Srotn f0c &i6rar^ of in (pernor)? of 3ubgc ^amuef (UtifPer QBrecftinrtbgc ^resenfc^ 6p ^amuef (UltfPer (jBrecftinrtbge &ong to f^ £i6rarp of (princcfon C^eofogicaf ^emtnar^ u 2. SERMONS ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS. IN TWO VOLUMES. SERMONS PREACHED AT DIFFERENT PLACES AND O VARIOUS OCCASIONS', COLLECTED AND REPUBLISHED IN THEIR RESPECTIVE ORDER: TO WHICH ARE SUBJOINED, MEMOIRS, ANECDOTES, AND ILLUSTRATIONS, Relating to the Perfons, Inftitutions, and Events, connected with the feveral Subje£ls. «|/ BY HENRY HUNTER, D. D. MINISTER OF THE SCOTS CHURCH, LONDON WALL; Formerly of South Leith, North Britaw. VOL. II. 5LonDon : PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR; AND SOLD BY C. DiLLY, POULTRY ; MURRAY AND HIGHLEY, FLEET STREET J Af was of infinitely more importance for men, to attain (alvation, than to know the number, ab- folutely, or relatively, of tliofe who ihould be- come partakers of it. Neverthelefs, we are fully warranted, to give an unhefitating reply- to the queftion, according to the terms of it. <« Arc there few that Qiall be faved?" No. For the fame eye which in vifion beheld this glori- ous Temple, beheld jhere, " A great multitude *' which no man can number, of all nations, «« and kindreds, and people, and tongues, ftand- *« ing before the Thone and before the Lamb, << clothed with white robes, and palms in their " hands." — The glory of a nation is the mul- titude of it's people ; the glory of a city, the number and opulence of it's inhabitants — and can we fuppofe this glorious Temple of Heaven a deferted region, or the number of the re- deemed fmall! What injuftice to God, what unkindnefs to men, what violence to itfelf, has not the human heart committed in this refped ? — The vile fpirit of feifilhnefs, of fyflem, of party, would appropriate -Heaven to itfelf; and worlhipping in fuch and fuch a place, form, language, would be thought the only palTport to blifs immortal : And one denomination of men, after another, has, in cold blood, con- figned all others, prefumptuoufly, remorfelefs- l6 THE TEMTLE «ERM. I# ]yy to the vengeance of eternal fire. — Mortify- ing ! ailonifliinp; ! — I can permit the envious fons of this little world, to grieve and repine at their neighbour's fame, or fortune : and forgive, while I pity them ; let them (hive to cngrofs all to themfelves, or to render pofleflion un- pleafunt to others : " Verily, they have their ** reward !" but when I behold a Child of Light attempt to flint the door of Paradife in the face of another, *' for whom alfo Christ " died," my fpirit is fliirred within me : Indig- nation and furprife ftrive for the maftery : I blefs God, that He, and not my brother, is to pafs fcntcnce upon me : and 1 look, forward with rapture to that blefled day, when no heart fhall be felfifli, no fpirit contracted, no judg- ment raOi — when every one's felicity (lull be an acceffion of felicity to every one — when the God, whom we would now make a party in all our little divifions, ftiall be adored and loved by all, as the common Father of all. — When I confider the extent of divine Love and Mercy, and the immcnfity of this great univerfc : when I think of the value of Christ's blood, and the power of' God's Spirit, I cannot but con- clude, that fnany, i^ery many flr.\ll be Hived. — Obfervc yet again, IV. The SERM. I. OF HEAVEN. I7 JV. The o^>i3 of heavenly worfhip, and the fource of everlafting joy — God in Christ.-— *' The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb " is the Temple thereof." — The whole of Re- velation, the very nature of the work of Re- demption, declares, that man can have no com- fortable intercourfe with God, not even in Hea- ven, but through a Mediator. And, indeed, the conclufions of reafon, nay, the very ftruclure of our frame, the original, univerfal feelings of our nature, are at one, here, with the voice of fcripture. Our underflanding tells us, our heart tells us, our hopes and our fears ;ell us, that fomething muft intervene between God and us, before He can regard us with a favour- able eye, and before we can know, and l(\ve, and ferve him acceptably. Men may have dif- fered about the nature of this interpofition, but in the apprehended mcejjity of it, all have agreed; of which the religious ceremonies, and piacular facrifices of all nations, among whom any traces of religion are difcernible, form a full and fatisfying proof. Now, the Gofpei has fet this matter in a clear light, by exhibiting to us, "^ a Lambflain from the foundation of the ** world:" the " blood" of one viftim which *' cleanfeth from all fm ; and which opens *^ a ** new and living way into the holieft of all. Vol. II. C " through 15 THE TEMPLE lERM. I. *' through the rent vail of the Redeemer's " flefh." Hence the whole do6ti"inc of Salva- tion is comprized in this fingle point of doc- trine, Jesus JW, a propitiation for Sin. Hence, *' the Crofs of Christ," is fet before us by the Apofliles of the Lord, as the folution of the " great mj'ftery of godllnefs ;" as the fulled difplay of both the juftice and love of God ; and hence, in that world of blifs, which is the purchafe of Christ's blood, the glory of God is reprefented as modified and tempered to our perception, bearing, and enjoyment-, through the medium of redeeming Grace. And there is a flriking text of fcripture, " He chargeth his ** Angels with folly," which feems to infmuate, that even the mod perfe6t of created beings, have need of a Mediator, in order to the ac- ceptance of their perfons and fervices ; — it being the creat d.,ri2;n of the eternal Father, the fundamental law of his kingdom of Grace, and of Glory, that each, and all of his favours (liould be communicated to his creatures, through the Son of his Love; " in whom" alone " he is " well pleafed." Therefore, not men only, but " all the Angels of God are commanded " to worship him ;" therefore, *' a Lamb as it *' had been flain," is reprefented, not only at " the right hand of thcMajefly on High," but <* in SERM. U OF HEAVEN. I9 " in the mid/} of the throne;" therefore the Lamb appears at the head of the myriads on Mount Sion that is above ; as " feeding them *' and leading them to living fountains of wa- *' ters;" the *' pure river of water of life," proceeds from " the throne of God, and of " the Lamb j" the glory of God and the Lamb Is the Light of the holy city ; and in the text, '* the Lord God Almighty and the " Lamb are the Temple of it." Now, though this be figurative, becaufe prophetic language, yet taken in connexion with the reft of divine Revelation, it conveys this plain, this comfort- able, this encouraging, this all, this eternally- important truth, [that on earth, in Heaven, un- der grace, in glory, there is accefs to, there is communion v/ith, God, through jEstJS Christ, and him only. This is the central point where " mercy and truth meet together," where " righteoufnefs and peace embrace ;" to- wards which all the rays in the vaft circle of the divine immenfity, in all direilions, converge ; and in which they are feen, though in their brighteft, yet in their fteadieft, and mildeft light. From what has been faid, we conclude, I ft. That Religion is neceflary to human na- ture i that man's higheft honour, and trueft C 2 happinefe. 20 THE TEMPLE SERM, I. happinefs, confill in the right cultivation of this principle. By Religion, I mean a deep, an efficacious, and an abiding fenfe of obligation to God, and of condant and entire dependance upon him. Our rclifli of the good things of life, is but a little higher than what the beafts of the field enjoy, unlefs we fee them as flowing from the tendcrncfs of a father, from the unup- braiJin^ liber.dity of an affed innate friend. How infupportab^e were *' tl.e thonfanci ,11s *' which fleih is heir to," were it not for ihe confolations which Religion adminifters, the patience which (he teaches, the hope which flie infpires? Or fay, that human nature had in it- felf afund, independant of God and Religion, equal to f^me, to ordinary, to moft: occafions, yet, it is too well known to need a proof, that occafions do, and that not feldom, prefent themfelves, to which unadiitcd nature feels it- felf wholly unequal, its flock exhaufted j when the foul, which had made an excurfion into the neighbourhood, in quefl of fomcthing to re- lieve its anguilh, to foothe its woe, returns homo difappointed and defponding, falls back upon itfelf, its force fpenr, its powers abforbed, and exclaims, "Religion, grant me thy fup- '* port, give me, give me thy reviving cor- *^ dials, elfe I die ! like Efau, ready to perith *' with 3ERM. I. OF HEAVEN. 2 1 ** with hunger." Proud nature is then ready to forego its boafled birth- right prerogative, and exchange it for the feafonable provifion of a brother's love. He who made us what we are, knows what will fuit us beft. And why- has he rendered Religion necelTary to man ? and for whofe fake } And whofe happinefs is concerned in the cultivation of it ? Not his furely, but ours. Try, O man ! to live " with- out God in the world," if it be poffible for thee : And when experience has taught thee thy miftake, then, O then, at length, God grant it may not be too late, think of returning to him whofe " favour is life, and his loving- kindnefs better than life." — But we advance a itep farther, and conclude, 2dly. That Chrijiianity is the only fyftem of Religion, that is univerfally, and effedually, accommodated to the condicion of fallen crea- tures. It is highly probable, that every order, and defciiption of creatures, ftand in need of a mediator betwixt God and them ; but it is cer- tain, that nothing can diWdW guilty creatures, but a mediation of atonement. The atonement it- felf is th-e work of free Grace, but not one a6t of Grace is extended to the tranfgreflbr, but through, and on account of, the propitiation C 3 made 22 tHE TEMPLB SERM. I* made for fin. What then, thoiigh Deifm mere- ly, might fuit the nature and condition of An- gels, or of men had they never finned ; the re- qiiifite is, what will fuit men, as they are? Men ignorant, criminal, miferable ? — The Gof- pel of Christ; pardon through the blood, ac- ceptance through the interceCTion, hoHnefs through the fpirit, of the blefled Jesus. This, and this alone, is our fafety here, and our glory hereafter ; this is the embelliQiment, and the riches of our earthly temples i and this is the Temple in Heaven. What, then, fhall we think of thofe, who go about to move this foundation? to pluck tliis Sun out of our firmament ? of thofe who would with facrllegious hands pull down the laft refuge of the miferable ? Ye men of fuperior genius, yet ftrong fpirits, ye great and liberal fouls, ye fons of penetration, and fentimcnt, and refearch, I befeech you, in pity leave us to our delufion, lince you will have it one : Our credulity docs you no harm ; fatisfy yourfclves with filent con- tempt : if your own confciences will let you alone, we fhall not trouble your repofe : we fhall vie with you in the duties of good citizens of this world ; and leave it to God, and the world to judge between us, whether faith, or infide- lity SERM. I. OF HEAVEN. 23 lity, has the moft favourable afpedt to mankind. Chriftians, let me befeech you to oppofe to the cavils, or the arguments, of fcepticifm, the vir- tues of a holy life, conformed to the precepts, and the example, of your divine Mafter. — This you will find to be armour of proof; this you will find to be that ^' mouth and wifdom," which neither the cunning, nor " the power of ** the adverfary, fliall be able to refift j" truft rather to the luftre of your Chriftian graces, than to the flrength of your arguments, and leave it to God to vindicate the caufe which is his own. 3dly. We continue to conclude, that certain feafons, places, and tnodes of worfhip, are necef- fary to the prefent fbate of Chriftianity. The Gofpel takes us up as at once inhabitants of this world, and as candidates for immortality ; and applies itfelf to the regulation of our condu6t in refped: of the former, and our profpedls in view of the latter.-— k adopts the perfonil and rela- tive duties of life into it's code of laws, attend- ing at once to what we are, and ro what wc ihall be. Nov/ it is but too evident, that the interefts, and purfuits, and pleafures, of this life, are very apt to encroach upon thofe of the life to come, and would foon abforb them alto- C 4 gethei's 24 THE TEMPLE SLRM. I. gethcr, were it not for the provifion which Re- ligion has made for their prefervation, by giving us a Bible, and a Sabbath, and Sacraments, and Churches, and a flated Miniftry of the Word. If any one alk me, farther. What makes thefe things neceflary, or Wherefore thefe, rather than any others ? I anfwer, becaufe God, who knows what is in man, is the Author of them, and becaufe experience confirms both their uti- lity and fitnefs. — We cannot pofTibly admit you to be judges in the cafe, who " care for none *' of thefe things." — To you, they may indeed be unmeaning and unneceflary — our appeal is to thofe, who reckon " a day fpent in the ** Courts of God's houfe, better th.m a thou- " fand j" who have " feen his glory, and felt *' his power in the fan(5luary ;" who ** pant af- " ter God, as the hart panteth after the water- ** brooks i" whofe foul is ** fatisfied as with " marrow and fatnefs," while their " mouth '' praifes God with joyful lips ;" vvho having tafted the " bleflednefs of the man whom God '^ choofeth, and caufcth to approach unto him," are *' fatisfied with the goodnefs of his Houfe, " even of his holy Temple." Such perfons will not fhand aiking a rcafon. Why this Houfe was built, and dedicated [to the name of the Lord, but will thankfully rcfort hither, and SERM. I. OF HEAVEN. 1^ and join in the fervices here performed : — it will give them pleafure to refledt, that while fo many great edifices for bufinefs, and for plea- fure, fo many palaces for princes are railing, one other little Beth-el is erected; vvhofe im- portance is to be efcimated not from it's lize, but from it's ufe and end ,• whofe fplendor and magnificence confift in that divine pre- fence, which we v/ifli, and hope/and pray, and trufl, may take up it's relidence in it, and re- main, while one ftone of it remains upon an- other. Men, brethren, and fathers, attend.- -Through the good hand of our God upon us, this labour of zeal and of love is now completed, and wc commence the worfhip of God in this place, in m.any comfortable and encouraging circum- ftances. This Houfe is not the creature of ftrife and divifion ; but the child of pious zeal, and of love unfeigned. It means to oppofe itfelf to no man's fame or emolument ; and wifhes to clafli with no interefb, but that of Sin and Satan. It invites only the Sons of Peace, but it excludes no perfon whatever. It courts not the praife of men, but it humbly aims at doing good to men. It defies the fcorn and the cenfure of the malicious, and the proud; but it 2t) THi:. TEMPLE SERM. I. it defpifes not approbation from the wife and the good. If no one is injured, it is well j if fome, if many, arc benefited, it is far better, Chriflians, you behold a chy-built temple, and you have heard of one in Hea\en : you now occupy the one, and you hope, e'er long, to polVeis the odier. Let this hope teach you the prefent improvement of the means ot Grace. — ■ O what will it be ! after myriads of ages fpent in the love, fervice, and enjoyment of God, in the Temple above, long, long after a tranfitory world, and perifhing enjoyments have pafTed away, to call to remembrance, the exillence and the fervices of this litilc fpot, and to date, from what was ** feen, heard, handled, tailed, " of the good word of Life," within ihefe walls, the commencement, or the progrefs of Uie life of God in the loul ? What will it be, my little friends, to recol- le<5l, after you are grown men, nay " perfect ** men in Christ Jesus," that here, with the principles of human learning, you fucked in ** the fincere milk of the Word ;" that here you were firft taught " to know the only true *' God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath ** fent ;" that here, you firft learned to be good SERM. I. OF HEAVEN. ' 27 and ufeful in this world, and to prepare for a better, that in becoming the difciples of an earthly mafter, ^^ou were admitted into the fa- inily and fchool of Christ! What will it be^ my brethren, to call to mind, in yonder glorious Temple, the ufeful inftruc- tions here delivered and underftood : the ne- celTary reproofs, faithfully adminiftered, and humbly received : the feafonable confolations carefully provided, tenderly applied, and thank- fully embraced : And, O what will it be ! my dearly beloved friend, to look down from yon- der radiant firmament, fliining a ftar among flars, and to fay, it was there, and then, that God made me a fpiritual father to this fon, to that daughter. It was then and there that God crowned my feeble labours with his blcf- fing ; alarmed that profligate, reclaimed that backflider, recalled that wanderer, comforted that mourner, edified that faint ; and Father ! *' here I am, and* the children which thou hafb *' given me" — but not unto me, not unto me; to thy name be the praife. And, may it not perhaps be remembered, at fome period in the immeafurable day of eter- nity, that, on fuch a day in time, brethren and friends. aS THE TEMPLE SERM. I. friends, in the bed bonds, were called in pro- vidence, to put their feeble, trembling hands to the commencement of this good work ; and that through the bleffing of Heaven, their kind wifhes, humble prayers, and well-meant advices, were not altogether in vain. — Thus again to meet, to refled, to rejoice, to adore, is all I can wifh to you, and to myfclf. God of his infinite mercy grant it to every one of us, for the fake of his dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen, Amen. ADDITION ( ^9 ) ADDITION TO SERMON I. THE rich have It in their power to exprefs theit friendfhip, their gratitude, their patriotifm, by coftly monuments of art. They can call in the I/imner, the Sculptor, the Poet, to perpetuate the forms of the wife and good. They do honour to themfelves, and gratify mankind by decorating their apartments and their gardens with the images of ancient virtue and modern worth. The ornaments of a Hagley, of a Stowe, are the memorials of Littleton's afFe£lion for Thomfon, and ofCobham'sfor Congreve. The Peer is juftly proud of the luflre which the Scholar fpreads around his name and his manfion. But the records of friendfliip are not confined to the rich and great. The literary man, who may have no gallery to enrich with the portrait of his Maecenas, of his Oreftes ; and no eiyfium to adorn with the fpeaking buft of departed excellence, of his brother Jonathan, of h'ls^eeping Lazarus, has it in his power co rear a mo- nument more durable than brafs or marble, to the com- panion of his boyifli days, or the friend of his mature age. Happily for the world, every man deems himfelf to be of fome confequence, and thereby many actually become fo. Every one who can handle a pen, flatters hioifelf 3* ADDITION TO SERMON I. himfelf with the hope that his proJu£lion will he read, and this gives birth to many proJu6tions worthy of being read. Religion fanilifics, dignities, exalts every ohje(5l to which fhe applies her hand. Every fubflance is tranfmuted into gold by her facred touch ; and the pXi- lofopher's (lone is reduced tVom ficlion into fail. The effufions of cordial friendfhip are among tiie happieft recollections of the human mind. No good fnan can dwell with dclicht on the memory of fenfual joys. It is.thc chara6ler of tlie dog to return to bis vomit. But the remiiiifcence of the difplay of kind afFc6lions, of the communication of fecial endearment, delights the foul, however frcqucntlv it may recur. I have forgot- ten the diOies on the table, the furniture of the room, nay the landfcape from die window ; but I well remem- ber, and ever (hall, the animated look, the graceful convcrfat'ion feafomd with fait ^ the mellifluous tones, the fympathetic tear of the man 1 loved. Places derive im- portance from perfons, and things from feelings. The preceding fermon was compofcd under the im- pulfe of virtuous friendHiip ; and if it rtiali furvive it's author, it will blend with his name that of William Smith, a man of whom it is impofTible to think with- out tenderncfs, or to fjxjak but in terms of refpedl : a man who, I believe, has enjoyed the rare felicity of never lofmg a friend, and never creating an enemy. As he is ftill an inhabitant of this earth, long may he be fo, for a blcfling to his family, to his friends, and to man- kind ! I muft reftrain the ardor of alTeiStion, left I wound ADDITION TO SERMON I. 3T wound, wheire I meant to cherifli. But furely I may- be permitted to hold up even a living friend, as a pattern of fingular excellence, in a particular point of view, of firft-rate importance to the chara6lcr of a miaifter. The point I mean is Chriflian prudence ; that virtue by which a man fhuns giving offence to others, and moft effeftually fecures himlblf againll unkindnefs and infult from others. Prudence Is the duty which a man owes to himfelf ; and in propoition as lie neglcdls it, his power of being ufeful is impaired. Like every other good quality, it is always found in good company: and it's companions are modefty, hun/ility, leiuiernefs of confcience, regularity of deportment, kindnefs of affe6lion, purity of heart. Like every other virtue, too, it has it's counterfeit, and felfifh cunning would frequently pafs for prudence. But the impoflor is eafily detc6ted. Th.e cunning man's charity begins and ends at home ; the prudent man is felfifh that he may be enabled to do good. Cunning is fatlsfied with fcreening itfelf from cenfure ; prudence cannot ex"' ft Independent of Inward peace. Cunning is timid and fufpicious ; prudence is candid and confident. The cunning are afraid of injuring themfelves ; the prudent are fearful left they flionld offend others* Cun- ning is not over fcrupulous about the means, pravided it can fecure it's ohje6l ; prudence fcorns the obie61: which it cannot obtain by fair and honeft means. Hence it is, that the cunning frequently niifs the mark by over- shooting it, whereas the prudent, never aiming at too much, generally attain more than ihey cx[>ed:ed. Po- licy 52 ADDITION TO SERMON I. licy frequently fails ; wifilom never, for though ft may Ibmetiiues mifs a particular obje6t, as the tcftimony of a good confcitnce is always fecured, difappointmcnt itlelf is foftened, if not fweetencd, and the general tenor of tlie foul is preferved. As prudence, the virtue of my friend, has a counter- feit, fo it has a contraft, which enhances it's value, and heightens it's luftre. The adage, Nullum numcn ahcjl Ji Ju prudential (no Deity is ahfent, if prudence be there) is founded on truth and experience. And the conveifc of the proportion is equally certain and infalli- ble : Omnc numcn abeji, fi Jit imprudentiay (every Deity withdraws, where imprudence predominates). The imprudent man, with equal, or greater ability; with equal candour and integrity ; with fimilar means, op- portunities, and profpe6ls of fuccefs ; with fupcrior fpi- rit and generofity, (hall fail in a thoufand inftances, in every one of wiiich the prudent man fliall fuccced. The very good qualities of the imprudent man frequently be- tray him into the hands of his enemies. His excellencies eclipfe mediocrity, excite envy, minifter food to malig- nity. While he was thinking no evil, poflibly dcvihng only good ; and flattering him.felf that he was meriting approbation, an evil eye fpied 3 blemifli, an evil ear drunk in a carelcfs exprcfilon, an evil heart worked it lip into criminality, md an evil tongue, that " pcftilcncc *' which walkcth in darkncfs," gave it utterance and currency. The purity andha-mlefTnels of the dove avail nothing the Ihcep that lives among wolves, unlefs di- rcdtcd by the v/iidom of the fcriient. By ADDITION TO SERMON I. 33 By fteadily obferving the bappv medium between thefe two extremes, pitiful, felfifh cunning, on the one hand, and carelefs, inconfiderate imprudence on the other ; by the regular exercife of prudence, reared on the folid foundation of unafFe6led goodnefs, this amiable man, in a variety of difficult and trying fituations, has fupported his refpe6lability, maintained inward tranquility, at- tained the means of being ufeful ; in adverfity undc- preffed, in prorperity uncorrupted. Happy fliall it be for his youn_^(" brethren in the miriiftry, who, contem- plating fuch a living inftance of evangelical wifdom, juay be encouraged to go and do likcvolfe, I had the honour of being affociated, in llie fervice of ©pening Mr. Smith'' s Chapel at Cambcrwell, with a Gentleman whofe name flands juftly high in the Lite- rary and Chriflian World ; and wlio appears r.3 liaving taken a diftinguifhed part in the two OrtUnation fer- vices, mentioned in the firft Volume of this Collcsrtion. I mean Dr. James Fordyce, who preached on the morning of the day, in tlie afternoon of wliicli the pre- ceding Sermon was delivered. It would be the height of prefumption in mc to think of adding a fmgle leaf to the garland whicli adorns that honoured head, by far the mod: diftinguiflied of it's day, for the energy, the elevation, the pathos of pulpit elo- quence. That good man has long ago ere6lcd liis owa monument ; a monument compofed of no periihing ma- terials ; but to be fecn and read of all men, when the tombs of princes arc crumbled into duft. For fo long Vol. II. D aS 54 ADDITION TO SERMON I. as the improvement of the female mind fliall continue to be of importance to the World ; fo long as one gene- ration of voun;; men (hall arife to fuccecd another, as the feed of the Church, and tlie hope of the coming age ; and fo long as genuine piety and fublime devotion, fliall remain a fource of delight to the heart of man, the name of the Author of Scrmans to young JVomcn ; of Ad- thejjcsto young ATen \ and of Jddrcfjcs to the Deity, ihail be had in refpeclful, and affe6\ionatc remem- brance. SERMON SERMON 11.^ THE TABERNACLE OF GOD WITH MEN, * Preached at the opening of a Meeting-houfe, in Marfh- ftreet, Walthamftow, on Wednefday the 6th of June, and at the Scots Church, London-Wall, previous to theDif- penfation of the Sacrament ©f the Lord's Supper, June 24, 1787. D 2 TO THOMAS FLETCHER, Efq. SIR, t I AHE Meeting-houfe lately ere£led at 1 Walthamflow owes it's exiilence, and the profpeifl of it's future fupport, in a great meafure, to your munificence : and the following Sermon, preached on occa^ fion of it's being opened for the worihip of God, owes it's publication chiefly to your approbation of it, and to your delire of fee- ing it in print. Whoever takes the trou^ ble to perufe the Sermon, will eafily difco- ver that it never could be intended for the public eye, but for a particular occafion, and for the ear of private friendfhip. That friendfliip has greatly over-rated it's merit, and drawn it into light. Rather than ap- pear ungrateful or aife£led^ I have ventured to prefent, from the prefs, a hafly and very imperfect performance, of which it is im- poflible for any one to think more humblv than it's author. D 3 You ( 3S ] You would, I am well afTured, Sir, reckon yourfelf little indebted to me, for a compliment to your liberality, at the expcnce of your good neighbours and friends, who have fo generoufly co-operated with you in rearing this Edifice ; and, I am equally confident, no one of them will confider it as a mark of difrefpe^l, that your name and bounty alone, arc diftinguiflied in this ad- drefs. They will rather approve, and re- joice in the merited tribute which I feel myfelf bound to prefcnt, unfolicited, to age and virtue. I am. Sir, with the highell refpe£l and efteem, Your obedient humble fervant, HENRY HUNTER. CHARLES'-SqUARE, J\uie 8th, 1787. TH£ THE TABERNACLE OF GOD WITH MEN. REVELATION XXI. 3, 4. And I heard a great "voice out of Heaven, faying. Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men, and be will dzaell with them, and they Jhall be his people, and God himjeffhall be with them, and be their God. And God fJjall zvipe away all tears from their eyes; and there f Hill be no more death, neither forrozv, nor crying, neither fhall there be any more pain ; for the former tbinos are pajjed aivay. 'HEN the haughty king of Babylon had completed the fortification and embel- liOiments of that great city, we are told that his *' heart was lifted up with pride ;" and pride is ever nigh unto deftrudion. Surveying with felf-complacency the magnificence which he had reared, as " he walked in the palace of the " kingdom of Babylon," lie exukingjy ex- claims, '* Is not this great Babylon that 1 have D 4 '' builc 40 THE TACERNACLt OF COD SERM. 2. •' built for the houfe of the kingdom, by the *' might of my power, and for the honour of ** my majefty ?*" What " high fwelHng words *' of vanity!" When lo, exalting himfelf into a god, he in a moment becomes lefs than a man. " While the word was yet in his mouth," the kingdom departs from him, he is deprived of that rcafon which he had employed to fo lit- tle purpofe, he is driven, a fpeftacle of horror, from human fociety, he ranks with, and feeds like, the beads of the field ; and, with the firll glimmering of reflorcd undcrftanding, he is made to difcern and to acknowledge '* that the *' Mod High rulcth in the kingdom of men, " and givcth it to whomfoever he will." What a different objed is prefcnted to u% in the perfon, the fpirit, and the behaviour of the wifcd, greatcft, and mod fplendid of princes, when he had finifhed, and when he dedicated the nobled dru6lure that ever the fun beheld, on Mount Zion, the glory of the whole earth ? Filled with an awful, overwhelming, humili- ating fenfc of divine glory and majedy, he feels himfelf, and the temple which he had built, and all created glory, flnink into nothing; and * Dan. \v. 30— 3 V thus SERM. 2. WITH MEN. 4t thus he breathes the wonder, joy, and gratitude of his foul : " But will God indeed dwell on *' the earth ? Behold, the heaven and the hca- " ven of heavens cannot contain ihce, hovw *' much lefs this houfe that I have builded P^'^"-— But, the luftre of a Solomon too was dellined to pafs away ; the vail: temple Is doomed to dc- ftrudion ; the fceptre mufi: depart from Judah and the glory from Ifrael. Even that folcmn fiibric, conilrufted " according to the pattern *• which God himfclf fhewed unto Mofcs in the ** mount," has perilhed in the wreck of em- pire ; all, all is loft, and Avallowcd up in a kingdom which cannot be Ihaken, in majefty which cannot fade, in glory that lliall never ex- pire. Novv, " if tlic miniilration of death, ** written and engraven in flones, was glorious, " fo that the children of Ifrael could not fted- *' faftly behold the face of Mofes, for the glory *' of his countenance, vvhich glory vvas to be done " away J how fliall not the miniftration of the *' fpirit be rather glorious ? For if theminiftrailon *' of condemnation be glory, much more doth the " miniftration of rignteouinefs exceed in glory. " For even that which vvas made glorious, had ** no glory in this refpect, by reafon of the g!a- " ry that excelleth. For if that which is done '* awav 42 THE TABERNACLE OF GOD SERM. 2. *' away was glorious, much more that which *' rcmaineth is glorious.*** The fplendor of our temples, Chriftians, is not columns of marble, nor beams of cedar overlaid with gold ; vcflmcnts adorned with all manner of precious ftones, nor the perfumes of Arabia afcending in clouds to heaven. Such things as thcfe pleafe but thcfenfes, and perilh with the ufing. The glory in which we exult, is, *' God with us" in his word and ordinances. The fupport of humble roofs, fuch as this, is, living pillars eftablilhcd on the rock Christ; *' epiftles, written not with ink, but with the " Spirit of the living God, not in tables of ** flonc, but in fleflily tables of the heart ;" of- ferings not confiding ** of thoufands of rams *' and ten thoufands of rivers of oil, but the fa- " crifice of praife ; and of a broken and con- " trite fpirit." Our wealth is the precious treafure of " the gofpcl, though laid up in " earthen velTels ;" and our infallible inftruclor and guide, is the great God, declaring his will, not by the myllery of Urim and Thummim ; not by vifions and voices ; not by prophets from among ourfelves, nor by angels from Heaven j * c Cor. iii. 7—11. but SERM. 2. WITH MEK. 43 but by the Son of his love, '' the brightnefs of *' his glory, and the exprefs image of his per- ** fon," who ** is come to fave that which was " loft, and who hath laid, '* Lo, I am with " you always, even unto the end of the world/* And what is the muiic of a thoufand inftru- ments, and of ten thoufand voices in perted ac- cord, compared to this one fingle melodious note out of Heaven, " Behold the tabernacle " of God is with men!" " Thus faith the high *' and lofty One, that inhabiteth eternity, whofe «« name is holy : I dwell in the high and holy *« place; with him alfo, that is of a contrite '« and humble fpivit, to revive the fpirit of the *« humble, and to revive the heart of the con- " trite ones*." The things chiefly difcourfed of in this book, my friends, are the things which thall be re- vealed hereafter: the wonders of redeeming grace matured into glory ; the objeds of faith realized; thofe of hope, attained and enjoyed. May it not, by the bleffing of God, tend to af- fift that faith, and to fupport that hope, to take an anticipated view of future blifs, under the feveral ftriking, eloquent, and expreffive images * If.lvu. 15. etnoloved 44 THE TABERNACLE OF GOD SERM. 2. employed in the text, to unfold it's nature, ex- cellency, and pcrfc6tion ? — And may that gra- cious Spirit who difclofcd to the beloved difci- ple, in prophetic vifion, thcfc glories of Ein- manuti's Iund, ini;:r'j:"s them c!'jc:'ly on our hearts, and make thena daily to produce much good fruit in our lives; and caufe them to prove a perpetual fource of divine peace and holy joy! Amen* And, firfl:, The glad tidingr, of great joy are declared by *' a voice," *' a great voice," " a " great voice out of Kcaven 3" in accents clear, diftincl and intelligible, in words that are tried, faithful and true. — They are ufliered in by a folemn note of attention, of wonder, of congratulation and joy, ** Behold." We an- nounce a myftery which angels defire to look into. We unfold a purpofe of grace and con- defcenfion which pafieth all underftanding. We difplay a profpef^ of felicity to which hope durft not have irfpiicd, nor fancy have por- trayed. '* Behold what manner of love the Fa- *' ther hath bellowed upon you /" — " Behold" the fair inheritance wh'-ch Christ has pur- chafed f )r you ! " Bchokl " the high dignity, the glorious privileges, the tranfccndant blef- fcdncfs to which you arc begotten, by the re- iL.rrection SERM. 2. WITH MEN. 45 furredtion of Christ from the dead, and his ex- altation to the Father's right hand ! '' Behold" and wonder, and adore, and " rejoice with joy *' unfpeakable and full of glory !'* The important intelligence communicated to us, O children of men, is not the didate of fond, flattering expeftation, haflily cleaving to what it vvifhes may be true ; nor the creature of a bold imagination, forming for itfelf an ideal world, a paradife of fools and fenfualifts. It is not the vague and uncertain rumour, which fometimes amufes, and fomefimes torments, wretched mortals ; devifed by malice, propa- gated by folly, and believed by fimplicity and credulity. It is not the falfe and deceptive re- prefentation of glorious kingdoms which the father of lies fometimes expands, to miflead, delude, and then deftroy his wretched votaries. It is not a voice from the grave, faying, O man, ^^ duft: thou art, and to duft (lialt thou return j* *« the clods of the valley (hall be fweet unto " thee, and the worm fhall feed upon thee ;'•* ** all fiefli is as grafs, and all the goodlinefs of " man as the flower of the field." No, it is the trumpet which awakens the dead, the he- rald of immortality, the voice of Him who hath the power of death ; it is the decree of " Him 4*^ THE TABERK^ACLE OF GOD SERM. 2. "' Him who cannot lie," who holds out no falfc hope, who cannot be deceived, and WiU not deceive ; who promifes in love, and accom- pliflies in mercy and loving-kindnefs ; it is the gracious admonition of a father, the intimation of events certainly to come, of interefls all-im- portant, of privileges infallibly fecured, of a fe- licity placed beyond the reach of accident ; of " a kingdom prepared before the foundation *' of the world;" it is the teflimony of '' the *' Amen, the faithful and true Witnefs," cor- refponding to the conclufions of reafon and re- flection ; correfponding to the natural wiflies, defu'es, and hopes, of the human mind : it is the plaftic, energetic, vivifying power of the Eternal Spirit, giving a reality, a fubftance, a permanency, to the daring flights of raptured imagination, and calling into cxiftence a fairer world than fancy itfelf can frame. It is *' a great voice out of Heaven ;" hear it, ye fons of Light, and proftrate yourfclves before the Eternal Throne -, hear it, ye fpirits of jufl men made perfe(51", for ye know, ye feel what it means; hear it, ye trembling prifoners of hope, for *' the day of your redemption drawcth " nigh ;" — hear it, ye who account a day fyeni in Gpd's houfc t^etterthan a thoufand, and who break SERM. 2. WITH MEN. 47 break forth into finging, in the tranfporting p,rorpe6t of " being ever with the Lord." It is a voice, not from Sinai, faying, '^ Stand afar *' off, come not nigh, break not through to " gaze left thou perifli ;" but a voice from mount Zion, faying, " Come up hither, and *' 1 will fliew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife; *' I will lead you by the pure river of water " of Life, which flows from the throne of God *^ and the Lamb ;" '^ I will condud thee *« through the trees of life which grow in the ** midd of the paradife of God." It is a voice which annihilates the diflance between Heaven and earth ; whkh exalts frail, fallen men to heavenly thrones, and which brings down the placid Majefty of Heaven to tabernacle with guilty creatures, reftored, reconciled, *' brought "' nigh by the blood of Christ." The voice " crieth from Heaven;" and what doth it cry ? " Behold the tabernacle of *' God is with men." — This image has an ob- vious reference to the pureft, and the happiefb periods of the Old Teftament Church ; when Deity vouchfafed to refide among a chofen peo- ple, in fenfible tokens of his prefence and fa- vour ; in a pillar of cloud and fire : a fhelter from fultry heat by day, a purifier of unv h ^le- fome 4^5 THE TABERNACLE OF GOD SERM. 2. fome air, and a protedor from hoftile attack, by night; the diredor of their motion and reft- jng ; a perpetual monitor, a perpetual fafeguard. It may have a reference to the Schekinah^ or vi- fible glory which dwelt between the cherubim, and thence emitted tlic hallowed oracles of the divine will. It was thus that God diftinguifncd the nation of his choice from every other people under Heaven ; thus he pitched his tent amongft them, and rejoiced over them to do them good ; and it is thus that the heavenly vifion reprefents the great Jehovah in a better world, in a more glorious church, reading in the midft of his re- deemed, in " a tabernacle that (hall not be ** taken down ; not one of the flakes whereof ** fhall ever be removed, neither fhall any of ** the cords thereof be broken*;" in tokens of his prefence and affedion flill more con- fpicuous and more endearing. There, he was feen in a cloud darkly, in flaming fire which forbad an approach too near; here, he is feen ** face to face,'* and the beholder is ** rrans- •* formed into the fame image from glory to " glory ;" here, he pervades the immcnfe whole, as a pure, purifying, infpiring, uncon- fuming fire of love. There, he made known * If. xxxiii. 