m ^mm&^ illBlffiffiillliiSiS t BX 9178 .P96 P7 1813 Proudfit, Alexander, 1770 1843. Practical Godliness PRACTICAL GODLINESS. PRACTICAL GODLINESS. IK THIRTEEN DISCOURSES, ON Tilt: DUriES OF THE CLOSET. AND FAMILY, AND SANCTUARY. BY ALEXANDER PROUDFIT, D. D. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. REV. XXII. 14. SALEM: PRINTED BY DODD AND RUMSEY. % 1813. TO THE liNHABITANTS OF THE FRONTIER SET- TLEMENTS, THE folhiving discourses, published clue jlij for their iise^ are now inscribed xvith the most tender, unfeigned solicitude for their everlasting salvation by their servant in the labors of the gospeL A. P. Salem, September, 1813. Vjr' :{[ PREFACE. Brethren ^S^m,Be7ovecI, SOME^^i^^r^^S^ since I of. fered you V-series of discourses on the *' ruin and recovery of man." In them I endeavor- ed to exhibit in a plain, scriptural manner those miseries in which we are involved by , transgression in the present life, and the un- speakably more awful wrath of Almighty God which awaits the impenitent in the life to come : I also attempted to illustrate the scheme of our redemption through the suffer- ings of the Eternal Son, and the infmitely im- portant result of this scheme as it issues in the highest glory to God, and blessedness of his redeemed. The design of this volume is to explain and enforce those means by which this salvation of God is ordinarily commenced, and carried on, and completed in the souls of his favored children. The deliberate, impartial trial of your spiritual character is recommended in the Jirst discourse as lying at the foundation of all religion. Wiihout union to Jesus the Surety, and reconciliation through liis righ- teousness, your discharge of external duties will be utterly useless ; it must be unprofita- ble as an attempt to rear up a superstructure without laying the foundation, or to cultivate a branch while the root remains rotten, or to VI PREFACE. purify the stream while the fountain itself is impure. In the second I have attempted to enumerate the various ordinances of religion as exemplified in the life of Zacharias, and Elizabeth ; and shewn that each ought consci- entiously to be observed in its proper connec- tion. Secret prayer is the third duty illustra- ted and enforced, because it is the immediate transaction of the individual with the heart- searching Jehovah, and although this does not constitute the corner-stone, it may certainly be considered as lying near to the foundation of all religion. If a man is not devout in the closet, it may with safety be asserted that he "will not be devout either in his family, or in the church, or in the world. The daily and diligent perusal of the scriptures is the next ordinance to which your attention is called, because it is a tribute of respect due to the • great God that since he condescended to be- come an Author, his word should be frequent- ly and affectionately read. T\\t fifth duty en- joined is the sanctification of the sabbath. — This which is reasonable in itself becomes our exalted privilege when we realise the re- turn of every sabbath as another pledge of that everlasting rest which remains for the people of God : After shewing the importance of fa- mily devotion,of parental instruction, and the obligation of each member to aim at promo- ting the edification of the others,! have endea- vored to point out the advantages of being ha- PREFACE. Vll bitually in " the fear of Jehovah.*' The grace of God does not merely teach us eccasiojialli/ to acty but uniformly to live "' soberly, and righteously, and godly in this present world." The thirteenth, and last discourse in this se- ries is designed to animate you to diligence in the work of the Lord by exhibiting the happy issue of a life spent in his service and communion. " To those who by patient con- tinuing in well-doing seek for glory, and hon- or, and immortality, eternal life,' through the aboundings of free grace, shall be a- warded. Brethren, I can assert, without the least ostentation, that I have *' longed to impart to you this spiritual gift ;" and in return make a single request of every reader, whether pa- rent or child. The request is reasonable, and I entreat, and adjure, and must even demand your compliance by all the solemnities of that hour when we shall sX^wdJace to face at the judgment- seat of Almighty God. The re- quest which I make is this, that if any duty recommended in these pages appears founded on divine authority you instantly and sincere- ly perform it. ** The servant who knoweth his Lord's will, and doeth it not, shall be bea- ten with many stripes." Feeble as the exe- cution of this work may appear, it has cost me some labor of body, and much anxiety, and even anguish of spirit, lest these truths which are intended for edification should is- VIII PREFACE. sue, through the neglect of an)^ in their great- er condemnation. Often when sitting in my study, or lying awake upon my bed, 1 have pas- sed in imagination throughy our settlements: I have painted to my mind some who are aho- gether unconcerned about their future desti- nies ; others living from day to day without prayer, or any improvenAcnt of the scriptures ; others wasting the sabbath in fishing, or fow^- ling, or unnecessary visits ; parents who la- bor arduously for the bodies of their children, but rarely offer r.p a petition for their souls, or speak to tliem of Jesus, who alone *' deli- vers from the wrath to come." God is my witness that after such a survey of your situ- ation, I have sought with melted heart, and on bended knees some truth which might be effectual for your conviction and salvation ; and the thought, that ihtse discourses should be blessed for that end, wou.ld be as '' life from the dead." How much should I consi- der my debt increased to sovereign mercy which disposed my mind to this labor of love ? How would my helpers in Christ Jesus, who contribute to its circulation, rejoice that the sacrifice of a little perishable gain on their part should conduce to your eternal profit ? '* O Lord, I know that all instruction will be unprofitable without thy blessing ; it must fall like water on the liinty rock making no im- pression ; or like dew upon the barren moun- tain producing no fruit. But thou hast com- PREFACE. IX manded us to be instant m season, and oat of season ; to watch for souls as those who must give account ; and althouj^h incomparably the most weak and worthless of thy servants, I can appeal to thyself that this work has been prosecuted in some measure in obedience to these commands, and to the operations of thy free Spirit it is now committed. Wilt thou in thine abundant mercy accept of this offer- ing, and crown it from age to age with thy bles- sing : Seal it upon the hearts of many sinners for their saving conversion, and of thy true followers for their greater enlargement in run- ning the way of thy commandments : Surely the more insignificant or contemptible the messenger is, the more illustrious must thy condescension appear both to angels and men in honoring him as the instrument of advcin- cing the interests of thy kingdom : And, now, to thee most Holy Father, with thy Dear Son, our Divine Redeemer, and the Spirit who gives everlasting consolation and good hope through the riches of his grace, be glory at- tributed by all the heirs of this grace world without end." Amen. CONTENTS. SERMON I. The importance of ascertaining our Spiritual Character — An Introductory Discourse. 2 Cor. xiii. S — Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith ; prove your own selves, SERMON II. An attention to all the Ordinances of Reli- gion requisite for constituting the Christian Character. Luke i. 6. — Aiid they were both righteous be- fore God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless, SERMON III. The advantages of Secret Prayer. Ac T s X. 2. — A devout man, and one that fear- ed God with all his house, a?id gave much alms to the people, and prayed to Godahvays, SERMON IV. On Searching the Scriptures. Acts xvii II — These were more noble than those in Thessulonica, in that they — search- ed the scriptures dady. SERMON V. The Sanctilicudon of the Sabbath. Isaiah Ivi, 4. — For thus saith the Lord un- to the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths. CONTENTS. XI SERMON VI. The advantages of Family Religion, with the guilt and danger of neglecting it. Jeremiah x. 25. — Pour out thy fury upon the — -families that call not on thy name, SERMON VII. Joshua's resolution considered, and recom- mended. Joshua xxiv. 15.- — But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord, SERMON VIII. The Duty of Parents to their Children. Prov. xxii. 6. — Train up a child in the way he should go, SERMON IX. The duty of one member of a family to ano- ther. Heb. iii. 13. — Exhort one another daily. X. The importance of attending the Ordinances of the Sanctuary — An Address. SERMON XL The manner of improving the Ordinances of the Sanctuary. Luke viii. 18, — Take heed — how ye hear. XII CONTENTS. SERMON XII. The advantages of being habitually in the fear of Jehovah. pROV. xxiii. 17. — Be thou hi the fear of the Lord all the day lo?ig, SERMON XIIL The happy issue of a life occupied in the ser- vice of God, and communion with him — THE CONCLUSION. 2 Peter i. 10. 11. — JFor if ye do these things ye shall never fall : For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord^ a?id Sa- viour Jesus Christ, SERMON I. 2 CORINTHIANS XIII. 5. JBxamine yourselves vjIietJier you be in the Jaith ; prove your own selves. IT is my design to deliver, as the Lord may afford opportunity, a series of dis- courses on the duties of the closet, and fami- ly, and sanctuary. These I cannot introduce with a subject more appropriate than that cf self-examination. The beauty and stability of a superstructure intimately depend on the solidity of its foundation : The verdure, and fruitfulness of a branch necessarily depend on the health, and vigor of the tree, mere espe- cially of the root from which it grows : Thus if we expect to remain '' stedflist, and un- moveable ' in our christian profession ; if wo expect to attend the ordinances, or discharge the duties of religion to the acceptance of God^ or our own spiritual proiit w^e must see that the principleby which we areactuated be pure. *' Without faith it is impossible to please God;' Without this grace we can neither serve him acceptably here, nor be admitted to the enjoyment of his kingdom hereafter. Self examination ; an impartial trial of our spiritual condition is a duty frequently enfor- ced in the oracles of God, and is unspeaka- bly important whether we consult our safety or comfort. It is enjoined " that Q\QYy man prove/' examine by the unerring test, " hit> 14 Sermon \, own work ; that he give ail diiigence to nrakc his calling and election sure :'* This same du- ty is urged with peculiar earnestness in the verse which is chosen for our present consi- deration. " Examine yourselves whether you be in the faith ; prove your own selves;" make a fair experiment of your religious pre- tensions, as the real weight of metals is as- certained by the scales, or their genuine qua« lity proved by the f^re. It adds no incon- siderable force to this injunction to reflect on the time vvhcn the Apostle addressed it to the Corinthian Church. He had labored in person among them nearly two years, and seen his labors crowned with abundant aiid glorious success ; he had in a former epistle illustrated at large their duty and privilege ; lie had expljined to them the nature of that u- niontothe Son of God which secures peace in this world, and salvation in the next ; he had addressed them by the honorable appella- tion o^ saints, saints by outu'ard visible pro- fession, yet in this last epistle, and in the ve- ry conclusion of it he presses them to an ex- amination of their character. This circum- stance may admonish us to entertain a holy jealousy of ourselves ; to try occasionally the foundation of our hopes, as the man who travels to a distant country w^ill often enquire w^hether he has taken the road which leads to it, or the m.ariner in sailing to a foreign port will enquire whether the course which he pursues will lead to that port. These Corin» Bermdn 1. \^ thians are exhorted to exr.minc whether they be in iht faith. By this faith we are PxOt to linderstand an assent to the truth oi revelation, or a persuasion of the excellence of the chris- tion religion, because of this fact the apostle was already assured. *' Many of them,'' the sacred historian relates. ** believed and were baptized;" they yielded to the testimony of the gospel, and expressed their general faith by asking admission to the privileges of the church in the ordinance of baptism. But thousands who are recognized as members of the sanctuary on earth, we have reason to fear, will never be admitted to the worship of the sanctuary in heaven. Our claim to the privi- leges of the church visible,however desirable, is no certain evidence of our claim to the im.- muniiics and glories of the church invisible. The form of godliness is possessed by many who are destitute of its power ; The lamp of a profession may be carried in the hand when the oil of saving grace has never been commu- nicated to the heart. Our master has taught lis to expec t that '* many will say to him in that day. Lord, Lord, have we not prophe- sied in thy name ? And in thy name have cast out devils ? And in thy name done many won- derful works ? To whom he will profess I ne- ver knew you ; depart from me, ye workers of iniquity." The faith mentioned with such emphasis by the apostle is that principle which actually embraces the Saviour ; which claims him on th(^ general grant of the gospel for re- mission of sin, for sanctification and future 16 Sermon 1. glory ; which takes shelter beneath tlie co- vert of his atonement and righteousness from the thunders of the broken law, and the tem- pest of ahnighty wrath This is that fiiith in the possession of which none ever perished, and without which none need expect salvation. There is no condemnation to them v/ho are in Christ Jesus, and there is no salvation for a sinner of the human family in any other* These Corinthians are not admonished to ex- aUiine whether they had repented of their past imperfections, or were purified from their former immoralities, but to enquire *' whe- ther they be in the fiiith," because faith by holdino'comn-iunion with Jesus the evcr-livinc: Head gives vigor to every other grace, just as the living tree imparts nourishment to ail the branches which grow upon it, or as the living fountain feeds the various streams vrhich issue from it. *' Faith worketh by love ; it purifies the heart; ' it has its "- fruit unto ho- liness and the end everlasting life." Brethren, the duty enjoined by the Apostle is infinitely interesting to you and me ; it most intimately concerns the peace of our consci- ences now, and the safety of our souls forever. May the Holy Ghost shed light upon the un- derstanding both of speaker and hearer while I attempt to shew — I. How we may ascertain whether wc be in the faith ^ and H. Why we ought immediately and ear- nestly to examine ourselves in this matter. iS'ennon 1. ^ T. The reality of our faith may be known by its internal actings and exercises. It is defined in scripture a looking unto JesusChrist, receiving him ; resting upon him ; count irg ail things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus the Lord ; turning to him as a strong hold, ^w6. fleeing for refuge to him as the hope set before us in the gospel ; coming to him for rest ; depending upon him for righteousness and strength^ and rejoicing in him as our Beloved ; particularly improving liim as our Shepherd, our Father^ our High Tower, our Deliverer and Shield. Now, by a patient and im.partial examination of our own hearts we may ascertain whether these exercises have been experienced there. We know that we possess a rational faculty by tlie operations of this faculty ; by our fears and hopes, our joys, our aftections, our aversions, our recollection of what is past, and our anti- cipation of what is to come ; and we may know that we possess the principle of grace by the operations of that principle, by our ha- tred of sin, by our desires after holiness, by our love to Gotl, by our cordial delight in his communion, by our unfeigned respect for his commandments, and ordinances. Retiring for a season from tlie company, and cares of the world let us propose to ourselves the fol- lowing solemn enquiries. " Have there been particular moments when we beheld our mi- serable, and truly awful condition by nature ; tliat as transgressors of the law of God v^hich 3 2 15 Sermon I. IS holy and jz/5^, we are under the curse, heirs of wrath, pkmged in infinite arrears to his justice without the least ability to cancel this debt either in whole, or in part ; from this discovery of our own exceeding sinfulness, and the purity and majesty of that law which we had violated were we driven utterly to des- pair of relief by any penances, or performan- ces of our own ; did we afterwards discover a remedy for our diseases, a redemption for our offences in the obedience and blood of Jesus Christ '' the Lamb of God who taketh. away the sins of the world ;" did we obtain some affecting apprehensions of him as suffer- ing for us, the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God, as set forth by the Father to be ^' a propitiation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousness for the remission of sin ;'' have w^e discerned this righteousness of Jesus the everlasting Surety to be infinitely meritorious in its nature, fully answerable to all the demands of justice, and acceptable to God the Father ; have we discovered this re- demption to be free for the chief of sinners, and consequently free for us ; and renouncing- iiU other refuges have we solemnly rested our souls on this Mediator for pardon, and peace, adoring his condescension that he should pi- ty our perishing world, and give his life a ran- som for our sins ? Is it the deliberate and full consent of our hearts, nay, our most ardent desire to be redeemed, and sanctified, and saved, and thus stand forth both in time and Sermon 1. 19 eternity monuments *' to the praise of the riches of the glory of his grace ? * Amidit the nuRieroiis failures with which we are chargeable ; the omission or the imperfect discharge of duty have we constant recourse to the blood of his cros::^ for new pardon before God, and new peace to our own consciences ? " In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be jus- tified and shall glory. I count all things but loss, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith." Amidst the various e- vils and perplexities of life have we recourse to Jesus Christ for rest, and support, and con- solation ? '* The Lord is my portion saith my soul,*' one inspired writer asserts, *' therefore will I trust in him : Though my flesh and my heart fail he is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Amidst all the vicissi- tudes of this changing world, amidst the va- riety of our inward feelings, and outward cir- cumstances is it the source of our glorying and joy that our Redeemer is strong and without change ; that his love, and promises and pur- pose, and covenant are the " same yesterday, and to-day, and forever ? ' The reality of faith may thus be known with a great degree of certainty by its inward exercises and operations. All christians do not correspond precisely in the circumstances attending thcr conversion, or their^ experien- 20 Strmon 1. ces nftei wards. Some ere brought to a know- ledge of the Saviour in early life, others are permitted to continue to a more advanced pe- riod before thej' are called by divine grace r Some undergo a severe conflict with their own consciences and the terrors of the broken law ; they are tossed long on the tempestuous o- cean, without a cheering view of either sun, or stars, and in their own apprehensions m.ust finally perish, while others by a gentle gale of the spirit are wafted at once into the haven of '*joy and peace in believing:" Some ex- perience a more abundant measure of spiritu- al li£?ht, and streniith, andhoi:e;like Abraham^ Stagger not at the promise of God through unbelief, while *' otliers w^alk in darkness,, and through fear of death are all their life time subject to bondage." But whatever be the- diversity of their exercises previous to their saving conversion, and whatever the diversi- ty of their attainments in joy, and peace, and heavenly hope in future life aM christians will correspond in rejoicing in Christ Jesus, and renouncing all confidence in the flesh, thty most cordially embrace him as the Father's gift, and exult in him as ail their salvation,, and hope. Each according to th.e measure of grace communicated \\ill be disposed to appropriate the elevated language of the pro- phet, " behold, God is my salvation ; I will trust, and not be afraid for the Lord Jehovah Is my strength, and my song \ he also is be* come mv salvation." Sermon 1. 21 2. Faith miiy be known by its fruit, or ef- fects both on the heart, and the life. This principle does not consist in a cold speculative assent to any system of doctrine, or in a bar- ren unproductive belief of th it revelation which the scriptures afford of Jesus Christ, and his salvation : It is a living, operative principle, and necessarily maniicsts its existence by its effects, as the life of a tree is known by its foliage, and f^^uit, or the sun is known by the light which beams from it. Peace of conscience through a persuasion of the remission of sin, and reconciliation to God is frequently represented as one fruit, or effect of this fliith. The Apostle therefore pleads in behalf of the Romans that ** the God of hope would fill them with all joy, and peace in believing, that they might abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost :" And lie mentions again that '^ being justified by- faith we have peace w^ith God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Faith secures peace to the awakened, accusing conscience by apply- ing that blood of atonement through which the law is magnified, and the Father is well pleased. The believer in the exercise of this principle appropriates all that Jesus underwent for the redemption of sinners as undergone for himself, in his own room, and for his own salvation, and then considers that '' the work of righteousness shall be peace, and the ef- fect of his righteousness shall be quietness and assurance forever:" He beholds the Fa- ^f Sermon 1. ther as fully pacified tlirciigli the cross of Iiis Son, as there assuming the endearing charac- ters of the " God of peace, of patience, avid of liope," as not merely pacified, but *' able to do for him exceeding, abundantly above all that vve can ask, or think,'' and therefore re- joices in him as an infinitely enriching, unfa- ding portion.- J^ove is another effect riecessarity produced by the instrumentality of this grace residing in the heart. *' For in Christ Jesus neither eircumcisionavaileth any thing,nor uncircum- eision but faith which worketh by love.' 'This divine principle while it contemplates the love of God to us, his rich unmerited, amazing grace in providing a Saviour, in forgiving in- numerable ofiences through the merit of his sacrifice, mortifying innumerable corruptions through the efficacy of his spirit, and thus fit- ting us for, and giving us a title to an *' ex- ceeding, eternal weight of glory," faith con- templating these things produces love to God, both unfeigned, and ardent : The christian transported in the contemplation of the won- drous theme is constrained to cry out, *' be- hold I what manner of love hath the Father bestovv'ed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God ?" What shall I render to the Lord for graCe thus astonishing, and distin- guishing ? What tribute of gratitude shall I offer to the Father, \^ ho spared not his Son, or to the Son who spared noi himself, butsub- rnittcd to be wounded for my transgressions,' Sermon 1. 2^ ©rto tlie spirit of adoption who has enabled me to believe in Jesus, and through him to '' rejoiee in hope of the glory of God ?" In proportion therefore 2ib faith is strong love will be ardent in the heaven-born soul: Each re- collection which the christian has of his for- mer character and condition as a child of wrath ; each contemplation of what he is ren- dered by grace, and each anticipation of that crown which he expects shortly to receive, and those joys which he will participate kin- dles afresh this sacred flame, and makes him long for the full fruition of his Saviour and God. Faith is represented also as ** purifying the heart : ' It centers immediately upon the ever- living, immaculate Jesus as its object ; it im- itates the examnle, and derives all influence from Him who was emphatically " the Holy One of God,'' and consequently as the branch resembles in quality the tree upon which it grows the soul which is joined to the Lord the Saviour will necessarily become assimila- ted to him : it will aspire after holiness as he is holy. The principle of faith when produ- ced in the heart commences a warfare with surrounding corruption, and never ceases from the conflict, until it is crowned with vic- tory in the end. The believer's heart which, ^vhile unconverted, wa^ the haunt of impuri- ty where " the devil, and the \vorld, and the iiesh possessed the undivided dominion, is now converted into a theatre of war. While 24 Sermon 1. the child of adoption therefore complains ** the flesh hisU ih against the spirit," he can also add, ^' the spirit,' the gracious principle sup- ported and cherished by constant communi- cations from Jesus Jehovah, *' lusteth against the fiesh," carries on its warfare against eve- ry remaining corruption, '* and these two are contrary the one to the other ;" they are es- sentially opposite in their origin, in their na- ture, and the hostility is never suspended un- til grace triumphs over all opposition, and the believer stands *' faultless before the throne \vith exceeding joy." Such is the effect of saving faith when produced in the heart ; it aims at regulating every thought, and expres- sion, and action according to the glorious gospel ; it inftuences the individual to live so- berly, and righteously, and godly in this pre- sent world. The christian reflects that it is his Father's will, the divine pleasure, and pur- pose even his sanctifi cation, and therefore he ardently aspires after holiness as his duty, and glory, and privilege. It is to him the sou ice of deep humiliation, and sorrow that he can- not be more spiritual in his desires, more cir- cumspect in his deportment, more exampla- ry, and edifying in his conversation, and it is his joy, his triumph that the seed of grace already implanted is imperishable, and in due time will infallibly ripen into a harvest of glory. Faith which purifieth the heart is also re- presented as '* overcoming the world." The Semon 1. 25 believer elevated on the wings of a lively faith, and hope soars above the v/orld with its empty honors, and joys, and realises the in- visible, yetsublimcj substantial glories of the heavenly state, contrasted with which every thing created sinks into insignifieance^ as the stars disappeai when the sun sheds his radi- ance in the east. Through the influence of this purifying, elevating principle we hear Paul declaring, *' vrhat things were gain to me,' those which constituted the source of my rejoicing, and were the theme of my chief- est glorying in the former days of my vanity, <' these I counted loss for Christ : God for- bid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world is cru- cified unto me, and I unto the world.' And by thepower of the same f.\ith, ** Moses v/hen he was come to years refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter ; choosing rather to suffer affliction vrlth the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, for he had respect to the recornpence of reward.'* The magnificence of the Egyptian court, and the splendor of its crown appeared uninterest- ing, nay contemptible when brought into competition with those unmingled pleasures, and unfading glories which are reser\'ed for the faithful followers of the Lamb. The chris- tian is industrious in the duties of his calling, he is careful of that wealth which a bounteous God has bestowed upon him ; he enjoys in temperate measure the pleasures of this world ; c 25 Ser^riOn 1, he values the esteem, and ccnfideiiCe of his ililow-creatures, but all these pr hi leges he considers as transient in their nature, as not \vorthy to be compared cither in vahje, cr du- ration with the friendship of God, or the ini- iiiunitles of his everListing kingdom. Such are the effects of a saving faith gene- rated in the human \icnrt, peace of conscience through the sprinkling of the blood of recon- ciliation, jo7/ m Jehovah as his eternal, satis- fying portion, love to Kim as a being incom- parably glorious, and good, purity of heart, ^.Vi^victory over this present evil world, and by an imipartial, deliberate self-examination wc mr.y ascertain whether vre have felt these effects. 1 may know Vvhether I rely en the general, uncovenanted mercy of an absolute God, or whether I n:editate upon him, draw TiCar to hhn, transact v/ith him, cast all n^y cares upon him, and expect every blessing from him only as he is reconciled in Jesus the Mediator : I may know vvhether I place ^vi)' confidence on my own performances, n.y prayers, niy tears, my fastings, my charities to the poor, my benevolence to all, or \^ he- ther renouncing these deeds in point of merit I desire *' to be justified freely by gracc^ through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ:" I may know whether I supremely follow after holiness, endeavoring to reduce rot merely m.y actions v^hich are obvious to the view of men, but even my secret thoughts in subjection to the glorious gospel ; v.he- Sermon 1. 27 ttier I am ardently aspiring aflcr higher de- grees of sunctificatioa as agreeable to the will of God, and conducing to the glory and hap- piness of my natlire : I inay know whetlier I truly, and fervently love the Lord God, whether i take pleasure in meditating upon him as my friend, and Father, in reading of him in the' promises, in praying to him in the closet, imploring the forgiveness of all my offences, and the supply of my numerous wants, or whether he is rarely in my thoughts : I may know who among men are the com- panions of my choice, those who fear God, who work righteousness, who are lowly in their carriage, and chaste in every part of their conversation : wdiether *' out of love to him who begat I love those who are begotten of him,' and choose rather to mingle in the society of such than with the children of this world however spleuded their rank, or afflu- ent their fortune. ** If any man be in Christ,'' made alive to God by his resurrection from the dead, '* he is a new creature ;" he is go- verned by new motives ; he experiences new joys, new fears, new aversions, new affec- tions : ** It is so great a change that it cannot pass upon a man unknown to him. He may not know, indeed, the hour, the day, or per- haps the month of this translation, but the translation itself he must know, or he hath found none. He once was darkness, but now he is light in the Lord, and can a man emerge fro:n darkness into light widiout perceiving 23 Scrr.:Gn I. the change ? Can any creature pass from dcaili unto life without a perception of the change ?"* Impossible." Is the certainty of our spiritual condition really attainable, it becomes us to enquire, 11. Why we should ^ive dilurence, all dl- licence to attain to this assurance ? 1. A concern for our own safety should excite to all possible earnestness in making cur calling and election sure. In pursuing the enquiry whether we are in the faith, we arc really enquiring whether we are in a state of reconciliation, or of wrath ; w^hether we are the vassals of the Prince of darkness, bound fast in his iron chains, and led captive by hinx at his pleasure, or whether we are the freemen of Jesus, and interested in the glorious liber- ty of his sons ; whether \yq have entered " the strait gate," and are pressing on in *'thenarrow% unfrequented way which leads- to life,'' or whether we travel the broad way which conducts to never ending perdition. Thus interesting is that question, " am I in the faith." For the truth of Jehovah hath as- serted, " he that belie veth on the Son hath everlasting life, and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.'* And is it possible to con- ceive an interrogatory more important than one which involves the welf\u'e of our souls for eternity ? The failure of a stone in any part of the building may deface the beauty^ * HOR. SOLITARI, Vol. 2, 234. Sermon I, 29 or enfeeble the strength of a particular part of the building, but if the foundation is defec- tive the whole superstructure must totter, and fall. A disorder upon a remote member of the human body, upon the finger or foot, may effect our comfort and impair ourstrength, but the disease which seizes upon the vitiils af- fects not a single part merel}^, but the whole system, and unless speedily removed must prove fatal in its consequences. Thus an er- ror in principle, an irregularity in practice may injure our character, our comfort, our useful- ness, our influence, but a mistake as to the reality of our faith in the Son of God, and our interest in his covenant righteousness is fatal ; it strikes upon the very vitals of all our hopes, and leaves without a remedy for ever. He V. ho does not improve the sacrifice of Jesus of Nazareth, of him who suffered without the gates of Jerusalem as a propitiation for human guilt, neither does, nor ever shall enjoy the ofler of any other sacrifice : '* But there re- mains a certain fearful looking for of judg- ment, and fiery indignation which shall de- vour the adversary :'' He who is not careful to put on by faith that " garment of salvation, that robe of righteousness which he prepared, is left without covering, and must stand forth naked, a spectacle of derision, and scorn to God, and angels, and men. Surely then this examination to w^hich we are lU'ged by the Apostle is the most interesting which can oc- cupy the attention either of male or female ; c2 30 Sermon 1. It does not merely concern our health, our property or reputation in the present life, but involves all that is dear throughout the ages of eternity. Brethren, hear the declaration of the ^' Amen, the faithful and true Witness,'' of him the decision of Vi hose mouth will here- after fix oureverlasting destiny, '' Verily, ve- rily, I say unto you, except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink his blood ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood haih eternal life, and I Vv'ill raise him up at the last day." 2. A concern not only for cur safety, but for our comfort should excite us to earnest- ness in the duty of self-examination. If we occupy a particular house, or farm, the enjoy- ment is greatly enhanced from an assurance that our title is inviolable, and that neither intrigue nor violence can deprive us of the possession. He who is travelling to a distant regionfeels muchmorecomposure in his mind and is animated to greater diligence in the pro- secution of his journey j he can also bear with more patience every inconvenience to which he is exposed, when he entertains a full assu- rance that the road which he travels leads to the place of his destination : The mariner in performing a voyage sails along with in- conceivably greater satisfaction, encounters with more resolution every storm which beats upon him, if confident in his own mind that he is pursuing the proper course, and will reach the desired harbor at last. But a full Sermon 1. 31 assurance of an interest in the covenant, and our title to eternal lite is a source of incon- ceivably greater consolation, because the object in expectation is inconceivably more important. With what submission, and for- titude can the christian carry alongevery cross, when assured that it will soon be succeeded by the crown ? With what elevated pleasure can he read the promises, when he is enabled in the language of confidence to say, *' these promises which are all yea, and amen in Jesus Christ, are unalienably my own ; they are my security in the very hand writing of my heavenly Father for all blessings both tempo- ral and eternal." With what transports of joy can he sit in the sanctuary, and hear of the lovely Saviour, of his glories as God, of his excellence aud sufficiency as Mediator, of the plenitude of his salvation when he can confidently hay, '* this Jesus whomyou are now describing ; whom you represent as fairer than the children of men, and heir of all things is my portion, my Beloved, and Friend ; I am a joint-heir with him who is the heir of all things and I am persuaded that neither height nor depth, nor angel, nor principality shall ever separate me from his love, and I expect short- ly to taste more of his grace, and behold more of his glory in the temple above than language can now express or imagination conceive." With what emotions of joy can the heir of salvation either read, or hear of the heavenly city, of its golden streets, of its ivory palaces, 32 Scnnon 1. of those trees of righteousness which there ex- pand and flourish in unfading bloom, and of the pure river of water of hfe which proceed from the throne of God and the Lamb, when he can contemplate this fair inheritance as his own in reveriiicn, and in the triumph of faith is enabled to exclaim, " thou wilt shew me the path of life ; thou wilt guide m^e with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glor}'. ' How patient has this full assurance of hope rendered the righteous amidst the various e- vils of life ; haw cheerful in every act of obe- dience, how crucified to this world with its most gilded prospects, and how eager for the enjoy nicnt of the purchased pos5;ession ? Have v/e not often seen them glorying in tribulation y have vve not heard them exulting in prisons, and en scaffolds, when their title to the king- dom was clear and tlie eye of faith was stca^ dily fixed on that title ? One rapfurously ex- ults, *' although my house be not so with God, he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in ail things, and sure ; this is all my salvation, and all my desire." Another sings in strains equally elevated, " al- though the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vine : the labours of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat ; the flock shall be cut ofiTrom the fold, and there shall be no head in the stall : yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." It is the triumph of a third enlivened by the same hope of immortalit}-, Sermon 1. 33 ** It is a faithful saying, for if we be dead with Jesus we shall also live with him. If we suf- fer we shall also reign with him For our light affliction, which is but for a moment work- eth for us a far more exceeding, and eternal weight of glory. 3. A concern not only for our own comfort and safety, but also a regard for the honour of religion, and for the encouragement, and edification of others should excite to a holy ear- nestness in self-examination. When the pro- fessors of Christianity are always labouring in doubts ; when they appear disheartened, and dejected under the afflictions of life, and entertain no more than a trembling hope of salvation in the life to come, spectators natu- rally become, disaffected towards religion ; they are tempted to imagine that it consists merely in melancholy and gloom ; that it calls its votaries to the sacrifice of many earthly en- joyments, and gratifications without affording as a substitute any other consolations : En- quirers after the truth are thus discouraged, and its open enemies are confirmed in their prejudices. But v/hen the professed disci- ples of Jesus are able " to give a reason of the hope that is in them with meekness, and fear;' when they appCvar unshaken in their reliance on his merits for pardon, ard glory ; when they can assert from personal, repeated experience '' that his ways are ways of plea- santness, and that all the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared to the glory 34 Sermon 1. that shall be revealed," how is our holy re- ligion recommended and confirmed : The drooping pilgrim in hearing the testimonies of such, turns his face again towards Zion, and goes on his way rejoicing : Enquirers after truth are roused to greater eagerness in their enquiries : strangers are encouraged to join themselves to the Lord, and the open c- nemy of the cross if not convicted of the real- ity of religion, and constrained to embrace it becomes at least ashamed, and afraid openly to oppose it. When two travellers go along together, and both are doubting whether they have taken the proper road for the country in view, instead of encouraging, and assisting, they will rather retard the progress of each o^ ther : If either is fully assured that the road which they travel will certainly conduct to the desired place ; if he traces a variety of marks vrhich have been described by others who have gone to the same place before him, he not only prosecutes the journey with reso- lution, but he can take his fellow-traveller by the hand, and animates him to go on amidst all the obstacles which intervenes. Thus it is with the spiritual pilgrim in his journey to his eternal home. When he possesses satis- flictory evidences that he is sanctified by di- vine grace, and led by the spirit of God ; when he feels the same fears, and desires, and joys, and hopes which were felt by those who "now inherit the promises," he is capable not mere- ly of enduring the toil of the journey, but of sermon 1, 55 encouraging others in the paths of righteous- ness : With peculiar propriety, and emphasis, he can expostuhite vvith his former compan- ions in sin, *' to taste and see that the Lord is good ; ' he can assure them from his own cer- tain experience that '* happy is that man whose God is Jehovah." Is it not truly astonishing that men are usu- -ally so indiiferent about their spiritual and everlasting interests ? Although faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is infinitely important ; al- though it involves our safety and comfort, both in this world and in the next, yet how few can be persuaded to ** examine whether they are in the faith ? ' By what arguments can w^e prevail with our beloved hearers " to work out their salvation with fear and trem- bling ? ' Propose to them any scheme which will probably conduce to their temporal ease, or interest, or honor, or happiness, and their attention is instantly excited and engaged, but in the all-important concerns of eternity, no considerations, either of misery or joj', either of reproach or glory are sufficient to rouse them to reflection. Open your door to a tra- veller exhausted with fatigue or want, and how readily will he turn in, but although a door of hope is thrown open in the gospel for sinners of the human family, for the /?oor, the vmcrahle^ the hlind^ and the halt^ how I'cw can be persuaded to enter ? Offer bread to the hungry, or water to the thirsty, or clothing to the naked, or the healing medicine to one who 36 Sermon 1, is pining away with some malignant disease, cr propose to the miserable slave to break off his grilling chains, how eagerly would these cfiers be embraced, but may not the '' bread of life, the Vvater of life, the balm of the co- veiiarit, the liberty of the Sons of God' be a thoubi'^ind times offered yet wantonly rejected ? When any office of emolument, or honor be- comes vacant, how many candidates appear ? What various means will they devise for in- suring their success, and how prudently and patiently will they persevere in the use of these means ? If a new region is explored where the soil is fertile, the climate healthful, and other enjoyments may be obtained, what multitudes flock to it from all directions ? And what fatigue will they endure, and what dangers either by land or water will they en- counter to reach it ? Yet although the scrip- tures hold out to view ** a city which hath foundations whose builder and worker is God, an house eternal in the heavens, an inherit- ance incorruptible, and undefiled," a coun- trv where the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick ; where there shall be no more disease, nor death, and although so many profess to believe that the accounts, which the scriptures afford of the heavenly country, are true, yet how few are eagerly enquiring after it, or duly anxious to secure their interest in it ? Was it suggested to any who are present that their title to a certain house, or farm was defective, and that with proper attention it might be Sermon 1. 37 confirmee!, what anxiety would they feel, and what diligence would they exercise until the defect was corrected ? But I solemnly ask you what means have you employed for ma- king sure your title to the inheritance of eter- nal glory ? You have often heard that *^ strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth to life," with what eagerness have you been striving to enter ? ** O Lord, that men did but know what everlasting glory, and everlasting torments are, would they be- have as they do ; would they read and hear things as they do ?'' What meaneth this un- concern about those eternal, awful realities which iilone are worthy of our concern, and what meaneth this indolence in pursuing them? Is not the soul precious ? Is not life precari- ous ? Have not many weeks, and months, and years of your accepted time already passed a- way, and is it to you a dreadfu' uncertainty how long the season of mercy may be conti- nued to you ? What shall I say of the infatu- ation, the madness of men ? They are fond of pleasure, and yet by their wilful unbelief run the hazard of never ending pain ? They are careful of the body ; they are diligent in feed- ing it, clothing it, in using the means of re- storing it to health when diseased, and yet carelessly slight the nobler part, the immor- tal soul ? They are professedly attached to life, and yet amidst admonitions, and entrea- ties throw themselves into the arms of the se- cond death ? '' Turn ye, turn ye, why will 38 Sermon 1. you die, O house of Israel ?'' Sinners, bv all that is dreadful in the miseries of the damned, and by all that is inviting in the joys of the redeemed be entreated to shake off your slum- bers. *' Hear ye, and give ear ; be not proud for the Lord hath spoktrn. Give glory to the Lord your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble on the dark mountains, and while ye look for light he turn it into the shadow of death." Beloved brethren, consult your safety, and interest, and glory by believing without de- lay in the Lord Jesus Christ : Then having laid the foundation sure by union to his Per- son, and a full reliance on that redemption ^vhich is in his blood how cheerfully may }cii proceed to carry on the superstructure of ho- liness : You may be &x[\y discharging the du- ties of religion, and in return receiving its consolations. You may with all freedom en- ter the closet, and on bended knees, and with grateful hearts be lisping forth the language of adoption, "cur Father which art in hea- ven : ' You may search the scrij)tures, not as the student looks over the map of a distant country, but as the heir examines his title to a large estate, as a deed of conveyance secu- ring to you all grace in time, and all glory through eternity : you may sa^ictify each re- turning Sabbath as a memorial of the resurrcc. lion of your dear Lord, and an earnest of that eternal rest to which you will shortly be intro- duced : Ycu may enter the sanctuary, and Samon 2. 59 sit down v/lth the congregation of the fliithrul as a pledge of being admitted hereafter to the heavenly Jerusalem, and enjoying intimate, uninterrupted communion w'nh the redeemed of all kindreds and countries : You may sub- mit to (ZYcvy trial as the rod of an indulgent Father, and receive every earthly comfort as a foretaste of those *' everlasting pleasures which are at God's right hand :" You may exercise patience in the season of darkness, anddisquietudein the prospect of that morning which shall be obscured by no cloud, nor suc- ceedf^d by any night. Beloved reader, the grace of our Lord Je- sus Christ be v/ith thy spirit. Amen* SERMON II. LUKE I. 6. And they were both righteous before Gody walking in ail the commmKhnents, and ordi- nances of the Lord blamcUss* ** ALL scripture is given by inspira- tion of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.' Each part of the sacred vo- lume possesses sf^me excellence peculiar to itself, and is calculated to alarm the secure, to enlighten the enquirer after truth, or to an- imate the drooping, disconsolate pilgrim iu his course to Zion. \\\ the precepts of the 40 S:rn:on 2. mor«'\l law we hare an interesting dlspTay of' the purity of the divine character, and gov- ernment 'y by them we are also taught the na- ture and necessity of that holiness without which Vv'e can neither please God on earth,, nor enjoy him in heaven : In the promises of the gospel v/e have a lively exhibition of his love in providing a Sa\iour, and of his good- Tiess in communicating to his chosen through him all the blessmgs of grace and glory. But' perhaps no part of divinr revelation is more instructive, or animating than those which exhibit the lives of illustrious saints either jTiaie or female. In these we behold the pre- cepts and promises blended together, and re- duced to actual life, and the efl'ect produced on the mind as far exceeds that of any specu- lation on moral virtue, as a view of the man himself is more impressive than a glance at his picture, or poi-trait : In the historical parts of scripture we also discover the reality of re- ligion by the change ^^•hich it effects on the heart, and conduct ; vv'e admire its excellence by the excellence of those fruits which it pro- duces, piety to God, benevolence to men,, forbearance amidst injuries received, and pa- tience under the complicated evils of life. In reading the history of the just as presented in the inspired page we are constrained to be- lieve that ihost sayings must ht faithful which effectachange so obviousand lasting; thatthey must be xvorthy of all acceptation which are instrumental in producing tempers so excel- Sermon 2. 41 lent ill this world, and opening to our view the prospect of rewards so abundant in the world to come. Few characters presented in sacred history appear more amiable, or instructive than the honored pair which we now intend to consider. '* They were both righteous before God, walking in all his com- mandments and ordinances blameless.'' They are pronounced righteous before God. This is a character which is applicable to none by nature. '* for the scripture has concluded all under sin. The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God,'' and what was the result of this enqui- ry? *' They are all gone aside," he declares, " they are altogether become filthy ; there is none that doeth good ; no, not one." Ther are indiscriminately pronounced children of ^vrath ; they have not merely forfeited that favor of God which they once enjoyed, and which constituted their happiness, and glory, but they are without cither ability or inclina- tion to recover it. But thanks be to God, what was in:ipossibie with man is now fully ac- complished by his own wisdom and love : Al- though none are righteous by nature, there are millions rendered righteous by grace, by their interest in that divinely condescending Saviour *' who is the end of the law for right- eousness to every one that belie veth." That righteousness which had been forfeited by the Jlrat Adam is fiillv restored by the obedience E 2 i 42 Sermon 2. and blood of the second Adarn^ the Lord from heaven. They were both righteous before God. It is peculiarly amiable when those who are one in the intimate, endearing bonds of nature arc one in the still more intimate, endearing, in- dissoluble bond of grace. How is every en- joyment enhanced, how is every difficulty diminished ; with M'hat resolution is every duty discharged, and every temptation resist* ed when the husband and the wife prove help meets in things spiritual no less than temporal j: when they cordially walk together in the fear of Jehovah, cheering the hopes, dispelling the fears, solving the doubts, and sympathising^ in the sorrows of each other. In the great concerns of religion iniinitcly rather than in a- jiy other concern ** two are better than one.'*" Each virtue by mutual reflection shines with double lustre, and every grace burns with double ardor. " What a live coal applied to- devotion when the solitary my Father, and my God is changed into the social our Father,^ and our God ? How is the hope of glory en- riobled, and animated by the prospect of par- ticipation ? Here am I, holy Father, with her whom thou gavest to be an help meet for me : v/e were one in interest and affection ; one in the faith of the gospel, and :he practice of pi- ety ; our prayers ascended in one stream of incense, and every gift of thy providence and grace was sweetened to each by being bestow- ed on the other* Sweet were our labours of Sermon 2. 4^ love to our joint offspring ; sweet our united eftbrts to improve the bounty of our common parent ; sweet tlie sympathies of kindred spi- rits in sickness or health, in sorrow and in joy ; in good report or in evil report, but sweeter far the consolations of religion, the prospect of life and imniortality brought ta light by the gospel. * They walked in Im commandments^ and or- dinances. As the nature of the tree is known by its fruits, and the fountain by its waters, sa the condition of the man, and the woman be- fore God is best known by tlielr conduct before the world — All who are relativelvri2:ht- eous in virtue of the righteousness of Jesus the Surety imputed are really holy through his holiness imparted, and will aim at regulate ing their lives by his law. '* They are create ed in Christ Jesus unto good works," and while they glorify the SAVIOUR by submit- ting to his righteousness they put honour on the PRINCE by bowing to his authority. The truth of this principle is happily exempliiied in the character of Zecharias and Elizabeth. Being ** righteous before God they walked in all hiscommandments and ordinances.'* Their religion was not that solemn mockery which consists in calling, *' Lord, Lord, without do- ing the things which he requires," but with the homage of their lips they offered him al- so the homage of their lives. In these ordi- nances theif walked. Their obedience was not occasional, but uniform, and muversal. 44 Sermon 2. The character of no man is formed by a soli- tary act cither virtuous, or vicious. The most circumspect are sometimes thrown eft' theirguard, and betrayed into irregularities, and the most impudent in impiety are occasional- ly devout, 'i'he petrified atheist, had he hones- ty to speak as he feels, would sometimes utter the confession *' my flcsii trembleth for fear of thee ; mine iniquity is greater than I can bear." It is our usual deportment which fixes the stamp upon our character as men, and it is our uniform, persevering attention to the duties of religion which puts the stamp upon our character as christians. It is recor- ded of Enoch that he walked xvith Gocly and the patriarch Abraham was solemnly ad- monished, walk before me and he thou perfect. This righteous pair are also reprcsenled as walking in all tie comnurridments, and ordi- lances of God : They did not regard their du- ty to their Creator as a " ly work," as an in- lerior service v.hich might be pressed out of its ordinary course by the pleasures or busi- ness of the world : '1 hey considered the fear of God, and the observance of his command- ments as *' the ^^ hole of man,' as the most dignified of their daily exercises, and the most deliglitfui of their daily enjoyments. In the history of Zecharias and Elizabeth we behold religion as not only refining, and ennobling the human character, but receiving even in the present vv^orld a great reward. He was flavored with the visions of the Almighty, Sermon 2. 45 am! they were honored with a Son who was great in the eyes of the Lord, and was filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. We learn also from their example, and conduct that notwithstanding all the de- ceitfulness of the human heart, and the al-- lurements of the world a high degree of per- fection may be attained. Christians are some- times so discouraged through a consciousness of their own frailty, and a recollection of the innumerable instances in which their hearts have betrayed them that they almost despair of making any considerable advancement in holiness ; they sit down contented with a bare hope of future salvation without aspiring after great attainments in sanctity, or usefulness here. But this reasoning proceeds rather from indolence, and irresolution than from a- ny real conviction that little can be done. The very consideration that we are comman- ded " to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect' obviously intimates that by keep- ing our hearts with all diligence, by watching the door of our lips, by attending in a humble, spiritual manner the means appointed for our edification, by avoiding the company of those v.'hose conversation might pollute, and asso- ciating with those whose conversation may profit very high degrees of perfection may be attained, and that after these we ought most earnestly to aspire. As a mean of encouraging you to press on towards this perfection permit me to enumer- 46 Sc rtnon ate those ordinances which are appointed of Gcd for that purpose, and also to shew that each of them, in its own phice, should be care- fully observed. 1. Prayer may be noticed as one very im- portant ordinance to which we ought consci- entiously to attend. This is a duty explicitly enjoined by the Head of the churchy and has been acknowledged by the children of the kingdom in every age as a principal mean of fellowship with the Father of Spirits. We are thus commanded to " pray every where ; to pray always, and not to faint, and to watch and pray that we enter not into tempta- tion :" After the apostle bad pointed out the various parts of the armor of God ; after he had recommended to our use the shield of faith, the breast-plate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation and the sw'ord ofthe Spirit; after he had shew n their importance in the spi- ritual w\nrfare he concludes with the exhorta- tion, ** praying always with all pjayer and supplication in the spirit, and Vv'atching there- unto with all peiseverance and supplication for all saints." From this passage we are taught the necessity of mingling prayer with every service of religion. Although a com- plete armour is furnished for the spiritual sol- dier yet he is unable successfully to wield it in opposition to the enemies of his siilvation without strength derived from above, and this strength is to be derived by prayer as the principal mean. Whatever be the circum- Sermon 2, 47 stances in which the christian is phiced ; whe- ther he be called to resist a strong temptation, or perform an arduous duty he ought by pray- er to look up for grace sufficient to the occa- sion. We thus find Jacob in the solitary wil- derness, Jehoshaphat in the field of battle, Jonah in the midst of the waves, David driv- en by an unpitying adversary, Paul in the pri- son, and Stephen in the arms of death all im- portunate in prayer to him who was able to support or deliver them. 2. The frequent and careful perusal of the scriptures is an ordinajice of the Living God, and calculated to promote our spiritual edifi- cation. When a very inconsiderable part of the sacred cannon was written, the use of them was solemnly enjoined upon the nation of Is- rael, and through them upon the church of God in eveiy age. " These words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart, and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way ; when thou llest down, and when thou risest \\\),*' The very occasion when this command was delivered may tend to en- force the observance of it. The Israelites v/cre enjoined '' to love the Lord their God with ail their heart," andasa mean of cherish- ing this love to be familiar with the oracles of divine truth : to be reflecting upon them when alon?, und talking of them when together ; more esj-ecially to be frequently reading and 48 Sermon 2. repeating them in the circle of their privatp families. We ought to revolve them iii our own minds as our *' joy and rejoicing:'' we ought to teach and recommend them to our children as their inestimable portion. It was mentioned as the distinguishing privilege and glory of Israel that to them pertained *' the giving of the law, and the promises," and the authority of God will unite with their own interest to constrain every true Israelite faith- fully to improve them. After David indul- ges himself in describing the excellence of the inspired oracles, that they *' rejoice the heart," that they '* enlighten the eyes ;" that they *' endure forever,'' he adds with elevated e- motions of gratitude and love, " more to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold ; sweeter also than honey, and the honey-comb ; I have chosen thy testimonies as mine heritage forever, they are the rejoic- ing of my heart." The use of the living ora- cles which was early enjoined under the for- mer dispensation is urged by our Lord with additional arguments under the present ; " Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life ;"' there the treasures of grace and glory are clearly revealed ; there they are unconditionally offered ; And he pro- poses another reason for improvingthem which inust powerfully interest the hearts of all who have tasted of his love, '* they testify of me ;' they reveal my glory as God, my coudescen- tion and grace as Mediator, my ability to save Sermon 2. 