r^w^.: //. '^! , 06. Srom f 9e fei6rari? of ipxofcBBox ^amuef (giiffer in (gtemot)? of 3ubge ^amuef (gXiffer QSrecftinribge (Jjteeente^ 6i? ^antuef (gltffer QSrecftinribge feong fo t^e £i6tar)? of (pttncefon C^eofogicaf ^eminarg Sec 7^ ®<^A^^/2^/p^^<^ DISCOURSE I. Tiie Devout Resolution, with its joyful con^ sequence. Pteached in the High Church of Edinburgh, May 22. 1791. bcfcra his Grace the Lord High Commisiioner to the General Assembly" of the Church of Scotland. Psal xlv. 17. I will fiiakethy name to be re- membered in all^enerations ; therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever. p. I,. DIQOURSE II. Tire enormity and immense ilumber of mens transgressions. Job xxii. 5. Is not thy wickedness greats and thine iniquities iri finite P P» ^9 DISCOURSE IIL Tile Insvifficiency of Excuses to extenuate Peoples Faults. 2 Chron. xxiv. 20. Thus saith God, Why trafis- gress ye the commandments of the Lord, thai-- ye cannot prosper P p. 55 iv CONTENTS. DISCOURSE IV. The equity of God's Dispensations, and the greatness of his Mercy. Ezek. xxxiii. 1 1. Say unto them, As Hive, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways ; for why will ye die, house of IsraeL p. 80 DISCOURSE V. The Death and Exaltation of Jesus Christ considered and improved. Rom. viii. 34. Who is he that condemneth P It is Christ that died, yea, rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us, p. 104 Communion Service, ?• 131 DISCOURSE VI. The Privileges and Duties of the Children of God. 2 Cor. vi. 18. And I will be a Father unto you, and ymi shall he my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty, p. 155 DISCOURSE VII. Dedication to the Service of God explained and urged. I Chron. xxix. 5. Who then is willing to con- secrate his service this day unto the Lord P p. 180 CONTENTS. V Communion Service, p. 205 DISCOURSE VIII. The Happiness of the People of God illustrat- ed and confirmed. Psal. cxliv. 15. lea, happy is that people whose God is the Lord, p. 226 DISCOURSE IX. The Evidences whereby Real Christians may be known. Matth. xii. 33. The tree is known by his fruit. p. 251 DISCOURSE X. The Ends for which the Holy Spirit is given to Christians. John xiv. 16, 17. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter^ that he may abide with you for ever, even the Spi- rit of truth, P' 277 DISCOURSE XL The Duties peculiar to the several ages of Christians. I John ii. 13. 1 write unto you^ fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning ; I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one ; I write unto you little children, because ye have known the Father, P- 3<^3 vi CONTENTS. DISCOURSE XII. The Importance of the Pvedemption of Time. Eph. Vi 1 6. Redeeming the time y because the^ days are evil, p.322 DISCOURSE XIII. The Certainty and Solemnity of the Final Judgment. Revelation xx. 11, 12. And I saw a great- white throne^ and him that sat on it^ from whose face the earth and heaven fled awaVy and there was found 710 place for them. And T saw^ the dead, small and great, stand before God : and the books' were opened ; and ano- ther book was opened, which is the book of . life : a?id the dead were judged out of those » things which were written in the books, ac- cording to their works, P* 357 . :^-^^4^m. o 3^^§^s^^»»- — TV distance of the Author of these Sermons from the Press will be sustained, he hopes, by the candid Rcader^as a sufficient apology for any little inaccuracies which they may obferve. SERMONS ON INTERESTING SUBJECTS, SERMON I. THE DEVOUT RESOLUTION, WITH ITS JOYFUL CONSEQUENCE. Psalm xlv. 17. I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations ; therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever. THE facred compofition from which I have read thefe words, is infcribed, A Song of Loves. It celebrates in the mofl fubhme llrains the praifes of the fpiritual beauty, the divine eloquence, the glorious triumphs, and tranf- cendent majefty of Meffiah the Prince. Un- der the figure of a nuptial folemnity, it repre- fents, in juft and elegant language, the amiable appearance and fplendid garments in which the Church (lands arrayed, the confummate felicity and univerfal joy accompanying their A intro- « THE DEVOUT RESOI-UTION, introdudion into the prefence of the Son of God.. It delineates in ftrong and glowing co- lours, the incomparable love of the King of Glory to his peculiar people, the dutiful re- turns of ardent affeclion and cordial fubjedion, which they yield with pleafure to their higheft Lord, and compafTionate Saviour. How mag- nificent, how diverfified the imagery ! how elevated the fentiments, the figures, the dic- tion ! how interefiing the feries of adlions, fo conneded together as to form a poem of dif- tinguifhed excellence, a finifiied fpecimen of that fpecies of compofition I — The noble pur- pofe with which this beautiful Song .con- cludes, exprefles in forcible terms the fupreme regard and w^arm attachment of the royal poet to the illufi:iious Perfon he highly extolled, as pofiTeffing unriva.lled glory, and matchlefs grace. By his laudable example, recorded for our inOirudion, and the happy effeds he fore- tels fhall arife from exertions to perpetuate with honour the praifes of our God and Re- deemer, the fervants of the Mofi: High in eve- ry age ought to be excited to unite their vigo- rous endeavours, to accomplifh the objed he profeiTes to have had in view\ With fenti- ments of devout admiration and humble gratis tude, let each of us adopt the becoming refo- lution, and cheriili the pleafing hope here fig- iiified by the man according to God's owa heart :— -' I wdll make thy name to be remem- ' bered in all generations ; therefore fliali the ■^ people praife thee for ever and ever.' la WITH ITS JOYFUL CONSEQUENCE, 3 In thefe words two things demand our fcri- ous attention ; of which I purpofe, through Divine alliilance, to difcourfe. The devout refolution expreffed in the firft part of the verfe, and — the joyful confequence foretold in the laft claufe, which fliall arife from the faithful performance of this duty. I. I begin with (hewing the import of the devout refolution contained in my text, ' 1 * will make thy name to be remembered in all * generations.' The glorious renowned Perfon w^hofe name is worthy of everlafting remembrance and praifes, is the King whom God hath blefled for ever ; the Moft Mighty, whom the divine poet thus addrelTes at the 6th verfe of this Pfalm : ' Thy Throne, O God, is for ever and * ever.' By the facred name of God is inti- mated his real divinity, to whom is afcribed all the eniigns peculiar to Majefty ; a Throne, denoting his incontrolable dominion, which fhall never have an end ; a Sceptre, fignifying the aclual adminiftration of his government by laws and difpenfations, full of equity and be- iiignity. By the love of righteoufnefs, and hatred of iniquity, which are attributed to him, he is perfedly quahfied for managing all the affairs of his kingdom, vvith undeviating redi- tude and admirable clemency. God there- fore anointed him with the oil of gladnefs above his fellows, he conftituted him the great Me- diator of the new covenant, and furnifhed him A 2 for 4 THE DEVOUT RESOLUTION, ■for performing the arduous work of man's fal- yation ; in the execution of which, he was to rife far fuperior to all thofe employed in fubor- dination to him in this grand enterprize. The writer of the Epiftle to the Hebrews quotes the paflkge I have now recited, to demonftrate the incomparable excellence and dignity of the Son of God, beyond all thofe by whom the Almighty had ever fpoken to mankind, and his confummate ability for accompllfhing by himfelf, without any foreign aid, our puri- fication from fin, by his atoning facriiice, and the benign influence of his Word and Spirit. Jefus Chrifl, then, the only begotten Son of God, is the divine Perfon whofe nam.e the royal prophet, as a pattern to us, determines to make remembered throughout all generations. His name comprehends-^ — The illuftrious titles which intimate his infinite exaltation above every creature in heaven and earth — The divine perfections of which he h?th exhibited magnificent dlfplays unto the fons of men— The tranfcendent glory of which he is poiTef- fed, that claims our veneration, love, and con- fidence. In each of thefe fenfes is our Lord's name ufed in the holy fcriptures ; and in thefe feveral views we ought to make it remembered with honour and giatitude. Tfay, I. His name includes the auguft titles which intimate his infinite exaltation above eve- ry creature in Jieaven and earth. Truly venerable and amiable are the defignations given by the facred writers to the renowned perfon whofe memory the Pnnce of lirael determined WITH ITS JOYFUL CONSE their fouls, and all that is within them.* Deeply fenfible of his infinite Majefty and ineftimable benefits, with fentiments of efteem and gratitude, they fhall extol and magnify him who is greatly to be praifed. In him they Ihall rejoice and glory as their fupreme feli- city, and all-fufficient portion ; preferring him to all other objeds, and keeping him in view as their ultimate end in all that they either do or fuffer. With gladnefs and rejoicing fhall they triumph in his praife, whilit, by a well- ordered converfation, and a holy life, they fhall demonftrate their fiibjedlion to the autho- rity of his law, and the efficacy of his love fhed abroad into their hearts. With the writer of this Pfalm, they are determined to walk before God in the land of the living. Though their mouths may be filent, their lives fhall be a continued hymn of thankfgiving to him who formed them for himfelf, that they may fhew forth his praifes. Had each of them ten thou- iand lives, they would unrefervedly devote them WITH IT3 JOYFUL CONSEQUENCE. 47 them to the fervice of their gracious Lord, and employ them in fliewing forth the virtues of him who hath * called them out of darknefs in- * to his marvellous light/ In this delightful exercife the people of God experience inexpreffible happinefs and joy, which are greatly increafed by the certain profpedl of their uninterrupted continuance, and everlafting perpetuity. In every age there fhall be created a people who fhall praife the Lord ; one generation fhall praife his works to another, and fhall declare his mighty ads. New grounds of thankfgiving fhall be afforded them at all times : Belides, everlafling mer- cies, new deliverances, new benefits, fhall en- liven the grateful fong, and render it exqui- fitely delightful. Every proper opportunity for this pleafant employment fhall be cheer- fully embraced, and faithfully improved; every one forming and executing this becom- ing refolution, — ^* I will blefs the Lord at all * times, and his praife fhall be continually in '' my mouth. Every day vnll I blefs thee, * and I will praife thy name for ever and ' ever.' And after having celebrated the praifes of Jehovah upon earth, through the fucceflive revolutions of time, all the innu- merable multitude of the redeemed from a- mong men, with united hearts and voices, fhall for ever ling to the honour of their Lord and Saviour, for the vidories he hath obtained, the mercies he hath bellowed, and the falvation «he hath wrought. Glorious profped I Who B z would iSiS THE DEVOUT RESOLUTION, &C. would not determine to make our Lord's name remembered throughout all generations, in the plcafing hope that the people (hall praife him for ever and ever ? — Ye children of difobedi- ence, who have hitherto been forgetful of the Father of mercies, and the God of jour lives, be henceforth folicitous, that ye may be happily difpofed to remember, and to make to be remembered, that blelTed name of which ye have been unmindful. Ye children of the Mod High, who have thought upon his name, and have often recommended it to the attention of thofe around you, perfevere in the delightful employment, animated by the re- viving confideration, that men fhall be bleffed in him, and all nations fhall call him bleffed* Amerii and Amm* jBERMON ( 29 ) SERMON II. THE ENORMITY AND IMMENSE NUMBER 6^ MENS TRANSGRESSIONS. Job xxii. 5. Is not thy wickednefs great, and thine iniqui^ ties infinite ^ THESE important queftions demand feri^ ous coniideration, efpecially when we ave profeiTedly employed in humbling omfelves for our fins in the prefence of God, The firft relates to the atrocity, and the latter to the number of our tranfgrellions. Each of them were propofed to upright Job by his friend Eliphaz the Temanite, not to intimate that the matter was dubious, but that by this form of addrefs he might awaken attention to thefe fubjects, and leave them to the decifion of a well-informed mind and unbiaifed judgment. The mode of exprellion which he adopts, is of the fame import with the ftrongelf affirma- tion ; it is more eiuphatical and energetic than the mod: explicit afiertion. Many inftances occur in fcriptuie, where plain indubitable truths are Hated in a queftionary form. King Solomon, in his folemn prayer at the dedica- B 3 tion 3© THE ENORMITY AND IMMENSE NUMBER tion of the temple, ufed thefe forcible words : • Who is there that iinneth not ?' And in his "book of Proverbs, he afks, ' Who can fay, I • am clean from my fin ?' The wife man cer- tainly meant, that there is not an individual of mankind who is without fin, who is not taint- ed by iniquity. In like manner, the interro- gations in my text muft be underflood as poli- tively averting, in perfed: coniiftency with o- ther paflages of the facred writings, the immenfe magnitude, and innumerable multitude of the lins wherewith every man is chargeable before God. With this view, I purpofe, through di- vine affiftance, to lay before you fome of the evidences whereby thefe humbling truths are eitablifhed ; which 1 earneftly pray that God may deeply imprefs on all our hearts, and ren- der conducive to our fpiritual benefit. I hope there are not any of you, my bre- thren, who will be offended, when, with af- fedionate concern for promoting your bed in- terefls, I addrefs you in the words of Eliphaz to Job, — * Is not thy wdckednefs great ? are • not thine iniquities infinite ?' Do any of you fuppofe that your opulence fhould exempt you from this pointed enquiry ? Are you in more affluent circumllances than was the great- eft man in the eaft, of whofe large pofleilions, and vail houfehold you read in the beginning of this facred book? Do you reckon that your high ftation, and the refped you have acquired from thofe among whom you live, render it unneceiTary for you to attend to the queftions we or MENS TRANSGHESSIONS, ^t we are now to difcufs ? Are you more ho- nourable, and more revered than he whom God bleiled in the work of his hands, and in- creafed in fubftance ; in whofe prefence ' the * aged arofe, and flood up, and the nobles held ' their peace ; who, when the ear heard him, * then it blefied him ; and when the eye faw * him, it gave witnefs to him ?' Do you ima- gine that the uprightnefs of your hearts, and the integrity of your condud ought to free you from the charge before us, which it is my bulinefs to bring home to your confciences ? Have you conlidered God's fervant, againlt whom it was primarily diredled ; of whom he teilified, * There was none like him in the * earth ; a perfect and upright man ; one that * feared God, and efcheweC* evil; — who put * on righteoufnefs, and it clothed him ; whofe *. judgment was as a robe and a diadem ;' of whofe patience you have all heard ? Nor were the queflions, now to be confidered, pro- pofed to this good man hy an incenfed enemy, an invidious enthufiaft, or gloomy bigot, who knew not what he faid, nor whereof he af-^ firmed. Thefe queries were put to him by one of his chief friends, who candidly acknow- ledged the favourable opinion he entertained of his integrity, who himfeif was an intelligent man, that delivered fublime fentiments con- cerning God and his providence, which are recorded for our inilrudion. He had com© from a place that was renowned for wifdoni and literature, with the friendly deCi^n of com- B 4 r^iiferating ^2 THE ENORMITY AND IMMENSE NUMBER miferating with the fervant of God in his forrovvs, and of conveying reviving confola- tions into his heart. To each of you then, my brethren, I am fully authorized to put the queflions fuggefted in my text,—' Is not thy * wickednefs great, and thine iniquities inii- « nite?' That you may clearly perceive the import and evidence of the lirfl article in the charge, it may not be improper to obferve, that the word tranilated zvickedne/s, denotes thofe enor- mous crimes whereby we not only deftroy our- felves, injure our brethren, and offend God, but proudly fpurn at his facred authority, and prefumptuoufly tranfgrefs his juft command- ments. Such wickednefs is truly great, inaf- much as we thereby contemn the glorious per- fedlions of Jehovah, — we violate his righte* ous laws, — we abufe his manifold mercies, — we defpife his awful judgments, — and counter- adl the blefled defign of the grace of God re- vealed in the gofpel. To excite your detefta- tion of all manner of wickednefs, to awaken your godly forrow for fin, and to roufe you to future vigilance againfl every fpecies of deli- berate tranfgreffion, I fiiall reprefent, under thefe particulars, the enormity and aggrava- tions wherewith they are attended. — Is not your wdckednefs great ? for thereby, I. You have contemned the glorious perfec- tions of Jehovah ; you have difregarded the in- fpeclion of the omnifcient God, who from hea- ven beholdeth ail the fons of men. Every trefpafs of MENS TRANSGRESSIONS. 33 trefpafs that ever you committed in the mofl: fecrct tranfadions, though artfully concealed from your fellow creatures, was done in his light, whofe eyes are ' in every place, beholding ' the evil and the good, to whom the darknefa * and the hght are alike.' — You have adled in dired oppofition to his perfed purity, who hath commanded you to be holy, as he is holy. In- ftead of admiring, adoring, and imitating this grand and amiable attribute of the divine na- ture, which would have conflituted your high- eft honour, and trueft glory, it hath excited your averfion and terror. By the pradice of atrocious (ins, you have encreafed your natu- ral deformity and pollution, whilil you have ' rendered yourfelves offenfive to him whom you ought to have ferved in the beauties of holi- nefs. — You have defpifed the wifdom of the Mofl High, who hath fhewn you the way wherein you ought to walk, in which are to ba enjoyed the moil defirable tranquilhty, and the mofl fublime pleafures. Confident in your own underflanding, and infenfible of your need of divine condud, you have walked after the counfels of your own hearts. Preferring the ' didates of your own corrupt minds to the max- ims of eternal truth, you have acted as if you were capable of direding yourfelves, and pro- viding for your own happinefs. — You have fet at nought the omnipotence of your Creator, and provoked the Lord to jealoufy, as if you were flronger than he, and able to refifl his al- mighty arm, to whom vengeance belongeth, B 5 By 34 THE ENORMITY AND IMMENSE NUMBER By violating the beautiful order he hath efta- blifhed — by doing what he hath prohibited — by negleding to obey what he hath required—^ and making light of what he hath offered: you have forgotten the Lord your Maker, who * ftretched forth the heavens, and laid the foun- * dations of the earth:' — You have flighted the faithfulnefs of God, who hath folemnly de- clared, that ' though hand join in hand, the * wicked ihall not go unpunilhed ; that heaven * and earth fhall pafs away, but his words fliall * not pafs away.' Unawed by the terrible threat- enings denounced againft: tranfgreffion ; un- moved by the exceeding great and precious promifes annexed to patient continuance in well-doing ; you have finned againft the Lord, and ruined your own fouls. — You have alio re- proached the righteoufnefs of the Supreme Judge of all the earth, who will render to eve- ry one according to his work. Unmindful of the wrath of the Almighty, and the everlaft- ing punifiiment to which fin expofes, and that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, who will repay fury to his adver- faries, and recompence to his enemies; yoii have gone on in your trefpafiTes, and multi- plied your iniquities. I might add more par- ticulars on this head, but 1 truft enough hath been faid to fhew the raahgnant nature of wickednefs, as it contemns the glorious attri- butes of God, which ought to be the objeds of our adoration and praife. 2. You have violated the righteous laws of God. OP MENS TRANSGRESSIONS. 35 God. He hath been graciouHy pleafed to give us laws which are holy, juft, and good ; holy, as they contain a perfed tranfcript of his im- maculate purity, an explicit declaration of his bleiTed will — ^juft in all their demands, which are unqueftionably equitable and righteons — and good, as they require whatfoever is excel- lent and praife-worthy, and prohibit every thing that is evil and pernicious. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the foul, re- joicing the heart, enlightening the eyes. It is admirably fuited to our rational nature, touch- ing all the fprings of human adion ; it is well adapted to our prefent circumiiances, being deiigned to regulate not only our external conducl, but our inward affe^lions, and to pro« mote our true happinefs and comfort. It com- mands us to love the Lord our God with all our foul, heart, and mind, and to exprefs fu- preme affedion for him, by that facred vene- ration and worfliip, that reverence and homage, which he mofl: jtiriiy claims. It requires, that we love our neighbours as ourfelves, and de- moniirate this tender regard in every capacity, . ^ — that we endeavour in every refped to pro- mote then' welfare, and that we fupprefs eve- ry nialevolent paflion and irregular appetite.- What an evil and abommable thing is v.'icked- nefs, which invades the facred rights of the one great Lawgiver, encroaches on his domi- nion, and deprives him of that obedience and fubjedion to which he is unqueftionably enti- tled ? It prefamptvoully refufes to honour him in 36 THE ENORMIir AND IMMENSE NUMBER in whom you live, and move, and have your being ; it plucks from his hand the fceptre of righteoufnefs, and oppofes his glorious fove- xeignty, to which every creature ought to bow. By wickedly departing from the command- ments of the Lord your God, you have turned to him the back, and not the face ; you have forfaken the fountain of living water, and in- curred the wrath and curfe of the Almighty. You have refufed obedience to thofe divine commands which in your hearts you mufl: ap- prove, and that require thofe things which are good and profitable to men. What llatutes can be more equitable and excellent than thofe "which you have perverfely tranfgreffed ? Is it not highly reafonable and juft, that you fhould have abhored idols, that you fhould have devoutly worfhipped the Lord our God, reverenced his name, and fandified his fab- baths ?— that you fhould have honoured thofe whom God hath appointed you to obey ? —that you fhould have endeavoured to pre- ferve your own life, and that of your neigh- bour? — that you fhould have abftainedfrom im- purity, fraud, falfehood, flander, and covetouf- nefs ? Notwithftanding you w^re fully fatis- iied of the propriety and goodnefs of the law of God, have not you violated its precepts, times without number? Though encouraged to the duties of obedience, by affurances of divine aid, and acceptance through the Lord Jefus Chrift, by the fublime pleafure with which they are accompanied, and the glorious profpects exhibited in the gofpel, you have OF MENS TRANSGRESSION!;. 37 have finned, and done wickedly. You have renounced allegiance to your rightful fove- reign ; you have withheld the honour due to the Father of Spirits, you have ftopt the de- lightful intercourfe which ought to have fub- fiited betwixt you and the Giver of all good, you have put arms into the hands of your ene- mies, you have burft afunder the mod sacred obligations, you have introduced the mod dan- gerous diforders into your conflitution, you have poifoTied your comforts, and embittered your afflidions, you have perverted the bed laws to the word purpofes, and have indeed dedroyed yourfelves. Language is infufficient to exprefs the extreme folly, the odious nature, and dreadful ededs of that wickednefs which tramples upon the divine law. 3. You have abufed the manifold mercies of God. How innumerable, how inedimable, the benefits you have received from the Fa- ther of lights ! Mercies were laid in the very foundation of your exidence, when you were formed with intelligent fpirits, which are cap- able of maintaining intercourfe with God, and thofe beautifully organized bodies wherein they refide. Having introduced you into this date- ly well furnifhed habitation, over which he hath dretched the fpacious canopy of heaven, enlightened and adorned with the mod fplen- did luminaries ; he provided for you fprings of water, which you digged not ; bread and rai- ment, which you earned not ; fruits and herbs, which you planted not. When the arrows of death 38 THE ENORMITY AND IMMENSE NUMBER death were fleeing thick around you, he mer- cifully fpared you, and brought you to this day, Frefh oil hath been daily conveyed into your lamp of life, to keep it alive, which rightly confidered, is no lefs wonderful, than that the widow woman's cruife of oil did not fail, upon which fhe daily fubiifted. When the florin of affliction hath aflailed you, and threatened you with imminent danger, the Almighty hath re- buked the tempeft, repaired your Shattered conflitution, and fent you out into the v/orld as found and ftrong as ever. The God of your life hath given you a habitation, in which you refide, which is more than Jefus Chrifh had in the days of his humiliation, and hath continu- ed to allow you poflelTion of it, notwithiiand- ing you have ungratefully refuted to pay him the homage he juflly demands. — Are you in affluent circumflances ? it is God who gave you power to get wealth: Have you reputation? it is God that exalted you to the refpedability, and credit which you pofiefs : Do you en- joy the fociety of agreeable friends ? for this comfort, you are indebted to that God, who gave Jofeph ' favour in the eyes of Pharaoh:' Have you had fuccefs in buiinefs ? this alfo Cometh from the Lord of holls, w^ho is. wonder- ful in counfel, and excellent m working: Have you derived benefit from the variegated dif- penfations of Providence ? it is God who hath made them work together for your good : Do you enjoy the glorious gofpel of Jefus Chrift ? it is made known to you for the obedience of faith. OF MENS TRANSGRESSIONS. g^ faith, according to the commandment of the everlafting God I — Say then, my brethren, how great muft be the wickedneCs which perverts and abufes all this profiifion of unmerited kind- nefs, all thefe precious benefits. * Many, O * Lord my God, are thy wonderful works ' which thou haft done, and thy gracious * thoughts to US-ward; they cannot be reckon- ' ed up in order unto thee; if 1 would fpeak, * and declare them, they are more than can be * numbered.' Notwithitanding the mercies of God have been new to you every morning, and every evening, and he hath loaded you with benefits, have not * the thoughts of the imaginations of your hearts * been only evil, and that continually?' have not you loaded him with your fins? Have not you often converted the bleffings, wherewith you have been favoured, into weapons of rebelliou againit the bountiful Giver ? Have not yoii lightly efte6med them ? Have not you been ungrateful for them ? Have you not obflinate- ly counteracled the gracious delign for which they were bellowed ? or fquandered them a- way in the puifuit of fin and vanity. Can we view our wickednefs in this odious light, and not be ' covered with fiiame and confufion of ' face ;* and not be deeply penetrated v/ith an afteding fenfe of our moil undutiful condudl ? Do you thus requite the Lord, O foohili peo- ple and unwile ! for which of his good works do you tranfgrefs againit him ? what iniquity have 40 THE ENORMITT AND IMMENSE NUMBER have you found in him, that you have gone far from him ? 4. You have defpifed the awful judgments of God. The wrath of the Almighty is re- vealed from heaven againft all unrighteouf- nefs and ungodlinefs of men, not only by fo- lemn denunciations, but by awful inftances re- corded in Scripture. Memorable are the words of the prophet David : ' The Lord fliall re- * ward the doer of evil accordmg to his wick- * ednefs.' How folemn the prediction deliver- ed by Malachi 1 * All that do wickedly, fhall * be (lubble, and the day that cometh fhall * burn them up, faith the Lord of Hofts.' He hath teftified his juft difpleafure againft all manner of wickednefs, by terrible things in righteoufnefs. ' He fpared not the angels that * finned, but thruft them down to hell, and * referved them in everlafting chains, under * darknefs, to the judgment of the great day.^ Though you have heard in the word of truth, that neither the excellency of their nature, the dignity of their (tation, nor the multitude who joined in the apoftacy (having never feen any precedent of divine wrath), retrained God from infliding upon them divine vengeance, even for one tranfgrellion ; yet you have committed one iniquity after another, until they are in * number as the hairs upon your heads.' How awful the righteous judgment which the Lord God executed upon our firft parents for their difobedience I Having tranfgrefTed his law, he expelled them from his pretence, and OF MENS TRANSGRESSIONS. 41 and the garden of delights, wherein they were placed, and, in part, infiicled the fentence of death denounced againfh lin, in confequence of which, mankind are born children of wrath, liable to death and deftrudion. Notwithftand- ing,you were acquainted with this direful event, and the dreadful confequences of violating the divine law, inattentive to the inftrudions which it conveys, you have often done verywickedly, — * When God faw that the wickednefs of man * w^as great on the earth, and that all fleih had * corrupted their way, he brought in the over- * flowing flood upon the world of the ungodly.' When Sodom, Gomorrah, and the neighbour- ing cities had given themfelves over to wick- ednefs, ' the Lord rained upon them fire and * brimfl:one from heaven ; turned them into * 8 flies, making them an example unto thofe * that after fliould live ungodly.' When the If- raelites fell into idolatry, * the Lord dehvered * them into the hands of their enemies.' When they committed uncleannefs, * there fell of ' them in one day, twenty-three thoufand.' When they tempted Chnft, they ' were de- * flroyed of ferpents,' when they murmured, they ' were coniumed of the deilroyer ;* and after they rejected and crucified the Son of God, ' wrath came upon them to the utter- * mofl;* their city, temple, and nation, were re- duced to ruin. What, indeed, are all the dire- ful calamities, which, in every age, have defo- lated the earth, overturned cities, kingdoms, and empires ? but the righteous judgments of God, 42 THE ENORMITY AND IMMENSE NUMBER Gad, who « turneth fruitful lands into barren- * nefs, for the wickednefs of them that dwell * therein.' Confider, farther, that the Lord who lo- veth righteoufnefs, hath not permitted, e- ven thofe fins which feem to us lefs criminal, to efcape punifhment. Uzza, who only touch- ed the ark of God, contrary to the divine com^ mand, when the oxen fiumbled which drew the cart whereon it was placed, for this rafh adlion, though done perhaps with a good de* fign, was fmitten, and * died before the Lord/ This alarming difpenfation, ought to be conli- dered ferioufly, by thofe who imagine that up- right intention affords fufiicient excufe for tranfgreffing any of God's precepts. Above fifty thoufand of the men of Bethfhemilh w^ere fmitten by the Lord, who feem, merely from curioiity, to have looked into the ark of God. This dreadful calamity inftrudts thofe who prefumptuoufly intermeddle with facred things, of the imminent danger to W'hich they expofe themfelves. A poor man who ' gathered (ticks * on the Sabbath day,' perhaps, thinking that they were necelTary for fuel, was put to death, by an exprels mandate from heaven. * All the congregation brought him without ' the camp, and iloned him with ftones, and * he died, as the Lord commanded Mofes.' Ananias and Sapphira, for diffimulation and falfehood, were fuddenly * ftruck dead ;' and Herod w^as ' fmitten by the angel of the * Lord, becaufe he gave not God the glory.* Now, all thefe things, and many others, hap- pened or MENS TRANSGRESSIONS. /^^ * pened unto them for er.famples, and they are * written for our admonition, notwithfland- * ing, we have finned after the iimilitude of ' thefe tranfgreffions.' — I have one thing more to add, which greatly aggravates our Vi'icked- nefs, and it is the mofl alarming of any that hath been mentioned. It is this — The Moll High God hath folemnly declared, * that the * wicked fhall be turned into hell, and the na- * tions that forget God.' At the final judg- ment, * all that perfifl: in doing wickedly fhall * go away into everlafling puniihment, prepa- * red for the devil and his angels, where the * worm dieth not, and the fire is not quench- * ed.* Though you have been often fully in- formed of this approaching, awful day, wherein the workers of iniquity fhall have afligned them endlefs deilrudion, and mifery for their portion ; have not you, regardlefs of warnings and threatenings, gone on in your trefpaiTes ? Once more, 5. You have cGuntera£led the bleiTed de- fign of the grace of God revealed in the gol- pel. From the whole current of Scripture, it is evident, that God fent his Son Jefus Chrifl;, to blefs us, in turning every one of us from our iniquities ; that his fufierings and death, were intended to put an end to lin, and to finiih tranfgreffion ; ' that he gave ' himfelf for us, to redeem us from all iniquity, * and to purify unto himfelf a peculiar people, * zealous of good works.' 1 o accomphfh this benevolent purpofe, the Son of God alTumed human nature, and the ' form of a fervant ; he took 44 THE ENORMITY AND IMMENSE NUMBER took on him our infirmities,' he ' endured the * contradidion of linners/ he ' fubmitted to re- * proach/ he was aifailed by the powers of darknefs, he ' was defpifed and rejeded of * men,' the * forrows of death compafTed him ' about,' he ' made his foul an offering for fin,* he ' bare our fins on his own body on the * tree, that we, being dead unto fin, might * five unto righteoufnefs.' And was the Cap- tain of falvation, thus made perfed through fufferings ? and ought not we to acknowledge his grace with the utmofl: gratitude, and to improve it with the warmeft afl^edlion, expref- fed by dutiful returns of fidelity and obedi- ence ? What powerful obligations hath Jefus Chrift brought us under, to deteft and avoid all manner of iniquity, by the rich difplays he hath given of his infinite love and grace, in his fuflferings and death, in his fubfequent exalta- tion and glory, and the tender compafiion he hath uniformly fliewn to the children of men ?' What fimng encouragements hath he, who is able to fuccour us when tempted, laid before us, diligently to beware of every fpecies of tranfgrefiion, and faithfully to perform every part of duty? — Notwithftanding the aftonifh- ing condefcenfion of the Lord of glory, his tranfcendant love to us, who were utterly un- worthy, and the wonderful demonftration gi- ven in his crofs, of the malignity of fin; have not you turned his grace into wantonnefs, and done very wickedly? Though he ' became ' obedient even unto death/ and died for us,. that- OF MENS TRANSGRESSIONS. 45 that we might live together with him ; have not we, by our fins, * crucified him afrelli, put * him to open fhame, and done defpite to the * Spirit of grace ?' Doth not your own hearts condemn you? How much more will God, who is greater than your hearts, and know- eth all things ? Is not then your wickednefs great, and highly aggravated by thefe circum- Hances which 1 have mentioned, that ought, this day, to be recolleded with contrite hearts, and earned prayers for pardoning mercy, and fandifying grace ? II. I proceed to confider the import and evi- dence of the other article contained in the charge before us. * Are not thine iniquities * infinite ?* The word rendered iniquity, fig- nifies perverfity, or frowardnefs, and, by an .eafy tranfition, is ufed to exprefs any itub- born deviation from the perfed rule of con- dudl with which God hath been pleafed to furnifh us. Such iniquities are infinite, not in the fi:ri6l fenfe of the word, in which it is on- ly apphcabie to God, but according to its frequent acceptation in common difcourfe, where that is faid to be infinite, which ex- ceeds all due bounds, which is above our comprehenfion, and furpafles all arithmetical calculation. Though Almighty God telleth all our wanderings, yet fuch is the immenfe multitude of our fins, that to us, they are goiie above all reckoning up. They may, how- ever, be diflributed into feveral clafiTes, and fo arranged under proper denominations, as that we 4^ THE ENORMITY Al^D IMMENSE NUMBER we may be fully fatisfied of the juftice of the information, 1 mean to explain and illuftrate. I (hall comprize what 1 have to fay, on this part of the fubjed, under the following parti- culars — Have you not omitted many duties, which God hath explicitly required ? — Have you not done many things, that he hath ex- prefsly prohibited ? — And have not your beil a6ls of obedience been attended with many blemiflies, and deficiencies ? — I fay. Have you not omitted many duties, that God hath explicitly required ? Have you not tranfgreffed his laws in every period of life ; in childhood, youth, and maturer years ; in every condition, profperous and adverfe ; in every employment, civil or facred ; in every flation, whether confpicuous or retired ; in e- very relation, wherein you were placed at all times, and in all places, whether holy or com- mon ? Have you not trefpafled diredly againft God, injured your neighbour, and wronged your own fouls ? If you have been inofFenlive and righteous before men, have you not been unrighteous before God, with-holding from him that fupreme afFedtion which is due to him on account of his infinite excellencies and ineftimable benefits ? Though you may have yielded external refpedl to his command- ments, have not you often inwardly violated the obligations you were thereby laid under, to refign yourfelves to his difpofal, to truft in his providence, to reverence his name, and ad- vance his glory ? Though you have not profa- • ned OF MENS TRANSGRESSIONS. 47 ned bis name, or attributes, in your converfa- tion, yet you have not fanclified him as you ought in your hearts. Though you have re- frained from your worldly bulinefs on the fab- baths of the Lord your God, have not you of- ten encroached on that portion of facred time he hath appropriated to himfelf, by unnecefla- ry amufcments, and trifling difcourfe ? Though attentive to fome relative duties, congenial to your natural temper, have you inflruded, ad- monifhed, and reproved thote intrufted to your care, recommending to them the word of God, and fetting before them examples of circum- fpedlion and holinefs ? How many who are not chargeable with prefumptuous tranfgreflions a- gainll the law of God, who yet believe not his everlafting gofpel, and place not their fole de- pendance oa Jefus Chrift, who are infeniible of their unfpeakable need of him, and of the Holy Spirit to renew and fancStify them ? How many, who are regular and decent in their ex- ternal cond 146!:, and pundual in attending on divine ordinances, who .are under the influence of pride, prefumption, the love of the world, and other corrupt paffions ; who perfifl; in im- penitence and unbelief, and in the negle£t of the important exercifes of true godlinefs ? Af- ter thus reviewing your condu6l, you mufl: be fenfible, that you have negledled to perform many commanded duties. Farther, Have you not done many things that God hath exprefsly prohibited ? According to the teltimony of God, every imagination of the thoughts 48 THE ENORMITY AND IMMENSE NUMBER thoughts of * mans heart is only evil contin- * ually/ Recoiled the fentiments you have often cheriflied in your hearts, diflionourable to the majefty, the providence, the law, and falvation of the Mod High ; the injurious thoughts you have entertained refpedling your neighbour, arifing from hatred or envy^ and thofe which proved hurtful to your own beft intererts. — Call to mind the fmful words that you have fpoken on various occafions. How many profane and impious, proud and info- lent, impure and foolifh fpeeches have dropt from your lips ? How many falfe and deceitful, rafh and vain cenforious, flanderous things have we uttered in converfation ? Hath not corrupt communication often proceeded out of our mouths, which tended not to the ufe of edifying, that could not minifter grace to the hearers, but proved ofFenfive to God, and inju- rious to our brethren ? As the wife man re- marks, * in the multitude of words there want- * eth not fin ;' in proof of which, a writer of fome eminence recounts twenty-four forts of fms committed by the tongue. After review- ing our converfation in time pad, we may ju il- ly exclaim, in the words of David king of If- rael, ' who can underftand his errors ? cleanfe * thou us from our fecret faults !' That great man, having contemplated the glory of Jeho- vah difplayed in the heavens, the work of his hand, and in the law delivered from his mouth, relleding on his own heart and con- dud, difcovered by the light of the word and Spirit OF MENS TRANSGRESSIONS. 49 Spirit of God, an immenfe number of fins he had not formerly perceived, on which he ufes this forcible exclamation, ' who can under- ' {land his errors !' — Call to your remembrance, alfo, the finf ul adions whereby you have vio. lated the holy laws of God. With how many ads of intemperance are we chargeable, in immoderately defiring, and purfuing the plea- fures and enjoyments of this prefent w^orld ? How frequently have we committed ads of injuftice, by not giving to every one his due, and by not ' doing to others as we ' w^ould that they fhould do to us r' How ma- nifold the inliances of ungodlinefs whereof we have been guilty, in negleding to attend and improve the ordinances of divine appointment ; in not cherifhing the graces of the Holy Spi- rit, and not uniformly maintaining aconverik- tion becoming the gofpel ? To all thefe, add the fins we have contracted in the bufinefles and itations we have occupied, and in ail our tranfadions, whether common or facred, and then fay, have not our tranfgrellions been multiplied before God, and do they not tefiify* againft us ? — Once more, Have not your befi: performances been at- tended with many blemifnes and deficiencies? In innumerable inftances, criminal negligence, hyix)criiy and formality, have intermixed with your moll folemn fervices ; vain and worldly thoughts have difturbed your facred worfhip j lamentable imperfedions in humility, in re- verence and love for God, have blended C themfelves 5^ THE ENORMITY AND IMMENSE NUMBER themfelves with exercifes of devotion, and fpoiled the facrificesj^ou have prefented before God. The pradice of the duties of juftice and righteoiifnefs, hath often flowed from the fear of reproach, or the love of reputation ; and not from an unbiafTed regard to equity, and a prevaihng refped: to the authority and approbation of God. Ads of beneficence and charity have often proceeded from the defire of applaufe and refped among men, and not from love to God and the Redeemer, and fo- licitude to evidence the fincerity of our pro- feffion of faith in the gofpeL In many things "we all offend, and thefe we ought humbly to acknowledge, faying with the church, In the prophecies of Ifaiah, ' all our righteoufneffes are * as filthy rags.' Not one of our befi; perform- ances are fo pure and perfed, as to be whol- ly free from fin. The effecl cannot be more excellent than the caufe by which it is pro- duced : The beft of men being only fandified in part, their adions cannot be altogether good and holy. — Think feriouily on the various trefpaflTes which you have committed, that might be arranged under the feveral clafTes now mentioned, and you may fee fuflicient reafon to adopt the words in the fortieth Pfalm, verfe 12. * Innumerable evils have com- ' pafled me about, mine iniquities have taken ' hold upon me, fo that I am not able to look * up ; they are more than the hairs of mine * head, therefore my heart faileth me.' Thus have I exhibited the magnitude and the OF MENS TRANSGRESSIONS. JI the multitude of your iniquities, in order to a- vvaken your godly Ibrrow for lln — to iliew the neceffity of faith in Jefus Chrift, and of cir- cumfpedion and vigilance in your future con- dud. — What you have now heard, ought to be improved for thefe valuable pradical pur- pofes. i.This fubjed ought to produce genuine humiliation, and godly forrow for (in. Such is its dreadful malignity, that it is everywhere reprefented in fcripture by the moll deteft- able images, and pointed out as the fource of all the calamities that afflid the human race. It infeebles, corrupts, and debafes our nature ; it difturbs the beautiful order which God hath eftablidied ; it perverts our powers ; it poiibns our comforts ; it embitters our crofles, and expofes to the wrath of the Almighty. Such is its awful demerit, that it deprives of the favour and image of God, and fubjeds to e- verlafting punifhment from which we can be delivered only through the atoning facrifice of the Lord Jefus Chriit. Such is its mighty dangerous influence, that nothing lefs than Omnipotence can fubdue its power, and re- fcue from its ufurped dominion. Deeply im- prefled, then, with a fenfe of the enormity and number of our tranfgreffions, let us, with pe- nitential forrow, and real contrition of heart, humble ourfelves before God. Fully convm- ced of the odious nature and terrible confe- quences of hn difplayed in the crofs of Chnft, let us take to ourfelves * ihame and confufion ■C a 'of 52 THE ENORMITY ANI3 IMMENSE NUMBER * efface, and repent in dufl and aflies.' Ab- horring ourfelves in every view that we can take, let us have immediate recourfe to the infinite mercy of God in Chrift revealed in the gofpel, hum.bly acknowledging our tref- paifes unto him who alone can forgive fins. Under heartfelt convidlion of our fin, folly, and danger, and the tender mercies of God our Saviour, let us return unto him from whom we have departed, with * weeping and fuppli- * cation,' faying unto him, * take away all ini- * quity, and receive us gracioufly.' 2. This difcourfe ferves to Ihew the abfglufe necefiity of faith in Jefus Chrift.* We can- not properly underftand, efteem, or embrace the mercy of God in Chrif];, until we are con- vinced of our fin and miiery. To infenfibility of their depravity and guilt, is to be attribu- ted the negligence and indifterence which many difcover toward the gofpel ; whereas, a juft fenfc of the atrocity and multitude of our iniquities, leads to acknowledge the neceflity of being interefi;ed in the all-fufficient Re- deemer. There is no other way by which we can obtain the remifi[ion of fins, and be refi:o- red to the favour of God, than through the mediation of Jefus Chrift. In him * we have ' redemption through his blood, the forgive- ' nefs of fins, according to the riches of his * grace.' * Without fhedding of blood there * is no remifliion.' The typical facrifices ofter- ed under the Old Tefi:ament, wxre only fiia- dows of the great propitiation of Jefus Chrilt. la OF MENS TRANSGRESSIONS. C^ In vain do we attempt by reformation of condadl to cancel the guilt that we have contraded. Such prefumption w^ould fliew our ignorance, both of ourfelves and the law of God, as well as of the method of falvation difcovered in the gofpel. Beware then of feeking that in your- felves which is only to be found in the Savi- our ; of expecting that from your obedience to the law, w^hich can only be obtained by means of faith in his name. Admiring the infjnite grace of God, manifeiled through the Lord Jefus Chrift, betake y ourfelves to him * who is mighty to fave. Flee for refuge, * to lay hold on the hope fet before us,' de- riving encouragement from his own gracious "words, * He that cometh unto me, 1 vriii in *; nowife call out.' 3. This fubjeQ; ought to excite to circum- fpedlion and vigilance. ' Keep your hearts * with ail diligence, for out of them are the * liTues of life and death.' 'Take heed, brethren, * leit there be in any of you an evil heart of * unbelief, m departing from the hving God.' * Set a watch before your mouth, and keep * the door o^ your lips, le(l you offend with * your tongue.' * Take heed alio to your < ways, enter not into the path of the wicked, ' and go not m the way of evil men ; avoid * it, pafs not by it, turn from it^ and pafs a- * way.' ' Watch and pray, that you enter * not into temptation *.' In humble depend- ancc on divine grace, guard againft all th-)fe C 3 P'.incipies * Phil. iv. 7. I Pet. i. 5. Pial. lii, 3. 54 THE ENORMITY AXD IMMENSE NUMBER, ScC. principles and pradices, however prevalent, that might prove injurious to your beft inte- refts, and endeavour to fhine forth * in the • beauties of holinefs.* Then may you hope, that the calamities with which you are vifited are not the effecls of the wrath of God, but of his infinite love, defigned to purify you in the furnace of afRidion; then may you expeft, that he who hath delivered, will deliver and preferve to his heavenly kingdom. — May the peace of God rule in your hearts — May the power of God be your ftrength and flay — May the providence of13od afford you conftant protedlion and fafety — May the blefling of God reft on you and all that you have. — • Thou, O Lord, art a fhield for us, our glo- • ry, and the lifter up of our heads.* — And to thy name be honour and praife. Amen. SERMON ( 55 ) SERMON III. THE INSUFFICIENCY OF EXCUSES TO EXTE NUATE PEOPLES FAULTS. 2 Chron. xxiv. 20. 77)us saitb God, V/hy transgress ye the com^ viandments of the Lord, that ye cannot- prosper P FORMING excufes for tranrgrefilon is aa ancient and frequent pradice. It com- monly proceeds from fupine indolence, fup- pofed incapacity, criminal averfion to duty, the negledl of improving opportunity, and ii- milar pernicious fources. The truth of this re- mark is abundantly confirmed by many flrik- ing inflances recorded in fcripture, as well as by the attentive obfervation of what palTes in the world. Adam, when called to account by the Lord God for violating the divine com- mand, acknowledged the crime he had com- mitted, but endeavoured to extenuate his fin by transferring the blame to his companion, The woman, when examined by her Creator as to the fad, denied not the trefpafs, but tried to palliate the offence by the fubtilty of the ferpent by whom Ihe was feduced. This dif- C 4 poficion ^6 THE INSUFFICIENCY OF EXCUSES pofition difcovered bv our fiid parents, feems to have been tranfmitted by them to their pofterity, who in all ages have adled under its baneful influence, and (hewn a (Irong propen- iity to conceal, or difguife their bad adions. After Cain had llain his brother, God made inquliition for blood, and aiked him, * Where * is Abel, thy brother ?' The murderer, to alle- viate his guilt, made this prefumptuous reply, * Am 1 my brother's keeper ?' Aaron, hav- ing been challenged by Mofes refpeding the golden calf, why he brought fo great a fin upon the Ifraehtes ? wifliing to mitigate the crime, charged the congregation with the tref- pafs, in thele words : ' Thou knoweft this peo- * pie, tha^ they are fet on mifchief.' Saul, the fon of Kiih, having received an exprefs commandment from God to deflroy all the Amalekites with ail their polTellions, when accufed of perverfe difobedience to the divine authority, he meanly put the fault from him- felfupon the people. David, the king of If. rael, having perpetrated an enormous crime, which was followed with an order to place Uriah the Hittite in the front of the battle where he was llain, foolilhly attributed this event to accident, faying, ' The fword devour- * eth one as well as another.' The rejection of the offers of the rich grace exhibited in the gofpel, is apologized il)r by the regard men owe to urgent bulinefs, to their temporal inte- refts, and intimate conheclions. So flrong is this propenfity in human nature, that it difco- vers TO EXTENUATE PEOPLES FAULTS. 57 versjtfelf in fociety every day ;. nay, our Lord Jefas Chrift declares it will continue to ope- rate even at the final judgment. Hypocrites, however notorious, profane perfons, however wicked, will perfift in alledging wliat they can tojudify themfelves, and to lelTen the atrocity of their fins, though without effedl. In order to expofe the lin and folly of this fruitlefs expedient, I put the quefiion to you, my brethren, which Zechariah, when bleiled with theSpirit ofGod,propofed to the men of Judah: * Thus faith God, Why tranfgrefs ye the com - * mandments of the Lord, that y;! cannot prof- ' per ?' Why do you contemn the fupreme authority of Jehovah, and refufe obedience to the God who made, and who preferves you, even after you are affured that, by a«51ing in this manner, you wrong your own fouls, and forfeit your happinefs, * Produce your caufe^ * faith the Lord ; bring forth your itrong ar- * guments, faith the King of Jacob,' v/hereby you endeavour to vindicate your conduct, and to dimiuiih the enormity of your fins. ' Gome * now, and let us reafon together, faith the * Lord,' fpecify the principal defences which you can offer to extenuate your tranfgref- fions ; and, in dependence on God, I will fhew that they are futile and frivolous ; that indeed ye are without excufe, and have no good reafon for violating the law of the Lord. Do you plead ignorance— inability — cuftom — example — maxims — circumilances ? I affirm that no one of thefe pleas can juftify bad con- G s dud, 58 THE INSUFFICIENCY OF EXCUSES dudl, and that you are, as the apoftle of the Gentiles declares, * without excufe.' Let us candidly examine them one by one, and im- partially enquire into their force and validity, that, convinced of their infufficiency for the purpofes to which they are often applied, we may be brought to a fenfe and acknowledg- ment of our guilt, and be compelled to flee to Jefus Chrifl for refuge and falvation. I. Ignorance is urged as an excufe for tranf- grefling the commandments of the Lord. Do you alledge, that, in many cafes, you are uncer- tain what is really iinful, and that the divine law hath prohibited fuch and fuch adlions ; if then you do wrong, it is becaufe you know not your duty ? — Laws are enaded and pub- lifhed to inform men what they ought to do, and what they ought to avoid. For this pur- pofe, among others, the Almighty Sovereign of heaven and earth hath promulgated his perfect law, in which he hath (hewn what is good, and what he requireth of us. This royal law we ought to fl;udy with diligence, and to obferve with our whole hearts, even to the end of life. Intimate acquaintance with it is in- difpeniibly requilite to the right knowledge of fin, if we can rely on the teftimony of the a- poflle of the Gentiles, who affirms, ' that he * had not known fin, but by the law.' Indeed, we cannot have a juft fenfe, either of fm or duty, uniefs w^e ftudy thofe holy precepts which are given to be a light unto our feet, and a lamp unto our goings. To this lauda- ble TO lxtenuate peoples faults. ^9 ble pradice we have the flrongeft encourage- ment ; it is tranllated into our own language ; in itfelf it is plain and intelligible; and, hke every thing elfe, it is eafy to him that under- flandeth. In fonie inilances, ignorance, doubtlefs, is excufable. If the matter is of little import- ance for us to be acquainted with, as of the immenfe magnitude of the fun in the fir- mament : or, if the objed is but obfcurely re- vealed, and of no great confequence for us exaclly to afcertain, as of the perfon of Mei- chifedec, the prieft of the Moil High God. Thofe things, however, which relate to our duty and happinefs, that are clearly revealed, we ought to lludy with the utmoft attention and folicitude, and to treat with profound re- fped: and fubmifiion. Voluntary ignorance of fuch matters;, far from diminifbiing peoples faults, proves a great aggravation of them. Why are not you well informed refpecling every part of your duty, which is plainly fet before you in the word of God ; wherein is made known the good and acceptable will of our Mailer in heaven ? He hath not only fpoken, but written to you the great things of his law, and fent unto you his fervants, v/hofe lips fliould fpcak knowledge, to inftrud you in the way of falvation. He hath not withheld any tiling necefTary to give you full information of your duty, and to regulate your condud in every condition. With what a bad grac^j then, do you plead ignorance to G6 exteuuate . 6o THE INStJFFlCIENCy OF EXCUSES extenuate your tranfgreliions. Would an earthly judge fuftain this plea as a fufficieiit defence for trefpaiTes againft thofe laws which had been regularly publiflied throughout the realm ? Notwithflanding the ftatute was pro- mulgated with great folemnity, do you think you would be acquitted of the crime you had committed, becaufe you did not know that what you had done was a violation of the law ? Would not you be told, that if you did not know, you might ; you ought to have known the laws which contain full information re- fpecling every part of your condudl? And will not the Supreme Judge of all the earth rejedi: fuch a frivolous pretext, as unworthy of notice? Hear wdth attention his own words : * If thou fayefl, Behold we knew it not : doth * not he that pondereth the heart confider it, * and he that keepeth thy foul, doth not he * know it ; and Ihall not he render to every * man according to his works ?' Convinced that excufes derived from this fource are unavailing, and cannot anfwer the purpofes for which they are produced, beware of that dangerous ignorance which ftiflcs remorfe, and is the fruitful parent of fecurity, prefump- tion, and many other evils. Why did the rebel- lious Ifraelites provoke God in the wildernefs for forty years, but becaufe they did not know his ways ? Why c^id the rulers and the peo- ple of the Jews deny the Holy and the Jufl: One, and kill the Prince of Life, but becaufe they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the * Prophets, TO EXTENUATE PEOPLES FAULTS. 6 1 Prophets, which are read every Sabbath day ? Why did Saul of Tarfus blafpheme, perfecute, and injure the Church of Jefus Chrift, but becaufe he a6led ignorantly in unbehef ? Sen- iible that indulgence in any fin will effeclu- ally exclude from the kingdom of heaven, en- deavour to be well acquaint, not only with the weightier matters of the law, but with thofe duties which feem to efcape the notice of not a few, fuch as felf-denial, moderation, reftitution, with others 1 Hay not to mention. Plead not unnecellarily ignorance as a cloke for fin ; diligently^ improve the advantages you enjoy for the acquifirion of knowledge, in humble dependence on the Father of lights, that he may caufe you to underftand the way of his precepts. 2. Inability is pleaded to extenuate the tranfgreffion of the commandments of God. People fay that they have not power to do what is required of them, and fo they think it unnecelTary to eilay what they deem imprac- ticable. — Liability is a relative term, applied to exprefs the infufficiency of thofe exertions which are inadequate to the accomplifhment of the purpofes intended to be effected. Did it arife from want of natural capacity, or from external obftacles which could not be removed, this excvife might be luilained as vahd and fatisfadory. But this kind of im- becility you cannot urge, with propriety, as the reafon of your difobedience to the autho- rity of God, You mud acknowledge that you poiiefs 6l THE INSUrFlCIENCT OF EXCUS'ltS poiTefs underdandings capable of difcerning. truth, excellence, and duty, that they may be enriched with the knowledge of the good and perfedl will of God, and the important intereiling objects propofed to your confidera- tion. You cannot refuse that you have the power of volition, thai you may choofe the good, and refufe the evlL Though your un- derilandmgs are darkened through the igno- rance that IS in them, you may have them en- lightered by rhe fpirit of wifdom and revela- tion ; thou!>h your wills are obllinate and per- verfe, they may be inclined to tl:at which is well pleahng in God's fight. Your averfion to duty cannot be fuftained as a relevant excufe for neglecting it ; on the contrary, your dif« inchnation to that which is good greatly in- creafes the criminality of bad condud ; far from extenuating, it highly aggravates the of- fence ; the more vicious, the ftronger is the propenfiiy to vice, and, confequently, greater is the inability to do good. The want~ of power to diicharge your duty, whereof you complain, does not remove the guilt of tranf- greffion, nor diminifh the neceffity of your fubjedion to God; it does not render any pre- cept of the Moll High an improper object of command, nor does it afford a valid excufe for tranfgrefling the fupreme authority of Je- hovah. The obedience which we owe to our Creator and Lord, chiefly conhfts in volun- tary fubjection to his holy law ; difobedience lies in refufing to yield this dutiful fubmiffion; fo TO JlXtenuate peoples faults. 6^ lb that ftrong inclination to perform' what is required, is the immediate fubjed of the com- rnand ; whereas, the want of this difpofition is the dired violation of the divine precept, and confequently cannot vindicate itfelf. You do not conduct; your worldly bufinefs on this principle Though you that are huf- bandmen cannot unite to tlie earth one grain of corn that you fow in your tit^lds, nor con- tribute to the actual procefs of vegitaticn, which are the peculiar effects of divine power, you decline not to cultivate and fow your grounds. You would be deemed foolifh, or neghgent, were y-^u to plead inability as an excufe for negleding any part of your agri- cultural affairs : how abfurd then to urge this plea for omitting the important duties required in the word of God ? Are you not as able, in the exercife of the rational powers with which God hath been pleafed to furnifn you, to at- tend on the means of fpiritual improvement, as to perform any focial duty incumbent upon you ? Are not you as capable of fearching the fcriptures, and applying your minds to the interefting fubjeds they contain, as to any worldly bufinefs in which you are emph y rl ? May not you as importunately afk from God the bleffings that you need, as you beg a fa- vour from a friend ? Cannot you as eafily af- fociate with good, as with bad company ; and avoid occafions of committing fin, as embrace opportunities of indulging m vice ? -and may not you as well confider your latter end, and the 64 THE INSUFFICIENCY OF EXCUSES the things that belong to your peace, as be anx- ioufly engaged in thinkmg ' what you fliall eat, * what you fnall drink, and wherewithal you * fhall be clothed ?' What hinders you from being modefl: and humble, kind and benefi- cent to your brethren ? The bulk of people know very well, whatever they pretend, that in thefe and fimilar inflances they do not what they are able, and come far fliort of what many have aclually done. Permit me to remind you of the w-ords of God addreifed to his people of old : * Remember that you * are men, and turn unto him from your evil * ways.' Though you cannot fubdue your corrupt difpofitions, and renovate your na- tures, yet the grace of God is promifed in the gofpel, and offered to your acceptance for this very purpofe. You have more power to ab- ftain from outward adts of fin, than you com- monly exert ; and were you as diligent in en- deavouring to be conformed to the will of God, as you are in profecuting your Vv'orldly bufi-' nefs, you might find flrength perfected in weaknefs, and much greater fuccefs than you imagine. Weaknefs and infufliciency for the duties of obedience, far from forming a pro- per excufe for tranfgreilion, ought to excite that humbling fenfe of our depravity, which is the firfj flep toward recovery to holinefs and happinefs. 