f r- o^X^/l ^*-.' ( THE SCRIPTURE DOCTRINE OF REGENERATION CONSIDERED, IN SIX DISCOURSES. BY CHARLES BACKUS, a. m. PASTOR or A CHURCH IN SOMERS. PUBLISHED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS. -»»>»»>>)(^^ HARTFORD : FRINTED BY HUDSON AND GO0DWIN| FOR OLIVER D. AND I. COOKE. 1800. CONTENTS, s^p pj DISCOURSE I. Page. The Nature of Regeneration. 5 JOHN iil. 3. Jesus anfiuered^ and faid unto hiniy Eerily ^ verily j I fay unto thee^ Except a man he horn again ^ he cannot fee the kingdom of God. DISCOURSE 11. The Neceffity of Regeneration. 33 JOHN iii. 3. Jesus anfiuered, and faid unto him, Ferify, verify, I fay unto thee, Except a man he horn again, he cannot • fee the kingdom of God. DISCOURSE III. The Agency of the Holy Ghoft in Regeneration. 59 TITUS Iii. 5. Not hy works of righteoufnefs which ive have done, hut according to his mercy he faved us, hy the luafbing of regeneration^ and renewing of the Hofy Ghofi. /^ 7 O b o3 IV CONTENTS. DISCOURSE IV. The Agency of the Holy Ghoft In Regeneration. 87 TITUS ill. 5. Not hy ivorh of righteoufnefs 'which nve have done, but. according to his mercy he faved us, hy the 'waPiing^ regeneration, and reneiving of the Holy Ghofi. DISCOURSE V. The Charader of the Regenerate ; or true Re- ligion diftinguifhed from falfe. 115 I JOHN iv. 7. -^ErERY one that loveth is born of God, and knoivetb God, ' DISCOURSE VI. The Charader of the Regenerate ; or true Re- ligion diftinguiflaed from falfe. 147 I JOHN iv. 7. -^Efery one that loveth is born cf God, and hnotueth Gq4* ^^^^.♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦•♦•♦■♦•♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦■♦■■♦•♦♦♦■♦- Discourses on Regeneration. DISCOURSE I. The Nature of Regeneration. JOHN 111. 3, Jesus anfwered^ and f aid unto him^ Verily^ verily^ I fay unto thee^ Eyxept a man be born again^ he cannot fee the kingdom of God. THE miracles wrought by Jefus Chrlfl, when he entered on his public min- Iflry, commanded general attention among the Jews, and engaged them to inquire con- cerning his perfon, and the dtCign of his coming into the world. Nicodemus, a Pharifee, and a man of hi^h rank in Llrael, came to Jefus, by night, to learn from his mouth th?^ nature of his do£lrine and king- dom. The addref3 of this Jewifh ruler was 275553 6 ne Nature cf DIs, i. in terms of high refpeft — Rabbi, zve know that thou art a teacher come from Cod ; for 7io man can do thcfe miracles that thou doeft, ex- cept God be with hwu The Saviour anfivered and f aid unto him^ Verily, verily, I fay unto thee, Exapt a man be born again, he cannot fee the kingdom of God, He who is the faithful and true Witnefs, repeats the word verily, to give greater weight, and to excite higher attention, to the truth he utters. Let our £ars and our hearts be open, to learn the nature and neceflity of the change of which he difcourfeth in the paflage before us. It is evident that fome change is inten- ded by being born again ; and that this, in whatever it confifls, is abfolutely neceflary for the entrance of any individual of the human race Into the kingdom of God. In the text, man is ufed indefinitely ; it is as ap- plicable to the Jew as to the Gentile, and to perfons of one nation, age, or rank, as another. To be born again, mufl mean fomething beyond mere external reformation ; for if it did not, Nicodemus would not have ex- prefled his furprife, as we find he did, at what Chrill taught. Not only the Phari- fees, but even Pagans, urged the necellity of breaking off from vice, and becoming pure in outward behavior, to fecure the Dis. I. Regeneration, 7 friendihip and blefling of the Deity. How- ever difagreed mankind have been concern- ing the nature of virtue, and whatever vices they have patronized by their dodtrines, or recommended by their examples, they have always in their creeds profcjftd to recom- mend purity of morals. There is nothing in the text, taken la -Its connexion, to countenance the opinion of fome ancient and modern Chriftian wri- ters, that the ordinance of Bapufm is the principal tiling intended by being born again. A view of the context will refute this opinion, as well as that of thofe who extend the new birth to nothing beyond ■common morality. Nicodcfnus faith unto him. How can a man he horn uhen he is old ? Cayi he enter the ftcondtime into his ?nother*s womh, ajid be born ? Jejus aiifwered^ Verily^ verily, I fay imto thee^ except a man be horn ofzvater, and of the fplrit^ he cannot enter into the king- dom of God. That which is horn of the flcfh is fltfh ; and that which is born of the fpirit is fpirit. Marvel not that I faid unto thee, Te miifi he born again. The wind hloueth where it lifieth, and thou hearefl the founds thereof hut canfl not tell whence it cometh^ and whither it gceth ; fo is evtry one that is horn of the fpirit, Nicodemus anfwered and faid untj him. How can thefe things he ? 8 The Nature of Dis. i. The rite of Chriftian baptlfm, in which the aduh, or the infant, is wafhed with wa- ter in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghofl, teaches by an ad- drefs to our fenfes, the abfolute need of an internal change, or of being regenerated, to quahfy for the enjoyment of God : But the adminiftration of this ordinance doth not purify the heart, nor can we certainly determine that the perfon baptized, is a Tub- jed of that holinefs without which no man ihall fee the Lord. Baptifm is of high im- portance, and no one can defpife it without bringing great guilt upon himfelf ; but we have no authority to affirm that every un- baptized perfon will be eternally lo(f. Af- ter Chrill: had rifen from the dead, he faid unto his apoftles, in Mark xvi. 15, 16— Gg ye into all the worlds and preach the go/pel io every creature ^ he that believeth and is bap- iizedy Jhall be favtd ; but he that believeth not jhall be damnrd. From thefe words we can determine that every one who fpends his whole life in unbelief will be damned ; but not that every unbaptized perfon will be doomed to everlaflirig mifery. We cannot be juftified in excluding every unbaptized perfon from Heaven, unlefs it had been in- ferted in Chrift's declaration, or fomewhere elfe in the fcriptures, that ".he who be- lieveth not, and is not baptized^ fhall be for- Dis. I. Regeneraiion, 9 ever miferable.*' Some may be deprived of baptifm without any fault of theirs ; and others may have fuch confcientious fcruples as to prevent their receiving this ordinance, and yet may be members of Chrift's myf- tical body. No unbaptized perfon can be a member of the lifible church, according to the form under v^hich it appears in the New-Tellament. To the baptifinal \va(hing Chrifl probably alludes when he fpeaketh, in the context, of being bom of waiir» Were nothing more meant by being born of water than the baptifmal dedication, why fhould Nicodemus fay, Kow can a man he horn when he h old '^ Can he enter the fee* ond time into his mother* s %vomh and be horn ? If water baptifm be the new birth taught in the text, how could Nicodemus have re- mained fo ignorant and perplexed, after Chrifl had explained its nature ? The fur- prife of this Jewifh ruler remained through- out the conference, and he exclaimed How can ihefc things he ! He well knew that, from the days of Abraham, none had been ad- mitted into the vifible church without fub- mitting to circumcificn : And if he fuppo- fed that Chrift only meant to change the feal of the covenant, or to put baptifm irx the place of circumcificn, what could there B 2 lo The Nature of Dis. !• have been in this fo myfterious to his mind ? Befides, as is generally allowed, baptifm had long before the corRing of Chrift, been adminifteredto Gentile profclytes, on their admiflion into the Jewifh -church. His knowledge of this facl would have render- ed baptifm yet more familiar. We do not find in all the New-Teftament that the ufe of this ordinance excited wonder ; as it mud have done if it had been a pra6lice wholly without a precedent among the Jews. The priefls and the levites whom the Jews fent to John, to enquire who he was, afked him, Why baptiz0 ihou then^ if thou he not that Chrift^ 7ier E/ias, neither that prophet /* It is plain that they did not inquire concern- ing baptifm as a rite, but why he baptized. It feems that they expected the MelTiah would baptize when he fhould appear. If baptifm be fuppofed to be the only re- generation taught in the text, we fhall fmd ourfelves involved in infuperable difficulties, in reconciling it with the other words which pafTed between Chrift and Nicodemus. In addition to what has been faid, it may be- obferved, that the new birth which our Lord inculcates, is attributed to the Holy Ghofl: as its author : Except a man' be horn of ihe fpirity he cannot enter into ihe kingdom of Gody> * John i. 25.. Dis. I. Regeneration. ii To be born of the fpirit^ is the fame thing with the renovation of the heart by the fpirlt of God. This change is the effed of a di- vine operation on the heart. The necefTity of it is derived from man's moral polkition^ — That which is born ofthcjlejlo isfiefb, Ho- linefs is introduced into the heart of apof- tate man, only by the fpirit of God — That which is born of the fpirit is fpirit. In the manner of the fpirit's operation on the^heart there is fomething which we cannot compre- hend ; which operation Chiift compareth to the blowing of the wind. But what is there either in the adminiflratioji of the or- dinance of baptifm, or in the practice of common morality, that is myfterious ? The new birth inculcated in the text, confifteth in the turning of the heart fwDm fm to holinefs. It is in confequence of this change that any one of the human race be- cometh a child of God by faith in Chrift jefus. By the phrafe, the kingdom of God, in the pafTage before us. cannot be primarily meant the vifible church, nor the Nevv-Teftament- difpenfation ; .becaufe many have been in the kingdom of God in theie fenfes, who were his enemies, and remained fo through life. The kingdom of God is here to be under- ftood as including the ftate of grace into 12 The Nature cf Dis. i, which the regenerate are brought, in the prefent world, and the Aate of glory pre- pared for them in the world to come. In this fenfe tha phrafe is often ufed in the fcrip- yares. Luke vi. 20. And he lifted up his eyes oh his di/ciplts^ and f aid ^ hltjj^cdare ye peer : for youn is the kingdom of God, Rom. xiv. 17. For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink ; but righicoufnefsy and peace ^ and joy in the Ho- ly Ghofi, I Cor. XV. 50. ritfJ) and blood cannot inherit the kin^^dom of Gcd. None can Jee the kingdom of God, or enjoy its blef- fmgs, except tliofe who are born again. The words of ChriO; in the text, lead us to confidcr the nature and necefliry of re- generariou. According to the method propofed I fhall begin with inquiring into the nature of regeneration. I fliall, ifl. Introduce federal paiTages from the fcripturcs, as a guide in the interefl- ing fubjev^: before us. Deut. xxx. 6. And the Lord thy God ivill circumcife thine hearty and the heart of thy feed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine hearty andvjith allthyfoul^ that thou mayefi live. Pfalm li. 1 o. Create in me a clean heart. God ; crnd renew a right fpirit within me, Jeiem. xxiv. 7. A7id I will give them an heart to know me^ Dis. I. Regeneration. 13 ihat I am the Lord ; and theyjhall be my people^ and I will be thtir God : for they Jhall return unto me with their whole heart, xxxi. 33. But this Jhall be the covenant that Izvill ?nake with the houfe of Jfrael ; after thofe days^ faith the Lord ^ I will put my law in their' inward parts ^ and write it in their hearts ; ard will be their God^ and theyfhall be my people. Ezek. xxxvi. 25, 26, 27. Then will I fprinkle clean water upon you andyefhallbe clean : front all your flihinefsy and from all your idols^ will Icleanfe you. A new heart alfo will I give you^ and a new fpirit will I put within you ; and I will take away the fiony heart out cfyourfltfh^ and I will give you an heart of flcfh. And I will put my fpirit within you., and caufe you to walk in myftatutes^ and ye fhall keep ?ny judg" ments^ arid do thenu I APPEAL to every candid reader of the fcriptures, whether it be pollible, by any- fair interpretation, to underftand by the foregoing texts lefs than a complete change of character, or a new temper of mind. Hence appears the propriety of Chrifl's fay- ing to Nicodemus, Art thou a mafter of Jfrael^ arid knowcj} not thefe thirgs ? " Are you a teacher of high rank among the Jews, and are you fo blind, as not to know that the fcriptures, which you profefs to be able to explain, abound with the doclrine of the 14 The Nature (f Dk i* new birth which I am inculcating; ? Why- do youitumble at theneceflity of thii, change, by a divine operation, fince it is fo clearly revealed in the oracles God ?*' I WILL now introduce a few texts from the New-Teftament on the fubjed before us. John i. 12, 13'. But as many as received him^ io them gave he power to hi come the fo?u oj God^ even to them that believe on his name : Which were born^ not oj bloody nor of the will of the fiefh^ nor of thr will of man^ but of God, 2 Cor. iv. 1 6. For Gcd, who cof?unandtd the light tofJoine out of darkjiefs^ hathfhined in our hearts^ to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jefus Chri/t. Eph. ii. 10. For we are his workmanfhip^ created in Chri/i Jtfus unto good works ^ which God hath before ordained thatwe fdoidd walk in them. iv. 24. And that ye put on the new man^ which after God is create din right eorfnefs and true ho- line/s. 1 John V. 18. We know that whofoever is born of Godfinm th not : but he that is begot- ten of Godkeepeth hi?nfclf and that wicked one toucheth him not. litus iii. 5. Not by ivorks of righteoufnefs which we have done^ but according to his mercy he faved us^ by the wafhing of re- generation^ and renewing of the Holy Gho/h May not every one bs convinced by this feleclion of a few pafTages, out of many, ' recorded in the Jewifh and Chridran fcrip- ' DIs. I. Regeneration. 15 tures, that an efTential change of heart is ef- fefted in regeneration ? God circumcifeth the heart to love him. — He giveth the regen- erate a heart to know him. — Heputteth his law in their inward parts, and writeth it in their heart. — He giveth them a new heart and a new fpirir. — He putteth his fpirit with- in them. — He caufeth them to walk in his ftatutes, — They who believe on the name of Jefus Chiifl, are born not of blood, nor of the will of the fle(h, nor of the will of man, but of God. — He hath fhined in their hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of his glory in the face of Jefus .Chrift. — There- generate are God's workmanfhip, created in Chrlft Jefus unto good works. They put on the new man, which after God is crea- ted in righteoufnefsand trueholinefs. — They are begotten of God ; And through his mercy they are faved by the wafhing of re- generation, and renewing of the Holy Ghoft. From the account of this change which hath Deen taken from the word of truth^ it appears that God operateth on the heart by his fpirit, previoully to its holy exertions, and that all its exercifes are the effects of this divine operation. God worketh in the faved both to will and to do. Hence many divines have, with propriety, made a dif- tindlion between regeneration and conv^r- fion : meaning by the firfl, the energy of tS T/je Nature of Dis. i. the holy fpirit in changing the heart ; and by the laft, the holy exercifes of the heart which follow ; fuch as love, repentance, faith, and other graces. Certainly the tree mud be made good, before its fruit can be good : And as the unregenerate are wholly without holinefs, it is evident that when it is found in any man, it mud be attributed to the holy fpirit, as its author. In con- verfion men are adive, and are as free in turning to God as in any exercifes what- ever. The peculiar energy of the Deity which giveth birth to hoUnefs in creatures is as reconcileable with their freedom, as his energy which extends to the common actions of life. Man was a moral agent when he was firfl created. He was not brought into exiftence without any charac- ter, or with a heart clear from any moral bias, lili^e a piece of paper which has noth- ing writtqa upon it. Man was not only in- nocent, or clear from fin, but he was pofi- tivelyholy. Eccl. vii. 29. Lo^ this only have I founds that God hath made man upright ; hut they have fought out many inventions. If the divine power which created man holy at firfl, did not impair his freedom as a moral agent, the divine power which createth ho- linefs in the heart of any individual of Ad- am's poiterity, in any period of his exift- ence, does not impair his freedom. The Dis. I. Regeneration. jy obje6lion brought againfl: the do<5lnne of regeneration, on the ground of itsdellroy- ing man's freedom, goes to the denial of all created holinefs, and confequently to a denial that Adam was holy in the firll mo- ment of his exiflence, 2dly. Regeneration hath its feat in the hearty or the temper of the mind. This has already been obferved, but it deferves a more particular confideration. All men, whether good or bad, are ca- pable of diftinguifhing between holinefs and lin, and of knowing their duty. This fac- ulty is called The Underjlanding, The pleaf- ure or the pain which the mind feels in a review of its actions, is fliled The Confcience* This, in fome inftances, operates to a high degree, in the worfl of men while in the prefent life, and will be like a worm that never dies, to the impenitent in the world to come. A power of choofmg or refufing, is alfo poffefTed both by the righteous and the wicked, which is called The Will, The moral exercifes of the mind are according to a certain bias, or tafte, which is called The Heart, As this is holy or fniful, men are holy or (inful in their volitions. In this bias, or tafte, are included The Affi&ions ; which may be fummed up in love and hatred* C 1 8 The Nature of Dis. i. The good man rellfiies the beauty of God's moral chara6ler, and choofes to ferve him.. The wicked man has an oppofite relifh, and choofes 10 difobey him. A MINUTE delineation of the faculties and operations of the human mind, does tiot fall within my prefent defign. All will admit a diflin6lIon between a capacity to know what is right, and a difpofition either to conform, or not conform to it. The fcriptures proceed on the ground of this diftinclion, and that it is admitted by man- kind. Under the firft head of this general divifion of the mind, are included the un- derftanding and the confcience ; and under the lafl, the moral tafte, the will, and the aiFe6lions. Thefe three laft compofe the heart. By keeping in view the definitions jufl given, my meaning may be gathered when either of thefe words occur in the foU lowing difcourfes. Were man deftitute of a capacity of diftinguifhing between holinefs and fin, and of voluntary adion with refpeft to them, he could not be a fubjeft of moral govern- ment, he could not be accountable to the fupreme Judge, nor would he have any thing to hope or fear from the retributions of eternity. However man's reafoning powers may be impaired, or whatever dark- Dis. I. Regeneratm, 19 nefs may be thrown upon them by fm, or however hardened confcience may become; by long refifting its didates, his general capacity remains. He retains his place in the fcale of being ; and uill be rewarded, or puniflied, agreeable to the law of recti- tude. He does not by his revolt lofe his re- lation to God, nor to his neighbor : neither are his obligations in the lead dimini(hed to love the former with all his heart, and the latter as himfelf. The tranfgreflbr can do nothing which makes the fmallell approach towards the annihilation of his intelligent nature ; nor can he do any thing which will either overthrow, or weaken, the principle? on which God governs his creatures. Sin confifts in a wrong difpofition, or temper, of mind. It involves in its nature rebellion againft the order which God hath eftablifhed in the moral w^orld, and could its wifhes be accomplifhed, Jehovah would ceafe to fit on the throne of the univerfe. The unregene- rate are not under the fame kind of inabil- ity of loving and ferving God, as a deaf man is of hearing founds, or as a blind man is of difcerning colours ; but their inability arifes from a heart which is oppofed both to the law and the gofpel. Hence we may fee that their inability is of a criminal na- ture, and that the higher it rifes, the more deferving they are of the divine wrath.^ 20 The Nature of DIs. i. The heart, or the temper of the mind, is changed in regeneration. There is noth- ing in this change which refembles the tranf- formation of a plant into a living thinking creature, or of the beads of the field into men. The defign of it is to reftore the holy temper which was lofl by the apoflacy. To the regenerate is imparted a difpofition which harmonizes with the place which man holds in the family of the great Parent and Lord of all. The fubjects of the new birth do not afpire to the rank of angels, nor repine at the lower grade afligned them by infinite .wifdom and goodnefs. Their great or their fmall reafoning powers, their igno- ranee of the arts and fciences, or their ac- quaintance with them, remain as before : their hearts only are immediately afFededby regeneration. The unregenerate are fometimes defcri- bed in fcripture as having the imderftanding darkened ; but this arifes from the blindnefs of their heart.