30. his SERM. 2. WITH MEN. 49 his will to many through the intervention of one, and that onj *' could not continue by reafon ** of death," but was under the neceiTity of tranfmitting his power and his privileges to an- other j but, in this world of bHfs, all are •' kings and priefts unto God," all hear his voice, and fee his face, and " his name is in *' their foreheads;" all have accefs through one Spirit unto the Father; all " know as they are *' known;" all are glorious, all immortal. The fervices of an earthly tabernacle were of neceffity interrupted. Some were ftated, fome occafional; at bed they had only '' the Ihadow *' of good things to come;" but the worQiip- pers in the heavenly tabernacle *' ceafe not, day " and night, faying holy, holy, holy is the *^ Lord ;" they renew their labours without wearinefs, and without end ; they gather ftrength from exertion ; they perceive, they enjoy the fubftance, the reality, of what they once f linlly comprehended, and hefitatingly believed ; they feel, and delight in, an omniprefent God, making fliill fome new difcovery of his love ; enlarging continually the fphere of knowledge, and there- in the fphere of happinels. — *' The man whofe ** eyes were opened" lo fee *^ Ifrael abiding ** In his tents" according to their tribes,, took Vol. II. E up 5© THE TABERNACLE OF GOD SERM. Z. up his parable, and in rapture exclaimed, " How goodly ate thy tents, O Jacob, and thy ** tabernacles, Olfrael! as the valleys are they ** fpread forth, as gardens by the river's fide, *' as the trees of liga-aloes, which the Lord " hath planted, and as cedar- trees befide the " waters*!" What will it be, from the fummic of yonder eternal hills, to furvey the happy plains, where the tabernacle of God rears its head, amidfl: the countlefs tents in which the myriads of the redeemed eternally repofe ! — Grant me to fee it, good and gracious Spirit, not as Balaam did the plains of Moab, where Ifrael encamped, with a malignant, envious de- fpairing eye : not as Mofes did, from Pifgah, the land flowing with milk and honey, into which the ftern interdicft forbade him ever to enter; but as Abraham, to whom God faid, "^ Ar'fe, go through the land in the length and " breadth of it, for I will give it theef ." A new and beautiful image arifes upon us, in the exprefilon, '•* and he will dwell with them." The word imports, " he will fpread a covering ** over them, he will overOiadow them." The fwect idea oi bov;e is included in it; the idea of * Numb, xxiv 5,6. f Gen. xiii. 17. permanency. ^EKM. 2. WiTil MiJt. J I permanency, of fociety, of mutual interefl: and affedion. It reprefents a father refiding in the midft of his children, under the roof which his paternal hand has expanded, around the table \vhich his paternal care and love have furniihed. — It reprefents brethren *' dwelling together *' in unity," animated with one heart and one foul, employed in one fervice, enjoying one common felicity, aiming at one end. — -In the happieft earthly families ftrife will arife. Chil- dren, as they grow up, mud fcatter and be dif- perfed. Anxiety, and fear, and forrow, mud mingle with, and mar, parental and filial de- lights. Parents feldom know when and how to diffolve the harilinefs of authority, in the cordiality of friend fhip : children do not always underftand how to blend filial fubmiffion and refped, with manly independence. — It is re-» ferved for thofe blefled manfions to exhibit union, not liable to feparation, " perfed love '^ that cafleth out fear," prefent enjoyment un- clouded, unembittercd, by the profped of evil to come ; authority exercifed in love, fubmif- fton yielded with eheerfulnefs ; friendlhip dill grov/ing, faculties dill improving, profpeds dill brightening, blifs already perfed yet fufceptible' of, and dill receiving, farther increafe. E a At 52 THE TABERNACLE OF GOD SERM. 2* At every ftagc of our earthly courfe, we feel the heart and the condition of aftrangerj the found is ever in our cars, " Arife ye and dc- *' part, for this is not your reft ;" " here ye *' have no abiding city." In this world we may be rather faid to lodge than to dwell, as way-faring men who tarry for a night, and in the morning muft arife and go on their way : but in our *' Father's houfe above are many " manfions," a place prepared for us, that, where *' he is, there we may be alfo." They who have *' attained unto the rcfurredion from " the dead," *' who have waflicd their robes and ** made them white in the blood of the Lamb," " are continually before the throne of God, and *' fcrve him day and night in his temple j and *' he I hat fitteih on the t'hrone (hall dwell *' among them." " God n^all dwell among ihem !" Rcflcd for a moment on the plcafure you may have taken, in preparing for the reception of a friend j for the reception of a man of fupcrior rank, of fuperior wifdom, of diflinguiihed goodnefs, of illulhious reputation. Add to all thofe ideas, that ofperfonal obligation, of favour unmerited, unexpcdcd, feafonably, gencroully, gracioufly conferred. Rcfled for a moment, on the fatis- fadioii SERM. 2. ' WITH MEN. S3 fadtion which you may have felt in feeing fuch an one under your roof; at your table; or in beinor the g-ueft of fuch an one. Think on the heart-fek delight of living, of cohverfing, of acquiring wifdom, of adding to virtue, of mul- tiplying felicity, in fociety fo dear, fo honourable, fo improving; and when the whole foul is fired and filled with the thought of communications fo pure^fofweet,fo exalted — *'rcfleft on the bleffed- " nefs of eating bread in the kingdom of God," " of fitting down with Abraham, and Ifaac, and " Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven," of ming- ling with the men whom " the King delight- eth to honour," of pouring out every grateful emotion, every holy dcfire into the bofom of a father, and of hearing from the mouth of God, the delightful accents of love. When friends meet after long fcparation, how numerous, how interefiiing, how grateful are the topics on which they have toconverfe ! The hardlhips which they have endured, the dangers which they have efcap- ed, the fuccefs wherewith thty have been crown- ed, the wonders which they have fcen, the ad ions which they have atchieved, the plans which they have formed, the profpeds which lie before them. — The converfation of that heavenly habitation rolls on nobler, loftier themes than the meagre annals of a tranfient earthly life can furnifii. E3 All 54 THE TABERNACLE OF GOD S£RM. 2. All the glories of unbounded Nature, all the wonders of myftcrious Providence, all the riches of redeeming Grace, fvvell upon the raptured eye, kindle in the heart, flow from the lips j while the profpecl expands an immeafurable c:ernity, pregnant with ftill greater miracles of wifdom and love; gradually difclofing a far more exceed- ing, an cverlifting weight of glory, " fucli as ** eye hath not feen, nor ear heard, and which it " hath not entered into the heart of man to con- *• ceive." — But we defift from debafing the grandeur of the fubjed, by the poverty of our conception and expreffion; we defift from darkening tounfcl " by words without knowledge." O may it be given us at length to know, by blefled experi- ence, wiiat it is to ducell with God, and to have God diveUing in the midft of us ; not only to hear of it with the hearing of the ear, but to behold it with the feeing of the eye, and to occupy our place in " the kingdom prepared " from the foundation of the world." Again, the voice out of heaven proclaims, '* and they Qiall be his people, and God himfelf *• lliall be with them, and be their God." The " royal ftandard is erected, not in the heart of a conquered SEKM. 2. WITH MEN. ce conquered country, amidft millions of proftrare vanquifhed flaves, who muft bend the neck, and fubmit to the yoke which the Hern vidor may think fit to impofe. This " tabernacle of God'* is not reared in a field of blood, amidft the " confufed noife of the warrior/' the fhrieks of the wounded, and the groans of the dying. That celeftial plain prefents the triumph of divine benignity, the unftained laurels of all-fubduino- love. It prefents the royal pavilion expanded in the midft of happy, favoured, flouriiliing, willing fubjefts; in each of whofe welfare and honour the Sovereign condefcends to take an intcreft, and to make it his ov^^nj and who ail unite in every fcntiment of loyalty, affeaion, gratitude and obedience. " They (hall be his people, '' according as it is written concerning the nation whom he chofe, dehvered out of Egypt, and conduiled into Canaan, " ye (liall be a peculiar treafure <' unto me, a kingdom of prieiis, and an holy " nation^." Thefe '' ranfomed of the Lord" are his by yet tenderer, yet more powerful ties. Like every other creature, they are his by the right of creation and prefervation. Like Ifrael * Ex. xix. 5, ^, E 4 of 56 THE TABERNACLE OF GOD SERM. 1. of old, thc)' are his by choice, by covenant, by promlte ; but under a nobler covenant, cftabliPaed upon " better promifes," and of infinitely longer duration. They are his by redemption, redemp. tion through b'.ood; his h^j cheerful, voluntary dedication and fiirrender ; /?/j by fimihtude; his by prctedion afforded, and allegiance recipro- cally yielded; his '* in the day when he makcth up his jewels." The Lord their Redeemer is ftrong, and he hath faid, " I give unto them ** eternal life, and they (hall never peri lli, neither ** fhall any pluck them out of my hand. My " Father which gave them me is greater than all ; ** and none is able to phick them out of my Fa- *« ther's hand*." '* Thofe that thou gaveft me *' I have kept, and none of them is loft." — *« Father, I will that they alfo whom thou haft " given me, be with me where 1 am; that they " may behold my glory which thou haft given «* mef." *^ And God himfeif Qiall be with them, and ^^ be their God." Flow much is contained and conveyed, in that cmphatical word " himfclf !" We fee, we feel him in the glory of the meridian fun ; we inhale him in the Tweets v.liich arc waked * John X. 2 3, 29. t John xvii. on SERM. 2. WITH MEN. 57, on the wings of the vernal breeze; we hear him in the roaring tempeft, and the burfting thunder; we live upon him through all the varying feafons of the circling year. But the genial fun and breathing fpring, the wintry ftorra and thundry cloud ; the fertile earth and fwelling fea, are not God " himfelf." They are the veil which He fpreads over his invifible Majefty; the channels in which his power and bounty flow ; the vehicle in which He rides fublime; the external, fenfible tokens of omniprefent, incompreheniible Divini- ty. But, O how many ways has God of commu- nicating *' himfelf" to his intelligent creatures 1 That fun (liall ceafe to Ihine, and thefe glorious orbs to revolve ; we Ihall ceafe from converfing with him throu2;h the medium of fenfe and matter, of reafon and fcripture ; " we (hall be " like him, for we lliall fee him as he is.'* Amazing difcovery, all important change / *' He (liall be their God." An idea how vaft, how comprehenfive ! Let imagination explore, accumulate, multiply the treafures of the earth and of the fea ; combine all the flores of wif- dom and knowledge ; collecl into one the vari- ous capacities, intelligences, attainments of men and angels, and fay to any one, " all this is *' thine," and infinitely lefs is faid, than this one, this little word exprelTes, " The Lord is your " God." 5^ THE TABERNACLE OF GOD SERM. 2. " God." Power irrefiftible, vvifdom all compre- henfive, purity immaculate, trulh inviolate, goodnefs unconfined, duration that knows no period, perfcclion not liable to diminution or change. *' This God is our God for ever and *' ever, be will be our guide even unto death*.'* All thefe *' things fhall be diffolved ;" neverthc- lefs, according to hispromife, we look hr '' new •' heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth *' righteoufnefs -j- ,and he fliall reign forever " and ever ; King of kings, and Lord of *' lords." The heavenly voice fwells the defcription of future blifs, by an animated and affefting enu- meration of the various plagues to which this life is fubjccV, but which ihall in no ways enter in, to didurb, diminifli, or deftroy the tran- quillity and joy of thofe regions of pui ity and peace, where " the wicked ceafe from trou- ^' bling, and the weary arc at reft." " God ** fhall wipe away all tears from their eyes ; and " there fliall be no more death, neither forrow, **' nor crying J neither Ihall there be any more ** pain; for the former things are palTcd away." Our conceptions of happincfs in this world are ^ Pfalm xlviii. 14. -[ 2 Pet. iii, 15, languid 6ERM. 1, WITH MEN. 59 languid and imperfe6t. Our livelleft idea of good, is, the abfence of evil ; of pleafure, that it is exemption from pain ; of joy, that it is for- row removed ; of life, that it is the delay or fufpenfion of death. Thefe oppofites are fo united and blended in this world, that to think on the one, naturally fuggefts the thought of the other. In conformity, therefore, to an ex- perience fdi and underftood by every defcen- dant of him who tafted the forbidden tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the happinefs of Heaven is held up to our hopes, as the polTef- lion of all attainable good, and eternal deliver- ance from every kind and degree of evil. Re- fieft, O man, on all that is bitter in thy own lot, or grievous and difcouraging in t!ie world around thee ; and i'jppofe it totally and for ever done away ; no infirmity of body, no anxiety of mind ; no lofs of friends, or lofs of health, or lofs of means ; no deprivation or decay of faculties J no tormenting apprehenfion, or up- braiding confcience J no threatening difeafe, im- pending accident, or yawning grave ; no fymp- tomofage, or warnmg of diifolution. They are for ever gone. Thefe are " the former things which have ^' paifed away," and if remembered at all, fliali thea 6o THE TABERNACLE OF GOD SERM* 2. then be remembered only as a ground of tri- umph, that they are no more; and as a fource of thankfuhiefs to that gracious hand which has eternally removed them. In taking a retrofped of this valley of tears, and of his own path through it, from that bright eminence, the fol- lower of the Lamb, fliall rejoice and fing, *' Vain, enfnaring world, I have now efcapcd " thee, cfcaped unhurt. Seducing, lying fpirir, ** I am far beyond thy reach ; thy wiles can no •* longer deceive me, nor thy terrors make me ** afraid ; into this paradife of God, all accefs ** is barred againft thee. Frail, vile corrupti- " ble body, I left thee in the grave," and " yet " in my flefh I fee God.'* " Holy Father, I *• blefs tl>y name, who haft carried me fafely " through all this fcene of danger and diftrefs." *' Thou haft delivered my foul from death, **• mine eyes from tears, my feet from falling," " Father, I adore thy goodnefs in the trials *' which I endured, as in the blefTings which I *' enjoyed ; they proceeded equally from love. '* In mercy and in very faithfulnefs was 1 chaft- *' ened : then, it was not joyous bur grievous,'^ but now it *' yields the peaceable fiuits of righ- *' teoufnefs." " I now fee what once I could *« not believe, that all was working together for -' DO " my good. It is good for me that I have becr^- *' aliiided. SERM. 2. WITH MEN. 6l ^ afflided. Bleffed lofs which difcovered to ' me the vanity of the creature ; bleffed cala- ' mity which cured me of the deadly plague ' of fin ; bleffed temped which drove me to ' my God. I reckon that the fufferings of the * tirne paft are not worthy to be compared with ' the glory now revealed. And all is of God, ^ who has brought good out of evil, turned * darknefs into light, and the fliadow of death * into the morning." — Such reflections as tliefe, I flatter myielf, will not be deemed altogether inapplicable to the defign of this day's meeting. Another little ta- bernacle is erected to the honour of Gon's name, and for the purpofe of carrying on his public worlliip. May God himfelf delight to dwell in it, and make it a " Bjthel, a houfe of " God, and the gate of Heaven" to it's prcfent inhabitants, and to many future generations. The moment of a man's birth is the com- mencement of his progrefs towards death, and the perfeCiing of a ftruclure, is b'jt a ftep to- wards it's decay. But, at the fairie time, t'le dark '* valley of the (hadow cf death" is ih'- dawning of immortality ; and tb.e tranfitory, iii- tcrrupted en:iployments of a clay- built tcmjL:- lo'^k 6l THE TAB1*RNACI,E OF COD §ERNf. ^- look dlreccly forwarJ, ro the worfhip of that temple vvhv)re " gates are not fhut at all by " day," and whofe fervices are never concluded by the approach of night; for " there is no ** nirht there." The occafional vifits which the Moft High vouchfafes to make to the ta- bernacles of his grace, are intended for an ad- monition of his eternal rcfidence among men, a preparation for that everlailing ** reft which re- ** maineth for the pcooie of God ; a foretafte ** of thofe rivers of picafure which flow at his ** right hand for evermore/' That which conftitutcd the glory of the (c- cond templC; which gave it an unrivalled lupe- riority over the aril, and v;hich eclipfed Solo- mon in all his glory, remains to be the orna- ment, the glory, and the ftrength of that which ye have built — the prefence of God-Redeemer. *' Wherever two or three are gathered together *' iii my name, I aui in the midft of them." '' Lo, I am with you aUays, even unto the " end of the world." " Thus faith the Amen, ** the faituful and true V/itnefs ; Behold I ftand '* at the dooi and knock; if any man hear my ** voice ai.d open the door, I Will come in to •* him, and fup with him, and he With me." Permit SERM. 2. WITH MEIJ. 63 Permit me, my friends, cordially to congra- tulate yoLi, on having brought this undertaking to fo fpeedy, and fo happy a conclufion. You have throughout difcovered a fpirit of modera- tion, of unity, of liberality, of candor, of per- feverance, of honeft zeal in what you deemed a good caufe, that is highly to your credit. This houfe is not the child of contention and ftrife ; it aims at the fubverfion of no inftitution, no intereft, but that of fatan's kingdom ; it wiihes to ftand in the way of no man's fame, ufeful- nefs, or eii.olument. The advanccmeut cf yoi;r own bed interefts ; the improvement of youc rifing pofterity in wifdom, in virtue, in piety j the enlargement and {lability of a Mediator's kingdom are your great objeds ; and ihey are objeds which, if you continue uprightly, dili- gently, and fteadily to purfue, you cannot fail to attain. Prizing your own Chriftiaa liberty, {landing fi{l in, and exercifing it, you will not, you cannot, be fo unju{l as to think of encroach- ing upon that of others. Fully pcrfaaded in your own minds refpeding the religious fenti- ments which you conlider to be true and im- portant, you will treat thofe who may differ from you with candor, with tendernefs, v/itli refpeft. Happily united in your prelent views a^id purfui>3, you will endeavour to " prcferve " the 64 THE TABERNACLE OF COD SERM. 2. *' the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,'* and, as far as in you lies, tranfmit it to thofe who may come after you. In finiQiing this edi- fice you have but begun your defign ; and in vain have you beftowed your attention, devoted your time, and contributed of your fubftance, to provide a place wherein to worHiip, unlefs you follow up the mighty purpofe, by regular attendance, ferious devotion, and real improve- ment. You will not content yourfelves with the fijrms of godlinefs without ihe power; as you have not, like the Athenians, fet up and infcribed an altar to the *' Unknown God." All that has hitherto been done, is to lay up the materials for the f.iritual building; it now remains that, with one heart and one foul, you apply them individually, and as a Chrillian fo- cicty, to your pcrfonal and your mutual edifi- cation in the fiith, and hope, and love, and joy, t'f the gofpel of Christ. Your harmony hi- therto is a happy prefage of your future union in piirluing the great ends of your aflbciation, in fixing your choice of one who may '* labour ** among you, and be over you in ihe Lord, *' and admonilh you." Your wifdom, and moderation, and uprightnefs in this, as in every tiling clic, will, I tiuil, be made known unto all men. May he wUofe name is " Coiinl'cllor," dired SERM. 2. WITH MEN. 6^ ^ired you, and " give you undcrflandlng in all " things." " I paint for eternity," faid the celebrated Artifl of Antiquity, in excufe for the anxiety which he difcovered, and the care which he employed, in finifhing his works. Confider yourfelves as having built, as living and ading, as affembling and worlhipping, for eternity. As often as ye enter this folemn place, let the powers of the world that is to come ; the great realities within the veil; at a diftance, yet hoped for; believed in, though unfeen, be ever prefent to your thoughts. You have been contemplating the glory of the Lord, as it is feen, and his prefence, as it is enjoyed, in the fanftuary above ; let not the impreflion ever be effaced : let it dwell in your hearts ; let it be tranfmitted thence, and beconie " holinefs in all manner of *' conveifation." We have attempted, in much weaknefs, t9 convey to you fome idea of the bleflednefs of thofe, among whom God has planted a taber- nacie never to be taken down, who fee his face> and beholding it, " rejoice with joy unrpeaka- ble and full of glory :'* May the recolledion of what you have (ccn, and heard, and believed. Vol. 11. F accompany 66 THE TABIiRNACLE OF GOD SRPM. 2. accompany you through this fcene of vaii.' , r id ' vexation of fpirit, through the valk-y of theflia- dovv of death, and r^/ref dcaih is fwuiiowed uj> cfvjcflory. Let it fLrengthcn and fvvecten the union which happily fubfifts among you as ncigh'^JOVixs, an^l friends, and relations: for Religion r.l:)ne can communicate permanency, dignity, folidity, fatisfadion, to human polief- fioiib. It is the great bond of union between the individuals of ^hich families are compofcd; between a man and his wife, between the parent and the child, between the mafter and the fer- vant. Unfanclified by Religion, riclics are a fnare and a curfe ; the ties of Nature but a rope of fand i the frienddiips of the world a mere beggarly ccinmerce of accommodation or inter- eft. Supported by Religion, poverty is un- fpeakably great gain ; the carelefTnefs, negled:, and unkindnefs of men, is compenfated by the attention, the fympathy, the miniftraiions of an- gels; and declining health and life, become the dawning of immortality. Goodly is that heri- tage which Jehovah hath apportioned, and on which He hath pitched his tent : what a fmell afcends towards Heaven from the " field which ** the LoR-p hath blcffed !" Happy is the pa- lace, and happy the cottage, of which God voucUfafcs to be an inhabitant ! Bled the flock, over SERM. 2. WITH MEN. 67 over which the great ** Mafter of Aflemblies *' — the one Shepherd " condefcends to prefide ! Bieft the minifter whofe labours the Almighty is crov/ning with fuccefs ! Bleft the union on Earth which is mellowing into union eternal in the Heavens \ Men, Brethren, and Fathers, in the Holy Miniftry, you have cordially obeyed the Turn- mons of thefe your Chriftian friends, in coming up hither, to mingle your vows, and prayers, and prajfes with theirs, on this folemn occafion. *' fieliold, how good and how pieafant it is for *' brethren to dwell together in unity !" Where- ever it fublifts, " there the Lord commandeth " the blcffing, even life for evermore," While every one's particular flock is his particular charge, every one lias a common and a general intereft in the extenfion and the profperity of the Redeemer's kingdom. The fpirit cf every t)ther kingdom is contradled, feliifli, illiberal : heace jealoufy, animofity, encroachment, every evil work. The policy of this world eflablifhes barriers, ftrengthens frontiers, prohibits com- munications, infpires miftrull. But the wif- doni, the benevolence, '* the meeknefs and " gentlenefs of Christ" promote intercourfeJ, abohlh diftindtions, extinguilh enmity, cherilh F 2 mutual 68 THE TAUERNACLE- OF GOD SERM. 2, mutual confidence. Chiiftianity reftores a man and his adverfary to peace between themfelves ; and rcftorcs both tlic reconciled panics to peace with God, Continue to cherllli with your countenance, your prudent advice, your prayers, your every labour of love, this infant colony of Chriftians ; it will fare the better with the people of your refpedlive charges ; it will fare the better vvith your own fouls ; for thefc good people will con- tend vvith you at a throne of Grace, in prefenting prayer for prayer, in pronouncing benedidlion for benediiflion, in repeating amen for amen ! Our life and miniftry are haftening ro a pe- riod. *' Our Lord Jesus Christ is flicwing ** me," and Hiewing every one among you, *' that Hiortly we mud put off this tabernacle :'* and the intimation, I truft, has not the found of •threatening in your ears. When the final fum- ynons comes, God grant that we may hear and anfvver it with ilie compofure, the elevation, t.hc triumph of the great Apgille of the Gentile^: ** I am now ready to be olfcrcd, and the time *^ of my departure is at hand. I have fought a *' good fight, i have finilhed my courfe, 1 have ** Ivcpt the fait.h, IIoK:cfurth there is laid up SERM. 2. WITH MEN, 69 *' for me a crown of rigbteoufnefs, which the *' Lord, the righteous Judge fhall give me at *' that day: and not to me only, but unto all ^' themalfo that love his appearing.'* F 3 SERMON SERMON III.^ THE UNIVERSAL AND EVERLASTING DOMINION OF GOD, A PERPETUAL SOURCE OF JOY AND PRAISE. • Preached before the Scottifh Prefbytery in London, at the Scots Church, London-Wall, ou Tuefday the 4th of November, 1 788, in Commemoration of the Glorious Re- volution in 1688, and pubiiflied at their Requeft. THE UNIVERSAL AND EVERLASTING KINGDOM OF GOD. PSALM XCVII. I, ?.. 1'he Lord reigneth : kt the earth rejoice ; let the multitude of ifles be glad thereof. Clouds and darknefs are round about him : righteoufnefs and judgment are the habitation of his throne. EVERY produftion of nature, and every providential event, is a demonftration of the being and perfedions of the great Jeho- vah, *' who created all things by the word of ** his power, and who doth according to his *' will in the army of Heaven, and among the ^^ inhabitants of the earth." The works of Nature, and the ways of Pro- vidence, are demonftrative of divine perfedion, both by the light in which they are difplayed, and by the darknefs which covers them -, and thefr 74 THE UNIVERSAL SERM. 3. iheir gTorious Author, while he ftmds confefTcd in every revolution of the ftupendous frame, conceals himfelf from our too eager purfuit, by clothing himfelf, at one time, in meridian fplendor, and at another, by covering his foot- fleps with the Ihadcs of night. The whole combination of the vail: fyftem, and every part, taken feparately, prcfcnt a reve- lation ot eternal power and wifdom, obvious to ihe meaneft capacity ; and, at the fame time, a depth which no underftanding can fatliom, a myfterioufnefs which na penetration of man can refolve. Every where we perceive appa- rent confufion and want of defign, but real or- der and intelligence. To the carelefs eye of the fupcrficial obferver, land and water, mountain, valley, and plain, feem parcelled out v.ithout regularity or method ; the heavenly bodies feem to be wandering at rand :m, through the regi- ons of infinite fpacc. But to die difceriiing eye, and the contemplative fpirit, the arrange- ment of the whole is perfect; every thing is good and beautiful in iiiclf, every thing is in it's proper place, and is performing it's proper office; there is no fchifm in the great body of the univerfe, there is no redundancy, nothing \«anting. Every alteration which pride or igno- rance SERM. 3. KINGDOM OF GOD. 75 ranee could invent or prGp(i»re, were, beyond doubt, an alteration to the worfe ; tlie harmony would be marred, the balance dellroyed, the be-iuty impaired. The govcrnnnent of the world prefents the fame apparent want of method and uniiormity. Great events ieem to rife out of, and to hinge upon, nothing : *' enterprizes of great pith and ** moment," without any feF.ming cauie, va- nifh into fmoke j " the ra-jf is not to the fwift, ** nor the battle to the ftrong, neither yet bread *' to the wife, nor yet riches to men of under- ** {landing, nor yet favour to men of fkill.** We behold perpetual, univerfal crowding, jiift- ling, cppofition, difcord. *^ If we conf.der " the hiftory of mankind/' fays an elegant and judicious writer,* " if we confider the hiftory " of mankind, merely as the work of human ** counfels, no profpedt can be more melan- ** choly and difplealing. We fee nothing but " unfteady and fluftuating defigns ; weak and ** periQiing attempts , a rude heap of tumuku- * Dr. Rotherham, in the introduftion to his excellent fermon before the Univerfity of Oxford, on the anniverfary of the inauguration of his Majcfty King George llL ous •f^ THE UNIVERSAL SERM. 3. *' ous events, lying in confufion ; kingdoms *• rifing after kingdoms, as it were by chance, *' aflonidiing the world for a while, and then *' finking into oblivion; and, in a word, all **' hiftory broken into ten thoufand fragments. " But if we will take along with us, to the ftudy *' of hiftory, a maxim from the infpired vo- *' lume ; if reafon will fubmit to be taught by ^'' RevelatioHj and to kindle it's lamp at that *' facred flame, a new light will be fpread over ** the obfcure mafs ; and the hiftoric page, '* which was before hardly legible, will become ** clear and perfectly intelligible ; for though *' nothing but confufion can be expeded from ^* weak and erring man, yet He who is the *' fountain of wifdom and might, is for ever at " the head of all human affairs; the defigns of " Heaven, mixing with the defi;ms of men, *' fubduc them into order, and give them a *' permanency which is not their own; and " thus, amidll; all the intricacies of interfering *' events and claftiing interefts, one great and ^' noble purpofe of Providence is ftill carried " on, the general interefts of virtue and reli- " gion/* This doctrine runs through all Revelation, and is illuftrated and enforced by every page of hiftory; SERM. 3. KINGDOM OF GOD, 77 hiftoryj and by no one more diftindly ^h:in the eventful hiflory which we are this day af- fembled to commemorate. In order to fulfil, as well as I can, the defign. of my Reverend Fathers and Brethren, in ap- pointing this commemoration, I propofe, Firft, to take a more general view of God's univerfal and everlailing dominion, as a fource of joy and rejoicing to every rational and intel- ligent creature. Secondly, I fiiall take a ciirfory review of the hiftory of this country, as illuftrative of the fpecial favour of the Divine Providence to Great Britain, and as an irrefiftible call on the grati- tude of it's prefent inhabitants. Thirdly, I fhall, in the fame view, fubmit to your conlideration a concife reprefentation of the grand Revolution which was brought about, an hundred years ago, by the bleffing of Hea- ven upon the wifdom, virtue, and exertions of our fore-fathers; and the whole, we truft, will ferve to evince, that though the great Pvuler of the univerfe be pleafed to fpread " clouds a,nd ** darknefs round about himfelf," neverthelefs, " ri^hte- "jS THE UNIVERSAL SERM. 3. ** righteoufnefs and judgment are the habitation " of his throne," I. I begin with taking a more general view ©f.God's univerial and evcilafting dominion, a«- -a. fou! ce of joy and rejoicing to every rational and intelhgent creature. And here, Who but muft .meditate with dehght on God's fupreme domi- nion in the vafl zvqt Id of nature? *' Great and *' marvellous are thy works. Lord God Al- •' mighty !" *' He fpake, and it was done j he ** commanded, and it ftood fafr.'* We are loft, while we contemplate the extent, tlie magnitude, the variety, the order and har- mony, of the works of God. We perceive in ail, a wifdom which excites admiration ; a power wiiich overawes; an immenfity which over- whelms ; but, abovd- rJ!, a goodnefs which at- tracts, compofcs, and delights the foul. A general viezv of God's dominion ! No — to be duly imprelTed wiih a feni'e of it, we muft i\x on one fingle point in the boundlefs expanfe, and, Ir^im ih...r hrrie particle, re.ifon up to the incompreheniiblf whole. And on what fliall we fix? I look SERM. 3. KINGDOM OF GOD. 79^ I look forth in the morning, and, lo the glo- rious orb of day a pears ** travelling in the greatnefs of his ftrength!" He diklofes the world of nature to my view, be makes all things eife vifibie, he gives ro all thri-' Kiftre ; but liis own lullre Jorbids mc (tedfiillly to behold his face. Mofh (Iriking image of thyfelf, amidft thefe thy lower vvt)rks, great God ! he at once illuminates and confounds me ; he cheers my path with his llgtii, and involves me in thick darknefs ; he relieves and overwhelms me. — How intimate- ly near ! I feel him at every pore ; he penetrates my very fubllance. Yet how inconceivably dif- tant! Meafurement called miles, figures called millions, multiply, and rife, and fwell, and my flight ro his tabernacle is but begun. — His mag- nitude how ftupenduous \ I feel myfelf fmk into an atom: the illes fiirink into *' a very little thing;" " the great globe itTelf" becomes as the fmall duft of the bitlance, on the comparifon. — His energy how irrefiftibly powerful 1 '^ No- thing is hid from the heat thereof." He is the quickening fpirit of thefe furrounding fpheres; about him they ftill revolve ; in his light they fhine ; their hidden ftcrcs he elicits ; yet what can withftand the force and furcenefs of his fiery rays 1 Oceans arc drunk up at a draught, the mountains are melted, worlck are confiinieJ, all So THE UNIVERSAL SERM. 3. all nature mourns. — His ^;/;v7//o« how extended! Firfl-born of creatures, thine eye beheld all the fucceeding wonders of creation, furveyed the redu6iion of chaos into order, and the firfl fpringings of vegetable and animal life. Thou dividedil the early days and nights of exiPcence to the world, v^'hile as yet there was no man upon the earth, to mark, and to enjoy, the grateful change. How many fuccefiive genera- tions of men hafl thou lighted to the land of filencc and oblivion! But, lo, thou flill fliinefl in undiminiHied glory and llrength; and when the eye, which now twinkles in attempting to behold thee, fliall be clofcd in death, when the limbs which now feel " thy fovereign vital ** lamp," Ihall moul(Jcr into dull; and the tongue, which would fpeak thy glories, fhall be for ever filent, thou Hialt continue to diffufe light, and heat, and jov ; naiions yet unborn fliall awake to thy genial warmth, and rejoice together in '' the brightncls of thy rifing."