3. Cuflom is adduced to palliate viola- tions of the divine law. Some people fay, that they conform to cuflom, and think it proper, and TO EXTENUATE PEOPLES FAULTS. 6^ and lawful to do lo. They alledge, that cer- tain pra6lices hath become lb familiar to them, that they cannot leave them off; that, in fome inflances, habit hath added flrength to the corruption of nature, and confirmed their various propenfities. If cuftom and falhion, fay they, does not juftify, at lead it diminifhes the criminality of our condu6l. — This defence is the dernier refort of not a few, who, though they acknowledge they do that which is wrong, yet, when cenfured, they reply, This is the way of the world; this is the falhion now-a-days ; it will not avail to itrive againifthe torrent: VVhy not adopt the prac- tices of thofe among whom we live ? if we do not conform to them, w^e fliall be coniidered as whimiical fingular perfons, who, thiy3Ugh pride and vanity, oppofe eifabliQied general cuftoms. — In this manner fome are corrupted, and others intimidated, whilft mod people dread being ftigmatized on account of any pe- culiarity. Singularity, in itfelf, my friends, is neither laudable nor criminal. To be emi- nently good and pious, holy and righteous, beneficent and merciful, is man's greateil ex- cellence, and trueit glory ; to be difimguifhed beyond others for refembiance to Jefus Chrilt, and abundance of the fruits of righteoufneTs, is" truly defirable and praife- worthy. To be re- markably wicked and profligate, renders a man odious and contemptible, however nume- rous they be who are of this deicription. To give check to the infinuating mfluence of prevailing 66 THE INSUFFICIENCY OF EXCUSES prevailing bad cuftoms, abftain from thofe fo- cieties and employments which might be at- tended wi':h pernicious effedts ; engage in thofe bufineffes, and affociate with thofe com- panions which are adverfe to the ill habits you may have contradled. Let the becoming refpedl which you difcover for the fentiments and judgments of mankind be confident with a facred regard to duty, and take heed that you be not feduced by bafe timidity from that line of conduct which the word of God and your own confcience point out to you. Though you cannot altogether ceafe from fin, and turn from the error of your ways, you can, unquef- tionably, refrain from thofe hurtful practices whereby people are confirmed in vice. Fre- quent repetition of tranfgrefllion tends to hard- en the heart, to remove the fear of God, and to ftrengthen corrupt inclinations. The long- er you are accuftomed to any fin, you will defid from it with the greater reluctance. After having been exprefsly prohibited to * follow a multitude to do evil/ and warm- ly exhorted ' to break off your fins by repent- * ance;' if you perUli in difcovering a fironger attachment to cuftom than to the divine au- thority, you fhall indeed be moil: inexcufable. Why will you be fo foolilhas indulge in thofe pernicious habits which you ought with pru- dence and fortitude vigoroufly to oppofe ? Though you may endeavour in vain, at once to abolilh ellabliihed ufages, and to counter- act their influence, yet, if initead of pleading their TO EXTENUATE PEOPLES FAULTS. 67 their frequency with a view to extenuate them, you exerted yourfelves gradually to correct them, your efforts might, in procefs of time, be crowned with fuccefs. Nothing can be more frivolous and abfurd than to derive excufes from cuftom for bad condiid. Suppofe any of you had contradled a bad habit of drinking to excefs, or of de- frauding your neighbours, do you imagine that your having been much accuftomed to thefe odious pradlices which are lamentably prevalent, could be fuftained as a relevant de- fence of thefe crimes ? The oftener any tranf- greffion is committed, the more enormous be- comes the guilt contraded, and the more dangerous the condition of the finner. Sin, when obftinately perlifted in, notwithftanding the clemency and forbearance of God, his gra- cious admonitions and awful declarations, far from being lefs heinous, becomes much more atrocious. Beware, then, of endeavouring to exculpate your faults, by having recourfe to fuch pitiful fhifts as this of habit, which does not leffen the criminality of bad adlions, but highly aggravates them. * Ceafe to do evil, ' and learn to' do well ; be not conformed to ' this world, but be ye transformed by the re- * newing of your mind, that ye may prove * what is the good and acceptable will of * God.' 4. Example is mentioned as another excufe for tranfgreflion. There are not a few who plead, in order to extenuate their faults, that they 68 THE INSUFFICIENCY OF EXCUSES they imitate the conducl of thofe of whom they read in facred and profane hiftory, and of thofe among whom they refide. They feel the force of example, and are llrongly incHned to a6l under its induence, whilfl: they are plea- fed with the thoughts, that, though they are not innocent, common pradice renders them at lead excufable. They adl as others have done, and as many continue to do whom they pretend not to excel. — The principle of imi- tation is fo Ibong, that fome have thought it the chief caufe of the corruption which pre- vails in the world ; and that Uiey cannot bet- ter explain how it is propagated among man- kind, than by attributing it to this f aitful fonrce of iniquity. Though this be not the primary or only fpring from whence arifes the depravity of the human race, yet it mud be acknowledged a principal fource, to which we are not furprifed fome people refort, that they may be fupplied with plaufible pretexts for improper conduct. The contagion of bad ex- ample ought to be guarded againft, with the utmoll foiicitude; and Chriftians ought to be fortified againll the temptation it prefents, by the fublime doclrines and promifed grace of the Lord Jefus Chrifl. That you may be convinced of the weaknefs and folly of the fiimfy defence derived from this quarter, you ought to recollect whofe example you plead to extenuate your faults. Is it the common prac- tice of thole among whom you live, by which you are influenced ? If you walk after the ex- ample TO EXTENUATE PEOPLES FAULTS. 69 ample of the world, if you are carried down by the current of falhion, as dead fiilies glide along with the dream, you may expe£l to be condemned with the world, if you follow the multitude in diredl violation of the divine com- mand, and walk with them in the ' broad * way that leadeth to deftrudlion ;' lay your account to fhare in their punifliment, and to inherit the jult reward of your deeds. , Perhaps the perfons whom you copy after are refpedlable members of fociety, of whom in charity you are obliged to entertain a good o- pinion. • You may be fenlible that it is very difficult to determine who are really good peo- ple to whom this characler julfiy belongs. In the exercife of that ' charity which hopeth all * things/ we ought to cherifh favourable fen- timents refpecSling thofe whofe conduct ac- cords with their profeffion ; but this indance of benevolence does not conllitute them Chrif- tians whom you ought to imitate. The mod eminent faints of whom 'we read in fcripture, occalionally difcovered fome lamentable infir- mities, and committed fins, which we ought carefully to avoid. You cannot be fo abfurd as to imagine, that their faults are mentioned that you might copy'them : ' They are writ- ' ten for our admonition, upon whom the ends * of the world are come ; that he that think- ' eth he ftandeth, may take heed lefi: he fall.' The intemperance of Noah, the diflimulation of Jacob, the enormous tranfgreffion of Da- vid, the pride of Hezekiah, the denial of Jefus 70 THE INSUFFICIENCY OF EXCUSES Jefus Chrift by the Apoftle Peter, are not re- corded for our imitation, but are exhibited as beacons to warn us of thofe dangers whereby they fufFered. Will you then offend God be- caufe you have heard that others have trani- greiTed againft him ? Would you refemble the faithful fervants of the Moll High, in thofe a- niiable graces and virtues whereby they a- dorned the feveral ftations which they occu- pied ? diligently follow thofe illuflrious ex- amples, on account of which they are cele- brated in the fcriptures : Let princes ad: like Jofiah king of Judah ; officers at court, like the treafurer of Ethiopia ; governors, like Mo- fes the man of God ; let foldiers imitate Cor- nelius the centurion ; mechanics, Paul the tent- maker; the profperous, good Jehofhaphat; the affiided, upright Job. Endeavour to derive benefit from the foUies and fins of other men, but never fet them before you as patterns, nor try to palliate your tranfgreflions by their crimes, which would be to pervert them to the worfl: of purpofes. It might be improper at prefent to extend my remarks farther on this fubjed ; I conclude the article with the words of Jefus Chrifi: addrefiTed to his difciples : * I have yet many things to fay unto you, but * ye cannot bear them now.' 5. Falfe maxims are urged as excufes to ex- tenuate tranfgrefliions of the divine law. Ma- ny of thefe are current in the world, by which people endeavour to fcreen their bad adions. Such are the following : * Better be out of the * world, TO EXTENUATE PEOPLES FAULTS. *Jl * world, than out of the fafliion.* This axiom hath often been adduced to vindicate, if pof- fible, the diffolute manners of profeffing Chri- ftians. Far from being founded on truth and jullice, it holds forth, under a fpecious ap* peaiance, a dangerous principle, — ' Better we * had never been in the world that lieth in * wickednefs, than to have adopted the de-^ * praved curtoms of thofe who have their por- ' tion in this life.' Jefus Chrift gave himfelf for our fins, that he iriight deliver us from this prefent evil world, according to the will of God, even our Father ; and ibali we counter- ad: the gracious defigns which the Son of God had in vievv, to accompHfh by his death. Chriftians, are actuated not by the fpirit of the world, but by the Spirit which is of God. By being baptized, they have renounced fubjec- tion to the corrupt influence of the world, and in the word of God they are exprefsly required not to be conformed to it in principles, prac- tices, and aims. It therefore behoves us, not to approve, but to rejedt v;ith difdain, the foolilh maxim I repeated, and to demonftrate by our temper, behaviour, and views, that, being born from above, we are not of this world, nor governed by thofe dangerous prin- ciples which are commonly received among mankind. Another adage, which is often mentioned to excufe remifsnefs in duty, is, ' God ac- * cepts the will for the deed.' This fentiment feems to receive fupport from the well known faying of the Apoflle Paul, defigned to en- courage 72 THE INSUFFICIENCY OF EXCUSES courage people of a benevolent difpofition, who are deiHtute of ability and opportunity to re- lieve the needy. Perfons in thefe circum- ftances, God is pleafed mercifully to regard, and declares that he will abundantly recom- penfe their readinefs to perform good works. ' If there be firft a vviUing mind, it is accepted ' according to what a man hath, and not ac- * cording to what he hath not.* What conclu- lion do you infer from this generous alTurance ? Do you fay that you have a willing mind to pray, to read and hear the word of God, to love your neighbours, and to do to tliem as you would that they fliould do to you ? Be not deceived ; do not imagine you are pofTef- fed of this willing m.ind to which you lay claim, if it is not demonftrated by fuitable pradtice, and correfponding prompt perform- ance of every part of duty. — Say not, Our hearts are good, though our lives are faulty, and in fome inltances blame-worthy. Sup- pofe not that you are authorized to fpeak in this manner by thefe words of the Apoillc Paul, in the 7th chapter of the Romans : * That I would, I do not ; and the evil that * I would not, that I do.* The life is often better, but never worfe than the heart. All pretences to good hearts are vain and delulive, which are not fupported by good condud. The ftreams are always of the fame nature ■with the fountain from whence they proceed. The belt of a Chriftian, and the worll of a wicked man, is the heart. The words of So- lomon TO EXTENUATE PEOPLES FAULTS. ^3 lomon have been often ufed to extenuate cri- minal negligence in the fervice of God. ' Be not * righteous over much.' Some people feem to think that it is an eafy matter to get to heaven, and therefore unnecefTary for us to be much employed about our fpiritual and eternal inte- refts ; whiKl others, udio profefs to be Chri- ftians, are offended, when charged with indo- lence and indifference refpecling their bed con- cerns, and fay you carry things too far ; be content with the religion of your fathers j live like your neighbours. Stop in time, or you will ruin your charadler. What I (hall we not be accepted of God, if we regularly attend on divine worfhip, do all the good we can, and give to every one his own ? — Thofe who talk in this manner, fhew that they do not aright underlland the advice of the wife man, which they plead to vindicate their conduct. The divine law explicitly requires, that we ^ love * the Lord our God with all our foul, heart, and ' ftrength ; and that we love our neighbours as ' ourfelves.* We cannot then exceed in love to God, who is fupremely excellent and amia- ble ; nor need we fear that w^e love our neigh- bours more than we ought. By the mod ex- ad: obedience to the perfe6l law of liberty, we only do what is commanded, and confequently are not righteous over much. View this Scrip- ture in connection with what follows, and you may be affiled in afcertaining its true import. The text runs thus : * Be not righteous over- ' much, neither make thyfelf over wife. Why D ' Ihouldeit 74 THE INSUFFICIENCY OF EXCUSES * fhouldefl thou deflroy thyfelf ?' The righte- oufnefs here intended, is that in which a perfon may exceed, and to which, if he truft, he de- ft roys himfelf. This cannot be the righteouf- nefs required in the law of God, to which hfe is prontiifed ; nor the righteoufnefs revealed in the gofpel, by receiving which, we obtain pardon of fin, and eternal life. Though we cannot actually be over righteous, or do more than the royal law demands, yet we may over- rate our righteoufnefs, and efleem it more highly than we ought ; and this, I apprehend, is to make ourfelves righteous overmuch. In like manner, though we cannot be too wife, yet w^e may think and fpeak of our wifdom more highly than we ought to think ; and this is to make ourfelves over wife. Thefe dan- gerous extremes we are cautioned againft, left, through pride and felf-conceit, we deftroy our- felves. According to this fair interpretation of the words, we may perceive how.grofsly they are mifapplied, when preiTed into the fervice of vindicating negligence in religious pradice. 6. Circumdances are alfo pleaded as excufes to extenuate the t ran fg re fTi on s men commit. The particular Situation, you fay, wherein you are placed, expofes to many ftrong tempta- tions, by which you are enfnared ; though it does not altogether juftify, you fuppofe it- great- ly leflens your guilt. Bulinefs, company, wdth a variety of avocations, require you to go a- broad, to enter into fociety, and to do many things which cannot well be avoided, thcfe prevent TO EXTENUATE PEOPLES FAULTS. 75 prevent you from reftingon the Sabbath, remem- bering and Ikndifying it according to the com- mandment. Do you really imagine that iuch frivolous pretexts will be fuilained as fufficient apologies for not calling the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, and honourable, — and for having done your pleafure on God's holy day, which he hath confecrat^d by his example, bleffing, and authority. Let not your good be evil fpoken of; refrain even from things law- ful on the Lord's day, that you may not give offence, or tempt the weak to diffqlute prac- tices. — You abfent from the public w^orfliip of God, which he hath commanded you not to forfake, and to which he hath annexed the promifeofhis prefence ancU bleffing. For this you plead the fatigue you fu(laine,d from the bufinefs of the preceding week, the inclemency of the weather, the weaknefs of the minifter, or fome particular inconvenience. Will fuch pi- tiful Ihifts be acknowledged as a relevant de- fence of criminal omiffions of this fort? which fet light by the authority and bleffing of the great Lord of all, who hath faid, ' Yq ffiall * reverence my fanduary. Thofe who honour * me, 1 will honour; thofe that defpife me, * Ihall be lightly efteemed.* — On fome occafions you are provoked, when agitated by paffion, or through inadvertence, to utter oaths and im- precations ; and for this atrocious crime, you apologize, by faying, that fwearing does harm to nobody, and that you did not mean any- thing bad. Does not fwearing difhonour God ? D 2 does yS THE INSUFFICIENCY OF EXCUSES does it not trample on his authority, and in- cur his awful difpleafure ? who hath folemnly declared, that he ' will not hold him guiltlefs, * that taketh his name in vain.' Does it not liighly injure your own bail eternal interefts ? I^oes it not ruin your own fouls, by expoling you to divine vengeance ? And hath it not a mod pernicious influence on thofe who are wit- nefles of your detellable profanity and blaf- phemy ? — Poverty, and the want of thofe things which you obferve men in affluence polTefling in abundance, prompt you fraudulently to lay hold on fome article that you need, and which you apprehend they may ealily fpare. This fpecies of diflionefly relieves your neceflities, whilft it does not much hurt them. What, though you may artfully and fecretly deprive your neighbour of his property, you cannot con- ceal one ad: of diflionefty from God, the ter- rible avenger of wrong, who hath faid, that ' the * curfe fhall enter the houfe of the thief, and * Inall confume it.' Remember^ that what is unjufhly acquired, fhall coft you very dear; if you truly repent, it will prove the fource of bitter remorfe, of fliame and diftreiling vexa- tion, and demand from you ample reftitution ; if you die in your fins, it vvill greatly aggravate your everlafting condemnation. Though you may endeavour to palliate this and other crimes, by plaufible excufes, yet remember, however fpecious they may feem, they cannot Vvard off merited deilruclion. Had Achan forefeen the pumfhrnent of his covetoufnefs that he fuffered, ---had TO EXTEN'JATE PEOPLES FAULTS. 77 —had Gehazi been apprifed of the leprofy which feizcd upon him, on account of his ava- rice, — had Judas confidered the place to which he is now configned, as the confequence of his eager defire of money, — had Ananias and Sap- phi ra been warned of that fudden death which befel them, for deceit and faUehood, perhaps they would have refrained from their covetous practices. And will any of you, after fuch re- peated admonitions, perfifl in the evil ways wherein they periflied, and delude yourfelves by unavaihng excufes ? Had time permitted, I might have (hewn you that apologies for tranf- grelling the commandments of the Lord, de- rived from conflitution, from age, from buii- nefs, from profperity or adverfity, from foclety or folitude, and the prevalence of iniquity, are frivolous and vain ; that, inftead of extenuating, they greatly aggravate the faults they are pro- duced to mitigate and difguife. What hath been faid may fuffice at preient, to point out the folly and the fin of the pernicious cuftom of endeavouring to lefTen the criminality of thofe tranfgreflions which we ought with humi- lity to acknowledge, and, in dependence upon God, carefully to avoid. From the whole view we have taken of this fubjecl, this important inflrudlon arifes, that the excufes commonly offered to extenuate ths commifiion of fin, though exceedingly various, are really criminal. Thofe very circumftances, which ought to make us (land in awe, and not fin, are perverted to the odious purpofe of con- D 3 celling 78 THE INSUFFICIENCY OF EXCUSES cealing its turpitude, and leffening its atrocity. Whatever form they aillime, however plaufible they appear, if ftript of every difguife, and properly examined, you may fee that they are truly contempti-ble, and take their rife from infidelity and other corrupt principles. Such is our natural attachment to fome vices at Icaft, that we are averfe to confefs their crimiualityy and to abandon them ; and we will rather have recourfe to the mod pitiful fliifts, the moll: de- lufive artificer, and falfe reafonings, to juftify our ad:ions. This afred:ing truth hath been iU lufli-ated at conliderable length in th€ preceding part of this difcourfe, * that every mouth may ' be flopped, and every individual convinced * that he is guilty before God,' The defign of v/hat hath been faid, is to bring you to a fenfe ?nd acknowledgment of your fins, that you may be compelled to have recourfe to Jefus Chriil for relief, and to claim the benefit of that in- demnity he hath procured by his blood, and freely ofl'ers to all who, renouncing their own righteoufnef?, ^ flee to him, as their only hope * and city of refuge.' What foolifli felf-deftroy- ing creatures muft thefe be, who, in defpite of the cleared evidence, and in fiat contradidion to the only method of deliverance, will pre- fumptuouily fiand forth in their own defence 1 Hearken to the awful w^ords of God, by the prophet Jeremiah : * Becaufe thou fayeft, I am * innocent, furely his anger (hall turn from me. ' Behold, I will plead with thee, becaufe thou * 'fayed* I have not finned ; the Lord hath re- * jeded TO EXTENUATE PEOPLES FAULTS. 79 * jeded thy confidences, and thou flialt not * profper in them/ Humbly acknowledge, then, your unworthrnefs and guilt, and earneft- ly requefl that God, by the power of his Spirit, may make you thoroughly fenfible of your real condition ; that finding yourfelves wretched and miferable, poor and blind, and naked, with refpedl to your fpiritual flate,' you may repair, without delay, to the all-fufficient Saviour, whofe blood cleanfeth from all fin. To God, through Jefus Chrilt, be glory and hoiiQur, Anient D4 SER [ 8o 3 SERMON IV. 'THE EQUITY OF GOD's DISPENSATIONS, AND THE GREATNESS OF HIS MERCY. EzEKiEL xxxiii. II. Say unto them, as I live, saiih the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked ; but that the wicked turn from his way and live ; turn ye, turn ye, from your evil ways, for why will ye die, house of Israel, 1~7'R01:A tbcfe words addrefTedby the prophet Ezekiel to the liraelites, in vindication of the divine conducl with which they were difla- tisfied, 1 fliall take occafion to reply to fome ob- jedions that have been urged againfl; the equity of God's providential difpenfations ; and then — to efiablifh the truth of the propoiition, of which the moil folemn allurance is here given, ' 1 have no pleafure, faith the Lord God, in ' the death of the wicked, but that the wicked * turn from his evil way and live.' 1. 1 iliall reply to fome objeftions that have been, and are ilill urged, againfl the equity of God's providential difpenfations. ' The fooliflinefs of man perverteth his way, * and his heart frctteth againtl the Lord.' We ^ are THE EQJJITY OF GOd's DISPENSATIONS. 8l are prone to charge God fooliflily, as if blame ;might be attached to him, who doeth all things well, on account of the apparent unequal dif- tributions of his Providence, and the feeming partiahty of his government. When we expe- rience the awful eiFeds of his difpleafure, we are apt to find fault with his adminiftration, and under the preffure of adverfi':y, to imagine that he deals hardly with us. This odious conduct was remarkably exemplified by the houfe of If-- rael, among whom this proverb was frequently ufed, both in Zion and at Babylon. ' The fa- * thers have eaten the four grapes, and the chil- ' dren's teeth are fet on edge.' They loudly and repeatedly complained that they fufftre'd the calamities which befel them, on account of the fins of their progenitors, which they thought produced thofe bitter fruits whereof they and their poiterity felt the difirefiing efTcds. They boldly affirmed, that thediftribution of good and evil was not managed with unbialTed reditude, and that the procedure of the Moil High was riot fair and equitable. They piefumed to fay, The way of the Lord is not equal. To wipe off this foul afperfion, and to Ihew tiie perfect righ^ teoufnefs of the divine difpenfiitions, the Al- mighty was gracloully pleafcd, that he might :i- lence their groundicls cavils, to give comtii f- fion to his fervant Ezekiel to afleit the confu-n- niate rectitude of his providence, — that h;s wa /s were equal, and that their ways were uncqu;il. Hence we find him from time to time, m the -ex- ecution of this truil, employed in- refolving tue D 5 objections 82 THE EQUITY OF GOD's DISPENSATION'S, objedllons, and removing the difficulties which the houfe of Ifrael flarted againft the wifdom and juftice of the divine adminiftration. In the verfe immediately preceding my text, the prophet charges them with having faid, ' If • our tranrgreffions and fins be upon us, and we • pine away in them, how fhould we then • live V He then proceeds to give a fatisfying reply to this enquiry, in the words I have read as the fubjef^ of difcourfe. This unbecoming conduct toward God, who loveth righteoufnefs, for which the children of Ifrael were notorious, hath not been unfrequent in every age, and I fafpcd dill exifts in the days wherein we live. It muft be acknowledged, that to our imperfect limited view, the ways of Providence toward larger and lefTer focieties, as well as individuals, frequently appear to be involved in great ob- fcurity. Many inftances of this fort readily oc- cur to the attentive mind. The deftrudion of all the inhabitants of this earth by a deluge of water, wirh only a few exceptions. Divine re- velation, in great meafure, confined to the land ef Judea, while the nations of the earth fat in darknefs^ and in the region and fiiadow of death. Man> thoufands of people flain for the iingle ad of looking into the ark of God. The rcjecftion of Saul from the throne and kingdom of Ifrael, whilif David and Solomon in after- times, though guilty perhaps of as enormous fins as the fon of Kifh, retained the government of that kingdom. That cruel tyrants have been permitted to perfeeute the church of God, aud AND THE GREATNESS OF HIS MER;:?. 2$ and to put to torture and death vaft numbers o£ his dear faints. That multitudes of infants and innocent people have perifhed amidft public ca- lamities. That John the Baptift's head lliould have been cut off, whilft Barabbas, and many who like him were robbers, have been fpared and palfed unpunifhed. That according to the cohftitution of things which God hath eftabhfh- ed, * The race is not to the fwift, nor the bat- * tie to the Urong, nor riches to men of under- * flanding, nor favour to men of fkill, that one * event happeneth to tlie wife and to the fool- * i(b.* Thefe and fimilar furprifing incidents, thefe afid the like pecuhar maxims, agreeable to which the government of the Almighty is managed, give occafion to thoughtlefs people of fuperficial difcernment, to fuppofe, that the world is not governed according to the laws of confummate fighteoufnefs, and have induced fome of them to call in queftion this fundamen- tal truth, of which we have the llrongefl aiTp?- ance, and from which we can never depatc * that the Lord is righteous in all his ways, and * holy in all his works.' Men of this defcription fometimes exprefs their diflatisfadion with the punilhments which God inflicts on children who fiilfer for the fins of their parents ; and affirm, that this meafure is rigorous and fevere, notwithiland- ing the procedure is fanclioned by rhe com- mon fenfe of mankind, is approved and imi- tated by princes of the greateft celebrity. Sometimes they find f?uit with the di- ilinguillimg mercy which the Lord God, as D 6 the 84 THE EQJJITT OF GOD's DISPEKSATIONS^ he Sovereign Ruler of the univerfe, is pleafed o difpenfe to the guilty, though he hath plain- ly declared, that he hath no refped of perfons on account of their accomplifhments or circum- Itances. In this manner they deny to the great Lord of all, the prerogative of the monarch, uith refped to his rebellious fubjedls, the power of the potter over the clay. — Sometimes the unequal diftribution of worldly good things is cavilled at, and urged as a proof of partiahty in the donor. Few only pofTefs great mental abilities, perfonal vigour, extenfive property, and elevation to grandeur ; whilfl many are de- prefled with poverty, languiih through weak- nefs and want, expofed to neglecl and contempt. Little do men of this captious difpofition conli- der, that thefe enjoyments are uncertain and perifliing, attended with vexation of fpirit ; that they profit not in the day of wrath, and are un- worthy to be compared to the more excellent benefits which God confers upon thofe who are good in his fight. — Sometimes they complain of diilieiiing dilappointments which have fruiirat- ed the bell defigns, and defeated the mofl; fan- guine expedations, after the moft proper means have been employed to attain the defired ob- jeds. Such events, which do not unfrequent- ly happen, clearly evince that without the con- currence of God's providence and bleffing, all human efforts fiiall prove inefftciual to accom- pli(h their end ; whiill the> i'erve to correct men for the unvv'avrantable confidence which they place iii liicaLiS aud Uifli uments, they alio (hew that AND THE GREATKESS OF HIS MERCY. S^ that God can eafily compenfate the fufFerer for any lofs he fuftains. — Sometimes they murmur at thofe retributions which feem difproportion- ed to the fervices performed, as did the labour- ers, reprefented in the parable, who accufed their Lord of partiality in giving them their hire. Notwithltanding they received according to the terms of their agreement, and got all that in reafon or juflice they could claim ; and though their Lord had right to do with his own as he pleafed, they complain thefe laft have wrought but one hour, and thou hall made them equal to us, who have borne the burden and heat of the day. There have not been wanting fome, who on thefe and other accounts have foolifhly carped at the ways of God, im- pioufly alleging, that they are not equal, of which the chapter from whence 1 have taken my text, mentions a (Inking inftance. They cenfure them as grievous and burdenfome, tho' in reality they are pleafant and delightful ; they reprefent them as dangerous, though in fadl, thofe who walk in them dwell fafely, and are quiet from fear of evil ; they fay that they are vain and unprofitable, whereas in keeping them there is a great reward. By fuch injurious afperfions have men. of corrupt minds calumni- ated the procedure of Providence, 'i'o refolve thefe and all the other difficulties that are urged upon the fubjed, 1 plead the righteoufnefs, the fovereignty, and mercy of Jehovah. My firft defence is derived from the righteoufnefs ot the Loid, To iuch compiaintrs as 1 ha\ e uow defcnbed 6 THE EQJJITT OF GOD's ©TSPENSATIONS; defcribed, I reply in the words of Elihu, when juftifying the proceedings of the Mod High, with refpedl to mankind. * For he will not lay * upon man more than right that he fhould en- * ter into judgment with God.' He will not injure man by infliding upon him more fevere punifliment than he juftly deferves, nor by refu- ?ing to confer thofe ample rewards that he hath gracioufly promifed. * The work of a man ihall * he render unto him, and caufe every one to * find according to his way. Yea, furely, God * will not do wickedly, neither will the Almigh- * ty pervert judgment.' He hath not the leall improper regard to any perfon ; he refpeds not the frowns of the great ; he envies not the con- dition of the profperous, nor is he in any cafe influenced by the profped of advantage. Sup- poiing that God hath made you fometimes to fuffer hard things, * and to drink the wine of * aflonifliment,' yethathhe always dealt with you much better than your iniquities deferve. To you God condefcends to addrefs himfelf as he did his people of old by the prophet Micah, * What have I done unto you ? wherein have I * wearied you ? teftify againft me.' Contem- plate my whole conduct toward the world in general ; narrowly fcrutinize every part of it which relates to yourfelves, and you will find it cxadly carrefpond with the rules of flrideft jullice, with my infinite clemency, and my un- changeable veracity pledged in my promifes, you will be fenfible that it is perfectly compa- tible with the fovereign rights to which I have »n AND THE GREATNESS OF HIS MERCT. 8 an undeniable claim. Did you ever perceive injuftice in *any of my commands, rigor or cruelty in any of my inftitutions, perfidy, or the leaft failure in any of my engagements ? * Anfwer me, teflify againft me, faith the * Lord.' You are allowed to bring evidence, if you can, of any one iniquitous adl that God hath ever done. And, if without good reafon you go far from him, and unjufliy bring againft him the charge, that his ways are not equal, you are guilty of abominable ingratitude, egre- gious folly, and horrid injuftice. No, no, my brethren, you cannot teftify againft God. He is the rock, and his work is perfect, and in him there is no unrighteoufnefs ; all his ways are judgment, confonant to the moft perfed righ- teoufnefs. The Lord doeth alway that which is right ; nay, fuch is the confummate perfec- tion of his nature, that he cannot do iniquity. Since then righteoufnefs belongeth unto the Lord, he is unqueftionably juft, and equitable in all his difpenfations. The fovereignty of Jehovah, the Moft High, over all the earth, fuggefts another reply to the objedions that are adduced againft the redlitude of his difpenfations. The fupreme Lord of all, who doeth according to his pleafure in heaven and on earth, beftows his favours on whom he will, and in fuch nieafures as feemeth good in his fight. He hath given the earth to the children of men, but he hath diftributed it among them in very different portions ; to one he gives a large, and to another a fmall in- heritance. THE EQUITY OF GOD's DISPENSATIONS, heritance. To one he gives ten, to another five, and to a third one talent. To all he im- parts intelledlual powers ; on fome he confers them in a higher, and on others in a lower de- gree. On Solomon and Daniel he liberally conferred wifdom ; to Abigail he gave a good underftanding ; to the wife of upright Job this donation feems to have been fparingly admini- ftered. Bezaliel and Aholiab he furnifhed with exquifite ikill for executing fine work. Job hath been juftly celebrated for his patience ; Jona feems to have had but a fmall fliare of this amiable grace ; the difciples were weak in faith ; the woman of Canaan was ftrong in faith. By adminiftering fuch wonderful diver- fity of gifts and graces, God richly difplays his wifdom and bounty ; he communicates agree* able variety to the world and to the church, and renders every one fubfervient to the beauty and good of the whole. Perfedlly limilar is the condudl of the bell men in tl)e diftribution of their goods and property. A father gives to fome of his children more, and to others lefs ; he is not obhged to give to every one an equal portion. A proprietor of lands beautifies fome of his grounds with plants and Ihrubsand trees, whilft he allows other fields to continue in a leis cultivated ftate. Some apartments of his houfe aie richl)' decorated with fine furniture, others are occupied by moveables of a common and much coarfer fort. Some of his fervanis are iTitanly clothed and w^rk hard, others are handiomeiy drelled auu du very hLtle, All thcfe niuLtcrs AND THE GREATNESS OF HIS MERCY, 89 matters are fo adjufted, without his incurring blame or cenfure ; and Ihall the great Lord of the univerfe be found fault with, by his crea- tures, for ading in the fame manner in the field of the world, and in the houfe of his church, that they do in the adlive fcenes of life ? The tender mercy of God^ exprefTed in my text, furnifhes another reply to the objections brought againft the equity of the divine ad- miniftration. As this pleafant fubjcdt is intro- duced by the prophet for this very purpofe, it merits at prefent our particular attention. The meffjge contained in the verfe before us, was fent to the houfe of lirae], to refolve the diffi- culty which they ftarted, refpeding the pro- vidence of God, in the words immediately pre- ceding. And in the 1 8th chapter of this pro- phecy, where the Lord God, by his fervant, is vindicating the equity of his laws from the charge of partiality and injuftice, which had been prefumptuoully brought againft them, the fame argument is there employed which is here uied. ' I have no pleafure in the death of * him that dieth, faith the Lord God, where- * fore turn and live ye.' Pining away in their fins, and languifliing under the prefTure of aw- ful judgments, the Ifraehtes aiked how fliould they then live. If we are deftined, as the pu» nifhment of our iniquities, to fuftain complica- ted calamities, how can we cherilh the hope of life and deliverance ? To this queftion Je- hovah commands his fervant to anfwer, * As * I hve. §0 THE EQJJITY OF GOd's DISPENSATIOKT^t, I live, faitii the Lord God, I have no pleafare in the death of the wicked ;* I neither defire nor dehght in their deftrudion. You fup- pofe that you are punifhed for the fins of your fathers, and that I take pleafure in affliding you, but you are egregioufly miflaken ; the calamities with which you are vifited, are the jufl: retribution of your tranrgreflions : 1 do not willingly afflidl and grieve the children of men, and I would much, rather that you would repent and live, than perifti in your trefpalTes. Indeed, if you perfift in refufing to hearken to my calls when I invite you to return to me, if you fet at nought my coun- fel, and will have none of my reproof, I will laugh at your calamity and mock when your fear cometh. I will recompence you for all' your abominations; mine eyes (hall not fpare,- neither will I have pity, notwithflanding I fo^ lemnly declare, that 1 have far greater com- placency in your repentance and falvation. The benevolent intention of God in commu- nicating to men the good things they receive, in promulgating to them his perfedl law, and revealing to them the riches of his grace, is to condudl them to holinefs and happinefs. Such is his clemency, that he exercifes to- ward finners much long-fufFering, — he waits to be gracious, that he may be exalted, in (hew- ing mercy, — he affords them the moil: import- ant advantages and affiftances,— he warns them of their danger, — he grants them means of ef- eape, — he allures them by his mercies, — he {lrike$^ AND THE GREATNESS OF HIS MERCY. 9I flrikes them with awe by his judgments, — he invites, — he intreats, — he inftruds by his word, — he awakens them by the remonftrances of confcience, — he ftrives with them by his Spirit, — he olFers to them the pardon of all their lins, through the blood of Chrift, with complete redemption from all evil ; and en- forces their acceptance of thefe precious bene- fits, by the moft weighty confiderations. He knocks at the door of their hearts, by his pro- vidence, word, and Spirit,— he tries to win them by mercies, and to alarm them by re- bukes, — exhibiting t€v their view the joys of heaven, and the torments of hell. In few words, the Lord God doth all that becomes him, as fupreme Legiflator and Soveregn, to demonftrate his good will and tender compaf- fion to the children of men, even to the wicked. What fhall God do more ? He doth all that infinite wifdom fees proper, that he may ref- cue the wicked from death ; and had he gone farther, to accomplifh this kind purpofe, their obedience and falvation would not have been matter of choice, but of necefHty. No room then is left for complaint of the inequality of God^s ways, Thefe things I have fpoken to bring down thofe high thoughts which exalt them- felves againft the knowledge of God, — to fa- tisfy you that he doth all things well, and under this convidion, to induce you cordially to acquiefce in all his difpenfations, and to re- ■ joice, that he reigneth, who is the friend and guardian of his peculiar people. — Having re- plied 92 THE EQJJITY OF GOD's DISPENSATIONS, plied to the objedions which have been urged againft the equity of the divine adminiitration, to which the words of my text were intended to be an anfwer, 1 proceed, II. To eftabhfh the truth of the proportion, of which the mofl folemn afTurance is here given, * faith the Lord God, I have no plea- * fure in the death of the wicked, but that the * wicked turn from his evil way, and live.' This declaration contains a plain fundamental truth, a leading firfl; principle in the dodrine of Scripture, which, thout^h generally ac- knowledged, is far from being believed and improved as it ought. I fliall therefore lay before you fome of the principal evidences on which it refls, not merely as a fpeculative opi- nion, but as a pradlical truth, demanding your unfufpecling confidence, that, through the divine bleffing, I may eftabhQi the faith of them that believe, and induce thofe who do not believe, to yield to it the obedience of faith. It is confirmed by the folemn oath of Jehovah— by concurring teRimonies of Scrip- ture — by the miffion of Jefus Chrift into this world — and the experience of mankind in all ages. Of each of thefe arguments I iliall treat in their order. I fay, I. That the folemn oath of Jehovah con- firms this comfortable truth^that he ' hath no ' pleafure in the death of the wicked,' This is altogether a moll extraordinary evidence, which requires to be inveftigated with the greatefl: AND THE GREATNESS OF HIS MERCr. 93 greateft reverence and attention. When men ' fwear in judgment, in righteoufnefs, and ' truth,* they appeal to the only living and true God, to witnefs the veracity of their telii, niony, and invoke him, as their righteous Judge, to vindicate the breach of this facred engagement. Such an oath, for confirmation (faith an infpired writer), is intended to put an end to all (Irife. Oaths are not to be taken on trivial occafions, as to matters that may be otherwife determined, but when they be- come necefTary in things of moment, appa- rently dubious, in order to put a period to thofe controverfies among men which cannot otherwife be decided. In allufion to this well known pradlice, the Lord God, in condefcen- fion to our w^eaknefs, confirms, by his oath, the gracious declaration emitted in the verfe before us ; and becaufe he could fwear by no greater, he fwears by himfelf. ' As I live, * faith the Lord God, as fure as I am Jehovah, * polTeiiing eternal majeily, power, and vera- * city, 1 have no pleafure in the death of the ' wicked.' Such is his aftonifhing grace, that he hath been pleafed to fuperadd his oath to his word ; not that his word requires confir- mation ; * for heaven and earth Iball pafs a- ' way, but his words fhall not pafs away ;' but, to ihew the perfed: certainty of what he affirms, and to give the flrongeit fecurity for the accompliihment of what he fays, that we can either defire or receive. — By vouchfafing to a(5t in this manner, he gives a powerful check 94 THE E(iyrTY OF god's DISPENSATiONS, check to that fufpicion which is infeparably conneded with guilt. Having abufed his be- nefits, tranfgrefTed his law, and treated with contempt his glorious grace, confcious of our ill defert, we cannot believe that God will be merciful and gracious to thofe who have thus incurred his juft difpleafure. Being fickle, un- conftant, and perfidious creatures, w^e are apt fooliflily to imagine that the (trength of lirael may repent, and prove variable like ourfelves. Thus do we controvert the truth aflerted in my text, and fufped: both the clemency and veracity of Jehovah. How then Ihall the mat- ter be decided ? God, highly offended at the injurious fentiments we entertain of his ma- jefty and mercy, might have left us to inhe- rit our own folly. In wonderful compaffion, for our encouragement, he hath folemnlyfvvorn, that * he hath great complacency in the return ' and hfe of the wicked ; who, convinced of * their fin and mifery, have recourfe to him * for pardoning mercy and fan^lifying grace.* What are we, that the blefled and only Po- tentate fiiould have in tliis manner conde- fcended to pledge himfelf for our fecurity and fatisfadion ? Under w^bat pretext, and by what excufe, can we pcffibly indulge in un- belief, and refufe to fet to our feal, that God is true ? If an oath is intended to put an end to thole dilputes which arife between man and man, ought not the facred oath of the living God to put a period to the coiitroverfy between God AND THE GREATNESS OF HIS MERCY. 95 God and man, refpeding the divine benevo- lence and mercy toward fin ners of mankind ? 3. The reviving truth thus folemnly affirm- ed^ is eftablifhed by the concurring teftimo- nies of Scripture. The firft that claims our attention, is in the latter part of the verfe from which I am difcourfing,; which contains re- peated invitations, with a warm expoftulation, addreffed to the Houfe of Ifrael : ' Turn ye, * turn ye, from your evil ways ; for why will * ye die ?' The call is doubled, to exprefs the affedionate earneftnefs of God, who fpeaks by fhis fcrvant ; to iliew that his heart is fet upon our return, and doing us good ; whilft it inti- mates our natural averfion to leave our evil ways, it ought to excite the greater atten- tion in thofe to whom it is addreffed. The . earneft calls which are frequently directed in ■Scripture to the wicked, prefent inconteftible evidence that the Lord hath no pleafure in their death. The prefcription of repentance, as the means of their recovery, and the way to mercy, joined with the moll perfuaiive en- -treaties to this becoming exercife, clearly de- monftrate the truth 1 am now eftabliPning ; efpecially when taken in connedtion with the rich provifion made in the gofpel by infinite goodnefs, for efFedually bringing men to God, from whom they had revolted. As the calls which God hath diredled to finners, are ex- ceeding gracious, fo his proclamations of mer- cy are truly generous and encouraging. By, vthefe rich difplays of tranfcendant compaffion, which 96 THE EQJJITY OF GOD's DISPENSATIONS, which he fecms to coniider as his higheft glo- ry, he gives the mod powerful incitement to true penitence, which he reprefents as doing him the greatefl honour of which we are ca- pable. How fublime, far furpafling our mod ele- vated apprehenfions, is the divine clemency and benignity announced by Jehovah himfelf, of which the following are beautiful fpecimens : * Let the wicked forfake his way, and the un- ' righteous man his thoughts ; and let him * return unto the Lord, and he will have mer- * cy upon him ; and to our God, for he will « abundantly pardon.' The wicked impious man is one of whom we have little hope. Is it poflible that there can be mercy for fuch a perfon ? Yes, the Lord will abundantly par- don ; he will multiply pardons to his multi- plied tranfgreflions. This is not the manner of men, who are not fond of frequently for- giving the fame offences to the fame indivi- dual ; but, ' faith God, your ways are not * my ways ; for as the heaven is high above * the earth, fo are my thoughts above your * thoughts.* By this elegant and grand limi- litude, we are taught to cheriili the moO: ex- alted conceptions of the glory of "divine mer- cy. By the prophet HoLea, the Almighty ufes fimilar language, — ' 1 will not (faith he) ' execute the iieicenefs of my wrath ; I will * not return, to deftroy Ephraim ; for I am * God, and not man, who is implacable, un- * able to rellrain his fpirit, unwilling to be * reconciled to thcfe who have offended him, and AND HE GREATNESS OF HIS MERCr. ^7 and who, though he piomifes fair, doth not perform. In the very fame drain fpeaks the image of the invifible God. ' It is not the * will of your Father who is in heaven, that * one of thefe Httle ones fhonld perifh. He ' that Cometh unto me, i will in no wife cad ^ out/ — To proclamations of mercy, the Lord God hath been pleafed to add the inftitution of means of life and faJVation, which, by his Spirit and bleffing, he renders effedlual for the converfion of the wicked. The great delign of the ordinances he hath appointed, is to give him the glory and praife which is due to his name ; ' of whom, through whom, and to * whom are all things ;' to intimate to us, that he is ready to accept and recompenfe the rea- fonable fervice of his creatures, performicd in obedience to his command; and that employed in doing him homage, we may hope to enjoy his favour, and communion with him. To thofe Vv^ho diligently attend upon, and wifely improve them, in humble dependence on his gracious aid, he hath promifed his prefence and bleffing ; and afTured them that they fliall not wait ou him in vain, nor ferve him for nought. And doth not the prefcription of religious wor- fliip, which is one happy mean of the conver- fion of finners, plainly fliew that the Lord God hath no pleafure in our death ? Unite toge- ther the feveral parts of which this argument is compofed, and you may fee the doclrine be- fore us vvpll fupported and efLabliihed. 3. Let us adyert to another ftrong proof of E the 9? THE EQJJITY OF GOD'S DISPENSATIONS, the div-ne clemency and good will toward men, derived from the million of Jefus Chrift into rhis world, to accomplifli oar redemption. Here, my brethren, we behold a moil wonder- ful evidence of the infinite mercy and tender companion of God, whether we conlider — the illuftiiGUS Perfon who was lent into the world —the condefcending manner in which he ex- ecuted his miffion, or — the benevolent-purpofe for which it was intended. — ^How glorious the Perfon whom God fent into the world ! In this, faith the Apoftle John, ' was manifefted * the love of God toward us, becaufe that God * fent his only begotten Son into the world, * that we might live through him. His name * is Wonderful, Counfellor, the Mighty God, ' the Everlailing Father, the Prince of Peace, * the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the * Word of God, who made the worlds, and up- ^ holdeth all things. In nature, efience, and * perfedion, he is One with the living Father, * God over all, bleifed for ever ; who is, who ^ was, and who is to come, the Almighty.' What ineSable love fubiiils betweep the Father and his only begotten Son, who is the exprefs image of his Peribn, poirefling with him the fame attributes and glory, and who with him forms the fame plans, and executes the fame pur-pofes. — ^This Peribn of infinite dig- nity, the eveiiafting objcd of his Supreme de- light, God was pleafed to fend into the worlds not arrayed with majeity and power, not at- tended with circumltances of magnificence and AND THE GREATNESS OF HIS MERCY. 99- and fplcndor, but in the likenefs of finful flefh, and in the low form of a fervant. Whilft he tabernacled on earth, he was ' a man of « forrows, and acquainted with grief/ His poverty, temptations, afflidions, perfecutions, and ignominious death, open to view a fubjed. of contemplation truly allonifhing, and which can never be exhaufted. And for what pur- pofe did the beloved Son of God fuftain all thefe indignities and diftrelfes, and lay down his precious life, but that he might give the molt iliuftrious difplay of his difinterefted love, and the flrongeft teftimony that the Lord God liath no pleafure in the death of finners ? This will farther appear, by conlidering the generous defign of his advent ; namely^ to make reconciliation for iniquity — to endure the curfe denounced by the law agaiuft trani- greffion, which v;e had incurred,— and to be- come the end of the law, for righteoufnefs to every one that believeth. Having by his death declared the righteoufnefs and mercy of Jeho- vah, dedroyed the works of the devil, and ob- tained eternal redemption for us, * be liveth * for ever, to make iaterceilion for tranfgref- ' fors.' Through his prevalent mediation, God, who is rich in mercy, hath pardoned the moft enormous crimes that have been commit- ted in every age ; the fms not only of a day, a month, or a year, but even the trefpailes of thofe who have long perfifted in tranfgreffion, he hath admitted them into favour, and con- ferred upon them eternal inheritance. And E 2 are 1^0 THE EQJJITT OF GOD's DISfENSATIdNS, are not, thefe fatisfying proofs rhat God hath no pleafure in the death of finners ? Once more, 4. The experience of mankind in all ages attells the comfortable truth affirmed in my text. To this 1 now appeal. Even thofe who have defpifed the riches of God's goodnefs, which ought to have led them to repentance, and by their impenitence treafured up to them- felves wrath againfl the day of wrath, have been favoured with the long fuffering of God, •who hath not fpeedily executed fentence upon their evil works. How confpicuoufly difplayed was the divine forbearance toward the old world, after the inhabitants had arrived at an enormous heighth of wickednefs, and in after ages toward the children of liVael, notv^dth- ftanding their multiplied provocations. And to every one of us, my bearers, hath not God exercifed much long fuffering patience ? Enquire of the people of God, in every gene- ration, ;:.g down his hfe for us. Among thefe I reckon the pardon of iin, dehverance from the guilt and punifliraent of that accurfed thing which offends God, corrupts our nature, pcifons our comforts, and embitters our croiles. In him we have redemption through his blood, the for- givenefs of fins. — Adoption into the family of God, with the participation of all the glorious privileges enjoyed by his beloved children. God fent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, that we might receive the adoption of Sons. — Deliverance from the depravity of our nature, with reiloration to the image of our Maker. ' Jefus Chrifl gave himfelf * for us, to redeem us from all inic^uity, and * to purify unto himfelf a pecuhar people, zea- ' lous of good works ; and as he was raifed * from the dead, by the glory of the Father, ^ fo we alfo fliould walk in newnefs of life.' — Complete victory over all the many powerful enemies of our falvation, which he was mani- feiied to deftroy, whom he fpoiled and trium- phed over on his crois, having afllired his cho- I'en and called, and faithful, that through his blood and the word of his tellimony, they fliall be more than conquerors. — Eternal life and glory in the immediate preience and full en- joyment of God, the fociety of angels, and all the redeemed, with everiafling txemotion from infirmities, troubles, and temptations, accor- ding as it is written, < Chnll: died for us, that ' WQ lt% DEATH A}^I> EXAL'TATION OF JESUS CHlRIST * we might live together with him.' — Such isf the fource from whence the death of Chrifl proceeded ; fuch are the circumllances and precious fruits wherewith it is attended. True Chriftians, therefore, ought to rejoice in theii* Redeemer'^ crofs, there being now^no condem- nation to them which are in Chrift Jefiis, who" walk not after the fiefli, but after the Spirit. And tranfgreffors, convinced of the dreadful- defert ofiin, and their being under condemna- tion, (hoLild be induced to flee for refuge to- Jefus Chrift, the hope fct before them. II. We now turn our attention to the refur- redlicn of Jefus Chrift, of whom my text faith, that he is rifen again. — With the vaft import- ance of this fundamental article of our faith, our minds ought to be deeply imprefled. For this purpofe, recoiled that the fame omnipo- tent arm that delivpred him to death, raifed him from the grave, that he might completely fulfil the gracious purpofes for which he fufTer- ed. Indeed the death of Chrift could not have- obtained our falvation, had not God publicly teftified his acceptance of the payment he made of our debt, by railing him from the dead, whereby our obligation to puniili- ment was cancelled by railing him from the dead. His death is the meritorious caufe of our juftification, believers in Chrift being confidered as fufiering in his death the punilli- ment of fin ; and as virtually raifed up in him, they are comprehended in the difcharge he re- ceived at \r.< ' 'Turred:ion. As the expiation of x>ur tranlgiwiFions depends entirely on his death. CONSIDERED AND IMPROVED. HS death, fo the acceptance of our perfons flows from his refurredion, according to the tefli- mony of our apoftle, who fays, * that he was * dehvered for our offences, and rofe again for * our juftification.' If Chriflthen is not rifen, the demands of divine juftice are not fatisfied, God is not reconciled, death is not conquered, principahties and powers are not vanquiflied, linners cannot be faved. Of fuch high import- ance is the dodrine of the refurredion of Chrill in the Chriflian fyilem, that it hath been em- phatically ftyled the key-ftone, that unites to- gether the whole building, which fuftains all our hopes. Let us then review the evidence whereby this momentous truth is confirmed and efra- blifhed. The proofs of Ghrift's refurredion, are of two kinds, prophetical and hiftorical. The firft prophetical witnefles who delivered their teftimony, were that ancient and vene- rable order of men called patriarchs, or heads of famihes, fome of whofe adions, as well as their fayings, were in feveral inftances figura- tive of the great Mefliah, in the faith of whom they lived and died. In this light, we confi- der the hiftory which relates to the offering up of Ifaac, who was intentionally offered in faerie ficc, and again received from the dead, and that which records the depreflion and exalta- tion of Jofeph. — The next witnefs, whofe evi- dence is tranfmitted to us, is the law, which f^rves as a fchoolmaftcr co lead us to Chrift. To- him all its inftitutions were defigned to conduct. f 14 DEATH AND EXALTATION OF JESUS CHRIST- condudt the people of God. For example, the command given to the prieft, that on the mor- row after the Sabbath, he fhould wave a fheaf of the firft fruits before the Lord, for the fanc- tification of the future harveft, fuggefted, that on the morrow after the Sabbath, Jefus Chrift ^vas to arife from the dead, the firft fruits of them that fleep ; the earneft of the harveft ta take place at the end of the world. The en- trance of the high prieft into the holieft of all, arrayed in garments of glory and beauty, after having purified the tabernacle with blood, pre- figured the refurre^lion of Jefus Chrift.— The prophets then follow, who dehvered their tef- timony, fome in the ancient way of figure or type, as Jona and Jofliua the high pneft, o- thers by exprefs declarations, as Il^iah in the 52d chapter of his prophecies, and David, in that famous pafiage, recorded in the i6th Pfalm, which the apoitle Peter affirms ; he fpake not of his own perfon, but of the refur- redion of Chrift. — We clofe this part of the evidence, by reciting the memorable predic- tion uttered by Jefus Chrift himfelf ; * Behold, * (faid he to his difciples) the Son of man fhall ^ be betrayed unto the chief priefts, and unto * the fcribes, and they fliall condemn him to ' death, and fiiall deliver him to the Gentiles, * to mock and to fcourge, and to crucify, and * the third day he Ihall rife again.' Let us review the hiftorical evidences w'ho attefl this memorable fadt. The firft who gave their teftimony were the holy angels, who de- fcended CONSIDERED AND IMPROVED, II5 Xcended from heaven on this ocealion, and thus addrefled the devout women, who early v-fi-. ted the fepulchre, wherein the body of our Lord was interred, * Why feek ye (faid thefe * celeftial melTengers) th'^ hving among the * dead, he is not here, he is rifen, as he faid * unto you.' No lefs extraordinary witnefTes afcended from the lower parts of the earth, the faints who ilept in the duft, and came out of their graves after his refurredion, went into the holy city, appeared unto many, that yield- ed undoubted credit to the unexpected proofs of the certainty of what had happened. — In- deed Jefus Chriil himfelf confirmed beyond all controverfy, the truth of his refurredlion, by his frequent appearances to many different perfons, who far from being credulous, were flow of heart, and reludant to believe. After he arofe from the dead, he was feen by Mary Magdalene, by other devout women with her, by the two difciples going to Emmaus, by the apoftles Peter and James, by the eleven, and afterward by above five hundred brethren at once. He appeared to men and w^omen, in public and private unexpedledly, and by ap- pointment, and after repeated converfations wdth many upon earth, he fliewed himfelf fronx heaven, firft to Stephen, then to the apoifle Paul, and afterward to the beloved difciple. The truth of the refurredion of Jefus Chriil is demonftrated not only by the coneurriiig tefli- monies of thofe who faw and converfed with him but by the gift of the Holy Spirit, the mira- cles 1X6 DEATH. AND EX-ALTATION- OF JESUS CHRIST cles wroaght by the apoftles, the fermons of thofe who publicly preached this dodrine to multitudes, by whom it was believed ; the cou- rage of thofe who fufFered in confirmation of the faith, and the facred inftitution of the Lord's day, obferved in the church- for above feventeen hundred, years,, in folemn comme- moration of that great event. From the uni- form teftimony of all thefe evidences, we be- lieve and are fure, that the Lord is rifen in- deed *. We proceed to mention fome of the glorious purpofes accomplifhed by the refurredion of Jefus Chrift. From among many 1 fhall feledt a few. Our faith and hope m God is hereby conrfimcd, for it is exprefsly afTerted, that he raifed him up from the dead, that our faith and hope might be in God. In this wonder- ful tranfadion of bringing from the dead our Lord Jefus Chrift, the Almighty aded in the amiable charader of the God of peace, whoj having dropt the rod of his anger, hath takea Up the fceptre of grace, and is perfeding his' people in every good work, working in them that which is well pleaiing in his fight. The^ contemplation of Jehovah, thus publicly ac- knowledging himfclf well pleafed with the o- bedience and atonement of Jefus Chrift, ought firmly to eftablifh our minds in the belief of his love, power, righteoufnefs, and truth, moft il- l^ftrioufly * For the above arrangement- of evidences, I am in- debted to Dr Home, who hath beautifully illuftrated t^icm in his fourth difcour-fe, entitled, " Jefus rifen.'" eOKSIBEREa AND IMPROVED. 