49 to the very uttermost, and my readiness to receive with open arms every sinner who re- turns. 3. The sanctification of the christian sab- hath is another ordinance of religion which it is equally our duty, and interest to observe. The consecration of a seventh part of his time to the immediate service of his Creator was required of Adam, and enforced by a consi- deration which remains equally impressive throughout all generations, the example of Jehovah ia the creation of the world. This command relative to the sanctification of the sabbath was repeated with almost every new revelation during the dispensation of Moses, and is recommended to us by the exam- ple of our master, and his apostles. There is no institution of Christianity against the neg- lect of which seve^'erjudgments are denounced, neither is there any to the consciencious ob- servance of which greater blessings both tem- poral, and spiritual are promised. *' If thou wilt call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord honourable, and shalt honour him not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words : Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord, and I will cause thee to ride upon the hip;h places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy Father, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.' The experience of the christian in innumerable histances can bear testimony to the truth of these promises. 50 S(rL ion "2. He generally \md.?> llint his soul prospers through the week ; that he feels delight in Jehovah and enlargement \a the various exercises of reli- gion in proportion as he u^ns eiiabled to keep holy the sabbath. It is mentioned again that tie " Lord blessed the seventh day, and saneti- ficd it ;■' eonsecrated it to all his followers as a lively nieniorial of his goodness both in creation, and redemption ; a day whieh he designed to distinguish from all otiiers by the communication of blessings to his worship, pers, and in aiTording ihem elevating pledges of that glorious day when they should cease from the labors of this world, and be admit- ted to his full fruition. 4. The preaching of the word is another ordinance to which the children of the king- dom are obligated to atterid, and by v/hich their edification is often promoted. God in his unsearchable sovereignty lias been T)itas- ed '' to put the treasure into earthen vessels;" he imj)arts to rnaji a competent portion of the spirit in his illuminating and sanctif) ing in- fluences, and employs him as the instrument of salvation to his fellow rnen : And to the labors of those v/ho are regularly called to tlio ministerial oitice it is the duty of otliers dili- gently to attend. He who respects and hears them respects and hears their Master who sent them, and in pouring contempt upon them, contempt is poured upon Iiim in whose name they appear. It is required that the ** lips of the Priest should keep knovv^Iedge, Sermon 2. 51 v^TiCi that the ptonle should hear the knv at his niuiiih, ])ecaase' he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. ' The jw ^el mimstry is the o-reat mean instituted of God for preservmg a visible chureh in the world ; it is also his principal mean for bringing to a participation of grace here and glory hereafter those wno \v'ci'e chosen from eternity as vessels of mer- cy. '* He gave some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors, and teachers for the perfecting of the saints, and for the tdifvingof thebodv of Christ until we all come to the unitv of the iaith, and of the knowledge of the Son'of God " He who commands his ministering servants '* to take heed to their ministry ;^to be instant in season and out of season" enjoins others '' not to forget the as- sembling of themselves together, to give the more earnest heed to the things that are spo- ken, ' and both are ariimated to fidelity in their respective stations from the assurance that *' the Lord dell.iz;hteth in the gates of Zion ; that he will clothe her Priests with salva- tion, and cause her saints to shout aloud for iov.'' With the preaching of the word we may al« so connect the seals "of the covenant as ordi- nances of religion faithfully to be improved. As the great God has been pleased uniformly to transact with man under the form of a co- venant it has been his ordinary method to an- nex seals to these covenants : he thus strength- ens our faith bv giving a body to spiritual 52 SermdJi 2. blessings, and renclerini^ them obvious to our natural senses During the dispensation of the covenant of vvorks •' the tree of life" was to Adam a sensible pledge of that eternal life which he might expect as a reward for obedience, and '* the tree of the knowledge of good and evil" v/as to him a constant memo- rial of that good uLich he should forfeit, and also of that evil Vvhich he i^hould incur by transgression. After the apostacy of man, and the introduction of another covenant, seals went! annexed to it. During the econom.y of Moses circumcision and the passovcr were appointed, though obscure, yet real repre- sentations of spiritual blcosings, and these af- ter the ascension of our Lord were succeeded by baptism, and the holy supper. The ad- ministration of the sacraments may be consi- dered a chief part of ministerial duty, and the conscientious observance of them a chief part of christian worship. While our Lord authorizes his apostles to teach all nations he also directs, " baptizing them in the nam.e of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Ghost." • By thisinstituiion we are formally initiated into the church of Jesus Christ, and assume the badge of his visible followers. We find there- fore from the history of Christianity in early ages thatthose who believed the doctrines preached by the Apostles immediately submitted to this ordinance. Paul at his conversion, the Eu- nuch, the Jailor and his household, Lydia and her household received the rite of baptism as Sermon 2. S^ a seal of the righteousness of the Aiith which they professed to embrace. In the sacrament . of the supper other elements are employed to represent blessings whichare substantially the same. The bread is consecrated to be a sym- bol of the Saviour's body, and the wine a re- presentation of that blood which was shed for the remission of sin. We behold our Lord» " the very night in which he was betrayed," taking bread and wine, setting them apart as signs of spiritual blessings, and solemnly com- inanding his disciples to receive them in re- membrance of him. " As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death until he come." In obsert^- ing the ordinances of baptism and the supper we more formally come out from the world than by our attention to any other ordinance; *' we more publicly avouch the Lord to be our God," and yield ourselves up to be his ex- clusively, and everlastiiigly. We are called, II. To enquire why the christian is obli- gatt:d " to walk in all the commandments and ordinances of God." 1. The christian should aim at walking in all these ordinances^ because they are ail enstamped with the same high authority. We cannot consider that child as respectful to its parents who obeys some duties enjoined by them while it neglects other commands equal- ly explicit, nor that subject as loyal to his prince who obeys in part thclavv's of the king- f . 2 54 Sermon 2. dom, and eidicr through neglect or contempt tramples upon others. When all the laws are sanctioned with the same royal seal to treat either with indifference is practically to despise that authority from which they all proceed. If any are knoningly and willully neglected, this neglect plainly evinces that the others are obeyed rather from conveni- ence than from motives of real respect for the crown. The violation of one statute ma5^ not be considered of such deep and extensive mischief in its consequences, yet it argues the same want of fidelity on the part of the sub- ject. The application of this remark is ob- vious. Upon the same principle that the pro- fessed follower of the Lamb is bound to keep any commandment, or ordinance of Zion s Kins:, he is bound to keep whatever he lias commanded, and ordained. If he observes one institution rather than another, because the performance is more easy, this is virtual- ly to make his own ease and inclination and not the will of his Lord the foundation of his duty: If he observes cne, and neglects ano- ther which might require a greater sacrifice of interest or honor, this is making his own in- terest and honor rather than the interest or honor of Jesus the principle of his conduct. It is an awful evidence that he is ashamed of the Son of man, and consequently has never cordially enlisted under his standard. When the Apostles were sent abroad to convert the nations to the gospel it was with this positive Sermon 2. 55 instruction, ** teaching them to observe all thinp;s whatsoever I have commanded you." An implicit, cordial submission to his autho- rity by an observance of all his institutions is the test established by our Master for ascer- taining his real disciples. '* Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever 1 have commanded you.'' This is a consideration which in fidelity to Him, and friendship to you 1 wish to impress upon your consciences. There are many in the visible church who profess to believe the scriptures, who are regular in their attendance at the sanctuary, and whose moral character is unstained by the pollutions of the w^orld, and yet habitually neglect those more discrim- inating ordinances of religion, baptism and the supper of our Lord. Now, is not the discharge of some duties, and the omission of others which are enjoined with the same solemnity both inconsistent and dangerous ? Has not he who commanded the heralds of the cross '' to preach tlie gospel to every crea- ture'" also commanded go and baptise ? And has he not added for the instruction and encou- ragement of his followers, he that believeth and is baptised shall be saved ? But we cannot jrreach to men unless they will hear, neither can we baptise unless they offer themselves for baptism. Is the institution more clear, more solemn, ** search the scriptures ; re- member the sabbath day to keep it holy" than the institution, '' take, eat, this is my body which is broken for you. This do ye in re- 56 Sermon 2. niembrnnce of me ?" Surely then if gratitude to the Son of God as our Saviour, and re- spect for him as our Prince should constrain u:- to keep either^ they should constrain us to keep all these coinnuindments ; or if there be any discrimir.ation our anxiety to observe the latter should be th.e greatest, because it was his dying injunction, 2nd in discharging this duty our confession of his name is more public and formal. It is readily acknowledg- ed that the ordinance of the supper is pecu- liarly solemn, and the denunciations against the unworthy comimunicant are awful. Some therefore who consider it their duty and pri- vilege to attend other ordinances of religion, have not freedom to approach the table of the Lord : With sucl> vre ought to sympathize,, but are they v, ho labor under tluse fears dili- rent in usini? the means bv which their doubts may be removed, and their minds more enlightened and ebtablished ? Do they meditate often upon the promises wl/ich ex- hibit a plenitude of grace for tliC supply of all our wants ; v/hich reveal pardon i^jr tlie guil- ty, holiness for ilie polluted, and consolation for the oppressed and disconsolate ? Do they converse with experienced christians, and with the ministers of religion expressing their doubts, and asking counsel at their lips ? A- bove all, are' they importunate with the Holy Ghost who as the Spirit of light " leads his children into all truth, and makes darkness light before them ;" as the sphit of liberty Sermon 2. 57 looses the chains from the spiritual captive, *' sets his feet upon a rock, and establishes his goings ;'' as the Spirit of joy " comforts the mourner in Zion, and gives quietness and assurance forever ?" Are they thus giving all diligence in the more private cxejcises of re- ligion that their souls may become light in the Lord, and they enabled to attend this and all his ordinances '* without distraction ?'* Sure- ly the atiectionate, dutiful child would regret that any thing should occur to prevent it from complying wiih the request of a beloved, re- vered Father, {>r the generous soldier would feel mortified thi t any accident should ren- der him incapable of appearing at his post, and performing his duty, especially that he should be absent on some great occasion when the honor of his Captain peculiarly required his presence ; and is it no grief, no humil- iation to a professed christian to neglect from year to year one of the most sublime, inter- esting ordinances ofNew-Testament worship^ the last injunction of '* him who was slain, and redeemed us unto God by his blood?" Bare with me while I notice another irreg- ularity with which many professors are charge- able, particularly in relation to the ordinance of the supper, Some who I believe are con- scientious in performing the other duties of religion are easily tempted to absent them- selves from the table of the Lord. An ofience taken at a member of the church, or some supposed irregularity in the manner of admin- SB Sermon 2. istering the ordinance is considered a sufficient reason for their neglect of it. But hovrever conscientious such persons may be in their conduct, conscience in this instance is not properly enUghtened. Suppose that one clnld in a family should give offence to another child would this justify the latter in tramp- ling on the command of their common Fa- ther P Or if one soldier in a corps behaves dis- orderly, would his disorder justify another in departing from the ranks, and deserting the service of his Captain ? 1 know it is often ob- jected that it *' cur L^rother have (Aight against us we are corrjuiano'^d to U ave our gift at the altar, and go and l)e reconelicd to our bro- ther. ' But suppose that he refuses to be re- conciled ; su Impose tlu.t his bosom burns with ras:;e a^:iinst us, s:ill V becomes us to A)rsfive and to aim Aviih luimiiity at perfornihig our duty. Our obedience to Jesus Jehovah should not only be uni\ersal, but uniforni : It is not sufiicientthat" ue keep all Iiiscommandments and ordinances,'* but this observance should be rendered at e neglect of some more public part of christian worship* In the former ir.-tance the omission is known only to God, and he alone can be offended ; in the latter instance the neglect is obvious, l30th to him and the world : God is therefore dishonored, the righteous are grieved, and the jrrofane, ready to consider all religion as a matter merely of convenience, are encouraged in their iniquity. But it ought to be consi- dered as important, being appointed for our spiritual ediiication ; to the due performance a promise is annexed, and in the wilful omission of anv the frown of our Father may be expect- ed. '' li his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments : If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments : Then will I visit their transgression Vvith the rod, and tlieir iniquity w^ith stripes/' All the stones in a particular arch may not in the view of a spectator be equally necessary : They arc notuf the same size, nor alike splendid in GO Sermon 2. their outward appearance, yet a single stone cannot be removed without defacing the beau- ty and diminishing the strength and stability of the whole arch : All the members of the human body are not alike elegant or useful ; the hand has not the brilliancy of the eye, nor is the foot so exquisitely nice in its structure as the organ of hearing, yet by severing one member from the body, the beauty and per- fection of the whole frame wnuld be destroy- ed. Thus every ordinance of religion is im- portant in its own place : There is an intimate connection between the duties as well as the doctrines of Christianity. Besides, the very consideration that any institution has the au- thority of Jehovah as its sanction, is a suffi- cient reason why w^e should scrupulously and at any expence observe it : And a departure from any known ordinance is an impeachment of that wisdom, and sovereignty, and love by which it was appointed. I would apply this doctrine by exhorting all to become tollowcrs of this honored, thrice happy pair, •' who through faith and patience do now inherit the promises.'' Their exam- ple is recorded both for our instruction and imitation. True it is, diligence is requisite, and a little sacrifice of our fleshly ease must be made in discharging the duties of religion. We cannot " search the scriptures," nor ex- cite our souis to a devout contemplation of divine subjects without labor ; without labor we cannot attain to a becoming fervor in Sermon 2. 61 prayer ; We cannot be instant in attending the services of the sanctuary ; we cannot be vigi. lant " in keeping our hearts ;'' we cannot re- tain divine truth frequently revolving it in our memories, and incorporating it with our souls ; we cannot watch, nor fast, nor sanctify the sabbath by performing its various duties ; Vv-e cannot solemnise our hearts, and rouse them up to a suitable frame " for eating the bread and drinking the wine" which are con- secrated as symbols of the body and blood of our Lord. The discharge of these duties will require attention, and be accompanied \yith toil ; but for what will we consent to toil if not " for that meat which endureth to ever- lasting life ?" For what will we submit to a little labor of body, or exertion of mind if not in performing the pleasure of Him who crea- ted us, and in promoting the salvation of that soul which shall never, never die ? Besides, by a disinterested zeal in '' walking in the commandments and ordinances of God,'' we become assimulaied to the most honoiable of our race who have lived in all preceding gen- erations; to Enoch who " walked with God ," to Abraham who at the divine command left *' his own people, and his father's house, and went out not knowing whither he went ;" to Moses who " through f^iith kept the passover and sprinkling of blood ; who chose rather to suffer affiiction with- the people of God than to enjoy*' the luxury of an earthly court, or the splendors of an earthly crown : What is an 62 Sermon 2, infinitely more interesting consideration, we become assimulatcd to the holy Je-ius who considered it *' his meat and drink to do the will of his Father that sent him, and finish his work." But let every reader of these pages be ad- monished that in deliberately ne^^lecting these ordinances of the Livin^; God they shall noi, ihey cannot escape. ^' To them who obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness he will render tribulation and anguish.' Ilr.s he commanded you to read his word, and can you neglect it from day to day with impunity v? Has he enjoined you to " pray Vv'ithout ceas- ing, to ask that it may be given you, ' and do you expect in the omission of this duty to es- cape his righteous indignation ? Does he re- quire you to ** remember the sabbath day and keep it holy," and in the profanation of that day by idleness, or amusements, or secular employments are you not liable to the stroke of his avenging arm .? As citizens you could not neglect your duty to society without in- jury to your character, and com. fort, and in- terest, and are the laws of almighty God less reasonable in themselves, less righteous in their sanctions, or is lie less able to execute these sanctions upon tlie wilful transgressor ? ** If I be a Father, where is m.ine honor ? If I be a Master, where is my fear, saith the Lord of hosts?'' '-• *' O merciful God, have pity on thought- less, benighted, deluded sinners, and rouse Sermon 2. ^^ them to a sense of their danger : In the exer- cise of L^race infinitely rich, thou hast provided a S-iviour for our guilty world, even thine own Son who has, by mueh sorrow and tray.u of sou! • by much 1-nominy from earth ana heU , throudi exquisite agony inflicted upon h.mby thine own hand, procured a fi.U redemption : Thou hast in thy precious vvord revealed clear- Iv thy will and our duty, offering a free salva- tion, and declaring that thou hast no pleasure n the death of the wicked, but art rather de- siring that they should repent and turn and live r Thou art raising up, and sending torth men of like passions, praying them to be re^ conciled unto God : Wilt thou not accompa- ny these outward means nith the operations of thy most blessed spirit effecti^lly to apply this great salvation : Rain down his influences on aU of every age and character into whose hands these pages may come, that the eyes^of their understanding being eni.ghtened the^ may know what is the hope ot toy ca.ung and ^vhat the. riches of the glory oi thine inheri- tance among the saints : May they be all nchteous before thee through the imputation of .he r.:.-hteousness of thy dear Son, and ho,y through'^ co.»:ant supply of gf.ce Ij-omhirn the ever-living Head : iiy their walking in all ihv commandir.ents and ordinances biameless may it appear to the world, and by the pledges of thy love secretly comnumicated to their hearts may they possess an inward assurance dv-t they are adopted into thy famny, aiKl 64 Sermon 3. Iscirs to that kingdom which thou hast prepa- red for thy chosen : And to thee, Holy Fa- ther, with" the infinitely condescending Son our Saviour, and the Spirit cf ail grace shall The glory be ascribed noiv^ and everlasting- SERMON III. A devout man^ and one that feared God xvilh all his house ^ which gave much alms to the people ; and p'rayed to God ahvays. THE design of this discourse is to re- commend the important, 3-et neglected duty of secret devotion ; and perhaps few passa- ges are more happily calculated to enforce it than the verse which I have chosen. Corne- lius whose example is here presented for our imitation was a centurion, an officer of consi- derable rank in the Roman army. It is to be lamented that gentlemen of the sword arc more frequently distinguished for their profiigacy than their piety ; they are more in the habit of imprecating curses on themselves and others, than importuning for blessings. The nature of the soldier's occupation tends to inspire him with a degree of hardihood ; with a defiance of danger which often degen- erates into a forgetfulness, and even defiance Sermon 3. 65 of his God. His unsettled situation in life ; his want of the regular ordinances of grace ; his exposure to ensnaring company, and va- rious other considerations have a natural ten- dency to divert his attention from things di- vine and eternal. But the inspired historian here presents to our view a noble exception. Cornelius a cntturion, an officer in the Roman army, the most illustrious then in the world, was'a devout man ; he walked in the fear of Jehovah, and was actuated by a zeal for his glory : He reflected that no distinction of rank, no peculiarity of situation could noxv conceal him from the eye of an omniscient God, nor would hereafter be admitted as any apology for impiety : He considered that although the splendor of talents, or fortune, or outward con- dition might dazzle the eyes of mortals, "• the Lord God looketh to the heart, and will ren- der to every man," whatever be his occupa- tion in life, " according to his works." He feared God with all his house. Living Godliness is communicative in its nature : As the opening rose difTuses its fragrance through the surrounding air, or as the living fountain sends forth its waters to refresh the neighbor- ing ground, or as the sun revolving in his or- bit sheds abroad his rays for enlightening and cheering the nations ;" so out of the abun- dance ot his heart' the devout man must be occasionally *' speaking.'' The parent wlio truly fears God will aim at infusing this prin- ciple into ths souls of his children, and the F 2 66 Sermon 3. f?:ocl}y master will recommend Godliness to hi;5 servants as their duty, and. honor, and interest. It is another part of the character of Corne- lius that \\Q gave much alms to the people. They who abound in acts of piety to God usually abound in acts of charity to men, and the lat- ter is no less necessary in its own place for evincing the sincerity of our profession llian the former. That same Divine Teacher who has commanded us '^ to love the Lord our God v/ithall our heart" has also commanded "that we love our neighbor as ourselves," and can our love more disinterestedly ap- pear than in prom.oting his v/eifare temporal and spiritual, as cur circumstances admit, or his circum.stances require. He who has en- joined us to '' add to cur faith viriue, and i:nov.'ledge,and temperance" connects as links in the same golden chain " brotherly kind- ness, and charity." Iiideed we rarely read of either male or female eminent for their attain- ments in holiness without finding a charita- ble disposition to constitute a prominent part of their character. Zaccheus immediately af- ter his conversion resolves " the half of my goods will I give to the poor," and the apos- tle " thanks God without ceasing in behalf of the Thessalonians because," he adds, " your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one to each other aboundeth." Cornelius is also represented as praying to God ahvat/. We are not to conclude from this Sermon 3. 67 account that the centurion was constantly re- tired in his closet, or that his soul was always elevated to his God in acts of devotion : Nei- ther the frame of our bodies, nor the relations which v/e sustain to our fatPiilies, or the church, or society, admit of unceasing atten- tion to the exercises of religion. There are certain obligations binding upon us as men, no less than christians, and the duties of nei- ther relation need by any means interfere with the duties of the other. A man is not obliged to become *' slothful in business" who desires to '' be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." Diligence in our secular employments, and attention to the various duties of our civil re- lations are highly ornaniental, and when dis- charged from proper motives will become hand-maids to religion. But the expression he prayed to God always implies that he had stated seasons for devotion, and that these were punctually observed. ** Thus in com- mon language we say that a tree is always fruitful which yields its fruit at the proper period ; the sacrifice which was offered up every morning and evening among the Jews was called the continual burnt offering, and the Israelites who duly attended divine service in the temple were said to be always there.'' To pray always therefore implies to have sta- ted periods for the discharge of that duty. But the phrase as applied to Cornelius proba- bly implied more than this : We are justified iu inferring from it that his soul was fre- 68 Sermon 3. qiiently lifted up in silent supplication to the throne of his Father, as peculiar circumstan- ces required. Prayers, secretly and suddenly offered up in the moment of necessity are of- ten the most successful, because they are gen- erally the most uafeij^ned, and ardent. Thus Hannah prayed in the company of Eli and others ; thus the traveller may pray on his journey ; the husbandman when emaployed in the labors of the field, and the soldier when actually wielding the sword in battle. *' The eyes of the Lord are always upon the righte- ous, and his ears are open unto their cry," and therefore in all danger or distress they may have recourse to him for support. The latter is commonly called ejaculatory prayer, and m.ay be considered in a certain degree as grov/ing cut of the form.er. The believer ge- nerally experiences that in proportion as he is frequent and fervent in his stated devotions he is also frequent and fervent in his occa- sional devotions : The more punctual that he is in offering up his sacrifice morning and e- vening, the more imponunate he will be in breathing out his soul in supplication amidst the various pursuits and enjoyments of the day. I already mentioned it as my design to re- comimiCnd on this occasion the duty of secret prayer, and this I would attempt by shewing, I. That it is a most reasonable service, and II. By offering some arguments as an in» ducemcnt for all to perform it. Sermon 3. 69 This duty must appear reasonable when we consider, 1. That it is explicitly enjoined by the Li~ ving God. The very consideration that any ordinance is sanctioned by his supreme, sove- reign authority is a suilicient reason why it should be observed i^^y us. He has iTistituted prayer as the principal mean by which we should express our dependance on his provi- dence ; and in the discharge of which \ve niv'iy expect all blessings from his hand. We are therefore commrtudcd '* to ask that \ye may receive ; to call on God in the day of trouble ' with the assurance that he '* will deliver us, and enable us to glorify him,'' Indeed, it ap- pears to be the gerieral arrangement of Jeho- vah that every blessing in the natural and mo- ral world is to be obtained in the use of ap- propriate means. The husbandman who ex- pects his corn in autunin must plant it in spring : The student Vv'ho desires to encreasc in his knowledge of the sciences "must search for them," by reading and reflection, '* as for hid treasures," and he who would receive mercy of the Lord must expect it in the use of means divinely appointed for that end. — Although the benefits of redemption are pure- ly of grace, purchased by the Divine Redeem- er, and offered unconditionally in the gospel, yet we must *' ask in order to receive them. For this I will be enquired of by the house of Israel that I may do it for them. Verily, ve- rily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask of 70 Sermon 3. the Fatiicr in my name he will give it yoii." No prayer inspired by the Holy Ghost *' ma- king intercession in the heart,' and committed to Jesus who makes intercession in heaven shall be unsuccessful ; it shall meet with a gracious return either sooner or later. *' For every one that asketh receiveth ; he that seek- eth findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.'' But as prayer is the ordinary mean by which the blessing is to be expected, the secret performance of this duty is expli- citly enjoined on each individual. '' Thou,, ^vhen thou prayest, enter into thy closet; and when thou hast sliut thy doors upon thee pray to thy Father which is in secret, and thy Fa- ther which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly,'' Here it is represented as the duty of all to enter their closet ; to retire from thrj view of the world where no eye sees but the eye of their heavenly Father, and there express their wants to him with this assurance " that he will reward them openly ;'' he will crown them in the present world with all that is best for them, and hereafter acknowledge them in tlie presence of angels and of the universe. 2. This duty appears reasonable when we realise our relation to the Lord God as our Creator, and Preserver, and Redeemer. Ke framed our l.cdies i.o admirably nice in e- very part of their structure ; he formed the soul with its nobler endow tTents, capable of perpetual advaiicement in ..ncwledge, and thus attaining to a lughci degree of periection Sermon 3. 71 and bliss. *' If Jehovah be thus a Father to each individual may he not reasonably claim some tribute of nonour." The artist who constructs an instrument with particular care naturally expects a little advantage from it ; and is it not proper that he who gave being to man should receiv-e some expressions of our homage ? But there is another consideration still encreasing our obligation to God which perhaps is not sufiiciently realised, on him we constantly and necessarily depend for support. ^' In him,'' as the apostle elegantly expresses it," in him we live, and move, and have our being." Our creation at first was not a great- er miracle of his wisdom, and power, and love than our preservation from day to day. It is he who from moment to moment imparts vigour to our bodies, who continues the ex- ercise of our intellectual powers, and from the unexhausted treasures of whose bounty all our wants are supplied. Do we thus stand related to the Living God as both creator and preserver, and shall we refuse a portion of each day for holding comm.union with him, for expressing our love to, our veneration for, our delig-ht in, and our dependance upon the Greatest and the Best of Beings ; that Being from whom our all is derived at present, and to whose friendship we look for all blessed- ness in time, and eternity to come f Do Ire- quire his pov/er each moment for my support, and shall I not ask the exertion of that power ? Do I depend on his bgunty for the supply of 72 Sermon 3. every want, and shall I not ask the effusions of that bounty ? Do I need his mercy to par- don innumerable ofifences, and his patience to bear with innumerable weaknesses, and shall I not ask the exercise of this mercy and pa- tience ? Secret prayer is thus an act of hom- age due to Jehovah for his creating and pre- serving goodness. We are therefore instruct- ed to address him as our Father i?i heaven ; not merely to adore him as a Being infinitely Great, the King Eternal, Immortal, and Invi- sible, but to acknowledge him as our Father, and Friend ; oftering thanksgiving tt) him for past privileges, and expressing our rehance on his mercy for all that is requisite hereafter, 3. This duty appears reasonable, being re- commended to us by the example of the right- eous amidst all circumstances, and under all dispensations. *' To which of the saints can we turn" who have not esteemed it as equal- ly their duty and privilege to approach the Father of their spirits in acts of secret devo- tion, to acknowledge their imperfections, and implore his mercy to pardon; to express their grievances, and ask his covenant consolations for their support; to mention their wants, and ask a supply from his infinite fulness ? "This is the generation of them that seek him ; that seek thy face, O Jacob." Christians in the most obscure situations of lite, and the lowest attainments in grace have entered the holiest of all with boldness, and poured forth their complaints into the ears of their heavenly Fa- Sermon 3. 75 ther, while those of the most elevated condi- tion, and the greatest advancement in the spi- ritual life have deemed it their glory to bow as suppliants at the mercy- seat, and become debtors to free grace for all. Behold the im- portunity of the venerable patriarch Jacob : He was left alone ^ and when sequestered from the society of men, and surrounded with the shades of the night ** he wrestled with the an- gel ; he wept and made supplication;'' and he was not more earnest than successful. " The redeeming Angel blessed him there." The dreary wilderness was converted into the house of God, and the gate of heaven. Who would not be importunate for a blessing thus satisfying and permanent ? Who would not exchange the splendors of a palace for a soli- tude so highly favored, or the society of men for an interview thus intimate with the Father of mercies and the God of glory ? To the ex- ample of Jacob the Patriarch we may add the exercises of Daniel the prophet as peculiar- ly instructive for enforcing this duty. ** He kneeled three times a day, and ])rayed, and gave thanks.*' He is represented as giving thanks. Petition and thanksgiving are very properly connected in all our approaches to God. While we humbly expostulate for oth- er mercies we ought thankfully to acknow- ledge those which we have already received, ** Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer, and supplication let your requests be made known with thanksgiving.'' ^/Fhis 74- Sermon 3. sfrvice was performed by the prophet thrc& times a day, and such also was the practice of the royal David, *' Evening, morning, and at noon will I pray, and cry aloud, and he shall hear my voice." In the history of Pe- ter a chief apostle of our Lord v/e have ano- ther instructive example for recommending^ the duty of prayer. *' He went up about the sixth hour for this exercise, and this fervour in supplication tohisGod wasamply rewarded, '' He saw the heavens opened, and under tlie vision of a sheet widi all manner of four-foot, cd beasts, and fowls of the air" he was admon-r ishcd that the distinction of meats was shortly to be destroyed, the partition wall between Jew and Gentile broken down, and all nations admitted to the privileges of the church, But this ordinance is recommended to us by an example infinitely more illustrious than tliat either of patriarchs, or prophets, or apostles ; Our Lord and Saviour by his owu practice has consecrated the exercise of prayer as both the honor and interest of his followers. Although he had no guilt to be pardoned, no corruption to be subdued, yet he w^as fervent in supplir cation for blessings upon others, and asking the acceptance of his work for the restoration of our fallen world. He is often represented bv the sacred historian as going apart intq some solitary place for prayer ; sometimes as ** rising up a great while before day," and at other times as spending whole nights in tha^ cxerc]^^;' By a view of the righteous in. all Sermo7i S. '75 eifcumstances and ages we find them to be a generation seeking after God, and this may be considered as a powerful recommendation of the dnty to us. If we expect to be parta- kers of their peace, and triumph in death ; and their joys and glories forever, we must walk in life as they also walked. We have daily favours to acknowledge ; daily offences to be forgiven ; daily wants to be supplied in common with them, and if we have received an unction from the same spirit we will like them be giving ourselves to prayer. Permit me to add a few arguments urging you to frequency, and fervour in the duty of supplication. 1. It may with propriety be pronounced a most dignified employment. "\Ve feel our- selves honoied by being admitted into the presence of the great ; in associating familiar- ly with those whom we consider as our superi- ors in rank, and by whose conversation we may be entertained, and edified : How great then, unutterably great is the honour to which the christian is promoted on every occasion that he is permitted to approach the throne of his Father: He enters the '' presence chamber * of the only wise God, the King of kings, and Lord of lords : He is admitted to familiar communion with him in whose presence an- gels bow with reverence, and the expressions of whose love they esteem better than life ; a Being whose understanding is infinite, and connects infallibly his glory with the eternal 76 Sermon 3. good of all who confide in him ; a Being whose mercies are ineffably tender, and extend from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him ; a Being who is able to do for us exceed- ing abundantly beyond what we can conceive, the stores of whose bounty are not lessened by all the blessings which he communicates : Jacob felt honored when introduced to Phara- oh the king of Egypt, and Danel when bro't into the presence of the Assyrian monarch, how honorable then must the christian appear when in the boldness of faith he approaches the uncreated majesty ; he addresses him not with the diffidence which the subject feels in approaching an earthly sovereign, or a ser- vant his master, but with all that freedon:i which is felt by one friend in approaching a- nother, or which is felt by a child in drawing near the most fond, indulgent father. 2. As prayer is an honorable it is a most profitable exercise. Every blessing tempo- ral and spiritual is made over in the gospel, as their charter, to the heirs of salvation, and in prayer they present their draught for that par- ticular blessing which their circumstances require. Wrestling with a holy fervour they have often obtained direction in dark- ness, joy m sorrow ; liberty in bondage : inward peace when all was gloomy, and tem- pestuous without : they have either obtained the removal of som.e cross which appeared ab- solutely insupportable, or received strength to carry it comfortably along with the full as- Sermon 3. 7T surance that it would finally issue in their ad- vantaj^e. To relate all the sweet, transport- ing manifestations of the divine love which have been enjoyed in the devotions of the clo- set, all the strength received, all the doubts resolved ; all the conquests obtained ; all the tears dried up would be to give a history of the christian's experience in all generations. One acknowledges for the encouragement of those who should come after him, '' I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears ; he brought me up out of an horrible pit, he set my feet upon a rock,' and established my goings ; he put a new song' in my mouth, even praise to ourGod." While Jacob wrestled with the angel the obduracy of an unnatural brother was melted, SiW^x the forme' ly implacable foe was changed into an unfeigned friend While Paul earnestly sought that the thorn which luid long tortured hisfiesh might departhe received in return that animating assurance, *' my grace is sufficient for thee," and that fiery trial through the im- portunity of his prayer resulted in abundant honour to his master, and exultation to him- self. " Most gladly thereibre," lie resolves, *' will I rather glory in my intirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me : There- fore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproach- es, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake ; for when I am weak then am I strong." Others without number, amidst similar con- flicts, have received similar assurances of di» G 2 78 Ser'jiwn 3. "vine support in answer to their prayers. They have experienced in their retirements seasons of joy which will not be forgotten through time ; nay, which they will recollect with gra- titude and praise through the ages of eterni- ty. A Lady of eminent attainments in piety used to declare that *^ she would not he hired out of her closet for a thousand worlds ; thac she never enjoyed such hours of pleasure, and such intimate communion with her God as she had then ;*' she often expressed her as- tonishment '* that any could live without pray- er, and deprive themselves of one of the great- est privileges allowed to men.'' 3. As prayer is a profitable, it is also a de- lightful employ m.ent We find it a great re- lief in the hour of perplexity to have a pru- dent, faithful friend whom we may approach for counsel, and on whose fidelity we can rc- pose^with confidence : The child feels reliev- ed by telling its woes to an affectionate parent or one friend in communicating his sorrows to another. But the relief to be derived from the duty of prayer is inconceivably greater : we may in this exercise approach our heav- enly Father with the most unrestrained free- dom, *' and cast all our cares upon him ; ' we may relate concerns to him which we should feel ashamed to mention, or afraid to entrust with the most confidential friend upon earth ; and this familiarity may be used with the ful- lest assurance of being accepted. ** The right- eous cry, and the Lord heareth, and deliver- Sermon 3. 79 eth them out of all their troubles. Shall not God avenge his own elect which cry clay and night unto him ; though he bear long with them : I tell you,8aiih the faithful witness, he will avenge tlicm speedily." 'J'here is no trou- ble the most inconsiderable which disturbs our peace ; no concern whether relating to ourselves or families, which we may not with- out reserve make known to a reconciled, gra- cious God, and the more freedom that we ex- ercise in asking hisadviceoraid, he is the more pleased : And he will either remove the bur- den which is humbly cast upon him, or sup- port us under it '* In all their afflictions he is afflicted." Nothing which troubles and per- plexes them, however trifiing, is beneath his attention, neither shall they sink under the pressure of any cross however great while om- nipotence is their support. He who counts the very hjirs of their heads, and puts their tears into his bottle will not refuse a listening ear to any complaint which they carry to him. Is it possible for a gracious God to have employed language more aiTectionate, encou- r iging us to come boldly to his throne, or to have given stronger assurances that our peti- tions shall be heard P **He will regard the pray- er of the destitute, and not despise their pray- er. If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts to vour children ; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy Spi- rit unto them that ask him ?'* Is such the reasonableness of the duty of 80 Sermon 3. prayer and are such the pleasures, and ad- varitaeTs arising from the discharge of it, 1. We may infer how inexcuseable they are who live habitually in the neglect of this ordinance ? Tlicy manifest a contempt of that wisdom which has appointed prayer as the great mean of our communion with Jehovah, and of that auihority which cnjoir.s us to ** pray without ceasing, to ask that it may be given us:'' They are chargeable also with slighting th.at bounty \^hich has made ample provision for our spiritual wants, and that condescension v.hich h.as assured us that these blessings shaJl be communicated to those vvho= diligently se^k them : To all this impiety a- gainst God the person who lives habitually without prayer discovers a most criminal in- dinerence to his own everlasting interests. Suppose that a rich man should approach a number who were suflering with hunger, and express compassion for their misery ; suppose that he should condescend to assure them that he had bread enough, and to spare ; that he GGuld abundantly supply their wants without materially dim.inishing the stock, or injuring his o^vn interest ; that he invited each or all of them at any time to acquaint him with their wants, and a liberal supply should be aiTord- ed, and they, notwithstanding, through a con-^ tempt of his generosity or an utter regardltss- nes-s of their own welfare rcfubcd : ivJust we not stand amazed at their stupidity without dropping a tear over their uiisery ? But m- Sermon 3. 81 comparably greater is the stupidity of those who refuse to arise, and seek after God. Is he not known ^^t he hearer of prayer ? '* This is his nanie forever ; it is his memorial unto all generations/' Has he not in the riches of his grace made provision for our perishing world, and does he not offer out of this ful- ness to dispense freely to those who ask ? It is really difficult to determine whether the prayerless person is chargeable with pouring the greatest contempt on the divine mercy, or shewing the greatest cruelty to himself. The Lord God has declared that *' except we repent we must perish," yet he will not ask the grace of repentance : The Lord God has declared, '* cursed is every one that con- tinueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law todo them," yet although conscious of innumerable transgressions he refuses to ask remission. Various pretentions are offered as an apol- ogy for the omission of this duty. Some at- tempt to excuse themsslves by the considera- tion that ** the sacrifice of the wicked is an a- bomination to the Lord," and they are there- fore afraid that their prayers might be reject- ed. But I would ask those who raise this ob- jection, is there no abomination in not sacri- ficing when the Living God has required it ? Surely if itis offensive to the purity of Jehovah not to obey his command in a proper manner, it must be at least as offensive to his majes- ty to make no attempt to obey. A parent S2 Sermon 3. will be more disposed to excuse a child \vha failed in the performance of any sTrvice requi- red, than one who through indolence or ob- stinacy did not even attempt to perform it* As therefore you love your souls, as you would consult your true peace either in life, or in death silence all these reasonings of the flesh, and ** seek the Lord while he mav be foujid." Approach the throne of his mercy and supplicate in the following manne^ *' I acknowledge, blessed Father, that although thou art infinitely glorious in thyself, nay, the fountain of perfection, and excellence ; al- though thou hast done much for our world in sending thine ovvn'Son to become a propitia* tion for our sins, and much for me by giving thy word, and every mean of salvation, yet my heart is enmity against thee, aind thine or- dinances : it has never been awed into obe- dience by all the displays of thy greatness, nor melted into contrition by the many ex- pressions of thy love ; I have long lived at a distance from thee the source of light, and love, and joy : I have not taken pleasure in perusing thy most precious word, in medita- ting on thy perfections, or calling upon thy name by prayer, but I am now convinced both of the guilt, and folly of my former ways, I know that thy favour is life, and that all who are far from thee shall perish. O send down thy sanctifying Spirit to soften this en- mity, and shed thy love abroad through my heart; thuu didst subdue to the obedience of Sermon^. 8gc, faith thousands ofthe unbelieving, impenitent Jews, the betrayers and murderers of thy dear ^on^ and is not thy mercy yet as plente- ous to pardon, and thy grace as powerful to soften, and subdue? Lord, be merci. ful to me, a sinner : I bring mine understand- ing with all its darkness to be enlightened by thee, and taught the truth as it is in Jesus ; I bring my will with all its obduracy to be sub- dued, and made to acquiesce with thy holy and gracious will : Thou Son of David have mercy upon me ; let thy compassion move at my miseries, and th}^ healing balm be admi^ nistcred to my complicated, desperate diseas- es : I throw myself on thy sovereign, unme* rited mercy, and am willing to become noth- ing both now and forever that thy free grace may appearallandall in every partofmysalva-r tion : thou fountain of light shine graciously on my benighted heart and give me some transporting discoveries of thy glory : Thou fountain of love impart to my thirsty soul re- freshing communications of thy love, and raise my affections from the sorded, unsatisfying pleasures of this passing world : Fill me from this hour v.ith all joy and peace in be^ lieving ihat I may abound in hope by the pow- er of the Holy Ghost, ' 2. Let those whohave experienced the plea- sures, and the advantages ofthe devotions of the closet be exhorted to abound more and more in this exercise. Prayer has ever been C9n^jdcred.a p?;incipal mean of our comma- 84 Sermon 3. nion with Jehovah, and this communion must be commenced on earth if we expect that it "will be perfected in heaven. Let no pressure of worldly business be deemed a sufficient a- pology for the neglect, or careless perform- ance of your devotions morning and evening. Immediately after you awake from the repose of the night, before your minds are distracted with the cares, or your hands occupied with the labors of the day appropriate a little time for conversing with the Father of Spirits, and humbly committing yourselves to his protec- tion through the day ; take a view of the du- ties which you may probably be called to discharge, or the difficulties to be encounter- ed, or the temptations to be resisted and then expostulate for the sympathy and support of your Master throughout the whole. Many christians can attest from long, and repeated experience that they have been supported un- der every trial, and prospered in every pur- suit just in proportion as they were enabled to begin the day with a humble reliance on the Lord. '* In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. They that trust in the Lord are like mount Zion which cannot be removed, but abideth forever. Commit thy way to the I^ord ; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass." These are the pro- mises of a covenanting God, and they have been realized times without number in the ex- perience of his children. The most trifling disappointment has frequently unhinged tlien^ ■Sermon 5. 85. when relying on theirown wisdom, or strength, while on the other hand the heaviest cross has been easily borne along when their confidence was placed on the sufficiency of Jehovah for support. In the one instance they have '^ been wearied in the land of peace/' while relying on an Almighty arm by the prayer of faith "" they have easily surmounted the swelling of Jordan." Stir up your souls therefore by frequent contemplations of your own weak- ness, and the plenitude of promised grace to a holy importunity in this duty. Upon no occasion venture forward to your secular em- ployments without reading some particular portions of scripture, and afterwards commit- ting yourselves to the divine direction by sup- plication. It is unreasonable to object that such is the poverty of your lot, or, such the pressure of worldly business that you have not opportunity for the exercises of religion. You can easily find leisure for every thing that involves your temporal prosperity orcom- fort : You find leisure for eating when nature requires nourishment ; you find leisure for dressing your bodies when you wish to go a- broad, and make a decent appearance among men ; you find leisure for sitting and conver- sing with a friend who occasionally calls to visit you ; and is the living God, who crea- ted you, who sustains you from hourto hour ; who is constantly " crowning you with lov- ing kindness, and tender mercies" the only friend to whose call you cannot attend, orar'c H 86 Seniion 3, the interests of your souls and eternity the only concerns which may lie neglected ? Oh, bre- thren, if there be any conj-:olation in Christ ; any reality in the fellowship of his love " be not henceforth slothful in business, but fer- vent in spirit, serving the Lord."' Hou- may we sink in humiliation when we consider the importunity to which others have attained in ihe duty of prayer wrestling two, or four, or six hours in the twenty-four with the Livings God, and how may we deplore our own loss v.'hen we recollect the advantages which they have derived from this exercise ? At the throne of their Father they have often receive ed *' the oil of joy for mourning, and the gar- ment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." Employed in pouring out their souls before him in devout supplication they have felt se- cure amidst all the storm.s of life ; they have experienced *' a peace which passeth all un- derstanding ;" uhich the highest earthly pros- perity could not impart, and which all the shocks of adversity could not runle. '' This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles." And the same prayers which issue in the peace and profit of his own soul, may descend in show- ers of blessing on his family, on the congre^ gation with which he is connected, and on the church throughout the world. '' Ye that make mention of the Lord keep iiot silence : And give him no rest till he es- tablish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.'* Amen. S£RiVION IV. *♦■ ACTS, xvii. 11. ^hese were more noble than those in Thessalo- nica in that they — searched the scriptures daily. THESSALONICA, which is here noticed by the Evangelist, was the chief city of Macedonia, and celebrated for its com- merce, and wealth, and luxury. There a church was planted by Paul at an early peri« od of his ministry, to which as is generally supposed his two first epistles were addressed. Berea to which the apostle repaired after his departure from Thessalonica was also a city of Macedonia, but inferior to the other in ex- tent, and i opulation, and splendor : Yet the citizens of Berea were pronounced more no- ble than those i;i Thessalonica : '* The Lord God seeth not as man seeth, for man looketh on the outward appearance," on the dress, the address, and other external accomplishments and advantages, '' but the Lord looketh on the heart ; he notices whether it be humble, and contrite, and spiritual ; He esteems his own image impressed on the soul, and ap- pearing in the general behaviour, infinitely more than all the endowments either of learn- ing, or wealth : Lazarus with the divine love shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost, although exposed in the open street, and o- SS Sermon 4. bliged to ask his brcr.d from door to door, is beheld with complacence by angels, nnd the God of angels while the r.ich man, swelling with pride, although clothed in purple, and occupying a palact; is regarded with indigna- tion, and scorn — An individual, or a family, or a city rises in the estimation of God in pro- portion as they obey his commandments, and act for his glory. '' Them that honour me I will honour, but they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed " The Berenns were therefore reckoned ** more noble than those inThessalonica in that they searched the scrip, tures daily.** Secret prayer, on a late occasion, was re- commended to you as a reasonable and profit- able service. It is designed at present to en- force the reading of the sacred oracles as an ordinance no less important, and an ordinance encumbent on each individual. Indeed these two duties are very properly connected. In prayer we converse with God, and wlnle we search the scriptures we hear him conversing wdth us : In the former exercise we familiar- ly make known to him our fears, our desires, our hopes, and in the latter he communicates to us his pleasure and purposes concerning us both in time and eternity : As example is usually more impressive than precept the part of sacred history which I have chosen must be considered as peculiarly appropriate for re- commending to our attention the scriptures of truth. The citizens of Berea are represent^ Sermon 4.. 8^ ed as patterns for our imitation, and the Lord grant that in contemplating their conduct we mav be excited to become followers of tlose who through faith, and patience do now in- herit the promises. The righteous then no less than the righteous woti; were afflicted with a body of sin often tempting to the omission of duty ; they no less than ive were cucum- bered with family cares, and involved in the various pursuits of the world ; yet amidst all these temptations, and discouragements they persevered " in searching the scriptures dai- ly," and their labor of piety was not in ^?ain for the Lord God expresses his approbation by pronouncing them more noble than others. " His eyes are always upon the righteous :*' He knows the person by whom his oracles are read, and the house where his throne is addressed by prayer, and over such be vvatch^ es with peculiar concern, and afiection.. May a portion of that same unction by which the living oracles were originally in- spired descend on you and me while I attempt to give some general directions for their pro- fitable perusal. 