— Thy fliue in this immenfe fabric and frame of nature, how fitly chofen, how (leadily prefcrved ! Attiacling centre of thcfe regular, and thofe wandering lefler fires, which embellifli the azure vault of heaven 1 alternately drawn, and repel- led, by thee, they maintain ihcir appointed dif- tance, thev move in their oreRribcd orbits, they pcrlornx SERM 3. KINGDOM OF GOD. 81 perform their periodical revolutions. Nearer to thee, by an hand-breadth, they dare not ap- proach; farther from thee, by a fpan, they can- not remove. What regular confufion 1 What variety and harmony combined ! What un- changeable famenefs, what perpetual change! Whilft " thou, of this great world the eye and " foul," like Him, whofe glory thou dimly flia- dowea forth, lookcft on all with equal favour, and communicated to all, in juft proportion, life, and luftre, and motion; like Him too, ftill communicative, yet inexhauftible fource of joy 1 thou art endlefsly difpenfing, without ever being impoverilhed; enriched by thy own bounty, more glorious by the glory wbich thou beiloweft. From thee all flows, and to thee all returns ao-ain. But, while I contemplate thee with afto- nilhment and delight, let me not turn idolater, and exalt thee into the place of God. While I behold thy glory, and feel thy power, let me remember flill, that thou too fhineft but in borrowed fplendor, and exerteft an influence not thine own, but bedov/ed upon thee. Great and marvellous art thou indeed, O Sun ! thy dominion extenfive, thy power irre- fiftibie, thy bounty inexhauftible, but, like my- felf, thou art a creature derived, hmited, tran- VoL. II. G tory. ^* THE UNIVERSAL S£RM. 3. tory, and dependant. Who kindled, at firfr, and keeps alive thy unextinguiflied fires? What hand fwept the circumference of thy mighty orbit ? What immutable decree fixed thy ap- pointed llation, and confines thee too it? What unwearied power wheels thee inceflantly around thy axis? What incomprehenfible wifdom tem- pers thy rage, foftens thy influence, modifies thy luftre, blends thy light with thy heat, draws from thee a fire that confumes not, but a genul warmth that cheridies; a fplendor that dazzles not, but a mild and o-cnlle rad'ance which cheers and refredies? By thy ahn'ighty faf, great Father of lights, he v/as called into exift- ence; by thy almighty arm he is upheld, in thy glory he Ihines, and, at thy comm:ind, he llialP be covered with an eternal eclipfe, and expire. Thou art, like myfelf, O Sun, a creature, de- rived, limited, tranfitory, and dependant. Ah, thou art iniinitely l?fs noble than I am. Awake, arife, O my Soul, and tell that awful planet, that he, lir.c me, had a beginning, but that I, as- he xnuft, fliall never come to an end. He faw the hour of my birth, and I fliall behold the lall fatal period of his diffoluuon. According to the proraife of the Eternal, who is the " fame *' yeflerday, to-day, and for ever," *' I look " for ntw heavens and a new earth, wherein " dvvclleth 5ERM. 3' KINGDOM OF GOD, 83 " dwelleth rlgbteoufnersi" *^ which have no, «« need of the fun, neidier of the moon, to fhine '* in them; for the glory of God doth Hghten *' them; and the lamb is the light thereof." — • Tn that world of blifs I iTiall derive my life, fup- port, and comfort, immediately from the pure and everlafting Source of Being and Happinefs, independent of elementary influence ,* Ih'all en- joy perfeft, growing felicity, unallayed by the apprehenfion of it's ever coming to a conclufion. We propofed to take a general furvey of the works of God — and io, one has arrefted our at- tention, limited our enquiry, checked our pre- fumption, abforbed our fpirit; for of that ons the thoufandth, thoufandth part has not been conceived, much lefs expreifed. But fuppofing it thoroughly underftood, and fully communicated, lo, " other fyftems, cir- " cling other funs," arife, and expand, without limit, and v/ithout end, upon the aflonilhed, the enraptured imagination, and prompt the foul to exclaim, in the words of the fong of Mofes and the Lamb, " Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty !" — while reafon ftands confounded at that greatnefs and marvelloufnefs, fancy drops^'the wing, and flinks G 2 into 84 THE UNIVERSAL SERNf. :>' into it's little, filent nell, and the tongue ceafes 10 " darken counfel, by words without know- *' ledge i" overpowered, overwhelmed, unable to declare how manifold, how great, how won- derful they be ! 2. The ways of Gcd, in his government of all creatures, furniQi a theme of praife, a fubject of refle(flion, a fpring of confolation, which equally challenges our attention, becomes our condition, and miniflers to cur dclightj and equally exceeds our higheft powers, unfolding ** a height and depth, a length and breadth, ^' that furpafs our undcrflanding." As the zvorks of God '^ are great and marvcl- *' lous," fo his " zvcjs are juit and true." To the carclefs, inexperienced obferver, as has been faid, it lecms not to be fo. Chance, not dclign, appears to govern the world. Ta- lents lie buiied, merit is neglected, wifdom is unfucctfsful, goodnefs weeps, iniquity triumphs, virtue languiflies. " The race is not to thefwift, *' nor the battle to the fliong, neither yet bread *' to the wife, nor yet riches to men of under- *' ftanding, nor yet favour to men of ikill, but *' time and chance happcnciii to ihcm all," Every SERM. 3. KINGDOM OF GOD. 85 Every thing feems committed to accident, or didated by caprice. But defer attention and longer experience difcover in this apparent con- fufion, regularity and harmony. And fphere is not more accurately balanced by fphere, in the natural world, than ranks and conditions, means and their ends, rewards and punifhments, dif- appointments and fucceffes, are adjufted, in the morah And as well might *' the untutored In- dian" pretend to explain the folar fyftem, from taking a carelefs, -curfory view of the face of the Iky, in a cloudy evening, as a diffipated, fuper- ficial fpirit prefume to pronounce upon God's moral government, from the partial conceptions, the contra(fled views, and the detached intereils, af his own narrow circle. We take up the feemingly unconne&ed link tiiat lies before us, and, without hefitation, af- firm it to be too weak, or too flrong; too hea- vy, or too light ; without knowing what weight it has to fuTcain, what force to refift, what work to perfo-rm J without difcerning the pre- ceding link, which runs into it, and the fucceed- ing one, into which it runs, in it's turn. In order to judge wifely of the truth and juf- UCQ of the zvays of God, in order to attain holy G 3 Py, 86 TH£ UNIVERSAL SERM. 3. joy, in contemplating the divine adminiftration, perfons and events muft be confidercd in their mutual relations and dependencies ; the iilue muft be patiently waited for, the great leadin''' defign muft be difcovered. The fong of praife does not fuit the mouths of them who are yet ftriving for the maftery, who, *' through fear, arc yet fubjedl to bon- *' dage," who are ftill in *^ great tribulation," and trembling *^ left they fliould one day fall *' by the hand of the enemy;" but it be- longs to thofe who have prevailed in the con- Hid, who have overcome the beaft, who have found, by experience, that every thing wrought together for their good, w^ho have, through faith and patience, arrived at the promifes, and who are perfuaded that the way through which Providence condudled them, was the fafeft, the Ipeedieft, and the beft. In eftimating the divine condud, as it affeds cither ourfelves or others, bone muft be brought to it's bone ; the commencement muft be brought forward to the conclufion. We fliould reafon radily and erroneoufly, if, in reviewing the life of Jofeph, for example, we fliould con fme our refledions to the indulgence with which he SERM. 3. KINGDOM OF GOD. 87 he was treated, and the comforts which he en- joyed, during his boyifli years; or to the cruel and unmerited rigours which he endured in ma- turer age ; or to the dignity, urefuh:iers5 and fe- licity of his elevated ftate. But the three pe- riods, taken together, exhibit a beautiful, in- •terefting, and perfect whole, all the parts of which ilkiftrate;, ftrengthen, and fupport each other, and difplay an intelligence, a power, and a benignity, which fill with aftonifliment, over- whelm with reverence, and tranfport v.'ith de- light. One thing prepares for, and leads to, another, is compacted to, and interwoven with, another. The alteration of one little circum- fiance would have marred and deftrovcd the whole ; would have concealed a beauty, or brought forward an inhrmity. To be plunged into the pit, to be fold into ilavery, to bethrud into the dungeon, upon a flandcrous accufation, at the time v.hen they were endured, could not be " joyous, but grievous ;" hut they led to honour, they yielded joy on refiedion, they ren- dered profperity more fv/eet. And would Jo- feph himfclf, think you, now wiQi, that one in- gredient in the bitter chalice had been kept out? I believe not. He now too, on yonder happy ihore, triumphantly fings, *' Juft and true are ■^^ thy zvaySj thou King of faints!" G 4 It 8S THE UNIVERSAL SERM. 3. It is nor unworthy of remark, that tlic great Creator himfclf pronounced no judgment upon his glorious works, till all was completed, and the evening of the fixih day prefcnted the firft man, the glory and crown of the new creation. ** Then God furvcyed every thing that he had *' made, and behold it was very good;" " then '* the morning flars fang together, and all the '* fons of God iliouted for joy." 3. But amidft the various zvorks and wonder- ful zuays of God, One arifcs upon us with tran- fcendent brightnefs, which not to difcern were the grofrefl blindnefs, and not to acknowledge the vilcft ingratitude. It is that indeed for which all things elfe were created and made, and, in fubferviency to which, all things in heaven and in earth were, from the beginning, difpofedand over-ruled; and which has a commanding a- fccndant over the v;orld of nature, and the ways of Providence. That " great myflery pf godli- *' nefs" which " angels dcfire to look into;" that mort: glorious difplay of divine perfedlion in which '* mercy and truth arc met together, " righteoufncfs nnd peace l.avc killed each *' otlicr;" wherein God hath abounded toward *"' us in all wildom and prudence," — the g!o rious work of redemption. Behold, SERM. 3. KINGDOM OF GOD. 8g Behold, Chriftians, the moft marvellous of all the wonderful zvorks of the Almighty; the moft glorious exercife of his unbounded domi- nion ! The Eternal Word which lighted \i\> yonder fun, which wields thefe elements, which npholdeth all thepow.ers of nature, which quick- eneth every man that cometh into the world, " was made flefh, and dwelt among men;" He uttered the voice of lamentation and v/oe; melted in accents of friendfhip, tendernefs and compaf- iion; complained in agony, funk under defer- tion, expired-in death! " He formed the ftars, " he counteth their numbers, calleth them by ** their names." They meafure the progrefs oi his approach, announce his birth, lead to the place of it, fliine by his permiffion, are extin- gniOied by the breath of his mouth, move or liand, exift or are annihilated, at his nod ; they mark the hours of the day of his m.erciful vifi-' ration, and feal the decifions of his riohteous judgment. What Ihall be the glory of that day, when the new creation of God being finifhed, the tri- umphs of redeeming grace accompliflied, the nations of them that are faved gathered into one great multitude, which no man can number, and the voices of thofe whom he has purchafed with ()0 THE UNIVERSAL SERM. 3. with his blood, " out of every nation, and kin- *' dred, and people, and tongue," harmonized with thofe of pure fpirits, who never left their firft eftate, fnall fili the boundlefs concave of the jiew heavens, where glory and righteoufnefs ihall for ever dwell, and the eternal cheixie fiiall be repeated, univearied'.y repealed, " Great and ** marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; *-* juft and tri^.c are thy ways, thou king of faints!" May we behold it with our eyes, heur it with our ears, and join In the lofty ftrain of glory, and bleffing, and praife ! While we thus, therefore, behold the Almighty reigning v;lth irrefiftible, but gentle fway, in the kingdoms of nature, providi;nce, and grace, let every heart be gratitude, and every lip praife. ** The Lord reigneth : let the earth rejoice : let «' the multitude of ifles be glad thereof." But we ftill contrail our range ; and while wc rejoice before God as rational beings, as inhabi- tants of the globe, as men, as Chriflians, as can- didates for imm.ortality, we take up a peculiar fong of praife as Britons, as the inhabitants of this fair, this fertile, this highly-favoured Ifland , "*'hcre freedom, with all her fplendid and honour- able SERM. 3' KINGDOM OF GOD. 9I able iffue, has long fixed her feat. And, in or- der to infpire our fong, let us, in the II. Place, take a curfory review of the hiflory pf this country, as iiluflrative of the fpecial fa- vour of the Divine Providence to Great Britain, and as an irrefiftible call on the gratitude of it's prefent inhabitants. And it muft immediately flrike every obferver, that the very firfh dawnings of Britifh hiflory ■are nearly coeval with Chriftianity. Of this now far-famed land, no authentic annals exift pre- vious to the invafion of it by the mighty Julius, a very few years previous to the Chridian era. And when the hiftoric lamp difclofed it to fur- rounding nations, it prefented a race of naked, painted, untutored barbarians. — But what things conftituted the diftrefs of that generation of Bri- tons, proved the fource of bleffings innumerable to after ages. The partial and temporary lofs of liberty and independence, paved the v/ay for the attainment of knowledge, freedom, virtue and happinefs. The Roman eagle ferved to introduce the banner of the crofs ; the pride and ambition of a haughty conqueror marched as the vanguard of the Prince of Peace ; and the iron-handed oppredion of imperial Cefar pre pared . 92. THE UNIVERSAL SERM. J. jiared for the reception of the meeknefs and gcntlencfs of Chrift. Britain was humanized and civilized, in order to be chriftianized ; and was nurfed for future empire in the bofom of tyranny and dcfpotifm ; and thus, what was originallj' a great I<3fs, proved eventually unfpeakabie gain. In the hand of Omnipotence, the poifonous, fiery Icrpcnt-becaoie a harmlcfs rod ; the chaftifement of heaven was converted into a benefit, and this fortunate ifle received with llaverv the means of liberty ; learned from the viclor the path that led to conqucft, derived ftrength from weaknefs, rofe in one eventful moment into public notice, confcious native importance, and the capability of exertions which have fince aftonilhed, over- awed, and blclTcd the world. And is it neceflary to afK:, Who formed this concurrence of perfons, events, andcircumftances? Who made the firft Roman dcfpot and the Sa- viour of mankind contemporary ? Wlio opened a palfage, through the ocean, into thcfc lands, at one and the fame period, to Grecian literature, the Roman arms, and ilie illumination of the Gofpel ? Who fuft kindled, and has ever fince kept alive, the facrcd flame? Who " ftilled ** the enemy and the avenger, and out of the *' mouth of babes and fucklings pcrfcdcd praifcr" " The SERM. 5- KINGDOM OF GOD. 93 '* The Lord, wife in heart, and mighty in " ftrengch ; the Lord, great ,in might ; the *' Lord, might}^ in battle : Sing unto the Lord *' a new fong,~ for his right hand and his holy ** arm hath gotten him the vidlory." After an uninterrupted firup-Me between the invaders and the invaded, and with various fiic- cefs, for a period of more than four hundred years, the .R^omans thought proper to withdraw their troops from Britain, leaving it poacffcd of advantages derived from the invafion, which we truft it will never lofe, while fun and moon en- dure — invincible military prowefs,an ardent love of liberty, and the knowledge of the Gofpcl. When, and by whom, the firftChriftian church was planted in Britain, it is, at this dillance, per- haps impoffible to determine; but there is evi- dence fufficient, that Chriflianity had vifited this country, and was embraced in it, within twenty years from the death and refurredion of it's glorious Author. It would yield little pleafure, and time per- mits not, to conduft you through the darker periods of Britifli ftory. They exhibit the fierce- nefs of contending parties, " the confufed noife " of 94 THE UNIVERSAL SERM. 3. " of the warrior, and garments rolled in blood ;" fucceriive hoftile invafion, bold and rcfolute de- fence ; a race of rude, tyrannical princes, a haughty, impatient nobility ; an infolcnt, domi- neering hierarchy ; a dark and fanguinary fuper- Hition ; a mighty nation wearing the double fet- ters of ariflocratical or monarchical opprefTion, and of prieftly impofture. But we obferve this ill-aflbrted chaos ftill labouring into form and beauty j the caufe of liberty imperceptibly gain- ing ground, and the flump of religion ftiil flrik- Ing it's roots deeper and deeper in the earth. At length, after many convulfive flrugglcs, dcfpo- >tifm was conflrained to give ground, the fcale of the paopie began to acquire prepondcrancy, and on the iqdi of June, 12 15, a regular con- jflilution was ellabliflicd, by the figning and foal- ing of the Great Charter ^ by which were granted, or fecured, very important liberties and privi- leges to every order of men in the kingdom ; to the clergy, to the barons, and to the people. '* The Lord reigncth," and England that day rejoiced. Thefc were the dawnings of civil liberty, but the downfal of religious ufurpation was yet at a great diftance ; and for upwards of three centu- ries more, Britain, with the reft of Europe, groaned SERM. 3. KINGDOM OF GOD. 9^ groaned under papal tyranny and ecclefiaftical oppreflion. At length, however, the time to favour her arrived, and the Refornwlion began to dawn upon a dark, diforderly world. That the glory of this event, too, may be folely afcribed to Him who reigns on high, and who alone worketh great marvels ; and that our Iile may with peculiar gratitude rejoice in Him, let it be obferved, — That preparation for it's recep- tion had, in the wifdom of God, been already made, and a vaft field expanded for it's progrefs, in the recent invention of the art of printing, and the confequent general cultivation of letters. Men faw the cxcefTes of a profligate clergy, and were fliocked at them; examined their preten- fions, and learned to defpife them. But flow muft have been the progrefs, and the operation, of reafon, in extirpating a power ftrengthened by immemorial pofiTefllon, fupport- ed by wealth, protedled and encouraged by civil tyranny, had not He who " maketh the wrath " of man to praife him" haftened his work in righteoufnefs, by employing in it agents who thought of, and intended, nothing lefs, and in- ftruments ^6 THE TNIYLRSAL iLRSt. 3. flruments apparently incompetent and inappli- cable. Whatever were the means of introducing and promoting the Reformation in the other nations of Europe, we know they were, in England, firft the avarice, and then the luft of the king. With a fpirit entirely abforbed of the donrincs of the church of Rome, Henry caft a greedy eye on her ireafures, as a tempting fupply to his ex- igencies; and, caught with a new female face, which he was determined, at any rate, to poflcfs, vvas inftigated, to refift an authority which prc- fumed to thwart his inclinations; and the boafl- cd champion and defender of the catholic faith, degenerated into a contumacious and dirobcdicnr Ton of the holy fee. What the fovereign did, under the influence of paffion, — pride, lull, avarice, refentment ; the Nation adopted from conviction and choice ; and a tadc for religious emancipation, unthoughtof, unknown, unclaimed beiore, was acquired by men of all delcriptions ; a raftc never to be loll, but with the laft expiring Rruggles of civil li- berty. Tkc SERM. 3, KINGDOM OF /GO IX $7 The encouragement given to the Reformatioa m the immediately fucceeding reign, that of Ed- ward VI. and the perfecution which attempteci to crufli it in that which followed, contribute^ equally, in the hand of Providence, to confine and to extend it; and the gloomy bigotry an4 unrelenting feverity of Mary's government, efta- bliflied the caufe which fhe meant to deftroy. The accefllon of Elizabeth put an end to the ilrife, and fenfe and reafon refumed their em- pire. But, as if eternal wifdom defigned todiG- tinguifh the year eighty-eight, in two fuccefliv? centuries, byaffumingan afpe6t peculiarly pro* pitious to thefe lands, that year of the lixteenth century, was marked by danger as alarming, and deliverance as fignal, as ever vilited this or any Land. I need not tell you that I allude to the equip- tnent, the invafion, the defeat, and the entire deftrudion of the Invincible SpaniJIo Armada. Rcr fpedling which, it is only necelTary to fay, that it confided of all the flrength, valour, and wealth which Spain, the Low Countries, and the Indies, united under one fovereign, could col!e6l ; that it's objeft was the utter extermination of the Pro- Seftant religion s that it was direded againft a Voi. JV- H little. ^S THE UNIVERSAL 5ERM. 3. little, imconnccled nation, poflefling what hardly deferved rhe name of a fleet to oppofe it ; that it's fucccfs would probably have been rhe fub- jugation of this Ifland to a foreign yoke, the edablifhment of arbitrary power, and of a Spa- nilli inquifition, which might have remained to this day; and, findly, that it's difappointment is to be afcribed not merely to human counfels, friill, or prowefs, though thefe too merit our grateful recolleclion, but to a concurrence of Pro- vidential event?, over which human wifdom could have no influence. This alfo came from " the *' Lord of Hofts, who is wonderful in counfel, *' and excellent in working.'* I fliall leave it to thofe who commemorate the event* of which to morrow is the anniverfary, to expatiate on that great deliverance, and pro- ceed to obfcrve, That while a fpirit of rcligioua liberty was thus advancing, civil liberty was ra- ther on -the decline. Henry, and both his daugh- ters, were violent, arbitrary, and tyrannical i the royal prerogative was perpctuiilly encroaching on the privilc2;''s of the people ; the infamous Courts of the Star Chamber and Ecclcfiallical CommifTion exiftcd ; their authority was, though * The difcover}' of the Gun-powder plot. rSludantly, SERM. 3. KINGDOM OF GOD, 99 .reludantly, acknowledged, their decilions fub- mitted to, and Religion, in her turn, often fat weeping by the fide of the fick-bed of her lan- .guidiing fifter. The fceptre of the mafculine Elizabeth pafT- cd, in procefs of time, into th^ timid, womaniQi hand of James, and the tranfuion proved fa- vourable to liberty. With an idea of preroga- tive as lofty as ever was entertained by any of his ^predecelTors, he wanted the boldnefs, and the vigour, neceffary to the exercife of it ; nor would the fpirit of the times have fubmitted to it's claims. His pufillanimiiy promoted the fame caufe which the more turbulent paffions of pre- ceding princes had firft put in motion ; and in this we ftill behold " the hearts of kings in the ** Lord's hand, which turneth them which way *' foever he will." In the following reign the ill-defined preten- fions of prince and people involved the nation in all the horrors of a civil war, which terminat- ed in the utter ruin, and untimely death of the king ; and the world faw, with aftonifliment, what men, animated with a fenfe of their civil and religious rights, dared to atchieve. H 2 In 100 . TH£ UNIVERSAL SEKM. 3, In 1660, monarchy was again reflored, but cordiality and confidence, between fovereign and fubject, exifted no longer ; of confcquence, go- vernment was weak, and the people difcontented. The death of the difTipatcd, unthinking Charles J I. again embroiled the nation, and brought forward the era, the blcflcd era, when the feveral rights of prince and people were to be defined, fixed, and fettled j when religioi ihould repay to civil liberty the aid which Ihe had borrowed, and by which Ihe had acquired 41rength ; when freedom of perfon and confcience, ■and fecurity of property, (hould be boldly af- ferted by the fubjed, acquiefced in by the fovc- leign, and confirmed by the law of the land. And, through the whole of this feries, who is fo blind as not to fee, who fo ungrateful as not to acknowlege, the finger of God, vvho ** bring- *' eth the counfcl of the heathen to nought, who ** maketh the devices of the people of none cf- •** {ed:, whofe counfcl ftandeth for ever, the '** thoughts of his heart to all generations." Thus am I led forward to my III. OnjccV, namely, to give you a concife rcprcfcntation o^ihc grand epoch which was brought SERM. 3. KINGDOM OF GOD. lOI brought about, an hundred years ago, by the blefling of heaven upon the wifdom, virtue, and exertions of our forefathers. But you fland not in need of information.* Not to be acquainted with the great event which diftinguiflies this il- luftrious day of the revolving year, is, in a citi- zen of Great Britain, a proof of the moft fhame- ful ignorance, or the moft criminal coldnefs and indifference. To be acquainted with it, and yet remain infenfible to the hallowed ardor of patri- otic gratitude and exultation, is to be dead to the fineft, nobleft, and moft honourable feelings of a human being. To be acquainted with, and to glow at the recoliecftion of it, without afcrib- ing the glory and the praife of all to that God who alone hath done for us great wonders, is to be chargeable with the groffeft impiety, and the bafeft ingratitude. Whatever can affed, ani- mate, infpire, and elevate us, as Men, Britons, and Chriftians, — our perfonal rights, our public liberty, our religious privileges — all, all prefs upon our hearts, on this aufpicious anniverfary, and loudly invite us to thankfgiving and joy. * The following paragraph is repeated from the introduc- tion of Sermon III. of the preceding Volume, on the com- Biemoration of the glprious 12th of Auguft. H 3 >Ve I02 THE UNIVERSAL SERM. 3 We areafTembled, men, brethren, and father?, to celebrate the natal daj', and the daring, ge- nerous, and fuccefsful enterprize of a great Prince, whom God, in his providence, raifcd up to check the ambition of the haughty tyrant of France, to fupport the ProtePiant-interefl:, to prc- fervc the liberties of Europe, and to refcue thcfc lands from popery, flavery, and arbitrary power. We are aflembled to celebrate an era, which has proved a fource of bleflings innumerable, not to thefe nations only, but to Europe ; nay to Man- kind, during the period of a hundred years: an era, to which we ov.c a lucccfTion of five Proteftant, profperous, and patriotic princes, under whom the nation has increafed in wealth, in populoufnefs, in refpedability, and renown ; and to which we arc indebted for all our future profpeifls of greatnefs, importance, and profpe- rity. We are aflembled on the hundredth anni- verfiry of the great, the intercfling, the event- ful day, which was to place the chief corner- flone oi the fair, the well-proporLioncd, the n:a- jcdic, the venerable, the firiVily-compicled fiibric of the BritifhConOitution, tl.e mateiials. of which had been collcdlingaiid preparing through many ages, and which were then arranged, difpofed, and reared after the limiliiude of a palace. W'c will SERM. 3. KINGDOM OF GOD. IO3 will keep this ordinance therefore, from year to year, and leave it as a legacy to our children. Britons, friends, countrymen ! are you aware of what God did for thefe lands a hundred years ago ? Are the aged mindful, is youth in- formed, of the great deliverance then wrought for us ? My friends, attempts were made at that awful period, attempts almofl fuccefsful, to make Britons ferve with rigor, to twill inglorious chains around the necks of our forefathers, to reftrain their manly fpirit, to fetter their confciences, to ,bend their flurdy knees to a hated Popifli idol. And this not in a foreign land, a houfe of bon- dage, but here, at home, in the inheritance of their fathers, an inheritance purchafed, defended, tranfmitted, through rivers of blood : — the blood of valour, of liberty, of wifdom, of virtue. And this not by an invading, conquering tyrant, by unknown defpots, but by thofe whom office, place and ftation ; whom dut)^, gratitude andin- tereft, called upon to be " nurfing-fathers and *' nurling-mothers" to their native land : And this not in the rage of vidory, not in the im- petuofity of fuccefs, not in the infolence of ac- quired fuperiority, but in the phlegm of bigotry, but in the malignant gloom of fuperftition, but in the (ullennefs of revenge. H 4 Know 104 THE UNIVERSAL SERM. 5. Know, m3^ countrymen, that in the eighty- fifth year of the laft century, James II. on the death of his brother, mounted the throne of thefe kingdoms. From the firil moment of his reign, he meditated, and attempted to fubvert the reli- gion and liberties of his country. With the dreadful cataflrophe of his father's untimely end before his eyes, he ventured to tamper with what Englifhmen value moft highly, and feel mofk ^enfibly. Vehement proteftations of a deter- mined refolution to maintain the eflabliflied go- vernment, both in church and ftatc, were made; meafures fubverfive of the Conftitution were adopted; odious impofts were levied by royal authority, without deigning to alk or wait for the concurrence of Parliament -, royalty, with all it's enfigns, and in the face of the fun, paraded to join in the illegal and abhorred fervice of tha mafs ; meflengers were difpatched to Rome, to proftrate the Majclly of England at the feet of the Pontiff; and means were deliberately dcvifed for the folemn re-admi(lion of this Proteftanc kingdom into the bofom of the Roman Catho- lic church. A power of difpenfing with the Law of the Land was claimed and exercifed; the char- tered rights of corporations were invaded ; the fubjcLts, even of the highefl order, were wan- tonly and iiibitrarily imprifoncd ; a miHtary ty- raun^ SERM. 3. KINGDOM OF GOD. IOj| ranny was encouraged and fupported ; the Bri^ tifli tribunal was perverted into a Popifli inqui- fition ; and an inhuman Chief Juftice finiflied the horrid fcene of blood which a barbarous foU diery had begun. Neither age, nor fex, nor in- nocence, could fave thofe who had, in any re- fpe6l, rendered themfelves obnoxious to a cruel, yindid:ive, unrelenting court. Three unhappy kingdoms lay bleeding, al- moft three years, at the feet of a fullen, fangui- nary tyrant, whofe tender mercies were cruelty. Proteftants of every denomination endured all that malice could didate, or refentmen^, armed, with power, could inflid. It would fhock humanity, and excite indlg» nation, at the diftance of a century, now elapfed, to enter into a particular detail of the enormi- ties which disfigure this period of theBritifh hifto- ry. It is the painful and melancholy tafk of the liiflorian to defcribe them at large ; and you have heard enough to awaken you to refentment, to gratitude and joy. Happily, the court was too violent, and the nation too fpirited, to per- mit fuch fcenes to be frequently or long exhi- bited. The infulted genius of an injured peo- ple at length awoke to juft vengeance, and ^ fpeedilj^ lO^ THE UNIVERSAL SERM. 3. fpeedily held up an example formidable to vio- lence and tyranny, lughly honourable to the ac- tors in that great and important drama, and to their country ; encouraging to virtue, and in- ilruclive to mankind. The South and the North together ; men of all parties and denominations ; the Parliament, the Church, the Army ; Conformifts, Dlffenters; the City, the Country, the Sovereign's own fa- mily and dependants, filled with holy indigna- tion, rcfolvcd on the rejedion of the gloomy and bigotted tyrant, who had dared to trample on the dearcll rights, the hereditary privileges, of Britons. Wearied out with the perfevering violence of a court which no fubmiflions could mollify, no inircaties could move, no arguments convince, no terrors, but thofe of fuperftition, could inti- midate, and no teacher, but experience, could mftiu<5l, the Nation, as one man, looked for fuccour to a neighbouring Prince, whofe Con- fort was the elJeft daughter of the reigning Mo- narch, was confidercd, by the majority of the ration, as the apparent Heirefs of the crown, and fondly looked to as the darling objed of Britain's hopes and wifliesj a Prince who was himfelf SERM. 3. KINGDOM OF GOP. IO7 liimrelf regarded, by all Europe, as the bulwark of the Proteftant-Intereft, the Soul of the con- federacy formed for it's fupport, and for curbing the ambition of France ; a Prince who polTcfTed wifdom and virtue, and whofe exertions were crowned with a fuccefs, which have long and juftly been a favourite theme of Britifh tongues and pens. He engaged in the defence of his own juft rights, in the generous defign of affiftingand fupporting an injured and infulted people, of af- ferting the rights and liberties of mankind. Providence fmiled on the glorious attempt, and it profpered. James, who had rendered himfelf the object of univerfal hatred, was univerfally deferted. With a timidity as contemptible, as his bigotry and violence were odious, he (hrunk from the firfh appearance of danger, fled when no man was purfuing, and, having no refource in the afTedions of his fubje6ls, in the firmnefs of a vir- tuous mind, in the teftimony of a good con- fcience, or in the fupport of heaven, he preci- pitately abandoned a throne, wnich he could not ^11 with wifdom, dignity and honour ; and the Heroic William received, from the hands of a gallant and grateful nation, that crown, which the 108 fHE tJN-IVERSAL SF.RM.J. the headftrong and imprudent James had (liaker> from his head. From this memorable period, diftinguiflied in Britifli annals by the name of The Revolu- tion, the country, poflcord ftretches forth his hand to fave him ; a ftream of water fprings up in the defert ; that perifliing infant fliall live, live to become great, live to be the father of a mighty nation. Who SERM. 4. LITTLE ONES RECOMMENDED. I39 Who is that other deferted, defencelefs child, fair to God, yet expofed by his own mother to the roaring waters; expofed to many-formed deaths ? It is the infant Mofes. Behold how the babe weeps ! What human angel do I fee haftening to his deliverance ? It is Pharaoh's daughter herfelf, a fpirit embodied. Benevo- lence beams in her eye, accents of tendernefs and fympathy flow from her lips, mercy, the prime attribute of heaven, mercy, that ** be comes the throned monarch better than his crown," fits majeftically on her brow. That little one too fhall live, live to be the faviour of his country, live to become the inftrudor and delight of mankind. My fair friends, you are fometimes addreflfed by the title of Angels. Confider, I befeech you, wherein the refemblance confifts. It is in the piety, the purity, the benignity, the benefi- cence, the condefcenfion of Angels. Female nature then approaches mofl nearly to the angelic, when it prefents beauty, dignity, af- lluence, talents, influence, employed in mini- ftring to the calls of indigence, ficknefs, ignor- ance, depreflion and forrow. Make good your title, and every tongue, every heart, will joy- fully f49 ATTENTION TO SERM. 4 /ully beftow It upon you. O the truly angelic delight of contemplating the fabrick of your cwn rearing ! — a little wretch ready to perifh for want of clothing, for want of medicine, for want of nouridimentj or for lack of knowledge, a prey to idlenefs and vice, plucked by your hand as a brand oat of the burning; fed, cloathed, inftru<5)ed by your bounty : growing up, under the fl:iadovv of your wing, into ufe- fulnefs, importance, felicity; receiving and communicating heart-felt fatlsfaclion ! What is there in a!! the pageantry of flate, in all the gratifications of fcnfe, in all the delirious joys ctf giddy diffipationj once to be compared with this ? O pleafures cheaply purchafed, placidly enjoyed ; evef rifing, ever new , never languid, never remorfeful, why are you purfued fo fel- dom, and attained by fo few 1 Human Nature, when wilt thou learn to know thy true dignity-, to fludy thy real happinefs, to rife into the^like- uefs of beings fuperior to thyfelf, by coiiferring happinefs on thofe beneath thee ? But to confider young ones as the care of angels merely, glorious as the diftinftion is, reprefents their importance in a veiy inferior point of liglu. This glory is lull in the brigliter glory SE5.M. 4-« LITTLE 0>TES RECOMMENDED 141 glory of their being darling objeds of care and affedion to the Lord of Angels and men. 2. " The Son of Man is come to prefcrvc *' dietn from being loOi." What an interelllng and afFeding view of the unbounded conipaffion of the Friend oi oiaR^ kind ! " He is come to fave." And whca he caQie, In what form did he appear ? *' Verilj <' he took not on him the nature of angels," fee aflumed not one of the thrones which his hand had reared ; he afcended not the tribunal, hz aflbciated not with the potentates of the earth, he iliunned not the humble manfion of the afflicted : he became a little child, outcaft, ob- fcure, unbefriended, a pcnfioner on the bounty of others; " he made himfeif of no reputation, *' and took upon him the form of a fervast." He faw one generation of men after anothef, born to an inheritance of fm and mifery, and became a voluntary partaker of that milery, in order to deliver from that guilt which is the fource of it. He firft exhibited infancy, child- hood, and youth, in his own perfon, in all their natural infirmity, iimplicity, and dependance; and then, in his dodlrine, and by his example, held them up to the attention of maturer age in aii 142 ATTENTION TO SE^M. 4. all their fwectncfs of intereft, all their p^rowino- importance, all their cverlafting value ; as the fait of the earth, the feed of the church, the future heirs of the kingdom of heaven. He reprefents his intereft as one wiih theirs, the kindnefs fliewn to them as an obligation con- ferred on himfelf; the injuries which they might fuffer, the negledt with which they might be treated, as fo many perfonal infults. He became a pattern to young ones them- felves, of the wifdom which early youth may acquire, blended with the refped which is due to age ; a pattern of fubmiflion to parental authority, of contented ncfs with a poor, and low, and laborious condition, of ftiperiority to the unworthy Ihame excited by local, domellic, national, refledlions and imputations ; a pattern of attachment to kindred and country; a pat- tern of univerfal kindnefs and benevolence. He reprefents the road to the heavenly kingdom as the reverting of age to the charafler, temper, and condition of childhood; to it's fimplicity, docility, and candour; as the unlearning what the commerce of the world has taught us ; as the treading back our own fteps, undoing what we have done, and in taking an example from that tender age, which had we lived wifely, we might SERM. 4. LITTLE ONES RECOMMENDED. I43 might have fet before it. " Verily I fay unto *' you, Except ye be converted, and become as *' little children, ye (liall not enter into the *' kingdom of heaven." *' The Son of Man is come to fave that " which was loJiT What words can defcribe the anguilh of that parent's heart whofe child has hterally miffed his way : who, like Jofeph, has wandered from the habitation of a fond father, entangled himfclf in the pathiefs defert, and probably become a prey to the roaring lion, or ravening wolf; or v/ho has unwarily rambled into the more dangerous tracks of the city, and fallen into the hands of men more favage than beafts of prey ? What words can defcribe the anguifh, ftill more bitter of the prodigal's father, the father of a youth loft to virtue, loft to honour, loft to fliame ? And what words can defcribe, on the other hand, the joy of finding a loft Jofeph, a returning prodigal, a repentant offender? Bleffed be the friendly^ hand that proteded my child, that pointed out the right path, that has reftored him to his mother again. Bleffed be the tongue that perfuadcd him to return, that pointed out his miftake, and rekindled the emotions of nature and virtue in his breaft. Behold, my Brother, 144 ATTENTION TO SERM. 4. Brother, that companionate friend in the perfon of the Redeemer, " I have gone aftray hke a *'loft flieep; Lord, feek thy fervant." " Ye *' were all as flieep going aftray, but are now *' returned unto the Shepherd and Bifliop of *' your fouls.'