117 iurtrioully difplayed ia reftoring to him again that life which he laid down for us. — The re^ furredion of Chrift was followed by the plenti- ful effufion of the Holy Spirit. As the certain demonftration and glorious efFedl of Chrift ha- ving rifen from the dead, the promife of the Father was fulfilled, the Holy Ghoft was (bed forth from on high upon his difciples, who were thereby endowed with w^ifdom to teach, and power to confirm the dodrine of their di- vine Mafter, and furniflied with patience and fortitude to fufler in his caufe. Thus qualiiied for their work, they triumphed over the vain philofophy of the world, the arguments of the iubtle, the difcourfes of the eloquent, the power of princes, the inclinations of corrupt nature, the force of cufiom, the pleafures of iin, and the machinations of Satan. By the fame Spirit which is communicated to the church of Chrift, as a permanent blefling and happy fruit of his refurredlion, the moft bene- volent purpofes are accomplifhed, the mmdc of men are illuminated with divine knowledge, they are convinced in their confciences of fin, their hearts are purified into obedience, their fteps are conduced in the paths of righteouf- nefs, their fouls are filled with joy, and peace in believing. — Be fides, the refurredion of our Lord and Saviour affords his faithful difciples the mofl pofitive affu ranee, the moft glorious pattern, and certain pledge of their future triumph over the grave, and refurredion to eternal life. How reviving the words of J efus Chrift Il8 DEATH AND EXALTATION OF JESGS CHRIST Oirifl; lo them that love him ! ' Becaufe I live * ye (hall live alfo.' Chrift having rifen from the dead, the fiid fruits of them that fleep ; they that are Chrill's fhall afterwards rife at his coming. To this glorious advent, which is of- ten predided and promifed, w^e look forward with faith and hope and joy, in the full expec- tation, that the Saviour will then change our vile bodies, which are formed of the duft, fuf- tained by earthly fupports, fubjed to manifold diftempers, inftrumental in the commiffion of fin, and liable to death and corruption ; that they may be falhioned like unto his own glo- rious body, fpiritual, powerful, immortal, di- veiled of natural appetites, in no need of pre- fent affiftances necelTary to their prefervation, and never more in danger of difTolution. This blelTed alteration of our corporeal fyftem, fhall be executed according to the working whereby he is able to fubdue all things unto himfelf, by his omnipotence, for whom all things are poffi- ble. — Delightful profpedl I Improve it Chrif- tians, in all your diftreffes, under the loiTes you fuftain by the death of friends, and in the views of your own diilblution. If the Spirit of him that raifed up Jefus from the dead, dwell in you, he that raifed up Chrift from the dead* lliall alfo quicken your mortal bodies by his fpirit that dwelleth in you. III. We are next to treat the third article in my text, the exaltation of Jefus Chrift, who is at the right hand of God. We CONSlbEREB AND IMPROVED, XI9 We have already contemplated him in the agonies of death, followed by the tnuniphL: of his refurredlion ; and now we are to elevate our minds, to behold him feated at the right hand of Jehovah. What a prodigious change of ftate, what an aftonifhing reverfe of condition from that through which he palTed in this world I When on earth he was lodged in a ftable, fitted up for the accommodation of the beafts of the field. In heaven he is exalted to the higheft glory, in the prefence of God, fur- rounded by myriads of celeftial hofts. In his humiliation he was tempted by Satan, and ha- rafled by the powers or darknefs, who endea- voured to counterad the great defign he had in view to accomplifh. In his exaltation, ten thoufand times ten thoufand of holy angels, who excel in.ftrength, inceiTantly adore him, and rejoice in executing his pleafure. Here below he was defpifed and rejected of men-, who hid from him their faces, and excluded him from their fociety. In the Zion above, he is the head, the ornament, the delight of the general aiTembly convened around the throne of God. In the celeftial regions he is Ciowned with glo- ry jand honour, univerfally admired, and extol- led very high, as * the Prince of the kings of ' the earth, the Saviour of the Church, who * was dead, and is alive, and liveth for ever- * more/ Contemplating our blefTed Re- deemer, in his exalted ftate, we behold him exchanging the labours and forrows of his for- mer humble condition, and the pains of death for 120 DEATH ANB EXALTATION OF JESVS «HRlS'r for the reft, and felicity of a glorious immorta- lity, in the prefence of God ; having laid alide the vail that intercepted the rays of his divini- ty, he appears in his native fplendor and glory. Let us take a more extenlive view of this fa- vourite objedl^ Chrift at the right hand of God. The words muft not be underftood in their li- teral fenfe, as if the Almighty had thofe bodi- ly parts, which belong to the human form. Expreffions of this fort are ufed in condefcen- lion to our weaknefs, to aflift our feeble appre- henfions of the glory to which our great Medi- ator is exalted in heaven. The monarchs of caftern nations were anciently accuftomed to (hew refped for thofe on whom they meant to confer fome extraordinary favour, by placing them at their right hand. A remarkable in- ftance is recorded of Solomon king of Ifrael, who caufed a feat to be fet for his motber, and fhe fat on his right hand. In allulion to this practice, the glory to which Jefus Chrift is ad- vanced, is fet forth by his fitting at the Tight hand of God. The expreffion may denote, the honour and dignity, the fehcity and joy, the power and authority of which he is pofTeffed,- 1 fay it points out The honour and dignity to which Jefus Cbrift is exalted. Viewing him in the high cha- rader of God over all bleifed for ever, he can- not poflibly admit of any real advancement or acceflion to his effential immutable glory. His exaltation, therefore, only intimates the more eminent CONSIDERED AND IMPRCVi,©. 121 eminent nianifeftation of his traiifcendant ex- cellencies and lupreme divinity, after the vail of his profound humiliation was laid afide. With refpecl to his human nature and media- torial character, God hath highly exalted him, having raifed him to the pofTellion of that glory he had with him before the world was made. He hath given him a name, which is above every name ; Jefus Chrift did not receive what he had not formerly enjoyed, but in his office as Mediator he was admitted to the en- joyment of v;bat, as God, he polTefTed from everlafting. Having purged our fins, he fat down on the right hand of the Majefty on high, being made fo much better than the an- gels, as he hath, by inheritance, obtained a more excellent name than they. He is digni- fied and honoured, on account of his fupremiS excellence, the glorious conquefts he hath ob- tained, the arduous work he hath executed, the high ftation which he occupies, the im- menfe treafure of which he hath the entire dif- pofal. The heavenly intelligences, therefore, as v/ell as the redeemed from among men, unite in prefenting before him their adorations and praifes, in which we hope for ever to join. Worthy is the Lamb that was (lain, fay the an- gels and the elders around the throne, to re- ceive power and riches, and wifdom, and flrength, and honour and glory, and bleifing. The exaltation of Jefus Chrill at the right hand of God, farther intimates the fehcity and joy to which he is advanced. In thy prefence, F faid 123 DEATH AND EXALTATION OF JESIK CHRIST faid the royal prophet, fpeaking in the perfon of our Redeemer, to his heavenly Father, ' is * fulnefs of joys, and at thy right hand are ' pleafures for evermore.' Thefe joys and plea- fures are doubtlefs polTelTed by him in degrees infinitely fuperior to all the faints and angels in heaven. There he, who once died on the crofs, and flept in the fepulchre, lives and reigns, fil- led with exquifite delight, and encircled by ni- ccmprehenlible majefty and glory. Though, when upon earth, he was a man of forrows, and acquainted with grief, yet now, having vanquiilied all his enemies, he is perfedly blef- fed with confuramate happinefs and joy. What divine fatisfadlion, what unutterable triumph, muft arife to the chief Shepherd of Ifracl, the Prince of Peace, from the everlafling perpe- tuity of his throne and kingdom, the glory that redounds to God, and the falvation that accrues to his faithful followers, from his gra- cious interpofition in their behalf, when ready to perilh. Explore the mofl refined pleafures "with which the fons ot men are acquainted, from whence they derive the higheft gratifica- tions, and you will find them to be as nothing, if compared to the pure and fublime delights enjoyed by our blefled Saviour, at the right .hand of the Majelly on high. '* His glory, O ** God, is made great in thy falvation, for thou *^ haft made him moft blefTed for ever ; thou *' haft made him exceeding giad with thy coun- *' tenance." In the profpedl of this joy, he en- dured durcd the crofs,and defpifed the fhamc. — Once more, The exaltation of Jefus Chnft at the right hand of God denotes the power and authority with which he is in veiled. When about to depart out of this world, he acknowfedged, in. his intercelTory prayer to his Father, that he had given him power over all flelh. Before he gave commiffion to his difciples to teach and baptize all nations, he afTured them, that all power in heaven and on earth was committed into his hands. The apoftle Paul, when treat- ing of the operation of God*s mighty power, whereby Jefus Chrift was fet at his own right hand, affirms, * that he is far above all principa- * lity and power, and might, and dominion, and * every name that is named, not only in this * world, but in that which is to come ; and that * God hath put all things under his feet, and gi-. * ven him to be head over all things to the * church.' To this end he not only died, but * rofe and revived, that he might be Lord both * of the dead and of the living ' According to ancient prophecy, * there is given unto him do- * minion and glory, and a k-ngdom ; all people, * nations, and languages, (h ill ferve him ;' ancj. now from the midll of his throne he proclaims, by his own majeftic voice. * Behold, I am alive * for evermore, Ajnen ; and have the keys of * death Dnd the invilible world/ Comfortable thought i Beings by the right hand of God ex- alted, he hath power to grant us repentance and remifilon of fins, to render us and our fer- F a vices 124 DEATH AND EXALTATION OJ JESUS CHRIST vices acceptable to God, to fupply our neceffi- ties, to defeat every adverfe power, and to ex- ecute judgment upon both tlie righteous and the wicked. What a glorious profpecl have we enjoyed of Jefus Chrifl, who is at the right hand of God,. Though he long ago left this earth, as to his perfonal prefence, yet he now is enthroned in glory above, to complete the falvation of his people, which he procured by his obedience unto death. The beheving contemplation of our exalted Redeemer, ought to animate us to adlivity in the whole of our fpiritual warfare, and to infpire us with fortitude and hope, when confiiding with our fpiritual enemies. The charges which they bring againd us, are fully anfwered by Jefus Chrift, who hath made an end of fin, fpoiled principalities and powers, ful- filled the demands of the law, and overcome the world ; and thefe enemies who could not van- quifli our Saviour when clothed with infirmi- ties in the form of a fervant, cannot poffibly conquer his members, now that he is ele- vated to the highefl glory. Chriftians, there- fore, crucified with Chrifl in his death, raifed up together with him to newnefs of life, in vir- tue of his refurredlion, in confequence of his exaltation, fet down with him in heavenly pla- ces, ought to triumph in the fecurity which their Almighty Saviour will afford them, in the tender compaffion that he ftill feels for them, in the comfortable accefs, which through him they enjoy, into the divine prefence, in the plentiful CONSIDERED AND IMPROVED. I 25 plentiful fupply of their wants, of which he hath^ afRired them, in the hope of the glory, to which, in due time, he will condud them, and in their everlafting advancement with him, to the right hand of power. — Unbelieving, difobe^ dient tranfgreflbrs, who negledl and defpife Je- fus Ghrift, ought to be greatly alarmed by a fenfe of their guilt and danger, in refufing ta bow to the fceptre of his grace, and to honour him in his exaltation. If you perhft in your liu and folly, be afTured you (hall certainly pcrifli hy the rod of his anger, when his wrath begins to burn. He is infinitely able and fully deter- mined to make his enemies his footflool. The knee that will not bow to him, the tongue that will not confefs him, in judgment he will con- demn. Cordially acknowledge then, without delay, the dignity, grace, and power of Jefus Chrill, which the ftoutell: hearted, the moil im- placable of his enemies fliall one day be obh- ged to confefs, and give unto him the ghvy due unto his name. IV. I fhall next fpeak of the mediation of Jefus Chrifl, who, in his exalted ftate, maketli interceflion for us. The apofle Paul, far from affirming that the death of Jefus Ghriil is the fole ground of our falvation, afcribes it alfo to his refurredlion, exaltation, and interceflion, on all which it certainly depends. In this lall mentioned article, he defcribes the Saviour':? employment at the right hand of God, where- by he gives admirable proof of his adorable* F 3 gracs 1^6 BEATH AND EXviLTATlOW OT JE5VS CHRIST grace, of his love to his church, and tender foli- citude for their fafety and happinefs. To ac- complifh our redemption, he not only came down from heaven, and having affumed human nature, fpent a forrowful afflidted life upon earth, which was terminated by a painful ac- curfed death, but rea£uming his life, he went into the prefence of God, where he maketh in- terceffion for us. This interceflion we fuppofe to confift in his continual appearance as our great high Prieft before the Father, where h« eflPedually pleads the infinite merit of his aton* ing facrifice in behalf of his people, in order to their deliverance from the evils to which they are expofed, and their enjoyment of e- very blefllng neceffary to their complete eter- nal falvation. — For the fuccefsful performance of this important work, he is admirably quali* iied. Poifefled of perfect knowledge, he needji liot that any fhould teftify to him of man ; he is intimately acquainted with the various con* ditions of all his dilciples, with all the exigen- cies of their feveral ftates, with all the dellres of their hearts, and all the fupplies proper for their benefit. Being merciful and full of com- pafTion, and having been in all points tempted as we are, (fin excepted) he is touched, even in his elevated ftation, with the feeling of our infirmities, he is deeply mtercfted in our fuffer^ ings, and ever ready to. communicate relief in all our dillreffes, according to his promife. All the treafures of wifdom and underftanding be- ing hid in him, he never miflakes the caufe or iniered CONSIDERED AND IMPROVED. 127 intercfl: of any individual ; and fo fiiccefsfully doth he condudt his mediation, that he never fails to obtain his requeft from God, who al- ways gives him the delires of his heart. Plead- ing in the charader of Jefus Chrift the righ- teous, the caufe of juflice and equity ; all that he claims, it becomes the holinefs, the righte- oufnefs, and veracity of Jehovah to beflow. Intimately united with thofe for whom he in- tercedes, . who are the objeds of his everlalVmg love, the perfons for whom he laid down his life, and with whom he is fo joined, as to be one Spirit; his intereft is clofely conneded with theirs, his honour is infeparably interwo- - yen witn their falvation* - He mufl then be a prevalent interceffor, in whole hands all our concerns are perfedly fafe ; as a Prince he hath power with God and prevaileth ; of u'hich the perfedion of his facrifice, the promife of the Father, the defign of his mediation, and the experience of his church in all ages, give the mod fatisfying alTurance. . Such are the noble qualifications which Jefus Chriit poireffcs as oui' advocate with, the Father, The extenfive range we have taken in our i7:e- ditations upon Jefus Chrift, having already oc- cupied fo much time, we only ftay to take a- curfory view of the delicious fruits ariiing from bis interceffion, of thefe we lliail fhew you E few famples, from which you may judge of his tranfcendent excellence, and their ineftimable worth. — Free accefs into the divine prefence, with benefit and comfort, where the difciples F4 of 128 DEATH AND EXALTATION OF JESITS CHRIST of Chrifl enjoy delightful communion with God, receive the certain pledges of his love, and the bleiled earnefts of his glory. — Favour- able acceptance to their fervices and fpiritual facrifices, which being prefented with the in- cenfe of his interceffionj become acceptable and well pleafing unto the Lord. — The glorious gift of the Holy Spirit, the comforter, w4iom he affured his difciples, he v/ould fend to them af- ter his departure, that he might accomplifh the great purpofes of their fandification and confo- lation. — The full refutation of all the calum. nious charges brouglit againft them by the ac- cuferof chebrethren, thefentence of condemna- tion is reverfed, and complete abfolution is ob- tained from deferved punifhment. — Renewed fupplies of grace and (Irength, fuited to therr various circumftances, that they may be ena- bled to vanquifh temptations, to perform du- ties, tofuflain afflidions ; for all his difciples he prays, as he did for the apoftle Peter, * that * their faith fail not ; that they may be kept ' from evil.' — The final elevation of all the re- deemed to the prefence and enjoyment of God, is likewife attributed to the intercellion of Je- fus Chrid, for thus he pleads in their behalf, * Father, I W'ill that thofe whom thou haii gi- ' ven me, be with me where I am, that they * may beliold my glory.* Onthefe and other ac- counts, they are laid to be faved by his life, which is employed in fecuring their falvation. rSuch ar^ the precious fruits of Chrift's intercef- fion, v^ithv.hich wefinifh our illuli ration af the fpjiited CONSIDERED A>fD IMPROVED. I 29 Spirited reply fuggefted in my text, to thofe who prefume to condemn and give judgment againft Giirillians. We conclude the fubjecl with the reviving afTlirance of the Son of God, recorded John v. 24. ' Verily, verily, I fay un- * to you, he that heareth my word, and be- * lieveth on him that fent me, hath everlafling * life ; and fliall not come into condemnation, ' but hath palled from death to life.' If fuch-is their hnppy ilate who are in Chrifl Jefus, how miferablc your condition, who are yet in your (ins. You know well that you juftly deferve condemnation ; ' for by the oU ' fence of one judgment came upon Till men * to condemnation ; the wages of fin is death ; ' he that believeth not, is condemned already.' Unlefs the awful fentence is reverfed, you pc- rifh for ever. Yon have heard of the rich pro- viiion made for your deliverance by the m.edi- r.tion of Jefus Ghrifl:. Deeply fenfible of your lin and guilt and danger, have immediate rc- courfe to the all-fufiicient Redeemer, v.ho, ac- cording to the fcriptures, died for our fins, rofe r.gain the third d-c\y^ is now exalted to the righjt ]>and of God, wliere he maketh intercefnon for tranfgreffors. Thankfully accept of hi;n as the nnfpeakable gifi of God, and cordiallv fabmit to him in ail the important chara(!:.tcrs be fuiiains, that being made of God unto yon for wifdom, righteoufnefs, lanclification, '?jd redemption, you may henceforth glory on^y in the Lord. Renounce all your iniquities, to whofe. uftirped tyranny you have yielded i\\h- F 5 jcdioa t^O DEATH AND EX ALT ATI OK ^F JESUS CHRIST, 8cC. jedion in times paft ; and devote your bed fer* Tices without referve to God, through the Me- diator, that you may keep his word, and live to his honour. Under the confcioufnefs of your depravity and unworthinefs, what ample en- couragement to thefe becoming exercifes, may you derive from the interGefTion of our Advo- cate v\'ith the Father. Seeing then that we have a great High Prieft, that is pafTed into the heavens, Jefus the Son of God, let us hold fad our profeflion. Let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may lind grace to help us in time of need *. * K«b. W, i6. mTRO-^ C 131 ) INTRODUCTION TO THE COMMUNION SERFICE*. THE humiliation, fufferings, and death, to which the only begotten Son of God was plea- ied to fubmit, that he might obtain our falva- tron, are truly grand and interefting events. No luch magnificent {ccnQ was ever exhibited as that which is reprefented in the Lord's Sup- per, wherein thefe great and w^onderful occur- rences are commemorated. No fuch afldnifh- ing tranfacftions were ever recorded in' the an- nals of the univerle, as thofe which this ordi- nance is intended to call to remembrance^ No fuch luminous profpe6l was ever opened to view, as that which is here fet before our eyes.. Nor is the benefit celebrated in ^ this facred inftitution lefs interefting , than 'glorious. It concerns not fo much the irrhabitants of ano- ther world, as the citizens of this earth where- on we live ; not fo much another fpecies of crea- tures as the humarr race,- v^diereof we are indi- viduals. It is "BOt limited to a ^ngle family,^ tribe, or nation-, to perfons of oi^e rank or con- dition, or of one generation. It extends to people of every region, kindred, and language, to perfons of every denomination, whether high or low, to men of every age,, fi'om the com-' mencement of time until the confura'mation of all things, when the angel ihall hft up his hand tjt * After reading Matt. xwi. 26, 27, zB-. Y 6 132 INTRODUCTION TO THE to heaven, and fwear by him that hvcth for ever, that time fhall be no longer. — The Lord^* Supper is truly a folemn and venerable ordi- nance. It is the abridgement of all that is ex- cellent and grand, in the glorious gofpel of the Son of God. It is the fanduary where God and his people meet and converfe together.- It is the entertainment where Jefus Chrift vouch- fafes his prefence to his difciples, and they re- ceive the pledges of his love, and the earncfls of his faivation. It is the glafs Vn herein the Lord exhibits himfelf to their view, and they ih contemplate his glory, as to be changed, into his image. It is the memorial of his incompa- rable love, and the becoming teilimony of their gratitude and fidelity. In every view this di- vine inditution is intended to diflingwfh from the men of the w^orld the followers of Jefas Chrifl ; whilfl it ferves to convey to them the mod impoitant benefits w hich coniVitute their pecuhar privilege and felicity. From thefe few remarks it plainly appears, that the upright dilciples of the Son of God, who keep his word^ who love his faivation, and thankfully iicknowledge his rich grace, are the only per- fons who participate of our Lord's S^upper, with leal comfort and advantiTge. I'o peiions of an oppolitc charac^ler, Gi-d faith, ' \v batjiave you - to do to dfcliiit; vny ilarutes, or to- take my * covenant in your mouih.s.' Why would you be guilry of the body and blood of the Lord, by eating and diinking unworthily ? v.'hy would you oiler indknAy to the crucified Redeemer, Yihry COMMUNION SERVICE. f.^ T'lUfy the price of redemption, and ufurp a pri- vilege to which, in your prefent flate, you have no juft claim ? Before, therefore, we proceed to difpenfe this holy ordinance, it is highly pro- per, that, according to the laudible pradice of this church, 1 deicribe, on the one hand, the temper and conducl of thofe who are excluded by the Lord Jefus Ciirid from this folemn fefti- -V al ; and on the other, charaderize thofe who are invited by him to partake of this feaft of love. The Lord jefas Chiift excludes from this facred inilitution thofe who are ignorant of the leading truths and duties contained in the Ho- ly Scriptures. lj\d fuch people coiiUder the Vvordof God as a precious treafure, they would dihgently fearch it, that they might fmd that wiidom and underilanding which is nrore to be dehred than fine gold — \t mfeniible of its ex- cellence, worth, and utility, you lludy not to become acquainted with the great things wiiich God hath written in his law and gofpel, but look upon them as vain and unproiitabl- — If, indead of reading in this book the words of Jcdiovah, and laying them up in your iieart, }ou plead with a view to extenuate your igno- rance, the want of- time, and other frivolous cxcuies, when your negligence proceeds in re- ahty from want of mclmation, and love to di- vine truths — If, not vsithdanding you have been informed of the iin and danger of ignorance of the difcoveries which God hath given of his Vvill in the fcripturesj you continue devoid of the knowledge 134 nrrRODuerio)? to the knowledge of the Mod High, of his Son, ani- Spirit, and falvation, — if, inftcad of infl:ru6ling your families, and thofc entrufted to your care, according to the commandment, you fuf- fer them, by negled of your duty, to perifh^ through ignorance of the things that belong to their peace and happinefs, by fuch criminal condudl you pour contempt upon the grace of God, revealed in the gofpel, and the autho- rity of his law. Though polTefTed of other ac- complifhments and advantages, fuch perfons are Mn"'jrthy of the name and privileges of CUrillians, and by eating and drinking un- worthily ill this ordinance, you would be guiU- ty of the body and blood of the Lord. Thofe too are debarred from the Lord's Slip-' per who difbelieve the word of God contained in the Old and New Teftaments, and who do not give undoub*:ed credit to the hiftories, the doctrines, the precepts, the promifes, and the threatenings contained in the Bible, — who be- lieve not in the perfections and providence of God, in the omnipotence, grace, and faiih- fulnefs of the Saviour who came to feek and to fave that which was lolt, and of their abfv la;e need of falvauon by his blood, — who be- lieve not in the Holy GmoIi, the fandifier, guide, and comforter of the Church, and do not ackn)wledge the nrceiiity of his reno- vanng, direftmg, and Orengthcnivig influence, to furnifh for eveiv ^ond vv< ik, nnd to prepare for the mheritance of he faints in light, — who are deftiture of th it pr*^ci«)us faith vvhich work- eth by love to God and man, which purifies tbe CaMMUNIOK SERVieE. J^^ the heart from the love of tin, whkh over- eomes the world, and is accompanied with f^ood works. Sceptic ifm is the poiibnous loot from which proceeds all manner of iniquity, that chokes the feed of the word of God, prevents it from fpringing up, and bringing forth fruit unto life everlafting. Without faith, it is im- poffible to- pleafe God, or to perform to him any acceptable fervice, and therefore be alFu- red that our gracious Lord doth not invite you to his table. Thofe aifo are excluded from tins holy ordinance, by Jefjs Chrift, who are immt al- in their condud, and delight not in the law . of the Lord, — -who are lovers of tlie Vvorld and then.felves,. more than of God who is blelTed for ever, — who pr^dicallydeny him that facred homage whicn is due to his eternal Majefty and grandeur, — who do not acknowledge him as their Creator, pi\:ffeiver, Saviour, and Lord, — who contemn and negleft the inllitutions of his appointment, and wordiip not the great God in fecret and public, in the fpiritual ac- ceptable manner he requires,- — who, far from reverencing the great and dreadful name of the Lord our God, take it in vain, and pollute their Gonverfation with abominable oaths and impre- cations, — who, inilead of fanclifying the Sab- baths of the Lord, according to the command- ment, profme them, by unnecellary bufinefs,^ vilits, and amufe;vier>ts, — who are neghgent and unfaithful in rcifuiming thofe relative and fpeciai duties, by the piactice of which Chri- iilians adorn their profeilion, teilify gratitude and t$6 INTROBUCTION TO THE and fubjedion to their Lord, and love to thefr brethren, — parents wlio bring not up theiy children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, — children vviio are undutiful and dilb- bedient to their parents, — maflers who with- hold that which is right and equal from their fervants, — f:;vants who do not confcientioufly perform the bniinefs afiigned to them, — mali- cious, cruel, revengeful perfons, who delibe- rately injure their own lives, and the comfort of others, — lewd and unclean perfons, that, far from living in fandification and honour, in- dulge m voluptuoufnefs, debauchery, and for- bidden impurities, — dilnoneft people, who, in- ftead of ufing lawful means to obtain a com- fortable fublirtence, fquander away time in floth and idlenefs, and artfully enaeavour to ileal and defraud others of their property, — evil fpeakers, who regard not integrity and truth, ilanderouHy injure the reputation of their neighbours, equivocate, and fallify their promifes, and fuiril not their engagements, — difcontented, fretful people, who are dilfatis- fied with the lot afdgned them by Providence, repine at Lis difpenfacions, and envy the poi- fcffions and enjoyments of their neighbours. Perfons of the above dcfcriptions, whilll they continue in their preient ilate, cannot enjoy communion with Jefus Chriil, have no right to participate of his Hipper, and are therefore pro- hibited by him from coming to this fpiritual feall. "^Vhat fellowfifip hath righteoufnefs with unrighteoufnefs, what communion hath light COMMUNION SERVICE. l^J light with darknefs, what concord hath Chriil with Belial, or what part hath he that be- lieveth with an infidel ? If, after this fair warn- ing, this folemn prohibition, thofe who are of the characlers above mentioned, (hall prefame to partake of the Lord's Supper, they, not we, are anfwerable for the confequences. That you may fee my authority for what 1 have faid, you may read i Cor. vi. 9, lo. Left any may be difcouraged from partici- pating of this comfortable ordinance, for whom it is intended by the Mailer of alTemblies, he gracioully invites to it his upright faithful dif- ciples. Who, convinced of the malignity and danger of tranfgreiiion, and of the infinite mer- cy of God, in Chrid, have turned unto the Lord, from the error of iheir ways, and ex- perienced the falutary influence of true re- pentance, that effential ingredient in the fal- vation of Chriil:. — Who, placing their fupreme happinefs in the favour of God, and commu- nion with him, have unrefervedly confecrated themfelves to his fervice and obedience, and are obeying from the heart the form of found words delivered unto them, — w^ho having cordially fubmittcd to Jelus Chriit, as their unerring in- llrudor, 10 teach them by his word and Spi- rit, have learned from him to deny themfelves, to take up the crofs, and to follow his example, — who place entire dependence on him, as their great High Prieit, to atone their guilt, and to plead their caufe with God, to convey to them righteoufneis and peace, grace and ^lory. J38 INTROBUCTIOV, StCi, glory, with every good thing, — who confide in him as their rightful Sovereign, to fabdue their corrupt paffions, to defend them from ene- mies, and to govern them by his laws, — who having experienced the quickening transform- ing power of the lljiy Spirit, are living by ♦^he faith of the Son of God, walking worthy of the Lord, unto all pleaiin^, being fruitfai in every good work, and abounding in the f:-uits of righteoufnefs, which are. by Jefus Chrift, to the praife and glory of God. To you the in- vitation is directed. Come, for all things are now ready to gratify your enlarged holy de* fires, and to yield you the higheft fatisfadion. This houfe is not only open for your reception, but this table is covered for your entertainment. Ample fplritual provifion is to be fet before you, a fountain is open for your purification and re- frefhment. We, who are your fervants for Jefus fake, are ready to give to every one his portion in due feafon ; we are juft about to blefs the facrificc, to requeft the Mailer of the feaft,. who bids you welcome, to vouchfafe his gra- cious prefence, to command his blefling upon us, our fellowfhip, and our divine repaft. In- cline your ear then, and come and (hew forth our Saviour's death ; hear, and your foul (hall . live, and he will make an everlailing covenant with you, and enrich you with the choicefl: blellings. May you receive the blefling from the Lord, and. righteoufnefs from the God of felvation, Amen» CONSECRATION FRATEK, $U* I39 THE CONSECRATION AND THANKSGIVING. Almighty and mod gracious GocI, who art clothed with honour and majefly, who covereft thyfclf with light, as with a garment, who art merciful and gracious, who art love, and dwelleft in love ; we, thy apoftate finful crea- tures, approach thy facred prefence, through the mediation of thy beloved Son, lamenting our departure from thee, in whofe favour there is life, and the innumerable tranfgreffions we have committed agamft thee, our rightful So- vereign, and liberal Benefador. Blefled be the Lord God of Ifrael, who daily loadeth us with his benefits — even the God of falvation, who, according to his abundant mercy, fent into this world his only begotten Son, that we might live through him. We prefent before thee, the Father of mercies, and God of all grace, our united thankfgivings and praifes, that when we had deftroyed ourfelves, in thee we found help, — .that when we were loft, the Soa of thy love came, in thy great name, to ^ave us, — that when the redemption of our fouls muft have ceafed for ever, he gave his life a ranfom for many. We celebrate, with grati- tude, the praifes of thy aflonifhing love, and the triumphs of thy viftorious grace. We magnify and blefs the companionate Saviour of them who were ready to perifh, who vouch- ft fed to become a curfe for us, that divine bleflings i'l^ . COJ^SECRATION PRAYER bleffings might flow to us in copious ilreams. BlefTed be the Lord, the Spirit, who applies to our fouls the facrifice and lalvation of Jefus Chrift, who forms us into his lovely image, renders us conform to the will of God, and makes meet for the inheritance of the faints in light. We thank thee, Lord of heaven and earth, for the inftitution of the holy Supper, the precious token of thy love to thy Church, the facred feaft whereby the difciples of thy Son are nourifhed, invigorated, and comforted. We acknowledge ourfelves utterly unworthy of the honour of attending the marriage fupper of the Lamb, and of a place among the chil- dren of the Highelt. We therefore earneftly requed, mofl merciful God, that thou wilt grant us the wedding garment ; may the righ- teoufnefs which is by faith of Jefus Chrift, ha upon us all; work in us thofe devout affedions and divine graces which are requiiite to a com- fortable and acceptable participation of this blefled ordinance. Heavenly Father, grant alfo, we befeech thee, that the bread which we blefs, and that we are now to break, may be to us the communion of the body of Chrift ; and that the cup of blefling which we blefs, may be to us the communion of the blood of Chrift. May the reviving dodbrine of Jefus Chrift dying on a crofs, to fave finners, prove refreftiing and comforting to our minds, — may it be our ftrength and our fong, the fource of our holinefs and confolation. Fulfil, we pray thee, to us, Lord Jefus, the precious promife thou AND THANKSGIVING. 14! thou haft given, that, after thy exaltation, thou wilt draw all men unto thee. Draw to thyfelf the carnal, the fecure, the hcentious ; and teach them, through thy crofk, to crucify their lulls; draw to thyfelf the troubled, the anxious, and the timorous ; encourage them by the attradting view of thy fufFerings, to hope and confidence in thee ; draw nearer to thee thy genuine difciples, embrace them in the arms of thy mercy, and vouchfafe to them in- creafe in knowledge, grace, and holinefs. E- ternal Spirit of all grace, enlighten our minds in the knowledge of Chrifl, and him crucified, — of Chrift, and him glorified, — that we may have intimate experimental acquaintance with the fellowihip of his fufferings, with confor- mity to his death, and the pou er of his refur- redtion. Almighty and mofl merciful God, water the precious feed of thy word, that hath been fown this morning, with the dew of thy blefling ; grant us, we entreat thee, thy gra- cious prefence — thy enriching benedidion — thy diredlion and afliflance ; — fulfil in us the good pleafure of thy goodnefs, and the work of faith with power, for the fake of Jefus Chrift. And to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghoft, one living and true God, be ever- lafting praife, honour, and glory. Amen, ADDRESS t4t ABDRESS TO COMMUNTICAWTS. ADDRESS TO COMMUNICANTS. In the Lord*s Supper, to which we are now convened, the difciples of Jefus Chrift are ad- iTi'^ted to del ghtful communion with the mcft bi.t;h God, \A ho gives us the fymbols of his prc- fence, the inftru6ions of his word, and the pl« d^rs of his love, whilft we are allowed to coTive.fe with him, by devout meditation, fup- plicati'^^n, and thankfgiving. We enjoy im- provmg fellow O.ip wi' h our Saviour and Lord, in h^^ offxial characters and variegaied condi- tions, as crucified for our fins, and glorified at the right hand of God, vvhiift he conveys to us the pch fruits of his merliation, we grate- fully accept of them, and rejoice in his falva- tion. We experience pleafing intercourfe with the Holy GhUl, the Sandtifier and Comforter of the Church, who takes of the things of Chrift, and ibews thtm to us, imparts to us light and life, grace and ibength, with the other ineftimabie benefits contained in the re- demption of the Son of God, whilft we re- ceive with humility, gratitude, and praife, the bleflings he confers. We hold communioo with the whole family of God, who are fellow fubjeds with us of the fame Lord, — fello;?- fervants with us, of the fame Mafter,^-feilow- vvcrfhippers with us, of the fame God ; chil- dren of the fame Father, and members of the fame fociety^ part of whom are employed in heavenly ADDRESt TO COMMUNICANTS. 143 heavenly places, celebrating the praifes of Je- hovah, and pHiL of whom are endcavouriig in earthly placts to do me will of God, as the angels in hcavi:n. Wha. honour, what feli- city, refultb from this iulilime exercife I 1 hat as brethren you may all partake of the is^rnf; f^ iiitual meat, and all drink of the fcmie ii);- ritual drir.k, tht Loid Jef^s Chrili, in the lame night wherein he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had givtn thanks, as we have ef- fayed to do in his name, and arter his exam^ pie, he brake it, and gave it to the difcipies, faying, * lake, eat; this is my body, which * is broken for you : this do in remembrance * of me.* He alfo took the cup, faying, * i his * cup is the new teflament in my blood, Ihed * for many, for the remiffion of fins : Dunk * ye all of it* Perform this facred fervice w^ith penitential forrow, in the recolledion of the linful miferable flate wherein we were in- volved, when the omnipotent Saviour appeared for our deliverance. Do this in foleniii com- memoration of that ineffable love which brought the Son of God from heaven to earru, — which induced him to appear in the likenels of finful flefli, — which condufted him to the manger, to the garden, to the crofs, and to the grave, that he might accomplifh our fal- vation. Do this in grateful remembrance of that incomparable grace he difplayed in the indefatigable labours he fuflained, m the bitter cup which he drank, in the earneil prayers and ftrong cries which he uttered, in the extreme 144 ADDRESS TO COMMUNICANTS. agony that he felt, the wounds he received, and the excruciating death to which, on our account, he lubmitted. Do this in thankful jemembrance of the atoning facrifice w^hich he offered up for us unto God, through the eternal fpirit, the complete vidory which he obtained for us, over our fpiritual enemies, and the everlaiiing redemption he acquired for us, bylayingdowii his precious life. How generous, how beneficent, is the love of the Son of God that we commemorate I The bleflings derived from it are incalculable in value and number. All that is neceffary, all that is precious, all that is defirable, flows from his tender compaf- fion and kind interpofition in our behalf. De- liverance from condemnation and wrath, re- conciliation and peace with God, the Holy Spirit, to fandify, ftrengthen and comfort, the protection of kind Providence, a prefent right with the future enjoyment of eternal felicity and glory. Such rich difplays of unparalleled love are indeed worthy to be remembered throughout all generations. — God and Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift, grant us clear views of the antiquity and freedom, the extent and glory of thy love. WhilH: we mufe on this de- lightful theme, do thoucaufe a reciprocal flame of love to burn in our hearts, until it confume like flubble our corrupt pafiions, and purify all our powers, that henceforth they may be em- ployed in thy fervice. — Let the love of ChriH: conitrain you to live not unto yourfelves, but unto him that died for you, and rofe again, Exprefs CONCLUDING EXHORTATION, StC. 1 45 Exprefs your love to the Saviour, in grateful thanJcfgivings for his marvellous grace, in un- referved obedience to his commands, in affi^ duous imitation of his example, in adlive ex- ertions to advance his honour, in improving converfe with his difciples, and in ardent de- lires after the full enjoyment of his prefence in heaven. * Now, the God of peace that ' brought again from the dead our Lord Jefus, ' that great Shepherd of the fheep, through ' the blood of the everlafling covenant, make * you perfedl in every good w^ork, to do his * will, working in you that which is w^ell-plea- « fmg in his light, through Jefus Chrift, to * whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.^ CONCLUDING EXHORTATION FROM* THE PULPIT. Thus far a confiderable number in this aD fembly have been employed in the moit plea- iunt and profitable fervice in which we can be engaged on this fide eternity. By the afto- niHiing interpofition of the Son of God, that wx have been commemorating, the confum- mat^.wirdom, the infinite love, the immacu- G^ late 1^6 COI^'CLL'DING rxnORTATlOK late holinefs, the perfecl righteoufncfs of Je- hovah, were illuftrioiifiy difplayed ; the pu- rity of the divine law, the malignity of fin, were clearly demonftrated ; and the redemp- tion of the Church was accomplifhed. In this great and chief fubjecl of the glorious gofpel, the foundation of faith and hope, and peace with God, is difcovered ; the fource of everlail- ing confolation, joy, and triumph, is difclofed ; the mofi: powerful motives to love and obe- dience to God are fuggefted, which can ope- jate on the human heart. What employment then fo grateful to the redeemed and reno- vated among men, who are capable of relifliing the mod fublime Spiritual pleafures, as to con- template the great myflery of godlinefs which angels look into with admiration, — to enjoy the fruits of that loving kindnefs which is better than life, — to receive Chriftjefus the Lord, with liis promifed good fpirit, — to exult with a con- queror that fought our battles, — to feaft with him and his friends on a rich entertainment, — to reap in joy what was fown in tears, — and to obtain the earneils of eternal falvation. From fuch delightful exercifes aiife the nod exqui- (itc pleafures, which excite in the mind joy unfpeakable and full of glory, which put more gladnefs into the heart than when corn and wine increafed, — The Lord's Supper is not lefs profitable than plcafant. If you aik what ad- vantage refults from it ? I anfwer in the words of an apoftle, on another occafion, ' Much ' every way.' Doth not profit confifl in bet- tering FROM THL FULPIT. 14^ tearing our circum (lances, and in improving cur condition ? Do not Chriftians derive great, benefit from this ordinance, whereby their fy't- ritual (late is improved and confirmed, when attended with the divine prefence and blel"- ling ? There we call to our thankful remem- brance the moH magnificent and intereiting -objecls Nvhich are defigned to fubdue evil paf- fions,-— to excite good affedionSj — to (Irength- cn the graces of the Spirit, — -to impart new vigour to our minds,— to furnifh us for all good works, and to be the mean of preparing for eternal glory. If we are feeble, and ready la faint, this divine repafl is intended to re- new our lirength, and to reflore our fouls, if we are in perplexity and dcjedion, this bene- ¥olent inftitation is admirably fuited to relieve from anxiety and dcpreipion ; if the fpiritual life feems to languifh and decay, here it may be quickened and invigorated. Of this facred pleaiure, of this fubflantial advantage, I hope that not a few in this lioufe have this day had comfortable experience in fhewing forth our Lord's death until he come. That throug'h the bleffing of God I may contribute to pre- ferve you in the enjoyment of the fatisfac^tioa you have felt, and the benefit you have reap- ed, I requeft you to attend to your dignity, duty, and danger, I. Confider your dignity. J fpenTc not of the glory, honour, and dominion with whicti j^hovah crowned man, when he made him % G 2 * littlo I4§ CONCLUDING EXHORTATION little lower than the angels, but of the dif- tinguiflied excellence and high rank to which, when in a deprefied condition, he was pleafed, in fovereign grace, to elevate you who love the Lord Jeius Chrid in (incerity. I call your attention to this fubjecl:, not to cherifn emo- tions of pride and felf importance ; for the manner of your elevation excludes high thoughts, and inculcates profound humility and felf denial. Recoiled then — you are the fervants of Almighty God ; a character which the greatefi men that ever lived, have looked upon as their honour and happinefs. Ading with fidelity in this capacity, you are alFured that your Mafter in heaven will grant you pro- Tifion, affiftance, and protedion in his work, and an abundant recompenfe of reward, which is infinitely more than fuflicient to counterba- lance all the riches, honours, and pleafures of this world* You are the peculiar people of Jehovah, his chofen generation, his royal priefihood, his holy nation, that he hath re- deemed and purified unto himfelf, by the pre- cious blood of his Son, through the agency of the Holy Spirit, that you may fhew forth his virtues, and that by your good works, which •men fhall behold, they may glorify God in the day of vifitation. You are the children of the living God, that he hath adopted into his divine family, renewed after his amiable image, invefted with the moft glorious privileges, apd conftituted heirs of his everlatling kingdom, and I trufl you are endeavouring to walk worthy of your FROM THE ?ULPIT. I4(; vour intimate relation to your heavenly Fa^ ther. You are cloiely connecled with Jefus Chriil:,,the Lord of all; being fo joined to him, as to be one fpirit with him, yoa are members of his body the Church, temples wherein reiides tb.c Holy Ghoil, who is pro- mifed to abide with you continually ; to in- ilrad and guide, to ftrengthen and comfort you. You are members of that large honour- able fociety, which is compofed of the excel- lent ones of the earth, who are chofen and called, and faithful, who are employed in the moih fublime fervices our prefent condition can admit, over which Jefus Chrift prefide?,. of which angels are the guardians^ and to whicli belong unfearchable riches. After all, the ho- nours to which you are now advanced, are ordy preludes to your future elevation, when you fhali be flationed around the throne of God, olothed with white robes, inveiled with crowns of glory, and palms of vidlory, to enjoy the prefence, and to celebrate the praifes of God and the Lamb. Such is tte diguity of real Chriilians. 2. Attend to your duty. God doth not al- low any of the members of his houfehold to be; indolent or idle ; to every one he ailigns his proper work ; to all he faith, ' Occupy till I ' come ; be diligent, be faithful, be (tedfafh * be ftrong in the Lord.' ImpreiTed with a jull fenfe of the fupreme authority of God, and your manifold obligations to^ obey his C 3 commands JjO COI^CLUDING EXHORTATION commands, which are holy, juft, and good ; endeavour to keep them with your whole hearts, and to acquit yourfelvcs as his good iervants. Reverence his Majefty, love his ex- cellencies, confide in his providence and pro- mifes, v/orfliip him in the manner he requires, delight iii him as your all fufficicnt portion, ^be thankful for his mercies, acquiefcc in his •lifpenfations, and be followers of him as dca? children. — Honour his beloved Son, hearken to his voice, believe and obey his word, imi- tate his example, rely on his mediation, keep his commandments, converfe with him in his* ordinances, maintain fcilowfhip with his dif- ciples, beware of grieving his Spirit, glory in liis crois, and rcjcice in his falvation. — ' Love ' your neighbours as yourfelvcs ; be kindly, * afFcdionatc one to another, with brotherly * lore. Whatfocvcr you would that men '^ (houid do to you, do ye even fo to them.' Do good to all, as ye have opportunity ; efpe- cially to them who arc of the houfchold of faith. * Love your enemies, blefs them that * curfe you ; do good to them that hate you, ' and pray for them that defpitefully ufe you, * and perfecute you.' — Deny yourfelves, take up the crofs, and follow Jefus Chrift. Be humble aftd meek ; be fober, be vigilant, pa- tient and refigned ; foiicitous that the fame mind be in you that was in Chrift Jcfus, and that you walk as he alio v>'alked. * We exhort ' and charge every one of you, as a father doth ' his children, that you would walk worthy ot ' God, FROM THE PULPIT. t^l^ ^ God, who hath called you to his kingdom and * glory. Furthermore, we beieech you, bre- * threUi by the Lord Jefus, that as ye have re- < ceived of us how ye ought to walk, and to ' pleaie God, fo ye would abound more and * more.' 3. Recoiled your danger. I mention this. circumRance not to excite alarm or defpon- dency, but to put you en your guard, and to awaken to circumfpedtion and dependence on God our Savioun 1 mean to warn you of the difficulties you may have to encounter, ariiing from the power and fubtilty of your fpiritual enemies, and the evils to which you may bi expofed in the courie of your Chriiiian war- fare. This friendly admonition is not incon- iiftent with that humble confidence in the di- vine mercy, and good hope, through grace, which the gofpel imparts to the faithful in Chrift Jefus. The fpiritual life is uniformly reprefented in Scripture, as requiring caution and vigilance, adlivity and diligence, in order to its prefervation and progrefs»- Know then, brethren, that you are liable to manifold dan- gers. The enemies of your falvation are pow- erful and crafty. Your adverfary, the devil, will fuit his temptations to your feveral weak-- neffes, and the fins that moil eafily befet you; the world will prefent you with allurements adapted to win your aiFedions, and wicked men will endeavour to feduce you into their pernicious company, whiKi your decei.ful G d. hearts 152 COKCLUDING EXHORTATION hearts M/ill be apt to take part with your ex- ternal foe^s. Formality, lukewarmnefs, infi- delity, and negligence, with many other evils, will be ready to encroach upon you, on every occafion. Pride or prefumption, defpondency or iclf righteoufnefs, felf confidence or fecu- xity, may infeniibly ileal upon you ere ever you are aware. * Ye therefore beloved, feeing * ye krlew thefe things before, beware, left ye? * alfo, being led away with the error of the * wicked, fall from your own ftedfaftnefs. Look * to yourfelves, that ye lofe not thofe things * which ye have wTought, but that ye receive a * fall rev/ard.' Thanks be to God, though your txondition be hazardous, it is not helplefs. Though you be encompaffed with dangers, though yoar warfare may be difficult, and your 'confli^s many and arduous, yet in this rejoice, * the Lord is your refuge and ftrength, and in ' iiraits a prefent aid.' Greater is he that is in you, than all they that are or can be againfl you ; fo that you may boldly fay, with the 'King of Ifrael, * In God is my falvation and * my glory, the rock of my ftrength ; and my ^ refuge is in God. Yea, though I walk thro' * the valley of the ftiadow of death, I will fear * no evil, for thou art with me ; thy rod and ^ thy ftafF, they comfort me.* I conclude, by addreffing a few words to you who, notwithftanding you live without God, and without Chrift, in the avowed prac- tice of known fin, have participated of the Lord's i'ROM TflE PULPIT. IJ3 LorJ*s Supper, having neither the Mafter's in- vitation, nor the wedding garment. To you I fay, * Friend, how earned thou in hither ?' How couldelt thou prefume to go to the Lord's ta- ble, deititute of the garments of falvation, or expect to receive w^elcome, benefit, and accep- tance ? Did you intend, by taking a place among the friends of Jefus Chrift, to pafs your- felves for his diiciples ; whilfl you continue enemies to God, in your minds, and by wicked works ? Though you may have fucceeded in this deception, what availeth it you to have a name to live, whillf you are de^d ; to have the form, deftitute of the power of godhnefs ? The awful day is fail approaching, wherein the fe-= crets of all hearts {bail be difclofed 3 wherein the hypocrite and the formaliif , to their ever- lafting confufion, fnall be dive fled of all their artful difguifes, and your real character, with that of every individual of mankind, (hall be publicly known amidft the aiTembled world* it is vain to plead that you did not know but you were the friends of the Son of God. You have the bible in your hands, which, if you carefully confulted, and compared with it your temper and condudl, you might have afcer- tained your true charadler. - You know where yoa live, and what is your occupation, and yet, ah's ! you are ignorant whether you are chil- dren of God, or the children of this world ; whether you are in the way to everlafting hap- pinefs, or mifery. * Now is the accepted time, l now is the day of falvation,' in which you G 5 * ought 1^^ «Oi:CLUDIXO EXHORTATION, &C. * ought to give all diligence, to make your cal- * ling and eledion fure. Draw nigh to God, ^ and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanfe your ' hands, ye Tinners ; and purify your hearts, ye * double minded/ This is your prefent indif- penfible duty. Approach to God with your \^hole hearts, in the exercife of unfeigned faith and prayer, and penitence, in the hvely hope that he will vilit you with his falvation, and give you to fee the good of his chofen. May he be pleafed to vouchfafe you his favour and bleffing. And to him, through Jefus Chrifl^ be honour and glory. Amen, EVENING ( 155 ) EVENING SERMON SERMON VL THE PRIVILEGES AND DUTIES OF TiV CHILDREN OF GOD. •'^•^^•^^QS «««B»>'~^ 2 Cor. vi. i8. And I zvill be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters ^ saitb the Lord Ahnighty. IT would indeed have been an ad of marvel- lous condefcenfion and grace, had the great God been pleafed to reilore any of thofe who are by nature children of wrath, to tlie enjoyment of his divine favour; but the ho- nour proiiiifed in the words now read, is higher ftiil, even that of being made fons and daughters to the Lord God omnipotent. The advancement of unworthy guilty creatures, fuch as wc arc, to this diftinguifiied dignity and relicity, juftly excites th^ admiration of cckftird intelhgcnces, and fhall be the delight. G6 ful J S^ THE PRIVILEGES AND DUTIES ful theme of the ardent praifes of the faints through eternal ages. Every other relation to which, we can be advanced, the mofl fplendid titles to which we can afpire, are trivial, not worthy to be compared to this glorious pri- vilege. It exhibits a rich difplay of the love of God, that paiTeth knowledge ; it gives a pleafiiig proof of the everlafting faithfulnefs of Jehovah, whilll: it elevates chofen men, the favourites of heaven, to real excellence and grandeur, and the moft tranfporting profped^ In the former part of this beautiful chapter, from which I have taken my text, the apoille of the Gentiles gives fuch an eloquent, ener- getic defcription of the labours and fufferings he fuflained on account of the gofpel of Chrifl, as at once exckes terror, compaffian, and fym- pathy. What wonderful elevation, what fer- Tour, what repetitions, what furprifing con- trails, what variety of figures doth he employ to reprefent the triumphs of Jefus Chriil, by the rniniitry of the word over the combined t)ppoiition, the pride, the malice of his ene- mies. What fublime amplifications, what for- cible expreilions, what aftonifhing circum- fiances, does he introduce, to iiluftrate this iioble fubjed. In the latter part of the chap- ter, with ecllatic vehemence and tender aifec- tion, he addrclTcs a mod pathetic exhortation to the faints, to abdain from all improper con- nection with wicked men, which he enforces by the mofl powerful animating motives. A- mong other things, he allures them of enjoying tbe OF TKE CHILDREN Of COB, t $'J the accomplifliment of the exceeding great and precious proinifes recorded in Scripture, that God v.'ill graciou'ily receive them into his fa- mily ; that he will be a Father to them, in confequence of which they ihall acquit them* I'elves as becometh his children. In dependence on divine aid, I fhall endea- vour to ihew the import and excellence of the glorious privilege mentioned in the text, whereby a reciprocal endearing relation, and intimate corref\^.ondence, is eflabliihed betwixt the Lord Almighty, and thofe to whom the prom.iie is verified. — He acknowledgeth that he is their Father, and demonilrates his pater- nal love, by imparting to them his Holy Spirit ; by making ample proviiion fjr the fapply of their Vv^ants ; by infirucling them fo as to make them wife unto falvation ; by protecling them from the evils feo which they are expofed ; by giving them feafonable neceifary correction ; by admitting them to delightful intercourfe with him ; and by conflituting them heirs of his everlailing kingdom. — In return they dif- play grateful filial affe£iion to him, by honour- ing and obeying his authority ; by imitating of his excellencies; by delighting in his prefence; by promoting liis glory; and by relying on his paternal care. To thefe particulars, which, through the di- vine blelling, may aiiiit you in underftanding the reviving alTurance now to be confideied, i requeit your ferious attention. iS^ THE PRIVILEGES AND DUTIES I. To difcovcr the import and excellence oi the glorious privilege mentioned in the text, whereby a reciprocal endearing relation and intimate correfpondence is eilabUihed betvvixt the Lord God Omnipotent, and thofe to whom the pro^niie is verified — conhder that he ac- knowledgeth h^ is their Father, and demon* ftratcs his paternal love. I. Bj imparting to them his Holy Spirit, This rich donation, which demon ftratcs the love, the grace, the munificence and kindnefs of a Father, and which diitinguiilies them from the men of this world, God is pleafed to confer upon all his children, and on them on- ly. This precious ^ift, conveyed through the mediation of the beloved Son of God, is indif- penfibly requifite to purify our corrupt natures, to form us into the image of or.* heavenly Fa- ther, to produce an abiding principle of ipiri- tual hfe, to qualify us for appearing in his houfe and family, and dwelling for ever in his prefence. By this fpirit of life, that proceeds from the Father, and flows to us irom Chrift Jefus, our underftandings are illuminated, fo that we are made light in the Lord, our vicious inclinations are fubdued, and we become obe* dient chddren ; our confciences are purged from dead works to ferve the living God, our affections are elevated from things earthly and feniaal, to fpintual and eternal objeds. By the powerful agony of this fandifying fpirit, wc arc beautified with thofe divine graces, which arc emphatically deaaminated his truits ; love, P7i OT mZ CHILDREN OT GOD. I cd joy, peace, long-fuffering, gentlenefs, goad* Jjefs, faith, meeknefs, temperance. According to the riches of God's glory, we are Itrengthened with might by his.f;^iiit ia the inner man, he makes all grace to aboand toward us, that we always having all-fufli- ciency in all things, may abound unto every good work. He enables us to approach God as our Father, and to demean orrfclves as his children ; he helps our infirmities m holy du- ties ; he leads us unto the land of uprightnefs ; he bears witnefs with our fpirits, that we are the children of God ; he feals us unto the day of redemption, and gives the eaineii of eternal inheritance. He makes all old things to pafs away, and all things to become new. The ad- mirable plan, according to which we obtain this ineltimable bleiUng, is clearly pointed out elfewhere by our apoille, in thefe words : * When the fulnefs of time was come, God * fent forth his Son, made of a woman, made * under the law, to redeem them that were * under the law, that we might receive the a- *. doption of fons. And becaufe ye are Tons, * God hath fent forth the fpirit of his Son into * your hearts.' What miracles of mercy to procure for us, and to inveft us with the cha- radler and fpirit of children of God. Recount them with admiration; the miifion,the mcarna- tion, the humilianon, the obedience and ran- fom of God's dear Son. How glorious the pri- vilege, how great the honour, how exquifite the felicity, how ennobling the principle of the fpirit i^O THE PRIVILEGES AND DUTIES fpirit of God, whereby an entire change if made, not only in our condition, but in our difpofitions and pradices. 