i-*»;. 't.>. ^ ,:*?. ;=ff ^: ^ •? .= /" " IK .» >■-■; ■ \.'i wTbcokT^ L6493,ii i f , ■ ' c»pyl i 1 ^ '.^^-V ^«WvV HHHi Ir . . ■Jl> ^ vy xy^"r-A-^,^*4 ^t :^; ^^ o I THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, Princeton, N. J. <^^^ >3 3'^' — --''3 ,^^a!F^3^ I Case; Division ^''•^V» Section. /tSu:3.i^ Booh-, ,M^ 'V \^ % • / /p ■ DISCOURSES ON run SIGNS OF THE TIMES- By PFILLIAM LINN, D. D. One of the Ministers of the reformed Dutcji Church, in the City of New-York. NEW -YORK— PRINTED BY THOMAS GREENLEAF. the COPr right 5EC\:red. 1794. Ji HE following Difcourfes zcerebegun in the Aloiit/i of April lajl, Several Circumjtances have concurred to prevent their Appearance be- fore now. They treat ofSubjeds not vfualin the Pulpit, and the Formof Effays would rather have been chofeny had Leifure admitted. They have been corrected in a few Places fmce they zoere delivered, and the whole of the Notes have been added^ The Author never defpaired of the Succefs oj the French Revolution ; and the Eventswhich have taken Place during the S'mnmer, cenfirnif him in the Opinion that civil Liberty will urn- verfally prevail, and that God isprepa/ring the Way for the Introdu[lion* of a glorious Scene upon Earth. No political Sentiments are ad.- iv PREFACE. vanced except thofe xohich feemed to be inti- mately connefied with the Profperity of the Church. Chrijlians, asfuch, ought not to in- terfere icith civil Governrtient ; and civil Go- vcrnment ought not to interfere with them, farther than to afford general ProteElion, The Church and the State wiUflourifi beflivhen both attend wholly to their peculiar Concerns. The Author s principal Viezo is to call the Attention of proJep^ingChriftians in thisCoun-^ try to the Situation in zohich Providence hath placed them; to urge them to correal former Mi/lakes, to lay afde old Pnjiidices, to remove Stuvibling-^blocks out of the Way of Infidelsy and to unite in the Bonds of Love. New- York, September 26, 1794, Dl'^Si^^TRSE I. SIGNS OF THE TIMES. =^5^= MATTHEW xvk 3. -Can ye not discern the Sicns of tha Times ? JL HESE, [Were the words of Jefus Chrift to the Pharifees and Sadducees, when they afked him for a Jign from Heoxen. We find, that the Jews frequently fought this from him'^, and they referred either to fome particuUr fign which they expefted the Meffiah would give, or to fome greater miracle than what he had yet performed. Our Lord, inftead of gratifying their curi- A t6 S I G N S b? of.ty, {howed them^ that they had fufficient evidence of ' his divine miffion, and that if they were as attentive and honeil in obferv- ing this, -as they were -in obferving the figns in nature, they could not fail of a jull con- clufion. When it is evening, ye fay, It zviU be Jair weather ; J or the Jky is red : And in the morning, It cvill be foul iveather to-day ; for the fay is red and loioring, ye hypo- crites ! ye can difoern thefoce oj the Jky ; but can ye not difoern the Jigns of the times ? If as though he had faid, certain figns in the Heaven foretel the ftate of the weather, and you carefully remark them ; why can you not difcern, by the figns which now appear, who I am, and what are the prefent times ? Does not your negligence betray your un- belief and hypocrify ? Are not the prophe- cies fulfilled in me ? Is not my doarine di- vine ? Do not my works witnefs for me, the very works which it was foretold that the Mefiiah fliould perform ? The requeft of the Pharifees and Saddu-,, cces being unreafonable, and made with an THE T I M E S. Y Gvil intention, our Lord feverely reproved them, and directed them to attend to the figns which were plainly to be feen. I pur- pofe, my brethren, to difcufs the words with a peculiar regard to the day in which we now live, and to inquire, what are the figns of thefe times. The difcourfe is intended as introduftory to fome others. Every perfon who reflefts at all, muft fte, that the moft extraordinary events are taking place, and is naturally led to think on their connexion and eonfequence. He who believes in a divine revelation, ponders in his own mind, whether fome of the pro- phecies are not now fulfilling, and the way preparing for the general fpread and fuccefs of the everlafting gofpel. That this is, in^ deed, the cafe, he cannot doubt, in however great darknefs the time and the manner may be involved. Before I mention the figns*, and what they manifefl: at this day, let me make a few obfervations concerning the na- ture and interpretation of the prophecies; S SIGNS OF 1. The fulfilment of the prophecies fe one of the ftrongeft proofs of a divine reve-^ lation. If it can be {hown, thatevents have been foretold, and particularly defcribed in Scripture, many ages before they came to pafs, it is an irrefiltible proof of the truth of the Scripture ; for only God could have forefeen thefe events., and they muft have been predifted by men infpired-of him. The friends of revelation cannot more effec- tually eftdbiifh its authority, than by giving a hiftory of the prophecies, together with the events in which they have been fulfilled. This has been done by biihop Newton, in his excellent dilfertations. So well are infi- dels aware of this, that it has been alledged^ that the prophecies were written after the events ; afuppofition difcovering ignorance and malice, and which events yet to come wilt put to eternal fliame. The evidence from prophecy is continually increafing, and will at laft overpower, with its luftre, all oppofition. THE T I M E S: g 2. It is not neceffary that the prophecies be minutely underftood until they be ful- filled. It is enough that events have been foretold ; and it aafwers every purpofe for confirming revelation.though we be unable, in the mean time^ to interpret them fo ac- curately, and apply them fo certainly, as to remove every difficulty, and elucidate every circumflance. At the completion, thefe will appear clearly,and perhaps men will w^onder,, how they fhould have fa much mifappre- hended them. There is, indeed, a divine wifdom in concealing part, as the agents thus aft freely, and are often found, con- trary to their defigns,taaccomplifhthe will of God. Wh&ne VER, therefore, we are not guid- ed by plain Scripture, we do no more than conjefture. Our bufinefs is not to prophe- cy, but modeflly to interpret what is obvi- oufly revealed. How many learned and pious men have framed interpretations which time has fliown to be entirely erro- neous ! Some have dated the fall of Anti- 20 S I G N S OP thrift fo far back, that the period is elapfed ;, and others carry it fo far forward, that none of us fhall live to fee it. We are fure that the firft were miflaken, and time muftprove or difprove the opinion of the laft. 3. Th ough a prophecy may not be fully underftood until the event come, yet the^ nearer we approach to the event, the more will the prophecy be unfolded. Former miftakes are correfted, new fcenes arife, new wheels in the great wheel of Providence are moved ; and though we cannot, with cer- tainty, fay v/hich will move next, yet we fee more than thofe who lived before us. We