- tending, if it pleafe God to prcferve my life and health a little longer, to prepare for the Prefs a fecond Volume ; which, if the Conference judge proper, may hereafter be prefented to our Socie- ties, and the public at large. But this defign is yet but in embryo. And I know not what a few years, or even days may bring forth. Altho', I thank God, my health and ftrength are yet as firm as ever for labouring in the Lord's Vineyard, yet I know the fhades of the evening are coming faft upon me, and I too am following thofe of my Fathers and Brethren that have gone before me to " the houfe appointed for all living. " May I be enabled to do honour to my profefTion in this kft ftage of my Chriftian courfe, as they in general have done in theirs ; and may I experience thofe fupports and confolations in my laft mo- ments, which they were favoured with, in their dying chambers, and may I find my everlafiing lot with thefe Saints and Servants of the Most High 1 Amen 1 New-Chapel, City. Road, London, Jan. a6, i8oi. J. BeNSON. [ IX ] THE CONTENTS. SERMON I. Christ's Commiflion to his Minlfters. Mark xvi. 15, 16. ** Go ye into all the World, and preach the Gofpel to every creature : He that believeth, and is baptized, (hall be faved ; but he that believeth not, fhall be damned." Preached before the Conference at Leeds, July, 1793. Page I SERMON ir. The Nature and Defign of the Gofpel of Christ, and the Confequences of not being properly acquainted with it. 2 CoR. iv. 3. <* But if our Gofpel be hid, it is hid to them that are loft." Preached at the New-Chapel, in Hull, Dec. 30, 1787. Page 33 SERMON III. The Devices whereby the god of this world pre- vents the Efficacy of the Gofpel. 2 Cor. iv. 3, 4. << But if our Gofpel be hid, it is hid to them that are loft ; in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not, left the Light of the glorious Gofpel of Christ — ftiould fhine unto them. '* Page 55 SERMON X CQNTENTS. SERMON IV. On the Second Coming of Christ. 2 The*?, i. 7, — 9. ** The Lord Jesus (hall be revealed from Heaven, with his mighty Angels, | in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that | know not God, and obey not the Gofpel of our Lord Jesus Christ ; who fhall be punifh- ed with cverlafting deflrudlion, from the pre- fence of the Lord, and from the Glory of his 1 power.'* Page 79 I SERMON V. The Charadler of thofe who fhall be condemned • by Christ at his Coming. a Thes. i. 7, 8. ** The Lord Jefus (hall be revealed from Heaven, &c. Page lot SERMON VL . The future Mifery of the Wicked. a Thes. i. 7, — 9. Page 119 SERMON VII. The fecond Difcourfe on the fame Subjedl. a Thes. i. 9. Page 137 SERMON Vlir. On the Wifdom of winning Souls. PROV. xi. 30. *< He that winneth Souls is wife. " Preached at the Leeds Conference, July, 1793, and publifhed at the requeft of the Preachers. Page 157 SERMON CONTENTS. xl SERMON IX. On the Life and Labours of the Rev. John Wesley. Heb. xiii. 7. ** Remember them that had the rule over you, who fpake to you the Word of God ; whofe Faith follow, confidering the end of their Converfation." Preached before the Conference at Manchefter, July 26, 1791, at their firft Annual Meeting after Mr. Wesley's Death. Page 193 SERMON X. On the true Glory of an Houfe of God. Hacgai ii. 9. <* The Glory of this latter Houfe fliall be greater than of the former, faith the Lord of Hosts ; And in this Place will I give Peace, faith the Lord of Hosts." Preached at the opening of the New-Chapel, in Lowgate, Hull, Dec. 23, 1787. Page 227 SERMON XI. On the Occafion of the Death of Mrs. Foster, ^ Thes. iv. 13, 14. " I would not have you ignorant. Brethren, concerning them who arc aileep, that ye forrow not, even as others, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rofe again, even fo, them alfo that ileep In Jesus will God bring with him. " Preached at the Chapel in Cherry- Street, Bir- mingham, Auguft 29, J790. Page 253 SERMON Xif CONTENTS. SERMON XIL On the Nature and Extent of Sandllfication. 1 Thes. v. 23, 24. ** May the very God of Peace fandtify you wholly : and I pray God your whole fpirit, and foul, and body, be pre- ferved blamelefs unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who alfo will do it.'* Page 299 SERMON XI 11. On the Way of attaining Sanclificatlon. I Thess. v. 23, 24. Page 335 Chrift's ( I ) Clirift s CommifTion to his Minifters : A SERMON, Preached before the Conference held in LRKDS, JVir, 1793. Mark xvi. 15, i6. lieveth not, fliall be damned." I. TN reading the facred Narrative of the Evan- JL gelifts, concerning the Life and Doflrine of the Lord Jesus, and in comparing their fundry accounts together, it is diligently to be obfcrved, that, in writing their hiftories, they regarded not theamufement, but only the inftru6lion and edifica- tion of their readers. They paid no refpedl to the gratification of the curiofity of mankind, by a re- lation of uninterefting and trivial circumftances, but confulted merely the illumination and renova- tion of their minds, by laying before them im* portant truths. Hence, without detaining us to hear on what occafion, at what time, or in what place, our Lord performed his miracles or de- livered his difcGurfes, they frequently carry u« .forward to obferve rather, what is of infinitely greater importance to us, the fadt done, or the dot^rias taught. A The 2 CHRIST S COMMISSION The confequence, however, of this is, that, if we do not make this proper allowance for their pafTing over linimportant matter?, and refledt that fome of them omitted what others of them relate, we (liall be led into the erroneous idea of their dcfignedly conne6ling events, which, in reality, were not immediately conne6led, and even of their contradi6ting one another, which would impeach their credit as Hiftorians, and (hake the very foun* dation of our faith. 2. I am led to make this remark by confidering the paffage before us in connexion with the con- text. Thefe words of Chrift, as they ftand here, feemingly conne6led with the preceding verfes, •may appear, at firft fight, to have been fpoken to his difciples on the day on which he rofe from the dead. Whereas, upon comparing the contents of this chapter, with the accounts which the other Evangeliib have given, of the events which took place between the refurredtion of Chrifi: and his afcenfion, it feems evident that they were uttered on the day of his afcenfion, and probably at the very time, when, he was lifting up his hands and bleffing them,* and was juft about to be parted from them and carried up into heaven. At that folemn and ever-memorable moment, it feems, among other infiru6\ions and advices, recorded by St. Luke, in the above mentioned Chapter, and A£is i, Jefus gave them this mofi: important, moft benevolent, and yet mofi awful charge, and faid, *« Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gofpel to every creature : He that believcth, and is bap- tized, Ihall be faved ; but he that believeth not fliall be damned." For, as we are affured, verfe 19, *' after the Lord had fpoken unto them," viz. the preceding words, a part of which is my Text, * Luke xxiv, 50, " he to ins MINISTERS. 