* Under the influence of a corrupt temper the beauty of holinefs is not difcerned. The knouledge^ or the under- Jlanding^ or the lights given in regeneration, immediately refpeds the moral ftate of the mind. The regenerate emerge from dark- nefs into light by receiving a new heart : * Epk. iv. iS. Dis. I. Regeneration. ti they now become the fubjeds of divine il- lumination. As in the fcriptures all the faculties of the foul are confidered as receiving their moral complexion from the heart, deprav- ity is fometimes predicated of them all. For the fame reafon a change of heart is repre- fented as fetting the whole foul right, and as extending its influence even to the body. But neither our corporeal members, nor our eflential faculties as moral agents, are the immediate feat of holinefs or fm. They are holy or finful according to the end to which they are devoted by the heart. When any are regenerated they glorify God in their body^ and in the'.r fpirit. Hence babes in divine knowledge are preferved from de- ftruclive delufions, and are trained up for the kingdom of glory ; while men of the world, of flrong mental powers, and high attainments in fcience, are ^cqh to imbibe moll abfurd and fatal errors. The light imparted by the Holy Ghoft in regeneration, does not imply the difcovery of any truth which is not contained in the Bible ; but it is defigned to give to the heart a relifli for the dodrines, laws, and promi- fes, which are contained in that holy book. If in the new birth fome truth were commu- C 2 aa The Nature of Dis. i. nicatcd which is not to be found in the writ- ten word, we fhould be left without any Handing rule for the trial of the fpirits. I'he change wrought in regeneration, brings the heart into harmony with the plan of falva- tion which is revealed in the facred volume. The book of God appears in a new light to thofe who are born again ; not becaufe any new truth is revealed, but becaufe their hearts have a new relifh, and inconfequence of this they difcover new beauties in the law and gofpel. Now they receive the divine word, not as the word of men, but as the WORD OF God. 3dly. Regeneration is an inftantane- ous change. This is an obvious conclufion from its confiding in a new heart, or a holy temper, in oppefition to the old man, or to a mind at enmity with God. Among the unregenerate fome are openly vicious, and others maintain external purity in their con- dud ; fome are funk in ftupidity, and oth- ers are filled with fearful apprehenfions of the wrath to come 5 but whatever variety is to be found among them, they all agree in being alienated from the life of God. Tljere is no eflential alteration of chara6ler in any one of the human race, except he be born again. Between fm and holinefs there can be no medium j ftuce they tire direftly op» Dis. I. Regeneration, 23 pofed to each other. There is no perfon on the earth who is not either the friend, or the enemy of God. The words of Chrift, in Matth. xii. 30, place this beyond doubt. He that is not with me is againjl me ; and he that gathereth not with me fcatiereth abroad. Between the interefts of Chrifl's kingdom and thofe of Satan's, there is no commun- ion. Every perfon in this affcmbly, or any where on the earth, is either in the road to heaven, or in the road to hell ; and were he this moment to enter the world of fpirits, he would either be received into paradife, or be doomed to endlefs mifery. There can be no point of time in which one is neither in a renewed, nor an unre- newed flate ; and therefore when the new heart is given, it muft be given in an inftant. The work of fan3iJicatio7i is carried on pro- greflively in the hearts of the renewed, and will be continued until it is completed in the concluding moment of life ; but regen- eration is the beginning of holinefsin the foul, and admits of no progrefTion. The point of time in which it is effe(^ed, is as indivifi- ble as was that between the Almighty Fiat in the morning of the creation and the work done — God /aid let there be lights and then vm light* 24 ^^^ Nature of DIs. i* Christianity is not anfwerable for the abufes which have been made of the doclrine before us. There is nothing in it which countenances enthufiaftic iropulfes, or a Hfe of floth and wickednefs. In regeneration men are made wilHng to enter into the rea- fonable fervice which God requireth in his word, are placed under the dominion of the pure and benevolent fpirit of the gofpel, and enter on a Hfe of great vigilance and activity. If it be not allowed that regeneration is an inftantaneous change^ fonie other nature mufl be attributed to it, than that which has now been defcribed. If the change be grad- ual ; the old man and the new are not very wide apart ; or there mufl be a middle char- ader produced which no one can defcribe, and which has no flare affigned to it in the retributions of eternity. If all men, as foon as they are brought into exiflence, polTefs the feeds of virtue as an effential attribute of their nature, or have them implanted in their hearts by the Holy Ghofl, it will fol- low that no ejjtntial change is neceffary to fit any one of x\dam's race for heaven. On this plan the lofl have the fame general char- a6ler with the faved ; and the difference between them is to be afcertained by a cer- tain degree of goodnefs to which the faved rife, and which the loft either do not acquire^ Dis. I. Regeneration* 25 or do not retain. What is this degree of goodnefs which conflitutes regeneration ? To find it we muft draw a line fome where between finlefs perfedlion and a (late of un- regeneracy. What clue have we to guide us ? The regenerate muft be thrown into a labyrinth of perplexity, and be left without means to extricate themfelves, if they are to have recourfe to nothing for evidence in favor of their heirfhip to glory, but a cer- tain degree of holinefs no where defcribed in the word of God. The facred writings abound with defcriptions of the flefh and the fpirit, their oppofite natures and fruits ; but they do not afford us any light in de- termining to what grade actions muft rife or fall, to conftitute a holy, or a fmful, char- a6ler. We cannot account for the ftrain in which the fcriptures proceed, if holinefs and fin be not of contrary natures, and if there be not an effential difference between the charaders of the righteous and tlie wicked. The more attentively we examine the do6lrine of progreffive regeneration, the more fully it will appear that it is built on principles which deny thefull extent of man's depravity, the neceffity of an effential change of character ; and which renders the work that paffes on the renewed, little, if any 26 The Nature of Dis. r. thing, more than a renunciation of the forms of falfe worfhip, and a profefiion of Chriflianity, accompanied with a Hfe ex- ternally pure. Can this be the effence of that change which Mofes and the prophets, Chrift and the apoftles, make necelTary to pre- pare men for the enjoyment of a holy God ? Eternal life is promifed to the fmalleft expreflion of Chrifiian love, even the giv- ing of a cup of cold water to one in the name of a difciple. How can we account for the glorious reward which fo fmall an adlion meets, if it w-ere not grounded on a principle wholly different from that which gives birth to the fhining alliens of many impenitent fmners ? The true difciples of Je- fus Chrift are renewed in the fpirit of their minis, and are prepared to bring forth good fruit. Hence, in the fmalleft holy actions they perform, they may coUedt evidence that they are members of Chrift's myftical body,^ and that they will be owned by him when he (hall come to be glorified in his faints, and to be admired in all them that believe. The thoughts which have been fuggefled on the fubjed to which we have been attend- ing lead us to remark,. I. That the dodrine of regeneration is a plain and confident dodrine. It is reveal- ed both in the Old Teltament and in the Dis. I. Regeneration, 27 New, and is an efTential part of the plan of falvation which is proclaimed in the gofpel. The dodrine involves no abfurdity, or con- tradidion. It refpeds nothing in man but his charader. It is this which is changed by the influences of the Holy Ghofl:. This change does not impair man*s intelligent na- ture, nor offer the lead violence to the free- dom of his will ; but inclines him to love and ferve God in the prefent world, and pre- pares him for the enjoyment of God in the world to come. If any will contend that re- generation is to be numbered among the dreams of a fuperftitious or a gloomy mind, they betary great ignorance both of God and themfelves. 2. We may infer that the dodrine of re- generation does not relax the moral obliga- tions of fmners, nor diminifh the propriety of calling on them to repent and turn unto the Lord. As has been obferved, man does not by his fin drop his intelligent nature, nor ceafe to be bound by the divine law, nor to be accountable to the fupreme King. Be the difpofition of man's heart what it may, the homage which God requireth of him re- maineth a reafonabk fervice. The fubjeds of the divine moral government are as un- able to deflroy their obligations to obedi- ^8 Tbe NaU4rc of Dis. i. ence, as they are to annihilate themfelves, or to dethrone the Almighty. If nothing more were required of finners than they are inclined to do, their rebellion would ceafe to be a fin, the moral law would lofe its authority, and the falvation of fmners, if it could be called falvation, would not be of grace, but of debt. That fmners are called upon to repent and turn unto the Lord throughout the fcriptures, can be denied by none who have attended to thefe writings. Though the calls of God's word and providence prove inefFedual, as we daily fee, the pro- priety and reafonablenefs of the divine com- mands cannot be queflioned. Impenitent finners are addrefled as rational creatures, as voluntary agents, and as having an ap- petite for happinefs and an averfion to mif- ery. They may have a dodrinal belief of what the Lord requireth them to renounce, and what to embrace ; and may feel a deep impreflion of truth on their confciences, while they refufe to come unto Chrift that they may have hfe. It is, declared by the Saviour in the 20th verfe of the chapter which contains the text, That every one that doeih evil hateth the lights neither cometh to the light, lejl his deeds Jlwuld he reproved. Are the wicked not to be exhorted to come to Dis. I. Regeneration, ip the light, becaufe they hate it ? Are the terms of lalvation to be brought down to a level with the exercifes of their rebellious hearts ? The impenitent are not thus excu- fed, nor is fuch daring prefumptioH encour- aged, in the word of God. Let us attend to a few palTages out of the many which might be quoted. Jere. iv. 14. Jerufa- Um^ wajh thine heart from ivickednefs^ that thou inayeji be faved : how longJJjall thy "vain thoughts ledge within thee? Mark i. 14, 15. Now^ after that John was put in prifon, Jefus came into Galilee^ preaching the gofpcl of the kingdom of God^ and faying^ The time is fuU filled, and the kingdom of God is at hand : re* p£72t ye, and believe the gofpel. Acts xvii. 30. — God now commandeth all men every where to repent, James iv. 8, 9, 10. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you, Cleanfe your hands, yefinners ; and purify your hearts ye double-minded. Be affu6led and mourn, and weep ; let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heavinefs, . Hu?nble yourfelves in the fight of the L ord, and hefhall lift you up, Thefe few texts are a fpecimen of the divine requirements from fmncrs, and to v/hat temper the promifes are made. By the cur-, rent language of the lively orach s v\'e mufl Ife convinced, if we attend with candor, that exercifes of heart are required of fip- D 3c The Nature cf Dis. i. ners to which they are wholly oppofed; and that if they will contend in the prefent cafe, they contend with God. The fubjedl now immediately before us, my friends, is a painful one to the unre- conciled heart. If any one doubt whether his heart be at enmity with God, let him attend to its exercifes in himfelf when the divine command is in full view. If there be one now in the hearing of this difcourfe who is charging God with being a hard mafler, be intreated to paufe, 'and refiedl on your charaQer and ftate with all the fo- lemnity, which becometh a dying accounta- ble creature. If the wickednefs of your heart will juftify you in not turning to God now, it will juftify your impenitence here- after, and will fecure you from punifhment when you fhall be arraigned at the bar of the Judge of the living and the dead. Will you dare fland up before him, and plead the enmity of your heart againft him as an excufe for not being reconciled to his gov- ernment ? Tremble at the thought of main- taining a controverfy with God ! Throw down the weapons of your rebellion, and fubmit yourfelf to him. , It is a pleafmg fight to the friends of Zion to behold finners roufed from ftupidity, reading the Bible, and anxioully inquiring Dis. I. Regeneration. 3^ what they mud do to be faved. There is much more reafon to hope that fuch perfons will be brought to the knowledge of the truth, than thofe who are fecure in their fins, who prefer any other book to the Bock of God, and frequent the houfe of mirth. But when fmners arefolemnized, and have terrible apprehenfions of the wrath to come, no one ought to attempt to give them relief by affuring them that certain exercifes of the impenitent heart fecure to them a prom- ife of being fitted for heaven. It is danger- ous to give fuch counfel ; becaufe it is not warranted by the word of God, and becaufe it will, if believed, throw the awakened Tin- ner into a (late of carnal fecurity. O YE fmners, of every defer iption, let not a deceived heart any longer turn you afide. Do not flatter yourfeives with the hope of finding pSace while you remain God's enemies. You mud become recon- ciled to him or you mud periih forever. If you give up yourfeives to him, you will, on the one hand, cheerfully acknowledge your obligations to hollnefs ; and on the other, that fovereign gracewas difplayed inbringing you into captivity to the obedience of Chrift. This hath been the language of the redeem- ed of our race from the beginning to this day. May all our hearts a<;cord with the 32 The Nature of ^ ^c. Dis. i. words of the apoftle, Work cut ycur ozvn faU vat ion ivitbfiar and trembling : For it is God who ivorketh in you both to will and to do^ of his good pleafure. Amen. ^;><>c><:x><:xx><><>o<>c.:<^xx^4:><:xx><::>♦♦♦♦♦ DISCOURSE 11. The NecefTity of Regeneration. John iii. 3. Jesus cnfwered and f aid unio him. Verily^ verily^ I fay imto thee. Except a man be hjrn again, he cannot fee the kingdom of God* THE fcrlpture doctrine of regeneration is a (lumbling-block to many, who have been educated under the h'ght of the gofpel. They neither underftand the na- ture, nor acknowledge the neceflity, of this change ; and they exclaim, with Nicode- mus, " How can thefe things be !" There are others who do not deny this doclrine, who confider it as a fubjecl rather fpecula- tive than ufeful. God grant that the words of Chrift, in the text, may make a deep impreflion on all our minds — Verily, verily y I Jay unto thee. Except a fnan he born again^ ^ he cannot fee the kingdom of God. D 2 34 ^ke NeaJJiiy of Dis. 2. Having attempted to explain the nature of regeneration in my firft difcourfe, I pro- ceed in this to confider the 7ieceffity of this change. ift. The moral depravity of man fur- niihes proof, that no individual of the hu- man race can enter into the kingdom of heaven, except he be born again. In what this depravity confifts, or how it affeds the mind, has been already fhown. Let us at- tend for a moment, to the evidence that our moral nature is depraved. That all mankind are inclined to fin is plain from the hiflory of our race, from the date of Adam's tranfgreflion to the prefent time. Experience has abundantly taught that all men, when left to the guid- ance of their own hearts, have uniformly and invariably tranfgrefled the divine law, and have not chcfen to retain God in their knowledge. The inilances of piety to be found in fome individuals form no objection to the prefent argument ; becaufe all thefe pious perfons are monuments of divine grace. They who have not been guilty of fm need no pardon. But no one of the human race has been faved on any other ground than that of the atonement which hath been made by Jefus Chrift. He is the Saviour of mankind, tieithcr is there falva- Dls. 2. Regeneration. 35 ilon in any other ; for there is none other name under heaven given among men^ ^whereby we viujl he faved. He did not come to call the righteous, but Tinners to repentance. His plan of falvation necefTarily implies that all mankind have apoflatized, and are juftly expofed to everlafting wrath. Thofe who are faved by him are the mod ready to ac- knowledge their native propenfity to fm. The apoille Paul, in Rom. vii. fpeaketh the language of them all, I know that in me (that is^ in my jlejld) dwelleth no good thing. Real Chriftians are mofl full in confelfing that they fee depravity every where among man- kind, and that they daily feel it in them- felves. If the good opinion which fome profefs to entertain of the human character be juft, it is very ftrange that thofe perfons who are the pureft in their walk, fhould be the mofl ready to confefs the wickednefs of the heart. If we furvey the conduft of mankind from the time of Adam to that of Noah, from Noah to Abraham, from Abraham to Mofes, from Mofes to David, from David to the coming of Chiifl, and from the com- ing of Chrift to the prefent day, we find fads without number to eftablilh the doc- trine of moral depravity. What impiety, idolatry, profanenefs, injuflice, rapine, vi- 36 The NeceJJity of Dis. 2\ olence, uncleannefs, envy, malice, and other fms, have prevailed on the earth ? How large a proportion of our hiftory is written in characters of blood ? We cannot account for the wickednefs which has been prevalent among mankind from bad example. An attempt to account for it in this way, is only to remove the difficulty a ilep further back. The queftion immediately arifes, " How became bad ex- amples fo common ?'' Why do we find them not only among the Heathen nations, but among the defcendants of the pious patri- archs ? If there- be no corrupt propenfity in the heart of man, why are not good exam- ples as common as bad ones ? We cannot avoid judging a tree by its fruit : And hence, if the fruit be corrupt, the tree mufl be corrupt. That the heart of man is wholly corrupt is explicitly and fully declared throughout the infpired writings. Gen. vi. 5. And God faw that the wickednefs of man was great in the earth, and that every i?nagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil co?itinually. The force of the argument in fupport of human depravity drawn from this text can- not be evaded, by confining this defcription to the antediluvians ; for it is declared by Jehovah, after the flood, in Gen. viii. 21. Dis. 2. Regoieratm. 37 / will not again curfe the ground any more for 7nan*s fake ; for the imagination of man^s heart is evil from his youth. The charader here given of man, is as applicable to the inhabit- ants of the new world, as to the inhabitants of the old. It is particularly applied to the former, and confidered as common to men of all ages and nations, from the early pe- riod of life. If we fliould grant that the inhabitants of the earth do not proceed to the fame enormity of wickednefs in the days fubfequent to the deluge as in thofe which preceded it, flill the fame general character is afcribed to man — his heart is evil from his youth. More than a thoufand years after the flood, Solomon affirms, in his prayer at the dedication of the Temple, that there is no man that ftnneih not.* He exprefles the fame fentiment more fully in Ecclefiaftes vii. 20. For there is not ajufi man upoji earthy that doeth good ^ and finneth not, Paul com- plained of a law in his members that warred againfl the law of his mind and brought him into captivity to the law of fm. From the remaining corruptions in the hearts of good men in the prefent life, we may conclude that there is a native corrupt propenfity in the hearts of all mankind. David in li. * I Kings viii. 46. 38 The Isecejftty of Dis 2. Pfalm, when confefTing his fin in the mat- ter of Uriah, faith in the 5th verfe, Behold^ I was Jhapen in iniquity ; and in fin did my mother conceive me. After every learned at- tempt to explain away the obvious meaning of this pafiage, it remains as an explicit dec- laration of the Pfalmiil:, that he felt fully convinced that he had a finful propenfity from the dawn of his exigence. The na- tive bias of his heart was not different from that of any other of Adam's defcendants : For we read in Prov. xxvii. 1 9. As in wa^ ierface anjwcreth to face ; fo the heart ofinan to man. The prophet Jeremiah, in the xvii. chapter of his prophecy, faith of the human heart, without application to any individu- al. The heart is deceiful above all things^ and defperately wicked : who can know it ? I ap- peal to you, brethren, who have fludied your hearts, whether you have any doubt of thejufiice of Jeremiah's defcription ? And whether in proportion as you have been fearching into yourfelves, the words of the prophet have not appeared more and more jufl and firiking ? Can you not fay of this paiTage in particular — How forcible are right words ? My limits will permit me to introduce on- ly a few texts out of the many which might be cited in this place. I may not omit that Dis. 2. Regeneration, 39 remarkable paflage which is contained ia Romans ill. beginning at the 9th verfe.— What then ? are we better than they ? No^ in no luife : for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles^ that they are all under fin ; Js it is written. There is none righteous, no, Hot one : There is none that underfiandeth, there is none that fee keth after God, They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprof table ; there is none that doeth good,no^ not one. Their throat is an open fepulchre ; with their tongues they have ufed deceit ; the poifon of afps is un- der their lips : Whofe mouth is full of curfing a nd hitter nefs : The irfeet arefwift tofhed blood: Definition and mifery are ii>i their way : And the way of peace have they not known : There is no fear of God before their eyes. The words contained in this pafTage are quoted from feveral Pfalms, and other pla- ces in the Old Teftament.* That thefe words imply a total depravity will not be denied. The only inquiry now before us is, whether the apoflle confines them to a wick- ed party of the Ifraelites, or of any other people, who lived in the times of the Jew- ifh kings and prophets, or extends them to all mankind of every nation and age. He muft be underftood to apply the words in the lad fenfe : For he introduces the paflage * Pfalm, X. xiwv xxxvi. liii. cxl. Proy. i. Ifaiah llx. 40 The Nature of DIs. 2. with declaring that he had before proved both Jews a?2d Gentiles that they are all under Jin, Jews and Gentiles include all mankind. After the apoflle had mentioned that both Jews and Gentiles are all under fm, he pro- ceeds .to confirm this point by uttering him- felf in the words of the Jewifh fcriptures " As it is written. There is none righteous, no not one" — and continues to Iketch the fea- tures of the human heart through the whole paffage. Further to fhow that the charac- ter of the whole human race falls within the apoflle*s defign, it may be obferved that he draws fuch conclufions from the premifes contained in the words quoted as demon- flrate that the depravity defcribed in them extends to all mankind ; verfes 19, 20. No'iv^ we know^ that what things foe ver the law faith ^ it faith tothe?n who are under the law ; that every mouth may be flopped^ and all the world may become guilty before God, Therefore by the deeds of tJ^ law there foall no fiefh beju/ii,- Jied in his fight : for by the law is the knowledge of fin. The apoflle mentions all the world as becoming guilty' before God; which proves the univerfal extent of the forego- ing defcription ef moral depravity. If the apoflle did not defign to extend the deprav- ity he had defcribed to all mankind, how would he conclude from it, as he doth, that noflefh — no individual of the human race, Dis. 2. Regeneration* 41 can be jufllfied by the deeds of the law. If there were fome individuals of Adam's pof- terity, or even one, without fin, there would be an exception from the common way of juftification in the fight of God through the atonement — that fmall number of holy per- fons who never fmned, or that individual who is fpotlefs, can be juftified by the deeds of the law. But the apoflle makes no ex- ception. He faith by the deeds of the law fhall no jlejh^ be juftified in his fight. He denies that any exception is. to be admitted. He further goes on to declare in the 23d verfe. For all have finned and come Jloort of the glory of God, He does not fay that a few have finned, or that a ftrong corrupt party in Ifrael in the times of the kings and proph- ets, or in any nation or age, have fmned, but that All have finned. He reprefents all mankind as being deilitute of the fear of God, and in the way to ruin. He adds in the 28th, 29th, and 30th. verfes. Therefore we conclude^ that a man isju/lified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is he the ' God of the yews only /" is he not alfo of the Geniiks ? Tes, of the Gentiles alfo : Seeing it is one God which foall jufiify the circwncifton by faith ^ and un-- circumcifion through faith. It being manifefl that the paflage defcrip- tiye of mail's depravity in Rom. iii. is to be E 42 The NeceJJtiy of Dis. 2. applied to every individual of the human race, it will follow that all mankind are, by nature, totally depraved, or that their hearts are wholly corrupt. However pure any un- renewed perfons may be in their outward behavior, or however engaging in their ad- drefs, they do nothing which is holy. In this fenfe there is none of them that doeth good, no 7iot one. It is not implied in the doctrine of total depravity, that all fmners have an equal degree of guilt, or that they all commit crimes in the face of the world, or that they are as bad as they can be ; but by to- tal depravity is meant a heart which is whol- ly destitute of holinefs, and wholly in love with fin. Every unregenerate perfon is an enemy to the true character of God ; and were he under no reftraint, he would, as temptations occurred, commit either of the crimes which is found in the catalogue of the works of the flefh. From within, out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts, adulte- ries, fornications, ?nurders, thefts, covetoufnefs, ivickednefs, deceit, lafcivioufnefs, an evil eye, hlafphemy, pride, fooliflmefs : All thefe evil things come from within, and defile the man* If we faithfully look into our hearts we fhall fee in them the feeds of every fm, and fliall * Mark vii. ai, aa, 23* Dis. 2. Regeneration. 43 be convinced that no one can juftly hope for the happinefs of Heaven without pafTmg through the new birth. This change was as neceflary for the agreeable young ruler who came to confer with Chrift, in the courfe of his public miniftry, as it was for Mary Magdalene ; and it is equally neceffary for all in every age of the world. Some feem to fuppofe that if mankind be totally depraved, they mud ceafe to be moral agents. If their objection be valid, it will follow that any degree of depravity will, as far as it extends, take away man's obligations to ferve the Lord. If the ad- vocates for partial human depravity will not abide by this confequence, they mud give up the prefent objection. Befides, as has been fhown, moral depravity refpeds noth- ing but the heart, or the temper of the mind ; and therefore whether it be partial or total, none of the powers of moral a- gency are deftroyed. Do we not find that the word: of men are as voluntary in their adions as the bed ? The moft vile are much more active in build- ing up the kingdom of darknefs, than Chrif- tians are in promoting the kingdom of the Redeemer. The children of this world are in their generation wifer than the children of light. No one will deny that Satan is totally de- 44 Th^ Necejftty of Dis. 2. praved, and that he has rifen to a much higher degree of wickednefs than his chil- dren on the earth. Is he moved like a ma- chine ? Is he not a voluntary agent ? He is a6live and unwearied in accomplifliing his infernal defigns. He, as a roaring lion^ ivalkcth about y feeking vjho?n he may devour. From the character of man by nature, we may determine that no one can fee the kingdom of God, if he be not turned from fm to holinefs, or be born again. The truth of this will more fully appear by con- fidering, sdly. That none but the pure in heart can enjoy communion with a holy God. Without holinefs no man jhall fee the Lord^ This is the neceflary and immutable confti- tution of infinite wifdom and benevolence. God is of purer eye's than io behold evil^ and cannot look on iniquity. The foolifh fhall 7wt Jiand in his fght : he hateth all workers of iti- iquity. Can two ivalk together except they be agreed? fVhat fellow/hip hath righteoifmfs ivith unrighteoifnef ? and what comnmnion hath light with darknefs ? We cannot have com- munion with God fo long as we refufe to pay him the homage of our hearts. Jfwe fay that we have fellowfhip ix ith him^ and walk in darknefs^ we lie^ and do not the truth.