LIBRARY I ( I F ill F. Theological Seminary,! PRINCETON, N. J. | Casr - Divis.on...^^STt^.... ^'^Mf ^ec.ion...?K3./../....J ^^^^>/'- Wo V;Z *■'■£»,< .U J'i^' im^^^ ^stxya^. A4' THE INTENT AND PROPRIETY OF THE SCRIPTURE MIRACLES CONSIDERED AND EXPLAINED, In a SERIES of SERMONS, Preached in the Paiifh Church of St. MARY L E-B O W^ In the Years 1769, 1770, and 1771 ; For the L E C T U R E founded by The Hon. ROBERT BOYLE, Efq; By the Rev. Dr. HENRY OWEN, Redor of St. OLAVE, Hart-Street. And FELLOW of the ROYAL SOCIETY. IN TWO VOLUMES.* VOL. II. LONDON, Printed bjr W, Baivyer and J, Nichols: For J. and F. RIVINGTON, in St. Paul's Church- Yard. - MDCCLXXIII. i^--"--,:''.:^^ [ i" ] CONTENTS O F VOLUME IL S E R M O N XIIL PsAL. Ixxviii. ver. 36 — 59* !>/ they teinpted and provoked the mojl high God, and kept not his tejlimonles : But turned back^ and dealt mifaithfully like their fathers : they were turned ajide like a deceit^ Jul bow. For they provoked him to anger with their high places ; and moved him to jealoufy with their graven images. A 2 When ly CONTENTS. When God heard this^ he was wroth ; and greatly abhorred IJraeL p. i. S E R xM O N XIV. PsAL. Ixxviii. 70 — 72. He chofe David his fervant, and took him from the fieep'folds : From following the ews great with youngs he brought him to feed Jacob his people^ and Ifrael his inheritance. So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart ; and guided them by the Jkilfulnefs of his hands, p. 27. SERMON XV. HOSEA V. 5. The pride of Ifrael doth tejlify to his face : therefore /fjall Ifrael and Ephraim fall in their iniquity : Judah alfo fuall fall with them. p. ^^. SERMON XVI. Jer. xxiv. 5 — 7. Thus faith the Lord the God of Ifrael — 1 11:111 achioii'ledge them^ that are carried away captive CONTENTS- F captive of Judah ; whom I havefent out of ibis place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good^ For I wilt fet mine eyes upon them for goisJi and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them^ and not pull them doijon^ and I will plant them^ and not pluck them up. And I will give them an heart to know mt^ that I am the Lord; and they fall h fny people, and I will be their God: for they fall return unto me with their whok heart, p. 85, S E R M O N XVII. John iil. 2. Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher corns from God: for no man can do thefe miracles that thoudoef^ exceptGodbewiih him^ p. iii. SERMON XVIII. Matt h. ix. 2. And behold they brought to him a fnanfck oftht palfy^ lying on a bed: and Jefus feeing their 3 faitJ^ \i CONTENTS. faitby faid unto thejick of the palfy^ Son^ be of good cheer; thyJinsbeforgive?i thee, p. 133. SERMON XIX. Rom. xii. 2. . — I'hat ye may 'prove ^ what is that good^ and acceptable y and perfect will of God. p.. 157* SERMON XX. Rom. vii. 22 — 25. T?or I delight in the law of God after the in- ward man. But I fee another law in my members^ warring againfi the law of tny mind^ and bringing me i?ito captivity to the law of fin ^ 'which is in my fncmbers. O wretched man that I am ! who fall deliver me from the body of this death ? I thank God through Jefus Chrif our Lord, p. 18^. SE R MO N XXI. 2 Tim. i. 10. And hath brought life and immortality to lights through the GofpcL p. 207. S E R. CONTENTS. vir SERMON XXII. 2 Tim. i. lo. Who hath ahoUJhed dectihy and hath brought life and immortality to light y through the Go/pel. p. ^33' SERMON XXIII. Mark xvi. 20. ^ndthey went forth^and preached every where ; the Lord working with them^ and confirming the word with figns following. p. 259. SERMON XXIV. 2 Cor. 5v« 3. If our Gofpel he hid^ it is hid to them that ar^ lofl. p. 285. i^ E R- E R R A T A p. L. 17- 3^- 4- 6. undertakings; Ahimelech's 37- 58. 14. 3- on the vvorfliip aiter confirmed dele the comma. 75- I. Thus faith ' in Vol. IL P. 98. Note =. 1. ulr. according 191, 1. ult. dillodged Ibid. Note • 1. i. his 497. 1.13. } 235. 1. antepen. fhall. CON. SERMON XIII. PsAL. Ix^viii. ver. 55—^59- 2^et they tempted ajid provoked the m^i ^^^^ ^^ produce the prelent Reading ; which yet agrees neither with the following verfe, viz, ver. 3 1 — nor with the triiti\ of hiftory. See the Commentators. *! Pf. Ixxyiii. 60,61. ^ Judg. ii. 12, 13. B 3 them 6 SERMON XIIL them on, efpecialJy as there was then no power to controul them% into all the in-- diligences of luft and fenfuality ; into the foul commiffion of the moll: flagitious crimes. Of this we meet with a deplorable inllanco in the hiftory of the tribe of Benjamin ; who, dwelling with the Jebufites, and adopting their m.anners, degenerated lb far, and to fo vile a degree, as nearly to approach the cha- racler of Sodom ^ For they not only rufhed, prompted by the rage of brutal paifion, into the horrid crimes of adultery and murder ; but afterwards, in their cooler hours, and even under the weight of a fober remon- ftrance, had the aflurance and effrontery to avow'their deeds, and to ftand up in defence of their abominations ■'. Such wickednefs, it is true, the other tribes were as forward to punifh, as this was refoiute to defencf. Bui the wliole was apparently from the Lord ; that he might avenge himfclf of their evil doings. For fince both parties ^ Judg. xvli. 6. X •ill. I, xxl. ?•:. * Ibid. xir. 22 — 24, * ILid. XX. 12 — 1^, liaJ, SERMON XIII. 7 had, in their feveral degrees, repeatedly tranfgrefled the covenant of tlie Lord, and thereby incurred his refentment; he there- fore wifely and judicially ordained, that they (hould now become mutual fcourges to each other. And as their fins and tranfgreflions were chiefly owing to their mixing and con- verfing with the heathen nations ; fo is it worthy our particular notice, that the tribe of Judah, which firft exhibited a bad example in this way ^, was expreffly commanded " to go up firft," and begin the attack upon Gibeah : in which attack it feems to have fuftained, as it juftly deferved, a greater lofs than any other y. X Juckh was the firft, who, doubting the promlfes of God, failed in hb duty of expelling the Canaanites. For when " the Lord was with Judah, and he had driven out the inhabitants of the mountain, yet be proceeded not (fo the text fhould be rendered) to drive out the inhabitants of the valley, becaufe they had chariots of iro^:' Judg. i. 19. Et fic, (juod peccarunt, non po- tuerunt expellere, &c. fays the Targum in locum. But Earak, relying on the divine affiiTance, afterwards overthrew the hofl of Jabin, though it was fupported by no lets than ni7ie hundred cha- riots o^ iro7i. Judg. iv. 13 — 16. y Judg. XX. iS — 21. B 4 But 8 SERMON XIII. But this chaflifement, however fevere— for it nearly extirpated one tribe, and greatly weakened all the reft — was yet infufficient to reduce the Ifraelites to a fenfe of their duty, and of the allegiance they had vowed to God. For *' they ceafed not from their evil doings, and from their ftubborn w\ay^;" but obfti- nately perfifted both in their idolatrous and vicious pradices, as if nothing had been done to reclaim them. Nay, they proceeded fo far, as not only to make a league with the Canaanltes ; but, in open defiance of the law, to make likewife intermarriages with them*, the confequence of which was, as it had been long foretold, that they were drawn away, not merely to worfhip other gods in conjunction with their own ; biit even to- tally to iieglecl, totally to *' forget the Lord their God, who had done fuch great things for them," Hereupon then, " the anger of the Lord was kindled againft his people ; infoniUch that lie abhorred his own inheritance. He gave them over into the hands of the lieatlicn, ' Jiui^. ii. 19, SERMON XIII. 9 who gricvoufly oppreffed them, and had them ill fubjeftion ^." Yet neverthelefs, fuch was his goodnefs and loving kindnefs, that, whenever they repented, and returned to their duty, '^ he regarded their aiBiftion V' and raifed up judges to be their deUv-erers. But, on the other hand, fuch was their folly and amazing perverfenefs, that the Judge, who had delivered them, was no fooner dead, than they revolted, and lapfed again : and again experienced the fame calamities ^ So that the whole of this period was, in faft, nothing elfe, but an alternate fucceffion of finning and repentance on the part of the people, and of favour and fe verity on the part of God. But ^' thefe differences of ad- miniftration," fo wifely adjufted to their charader and conduft, will evidently ap- pear, on due refleftion, to be equally fubfer- vient to the purpofes of the main defign— ^ to the fuppreffion of idolatry, and the ad- vancement of true religion, ^ Pfal. cvi. 39—41 ^ lb. ver. 43. p Judg. ii. 16 — zcj^ What to S E R M.O N XIII. What it really was, that occafioncd fuch defedions among the Ifvaelites; that prompted them fo frqquently to forfake their God, and run into the idolatrous cufloms of the na- tions, it is no eaij matter to determine. But whether you iuppofe, that they thought the fervice of the true God a ftrange, rigid, and burdenfome inftitution ; and were therefore unwilling to bear it^: — Or, that the temp- tations of the heathen worfhip (its pomp, fplendor, and amulement, fo agreeable to the corrupt inclinations of nature) operated upon them with fuch enchanting force, as they were not able to refift^ : — Or, that the long- confirmed prejudice in fiivour of local deities, and their fuperfiitious reverence for the guar- dian gods of great and profperous nations, led them to embrace and adopt their rites, in vain expeftation of being made happy by them ^:— -Which ever of thefe you hx upon ^ Sec Bp. Patrick's Comment on Judg. ii. i ::. ^ See Pyle's Pret". to Paraph r. on the Old Tellamenr, vol. iv. *■ See Bp. Wahburton'd Div. Let:;, vo!. iv. Book v. § 2, p. I $7, 6.C. S as SERMON XIIL It as the chief fource of their idolatries ; you will find, in the prefent difpenfation of Pro- vidence, a powerful corredive applied to each. For, If the grandeur and profperity of the Af- iyrian empire allured them to adopt the Af- fyrian deities, in hopes of being advanced, by their benevolence and favour, to the like degree of eminence and power ; what ine- thod can you conceive more proper to con* vince them, that fuch deities could neither befriend nor fupport them, than this which Providence uow employed ? — than his deli- vering thenn up into the hand of Cufhan, king of Affyria ; who enflaved and opprefled them for eight years together s? In the courfe of which time they muft needs per- ceive, tjiat the gods they had chofen, were io far fror^i affording them relief or profit, that they were really the caufe of their thraldom and diftrefs. If their fuperftitioiis veneration for local deities led them to worfhip the gods of Ca- 8 Judg, iii. 8. naan. 12 S E R M O N XIII. naan, for fear of fome vengeance, which thefe gods, if ncglcflcd, might inflicl upon them^ ; how clearly did the Ahiiighty, by fecuring them, when obedient, from all ca- lamities'; and by affliding them, when they deviated into fuch flrangc fervices, with every kind of evil ; how clearly, I fay, did he evince the futility of this notion ? How manifeftly did he ihew them by thefe pro- ceedings, that there was nothing which they ought in reafon to dread, fo much as the vengeance of him alone, who had declared himfelf to be " a jealous God?'* — A God that would never fufter his honour to be |:ransfcrred, with impuuity, to another : A God that could, and did ftir up the very w^orfliipcrs of thefe local deities, whom his people had foolifhly adopted, to avenge the affronts, which they had repeatedly ottered, by their bafe defeclions, to his divine ma-- jefty. If the fplendor and magnificence of the heathen worlhip, or the fenfual rites with ** Judg. vi. I p. 2 Kings xvii. 35, 3S. which SERMON XIII. 13 which it was celebrated, allured the Ifraelltes to a iuiful compliance ; how fenfible of their errour mud they needs become, whenever they found, as they always did, that they were debafed thereby in their nature as men ; and deprefled in their condition as members of the community ? And laftly, if they deemed their ritual, and the inftitution they were under, a hard, rigid and burdeniome fervice ; how power- fully mud the punifhments, that attended their apoftaly, ferve to correal and reform fuch opinions? For furely they could not but acknowledge, that it was far better, far eafier, and more comfortable, to worflbip the Lord in honour, affluence, and profperity ; than to ferve and adore other gods, in op- preffion, afflicllon, anguiih, and diftrefs : — Afflidions that w^ere always the more fevere, as their revolts were more frequent, pre- fumptuous, and provoking. Now, as thefe inflidions tended to reftify their wrong principles, and to call them ofF from their idolatrous .pradices; fo did that exuberance of mercy, which God exempll- fiea 14 SERMON XIII. fied in his readinefs to relieve their miferies, kindly invite, and warmly encourage them to amend their lives, and again embrace his worfliip and fervice. For " when he faw their adverfity," and found them difpofed to return to their duty, '^ he heard their complaint," and redrefled their grievances. No fooner did they feck the Lord, but they experienced his kindnefs in a fpeedy deliver- ance. And in every deliverance he wifely contrived, that they Ihould clearly fee the power of his arm ; and be convinced to whom they owed their fuccefs. He left them indeed, in moft cafes, fo little to do for themfelves, that they could never attri- bute the glory of the act to their own prowefs ; but were always obliged to " afcribe to his name the praife" and the honour of what had been done. Thus, when they aflembled in a body of above thirty thoujand^ and purpofed to attack the Midianites; God, who had determined to grant them fuccefs, yet refufed to employ fo large a force, for fear of diminifliing his own glorv. He therefore reduced them to three SERMON XIIL 15 three hundred men, to whom he vouchfafed a complete vidory "' : and vouchfafed it in fuch a manner, as " made his power known among the heathen, and his wonders among all peopled" So llkewife, when he commanded Barak with ten thoufand men to fall on the con- federate forces of Jabin ^ ; though much might be owing to the valour of the Ifraelites, who chafed and flew them with a great flaughter ; yet, God took care to make it appear, that they were indebted for the vidory to his afiiftance. He vifibly efpoufed their caufe ; and made the gentile gods the inftruments of his vengeance on thefe gentile idolaters. For '' the ftars" and elements ** fought againft Siferah"' — " the tempeft and hailflones beat down part of his hoft ; * Judg. vii. 2 — 7. ^ Pfal. xcvi. 3, ^ Judg. iv. 14, &c. "^ Judg. V. 20, 21, Joseph. Ant. Jud, lib. v. c. v. § 4. and i6 SERMON XIII. and the fwellings of Kifhon Iwept away numbers of the fugitives ". Such marvellous interpofitions, fo critic cally exerted in favour of the Ifraelites, and fo accurately adapted to the exigences of their condition, did not only ferve " to make known unto the fons of men the glorious majefty of the Lord, and the greatnefs of his excellency ;" but alfo to engage all the wife and confiderate among them, " to look lip to, and place their confidence in, him" alone : as being well afl'ured, that " there was no Qther god, that could uphold and deliver after this fort ''.'* " The like interpofition of divine power, and dlfplayed for the fame end, was afterwards vifible in that marvellous vi«5Vor}', which Jonathan obtained over the Phililllnes at Michmafli, I Sam, xiv. 6 — 23. As alfo in that wonderful difcomiiture of the united forces of Moab and Ammon, which baftly invaded the land of Judah, in the days of Jeholhaphat. 2 Chron. xx. 1—24, To this head may be referred likevvife the miraculous influx of water into the valley in the wildernefs of Edom, for the fupport and rcfrcfliment of the confederate armies that were going againft Moab, &:c. 2 Kings 1 1. 16 — 20. ** Dan. iii. 29. With SERMON XIIL i; With refpeft to the miracles, wrought at tlie requeft of particular judges, to aflure them of fuccefs, or to encourage them in their underttkings ; and which therefore may he looked upon as fo many epifodes, or di- greffions from the general difpenfation ; the propriety of thefe muft be explained by, as it depends upon, the genius, temper, and ficua- tion of the perfons, for whofe fake they were fo performed. And if we view them through this medium, they will appear to be wifely and perfedly adapted to fatisfy the doubts of thofe defponding commanders, and to an- fwer the ends for which they were exerted. If the diftrefled Gideon, for example, thought, that *' the Lord had forfaken his people;" and, becaufe they were futfered to be fo grievoufly opprefled, doubted almoft the truth of the miracles, that were faid to have been formerly wrought in their favour?; what furer fign could he wifli to be (hewn, in proof that God was ftill among them, than that of his bringing " fire from the P Judg. vi. 12, I J. Vol.11. C rock?" i8 SERMON Xm. rock*!?" And fince he now Taw, that mhacles were not ceaied ; how fully muft he be con- vinced, that the Lord could as eafily de- iiroy the Midianites, as he had then con- fumed the materials of his facrifice? And laftlv, what ftronger afi'urance could he poi- fiblv obtain, that God would be with liim, and profper the entcrprize he was going upon, than this- gracious token of his accep- tance of him' r .And if Gideon's aflbciatcs (who were, probably, moft of them (liepherds ; and joined him., perhaps, at the time of (hear- ing) wanted to be contirmed in the truth of his commiliion ; how graciouily did the Lord, by rendering '* the fleece wet or ^ Judg. vi. 2 V. "^ The mod ancient and evident tokf,n ot God*s acceptance^ was his corifuminy the litcrificc by Hie. Hence, where ur re;id. Gen,' iv. 4. that " God hnd vcfpcH unio Abel's otlering ;" Theodotion fiiys, tviTruficrfv, " he_/f/t J it." See Gen. i:v. 1-, Lev. ix. 24.. I Kings xviii. 38. 1 Chron. iiii. 26, 2 Chron. vii. J. Slc :ilib Seivius la ^'lin. xii. vcr. 200. J17," ♦ S £ R M O N Xlil. 19 t!ry%" condefcend to indulge their reqUefl: ? And how luitably was the proof adapted both to their capacities, and their prbfef- lion ? Hence then it appears, that thefe mani-- fold exertions of divine power ; whethef difplaycd in fupport of particular judges, who were all, by the bye, ftrenuous re- formers; or manifefted for the deliverance of the people in general, when duly fenfible of the heinoufnefs of their apoftafy, and pe- nitently difpofed to return to their God: hence, I fay, it appears, that all thefe wonders, on whatever occafion at firft wrought, yet ultimately confpired, and with no fmall efficacy, to promote that great and gracious end, which was the conflant aim of divine government : I mean, the pre- fervation and improvement of the true religion, in oppofition to the reigning ido- latry. * JiK^g. vi. 37—40. That this miracle was chi. fly infendei for the fupport of his doubtful and timid people, 13 plain from the next chapter, ver. 3. . C 2 But 20 SERMON XllL But there is another event ftlll to he con- fidered ; which, as it clofes this part of the divine difpenfation, places hkewiie the in- tention of it in a clearer and more ohvious light. In the days of Eli, the people of Ifrael, by the remiffiiefs of difcipline, and the bad examples that were fet before them, became exceflively profligate and im- pious. This excefs of wickcdnefs pro- voked the Ahiiighty to deliver them up into the hands of the Philirtines ; who, in a pitched battle, not only overthrew them with a great (laughter ; but, to complete their misfortune, took from them the ark of God \ Now, this event, if not counterbalanced, muft inevitably prove an unfpeakable detri- ment to the caufe of religion. For the Ifraelites, we may prefume, would conti- nually have deviated more and more from the pure worflnp and fervice of God, when they faw he was departed from them. And the Philiflincs^ however they might dread ' I Sam. Iv. ]0j II. him SERMON XIII. 21 him before", yet, viewing him now in the contemptible light of a vanquifhed captive to their own deity, muft lofe all farther vc- neration for him. In this critical fituation of things, when the Jew^ifh oeconomy feems to have been brought to a full ftand ; may we not reafonably expeft, that God Vvould iriterpofe in fome extraordinary manner, as well to vindicate his own authority, as to rcftore the ark to his defpairing people ? It is furelv natural to exnedl it: nor are we left to expect in vain. For, when the Philiftines ^ Wc read i S:i|n. iv, 7, 8. ** And the Philiftines were n^raid\ ior they faid, God is come into the c:ii"np. And rhe y faid, Wo unto us : who fliatl deliver us iiom the hand or this mighty God ? This is the God that fmotc the Kgyj>tiai«-^nh all the plagues in the wildernefs.'* Such x& the leadijig or our prefent Hebrew copies : but furely *hh re.'^ding c^ujiot be true. For the Egyptian^ never reached ** the wildernefs:** and tKerc- fore could not be fmitten with plaj^ucs" there. The fact is, that the Hebrew tranicribers have been guilty of a grievous omiffion ; which is in part fupplied by the Arabic veriion, but more fully thus by the Chaldee paraphrafe — Qui peixuilit ^i;}ptios in omni percuilione, et ■populojuoficit vnYahlliaiw^^^tMo. Hence it is to be hoped, that fome Heb. MS. v,'ill be found at hift to ex- hibit the fyllowii!g fupplement—niN^D^ T's'^^ "\^'^'7\ C 3 had 22 SERMON XIIL had carried the ark to Afhdod ; and h.id' placed it, as a fignal monument of hii vidory, by the image of their god Dagon ; behold, the next morning, they found their god, fallen from his pedeftal, and lying proitrate before the ark ^ An evident token of his inferiority and fubjedion ! But evi- dent as it was, his deluded votaries were yet blind to it. The following day brought them, however, fuller evidence. For when they faw him again in the fame pofture of humiliation, difmembered of his head and hands y, they could no longer doubt, that his fiill was owing to the prevalence of that God, that prefided over the ark; qnd whom Dagon had neither the policy to evade, nor the power to withftand. When the Lord had thus vanquilhed him, if 1 may fo fpeak, in his perfon\ he then proceeded to triumph over him like- wife iq his kingdom. Dagon was the god ^- 1 Sam. V. 2, 3. / z Suin. V. 4. of S E R xM O N XIIL 23 of huft>andry*i and iuppofed to prefide over the fruits of the earth : therefore the Almighty, to expofe his weaknefs, cauled a prodigious number of mice to ipring up, and ravage the fields; which, feeble crea- tures as they were, yet, maugre all his divinity, devoured entirely the produce of the ground — fparing neither corn nor plants \ Seeing thefe alarming wonders, the Phi- liftines, perhaps, might think it now par- ticularly advifable to detain the ark, as a sneans of engaging this fuperior deity. But God foon convinced them^ that he chofe not to refide among them. For he frnote them with fore and heavy plagues •' till ths ark was diidniffed ; and ihevved the con- cern he had for its return* by reftraining the rage, and directing the lieps of thofc ^ Acty^i iq svi Ii1i^% i. e> fruracnti pra&(es,. Phil. Hyb. apud EvsiB, Piap. Ev*iing. lib- I. c. x. a. 36. * X Sam. vi\ 5» Jo5KPH. Ajit. Jvui. Hh. vL c»i. § ». ^ J Sam. V. 6—12. Pfal. Ixxviii. 66. See alio Hs&ooot. CTiOj c. lo^;* lb C A linrulv 24 ^ E'R M O N XIII. unruly kine that were yoked to the car- riage "=. The PhiUfthies, being eafed on the de- parture of the ark, were thoroughly fenfible oi the hand that chaftifed them : nor could rhey well forget in a fhort time the mighty po-vver and energy of it. But when they did forget, and made another aflault upon the Ifraelltes; they felt it again in a dread- ful ftorm of thunder and lightenhig, at- tended with flrong concufiions of the earth, which not onjy difnriayed, but totally over- threw them ^. Nor was this miracle better fuited to remind the Philiftines of the fuprcmacy of Jehovah; than it was to coniirm the very fame truth to his own people; who were but juft reclaimed from the idolatrous wor- (hip of the hoftof heaven. Reclaimed how- ever they were; and, after all th^ir fluc- tuations, brought at length, under the wife and vigorous adminiftration of Samuel, to ^ I Sum. vi. !0 I y ■^ 1 Sam. vii, 10. Ju^rn. Ant» Jud. lib. vi. c. li. § 2. z a fettled S E R M O N Xlir. 25 a fettled courfe of piety and virtue. An effect, which, at tlie fainc time that it (hews the intention of this branch of di- vine government ; demonftrates Hkewife the fuitablenefs and propriety of thole won* drous manifeftations, by which it was fup- ported and carried on. And hence we dif-- cover on the whole, as well the patience and long-fufFering, as the wifdom and power ot God. To whom, for thefe, and for all other inftances of his marvellous kindnefs, be afcribed, as is mod due, all honour and glory, adoration and praife, both now, and for evermore. Amen. S E R- f M»' tSH-rr I -7 1 S E R M O N XIV. PsAL. Ixxviii. 70 — -72. fie chofe David his fervant, and took him from the Jloeep-folds : From following the ews great with youngs he brought him to feed Jacob his people^ and Ifrael his inheritance. So he fed them according to the i7itegrity of his heart ; and guided them by the Jkilfulnefs of his hands, THE Ifraelites, under the vigorous ad- mini ft rat ion of Samuel, were brought at length, as we have already feen, to a to- lerable notion of the pre-eminence and fo- vereignty 28 SERMON XIV. vereignty of the true God; to a tolerable fenfe of their obligations to him ; and in confequence thereof, to a tolerable regula- rity of life and manners. This conduft on their part, maintained by the prophet's clofe application, difpofed the Almighty to be fa- vourable unto them ; and to blefs and prof- per them for a long feafon. When Samuel was afterwards advanced in years, and grown unequal to the burden of his office; he committed the government of the Ifraelites to his fons. But thefe fons of his, elated with power, and the Ifraelites in general, debauched by profperity, unhap- pily forgot themfelves ; and fell into bafe •ar^d witked practices. His fons became vain, luijud, and luxurious^ ; and the people, un- ^•odly, refradorv, and ambitious. In the ar- <3our of their ambition, eager of fhining in princely grandeur, and of Sharing the diilin- guifhed oifices of iiate ; the heads of the tribes, taking UQ:ibragt: at the unwarrantable conduft of his fons, twunultuoufly accofted the venerable prophet, and arrogantly de- * I Sam. vili t, jotv?\i. Anf. JuJ. I. \iTc. iu. § 2. :. '^r manded SERMON XIV, % manded a king. The theocracy no longer fuited their humour. They wanted a go- vernment of another form. And nothing would now content them, but a regal one. *< A King muft be fetover them, to rule and judge them, like all other nations C This infolent demand, founded In reality on pride and ambition, and not on any con- cern for the ftate, was no lefs difpleafing and offenfive to God, than it was to his upright and zealous prophet s. And to both on the fame account: becaufe the eftablifhment of a king after the manner of the nations, was the readieit way to lead them again into the cuftoms of the nations ; which would have deeply afteded the growth and welfare of the true religion. But infolent as it was, God, however, com- plied with their demand *"; and, rqferving ftill the chief direflion in his own hands, appointed them a king ; who (hould rule and govern them as his deputy. And here f I Sam. viii. 5", 20. 8 lb. ver. 6, 7. ^ lb, ver. 9> 22. again, 30 SERMON XIV. again, as the prefervation of the ceconomy^ the great pouit in view, manifeflly required, that both king and people fhould clofely ad- here to their rehgion and law ; and faith- fully obey the commandments of God ; fo he Ih'iftly enjoined them, in a fpecial charge, to " attend diligently to thefe things ' :" and then fhewed them by a miraculous ftorm of *' thunder and rain at the time of wheat harveft^,'* that, whenever they offended, God had flill a right to chaftife them ; and would accordingly do it, as often as their tranfgreffions called for it. " If ye do wickedly, ye fhall certainly be confumcd, both ye and your k'ng^." A plain intimation'' that they were to look upon their king in the light only of God's deputy — and as one who was therefore bound, if he meant to preferve his dominion and power, to con- duit himfelf with caution and prudence, and aS conformably to the divine laws. i I Sam. xii. 6— i^. ^ lb. ver. 17. ^ lb. ver. 25. In SERMON XIV. 31 In the appointment of their firfl: king^ God feems to have regarded the notion they entertained of royal majcfty ; and to have made choice of him accordingly, after the Eaftern mode, becaufe of the ftatelincfs of his form and appearance. For the Scripture acquaints us, that " when Saul flood among the people, he was higher than any of them from the flioulders and upwards "*;" that is, he wasvery tall, and of a majeftic flature : the endowment that w^e find principally ce- lebrated in all the accounts of Eaftern mo- narchs ". But whatever external accomplifhments he poflefled, his turn of mind was but ill adapted to the great purpofes for which he was raifed. He was fo deeply prejudiced in favour of the policies of the neighbour- ing nations, that he became impioufly cold and neghgent in the fupport and advance- ment of the law of God. This is apparent from feveral inflances : — from his hafty con- "^ I Sam. X. 23 ■ See Herodot. lib. vi. c. 20, 77. Alex, ab Alex. lib; in'. c. xxiii. and the Commentators on the place lall quoted. tempt 32 SERMON XIV. tempt of the prophet's injundion, and his prophane ufurpation of the prieft's office °; from his falfe compaflion to thofe finners, the Amalekites, whom God had commanded him to defhoy p ; from his barbarous flaugh- ter of Abimelech's flimily, and all the inha- bitants of Nob*!, and from his burning that facred facerdotal city with fire ; as if he meant to diflblve at one ftroke the whola fyftem of eftabliflied worfnip ; " and render the tabernacle," as Jolephus obferves, " def- titute both of prielts and prophets'," In- flances thefe, which clearly prove, that he paid little or no regard to the divine confti- tution of his country; and, confequently, was no longer fit to be intruded with the guardianfliip and government of it. — God therefore depoled him: and raifed up another in his ftead of a quite contrary charader. ** He chofe David his fervant, and took liim away from the (heep- folds :* took him, • I Sam. xiii. 8—14. P lb. XV. 9. 