profit by their light, and even by their errors, and v/e gain an additional light. None of them forefaw the revolutions which have been in our day ; at leaft, they could have little notion of the way in which God would effe6l his glorious defigns. This leads me to point out the figns of the pre^ fent times. ^HE T I M E S. 11 There are two remarkable ones,of which I ihall take notice, together with their pro- bable fignification, and the duties to which they call us as men, and as profeffing Chrif- tians. L The prevalence of a fenfe of civil Li- berty. We have feen one of the moft pow* erful nations in the world, which, a few years ago, was under an abfolute govern- ment, and loved her flavery, rife, and, with an energy unknown before, break off her inglorious chains. The monarch whom Ihe adored has been humbled in the dufl, and fhe elevates her view to a government free in its princij)les, and equal in its ope* ration. . It is true, that in this revolution there have been afts (hocking to the feelings of human nature, which the enemies of liberty have aggravated, and endeavored to turn to its difadvantage. Thefe were to be expeci- ed from the former flate of the nation, from the treacherous oppofition within, and from r 1^ S I G N S o^ the cruel oppofition of tyrants Vvithouto They are to be fincerely regretted, but are neither juft arguments againft the goodnefs of the caufe, nor evidences that order and freedom v/ill not^ in time, be ellablifhed. To rehearfe, in mournful accents, the fcenes of diftrefs exhibited now in France, and to have no tears to (hed for the former mifery of the nation, and the rueful deeds of ty- ranny throughout the world, betrays a mind extremely difingenuous andbafe. The llvy is red and lowring, but the fun will foon look forth,and fair weather fucceed the foul. After the concuffion of the elements, the air will become more pure, ferene, and balmy. Is not the prevalence of civil Liberty a fign, that this is neceffary, in order to the reign of righteoufnefs and peace ? Where is the nation which loft its civil, and preferv- ed its religious liberty ? Does riot the one always rife or fall with the other ? Has not the power which kings have enjoyed, occa- . fioned continual lealoufies and wars on the 1 . . .. , . . '.' ; V '•. earth ? Has not their ambition, avarice, or THE T I M E S; 13 luxury rendered them oppreflTive to their fubjefts, and dangerous to their neighbcirs? It would feem, then, that the rights of man muft be afferted as preparing the way for the pure and peaceful religion of Chrift. Hitherto Liberty has in general been fuppreffed by tyrants, and confined to fmall corners of the earth ; but now the fpreading : flame baffles their utmoft efforts. The re-' volution in France has produced a combi- nation the moll bold, wicked, and foolilh, that ever exifted in the world ; bold, becaufe it oppofes itfelf to a nation fo determined in principle, and fo abundant in refource ; wicked, becaufe it intermeddles in another's affairs, and is a war againft Liberty ; and foolifli, becaufe it muft be unfuccefsful, dif- grac^ful, and ruinous. The only appear- ance that France might fail in eftablifhing her Liberty, arofe from internal divifions and commotions ; but the combination of foreign powers has given her ftrength and B 14 S I G N S OF vigour. External prefTure has made her in- ternal union the more firm. Who fliall flop the current of the tide ? Who (hall fay to the waves of the fea, peace, be ftill ? And yet they may as foon effeft thefe.as quench the fire of enthufiafm which glows in the breads of more than twenty millions. Nor is this all. The very attempt will haften their own downfall, and make it the more terrible. As a huge flone caft into water violently agitates it, and fuccef- five circles touch the farthefl fliore, fo the convulfion in France will (hake all nations ; revolution will, probably, follow revoluti- on, until all be regenerated; until all learn, that government was inltituted, not for the aggrandizement of a few, but for the ge- neral benefit ; and until they know; that the vic^fl High rulcth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to xohomfoever he mil. To advance* thefe fentiments would, in fome countries, coft me my liberty, or my THE T I M E S. 15 life. Happily, in this country, we can think and a6l for ourfelves. We fmile at tyrants, and defy their rage. You will not, my brethren, judge what is now faid to be improper, when you con- fider the infeparable conneftion between civil and religious Liberty, and that the prevalence of the one is a fign of the intro- duftion of the other ; a fign which you are called at this day to difcern. Behold Li- berty firft fecured in America ! Behold next the mighty ftruggles of France ! and fay, whether thefe are not figns, that it (hall uni- verfally prevail ? The fign of which, IL I fliall take notice, is of an extraor- dinary nature. It is the fpread of deifm, or infidelity. Though there are, no doubt, many in France who profefs the Chriftian religion in confiderable purity, and many who flill adhere to the old fuperllition, yet there appears to be a great and open difa- Yowal of all religion v;hatever. There is i6 S I G N S OF not to be found in their public tranfaclions any acknowledgment of a fuperintending Providence. Not only have they difcard- ed revelation, but, by the mofl certain ac- counts, run into downright atheifm ; and, in this refpeft, exhibit a fpeftacle never feen before."* This is not mentioned as an ar- gument againfl thejuftnefs of their original * Since the above was written, there has been publifh- ed a decree of the National Convention, May 8, contain- ing the following article — ** Article I. The French peo- ple acknowledge the exigence of a Supreme Being, and the immortality of the foul/' This fhows, that though they deny the Chriftian religion, yet they are unwilling to be reputed atheifts ; and that there is more religion among the people of France than her enemies allow. The fentiments of the people, and the reproaches of enem^ies, probably led the Convention to make this declaration. — The decree, however, m,ay be confidered as a bad prece- dent ; for if government once begin to interfere with re- ligious belief, there is no end. This the French ought not, on their own principles, to do, and it is hoped, that they will not. All that any government has to do, is to fecure and prote£l its citizens, leaving every one, in matters of religion, to believe and a<5t according to the li^'ht of their own minds. ■the T I M E S- 17 caufe, or the probability of its final fuccers. They who would thus conitrue it, do not confider, that God often accomplUhes his purpofes by his enemies, and in ways which are incomprehenfible by us. Some conftantly produce this irreligion as a formidable objeSion, who ar6 little bet- ter themfelves. If the Sadducees faid that there was neither angel, nor refurre^lion, nor fpirit\ the Pharifees, under the cloak of fanftity, committed the greatefl villainies. When" we hear of courts faying that their religion is in