* * I John i. 6. Dis. 2. Regeneration* 45 Thofe, and thofe only, who are born again have f'ellowfhip with the Father, with his Son Jefus Chrift, and with the family of the redeemed. None but the renewed can adopt the language of the pious Pfalmiftin his addrefs to the Moft High, Whom havTl in Heaven but thee ? and there is none upon earth that I defire bcftde thee."^ The unholy have no relifh for the employments of the new Jerufalem. There fiiall in no wife en- ter into that holy city any thing that defiUthy jieither ivhatfoever worktth abomination^ or 7nak£th a lie ; but they which are written in the Lamb^s bockcf life,\ Could the unregen- erate with their prefent character be admit- ted into the fociety of the-bleffed in para- dife, they would find no enjoyment, but w^ould be in a (late of pain. The men of the world, in the prefent life, difcover an averfion to the circles in which pure and undefiled religion is the theme. How could they endure the fociety of the angels, and the fpirits of jufl men made perfedt, where every heart is warmed with love, and every mouth is filled with praife ? The wdcked could frame a heaven which would fuit their tafte, and in which they might dwell with their prefent temper. They could relilh the pleafures of a Mahometan paradife 3 * Pfalm Ixxiii. 25. f Rev. xxi. 27. E 2 4& 7he Necefiiy of Dis. 2. but they have no real defire for the Heaven in which the glorified faints and the holy angels dwell. Thofe who have not the fpirit of Chrift are not to be numbered among his true followers, and have neither part nor lot in the bleflings which he will beftow en them who follow him in the regeneration. A MERE prcfeflion of Chriftianity will be found in vain in the day when Chrifl will render to every one according to the deeds done in the' body. Not every one that faith unto him^ Lord^ Lord^Jhall enter into the king- dom of Heaven, The obedient only will be accepted in the prefence of the Judge. The plea of the unholy will be of no avail, We have. Lord, eaten and drunk in thy prefence, a?id thou hafi taught in our fireets. On the wicked the Judge' will look with an awful frown when they are arraigned before him. Depart from 7ne, ye eurfed, into ever Iq/iing fire ^ j^repared for the devil and his angels. Let none flatter themfelves with the hope of future happinefs while they remain im- penitent ; however fair may be their pro- feffion, or however blamelefs may be their conduft in the eyes of men. The character of God is holy, and Heaven is a holy ftate. We mull be born again, or we cannot enjoy communion with God now, nor dwell at his right hand, where are pleafures forevermore. Dis. 2. Rege-fieration. 47 The dilcourfe will be concluded with a few reflexions. I. Regeneration is a great change. The proud and rebellious heart is brought into obedience to the divine government, and God is chofen as the portion of the foul. The fubjedls of the new birth are called out of darknefs into God's marvellous light. Jf any man be in Chriji he is a new creature : old tJjings are pajfed away ; behold^ all i/.nngs are become new*"^ The regenerate are made partakers of the divine nature^ the moral im- age of God loft by the apoftacy is reftored to their hearts, and they are brought into his holy kingdom. God^ who is rich in mercy y for his great love wherewith he loved them^ even when they were dead in fins^ hath quickened them together with Chrift^ and hath ra fed them tip together^ and inade them to fit together in heavenly places in Chrift Jefus.^ Heaven is begun in their fouls, they have a tafte for the things which God hath prepared for them that love him ; and he who hath be- gun a good work in them will perform it until the day when the Saviour will appear in all his glory. Are there any prefent who are born of God, you delight in his holy will, and en- joy communion with him. You do not in- * a Cor. V. 17. \ Eph. ii. 4, 5, 6* 48 The NeceJJlty of Dis. 2.- dalge enmity againft him, but love his char- acter, and cheerfally fubmit to his domin^ ion. You are convinced that wifdom's ways are ways of pleafantnefs, and that all her paths are peace. What a new face has been put on the word and works of God in the view of your minds ? When God man- ifells himfelf to your fouls, whether you are in the fancluary, in the clofet, or in the midft of your worldly bufinefs you can fay, " It is good for us to be here." Would you exchange a place in Chrid's family for all the pleafures, the rich- es, and the honors of the world ? A man full of malevolence does not tafle the fweet- nefs of Chriftian love ; a proud man is not charmed with humiliiy ; and an unbeliever is blind to the glory of Jefus Chrifl. Do you not admire the pure, the dihnterefled nature of the divine benevolence ? Can you exprefs in words how glorious the Saviour appeals ? Do you not delight In contempla- ting the character and work of Him, whofe name is called Vfonderfid^ ComifeJlor^ The 7mghiy God, the everlaji'mg Fa! her, The Prince of peact ? Do not his worth, his btauty and his glory fometimes appear fo plain, fo ex- cellent and ravifhing, as to imprefs your minds, for a moment, with a belief that you can convince the impenitent of their fin and folly, and compel them to come to Dis. 2. Regeneration* 49 the gofpel feaft ? Perhaps you have made the attempt in this feafon of warmth, and have been taught by the experiment how unable you are to open the eyes of the blind. This hath ferved to give you the deeper con- vidtion of your dependence on fovereign grace, and of the importance of keeping your place at the foot-flool of Him who a- lone can fubdue the hearts of the difobedi- ent. Are you not abundantly convinced that your former obftinacy would have re- mained, if God, who is rich in mercy had not made you willing in the day of his pow- er ? He hath caufed you to flee from the wrath to come, and hath made you heirs of the heavenly inheritance. The Lord hath done great things for you : Be thankful uji- to him, and blefs his holy name. It has been inquired, why, if regenera- tion be fo great a change, it is no more ap- parent in the fubjeds of it, to mankind in general ? To this it may be replied. That the unholy are flrangers to the exercifes of the renewed heart, and do not enter into the motives by which it is governed. The life of Chriflians Is hidden with Chrifl in God ; hence the world knoweth them not. Men who are ignorant of the power of godlinefe, are liable to form very erroneous opinions with refpecl to the manner in which real pi- £o The Neceffity of Dis. 2. ety is to be exprefled. Some feem to fup- pofe that if any profefs a religion which is not as much edified by gay amafements, or the purfuits of weahh and ambition, as by an attendance on the worfhip of God, they muft, to adt confidently, abandon temporal concerns, and retire from fociety. Chrif- tians have, in times of perfecution, been compelled to wander in deferts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. But they are forbidden to withdraw from fociety in ordinary feafohs. Should they do this, they would put themfelves out of the way of letting their light fhine be- fore men. Their hearts are not placed on earthly enjoyments as a portion ; and they confent to facrifice them all, and eren life itfelf, when they cannot retain them without denying Chrift. Diligence in the manage- ment of temporal concerns is enjoined on Chriilians by the divine law. In attending to thefe, they have occafion to mingle with the enemies of their Lord. They do not choofe fuch for their iutimiite friends ; but in their occafional intercourfe with the wick- ed, they may keep their garments undefiled, as Lot did in Sodom, and as Daniel did in the court of Perfia. Strangers to religion may think thatfmce Chridians fow and reap, buy and fell, and tranfacl other worldly bu- fmefs, in common with the reft of man- DIs. 2. Regeneration, 51 kind, they are in reality the fame. Hence their true character is overlooked, and their profefTion is charged with hypocrify. Again, thofe who are born of God foon lofe that warmth by which they are at firfl: diftinguifhed. The carelefs and the pro- phane who obferve-this abatement, fuppofe that the fubjeds of it either counterfeited all their former zeal, or were carried away by an idle dream. Chriftians are liable to wan- der from God, but the decline of their firfl fervor is no certain evidence of their back- Aiding from truth or duty. New converts are foon led to fee that they have overrated their attainments, and go into the conflicts of the Chriftian warfare ; in which they become better acquainted with the divine charader and their own, are more alive un- to God, and are better fitted to ferve him in the prefent world, and to enjoy him in the world to come. While /Z^f/'r love is abounding yet ?nore and more in knoivledge^ and in all judg- ment^ they may be thought by the ungodly to have become lukewarm towards the caufe of the Redeemer. It Is further to be confidered that Chrif- tians are now in an imperfect ftate. They are fanclified but in part, and have much remaining fin. By lapfes in their external behaviour they give occafion to the wicked ^2 The Neajity of DIs. 2/ to blafph(me that worthy name by the which they are called. After all, it cannot be denied thatthofe Chriflians who are much improved in holi- nefs, exhibit in their pradice fuch a fixed purpofe of cleaving unto the Lord, as leads the ungodly to take knowledge of them as having been with Jefus. Hardened unbe- lievers look on the difciples of Chrifl with an evil eye. They watch for their halting. They are glad to fee them flumble. They elofely infpedt their behaviour, and when they difcover a fault they magnify it, and pafs fentence in the fevereft manner. They fcrutinize and they condemn with this fe- verity, to keep their own confcienees quiet while they are ferving divers lufts and pleaf- ures. Deluded mortals ! will the fms of God's people fcreen you from guilt ? and furnifh a plea for your acquittal when you (hall be arraigned at the bar of the Judge of all the earth ? If the righteous fcarcely be faved^ where Jhall the ungodly and the finner appear ? To return, bitter and cruel as may be the enemies of the Crofs, they are fome- times compelled to acknowledge, that Chrif- tians manifefta fpirit of benevolence and felf- denial which cannot be found in any other men. Scoffers have their feafons of relen- ting, and the monitor in their breafl pays Dis. 2. Regeneration. 53 homage to the fervants of the Mofl High God, and confeires them to be the excel- lent of the earth. Thefe have a command- ing dignity of character given them from above. Soon will they be publicly diftin- guiflied from the wicked, and \^\\\ Jloine forth as the fun in the kingdom of their Father. 1, The fovereign mercy of God Is dif- played in regeneration. As the hearts of the unregenerate are wholly oppofed to God, they have no exercifes which tend to holi- nefs : And therefore when any are born a- gain their change mull be attributed to fove- reign grace. The unregenerate are dead in trefpaffes and fins, they have no latent fpark o:' moral virtue in their hearts : And hence if any of them be renewed, they muft feel that it is by grace they are faved ; and that not of themf-^jss : it is the gift of God. — That is mirvello.is grace which giveih to man a heart to comply with the falvation of the gofpel, to which he is by nature whol- ly oppofed. He cannot be the fubjed of the r.'-s- birth, and fail of being deep- ly impreiled with the belief that no flefh can liave caufe to glory before Gcd. The apoftle laith, in his addrefs to the faints. But of him are ye in Chrijl Jefus, who of God is 7nade unto us unfdom, and righteoufnefs^ F 54 TheNeceffiiyrf Dis. 2, and fanclljication^ and redemption ; ihat^ ac- cording as it is writicny He that gLricthy lei him glory in the Lord* When the fmner is bowed to the divine will, he does not harbour a thought that he has diftinguifhed himfelf from the unbeliev- ing and rebellious around him ; but he feels that fovereign grace hath interpofed for his falvation. God hath mercy on %vhom he will have mcrcy,\ On what other ground can we account for the large ingathering of fouls into the Redeemer's kingdom on the day of Pentecoft ? The converts of that memorable day had lately manifefted their approbation of the unjuft and cruel fentence which was executed in the death of Chrifl. Curiofity, or fome worfe motive, drew them together when it was noifed a- broad that the apoftles fpake with other tongues. But they had not been many hours aflembled before they were pricked in their heart in the hearing of Peter's fermon, and gladly received the gofpel which he preached. What a furprifing change took place in them between the morning and the evening ! Not only the converfions in Jeru- falem, but thofe in Antioch, in Thefalo- nlca, in Corinth, inEphefus, and in other places, recorded in the New-Teflament, * I Cor. i. 30, 31. t Rom. ix. \%. DIs. 2. Regeneration, 55 proclaim the fovereign mercy of God. In every age of the church, the faints have breathed the fpirit of the Pralmift. Noturi" to us, Lord, not unto us, but unto thy yiame give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth'' s fake.l We have feen perfons who were proud of their fuppofed religion, and whofe words and adions courted applaufe for their good- nefs ; but we are certain that they did not learn that fpirit in the fchool of Chriil. Spiritual pride is not from above ; it is from beneath, and is a moil abominable fin. The children of God watch againfl: it, and abhor themfelves and repent in dud and afhes for being in any inftances infnared by ir. Their hearts breathe after God, and they give glory to his great name. The fcripture do<5lrine of regeneration takes away all ground of glorying in the flefh. The fovereign mercy of God mak- eth the faved to differ from thofe that perifh. The fovereign mercy of God is the fong of the faints in heaven this moment, and will be their triumph to eternity. They do not attribute it to themfelves that they are not among the damned. When they caft their eyes acrofs the gulph which divides heaven from hell, and behold the punilhment of X Pfalm cxv. I. 56 * The Neceffity of Dis. 2. the wicked, they are filled with admiration of the riches of free grace difplayed in ref- cuing them from the brink of endlefs mife- ry, and placing them in the world of ever- lafling happinefs. 3. The regenerate are under high and peculiar obligations to ferve and praife the Lord. To you he hath given a heart to know him. Walk ivorthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called. Abound in praife to Him who hath brought ycu up out of an horri- ble pit^ out of the miry clay^ and fct your feet upon a rcck^ and eftahlifhed your goings. Walk as children of the light and of the day. Watch over your thoughts, your words, and your anions ; and recommend religion by holy lives. Improve all your talents for the advancement of that caufe to which your Lord devoted himfelf in life and ia death. Praife God when he appearcth to build up Zion. May ycu ever find fuch feafons, times of great refrefhing to your fou;s. Contemplate the worth and glory of the Redeemer's kingdom, and count noth- ing dear unto yourfelves that you may finifh your courfe with joy. Reft not in paft at- tainments ; but, forgetting ihofe things which are behind^ and reaching forth unto thofe things which are before^ prefs toward the ?nark^ for the prize of the high calling of God in Chriji f Dis. 2. Regeneration, ^y Jejus, Be weaned from the prefent world, and let your converfation be in heaven. If ye then be rifen with Chrtji^ feek thofe things which are above ^ ivhere Chriji Jitteih on the right hand of God, Set your affedion on things above, 7iot on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Chri/i in God* When Chri/i, uho is our life, fhall appear^ ihenfhall ye alfo appear ixith him in glory, AlVtEN. Fa ^^^♦♦4. ♦♦■♦•♦♦■♦•♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦•♦♦♦■♦•♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ DISCOURSE III. The Agency of the Holy Ghofl in Regen- eration. TITUS m. 5. No r by works of righteoufnefs which we havs done^ but according to his mercy he favedus^ by the wajlmig of regeneration^ aiid renew- ing of the Holy Ghqft. THEY who are born of God often call to mind their former charader and ftate. They will not forget thefe in any pe- riod of their exigence. The apoftle Paul, after his converfion, looked back with deep forrow on his temper and condu6l v/hen he was an enemy to Jefus Chrift ; and had a lively fenfe of the riches of divine grace which had renewed his heart, and brought him into favor with God. All true Chrif- tiaHs imitate him in fueh refleftions. The Go The Agency of the Holy Dis. 3. apoftle includes himfelf with thofe to whom he wrote, when he faith in the context and in the text, For ive our/elves alfo were feme ' times foolifhy dij obedient^ deceived^ feriing di* vers lujls and pleafures^ living in malice and en- vy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindnefs and love of God our Saviour toward man apptared, not by zvorks of right- coufnefs ivhich we have done, but according to his mercy he faved us, by the wafhing of re- generation, and renewing of the Holy Ghofi ; which he fhcd on us abundantly through Jefus Chrifi cur Saviour ; that being juflificd by his grace, we ffoould be ?nade heirs according to the I?ope of eternal life. When any of the children of men are tvirned unto God they cannot attribute the change in themfelves to any works of their own ; but they are wholly indebted to his mercy for thofe influences which inclined them to believe to the faving of their fouls. They had performed no holy a6lion before they were wrought upon from on high. There was nothing in their hearts which moved God to fhow favor to them in dif- tindion from others. Their alienation from Him would have remained, if he had not according to his mercy faved them by the wafh- ing of regeneration^ and renewing of the Holy GhoJ. Dis. 3. Ghojl in Regeneration. 61 My defign in difcourfinc; from the text is, to confider the Agency of the Holy Ghofl in regeneration. The Holy Ghoft is one of the perfons of the Trinity. He is joined with the Father and the Son in the inftituted form of Chrif- tian baptifm, and in the apoftolic falutations to the churches \ and is called God.* The men who were employed in penning the fcriptures were infpired by him. The proph- ecy came 7iot in old time by the u ill of man ; but holy men of God /pake as they were moved by the Holy GhoJl,\ The Holy Ghofl de- fcended in a bodily fliape, like a dove, up- on Chrift, immediately after his baptifm, and a voice came from Heaven, which faid. Thou art my beloved Son ; in thee I am well plea/ed.l By this defcent of the Holy Ghofl upon the Son of God he was publicly con- fecrated as the Prophet, Prieft, and King, of the Church. In allufion to this he is called the Mejfiah^ or the Chrijl ; each of which titles fignifies The Aiwinted, The Holy Ghofl is ftiled the Comforter^ in the xiv. XV. and xvi. chapters of John the E- vangelift. In the primitive ages of the church the Holy Ghofl conferred a power of fpeaking with tongues before unknown to the fpeaker, a knowledge of future * A<5ls V. 4- fa Pet. i. zi. \ Matih. iii. 16, 17, Luke iii. 21, %i^ 62 The Agency cf the Holy Dis. 5. events, and other miraculous gifts. Thefe have, long fince, ceafed in the church ; and while they were continued, they were whol- ly dillincl from the renewing or fandlilying influences of the Holy Ghofl. Miraculous gifts were fometimes imparted to wicked men ; and when they vvere bedowed oh good men, as they mod generally were, they were of a different nature from thofe influences of the fpirit which renewed their hearts. If the Holy Ghofl fliould this mo- ment enable one of this congregation to fpeak in the language of China, or acquaint him with an event palHng in one of its cities, neither this ability, nor this knowledge, would prove the perfon to whom it is com- municated to be a fubjefl of fan£lifying grace. The knowledge of a faft, and the renovation of the heart, are things of a different nature. Hence we could not de- termine in favor of a man's piety, if he knew by an immediate revelation from God what will happen in a future period. Mi- raculous gifts were of high importance fo long as the canon of fcripture remained un- finilhed. They were not continued beyond the infancy of the church ; and we have no reafon to expe6l their return. But fhould they, contrary to the general expeQation, be reftored, they would not (land in the place of thofe influences of the fpirit which change Dis. 3. Ghojl in Regeneration, 6;^ men's hearts and fit them for Heaven. When the feventy returned to Chrifl after they had been fent out by him to preach the gofpel and to confirm their mifTion by mir- acles, they faid unto him Lord^ even the devils are fidnjcd unto us through thy name. He replied, / beheld Satan as lightning fall f ran Heaven, Behold^ I give unto you power to tread on fer pent s and fcorpions ^ and over all the power of the enemy ; and mthing fhall by any means hurt you. 'Notzuithjianding^ in this rejoice not that the fpirits are fubjeil unto you ; but rather rejoice., becaufc your names are writ-- ten in Heaven* The apoflle Paul declares, in 1 Cor. xiii. Though Ifpeak with the tongues cf nun and of angels., and have not charity., 1 am become as founding brafsy or a tinkling cym^ baL And though I have the gift of prophecy^ ayid underfiand all myfieries., and all knowU edge ; and though I have all faith., fo that I could remove mountams.^ and have not charity .^ I am nothing. The renewing influences of the Holy Ghoft are common to all ages of the church; and were they wholly withdrawn, the work of regeneration would no more appear a- mong mankind, and Satan would reign in every heart, * Luke X. 17— :jo. 64 ^he Agency of the Holy Dis. 3. The phrafe, renewing of ihe Holy Ghoji^ in the text, muft: refer to his influences on the hearts of the faved, and to nothing elfe. To thefe influences the apoflle attrib- utes the ftate of falvation into which he and other believers were brought. If an elTen- tial change of heart was neceflary to pre- pare men for heaven heretofore, it is necef- fary now ; for the human chara<5ler is the fame. As man is totally depraved he will not retuj-n to God, unlefs he be influenced from on high, or by the Holy Ghofl;. We have th€ fame evidence that a man muft be born of the Spirit^ as that he muft be born again, to fee the kingdom of God. If we confider the texts which fpeak of the influ- ences of the Spirit of God, as confined to his miraculous operations, or to his agency duiing the fir ft ages of the church, we fhali do violence to the infpired writings ; and re- duce the kingdom of grace to a level with the kingdom of nature. That the Holy Ghoft hath a fpecial a- gency in regeneration may be proved,. I ft. From the ways in which he operateth on the minds of the faved. It is not denied that fome are fan^llfied from the womb. In inftances of this kind we are compelled to acknowledge the imme- DIs. 3. Ghojl in Regeneration. 