1 I Sam. xxii, 17—19. * Antiq. Jud. lib. vi, g. jtii. $ 7. '* that SERMON XIV. 53 *' that he might feed Jacob his people, and Ifrael his inheritance." Ke chofe him, be- caufe he forefaw, that he was properly dif- pofed to become " his fervant ;" his true and faithful deputy : and he advanced him to this eminence, that he might fhew his fidelity in the vigorous fupport of the divine difpenlation. Nor did David herein ever fail. In this refpeft he was certainly a « man after Cod's own heart;" and how- ever faulty in other things, *' as touching the LAW blamelefs »." His zeal for the theocracy was invariably ftrong. And as he laboured earnefily to promote the fervice of God, himfelf ; fo did he endeavour to infufe into his people the fame concern and affec- tion for it. " He fed," that is, taught " them" the principles of religion, " with a faithful and true heart; and ruled,'' that is, guided " them" in the pradice of it, *' with all his (kill and power," Had they then, who have been fo for- ward to revile the charadler of David, but » Phil. iii. 6, Vol. II. D duly 34 SERMON XIV. duly confide red the great end for which he was advanced ; and alfo obferved, with im- partial eyes, how ftrenuoufly he laboured to promote that end ; they muft doubtlefs have acknowledged, that, in his public con- duft, he fully anfwered the divine appoint- ment ; perfeclly accompliflied the divine intention ; and juftly merited that glorious title, with which the Scripture honours his memory. He is called '' the man after God's own heart," becaufe he acted " according to that which was in his heart." Now, humanly fpeaking, wdiat was uppermoft in God's licart, but the eftablKhment of his difpenfa- tion ? And what could any man do more for the fupport and advancement of the di- vHie difpenfation, than David is known to have done? He fuppreflbd idolatry through- out all the land: he efra^lifl-ied the worlhip of God at Jerufalem : and to engage his people the more effectually in this worlhip, he continually improved both the order and magnificence of it, till he brought it to an amazing perfcftion. He likewile compofed ) a Book SERMON XtV. -j^ a Book of Plalms ; which, being publicly recited firil: in the tabernacle, and then in the temple, tended to exalt the religious fen- timents and affe£tions of the people, at the fame time that they expreffed his own ; and thereby contributed in an eminent degree to the growth and advancement of folid piety. For, z^fome of thefe Pfalms, by fetting forth the praifes and perfe3:ions of Jehovah, helped to infpire his affembled worfliipers with higher notions of his glory and great- nefs^ ; and confequently with a deeper fenfe of their dependance upon him"; fo others again, by recalling nature to its proper office, and direding the feveral parts of the univerfe to recognize and celebrate the God that made it*; fetved to remind the fame worfliipers of the faith and allegiance they owed him : ferved to with-hold them from perfidioufnefs and apoftafy; from running back into the ancient idolatries, and abufins: the creation to the difhonour of the Creator, * Pf. civ. cxlv, cxivll. « Ibid. cXv. * Ibid, cxlviiii D 2 In 36 SERMON XIV. In a word, David was a man of noble en- dowments and excellent dilpoCitions; all cal- culated for, confpiring to, and bent upon, that one great purpofe of promoting the knowledge and fervice of God; and, by means thereof, perpetuating the welfore and happinefs of his people. Faults, we grant, he had a few ; the effecls of which he' fe- vercly felt. But in the main tenoui* of his life, it muft ftill be confefled, that whatever could be done> either by precept, examj^le^ threat, or encouragement, for the fuppref- fion of vice, and the propagation of true re- ligion — this he was zealoully careful to per- form, and confcientioufly diligent to put in execution. He was likewife careful, that the fame good principles fiiould be inftillcd mto his fon ; and lolicitous that he (hould ad upon them. Accordingly, when he refigfied the kingdom into his hands, he exhorted him to fortitude and manly refolution in the go- vernment and re^'ulation of it. And, well knowing that true religion was the grand fupport of true fortitude, as wxU as the 7, fource SERMON XIV. 3; fource of national happinefs, he folemnly charged him, with his dying breath, to pay a flrlfl; and faithful obedience to all the laws and commands of God ; and to continue ftedfaft in his duty to him>'. ' Solomon attended to his father's advice; and went on, for a time, in a manner per- feftly agreeable to it. He built a magni- ficent temple for the Lord ; and graced the fervice of it ^vith ail the embellifhments of fplemn pomp and engaging fplendour: and thereby kept the people in willing obedience to the laws, as wxll as in a regular attcnd- apjce on worfhip, of the great and true God. Now, if we ferioufly contemplate thefe religious inflitutions, planned by David, and perfefted by Solomon ; and coniider, at the lame time, how effecluaHy they w^ere adapted, by their natural agency, to carry on the difpenfation of Providence ; we (hall immediately perceive, that there was no need, during this period, of any miracles to - y I Kings ii. 1--4. i Chron. xxviii, 9, D 3 fupport 38 SERMON XIV. fupport or advance it. Nor indeed do wc read of any : unlcis you think proper to in- clude in that term, the wonderful accom- plifliments of thofc manifold promifes, that were gracioufly made and annexed to obe- dience. Of thefe, as we might well expcd, we meet with numerous and 'frequent in- fiances- — -not only in the amazing fucceflls which uninterruptedly attended the Ifraelitic arms; and in the confequent extenfion of the kingdom to its predicted boundaries^: but alfo in various other effccls, which fig- nally contributed, while the people placed their confidence in God, to their national fecurity and happinefs. But to fee tiiefe wonders in their true Ijo-ht, and difcover their fuitablenefs to the ends propokd, we mull look back to their firil commencement ; confuler them in the order in which they arile ; and compare them with the circumlhinces to which they are related. Their commencement 1 fix at the Exode ; for then it was, tliat the ■''• J Chroii. xiv. 8---17. — xvlji. i— 13. i Kings Iv. 21--24. lfrae|ites, SERMON XIV. 39 Ifraelites, being taken for a peculiar people, became entitled to peculiar diftindlion. And here we are to obferve in the firft place, that when the Ifraelites were ready to depart from Egypt, as they had lived long in poverty and oppreffion, they were, doubt- lefs, but ill provided for their journey. What- ever might be their due, indigent was their condition. They had neither clothes to put on, nor money to buy food. In this iitua- tion they eviderjtly wanted a large fupply. And that fupply was gracioufly and provi- dentially adminiftered to them. For the Lord enjoined them '* to demand of the Egyptians" (in balance probably of their juft rights) " jewels of filver, and jewels of gold, and raiment. And he gave them fa- vour in the figlu of the Egyptians ; fo that they readily granted them whatever they required \" Thus they marched out, by the kind and fpecial influence of heaven, fuitably accommodated and amply fupplied. But notwithftanding the provifion, that "was made for them in this refped ; yet, * Eiod. xi. 3, 5. xii. 35, 36. D 4 when 40 SERMON XIV. when they marched out, they marched, wc know, burdened anddefencclefs — " with their lumber on their backs ^, and nothing ehe but flaves in their hands." They wanted there- fore the fecurity of weapons. For they were deftined to^travel through wild, difficult, and dangerous places ; and to work their way at lad into the poflellion of a country, which could only be obtained by force of arms. But how were thefe arms to be procured? By what poflible expedient could human policy contrive to furniih fo large a multi- tude " ? and yet furni(hed, fomehow, they mufl: needs be. But what human policy could not eilecl, divine Providence eafily ac- complifhed. For when God overwhelmed the hoft of Pharaoh, his chariots and his borfcmen in the Red Sea ; he caufed that lea, by clofing beliind upon them % to drh^e tiieir ^ Exod. xli. 34, ^ About fix huudred thoufand men. Exod. xii. 37. « The fea began to open for the IlVaelites, from the Arabian liiorc ; :A\d began to dofe again upon the Egyptians, from their //> year. S E R iM O N XIV. 45 preceding; by which the diftrefl'cs, that might otherwife happen, were entirely and leafonably prevented. And this promlfe never failed them, whilft they obferved the condition on which it depended. For when they fufFered the land to enjoy the reft of the feventh year; " their barns," on the fixth, '^ were filled with plenty ; and their prefles burft out with new wine ^. But whenever they tranfgrefled in this point, whenever they profaned the fabbatic years, to fupply food for t^ivo j'ears ; for that fatb year itfelf ; and for the following ordinary ft'venth^ or fabbatk year : but that he would moreover give them a ti-iple crop on the extraordinary fxth year, to fupply food for three years : for that Ji.Kth year itfelf, and for the t^Mo following years of rell:, the fahbatlc year, and the year of juhilce. Others however affirm, that the year of jubilee never tollowed ^o. fabbatk year ; but was always co-incident with it: which, if true, entirely overthrows Mr. Whiflon's interpretation; and fuperfcdes the necellity of the corrctStion he propofes. But uiter all I muli needs confefs, that I ftill fufpe(fl there is fome errour in the text. For " if they fowed the eighth year," ver. 21, they only wanted *' the in- creafc of" t-iKo years ; whence it fhould feem, that, by an early miftake, ^^\jj^ was inferted inilead of D^Ji^^. ^ Prov. iil. 10. their 46 SERMON XIV. their affairs took inftantly another turn'. Though they fowed their fields, and pruned theic vineyards, yet the produce was, to fpeak in tlie language of the prophet Hag- gai, '* as when one came to an heap of twenty meafures, and behold there were but ten ; or, as when one came to the prefs-fat, for to draw out fifty veflels, and behold there were but twenty. For God fmote them with blading, and with mildew, and with hail, in all the labours of their hands '".'* Now thefe diftrlbutlons of plenty and jfcarcenefs, adjufted to the charafter and conduct of the Jews, whilfl: they rewarded their obfervance, or puniflied their neglect of this precepf, plainly demonflrated that the precept itfelf was derived from God : ^ Their neglecS^ of this law for feventy Sabbatic years is reck- oned among the chief caufes of their feventy years captivity in Babylon; when the land recovered the full refpite, of which they had deprived it before. Comp. Lev. xxvi. 34, &:c, with 2 Chron. xxi 21. ^ Ch. ii. 16, 17. plainly SERMON XIV. 47 plainly demanftrated, that God prefided over their nation ; took particular cognizance of all their aSlons; and would always recom- pence them as their works deferved. And fo far, we fee, contributed to fupport and advance their religion. But the principal fupport of their religion and government was manifeftly derived front their folema fefllvals ; which, at the fame time that they infpired them with gratitude to God, united them in friendihip with eack other, and compared them firmly in one body. It was therefore of the highert: im- portance that thefe facred folemnities fhould* be regularly obferved. And hence w^e find, that " all the males from the age of twenty, were required to appear before the Lord three times a year"," to acknowledge his mercies, to rejoice in his favour, and to offer up the tribute of thankfgiving to him. Now the Angularity of this law is not more re- markable, than the danger of obfervin^ it ^ Exod. xxlii. 17. Deut. xvi. 16, was 48 SERMON XIV. was obvious and alarming. For when the men were removed, at thefe ftatcd periods, from all quarters to the center of the king- dom, to what dreadful invafions were their borders expofed ! and how eafily might tlieir enemies ravage their country! But as he, who appointed tliefe folemn aflemblies, had promiied the Jews, that " no man fliould deiire their land," when they went up to the celebration of them°; ib their conftant ex- perience could witnefs for him, that he never deferted tRem at fuch times ; could witneis for him, that he imprefled the nations around with terrour ; and thereby preferved his people at eai'e, and fecured their land from all moleftations. Such wonderful inftances of paternal re- gard, exercifed towards them on all occa- fions, plainly (hewed them., how much it was their interett, as well as duty, to rely c;pnfl:antly on God's proteftion, rather than on their own ftrength. Whilft they depended upon it, they were always fafe ; but when- ever " they iTiade flcfh their arm, and in " Exod. XXX Iv. 24. their . SERMON XIV. 49 their hearts departed from the Lord p,'* all their hopes contuiually fiiiled them; and they were fure to fuffer and fmart for their folly. Thus, when David in a fit of vanity, commanded the number of his forces to be taken, which manifeftly implied, that he prided himfelf, and placed a degree of con- fidence in them ; how foon was his pride and arrogance checked ! and how feverely was his folly punifhed! a grievous peflilencc feized his people ; wdiich, by fweeping away feventy thoufand of them together % effeftu- ally taught him to rely no more on the mul- titude of his hoil: ; but to look up ftedfiiftly for the future to that God, who is the Lord of hefts : to that God, " unto whom alone power belongeth;" and who, with refpecl: to the Jews, always delighted '« to make his ftrength appear perfeft in their weak- nefs'." To forget him therefore now in their profpcrity, and vaunt themfelves in their own abilities, was evidently a fin of an r Jcr. xvii. 5, 1 2 Sam. xxivr. i^. ' 2 Cor. xii, 9. Vol. II. E heinous 50 SERMON XIV. heinous nature, and defervedly called for this fignal punifliment : a punifhment which fhewed them, how frail and weak they really were ; and how much it was their wifdortif in their bed condition, to rely on the favour and prote£lion of God. And indeed, to give them their due, they became fo wife from henceforth, as to place a full and implicit confidence in their great and gracious protector; and to pay him a willing, unfeigned obedience. They went on improving in religion and virtue ; and were accordingly bleflTed with a proportionable increafe of wealth, happinefs, and hojiour. Thefe they enjoyed u^ithout interruption. *' For they had peace on all fides round about; and they dwelt fafely, every man under his vine, and under his fig-tree, from Dan even to Beerflieba ^" The Canaanites became alfo tributaries to them, and eafed them of their fcrvile emplovments; whereby they w^ere all in a manner ennobled, being flavoured with admiifion into the offices of '• i Kings Iv. 75. ftatc S E H M O N XIV. 5t ftate ^ They lived moreover in high efteem with all the nations far and near^ who ho- noured them with large and magnificent pre* fents, and ftored their houfes with the choifeft goods ". They carried on a very extenfive trade ; which brought into the kingdom fuch immenfe riches^ that ** Solomon made filver to be in Jerufalem, as ftones*;*' that is, of little value, becaufe of its abundance. Nor did other things, perhaps, abound there in lefs profufion, " For king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth, for riches, and forwlfdomy: and his fubjedls, partaking of this wifdom, and making themfelves emi- nently religious, were now alfo, in confe-^ quence, eminently happy* Their happinefs flood always annexed to their obfervance of the law. And fince the law had now its perfe£l influence upon them; and was magnified in the abundance of thofe * 1 Kings ix. 20—25-. " Ibid. x» z^i * Ibid. 27. y Ibid, 2> E 2 good 52 S E R M O N XIV. good works, which its precepts engaged thcrvi to difcharge ; their obedience was therefore attended with the accomphfhment of its pro- mifes, in the full enjoyment of all temporal felicities. In Ihort, whilfl the inhabitants of Judea ftrove to make it a land of holinefs, God took care to make it likewife a land of -plenty — ^the pride and glory of the whole earth. A plain demonftration this, of the divi- nity of the conftitution under which they lived. For who, but the Lord of the whole earth, could thus reward th§ piety of his fervants with all the blefiings thvit earth can beftow? — But here let us remem- ber, that they were then his fervants; and were no longer bleffed, tlian while they con- tinued fuch. For though we have now iect:i to what a glorious height their " righte- oufnefs exalted the nation ^ ;" yet the next difcourfe will exhibit a clear and woful proof, how foon their *' fin" becams not only the fhame and " reproach,'* but alfo ^ Prov, xiv. 34. the SERMON XIV. 53 the ruin " of this very people." Equally gracious however will the Lord appear, both ill his judgments, and in his mercies. — To him therefore be afcribed, as is moft due, all honour, glory, adoration, and praife, both now^ and for ever-more. Amen^ E 3 S E R^ [ 55 ] SERMON XV. Hose A v. 5. T/je pride of Ifrael doih ie/i'fy to his fate : therefore jhall Ifrael and Ephraim fall in ' their iniquity : Judab alfb [hall fall '^with them. WE have feen the IfraeHre^s, about the middle part of Solomon's reign, ad- vanced, in confequence of their piety and virtue, to an eminently glorious and happy ftate. But this ftate was, alas ! of no long continuance. For their profperity foon de- bafed their principles, and corrupted their morals to a ftrange degree. The king, in- E 4. dulging 56 SERMON XV. dulginghis luflful inclinations, *' grew mad in his love of women." Thefe foreign wo- men feduced his heart from the true God ; and attached him to the fervice of their falfe deities ^ Hence idolatries of various kinds, together with the abominations attendant upon them, fpread and prevailed over the whole land; and infeded the mafs of the people. As their wickednefs increafed, their hap- pinefs declined: infbmuch that the king- dom, which had once been fo greatly ad- mired for the order and excellency of its government, gradually funk, through the vices of its inhabitants, into a faftious, un- fteady, and tottering condition. On the death of Solomon, ten of the tribes revolted from his fon, and made Jeroboam their king \ The kingdom, which Jero- boam obtained by rebellion, he determined to eftablifh by apoflafy. And therefore, to prevent his people from going up to the temple at Jerufalem, which might favour * I Kings, xi. 4'— St *• Ibid, xii. 20. their SERMON XV. 57' then union again with Judah% he fet up two golden calves, on the plan of worfhip he had learned in Egypt ^, to which they might facrifice in their own country. This bafe defeftion God was highly in- cenfed at. And to apprize Ifrael of the efFeft of his refentment, he fent a prophet to Jero- boam, at the time he was engaged in the iirft a£l of innovation, and {landing before his altar at Bethel ; who foretold them in the name of the Lord, that, " the days were coming on, w^hen the falfe priefts fhould themfelves be flain ; and their bones burnt on that very altar." And this event, he affured them, would as certainly come to pafs, as that " the altar (hould then break afunder, (which inllantly happened) and the afhes upon it be poured out^:" Nor fhould it ever be in the power of any of their kings to prevent this calamity ; but every hand, that endeavoured to oppofe it, (hould be en- feebled and deadened, as they now faw the ^ I Kings xii. 26, ly, ^ See Patrick's Comment on the place. ^ J Kings xiii. 1 — 5, hand 58 SERMON XV. hand of Jeroboam, for his attempt on him who declared thefe tidings. This warning, confirmed, by fuch a complication of miracles, muft have been futficient, one would think, to awaken the Ifraelites ; and bring back that deluded people to the worfhip and obedience of the true God. But To infatuated were they now grown, that they ftill perllfted m their former impieties ; and eyen proceeded to higher provocations. They haraffed Judah by continual wars ; and indu.ftrioufly employed every pofTible ad- vantage againfl them^ The acceffion of Abijah s, \yho was young and inexperienced, afforded them an opportunity too favourable ' I Kings XV. 6, 1 6, 17. I Abijah (2 Chron. xiil. i.^is In i Kinga xv. i. &:c. callci Abijam — which diiference, as the Jews wrote on ru/eJ v^Ium, m^y be c^iifily accounted tor, Tlie fpace between the two lidct of the final p^, being filled up by the i{dri ruled line, the tranf- priber millook it for a mem PH' This is obr6r\'ed, not fo much for the fake of the word in queftlon ; as tor the fake of many other and more important fjarUitlons which may braccoumed for pn the fame principle. t« SERMON XV. 59^ to be overlooked ^ They collecled there- fore a numerous army ; and malevolently marched againft hhn, in confidence of being able to fubdue at once the two tribes, and bring them entirely under their own power. Now had they profpered in this attempt, their fuccefs would have been fatal to the caufe of religion ; as it would probably have involved the whole land in one general apoftafy. God therefore, who faw their ini- quitous defign, was pleafed to defeat their fcheme ; and to grant Judah a perfeftly mar- vellous and unparalleled viftory. For they (lew in this engagement, ^i?^ hundred thqufand of their enemies ; and took Bethel, the feat of their idolatry, among others of their ftrongeft cities'. A flaughter, which not only manifefted the fiercenefs and feverity of the divine dlfpleafure againft thefe ten idola-p trous tribes ; but alfo reduced their authority, and power to a balance with the other two. And this balance was afterwards preferved all the while tolerably even, as well by the fuc* • ^ JosiPH. Ant. Jud. lib. viii. c. xi. § 2. ' 3 Chron. xiii. z — 20. , 2 ceffes f70 S E R xM O N XV. ceUcs which Judah, when obedient, enjoyed; as by the frequent calamities which befel Ifrael, on account of their repeated and enormous fins K For they never ceafed, not- withftanding thefe fevere, though merciful inflidions, from their dcteftable impieties and wicked works. But, impious as the kings of Ifrael had been, yet Ahab exceeded all his predecefibrs. For to the idolatries of Jeroboam (whofe chief fault confifted in w^orfhiping the true God by a foolifli reprefentation of his own invention) this king fuperadded the worlliip and fervice of Jf range deities K He adopted the gods of the Sidonians and Tyrians ; fet up the worlhip of Baalim and Afhtaroth ; that is, of xhtfun^ moon^ and Jlars ; and la- boured to reftore that ancient idolatry, w4:iich the Ifraelites had been raifed on purpofe to deftroy. ^ The accefllon of thofe, out of the other tribes, who feared the Lord, and came to Jerufalem, contributed fikevvife to the fartie end. Sec 2 Chron. xi. 16, 17. — xv. 9. — xxx. :i, 18. ^ I Kings xvj. 30, 33. JosCT'H. Am. Jud, 1. viii, c. xiii, § i. Whilft SERMON XV. 6i Whilft he thus madly counteraded the fcheme of Providence, Ehjah was fent to reprove his foll}\ This zealous prophet, it (hould feem, expoflulated the matter warmly with him : alked him on w^hat principles he forfook the Lord ; and what benefits he ex- peded from his adopted deities? Is it in ' their power, fays he, to blefs and fertilize your country? " Can the vanities of the Gentiles caufe rain? or can the heavens give fhowers"^?*' To convince you that they can- not; " as the Lord liveth, before whom I Hand," and whole minifter I am, '^ there (liall be neither dew nor raiu thefe vears, but according to my w^ord".'* When they had fufficiently experienced the impotence and futility of their own deities; and had fuffered feverely by drought and famine for the fpace of /i6r^^ years ; Elijah came to them with a promife of relief, provided they returned to God and their duty. But as he wi{hed their reformation might be founded and eftablilhed on due conviflion ; fo he dc- "' Jer. xiv. 2 2. ^' I Kings, xviii. i. $2 SERMON XV. fired Ahab to convene Ifrael, and all the piiefts, at a particular place on mount Carmel. The people being accordingly aflfembled, he accofted them in the following terms: " How long will ye halt between two opinions? If Jehovah be God, follow him : but if BaaU then follow him°." '^ Now, that ye may be fatistied which of them is really God, we'll put them both to the trial. You^ who are his prophets, maintain^ that Baal, the SUN, is the true God. The eflbnce of the SUN h fire : and fu rely, if he can dif- play himfelf in any thing, it muft be in thai. I e ibat then the teft f * <« the God that anfwercth by Jire^ let him be God p." This was a rational method of decifion ; adequate and fuitable to the point in contro- verfy : and therefore w^hat the people could not but approve. The propofal being thus aflented to, the prleil"s of Baal prepared their lacrifice; " and called on the name of their god from morning even until noon — nay until the evening : but there was no voice, " I Kings xvlii. 21. f Ibid. ver. 34. nor SERMON XV. 6^ nor any that anfvvered, nor any that re- garded "3." Then EHjali, having fo difpofed and or- dered his facrificc, as to prevent all fufpiclon of deceit % came up to the altar, which he had juft eredled, and prayed unto the Lord, that he would now, for the conviftion of this deluded people, tnanifeft himfelf to be the only great and true God : which he had no fooner done, but " ^Jire fell down from heaven, and conlumed the vi£lim, wood and ftones; and dried up all the water in the trench. When the people faw it, they fell on their faces, and cried out-— Jehovah, he is the God ! Jehovah, he is the God '!" And fo fully were they convinced of this truth, that they inftantly feized the prophets of Baal ; and, at the command of Elijah, ^ put them all to death '/' * I Kings xvili. 29. ' Joseph.. Ant. Jud. lib. viil. c. xiii* § 5. ' I Kings xviii. 38 — 40. * As the times of Elijah and Elilha were particularly trouble- fomc and dillrefsful both to the prophets and people ofthe Lord, we meet with many more particular and detached miracles under 64 SERMON XV. Now, as this miracle had fo powerful an effect on the condu6l of the people ; it is hardly to be fuppofed, that the king re- under their adminiftration, than in any other fimilar period of the Old Teftament. But thefe dilHnCt and jiarticular miracles, being founded on the particular cccafions of the times, may eafily be cxphiined from the nature of the circumlhuices under which they were exhibited. They were principally intended either, for a proof of the prophet's million, as when Eliflia divided Jordan. 2 Kings ii. 15, i^. Or— tor the prophet's fupport, fccurity, and protedion. i Kings xvii. 2, 16. xix. 5, 8. 2 Kings i. 9, 12. vi. 15, 24. Or, — as an honourable tefti- mony of God*s approbation of the prophet's character. 2 Kings ii* 8, 11. xiii. 21. Or— for the relief, comfort, and encouragement of the faithtul, i Kings xvii. g, 16, 24. 2 Kings ii. J9, 22. iv. i, 7. Ibid. 16, 17. Ibid. 32, 37. Ibid, 40, 41. Ibid. 42, 44. vi. 4, 7. Thefe particular miracles, at the fame time that they an- fwered thefe particular purpofqs, ferved alfc to dcmonflrate both the power and providence of God ; and confequently to Ibengthen the faith and confidence of his people : — and fo far^therefore con- ipired to promote the defign of the general difpenfation. This is more efpecially obfervable of the two lail miracles, that rcfpeft- ively concerned thefe two eminent and zealous prophets : for the hope of immortality was flrongly confirmed by the afcent ot Elijah into heaven ; and the doctrine of the refurrcLlion by Eli- ftia's bones raifing up a dead man to life — which being done pub- licly, was a fanheFconfirmation of that private miracle of his raifing the fon of the good Shunammite. 2 Kings viii. 1— <6. And the like had been done by Elijah, i Kings xvii. 17, 23. . malncd S E R M O N XV. 65 ihalned altogether uninfluenced by it. He continued, it is true, to aft wickedly : but not with the {iime obftinacy. His heart re- lented. For, when he heiird his doom, " he humbled himfelf;" and began to be forry for the evil'3 he had done. This repentance God was graciouily pleaied to encourage by a marvellous deliverance now vouchafed to him, and his people. Beilhadad, the king of Syria, invaded Ifrael with a large army ; and imperioufly threatened to demolifh their ca-^ pital ; and lay it at once level with the ground. But his infolence was foon re- prefled. For the Lord animated and (trength- ened the Ifraelites ; who, by making a fud- den attack on their enemies, put them all to flight ; and obtained over them a com- plete viclory". This victory was gained in fo extraordi- nary a manner, that the Syrians themfelves could not but afcribe it to the power and agency of the God of Ifrael. Bat this God they fancied, according to the common fu- perftition of the times, to be only a local ** I Kings ^x. JO — ii. Vol. IL F tutelary 66 SERMON XV. tutelary deity — a god of the hills, but not of the vallies ^ :" and therefore determined to, try their fortune another year in a different and lower fituation. His omnipotence being thus difputed, God judged it neceflary to fhevv them, on their own principles, that his powxr w^as not confined to the mountains, but extended equally to the plains. With this view he placed the Ifraelites in tlie plain of Aphek; where they fought the Syrians again ; and, though amazingly inferior in number y, overthrew them with a dreadful flaughter ; for an hundred thoufiuid fell together in the field of battle. And of thofe who fled into the city, twenty-feven thou- fand perifhed in fo flrange and fingular a manner, as vifibly demonftrated, that the hand of God was extended againft them, and immediately concerned in their fall and dc- ftruclion ^ A limilar deliverance, from the power and oppreffion of the fiimc king, was again ^ I Kings XX. 23. y " The children of Ifrael were numbered, and were all prefent, nnd pitched before them, like two little flocks of kids; but the Syri'.ms filled the country." Ibid. ver. 27. =* Ibid. ver. 28 — 50. vouch- S E R M O N XV. 67 Vouchfafed them in the next reign, by means equally marvellous ^ But, notvvithftanding thefe, and many other favourable interpoiitions, exercifed to- wards them at various times ; yet, fo dege- nerate were the Ifiaelites grown, that they perverfely continued their impious practices; and, forgetful of that " goodnefs which fliould have led them to repentance,'' in- dulged themfelves in all kinds of wicked- nefs. This depraved and perverfe condu6l expofed them to numberlefs calamities ; — to the depredations of the fword, peftilence, and famine : calamities, which ferved, as w ell to corred:, as to punifh, their iniquities. For if they were led to the worfliip of idols in hopes of fecuring their help and fa- vour^; how clearly muft they perceive, that *' there was no help in them," when they found themfelves labouring under the hand of the oppreflbr? Or, if they engaged in their fervice, as they often did, from a fond con- ceit, that the fertility of the earth, the falu- ^ 2 Kings vi. 24---vii. 7. ^ See 2 Chron. xxviii. 23. F 2 brity 68 SERMON XV. brity of the feafons, and the profperity of human affiiirs, depended on their benign in- flucnce'^ ; how plainly muft the falfliood of this perfuafion appear, when they experienced their idolatries to be conftantly attended with efte£ts dircdly the reverfe ! For we never read of their following idols, but we likewife read of the heaven's becoming dry, the earth unfruitful, the feafons unhealthy, or the ftate unfuccefsfuH. Such was now the condition of Ifrael : a condition, one would imagine, fufficient to deter any people from adopting and imitat- ing their manners. But idolatry is contagi- ous. And fo from Ifrael the contagion fpread ; and unhappily infeded the houfe of Judah. The kings of the two tribes had hitherto, in general, maintained a pious regard for God, and dutiful obedience to all his laws ; and had conlequently enjoyed, through his ^ See Jer. xlir. 17. Hof. ii. 5, i 2. " Lev. xxvi. 14™ 20. Deut. xi. 17. — xxvlii. 