danger, they mean their hier- archies or ecclefiaftic eftablifhments ; for, as to the pure fpirit of Chriftianity, it is feldom known among them. The nation which they abufe, are no greater infidels than themfelves, fave that they wear no maflc, but openly appear what they are. It is re- markable that our Saviour pointed his fharpell reproofs, and denounced his moft terrible woes againft the Scribes and the Pharifees ; perfons who had corrupted the i8 S I G N S OF word of God by their traditions, and rnade religion fubferve their worldly interells*. * It Is well-known, that fome who cry out againft the French for their irrellgion, are themfelves avowed infi- dels, or fcanduloufly immoral in their lives. In Britain many of the court have been, and now are deifts, v/no comply ■^^ith rites of religion vvhich they do not believe, and which tiffey ridicule. Peihaps the writings of Che f- terfield alone, have done more injwry to the morals of mankind, than the writings of Voltaire, and all the French philofopheis. Thefe words of an author, lately ban 1 Hied to Botany Bay, are not more fevere than true : " The religion of * fome men, like the Sodom apple, is fair without, but * rotten at the core. 1 he ftricleft attention to the cere- * monies of religion is perfectly compatible v>'ith the ^ groireit violation of the duties of morality ; and examples * are not wanting among kings themfelves, who chant * their morning orif-ins to the groans of their people, and * who, with pious profanation, uplift thofe hands to the ' throne of mercy, which are Hill reeking with the blood ' of their fubjects. In one fenfe indeed, the war may be * truly cali';d a war of religion ; for it refembles the Cru- * fades in the madnefs of the principle, and in the cruelty ' of the perfecution." I know nothing of the character of this man [Gerrald] but from his being fent to Botany Bay I fufpeii: him lo be of extraordinary virtue. THE T I IvI E S. 19 At the fame time, my brethren, as we would not juitify any political exceffes in France, fo ftill lefs the daring impiety. The vain imaginations of infidels are to be la- mented and pitied. The frenzy cannot laft long. Scon as the defign for which a wife God hath permitted it, is anfwered, religion will return in primitive purity and power. The old foundation is demolilhing, that a better may be laid. When the zoood, hay, and ^z^<^3/^ which compofed the monflrous ftruc- ture is burnt up, there will appear in ge- nuine Chriftianity what all the furnaces of hell cannot confume,nor all its fmoketarnifh. But, what does this prevalence of infide- lity denote? Is it any fign to profeffing Chriftians ? Is it not a fign that the Chrif- tian religion is loaded with corruptions and abufes; that thefe have prejudiced men againft it, and that therefore a reformation is neceffary ? Let me mention briefly a few things which have greatly promoted infide- lity, and by the correftion of which infide- lity will be weakened and fall. They may be difculfed more fully hereafter. 20 S I G N S OF 1. The want of union among the fol- lowers of Chrift. There are fo many im- proper divifions and diilinclions as greatly to injure the common caufe. Inflead of thefe being healed, they have *been en- couracred; inftead of mutual forbearance and charity, there have been mutual Jlrife and cenforioufnefs. It has been alledged, that the different de- nominations are of real advantage, by watch- ing over and exciting one another. God hath no doubt, over-ruled divifions for good, but this cannot juftify them. We may not do evil that good may come. Union is inculcated frequently and in the ftrongelt terms, by Chrift and his Apoftles. We are under folemn obligation to feek it ; and until we do fo, we do not recommend our profeffion, and remove a great ftumbling- block out of the way of infidels. 2. The additions v/hich have been made to the pure doftrme and wof ftiip of Chrift, and the infifting upon a compliaiiCe with THE T I M E S. 21 them under pain of excommunication. This Bus been peculiarly the cafe in popifh coun- tries, where Chriflianity has become a more intolerable yoke than the ceremonies of the Jewifli law. All churches, indeed, have erred too much in this refpeft, and it is a natural confequence of their divifions. They muft have fomething to diftinguilh them, and if they cannot find it in the word of God, they will invent it. When they unite, thefe things will ceafe ; for they never can unite on the do6lrines of men which are various and difcordant; they muft unite by recurring to the lively oracles of God. 3. Another abufe of Chriftianity, and a principal fource of deifm, is ecclefiaftical eftablifhments ; unholy alKances between the church and the ftate. Thefe have oc- cafioned infidels to fay, that religion w^as devifed by priefts and princes to awe the multitude, and increafe their own power. It is certain, that wherever particular modes of worfhip are eftablifhed by civil authority, C <22 SIGNS OF they are little better than engines of ftate^ and tend to bring religion into contempt. They make hypocrites, and expofe the or- dinances of the gofpel t(^ the moll horrid proftitution. When religion is the road to worldly honours and emoluments, many will be found to afilime the profeffion, and comply with the prelcribed rites, who are unprincipled in heart, and profligate in life. At the reformation, though the authori- ty of the Pope was rejecled, yet ellabliih- ments were continued ; and thus a reforma- tion was made only in part. In fome in- fiances, it was only transferring the power to another, or giving the church a new viii- ble head.* The church needs nothing from * '^ The pnp?.l power was at leaft virtually afTumed by " the protellant princes. The deadly wonnd, which the *' beaft had received in Peter's chair, was healed op in all **the proteftant thrones." — '* Finding their own crowns <* confolidated wiih the mitre, and placed on the head of *' the Reman pontiff, they pulled both from his brow at •*^ once, and, without giving tlicmielves the trouble to fe- THE T I M E S. 23 die flate but proteftion, and gives, in re- turn, good fubjefts, not for wrath, but for coifcience fake. In this country there are ftlU a few advo- cates for ertabhlliments of fome kind ; but the moit rejoice, that there are none, and that the experiment is now making, whether they have not been unneceffary and dan^ gerous. We beheve that religion will flouriih more than ever, and that the old ellablifh- ments in Europe are a great impediment to its progrefs, and a part of the anti-chriftian fyftem."