6$ diate agency of the Holy Ghoft ; becaufe external means had not been enjoyed. Per- fons of this defcription who have lived long enough to be able to communicate by words their internal exercifes, have been full in ac- knowledging the dodrine of depravity, and theabfolute need of the influences of theSpirit of God to renew the heart. We hear the fame confefTion from themouthsof perfons appar- ently renewed in adult years, who cannot, as is mod ufual, give a particular account of the time of their converfion. It is in- deed of much higher importance to be able to trace in ourfelves the nature of true reli- gion, than the period of its commence- ment, or the order of our exercifes. We are to guard in this place againfl counte- nancing the idea, that the tranfition from an unregenerate to a renewed (late, is like the growth of a plant from a 1 mailer to a larger fize. This opinion tends, like an opiate, to quiet the minds of the fecure, and to leave them undillurbed whillt they put the form of godlinefs in the place of its power. It cannot be too deeply imprefled on our minds, that there is an t//enf!a/ differ- ence between the characters of the regene- rate and the unregenerate. Hence it gen- erally happens that Chriflians are able to give an orderly account of alarming appre- G 66 T/je Agency of the Hely DIs. 3. henfions of the wrath to come, and of clear and flriking difcoveries of the wickednefs of the heart, which preceded their fubmif- fion to the divine will, when they beheld, with pleafing wonder, the glory of God in the face of Jefus Chrift. The fcriptures do not inform us what de- gree of dodlrinal light, how long a feafon of ferious thoughtfulnefs, or what degree of terror, will exifl: in the minds of the re- generate previoufly to their renovation. Thefe are different in different perfons. The interval between the firft alarm and converfion, appears to have been fhort, in moft, if not in all, of thofe who were re- newed under the miniflry of Chriff, and that of his apoflles. The knowledge and convidion which are obtained and imprefl'- ed during what has been called the prepara- tory work^ are of no fmall ufe ; in difclofmg to fmners their real charader, in teaching them that they muft be wholly indebted to fovereign grace for falvation, and in affift- ingthem in their walk when brought into cordial fubmiflion to the divine will. It has often been remarked that thofe whofe minds had been moft ftored w^ith dodrinal knowl- edge, are, other things being equal, the freeft from imaginary flights during the ar- dor which young converts feel, andfhine Dis. 3. Ghojl in Regeneration, 6j brighteft in the fchool of Chrifl. But, to whatever attainments the unregenerate may rife, whatever anxiety they may endure, or whatever exertions they may make, nothing which goes before the new birth can be con- fidered as a ptirt of that change. Regene- ration is a work by itfelf j and in it a new heart is given — a heart to which the unre- newed are flrangers. The fpecial agency of the Holy Gholl in this work, appears from the incidents and means which have been made efteclualto the converiion of fmners. A few of thefe will be mentioned in this place. Deep conviction has been known to be faftened on the minds of perfons by their glancing at a few words in the Bible, or fome other good book, without any dejign to feek for the pafTage, and far lefs to refledt with ferioufnefs on any religious fubjecl. This convidion has been faftened on their confciences, and they have not been able to ihakeitofF until God hath made themwil-r ling in the day of his power. The like ef- fe£ls have been feen to follow the dropping of a word in converfation, wdiich contained nothing remarkable for pertinence, and was not uttered with any unufual folemnity. I'his hath been made effedual ; becaufe the time had come in which God had determin-- 68 The Agency of the Holy Dis. 3. ed to fave a foul from death, to fave by fuch fimple means, and to add to the evidence that the excellency of the power is of Him. This fubjedl of divine grace had perhaps lived long under an able and faithful preach- er of the gofpel, and had heard many weighty and alarming thoughts uttered in religious converfation, but never till now felt the arrows of the Almighty piercing his foul. God hath laid fome on a bed of ficknefs, and hath brought them to the borders of the grave, to gi\G them convi^lion that there is but a ftep between them and eternal mifery, and hath followed this w^ith the renewing in- fluences of his Spirit. We have feen how- ever, not a few who have been deeply a- larmed with their danger when death (tared them in the face, and abounded with prom- ifes of amendment, who have, on the ref- toration of health, turned like the dog to his vomit, and the fow that was waflied to her wallowing in the mire. No promifes of reformation can be relied on which do not fpring from a heart that is purified by faith. We are furniflied with fo many fads to eftabliih this remark, that we rauft be highly criminal if vve attribute the real refor- mations which fometimes follow dangerous ficknefs^ to any other caufe but the gra« Dis. 3. Ghojl in Regeneration* 69 cious influences of the holy Spirit operating on the heart. Some have derived everlafting benefit from the death of their neighbors, friends, or companies. They have been alarmed, as was the Jailer by the earthquake which at midnight fhook thefoundations of the prifon, in which Paul and Silas were confmed, burft open its doors, and loofed the chains of the prifoners. Like the keeper of this prifon, they have been . brought to believe on the Lord Jefus Chrift, and their forrow has been turned into joy. It has been obferved that fudden and fur- prifmg deaths, have not often been followed with the repentance of thofe fmners who have been called to witnefs the awful events. When one of their companions has been fuddenly arrefled by the king of terrors be- fore their eyes, perhaps in the midfl of their wine and profane mirth, they have been filled with conflernation for the moment, and like Belfhazzar, the joints of their loins have been loofed^ and their knees have fmiiten one againji another ; but no fooner has the corpfe of their dead friend been laid in the grave, and an opportunity has prelented for a renewal of their difTipation, than ihey have committed the fame iaiquity with gree- G 2 70 The Agency of the Holy Dis. 3. dinefs, and have hadened to fill up the meafure of their fins. Thefe melancholy inilances proclaim that madnefs is in the hearts of the fons of men, and that the mod diftrading terrors will not prevail to divorce them from their lufts. Symptoms of approaching ruin attend fuch hardened fmners. If remarkable, afflidive difpenfations of providence v^^ere always fet home on the hearts of men — if repentance always fol- lowed, we might be more liable than we now are to deny the agency of the holy Spirit in creating the new heart, and to forget that God hath mercy on whom he will have mercy. Parents are under high and peculiar obligations to train up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. They have ftrong inducements to be faithful to their offspring \ not only from the rever- ence which is due to the fupreme Lawgiver, but from the hope that if they do their duty, as far as may be expeded from imperfed creatures, their children will be brought to the knowledge of the truth. They who know the worth of their own fouls cannot be unconcerned for the fouls of others, and efpecially for the fouls of thofe whom they have been inftrumental in bringing into the Dis. 3. Ghojl in Regeneration, 71 world. The birth of a child will lead the heart of the pious parent to foleKin medita- tion and fervent prayer. " From me hath " defcended an immortal creature ; who " will either partake of the everlafting joys " of heaven, or endure the endlefs pains *' of hell. I give up my infant unto thee, " thou Lord of all. Out of the mouth of " this babe may praife be perfeded. May " Chrifl: be formed in its heart, that it may " be to the praife of the glory of thy grace. " I do not aik for it the riches and hon- " ors of the world, but I afk for it fpiritu- " al and eternal bleflings. O Lord, caufe " me daily to renew the dedication of my " felf and my child to thee. Make me to feel " how important and folemn is my trull: as " a parent, and to walk within my houfe with " a perfed heart:' Abraham /aid unto God, thai Jjhmaei might live before thee ! He commanded his children and his houfehold to keep the way of the Lord. Jofhua refolved as for me and 7ny houfe, we willferve the Lord, When the pious patriarchs were about to leave the world, they called their children to the fide of their dying beds, and charged them to be obedient to the laws of Jehovah, and to feek his blefling. The prayers, refolutions and counfels of the ancient worthies have 72 1'he Agency of the Holy Dis. 3. been imitated, in fome degree, by godly parents in every age of the church. The fuccefs of their labors has not been fmalL Proverbs xxii. 6. Train up a child in the "juay hejhould go ; and uhen he is old he uill not depart from it. The peculiar delicacy and tendernefs of the female mind, give to mothers great in- fluence in forming the manners of their ofF- fpring. To them alfo, in meft inflances, is committed the immedijte care of their chil- dren, in that early period of life in which they are mod fufceptible of impreflions. While the pious mother beholds the fmiles and pret- ty a6lions of the babe in h'er arms, and whilefhe watches the firft dawningsof reafon, ■fhe cannot forget that it was born for eter- nity, nor ceale to pray for its immortal wel- fare. As fhe looks round on her little ones fhe can adopt the language of the apoflle, in his addrefs to the churches of Galatia, with particular application to her offspring. My little children^ of zvhoju I travail in birth again^ until Chrijl be formed in you.* The counfels, the examples, and the prayers, of pious mothers have been re- markably fucceeded. Samuel was the fon of his mother's vows — fhe promifed before his birth to give him unto the Lord all the days * Galat. 17. 19.. Dis. 3. Ghq/i in Regeneration, y^ of his life, to be devoted to his fervice as a Nazarite. As foon as he was weaned fhe car- ried him up to the houfe of Eli in Shiloh, where he was educaced according to her vow. He miniflered before the Lord when a child, and by his wife and pious conduct rejoiced the heart of his mother, as fhe brought him a little coat from year to year, when fhe came up with her hufband to offer the yearly fac- rifice. Early the Lord appeared to him in a vifion, and put his fidelity to the teft in de- claringto Elithe deftrudion which was about to come upon his family. Sa?nuel grew^ and the Lord was with him^ and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Ifrael, from Dan even to Beerfheba^ knew that Sainuel was ejiablifhed to be a prophet of the Lord. He con- tinued in this office from childhood to old age. He judged Ifrael all the days of his life with great integrity and firmnefs, and holds a high rank among the ancient wit- neffes. Timothy, a godly minifter, knew the fcriptures from a child ; for which he was indebted to his mother, whofe exertions were bleffed for his everlafting good. He was the third in fucceflion, in the maternal line, who was numbered among the friends of the Redeemer. Grace is not hereditary ; but the prayers of godly anceftors are often anfwered in the beftowment of fpiritual blef- fmgs on their poflerity. Paul in writing to 74 The Age/icy of the Holy Dis. 3. Timothy faith, in 2 Epiftle i. 5. When I call to remembrance ihc unfeigned faiih thai is in ihee^ which dwelt firfi in thy grandmrAher Lois^ and thy mother Eihiice ; and lam perfuaded that in thee alfo. Dr. Doddridge in his improve- ment of this paiTage, in his Family Expo- fitor, remarks, " Pious women may take encouragment " from the fuccefs of Loii and Eunice on " Ti?nothy, who proved fo excellent and " ufeful a minifter ; as perhaps fome of the " worthieft and mod valuable miniflers the " church of Chrl/l has ever been able to ^' boafl: of, have had reafon to blefs God for " thofe early imprelTions which were made *' upon their minds by the religious inllruc- " tions of perfons in the fame relations." Let parents abound in fervent piayer for their beloved offspring. They will receive a glorious reward if their poflerity fhould perifli. But God may caufe happy effecls to follow in the piety of their defcendants, long after the praying parents have been cut off from the land of the living. " The an- *' fwer of prayer may come at a much " greater diflance than we are apt to look " for it. There is a remarkable anecdote " handed down to us, refpeQing the fam- ** ous 6t. Auguliine. He was the fon of " an eminently pious woman, whole name Dis. 3. GJx)Ji in Regeneration, 75 " was Monica, yet he was in his youth " vet-y loofe and diforderly. One of his <' fellow-citizens, it. is faid, feeing him " pafs, refleded upon him with great fe- *' verity, as a difgrace to fociety j but a- " nother made anfwer, that, after all he " thought it impofTible that the fon of fo " many prayers fliould perifli. And we " know that in fad, he became in due " time one of the mofl eminent champi- " ons for evangelical truth. There is not " the leafl: doubt that many prayers, and " efpecially of this kind, may have their " anfwer and accompliihment after the be- " liever that oftered them had been many " years fleeping in the dufi:.*'* Pious parents will be at the greateft re- move from attributing to any of their coun- fels or prayers a change in the hearts of their children, (hould this happy event take place. They are deeply imprelled with the belief, that their labors will be in vain, if God does not pour bis Spirit upon their feedy and his blejjing upon their offspring^ The truths contained in the fcrtptures are the ordinary means which God render- eth effedual to the falvation of mtn. To * Dr. Witherfpoon's Sermon on the Religious Educa* tion of Children, p. i8, 19. t Ilaiah xliv. 3. y6 Tie Agency of the Holy Dis. 3. open, apply and enforce the dodlrines and duties revealed in the facred writings, is the great defign of a religious education, and of the gofpel miniflry. When God hath been about to raife a church to himfelf in any place, he hath fent thither one, or more, of his fervants to proclaim the glad tidings of his grace, and hath put his word into the hands of that people. Howjhall they be- lieve in him of whom they have not heard? and how fhall they hear without a -preacher P* If we long after fouls in the bowels of Jefus Chrift, we fhall improve every opening in providence to fend preachers of the gofpel among the Heathen nations, and to bring them to an acquaintance with that holy Book which contains the words of eternal life. The attempts of philofophers to en- lighten the world have terminated in cover- ing it with greater darknefs. The way of falvation is revealed only in the gofpel. To this we are required to take heed, as unto a light that fhineth in a dark place. Thefcrip- iures are able to make us wife unto falvation through faith which is in Chrijl Jefus, Let us attenduntothe words of theapoftlein 1 Cor. i» 21. For after that^ in the wifdom of God, the world by wifdom knew not God, it pleafed God by thefoolifhncfs of preaching tofave them that believe. The grand fubjeft of that * Rom. X. 14. DIs. 3. Ghoft in Regeneration* *)*j preaching which the wife men of the world have called fooliJJomfs^ is yefus Chriji and him crucified. The doctrine of the crucified Saviour, confidered in its various connex- ions and relations, includes all the truths neceflary to be known to obtain eternal life* The gofpel is cordially embraced by all who are faved. Rom. i. 16. For I am not ajham* ed of the go/pel of Chri/i : for it is the power of God unto fa hat ion to every one that believ* ith ; to thejewfir/l, andalfo to the Greek. Plain, evangelical preaching, is better adapted to convince and awaken the minds of finners than any other means. But, pi- ous, in(tru6live, and fervent as the preacher may be, he will labor with his hearers in vain if God do not take hold of their hearts by his fpirit. The apoflle Paul was the mod fuccefsful inftrument in the propaga- tion of the gofpel that has been raifed up, in any age, or country. He was inftru- mental in gathering many fouls into the Redeemer's kingdom. No one has been more ready than he was, to attribute all the fuccefs of his labors to divine influence : I Cor. iii. 6, 7. / have planted^ Apollos iva^ iered ; but God gave the increafe. So then^ neither is he that planteth any things neither he that waiereth ; but God that giveth the in- H 78 The Agency of the Hely Dis. 3. creafe* The moft able, godly, and fuccefs- ful miniflers in every period of the church, have been the moft abundant in making the iiame declaration with the apoftle. They have watched, and they have prayed, that they might not afcribe to their gifts, to their diligence, or to their zeal, the glory which is due only to God. He will not fufFer his highly favored fervants to be exalted above meafure j and hence, to check the afpirings of pride, and to keep them at the foot-ftool, he hath often made them endure fome very humbling flroke of his rod. I HOPE that there are perfons prefent who have felt a divine energy accompanying a preached gofpel. Your hearts in their true deformity have been laid open to you in the light of divine truth. You are convinced that you need not look into the condud of thofe who are around you to fmd wicked- nefs ; you behold it in yourfelves written ivith a pen of iron, and with the point of a di- amond^ and graven upon the table of your heart. You have been made to feel that the fen- tence denounced againft the wicked is point- ed againft you^ and that Chrifl: alone can deliver you from the curfe of the law. When Chrifl; revealed himfelf to the wo- man of Samaria at Jacob's well, fhe went into the city and faid to the inhabitants. Dis. 3. Ghojl in Regeneration, 79 Come^ fee a man which fold me all things that ever I did : is not this the Chri/i ? What un- fpeakable beauty and glory do you behold in the way of falvation revealed in the gof- pel ? With what commanding yet pleafing majefly doth the word of God appear, when it become! h the favour of life unto life ? There are feveral paflages of fcripture in which men are faid to be begotten with the word of truths or born again, by the word of God. The meaning of thefe cannot be that the heart which is totally depraved can be influenced to love a holy God, merely by- holding up before it the light which fhineth in his word. If objedive light were fuffi- cient to produce an efTential change of char- ader, there could be no room for the a^ gency of the Holy Ghofl in the work of regeneration. The word doth not become the power of God unto falvation, only when it is made eflectual by his fpirit. The word is improved in the preparatory work, both to awaken and inftru6t the mind. It is God's ufual way when he bringeth an adult perfon into his kingdom, to make ufe of the truths revealed in the fcriptures, to give light to the underftanding, and conviftioa to the conscience, before he changeth the heart. But we have no authority to affirm that the renovation of the heart is the effh^ So The Agency of the Holy Dis. j, of the former light and convi£lIon ; becaufe many are the fubjeQs of thefe who are never born of God. Men are begotten with the word of truth, as it is in view of objects held up in the fcrip- tures, that holy exerclfes take place in their minds. The exercifes of the renewed heart are direded towards the God, the law, the Saviour, and the Heaven revealed in the Bible. The facred volume is full of mo- tives to holinefs. Thefe are felt by the re- generate, and by thefe are they governed in their pious walk. They who are born again adopt the language of David, in Pfalm xix. The law of the Lord is perfe^, converting the fold : the tcjiimony of the Lord is fur e^ making wife thefnnple. The fiatutes of the Lord are rights rejoicing the heart : the cojwnandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes : The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever : the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to he defired are they than gold^ yea than much fine gold ; fweeter alfo than honey, and the honey-comb* Moreover by them is thy fervant warned : and in keeping of them there is great reward. The word of truth will not appear to any one of our apoftate race in fuch light and beauty, nor be received with fuch love and delight, if God do not by his fpirit firft breathe on his Dis. 3. Ghojl in Regeneration* 8 1 heart. When Paul preached at Philippi, the Lord opened the heart of Lydia^ that Jhe attended unto the things which ivere fpoken of the apojlle. Had fhe not been thus influen- ced by the Holy Ghoft, (lie would have re- mained In impenitence and unbelief like many others in the city where (he refided. The hearts of all who are faved are firfl opened by thefpirit of God, to incline them to receive the truths contained in the writ- ten word. — I proceed to obfervej 2dly. That the fpecial agency of the Holy Ghoft in the new birth, appears from, the peculiar call which is given to the regen- erate. The works of nature and providence ren- der mankind inexcufable in their atheifm and wickednefs. The heavens declare the glory of God ; and the firiiiamsnt Jhezveth his handy work. The invifihle things of him from the cre- ation of the world are clearly feen^ being under- flood by the things that are made^ even his eter- nal power and Godhead, Thofe who live un- der the light of divine revelation have a much higher call to love and ferve God. To them he hath clearly made known his character and will. Before them are fet life and death, in a plain and flriking manner, in the word of truth. Whatever impre& H 2 82 The Agency of the Holy Dis. 3. fions are made on the confciences of thofe who die in their fins, by the Holy Ghoft, he never takes hold of their hearts. There is a call of the fpirit of God which is effedu- al in every inftance, and is of a different na- ture from any one which is given to them that perifh. This is a do6lrine plainly re- vealed in the fcriptures. In fupport of it a number of palfages will be produced ; to to which let us give our careful and ferious attention. The firft paflage I {hall introduce is re- corded in Rom. viii. 28, 29, 30. And we know that all things work together for good to ihtm that love God^ to them who are the cal- LED according to his purpofe. For whom he did foreknow he alfo did predejiinate to be conformed I0 the image of his Son, that he might be thefirfl- horn among tJiany brethren. Moreover, whom be did predefiinate, them hi alfo called ; and whom he called, them he alfo jufiified ; and whojn he jufiified, them he alfo glorified* It is manifefl from the words of the apoftle in this place that the called are the fame with thofe who love God, the fame with thofe who are jufiified, and the fame with thofe who will ht glorified: Their calling muft therefore be peculiar to themfelves. If we do not grant this, we muft admit that fome unre- generate men love God, are jufiified; and Dis. 3« Ghoji tn Regeneration, 83 may, with their prefent charadler, be glori- fied ; all which fuppofitions are falfe and an- tifcriptural. i Cor. i. 26. For ye fee your CALLING^ brdhrcriy how that not many wife men after the fiifhy not many mighty ^ not many noble are called. The apoflle cannot mean that the wife men after the flefh, the mighty, and the noble, are not called by the preach- ing of the word. He preached to men of this defcription when he flood on Mars' hill in Athens, and he preached to them in other places. They are externally called by the works and the word of God as truly as men of the lower ranks in life, and as the faved. He miift therefore mean by the ealling in this it^ty that pecuHar inward call which is given to thofe who are l^rought into the kingdom of God. Ephes. iii. 7. Whenef I was made a minifter^ according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the cffeSlual working of his power. This effedual working of divine power which made Paul a Chriftian and a minifler,was fomething wholly different from any thing that he was the fubjed of when he fat at the feet of Gamaliel, when he was rejoicing in the dying groans of Stephen, or in the beginning of his journey to Da- mafcus, when he breathed out threatnings and Haughter againfl the difciples of the Lord. The energy of God's power men- tioned in the words juft cited, was that fpe- 84 The Agency of the Holy Dis-3. cial operation of the Holy Spirit which chan- ged his heart, and made him a real and a zealous friend to Jefus of Nazareth. Eph. i\\ 4. There is one body^ and one fpirit^ even as ye are called in one hope of your calling. Believers are the perfons here addre^Ted. There is a calling common to them all — they have the fame hope of heaven. There is nothing in this text which countenances the idea that the calling of unbelievers is of the fame general nature with that which believ- ers have ; but the calling is confidered as peculiar to the latter, i Timothy vi. 1 2. Fight the good fight of faith ^ lay hold on eternal life^ whereunto thou art alfo called. The calling of Timothy implies the fame with his being made an heir of glory. After the remarks which have been made on the texts quoted in fupport of the pecu- liar call given to the regenerate, it will be unnecefTary to comment on the following. 