24, 25". I Kings viii. 35. Jer. xHr. 15—23, Ezek. vi. 11 — 14. Mai- jTior. Mor. Ncvocli. p. ili. c. xxx. good SERMON XV. 69 good providence, great fuccefs, profperlty, and happinefs — which was particularly the cafe of thofe pious princes, Afa and Jeholha- phat^ But Jehoram, having married into the family of Ahab, foon deferted the way of his fathers ; foon neglefted the worfhip and fervice of the true God ; and, at the in- ftigation of his wife, introduced into the kingdom foreign cuitoms, to the increafe and propagation of the moft horrid impieties, and the utter ruin of the inftitutions of his country. For " he made high places in the mountains of Judah ; and caufed the inha- bitants of Jerufalem to commit fornication;" that is, idolatry — '* and compelled all Judah and Benjamin to do the fame^:" which proved the fource of great andlafting mifery to himfelf, and of bitter affliftions to all his people. The next reign was equally wicked ; and was therefore involved in equal misfortunes. " 2 Chron. xiv. xvii. xix. xx. ^ 2 Chron. xxi. 11, 14, i^. F 3 And 70 SERMON XV. And henceforth agaui, as both kings and people went on, in fucceffion, for a feries of years, provoking the Lord by their abomi- nable doings ; fo were they puniflied with various forts of oppreflive calamities ; and rendered proportionably wretched in con- dition, as they were vile and perverfe in their afcions ^. Some lucid intervals, indeed, of piety fiionc out in Judah at particular periods; which gave them fome little refpite from their fuf- ferings ; fome little tafle of peace and hap- pincfs; and retarded the progrefs of that final judgement, wdiich had often been de- nounced againft their wickednefs. But the children of Ifrael w^ere incorrigi- bly hardened; and, notwithftanding the re- peated admonitions they received, and the repeated punilhments they fufi'ered, could never be brought by any of thefe means to a proper degree of penitence or refleclion. They proceeded from the beginning, with- out intermiffion, in one impious courfe of t 2 Chron. xxlv, 23. 75— xxv. 14. 24. xxvili. 5. 8. 16. 21. ^pollafv ; SERMON XV. 7r apoftafy ; advancing continually, for two hundred and fixty years, from one ftage of wickednefs to another — from bad to worfe — till they '* filled up at laft the meafure of their iniquities ;'* and made the land to groan with the burden of their fins. When '^ they had left all the command- ments of the Lord," and gone thus " into the ways of the heathen ^ ;" God determined to drive them out, as he had driven the nations before them. He called up therefore the king of Afliyria, '' who came to Samaria, and took it ; and carried Ifrael away into Aflyria ; and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes V To be carried captive into any country, is, doubtlefs, a circumftance of deep diftrefs; but that the Ifraelites (hould be carried into this country, hc-id fomething in it, that was peculiarly fore. '' It is well known, how they were firft in bondage in the land of Gofhen, and the city Abaris, in Egypt ; and ^ 2 Kings xvli. 15, 1 6. ' lb. Ter. 5, 6. F 4 how 72 S E R M O N XV. how they were conduced thence hito the land of Canaan ; which they enjoyed above feven hundred years. Upon their repeated rebelhon and idolatry, th.ey were now car- ried into a fecond bondage : and what is re- markable, many of them went to another land of Goflien ; but not hke that of old: to another city Abaris or Habor; and in iuc- cefllon to the fame people, to whom their fathers had fucceeded in Egypt, even the Cufeans. Their captivity was attended with this cruel circumftance, that they went now to a wild and uncultivated country: and had the mortification to fee the people, who had quitted it, occupy the pleafant fields of Ifrael. For '* the king of Affyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria: and they poiieffed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof^."' Here was every additional circumlfance, to aggravate tlieir misfortune, and embitter their iervi- ^ 2 Kings xvil, 24. tude : SERMON XV. 73 tude : to bring to their memory continually what they had been, and what they now were : to point out vifibly the finger of God in the peculiar fufferings of luch a reprobate people: and at the fame time to alarm the remaining tribes ; that they might take warn- ing at the fight of fuch particular judg- ments, and recoiled: themfelves in good time ^" And at this time indeed, the two remain- ing tribes did thoroughly recolleft them- felves ; and with diligence apply to the great and neceliary work of reformation. The high places were removed ; the images were broken ; the p roves cut down : and everv abomination cleared away. The temple of the Lord was opened and purified ; the public worfnip was reftored ; and the folemn i-^ftivals were airain celebrated"'. In lliort, true religion revived in Jerufalem, and fiourifhed throughout the land : And hap- ^ Bryant's Obfervations on the ancient Hill, of Egypf, p. 240, &c. ^- 2 Kings xviii. 4, &c. 2 Chron. xxxi. i — 4. pinefs, 74 S E R M O N XV. pinefs, the infeparable attendant of piety, Iniiled upon every condition. As '* they drew nigh to God, io God drew nigh to them ;'* guarded and proteded them in all their enterprizes ; " and profpered them whitherfoever they went"." The profperous events they had ex- perienced, which were vifible tokens of God's favourable prefence among them, em- boldened them now to throw off the yoke of the king of Aflyria. This king's father, on a revolt made by the Ifraelites, had be- fore taken and deftroyed Samaria ; and car- ried away the inhabitants captive. The fon, who now governed Aflyria, thought like- wife, on this occafion, to treat Jer.ulalem in the lame manner. Flufhed therefore with his former viftories, and breathing deftruc- tion againfl the kingdom of Judah, he fen t. a moft opprobrious meffage to Hezekir.h and jiis fubjecls — charged with bold and bitter invedlives, not only againft the Jews, but even againft God. Read his own words : 2 Kings xvHi, 7. " Thi S E R M O N XV. 75 " This faith the great king, the kingofAflyria : What confidence is this wherein ye truft ? If ye truft in God, and fay unto me, the Lord will deliver us : then I would alk you, hath any of the gods of the nations de- livered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Aflyria? Where are the gods of Hamath, and of Arpadr- — the gods of Se- pharvaim, Henah, and Ivah? Have theyjde- livered Samaria out of mine hand? Who are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the Lord fhould deliver Jerufalem put of mine hand ° ?" Here, yoy fee, he brings down the great God of Ifrael to the contemptible level of the gods of the nations ; puts him to open de- fiance ; and charges him with impotence to his face. This then was the time for the Lord to afiert and vindicate his honour ; to Ihew forth the greatnefs of his majefty and power ; and to punifli the arrogance of this ° 2 Kings xviii. 19, 30, 35 — 35. haughty -jf, S E R M O N XV. haughty king, who had thus vainly exalted himleh', and impioufly " contended with his ip.aker/' Accordingly, the bold and blaf- phemous tyrant had fcarce advanced to the holy city, but his forces were entirely de- ftroyed. " For it came to pafs that night, that the angel of the Lord went out, and imote in the camp of the Aflyrians an hun- dred fourfcore and live thouland men p." An event, which rendered it manifefc to the na- tions, that Jehovah was a God " mighty in power, and tremendous in judgment if* And which alfo ferved as a proof to the Jews, that their enemies would never prevail againft them, unlefs their iniquities Ihould provoke the Lord to with-hold his favour and protection from them. And foon, alas ! was he forced by their Impieties to yield tliem up to the punifhments P 2 Kings xix. 5^. Some fuppore this havock to have been iiiai^e by 'Aplagut\ or perhaps by light n'uig^ or a /Vj- ^tivV/zY, which blows i'omctinies in thofe parts, and is very dclh'utlive. See Sir I. Newton's Chron. p. 282. Prideaux's Connect, p. I. b. I. p. 24. " 2 Chron. x'xxii, 23. Joseph. Ant. JikI. lib. x. c. i. § 4. thcv SERMON XV. ^^ they deferved. For in the fucceeding reigns, regardlefs of the deHverance now vouchfafed them, they bafely and ungratefully forfook the Lord ; polluted his temple by the intro- du(5lion of idols ; ran '^ into all the abomi- nations of the heathen'';" and, notwith- ftanding the endeavours of good Joliah, and the earneft admonitions of holy prophets, ob- ftinately perfifted in their wicked ways ; and even advanced to as deteftable a degree of profanenefs and iniquity, as ever their brethren of the houfe of Ifrael were known to have been guilty of. When the offences of Judah vied thus with the tranfgrefiions of Il'rael ; then the Lord determined in vengeance " toftretch over Jerufalem the line of Samaria • ;" that is, to overthrow the one, as he had overthrown the other : and to confume its inhabitants in like manner — fome of them by famine, others by the fword ; and to drive the reft into hard captivity. " Therefore he brought upon rhem the king of the Chaldees, who befieged ' 2King5xxi.2 — 9. 2 Chron. ::xxii:, i — 9. * 2 Kings xxi, 15, the 78 SERMON XV. the city," and drove them by famine to wretched ftraights. " When the city was broken np, he flew their young men with the fword, in the houfe of their fanduary ; and had no compaffion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that ftooped for age : he gave them all into his hand. And all the veffels of the houfe of God, great and fmall ; and the treafures of the houfe of the Lord ; and the treafures of the king and his princes : all thefe he brought to Baby- lon. And they burnt the houfe of God; and brake down the wall of Jerufalem ; and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire ; and deftroyed all the goodly vefl'els thereof And them that efcaped from the fword, carried he away to Babylon ; where they were fervants to him and his fons ^" Thus *' the Lord removed Judah, as he had removed Ifrael, out of his fight;" and, lince they had both been guilty of the fame crimes, made thern partakers of the lame punifliment. And if we confidcr only what has been already faid, it muft doubtlefs appear, t 2 Chron. xxxvi. 17—20, 3 that SERMON XV. 79 that it was not without fufficient caufe, that he exercifed this great, this lading feverity upon them. But there are other confiderations, not yet particuhirly mentioned, which fcrvc to vindi- cate the proceedings of Providence, in the fiime degree that they aggravate the perverfe- nefs and obftinacy of the Jews. To this purpofe then, we are farther to obferve, That their cahimities came on them by flow advances ; and increafed in weight, as their fins were multiphed — that they had conftant warnings of the feveral judgments before thev came ; and conftant exhortations to amend their Hves, as the only means of efcaping them — that they had the benefit of prophets to fet them right ; whofe miflion was fupported by appropriate miracles, and whofe denunciations were daily verified by repeated and woful experience— that when they defpifed the admonitions of the pro- phets, and hardened themfclves againft their reproofs ; yet God would not reject them at once ; but fent them ofi'' into captivity by degrees ; each kingdom at three different periods ; 8o SERMON XV. periods"; in hopes that the remainder woulci take warning from what was pail ; and avoid, by repentance, the fiite of their brethren. But when repentance found no place among them ; when, " the more they were ftricken, they revolted the more ;" in a word, when all thefe diverfified methods of reformation could have no effeft upon them ; it was furely but fitting, that they, who would con- tinue flaves to their fins, Jljould^ in confe- quence, be made flaves to their enemies ; and be taught at lafh by the mifcries they felt, to " know" the difference between "the fervice of God, and the fervice of the kingdoms of the countries ^" A difference, which might induce them ; a difference indeed, which did " Ifrael was carried captive : Judah was carried captive : 1. by Tiglath-Pilefer, 2 Kings i. by Nebuchadnezzar, Dan. i. XV. 29. Years before Chrifl, 1,6. Years before Chrill, 740. 606. 2. By Shalmancfer, 1 Kings 2^ ByNebuchadne7.zar, Eilli. ii. xvii. 6. Years before Chrlil, 5, 6. Ezek. i. i, 2. Years 721. before Chrifl:, 599. . By Efarhaddon, Ezra ir. 3. By Nebuchadnezzar, 2 Kinge- 2, 10. Years before Cbrill, xxv. 2. &:c. Years before 677, Chrill, 588. ^ 2 C'hron. xii. 8-. induce S E R xM O N XV. 8i inckice them, *' to turn again to the Lord their God," For at lafl thev confidered, that when thev ferved him, " it was then jTiiich better with them than now — " that their former condition was infinitely prefer- .''.bie to that which was their lot at prefent. Now, wdiilll the Jews were learning in their captivity this lakitary leflbh, divine Providence Was gracidufly eniployed in cor- i-eclihg the various fliperflitions of the Ca- ftans ; and leading them to a truer notion of things. When thefe mixed people intro- duced into Sdniaria the feveral deities of their own Countries, clnd worfliiped thetn accord- ing to their ov/n maniler ; the Lord, jealous of his honour, aiid concerned to maintain the fanftity of his land, -wets highly provoked at fuch prophanation ; and fent among them a number of lions, by which they were grievoufly haralfed and deftroyedy. Why he made choice of thefe animals to annoy them, may not, perhaps, be accounted for with any degree of certainty or prCcifion. But, if we fuppofe, as we have fome reafon y 2 KiDgsxvii. 25, zd. Vol. II. G to 8:^ SERMON XV. to fuppofe, that Arloch or Ariel, that is, the Lion-god, was their chief and general deity ^; then the fending lions among them, was a kind of judgment, the moft appro- priate that we can well conceive : as it ferved to convince them in the moft affeding man- ner, that *' wherewithal a man finneth, by the fiime alfo fliall he he punilhed." But what- ever might be the reafon, for which the puniihment was particularly inflicted in this form ; yet certain it is, that it produced upon them its defired efFed. For it brought them to the acknowledgement of the true God; and to a refpe£lful compliance with his laws and worfhip. And though they continued, for a time, to join their own gods with the Lord God of Ifrael ; yet did they gradually » The principal deity of the Alfyrians was "A^tj? or ]Mars (See Hyde de Rel. vet. Perf. cap. ii. p. 62.) whofe lymbol was -aUou. JosEPHUs fays, Ant. Jud.lib. ix. c. xiv. § 3. — xii. c. v. § 5.) that th^fe Cufeans were deflroyed hy plague s^ and not by lions. How he came by this reathng I cannot conceive ; iinlefs he tranflatcd the Heb. '1t< by ^\D,-, which he found to be fometimes ufed in u fenfe ey; Coinp. Pfal sxxv. 10.— Ixxir. refraflory 94 SERMON XVI. refradory Gentiles, " that finned ; but cad them down'* ignobly froiTi their thrones : the Jews, who were peculiarly bound to obey him, could not but conclude, that he would make a moft dreadful example of them, if they fhould dill be fo bafe as to " live un- godly." And this conclufion muft now ftand the more confirmed, muft operate on their minds with more force, when they rc- colle6led the fate of their brethren in Egypt ; ■who, by rejefting the counfel of the prophet Jeremiah, and obftinately perfiftlng in the idolatries of that nation, miferably perifliecl in the fall thereof ^ And fince they well knew^, that^the king- dom, which themfelves were then fubjeft to, was likewife to undergo great revolu- tions ; it behoved them to attend the more ftriftly to their condufl:, left their vices (hould involve them in its approaching ca- lamities. Repentance and obedience were their only fecurity. Nor is there any room to doubt, (for even the principle of lelf-pre- ^ Jcr. yViv. II — 28. I'l'iDEAux's Conned, p. i. b. iii. An. :;-;;. fervation SERMON XVI. 95 fervatlon would efFednally lead them to it) that they laboured by obedience to make good their title to that gracious promife, which allured them of prote6tion in thofe perilous times. '' Fear thou not, O Jacob, my fervant; and be not difmayed, O Ifrael, faith the Lord : for I am with thee : thoucrh I make a full end of all the nations, whither I have driven thee; yet I will not make a full end of thee : I w^ill not leave thee how*, ever wholly unpunifhed ; but will correct thee in'' fuch " meafure,*' as is necefiary to reform thee ". . ; And hence arofe another and very power- ful motive, to induce them to proceed with diligence and vigour, according to the intent of this merciful difpenfation, in the improve* ment of their heart and lives. For furely they could not but correct their misdoing?, and fhew themfelves '« zealous of good works;" when they underftood that their affliclions and diftreffes were to abate, in proportion as they advanced in the Vv'ays of piety. " Jcr. xlvi. 27, 28. ^ . But 96 SERMON Xvf. But thefe were not the onlv encourage- ments, which God, in his goodnefs, pro- pofed to their obedience. Higher iiiotives were placed in their view. '' There ^verc given unto them exceeding great and precious promifcs'':" the promile of reftoration into their own land ; the promile of plenty, hap- pinefs, and fecurity in that land; and the promife of a glorious flatc and fettled go- vernment under their own king, tlie* Mefiiah ^, " Having therefoi*e thefe great and precious promifes," that by them they might be perfuaded to reform their lives ; they mufl needs be folicitous to •• efcape the corruption that was then in the world, through" the prevailing influence of " luft ^ " and idolatry : they muft needs be folicitous to " cleanfe themfelves from all filthinefs of the flefh and fpirit; perfedling holinefs in the fear of God%" and in gratis tude for his abundant mercies. ^ 2 Per. i. 4, y Jcr. xxili. y-'^. Ezek. xxxiv. i2— -31, * I I'ct. 1. 4. * 2 Cor. vii. u • And SERMON XVi, 97 And though feveral occurrences inter- vened, which, to thofe who judged accord- ing to the ordinary couiTe of things, might feem to obftru6l thefe promifed bleflings; yet, to this people they all appeared, by the light of prophecy, to be '* working toge- ther for their good.'* For every revolution that threw the nations down in the world, was a prelude to the future advancement of Judah. And the}'' had the comfort to fee, tinder all revolutions, that fome perfons of their own body were furprifingly advanced into powet and authority, to patronize and defend their caufe : w^iich, as it fhewed, on God's part, great attention to the welfare of the Jews ; muft naturally excite on theirs a proportionable regard for his honour and glory. Such was the difpenfation of the captivity iii Babylon : and f«ch were the meafures ivhich God employed, under that difpenfa- tion, for the recovery and reformation of his people. And as both Judah and Ifrael were to be reunited, and reformed together ; fo the means concerted for their converfioh Vol. II. U and 98 S E R M O xN XVI. and improvement were equally applied ro both. To forward their union the more readily, and to make the appUcation to them the more eafy; God had previoufly and wifely ordained, that both of them fhould be thrown, in great numbers, into the fame countries : where, lofing their former diftinclion \ and mixing together as one people, they enjoyed the benefit of the fame difcipline, and the fame means of inftrudion in righteoufnefs. How well thefe means weVe adapted to corredl their errours, to improve their man- ners, and to engage them in the fervice of the true God, is apparent from what ha^ been already delivered. And how effedually they operated to this glorious end, is now become a matter of admiration. Idolatry ceafed among them ; their attachment to God grew ftrong and inviolable; and their zeal for his honour aftive and permanent. In confequence hereof, when they were ^ of their reconcilhitlon and union uc have this remarkable proof: viz. that in the expiatory facrifices made at Jerufalcm upon thc'iv return, " twelve hc-goats are faid to have been ottered, ac- cerdnij t© thetwcl/e tribes of lirael." Ezr. vi. i6, 17. rcftored SERMON XVL 99 reflored again to their own land, they thought it not fuffieient, merely to rebuild the temple at Jerufalem ; but, in the warmth of their piety, proceeded farther; and ere£led lynagogues in different cities, where the law was read on every fabbath, and other ails of devotion were performed. Hereby the true knowledge of God and his religion was Im- proved and confirmed among them; the pradlice of their duty was impreffed and en- forced upon them; and their abhorrence and deteftation of idolatry became more fixed, refolute, and determined." Now, while thofe, who returned to Ju- dea, were thus zealous in the fervice of God; and fetting forth the honour of his ma- jefly, in their own land ; the others, who remained behind, were bufied in reforming the neighbouring nations ; and improvltng in their minds, thofe exalted fentiments of the fupreme Beings which his late extraordi- nary and marvellous Jtnterpofitions had raifed a.i>d excited among them, H ^ Being loo SERMON XVI. Being now properly qualified for the work, both thefe bodies of Jews were appointed a kind of priefts — preachers of righteoufnefs, and publilliers of the true religion — to the four rifing monarchies. For the readier dif- charge of this high office, and the further- ance of the end dellgned, they were oc- calionally intermixed witli the feveral na- tions ; and providentially difperfed through all the provinces of thefe mighty kingdoms: where, being often diftinguifhed by eminent favours, they were enabled to convey and fjiread their inftruftions with greater efFeft and advantage. During the Babylonian and Medoperfian empires, they not only made a confider- able improvement in the religion of the people, who were more immediately their fellow fubjeds ; but alfo communicated their notions and cufloms to thofe inqui- fitive philofophers and renowned legifla- tors, who frequently travelled through thefe Hourifliing ftates for the acquifition of higher knowledge; and who, it is plain, 2 adopted SERMON XWl. loi adopted many of their dodrines and prac- tices themfelvesS and then recommended them to the notice of others, when they re- j turned into their own countries. Under the Grecian empire again, as the Jews were favoured with fome extraor- dinary privileges, and often placed in a very confpicuous point of view, fo their religion and manners became of courfe more obferved, and more accurately en- quired into, efpecially by the curious and learned; who were then numerous in mod parts of the world, and m.ore particularly in Greece and Egypt. And about this time, that is-, in the reign of Ptolemy Philadelphus, their curiofity and improvement were mod remarkably pro- vided for, by a tranflation of the Hebrew- Scriptures, or at ieaft of the five books of Mofes, into the Greek language. And as it appeared, when they were tranflated <^ See Gale's Court of the Gent. p. J. h. III. c. ix. Sec, Wits 1 1 Egyptiuc. lib. iil. c. xiii, Arth. Young's Dillert, vol. I. p. 292. H 3 into ID2 SERMON XVI. into that language, that thefe books of Mofes and the Prophets " contained not only obfcure things, and what particularly concerned the Jewifli ftate ; but alfo thuigs of a more fplendid nature, and defcriptive of the fortunes of diverfe king- doms ** ;*' fo is there no doubt to be made, but that thefe matters rendered them va- luable in the eyes of the world ; caufed them to be read wiih diHc:ence and atten- tion ; and to be fometimes, perhaps, con- fulted with reverence by thofe feveral na- tions, who found themfelves interefted in their contents. And finally, when it was the fate of Judea to be reduced at length to a Roman province ; this people and their religion became no Jefs known to the fubjeds of that niighty empire, than they had been before to other ftates. For the indulgence, which they every where obtained, of living- according to their own laws, and ufing their own rites and ceremonies, fpeedily con- * See Allix*s Refl. o i tliC Old Tell. b. ii. p. 41. veyed SERMON XVL 103 veyed a general knowledge of their tenets, euftoms, and inftitutions, to all the people around them. Thus then were the Jews, under the four great fucceffive monarchies, eminently inftrumental in reforming, enlightning, and improving the world. And though they were never able to convert a whole nation together to their church, and make their religion the particular eftabliftied re- ligion of the country ; yet they gained every where an infinite number of profelytes to their law; and many more to the belief and acknowledgment of the one fupreme and true God ; which was the principal thing then required. Nay, even the nations, who ftill con- tinued {laves to idolatry, were highly in- debted, though they knew it not, to the benign inHuence of this falutary difpenfation. For what were thofe exalted improvements, which were made, through the courfe of this period, in civil and religious know- ledge; and which, by the application of plu- H 4 lofophers,. 104 SERMON XVI. lofohers, amazingly thinned the darknefs of hcathcnifm ; but lucid emanations, conveyed by tradition, or perhaps derived by a nearer way, from this full and copious fountain of light''? And what were thofe refined infti- tutes of morality, planned by the mod re- nowned legiflators, and eftablifhcd in le- veral heathen countries, but chiefly tran- fcrlpts from the Mofiic laws'? So that this glorious diibenfation, like the fun, while it fhone on one country with meridian rays, and on others in proportion to their diftance from it ; threw forth moreover fome beams. of light, that bent below the horizon ; and thereby cheered that thick gloom, in which thofe people wxre involved, who had not yet the happinefs to behold its orb. Hence we fee, that the mod diflant na- tions were far from bein^" nepleded or dil- regarded by the Lord ; though he was pe- " Vide Map. SHAM. Canon. Chron. Sccul. ix. Tit. Lex. IMo- faicn.. p. I ^o, &i.c. et aiitliores ibi laudatos. ^ Vide HuET. Denionlb. Kvnng. Propolit. iv. cap. xi. p. i<3, &c. Petit. Com. in Leg. Attic. Gkot. in Matth. v. 28. e.t do Verit. Chriil. Ub« u § 15. culiarly SERMON XVI. 105 Guliarly attentive and flwourable to the Jews. Indeed the fiivours conferred on them, were properly favours to the whole world. They were chiefly means to inftruft and to im- prove the Jews, that they might be quali- fied to inftruft and to improve others ; that they might become fit inftruments in the hand of God, for the propagation of the re- ligion they had in truft : the benefit of which other nations reaped almoft in an equal degree, whether this people flood faithful to their truft, or fell for their neglefl: and violation of it. Nay their fall, in truth, that is, their perverfenefs and apof- tafies, contributed rather to -the fpeedier ac- complifhment of this defign, than could well have been expefled even from their fteadi- nefs. For to what did their defedions ulti- mately tend ; but to fupply the Deity with more frequent occafions to exert himfelf, in the corre(ftion of their predominant errours and vices ? But tbe/'r errours and vices were the errours and vices of ^// mankind. And therefore thofe wonderful exertions, which God io6 SERMON XVI. God employed for the reformation of the Jews, were equally adapted to the conver- iion of the Gentiles, among whom they lived. Nor did they fail of their intended efleft. For hereby, '^ the name of the Lord became extenfively known among the heathen ; and his greatnefs acknowledged by many people." From what has been advanced it appears, I hope — that God, as the common father of all, made ample provifion for the inftruc- tion of all ; fo far as either their neceflities required, or their capacities would admit. It is true indeed, that, throughout thefe various difpenfations of his providence, he afled with a fpecial regard to the Jews ; and hiterefled himfelf remarkably in their wel- fare. But neverthelefs, it is undeniably ma- nifeft, from the tenour of his proceedings, that he was not unmindful of other na- tions. Several inftances have already oc- curred of his general concern for all man- kind ; and feveral more might eafily be pro- duced of his particular regard to the Gen- tiles. SERMON XVI. 107 tiles. What are all the exhortations and warnings delivered by the prophets to the forrounding nations, but io many inftances of this truth? But why do I mention thefe? For what was there done, of any moment, towards the conviction and recovery of the Jews, that did not extend, and proportion- ably contribute to the reformation and im- provement of the Gentiles? The miracles wrought in Egypt were fuch as the whole world had a concern in ; and fuch as the whole world either beheld or heard of. The wonders afterwards performed in Canaan *' declared the glory of God to the heathen ; iind manifefted his power to numerous people^." He difcovered himfelf to the Syrians both by goodnefs ^ and feverity ' ; and the Aflyrians were likewife eye-witneflbr of his majefty ^. Laftly, the miracles dif- played in Babylon made him known, not only throughout that province ; but even -t Pfal xcvi. 3, ^ 2 Kings V. 8 — 19. ^ Ibid. XX. 28, 29^ ^ lb. xxi. ^^, through io8 SERMON^ XVL through the extent of the Babylonlfh em- pire K Thefe miracles, it is granted, were principally performed in favour of the Jews ; and to engage them in the fervice of their mighty protector. But then it muft be al- lowed, that they were alfo adapted, as they were farther intended, to correal the idola- trous notions of the Gentiles ; to convince them, that the God, who could do fuch wonders, muft be far fuperior to all gods ; and confequently, that it w^is their intereft to join his people, in order to fhare his favour and bleffing. Upon thefe principles, the beft difpofed and moft confiderate among them gradually forfook their idols ; and came in to the Lord from all quarters of the uni- verfe. For thus we are aflured by thofe, who were themfelves eye-witnefles of the faft — " that devout men," i. e. worfliippers of the God of Ifrael, met together at Jeru- falem, " out of every nation under heaven""." This was the great and glorious end, which the Almighty had aUvays in view, ' Dim. iii. 29. vi. 25 — 27. '" At^ts ii. 5. in SERMON XVI. 109 in his feveral tranfadtions with mankind. And therefore^ when he had finally ac- compUflied this gracious end ; when he had acquired a people out of every nation ; had redeemed them from their " bonda2:e to the elements of the world ;" and had brought them to the obedience and acknowledgement of himfelf ; he then with-held his hand for a time, and clofed up this ftupendous difpen- fation. And now, " Bleffed be the Lord God of Ifrael, who alone could do fuch wondrous things ; and blefled be the name of his majesty for ever : May all the earth be filled with his majefty ! Amen, Amen "." " Pfal. Ixx. 18, 19. SER. Ill ] SERMON XVII. John ill. 2. Rabbi^ we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do thefe miracles that thou doej}^ except God be with him. I Have endeavoured, in the courfe of the preceding Ledures, to illuftrate the na- ture, intent and propriety of .that vaft and extenfive chain of miracles, which runs through the Old Teftament. If vt^e purfue the progrefs of divine adminiftration, and enter into the New Teftament ; we fhall there difcover another remarkable chain of miracles; itl SERMON XVII. miracles ; different indeed from the former in their genius and complexion ; but equally fuited to anfwer the end they were intended to ferve. For thofe, which we have already confidered, were not more properly adapted to prove, that Jehovah is the one true God^ the CREATOR and governor of the world; than thefc, which now come to be difcufled, are to demon ftrate, that Jefus Chrifl: is the promifed Mcffiah, the Redeemer and Saviour of mankind. But we muft not advance too abruptly : — • For fince the propriety of the miracles de- pends, in a great meafure, on the nature of the doilrines, which they were wrought tcr atteft ; and fince thofe doctrines have like- wife a manifeft reference to the moral ftate and condition of the w^orld ; it is hence pre- vioufly requifite, that we (hould take a dif- tind and particular view of the real fituatioii of mankind, at the time of the commence^ ment of this new difpenfation — ^that we may be able to judge what was fit and neceflary to be done for the promotion and accomplilh- ment of that defign, which is the profefled purpofc S E R M O N XVII. 113 purpofe of its Inftitution: that is, what was proper and ncceflary to be done, for the fpiritual improvement of mankind ; for their prefent virtue and comfort, and for jtheir fu- ture perfipdlion and happinefs. Now, though the preceding difpenfatioii of providence, as It reclaimed the Jews, and enlightened the Gentiles, was of great and iignal advantage to the world ; and actually leflbned, in a ffood dep-ree* the bafenefs and ' mifcry of mankind ; yet was it dcfeclive in feverai particulars neceliary to the perfeclioa and completion of their felicity. As it was originally adapted to the diftinfh circum- fiances, and principally calculated for the fpecial benefit, of one particular people ; it muft therefore be, of courfe, unfuitable and inadequate to the general neceflitles of all : even luppofing, that all had been fo wife, at- tentive, and induftrious, as to make the bcfl and mod proper ufe of it, that it Vv^as capable of being applied to. But the truth of the cafe is ; that both parties, Jews as well a Gentiles, w^ere highly blamable in thi*- refped. They wilfully neglec\fd, dcbaied Vol. II. 1 and 114 SERMON XVII. and corrupted thofe falutary do£trincs and inftruftions they had received; and confe- quently funk, both in knowledge and pra- tice, far below that meafure of improvement, whereunto the difpenfation, under which they lived, was intended and adapted to ad- vance them. For the Jews, notwithftanding their in- duftry in making profelytes, and confequently in extending the knowledge and worfhip of the true God, yet groflly perverted the wife and pious intentions of his law ; and ren- dered it in a manner void and ufelefs. They laid the principal ftrefs upon, and confined their obfervance chiefly to, the external, fhowy, and lefs momentous parts of it ; whilft they negleded the internal, weighty, and fubftantial, to an aftonilhing and fhame- ful degree. In fupport of thefe proceedings they ran out into vain fpeculations; and thence formed fuch delufive comments on the divine commands, as quite enervated their force and efficacy : and at length con- firmed this mode of interpretation by ground- .