3 '< he was received up into heaven, and fat on the right hand of God." In difcourfipg from thefe words, containing, as we fee, the laft, folemn charge of the Son of God to his Difcipies, I propofe to confider, J. What is implied in preaching the Gofpcl ? II. To whom the office of preaching it be- longs ? In other words, To whom this charge is given ? III. Where they are to preach it, and to whom ? And IV. Laftly. What is required of thofe who hear it, with the confequences of their complying, or not complying, with the condition required of them. I. And firft, I am to enquire, What is implied in preaching the Gofpel ? Under this head it will be neceflary to confider firll", what the gofpel is, that we may underftand fecondly, what it is to preach it. I. Now with regard to the nature of the Gof- pel, I may obferve firfl, in general, that the very- word, ufed here and in other places by the Evan- gelifts and Apoftles, in the original, and tranflated Gofpely gives us fome information concerning it. It means, as is well known, not God's-fpcl, or God's-tiditigs, which is all that is lignified by the Saxon term Gofpel, but Good- news ^ or Glad^ tidings. Such the Gofpel of Chrift is in the very eflence of it. It is good news, or glad tidings to the fallen race of Adam, to the finful, guilty- weak, and wretched children of men, even tidings of a Saviour, and falvation thro' him. There- fore when the Angel announced the birth of Chrill: to the fhcpherds, he exprelTcd himfelf thus, *' Be- hold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy,'* BVOLyyi>.iC^'jfj.ai ly.iv ^ai^xv fji,iyx?,Y.v, literally, / €'V{ingehz/i unto you gfeat joy^ or, I preach the Gofpel, contain- A 3 ing 4 CHRIST S COMMISSION ing matter of great joy; *' for unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord." * So that tidings of a Savi- our, at leaft of fuch a Saviour as Chrift the Lord, are good tidings, and the very effence of the Gof- peL Hence it is, that when the evangelical Pro- phet, Ifaiah, was foretelling Gofpel Days, and defcribing the meflage which the miniftcrs of the Gofpel would, in thofe days, deliver to mankind, he exprefTed himfelf in the following words : <« How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publifheth peace, that bringeth tidings of good, that pub- lifheth Salvation, that faith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth ! " This therefore, is the true nature of the Gofpel. It is good tidings, or good tidings of good: and a raeflage of peace and falvation. And accordingly, as we learn from the facred writers, they that preached the Gofpel, << preached peace by Jefus Chrift," t and bore witnefs, that it is ** a faithful faying, and worthy of all acceptation, that he came into the world to fave finners." :j; 2. To be a little more particular. The Gofpel may be defined thus : '* It is that revelation which God hath made of himfelf, and of his mind and will to mankind refpeding their falvation." This was made firft, obfcurely, and in part, to the ancient Patriarchs, and by them to the early ages of the world, before and after the flood. As to Adam, when God faid, *' The Seed of the woman fhall bruife the Serpent'^ head ; " and to Abraham when he promifed him, that "in his Seed all the nations of the earth fhould be bleffed : " and laftly to Jacob, when he allured him, that <« Shiloh Ihould come, and that unto him ihould the gather- ing of the people be." But when the Law was given to the pofterity of Jacob, from Mount Sinai, « Luke ii. lo, ii. f Acts xui. 26. % i Tim. i. i^. aa TO HIS MINISTERS. 5 an Inftitution took place, the defign of which was to exhibit to mankind, in a variety of typical per- fons, and aclions, and cmblcmntical reprefenta- tions, the whole Gofpel, wit!i its Au'hor, origin, and end, its precepts and promifes, its privileges and bleflings, its grace and glory, as it was in- due time to be unfolded more fully and clearly by the eternal Word of Jehovah, made flefli, and the Spirit of Truth and Holinefs poured out, in all his plenitude of gifts and graces, upon the firft difciples and minifters of the divine Immanuel. When this <* fulnefs of time was come," and that fame God, ** who at fundry times, and in divers manners," had, formerly fpoken to his ancient peoplQ by the prophets, had in thcfe laft days fcnt forth his Son, the brightnefs of his glory and the exprefs image of his perfon, with credentials and powers, fuch as no other divine MelTenger ever was, or will be inverted with, then the Gofpel, which in former ages had been exhibited in types and fhadows, rather fhaded than revealed, was manifefted in all its glory and appeared << Full orb'd in its whole round of rays complete/* It arofe upon the world with healing in its wings, and flione forth in all its beauty, fplendour, and importance. *< The day-fpring from on high vi- lited us, to give light to them that fat in darknefs, and in the region of the fhadow of death, and to guide their feet into the way of peace." It is this lafl, cieareft, and fullefl: revelation of the divine Will, refpe6ling our falvation, that is moft pro- perly and emphatically termed the Gofpel, and that is here chiefly meant ; as alfo, in divers other pafTages of the New Teftament, which you may- examine at your lenfure. 3. The Gofpel, confidered in this view, has refpecSl to all the offices fuftained by its glorious A 3 ' Author O CHRIST S COMMISSION Author. In reference to his Prophetic Office, i> is a revelation of truths, including dodlrines, pre- cepts, promifes, and threatnings, more clear and full than any preceding difcovery. Thefe truths, as they are of a fpiritual and divine nature, and concern chiefly if not wholly, fpiritual and divine things, fo they are to us the molt important that can be imagined. They ift, refped God the Fa- ther, whofe nature and attributes, efpccially his moral attributes, as his holinefs, juftice, truth, mercy, and love, have been abundantly more plainly and fully revealed to mankind, by Chril^ and his Apofiles, than ever they were before. '*No man hath feen God," fays' St. John, '» at any time ; the only begotten Son, who is in the hoforn of the Father, he hath declared him.'* *'The Son of God is come, and hath given us an undcrftanding, that we may know him that is true. And we are in him that is true " **They ih.