* From pure love He has pur- fued the unhappy fugitive from maze to maze, from danger to danger, from diftrefs to diftrefs, and would not defifl from the purfuit till He brought him back rejoicing. ** He was dead " and is alive again, he was loft and is found." In this benevolent purfuit, this purfuit becoming a man, worthy of God himfelf, you are this day invited, importuned to join; to penetrate, not in your perfons, but by your alms, into the dreary, fequeftcred regions of the North, in qucft of ignorance, that you may inftruct it ; in quelf of indolence, that you may roufc it into exertion ; in queft of wafting unproduflivc youth and buried talents, that you may improve them into increafing happinefs and utility. 3. *' It is not the will of your Father which " IS in heaven, that one of thefc little ones *' fliould pcrifti. Interefting and affcding view of the all-com- prchenfive goodncfs and loving- kindnefs of the common SERM. 4. LITTLE ONES RECOMMENDED I45 common Parent of all mankind ! — A great part of the human race feems thrown into the rank of younger broihers ; they are deemed perfons of no confequence, of no account, but formed merely to fwell the retinue and importance of their more fortunate brethren. The many are apparently made for the fake of the few. Thou- lands, myriads, of wretches, bleed, and die, to bind the wreath around one brow. To give luitre to an heir, the junior offspring of the fame parents is degraded, difiipnoured, defrauded. Parental affeftion is not, can not, always be liberal, equal, impartial ; in fome unhappy corner of every human family, if it be numer- ous, there will be fome unhappy minion raifed into dangerous, unjuft, pernicious preference ; and, now and then, a meritorious, refpeclable, dignified pretender to parental favour, neg- lefted, overlooked, made a facrifice to family- pride, deprived of a child's right, counted an alien to the blood. No matter what becom.es of the futlers in my camp, exclaims the haughty conqueror, in the ardor of purfuit, in the tide of glory ; leu them be facrificed, let them fail by the hand of the enemy, only let the victory be ours. — Sacrifice a thoufand lives, fays, with coolnefs, the arrifan. Vol. II. L the. 146 ATTEl^TION TO SERM. 4. the merchant ; it will bring a good return at length. What fignifies that fcum of the earth, that refufe of human nature ? Let them perlQi, and the fooner the better. Never regard, fays the lordly chieftain, the labour, the comfort, the confcience, the life, of that miferable vaflal ; he was made for my ufe, he lives upon my bounty, he is of no confideration in the fcale of life, he is no-body ; fliould multitudes fuch as he perifli, where would be the lofs ? But let my fon, my darling fon, be confidered, indulg- ed, gratified; he is all my flrength, all my dcfire, all my hope, all my care. O how different are the feelings, the language, the reafonings, of the great Parent of the univerfe ! Before him diftindlions vanifli,the mighty fmk, the humble are exalted. His hand formed nothing mean, nothing worthlefs. All his chil- dren are noble, for all bear his image, and arc animated by his fpirit ; they are equally fufccp- tible of improvement, and equally deflined to glory and virtue. His eyes, with equal care and tendernefs, behold the frozen regions of the nr>'-th, and the fertile plains of the fouth j \bitant of the fequeflered iilc, and of metropolis ; the fwarthy African, the \ Indian, and the civilized, accom- uropcan. Wherever ncccfTitous hu- \ nianity' SERM. 4. LITTLE ONES RECOMMENDED. I47 manlty rears its drooping head, there is provi- dential folicitude, paternal affedion, divine com- paffion. One . God is the Father of you, O man, and of yonder little rambling High- lander ; and this God would not that he fhould perifh ; no, it is the will of your common Father that he fliould become, together with you, a partaker of Britiih liberty, of fecial enjoyment, of Chriftian knowledge j it is his will, that you fliould be a father and a god unto him, and thereby dignify and exalt yourfelf. Such, then, is the worth, fuch the importance, of young ones, in the eyes of Superior Intelli- gences ; in the eyes of the compaffionate Friend of fallen, helplefs man ; in the eyes of the great Lord of all, who *' fo loved the world, that he " gave his only begotten Son, that whofoever '' believeth in him fhould not perilli, but have " everlafting life ;" whofe will it is, that not fo much as one, no, not onej of the leaji of thefe, fliould perifli : fuch, of confequence, is the im- portance of early culture ; and fuch the obli- gation laid upon you to extend that culture as you have opportunity, and thus to manifeft your relation to the fons of light, to the Prince of Peace, to the God of love, to the Father 91 mercies. This leads me, L 2 II. To 148 ATTENTION TO SERM. 4. II. To enforce the obfeivance of our Sa* viour's inJLindion, " Take heed that ye defpifc " not one of thefe httle ones.'* The words of caution, *' take heed," phiinly Infinuate, that this is a point in wliich there is a pronenefs to neglecl, a danger of offending. Engaged in feemingly higher purfuits, engrolled in bulinefs, embarked on the vaft ocean of po- litics, eager in the career of greatncfs — *' take '•' heed" that ye forget not the interefts of hu- manity, of your country. Leave not to another what you can do yourfelf. Defer not till to- morrow what may be done to-day. Say not within yourfelf, " I have fo many other con- " cerns to mind — that object is fo far out of ** my way — I contribute to fo many other cha- ** ritable inftTtuiions." Much lefs prefume to fay, concerning thefe little ones, " Let them ** alone — they are better as they arc — to inftru6t ** them is only to make them dilfatisfied with *' their condition — knowledge will render them *' untractabfe, ungovernable — religion will draw " them out of their proper fphere, will extend *' their views, will (educe them into rcftlefliiefs ** and roving. "No, my brethren, darkncfs i$ not better than light ; barbarifm is not fo good ascivilizationj true religion never did, never can, infpire SERM. 4. LITTLE ONES RECOMMEMDED. I49 infpire an improper fpirit, nor encourage unwor- thy views, nor diflblve the obligations of civil life. Let not an over refined policy encroach on the rights of humanity ; nor an affefted refpeft for the ordinances of nature and providence, cloak the felfifhnefs of an unfeeling heart, or the pride of a would- be-philofophic fpirit. — '* Ta^ce *' heed", examine thy confcience, my friend, and learn from what fource contempt of the leaft of thefe little ones proceeds, Doth not God, the great God, clothe the grafs, array the lily of the field, feed the raven ? And is a rational, immortal being, thy equal in many relpe^ls, in fpme tly fuperior, beneath thy care? Unhallowed is the bufinefs which relaxes the bands of fympathy, and reltrain;s the bowels of mercy; unhallowed is the greatnefs which fcorns to ftoop to the claims of unproteded, unllip- ported youth ; and unhallowed are the politics which overlook the grov/ing cqnfequence of the young q.nd rifmg generation. But the words of Chrift convey much more than a caution againft an inhuman, antichriilian temper and condudt; they more than prohibit us to defpife thefe little ones, to infult, to mal- treat them, to place them with the dogs of our flock s No^ they forbid us to negie^ them, Xo L. 3 pafs IjO ATTENTION TO SERM. 4. pafs them by as vvorthlcfs, or as if we had no intercft in them. Negligence here is the word of injuries, indifference is the moft cruel of out- rages J to do no good, is the moft enormous of evils. Behold that unhappy man lifting up his eyes in torment, without a drop of water to cool his tongue. What were his crimes ? Why is he tormented in that flame ? 1 know of no enormity laid to his charge. I hear not of the grofs abufe of wealth. He is not accufed as the opprefTor of the poor, as chacing the beggar from his gate, as hunting down Lazarus with his dogs. No ; but I hear of nothing good done by him : I hear of no humane application of his riches : I hear of no exertion made to relieve the miferable. Wallowing in the luxu- ries of a well-furniflied table, arrayed in foft and fplendid raiment, borne aloft on the downy pinions of the pride of life, what is it to him that wretches feel ; that the (larveling longs for the crumbs which fall from his table, that the naked limbs fhiver at his door ? When the Sovereign Judge fums up the -evidence againft a guilty world, it is not a catalogue of enormities committed, but of duties ncglededi notof fiiculties abufed, but of talents buried in the earth, of benefits withheld, of opportunities SERM.4- LITTLE ONES RECOMMENDED. I^I ppportunities to do good vilely cafl away. " I ** was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat : *' I was thlrfty, and ye gave me no drink : I " was a flranger, and ye took me not in : " naked, and ye clothed me not : fick, and in " prifon, and ye vifited me not. Then lliall *' they alfo anfwer him, faying, Lord, when faw «' we thee an hungred, or athirft, or a ftranger, f' or naked, or fick, or in prifon, and did not ^' minifter unto thee ? Then (hall he anfwer ** them, faying, Verily I fay unto you, In as *' much as ye did it not to one of the' leaft of *' thefe, ye did it n©t to me."* The gentle admonition, the friendly negative hint, therefore, of our gracious Lord, has all the force of a pofitive, peremptory injundion. ** Take heed that ye defpife not thefe little *' ones. No, attend to them, cherifli them, *? prize them highly, revere my image in them. *^ Woman, thy fucking child, the fon of thy " womb, thine only fon, thy firft born, the re- '• prefentative of the hufband of thy youth ; — ** Man, that image of thyfelf, that inheritor of ^^ thy name and fortune, the pride of thy heart, ^' the delight of thine eyes, the hope of thy ^' Matt. XXV. 42. — 45. L 4 - " family. Tj2. ArrENTIOKTO SJLRM. 4. *' family, is not (o precious in thy fighr, as is, *' in mini', yonder little wanderer on the hoary ♦' mountain. I made him of the fame clay vviih '* thee, I breathed into his noflrils the breith '* cf life, I have charged my angels concerning *' him, I ^ni watching him with mine eye, I " have deftined him to immortal h:\ppinefs. — '^ Enter into my views, co-opcratc with me. *' What, 4<^^pife that which I highly eClcem ! ** What, think that beneath thee, which the *' great God regards with intcrcft and affection! ^* What, ^11 heaven ready to utter the voice of *' joy on the recovery qf, that flrayed flieep, of '* that fimple wandering lamb of the flock, and " no exertion made on earth to reflpre, to guard, ^' to prefcrve him ? Yes, I have honoured thee *' to be my almoner, I have put thee in my *' place ; that little one fliall learn wifdonj, *' fhall became ufeful, fliall become happy, *' fliall rife to everlafting felicity, through the '^ fuperQux of thy ftorc, by the fweepings of *' thy barn -floor, by the gleanings of thy vintage. ^' Defpife that rude, untutored creature ! O " what may he not become ! W hat hidden *' treafures does he not contain, how glorious " fhall he be in the day when / make all things f" ne'j:, when he fliall fliine in my likcncfs, rc- " fl.orcd SERM. 4« LITTX.E ONES RECOMMENDED. 1^5 " ftored to the perfed: image of the firft bori. ^ among many brethren !" I come now, in the Hid place, to the immediate objed of this day's meeting, namely, to reprefent the high importance of the Inftitution before us, in a moral, political, and religious light. — I addrefs you, I. As Men, in behalf of a great multitude of your fellow creatures,'who are, in the wifdom of eternal Providence, fecluded from many of the bleffings which you enjoy, and ju (11 y prize; and cxpofed to various wretchednefs which you neither feel nor fear. Refped humanity, where- ever it is found, at the tardy pole, or on the burning zone; in the naked African, or fkin- clad Laplander ; attend to the cry of difirefs in whatever accents it arifes. ** Did I know of a *•' man," fays a profound and eloquent hifto- rian,* ^' Did I know of a man, at the Pole, or " under the Line, capable of giving me infor- *' mation refpcding my fubjeft, I would fly to *^ the Pole, to the Line, knock at his door, and ** intreat him to unbofom himfelf to me." And fliall greater zeal be difplayed in the pur- Abbe Reynal, fujt 1^4 ATTENTION TO SERM. 4. fuit of liiPiorical, commercial, or political knowledge, than in extending the empire of Benevolence ; in communicating the knowledge of faivation, and conducting pcrifliing fmncrs to eternal happinefs? A laudable fervor has of late difcovcred itfclf towards a melioration of the condition of the wretched African flaves in the Weft India Iflands. May Heaven crown with fucccfs every honed effort to extend the enjoyments, and diminifli the miferies of human life. But in grafping at an object more remote, let us take care that we overlook not thofc which are much nearer, and much more urgent. The flate of a confidcrable part of the inhabit- ants of the Highlands and Iflands of Scotland, prcfents humanity in a fituation as deplorable as tiiat of the Negro on the coaft of Guinea, or tinder the lafh of a fordid, unfeeling planter; if a (late of ignorance, barbarifm, and lloth, be deplorable. If that man dcferve well of his country, who, according to an ingenious ftatef- man*s* obfervation, makes three piles of grafs to grow, where only two grew before; wkat praifc does he merit, who multiplies intelligence, who expands the (lumbering faculties of the human foul, who calls forth into exercife powers * Dean Swift. capable SERM. 4. LITTLE ONES RECOMMENDED. 155 capable of increafing the public flock of wealth, of virtue, and happinefs, and of exalting the pof- feffor to his proper ftation of ufefulnefs and importance ? If he* defervcs praife, and a fratue, and every honour of humanity whom benevolence leads from country to country, from prifon to prifon, to hear, and fympathize in, the groans of the prifoner, to diminilh the weight of his chain, and to introduce a ray of light, a breath of air, into his dungeon; What fliall be done unto the man who aims at the enlargement of the ftill more wretched creature, whom Satan leads captive at his vvill ? What fhall be done to the man who breaks afunder the fetters that entangle the mind, v/ho pro- claims pardon in the trembling ear of the cri- minal condemned to everlaiting death ? And to accomplifli this, in the prefent cafe, you are called, not to undertake a long, painful, and dangerous pilgrimage; not to purfue theobjetfts of your bounty through their dreary wafles, impervious mountains, and tempeftuous Teas. No, the difficult and laborious part of the talk is transferred to other fhoulders; a little of what you can well fpare, which you will never * The amiable John Ho-ward^ who without the knowledge of the Axithor, was prefent at the deliveiy of this difcourfe. mifs, 13'S ATTEKTION TO SERM. 4: n^its, and uhich may draw down a blefling f;0!Ti the Almighty on all the reft, is what we fohcit. It will be thankfully received, and, be afiured, to the lall penny, faithfully applied. 1. Permit me to addrefs you as Britons, the inhabitants of this rhieen of Iflands, the fub- jecls of the happieil of G;overnments, the fup- porters of the greatefl of empires. We alone, among the nations of the globe, poflefs real li- berty, and know how to prize and to enjoy it. We prefentj to furrounding ftates and king- doms, loyalty and patiiotifm blended into one hallowed flame ; the interefts of Prince and the People united i a Sovereign truly great, becaufe lie reigns over Free Men. Here, in this happy, this highly favoured land, the perfon of no fub- jedl, as a fubjcc5t, is held in contempt ; the juft richts of no one are liable to invafion, the rea- fonable claims of no one are difregardcd. Every individual contributes his proportion of ftrengih, gtnius, induftry, to the general mafs, and, con- icquently, every one poflefles his corrcfponding proportion of value and importance, Every ig- norant creature, therefore, whom you inftrud, every idler whom you employ j every faculty which you help to unfold, every talent, which you SEAM. 4« LITTLEl ONES RECOlViMENDED. ij^^ you put out to intereft, is at once a private cha rity, and a public benefit. The exertion which is made this day, at the centre of the empire, will foon be felt vibrarlng at the remoteft points of the circumference, and the adion at the heart will gently impel the vital fluid to the torpid extremities. The Father of his People, my friends and countrymen, in whofe happy refloration to per* fed health, to domefcic felicity, and to the ear- neftly wiOied for exercife of his royal fi:n6lions, we this day fo fmceicly rejoice ; the Father of his People, I fay^ fers you the example of atten- tion to this Infiituiion, of compaflion to thefe little ones, by an annual donation of one ibou/and pounds. Munificence graciously, wifely extended, and gratefully felt ! Difaffeftion and dilloyalty exift no longer. His Majefly's pcrfon is revered, his virtues admired, his family's title to the throne of thefe realms acknowledged, and his authority cheerfully fubmitted to, in reorions where, not long ago, treafon lurkedj and rebel- lion reared it's head. The example of our gracious Sovereign, I am happy thus publicly to anaounce it, has been I5S ATTENTION TO SERM. 4. been followed by citizens of the very firft rank,* who, by their attendance at the Anniverfary Service and Feftivai, by their liberal contribu- tions and friendly recommendations, have greatly increafed the funds of this Society, and of courfe extended their power of doing good. Indeed the magnitude and importance of the objed are fo obvious, that it needs but to be propofed to the friends of humanity, and of their country, in order to be patronifed. With extreme grati- tude and delight the Correfponding Board of the Society, in London, embraces, accordingly, the opportunity of this Anniverfary Meeting, to repeat their unfeigned thanks, for the liberal fupport which their efforts to promote the great * In giving this difcourfe from the prefs, I feel myfelf con- Ilrained to mention fome of the refpefted names to which the above defcription applies. The dukes of Gordon and Argyle, the marquis of Graham, the earls of Kinnoul, Breadalbane, Hopcton and Fife, lord vifcount Balgonie, lord Van Vryho- ven, the Lord Advocate Hay Campbell, efq. fir Hugh Dalrym- ple, fir John Belfches, fir Adam Fergufon, fir John Sinclair, George Dempfter efq. Henry Beaufoy efq. William More- head, efq. John Thornton efq. Samuel Thornton efq. Robert Thornton efq. Henry Thornton efq. William Wilberforce, efq. — To which lift I beg leave to fubjoin the names of the earl of Dumfries, the honourable John Lefiie, fir David Car- negie, the rev. Herbert Mayo D. D. Charles Jcrdcin efq. and Samuel Search, efq. tht Stewrads for next Anniverfary Meeting. cau fc S£RM. 4. LITTLE ONES RECOMMENDED. 159 caufe of induftry, humanity, and religion, in the remoter regions of the Britifli empire, have re- ceived in this great metropolis. They are happy to think that the era is ar- rived, when the Union of the two Kingdoms, originally formed by God and Nature, ?nd adopted by political wifdom, is ratified by time' and experience, and mellowed by habits of fdendOiip. The ilhberality of national diftlnc- tion is happily abolilhed ; and this day exhibits a connexion, which muft be highly grateful to every man who loves his country— the luftre of Scotthh nobility and benevolence, co-operatincr with EngliHi generofity, opulence, and publil fpirit, in maintaining and extending a great, c^e- neral Intereft. One of the firft of citizens, and of miniflers, * juftly gloried in having difcovered virtue and valour in the hardy fons of the North i and he diftingulnied them by honourable employment in the public fervice. Animated with the fame manly, liberal difpofitlon, Britons are this day endeavouring to communicate, and to multiply, the bleffings of peace, to the fons of ignorance * William Pitt, aft.Twards Earl of Chatham. and iGo ATTENTION TO SERM.4. and want ; and, in return, will find them ready, on every greit emergency, to expofe their lives for their country. We are helping to diffufe the knowledge of the Cliriftian religion, and affec- tion to otit happy civil eflabiifhment, in parts of the ifland where rudcnefsand dilloyalty have too long fixed their refidence. A portion of Englifh fpirit, liberty and law, will be conveyed, toge- ther with the ufe of the Englilh language ; and the period approaches, when Britons, from north to fouth, fhall have one fpecch, and be of one heart and foul, as they have one prince, one conftitution, one country, and one religion. The Lcgiflaturc, through the operation of fpirited individuals, is wifely aiming at the cx- tenfion of population, of manufactures and com- merce, in thofe very regions which this Society wiflies to blefs with the facred light of divine Truth; and, propitious be the conjunction! many of the illuflrious charadlers engaged, un- der the authority of Parliament, to give effe(5t to the former defign, have voluntarily embarked with us, this day, in promoting the latter. What may not beexpefted, under the bleilmg of God, from the fupport which fuch principles, and fuch exertions, mud lend to each other ? I mull SERM. 4. LITTLE dNES RECOMMENDED. lOt I muft not here omit to pay the tribute which is due to the memory of departed worth. The late amiable and excellent Lady Vifcountefs Glenorchy was not only a moft liberal and zea- lous fupporter of this charity, while (he lived, as indeed (he was a munificent patronefs of every pious and merciful inftitution, but by her will the Society has, fince our laft Annual Meeting, received an acceffion of no lefs thaiij^ve thoiijand founds to their fund : An argument at once of her enlarged and companionate foul, of the eftima- tion in which (lie held this pious and patriotic eftablilhment, and of the confidence which (he repofed in the managers of it. Let the name of the righteous be held in everlafling remem- brance. I conclude with reminding you. 3. That yoii have a ftill higher character to fupport than that of Men, or even of Britons, namely, that of Chrijtians ; and a motive to la- bours of love infinitely more powerful than any which humanity or patriotifm can fuggeft — gra- titude to Him *' who has called you out of " darknefs into his marvellous light." " You " have taftcd that the Lord is gracious." As thofe therefore who have received mercy, you Vol. II. M l62 ATTENTION TO SERM 4. are dlfpofed to fliew mercy. *' The love of ** Chrlll: conftraineth you" to enter into his views, to promote the end of his miffion, to en- large the boundaries of his kingdom, to commu- nicate and to extend the influence of his inftruc- tions, his example, his fufferings and death. What a harveft is before you ! The piety of others has done muchj but more remains to be done : the field is unbounded ; there are new regions to explore ^ another generation is arifmg, and another, in endlefs fucceflion. The chariiy of the Chriftian embraces ages unborn, aims at the falvation of the immortal foul, reaches for- ward to eternity. Without overlooking the ac- commodation and comforts ofthe life which now is, it ftrives to exalt it's objetfl to the perception, the purfuit, the pofTeflion, of life everlaliing. The difciple ofthe blefled Jefus feels the im- port of thefe words of the apoftle, " He who ** converteth the finner from the error of his ** way, ftiall fave a foul from death, and Ihall •* hide a multitude of fins." He looks forward in exalted hope, with the prophet, to that day, when *' they that be wife fliall fliine as the bright- *' nefs of the firmament, and they that turn '* many unto righteoufnefb, as the ftars for ever ** and ever.'* ** Then Ihall the Kiog fay unto '* them SERM. 4» LITTLE ONES RECOMMENDED. 163 " them 6n his right hand, Come ye bleffed of ** my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for *' you from the foundation of the world. For I " was an hungred, and ye gave me meat; I was *' thirfty, and ye gave me drink; I was a ftranger, *' and ye took me in : Naked, and ye clothed ** me : I was lick, and ye vifited me : I was in " prifon, and ye came unto me. Then fliall the *' rigliteous anfwer him, faying, Lord, when faw " we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirfty, *' and gave thee drink? When faw we thee a> " ftranger, and took thee in? or naked, and ** clothed thee? pr when faw we thee fick, or in ** prifon, and came unto thee ? And the King " fliall anfwer, and fay unto them, Verily I fay " unto you. In as much as ye have done it unto *' one of the leaft of thefe my brethren, ye have " done it unto me.* * Mat. XXV. 34.— 40. M z ADDITION ( >65 ) ADDITION TO SERMON IV. :^ hr'ief Account of the Society in Scotland, for propagating Chrijlian Knowledge^ in the Highlands and Iflands ; and of the Correfpandent Board in London ; from the EjiahlifJjment of the Society in the Tear 1 701, down to the Date of the preceding Sermon) 1780 ; and thence to the Era of this Publication. /^EJECTS poflefs various magnitude and im* ^^ portance, both from their own real, eflential, permanent, quahties; and from the charadler and complexion of the mind which contemplates them. Some are of univerfally felt and acknowledged value and utility ; others are important, or infignificant, according to the tafl-e, and turn of thought, of the beholder. Some are moft highly prized when viewed at a diftance ; others yield more delight on a clofer infpe6lion. Thofe, un- doubtedly, are of higheft eftimation, which combine the mofl; numerous aflemblage of ufeful qualities, and, con- fcquently, colledt the generality of fuifiages. But no man is entitled to undervalue his neighbour's obje6t ; and a wife man will be cautious how he magnifies his favourite, out of meafurc, and out of feafon, left he ex- pofe it to derifion, in his zeal to procure for it undue l-vifpeft. ¥3 In l66 ADDITION TO SERMON IV. In the ardor of recommendation, invidious eompar'i- fons are fometimes ftated between one charitable Inftito- tion and another. This is, at once, impolitic, illiberal, and unjufl. It provokes retaliation, itoffcndsthe impar- tial, it fofters a party-fpirit, which is the declared foe of all charity. To admit the juft claim, and to celebrate tlic juft praile, of a brother, of a rival, nay, of an enemy, is both manly and wife ; for this too provokes retaliation ; fuch retaliation as a good man can avow, and pratlife, with honour. The Society for. propagating Christtak Knowledge is one candidate, among a thoufand, for public favour ; and is at all times difpofed to acknow- ledge, with gratitude, the liberality and munificence with which it's repeated appeals have been anfwercd. A ihort account of it's formation, of it's views, and of it's fuccefs, may, perhaps, be acceptable to thofe who are al- ready it's Members and Supporters, and may be an in- ducement to fudi as are not, to declare their approbation of it's principle, and to contribute towards it's pcrnu- ficncy and utility. In the year 1701, a fniall number of pious, and pub- lic-fpirited, CiLizens ci Edinburgh, thought proper to form themfclvcs into a Society for the reformation of Manners; of all reforms, before or fmcc propofcd, furcly the moft intercfting, patriotic, and important. Nearer objcdls naturally preflcd fijfk on their attention. The dreary and dark regions of their own Country arofe into view, prcfcnting a melancholy and afRivfting pic- ture of accumulated human wrctchedncfs ; — a high nor- thern ADDITION TO SERMON IV. 167 them latitude i a furly climate ; a ftubborn, fterlle foi^ ; civil oppreflion ; and a gloomy, religious fuperftition. Some of thefe were the work of Nature ; and, though they admitted of mitigation, never could be completely- remedied. Others were only local and temporary evils. The human mind is a foil, at all fcafons, and in all fitu- ations, fufceptible of culture ; and the improvement df the mental faculties, has an obvious tendency toward the jnelioration of the external condition. No profpe£t could be jnore difcouraging than what prefented itfelftothe eyes of thofe virtuous Reformers: A Country almoft inacceffible and unknown ; inhabited by men of a different habit, of a different language ; men in a ftate of total ignorance and barbarifm ; the very light that was In them^ worfe than darknefs. The land was, indeed, divided into pariflies, with the legal eftablifh- ment of one church and one fchool in each parifh. But what was the nature, and the extent, of the diftridts thus divided ? Many of thofe parifhes are from thirty to forty Englifh miles in length, fome of them much more ; and thefe interfered with lakes, rapid rivers, arms of the fea, ** rough quarries, rocks, and hills whofe •' heads touch Heaven." Many of them confiil of feve- xal fmall fequeftered iflands, fcattered over a tempeftuous Ocean, which, for a confiderable part of the year, for- bids all communication. Thus fituated, what advantage could by far the greater part of the forlorn inhabitants derive from their parochial eftablifhments ? In the low countries of Scotland, the common people are among the moft civilized and beft inftrudted on the Globe. M 4 They l68 ADDITION TO SERMON IV. Tljcy are all taught, at Icaft, to read ; all are accul- tonied regularly to attend their place of worfliip ; the Clergy vifit their flocks, from houfe to houfe, in a ftated couife of exhortation and catechizing ; and the Country abounds with the Bible, with catechifins, and with innu- merable treatifes on pra6lical religion, in the vernacular language, which are eagerly read, and with no flight de- gree of improvement. It was not fo in the Highlands. There, the generality had no opportunity of learning to read. And if they had acquired that art, To whatpur- pofe, in a region where there were no books, not cvpn the Scriptures, in the native tongue ? In this ftate of torpid inaflion had the faculties of ^ numerous, hardy, and intrepid race lain buried for ages ; unlcfs when roufcd into cafual exertion, at the mandate of a lordly Chieftain. IVIeanwhile Popery was availing herfelf of this dark and rude flate, to make profelytes to the Church of Rome^. ^Religion is neceflTary to the foul of man ; and unlefs inftru6led in one that is rational, purCy peaceable — full of mercy and good fruits ., it will be in danger of adopting one that is irrational, earthly, fen^ fual^ devUtfh. This vi^as unhappily the cafe of the Higl^lands, at the beginning of the prefcnt century. The generally prevailing political principle was a blind, but furious, attachment to the recently exiled Houle of Stuart, and a confequent infuperable averfion to the Con- flitution and Government cftabliflied nt the Revolution, in 1688, and the whole religioui knowledge of the Coun- try was reduced to a few Popifli legends and ceremonits, received without examination, and practifcd without u:i« ^JerAanding. A fc'.v ADDITION TO SERMON IV. 169 A few plain fa6ts, the refult of enquiry made on the fpot, by impartial and intelligent perfons, fpecially ap- pointed for the purpofe, will ferve to confirm and fup- port tke general defcription now given, of the vaft field which the Society propofed, from it's firft formation, to <;ulii;ivat,e. The parifli of South-Uiji confifts of the Iflands of Soiith'UiJi, Beyibecula^ and Erifca. It is 45 miles long, ai/id near 8 miles in breadth ; and it was found to contain about 2600 fouls, of whom 2300 were Papifts : and that there were tvyo Poplfh Priefls ari4 a mafs houfc in it. The parifli of Barra confifts of the Ifland of Barra^ which is 7 miles and a half long, and 3 broad, and of fix other fmall Iflands; and was found to contain about 1300 fouls, of whom 1250 were Papifts. In the time of Charles I. all the inhabitants were Proteftants ; but afta: the Reftoration, this, and the parifli next mentioned, be- ing united, and the minifter refiding always in Harris, Popifh pricfts occupied the former, arid perverted almoU tl^e whole inhabitants. The parifli of Harris confifts of the Ifland of Harris^ and feveri other fmall iflands. It is 36 miles long, and 9 bioad, and contains about 2Q00 fouls, all Proteftants. The parifli of Bokjk'ine is 30 miles long and 6 broad, and contains about 1600 perfons capable of receiving in- ftru6lion, of wliom 4Q0 are Papifts, and thefe increafing \\\ number. The lyO ADDITION TO SERMON IV. The parirti of Urquhart is about 27 miles long, and 18 broad. It contains about 20CO fouls, of whom about 1 30 or 140, who inhabit GUnmortJIon, are Papifls. A Popirti prieft refides frequently in this valley, The-parifti of Kilmallle is 52 miles long, and 37 broad, and contains about 4000 fouls, of whom 35 are Papifts. Fort William is in this parifh. The parifti of Ardnamurchan comprehends the five following diflri^b; Ardnamurchan^ properly fo called, which is 21 miles long, and 6 broad, and contains 1200 fouls, all Proteftants ; Sunart, which is 21 miles long, and 7 and a half broad, and contains 447 fouls, of whom 4 are Papifts ; Moydart^ which is 24 miles long, and from 7 and a half to 10 and a half broad, and contains 828 fouls, of whom 824 arc Papifts ; South Morar^ which is 2 1 miles long, and from 3 to 4 and a half broad, and contains 281 fouls, of whom there is only one Pro- teftant. The whole number of fouls in this Parifh is 3816, of whom 1956 are Papifls. A Popifli prieft re- fides conftantly in Arajaig, where a mafs-houfe was built about ten years ago ; another prieft refides con- ftantly in Moydart^ and a third in South Morar •. The parifh of Le/morc^ to which App'in is now united, is about 60 miles long, and 25 broad, and contains about 3000 fouls. • The account here given of the Parlfljes in the Highlands was taken from furvey about twenty years ago, Sinc« then the cafii is Ifrcatly altered to the better, Tht ADDITION TO SERMON IV. Iji The parifh of Glenmtitck lies on the fouth fide of the river Dee, and is 15 miles long. To it are now united the pariflies of Tulllch and Glengarden, which lie on the north fide of that river, and are 20 miles long, and, at an average, 12 miles broad. They contain about 2200 fouls, of whom about 337 are Papifts. The parifli of Crathle, to which Bracmarr Is now united, is 25 miles long, and about 10 broad, the river Dee running through tlie middle of it, and contains 2253 foyls, of whom t^^I ♦i^^ Papifts. The parifli oi Inveraven is 15 miles long, and from 3 to 4 and a half broad, and contains 1200 fouls. At Scallan, \nXhQhrd£:% oi Glenlivct, in this pari(h, is a Po" pifli College, or Seminary, the only one in Scotland, The number of fludents who attend it is, in general, from 8 to 12 ; mofl: of them are the fons of gentlemen ia the neighbourhood, and fome of them become Priells without going abroad to receive orders. At prefent there are 12 ftudents in this College. About a century ago, the number of Papifts in Glcniivet was fo inconfiderable, that they had no fixed Priefl, but were obliged to fend to Gardenfide^ 12 or 15 miles diftant, for one to vifit their fick, and baptize their children. Since the ere6lion of this College, which was about 70 or 80 years ago, Pa- pery has made fuch a rapid progrefs, that, according to the moft authentic accounts, there are at prefent