2 Timothy i. 9. Who hath favedus^ and cal- led us with an holy calling^ not according to our works ^ but according to his own ptirpofe andgrace^ uhich was given us in Chrijv Jefus hi fore the world began. Heb. iii. i . — Holy brethren^ partakers of the heavenly calling, Jude i. — To them that are fan6lified by God the Father^ and preferved in Jefus Chrifi, and CALLED. Rev. xvii, 14. Thefe Jhall make Dis. 3. Ghoji in Regeneraiion, S$ war with the Lamb, and the Lamb Jhall cver^ come them : for he is Lord of lerds^ aiid Ki?ig of kings ; a?id they that are with him are cal* ^ed^ and chofen^ and faithful. The foregoing and fimilar fcripture paf- fages prove, that the regenerate are the fub- je6ts of a call from God of which the un- regenerate are not ^partakers. In the new birth a call is given by the fpirit of God, which is different in kind from any which is given to thofe who die in their fins. This peculiar call is what Calvinillic divines have fliled Effedual Calling. It mull follow from the dodrine of total depravity that in regen- eration a will is given by the fpirit of God, to which the former will of the fubjed of this change was wholly oppofed. Are there any prefcnt who have paffed from death unto life, and can clearly trace the exercifes of their own minds which pre- ceded this change, to you I appeal in partic- ular, in fupport of the doctrine of fove- reign efficacious grace difplayed in regene- ration. Did you not when firft alarmed with terrible apprehenfions of future mife- ry, drive to banifh thofe fears, by running into vain company, by bufmefs, or in fome other way ? Did you not exert yourfelves to quiet your confciences by doings which fall eifentially fhort of reconciliation to God ? S6 The Agency of the Holy Dis. 3. Did you not contend with him becaufe he would not give you peace ihort of uncondi- tional fubmiiTion to his will ? Did you not complain of him for condemning you for fin, and for requiring of you a holy heart ? Did you not within yourfelves cavil at the dodrines of grace, and call God a hard mafter ? What wicked excufes did you frame tojuftify your obllinacy in refufmg to turn unto him ? What horrid thoughts of the glorious majefty of heaven and earth did you indulge ? You know — you feel, that if God had not flopped you in your dreadful career, and filenced your objedlions by his fpirit, you would have remained his enemies, and have gone on to fit yourfelves for everlafl- ing deft:ru<^ion. You cannot attribute the change of your hearts to any of your exer- lions, but you afcribe it to Him who is rich in mercy. The God of all grace hath called you unto his eternal glory by Chrifl Jefus : To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. ^j^x^^«x:x:x•><>i> ^f ^^y ^'^^^ t^ifh ^^i him come unto me and dritik. The body of the Jewifh nation remained in unbelief in the midft of all the light difplayed by the holy example, the commanding difcourfes, and the flupendous miracles of the Son of God. The fame corrupt character has been ex- hibited by mankind in every age fince fin entered into the world. They know that they mull die, and they daily fee their fel- low creatures dropping into the grave, but they continue to place their affedions on the world as their fupreme good, and to condu6i: as if the prefent ftate of exiftence were their final one. They are not difpofed to break off from their fins and to fecure an interefl in the divine favor, by hearing of the folemnities of the eternal world and the judgment-day, as proclaimed by infi- nite truth. No arguments, no warnings, no perfuafions, no entreaties, ' addreffed to men by the providence and word of God, have ever been fufBcient, of themfelves, to prevail with an individual to repent of his fms. Nothing fhort of the fpecial influ- 1 00 The Agency of the Holy Dis. 4. ences of the Holy Ghoft hath, in a fingle inflance, been effedual to fubdue the heart of man, and to reconcile him to God.— - The fcripturc dodrine of regeneration holds up human depravity in a glaring light. Were man's oppofition to holinefs to be overcome without the renewing influ- ences of the Spirit of God, he would not be chargeable with his prefent madnefs and folly, nor would his conduct be fo aflonifh- ing. The heart of thefons of men is fully fet in them to do evil ; and will not be inclined to any thing elfe under the greateft external light, if God do not change it by his Spirit. If there w ere but one fuch obflinate perfon to be found on the earth, how would all the refl of mankind cry out againft him as a monfter of wickednefs ! Is this character the lefs abominable, becaufe it is the char- acter of countlefs millions ? When the eyes of the fmner are opened he is filled with aftonifhment at himfelf — " What have '' I done ! — How have I fpent my life ! — " What counfels, warnings and invitations " have I withflood ! — How jullly do I de- *' ferve all the punifhment with which fm- " ners are threatened in the Bible ! — God's *' juftice would fhine brightly in my def- " truQion ! — If he leave me to myfelf, I ** am undone forever !" Dis. 4. Ghojt 171 Regeneratioju 101 2. We may infer that thefe are highly criminal who treat with contempt the agen- cy of the Holy Spirit in preparing men for Heaven. Such perfons deny a dodrine which is plainly taught in the fcriptures ; and by fare confequence flatter themfelves and others with the belief of poflefTmg de- fires and purpofes to which they are Gran- gers. Men may walk, may till the ground, and may do any of the common adions of life, without any other influence of the Deity than that which pervades the univerfe, and upholds all creatures in exiftence. By the fame influence they may read the Bible, learn its dodrines, and attend public wor*- fhip. Their moral agency is not infringed by their perfect dependance on God. The word of men know when they reflect on the operations of their own minds that they ad freely ; and that though they dread punifhment, they love fm, and are therefore without excufe in their wickednefs. They are with as much propriety commanded to ferve the Lord, as if they were incliBed to obey ; but they will not ferve him unlefs their hearts are renewed by the Holy Spirit. If he ^o not form their hearts to holinefs K I02 The Agency of the Holy Dis. 4, they will die in their fins. Perfons who deny any fuch operation have no right knowledge of God, or of themfelves ; and are in imminent danger of being given up to believe a. lie, and to endlefs deftruftion. There is a fm againfl the Holy Ghoft which is never forgiven. Matth. xii. 3 1 , 32. Wherefore I fay unto yeu^ All manner of fin and hlafphemy fhall be forgiven unto men : but the blafphemy againfl the Holy Ghofl fhall not be forgiven unto men. And ivhofoever fpeak- eth a word againft the Son of man^ it fhall be forgiven him : but whofoever fpeaketh againft the Holy Ghofi^ it fhall not be forgiven him^ neither in this worlds neither in the world to come. When we ccnfidcr the miraculous atteftations given by the Holy Ghoft to the Chriftian religion in its infancy, and the neceffity of his renewing influences to main- tain a church on the earth, we may deter- mine that the fin againft the Holy Ghoft is a crime of high magnitude. It is not my defign to attempt to give a precife definition of this fin ; but it is obvious that it is not committed in fecret. The perfon who is guilty of it, fpeaketh againft the Holy Ghofi^ or openly blafphemeth. My aim in remarking on the public na- ture of the unpardonable fin, is, to caution Dis. 4. Ghcji in Regeneration, 103 perfons in diflrefs of mind about their future ftate againfl defpairing of mercy, when they have not committed the fin which is unto death. Any fm however fmall, is damning if not repented of ; but no one ought to confider himfelf as certainly given up to ru- in, on account of fecret tranfgreflions, or on account of any ad of wickednefs which does not involve open inveterate blafphemy againfl the fpirit of God, after having made the fairelt profeffion of friendfhip to Chrift which can be made by an enemy, and after having been a fubjed: of the greatefl light which is found in an unregenerate man. Let all at the fame time remember, that if they feoff at the power of godllnefs, and re- main hardened after the work ot God in the converfion of fmners, has been carried on before their eyes, their (late is highly alarming. It has been obferved when the fpirit of God cometh into a congrega- tion to an unufual degree, that thofe who continue impenitent, often become in the clofe of fuch feafons more vicious than be- fore ; or elfe they embrace fome fcheme of fentiment which encourages them with the hope of future happinefs without an eifen- tial change of character. 3. The agency of the Holy Ghoft in re-- 104 '^he Agency of the Holy Dis. 4. generation affords great encouragement to pious minifters, godly parents, and other Chriftians, to be faithful and unwearied in Counfelling and warning the wicked. If the fervants of God do not fucceed in their attempts to lead finners to repentance, they will be obedient inflruments of God's declarative glory, will advance the happi- nefs of his holy kingdom, and will be gra- cioufly rewarded for their labors of love. But they may not give up the hope of fuc- cefs on account of the prefent obflinacy of thofe whom they are endeavoring to reclaim. The inftruclion and warning v;hich are now without aay good effed, may be rendered effeflual in fome future period. The God "who commandeth his fervants to fpeak, is able to give a hearing ear and an under- ftanding heart to any of the children of men. What a wonderful alteration is fome- times feen, within a Ihort time, in families, in neighborhoods, and in large communi- ties ! The ftupid are awakened, feel their danger, and with deep folicitude make the inquiry. What mujl ue do to be faved ? They fly to Chrift as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows. They now recal the fer- mons and the private counfels which they Dis. 4. Ghojl In Regeneration* 105 had heard with indifference ; and ' thank- fully acknowledge the Almighty power that hath bleffed thefe means, and hath inclined them who once turned a deaf ear, to be- come obedient to the wifdom of thejuft. Now they pay the tribute of gratitude to thofe who reftrained them by their admoni- tions, and awed them by their example, whilft they were alienated from the life of God. But they will not forbear to confefs that they had forever remained blind, and had deftroyed themfelves, if infinite mer- cy had not interpofed for their falvation. However evangelical, enlightening and pun- gent the preaching had been under which they had lived, and however faithful and zealous Chriftian friends had been in their endeavors to win them to Chrift, reclaimed finners know that God, and he only wrought the change which hath guided their feet into the way of peace. His conduct appears to them very marvellous in blefTmg the exer- tions of feeble mortals for the everlafting good of their fouls. Christians of every rank and flation in life, fo far as they are i;.;:dified, keep their place at the footftool of the lupremeKing, (peak the words which he hath commanded,- 1 g6 The Agency of the Holy DIs. 4. perform the duties which he hath enjoined, and are willing to leave the cfl'e<5ls of their labors with Him whofe counfel fhall ftand, and v.ho will do all his pleafure. The ma- jefly of Heaven and earth is highly provo- ked, when creatures are diflatisfied with the humble (iation afligned them, when they prophefy out of their own hearts, when they refufe implicit obedience to his will, and when they prefume to dictate to him how to direct their exertions. Let the min- iflers of the word fix their eyes on the a- poftolic model, and place their dependance on the fame grace which wrought fuch won- ders in the infancy of the Chriftian church. 2 Cor. X. 3,4, 5. For though we walk in the fiejh^ we do not war after the flefh : (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal^ but mighty through God to the fulling down offtrong holds ;) Ca/iing down imaginations^ and every high thing that exalteth itfelf againft the know'l- edge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Chri/i. The laborers in the vineyard are encour- aged to continue warning and teaching ev- ery man in all wifdom, and are cautioned againft defpairing of fuccefs. The kingdom of God is as if a man fhould caft feed into the gromdy and fhould Jleep and rife night and day^ Dis. 4. Chojl in Regeneratmu 107 and the feed Jhould fpring and grow up he knoweth rot how. The word may take root, by the influences of the Holy Spirit, in a time unthought of by the preacher, and unpromifing as appearances had been, he may reap the fruit of his labors with joy. Let this be remembered by all the faithful, efpecially in times of coldnefs and degene- racy. In the morning let them fow their feed, and in the evening withhold not their hand. While they are fpeaking to the car, God may fpeak to the heart. Christ directed his dlfciples when he fent them out to preach the gofpel, that if the members of any family, or the inhab- itants of any city or town, would not receive them, or hear their words, to depart from thofe hardened fmners, and to fhake olf the dufl of their feet as a teflimony againft them. Inftances may now occur in which the min- iflers of the gofpel are required to depart from particular place's, on account of the treatment they receive from the people. There may be particular families or perfons near them to whom they can have no accefs ; and any attempt to counfel or warn them would be like calling pearls before fwine. But let none of the fervants of the Mo ft: High be hafly in concluding that the door 1 08 The Agency of the Hely Dis. 4. of their ufefuhiefs is clofeJ. Let them make fufEcient trial to juflify themfelves in the fight of God, before they ceafe laboring with thofe who fpurn at the meffages of di- vine grace. We cannot, my brethren, if our hearts be warmed with Chriilian benev- olence, ceafe to pray for fmners, though we may feel the effeds of their enmity, and their ears may be fhut againfl us. God may hereafter fend his fpirit into their hearts, and give them repentance to the acknowl- edging of the truth. The time may come when they will efteem the followers of the Saviour as the excellent of the earth, and choofe them for their comxpanions. Such a' change has been feen in every age, to the joy of the people of God. His arm is not Ihortened that it cannot fave, neither is his car heavy that it cannot hear. 4. We may learn from the prefent fub- jedl why the Lord's people have been fo a- bundant in praying for the eifufions of the Holy Spirit, both on themfelves, and on others. The love of God is fjed abroad In the hearts of believers by the Holy Ghojl-^ which isgii^eit unto the?n,* They live in the Jpirit.-f They are firengthened with might by the Spirit in the * Rom. V. J. t Galat; v. 25. " Dis. 4« Ghqftin Regeneration. 109 inner mun,* They pray in the Holy GhoJi.\ The fpirit helpeth their irifirmities : for they know not what to pray for as they ought ; but the fpirit itfefmaketh inter cejfton for thevi with groatiings which cannot be uttered,\ By the influences of the Holy Spirit on the hearts of believers they are led to fuitable petitions and affedions in their prayers ; and they fometimes feel that holy fervor which can- not be cxprefTed in words, but mufi: reft in ardent breathings of the foul. Thefe ardent breathings cannot be uttered, either by ar- ticulate founds, or bygroanings which fir ike the ear. If any fuppofe that by being over- heard in the devotions of the clofet, or that by a loud groan in focial prayer, they prove themfelves to be the fubjedls of the ardent breathings of which the apoftle fpeaketh, they are greatly miftaken : For if the feel- ings of the devout heart can be fully expref- fed by a loud groan, they ceafe to be unut- terable, as truly as if they could be expref- fed by an articulate voice. From the influences of the Holy Ghoft in forming, fupporting, and improving the new man, we can eafily fee why the faints h#e been fo abundant in praying that this divine fandifier may dwell in them. David >^ Eph. iii. 16. t Jude 20. ± Rom. viii. z6. no The Agency of the Holy Dis. 4. prayed unto God, in Pfalm li. 11. Caji vte not away from thy prefcnce ; and take not thy holy fpirit from 77ie, Chrift faith to his difci- ples, in Luke xi. 13. If ye then ^ being evil ^ know how to give good gifts unto your children ; bow much inorefhpll your heavenly father give the holy fpirit to them that afk him. All the prayers which we find in the fcriptures of- fered to God by his children, that he would lead them in the way of truth — that he would 0^ pen their eyes to behold wondrous things out of his law — that he would help their unbelief — that he would increafe their faith — that he would teach them to pray-^that he would evermore give them the bread of life^ and fimilar favors — all thefe peritions involve the-defires of the heart addreffed to the Father of lights, for thefanclifying, enlightening, and quickening influences of the Holy Spirit. Were thefe wholly withdrawn from Chriflians, they would relapfe into their former fpiritual death, and would perifh. Did notthe prom- ifes of God fccure the final perfeverance of the faints in faith and holinefs, they muft: fit down in defpair of heaven. They are chofen to falvation through fa7i6lificaiion cf the Spirit^ and belief of the truth. Of them Chrift faith, in John x. 27, 28. Myfl^eep hear my voice ^ and Iknow them^ and they foU hw me : And I give unto them eternal life ; and Dis. 4. Qhoft; in Regeneration, 1 1 1 ihcy Jhall never perip^ neither Jhall any man fliick the?n out of my hand* The children of God tremble at the thought of the Spirit's withdrawment, and mourn that they grieve him by their fms. They pray above all things for his continu- ance. How often doth the faint go to God in earned fupplication, '^ O Lord leave me " not to myfelf ! Hold thou me up, and I " fhall be fafe ! — Uphold me with thy free " Spirit ! — Bow my rebellious will, and " bring it into perfect fubjeclion to thine ! *' Humble me for my pride, my unbeHef, " my worldlinefs, and all my innumerable ** fms ! — Make me to know the plague of " my own heart, and to feel my depend- " ance on thy grace ! Warm this cold " heart, by (heddlng abroad thy love in it " by thy Spirit ! Guide me in the way of " righteoufnefs ! Lead me not into tempta- " tion ! Caufe me to be ftedfafl, and un- " moveable, always abounding in thy work! " O keep me from falling, and may I be " prefented faultlefs before the prefence of '' thy glory wiih exceeding joy I" The truly devout pray for others as well as for themfelves : They pray for all men according to the divine command. The caufe of Zion lies near their hearts at all 112 The Jgeticy of the Holy DIs. 4. times, and efpecially when they approach the throne of grace. When Daniel under- ftood by attending to the prophetic books tliat the feventy years of the Jewifh captiv- ity in Babylon were nearly ended, h^fet his face unto the Lord God, to feek by prayer aiid fiippli cations, with fajiiyig, and fackclolh and ajhes. After acknowledging the juflice and truth of God in bringing all the calamities on the Jews which they had endured, he was importunate in praying for the reftora- tion of Jerufalem. Lord, according to all thy righteoufnefs, I hcfcech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Je^ rufdlem, thy holy mountain : becaufe for our fins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, ye- rufalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us. Now, therefore, our God, hear the prayer of thy fervant, and his fupplications , and cavfe thy face to fh'ine upon thy fa?iduary that is defolate, for the Lord^s fake, my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and k hold our defolations, and the city which is called by thy name : for we do not prefent our fupplications before thee for our righteoufneffes, but for thy great mercies » Lord, hear ; Lord, forgive ; Lord, hear k en y and do ; defer not, for thine own fake, my God ; for thy city and thy people are cal^ led by thy name* Every one who draweth * Danielix. 16—19. Dis. 4. Ghoft in Regeneration. 115 near to God in the fpirit of prayer can a- dopt the language of the prophet Ifaiah, For ZiorHs fake will I not hold ?7iy^ peace ^ and for Jerufalem^sfake I will not refi^ until the right-^ eoufnefs thereof go forth as brightnefs^ and the falvation thereof as a lamp that burneth* The righteous rejoice in the promifes of the out- pouring of the fpirit, when the Lord will arife in anfwcr to their prayers and have mer- cy upon Zion. They believe that the church cannot be kept alive in the world, if it be not fupported by the fandifying influences of the Holy Ghofl ; and that by thefe (he will triumph over all oppofition. Zechari- ah iv. 6, 7. This is the word of the Lord unto Ztrubbabel^ faying^ Not by mighty mr by power ^ hut by my fpirit^ faith the Lord cf hofls. Who art thou^ great mountain P before Zerubbabel thou fhalt become a plain : and he Jl^all bring forth the head-Jhne thereof with fhoutlngs^ ^^yi^^g^ Gracey grace, unto it. The ingathering of the Jews into the church, together with the fulnefs of the Gentiles, will be effeded by the effufions of the Holy Spirit. That this glorious day may come is the conftant prayer of all Chrif- tians, Te that juake mention of the Lord keep * Ifaiah Ixii. i. L 1 14 The Agency of the Isfc. Dis. 4. mtfilence^ and give hi?n no refl^ fill he ejlab- lijh^ and till he make Jerufalan a praife in the earth. Amen. ' xx><>oco<><>o<>o<>;>o<^ ♦ ■♦♦♦♦♦ DISCOURSE V. The Charadler of the Regenerate ; or true Religion diftinguifhed from falfe. I JOHN IV. 7, 'Efert one ihat loveth is horn ef God, and knoweth God. HAVING In' the foregoing difcourfes confidered the nature, neceffity, and Author of the nesv birth, I proceed to con- fider the fruits or effecls of this change. Let us, my brethren, deal impartially wi^h ourfelves while we are attendinn^ to the character of the regenerate. May God en- lighten our minds by his fpirit, that we 1 1 6 The Chara6ler of DIs. 5. may plainly diftlnguifh true religion from falfe. It is declared by the infpired writer in the text, that every one that loveth is born of God, a?jd knoweth God. This love is con- fidered in the context, as entering into the nature of the confeflion — That Jefus Chriji is eonie in theflejh ; which confeflion diftin- guiihes the fpirit of truth from the fpirit of er- ror. That faith in the Son of God which is juflifying worketh by love* Every one who is renewed in the fpirit of his mind, or knoweth God, is a fubjed of this love. The ultimate objeft of our love is always pleafmg to us ; and whatever this be, it de- termines our character. If our hearts be placed on earthly ppfleflions, we are gov- erned by the love of the world. If we love the praife of men 7nore than the praife of God^ ambition is the idol which we adore. If fenfual indulgencies be our chief pur- fuit, we are lovers of fmful pleafure. If our higheft affedions be placed on the in- finite mind, we are governed by the love of God. Know ye not^ faith the apoflle, that towhomye yield yourfelvesfervants to ohey^ his * Gal.v. 6, DIs. 5* the Regenerate, 117 fervants ye are to whom ye obey ; whether of fin unto deaths or of obedience unto righteouf nefs ?* We hear the fame language from the lips of Jefus Chrift, No man can ferve two maflers ; for either he will hate the one^ and love the other ; or elfe he will hold to the cne^ and defpife the ether. Te cannot ferve God and msimmoyi. Let us, my brethren, make the inquiry in the prefence of a holy God, whether we are devoted to him, and are become the fervants of righteoufnefs ? Let us take heed how we hear while we are looking into the nature of that love which forms the char- acter of thofe who are born again. If there be any prefent who have no defire to fearch and try their ways, let them know that their ftate is moft alarming. Every one who has much acquaintance with the fcriptures, mufl have obferved that in them great ftrefs is laid upon holy love, as being the foundation of true piety. Love is the fulfilling cf the law.] When one of the Jewifh dodors alked Chrift, " Which is the great commandment in the law ?" the divine teacher replied, Thou J]:>alt love the' Lord thy Ged^ with all thy hearty and with all- * Rora. vi. 16. t Rom. xiii. lo. L 2 1 1 8 I'he (2hara6ler of Dis. 5. ihyfoul^ and with all thy mind. This is the Jirji and great commandment. And the fecond is like imto it. Thou Jhalt love thy neighbor as ihyfelf. On thefe tuo commandments hang all the law and the prophets,* This law Chriit perfedly obeyed while he was on the earth, and to redeem fmners from its curfe he di- ed on the crofs. The love enjoined by this law conftituted the moral image of God on the heart of man when he was created. The fame moral image is reflored in regen- eration. Though the law has ceafcd as a covenant, it remains as a rule of life. It will forever continue as the ftandard of ho- linefs. To this man's heart muft be con- formed, or he muft perifh. The gofpel breathes the fame fpirit with the law. We cannot embrace the gofpel in a faving man- ner, if we do not love God with all our hearts and our neighbor as ourfelves. It is by this love only that our hearts can become united with the kingdom and glory of God, and with the real good of our fellow-crea- tures. Charity, or love, is the bond of perfeftnefs. This makes intelligent beings one in intereft and enjoyment under all cir- cumftances, and forever. This moral union is involved in the prayer which Chrift offered up a little before his death, for all the mem- * Matth. xxii. 36—40* Dis. 5* the Regenerate. 