^ lefs traditioiis, and the authority of the Rab- bins-. SERMON ^Vil. uj bins. " Thus they made the commandments of God df none," or almoft *' none effedt^ by their foohih fpeculations and '' tradi- tions °:" And, though they retained "the form of godlinefs, were generally flrangers to the power of it p." In the mevin time, the Gentiles, though improved in civil knowledge, and advanced in the cultivation of focial virtues, were yet involved in dang-erous errours with rep^ard to religion and a moral life. Nay indeed^ when civil knowledge iticreafed among them^ religious knowledge (which is fomething Arrange) declined^ abated, and loft ground **. During the limplicity of remoter times^ men thought it their duty^ and made it their praftice, to adhere to thofe venerable and renowned principles, which had been carefully inculcated by their an- ceftors ; and were looked upon as of divine " Matth. XV. 6. Mark vli. 13, P 2. Tim* iii. 5. See mote in Bp* Law's Theory of kel« P;irt II. p. 166. Note (^). ^ See this proved at large in Leland's Advantage of th$ ChriiHun Religion, voL I. chap. xx. p. 417', Sec. 8vo. 1 2 original* Jr6 SERMON XVII. original. But when learning and philofophy began to flourifh ; it made them captious, vain, and arrogant — ready to difpute every point, and to call in queftion all former po- lltions. When " they became thus fceptical and « vain in their imaginations," they either defpiled thofe genuine and truly fublime doctrines, which had pafled down from ancient ages ; or corrupted them by falfe and bafe mixtures. So, " prof effing themfelves wife, they became fools'" — " ex- travagant in theory, and degenerate in prac- tice ^ Not that I would be thought to intimate, as ii' all good principles were extinct among them, and no traces of virtue to be found : .For that would be injurious to their real charadcr, and contradictory to the truth of .things. Some general notions, relating to •the exiflence and attributes of the Deity; fome general ideas of a governing provi- dence, conftantly inijpedting the behaviour ^ R.om. i. 2 2. s Vide Cleric. Prol. Ecc. Hill, Sect. II. Moshkm. ik rebus ChriAianis ante Conrraiitimim. cap. i. § ii. and SERMON XVII. 117 and concUicl of mankind, ftill reniained iin- extlno^uiflied amona; them. And thefe no- tions, however obfcured, or however de- bafed, fliiled not to produce ibme laudable effedls, in laying; reftraints on vice and wickednefs ; and keeping up the face of order and regularity in every ftate. But the point I would inculcate is this — that what paflied for religion among the heathens, had no re- ference to the true God ; and no farther re- gard to good morals than the intereft of the Ihite required. And therefore, as Seneca well obferves, *' that man mufl: fall in- finitely (hort of the perfe6lion of virtue, who meafured his goodnefs by legal right, and the public inftitutions of his country V And though it fhould be remembered, to the lafting honour of human nature, that there are feveral inftances recorded of men, ^ Quam angufta innocentia eft, ad legem bonum cfTe ? Quaiito latius officlorum patet, quam juris regula ? Qnam multa pietas, humanitas, llberalitas, jiiilitia, fides exigunt, quae omnia extra publicas tabulas fuat? Sexec. de Ira, lib. ii. cap. xxvii. I 3 who, ii8 SERMON XVTI. who, prompted by a happy difpofition of temper, and guided by the didates of fu- perior reafon, praftifed higher and more exalted virtues, than ever v^^ere prefcribed by the laws of the ftate ; yet it muft ftill be confefJed, that thefe inftances are compara- tively few; and that the bulk of the people did not live up even to that ftandard of moral goodnefs, which was erefted and eftabliflied for the rule of their aftions. And had they advanced to its full height, how very low would they have then flood on the fcale or ^fcent of virtue ! For the laws and inftitu^ tions of every community, however excellent in fome refpe»5ls, were extremely defeftivein others. They were all fundamentally wrong in that main branch of moral duty, which regards the fervice, worfhip, and adoratic^i, i:hat we owe to the great and true God. They were alio wrong in the exceffive in- dulgence, which they freely allowed to the ienlual and vicious paifions. And they were np lefs wrong in providing rather for the in^ terefi: SERMON XVIL 119 *ereft of the ftate, than for the improvement of human nature. Nor was philofophy, with all its admired excellencies % ever able, either to fupply the manifold defeds of thefe laws, or to correa their pernicious errours. It had time enough to try its ftrength ; and to exert, to the full, its boafted powers. But it tried and laboured in vain— For, after all its efforts, it " was found wanting :"^ being often dubious about feveral poinds of importance to be iettled ; and always too weak to enforce even thofe, which it judgecfand knew to be right. Since it appears then, that the Molaic in- ftitution was fo far perverted and depraved by the Jews, as to have loll nearly its whole cffcd: on their fentiments, difpofitions, and manners: and that the laws and inftru£lions delivered to the Gentiles, were infufficient to lead them to the right knowledge and prac- tice of their duty : how needful was it for the reformation and improvement of man- » Vide CicFRON. TufcuK DlfpMt. lib.ii. cap. »▼. et v. lib. In. cap. iii. r>b. Iv. cap. xxxviii. lib. v. cap. ii. I 4 kind, 120 SERMON XVII. kind, tliat fomc lugher, more perfccl, and more powerful dilpenfttion fliould be at Iciioth introduced and cflahlifhed in the world! And how extremely gracious muft it be in the Deity, to fupport the ferious, con- templative, and faithful, by clear and repeated afiiirances, known to the Gentiles "" as well as the Jews, that he had compaliionately de- termined, at a proper feafon, to fend one from heaven to promulgate and eftablifh fuch a difpenfation among them ? — A difpenfation that lljould extend to the whole human race; that fliould correct themiftakes, errours, and prejudices, under which they laboured ; that Ihould fupply the defects of the former in- ftitutiouo ; and convey to the world every thing requifite to life and godlinefs. What theie requifites w^ere, may eafily be deduced from the fituation and circum- Itances that we find the world to h'avc been now in. And here it is obvious to remark, that when mankind forfbok their idols, and * Pi.ATON. Alcibind. 2, in fine. Jamelic. de Vlt. Pvtiia- ppR.i:, cap. xxviii. p. 124, &lc. Ed. Kiifter. became SERMON XVII. 121 became acqaalnted with the true God, they became likewife ienfible of the manifold of- fences they had committed again ft him ; and confequently fenfible of the great and abfo- lute need they had, of obtaining his pardon and forgivenefs of them. But the aflurance of his pardon they could no otherwife obtain than by an exprefs declaration from himfelf. And, as no declaration of that kind, no ge- neral promife of pardon on repentance, had been made to the world at large before ; it was therefore manifeftly the firft thing, which the ftate and condition of mankind now required to be done for them. But then it was only the firft. For fuppofe this necefiity fupplied — fup- pofe that God, overlooking thofe times of ignorance and errour, had declared his for- givenefs of their paft fins, and his readinefs to accept them on their fincere repentance ; yet, what would that avail, unlefs they alfo clearly underftood how to ferve him accept- ably for the future? And how was it poflible for them to underftand this, unlefs be gave them J22 SERMON XVIL them fuch a plain, perfeil and complete rule of life, as would infallibly direft them to all the duties, which he required at their hands ? Such a rule then was another thing they ftood in need of, a$ a neceflkry guide in the ways of godlinefs. Now let us admit, that they had accord- ingly obtained fuch a rule of life; had got foch a perfeft fyftem of morals aftually de- livered to them ; yet the known and expe- rienced weaknefs of their nature would have foon and feniibly convinced them, that they were far from being equal to the difficulties of their duty ;— to the praftice of that moral riile. And then, what fignified the rule, or where was the ufe and benefit of the fyftem, unlefs they were fupplied at the fame time with an addition of ftrength, fufficient to enable them to obey its direftions? This fupply of grace then, to aid and flrengthen the infirmities of nature, was another thing indlfpenfably requifite for the attainment of holinefs, and confequently of eternal hap- piiiefs. But SERMON XVII. 123 But fuppofe likewifc, that they were ac- corcUngly endowed with this nccefl'ary ad- dition of ftrength, and enabled to afl: in pur-» fuance of the precepts delivered to them ; yet, as the allurements of fenfe led them aflray, and continually prompted them to rnifapply their abilities ; and as the fandlons of nature were too light to counter-balance the force, and to reftrain the influence, of thefe allurements; fo it hence plainly follows, that they had great need of fomc weightier motives to determine their choice, and keep them invariably in the road of duty : — motives fufficient, as well to deter them from the purfuit of vice under its moft engaging appearances ; as to animate and excite them to the praftice of virtue under the moft prefling, and formidable difcourage- ments. But fuch motives could only be derived from the clear profpeft of another ftate ; in which they were to partake of hap- pinefs or mifery to all eternity according to their temporal condu6l; according as they difcharged or negle£led the duties, that were here J 24 S E R M O N XVII. here prefcribed to them. This profpeft there- fore of a future ftate of rewards and punilh- ments was another point, which the intereft of virtue, and the fecurity of human hap- pinefs, evidently required to be cleared up, and laid open to the view of the world. But ftill, as the bulk of mankind had no conception of being either happy or mifer- ablc hereafter, but in the fame bodies they pofl'efs here, which yet they obferved to be dcllroyed by death >' ; fo it feems to be more- over neceffary, to give thefe motives their full weiglit, that proper affurance fhculd be conveyed to the world of a general refur- YcO.\on to come — when every foul is to be clothed again with its own body, to receive y In terram enim cadenrlbus corpcr'ibus, hifniie hnmo tectis, t q.uo didum elt hum:;rl, fab terra ccnfcbaiit rcliquam vitam agi morruorum — THntunKjue valuit error — ut, corpora cremata cum fcii-ent, ramenca fieri apud inferos finf^crcnt, qux line corj>oribus iicc fieri poiicnr, nee intelll^i. Animos cnim per felpfos viven- tes non potcrant mcntc compla-^i ; formam aliquuui liguramquc ^ij-rrebant. Ciceronis Tufcul. Difput. lib. i/cap. ::vl. the SERMON XVIL 125 the things done in that body, whether they were good or evil. Such then, and fo many things were nc- celiary to the reformation and improvement of the world: things, which the former dif- penfttions either left wholly unfupplied; or, at beft, fupplied in fo imperfed a manner, as to be of little fervice in the conduft of life. Whenever therefore that perfeft dif- .penfation took place in the world, which God had promifed finally to eflablifh ; which was formed to fupply all the deficiences of former inftitutions ; and to condufl: mankind to the perfeftion of virtue, as the means of attaining the perfedion of happinefs: when- ever, I iliy, that revelation appeared unto men, which was thus intended to reform and improve them ; we are unavoidably led to prefume,nhat the forementioned articles, fo neceflary to the accomplifliment of its grand dcfign, muft make a confiderable part of its contents : mud: be laid down therein with full precifion; and propofcd with au- thority to the belief of the world. But 126 SERMON XVII. But then it Is to be obferved, that no au- thority could induce the world to accept thefe articles, as the declarations of God, but that which could exhibit fufficient evi- dence of their being really delivered by him. And llnce miracles alone were looked upon by mankind, as fuch a perfect and fatisfac- tory evidence ; it neceflarily follows from the reafon of things, that this revelation (hould be confirmed by miracles : by miracles appropriated to the doflrines It contained; and adapted to exemplify their truth and certainty. For we are by no means to efteem miracles, though I fear we are too apt to efleem them, as mere arbitrary, random a£ls, refulting from the divine will and pleafure; but as neceflary, determinate and rational a£ls, direfted by the couniel of wif- dom, and accommodated to the nature of^ thofe feveral points, which they were de- figned to confirm and fupport. Now this being the cafe; if any perfon (hould ever appear under the charadlcr of that prophet, that was to come into the world ; SERMON XVII. 127 world ; under the charader, I mean, of the promifed Meffiah ; as the end of his mifiion neceflarily required, that he fhould, among other things, make a full and perfed revelation God's will to mankind, and confirm that reve- lation by appropriate miracles ; fo the truth of Jhis mifiion muft of courfe depend on the cer- tainty of his fo doing. And therefore all claims to that title are heft and fooneft de- termined by a ftri£l application to this fimplc rule. Now, of all theperfons, who affumed to themfelves the charafter of the Meffiah, Jefus of Nazareth is the only one, whofe claim deferves our regard. This man, if it be lawful to call him a man, who was truly « the fon of God," made a very ex- traordinary figure in the world. His birth was attended with many great, wonderful, and illuftrious occurrences ^ : fuitable to the dignity of the defcent he claimed ; and fitted to awaken the attention of the world * Matth. ii. 21. Lulce ii. 9— 14» to 128 SERMON XVI/. to what he fliould in time perform. At a f proper feafon he entered on his miniftry with the puhhc and fignal approbation of heaven^: and, in the conrfe of it, opened to the world a new and aftonKhing fcene of things. " lie went about teaching in the fynagogues, and preaching thegofpcl of the kingdom ;'* the glad tidings of ap- proaching falvation. '' And," to confirm and illuftrate thefe tidings, he repeatedly *' healed all manner of ficknefs, and all manner of difeafe among the people ''," In a word, he performed an infinite num- ber of miracles ; and, on the authority of thofe miracles, eftablifhed a more perfeft inftituticn of Religion — even inch as pre- tends to fupply and fill up all the defici- encies of the preceding difpenfations ; and to adminifter every thing, in abundant meafure, that is neceflary to the improve- ment, the perfeftion, and the happincfs of man. " Matth. iii, i6, 17. Mar. I. 10, 11. Luke lii. 22. *» Matth. iv. 23. — ix. 35. 2 Thelc S E R iM O N XVII. 129 Thefe are fuch weisrhty, rfnd inrereft- ing pretenfions, as render the Gofpel highly worthy of our mod ferious regard, and attentive confideration. And llnce it ap- pears to be lb much our concern, we fliall therefore make it our future bufmefs, to infpedl and examine its contents ; in order to fee how far it really anfvvers all thefe great and mighty pretenfions, to which it is continually making; claim. Though the fubjeclis wide, yet the whole ofc^ur inquity may completely be reduced to ttefe two heads. ■ "^T. " Whether the dodrJnes of the Gofpel do in faft aflert, that Jefus'Chrift has fup- plied the world with al] thofe t^^ans, which we have now foecified to be fieceflary to iaivation r" And, if fo, nor^. <' Whether the miracle's therein re- corded do fufficiently prove the truth of thefe dorfti^ines ; and evince to the world^ that th'eiiJ author is able effecl-ually to fave and to blefs thofe, who place their truft and con- fidence in him r" Vol. II. K If 130 SERMON XVII. If thefe points appear upon examination to be well grounded, and firmly fupportcd ; then will there remain not the leaft doubt, that Jefus Chrift i^ the pred idled Mefliah ; the great '' prophet that fhould come into the w^orld:" and that his Golpel is that laft and perfeft difpenfation, which was de- ligned for the recovery of all mankind : and which, in confequence of that defign, << thoroughly furnifhes" them with all the means, and powerfully encourages them by all reafonable motives, to live foberly, righteoufly and godly in this prefent life "^ ;" that they may be fitted and dif- pofed for the full enjoyment of that con- lurnmate happinefs, which is referved for the faithful in the life to come. Now, to Him, who, as at this time, f:ondefcended to take our nature upon him; and who, in that nature, willingly performed for us every thing that was needful to redeem us from iniquity; and ' Tit. il. 12. make SERMON XVIT. 131 make ns fit to be partakers of eternal glory : To Him, who fo loved us, and gave himfelf for ns, be afcribed, as is moft due, all grateful praife, adoration, and honour, from henceforth and for ever- more. Amen, K 2 S E R. [ ^33 ] SERMON XVIII. Matt H. ix. 2. j4nd behold they brought to him a manjick of the palfy^ lying on a bed: and Jefus feeing their faith, faid tmto thefck of the pa fy. Son, be of good cheer ; thyfns be forgiven thee. WHEN Jefus Chrift appeared in the world, he declared, in conformity to the charafter he had afllimed, that the grand defign and purpofe of his coming was " to redeem and fave finners"^ ;'* *' that «* Matth. xviii. 1 1 . Luke ix. 56* K 3 whofo- 134 SERMON XVIII. whofoever believed in him might not finally perifh, but have or enjoy everlafting life^^' Now the firft thing, as we have already obferv^ed, ncceflary to the comfort and fal- vation of finners, was an afllirance of pardon for their paft offences: an aflurance that God would accept their repentance ; and be reconciled to them on the reformation of their lives. Suitably therefore to this ne- ceflity, the Gofpel informs us, that John the Baptift was fent before " to prepare the way of the Lord ; and to give knowledge of falvation unto his people, by the remiffion of their fins f." And we are moreover in- formed, that God was in Chrift reconcilino: the w^orld unto himfelf, not imputing their trefpafles unto them ?." In purfuance of this plan, and as a proof of its divinity, when Chrift entered on " the miniftry of reconciliation," he not only pub- lifhed a general declaration of pardon upon ^- John il^. 16. ' Luke i. 77- • 2 Cor. V. 19, the SERMON XVIII. 135 the condition of repentance and amendment of life^; but he alfo forgave fome faithful penitents their (ins in form ' ; as an earneft or pledge of what he promifed to do for all others, who were equally qualified. And that the promife was general is evident from his own words. For, at the clofe of his re- fidence here on earth, he exprefly told his difciples, " that" this doftrine of '' repen- tance and re million of fins fhould be preached in his name," not only among the Jews, but even '« among all nations ^^:" of which, indeed, he had given them fre- quent intimations before ; by extending his regard to " ftrangers and foreigners^;" and making them objecfts of his mercy and bene- ficence ; even at the time, when his miniftry was confined *^ to the loft fheep of the houfe of Ifrael," And therefore, as thofe difciples, who were more immediately con- cerned with the Jews, had it in commillion ^ Mark i. 14, i^. Luke xxlv. 47. Avfts xlli. 38. ' Matth. ix. 2. John v. 14. •^ Luke xxiv. 47. ^ Matth. XV. 21—28. Mar. \n. 26 — ^30. Luk^ vii 17, 18. K 4 %Q 136 SERMON XVIII. ^^ tr-ach them, that " Chrift was exalted to t Prince and a Saviour, for to gKc re* pcntance to Itiael, and forgivcnels of fins "^ ; and that their fins were," on this condition, accordingly '* forgiven them for his name's fake":" fo Hkewife St. Paul, that great and celebrated Apoftle of the Gentiles, had the very fame thing in charge. For thus his commiflion runs. " I will fend thee," faith the Lord, far hence unto the Gentiles "' ; to open their eyes, to turn them from darknefs to light, and from the power of Satan unto God ;" that is, to bring them to repentance, *' that they may receive forgivenefs of lins ; and," if they fulfil their duty, '' an inheri- tance among them, who are fanftified by faith p." Agreeably to the tenour of this tommiffion, " they all went forth, and preached every where :" exhorting the people *' to repent and reform, that their f.ns miglit "" A£ls V. 3 1 . ^ Ephef. iv. ^2. ° A6tsxxH. 21. ^ Ads xxvi. 1 8. be SERMON XVIII. i3t be blotted out ; and that" they might hap* pily enjoy that "divine refrefhment," which infeparably attends the comfortable aflbrance of pardon and forgivenefs. Hence then it appears, that the (id\. article we have fpecified, asnecefiary to the comfort iind falvatlon of the world, Is amply fupplled and extended to the world by this general doctrine of grace and remlffion. But here it may be urged, '^ that though the dodrlne is full and pertinent, adequate to the wants, and fuitablc to the wifhes, of all mankind ; yet, how does it appear, that mankind could reafonably confide in it; could fafely depend upon It? Had they any evidence offered them, thatjefus waspoffeffed of the power he claimed; any fecurity given them, that the fins he undertook to forgive were Indeed forgiven ?" Evidence, you will find, and fecurity in. abundance : fufficlent to remove every doubt, and to eftabliih peace in the moft anxious mind. For what is It to forgive fins ? Is it not to deliver from thofe IllefFe(Ss which fin 2 produces, i3« S E R M O N XVIIL produces, or to which it renders the finncf obnoxious ? But the primary efFeds and confequenccs of fin were difeafes and death. And then, what can be conceived a ftronrer proof, a phiincr evidence, of the real and adual forgivenefs of fins ; than to beliold finners relieved of their difeafes, and deU- vered from the jaws of death, at the inftant they were pronounced fo forgiven r Now, this proof Jefus gave them. For " he healed all manner of ficknefs, and all manner of difeafe among the people '^." And this proof, it fhould be remarked, muft appear to the Jews peculiarly plain and appropriate. For healing and forgiving arc not only connected frequently in their writ- ings; but even fland in tlicir language as fynonymous terms. Thus the Pfalmill, enumerating the manifold mercies of God* celebrates him in the lame breath as *"' for- giving his fins, and healing his infirmities'".'' The prophet Ifaiah, defcribing the perverfe- nefs and obflinacy of the Jews, complain?, «J Matth. iv. 23. f PfiU. giii. 3. that SERMON XVIII. 139 that *' they had made their heart grofs, and their ears heavy, and had clofed their eyes ; left they (liould fee with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and underftand with their heart, and fhould return, and be healed^;'' which Jonathan in his Targum on the place tranflates, *' and be forgiven^ This text is quoted by St. Matthew : and ac* cording to him, ends, hke the prophet's, with " I fliould /6^^/ them «." But St. Mark, attending to the thing imphed, alters the phrafe, and, conformably to the paraphraft, reads at the clofe, and their Jins Jhould be Jbrgiven theni''.''^ So that the connedion, you fee, between the cures performed and the dodlrine promulged, was in a manner forced and obtruded on their obfervation by the very genius and idiom of their language; « Ch. vi. 10. * Ch. xii. i^. " Ch. iv. 12, This phrafeology enters alfo into the Epiftles, and deferves to be well attended to. Thus the perfons, whom St. Paul, Rom. v. 6. calls aa-Qev^v, are called in the 8th verfc i/Aa/IwAwr. Other inllances are frequent. by 140 SERMON XVIII. by the modes of exprefiion current among them. But this evidence may be placed in another light : and in that light, perhaps, it may to us appear flronger. Certain difeafes were looked upon by all nations ^, and more efpecially by the Jews^ as punifliments inflifted for certain fins. This notion was infpired by the law, and ftrongly impreflicd on their apprehenfions. It feems to have been always uppermoft in their minds. For hence it was, that the difciples were fo ready, when " they fiiw the man w'ho had been blind from his birth,'* to alk our Saviour tliat queftion — " Who did fin, this man or his parents, that he * The Perfians expelled every one that was aHik^ed ulth the ipprofy out of their cities, believing fuch tf) have drawn this pu- nilhment upon themfelvcs, by committing fome oftcnce agi^inll the Sun. Herodot. Clio cap. cxxxviii. And the Egyptians efleemed the blindnefs which betel their king, Pheron, as a judgment upon him for his impiety againft their great god, tho jiv^r Nile. Herodot. Eutcrp. cap. xi. Diodok. Sicul. ^iblioth. lib. i. cap. v. was SERMON XVIlL 141 was born blind ^ ?*' And hence alfo it was, that our Saviour himfelf thought it neceffary to caution fome, whom he had cured of their ails, " to take care of their conduft, and fin no more ; left a worfe thing Ihould hap- pen unto them ^." The difeafes chiefly denounced by the law againft all wilful and prefumptuous of- fenders, are the leprofy, paliy, madnefs, and bljndnefs^. And thefe, it is obfervable, are among the chief of thofe difeafes, which our Saviour miraculoufly cured ^. Now, if the acceflion or infliction of thefe difeafes was a fu re token, as it plainly wtis, of God's dif- pleafure againft fuch offenders ; wjis not the fudden removal, or miraculous cure of y John ix. 1,2. ^ John V. 14. * Deuti xxviii. i^, &:c. ^ Lepers cleanfed, Matth. viii. 2, 3. Lukexvii. 12—19. Paraly ties cured, Matth. viii. 6.— ix. 2, &c. Lunatics or mad cured, Matth. iv. 24. — xvii. 15, ^c. Blind- reftored to fight, Matth. ix. 27 — 30. xx. 30—34. John ix. 1—7. them, 142 SERMON XVIIL them, as evident a token of his forgivenefs? Suppofe you were to fee an imprifoned male- faOior eafed of his chains, and fet at liberty before your eyes ; could you poilibly doubt of his having procured or received the king's pardon? But, what the releafe of this prifoner would b6 to us, the fame were the cures, which Jefus wrought on thofe finners, to the Jews: vifible inftances of the remiflion of their punifhqients ; and there- fore the propereft and moft convincing proofs of the remiflion of their fins. But ftill it may be urged, "that notwith- flanding thefe fanative miracles were thus properly adapted in their conftitution, yet, how does it follow, that they were deftined in their intention, to prove this doclrine of the forgivenefs of fins? For they are leldom, if ever, applied by CIu"ifl: to this purpofe." We grant indeed, and would have it ob- fcrved to the credit of the Gofpcl, that Chrifl: was very fparing in making fuch pre- cife and formal applications. He judged it fufficient, SERMON XVIII. 143 .Sufficient, in general, barely to exhibit the miracles ; without either explaining their force, or pointing out their intention. The former he left to be determined by the judg- ment of thofe who faw them ; and the latter to be inferred from the occafions on which they were wrought. In fhort, he fuffered the miracles to fpeak for him in their own language. And to the candid and ingenuous they fpoke plain enough. For fuch no fponer beheld the works, than they per- ceived their connexion and affinity with the doftrines ; and acknowledged themfelves convinced. But where vices and prejudices diftorted tlie judgment; and led men to cavil, and raife objections ; there he pro- ceeded, in vindication of himfelf, and for the fake of the truth, after another manner. He argued the cafe; confuted their cavils ; and applied the miracles to the points in- tended. Of this we have a remarkable inftance with refpevfl: to the article now before us. When the paralytic was brought ta Chrift at 144 SERMON XVIII. at Capernaum, he faid to the man, " Thy fins are forgiven thee." This declaration the fcribes and pharifees cenfured as blal- phemous ; as a bold invafion of the preroga- tive of God : for " who can forgive fins but God only ?" In anfvver to this objection, and to make it apparent that he arrogated to himfelf no higher power than what lie really pofleflTed, he refers them at once to ,the miracle ; and pertinently alks them — •'Whether is -eafier ? to fay. Thy fins are forgiven; thee ; or to fay, A rife, and walk. But il)prt ;yq may know, that the Son of Man -hath powder oa earth to forgive fins, A rife, .