no fewer than 1520 Paplfts in this and the neighbouring' parifh of Kirkmlchael. In the former, the increafe is 200, fince the year 1750, and in the latter, 77 fincethe year 1755, The fituation of this College is peculiarly calculated for proinoting; IJl ADDITION TO SERMON IV. promoting the interefts of Popery, being in the centre of feven parifhcs, at the diftancc of lo miles from each church, except that of Kirkmichacl, from which it is fix luiles diftant, and furrounded with a ridge of hills, vherehy it is feparated from all the neighbouring coun-^ tries. Bcfide a Prieft, or Bifliop, who refides conftantly at this College, there are generally three, and often fix, Friefts, who officiate in the feycrai mafs-houfcs of bpth parifliej. The parifli of Glcnclg comprehends the dlftritSls of GUnelg, Kiioidart,2\\<\ North Morar. Glenelg is 9 miles long from north to fouth, and the glens, which lie from eaft towefl, are 6 miles long. Kno'idart, whicli is feparated irom Glenelg by an arm of the fea, called Loch-Urn, is .15 miles long from eaft to weft, and 7 miles and a half broad from fouth to north. North Morar^ which is fe- parated from Kncidart by an arm of the fea, called Loib^ Nevis, is 15 miles long from eaft to weft, and from 3 to 4 miles and a half broad, from north to fouth. This computation includes only the inhabited parts of tlic parlfti ; beyond wliich, the mountains, called the utter hills, extend many miles towards Glcngary and Locbab.er ; to thefe mountains the inhabitants migrate with their cattle in Summer. In this parifh are 2570 fouls, of whom 1340 are Papifts. A Popifli Prieft lefidcs con- ftantly at Kno'idart, and officiates in a mafs-houfe at In- vergcfcran, on the fide of Loch-Urn. About four or live years ago, a Popifh lady did, by her lail will, bequeath aconl]deial)lc fum of money for the purpofe of creeling a Popilh ichool, or academy, at North jWorar. Several Qthcr Papifts having alfo contributed for this purpofe, ar; Academv ADDITION TO SERMON IV, I73 Academy was accordingly erected, and ftill fubfifts, at which a Prieft regularly officiates. Laft year there were 16 ftudents, moft of whom were the fons of gen- tlemen in that country. Now, iffuch wasthe ftate of the Highlands in 1774^ when the above faiSts, and a multitude of a funilar na- ture, were afcertained, in what a deplorable condition muft that wretched Country have been, at the period when this Society entered on it's honourable career ? It prefents a people fecluded from all intercourfe with. their fellows fubjeooo — 7,003 From this it appears, that in the courfe of t!ic fiift feventy years of it's duration, the funds of the Society, and it's correfponding exertions, have been advancing with a rapidity of progreflion far beyond cxpecliUion, al- moft beyond imagination: and it prefents an encouraging example of the fucccfs which will ever crown pcrfcvcring efibrts dircvTi-cd to a valuable end. Mufl it not atToid real fatisfaiSlion to every patri- otic, humane, chriflian mind, to trace, from it's rife, through an extended progrefs, both as to time and effect, an Inftitution vvhich embraces obje6ls the mofl invalu- able in the fight of GOD and of Man ? It will ferve as a flanding Icflbn to all future generations, not to be dif- couragcd from making generous, daring aitempts, in a good caufc, whatever real or apparent difficulties may b« in the way. Man knows not what he is capable O' doing ADDITION TO SERMON IV. I77 doing, till he tries his own ftrength. He who aims at high things, and exerts himfelf, will infallibly attain to fomething; but he who fees a Hon continually in the way^ is a perpetual prifoner to his own little timid mind, his powers are all locked up, the genial current of the foul is congealed into a mafs of ice ; he lives, and dies, nfelefs to himfelf, ufelefs to Mankind. Even to fail, in a great and generous undertaking, adminifters a melan- choly confolation to the heart which devifed it, and which made the attempt: What then is it to contemplate a plan of goodnefs carried into effedl? What muft be the fatisfa6lion of the man who fees his benevolent purpofe realized; who beholds a new creation arifing out of dark, rude, difcordant materials? It is, in it's meafure, the felicity of the Creator himfelf, who *' faw every thing that he had made, and behold it was " very good." And if the exertions of a folitary indi- vidual may, by the bleffing of Heaven, work wonders, what is not to be expelled, under the fame divine influ- ence, from a band of Brothers, employing united efforts, and mutual encouragement ; and tranfmitting to future generations a double portion of their pious, zealous, pa- triotic fpirit ! It is, perhaps, worthy of remark, that the era of tha UNION of the two Kingdoms, and of the exiftence of the Society for propagating Christian Know- ledge as a chartered Company, is very nearly the fame. The Royal aflent was given to the A61 of Union March 6th, 1707, and the Patent of Incorporation bears date the 25th M^y,^i709. Thus the moft eventful pe- riod in Britifti ftory ; a period which gave a new and Vol. II. N common lyS ADDITION rO SERMON IV. common name to this Qiieca of Iflands ; which ce- mented the political, commercial, fcientihc, legiflativc and moral interefts of two great Nations, is coeval with the Inflitution of a plan of intcllciSlual, moral and reli- gious improvement, which has greatly meliorated both ends of the Ifland, in " blefling him that gives, and hin\ ** that takes." No fooner had England and Scotland embraced as friends, than they turned their eyes togetlier to the bleak regions of the North, witli the olive-branch extended, faying, " Be partakers of all our privileges; *' learn our language, receive our protection, admit our " religion, fliarc our abundance ; Be free, be wife, be " happy." But to cure ignorance, and to remove prejudice, is not the work of a day. A degrading ariftocracy was the real Government of that remote part of the Country, and diftancc bid defiance to legal authority. What pro- grcfs could the calm purfuits of manners, arts, induflry, humanity, religion, make in a Country agitated by fierce, vindidtive, civil and religious principles — no, not princi- ples ; but gloomy, fuUen, unrelenting prcpofleflions. The Revolution of 1688 was ftill frcfh in the recollec- tion, and in the refentment, of myriads. The name of Stuart was ** as ointn"»ent pouretl forth," and that of Brunfwick fcnt forth a Jllnking favoury to the nofcs of thole deluded Caledonians. The whiggifm of the earlier years of Queen Akne, and the tory'ifm of the latter pe- riod of her reign, had throwo not the Highlands only, but the whole united Kingdoms, into a flatc of fcrracu- taLion. In ADDITION TO SERMON IV. I79 In human affairs, Events " of great pith and moment" fucceed each other with wonderful rapidity. The Union toolc place in 1707 ; the Society for pro- I'AGATiNG Christian Knowledge, was formed by Letters -Patent in 1709; Queen Anne died in 17 14, and a Rebellion was excited, for the purpofe of defeating the Hanover Succeffion, in 17 15. This laft event threat- ened not only to obftru6t the progrefs, but to terminate the exiftence of the infant Society. But, young as it was, it had already contributed toward diffeminating loyalty, and quafhing the fpirit of difaffeflion. Rebel- lion was fpeedily extinguilhed, the hands of Government were ftrengthened, and the exertions of the Society were renewed, with increaCng ardor. The firft meeting of the Society under their incor- porating Patent was numerous and refpedlable. It was held at Edinburgh, Nov. 3d, 1709; and was attended by feveral of the Nobility; by 14 of the Lords of Seffion, by many Gentlemen of fuperior Rank, and by moft of the Clergy of the City and neighbourhood. They chofe their Officers, as the Letters-Patent directed, and ap- pointed a Committee of Diredtors for the regular dif- patch of bufinefs, with powers to meet and a^ as cir- cumftances might require. At theirnext meeting, Jan. 5th, 17 lO, a fcheme of management was prefented, approved, and ordered to be printed, for the information of the Public. Even at this diftance of time, it may be fatisfactory to know what the precife vi^vs of the Society were, from the very <;oral•^ oiencement of their honourable career, and to compare N z their iSo AdDITlON TO SERMON IV. tlaeir original views with their fubfecjuent proceedings, and fuccefs. The following are the mofl material arti- cles of the fcheme propofed, fanclioned and publilhed. 1. To ereil and maintain fchools in fuch places ot Scotland, particularly in tlie Highlands and lllands, as fliould be found to need them moft ; in which fchools, Papifts as well as I'roteftants of every denomination, and all perfons whatfoever, ihould be taught, by fit and well- qualified fchoolmafters, appointed by the Society, to read the Holy Scriptures and other pious books, as alfo to write, and to underftand th$ common rules of arithme- tic, with fuch other things as ftiould be thought fuitable to their circumflances. 2. That the fchoolmafters fliould bo particularly care- ful to inftrudl their fcholars in the principles of the Chriftian Reformed Religion ; and, for that end, (hould be obliged to catechife them at leaft twice a-weck, and to pray publicly with them twice a-day. 3. That not only fuch as were unable to pay, rtiould be tawght gratis y but that tliofe whofc circumftances re- quired It, fliould have fuch farther encouragement as the Society fhould tliink fir, in a confiftency with their patent. 4. To name fome prudent perfons, minifters and others, to be c 'crfeers of thofe fchools, who fliouUl take care, that the fchoolmafters do their duty, and that the inftru to this day, not only Government, but the Legisla- ture itfelf, has adopted the great leading objeft of this Society, and made it the fubjetSt of repeated AcSts <3f Parliament. By an AtSl pafled in the firft year of George T. intitled, " Acl for the more efFe£lual fecuring the peace of the ** Highlands in Scotland," fuch perfons as his Majefty fhould appoint under his royal fign-manual, were re- quired and impowered, on or before the ift of Decem- ber^ 17 16, to lay before his Majefty, an account of the proper places for eflabUfhing fchools, and of the neceffary falaries for the maintenance of them, that all needful provifion might be made for that end. His Majefty having granted a commiflion in purfuance of faid adl, the perfons therein named made a report to his Majefty, bearing, That 151 fchools, exclufive of thofe already eftabliftied, were abfolutely neceflary in the places therein fpecified, whereof they, together with their re- N 4 port, 184 ADDITION TO SERMON IV. port, gave a geograpliical defcrlption ; and that 20I. was a competent falary for each of the fchoolmafters, amount- ing in all to about 3000I. per annum. By an a6l pafled in the fourth year of George I. in-^ titled, ** Aft for vefting the forfeited eftates in Great *' Britain and Ireland, in truftees, to he fold for the ufe " of the public, Sec." it was cna6lcd, " That, of the *' nett monies which fliall arife by fate of the faid eftates *' and intcrefts, or by the rents and profits thereof till *< fale, a fum, not exceeding 20,oool. fhall be appro- *' priated and applied towards the making a capital ftock, *' for a yearly interelt or income, out of the monies ** which fliall arife by the faid eftates which lie in Scot- *' land, and not otherwife, towards ere£ling and main-» " taining fchoolsin the Highlands of Scotland, according *' to fuch ways and methods, and in fuch manner, as " by any future a6l or a£ts of parliament to be made and ** pafled for that purpofe, fliall be diredled and appointed.'* By another a£l, pafled in the fixth year of George I. intitled, *' A61 for laying a duty upon wrought plate, ** and for applying money ariflng from the clear produce, ** (by fale of the forfeited eftates) towards anfwer"^ ^ his *' Majefty's fupply, See," it was provided, ** ThaL no- ** thing in this prefent a6l contained, fliall be conftrued *' any way to invalidate or infringe a provifion made by ** an aft pafled in the fourth year of his Majefly's reiga> ** for appropriating a fum, not exceeding 20,oooI. to be " applied towards erefting and maintaining fcliools in *' the Highlands of Scotland, nor to alter the order and ** manner appointed by the faid aft for raifing the faid " fum ADDITION TO SERMON IV, 185 ** fum out of the monies which fhall arife, by fale of the ♦' forfeited eftates in Scotland, any thing in this prefent ** a6t to the contrary notwithftanding." To make efFeflual the money thus appropriated by Parliament, was a matter too interefting to the High- lands of Scotland to be left altogether unattempted by the Society. They did therefore exert all their endea- vours for this purpofe; firft, by furnifhing the commif- fioners with the proper materials for enabling them to make the requifite report to his Majefty ; and then, by making repeated applications to the members of both houfes of parliament, and to perfons in power, for obtain- ing an a£l: of parliament, dlre6ting the manner in which the aforefaid 20,oooL fhould be applied to the purpofes to which it had been appropriated. They afterwards pre- fented a petition to his Majefty on this fubje6t; which was referred to the Board of Treafury. But no part of this money has ever been received by the Society. By what influence, the efFe6l of an A£l of the Le- gislature, for a purpofe fo benevolent and patriotic, could have been eluded or defeated, it is, perhaps, not eafy to afcertain ; or if it could, to expofe it might be deemed invidious. It is fufEcient to obferve, in this plac2, that the Society is not indebted, for any part of it's profperity, to the fpoils of the deluded abettors of Rebellion in either 17 15 or 1745: and that Royal Bounty and private munificence have fuice amply com- penfated the non-appropriation of the large fum voted by Parliament, for the inftruition and civilization of the Highlands aud Iflands of Scotland. Demands l86 ADDITION TO SERMON IV. Demands for additional Schools increafing much faftcr tljan the funds of the Society, it was refolved, in 172S, to make application to the Barons of Exchequer, for a grant of fome part of tlie vacant flipends which fall to the Crown, in aid of their flender means. Applica- tion was accordingly made and repeated, but was treated with mortifying neglecfl. As private individuals, men arc generally benevolent and generous, but official men, and Boards, arc unfeeling and ungracious. The capital had now rifen to 9131I. 15s. gd. the Schools to 78, and the fcholars intruded to 2757. The following year, 1729, a meafure was adopted and carried into execution, which has eventually promoted the caufe of the Society more than even the well-in- tended parliamentary interpofition could have done, or tlian could have been extorted by importunity from pub- lic Boards. Dr. Williams's Legacy had afforded a very flattering proof, that the various objecls of the Society were regarded with high approbation in the Britifh Me- tropolis ; it was therefore refolved, conformably to powers vefted in them by the Letters-patent, to grant a Com- miffion to certain perfons, rcfident in London, as their Correfpondents, for receiving fubfcriptions, donations, legacies, &c. toward the defign of tlieir inlVitution ; as alfo for laying out whatever funis might be entrufted to them ; and in 1731, the Society confulcring, that it is the cuftom of charitable focieties in England, to receive annual contributions, or fubfcriptions for annual pay- ments, from wcll-difpofed perfons; and that it might prove beneficial to this Society, to receive in the fame inanntr annual donations or fubfcriptions, did agree to accept ADDITION TO SERMON IV. iBj accept the fame ; which fhould be cither wholly ex- pended, or added to the capital flock, as the refpeflive donors fhould determine. What the effect of this was, will be feen in the fequel. It was found expedient, in procefs of time, to extend the views of the Society even beyond the mental and moral improvement of the obje6ts of their charity ; or rather more effedlualiy to promote thefe, by endeavour- ing to meliorate their temporal condition. But they were reftri«Sted by their Patent. In 1738, therefore, the Society confidering that, by their Patent, they were not impowered to ere«5l fchools for the purpofe of in- ftrudling the poor children in hufbandry, trades, or ma- nufaftures, which is the moft proper and effe6lual means of curing that habit of idlenefs which is but too preva- lent among the inhabitants of the Highlands, refolved to apply to his Majefty for an enlargement of their powers ; and did accordingly obtain a fecond Patent to that efFef:. Some time after this, the Society came to the fol- lowing refolutions, with regard to the management of their funds, in as far as concerns their firft and fecoud Patents, I, That no parttjf the ftock of the Society which was bequeathed or given to them, or whereof they vvere poffeffed at the date of the fecond patent or charter, fhall be applied to any of the additional purpofes in that fe- cond charter mentioned : but that the whole thereof ihall be applied to the fame purpofe as formerly, agree- ably l86 ADDITION TO SERMON IV. ably to the charter fubfifting at the date of the donations or tontributions, whereof that flock is compofed. 2, That whatever donations have becr> made fmce the date of the fecond patent, or lliall for the future be made, without any particular direftion from the donors, flull be apphed promifcuoufly to the purpofes of the firft r>r fecond patent, as the Society fhall find moft likely to anfwer the laudable ends of either, or of both. 3. That whatever fums have been already given for the fpecial purpofes either of the firfl or fecond patent, Ihall be applied accordingly. And that if any future benefaftor fhall think fit to make a fpecial donation, cither wholly for the purpofes of the firft or fecond char- ter, or in certain proportions, to the purpofes of either of the charters, the Society will caufc feparate accounts of fuck appropriations to be kept, in order that the will of fuch benefactors may be ftriiflly obfcrved. 4. That the Society will conflantly take care to conjoin the purpofes of both patents ; and while they "tvill profecute, as they fhall be enabled, thofc of the fecond, they will never fufTer the purpofes of the firfl patent to be neglected. In order to which, in cafe any contributor fhall direfk the money by him given, to be applied fingly to the purpofes of the fecond patent, the Society will take care, out of their other funds, to caufc the fame children to be intruded, in terms of the ferfl and original patent, And ADDITION TO SERMON IV. 189^ And thus, by the operation of this fecond Patent, the^ Society had united obje6ls of indifpenfable importance- to human happinefs; the cultivation, at once, of the bodily and of the mental powers ; moral and religious improvement, together with the pra6ticc of ufeful arts and kabits of induflry ; in other words, the uitaus of at- laining temporal and everlafting felicity. His Majefty King George I. had, leveral years previ- ous to the date of the fecond Patent, made a kappy pre- paration for it's introdu6lion and efFedt, by making (in 1725) his firft donation of loool. to be employed by the General Aflembly of the Church of Scotland, for the reformation of the Highlands and Iflands, and other places where Popery and ignorance abounded. This a<3: of Royal Muniiicence has e^'er fince been annually re- peated by that Prince, and his Succedbrs. And never, fujrely, was bounty more happily conceived, more oppoi- tuneljf beftowed, nor more faithfully and fuccefstuily- applied. A {landing military force to overawe the Highlands and Iflands, and to fecure allegiance by ter- ror, would have been lefs efFe6lual, and much more ex- penfiye. And the Country was thus completely indem- nified for the inefficacy of an Aft of the Legiflature, by a perfonal A&. of the Sovereign. This annual donation is managed by a committee, nominated b)-- the General Aflembly, called the Committee for manughig the Royal Bounty,, In 1739, the firft attempt vfas made to facilitate In- flruction, by the publication of a vocabulary Gaelic and EngUfli, for the ufe of the Society's Schpols; and, a fe;y 190 ADDITION TO lERMON tV. few years after, this was follovveil up by a tranflatlon into Gaelic of that well-known tra6t, Baxter's Call to the Unconverted; the expcnfc of the tranflation, and of print- ing 1000 copies, being defrayed bytlie gcnerofiiy of Jcfepb Darner^ of the kingdom of Ireland, Efq. accompanied with a donation of lool. for the general purpofes of the So- ciety. This exhibits a pleafing view of the eftimation in which the Society's objedls and efforts were held in the Sifter Kingdom; as well as of the pious, liberal, and enlarged mind of the Individual. Though the Highlands and Iflands of their own Country prefented a vaft field to the compafTion and be- neficence of the Society, they had in contemplation, from the beginning, a farther, an unbounded objedl, namely, the illumination of Heathen Nations. The profecution of this humane view had never been loft fight of, much lefs relinquifhed ; but, from the narrow- ncfs of their funds, it ncceftarily remained, for many years, in a ftate of fufpenfion. At length, in 1730, long after tlie death of Dr. fVilUamSy whofe bequeft to this purpofe has been already mentioned, they found them- felves in a condition to make a beginning. A commif- fion was, accordingly, granted to his Excellency Jona- than Belcher, Efq. Governor of MafTachufett's-Bay, and to other gentlemen of character and influence in New England, to be their Correfpondents in thofe parts, with power to them to chufc pcrfons qualified for being em- ployed as Miflionaries, and not employed by any other Society, to fix the falary which fhould be given to each of thofe Miflionarics, and to fpccify tlic particular places where they ftiould fcrvc. In purfuancc of this commilFion, which ADDITION TO SERMON IV. I9E which was mofl readily accepted by his Exccliency Go- vernor Belcher, and the other perfons therein mmed, three Miffionaries were appointed by them, with a falary of 20I. each, for inftru6ling in Chriflian Knowledge the' Indians on the borders of New England, viz. Mr. Jofeph Secomby who was flationed at Fort-George on George's River, where the Penobfcot Indians traded ; Mr. Ebene- zer Hinfdalc, at Fort-Dummer on Conne6ticut River ; and Mr. Stephen Par ker^zt Fort-Richmond, both of them places of refort for the Indians. Upon an application from Governor Belcher, the General Court of the Province of Maflachufett's-Bay voted, that lool. per annum of their currency Ihould be paid out of the public treafury to each of the aforefaid Miffionaries, provided that they fhould ufually refule at the three places above mentioned, or at fuch other places as fliould be named by the faid Gene- ral Court, and there perform the duty of Chaplains. Thefe Miffionaries were maintained by the Societv till the year 1737, when they were difmifled, on account of their want of fuccefs, and of their declinmg to live among the Indians. Previous to this, viz. in 1735, the eftate bequeathed by Dr. Williams had been conveyed to the Society , the; free yearly rent whereof then amounted to 56I. The Truflees for the Colony of Georgia, having, in 1735, engaged a confiderable number of people, from the Highlands of Scotland, to fettle there, and being de» firous that they fhould have a Prelbvterian Minifter to preach to them in Gaelic, and to teach and catechiie the children in Englifli, applied to the Society to grant a commiffioo. 192. Addition to sermon tv. commiflion to fuch MInifter, who fliould likcwife a(5l as one of tlieir MiiTionaries for inftru6ling the native In- dians, and to allow him a falary for fome years, until the Colony fliould be able to maintain him at their own fole^ cxpenfc. Thefe Truftees farther agreed to give to this Miffionary, and to his fucccflbrs, in perpetuity, 30oacre9 of land. The Society accordingly granted a commif- fion to Mr. John Maclcod^ a native of the Ifle of Sky, with a falary of 50I. This Mifljon was fupported till the year 1740, when tlie grcatcfl: part of the inhabitants of this Colony having been cut off, in an unhappy expe- dition againft the Spaniards at St. Auguftme, Mr. Mac- Uod left Georgia. In 1 741 the Society eflablillied a Board of Cor- refpondcnts at New York, with the fame powers, and for the fame purpofes, with that eftabliflicd at Bofton, eleven years before. This Board appointed Mr. Azariah Morton to be Mif- fionary on Long Ifland, a part of the Province of New York, with a falary of 40I. and named, as his afiiftant and interpreter, one Adiranda, an Indian, formerly a trader, but who had for fome time laboured to inftru6t the Delaware and Sufquehanna Indians. Afiranda died foon after his appointment ; but Mr. Norton remained for fcveral years on Long Ifland ; where he at firft met with great fuccefs in converting the native Indians ; but afterwards this mifTion, not having been found exien- fivcly ufeful, was difcontinued. Id ADDITION TO SERMON IV. I93 In 1 743, the Society appointed Mv. David Braimrd to be a miffionary, with a falary of 40I. and gave him an interpreter. He officiated among the Indians in Albany in the province of New York, and then among the De- laware Indians in the province of Penfylvania ; among whom, and the Indians on the borders of New Jerfey, he remained till his death in 1747, his labours having been remarkably blelTed. He was fucceeded by his brother Mr. John Bralnard; who having been occafionally employed wherever he could be ufeful, was, in 1759, eflablifhed as miffionary among the Indians who were fettled upon a track of land purchafed for them by the government of New Jerfey ; where he continued to labour with much fuccefs for many years. The Society for the propagation of the gofpel in New England, having refolved to fend, at their own expence, one miffionary and one Tchoolmafter to the Cherokee Upper Towns, provided the Society in Scotland fhould fend another miffionary and fchool- mafter to the fame towns, this Society allowed 60I. per annum for fuch miffion, which was put under the management of certain perfonsin Carolina and Virginia. In confequence of this, Mr. Martin undertook the mif- fion in December 1757; and appearances being promi- fmg, Mr Richardfon was fent in the year following; but the Cherokees having joined in hoftilities with the French agalnft Great Britain, this miffion was foon given up. The board of correfpondents at Boflon having ceafed to a6lfmce the year 1737, when the miffions under their Vol. II. O infpeclion 194 ADDITION TO 5EPM0N IV. infpe£lion were withdrawn, the Society granted 2 new commifTion to the Honourable Thomas Hutchin- Jotif then Lieutenant-Governor of the province of Maf • fachufett's-bay, and to certain other gentlemen of tlie town of Bofton, to be their correfpondents, with the ufual powers. This board fent three miflionaries to O- honoquagie, an Indian town on the banks of Sufquahanna river, where they were received with great cordiality ; but not having been fo fuccefsful as was expe<5led, they returned to Burton. As ignorance of the Indian language liad always prov- ed a great ohllacle to the propagation of the gofpcl among the North-American Indians, the board of coircfixDud- cnts, above mentioned, adopted a plan for the education of Englifh and Indian youths; in confequence of which three Indians were put to fchool : but many inconve- niencies, and particularly a great deal of cxpenfe, having been found to attend this fcheme, it was dropped. They tlien attempted to eftablirti fchools in the Indi;.n fcttlemcnts; but h(.)riilitics having been commenced by the Indians on the borders of New England, this mca- furc was attended with little efFe^l. Mean while the board of correfpondents at Bofton having folicitcd the Society to apply in their behalf to the General Aflembly of the church of Scotland, a col- led\ion was appointed to be made through all the pnriHj- churches in Scotland, for the purix)fe of ChrilViani/ing the North Amcric.m Indians, the money arifnig from which amounted to 545I. 5s. 3d. This colletf^ion was made in tl^ year 1764. The ADDITION TO SERMON IV. I95 The Reverend Dr Eleazar lVl:ielock havings in 1754, eftabliflied a charity-fchool at Lebanon in Connedticut, for the education, partly of Indian, and partly of Engiifh youths, to qualify them for being fent as miflionaries, in- terpreters, or fchoolmafters, to the different Indian tribes ; and this fchool being in a flourifliing condition, he ap- plied to the Society for having a board of correfpond- cnts, with the ufual powers, appointed in the colony of Connefticut, which board might fuperintend future mif- fions in thofe parts. This requeft the Society granted and gave a ADDITION TO SERMON IV. 'J he London Board condu6led with fidelity cvcrv pe- cuniary trull committed to them, hut I^ondon itfelf, that woild within itfelf, prefentcd a field of benevolence not yet cultivated, a vein of wealth not yet opened. It is well known that the caufe of mofl charitable Inftitutions is maintained and promoted in the Britirti Metropolis chiefly by means of the two great principles of Human Nature, Religion and Sociality. The Correfpondcnt Board obfervcd other benevolent Societies availing them- felves from year to year of the combined power of thefe principles, and rcfolved to follow the example. Accord- ingly it was agreed, at a Sj)ecial General Meeting of the Board, held on November 18, 1773* that early in the Spring following, a Sermon {liould be preached in re- commendation of the Chanty, and that afterwards the Friends of the Inftitution fhould dine together, and en- deavour to fupport and extend it's objedt by obtaining donations or annual contributions, to be immediately ap- plied to the general purpofes of the Society. Tiic event full V juAitied tlie propriety of this mcafure. Care l)ad been taken to avoid all appearance of paity fjiirir, in the arrangements made on thisoccafion. The pulpit of the liberal-minded Mr. SpUfbury was fixed upon, and the amiable and unaffumiiig Dr. Langford was fclectcd to be the Preacher. The Service at Salter's Hall was well attended, and a liberal colleftion obtained. Crentlemen of various religious denominations, and of various ranks in civil life, aflembled at dinner, perfect haamony prevailed, the intcrefls of the Society were warmly fupported, and [X)vverful encouragement was. jjivcn to repent the experiment once every year. The ADDITION TO SERMON IV. 209 The Scottifh Nobility and Gentry? refident in Lon*. don, were now induced to take up the caufe. They became members of the Cbrrefpondent Board ; they exe- cuted the office of Steward ; they nobly vied with each other in promoting the Charity : and each fucceeding year exhibited a fucceffion of fplendor and munificence united. Some of them, indeed, had already aided the Society by the ertablifhment and fupport of Schools on various parts of their own eftates. Unlike their lordly anceftors, whofe pride it was to exercife uncontroled fway over abjedl, ignorant flaves, they gloried in the il- lumination and improvement of their vaffals, and gene- roufly contributed their time^ their countenance, and their fubftance, toward the extenfion of objeds fo defiirabie. Minifters of the Church of England, coalefced with tbeir Diflenting and Scottifh brethren, in carrying on this great and good Work. The Preacher was annually feledted, without any regard to the religious denomina* tion to which he belonged. The Prefbyterian followed the Independent ; he, in his turn, was fucceeded by the Atiabaptifl ; all was liarmony, all was zeal. The more that the caufe wias enquired into, the more it appeared to merit fupport ; and befide a regular annual fubfcrip- tion, valuable donations and bequefls were, from time td time, increahng the fphere of the Society's influence and ufefulnefs. Two inflances of'thefe deferve particii^' larly to be commemorated. The firfl of them 'difplays an ac^ of munificence as fplendidj as the manner in which it was performed is unoftentatious and humble. For fome time previous to Vol. II. P the 2IO ADDITION TO SERMON IV. the month of April, 1791, a correfpondcnce had been carried on between a refpciStable clergyman of the Church of England and the Secretary of the Society, refpe6ting the nature of the inftitution, the ftate of the Society's funds, and the objedls to which they are de- voted. Inquiries on thefe points, it feems, were made at the requeft of a gentleman, who then had it in view to become a bcnefaftor to the Society, but who wiflied previoufly to fatisfy liimfelf as to the profpe6^ of utility to the public, from his intended donation. The infor- mation wanted, was immediately given, in the fulleil and freeft manner ; and, as the Secretary was afTured by his reverend corrcfpondcnt, to the entire fatisfadtion of the gentleman at whofe defire the correfpondence was carried on. The hopes of the members were in confe- quence excited, of a confiderable donation ; but their moft fanguinc ideas were far exceeded by the munificent gift of which they foon after received the notice : For in a.Jetter from the fame clergyman, towards the end of March, a truft deed was tranfmitlcd to the Secretary, conveying to tlic Society the fum of ten thousand FOUNDS flock in the national fund of the five per cent. annuities. The ftock was transferred to a mod refpe«5l- able gentleman, Tfaac Hawkins Browne, Efq. as truf- tee, to receive the dividends on thcSociETY's account for a few years, if they fhould think it proper that tho truft ftiould continue fo long ; but with power to them to take the ftock into their own management, in cafe they fliould fo incline. This donation, fo confiderable and unexpc6led, was rendered ftill more remarkable by tl)6 fuigular delicacy of the generou^ donor's mind. While he took cfTe^ual meafures that the benefit of his - ■ donation ADDITION TO SERMON IV. 2II donation fhould be enjoyed by the Public, he dlfcovered an equal and no lefs effedual anxiety, that the benefac- tor fhould remain altogether unknown. The Society are therefore prevented from communicating perfonally to himfelf the fentiments of gratitude and refpedl with which this princely benefadion has impreffed their mmds. Thefe however, they anxioufly embraced the earliefl; opportunity of expreffing to the clergyman through whofe channel this correfpondence had been conduded, and to the gentleman who had been nomi- nated, and had confented to ad as truflee. By them the grateful impreffions of the Society were communicated to this generous, though unknown, friend to religion and his country. As a fmall teflimony of their gratitude (the only one in their power), the Society unani- moufly refolved, and immediately ajjumed as members both the gentleman who is appointed trultee, and the clergyman above referred to. The refpedable Truftee, Mr. Browne has fince transferred the flock to the So- ciety, has qualified himfelf as a member of the Lon- don-Board, by a handfome annual fubfcription, and by ferving the office of Steward. Soon after the intelligence of this large and uncom- mon donation had been given, the Society had the fatisfaaion to receive accounts of a fecond acceffion to their funds, flill more confiderable than the former, by a legacy of the l^le Peter Huguetan, Lord Vanvryhoiiven of Holland. For many years, this Nobleman had been a regular and liberal benefador to the inftitution, at the anniverfary meetings of the Correfponding Board in London : and in 1789, the Society received from P 2 hi.Tl ItZ ADDITION TO SERMON IV. him a donation of five hundred pounds of die four per cent. Bank annuities, transferred to them by a deed of truft. After his death, which happened in the courfe of this year, it appeared, that by his will, lie had, amongfl: a variety of other legacies, to different charitable inflitutions, and to a very large amount, be- tjueathed to the Society in Scotland for propagating Chriftian Knowledge, the fum of twenty thousand PdUNDS, for the purpofes of the firft and fecond pa- tents; that is to fay, for promoting religion, literature, and induftry in tlie Highlands and Iflands. His Lord- ihip's executors found it ncceflary, before paying any of the legacies, to have the authority of the Court of Chan- eery for their procedure. This occafioned fome little delay in the payment of the legacy ; but after a friendly procefs, the Socihtv was put in pofleflion of this great and munificent bequeft. While Providence was tlius miraculoufly multiply- ing the refources of the Society, they were employed in exploring the vaft field of their benevolence, both at home, and in diftant regions, and in dcvifing the bcft: means in their power, as humble fulicnN -workers with God, to extend ihe empire of Knowledge, Virtue, and Happinefs. As the revenue of the Eftate in Huntingdonniirc, be- tjueathed to the Society by Dr. Jl'iliiams., as already mentioned, and fome other brandies of their funds, are I>Y the donors fpeeially api>ropriatcd to the propagation of GhriAian Knowledge in America, and other heathen and infKlel countries, the Society has not been inattentive to ADDITION TO SERMON IV. 213 to the proper application of thefe funds. Two Aliffion- aries are ftill employed by them in America, viz. the Reverend Mr. Kirkland among the Oneida, Onondago, and Seneka Indians, and the Reverend Mr. Sergeant among the Stockbridge tribes. Of the ardent zeal and indefatigable exertions of the former, the Society have repeatedly had occafion to report in the warmeft terms of approbation. His late journals afford fufficient evi- dence that his labours are continued w^ith uniform ear- neftnefs and perfeverance. They exhibit a pi6lure of benevolence, of labours, and of fufFerings in the caufe of the Gofpel, which fcarcely has been exceeded fince the days of the Apoftles. To his pious and unwearied exer- tions for enlightening the darkened minds of the Indian tribes, and particularly thofe of Canada, among whom he undertook a long and perilous tour for that purpofe, he added the expenfe of relieving numbers when perilh- ing with hunger. A famine, it feems, prevailed in their country; and his humane and generous mind, fliocked with the fcenes of mifery which he beheld, willingly di£lated efforts for the relief of the fufferers, far beyond what his narrow income could afford. The Savages, afFe6led with a deep fcnfe of gratitude, beheld him with the reverence due to a fuperior being; numbers willingly received his inftrudlions; many, it is to be hoped, to their eternal joy. The Dire6lors, feeling themfelves called upon by the fame principles which influenced the conduft of this good man, unanimoufly agreed to remit an adequate fum for his ufe, to defray this extraordinary expenfe, and to teftify their warm approbation of his benevolence. P 3 Tlie 214 ADDITION TO SERMOK IV. The labours of Mr. Sargeant, though in a narrower fphcre, have been found faithful and affuluous. What fuccefs may ultimately attend the exertions of the So- ciety in thefe remote and unenlightened regions, time only can unfold. That many individuals among the Savages have, by the blefTuig of God, become favingly acquainted with the truths of the gofpel, and that the morals and external condu6l of great numl)ers have been improved, there is fufficient ground to believe. One thing is acknowledged by all who have opportunity to be acquainted with thefe tribes, that thofc of them among whom the light of the gofjX"! has been in any nieafure difFufed, have become Icfs add idled to cxcefs in the ufe of fpirituous liquors, lefs cruel and ferocious in ihcir manners, and more attentive to the arts of civili/xd life, particularly to agriculture. Of late, propofals have been laid before the Society for fome farther cxtenfion of their exertions, by eftablifhing fchools in the Indian territories, for educating in the principles of Chriftianity, literature, and civilization, the children of the Indians, particularly tliofe of the Sachems or chief men ; and alio for fending a new miffion into the remote, and hitherto glmoft unexplored, country of the Chcrokces. Thofc propofals appeared to them to merit attention ; The tirft of them, that for ere<5ling fome new fchools for the edu- cation of Indian youth, they have already taken mea- furcs to render efficient ; the other is a matter of fuch difficulty, and attended with fo much expenfc, that far more information muft he obtained, as to the method of carrying it into execution, and its probable fuccefs, before it can be prudent to make the attempt. A plan formerly under confidciatlon, for conveying the knowledge of the gofpel ADDITION TO SERMON IV. 215 gofpel to Africa, by means of fome emancipated and con- verted negroes of Rhode liland, has again been renewed; and the Direftors have written to the refpedable clergy- man with whom the propofal originated, for fuch infor- mation as may enable them to judge of its pradlicability. Before we quit the fubje£l of America, it may, per- haps, be acceptable to fome Readers, to perufe the fol- lowing communication relative to the exertions and fuc- cefs of the Society in that part of the World, It firffc appeared in the public prints of the day, in May, 1772, and feems highly worthy of being preferved ; and the ra- ther that though the political fyftems of both the Old and New Worlds have undergone very material altera- tion fince that period, the religious fyllem remains un- broken, undifturbed. It is conceived in thefe terms : ** It is with particular pleafure we lay before the pub- " lie any accounts of the fuccefs of attQfnpts to fpread the '* gofpel among the heathens in America, as nothing *' can tend more to fecure our Colonies in that part of *' the World, from the ravages and defolations of Indian ** wars, which have been fo feverely felt, than bringing ** thofe poor benighted people to the knowledge of the " Chriftian ReHgion, which naturally unites them to us " in afFedion and intereft, by the moft facred of all *' bonds; and every defign of this fort merits the greater *' attention in this country, as it is well known how in- *' defatigable our hereditary and inveterate enemies the ** French are, in endeavours, by their Miflionary Priefts, " and all manner of art and intrigue, to bring the In- ♦' dlans to embrace the Romi{h corruptions of Chrif- P 4 " tianity. 