1. k is proper to search: the whole scrip- tures, bath \\\Q old testame'nt and the new. We are not to conclude that the use of tlvc former scriptures has ceased since the writings of the evangelists, and apostles are finished. They were all written by men under the imp pulse, the infallible direction of the Holy Ohast, and therefore out of rcsnect to their Ji. 2 90' • Sermoji 4. Author they ought all to be read. These two parts of divine revelation are intimately con- nected, and interwoven with each other ; they are both necessary for forming one perfect whole, one complete system of doctrine, and duty. The old testament presents to our view the type, and the new exhibits the anti- type ; the former contains various prophecies and promises relative to Messiah, and his un- dertaking, and offices, the latter represents, these as literally accomplished in the coming, and siiiferings, and ascension of the Word made flesh : And therefore we cannot omit the use of either v/ithout lessening the evi- dence, and obscuring the glory of the other^ As a mean of recommending revealed truth in all its parts, and exciting us conscientious- ly to improve it, one apostle declares, *' that prophecy came not in old time," under the former dispensation, " by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost ;" and another apostle as- serts that '' all scripture is given by inspira- tion of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righ- teousness ; that the m>an of God may be per- fect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.*' The wisdom and condescension of God eminently appear in the great variety of his word, and in thus furnishing a system for the admonition and consolation of his chil- dren in every possible circumstance. Some parts, of it are obscure which readers of the Sermon 4. 91 greatest leisure, of the most profound genius^ and extensive learning may spend their time and talents in attempting to explore : Other parts, again, and those which most intimately concern the welfare of all, are easily under- stood , obvious at the first view, and to the lowest capacity. In the historical parts of scripture we see the church for her apostacies plunged in the depths of adversity ; scourged alternately with the sword, and famine, and pestilence as the rod of divine wrath, and we are thai ad.aonished '' to walk humbly before our God ;' we are taught that although '* he pardons the iniquities of his people he will take vcnj^eance on their inventions; ' Again, we behold him, upon her repentance, season- ably interposing for her deliverance, and we are ihu> encouraged not to mourn in the hour of adversity as those who have no hope ; that aliriou-ii '* in a little wiath a righteous Father ma v r ide his face from us yet with e- verlastinn;' I'ving kindness he will have mercy upon us. Tne psalms of David present the mi- litant iitiiever mall the diversity of his exerci- ses and fKjaes. We find that royal saint re- joi^iing iit one moment in the light of his Fa- the -'s counienar.e, erKJoyingthe full assurance of his iovc, aud experiencing the foretastes oi endless pleasure at his right hand : Again, we behold him involved in darkness, and doubt ; apprehending that ** the Lord had forgotten to be gracious, and that his mercy was clean gone forever.'' We learn from this i^ Sermon 4. TunQty of his frames that unclouded light,xind nnmingled joy aie not to be expected in the present world. The Iiistory of Job presents in a very interesting view the precariousness of all earthly enjoyments : we see this saint of the most High suddenly falling from the very summit of earthly prosperity to the depths of adversity, stripped at once of his health, his children, and property, and we are admonish- ed by this fact not to place our confidence ii> any created good ; we behold him, again, af- ter the trial of his faith and patience restored to his former prosperous condition, and we are thereby instructed not to despond in the season of aiiTiction ; that however dark the cloud which now hangs over us, the sun of prospe- rity and health mav suddenly beam forth. In the gospels and epistles there is a clear exlii - bition of Jesus of Nazareth in the merit of his cross, and in the fulness and freedom of his covenant for the salvation nf all who improve him. I might thus consider the various parts of divine revelation, and shew that each pos- sesses some peculiar excellence ; that they are all worthy of our cordial acceptation, and diligent perusal. It was the observation of a pious experimental divine* of a former age that ** although one star in the firmament of tlie scriptures differs from another star in glo- ry, yet w^henever God speaks we should hear, and the diligent searcher will find much ex- cellent matter in the parts of scripture whicK * Mr, P. Henry, j)agt 70. Sermon 4. 93 we sometimes think might have been spared.'* And a h\te very profitable writer^ remarks, *' I know not a better rule for reading the bi- ble than to read it through from beginning to end, and when we have finished it once to be- gin again. We shall meet with many passa- ges that we can make little improvement of, but not so many in the second reading as in the first, and fewer in the third than in the second. ' 2. The scriptures ought to be read with all humility of spirit; with a sincere disposition to believe whatever they reveal, and to obey whatever they require. Man through the pride of his heart often searchesthe scriptures rather as a critic to cavil than as a sinner wha earnestly desires to become wise unto salva- tion ; he is disposed presumptuously to ar- raign them before the bar of his own vitiated reason, and sit in judgment on their language, their arrangement, or sentiment instead of prostrating his own reason before this bar as the truth of Jehovah by which he must be fi- nally judged. This presumptuousness, this self-sufiiciency of heart is peculiarly offensive to the gracious Spirit, and publicans, and harlots will sooner receive saving advantage from the scriptures than such readers. ^' The Lord God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the lowly.'' It becomes us to open the sacred volume with all the simplicity of children ; to consider our own insignificancQ * John Newton, vol, $. p. 41 i<. Lon, ecU 94 Sermon 4. as creatures, and more especially our untvbf.* thiness as sinners ; to realise the perfections of thalGod by whose inspiration the scriptures we: e written, and then reflect that whatever he teaches must be triie^ and whatever he commands must be right. This was the tem- per which the apostle so highly recommends in the Bereans. ** They received the word with all readiness of mind;" they regarded the authority of God as the highest possible e- vidence for the truth of any doctrine, and therefore that it was their duty, and glory to subject their reason to his revelations. This same humility of mind he most honorably no- tices in his epistle to the Thessalonians ; ** For this cause also thank we God without c easing^, because when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of man, but as it is in truth the wo d of God which effectually worketh in you that believe.'^ 3. The scriptures ought to be read with fervent prayer to the Divine Spirit for his in* EuenCes to enlighten our understandings, and enable us savingly to comprehend them. No truth is more obvious from the word of God, and universal observation than the insufficien- cy of all means without his energies accom- panying them. ** Every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above, and comet h down from the Father of lights." "• Without his powerful agency,'' as an evangelic, elegant au* Sermon 4. 95 thor* expresses it, *' to enlighten our under- standings, and apply the doctrines of the bi- ble to our hearts, we shall be even with tie word of light and life in our hands as blind Bartinieus sitting amidst the beams of day, or like the withered arm with some valuable treasures before it." The bible is indeed compared to a lamp, but a lamp affords neither pleasure nor profit to him who has not eyes to discern and follow its light, so the eyes of the understanding must be opened before we are capable of beholding with comfort and ad- vantage this light shining in our benighted ^vorld. *' The natural man receiveth not the things of tiie Spirit of God ; they are foolish, ness to him,'' as the doctrine of sounds ap- pears foolishness to him who is deaf,or as the doctrine of colours appears foolishness to him who is blind, " neither can he know them, be- cause they are spiritually discerned," discover- ed by the almighty operations of the Lord the Spirit, This is a truth which ought never to be forgotten when we open the volume of re- velation, that it will be profitable either for re- proof, or consolation, only as our understand, ings are illuminated to comprehend it. With what importunity of soul did the holy David supplicate for this divine influence while he searched the scriptures, " Open thou mine eyes to behold wondrous things out of thy ]a\\' ; a train of wonders the most sublime, and interesting it does indeed contain ; here The Rev J. Hervev. 90 Sermo7i 4. thy love illustriously shines in providing a Saviour for our guilty world, thy sovereignty is displayed in accepting from the Surety that satisfaction which thou mightest have deman- ded from the sinner, thy long suffering in bear- ing with us amidst the most criminal misim- provement of privileges, but all these ^^on- ders without illumination from on high must remain uninteresting to me as the harmony of sounds to him who is deaf, or as the most de- licious meats to him whose palate is vitiated and incapable of relishing them. '* If any man lack wisdom," if he would possess that know- ledge of divine things which is pure ^nd peace- able, w^hich is the effect of grace here, and the earnest of glory hereafter, '* let him ask of God who giveth to all men liberally and up- braideth none, and it shall be granted him.'' 4. The oracles of God ought to be read by all who are capable of reading them. Search the scriptures, is the positive command, and binds to that duty persons of every age and situation who have access to the sacred vo- lume, and have the capacity of perusing it. — The sinner ought diligently to read the scrip, tures as an ordinance appointed of Jehovah for his instruction and conversion. ** The law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul ; the testimonies of the Lord are sure making wise the simple ; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes," and to souls innumerable this volume carefully read has proved the wisdo??i and the power of God Sermon 4, - ^7-; for these important ends. The law of God when applied by the Spirit of God sets before the sinner in awful review not merely his pre- sent, but also his former conduct ; not only his actions, and words, but the most secret thoughts, and purposes of his heart ; it pre- sents these to the eye of his conscience with every circumstance of aggravation ; nay, it brings home immediately to his view not only crimes which the world never knew, but du- ties neglected, warnings misimproved, and crimes committed which for months or years had been forgotten by himself. It then ad- monishes him that '* cursed is every one who continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them ; that the soul that sinneth it shall die :" It thus rouses the sinner to a consciousness of his guilt, to an apprehension of his danger, and obliges him with the trembling jailor to exclaim, ^' what shall I do to be saved ?" A very in- teresting instance of the efficacy of the word, when applied by the power of God, for alarm- ing the most secure, and subduing the most obstinate sinners, occurred in the army of Oli- ver Cromwell, It was the special order of that officer that every soldier under his command should always have a bible in his pocket. A- greeably to this requisition a licentious young soldier carried a copy of the scriptures, which during the action was penetrated by a ball from the enemy. After the army had retired from the field, this profligate youth had the I 93 ' Sermoii 4, curiosity toexannnehow fiir the ball liacl en- tered his bible, and while he was turning over one leaf after another the following nassiige arrested his attention, *' Rt^joice, O ^onng man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in tlie ways of thine heart, and in the sight of tlfinc eyes ; but know thou that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment :" And this w^ord accompanied with die pov.er cf Al- mighty God literally pierced to the dividhig a- sunder 0/ tits soul end spirit : It proved the happy instrument of enlightening his under- standing, of alarming his conscience, of chan- ging liis heart, and finally of saving his soul : He afterwards resided many years in London manifesting the reality of his conversion by the holiness of his life ; and often remarked to his minister, a celebrated divine of that city,* *^ that his bible was the mean of savin?:- both o his soul and body."' But the use of the scriptures docs not cease at our conversion to the Living God ; they ought to be diligently and devoutly read as a mean of our progress in sanctification, and spiritual wisdom : And the believer in Jesus usually finds that every grace fiouribhes in proportioii as his delight in the lively ora- cles encreases. These are the sincere, uni dul- terated milk^ by which the children of the spi- ritual family grow up to the stature of perfect rnen, and are matured for the fruition of glo-^ Dr. Evans. Serrdon 4. 9^J TV. Other books may be profitably read ; tiiey ji re u sc fa I for e x p i a i n i n g a nd e n for c i n g t h e \v ord of God, but they are as far inferior to the zvord itself as the stream is inferior to the fountain from which it flows. '* The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicliig the heart ; his judg- ments are righteous altogether," and whenseal- ed upon the believing soul by the spirit of holi- ness are a chief mean of fortifying against temptation, of animating to the discharge of duty, and of imparting support amidst the e- vils'of life. Holy men of God appear to be at a loss for language to express their esteem for his precious word, or their delight in read- ing and reflecting upon it. One pronounces it *' more to be desired than gold, yea, than much fine gold ; sweeter also than honey, and the honey comb : ' He appeals to the searcher of hearts, *' thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever j for they are the rejoicing of my heart. Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me ; yet thy command- ments are my delight : they are my song in the house of my pilgrimage. ' Another bears his testimony in language equally honorable and affectionate to the excellence of the sacred oracles, " we have also a more sure word of prophecy," a more certain, infallible guide than dreams, or visions, or any other revela- tion from whatever quarter it may be receiv- ed ; nay, more certain than that voice which we audibly heard when we :v/ere present on the holv mount ; '' whereunto ve do well that 100 Sermon 4, ye take heed as unlo a light shining in a dark place, until the day dav.n, and the day star a- rise in your hearts." The meaning of this ])assage is both obvious and important ; it instaicts us that the lamp of revelation ought to be kept constantly in our hands ; that its light ought to be steadily pursued, until faith is exchanged for im.mediate vision, hope for full fruition, and we are admitted to see with- out a vail for ever. 5. We ought to read the scriptures with the resolution of reducing to practice what- ever they command. The bible was given not only as a system of doctrine, but also as a rule of duty, and we are bound to search it that our duty may be known and performed* Jt was not designed merely to inform the un- derstanding by the disclosure of truths for- merly unknown, but also to correct the heart, and regulate the life : And as it becomes us to bow our understandings to the authority of Jehovah by believing implicitly whatever he declares, wc should also bow our wills by re- ducing to practice whatever he enjoins in his word. Do the scriptures afford the most clear revelation of God in his essence, and per- fections, and government ; do they represent Him as necessarily possessed of every possi- ble excellence, as unerring in his wisdom, unspotted in his purity, irresistible in power, and tender in his mercies, they afford this dis- covery of the Divine Being that we may be induced to admire and adore, and serve him : Sermon 4. 101 Do they represent the Lord Jesus Christ as ineffably great, and gracious : as possessing originJly the form of God, yet appearing for our sakes in the form of a servant ; as loving his people, becoming a propitiation for their sins, and opening a living way for their re- turn to that God whose favor they have for- feited : The scriptures reveal the Saviour iii all his grace, and glory that our souls may be captivated with his excellencies ; that we may be constrained to repair to Him, to rest upon him, and rejoice in him as our refuge, and portion : Do the scrijHures give a discovery of hell with its exquisite, never-ending tor- ments, it is that we may take the alarm, and flee from this wrath. Do they disclose to our view heaven with its blessedness, and glories, it is that we may strive earnestly to enter it : Do they exhibit the divine law as holy, and just, and good, it is that we may cheerfully obey it : Do they set forth a system of ordi- nances private and public as the instituted means of our instruction and edification, it is that we may be induced thankfully to improve them. If ye know these things,' says our Lord, '* happy are you if you do them." The moment we are convinced that any ordinance is divinely appointed we ought conscientious- ly to attend it whatever sacrifice of our ease, or interest, or reputation may be required : — Otherwise every additional attainment in knowledge must aggravate our condemnation and woe. To remain ignorant of the divine I 2 ^■ 102 Sermon 4. will under the means of information is crimi- nal, but to be acquainted with our duty and live in the neglect of it is still more criminal, because our disobedience is a direct impeach- ment of that wisdom and authority which en- joined it. 6. The scriptures ought to be read dailj/ when opportunities can possibly be enjoyed. No arguments, I trust, arc^ necessary to evir.ce the propriety of attendingso frequendy to this exercise. It is a reasonable tribute of respect and gratitude to theLiving God, their Author ; that we should be often consulting the only volume which he has v.ritten. It is also a du- ty which we owe to our immortal souls that we frequently improve this mean of edification and comfort. Are we dciHi/ * laboring for tlie meat v/hich perisheth," and why not occupy a portion of each day in laboring for " that meat which endureth to everlasting life ?" Are we daily promoting the health and com- fort of the outward m.an by eating,and drir.king, and clothing, and why not devote a little at- tention to the interests of that soul which must live for ever ? And vv'hat mean is more happily adapted to advance its interests than a careful perusal of the scriptures and affection- ate meditations upon them ? It is not without an important design that the apostle testifies sa explicitly of the Bereans that '' they searched the scriptures daily ^"^^ or that the exercises of David are so particularly recorded, and hand- ed down to future ages, *' O how love I thy Sermon 4. 103 law ; it is my meditation all the day. I will delight myself iii thy statutes ; I will not for- get thy word" Besides, a peculiar promise is made to those who are diligent, and consci- entious in their improvement of the hol}- scriptures. '' Biesed is the man that delight- cth in the law of ihe Lord, and in his law doth he meditate day and night." The moments consecrated to the Living God, and the con- templation of his word shall secure a blessing on all the other pursuits and enjoyments of the day ; for it is added, *' he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that bring- eth forth his fruit in his season ; his leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he doeth shall prosper. ' These directions for the profitable use of the sacred scriptures I shall now conclude in the very appropriate language of our excellent catechism ; " that the word may become ef- fectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation, and prayer ; re- ceive it with faith and love, lay it up in our hearts and practise it in our lives.' Permit me to apply this doctrine by exhort- ing you to ad'^re the Great God for giving us this revelation of his will; for lighting up this cheering lamp in our guilty, benighted world, and recommending you affectionately to im- prove it. To leave our bibles neglected from &.\y to day is really to shut our eyes against the light : it is practically to pour contempt on that goodness which afforded the scriptures. 104 Sermon 4. 2ihd on that authority which enjoins us to search thcni. This is a truth which I would most solemnly press upon the consciences of eve. y reader of these pages. Many of you perhaps aim at being rnoral in your conduct, chaste in your C6nversatinri, at honesty in } our ordinary dealings by *' rendering to all their due, and thus doing to others as you would that others should do unto you : ' Your ears are probably shocked at the impiety of the swearer, your eyes are probably disgusted upon witnessing a neighbor debasing himself by foul intoxica- tion, or guilty of the open profanation of the Lord s day, yet you yourselves live habitual^ ]y^ and, perhaps Vv iiliout remorse, in the omis- sion of commanded duty : You rarely pray in your closets or families, and suffer days to pass away without reading a chapter of the bible. But is it not a direct comm.and of God, *' search the scriptures ; let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom," and is there no guilt, no danger in the habitual omis- sion of this command ? A parent feels no less OiFended with his child for neglecting tim.e af- ter time any service which he has positively enjoined, than for doing what he has actually forbidden : and is the Great God, the moral Governor of the universe, less jealous of his prerogatives than frail, imperfect mortals P-**- Recollect, therefore, that he is no less displea- sed and dishonored at your omission of what he has required, than your commission of what he has forbidden. ** The servant that Sermon 4. 105 knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be bea- ten with many stripes- Prophecy came not in old time by the will of men ; but holy men of God sp ike as they were moved by the Ho- ly Ghost ," the inspired writeis were only the medium, the message was from Jehovah, and will you turn away from a speaker so august and divine ? Is it to be supposed that he *' whose understanding is infinite" would raise up men in different ages, prophets and apos- tles ; that he would move them xvhen to speak, and direct them what to say ; that he would preserve their writings unaltered amidst the most fiery opposition of earth and hell, and yet that there is no guilt in leaving these wri- tings unimproved ? But waving the divine authority which binds you to this perusal of the scriptures, may not a regard for your own interest, constrain you to it ? As the sacred volume \s a faithful sayi'^g, being written by inspiration of God, it is worthy of all accepta- tion, being replete with consolation to man* Under a conviction of guilt, is there nothing reviving in that declaration, " God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them : I will be merciful to your unrighteousnesses ? ' Amidst the numerous evils and discourage- ments that you experience, is there nothing supporting in that assurance, ''all things, shall work together for good to them that love God: The Lord will give grace and glory ; no good 106 Sermon 4. thing win he witlihold from them that walk uprightly ?" While you find the infirmities of nature gradually cncreasing, all earthly enjov- ments losing their relish, and the " grass-hop- per becoming a burden,'' is there no support in tliat heavenly word, " and even to your old age i am he ; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you : 1 have made, and I will bear ; even I will carry, and I will deliver you : I will strengthen thee ; yea, I will help thee ; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of m} righteousness P" In t ;e prospect of part- ing with your dear ofTspri: g, and leaving them in a world of corruption, ?nd vexation, and sorrow is there no relief to thine anxious soul in that invitation of thy Father in heaven, *' Leave thy .'fa'.herles:^ children, I v/\\\ pre- serve them alive, and let div widows trust in me : Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands con:imand ye mjc ; i will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for- ever for the good of them and of their cliildren after them :' When the clay tabernacle begins to totter^ and thou art forewarned of a speedy dissolution, is there nothing animating in that declaration of a risen Saviour, '* he that belie- veth on me hath everlasting life : I am the re- surrection and the life, he that believeth on me although he v/ere dead, yet shall he live." 'Jliese promises frequently read and sealed upon the heart by the Divine Spirit, impart purer joy and more substantial support than Sermon S. 107 can be derived from any created source. — '' More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold ; sweeter also tlian honey, and the lioney comb." Do you object that you have often read the scriptures, and committed portions of them to memory, but without any real advantage ; you have never felt their efficacy either for convincing of sin, or for animating to the dis» charge of duty. Be exlioi"ted to read them more frequently, and with still greater atten- tion to their meaning. We are not to expect profit from the bible by running over a chap- ter of it as we would a page of the almanack, or a paragraph in the newspaper : We should attend to this d-ity as an ordinance of the Li- ving God with the utmost solemnity and earn- estness ; revolving in our minds again and a- gain the doctrines which it reveals and the ad- monitions which it contains. " We ought therefore to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard or read, lest at any time we let them slip. We are comman- ded to have his word in our hearts by making it the subject of our frequent and delightful contemplation ; " to talk of it when we are sitting in the house, and walking by the way ; when v/e are lying down and rising up." — Again, read the scriptures w^ith more fervent prave? to that Spirit who alone can reveal them savingly to your souls. The understan- ding is darkened by nature, and incapable of discerning spiritual objects until it is divinely 108 Sermon 3, illuminated. When you take this heavenly volume into your hands be impressed that however great y and precious its promises, and however excellent its precepts you must be taught of God before it will be profitable, ei- ther for reproof, or correction, or consolation, and then expostulate with the Father of lights, " open thou mine eyes to behold wondrous things out of thy law : Give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation — that I may know what is the hope of thy calling, and what the riches of the glory of thine inheritance among the saints." For the Lord's sake, and for your own soul s sake, I intreatyou not to conclude that because you cannot make these oracles effectual, it is therefore useless to read or im- prove them. Such insinuations originate in unbelief, and ought instantly to be resisted ; they are cherished by that arch-enemy who aims at draggingyou as miserable captives to the same torments with himself. Because you cannot make your corn to grow, will you not plant ? Because you cannot command the dews to distill, or the genial rains to descend, will you not sow ? Because the mariner can- not oblige the winds to blow wheiiy or in what direction he pleases, will he refuse to spread his sails? The children of this w^orld are wiser in their generation than to reason after this manner. They know that without sowing they cannot reap, but by sowing they moyy and probably will reap. They know that the hand of the diligent ordinarily maketh rich, Sermon 4. 109 and therefore they use tlie most appropriate means in the most suitable season, and will you not make the experiment, when your peace in life, your support in death, and your welflire through eternity are at stake ? Will you not allow yourselves leisure, or will you not submit to the trouble of searching the scriptures, when it is declared, *^ in thcni ye think ye have eternal life ?" Or llirough your wailful neglect will you leave their adora- ble Author to complain, ''• I have written to them the great things of my law, but they were counted a strange thing ?'' Reader, hast thou founJ the promises pre- cious ; hast thou often felt them to be tlie joy, and rejoicing of thine heart; adore the Lord the spirit for those operations by which thine eyes were opened to discern their exce!- lence, and thy soul enaliled to taste their con- solations : To him thou art a debtor for all that delight which thou hast experienced in reading them, and for all that freedom which thou hast found in receivinQ: them as thev are yea^ and amen in our Lord Jesus Christ. *' Blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear, for many wise men, and mighty, and noble' have enjoyed the same oracles^ and remained strangers to their sanc- tifying, and saving effect : They have sat un- der the shining of the same celestial lamp, without discerning a ray of its glory. *' But God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in your hearts to £^ive K iiO Sermon 4. }'ou the light of the kno^vledge of tlie glory of God in the flice of Jesus Christ." In the humble, devout, and daily improvement of ihis record of thy Fath.er's Jove, endeavor to make progTcssin grace, and in the knowledge of thy dear Saviour, and Lord : In proportion as }ou become acquainted widi the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ the more will divine peace abound in your consci- ences, the more will true holiness sit en- throned ii^. \ cur hearts, and your affections v.ill rise and center upon things above. *• Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises that by these ye might be partakers of a divine nature.'' Observe .stated oppotunities each Oii'.y for reading por- tions of the scriptures, particularly the prac- tical, and devotional parts of them with prav- er to him whose grace can render them coiir ilucive to your spiritual profit : And while you read rejoice in them as the heir rejoices in his title to a large estate, or as the child rejoices in the last will oi his Father Vvhiich bequeathes a rich inheritance. Be i^ot satis- fied willi hearing the ra read by others, or, if thou art the head of a flimily, with reading them to thy liousehold at the seasons of ordi- nary devotions ; thou hast a soul of thine own to be quickened when deed, to be animated when indolent, to be comforted when discon- solate, therefore embiace opportunities for searchiiig the living oracles apart by thyself. Let no business \vhich relates to the present Sermon 4, -t^i tvorlcl, neither the cares of thy farm, or thv merchandize, or any secuhu' employment di- vert thee from the stated performance of this dutv. The ^aia of thy soul 13 infinitely the most interesting gain, and remember it is *' to them who, by patient contmumij' in weh doinc^-seek for glorv, and honour, and irnmor- talit)sthat eternal life" is promised. We ought to consider that day as lost, as a blank m our lives in which nothing has been done for our souls,and eternity by attention to some spiritual exercises. When, on the other hand, we arc called to exchange this world for the next,^ those davs will appear the most precious of the week, and those hours the most precious of the dav, and those moments the most pre- cious of "the hour which were spent in com- munion wiih God, and making preparation for our future state It was the solemn attes- tation of one* who had attained nearly the summit of human greatness, '' I have survey- ed the most part of that learning which is common among men, but now I ftnd no rest for my soul except in the holy scriptures." It was the exclamation of anotherj eminent both in station, and for his talents, '' I have lost a world of time die most precious thing in the world, of winch had I one year more it should be spent in reading the psalms of David, and the epistles of Paul." Another|| distingui-.hed boih in the church and in the * i he Hon. ]^>us Selden. I S/\l.MASiA. 11 Sir CilKlSTOFHER KUTTCN. 112 Strmon 4. world expostulates with his friends in his last hours, " be serious in searching after xhQ will of God in his holy word ; if it is desirable lo know the laws of the land, and the customs of our eountr}^ bow much more to know the statutes of heaven-, and the laws of eternit}' ; to know tlie will oftlie Great Monarch, and Eternal King." He then devGutly exclaimed, *' 1 have seen an end cf ail perfection, but thv commandment is exceedinsf broad/' Sach i-s the testimony of men who enjoyed all that support which either the WTalth or hen. cars of creation could impart ; such was their testimony as they were just leaping from time to eternity, and therefore could have no in- terest in deceiving. I must now conclude presenting again for your imitation the exam. pie of the Bereans ** who received the word v/ith all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily.'* This feeble attempt to re- commicnd the oracles of our Lord is left with your consciences until that solemn hour when we must stand together at his bar. " And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which arc sanctified/'-— Amen. SERMON V. ISAIAH 56, 4. Forties saith the Lord unto the Eunuchs that keep 771 y Sabbaths, THE pro^-niscs contained in this-, and the following verses of the chiiptcr refer immediately to the New-Testament dispensa- tion. The inspired author with ])rophetic eye looks forward to a distant period of time ; he sees the wall of partition, which had long separated the ]q\y from the Gentile, com- pletely removed ; he sees the church extend- ing her limits beyond the narrow boundaries of Palestine, and admitting to her privileges not merely the offspring of Abraham, but men of all languages, and climes, and kin- dreds. The prophet thus mentions in anotli- er verse, " also the sons of the stranger," il-c Gentile nations who had been formerly consi- dered. " as strangers, and foreigners, ' \\\\.y were not acknowledged as a people in cove- nant with God,, nor dignified wiih the pecu- liar privileges of liis children, "these sons of the Strang- r that join themselves to the Lord — and take hold of my covenant: Even the :n v/ill I bring to my holy mountain,, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; fov n^in." house shall be called an house of prayer [ot vW people." Among the various duties to which promises are made in the diflerent verses cf this chapter the sanctiiicution of the s^.bbuti;i K 2 ll'i Sermon 5. may be considered as the most prominent and is most frequently mentioned. This is a plain proof that the Sabbath is an ordinance of mo- ral obligation, that it is not peculiar toany age of the church, but shall be perpetuated through all ages, and that the observance of it is es- sential to the christian character. My design is to enforce the sanctification of the Lord^s day, and as this can probably be done with greater success after you are fully convinced that it is a moral duty, per- petually binding in the church, I shall endea- vor to shew, J. That the sabbath is an ordinance of last- ing obligation, and II. The manner in which it ought to be sanctified. The moral nature of the sabbath, and its perpetual obligation are evident, I. From the time when this institution was made, and the arguments with which it was originally enforced. No reason was expres- sed at the first appointment of a particular day for religio:is worship, nor can any be imagined by us why it should be binding on Adam, more than on his posterity in all gen- erations. Does not the Lord God stand in the relation of a Creator to us, no less than to him, and are v.e not therefore equally bound to devote a portion of our time for his immediate service ? Had man retained his primitive innocence he v/ould have ceased on every seventh d\v from the labors of life, and Sermon 5. 115 occupied himself exclusively in the contem- plation, and worship of his Creator, and is this retirement from the business of the world less necessary in his fallen, imperfect condi- tion ? Surely if it was requisite for Adam when unadulterated by sin, and possessed fully with the image of his God ; when he admired him in all that he saw, and enjoyed him in all that he tasted ; when every thought was holy, and every affection was devoted to Jehovah as the object cf its delight, if it was necessary for Adam under such circumstan- ces to separate a seventh part of his time for the duties of religion, it is much more neces- sary for us who are naturally carnal, and earth- ly ; whose hearts are so powerfully prone to this world, and arc often going after its vani- ties, even when the body is enjoying the rest of the Sabbath ? That this ordinance must be of perp-tuul obligation also appears obvious, 2 Fiom the argument by which it was o- riginally enforced, even the divine example in the creation of this world. *' And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made ; and God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it,'' set it apart for holy exer- cises, and a day in which peculiar blessings should be dispensed, '' because that in it he had rested from all his works which God cre- ated, and made." This is the very same ar- gument by which the observance of the sab- bath was urged upon the Israelites from mount 116 Sermon 5. Sinai, and in dltierent periods of ihtir dispen- sation ; and surely this argument is equally^ forcible in all nges of the world, and to a!l^ generations of men. Why was the Lord God pleased to occupy six days in carrying on and completing the creation of this world f He could as easil}^ have finished it in one day as in six, yea in a moment of time, as in a suc- cession of ages: but he protracted it day after day very probably as an example to man, that after laboring six days in secular pursuits the seventh should be devoted to a holy rest. " Six days shait thou labor, and do all thy- work, but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God, in it thou shalt not do any work — For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day ; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, andhallov/ed it. That the sabbath is of perpetual obligation appears undeniable, 3. From the ccnsidtration that it was an-. nounced at the same time, and with the same solemnity as the other commandments. When man in consequence of his apostacy had lost a knov.'ledge of the true God^ and a revela- tion of the divine will became necessary the sabbath was instituted with as much precision and enforced with as much authority as any other ordinance. It was announced by Jeho- vah with an audible voice, and in terrible ma- jesty from mount Sinai, " Remem.ber the sab- bath day, and keep it holy : * It was after- Sermon 5. 117 ^vards \VrItten on tables of stone by the finger of God as a mark of its perpetuity, and was ordained to be kept in the ark of the covenant as constituting a part of the moral law. We might as reasonably suppose that any part of the ten commandments is suspended from ob- ligation as this part : We might as readily suppose that it is lawful to have other Gods before him contrary to the first commandment, or to profiine his venerable name in opposition to the third, as to employ the seventh in our secular pursuits in opposition to the explicit injunction of the fourth commandment. The conscientious observation of that day was of- ten urged by the Jewish prophets as an im- portant part of religion, and the violation of it was a sin against which the heaviest judg- ments were denounced. " If ye will not hear- ken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden then I will kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched" — Butto him whohonored the Lord *' by not doing his own ways, nor finding his own pleasure, nor speaking his own words o.i his holy day'' it was graciously promised, ** Thou shalt delight thyself in the Lord, and I will cause thee to ride on the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father." From all these consi- derations it may be inferred that the sabbath was net designed for one age of the church, but for all ages, and that it will be observed UB Sermon -5. ia the exercise of divine worship until the end of the world. It is unr.ecessar}^ to detain you by proving at any considerable length that immediately after the resurrection of our Lord the sabbath was changed from the seventh to tlie first day of the week. There is nothing in the na- ture of the institution inconsistent with such a change. The spirit of the ordinance is e- vidently this that as the LordGod was employ- ed six days in the creation of the world, and then rested on the seventh day, so in con- formity to his example after the labour of six days in our temporal engagements o;2 the dead, and appeared to his Apostles, and disciples :" and he mentions in the same apo- logy that on " that day all in city and country convene into the same place, and commenta- ries of the apostles, and the scriptures of the prophets are read-'' We therefore conclude that as the sabbath is an ordinance of perpetual obligation, it \% now changed from the seventh to the first day of the week, and that in the. observation of that day we are sanctioned by the example of otif * Ignatii epistolce ad Mngncsios, X Jpolugia secuuda pro Clifutianu, K^ermon 5. 123 Lord, of his apostles, and of their successors for centuries after the erection of the New- Testament church. It remains to enumerate — - ir. The duties which we ought with dili- gence to discharge on that day. 1. Devout meditation is one duty incum- bent upon us in the morning ofthe holy sabbath. Had man remained in his original purity his chief employment every seventh day would have been to contemplate the perfections of his God as manifested in the material world : He would have admired that power which created from nothing the immense fabric of the universe ; that wisdom which arranged e- very species of Being, animate and inanimate, with such consummate order, and that exu- berant bounty which provided for the necessi- ties of all ; he would especially have adored the distinguishing goodness of Jehovah to man in forming him after his own image and like-^ ness, in appointing him lord of this lower world, and thus assigned him a rank so hon- orable among the creatures of his hand, and at each contemplation of nature his soul must have ascended in ardent affections to nature's God : As devout meditation would have been the chief employment of innocent man on the seventh day, it cannot be less appropriate fcr redeemed sinners on the first day of the week. On the former Adam beheld the finishing stroke given to the outward creation, and in the latter we see the consummation ofthe work 124 Sermon 5, ofour redemption in the resurrection of otir Lord, and his rest from ail the toils and re- proach of his mediatorial undertaking : When the natural sun arises we may reflect that on that mcrningJesuSylviS infinitely illustrious Ar- chetype,arose from the dead : that he came fonh from the grave as the Conqueror of sin, arid Satnn, and death, and hell, and that in the re- surrection of the Head there is a certain pledge of the resurrection of all his living members : At each contemplation of the risen Saviour, of which QWQry return of the Sabbath is a live- ly memorial, the believer has new reason to utter the triumphant challenge, *' death, where is thy sting, grave, wliere is thy victory ? Thanks be unto God that giveth me the vic- torv throu2:h Jesus Christ mv Lord," and this assurance of final victory in his glorious revi- val, and ascension. This appears to have been the exercise of John the livangelist when he declares, " I was in the spirit on the Lord's day :'* I was in the spirit through the breath- ings of the Holy Ghost and on the wings of devout contemplation I was enabled to soar above this world, and all its empty shadows t I was transported v/ith delightful reflections on the past, and longing anticipations of that glory which is yet to be revealed. 2. Secret prayer is another exercise highly suitable on the morning of the christian Sab- bath. That duty which is incumbent on eve- ry day is peculiarly incumbent on the Lord's dav, because on that day Jehovah more espe- Sermon 5. 125 cially waits to be gracious, and delights in dis- pensing mercy to the humble suppliant. While we view with adoring wonder the mys- teries of redeeming love, it should be our prayer that we may be enabled to walk wor- thy of our privileges, and prospects ; that the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ would sanc- tif\ us in soul and body, and dispose us to employ all the mem.bers of both as instru- ments of righteousness for his glory ; that as *' he spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all" he would grant us full remis- sion of sin through his perfect sacrifice, and every pledge of divine love through his inter- cession , that as we live in a world of tempta- tion he would keep us unspotted from its pol- lutions ; that as we are exposed to troubles on the right hand, and the left he would give us the sanctified use of them, support us un- der them, and in his own time aflbrd us an e- ternal redemption from them; that as the christian sabbath was intended to be a pattern of that perfect, everlasting rest which is pre- pared for the righteous in the heavenly state he would subdue each worldly appetite, would inspire us ^vith every holy affection, would gram us in large measure the consolations of his spirit, and thus fill us with longing desires aftei' those full joys which may l>e expected in his immediate presence \ that, if we reside within reach of the sanctuary, he would britig us to his house of prayer as an earnest of in- troducing us hereafter to the *' heavenly Je- L 2 126 Sermon 5. rusalem, the city of the Living God," that, ia sitting clown with the congregation of his peo^ pie, we may be looking forward for an ad- mission to the * general assembly, the church of the first born which are written in heaven'* to go no more out. With what holy impor- tunity did Moses thus supplicate in approach- ing the mount, '-'• Lord, shew me thy glory." David ardently entreats, '* O send out thy light, and thy truth, kt them lead me, let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy taber- nacles.'" Reading the scriptures, family instruction, family devotion, and fimiliar conversation on divine subjects which are encumbent e\erv day are more especially proper on the Lord's day. More leisure is then enjoyed, and there- fore more tim.e should be occupied in exhorts ing one another ; in repeating the great and precious promises, and in praying with, and for each other. That divine injunction wiih which we ought to comply every day as both our duty, and privik ge mi:y with greater con- venience be fulfilled on the si bbath, *' k t the word of Christ dv»'ell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one ano- ther in psalms, and h} mns, and spiritual songs." 'I he church ought thus to be main- tained in the house by praj er, by praii:e, by instruction, by spirltna) conversation, aiid each member of die family by such exercises inay be instrumental in promoting the graces^ and in fitting for glory the otlier members. Sermon 5. 127 But no private exercises either of the closet or the Family should be permitted to iiUeifcre with 3. The still more important duty of atteii' ding the public ordinances of the sanctuary, I am confident that the discharge of no religi- ous duty interfering with, much less prevent- ing the discharge of this will be acceptable with Jehovah. It is in the sanctuary that he has particularly commanded us " not to for. get assembling ourselves together,'* and he has assured us that there he delights more than in all the dwellings of Jacob, and therefore to neglect repairing thither \\\\i.-\\ opportunity offers is equally a contempt of his authority, and love ; besides, it is by going publicly to the temple of the living God that we bear the most open, honorable testimony of our attach- ment to his cause. By repairing with beco- ming solemnity to the courts of his worship ; by deliberately taking our seats among hispro- fessed followers ; by devoutly uniting with them in praise, prayer, and the various exer- cises of religion we practically declare that we are not '* ashamed of his gospel." Indeed, if the ministry of reconciliation should cease, or public ordinances be superseded we cannot conceive a visible church in the world : the religion of Jesus, as to its external, visible form must utterly cease. And perhaps it is not presumptuous to suppose that one reason of the sabbath was that .^11 mi ,ht have oppor- tunity of engaging together in the worship af 128 Sermon 5. the living God. Those therefore who fortri- fiinjy considerations withdraw from public ordinances, and the communion of the fdith- ful may be actuated by an honest, but un- questionably it must be a niisij;uided zeal. *' The Lord hath chosen Zion, hath desired it for his habitation," and promises " abun- dantly to bless her provision: ' There like a munificent Prince he dispenses his royal fa- vors among his subjecis, there he qualifies them gradually for encircling his throne of glory in the heavens, and for the full partici- pation of those privileges which arereserveda- bove for such as '' overcome by the word of their testimony.' While David regarded the sabbath as the most precious day ofihe seven he esteemed the hours of public worship as incomparably the most precious hours of that day " How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts ! Blessed are they that dwell in thy house : For a d\y in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a door- keeper in the liouse of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." An instance of profound veneration for the sanctuary of his God was manifested by a lute noblemjm in Y.n- gland ; one whose name i have often mention- ed, and always with exquisite j)leasure, because he was eminently great and good ; the talents of the man shed lustre upon the graces of the christian, and the graces of the christian re- flected back a still brighter lustre on the ta- lents of the man. 'When this nobleman was Sermon 5. 129 «t:ern'in,^iy unable throupjh the infirmities of age, and cncreasing bodily indisposition to attend the celebration of the Lord's supper in the church, the Bishop waited upon him in the morning and proposed to convey the ele- ments to his own room. To which he repli- ed with apparent extacy, *' No : my Master has prepared an entertainment for me in his own house, I will go there, and partake." He was carried to the temple of the Lord, pub- licly partook of the supper, and then carried back to his room. In a few days the earthly house of his tabernacle was dissolved, and no doubt his soul enjoyed an abundant en- trance into the celestial sanctuary from which there is no departure, and participated at that table which shall never be uncovered. The celebration of the ordinance of the Lord's supper is another duty incumbent on the christian sabbath to which we ought to at- tend whenever opportunity is enjoyed. He who has commanded, ** remember the sab- bath and keep it holy," has also enjoined upon all his followers, *' do this in remembrance of me: As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death until be come.'* And it is evident from the history of the church for centuries after the ascension of our Redeemer that the adminis- tration of this ordinance constituted a chief part of public worship. It is therefore rela- ted of the first converts ** that they continu- ed stedfivstly in the apostles doctrine, and fel- 130 Sermon 5. lowship, and in BREAKING of bread, and prayer : * It is also recorded that when *' the disciples came together to break bread Paul preached unto them : ' Breaking of bread, or the celebration of the Redeemer's supper, in which bread is one elem.ent, is here represent- ed as their principal employment when assem- bled together. Audit is related by Justin Mar- tyr, a Father in the antient church, that *' after the writings of the apostles, and prophets were expounded, bread and wine were brought for- ward and received in the name of the Lord." Such are the public exercises of religion which ought to be performed on the Lord's day, and permit meto remark that each should- be performed with due order, and solemnit}'. All who attend the services of the sanctuary ishould conscientiously aim at being seated be- fore the service is^commenced ; otherwise the beauty of the ordinance is tarnished, and the edification of others is prevented : Besides, how can they who loiter five, or ten minutes after the exercise begins unite their hearts with the minister when as the mesbcnger of the Lord of hosts he calls upon them "to wor- ship God in reading such a chapter, or sing- ing such a portion of a psalm ? It might also be mentioned that unnecessarily to waste our time until the duties of the temple are com- menced looks as if we were afraid of '• being detained before the Lord,'' and that these exercises are rather a drudgery than a delight. Agjun, as we ought to be conscientious in ^^rmon 5, 131 taking our seat In the sanctuary before the ex- ercises of religion begin, we ought to be al- so conscientious in keeping our seats until the exercises are concluded. They who discover an impatience to withdraw before the services are e:ided practically say, *' behold! what a weariness is it P When v/ill the ordinances be over ?" But they who I'etire unnecessarily before the congregation is dismissed not only manifest contempt for the institution, but pre- vent their own edification. No part of the ordinance is more solemn, more interesting than the conclusion, the benediction devoutly pronounced in the name of Jehovah. Who would not v/ait a few moments in the pros- pect of participating in the " grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost :' The sanctification of the sabbath is not fin- ished when the ordniances of the temple are ended : The evening of the sacred day should be employed in self-examination : All, after retiring to their habitation, should be enquir- ing liow they were enabled to conduct in the church of the Living God ; whether their hearts were united, and elevated with their voices in the duty of praise ; whether in pray- er they experienced some enlargement, wrest- ling with the redeeming Angel for^his blessing on themselves and others ; whether they re- ceived the message of life from the lips of the preacher with due affection, and solemnity, *V desiring as new born bab^s the sii^cere milk 152 Sttmon 5. of the ward, that they might grow thereby ;'* and whether in receiving the sacramental br^ad and wine they enjo3ed any tifiecting, transporting views of Jesus the Mediator as ^* wounded and bruised for them :" Hie christian should aim at concluding the Lord's day with lively meditations upon the heavenly state, by looking with fervent desires for that sabbath which shall be succeeded by no night, and that service of his God which shall be lir able to no interruption. We may apply this subject- — 1. In admiring the wisdom and condesceur sion of the Great God in the institution of a sabbath; in appointing one day in seven for the purer, and more important exercises of re- ligion ; that he has rendered it our duty on that day, as it is our privilege, to retire from the pursuits of this passing world, and attend to the great concerns of the world to come. The rest of the sabbath, in whatever light we con- sider it, must be regarded as a most wise and merciful arrangement of Jehovah. It gives relief to the bodies of men by suspending them from the labors of life, and thus condu- ces^to our health, and temporal comfort : This occasional interruption in ourw^orldly pursuits is also a m-ian of disengaging us from earth, to which all are unduly attached r Man by uniting in the exercises of social worship is brought into habits of greater intimacy with man ; they are led to sympathise more ten- derly in the distresses of each other, and thus 'Sermon 5. 153 all the nobler feelings of the heart are cherish- ed. But there is another light in which this ordinance appears incomparably more impor- 'tant. It is a principal mean of our fellowship with the Father of spirits, and thus preparins:^ us for a happy transition from this world to the next. Are we not bound therefore by e - very consideration of duty, and gratitude to " caN the the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord honorable, and to honour him not doing otir own ways, nor finding our own plea- sure, nor speaking our own words on his ho- ly day ?" 2. We learn from this doctrine that to c- mit sanctifying the sabbath as the Lord God requires argues both ingratitude and impiety. In appointing a particular day for his exclu- sive service he has afforded a proof of his so- vereignty over us, of his absolute, unques- tionable right to a portion of our time, but in requiring only one day in seven he has made an appeal to our generosity. As oiir Creator, and Benefactor, he might have exacted the .Ji/t/i, or Jour th, or third ^^rt of olxr time, but "^ in his great liberality he has appointed six days for the use of man, and demanded only the seventh for himself. Surely then to waste that day in idleness, to prostitute it in amuse- ments, in carnal conversation, or worldly em- ployments is both impious, arid ungrateful : It manifests not merely a want of reverence for a Being infinitely great, but a want of love to a Being infinitely bounteous and merciful. M 134 Sermon 5. Respect for his authority, gratitude for hi^ goodness, and a concern for our own inter- ests all unite in exciting us to remeraher.the sabbath and keep it holy. It is mentioned by the i/ispired author of the history of the crea- tion '' that the Lord blesse c sabbath in heaven ; is the former designed' .'ss preparatory to the latter, be not slothful in the discharge of its duties : Aspire after a de- gree of that ardor which expands the bosoms of those who have gone before you ** to that rest which remains for the people of God ;'^ aim, as far as may be possible, in this state of imperfection, at spending each sabbath as you expect to spend it in heaven : As a mean of- preparing you for being in the spirit o?i the Lord's clay, be looking forward to it on the evening of Saturday ; be careful to arrange every worldly bushiess which might disturb^ or distract on the morning of that day, and endeavor to stir up your souls for its du- ties by prayer and meditation. This was the example of our pious fore-fiithers in Europe, and America, and the devout imitation of their example might tend to your edification, and comfort. See that, in repairing to the Sermon 5, 137 Iioiise of God on that day, you be accompa- nied with your families : Every parent, or master, when seated in the sanctuary, should be ready to adopt the appeal of the Roman centurian, " now, therefore, are we all here present before God to hear all things which are commanded thee of God ." Or the reso- lution of a worthy servant*" of Jesus who is now high in heaven, '' my whole family is to be at court to morrow ; the king of hea- ven hath sent positive orders, and he will not excuse either man-servant or maid -servant.'' He who instituted the sabbath has given charge respecting fhi/ son and da light er^ and man-servant and maid- servant. Next to your own salvation be solicitous for the salvation of your families, and use this, and every o- ther mean that is calculated to promote it. With some readers of these pages the night is probably far spent, and the morning of glo- ry m-.iy soon be expected to dawn, a morning to be obscured by no cloud, nor succeeded by any night, be admonished therefore '^ to put off the works of darkness, and to put on the armor of light " Until this day break, and these shadows flee away, turn, our beloved, and be thou like a roe, or a young halt upon the mountains of Bether. * The Rei\ James Mervey. M 2 SERMON VI. JEREMIAH X, 25. Pour out thy fury upon the— 'families that caU not on thy name. " SAY ye to t]>e righteous that it sliall be well with him, for they shall eat the fruit of their doings ; but woe unto the wick- ed, it shall be ill with him ; for the reward of his hands shall be given him." This admo- nition was uttered by the authority of that God who is equally true to his promises and threatnings, and will see to the accomplish- iiient of both either sooner or later. To a superficial observer there generally appears ** but one event to all," yet the true follow- ers of Jesus have consolations to which the children of this world are altogether strangers,^^ Tiud thev know from experience that **iii keeping his coramaadments there is great re- ward.' His most favorite friends are called occasionally to take uptheir cross, yet througli divine strength secretly imparted they are e- iiabled to carry it along with ease, and find in the end that it conduces both to their ad- vantage,, and comfort. All dieir outward af- flictions and disappointments are converted; into salutary corrections, and rendered sub- servient to their holiness here, and their hap- piness forever. They may be, and often are placed in circumstances of temporal poverty,. J et their tittle is better, inore truly mtisfyivg Sermon 6. 