^ '* ver the unfightly mafs, they proceeded to plant it upon '* their own heads." Graham's Review of Ecclefiaftical Eftablifhnients. * This fentiment will be more fully enforced in a fol- lowing difcourfe. It is the fame which is expreffed in thefe words of the preface to the conftitution of the Re- formed Dutch Church — ** Whether the church of ChriH ** will not be more effedually patronized in a civil go- ** vernment, where full freedom of confcience and wor- ** (liip is equally protected and infured to all men, and " where truth is left to vindicate her own fovereign au- 24 SIGNS OF If the things vt^hichhave been mentioned are the means of promoting and ftrengthen- ing infidelity ; if they give a falfe view of Chriftianity, and furnifli with arguments againft it, then it is the duty of Chriftians to reftify thefe abufes ; and the prefent flood of infidelity is a fign, that they fliould no longer delay the good work. Reformation is n^ceflary in the church, as well as in the civil governments of the world. There is reafon to believe, from pro- phecy, that when France fliall have reco- vered her Liberty, and peace has returned, that pure and undefiled religion fliall pre- vail ; that when the xcinter is pajt, and the rain is over and gone, thefuOwersJhaLl appear on the earthy the time cj the Jinging of birds ** thcrity and influence, than where men in power pro- ** mote their favorite denominations by temporal emolu- *' ments and partial difcrimiinations, will now, in Amieri- ** ca, have a fair trial ; and all who know and love the ** truth, will rejoice in the profpefl which fuch a happy ** fituation attords for the triumph of tlie gofpcl, and the ^' reign of peace and Icve."' THE T I M E S. 25 come, and the voice of the turtle be heard in the land. To this purpofe have thefe words been interpreted ; And the fame hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were flain of men f even Ihoufand : and the rer/inant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. By the eaMhquake is underftood a great commotion or revolution in nations ; by the tenth part of the city, is underftood France, which was the tenth kingdom which gave its power to the beaft at Rome ; by its falling, is underftood its withdrawing this power, or ceafing to form a part of the city; men fignify names of men, or men of name ; and hy feven thoufand being fain, is under- ftood the abolition of names or titles, or the deflruftion of thofe who bear them. This interpretation, made long fmce by feveral learned and pious men,* is now remarka- * See Goodwin, Moore, Jurieu, Willifon, Gill, snd others. Whoever reads the expofition of this part of pro- phecy by Goodwin, written 1639, and that by Jiirieu, written 1687, will be furprized to find, notwithflanding 2-5 SIGNS OF biy verifying ; and why may we not hope, that the latter part of the verfe refers to the revival of religion ? The reinnant were af- frighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. The conjecture is plaufible, that the two witneiTes, M^ho are to be killed, and their dead bodies to lie in thcfreet of the great city\ is now fulfilled, by the contempt of all re- gion in France. It is to happen the fame tlieir miftalies in fome fmall circumftances, and the peri- ods which they have fixed, how exaftly it is fulfilling at this day. Thefe words of Jurieii, in giving the charac- ters of Chrid's reign, are very remarkable, v/hen we con- fider v/hat has taken place in France, and feem to def- cribe x\iit true Liberty and Equality — " All thofe vain ti- " tlss, which now ferve for ornament and pride, Ihall then '' be vanqj]ithed. Brotherly love fhall make all men equal; *' not that all diilinaion and all dignities among men fhall *^' ceafe. This kingdom is no anarchy : there fliall be " Tome to govern, and fome to obey. But government ** fhall then be without pride and infolencc» without ty- " ranny, and without violence. Subjects fhall obey their "rulers with in hurc^hk fpirit ; and governors fiiall rule *' their fubjeds with a fpint oi meeknefc and genllencrs.'' THE T I M E S. 27 hour with the great earthquake. Though by the beajl that afcendeth out of the bottomlefs pi^, and which is to overcome and kill the witnelfes, has been generally underftood the tyrannical powder of Rome, yet this power is fo much weakened, that it is not eafy to fee how it fliould perform fuch a work. This beaft may well fignify the fpirit of infidelity that afcendeth out of the bottortilefs pit. T he church of Rome may Itill be faid to kill the witneffes ; for this mfidelity is her natural ofF>pring. 1 he witneffes are to revive cfter three days and an half that is, after three years and an half, or a fhort fpace of time."^ * It is an opinion which has very generally obtained, that the flaying of the witneffes, from the manner in which it is mentioned, and becaufe it is faid to come to pafs 'ivhen they fli all have fiuijhed their tejiimonyj is fomething diflind irom their prophefying in fackcloth, and fignifies a more dreadful perfeciition of the church than has yet been tulfilled. The late Prefident Edvrards, in a treatiie entitled, ** An humble attempt to promote explicit agree- ment and viiible union of God's people in extraordinary prayer for the revival of religion, &c." endeavors to ihow, with his ufual llrength, that the witneiTes were (lain pre- 28 S I G N S OF But thefe, with fome other parts of pro- phecy, may, on fome future occafion, be more fully confidered. At prefent, let me conclude with a few reflections. 1. Let us not be difcouraged at the de- lay of the accomplifhrnent of the promifes of God, or any unfavorable circumftances which appear. One day is with the Lord as vious to the reformation. It is alfo faid, that the \vord>i may be rendered, While they Jhall perform their tefii- mony. The arguments may be feen at large in that valu- able treat ife. But if any flill think, that the prophecy was not then fulfilled, it is applicable to nothing, which at prefent ap- pears, fo much as to the great and public difrefpeft fhown to the Chriftian religion in France. The Rev. Mr. David Auftin, in his *' Downfall of myftical Babylon," gives this likewife as his opinion ; with this addition, that the tu)o iiitficffes may fignify, " The fpirit and the zvord, with their ufual and outward methods of adminiflrution j" and that the prefent decline of religion in the world is the dark period which has been expected, and the time when the witncfTes are flain. At any rate, it is not at all pro- bable, that popery lliall ever recover itrength enough to ^0 what it once did. THE T I M E S. 29 a thouf and years ^ and athoujand years as one day. All will come to pafs in the belt way and time. Out of what we think darknefs and confufion, light and order will arife. Again, Let us, inflead of curioufly in- quiring what are the purpofes of God, or feeking to be wife above what is written, diligently attend to what Providence pointj; out to be our duty. Are we not called, at this day, to courage and zeal in profeffing and defending the truths of the gofpel ? In proportion as impiety grows bold, ought not the followers of Chrifl to appear openly in his caufe ? Ought they not cheerfully to corred abufes, and efpecially to (how, by the fimplicity and holinefs of their lives, that the kingdom of God is not meat and drink ; but righteoufnefs, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghoji ? We know the utmoft flrengtli of the oppofers of revelation, and we may confidently challenge them to the field. Their reign is fliort. We aflc no aid from temporal power, fuperftitious fears, and the D so S I G N S OF prejudices of education; but venture al! on the diflates of the beft reafon, and the re- fult of the moft deliberate difcufiion. Again, Are we not called at this day to earned prayer and fuppHcation to God? Is he not the hearer of prayer, the refuge to which his people in all times refort ? Let us, then, plead with him, that every obfta- cle in the way of the general reception of the gofpel may be removed ; tliat he would deftroy popifli fuperflition, and pagan idola- try ; and that the earth r,iay be full of the knowledge of the. Lord, as the wa,ters cover tlie fea. Lastly, Are v/e not called to acquiefce and rejoice in the divine government ? Is it not wife and juft ? Miferable is the con- dition of the infidel, but that of the behever is full of confolation. With refpeft to his private concerns, he knows that all things Jfi all too rk together for his good ; an d wi t h re f- pefl: to the affairs of nations, he knows that the mojl High docth according to his will in the theTIMES. 