2l6 ADDITION TO SERMON IV. " tianity, thereby the more efFe6lually to alienate them *^ from us, and to ufe them as inftruments to difturb our *' Settlements, which brought on the lafl: general war, *' that fo terribly diftrefTed our fellow-fubjc£ts and coun- *' trymen beyond the Atlantic, and left fo grievous a bur- " then on tlic nation. The Honourable Society *' IN Scotland for propagating Christian *' Knowledge, whofe Miffionaries, employed among ** the natives of America, have had very confulerable " fuccefs in convsrting them to the Chriftian Faith, *' lately received a letter from the Rev. Mr. ^^ww Cald- *' vjcll^ Secretary to their Board of Correfpondents in *' New England, accompanied with a letter to him from " the Chiefs of three Tribes of Oneida Indians contain- "' ing their thanks for a prefent from the Society; *' which letter, at the fame time that it gives an agree- *' able proof how fufceptihle the wildcfl of mankind are " of humanizing impreflions, affords a pretty enough *' fpccimen of the beautiful fimplicity of the language of *' Nature, and of the nervous manner in which the *' hearts of Savages, when but a little tutored, will ex- ** prefs the feelings of gratitude for kindnefs, wherewith *' they are fenfibly touched. The Society having " tranfmitted the two letters to the Board of their Cor- •' refpondent Members in London, we very readily *•' comply with their defire to have the fame publiflied, ** as a means of exciting the afTiftance of the pious and " public fpirited to an Inftitution, the laudable defigns *' of which are fo much connected with tlie glorious " purpofes of the gofpel, and the cflential interefts of the *' Nation, not doubting but therein we flinll highly gra- f Vify all the true lovers of our Holy Religion, and real *' fj^iends ADDITION TO SERMON IV. 21^ <' friends of their Country, as the charitable zeal for *' which the Englifh fpirit is fo diftinguifhed, cannot be *' better exerted than in promoting the good work of this *' Society. " The letter from Mr. Caldwell is as follows: «' Elizabeth Town, May i, 1771. *' THEprefent of lol. fent from theHonour- ** able Society to the Oneida Indians, was delayed for " fome time, till we could find out, by what particular " Tribe the Belt was fent, and the moft acceptable and " ufeful remittance. This being done, I received the " following addrefs ; a copy of which I hereby tranf- ** mit you. " To the Rev. James Caldwell. ** Oneida, Dec. 10, 1770. ** FATHER, ** WE have not much to fay, but are very " thankful that our Belt has revived after fo long a time, *^ and it's prefent language founds agreeable in our ears, " which at the fame time reached the heart with pecu- " liar joy, as we are very poor. ^*' We return thanks to our Fathers beyond the great ** waters, for the confideration they have made us of lol. ** flerling. We thank them from our very hearts, and ^' alfo blefs God, who has put it into their hearts to fhew ^^ us this kindnefs. The 2lS ADDITION TO SERMON IV. ** The holy word of Jefus has got place amoii" us, *' and advances, IVIany have lately forfaken tlicir fms, " to appearance, and turned to God. There are fome *' among us who are very fiubborn and ftrong, but Jefus *' is Almighty, has all Hrcnglli, and his holy word is •' very ftrong too, therefore we hope it will conquer and " fucceed more and more. We fay no more, only afk ** our Fathers to pray for us, although they are at a great *•• diftance. Perhaps, by and by, through the ftrength ** and mcrcv of Jefus, wc fliall meet in his kingdom " above. Farcwel. (S'rgncd} " Tago Warrkn, Chief the Bare Tribe. *' Sl'chnagearat, Weft Tribe. " OjEiKHELA, Tarcle Tribe." To return, the Society confidcred the providential accefiion to their funds as a call upon them for increafed exertion in their expenditure ; they were led to enlarge their idens, and their plans, to a fcale corrcfponding with their extended capacities of ufcfulnefs. The remote wcftcrn Higlilands and Iflands, of uM the countries of Scotland, were the leaft known to the So- ciKTY, and, of ail thofeto which their attention is called by their patents, had leaft experienced the benefit of their inftitution. It was refolved that their Secretary, Dr. 'John Kempy Ihould vifit thofe diftant and widely extended diftrifls, enquire into the ftatc of religion, lite- rature, and induftry among their inl.abitant^i, and report to the Soc lETY fucli plans as IhouKI aj^pcar moft likely to proiiK)tc their improvement. ADDITION TO SERMON IV. 219 The greateft part of two Summers were, accordingly, employed by Dr. Kemp m fulfilling this very important and ufeful miffion ; which he did much to his own cre- dit, to the fatisfadion of his Conftituents, and to the ad- vantage of the regions which he vifited. His reception, wherever he went, was gracious and hofpitable : The Gentry, the Clergy entered into the views of his em- bafTy ; gave him all needful information ; and engaged to co-operate with the Society in all their efforts of t^nevolence : and what muft; be peculiarly grateful to every liberal mind, though one of the profeffed objeds of the Society is to eradicate Popery, the Secretary not only met with much perfonal civility from fome of the Clergy of the Roman-Catholic perfuafion, but with a liberality of fpirit and a zeal which refled the highefl honour on them, they adopted and forwarded the general objeds of his miffion, particularly by exhorting and ufing their influence with their people, to fend their children to the fchools of the Society, to be inflru6led in literature, and in thofe great principles of religion in which all feds among Chriftians are united. It was a fight, affuredly not common— a Proreftant minifter, commiffioned by the Society for propagating Chriftian Knowledge, attended in his progrefs by Roman Catholic prlefts, and they zealoufly joining with him in common efforts, to promote the reading of the Scriptures among :he youth of their own community. WhattheviewsoftheSflciETY were in employing ' their Secretary on this fervice ; what ideas prefented themfelves to his mind from an adu::! furvey of the Country ; and what propofitions he vvas thence enabled to 220 ADDITION TO 5ERM0K IV. to mnke, toward ameliorating the condition of thofc for- lorn tribes — for all thefe the Reader is referred to the Appendix of the annual Sermon preached at Edinburgli, in 1791. A difcerning and generous EngliHi Public will, from Dr. Kemp's ftatement of things, be guarded againft the illiberal infinuation thrown out by fome, That the Society is getting too rich, and therefore ftands in no need of farther fupport. If fuch an idea is fa'ioujly en- tertained, it may be neceflary to rcqueft only a moment's attention to a brief abftradl of the annual expenditure, and to a few fa<5l8 immediately connc6ted with it. From this abflra^l it appears, that they have ere£led and endowed, no lefs than thrc^ hundred and twenty -three Ichools for religion, the firft principles of literature, and induflry, at the annual expence of three thou/and, tivo hundred and fourteen pcunds, ten Jhillings ; lixtcen of which are new eftablifliments within the current year At thefc feminaries are educated, from fourteen to fifteen ihoufand children ; who, but for the means of inrtruc- tion tlius 3i7ordcd them, would, in all probability, be bred up in ignorance and idlentfs : — That tlicy employ twelve mifTionary miniflcrs and catcchirts in remote parts of the Higlilaiuls and Iflands, or among the ignorant Highlanders fettled in the great towns of Scotland, at the annual expence oilvjo hundred tnd ninety -fix pounds. — That ADDITION TO SERMON IV. 221 — That they beftow a burfary,orpenfion,of 15 pounds per annum, on each of Jix Students of Divinity hzv'mg the Gaelic language : hence, ninety pounds per annum : — That they employ tzvo miffionary minifters, and one fchoolmafter, among the Oneida and Stockbridge Indians of North America, (being the deftination of cer- tain legacies bequeathed to them), at the annual expence of one hundred and forty pounds. Such is their fixed fcheme of expenditure for the cur- rent year, amounting in all to three thou/and, /even hun- dred and forty pounds, ten fhillings — a fum it will be ac- knowledged of very confiderable magnitude. But befides this, they have fubje£led themfelves to a variety of other neceffary, though incidental expenfes. They are carrying on the tranflation and printing of the laft volume of the Old Teftament Scriptures in Gae- lic, befides a new edition of 20,000 copies of the Gaelic New Teftament, under the fuperintendance and revifioa of the Reverend fohn Stuart, Minifter of Lufs (the tranllator of two volumes of the Old Teftament,) whofe labours, in that line, have been of much benefit to the public, and have done great credit to himfelf in the efti- mation of all competent judges. The expence of paper alone for this work, amounts to one hundred andfeventy- eight pounds for the current year. They have to pay of annuities, in confeqwence of fums left to them as refiduary leptees, one hun4reditnd eighty-nine pounds. O^ 223 ADDITI05J TO SEnMOIT IV. Of land and houfe taxes, one hundred and eight pounds. They defray the expence of many of the candidates who come to Edinburgh for examination with proper certificates of their chara6ler, and often of their refidence there, weeks together, for their improvement before they are fuftained, and enrolled in their books, as qua- lified for being employed as fchoolmafters in their fervicc. When they remove fchoolmafters from one ftation to another, (and fometimes they are at confiderable dif- lances), they always make them an allowance for the expenfe. And the laft mentioned, though not the leafl c.xpenfive article of this clafs, they furnifli the fchools on their eftablifliment, cfpecially thole in remote places, where they are not othcrwife to be had, and where be- Cdes the people arc too poor, or too ignorant of their ralue, to purchafe them, with the books abfolutely ne- ceflary for carrying on the education of youth ; fpelling books, catechifms. New Teftaments, and Bibles, both Englifh and Gaelic. — It is to be added, that at prefent the bocks printed for the ufe of the Socikty's fchools are nearly cxhauftcd. — To furnifh the ncceffary fupply, will fubietfl the Society to a heavy expenfe next year. Thefe three laft articles, cannot be eftlmatcd, on an average, at icfs than four hundred pounds per annum. Such are the great objects to which the funds of the Society are devoted, and fuch, as nearly as it can be cftinuted, is the amount of the funis laid out in pro- moting them. From ADDITION TO SERMON IV. 22^ From the whole it appears, that if the refources of the SocfETY have, through the blefling of God, proved abundant, they have to their full extent been applied. An unbounded field for cultivation ftill prefents itfelf and new claims are 11:111 addrefled by ignorance and mi- fery to the compalFion of the enlightened and bene- volent. This Narrative may be concluded writh informing thofe into whofe hands it may fall, that, encouraged by the liberal fpirit and condu6l of many refpehcir duty to God, which they ought to prefer to every thing, to maintain mutual union, fubmiflion, and obe- dience, to their mother, and gratitude for all the care* which Ihe incurs for them, and in memory of me. ** I entreat them to confidcr my fiflcr as a fecond mo- ther. I recommend to ray fon, if he fliould have the misfortune to become king, to think that he owes him- felf entirely to the good of his fellow citizens ; that he ought to forget all hatred and all refcntment, and cfpe- cially whatever relates to the misfortunes and uncafuiefs ■which I experience ; that he cannot promote the good of the people but by reigning according to the laws ; but, at the fame time, that a king cannot make the law^ rc- fpciSled, and do the good he wifhcs, but in prop')rtion aj he has the neceflary authority ; and that, without this, being fettered in his operations, and infpiring no rcfpedl, he is more injurious than ufcful. I recommend to ray fon to take care of all the perfons who were attached ta me, as far as his circumftances (hall give him the means ; to think that this is a facrcd debt whicb I have contrai^ed \9 ADDITION TO SERMON V. 2^1 to the children or relation^ of thofe who have died for me, and next, to thofe who are unfortunate on my ac- count. I know that there are many perfons of thofe who were attached to me, who have not conduded them- felves towards me as they ought, and who have even Jhewn me ingratitude ; but I forgive them (often, in the moments of trouble and efFervefcence, a man is not maf- ter of himfelf); and T entreat my fon, if he jfhould have the opportunity, to remember only their misfortunes. I could wifli to be able to tedify my gratitude to thofe who have difplaycd a true and difinterclled attachment to me. On the one hand, if I was fenfibly affeded by the ingra- titude and difloyalty of perfons to whom I had never fhewn any thing but favours to them, their relations, or friends ; on the other, I have had the confclation ot fee- ing the gratuitous attachment and intereft which many perfons have fliewn to me.- I entreat them to accept of my thanks ; in the fituation in which things ftill are, I fliould be afraid of bringing them into danger, if I were to fpeak more explicitly ^ but I recommend particularly to my fon to feek all occafions of difcovering them. ** I fhould, neverthelefs, think that I calumniated the fentiments of the nation, did I not openly recommend to my fon M. M- de Chamilly and Hu, whom their true attachment to me induced to fiiut themfclvcs up with me in this mournful refidence, and who were near being the unliappy vidims of what they did. I alio recom- mend to him Cleii, with whofe attention I have had every reafon to be fatisfied fmce he has bften with me. As it is he who has remained with me to the laft, I re- nueft M. M. of the Commune, to deliver to him my ^ S 3 clothes. iSz ADDITION TO SF.RMON V. clothes, my books, my watch, my purfc, and the other little cfFc6ls which have been dcpofitcd at the Council of the Commons. *'! alfo mod willingly forgive thofe who guarded mc, the ill-treatment and feverity which they thought it their duty to make me fuffer. I have found fome feeling and compafTionatc fouls; may they enjoy the tranquillity of heart, which mufl fpring from their manner of thinking. *' I entreat M. M. De Maleflierbes, Tronchet, and Deleze, to receive here my thanks, and the exprcfiion of my fenfibility, for all the care and all the pains which they took for me. *' I conclude by declaring, in the prefence of God, and ready to appear before him, that I reproach myfelf \vith none of the crimes which are alleged againft me. *' Done in duplicate at the Tower of the Temple, December 25, 1792. (Signed) " Louis." (A true ^opy) Baudrais, Municipal Officer. She hai forgotten that it ivns Louis Ufho fevered yimerlca from her, hfc. Page 248. 1. 6. — The Queen of France's party, it is well known, forced on the King the treaty with America, in tlie view of dcprefling Great Britain. Louis conlulcred it as an unfair ami ungenerous meafurc, ^nd threw away the pen when urged to lanclion ir with his ADDITION TO SERMON V. 263 his fignature. But in an evil hour for himfelf and his family, he relented, on repeated importunity ; he fjgned the fatal inftrument which involved both hemifpheres in the horrors of war, and in fo doing, he remotely figned the warrant for his own execution. Another leffon to princes The following paflage is fe]e61:ed from Mr. Fleming's Difcourfe concerning the Rife and Fall of the Papacy ; firft published in the year 1700, and republiflied together with the preceding Sermon ; as a ftriking difplay of my learned predeceffor's fagacity of apocalyptical conje6lure. To thofe who have a tafte for fpeculation of this fort, the whole Discourse will afford a rich repaft. ** The fourth vial comes now to be confidered. And as this is poured out upon the fun of the papal kingdom, V. 8. fo the effect of it is men's being fcorched or burned with fire, which yet does not make them turn to God, but blafpheme his name the more, as we may fee, v. 9. Now as this vial muft begin where the other ends, viz. at} or a little after, the year 1648, fo I cannot fee but it muft denote the wars that followed the peace of Mun- fler, with other incidental occurrences. Now we find that the French hoftilities and wars in Flanders began about this time. And though this fire feemed to be quenched by the Pyrenean peace, about ten years after that of IMunfter, yet this proved rather fuel to the flame, which broke out with more violence than before, by the fej?iure of Lorrain, the new conquefts of the French in S 4 Burgundy 164 ADDITION TO SERMON V. Burgundy and Flanders, and the wais upon Germany, and invafion on the Low Countries ; to which wc may add the French king's quarrels with fcvcral pcpcs about tlie reliitution of Cafiro, the rights of the Duke of Mo- dcna, the affairs of Cor fi, and about the regale and the franchifcs. Now fceinc tlie bombarding of towns and cities was chiefly made ufe of in thcfc later wats, wc may fee how properly the fcorching, or burning, iiiien from aliove (as if the fun had fcnt down hre and heat from his own body) is made ufc of to characterize the time ot iliis vial. But the chief thing to be taken notice of here, is, tliat the fun and other luminaries of heaven are U»c em- t)lem of princes and kingdoms, as we took notice before. Therefore the pouring out of this vial on the fun muft denote the humiliation of fome eminent potentates of the Komifh intercft, whofc influences and countenance che- rifh and fupi)ort the papal caufc. And thefe therefore iTiuft be principally undci flood of the Houfes of Auftiia and Bourbon, though not txclulively of other popiHi princes. Now it is not unufual with God to make his enemies crufh and weaken one another. And thus J fuppofe this vial is to be undcrriood, when it is faid, that upon the pouring of it out on the fun, power was given to him, i.e. the fun (as moft underfland the words from the connexion), to fcorch men with fire. And this is plain in what of tlie vial is fulfilled, and will he perhaps more fo afterwards. As therefore France was made ufc of, in the inftances given, to vex and fcorch the Auftrian family, in both branches of it, fo afterwards was he him- fclf forced to leave Holland, which liC was fo near fur- j)rifuig, an. 1672, and efpeciaily when he waJ forced to icfign all his conqucfts in Flanders by the late peace of Rcyfwiok. ADDITION TO SERMON V. 2^5 Reyfwick. It is true, he feems now to have got more glory than ever by the acceffion of his grandfon to the Spanifh monarchy ; but then this is by an echpfe upon the Auftrian family, v^^hich is expired in the firft branch of it. And who knows but this advancement may lay the foundation of the ruin or decay of the French power, by exhaufting that kingdom, both as to men and money, in defence of a weak monarchy ? In the mean time, we fee this vial has already taken place in darkening the glory of King James (whom the papifts expefted new conquefls from) by the hand of King William ; by whom alfo God put a ftop to the career of the French monarch in his conquefts in Flanders, and on the Rhine. And we fee it further poured out in the eclipfe of the Auftriaa family, by the lofs of Spain and it's dependent principalis ties, as alfo in defeating the wicked defigns of the three confederate monarchs of Poland, Denmark, and RufTia. *' And now, feeing I have marked out the time we are in at prefent, it is time alfo to put a flop to our apo- calyptical thoughts; feeing no man can pretend, upon any juft grounds, to calculate future times. However, feeing I have come fo far, I fliall adventure to prefent you further with fome conje6tural thoughts on this head ; for I am far from the prefumption of fome men, to give them any higher charadler. " Now my conje£lures fhall relate to two things, viz* to the remaining part of this vial, and to the other vials that follow this. « And, :a66 ADDITION TO SERMON V. *' And, firft, as to the remaining part of this vial, I 60 humbly fupixjfe that it will come to it's highcft pitch about rt«. 17 17, and tliat it will run out about tin: year 1794. I'hc reafuns for the hrft conjecture arc two. The hrA is, becaufc I find that the napal kingdom got a confiderablc acceflion to it's power upon the Roman wcrtcrn empire's being deftroyed an. 475, to which the Jlcruli fucccedcd the year following, and the Oftro- Goths afterwards. Now if from this remarkable year wc begin the calculation of the 1260 years, they lead us flown to A. C. 1735, which in prophetical account is this very year 17 17. The fecond is, bccaufe (as I have many years ago obferved) this year leads us down to a new centenary revolution. For is it not obfcrvable that Jolm Hufs and Jerome of Prague (to run this up no fur- ther) were burned an. 141 7 ? After wliicli the true re- ligion ip Bohemia, and other places, was more and more obfcured and fuppreflcd, until that famous year 1517, when Luther arofe, and gave the reformation a new re- furrc6lion; according to that remarkal)le prediv^ion of Jerom of Prague, Centum annis rrjolutis Deo rcfpondtbitis ORIGIN, KATURE, AN» SERM. 6 ** Let there be light, and there was light. ■^" What fimplicity ! what elevation! The preceding context reprefents to us the vafl Univcrfe in it's firfl principles, a rurie, formlcfs, difcordant mafs, overfpread with dark- jiefs; immcnfity without order, or beauty, or fnagnificence; no life, no motion; exiftence to jio ufe or end : *' The earth was without forrn ** and void; and darkncfs was upon the face of * Longinuj, the celebrated Critic of Antiquity, in hii Treatifc on the Sublime, introduces this paflage from the Writings of Mofts, as a happy inftance of real majefty, in both the thought and the expreflion. His words are, TaiTiji jcai Tuit 'ittox'ijji 0fo-/xotfiT»)r> '«»Jt Tfj^ar 'Anif, Imiov tti tm yfei^'XS Tut tofiuiy, 'LrTn* o Qtii" ^,ai. rl; " •yi»i >wt* i'/inlo. ytuhifyri, xxi iyitfli." " Thf Jewifl) LegiOator too, a *' Man of no ordinary ability, excels in this; having con- •' ceived an idea of the power of the Deity, worthy of the " fubjeA, he thus expreflfes it, in the exordium of his Code *' of Laws, Ge-^/alii what? Ugh(^ Be; an J it -was : E^'f^t *' Br; andi( u'-^f.!' Why did he not eprich his elegant little M*ork with morf examples from the Sacijed Volume, and thereby fnrthtr approvr his tafte and jiidgment ? It is not eafy to convey the fimplicity and force of the ori- ginal into modern language : ^^j< >-,n Tl»V \-r^ D'H^K* "^ON^I — Kiiri» ©I'of ytrn6ii\u ^us' x»< iyinro yii. Dixifaut Dius, Luxy EbTo ; tf* Lux trat ; literally, in French, £/ Difu di/oity Lumicrct SoiS : et Lumicrefut : in Engiilh ; G'Jii /•idy Light I Be : anJ Li^ht nvn,. ♦' the SERM. 6. PkOPERtlE^ OF LIGHT. i;^ " the deep." And thus, had no vital principle! exifled, it might have for ever remained. Buc lo! the imprefs of Deity is upon the un- bounded, iifelefs, urtprodudtive chaos, and the dormant feeds of animated nature are warmed into exertion and expanfion: ** The fpirlt of ** God moved upon the face of the waters:" hence the fplendor arid harmony of thefe fpheres} hence life in all it*s gradations, from the plant to the animal, from the animal to Man, from Man to Angels, and thefe again in endlefs progreffion, till we return at length, fromi whence we fet out, to the LIVING GOD* The Fountain of being alone could have fup- plied us with the hiftory of this all-important period; and the fame Eternal Mind whicli planned and executed all thefe funs, and all their fyftems, evidently diftated the wondrous " ftory of their bh-th," of their rife and pro- grefs, to the human mind which conceived them, to the ear which heard, and the hand which wrote; even to That {Iiidpherd who firft taught the chofen feed In the beginning how the Heavens and Earth Rofe our of Ghaos. MitTOW, t 3 fc 2-]8 ORIGIN, KATLTRE, AND 5ERM.6. In tlie view of addrefling a Society whofe profcired, and , mod meritorious, objed it is, to diffufc tlie light of faving trutli, the kibjecl of LIGHT in general occurred to my mind as nioft congenial to their views, and as furnilhing the mofl. ample matter to their Preacher for im- prefling on their minds, on his own, and on thofc who may hear him, the utility and im- portance of the Inftitution, that we may not be weary in well-doing, but perfevere in promot- ing and extending the benefits of a purpbfe thus facrcd to God and to humanity. God grant that he may not ** darken counftl by words *' without knowledge." The infpired hiftorian leads us direftjy tothe gtt:it fouue of light, ** God faid." All was hi- therto pbfcurity, and filcncc, and folitude. He only excepted " in whom is no darknefs at all," who luas from eternity, whofe eye even now *' faw the end from the beginning," fcattered the univerfal gloom, furv'cycd rifing worlds, marked their boundaries, affigncd their fta- tions, adjufled them to their ends. Were it polTiblc that intcllc(5\u3l crcatcil na- ture fliould then have exillcd, What could it have SERM. 6. PROPERTIES OF LIGHT. 279 liave '* known of the mind of the Lord, or, " being his counfellor," how could it have taught him the order of procedure? He pro- ceeds like himfelf: the eternal filence is at length broken, the firft articulate found is heard through every particle of the vafh profound ; in majeftic dignity and eafe He *' fpeaks, and it is *' done, He gives commandment, and it ftands '* faft ;'* every latent luminous particle is in motion, an image of Himfelf ftarts into being, *' Let there be light," and it inftantly arifeS-, and darknefs, one of the properties of the chaotic ftate, flies away. Thus the Creator iirfl: mani-^ fefted himfelf in the light, which was in it's turn to make manifeft every other creature of his power. And what did this new-born light dif- clofe ? The antecedent reign, till now invifible, of confufion and difcord. And what is this wonderful, primeval production- of the Al- mighty, which exifted before the Sun, which was in procefs of time coUedled into a variety of glorious orbs, to be thence emitted through the whole extent of the Creation, to become a fource o£ univerfal and unfpeakable joy ? Too fimple to be defcribed, too glorious to be embelliflied, too myfterious to be explained, and, alas, too common to be prized, 1 muft content myfelf with fuggefting a few of it's more obvious qua- T 4 lities ; l8o OKtGlV, NATITRE, AKH SERM. 6. litics ; it's nature and cflencc who is able to un- fold ? Thc/r/? and mod flrlking quality of light is it's power of communication. As the Uncre- ated has communicated Himfclf to created light, his brightcft image here below, fo light again communicates a fccondary image wherc- focver it falls. Some bodies are indeed more fufccptible of the imprcflion of light ilian other?. Such as are pellucid, eafily tranfmit the rays ; fuch as arc polilhcd, eafily refledt them ; and from one to another, in fiQ:>ilar diredlion, with- out end. But even the moft opaque and co- lourlefs fubftanccs are, to a certain degree, en* livened, irradiated, tinged, by the rays of the Sun falling upon them. The gilded palace re-» fle(5ls, indeed, a brighter lullrc, but the dun cottage refufcs not to yield it's fobcr, dufky acknowledgment, that the glorious orb of day has arifen upon it. The gaudy butterfly and the drowfy beetle; the fcarlet rofc, the purple violet, the yellow jonquil i the fapphirc, the emerald, the topaz, each in his degree, receives aiul communicates the light. In the dark, all are of one hue, nothing is received, and, confe- cuently, nothing can be givwi back. idly SERM. 6. PROPERTItS OF LIGHT. iSf 2dly. Another remarkable property of light is the inconceivable velocity of it's nivOtion. Dif-^ play but a glimmering taper from the fummit of yonder tower, at the dark hour of midnight, and with the rapidity of thought it reaches the eye flationed on that lofty mountain, though val- leys, and rivers, and feas intervene. Behold the Sun arifes, and in lefs time than is requifite to reduce his diftance from the earth, in diame- ters of our globe, to leagues, and from leagues to miles, to write down and to recite the fum, I am already cheered with his rays, and " feel his ** fovereign vital lamp." What do you think, is the fad here ; a fact as demonllrably certaia as that two added to three amount to five? Light travels down to us from the Sun, in a fpace of time fomewhat lefs than eight minutes, fay the half of the quarter of an hour : of this portion of time you have a diftinft idea, but of the diftance, and confequently of the rapidity of light's progrefs, you can abfolutely form no idea at all ; it is cxprefTed to the eye indeed by cyphers, and to the ear by founds, but thought is loll while it attempts the computation ; the diftance is 71,730,000 miles. TvCt me illuftrate this by an example. Froqi diis city to Bath is one hundred and eight miles i 2^2 ORIGIN, NATURE, AND SERM. 6. miles i the rpeedieO: of our modes of convey- ance requires more than fourteen hours to per- form that diftance : the circumference of tlic Globe is about 24,000 miles; were it poffibie, then, to travel round the Globe without the in- terruption of a fmgle inflant, and at the rate of tiie fpeedieft carriage, it would require 130 davs, of 24 houis each, to perform a (ingle round ; this multiplied by 3000, the diftance of the Sun being fo many times the circumference of the globe, produces 1077 years, the time re- quifite to perform a diftance equal to that of the Sun, without a moment's interruption, and at the fpeedieft rate of travelling. Now, light travels through that prodigious diftance in little more than fevcn minutes; ii's velocity, there- fore, far exceeds all human comprchenfion. Striking reprcfcntation of that inconceivable^, that awful rapidity, with which the Creator communicates himfelf to his creatures! Even light requires time to run it's race; but before the Fountain of light, diftance is fwallowed up, and time is loft. 1 beg leave to fuggeft a 3d. Singular quality of this wonderful, this glorious creature of God : Though it's motion be thus inconceivably rapid, it is not only pcr- fcdly harmlcfs, but highly grateful and lalu- tary. SERM. 6. PROPERTIES OF LIGHT, 2S3 tary. The motion of every other body, when violently accelerated, carries death and deftruc-. tion along with it. A globe of iron hurled from the engine by the force of gunpowder, pierces Ithrough ribs of folid oak, and fliatters to atoms the flinty rock. The river, fwelled by the tor- rent from the mountain, with refiftlefs impe- tuofiiy fvveeps before it the well-compacled bridge, the fhepherd and his flock, the huf- bandman and bis harveft, the mechanic and his forge. Let air, *' thin air" be excited into more than ordinary fpeed, and it gradually rifes from the pleafant breeze, to the brifK gale, to the ftormy wind, to the roaring tempcft, to the mercilefs hurricane; the cedar of Lebanon is torn up by the roots, the Ocean rages, and proud vidorious navies are buried in the deep. Buc what is the rapidity of any, of all of thefe, com- pared to that of light? Yet God hath tempered it's rapidity fo, that the mofl: delicate of our or- gans, the eye, not only fuftains no injury, but derives unfpeakable benefit and dc;light, frofn this inftantaneous tranfmiffion of it's rays. But that fame God can, when he will, avm it, too, with fudden and irrefiftible death. See, it burfts from yonder thundery cloud, and " the cloud- *•' capt tower" is rent from the funimit to the foundation i it falls on haplefs man, and the marrow, 284 ORIGIN, NATURE, AKD SERM. 6. marrow, and the folic! bone which contains the marrow, arc melted away before it. Pleafing, awful view of the God of Juflice, of the God of Love! a confuniing fire, a lambent flame? In- tercfting and inflructive view of the foverciga power which he polfelTcs, which he exerciles, over every creature, to make it a well-fpring of delight, or a minifter of vengeance! Glorious difplay of mercy overflowing, but judgment re- drained ! Light, an univcrfil, perennial, per- manent fource of life and joy; but only in a few rarer, tranficnt inflances, the inftrument of death. 4th. Another precious and Important quality of light, is it's furnilhing man with an extenfivc and ufcful power of dilcriminating objecfl from obje^fti and to this end Providence has graci- ovifly fupplicd him with an organ completely adapted to the cxercife of this power. Let light be withdrawn, and this fair and well-or- dered frame of nature reverts to chaos; *' an- ** cicnt night" refumes her murky empire; every thing is confounded : for what is beauty that is not fccn; what is order and harmony not iinderfl:ood? And nothing can be fecn without light, nothing underftood or dillinguilhcd, un- Kls il.c medium be clear. The range of our other «ERM. 6. PROPERTIES OF LIGHT. 