139 than the riches of many wicked. Their dispo- sitions through the sanctifying influences of the spirit are brought down to a level with their lot, and '' they learn both how to be a- based and how to abound." The most bit- ter ingredient in any cup is sweetened fron the consideration that it is infused by the hand of a skilful, loving Father, and is really in- tended for their profit. But the situation of the unrighteous is a dreadful reverse. The curse of an uncovenanted God rests on their persons, their pursuits, and infuses worm- wood and gali into all their enjoyments. '* Their riches are corrupted:*' their seem- ing happiness is but splendid misery, and all their apparent glory no more than varnished disgrace. " The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,'* or agreeably to the imprecation of the prophet, " he will pour his fury upon the — families that call not on his name.'* Calling upon the name of the I^ord is an ex- pression which frequently occurs in the sacred writings, and comprehends the various parts of religious worship. When mankind after the revelation of the promise in paradise first assembled for public and social homage they are represented as ^^ beginning to call upon the name of the Lord :" And the apostle in addressing the Corinthian church salutes with believers in that city " all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ.' The expression as it occurs in our text may be 140 Sermon 6. considered in the same comprehensive light, and as therefore containing a severe admoni- tion to those v;ho habitually neglect the duty of familv reli2:ion. Some, as amcan of quieting any fears which might be excited by this denunciation, have remarked that the word translated family more properly signifies a kingdom, or nation, but this criticism although correct lessens neither the guilt nor danger of those who live w ithout family devotion. If irrtligion in a na- tion constitutes a heathenish nation and incurs the displeasure of God, irreligion in a fL\mi!y mustnoless constitute ahealhenish fiiniily,c!nd expose to the rod of his wrath. *' For if hea- thens,'* as a judicious v/riter has noticed, *' be described by this that they cell not on God, then it must be a heathenish kiiigdom that has not public worship, and also a hea- thenish person that lives without secret wor- ship, and also a heathenish family that does not maintain family worship.-' This subject may be considered by exhibi- tmg, I. The duty and advantages of maintaining family religion, and IL The judgments imprecated on those by whom it is habitually neglected — 1. Gratitude to that Being who forms us into a f.imily capacity, and sustains in that capacity, reasonably obliges us to the per- formance of this duty. If individuals are ob- ligated to love and s^rve their Cieator, fami- Sermon 6. 141 lies being little societies are obligated by con- siderations equally powerful to render him social homage. Surely if that God who for- med our persons deserves the tribute of our personal adoration, and praise, having form- ed us into families, and preserved in that rela- tion he is not less entitled to the tribute of our family adoration, and praise. They who are joint sharers of the divine goodness support- ing them in life, supplying their daily wants, and crowning them with many expressions of his love are called to unite in adorina: the common Author of their benefits. Is it not reasonable that they who are accessary to the guilt of each other by failing in the discharge of relative duties, or in irritating the corrup- tions of each other should unite in asking at the mercy-seat the forgiveness of their trans- gressions P Should not that master whom Je- hovah has accommodated with servants, or that parent whom he has honored with chil- dren discover a concern for their souls by praying with them and for them, and by read- ing in their presence the holy scriptures as an ordinance divinely appointed for their instruc- tion and salvation ? Some forms of religion were usually observed by families even . a- mong the unenlightened heathen. Impressed with a sense of their dependance on the Di- vine Being, and gratitude to Him as the Au- thor of their enjoyments they had their Lares and Penatesy household images which thejr 14^ Sermon 6- occasionally worshipped by sacrifice, ahrf prayer. But this duty which is suggested by grati- tude for mercies enjo\ ed— 2. Receives additional weight from the po- sitive, and repeated commands of the Living God 'J'he exercises of prayer, and praise, and reading the scriptures are particularly e- ilurnerated, and recommended to our obser- ,vation. *' The house of Israel, the house of Aaron, and the house of Levi," the professed disciples of Jcbus, whether in private or pub- lic stations, are exhorted " to bless, or praise the Lord. ' This injunction is evidently ad- dressed to them not in an individual, but in a frimily or social capacity. *' The house of Israel, the house of Aaron, the house ol Levi,'* which are here mentioned, cannot imply mere- ly the individuals who constitute these differ- ent households, but ail these individuals col- lectively considered, and really engaging m acts of social homage ; neither can we con- (ieive how the command is fulfilled unless the various members of the fiimily unite in the Exercise of thanksgiving and praise. We are dnjoined also to *' let the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom, teaching and ad- itionishing one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs : To teach the statutes of Jehovah diligently unto our children, and to talk of them when we are sitting in the house, find walking by the way ; when we are lying down, and rising up.' Now, can we ima- Sermon 6. 143 ginc that these commands are performed un- less families appropriate seasons for stated de- votions; unless they embrace opportunities for reading, or repeating the sacred oracles, and also join in singing a portion of a hymn or a psalm i^ It is also the divine injunction that " we pray without ceasing,' that is, that we have stated seasons for this exercise, and that such seasons be not unnecessarily neglected ; " that we pray every where lifting up holy hands without wrath or doubting.'' Holy men of God, therefore, in all ages appear to have considered the observance of reli^gion in their families as not only their duty, but aho their delight, and privilege. Abraham is re- presented as " teaching his children, and household to keep the ways of the Lord," and we behold this patriarch in travelling from country to country erecting " his altar, and calling upon the name of Jehovah.' It is also recorded of Job that "he sent, and sanctified his children, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all :" This^ it is added, did Job continually. How often, or at what par- ticular periods of the day families should unite for devotional services is not explicitly men- tioned in scripture : This the Lord God has kft in some measure discretionary, as an ap- peal to our gratitude for the profusion of his mercies, or perhaps to accommodate himself to the varying circumstances of his children : Some of the saints, therefore, whose lives are 144 Sermon %, recorded in sacred history, have been employ^ -ed more frequently, and others more rarely in this exercise. That the duty of family reli- gion ought to be observed, at least morning and evening, is so obvious that arguments to prove it appear unnecessary. Among the Jews the lamb for sacrifice was regularly offered up *' in the morning and evening." These are periods peculiarly calculated to impress the contemplative mind, and inspire it with eleva- ted conceptions of the majesty of God, and of his constant, superintending providence.* — Each appearance of the morning sun, and each approach of the evening shades furnishes a new, and interesting proof of the divine pow- er and faithfulness. ** Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth know- ledge." These periods are pointed out by our own circumstances as peculiarly seasona- ble for offering the tribute of gratitude to our * The author vf ""^ Paradise Lost,""' with his usual elegance, represents ^dam and Eve as transported with Joy at the first app'oach of evening, and raising their hymn of praise to thtir Great Creator-^ •' Thus at their shady lodge both stood. Both turned, and under open sky adored The God that made both sky, air, earth and heaven. Which they beheld, the vioon^s resplendant orb, j'Jnd starry pole : Thou also madest the night. Maker omnipotent, and thou the day : But thou hast promised J I ovi us two a race To fill the eaitn, who shall with us extoll Thy goodness injinite, both when we wake, And when we seek^ as now, thy gi/t oj sttepJ*^ Sermon 6. 145 kind Benefactor. Are the members of a fa- mily preserved through the day amidst sur- rounding dangers, and prospered in their re- spective employments it is perfectly reasona- ble, when they meet in the evening, to unite their hearts in adoring him who protected by his power, and by his blessing enabled them to profit : Again, has no plague been permit- ted to visit their abodes in the night ; have they been kept undisturbed either by external violence, or internal pxcident during the un- guarded hours of sleep the hymn of thanks- giving should be repeated to the Author of their salvation. It is God alone who pre- serves " from the terror by night, and from the arrow that flieth by day ; from the pesti- lence that walketh in darkness, and from the destruction that wasteth at noon-day." Was there nodivine declaration to authorise the observance, gratitude to a Benefactor so ge- nerous must suggest that " it is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing- praises unto the Most High : To shew forth his loving kindness in the morning, and his faithfulness every night.'* 3. A concern for the moral improvement of the rising gen ration, and consequently j^ regard for the interests of civil society should constrain us to the conscientious discharge of this duty. This is a sentiment which will probably be questioned by some. They who make no pretentions to godliness either in its power or form, affect to represent religion as 146 Sermon 6. no more than a solemn farce ; they assert that all the professed tendency of instruction from the word of God for irnproving the morals of mankind is without foundation, and that thp children of those called pious parents are u- sually as rude and proiligate as any other. But this assertion pursued to its full length would argue against the utility of all instruc- tion, and reduce civilized society to a level with the savage. Surely there cannot be purer morality than is taught in the oracles of tlze living God. They admonish the individual *' to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world;" to dischargeevery duty which he owes to himself, his generation, and his God ; they enjoin upon the citizen sub- ordination to the magistrate, the child to che- rish due affection for its parents, and obey them in every lawful command, and the ser- vant to promote w iih fidelity the interests of his master : They admonish, on the other hand, the magistrate not to be a *' terror to good works, but to the evil ; fathers not to provoke their children to wrath" by an in- tollerant behaviour, and *' masters to forbear threatening know^ing that they also have a master in heaven.'' As no system of mortilj- ty is purer in its nature, than that which the scriptures contain, none can offer to the hu- man mind wx'ightier considerations either cf rewards to the virtuous, or of punishm.ent to the impure. To deny therefore the tendency of religious instruction for promoting good Sermon 6. 147 Qrder in society is to deny all connection be- tween moral causes and their effects. But they who profess to nvinifest this contempt of a christian education do not believe as they pro- fess, or at least they do not act agreeably to their professions. Suppose that they were called to introduce a new member into their families, a servant, an app entice, or a clerk in whose veracity they could confide, where would they expect most probably to find a person of suitable qualifications? Would they enquire first in the house of the dishonest, the profane, or intemperate as nurseries of industry and virtue ? Would they not more readily go to those families where religious in- struction was early infused, and where these instructions were enforced by a correspondent example ? It must be acknowledged, indeed, that some who were early instructed in the principles of religion, and '* brought up in the admonition of the Lord" have afterwards thrown off restraint, and become notoriously profligate. But such instances only evince the extreme depravity of the human heart, and the insufficiency of all means in themselves to restrain it. It is also acknowledged that some have become distinguished ornaments both of the church and society who in early life en- joyed neither the advantages of religious in- struction or example. But such instances only display the absolute sovereignty of God, and I hat he can accomplish the purposes of his grace either with, or without external meaiis^ 148 Sermon 6. as he pleases. But in ordinary cases ^vhcrc Vv'ill you find a child affectionate and dutiful to its parents, the scliolar respectful and obe- dient to his teacher, the servant faithful in proniotmg the interests of his iriaster, the j>eateful neighbor, and the virtuous and in- dustrious citizen ? I'hey are ordinarily such as enjoyed the church in tJieirFafher\s house ;. vrho Vv'ere ** brought up from infancy in the nurture andadnnonitionof the Lord." To ques- tion this truth is toquestion amaxim delivered by the wisest of men, and an inspired preacher f'f righteousness, *' train up a child in the|\vay Jie should go, and Vvhen he is old he will not depart from it.'' 4. A concern more especially for the spiri- tual and everlasting interests of our offspring should constrain toihe conscientious observ- ance of family religion. Without any doubt hundreds and thousands who are now high ia heaven, who are shining as the sun in their Father's kingdom ascribe their salvation, un- der God the Holy Ghost, to the early atten- tion of their parents,.and the instructions which "were imparted through their zeal. It is not uncommon to hear persons who are savingly called at the age of twenty or thirty years ac- knowledging the oppoitunities enjoyed in ear. Iv life as the principal mean : Although they may have removed far from the view of their christian friends, and, forgetting their admo-= nitions, continued long in the high road to de- struction, yet by some personal affliction^ o^ Strmon 6. 149 awful occurrence in providence, they are af- terwards brought to reficction : The prayers, the tears, the entreaties of their parents come fresh to their recollection, and prove the hap^ py mean of their repentance and reformation!. it was the opinion of an eminent divine,* who lived in a former age, that the work of con* version is promoted chiefly by means of pa- rental instruction, and that the design of a public ministry is rather to mature the seeds formerly in\p]anted in the family. He sup- j)orted his opinion from that inspired declara- tion, *' he .x^ave some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ " Whether this sentiment is strictly correct I shall not un- dertake to determine, yet unquestionably much has been done for the souls of men and for the church of the living God, by the influ- ence ofprecept and example in private families. In the late and excellent Mr. Newton, we find an interesting example of the truth of this re- mark. " My mother,'* he mentions in his narrative,:}: *' was an experienced christian, and almost her whole employment was the care of my religious instruction : When I was not more than three } ears of age she stored my memory Vv'ith many valuable pieces, por- tions of scripture, catechisms, and hymns. How fur the best instructions may fall short of the heart will appear from my history, yet * Jir. Richard Baxter. | Lc((i;r 2* K 2 150 Sermon 6. for the encouragement of parents to go on in doing their part faithfully to form their chil- dren's minds, I propose myself an instance. Though I sinned away all the advantages of these early impressions, yet they were long a restraint to me ; They returned again and a- gain, and when the Lord at lengdi opened my eyes I found great benefit from a recollection of them: My dear mother often commended me with prayers and tears to God, and I doubt not but I reap the fruits of these prayers to this hour." Another instance equally inter- esting of the happy eifects of private instruc- tion is furnished by the late learned and holy Mr. Brown of Haddington, *' I reckon it," he remarked among his last interviews with his friends, *' I reckon it one of my greatest privileges, and a mean of my saving acquain- tance with Jesus Christ that I was born in a family where much attention was shown to my christian education, and particularly where the worship of God v/as maintained morning and evening.'' Indeed family religion, uhen performed in a devout, reverend manner, is peculiarly adapted for impressing the youth- ful mind, and leading it to the contemplation of its Creator and Preserver. When the pa- rents unite to sing the praises of God, or read some portions of his word, or to pour out their heart in earnest supplication for his bles- sing the attention of the young is often arrest- ed, and they are led to enquire, *' what mean you by this service ?" When the parent or Sermon 6. 151 master is employed in cordially deploring their transgressions as a family, their failiireii to- wards God, and each other ; their abuse of mercies, and misimprovement of opportuni- ties the young are frequently seized with a conviction of guilt, and driven by a holy ne- cessity to Jesus as their only propitiation and hope. I shall only add as another argument to en- force the discharge of this duty a concern for the prosperity of Zion in succeeding genera- tions. Families may be considered as nurse- ries for the church, and when children attain to manhood, venture forward on the theatre of the world, and form connections for them- selves the}^ usually imitate such examples as were shown them in early life. If they grow lip without pious instruction, or witnessing the worship of God statedly performed they too generally remain careless, and in their turn present to their offspring the same ex- ample of irreligion. Thus it is impossible to conceive the evil consequences which, in the course of a few generations, may arise from the neglect of religion in a single habitation. Like a river of death the farther it roils along the deeper it sinks, and the wider it extends its ravages. Thousands, or tens of thousands may hereafter come forth, and charge their eternal ruin to the indolence, or impiety of a single forefather. And on the other hand, " we know not what a church may arise from enc Godly family, what a harvest may spring 152 Sermon 6. up from a single seed." Jehovah is ini^-^ indeed an infinite Sovereign, and can easily execute his purposes without the use of means therefore *' the son of the stranger ought not' in the language of despair to conclude " the Lord hath utterly separated me from his peo- ple :'' Yet in the kingdom of grace no less than of providence he usually carries on his designs by secondary causes, and thus choo^ ses from the families of the righteous those whom he consecrates pillars in his temple. — 1 will *' be a God to thee, and to thy seed after thee" is the current testimony of scrip- ture; *' My Spirit that is upon thee, and my word'j which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of th& mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of" thy seed's seed, saith the Lord, from hence- forth and for ever." It is not to reward the services of the fathers that he makes choice of their posterity, but because he has ordain-^ cd through the instrumentality of outward means to sanctify^ and prepare for glory the objects of his everlasting love. From this view of our obligation *^ to call on the name of the Lord," and the advanta- ges arising from the conscientious discharge of this duty, I proceed with pain to consider^ IL The judgments threatened against those who habitually neglect it. '' Pour out thy- fury upon the families that call not on thy name." I mentioned that it was with pain I proceed- Sermon 6. 153 ccl ta a consideration of the miseries implied in this imprecation of the prophet because to a feeling, generous mind it is much more gratifying to allure, than to alarm ; to take a jellow sinner by the hand and encourage him in the paths of righteousness by exhibiting the reward of glory which is pronused in the end, than to denounce the wrath of the Al- mighty against those who persevere in their iniquities. On this part of the subject I slialt therefore detain you but a few moments. The fury imprecated by the prophet may- imply temporal judgments ; those miseries which are inflicted upon the ungodly in the present world. ** The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked ;'' it rests on their bodies, their souls, their estates, or their re- putation as divine sovereignty may direct. If they are kept in circumstances of outward po- verty, this poverty is their reproach and their misery, or if their outward condition be pros- perous, their very prosperity destrotjs them, '' If thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God to observe to do all his com- mandments and his statutes which I comm^^nd thee this day, then all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee. Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field : Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store : Cursed shaU be the fruit of thy body and the fruit of thy land, the increase o£ thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep : Cur- gcd shalt thou b^ when thou comest in, and 154 Sermon 6- cursed shalt thou be when thou goerst out i The Lord shall send upon thee cursing, vex- ation, and rebuke in all that thou settest thine hand unto, until thou be destroyed and until thou perish quickly, because of the wickedness of thy doin^^s, whereby thou hast forsaken me,'^ Although these judgments were denounced against the literal Israelites they are frequent-* ly executed upon those in all ages who live habitually in the neglect of Jehovah, and his ordinances. They may apparently prosper for a season in the prosecution of their secu- lar callings, yet his curse afterwards overtakes them, blasts all their enterprises, and leaves them to disappointment and misery. How often does that wealth which the ungodly ac- cumulate at one period of their lives evanish at another period, or prove their snare ? How frequently is that reputation which they ac- quire, when first they embark on the ocean of public life, suddenly withered and they af- terwards sink into abject reproach ? These vicissitudes in the condition of the unrighte- ous often occur by means unexpected, and in a manner altogether unaccountable unless from the consideration that the divine curse secret- ly rests on their persons and pursuits. *' I have seen the wicked in great power,'' says David, *' and spreading himself like a green bay-tree : yet he passed away and, lo, he was hot, yea, 1 sought him but be could not be found ; ' all his pomp and power suddenly e- vanish, or as he expresses it in another verse, '^ into smoke they consume away." Sermon 6. X55 But all the miseries inflicted upon the wick- ed in the present world are only the ** begin- ning of their sorrows ;'' having lived without God they are often permitted to die without repentance or hope, and are the subjects of torments inconceivably more exquisite in the world to come. *' The wicked shall be turn- ed into hell, and all the nations," and families '* that forget God ;" that pour contempt on his authority, and manifest ingratitude for his goodness by not calling upon his name. This is the consummation of the curses denounced against them, and is fearful beyond the possi- bility of language to describe. '^ They shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.'' And no doubt those who li- ved together in carnal security on earth ; whose careless example or vain conversation tended to rock each other more fast asleep in sin will become mutual tormentors in hell ; the view of each will be the'sourceof more ag- gravated misery to the other. How will the recollection of opportunities once enjoyed, but now lost forever ; of occasions in which they might have exhorted one another, but neglected to perform this kindly office ; of instances in which they perhaps excited the corruptions, or confirmed the prejudices of each other against Jesus and his salvation, how must the recollection of these things swell the tide of that wrath which will overtake and o- vervYhehn them in the regions of damnation ? 156 JSermon 6. Very awful reflection, that persons formerly most intimate and clear will become propor- tionably the objects of mutual abhorrence and execration ? The child once the darling of its parents ; their joy in prosperity, their support in adversity will then become their unuttera- ble curse by groaning out its anguish and as- cribing all to their cruel neglect. The hus- band and the wife who had long lived in har- mony and love ; who by the most tender ex- pressions of mutual respect and affection, and attention to the advancement of their common interests had been the helpers of each other's joys, and partners of each other's woes; whose endearing, accommodating tempershad heigh- tened all the pleasures, and softened all the calamities of life, but had neglected to pro- mote the immortal interests of each other, these W'ill hereafter prove in the extreme mu- tual tormentors : Instead of rejoicing as for- merly in the society of one another, each will startle back, and aiivi at plunging deeper into the flam.es from the view of the other. The rich man in hell is there tore represented as ex- postulating with Abraham to have his bre- thren forewarned oi his torments, and thus pre- vented from coming to the same place : Their presence would bring to his recollection scenes through which they had passed together up- on earth, their instrumentality in tempting each other, their fellov/ship in sensual grati- fications, and thus the view of each would render more poignant the anguish of the other. Sermon 6. 157 Now, brethren dearly beloved, you have heard the duty of family religion feebly illus- trated and enforced by various considerations: It has been shewn, I trust, to the full satis- fiiction of all in this assembly to be both a rea- sonable and scriptural service; aservice which, Vi^hen performed in a devout, conscientious manner, may tend to your own edification, to the spiritual interests of your children, and to the prosperity of the church in ages to come : You have also been adnionised of the judg- ments which are threatened against those who live in the wilful neglect of this duty, that the Lord God *' will pour out his fury upon the families that call not upon his name." If a single reader of these pages is chargeable with the omission of this duty, I cannot act a part more truly benevolent than by exhort- ing him to commence it. This entreaty is dictated by the purest friendship for their own peace, and the welfare of their posterity after them. Can you live without God, and prosper ? Is it not his blessing upon your pursuits which maketh rich, and upon your enjoyments which renders them truly satis- fying, and are you not commanded to ask his blessing that you may receive it ? Do you be- litve that your children have souls to be sa- ved or damned, and will you, ccwyou be so untender to their nobler part as to neglcet an ordinance which might prove a mean of their salvation ? Will you refuse to read for tliem those scriptures by which millions '' have (> 158 Sermon 6- bcen begotten again to a lively hope," and which, when applied by the Spirit of power, are yet effectual /or coiwerting the soul^ for makivg wise tlie simple^ for rejoicing the hearty and enlightening the eyes ? Or will you not offer a prayer for the reinission of those sins which^ if unpardoned, like a mounuiin of lead must sink them down to hell throui^h etern- ity ? If you continue in your present neglect of this duty, and } our children Anally perish, may they not plead in the liour of judgment the warni.ig which I am now giving as a cir. cumstance to aggravate your torment P May not your dear offspring tell the judge in that awful hour that although his servants had friendship enough to admonish you of your duty, vou who were the instruments of their existence had not friendship to perform it ? Can vou recline with composure upon your beds in the evening when you reflect that the curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked ; that they are cursed in their lying down, and in their rising up ? Can you go abroad to your farms, or merchandise in the morning with iv rational prospect of success when he declares, *' cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thcu goest out, the Lord shall send upon thte cursing, voc- ation, and rebuke in ail that thou settest thine banc! unto, until thou be destroy ed ? * Ji solicitude for the souls of your offspring does not move you to employ this mean of their instruction, do you feci no emotions of Sei'mon 6. 159 gratitude to a bcnu^niant Creator, and Preser- vcT ; to that munificfnt Being on whose earth you are walking, in whose air you breathe, by whose inlinite rneicy you are sparedamidst daily provocations, and from whose over-fiow- ing bounty all your enjoyments are derived? Methinks I hear an insulted BenefLictor ad- dressing vou in the following manner, ** O my people, what have 1 done unto yoi) ? Wherein have I wearied you, testify against ine : Are all the blessings which you enjoy, health of body, the exercise of reason, peace in your habitations, prosperity in your pur- suits, the society of friends, are these and countless other blessings which you enjoy merelv streamy from m^ the fo'j:itain, and a^e they not u^orthy a small tribute of thanksgiv- ing ? Are not the pardon of sin, aaoptiGa III-" to my family, the sanctifying and consoling influences of my spirit, the joys and the glo- ries of my kingdom which are offered through the mediation of my Son and your Saviour, arc not these worthy of being sought^ sought daily by supplication and prayer ? Surely if any thing can move the obdurate heart, and melt it into submission with the divine will it must be such expressions as these. Here the Great God throws off the majesty of the Sovereign, and stoops to reason, and expos- tulate with man. If therefore you have any reverence for the authority of God, any gra- titude for his goodness, any concern for your own peace, or for the true interests of vour i60 Sermon 6» children after you, enter without delay upon the duty recommended I say, call upon the Lord in your hmWu^s without delay, because noxv is the accepted tiive ; TO DAY having heard his voice, and being warned of your du- ty harden not your hearts to neglect it. If you lie down this night without the sacrifice of prayer ihe Jliri/ imprecated by the holy pro- phet may be poured c^it upon you and yours before morning. Is there nothing fearful in seeing the sword of divine wrath unsheathed over your dwelling, or do you suppose that the living God is slack in the execution of his thrcatnings ? In order to spare you will he trample upon his oath, and suffer the glo- ries of his throne to be sullied ? Is there a husband present who has hitherto neglected the ordijiitnce of family religion let hiin this evening consult with the partner of his life ; let them cordially concur in erecting their al- tar and offer up their spiritual sacrifice to the God of their mercies. Let them reflect that perhaps the immortal destiny of their children is involved in their present decision, and then let each unite with the other in adopting the resolution, " as for me and my house we witl serve the Lord.'* Is there a widow present .who either from indifference, or diffidence has lived without family prayer, let her this e- vening consulting her own comfort, and the prosperity of her habitation, awake from her security and " seek the Lord God while he may be found.'' Jehovah is indeed revealed Sennon 6, 161 " as a Judge to the widow," as ready to sup- port and sympathise in her adverse, disconso* late situation, but his protection and conso- lations are to be expected only in the means of his own appointment. We limit not his sovereignty, yet his blessing is promised on- ly to those who seek it. We must ask, we must pray without ceasing if we expect the smiles of his providence, or the treasures of his grace. Is there in this assembly a young man, or young woman who has grown up without the privileges of family devotion, let such this e- vening become monitors to their parents ; let them respectfully remind them that the divine Jliry will be poured upon the families that do not seek after God, let them affectionately expostulate with them to arise from their sloth and avert these curses by calling upon his name. What knovvest thou, O youth, but thou mayest prove the instrument of salvation to thy father's house ? Excuse the importunity with which I have now } ressed you to the immediate and con- scientious performance of f miily religion. In pleading with you for the discharge of this du- ty I am pleading for the honour of my master, for the peace of your own souls, for the best in- terests of your beloved offspring, and for the prosperity of Zion when your destinies will be determined, and your bodies aremoulderingin the dust. If all these arguments will not suc- ceed in prevailing with you to serve the Lord with your houses, the consideration that 1 have o 2 162 Sermon 6. presented them to your view will secure me from beingpronounced accessary toyourdaranation. Let those whose houses have been conse- crated by prayer and praise, be exhorted to persevere in these exercises. Many things will probably occur to try your faith, and pa- tience. The clouds of adversity may often hang over your head, when the sun of pros- perity is shining upon the paths of the ungod- ly : Your children may remain ignorant a- midst all your diligence in their instruction : They may appear thoughtless and unmoved notwithstanding all your earnestness admon- ishing and exhorting them : Your prayers which are frequently and fervently oflered up in their behalf may be seemingly unanswered i These appearances are indeed discouraging^ but need by no means leave to despair of suc- cess in the end. *' For the vision is yet for an appointed time — tlioughittarry long wait for ity because it will surely come ; it will not tarry. ''^ A sovereign God often refuses to give an im- mediate answer to the prayers of his childen,. not because he is inattentive to their interests,, but for the greater trial of their faith, and per-^ severance, and hope. Learn, therefore, to wait thy Father's time in the discharge of e- very commanded duty, and wait in the hum- ble confidence of being graciously heard.. ^' Shall not God avenge his own elect which cry day and night unto liim, though he bear long with them, I tell you that he will avenge them speedily.'* The natural seed does not Sermon 6. 163 spring up, and come to perfection on the day,- or week, or even month in vvhichit is depo- sited in the eardi, neither does a tree ordina- rily present its blossoms or fruits in the very year in which it is planted in the earth. A suitable period of time is necessary for the former to present its blade or ear, and the latter to yield its ripened fruits, and during that time"^ the husbandman patiently waits. Why, then, should you be discouraged al- though the incorruptible seed remains month afternionth, or even year after year before it rises and ripens into a harvest ? The prayers of the pious are often heard in behalf of their offspring, and their instructions rendered ef- fectual for their conversion after parents them- selves have been gathered to their fathers. I will take the liberty of relating two interesting facts for the confirmation of this remark. St. Augustine was the son of a singularly holy- mother named Monica, but notwithstanding all her attention to his religious education he remained profligate even to a proverb : While this licentious youth on a certain occasion was walking along the street, one spectator re- ni^irk' d to another *• what a mystery in pro- vidence it was that the child of such advanta- ges should be so abandoned in his conduct," to which the other replied, *' that he did not yet despair of him ; that he thought it impro- bable or impossible that the child of so many instructions and prayers should finally perish.'^ These hopes were happily realised in his fu- 164 Sermon 6. ture conversion : He was not only reclaimed from this licentiousness of conduct, but after- wards shone as a distinguished luminary in the primitive church. The other instance of succ-iifss crowning the exertions of parents af- ter many discouraging appearances occurs in the history of Col. James Gardiner, which is fiimiliar to many in this assembly. His mo- ther, who was eminent for her piety, devoted her attention almost exclusively to his spiri- tual education ; she particularly aimed at di- verting his attention from the military life to which he discovered an early and ardent at- tachment, but her efforts in this respect were unsuccessful. He obtained a commission in the army, and for many years was as distin- guished for the profligacy of his conduct, as for the eminence of his rank : But in this in- stance the old Dutch prove; b was literally real- ized, *' that the prayers of the righteous will not rot in the clouds " The petitions which had been devoutly oiFercd up in his beh.ilf descended in showers of blessings upon his head ; the influence of the holy principles ear- ly infused into his mind happily revived, he became an eminent example of holiness or^ earth, and probably he is now shining in heaven as a star of superior lustre. The re- lation of these fiicts, 1 hope, will not be pro- nounced altogether foreign to the sul ject as they tend to shew the connection between the means and the end ; they may animate pa- ren]ts to persevere even '* againbt hope" in Sermon 7. 165 the instruction of their olTspring, and in fer- vent supplication both for them, and ivith them. May the Lord God give you '* one heart, and one way to fear him forever, for the good of you and of your children after you : May your houses henceforth become little sanctu- aries consecrated by prayer and praise, and your hearts living temples for the residence of the Holy One of Israel, ^y constant com- munications from the ever-living Jesus, may you be ripening for that world where you shall worship not with the small circle of your own families, but with ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands ; where you shall serve your God not occasion' aUy^ not at distant intervals as in the present state, but day and night forever and ever.— Amen. SERMON VII. JOSHUA XXIV, 15. But as for me and my houses we will serve the Lord, I HAVE frequently endeavored, ac- cording to the ability which the Lord hath given, to enforce the duty of family religion; of regularly worshiping God morning and e- vening ; of instruciing your household, whe- 166 'Sermon 7. ther children or servants, in the principles of religion ; and thus giving diligence *' to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Yet I feel no inclination to apologise for dwelling so frequently on this duty, and a- gain recommending it to your particular at- tention, influenced in some measure by the same spirit, I would, on this occasion, venture humbly to appropriatethe same language with the apostle, *' to speak or write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe." The uniform, upright discharge of these private duties may be pro- nounced of the utmost importance to your- selves, your families, and to the church of the living God both ip. the present and fuitire gen- cration.Sj If we are stranirers to the exerciser of religion in our closets and with our house- hold we can expect little delight or enlarge- ment in the sanctuary ; little comfort in speaking, or edification in hearing the mes- sage of life and salvation. It is no breach of charity to maintain that he who was never constrained to serve the Lord after some form in private^ was never constrained from pro- per motives to serve him in public. Being led, I humbly irust, by the spirit of God to enforce the ordinance of family reli- gion, I have chosen this resolution of Joshua as the subject from various considerations.- — He was a man eminent in rank, the prince and leader of a nation numerous as the stars of heaven. By this we are instructed that the Sermon 7.; 167 service of Jehovah is no detraction from earth- ly greatness ; it really reflects splendor and glory on the highest stations among men. Again, Jobhua was placed in a situation not only eminent, but difiicult and embarrassing ; he was entrusted with the management of nearly a million of people ; and consequently perplexed with innumerable cares of a public, national concern ; hearing their complaints, redressing their grievances, stilling their tu- mults and marching before them as a military- head to encounter their adversaries ; yet not- withstanding this pressure of public employ- ment he solemnly resolves to serve the Lord, This circumstance evidently shews that where the person is properly impressed with his duty to God neither the hurry of worldly occupa- tions nor the multitude of worldly concerns will discourage or divert him fromdischarging that duty. Where there is a real inclination in the heart to perform the divine will, oppor- tunities are rarely wanting. The living foun- tain may as readily cease to issue forth its re- freshing waters, or the flourishing branch to bud and blossom in its season, as the lively chris- tian to express his gratitude and love to the Father of mercies. Abraham in travelling from country to country erected his altar and called upon the Lord his God . Job who hud men-servanTs, and maid-servants, and oxen, and sheep without number, offered up sacrifi' ces for his sons confmualli/ : David exalted to the throne of Israel and Joshua at the head of 168 Sermon 7. their armies found leisure to serve the Lord with their families : When, therefore, this or- dinance is neglected, its neglect must proceed not from che v/ant of time, but the want of inclination. The example of Joshua for en- forcing flimily devotion is instructive from a- nother consideration equdly important. He was a ma£^'istrate and therefore obliged to per- form different duties of a civil nature : He was, in a certain sense, a minister, and called publicl}' to officiate in spiritual exercises ; yet he acknowledges his obligation to worship a- lone and with his family. This consideration may teach us that the faithful discharge of those duties vrhich are incumbent upon us as magistrates or ministers will by no means jus- tify cur neglect of those duties which are bind- ing upon us as men. In watching over the souls of others, our own souls must not be neglected ; in attempting as civil rulers to promote good order in society, or as spiritual rulers to advance the edification of the church we must not overlook the edification of our- selves and our families. The present season of the year is peculiarly adapted for forming and entering upon reso- lutions of this nature. We have now com- pleted one period of our lives and are intro- duced to another ; we are almost necessarily reminded of the passing nature of time, re- flecting that another year is gone, never ^ never to return ; we are naturally admonished to prepare for death and judgment to which we Sermon 7. 16^ are constantly advancing, considering that the period is hastening when a separation will be made between us and our family connections, and we must answer to an impartial God for the discharge of each relative duty. A JVew- Year'^s day is therefore a proper occasion for those who have utterly neglected private re- ligion to begin this most reasonable service : It is a suitable time for those who have occa- sionally attended to this ordinance to resolve greater diligence and fidelity ; for all, through- a humble confidence on divine strength, to ap- propriate the resolution contained in our text, *' As for me and mv house we will serve the Lord." As a mean of encouraging and assisting you in this duty, permit me 1st. To make some general observations, and 2d. To point out those various exercises in which we should aim at serving the Lord, 1st. It may be remarked that this and eve- ry other resolution should be formed with a deep conviction of our own insufficiency and with an entire reliance on promised grace for our support. A principal reason why we so frequently come shor^ of obvious duty, why we so mournfully fail in fulfilling our resolu- tions to the dishonor of God and our own mortification is that we depend so much on strength in ourselves, and so little on strength in the promise. The natural air is not more necessary for supporting the natural body, p 170 Sermon 7. for strengthening* it in performing the cora^ mon ofiices of iiie, than the influeiice of (ii^ vine grace, the breathings of Jehovah the Spirit, to enliven and invigorate the sonlin the discharge of every incumbent dut3\ Abide in vie^ and Imyoii^ is the cail of onr divinei}- gra- cious Lord, of him who knows perfectly the insufficiency of man and the purity and spiri- tuality of his own law, " as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself except it abide in the vine \. 110 more can ye except ye abide in me : He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit, for without me ye can do nothing." A righteous God frequent- ly permits his people to fall when there is the least appearance or apprehension, merely to check a presumptuous confidence and lead to a more uniform and entire reliance upon him- self for necessary support. 2. The resolution expressed in the text, should be embraced by both parties ; by the Avife no less than her husband. She ought not barely to concur, not barely to consent, but actually use her influence that family religion be faithfully maintained ; that they and their ** house might serve the Lord.'' The woman unites her exertions with the man in making provision for their bodies ; she rises early, sits up late, fulf Is the duties of her station in se- curing the necessaries of the present life ; all this is becoming, but all this is not sufficient on her part. She ought to aim at becoming an help meet not merely in promoting their Sermon //. 171 temporal, but their spiritual interests : she ought to unite her endeavors with her husband not only in providing things needful for the body, but in advancing the edification of the immortal soul. This observation however familiar, there is reason to apprehend, is too i^enerally neglected. Jn the absence of the husband the v/oman becomes the head of riie family in arranging their outward affairs ; she feels bound to oversee theii property that it be not squandered ; in directing the children and servants that they attend diligently to their r.^spective employments ; but does she officiate as /lead in religious concerns.^ Is she diligent in teaching, admonishing, and ex- horting them ; is she faithful in urging them to secret devotion ; is she conscientious in offering up, morning and evening, the sacri- fice of pra}'er before them ? More is incum- bent on the woman in this respect, more may be effected by her in promoting the spiritual order of the family than is perhaps generally apprehended. She has opportunity of con- suiting with her husband on the most season- able time for performing spiritual exercises ; she may remmd Uim of duties when he ap- pears dispQ:ied to omit them, or gently admo- ni.>h him when they are altogether ne£!:lect€d. It is not \vithout some important design that the Holy Ghost so explicitly representsZacha- rias and Elizabeth '" as both righteous before God, walking in all the comimandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." The a- 172 Sermon 7, postle sends the salutation of Aqiiila and Pri- scilla with the church in their house, phiinly intimating that they mutually concurred and co-operated in maintaining the various exer- cises of religion. Thus, those whom the God CI providence connects in the marriage rela- tior^ and ordains over a particular household should become workers together, not onl}^ with God but wiih each other, in promoting the spiritual order and edification of that house- hold ; living together as fellow heirs of the same graced as fellow expectants of the same glory ; encouraging and exhorting each ether in attending the means of salvation, 3. The heads of families should use their inFluence that every member of their house- hold walk regularly and uniformly in the or- dinances of God. The authority of prudent parents and masters is exerted to keep each member in his station ; they sharply reprove any instance of disrespect which one may ex- press towards another ; and they notice whe- ther each member performs such services as are appointed him ; much more should they examine vvhether each individual discharges his duty to Jehovah his Creator and Redeem- er. This attention is evidently implied in the resolution of Joshua, " as for me and my house," all who reside under my roof, '' we will serve the Lord :" He not only expresses his resolution to aim at performing his duty as an individual, but to use his influence by admonition and example over all that were Sermon 7. 173 subject to his authority. The command which rehues to the sanctification of the sabbath, and consequently to all the other ordinances ©f God, extends " to son and daughter, to man-servant and maid-servant that is within our gate. ' How instructive in this respect, and how honorable is the testimony borne by the livii^g God to Abraham the father of the faithful, '' I know him that he will contimand his children and his household after him, and thtv shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment ; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spo- ken of him." Here I cannot help remarking, that parents and masters should be peculiarly cautious in the introduction of servants into their families; none, if possible, should be brought in as or- dinary members but such as apparently have the fear of God, and are willing to unite in of- fering that worship which he requires. One impure, scandalous person defaces the beauty and mars the edification of a whole society ; one disorderly, refractory soldier tarnishes the glory and enfeebles the strength of a regiment; one rotten sheep, if 1 may employ the very plain comparison, spreads disease and death through the flock ; thus one irregular, irreli- gious member may destroy the spiritual order and beauty of a house. Such persons are a temp- tation even to the head of a fimiily. Can he offer his daily devotions to God with such composure and confidence ; can he enjoy so p 2 17 4 Sermon 7. much freedom in confessing their family offen- ces ; in rendering thanks for their family bles- sings, or in asking the supply of their family wants, while he knows that such a person is secretly mocking at the exercise as the effect either of priestcraft or tradition ? It is impos- sible. The thought necessarily throws a chill over his spirits, and prevents that enlargem.ent and comfort in his devotions which might o- therwise be enjoyed. But persons of profli- gate principles and practices are peculiarly ensnaring to the young. JLvil communication corriipteth good manners. The deadly conta- gion rapidly and imperccptably spreads. So desperate is the wickedness of the hum.an heart, such, especially, is the vanity and folly of youth, so easily are they drawn aside from the paths of religion and virtue, that the exam- ple of one licentious member may defeat the endeavors both of parents and masters. Hov/ exemplary, therefore, was the resolution of the royal David ? ** I will walk within my house with a perfect heart : Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land that they may dwell with me ; he that walkelh in a perfect way he shall serve me ; he that worketh deceit, shall not dwell within my house ; he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.*' 4th. It may be observed that perseverance in the performance of each religious duty is indispensibly requisite. Persons when first formed into a family capacity, like the young christian, are usually zealous in the service of Sermon 7* 175 Jehovah ; their hearts are sensi!)ly moved by his goodness in erecting the solitary into a household, and they form exalted resolutions as to their spiritual conduct, but they after- wards decline, become untender in their chris- tian walk, more irregular in their behaviour towards God until the form of religion no less than its power is utterly lost. Others there are who gradually become involved in the pur- suits of the world, and owing to its incessant hurry find little leisure for the service of the Lord : •' The cares of this life, the deceit- fulness of riches and the desires of other things choak" each serious impression, each holy resolution, until those blossoms which once opened fair and promised abundant fruit wither and ilill entirely off. Others, again, yield up to a spirit of despondency ; they see no evidence of their prayers being answered, of their advices or instructions being eifectual and they become discouraged ; they are dis- posed to ask, '' what is the Almighty that we should serve him, and what profit should we have if we pray unto him ? Verily we have cleansed our hearts in vain and washed our hands in innocence." Owing to these and o- ther considerations many families which be- gin in the spirit end in the Jiesh ; all their first resolutions of serving the Lord are '* as the morning cloud and as the early dew that pas- seth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor and the smoke out of the chimney I" Such apostacy m families 176 Sermon 7. as well as ii individuals is highly dishonoring to God, and forfeits that reward of grace which his faithful followers may expect. ''To them only who by a patient continuing in well doing seek for glory, and honor, and immor- tality, eternal life" is promised. Instructive andauful was the admonition uttered by our Saviour to the church of Sardis, ** be watch- ful and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die : Remember how thou hast received, and heard, and hold fast and repent." How frequently are we exhorted not only to a holy fervor, but an unshaken stedf-'Stness, and perseverance in our christian profession. ** Be thou faithful unto the death, and I will give thee a crown of life : We are made partakers of Christ if we hold the begin- ning of our confidence stedfast unto the end: Praying always with all prayer and su])plica- tion in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints: Be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abound- ing in the work of the Loid, for as much as ve know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." Having made these general observations, We proceed, 2d. To point out those various duties in which we should aim '' at serving the Lord." 1. Each individual should serve him by the regular and conscientious observance of se- cret devotion. This duty lies at the founda- tion of all other duties, and without some spi- Sermon 7. 177 fit and earnestness in it, little life or enlarge- ment need be expected in any other ordin-ince of Christianity. Prayer in secret, apart by ourselves, is recommended both by the autho- rity and example of our gracious Lord. ** Thou, when thou prayest,'' it is worthy of notice that the Redeemer does not positively • enjoin the exercise, he considers it as already known, as suggested by the light of nature; reason dictates that a Father should be hon- ored and a Master feared ; that mercies re- ceived by us as individuals through the day should thankfully be aknowledged by us in the evening, and that mercies received thro' the night ought gratefully to be acknowledg- ed in the morning, *' thou, when thou pray* est, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray- to thy Father which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." This duty en- joined upon others, our Lord Jesus frequent- ly enforced by his own example. One evan- gelist relates that, '* when he had sent the multitude away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray, and when the evening was come he was there alone." Another evangelist mentions, " and in the morning rising up a great while before day, he went out, and de- parted into a solitary place and prayed." 2. We should serve the Lord by the uni- form discharge of family worship in its vari- ous parts. This is evidently implied in the resolution of Joshua, as for me and my house : 178 Sermon 7. In secret prayer we worship God as individu* als, but in family prayer we unite in a social capacity, as a house or family to serve the Lord, Having pointed out the propriety and importance of this exercise on a former occa- sion, it is not my design to enlarge on it at present. Suffice it to remark that it is per- fectly reasonable that those who are daily re- ceiving mercies should unite in acknowledge ins: those mercies ; that those who are chare-e- able u'ith daily transgressions should join in confessingthese transgressions and imploring forgiveness through the Redeemer's sacrifice ; that those who have common U'ants to be sup- plied should unite in asking the supply of these wants. The duty of family dev - the dictates of reason, from the po- sitive appointment of the sacrifice morning and evening, from the conduct of the faithful in different countries and ages, ** that it is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord, and to Sermon 7. 17^ sing praises to thy name, O Most High, to shew forth thy loving kindness in the morning and thy faithfulness evciy night.'