\\l know me," fays God, fpeaking of gofpel days, *'from the leali to thegreatetl." They regard 2dly, the Son of God, whofe perfon and offices, humi- liation and exaltation, grace and glory, are ex- hibited and difplayed, by himfelf and his Evange- lifts and Apoftles, as they neither were, nor, in th« nature of things, could be before his manifeftation in the flefh. They concern 3dly, the Spirit of God, not indeed fo much, with refpedf to his na- ture and effence, as his office in the Church, and his operations in the fouls of men, in order to their falvation. Thefe are revealed much more at large, and with abundantly greater evidence, in the New Tef^ament than in the Old, and we fee with much more clearnefs than the Jews did for- merly, how he enlightens, quickens, ftrengthens, fandtiLes, and comforts his people, and by a va- liety of gifts and graces, prepares them for, and gives TO HIS MINISTERS. 7 gives them a pledge and earned of eternal felicity and glory. The truths of the Gofpcl, 4ihlv, rcf- pe(5t ourfelves. They reveal to us our lall irt Adam, with the finfulnefs and guilt, the depra- vity, weaknefs, and mifery, entailed upon us there- by, in a much clearer and fuller manner than they were known to the Old Teflamcnt faints. In the mean time our Redemption by ChriH-, with the nature and properties, caufes and cfFedis of that fa I vat ion which is by faith in him, is alfo mani- f&^ed and difplayed in all its love and power, glory and extent, in this fame Gofpel. Here we learn alfo, the Will of God concerning us, viz. v^'hat he requires us to know, to believe, to expe- rience, to be, to do, to fuffcr, and to enjoy. The immortality of the foul, the refurre^Siion of the body, the conflagration of the world, the final judgment of Men and Angels, and the reilitution of all things, are among the important and aftonifli- ing difcoveries, exhibited to our view in this ever bleffed Gofpel. 4. Again, in reference to his Prieftly Office, the Gofpel implies a free and fincere offer of privi- leges, which Chrift hath procured for us by his death, and received, in confequence of his afcen- fion into heaven. What thefe privileges are, I need not now take up your time in endeavouring to fhew. You, my brethren, are well apprized that remiffion of fins, the favour and friendfliip of God, and adoption into his family, whereby we become his fons and daughters, are among the firrt and principal of them. Thefe prepare the way for others, fuch as our heavenly Father's peculiar care and protection, an ample provifion for the fuppiy of all our wants, temporal and fpiritual, with an afi'urance that all things, even aflBidlion and death, fliall work for our good. Add to this, that Chrift has procured for us, and in his Gofpel offers to us, A 4 *^fel- 8 Christ's commission ** fellowfiiip with God," thro' the eternal Spirit; which, as it implies a title to, and, in feme de- gree, at leaft, a meetnefs for the happinefs referved for us in the heavenly nianfions, fo it is alfo an earneiiof that happinefs in our hearts. Thefe bleffed privileges of the Gofpel to be enjoyed here, are, you know, to be crowned with the everlaiiing vilion and enjoyment of God hereafter, when his people fhall be admitted to fee his face and behold his glory, fo as to be transformed fully into his like- nefs, and poflefled eternally of his felicity. 5. OncQ more : if the Gofpel be confidered in reference to the Kingly Office of Chrift, it implies the promulgation of a variety of Laws, enforced with fandlions, the moft momentous and awful that can be imagined, even with promifes of hap- pinefs, and threatenings of mifery, infinite and eternal. All thefe laws are wife and holy, jull and good. They enjoin repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jefus Chrili, in order to our poffefling any, even the firft of the fore-mentioned privileges, remiffion of fms, or juftification before God. And upon thofe that are juftified and there- by furnifhed with the main fpring of obedience. Love, they inculcate the uniform pra6tice of piety and virtue in all their branches, diredting us in every part of our duty to God, our neighbour, and ourfelves, and *' teaching us, that denying un- godlinefs and worldly luf^s, we (hould live foberly, righteoufly, and godly, in this prefent world ; looking for the bleffed hope, and glorious appear- ing of the great God, and our Saviour Jefus Chrift.'* 6. That thefe Laws of Chrifl: make a part, and an important part of the Gofpel, is evident from this confideration, that Chrift is as certainly a King, as he is a Prophet, or a Priefl, and re- quires our obedience, as much as our faith or con«. fidence^ TO HIS MINISTERS. 9 fidence. As his Prophetic Office, in the execution of which he reveals great and important truths, would be of no advantage to us, if we did not be- lieve him, nor his Prieftly Office, whereby he atones for our fins and procures for us ineftimable privileges, if we did not truft in him ; fo neither is his Kingly Office of any avail to us, if we do not obey and ferve him. He is a Law-giver and a Judge, as well as a Saviour ; and while we ap- ply to him, and depend on him for eternal falva- tion, we muft remember he is << the Author of it, only to thofe that obey him." We are therefore, ** not without law to God, but under the law to Chrift," who, when we ftand at his judgment feat, ** will render to every man according to his deeds, and give eternal life only to thofe, who by patient continuance in well-doing, feek for glory, honour, and immortality." Whereas, to thofe that do not obey the truth, but obey uniighteoufnefs, he will render " indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguifh." From all which it is manifeii, as St. John teftifies, that they only are *' bleffed that do his commandments," inafmuch as they alone ** have a right to the tree of life, and (hall enter in thro' the gates into the city." * Hence it is, that in the parallel paflages, by two of the other Evangelifts, our Lord is reprcfented as giving the fame or a like charge, in different words. In Luke it is, ** That repentance and re- miffion of fins fliould be preached in his name among all nations,"! and in Matt. <* Go ye and difciple all nations, — teaching them to obferve all things whatfocver I have commanded you." J The Commands, or Laws of Chri1>, therefore, are a part of the Gofpel, or Glad-tidings publiflicd unto us. And that they may manifcftly appear to be fuch, ♦ RcY. xxii. 14. f Luke xxiv. 4-. + Math, xxvili. 