185 Other fenfes, how contraifled it is! The objeds of tade and touch, in order to be difcerned, muft be clofcly applied to their refpedive or- gans : thofe of fnielling affeft us only when biOiight very near : found grows fainter and fainter with diftance, and, a very few leagues rc- niotc, it fades and dies: but the eye, aided by light, darts like lightning from pole to pole, meafures the planets, difcriminates the fixed flars, whofe diflance far tranfcends that of the fun; it knows no boundary but the flaming Jjoundaries of the world. With equal facility and advantage it is enabled to contrad; it's fphere ; it defcends from heaven to earth, from the diftant mountain's fummit to the adjacent plain ; it wanders over the ena- melled mead, dwells with every new delight on *' the human face divine,'* traces the path of the crawling infeft. The eye lends additional va- lue to the objedls of our other fenfes ; the fra- grance of the rofe is greatly enhanced by the difplay of it's various and beautiful tints ; ilue relifli of what we eat and drink becomes more exquifite, or more infipid and difgufting, ac- cording as the eye is pleafed or offended; the poUfh of the marble, the foftnefs of the downy peach, are more grateful to tl^c touch from the concurring 236 ORIGIN, NATURE, AND SEKM. 6, concurring tcdimony of the other fenfe ; and even mufic, though more independent on vifion than the reft, mufic, at all fcafons delightful, gives flill more delight when we behold the aniniiucd look, the elegant form, the graceful air of the pcrfon who fings or plays.' But tho value and ufe, of this precious, precious organ, vholly depend on the prefcncc of light. To be in the dark, is the fime thing with being blind. We are reduced to the narrow, com- fonleis, uncertain, timid fphere of the priloner in his dungeon, incapable of diftinguifliing friend from foe, " prefented with an univcrfai " blank i and wifdom at one entrance quite Hiut *^ out..*' 5th. Another property of light is it's union with hear. Refledled light is not indeed pofl'ef- fcd of this quality, or only in a very inferior degree; but light, illuing immediately from a kiminous lx)dy, has a certain degree of warmth- as wcHas of ludre ; and everybody, excited to a certain degree of heat, likewife emits rays of light. And what muft: be the mafs of united light and heat, treafured up in yonder glorious Orb, ** of this great world the eye and foul," to ailmit of fuch an amazing and incefl'ant ex- penditure in all dirctftions, and to remain unJi- minillicd, 5ERM, 6. PROPERTIES OF LIGHT. 287 jniniflied, inexhauiled, by a conftant efflux of almoft fix thoufand years ! Bleffed arrangement of eternal Providence ! The fame luminary which irradiates my path, and direfts me how to efcape the fnare, the precipice, the enemy, in unbounded profufion difpenfes the vital fluid which cheriflies and fupports univerfal nature; maintains the current in the ftream, multiplies and matures the golden harveft, feeds the lamp of life! Bleffed union, the happiefl image of Deity here below, vitality and direflion in one ; a quickening and an informing fpirit; the prin- ciple that puts in motion, and which condu6ls that motion aright! Adorable, divine fkill, which has planted the habitation of man pre- cifely at the point that terminates the extremes of hot and cold, of oppreffive effulgence and glimmering bbfcurity j which has fo completely- adapted the diflance, the pofition, and the mo- tions of our globe to the various nature, de- mands, and exertions, of it's various regions, and their various inhabitants, invariably, uni- verfally guarding againft the too little and the too much I " Great and marvellous are thy works, " Lord God Alniighty ! Juft and true are all " thy ways, thou King of Saints." That a8^ ORIGIN, NATl'RE, AND SERM. 6. Tliat I may not multiply particulars to ex- haufl your patience and ditlracl your ailention, I lliall fubjoin but one more of the important properties of liglit, namely, 6lh. The wonderful facility with which it may be propagated*. *' Behold how great a " matter a little fire kindlcth." A little fpark, elicited by tliC flroke of Reel from the boiom of the flint, is fufficient to " fet on fire the courfc ** of nature.'* Though all material fire were cxhaufted, extlnguiflied, yet with the affiftancc of one of the little bits of glafs by which weak- nefs of fight is relieved, and of a moment's lun- (hine, and furniflied with a fmall morfcl of com- buflible matter, I can open to myfclf a new fource of light, and, with it, of heat, which may be extended, and pxtended, without limi- * This may, at firft fight, appear a repetition of the idea fuggeftetl as the firft property of light, the power oi communi- c.tticK. But it is not fo. By the fii ft, I underftand the effe^ of li;;ht ai merely ilhiminating, or rendering objefts vifible ; in which cafe, the objcrt is, and remains, wholly paftive. But here, light is confidcred in it's conncdion with heat, itfelf an active principle, and communicating it's life and aiftivity whe^^vcr it is applied. A poliflied ball of iron, when cold, preft-nts an example of the former cafe ; a ball made red hot ib in inftance of the latter. ration. SEkM. 6. PROPERTIES OF LiGHTi 289 tation. Nay, the fridion of one flick upon an- other will, at length, be excited into a fiame,and fupply materials of unbounded conflagration. Thus, heaven from above, and the furface, nay the bowels, of the earth beneath, facilitate the produdlion of this falutary, this deftrudive ele^ ment, which now animates, and, ere long, fliall devour the world. And thus, is every man pro- vided with the means of multiplying his own, and of increafing his neighbour's comfort; and every trian is armed with the moft formidable of weapons for felf, or for mutual, deflrudtion. —I have hitherto confidered light, and it's concomitant, heat, merely as a material fub- ftance, perceptible by the corporeal organs. As the obje(fl of mind, or fpirt, it is of ftill higher importance; and mental! ight, v;ith the felf fame qualities as the material, ftands confefh a dill more glorious difplay of the Creator's power and goodnefs. What light is to the eye, that, and inexpreffibly more, is knowledge to the foul. What the material world would be v/ith- out the Sun, and what it really is to the blind, the blacknefs of darknefs, fuch, and much more deplorable a blank, is the fphere of fcience to the illiterate and uninftruded. What ftores of ufeful knowledge are contained in that volume I Vol. II. U How 1()0 ORIGIN, NATURE, AKD 5ERM. 6. How fairly it is written, how happily exprcfll-d! I-'vcry word is a diflillaiion of honey from the comb. Alas, what avails it? The man has not been taught to read, or it is written in an un- known lan2;uao;e: he fees nothins: but unmcan- ing fcrawl, where his better educated neighbour difcerns truth, beauty, propriety; and finds a trcafure far richer than thofe contained in the mines of Potofi ; the *' word is found of him, " and he eats it, and it is the joy and rejoicing *' of his heart." The clown fees on that roll, only uncouth, unaccountable figures, circles, triangles, fquarcs; to him they fugged no idea, convey no intelligence, he cannot purfue the flcps of the demonftration up to It's conclufion : another takes it up; to him it is all light, he finds the principles of mechanics, of phyfics, of aftonomy, clearly unfolded, and happily ap- plied ; he goes " on his way rejoicing," he is more honourable than his ignorant brother, he has advanced one flcp higher toward the Father of lights. Put that inftrument into the hand of the unlearned, and it produces nothing but jar- gon and difcordj the chara(flcrs, defigncd to dire(5l the voice, or the finger, are to him blots and fcratchcs merely: his neighbour touches it, and lo, it difcourfes heavenly mufic; thcfc blots and fcratchcs teach the voice to melt into me- lody, SiSRikl. 6. PROPERTIES OF LIGHT. 29I lody, and roufe the trembling chords to har- tnoily : as the experienced eye runs along the line, the ear, in unifon, catches the reprefented found, and it drops like manna from the tuneful lips. This mental light, we faid, poflefTes all the qualities of the material. — Knowledge as natu- rally illuminates it's fphere, as the Sun gilds the hemifphere that is turned toward it. How various, how rapid, are the means of Communication between foul and foul ! With what velocity is thought conveyed by the light* ning of the eye 1 How pleafmgly is inftruflion given, and received by the gift of fpeech ! With what fidelity is intelligence carried, and the friendly hint, the ardent wifh, the tender figti wafted, *' from Indus to the pole," by the help gf letters! *' Truly the light is fweet, and a pleafant <' thing it is for the eyes to behold the fun;" and O how pleafmg to the mind's eye is it, to difcern the bright, the lovely form of facred. truth, that intelledual Sun in the firmament of fciencci to behold the expanfions of heaven- taught wifdom, circle embracing circle, in end- U a lefs 192. ORIGIN, NATURE, AND SERM.6. lefs progrefTion, the foul arifing from earth to heaven, from tlie creature to God : winging it's ardent flight from ihc ruins of expiring worlds, to ** ne,w heavens, and a new earth, wherein *' dwelleth riui-hteouTnefs!" Bj' material light, we are enabled to diflin- guifli one vifible object Irom another, and, by the eye, to eftimate many of their pecuhar and diftindive qualities. By the underftanding, or mental eye, in like manner, a new world of won- ders is difcovered and enjoyed ; the boundaries of truth and error, of juflice and violence, of fin and duty, are clearly difcriminated ; the dclu* five form:^ which mifled childhood, and igno- rance, and prejudice; which infpired ground- lefs terror, or confidence equally unreafonable, now wholly difappear, like phantoms of the night, or are fee n in their true colours and j^ro- portions; and he who before *' fpake as a child, ** undcrilood as a child, thought as a child,'* now '* puts away childilh things." As futerial light is ever incorporated with jdes in fire, is of the lame nature with owS from it, as from it's fountain, lo is jrcdt, mental light, animated and encr- ile it irradiates it quickens ; it opens at SERM. 6. PROPERTIES OF LIGHT^ 2^^ at once the field of adion, and incites to aftj it illuminates the path, and puts the traveller in motion. I know that the intellediml, as well as the material world, exhibits inflances of illumina- tion deftitute of adivity. The ignis fahiu9 fcampers over cold, and moift, and marlhy places, and often deceives the unwary traveller, to his hurt ; the glow-worm fparkles with frigid, cheerlefs, contraded luftre; the diamond is fald to emit rays in the dark, but they partake of the adamantine hardnefs, coldnefs, inaniiiiation, of the ftone from which they proceed j nay, from unprolific putrefaction, I have feen a faint emanation of perifliing light. And the coun- ter-part of all this may have been obferved in the fphere of fcience; knowledge miUcading, not direding, it's pofieffor ; amufing without inflru6ling ; a luminous head aflbciated with a flinty heart, a tranfient fplendor iffiing from corruption, and haftening back to corruption again; but, as all falutary light flows immedi- ately, or by refledion, from the Parent of day, and is the guide and comfoi ier of human life, fo all beneficial fcience is from the " Father of " lights,'* the quickening Spirit, v/hich ani- mates to honourable exertion, and under whofe U 3 genial ^94 ORIGIN, NATURE, AND SERM. 6. genial influence " the path of the jufl:, as the *' fhinlng light, goeth on unto the perfed day." Finally, as material, fo mental light, is of eafy and fimplc propagation. I have but to apply my lighted taper to my neighbour's lifclefs torch, and it inftantly lives and (bines, and I am not a whit impoverifhcd. My lamp burns the brighter for the radiance which it has commu- nicated; and he whom I have enriched, is enabled to enrich in his turn, not only without lofs, but unfpeakably to his advantage; and fo on to infinity, till all is light, and no darknefs at all remains: Thus while I teach I learn; the more I give away, the more is left for me ; and the diffuficn of knowledge, like the cxtenfion of mercy, *' is twice bled; it bleffeth him who ** gives, and him who takes." — But Scripture and experience convey a flili much more fublimc idea of light, than any hi- therto fuggeflcd; compared to, and dcditute of, which, the I'ght of the Sun is the mere glim- mering of a taper, and the illumination of fcience fplendid folly; the world of nature, a fyftem of (hining baubles, the ways of Providence a laby- rinth of inconfiftency and contradi ** imto my feet, and a /i^/ji unto my path." — Tlie miniftcrs of religion, the witnefles of the bleflcd Jefus, arc thus likevvife honourably dif- tinguifhedi John Bapiifl is denominated by the Saviour himfeif, ** a burning and a fhining ** li^ht,** and of his apoftles in general He faith, ** yc are the light of the world." Finally, all true Chridians, every member of that body, whereof Chrift is the head, aredefigncd by this, as their diftinclive char;id:er. He calls them ** children of light'* to dillinguifh them from the difobedienr, impenitent and unbelieving : ** for every one that doth evil hateth the light, ** neither cometh to the light, left his deeds '* fhould be reproved; but he that doth truth ** cometh to the light, that his deeds may be *' made manifell, that they are wrought in " God." Thus, falvation, in it's rife and progrefs, in the fountain and in the ftrcam, in it's caufe, conduft, and efTcfts, is all fpiritual light, and life, and joy; and it's confummaiion fliill be fimilar SERM. 6. PROPERTIES OF LIGHT* ^^J fimiiar to, and worthy of, the original defign : *' with thee, great God, is the fountain of life; " in thy light fliall we fee light." *' Now we *' fee through a glafs, darkly; but then face to ** face." *' Beloved, now are we the fons of ** God, and it doth not yet appear what wc ♦* fhall be; but we know that when He fliall ** appear, we fliall be like him, for we fliall fee " him as He is." Then " we all with open "^ face, beholding, as in a g-afs, the glory of the ** Lord, fliall be changed into the fame image " from glory to glory, even as by the fpirit of "^ the Lord. — Chriftian, arife, fliine, for thy ** light is come, and the glory of the Lord is *' rifen upon thee." And thus, like it's divine Author, Light is the origin, and the iflue, of all things: The alpha and omega, the firft and the laft, the beginning and the end, of the creation of God; the life and foul of the material, intelledlual, and f iritual worlds. And, in proportion as this treafure is pof- felTed, one being is more exalted than another, and the nearer does the creature approach to the Creator. And, thus, a field of exertion, of im- provement, of enjoyment, is expanded for the immortal foul of man, of unbounded extent, and of everiafting duration. Who of faints, or angels. 289 ORIGIN, NATURE, AND SERM.6. angels, is " able to comprehend what is the *' breadth, and length, and depth, and height; " who is able to know the love of Chriil, which " pafleth knowledge!" What created veli'v.! can contain all '* the fulnels of God:" It remains, not that I exhort this Society to pcrfevcre in well-doing, in diffufing faving light and knowledge, but that I cougratuUite them on the ample fuccefs of their labours of love, on the daily increafe of their numbers, and the confc- quent extcnfion of the means ot doing good. This Charity has now happily attained the 44th year of it's exiftence, it's fupporters have mul- tiplied from fix, to upwards of one ihoufand perfons; it's benefits are not reRridcd to a pro- vince, but fcattercd over a globe, and it's inilu- ence, unlimited by time and death, reaches into eternity. BIcflcd is the hand which feeds the hungry, clothes the naked, and fcis the prifoner free; blelTcd the hand which pours the light of cheerful day on the fightlefs eye-ball, or makes provifion for indigent blindnefs; but more blef- kd is the hand which illuminates the dark foul, ready to '* periih for lack of knowledge," which liberates the immortal fpirit from the fetters of io^norance, which difclofcs *' the unfcarchablc riches of Chrifl" to the flavc of fin, and which difplays SERM, 6. PROPERTIES OF LIGHT, 295 difplays the glories of eternity to the miferable wretch whofe eyes the God of this world had blinded. If it be in the power of man to create, it is in this refpefl; to communicate one ray of faving light, is to irradiate a world; to give away a Bible may be the creation of a new Sun, the contemplation of which may occafion joy ii> heaven, may caufe " the morning liars to fmg *' together, and all the Tons of God to fhout for ** joy." Elefled communication from God to man ! A man enabled to be a God to his neighbour, the author of a new exiftehce, the fountain of joy unknown before, the beftower of life and immortality, the difpenfer of a throne ^bove the fkies ! Man, exalted to the refem- blance of his Maker, in the moft glorious of his perfedions ! A portion of omnipotence, of omniprefence, conferred upon him, a power to fay, *' let there light," and it is done; let ** the *' Sun of righteoufnefs arife with healing in his " wings," and it cometh to pafs ; a power to make " the Ethiopian change his colour," to transform the naked favage into a child of God, to dired the forlorn wanderer in the pathlefs defert, in the way that leads to the houfe of his father in heaven ; a power " to open men's eyes, ** to 300 ORIGIN, NATURE, AND SERM. 6, '* to turn them from darknefs to light, and from '' the power of Satan unto God I" You have heard of the fabulous creation of Prometheus. He is faid to have moulded clay into the human form, and to have animated it with fire iloien from heaven ; this creation is no fi6lion, but a glorious reality, in the hands of this beneficent inftitution ; it finds men mere clay, a lifclcfs form, and, by communication of the ce- leflial fire of God's holy word, they ftart up into newncTs of life, they rcfleft their divine original ; and u blcflcd, an eternal recompcnce, not relentlefs punilhment, awaits the hallowed theft. — ^The poflcrity of fuch as were early promo- ters of this pious defign, I beg leave to conoratu- late on their inheriting, together with the name and fubftance, a portion of the fpirit of their forefathers, and I charge them before God and his holy Angels, that, whatever elfc they, in their turn, tranfmit to their children, they be careful to hand down a ferious concern to pro- mote religious knowledge among the poor, and thus become, in the bed fenfc of the word, Fa- thers to tl;em. —If SERM. 6. PROPERTIES OF LIGHT. 301 — If there be any prefent, v/ho have not hi- therto had an opportunity of putting forth their hand to this good work, them I congratulate on that which now prefents itfelf, of dci 'g; them- felves more real honour, of procuring more folid fatisfadion, and of conferring on thr world a greater benefit, than could in any other way, and at fo eafy a rate, be purchafed : An oppor- tunity of exchanging a bit of otherwife barren, unprodudive metal, into the prolific word of life; of converting the price of an hour's enter- tainment of a wealthy friend, or neighbour, who needs it not, and feels no gratitude for it, into a lading feaft to the fouls of men, to be ac- knowledged by ages unborn, and to be re- warded in heaven: An opportunity of multi- plying the wonders of creation, and of enlarg- ing the vaft empire of God himfelf. Were I to argue as a mere man of the world, I could with confidence afiirm, that the commerce which I am this day called to recommend, is mod lucra- tive, as well as moft honourable ; what you here lay out, returns with accumulated interefl; the bread you '* caft on thefe waters comes back " after not many days," greatly increafed, like the loaves in the Saviour's hand; a few drachms of gold fwell into a multitude of Bibles, more to be defued than gold, yea than much fine gold 5 302 ORIGIN, NATURfe, AnD SERM. 6. goljj and thoufands arc fucccfiively, immor- tally, fed, by the purchafc of a liitle fliining durt. — I congratulate my country on the exidcnce, the fuccefs, and the apparent permanency, of this inftitution. Qi^ieen of the illes in beauty^ in fertility, in opulence, in power, here (he is mofl a Qneen. What plans of charity and jncrty, inrcfpecl of number, of munificence, of nobijitv in dcfign, of promptitude in execution, of felicity in point of effetfl, aie once to be com- pared to her's? Great indeed is the multitude of her fins, which need to be covered, which conftitute her dishonour, difturb her tranquil- lity, threaten her ruin; but while the principle of benevolence is in fuch vigour, while the caufe of God, and truth, and humanity, has fuch numerous, zealous and generous fuppor- ters ; while the comfortable maintenance, and religious infirudion of the poorer ranks of the community, are objeds of fuch high import- ance in the eyes of the more elevated and af- fluent; wc trull it is an earncll that Providence has ftill many, and great, and lading, national blefhngs, laid up in (lore for us. And I call upon all who hear me this day, as they love their Country, as tlifv wilh her profpcriiy, as they BERM. 6. PROPERTIES OF LIGHT. 303 they would preferve her fecurity, and fupport her rank amldft the Nations of the earth, that they exert themfelves to extend the knowledge of God's word, to encourge and inculcate, by ad- monition, by example, by their prayers, by their influence, a fimple and found morality, a pure and undefiied religion, an unafTecfled, heart-felt, regular, pradical devotion. What you fee and feel to be of moment for yourfelves to know and to do, that you will fee it your duty to recom- mend to others, that they alfo may caft in their lot among us, may take part of the honourable burthen, enjoy the fatisfadion, and participate in the reward. — I congratulate the fons of light, " the fpirits ** of juft men made perfect," on the conftant addition which Providence is making to their number, by the eftablifhment, fupport, andfuc- cefs of inftitutions like ours. It is thus that Jehovah is fulfilling the Scriptures, and bring- ing forward that promifed fulnefs of time, when *' the earth fhall be filled with the knowledge *' and glory of the Lord, as the waters cover ** the fea." In thofe happy regions of eternal day, the ranfomed of the Lord, for ever eman- cipated from the darknefs and depreflion of " a *' body of lin and death," difcern more clearly the 504 Origin, nature, ANii serm. 6. the defigns of Heaven advancing to their ac- coinplilhmcnt, ihc majcflic progrcfs of the eter- nal '* purpofe, of Him who worketh all things *' after the counfel of his will," toward it's final confiimmation j gradually extending the empire offaving light along the burning coafts of Africa, through the yet inaccelTible wilds of America, over the fwarming Ihores waflied by the Ganges, to the remote, unknown iflands of the fouthern hemifpherc, within the frozen regions which approach the poles. Behold the hand of Hea- ven removing the veil which covers the eyes of the fcattered remnant of the pofterity of Abra- ham; " ail Ifrael faved, and the fulncfs of the •' Gentiles come in." Behold, " The hcaihen *' given to Mefllah the Prince for his inheri- ** tancc, and the uttermoft parts of the earth for ** his pofleflfion." " His name fhall endure for *' ever; his name fliall be continued as long as "the Sun; men ihall be bleifed in Him; all *' nations fliall call Him blefled." Among;fl the innumerable myriads which encompafs the throne, in the fulnefs of joy, arc there not fome who were once our alFociatcs in ihefe labours of love, who now reft from their labours, and their works have followed them ! And what bofom does not glow with holy dcfire, with exalted hope, to be united to that aflcmbly, who eter- nally ERM. 6. PROPERTIES OF LIGHT. 305 nally rejoice in God, behold the face of Chrift Jefus, and celebrate the triumphs of redeeming love; who look into, admire, and adore the plans of infinite wifdom; exulting to refle6t that they have been what they have been, that they are what they are, the monuments of free, fovereign grace j and to recolle(5l what, by the grace of God, they have been and done to others : dwelling in the prefence of Uncreated Light, contemplating the new creation of God, themfelves a part of it; who behold Jehovah rejoicing in all his works ; and the Redeemer, feeing " the travail of his foul," completely^ eternally " fatisfied." Vol. IL % ADDITION TO SERMON VI. A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE RISE, PROGRESS, AND PRESENT STATE OF THE SOCIETY For promoting Religious Knowledge among the Poor. THIS Society was inftituted In the year 1750. A laudable ?;eal for the glory of God, and compaflion for precious fouls, peri/hing through lack of knoivkdge, fuggefled this benevolent defign, and happily efFe(51:ed it. At that period, *fome perfons of pious, liberal, and en- larged minds, deeply impreffed with a fenfe of the de- plorable ignorance which prevailed in the lower ranks of the community, agreed to affociate for the purpofe of dif- feminating, among fuch, the kiMwledge of Divine Truth, by furnifhing them with Bibles, and with other plain, pra6lical Bool^s, on religious fubjedls. And who that believes and prizes the Scriptures, as a Revelation * The name of the late Mr. Benjamin Forfitt, of Leadenhall- Street, deferves to be here mentioned with dlftingurftied refpeft; 3 man whofe enlarged and benevolent foul was habitually employed in devifmg liberal things toward his fellow creatxu-es, as a tribute of gra- titude and praife to his Creatgr. He it was in whofc ardent mind the idea of this undertaking originated ; he planned the fabric, he put the machine in motion, he lived to fee the defign profpering ; and let him be tranfmitted to pofterity as fhe Father of the Spciety, X 2 from 3oS ADDITION TO SERMON VI. from Heaven •, wlio that has himfelf taflcd the Iwcetnefs, and ftlt th.c power, of the facrcJ trutlis wliich they con- tain, hut muft he difpofed to make others partake with hini of tlic fame light and joy ? Tliis fiiggeflion was a live coal from the altar of God. Jt illuminated, and kindled, as it went: The holy ardor was communicated from foul to foul, and, through the blcflTiPg of Providence, the hallowed fpark is incrcafcd and inultiplicd, into a glorious conflcllation. The hand of God has (lamped upon it the folcmn fanclion of almoft half a century ; a new generation has arifen, and is daily rifing, to perpetuate and extend the honourable purpofe of their forefathers ; a few have gradually become a great multitude; and the Inflitution, with humble confidence, looks forward to a duration commenfuratc with that of the Sun. But the Society prcfumes not to promife itfelf either AaSility or fuccefs, independent of honeft, vigorous, and perfevcring exertion. Information is accordingly, from time to time, given, of it's exigence, of it's views, and of it's proceedings. This addrefs, among other means, will make known, where it may come, that the Book So- ciety, as it is called, is, at the clofc of the prcl'cnt year, 1793, in full health and growing profpcrity: and, in or- der to the continuance and incrcafe of that profjxrritv, it carneftly folicits the countenance and (upport of all who wifli tliat S.itan*s kingdom mav be dcftroyed, and that the empire of knowledge, truth, and love may be extended. Cordially (lifclaiming cveiy ihiiig that favours of partv, it makes a hold nppeal to the liberal, and the gfxxl of cvci y- ADDITION TO SERMON VI. 3O9 ^very denomination, to come and help it's fupporters, to promote a fpirit of piety, habits of order and induflry, and lerious practical godlinefs, among the more thoughtlefs and diforderly, becaufe more uninftru6ted clafs of their felJovv creatures. 'The weapons of their zvarfare, they truft, are not carnal, but mighty, through God, to the pull- ing down of Jtrong holds. What they can confidently caft on the care of Heaven, they are neither afraid nor afliamed to recommend to the attention of men. Their objedl is to diffufe faving truth ; and the method which they purfue is, to put the word of God into the hand of the young and ignorant, as an allurement to learn to read, and to praftife the art, after they have acquired it. A very extcnfive correfpondence, both foreign and domef- tic, is, from year to year, conveying the pleafing inlelli- gence, tlut their labour is not in vain in the Lord. The Contributors to this Charity have the fatisfadlion of being allured, that their bounty cannot poffibly be mifapplied, for it is in their power, if they pieafe, to be themfelves the difpenfers of it. A parcel of Books, of a value determined by the fum fubfcribed, is, according to a ftrifSl and fair rotation, fet apart to the order of each Subfcriber ; notice is regularly fent, and fufiicient time allowed for claiming them. To be a Contributor is to become a Member, that is, to have the privilege of at- tending all meetings, and of infpedling and examining all tranfa6lions, relative to the Inftitution. As an earneft of what may be expeded in future, the Society beg leave to niention, in one ihortfentence, what they have already done ; from which, they hope, it will X 3 appear. 3IO ADDITION TO SERMON VI. appear, that tlicir efforts to ferve the caufc of God, and Truth, have been neither injudicious nor inefficient. They beg leave, therefore, to inform the Public, that they have already diflributed upwards of One Hundred and Thirty- Jix Thou/and Bibles and Testaments, befidc a very- large number of devotional pieces, and religious tracSls, adapted to the purpofcs of the Society ; fo that the great end of their being is, in ftriclncfs of fpccch, to fcatter abroad, on the earth, the Word of God. No human compofition is fan6lioned by their circulation, but upon mature and impartial deliberation, and from a comjilete and unanimous convi6lion, that fuch circulation may contribute to their one great, leading obje«5l, the Promt-' tivn cfRcHgious Knowledge amon^ the Poor. SERMON SERMON VII. THE DJT OF JUDGMENT. PREACHED AT THE SCOTS CHURCH, LONDON WALL, DECEMBER 15th, i793» RECOMMENDING A COLLECTION TOWARD T/je Relief of J he Weavers in Spitalfields^ REDUCED TO DISTRESS FOR WANT OF EMPLOYMENT. If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren, within any of thy gates, in thy land, which the Lord thy God glveth thee, thou (halt not harden thy heart, nor Ihut thine hand from thy poor brother-and thme heart (hall not be grieved when thou giveft unto him: Becaufe that for thi3 thing the Lord thy God (hall blefs thee in all thy works, and m all that thou^utteft thine hand unto. For the poor (hall never ceafe out of the , . Deut. XV. 7— 10, II. land. X^ TO HENRY THORNTON, ESQ. SIR,. IHA VE taken the liberty, without folicit- ing permiffion, to prefix your name to two Difcourfes, the ohjeS: of which is to blend the moil: folemn fuggeflions of Reli- gion, with the fimpleft dictates of Huma- nity. The name of THORNTON has been fo long alTociated, in my mind, with thefe two facred ideas, that thev are be- come infeparable. I felt myfelf, therefore, irrefiftibly carried along, by my fubjecc, to pay a tribute of refpecl to the memory of your worthy Father. And, under a fimi- lar impulfe, I have prefumed to prefent this pubHc mark of my refpe<£l: to his Son; happy in the reflexion, that the fpirit, as well as the name of the parent, furvives ia his offspring. It [ 3-4 ] it is mv dcfign, at the fame time, to in- culcate upon men of affluence, by a well- known example, what the true life of wealth is; in hope that feme may be in- duced to give value to gold, and dignity to rank, and rclifh to pleafure, by indulging themfelves in the luxury of doing good. That you may long enjoy your fenatorial and commercial honours, rcfpe(51:ability, and conlcquence ; that you may long be fpared, as a " Father to the poor;" and that you may have your reward in the teftimony of a good confcience, in public efteem, and in the blcfling and approbation of the Al- mighty, is the earncll wifh of, SIR, Your mofl obedient, humble fervant, IJENRV HINTEIL BcthnalGrccn Road, Dec. 23, 1793. THE THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. MAT. XXV. 35, 40. / was an hungred, and ye gave me meat : — /;/ as much as ye have done it unto one of the leafi of thefe my brethren, ye have done it unto me. YOU need not to be informed, my brethren, whofe thefe words are, and to what awful folemnity they refer. You know they are fpoken by Him who fpake the Univerfe into be- ing, who " upholdeth all by the word of his " power," and to whom " all judgment is com- *' mitted j" and that they refer to a period which is to determine, not the future temporal condi- tion of an individual, of a great nation, of a 'globe; but the everlafting ftate of th(? whole human race, exifting from the beginning to the end of time. The great " Judge of the quick and the " dead" is here unfolding the intimate connec- tion jl6 THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. SERM. -. tion which fubfifls, between prcfcnt condudlantl future ictribution; between the tranfient difpo- fiiiGn?, employments, and purfuits of every day, and their permanent, tlieir evcrlafting etfe(fts. And wc feel ourfclvcs irrcfiftibly prompted to confider, and to relpect, the perlon of the Sa- viour of mankind, by commiferaiing and reliev- ing the diflrertes of his necefTitous brethren, as he condcfcendingly denominates even the leaft of them. Befides the regularly and continually rcv9lv- ing fphere of duty, in which the Man and the Chriltian is called to move, Providence is fre- quently pointing out hngvdar and extraordinary articles of duty, furniflied by occafion; enjoin- ed, it is granted, by no fpecific ftatute, in either morals or religion, but though of tranfitory, yet of powerful obligation. Compaffion to the poor is eftablilhed at once by the law of our nature, -Uy the Hare of civil focicty, and by the precepts of the golpel: And compaflion to the indigent, of a paiiicular delcription, at trying fcafons, and in fingulir circumftances, while it is included in the general law, is, at the fame time, energe- tically enforced by the flimulus of time, and place, and knowledge cf the cafe. But SERM. 7- THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. 317 But before I bring my temporary oh]edi di- redlly forward ; in the view, mdeed, of bring- ing it forward with greater advantage j let rnc endeavour to lead your attention to the awful, the univcrfilly and eternally interefting, fc.-^ne repreicnted in the context, and to impreis it on your hearts: A fcene, in which no one is to be a fpedatoi merely, but every one to ad a moft ferious and important part. T. '' The Son of Man fliall come in his ** glory." The laft great period of all things is at length arrived. Already has the trumpet found- ed, and the dead have arifen, and the fea has given up the dead which are in it; already has the mighty Angel lifted up his hand to heaven, and fworn " by Him that livctli for ever and *' ever, who created heaven, and the earth, and " the fea, and the things which are therein, that " there (hall be time no longer;" already has the fun been darkened, and the moon ftrippcd of her light, and the ftars have fallen from hea- ven ; when lo, the Son of Man cometh wiili power, and great glory, and every eye feeth him. — " The Son of Man !" It is, it is He, the brother, the friend of man, who appears ; who is fcated on yonder radiant throne, in whofe glory all thofe refplendent orbs of light are ab- forbed. ;i8 THE PAY OF JUDGMEKT. SERM.7. forbcd, cxtinguilhed, loft ; He it is, thus highly exalted, far above all principalities, and powers, and every name that is named ; the fame uho once d vvelt among men upon earth ; who went abovu doing good, who alleviated the miferies of mankind, himfelf " a man of forrows and ac- *' quainted with grief." He it is, who fubmit- ttd to poverty vvitli the poor, who wept with the mourner, who fuftered reproach with the dcfpifed, who took on him the form of a fer- vant, who became obedient unto death ; and who was, who did, who endured all this, in the bowels of friendftiip, in the dihnierefted ardor of fraternal alTeiflion. He rtione then^ in the glory of humanity and mercy; of mcekncfs and condcfcenfion, of pa- tience and redgnation ; his pyejait glory is that of univcrfally acknowledged fupremacy i of un- rivalled, unliniited, uncontrolable authority ; of inflexible jullicci of a love, whole height and depth, whofe length and breadth furpafs know- ledge. He who enters on the fccne, as *' the ** fon of man," is quickly transformed into " the king," the lord of angels, tlic difpenfcr of kingdoms, the dread arbiter of life and death, holding in his hand tlie tremendous ** key *♦ which SERM. 7. THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. 319 '' which opens, and no man can fhut, and which (huts, and no nian can open." '^ The Son of Man — /;/ glory T^ The very objeft that was feen on earth. Great from firft to laft is the myftery of godllnefs! God '' made ** manifeft in the flefli;" humanity exalted to fupreme command, over univerfal nature; all things put under his feet, all the angels of God commanded to worlhip him; and Deity defcended, to the unterrifying perception of mortals, to the performance of the tendered: offices of humanity, to the moft intimate com- munications of mutual love. BlefTed fource of hope for eternity 1 The fource of being, of light, of joy; He who is to fupport our felicity for ever and ever, is intimately united to us, He knows our frame, can completely adapt his fup- plies to our conftantly recurring, growing ne- ceffities. II. " And all the holy angels with him.'