31 army of heaven^ and among the inhabitants of the earth ; and none can fay his hand, or fay unto him, What doefi thou ? With what fervor and aflurance may he offer up to his Father in heaven thefe petitions which our Lord hath taught us ! Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven^ I S C O U R S E 11. KINGDOM OF CHRIST. i-^i,^;^: JOHN xvHi. 36. My Kingdom is not of this World, T HIS is part cf that good confejjion v/hich our Lord zoitnejfed before Pontius Pilate. Having been falfely accufed and condemn- ed for blafphemy, by Caiaphas, the high- prieft of the Jews, he was brought to Pilate, at that time governor of Judea, and accufed before him of defigns injurious to the Ro- man government. His accufers determined on putting him to death, and not having the power in their own hands, had recourfe to the fword of the civil magiflrate. They re- K I N G D O M OF C H R I S T. 33 prefented him as one who was difaffefted to the prefent authority, and who fet up pre- tenlions of his own. Our Lord, when quePdoned, acknow- ledged that he was a king, but declared, that his kingdom was of fuch a nature as would not interfere with the rights of C^far, or give him any juft occafion of alarm. My kingdom is not of this worlcL I am not a king in the fenfe which the Jews alledge. I am not fuch a king as they expeft the Meffiah to be. Were this the cafe, my claim would beaflertedby force; my fervants would Jight againft thofe who have now apprehended me, and feek my life. My dominion is wholly feparate and different from that ex- ercifed by the kings of this world. Happy, my brethren, had it been for mankind, had they attended to this declara- tion. Chriftianity would not then have been fo vilely adulterated, it would not have af- fumed fo diftorted an appearance, and it would not have been made the occafion of 34 KINGDOM fo much confufion and blood-fned. Happy will it be for mankind, if, after long experi- ence, they correct their miftake as to the church of Chrift, and no longer attempt to incorporate it with the ftate. The uniting civil and ecclefiaftic power in one perfon, or the blending the Chriilian fyftem with ci- vil government, formed the beajt at Rome ; and, in proportion as the efFefts of this de- cline in the world, we may hope for the exiftence of true liberty and undefiled reli- gion. From what we witnefs in our day, the time cannot be far diflant, when rulers will either learn their folly, and cheerfully confent to a reformation, or when they fliall be compelled to relinquilh their ungodly ufurpation over the confciences of men, N A T I o N A L eftabiifhments of religion were faid, in a late difcourfe, to be a principal fource of the infidelity which is abroad, and the abolition of them was reprefented as an objeft very defirable. Though in this coun- try we have no eftablifhments to lament, yet we cannot be uninterefted in the welfare OF C H R I S T. 35 of the human race ; and the confideration of this fubjefl: will afford us reafon, as to ourfelves, for gratitude and praife. Shall it be faid, that, in afcribing infi- delity in Europe to a certain caufe, aviiiai- cation of it is attempted ? Be allured, that infidels will ever fneer until profefTmg Chru- tians afl: as they ought. They will never be perfuaded, that the Chriftian religion is from- heaven, while mixed with the civil conftitutions of this world. Shall it be faid, that the do6lrine tends to kindle the flames of war ? So far from this, that it removes what has been the great caufes of war in every age, and leads to univerfal peace. There can be no reformation without re- volutions, and revolutions are frequently, through the corrupt pafTions of men, manag- ed with great fiercenefs and heat. Do any mean, that we ought, without refiftance, to fubmit to either civil or ecclefiaflic tyranny ? To this the preacher cannot fubfcribe while he has a breath to drav/, or while the blood flows in his veins. His creed he impofes on 36 KINGDOM no man, let no man impofe his creed on him. Entitled to proteftion from every government to which he demeans himfelf as a good citizen, he is accountable for his religious faith and praftice to Jefus Chrifl alone, who is the King of kings, and Lord of lords. Let us inquire in what refpefts his kingdom is not of this world. It is not of this world in refpeft to its w<^- ture ; in refpeft to it^fubjeEls ; in refpeft to its laws ; in refpeft to the vieaiis of its pro- motion ; and in refpeft to its defign^ extent^ and duration. First, It is not of this world in refpefl to its nature. It is wholly fpiritual. Jefus is, indeed, a king, but his dominion is over the hearts of men, and he claims none of the external power, fplendor, and emolu- ments of an earthly monarch. The Jews, mifmterpreting ancient pro- phecies, expected that the MeiFiah would come in great temporal glorv, deliver the OF C H R I S T. 37 nation from bondage, and exalt it to a ftate of profperity above all others. How general this opinion was, appears from the requeft of the mother of Zebedee's children to Chrift for her two fons ; Grant that thefe my two Jons may fit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left, in thy kingdom. We find, that his difciples afked him, even after his refurreflion. Lord, wilt thou at this time re/lore the kingdom to Ifrael ? Not until after his afcenfion, and the miffion of the Holy Ghoft, were they fully inflrufted in the na- ture of that kingdom which he had erefted. The greater part of the nation were offend- ed at the meannefs of his appearance. To them he had nojorm nor comelinefs; no beauty that theyjliould dejire him; and Chrijl cruci- fied, is, at this day, the great fiumbling- block. Not only have the Jews been miftaken, but thofe who acknowledged Chrift, and received his doftrine, have not duly confi- E 38 KINGDOM dered the fpirituality of his kingdom. Why e!fe have they ftrove to model it like an earthly kingdom ? Why have the church and the ftate been incorporated ? Why has there been the fame head to both, and obe- dience enforced by the fame laws and fanc- tions ? Why has it been attempted to unite thins:s which cannot be united without def- troying their very nature? It was not confi- dered, that the Chriftian church differs from any political affociation whatever. It is a fociety, and, in this general idea, agrees with civil inftitutions, but it is a fociety pe- culiar and diflina. Whenever it is made conformable to a fyftem of civil policy, it is no longer the true church of Chrifl. You •may call it a national church, if you will, but it has loft the diftinguifhing charafter- iftic of the church of Chrift, that is not of this world.