* 3d. We should serve the Lord by duly and devoutly attending the ordinances of his house. As it is our duty to serve Jehovah in secret and witl\ our families, we are required more publicly to profess our attachment to hiscause, and our subjection to his authority, by repair- ing to the 'courts of his worship ; there we should appear with the ransomed of the Lord and unite our hearts and voices, offering the tribute of praise for redeeming love ; addres- sing the throne of grace by earnest supplica- tion and hearing from his ambassadors the message of peace and salvation. We are therefore admonished, ** not to forget the as- sembling of ourselves together ; to enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise." As the command of God rend- ers our attention to the ordinances of his house an incumbent duty, his children have uniform- ly considered it as their most exalted privilege. *' Ho\v amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts,' is the ardent exclamation of one : *' My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord : Blessed are they that dwell in thy house, they will be still praising thee : For a day i,i thy courts is better than a thousand : I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.'' The sanctuary below he ap- pears toconsider asan emblem of the sanctuary 180 Sermon 7. above ; his entering the courts of the Lord's house as an earnest of being admitted hereaf- ter into the palace of the King to go no more out ; while he unites in celebrating the prai- ses of God, his soul is apparently transported to that hour when, mingling with ransomed immortals of all nations and kindreds and peo- ple and tongues, he shall shout in eternal ar- dor, ** salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne and to the Lamb :" But parents and masters are not to rest satisfied with their personal attendance at the house of prayer ; they ought upon all occasions, if possible, to be a accompanied with their families. Com- passion to the souls of those who are under our inspection, requires that they be brought to Zion s mount, where the Lord proipises to *' command the blessing, even life for ever- more," There is something truly amiable, truly dignified, when the head of a family, ac- companied with his household, comes forth on the Sabbath morning and takes his seat in the sanctuary of God ; when, after serving Je- hovah at home, he presents himself in the tem- ple, saying, ^' here am I and the children and the servants whom the Lord hath given me ; we are al) here present before God, to hear all thi.igs that are commanded thee of God.'' By- such behaviour he testifies that he considers the service of God as his delight, his duty and glory ; that he resolves to recommend it not only by his own example, bui by the example of ^hat household of which the Holy Ghost hath made him overseer. Sermon 7. 181 4th. We ought to serve the Lord by occa- sioaally separating a portion of our time for the exercises of fasting, humiliation, and pray- er. The duties ah^ady mentioned are pro. pcrl}^ stated, and should be discharged uni- formlij, as opportunity offers ; the ordinance of fasting is rather occasional, and is dictated by singular, extraordinary occurrences in pro- vidence. — This exercise has frequently been observed by the righteous with visible and e- minent success ; evidences of the Lord's wrath have been removed and the light of his coun- tenance restored. While Esther the queen, and Daniel the prophet, humbled themselves before him, in that ordinance, their prayers %vere speedily answered, and threatened ca- lamities were averted. The season for fasting and humiliation, as I already mentioned, is pointed out by peculiar and extraordinary ap- pearances of divine providence. Does the hand of the Almighty lie heavy upon our ha- bitation in some severe affliction ; have we been visited by any remarkable adversity ; do the movements of providence appear pe- culiarly dark, so that we cannot find our path ; or is there some singular blessing which we desire to obtain ; these are proper seasons for families to approach the Lord in the solemni- ties of fasting and humiliation ; to enquire by special prayer what is the ground of his con- troversy, imploring him to discover to us our secret faults which are the cause of his indignation, and ** in deserved wrath to re- 9. 182 Sermon 7» member mercy. Therefore, also, no\x saith the I.ord, turn ye even to me with air your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your heart and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God : for he is gracious and merciful, and slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil." It is equally proper, as circum.stances re- quire, to separate days for the exercises of thanksgiving and praise. If our condition is peculiarly prosperous ; if our families enjoy health when disease and death wave their ban- ner around ; if providence has visibly inter- posed and protected in the hour of peri), or if we are eminently visited of the Lord with his covenant consolations, it becomes us, as a fa- mily, to unite in presenting the sacrifice of ad- oration and thanksgiving. Such was the ex- ercise ol Moses after his escrpe from the E- gyptians, and of David, the king, when de- livered from the rage of a persecuting Saul. ** Therefore,'' he rci^olves, ** will I givethanks imto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will hing praises unto ihy name. ' 1. AVe learn from this doctrine, that when the fear and love of Jehovah reign in the heart, they constrain to cheerful obedience in the life and conversation. In vain do we talk about our rtlipious feelings or frames : about our love to O'xl or zeal for his glory, unless we aim at keeping his commandments. There may be ''a form of Godliness without the sermon 7. 183 power/' but the power cannot possibly exist without the form. A christian, without the worship of his God in one mode or another, is like a sun without light, a cloud without rain, a fountain without water, or a living bo- dy without motion or breath. When, *' with the heart, man believeth unto righteousness, with the tongue confession will be made unto salvation." Does a subject reverence and o- bey his sovereign ; does a son honor his fa- ther, or a servant his master, much more will the child of adoption adore and obey his Fa- ther in heaven. This submission to his au- thority, this attention to his ordinances is so- lemnly enjoined by our redeeming Lord on all his professed followers. '' If ye love me keep my commandments.'' This he pronoun- ces the criterion by which we may discrimi- nate the true from the false professor of his name ; " If ye continue in my word, ye are my disciples indeed." Whenever the incor- ruptible seed is saviiigly sown in the heart it naturally and necessarily springs up and pre- sents the fruits of holiness in the life. Were Z-icharias and Elizabeth " bodi righteous be- fore God," this was manifested by w^alking *' in all his commandiuents and ordinances : ' Was Cornelius '' a devout man, ' this was expressed by '' fearing God with all his house," by giving '* much alms to the peo- ple, and praying to God always.'' Amidst the variousemployments of the day, the chris- tian coubiders his duty to his heavenly Father iS'i Sermon 7. as the most reasonable ar.d important : amidst all his enjoyments, he regards the divine fel- lowship ia ordinances as the most refined and exalted ; amidst the anxieties and perplexi- ties of life, this is his consolation that "in every thing by prayer and supplication he can make his requests known unto God." 2. \Vq learn from this doctrine that when Parents an.d Masters are conscientious in ser- ving the Lord, they v/ill recommend his ser- vice to all under their inspection ; if their own souls are deeply impressed with their obliga- tions to God, they will aim at impressing the souls of their children and servants. It is a mistaken opinion that the rising generatiorr should be left altOQ-ether to their own choice in matters of religion. True it is, the conscience ought not to be controlled ; the rational mind can be influenced only by rational arguments ; but it is equally true, that if parents consider the service of Jehovah their duty, they should admonish their children to serve him ; if they experience thevjays of spiritual v/isdom '^ to be ways of pleasantness and her paths peace,'' affection to their offspring obliges them to re- commend these wai/s. How earnestly, there- fore, did the holy David expostulate with So- lomon his son ; '' know thou the God of thy ^ Father, and serve him with a perfect heart and a willing mind ; if thou seek him, he will be found of thee, but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off forever.'* Parents are not indif- ferent with their children as to the affairs of Sermon 7. 185 the present life ; they recommend industry and temperance as conducing equally to their temporal interest and happiness ; they repre- sent virtue and integrity as the ornament of their nature ; as the path to respectability and usefulness in society ; if mere arguments are not sufficient, they employ the correcting rod as a mean of reclaiming them from habits of wantonness and vice. Will they interfere by instruction, by advice, by correction in things temporal, and leave them to their own choice in matters infinitely more important ? Will they teach and admonish and expostulate in or- der to regulate their conduct as men, and aban- don them to the vanity and folly of their own minds in the weightier interests of their souls and eternity ? Besides, parental instruction and ex; ortation, which arc founded in reason, are particularly enjoined in divine revelation : ** Train up a child in the way he should go : Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. And these words which 1 command thee shall be in thine heart ; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sit- test in the house and when thou walkest by the way ; when thou liest down and when thou risest up. ' I cannot conclude this discourse without a- gain recommending to your imitation this re- solution of Joshua. My conscience bears me wimess that 1 am pained at the thought of cea- (^2 186 Sermon 7. sing to expostulate until I have prevailed with you to compiv. Shall a duty in which the glory of God, the peace of your own souls, the salvation of your household, I may add, the salvation of thousands yet to descend from your loins, shall a duty of this importance re- main neglected ? Need I repeat that it is a service perfectly reasonable ; that it is a tri- bute justly due to Him who created you at first, and who daily protects and supports you; who, in his unsearchable wisdom, has devi- sed a plan for your salvation, and who, in liis abundant mercy, offers you all the bles- sings of grace and glory ? Is he a Being in- finitely glorious in himself, and not worthy of your esteem and adoration ? Is he the Au- thor of innumerable benefits to you, and not entitled to your affection and praise ? Is there a parent or master present that has lived in the habitual neglect of family religion, I would on this New- Y€ar''s morning entreat them with all affection to begin the exercise, ** Halt no longer between two opinions, but choose vou this day whom you will serve : If the Lord be God," if he is the author of your existence and the only portion of your immortal spirits, folloxv him^ choose him as your God and the God of your children. Is there a parent or master, who has attend- ed this Aw\.\ formally or remissly, I would on this New Year's morning entreat them, with all affection, to aim at the more upright, uni- forni disvhurge of it. I^et not the Living God Sermon fl. 187 be put ofF with " the torn or the lame, or the sick for an offering," but consecrate to him the Jiiale of your flock, the flower of your time. Should this feeble attempt to enforce an im- portant duty be instrumental in introducing the worship of Jehovah into one house where it was formerly neglected, or of bringing one f:imily to the more conscientious observance of it, how would my soul rejoice! how cheer- fully could I hail the church in that house with a happy New- Year ; how cordially could I bless the Lord for establishing the word of his servant and making it, however weak and worthless, effectual to his own glory and the salvation of men : I should consider it a mu- tual pledge of shortly meeting and mingling with Patriarchs and Apostles and reformers, and all that honored throng who served the Lord on earth, and behold him eternally in heaven. Now, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, three electing, redeeming, sanctifying Persons in one Jehovah, let all the ransomed from among men unite with unsinning angels in offering equal thanksgiv- ing and praise, now and everlastingly. Amen* SERMON VIIL PROVE RES XXII. 9. Trai?i up a child in the way he should go, THE Hebrew word which is here translated train up has a variety of significa- tions, and is therefore translated differently in different places. Sometimes it signifies to dedicate or consecrate from common to sacred uses, as the Jews dedicated by prayer and thanksgiving their private houses, and as So- lomon solemnly consecrated the temple to ihe Living God. Sometimes it signifies to ^rflw, or discipline as the soldier is taught the science of war, and reduced to habits of order and o- bedience to his superiors. Abraham is there- fore represented as arming his trained ser- vants, those whom he had instructed and dis- ciplined in the art of war. There is another translation given to this word which is perfect- ly agreeable to the original, and adds a pecu- liar emphasis to the expression. *' Train up a child at the mouth, or entrance, or begin- ning of hits way." This phrase in the bold- ness of eastern style expresses that early con- cern which parents should manifest for the spi- ritual interests of their offspring : They ought to see that their first step be taken '* in the narrow way which leads to everlasting life ;'* that they should be early directed to the choice of religion as their honor, andmterest, Sermon 8. 189 and happiness. The sooner that religious in- struction is poured into their opening powers it is usually the more successful, because the first impressions are the most deep, andlasting\ \\\ order to assist parents in the discharge of a duty equally pleasing and important ; a duty which they owe to God who has honored them with an offspring, to the church which these children under their admonition may hereaf- ter adorn, and to their children themselves I will attempt I. To illustrate the import of the injunc- tion, and II. Point out the obligation under which parents are to perform theduty recommended. 1. Parents ought to train up their offspring by an early surrender of them to Jehovah in the ordinance of baptism. The attention of the pious Jews was early directed to the dedi- cation of their children in the rite of circum- cision. Soon after the birth of Samuel we hear Hannah devoutly resolving, '* I will bring him that he may appear before the Lord, and there abide for ever ; As long as he liveth he shall ()e lent to the Lord." Zachariah and Elizabeth the parents of John, and Mary the mother of our Lord on the eighth day present- ed their children to the Living God in that ordinance. And although under the chris- tian dispensation there is no day particularly specified on which our offspring should be of- fered up in baptism, yet unquestionably the first opportunity should be embraced. Bap- 190 Sermon 8. tism is as positively enjoined upon us, as cir- cumcision was upon the Jews ; the promise is no less explicit to us and to our children noWy than it was to them and their children formerly^ and as the light is clearer under the present than under the former dispensation the neglect of our duty in this respect is more offensive to God and more dangerous to the souls of our children. There is no weight in the objection frequently urged " that the baptism of infants is not expressly command- ed in the New-Testament scriptures.'* It is enough to mention that circumsision, the in- itiating seal of the covenant, wtiS early impro- ved for their seed by the believing Jews, and it therefore follows by obvious, undeniable inference that baptism, the initiating seal of the same covenant, should be early improved for their seed by believing Gentiles. There is no positive command for sanctifying, as the christian sabbath, the first day of the week, yet all christians unite in the observation of that day, because it was uniformly kept holy by our Saviour and his apostles, and is not the baptism of infants enforced by the same high authority ? Were not '* Lydia and her house- hold, the Jailor and his household'' baptized by those veiy apostles who received their commission from our Lord immediately be- fore hibiiscension ? Would to God that the mournful neglect of this eiuty on the part of pa- rents arose merely from scruples of con- science about the propriety of the instiuUion : Sermon 8. 191 There is reason to apprehend that it arises rather from a spirit of deep stupidity and bkim- ber which has rested upon the churches : There are many parents who discover almost no concern for tlieir own souls, therefore it is not to be expected that they can either feel or manifest much concern about the souls of their offspring. 2. We ought to train up our children by early teaching them the great principles of re- ligion. Gradually as the powers of the mind begin to unfold, and the child appears ^ capa- ble of reflection it should be taught in the most plain, impressive manner the leading doctrines of salvation. The human mind is essentially active, and must be employed. It is not more natural for the body to breathe than for the soul to reflect, and unless diligence is exercised to give to the thoughts of chil- dren a proper direction they are in danger of becoming wanton, vicious, and a prey to e- verv temptation. Parents should therefore aim at impressing upon their minds some concep- tions of the Living God ; endeavoring to in- form them that he is a Being infinitely great, that he is always present with them, and there- fore acquainted with their thoughts, and words, and actions ; they should also teach them the near relation in which the Great God stands to them as the ir Creator by whom their bodies and minds were formed, and from whom were derived all those powers of both by which man is so much exalted above the beasts 195 Sermon t. of the field : Children should also be early made acquainted with their fallen condition by nature that they are '' conceived in sin,'* born under the curse, and therefore *' chil- dren of wrath :" In attemptiiig to make them acquainted with their disease by transgres- sion, parents ought also to exhibit the infi- nite remedy which grace has provided ; that the Father *^ sent his own Son to be the Sa- viour of the world ; ' that the Eternal Son in order to become a suitable Saviour took to himself our nature, sustained that curse to which we were exposed, and hath actual. ly *' made peace by the blood of his cross ;" that he is now *' able to save to the uttermost" any of the human family who apply that re- demption which is in his blood, and that he particularly invites '' little children" to come to him for salvation- Youth ought thus to be taught in the most obvious, familiar man- ner the first principles of our holy religion, and probably this instruction cannot be giv- en with a greater probability of success than by question and answer. This mode of impar- ting divine truth to the ignorant was early in- troduced into the church, and perhaps has been a principal mean of propagating the true doctrine from age to age. The Apostle Paul exhorts Timothy to ** hold fast that form of sound words which he had heard," and he thanks God in behalf of the Romans that ** they had obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which they had received,*' and he also Sermon 8. 193 speaks oF beinj^, *' nourished up in the words of faith, and of good doctrine." It is there- fore evident that the attention of parents ought very early to be directed to the spiritual in- struction of their ofTspring. It is mentioned as the privilege of Timothy^ and also to the honour of " his mother and grand-modier" that from a child lie Tcnevj the holy scriptures^ and Solomon also relates to the honor of his Father, and as a pattern for the imitation of parents in succeeding ages, " he taught me also, and said unto me, wisdom is the princi- pal thing, therefore get wisdom and w^ith ail thy getting, get understanding : Exalt her and she shall promote thee ; she shall bring thee to honor^ when thou dost eml)race her." 3. This duty ought to be discharged by the administration of suitable, and seasona- ble correction* The rod is as really an ordi- nance of God as prayer, or instruction, or any other institution of religion, and when appli- ed in a prudent, rational manner is perhaps not less conducive to the true interests of youth. " Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him." Again, *' Withhold not correction from the child— thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell :' This same inspired teacher men- tions in another chapter, ** the rod and re- proof give wisdom, but a child left to him- self bringeth his mother to shame." It is worthy of observation that in this, and other 194 Sermon 8. places correction and instruction are recom- mended together, and if we would employ the rod wilh success it should upon all occa> bions be connected with becomin^^ admoni- tion. The fault committed by the child should be deliberately presented to its view with its various aggravations ; the offender should be solemnly warned that every " sin is a trans- gression of the divine law," and exposes the transgressor to the wrath of God both in this ■world and in the next ; the child ought also to be admonished that sin if persisted in will bring it to reproach among men, while it exposes to the wrath of an infinite God. The m.ind should thus be prepared by suitable instruction and warning before the rod is applied. A very useful commentator re- marks upon this passage, '' if reproof ansv/ers the end without the rod, it is well ; but the rod should never be used w^ithout reproof:'' And a late, celebrated writer^- mentions that '' some pious parents have made it an invari- able rule, as soon as their children could read, never to correct them, until they bad read o- ver all the passages of scripture which com- mand it, and generally accompanied it with prayer to God for his blessing." I already mieniioned that correction was an ordinance divinely appointed for reclaiming the young offender ; it ought therefore like all other divine institutions to be employed in o- bedience to the command of God, and with a ^ Withf.rspoon'j Letters on Education. Sermon 8> 1^3 Immbie dependence on his blessing for its effi- cacy : iiiit perhaps there is scarcely any part of their conduct in which parents so generally and mournfully err as in the correction of their children : The rod is rarely taken up by them except when they are under the influence of angry passions ; they then chastise their chil- dren rather as merely animal than rational be- ings who are to be reclaimed by rational me- thods ; the child under such treatment is indu- ced to believe that the chastisement was ad- ministered rather to gratify a vindictive spi- rit than to promote its temporal or spiritual in- terests, and the consequences are often deplo- rable in the extreme. The dispositions of the youngare soured, their affectionsbecome alien- uted from their parents, and instead of being recovered to the paths of virtue, and religi- on they are often driven to greater enormities in vice and impiety. I have no doubt but many promising children are lost ; complete- ly sacrificed to themselves, to their connec- tions, to the church, to society, and perhaps for eternity by the rash, untender, injudici- ous conduct of parents in their government : But on the other hand, the rod when season- ably applied ; when accompanied with suita- ble advice convincing the child that it is in- flicted from a sense of duty, and with a conv cern for its real interests ; more especially Vv'hen it is accompanied w^ith prayer to Him who can crov/n it vrith efficacy, the rod thus iidministcred is a hoppy mean for humbling 196 SermoTi 8. the pride of the heart, for subduing the stub- horn will, for producing filial affection, and training up the young for usefulness on earth,, and happiness in heaven Very probably many when advanced in life, and who are rendered cnninent ornaments of the church can trace back their recovery from the paths of vice, perhaps their first serious impressions, to the rod applied by the hand of a prudent parent. 4. This duty of training up children is to be discharged by adding suitable example to instruction and correction. This is a princi- ple in which mankind are so universally agreed that it might be considered as unnecessary to enlarge upon it. The old adage ** that ex- ample teaches better than precept" is pecu- liarly true in relation to children who are na- turally prone to imitate, and particularly to, imitate their parents with whom they are gen- erally conversing, and for whom they usually entertain a more than ordinary respect. In- deed, ail parental instruction unless enforced ])y becoming example will expose not only the truths taught, but parents themselves to the scorn of their offspring. How must the person, and the admonitions of a father sink in the estimation of his children if they are o- bliged occasionally to take care of him under the influence of intoxication, or if they know that he violates the marriage covenant by acts, of uncleanness? In vain does he caution them against swearing if he himself is profane ; or Sermon 8. 197 exhort theiii to love their neighbors if he evin. ces his own enmity against them by injuring their property, or defaming their character when opportunity offers : In vain does he ad- monish them to " remember the sabbath day and keep it holy" if he wantonly wastes, that day in idleness, or loose, carnal conversa- tion : Can he rationally expect by all his in- structions to infuse into their minds habits of reverence for the ordinances of religion if he neglects the worship of the sanctuary, or shortens or omits the devotions of the family for some trifling inconvenience ? Can he sue-. cessfully impress their souls with the belief that *' godliness is great gain ;" that the ** ways of religion are ways of pleasantness and that all the things which we can desire, are not to be compared to it," when the duties of Christianity appear rather a drudgery than a delight to himself ; wiien he seemi'ngly seeks excuses for neglectingthctn, and when the cares of this world appear to occupy his thoughts as if there was neither heaven nor hell ? Be not deceived, beloved parents, if ye would train up your children in the way they should go you must not mtYt\y instruct, but your actions must correspond with your instructions. Would you lead them to hate ** the \tvy ap- pearance of evil" you must convince them that it is odious to yourselves not only by talk- ing against it, but by avoiding it': If you would persuade them that religion is "\he one thing needful ;" that it is ^^more to be de- Pv 2 198 Sermon 8» sired than gold, and worthy of all acceptation" you must convince them by your own pleasure in speaking of it, and in attending its duties that it is the chief source of rejoicing to your- selves : If you would impress them with a veneration for Jehovah as a Being infinitely great, you must convince them by your own conduct that '^ your fiesh trembles for fear of him,'' or inspire them with love to Him as in- finitely good they must discern from your own conduct that your own love to him is supreme: Would you persuade them to obey the se- cond great command of the law which is to *' love thy neighbor as thyself" you must con- vince them by shewing all respect to the cha- racter of thy neighbor v.hen absent, and ta his feelings when present that you are inter- ested in his welfare. He therefore who ex- pects to *' bring up his children in the nur- ture and admonition of the Lord" must en- force his instruction by suitable example : He should aim upon all occasions at conversing and acting before them as he desires to form them for conversation, and action. It was a maxim among the Romans that *' nothing impure should be seen or heard within the walls where children are lodged/* From these few remarks on the manner ia which our offspring should be trained up we proceed, II. To consider our obligations to attend, with fidelity to this duty. 1. Our obligation arises from the authority Sermon 8. 199 of God who has particularly enjoined it. While it is his pleasure to separate a people for himself in our guilty world, this purpose he usually accomplishes hy family instruction as the principal mean. Through the pru, dence and diligence of parents the plant ordi- narily receives its first cultivation which is de- signed to adorn the vineyard on earth, and is destined to flourish hereafter in the paradise above. No doubt much m.ay be done, and has been done, by a skilful, conscientious ministry for promoting the spiritual interests of youth, but probably more may be done by the prudence and fidelity of parents, and up- on the latter the Head of the church has more immediately enjoined this service. " Ye fa- thers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Parents possess advantages for directing their offspring to the choice of reli- gion and virtue which are not enjoyed by o- thers. Being constantly present with them they become acquainted with their different dispositions, with those lusts which are most likely to predominate in future life, and have thus an opportunity of ea ly eradicating or re- straining those lusts ; they may be often in- structing and advising them, reproving their little follies and vanities, or cherishing any serious impressions which are produced in their minds. The Lord God may therefore be considered as addressing each parent or bead of a family in the following manner, *' I 200 Senncn 8. have set theea watchman over this household ; 1 have committed to thy care these young immortals that they may be trained up for my service, and at your hand will I require their biood if you are unfaithful to the trust ; but in the zealous, and persevering discharge of thy duty I leave thee this encouragement that, when they are old, they shall not depart from the paths which in obedience to my com- mand thou mayest recommend :" Jehovah, Vv^ho has positively enjoined this duty, pro- mises a liberal reward even to parents them- selves in performing it. ** I know Abraham," saith God, '' that he will command his chil- dren and his househould after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice, and judgment ; that the Lord may bring up- on Abraham that vvhich he hath spoken of him/' 2. The obligation of parents to discharge this duty arises from a concern for the spiri- tual and everlastins: interests of their children. As the instruments of their existence they are reasonably bound by Qv^ry possible method to promote their real welfare : and very pro- bably that affection which parents have for their offspring, and that solicitude which they feel for their future condition wss designed by the Author of our nature to render the du- ty of instructing them more easily discharged : Through the powerful influence of parental fondness, to watch over their children, to in- struct, to expostulate with them, and to cor- Sermon 8. ^01 rcct them for their misbehaviour which would otherwise be merely a duty, and might often hQ considered a drudgery becomes a delight. While the divine authority binds them to this service, affection to their offspring, and a con- cern for their prosperity hereafter prompts them cheerfully to perform it. There is ano- ther circumstance which renders this duty- more easily, and conveniently discharged on the part of parents, that is, the long period during which their children remain depend- ant upon them. In this respect man may be considered an exception from almost every other part of the creation. The offspring of the fowl continue only a few weeks in a state of minorit}^, until they attain to the perfection of their nature, and become capable of mana- ging for themselves : The offspring of the va- rious orders of animals in general remain de- pendent on their dam only a few months, un- til they throw off their subordination, and be- gin to look abroad for their own j rovision : But in the family of man children continue dependent upon their parents nearly one third of their duration in this world ; they ordina- ly arrive at the age of sixteen, or eighteen, or even twenty years before they become matu- red either in body or mind, and are capable of managing for themselves : During this long period parents are invested with authority o- ver them, and considered their teachers and guardians : They have thus a full opportuni- ty, by precept, by example, by correction, ^02 Sermon 8. by admonition to inform their understandingSj to improve their hearts, and train them up to hiibits of order both in the church and in so- ciety. 3. Parents are obligated to the faithful dis- charge of this duty from a regard to their own future comfort. How animating amidst the various afflictions of life would be the prospect of leaving an offspring to adorn the church, and bless the world when they themselves must be removed from it ; to reflect that the void which is made by their departure will probably be filled by the succession of their children in their place ? How pleasing must it be beyond expression for a loving parent to look forward in imagination, and behold a son, or daughter seated hereafter on the right hand of the Judge among the nations of the saved, to hear them publicly acknowledged as having occupied with fidelity the talents entrusted with them, and then invited to that kingdom which was prepared for the righte- ous from everlasting. Surely heaven to pa- rents would be enhanced, all its joys and glo- ries rendered inconceivably more precious by this prospect of participation. If Paul pro- nounced the believing Thessalonians his joy and croxun, merely because they were con- verted by his ministry, although otherwise strangers to him, what interest must the fond father or mother feel in the salvation of their offspring of whose existence they had been instruments, and who became endeared to Sermon 8. 203 them by long intercourse, and the most inti- mate fellowship ; whose interests were thus fco nearly blended, and rendered almost the same with their own. Surely this prospect, we should suppose, might have the infiuence of a thousand arguments exciting and animat- ing parents to a becoming zeal in the spiritual nurture of their offspring : It might give fer- vor to their daily supplications for them ; it might add earnestness to their instructions and expostulations xviiji them, and lead them to look with a holy anxiety for the precious fruits in their conversion ; it might render them in a great measure indifferent about c- verythingconcerningtheir children, excepting their souls, and their everlasting welfiu'e ; it should animate them in imitation of the great apostle to travail as in birth, to endure all things for their sakes that they might be brought to obtain salvation in Jesus Christ with eternal giory. Fron; this doctrine as thus illustrated we may infer — - 1. The very important, and responsible station which parents occupy in relation to their children. They are constituted by the Great God as their spiritual overseers, and the immortal destinies of their seed are in a certain sense committed to their trust, a trust which must be regarded as equally interesting, and arduous, and honorable. It may be con- sidered as a distinguishing glory conferred upon any that they should have an offspring. 204 Semon 8. Children are therefore pronounced on herit^ age of Jehovah, and theyr../> of the ivomh is represented as his reward'. But it is a much more distinguishing honour conferred upon parents that they should be ordained the spi- ritual guardians of their offspring, and employ- ed as instruments to rear them up for glory to God, and usefulness to their generation. Paul devoutly "- thanks the Lord Jesus Christ that he counted him faithful putting him into the ministry," and called him to *' preach to fellow- sinners the unsearchable riches of Christ :" But this honor in some degree have all parents being intrusted with the spiritual education of their children, and appointed to *' bring them up in the nurture and admoni- tion of the Lord." They may be considered as occupying the station of ** ambassadors for Christ, praying those" who are committed to their charge " to be reconciled unto God :*' And should they succeed in this embassy, and their expostulations be effectual for restoring a son or daughter from the wretchedness of their fallen state it will be a monument to their honor more imperishable than either marble or brass : Each child or servant brought to salvation through their instrumentality will be a jewel in the crown not only of Jesus the Me- diator, but in their own crown ; it will secure to them through the exceeding riches of divine grace a residence among those who having ** turned sinners to righteousness shall shine as the stars forever and ever :" And are theie Pennon 8. 205 not promises without number in behalf of their children which may encourage parents to a holy diligence in '' reproving, and rebu- king, and exhorting them." I'he Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed to love tlie Lord thy God — that thou mayest live : I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever for the good of thein, and of their children af- ter them. ' 2. Is such, belcved parents, is such the honor of your station, is such your encourage- ment to persevere in discharging its duties, shake off that sloth which you may have for- merly indulged, crucify that worldly temper which may have chilled your ardor in promo- ting the spiritual interests of your offspring : Hereafter let their usefulness in time, and their glory through eternity be your only anxiety respecting them. Look occasionally upon each individual under your cai^e, whether male or female, wdiether bond or free, as destined for an immortal duration ; reflect that they must soon die, and be judged, and pass to an unchanging abode ; look forward through the ever revolving ages of eternity, and present them to your imagination as unutterably bles- sed in the enjoyment of Jehovah, or damned in hell ^* with the devil and his angels," and then say, does not all, your solicitude about securing for them the riches or honors of this world in- stantly give way to a solicitude about the in- finitely more important realities of the world to coiiiie ? Do not all the wealth and glories s 206 Scr7non 8. of the present state compared with the con- cerns of a future state, appear insignificant in your estimatioii as a single grain of dust con- trasted with a mountain, or a drop of water compared to an ocean P And remember that their future destination, inider God, depends much on yourselves. " Train up a child in the way he should, go," is the declaration of Ilim whose word is more stable than the ever- lasting hills, ** and when he is old he will not depart from it i''^^^" But Avilhout diligence on you.r part you have no promise for them ei- ther of grace here, or glory hereafter. Permit me again to recall to your attention a consideration already noticed, which may animate vou to dilifjence in the discharge of this duty, that is, your ovrn peace and conso- lation hereafter. What a pleasure would it ailbrd you, when forewarned by the infirmi- ties of age of your approaching dissolution, to reilect that you leave behind you a seed for the service of the Lord z/oz/r God ; some v.iio will appear as witnesses for him when your iips are silent in death ; who will occupy a seat in the sanctuary when your bodies arc s:athered to their fathers, and who will assist * '* ] kntiv a pious, and judicious minister who af- f.rmed that we did not give credit to God's word, // zc^e did not b^iieve the certainty of the protnise, as wtll as the obligation to the duty ; he was of opinion that every parent when he seemed to /ail should conclude that he himself hod been undutiful, and not that God .had been unf aith/uL'". ,.■,., \V\Vi)QTSi)OQi\ on the edu- cation uf children. Sermon S. 207 ill relieving tjjc poor, and in promoting the interests of society when '*your hibors of love'* must have ceased for ever ? Although natu- rally dead yet, with such a prospeci, you niight expect virtually to live in your posteri- ty, live to the glory of God, and to the real advantage both of the church and the \vorld. It was to David, when admonished of his de- parture from the service of the earthly sanctu- ary, a source of the most refined, substantial joy that Solomon his son was '* to reign in his stead ;'' that he should erect a temple for the worship of Israel's God, and thus prove in- strumental in perpetuating his name in tJie world ; and Aaron, the High Priest, appeared cheerful in stripping off hispontifical garments, and resigning his office in the cliurch when he knew that he should be succeeded by Elea- zer his son. I have only to remark that, if you expect to succeed in training up your offspring for the Living God ; to see them your joy now, and your croxvn hereafter, you must live as you exhort them to live ; you must aim at giving emphasis to every admonition by a correspon- dent example. How contemptible does that minister necessaiily become in the estimation of every discerning hearer Vr ho exhorts oihers to^ *' crucify the iiesh, and follow after ho- liness," while he himself is the Vv-illing: slave of corruption, and children are more shrewd to di:scern whether there is a consistence be- tween your exhortations and vour jrcneral de- 20S Scrmoji S, portment than you imngine : Nay, such often is their aversion to God and his service, that they v/ould vviliingly find a pretext in yonr ir- i^ef^ularities for rtjecting your admonitions. Convince them, therefore, by a conscientious discharge of every duty in the closet, and fa- Vnilv, and sanctuary, that '* the kingdom of God is not in word but in power ;" Endea- vor also, by honesty in all }'0ur dealings, by tenderness to the reputation of others, by j^entleness of spirit, by a readiness to forgive those who offend or injure you, by submission to your Father's v/ill under the evils of life, to convince theni of the excellence of christian principles by the excellence of their fruits in vour own lives ; that '* the wisdom which is fi'om above is first pure, then peaceable, gen- tle and easy to be entreated ; without partial- ity and without hypocrlcy." 3. I cannot dismiss this subject without in- viting the attention of my beloved youth. Ma- ny of yoti whom I nov/ address are the off- spring of the righteous, and have been favor- ed V. ith all those advantages which either pi- ous instruction, or example could itfford. You were early dedicated to Jehovah your Creator and Redeemer in the ordinance of baptism, and your own consciences are wit- nesses with what earnestness your parents have pressed you to consider " the things which belong to your peace." Must you not exculpate them by acknowledging that, sab- bath after sabbath, they have set before you Sermon 8. 209 " life and death, the blessing and the curse" uri^inff vou, somethiies with tears, to choose the fonner as vour bnly interest, and glory ? I may venture to add that a holy God is wit- ness of their importunity, " making mention of vou in their payers night and day, that your soLils might be saved at the appearing ot our Lord Jesus Christ. Nay, ray young friends, has not a Holy God often witnessed the anxietv, and agony experienced by your parents on account of your seeming uncon- cern and impenitence ? Very probably they have occasionallv poured out their souls be- fore him in such plaintive language as this, "OLord, the Great and terrible God, we presented these our children to thee in bap- tism ; we cheerfully and solemnly surrender- ed them as an offering to the Father, Son and Spirit with fervent desires that they might be thine only and everlastingly ; accoroing to the wisdom givcii us we have aimed at training them up for thee, and thv service ; we have taught them from thy word that • all have sinned ;" that " the wages of sin is death," and that if they neglect the great sal- vation thev shall not, they cuniiot escape : But O Lord, they have not believed oitr report, or rather % report by our lips concerning these things : Notwithstanding all our dili- gence in teaching them, and ail our importu- nity in admonishing and exhorting tliem they appear to remain hardened under the deceit- fuiness of sin ; thoughtless of God who crc s 2 210 Sermon 8, ated them, of Jesus who bled to redeem them, of death to which they are hourly hastening, of heaven which is prepared as an eternal man- sion for the pure, and of hell which is the fi- nal, gloomy abode of the impenitent :" I sincerely believe, my precious young hear- ers, that the Living God, and surrounding angels have often heard your father, or mo- ther, or perhaps both of them pouring forth their melancholy complaints, refusing to be com.forted through a fi-arfu! apprehension that you would not be saved. If you have any reflection remaining, these things demand your immediate, deliberate, and most solemn reflection : Your privileges are, indeed, great ns you are the offspring of the righteous. Promises are m.ade to you, and may be plead by you v^hich are not made to all, neither can be plead by all. *' I will be a God to thee and to thy seed after thee : The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee." These are promises the accomplishment of which you are authorised to plead from the very cir- cumstance that you have descended from the loins of the just, promises which may encou- rage you to wrestle with Jehovah for his bles- sing while your parents are living, and after they are dead. But be it known to you that if your opportunities are not improved your guilt will have a colouring, and yo-ir torment a poignancy from which the guilt and the tor- ment of ethers will be almost infinitely re- Sermon 8. 211 mote. All the earnestness of your parents in- structing and exhorting you ; all their fervor in praying with you and in your behalf; all that agony which often rends their hearts by day when occupied in tlieircommon employments, or by night when sleep departs from their eyes through solicitude for your souls, these are all known to God the impartial Judge, and the fearful record will be read in your hearing be- fore the collected millions of angels and men : I feel costrained also to inform vou that since you have been warned of** your wicked ways" and besought to return and live, besought with all that earnestness which parental affec- tion could inspire, if you obstinately refuse, ** you must die in your iniquity, but they have deliveredtheir own souls ;'' Your blood must rest upon your own heads, and there will be none to interpose and shield you, none to of- fer up a prayer for you, none to drop a tear over your misery in heaven, or earth, or liell. The arm of an omnipotent, indignant God, raised higher and higher, by all the ihreaten- ings which you have spurned, and all the for- bearance which you have abused will grind you to powder when there is none to deliver. Be admonished, my dear young hearers and readers, to arise from your security, and strive to enter in before the door of mercy is shut against you forever. Mourn over your misimprovement of privileges to that God whose authority you have despised, and whose spirit you have grieved : Make confession to 212 Sermon 8. your hoh^ parents for all those meltings of soul, those gloomy clays and sleepless nights which \ our imnietv has occasioned to them : Aim hereafter at healing: the wounds which your former follies have inflicted by greater humility of conduct, and a more ardent zeal ia working out your salvation : ' How atl'tct- ing beyond what language can describe would be the thought that any of you who are the children of so many prayers, and tears, and entrccities should behold }our pious parents on the rieht hand of the jucU^e in the hour of o J o retribution, whi]e}ou were doomed to the left, or to beheld them in heaven reclining on A- braham's bosom while you were tormented in the flames of hell ? I shall now bid you an affectionate far cwdl^ repeating a very solemn, and I tliink, alpresent seasonable admonition : It was among the last addresses ol David the king to a favorite child, and his successor to the throne of Israel, " thou Solomon, m.y son, know thou the God of thv father, and serve him, with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind ; for the Lord searchethail hearts and understar.deth all the imaginations of the thoughts ; if thou seek liim he will be found of thee, but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee oft' forever." SERMON IX. HEBREWS III. 13. Exhort one another daily, MAN was endowed by his Creator with extensive powers both tor exertion and usefuhiess, and all these powers like so ma- ny taients,entrusted with a particular steward, ought to be devoted to those purposes for which they were originally bestowed. Each individual, however, is not to be considered in an insulated view, unconnected with other men, or formed to promote a separate interest : He should rather be contemplated in a social and relative light ; as a link in a great chain on which the strength, and beauty of the whole chain in some measure depends, or as the member of a great flmiily who owes particular duties, not only to his Creator the comrnoa head of it, but to his brethren of mankind. This generosity and disinterestedness of con- duct was often recommended by the Apostle to his hearers, and readers. " Look not every man on his own things, indulge not a little, contracted, illiberal spirit which terminates in self; which consults the convenience, or interest of an individual to the exclusion, or even neglect of others ; recollect in your in- tercouse with each other that as men you are the children of one Father, and therefore in- volved in one common interest, and as christiuns you are redeemed by the same Saviour, and 214 Sermcn 9. heirs of the same inheritance, let each there- fore aim at promoting the edification and com- fort of all with whom he is connected. The apostle also mentions it as the peculiar excel- lence of charity that she seeketh not her oivUi is not satisfied with advancing the welfare of an individual, but extending her views be* Yond the narrow circle of self, devises schemes for promoting the good of mankind in general. Such is the disposition which he so warmly recommends in the verse chosen for our present consideration. *^ Exhort one another dc;ily." Our last discourse was designed to exhib- it the duty of parents to their children ; that they should endeavor by instruction, and ex- ample, and the prudent exercise of discipline, to bring theni up in the nurture and admoni- tion of the Lord. It is intended at present to overlook the dibthiction of parent and child, of superior and subordinate, and contemplate the members of a family upon a level ; to con- sider them as forming a little society, each in* dividual of which is bound to exhort the other and *' provoke unto love, and good works." 1 would not be considered as confining the duty of mutual exhortation to those who stand connected in a family capacity : " It is a laboi** of love" which we ought to perform as neigh- bors, and more especially as members of the same congregation. In our occasional inter- course through the week, or in our interviews on the sabbath while we repair to, or retire Sermon 9. 215 from the ordinances of religion, we should stir yp the gifts of each other by conversation on spiritual subjects ; and by this friendly, f^imi- liar discourse much may be done for our own souls, and for the souls of each other. As one living ember brought into contact with ano- ther causes it to burn more intensely, or as one star reflects light upon another star, and thus the lustre of both is encreased, so by the means of spiritual conversation christian im- parts light and heat to christian, and the sa- cred flame in each is imperceptibly encreased. We hear the two disciples after their journey to Emmaus,and th^ir intervievvrespecting that redemption which was expected in Israel, re- marking to each other, " did not our hearts burn within US;" their faith which was for- merly feeble received additional strength, and cleaves with renewed vigor to the pro- mises ; their love which was languid before, now kindled into celestial ardour, and their hopes which had been buried with their en- tombed Lord now brighten, and become full of im mortality. Our time on earth is too short to be wholly exhausted by the concerns of the body, and the present world ; speech is a gift too precious to be occupied altogeth- er in giving or receiving information respect- ing our temporal concerns. When we meet accidentally by the way, or whan we collect to spend the social hour or evening, how might our knowledge be extended, our love to each other, and our zeal for the interests of 216 Sermon 9. our common Master be promoted by seizing some favorable incident for the introduction of serious discourse ? Many instructive in^ stances of this nature are recorded in the his- tory of our Lord In his interview with the woman of Samaria, at the well of Jacob, he directed her attention from the common to the spiritual water, even those influences of the Holy Ghost which he imparts to his fol- lowers ; he shews her the perishable, unsa- tisfying nature of the former, but assures her that the latter will refresh and satisfy the soul for even " Whosoever drinketh of this wa- ter shall thirst again — But the water that I shall give him shall be in him a w^ell of living water, springing up to everlasting life."— Again, when the multitude were following him ^* for the loaves and the fishes,'* he calls their attention to the living bread which he had provided, which he freely offers, and ex- horts them to *' labor for that meat which en- dureth to everlasting life." But although the duty of mutual exhorta- tion is incumbent on all indiscriminately as opportunity offers, it is more immediately in- cumbent on those who reside in the same house ; they are nearly related, and are there- fore peculiarly obligated to advance the spiri- tual profit of each other ; they dwell together, and therefore this duty may be discharged with more ease and advantage. This subject may be considered more fully by enquiring — Sermon 9. 217 I. In what manner members of the siime fiimily should exhort one another^ and II. What are the advantages which they may derive from a prudent, affectionate atten- tion to this duty. 1. They may exhort one another by con- versing occasionally on spiritual subjects — They who are much exercised to godliness will never want materials on which to dis- course both to the comfort and profit of each other. The condition of man by nature ; those miseries to which without repentance he is exposed in a future world ; the method of pardon through the sacrifice of Jesus the substitute ; the necessity of regeneration if we expect admission into the kingdom of God, the evidences by which we may ascer- tain that we have undergone this change, the marks of a flourishing state in the spiritual life, the sovereignty of Jehovah in passing by angels while he provided a Saviour for fallen man, his sovereignty in leaving a great portion of the human family in the gloom of heathenism while the light of immortality is shining upon others, our infinite obligation to love and serve that Jesus who redeemed us by his own blood, and has opened to us the prospect of such joys beyond the grave, the emptiness of all world- ly prosperity w-ithout a relation to God as our Father, and the light and momentary nature of their afflictions who are interested in his love, these and many other subjects might be enumerated on which we may converse, and T 218 Sermon 9.. by which we may edify each other. *' Out of the abundance of the heart" the lively chris^ tian will generally find both matter and^op- portunity for discoursing to the spiritual edifi- cation of others around him. *' They that feared the Lord," among the devout Jews, " spake often one to another ; and we hear the royal prophet extolling the mercies of Je- hovah, and inviting others to a participation of the same blessings. *' O taste and see that the Lord is good ; blessed is the man that trusteth in him : O fear the Lord, ye his saints, for there is no want to them that fear him : Come, ye children, hearken unto me ; i will teach you the fear of the Lord." How many favorable occasions for such friendly ad- monitions occur when families are collected around the evening fire, or when they encir- tie the table of their common Father to re- ceive the bounties of his providence ? How many precious moments might then be re- deemed to our present instruction, and our eternal salvation by repeating the promises, or portions of a psalm, or hymn, or conversing of that bounty which streams forth day after day, and year after year, for the supply of our wants P And while the members of a family were edifying each other by such exercises, they would fiilfil a divine injunction, '* these words which I command thee this day shi»U be in thint heart, and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and Sermon 9. 219 when thou walkest by the way, wlien thou liest down, and when thou risest up.'' 2. We ought to exhort one another by u- niting to read portions ofthe sacred scriptures. I do not allude to the devotions of the morn- ing and evening in which the scriptures arc statedly read in the family : other opportuni- ties may and ought to be embraced when the different members sit down, and read in their turn passages of the living oracles and practi- cal refiections may also be made to mutual ad- vantage. This is a divine institution, no less than secret prayer, or the sanctificationof the sabbath, and if those who are connected in a family capacity feel deeply concerned for the spiritual prosperity of each other this ordi- nance will not be omitted. In vain do any object that leisure cannot be found for the multiplied services of religion : By redeeming the many precious fragments of time v/hich are wasted unnecessarily in slrep, or consum- ed in conversation by which the characters of others are reproached, and our own passions irritated, opportunities will be easily found for discharging this and all the other duties required at our hand. The man who mana- ges his money uith prudence and economy lias usually a sulficienry to meet any contin- gency, and he who is frug;' of his time, who endeavors to perform every vrork at its proper season, will generally find opportunity for at- tending to every ordinance of religion whether secret or relative. And the Apostle particu- 220 Sermon 0. larly enjoins *' let tlie word of Christ dwell in you richly ;'' be often reading it ; be often reflectinf^ upon it, and unite in repeating por- tions of it in a family Ccipacity, *' teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." It is both agreeable and profitable to mingle the exercise of praise with that of reading the scriptures, endeavoring to stir up our own souls, and the souls of each other by uniting to sing a por- tion of a psalm, or hymn. The apostle gives the same direction to the church at Ephesus. " Speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and ma- king melody in your hearts to the Lord.'* Praise is peculiarly adapted to excite a devo- tional frame : to soothe the spirits when a^ gitaied by the troubles of life, and also to pu- rify and elevate the affections, gently inflam- ing them with love to God, and to each other. 3. The duty recommended in the text may be performed by praying with, and for each other. The woid which is translated exhort does not signify merely to speak to, or advise another in a formal manner ; it sometimes sig- nifies to intercede as an advocate does for his client, and comprehends the various means by which one christian may be instrumental in strengthening the faith, enlivening the hopes and promoting the edification of another chris- tian ; and certainly social prayer is a mean happily adapted for these purposes. It is the Sermo7i 9. 