119 bers of his myflical body, in every age. John xvii. 20, 21, 22. Neither pray I for thefe alone^ hut for them alfo which fhall be- lieve on me through their word that they all may he one ; as thou^ Father^ art in me^ and I in thee^ that they alfo may he one in us ; that the world may helieve that thou hafi fent me. And the glory which thougavefi me I have given them ; that they may he one^ even as we are me. From the agreement of the fplrit of the law and the gofpel, it appears that no one can be a friend of the latter who is an ene- my to the former. If the law be not holy, jufl and good, there can be no grace in the gofpel. There can be no grace or mercy, in faving any one from the punifhment which is threatened by an unjuft law : He can claim deliverance on the footing of juf- tice. The moral law is an obje£l which is pleaf- ing to every pious mind. The apoflle Paul delighted in it after the inward man,* No be- liever defires juflification in the fight of God by the deeds of the law ; becaufe fuch defire would be inconfiflent with his love to the law, and to the glory of its divine Au- thor. All who are born again heartily ac- * Rom. ?ii. %%» I20 The CJ?arader of Dis. 5^. knowledge that they jaflly deferve everlaft- , ing mifery for tranfgrefling the law of God. This view of themfelves prepares the wa) for them to difcern the beauty and glory of the Mediator. In further difcourfing from the words of the text, let us attend, I ft. To fome of the exercifes of Chriftian love towards God. The regenerate are conformed to him in heart ; they aie united with him in love ; verfe 1 6th of the context — God is love ; and be that dwelltth in love dwelleth in God^ and God in hinu God neceflarily delighteth in the highefl good, or the greateft degree of happinefs, that can exift, and chooieth a plan for its attainment. He cannot fail of accomplilh- ing his defign ; fmce in him are united in- finite knowledge, power, and wifdom, with infinite love. God declareth his glory in the works of his hand ; and in thefe he de- lighteth, as they make known to intelligent creatures the fountain of goodnefs which exifteth from eternity in him. The glory of the Lord Jhall endure forevir ; the Lordjhall rejoice in his works,* Creatures are happy when their hearts are placed on the glory, >• * Pfalm ci7. 31. Dis. 5. the Regefierate. 1 2 1 or bleflcdnefs, of the divine mind. When they love God they become niembers of his holy intelh'gent kingdom, and give them- felves up to Him who is over all, and is the fum of being and happinefs. The happi- nefs and glory of the kingdom of God are the fame with his own glory : They cannot be feparated. Whatever promoteth the former, promoteth the latter. It is every way bed — it is mofl for the happinefs of intelligent creatures, that God lliould make his own glory his chief end. The happi- nefs found in communion with God is infi- nitely higher than can be found in any cre- ated good. The faint rejoiceth that Jehovah is on the throne of the univerfe. The language of his heart is. Be thou exalted^ Gody above the heavens ; let thy glory he above all the earth J^ Blefs the Lord^ all his works , i?t all places of his dominion ; blefs the Lord^ my fouL] If w^e love God, my brethren, we fhall choofe to lie at his footftool, and to be wholly un- der his dominion. We (hall abhor ourfdves and repent in dull and aflies, for our rebel- lion againfl the holy and righteous Gov^^-nor of the univerfe. We fhall as perfedly ap- prove of the juftice which condemneth us, * Pfalm Ivii. IX. f Pfalm ciii. az. 1 1 2 The Chara6ler of Dis. 5. as of the grace which bringeth falvation to the guihy. They who have the love of God fhed abroad in their hearts delight in his mercy as he caufed it to be proclaimed before Mo- fes, Exodus xxxiii. 1 9. ~ And he /aid, I will make all 7ny goodnefs pafs before thee^ and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee ; and will bs gracious to uho?n I will be gracious ^ and will fhew mercy on whom I will jJjew mercy* Chhd's followers join with him in the adora- tion, //Z?^«^' thee^O Father^ Lord of Heaven and earthy becuufe thou hajl hid thefe things from the wife and prudent^ and haft revealed them unto babes. Evenfo^ Father ; forfo it feemcd good in thy Jight,^ If we love God we fhall not complaiR of his conduct in fending his fplrit into one congregation, and not into another j into one family and not into a- nother ; and into the heart of fome one or more of the family, in diflindion from the other members w^ho compofe it. We know from the charader of Jehovah that he will, in the kingdom of his grace, as well as in the kingdom of his providence, do that which infinite love, or a lupreme regard to the happinefs of his holy kingdom, requir- eth. The monuments of vindictive wrath " Matih. xi. 2 $7 2<5. Dis. 5« the Regenerate. 123 can have no jiift caufe of complaint ; be- caufe they deferve endlefs /! eyes to heaven^ and faid^ Father^ the hour is come ; glorify thy Son, that thy Son alfo may glorifi thee, I have glorified thee on the earth : I have finifhed the work which thoit gavejt me to do.] The fupreme objeft of * % Epiftle John 9. f John KvU. i, 4, M 126 The CharaEler of Dis. 5. Chrifl's love, Is the objedl on which the hearts of his followers are placed ; and they love him becaufe he fought the glory of his Father above all things. They give glory to the Son of God for becoming incarnate, and appearing in this world, to condemn fin in the fiefh ; that the righteoufnefs of the law might be fulfilled in them who walk not after the fiefh ^ but after the Spirit. They admire the difmterefled benevolence of the Redeemer, in that though he was rich, yet for the fake of his people he became poor, that they through his poverty might be rich. To fave them he became a man of for rows ^ ayid ac- quainted with grief He was wounded for their tranjgrefjions ^ he was bruifed for their iniquities : the chafiifement of thdr peace was upon him^ and with his ftripes they are healed. To make atonement for finners Chrift was betrayed, he was arrayed in a mock robe, he wore a crown of thorns, he was buffeted, he was fpit upon, he was infulted in his dying moments, and he expired on the crofs. Chrfi loved the church, and gave himfelf for it ; that he might fanilify and cleanfe it with the wajhing of water by the word ; that he might prefent it to himfelf a glorious churchy not having fpot or wrinkle , or any fuch thing ; but that it Jhould be holy, and without ble?nifh* * Eph. V. Z5> a6, a;. Dis. 5* the Regenerate, 127 Chriflians, can you look on the fufferings and death of your Lord with unaffected hearts ? No favors deferve to be compared with fpiritual and everlafting bleflings. Thefe laft are of as much higher worth than worldly enjoyments, as the foul is fuperior to the body, and as eternity exceeds time. If we have evidence that we have obtained mercy, we fhall give thanks unto the Father, who hath made us fneet to be partakers of the in- heritance of the faints in light ; ivho hath de- livered us from the power of darknefs^ and hath tranjlated us into the kingdom of his dear Son ; in whom we have rede?7iption through his blood, even the forgivenefs of fins.* If our many fms are forgiven w^e fhall love Chrift with ardent affection ; like the woman who wafhed his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. The knowledge of our hearts will lead us to fee our fms in a much clearer light than we can fee the fms of any other perfon ; and hence our forgivenefs will appear to be a wonder- ful difplay of divine mercy. The love which they who are in Chrifl feel towards him, is of a wholly different nature from that of the hypocrite, whofe * Colof. i. la, 13, 14. 128 The CharaBer of Dls. 5. affedion arifes from no higher motive than his fuppofed efcape from hell, and fecurity of happinefs. The love of the Chriflian is of the fame nature with the benevolence of the divine mind which gave birth to the gof- pel plan of falvation. A church hath been raifed up from among men, that the abun- dant grace mighty through the thank/giving of many^ redound to the glory of God,f The glory of God in the falvation of fmners, is the fupreme object of the love, the grati- tude, the joy, and all the holy exercifes of the regenerate. If their hearts were not placed on this object, they could not have fellozvfhip with the Father^ and with his Son fefus Chrift, They rejoice in the wifdom, power, and grace of God ; which can caufe enemies to become obedient to his will, and can make fuch vile worms of the dufl as they are partakers of the happinefs of his holy kingdont, in a way that Ihall he to thepraife of his glory. The love which is the fruit of the fpirit lies at the foundation of evangelical repent- ance, of trufl in God, of fubmiilion to his will, and of all the graces and virtues which form the Chriftian chara£ler. It will out- live hope, and that faith which is the evidence t % Cor. iv. 15. Dis. 5» the Regenerate. 129 of things not feen : it will rife to perfedion at the clofe of the prefent life, and will nev- er fail. It appears in its full luflre in the heavenly world, and will reign in the hearts of the redeemed forever. Before I leave this part of the fubje£l, I would take occafion to obferve, that we cannot determine what particular holy ex- ercifes will be firfl perceived by thofe who are born of God. A great variety is found in their experiences in this refped. Some firfl perceive a new beauty in the works of nature aiound them ; and their minds are filled with a pleafing folemn fenfe of the prefence and glory of God. Others are delighted in contemplating fonie one of the attributes of the Deity. Sometimes the at- tention of the regenerate is firfl fixed on the perfon, or ofHces of Jefus Chriil. Not a few have found their cavillings (tilled for the firft time by a view of the reditude and goodnefs of the divine government. Their hearts are charmed with the objei^ before them, and they are ailonifhed at their pafl^ obflinacy and blind nefs. Moff commonh/ the firfl exercifes of the new man are in view of foQie dodrine, or part of the di- vine condu<5l, with which the heart had M2 130 The Chara6ler ef Dis. 5. been mofl: Immediately contending. Some firft tafle that the Lord is gracious in the channel of fomepaflageoffcripture brought to their minds j and others have no particu- lar part of the written word in their thoughts^ at that time. It often happens that a con- iiderable length of time paffes after the dawning of divine light on the fouls of the regenerate, before they think any thing about their own converfion. The beauty and the glory which captivate their hearts take off their attention from themfelves. They are heard to fay afterwards to their Chriftian friends, with reference to the hap- py time when divine truth firft appeared in SI new light, '^ We did not inquire whether *' we fhould be faved or loft ) but we were *^ fwallowed up in contemplating the glory ** of God. We felt willing to be in his " hand. We rejoiced in his government, *' and that his holy name will be magnified ^^ for ever.^ The few inftances which have been men- tioned, may ferve as a fpecimen of the ma- ny which might be adduced to illuftrate the variety obfervablein the earlieft difcov- eries made to the regenerate. Let the im- mediate objed of their firft and fubfequent exercifes be what it may,. the temper of Dis. 5« the Regenerate. 131 heart implied in them is the fame in its na- ture. There is no other difference between the exercifes of the renewed heart than is occafioned by different objedls. The heart that is delighted in contemplating one part of the moral works of God, will be delighted in contemplating any other part as it cometh into view. If we love one attribute of Je- hovah, we love his whole charader. If for inftance, we love his mercy, we love his juftice and his truth, and every other moral attribute. If we love his character we fhall feel glad that he is poffeffed of infinite knowledge and power, and that he cannot fail of accomplifhing whatever he pleafeth : Hence, we fhall find holy enjoyment in view- ing the natural perfedlions of the Mod High. If we cordially embrace Jefus Chrift, we fhall delight in the law which he honored by his obedience and death. If we be friends to the divine government in any particular branch of it, we are friends to its whole plan. As our minds are limited, we mud attend to one thing at a time ; but as there is perfed unity of charader and defign in God, we (hall, if renewed in the Ipirit of our minds, be fatisfied with any and every part of either, when it is fet before us. All God's children have been made to drink in- to one fpirit ) whatever variety exifts in the X 132 The Chara6ler of 3!)is. 5; order of their exercifes. They are all root- ed and grounded in love ; and they have one God and Father^ who is above alU and through all^ and in them all — I proceed to confider, 2dly. The exercifes of Chriftian love to- wards mankind. John exhorteth in the beginning of the verfe which contains the text, Beloved^ let vs love one another. The fame exhortation is found in many other places in this epiftle. Though he may have more immediately in view, in the words jufl quoted, the love which Chriilians ought to exercife towards each ottier, the love of benevolence towards all mankind is not excluded. Brotherly love cannot exift without this, and is built upon it. We are commanded to love our neighbor as ourfelves. To enjoin and enforce this love, is the de- fign of the lix fafl commandments in the decalogue. If we love God we fliall confider the hap- pinefs of our neighbor as being of as much importance as our own. We cannot have the fame confcioufnefs of his joys and for- rows, as we can of our own ; neither is his welfare entru (led to us in the fame fenfe in which our own is : But as the portion of rational exiftence which he pofTeiTes bears Dis. 5. the Regenerate* 133 the fame relation to the infinite mind that ours doth, he is equally with us capable of happinefs or mifery, and it fs as much to be defired that he fhould be faved, as that we fhould be faved. We are (Irangers to Chriflian love, if we harbor malice or revenge in our hearts to- wards any of our fellow-creatures, what- ever may be the treatment we receive at their hands. Chrift commandeth us to love our ensmies^ to blefs them that curfe tis, to do good to them that hate us^ and to pray for them that defpitefully ufe us^ and perfecute us»* It is our duty to frown on the workers of in- iquity, and cafes may occur in which love to the public good requires that we make exertions to bring them to fuffer for their crimes, even unto death ; but we are for- bidden to indulge malice towards them un- der any circumftances whatever. Jesus Christ was an open and a bold reprover of wickednefs in all ranks of men, from the lowed up to the higheft. He was at the fame time benevolent towards them all, he was grieved for the hardnefs of their hearts, and earneflly befought them to re- form, and to fecure ever lading happinefs. His heart was tenderly touched when he * Matth.v. 44* 134 ^^^^ CharaBer of Dis. 5. looked forward to the miferies which were about to fall upon the Jews, for their killing the prophets, and floning the meflengers of the Lord of hofts who had been fent unto them. When he 'was riding in triumph to Jerufalem a few days before his death, as he drew near the city, he uept over if, faying^ If thou hadji known, eve?! thou at leaji in this thy day, the thirigs which belong unto thy peace ! hut now they are hidden from thine eyes.f- When he was dying on the crofs, he prayed for his murderers. Father, forgive them j for they know not what they do. The benevolent fpirit of the gofpel in- fluences all Chrifl's real difciples to imitate, in fome degree, his meeknefs and love ; who, when he was reviled, reviled not again ; when hefuffered, he threatened not ; but com- mitted himf elf to him that judge th righteoufly.* Chrifl faith, in Matthew vi. 15, But if ye forgive not men their trefpaffes, neither will your Father forgive your trefpaffes. He inculcates the fame doctrine in many other places. We cannot pray for ourfelves in a manner that will be accepted of a holy God, if we cannot at thfe fame time forgive our ene- mies ; and afk mercy for them. t Lukex'X. 41, 42. * I Pe^. ii. 23. Dis. 5' the Regenerate. 135 The children of God look with forrow and pity upon a wicked and a fecure world ; and Ibmetimes almoit forget themfelves in their concern for others. They pour out their hearts to God for them in worfhipping afTemblies, and in their clofets, and when the prefence ot fcoffers requires them to be filent their fupplications are afcending. They rejoice when fmners are converted from the error of their way, and glorify God that he hath granted unto them repentance unto life. If Chriftians did not love the felicity and glory of God's kingdom above the happi- nefs of individuals, they would be incon- folable in refleding on the mifery of any part of the intelligent creation. But as they believe that God will be glorified, they reft fatisfied with his condud in permitting all the evil which now exifts, or which will ex- id to eternity. As they feel that fm in them juftly deferves punifhment, they know that fm in others juftly deferves punifliment : and as they are fully convinced that there is no malice or cruelty in Him who is love, they cannot -doubt but that he adeth in char- after when he dooms the wicked to endlefs punifhment. There can be no error m the counfel of infinite knowledge, wifdom, and benevolence. That plan mufl have been 1^6 The Character of Dis. 5. chofen by the Eternal Mind, which in its operations will efFed the greatefl fum of happinefs in the univerfe. I am perfuaded, my brethren, that the more fully and im- partially you attend to the fubjed of future mifery, the more clearly you will difcern that you muft have recourfc to fuch princi- ples as have now been hinted, to vindicate the divine goodnefs in infliding endlefs pun- ifliment on the wicked. Hear the united voice of the holy inhabitants of the new Je- rufalem, as they behold vengeance rendered to the enemies of God, Alleluia ; Salvation^ and glory ^ and honor ^ and power ^ unto the Lord our God : For true and righteous are his judgments ; for he hath judged the great whore ^ which did corrupt the earth with her fornica- tion^ and hath avenged the blood of hisfervants at her hand. And again they faid^ Alleluia* Andher fmoke roje up forever and ever,'* Love is delighted in finding kindred fouls. A true patriot feels a peculiar attachment to thofe who make the welfare of the com- monwealth their purfuit, and who unite with him in detefting the politics and the meafures which tend to diforganize fociety. The regenerate feel a peculiar friendfhip to- wards thofe who manifefl that their hearts * Rev. xix. I, aj 3. Dis. 5. the Regenerate, 137 are placed on the kingdom of the Redeemer. The apoftle Paul, in his fird epiftle to the church of the TheiTalonians, addrefleth the brethren, in chap. iv. 9, in the following words. But as touching brotherly love^ ye need not that I write unto you ; for ye your/elves are taught of G:d to love one another, John faith. We know that we have paffed fro?n death unto life^ hecaufe we love the brethren* If we love God we (hall rejoice in beholding his image in any of the human race ; whether high or low, rich or poor, bond or free. Chrif- tians are commanded to do good unto all men as they have opportunity, efpecially unto them who are of the houfljold of faith, \ Our zeal on this fubje6l will not be ac- cording to knowledge if we fuppofe it to be impolTible to love one as a brother in Chriil, if the perfon fo loved be not a true believer. We cannot indeed regard one as a follower of the Son of God, if he do not appear, in a judgment of charity, to have his Spirit ; but as we cannot certainly know the heart of another we are liable to be deceived in our opinion of him. If we feel a compla- cency in any one on account of his appa- rent friendfliip to Chrift, this is a good ev- * I John iii. 14. f GaI. vi. 10. N 138 The Charaaer of Dis. 5. idence that we are Chriflians ; but it is no certain evidence that the perfon fo loved is a real Chriftian. Many fads might be ad- duced, were it neceffary, to prove that the apoftles, and others in primitive times, re- ceived and treated perfons as brethren in the Lord for a feafon, who afterwards made it manifeft by their ungodly condud that they were in the gall of bitternefs^ and in the bond cf iniquity. Not a few, in every age, have demonllrated by their conduct that their temporary fair appearance of piety did not fpring from a pure heart. The promife of heaven which is made to exprellions of brotherly love, doth not imply that the perfon who is the obje6l of it is a member of Chrifl's myftical body. Matth. x. 42. And whofoever Jhall give to drink unto one of ihefe little ones a cup of cold water only^ in the name of a difciple^ verily I fay unto you. He (hall in no wife lofe his reward. We may obferve that it is not affirmed that the one to whom the cup of cold water is given fhall have eternal life, as all true believers will ; but the promife is made to him that giveth a cup of cold water, in the name of a difciple. It is promifed that he, the donor, Jhall in no wife lofe his reward. He will be owned, in this very aft, by Chrift in the day of Judg- Dis. 5* the Regenerate, 139 ment, if the perfon to whom he minlflered fhould prove to be a hypocrite. In avoiding the error into whith fome have run in holding to the certain knowl- edge of Chriflians, let us not go into the oppofite extreme of allowing no other tcft of brotherly love than will perfecllyfuit thetafte of the mere formalift. The regenerate honor them that fear theLord, choofethemfor their companions, and prize their fociety far a- bove that of the great and the honorable of the earth who deny the power of godlinefs- They who are born of God bear the bur- dens of their brethren, and rejoice in their growth in grace. They feek to unbofom themfelves to Chriftians of higher attain- ments in knowledge and holinefs, and are edified in liflening to their counfels and ad- monitions. It is an animating thought to the children of God, that they will foon meet in their heavenly Father's houfe above, freed from their prefent imperfections, and perfedly united in love. 3dly. The love which is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, influences to a life of obedience to God's commandments. Love in the heart is an aftive principle ; and is the fum of all that God requireth of 140 The Chara6ler of Dis. 5. man. This leads to a courfe of behavior which is conformable to the laws and ordi- nances of the fupreme King. Holy obedi- ence is not founded on mercenary motives, or flavilh fear, but fprings from a defire to promote the declarative glory of God. Great ftrefs is laid on Chriflian pradlice in the fcriptures : John xiv. 23. Jefus an- fiver ed^ and faid unto hhn^ If a ?nan love me, he will keep my words ; and my Father will love him^ and we will come unto him, and make our abode with hinu No profeflion of love is of any worth which is not accompanied with obedience to the divine will. He pro- fefles in vain to know God, who does not obey his laws. He thatfaith^ Iknow him^ a?id keepeth not his commandments^ is a liar^ and the truth is not in himJ^ We place no depend- ance on the highefl profeffions of friend fhip, when they are not accompanied with a cor- refponding behaviour. Let a man declare to us with never fo much warmth of expref- fion that he is attached to our perfon and interefl, we give no credit to his words, if he conllantly employs every art, and adopts every method, in his power, to vilify our reputation, and to rob us of all that we hold dear in life. Nor can we look upon one in * I John ii. 4. Dis. 5. ihe Regenerate, t^t any other light than that of an enemy, who can hear us traduced, or fee an injury done us, without manifefling any regret. The abfurdity would be not lefs glaring to confid- er perfons as the friends and fervants of the Moll High, who, whatever profeflions of love they may make, join in their pra6lice with his open enemies, in difhonoring his name, and defpifmg his kingdom. Though creatures can neither defeat, nor difappoint, the fupreme Ruler, their rebellion carries no lets guilt in it, than if it could accomplHh its wifhes. We may add, that the infinite fuperiority of the Creator to his creatures, in connexion with his holy chaia^ter, raifes the guilt of fm to a height which exceeds all human calculation. Holy obedience hath refpedt to all God's commandments. If we love him we fhall feel a reverence for his name, when we pro- nounce it with our lips ; not indulging our- felves in appealing to him to give energy to trifling difcourfe, nor in imprecating his ven- geance on ourfelves, or on others. God's people, in all ages, have ca/kd the fabk-ith a delight, and have honored him on that day,- by atiending on the public ordinances of his appointment. It has been painful to them 1 42 The Chara6ler of Dis. 5. to be detained from his houfe, and the means of inftruclion, or quickening, which he hath inflitated. Prayer is the breath of thofe who are born again. They attend to this in their houfes and in the fanduary. They maintain fecret prayer. Love reigning in the heart inclines to the pradice of the various relative and focial duties. We can- not be under the government of this holy principle, and difregard juflice, mercy, truth, and the other virtues which are im- plied in the love of our neighbor. The knavery, the unmerciful temper, the back- biting, the falfhood, the covetoufnefS; and the envy which have appeared in fome high profefTors, have brought great reproach up- on Chriftianity, and have given occafion to its enemies to blafpheme. If we be un- der the influence of the pure and benevolent fpirit of the gofpel we fhall renounce thefe, and all other vices, and fhall pradife the op- pofite virtues. In our treatment of our neighbor we fhall keep in mind the rule which our Saviour hath given to us, in Matth. vii.