20. A 5 God I© CHRIST S COMMISSION God hath promifed under the New and better Co- venant, to << write them on the hearts" of his people. * 7. If this be the nature of the Gofpel, it will not be difficult to fay, what is implied in preach- ing it. It is undoubtedly, firft, to teach the truths which it reveals. This muft be done clearly^ in •language intelligible to all, even to the mol^ ig- norant and illiterate ; and, if poflible, with fuch a judicious arrangement of matter, and difiindlnefs of method, that while lower truths, and fuch as are more eafily underftood, make way for, and pre- pare the mind to receive thofe that are higher, and of more difficult apprehenfion, all may be eafily and laftingly remembered. Again ; it muft be done fully. Nothing that will be profitable to our hearers, muft be kept back- from them, but the whole counfel of God muft be declared, at leaft, as far as concerns their falvation, prefent or eternal. And if we have not opportunity, during the fhort time of our refidence with a people, to enter upon and difcufs the controverted, and lefs important truths of Chriftianity, we muft, at leaft, take care to explain to them and enforce upon them, its lead- ing and effential dodtrines. Further : thefe truths muft be taught offeBionaiely. We muft inftru6l our people as a Father inftrudts his children, whom he dearly loves, and whofe welfare in time and in eternity, he has at heart. Love to them, and an earneft defire for their falvation, muft be the fpring of all our difcourfes. Our preaching in public, and our exhcnarions in private, muft flow from this principle , and the afiPedlion of our hearts muft manifeft itfclf in all our words and anions. We muft fpeak as thofe that »* have compaffion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way, * JcreiB. xxxi. 31, and Heb. viii. ^. re- TO HIS MINISTERS. H remembering, that we ourfelves, alfo, are com- paffed about with infirmity," while, at the fame time, we rejoice in the increafing knowledge and holinefs of thofe that '* receive the truth in the love of it." Once more : We muft inculcate thefe truths diligently ; as St. Paul enjoins Timo- thy, * charging him ** before God, and the Lord Jefus Chriil," to obfcrve this injunction. We muft fo preach the word as to be *' inftant in fca- fon and out of feafon : " muft *^ convince, re- prove, and exhort, with all long-fufFering and do61rine." Yea, and in order hereto, as the Apoftle further obferves, muft watch in all things, that we may let — <* no fair occafion pafs unheeded by," but may difccrn and embrace every favourable opportunity, whether in private or in public, of communicating knowledge. We muft be ready to endure afflictions and hardfiiips of every kind, in the profecution of our work, not counting our eafe, our honour, our liberty, or our lives, dear unto ourfelves, fo we may but ** do the work of Evangelifts, make full proof of our calling, finifti our courfe with joy, and the miniftry we have re- ceived of the Lord Jefus, to teftify the Gofpel of the Grace of God." 8. To preach the Gofpel is, fecondly, to ex- hibit the privileges which it offers. This muft be done freely. They muft be tendered to mankind, as the Scripture fpeaks, *< without money and without price." Our hearers muft be given to un- derftand that remifiion of fins, acceptance with God, adoption into his family, regeneration, en- tire fan6lification, and even eternal life, are all the gifts, the free, undeferved gifts of God, thro' Jefus Chrift, and are ofFered to them without any * 2 Tim. iv. II. A 6 regard 12 CHRIST S COMMISSION regard to their merit, yea, notwithflanding their de- merit. They murt be made fenfible << that not by works of righteoufnefs which they have done, but according to his mercy God will fave them, by the wafhing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghoft," and therefore that, unworthy, guilty, and deferving of condemnation and wrath as they are, they are welcome, nay, are invited and urged to receive thefe blefiings. Now as men are very averfe to believe this do6\rine, and yet amidft the trials and troubles of this prefent life, have great need cf the fupport and confolation it affords, thefc privileges muft be offered them frequently. This Ihould make one part, perhaps, I might fay, the principal part, of almoft every fermon. And in private alfo, we ought to be frequently inviting them to the poffeffion of thefe bleffings, and de- monftrating from Scripture and Reafon, the readi- nefs of the Lord Jefus to beftow them upon all that apply to him for them. Ally I fay, for thefe privileges muft be offered to mankind univerfallyj without any exception. The high and low, rich and poor, young and old, profeffors and prophane, muft be invited to partake of thefe unfearchable riches of Chrift. << Let him that is athirft, come,'* muft be our language, and ** whofoever will, let him come and take of the fountain of the water of life freely." For ** whofoever cometh, he will in no wife caft out." They muft be informed, not- withftanding, that thefe privileges will not be conferred upon, and, in the nature of things, can- not be received by the impenitent and unbelieving. We muft therefore make this gracious offer co?!- ditionallyy infifting on repentance and faith, as terms or conditions, required of all who expedt to be admitted to a participation of Gofpel bleffings ; which repentance and faith, however, we muft affure TO HIS MINISTERS. I3 nffure them are the gifts of God, and will be be- ftowed on all who fincerely and earneftly afk and feek for them 9. Yet again on this head. To preach the Gof- pel is, thirdly, to declare and enforce the precepts it enjoins. This fhould be done boldly and faiths fully. In reproving lin, and (hewing people their duty, we mufl not fear the face of any man, but muft regard only the prefence of God, his all-fee- ing eye, the terrible Day of Judgment, and the obligations of our office. The Lord, we muft re- member, hath appointed us to be watchmen over his people, we muft therefore ** hear the word at his mouth, and give them faithful warning from him." And we muft do this under a convi61ion that our own fouls are at ftake ; that if we ** fpeak not unto them, to warn them, to turn from their wicked ways, that they may fave their fouls alive, they fhall die in their iniquity, but their blood fhall be required at our hands;" whereas, if we do warn them faithfully, altho' they fhould not turn from their wickedncfs, but fhould die in their iniquity, wc (hall deliver our fouls. Again: we muft (j^eak plainly and intelligibly on this important fubje*Sf, that, if poflible, they may have juft and clear ideas of the fpirituality, extent, and obliga- tion of the law of Chrift, the Gofpel law, the law of love and liberty, and of every part of their duty as enjoined thereby. We muft ufe every means in our power to give them the neccffary in- formation refpe(£ting both fin and righteoufnefs, truth and error, that, as the Apoftle fpeaks, they may have their fenfes properly fexercifed to difcern both good and evil. And in enforcing the precepts of Chriftianity we muft be impartialy having no rcfpedl of perfons. We muft be as ready to re- mind the rich and the great of their duty, and to reprove 14 CHRIST S COMMISSION reprove them for their faults, as the poor and the mean. Only, in order that our advice and re- proofs may be well taken, and may anfwer their intended end, we muft be fo mindrul of t!ie fu- periority of their ftaiion in life, as to addrefs ihcm with proper refpe6i:, and carry ourfelves with a becoming modefty and deference, in all our inter- courfe with them. I muft obferve alfo, that thefe laws of Chrift muft be inculcated earncjlly and awfully. I mean hereby, that we flioulcl urge them upon our hearers, under a deep conviction of their very great