*^' ^ ** The cliurcK is a. fociety, wliolly dlftin6l in its priii- '* ciples, laws, and end, from any which men have ever *< inftitutcd for civil piirporc?," Preface to t^e Conflita- tutjon of the Reformed Dutch Church. OF C H R I S T. 3^ Secondly, The kingdom of Chrift is not of this world in refpeft to its fubjeds. All who compofe a nation, are the fubjefts of its government, but the church does not embrace all thefe. Her fubjefts are only thofe who make a credible profeflTion of faith in the doftrines, and obedience to the precepts of Chrift. The real fubjefts, in- deed, are onXy thofe who are united to Chrift, and have been purchafed by his blood. In the fight of the church, however, all are to be accounted fuch, whofe profeffion and praftice are agreeable to the gofpcl. Hence comes the diftinftion of the church vifible and invifible. As- it is the prerogative of God to fearch the heart, we muft be guided by that which is vifible ; and, therefore, we include in the kingdom of Chrift all his pro- felTed followers. Thefe, in the judgment of the church, ar that the *' whole Catholic church Ihoiild believe, that Jefus Chrift " is God fupreme. In the 1-itter part of his reign, it is *^ the fovereign will of the imperial court, that the Ca^ ^' tholic church fliould anathematize her former faith, and ^* curfe -her former creeds. Couacils were fuccefiively " called to gratify the whim of the d.n'.'' Graham, OF C H R I S T. 43 and in another part of the fame ifland, that prefbyterianifm is the only fcriptural and apoftohcal form, and that all others are fpu- rious. Hence what is a virtue in England, is a crime in Scotland, and what is a virtue in Scotland, is a crime in England ; for the infallibility of government has folemnly pronounced epifcopacy and prefbyterianifm to be both true, and bothjalfe. What a ftrik- ing evidence, that religion is fafhioned by earthly powers merely to fuit their own poli- cy, and that their condufl: is unjuft and ty- rannical !^ * '< In England, the national church is built on the <* foundation of the lords and commons, affembled in par- '^ liamcnt ; his majefty the fupreme head, being the chief ^< corner-ftone. Why is epifcopacy the order of the '< church of England ? Is it not becaufe it is thought to " be mofl conducive to the political defigns of goverrt- " ment, in England r If any demur, we afk, why the '* fame Britifh parliament declares it to betbtir fovereign •' will and pleafure, that the national church on the north ** fide of the Tweed fhould be of the prelbytcrian form ? " Why cannot thofe who are ordained by the prefoyUry ** be reputed miniflers of the chartered church in Soutri *' Britain ; and why cannct thcfs \s\\o arc ordained by 44 K I N G D O xM It may be faid, that eftablifliments are ftiH proper, provided that toleration is given to all defcriptions for the free exercife of their religion. Toleration! For what? For the exercife of a right which men never furrendered, and which it is impoffible to take from them. Difnial muft have been the reign of ignorance and fuperftition^wdien it was found neceiTary to introduce this w^ord. To tolerate, implies a power to for- bid. Let the Vv oz-d be forever blotted from the vocabulary of Chriftians. I proceed to fay. Thirdly, That the kingdom of Chrift is not of this world in refpecl to its laxos. The law^s of men can regulate only the out- ward conduft, but thofe of Chrift reach to the thoughts and intents of the heart. The laws of men afleft only the body or eftate, <« the bifliop be erceemedminiflers In the religious depait- '* ment of North Britain P Mud not their office-powers *' in their refpe^iive churches depend wholly on the po- «* litlcal conftitution of the countries in which they oiTi- '* ciate r" Graham. OF C H R I S T. 45 but thofe of Chrift affeft the mind. Befides that civil government is founded on the moral law of God, which is written on the hearts of men, and that the Chriftian reli- gion reveals new truths and enjoins a num- ber of pofitive inftitutions, there is certain- ly the greatefl folly and impiety in forcing by penakies, any fyftem of religious faith and praftice. The underftanding cannot be compelled to believe, nor the.confcience to approve whatever is propofed to it. They mud have evidence, the one to yield its affent, and the other its approbation. The laws of Chrift are no farther com- pulfory than that they recommend them- felves to the confcience of every man in the fight of God. They deter by no bodily pains, and they allure by no worldly great- nefs. Admonition, fufpenfion from mem- berfhip, and excommunication are the means appointed for reclaiming the fro- ward. Penal ftatutes may make conformifts and hypocrites, but cannot make true Chrif- F 46' K I N G D O M tianSj who are a icilling people in a day of divine power. This leads me to fay, In the fourth place/Fhat the kingdom of Chrift is not of this world, in refpeft to the means of its promotion. The propagation, faccefs, and univerfal reception of the gof- pel, do not depend upon any of thofe me- thods by which earthly monarchs fecure and extend their dominions. By far different ways was the Chriflian and the Mahometan religion propagated. Ma- homet fpread his by viftorious armies, and by the fame tyranny are its votaries kept in fubjeSion. The Chriflian religion prevailed by its own excellence and the mighty power of God, though all the kingdoms of the world were combined againil it. Who w^ere the firft preachers of the gofpel ? They were poor, moft of them illiterate, chofen from the lower occupations in life, and un- acquainted with the policy of this world* Inftcad of receiving temporal dignities, they w^ere perfecuted by the powers Vv^hich then OF C H R I S T. 47 were ; inllead of enjoying large benefices, they were often in hunger and cold ; inllead of rolling in fplendor and indolence, they travelled from place to place, publifliing the glad tidings of falvation. W^ preach Ckrijl crucified, fays Paul, that primitive bifnop, unto the Jews a Jlimbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolijlmefs ; but unto them xvhich are called, both Jews and Greeks, Chrijl the power of God and the wifdovi of God, And again. The weapons of our war- fare are not carnal, but mighty through God, to the pulling down of firong holds ; cafling down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth iifelf againft the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Chrijl. For the firft three hundred years did Chrillianity flourifh with- out the fupport of civil governments ; yea, when it was oppofed and perfecuted by them. Not until Conftaniine fucceeded to the Roman Empire, and embraced the Chrillian faith, did earthly powers appear in its favour. 