2. By making ample proviiion for the fup- ply of their neceflities. Innumerable are the temporal wants of the children of Gorl, which, with unbounded iiberahty, our heavenly Father feafonably relieves. Ke gives the luminaries of heaven to enlighten ai.d warm our habita- tion, and rain from heaven with fruitful feafonG, * He caufeth the herb and the corn to grow * for the fervice of man, that he may bring forth ' food out of the earth, and Vvine that maketh « glad the heart of man, oil to make his face * to ihine, and bread that ftrengtheneth man's * heart.' Ever mindful of us, and perfedly acquaint with all our various circumllances, we may be affured that he will not with- hold any thing neceiiary to our fupport. Vv^ith g'reat propriety duth ourbleiTed baviour, by the mOil convincing arguments, dilliiade us from anx- ious concern about temporal good things. * Take no though:, therefore, faying, what ' fhall ye eat, or what (hail ye drink, or where- ' wiihal ihall ye be clothed, for your heaven- < iy Father knoweth that ye have need of all * thsfe things. Seek ye fird the kingdom of * Gcd ar.'d his righteouinefs, and all thefe things * fhall be added unto you.' In proof of God's gracious regard to the teniporal intereits of his children, I might appeal to the hiftory of If- rael, who were anciently honoured with the de- iignation of his fons, but 1 rather call upon you to OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD l6l to recoIle£t your own experience. Say ye, children of the Moll High, Did the Lord God ever fail to afford you every needful fupport ; have you not reafon to acknowledge, with the apoflle Peter, his divine power hath given us all things pertaining to life and godlinefs ? Though fome may be in mean and ftraitened circumilances, ' He who is faithful hath promi- * fed, that bread ihall be given you, and your * water fhall be fare/ He may not, perhaps, feed you with the finefl of the wheat, but he will always give the food moil convenient for you. And doth your God and Father thus take care of your perilliing bodies, and will he not much more provide for your immortal fouls, which he hath redeemed with the precious blood of Chriil, and quickened by his fpiric that dwelleth in you. ^ To all his renovated fa- mily he gives the bread and the v/ater of life, whereby they are nourifhed and firengthened, and grow up unto perfect m.en, unto the mea- fure of the (lature of the fulriefs of Chiift. To babes in Chriil he affigns the liacere, the ra- tional milk of the word, that thereby they may grow in grace, in knowle-lge, in holinefs and comfort. To thofe w^ho are farther advan- ced in the divine life, and who, by reaion of ufe, ,have their ienfes exercifed to difcein both good and evil, he diftiibutes the vv^ord of righ- teoufnefs for the eitablilhiiient of their faith, the direction of their condud, and then- con- folation in didrefs. In few words, our Father ill l6z THE PRIVILEGES AND DUTIES in heaven farnifhes all the members of his houfehold of faith with fpiritual provifion, fuit- ed to their circumdances, ages, and capacities. In his houfe there is always bread enongh and to fpare ; he keeps a plentiful table furniflied with thebeft entertainment, whereby the fouls of his children are fatisfied as with marrow and fatnefs, and they are induced to praife him with joyful lips. What he generoully beftows, they thankfully receive, and highly eileem, ex- preffing in fuch language as this, the pleafure and gratitude which they feel. ' Thy words * were found, and I did eat them ; thy word * was unto me the joy and the rejoicing of * mine heart. More to be delired are they * than gold ; yea, than much fine gold, fwee- * ter alfo than honey and the honey-comb. I * have efteemed the words of thy mouth mors * than my neceflary food.' 3dly, By inftrudling them fo as to make them wife unto falvation. Our heavenly Fa- ther is not only a liberal provider, bat an in- comparable teacher. Who teacheth like him ? We challenge the whole univerfe to produce one who can fo effedlually inltrud the ignorant, as the Lord God Almighty. He conveys not only all the knowledge which we acquire by the light of natarT, from the works of his hands and the operations of his providence, but all the information contained in the fcriptures of the Old and New Teilament, refpecting what \7^ are to believe concerning him, and what duty he requires from us. !a thcfe facred ora- cles OF THE CIULDREN OF GOD. 163 cles he hath recorded, for our inllrudion, the hiftory of the moil illuftrioiis characters and events ; he hath communicated the mod im^ portant difcoveries ; he hath given the mo(t folemn admonitions ; and the moil: excellent precepts, enforced by the mod powerful mo- tives. In this infpired volume God hath given the mod amiable reprefentalions of his tender mercy and wonderful love to the fons of men involved in (in, guilt, and mifery ; and to ex- cite to compliance with his bleded will, he a- larms our fears and encourages our hopes. And throughout the whole of divine revela- tion, he accommodates his indruclions to our feeble capacities, to our various tempers, to our judgments, confciences, and pafiions. Notwithdanding thefe plain and ufefui lef- fons, which are tranfcribed into a language with which we are well acquainted, notwith- danding they are put into our hands, that we may read therein all the days of our life, and they are read and explained in the churches every fabbath-day ; how lamentably ignorant arc multitudes ! how averfe to improve and ap- ply what they know ! To remove the natural pervcrfity, prejudices, and incapacity of his children to learn his holjj, word, our heavenly Father does what no other teacher can do, he opens the eyes of our underdandings, to behold wondrous things out of his law. He g'ves us the fpirit of wifdom and revelation, whereby we fUc enabled to difcern the excellence, thQ importance, the fuitableneis of divine truths, and 164 THE PRIVILEGES AND DUTIES and to know the things that are freely given us of God. He eflfediually convinces of our ig- norance and folly, and difpofes us to receive with meeknefs, the engrafted word which is able to fave our fouls. When this infinitely wife Teacher inflruds, he caufes us to profit, he makes to know wifdom, and renders wife vmto falvation. In this manner, according to ancient prophecy, all the children of God are taught of the Lord. Every one, therefore, who hath thus heard and learned of the Father, Cometh to Jefus Chriil, truiieth in him for par- don of fin, acceptance Vvdth God and eternal life, and obeyeth from the heart that form of doc- trine which was delivered unto us. What thanks can we render to our heavenly Father for the exceeding riches of his grace, difplayed- in leading us to the knowledge, belief, and obedience of the truth. 4.thly, By preferving them from the evils to which they arc expofed. Manifold are the dan- gers and calamities to which the children of God are liable in this prefent evil world, where- hy our temporal or fpiritual intereils may be greatly injured. Such is the niahce» the fubtil- ty, and (trengch of our eiieniies ; fuch is our own weaknefs, and our continual obnoxiouf- nefs to evils of every kind, that nothing lefs than omnipotence can atibrd us ail neceffary protedion and defence. When palling thro' this inhofpitable region, overlpread with the fhadov/ of death, where are deaths often, and Vv'here death hath reigned over rnaukind iince the OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD, 16$ the days of Aduin, the Lord preferveth our lives from dedrudion, he defends from hurt- ful accidents, from difeafe and diflblution. Whilft he hath any work for us here, he will keep and uphold us, and we fhall be bleffed on the earth. — In a fpec'al manner doth he preferve our fouls from fpiritual evils, whereby they might be endangered and loft. For this purpofe he maintains and cherifhes his fear in our hearts, which prompts to depart from evil, he ftrengthens faith in his prefence providence and protedlion ; he fupprefles defponding thoughts, and by his peace, that paileth all un- derflanding, he keeps our hearts and minds through Chrift Jefus. He excites to humility, prayer, and vigilance againft pride, covetouf- nefs, voluptuoufnefs, and hypocrify ; he wea- kens corruption; he withdraws temptation, and, gives a growing deteftation of whatever might prove an occafion of offending him. He ena- bles to entertain the pleafing hope expreifed by the apoftle Paul, in thefe words : * The ' Lord will deliver me from every evil work, * and preferve me to his heavenly kingdom.' He not only refcues from impending danger, but delivers from evil works which difpleaf# him, deface his image, forfeit communion with him, which diflurb and defile the foul. — In- deed no real evil can befal the children of God, who have an almighty parent and watchful guardian for their conftant prote£lor. He gives his angels, v/hom he fends forth to mi- jijiler to the heirs of falvation, charge concern- ,l66 THE PRIVILEGES AND DUTIES ing them, and they encamp round about thcra that fear him. He keeps by his mighty power, through faith unto falvation ; he hides, under the fliadow of his wings, he keeps them even as the apple of his eye. ' I will fay of the Lord, * he is my refuge and^my fortrefs ; my God, * in him will I trull. * 5thly, By giving them ncceifary, fcafonablc corredion. Proper chaftifement. alwayi admi- nillered with wifdom and prudence, for the mofl benevolent purpofes, 1 put down without hcfitation, among the falutary proofs of our heavenly Father's paternal affccflion, and place it among the fubitantial benefits he confers, vipon his children. During our refidence here on earih, wc are only in our miinority, we know but in part, and are apt to be inattentive to our bed intcrefts, and the important ufeful lefTons to which we ouglit diligently to apply our minds. We are prone to go aftray from God, and through the infmuating influence of temptation and bad example, to become negli- gent, formal, carelefs. Every one then may be fenfible, that the difcipline of the rod mult be of conliderable confequence in the fchool of Jefus Chrift. Chailifements indeed mud be acknowledged not joyous, but grievous. Perfonal afRidions, domeilic troubles, and the lofs of friends and property, are for the prefent uneafy and painful. In fuch feafons efpeciaU ]y, we ought to remember the exhortation which fpeaketh unto us as unto the children, * My fon, difpife not the chaftening o£ the * Lord. OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD. I 67 ^ Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of * him.' Beware of infenfibility ; beware of de- jedion ; for whom the Lord lovcth he chaft- eneth. Notwithstanding he loves, he correds, yea, he corrcds, becaufe he loves ; and thus performs the part of a good parent, Vv^ho trains up his children by wholefome difciphnc, to un- rcferved fubmiffion and obedience. In every chaftifement God defigns to promote our real benefit and improvement, which ought to re- concile our minds to every afflidlive difpenfa- tion. Our heavenly Father corrcds his chiU dren — to check the levity of our minds, to ren- der us teachable and confiderate, that we may receive in ft nidi on, be wife and forget it not. — To embitter fm, and bring us to a penitent fenfe of our tranfgrcffions. — To reclain* us from our backilidings, and to excite to the more diligent and faithful performance of duty. — To detach our hearts from the tranfitory enjoy- ments of this uncertain world. — To cxcrcife and improve our graces, fuch as patience, con- fidence in God, and refignation to his v^ilL And all thefe alHidions, which through the di- vine co-operation and bleiling, produce this happy temper of mind, this improved courfe of condud, are under the diredion of confum- mate wifdom, whereby ihey are admirably ad- jufled with refped to time, meafure, and con- tinuance. They are all under his manage- ment v/ho is merciful and gracious, who in wonderful condefcenlion declares, that fuch are liis tender compaffionsj that in all our af- flidions l68 NIIE PRIVILEGES AND DUTIES fiitfticns he is afHicled, that as a Father pitieth his children, fo the Lord pitieth them that fear him. 1 conclude this article in the words of the man according to God's own heart, * Blef- * fed is the man whom thou chaftencft, O ' Lord.^ 6thlv, By admitting them to delightful in- tercourfe with hmi, God teilifies his gracious regard and paternal afFe<5lion for his regenerat- ed children. Such k his infinite Majefly and grandeur, fuch our natural depravity and guilt into which fin hath plunged us, that the inti- mate converfe which once fubiifted betwixt God and man, hath been lamentably interrup- ted. Though our hearts are eftranged from Lim, and averfe to appear in his prefence, yet fuch is the riches of his glorious grace and kind- nefs toward us through Jefus Chrill, that he hath opened a new and living way, by which we are allowed to come into his prefence with filial reverence and confidence. Allowed, did I fay? I might have faid invited, encouraged, and afTured of hearty welcome and favourable acceptance. What a privilege, what honour, what happinefs, are they advanced to whom God hath predeflinated unto the adoption of children by Jefus Chrift unto himfelf. God having become our Father, and fent the fpirit of his Son into our hearts, every ground of dread and terror is removed, and we are admit- ted to unbofom ourfelves to our bed friend. With the mofi: agreeable familiarity we lay before him our temptations and confli6:s, our doubts OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD. 169 doubts and fears, our defiresand hopes, and keep back nothing from him, faying, with the royal Pfalmift, * we declared our ways, and thou * heardft us.' What a mercy and comfort to have acccfs to God, not clothed with the (lern character of a judge, but with the amiable com-- paffions of a Father ; and that not with the fpi- rit of fear but of love ; to Hand not before the tribunal of judgment but the throne of grace ! How deferable, how grateful, to have our per- fons and fervices accepted in the beloved; to obtain mercy to pardon our fins, to heal our diilempers and relieve our miferies; and gnce to help our infirmities and fupply our wants 1 And though our heavenly Father may fome- times ftand afar off, or behind a vail, yet when the diftance is removed a^d the vail taken a- way, w^hen he allows us to come even to his feat, and he appears in the tranfcendent glories of his Majelly and mercy, we fay with the de- vout King of Ifrael, * BlelTed is the man * whom thou, O Lord, choofeil and caufeft to ' approach unto thee — we fliall be fatisfied with ' the goodnefs of thy houfe.' Lqftly, By conllituting them heirs of his e- verlafting kingdom. Hearken to the apodle Paul's reafoning on this fui)ject, « If children, ' then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs witli * Chrift.' And again, * if a Son, then an heir of God through ChrilL' This is not a precarious or doubtful matter, but is fettled and fecured to all the children of the Mod High by an irrevo- cable deed and grant, confirmed and ratified H by IJQ THE PRIVILEGES AND DUTIES by the oath of Jehovah. For God, willing to fliew more abundantly unto the heirs of pro- mife the immutability of his counfel confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impolTible for God to lit, * we * might have ftrong confolation who have fled ' for refuge to lay hold on the hope fet before * us.' Of this inheritance the faithful and true witnefs hath given you the mod explicit af- furance in the following words: ' Fear not, * little fiock, for it is your Father's good plea- * fure to give you the kingdom.'— The king- dom prepared for you fince the foundation of the Avorld, obtained for you by Chriil; Jefusin the fulnefs of time, and referved for you in heaven until the final judgment, when, after having been made meet for it by the Spirit of all grace, and the almighty power of the Son of God, you fhall be admitted to full everlafting polTef- lion. Stretch then your thoughts beyond this uncertain periHiing world, beyond the gloomy regions of death and the grave, beyond the narrow limits of time, to that glorious trium- phant fcate, that fplendid, magnificent king- dom, where, free from fin, darknefs, difcord and death, and refined from all imperfedion, you fhall enter the realms of light, and love, and peace, to contemplate the perfedion of beauty, and to enjoy undifturbed eternal feli- city. In this blefied heart-reviving profped, adopt the exulting language of the infpired waiters, ' The Lord is the portion of mine in- * heritance. Now are we the Sons of God, but < It OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD. IJl * it doth not yet appear what we (liall be ; but ' we know that when he fliall appear we fliall « be like him, for w^e fhall fee him as he is T — Thus have I laid before you fome of the glorious privileges which God confers upon his children. That you may have a clear and full view of the reciprocal indcaring relation, and intimate correfpondence eftabliflied betwixt the Lord God Almighty and thofe to whom rhe pro- niife in my text is verified, permit me to in- culcate upon his fons and daughters, the re- turns of duty and gratitude which he juitly demands, and which you are under the llrong- eft obligations faithfully to perform. — Teilify your filial afiedlion for your heavenly Father, ifl:. By honouring him and obeying his au- thority. This is the firif duty required of chil- dren to their earthly parents, the firil com- mandment with promife. This becoming ac- knowledgement of his fupreme excellence and righteous dominion he juftly claims and ex- perts. * A fon honoureth his father, and a fer- ' vant his raafler, if then Ibe a father, where is * my honour? and if I be a mafter, where is my fear?' What a fliarp reproof did God adminif- ter by the prophet Jeremiah to Ifrael who was calledhisfon,andwhoiliid unfo the Lord, 'Thou * art my father. Behold, faid he, thou haft fpo- * ken and done evil things as thou couldeft.'-- Cherifh in your minds the higheft veneration of his tranfcendent excellencies which render him infinitely worthy of your higheft efteem. H 2 Contemplate 172 THE PRIVILEGES AND DUTIES Contemplate him as the centre and fource of life, perfeclion, and felicity, poiTeiling incom- parable beauty and glory, richly difplayed in the works of creation, providence, and grace. Recollect the innumerable benefits he hath conferred upon you, the ineftimable privileges you enjoy, and the tranfporting profpeds he hath opened to your view, mitil you feel your hearts filled with adoring wonder and admiring gratitude to him who formed you for himfelf, that you may fliew forth his praifes. Where- fore, as obedient children, failiion not your- felves according to the former luds in your ig- norance. Seeing you are admitted into the family of fo great and fo good a Parent of all his" children, you ought to be moll obe- dient and fubmiffive to the will of your Father in heaven. Take therefore good heed unto yourfelves, that ye love the Lord your God — that ye walk after the Lord your God and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice and ferve him, and cleave unto him. And let your obedience be prompt and liberal, unfeigned, impartial, and perfevering confi- dent thxit he will not require any thing of you but what fhall conduce to your benefit and his glory. 2. By imitating his excellencies. In the words ofAe apoftle Paul, ' be ye therefore fol- ' lowers, or imitators of God as dear children.' Study to refemble him in his diffufive goodnefs who is good unto all, and whofe tender mer- cies are over all his works. Attend to the be- jievolent OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD. I7J nevolent command of Jefus Chnft,who faith un- to yen,.* Love your enemies, blefs them that * curfe you, do good to them that hate you, * and pray for them that defpitefully ufe you, * and perfecute you ; that ye may be the chiU * dren of your Father who is in heaven, * for he maketh his Sun to rife on the evil '« and on the good, and fendeth rain, on the ' juil and on the unjuit.' — Imitate him in his tender mercy. ' He is the Lord God, mer- ' ciful and gracious, who dehghts in exercifing * loving kindnefs, righteoufnefs, and mercy on * the earth ;' and will you who are his children be hard-hearted, revengeful and unwilling to forgive thofe who offend you ? How unfaita- ble is this odious temper to the fons and daugh- ters of fuch a gracious compaflionate Father who freely forgave you all trefpaflesl ' Where- * fore be ye kind one to another, forgiving one * another, as God for Chriil's fake hath for- * given you.' — Endeavour to copy after his untainted veracity w'ho is the God of truth, who is delighted w^ith truth in the inward parts, and w^ho hath (hewn inviolable faithfulnefs in accomplilhing his word. A heathen Philofopher being afked what rendered men Jike to God, anfvvered, * fpeaking the truth.'' Be faith- ful in performing your engagements to God, and punctual in fulfiUing your pro- miles to men ; care^jlly avoid all manner of diflimulation and extravagance, in fpeech, and walk before God in truth and uprightnefs. —Once more, make it your bulinefs to refem- H 3 ble 174 THE PRIVILEGES AND DUTIES ble God in his fpotlefs holinefs. Law and gof- pel unite in inculcating this important lellbn, * As he who hath called jou is holy, fo be ye * holy in all manner of converfatlon, becaufe it * is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy.' By this conformity and likenefs to God you muit fhew that you are his children, that you bear his image and do his will. 3. By delighting in his prefence. Though at all times and in all places we are under the immediate infpedion of the great God, yet there are fome feafons and fome places wherein his children are encouraged to expert his pecu- liar gracious prefence, and the moft deiirable manifeilations of his glory — wherein he ap- pears eminently in the beauty of his' holinefs, difplaying the riches of his grace and love, the wonders of his wifdom and power, the ma- jedy of his government, the miracles of his pro- vidence, the purity of his precepts, the terrors of his thrcatenings, and the excellence of his promifes. In fuch feafons he is prefent to hear our fupplications, to accept our praifes, to commune with us, to grant us the fruits of his loving kindnefs, with every blefling. Shall we not then delight in coming into the pre- fence of our heavenly -Father? He fpeaks to us by his' word and by the miniilry of his fer- vants; and ihall not we hden with the utmoft attention when God vouchfafes to fpeak to us? We addrefs him in prayer, wherein he allov;s us to make known to him all our wants; and fliall not we engage with pleafure in this ho- nourable .OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD. ij S nourable advantageous exercife ? Love then the habitation of your Father's houfe, the place where liis honour dwelleth, and where lie ma- nifefls his glory. Diligently attend to his holy word, meditate therein day and night, and earnelily intreat that it may be accompanied to you with the Holy Spirit and with power. Wait upon God in the inflituted ordinances of "the gofpel where his power is felt, and his'glo- ry is feen with fuch ardent devout breathings of foul as are beautifully exprelTed by the fweet Pfalmifl of Ifrael : * O God, thou art * my God, early will I feek thee ; my foul * thirfteth for thee, my flejfh longeth for thee ' the living God; when {hall I come and appear ' before God ? Delight thyfelf in the Lord, and * he (hall give thee the defires of thine heart,' 4. By promoting his glory, you mud evi- dence your intimate relation to God, and your aclive concern for his honour and intereit. Though God is glorified by all his creatures which difplay his divine excellencies, yet he is magnified in a peculiar manner by his rege- nerated children, whofevery exiilence is to the praife of his glorious grace. Though you were lilentand inacliveahe new Creation ihews forth the praifes of its Creator. You are, however, indifpeniibly required^ that whatever you do, to do allto the glory of God ; 'that God in all things maybeglorified through JefusGhrift.' For this purpofe, with cordial affeclion, with un- fliaken confidence-in-the power of divine grace, and heartfelt pleafure, endeavour to advance H 4 the I'jC THE PRIVILEGtS AND DUTI&S the honour and glory of God your Saviour, with whom you are intimately connedled. Let your light lb fliine before men, that they may. fee your good works, and be induced not to admire and extol you, but to glorify your Father who is in heaven. Do what lies in youi power that God may be known and loved and ierved in this world, that his name may be de- clared in all the earth, that his kingdom ot grace may be enlarged, that his falvation and iaving health may extend to all nations throughout all generations. In all your ac- tions, civil and facred, in every condition, whe- ther profperous or adverfe, be it your chief concern to promote the honour of your Fa- ther, and the intcrefls of your Father's houfe, * Wherefore, my beloved Brethren, do all * things without murmurings and difputings, ' that ye may be blamelefs and harmlefs, the ' fons of God without rebuke in the midft of ' a crooked and perverfe nation, among whom ' ye Ihine as lights in the world, holding forth * the word of life/ Letall your bufinefles be be- gun, carried on, and ended with God ; let his love be the principle, his word the rule, his honour, approbation and enjoyment, the great objecfts you fteadily keep in view. 5. By relying on his paternal care who is your Almighty Father and befl friend. This advice we fee daily exemplified in the world m'ound us. Children who neither can, nor care to do any thing for themfelves, live quite eafy by an unfj.fpccting confidence In their parents, \i'hQ OF TilE CHILDREN OF GOD. I?^ who never fail to make competent provifion for them p.ccording to their abiUties. This ex^ predion of tilial duty I warmly recommend to your practical regard who are the children of God. To you I addrefs the exhortation of the apoflle Peter, * Cad all your care ur>on your ' Father in heaven, for he careth for you.' Firmly perfuaded that all events are under his direction, and that all your interells are continually in his hand, renounce confidence in the creature, and place unfufpeding de- pendence on his w^ifdom and goodnefs. Be ^careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and fupplication with thankfgiving, let your requefts be made known unto God. Truft all your concerns, temporal and Ipiritual, to his difpofal, faying, with David the Son of Jefle, when in trying circumftances, ' Behold * here am I, let him do unto me as feemeth ' good unto him.' Connde in him daily for his Holy Spirit to fandfify you wholly, to fur- nifh you for every good work, to comfort you under all the troubles of this life, and to pre- pare you for eternal life and glory. Let your experience in times paft of his goodnefs and^ mercy, engage you henceforth to exercife con- ftant dependence upon him for every thing necefiary to your prefent welfare and eternal Mvation, that it may feafonably be conferred upon you through the infinite merits and pre- valent interceffion of Jefus Chrill. This gra- eious temper gives the true enjoyment of life, H5 it I 78 THE PRIVILEGES AND DUTIES it not only brings liberty, but it gives reft to the mind. Thus have I fet before you the import and excellence of the glorious privilege mentioned in my text, vvhereby the Lord God Almighty difplays his paternal love toward thofe to whom the promife in my text is verified; whilft they, in return, deeply imprefled with their infinite obligations, demonftrate their grateful filial affedion to him, who vouchfafes to become their friend and father. The thankful accept- ance of the benefits contained in his promifes, qualifies for the performance of the duties re- quired in his precepts. From the review we have taken of this ex- tenfive fubjedt, we are furnifhed with a decifive teft, whereby we may judge whether or not we are the renewed adopted children of God, whereby we may afcertain our claim to the dillinguifhing bleffings they enjoy. — Permit me, then, to requeft your attention to a few plain queftions, which, I pray God may power- fully imprefs upon your hearts, that every one of you that doth righteoufnefs may know he is born of God, and that whofoever doth not righteoufnefs may be fenfible he is not of God, neither hath known him. — Do you really think it poffible that any perfon can belong to the divine family of God, and not honour and obey llim — not imitate his excellencies — not delight in his prefence — not advance his glory — and not rely on his paternal care ? Do you fuppofe that, by an oppofite condud, you can approvjs your- OF THZ CHILISREN 0"F GOD. 1 79 yourielvcs to be his fons and daughters, and that you will boldly defend fuch behaviour in the profpefl of death, and before the tribunal of Jefus Chriil ? What can be more unfair than for you to pretend to be what in truth you are not? You call yourfelves Ghriftians and children of God, and yet you will not ftudy the ferious pradice of your own profeilion, nor live under the influence of thofe very principles you pro- fefs to believe. How foolifh, how inconliftent your character, how odious, how fatal the con- fequences with which an obftinate continuance in it mufl neceifarily be attended ! How de- tedible, how difgraceful the appearance you make, by holding the truth in unrighteoufnefs. Conflder, finners, while there is yet hope, your deplorable and dangerous flate, and earneftly beg of God, who is rich in mercy, that, for Chriil's l^ike, he will receive you into his fa- mily, fandify you by his Spirit, and admit you into the kingdom of his dearvSon, to whom, be glory for ever. Amcn^ ^ MORNING ( iSo ) MORNING SERMON «^ ® ^tVt\l\s> #«• SERMON VII *. DEDICATION TO THE SERVICE OE GOD EXPLAINED AND URGED. f#«« I Chron; xxix. 5. Hljo then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord P THESE words were fpoken by the king of Ifrael on a very memorable occalion. That illuftrious monarch, about to refign his throne and kingdom to his fon Solomon, con- vened the chief eftates of the empire, and a ge- neral aflembly of his mighty men, to whom he delivered a warm and pathetic addrefs. In this animated fpeech, he acquainted them of the intention he had formed of building a houfe for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and the vaft preparations he had made for erecting a moft magnificent temple to the ho- nour of Jehovah. He exhorted them in the moft * TKls Sermon was preachtd at the celebration of the Lord's Supper, DEDICATION TO THE SERVICE OF GOD, &C. l8l moll fervent, lolemn manner, ftedfaftly to ad- here to the worfliip of the true God, and the obedience of his commands. He gave falutary advice to the young prince, his fucceiror ; he dehvered to him the plan of the houfe, which he had by the Spirit of the Lord, and furniih- ed him with materiasls to a very large amount, fpr ereding that coftly and fuperb edifice. — Embracing the favourable opportunity af- forded by this convocation, he invited and en- couraged his people to follow his laudable ex- ample, and liberally to contribute their aflift- ance in promoting the noble deiign which had occupied his mind. After mentioning the va- luable articles which he had collecled, he calls for the aid of their individual exertions, with an ardour fcarcely ever equalled by any fovereign arrived at fuch a good old age as he had at- tained. Though we, my brethren, are not invited, like the Ifraelitifh nation, to offer toward build- ing a material temple for Jehovah, yet it is in- cumbent on every one of us to devote his bed fervices to the Lord our God, to do what lies in our power to prepare for him a fpiritual temple, to maintain his worfhip, to ad- vance his honour, and to teftify our pro- found refped to his facred authority. — Un- der this impreflion, and to promote this va- luable purpofe, I have read, as the fubjedl of difcourfe, thefe animating words of David the fervant of the Lord, « Who then is willing to • confecrate his fervice this day unto the Lord.^ 152 DEDICATION TO TEE SERVICE OF COD — I fhall take occalion from them, in depend- ence upon God, I ft. To fhew what is implied in the voluntary confecration of our fervice to the Lord. And then, 2dly, To recommend the pradlice of this important duty. Do thou, O Lord, who turneft the hearts of men whetherfoever thou wilt in the day of thy power, make this people willing to offer their fervice to thee ; that they may henceforth be employed in doing thy will, and may ferve thee in holinefs and righteoufnefs to the glory of thy name through Jefus Christ. I ft. I begin with (liewing what is implied in the voluntary confecration of our fervice to the Lord. The import of this duty v/e may learn, in fome meafure, from the various exprefiions ufed in fcripture to denote what is here intend- ed, though fomewhat different, they are in fubftance the fame. In reference to the com- petition made for our fubjedion by other lords belide the only true God, it is emphatically fpoken of as a choice. When Jofliua gathered all the tribes and elders of Ifrael, that he might renew the covenant between God and the people, he thus addreffes them : ' Choofe you this day whom you will ferve.' To this demand, they repHed, ' We will ferve the Lord.' In re- fpect to the equity of the claim which God hath upon us for our beft fervices, he requires us to give ourfelves to him, and to offer him thofe fpiritual facrifices which are acceptable through Chrift Jefus. * I befeech you, breth- * ren. rXlLAIKED AKD URCFD I 83 ' ren (faith the apoftle of the Gentiles) by the ' mercies of God, that ye prefent your bodies * a living facrifice, holy and acceptabk' to God, * which is your reafonable fervice/ To repre- fent the folemnity and importance of this tranf- aclion, it is called a purpofe, a vow, or an oath, whereby we engage to cleave unto the Lord with our whole hearts. The patriarch Jacob vowed to almighty God ; and the children of Ifrae], in the days of good Nehemiah, entered into an oath to walk in God's laws. To inti- mate the happy confequences refulting from this duty, it is defcribed by entering into co- venant with God, whereby he becomes our God, and taketh us for his peculiar people. With this view MoOjs reminded the Ifraehtes, * thou haft avouched the Lord this day to be thy ' God, and to walk in his ways, and the Lord ' hath avouched thee to be his peculiar people, * to make thee high above all nations in praife, ' in name, and in honour/ In my text, we are invited to confecrate our fervice unto the Lord, i. e. to offer and let it apart to his glory. Under the Old Teftament, the Lord God exprefsly re- quired, that all the pofterity of Ifrael fhould be devoted to his fervice, and that the firft born among them fhould be dedicated to him; that the tribe of Levi and the family of Aaron fhould be appropriated to the facred offices of the fanftuary. Nr-w, under the New Tefta- ment, all the faithiul in Chrift Jefus are foiemn- ly confecrated to fhe Lord, to be a chofen ge- neration;, a royal priefthood, a holy nation, a pecuhar 184 DEDICATION TO THE SERVICE OF GOD peculiar people; that they may fhevv forth the praifes of him who hath called them outof dark- nefs into his marvellous light. Would yoa then vvilhngly devote yourfelves to the Lord, choofe him for your mailer, offer him your bed fervices, vow unto him perpetual fidelity, enter into covenant with him that you may en- joy the diftinguifliing privileges of his fervants, and yield prompt obedience to his authority. More particularly, this devout exercife implies — a heart-felt convicfion that God hath an in- dubitable claim to our homage and fubjeclion — a cheerful furrender of all our powers and faculties to be employed in executing his plea- fure — the lively contemplation of thofe ami- able charadlers in which he is reprefented in- fcripture — and, that this dedication be per- formed in a folemn manner, fuited to the high- importance of the tranfadion. I. The voluntary confecration of our fervice to the Lord muft proceed from a heart-felt con- vidion that he hath an unquellionable claim to our homage and fubjedlion, whether we comply with his demand, or continue averfe from his obedience. The Lord, my brethren, is the fupreme rightful Proprietor of the uni- verfe,of the world, and all that it contains, of the heavens, with all their hofts, the fea, with its fulnefs, the earth, with all its inhabitants, the lands, with their fruits, the cattle that pafture on a thoufand hills, the gold and the lilver that are lodged in their bowels. All belong unto the Lord, who claims a fpecial property in the fouls. EXPLAINED AKB URGED. 185 fouls, the bodies, and adive fervlces of men. This title, founded upon his creating and up- holding power, which gave exigence to all the creatures, and ilill preferves them in being, gives him abfolute right to demand the pof. feffion, the difpofal, and fervice of thofe whom he hath formed for his glory. He made us, and not we ourfelves; we are his people and the fheep of his pafture, and therefore are in- vited to bow down before the Lord our Maker this day to hearken to his voice, and to ferve him with gladnefs. This becoming acknow- ledgment was publicly made by the IfraeUtifh monarch, in the i ith verfe of the chapter from which I have taken my text, where, in his folemn thankfgiving before all the congrega- tion, he uttered thefe remarkable words, ' All * that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine, * O Lord.' But this is not all ; the right which God hath to our fervice, arifcs from the eternal redemption he hath obtained for us. Aftt^r we had fold ourfelves for nought into the hands of our enemies, and had incurred the divine dif- pleafure, God was graciouily pleafed, in his great love and tender compaffion, to refcue us from that deplorable condition, not with fucli corruptible things as filver and gold, but Vv'ith the precious blood of Jefus Chrill, who gave himfclf for us, that he might accomphfli our deliverance from fin and mifery, and reftora- tion to holinefs and happinefs. And this day, in the miniftry of the gofpel, he thus addrelTes you, ^ Who is willing to confecrate his fervice unto lS6 DEDICATION TO THE SERVICE OF GOD * unto the Lord?' Convinced that you belon.^ to him, not only in the extenfiive fenfe which includes every creature, even thofe who, thro* incapacity or malignity of nature, cannot rea- lize his right, but that you are his fpecial pro- perty, which he gracioully regards — unreferved- ly dedicate your fervice to him, that you may be his peculiar treafure, the objeds of his dif- tinguifhing love and care, and be acknowledged by him as his fervants in the day he maketh up his jewels. By complying with his requi- fition, you humbly recognize his unalienable right to rule over you, and heartily confent to the jufl demand that he makes of unlimited obedience and fubmiffion to bis mild admi- nillration. 2. In this folemn tranfadlion, devote all your powers and faculties to him who gave them ; that they may henceforth be employed in doing him homage. The heart he princi- pally regards and demands. Yield up then your underftandings to be illuminated by his, word and Spirit, and enriched with the know- ledge of his will in all wildom and fpi ritual un- derilanding. Submit your wills entirely in all things to the holy will of God, that with fa- cred pleafure you may do whatfoever he re- quires, and cordially acquiefce in all bis wife and gracious appointinents. Give him the chief place in your affedion, that you may fear, truit, and love him fupremely, that you may ardently defire his favour and approbation, and delight in his prefence and precepts more than EXPLAINED AND URGED. 187 than in all riches. "Hedicate to the Lord thofe lives that he hath given you, which he hath hitherto preferved amid innumerable dangers, that they may be employed in his fervice, and to his honour. Yield your members as instru- ments of rightcoufnefs unto God, that being made free from lin, and become fervants to God, you may have your fruit unto holinefs, and in the end everlafting life. Surrender to him all the talents with which you are entruft- ed, whh all that you poflefs, to which he hath unqueftionable right ; that he may difpofe of you, and all your intereils, as feemeth good in his fight. Let fuch be the undilTembled lan- guage of your hearts to your gracious Lord : * Senfible that I am thy creature, the w^ork- * manfliip of thy hands ; thy apoftate creature, * who hath revolted from under thy fubjedlion, * and having heard . thy gracious invitation * pubiiflied in the gofpel, and the comfortable * way of accefs to thy Majeily by one blclTed * Mediator, 1 chearfully confecrate myfelf, and * all that thou haft given me, to thy fervice. * Accept, 1 befeech ihee, O Lord, the free-will ' offering thou haft difpofed me to prefent unto * thee. May it prove a facnfice well pleafing ' unto God through Jefus Chrift, being fanc- ' tified by the Holy Ghoft.' 3. Inconfecratingyoar fervice unto the Lord, contemplate him in thofe amiable characters in which he is reprefented in fcripture. He is a Spirit infinite, eternal, invilible, omnipotent, who requires to be woriliipped in (pirit and in truih. l88 DEDICATION TO THE SERVICE OF GOD truth. He is the Lord God, merciful and gra- cious, long-fuiieiing, abundant in goodnefs and truth, keeping mercy for thoufands, forgiving iniquity, tranfgi-eilion, and fin. He is love, and in this was raaiiifelled the love of God toward us ; becaufe that God fent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through liim. With him you are connected as your Creator, in whom you live, move, and have your being, Vv'hofe hands made and fafhioned you, and whofe infpiration endowed you with underftanding. You cannot then, injullice, withhold from him the fervice of thofe powers w^hich he himfelf formed, and which more pro- perly belong to him than to you. He is your bountiful Benefactor, who opens his liberal hand, and gives you all things richly to enjoy pertaining to life and godlinefs, who watches over you by day and by night, loading you with benefits, and making all his paths to drop down fatnefs. If you are not infenfible to all that profufion of kindnefs which for long time you have experienced, notwithftanding your unwortliinefs and ingratitude, the recol- ledtion of it ought to conftrain you to yield your fervice to that gracious Lord, to whom you are infinitely indebted. He is your rightful Sovereign, to whofe fceptre you mud bow, to whofe authority you mufl: fubmit. - Think of his tranfcendent excellencies, the mildnefs and equity of his commands, and the noble deligns they are intended to promote. All hi^ ways are ways of pleafantnefs, all his paths Ex!»LAr^*£D AND URGED. 189 paths are peace ; in keeping his precepts there is a great reward, fo that obedience to the Fa- ther of Spirits is at once our duty, intereft, and happinefs. By calling you to this fubjeOion, he means to regulate your inclinations and ac. tions by his perfect law of liberty, to ftrength- en you by his Spirit, to attend you with his divine prefence, to encompafs you with his fa- vour as a fliield, and to render you eternally blefled in conformity to his will, and the en- joyment of his glory. In thefe and other love- ly charaders and relations, ought you to con- template the Mod High, "when you would de- vote yourfelves to his fervice. 4. Let this voluntary dedication of your fer- vice to the Lord be the refult of mature deliber- ation. Let it be done with profound humility, and firm reliance on Jefus Chriil for acceptance. I fay, that it ought to be the refult of mature de- liberation. In the words of God by Solomon, ' Be * more ready to hear than to give the facrifice of ' fools ;' for they confider not that they do evil. * Be not ra(h with thy mouth, and let not thine ' heart be hafly to utter any thing before God ; ' for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth, * therefore let thy words be few.' Ponder the words of your mouth ; fpeak not unadvifedly v;ith your lips ; exprefe not in the divine pre- fence rafh wiflies and hafty defires, but endea- vour, with ferenity and compofure of mind, under juft impreffions of the glory of God, to re- prefent your urgent neceffities, and entire de- votednefs to his fervice. Watch oyer your af- fedions, 19^ DEDICATION TO THE SERVICE OF GOD fedions, efpecially when you tranl'adl with God, left, by attending only to the external part of duty, you prefent the facrifice of fools. The deliberation I recommend lies at an equal diftance from the oppofite extremes of negli- gence and inconfideration on the one hand, and of exceffive caution and want of refolution on the ot;ier. .^-^ware of both thefe errors, maturely coniider the facred authority by which you are invited to join in the fervice of the Lord, the juftice of the claim that he makes upon you, the nature and confequences of this folemn de- dication, and the powerful obligations you lie under 'to comply with this requifition. When you form connexions for life, or tranfad im- portant worldly bulinefs, you-ponder the whole mat^(J^5 you confult with refpecl to the moft eligible plan of carrying it into execution. If you profecute your temporal affairs with fuch circumfpection, ought you not with much greater ferioufnefs and folemnity to engage in tht fervice of God. Avoid, w'ith no lefs folici- tude, the other extreme, of not fpeedily form- ing a determined judgment on a matter of vaft moment, which admits not of delay. You know not what a day may bring forth. Un- necelTary delay, in this inftance, may be con- ftrued into a deniaL He that expeds your belt fervices requires you this day to confeerate them to him. Who knows if ever he will again make this demand, or if ever you fhall have another opportiuiity, fuch as the prefent, of furrendering yourfelves to the care of his pro- vidence EXPLAINED AND URGED. I9I vidence, and the infiucDce of ins grace. When God is pleafed to call for your obedience to- day, he may be juftly offended if you excufe yourfelves till to-morrow, when it may not be in your power to obey. I'he Lord loveth a cheerful giver, and that which you do cheer- fully, you do fpeedily. I faid alfo, That you ought to devote your fervlce to the lord with profound humility. Seri- ' oufly recoikci vour nieannefs and infignifi- cance, the depravity of your nature, and your complicated guilt in confequence of accumu- lated tranfgreilions. Viev/ } ourielves as en"ier- ging from a deplorable ftate of chofen apof- tacy from your rightful Lord, wherein you were engaged in adual rebellion againft him. Remember your ways and doings that have not been good, and loath yourfelves in your own light, for your iniquities and abominations. Recolle6l your many aggravated fins, whereby you have offended that gracious God, who hath not cea(ed to do you good amid your multi- plied provocations. Think of the ungrateful returns that you have made for the innumer- able mercies that you have received, which, inflead of inflaming your love, and kindling your repentance, have been flighted and ne- gledled. Contemplate the infinite majefly and glorious perfedtions of Jehovah, to whom you offer your poor imperfed fervices. Endeavour to get your minds deeply imprefTed with his tranfcendent grandeur and glory, who inha- biteth eternity, and before whom all the na- tions 192 DEDICATION TO THE SERVICE OF GOD tions of this earth are as nothing, yea lefs than nothing and vanity. The more elevated are your apprehenfions of God, the more humble will be the thoughts that you entertain of yourfelves, and the higher will be your admi- ration of the divine condefcenfion and grace. Review alfo the aftonifhing way by which you find acceptance with God, namely by a Medi- ator, through whom alone you can approach him with confidence and comfort, and obtain favourable reception to the ferviccs which you tender him. This humbling confideration ought to remind you, that you are finful crea- tures, who have nothing to offer worthy of the divme regard, and therefore that your fole de- pendence mufb be on him who is the hope -of Ifrael. By proper views of fuch afFecling ob- jeds, ought your minds to be occupied, when prefenting your fervices unto the Mofl High. I only add, That you ought to confecrate your fervice unto the Lord with firm rehance on Jefus Chrift for acceptance. In all your tranfac- tions with God, you muft uniformly have re- fpedl to the great Mediator, through whom alone we r.nd our performances are well-plea- fing unto the Almighty. If you have a jufl fenfe of the holinefs of God, if you are confci- ous of your own impurity, and the imperfec- tions of your befl actions, you mufl fee the indifpenfible neceflity of placing all your hopes on the perfed: mediation of Jefus Chrift, that your offering may prove a facrifice of a fweet fmelling EXPLAINED AND URGED. I93 fmelling favour unto God. la this way you may expedl deliverance from thofe guilty fears which might diflurb and annoy you in ap- proaching the divine prefence, and be affured that the offer of your fervices will be graci- oully accepted. Amidft every difficulty and difcouragement arifing from a fenfe of iin, im- perfedion, and infirmity, confider, that though you are unworthy, he is worthy in whofe name you prefent yourfelves before God, that he is a merciful and faithful high Priell in things pertaining to God, to make reconcilia- tion for the fins of the people. Contemplate this mighty One on whom the Lord laid the iniquities of us all, bearing our fins on his own body on the tree, taking upon him our infirmi- ties, carrying our forrows, dying for our of- fences, and prcclaiming to all the ends of the earth, ^ Look unto me and be ye faved, for I am God and not man? Behold, in the won- derfjl conftitution of the Redeemer's perfbn — in his tender compaiTion — in his perfed obe-. dience — in his agonizing death — in the benefits contained in his lalvation — 'a the privileges en- joj-ed by his difciples — m the covenant ratified by his blood — and in the glory he now pofleiTes, and hach promifed to all his followers, the cer- tain proO'S and pledges that God is love, and the fure ground of your confidence before him. Firmly rely then on his great atonement and pre-- vaient intercefTion, who was dead and is alive, that you and your fervices may be rendered ac- ceptable unto God, and improve his mediation as I the 194 DEDICATION TO THE SERVICE OF GOD the foundation of your encouragement and ex- pedtations. In every w-eakneis, in every duty, perplexity and danger, depend on J efus Chrifl for affiilance and fupport, for condud and protec tion, who hath the Spirit without meaiure, to impart to all who importunately alk this pre- cious blefiing. Such leems to be the import of the duty to which we are invited in the text, and in this manner ought it to be per- formed. I proceed, II. To recommend the practice of it, and to urge you to confecvate your fcrvice to the Lord, which, is eflentially requifite to obedi- ence, well plealing unto him, and is admirably adapted to promote the interefts of true godii- nefs. — May the L(^rd God grant his afliftance in this attempt, and by his Spirit and bleffing crown it with fuccefs. I know well the extreme difficulty of per- fuading men to engage in the fervice of God. Corrupt difpofitions and fenfuai inclinations, with the pernicious ex-unple of defpifers of that which is good, give them a contrary bias, and lead them away from God. The moil earnefh entreaties, the moil: pcv;erful arguments, feem to fpend all their force in vain when counter- adled by fuch flrong oppofition. Neverthe- lefs, as the motives to duty urged in fcripture, are the appointed means whereby God is pleaied to recover men from iin, and to bring them iiito his fubjedion, I Ihall let before you fome arguments to induce you to comply with the reafonable demand in my text, looking to him EXPLAINED AND URGED. 1 95 him that he may render them effedaal- For this purpole I requell you ferioully ta conilder —that this is a matter of vaft moment and im- portance — that duty and gratitude to God unite in demanding your fervice to him — and that the falutary influence of the folema tranfaclion to which you are called, is fuited to produce the happielt effects on your future temper and condu(^. I fay, I. That the confecration of your fervice unto the Lord, is a matter of vaft moment and importance. In things of even inconfiderable confequence, in which you are intimately con- cerned, you reckon that you cannot be too ex- plicit, and that they ought to be fo adjufted as to leave no room for uncertainty and doubt. The choice of a bulinefs for life — of a place of relidence — of the mafters you are to ferve — the company with which you are to aflbciate — or the fettlementof your temporal affairs you look upon as matters of no fmall raom.ent that muil not be negleded. In proportion to the appre- hended magnitude of the bulinefs, it claims your attention and prudent conflderation. The confecration of your fervice to the Lord, the dedication of all your powers to his honour, in which your eternal interefts are deeply involv- ed, is a tranfadion of the higheft importance. He hath a moft unquellionable titi? to your obedience, both as your Lord and , Saviour, founded on far better grounds than any other who can claim your refped. It is therefore both your intereft and your duty, with the I 2 great eft ig6 DEBICATION TO THE SERVICE Of GOD greatefl alacrity, to comply with the reafonable and gracious demand made upon you in my text. Were you to decline yielding to it, your con- dud might be conllrued into an obftinate re- fufal, and the confequences o^ fuch perverfity might prove truly alarming and fata). God will certainly inflid aggravated puniQiment upon thofe who refufe to recognize his title, and tofubmit to his authority. How excruci- ating muftbethe reflexion to thoie who areba- niflied from the preience of the Lord, that their condemnation is the jufl: recompence of having preferred the fervice of divers luil:s and pleafurcs to fubjeclion to him that liveth and reigneth. Whereas, if you willingly offer your fervice this day unto the Lord, who aiks not any thing be- caufe he needs it,butbecaufeyou need the blef- lings he is ready to beftow. If you heartily confent that he Ihall reign over you, that his word iliall be your rule, that his prefcnce fliall be your delight, that obedience to him fliall be your employmeLt, that his glory fhali be your ultimate end, that on his mercy and grace all your dependence fnall be placed; you may hvimbly hope, that he will forgive you all tref- paffes, that he wall heal your fpiritual dif- tenipers, that he willcloath, beautify, fandlify, enrich, and prepare you for giory ; that he will graciouily accept and abundantly recom- pence all your labours of love. If any man ferve me (faith the Son of God) hmi will my Father honour with his protection and pre- fence, his affiitance and fupport, afid at lail with EXPLAINED AND URGED. 1 97 with his approbation before an aflembled world, when he will fay to him, ' Well done * good and faithful fervant, enter thou into the * joy of thy Lord.' What can poffibly be fo grateful, fo tranfporting to a man of God, as to receive public applaufe, judicially delivered in the prefence of angels and men, from the great Lord of heaven and earth. If any man ferve me, faith the fame faithful and true witnefs, let him follow me in the exercifes of humility and love, of obedience, patience, and relignation ; and where 1 am there alfo fliall my fervant be. Hail, you highly favoured of the Lord, who have found grace in his fight, who, like Enoch the feventh from Adam, have this teftimony, that you pleaie God, and who in due time fliall be admitted to be ever with the Lord. Do not thefe remarks place the furrender to which you are this day urged in a very import- ant point of view, and incite to the .^perform- ance of this folemn dedication. 2. Confider farther, that duty and gratitude unite in demanding your fervice to the Lord. This is an unqueftionable duty which can ad- mit of no difpute, and for the negled of which you cannot produce any fufficient excufe. It is frequently and explicitly enjoined, in dif- ferent forms throughout the fcriptures, by the fupreme authority of Jehovah, of which the foUovidng paiTages are fpecimens : •• Yield your- ^ fclves unto the Lord. Give unto the Lord * glory and Itrength ; give unto the Lord the ^ glory due unto his name : Bring an offering, I 3 * and 198 DEDrCATlOX TO THE SERVICE OF GOD * and come before him; worfhip the Lord in ' the beauty of holinefs. Yield yourfelves * unto God, as thofe that are ahve from the * dead, and your members as inilruments of * nghteoufnefs unto God.' I cannot perceive on what tenable grounds you can refufe to obey fuch a jufh and reafonable requifition, or under what jufl pretext you can decline to de- vote your fervice unto the Lord. You are his property, and v;ill you not allow him to have what is his own ? you are his creatures, and will you not honour your Creator? you are his fervants, and will you not obey your Mafter ? Nx)w, upon w^hat principle do you refufe to give unto God the things that are God's ? Your confent is not neceffary to entitle him to your fubjedion ; that is his due whether you ac- knowledge it or not. As then you regard the divine authority, and value your own happi- nefs, refign yourfelves entirely to your highell Lord ; that he may employ you as he pleafes, and that he may order every circumflance in your lot as feemeth good in his light. Angels that excel in flrength execute his pleafure, devils tremble at his word, heaven, earth, and fea, are fubjedt to his authority ; and will you alone prefume to difobey his commands, not- withfcanding the aftonifhing compaflion and Ion g-fuffe ring he hath exercifed toward you ? This whole afTenibly, perhaps, except a very few, may be willing this day to confecrate their fervice unto the Lord, and you may be the only perfons prefent who refufe to comply with the ESFLAINED AND URGKD. 199 {he call of the Lord our God. If this is the fad, it will one time or other fill you with con- liernation and dread. — Gratitude unites with duty in recommending the voluntary dedica- tion of your fervice to the Lord. RecoUedt the many invaluable bleffings you have re- ceived from God. He gave you exiftence, life, and breath, and all things ; his mercies have been new to you every morning and every evening; and when you had loft and de- flroyed yourfelves, he laid help for you on One mighty to ilive ; he ferht his only begotten Son into the world, that by his obedience unto death, you might be made righteous ; and that through the one offering of himfelf, }=^u might prefent yourfelv^es holy, living, and acceptable lacrifices unto God, which is your reafonable fervice. He hath vlfited you with the glorious gofpel of his dear Son, that your offering might be acceptable, being fandified by the Holy Ghoft, who is this day calling you to devote yourfelves unto him. UnafTedled by thefe flrong proofs of the divine benevolence and companion, and of his mercies, which are paft reckoning up, will you burft afunder the manifold obligations he hath brought you un- der to his fervice, and refufe to enter yourfelves among his fervants devoted to his fear ? Ought you not rather to unite in giving your Jiearts and hands to the Lord; adopting the words of the royal poet, ' O Lord, I am thy fervant, truly ' I am thy fervant (he repeats the words as Jt highly pleafed with the thoughts of this rela- I 4 tion) 500 DEDICATION TO THE SERVICE OF GOD * tion) thou has loofed my bonds. I will pay * my vows now unto the Lord, in the prefence * of all the people.' In this becoming refolu- tion we ought all cordially to join, without fo much as one diflenting voice. 3. Coniider the ialutary influence which this folemn traniaclion is luited to pro- duce on your future temper and condud:. By this confideration, which I am now ur- ging, you fiiouid be excited to ad as be- cometh thoie who are reinftated in the high honour of being kings unto God, who are in- vefled witli fpintual felf- dominion, and raifed to a glorious empire over yourfelves — to be- have as thofe who are conllituted priells unto God, and exalted to the noble employment of preienting acceptable fpiritual facrifices unto bim, of interceding with him for yourfelves and your brethren — to endeavour to prove fub- Itantial blellings to the world and the church, and to acquit yourfelves as thofe who are ad- vanced to the diftinguifliing privilege of be- ing the prophets of the Lord, to whom he communicates his mind, and whofe delightful employment is to inilrudt others in the way of falvation. The recoUedion of thefe import- ant characters, to which you lay claim, ought to induce you to the faithful performance of the j\'ork afligned you by your Mafter in heaven. Remember that it is his work, and not your own, in which you are to be em- ployed, — that it is his will, and not your own, that mull be the rule of your condud, — that it EXPLAINED AKD URGED. 201 it is in his ftrength,. and not your own, that you muft apply to liis fervice, — that it is his glory, and not your own, which you mud en- deavour to advance. Deeply convinced of the juflice of what you have explicitly acknow- ledged, that you are devoted to God, you ought cheerfully to fubject yourlelves to his fovereign authority, firmly relying on him, to perfect lirength in your weaknefs, and to make llis grace fufficient for you ; that you having all fufficiency in all things, may abound in every good work. Confidering all that you have as his property, and making his appro- bation your chief aim, let holinefs to the Lord be engraven in legible characters on all that you do, and on all that you enjoy. The fea* fonable remembrance that you are devoted to- God, may prove, through the divine bleffing, the happy mean of deterring you from fin ; of recovering you from backlliding, and of re- newing you to repentance.. This good' effed was exemplified in thehoufe of Ifrael, who had dealt treacheroully with the Lord.- * A voice * was heard upon the high places (when they * called to mind their relation to God)^ weep- * ing and fupplication ;■ for they had perverted * their way, and forgotten the Lord their God.*' It may afford a comfortable fubjedl of reflec- tion, in feafons of afiiidion and perplexity, when God feems to have forfaken you. On fuch an occafion, the prophet Jeremiah was comforted by the pleafing thought that he had entered into covenant with God. ' The Lord I 5 is- 202 DEDICATION TO TilE SERVICE OF GOD * is my portion (faith my foul), therefore will I * hope in him.' It may infpire you with forti- tude, in repelling the alTaults of temptation to which you may be expofed. This improve- ment the apoflle Paul reminds Chriftians they ought to make of the confideration that they are the Lords, in words which exprefs his ab- horrence of the oppofite conduct. Shall I take the members of Chrift, and ufe them to a pur- pofe that he hath prohibited I God forbid. And amidfl all the viciffitudes of this mortal life, and in the profpedl of diflblution, you may derive confolation from your being in cove- nant with God. When deprived of riches and friends, of reputation and health, or any other worldly enjoyment, how reviving the thought, in every change, that you are Gad's fervants, devoted to his fear; that whether you live, you live unto the Lord ; and whether you die, you die unto the Lord; that whether you live or die, you are the Lord's. Thus have I explained and recommended the voluntary confecration of your fervice this day unto the Lord. Shall I prevail with you, my brethren, immediately to comply with the reafonable demand now made upon you? Think not that having been early devoted to God in baptifm by your parents, you may be excufed from doing any thing in this matter. Your dedication to God in that ordinance, af- fords not a fufficient argument why you fliould be exempted from the duty I have been in- culcating. It rather fuggefts a llrong motive to EXPLAINED AND URGED. 