* What a fplendid and magnificent train! How poor is the ftate of a king! How is all the glory of this world eclipfed! " Angels!'' — By the ftroke of one all the firft-born of Egypt perifhed in one eventful night. — Another, at God's ^,20 THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. SERM. 7. God's command, makes a fearful progrefs of three days, from Dan to Bcerfheba, and lo, feventy thoufand victims fcal his commiflion with their blood, — A third goes out by nighr, through the camp of the AfTyrians, and fmiics ; and iho dawning light of returning day difcovers the dreadful carnage, of a hundred fourfcore and five thoufand dead corpfes. Thus mighty, thus terrible is an angel, when the miniller of juflice. Lcfs awful, but not lefs potent, not lefs intelli- gent, not lcfs deciHvc in execution, is an angel of God, when the mellenger of peace. They *' excel in Rrength." The angel fent to Gideon puts forth the end of the flaff that was in his hand, and touches the facrifice, and behold, fire flarts out of the flinty rock, and confumes it. Gabriel appears, and the fate of empires, for ages to come, is difclofcd to the eye of the pro- phet; nnd the advent of'* Meffiah the Prince," nnd " the dcccafe which he fliould accompli Ih ** at Jcrufalcm," are announced, at the diftance of more than five centuries. That period elapfed, Gabriel is again on the wing; he penetrates through the folid walls of the temple, takes his flat ion by ihc altar of incenfe, proclaims the approach of " the fulnefs of time," the ** ac-. •* ccptable year of the Lord," and, by a word, flrikcs the incredulous prieft with dumbncfs for a fcafon. SERM. 7* THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. 32I a feafon. At the end of fx months, behold the lame flaming miniller at Nazareth of G .dilee, to declare the counfels of the mod High, the fulfilling of the Scriptures, the birth of the Sa- viour of the world. The morning of the Sa- viour's refurreaion dawns. What makes the earth to quake ?— -What moved that great ftone from the door of the fepulchre ? Why do thefe hardy veterans of Rome " (hake, and become " as dead men ?" « The angel of the Lord "has defcended from heaven; with a coun- " tenance like lightning, and raiment white as " fnow:" And nature animated, and inanimate, feels his prefence. Such are angels, JIngfy; thus mighty, thus formidable, thus inftruded, thus beneficent : What are they united, in bands, in legions ? Let me refer you, for an anfwer, to the three great eras of the world; to the day, when God created man on the earth, the glory, the corner flone of creation; then " the morning ftars fing *' together, and all the fons of God fhouted for *' joy:" I refer you to the day when there was *' born, in the city of David, a Saviour, which "isChrifl, the Lord;" then, there was fud^ " denly, with the announcing" angel, a multi- tude " of the heavenly hoft, prailing God, and ^'^^- JJ- Y ** faying, 322 THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. SERM. 7. ** faying, Glory to God in the higheO:, and on " earth peace, good will towards men." I, finally, rcf.r you to this " great and notable *' day of the Lord," when " the Son of Man *' fliall come in his glof)', and a/i xhc holy an- " gels with him." When number is combined with the other qualities of this mighty, angelic hoft, the heart of man is melted within him. What variety of ordeis! the cherubim and the feraphim ! principality, power, might, domi- nion ! — What multitudes in every tribe! In the loweft Hate of his humiliation, the Saviour em- ploys the indefinite term " twelve legions," to exprefs a faiall detachment from that innumer- able body, ready to attend his flightcft call, and 10 execute all his plcafure. *' Thinkeft thou, ** that I cannot now pray to my Father, ajid He '* (hall prefently give mc more than twelve /AY OF JUDGMENT. SEF.M. 7. The feafon of fedivlty approaches ; may I be permitted to fiiggeft a hint r It is in your power to be generous this day, at no manner of ex- pcnce. One fiiperfluous, expenfive difh re- trenched; the excefs of the wine fo freely, (hall I fay, unvvifely, beflowcd on your gucfts, will frilly indemnify you for the pittance now afked, to feed the hungry, and the praife of your hof- pitality not a whit diminilhed, perhaps the cen- furc of extravagance cfcaped. Shall I venture to hint retrenchment in an article, flill more waftcful, and much lefs reputable ? No, I muft not fuppole it to exift here. But I bludi to think, that more is frequently lavifhcd on a wanton, than is necefl'ary to the comfortable rtlaintenancc of half a fcore of poor, honed fa- milies. The ground I am on is delicate, I therefore quit it, with an admonition, at which you dare not take offence, for it is not mine, but the Lord's. " When thou makeft a din- *' ncr, or a fupper, call not thy friends, nor thy " brethren, neither thy kinfmen, nor thy rich ** neighbours : Icfl; ihey alfo bid thee again, ** and a recompencc be made thee. But, when " thou makeft a fcafl, call the poor, the maim- '* ed, the lan.c, the blind i and thou Oialt be ** blclled ; for they cannot recompcnfc thee: " But ihou (halt be rccompenfcd at the refur- *' redion SERM. 7. THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. 341 " redion of the jufl." Let the fpirit, not the letter, of this admonitiion of the blelTed Jefus, fink deep into your hearts. I would not have you often tatioufly feaft the poor at your houfes, but enable them to feed at home. And look for your reward, in the benedictions of the wretches whom your bounty has relieved ; in the refledion that you aim at being like God, " merciful as he is merciful j" and in the pro- fpeft of ** a kingdom prepared for you, from " the foundation of the world." With this refledion, I for the prefent take my leave, referving the continuation of my fubjed: till the evening, when I hope to be honoured with your attendance and attention. May God abundantly blefs your fubftance, enlarge your hearts, and open your hands : And to his great name be the praife and glory of all. Amen. Z3 THE [ 343 ] SERMON VIII. THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. MAT. XXV. 35, 40. / was an hungrcd, and ye gave me meat : — in as much as ye have done it imto one of the leafi of ihefe my brethren, ye have done it unto me. BEHOLD the children of men, how they run, how they ride, how they fly ! See how they *' buy, and fell, and get gain;" how they plant, and build; how they ftrive, and fight! And in what does all terminate? In the tomb. Whither does all lead? To the judgment-feat. What fetdes the value of worth- icHhefs, the merit or demerit, the glory or the Ihame, of every human purfuit? The impar- tial and unerring decifion of the great Judge of the quick and the dead, who " fearcheth the " hearts, and tricth the reins, of the children of «' men.'* Z 4 To 344 THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. SERM. S. To that awful day of retribution let me again lead your attention, not as fpeftators, but as parties, that the prefent day may be improved, that the opportunity of doing good, and com- municating, may be joyfully feized, and a good foundation laid, in time, for fupporting " a *' building of God eternal in the heavens." I have, already, dircflcd your eyes to *' the " Son of Man coming in his glory j" the " King" to whom all judgment is committed^ and at whofe dilpofal all thmgs are ; and to the ** innumerable company of angels," who fhall grace the folemnity, give evidence in the caufe, and execute the high award. I have placed you and myfelf amidll the countlcls myriads, whofe hearts and lives are, that day, to undergo examination ; though individuals, not loft, nor confounded, in the croud; though mean, not overlooked, and palled by. ^Ve have feen the folcmn, final, difcrimination made, the *' rightc- ** ous" for ever feparatcd from the " wicked.'* We have, with trembling ears, heard the irre- verfible doom pronounced, good and evil, hfc and death, the blelTmg and the curfe, ** come *' yebleircd:" " depart ye curfed:" and the reafon and rule of judgment afllgned; — fuch and fuch I was, and thus and thus a'^ed yc. This brings SERM, 8. THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. 345 brings me to take up, and reunite, the interr rupted thread, andtoimprefs upon you this im- portant truth, conveyed in the words of our Sa- viour, and acknowledged of every man's con* fcience in the fight of God ; VII,^ There is an intimate, an infeparablc conned ion, between prefent condud or neg- left, and a future and everlafting recompenfe of reward; '* ye gave me meat," therefore, ** I ap- " point unto you a kingdom."—" Ye gave me <^* no meat," therefore, " depart from me, I " know you not, ye workers of iniquity." Ah, little do men think, that they are from day to day recording their own hiftory, fealing their own deftiny. The books are opened ; and what is found written? The idle, or the ufeful word, now falling from thy lips ; the facred, or the impure, purpofe, now forming in thy heart; the work of mercy this day performed, or left un- done. No one of thy thoughts, words, aftions, O man, is a matter of indifference. He who is living well for to-day, is living well for eternity. The crime, or the ncgled of this moment, will rife up in judgment ag linft thee. The plea of ignorance, of inattention, of inadvertency, will, in that day, avail thee nothing. The crime .charged is not, ^* thou haft opprell'ed the poor," thou 34^ THE DAY OF jrDGMr.KT. SF.RM. S. thou haft daflicd the cup from the lips of the thirfty, thou haft ftrippcd the orphan of his clothing, thou haft poifoned the fprings of life, thou haft, without a caufe, caft thy brother into prifon ; but the hungry and thirfty, the naked, the fick, the captive, thou haft failed to relieve and comfort, when it was in the power of thy hand to do it I prefented to thee an objedt, I furniflied an opportunity, 1 fupplied the means, but ye would not hear, ye would jiot lay it to heart, to give glory to my name; *' there- *' fore, I will make thy plagues wonderful." What a conftant motive to Icrioufnefs and at- Cention! Men attend carefully to temporal confe- quences. This will endanger my health, that will affcdl my good nanic ; this will fliake my credit, that goes to my life; here I may lofc a friend, there I may provoke an enemy. And on fuch confiderations as thefe do they live and 7i&:. Ah, why do they not purfue conducl to it*s everlafting confequcnccs and effecfls ? I low many unworthy dcHgns would then be ftrangled in the birth? How many idle, hafty, profane words, would then be reprcflcd ? How many crimes prevented, and how many works of mercy pra 4. Sympathy with the weak, the deftitute, the afflidled of every denomination: " In as much Vol. it. A a as 354 THE DAY OF jrrCMENT. SEF.M.S. *' as ye did it to one of the leall of thcfe my " brethren, , ye did it unto me." This kind affccftion is the balm of life, the endearing bond of union between a man and his brother. We fuffcr, not only with patience, but with compla- cency and fatisfadion, when we fee thofe whom we love, voluntarily drinking with us of our cup of bitternefs, when we fee the hand of affcdion fmoothing the pillow of our bed of languilliing, friendfliip adminiftering the medicine, or ming- ling the cordial. The pain that we give, is iIk: pain that we endure. And in this valley of tears, alls, this tender interchange conftitutes no inconfiderable part of the bufinefs, of the forrcvv and joy, of human life. It is the refuge which God and nature have provided for the miferable ; and it is the accumulated trcafure of the profpcrous and happy : There is one to bear it, there is one to (hare it, with me. Such is the affecting view which the Scrip- tures prefcnr, of the fympathetic tcndernefs of the compafTionate elder Brother of mankind, fuch is the characfter which he glories in, botli when in the valley of humiliation, and when fcatcd on the throne of his glory. This is that ** friend who (licketh clofcr than a brother," who has been *' a dwelling place to his people in all *' generations;" SERM. 8, THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. 2S$ " generations;" " In all their affliflions He was *' afflided, and the angel of his prefence faved *' them; in his love, and in his pity, he re* " deemed them, and he bare them, and carried " them all the days of old." He it is who faith, ** Henceforth, I call you not fervants, but " friends, for the fervant knovveth not what his ** Lord doth; but I have called you friends; '* for all things that I have heard of my Father* ** I have made known unto you." And is this the only proof of affedlion that he has given? Is his love written in no other characters but thefe? Behold his hands and his feet. *' Greater " love hath no man than this, that a man lay *' down his life for his friends." What a con- folation, O man, under the preffure of calamity, amidft the frowns of the world, when the ftream of creature comfort fails, in the valley of the fliadow of death? " There is ftill one who *^ careth for me, who has bound me as a fignet " upon his arm, who has graven me on the " palms of his hands," in whom I can confi- dently truft, that he " will never leave me, nor " forfake me." — '' In as much as ye have done '* it to one of the kajl of thefe my brethren,^* Men, in the pride of their hearts, are a(hamed of their poor kindred; they difown, andnegleft them. Worth, if clothed in rags, is overlooked A a 2 or 3';6 THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. SERM. ?. OT defpifcd: *' l( there come in a poor man', in' *' vile raiment ;" to him it is faid, " Stand thou' " there, or fit here under my footftool." It is not fo with Him, by whom, not appearances, l>iTt difpofitions, and aclions, are weighed. *^ Tlic lirft-born, among many brethren," is not ** aOiamed" to acknowledge the meaneft of his relations, under that affcdlionate appellation, and under the ftill more tender name of children, faying, ** I will declare thy name unto my bre- ** thren; and again, behold I, and the children *' which God hath given me." " He that ** toucheth you, touchcth the apple of mine ••• eye." Permit me to prefent you, as it happily ex- prefl'es my ideas, and is fo completely adapted to riiy fubjeft, with the tranflation of a beautiful pali'age of a celebrated Preacher of the lad age, ih a neighbouring country, in his Sermon on the words of Solomon, '* The ri^h and poor '* meet together," (and meet ihcy lliall at ilie judgment feat of Chrid:,) *' the Lord is the ** Maker of them all." — " Ixt us," fays Mr. ^aurin, " let us felec\, if poflible, the mod ob- ** fcure, the mcancll, the moll mifcrable crea- " ture in this aflembly : Let us pierce through *** the darknefs which covers him : Let 1:9 raife •* him lERM. 8. THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. ^^^J *' him from that tomb in which indigence and *' lownefs of condition have (hut him up. This " man, unknown to the world; this man, who *' feems hardly to exift, or to be but juft emerg- " ing from his original nothing: This man, ne- f' verthelefs, poffelTes the nobleft, the moft glo« " rious privileges ; This man, being reconciled *' to God, by the power of religion, has a right *' to afpire after every thing grand and fublime: *^ He has a right to draw nigh to God in the *' ardour of prayer ; and may, without meriting *' to be taxed as a vifionary, affure himfelf, that " Jehovah, that the great Jehovah, amidfl th^ " glory of heaven, amidft the praifes of the *' bleffed, has his eye upon him, liftens to him, '* comprehends what he means. This man has *Va right to fay within himfelf. The attention, ** which the great Lord of nature pays to the " government of the univeife, to the necefiities " of the human race, to the angelic choirs, to *' his owji fupreme felicity; fuch attention pre- *' vents not this adorable Being from thinking " on me, from interefting Himfelf about Ay " health, my children, my family, my cirgum-' ** fiances, my fubfiftence, my fafety; about the *.' minuteft of my concerns, even to a hair of "^ my head. This man has a right to addrefs *^ God, by the moft endearing, the moft tender, A a 3 " Ihall 33S THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. SERM.8. *' (hall 1 prefvimc to fay, the moH: familiar *' names, by which one man addrclTes another: ** He may call him his God, his MaRer, his " Friend, his Father. Thib man has a right to ** come and fit down with God at the commu- '' nion table, and to live, with reverence be it *^ fpoken, to live with God, as equals do with *' each other. This man has a right to apply *' to himfelf all that is great, confolatory, dc- '' lightful, tranfporting, in the myfteries of Rc- " demption, and to fay. It was for me, that the *' plan of falvation was formed in the eternal *' counfels; for me, from the foundation of the *' world, the Son of God was fet apart, as a pro- *'* pitiatory facrificc ; for me, in the fulnefs of ** time, he affumed a mortal body j for me he *' tabernacled fome years among men; for me>he <* met the (Iroke of divine JuRice, and fubmit- " ted to futfcrings, the very idea of which over- " whelms the mind, drinks up the fpirits ; *' for me, the Holy Spirit Ihook heaz-en and *' earthj the Jea^ and the dry land; eflablilhed a " miniftry which He has confirmed by the mi- ** raculous healing of the fick, by the refurrec- " tion of the dead, by the cafling out of devils, *' by the convulfion of univcrfal nature. This *' man has a right to afpiic to the felicity ^' of the immortal God, to the glory of the ** immortal SERM. 8. THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. 359 ' Immortal God, to tl)e throne of the immor- * tal God. Having reached his fatal hour, * ftretched on the bed of death, without a friend * to clofe his eyes, or attended by thofe whofe ' fympathy avails not ; periQiing, amidft impo- ' tent, ufelefs tears, for v/ant of medicine, or ' the inefficacy of medicine, he has a right to ' bid defiance to death, as having no power to * difturb, in the flighteft degree, the internal ' tranquility which he enjoys. He has a right ' to fummon the gates of heaven to open for ' his admiffion, and to fay, Li// up your heads, ' O ye gates', and be ye lift up, ye everlnfting * doors.'' Are thefe things fo, my brethren ? Is the leajl of Chrift's brethren thus privileged, thus digni- fied, thus ennobled, far beyond the ftateofa King ? Then let me caution you concerning them, in the words of Chrift himfelf ; " Take *' heed that ye dcfpife not one of thefe little *' ones; for, I fay unto you, that in heaven, " their angels do always behold the face of my ** Father which is in heaven.'' 5. Impartial, exa5i retribution clofes the view here prefented of the character of the Judge, and of diat judgment which He is then to execute. To 3^0 THE DAY OF JL'DGMENT* SERM. 8. To no purpofe are wife, and good, and necef- fary, laws cnaded, unlefs ihey are applied and enforced. To no purpofe is the caufc intel- ligently, impartially, faithfully tried, and fairly determined, if the judge wants inclination, or firmnefs, or power, to give effedl to his decifionj if wrong remains unredrefled, if the innocent continue to fuffer, if the guilty efcape. Un- happily, this imperfedion attaches here, as tq all human things; and deplorable are the ef- fects. *' Becaufe fentence againft an evil work " is not executed f^eedily; therefore the heart ** of the fons of men is fully fet in ihcm to do " evil." The righteous Governor of the world may feem, to the inconfidcrate and the profane, to have abandoned the management of it, to a blind fatality, or to human caprice. In every age *' fcoffers" have arifen, " walking after their ** own lufts, and faying, Where is the promife •' of his coming? For, fmce the Fathers fell ** afleep, all things continue as they were from ^* the beginning of the creation." But Provi- dence will not for ever fubmit to the infult ; juf- lice will not always ilumbcr. *' Thcfc things ** hill thou done, and I kept filcnce: Thou " ihoughtefl that I was altogether fuch an one as ** thyiclf : But I will reprove thee, and fet them ** in order before thine eyes." The day is at hand. SERM. 8. THE PAY OF JUDGMENT. 361 hand, which fliall bring to light the hidden things of obfcurity, which (hall explain the myf- tery of Providence, reduce confufion into order, juftify the ways of God to men, exalt the hum- ble, and confound the proud. To this great era the apoille of the Gentiles refers, when he thus writes to the Theflalonians, as a fource of cojnfort under manifold tribulation; *' We glory *' in you, in the churches of God, for your pa-. ^' tience and faith in all your perfecutions and " tribulations that ye -endure ; which is a mani- ^' fcft token of the righteous judgment of God, '* that ye may be counted worthy of the king^ *' dom of God, for which ye alfo fuffer : Seeing '^ it is a righteous thing with God to recom* " penfe tribulation to them that trouble you ; ** and to you who are troubled, reft with us, when ^* the Lord Jefus fhall be revealed from heaven, *' with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking *' vengeance on them that knov/ not God, and *^, that obey not the gofpel of our Lord Jefus *< Chrift ; who Qiall bepunilhed with everlafting " deftrudion, from the prefence of the Lord, *-' and from the glory of his power; when he *' fliall come to be glorified in his faints, and to *' be admired in all them that believe, (becaufe " our teftimony among you was beheved) in « that day." -r-Having 362 THE DAY OK JUDGMENT. SERM. S. — Having thus endeavoured to imprcfs upon your minds, the fucccflive ideas fuggefted from this all-intcreftingfiibjedt, permit me to befeech you, by the tender mercies of God, to cherifh the iniprcfTion; keep it alive, live under it's in- fluence. Beware of imagining that what 1 liavc been urging is merely the introduclion to an ap- plication addrefTed to your generofity and com- panion; that all originates, and is t3 terminate in a temporary, tranfient purpofe. Indeed, my friends, I have much farther, much higher views. While I afk of you a temporal gift to the fons of want, I wilh ftill more carneflly to impart to you a fpi ritual gift, *' Incline your ♦' car; hear, and your foul fhall live." Trufl:me,it is ofwonderfally little Importance, what you appear, what you are, now, but from the conncdion which the prefent has with here- after, and the influence which it has upon futuri- ty. The mofl favourite of your objecfls, the moft ardent of your purfuits, your highcft joy, your deepeft Ibnow, will wear a very different afpecl: this day fix months, from what it does this day. How much changed then will every thing be a century hence .> And, how the objedl will ap- pear, in the day of final judgment, is the only cnciuiry SERM. 8. TilE DAY OF JUDGMENT. 363 enquiry that merits the attention of a rationaV being. In your worldly proiperity moft fincerely iiiall I rejoice; but if, unhappily, it minifters to pride, or finful pleafure; if it makes you forget God, and forget yourfelves; if it fixes the world in your heart, and fmothers your religious principles, both you and I have unfpeakable caufe to mourn J for, " what fliall it profit a " man, to gain the whole world, and lofe his ** immortal foul, or what (hall a man give in ^^ exchange for his foul?" In your afflictions moft fincerely do I fympa- thize; but, if ye be Chriftians indeed, and" for^ " row after a godly fort," there is a period com- ing, when your forrow fhall be turned into joy, '* joy that no man taketh from you j" for, blelTed be God, that, under the heavieft preflfore, " we " forrow not as others who have no hope." Be perfuaded to think, and to live as if you thought, that nothing is, or can be good for you, but what will minifter to your joy and rejoicing at the laft day ; and that nothing is, or can be, evil, but what, in that day, the great Lord of all will difapprove, condemn, and puniHi, Apply 5^4 THE DAY or JUDGMENT. SERM. S. Apply the lolemn tcfl of death and judgment to all your palfions, puiTuits, pofl'efTions. It" you can but be engaged to make die falvation of the foul your great, firft, leading concern, rvcry point is gained; there will then be no oc- cafion to fay, Be liberal, be merciful; for thefc are among the natural cxpreflions of the divine life: But, O how melancholy is it to relied on the multitudes, whofe hearts melt in pity to jhc temporal diftrelfes of the poor and needy, who have no pity on their own precious, perilh- ing fouls ? As to the fecondary object of this day, I have only to add, that the calamity which we wifh to relieve, is daily incrcafing; and it mud be re- moved, and the return of it prevented, by exer- tions of a very diiferent kind from thofc we are now called to make. It is of infinitely more importance, to furnilh a poor man with the mean? of earning his bread, than to give it him for nothing. Unlcfs the moral principle be weakened, or dcftroyed, the being reduced to idlcncfs is the fevered ingredient in the fufler- ings which many of thcfe unhappy people are now enduring. For, in order to happincfs, the mind and the bands mud be directed to fome innocent and ulcful occupation. Were it pof- fiblc SERM. 8. THE 1)AY OF JUDGMENt; 3^^ fible to feed thefe manufa(5tur€rs, from year to year, from the funds of charity, it would neither be kindnefs nor vvifdom. It would be unkind to them, by robbing them of the pleafure of ho- ned induftry; and it would be the reverfe of political wifdom, for it is the intereft of the llate, that there (liould be as few drones as pof- fible in the hive. What then is to be done, in order to a radi- cal, and permanent remedy of the evil which wc feel and deplore ? I wiQi I had the fagaclty toi difcover, and the power to enforce, the means of cure. It is a fubjed: well-worthy of the atten- tion of intelligent, judicious, and benevolent men in the commercial world ; of men, whof^ enlarged and well inflrufVed minds could com- prehend, compare, and adjuft, contending claims and interefis. It would, undoubtedly, be botl?' impolitic and unjuft, to relieve and fupport one clafs of the labouring part of the community, ac the expence of another : And what wifdom can. draw the line, where one branch of manufacture, and the induftry and capital which carry it on, ought to end, and another to begin. But fuppof- ihg this pradicable, a greater difficulty is flill behind. Where is the wifdom that is able to dired, v/here the power that dares pretend to * control^, 3(56 THE DAY OF JL'DCMENT- SERM. 3. control Fafnion^ that imperial miflrcfs of this f.intafl:ic worlJ ? Let men deliberate on the cafe, and determine how they will, it mud be fettled u!tima:ely by another tribunal; the caufe muft go for dccifion to ihQ female woild. 1 have been aflured, that a very inconfiderable variation in their drefs would, without injuring any other department in trade, afford complete rcdrefs. If fo, 1 truft it v^'ill be fpeedily demonftratcd, by thofe who govern even FaJhioUy that, as in works of mercy and companion, as inperfonal attraction and ac- complifliment, fo in the exertions of patriotifm and public fpirit, Britifli females Hand unrivalled among the nations of the earth. It is impoflible for me to conclude, without endeavouring to exprefs the fatisfadion which I feel, in rcfleding on the liberal and generous condud of this congregation, on the prcfent occafion. The idea of a contribution was no fooner fuggellcd than adopted, adopted with warmth, by the elders, and by the people : And their zeal has been honouiably ethcicnt. It gives me inexpreffible pleafure to think., I have the honour to minifter to perfons fo well affecfl- cd in a good caufe; to think that the Scots Church, SERM. 8. THE DAY OF JUDGMENT. 367 Church, at London Wall, if Dot the firft, was among the firft, to take up a work of humanity; and not the laft, nor leaft, in labours of love. May a gracious Providence requite them, in the grant of every neceffary temporal bleffing; in ^' fpiritual and heavenly bleffings in Chrift Je- •« fus;" and in final approbation at the laft day, *' Well done, good and faithful fervants, enter " ye into the joy of your Lord." Amen. ADDITION [ 3^9 3 ADDITION TO SERMON VIIL W HATEVER otlier prctenfion to fuperlority may be denied to our Country, by rival Na- tions, there is one, at leafl:, which the moft envious and jealous of our neighbours muft admit, an unbounded, unwearied, efficient fpirit of beneficence, in relieving the poor and miferable of every defcription. I fay nothing of the wifdom and policy of our Lavjs refpedling a pro- vifion tor the poor: undoubtedly they loudly call for revifion and amendment ; but it is a fadl highly honour- able to the humanity of the Englifh Nation, that they annually contribute more than two millions flerling to- ward the fupport of the parochial poor. Bcfides this, the eftablifhments of voluntary beneficence are innumerable. Though heavily taxed by the Lavj, for the maintenance of the wretched in general, the inhabitants of England cheerfully tax themfelves for the relief of every particu- lar fpecies of mifery, whether it flow from ignorance, accident, age, or vice. Not only are generous and ef- fedlual efforts made to inftru6l ingenuous youth, but to reclaim the profligate; not only are afylums provided to fhelter and fave the untainted female orphan, but retreats of penitence and hope are opened to the miferable vidlims of fedudlion. Englirti Charity becomes, in the literal fenfe of the words, feet to the lame, eyes to the blind, health to the fick, liberty to the captive, nay life to the dead. Vol. II. B b . Nor 37^ ADDITION TO StRMON VIM. Nor is cvtn this all. Not only do permanent cfla- blUhmcnts rear tlieir auguft heads in every corner of the Land, but the inftant that new forms of human wretch- cdncfs appear, new channels of benevolence arc opened, new fourccs of mercy begin to flow. Diftancs, animo- fity, rivallliip, arc overlooked and forgotten, the moment that the call of wo is heard. Lifbon rifesmore majefticfrom the ruins of an earthquake by the liberality of England. Frenchmen, driven from their Country by the violence of a haughty Tyrant, feck and find refuge in England. Frenchmen, driven from their Country by the violtncc of a more haughty and fierce Republic, feck and find refuge in England. The limbs of our brave foldiers, (liivciing amidAtlic froft and fnow of foreign fields, blefs the hand of their ccmpaflionate friends in England, which furniihcd tliem with ui.iolicited clothing. The wives and ori)hans of our brave failors who fall in fighting the l)attles of their Country, find hufbands and fathers in a generous, a grateful, a fvmpathizing Public. Is trade flack, arc provifions fcarce and dear, docs a wretched in- dividual fuflcr. The Public immediately interpofcs, and makes the caufc of private diflrcfs their own. The Britifn Metro|'olis, as it is the feat of Govern- ment, the alTembiage of Grandeur, and the heart of Commerce, fo it is the focus of Benevolence. Her m.i- jeflic temples, lier fplendid p daces, her ingenious Works of Art, her extended trade, arc much iefs lier glory, than her fchools of infirud^ion, her doors of incrcy, her fub- fcriptions to the maintenance of the dcfiiiute. If mifcry lifts up a trembling voice, inflantly lier churches, her halls, h.cr theatres, her cofl'cc houfcs arc transformed into receiving ADDITION TO SERMON VIII. 37I receiving offices for the fens and daughters of want. The churchman and the diflenter, the peer and the cit, the devotee and the player, tlie merchant and the mechanic, herefy and orthodoxy, in whatever elf? they may differ, all, ail unite in this, Thofe who are in diftrefs muft be fuccoured. This appeared to be remarkably the cafe, in the exer- tions which were made, on occafion of the interruption of the filk manufadlure in Spitalfields, and the confe- quent diftrefs which overtook the operative weavers and their poor families, in the year 1793. An honourable emulation was excited among all ranks and defcriptions of perfons, in behalf of the fufferers. Tiie pulpits, in particular, re-echoed the voice of wo in willing ears, the hearts of all melted into pity, and the hand followed the facred impulfe. Among other efforts to this purpofe, the two immediately preceding difcourfes were addreffed to the people of my immediate charge, the Scots-Church, London Wall, and not without effe6l. They were af- terwards printed, by defire, and a confiderable part of the impreffion was prefented,freeof all expenfe, to the Com- mittee ; the whole amount of the fale to be applied to the charity. On reprinting them, in this collection, it was my wifti to have exhibited, in the Addition, to the Pub- lie, and to pofterity, if my Book Ihall defcend to it, a particular detail of the perfons, and of the fails, princi- pally prominent on this occafion : as difplaying fome re- fpedlable features of the age and place in which we live, and as furnifhing our fucceffors with a pattern not alto- gether unworthy of their imitation. I was efpecially ^cfuous of tranfmitting the names of the Gentlemen of B b a the 37* ADDITION TO SERMOK VIII. the Couimiitcc, who hr.ve condui^ctl this work of mtrcy, with lb much credit to themfelves, arl^ To much hcnerit to the obje6ts cf it. I hkcwife wiflied m have given the nnmes of ihc woithy Clergvmen ami Miiiiflers who contributed their fLrvices on tliat occahon, together with the names of their rclpcilivc cluirchts, ch:?pcls, and mceting-houfcs, and the fums colic 6led in each: a detail, i'urclv, as intercfting as an extract from the Norrhum- hcrland family-book, or the items of an Archipifcpal iiirtallation-fcaft, given three or four hundred years ago. To procure this gratification to mvfelt, and to my Rea- ders, I made application, for the necefi.Try materials, to my friends Mr. Jo/eph fVilfou of Milk Street, the Trea- furer, and Mr. James Louis Dcformeaux of Pearl Street, tlic Chairman of the Committee. Both thefe Gentle- men ex[)rcflcd the utmoft alacrity in promoting my views, but could not, without the pcrmiflion of tlieir Conftitucnts. It appeared to the Committee, on being confulted to this end, that as the Public had not received particular information, ref;)t6ling the ftate of the cha- rity, immediately from thcmfdves, it would be impro- per to have fuch information anticipated hy the hind of another. In this determination I cheerfully accjuiefce, and the rather that they have been fo gixxl as permit me to announce the general cffedl of their l.ibours of love. There have been given away, then, unJcr their inr(>ec- tion, in coals, 795 chaldron; in blankets, 583 pair ; in bread, 121,741 quartern loaves. And thL-y arc, to this hour, continuing to fpin cut, in their own ligniticant phrafcology, the munificence of ilie public, hy admi- nifiringit'k bounty to the widows, or the wives and chil- dren of loldiers and failors employed in the pubhc fcrvicc. One ADDITION TO SERMON YIII. 373 One difplay of tlie magnanimity of the gentlemen of this very refpetStable Committee mufl: not pafs unno- ticed, unpraifed ; as it prefents a view of human nature, at once plcafing and difgufting; a view of exalted virtue, and of abominable vice. Thefe good ^nen have had to contend not only with the poverty and w i etched nefs of theobje6ls, to whom they were devoting their time, their labour, their fubdance, but with their ingratitude and malignity. Inianuations were early diffeminated of col- lufion bct'.veen the Committee-man and the baker; in confquence of which, to promote a private and perfonal mutual intereft, the bread was reduced both in quality and weight; it was infinuated, that the beft of the coals was fecretly conveyed to the houfe of the Committee- man, for his family ufe, and the drofs only meafured out to the poor. Ordinary men would have loll temper, and relinquidied a Tituation where goodnefs was requited with ilander; but they perfevered in doing their duty, through good and through bad report; they aimed at the attain- ment of one of the communicable perfe6tions of Deity, that of extending kindncfs to the evil and unthankful ; they reduced into pradtice the injun6tion of the Apoftle, Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil ivith good; tliey remembered tlie words of the Lord Jesus, how he laid, J^leJJed are ye, ivhcn men Jlmll revile you, and perjecute you^ and Jh all fay all manner of evil aganijl you, faljely^for my Jake. Rejoice and he exceeding glad : for great 2s your re- VJard in Heaven. FINIS. Publiflied by the fame Author. I. SACRED BIOGRAPHY, in 6 vols, oaavo, a new Edition, being the Fourth, price il. i6s. in boards 5 to be had of the Au- thor, and of H. Murray, No. 32, Fleet Street. N. B. Any of the Vohimes may be had feparately to complete Sets. ir. LAVATER's ESSAYS ON PHYSIOGNOMY, a Traiif- lation from the French, In Imperial Qii_arto, containing upwards of Eight Hundred capital Engravings; in Forty Numbers at las. each: to be had of the Tranflator ; of T. Holloway, the Engraver, Newington Green ; and of H. Murray, No. 32, Fleet Street. N. B. Thirty-eight Numbers are ready for delivery, the otliei' two will be finiftied in lefs than fix months. III. THE LETTERS OF EULER TO A GERMAN PRIN- CESS, (the PrincefsD' An halt-Dessau, Niece to Frederick II. King of Prussia) on different Subje6ls in Phyfics and Philofophy, in two thick Volumes o6lavo, a Tranflation from the French, with many Plates ; price in boards 16s. to be had of the Tranflator, and of H. Murray, No. 32, Fleet Street. In the Prefs, and fpeedily wll be publijhed, STUDIES OF NATURE, a Tianflation from the French of Jacques-Bernardin-Hsnri de Saint Pierre 5 in five Vo- lumes 0(Sl;avo, containing five interefting Eiigravingi,