importance, and that falvation is abfolutely impoflible, as to ** thofe that know not God," fo alfo to thofe that *' obey not the Gofpel of our Lord Jefus Chrift." -• Perfuaded of this, we muft addrefs them on this topic, a topic on which their everlafting all depends, with fuitable earneftnefs and awe ; and, if poffible, muft not leave them till they are brought to acquiefce in the whole will of God, and refolve, thro' his grace, to make haftc, and not delay to keep all his com- mandments, and endeavour to be holy in all man- ner of converfation and godlinefs. II. We come now to confider, as waspropofed, fecondly, To whom the office of preaching the Gof- pel belongs ? or, To whom this charge of our Lord is given ? I . Although this command, <* Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gofpel to every creature, '* was primarily addreffed to the Apoftles, as appears from the preceding verfe, yet that it was not con- fined to them, is evident from divers confidera- tions. I ft. Our Lord had before this fent out the feventy, t making, at the fame time, this remarkable obfervation, ** The harveft is great, and the la- aThefs. i. 8. t Luke x. i. bourers TO HIS MINISTERvS. I5 bourers are few ; " and exhorting them to pray ** the Lord of the harveft to fend forth labourers into his harveft:." Now thefe feventy he certainly never afterwards prohibited from preaching, ■adly. Some of the deacons, chofcn merely to a temporal office, fuch as Stephen and Philip, preached fre- quently, and no doubt, were countenanced by the Lord in fo doing.* 3c!ly, Many of the members of the church of Jerufalem fcattered abrcjad through the regions of Judea and Samaria, by the great perfecution raifed againft them after the death of Stephen, went evetyivherey we are informed, /r^^f/;- ing the word, t And that the Apoftles were not tlie perfons meant is certain, for we find them exprefs- ly excepted. Now they are fo far from being cen- fured by the Holy Ghoft for this condu6l, that this is manifeftly recorded of them to their praife. Hence we find Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Titus, Apollos, and divers others, who were not Apofiles, preaching the Gofpel. And 4thly, that the command was not intended to be confined to that period of time, but was given to all, in every age, that are properly called and qualified^ appears from the parallel palfage, \ where our Lord promifes his prefence to the minifters of his word, to the end of the world. 2. But the great difficulty is, who are thus called and qualified f And yet this point, it appears to me, may be determined by attending fimply to what has already been obferved, with regard to the nature of the Gotpel, and what is implied in preaching it. But before I enter upon ihis fub- je61:, 1 muft affure my hearers, it is not my inten- tion, in what I (hall advance, to refled upon the Clergy of the cftabliffied Church, or thofe of any * A^s vj. 8. and viii, 5. t Ads viii. 4. | Math, xwiii. 20. Other i6 Christ's commission other denomination of Chriftians, but merely to fhew what warrant we have from Scripture and Reafon^ to take upon us the office of preaching the Gofpel, and to lay before this congregation the ruJes^ according to which we proceed, in our choice and appointment of Preachers. 3. And firft, we have feen above, that to preach the Gofpel, is to teach the many great and im- portant Truths of it. Now fince God is a God of ReafoHy and it is certainly unreafonable to fuppofe that a man can teach what he does not know ; therefore, in order that a perfon may be qualified for this office, we judge it neceflary that he fhould be acquainted with the nature, variety, and im- portance of Gofpel-Truths. But this, we be- lieve, no one can be, without fupernatural illumi- nation ; the Old and the New Teftament agreeing to affure us, that ** The things of God knoweth no man, but by the Spirit of God." Hence, it appears to us abfolutely neceflary, that a man fhould be taught of Gop, taught by the Spirit as well as the Word of Truth, in order to his being qualified for the office of a Teacher of Chrif- tianity. Further : Inafmuch as God is a God of Truth, and requires truth in the inward parts ; requires that thofe who preach in his name fhould do it fincerely ; therefore, we confider it as being of equal neceffity and importance that a perfon fhould firmly believe, or be fully perfuaded of the certainty of divine truths, that he may be qualified and called to teach them. ** I have believed, and therefore have I fpokcn," faid one. He muji believe y and therefore /peak. Again : God is a SPIRIT, and his Word is fpirit, and life, and power, and muft be fpoken in ** demonflration of the Spirit and of power ;" and from the heart, that may reach the heart. In order therefore, that a man may be qualified to preach the Gofpel, we believe TO HIS MINISTERS. I7 believe he ought to have a deep and lively fenfe of the importance of divine truths upon his mind, and that his fpirit and behaviour ihould be duly influenced thereby. 4. We have obferved, fecondly, that to preach the Gofpel, implies, the makino; a fincere and free offer of Gofpel Privileges. But before a perfon can be qualified to do this, it is requifite that he fliould know what thefe privileges are, and that he fliould believe them to be free for, and attainable by his hearers. And as this offer is to be made freely, affe6tionately, and urgently, it is neceffary it (liould he made from Experience. They who preach the Gofpel, and offer its privileges to man- kind, fliould firft themfelves have received thof« privileges ; at leaft, in part ; and fliould have a well grounded and lively hope of obtaining thofe that yet remain. Thus our Lord, '< We fpeak what we do know, and teftify what we have feen." And thus St. John, and the firft minifters of the Word, <* What we have feenand heard, declare we unto you, that ye alfo may have fellowfhip with us : and truly our felluwflilp is with the Father, and with his Son Jefus Chrift." They, therefore, vi'ho have not received thefe privileges ; for in- ftance, who have not obtained remiffion of fins^ the favour of God, and a new and divine nature, are not qualified, and therefore not called to preach the Gofpel. In other words, thofe only are qua- lified to teach Chrift, who have learned him ; and, it we are to believe St. Paul, only thofe have learned him, who have <* put off the old man, and put on the new, and are renewed in the fpirit of iheir minds." * Hence it pleafed God, ** to reveal his Son,'* in Paul, before he fen t him to <' preach among the Gentiles." t * Eph. iv, 2», 24. + Gal. i. 16. cr. We i8 Christ's commission. 