203 to enforce your compliance. The prayers of your parents in your behalf, far from excufing you from praying for yourfelves, ought to ani- mate you to greater earneilnefs and diligence in your fupplications. All the males among the children of Ifrael, though devoted to God in their infancy, in an ordinance indituted for that purpofe, were neverthelefs commanded to dedicate themfelves to the fervice of Jeho- vah, and from time to time to avouch the Lord to be their God. And can you imagine that this folem.n tranfadion is lefs incumbent on you than upon them ?. Gonfider then, I be- feech you, that this is not one of thofe things which you may either do, or refrain from, as you pleafe. it is indifpenfibly requifite, would- you obey the gofpel of our Lord Jefus Chrift, which requires us to give ourfeives unto the Lord. It is truly reafonable, and may prove highly advantageous.. Whether or not do you think that it is better for you to be fervants of divers lufls and pleafures, of Satan, and other lords, who will rigoroufly rule you by turns,, and make you feel the feverity of their ufurped dominion, or to ferve the only living and true God, through the blefled Mediator, whofe fer- vice is perfect liberty, and in keeping whofe commands, there is a great reward. Come then, let us join ourfeives to the Lord in a per- petual covenant, that fhall not be forgotten ; let us unrefervedly give ourfeives to him, that we may be pardoned, fane tified, and faved by him ; 204 DEDICATION TO THE SERVICE OF GOD, &^C, him ; and that we may live entirely in obe- dience to his will, to the glory of his holy name. Thus may the Scripture this day ^be fjalfiUed, which faith, ' One fliall fay, I am the * Lord's, and another (hall call himfelf by the * name of Jacob, and another fhall fubfcribe * with his hand unto the Lord, and furname * himfelf by the name of Ifrael.' And to God, through Jefus Chrift, (hall be afcribed praife, and honour, and glory, ^men. INTRO- ( 2^5 ) INTRODUCTION TO THE COMMUNION SERVICE^. The Lord's Supper was inftitiited by Jefus Chrift, for the benefit of his Church in all ages. In this facred ordinance the difciples of the Son of God call to their thankful remem- brance his wonderful incarnation, his holy life, his direful fufFerings, and agonizing death. They folemnly commemorate the ftupendous work of their redemption, they delightfully contemplate the aftonifhing means where- by it was accompliflied, and the glory of Je- hovah, therein mod illuftrioufly difplayed. In this divine repafl, provided by infinite wif- dom and love, they participate ot the moft in- eftimable benefits, and are regaled with the choiceft fpiritual entertainment, from which they obtain nourifhment and growth in grace. In the exercife of faith, and hope, and joy, they look forward to the inheritance of the faints in light, and anticipate the felicity and glory that is referved for them in the celeflial king- dom of their Father. That they may enjoy the fublime pleafures, and fubftantial advan- tages with which this noble fervice is accom- panied, the honour of the Redeemer, their own duty and interefl, require that it be per- formed * After reading i Car. aci. 23. &g. - 206 INTRODUCTION TO THE formed with fuitable correfpondlng difpofitions" of mind. Thofe who are deflitute of the grace requifite to a comfortable attendance on this inftitution, who are unacquainted with the precious bleflings there exhibited and con- veyed to true Chriilians, though they partake of the external fymbols, cannot derive from it veal benefit and confolation, but are in dan- ger of eating and drinking unworthily. I there- fore requeft your candid attention, whilfl I fet before you, on the one hand, the charadler ot thofe who are excluded by the Lord Jefus Chrift from this facred feafl ; and, on the o- ther, the temper and conduct of thofe who are invited by him to this holy communion. Perfons of the following defcriptions are ex- cluded by the Lord Jefus Chrift from this fo- lemn feftival, namely, * The openly profane,' who contemn the truths and ways of God, who trample on his mercies, abufe his patience, in- fult his authority, and make light of his falva- tion — -who are proud, cruel, vindiclive, and treat with fcorn and derilion the people of God, and things facred — who glory in their (hame, publicly declare their fin, and hide it not, and have become bold and impudent in^ committing all manner of iniquity. Even within the bounds of the church, fuch cha- raders may be found as the Apoftle Paul men- tions in Jiis Epiftle to the Ephefians, who be- ing alienated from the life of God, have given themfelves over to lafcivioufnefs, to work all uncleann#fs with greedinefs. Unto the wick- ed. COMMUNION SERVICE. 207 ed, God faith, * What haft thou to do, to de- « dare my ftatutes, or to take my covenant in ' thy mouth, feeing thou hateft inftruclion, and • caiteft my words behind thee ?' — * The fe- * cretly hypocritical,' who profefs to know God but in works deny him ; being abominable and difobedient, and to every good work re- probate, — who, notwithftanding they call Chiift Lord, yet do not the things which he fays ; and who, far from efteeming his yoke eafy, and his burden hght, reckon them grie- vous and burdenfome, — who, though you bear the name of Chrift, are deftitute of his fpirit and refemblance, — who, having the form of godlinefs, are devoid of its life and power, — and who, whilft you appear outwardly righte- ous before men, are within full of diiTimula- tion and iniquity — Why would you draw nigh to God with your mouths, and honour him with your lips, whilst your hearts are far from him, and thus provoke him to do among you a marvellous work, and a wonder ? * The pradlically difobedient,' who do not con- fcientioufly perform the various duties incum- bent upon them, in the feveral capacities and ftations which they occupy — who are living without God, and without Chrift in the world; deftitute of love to God, of faith in the Re- deemer, of repentance for fin, of truft in Providence, influenced neither by the promifes or threatenings contained in the fcriptures — who have never been taught by the grace of God, that bringeth falvation, to deny all un- godlinefs ::08 INTRODUCTtON TO THE godlinefs and worldly lufls, to live foberly, righteouflv, and godly^ in this prefent world ; looking for the blefled hope, and glorious ap- pc^arance of the great God, even our Saviour Je- ius Chrift ; — who deny not themfelves,nor take up the crofs and follow Jefus Chrift in the ex- ercifes of piety and devotion, of humility and meeknefs, of holinefs and righteoufnefs, of pa- tience and refignation, in which he hath fet an example that we fliould follow his fteps. If you think that Jefus Chrift is a hard maf- ter, and his fervice grievous, why would you enter into covenant with him to be his fervant forever ? If you take pleafure in the pradlice of iniquity, why pretend fubjedion to him who, in virtue of the office he fuftains, faves bis people from their fins ? If you are attached to this world as your portion, why engage to fight under his banner, who hath expHcitly declared, that you cannot ferveGod and Mam- mon ? If you are haughty, malicious, unjuft-, and unholy, why profefs to have fellowfhip with the juft and holy One of God, who re- quires you to love your enemies, to blefs them that curfe you; and hath eftablilbed this max- im as a rule of condudl to his difciples, * what- * foever you would that men fhould do to you, • do you even fo to them.' Perfons of fuch defcriptions are prohibited, by the great Maf- ter of aflemblies from going to the Lord's ta- ble. In proof whereof, read Gal. v. 19,20, and 21. COMMUNION SERVICE. 20^ On the other hand, the Lord Jefus Chrift gracionfly invites to this holy comm union, thofe who having been baptized into his name, cor- dially believe his gofpel, fubmit to his inftruc- tions, righteoufnefs, and authority, participate in the privileges peculiar to his difciples, and oblerve his precepts with their whole hearts, in firm reliance on his faithful promifes, rati- fied and confirmed b^his death ; — who having been effedually convinced, by the word and fpirit of the living God, of their loft and perifh- ing condition by tranfgreffion, and deeply af- feded with their characler and ftate, have fled . for refuge, from fin and deftruclion, to the all- fufiicient Saviour, the only hope fet before us in the gofpel ; — who having experienced the renovating power of the holy Spirit, are born of God, made partakers of the divine na- ture, and have put on the new man, which, after God, is created in righteoufnefs and true holinefs ; — who having mourned for their fins, and turned from the error of their ways, are ftriving againft remaining corruptions, folici- tous to live under the conltraininginfiuence of gratitude to him who loved them, who died for them, and rofe again ; — whole prevaihng defire and chief bufinefs is to know, to love, to ferve, and pleaie God, to appear with ac- ceptance in his prefence, and to derive their bell comforts from his fpirit, his promifes, and the hope of eternal life laid up for them in heaven ; — who, animated by fincere and fer- vent love to their brethren, companionate the diftrelfed. IIO THE CONSECRATION (liflrefTed, relieve the needy, inftrad the igno- rant, admonifli the unruly, comfort the feeble- minded, praying for them all at the throne of grace, to which there is always accefs. In few words, To you that walk worthy of the Lord unto all plealing, being fruitful in every good work, the defire of whofe fouls is to God, and the remembrance of his name, I addrefs the urgent invitation of Wifdom, * Come eat of my bread, and drink of the wine * which I have mingled. Forfake the foolilli, * and live ; and go in the way of underftand- * ing.' To you who are hungering and thirfl- ing after righteoufnefs, and ardently longing to appear before God at his table, I fay, in the words of the parable delivered by Jefus Chrift, * Come, for all things are now ready.' Hearken to his alluring voice, which faith, * Let him that is athirft come, and whofoever * will, let him take the water of life freely,' Rev. xxii. 17. And may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghofl. THE CONSECRATION PRATER AND TH.1NKSG1VING. Let us give thanks to God, and call upon hi^ pnine. Eteifia"', moft glorious Jehovah, in whofe prefence there is fulnefs of joys, ^nd at whofe AND THANKSGIvlNCr. 211 whole right hand there are pleafares for ever- more. We praife, honour, and extol thee, the great Creator, Preferver, and Lord of all ; be- caufe thou art good, and thy mercies endure forever. We prefent before thee, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, and God of gods, our united grateful thankfgivings, who remem- bered us in our low eflate, and fent thy only begotten Son into this world, that whofoever beheveth in him, might not perifl}, but have everlafling life. We afcribe bleffing, and honour, and glory to the Lord Jefus Chrift, who came in God's great name to deliver us from (in and mifery, and to reftore us to the favour, the image, and enjoyment of our Maker. We celebrate the praifes of the Holy Ghoft, the Comforter, who, with the everlait- ing Father, and his only Son our Lord, is one living and true God ; who convinces of fin, righteoufnefs and judgment, who takes of the things of Chrift, andfliews them unto us; who leads unto all truth, who helps our infirmities, and feals unto the day of redemption. We blefs thee, Lord of heaven and earth, for the ordinances thou hall; appointed in thy church, and particularly for the inilitiition of the holy Sapper, the precious legacy bequeathed to us by our fuffering Saviour, as the memorial of his love, and of his death. Grant, O bleffed God, that thy glory may fill this hoiiic to-day, that thy povv'er rnay be felt m thy fanduary', that thy grace mny enrich, and thy mercy may repleniib every ibul in this afTembly, Lord lis THiS CONSECRATION, &C. Lord God merciful and gracious, deal bounti- fully with thv children, who are to fit down •here at thy taole ; clothe us with the robes of righteiuinefs, a':d'garments of falvation; make thyfeit known to us in the breaking of bread, and fatisfy us abundantly with the goodnefs of thy houfe, even of thy holy place. Ma}^ the bread which we are to break, prove to us the communion of the body of Chrifl: that was broken for us. May the wine poured into this cup of blefSng, be to us the communion of the blood of Chrift which was (lied for us. Honour us, we befeech thee, O God of falva- tion, with thy gracious refrefliing prefcnce ; grant us a comfortable fenfe of thy pardoning mercy, renewed communications of righteouf- neis and life, of grace and confolation, with the earnells of eternal glory. We earneflly pray^ that the God and Father of our Lord Jefus Chrifl, may enlighten the eyes of our underftandings, to fee what is the hope of thy calling, and what the riches of the glory of the inheritance referved in heaven for the faints. O thou who art love, enable us to comprehend what is the heighth and depth, the length and breadth of the love of Chrift which pafleth knowledge, that we may be fil- led with all the fulnefs of God. Hear, and anfwer, O Lord God, thefe our fervent fuppii- cations, for the fake of Jefus Chrift ; and to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one God, be honour and glory for ever. Am^n, ADDRESS TO COMMUNICANTS. 213 JLBRESS TO COMMUNICANTS, In this bleflfed ordinance, there is exhibited a Uvely ftriking reprefentation of Jefus Chrift and him crucified ; who is the power and the wifdom of Gcd unto them that are favfd. This glorious attradive objecl, the admiration of angels, and the joy of all who believe the gofpel, is here contemplated withpecuhar ad- vantage and pleafuve. And hie gracious invi. tation to you, now is; Behold me, look unto me, and be ye faved. Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh aw-^y the fin of the world. Look on him whom you have pierced by your iniquities, who was w^ounded for your tranf- greffions, who died for youro^ences, and rofe again for your jullification. B> heart affec- ting views of your once fuffering and now ex- alted Redeemer, I truft your minds fhall be comforted, and you fliall be conflrain- ed to fay, of this communion table, what the Patriarch Jacob faid of Bethel, This is none other than the hcufe of G(/d, and gate of hea- ven ; and to acknowledge with good old S^mcjn, Now, Lord letteft thou thy fervant depart in peace ; for mine eyes have feen thy falvation.~In the fame night, wherein our Lord and Saviour was betrayed, he took bread, and bleffed it, and gave ir, &.c, — He took the cup like wile, and gave it.. 8tc.— St.:adily, con- template the divine glory of the Son of God, who 214 ADDRESS TO COMMUNICANTS. who is adored by all the celeflial hofts : view his perfedl beauty, who is fairer than the chil- dren of men ; furvey his infinite dignity, who is better than the angels ; think of the ailon- ifhing depth of his humiliation, who aflumed the form of a lervant; meditate on the com- plicated fufFerings, and agonizing death to which he fubmitted, with the joyful everlait- ing confequences refulting from thence to his difciples. Attend, this man of forrows in his humbled condition, divefled of tranquilhty, eafe, and reputation, calumniated, perfecuted, and infulted, by his malicious enemies, as a guilty criminal ; whilft his foul was troubled and exceeding forrowful, even unto death. Such was his marvellous grace, that, he fub- mitted to the mofl dreadful affliclions, and the mod painful death, that, he might refcue us who were ready to perifli, from everlafting dej^rudion, and exalt us, to confummate feli- city and glory. — How fecretly blended toge- ther were the most amiable goodnefs, with the most unparalleled condefcenlion and invincible fortitude. ITever did the most renowned con- queror, fluflicd with victory, and crowned With fuccefs exhibit fo illustrious an appearance and acquire such fubstantial glory, as our Sa- viour and Lord, when he triumphed over our enemies. Upon the Crofs he fpoiled princi- palities and powers ; he blotted ou: the hand writing of ordinances mat was againft us, he divtiled the world of its alluring charms, he vanquifhed the whole coUeded body of fii\ he destroyed ADDRESS TO COMMUNICANTS. 21 5 dedroyed the enmity that had arifen between God and man, between man and man, between man and his own conlcience; he reconciled all things in heaven and earth, difarmed death of his terrors, and opened the gates of Paradife, that we might enter immortality in triumph. Ne- ver was a tree adorned with fuch precious tro- phies as our Redeemer'* Crofs, never were ex- hibited fuch glorious proofs of virtuous prow- efs, never was there accomplifhed fo great a falvation. Sing unto, the Lord all the earth — Give him the homage of your hearts, the prai- fes of your hps, and the obedience of your lives. I befeech you by the mercies of God, by the meeknefs and gentienefs of Chrift, and by the love of the Spirit, to yield yourfelves unto God, that you may have your fruit unto holinefs, and ni the end. everlafting life. Be followers of God as dear children, and walk in love as Christ alfo walked, who loved us, and hath given hirnfelffor us, an offering and a facritice to God for a fweet fwelling favour. Live by the faith of the Son of God, who lov- ed you, and gave himfelf for you. Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are cal- led, with all lowlinefs and meeknefs, with long fufFering, forbearing one another in love, endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond uf peace. Fmally, have compaf- fion one to ancthei ; love as brethren, be piti- ful, be courteous, be strong in the Lard, And may the God of iove and peace, be ever with you. Amen, f 2l6 ) CONCLUDING EXHORTATION FROM "THE FULPIT. The Lord*s Supper, whereof a confiderable number of us have this day been participat- ing, is accompanied with peculiar circumstan- ces, which atcncedemonstrate its beautiful lim- plicity, and its august folemnity. No external pomp or grandeur is required in obferving this divine Insutution. The iimple elements of bread and wine are appointed to be ufed in (hewing forth our Lord's death ; to repreient the fpiritual provifion whereby his dilciples are nouriihed unto eternal life. Dignity of Nation, elegance of drefs, fplendid appearance, are not requiiite to attendance on this facred ordirance, if the hidden man of the heurt is fuitably clothed with the garments of falvation and adorned with the graces of the Spirit. Its glory and efficacy does not depend on the number of thofe who celebrate it, in grateful remembrance of the love of Chrift, (though it is exceeding pleafant to obferve the com- munion Service well attended by his friends), but is derived from the appointment, Spirit and prcfence of him who hath promifed, wherever two or three are gathered together m his name, he will be in the midfl of them. To have be- held hundred, thoufands of Ifraei marching from bondage in Egypt, toward the promiied iand of Canaan ^ to have feen thouiunds afier pent-ecoii CONCLUDING EXHORTATION^ ScC. 217 pentecoft breaking bread in remembrance or the Saviour's death, would have been folemn fpedacles indeed. But would it have been leis awful and affecling, to have witneifed the Preacher of righteoufnefs, vvith his fmall fami- ly, moved with fear of approaching defolation, entering into the ark for ^afety, amid the deri- lion of the world lying in wickednefs; or the t'velve difciples dividing the bread and the cup in an upper room. BlelTed be God, the won- derful interefting objefts there exhibited, and the ineftimable bleliings conveyed to the faith ful in Chrift Jefus by this inilitation, uniformly dirpofe them to the frequent thankful comme- moration of his fuiTerings and death, who is their Saviour and Lord, their hfe and falvation. — The ordinance of the Sapper is no lefs re- markable for auguft folemnity, than for beau- tiful iimplicity : it affords a lively reprefenta- tion of all that is grand, important, and inte- refting to Chriftians ; of all that commands ad- mirarion, eftcem and reverence; of all that ex- cites love, gratitude, and pralfe. The moft glorious fpedacle the world ever beheld, was God, manifeftin the flefli, d^nng upon a crofs; that he might give the cleareft demonftration of infinite wifdom, love, and righteoufnefs, and obcain the redemption of Inincrs ready to pe- nlh. In this great eveiat, the chief fabjed of the gofpel, we contemplate the manifeftation of love that paiTeth knowledge, the fountain o^'all grace, the foundation of hrith, the moft ..Qvverful motive to obedience, and the fource K of 2l8 CONCLUDING EXII6RTATION of all confolation and joy ; — Intimately con- nedled with this wonderful tranfaction, is the facred fervice of this day, wherein not a few, profeffedly the ranfomed of the Lord, and born of God, were convened at their gracious Re- deemer's table, and partaking of the divine entertainment he hath generoufly provided for their noiirifliment and comfort, receiving 'the pledges of his love, and the earnefts of his falvation ; doing honour to their glorious de- liverer, contemplating the myftG^y ot God the Father, and of Chrift : celebrating his praifes who died for them, and devoting therafelves as living facrifices to him who gave himfelf for them. — O Lord God of Abraham, Ifaac, and Jacob, keep this for ever in the imagina- tion of the thoughts of the hearts of thy peo- ple, and eftabhdi their hearts unto thee I After this folemn fervice, I would exhort you to humility — fortitude, and — activity. I. Be humble. This lovely difpofition, which is at once the ftrength and ornament of a Chriftian, is frequently inculcated through- out the Scriptures in a great variety of forms, "which demand ^our ferious attention. Indeed all the graces and virtues which adorn the Chriftian character, like the celeftial orbs, have their proper ftation, their peculiar opera- tion and influence : — Temperance lays a re- ftraint upon appetite ; valour fortifies the mind ; patience compofes the foul ; love warms the heart ; hope animates to vigorous exertion; modefty beautifies the countenance; liberahty FROM THE PULPir. 219 liberality opens the hand; compafTion relieves the diftreffed ; prudence direds to proper condud; humility brings down high thoughts, which exalt themfelves againft the knowledge of Chrift. This amiable temper diffuses its benign influence through every occupation and duty in life. When you are employed in bulinefs, let humility take part in the tranfac- tion; when you approach the divine prefance, let humility be the garb in which you appear, let it be confpicuous in every part of your behaviour, in the whole of your conversation ; and particularly when you are called to give your fentiments refpeding matters of impor- tance, let humility, candour, and impartiality didate your decifions. — On alloccafions, ftudy to appear in this comely drefs, which fuits us well, whether we coniider ourfelves as finners or as faints ; this excellent attire may feem, when viewed at a diftance by the vain and gay, through an improper medium, to be too mean a garb, of too dark a colour for them to wear ; but did they examine it thoroughly, in a juft light, they might fee that it is really a rich and valuable garment. Even in the fight of God it is of great price. Gherifh, then, low- ly thoughts of your abilities, of your know- ledge, of your graces and duties ; maintain conftant dependence on God for every blef- fmg, and be content, though little efteemed by other people, would you ftand high in the favour of the Supreme Judge of merit. If perfonal good qualities, if acquired accomplifh- JK. 2 ments, 220 CONCLUDING EXHORTATION inents, if external circumftances, are apt to fwell your minds with pride, to excite com- plaints of the difpenfations, of the laws, or grace of God, or to make you I'tart even at the fhadow of an injury, let hamility check every lofty in-'aginatic.n, and lay it low e,en to the ground. It is too vifible, that ue are compofed of fuch light combuitible materials, that every fpark is ^pt to fct us on fire, and every breath to blow us into a flame. Put on, therefore, as the elect of God,- iioly and be- loved, humblenefsof mind, ni'^eknefs and long fufteiing, to which many piecious promifes are given in Scripture, that are abfolutely requilite to difpofe you to relilb and obey the gofpel, and to rcfemble our Saviour and Lord, "who was meek and lowly In heart. * By hu- * mility, and the fear of the Lord, are riches, * and honour, and life.' 2. Be courageous. I addrefs you in the words of God to his fervaut Jofhua : * Be * ftrong, and of good courage ; be not afraid, ^* neither be thou difmayed ; for the Lord thy * God is with thee, whitberfoever thou goefl:.* Compliance with this dirtdion, v.'hich is fre- quently repeated in the word of God, is in- difpentibiy requilite, would you acquit your- felves good foidieis of Jefus Chrift:. True chri- ilian fortitude ftimulates thofe who adl under its influence to the p^cfl laudable conchidl, and rendeis them fuperior to the difFicuitie& and dangers wnich' they are called to furinount. Maintain then, with undaunted firmnefs, the profeilion FROM THE PULPIT. 22% profellion of our nioft holy faith, and adhere clofely to the pradice of commanded duty, amidll: the temptations and difcouragements that occur in your progiefs tlirough Yi^q. You. hdVQ to contend with many enemies, poflelTed of great capacities, of refined artifice, and im- placable .nalice, who incelTantly endeavour to accompliih your ruin. You are called lire- nuouiiy to oppofe the bad maxims and cor- rupt cufloms of the world, that lieth in wick- ednefs, and to refill with determined reiblu- tion its frowns and allurements. Befides, ir- regular inclinations, and finful paflions, through the power of divine grace, mull be counter- acled and fubdued. In fpite of all oppofition, it is your unqueilionaule duty, intereil, and rioiiour, to maintain, wdth heroic confidence, inviolable attachment to the beft of mafters, to vindicate the purity of religion, and by your animating example, to recommend to thofe around you the fervice of God our Sa- viour. Do not defpond, and become famt hearted. Be flrong in the Lord, for God hath not given us che fpirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a found mind. Supprefs that timidity which diilrads and enfeebles your minds, and remember ye difciples of the vSon of God, that greater is he that is in you, than all that are or can be again ft you. * vVait * on the Lord, be of good courage, and he fhall * flrengthen your hearts ; wait, I fay, on the ' Lord.* .3. Be aclive. -Be not.flothful, but follow- K 3 ers 122 CONCLUDING EXHORTATION ersof them who, through faith and patience, in- herit thepromifes,evenas they were imitators of Ghrift. Arife, and be doing, and the Lord be with you. Some of you know that this ad- vice is both necefTary and feafonable. The Chriilian life is not a hfe of indolence and eafe, but of conflant vigorous exertion in the mod ufeful, pleafant, and honourable employments. Many difficult and arduous fervices are incum- bent upon you, v;hich muft not be negleded, or negligently performed. You are called by your Lord and Saviour to deny yourfelves, to take up your crofs daily, and follow him — to refill the many ftrong temptations with which you m.ay be affaulted — to contend with pow- erful fpi ritual enemies, who endeavour to mo- led and oppofe you in running and wreftling for an incoiruptible crown — to endure with patience, refignation, and fortitude, the trials and afliidions wherewith you are vifited — to maintain daily intercourfe with God, in the cxerciies of devotion— to dilcharge with fide- lity the duties peculiar to your feveral flations and relations, fo as God may be thereby glori- fied — to do good to all, efpecially to them that are of the houfehold of faith, by a£l:s of bene- iicence, mercy, and compaiHon — and to grow in grace, in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift, and in a progreffive meet- nefs for heaven. In the view of fuch exten- five important fervices, are you ready to def. pond, and exclaim, Who is fufficient forthefe things? Though of yourfelves you are not fufficient FROM THE PULPIT. 213" fafticient to think any good thing, your fuffi- ciency is of God, who is pleafed that all ful- nefs Hiould dwell in Jefas Chrift, to be com- municated to you ; that as your day is, fo your llrength may be. Beware then of lloth and indolence, of careleffiiefs or trifling in the work of God, but whatfoever your hand find- eth to do, do it with all your might. Beware alfo of bullle and fliow •/ in attending to your fpiritual interefts, take heed that you do not miftime any part of your bufinefs, or fuffer one duty to juflle out another. By a(5livity in the fervice of your Lord, you will demonilrate your attachment to him, your dehght in his precepts, and your deiire of obtaining his ap- probation at his glorious appearance. Permit me to fay a fe-w words to thofe who have participated of the Lord's Supper, tho' ' confcious they poffefs not the chara EFENIhlG SERMON. S E E M O N VIII. THE HAPPINESS OF THE PEOPLE OF GOO ILLUSTRATED AND CONFIRMED. PSAL. Cxliv. 15. Tea, happy is that people whose God is the Lord, THE desire of happiness operates power- fully and universally among mankind. Persons of every description are daily em- ployed in pursuing the favourite objects v^hereby they imagine this passion may be gratified. There is not any thing, however, as to which the sentiments of mankind have been more diversified, than with respect to the objects wherein true felicity is to be en- joyed. Covetous people seem to think that it is to be found in the possession of riches, the ambitious seek it in the acquisition of ho- nours, and the voluptuous pronounce it to consist in pleasures. Philosophers have en- tertained very different opinions on this in- teresting topic, in which many of them were egregiously mistaken. The existence of the creatures THE HAPPINESS OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD, &LC. 2-27 creatures being derived, precarious, and de- pending entirely on him who gave them be- ing, they cannot prove the source of perma- nent felicity to themselves, or to others. To give real enjoyrnent, they must be commen- surate to their capacities and duration, to whose happiness they administer, they must relieve their wants, and gratify their desires, whilst their owners must have the entire pro- perty and full possession of them, so as to have free access to them at ail times. Their happiness must be then extremely small and fluctuating, who, from a distempered consti-- tution, choose for their portion any thing short of the favour of Jehovah, whereas their felicity must be complete who have the Lord for their God. — In the beautiful hymn from which I have taken my text, the royal Poet, . after thanksgiving to God for the wonderful works that he had done, and expressing his admiration of God's gracious regard to - the children of men, celebrates the victories he ' had obtained over his enemies. Prayer is then subjoined for the continuance of the di- vine goodness, that conquest might be pro- ductive of peace, with the whole train ot blessings v/hich felicitate communities and families. The psalm concludes with pro- nouncing the people happy who are in such ' a case, and their far greater happiness, whose God is the Lord. After having shown the import of the privilege belonging to the peo- ple whose God is the Lord, — I shall confirm K 6 aad 228 THE HAPPINESS OT THE PEOPLE OF GOD and illustrate the truth of the proposition contained in the text, that they are a happy people. Do thon, O blessed God, direct and assist our meditations, and grant us comfort- able experience of the blessedness of which we are now to attempt the description. I. I begin with shewing the import of the high privilege mentioned in the text belong- ing to the people whose God is the Lord. Betwixt him and them there subsists an inti- mate connection — a reciprocal interest — and an agreeable intercourse, which forms the ba- sis of their felicity, and distinguishes them from persons of every other character. I say, I. That between God and his happy peo- ple there subsists an intimate connection. Much more is intended than their being re- lated to him as their Creator, than their hav- ing been dedicated to his service, and their maintaining an external profession of subjec- tion to his ordmances and laws. Jehovah is their compassionate Redeemer. They had foolishly sold themselves for nought into the hands of their enemies, who had enslaved them, tyrannized over them, and exposed them to utter destruction. In his great mer- cy he rer'eemed them by the blood of his own Son, who came into this world, and gave bis life a ransom for them, and substituting himself a sacrifice for their sins, sustained the punishment which they deserved. By his mighty ILLtrSTRATED AND CONFIRMED, 229 mighty power he actuallj rescued them from servitude and death, and vindicated them in- to the glorious Uberty of the sons of God. In this astonishing manner he wrought for them a wonderful deliverance, in virtue of which they become his peculiar people ; he acquired an indubitable right to their best services, and an unquestionable title to govern and dispose of them according to his pleasure. Firmly persuaded of the infinite importance of what tlie Son of God hath done and suf- fered to accomplish their redemption, and of the inestimable value of what he hath pro- mised to bestow upon them, from prevailing love and gratitude to their best friend, they firmly and unfeignedly consecrate them- selves to his service and obedience. Hearti- ly convinced that they are doubly his pro- perty, and that they are obliged by the strongest ties to submit to his authority, their chief study, and most delightful business is to please God, to do his will, to advance his honour and interest in the world, and to live unto him who died for them, and rose again. — God is also their reconciled Father in Jesus Christ, and in this endearing relation, he ex^ ercises paternal care over them ; he sea- sonably and liberally supplies their temporal and spiritual necessities, he affords them con- stant protection from evil, he compassionates them under all their infirmities and distres- ses, and administers consolation to them in every affliction. Though he correct them gently 2^0 THE HAPPINESS OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD gently for their faults, he passes b> many transgressions, he takes the direction of all their interests, and in due time he will ex- alt them to the possession of a glorious eter- nal inheritance. Being graciously admitted into his divine family, and constituted joint heirs with his own Son, they participate in all the distinguishing prerogatives conferred upon them who are born of God. Being re- novated by the Holy Spirit, and formed af- ter the divine image, they are happily dis- posed to imitate their heavenly Father, and to study to be harmless and blameless, as be- comes the sons of the Most High. In this manner they are intimately related to God, and are delightfully employed in endeavour- ing to know, obey, and submit to his w^ill even as the angels in heaven. 2. Between God and his people there sub- sists a reciprocal interest. They participate in his favour and loving kindness, which is better than life, and the permanent source of every desirable blessing, whether tempo- ral or spiritual. In every condition it af- fords the most agreeable satisfaction, the purest consolation, and gives a relish to every other enjoyment. It comprizes all that is necessary to present and future felicity. It removes every misery, and relieves every want ; it gratifies every just desire, it alle- viates every affliction, it inspires with forti- tude under every weakness, and renders su- perior to every discouragement, The kind- ness ILLUSTRATED ANt» CONFIRMED. 231 ncss of God toward his people is not like the favour of men, which soon decays and pe- rishes ; it is everlasting, and shall never de- part from them. Our greatest earthly com- forts often leave us, and prove the occasion of our most pungent griefs and sorrows, but in this consists the happiness of the people of God, that he will not take his loving kind- ness from them, nor suffer his faithfulness to fail. Whilst others anxiously enquire, Who will shew us any good ? they are uniformly solicitous to enjoy the light of God's counte- nance, which .puts more gladness into their hearts than when their corn and wine is in- creased. — As they share in his divine favour, so he possesses their supreme affection. The duty and happiness of man may be resolved into love, which is the fulfining of the law, and upon which hangs all the law and the prophets. The wickedness of man hath kil- led this love at the root, and indisposed us to the exercise of it, both toward God and our neighbour. The people of God, however, having their hearts renewed, their tempers rectified, and the love of God shed abroad in- to their hearts by the Holy Ghost, love him because he first loved them. Contemplating the infinite glory, beauty, and excellence of Jehovah, and their unspeakable obligations to him, their strongest affection is excited. Con- vinced that if divine love is not supreme, it is spurious, they love God more than all created enjoyments, and fail not to display its 232 THE HAPPINESS OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD its ipowerful influence on the pleasant exer- cises of obedience and subniission, of grati- tude, confidence, joy, and praise. Thus thev return love to God, fci his astonishing love to thera. In other instances such requitals are not permitted. If God be angry with us, we must not be displeased ; if he reprove, we must not censure ; whereas those whom he loves, endeavour, through grace, to love him in return, and to give the most substan- tial expressions of their undissembled affec- tion, Vvhich are always acceptable to him, through Jesus Christ. 3. Between God and his people there sub- sists an agreeable intercourse. The Lord God being infinitely good, and all-sufBcient, can render them completely and eternally happy. This God, who is the fountain of life and blessedness, and the giver of all good, is pleased to set them apart for himself, to claim a spe- cial interest in them, and solemnly to assure them that he will be their God. As it is written, he saith unto them which were not his people, ' Ye are my people, my inheri- • tance, my peculiar treasure.' From him they receive not only life and breath, food and raiment, wisdom and understanding, con- duct and protection, but righteousness and peace, grace and glory, with every good thing. All things are theirs, because they are Christ's, and Christ is God's ; all things work toge- ther for their good, and all things proper shall be communicated to them, according to their several ILLUSTRATED AND CONFIRMED. 2^$ several necessities. From this intimate in- tercourse, in which the most agreeable cor- respondence is estabhshed between God and them, results the ?iiost pleasing satisfaction. He, who is their all-sufficient portion, season- ably and plentifully communicates to them tempoiai, spiritual, and eternal blessings, to enrich and satisfy them abundantly. Not- withstanding their happiness is not now^ com- plete, this is owing not to any deficiency in the portion which they have chosen, or in the current of divine goodness, which flows in- cessantly, but to the weakness of their capa- cities, and the unfavourable station which the.v nnv.r rv/>/^iinv.«.«. Flavin a- nynurhpd the Lord to be their God, they have recourse to him in th.-lr various exigencies. Deeply con- vinced of his unalienable right to their best services, and besought by his mercies, they resign themselves, Mid all their concerns, to be employed and disposed of by him as seem- eth good in his sight. With profound humi- lity, and at the same time with joy and glad- ness of htait, they solemnly consecrate them- selves unto God (confiding in Jesus Christ for acceptance and salvation^, that he may en- rich them with ail those blessings which are essential to theu^ happiness, clothe them with bis righteousness, sanctity theni by his spirit, and impart to them all those benefits that may render life pleasant, death desirable, and eternity jovful. Whatever be then' condi- tion,^ they have recourse to God for every thing 234 THE HAPPINESS OF THE PEOPLE OF GOO "^ thing necessary to render their circumstances comfortable. Do they walk in darkness, they resort to the Lord God, who is a sun and a shield, that he may illmninate them by the light of his heavenly doctrines and precepts, and defend them from the evils with which they are assailed. Are they in perplexity, difficulted as to the measures most proper for them to adopt, they depend upon him who will be their guide even unto death, that he may conduct them by his counsel, and lead them in the paths of righteousness, for his names sake. Are they depressed with a humbling sense of guilt and impurity, they go to the throne of grace, which God him- self hath erected, that they may obtain mer- cy to pardon, and grace to sanctify -and help them in every time of need. Do they find themselves feeble, and unable to sustain the afilictions with which they are visited, and to perform the services required of them, they look to him, that he may make his grace suf- ficient for them, and perfect his strength m their weakness. When sensible of their ma- nifold necessities, and spiritual poverty, they repair to him, that he may enrich them from his inexhaustible treasures, and liberally com- mimicate to them whatever is requisite to their present v.'elfare, and eternal happiness. This delightful intercourse with God, my brethren, is the distinguished honour and pe- culiar privilege of the people whose God is the Lord. If we are indeed his people, we will ILLUSTRATED AND CONFIRMED. 235 will delight greatly in the way of his com- mandments — we will abound in good works of every sort — we will converse much v>^ith God in prayer, presenting before him our earnest supplications for promised blessings, and our grateful thanksgivings for his innu- merable benefits — we will approach him as our exceeding great joy, in those institutions he hath rendered sacred by his authority, to which he vouchsafes his presence and bles- sing, and by means of which he conveys light and strength, peace and comfort to his ser- vants, and trains them up in a progressive meetness for the inheritance of the saints in light. Thus have I shewn you the import of the high privilege belonging to the people whose God is the Lord, that between him and them subsists an intimate connection, a re- ciprocal interest, and an agreeable intercourse. I now proceed, II. To illustrate and confirm the truth of the proposition contained in the text, that they are a happy people. This will be evi- dent, when w^e have considered that the glo- rious perfections of Jehovah, — his great salva- tion, — his divine Providence, — and his preci- ous promises, all conspire to promote their present and eternal felicity. I. I say that the glorious perfections of God contribute to advance the happmess of his people. There is not any one attribute where- of he hath revealed himself possessed, w^hich is 2$6 THE HAPPINESS OF THE PEOPLE OF GOU is not employed for their reul benefit, and is not suited to convey substantial felicity and consolation. ^ There is none like the God of * Jeshurun, who rideth on the heavens, to their ' help, and in his excellency on the sky ; the * eternal God is their refuge, and underneath ' are everlasting arms.' * Their God is the Most * High over all the earth, the King of Glory, * the Lord mighty in battle, a strong rock, and * a high tower to them that trust in him. He * delighteth in exercising loving kindness, * righteousness, and tender m.ercy.' Being universal Proprietor, he hath ail things at his disposal, and therefore they shall not lack any good thing ; being an independent Sovereign, he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him, and there- fore he v/iil make ail events subservient to their best interests. The Son of God is their Saviour, Instructor, and Lord ; the Spirit of God is their Sanctifier, Guide, and Com- forter. All that they w^ant, all that they de- sire, is in God, m whcm they boast all the day long, and praise his name for evermore. His omnipresence attends them in all places, at all times, and in all conditions, to preserve them in danger, to illuminate them in dark- ness, to succour them m temptation, to fur- nish them for duty, and to comfort them in affliction. By omniscience he is perfectly ac- quamted with their hearts, their words, their actions, ar-d every circumstance in thtir lot, which ought powerfully to restrain them from siin, to excite them to study integrity of heart and ILLUSTRATED AND CONFIRMED. I37 And fidelity in his service, whilst it should encourage them, under a sense of their mani- fold infirmities. By his omnipotence, they are protected from enemies, they src strength- ened with all might in their souls, and pre- served through faith unto salvation. Xjy his immutability, they are assured of the un- changeabieness of his favour and love, the stability of his covenant and promises, and inspired with unshaken confidence in him, the rock of ages. By hh consummate good- ness all their vrantsare amply supplied; they are enriched with the choicest blessings, whereby they are agreeably ref eshed ; they are excited to gratit»ide and praise, to love and obedience. By his manifold wisdom, of which he hath given the most pleasing de- monstiaticns, they are instructed so as to be- come wise unto salvation, they are directed to order then' affairs wi^h discretion, and safely conducted in their journey toward the heavenly and better country. By his imma- culate holiness, of which he hath every where given the most illustrious manifestations, they are tauglit the odious nature of sin, they are presented with a pertect pattern of that purity to which they ought to be con- formed, end have pointed out the source from wiience it must proceed. By his everlasting faithfulness, tiiey enjoy the most comfortable assurance tnat all his exceeding great and precious promises, containing ev^iry thing necessary to life and godliness, shall receive their ^3^ THE HAPPINESS OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD their full accomplishment in due season. This prospect dispels their fears, quickens their hopes, comforts their hearts, and enlivens their joys. In few words, the mercy of their God pardons their sins, and rescues them from mi- sery. His love possesses their souls, his pa- tience bears with their infirmities, and waits for the most proper season, to be gracious unto them. Say then, are they not a happy people in whose behalf the perfections of Je- hovah are thus employed I 2. The great salvation of God conduces to promote the happiness of his people. They participate of all those precious benefits, which give the noblest demonstration of the lovmg kindness of the Lord, which were pro- cured for them by the blood of Christ, and are conveyed to them by the powerful agen- cy of the Holy Ghost. Though I cannot en- large at present on this extensive subject, I shall mention a few of those honourable pri- vileges contained in the salvation of God, whereby his people are feHcitated. They are freely justified, and in virtue of this gra- cious act, they obtain the pardon of all their sins, they are restored to the divine favour, and invested with a right to eternal hfe. They are delivered from the curse of the law, which they had incurred ; they are received giaciously into God's sight, and constituted heirs of everlasting inheritance. If you wish to know the worth of this blessing, ask the convinced transgressor, who is groaning un- der ILLUSTRATED AND CONFIRMED. 932 der an afflicting sense of the divine displea- sure, what estimate he bath formed of it. He will tell you it is an inestimable treasure, which he esteems a greater mercy than to possess all the kingdoms of the earth, that it forms an essential mgredient of true happi- ness. They are renovated by the Holy Spi- rit, transformed into the image of Jesus Christ, made partakers of the divme nature, of those amiable graces which proceed from God, and shew forth his praises. They become follow- ers of God, in his imitable excelk-ncies, as dear children ; being holy, as he is holy; merciful, as he is merciful ; and perfect, as he is per- fect. Grace in them corresponds to grace in Jesus Christ, as the impression made upon the wax agrees with the seal by which it was made, or as face answers to face in the glass. Wonderful advancement I high happiness indeed I to resemble the blessed God — to be made sons of God — to have one Father, one Spirit, and one inheritance with the first-born among many brethren, and, by progressive renovation, to be made meet for heaven. They are liberated from the power of Satan, the bondage of coirupcion, the contagious in- fluence of a present evil world, and the se- cond death ; yea, from the hands of all their enemies, that they may serve God in hohness and righteousness berore him all their days. The fetters of iniquity are broken, a spirit of liberty is communicated to them, in conse- quence of which they enjoy the most glori- ous ^40 THE HAPPINESS OF THE PEOPLE Ot GOD ous freedom, and participate in a spiritual, perfect, and everlasting deliverance, which shall be for ever celebrated in the highest strains of gratitude, through immortal ages. Blessed state I If the Almighty Redeemer can save them, they are safe. If he justify, who shall condemn ? If he be for them, who shall be against them ? If the Son of God make tiiem free, they shall be free indeed ; if he keep them, who shall pluck them out of his hand ? — Once more, They are dignified, exalted to the most ho- nourable condition, and the most delightful em- ployments. They are joined to the Lord, so as to be one spirit with him; they are made kings and priests unto God, they are formed to be temples for the Holy Ghost, they are possessed of the most excellent dispositions, they are conversant with the most sublime subjects, they associate with the best society, and are engaged in the most noble exercises. Like Enoch, Noah, and Abraham, they v/alk with God ; like David and Paul, they serve the Lord ; and with Zacharias and Elizabeth, th^.y walk in his ordinances blameless. They delight in the habitation of his house, and re- joice in his testunoniesmore than in all riches= Compare v/ith this the business in which tht protane, the ambitious, the covetous, and the voluptuous are employed, and say. Is no!" the work of the Lor ' honourable and glorious, are not hiS people truly happy ? 3. The kind piovidence of God contributes to illustr^ted^'an'd confi rmed. 241 to advance their felicity. I am not now to speak of the universal providence of Jehovah, which extends to all the creatures, and to all events,but of that peculiar tender regard which he discovers towards his own people. ' The " eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout * the whole earth, to shew himself strong in be- ' half of them whose heart is perfect toward * him. The eye of the Lord is upon them that * fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy.' He watches over all their temporal concerns ; be upholdeth their souls in life ; he is their refuge and their strength, and in straits a pre- sent aid. Sometimes he restrains the rage of their implacable enemies, and in many instan- ces he hath disposed them to perform those friendly offices which have proved of essen- tial advantage to them. Memorable instan-. ces of this sort are recorded in the scriptures. Cyrus, king of Persia, though he knew not. God, was honoured to be the instrument of his people's deliverance from captivity. Ne^ buchadnezzar, king of Babylon, became a friend to Daniel, the prophet ; and to the a- postle Paul, friends were raised up in the court of Nero- At other times he hath rendered the hostile designs and malicious actions of their adversaries subservient for promoting their interest and salvation. The envy of Jo- seph's brethren, which induced them to sell him to the Ishmaelites, was made the mean of his future exaltation to be lord over all the land of Egypt. The enmity of Haman the L Agagite, 342 THE HAPPINESS OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD Agagite against Mordecai the Jew opened the way for his preferment, and the preservation of the Jews, whom that proud man meant to destroy. In this manner, by an astonishing variety of ways, doth God preserve his people in the enjoy rnei^t of temporal safety, in the midst of enemies and dangers. He likev/ise t'ukes care of their spiritual and best interests. They are kept by the mighty power of God through faith unto salvation; he preserves them blameless to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, with ail his saints, and deli- vers them from every evil work tohis heavenly kingdom. Sometimes v/hen timid and faint- hearted he withholds them, as Gideon did the fearful among his soldiers, fiom teniptation and conflict. At other times, when contend- ing with pov/erful opposition, he strengthens them with all night by his Spirit ; he girds , them with strength, and makes their way per- fect, so that they surmount the greatest diffi- culties, and vanquish their most potent adver- saries. At all times, even v/hen the powers of darkness threaten, when the world fiowns, when the tide of corruption Hows, the sun of persecution beats, and ihe wind of temptation arises, he maintains them in safety, and keeps them in his- love, locking for his mercy mito eternal life. They are preserved in Jesus Christ, on whom the chastisement of tiieir peace was laid ; and who is entrusted with all power in heaven and on earth. Kis cross, like the tree which Moses cast into the waters of Marab, ILLUSTRATED AND CONFIRMED. 2^j Marab, renders the bitter waters of affliction sweet and pleasant. His blood being sprink- led on their .hearts and consciences, divine judgments are averted, and they dwell in safe- ty under the shadow of the Almighty. His Spirit supplies them with strength in their souls, to contend with difficulties, to resist temptations, to sustain a£iictions, to improve ordinances, and to exercise grace. Aware of the danger arising from security on the one hand, and from presumption on the other, they commit themselves to him in well-doing, as to a faithful Creator, that he may direct, up- hold, and save them. The providence of God then affords a powerful argument to prove the felicity of his people, and to confirm tne truth of the proposition I am endeavouring to de- monstrate. — The last argument which I ihail at present adduce to shew the happiness of the people of God is taken from, 4. His precious promises, which by their ac- com.plishment complete their present and e-^ verlasting happmess. The unchangeable ve- racity of Jehovah absolutely requires the ful- filment of his promises which are ratitied by his oath, and confirmed by the blood of his Son. This lays a sure foundation for the faith and hope of the saints in every age to rest up* on, amidst every intervening obstacle. His consummate ability gives the strongest as- surance that he will never fail to make good his word, and to do as he hath said. He who 'hath promised is able to perform, and to do exceeding 244 THE HApPINESS OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD exceeding abundantly above all that we ca^^ ask or think. We may therefore appeal to his people as did Joshua of old, * ye know in * all your hearts, and in all your souls, that * not one thing hath failed of all the good * things which the Lord your God spake con- * cerning you, all are come topass unto you, and * not one thing hath failed thereof.* The pro- mises of God, of which they are the heirs, are justly represented by an apostle as exceed- ing great and precious. They are very ma- ny in number, and contain the greatest bles- sings which God hath to bestow ; they are ex- ceeding precious, comprehending every thing valuable in heaven and on earth. They are perfectly suited to relieve all the wants of his people. Whatever he hath prom.ised they certainly need, and whatever they want he hath undoubtedly promised. If you are un- acquainted with your necessities, you may learn what they are from the promises of God ; or if you know not the promises, you may be instructed by studying your own ne- cessities. Must not they, then, be a happy people, all whose wants the. mighty God the Lord stands engaged by his faithful word amply to supply ? To fix the conviction of this important truth more deeply in your mmd, 1 shall select a specimen from the Old, and i^.nother from the New Testament : It is "wr tten. Psal. Ixxxiv. ii. ' The Lord God is a * sun and shield, he v/ill give grace and glory, * andnogood thing will he withhold from them that ILLUSTRATED AND CONFIRMED. 245 * that walk uprightly.* Jehovah is the inex- haustible fountain oflife and light, by whose refreshing beams, his servants are quickened, illuminated, fructified, and comforted. The Lord will give grace — all those spiritual bless- ings requisite to correct and sanctify their temper, to change their condition, and to pre- pare them afore unto glory. And after they have finished their course here below, he will give them glory, and conduct them into his presence, where is fulness of joys, and rivers of pleasures for evermore. And that they may have all that is requisite to consummate their happiness, he will withhold no good thing from them ; he will give them contentment in poverty, humility in affluence, deliverance from trouble, or patience to bear it, opportu- nity to enjoy his goodness, or freedom from evil, and introduction into his eternal king- dom and glory. Again, it is written, i Cor. iii. 2r, 22, 23. * All things are yours, wdiether ministers, or * the world, or life, or death, or things present, * or things to come ; all are yours, and ye are * Christ's, and Christ is God's.' These re- markable w^ords of the apostle Paul to the sanctified in Christ Jesus, are beautifully il- lustrated by what he saith elsewhere : * We * know that all things shall work together for * good to them that love God, to them that * are called according to his purpose.' Every thing shall be conducive to the temporal, spi- ritual, and eternal benefit of his people. — Thus have 14^ THZ HAPPINESS OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD have I endeavoured to shew you the happi- ness of the peculiar people of God, and to e- vince the truth of the proposition contained in my text, of which I now suppose that you are fully satisfied. Let it be your daily study and chief ambi- tion, my brethren, to attain the character and felicity of them v/hose God is the Lord. You have the highest encouragement you can rea- sonably desire, to seek the enjoyment of this glorious privilege. Such are the riches of God's grace, that he forgives all trespas- ses ; such is the efficacy of the blood of Christ, that it cleanseth from all sin, and such is the mighty influence of the Spirit of power, tbat he can soften the most obdurate heart, and subdue every iniquity. Let the wicked then forsake his way, his former sinful prac- tices, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, the corrupt dispositions he hath hitherto in- -lulgen, and letliim return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will. abundantly paidon. His gracious call to you now is, * Yet return again unto ' me, saith the Lord.' Obey his voice, aban- don all your transgressions, come unto him by Jesus Christ, and he will in no ways re- ject you. Deeply convinced of your sin and folly, earnestly implore his pardoning mercy, and sanctifying grace ; throw down the v/ea- pons of rebellion that you have employed a- gainst him, and submit yourselves unto him as his willing dutiful subjects, that you may henceforth ILLUSTRATED AXD CONFIRMED. 247 henceforth walk in his ways, and hve to his praise. Then may you hope to experience the happiness that you have heard imperfect- ly described to your present comfort and ever- lasting joy. To conclude, I solemnly call upon you whose God is the Lord, to justify your claim to this noble prerogative by being zealous of good works. For this purpose Jesus Christ gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works. This is the distinguishing badge, the indispensible duty, and delightful employment of the peo- ple of God. Be active and diligent in the practice of piety and devotion, of righteous- ness, mercy, and charity. ' Be stedfast and * immoveable, always abounding in the work * of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your * labour is not in vain in the Lord.' Take heed that your conduct proceed from good princi- ples, from love to God and his authority, fi'om- the ardent desire of advancing his glory, and that it be regulated by the directions given in the scriptures. Be animated to the faithful pe) formance of every part of duty by the love dispiuyed in your redemption, by the power employed in your conversion, and the promi- ses given you of present assistance and future glory. In the service of God, you will find the liighest pleasure and satisfaction ; wis- dom's v;ays are ways of pleasantness, and all lier paths are peace. Keep fully in view the L 3 perfect 24^ THE HAPPINESS OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD perfect example of Jesus Chriit, the chosen One from among the people ; contemplate his beautiful and lovely deportment, amid the divine majesty that shone through the vail of his humihation. See him frequently employ- ed in the sublime exercises of devotion, in all things yielding unremitting obedience to God, continually going about doing good to men, scattering the choicest blessings around him wherever he went, healing the sick, feed- ing the hungry, instructing the ignorant, bear- ing the infirmities of the weak, and forgiving the faults of the injurious. Set yourselves of fiXed purpose to follow the amiable example of ^his express Image of the Father's person, in hpmble dependance upon his own promi- sed grace. Then shall you be his disciples indeed, the pecuHar people of God, in whom he t^.keth pleasure, whom he blesseth, and de- lighteth to honour. — The Lord bless you, and keep you ; the Lord make his face to shine upon you. and be gracious unto you ; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. I next call upon you who have never yet experienced the happiness of the people whose God is the Lord, to give yourselves un- to God as those that are alive from the dead. 1 know that you all profess to be the peculiar people of the Most High, but what avails your profession if you derive not from it the sub- stantial felicity which is inseparably connect- ed with the actual possession of this inestima- ble ILLUSTRATED AND CONFIRMED. 