^ 12. Therefore all things whatfoever ye would that men fhould do to you^ do ye even fo to the?n : for this is the law and the prophets. Where Chriftian love reigns, an ardent defire is felt to diifufe a fpirit of peace and Dis. 5. the Regenerate. 143 friendfhip through families, neighborhoods, communities, and the whole world of man- kind. It reftrains the furious and malig- nant pafTions. It excites to a winning and en- gaging behavior, and that diffufive good- nefs, which fpreads itfelf on every fide ; refembling the gentle yet overflowing dream, which fertilizes the neighboring fields. It fuppreffes unchafte defires, and intemperate indulgencies, and regulates the animal ap- petites by the flandard of true wifdom. The gofpel is every way calculated to make men wife and happy, and to carry their fecial nature to its highefl: perfection. If we are the fubje£ls of the new birth, we fhall labor to cJeanfe our/elves from all Jilt hi- nefs of thefleflj andfpirit^ perfeding hoUnefs in the fear of God, We fhall not take the lib- erty to pafs by fome of the commands of God, and felecl only a few to be carried into our practice ; but we fhall regard the di- vine authority in all the laws given by the great Head of the church, and difcover by the manner in which we fpend life, that none of his injunctions are grievous to us. We fhall unite with the pious Pfalmifl, in his addrcfs unto Jehovah, Look thou upon me^ 4ind he merciful unto me ^ as thouufejl to do unto ihofe that love thy name. Order myjieps in thy 144 ^h^ CharaSicr 6f Dis. 5. word ; and let not any iniquity have dominion over me* It is written in i John iii. 9. Whofoever is born of God doth not commit ftn ; for his feed remaineth in him : and he cannot fin^ hecaufe he is born of God. Thefe words cannot mean that the regenerate are carried beyond the poflibiliry of fmning, or that any of them arrive at fmlefs perfedion, in the prefent ftate. Good men have done very evil things. Who can fay ^ I have made my heart clean^ tarn pure from my fin ^\ They are fecured againfl committing the unpardonable fm, and a- gainil habitually indulging any fin. As in the infant there are all the members of the full grown man, fo in the children of God there are all parts of the Chriftian character in a fmall degree ; and a foundation is laid by the grace of God for them to come unto aperfed man^ unto the meafure of the feature of the fidnfs of Chri/i, There is no one fin which the Chriftian allows himfelf toprac- tife, nor one luft which he fpares, though he finneth daily, and even while he is attend- ing to all the forms of duty. He ftrives to mortify every fin, and prays God to difcov- er to him his fecret faults. With the apof- tle he delighteth in the law of God after the ^ Pfalm cxix. 132, 133. f Prov. xx. ^ Dis. 5. the Regenerate. 145 inward man, and fees at the fame time anoth- er law in his members warring againji the law of his mijid^ and bringing him into captivity tfi the law of Jin, which is in his members. There is fomething in the flate of the Chriftian while on earth, that is different from what we can find in any other creature in any world. The inhabitants of heaven are perfedly holy ; the inhabitants of hell are wholly given up of God to their fins, and to endure his wrath ; the unregenerate in this world have no holinefs in their hearts : But when we look to the Chriftian, we find one who has fomething of holinefs, and the remains of fm yet continuing in him. The old man is crucified, but the new man has not yet prevailed to his complete removal. Every believer of much age, can fay with the apoflle — That which I do, I allow not ; for what I would, that do I not ; but what I hate, that do /.* Enigmatical as this repre- fentation may feem, it is familiar to the ex- perience of all who have long been in the Chriftian warfare. As the heavens are higher than the earth, fo are the Lord's ways higher than our ways, and his thoughts than our thoughts. It might appear to us befl that when any are * Rom. vii. 15. 146 T^he Character cf^ &fc. Dis. 5, born again, they fliould in the fame inflant be wholly freed from moral evil, and be made as pure as are the faints in heaven. But it is the plan of infinite wifdom to train up men from a fmall beginning of holinefs, compared to a grain of muflard feed, for the ftate of perfecl purity and joy. Divine grace is wonderfully difplayed in keeping alive the fmall degree of holy love implant- ed in regeneration. Who but a God of Almighty power could preferve this, amidft fo much remaining corruption, and caufe it to grow up to a ftate of maturity ? Chrif- tians by comparing fm and holinefs together in themfelves, fee their oppofite natures in a more flriking manner ; and are more deeply impreffed with the belief, that their falvation from beginning to end, is effected by the free and fovereign mercy of God, Op the riches of divine grace they daily meditate. They have begun to dwell on a theme which will appear more and more marvellous the longer they live. They can- not exhaufl the fubjecl — they will dwell upon it with admiration and praife to eter- nity. To the only wife God our Saviour^ be glory and majejiy^ dominion and power ^ both now and ever. Amen. •^x><>c<;>eo<>c=<>;:xy:>c>o<>^ ••♦♦♦■♦■♦ ♦♦ DISCOURSE VI. The Charafter of the Regenerate ; or true Religion diftinguifhed from falfe. I JOHN IV. 7. 'Efeut mie thai loveth is born of Gody and knoivethGod. ^ THE leading exercifes of Chriftian love, and its influence on the temper and conduft of the regenerate, were confidered in the lafl difcourfe. In a review of the fubjed we are taught, I. That the love which has private or perfonal happinefs for its fupreme object, is eflfentially different from the love which is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. 148 Thetharaaercf Dis. 6. Our private happlnefs is of as much worth as that of any other creature who is poirefTed of the fame degree of intelligent exiftence ; and ought to be prized and pur- fued by us in fubordination to the glory of God, and the happinefs of his moral king- dom. The only way of fecuring real hap- pinefs to ourfelves, is to feel fatisfied with our proper place in the fyflem, and to be governed by that temper which corref- ponds with our relations to God and to our fellow-creatures. Under the dominion of fuch exercifes of heart, we fhall, according to our finite capacity, enjoy all the happi- nefs in the kingdom of God. Hence faith the apollle, when writing to his Chriftian brethren — All things are yours ; whether Paul^ cr A polios^ or Cephas^ or the worlds or life^ or deaths or things prefent^ or things to come ; all are yours ; and ye are ChriJTs ; and Chriji is God's.* All unfanclified men love themfelves fupremely ; and the whole of their affection towards God is grounded on the belief, or hope, that he will make them happy. Chrift declareth in his fermon on the mount, For if ye love them who love you^ what reward have ye ? do not even the Publicans the fame ?\' * I Cor, iii. a I, aa, 33. f Matth. y. 46. DIs. 6. the Regmerate, 149 Hypocrites may have a high degree of re- ligious joy, of the felfifh kind. The If- raelites fang God's praife at the red fea ; but foon forgat his works. When Chrift rode in triumph into Jerufalem, a vafl: croud of people, cried^ faf^^Z-i i^ofanna to the Son of David ; Bleffed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord : Hofanna in the higheji.* Within a fhort time after, they joined in the cry againft the benevolent Saviour, Crucify hijn / Crucfy him / The malefador condemned to death by human laws may, when pardoned, be fil- led with joy, and may feel warm gratitude towards the magiftrate who reprieved him, without the leaft abhorrence of the crime which he had committed. He may, as has fometimes been feen, be more given to deeds of violence than ever. The greatefl fm- ner may, without a change of heart, be ex- cited to a certain kind of gratitude towards God, and that to a high degree, from a be- lief that God hath fecured him from the torments of hell, and will make him happy in the eternal world. This prefumptuous hope is often raifed by taking hold of a text of fcripture brought to the mind. When Satan perverted a fcripture promife, to *■ Matth. xxi. 9. o 150 The Charader of Dis. 6. tempt Chrift to cafl himfelf down from a pinnacle of the temple, the Son of God re- lifted the adverfary. Chrift's followers, by ftrength derived from him, have been able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. But the impenitent may fall in with a perverted fenfe of fcripture paiTages, and fatally deceive themfelves. Were a man emboldened to perpetrate fome daring crime by pleading for his fupport the words, Wait on the Lord^ be of good courage^ a7id he Jhall Jirengthen thine heart, we (hould pronounce him guilty of horrid prefumption. The hope of that man is as truly unwarranted who concludes himfelf to be delivered from the cwrfe of the law, while he remains in impenitence, becaufe fome text of fcripture comes into his mind and he takes comfort from it ; fuch as Son, be of good cheer, thy fins are forgiven thee. We have no authority to be comforted by any promife made to be- lievers unlefs we poffefs their charader. We muft be the fubjeds of evangelical re- pentance, or we can have no juft evidence that we are forgiven, and are made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. We muft firft find love to God in our hearts before we can know, or have the fmalleft reafon to conclude, that we are his children. It may here be inquired in what fenfe the 19th verfe of the context is to be under- Dis. 6. tJj€ Regenerate. 151 flood. We love him^ becaufe he Jirfi loved us. We may learn the meaning of thefe words by looking back to the 9th and loth verfes. In this was manifejled the love of God toward us, becaufe that God fent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and fent his Son to be the pi-opitia^ iion for our fins, God provided a Saviour through the infinite love of his benevolent mind. If he had not done this, and fent his Spirit to operate on the hearts of the children of men, none of them would have loved him, and have been faved. The love which is in the hearts of the regenerate is the fruit, or the efFedt, of that love which hath exifted in the divine mind from eter- nity. Their hearts are not firft drawn out in love to God by believing that God loved them in particular. God loveth his chil- dren with the love of complacency ; becaufe they wear his holy image, and place their hearts on his Son Jefus Chrift. John xvi. 27. For the Father himfelf loveth you, becaufe ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. It is very obvious that the love of the Father here exprefled, is differ- ent from the benevolence which he exerci- feth towards mankind at large. When any unregenerate perfons love God from a be- lief that he loveth them in the fame fenfe ia i^z The CharaBer of DIs. 6. which he loveth his own children, they be- lieve a falfehood. The regenerate feel a love to God for the excellencies of his na- ture. The divine character is the firft and the higheft objedt of their love. When they contemplate the conduct of the Moft: High in providing a ranfom for them while they were his enemies, they admire his dif- interefted love, but they do not believe that he delighted in their charader while they were his enemies. If the hearts of any are firft melted into love from the belief that they fhall not perifti, their love is felfiflinefs at bottom, and they are far from the king- dom of God. Some have affirmed that fmners love God when they have a full perfuafion that he juftifieth the ungodly through the atone- ment ; becaufe this faith relieves their con- fciences from guilt. This fcheme fuppofes that holy love originates in felfifhnefs, and that God juftifieth an impenitent fmner. I'he exercifes of heart which harmonize with this fcheme have no holinefs in them, and therefore cannot be approved by infi- nite purity. It is true that when any one is juftified on the plan of the gofpel, he is ungodly in the eye of the law, becaufe he falls very far ftiort of its requirements ; but it is at the fame time true that juftifyiag faith Dis. 6. the Regenerate, 353 involves in its nature the fame kind of love which the law requires. The love of God implanted in the hearts of believers is ex- prefled in repentance, and in many other ways which had not been poflible if man had not fmned ; but the nature of holy love is the fame under the covenant of grace, as under the covenant of works. All falfe religions, of whatever name, or appearance, are built on a felfifli founda- tion, and gratify a proud heart. The worft of men, who acknowledge the exiftence of a God, are willing to believe that he is too merciful to punifh them, and that all his at- tributes are pledged to fave them from hell. Some flatter themfelves with the hope that if they keep themfelves from external vices, and maintain a decency of behaviour, they fhall be faved. Others exped to find favor in the fight of God by a momentary relent- ing near the clofe of a wicked life, and by repairing to the divine mercy when they can no longer enjoy the pleafures of fm. Thefe perfons are aduated by no better mo- tives than Joab was when he fled unto the tabernacle of the Lord, and caught hold on the horns of the altar, to efcape that death which he had merited by his crimes. Their prefumptuous hope will be as vain as his was^^ O 2 154 ^he Chara8er of Dis. 6. in the day of the Lord's vengeance. There are others who truft in high flights of reli- gious affections, arifing from a confident be- lief that they are converted, and fhall go to heaven, while they difcover all thebitter- nefs of party zeal, and perhaps are as def- titute of external morality as they are of Chriflian meeknefs. Hypocrites may be willing to deny themfelves in many things, for the fake of being made happy. They may, like the ancient Pharifees, take upon themfelves much labor, and praftife great aufterities in their religion, to foothe them in their indulgence of a favorite luft. They may be willing to fuffer for a while, from a belief that they fhall receive compenfation hereafter \ like as the mifer may choofe to drefs in mean apparel, and to feed on coarfe food, for the fake of increafmg his riches. — Time would fail even to hint at the various courfes that run into the broad road which leadeth to deftruftion. The Chriftian giveth up himfelf to God without referve. He denieth himfelf ; and Cdunteth all things but lofs for the excdUncy of the knowledge of Chriji Jefus his Lord. He feels that the fufferings which he is called to endure, are far lefs than his fins deferve j and believes that his calamities are neceffary in the counfels of the Moft yigh, to pro* Dis. 6. the Regenerate, 155 mote the glory of his great name, and the happinefs ©f his kingdom. The Chriftian rejoiceth in the government of Jehovah ; and is comforted by the divine declarations which promife that the light and momentary afflidions of time, will work for the faith- ful a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. He doth not, like the hypocrite, think highly of his fervices, or his fufFer- ings ; but views himfelf as an unprofitable fervant, and laments that he exercifeth fo little patience under his trials. The hypo- crite places all his religious enjoyment in what he fuppofes he has done, or endured, and in what has been done for him» The enjoyment of the Chriflian arifes from what he difcovers in God^ and in his holy king- dom. His love and his joy terminate on an objedl as much above himfelf as God is greater than man. 2. We may learn from the prefent fubjedl why Chriftans have fuch a deep fenfe of the evil of fin. They have come to the light, and by this they behold the deformity of fm. The nearer they approach to God the more they fee their own vilenefs, and the flronger is their dcfire to lie low before him. When Ifaiah, in vifion, faw the Lord fitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and when he 156 The Charafler of Dis. 6. heard the feraphiras crymg one to another, faying, Hclyy holy, holy is the Lord of Ho/is ; the whole earth is full of his glory, the prophet laid, Woe is me ! for I am undone ; becaufe lam a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the 7nidfiof a people of unclean lips : for mine eyes have feen the King, the Lord of Ho/is,* We find abundantly in the fcriptures that when God hath made a clear difcovery of himfelf 10 his children, they have had a very li\ ely fenfe of the evil of fin, and have been fil- led with felf-loathing. Their hearts are for- med on a different fcale from that of the men of the world. They are prepared to view fin in as new a light as holinefs. They hate fin chiefly becaufe itis committed againft a holy God, and is directly oppofed to the benevolent defigns of his kingdom. They feel that fin tends to banilh all order, peace and happinefs from the univerfe ; and that they can never fufficiently abhor themfelves for doing the abominable thing which the Lord hateth. When any become renewed in the fpirit of their mind, they begin to have godly forrow. They look back on the tranfgref- fions of pad life, and pray, with the Pfalm- ift, long after he had devoted himfelf to the fervice,of Jehovah, Reme tuber not the fins of * Ifaiah vi. 5. Dis. 6. the Regeneraie. 157 viy youthy nor my iran/greffions : according to thy mercy remember thou %ne^ for thy goodnefs* fake, Lord.* Paul, after his converfion did not forget what he once was, and con- tinued to condemn himfelf and to mourn, for his violent and cruel condu6l towards the difciples of Jefus Chrift, to his dying day. / am the leaji of the apojlles^ that am not 7neet to be called an apoflle^ becaufe I perfe* cutedthe church of Godi I thank Chriji Je» fus our Lordy who hath enabled me^ for that he counted me faithful^ putting me into the min* ijiry ; who was before a blafphemer^ and a perfecutor^ and injurious. — This is a faithful faying^ atid worthy of all acceptation^ that Chrifi Jefus came into the world to fave fin* ners ; of whom I am chief \ If the religion of the gofpel were of a felfifh nature, the fubjedl of it would ceafe to mourn for his pad fins, as foon as he fuppofed himfelf to be pardoned : But fmce it breatheth a difmterefted fpirit, the peni- tent will increafe in godly forrow, as he makes progrefs in holinefs. They who are juflified before God on the ground of the atonement, mourn for fm as it expofes to the divine wrath ; but as their hatred of fin arifes from viewing it on a higher fcalethan their private happinefs, or mifery, their ha- * Pfalm XXV. 7. 1 1 Cof. xv. 9. :|: i Tira»i. 13, 13, 15, 158 The Charaaer of Dis. 6. tred of it muft increafe as they grow in the knowledge of God. If this be not admit- ted, it will follow that the defign of Chrift in coming into the world to fave fmners, was to render them lefs deferving of pun- ifhment : which v/ould make him a minif- ter of fin. Are there any of the followers of the Son of God in the hearing of this difcotirfe, let me afk you whether the fms of your pad lives are not daily before you ? Have you not an increafing fenfe of their aggravations ? Do not your views of a cru- cified Saviour heighten your ideas of the divine juftice in youV endlefs punifhment, as much as of the divine mercy in your falva- tion ? Do you not feel yourfelves prefled in fpirit to confefs your fms to God, and to afli forgivenefs ? The children of God not only renew their repentance of their fms while they were his enemies, but they are deeply hum- bled for their backflidings. In how many ways do they difnonor God ? If the iniqui- ties which they commit were marked againfl them, they would have the mofl dreadful punifhment of any of the human race. They fm againft clearer light than others, and againfl fuch manifeftations of the divine love as were never known by the wicked. The faints have fomctimes fallen into fcan- Dis. 6. ihe Regenerate, 159 dalous fins, whereby they have brought great reproach on the rehgion which they profefs, in the eyes of a fcoffing world. When they have been brought to a proper fenfe of what they have done, they have prayed with David, in Pfahn H. after his fin in the matter of Uriah, Have mercy upon ine^ God, according to thy loving- kindnefs ; aC' cording unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my tranfgrejjtons, W^Jb 7ne thoroughly from ?nine iniquity, andcleanfe me frcTU my fin. For I acknoii ledge my tranfgrejfwns ; and my fin is ever before me. Againfi thee, thee only have I finned, and done this evil in thy fight ; that tJjou mightefl be juftified when thou [peak- eft, and be clear ivhen thou judgeft. The fame fpirit runs through this Pfalm. None can read it with an unaffected heart, when they feel Hvely forrow on account of their backflidings. When Chrifl: turned and looked upon Peter after he had thrice denied him, the heart of that difciple was deeply wounded, as he recalled the warnings which he had received a few hours before from his Lord, and as he reflected how awfully he had fallen ; he would no longer continue in his wickednefs, but went out, and wept bitterly. The prefent forrow of God's people is neceffary, to imbitter fin to them, to increafe i6o The Chara&er of Dis. 6. their watchfulnefs, to teach them their de- pendance on fovereign mercy, and to pre- pare them for the world of perfeQ holinefs and joy. 3. The fubjed to which we have been attending, points out the way in which the children of God are to get evidence, that they belong to his family. Would you, brethren, be fatisfied that you are new creatures, be under the lively influence of Chriftian love. Remember the words recorded in i John iii. 18 — 21. My little children^ let us not love in word^ neither in tongue ; but in deed^ and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truths and fhall ajfure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things* Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confi- dence toward God. Attend to the rules of trial laid down in the 13th and i8th verfes of the context. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, hecaufe he hath given us of his Spirit. There is no fear in love ; but perfed love cqfteth out fear : becaufi fear hath torment. He that fear eth is not made perfect in love. By the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of the regenerate, they become the fubjeds of a filial fear of Cod. The fear which is caft out is that Dis. 6. the Regenerate* iSi flavifh fear which operates on the minds of the wicked, when their confciences are awake, and they tremble, and feek to hide themfelves from the prelence of the Lord ; as did our firft parents, on the day of their apoftacy, when they heard his voice in the garden. If you find the prefent influence of a childUke fear of God on your hearts, you have prefent evidence that you are born again. No one is cheered by Chriftian hope while in a flothfal frame. Divine confola- tion is found only in a feafon of diligence in performing the duties of the heavenly calling. Brethren^ give diligence to make your calling and eleElion Jure. Add to yeur faith ^ ^virtue ; and to virtue^ knowledge ; and to knowled'^e^ temperance; and to temperance^ patience ; and to patience^ godlinefi ; and to godlinefs^ brotherly kindnefs ; and to brotherly kindnefsy charity. For if thefe things be in you^ and abound^ they make you that ye floall neither be barren^ nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jefus ChrifiJ^ The felf examination enjoined in the fcriptures, implies a prefent approach unto God, while the heart is compared with his word. If you find that you love his char- acter as there drawn, you will have a wit- * % Peter i. p 1 62 The CharaBer of DIs, 6. nefs in yourfelves that you believe on his Son. None but hypocrites can feeV fatisfied with pad attainments. They may be confi- dent that their flate is good, even while they confefs that their hearts are cold in re- ligion. Chriftians cannot feel any aflurance of hope, vi^hile they continue in a carelefs frame. In this ftate they v^ill derive no comfort, by adverting to any teft of gra- cious fmcerity vi^hich is to be found in the Bible. God's children will be recovered from their lapfes, becaufe he hath promifed to keep them by his power, through faith, unto falvation ; but they will enjoy no peace un- til they retread the Heps by which they wan- dered from truth, or duty. When they turn to folly, the Lord will ijifit their tranf- greffions with the rod^ and their iniquity with Jlripes ; but when they return by repentance from their back Hidings, he will make them to hear joy and gladnefs ; that the bones which he hath broken may rejoice. The Lord's peo- ple in returning unto him will find their hope to brighten : and in fuch revivals they can look back with pleafure on the pad days in which they enjoyed the light of his coun- tenance ; and their hope will be ftrength- ened by the retrofpeft. Christians, you are not to make com- Dis. 6. the Regenerate. 