48 KINGDOM When Chriflians in their turn had obtain- ed the fway, it was natural to employ it in a manner which they judged to be for their own advantage. So far as this was done to defend themfelves againfl the encroach- ments of their enemies, it was proper; but to enforce opinions and modes of worfhip by the fword, was fubjefting others to the fame oppreffion and cruelty of which they had fo loudly complained in others toward them. They did not confider that nothing more was neceffary than prote6lion in the enjoyment of their rights, and that to arm the Chriftian religion with the fword, was to degrade and put it on a level with all the falfe religions on the earth. The Pagan and Mahometan fyflems needed this, but as to the kingdom of Chrift, it was ufelefs, and in the iffue proved highly deflruftive. The pious emperor was, no doubt, fully per- fuaded, that he was a nurfing father to the church, when he enriched and dignified its miniflers, undertook to enjoin faith in it^ doQrines, and conformity to its inflitutions, and to deflroy all its oppofers ; but, alas. OF C H R I S T. 04 from his well-meant zeal, fprung afterward the moft grievous corruptions. The dark night of popery gradually came on j and though at the Reformation, the day-flar vi- fited us, yet we have not fmce feen the clear fhining of the fun. In the reign of Conflantine and of the fucceedingChriftian emperors, was matured that mode of government in the church by different orders, after the model of the Roman empire, until one affumed the title of Univerfal Bifhop. Then numerous cere- monies and holydays, and fliowy garments were introduced into the church, with mitres and crofiers ; then priefls began to be fpiritual lords and courtiers, and to fliare in the offices of the (late ; then, in fhort, the beautiful fimplicity of the church, that noble republic was loft^ and degenerated into a fpiritual tyranny. * * " It was in the fourth century that Chriflians fijTt " entertained the idea of allying the profefiion of Chrif- ** tianity with the conflitution of the Roman empire. 50 K I N G D O M The alliance between the church and the ftate. appears to me, my brethren, to be the very foul of antichrift, and though xhtfeat is at Rome, yet the influence has been ex- tended to all Chriftendom. At the Refor- mation the becift was wounded but not killed. ** From that mGment the church's greateft woes take date. '' Thofe furies which had aduated the dragon, during the " heathen perfecuiions, took full poiTeiTion of Chriftians. ** Athanafians and Arians by turns boaft of the alliance." — '* The fourtii century is famous for the birth of antichrill, •^ and incorporations ; but the model of both exlfted before ** that celebrated xra." — '* This Catholic church became as '^ unwieldy as the empire with which fhe was incorporat- '* ed. it therefore became neceiTary to divide and fubdi- " vide her into parts analagous and adjufted to the artifi- ** cial aiviGons of the empire. Thefc partitions accord- " ingto the extent of the territory, and the quality of the **' cities in them, were to be governed by patriarchs, miC- *' tropolitans, bifliops, v/itii other orders of fubfidiary '*" clergy. — And now Chrillianity muft change her attire, " that with dignity flie may fill tlie throne of her difcard- *^ ed rival. Superliition opens all her tinfel treafures. Ig-- ** noraiice erecis lier ebOn throne. The do6irines of ** Chriftianity are adulterated. Its inftitutions are fc- " phinicaied. Ofnces, hitherto unknown in the church ^ arc invented." — Grab am » OF C H R I S T. 51 It dill lives, and lives in the very places where it was fappofed to have been dead. The defcription of the man ofjin^ that he oppofeth ard exalteth himfelf above oM that is called God, or that is -worfnipped ; fo that he as God^Jitteth in the temple of God, Jhevdng himfelf that he is God, is applicable to every one who ufurps the throne of Chrift, as well as to his pretended vicar at Rome. * As we believe then, that antichrift will in due time fall, fo national ellablifhments of * Agreeable to this, are thefe words of Dr. Hopkins, in his " Treatife on the Millennium:" ^' There is no ** reafon to confider the antichriftian fpirit and practices *• to be confined to that which is now called the church ** of Rome. The Proteftant churches have much of an- " tichrift in them, and are far from being wholly reform- '* ed from the corruptions and wickednefs in do6i:rine and ** pradlice, which are found in that which is called Bahy- *' Ion the great J the mother of harlot Sj and ahorntnations <* of the earth. Her influece in promoting delufion and " wickednefs, extends, in fome degree, to all the inhabi- "tantsof the world, and more efpecially the Chriftian ** world. Some churches may be more pure, and may " have proceeded farther in a reformation than others ; ** but none are wholly clear of an antichriftian fpirit, ^< and the fruits of it.'* 52 KINGDOM religion, being a part, muft ceafe, before Jefus can take to him his great power and reign. Be zoife nozv, therefore, ye kings; be inJlruEled ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kifs the fan left he be angry, and ye perifii from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Confent to furrender, what you have fo long unjuftly claimed, and what mankind cannot give you. Proteft all in their rights, and recommend religion by your peaceable and holy lives ; and then will the predi6Hon be iulfilled, that kings f mil be nurfing fathers and their queens nurfing mothers to the church. Once MOREjThekingdomofChriftisnot of this world in refpecl to its defign, extent, and duration. THzdefign of fecular kingdoms is to give temporal fecuriiy and happinefs to men. The defign of Chrilt's kingdom is to illuf- trate the perfe61ions of the eternal God in the falvation of fmners of our race ; to re- cfCHRIST. 