249 ble privilege, if you do not vindicate the jus-- tice of your claim by universal subjection to your highest Lord. What proofs do you give that he is your God ? Do you from the heart believe and obey him in all things whatsoever he hath said unto you, esteeming all his com- mandments concerning all things to be right, and hating every false way. What avails your pretended reverence for his name if you seek not his mercy and favour ; your main- taining the form of godhness, whilst you de- spise its power ; your professed esteem for his benefits if you despise his laws ? Why are you attentive to the external part of duty, whilst you neglect to keep your hearts with all di- ligence. Deal not decei,tfully with God ; if you persist in your sins, and dishonour him by your lives, you forsake your own mercy, and foifeit that substantial happiness which is to be found in God alone. Why will jou halt between two opinions? if the Lord be God, fol- low him. Choose you this day whom you will serve ; whether the God whom your fa- thers served, in whose land you dwell, or other gods? If you love not the Lord our God, if yovT esteem him a hard master, who impo- ses a heavier burden on you than you can en- dure, if you think his commandments grie- vous, and his service intolerable ; go serve ano- ther master, and seek happiness from another source than God. O foolish and unwise, do you thus requite the Lord who loved us, and gave himself for us, that he might constrain us to 2^0 THE Happiness of the people of god, &tc. to choose him for our all-sufficient portion and to live to his glory. Would you participate in the supreme felicity of having the Lord for your God, heartily renounce subjection to the spirit that worketh in the children of disobe- dience, the great deceiver and destroyer of mankind. Pursue not as your chief happiness, the riches, the honours and pleasures of this world, which may steal away your hearts from God : Yield not to those corrupt prapensities that lead to dishonour God, and to wrong your own souls. Return unto the Lord with your whole hearts, take with you words, and say unto him, * Take away all iniquity, and re- * ceive us graciously ; thou art our portion * which we have chosen, O Lord.* Place all your dependance on the righteousness and in- tercession of Jesus Christ, for pardon of sin, the acceptance of your services, and eternal salvation ; and on the Holy Spirit for con- duct, assistance, sanctification and consolation. Unreservedly devote yourselves to God, that you may rejoice in his love, and trust in his providence and promises. Thus may you hope to enjoy the sublime hap- piness of the people whose God is the Lord. To Him be honour and glory for ever. Amen. THE ( 251 ) SERMON IX, THE EVIDENCES WHEREBY REAL CHRISTIANS MAY BE KNOWN. Matt. xii. 33.- Tbc tree is known- 1? j bis fruit. • THIS general rule delivered by our divine Master, justly deserves serious attention. Thefruit of any tree clearly discovers its nature and quality, and from thence we mayjudgeof it with ease and certainty.. No man pronounces a tree corrupt, when its fruit is good, or affirms that a. tree is good which bears bad fruit: Such decisions involving glaring contradictions, are too absurd to be formed by persons of sense and discernment. The import of the maxim before us is plain and obvious, whether intend- ed by our Saviour to be applied to himself, who had been casting out devils, or to the Pharisees, who attributed his astonishing power to his connection with Beelzebub. If this proverbial saying was spoken by Jesus Christ in reference to his own particular circumstan ccs, its meaning will be shortly this : You must acknow^ledge either that I am a good man and do L 5 good 2 3^ THE Evidences whereby good works, or that I am a bad man and do ill works : To say that I do good works, such as expelling devils from those possessed by them, and yet to affirm that I am wicked, is as pal- pable an absurdity, as to assert, that a corrupt tree produces excellent fruit. You must ei- ther condemn the miracles I perform as per- nicious, done in confederacy with Satan, or ad- mit that they are benevolent ; attribute them to the power of God, to which they ought to be ascribed, and approve of my conduct. If it had a special respect to the Pharisees, to whom it was directed, the import will be to the following effect : You must either say what is true, and do what is good ; or renounce all pretensions to be just and good men. To claim the venerable characters of righteous and devout, whilst you do not vindicate the justice of your pretensions by the exercises of righteousness and devotion, is as inconsistent as if you maintained that the tree is sound and good, which brings forth naughty bad fruit. If you are indeed righteous, as you profess, you will abound with the fruits of righteousness, the proper evidence that your hearts are renew- ed, and your persons justified ; whereas, if you are wicked, you will work iniquity, which will give convincing proof that you act under the influence of corrupt vicious dispositions. In the former sense the words of the text suggest a satisfying testimony to our Lord*s divine mission, derived from the works he performed, which bare witness that he came from God. According REAL CHRISTIANS MAY BE KNOWN. 2$^ According to the latter interpretation, we are furnished with a certain criterion, whereby we ought to judge of our spiritual state, and the character of those of whom we are obhged to form an opinion. Considering this axiom in the last mentioned sense, I purpose, in depen- dance upon God, to shew, I. That mens visible conduct and practice afford the best evidence of their real character, both to themselves and others. And, II. That the rule of judgment here deliver- ed by Jesus Christ, is the most certain, and the most equitable. O Thou, who k no west our insufficiency, as- sist us, we beseech thee, at this time ; grant that what may be said on these subjects, may, through thy countenance and blessing, pro- mote thy glory, and our edification. I. 1 begin with shewing, that mens visible conduct and practice afford the best evidence of their real character both to themselves and others. The scriptures, which abound with beautiful figurative language, taken from na- tural images, famihar to mankind, sometimes represent the peculiar people of God, under the instructive resemblance of fruit-bearing trees. By this pleasing emblem borrowed from vegetation, the royal Poet delineates the godly man, whose delight is in the law of the Lord : * He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers * of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his * season, his leaf also shall not wither, and * whatsoever he doth shall prosper,' As a tree placed "254 THE EVIDENCES WHEREBY placed in a rich well-watered soil, thrives, flourishes and yields abundant crops, so the righteous produce the fruits of holiness in sea- son, their words being to their actions what the leaves are to the fruit, ornamental and useful. The prophet Jeremiah employs the same ele- gant figure, when describing the happy state of those who place their confidence in God : * Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, * and whose hope the Lord is ; for he shall be * as a tree planted by the waters, that spread- * eth out her roots by the river, and shall not * see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be * green, and shall not be careful in the year of * drought, neither shall cease from yielding * fruit.' In the sublime language of God's servant, Isaiah, the citizens of Zion are empha- tically denominated, * trees of righteousness, ' the planting of the Lord, that he may be glo- ' rifled.' Having been planted in the house of the Lord, in a luxuriant soil, and advan- tageous situation, they flourish like the palm tree, they grow like the cedar in Lebanon, they still bring forth fruit in old age, to shew that the Lord is upright. The servants of God pla- ced by the waters of the sanctuary under the warming beams of the sun of|righteousness, en. compassed by the favour of heaven, appear in constant verdure, increasing with the increase of God ; their good conversation and example, like a rich perfume, diffuses a delightful frag- rancy all around them. To this graceful si- militude our Lord probably alluded in this proverbial REAL CHRISTIANS MAY BE KNOWN. 255 proverbial saying, ' the tree is known by his ' fruit.' The fruits whereby the upright among men are distinguisliecl and adorned m their several capacities and stations are the exercises of uni- versal, constant, and persevering obedience to the holy and perfect will of God, which spon- taneously arise from union with Jesus Christ, the root as well as offspring of David. All the works that God hath done in, and for the be- nefit of his church are admirably adapted to beautify and fructify the objects of his love and care. For this purpose he hath chosen them in Christ before the foundation of the world, that they should be holy and without blame before him in love. Remarkable are the w^ords of our Saviour to his disciples, ' Ye have not ' chosen me, but I have chosen you ; that you * should bring forth much fruit,' For this end * the Lord Jesus Christ gave himself for us, that * he might redeem us from all iniquity, and pu- * rify unto^himself a pecuhar people, zealous of * good works.' For the same salutary purpose * they are quickened by the Holy Spirit, they * are renewed after the divine image, and be- * come God's workmanship, created in Christ * Jesus unto good works.' Indeed all the ma- nifold grace bestowed upon them, all the glo- rious privileges with which they are invest- ed, are designed thoroughly to furnish the man of God unto all good works. Their minds are occupied with a rich treasure of knowledge and, precious thoughts j their hearts, replete with ^5^ THE EVIDE>JCE3 WHEREBY with good affections devise liberal things, and form devout resolutions ; the memory lays up in store the providences and word of God, and their lives in every age and condition are em- bellished by those fruits, which, in respect to the efficient cause by which they are produced, are denominated fruits of the spirit, in refer- ence to the matter of which they are compo- sed, are called fruits of righteousness, and in re- lation to the condition of those from whom they proceed, are said to be fruits meet for repentance. Love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temper- ance, with the duties of piety and devotion ; humanity, justice, benevolence, mercy, and charity, with other graces and virtues, are the pleasant fruits whereby true Christians are di- stinguished, not only from workers of iniquity, but from formalists and hypocrites, who, tho' in some instances they seem to be exercised unto godliness, yet are far from being stcdfast, immoveable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord. To ascertain more clearly the nature and qualities of those evidences whereby Christians demonstrate that they have passed from death to life, and are partakers of the divine nature, please to observe, I. That t±e fruits produced, the actions done by them, are excellent and abundant. They are such as the word of God delineates, and extend to every branch of duty, without ex. ception or reserve. The Lord God, having put hi3 laws into their minds, as under the for.- mer. REAL CHRISTIANS MAY BE KNOWN. 257 mer dispensation they were laid up in the ark of the testimony, and having written them upon their hearts by his Holy Spirit, as they were en- graven of old by his own fingerontabks of stone, they are happily disposed to transcribe them into their lives, and to yield cheerful cbedience to whatever they require. Cordially approving of the law of God as holy, just and good ; es- teeming his commands above gold, yea, above much fine gold ; they choose them for their counsellors and guides through every stage of life, and delight in them after the inward man. Their obedience to the will c.f God proceeds, not from those corrupt principles by which some people are actuated in his service, that in some cases produce considerable alterauons in the temper and conduct. Such are respect to prevailing custom, the love of reputation, the desire of worldly emolument, the restraints imposed by slavish fear of deserved punish- ment, or regard to present ease and conveni- ence : It flows from higher and purer sources, the love of God shed abroad into the heart by the Holy Ghost, gratitude to him for his ines- timable benefits, sacred regard to the divine authority, delight in the duties of obedience, and a desire of obtaining the approbation of their Lord. Their actions are not regulated by impetuous passions, and vicious inclinations, by human examples, or new revelations frcni hea- ven, to which some have pretended ; but by tlie perfect pattern and rule exhibited in the scriptures of truth. They are performed, not with 25^ THE EVIDENCES WHEREBY with confidence in their own wisdom and strength, not to establish their own righteoas- ness, or to promote self-interested views ; but in humble dependance on the power and_ grace of Jesus Christ for assistance, and on the righteousness that he hath brought in for ac- ceptance, they endeavour to advance the glo- ry of God, the happiness of their brethren, and their own salvation. Their fruits are not only excellent, they are also abundant, * being filled with the fruits of * righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ to * the glory and praise of God.' True Christians conscientiously respect the great command- ments of the law, and solicitously avoid break- ing even one of the least of them. Their lan- guageis that of the children of Israel in the wil- derness, when deeply impressed with a sense of the divine goodness: 'All that the Lord hath spo- * ken will we do, and be obedient.' in every .age, whether they belong to the class of little chd- dren, young men, or Fathers, they discover a firm attachment to the service of the Almigh- ty ; in every condition, whether prosperous or adverse, their chief study is to approve them- selves unto God; in the common affairs of life, in business and amusement, as w^eil as in so- lemn religious services, they act under the in- fluence, not of worldly maxims and customs, but by the direclion of the perfect law^ of li- berty. Every station and relation in life which they occupy, they endeavour to adorn by the exercise of those amiable graces and duties which REAL CHRISTIANS MAY BE KNOWN. 2 59 Tvhich do honour to their holy profession, and manifest the power of godliness. »Solicitous never to separate what God hath jouied toge- ther, with hope and confidence in God, they unite reverence, self-denial, and godly fear ; with fortitude and zeal, they connect humi- lity and circumspection ; sorrow and contrition introduces joy and consolation; love to God and theRedeemer is accompanied with love and bene- volence to men. The proofs of their affection for their brethren are not limited to a few, or con- fined either to their temporal or spiritual in- terests, so that one or other of them is neglect- ed. Convinced that all the divine precepts are delivered by the supreme authority of the one great Lawgiver, who makes all grace a- bound towards them, that, having all sufficien- cy in all things, they may be thoroughly fur- nished for every good work ; they have re- spect to all God's commandments, whether re- lating more immediately to himself, or to their neighbour, whether delivered in a negative or affirmative form. Conscious that God spake all the Vv'ords contained in his law, and that if we siudy not to obey all, we will not long be submissive to any of them ; they respect the spirit as well as the letter of the law, they attend to the internal exercise of the heart, as v,^ ell as to the external acts of obedience, and to the manner in vvhich they ought to be per- formed, that what is done may not be rejected of God, as was the sacrifice of Cain, but prove acceptable unto the Lord, as v/as the offeringof righteous 26c THE KVIDENCE3 WHEREBY righteous Abel. Would we then, Brethren, be known for disciples of the Son of God, we must renounce every iniquity in which we have indulged, we must lay aside every sin, even that which most easily besets us through natu- ral propensity, bad habit, or peculiar circum-_ stances ; and study, like Zacharias and Eliza- beth, who were righteous before God, to walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. By such conduct we shall give satisfying evidence of union with Jesus Christ, of adoption into God*s family, and un- limited subjection to the Father of spirits. 2. The fruits produced by genuine Chris- tians are consistent and uniform. Their con- spicuous good conduct clearly shews that they liave experienced a real and complete change of heart, and that being in Christ they are new creatures formed after his image, ar.d walking in his steps. Having renounced the hidden works of darkness, and the other lords who have had dominion over them, and having returned to God by Jesus Christ, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, they act con- sistently with this high privilege, this solemn profession, and the glorious prospects they en- tertain. Some there are who discover a glar- ing inconsistency of character. They neglect God, they refuse to fear, to love, and obey their Creator ; but are punctual and equitable in their transactions with their fellou' -creatures, they condemn the disobedience of children to their parents, and of servants to their masters, yet persist m perverse disobedience to their Father REAL CHRISTIANS MAY B» KNOWK. 261 Pather and Master in heaven ; thev avoid in- juring the reputation of their brethren, yet dis- honour God, and take his name in vain. O- tbers there are who take an opposite course ; they pretend great veneranon for the worship and ordinances of God, but are unjust in their deahngs with men ; they do not swear or pro- fane the holy name of God, but use unwar- rantable freedom with the reputation of their neighbour ; they do not openly profane the Sabbath, but are covetous, malignant and un- merciful. Such people act as if they knew not the scripture, which saith, * He that nf- * fendethin ont point, is guilty of all.' Every de- liberate act of disobedience may be considered as a violation of the whole law, every piecept of which is stampr with divine authority. If the law of God doth not uniformly withhold from all iniquity, it will not prove an effedlual restraint from any sin to which we are strong- ly solicited. The consistent fruits of uniform Christians form a complete constrast to this incongruity of charc6ler. Contemplating the everlasting righteousness of God's precepts, they observe them with their whole hearts, e- ven unto the end ; convinced of their consum- mate excellence and purity, they study to be holy as God is holy ; impressed with a deep sense of his omnipotence whom thev obey, they serve him with reverence and godly fear ; instructed in the spiritu iity of his nature, they worship him ic spine and in truth 3 considering him i62 THE EVIDENCES WHEREBY him as jealous of his honour and glory, they endeavour to perform his service with pure in- tention, that whatsoever they do, they may do it heartily unto the Lord. They obey from the heart the form of sound doctrine deliver- ed unto them ; they believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, they love the Lord their God, they seek him, they praise him, they cleave to him with the whole heart. After the laudible ex- ample of the apostle of the Gentiles, ihey ex- ercise themselves to have always consciences void of offence toward God and man, aiuiing so to perform every commanded duty, as to please their heavenly Father, and to give no just ground of ottence to any one. Notwithstand- ing many lamented infirmities, remaining cor- ruptions, faults of various kinds, and the occa- sio'ial prevalence of what may be called their ovv n iniquity, they are sound in God's statutes, they watch, they pray, and strive againsc sin, and siren uousiy oppose its pernicious influ- ence. Though deficient in many things thro' the prejudices of education, the bias of natu- ral temper, errors in judgment, and weakness in grace, still there is a consistency, an unitor- mity, and beautiful proportion, suited to those who are in a double sense the workmanship of God, and whose employment is to follow the Lord fully. The best men on earth have much cause to be humble on account of their unstedfastncbS in God's covenant, yet are they Jiot chargeable with that detestibie inconsisten- cy REAL CHRISTIANS MaY BE KJ/OWN* 263 cy, which is incompatible with the integrity pe- culiar to theni, in whose hearts are the w ays of God. Nominal Christians, who have a name to live and yet are dead, resemble certaia brooks, w^hich flovV for some time affer plenti- ful showers, and then become dry ; whv^veas renewed Christians, w^ho have passed ff^^m death to life, are like a pure streain, couiipu- ally supplied v»'ith wat':;rfrom a copious spring, which, though meetiiig with obstacles in ics course, yet runs inceflantly along its channel, until it reach the ocean. Would we then de- monstrate ourselves to be indeed the disciples of Jesus Christ, our deportment must be con- sistent with our professed relation to our divine Master, conformable to our manifold oblga- tions to him, and the glorious hopes he teach- es us to entertain. Amidst acknowledged de- ficiencies, it must be uniform corresponoing to the perfect rule given in scripture, and the a- miable example of our Lord and Saviour. 3. The fruits whereby true Christians may be known are constant and abidmg. Notwitii- standing the difficulties they have to encoun- ter, and the trials to which they are exposed, they continue stedf-.st, immoveable, always aboundmg in the work of the Lord, perseve- ring in the practice of the important duties in- cumbent upon them. Of the truth of this remark, the most illustrious instances are re- corded in scripture, to the immortal honour of the xaithful servants of God, who u-ccounted not a64 THE EVIDENCES WHEREBY not their lives dear unto them, so that they might finish their course with joy. Noah, the renowned preacher, and heir of the righteous- ness which is by faith, though overcorhe by temptation, on a particular occasion, and liv- ing in a world wherein all flesh had corrupted their way, held on with constancy and firm- ness in the good ways of the Lord. Upright Joo, amidst the most complicated distresses re- tained his integrity, and would not let it go. A man greatly beloved, named Daniel, though surrounded by the corrupt influence of a hea« then court, and threatened with the most ter- rible calamity, continued in the worship and obtsdience of the true God. And the apostle Paul, in the prospect of the crown of righteous- ness laid up for him in heaven, did run his Christian course, not uncertainly, but firmly * persuaded, that neither life nor death, nor any * creature could separate him from the love of * God in Christ Jesus.' After his noble exam- pie, Christians may boldly put the question, * Who shall separate us from the love * of Christ ?' from the love he beareth to us, which, like himself, is the same yester- day, to-day, and for ever, and stronger than death ; or divest us of love to Jesus Christ, who loved us, and gave himself for us. Shall any thing extinguish that affection to him which is shed abroad into our hearts by the Holy Ghost, and established on its proper object by the faithfulness and omnipoieiXf^ of Jehovah. This peculiar charaileristic c/ ' •:« attachment and REAL GIIRISTIAKS MAY BE KNOWN. 265 and obedience of Christians to their highest Lord, distinguishes them from those, who, ha- ving no root in themselves, in the time of temptation, or tribulation, fall away. The a- phorism delivered by God's servant, who was the greatest man in the east, in the follovv'ing w^ords, ought not to be controverted : ' The ' righteous shall hold on his way, and he that * hath clean hands shall be stronger and strong- * er.' Persons of this description proceed on their way to the heavenly Jerusalem, not only when it is smooth and agreeable, but when rug- ged, strewed with thorns, and beset by ene- mies. They neither turn back, nor vvijlingly decline to the right or to the left hand. They may have reason to complain with the royal prophet, that ' their feet w^ere almost gone, ' and their steps well nigh slipt ;' nevertheless, with him they may say, * Thou, Lord, boldest ' us by our right hands.' Every blessed man whose strength is in God, and in whose heart are his ways, ' goeth from strength to strength^ * until he appearcth in Zion before God. He * shall run and not be weary, he shall walk * and not faint.' Like the apostle of the Gen- tiles, he * forgets the things that are behind, * and reaches forth to the things that are before, * pressing towards the mark, for the prize of the * high caUing of God in Christ Jesus.' The more victories he obtains over his spiritual e- nemies, the greater vigour he acquires in the spiritual warfare ; the more difficulties he surmounts, the greater strength he attains ; the M more ^66 THE EVIDENCES WHEREBY more closely he walks with God, the larger sup- plies of grace he receives ; the longer he conti- nues in patient continuance in well-doing, the more bright the prospecl of glory, honour, and immortality. From this persevering diligence in the way of righteousness, accompanied with so many important advantages, no hiuiian au- thority, no worldlyemQlument, no present dan- ger, no created enjoyment, shall ever prevail up- on him totally to desist. ■ The defign of our be- ing delivered out of the, hands of our enemies, according to the prophecy of Zacharias, is, ^ that we might serve God without fear, in ho- ^ liness and righteousness before -iiira all the ' days of our life.' TJie immediate end of our redemption, is accomplished, when under an abiding sense of .-the Gontinual -presence of God with us, we serve him with chearfulness and joy, in the duties of universal obedience, Tiot merely for a season^ but to the conclusion of life. The sublime song that was sung by Deborah and Barak, in which they celebrated the victory they had obtained over their ene- mies, concludes with this beautiful simihtude, expressive of the sentiment lam now illustriit- ing : * They that love the Lord, shall be as the * sun when he goeth forth in his might.' By a similar figure doth the wisest of men incul- cate the same comfortable truth in the book of Proverbs: ' The path of the just is as the * shining light that, shineth more and more un- * to the perfed day.' Thus the way of the Lord becomes strength to the upright, whq, being taught the path of God's command- ments, REAL -CHRISTIANS MAY BE K^OW'K. 167 ments, and furnished with the strongest assis- tances and highest encouragements, observe his precepts with their whole hearts, even unto the end. Such, my Brethren, are the valuable quali- ties of those precious fruits whereby true Chri- stians are distinguished from persons of every other description. They are conspicuous ia private, domestic, and public life ; in their personal and relative capacities ; at all times, m all places, in all circumstances, and in- such measures, that people take knowledge of them, that they-have been with Jesus, whilst they themselves may thereby know that they are of God. In proportion as they live under the in- fluence of Christianity, there is an intimate correspondence between their conducTt and the doctrines, the promises, the precepts and ex- amples exhibited in the word of God. Where no such fruits appear, there is no real godliness, however great your privileges, however high your pretensions, however respedable youc character. A Christian unfruitful in good works is a solecism, an inconsistency that can- not be explained. I observe farther, That visible good conduct affords the best evidence of our real characler, both to our- selves and to those around us. Hearken to-tha testimony of Jesus Christ on this interesting subjedt : * He that hath my commandments, * and keepeth them,he it is that loveth me : * he that loveth me not, keepeth not my say- * ings.' — * Hereby, saith the apostle John, we ' do know that wc know him, if we keep bii * commandments/ ^68 THE EVII>1£NCES WHEREBY * commandments ;' to which he adds, * He * that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his ' commandments, is a Uar, and the truth is not ' in him.' The same apnstie afterward affirms, that good adlions give satisfying proof that we are the children of God : * Let us not love in * word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in * truth i and hereby we know that we are of * the truth, and shall assure our hearts before * him. Let every man then prove his own ' work, so shall he have rejoicing in himself, * and not in another.' Impartially review the exercises of your hearts, and your conduct in life. Seriously consider if you have had your conversation in the world by the grace of God, in simplicity and godly sincerity, and if you can thus vindicate the justice of your character as Christians. Diligently enquire if your actions proceed, not from self-love, and self-interest, but from the commanding principles of faith in Jesus Christ, of love to God, and sacred regard to his authority : if ihey are regulated by his perfect law^ — if you study, not so much to gra- tify your own inclinations and to please men, as to obtain the divine acceprance and appro- bation ; if you are solicitous that God in all things may be glorified, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Know your own selves, and be not deceived by delusive appearances, whereby multitudes are imposed on, who imagine that they are rich, encreased with goods, and stand in need of nothing ; whilst, in reality, they are wretched, poor, and blind and naked. Hypocrites and formalists REAL CHRISTIANS MAY BE KNOWN. 269 formalists in religion, seem to be something, when in truth they are nothing. Beware then lest you mistake worldly for godly sorrow, creduhty for faith, presumption for hope, natu- ral affection for divine love, external decency and regularity for holiness, and obedience to the will of God. There is a strong resemblance, though an eilential difference, between the ac- tions done by the upright servants of God, and such as are only nominal, and occasionally employed in attending to his commands, which ought to be well considered. The same laudi- ble performances are attributed in scripture to persons of both characters. Do the children of the Most High fast, pray, and give alms ? the Pharisees, whom our Lord doomed to ma- nifold woes, frequently discharged these im- portant duties : Was Abraham, the father of the faithful, celebrated for his faith? Simon Magus is also said to have belie- ved : Did gcod king Josiah humble himself ' before God, when he heard his words ? Ahab, who sold himself to work wickedness, did also humble himself before God, when he heard the word of the Lord sent by the pro- phet Elijah. Is it recorded to the honour of the man, according to God's own heart, that he fulfilled the will of God r it is also writ- ten concerning Jehu, the son of Nimshi, that he did well m executing what was right in God's eyes. The persons first mentioned w^ere eminent men of God, who wrought that which was good and right before the Lord, and e- verv -yO THE EVfDENCES WHEREBY very work that they did in his service, the^ did it with all their heart ; the latter were no more than titular servants, whose conduct in some panic alar instances was laudible, whilst in other respeds they discovered the vanity of their pretensions, and the diffimulation with which they were ch-argeable. Attend then Vv'ith the utmost care to those fruits by which you \vould judge of your spiritual ^tate, and take heed that they be genuine, u-* rulorm, and persevering. Our conducl before men likewise affords The clearest evidence of our real character, to those with whom we are conneded as well as to ourselves. In the w^ord of God is expressly prohibited that rash precipitate judgment^ which without sufficient warrant and evidence,^ and contrary to the rules of candour and cha- rity, we are too apt to pronounce on the words and actions of our brethren. Though this practice be reprobated in the strongest terms, yet we learn from many passages of scripture^ that according to the rules there given, we may form a proper estimate of our neighbour's charader. The rule given by Jesus Christ is plain and easy to be understood, ♦ By their * fruits ye shall know them.* The nature of the tree cannot certainly be determined by the outward rhind, the leaves, or the blossoms that grow upon it, but by its fruit. Men can- iiot be easily distinguished by their high pro- fession, by their fair appearances, their plau- sible expressions, or flattering promises; but by their REAL CHRISTIANS MAY BE KNOWN. 27 I their riclions, which spontaneously proceed from their hearts they may be known. The apostle John, therefore, agreeably to the doctrine of his divine Master, gives the following rule, whereby we ought toform our opinion of those with whom we converse, * He that doeth good is of God, * but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.' To the same purpose" the apostle James thus speaks, ' Shew me thy faith without thy works, * and I will "shew thee my fmth by my w'orks.' Peopie^s actions afford, beyond alt controversy, the best interpretation tsf their real sentiments, and the surest^ criterion whereby we can judge of the state of their ininds. By theif cdndud we determine whether or not they are loyal subjects, and faithful to those who employ them in their service. " We regard not the strongest professions of friendship and fidelity", if they are not verified by a corresponding be- haviour : in the same manner vve judge of the profession of friendship for the Lord Jesus Christ, the truth of wliich is best demonstrat- ed by the assiduous imitation of his example, by becoming subjection to his authority, and sacred regard to his honour and interest. We ought to rem-fember, however, that the fruits I have attempted circumstantially to describe, do not give unequivocal proofs, or absolute certainty of actual renovation, and admission rrito the family of God. We see but throug^h a glass darkly, we know but in part, we are not aequainted with mens hearts, only a small portion of their condud ; perhaps the most os- tensible, ^"J^ THii EVIDENCES WHEREBY tensible, perhaps the most culpable, falls under cur cognizance. We cannot exadly ascertain how far persons may assume appearances of sanctity, who are notwithstanding destitute of good principles, nor can we positively deter- mine wliat deficiencies in duty are incompati- ble with the power of godliness. Whilst there- fore in judging ourselves we ought to be stricl and jealous, least by too favourable a decision we injure our best interests — Our sentiments respecting our Brethren should be dictated by candour, formed vvith caution, expressed with modesty, under the influence of that charity -which thinketh no evil, and hopeth all things. This leads me, II. To shew that the rule of judgment here delivered bv Jesus Christ is the most certain and the most equitable. For this purpose, I observe, that every adive principle is dis- covered and perfected by its operation. The growth, the spread, the leaves, and blossoms of the tree, do not so fully discover its nature as the good ripe fruit which it produces : The -design is then compleated for which it was planted. In reference to this simihtude the apostle James represents illicit desires as the seed sown in the heart ; sin as the stock that arises from it ; and death, the fruit whereby it is consummated. * Lust (saith that great a^ * postle) when it hath conceived, bringeth forth * sin ; and sin, when it is finished, or reached ^ its end, bringeth forth death.' The graces of REAL CHRISTIANS MAY BE KNOWN. 273 of the Spirit, the divine principles which he implants in the Iiearts of his people, are per- feded in the good fruits produced in their lives. In the language of the New Testament * by * works faith is made perfed, and whoso keep- ^ eth his word, in him, verily, is the love of * God perfeded.' It then produces its proper efFecl, its operation is compleated, the end of the principle is attained. Did the limits pre- scribed to this discourse permit, I might easily shew, that every divine grace which adorns the Christian life, such as filial reverence for God, repentance unto life, the precious faith of God's eledj supreme love to Jehovah, a lively hope, and holy joy in God through Jesus Christ, are always accompanied with good works. From what hath been said, we may safely conclude, that the rule furnished in my text is certain and satisfying. I observe farther, that the holy scriptures frequently recommend this rule as the best by which we can decide. Other evidences are there mentioned by which we are direded to try ourselves, and to judge of our brethren ; but all these are supposed or comprehended in the maxim I have been illustrating. A few quotations may serve to confirm the truth I have afierted. The important enquiry made in the xvth Psalm, by the devout Psalmist, in these words, ' Who shall abide in thy taber- * nacle ? who shall dwell in thy holy hill ?' is^ renewed in the xxivth Psalm, where it is thus proposed : ' Who shall ascend into the hill of * the 2 74 THE EVlDEIfCES WHEREBY * the Lord ? and who shall stand in his holy * place ?' To the former questions, the follow- ing answer is given : • He that walketh up- * rightly, and worketh righteousness ;' to the latter it is replied : ' He that hath clean hands, * and a pure heart.* Jesus Christ declares, * if we continue in his word, then are we his * disciples indeed ;' and the apostle John af- firms, that * in this the children of God are * manifest, and the children of the devil; who- * soever doeth not righteousness is not of God, * he that doeth righteousness is born of God.' These few passages seledled from among ma- nj others, may serve at present to shew that the fruits of hoUness and righteousness afibfd the most decisive evidence of the life and power of godUness. Would we then know if we have built upon the sure foundation God hath laid in Zion, let us carefully apply the rule with which we are furnished m my text. I only add-, That according to this rule of procedure; the final judgment of mankind shall be con- duced, wheii our eternal state shall be irre- versibly determined. Then God will bring every work into judgment, v/ith every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be e- vil ; and every man shall be judged according to his works. In the description of the gene- ral judgment, given by the supreme Judge himself, in the xxvth chapter of Matthew, Je- sus Christ represents the decisive sentences by which men shall be consigned to everlasting punishment, REAL CHRISTIANS MAY BE KNOWN. 2"]^' punishment, or adjudged to eternal life, as- founded upon the clear proofs of their real charader given by their actions. From these, with many other concurring testimonies which might be adduced, we conclude that the convincing proofs according to^which our fi^ nals tate shall be fixed, are the best' evidences whereby vve can decide Upon our real character, -—The tree is known by its fruits. - My "chief aim in treating this subject, is, that. I may cut off, on the'one hand, the delusive" hopes of the hypocrite, which shall perish; that I may expose on the other, the frivolous pre- tensions =of the profane, who profess to know God, but in works deny him ; and that I may point out to the disciples of Christ those bless- ed fruits ' whereby they ought to be distini guished-, and -wherein they should abound to the glory of God, and their own consolation* Improve this doctrine, and what hath been said from it for these important purposes. I therefore summon you to appear before the tribunal of your consciences, that by the'spc-- cial evidence I have set before you, you may impartially examine into your spiritual state before God, and learn whether you are godly or ungodly, righteous or wicked. If, after dili- gent enquiry you still continue in uncertainty a^ to your real charader, renew the scrutiny, and allow not a matter of such unspeakable moment, on which your hope and consolation mucli depend, to remain long in suspense. Beware of discussing the subject superficially, and of 2-76 THE EVIDENCES, Scc. committing a mistake in this momentous bu- siness, in which your best interests are involv- ed. Imagine not that you are rich toward r^Jod, whilst in reality you are destitute of the true riches ; that you are spiritual, and walk in the Spirit, whilst in truth you are carnal, and walk as men ; that you love God, though in fact you are enemies to him in your minds, and by wicked works. When you prove and judge yourselves by the fruits I have delineat- ed, and endeavour to know the state of your minds, afterward diligently improve the knowledge you have acquired for promoting your present holiness and comfort, and your eternal salvation. — God grant that what hath been said may conduce to your benefit and e- dification, and the advancement of the king- dom of Jesus Christ, to whom be praise, ho- nour, and glory. Ainen. SER. ( ^11 ) SERMON X. THE ENDS FOR WHICH THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GIVEN TO CHRISTIANS. John xiv. i6, 17. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever^ even the Spirit of truth, THE time was now at hand when our blessed Redeemer was to leave this world, and go to the Father ; that he might enjoy the glory which he had with him before the worlds were made. Having finished his labours and sufferings upon earth, he was a- bout to enter into his rest, and to be crowned with glory and honour in heaven. Of his ex- altation to the divine presence, his disciples were to feel the happy influence, and to reap the salutary fruits. No sooner, however, were they informed of his intended departure, than sorrow filled their hearts. From the period in which they first attended him, they always looked up to him as their gracious Master, and ijS THE ENDS F10R WHICH and faithful guardian, who protected them from their enemies, who directed them in their perplexities, and often poufed consola- tion into their dejected minds. The prospect of losing the company of such a valuable friend, must have distressed them beyond measure. To alleviate their sorrows, and dis- pel their fears, he acquaints them, that in his absence the Holy Ghost, whom the Father was to send, inconsequence of his intercession, should supply his place, and afford them all necessary aid and encouragement. And, lest the disciples might suspect that the promised Comforter would continue with them only for a season, the compassionate Saviour declares> that the person of whom he spake should a- bide with them, not only during their resi- dence on earth, but with the church until the consummation of all things. The reviving assurance contained in the text, was not in- tended to be confined to the apostles of our Lord, whose departure from this world was at no great distance, and who- therefore needed not a comforter to abide with them for ever. It was designed for the encouragement of all his faithful followers in every age to the end of time, as is evident from the expression here used, ' That he may abide with you for e- * ver ;' not for a few years only, as I have done, but as long as you remain on earth^-^ and with all those also who shall believe on me through your word, and shall succeed you in your labours of love throughout all generations*- THE HOLV SPIRIT IS GIVEN TO CHRISTIANS. 2*/9 generations. In this view every true Christian is deeply interested in this precious promise ; in this sense we ought to understand its im- port, and expect its accompUshment : * And I * will pray the Father, and he shall give you/ Stc. Jesu-s Christ solemnly assures his disci- ples, that he would employ his interest with the Father, and etFeciuallymterceed with him to grant them another Comforter. This name, which is four times given to the Holy Spirit in the valedictory discourse, from whence I have taken my text, signifies one that in- structs, one that pleads the cause of another, one that comforts. It emphatically describes the office of the Holy Ghost, who, as a teach- er, reveals and inculcates the most important truths and duties ; who, as an advocate, pleads the cause of God, by convincing the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment ; and the cause of men, by answering the accusations brought against them at the tribunal of con- science, the throne of grace, and the court of heaven ; and who, as a comforter, supports and cheers the disconsolate minds of the faith- ful in all their tribulations. Our Saviour, who hath this designation also given him, and acted in each of these capacities, promises that after his departure this important office was to devolve on the Spirit of truth. In the sequel of this discourse, I purpose, in dependance on divine aid, to point out and illustrate some of the salutary purposes for which the Comforter is given by the Father in 2 So THE Ef^DS FOR WHICH in virtue of the mediation of Jesus Christ to all who beheve and obey him. It is not my design at present to treat of the agency of the Holy Ghost in the conversion of sinners, but of his subsequent operations, v^hereby the children of God are established in faith, in holiness and comfort, and conducted to the enjoyment of eternal life. He is given to enable them to sustain with dignity the high characters with which they are invested — to bear witness to their adoption into the family of God — to comfort them under all their af- flictions — to seal them unto the day of re- demption—to be the earnest of eternal inhe- ritance, and — to abide with them for ever. By treating this subject we may through the di- vine blessing be assisted in understanding the distinguishing privileges that belong to chris- tians, and in estimating our true character, which is of the utmost importance to the en- joyment of substantial comfort. I. The Spirit of truth is given to you who are the genuine disciples of Jesus Christ to enable you to sustain with dignity the high charac- ters with which you are invested. In this as in the other respects now mentioned, he acts as a Comforter. Ungodly and unrighteous conduct is the certain source of continual mi- sery. Sin is the cause of all the disorders and disquietudes of the heart. In order to obtain deliverance from the distresses which it never fails to create, and to participate in the divine joys which flow from the Spirit of truth, we must THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GIVEN TO CHRISTIANS. 281 must be transformed by the renewing of our minds ; that we may prove what is the good, perfect, and acceptable wdll of God. Unless we are strengthened with all might in the in- ner man for performing, with some measure of fidelity, the duties belonging to our se- veral capacities and stations, we cannot ex- pect the consolations of God. If we act not according to the rule of the holy Scriptures, we cannot reasonably hope that the peace of God v/ill keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. A man who acts unN^orthily or who iinds that the duties of his office are not suited to his abilities, can never find him- self happy and at ease. If we act not agreeably to our obligations and circumstances as chris- tians, jt is impossible that we can enjoy in- ward tranquiUity and serenity. Our state ad- mits not of true comfort. Nor will the Holy Spirit reside with persons W'hose hearts have never been purified through the truth unto obedience. * He that hath my commandments * and keepeth them, saith Jesus Christ, he it * is that loveth me ; and he that ioveth me * shall be loved of my Father, and I v/ill love * him, and wnll manifest myself to him.' To enjoy the Comforter then promised in my text, with his consolations, we must main^ tain the character and conduct peculiar to the disciples of Jesus Christ. ' » For this purpose the Holy Spirit is given to consecrate us to the service of God, to give spiritual ability requisite for the performance of 282 THE ENDS FOR WHICH of it, and thus to introduce us into a state both pleasant and con^fortabk. I say, he consecrates us to the service ot the Host High, wherein the truest enjoyment and satisfaction is experienced. The apostle JPaul, writing of this distinguishing privilege to the saints at Gorinth hath these remarkable words. * He * who hath anointed you is God.* The apostle John, speaking of the same subject, affirms, that * the anointing which you have received * abideth in you.* Those who were set apart to important offices under the Old Testament, were anointed -with oil, and by that ceremo- ny they entered upon the duties- of their se- veral functions. This ancient practice is ge- nerally acknowledged to have prefigured the unction of the Son of God, in consequence of which he is called Christ or the Anointed. By the oil of gladness poured upon him is meant, the Spirit of the Lord God, whereby he was perfectly qualified for performing the whole of his^ mediatorial work* Though in all things^ he hath the preheminence, yet, from the solemn transaction^ to w^hich I ju?t referred, we may learn the nature and efFect?s of that anointing which Christians have of God in virtue of the mediation of Jesus Christ. The beloved- disciple attributes to it a kind of infinitude in these words, * ye have an uno- * tion from the » holy One, and ye know-all * things.' It doth not render you omniscient, which •$ the peculiar excellency of Jehovah^ nor doth it acquaint you with the secret springs THE HOLY SriRIT IS GIVEN TO CHRISTIANS. 283 Springs of nature, or the occult arts and sci- ences. The knowledge imparted by the Spi- rit of truth to Christians is limited to spiritual objects revealed in the Scriptures, which are necessary to render us wise unto salvation. Among these the following must be included as holding a chief place, The only true God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent^ the law of the Lord which is perfect, and our own transgressions, the nature and necessity of that holiness without w^hich we cannot enter the kingdom of God, together with the riches of divine^grace exhibited in the gospel. Having the eyes of our understandings enlightened, we attain a certain comfortable practical ac- quaintance^ with these and other important interesting objects, and are happily disposed, under their salutary influence, to serve the living God*. To this I add. That the Comforter is sent to strengthen and furnish us for the perfor- mance of every good work. Hence the a- postle of the Gentiles acknowledges in his own name, and that of his Brethren in Christ, * God hath not given us the Spirit -of * fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound * mind.' Though the Father is the source from which this inestimable blessing primari- ly flows, yet it is conveyed by the agency of the Holy Spirit, who, from time to time, af- fords Christians renewed supplies of grace, by means of which they oppose corruption, they sustain affliction, they perform duty, and hold on to the end in the good ways of che Lord. 284 . THE ENBS FOR WHICH Lord. How animating, in the most enfeebled and dejected state, to experience that our suf- " iiciency cometh from God; that we are strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might ; that we are enabled to delight ourselves in the Lord, who will give us the desires of our hearts ; and to go through the whole labour of love, which of all employments is the most pleasant and the most honourable I In this manner Vv^e are exalted to conformity to Jesus Christ, we are carried forward in the paths of righteousness, we surmount difficulties, and triumph over enemies. — Convinced of the high importance of this noble prerogative, and solicitous to possess it, let us avoid whatever might grieve the Holy Spirit ; let us walk un- der his influence ; let us submit ourselves to his guidance ; let us depend on his assistance, and let us pray fervently for the continuance of his presence. 2. The Comforter is given to bear witness to our adoption into the family of God. * The * vSpirit itself (saith the apostle Paul) beareth ' Vv'itness with our Spirit that We are the chil- * dren of God ; and if children then heirs, heirs ' oi God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.* Many unhappy consequences have arisen from wrong apprehensions concerning the witness of the Holy Spirit ; and therefore we ought to investigate the subject v/ith the utmost at- tention and impartiality. Some people have imagined that it consists in certain inward suggestions, conveyed into the mind, perhaps by THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GIVEN TO CHRISTIANS. 285 by means of a passage of Scripture, that the person is beloved of God, that his sins are pardoned, and that he is an heir of everlast- ing life. This explanation appears to me un- scriptural, and liable to many insuperable ob- jections. The Holy Spirit bears witness with the Spirit of God's children in a more clear and decisive manner than hath been now mentioned. The inspired writer in the words I have quoted plainly intends by our Spirit, to signify our hearts, which when they con- demn us not, we have confidence toward God, or our consciences, whose testimony is our rejoicmg, when they attest that in sim- plicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the giace of God we have our conversation in the world. By the Spirit itself, he doubtless means the Holy Ghost, who by shedding abroad the love of God into our hearts, and endowing us with fi- lial affection to our Heavenly Father, cor- roborates the testimony of our own hearts relative to our spiritual state and our ad- mission into the family of the Lord God Almighty. To give evidence with our Spi- rit he is pleased to work in us those divine graces and holy dispositions, which constitute the distinguishing characteristics of the chil- dren of the most High ; hence they are deno- minated the fruits of the Spirit. He assists in discerning the blessed effects of his opera- tion on our hearts, and opens our eyes to see our intimate connection with the fountain of life 286 THE ENDS FOR WHICH life, which formerly was unobserved. The comfortable truth to which he bears witness is, that we are the children of God, that by faith in Jesus Christ, and the renovation of our natures, we are advanced to the most ho- nourable and intimate relation to God. With this view the apostle asserts, in the verse pre- ceding the one that I cited, * We have not re- * ceived the spirit of bondage again to fear, but * we have received the spirit of adoption ;' that noble and ingenuous disposition, which is suited to the endearing relation in which we stand to God, wiiereby we cry. Father, and approach him with filial confidence, as our kind parent, and all-sufficient friend. Thus doth the Spirit of truth teach to decide with comfort respecting our spiritual state, and to determine, under his divine influence, in our own favour, in consequence whereof we may adopt with triumph the words of the apostle John, which demand peculiar attention. * He * that believeth on the Son of God, hath the * witness in himself.' After what hath been said on this article, it will not be difficult to ascertain what is meant by the witness which he that believeth on Jesus Christ carries in his own breast. It consists, I apprehend, in that purity of heart, and those gracious dispositions of mind, of which every true Christian is pos- sessed by the power of divine grace, w'ho hath put off the old man with his corrupt affections, and put on the new man which is created af- ter the image of God, -in righteousness and true THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GfVEN TO CHRISTIANS. 287 true holiness. It comprises that sacred peace and desireable serenity established in the soul by the Holy Spirit, resulting from the Chris- t-ian*s confidence toward God through Jesus Christ, and the well-grounded hope of his in- terest in the divine favour and love. It com- prehends also blessed conquest over this pre- sent evil world, whose fascinating charms and awful terrors prove hostile to our best interests, accompanied with joyful aspirations after a glorious immortality in the everlasting king- dom of God. When restored to the amia- ble image of our Creator, formed to the love and practice of universal obedience to his will, blessed m'ith victory over this world, and the joyful prospect of eternal glory, which diffu- ses a holy tranquillity through the mind ; we have the witness in ourselves, that God hat^i given to us everlasting life. This evidence silences all the objections urged to this com- fortable truth, and fortifies the Christian a- gainst the assaults that are made upon his peace of mind, and hope in God. Such, my brethren, if I mistake not, is the evidence of the Holy Spirit, who is given to bear witness v/ith the spirits of Christians, that they are the children of the Most High. 3. Tlie Spirit of truth is given- to comfort tliem under all their afflictions. In reference to this part of his office,' he is einpliatically denominated the Comforter; and those to Vv^hom he imparts his consolations are said to walk in the comfort of the Holy Ghost. Man is 288 THE ENDS FOR WHICH is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward. Christians are peculiarly liable to afflictions, disquietudes and sorrows, which proceed from various sources. Personal distress, domestic crosses, the loss of reputation, friends, and pro- perty, the temptations of the evil one, the power of sin, and the ensnaring influence of the world, combine to disturb and injure them. One chief subject of enquiry which hath en- grossed the attention, of mankind, in all ages, isfrom whence they may obtain relief and sup- port under the calamities to which they must unavoidably submit. Philosophers of old, a- mong the heathen, discovered no better com- forts which they could administer to their disciples than those which arise from afflic- tions being the common lot of humanity, that they are such only in the opinion of those who sustain them, that troubles are inevitable, and that human life is very short. The blessed fountain of consolation set open to Christians in my text, poured not its refreshing streams into their hearts, and seems to have been hid from their eyes. 'The world neither knoweth the Spirit of truth, nor can receive him.' Those, and those only, who have experienced the re- newing and sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit, participate of his divine consolations. Other operations he must perform, prior to his acting as our Comforter, we must be rege- nerated and restored to favour before we can be practically acquainted with his blessed a- gency in this amiable character. Comfort THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GIVEN TO CHRISTIANS. 289 Comfort, yjou know, supports the mind when it is enfeebled, it raises the spirits when dejected, it preserves from fainting in the e- vil day, when distressed with doubts and fears, afflictions and sorrows. It is the stay and strength oi the heart under the troubles that we fear and feel, it imparts that sacred .peace and joy which are their portion whose praise is not of men but of God, It springs from an agreeable sense of the divine love -shed abroad into the soul, and the lively hope of future promised glory ; though it doth .not remove calamities and griefs^ yet great- ly alleviates them, and disposes to bear them - -with composure, dignity and resignatixDn. It is sometimes communicated by means of the ^providence of God, who seasonably and re- markably interposes for our relief, by render- ing unexpected events subservient to our be- nefit, by raising up those to befriend us who prove instrumental in accomplishing cur de- liverance. It is somethnes conveyed through the medium of the word of God, which was written for our lep.rning, that we, through pa- tience and comfort might have hope, in the scriptures the sacred sources are disclosed from whence divine consolation proceeds. They contain repeated comfortable assurances, that God's paternal care extends to his peculiar people, and that their afflictions proceed from his fatherly affection and tender concern for their welfare : * Whom the Lord loveth he ' chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom N 'he 29C> THE ENDS FOR WHICH * he receiveth.' They give the strongest se- curity of his unchangeable love, amid all the variety that may occur in their external situ- ation. They are taught in the most adverse condition, to say, * Although the fig tree ^ should not blossom, neither shall fruit be in * the vines, the labour of the olive shall fail, * and the fields shall yield no meat, though the * flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there * shall be no herd in the stalls ; yet will we re- ' joice in the Lord, and joy in the God of our * salvation.' They instruct us, that God in wisdom and mercy appoints all their afflic- tions, and adjusts every circumstance in their lot ; that sin is the procuring cause to which they are indebted for all their troubles, which are intended, either to prevent or remov^e som-e spiritual distemper, and to promote the most salutary purposes. They exhibit illustrious examples of U^ose who nobly sustained the greatest calamities whom w*e are invited to i- mitate. Take, my Brethren, the prophets of the Lord, who have spoken the wgrd of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. They give the most reviv- ing promises of the plentiful supply of our ne- cessities, of support under trouble, of the sea- sonable alleviation and removal of distress, of the forgiveness of sins, and eternal glory, when all tears shall be wiped from our eyes. They direct how afflictions ought to be endu- red, so as fears and sorrows may be moderat- ,^d, cares and anxieties restrained, graces and happiness THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GIVEN TO CKRISTIAKS. 291 happiness improved, and afterwards the peace- able fruits of righteousness greatly encreased. These, and other important lessons, which the Spirit of truth hath dictated in the scriptures on this interesting subject, he seasonably re- xalls to remembrance ; he opens the eyes of the understanding, to perceive their import, and effectually applies them to the heart. When acting as the Comforter .of the disci- ples of Jesus Christ, he enables us to discern -the divine love that directed adverse dispen- sations, the tender compassion wiiicli mitigat- ed them, and the gracious purposes they are intended to promote. He accompanies out- ward instructions with inward illumination, to -assist us in understanding the loving-kindness of the Lord; he conveys fresh supplies of spiri- tual wisdom, strength, and joy, whereby we perform with alacrity and pleasure the various duties incumbent upon us, and endure the mani-. fold afflictions with which we are visited, with patience, resignation and fortitude, in the pros- pect of glory, honour, and immortahty.-^Plead earnestly with God, that he would grant you this inestimable privilege ; view it as a choice fruit of the cross, and exaltation of Jesus Christ ; and in the lively hope of enjoying it, attend diligently on all the instituted means of grace. 