{laitk jjieto the fick^:of,tjie palfy)take up thy bed, and go unto thine houle. And he aroie,- and depairted to his houfc." Here, the miracle is by our .Saviour himfelf ex- pmfly applied to the dodrine : applied to .prove, that he was divinely empowered to forgive fins. And indeed it proved it in fo .diiiii?^^, iUKl io clear a manner, that the un- p4^ejudiced multitude were infiantly con- iYiac€;.d^ and with joyful gratitude •» gloiified God, SERMON XVIII. 145 God, who had given Him <= luch power" for the benefit and confohuion of men. But tliis power of forgivenefs which God gave to Chrift, Chrift alfo gave to his dif- ciples ; and then declared, that <' whofe foever fins they Ihould remit, were acccord- ingly remitted to them'^." And w^hen " he fent them out to preach" this doclrine, he conferred upon them, as the Evangehft ob- ferves, the farther " power of heahng fick* nefles %" by way of proof and confirmation of it. And we find them in confequence *' travelling through the towns, preaching the Gofpel, and healing every w^here ^" But as they conceived, while their mafter refided here on earth, that the powers they pofi'efi'ed Vv^ere derived from him, and there- fore had recourfe to him only ; (o, when they judged it neceflary, after his departure, ^ Matth. ix. 8. Aovla l^yaidv roiavTviv toTc k^^^'Woiz, foitaflc ret «»9p John iv. 24. M 3 with i66 SERMON XIX. witli him, throus;h the merits and interccfr fion of " his beloved fon, in whom he is ^vell pleafed^'* Pafs v/e now to the duties we owe to our fellow-creatures: '' which are all com- prehended in this faying ; Thou {halt love thy neighbour as thyfelf*^." A Hiying, which, obferved, muft be of truly great find llgnal ufe in abating the miferies that diftrefled the world ; when men of all per- fuafions ^' lived in continual malice and envy; hateful, and hating one another ^" And as fo much depended, and ftill depends, on the due obfervance of this precept, our Saviour has been careful to afcertain its meaning; and to guard it from thofe falfe and confined interpretations, which the per- verfenefs of men might put upon it. He has often incuicated, that our benevolence fliould extend to ail; and that, whenever we are blefled with an opportunity of ferving the interefts of mankind, we Ihould always * INIatr. iii 17. xvii. ^. ^ Rom xiii. 9. *= Tit. lil. 3. erpbrapc SERMON XiX. 167 •Embrace it with chearfulnefs' and alacrity; accounting every perfou " our neighbour," who flands within o^ir reach and influence. Ill confequence of this principle, we are en- ioiued, as it is meet ; " to ad by others in every circumftance, as we would have others to a6l by us ^:" that is, we are enjoined to make o^ir own reafoi^able wifhes and ex- peftations the rules of our condud towards other men. And if we proceed by thefe rules, we (hall never wrong or injure any man ; but (hall ^' render to all their dues s;" and to the utmoft of our power promote both their fpiritual and temporal welfare. We ftiall never be rafli in our judgment of others ; but rather difpofed to put a favour- able conftruflion on all their aftions. We (hall be ready, as we are required, to affift them in their neceffities, and to fympathize with them in their afflictions ; as well as to rejoice in the good that befals them^— efpe- ^ Matth. vii. 12. 2 Rom. xiii. 7. * Jiom. xii. 13 — i^. M 4 clally i68 SERMON XIX. cially when it concerns the profperity of their fouls. Now, as we are direcled to thefe things by the Gofpel- rules, fo are we carried to the performance of them by the natural im- pulfe of thofe benevolent affections, which God has implanted in our conftitution. But in the intercourfe of life thefe affedlions are liable to be obftrucled. The violence of enemies, and the infolence of oppreflbrs, are apt to fufpend their courfe, if not to excite different refentments. And therefore our Saviour has been particularly foUcitous to open them a paffage through thefe obftruc- tions, and to teach them, notwithftanding, to flow on the world. To this end, he fhewed his difciples, not only the mifchief of retaliating injuries ; but the bafenefs of acfling fo far beneath their charaSer. " If ye love them that love you, what thanks have ye? for finners alfo love thofe who love them : And if ye do good to them only who do good to you, what thanks have ye? for fiuners alfo do even the fime "'." When \ Luke vi. 52, 33, he SERMON XIX. 169 he had thus reprefented the incongruity of adling on fuch low principles, he then ex- horts them to cultivate and exert the moft liberal feritiments ; to afpire after the higheft perfedion ; and make their own benevo- lence to refemble that of God himfelf. *' But love ye your enemies : blefs them that curfe you ; do good to them that hate you; and pray for them, who defpitefully ufeyou, and perfecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father, who is in heaven : for he jTiaketh his fun to rife on the evil and on the good; and fendeth rain on the juft and on the unjuftK" And to (hew hov/ abfolutely neceflary it is, that w^e (hould he truly poffefied of this forgiving temper ; of the difpofition to return good for evil; he has not only required us to infert it in our prayers, that '' God would forgive us our trefpaffes, as we forgive others" the offences committed againft ourfelves; but has alfo forewarned us in exprefs terms, that '^ if we * Matth. V. 44, 4^. forgive 170 15 E R M O N XIX. forgive not men their trefpafl'es, neither will our heavenly Father forgive us^" But befides the duties of general benevo- lence, which we equally owe to all; there are others again, of a more contrafted na- ture, arifing from certain relations in life, which are highly conducive to the enjoy- ments of it, and therefore deferve our parti- cular regard. Such are the duties of magif- tratcs and fubje£ls, hufbands and wives, pa- rents and children, rnaflers and fervants, and the like. And for the dildiarge of thefe duties the Scripture affords us very ex- cellent precepts, and moft accurate di- reftions; fuch precepts and directions, as, duly attended to, cannot fail of preferving the order and welfare of fociety ; and of making nations, families, and individuals happy. But to render this happinefs complete, we are bound moreover to obferve and prac- tice the various duties, that relate to ourfelveS. Now, in order to lay a proper foundation for tliis branch of our conduft, the Scripture en- ' INIiitth, vi. i^. iLviii. 35. 5 joii^s SERMON XIX. ijt joins us to regulate and improve our tem- pers; to govern all our affeftions and appe- tites ; " and to bring every thought into cap- tivity to the obedience of Chrift ™." In confequence of this, we are directed *' to live foberly »» :" that is, to cultivate and pra6life that univerfiil fobriety, which re-» gards the whole of our compofition. We are to acquire that meeknefs, modefty, and humihty, which are the fobriety of the mind ; and that temperance, chaftity, and purity, which are the fobriety of the body: and which ferve, when united, to fupport the fovereignty of reafon and confcience ; and to maintain the dignity of human na- ture. Thefe virtues and graces are frequently and earneftly recommended to us, as eflen- tial ingredients of the chriftian charadler. And indeed with great propriety. For what can be more becoming fuch imperfeft and linful creatures as we are, than a modeft, meek, and humble deportment ? And what, " 2 Cor. X. 5'. ^ Tit. ii, 2, 4, 6, 1 2. in i-jz S E R M O N XIX. m general, can contribute more, than tliefe p.re known to do, to the undiflurbed enjoy- ments, and real advantages, of life? In this fenfc it is true^ that " blefied are the meek : for they fliall inherit the earth °." And it is no lefs true, that " he who humbicth himfelf" is in the ready way to '' be ex- alted p;" if not to the dignities and emolu- ments of the world ; yet to an high degree of efteem and refpefl: among the wife and the worthy. And then again, as to the virtues of pu- rity and temperance, how fit and congruous is it, that the worfiiippers of a pure and holy- God fhould be careful and conflant in the exercife of them! nay indeed, how neceffary is it, that they lliould keep themfelvcs from all the pollutions both of flcfh and fpirit : fince we are well aflured ; that, " without liolinefs" and purity of heart, '' no man fhall fep the Lord^/* ■^ Mntth. V. 5. 1 Hcb.xii. i.\. Hence SERMON XIX. I7J Hence therefore, the Scripture reprefents it, as the chief and continual bufinefs of a Chriftian, to watch the various emotions of concupifence ; and to preferve a clofe and ftrift guard over all his paflions : to maintain, by all means, that felf-goveriiment and diC- cipline, v/hich is neceflary to fupprefs the irregularities of his defires ; and to form daily fuch virtuous refolutions, as may dif- pofe him to '' abftain from thofe flefhly lufts, which war againft," and tend to de- ftroy, " the foul^" Now thefe are the great lines of that moral fyftem, which is delivered in the New Teftament, And from thefe maiii lines it evidently appears, that the author of it entered into the true fpirit of morality ; and proceeded in the jufteft form. He laid the foundation of it at the heart ; and erefted the fuperftrufture according to confcience. And whoever is fo w^ife as to obferve his dire£lions, will gradually attain to the ut- moft perfeftion, that human nature is capable ^ I Pet. ii. II, of J74 SERMON XIX. of. For here, " whatfoevcr things are true, whatfoever things arc honed, whatfoevcr things are juft, whatfoever things are pure, whatfoever things are lovely, virtuous, and of good report ' — " thefe are all not only pointed to our view, but flrongly recom- mended to our praftice : and recommended not merely, according to the mode of the ancient philofophers, from the confiderations of prudence, profit, pleafure, decency, or re- putation ; but prefled upon us as the will and command of that God, who is the fo- vereign Lord of the univerfe ; who knoweth our mod fecret thoughts ; and who will bring us to anfwer, not only for the things we do, but for the principles from which we do them. Precepts and inftruftions of this ftamp, fo worthy of " a teacher come from God," fo conformable to the didates of right reafon, and fo conducive to the reformation and im- provement of the world, carry with them their own evidence. They fland in need of no foreign proofs, of no figns or miracles to , « Philip, iv. 8. fupport SERMON XIX. 175 fupport them. They manlfeft at once their own truth and excellence; and approve then>- felves to every mau's confclence, as of per- fectly pure and divine original. And accordingly, it isobfervable, that our Saviour performed no mighty v^^orks, no par- ticular miracles, to confirm either the fitnefs or the binding force of his moral, praftical precepts^; but left them to ftand on their own bottom, and to juftify themfelves to the common fenfe of mankind : well aflured, from their exaft conformity to the fug?ef- tions of confcience, that they muft needs gain the approbation of the world; efpe- cially when exemplified in life and prac- tice. This was the only evidence, this the only recommendation they wanted. And t Though our Saviour performed no particular miracles to prove the fitnefs of his mofal precepts ; yet the miracles, which he performed on other accounts, contributed to give them vreight and authority, For as they Ihewed he was a teacher that dc- fer\'ed to be attended to ; fo they roufed and excited his heareri to pay a ppoper and becoming resrard to v/hat he taught and preached— and were Co far of ufe to enforce all hi-s moral kflani and pradical inllrudlions. this i-o S E R M O N XIX. this evidence, this recommendation, our Sa- viour dilplayed and urged on their behalf^ in the moft perfedl and affeding manner. What he taught, he praftifed. He not only (liewed us the way, wherein we fhould walk; but walked himfelf before us in it. He fufFered us not to be guided merely by the dead letter; but enlivened his precepts by correfpondenc a6lions : '^ leaving us an example, that we might follow his fteps " ". In him we may behold a moft complete pattern of the con- dud that is required of us. For his life, as it is fet before us, was one continued courfe of the moft fubftantial, and moft excellent virtues. A life of Angular piety, benevo- lence, purity, patience, meeknefs, and fe- fignation ; and of every thing good and praife-w^orthy : and confequently a life, that iieqeflarily muft, and aftualJy did, by its amiablencfs and excellency, engage the un- prejudiced and well-difpofed to form their behaviour according to it. For it is fuffi- clently known, how foon, and how readily, " I Pet. ii. 21, the S E R M ON XIX. ly'j the primitive difciples " renounced," under the influence of their mafter's example, all *' the hidden things of dilhonefty; and with what limplicity and godly fincerity they planned and conducted their whole conver- fation, amidfl: a crooked and perverfc gene- ration, among whom they fhone as lights in the world \" And hence wx are furnilhed with a full and determinate anfwer to a queftion, that has often been propofed to the difparagement of the Chriftian fcheme. The queftion I mean is this : " Why was the inftitution of our holy religion laid down in the way of hiflory ; and not rather in fome more me- thodical or fyflematic form ?" And the an- fwer to it is, that the form, in which our religion now appears^ is attended with fome great and peculiar advantages, which could not be obtained in any other way y. Mere * 2 Cor. iv. 2. — i. 12.^ l^XvX. 11. i^. y See Bp. Law's Theory of Rdig. part 11. p. io8, ed. 5th. Jeffer^'s Commencement Serm. among his Difcourfes, vol. II, Vol. II. N dogmatical lyS SERMON XIX. dogmatical inftitutes are dry and unaffe61:ing. Subtile difcourfes on the nature, tendencies, and effefts of virtue, are too refined for com- mon underftandings. And a methodical lyftem of divinity would afford us, at beft, but an ideal, unanimated knowledge of duty, Whereas, on the contrary, in the hiftory of our Saviour's life, we have the moft perfed reiprefentation of true religion, accommodated to all capacities ; and the moft powerful in- ducements to obedience, adapted to work on all conftitutions. Here we fee it vifibly de- monftrated, that the things taught are not merely fpeculative, but rather pradlical, truths: were not intended only to amufe and entertain the mind ; but to regulate and improve the manners. Here we alfo fee, that the things required are not beyond the reach of our abilities. However weak we are in ourfelves, *' we may neverthelefs ac- complifli all through Chrift, who ftrengthens us *." The apoftles and hrft difciples are witnefles to the world of what human nature * Phil. iv. 13. is SERMON XIX. 179 is able to perform under the influence of the divine Ipirit. And fince '' they were men of like pafiions with ourfelves %" and yet ran a courfe of fuch confummate virtue ; their condudl is a call and encouragement to us, to become in our degrees « followers of them, as they were of Chrift Jefus ^'' From, what has been faid it is obvious to infer, of what infinite fervice fuch a pure and excellent lyftem of morals muft needs be to a corrupted world, over-run with the abominations of vice and idolatry. VVhere- ever it was adopted, and heartily embraced, it wrought a moft wonderful and happy change. True piety, gentle difpofitions, and purity of manners fucceeded into the place of blind Hiperilition, brutal paiTions, and. inordinate lufts. Under the benign afped of this noble inftitution, all kinds of virtue, fprung up apace : all kinds of virtue con- tinued to flourifn; while men continued to attend, as they ought, to the facred injunc- ^ Acts xlv. i^. ** I Cor. xi. I. N 2 tions i8o SERMON XIX. tions delivered to them. If Chriftians have abated of their former zeal ; if their virtues are now fewer, and of a lower flile, than they were before ; the misfortune is chiefly owing, to their having too little regard and refpecl to the life and conduft of our blefled Mafter. Nor is there any method more likely to recover them to the pradice of ge- nuine piety and goodnefs ; than to endea- vour, if poffible, to engage their ftudies to the laws of the Gcfpel ; and to fix their me- ditations on the characler of Chrift. For our ftudies, fo direfted, will improve us greatly in the knowledge of our duty ; and our meditations, fo employed, will naturally incite us to the fiiithful difcharge of it. " While we are mufing" on the charms of fo lovely a charafter as that of our Saviour, ** the fire" of admiration ** will kindle" in our breafts, and quicken our powers to at- tempt its refemblance. Let us therefore be perfuaded to " fet the Lord always before us ;" directing our courle by the light, and taking courage from the influence, of his example ; till, being firft 2 made SERMON XIX. i8i made like to him in holinefs, we be finally made like to him in glory ; and from tread- ing in his fteps below, be admitted to the honour of filling up his train above — " following the Lamb whither foever he goeth^:" To whom, with the Father and the Holy Ghoft, be afcribed all honour, adoration, and praife, &c. Amen. •» Rev. xlv, 4. N 3 S E R. I i33 ] / • SERMON XX. Rom, vii. 22 — 25 For I delight in the law of God after the in^ ward man. But I fee another law in my members., warring again/l the law of my mind^ and bringing me into captivity to the law of fn^ which is in my members. O wretched man that I am 1 whofljall deliver me from the body of this death ? I thank God through Jefus Chri/l our Lord, IN rny laft Difcourfe, I laid before you» according to the order of the method pro- pofed, a brief fummary of that fyftem of N 4 morals, 3 84 SERMON XX. morals, which is delivered in the New Tei- tamsnt. A fydem that appears, even from fuch a general and imperfefl reprefcntation, to be highly reafonable, jufl, and good ; worthy of a teacher come from God ; and maiiifeflly conduerive to the improvement and perfedion of human nature: and confe- quently a fyftem, which men muft need heartily approve ; muft need embrace with warm complacency ; as what they could re- joice to be conformed to in the completeft anamier, and in the higheft degree. But, whatever efteem they mentally en- tertained for, and whatever delight, as acluated merely by the principle of reafon, they might take in, this revealed law ; yet 110 fooner did they attempt to follow its di- redions, and a£l up to the meafure of its obligations, but they '' found another," and quite oppofite " law in their members, war- ring againfl: the law of their minds, and bringing them into captivity to that law of fin, which is fcated in the flefhiy appe- tite^^- ^ ^3 ^" Rom. \\\. 2 2, 23. Hence SERMON XX. 185 Hence then it became neceffary to their welfare and happinefs, that " this body of fin," this ftrong prevalency of the fen- fual appetites, (hould be abolished and de- ftroyed ; that men, " being delivered from the bondage of corruption," might be placed at liberty to profecute the works of truth and righteoufnefs. In the profecution of thefe works, they would find themfelves feeble and weak ; whilft the temptations of the world preflied againft them with force and vigour. And therefore, to make good their way, it became farther neceflary, that they (hould be fupplied and endov^ed with fuch an addition of ftrength, as might enable them to withdaud all oppofing difficulties ; and to fubdue every irregular pafnon to the drift obedience of the divine commands. In a word, as the " law of God is fpiritual, and men are carnal," prone and addifted to fin; it Vv^as abfolutely nece-ffary, that a new principle of life and holinefs Ihould be in- fufed into their hearts — to correal their de- pravity, to fanclify their afFeSions, and to invigorate their powers for nobler and more perfeft i86 SERMON XX. perfefl: fervices : that, " being made free from fin, and become fervants to God, they might have at prefent their fruit unto ho- linefs, and in the end attain to everlafting life^." Now this grand requifite, the bafis of all moral improvement, Jcfus Chrifl:, as the author of fah^atiou, fupplied in the moft abundant meafure. For to thofe who be- lieve in him he promifed the affiftance of the Holy Spirit, to help their infirmities, and carry them forwards m the ways of godli- nefs ^ By the grace and influence of this fpirit " they are delivered from the flavery of fin and Satan into the glorious liberty, and illuftrious privileges,, of the fons of God ^ — ." They are quickned into a new life, and renovated in the temper and dif- pofition of their mind. The decayed frame of their foul is not only repaired and re- formed ; but its powers are improved and. enlarged. The more readily they fubmit * Kom. vi. 22. ^ Rom. viii. 26. Ephef. iii. 16. f Pvom. viii. 21. to SERMON XX. I to the guidance of the fpirit, the more perfeft they become. They are thence en- dowed with higher faculties, with quicker apprehenfions, with better judgments, with purer inclinations, and with nobler afFeftions, than they were poffeffed of before : fo that, in the language of Scripture, they are faid to be *' new men," and " new creatures;" "'^ born again, and formed according to the image of God in righteoufnefs and true ho- linefs^:" that is, *^ they are fo ftrengthned with might by the Holy Spirit in the inner man ^," as to be able to live in a ftri£ter con- formity to the divine commands ; and to re- iemble their Maker in higher degrees, and more worthy refpefts, than they could have done in their natural flate. In fhort, " they are, or may be, complete in him ; being thoroughly furnifhed unto all good works ^" '' And therefore there is now no condemna- tion to them who are in Chrift Jefus, who walk not after the flefli, but after the fpirit. y 2 Cor. V. 17. Ephef. iv. 24. ^ Ephef. iii. 16. * Col. ii. 10. 2 Tim. iii. 17. For 1 88 S E R M O N XX. For the law of the fpirit of life in Chrift Jefus hath made them free from the law of lin and death ^." Such were the fnpplies, aids, and aflift- ances, which Chrift promifcd and engaged to provide for the moral wants and infirmi- ties of his difciples. And what he fo pro- mrfed, he gave them full and undoubted proof he could likewife perform. For could they doubt, whether he, who delivered men continually from the poffeffion of Satan, could alfo defend them againft his aflaults ? Could they doubt, whether he, who miracu- loufly fupplied the neceffities of nature, could impart the requifite fuccours of grace? Could they doubt, whether he, who cured the maladies, defefls, and infirmities of the body, could alfo cure the wrong difpofitions and difeafes of the mind? But thefe arguments, obvious as they are, may yet, perhaps, leave the point in fome obfcurity. Let us therefore bring it into a clearer light. And to this purpofe be it here ^ Rom. vili. I, 2, premifed, SERMON XX. 189 premifed, that all the wifer morallfts, Gen- tiles as well as Jews \ commonly defcrlbed the human nature under a two-fold diftinc- tioo — that of the inward and the outward man ; and fpoke of the out as a type or re- prefentation of the other. Hence then the difeafes of the body prefent themfelves in another view ; quite ditferent from that in which they were feen before, confidercd as the confequences, and the chaififements of fin. They appear now to be natural em- blems of the feveral diforders and deprava- tions of the ioul. And therefore every mi- raculous cure of any particular diftemper of the body became, of courfe, a llgnificant em- blem of the power of Chrill to remove the correfpondent depravation of the mind. Fre- quent intimations of this fort tjie attentive reader will find difperfed through various parts of the Gotpel. Nor are there fome in- ftances wanting, where the application is made in direct and exprefs terms. 1 Pi.AT, c!e Rep. lib. iv. Plotin. Enne.id< lib. i. Hierocl. in Aur. Caim. Pythug. Rom. vii, 22, 2 Cor. iv. 16. Chrlfl: 190 SERMON XX. Chrift often declared, that he was come into the world to remove the ignorance, and to enlighten theunderftanding, of mankind ""•. To prove thisj he l-eftored fight to thofe who were blind. To riiake it appear, that he was able, as he affirmed^ to remove the blindnefs, the fpiritual blindnefs, of errour and ignorance ; he frequently cured that cor- poreal bli'idnefs, which is the moft natural emblem or image of it. And that fiich cures w*ere pccuUarly deligned, as they were ex- quifitely adapted, to confirm the truth of this doftrine ; is evident from the refieclion which our Saviour makes, previous to his cure of the blind man, recorded in the IXth of John. As long, fays he, as '' 1 am in the world, 1 am the light of the world "." By this he turned their thoughts to himfelf, as to the fountain of light and knowledge ; and led them to confider the miracle he was about to perform, as a direft evidence of wdiat he had aflerted. He reftorcd, or ra- "' John viii, 12. xii. 35, 36. 46. " VtT. 5. ther SERMON XX. 191 ther reformed " the man's eyes to the per- ception of light; and thereby (hewed he could alfo reflore, or reform the mliid to the perception of knowledge. And it was plainly with the fame view, when he ohlerved how the malice and perverfenefs of the Tews w^ith-held them from admitting this'neceffarv^ confequence, that he afterwards fubjoined, in allufion to the miraculous cure he had wrought, that «' for judgment he was come into this world; that they who fee not, might fee ; and that they who fee, might be made blind ?." The Scripture inform.s us, that '' the Son of God was for this purpofe manifefted, that he might utterly deftroy the works of the devil ^; and redeem us from the power of Satan to himfelf." Now to convince the world of his ability to accomplifh this ar- duous undertaking, he frequently d {lodged • As the pcrfon was born blind, and never Laj ..i eye-liahr, our Saviour not only recovered^ but made his eyes. Hence St, Cypri, adorntd SERMON XX. 205 adorned our profeflion here on eartli, will attend us at laft, in a radiant train, to thoic heavenly manlions of blifs and glory, vvhicli the divine mercy fhall then affign us, through the merits and mediation of Jcfus Chrift. To whom, with the Father and the Holv' Ghoft, be afcribed, as is moft due, all ho- nour, adoration, .and pralfe, both now and for ever- more. Amen. S E R. [ 2©7 ] SERMON XXI. 2 Tim. i. lo. And hath brought life and immortality to lights through the Gojpel. WE have already feen, what a perfeft and complete rule of life Jefus Chrift has delivered in the Gofpel for the moral improvement of mankind. And we have aifo {tcn^ what powerful affiftances-he has gracioufly vouchfafed to enable them to obey its dire£lions. But, notwithftanding mankind were thus enlightned with the knowledge of their duty, ;ind 2o8 S E R M O N XXr. and ftrengthned likevvif:: with abilities to perform it ; yet, as they found themfelves obliged to refrain from many things which appeared defirable, and to embrace as many that were very grievous, to fiefli and blood; fo was it moreover necefl'ary, that fome weighty and affefting motives fhould be pro- pofed and laid before them, to difpofe and determine them to aft accordingly :— mo- tives fufficient, as well to reftrain them from the purfuit of vice under its moil: engaging appearance; as to urge them forwards in the pradice of virtue againft the moft pref- fing difcouragements. But fuch motives could not be drawn from any thing that occurred in the prefent ftate.- The arguments founded on the dignity, ami- ablenefs, and advantagesof virtue, how clearly loevef and elegantly difplayed, had but lit- tle efFeclon the general conduft of mankind^ and were much too weak to withtland the violence of ftrong temptations, and the ter- rours of fevere and alarming trials. To men, whofe views were confined to this world, that conduft mufl neceflarily appear by far the SERMON XXL 209 the wifeft and mofl: advantageous, which was moft likely to eafe them of the pains and troubles, and to procure them the plea- fures, of the prefent life. And fince the pleafures and pains, or the happinefs and mifery of the prefent life, are by no means regularly connefted with the moral charafter of mankind ; but rather difpenfed in a feem- ingly promifcuous and indifcriminate man- ner ; it is obvious to conclude, that perfons, aftuated by the foregoing principles, wonld naturally be led to facrifice the intereft of dif- trefled virtue to the enca2:in2: allurements of more profperous vice. But, though the appetites and pafnons generally prevailed, and inclined them to low and unworthy purfults ; yet there rtiil fubfifted in every man's breail an iudelible fenfe of the manifeft difference between good and evil ; and the diftates of confcience^ felc w^ithin ", forcibly prelfed them to avoid the one, and to embrace the other. Hence they perceived themfelvcs to be as well moral, as rational^ agents; and ccnfequently account- " Doiliinnns ille in nobis dev.