5. Wc have feen thirdly, that another particular implied in preaching the Gofpel, is to enforce the Precepts of it, and that this muft be done boldly, plainly, and impartially. Now, it is certain only thofe can do this, who themfelves obey thofe Pre- cepts. For they alone will be able to fpeak with confidence and courage. It follows from hence, that thofe who live in known fin of any kind, in difobedience to any of the commands of Chrifl-, as they are not qualified, fo neither are they called to preach the Gofpel. Accordingly, «* unto the wicked, God faith. What haft thou to do to declare my ftatutes, or that thou (houldeft take my Cove- nant in thy mouth? feeing thou hateft inftrudion, and cafteth my words behind thee." * And St. Paul, in the diredions which he gives to Timothy and Titus, refpe6ting the perfons proper to b« chofen to the paftoral oflicc, requires, firft of all, that they fliould be ilamelejsy viz. at leaft as to their outward conduct, fi:anding at a diftance from all known fin, whether of omiflion or commiflion. All thefe qualifications are eflfentially neceflary, and without them, it is abfurd to fuppofe, that any perfon is called of God to preach his Gofpel. 6. But there are other endowments alfo, which, although fome of them be of an inferior nature, are yet not to be overlooked. For inftance, it is to be obferved, that the Preachers of the Gofpel, are to addrefs rational creatures, pofii"efied of Minds to be informed, Judgments to be convinced, Con- fciences to be pierced, Wills to be perfuaded, Fears to be alarmed, Hopes to be excited. Affec- tions to be won ; and hence we may infer, that it is neceflary they fhould be qualified to fpeak in an intelligible, convincing, perfuafive, and . affedting manner, and that therefore they ought to poflfefs a * Pfalm 1. i6, 17. degree. TO HIS- MINISTERS, I9 degree, at leaft, of elocution, and even of elo- quence. Add to this, tliat as many perfons will, if not ftatedly, yet occafionally hear them, who will be fenfible of any impropriety of language, weakncfs of argument, or mifinterpretation of Scripture, it is, if not abfolutely ncceffary, yet very dcfirable, that they fliould be perfons of good fenfc, well acquainted with the Scriptures, and with Divinity, and able to fpeak their own lan- guage grammatically, 7. It is, however, of much more importanc* to obferve, that as their fucccfs in their labours, depends entirely on the prefcnce and blefling of the Lord Jcfus, it is above all neceffary that they Ihould infure thefe ; *< Without me," fays the Lord Jefus to all his followers, and efpecially to the Minifters of his Gofpel, fent forth to en-\ ^ lighten and convert the nations, *« ye can do no- ^\ thing." *< We are not fufficient of ourfelves,'' \. .\ fays St. Paul, << to think any thing as of our- '^ ^ felves, but our fufficiency is of God ; who hath '^ made us able," or rather (.yavoy?) fuitable, //, or ^^^ ^ropery << minifters of the new covenant j not of N\ the Letter, but of the Spirit : for the Letter kill- j^v> eth, but the Spirit giveth life." This one cir- ^ ^■ cumflance, that the Preachers of the Gofpel arc ^ to be Minifters of the Spirit, that they are to , communicate, not merely the literal, but alfo the fpirirual and experimental knowledge of the Gof- ^^\ pel, demonflratcs that they need, and can do no- ^^ thing to purpofe, without the Lord's prefence and /\ influence. This he hath accordingly promifed to I v all that are called by hirn, declaring to them, <* Lo : I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." 8. Thofe called ?inAfeni by him, I fay ; for It is not to be fuppofed that he will be prefent withy or xXnX 20 Christ's commission that he will give fucccfs to the labours of thofe he has not called nor fent. This leads me to obferve, that it is not only nccelTary that a Teacher of Chriftianity fliould have the fore-mentioned quali- fications, but that he fhould be properly called to the work. Thus the Lord Jefus. called the ivuelve, and thtfeventyy and afterwards faid, ** Separate me Barnabas and Saul to the work whereunto 1 have called them." Hence the Church of England re- quires the Candidate for Holy Orders, to declare that he trulls he is moved by the Holy Ghoft to *^ take upon him that office and minirlry." Now though it may not be eafy to define this call, it will be readily allowed, that it mud, at leaft, imply, through the influence of the Holy Ghoft, firft, A fervent Love to fouls, and a deep concern for their Salvation. Secondly, A fervent Love to the Lord Jesus, and an earneft defire to advance his honour and intereft in the world. Thirdly, A fingle eye to the glory of God, in the falvation of fouls, ex- cluding all worldly, carnal and felfifh view^s, fuch as a regard to wealth, honour, pleafure, or cafe. Fourthly, A willingnefs to endure any hardship or fuffering, a man may meet with in the execution of his office. Fifthly, A perfuafion that he is call- ed, by whatever means that perfuafion may be pro- duced ; and an attradlion of mind to the work, which, however may be mixed, fometimes, with great relu6lance, arifing from a fenfe of his un- worthinefs of fo high and holy a calling, and un- fitnefs for fo difficult and important an office. 9. But lert a man ffiould miftake in this matter, and imagine he is called to the work of the Mi- nifiry, when he is not ; added to this internal, it feems necelTary that he fhould alfo have an exter- nal call. The people of God (hould hear him, fhould judge of his qualifications for the work, ^,nd bear witnefs to the fuccefs of his endeavours in the TO HIS MINISTERS. 21 the converfion of fome fouls from fin to rlghteouf- nefs, and in the edification of others. And his brethren in the miniftry (hould alfo hear him, con- verfe with him, and make diligent enquiry con- cerning his acquaintance with, and experience in divine things ; as alfo, concerning his behaviour among men, and his reafons for believing it his duty to preach the Gofpel. And, if they judge him qualified and called to that blefied work, they (hould, in a folemn manner, with prayer and fart- ing, fet him apart for it. Thus, when the Lord Jefus faid, by the Holy Ghoft, ** feparate me Bar- nabas, and Saul, for the work whereunto I have called them," the other Prophets and Teachers, in' the Church at Antioch, ** fafted and prayed, and laid their hands on them." And thus St. Paul ap* pointed Timothy and Titus to ** ordain Elders in every City. " The reafon of this is obvious ; the knowledge and experience of thofe that are already in the miniftry, renders them beft qualified to judge of the call and qualifications of fuch as arc candidates, while a peculiar blefiTing mufi: attend their advice and prayers. To thofe, therefore, who are thus qualified and called, is the charge, con- tained in my Text, given ; and it is at their peril to difobey it. ** Though they preach the Gofpel, they have nothing to glory of: for necefiity is laid upon them." Yea, ** Woe be unto them if they preach not the Gofpel." <* If they do this thing willingly, they have their reward, ' but if againft their will, fiill they muft do it, for ** a difpcnfa- tion of the Gofpel is committed unto them." But III. Where muft they preach it, and to whom? This is the next point that comes under our con- fideration. I. ** Go ye," faid the Lord Jefus, *' into all the world." Although fome of the Preachers of the Gofpel may be peculiarly intruded with the care 22 CHRIST S COMMISSION care of this or that people, and it may be their duty to feed and overfee certain flocks in prefer- ence to others, yet they are none of them entirely confined to any particular Parifli, Diftri6V, Coun- try, Kingdom, Empire, or quarter of the Globe: not to the temperate, torrid, or frigid Zone ; but when the Lord calls, and divine Providence points out the way, they are to go wherever any rational creatures can be found that are willing to hear and obey the Gofpel Like St. Paul, they are debtors, both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians, both to the wife and to the unwife. 