4. The Spirit of truth Is given to seal true Christians unto the day of redemption. He is repeatedly spoken of in scripture as given for this very purpose : * In whom also (salth N 2 the igZ THE ENDS FOR WHICH * the apostle of the Gentiles) after that ye be- * iieved, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit * of promise/ Eph. i. 13. And he directs the faithful in Christ Jesus to beware of vexing this divine person, reminding them of the gra- cious design of his operation : * Grieve not * the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are seal- * ed unto the day of redemption/ A seal you know, hath commonly some image, or charac- ter engraven upon it, which it communicates to the object on which it is impressed. In like manner, the seal of the Holy Spirit con- veys the divine resemblance to those on whom it is stamped. Seals are used for various pur- poses : They are affixed to important VvTitten transactions,, in order to authenticate them, to give them greater ,vali.dity, .and to atTord the stronger security to all concerned. Hence w« read, that Jeremfah the .prophet, having bought a field in Anathoth, of-Hananiel his uncle*s son, witnesses were called, he weighed the purchase money to his fiiend, and the deed of conveyance w-as subscribed and sealed, according to the law and custom. In refer- ence to this ancient practice, the Holy Spirit is said to have appended his seal tc the re- cord and covenant of God, .by endowing the first disciples of Jesus Christ with miraculous powers, and by imparting to his followers in every, age, faith, holiness, and consolation, which all unite in conhrming the testimony, of God. At present I speak not of the seal whereby the Holy Spirit hath ratified and es- tablished tk£ holy spirit is given to christians. 293 tablished tPxC word of God ; but of that seal, which beingimpressed upon the hearts of Chri- stians, their individual interest in the favour of God, and the heavenly inheritance is ascer- tained, and their minds are strengthened and eomforted. — Seals are applied in order to pre- serve in security and safety the treasure that we highly value from' fraud and violence, that it be not hurt or lost amid the dangers to which it may be exposed. Hence we read iri the Revelation,: that the people who are there described by locusts, were prohibited from hurting those v;ho have the seal 'of God in their foreheads, and by this diseriminating mark are specified as obj^scts of divine pro- tection, from desolating calamitiesr - By di- vine appointment a certain token was affixed to the houses of the Israelites, whose first born were to be exempted from destruction by the angel who went through the land "of Egypt, And a mark was put on the foreheads of them that sighed and cried for the abominations done in Jerusalem, in consequence of which, they were delivered from the wrath poured aut on that city. For the same purpose Chri- stians are sealed by the Holy Spirit, who, by conveying to them the image of God, gives them the most inviolable security that they shall be kept in perfect safety, notwithstand- ing the hostile assaults of their enemies, and the manifold dangers with whiclj they are threatened.. — Seals are likewise used as a di- stinguishing mark whereby properly is ascer- N 3 tainecL 294 THE ENDS FOR_ WHICH tained. Princes and great men have peculiar images and characters stampt upon their plate, jewels, and other valuable articles, which shew to whom they belong. When the tribute- money was brought to Jesus Christ, he atked at the Pharisees, Whose is this image and in- scription ? they replied, Cesar's : on wiiich he delivered these memorable words :. ' Render un- ' to Cesar the things that are Cesar's, and unto * God the things thatare God's.' In allusion pro- bably to this custom, the church isintroduced in the Song of Songs, with this request to Jesus Christ, * Set me as a seal upon thine heart, and * as a seal upon thine arm :* Let thy name and resemblance be deeply impressed on my mind, and let me have pdeasing proofs that thou hast, continual remembrance of me. The saints are the Jewels of Jesus Christ, on w^hom he impresses his beautiful image by the Holy Spirit, and by this distinguishing mark, he claims them as his peculiar property, he ap- propriates them to his service, and shews that they are the objects of his gracious regard. — By this truly honourable distinction, which flows to Christians from the love of God, and the mediation of Jesus Christ, they resemble the first born among many breth- ren, to whom God hath predestinated them to be conformed. Him God the Father seal- ed. He invested him with sacred authority, for the execution of his office ; he gave evi- dence that he would preserve him in safety, whikt THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GIVEN TO CHRISTIANS. 295 \ promise of the perpetual residence of the Ho- ly Spirit in the faithful, is intended to signify that you are personally united to him, so as- to become one with him, as you are with Je- sus Christ. Notwithstanding you are made- partakers by him of the Divine nature, and formed, by his sacred agency, into the bles- sed image of God, you must remember that he is your Creator, and that you are his work- manship; that he is the Spirit of hfe, and. that you are only animated by his quickening; power. In considering the peculiar residence of the Comforter, in the disciples of the Souv of God, nothing in the least derogatory to this divine person may be attributed to him. Did- your time permit, 1 should have enlarged with pleasure on this high privilege ; as the little attention paid to it is one chief cause of the small proficiency you make in the practice of goodness. Along with the grand discoveries and glorious prospects opened in the gospel^ there comes a powerful agency of God work- ing in them that believe, both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do the bulk even of serious Christians seem persuaded that the Holy Ghost constantly reoides in their souls, presiding over their thoughts, stimulating their affections, influencing their wills, and directing their actions? If they did, they would THE HOLY SPrRIT IS GIVEN TO CHRISTIANS. ^Ot would behave in another manner than they commonly do. What might not you at- tempt in the service of God, were you firmly convinced that you. acted under the direction and influence of a Divine Person abiding with you, who is greater than he that is in the world ? The apostles Peter and John were no more able to cure a man that was born lame, than you are to remove the distortion of your souls ; but persuaded of Divine power going along with them, they attempted it with suc- cess. Had you, my hearers, the same happy conviction, you would make no difficulty to engage in the most arduous services ; deeply sensible, that the agency of the Holy Ghost does not supercede your own efforts, or pre- vent the pain attending the struggle; but supports and animates you with the prospect of success and victory. Having thus pointed out and illustrated some of the benevolent purposes for which the Comforter is given to Christians by the Father, in virtue of the mediation of Jesus Christ; let me call upon you to contemplate, with admiration and gratitude, the wonder- ful love of the Father, in not only giving his only begotten Son to die for us; but also his Holy Spirit, to be our Sanctifier and Comfor- ter. Behold: the tender care of the Lord Je- sus Christ, for the happiness and comfort of his disciples, in obtaining for them, during his absence, the Spirit of Truth to abide with them continually, to solace their minds, and to consummate their salvation ; and the asto- nishing 302- THE HOir SPIRIT IS GIVEK TO CHRIS^IAIWf. nishing condescension of the Holy Ghost, whd* vouchsafes to dwell in them for ever, and in various ways, to console their hearts during their residence on earth. What returns of dutiful obedience and submission doth such unspeakable favour and kindness justly de- mand. Let me call upon you who have re- ceived this precious benefit, faithfully to im- prove it for all those practical purposes which it is- well suited to promote, that henceforth- you may walk in the Spirit, and abound with all his blessed fruits. Let me also beseech you who have not hitherto experienced his benign influence, to pray earnestly that God may confer upon you the Holy Spirit, which k the sum of all other spiritual blessings, and- the way to enjoy them in highest perfection. Attend diligently to the glorious gospel, which is the ministration of the Spirit, the mean of conveying him into the hearts of men, and of imparting to them larger mea- sures of his grace. Beware of vexing and grieving him, by indulging in any known sin, by neglecting the ordinances of divine institu- tion, and omitting to perform any command- ed duty. Walk in the fear of the Lord, would you enjoy the comfort of the Holy Ghost. — Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God even our Father, who hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and ^ good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. And to Qod be honour and glory for ever. Jlmen^ SERMON ( 3®3 ) SERMON XI. THE DUTIES PECULIAR TO THE SEVERAL AGES OF CHRISTIANS. I John ii. 13. Jf write u?ito you^ fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning; I write. unto you, young 7nen, because ye have over^ come the wicked one ; I write unto you ^ little children, because ye have known the Father* A GREAT diversity is conspicuous among mankind, in their characters, empJuy- ments, conditions, and ages. Some are dis- tinguished by their eminent goodness; others by their profligate wickedness. Some display an extensive acquaintance with the arts and sciences ; others are remarkable for their knowledge only of a particular business^ Some are elevated to high rank, and enjoy great o- pulence \ others live in obscurity, and are de- pressed with poverty. Some have reached the more advanced stages of life, and justly merit the appellation of fathers ; others are in the vigour of youth, pessessed of comeliness, strength 304 THE DUTIES PEOULIAR TO THE Strength, and vivacity ; besides whom, there ■ are vast numbers of little children, whose knowledge is confined to the few surrounding objects which engage their attention. No less remarkable is the diversity that subsists among professing Christians, in the church of the living God. In this large society there are intermixed with those who fear and serve the Lord, many who profess to know God, but in works deny him. . There are pastors and teachers, for perfecting the saints, for e. difying the body of Christ, and those who by their means are instructed and built up in ho- liness and comfort unto eternal life. There are those who have attained the most de- sirable prerogatives, and are become rich in faith and in good works ; and those who are poor and miiserable, blind and naked; some of whom imagine, that they are rich, increas- ed with goods, and have need of nothing. In respect of age, there are among Christians great variety, in regard of their progress in the di- vine life, in stature, strength, and usefulness. Some are young, feeble, timid, and unskilful in the word of righteousness ; who havingbeen admitted but lately into the family of God, require the most simple food to sustain and nourish them. Others are arrived at maturi- ty, having made considerable advances to- ward the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ, whose senses are exercised to discern bcch good and evil, who are lively, vigorous, and active in the service of God. There are also SEVERAL AGES OF CHRISTIANS. 305 also old disciples, who by the large experience and confirmed stability they have acquired in the ways of God, and who, by increasing exemplary piety and holiness, have attained the venerable character of fathers. To Chri- stians in these several stages of the spiritual life, the apostle John directs the words 1 have read as the subject of discourse.. And from them 1 shall take occasion to address particu- larly fathers, young men, and children, in th-e sequel of this discourse. You may easily perceive, from what I have said, that the different classes of persons to which I am to speak, are not to measure your ages from the time in which ye were bora into this world; but from the important peri- od wherein ye were entered among the sons of God, and became members of the house- hold of faith.. According to this standard Christians are denominated in scripture. The apostle Paul speaks of the Corinthians who were grown up in years, as babes in Christ, and those who are yet in the days of their youth; hke Jeremiah and Timothy, may be ranked among the senior order of the servants of Godi I shall take it for granted at present, that ye really are what ye profess; and upon this supposition, which is highly honourable to you, I am going to shew you how ye ought to conduct yourselves, that ye may a- dorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, and act as becometh the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. I. 306 THE DUTIES PECULIAR TO THJJ I. To you, fathers, who are far advanced in the divine life, I bow with becoming respect. I congratulate my aged friends, on the long experience ye have had that the Lord is gra- cious, that wisdom's ways are ways of plea- santness, and that they who wait on the Lord renew their strength. Blessed are your hoary heads, that are found in the way of righteousness, which to you are crowns of glory. In the good warfare wherein ye have been engaged under the conduct of the Lead- er and Commander of the people, ye have happily escaped^ many- dangers tlmt have proved fatal to multitudes. Though ye may have received some painful wounds, the scars of which are yet visible, they were tenderly bound up by the Captain of Salvation, who always brought you off the field victorious. In. your joarney toward the heavenly and bet- ter country, when ready to faint,. the everlast- ing God the Lord hath furnished you with all might in the inner man, in consequence where- of you have gone from ' strength to strength, your, way hath been made perfect, and ye have surmounted many difficulties. Inured to the practice of godliness, and accustomed to trials of faith and patience, through tha grace of the Most High ye perform with fa- cility and pleasure, the exercises of obedience, and sustain, with dignity and fortitude, the afflictions assigned you by the Lord of heaven and earth. Your knov/lcdge of the truths and ways of God is become more extensive and SEVERAL AGES OF CHRISTIANS. 307 and practical than in the days of yauth; your faith in the providence and promises of God, more hvely and vigorous ; your love to God and the Redeemer, stronger and more ardent; your trust in the righteousness and grace of Jesus Christ more firm and established; and your resignation more tranquil and unlimited. Ye are formed into a more serene and heaven- ly temper than in time past. Your devotion is more steady and sublime; your communion with God more frequent and pleasant ; your obedience to the perfect law of liberty moYe dehghtful and constant, and your progress is now become considerable in the way of holi- ness, that leadeth to the city of the living Godl^ Your lot may be often checkered with changes that alternately succeed one another. Now ye may be weak, then ye may be strong; now ye may be troubled, anon ye may be ex- alted to prosperity ; now ye may enjoy the light of God's countenance, soon he may hide his face from you. Present security and peace may, ere long, be followed by dis- quietude ; ye may be tossed with tempests, and not comforted. But though your cir- cumstances and temper may be frequently varying; amidst all the adversity with which your life is variegated, ye faint not ; though your outward man perish, the inward man is renewed day by day, and your salvation is nearer than when ye believed. To you, fathers^ the apostle John saith he wrote, and to you I direct my discourse, be- cause 3o8 ^HE DUTIES PEfcULIAR TO THE because ye have known him that is from the beginning. Jesus Christ is doubtless the per- son intended by this description, which is ve- ry similar to the language which he elsewhere uses, when speaking of the Son of God : * In * the beginning was the Word; and the Word *^ was with God, and the Word was God, the * same was in the beginning with God/ And in the first verse of this epistle, from which I have taken my text, he is introduced in si- milar terms. He was from the beginning, . not merely from the commencement of the gospel economy, in which sense the expres- sion seems to be used by the evangelist Luke, chap. i. 2. or from the promulgation of the law, Vv^hich appears to be the meaning of what is said at' the 7th verse of this chapter, or from the time wherein God created the heavens and the earth, mentioned Gen. i. i. The words are also employed in scripture, to denote unmeasurable eternity, as in Prov. viii. 22. where the Wisdom- of God thus speaks, * The Lord possessed me in the be- * ginning of his way, before his works of old.' In this sense I understand the phrase in my text, which intimates the eternal existence of the Son of God, whose going forth have beea af old, from everlasting, and who enjoyed glory with the Father before the worldis were made. In the fulness of time he was mani- fest in the flesh, he became obedient for us unto the death of the cross, and having borne our sins and carried our sorrows, Jie re-assum- ed^ SEVZRAX AGES OF CHRISTIANS. 309 ed his original glory far above all heavens. This is the illustrious worthy personage with whom ye have lung maintained an intimate growing acquaintance, compared to whom, all created objects lately had a beginning, and will soon wi her and decay like fading flowers. The pleasing contemplation of his divine cha- racter and tender compassion fail not, I hope, to attract your supreme affection, and to ex- cite your firm confidence, amidst all the temp- tations, the enemies and dangers with which ye encounter. He is from the beginning the same yesterday, to-day and for ever. Of this glorious person, ye old disciples have possessed for many years an experimental, sanctifying, practical, iir.proving knowledge. Ye are become well acquainted with his infi- nite dignity, his profound humiliation, his a- miable x^ondescension, his important offices, 'his complicated sufferings, his atoning sacri- fiice, and subsequent glory. Ye have had comfortable experience of his forgiving mer- ^y, his incomparable grace, his everlasting faithfulness and love that passeth knowledge. Ye confide solely in his righteousness, grace, and ability to save you to the uttermost, and count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord. Ye sincerely love him as your best friend, who loved you, and gave himself for you. Knowing in whom ye have believed, ye are persuaded, that he is able to keep that which je have committed unto him against that day, 310 THE DUTIES PECULIAR TO THE day, to which ye look forward with hope and joy. Convinced that actions are the best in- terpreters of our sentiments, and that in the scriptures of truth knowledge is estimated by its practical influence ; ye have uniformly de- monstrated the reality of your intimate ac- quaintance with the blessed Redeemer, by unlimited subjection to his instruction^^ righteousness, and authority ; and by grow- ing conformity to his perfect example. Here- by ye know, that ye know him in the power of his resurrection, and in the fellowship of his sufferings, by being made conformable unto his death, and by keeping his commandments. Prohciency in this desireable knowledge of the Son of God, is in a peculiar manner your happy attainment who are fathers. Permit me, my aged, and much respected friends, to give you a few cautions, to which I request your candid attention. Jesus Christ, in his discourses, often warned bis hearers, and even his disciples, of the evils and dangers they ought to avoid ; and in this instance a servant of Jesus Christ should undoubtedly imitate his master- Beware of deceiving yourselves by thinking that ye are something when ye are nothing. With what criminal negligence are they chargeable, to what imminent danger are they exposed, who, like the church of Laodicea, grossly mistake their spiritual condition. Ye are loth to be impo- sed on by another person, even in a trivial matter ; how attentive then ought ye to be, least SEVERAL AGES OF CHRISTIANS. 3H least you deceive yourselves with respect to your eternal salvation. Frequently then prove your own works ; re-consider the prin- ciples, the motives, the ends of your actions, and the temper of mind with which every du- ty is performed. Repeatedly compare your hearts and lives with the word of God, and impartially examine them by that standard, in order to know the worst of your state, and to obtain sufficient ground to conclude, that your inward dispositions and outward actions are agreeable to the rule of scripture. In steering your course through the remaining part of the voyage of life, take heed lest yo^ strike on those dangerous rocks on which ma* ny have been dashed, and suflered shipwreck. Avoid with unremitting solicitude those fatal errors, those natural propensities, delusive temptations, and sinful practices, whereby ye may fall from your own stedfastness. Guard against impatience and fretfuiness, under the manifold infirmities and disappointments of life, and cultivate, through the grace of God, a sweet, contented, resigned temper, in all the various circumstances through which divine providence may conduct you. Beware of moroseness and peevishness, and those male- volent dispositions, which gather strength from the decay of natural spirits, rnd encreas- ing bodily disorders. If indulged, they vrill grieve the Spirit of God, they will add to your own uneasiness, and render you contempti- ble in the view jof those who ought to esteem and 312 THR DUTIES PECULIAR TO THE and serve you. Take heed that you do not be- come covetous and avaricious, so as to grudge yourselves, and those who depend upon you, the Uberal use of the good things of this life. Venture to partake of those comforts which are suited to your situation in life ; cheerfully enjoy the good things ye possess, and gener- ously impart them to others. Of all people on earth, aged Christians ought to be least at- tached to this present world, in v/hich they are only strangers, and from which they must soon take their departure. Permit me also to warn you against predominant selfishness, nud insensibility to the distresses of your brethren, which too frequently manifest their pernicious influence over old persons, and ren- ders them uncomfortable, and in a great mea- sure useless in society. Having cautioned you against some of the evils to which you are peculiarly liable. Sutler me to call upon you, my esteemed fa- thers, to act up to the venerable character you sustain. That ye may adorn your holy pro- fession, ye must not only shun that which is eviljbut assiduously folio v/ that which is good. Every age, and every station hath its distinct propriety of conduct, which ought to be well iniderstood, and carefully maintained by all who would acquit themselves as becometh the discipl'^i of Jesi^s Christ. The strictest attention to this circumstance will be justly expected from those who ought to be distin- guished by superiority of judgment, pru- dence. I SEVERAL AGES OF CHRISTIANS. ^T^ dence, and progrefs in holiness. To attain this pre-eminence, frequently and serioiicly review your past conduct, recollect the er- rors into which you have fallen, the sins you' have committed, the mercies you have re- <:eived, and the deliverances you have ob- tained. Attentively think over your own history; mark the seasonable interpositions of Providence in your behalf; weigh the sacred obligations that you have fulfilled, and those which you have transgressed. This exercise properly performed, through the divine bles- sing, may promote humiUty, excite admira- tion of the patience, the mercy and grace of God, and furnish abundant matter for pray- er and thanksgiving. Fill up your vacant hours with the duties of devotion, which are excellently adapted to the tranquil state at which I hope ye are happily arrived. Labour to detach your hearts from the world that ye are soon to leave, and to get them better formed, through Sanctification of the Spirit, for that glorious eternal state of whichye have the near prospect. Often anticipate the feli- cities and joys of the celestial w^orld into v/hich ere long ye shall be received, that ye may be ever v/ith the Lord. In the mean time endeavour to impress on the minds of the young just sentiments of this present life; em- ploy all your influence, and exert all your a- bilities, in reclaiming them from their evil ways, in v/arning the giddy and thoughtless, in giving salutary advice to the inconsulerate, O and 314 T^E DUTIES PECULIAR TO THE and inexperienced, inculcating upon them the high importance of that salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. Be examples of the believers in word and conversation, in charity, in Spirit, in faith, in purity ; until he come to call you hence who will come and not tarry. Thus go on in strength of God the Lord, making mention of his righteousness and his only, still growing and flourishing in the courts of our God, still bringing forth fruit in old age. And now% my dearly beloved in the Lord, I bid you Far.ewelL May you close your eyes in peace, fall asleep in Jesus, and have an abundant entrance ministered unto you into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And when the time of your departure is at hand, may the vLord on w^hom you have believed, dispose you to adopt the triumphant language of the apostle Paul, ' I have finished my course — ' henceforth there is laid up for me acrow'n of * righteousness which the Lord the righteous *- judge shall give me at that day/ &-c. i Tim, iv. 8. Secondly, I next proceed to direct my dis- course to young men, to middle aged Chris- tians, who are in the bloom and vigour of the divine life. A learned Commentator observes that the word translated young men, denotes those v.'ho have attained that time of life wherein persons enlist Xo be soldiers, and en- gage in the military business, and that it is here SEVERAL AGES OF CHRISTIANS. 315 here used to describe those who are arrived at that period in the Christian hfe, wherein they are called to strenuous exertion In the spiritual warfare, and to -contend with the enemies who war against their souls. In your present station ye rank betwixt venerable fa- thers, who have attained to maturity and large experience in the ways of God, and those who have not yet got above the weakness and ti- midity of little children. Though ye are much inferior to the former, who have been long engaged in the good fight of faith, ye have been longer members of the family of God than the latter. Ever since ye passed from death to life, and have known the grace of God in truth, ye have grown up in all things to Christ the head, and have increased with the increase of God. In this stage of progress toward the measure of the stature of perfect men in Jesus Christ, your passions p.re strong, your imaginations lively, your memories retentive ; ye are apt to be rash in the execution of the plans ye adopt, to rush into danger, and to put your strength and fortitude unnecessarily to the trial. Intem- perance, voluptuousness, ambition, v/ith o- ther corrupt dispositions, retain too much of their former influence, and prompt yoa oc- casionally to excess in gaiety, and improper indulgences. The business and cares of the world are ready to occupy your minds too much, and to divert your attention from the more important concerns of salvation. O 2 III 3^6 THE DUTIES PECULIAR TO THE In prosperity, diligence and fervour in serving the Lord is omitted ; in adversity, distrust and despondency arise in the mind ; and in the hour of temptation, ye are easily surpris- ed by unexpected assaults and dangers. Apt to be vain of your abilities and performances, ye are peculiarly in danger of being seduced by the love ot applause, and of being success- fully attacked by your great adversary, the prince of darkness. Though more skdful in the word of righteousness, and in managing the spiritual weapons of your warfare, than those who are only learning the first princi- ples of the oracles of God, ye are yet far from having made progress equal to old disciples, who have sat long at the feet of our Divine Master, and are become grey headed in his service.T— These are a few traits in the cha- racter of the young men to whom the apostle John says that he wrote, for the reasons which now induce me, wil?h affection and solicitude, to address you who are of this description. The first reason mentioned in the verse fol- lowing m.y text is, ' because ye are strong.' Bodily strength, with a sound, vigorous con- stitution, which is the glory of young men, is not chiefly intended in this expression; but that spiritual might in the inner man, which God often communicates, according to the riches of his glory, to them wJiose bodies are feeble, and whose health is much im>paired. By this strength which comes from the Spirit of power, young Christians can do all things. They SEVERAL AGES OF CHRISTIANS. 517 They are furnished for the performance of e- very good work ; they are enabled successfid- iy to repel the temptations whereby they are assaulted, and nobly to sustain the afflictions wherewith they are visited. Strengthened with all might, according to God's glorious power, unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness, ye will take pleasure in in- firmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in per- secutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake, as did the apostle of the Gentiles ; for when ye are weak, then ye are strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Though in your- selves insufficient so much as to think any good thing, your strength and security lies in Jesus Christ, fi^om whose fulness ye may re- ceive abundant succour in every time of need. By this animating truth I am encouraged to point out your duty, and to call upon you to. distinguish yourselves as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. To young men the beloved disciple wrote,, and I now speak, for another reason, namdy, * because the word of God abideth in you.' With what a precious treasure are ye entrust- ed I In the word of irod is contained that spiritual provision which strengthens and gladdens the heart, which is more to be desir- ed than thousands of gold and silver, that is s-weeter than honey from the honey comb. The sublime doctrines therein revealed, ye cordially receive as worthy of all-acc-ptarion, and lay them up in your hecirts that you of- O 3 fend 3l8 THE DUTIES PECULIAR TO THE fend not against God. The perfect law of li- ber y therein promulgated, you take for a light unto your feet and a lamp unto your goings. The exceeding great and precious promises therein recorded, ye firmly believe, and on them ye rely as the foundation of your hope, and the ground of your consolation. This word of God abideth in you, my bre- thren, who are strong, in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. It dwells in you, it is familiar to your minds, it dwells in you richly, in a plentiful measure, in all wisdom and spiritu- al understanding. It abides not only in your heads aiwi in your memories, but in your hearts, where it meets with wekome, and kind enteriainment. I address^ particularly young Christians on another account suggested by the apostle, * be- * cause ye have overcome the wicked one,' the god of this world, who is the powerful, impla- cable adversary of young men, especially of young Christians. He may be called the w icked one in a way of eminence, being him- self maliciously and obstinately wicked, and constantly employed in seducing men to com- mit all manner of wickedness. He aims to deceive, and, if possible, to ruin you for ever. From the memorable day wherein ye threw down the weapons with which ye acted in hostility against Jesus Christ, became his vo- luntary subjects, and engaged to fight under his banner ; from that day to this hour ye have laeen at Vvar with this inveterate foe, and nov^ SEVERAL AGES OF CHRISTIANS. 379 now ye are laid to have overcome him. Je- fus Chrift your Saviour and Lord actually vanquifhed this infernal fiend in fingle com- bat, and openly triumphed over him and his airociates upon the crofs. And now having fat down upon his throne, as the fruit of his conquefls, he calls you to arms, to battle, to vidory ; and alilires you, that through his blood and the word of his teftimony, if ye prove faithful to the death, the costeft fhall finally be decided in your favour, and he will alTuredly render you more than conquerors. To you, my dear young friends, who of all men have moft need of diredlion, I v/ould give a few cautions and advices, to which I requeft your diligent attention and pra£li- cal regard. You are at prefent in an evil world, with little knowledge, lefs experier.ce, and hardly any diftrufl:. Your lively fpirits, youF warm pailions, and rafh confidence, are apt continually to miilead you. The greateft eare, therefore, ought to be taken, properly to guard the avenues that lead to your hearts, and to keep them with all diligence ; for out ©f them proceed the ifTues of life and death. Every condition hath its peculiar danger and duties, but none have dangers- more threaten- ing, and duties more important^ than you to whom I now fpeak. Ye are environed with temptations of which perhaps ye are in a great meafure infenfible ; for in your fituation peo- ple feldom think that they have any thing to tear,. The evils of which ye are in ieopardy O 4 are 3^10 THE DUTIES PECULIAR TO TKi: are greatly increafed by your own inadver- tency, by culpable inattention to your bel^ interefts, and natural reludance to (hun the gratification of bad inclinations. And fuch often is the vanity of youthful minds, that the very intimation of mifcondudl, however prudently given, is to moil perfons difagree- able and oilenfive. — Notwithflanding thefe- unfavourable circumilances, with real con- cern for your happinefs, I befeech you. Beware of lloth and negligence. Diligent- ly endeavour to improve the precious time^ and fpintual ability which God is pleafed to give you, for the important purpofes to which ihey ought to be applied. Too many who are averfe to exertion, and inattentive to the grace given them, like fome indolent needy people that opprefs fociety with a grievous weight, loudly complain of their incapacity, and fhamefuliy give way to inadivity. In oppofition to this criminal indulgence, which proves a difgrace to Chriilian profeilion, hearken to the apoftolical precepts. * Give all * diligence to make your calling and eledion * fure, to gee faith increafed, and to add to * faith knowledge, temperance, patience, god- * jinefs, brotherly kindnefs, and charity : Be * diligent in bufinefs, fervent in fpirit, ferving * the Lord.' Remember, brethren, the time al- lotted for this arduous work is fhort and un- certain. If a thoufand years are in God's light but as yeflerday when it is pail, or as a watch m the night of three or four hours, hu- * man SEVERAL AGES OF CHRISTIANS. 32I man life can feem to him no longer than a few minutes. Do not then mifpend any part of this fmall portion of time, but faithfully employ it with a view to approaching eternity, whicK comprizes infinitely more millions of ages than there are moments in millions of years- Beware of pride and felf-conceit. Take heed left ye think of youtfelves more highly than ye oughts or boaft of things without mea- fure, or over-rate your abilities and advan- tages. Be on your guard that ye be not in- toxicated with natural gaiety, with the love of admiration or pleafure, wath fondnefs of the fafhions of this world, that pafs away, or that ye be carried away by affedation of foolifb fingularities which may prove injurious to youvfelves and ofFeniive to others. Avoid e- ven the appearance of felf-fufficiency; vehe- ment pofitivenefs in converfation, ralhnefs in condu6l, readinefs to take offence, and feveri- ty in cenfures. If the gofpel hath come to you in demonftration of the Spirit and with power, it will fubdue corrupt propenfities, it will bring down high thoughts into the obe- dience of Chrift, it will clothe you with hu- mility and teach you felf-denial. — Beware of felf-cun fide nee, of trufting to your own wif- dom, righteoufnefs and ftrength. * He that * trufteth to his own heart is a fool. Truft * then in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean * not to thine own underftanding. In all thy * ways acknowledge him, and he fliall direct * thy paths.' Depend not for falvation en your O 5 own 5^22 THE DUilES PECULIAR TO THE own obedience or righteoufnefs, which, with the church of old, ye ought to account as fil- thy rags. It comes far fhort, at bed, of the demands of the holy law of God, it cannot expiate your tranfgreffions, nor render you acceptable in his light who is well pleafed only for his righteoufnefs fake. Nor doth it anfwer the demands of the gofpel, which re- quires that we be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect. Deeply fenfible of this humbling truth, place your entire confidence on Jefus Chrifl, w^ho is the end of the law for righteoufnefs to every one that believeth. — Take heed alfo that ye prefume not on your own ftrength, which will render you an eafy prey to temptation. If ye become felf-confi- dent, and vain of your attainments, ye will be in danger of flighting the means of grow- ing in grace, and acquiring liability in the ways of God ; yea, of negleding conftant re- liance on the Spirit of all grace, by whom ye are eitablifhed, itrengthened, and fettled. — Having given you thefe cautions, I conclude my addrefs to young Ghriflians with fome ihort advices. Permit m-e to urge you to exertion and pro- grefs in the exercifes of true godlinefs. Stop not in the porch, of the Lord's houfe, but quickly pai^ into the holy place. Though ye are born oi? God, and admitted mto his fa- mi.y, think not that ye have already attain- cd, or are already perfedl, but follow after, if that ye may apprehend that for which alfo ye SEVERAL AGES 0? CHRISTIANS. ^2 J je are apprehended of Christ Jesus. Call to remembrance your former sins, and ye will find them so great, so numerous, that ye may be surprised that your hearts do not despond, and that your repentance is so deficient. Look back on what you reckon your virtues, and ye may see them so few in number, so li- mited in degree, so obstructed in their course, and so mixed in their exercise, that ye may be convinced that ye have not yet attained any thing in comparison of what lies- before you. Be ye then like them that love the Lord, as the sun when he goeth forth- in his strength-, shining with more bright effulgence unto the perfect day. — Stir, up the grace of God that is in you ;- and for this purpose diligently use every appointed mean of spiritual improve- ment, with humble dependance on the divine blessing ; and ye shall find in your comforta- ble experience, that there is not any want that Jesus Christ cannot supply ; that there is not a temptation or corrupt passion which his grace cannot vanquish, nor an affliction from which his tender compassion will not relieve.— May ye, like the righteous, hold on your way, and like them who have clean hands, wax:, stronger and stronger. Once more,.. Manifest the power of godliness by a sted— fast course of holy living and unreserved obe- dience to the divine authority. As you de- sire to attain the felicity,. the honour, the esta* blishraent and consolation of advaiiced Chri- stians, be sure that the love of God in Christ, and. 324 TH£ BUTIES PECULIAR TO THE and ardent aff^aion to the blefled Redeemer, chiefly occupy your minds, and prove the leading principle from whence your condudt proceeds. Lat the word of truth be the only rule by which your temper and behaviour are adjufted, the fole directory according to which ye ftudy to walk and to pleafe God. Let the glory of his great name, the advancement of his kingdom, and the hope of his approba- tion, animate you to ferve him with fidehty and diligence, and to run in the way of his commandments* * Be ftrong in the grace that * is in Chrift Jefus. Live by the faith of the ^ Son of God, and walk in the Spirit; that ye * may be blamelefs and harmlefs, the fons of ' God without rebuke, in the midft of a crook- * ed and perverfe generation, among whom ye ' Hiine as lights in the world, holding forth the * word of life. — I commend you, brethren, to * God, and to the word of his grace, which is ' able to build you up, and to give you an inhe- ' ritance among alithem that are fandtified.' I have yet many things to fay unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. finally, my be- loved brethren, farewell ; be perfeft, be of good coiiifort, live in peace, and the God of love and peace fliali be with you, 2 Cor. xiii. 1 1. Thirdly, i thall now fpeak to young Chri- ftians, whom the apofrle John calls little chiU drcn He did not write, nor do I diredl my diicourfe to thofe v;bo are literally comprifed U!.-.- ■ this character, and who in the course of nature are in this early ftage of hfe. Such: incapable of underftanding his e- piftle, SEVERAL AGES OF CHRISTIANS. 325 piftle, and of receiving inilrudion from any thing I could fay to them from this place. The little children to whom the beloved dif. ciple wrote, and to whom 1 (hall addrefs a few jhort advices, are thofe who are emphatically denominated in fcripture, babes in Christ, who were lately born of God, introduced into the fpiritual world, and have entered on that divine life which fhall never perifti — The lambs in the flock of Chrift, who are young and limple, tender and timid, the objeds of his gracious compaffion and unremitting care. God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved you, even when ye Vvere dead in trefpafles, quickened you together with Chrift, made you partakers of the divme nature, admitted you among his children, and conftituted you heirs of his everlafting king- dom. Being united to Jefus Chrilt, ye are new creatures, your underftandings, your hearts, your converfations, your employments and deligns, are all different from what they once were. As ye have borne the image of the firft man, fo ye now bear the image of the fecond man, the Lord from heaven, to whom ye are predeftinated to be con- firmed. As new born babes ye defire the fincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. Your language is, Lord, everm.ore give us the bread of God which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. On your heavenly Father ye exercife con- ftant dependence for proviiion and protec- tion 326 THE DUTIES PECULIAR TO- THE tion, for inftrudion and diredio.i, with every thing necelFary to your fafety and comfort. Though ye have not as yet attained thofc large meafures of the knowledge of Chrift and fpiritual ftrength ; though ye have not got fa many vidlories over the wicked one as fathers and young men, ye claim attention^ and I am going to addrefs you,, atter the ex^ ample of the apoftle, for two reafons : I. Becaufe your fins are forgiven you for his name's fake. * I heartily wifh you joy> ye highly favoured of the Lord, on your hav- ing received this ineftimable benefit, where- by ye are delivered from condemnation and wrath. Through the riches of divine mercy your tranfgreffions are blotted out, your ini- quities are pardoned, and to you the Lord God will not impute your fins. Blefled are ye of the Lord, who are abfolved from the guilt of your trefpafles, and who are acquit- ted from the awful punifhment to which ye were expofed. Though God may teftify, on fome occafions, his juft difpleafure againft your fins and follies, by necefiTary chaftife- ments, yet will he not utterly take his loving kindnefs from you, nor fuffer his faithfulnefs to fan. Happy ye who are in fuch a case as this, who in the early period of life have e- fcaped the pollutions that are in the world, who have been converted from the error of your ways, admitted into the favour, the fa- mily, and covenant of God, and enjoy accefs to * See ver. la; SEVERAL AGES OF CHRISTIANS. 327 to him as your father and friend. Be it known to you, that not for your sakes, but for his name's sake, hath God conferred upon you this precious blessing, with those which accompany and flow from it. Ye cannot make compensation to God for the wrongs that ye have done, your sorrows cannot ex- piate your guilt, nor could your future im- perfect obedience make amends and atone for your past transgressions- When m this help- less state, it pleased God to display the riches of his mercy and grace, to manifest his good- ness and glory, and for the sake of Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed for the remis- sion of sins, and who lives to make interces- sion for transgressors, it pleased God, I say, to forgive you all trespasses. And, 2. Because ye have known the Father, the Father of lights and of mercies, the Father of your spirits, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in him your God and Fa- ther, my dear children. Having given you understandings to know him, he hath reveal- ed himself to you full of tender compassion and paternal affection, whereof ye have re- ceived the most satisfying proofs. Ye know him so as to fear his name, to reverence his infinite majesty and grandeur, so as to ho- nour and love his supreme excellencies, so as to obey and submit to his holy will in all things. Of all the knowledge in the world, the knowledge of God the Father, with the early dawn of which ye are blessed, is the ~ most 328 THE DUTIES PECULIAR TO THE most excellent; it is preferable to choice gold, and all the things that may be desired. In his works ye see him imperfectly, as ye do the sun in a picture ; in his law he appears vail- ed with obscurity, as the sun in a cloud ; but in Jesus Christ ye may behold the bright- ness of his glory, the express image of his person. This progressive light of the glory of God which hath arisen upon you, shall shine brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. Come ye children, hearken unto me, and I will teach you the fear of the Lord; hear instruc- tion and be wise, and refuse it not. Beware of indulging those irregular propensities that ye broughr into the world with you, which by gratification will gather strength, and be- come more difficult to be subdued. Though perhaps ye may think that their force is bro- ken, and that ye are in no danger from them, they may yet recover strength, and attack you with such vigour, that ye may be engag- ed in a painful, hazardous combat. Take heed then lest pride and vanity, sloth and in- dolence, disinclination to duty, or immode- rate attachment to things seen and temporal, involve you in great difficulties, and retard your progress in the divine life. Guard a- gainst sensuality, ambition, covetousness, and the dangerous infection of bad example ; watch and pray that ye enter not into temp- tation. Avoid bad company, that would ali- enate your hearts from Cod, and seduce you into SEVERAL AGES OF CHRISTIANS. 329 into sin. Attend to the words of the wise man, * Enter not into the path of the wick- * ed, and go not in the way of evil men. He * that walketh with wise men shall be wise, * but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.' The enemies of religion will be bold and ac- tive in opposing your best interests, whilst alas, those who profess to be its friends, may be shy and more cautious to shew the kind af- fection and solicitude they ought to have for your spiritual prosperity, than others are to conceal their wickedness. Your former as- sociates in sin will try, by many artful me- thods, to bring you back to their forsaken society, and some, whose good opinion ye va- lue, may deride and contemn you. * Forsake * then the foolish and live, and go in the way * of understanding.' Choose for your intimate companions them that fear the Lord and think upon his name, who shew out of a good conversation their works with meekness of wisdom. Grow in grace. The operations of grace in the heart are gradual, like the progress of the seeds cast into the earth, like the growth of infants into children, young men, and fa- thers. Diligently study to increase more and more in the exercise of every divine grace. Follow on to know the Lord, to become bet- ter acquainted and more deeply impressed with the perfections of his nature, the sove- reignty of his dominion, the dispensations of his providence, the blessings of his covenant, and 33© THE DUTIES PECULIAR TO THE and the revelation of his will ; that ye may walk so as to please him and be accepted of him through Jesus Christ. Use every ap- pointed mean, in dependence on the divine blessing, that your faith may grow exceed- ingly, that hope may abound, that love may increase, that humility may be strengthened', repentance renewed, and patience have its perfect work, that ye may be complete and wanting nothing. Though God only by the powerful influence of his vSpirit can cause you to spring forth as the grass, and to grow up as the willows ; yet, would ye increase in faith^ ye must be instant in prayer and attentive to the word of God ; would ye have hope invi- gorated, contemplate much the death and re- surrection of Jesus Christ ; would ye have love quickened, meditate on the love of God, the sufferings of the Redeem.er, and the pri- vileges of the saints ; and so with respect to every other grace. From henceforth, when calling upon God, you may say. Thou ait my Father, my God, the guide of my youth, and I trust thou wilt also be the statTof my old age. Finally, be of good courage, my dear little chil- dren, and God shall strengthen your hearts. In your Christian course ye may have to contend with many difliculties and much opposition. Ye have no cause, however, to be dismayed or to despond. Ungodly men have greater obstacles to surmount in the way to destruc- tion. than are to be found in the path of life ; and will ye be intimidated more by a few ob- structions SEVERAL AGES OF CHRISTIANS. 33I ftructions, than they are by the authority, the threatenings, and omnipotence of Jehovah ? * Say not, Ah! Lord God, behold I am a child; * for ye fliall go to all that God fliall fend you, * and whatfoever he commands you ye fhall * fpeak and do ; for I am with you to deliver ' you, faith the Lord.' Truft then in the Lord, who is your refuge and your ftrength, your God and portion. And to him be praife and honour, and glory for ever. Amen, S E R. ( 33a ) SERMON XII. t«E IMPORTANCE OF THE REDEMPTION OF TIME* Eph. v. i6. Redeeming the time, because the days are eviL FEW fubjeds require to be more frequent- \y recommended than the improvement of time. Few fubjecls are of greater moment and of more efTential utility to the bed inte- refts of mankind. The miniftry of the gof- pel is not inftituted to gratify men's curiofity by ingenious difquilltions or refined fpecula- tions, but to remind them of thofe interefling truths, which, through the divine bleiring,may purify their hearts, and direct their pradice. It is intended to inculcate thofe important duties of which you feel but feeble impref- f.ons, though you are acquainted with them. Among thefe there is perhaps none more ob- vious and lefs*attended to than the apoftoli- cal precept contained ia my text. It cannot therefor€^ THE IMPORTANCE OF, Scc. 333 therefore be unfeafonable that, depending oa affiftance from God, 1 endeavour to fhew the. import of redeeming the time, and then offer fome motives to recommend, and fome duec- tions to facihtate the pradtice of it. — May the Lord vouchlafe to us his countenance and blefling in the execution of this plan. In order to explain the import of the duty, I fhall coniider what is here meant by time — what by redeeming it— and the purpofes to which it ought to be applied. Time may denote more generally the mea- fure of our continuance in this world, the whole of our prefent hfe, which ought to be ^mnloved in various adive fervices : or more particularly the feveral favourable feafons af- forded us for performing the different exerci- fes and employments affigned us by the great Loid of all. In each of thefe views the duty here pointed out is of the higheit importance, and claims our ferious attention. The Lord God who hath determined the times before appointed, hath wifely allotted thti present Hate of exigence for accomplifhing the moll valuable purpofes, and attaining the moft de- lirable ends. That we may difcharge not on- ly the ordinary fundions and bufinefTes of life, and by induftry and fidelity promote our own welfare and the happinefs of fociety, but that we may llrive to enter in at the ftrait gate, and walk in the narrow way that ieadeth to life ; that we may give ail diligence to be found m Christ, to make fure our call- 334 'T^lE IMPORTANCE oF THE ing and election to eternal glory, to glorify God with our souls and bodies which are his property, and to obtain a crown of righteous- ness which fadeth not away. The period fix- ed for this important work commences in early youth, when reason, understanding, and the other faculties expand and ripen for exer- cise. It reaches to the day of dissolution, in- cluding the whole extent of hfe, leaving out those portions ofitw^hich, through imbecilli- ty or affliction we are incapacitated for active services. Its utmost boundaries are limit- ed by threescore and ten years ; to some, by reason of strength, it extends to fourscore, though the bulk of mankind, being soon cut off, flee away before they enjoy the half of that time. We cannot justly complain that this term is too short for the work assigned to us, if diligently improved 3 for was it length- ened out much farther, as in days of old, we would be still more ready to trifle and mis- pend it. Life, if not cut short by folly and criminal indulgence or pursuits,is long enough to taste the imperfect pleasures and bitter suf- ferings of this mixed state, and in less time than many of us have enjoyed, multitudes of the celestial inhabitants have been prepared afore unto glory. Solomon observes that God hath ordained to every thing a season, and a time to every puipose under heaven, of which that renown- ed preacher in the passage ieferred to gives a variety of instances. The Hebrew word there REDEMPTION OF TIME. ^^^ there ufed, fignifies a fixed tiaie, pre-deter - mined in the decree of Jehovah, vvhofe coiin- fel fhall ftand, and pointed out by a co-inci - dence of circumftances as pecuharly adapted to the performance of certain anions. By the difpofitions of his Providence he hath marked the fpring to be the mod proper fea- fon for cafting feeds into the ground, and the harveit to be the best time of gathering the precious fruits of the earth ; the darknefs of night to be best fuited for rest and fleep, and the hght of day for walking, and work- ing in our different occupations. By the con- stitution of our frame, and the common ro- tine of bufinefs, he hath defigned feme parti- cular tiii\es as most convenient for retirement and devotion, fome for rest and refrefhment, and others for fecial intercourfe and amufe- ment. By divine authority he hath conie- crated the time of youth, when people are blelTed with most health, vigour, and vivaci- ty as the fittest feafon for remembering our Creator, and feeking fo as we may find him. By his command, benedi£lion, and example, he hath fandified the sabbath to be obtevved as a day of holy rest, and appropiiated it to the folemn excrcifes of his woribip, and the delightful fervices of his fancluary. By the reviving communications of his Spirit fome feafons are admirably fuited for the conver- fion of finners, for restoring the power of god- •linefs, and imparting strength and confola- tion to the feeble and dejccled. By the fre- ouent 33^ THE IMPORTANCE OF THE quent revolutions which take place in our condition, under the diredion of infinite wif- dom and goodnefs, we ought to be excited to thofe exercifes which correfpond to the events that occur. Times of afflidion call for hu- miliation and prayer, and require patience, fubnfiiflion, truft and refignation, with the lively exercife of all the other graces which fupport and dignify the Chrillian when under the pi'efTure of dillrefs. Seafons of profperi- ty demand gratitude and pralfe to the Giver of all good, vigilance againfl temptation, humble walking with God, and liberal exer- tions in the duties of beneficence and charity. Such is the time, fuch are the opportunities which the apollle calls us to redeem. The expreflion is evidently metaphorical, and hath an obvious allufion to the regaining of that which hath been loft through impru- dence, carelefsnefs, or negligence. Much precious time we have thrown away in folly, vanity and vice, which cannot pofiibly be recalled. It is gone for ever. All that we can now do in obedience to this facred pre- cept is to ufe our utmofl efforts to recover what is lofl, by the faithful and diligent im- provement oi" what may yet remain ; fo that the damage we fuftain by our pail indolence may in feme meafure be compenfated by fu- ture exertions. As in redemption a price is paid for that ;vhich is ranfomed, fo in redeem- ing the time we have fquandered away, we mull part with every criminal indulgence, fenfual REDEMPTION OF TIME. 337 sensual gratifications, incompatible with our profession, our unprofitable amusements and ensnaring corrtpanions. We must lay aside indolence and sloth, and surmounting every trifling difficulty that might impede our pro- gress in the path of duty ; we must sacrifice present emoluments and transitory pleasures, when they would tempt us to neglect God, and the chief business of life. Family alTairs and worldly em.ployments must give place to more important interests which solicit atten- tion. This wise conduct we see exempliiied by Mary the sister of Lazarus, who, when a favourable occasion for spiritual improve- ment presented itself, omitting for a while solicitude about domestic affairs, sat down and listened with pleasure to our blessed Sa- viour*s divine instructions. Lesser duties must be deferred, or give way whtn those which are of greater moment press on our at- tention, and require to be perfornied. Rest, sleep, and recreation, which are necessary ui their proper place, must not encroach on the time allotted for business, and business must not interfere with seasons appropriated to piety and devotion. It behoves us n. t only to be active in doing good, but to be employed in doing the greatest good competent to our ability and circumstances, and in doing the best things in the best manner and in the largest measure. In few words, to redeem time is to recover what is already lost, not by stopping its rapid progress (v.hich is im.posoi- P ble) 358 THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ble) but by prudence and frugality so to ma- nage that which remains, that the smallest portion of it may not be mis-spent. It is to embrace with alacrity opportunities of active beneficence as they occur, and to discharge with expedition every duty in its proper sea- son. Think not that you will purchase time too dear at such a rate. Be assured there is not any thing that you are called to part with for its redemption, that is worthy to be put in competition with this precious trea- sure ; and therefore you ought without hesita- tion to comply with this reasonable demand. This leads me to speak, Of the purposes to which time thus redeem- ed ought to be applied. In the distribution of time, and in spending the several portions into which it is divided, we ought uniformly tokeep in view the advancement of the glory of God and our ow^n salvation. Though the latter be certainly involved in the former, yet I shall speak of them separately, that J may take occasion to address you more particular- ly on this interesting subject. Our time, my brethren, ought to be occupied in glorifying God. The great God hath made all things for himself; he hath formed us. for his glory that we may shew forth his praises. Such is his wonderful condescension that he calls us to promote the same noble design by our ac- tions that he hath in view in his works. ^ Whether, therefore, ye eat or drink, or wiiatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Con- REDEMPTION OF TIME. 339 Contemplating every blessing we receive, as coming from his gracious hand, let us ascribe them all to his rich mercy, let us enjoy them as the fruits of his distinguishing goodness, and through the whole of our conduct in our natural, civil, moral, and religious capacities, let us seek, not our own honour, but his glo- ry who sent us into the world. This is both reasonable and just ; it is at once our duty and our interest, to employ our time, v;ith e- very other talent, to his honour who confer- red them. By prosecuting with assiduity this excellent purpose, we become workers toge- ther with God, we follow the most dignified line of conduct of which we are capable, we pursue the great end of our creation, and re- demption by Jesus Christ. Let us then dili- gently employ our time in those exercises whereby God in all things may be glorified, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let us en- deavour so to manage our different occupa- tions, as well as the solemn exercises of di- vine worship, that they may ultimately ter- minate in God, and bring honour to his name. And let us study entire devotedness to God, and habitual readiness for the perfor- mance of every good work ; and whatsoever our hand findeth to do let us do it with all our might, knowing that there is no work, device, or knowledge in the grave Vviiether we are going. Tim.e ought to be employed in promoting our salvation. This business is truly worthy P 2 of 34<^ THE IMPORTANCE OF THE of reasonable creatures involved in sin and misery, though formed for immortality. Have you hitherto persisted in the practice of trans- gression, and never yet turned to the Lord from the error of your ways ? Do you still continue to live without God and without Christ in the world, unacquainted w^ith the life and power of godliness, and alienated through ignorance from the life of God ? It is now full time that you work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. The sooner that you enter upon this necessary "work you may hope to prove more successful in the enterprize, and to enjoy the greater happiness. The longer you continue in sin, the more difficult and less probable will be your conversion. A young twig is moie easily bent than an aged tree. Begin then . without -delay to redeem time, for se- curing interest in that salvation which is in Christ Jesus w^ith eternal glory. Be not dis- couraged by the obstacles that may lie in your way, but employ your utmost efforts to surmount every difficulty, convinced that it is God who worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. The best means applied with the utmost skill cannot of them- selves prove successful, but derive all their ef- iicacy from God, on w^hom you m.ust depend to render them effectual in spite of all oppo- sition. And this reliance must be expressed by earnesjt prayer to God, that by the power of his grace he may give you inclination, and .furnish rfEDEMPTION OF TIME. 341 furnishyou with ability to do that which is- well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ. Have you abandoned your former evil ways, and returned to the Shepherd and Bi- shop of souls, that you may walk with him ' in newness of lire. Are you become dead ^ unto sin and alive unto God through Jesus Christ, that you may no longer live the rest of your time to the lusts of men, but to the will of God? Would you adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, a vast variety of duties of different kinds are incumbent upon you, eachof which must be perfotoed in its season, ih your several stations and relations, in your devbtions, in your employments and recrea- tions, you ought so to acquit yourselves as to shew that you are wise in discerning botli time and judgment. You must act with prudence as becometh Christians in all con- ditions whether prosperous or adverse, in all things whether civil or sacred, in all places whether in solitude or society; at all times whether in youth or advanced age. Godli- ness is not a- holiday suit to be occasionally put on, but a comely dress that must be dai- ly wore, that you may appear Christians on all occasions and at all seasons. Much dis- cretion is requisite that you may frequentljr converse with God, that you may act un- blameably before men, that you may pre- serve the majesty of rehgion, and so adjust Your time, that a!l your actions may occupy F 3 their 34- THE IMPORTANCE OF THE their proper place. You must grow in grace, subdue your corruptions, be conformed to the whole will of God, imitate the perfect exam- ple of Jesus Christ, walk in th^ ordinances and coiiimandments of the Lord blameless, and be ready to enter into the joy of your Lord, when, with respect to you, time shall end and eternity commence. Such are the valuable purposes to which time ought to be redeemed. Having explained the nature of the duty, I shall next recommend it to your practise by the three following motives, to which I request your attention. — Time is extrem^ely uncertain, — rapid in its progress,— and v/heii past it never returns. Time, my brethren, is extremely uncer- tain. This truth is universally acknowledg-. ed, and though it requires little illustration^ it needs very much to be impressed on our hearts. Multitudes have been lamentably de- ceived through inattention to this obvious circumstance. So easily are we deluded, that we rashly trust to its continuance, as if time v/as entirely at our command, when in fact v/e know not how soon it may come to a pe- riod, and the brittle thread of life be snapt asunder. None of us knoweth when our Lord shall come to call him to account, but of this we have the fullest assurance, that the awful moment cannot be very distant, and it may arrive very soon. How often do we read and hear of sudden unexpected deaths ; that REDEMPTION? OF TIME. 343 ' that such a one perished in the water, and a- nothcr in the fire ; that one died of distemper, another was killed ; and a third without pre- vious intimation dropt down dead in the street, at the table, or expired on the bed. How frequently doth the scriptures instruct us that life passeth away like a shadow whicli departeth, that it is even- a vapour that ap- peareth for a Kttle, and then vanisheth away. The most fleeting things imaginable are men- tioned to remind us of the brevity and pre- cariousness of human life. Boast not then ot to-morrow, for you know not what shall be on the morrow. You have no certainty of cii joying any time beyond the present.