=i Cicero^ Vol. IL P sbL- 210 SERMON XXI. able for all their aftions. And fince they , clearly faw, from the prefent unequal dif- peniations of providence, that a proper ac- count of human adions was not taken in this world ; the wifeft and moft confiderate of them reafonably inferred, or rather feel- ino-ly prefaged, that there muft be of necef- lity a future ftate ; in which all thefe things would be finally fettJed, and every one fhould receiv'e the juft and due reward of his deeds. Such notice did nature fugged concerning the reality of another life. And upon this notice, ftrengthned perhaps by traditionary accounts, tlic w^orld entertained fome con- fufed belief of a future invifible flatc, through- out all ao-es. But this belief, however uni- verfol, was fo weak and languid, that it could never fupport the caufe of virtue; ef- pecially when ftruggling with difficulties and diflrefs. In that caie, men flood in need of fuller evidence ; and feem in truth to have occafionally obtained it, in a degree and manner fuited to their peculiar conditions and capacities. • In general however, man- kind SERMON XXI. 211 kind were left entirely to themfelves, and to their own reafonings. And the eftedl was, that they foon funk into doubts and uncertainties^ which they knew not how to difpel. When common fenfe was thus at a ftand, fome affiftance, perhaps, might be expefted from philofophy. But the philofophers, in- flead of clearing it up, involved the fubjeft in greater obfcurity ; and perplexed the world with their various and contradiclorv opinions about it. Some affirmed, that the foul died and perlfhed with the body : others maintained, that it was incorruptible and immortal : but tlie far greater part of them fiuduated perpetually in their fentiments, un- able to determine where to hx^. While it laboured therefore under fucll inconliilencies, the doiirine of immortality ^ Sunr, qui (lifceiTum animi a corpore putent cfTe moTten]< Sunt, qui nitUum cenrent fieri difceiruni, fed una animum et corpus occidere, animumque in corpore cxllingui. Qui di/ce- dere ariimum cenient, alii llatim diliipari, alii diit pcrmanere^ filii femper. Ciceron. Tufcul. Difp. 1. i. c. ix. Harum i'^n- tentiarum qux vera fit deus nliquis viderit: qua: veririniillima magna quaitio eil. Ibid. c. xi. P ^^ and 212 SERMON XXt. and a future ftate could be of little or no fervice to the real purpofes of virtue and godlinefs. Of this indeed its moft ftrenu- ous advocates fcem to have been fully fen- fible. For it is very remarkable, that, though they treated fo largely and fo fre- quently of the rewards and punlfhments of -another life ; yet, they feldom or never at- tempted to apply them to any of thofe pious and noble ends, w hich they were excellently fitted to anfwer. They feldom or never ap- plied them to tl:ic fupprefiion of vice, or the encouragement of virtue. They never ap- plied them, either to reflrain the giddy ca- reer of the thoughtlefs and abandoned ; or •to comfort the well-dlfpofed under the va- rious troubles of thi^ mortal life, and raife them above the fear of death. The argu- ments they uled for thefe purpofes were drawn from other topics : from the bafenefs and infamy of an evil courfc ; and from the credit and reputation that attended a crood one : from tl:ie fufficiency of virtue for the completion of its own happincfs: and from. the confideration that thin^©-, Scc, xxiv. 6. 'f?$ o'cTc 'w^rt^ioi;, Scc. And though Plato, in the beginning of his third Repi'.Uu\ cenfures thcfe palfagcs, and would have them expunged, as in- jurious to the welfare of fociety ; fince they tend to weaken the courage of men, and make them atraid ot death : yet is he obliged to acknowledge in his Cratylus^ that the fentiments contained therein were fo deeply fixed in the minds of the common people, P 3 that 1.14 SERMON XXI. damped the hopes of good men ; and cliecked that ardour of defire, with which they na- turally panted after feme future, unexperi- enced joys, that would make amends for their prefeat fufferings ; fo^ by divefting the deity of punitive juftice^, of the wnll and capacity of doing any hurt, it freed the wicked from the terrours of vengeance ; and fet them loofe to purfue the bent of their %'icious inclinations without controul. The confequence was juft what might be expecled. Probity and virtue declined apace ; while vice and diilblutenefs gathered ftrength ; and Ipread their baneful, deftruftive in- fluence, through all orders and degrees of people. Nor was this tlie ilate of the Gentiles only, Tlie Jews, attaclied to the temporal promifes, and infeded, many of them, witli ih:it tiiey couhl by no iix'uns be perfuadcil to think othenvife of Hades, ihr.n ot ;i ic-gioi; uiiccinrorta.b!.c, gloomy, uiiJ dilinal — and therefore greatly dreaded by thenij * Hoc quidcm comnume ell oomium philorophornm— nuii- ^juitui nee irafcl deijui, jiee nacere, CiC£g.o De Olhciis, lib. lii. cap. 3:xviii, ^V^j inoK" In li;^- AVa i^ ';u » ruis's l^iv Lcgat. j'A II. b. 11:. § 6, the SERMON XXI. 215 the principles of Sadducifm, were nearly in as bad a condition. For though we fhould allow, that the doftrine of immortality and a future ftate was moft prevalent among them ; yet they feem to have been but little atten- tive to the vaft and important confequences of it. They advanced no higher in the prac- tice of virtue, than the others did, vv^ho had no hopes ; and were guilty of as many and great vices, as the worfl: of them, who had nothing; to fear bevond the e^rave. At fuch a crifis, it is obvious to infer, what great need there was of a divine reve- lation to ftrengthen and confirm the dictates of nature ; and to afcertain the reality of a future ftate : to inculcate and imprcfs on mankind the lading importance of true re- ligion, by awakening their minds to a pro- per fenfe of the divine juftice; which is equally concerned to punifli the wicked, as to reward the good. Accordingly it this period, Chrift recom- mended, after a lignal manner, his love and kindnefs to us — -in that he " brought life and im.mortalirv to lisiht throusrh the Gof- P 4 pel :" zi<) S E R M O N XXI. pel:'* in that he eftabhlTied the lentimeuta and expcclations of nature ; and improved the intimations given by the law : in that he illuftrated the doftrine of a future ftate ; and cleared it of all the doubts and difficul- ties, under which it had before laboured. For the Gofpel not only affures us of the world to come ; but lavs it open to our view in the plalneft and the fulleil manner: defcribes it with Uich particular circum- ftances, and delineates it by fuch afi'efting reprefentations, as are mofl: admirably fitted to promote the ends of true religion: — ad- mirably fitted, to reclaim us from the prac- tl.ce-'of the moft alluring vice; and to ani- mate us in the difcharge of the moft hazard- ous duty. To this purpofe wc are informed, that " as it is appointed ibr all men once to die, fo ^ifter that there will come a judgn-ient ^ ; when we tliall all appear at the tribunal of Chriit, to give an account of the things we .have done ; and to receive for thofe things '^ ricb. ix. 27. accord- SERMON XXL 217 accordingly ^" For *' when the fon of man ihall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then fhall he fit on the throne of his glory ; and before him fhall be gathered all nations '^. When they fland before him, both fmall and great, then fhall the books be opened; and all fhall be judged according to the things written in thofe books ^. And as there is nothing covered which fhall not be revealed, and nothing hid that fhall not be known ^ ;" fo there is nothing, which fhall not receive a jufl re- compence of reward, fuitable to its nature, whether good or evil. When judgment is paffed, a proper ^ifcri- mination will take place ; and every one fhall inherit his deflined and deferved por- tion. ** To them, who, by patient conti- nuance in well doing, fought," and prepared themfelves for, aflate of " immortal honour and glory;" Chrift will at lalt gracioufly ^ 2 Cor. V. 10. ^ Matth. XXV. 31, 32. * Rev. x:-. 12, ^ Matth. X. 26. render 2iS SERMON XXI. render the great prize they fo ardently pur- fued — even "eternal life^" and eternal happinefs. " But to the" perverfe and un- grateful " children of contention, who per- tinacloully difpute againll the truth ; and, inftead of obeying its righteous diftates, ob- ftinately follow their own wicked ways, and prejudicate opinions ;" he will render a quite different portion. For them is referved all that can be imagined moft dreadful and tre- mendous. '^ Indignation" is conceived, and '' Vv^rath" fhall break forth againft them : the fliarpeil: '' tribulation," the moft hope- lefs and inextricable ". anguiih," will burft out ii> a torrent of unming^led mifery on their liaplcfs and guilty fouls ^ ; and will continue to torment them for ever and ever. Such are the motives, that is, the promifes and threatnings, which Chrift difclofed, in order to influence our moral condcift. And tliough thtfe promifes and threatnings refer to a future and diftant world ; yet, that he 'i Ron-", ii. 7. • ibul. vci. 8. 9. ?er Doddridge in loc. affinxieJ SERMON XXL 219 affirmed nothing but what was true; that he promifed or threatened no more, than what lie can, and, in due time, will certainly per- form ; we have all the evidence imaginable to believe. For what can be more evident, than that we are deflined, though mortal, to live again; " when Chrift, our head," rofe from the grave ; and vifibly afcended to refume his glory in that ftate, from whence he had come down to reveal it unto us ? And iince an eternal ftate awaits us, what can be more evident, than that he, who was able to blaft and deftroy by the word of his mouth', to flrike offenders dead by the mi- niftry of his fervants ^, in this prefent world ; muft be likewife able to afflidl and take ven- geance on them in that future world, of which he is equally the lord and governor ? What can be more evident, than that he, who was able to fupport the weary multi- tudes, and to relieve their hunger with food, ' Matth. xxi. 19. Mark xi. 14, :o. ^ Ads V. 5, 10. xiii. 1 1. 2 in zio SERMON XXL in the wildernefs ^ ; muft be able alfo to fii- tisfy the righteous to the extent of their de- lires, and fill them with all Ipiritual com- forts, in heaven ? But evident as it is, yet this point may re- ceive fome farther illuftration; or at leaf!:, the propriety of the miracles by which it is fupported may become more confpicuous ; if w^e particularly confider the nature of thofe emblems, under which the enjoyments of another life are in Scripture reprefented to us. Now, as the foundation of happinefs is laid in freedom from pain and fufFerings ; fo heaven is accordingly defcribed as a place of perfect eafe and fecurity : where "there ihall be no more death, neither forrow, nor crying ; neither fliall there be any more pain : for ClnilT: ihall wipe away all tears from rl^icir eyes ^/' And what plainer proof, what iuier pledge could he give, that he will here- ' M..rih. xiv. i^, t:c, xv. 52, &:c. Mark vi, 35, &:c. ' .; r, &:c. Lii},e 1\. 12, Uc. John vi. 5, bi^. •■■ Pv.ev. xxi 4. aftci: SERMON XXL zzt after preferve his faithful fervants in perfed eafe; and defend them from every thing hurtful and annoying ; than his having al- ready v/rought, for their comfort and relief, fo many falutary and eafe-difpenfing mi- racles? — than his having raifed fome parti- cular perfons from the dead ; and his having removed from others thofe maladies and tor- ments, which were the caufe of their for- rows, troubles, and affliftions ? Jf we advance now from eafe to enjoy- ment; the fame obfervation will hold good. The bleffings of another life are often re- prefented by the comforts of this. When we are given to underfland, how completely happy the righteous fhall be in the world to come; it is exprefiy faid, that " they (hall hunger no more, nor third any more ; for Chrift fliall feed them, and lead them unto fountains of living waters"," If then the felicities of the fpiritual vv^orld ftand thur. defcribed under the vail or covering of tem- poral enjoyments ;' what more fignlficant in- ^ Rev. vii. i6, !;. flangs 222 SERMON XXI. ftance, what more appropriate example could our Saviour produce, of his abiUty to fupply all the longings and defires of the foul ; than his fatisfying to the full the analogous crav- ings and appetites of the body? — which he more than once miraculoufly did °. But whatever rewards on the one hand^ or whatever punifhments on the other, may be referved for men in a future ftate; yet ma- nifell it is, that they can only take place in confequence of the final judgment. Tliat there is a judgment to come, nature dic- tates, and revelation confirms. In com- paffion to mankind, this judgment, we are informed, is committed to Chrilt. And that this information is true, who can now pofn- bly difpute, when his power to judge the world WMS fo vifibly difplayed ; and thi- form of his proceedings io circuniiUantially reprefented, in the fate of the Jewish nation ? He told them, before his death, tb.at, as fare as the Jewilh polity ihould be delhoyed, and the inhabitants of Judea be viiircd for ® See t)ie ^nlTiges rcrcneJ to in p^ 220. their SERMON XXI. 22J their iniquities ; fo furely fliould the frame of the univerfe be diliblved; and the inhabi- tants of the earth be furamoned to judgment ?. One part of this predivStion has been already fulfilled ; and that in fo extraordinary a manner, as plainly fliewed it to be the work of Chrift^. The other therefore will be fulfilled in its feafon ; at the time determined by the Father. And when that determined time is come, can it ever be doubted, that he, who, in this judicial manifeftation, made fuch an apparent difference between the be- lieving and unbelieving Jews ; will alfo, in that future determination, of which this was the emblem, make again the like diftinc- tion between the righteous and the wricked ; between them that ferved him in fear and reverence, and them that defpifed and tranf- grelTed his laws ? P Matth. ch. xxiv. 25 — 31. Dr, Jacksox*3 "Works, vol. I. b. i. ch. xxiv. ^ The interpofitlon of a divine power was fb c]e'.;rly vifiblein the overthrow of Jerufalem, that Titus himlelf aftribed his taking that city to the ainilance of God. Joseph, de Eello Jiid. lib. vi. c. ix. § I. There 224 S E R M O N XXI. There are fome palTages in the Gofpels, nearly alhed to this fubjefl:, which, as they have been groflly perverted to the bafe pur- pofes of infidehty, it may be proper to recall to their deftined ufc. The pafl'ages I mean are thofe, which give us an account of the repeated demands made by the Jews, that our Saviour would (hew them " a fign from heaven." The fign they referred to, is thus defcribed by the prophet Daniel. *' I faw in the night vifions, and behold one like the fon of man came with the clouds of heaven : and there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, na- tions, and languages (hould ferve him^" Now the dominion of Chrift was then to be eftabl idled, when the Jewifh polity was de- ftroyed. Our Saviour therefore, perceiving, that the}' knew not what they afkcd, " iighed deeply in his fpirit ; and laid. An evil and adulterous generation feeketh afrcr a iign ; and there (hall no fign be given it, but tl've fign of the prophet Jonas, For as Jonas ' Ch. vli. 13, 14. • Mark vili. 12. .. was S E R M O PJ %Xl. 2?5 was three days and three nights in th^ whale's belly ; fo (hall the Son of Man be three days and three nighty in the heart of the earth ^'* Thus far he draws the parallel in plain and explicit terms: farther he could not openly ad- vance without daqger of exciting their re- fentment. But from this intimation, cpn- nedted with the fequel of the hiftory of Jonah, the ferious and contemplative might eafily perceive the full force and purport of the anfwer : which was indeed moft perti- nently adapted to their urgent, though fatal^ demand, ^ The hiftory Informs us, that Jonah was fent by Almighty God to preach repentance to the finful Ninevltes, He preached ac- cordingly ; and enforced his exhortations ,with this argument — " yet forty day? and Nineveh ihall be overthrown"." Chrift was fent in like manner to work the con- veriion of the finful Jews ; and he urged it upon them by the very fame argument. For fubftitute now a year for a day, ac^ ■ Matth. xU. 39, 40, ■•' Jonah iii. 4. Vol, IL O cording 226 SERMON XXI. cording to the ftile of the prophetic lan- guage ; and the fum of his reafoning will plainly appear from the tenour of the parallel, to iffue at lafl in this — ** Yet forty years, unlefs ye repent, and Jerufalem (hall be deflroyed.'^ And a5 they repented not, deffroyed it was, exaclly at the end of that predi6led period ^ That our Saviour had this event in view, and alluded to it in his feveral aii- Iwers ; is not only evident from the fore-' going reafons ; but receives ftill additional confirmation from his fubfequent, and more open dechrations. When the difciples fhewed Iiim the buildings of the temple, he .plainly told them, that^ " there fhould not be left one ftone upon another, that fhould not be thrown down^ :" and that this ".> Here it dererves to bfc noted, as it makes our Saviour's rot the Goipel ^,'* Such was our Saviour's conducl ; and fuch the mode of reafoning he ufed on thefe cri- tical occafions. And who, but the moft in- veterately prejudiced, could poffibly cenfure this conduct? could poffibly infer from this rnode of reafoning, that Chrift difcouraged all rational inquiry, as ' confcious that he could not,, with refpecl to the evidence of his divine miffion, iatisfy the undcrftand- ings of difcerning men^^ But this infinuation is as fahe, as it is impious. He was al- ways forward to promote their inquiry ; al- * ^latth. \xvl. 6\. " 2 Tluir. i. S. «» *= Chridianity not fbnndeJ on nrgiimcnt. 4 was SERMON XXI. 229 ways ready to clear up their doubts. He urged them with proofs upon proofs, and miracles upon miracles; and therefore left them without excufe. Whatever our mo- dern infidels may think, even " the men of Nineveh fiiall rife .up in the judgment with that generation, and fliall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas V* which was fupported at moft but by one miracle; whereas thefe perverfely with- flood tlie moft falutary admonitions, fup- ported by the ftrength of repeated proofs, and the united force of numberlefs mira- cles. And fince their behaviour was fo in- corrigibly vile ; how juftly did they fall under the weighty rigour of that fign, which they had fo often imperioufly de«- manded. Dreadful were the things which befel the infidels of that age, *' But all thofe things happened unto them for enfamples : and they are written for our admonition, upon whom tha^ends of the world are come^;" and to ^ I^tth. xii. 41, «= 1 Cor. X. 1 1. Q 3 whom ^,;o SERMON XXI. whom is committed the laft difpenfatlon of grace and mercy. Let us therefore be ad- inonifhed by them; and be efpecially care- ful that we " tempt not Chrifr," who has gracioufly been pleafed to take us under his conduft and proteflion ; and who has ho- noured his church with fo many demon- frrative tokens of his prefence. Let us <^ take heed, brethren, left there be in any of us an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God^'* and rejefting thp Gofpel -revelation. Fgr fore ^yill be their *^ condemnation," if, <^ when light is come into the world, men'' will perverfely (hut their eyes ; and flill continue to " love darknefs rather than lio;ht," for fear " their deeds ihould be reproved s." But whether they are reproved in this world or not ; yet, there is now opened another fcene, in which, we are lure, they Ihall finally meet with condign puniiliment. For " the Lord Cometh wMth ten thoufands of his flints, 10 execute judgment upon all ; and" more iUth.'lW.lZ. ' ^ If John iii. 19, 20. efpecially SERMON XXL 231 efpeclally *' to convlfl: thofe who have lived ungodly, of ail the impious deeds, which they have impiovifly committed, aud of all the hard, irreligious fpeeches, which ungodly fiuners have (poken againft him^" How we fliall be brought, thoa;igh fubjeft to death, to ftand up at the future judg- ment J and what will be the particular con- fcquences of it; I (hall have occafion to caii- fider more largely hereafter. In the mean time, " blefled be tli£ God and Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift, who, according to his abundaat mercy, hath be- gotten us again unto a lively hope— unto the hope of life — by the refurreftion of Jefus Chrifl from the dead ^" jf??ie?i. ^ Jude, ver. 14, i^^ *= 1 Pet. i. 3. Q 4 S E R' L 235 ] SERMON XXII. 2 Tim. i. 10, fFho hath abottjhed decfth^ and hath brought life and immortality to lights through the Go/pelf IN my laftDifcourfe I reprefented to you, in how clear a light the Gofpel of Chrift had placed the dodrine of a future ftate ; and what evident proofs it gaye to the world of the certainty of a future retribution. But the doftrine of retribution in a future ftate, however clearly proved, was yet at- tended with certain difficulties, which mere reafon 234 S E R M O N XXII. reafon could never refolve; and which there- fore called for the aid and afiiftancc of fome farther difcovery than could pofllbly be ob- tained on the principles of nature. That men fliould be accountable in another ftate for the things they had done in this, reafou allowed to be fit and right ; but then the difficulty in the eye of reafon was, how they could be brought into that ftate to reader the account required. Mankind are mortal; deftined to perifli by the ftroke of death be- fore the judgment comes. By this interven- ing deflruflion the fcene is in all appearance clofed ; and judgment entirely excluded. For though it be acknowledged that our fouls furvive; yet, thefe alone cannot in equity be anfwerable for our adions. For our a^flions are not the aftions of pure fpirits or fouls.; but the actions of men; that is, of fouls and bodies united. And therefore it follows, that, in order to be reftored to the integrity of our nature, and put in a condition to anfwer for ourfelves ; our fouhi fhould ao-ain be united to our bodies, and the lame individuals recalled to life. But of fuch SERMON XXII. 235 fuch a reftoration or refurreftion to life na- ture afforded no examples. For *' what is there in the whole compafs of beings that yields a fimilitude of duftand afhes rifing up again into regular bodies, and to a ftate of perpetual immortality^?" According then to the conclufions of nature, mankind, it fliould feem, muft for ever continue under the power of death, without any hope of jbeing delivered from it. And their conti- nuance in that ftate muft neceflarily cut them off" from all connedions with the concerns pf futurity. On this view of things, death, you fee, flands as a perpetual bar to judgment; and tl)rows fuch difficulties in the way of future rewards and punifhments, as render the exer- tjon of them void and impradicable, Bqt as death had originally no place in nature, if you fuppofe it again removed ; or, which is the fame thing, fuppofe that our bodies fhould hereafter be refcued from the power pf the grave 3 and raifed up again to a ftate * Bp. SiiERi^pcK, vol. I. difc. vj. p. 205'. of 236 SERMON XXII. of incorruptibility; then all the difficulties vanifh at once — and leave us, as in a perfeft capacity, fo in full expeftation, of being finally called to give an account. Now, what v/e have here delivered bv way of fuppofition, the Gofpel has advanced to clear reality. For it affures us that Chrift ^' has abolifhed death" — '^ and will raife tis up at the laft day' :" '< that the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves fhall hear the voice of the Son of God, and fliall come forth'"." And need I prove that the voice of Chrift is fuch a powerful voice — adequate to this mighty performance ? The dead have proved it long ago : who felt its quickening energy in the grave, and rofe up to atteft its efficacy "", His own refurrection placed it farther out of doubt ; as it exhibited, with the reft, not Only a proof, but alfo an example, of the very doftrine. « John vi. 44. ■ , "» John V. 28,. 29. " Mutth. ix. 24, 2^, xxvii. ^2, 53. Mark v. 35 — 43. Luke vii. 1 1 ---1 5. viii, 49"-^6. John xi. 43, 44, Since SERMON XXII. 337 Since Chrlft then has already given us fuch convincing proofs of his power to de- liver from the dominion of death, both by raifing himfelf and others ; we may reft affured, on the ftrength of this pledge, that " his wonders fhall again be once more fhewed in the grave, and his faithfuhiefs in deftruilion^. And although the worms deftroy thefe bodies, yet, as we know that our Redeemer liveth, we may ftill be con- fident, that in our flefh we fliall fee God^ f ' that we fhall ftand before him, every man m his own body : " for thefe eyes fliall behold him, and not another." But this is not the whole. For Chrift has not only abolilhed death, and entitled us to the privilege of a fiiture refurreftion, buf: he " has alfo brought life and immortality to light by the Gofpel :" that is, he ha? re- vealed and defcribed to us the nature and cir- cumflances of that eternal ftate — whether of happinefs or mifery — to which we (hall be configned at the final judgment. For, as •* Pfal. Ixxxviii. 11. f Job xix. 25 — 27. the 23^ SERMON XXlI. the judge of the earth mufl: then do rights fo will he dlverfify our fate and condition, according as our works fhall be. And there- fore eternal life muft be fuppofed to include, as well the punifhments of the bafe and wicked, as the rewards of the virtuous and good. Now, fince the righteous fliall be ad- vanced to complete happinefs in another life, their nature will be improved, in both parts of its compofition, to a degree fuitablc to fuch a heavenly ftate. They fliall no longer be fubjedl to death and corruption ; but " fhall be equal to the angels, and the children of God, being the children of the refurreflioni." Their bodies fhall no longer appear bafe, vile, and contemptible ; but *^ fhall be fafliioned by the power of Chrifl into the form and likenefs of his own gla- rious body ' :" fliall be arrayed with the fam^ fplendor that his own aflbmed at the tranf- iisuration ' ; and then continue '' to fhine 'I Luke XX. 36. ' Philip, iii. 21. * IVIaith. wii. 2. forth SERMON XXII. 239 forth for ever, as the fun, in tlie kingdom of the Father ^" Their fouls in Hke manner Ihall partake of great and marvellous im- provement : for every faculty fhaJl be flrengthned, and every power incrcafed. They (hall advance, and be made perfefl: iii all the excellencies of rational nature : in wifdom, knowledge, holinefs, and purity: and (hall prefs on contmually to higher and higher eminence. And as they are thus improved, ennobled, and refined ; fo is the place of their refidence adapted to their exalted natures. It is re- pre fen ted as a place of inconceivable fplen-» dor, dignity, and magnificence: — ^' A city tliat hath no need of the fun, neither of the moon to ihine in it: for the glory of God illuminates it, and the Lamb is the light thereof"." Nor are the manfions more fplendid, than the company is venerable. For in the other world the righteous (hall be admitted to the blifsful and improving *' fociety of angels; ^ INIatth. xiii. 45. ' Rev. xxi, 23. to 240 SERMON XXII. to the general aflembly and church of the firft-born which are written in heaven ; and to the fpirits of juft men made perfed before them^f* All united in confum- mate peace, love, and friendlhip ; giving and receiving mutual joy, and ineffable fatis? fadion. But, though the happinefs refulting from the lively enjoyment of fo glorious a com- pany muft be very great, yet will it receive a ftill farther addition from thofe holy exer* cifes and beatific employments in w^hich the bleflbd are continually engaged* To live in the reviving prefence of God, and to behold the tranfcendent glory of his majefty ; to contemplate the perfeflions of the great i Author and Preferver of the yniverfe ; to confider his power in the creation of things, and his wufdom in the marvellous adjuft- pient of them ; to reflefl: on his goodnefs difplayed in the ends they are intended tQ ferve, and on his faithfulnefs in the execu^ tipa gf his benevolent purpofes ; to m^di- *■ Ileb. xii, 2 2j 23,. tate S E R M O N XXII. 241 rate on the nature of his righteous laws, and to trace out the excellency of his manifold difpenfations : thefe are adls that will fill their minds with fublime delights, and raife in their fouls the devouteft admiration. In the ardour of this admiration, and in a grate- ful fenfe of the bleffings they enjoy ; they will continually be carried on to praile and adore their God with all the energy of their exalted powers. They will conftantly be led, in an uniform tenour of ferene delight, to extol the wonders of his creating love; to magnify the mercies of his redeeming grace ; and to celebrate the triumphs of their vifto- ridus Saviour. Thus are the faints perpe- tually employed : thus do they " always re- joice in the Lord;" and improve in blifs as they rife in thankfgivings. And at "the ilime time that they are enjoy- ing the happinefs of their prefent ftate. they can alfo look forwards to ftill higher plea- fures. ^' For in God's prefence there is" not only, at any given period, *' a fulnefs of joy;" but ** at his right hand there are pleafures," that will iflue forth ** for ever- Vol. II. R more," 242 SERMON XXII. more y." A circumftance that crowns and dignifies the whole ; fince it (hews the hap- pinefs of another life to be as lading as it is exquifite : to be indeed permanent, unchange- able, and eternal. They who are once ad- mitted into that heavenly ftate, are admitted into a ftate of perpetual fecurity. They fliall be raifed for ever above all fear of change. No hazards (hall befal them: no new trials aflault them : the arm of omni- potence will proteft them : and the prefencc of the Lord will conftantly refrefh them. They (Iiall never be weary of their condi- tion : never be fatiated with the tirefome circulation of the fame objedls ; for fome new glory will everlaftingly break out upon them, to perpetuate their comforts, and to improve their delights. Such is the account of that future hap- pinefs, difcovered to us by the revelation of Jefus Chrift. And who fees not, from this account, what mighty reafons we have, to praife and adore the divine goodnefs, which y Pfal, xvi. II. has SERMON XXII. 243 has favoured us with fuch glorious difcove- fies ? Difcoveries, not more illuftrious and magnificent in themfelves, than advantage- ous to the interefts of virtue. Difcoveries, which manifeftly tend to elevate and en- noble our nature ; to infpire us with a fu- perlative greatnefs of mind ; and to form us to a godlike temper. When we look, through the medium of the Gofpel-revela- tion, into the true ftate and real felicities of the other world ; when we confider what exalted fpiritual joys;^ what refined enravifli- ing delights, we are fure hereafter to be par- takers of: when thefe things are the fubjedl of our ferious thoughts, the world and its enjoyments leffen to our view ; the pleafures of fenfe grow fick to the tafte ; and the al- lurements that furround us lofe their power. Earthly grandeur, pomp, and fplendor, the ufual objeds of our admiration, will then fhine with diminiflied luftre : will then in- deed appear " to have no glory * in this 2 2 Cor. ill. 10. R 2 refpevft. 