2. But it may be obje6ted. There are not Temples, Churches, Chapels, Synagogues, Meer- ing-houfes, nor any places, proper for or dedi- cated to the worfhip of the true God, every where ; and where there are, they may not be admitted to preach in them : what muft they do in this cafe ? Mufl they wait till means can be ufed to induce people to build fuch places ? I anfwer. By no means. People muft be inflrudled in the great truths of the Gofpel, and muft be more or lefs convinced of and affedled by them, before they will wi(h to have places of worfliip ereded, that being afTembled in them they may hearthefe truths explained to them, and enforced upon them. And although it may be fuppofed that in this and other countries where Chriflianity is profeflTed, people univerfally underftand, and are well difpofed to- ward the propagation of it, yet matter of fa6l proves, that if the religion of Jefus be confidered, in that fimplicity, purity, and power, in which it is reprefented unto us in the New Teltament, it is neither pra6tifcd nor underftood by the generality of people in this land, nay, nor regarded. Let thefe Preachers, therefore go forth, like the firft fervants of Chrifl, and proclaim the glad tidings of falvation where- ever they find an open door. Let wifdom TO HIS MINISTERS. T^ *' wifdom cry without, and let her voice behe^rd in the ftreets." Like our Lord and his Apoftles, let them preach on mountains, in the high-ways, or by the hedges ; or in private houfes, market- houfes, or barns ; yea, wherever they can collect 3 congregation, tho' but of two or three, that arc willing to hear. And let them declare their im- portant mefTage, 3. **To every creature;" that is, to every ra- tional creature of the fallen race of Adam. All have need of this Gofpel, and that in all theff branches of it which have been mentioned. Manr kind being all naturally ignorant and out of the way, and there being none, according to the tef- timony of David and St. Paul, that underftand divine things, all need the truths of the Gofpel, iind the Spirit of truth, of wifdom, and of revela- tion, to communicate the faving knowledge of them. Again, all having (inned and come fliort of the glory of God, the whole world being guilty before God, and by nature children of wrath, de- praved, weak and wretched, therefore all need pardon, the divine favour, regeneration, and all the other privileges of this Gofpel. And laftly, all being naturally lukewarm, indolent, and prone to go ailray, they need the precepts of the Gofpel to quicken and direct them, and the holy Spirit to write them on their hearts. 4. And as all have need of this Gofpel, fo none arc excluded. Firft, None are excluded by any decree of God. He, as Cieator of all, **is lo\ing to every man, and his tender mercies are over all his works." He is the Parent of the human race, and cannot, in the nature of things, debar any of J.is rational offspring, from the knowledge, love and enjoyment of himfelf, their Friend and their Father. He is the Preferver and Bene fa(flor of all, in 24 CHRIST S COMMISSION in whom they live, move, and have their being ; and who hath not left himfclf without witnefs among them, but furnifhes them with daily proofs of his goodnefs, '* giving them rain from heavcrt and fruitful fcafons, and filling their mouths with food and their hearts with gladnefs ;" and furely lie cannot be unwilling to fave the perfons whom he daily preferves, and on whom he (howers his daily ^nd hourly benefits. Nay, he is the Redeemer of all, who hath ** fo loved the world as to give his only begotten Son, that whofoever believeih in him (hould not perilh, but have everlafting life ;'* yea, whofe Son died for all, when all were dead; gave himfelf a ranfom for all, and by divine grace, or favour, tailed death for every man. And is it polTible he (hould fhut the door of falvation againft any that he hath purchafed with his Son's blood ? Hence it is that he is exprefsly termed the ** Sa* viour of all men^ although efpecially of thofe that he- Jievey ** not willing that any fhould perifli, but that all (hould come to repentance," {hould *< be faved and come to the knowledge of the truth." 5. And as none are excluded by any decree of God, fo none are (hut out by any natural or moral incapacity. None that are not idiots, (in which cafe they are not accountable for their a6lions, nor the proper fubje61s of rewards and punifhments) are fo ignorant as to be incapable of underftanding the Truths of the Gofpel, if enlightened by the Spirit of God, which is free for all, and promifed to all that lincerely and earneftly alk it. None are fo guilty, as to be debarred the Privileges of the Gofpel, purchafed for all, that will accept them, by the death of Chrift, and offered to all by the free mercy of God. None are fo weak and depraved, as to be unable to obey the Precepts of the Gofpel, if affifted by the grace of God in Chrift Jefus, which bringing falvation, hath appeared unto all men, as the TO HtS MIN'ISTERS. 45 Ihc Apoftle te{\ifics *, and may be received by all. Hence it is, (and this leads me to the laft particu- lar), that Fourthly, Faith is jurtly required of all, on the peril of evcrlafting damnation. *« He that believeth and is baptized, (liall be faved, and he that believetli not, fliall be damned." I. From nhat has been faid, it will eafily ap- pear, both what Faith is, and how juftly it is re- quired in order to everlafting falvation. it refpe(5Vs the Gofpel in all the three grand branches of it above mentioned. Firft, As the Gofpel is a reve- lation of TruthSf it implies that, in confequenceof an attentive confideration and thorough knowledge of them, we be perfuaded of the certainty and im-. portance of thefe Truths, and that in fuch a lively and operative manner, that our hearts are truly affected, and our lives duly influenced by them from day to day. Thefe truths, coming to us not in word only, but alfo in power, and in the Holy Ghofl, and in much affurance, are the power of God unto our falvation. For as foon, and in pro* portion as we thus believe, ** we are tranflatcd out of darknefs into marvellous light :" in