- E- very day introduces new providences and new events, and we cannot tell what shall be next morning, or what a day may bring forth. Qur times are wholly in God's liand. Acknowledging then that the time past is more than su'ihcient to have wrought the will of the flesh, and that it is high time to av/ake out of fleep, knowing that shortly we must put off these tabernacles, let us redeem tune. This argument derives additional force from the consideration of the rapid progress of time. To excite attention to this subject it is represented in the word of God by vari- ous striking similitudes. Time quickly pas- seth away like a post, who with unremitting constancy and speed, goes from one place, to another; hke a swift ship, having the advan- tage of wind and current, that sails with the P 4 utmost 344 THE JMPORTANCE OF THE Utmost dispatch to the place of her destina- tion;, like an eagle that hasteth to the prey with the swiftest motion, not leaving the smallest trace behind him ; like the w^ind, which you cannot stop, and when gone can- not be recalled. As a weaver's shuttle, it ilies with the greatest velocity, the day casting it to the night and the night to the day, until the thread of life be cut off. Wherever you turn your eyes you may observe instructive emblems of the transitory nature of time, that if you learn not from one you may be taught by another. Time never stops, but like the water in the stream imperceptibly glides a- long whilst we eat, and drink, andsleep;- whilst we v/ork and converse it passes on without interruption. That portion of it w^hich exist- ed whilst I illustrated the former article of this discourse is gone, and cannot be recalled. Doth time then pass away unnoticed with such constant rapidity; surely we ought care- fully to improve it for the best purposes, espe- cially, If we consider, that when past it never re- turns. Large portions of our time elapsed during childhood and youth, and much of it hath been spent in sleep and indolence, if not in vanity and sin. Many valuable seasons of . improvement and of doing good have we let slip, by the right use of which we might have acquired some important temporal or spiritu- al advantages. Many favourable opportuni- ties which we ought to have embraced with alacrity REDEMPTION OF TIMEo 34 alacrity for securing our best interests hav, been neglected. Whilst the laborious hus bandman, the busy merchant, and industri"" ous mechanic, have diligently attended to the several seasons in which they might pro- mote the. purposes they had formed, v/e have foolishly squandered away great part of the day of salvation. Though parsimonious in our expences, we have been profuse of our time. Though some of us may have been diligent in labouring for the meat that perish- eth, how culpably negligent have we been in pursuing the glories of immortality I The loss of property, of friends, and of health, may be repaired, but the loss of time c-annot be compensated. The most powerful mo~ narchs cannot stop its career, or even retard its progress ; all the riches of the East cannot recal one moment, or recover the smallest portion of it when gone. How forcible an ar- gument this to induce us to redeem the time that is past, by making right use of the pre- sent. Let us then lay hold of every opportu- nity afforded us by divine mercy, for pro- moting the best purposes, and take heed that we waste no more precious time in idleness and sin. 2dly, The work we have to do is ex- ceedingly important and highly necessary. Notwithstanding Jesus Christ, by finishing the work given him to do, hath accomplished the salvation of his church, many things are required of us, in dependence on his grace P 5. ami ^4^ THE IMPORTANCE OF THE and blessing, that we may obtain a share in his eternal redemption, that we may express becoming gratitude to him for his marvellous grace, and give comfortable evidence of our, love to him and our brethren. These are matters of the greatest moment and most in- dispensable necessity. 1 hey are not like ma- ny things we pursue with great avidity, which we had better omit, or keep in a more subor- dinate place. Are there any affairs in which you can be engaged r — Is the acquisition of the riches, honours, and pleasures of this world, worthy to be compared to restoration to tlie favour, image, and enjoyment of God, which form the great objects that we ought to pursue with unremitting ardour ? Salva- tion comprehends benefits of immense value, proportioned to the infinite worth of the blood of Jesus Christ, by which they were procured, and perfectly adapted to relieve our necessi- ties. This eternal salvation which comprizes all that is requisite to our present and future felicity, is presented to our acceptance m the gospel of the Son of God, as a precious trea- sure that will for ever enrich us. Immersed in avast variety of worldly occupations, there are but few that seem to remember that the love and service of God ought to constitute our chief employment, and that we ought to give matters of the utmost importance the precedence to all others. Though the bulk of mankind exercise prudence in the manage- ment of their temporal affairs, they seem de- ficient REDEMPTION- OF TI^^IE; '347 ficient of it when they act in matters relative to their spiritual concerns. In the former they are active and attentive, in the latter they discover no small measure of indolence and indifference. Would you then improve the present sea - Son for workmg. out your salvation, begin with reconciliation to God through Jesus Ghrist. Having viewed the atrocity of the crimes you have committed, recollect the fa- vours you have received, and acknowledging the shameful abuse of them, with real peni- tence, have recourse to the mercy of God re- vealed in the gospel. Acknowledge your guilt and unworthiness, throw down the wea- pons of rebellion, and earnestly supplicate forgiveness through the propitiatory sacrifice of the blessed Redeemer. Proceed in fervent prayer to God, to implore that he would give you the new heart which he hath promised ; that he would subdue your powerful corrup- tions, implant and cherish in your souls every divine grace, and abundantly bless to you the means he hath instituted for these gracious purposes. Read with attention the holy scriptures, which contain treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and Vv^hich are able to make you wise unto salvation, through faith that h in Christ Jesus. Hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it not. How can you employ time so well as in conversing with the doc- trines and precepts of the word of God, indea- Youring to become intimatelv acauainted . ^Yith- 348 THE IMPORTAKCE OF THE with them, and to get them deeply impressed \ipon your minds by devout meditation. Thus employed in every proper season you may reap a harvest of spiritual fruit, and en- joy abundant consolation. Having experienced the grace of God in truth, and the power of godhness, embrace every opportunity of expressing your grati- tude to him, and of manifesting your confor- mity to his will. We must affirm constantly that they who believe in God be careful to maintain good works. This salutary doc- trine is every where inculcated in scripture. Indeed, one important end for which Jesus Christ came into the world, was to redeem from all iniquity, and to bless us in turning every one of us from his iniquities. Think not the Son ot God was manifested only to bsar the punishment due to our transgressions; to allow sin to reign triumphant in our hearts and lives, and that we may throw a- way our time in the service of divers lusts and pleasures. The principal design of Christ's appearance was to destroy sin, to re- scue us from its dominion as well as its guilt. Deeply sensible of our infinite obligations to liim for his astonishing grace, w^e ought to hhevj forth his praises, and to consecrate our time to his service and glory. Let your light then so shine before men, that they seeing your good u oiks may glorify your Father in heaven. It is incumbent upon you to fight the g^ od fight of faith, to run with patience the REDEMPTION OF TIME. 349 the race set before you, to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, knowing that the way to the kingdom ^f God hes through much tribulation. It behovfe you also to give yourselves to reading, meditation and prayer. You must oppose sohcitations to sin, attend on divine ordinances, maintain a good conversation w^ith meekness of wisdom, and perform works of justice, mercy, and charity, and the duties belonging to your se- veral stations and relations. You have to acquire comfortable assurance of God's love, the earnest of the Spirit, and growing meet- ness for the inheritance of the saints in light. These and many other things ought to be done in due season, with alacrity and plea- sure, in humble dependence on divine assist- ance, direction, and acceptance, through the one Mediator. If such various important and necessary duties are required of saints and sinners, of good and bad men in their several conditions, it is indispensibly requisite that we instantly begin to redeem time by the most assiduous, vigorous exertions. The soon , er we commence well timed labours in the work of the Lord, the more delightful the service we shall accomplish ; the more di- ligent and industrious we are in improving precious time, tlie sweeter wull be our rest after our labours are finished, and the more glorious will be our reward in heaven. Once more consider, 3dly, That the days are evil. Days are de. 35<3 THE mrORTANCE of TK5> denominated evil when iniquitv of various kinds becomes generally prevalent, and mi- sery, its direful cortsequence, appears in dif- ferent shapes among society. This being in some measure the cse in every age, the ar- gument mentioned in my text hath been used at all times and in every place where the a- postolical exhortation hath been inforced. Unquestionably those criminal practices, from the prevalence of \vhich days are said to be evil, have been very different in different periods; for it often happens that the sins which abounded in one generation differ widely from those diat were predominant in another age. I shall not at present inquire into the causes which have contributed to render former days better than those wherein we live. It may, however, place our apostle's argument in a more strikuig light than I could otherwise state it, to institute a comparison between the evil days that were in his time, and those whereof we have now just cause to com.plain, which ought to be considered by us as a powerful motive to redeem time. If the judgment of the inspired writer concern- ing the age wherein h. lived be well founded, notwithstanding the exemplary piety of Chri- stians which then shone forth amidst the darkness ot heathenism, surely w^e need not hesitate to form the same estimate of the time in w^hich our lot is fallen, w^hen, amid the profession of Christianity, infidelity, im- piety, and licentious practices are so frequent and REBEMPTION OF TIME. 35I and avowed, that the predidion he delivered fee ms now to be verified, 2 Tim. iii. i. ' In * the last days perilous times shall come, for ^ men shall be lovers of their own selves, co- * vetoiis, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobe- * dient to parents, unthankful, unholy, with- * out natural affection, truce-breakers, false * accusers, incontinent, fierce, de^piscrs of * those that are good, traitors, heady, high- ' minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers * of God, having a form of godliness, but de- * nying the power thereof What a tremen- dous representation, what a group of bad cha- racters is here collected I The description is not exaggerated, nor is the picture overchar- ged which is exhibited of the last days. At the time wherein this epistle was written to the faithful in Christ Jesus, the vocation of the Gentile nations to che faith of the gospel and the communion of the Christian church had lately commenced, and the glorious ef. fects of the apostles ministry, accompanied with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, had become conspicuous. In the time where- in we live, the falutary effects of the belief of the truth are little apparent ; many seem to be given up to a reprobate mind as. the just punishment of their not having received the truth in love, and of their putting away from them the words of eternal life. Then in every place where the glad tidings of salva- tion were promulgated many believed, and turned from dead idols to serve the living God. Now 5-52 THE IMPoRTAlfCE OF THE Now many enjoying the same privilege, turn from God to the creature, whom they love and serve more than the Creator, who is God blessed for ever. Then vast multitudes resorted to the banner of Jesus Christ, and did cleave unto the Lord with purpose of heart; a plentiful harvest was collected out of the world by the ministi-y of the w^ord. Now those who repair to the standard of the Cap- tain of Salvation, that they may fight under his good conduct, are few in number, may we not say, as the gleaning grapes that are left, or as the shaking of the olive tree. Then Jesus Christ, having laid the foundations of his kingdom, liberally conferred upon his dis- ciples, from his inexhaustible treasures, the choicest gifts, whereby they were enriched and adorned. Now, criminal ingratitude, contempt of the divine benefits, obstinacy in transgression, hath hardened the hearts of ma- ny, and provoked hiui towith-hold good things from us. Then, the predictions of the old prophets respecting the glorious state of the church, the establishment and increase of the Redeemei's kingdom, were fulfilled. Now is accomplished the prophecies of Jesus Christ and his apostles, who foretold that in the last time shall come a falling away from the faith and obedience of the truth, and a general se- curity. Then, notwithstanding the extensive prevalence of Judaism and heathenism, the triumphant power of the gospel was so illustri- ously displayed in the holy hves of Cbnstians, that REDEMPTION OF TIME. 353 tbnt their enemies were constrained to acknow- ledjaje the blamelessness and sanctity of their conduct. Now the adversaries of Christians, with too much reason, upbraid them with the inconsistency of their practice to the truths they profess to beheve, whilst many who were baptized into Christ prove a disgrace to the worthy name by which they are called. After fairly stating this comparison, doth it not plainly appear that our days are in some respects worse than those which the apostle calls evil days, and consequently, that the motive whereby he urges the redemption of time, far from being diminished, hath much added to its former weight. Since then we live in evil, degenerate days, let us spend e- very day wcW^ employed in the service of our Master in heaven, and in the performance of those good works v«^hich are acceptable to God and profitable to men. Whatever be your character and condition, whether you act in a public or private capacity, whether you do business in the city or in the country, whether you are employed amid the din of arms, or se- questrated in peaceful retirement, abstain from all appearance of evil, and diligently improve the season of your merciful visita- tion, with a view to the future account that you must give to God who judgeth righteous- ly. The more that you see people addicted to evil, to idleness and dissipation, be you the more active, vigilant, and c'rcumspect m do- ing good. Allow not business or company, a- musemcnt 554 THE IMPORTANCE OF THE musement or idleness so to engross your atten- tion as to divert you from the work of him that sent yoa into the world ; but work while it is day, for the night cometh when no man ean work. I shall conclude w^ith some short exhorta- tions to facilitate the practice of the important duty I have been recommending. Cautiously avoid whatever might unneces- sarily consume your precious time. Shun vain and unprofitable conversation. Much time is spent insensibly in this pernicious prac- tice, from which no earthly advantage, and still less spiritual improvement is derived. It extends its hurtful influence to societies and seasons where it might least be expected to in- trude, so that all are in danger of suffering from its malignant contagion. To prevent the infection from spreading, associate as lit- tle as possible with bad or trifling company ; and when you enter among agreeable society, improve every proper opportunity of receiving and communicating useful knowledge aiid en- tertainment. Let your speech be always with grace, and tending to edification. Be ac- tive and industrious. By languor and listless- ness you may let pass many valuable seasons which might be appropriated to good purpo- ses. ' He that is slothful in his work,* faith Solomon, ' is brother to him that is a great * waster.' Be not then slothful in business, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Dili- gently pursue your several occupations, and perform REDEMPTION OF TIME.. 355 perform with pleasure and spiritual activity e- very part of the service of God in vvhicli you eagage. This leads me To direct you to steady, vigorous exertion. This advice is every where inculcated in scrip- ture in such a diversity of expressions as claims attention. * Cursed be he,' faith the prophet Jeremiah, ' that doth the work of the Lord 'deceitfully.' If the person exposed himself to the malediction of God who did not faith- fully execute ti)e divine vengeance upon the enemies of the church, the work primarily al- luded to in the words now cited, how much more do they who neglect their own salvation and that of others. Lay-ng aside every incum- brance from connection, business, or condi- tion in life, and every sin that easily besets you, fo run your Christian race that you may obtain.. Notwithstanding the difficulties that may lie in the way, be solicitous to make pro- gress in holiness, to mortify sin, to resist temiptation, to grow in knowledge and grace, and to add one virtue to another, x\fter the laudable example of the apostle Paul, forget- ting things thfit are behind, press forward to the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. To conclude, Study through the grace of God to perse- vere in seasonably performing every com- manded duty. * A good man,' faith the royal prophet, * bringeth forth fruit in season, and ' ordercth his affairs with difcretion.' One duty mistimed proves a hhidrance to another, whereas 356 THE IMPORTANCE, Scc. whereas if our services are well disposed, like parts of a well regulated clock, every thing we do will help forward another. Much of the art of redeeming time consists in diligent attention to this beautiful order. Be not then' weary in well doing, for in due time ye shall reap if ye faint not. Look not back, like Lot's wife, on prohibited objects. Forsake not the service of your Divine iMaster, like Demas, who loved this present w.^rld ; but wrestle as didjacob, until you obtain the bless- ing ; determined, like Llisha, that you will: not desist from following your beloved Master, but cleave to hi-n closely, until having attend- ed him through the Jordan of death, and dropt these frail bodies, you shall ascend into heaven, to celebrate his praises through eter- nity. To him be glory for ever. Amsn^ . SERi ( 357 ) S E R M O N XIII. TPIE CERTAINTY AND SOLEMNITY OF Till; FINAL JUDGMENT. Rev. XX. ii. 12. Jind I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and hda- 'ven fed away ^ and there was found no phice for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God : and the books were . opened ; and another book was opened, which . is the book of life : and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the hooks., according to their works. FROM these words I intend to discourse of the final judgment : A subject of all o- thers that can be mentioned the most magni- ficent and the most interesting. It exhibits to view a truly majestic scene, in comparison cf vihich the greatest events of this present iite are inconsiderable, the most important transactions relative to :his world are insigni- ficant, of which the most splendid objects that we bave.contemplated, the most pompous images wherewith we are acquainted cannot furnish aiiy adequate representation. Nor is the subject less interesting than it is grand- It 358 THE IMPORTANCE AND SOLEMNITY It concerns, not merely the affairs of some re- mote countries or kingdoms, some particular generations or species of the human kind; it relates to that very society of which we are individuals, to the affairs of that very country where we reside, to men of this very age wherein we live, and to each of us in particu- lar. Let us now fix our attention on this so- lemn, awful scene, described with incompara- ble beauty and sublimity in my text, w^hich was presented in viaion to the apostle John, and of which every one in this assembly shall not only be a spectator, but by the irreversi- ble sentence then to be pronounced, his ever- lasting happiness or misery shall be irrevoca- bly determined. In humble dependence up- on the assistance and blefsing of God, let us consider, I. The infallible certainty of the approach- Tng great event that the apostle had exhibited to him in vision, which we ought frequently and steadily to contemplate. As 1 am ad- dressing a congregation of professing Chris- tians, 1 shall discuss this article with much brevity, that I may not long detain you from the principal objects of this discourse. I sup- pose that 1 am not preaching to infidels and novices, and that the arguments commonly adduced in proof of the future judgment are so ^well known to many of you, that little more is requisite than simply to state them in order to remind you of what you know, to guard you against infidelity, and to establish you 0¥ THE FINAL JUDGMENT. 359 you in the belief of the riui.h. — One leading evidence of the judgment to come is derived from the human constitution. The great Creator of all hath endowed us with the facul- ty of reason whereby we are capable of dis- cerning good and evil. He hath implanted in our nature a principle that induces us to expect, that, in the administration of his divine government he will deal with us according to our improvement, or abuse of the powers and advantages he hath conferred upon us. Our -hopes of being rew^arded, and our fears of be- ing punished, on account of our good and bad conduct, afford a presumptive proof that we are responsible to God for our actions. This argument is corroborated by the efiential per- fections of Jehovah, w'hich warrant this obvi- ous conclusion, that as he approves of what is good, and condemns what is evil, he will un- quesiionably give public dt-monstration of the equity of his government, by properly reward- ing and punishing men according to their works. In consequence of this conviction a- rising from the work of the law written upon our hearts, the apostle Paul affirms that our consciences bear witness, and our thoughts in the mean while accuse or excuse one another. You have then in your very constitution a strong proof of the doctrine contained m my text. Another evidence of this important truth is derived from the disorders of society. Thou- sands of vicious irregularities, of enormous crimes 3^0 THE CERTAINTY AND SOLEMNITY crimes disturb the order and peace of society, which human laws cannot prevent or punish, and that cannot be redressed until the final judgment. Cruel tyrants, superior to human control, violate the most sacred rights, break the most solemn treaties, and spread desola- tion over whole kingdoms; and whilst they sit upon thrones and dwell in sumptuous palaces, those who are greatly their inferiors in wick- edness have suffered the most infamous pu- nishments. Hypocritical, deceitful, and de- signing men, under the most plausible pre- texts, and sometimes under the shadow of pie- ty, have committed the most atrocious crimes, that have never been punished in this world. The most abominable ingratitude, which hath prompted men to abandon their friends, to de- sert the oppressed and the helpless, hath pas- sed unnoticed by those who in this present state were authorized to recompense them as they deserved. On the other hand, the up- right among men, though harmless and inof- fensive, perhaps exceedmgly useful in their station, have often been afflicted and perse- cuted, deprived of the fruits of their industry, exposed to the greatest hardships, to reproach, to torture, to death itself in its most hideous forms. In few words, the wicked frequently escape many evils \\ hich they richly deserve^ and enjoy pleasures of v/hlch they are unwor- thy, whilst the righteous suffer many calami- ties which they have not merited, and are de- prived of innumerable comforts they had right to 0.F THE LAST JUDGMENT. 36 1 to expect. And doth not this confused state of things, in which, as Solomon observed there be just men unto whom it happeneth ac* cording to the work of the wicked, and there be wicked men to whom it happeneth accord- ing to the work of the righteous ; doth not th's confused state of things, 1 say, give e- vidence that God will hereafter judge the w^orld ? The last proof that I mention is taken from the Holy Scriptures. Blessed be God this comfortable dodlrine doth not depend upon a- ny doubtful process of reasoning, but is sup- ported and illustrated by the most clear and express declarations both of the Old and New Testaments The apostle Jude affirms, that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, foretold this great event. * Behold,' said he, * the Lord * Cometh wdth ten thousand of his saints, to ■* execute judgment upon alL' David, the royal prophet, predicted that our God shall come and judge the world in righteousness, and the people with his truth. Solomon the king of Israel testified that God shall bring e- very work into judgment, with every secrv?t thing, whether it be good or whether it be e- vil. Hear the explicit declaration of Jesus Christ himself. * The hour is coming in * which all that are in their graves shall hear * the voice of the Son of God, and shall come * forth,; they that have done good to the resur- * rection cf life, and they that have done evil ' to the resurrection of damnation,' The apos- tle Paul delivers his testimony in the strong- Q^ est 3^2 THE CERTAINTY AND SOLEMNITY est and most express terms. * We must all ' appear,' saith he, * before the judgment * seat of Christ, that every one may receive ' the things done in the body, according to ' that he hath done, whether it be good or * bad:' The apostle Peter, when putting us in remembrance of the v/ords spoken before by the holy prophets and apostles of the Lord and Saviour, says, * that the heavens and the * earth ars reserved unto fire against the day * of judgment and perdition of ungodly men/ And in my text, the beloved disciple gives a very sublime description of the judicial proce- dure which he beheld in vision. Indeed, this capital doctrine is not only often asserted in scripture, but is so intimately connected with every part of divine revelation, that the whole must stand or. fail with it. This fundamental truth, my brethren, which I have been endeavouring to establish, de- mands your most serious attention. We all profess to believe it, but alas I how few de- m.onstrate by the holiness of their lives, the reality and power of faith. How few are so- Hcitously careful to avoid every thing that migrit expose them to condemnation at the judgment of the great day^ and vigorously endeavour to secure the approbation of the Judge of all the earth at lAs appearance. Bid we seriously believe and .frequently consider this interesting truth as we ought, the pros- pect v/hich It sets before us would have ano- ther sort of infiuence upon our temper and practice than what is visible in the lives of ma- ny. OF THE LAST JUDGMENT. ^6;^ ny. What manner of persons should we be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God. How devout, obedient, and grateful should we be toward the Most High ; bow just, charitable, and merciful toward our bre- thren ; how attentive that our whole conduct be governed by the laws of truth and righte- ousness I As it is not more certain that we now exist, than that we shall hereafter be judged by our Lord, let us henceforth study, in humble dependence upon God, to live so- berly, righteously, and godly, looking for the l)lessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God, even our Saviour Jesus Christ. Let us contemplate, IL The magnificent appearance of the su- preme judge. The emblematical description of his glory given in the text hath an obvious allusion to the courts of judicature established among men, in which, to give greater solem- nity to the procedure, a bench is erected for tlie judge, or a throne for the prince who is to administer judgment. Though the apostle John does not expressly mention in the iilli verse the name of the person v/hose majestic glory he beheld, tlie Ica^t doubt cannot be en- tf'.rritined respecting him whose designation and character is indubitably ascertained in o- ther passages of scripture, and who in verse J 2th is explicitly called God. The eternal Jehovah hath been pleased to constitute the Lord Jesus Christ the final Judge of the world, Q^ 2 as 3(^4 THE CERTAINTY AND SOLEMNITY as he himself hath instructed us, * The Father * judgeth no man, but hath committed all • judgment unto the Son.' He hath entrust- ed him with the administration of this great extensive work, that in a visible human form be may. execute it in the day he hath appoint- ed him to judge the world in righteousness. And he hath con^manded .us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he, who was ordained of God to be the judge ot the quick and the dead. The only begotten Son of God, the Word who was with God, and was God, who was manifest in the flesh, who appeared in the form of a servant, who hc- came poor for our sakes, and obedient to the death of the cross, is invested with judiciary j>ower to.deterniine the everlasting condition of all mankind. His infinite knowledge, irre- sistible power, and consummate righteous- ness ; his experience of human infirmity, temp- tation, afflidion and sorrow, perfedly qualify him for this arduous undertaking. And to this diltinguiilied honour he is juilly entitled as the reward of liis profound humiliation, of his perfect obedience, complicated suilerings, and meritorious death, to which he volunta- rily submitted, that hr. might condiict many sons to glory. This illustrious person the apostle John be- held sitting upon a great white throne. What a splendid appearance did he make when he saw him in the midst of the seven golden can- dlesticks, of \^bich a sublime description is given OF THE LAST JUDGMENT. ^6$ given in chap. i. from the 13th verse of this sacred book. The representation given of him in my text is still more grand and awful. He was seated upon a throne, the ensign of supreme majesty, and uncontrolable authori- ty, i t:imating that his sentence shall prove ii- nal, and that from his tribunal there can be no appeal. The determmations of inferior courts held among men for preserving the order of society may be complained of, appealed from, and reversed by the superior, who have power to review them : whereas, not one of the de- cisions delivered by him that sitteth upon the throne shall ever be revoked, nor are they cognizable by any other tribunal. Indeed, it is impossible to assign any valid refi-on why n- ny one sentence pronounced by him ought -to be altered. The knowledge of the Son of God is infinite. He is perfectly acquainted w^ith every individual that shall appear before his judgment seat ; his penetrating eye reaches the secret recesses of the heart, and clearly discerns the thoughts and purposes, the words, the works, and ways of every man. No ob- scurity of p'iace can conceal from his ail-seeing eye, to which the light and the darkness are alike. No solilude can exclude from his in- spection whose presence fills heaven and earth. No time can obliterate any of our actions from the book of his remembrance, ;vhereiii they are all recorded. The throne upon which this glorious perso- n3gQ was seated, is said to have been great, 0^3 iatimating 365 THE CERTAINTY AND SOLEMNlTy intimating that he is a great God and a great King, the Lord of lords, the Prince of the kings of the earth, who possesses incompara- ble majesty, omnipotence, and universal do- minion. The power of earthly monarchs is small, and limited in many instances; so feeble as to have been opposed with impunity by combinations of those who despise govern- ment. So numerous sometimes have been tlxe transgressors of the laws, that those in au- thority have been obliged to connive at the most flagrant enormities, and to suffer them to escape deserved punishment. Besides, earthly governors often find themselves una- ble, from the scanty treasures of which irrcj r-v., ihe disprsc-'i, properly to recompense the i ^ portant services tnai; have been done to liiem ; and therefore in many cases the re- ward is inadequate to the good offices per- formed. But bis power who sitteth on this great throne is unlimited and irresistible i no opposition can counteract its exertions. He can inflict the most exquisite torments, destroy both soul and body in hell for ever ; and all the united/ efforts of the creatures cannot re- verse cne of his decisions, or prevent it from being carried into execution. He hath all the treasures in heaven and earth at his disposal, and can bestow infinitely more upon his faith- ful servants than they deserve, yea far beyond what they can ask or think. The throne upon which the Judge was seen is asserted to have been white, afibrding a beautiful OF THE LAST JUDGMENT. 567 beaLUit\il emblem of his untainted purity and inflexible juflice, by whom the moit fpecious ' pretexts will not be regarded, nor hnproper vefpecl fnewn to any clafs of people. In courts of judicature, among men, jullice may be perverted through ignorance, partiality, pie- jadice or paffion, by flaviHi fear, by private interelf, or by means of bribes, which blind the eyes, in confequence whereof criminals may efcape puniiliment. Nothing of this fort can poffibly take place with the Judge of ail the earth, whofe judgment can never by any means be biafTed. With him there is no v*^ fpe*il of perfons. Evevy . cr/ufe which might contribute to pervert the execution of juftice by earthly magidrates, is entirely excluded here, and cannot have the fmalleit induence upon him who is feated upon this white throne, from whofe auguft prefence faith the Apoftle, * the earth and the heaven fled away, and there was found no place for them.* At the gloria ous appearance of the Son of God, the frame and conilitution of this world fliall be totally- changed, and pafs away. All thefe things which you nou' behold fhall be diliblved; the heavens fliall pafs away with a great noife, the elem.ents fljall melt with fervent heat, the eartii alio, and the works that are therein fliall be burnt up. How dreadi'ul, how tremen- dous that majefty from before which they fhall flee away as a {liadovv. Let us, my brethren, fix our thoughts upon this great white throne, and him that fittetii O 4 upon 568, THE CERTAINTY AND SOLEMNITY upon it. Every circumftance unites to claim our clofeft attention. How comparatively mean and trivial doth every other object ap- pear. There is not a fubjedt, with which our minds can be cecupied, of greater magnitude, and more momentous than this. Creatures innumerable, guilty immortal creatures, filled before the dread tribunal of him who is able forever to fave and dertroy, that they may be adjudged to eternal life, or everlafting punilh-- ment. according to their real charader. Com- pared With this mofl: important tranfadion, iLe bv^l'^iiCes of this prefent (late, conducled with the greateffi parade, are trifling and in- fignificant. Every thing relative to profit and lofs, to pleailire or pain, to hfe or death, dilappears when brought into view with this glorious throne and him that fitteth upon it. Nor is there any objed fo interefting to every individual of mankind. You who hear of this matter with indifference, you who will n^t believe this truth but rejed and contemn it, you who feldom or never think of it, and allow worldly objedls to engrofs your whole at- tention ; whofoever you are, you Ihall ftand before the Son of man, when feated on his dread tribunal, and receive from him your final fentence. Nor is any event more certain than this of which I now fpeak : No valuable purpofe could be I'erved, by heaping up proofs where I am confident they are not wanting. Look within you, look around you, look into the word of God, that cannot lie, and fay if YOU OJF THE LAST JUDGMENT. 369 you can, that this dodlrine is a cunningly de- vifed fable. You yourfelves know perfedlly that the day of the Lord cometh as a thief in the night ; for when they fliall fay, peace and fafety, then fudden deftrudion cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child, and they (hall not efcape. To all this I may add, that the appearance of the Son of God to judgment is fad approaching. Though at a vaft diftance it would juftly demand our higheft regard. But his advent is near ; ** f^^ **^in a little time, he that fhall come, will come *' and will not tarry.'* Already the Judge (land- eth before the door, and each of us will ere long be filled before his tribunal, when he fhall lit upon the throne of his glory, and be- fore him fhall be gathered all nations. ^ Let us furvey, , III. The univerfal extent of the final judg-- ment. The apoflle John declared that he * faw the fmall and great, ftand before God :' the apoftle Peter teflified, 'that Jefus Chrift is or- * dainedof God, to be the Judge of quick and - * dead,' and the apoftle Paul affirmed, ' that we ' fhall all fland before the judgment feat of * ChrilL* All mankind, who have ever lived in the feveral fucceffive generations of the world, all who are now ahve on the face of the earth, and all who fhall hereafter exilf, until the con- fummation of all things : In whatever quarter of the univerfe they have lived, whatever dii- penfation of religion they have enjoyed, to v^harever divifion of mankind they belonged^ 0^5 whether ' 3^0 THE CERTAINTY A^TD SOLEMNITY whether Jew or Gentile, Chriftian or Maho- metan : Whatever may be your rank and condition in the world, whether high or low, rich or poor, noble or ignoble, you fhall ap- pear before the judgment feat of Chrift, to re- ceive your final doom. You that are great, rich, and honourable, fhall not be exempted. Though your prefent ftation may excufe you from giving account of your condud to men, yet your wealth, power and dignity, will give * o precedence in the day of judgment, nor ex- empt you from responsibihty to the Almighty. * God accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands.* The more emi- nent your station, the more extensive your in- fluence ; the more plentiful your fortune, the greater are your obligations to the service of God, and the more awful must be the account which you shall render to him. The greater freedom you have enjoyed from the toilsome labours and pinching straits sustained by ma- ny of your brethren, the more leisure and op- portunities you have had of doing good, and the greater i^fHuence you have possessed, the larger must'be your reckoning; * for of them to whom much is given, much will be required.' Nor lira 11 you that are fmall, mean, and in- coniiderable, elcape the notice of the Son of God, or be overlooked amidll: the great affem- bly. Though you are entrufled bat with one talent, you (liall be called to account how you have improved it. Notwithftanding fome of you who are ia low and flraitened circumflan- ces. OF THE LAST JUDGMENT. 37I ces, may imagine you have but little to ac- count for, you ought to remember that you have much precious time, many valuable op- portunities, if not of doing, yet of receiving good. You are acquainted with the things that belong to your peace ; you enjoy the ge- - nerous oiiers of a Saviour, and with iiim of par- don of iin, fanctifying grace, and eternal life : and before the judgment feat of Chriit, you mull give account cf the improvement you have made of thefe advantages, and of every part of your condud: in the feverai conditions and relations you fuftain. Whatever may be your character and des- cription, whether you be good or evil, righte- ous or wicked, you must be S:sted before the throne of judgment. In scripture all man- kind are distributed into two classes, which o- riginate in the different spiritual conditions and moral qualities of which they are respec- tively possessed; and concerning each of them the word of God explicitly declares, that they shall stand before the Supreme Judge. The righteous shall be placed on his right hand, that they may publicly receive a sentence of absolution. In consequence of the judgment that followed immediately after death, they were already acquitted, and their souls made- blessed in the enjoyment of God. But then their bodies and spirits being reunited, in pre- sence of ^ the ass'^mbled world they shall be publicly absolved from guilt, and solemnly in- vest^^d in the possession of the kingdom pre- pared • 37^ THE CERTAINTY AN B IMPORTANCE pared for them from the foundation of the world.— The wicked shall be sisted upon his. left hand, that, in the presence of angels and saints, sentence of condemnation maybe pro- nounced upon them. Already they were con- demned in the sacred oracles, and in their own consciences; this judgment was confirmed, and in part inflicted at their miserable death. But their bodies being raised from the dead, and reunited to their souls, they shall hear the terrible sentence pronaunced upon them, which shall be immediately executed. * God * will then render unto every man according ' to his deeds, to them, who by patient con- * tinuance in well doing, seek for glory, honouj*, * and immortality, eternal life; but unto them * that are contentious, and do not obey the * truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation * and wrath, tribulation and anguish upon eve- * ry soul of man that doth evil.* What strong consolation doth this part of my subject administer to the righteous, who are accepted of God, through the Lord our righteousness, and who are walking in all his ordinances and commandments blame- less. To you right hearted men, who are created after God in righteousness and true holiness, and who serve him in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of your hves : To you I say this article of my discourse conveys desirable comfort. What- ever be your external circumstances in this world, you may derive the most agreeable re- freshment from the reviving prospect which my OF tHE LAST JUDGEMEl^T. $*}$ my text presents to your view. Are you de- pressed with an affecting sense of the many aggravated iniquities that you have commit ted? are you harrassed by many powerful temp- tations ? are you dejected by many strong dis- couragements ? are you distressed with vari- ous wants, that you cannot have suppHed ? are you hurt by injuries from which you can- not now be relieved ? This animating con- sideration may support you and mitigate your sorrows, you shall have all your complaints and grievances redressed, and your labour of love recompensed, when you shall stand a- mong the small and great before God. What though you are in straitened circumstances, excluded from the luxuries and grandeur of this world ; you may taste that the Lord is gracious, and be advanced to high degrees of honour and glory at the commg of Jesus Christ. What though you are reproached and injured, you may be devout and just, humble, resigned, and merciful, animated with the pleasing view of being openly acquitted by the Son of God, who will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgment as the noonday. Though you may be con- scious of many deficiences and failures, how effectually may you be relieved from dis- quieting fears by looking forward to his appear- ance, who loved you, who died for your offen- ces, and rose again for your justification, who hath pleaded your cause in heaven, in whom you have beheved and trusted, whom you have 374 THE GERTAINTY AND SOLEMNITY have loved and obeyed, and for whom you have patiently waited^ What a dreadful prospect doth Jesus Christ seated upon his glorious white throne open to the wicked and ungodly ! To you who ob- stinately persist in your trespasses, and refuse to yield subjection to the divine authority, who continue in impenitence and unbelief, and live under the influence of pride, malice, covetousness, and other corrupt passions, con- temning the riches of divine grace revealed in the gospel — To you who under the vail of hypocrisy, and the profession of rehgion, in- dulge in hatred and uncharitableness, in fraud, falsehood, and secret enmity to the worship and law of God, this part of my subject exhi- bits a most awful scene. In the day of judg- ment you must staad before God, whose righ- teous commands you have despised, and of whose wrath none knoweth the power. You must be judged by the compassionate Savi- our, whose condescending offers you have re- jected, whose calls to repentance you have disobeyed, whose blood you have slighted, and whose Spirit you have resisted. He will then vindicate his own and his Father's ho- nour, by punishing you according to the de- merit of your atrocious crimes. How will you be overwhelmed with consternation and terror at the presence of the Lord, and the glory of his power, when you shall hear your dreadful doom pronounced by that blessed mouth into which grace was poured. Em- brace, . OF THE LAST JUDGMENT. 375 brace, then, without delay the Son of God, lest he be angry and ye perish from the way : When his wrath is kindled but a little, bless- ed are all they that put their trust in him. Let us next review, IV. The judicial procedure recorded in the text, of which the apostle John saith he was a witness in vision ; * The books were open- * ed,* &^c. In this expression there seems to be a manifest allusion to the practice observ- ed in courts of justice established among men : When persons are to be tried, satisfying evi- dence must be adduced during the trial of the alleged matters of fact, that sufficient proof being brought of their undubitable certainty, a fair and equitable sentence may be pro- nounced. On such occasions records con- taining the memorable events that happened in the kingdom, or city, where they were kept were appealed to, and produced when necessary. Hence we read in the book of Esther, that on the night whereon king Aha- suerus could not sleep, he commanded to bring the book of Records of the Chronicles, and they were read before him ; and therem was found written the signal service done by Mor- decai the Jew, who had discovered a danger- ous plot that was formed against the life of the prince. In reference to this custom, the books are said to be opened at the final judg- ment, that clear and incontroiable evidence may be adduced of the actions according to which 37<5 THE CERTAINTY AND SOLEMNITY which mens everlasting state shall be deter* mined. The book of the divine omniscience shall then^ be unfolded. God^ my brethren, seeth all . things, and knoweth all things : * There is not any creature or action that is not manifest in his sight. He knoweth our down sitting and uprising ; he understandeth our thoughts afar off; he compasseth our paths, and our lying down, and is acquainted with all our ways : There is not a word in our tongue but he , knoweth it altogether. The darkness hideth not from him, but the night shineth as the day ; the darkness and the light are both alike to him : There is no darkness or shadow of death where the workers of iniquity can hide them- selves.' — The book of God's remembrance shall be opened. His knowledge cannot be- obliterated or impaired in any degree by length of time. So feeble and limited are our mental faculties, that we often forget w^hat we ourselves have spoken and acted, and find that we are unable to recollect the words and actions that w^e once heard and saw. But nothing can possibly escape the remembrance of that omniscient God, to whom all his works and all his creatures are known from the be- ginning. Little do men consider, that God remembereth all their wickedness ; and too seldom do those who fear the Lord consider that he hearkens and hears their conversation, and that a book of remembrance is wTitten before him for them that think upon his name. The OF THE LAST JUDGMENT. 377 The book of every man*s conscience shall also be unfolded. The sentence to be pronounced by the supreme Judge will not rest upon some uncertain presumptions, or dubious evidences, but upon facts clearly authenticated, and con- fessed by the parties themselves Conscience, which may now be disregarded shall then set the sins of every individual before him, and be instead of a thousand witnesses to attest our conduct, and to give evidence of every ones integrity or w^ickedness. It wdll bear faithful testimony to our real character, and constrain us to acknowiedgti the truths and. to own the perfect equity of every part of the judicial procedure. — Beside these, the apostle mentions another book called the Book of Life, irjr which are engraven the names or characters of every one among the living in Jerusalem. Some of you may have remark- ed, that every thing whereby this select socie- ty over which^ the Lord of life presides is pecuiiatly distii>lguished, and possesses the at- tribute of life. The spirit of life enters into them, and they become living creatures ; they walk by the light of hfe, they are supported by the bread and water of life, and in due time they shall be conducted to the fountain and tree of hfe. The character of all those who are invested with these inestimable pre- rogatives is accurately delineated in the book of life, which seems to be the book of the re- velation of Jesus Christ, the record that God hath given to us, eternal hfe, and that this life is 3^3 THE CERTAINTY AND SOLEMNITY is in his Son, containing this general proposi- tion : * He that hath the Son hath Hfe, and he * that hath not the Son hath not hfe.' As the names of free citizens entitled to certain pri- vileges were anciently enrolled in a book or ' register by which they proved the validity of their claim to these immunities ; in like man- ner, the book of life describes the citizens of the new Jerusalem, the servants of the living God, to whom is promised the forgiveness of sins, the Holy Spirit and eternal life. It ex- pressly teaches what they must be,Tnd what thev must do ;vhw arc entered hein of the' kingdom of heaven, and who shall finally be admitted into it. At the general judgment, these books shall be opened, wherein are re- corded all the thoughts, words, and actions of every individual of mankind ; the book of life shall be opened, and agreeable to what is therein Vv^itten, we shall be judged according to our works. These interesting considerations ought to induce us to reverence the omniscience of Je- hovah, to pay a dutiful respect to conscience and to the book of life. God, my friends, is our constant witness ; in all places, and at all times we act under his immediate inspection, and he who now searches our heart- and pon- ders our goings, is the impartial Judge to "whom we must give account, and by whom we shall be finally absolved or condemned. What deep impression ought ihis momentous truth to make upon our minds! how vigilant and OF THE LAST JUDGMENT. 579 and circumspect, how diligent and faithful should it render us in every part of our beha- viour. How solicitous that in all respects we may act as Israehtes indeed in whom there is no guile, that we may be sincere, and without offence till the day of Christ. Let us exercise ourselves, in keeping consciences void ol ot- fence toward God, and toward man ; that we may have the pleasing testimony that in sim- plicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, w^e have had our conversation in the world. Such a tes- timony will inspire us with humble hope that we shall not be a^hiiiVieJ m. in£. cc:r*;;ig w tl*© Lord ; * for if our hearts condemn us not, then have we confidence tow^ard God ; whereas if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and knoweth all things.' — Let us carefully consult the word of God, the book of life, which contains the infallible rule whereby the procedure of the last judgment shall be conducted. Seriously enquire, if, in obedience to the command of God, you have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, repented of your sins, and demonstrated the reality and efficacy of these graces by good works, that are approved by God, and acceptable to men. Attentively consider, if through the agen- cy of the Holy Ghost you have experienced, that inward and extensive change which Je- sus Christ hath affirmed to be absolutely ne- cessary to prepare you for entering into ths kingdom of heaven, and if you daily study to obey 380 TKE CERTAIKTt AND SaLEMNITY obey his will and to walk in his steps. Then may you look forward with hope and joy, to his appearance and his kingdom. 1 proceed to intimate, V. The decisive sentence which shall be pronounced upon every man according to his works. At this awful period every thing, shall undergo a strict examination, and be suitably recompensed.. Even our most secret thoughts will be brought into judgment in the day wherein God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ. Our Lord who, in his sermon from the mount, gives law^s to the hearts and- passions of aienj hath solemnly declared, * that there is nothing hid which * shall not be revealed, nor secret that shall not * be known.' The Apostle of the Gentiles thus writes in one of his Epistles, 'judge nothing ' before the time until the Lord come, who * will bring to light the hidden things of dark- * ness, and will make manifest the counsels * of the- hearts.' God- who understand- eth our thoughts afar off, who is now the wit- ness of all that passes in our hearts, minutely observes the ardent desires, the devout grati- tude, and generous designs that arise in the minds of the regenerated part of mankind, their godly sorrow, their abhorrence of sin, and firm attachment to his service. And their heavenly Father who seeth in secret will reward them openly. — With no less ac- curacy does he look into the inward part of the wicked, and perceive the vicious work- ings OF THE LAST JUDGMENT, 381 ings of their minds. He is privy to all the contempt with which they treat his perfec- tions and providence, his law and gospel, and the gross dissimulations they are guilty of, when destitute of internal corresponding dis- positions, amidst their professions of respect and devotion, and the external services that they perform. All this concealed wickedness shall be revealed and punished. All our words shall be brought into judg- ment. This is not considered. as it ought by the bulk of mankind. Nothing however is more certain, according to the express testi- mony of Scripture. The Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Judge, Kath explicitly declared, * I say unto you, that every idle (every in- * jurious malicious) word that men shall speak, * they shall give an account thereof in the * day of judgment; for by thy words thou shalt * be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be * condemned.* The reasons are obvious. Words, as well ai actions, discover our real character, and often produce as great effects upon those with whom we are connected as any thing that we do. The calves of our lips presented unto God, the advices, the ad- monitions, and consolations which we impart to our brethren, are as real expressions of love as any actions whatever. By blasphemous language we as certainly offend God, as by any other atrocious crime ; by slander, false- hood, and corrupt conversation, we as effec- tually injure our neighbour as if we robbed 382 THE CERTAINTY AND SOLEMNITY or defrauded him. We may either corrupt or edify him by our words as well as by our examples; and therefore the righteous God will justify or condemn us by the evidence they afford. Once more, All our actions, even those not cognisable by earthly judges, shall also be judged of« Many of the works of men are involved in such uncertainty and obscurity, many of them are so complicated, and, through want of pro- per evidence, lie so far beyond our reach, that they cannot be developed. They baf- fle all the efforts of earthly magistrates to as- certain their criminality or innocence. But before the tribunal of God every action done by the children of men, will be exactly ap- pretiated and recompensed. — Omissions of du- ty will be publicly noticed. Too many con- clude that, because they are not openly pro- fane and wicked, but decent and regular in their conduct, though destitute of love to God, and charity toward men, they shall not be condemned by the Son of God. Such ex- pectations are perfectly inconsistent with what our Lord hath in plain terms asserted in the account he hath given of the „ general judgment, Matth. xxv. Indeed oui' Lord's procedure in this, as in every other instance, is just iind equitable ; for negligence in im- proving talents and opportunities with which we are entrusted, in many cases manifests j-iore criminal contempt of ihe divine aii'tho- i\tv, than the iictvial violation of tile la'v of G-r, li -It this i^ not all: Our OF THE LAST JUDGMEKT. 383 Our good and bad actions will be particu- larly reviewed and examined into, as evi- dences of our having unfeignedly believed in the Son of God, and cordially submitted to his righteousness, instructions and authority ; of our having been effectually called, justified, and sanctified, and of our faithful improve- ment of the talents committed to our trust : Or they will be considered as proofs of our neglect of the salvation of Christ, of our con- tempt of his grace, of our slothfulness, and abuse of the valuable advantages with which we were favoured. And, according to the united testimony of these unequivocal evi- dences, our everlasting state will be deter- mined by one or other of these decisive sen- tences, published by the Supreme Judge from his glorious throne, * Come ye blessed of ' my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared * for you from the foundation of the v/orld ;' or, * Go ye cursed into everlasting fire, pre- * pared for the devil and his angels.' Thus the awful scene shall close ! these shall go a- way into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal. Here the powers of imiagination and of language fail. And I conclude this discourse. I have now finished Vv'hat I proposed on this subject, and though the account 1 have given you comes far short of the truth, yet what you have now^ heard, may, through the divine blessing, conduce to your real benefit. Were these truths thoroughly believed, and frequently 384 TH^ CEUTArNTY AND SOLEMNrTY, &:c. frequently considered, what a happy change would follow in the temper, conversation, and conduct of mankind I But alas, many neglect or forget them. 1 have somewhere read of an excellent preacher who described the awful solemnities of the final judgment with such pathetic strains of eloquence, and in a manner so moving, that some of his audience burst forth into loud exclamations, as if the Judge bad himself appeared, announ- cing the decisive sentence. In the height of the commotion, the preacher badethem re- strain their tears and crie^ ; for he had one thing more to add, the most astonishmg of all. it was this. That within a quarter of an hour, the impression of those great events which they now felt would vanish, and they would return home, unaffected by them, to those sensible objects that com- monly engrossed their attention. — May the Lord God keep for ever the subject of which we have been treating in the imagination of the thoughts of your hearts, and cause it to bring forth the fruits of holy living ; and to liim, through Jesus Christ, be praise, and ho», nour, and glory. Amm. Thomas Turiibull, Printer, Canongatc, Edinburgh.