221 promise of our Divine Redeemer, " where two or threeare gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them," and the truth of this promise has often been foLind in the sensible experience of his children. \\ hile one is engaged in the devout confession ot sin, or earnestly imploring the exercise ot mercy the sacred flame is communicatea ; it pervades from bosom to bosom, until all are set on fire as '^ with a live coal from the altar ; the heart which was formerly cold now kindles with celestial ardor, and the affections which were once carnal and earthly now center upon God as their only, all-satisfying portion. *' While the disciples prayed the place was shaken where they were assembled together, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost ;" and thus while one christian addresses the throne of their common Father in the name, and presence of a number the place is often consecrated into a little sanctuary : All are constrained to acknowledge with the disciples on mount Tabor, " it is good to be here ," or with the sweet singer of Israel, *' blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causcst to approach unto thee.'' This union in the exercise of prayer whichis profilable for chris- tians at their occasional visits is peculiarly a- miable and profitable among members of the same family. An excellent divine* of a for- mer age, in addition to his stated devotions in the family, fre-quently prayed with his wife * 1 hcllcv. P. Henry's ///c', j), C6. T 2 222 Sermon 9. alone, and recommended this practice to o- thers by remarking, *' this ordinance sancti- fies the relation, and secures a blessing upon it ; makes the comforts of it the more sweet and the cares and crosses of it the more easy, and is an excellent mean of preserving, and encreasing love in the relation." This same holy man directed his children to "spend one hour on the afternoon of Saturday togeth- er in prayer and other devotional services. ' Such are the exercises in which one mem- ber of a family may, and ought to exhort a- nother. The apostle enjoins that this duty be performed dai/i/, and although the expression need not be understood in a literal sense, yet it evidently implies that we ought frequently to be employed in *' provoking each other to love and to good works." Religion is not to be considered as a *' by-work," as a service to which we may attend when there is nothing else to be done. A peculiar blessing is pro- mised to those who watch daily at the gates of wisdom, and the righteous in former ages are represented as " speaking often one toa- nother." We ought to consider the time which we spend in serving our God, and pro- moting our own edification and that of others as the most precious moments of the day ; we ought to consider the services of religion as the most dignified of our daily exercises, and the most delightful of our daily enjoy- ments. In order to animate us to a becoming zeal Sermon 9. 223 in exhorting one another," it may not be im- proper to enquire. II. What are the advantages which may result from the prudent and diligent discharge of this duty. 1. Thereby one member of a family often becomes instrumental in the salvation of ano- ther, and one neighbor in the salvation of a- nother neighbor. Many instances might be mentioned in which a portion of scripture de- voutly read, or an admonition seasonably gi- yen has proved eifectual for alarming the conscience, and finally saving the soul. So- lomon therefore remarks that *' the words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies:" they often have the effect of goads for rousing the slothful to the discharge of duty, and when seasona- bly administered, like nails are deep and last- ing in their impression. *' All the Lord's people may thus become prophets," teaching the ignorant, alarming the thoughdess, re- claiming the backslider, and imparting words of consolation to the dejected in spirit. I have read of a private christian in England who was distinguished for his zeal in promot- ing the conversion of sinners, and these " la- bors of love were not in vain in the Lord." His children, and servants, and many in the neighborhood where he resided were given to him as *' a crown of rejoicing.'' Having heard of an acquaintance who indulged himself in licentious practices he wrote to him, and 224 Sermon 9. politely invited him to his house ; he called, and they read, and prayed, and conversed to- gether, and this interview was considered as the mean of his salvation. This and ma- ny other similar facts evince the importance of obeying the injunction, "in the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand ; for thou knowest not whether L-hall prosper, either this or that, or whether they shall both be alike good." It is in the spiritual as in the natural world, a whole field mny be blasted, while a single grain thrown into the earth takes root and ripens into fruit. 2. Bv mutual exhortation one mav be in- strumental in fortifying another against temp- tation: The christain in this world may be compared to a pilgrim performing a journey, and is often in danger of wandering from the right way, or being disheartened by the ma- ny obstacles which lie in his course. But a- midst these discouraging ciicumstances he is often animated, and supported by the coun- sels, and example of his fellow christians, ^y these he is often kept from wandering, or brought back after he has wandered ; by these he is frequently cheered in his melan- choly moments, he is encouraged under cir- cumstances the most trying, and is enabled " to hold on his way'* widi greater resolution, and firmness. No doubt in instances innu- merable one believer has been indebted, under God, to the warning of another believer ei- ther for resisting some strong temptation, or Sermon 9. ^2S being brought to sincere repentance after the fault had been committed. It was the point- cd admonition of Nathan the prophet which brought the monarch of Israel to a recollection o^ his crime, and to genuine, lasting humili- ation for the same. By a reproof seasonably administered the sons of Jacob vvere struck with a consciousness of their iniquity in sel- ling Joseph into Egypt, and by a single, im- pressive look of our Lord, Peter was made to remember the guilt of publicly denying his Master, and to '' weep bitterly" for the of- fence. These are some of the important ad- vantages which the apostle mentions as re- sulting from faithful admonitions among chris- tians, and for which he so earnestly recom- mends it. '' Exhort one another daily — lest any of you be hardened through the deceit- fulnessof sin : lest having committed a flmlt he remains insensible of the guilt which he has incurred, or the danger to which he is exposed on account of it : If one has depart- ed from the holy commandment, and renoun- ced his profession of the faith, reprove, re- buke, exiiort until you have happily restored him ; strive with greater earnestness at re- covering him from the error of his way than one traveller would exert himself to snatch a- nother from the verge of a precipice, or one soldier to redeem another from the hands of an infuriated, powerful enemy. 3. By earnestness in exhorting one another we may prove instrumental in exciting each 226 Sertnoyi §. other to the more diligent discharge of incum-i bent duty. We are all naturally indolent, and prone to procrastinate : Measures which we will readily acknowledge to be important ; in which the honor of our Master, the interests of religion, and our own future rejoicing are intimately concerned, tve postpone month af- ter month waiting for a *' more convenient season." It is scarcely more natural for the carnal, unregenerate man to put off the great work of salvation, asking " a little more sleep, a little more slumber,*' than for even the chil- dren of light thro' the suggestions of the flesh to put off the important duties of their calling. Hoxv slothful are eVen those whom we consi- der the most active in business ? Although much has been forgiven us by that God whom we had offended, and great things have been done for us at an infinitely great expence, yet how languid is our love, and how reluctant are we to spend a little time, or strengh, or worldly substance for the advancement of his glory ? Owing to this innate, almost invinci- ble sloth of our nature, we need " line upon line,'* argument after argument, exciting us to the performance of duty : We require not only all the ** doctrines, reproofs, corrections, and instructions of scripture," but the daily counsels and admonitions of each other ; and b}' such exhortations seasonably and affection- ately given christian may have great influ- ence in rendering christian more diligent in the performance of '* every good w^ork." if Sermon §. 227 ofie traveller appears indolent another can ex- cite him ; if he becomes disheartened the o- ther can encourage him ; if he falls his asso- ciate can raise him up, or if he becomes fa- tigued with the lengUi, or difficulties of the road he can assist in supporting and carrying him alor»g : As in a natural so in the spiritual journey, ** two are better than one." When one believer in the Lord Jesus is tempted to neglect, or postpone a duty, another can ad- monish to the immediate disch^u-ge of it ; or if one becomes discouraged through repeated and " sore adversities*' the other may support by exhibiting the consolations of the gospel, and by directing his view to " that exceeding and eternal weight of glory which is reserved in the heavenly world ;'' he can assure him that the present conflict however Jiert/ will soon terminate in victory and triumph ; that sorrow will give place to joy, pain to pleasure, and darkness to one unclouded, everlasting day : Thus after the apostle had announced to the believing Thessalonians the resurrec- tion of the body, the ascension of all the re- deemed to ■*• meet their Saviour in the air, and their going to be for ever with the Lord,' he adds, -wherefore comfort or exhort another -with these xvorc/s. 4. By diligence in exhorting one another, a foundation may be laid for mutual rejoicing for ever. Whether those who are intimately acquainted, or nearly related on earth will feel towards each other any peculiar ardour of 228 Sermon 9. alTection in heaven, is a question which I at- tem]-t not to answer. '* It doth not yet ap- pear what we shall be.'' We know not to what degree the redeemed will hereafter re- collect the incidents of their own lot upon earth, or their conversation and communion with each other. Yet without doubt those who were acquainted in the church militant will recollect this acquaintance when they meet in the church triumphant, and it is highly pro- bable that the recollection of those instruc- tions which they mutually imparted, of those sorrows in which they had mutually sympa- thised, of that support which they had mutually afforded will tend to endear them to each o- ther, and promote their mutual exultation for ever. " He that soweth, and he that reapeth shall there rejoice together." What joy in- discribable must transport those, upon meet- ing in their Father's kingdom, who had fre- quently gone in company to the sanctuary on earth ; who had often mingled sweet counsel, fortifying each other in the hour of tempta- tion, or comforting one another in the season of trial and despondency ? What refined, ele- vated pleasure must be participated by Zacha- rias and Elizabeth in the heavenly Jerusalem, who had long lived together *' as heirs of the grace of life," and by their mutual admoni- tions had encouraged each other to ** walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless," or by Aquila and Priscilla, who by their tender expostulations had ani- Sermo?! 9. 229 mated each other to maintain " the church in their house, and to remain stedfast and un- moveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord V What must be the mutual exul- tation of parents or pastors when they meet, in the general assembly, children or hearers who had been brought first to grace and fi- irillv to :s eternal ? Wil] ^* labor for the meat lliat perisheth/' and ut- terly neglect that " which endiireth to ever- lasting life, which the Son of Man shall give?" But not to mcniion your spiritual interest, which might be promoted, does not gratitude to your great Benefactor call for this small ac- knowledgment of his authority ? — Who sup- ports you in life, while multitudes are daily consigned to the silence of the grave ? Wha imparts to you health of body, while others around you languish in affliction, or who crowns w^ith success the labors of the week ? Do you not live, and breathe, and move in God, and is not every enjoyment a stream from his bounty ? Thus highly favored of him through tlie week, is the employment un- reasonable, is the task intoilerable to repair on the sabbath to the sanctuary for celebrat- ing the memory of his goodness ? Or, 2. You may object that your condition Is indigent ; with much difficulty you can pro- vide the necessaries of life, and are unable to dress yourselves or your children in a manner decent for appearing in public. To this 1 might reply, that the *' Lord seeth not as man seeth ; man looketh to the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh to the heart " It is not a splendid outsit!c, u body richly adorned, which receives the di- vine approbation, but the soul sanctified by his i^race, restinhich are spoken lest at any lime we should let them slip ;' and it is wor- thy of remark that among the three classes 5i:ientioned in the parable to whom the word preached was ineffectual, it was lost by their want of attention after it was heard. " One received it by the wa}^ side,'' permitted it to lie exposed on the surface, and '* the fowls of the air carne and carried it away ;'' they were iiot careful to treasure it up in their memories, and to be often revolving it as the " joy and rejoicing of their' hearts : Another received it among thorns, and these afterwards springing up choakcd it ; the cares of this world, the de- ceitfulntss of riches, and the desires of other things" occupied that place in the heart to which divine truth was entitled, and prevent- ed it from producing any saving effect : " A third received the seed in stony places;" and although it appeared promising for a season, yet afterwards the sun arose with its scorch- ing influence and ** the blade which had ap- Sermon 11. 279 peared for a little withered away :'' perse cu- tion arose because of the word, and these hearers not beins^ firmly established in the faith, '* not deeply rooted and grounded in love," apostatized from their holy profession. From this doctrine thus explained we may infer 1. That to improve tlie dispensation of the word in a suitable, profitable manner is not merely an important, but an arduous at- tainment. It requires little exertion to '' make clean the outside," to dress the body in a manner decent and respectable ; to go the distance of a few miles to the place of public worship ; to conduct with outward propriety and appear decent in the estimation of our fellow worshippers, but deeply to interest the heart, and prepare it by meditation and pray- er for the reception of divine truth ; to keep it ardently awake, and solemnized, and im- pressed with the importance of the exercise ; to sit in the sanctuary with all the simplicity of little children, and receive every truth not as the word of man but of the Living God ; to comprehend it in our understandings, to treasure it carefully in our memories, to con- duct agreeably to its dictates in all our inter- course both with God, and the world ; to be constrained by its influence to discharge with strict conscientiousness every duty which we owe to our Creator, our Redeemer, ourselves, and our brethren of mankind, to make this improvement of the word which we hear is 280 &crmon 11. 110 ordinaiy, nor easy attainment. And it is certainly a very alarming consideration that among four classes of hearers enumerated in the parable of the sower, there was only one class which heard it to the glory of God, and their own eternal advantage. Some are re* presented as '' hearing the word of the king- i.\om but not understanding it ;" they do not duly realise its value ; they are not careful to digest it in their own minds, and *' the wick- ed one Cometh, and taketh away that which was sown in their hearts :" Others upon hear- ing the word '* receive it with a momentary joy ;'' they feel some flashes of ailection, they form some resolutions of turning to the Liv- ing God, but these impressions not being founded on solid conviction are of short du- ration *' for Vvhen tribulation or persecution arise because of the v/ord they are offended :" they love the praise of man more than the glory of God, or prefer their present ease, and interest to their everlasting salvation. A third class hears the word, attends on the service of the church, '^ but the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires of other things destroy its efficacy^ and they remain unfruitful ; they are so oc- cupied with the business of the world, and a- gituted with the concerns of the world that they rarely have leisure for reflecting on these truths ; neither do they rejoice in them as the charter of their future hopes : Only one class receives it with due aflectionj and improve it Sermo7i 11. 281 as " the wisdom of God, and the power of God for salvation." Ought not this consider- ation to rouse the attention of every hearer of the gospel ? Although the parables are not to be interpreted in a sense strictly literal, yet there is generally a very near analogy be- tween the representation which they make, and the moral to be drawn from them. Is it not therefore aa affecting thought that of the multitude who attend the administration of the word such a small proportion are saving- ly profited ? One is perhaps in the sanctuary on the sabbath, and'is a slave to sensual gra- tifications through the week, fuUilling upon every opportunity *' the desires of the flesh, and of the mind ;" living in carnal pleasure and thus morally dead although naturally a- live. Anothfr\vho is taught in the temple that we cannot serve God and mammon ; that if any man love this world the love of the Fa- ther is not in him,'" and yet from his conduct and conversation we are obliged to conclude that God is scarcely in all his thaughts ; that the present \vorld occupies the tbroiie both in his esteem, and aifecrions : Another hears in the sanctuary that a ** man is not {jrouted should he gain the whole world, aiid lose his own soul,'' he is urged to '' seek first the kingdom of God, and the righteousness there- of; to strive that he may enter in at the strait gate, yet how few cf his moments are em- ployed through the u'cek in " searching the scriptures which make wise unto salvation j'* iii z2 282 Sermon 11. supplication to God Tor the assurances of his love, for satisfactory evidences of his pardon, and adoption, and a title to eternal glory ; for the encrease of " that faith which worketh by love, which purifies the heart, and overcomts the world ;" or in self-examination, impar- tially trying whether he possesses the marks of '* that washing of regeneration, that re- newing of the Holy Ghost, without which 110 man shall see the Lord." Beloved brethren, many of you have sat long under the dispensation of the gospel ; the celestial light has shone clearly around you, and the voice of mercy has addressed you again, and again. Jehovah in his infi- nite forbearance has borne with you ten or twenty, or thirty, or forty years: During this long tract of tin^.e you have breathed as it- were in an atmosphere of religion by enjoying the privileges of the sabbath and sanctuary, but how have you heard ? What change has the word preached produced on your hearts, and lives f Are you more conscientious in the discharge of every duty v/hich is incumbent upon you in all the relations of life ? By the influence of the word are you rendered m.ore fervent in prayer, more charitable to the poor, more forgiving to those who injure you, more temperate in all things, more watchful over vour ow^n hearts, and words and actions, en- deavoring that all be regulated by the infalli- ble standard of divine truth ? Are you inclin- ed by it to live more habitually under im- Sermon 11, 28S pressions of the flcetinc^, unsatisfying nature of every thing earthly ; more frequently to re- alise the hour of death when you m-jstpart forever with this world and its pleasures and profits, to reflect more habitually on a "judg- ment to come'' when 3 ou must render a mi- nute, impartial account of your conduct, and be adjudged unalterably either to heaven or to hell ? How often by the ministry of the word has the Son of God, the Saviour of the world, been expostulating, " behold I stand at the door and knock," but have you cordi- ally admitted him ; are you supremely rejoic« ing in him as your only salvation and glory ? Are fhere some of you who cannot answer' tliese enquiries in the affimative ? Are 30U conscious that " the w-ord preached has not materially profited ;" that it has not imparted any saving light to your understandings, nor holiness nor comfort to your hearts ? Are you sensible of the danger of neglecting ihQ great salvation, and would you from this time at- tend with greater diligence to the things which belong to your peace ? Then affection- ately would I cherish those resolutions, and offer you the following directions. 1. Embrace with ardent solicitude every" opportunity of hearing the word preached : Let not the suggestions of carnal ease, or any other consideration tempt you to neglect this ordinance appointed by Jehovah for your in- struction, and salvation. " Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.'' ^S4 Sermon II. The word delivered in simplicity and purit}^ has pi oved to souls without number the dawn of heaven, the commencement of never end- ing glorv. *' Born," says the apostle Peter, " not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God which liveth and abideth forever ; and this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.'' Although the ^' wind bloweth where it listeth, yet it is in the use of means that its enlivening influences may be confidently expected, and are usually felt. While Ezekiel prophesied^ the breath of the Lord came upon the dry bones in the valley of vision, the regenerating power of the Holy Ghost was imparted, and " they lived and stood up an exceeding great army,*' 2. When you are seated in the sanctuary of God let nothing divert your attention from the things which are spoken ; consider that you are hearing for your souls, for judgment, for eternity, and that you are unspeakably, in- finitely interested in the message. The ora« cles of the Living God will not, cannot be "without an important effect. If this lamp which came down from heaven does not lead you to holiness and heaven, it will serve to- lead you deeper and deeper hito the regions of never ending torment . Every sernion mis- improved will add to the fury of the liamcs, and the venom of the tormenting worm. A Divine of a foreign country, and former age remarks, *' if the word is not effectual for your conversion it will be effectual for your cou=. Sermon 11. 285 deriiiiation ; if it does not make your hearts better it will render your chains heavier, and your hell hotter : Dreadful is their condition who go down ta perdition ladened with ser- mons." Are these things real, widi what so- lemnity should we sit under the ministry of reconciliation ? How should we listen to all that is spoken, as a patient listens to the pre- scriptions of his physician, or as a criminal would listen to the sentence of pardon an- nounced by the lips of his Prince : Such was the conduct of Cornelius while the word of life was spoken by Peter. *^ We are all here present before God to hear all things which are commanded thee of God :" And Paul re- lates of the Bereans, " that they were more iiobie than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with ail readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily whether those things were so.'* And while we are hearing we ought to look by prayer to the life- giving Spirit that he would clothe it with aK mighty energy upon our hearts ; " that the eyes of our understandings being enlightened we might know what is the hope of his call- ing, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance among the saints.'* 3. Be careful to improve the message of life after you have heard it. As many ser- mons are lost by being heard without previ=> ous preparation, many are probably lost by being carelessly forgotten afterwards. The incQrruptibU sesdMi on the surface of the soul ^S6 Sermon 11. almost necessarily perishes ; it neither takes root in the heart, nor springs up in the life ; it is not covered over, if the expression be al- lowed, by frequent and devout meditation ; it is not committed by prayer to him who can visit it with the fostering sun, and the refresh- ing showers, and therefore remains v»athout fruit. If under the w^ord preached you have experienced any convictions of sin ; any joy and peace through a knowledge of the Sa- viour ; any secret desires to walk hereafter more intimately with him, and to live more exclusively for him, see that these impressions be retained, and cherished : They are at least the common operations of the spirit, and it is dangerous in the extreme to resist, or neglect them. If you deliberately give yourselves up to carnal indolence or indifference, he may de- part from you never to alarm or entreat with you any more. Be occasionally repeating the truths which you hear to others around you. This will be a mean of impressing them more deeply upon your own minds, and rendering them more permanently profitable to you. — " While they that feared the Lord spake often one to another, the Lord hearkened and heard them, and they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, hi that day when I makeXip my jew- els." Thus we ought to give the more earn- est heed to the things which wx have heard, lest at any time we let them slip. Those also to w^hose hearts the word has been effectual both for conviction and conver- Sermon 11. 287 slon may receive admonition from this pas- sage. The word preached is designed *' for the perfecting of the saints — until we all come to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God," is such its blessed effica- cy upon your hearts ? Through its enlighten- ing, and enlivening influence do you aim at *' adding to your faith virtue, and to your virtue knowledge, and to your knowledge brotherly kindness, and to your brotherly kindness charity, and thus become changed into the divine image from glory to glory ? Are there precious occasions when you feel the power and see the glory of your God in the sanctuary, and are elevated in some de- gree above the cares and tumults of this vain, fluctuating earth ? When you hear of the Sa- viour's love to our world, and to you in par- ticular, and of that salvation which he accom- plished at an infinite expence, do your hearts sensibly expand, and glow with love to him ? Are you melted into deep contrition for the im- perfection of your past lives, and secretly re- solving to love him more ardently, and serve him more perfectly in the time to come? Soar- ing on the wings of faith, and hope, and joy, are you longing for that world where you shall see him without a vail ; where you shall enjoy him without a moment's interruption, and praise him without a faultering voice, or wan- dering thought forever ? Has the gospel al- ready had this purifying, enlivening influence upon your hearts, adore Jehovah for what you 286 Sermon 11. have experienced of his grace ; pray fervent- ly to him that he would impart still greater efficacy to his most blessed word, '' enabling you to abound more constantly in hope by the power of the Holy Ghost/' Alas, how far do even the generation of the righteous fall short of their duty in taking heed how they hear ? Are there not many sermons, many cautions against temptation, many admoni- tions to duty, m.any arguments for loving God, and pressing on towards perfection, of which they can give little account ? They go from the services of the church to their farms, or their merchandize, and the impressions produced by the word preached cW^ transient *' as the morning cloud, and the early dew." Beloved brethren, shake off this slothful frame as equally your reproach and your loss, and strive at becoming " fervent in spirit*' under the means which you enjoy. We receive not because we ask not ; we rarely feel the ener- gies of divine grace co operating with the word, rendering it quick and powerful for in- struction and enlargement, because we rarely and languidly ask them : Like Moses were we often supplicating *' Lord, shew me thy glory ; if thy presence go not with me carry me not up hence ; or with David, ** open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law," or with the patriarch Jacob, " I will not let thee go without the blessing," how delightful and profitable would the ordi- nances of religion become to us ? The sane- Sermon 12. 289 cuary below would appear from sabbath to sabbath a lively emblem of the sanctuary a- bove ; upon every occasion that we attend the tabernacles of divine grace we should be ready to conclude with the disciples on the mount of transfiguration, '* It is good to be here : Blessed are they that dwell in thy house, they will be still praising thee." Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shep- herd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in e- very good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. SERMON XIL PROVERBS, XXIII, 13. Be thou in the fear ofthe Lord all the day lo?ig, FEAR is a passion deeply implanted in the bosom of man ; and through its influ- ence we are naturally impelled to flee from danger whether real or imaginary. Fear, as mentioned by the inspired writers, sometimes signifies that secret dread or horror which rends the heart of the ungodly under a con- viction of guilt and apprehension of wrath. " There is no fear in love,'' says the cvange- 2 A 290 Sermon 12. list, *' but perfect love casteth out fear ; be- cause fear hath torment :" and as Paul *' reasorxccl of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come," Felix i'e a red or trembled. Sometimes it expresses that cordial subjection which the child of adoption feels to his hea- venly Father and may therefore be defined a gracious principle produced by the Holy- Ghost, through the influence. of which we are inclined to revere the authority of God, and observe all his commandments. '* I v»'ill put my fear in their hearts, and they shall not de- part from me.*' Through the constraining influence of this aft^ction David exclaims, *' my flesh trembleth for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy righteous judgments." But the term /ear frequently comprehends the whole of practical Godliness ; all that es- teem, and affection, and adoration which we owe as creatures to our Creator, and as ran- somed sinners to our Redeemer. *' The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter; fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man : For God shall brir.g every work into judgment, with every secret thing whether it be good, or whether it be evil." The duties enumerated in the preceding discourses were generally of a stated nature, and to each of them u'e ought regularly to at- tend in their proper season, imitating the ex^ ample of that illustrious pair whose history was already considered by " walking" in all. Sermon 12. 291 the commandments and ordinances of the Lord'* But our religion ought not to be mere- ly occasional, or confined to the devotions of the closet, and famil_v, and sanctuar3\ A filial fear of God, an ardent love to him, im- pressions of our necessary dependance on his providence, and of our obligations to live to his glory should possess the dominion of our hearts at all times and amidst all circum- stances, vvhether v/e are actively occupied in the business of the world, or allowing our- selves in what is usually considered its inno- cent amusements. Our whole lives should thus be a continued act of homage to our Cre- ator and Lord. To cultivate this habitual de- rolion of spirit is the design of the present discourse, and we shall therefore endeavor to consider — I. The import of the admonition, be thou in the /ear of the Lord all the day long, II. The advantages attending this habitual reverence or devotion of spirit, and III. Enumerate the means most happily calculated for promoting it. Our intention is first, to explain the nature of the admonition, *'bc thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.' 1. It implietj constant and profound im- pressions of the divine immensity and pre- sence. Jehovah is a being possessed of all possible excellence and glory ; he is infinite in every perfection of his nature, ** in his wis- dom, his power, his holiness, his justice, his 292 Sermon 12. goodness and truth.'' Every name, every ti- tle, every attribute which can command our reverence and inspire our devotion is ascribed to him in the sacred oracles. He is entitled *' the King Eternal, Imm.ortal, and Invisible ; the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords ; who only hath im- mortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto ; which no man hath seen nor can see ; to whom belong honor and pow- er everlasting.' All that is great, all that is glorious throughout creation is only a ray from this sun ; is only a drop from this ocean ; it is mere darkness compared with the efful- gence of that glory which dwells in c reation's Lord. *' Who in heaven may be compaied to Jehovah ? And who among the sons of the mighty may be likened to our God ? ' Yet possessing all this majesty and glory, he is ever near, ever present j his arm supports, and his eye surveys creation with all its inha- bitants ; every thought, and word, and action, of all his creatures, at all times, and in all pla- ces, are perfectly open to his omniscient view, " The eyes of the Lord are in everyplace be- holding the evil and the good. Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off ? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him, saith the Lord ; do I not fill heaven and earth, saith the Lord ?" The soul may be considered as fearing Jeho- vah when it entertains becoming conceptions of his being and immensity : when it is uni- Senmn 12. 293 forrniy filled with devout, adoring thoughts of him as the perfection of excellence and glory ; when it mentions his name or approaches him in acts ,of devotion with the most profound humiliation and reverence. Such appears to have been the impression of David when he thus devoutly exclaims, '' O Lord, thou hast searched mc and known me ; thou knowest my down sitting and mine uprising ; thou un- derstandest my thoughts afar off; thou com- passest my path and my lying down and art acquainted with all my ways. Whither shall I go from thy spirit ? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence ? If I ascend up into hea- ven thou art there ; if I make my bed in hell, behold! thou art there; if I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea ; evew there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me." 2. Tiiis admonition implies a cordial con- cern for the approbation of God ; an unfeign- ed desire to perform what he requires, and to- avoid whatever might displease or dishonor him. Actuated by this holy fear, the child of adoption will endeavor in all things to re- commend himself to the acceptance of his hea- venly Father; he will '* exercise'^ himself, like the apostle, *' to have always a consci- ence void of offence toward God and toward man." The cold, formal professor is influen- ced principally by the opinions of the world ; he is concerned chiefly about " the outside of the cup and platter ;" if that be unspotted, 2 a2 294 Sermon 12. if he can so conduct as to secure the esteem and applause of men, his highest wishes are gratified : he aspires after no other or nobler object; but essentially different and infinite- ly more exalted is " the fear of the Lord'' re- commended in the text : It directs us to court not the applause of mortals, but the ap- probation of heaven ; to abhor and avoid sin not as reproachful in the esteem of man, but as grieving and dishonoring ton gracious God. This filial fear nobly impressed the bosom of Joseph and supportedhim in thehour of temp- tation, '' how can I do this great wickedness and sin against God ? ' Mark the principle by which he was actuated and inclined to resist the solicitation — Was it an apprehension that he might be degraded in the court of Pha- roah ? Was it a fear that his character might suffer reproach, or his name be mentioned with abhorrence by future generations ? — Al- though these consequences would have pro- bably attended the commission of the crime, yet they were inconsiderable compared with the dishonor done to his great Creator. ** Sin against God ;" defy that arm which supports me from hour to hour ; trample on that boun- ty which supplies each returning want ; abuse that forbearance, that long-suffering which spares me amidst ten thousand provocations ; forfeit that favor which is life, and incur that displeasure which is more dreadful than death ! 'J'he christian, under the influence of this child-like disposition, is ashamed and afraid Sermon 12. 295 to cherish a thought secretly in his heart, which he would be ashamed or afraid to com- mit openly in the eyes of the world ; he will be disposed with ** the sweet singer of Israel ' earnestly to supplicate, ** search me, O God, and know my heart ; try me and know my thoughts ; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting ; cleanse thou me from secret faults ; keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins ; let them not have dominion over me : then shall I be upright and I shall be innocent from the great transgression." 3. This admonition implies a concern to •honor God in the various exercises and en- joyments of the day : *' Man's chief end is to glorify God,'' and this we should aim at pro- moting not only in the employments, but e- ven in the amusements of life ; in all our in- tercourse with the world no less than in the more immediate duties of religion. Do we allow ourselves moments for amusement or recreation, it should be with this design, that our bodies might be relaxed, our spirits re- freshed, and we thus refitted for the service of Jehovah. Do we indulge ourselves in the lawful pleasures of life, in eating and drink- ing and sleeping : these indulgencies ought to be allowed not merely to satisfy our animal appetites, but that in the moderate use of these enjoyments, our bodies may be strength- ened and prepared for serving our God and generation ; do we pursue with diligence our 296 Sermon 12, ordinary occupations ; does tlie student ea- gerly prosecute his studies, his reading, and reflcciions ; this labor should be pursued, not that he may be considered eminent for talents or learninj^, but that his understanding may be more enlarged, that he may become more ienlightcned in the mysteries of creation or redemption, and capable of extolling the perfections of God as displayed in the inli- i^ite variety of his works : Does the husband- man enter upon his usual employments, and diligently pursue his calling either in the house or the field ; these labors should be followed not only to fulfil th^ law of industry enjoined upon man at his creation, not only to provide things necessary for himself and family, but that he may be able, as the apostle exhorts, ** to ^ive to him that needeth ;" that he may be able to imitate the example of the com^- passionate Saviour, who pronounced it *'more blessed to give than to receive. ' The honor of God ought thus to be consulted and ad- vanced by all in every situation and relation of life. By habitually promoting this spiritu- al temper, by doing ail in obedience to the divine authority, and with a vievv to the di- vine glory, our common employments be- come, as it were, religious exercises, and in pursuing the ordinary duties of life wc are re- ally advancing our spiritual and immortal in- terests. Wc are thus commanded, that ^' whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, to do all to the glory of God." Sermon 12. 297 From this attempt to explain the import of the admonition, we are led to consider, II. The advantages attending this habitu- al reverence and devotion of spirit. 1. By being *' in the fear of God all the daj long," we obey his explicit command and an- swer his design both in our creation and re- demption. The living God is not satisfisd ■with a part of our services ; he is not willing to divide our love, and our obedience with the mammon of this world. As our God and Redeemer he utterly refuses to admit a rival in the bosom of his people, but claims our supreme, our undivided homage and affection. ** Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself," is his sovereign command ; *^ let him be your fear ; and let him be your dread : Thou shnlt love the Lord thy God, widi all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength ; this is the first comm.and- ment ; it is more than all uhole burnt ofter- incrs and sacrifices." It is not merelv our oc- casional worship when we formally engage in the duties of religion which is due to God and which he demands, but constant, devout impressions of his goodness and glory ; earn- est, ardent outgoings of soul to him as our portion and joy. ** The Lord" thus " appear- ed to Abraham and said unto him, I am the Almighty God ; walk before me and be thou perfect.'' This profound, uniform veneration of the Eternal ; this ardent, supreme aftection to him as their portion and rejoicing was the 2^a Sermon 12. attainment after wliich the righteous formerly aspired as their glory and jo} . *' Enoch walk- ed with God :'' The royal Psalmist proclaims, " I have set the Lord always before me, be- cause he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved: My mouth shall shew forth thy righ- teousness and thy salvation all the day, for I knov/ not the numbers thereof: Whom have I in heaven but thee and there is none on earth that I desire beside thee ; my fiesh and my heart faileth, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever " .2. By being *' in the fear of the Lord all the day long,' we adorn his gospel, and recom- mend it to the admiration and esteem of the world. It is cause of humiliation and grief that the Lord Jesus is frequently *' wounded in the house of his friends ;" that the gospel of his glory suffers such reproach aiid injury from the lives of its pretended advocates.- — Some are all devotion one day and all dissipa- tion another day ; they are ail reverence in the temple and ail riot in the tavern ; that same mouth whicli is opened one hour to bless God m the family, is employed another hour either in cursing his name or reproaching ** man that was created after the image of God ;" those hands which in the morning were lifted up to- wards heaven in prayer are perhaps stretched out through the day in acts either of violence or fraud ; the sbime person who upon one oc- casion *' partakes of the cup of the Lord'Vby receiving the mysteries of our holy religion^ StfTTfon 12. 2911 pa^rtakes, upon another occasion, *' the cup of devils by surfeiting and dru-nkcnness." By- such disorderly conduct men not only bring- guilt upon their con-scietices, but they expose Christianity to the derision of its adversaries, aiKl practically injure that cause which they' professedly advocate. But by li^'ing ** in the fear of the Lord ;" by uniformly conducting as in his presence, and dischargiug with ten- derness the duties incumbent upon us in all the relations of life we '^ adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour ;" we edify the genera- tion of the righteous and shut the mouth of impiety and scorn. *' For so is the will of God that by well doing we put to silenc-e the ignorance of foolish men.'' When the pro- fessed followers of the Lamb walk worthy of " HIM who hath called them to glory and vir- tue ;" when, as the Saviour exhorts, thei/ shine as lights in the xvorld^ throwing around them in all companies the splendor of their graces ; evincing the purity of their princi- ples by the purity of their practices, if they do not altogether gain the adversarv, they at least confound him ; if they do not ''almost persuade him to be a christian," they cannot fail to soften his enmity against the cross ; they oblige him to consider those scriptures as more than " a cunningly devised fable,'' \vhich bring forth the fruits of love and piety to God, of good will and charity to men. 3. By being in '' the fear of the Lord all the day long,'' we unspeakably promote our own 300 Sermon 12. peace and consolation. Real religion has *' veril} a great reward ;" it imparts a peace to the conscience and joy to the heart which pass g// utterance and understanding. " Who hath woe, who hath sorrow, who hath conten- tions, who hath babbling, who hath wounds without cause, who hath redness of eyes ;'' I may add, who hath torturing of conscience, who hath shame and confusion of face, who hath reproach from the world ; who hath re- morse for what is past, who hath dreadful forebodings for what is to come : *' He who tarries long at the wine, who goeth to seek mixed wine ;" he who is the slave of irregu- lar, un mortified appetites ; he who is disor- derly in his private walk, who is undutiful to God, and unrighteous to man. Who, on the other hand, possesses inward peace amidst e- very outward difficulty and storm ; who pos- sesses the respect and confidence of the world; who enjoys the approbation of his conscience and God ; who can reflect with pleasure on what is past, who can anticipate with compo- sure and triumph whatever may orshall come ? The man who aims at walking in the fear of the Lord ; who conducts with circumspec- tion and sobriety in all companies and amidst all circumstances ; who, *' denying ungodli- ness and worldly lusts," endeavors to " live soberly, and righteousl}'', and godly in this present world 3" who consults the will of Je- hovah as the reason, his word as the rule, and his glory as the end of his life. ** The fear of Sermon 12. 301 the Lord is the beginning," the perfection of *' wisdom, and a good understanding have all they that keep his commandments. His ways are ways of pleasantness and all his paths are peace : By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life.'' 4. By being in '' the fear of the Lord all the day long," we are habitually prepared for the services and joys of the heavenly state. To a person who constantly maintains this spiritual frame, death is a change of place not of employment ; faith merely gives way to vision ; hope to fruition, and he exchanges the service, and the communion of God on earth to obey him more perfectly and enjoy him more fully in heaven ; he leaves his christian brethren and sisters, with whom he had a- greeably associated here, to mingle with the redeemed of all countries who have gone be- fore to his Father's kingdom ; with holy " an- gels that do his commandments, hearkening to the voice of his word ' what is a consider- ation infinitely more transporting, he goes to enjoy the Father in the eternal expressions of his love ; the Son in the riches of his grace ; the Holy Ghost in his abundant, everlasting consolations. Who can utter, what pen can describe, what imagination can conceive the peace, and the transport of such a character in the moment of dissolution ? Is the voice of the bridegroom heard *' at the third, or the sixth, or the ninth, or the eleventh hour, he is al- wavs ready ; his loins are girded about, his 2 B 502 Senncn 12. lights trimmed and burning, and he waitings the approach of his Lord '' Does the me.ssen- ger of death overtake him in an hour unex- ]7ected, does he steal in upon him *' like a ihief in the night," he may, he can, notwith- standing, triumphantly proclaim, " I am now ready to be oflered ; I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, 1 have kept ihe faith : O death, w here is thy sting ; O jjjrave, where is thy victory : Thanks be to God that giveth me the victory through my LordJesusChrist:''Ahhough,if I may change the similitude, although the Jordan of death may overfiovv' all its banks, although its bil- ious may be raging and foaming, he beholds Jesus, cur Joshua, with '' the ark of the cov. enaiit" marching before him, directing his passage to the Canaan of eternal rest ; he hears li-im kindly expostulating " fear not ; v»hen thou passe St through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the floods they shall not overflow thee ; 1 will strengthen, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.*' Thus, while '* the wicked is driven away in his wickedness, the right- eous hath hope in his death. Mark the per- fect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace." Are such the advantages attending a life of practical, powerful religion ; a life spent in the fear and fellowship of Jehovi;h ; some are, perhaps, enq :iring how shall i attain to such privileges and prospects ? By what means tnay I be enabled to walk more inlimately with God and live more entirely for him ? To xmswer this enquiry in a plain, scriptural man- ner, is our third proposition to which your at- tention is now invited. 1. Maintain a constant dependance upon the eternal Redeemer, and be deriving daily and hourly from his fulness all necessary strength. This faith or reliance on the Son ^f God, I mention first, because it may be -considered as the essence of living Godliness ; it may be pronounced '* the Alpha and Ome- ga, the beginning and ending" of every du- ty and every privilege. It is his own decla- ration and the truth of the declaration will be acknowledged by all who are acquainted with the deceitfulness of their own hearts ** with- out me ye can do nothing ; I am the green fir-tree, from me is thy fruit found :" all our fruits of righteousness, of peace, of patience, of consolation, of hope, are as much derived from Jesus the everliving tree, as the sap in the branch is derived from the fountain. As we are first reconciled to the Father through th(t righteousness and mediation of the Son ; so our familiar walk and fellowship with the Father can be maintained only through Jesus r.s our propitiation and A^dvocate. *' Thro' liim we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.' In proportion, therefore, as we are strong in his strength, as we receive grace from this living head, in that very pro- portion \YQ_ shall live to the glory of God, to 304 Sermon 12. the advantage of his church, to the ornament of our christian profession, and to our own re- joicing in a dying hour. What was it that rendered them so distinguished in all the fruits of righteousness, so fervent in their love to God, so abundant in their charities to man, so zealous and steadfast in their holy profes- sion ; so patierd in tribulation, so resigned in poverty and reproach, so calm and tri- umphant in danger and death ? All their fer- vour, all their uniformity arose from this con- sideration, *' they were strong in the Lord ^nQ\ in the power of his might : They over- came by the blood of the Lamb, and by the w^ord of their testimony.'' Beloved brethren, would you obey the injunction contained in the text, would you discharge the duty and experience the consolation of *' living in the fear of the Lord all the day long, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus ;'* depend upon him every day, in all duties and in all difficulties, as " } our wisdom, and i ighteous- r.ess and sanctiRcation and redemption." Dost thou complain of spiritual death. He *' is the resurrection and the life ; ' art thou in darkness relating either to thy present con- dition or thy future concerns, HE '* leads the blind in ways they know not, and makes darkness light before them ; ' Does consci- ence accuse thee of many imperfections that thou art afraid to approach the mercy- seat or to call God thy Father ? " There is redemption in his blood, even the forgive- Sermon 12. 305 p.ess of sins :'* Is thy soul distracted with tea thousand cares and anxieties ? " He comforts all that mourn, and gives the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness:'' Art thou afraid of beingpresseddownby the difficulties, or drawn aside by the allurements of the world ? *' He is able to keep thee from falling and present thee faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy :" In short, out of Jesus and the communion of his spirit and righte- ousness, all is darkness, and distraction, va- nity now and vexation hereafter ; in Jesus and the fellowship of his offices, all is life, all is light, all is liberty, peace now and triumph and glory in the latter end. 2. Endeavor to begin each day with a live- ly, spiritual frame. In the morning our na- tural spirits are usually refreshed, they arc most composed, and easily inclined to reli- gious reflection ; they are not then perplexed with the cares of the world nor soured by its vexations and disappointments. Strive^ there- fore, that your first thoughts be devoted to God and your everlasting concerns : 'i'he mo- ment, that your eyes awake from natural sleep fix your meditations on some enliven- ing doctrine of Christianity. There is an al- most infinite variety of subjects to which your thoughts might be usefully and agreeably di- rected, 'ilie goodness of Jehovah towards man at his creation in forming '* him after his own image,'" in teaching him ** more than the beasts of the field' and qualifying him 2 b2 306 Sermon 12. for nobler enjoyments ; his grace in accom- plishing a method for our recovery throiigli his eternal Son, and in restoring us even to a greater degree of glory and happiness than >vas lost by our apostacy. Docs you imagi- nation wander that you cannot feel enlarge- ment in these reflections, repeat silently in your mind some promise or psalm or hymn that you have committed to memory. The promises are always new ; ihey are an infi- nite source of consolation and encouragement, and when sealed by the Spirit of grace, they give life to the spiritually dead and light to ihe spiritually blind. Does conscience charge you with transgression in your former con- duct, contemplate some promise of pardon- ioiT mercy; or is your spirit dejected on ac- count of strong corruptions ; have your thoughts during the night been unprofitable, your dreams idle and impure ; meditate on the promise of sanctification, *' sin shall not have dominion over you ; a new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you. ' Is your outward condition peculiarly adverse and trying ; are the dispen- sations of providence dark that you know not how to proceed, improve the promises of sup- port and direction, ** the meek he will guide in judgment ; the m.eek he will teach his way; all things shall work together for good to them ihat love God :" Is your passage th'o' life rough and tempestuous ; does billow of adversity roll after billow that you are afraid Sermon 12. 307 of being ovenvhelmed in the perilous ocean ; meditate on the unspeakable joys and glories of the heavenly world. *' These light afflic- tions that are but for a moment, work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory," All these promises are yea and amen in Jesus Christ, and it is equally our duty and privilege to apply them upon all occasions as our circumstances may require. Having endeavored in this manner to occu- py your first moments, immediately after you arise recommend yourself to God by fervt- nt ])rayer ; ** present your body" and spirit to him a '' living sacrifice, holy and acceptable which is your reasonable service; ' your eyes to be kept through the day from beholding e- ^■ii, your tongues from speaking to the dis- honor of God or the injury of your neighbor ; your hands from acts of injustice or violence ; acknowledge your absolute insufficiency ei- ther to resist temptation, or to guard against accidents, or to secure success in your re- spective pursuits, *' knowing that it is not in man who walketh to direct his ste])s," and ask his protecting care in your out-going and in coming : implore that he would either keep you from being tempted, or support in the hour of temptation ; that *' he would e- stablish the work of your hands" and give such prosperity both in temporal and spi- ritual concerns as his unerring wisdom sees most expedient. To pr.vsocuie our ordinary employments v/ithouL looking to God for sue- 308 Sermcn 12. cess, ispractical atheism, andto expect his bles- sing without seeking it is daring presumption. '* We must ask if we would receive ; we must acknowledge God in all our ways,' if we expect to be directed by him. Let pray- er, if possible, be performed before you en- gage in the business of the day. It is a tri- bute of respect you owe to the living God, to HIM who brought you into being, who up- holds your soul in life, and gives you all things richly to enjoy to offer him your earli- est affections and services. David therefore resolves, " my voice shuit thou hear In the morning, O Lord ; in the morning will I di- rect my prayer unto thee and will look up : O God, thou art mv God, early will I seek thee.'' It may be profitable, as opportunity offers, to pass over in your imagination the different stages of the day ; to consider the duties yen may be called to discharge, or the tem.ptations you may be called to resist, and then humbly look to the blessed AdvcCcite, that he would communicate grace to help in time of need. — It is of unspeakable importance to kriow be- fore hand any particular snare to which 3 ou may he exposed ; the mind is thereby prepa- red for the shock, and wiih a firm reliance on divine strength, miay collect all its powers in fortifying agiiinst it. 1 he soldier is by no means so liable to be defeated, when he has considered not only the force of his encmV) Ser;non 12. aoO but the very time ivhen^ and the very place xvhere the assault will most probably be made, 2. Endeavor to preserve a devout, spiritu- al frame amidst the various pursuits and en- joy nients of the day. A mind deeply exercl- ' sed to godliness may gather instruction from every incident and employment of life. In receiving the common bread for nourishing our bodies, we may reflect on our spiritual wants, and the necessity of improving that bread which came down from heaven and gives life to the world : While we are prcpa- ring or puling on the natural raiment to adorn the outward man, we are reminded of our spiritual nakedness, and the necessity of ap- plying that garment of salvation, that robe of righteousness which is brought near by Je- hovah the Redeemer : In pursuing our usual labors, U'e may consider I he great work of salvation to be completed, the corruptions to be mortified, the enemies to be subdued, and the graces to be perfected In traveling from place to place, our attention may be directed to the journey of life which we are constant- ly performing, and that every day and hour we are approaching nearer the end of our course. In conversing with our natural friends, we may examine whether we have *' fellowship with the Father and his Son Je- sus Christ ;' and whether, like the apostle, " our conversation is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Saviour." As a mean of promoting this spirituality of heart, you may 310 Sermon 12. be occasionally presenting your silent suppli- cations to God for the enlivening influences of his spirit, or revolving in your thoughts some portion of his sacred word. ** All scrip- ture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correc- tion and for instruction in righteousness ; that the man of God may be perfect, tho- roughly furnished unto all good works.'