244 SERMON XXII. refpcfl:, by reafon of the glory that Infinitely excelleth it." And when we confider farther, that the happinefs of the other life is the portion only of the " pure In heart;" the peculiar " in- heritance of them that are fanclified * ;'* how forcibly muft this confideration move us, to " purify ourfelves from all filthinefs of fiefli and fpirit ; and to perfeft holinefs in the fear of God^!" And though we may be fubjefl: in this religious courfe to re- proaches, diilrefles, perfecutions, and death; yet how noble and animating is the encou- nigement we have to *' patient continuance in well-doing T' — when we are certain, '^ that the fjfferings of this prefent life are not worthy to be compared with the glory, which fhall be revealed in us'':" when we are certain, that they are the very means, appointed by providence, of *' working out ■ Acts XXV i 1 8. '' 2 Cor. vll. r. *^ Koin. viii. iS» for i^ SERMON XXIL 245 for us a far more exceeding, even an eternal weight of glory '^." And when we reflect moreover, that thefe great and precious promifes are not confined to any particular nation, or to a number of men of diftinguiflied eminence ; but are gracioufly extended and freely of- ferred to the whole race of mankind ; what winning obligations do they lay upon us to ferve God, in our feveral ftations, with all readinefs of mind, and fincerity of affeftion ; and to prefs forwards in the ways of virtue with ardour, diligence, and affiduity ! Sure at laft of being rewarded for our pains, with a degree of happinefs, proportioned to the meafure and increafe of our holinefs. This happinefs indeed is diftant ; and promifed to our fidelity, only in heaven. But however, that we might have at prefent fufficient proof of the reality and exiftence of fuch a place ; our Saviour miraculoufly afcended thither, in open day, and before many witnefles, And this afcenfion of Chrift, as our head, is both ^ 2 Cor. IV. 17, R 3 a pledge 246 SERMON XXU. a pledge and nflurance to us, that we alfo, as members of his body, fhall finally afcend after him ; partake of bis promifes ; and fliare the felicities of that bleffed place. Hence then it appears, that thefe promifes, as they were intended, are excellently adapted^ to work on men of ingenuous minds : to pro- mote and fecure their efcape from the pollu- tions and vices that are generally prevalent in this world ; and to advance thofe pious difpofitions in their fouls, which may fit ancj prepare them for the kingdom of heaven. But all men have not the in2:enuitv to be worked upon by thefe milder encourage- ments. The ftubborn, the vicious, and the profligate, fland in need of more awakening motives : fuch as may check the violence of their paffions ; and awe them into a fober, ferious fenfe of their folly, and their danger. The Gofpel therefore, adapthig its difcove- ries to our feveral difpofitions, at the fame time that it promulges the moft glorious rewards to the fincerely pious, faithful, and obedient; denounces likewife the moft awful punifh- SERMON XXIL 247 punifliments againft all prefumptuous and impenitent offenders. As " the righteous fhall inherit eternal life, and eternal happinefs; fo the wicked fiiall be punifhed with everlafling deftrudtion from the prefence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power^" *' They fliall lie down for ever in tribulation and anguifh ; in a place of perpetual torment^;" " where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched s." The expreffions are ftrong and pungent ; fitted to roufe the apprehen- fions of men ; and to make them attentive to the confequence of their aftions. Our very nature ftarts, and draws back from mifery ; and how then muft we be affefted with the dreadful afiurance of mifery ever- iaftingr " If we are afraid of them who can kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do ; how much rather (hould we fear him, who, after he hath killed, * 2 ThefT. i. 9. ^ Rom. ii. 9. Rev. xiv. lo, 1 1. t Mark ix. 44, 46, 48. R 4 hatli 248 SERMON XXII. hath power to cad both foul and body hito hcll.fire^?" This general determhiation, though it feems to include all the wicked in one common flite ; does yet in reality by no means imply, that they fliall all be punifhed with equal feverity. On the contrary, we are affured, that their punifhments will be exaftly proportioned to their crimes : and as fome " fliall be beaten with fewer," fo others fliall feel more numerous, ^' ftripes';" according to the meafure of their different offences. But perhaps It may be thought, '' that even the lowefl: degree of punifliment; con- tinued through the ages of eternity, is more than adequate to the jufl: demerit of the mofl: heinous crimes, that we can poflibly commit in the fliort compafs of this mortal }ife; and that it is, confequently, repug- nant both to the juflice and goodqefs of ^ Luke xii. 4, 5*. , f Ibid. ver. 47, 48. God, SERMON XXII. 249 God, that fuch punifhments (hould be iii- Now, fhonld this be our mode of think- ing; it would be but right to think again, whether the fufFerings of another life be not founded in the nature of things ; and are as much the refult, the neceffary confequences, of our finful proceedings, as pofitive in- fliftions of the Deity for them ? In this world we know that fin and mifery are clofely con- neded : that one momentary wrong adlion often expofes us to a train of evils, that will continue to afflid us as long as we live. And fince this world and the next are but two parts of one moral fyftem ; why may not the fame conflitution, that we find to be eftab- lifhed here, equally proceed, and take place hereafter ? Why may there not be the fam.e clofe connexion between vice and mifery in a future flate, as there is be- tween them now in the prefent ! And if fo, fince death makes no change in our moral principles ; but we pafs into the other world with the tempers and difpofi- tions 250 SERMON XXn. tions we had formed in this ; mnft not the fame vicious paffions, the fime irregular defires, the fame evil habits, and the fame wicked adlions, that rendered us mifcr- able through the courfe of this life, con- tinue to keep us in that wretched ftate through the whole extent of our being? — that is, mail: not wicked men be for ever fubjeci: to the natural confequences of their own wickednefs? For what reafon have we to think, that the goodnefs of God fhould be more concerned to prevent or fufpend thofe eternal futferings, which attend our vices in another world ; than to prevent or fufpend thofe temporal fufter- ings, which are the prefent effefts of the fame caufes ? All that his goodnefs could oblige him to do, was to put us on our guard, by giving us warning of thefe dif- tant evils: and that he has done in the moft effeflual manner. He has informed us by pofitive laws how completely mifcr- able our condition mud: be, if we indulge ourfelves in evil aclion^ : and has pro- mulged SERMON XXII. 251 mulged them by way of punifliments de- nounced, rather thaa by fimple predI£lions, that they might enter more deeply into our minds, and more powerfully influ- ence our pracStice ^. But if mep^ not- jvithftandlng thefe forcible admonitionSj will yet indulge wrong choice, and pur- fue the bent of their vicious inclina- tions ; is it not evidently juft and reafon- ablc, that they fhould fuffer the confe- qi^ences of thefe proceedings ; and be left to feel the eternal weight of that mifery, \vhich they would not be perfuaded to avoid ? Nor is the infliftion of fuch mifery either lefs juft or lefs reafonable, confidered as the pofitive punifliment of fin, difpenfed immediately by the hand of the Alnaighty. The laws of God, or the rules of divine governiTient, are gracioufly adjufted to the welfare and happinefs of mankind. And thefe laws, as all others, require to ^ King's Orig. of Evi', App. § ii. p. 498. be 7,s2 SERMON XXII. be enforced by proper and fuitable fanc- tions : that is, by fuch meafures of re- wards and punifhments as are fitted to pro- duce obedience to them. And if it ap- pears, as it is indeed but too apparent, that nothing lefs than the pofitive denunciation of eternal mifery is fufficient to anfwer that end and purpofe ; then is it fo far from being repugnant, that it is entirely con- fornaable both to the wifdom and good- nefs of God, to place fuch terrours before us, in order to prevent us from ruining our- felves. And if it be confident with the good- nefs of God to threaten us with fuch punifti- ments, in order to deter us from fin and Tuin ; it cannot furely be inconfiftent either with that, or any other attribute, to exe- cute thofe punifhments on the daring and impenitent y and to continue the infliftion fo long upon them, . as there are beings in exiftence, that need to be deterred and reftrained from vice, or confirmed and im- proved in virtue. But fuch there will al- 4 ways SERMON XXIL 253 ways be. And therefore there will be always a reafon for the eternal continuance of thole punifliments, which are threatened to the wicked in another life. And (hoiild it here be objefled, that this reafon cannot be true, becaufe it is manifeftly founded on cruelty; and repre- fents them to be kept in mifery merely for the benefit of others ; then let it be re* marked with regard to themfelves, that,' fince they are immortal, and continue wicked through the ages of eternity, the punifhment of that wickednefs, whether refulting from the conftitution of things, or pofitively inflidled by the hand of God, muft neceflarlly continue full as long, as they continue to deferve it : — and con- fequently, that immortal beings of eter- nal malignity juftly deferve to fufFer eter- nally. Such then are the motives, which the Chriftia>n religion lays before us, to coun- terbalance the influence of thofe allure- ments that would engage us in a wrong ecu rfe : 254 SERMON XXIL courfe; and to encourage our progrefs, not- withftanding all the difficulties that may oppofe us, iti the ways of truth and righte- oufnefs. And what can prevail, if thefe cannot? Weightier motives can never be propofed to the underftanding of men, than everlafting punifhment and life eternal ; than the greatefl: and moft durable hap- pinefs, and the moft intolerable and laft* ing mifery that human nature is capable of* In this difcovery the Gofpel feems to triumph j and to reft thereupon all its powen By means of this difcovery^ and the con- curring influence of divine grace, how power« ful did it formerly appear ! In confequence of the pfofpecl: it opened to their view, ** what manner of perfons" did its firft and earlleft profeffbrs become, *' in all holy converfation and godlinefs of living^ T' How '' pioufly, juftly, and unblameably did they behave thcmfelves ; in the midft of a wicked and perverfe generation, among * 2 Pet, iii. II- ^vhom SERMON XXII. iss whom they fhone as lights m the world ""T They well conlidered, how fearful a thing it is to fall under the vengeance of an angry God ; and therefore laboured with all their power to avoid it. They well confidered, how joyful and happy a thing it is to attain the favour of an approving Deity ; and therefore ftrove, by a careful obfervance of his righteous laws, to fecure their title to it. With what awful caution did they endeavour to guard againft every fin, for fear of incurring the threatened punilhment ! And with what ardent zeal did they afpire after every degree of virtue, in hopes of obtaining that glorious re- ward, which God has promifed to all them, who give fuch proof of their love to him ? But we have alio the fame rew^ards, and the fame puniOiments placed before us. And " it is" the hlgheft inftance of *' our wifdom and our underflanding," ferioufly "» Phil. li. 1 5. to 2sG SERMON XXIL to attend to them; and in confcquence, to a6l as bccometh thofe, who are fo deeply concerned in. them. *' If we would enter into life, we muft keep the command- ments";" and be ourfclves, *' as the com- mandments are, holy, righteous, juft and good °." For thefe difpofitions, and thefe only, can " make us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the faints in light p." Vicious paflions, and vicious practices, will inevitably make us miferable : will lead us into mifchiefs and diftrefles here; and expofe us to eternal punifhment here- after. Let us therefore take heed to ourfelves : and, if we mean to fecure our happinefs, be careful to regulate and adjuft our conduit to the ftandard of the divine laws. For we muft *' become fervants to God, and bring forth fruit unto holinefs," if we *» Matth. xlx. 17. ® Rom. vii. 12. ► Col. i. 12. expect SERMON XXIi. 257 expeft that ^' the end (hall be everlafting life ^r Now to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghoft, be afcrlbed, as is moft due, all honour and glory, world with- out end. Amen, °. Rom; vl, 22:, "V-OL. il. S S E R= L 259 ] SERMON XXIII Mark. xvi. 20. And they went forth, and preached every where ^ the Lord working with them^ and confirming the word with figns follozviug. IT appears, I hope, from what has been delivered in the foregoing Difcourfes^ that the Gofpel of Chrift has fully fupplied all the deficiences of the former difpenfa- tions; and made ample provifion for the improvement and happinefs of mankind. It has laid, as we have feen, " the founda- tion of repentance from dead works" oti S 3 the 26o SERMON XXIIL the affurance of pardon, purchafed for us by our Saviour's merits : it points out to us the ways of truth and righteoufnefs by a perfect rule of piety and morals, exemplified in the lite of its divine Author: it helps our infir- mities, and renders us equal to the difficul- ties of cur duty, by the promifed afiiftance of the Holy Spirit : and it animates us to the performance of that duty, by a clear difcovery of a future ilate of rewards and punifhments, to be difpenfed according as our works deferve : all which it exhibits tO' us under the feal and confirmation of ade- quate and appropriate miracles. Hence then it follows, that the Gofpel has juftified all its pretenfions, as a complete inftitution for the recovery of man : fince,. by thus miniftring *' all thofe things, which are neceflary to 'life and godlinels ;" it has put it in our power to free ourfelves from the dominion of fin, and to '' work out ourown- falvation." Now this Gofpel, or the religion it con- tains, though calculated and defigned for the benefit of all ; was at firft communicated only SERMON XXIII. 26r only to a few : who were afterwards ap- pointed to fpread and convey it to the reft" of the world. But, notwithftanding their appointment to this w^ork, yet fo confcious were the difciples of their own w^eaknef?, and fo fearful of giving offence to the Jews'" ; that they could not, for a time, prevail on themfelves, even to attempt the execution of it ; but feem- ingly threw it up, as a difficult, or rather impracticable fcheme ; and returned again to their former employment. " Peter w^ent a fiihing :" and fix more of the fame oc- cupation joined themfelves to him ^ When they had thus returned to their fe- cular employ, and were in danger of being immerfed in the concerns of the world; fome- thing, it is plain, was neceflary to be done; to revive their attention to their fpiritual charge ; and render them mindful of their religious engagements. Oyr Saviour there- fore, as he had engaged their attendance at firft by a ft-r iking miracle, founded in their ^ [ohn XX. 19. * Ibid xxi. 2,. 3. ^ S3 occupa* irz SERMON xxin. occupation, and adapted to their capacities — 1 mean, by a miraculous draught of fifhes, and the aliu ranee that " he would make them iifhers of men^;" fo now, having in- vefted them w^ith that commiflion, and ap- pointed them to convert the nations ; he gave them a pledge of their future fuccefs by a repetition of the fame miracle ". For the draught which they had now made, was a fignificant emblem of what they fliould be farther enabled to do, when they came, under the influence and direftion of Chrift, to fi(h for men (if I may io fpeak) with the net of the Gofpel. But then they were ad- monifhed by him, that if they meant to go on to any good purpofe, and execute their commiffion in a proper manner ; they muft prefer his fervice to all worldly concerns, and be t!ioroughly difpofed to ^' feed his iheep^;" to inftruft thofe that were ready to hear * Luke V. 2-" 1 1. " John x>i. 6, ^ Ibid. vci". 19. AfxTTuq fjtt tzrXfTov TtiTuv ; 7f the words TtrXEroy TUTUD made originally a part ot tiic (luellion, which, I confe s, I much doubt ,- then mull they refer to xht-^jrff^h and ncts^ in the S E R iM O N XXIII. 263 hear them, with affeftionate and inceflant care. For fuch I take to be the real import of that converfation, which he held with them, at the clofe of this miracle y. But though their inclinations were ever (6 good, and their concern to propagate the doctrine of their mafter ever fo great ; yet was there no likelihood, that they fhould make any conliderable progrefs in the work by the mere force of their natural abilities. The talk was evidently too arduous for the common powers of humanity to effeft. And therefore they were commanded to *' con- tinue at Jerufalem, till they were endued with extraordinary power from on high %" adequate to the weight and mightinefs of the management of which Peter was occupied : ^nd the meaning mufl: be — " Art thou more truly devoted to Tnyjcrvice, than to thy ow n tvord/y concerns ?" A meaning in no wife fo flat and cold as fome critics have fuggelled. The quelHon, in this fenfe, raturally fprung from Peter's conduft. He was the lirfl that re- turned to his former occupation, and carried the others with him— which betrayed an anxious concern for the world ; and might therefore give rife to our Saviour's interrogations. y John xxi. 1 5 — 1 9. ^ Luke xxiv. 49, S 4 under- 264 S E R M O N XXIU. undertaking. Accordingly, when the ap- pointed time was come, God lent down his fpirit upon them ; and thereby endowed them with the neceflary quahfications. He furnifhed them with the power of working miracles; and with fi^h other <' gifts of the Holy Ghoft," as were requifite for the ac- comphfhment of the divine purpofe : re- quifite for the propagation of Chrift's re- ligion ; and for the growth and eftabhfliment' of his kingdom in the world. Now, fince the fpecial nature of thefe marvellous gifts, and the propriety of their application, depended in a great meafure, on the nature of thofe peculiar exigences, which called for their exertion 3 we muft previoufly confider the circumftances of things, as they flood at that time, before we can well know how properly thefe gifts were fuited and ad- jufted to them. Here then let it be obferved, that, as the religion of Chrift was manifeflly intended for the common benefit of all nations ; fo the firfl: thing requifite plainly was, th^t it fhould be accordingly conveyed to the 3 knowledge SERMON XXIII. ' 265 knowledge of the nations. Now this could paver be done, in any reafonable time ; nor indeed with any confiderable efficacy ; but by conferring on the teachers of it the gift of languages, to qualify them to inftruft the nations. Conformably therefore to the exi^ gence of the cafe, when the Holy Ghoft fell on the apoftles, he ujSiered his admi- niftration with this very gift. For <' they all fpake with other tongues, as the fpirit gave them utterance \" Being thus endow^ed with the gift of languages, and qualified to inftruft the na- tions ; the next thing requifite feems to have been, that the doftrines, which Chrift had delivered to them, and which they had now in charge to publifli to tlie world, fhould be fo treafured up, or at leaft revived again, in their memory, that none of them might be forgotten and loft. But this was more than their natural abilities could pof- fibly infure. And therefore it w^as another part of the Spirit's office, to ftrengthen their * A6ts ii. 4. faculties. ^66 SERMON XXIII. faculties, '<■ and bring all things again to their remembrance, whatfoever their mafter had (aid unto them \" But then, as it was not fufficient merely to remember the do6lrines of our Saviour, but neceflkry likewife to underfland their true and proper meaning ; to prove their di- vinity by fuitable arguments ; and to obviate the objeftlons, which ignorance or malice jnight form againfl: them ; fo the Holy Spirit did not only fecure the apoftles from errour, by " guiding them into all truth %" and enlightning their underftandings to judge unerringly of matters of faith ; but <* he gave them alio a mouth and wifdom — " fuch knowledge of fhings, and fuch powers pf exprcffion-— *' as all their adverfaries were not able to gainfay or refifl: V Furnifhed, however, as they were for the work ; yet was there ftill required an un- common zeal to undertake it ; an undaunted courage to purfue it; and unparalleled pa- b John xiv. 2r>. ^ Ibid xvl. 13. ^ Luke XXI. : 5. tience SERMON XXIII. 267 tience to bear up againft the fevere and con- ftant hardfhlps, which every where attended the profecution of it. <* But in all thefe things the apoftles were more than con- querors ^" For the Holy Gholl hifpired and flrengthened them with fnch a degree of courage and firmnefs, that they declined no difficulties, dreaded no dangers, fhrunk at no trials, in the difcharge of their duty ; but even ** rejoiced, that they were thought worthy to fuffer for the name of Chrift ^'* But notwithflanding the conftancy, courage and afliduity of its firft teachers ; a religion, fo contrary to the prevailing difpofitions of mankind, could, doubtlefs, make but a flow progrefs in a fenfual world by its own force. Men, immerfed in the pleafures of fenfe, are with difficulty brought to attend to reafon. Such can only be inftrufted by being firfi: aftonilhed ; and are fcarcely led to obey, till they fee it is in vain to withftand. Suitably therefore to this occafion, the Holy Ghofi:, as was farther neceflary, armed the * Rom. viii. 37. f Aas V. 41. apofllcs 368 SERMON XXIII. apoftles and firft converts with the power of working niiracles : which, at the fame time that they proved and confirmed the truth of their dodrines ; awakened the attention, and fubdued the reludlance and ftubbornnefs of their hearers. But as all their hearers might not be equally candid and fincere ; as fome of them might hold the Gofpel in hypocrify ; and by a vicious conver{ation (the natural effeft of bafe principles) might bring a reproach and fcandal upon it ; and thereby obftrud it in 4ts firft rife ; fo the apoftles w^ere moreover endowed, as the nature of the cafe required they fhould, with the faculty of difcerning the hearts of men ; and with the power of inflicting punifliments upon them, when- ever they praftifed fuch vile deceits. And this power they had occafion miraculoufly to exert, as we read in the account of Ana- nias and Sapphira^, alhioft as foon as Chrif- tianity appeared. An exertion no lefs gracious than fevere : not only as it exhibited a ge- 8 Ads V. I — lO. neraL SERMON XXIII. 269 neral proof of the certainty of their divine mifiion ; but as it particularly ferved to check the daringnefs of fraud and impiety, and to deter all bafe and hypocritical pre- tenders from prefuming to difgrace their company. And accordingly we are told, that " great fear came upon all : and of the reft," who w^re not fmcere in their profef- iion, " no man durft afterwards join him- felf to them\" Such were the manifefrations, the won- *derful manifeftations, difplayed in favour of the religion of Chrift, at its firft publication and appearance in the world. And \vhat now was the refult? what was the confe- quence of thefe wonderful manifeftations ? Why confefl'edly this. A religion, that had nothing in it of external charms, nothing in it of pompous allurements ; that was quite repugnant to the carnal inclinations, and to- tally fubvcriive of the fettled practices and worldly inter?fts, of mankind : a religion, whofe principal article was, to believe in a * A£is V. II, 13. defplfed 770 SERMON XXIII. defpifed and crucified Saviour : a religion^ that propofed nothing to its profeffors, on earth, but tribulation, alTliaion^ perfecution^ and death: a relig.on, preached only by a fet of poor, illiterate, contend ptible me- chanics ; and at the fame time oppofed, vi- rulently oppofed, by the rich, the learned^ and the honourable of the world: yet this religion, by the mighty operations and powerful aififtances of the Holy Spirit, broke through all reftraints and impedi- ments ; fpread itfelf with furprifing rapidity;:, and bore down all the powers in its way-^-^ till kings after kings became obedient to it; and nations after nations did, and do it^ fcrvice. Now this rapid and am.azing progrcfs of our religion, as it was made, by our ac- count, in confequence of the miracles faid to have been wrought and difplayed in its favour; fo does it manifefl: our account to be true, and prove thofc miracles to have been adually exerted. The fa6l, the fur- prifing fuccefs of the Gofpel, is acknowledged on all hands : and yet, at its firft fettinji out, there SERMON XXIll. ip there did not appear, humanly fpeaking, the leaft probabiUty of Its ever fucceeding. It had none of thofe advantages on Its fide, which are known to have contributed to the growth and propagation of other doflrines. It contained no foothiiig, no complying te* nets, adapted to the paffions and interefts of thofe among whom it was to make its way. It had no fupport, no encourage- ment, from the civil power : no countenance, no recommendation, from men of learning, eminence, or repute. It had no force, no cunning, to uphold it ; but fliewed Itfelf to the world in the meekeft and mod artlefs manner ; fubmltting its pretences to the ftrift examination of the curious and inqui- fitlve, through all that prying and enlightned age : yet neverthelefs, though utterly defti- tute of thefe advantages ; and prefl'ed with various accidental incumbrances ; it " grew mightily" in a fhort time; " and prevailed," in the compafs of a few years, over the greateft part of the known world. And now, by what poflible means could a re- gion, fo weak and defencelefs in itfelf j a re- ligion, t^z SERMON XXIIt, ligion, focontrary tothe prevailing curromsof the^ world ; and fo vigoroufly oppofed by all . the power and authority of it; be thus propa- gated, embraced^ and eftabliflied ; but by fuch teftimonies and " demonftrations of, the fnirit/* as the firil Chriftians unani-^ » moully affirm to have attended and promoted its proprefs? Thefe indeed afford us a clear.- and complete account of the wonderful chan<^e it made ia the world: and nothins^sf elfe can rationally account for it. If we at- tempt to folve it in a natural way, we (hall foon find, that the courfe of nature never exhibited any thing like it. In all natural tranfaftions, the event is proportionable to the power of the agent. But here, there is no manlier of proportion between the effed and its fuppofed caufe: between the work wrouo'ht and the inftruments which wrought it. So that were we acquainted with no- thing more, than what we read in the former part of the text— that " the Apodks went forth, and preached every where ;" and -wherever they preached made a prodigious number of converts ; we muft neceflarily » conclude, SERMON XXIIL 273 conclude, according to what is moreover aflerted in the latter part of it — that <' tlie Lord worked moft powerfully with them, and confirmed their words with fi^-ns fol- lowing." Had " this counfel or this work been of men*' only, '' it muft have come to nought^." And therefore that it pre- vailed, and wrought the converfion of fa many nations, is entirely owing to the power of God, which operated fo marvel- loufly in its favour. Such an extraordinary change, fuch a general revolution, brought about^ in fo fhort a time, by fuch weak and difproportio'nate inilrumei^ts, is itfelf a miracle, and the g-reateft of miracles : and does ftill as evidently afi'ui'e us, that the' preaching of the apoftles was attended with the manifeftation of diviiie power, as if we had feeri it ourfelves exerted by them, in proof and confirmation of w^hat they preached. How long a time thefe miraculous powers continued in the church, is a queftion that ^ Adsv. 28. Vol- IL T cannot 274 SERMON XXIII. cannot cafily, and needs not Gritically, be determined. Thus muciv however, the na- ture of the thing itfeJf will ibggeft : that^ as miracles were coi:iferred, in order ta evince the truth of the Gofpel ; and to pro- mote its reception, at its firfl: fetting out;; lb were they contniued for as long a time,; Its it ftood in need of fuch credentials. Wheiv the prejudices of mankind began to abate, thefe extraordinary manifeilations, which- were defigned to conquer them, we may well fuppole, abated likewife ; and at length toally ceafed, when Chriftiaijity was tho- roughly eilabl'ilhed. Miracles w^ere then of no farther ufe. For when human learning undertook to difplay the reaibnablenefs of chriflianitv, and to illuftratc the beauties and excellences of its doctrines ; when the civil power came in to its fupport, and honoured the church with its protCvflion and encourage- ment ; thefe were means fufficicntly able of themlelves, without the help and concur- rence of miracles, to vanquifh all the remain- ing oppofition, and to render the Gofpel com- pletely viftorious. Accord- S E R M O jM XXIII. 275 Accordingly, for a century or more, after the acceflion of the civil power, it throve and flouriflied at an exccedino; rate ; and was \\\ a fair way of making wider and farther advances. But its career w\is unhappily flopped. The hikewarmnefs of its profef- fors foon brought it to a ftand ; and their fubfequent ambition, luxury, and difientions caufed it gradually to lofe ground. And what wonder then, if God, in vengeance on the flagrant fins of that degenerate age, fufFered Mahometanifm, with its peftilential train, to make large incroachments on the Chriftian world ; and to tear off at once fe* veral provinces from the profeflion of that Gofpel, which they had fo generally .and fliamefully abufed; and of which they had difcovered themfelves to be no longer Worthy ? This, however, appears to have been evi- dently the defect of men and times, and by 1:10 means the defeclt of the Golpel. The Gofpel had long before (hewed itfelf able to make its way, provided its profeflbrs afled their part, and were careful to difcharge their T 2 duty. 2/6 SERMON XXIII. duty. They difcharged it not. On tlid contrary, they difgraced and viHfied their profeflion by the immoraHty of their lives! and thereby furnifhed the enemies of our Faith with all manner of advantages againflit. Thefe advantages they ftrenuoufly embraced; ;ind brought, in cdnlequence, many countries under grofs darkriefs, which had once en- joyed the pure and clierifhing light of the Gofpel. — An event, though feemingly de- trimental to our religion, yet, doubtlefs, per- mitted for good ends; and probably fervice- able to its intereft at laft. It fcrved as a warning, a feafonable warning, to all other chriflians, not to neglect the pradice of the Gofpel, for fear it fliould be judicially with- drawn from them. It might alfo ferve to divert its courfe from a wavering people, unable " to retain it in the love thereof;" and to make it rebound to other nations, better difpofed to cultivate it with fteadi- nefs, and to " bring forth fruit with pa- tience ^" * Luke VI ii. i -j. Several SERMON XXIII. 277 Several princes, indifcreetly pious, have made attempts to regain the ground, which chriftianity had loft, by the force of their arms; and to replant the Gofpel, in the regions it had left, with the points of their fwordso But alas ! that great work is to be accompliflied, not by fuch holy wars as thefe; but by conflifls of another kind, which we muft maintain with our own cor- rupt habits, and vicious inclinations : not by foreign acquifitions ; but by domeftic viftories over thofe impieties, which at firft flopped the growth, and will ever retard the progrefs, of our holy religion "". When the converfatioii of chriftians is fuch as becometh the purity of the Gofpel ; when they fincerely embrace and approve its doftrines, and confcientioufly endeavour to obey its precepts; when they unanimoufly flrive to adorn their profeflion by good w^orks, and to recommend it to others by their virtuous example ; then may the Gofpel refume itscourfe ; recover the territories it Bp. Attereury, Vol. I. Serm. IV. T3 278 SERMON XXllI. unhappily lofr; and extend its light, in- fluence, and power, to the darkeft and mod diflant regions of the globe : — Then may it go on conquering, and to conquer; ^' till the kingdoms of the world gradually become the kingdom of Chrif!:"; and the earth be overfpread with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the fea°." This the Scripture afiures us will be finally the cafe. And however diftant the period may be, yet are there not wanting fome ftrong prefages, fome lively indicatioris,. 