other words, we are faved from ignorance and error, into the light of knowledge and truth. Secondly, As the Gofpel is an offer of PrivilegeSy faith in it im- plies, that we accept that offer in the way God hath appointed, viz. The way of ** Repentance towards God, and Confidence in our Lord J.fus Chrift," the High Prieft of our profeflinn, who by his death hath obtained thefe Privikges for us, and in his Gofpel, makes them over to all that repent and believe in him. By faith in this fenfe, *' we are juflified from all things:" we are faved from the guilt of fin, into the divine favour, * Tituii ii. 11, 12. B are ^^ Christ's commission are adopted into God's family, regenerated through his grace, and reftored in a degree, at leaft, to his likenefs. Thirdly, As the Gofpel is a promul- gation of Lawsy faith in it implies, that we ac- knowledge the authority of the Law-giver, and yield ourfelves up to obey his Laws, looking to him^ and depending on him, as a Saviour, for power to enable us fo to do, and trufting in the mercy of God, through his merits, for the pardon of our daily infirmities and defedls. By faith, in this refpedl, we are faved into univerfal holinefs of heart and life, and obtain ** a confcience void of offence towards God, and towards man," with great boldnefs in the profeflion of the Gofpel. 2. It appears by this, that our Lord's promife is, and muft be always ftridlly fulfilled, << He that believeth fhall be faved." By believing in, and receiving Chrift, and his Gofpel, with regard to the Truths it reveals, the Privileges it offers, and the Laws it enjoins, we are faved even here, from ignorance and error, fin and mifery ; we are en- lightened, juftified, fandlified, and comforted. And perfevering to believe, we continue to be faved, and that in proportion to the degree of our faith. The greater number of divine truths we receive by faith, and the more fully and clearly we are perfuaded of them and impreffed by them, the more muft our minds be enlightened with true and faving know- ledge. The more conftantly we apply to, and the more firmly we truft in Chrift for the Privileges ot' the Gofpel, the more muft we be encouraged and comforted, purified and ftrengthened. And the more we fubmit, by faith, to the authority, and comply with the injunctions of the Laws of the Gofpel, looking to the Law-giver, who is alfo the Saviour, for grace and ftrength, the more (hall we be faved from the appearance of evil ; and the more holy (hall we become ** in all manner of converfation TO HIS MINISTERS. ^7 convcrfation and godlinefs." Thus, the Juft con- tinues to live by faith, and to live more abundant- ly. The full affarancc of faith y always attended with the full ajfurance of hope, never fails to be pro- du6tive oi perfeSi lovcy even the love that cojleth out fear : and that love is followed by an equal degree of every inward grace and outward virtue. And the believer ** enduring to the end," and being *' faithful unto death," receives the crown of life, and is faved eternally. 3. Now, when the Gofpel Is preached to thofe, who have not already been admitted members of the vifible Church, and when fuch arc brought cor- dially to receive it, it is neccfTary, whatever dan- ger of perfccution may be incurred thereby, that they fhould publicly profefs their Repentance and Faith, by fubmitting to the ordinance of Baptifm. Therefore, our Lord fays, ** He that believeth and is baptized fhall be faved." And St. Paul de- clares, in words of nearly a fimilar import, <* If thou (halt confefs with thy mouth the Lord Jefus^ and believe in thy heart, that God hath raifcd him from the dead, thou (halt be faved." This was undoubtedly the pradice of the primitive Church, with regard to thofe adult Heathens or Jews, who were converted to Chriftianity. They were not admitted to baptifm till they profefled repentance for fin, and faith in the Gofpel. Then, and not before, they were fprinkledj or ivajhed with water, as a token that they were ** fprinkled from an evil confcicnce, and wafhed in the laver of regenera- tion." But we cannot infer from this, that the children of Chriftian Parents were debarred from baptifm, till they were capable of believing per- fonally : on the contrary, we have reafon to fuppofe, from the very nature of the New Covenant, as well as from many paflages of Scripture, and the au- thentic records of the primitive Chuich, that they B 2 were CS Christ's cOxMmission were generally baptized in their infancy or child- hood. But as this is not a proper time to dilcufs fuch a do6trinc, referring any, that may vvifli for information upon this head, to the Books and Tradls written profelTcdly on the fubjccSV, I go on to obferve, that if our Lord fhould be confidered by any as intimating, here, the necefhty of being bap- tized in order to Salvation, in cafe there be an op- portunity for it; yet he catinot be underftood, as making it neceffary for any converts to receive bap- tifm from the very fame perfons that were inftrumen- tal in bringing them to repentance. If they be but baptized in the name of the Lord Jefus, it fecms a matter of little moment, by whom the ceremony ks performed. St. Paul, It is certain, was an inftru- ment in the hands of God, of bringing hundreds to repentance in the city of Corinth, but according to the account he gives os, he only baptized two perfons there, and the houfehold of a /hird. From this, it appears, both that he confidered it as a matter of much greater importance to preach the Gofpel, than to baptize ; and alfo, that he judged many perfons to be fufficiently qualified to per- form the latter office, who were not called to be extenfively ufeful in the execution of the former. And no wonder, for, by preaching the Goipei, the feed of Faith is fown, which as, in adults, it muft precede baptifm, fo it is of much greater neceffity and importance. 4. This is implied in the next claufe, '< He that believeth nor, fhall be damned." Our Lord does not fay, He that believeth not, and is not bap^ tizedy but fimply, ^^ He that believeth not, fhall be damned." If a perfon believe the Gofpel, with fuch a faith as is above defcribed, he fhall be faved, even if, through want of opportunity, or his own involuntary prejudices, he fhould be prevented from receiving the wafhing of baptifnal water. But TO HIS MINISTERS. ' 29 But although he may have had this, whether in his infancy or in his adult age, yet if he do not believe with a right faith, ** he (hall be damned," ox con^ ^ejnncdy as the original word is. Indeed, as St. John teflifies*, he is ** condemned already.'* Not receiving the Gofpel, as to the Truths, Privi- leges, and Precepts of it, with a ** faith working by love," he remains in that ftate of ignorance and iin, of depravity and weaknefs, in which all are by nature ; having contraded an increafed guilt, and being, of courfe, expofed to greater punifliment, for rejecting the grace of God offered in the Gofpel. <