* Be careful to allow yourself in no amuse- ment that appears unlawful or even doubtful : By indulgencies of this nature the divine SPIRIT is grieved, the voice of conscience is enfeebled and this monitor is discouraged from renewing his remonstrances : Besides, a righ- teous God frequently chastises one transgres- sion in his people by leaving them to the com- mission of another more odious and aggrava- ted. Uncleanncss in David w^as corrected by permitting him to add deliberate murder ; presumption and flilse confidence in Peter xvere chastised by leaving him not only to the open denial of his IVIaster, but to aggravate that denial with cursing and swearing VV^e are therefore admonished to abstain '* from all appearance of evil • to take heed lest at a- n}' time the hea*t be overcharged with sur- feiting and drunken less, and that day come upon us unawares. ' 4. Before you retire in the evening call yourself to an impartial account respecting the duties of the day ; survey with care the gtages through which you have passed and Sermon 12. 311 examine how you was enabled to conduct ; enquire how you behaved towards God the Judge of all, and whether you acted as under his all seeing, all- searching eye ; how you be- haved towards Jesus the Mediator of the co- venant, whether you exercised faith upon him in all his offices, looking to him as a Prophet for direction in every undertaking, as a Priest to pardon all your imperfections, as a King to subdue each rising lust, and to support un- der every difficulty ; examine how you eon- ducted towards man, whether in all your in- tercourse your conversation was with grace, tending to edification ; see whether you at- tained to some measure of patience amidst the seeming frowns of providence, and forbear- ance to any who may have injured you. Be not discouraged, although ten thousand fail- ures appear to your view ; but improve the lamb that was slain for the reniission of your past transgrcssions,and trust on the plenitude of his grace for the more perfect discharge of duty hereafter : In the blood of his cross tliere is plenteous redemption ; it is a fountain eter- ]ially flowing both for pardon and purification. In reclining upon your bed aim at cherish- ing some profitable meditation : How season- able, how sweet, while we cease from the la- bors of the day and retire to rest, to contem- plate the repose of the grave, where the roea- ry christian will be at rest ; where lie shall cease from all the vexations, and sorrows of life, and shall enjoy undisturbed repose ; or, 21^2 Sermon 12. to reflect on the future resurrection, when ** this corruptible shall put on incorruption," and those that ** sleep in Jesus shall awake to everlasting life.'' We are thus commanded to " commune with cur own hearts on our beds and be silent.'' Such are the advantages of a life spent in the fear of Jehovah and communion with him, and such are the means of promoting it. — With these directions I must now commend thee to the blessing of God the Spirit, from whom alone I either expect or ask the in- crease : Should HE condescend to render them effectual to thy spiritual establishment or consolation, new obligations v^ill be impo- sed on thee and me to adore the riches of his sovereignty and grace ; then the present will be indeed a happy new year ; it will be a precious pledge of that more glorious period when the necessity of ordinances shall be su- perseded by the immediate presence of the God of ordinances ; when he that soweth in- struction and he that reapcth these instruc- tions shall rejoice together, and God sliall be all and in all. Amen. SERMON XIII. CONCLUSION, 2 PETER I. 10, 11. If ye do these things ye shall never fall : For so an entrance shall be ministered to you a- bundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour^ Jesus Christ. THESE verses are properly a promise annexed to particular duties recommended in the preceding verses. The apostle had been exhorting these christians to '' abound in the work of the Lord ; to add to their faith virtue, and to their virtue knowledge, and to their knowledge brotherly kindness, and to their brotherly kindness charity :" He had been ur- ging them to give diligence, all diligence to do these things, to improve widi a becoming earnestness the various means which are ap- pointed for the attainment of these ends. A variety of these means, secret prayer, medita- tion upon the scriptures, attendance on the du- ties of the sanctuary, mutual exhortation and the sanctification of the sabbath have been ex- plained and enforced in the preceding discour- ses. It is designed in this concluding dis- course to illustrate the happy issue of a life thus spent in communion with God, and de- votion to his service. If ye do these things ; if ye keep my com- mandments from a principle of respect for 2 c 514 Sermon 13. mine authorit}^ and gratitude to my love ; if ye walk in iviine ordinances as the appointed means of enjoying nny fellowship in this world, and preparing you for my immediate, ever- lasting communion in the world to come, ye shall never fall : '' Ye shall not utterly full, nor finally be disappointed of your hopes ; these graces which I coramunicated to your Iiearts by my Spirit, and which you have im- proved by a diligent use of tlie means of my iippointment, shall be crowned with glory in the end.'* That sovereign purpose of Jeho- vah which from eternity ha.d decreed their re- covery ; which was partially executed in call- ing, and justifying, and sanctifying them shall receive its complete accomplishment in their full and eternal salvation. That Jesus by .whose free, omnipotent agency they were brought into the covenant is able, and not on- ly able but gracious *' to keep them from fall- ing, and to present them faultless before the .presence of his glory with exceeding joy.'? The spark of grace which is imparted to the soul in its effectual calling is not^ cannot be ex- tinguished by all the floods of corruption, but is preserved and improved until it shines forth imobscured in heaven, its native-element. If yf do these things ye shall never fall : Thev shall not be permitted to apostatize from their holy profession, nor commit those abo- minations by which the christian name might be reproached, or the peace of their own con- sciences interrupted. Although corruption Sermon 13, 315 resides as a neighbor to grace in the believer's heart, and occasionally leads him captive, so as to plunge him into the pollutions of the world, yet this advantage of the flesh is usual- ly obtained by a loose, careless walk on tlie part of the christian ; either from the neglect of ordinances which are instrumental in sanc- tifying and coniirming, or from a formal at- tendance upon them. Peter fell grossly in the open denial of his Master, yet this fall may be considered as a chastisernent for his presumptuous reliance upon his own strength in opposition to the warnings of his Lord. The promise secures *' that the righteous shall hold on his way ; that they who wait up- on the Lord shall renew their strength ; that they who trust in him shall be like mount Zion which cannot be removed, but abideth forever, ' and these promises v/ill infallibly be accomplished to such as keep their hearts with all diligence, and are attentive in the use of instituted means. To suppose the contra- ry v/ould be to question the truth of Jehovah, »nd to deny the tendency of his own means to accomplish the purposes for which they are appointed. We m.ight as readily suppose that a healthful branch could remain barren from year to year although connected with a flcurishing tree, or that the stream could become dry although supply ed from a living fountain, as to suppose that the believer could fall into spiritual decay, or be given up to the gratifications of the fiesh while he attends 316 Sermofj IS. with diligence the means of grace, iind m them aspires after fellowship with his Living Head. As it is the character of a righteous man that *' he delights in the law of the Lord," it is his securit}^ *' that he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that bringeth forth its fruit in its season :'' And our Master promised to his disciples, *' if 3 e keep my commandments ye shall abide in my love, even as I have krpt my Father's com- mandments, and abide in his love :'' Again, '' he that abideth not in me,*' he who does not continue in my commandments, and re- ceives not influences from my covenant ful- ness, ** is cast forth as a branch, and wither- ejd, but he that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit/* It is natural to infer from this passage that the sovereignty of God in determining the progress of his children to perfection does not militate in the least against secondary means, nor will excuse them in neglecting the ordi- nances which are appointed for their perfec- tion. There is no doubt but *' the election will obtain," yet the objects of this election have neither reason nor scripture to expect obtaining the prize except by running with patience the ** race which is set before them," and at the end of which the prize of glory is suspended. They are as really, and infallibly predestinated to the means of salvation as to salvation itself: And their habitual, wailful iicglect of the ordinances of grace either evin- Sermon 13. 317 ces that they were not elected to eternal life, or that the decree of their election has not yet received its accomplishment. They are par- ticularly, and unalterably *' chosen to salva- tion,'' but they are chosen to this salvation *' through sanctification of the spirit and be- lief of the truth," and therefore they who do not believe, and obey the truth ; who do not evidence their sanctification by a hatred of sin, and desires after holiness shew that if they were chosen to salvation, the divine decree as it relates to them remains yet to be execu- ted The Lord God, although absolute in his purposes, yet deals with man as a rational being ; he addresses his fears by the threat- nings of the law, and his hopes by the pro- mises, and consolations of the Gospel ; he of- fers him the prize of glory, but he prescribes a *' race to be run" in order to obtain that prize, not indeed as the procuring cause, but as an evidence of our respect for his authori- ty, and as a mean of preparing us for enjoying that prize. Thus while this apostle asserts that all v»'ho are *' beo'Otten aa:ain to this lively hope are kept by the power of God un- to salvation," yet he urges the indispensible necessity of diligence in pressing on towards *' the mark for t».e prize of the high calling ;" and declares that he who does not use this diligence *' is blind, and cannot see afar oPrV he is ignorant of his duty, and glory, and privilege. Again, it may naturally be inferred from "202' 518 Sermon 13. this passage that activity in theRedeemer'sscr^ vice is amply rewarded even in the present world. All that temporal sacrifice which the christian makes by devoting a portion of his time, or substance in attending the duties, or promoting the interests of religion is fully made up to him by the assurance of his Fa- ther's love, and his fellowship with Jesus in the joys of his salvation. That little fatigue of body which he may feel in attending the or- dinances of divine grace either private or pub- lic is more than overbalanced by an increase of light, and strength, and consolation. He is frequently ena!)ied to "joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ by whom also he receives the reconciliation." He also experiences a ijleasure more refined, more substantial, and satisfyingin revolving the proniises, in con- templating his Saviour's love, or in looking forw^ard to that glory which is to be revealed than the children of this world enjoy in the very height of their prosperity and mirth : He can assert from his ownexperience, " great peace ha\e they who love thy law : thy lev- iiig kindness is better than life : Thou, Lord, art a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. ' The tenth verse which I have now explained secures the believer's privileges in time, the next exhibits his triurnphindeath, und ihirough eternity. *' For so an entrance shall be ministered to Sermon 13. 319 you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.'' Heaven in this and many other instances is called a kingdom. " Fear not, little flock, it i.s your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom/' There the King Eternal and Im- mortal sits enthroned in full orhed majesty ; there his holy subjects, restored men and e- lect, unsinning angels constantly attend him y they behold his glory ; they enjoy the fullest assurances of his love, and are tmploycd in j)erforming his pleasure : John speaking of the heavenly world mentions that '' the throne of God and of the Lamb ihall be in it, and his servants shall serve him : And they shall see his face and his name shall be in their foreheads/' I'hese expressions point out those priacely honofs to which his loyal sub- jects will be raised, the intimacy of their fel- lowship with Jeiiovah the fountain of life and light and joy, and their perfect blessedness in that fellowship. They are represented again as "kings and priests unto God even the Fa- ther, as before the throne of God, as serving him day and night, and he that sitteth upon the throne siiali dwell among them. ' No doubt there will be eternally the most inti- mate interchange of every expression of mu- tual confidence, and aifection between the E- ternal j^uv^ and the inhabitants of the heaven- ly eiiy. He, on the one hand, v.ill exhibit himself under the endearing relation of their 3±0 Sermon 13. God and Father ; he will afford transporting manifestations of his good wiW towards them, and delight in them ; he will disclose to them all the mysteries of his providence and grace by which they were conducted through this world and brought safe to their mansions in heaven ; he will also give them the elevating assurance that as their felicity is complete it shall be without end ; that as they have cxfid- ness of joy their pleasures shall continue for- ever more. The redeemed in return will of- fer him the most ardent, undivided affection of their hearts, and the most pure, lofty as- criptions of praise uith their lips. They will adore him forever for his creating goodness; that he formed them after his image, and as- signed them a rank so honorable among the works of his hands ; they \\\A adore him in strains still mere exalted for redeeming love ; that in the immensity of his condescension and grace he restored them from the \a retch- edness of their fallen state, promoted them to sit upon thrones, and accompiished all this by a scheme so astonishing as the substitutioHr of his own, and only Son. *^ They sing a new song before the throne ;'* this song com- menced at the translation of Abel from earth to heaven ; it has been gradually swelling at the entrance of each heir of adoption into the kingdom of their Father for nearly six thou- sand years, and with it the arches of heaven will be resounding through eternity to comcy And what is this song, " worthy is the lamb Sermon 13. 321 that was slain to receive power, and riches and strength^ and glory and blessing." This kingdom is called an everlasting king- dom. This epithet is intended to distinguish it from the dominions, and principalities of this world which are perpetually changing ; which are overthrown sometin^es by internal faction, and sometimes by outward opposition. But this kingdom of Messiah will be endan- gered by no shock either from within, or from without. " He who sits enthroned in it is the Lord God omnipotent > whose smile cheers and gladdens every part of his dominions, and whose mere frown would sink inio perdition the first opposer of his reign. Besides, all the inhabitants of heaven are perfectly loyal to Je- sus Jehovah as their Sovereign ; their hearts glow with love to his person, with gratitude for his grace, and with zeal for his honor ; and his implacable enemies will be bound in everlasting chains, and driven from his pre- sence. This complete triumph over all op- position was secured by Messiah upon his cross, and will be consummated at- the end of this world. *' Death itself the last enemy of him, and his ransomed will then be swallowed up in victory. He shall then sit undisturbed' upon his throne, and he shall be a Priest upon his throne : Of the increase of his govern- ment and peace there shall be no end to order it, and to establish it with justice and with judgment from henceforth even for ever. — » How splendid beyond conception is this king- dom ! The monarch who oCc^upies the throne' is the King Eternal, Immortal, and Invisible : The subjects are a great multitude which no man can number, even ten thousand, thousand saints, and ten thousand, thousand angels ; where no jar shall ever be noticed, nor jealou- sy ever felt, but harmony uninterrupted shall reign forever ; where every citizen shall be perfectly loyal to his Prince, and friendly to all around him. '* Peace," to use the elevated language of a prophet, •*peaceivill forever run' down like a river, and righteousness as a flow- ing stream." The apostle peculiarly designates it as the everlasting kingdom of our Lord .ncl Saviour Jesus Christ, That portion of the human fli- mily who inherit it were the redeemed of his blood, and brought back to their allegiance by the sanctifying influences of his grace ; that innumerable company of angels who retained their first estate were established in holiness^ and happiness by him as Mediator : It is pro- per therefore that as he had the expence and toil of founding this kingdom he should have the honor of dispensing its privileges. This glory was conferred upon the Redeemer at his resurrection, and more fully after his ascen- sion on high. '* The Father loveth the Son and hath committed all thir:gs into his hand.'* In him as thtir common center, men and an-- gels are united, and to Him they will be ever- lastino'lv subordinate. *' Because he became obedient unto death, even the death of the Scrmo7i -13. 323 cross, God also hath highly exalted him, and before him t\cvy knee shall bow of things in heaven, and things on earth : Thrones and dominions, and principalities and powers are made subject unto him" in his mediatorial ca- pacity and *' he is head over all things unto the church which is .his body." The peculiar -manner in which this kingdom of Messiah will be administered in the heavenly state we cannot conceive at present. It will not be by ordinances, by the reading, or preaching of the word, or by visible seals of the covenant, as in this elenientary state : The righteous will then have attained the stature of perfect men ; they will be fully grown both in know- ledge, and sanctification, and therefore will not at all require these external aids. All or- dinances will then be done away as the scaf- folding is removed when the building is com- pleted, or as the necessity of the tutor and governor is superseded when the heir has at- tained the perfection of manhood. The lamb in the midst of the throne without the inter- vention of outward means shall feed them, and lead them unto living fountains of waters, and God shall be all, and in all. An entrance shall be ministered to you. The word translated ministered is rarely used in the New- Testament, and is pecuiiiirly em- phatic : It literally signifies to convey or con- duct along v/ith the liand : It is designed to express not only the certainty of tht:ir en- trance, but that ceremony, or pomp witJi 324 Sermon 13. which they shall enter the portals of glory ; as we are ready to lead by the hand into our hou- -ses a person whom we highly esteem, and to whom we give the most cordial welcome ; they shall be introduced to that kingdom with every possible expression of honor, as the conqueror is brought to receive the palm of victory which he has won, or as the Prince is introduced to the possession of that throne of which he is legally an heir. " With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought ; they shall enter into the King's palace." This entrance shall be nwiistered to them by the Everlasting Father, who had appointed them to that kingdom. He who had known them by name, and sirname ages before their persons existed, and in his unmerited love had ordained them to this glory ; who had gi- ven his Son to expiate their guilt with his sa- crifice, and to jrrocure their title by the obedi- ence of his life ; who had repeated to them in his word the promises of his good will, and afforded them again and again the foretastes of future bliss, he will w^elcome these heirs of salvation to that rest which was prepared for them, and in their admission he will behold his purposes respecting them literally accom- plished. Does he pursue the prodigal Son from day to day, and by ordinance after or- dinance : docs he rejoice at his repentance, and return ; does he fall upon his neck, and embrace him with every mark of affection, M'iih much greater transports of joy will he Sermon 13. 325 hall his translation from this miserable world to those regions where neither sin nor sorrow shall ever enter. An entrance will be also ministered to them by the Infinite Surety who interposed and re- deemed them. He who undertook from eter- nity in their covenant room ; who '* rejoiced in the habitable parts of the earth/* looking for- ward with delight to this world as the thea- tre on which he should bring glory to his Fa- ther, and salvation to us ; who stooped to be clothed with our nature when degraded by transgression ; who stood forth for years to heaven, and earth, and hell a spectacle of re- proach andsufFering without a comparison, all to procure this kingdom, will cordially wel- come them to the full fruition of its immuni- ties ; he knows by experience the dreariness of this wilderness and will rejoice in seeing them emerge from its gloom ; he knows the fiery opposition which they are often called to encounter, and will exult to behold them la- den with the honors of victory, and wearing the crown of glory ; he knows the innumera- ble instances in which their faith was stagger- ed, and their hopes clouded, and will rejoice to behold these graces exchanged for the im- mediate vision,and fruition of their Father?; he will stand on the threshold of glory and meet them with the invitation, " come ye blessed ;. ye have followed me in the regeneration ; I now appoint unto you a kingdom even as my Father also appointed unto me ;" All this is 2 D 326 Sermon IS. but the commencement of their felicity. Je- sus the Mediator will everlastingly rejoice in them, and over them as redeemed at the ex- pence of his bloody and the travail of his soul. An entrance will also be 7ni?nstered Xhtro. by theKvcr blessed Spirit, their sanctifier, and comforter, and guide. He who had visited them V. hen they were lying in their blood, in all the odiousness and wretchedness of their natural condition, and said unto them live 5 uho had washed them from innumerable pol- lutions ; who had supported them amidst iur numerable difficulties ; who had soothed them amidst innumerable sorrows ; who had con- ducted them for days, and months, and years amidst the discouragements of this world, sanctifying, assisting and consoling them as their circumstances required, he will minister to them an abundant entrance into those joys for which he had prepared them, and the fore- tastes of which he had often communicated to them in this world : He had formerly conse- crated them as the temple of his residence on earth ; he had long dwelt in them as the Spi- rit of light, of liberty, of hope, and he will cordially introduce them to reside in his tem- ple above ; there he will cheer them with the light of everlasting day, and will communicate all those consolations which their enlarged, and ever- enlarging powers are capable of re- ceiving. This entrance will also h^ ministered ioXhcm, by all the angels of God. These hosts of hea- Sermon 15. 527 ven had rejoiced at their repentance, and re- turn to the service of their Creator ; they had beheld them with deep concern laboring iin- der the frailties of nature, and the afflictions which are common to man m this militant state; they had sympathised with them, so tar as one unembodied spirit is capable of sympa- thising with another ; they had probably wit- nessed with solicitude their occasional depaiv tures from the holy commandments, their indifference in the work of the Lord and their want of gratitude for his love. With what acclamations of joy will these holy an- ^els hail the passage of just men made per- fect from the pollutions, and mortihca- tions, and sorrows of this life to that world of unmingled puritv, and uninterrupted joy ^ They 'who opened wide the gates of glorv, and ministered to the entrance of Jesus the Forerunner, will also stand ready to aid at the entrance of his living members. ^ ^ , _ It might also be added that the church of the first born in heaven will 7ninister to the entrance of these kindred spirits into their Father's kingdom : Although many of these blessed inhabitants had long since received the end of their faith, and participated in the iovs of their Lord, yet they have a fresh re* collection of the vanities of this world ; they know the sorrows which must be endu- red ; the temptations that must be resistea ; the toils that are experienced in the labors ot life ; the imperfection both of our services 528 Sermon 13. and joys ; this conflict they enclurcd them- selves, and still therefore know the heart of a stranger : Thus they long for our perfection, and exult when the period of it arrives: They hail with transports of joy the entrance of J^indred spirits into that world where the ser- vice of Jehovah will be their perfect liberty ; where every cloud shall be dissipated by the radiance of Jesus as their Sun, and a full tide of bliss from the throne of God, and of the Lamb shall flow fonh for their enjoy- ment. Such is the constitution of man that our happiness is enhanced when participated by those in whose welfare Vv^e feel interested ; and no doubt the admission of every saint to the joys of heaven will be a new source of blessedness to all who have entered before. They shall come from the East, and from the West, from the North, and from the South, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of God, rejoicing with each other, and mingling their acclama- tions to him who loved them, and washed them from their sins in his blood. This entrance shall be ministered to them abundantly, or as it may be translated richly^ It is mentioned of some that " they shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able :'* They were not willing to come in exclusively by that door which is opened in the gospel, that is the mediation of the Eternal Son who alone is ** the way, and the truth, and the life." They depended partly on their own performances. Sermon 13> 329 and would not stoop to be wholl}^ indebted to divine grace as it m^//^ through the Saviour's cross, and therefore they are not admitted at all : They rested satisfied with an empty form of religion ; with running the rotine of duty, but never secured its power by " repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Je- sus Christ ;" and consequently their expec- tations were disappointed. " Except a man be born again he cannot enter this kingdom of God Many who are first in their own esti- mation ; who like the Pharisee console them- selves that they are not extortioners, that they prai/ often, and pai/ tithes of all winch thc}'- possess ;" many such will be lowest in the estimation of God, and excluded at last from the immunities of his kingdom. We read of others who are scarcely saved, or saved as by Jire. As members of the Re- deemer, and therefore interested in his un- changing covenant, they cannot possibly pe- rish ; their title to the heavenly kingdom through his atonement, and obedience is una- lienable, and their entrance is secured beyond the possibility of failure. " He that belie veth on the Son hath everlasting life, and shall not enter into condemjiation :" Yet they minded too much their own things, their own interests and enjoyments, and neglected the things of Jesus Christ ; dieir hearts were not dulv en- liamed with his love, nor zealous for his glo- ry ; they did not spend of tliat affluence which a bounteous God had given them in diffusing 2 D 2 5S0 Sermon 13. the knowledge of his name, or ministering to the necessities of his saints ; they were not diligent in promoting their own graces, or exhorting, and encouraging others to seek the Lord, and therefore aUhough they are saved, they are scarcely saved ; they do not enjoy that abundant entrance into the kingdom, nor that exceeding weight of glory which might have been secured by greater earnestness, and disinterestedness in his cause. *^ They sow^- td sparingly,'' as it is expressed by the apos- tle, *' and therefore they shall reap sparingly :"' They were not active in promoting die honor of God, and therefore he will not be so liberal in bestowing honors upon them. To others, it is here promised, that '* an en- trance shall be given abundantly ; they were industrious in occupying the talents with v* hich the Lord God had intrusted them ; they were frequent in supplication for blessings on them- selves, and for the prosperity of Zion through- out the world ; they entertained affecting conceptions of the grace of our Lord Jesus, and therefore felt constrained to disinterested exertions for the advancement of his cause ; they followed him through glory, and reproach, maintaining their profession of his name at the hazard of aii ihat was dear in this vrorld, and to such through the exceeding riches of his mercy '* an entrance shall be ministered a- hundantly. Every sacrifice of ease, or inter- est, which is now made in the cause of Jesus, shall hereafter be recollected, and rewarded Scnnon 13. 331 an hundred fold. We thus behold him look- ing round on hisclisciples when collected toge- ther, and asking them, " who then is that faithful and wise servant whom his Lord will make ruler over ail his house r' To such he will offer a seat near to himself upon the throne, and dispense crowns of pre-eminimt lustre. By this assurance of a future reward for their services the Divine Redeemer makes his appeal to the hopes, may I not add, to the ambition of his followers : He encourages theni to remain ** stedfast, immovable, ' nei. ther lured by the false smiles, nor shaken by the reproach or persecution of the world, from the consideration '' that their labors shall not be in vain in the Lord.' He thus exhorts us to '' make to ourselves friends of the mam- mon of unrighteousness ;" to convert to pur- poses of piety and charity the wealth of this world which is often acquired by unrighteous means, and is at best perishable in its nature, *' that when these faiP'the poorof Jesus whom we have relieved " may receive us into ever- lasting habitations." The same animating trudi is taught in this chapter from w*hich our text is selected. " Giving all diligence add to your faith virtue ; see that you possess a genuine faitli^ a cordial reliance on Jesus Je- hovah for righteousness, and sanctification, and support. This is the cardinal grace, and without it you can no more expect holi- ness here, or happiness hereafter, than you can expect a solid buperstructure without lay- ^-n Sermon 15. ing the foundation, or a flourishing branch ■without union to the vine. And to this faith virtue^ a becoming niagnaniniity, a holy he- roism in the cause of your Master, not terrifi- ed either by the nuniber, cr power, or rage of your adversaries : And to your virtue know- ledge ; let a manly courage in the cause of your Lord he connected with prudence in every part of your conduct, and with a grow- ing knowledge of liis person, and of that glo- ry which is to be reverJed at his second ap- pearing : I^xid ta your knowledge temperance^ shew your moderation to all men in ail things ; mortify the " lust cf the flesh, and the lust of the eye, ' and like holy men in former ages, " put on the onuiment of a meek and quiet spirit; which is in the sight of God of great price :' And to your temperance patience^ exercise a becoming submission under all the discouragements of life ; recollect in the hour of trial that these aiEictions are short in their duration, and will issue in an exceeding and' eternal weight of glory : And to patience Godliness^ aspire after more exalted concep- tions of his glory and grace, of the tender re- lation in which he stands to you as your Cre- ator and Redeemer, and of your reasonable obligation to adore and love him \ And to- Godliness brotherly kindness, "' cut of love to Him who begat love ardently those who are begotten of him ; love as brethren, "as redeem- ed by the same blood, as adopted into the same family, and heirs of one incorruptible in- Sermon IS. 333 hcritance : And to brotherly kindness chari- ty ; consider this kist as among the most im- portanty and cwnamental graces, and through its influence be always ready to distribute to the necessities, and to cover with a mantle of love the imperfections of each other : *' if ye do these things — an entrance shall be minis- tered to you abundant/y ;" your evening sim will go down in glory, and your reward will be grevTt through eternity in the kingdom of your Father. Such consolation is secured as the final re- ward of all those who by " patient conlinuing in well doing seek for glory, and honor, and immortality :' And who that hibs realised the value of the soul ; who that has tasted the pleasures of religion ; who that has reflected on the importance of things eternal would not be earnest in pressing after such a hope ? Who would not watch ; who would not pray ; who would not diligeatly search the scrip, tures 'y who would not conscientiously sancti- fy the sabbath ; who would not industriously attend every ordinance of divine grace as a mean of preparing for a consummation thus blessed and honorable ? It was this prospect which roused the apostle to such earnestness ia- *^ making sure his own calling and election," and in promxOting th<; salvation of others. — '' I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus : Neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course'with joy, and the miii.. S54 Sermon 13. istry which I have received of the Lord Jesus to testify the gospel of the grace of God/'— ^ The christian thus prepared may not only be reconciled to the prospect of death, but may rrasonably long for the moment of its arrival. If the traveller is impatient until he reaches his own home, or if the bride rejoices in the prospect of having the nuptials solemnized, or if the heir waits with solicitude for the ac- tual enjoyment of the inheritance which is promised him, much rather may the spiritual pilgrim exult at every thought of attaining his celestial home. There ** everlasting joy shall be upon his head ; he shall obtain joy, and gladness, and sorrow^ and sighing shall flee a- way. WhereforCj beloved, seeing that ve look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in i:eace." I humbly hope that you are all impressed with the importance of activity in working out your salvation, and aspiring daily after higher attainments in faith, and hope, and cha- rity, and every grace of the Spirit. The great means of your advancement in sanctification and comfort have been proposed in the fore- going discourses, and with these I now affec- tionately leave you : In a due attendance upoii them and supplication to the Holy Ghost for his sealing, and supporting influences you shall never fall : Let those especially, Vv ho have long enjoyed the ordinances of religion, and feel in the encreasing infirmities of nature the presages of approaching dissolution, be more Sermon 13. 335 zealous to •' abound in the work of the Lord.*' The parent expects more service from a son who has nearly reached the perfection of man- hood than from one who is yet in childhood or infancy : The husbandman looks for a greater abundance of fruit from a tree which has stood long in the vineyard, and which has been cultivated with particular care than from one which he has lately transplanted into his nursery : Thus the farther we advance in the spiritual life, and the more favorable means of edification that we enjoy, the greater reve- nue of glory we should aim at bringing to our covenant God, the more fervent we should become in prayer, the more edifying in our conversation, the more devout and heavenly in our thoughts. Now unto him who is able to keep you from fallings and present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy : To the only wise God our Saviour who purchased the kingdom, with the Eternal Father who j^/T/jflr^^and bequeathes it, and the Co-Equal Spirit who sanctifies and makes meet for en- joying it, be glory in the Jnghest throughout all ages xvorld without end, Ame n. '' LET God the Father live Forever on our tongues : Sinners from his first love derive The ground of all their songs. 336 Sermon 13, ** Ye saints, employ your breath In honor to the Son, Who bought your souls from hell and death, By cff'riiTg up his own. ^* Give to the Spirit praise Of an immortal strain. Whose light, and pow^r, and grace conveys Salvation down to men. <* While God the Comforter Reveals our pardon'd sin, O may the blood and water bear The same record within ! ^' To the great One in Three, That seals this grace in heav'n, The Father, Son, and Spirit, be Eternal glory giv'n." OUR DANGER AND DUTY: TWO SERMONS, DELIVERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 30tU DAY OF NOVEMBER. 1808. BEING A DAY APPOINTED BY THE PRESBYTERY OF WASHINGTON FOR THE EXERCISES OF FASTING, HUMILIATION AND PRAYER, ON ACCOUNT OF THE ALARMING ASPECT OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE TO OUR COUNTRY. THE SECOND EDITION. If the trumpet give an uncertain sound ivh^ shall prepare himself to the battle ? 1, COR. XIV. 8. 2 E SERMON XIV. ■ ^f^ ■ JEREMIAH V. 29. Shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this* THIS prophet appeared in a very de- generate period of the Jewish church. Every order of that people, from the humble peasant to the prince on the throne, had apostatized from the true God, and had lost that simpli- city in his worship, and that zeal for his name ■which were their former characteristic and glory. I'he mass of the people, '* forsakini^ the Lord God of their fathers,'' hsd mingled in all the absurdities of the idolatry of the na- tions around them : their princes ** did evil in the sight of Jehovah,*' and no longer ruled for his glory, or the good of their subjects ; even those who were called to minister at the ultar degraded both themselves and their of- fice I y a servile, corrupt, mercenary spirit : '' The sun had also gone down upon their prophets ; these lights of Israel" were now darkened through error of principle, and li- centiousness of practice ; instead of stemming the torrent of general defection by exposing with a holy heroism the iniquities of all clas- ses, they rolled along wi.h the stream, and rather tended to swell and infuriate it *' by prophecy ing a fclse vision, and the deceit of the ir own hearts." There is not a more cm fid presage of speedy destiuction to a nation than. Scnnon 14. 53Q Vv'fien, as the prophet expresses it, ** there is like people like priest ;" when corruption of manners generally prevails, and the messen- gers of the Lord of hosts have neither firmness nor fidelity to make an open opposition. The Lord God, grieved and provoked with these abominations, gently, yet severely re- minds Israel of her former zeal for his glory, and his delight in her as his peculiar people. ** I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, and the love of. thine espousals : Israel was holiness to the Lord, and the first fruits of his increase." He then appeals to heaven and earth, whether an example of such ingra- titude and obstinacy could be found in any o- ther nation. *' Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done : she is gone up upon every high mountain and under eve- ry green tree, and there hath played the har- lot : and I said after she had done all these things, turn thou unto me, but she returned not : their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased, how shall I par- don thee fo^' this?' At last worn out with their iniquities, and resolved to make a full end of them as a people altogether incorrigi- ble, Jehovah calls upon Jeremiah to arise and at the peril of his own soul not to refuse dc- nouncing their doom ; '* thou therefore gird up thy loins and arise and speak unto theni all that I command thee ; be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. Shall not I visit for these things saith the ^-iO Sermon 14. Lord ;'' '^ Is not my wrath revealed from hea-- vcn against all unrighteousness and ungodli- ness of man ? Can I consistently with the pu- rity and rectitude of my nature ; can I (Con- sistently with my character as the moral gov- ernor of the world pass by with impunity these wanton, these repeated, these gross violations of my law ? '' Shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this ?" You will readily notice that the expression, *' shall not my soul be avenged," 'is rather uncommon ; it is used after the manner of men and represents the great God as earnest- ly and unalterably bent on his purpose ; it is designed to express both the certainty and ihe severity of the judgments to be executed on infatuated Israel. This day v/as set apart for the solemn ex- ercises of fasting, humiliation and prayer on account of the alarming aspect of providence to our country. We are not called merely to deprecate that wrath which apparently hangs over our nation ; they are greatly mistaken who imagine that this should be our only, or even our principal exercise : we ought to be deeply impressed that our national offences are the cause of our national calamities ; we ought impartially to examine what transgres- sions on our part has kindled '' this hot dis- pleasure :" to acknowledge the righteous- ness of Jehovah in all the judgments with which we are threatened ; to improve by faith the atonement of his Eternal Son as the only Sermon 14. 341 mean of our reconciliation ; to return to him in the exercise of unfeigned repentance, and then earnestly to plead with an offended God that *' in the midst of wrath he would re- member mercy." In order to assist you in these important exercises it may be proper, L To consider those cruTies with which as a nation we are obviously chargeable — and II. Those evidences of divine vengeance which we have occasionally felt and under which we now suffer. 1. As a nation, we are chargeable with shameful ingratitude for privileges enjoyed. It must be fresh in your own recollection when the spot where we now worship was ravaged by the incursions of a formidable, unpiting foe ; when the murderous savage with his tomahawk and scalping knife prowl- ed around your dwellings, often piercing your souls with his terrific yells ; when the doors of your sanctuary were shutup; when your ha- bitations* were' left desolate; when the son, * The British army under (he command (f Gen. Burgoynt, in their descent from Canada, marched along the Hudson rivtr, about sixteen mites to the u est of Salem ; bat small detachments of the tntmy penetrated that and the neiithborin:*- io:vns, p/uuder- iug the inhahitanis : Parties of Indians also sallied cut thiough these settlements, and murdered a -Jihole jamily in the viemiti/ of Salem : and the town was almost entirely evacuated in August of ll~,l, when the inhabitants, through apprehension oj tt:( encmi/f Jitd for shdter into the interior if the eountiy. 2 e2 342 Sermon 14. torn from the arms of his mother, and the hus- band from the embraces of his wife, were ex- posed to the toils and dangers of the field ; and you were driven to strangers for a miserable shelter from the inclemency of the season. In that hour of peril and panic, the avenger of wrongs interposed in your behalf ; disconcer- ted the adversary ; crowned with victory e- qually unexpected and signal* your feeble exertions, and restored you to the peaceful possession of your own habitations. Since the revolutionary war, which terminated in the independence of our country, we have enjoyed a degree of p/osperity without a pa- rallel in the history of any nation : We are fa- vored with a constitution probably the most mild, the most equitable, and while support- ed by public virtue, the most diffusive of ge- neral happiness that was ever framed by man. While our ears have often heard the thunder of distant war ; while almost every arrival upon our coasts has brought the intelligence of the murderous battle fought ; of other wives made widows, and other children fatherless ; of old kingdoms convulsed, and new empires erected on their ruins, our peace has been unin- terrupted : " We have eat every man of his own vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drank every one of the waters of his cistern," with- out any to annoy or alarm : While famine has -^ The memorable defeat and capture of Gin. Bur^ croyne i^ok place about the \lth of October, when ihs inlidbiianis reiurned to their c^'n posstsiwns. Sermon 14. 34o waved her scourge over other countries and driven thousands of the inhabitants lo the ne- cessity of begging their bread, we have lite- rally rolled in\voridly amuencc ; our soil un- der the husbandman's cultivation has yielded a rich profusion of fruits, and our commerce has wafted upon our shores the productions of every foreign clime. These outward pri- vileges have been crowned with the infinitely more precious means of salvation, ^Ve have enjoyed " the oracles of the living God" in our own language, and the various ordi- nances of his worship in their native simplici- ty and purity. When privileges so pre-emi- nent are bestowed on a person or a people, returns of thanksgiving, and obedience are expected in proportion; but the blessings heaped upon us as a nation have been equalled only by our ingratitude and impiety. Have we as individuals, been walking in the fear of the Lord, regulating ourselves by his word as the rule, and consulting his glory as the high- est end of our lives ? As families have we been offering up the tribute of praise to the common Author of our mercies : has each been encouraging the other to the perform- ance of every civil, and social, and religious duty ; have we been '' thus teaching and ad- monishing one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs ?'' Have we as a nation exceeded all others in gratitude, as we have been elevated above them in privilege ? As citizens, as ministers, as magistrates have we 344 Scr'mcn 14, advanced hand in hand, each aiming at the good of the whole; and all promoting the glory of Him who raised us to a rank so ex- alted among the nations of the earth ? How reverse have been curcharacter, and conduct? More ungrateful, more infatuated than ** Jc- shuriin we have waxed fat ; we have forgot- ten the God that made us," "who redeemed us in the hour of jeopardy, " and lightly esteem- ed the reck of cur salvation." The distin- guishing goodness of God instead of leading us to re]^entance and reformation of life has produced |;ride,presumptuousness, licentious- ness cf principle, and profiigacy of manners. Our affluence, which ought to have flowed in suppl} ing the wants of the indigent ; in sup- porting the ordir.ances of religion ; in propa- gating the gospel through the f ontier settle- ments ; and in conveying to the perishing heathen the means of salvation, has been pros- tituted to luxury of living ; to extravagance of dress ; to the aggrandizement of our fami- lies ; or in adding house to house, and farm to farmi. Our language has corresponded with that of the presumptuous monarch of Egypt, " Who is t' e Lord that we should o- bey him ?" '' Our gold, our silver, our posses- sions are our own, and for the gratification cf cur own appetites they shall he employed " Our ingratitude is thus a sin of high aggrava- tion, and is one cause why the Lord Gcd is pleading his controversy with our land. — *' Hear, O heavens^ and eive ear, O earth, Sermon 14. 345 for the Lord hath spoken ; I have nourished nnd brought up children, and they have re- belled against me. They have forsaken the Lord : they have provoked the holy one of Israel to anger, they have gone away back- ward. ' Might he not in righteous indigna- tion have added, " Ah, I will ease mc of mine adversaries ; I will avenge me of mine enemies ?" 2. Our daring impiety manifested by a con^ tempt of God, and his ordinances, is another cause of his controversy : one for which vve ought this day to exercise humiliation in his sight. How is his infinitely venerable name profaned in the unnecessary, irreverend use of it by some, and in the impious oaths and imprecations of others ? Are not his ordi- nances neglected and despised by many, who live within reach of the sanctuary, and who, by their parents, were early devoted to his ser- vice in baptism ? Is not that precious volume the bible ; that volume which aftbrds the most reviving expressions of Jehovah's love, and constitutes the broad charter of all our privi- leges and prospects ; is not that volume re- garded by some with neglect and indifference ; by others has it not been derided as the offs- pring of superstition, or priestcraft ? Docs not a licentious infidelity obviously pervade the higher orders of society in our country ? Was not that man who has appeared as one of the most open, bold, unblushing champions in this cause : who has exhausted his talents in the 346 Sermon 14. derision of every thing sacred ; who has iitterect the foulest bh^sphemies, which a polluted ima- gination could conceive, against the Son of God, against his Person, against the mysteries of his gospel, and the ministers of his religion ; has not that man been invited to this country by the lei.ding men of our nation ; has he not been corresponded with, and caressed since his arrival ? If this circumstance does not avov/ their real enmity to the Saviour s cross, it at least betrays an alarming indifference to its in- terests : And i am bold to assert that those who are hostile to our religon cannot be the real friends of our liberty, whatever be their politic cal pretensions. Divine revelation is the great charter of our rights as men, no less than of our privileges and prospects as christians ;- it proclaims to man his dignified origin, as ** created after the image of God ; it inspires the individual with the most exalted sense of his own importance, by declaring that '' the Lord God hath made of one blood all men la dwell upon the earth," and consequently that all are naturally possessed of certain equal, un- alienable rights : This constitutes the great- est possible security for social order among men by enjoining us ** to live soberly, righ- teously, and Godly ; to do justly, to love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.'* These are not the sentiments m.erely of the divine ; they are maxims firmly believed and openly avowed by the most accomplished le- giiilalcrs that ever adorned the v/orld. Siif- Sermon 14. 347 lice it to mention the observations* of Him whom all revered as equally the Statesman, the Hero, the Patriot ; on whom the eyes of every American citizen were fastemed as the brightest ornament of our country ; our pride in peace ; our shield in war ; and, under God, the instrument of incalculable blessings to our nation. '' Of all the dispositions and habits w^hich lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensible supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pil- lars of human happiness ; these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens : The mere * His Excellency George Washington, iyi his last address to the citizens of the United States. * • Christ ia n ity,' 'says Mo n fesque, a celeb rated Fr en ch writer^ '* has prevented the establishment of despotism in Ethiopia, notwithstanding its situation in the midst of J/rican despotic states.'^ And Hume, although a maliiinaat enemy to relis>iony has acknowledged thai " the prciious sparks oj liberty were Kindled hy the puritans in En^land^ and to them the English ozi^e the zvhols freedom of their constitui'ton.'* 1 cannot help remarking that the observations of these authors are liberally exemplified in New- England. There is no part oJ the christian world where pure religion more eminently flourished than in those states for ge- 7ierations after their first settlement : and there is •perhaps no part of the ^lobe^ where the principles of rational liberty are better understood^ or more zenU mtsly vinaicated. On the other hand, what j)i(diahly pavrd the way for the easy introduction cf despotism in France than the gener^ii inJiaelUy ami licentious^ ness oJ the people. 348 Sermon 14. politician equally with the pious man ought to respect, and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with pri- vate and public felicity." Again, is not the holy sabbath, that rest M'hich isordainedyjJr the people of God; that in- stitution which is calculated to secure health to the body, no less than happiness tothe soul; that institution which is a lively memorial of the resurrection of our crucified Lord, and furn- ishes a constant pledge of our own resurrection, is not this day openly prostituted without a blush, and without remorse f Is it not pro- faned by some in idleness and amusements ; by others in unnecessary visits, and by many in the deliberate prosecution of their secular employments ? Is not the peaceful worshiper often interrupted and insulted as he re- pairs to, or retires from the temple of his God, by the wanton transgressors of that sa- cred institution ? And does it not render our guilt more aggravated, and expose us to seve- rer vengeance, that this profanation of the Sab- bath is permitted in part by public authority ? Our Legislature* has explicitly provided that * During the discussion of a bill relating to the Sabbath, -Aich zvas brought before the Legislature some years since, a member was heard in the street to *• damn the Sabbath and all its advocates.'' J men- tion this circumstance merely, to shew that in the elec^ iionofthe unprincipled, indecent man to public of- fice, we ?ioi merely evince a want of zeal for God, a want of concern J or the interests offncrality, but a great want of respect to ourselves, l^etiticns %n sup- Sermon 14. 349 removing his family, or household furniture' shall be detained on that day. Does not this toleration virtually moke void the command of Jehovah, " TAKE HEED TO YOURSELVES, AND BEAR NO BURDEN ON THE SABBATH-DAY, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem ; neither carry forth a burden out of your hou- ses on the Sabbath-day, neither do ye any work, but hallow the Sabbath- da}*, as I com- manded your fathers." Have we not reason to fear that the Lord God, provoked by our impiety, will e^xecute upon us the vengeance denounced against the nation of Israel, *' I v/ill draw out a sword after you, and make your cities waste. Then shall the land enjoy her Sabbaths as long as it lieth desolate, and ye shall be in your enemies country ; even thea shall the land rest and enjoy her Sabbaths." 3. The general, and very gross corruption of public morals is another cause of the divine pert of that bill were poured in from various parts of the state, and a single copy of the petition fro)n the city of New-York, as was stated in a public paper, had eighteen iiundred names annexed to it. As citi- zens of a free government we possess the right in a respectful manner to petition our legislative bodtcs,and our petitions, especially when presented by a large and respectable part of the state, are entitled to respectful attention. But in the instance of the viemberabove mentioned, the maxim holds true, " that he who does not fear God will not regard man,^' not even his constituents from whom all his Utile importance is derived, 2 F ^50 Sermon 14, displeasure with us as a nation. May not the records of our courts of" justice testify how common are the crimes of false swearinjr. nnd forgery ; crimes peculiarly offensive to God, and which tend to sap the very foun- dation of social order among men ? Do not our daily prints announce the very alarming in- crease of bankruptcies in our country ? Prob- ably one thousand instances of private fiiilure occur now, where not one occurred twenty years ago. This fact evinces the corruptiou of public morals, as these failures must ordi- narily proceed either from a concealment of property with a view to defraud the creditor, or from a in ode of living utterly beyond our abil= ity. Is not that most unnatural, most horrid of all crimes, self-murder, become mournfully prevalent among us ? Is it not also a fashion- able thing, is it not considered the test of rea} heroism, the character of the manofhonOf to take, or to aim at taking the life of another in dueling ? and is not this murderous^ prac. * Is this epithet pronounced harsh ; // is support^ ed by the judicial testimony of an honorable geutle- vian sj our oivn age and country ; bij one ivhcse bene- volence of heart must excite the affection^ and %i)hose integrity and capacity in his office comma7id the es- teem of all who knozi) hiin. •' Js murder in contem- plaficn of law essentially consists in deliberately fiil- ling a fellow creature^ it is obvious where deatli ensues VI a duel, that it is generally speaking the most ag- ,; ^(71 ited species of viurder, because it is accompanied xtnih ''very species oj coot premeditation that a spit it ' emy could dictate'' — QhAi^t lo the Grand Juiy Qi iveiding, by the Hon> jacwb Rush, Esq. Sermon 14. 35 1 tice publicly sanctioned by the advancement of such oftenders to stations of emolument and honor ? Have we not thi.s moment some stand- ing high in office in our own state, and in the U lited States, whose consciences are stained with the guilt, and whose hands are encrini- soncd with the blood of their fellow- men ? Can we expect that our country in over- look- ing with impunity this daring offence, will es- cape the vengeance of him who has solemnlv ordained that, *' WHOSO SHEBDETH MAN'S BLOOD BY MAN SHALL HIS BLOOD BE SHED, FOR IN THE IM- AGE OF GOD MADE HE HEM.'' How common among us are the vices of intemperate drinking, of rioting, ofgam.bling and swearing ? Are there not some men pre- siding on the bench of civil justice who are grossly profane in their conversation ; who have lived in repeated acts of uncleanness ; who are devoted to gambihig, and by whom the Lord's day is ouen spent m their worldly occupations ? Thiii dissipation of conduct is offensive in any man but accompanied with peculiar aggravations in the magistrate who is explicitly pronounced a MINISTER OF GOD FOR GOOD to others : it is a direct prostitution of liis sacred function, and ren- ders him a *' terror not to evil works, but to the good. ' Civil government is as really an ordinance of God, as ecclesiastical govern- ment ; he, therefore, who sustains an office in the state^ought to aim at purity of conver- 352 SerJiion 14. sation, no less than he who sustains an oi£ce in the church ; and when they who rule in ei- ther capacity lose sight of the solemnity of their station, they degrade both themselves and iheirciiice. It is the uniform, the upright, the dignified deportment of the man which gives majesty to the minister : it is no less the uniform, the upright, the dignified de- portment of the man which gives m.ajesty to the magistrate. Besides, a wanton, dissipa- ted conduct in those who sustain the office of civil magistracy has a tendency to demoralize society at large. When the root of a tree is rotten, the branches cannot remain verdant and flourishing ; if the fountain itself be pollu- ted, we cannot expect the stream to be pure,- and when the head of the body politic becomes^ disordered the deadly contagion necessarily spreads through all parts of the system. There is another evidence of public corrup- tion which I dare not pass over unnoticed : I mean the obvious prostitution of the right of suffrage. In our {roit government the choice of all rulers either immediately or remotely depends on the people. This right of elect- ing our own representation is the great privi-^ lege for which our fathers fought, and which is benueathed to us, sealed with the blood of thousands : this is a privilege for which many of you fought, and for the purchase of which some Q^ sow bled: it is the full enjoyment of this right v/hich distinguishes the citizen from the subject; which exalts the freeman in one coun- Sermon 14. ^Sy try above the abject, insulted, degraded slave in another country : But is not thi^jfight criminally prostituted among us ? What is the primary qualification which is ordinarily sought in the candidate forpublicoffice ? Do weattend to the admoiution piescribed by eternal truth, " He that RULETH over men must be JUST, RU- LING in the FEAR of the Lord ?" Have we pursued the maxim delivered by the wisest of men, and the most magnificent, prosper- ous of Princes, RIGHTEOUSNESS EX- ALTETH A NATION, and offered our ^.vS^ frages for those who in private life were pat- terns of righteousness, and as rulers Vv-oukl probably use their in£uence for promoting it among others ? Have we not more generally enquired, ** w^here is the decided, ardent parti- zan ; the man who will most zealously adhere to that political section to v/hich we belong/* without regard to moral, or religious, or even intellectual qualifications ? In the warmth of party- spirit have we not contributed to the advancement of those who were the known enemies of religion, and have allowed them- selves in falsely slandering its ministers ? On this day of humiliation as the messenger of the Lord of hosts, and as I desire to be found faith- ful to my trust when the storm is blackening over us, I bear my testimony against the pro^ motion of unprinci[)lcd, immoral, inijiious men as a m.ost aggravated iniquity in our land- and I believe, as firmly as I btrlieve my qxuI tence, that whhout speedy and special rtpen.' 