6f its future accefs. The workings of provi- dence manifcflly tend towards it ; and, ia various degrees and methods, are vifibly pre- paring the way for it. Kxtenfive is the pro- grefs, which the Gofpel has already made; and wide are the countries over which it has prevailed. And where it did prevail, it prevailed more completely than any other religion could; which is a plr.in proof of its fuperior excellency. And though it has f^een forced to quit fome places it once pof- •" Rev. xl. i^. f Ifulah xi, 9, fefibd; SERMON XXIir. 279 fefled ; yet did it Jcavc a notable quantity .of ■** good feed" behind it: which, mixing with the other produce of the foil, helped to corr reft and improve It ; and which, by a proper cultivation, and the favour of the heavens, may fpring up hereafter in a plentiful and pure increafe. Nay, lb penetrating and powerful is the influence of the Gofpel, that it has often produced confiderablc^f- fe£ls, and brought about fome remarkable alterations p, even in places where it was never eftablKhed ; nor Indeed formally pro- feffed. In Ihort, it has been always, to ufe our Saviour's comparifon, working, like leaven?, ° This ifi -evident from the improvement it made In the no- -iloTis and fentmenis of thoie heathen morahils, who flourifli^d after its promulgation; fuch as Epictetus, Arrian, Plu- tarch, Max. Tyrius, Mar. A-vto.vi.vus, Hierocle3» •and Seneca. What influence it had on their j^;v«i of devotion may be feen in Dr. Jortin's Difcourfcs on the Chriilian Reli- gion, p, 228, S^c. — To which I fliall add one remarkable in- fiance not mentioned by him. It occurs in Arrian, Hb. ii. cap. vii. and is no lefs than KtJpit, IXE'ryS, KvfUt sAetjo-oi'. Deum hivocantes, ^rciUmur • euntf Domiiie tnifcrerc nojlri, p Matth. xiii. 33. Luke xiii. 20, 21; T 4 in a8o SERMON XXIII. in the mafs of mankind ; affimulating to itfelf, in various degrees, their different principles, difpofitions, and manners. And, to its honour be it fpoken, it always pro- duced the greateft cffccis, among thofe who were mofi highly pohflied ^ In unculti- vated regions it could never thrive : their groffnefs could not comprehend it. This in- deed our two venerable focieties ' have had frequent aud repeated occafions to lament. For their fuccefs in the convcrfion both of the Eaftern and Weflern Indians, was by na means anfwerable, for feveral years, to the endeavours employed therein. But, as the one grew more civil and humane, and tlie other became lefs averfe to our manners and cuftoms, the profpeft brightened upon us ; find the labours of our miffionaries have been equally fruitful, profperous, and comfortable. f Of the ancient Fathers pray obferve how many were phllo- fophev'. * The incorporated fociety " for the propagation of the Gofpel in foreio;n paits^" vi/.. America. And the voluntary fo- ciety ♦♦ for promoting Chrillan knowledge," who maintain fix miilionaries in the Eau Indies; and have a call for moic, were they able to fend them. SERMON XXIII. 281 And, fince it has pleafed God, by advancing our conquefts in both places at once, to open a way for propagating our rehgion more ex- tenfively among them ; what a glorious har- veft might we expect to reap, had we labour- ers fufficient for it! " But, alas! the labour- ers are few:" and we can only '' pray the Lord of the harveft," that he would difpofe the hearts of thofe men efpecially, who draw their wealth from thefe regions, to ftrengthen the hands of our religious focieties ; that they xnay be able to " fend forth more labourers into his harveft*. Then mis^ht we hooe that '' the name of the Lord would become great among the Gentiles; and that in every place a pure offering would be offered unto him, from the rifing of the fun unto the going down of the fame ^'* But let our hopes of the future prevalence of our religion be what they may ; yet ftill it is urged, '' that many large and populous trads lie at prefent in the grofleft darknefs : and, fmce the Gofpel is reprefented to be fb » Matth. Ix. s7, 5^' * Mai. i. II. ' extremely 282 SERMON XXII. extremely neceflary to the Salvation of the world; what is to become of thofe unhappy people, who could never attain to its faving truths?" Tlie anfwer is — They are fecure in the goodnefs of a merciful Creator : who, '• if he gave but little to them, will require in return but little of them ;" and who yet, for the good ufe they make of th^t little, will crown th^m with an happinefs, propor- tioned to their deeds, and equal to the ex- tent of their moral capacities. Inflead therefore of being over-curious, and needleily felicitous about their flate; Jet us rather be careful to (hew a proper con- cern for our own. We confeflTcdly €ujoy fu- perior advantages ; and fhould consequently labour to excel in our improvements. Wc arc favoured with one *' unlpeakable gift," for which wc can never be iutiiciently thank- ful. We have the pure Gofpel of Ghrift in our hands; and that Gofpel proved to be the truth of Cod. As it comes to us then, Sup- ported by the clearef!: atteftations of divi- nity; let us iLceive it with more reverence, and obey it with more diligence, for its having SERMON XXIIL 283 having been ratified, confirmed, and eftab- lifhed, in fo marvellous and unparalleled a manner. Scornfully to rejeft, or indolently to negleft it, is to ruin ourfelves. " For if the word fpoken by angels," if the law of Mofes, " was fledfaft ; and every tranfgreffion and difobedience received a juft recompence of reward ; how fliall we efcape, if we negledt fo great falvation ? which at the firil began to be fpoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him ; God alfo bearing them witnefs, both with figns and wonders, and with diverfe miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghoft-." To which bleffed and glorious Trinity, thus uniting in the fupport and advancement of Chriftianity, be afcribed, as is mofl due, all honour, adoration, and praife, &c. Amen, * Heb. ii. 2—4. ? ER. t ^h ] SERMON XXIV. 2 Cor. iv. 3. If our Go/pel be hid, it is hid to them that are loll. WE have now feeii the nature and defign of thofe manifold difpenfa- tions, which God exercifed towards mankind through the feveral ages of the world. If we confider the importance of this defign. Its neceffity indeed, for the improvement and happinefs of mankind ; we fhall foon perceive, and be fully fatisfied, that it was in no wife unworthy of Almighty God to interpofe, 286 SERMON XXIV. inteipofe, by fuch great and extraordinary afts, for the fuccefs and accomplishment of it. And, if we confider moreover the fuit- ablenefs and propriety of the acls themfelves, and their united tendency to that efFe6l; we ihall find fufEcient reafon to conchide, that they could be the produft of no other agency than his, " who is excellent in counfel, as well as mighty in work," The foundation of this ftupendous fyftem 3S laid, as we have obferved, in the fall of man: and the grand intention of it is, to work out his reftoration and recovery. Now^ as mankind, in confequence of the fall, ftrayed perpetually into wrong paths ; and deviated from time to time into an endlefs variety of deftruftive errours ; fo God made \ife of various methods, as the exigence of the cafe required, to check the progrefs of their perverfenefs and difobcdience ; and to \ynng them back to truth and righteoufnefs. But of all the errours they fell into, that was the grofl'eft, and moft extenfively per- picious, which led them to renounce the true Cjod, and to deify the feveral parts of tht SERMON XXIV. 287 tht univerfe : to pay religious homage and adoration to weak and contemptible crea- tures, indead of worlluping the Almighty Creator ; who alone is worthy of the praife and adoration of men. This fuperftitious worfhip carried them, according to- its na- tural bent, into the commiffion of the vileft and moft deteftable praftices ; which rendered them daily more and more incapable of true and rational happinefs. Now this ftate, fo entirely foreign to alt human felicity, manifeftly required fome j5foper provilion to be made for its ainend- ment, in the reftoration of true religion 5. and the cultivation of better morals : with- out which it was impoffible the world fliould become happy. With this view then, God, in the earlier agesof the world, and through all the times of the Old Teftament, was gracioufly pleafed to make feveral revelations to the fons of men — in order as well to re- inoVe their ignorance, and correft their er-' fo\irs; as to improve their religious and moral principles, and to fupport their hopes of a future and complete redemption. This 28S SERMON XXIV. This chain of revehitions was attended throughout by a correfpondent chain of miracles : which, at the fame time that they confirmed the truth of the feveral dodtrines j confpired hkewife to prove this general, and, as the cafe then ftood, moft neceffary article — that Jehovah, the author of them, was the only great and true God^ the Creator and Governour of the world; and confequently, that He alone was en- titled to the fervice and obedience of men. For this fyftem of miracles, varying, asr we have feen, with every variation of flate and circumftances ; and yet regularly operat- ing to one great and beneficent defign ; ex- hibits as clear a manifeftation of the agency of the Deity, as the fyftem of nature does. Indeed, moft of thofe amazing works, per- formed under the Old Teftament, were fo near akin to the works of the creation, that, by a juft comparifon, they might be known to come from the fame hand ". For who, but th^ author of nature, could vary and ^ Bp. Sherlock, Vol. I. Dlfc. x. p. 2$^- controul S E;^M O N XXIV. 289 Gohtroul the c^iufe of nature in fo furprifing a manner,-, andj/t (J 1q gracious an, end? If the Deift Uierefore, who admits, the world to have been at- fu ft created, and to be^ftill fupported, by the hand of God, will be true to -his principles ; 'he rauft admit hkevvife^ that the Jevvifa .difpenfatioii was at lirft planned, and all •ali)ng conducted, by the fame wife and powerful Being. For, upon what grounds, let me afiv him, does he believe the world to be the workmanOiip of God? Is. it becaufe he obferves fuch traces of-wifdom in the difpoiition of its p^rts. Inch infiances of power in the execution of the whole, as no other Being could e^ert or difplay ? Then, if iOj -is he not bound, by the very fame reafons, to believe the di- vinity of the Old Teflament:? For, if the works of nature are acknowledged to be fufFicient to prove that God is the author of nature;- furely th<^ miracles of the Je\yi(h religion, which are works of fimilar defign, andjifiecls of equal power, muft be acknow-r ledged as fufficicnt to prove God to be the author of that religion. This is a clear and Vol. II. U direa 290 SERMON XXIV. dired conclufion. And this conclufion he can no otherwife evade, than by rejeftuig all the miracles together, as things incredi- ble, falfe, and fiftitious. But the neceffity of them for the accompliftiment of the end defigned; the probability they derive from the circumftances under which they are re- corded ; the general harmony that runs through them ; the conneftion they main- tain with the particular ftate and condition of the times ; and the atteftation of ancient hiftory in their favour ; not^only clear them from all fufpicion of that kind, but unite to eftablifli the truth of their exiftence. , It is an eafy matter to raife cavils, and to urge, perhaps, fome plaufible objections againft the evidence of any thing ; efpe- cially when viewed in a detached light, and coniidered in a disjointed manner. But let the infidel connecV, as believers conned:, all the acknowledged and undoubted fads, relating to the Jewifh oeconomy, together ; and then try to folve or explain them on his own principles ; and he will foon find it far beyond the extent of his abilities, not only SERMON XXIV. 291 only to produce a rational account, confident with the faith of hiftory, how they did hap- pen ; but even to form any conjeftural no- tion, how they could happen, that will not be clogged with infinitely greater and more perplexing difficulties, than he can ever pre- tend to alledge againft the truth of the Scrip- ture narration. The fum of the argument is this — Either the Jewifh occonomy was carried on by the help of thofe miracles, for which we contend ; or its proceeding and gaining its end without them, was the moft amazing miracle of all. And therefore, *' fince the fiilfliood of the Scripture-account would be more miraculous, than the events which it relates;" we may now hope, from our adverfary's own conceffion, that it may venture, if not to '' command," yet at lead to lay its humble claim to, '' his belief or opinion >"/' But be the opinions of men what they will, certain however it is, that the Jewifh difpenfation did take effefl: ; that '' the word y Hume's Eflays, iibl fupra. U 2 of 292 SERMON XXIV. of the Lord, the revehition deUvercd to the children of Ifrael, " did not return to huTi void ; but/' being fuftained and confirmed . by attendant miracles, " accomphflied that which he gracioufly defigned ; and profpcred in the thing whereto he fent it ^.'' For it wrought a marvellous change in the world. It gradually difpelled the darknefs of fuper- ftition ; reformed thofe idolatrous errours and corruptions, which had long infeded his own people ; and, by their converfion, brought many others, out of all nations, to the acknowledgement and fervice of the true God; and to a full expectation of fome heavenly guide *; who fliould improve their underftandings, purify their aftedions, raife them to a nobler and more perfccl ftate, and thereby qualify them for higher hap- pinefs. When the Mofaic ceconomy had thus advanced the reformation of the world, and made men capable of a higher adminlftra- * Kibh Ir. II. * See Note * p. 120. of this volume; and Dr. Clark.e*s Ev. of Pccligion, prop. vii. § 2, tion ; SERMON XXIV. 293 tion ; when it had efledually reclaimed the Jews from idolatry, and fecured their de- pendance on the one fupreme and true God ; when it had imprelTed on their minds fuch rational notions of his nature and provi- dence, as quahtied them to worfhip him after a purer manner; — When '* the light of Ifrael" had reached the Gentiles, and dlfcovered the dimnefs of natural reafon; when it had quickened their defire of farther inftrudlion, and properly prepared them for the reception of it ; then it feems to have been the fitteft time for the promlfed Mefliah to make his appearance. For then the world was in the fitted: fituation to examine the evidence of his divine miffion ; to profit by the inftrudligns he fiiould deliver to them ; and to convey down the whole of his reli- gion to future and diiiant ages. Accordingly, at this feafonable time, Jefus Chrift appeared in the world ; and brought with him *' good tidings of great ]oy, which" belonged equally *' to all peopled" He came to be their Saviour; *» Luke ii. 10. U 3 that 294 SERMON XXIV. that is, to reform and improve their corrupt nature, and to render them capable of enjoy- ing their God. To this end, he eftabhllied fuch a com- plete inftitution of religion, as is not only perfeftive of the former difpenfations ; but alfo conducive to the liighefl: improvement, and the moft exalted happinels, that man- kind can wifli to attain. To animate their endeavours after fucli improvement, this religion, as we have al- ready fhewn, affures them, in the firft place, of the free pardon of their paft tranfgref- fions, on the condition of repentance from fuch evil works, and of faithful obedience for the time to come. To dire6l their obedience in a npht conrfe, it exhibits, in the next place, a moll: perfeft and complete rule of life, adapted to all the circumftances of our ftations, and illuflrated by the conducl of *' that righte- ous Perfon," in whom his enemies could •'find no f^iiilt "^ ; and of whom God * John xviii. 38. openly SERMON XXIV. 295 openly declared, that " in him he was well pleafed^." To ftrengthen the infirmities of man- kind, and raile their powers to the meafure of this rule ; it affures them moreover of the aid and affiftance of the divine fpirit : who is able to fupport them under all trials; and will, with the concurrence of their own endeavours, lend them fafely through this ftate of probation, to that future and more important ftate, in which they are to receive the reward of their deeds. To make them attentive to the fug^ ' geftions of the Spirit, to deter them from the practice of vice and impiety, and to en- gage them in the conftant, fteady purfuit of all virtue and goodnefs ; it farther lays before them the moft powerful and awakening mo- tives, that can ever be propofed to the un- derftanding of men : it opens to their view a clear profpe£l of that future ftate, where <' the wicked fhall be puniflied with everlaft- ^ Matth. xvii. 5, U 4 ing f^ 296 SERMON XXIV. ing deftrudlon, whilft the righteous are crowned with endlels felicity ^" And finally, to prove '' thele do61:rines to be of God,'' and delivered to the world by his authority; they all ftand attefted and confirmed by fuch a train of appofite *' mi- racles, as no man could" poffibly '' perform, except God were with him V* Such is the provlfion which Chrift has made, according to the plain, evangelical account, for the happinefs and falvation of V:,mankind. And, pray, what is there w^ant- ing in this account, to complete his charac- ter, as the promifed Meffiah — the reformer and redeemer of the world ? Was he to make an atonement to God for us? Behold then, " he died for our iins, and rofe again for our jufiification C Was he to fupply us with the neceflary means of falvation r with '' all things pertaining to life and godli- " ncfs ?" Then behold them all expreily revealed, and powerfully enforced, in t!ie *= Matth. >:xv. 46. ^ John iii. 7. t Rom. iv. 25. Gofpcl. SERMON XXIV. 297 Gofpel. Did the nations of the world ftand all in equal need of thefe benefits ? Behold then, he commiffioned his difciples to pro- pofe and communicate them to all nations. And that his difciples might be able to exe- cute and fulfil the commilfion they had re- ceived, behold them endowed with the gift of languages, to qualify them to inftruft the nations. Thus commiffioned, and thus gifted, ^' they went forth, and preached every where ; the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by figns following ^." Here now let us paufe a little — and then aik ourfelves, " what plainer, ftronger, more convincing proofs can we poffibly require in confirmation of this reli2:Ion, than thofe are, which the Gofpel offers r" It is manifeftly fupported by all the internal and external evi- dences that can well be thought on. Its doftrines are not only correfpondent to the neceffities of human nature ; but alfo con- formable to the higheft human reafon ; and ^ Mark xvi. 20. arc 298 SERMON XXIV. are moreover attefted by analogous examples and fenfible demonftratlons. For our Sa- viour (as it now, I hope, fufficiently appears) advanced no dodrines, claimed no powers, but fuch as he openly and repeatedly afcer- tained by adequate inftances and proper il- luftrations. Had the Gofpel required of us to exped: falvation by Jeius Chrift, and given us no reafon to think him equal to the mighty \<^ork, infidels might then have laughed with affurance; and have juftly reproached our faith as credulity. But now their re- proaches be to themfelves. It is our boall:, as it is our happinefs, that '* wc know in whom we have believed ' ;" even in him, " who is able to fave them to the uttermoft, that come unto God by him ^ " — feeing he is the Lord of life and glory ; and is invefled with fovereign power both in heaven and earth, as he made appear by frequent and repeated exertions of it. ' 2 Tim. i. 12. ^ Heb. vii. 2^. Since SERMON XXIV. 299 Since Chrifl then has given us all reafon- able proof, that he was " a teacher come from God :" fince the doftrines he taught appear to be in their own nature divine; worthy of God, and beneficial to man : fince he has confirmed them in every branch by the mo it fui table and appropriate mi- racles : what apology can we make for ourfelves, " if we reje^l fo great," and at the fame time fo well-attefted, ^' a falya- tion?" But perhaps it will be faid, feveral others, as well as Chrifl, have brought revelations into the world ; and have wrought miracles in confirmation of them ; and therefore, that thefe have an equal right to our belief and acceptance, as the Christian revelation has : lince they were all raifed upon the fame ' foundation, and are fupported by the fame credentials. Now, we readily grant, that various re- ligions were formerly introduced into the heathen world under the pretence of reve- lation; and that feveral miracles are faid to have been wrought by the founders of thefe 3 religions. 300 SERMON XXIV. religions. But what then ? Is there any comparifon to be made between thefe reli- gions and the Gofpel of Chrift? View their contents : confidcr their genius and confli- tution : what fignatures of divine wifdom, what marks of divine goodnefs, are there to be difcovered in them ? What correfpon- dence did thev bear with the moral exi2;ences of mankind ? what reference had thev to pure, folid, and rational liappincfs ? Conllder the proofs upon v»'hich they (land: examine the miracles alledged in their favour: how mean, trifling, ridiculous, are mod of them in themfelves ! And how poorly are they all attefted ! And, laftly, confider the fate of thefe religions : how foon did they vanifh, and link into contempt, when the fecular powers that fupported them failed, cr know- ledge and learning advanced in the world ? With what colour of rcafon, then, can any man prefume to fet thefe weak, pre- tended revelations in competition with the Gofpel of Chrift, which made its way in fpite of all oppofing powers ; and has flood the critical examination of ages ? — Yea, and ever SERMON XXIV. 301 ever will ftand it. For, could men be per- iuaded to lay afide their prejudices and paf- fions ; to approach the Scripture with fe- rioufnefs and candour ; and to wxi2:h the merits of the Chriflian caufe with delibera- tion and impartiality; ihere can be no doubt, but they would, to their happinefs, be foon convinced, that the evidence for the trutli of Chriftianity is as full and iatisfa6lory, as the end it propofes is great and defirable. This evidence is likewife fo phiin and ob- vious, that any man, of the moit common abilities, may eafily perceive, and readily comprehend it. And therefore, " if the Gofpel," or the evidence of the Gofpel, " be hid ; it is to them that are loft" — blinded by fome inveterate prejudice or untoward paC- fion, which they are determined to indulge, even to their own ruin. That this is the real ftate of the cafe, evi- dently appears, not only from the general oppojitio7j^ which thefe men make to reU- gion ; but more efpecially f.om thofe^^/r//V^- lar ohjeEl'ions^ which they urge againfl it. They 302 SERMON XXIV. They who extol the fufficiency of reafoii; and cry clown revelation as ufelefs ; are ma- nifeftly lojl to a due fenfe of that weaknefs and ignorance of the human underftanding, which the wifeft heathens loudly deplored ; and which they ardently wifhed might be cleared up by the acceffion of lupericr llo-ht K And fince the Gofpel has brought fuch light into the world ; they who (hut their eyes againil: it, and ftill *' love darknefs rather than light ;" are entirely loji to that proper concern they ought to have for the eilablifliment of truth and righteoufnefs. They who difpute the truth of the Gofpel ; and demand other, and ftill forther, proofs of its divine authority ; are evidently loji to the force and propriety of that found reafoning, whereby it has been repeatedly and conclufively fliewn to carry with it all the evidence, that a divine revelation can be fuppofed to have. ' Cicero, Tufc. Dilp. lib. ill. in principio. Plat. Alolb. li. in fine, Thev SERMON XXIV. 303 They who dwell on fome fancied defefts; and can bring the method and order^ the lan- guage 7Ci\$i Jllle of Scripture, as fo many ob- jedions to its infpiration ; are clearly lojl to the beauties and excellencies of good writ- ing- ; and plainly difcover a want of tafte fully equal to their want of piety. And, finally, they who '' care for none of thefe things ;" but fcornfully rejeft the Gofpel, without either examining its con- tents, or inquiring into its evidence ; are deplorably h-)jl to that juft regard, which every confiderate and rational perfon fliould maintain for his own happinefs. But whether men regard it or not, certain however it is, that God may require them to take notice of fome things, even at their peril ; to fearch diligently into them ; and to confider them thoroughly. The Gofpel is a thing of this kind: for it was delivered under this folemn fandlion. When it was propofed to the Jews, it was propofcd as the effedual means of falvation, provided they embraced and obeyed it. But notwith- flanding the numberlefs and repeated mi- racles, 3C4 SERMON XXIV. racks, that were wrought in confirmation of it before their eyes; yet their prejudices and pafiions fupprefled their convi(Slion ; and kept them flill in a (late of infidelity ; — which ended, according to the threatnings denounced, in the deftruvflion of *' their place and nation." Now their fate fliould be a warning to others^ not to indulge " an evil heart of unbelief," when they have fuch unanfwerable realons to the contrary^ left they fliould unhappily ft\ll uiider that*.-! heavier punifhment, of which this was only the emblem. For the cafe of the Jews was in this refpecl by no means peculiar. The Gofpel was publiflied to the reft of the . world, under the fame alternative* '* He that believeth and is baptized fliall be faved ; but he that believeth not," when he has fufficient grounds for believing, ftall be damned "" " — Ihall be finally " puniflied with everlafting deftruilion from the pre- fence of that Lord," whom he contemned and reviled ; " and from the glory of that power, which he fet at defiance ", *" Markxvl* i6. * 2 ThclV. i. 9. This SERMON XXIV. 305 This let the infidel refledl upon. It is a point of the utmoft importance ; and a point in which he is deeply concerned. However fecnre he may thiiik himfelf at prefent; and whatever degree of raillery and contempt he may now be pleafed to pour out on our religion and its Author ; yet the time is haftning on, when he fhall be forced to contemplate thefe weighty fubjeds w4th other, and different^ refentments. With what trembling aftonifhment will he come forth, in the day when he (hall fee that defpifed Galilean, the meek and holy Jefus; whofe name he has blafphemed, whofe altars he has profaned, and whofe religion and laws he has vilified and traduced; exalted now in the majefty of his kingdofn, and bearing rule over every creature! With ^hat terrour and confufion will he behold him feated on the throne of judgment ; determining the fate, and adjufting the allotments, of the whole human race? What mud his ** fcarch- ings of heart" be, when he {YM fee <« the heavens and the earth pafs away : and every jot and every tittle of that Golpel he de- Vol. II. X fpiied. 3o5 SERMON XXIV. fpifed, confirmed and fulfilled ° !" With what agonies of guilt and defpair muft he and his fraternity approach the offended prefence of the Lord; and fubmit to that terrible feu- tence of their judge! — " Thofe mine ene- mies who would not that I fhould reign over them, bring them out, and flay them before me p." May thefe confiderations awaken unbelt lievers to a due fenfe of their ftate and con* dition ! May they prevail upon them to diveft themfelves of thofe prejudices and paffions, which are not only apt to keep men in ignorance ; but alfo contribute to fuperinduce an hardnefs of heart, and a fatal contempt of God's word! May they effeflually excite them to *' feek out the .truth in the love thereof;" and to yield themfelves up, whenever it is found, to the falutary influence of its diftates! And may they, who embrace ** the truth, as it is in in Jefus*5;'f and are admitted imto the fel- Ibwfhip of Chrift's religion ;" be careful to o Matth. V. i8. Mark xiii. 31. I" Luke xlx. 27. ^ Epef. iv. 21. ^' efchew SERMON XXIV. 307 '^ efchew all thofe things, that are contrary to their profeiTion ; and to follow fuch things, as are agreeable to the fame' !" May they labour to adorn the do6lrine of our Saviour ; and to recommend it to the world by the excellency of their difpofitions, and the amiablenefs of their condud ! And if we make " our light fo to fhine before men ;'* then will they readily perceive, and will- ingly acknowledge, that there is fomething divine, fomething illuftrious and heavenly in it ; and will thence be flrongly prompted to join us in the worfliip of that gracious Being, who favoured his fervants with fuch efficacious means of becoming a holy and a happy people. That this maay finally be our ftate on earth ; and that we may all have reafon to rejoice together in the hope of a glorious immortality in heaven; God, of his infinite mercy, grant, 8cc. yime?h f Colleifl for the 3J S. after Euliof. FINIS. Lattly publllhed, by Dr. OWEN; ar.d fcld by J. and F. RiviNGTON, in Su Paul's Church- Yard, I. OBSERVATIONS O N THE FOUR GOSPELS; Tending, chiefly, To afcertain the Times of their Publica- tion ; and to illuftrate the Form and Manner of their Composition. II. AN ENQUIRY INTO THE PRESENT STATE O F The Septuagint Version of the Old Testament. Lately publifliedj in Three Volumes, 8vo. MISCELLANEA SACRA; CONT A INING An Abstract of the Scriptuke History of the Apostles, in a new Method. With Four CRITICAL ESSAYS: I.: On the Witness of the Holy Spirit. 2. On the Diftinftion between Apostles, Elders, and Brethren. J. On the Time when Paul and Barna- bas became Apostles. 4. On the Apostolical Decree. To which is added, An Essay on the Dispensations of God to Mankind, as revealed in Scripture* Together with A Dissertation on Heb. xii. 22 — 25. Now firft publiflied. A NEW EDITION, with large Additions and Correftions. Sold by J. and F. Rivington, in St. Paul's Church^ Yard; and B. White, in Fleet-Street. Lately Publifhed, in Two Volumes, 8vo. Price Twelve Shillings, THE EVIDENCES of CHRISTIANITY Deduced from Facts and the Testimony of Sense, throughout all Ages of the Church, To the Present Time. In a Series of Discourses preached for the Lecture founded by The Hon. ROBERT BOYLE, Efq. In the Parifti Church of St. James, Weftminfter, In the Years 1766, 1767, 1768. Wherein is fhewn, that, upon the whole, this is not a Decaying, but a Growing Evidence. By WILLIAM WORTHINGTON, D. D. Printed for J. and F. Rivington, in St. Paufs Church-Y^id. • ^-i^ a,^' -f^ttMr -V..V ',-