1 6 j fort, but conformity to God, the firfl and highefl objedl of your purfuit. Now bow yourfelves before God — 7iow humbly and penitently feek his favor — and now delight in the honor of his name, and in the happi- nefs of his kingdom, and you will find that peace in your fouls which is evidential of your adoption. When you draw the near- eft to God you will think the leaft of your perfonal happinefs ; yet in thefeleafons there will be the higheft proof that you are heirs of heaven. In the happy moments when you enjoy fweet communion with your heav- enly Father, you will find that you can fay with Thomas, My Lord^ and my God! When you are confcious of fuch exercifes of heart towards him, what other evidence do you need that you belong to his family ? Can you wilh for a fecret whifper from above, to tell you that your names are writ- ten in the- Lamb's book of life ? or that a holy angel fliould be fent from before the throne of God, to give you this informa- tion ? Impulfes and fuggeliions are, at beft, but a part of the wood, hay, and ftubble, which will be burnt up in the day of the Lord. They are delufory and dangerous. They expofe perfons to be carried about with every wind ofdodrine^ and to be led aft ray by every artful impoftor. Thofe who are much influenced by impulfes and fuggeftions, ei- 1 64 The Charafler of Dis. $• ther are ignorant of the nature of godlinefs, or have little knowledge of its dodrines. Brethren, grow in conformity to God's ho- ly nature and will, and you will have fatis- fadory proof that you are his children. Would you know the joy of God's falvation, wander not from his commandments. An able writer on Experimental Religion* ob- ferres, " It is heaven to cleave to him in " every command ; it is death to depart " from any command ; Hereby know we that " we are in him. If it were poffible to afk " of the angels, how they know they are " not devils, they would anfwer, the Lord's *' will is ours. So here, howdo you know " you have not the nature of devils, and " fo in the flate of devils, bound there 'till " the judgment of the great day ? Becaufe " God hath changed our vile natures, and " made our willslike untohisglorious will.'* The apoflle fpeaketh of the Wiinefs of the Sprit, in Rom* viii. 16. The fpirit itfelf bear- eth wiinefs with ourfpirit, that we are the chil- dren of God. By this cannot be meant, that the Holy Ghofl maketh an immediate dec- laration to the believer's mind that he fhall be faved. The witnefs is ??iediate — ^it is through the medium of the holy temper implanted, that the teftimony is given. * Shepard, Dis. 6. the Regenerate, 16$ None except believers will be faved. The fpirit of God cannot contradid this. If he did he would fpeak an oppofite language to the minds of men, from that which hefpeak- eth in the fcriptures. The heart mufl be renewed, before any can have it witnefTed to their confciences by the Holy Spirit, that they are the children of God. Thewitnefs of the fpirit, in the verfe quoted, is the fame with that which is mentioned in the two verfes next preceding. For as many as are led by the fpirit of God ^ they are thefons of God* For ye have not received the fpirit of bondage a- gain to fear ; but ye have received the fpirit of adoption^ whereby we cry^ Abba^ Father. When Chridians are fully convinced that they can, with a filial temper, draw nigh to God, they have evidence that the Holy Ghoft hath renewed their hearts. Would you know whether you love your earthly friends, you mufl have recourfe to your tem^ per and condudl towards them. Would you know whether you are the friends of God, and confequentiy whether you are heirs of glory, look into your hearts and lives, and inquire whether you feel and a6i: like Chriftians. As far as you find conform- ity to God, fo far you have caufe to con- clude that you are members of his holy kingdom.— -In this place we may fee why P2 1 66 The CharaSler rf - Dis. 5. Chriftians have fo little evidence of their ef- fe6:ual calling. They have but a fmall de- gree of holinefs, and therefore can exped but a fmall degree of alTurance. We read oithefull ajfurance of hopiy* and the full affurance of faith, \ We are not to underftand by either of thefe expreilions, that there is a promife that the hope of any believer will be fo ftrong, as in no inftance to be weakened by doubt. The foundation c^ Chriftian faith and hope is immoveable j but the hope of Chriftians with refped to their building on this foundation, may be, and often is, fhaken. There is nothing faid in the fcriptures which implies that they are fecured from this. The hope of thofe Chrif- tians has been brightefl: who have been caft; into the furnace of affli£lion, or who have been called to feal their faith with their blood. If you are looking for the affurance of faith, and to have it abide in your hearts, you will be difappointed if it be not your firft and conftant labor, to devote yourfelves wholly to God, and if your private happinefs do not appear very fmall in your eyes, when compared to the glory of his name and king- dom. Firmly refolve in the ftrength of the Lord, that whether you live, or die, you will live and die unto him. Let your daily * Heb. vi. II. t Heb. x. %%^ Dis. 6. the Regemrate. 167 practice corrcfpond with this dedication, and you will have comfortable evidence, if not the full alTurance of hope, that you will re- ceive a crown of life. We may difcover confummate wifdom and goodnefs in the plan of divine grace. The comfort of Chriftians depends on their living near to God. It appears every way beft that they fliould be in trouble after be- coming lukewarm, or worldly \ and that their enjoyment (hould be no greater than their conformity. They are not prepared for high and uninterrupted confolation in the prefent world. They will have as clear evidence of their title to the tree of life, as they are fitted to receive ; and this evidence will, in mod inftances, be proportioned to their fandification. There are fome excep- tions from the general rule lafl mentioned. I will notice the principal ones. There are fome Chriftians v/hofe aflii- rance falls below their fandification, in con- fequence of wrong do6lrinal conceptions. They may fuppofe that the full alTarance of hope is not attainable ; or they may blend imaginary notions with their faith ; or they may believe that if alTurance be once obtain- ed, it mud be permanent. Such miflakes as thefe will operate againfl difcerning the evidence, which they otherwife might, ia favor of their gracious fmcerity. 1 68 The CharaBer of Dis. 6, Some Chriflians have lefs aflurance than others of the fame degree of holinefs, by reafon of melancholy, or temptations. Their views are clouded by thefe things, and they are ready to conclude that they have never put on the new man. When pious perfons are inclined, either from a particular mental caft, or the glooms which arife from bodily diforders, to dwell wholly on the dark fide of things, they are pecul- iarly expofed to the fiery darts of Satan \ and to be driven to the borders of defpair. While Chriftian friends think favorably of their Hate, the unhappy perfons will admit no confolation. They are much to be pit- ied, and great ikill is requifite in the treat- ment of them. Chriftian tendernefs and wifdom are to be employed, in attempting to prevent the bruifed reed from being bro- ken, and the fmoking flax from being quenched. Thofe Chriflians who have been thrown into great darknefs, have fometimes emerged from ir into very clear light, and have been made highly ufeful in comforting others. Though Chriflians are a6luated by a common fpirit, a great variety is to be feen in the outward exprefTions of their love. Hence, each one hath hh particular crofs to take up, when he commences i^ follower of Dis. 6. the Regenerate* 1 69 the Son of God. Religion will operate on perfons very much according to their par- ticular turn of mind. They will, when un- der its influence, other things being equal, put on different appearances, as they are conftitutionally inclined to be cheerful, or gloomy ; bold, or timid ; confident, or doubtful ; warm, or fedate. It is import- ant to attend to this variety of tempers, to avoid cenforioufnefs, and for the fake of being prepared both to receive, and to ad- minifter, fuitable brotherly admonition. While every charitable allowance is to be made on the ground which has been men- tioned, it is to be remembered that holy love will incline perfons of whatever mental complexion, to purity of heart and life, and to be friends to the decency and order required by the gofpel,* * When the paffions become boifterous, the mind is in a very unfit ftate for feriouB refledion. After the fisner is alarmed, his mind is in the beft flate to attend to di- vine truth when it is folemnized by a deep and Heady convidion of the nature and evil of fin, and of the ne- ceflity of being reconciled to God. If public teachers make it their chief aim to addrefs the paffions, they are either ignorant of the ftruflure of the human mind, or they are ftriving to promote fome intereft very different from the converfion of fouls to God. The revival of Religion in many towns in New-England, in 1798, aad 1799, l^^s been uncommonly free from bodily diltortioBS and outcries. It is not to be fuppofed that all the vifible converts are real ones, but this religious appearance has been very promifing. They who have profefTed to be the liibjeds of tliis work, have, in general, avoided ©pen- 17a T^he Charader of Dis. 6. Sometimes Chriftians of high improve- ments in holinefs, and who enjoy propor- tionable aflurance, are fo intent in looking on the corruptions ot their hearts, that it ing their internal exercifes in pvGmifcuous collcdlions. The telling of experiences lias not been the bufinefs of thofe religious meetings in which perfons of various char- afters are drawn together. Mr. Edwards, fpeaking of perfons publitliing their own experiences, without regard to time, place, occafiOH, or company, as was much prac- tifed in the revival of 1 741, and 1742* obferves—" I muft *' confefs, this is a pradice that appears to me attended " with many inconveniences, yea, big with mifchiefs. " The abundant trial of this method lately made, and ** the large experience we have had of the evil confe- " quences of it, is enough to put all fober and judicious •* people for€ver out of conceit of it. — Not that I con- ** dcmn, but greatly approve of perfons fpeaking fomc- •* times of their religious experiences in private conver- *< iation, to proper perfons and on proper occafions, with " modefty and difcretion, when the glory of God, and *' the benefit or jufl latisfaftion of others require it of ** them." Humble inquiry concerning the qualifications requifite to a complete {landing, and full communion, in the vifible Chriftian church, firil publifhed in 1749. Edit. I. p. 134, 135- , . , , , The luhjefts of the late work m New-England, have freely opened the exercifes of their minds to their teach- ers, and other Chriftian friends ; and have very generally avoided the error which Mr. Edivards ex poles. They have HOt been confident of their converfion ; and have been inquifaive to learn the diftinguifliing nature of leal piety. They have been difpofed to make the Bible their ftudy ; in which they have been rot a little afTifted by making {(v.-w?. portion of fcripture the theme of the dif* couife ill religious conferences. They have not appeared forward in profcfTing religion ; nor have they been wil- ling to refrain from it. They, in general, maintain fo- briety in their lives. I am fenfibls that their future per- fevering holy walk, will afford the bed evidence of their gracious fmcerity. Let them remember this. Dis. 6. the Regenerate* 171 feemetli to them for a feafon, hardly pofTible that they fhould be the fubjecls of faving knowledge. He who is mourning for his fins, in the exercife of godly forrow, may exdaim, " I fear that my will was never " bowed to the divine will ! Is it pofTible " that fuch a finner as I am can belong to " the family of the Redeemer ! I have not " a word to fay againft thejufliceof God, " if he fend me to hell 1 O Lord, thy gov- " ernment is perfect ! May thy great and " holy name be magnified forever ! I afk " forgivenefs for Chrifl's fake, becaufe thou *^ canft glorify thyfelf in pardoning the " chief of finners through his atoning *' blood ! Should I be faved, what a won- *' derful monument of thy rich and fove- " reign grace (hall I be ! Under what infi- *' nite obligation (hall I be, to eternity, to " unite in the fong, Worthy is the Lamb that " wasjlain to receive power ^ and riches^ and ^' %vifdom^ andjirength^ and honour^ andglo- " ry, and blcffing /" Do you not, brethren, find peace following thofe feafons when you can thus confefs to God, and thus lift up your hearts to him ? Can you not adopt the language of his people, in ancient days. The Lord is my portion, faith my foul ; there* fore will I hope in him ?* * Lament, iii. 34. lyi The CharaBer of Dis. 6, Ye followers of Jefus Chrift, remember his dying charge. Watch and pray ^ thai ye en' ter not into temptation. The longer you live, the more you will be impreffed with the im- portance of taking unto you the whole armour gf Gody that ye may he able to withjiand in the evil day^ and having done all tojiand. Standi therefore^ having your loins girt about with truths and having on the hrcaji-piate of right- eoufnefsy and your feet fhod with the prepara- tion of the go [pel of peace : Above all, taking the fhield of faithy wherewith ye fhall he able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of falvation^ and the fwcrd of the fpirity which is the word of God : Praying always with all prayer and fupplication in the fpirity and watching thereunto with all pcrfeve- ranee and fupplication for all faints/^ While you are fupplicating for the whole of Chrifl's family on the earth, pray fervently for his minifters in particular, that utterance may be given unto them, that they may open their mouths boldly, to make known the myflery of the gofpel. Arife, and trim your lamps ; let them always (hine brightly, and give a clear lighi in midft of the dark- nefs of the prefent world. Be ready at all times for the coming of your Lord and Maf- ter. Acquaint yourfelves abundantly with the dodrines of the Bible. Study this holy * Ephes. vi. 13—18. Dis. 6. the Reiner ate, 173 book with diligence and prayer. Guard againft an unfteady, wavering temper ; and indulge not a vain curiofity in liftening to the endlefs variety of opinions. With a hum- ble, a meek, and a devout temper, fearch the fcriptures to difcover what form of wor- fhip God requireth ; and when you are fat- isfied, run not from denomination to denom- ination 5 either becaufe there are things amifs in the people of your own, or becaufe you may have a good opinion of fome in- dividuals who belong to other denominations of Chrilliant. Your growth in grace, and your influence, v/ill be greatly obftruded, if you are actuated by a temper which is ei- ther capricious, or trifling, efpev ially in a matter which relates to the God whom you openly profefs to love and adore. Unbe- lievers will be ftrengthened in their rejcclioa of the gofpel, if they difcover in you an un- ftable mind ; and they will fortify ihem- felves in that (Irong hold of Satan to which many fly for refuge at the prefent time, viz. " That faith has no certain foundation : or " that any creed is made good by believing " it/' Brethren, you all abhor this infidel fentiment. You know that no fuch leflTon was ever taught in the fchool of Chrifl:. As you love him, and the fou's of Tinners, beware of doing any thing which tends to 9. 174 '^^^^ Charader of Dis. 6. flrengthen the hands of the wicked, and to make the kingdom of your Lord appear con- temptible in the eyes of his enemies. Be faithful in your refpedive places, in promo- ting the c^ufe of the Redeemer. Let it lie near your hearts ; and withhold no exer- tions in your power, and fhrink from no fuf- ferings, for its advancement. Be ever rea- dy to perform the offices which Chriflian benevolence dictates, to all your fellow mor- tals, as opportunities prefent. Feel for the flock of God. — Be kind to its members. — Rejoice in their confolation. — Recal them when wandering. — Comfort them in their forrows. — Relieve their wants according to your ability. — Feed the hungry and clothe the naked : And make it manifefl: by your whole conduct that your treafure is in heaven. God hath called you to glory and virtue : Be obedient to his will in all things. Prac- tife all the duties which are included in love to God and our neighbour. / hefeech you^ therefore^ hrethreyi^ by the mercies of God^ that ye prefent your bodies a living facrifice^ holy^ acceptable unto God^ which is your reafonablc fervice. And be not conformed to this world : but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind) that ye may prove what is that good^ and acceptable^ and perfect will of God** The * Rom. xii. I. a. Dis. 6. the Regenerate, ly^ more you abound in the fruits of righteouf- nefs, the more eafy and pleafant will be your labor, and the brighter will be the evidence that you are under the dominion of that ho- ly love, which forms the chara£i:er of thofe who are born of God. Now the God of hope Jill you ivith all joy and peace in believing^ that ye may abound in hope^ through the po"juer of the Holy Ghofi* 4. Having confidered the nature, necef- fity, Author, and fruits of Regeneration, let us in concluding the fubjed, contemplate for a moment, the happinefs of the heaven- ly flate — of that kingdom of glory which is the final portion of all who are born of God. The reft: which remaineth for the people of God, is very imperfedly underflood by them in the prefent life. For we know i?i part, and we prophefy in part. But when that which is perfd is co??ie^ then that which is in part Jhall be done azvay. When Iivas a /hild Ifpake as a child, I underflood as a child^ I thought as a child ; but when I became a man^ I put away childifh things. For now we fee through a glafs darkly ; but then face to face : now I knoiu in part ; but then fhall I know even as aifo I am known,\ The difference between the faints on earth, and the faints in glory^ * Rom. XV. 13. t I Cor. xiii. 9—^2. 176 Tide Charader of Dis. 6. is very great. The former cannot view the kingdom of God in the fame clear light, as do the fpirits of jufl: men made perfed. There is a fmall beginning of heaven in the heart of every one who has pafled through the new birth. He hath chofen the Lord for his portion, and he defires the enjoyment of him above all things. He hath had a foretafle of the heavenly inheritance, and while in the earthly houfe of this tabernacle he fometimes groans, earneftly defiring to be clothed upon with his houfe which is from heaven. Doubtful as the Chriflian may be of his own ftate, there is implanted within him a holy love which prefers being prefent with the Lord to a continuance in the flefh. The death of believers is an inlet to ever- laftingjoys. When the foul is diflodged from the body their eyes are inftantly opened upon the world of glory. Now they are de- livered from fm and forrow,and they behold Chrid without the medium of faith. Now they realize the performance of his gracious words. In my Father^ s houfe are many manftons: if It were not fo^ I vjouldhave told yoiu I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go andpre^ pare a place for you .y Iwillcome again^ and re* ccive you unto Jnyfelf ; that where I am, there ye maybe alfo* In the heavenly manfions, * Johnxiv. a, 3. Dis. 6. the Regenerate, 177 the faints are before the throne of Gody and ferve him day and ?jight in his ie?nple : and he thatfttteth on the throne jhall dwell among them. They Jhall hunger no more^ neither thirjl any more; 7ieither JJxill the fun light on them^ nor any heat. For the Lamh^ who is in the midji of the throne^ fhall feed them^ and fhall lead them unto living fountains of waters : and God fhall wipe away all tears from their eyes,^ When any from our world are received into heaven, they aflbciate with the glorified faints and the holy angels. Within a Ihort time, my Chriftian friends, you will pafs through death, and will be welcomed to paradife by the angels, who are miniftering fpirits to the heirs of falvation. You will foon dwell in the fame fociety with Noah, Abraham, Ifaac, Jacob, Mofes, Samuel, David, Ifaiah, Daniel, Peter, James, John, Paul, and all the other holy patriarchs, prophets, and apoftles, and all the faints who have departed this life from the begin- ning of time. What ravifhing enjoyments mufl be found, in uniting with the holy throng above, in praifing God forever ? They are all of one heart towards Him who fitteth on the throne. They are all per- fectly fatisfied with the places aiTigned them in the kingdom of their heavenly Father. t Rev. vii. 15, 16, 17. 178 The Characler of Dis. 6. One on a lower feat doth not look up to one on a higher, \^ith envy ; nor doth one on a higher feat look down to one on a lower, with contempt. In heaven, the hap- pinefs of one is the happinefs of the other, the happinefs of each is the happinefs of the whole, and the happinefs of the whole IS the happinefs of each. They are all un- der the full dominion of holy love. This fixes their hearts on God, and draws them to each other by a bond which is never to be diffolved. Look up to heaven, and be- hold a perfect fociety. Can you look for- ward to it, and not feel a defn-e to go, at the time which infinite wifdom hath appoint- ed, and join with the worfliippers in the new Jerufalem, and mingle fouls with them to eternity ? They feel to themfelves as noth- ing in the prefence of Jehovah, and they rejoice in the plan of his government which hath been unfolding from the firft moment of created exiftence. They are filled with joy in view of the glory and blefTednefs of God's holy kingdom. They fhout, Alleluia ! in beholding Him who is feated on the throne of the univerfe, triumphing over all the fubtilty and malice of earth and hell, and rendering them fubfervient to the de- figns of his infinite love. The glorified faints have fomething pe* Dis. 6. the Regenerate, 179 culiar in the flrain of their praife. They hare experienced the riches of divine grace, in delivering them from the guilt and do- minion of fm. With what raptures of joy- do tbey fing as it were a neiv Jong before the throne! How do they admire, adore and praife Him who hath glorified his great name in their falvation ! who fnatched them from the brink of hell, conduced them through a land of darknefs, and a vale of tears, and made them monuments of his everlafling mercy ! The inhabitants of the heavenly world rcji not day and nighty f^y^^Z-> ^^6'? ^^^h-i ^^h"* Lord God Abnighty^ who was^ and is, and is to come. — Thou art worthy, Lord, to receive ghry, and honor, and power : for thou hajl created all things, and for thy pleafure they are and were created, * The faints t^^;^?^ before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with whits robes, and palms in their hands, and cry with a loud voice, faying. Salvation to our God who fitieth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. The angels join their voices, faying. Amen : BleJJing, and glory, and wifdom, and thankf- giving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God forever and ever. Amen,\ How great will be the joy and triumph of the redeemed at the fecond coming of * Rev. iv. 8, II. t Rey. vii. 9, lo, 12. i8o The Charaaer of, ^c. Dis. 6. Jefus Chrift ! The Lord himfelf will defcend from heaven, with a Jhout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: And believers who are alive, with thofe who had llept in the dufl of the earth, will be caught up together in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. They will receive bod- ies faftiioned like unto Chrift's glorious body, will be placed at his right hand when he fitteth on the throne of Judgment in prefence of the affembled univerfe, and wilk hear the fentence from his mouth, Come, ye hleffcd of my Father, inherit the kingdom f re- fared for you from the foundation of the world. Of what worth is the crown of righteouf- nefs, which the Lord the righteous Judge will give unto all them that love his appear- ing ! Let your hearts glow with a holy warmth who are following ChriH in the re- generation. To what glory are you born ! Beloved, now are we the fons of God ; and it doth not yet appear what we fhall be : hut we kmw that when he fhall appear, we fhall he like him ; for we fhall fee him as he is* He who teftifieth thefe things, faith. Surely I corns quickly; Amen, Even fo, come. Lord yefus. The grace of our Lord J ejus Chrifl be with you all. Amen, * I John iii. a. i