2 F 2 354 Sermon 14, tance on our part, this insult to the Lore! of hosts will bring wrath upon our nation, •* un- til both our ears will tingle." Has he not inost solemnly forewarned us that " when righteous men are in authority the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule the land mourneth ? ' Besides, the election of men to public office, who are destitute of moral recti^ tude, is impolitic in the extreme, and puts in jeopardy our most important interests as ci- tizens. Hear the sentiments of a reverend member who adorned our counsels during the struggle with Great Britain ; one in whom were united the eminent divine, the enlight- ened statesman, and the uncorruptcd, ardent patriot. " Those who wish well to the state ought to choose to places of trust men of in- ward principle, justified by examplary con- versation. Is it reasonable to expect v/isdoni from the ignorant; fidelity from the profligate ; or application to public business from men of dissipated life ? Is it reasonable to commit the public revenue to one who has wasted his own patrimony ? Those therefore who pny no respect to religion, and sobriety in those whom they send to the legislature of any state are guilty of the greatest absurdity, and will soon, pay dear for their lolly. Let a man's zeal,, profesb^ions, or even principles as to political measures be what they may, if lie is without personal integrity and private virtue, he is not to be trusted. I think we have had some in- stances of men who have roiired ia taverns Sermon 14. 355 for liberty and been mostnoisy in public meet- ings, who have become traitors in a little time. Suffer me on this subject to make another re- mark. With what judgment will laws against i immorality be made, or with what vigor wilt they be executed by those who are profane and immoral in their own practice. Let us suppose a magistrate on the bench of justice, administering an oath to a witness or passing. sentence of death upon a criminal and putting him in mind of a judgment to come. With what propriety, dignity, or force can any of these be done by one who is known to be a blasphemer, an infidel, or by whom in his con- vivial hours every thing serious or sacred is treated with scorn. '* Permit me to notice as another cause of the divine displeasure those bitter contentions, those mutual reproaches wluch abound among us. What are our seasons of election but seasons of detraction, and defamation, by which the passions of each other are iiiflamed? What liberties are frec]uently taken in re- proaching public men, and misrepresenting public measures. Docs not the living God explicitly forbid the indulgence of " hatred, variance, emulations, wrath and heresies .^" An untender, unforbearing spirit between man and man is always inexcuscable, but it is pe- culiarly offensive when cherished by those '^ Dr. JVit/io'spoon in his sermons dtlivtred on a general, Just at tke co'iimencementf and a general thanksgiving at the coiuiusion of the late rcvohuiun* 356 Stnho?i 14. who are citizens ef the same common wealth j whose civil and social interests are intimately blended together. In republican forms of go- vernment, \\here public virtue is the great pillar on which the government rests, a degree of party spirit may be profitable : one portion of the community thus proves a " watch- tow- er'' to the other; but when this spirit becomes outrageous and infuriated, when jealousy per- vades every class of society, and extinguish- es almost every spark cf mutual confidence, it proves equally repioachful, and ruinous. These are a few of those provocations with which we are chargeable as a people, and for which u'itl'Out sincere repentance on our part the scourf;e of a ricd-tcous God will unavoid- ably overtake us. For such provocations, were his judgments form-erly denounced a-- gainst even his fiuorite Israel, and owing to their obstinate imnenitence were finallv exe- cuted in their utter destruction. " If ye will not hearken unto me, saiih Jehovah, and do all my commandments : and if 3 e shall des- pise my statutes, or if your soul abhors my judgments ; I also will do this ur»to you ; I will appoint unto you terror, consumptioHy and the burning ague that shall consume the ejes and cause sorrow of heart ; and ye shall sow your seed» and your enemies shall eat it ; and I will make your cities waste and bring your sanctuary into desolation. Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths as long as it lieth desolate, avid ye be hi your enemies land, even Sermon 14. 35 f then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sab- baths. Again, If ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Je- rusalem on the sabbath-day ; then will I kin- die a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall de- voiir the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.*' Brethren, when we read these fearful de- nunciations, and then contemplate our own conduct, who must not tremble for his coun- try ? Was the holy sabbath more generally or wantonly profimed in Judea, than in Ame- rica ? Were the streets of Jerusalem more frequendy polluted by the unhallowed buyer and seller on that day, than are the streets of our own settlements and villages and cities ^ Must we not rationally expect" that the soul'* of our offended Sovereign " v/ill be avenged' on such a nation as ours ? ' Is the violation of his law less aggravated among us whose light is more clear, whose privileges are more ex- alted than among them ; or is the Lord Goct less riglueous to avenge the quarrel of his co- venant ? Nay, have not our judgments alrea- dy commenced ? To consider the evidences of divine wrath which we have occasionally experienced, and under which we now suffer, was the second part of our subject, and demands our attention. 1. Has not a Holy God often plead his con- troversy with our land by a fearful pestilence? Receiving itscommission from on high, has not 358 ^€r7rtan 14. this scourge gone abroad through our country and visited in their turn our cities from the northern to the southern extremities of the u- nion i In its hostile career has it not desolat- ed for a season the sanctuaries of God ; driven from their abodes thousands of our citizens, innd mingled in sudden, promiscuous ruin the babe, the youth, and the hoary head ? As another mark of his indignation, and a» nother mean cfreclaiming an ungrateful, apos- tatising people, has he not commissioned the fire to become the avenger of his quarrel ? Has not this devouring element laid waste in some degree many of our cities, and reduced from affluence to poverty hundreds of their inhabi- tants ? The messengers of Jehovah's wrath- have not been confined to our cities, but have occasionally visited all parts of the country, 7'he insect, an army small, imperceptible, yet irresistible, has marched thougluhe land, and cut down in its j)rcgiess, the staifof life. Be- fore it our fields w^ere clothed with verdure, and flourishing **as the garden of Eden, but behind it a desolate wilderness." Did he not in one year ** shut up the windows of heaven," refusing to us *' tiic early anrl kUer rain in theiir' season ; ' and by intemperate rains in another year did he not destroy the fruits of the earth, blast the hopes of the husbandman, and alarm with apprehensions of cleanness of teeth f Such are the scourges which we have' occasionally felt in years that arc past ; such the expressions of divine indignation under SermQTi 14. 359 which our land has often trembled: Natural causes have been ingeniv^ush^ assigned for all these calamities : Presumptuous, impious mortals would fondly exclude the Living God from all agency in the world, as they extin- guish every generous impulse of his fear and love in their own hearts : Every occurrence, whether prosperous or adverse, is ascribed by them to secondary means ; but ** the man of wisdom'" will consider th^m " as coming forth from the Lord of hosts,'* and as visitations either of his mercy or wrath. " Is there evil in the city; is there evil*' in the country, "and the Lord hath not done it ?** Does the pesti- lence consume the persons of our citizens, or the fire devour their property ? Does the rain prove our scoyrge in one year, or the drought in another, or the mi/dew in another without his permission and appointment. They are a- like the mniistcrs of almighty God ; they come only at his call, and they continue to fulfil the the high commission received from his hand. Thus he declared to Israel formerly, and thus he may declare to America now, *' I have withholdenthe rain from you when there were yet three months to the harvest: I have smit- ten you with blasting and mildew : I have sent among thee pestilence after the manner of Egypt : 1 have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah." *' For all these his angtr is not turned a- way, but his hand is stretched out still.' Is i\ot our nation trembling at this moment un- 560 Sermon 14. dcr awful appearances of the divine displea- sure ? Has not the cloud collected, and spread, and darkened every part of our horizon, and is seemingly ready to burst forth in our de- struction ? Are we not now assembled in this sanctuary for the very purpose of deprecating the displeasure of our God ; of confessing and mourning over our national guilt as the pro- curing cause, and to implore his return in lo- ving kindness to our land ? '' The anger of the Lord hath divided us' as a people ; *' he no longer regards us/' Do not a diversity of sentiment, and alienation of affection almost universally prevail ? Has not mutual confi- dence departed from our fellows-citizens, and the fell demon of discord succeeded in itsroom? Is not the brother alienated from his brother ; the son from his father ; the neighbor from his neighbor ; the citizen from the magistrate? Nay, has not mutual confidence departed in some instances from the spiritual pastor and the people of his charge ? Is it not a notorious fact that if the servants of the cross remain faithful to their trust ; if they expose '* with- out partiality and without hypocrisy'' the cor- ruptions of men and magistrates, they are immediately slandered in public houses and public prints ; they are represented as rallying under the standard of party, and as converting their pulpits into political engines. Have not these jealousies, these contentions diffused their deadly influence through every part of the community ? Do Sermon 14, 361 thev not tend to distract the proceedings of cveVy assembly, from the petit-jury up to the highest deliberative council in the nation ! Has it not become a matter of course that a measure proposed by one class of the com- munity will be opposed and reprobated by the other '? Although we are citizens of the same commonwealth, and united by the dearest so- cial connections ; although we have all that is interesting to us in time, our property, our li- berty, our religion, our lives embarked on the same bottom, yet we mark the move- ments of each other with all the suspicion of the avowed, irreconcileablc enemy. This a- lienation of heart ; those bitter revilings I for- merly mentioned as our sin ; I would now mention them as a most deplorable calamity, and as an evident and awful proof of the Lord's controversy with us. It is an old proverb, uttered by an infallible teacher, that *' a house divided against itself cannot stand.*' ^ When we see a particular family split up into fac- tions ; each member torturing the feelings, crucifying the character, and opposing the in- terests of the other, we conclude without hesi- tancy that the Lord has departed from that house, and that its desolation is near. It is not less true of nations than of particular fa- milies, unite and you establish ; divide and you destroy. When Jehovah denounced tlic overthrow 'of Egypt for their contempt of his name, and the cruelties which they had per- petrated upon his people, he declares, *' I will 2 G S62 Serm on set the Egyptians against the Egyptians, an4 they shall light every man against his brother, and every man against his neighbor ; city a- gainst city, and kingdom against kingdom.'' May we not therefore consider our internal dissentions and distractions as *' coming forth from the Lord of hosts,'' and as his righteous judgment upon our guilty land P Are we not constrained to deplore in the plaintive lan- guage of the prophet, " the anger of the Lord hath divided us; Manassch against Ephraim, and Ephraim against Manasseh, and they to- p-ether shall be aQ-ainst Judah.'' '' For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still." We are now pressed dov/n under a general and heavy calamity : our commerce, the chief source of wealth to the individual, and of revenue to the government, is in a great measure destroyed, and even cur peace is endangered by the hos- tile appearance of foreign nations. More than a year have we suffered under these complica- ted evils, and their effects have produced em- barrassment among all classes of society. No longer is employment offered as formerly to the laborer ; no longer is the toil of the hus- bandm,an rewarded by a liberal compensation for his produce ; no longer is the merchant animated to enterprise by success in his trade; no longer are our harbors enlivened by a race of hardy, generous seamen ; no longer does pur canvass whiten the ocean ; no longer do our ships return wafting upon our shores the Sermon 14. 363 wealth, and the luxuries of every clime : Dif- ferent causes are assigned for this sudden, ca- lamitous reverse of our situation : By some it is attributed to the want of wisdom and ener- gy in our administration ; by others to the in- tollerant, oppressive measures of Britain ; by- others to the ambition, intrigues, and corrupt- ing influence of France, but this *• also must be considered as coming forth from the Lord of hosts, and" by this he is avenging his quar- rel with our country. It is his blessing which maketh rich ; that crownt> with prosperity the individual, or the community, and it is his dis- pleasure which blasts their enterprize : His displeasure causes citizen to become alienated from citizen ; wisdom to depart from our ru- lers ; commerce to quit our shores, and which is now threatening to muster the hosts to the battle. '' Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof, because they have transgressed the laws ; changed the ordinance and broken the everlasting covenant : The new wine mourn- cth 5 the vhie languisheth ; all the merry hearted do sigh ; He stretched out his hand's against the sea ; the Lord hatli given a com- mandment against the merchant city, to de- stroy the strong holds thereof." I must trespass on your patience by noti- cing another evidence of the divine displea- sure with our country; it is one which must peculiarly interest and alarm the hearts of all who realize our depeadance on the God of nji- 364 Sermon 14. tions, that our attention has never been di- rected to the real source either of our miseries or reiicf. A spirit of lethargy, and of slum- ber when the great God is shaking his rod o- ver a nation is not merely their sin, but the presage of a more dreadful visitation. *' Be- cause they consider not the works of the Lord, nor regard the operations of his hand ; therefore the Lord will destroy them and not build them \r^.^' There is probably not a more awful evidence that an individual, or a nation is abandoned of God, and marked as victims for his wrath than to be given up to themselves ; to be permitted to remain una- ■wakened and unconcerned amidst the alarming dispensations of his providence. When *' the cup of \\yt iniquity'* of Israel " was nearly full," and the decree for their destruction had irreversibly passed, how awful is the commis- sion given to the prophet, ** make the Keart of this people flit, and make their ears heavy, imd shut their eyes ; lest they see v/ith theireyes,'* see my judgments which are already gather- ed and lowering over their heads ; *' and hear ivith their ears,'* hear my voice of warning" in my word, or by my messengers, or in the movements of my providence ; " and under- stand with their heart," be really aftected with their own abominations as the meritonous cause of their miseries, *■ and be healed." — The prophet melted at hearing the doom of his deluded country aifectionately replies, *' Lord, how long ?*' He is answered by the Sermon 14. 365 oracle, " until the cities be waste without in- habitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate." Brethren, does not our situation as a na- tion obviously and awfully correspond with that of deluded Israel ? Can we imagine that they were more stupid, more infatuated amidst the terrors of the Almighty than we are in America ? Much time has been occupied in devising the means of safety ; much treasure has been expended in fortifying our harbors : message after message has been transmitted to foreign courts representing our grievances and demanding redress ; but during all our alarms and all these exertions for maintaining our rights has the Lord of hosts been acknow- ledged by us as a nation ; have we been call- ed by our civil Rulers to ask the interposition of HIM by whom ** kings reign, and princes decree justice ; by whom princes rule, and nobles even all the judges of the earth ?" Nay, I mention it with the most profound emotions of regret, and of trembling ; of humiliation for the past and apprehensions for the future, that during eight years we have not been re- commended in a national capacity to acknow- ledge the Ruler of nations : no tribute of thanksgiving has ascended to his throne in the season of prosperity ; neither have we in ad- versicy been directed to the confession of guilt, nor to ask the interference of that arm which works salvation. Was such the exam- ple exhibited by our illustrious patriots of 2 c2 S66 Sermon 14. '76 ; by those who then directed our coun- cils, marshalled our armies in the field, and were, under God, the instruments of our na- tional glory F On the seventeenth of May in that year, a day that must remain memorable while the love of liberty is cherished in cur country, the oppressed millions of America at the call of their rulers approached the mercy- seat, laid a history of their grievances before the avenger of wrongs, implored his interpo- sition in their behalf, and his ear was gracious- ly open to their cry. From this doctrine, thus explained, it is ob- viously suggesed, 1, That verily " there is a God who judg- eth in the earth." Vain, impious mortals fre- quently ask, '' who is Jehovah that we should obey him ? * In the infatuation and madness cf their hearts, they often challenge, *' ho^v doth God know, and is there knowledge in the most high ?" In the enthusiasm of their impiety, they are resolving, ** let us break his bands asunder and cast his cords from us." But notwithstanding all their presumptioa and self-confidence, ** their judgment linger-^ eth not, and their damnatioH slumbereth not.? He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh at them ; the Lord shall hold them in derision : Then shall he speak to them in his wrath and vex them in his sore displeasure. Though hand join in hand his soul will be avenged ' sooner or later on the wanton, incorrigible person or people. What is the history of th^ Sermon 14. 367 world, but a history of Jehovah's judgments in tht' overthrow of haughty, licentious na- tions ? Where are now the once mighty, mag- nificent empires of Egypt, of Assyria, of Greece, or of Rome ? Where are now their splendid cities, their adamantine walls tower- ing towards heaven ; their disciplined armies ; *' their gates of brass, their chariots of iron" which promised an invincible defence against every assault from without ? We behold them in their turn receding from the earth, and *' their memorial has" nearly *' perished with them •/' there remains nothing but their name feebly written on the historian's page. *' How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perii^htd ? * What crashing of thrones and kinp;doms have we witnessed with our own eyes? Where is now the ancient, august mon- archy of France ; that which stood for ages, and <',pparently u ^'^d even the hand of time ? Have we not seen it n -d many others totter to their foundations, and hundreds and thou- sands of the inhabitants lost in the general wreck ? Is it argued *' that these kingdoms, having grown old, decayed and mouldered away of course, as every thing created natu- rally tends to dissolution;' or is it argued, ** that internal causes may be assigned for all these effects ; that violent insurrections con- vulsed the empire of Rome, and that Babylon was taken during the licentious rioting of her princes and nobles ? ' These objections do not in the least militate against the argument. — B6S Sennon 14, The sovereign Ruler of nations accomplishes his purposes by secondary causes ; by means he protects the righteous, and by means he executes vengeance on the deluded, insolent opposers of his government. As a proof, for instance, tfcat the conquest of Babylon and the destruction of the empire v/as of God, this e- vent was foretold ages before its accomplish- ment ; the instrument of its overthrow was mentioned by name ; the very manner in which he should execute his purpose was mi- nutely expressed ; and yet all was represent* ed as tlie effect of divine vengeance against the Assyrians. *' Come down,'^ saith the Lord by his prophet to that impious city, ** come down and sic in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon ; sit on the ground : For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness; thou hast said, none seeth me : Therefore shall e- vil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth ; and mischief shall fall upon thee ; thou shalt not be able to put it off; and destruction shall come upon thee suddenly which thou knowest not." Through the anger of almighty God these fearful deso- lations are spread among the nations of the earth : A flood of impiety, and licentiousness on their part is succeeded by a flood of wrath on his part. 2. We learn from this doctrine who are the enemies of a country ; who disturb her peace ; w ho interrupt her prosperity and endanger her very existence ; they are those who live in Sermon 14i 569 (li€ contempt of God, and the violation of his: rig-hteous law. These are the Achans in the camp who bring wrath upon the nation of Isra- el, The it-nmoral, impious man ; the swear- er, the sibbath. breaker, the insolent scoffer of religion and its. institutions ; the parent who is undiitiful in his station, who is not dil- igent in educating his offspring for God anil his service ; the magistrate who does not rule in tJiefear of the Lord, but pollutes the land by a loose, licentious deportment and conver- sation : These are the persons, by whatever political name they are known, or under what- ever mask they appear among their fellow-ci- trzens, who bring dov/n the judgments of heaven on settlements, and cities^ and nations: These are the persons who occasionally shut up the windows of heaven, suspending '* the early and latter rain in their season ;'' who dry up the streams of commerce ; who give com- mission to ^* tlie pestilence wasting its thou- sands in our streets ;"' who unslieath the sword of war, and drench a land in the blood of its inhabitants. *' Hear th^ word of the Lord, ye children of Israel :'* hear his word', ye citizens of America, ''for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God. By swearing and lyin^, and killing, and committing adultery they break out, and blood toucheth blood. There- fore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish with the beast* "^, Sermon 14. of the field and the fowls of heaven.'' They., on the other hand, are the true patriots ** who fear God ; who work righteousness ; who render to all their due, giving unto Geasar the things that are Ceasar's, and unto God the things that are God's ; who keep holy the Sabbath by *' spending it in the public and private exercises of divine worship ; who vi- sit the fatherless and widow in their affliction, and preserve themselves unspotted from the world :' parents who are devout in their ha- bitations : who early infuse into the hearts of their children the principles of religion and virtue ; magistrates who feel the solemnity and responsibility of their station, being *' min- isters of God for the good of" society ; who' assume the important office, not from motives 6f interest, or honor, but that they may rule for the glory of him by whose authority they act, and to whose bar they are accountable j who by the biamelesb^ness of their conversa- tion, and by the impartial discharge of every official duty ** become a terror to evil doers and a praise to them that do well;*' ministers who *' abound in the work of the Lord ;" who are not lured from their sacred function by considerations of worldly eiise^ or emolument, but actuated by the same spirit with their di- vine Master, '' go about doing good :*' such persons, such magistrates, such ministers are the genuine patriots and friends of their coun- try. Contemplating such I may freely cxclaimt in the language of a Jewish king to the pro- Sermon 14. 371 phet of Jehovah, '' my Father, my Father, the chariots of Israel, and the horsemen thereof." They are the massy pillars which give stabil- ity to a nation within ; they are the broad shield which render her invincible and impen- etrable by any opposition without. Their prayers,. their intercessions, their alms are of more importance towards her defence than all the speculations of the vain philosopher ; than all the schemes of the self-confident statesman; than all the martial prowess of either the sol- diery or navy. For the sake of these, judg- ments are often averted and days of calamity are shortened. The waters never gushed up- on the old world wwiW Noah was secured in the ark ; the arm of the destroying angel was stayed from the destruction of Sodom until *' Lot had escaped to the mountains," and when *' Phinehas arose, and," as a faithful ma- gistrate, " executed righteousness the plague was" instantly arrested '* in the camp of Isra- el. Run," saith the Lord God to his mes- senger, the prophet, *^ run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and seek ye in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man ; if there be any that executeth judg- ment ; thatseeketh truth, and I will pardon it." 3. We learn from this doctrine the suitable exercises of a people in the season of impend- ing judgments ; they ought diligently to en- quire into the cause "^of the Lords controver- sy ; they should aim at discovering those na- tional sins which are the procuring cause of 572 Sermon 14, national calamities. We hear the propli€t complaining with respect to the people of Is- rael, " O Lord, thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved ; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive cor- rection : When thy hand is lifted up they will not see, and will not behold the majesty of the Lord.' This complaint is mournfully appli- cable to us amidst the present alarming ap- pearances of divine providence. Our atten- tion is chiefiy confined to the instruments, one party is disposed to throw the censure upon the other ; the citizen reprobates the ruler, and one portion of the rulers reproach the oth- er as the cause of our evils. But whatever sinful instrumentality men have in involving our country in the present state of embarrass- ment and alarm, the Lord God has a sove- reign, righteous agency ; he is avenging his quarrel with an ungrateful, disobedient na- tion : and until we become sensible of his dis- pleasure as manifested in our judgments ; un- til we discover our own iniquities as justly provoking this displeasure ; until we are sin- cerely humbled on account of our iniquities, and led to the blood of reconciliation as our only remission, I shall entertain little hopes that the rod will be removed. Let all, on this day of humiliation, turn their eyes upon their own hearts and impartially examine their par- ticular exercises ; are they cordially melted for their own iniquities and for the abomina- tions *' that prevail in the land ?" Are they Sermon 14. 373 sincerely humbled before the Lord that ordi- nances are so generally neglected ; that Jesus and his great salvation are despised ; that the holy sabbath is wantonl}^ prostituted by all classes in our nation ? Such were the exerci- ses of the church formerly in the season of her calamity, and such, if we have received an unction of the same spirit, will be our exerci- ses this da}'. *' O Lord, to us belong confu- sion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers because we have sinned against thee ; yea, all Israel have transgressed thy laws : therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written." With confes- sion of former sins let us connect earnest reso- lutions of amendment in the time to come. — Would to God that henceforth all classes of our citizens were going hand in hand, andiveeping as they go ; sayings with penitent Israel, *' let us return to the Lord, for he hath torn and he will heal ; he hath smitten and he will bind us up : come and let us join ourselves to Jehovah in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgot- ten." Such exercises would be the surest pre- sage of future peace and felicity and glory to our nation : They might be considered an in- fallible pledge that the cloud which now dark- ens our horizon will shortly evanish, and that the sun of prosperity will revisit with his cheer- ing beams our long fiivored land. O Lord^ revive thy work i?i the midst of the years ; in the midst of the years make known : in wrath remember mercy. Am s n and ku^ n* 2 H SERMON XV. A=M0S IV. 12. And because Ixvill do this unto thee ; prepare to meet thij God, Israel. THE holy scriptures are admirably a-^ daptcd to man in his present, imperfect, mili- tant state. They forewarn him of approach- ing calamities ; they afford direction in every perplexity ; they inspire with confidence ii; the hour of surrounding peril, and impart con- solation amidst the various adversities of life. Tile admonition contained in our text must appear peculiarly seasonable to Israel, when we realise her awful and interesting situation at th^ time of its delivery: It was uttered by the inspired messenger *' in the days of Uzzi- ah king of Judah, and in the days of Jerobo- am king of Israel, two years before the earth- quake." The visitation of the Jewish nation by an earthquake is noticed only in this place, and by the iprophet Zechariah. The latter a's the messenger of divine wrath declares, ** I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle ; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled : and ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains ; yea, ye shall flee like as ye fled before the earthquake^ in the days of Uz- * This event is pariicidarlT) mentioned by Josephus in his ♦* Antiquities of the Jews ;'^ he relates thai " Jereboani the son of Joash zvas a prince most disso- lute and liccniiousiii his practices, by w/iich he brought Sermon l5. 575 ziah king of Judah." The Lord God never wants instrumentsfor avenging his quarrel with the enemies of his government : All elements are subject to his sovereign controul, and all agents, visible and invisible^ rational and irra- 'tional, from the least insect which moves on 'the earth to the loftiest angel who walks the streets of heaven are at his disposal, and stand ready to perform his pleasure either of mercy or wrath : Yet H K is infinitely sloxv to auger, -and displays his exceeding^ abundant compas- sion in giving previous intimations of ap- proaching calamities. The cloud usually tnakes its first appearance small as a man^s hand ; it gradually rises higher and becomes darker, before it bursts forth upon the object devoted to destruction. The great God warns the wicked by his word, raising up messenger after messenger ; by his providence, inflicting lesser judgments as a mean of reclaiming and saving them from more awful visitations. He thus proves to the satisfaction of every ration- al spectator, " that he is merciful, and gra- cious, long-suffering and abundant in good- ness and truth ;" that he has no pleasure in the temporal destruction of nations, or in the everlasting ruin of individuals, but would ra- ther that both should repent, and return, and t minute, the most impartial, and the countless myriads of the human family l>e a- warded to everlasting life, or everlasting per- dition. But the meeting with God io which the pro- phet alludes, and for which he admonishes Israel to prepare^ is an event materially dif- ferent ; it belongs to particular communities, or nations, in their public social capacity. SS2 Sermon 15. There are periods of national retribution, no ]es3 than of personal retribution : periods wh^n the adorable Ruler of the universe rises from his throne, and comes forth to reckon with the inhabitants of a country ; when he takes a review of all the privileges bestowed upon them / of all the deliverances wrought from time to time in their behalf ; of the duration of their national peace ; of the degree of their national prosperity, and then chastises them for the abuse of their privileges. *' Hear, all ye people ; hearken, O earth and all that there- in is : For behold the Lord Cometh forth out of his place, and will come and tread on the high places of the earth : For the transgres- sion of Jacob is all this, and for the iniquity of the house of Israel." The dealings of a sovereign God toward individuals and nations obviously correspond. He spares the particular person notwithstand- ing numerous provocations ; he affords him the means of repentance, and the offers of life ; he alternately alarms and allures ; he tries him 7iow with mercies, t/ien with judg- ments, before he gives commission to cut him off'ds utterly incorrigible : And such also is his conduct toward nations in general. He admonishes them for their impiety ;" he fore- warns them 7301V bv his messengers, again by the movements of his providence of calamities that are approaching ; he executes one threat- ening as a mean of au^akenining them to re- pentance, and saving them from other aiidse- Seimtin 15. 3^3 vei-ef scourges : He thus entreated With the old world ox\t hundred and twenty years by the ministry of Koah ; he thus improved the cities of the plain by Lot as his messenger, be- fore he turned them into ashes, making them public monuments of his vengeance. With what long-suffering did he expostulate with the nation of the Jews before he finally mark- ed them out as *' the people of his wrath ? How shall I give thee up, Ephraim ? How shall I deliver thee, Israel ? How shall I make thee as Admah ? How shall I set thee as Ze- boim ? Mv heart is turned within me : my repentings'are kindled together." And upon their partial reformation in the days of Samu- el, of Asa, and of Josiah he immediately sus- pended the execution of his judgments, and wrought salvation in their behalf. When an individual wilfully closes his eyes against the light of the gospel ; when he shuts his ears against its pointed and repeated ad- monitions ; when he tramples with deliberate hardihood on mercies and judgments Jehovah in awful sovereignty leaves him to his own de- lusions ; he ceases to reprove him either by his word, or spirit, or providence ; and pro- nounces him a *' vessel of wrath fitted for des- truction : * His condition then becomes utter- ly and everlastingly desperate : All his pray- ers, all his tears, all his remorse for past trans- gressions, or resolutions of amendment in fu- ture are unavailing. '' He that being often reproved and hardeneth his neck, shall sud- 364 Sermon 15. denly be destroyed and that without remedy," As it is with individiuils, it is also with na- tions. They have their accepted time, and, if the expression he allowed, their day of po- litical salvation : But if this be misimproved ; if they fill up their cup of iniquity by ingrati- tude for national mercies, and by a spirit of slumber and impenitence amidst the scourges of his providence, the Lord God abandons them as altogether incorrigible, and irreversi- bly decrees their consumption : All the inter- cessions of righteous individuals, and even a general reformation will be unavailing for the removal of divine vengeance : Though Noah, and Daniel, and Job should interpose and sup- plicate, spare thy people, their prayers may rest in blessings upon their own heads, but will not stay the hand that is stretched out for correcting the nation. The sovereign Ruler of the world either pours upon them a spirit of discord and confusion, making one part of the community the instrument of destruction to the other, or he surrenders them up an ea- sy prey to some foreign foe. What an ex- ample of his vengeance against the disobedi- ent, incorrigible nation do we behold in the fi- nal overthrow of the Jews and their city. *' O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen gathereth her chick- ens under her wings, and ye would not : Be- hold your house is left unto you desolate. If Sermon 15. 535 tlioa hadst known, even thou at least in tliis thy day the things which belong to thy peace, but now they are hid from thine eyes." Is there not reason to apprehend that such a meeting with our God is awaiting us as a na- tion ; that it is near at hand ? The signs of the times are peculiarly ominous and deserve the attention of all: ** The Lord God has come out of his place, and'' in a manner unu- sually awful '' is punishing the inhabitants of the earth.'* With our own eyes we have be- held him shaking all nations ; we have seen the sword of war unsheathed in almost every part of the globe ; we have seen her crimson flag unfurled by land, and on the ocean ; the earth has been reddened, and the very waters of the deep have been tinged with the blood* of the slain ; we have seen the most ancient and stately empires shook to their center ; crowns tottering on the heads of princes ; princes hurled from their thrones, and princes and peasants mingled in promiscuous ruin. ** Nation has been rising up against nation, and the Lord of hosts has mustered the hosts of the battle." Hitherto, through his tender mercies, we have escaped the all devouring vortex ; our peace, with a few inconsiderable * The batiks of Marengo mid Jena by land^ ami the naval engagements at the Nile, in the Channel^ and at Trafalgar, xvhether we regard the obstinacy with which they were fought or the numbers that were slain, probably stand without a parallel either in aih- cieni or modern history. 2 I 586 Sermon 15. exceptions, has been uninterrupted, and our immunities as an independant nation have been uninfringed. But the period of our pub- lic tranquility, we have reason to apprehend, has nearly expired. Are not our natural rights at present wantonly violated, and our commerce invaded ; has not the property of our citizens been violently wrested from their possession on the high seas, and sold at fo- reign markets, and their persons laid in chains, and doomed to languish in cheerless dun, geons : Every eRbrt used for the restoration of our neutral rights, and the redress of our grievances has hitherto failed, and the cloud is daily spreading and blackening over our heads. Amidst these dangers from abroad, how humiliating is our situation at home ? Instead of harmony in concerting measures for our national defence, is there not universal distrust and distraction ? No longer rallying around one centre, and blending ourselves in the common name of A?/JERICANS, are we not assuming difterent names, and flocking to dif- ferent standards, as if we neither regarded each other as children of the same family, nor members of the same community ? Does not a spirit of discord pervade from New-Hamp- shire to Georgia ? Have not the diflferent par- ties become so intoilerant, and infuriated, that seemingly they want only an opportunity to rise up in open hostilities ? And remem- ber, of all wars, that of citizen against cilizen Sermon 15. 387 is tiie most to be deplored : This flame when once kindled is the most inextinguishable in its nature, and the most wasteful in its pro- gress : It is like a torch in a sheaf, and usual- ly consumes a nation both root and branch. O my country ! unless the Lord of hosts spee- dily interpose in thy behalf ; luiless he restore mutual confidence among thy sons, and har- mony to thv public councils, AN END, THINE END MUST COME : *' The sword without, and terror and confusion with- in must destroy thee." Is such our situation, and are such our ap- prehensions, then the enquiry must appear e- qually appropriate and important, how shall we " prepare for meeting with our God ?'* This was our second proposition, and to it your attention is now invited. 1. All should prepare for this event, by ficeing without delay to Jesus- Jehovah as their city of refuge. He is a ** hiding place from every storm, and a covert from the tempest j'' sheltered beneath this rock by a living faith ; having our consciences sprinkled with his a- toning blood, and our souls adorned with his immaculate righteousness, we may sit secure when the cloud has actually bursted, and the storm is exhausting its fury. The believer, with the lively exercise of all his graces, is like a rock in the midst of the ocean, unmoved, immoveable by all the dashing of either wind or wave ; But, ** where, ah, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear,'^ when the 583 Sermon 15'. ivrath of Almighty God *' has gone forth ;" when it *' consumes the earth with her in- crease ; when it sets on fire the foundations of the mountains, and burns to the lowest hell ? Where, ah, where will appear" the empty professor ; the man who possesses merely the jiiask of Christianity, and is an utter stranger to its power, " where will he appear" when the Lord God in his jealousy *' wiil search Jerusalem as with lighted candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees r that say in their hearts, the Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil. Where, ah, where will then appear" the gay, the thoughtless, w\inton youth ; *Uhose who put far away the evil day ; who crown themselves v.ldi rose buds ; v/ho chant to the sound of the viol," and remain deaf to all the entreaties of friends, and parents, and ministers, *' where will they flee for help, v/here will they leave their glo- ry," w^hen the whirlwind of divine wrath shall sweep terribly the earth ; ** when the fierce anger of the Lord shall come upon them, when the day of the Lord's anger shall come upon them ?" To all such every temporal scourge is only a pledge of that hour ** when the Son of man shall be revealed from heaven in fla- ming fire, and the worldand the things that are therein shall be dissolved.'' But they who iire reconciled to God by the blood of the In- finite Surety, are secured, infallibly secured from aveng'ing wrath, and therefore may sit wnrufHed amidst all the agitations of the world. Ser?non 15. 389 «' Bein^ justifiecl by faith they have peace with God, and if God be for them who can be against them ?" With his wisdom to di- rect ; his omnipotence to defend ; his all- suf- ficiency to supply, and his mercy to sympa- thise, they enjoy *' a peace which passeth un- derstanding'' amidst every outward storm. 2. We ought to prepare *' for meeting our God" by walking circumspectly and '' keep- ing our garments unspotted from every pollu- tion." Upon all occasions it is our duty to ** be sober and vigilant ; to keep our hearts with all diligence ; to walk worthy of him who is calling us to glory and virtue,' but this is pre-eminently our duty and our inter- est in the hour of impending judgment. True it is, there is nothing meritorious in the ser- vices of the creature ; our most perfect per-- formances fidl intinitely short of the pure law of Jehovah; yet the reflection that we have walked circumspect li/ before him ; that we have not willingly deviated froni *' the paths of righteousness to the right hand or to the left," inspires with coniidence and joy when his rod is stretched out to scourge a nation and we must participate in the common calam- ity. While conscious guilt then stands ap- palled ; while it startles *' at the shaking of every leaf, the righteous is bold as a lion ;" looking for protection to that God whom he has served ; to whose glory his life has been honestly devoted, he bids defiance to all exter- nal danger j he considers that all the aSic- 2 I -2 390 Sermon 15. tions of time are short and inconsiderable when compared with the glories of eternity ; he contemplates death itself as stripped of e- very terror, and no more than a dark entry to the regions of unclouded, everlasting day. With what consolation in the depth of dis- tress ; with what holy heroism in danger, did a consciousness of their integrity inspire th.e three Israelites in Babylon ; it extinguished in their bosoms every impulse of fear ; it ena- bled them to behold undismayed the majesty of the princely throne, and the horrors of " the fiery furnace : O Nebuchadnezar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter : If it be so, if we must resist even unto blood in ad- hering to our religion and our God ; if our ' tortures are even aggravated by 'a furnace se- vejijbld hotter tlmn usual, rue are not alarmed at the prospect, nor anxious about the issue ; our God whom we serve is able to deliv. r from this burning, fiery furnace ; and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O King.'' 3. We ought to prepare *' for meeting our God' by avv^aking to greater diiigenr.e in the discharge of every duty, and '* abounding more eminently in the work of the Lord.'' When the tumult of war is heard, and the enemy appears in view, the prudent soldier instantly arises ; he collects his armor ; he fastens every part of it in its proper place ; he arranges himself in order for battle, and thus stands ready every moment for the arduous onset ; when a storm is expected on the ocean; Sermon 1j. 391 when the clouds collect and blacken ; when the distant thunder is heard and the lightnings begin to blaze around, the vigilant mariner takes the alarm, and makes the requisite pre- paration. Such should be the christians con- duct when the judgments of Almighty God are commissioned to pass through a nation. Of whatever kind the calamity be, *' whether war, or famine, nr pestilence i" on whatever that he esteems precious the assault may be made, whether on his liberty, or religion, or life, he should aim at standing prepared ; at shaking off his spiritual sloth ; ** at having his lamp' carefully trimmed and, repleaished with oil from Jesus Jehovah *' the anoint- ed one," burning with the purest flame ; he ought to become more fervent in prayer ; more edifs ing in his conversation ; more sin- cere in repentance for his own iniquities, and the iniquities of the nation with v/hich he is connected ; more abundant in all the duties which are incumbent upon him as a man and a christian. Tiiia i6 the best possible prepa- ration for all the calamities of life. To all such the Lord God will become a ** little sanctuary ' when the sword of his vengeance is drawn, and his wrath consumes a guilty land. The angel spreads his pavilion around the pious Lot, *' when the cities of the plain are turned into ashes ;" the houses of the Is- raelites were passed over without injury, when *' the first born ' was slain in every family of the Egyptians, and the minister of justice ne- 392 Sermon 15. ver disclosed his commission against Jerusa- lem, " until a mark was sf t upon the forehead of the men that sighed and cried for all the a- bominations that were done in the midst of the land. * The providence of God has even mi- raculously interposed for the protection of his faithful followers ; he has proved a w^all of fire around the individual, the families, and the settlements that liave cleaved to him in the hour of general apostacy. The application suitable for this subject will be readily sug-gestcd by your own minds, 1. Let all })e exhorted to improve their dis- tinguishing privileges while they are yet en- joved. You have long sat undisturbed under the means of salvation ; ihe heavenly manna has bL^en descending in showers aro ind your tents and you huve been entreated again and again to partake this divine provinon ; the ri- ver of life has been rolling plenieously around you its refreshing waters, and you have been' uro:ed again and again to dr-^w near and ** drink and live for ever. ' Whether these golden' oppoitunlties vrlil be long continued is alto- gether uncertaii> ; it depends on the mere so- vereignty of Jehovah : I would therefore most solemnly admonish yoa to ** walk in the light Vv'hile } ou have it : Give glory to the Lo. d your God, lest he ca\ise darkness, and before your ftet stumble on the dark mountains :' Let the drurikard abandon his cups ; let the swearer cease from his impious oaths ; ** let him that stgk steul no jiiorcj but render to all- Sermon 15. o9S their due ;" let those who have indulged themselves in seasual gratificalions '' crucify the flesh with its affections and hists ;' let the covetous remember *' that neither their gold nor their silver will deliver them iu the day of the Lord's anger;" let every prayerless person awake from his unconcern, and '* arise calling upon his God i let those who have wasted the precious sabbath in idleness, or ivorldly em-^ plovments hereafter ** keep holy that day to the' Lord our God by not finding their own pleasure, nor speaking their own words ;*' let the secure, impenitent hearers *' break off their sins by righteousness, and their iniqui- ties by turning to the Lord. ' Are there any present who, "through the cares of this world, or the deceitfulness of riches," or the'^influence of ungodly associates, ^' have departed from the holy commandment,'' and thrown off their christian profession, let them be impressed with the danger of their situation, and return in the exercise of repentance to the Living God : let the vain and the thoughtless youth " remember their Creator, lest they mourn at the last when their flesh and their body are consumed, saying, how have we hated instruc- tion and our hearts despised reproof V* By all that is dreadful in the wrath of Almighty God, by all that is desirable in his loving kindness 1 exhort sinners of every age, and condition to turn this day " to the strong holds while they are prisoners of hope. The door of the city of refuge" is now open, and Jeho- 504, Sermon 15. vah Triune, Father, Son and Holy Ghost are inviting you to enter in. *' I'he door of the city of refuge ' is now open, and all the re- deemed on earth, and all the redeemed in heaven, and all the angels of light will hail ^vith transports of joy your entrance, and your escape *'from the avenger of blood." Hasten, hasten to Jesus Christ, to liis sacrifice, to his righteousness as your only security from " the wrath that is to come.'' The Lord God of gods in whose presence I now stand, ** whom I serve in the gospel of his Son'' bears me witness that I have aimed on this day of hu- miliation *' at espousing you all to one hus- band," and thus *' preparing you to meet your God ; to meet him" now as he is coming forth to avenge his quarrel with our country ; to meet him hereafter in the hour of final, irre- versible retribution. " But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride, and mine eye shall weep sore and run down with tears, because tlie Lord's liock is carried av/ay captive." 2. Be exhorted " to live at peace among yourselves, and whatsoever ye do, whether in v/ord or in deed, do all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.' Let the Saviour's cross be the only point around which you rally in all your deliberations, whether civil or reli- gious ; let it never be mentioned to the re- proach of the clu'istian name ; " let it not be told in Gath, let it not be heard in the streets of Askelon'' that an avowed enemy of the Sermon 15. 395 dear Redeemer, who coincides with you in political sentiment, should lie nearer your hearts ; should possess a greater, or an equal share in your confidence and affection with a brother in grace, whose political views may be different from your own : And I am bold to affirm that while you live habitually '^ on the Son of God ; while you daily derive from him that '' wisdom which is pure, and peaceable, and gentle, and easy to be entreated," all your diversitv of sentiment respecting public mea- sures 'vvill not alienate your hearts from each other. This sacred unction will excite to the exercise of mutual forbearance wherein you differ. A varietv of political opinions must be expected. In this state of imperfection ^' where we sec but in part, and know but in part ;" where we are actuated by different motives, and look through different mediums, it is rare that our views fully harmonize on any subject : This very diversity of sentiment affords a greater opportunity for exercising the most illustrious graces, " charity, patience and forbearance.'' At a moment so critical to our own country, so eventful to the world in general, I cannot therefore address you more suitably than in the language of Joseph to his brethren, *' see that ye fall not out by the way. ' Every citizen possesses an equal right to the enjoyment of his own sentiments, and in this free government he has liberty to communicate his views on public men, and public measures : but let this freedom be al- 396 Serman 15. ways exercised with moderation and prudence* Liberty of speech, when used with discretion, proves a public blessing, but when indulged in a manner intemperate and indiscreet, it be- comes a political cu se ** Finally, brethren, be perfect ; be of good comfort ; be of one mind ; live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you." Should those sparks of dissention, which are already kind- led in every part of the community, burst in- to an open flame, it will be a consolation to re- flect, in the general calamity, that I never ad- ded fuel to the fire by irritating the passions of my fellow- citizens. I should feel chargeable with the omission of a very important duty did 1 conclude these solemn exercises without directing your at- tention to t/ie Signs of the times. A cloud is seemingly collecting over the church and the nations more gloomy than has been witnessed for ages. It is the general opinion of com- mentators,* who have made prophecy the subject of particular investigation, that the two witnesses mentioned in scripture are yet to be slain, and that the religion of papal Rome will obtain a universal diftusion through the earth. The remarks of a learned expositor,! who appeared in the last century, are so inte- * jyie calculations of expositors both ancient and viodei iu 1 tlalnc to the slaying oj the wilnesseSy have been lately exhibited by the author, at considerable length. III t-wo lectures^ uhich he designs to offer to the public. t Dr. Gill in a sermon deliiered in 1750. Sermon 15. 397 resting that you must readily excuse me in quoting them at large. *' The light of the gospel will be wholly withdrawn for a while ; the slaying of the witnesses is yet to come ; it will make a dismal night, and be accompa- nied with the universal spread of popery." A late divine,* in the church of Scotland, was so deeply impressed with the same sen- timent, that he is said to have collected eve- ry fragment which has been written in oppo- sition to that heresy, and circulated it among his correspondents in different countries. Do not the present appearances of the world ob- viously correspond with the opinions of these commentators ? Probably in no period of time did the anti-christian religion extend its influence more rapidly than in the present. It is now the established worship of France. There is a decree of that government, that *' no church-book, no psalm book, nor cate- chism shall be published without the permis- sion of the bishop of the diocese.'' It is vir- tually established in Holland and Switzerland, as the regulation of all ecclesiastical concern^ is committed to their sovereigns who are pa- pists : This religion has recently obtained a rapid spread through Germany, and other countries adjacent : Bills, at different times, have been brought before the parliament of Great- Britain for securing to the votaries of Antichrist privileges in common with the pro- testants. If wc turn our eyes from Europe * Dr. John Erskine. 2 JK 398 Sermon 15. to our own country, how very alarming is the prospect ? In several of our capital cities the churches, professing the religion of Rome, are more flourishing than those of any other communion. When we add to these the o- pen infidelity of some, the abject ignorance and utter indifference of others, there is little, humanly speaking, to prevent the general spread of that abumwatioii through our coun- try. Amidst these realities and apprehensions our duty is obvious. Let every man look to his own interest, by '' making his calling and election sure :' Let every parent look to the dearest interests of his children, ** by bring- ing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord ;" let him consider a profound e- ducalion in the docrines of Christianity as the most impenetrable shield against the assaults of either superstition or error : Let every master look to the dearest interests of those committed to his charge, by recommending Jesus and his salvation as, beyond compari- son, their most enriching portion : Let every magistrate, as he regards his peace in th^ hour of peril, execute with unremitting vigi- lance and unshaken fidelity, the duties of his office : ** Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord," awake to double diligence in their vo- cations ; let them " weep between the porcli and the altar, saying, spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thy heritage to reproach.'* Beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ, *' what Sermon 15/ 395 shall I say more ?" To i/ou it is the call of Je- hovah in his word ; it is his call by the very awful movements of his providence, *' come, my people ; enter thou into thy chambers ; hide thyself as it were for a little moment, un- til the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity ; the earth also shall disclose her blood and no more cover her slain." " O Lord, thou sittest upon the floods, thou sittest King forever," look with a compassion- ate eye on our guilty, miserable world, and shorten these days of calamity ; proclaim to every scourge that has desolated our earth, *' it is enough, stay thine hand ;" may the thunder of war expire ; may the sword of slaughter return to its scabbard, no more to be bathed in the blood of man ; let not na- tion any longer rise up as the destroyer of na- tion, but may the peaceful banner of Messi- ah wave in triumph around the globe ; hasten the period when creation shall become one sanctuary, and men of all kindreds one assem- bly, in doing homage to the God of Israel. Amen, €ve?t so, come, Lord Jesus. f^'■;^'" V I Princeton TheolnrnVai c • iU'2 01231 2585