53 cover them from their apoflacy, and bring them to complete holinefs and happinefs in a future ftate. The kingdoms of this world are of limit- ed extent, but the kingdom of Chrift is in every place where his gofpel is preached. His people are gathered out of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues. All of whatever place or nation, who acknowledge Jefus, belong to his fociety. They are all baptized into one body, whether they be Jews or Gentiles, whether they be bond or free ; and have been all made to drink into one fpiritm There is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcifoiz nor uncircumcijion, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free ; but Chrifl is all, and in all. Earthly kingdoms are of fhort duration. They rife and fall. Thefafhion of this world paffeth away. But the fpiritual kingdom continueth always the fame. To the dif- penfation of the law fucceeded the brighter G 54 KINGDOM difpenfation of grace ; and to this again will fucceed the infinitely glorious ftate in hea- ven, where the faints will reign with Chrifl for ever and ever. Hear the prophetic ora- cles concerning the extent of his kingdom on this earth ! He Jhall have dominion from fca tofea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. All kings fiall fall down before him : all nations fhallferve him. There was given him dominion and glory, and a kingdom, thai all people, nations, and languages fhould ferve him, '•' This holy empire Ihall iffue in the ul- timate glory ; and though the prefent form of its adminifiration will ceafe when God fhallheall in all, yet the glorified fubjefls of it (hall never die, never bedifunited, nor ever withdraw their allegiance from Jefus Chrift." Such being the defign, extent, and dura- tion of Chrifl's kingdom, it is evidently dif- tinft from any earthly kingdom, and an in- corporation of them appears to be impof- fible. To interweave particular creeds and OF C H R I S T. 55 modes of worfhip with the national confti- tution is to make the church depend on the limited and changeable governments of this world. It is to divide and to diverfify it, to make it anything, and nothing at all. After what has been faid, the arguments in favour of civil eftablifhments of religion, muft appear not worthy of a ferious con- fideration. Did not pride and intereft powerfully plead, their advocates would be alhamed to mention them. Thofe who would refer us to the Jewifh polity for the plan on which to form the Chriftian church, have not properly confidered the peculiar nature and defign of the government infti- tuted by God among the Jews. If it be al- ledged, that without eftablifliments, the mi- nifters of religion will not obtain a fufficient maintenance, I need only fay, that to infure this, there is no neceflity of eftablifaments, which are exclufive and unequal. Where- ever thefe are, we find fome of the officers of the church enjoying large revenues, while the greater part, and perhaps the moft de- 56 KINGDOM ferving, are reduced to live on a fcanty pit- tance. Were this fyflem abolifned, falaries might be more equally apportioned, and without partiality to any particular denomi- nation of Chriftians. Some think that it is the duty of the ftate to make this general and indifcriminate provifion for divine wor- fhip ; but to me it appears moll eligible to leave this matter wholly to be managed by the profeffors of religion.* * Whoever defircs farther information on this fubje£l, will find it fully handled, and all obje61:ions fatisfa6lorily anfwered by the Rev. Mr. William Graham, of Nev;'- caRle, in his *' Revievi^ of Ecclefiaftical Eftablifhments in Europe," a late excellent produ6i:ion. None, in this country, I believe, contend for any efla- blidiment but that which is equal and general. Their ar- guments are founded chiefly on the fupport which civil government receives from religion, on the neceffity of fe- curing to the minifters of the gofpel fuch a maintenance as will encourage men of talents, and giv^ them indepen- dence and rerpe6l:ability, on the danger of the prevalence of infidelity, if the civil power fhould defert religion, and thus government itfclf be undermined. Thefe argum^ents z:t indeed pb.ufible ; but they are all fufficienily anfvvcr- OF C H R I S T. 57 Tnisfubjeft, my bYethren, is truly ferious and important. In this country, as has been faid, we have nothing to fear from an im- proper interference of civil government in matters of religion. Happy Americans ! whofe forefathers fled from the dragon into the wildernefs, and theferpent caft out oj his mouth water as ajloodafter thevi, may God preferve you to the lateft ages, make your country the dwelling of righteoufnefs and peace, an afylum to the perfecuted of all nations !* — But furely we have not di- ed by faying, that the Chriftian religion abundantly prof- pered long before it had any conne6lion with civil govern- ment ; yea, when all the powers on earth fet themfelves in oppofition to it. It made rapid progrefs long after mi- racles ceafed, by its own excellence and the zeal of its teachers. * Every body will fee the force and beauty of the fol- lowing defcription: ** In America, that country which " God and man have concurred to render the blifsful habi- " tation of abundance and of peace, the poor are not " broken down by taxes to fupport the expenfivc trappings ** of royally, or to pamper the luxury of an infolent no- 58 KINGDOM vefted ourfelves of afFeclion for all the reft of the world. We believe in a Catholic church, the communion of faints, and can- not but ardently v/ifh the profperity of the whole body. The fubjecl muft engage our peculiar attention at this day, when we fee the dreadful effeSs flowing from the abufes of Chriftianity. Men will not take pains to examine the purity and fimplicity of this religion as exhibited in the facred oracles ; they only confider it in that form which le- giflatures have given it ; and finding it to be burdened with follies, to be an engine of " bility. No lordly peer tramples down the corn of the " huibandman, no proud prelate wrings from him the *' tythe of his indullry. They have neither chicanery in " ermine, nor hypocrify in lawn. The community is *' not there divided into an opprefTcd peafantry and an ^' overgrown ariftocracy, the one of whom lives by the '* plunder cf the ftate, while the others are compelled to be ** the cbje6is of it. Plenty is the lot of all, fuperfiuity of '* none. An equal and undiiiinguifliing law is the only ** fovercign acknowledged by a free and an united people, ** which as all contribute to make, {q all are inclined to " fupport. The peace of millions cannot there be broken " by the bloody difpofition of one man/' -GerraJd. OF C H R I S T. 59 pride and ambition, and to carry in its bo- fom the dagger of perfecution, they run into open deifm. May we not hope, that the Ihadows are fleeing away before the glorious Sun which is to enlighten all nations ! We deplore the unhappy infidelity in France, but cannot help repeating, that it is the na- tural confequence of a detefled fyflem; the offspring of the great whore thatjitteth upon many waters ; zoith whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication. When her judgment is come, infidelity will perifli by the celeftial arms of the gofpel. Another Luther and another Calvin fliall arife, to carry the banner of the crofs triumphant round the globe. Let me conclude, my brethren, with be- feeching you all, to become willing fubjefts of Chrifl s kingdom. This does not con- fift in attaching yourfelves to a particular denomination in his church, but in yield- ing him the homage of a pure heart. Re- ceive him by faith, as your prophet, prieft. 6o KINGDOM and king. Let your allegiance be fincere and univerfal ; and then (hall he make you more than conquerors over all your enemies, and grant you to fit with him upon his throne. DISCOURSE IIL CORRUPTIONS OF CHRISTIANITY, f^tt:^= COLOSSIANS ii. 8. Beware lest any man spoil you through phi- losophy and VAIN DECEIT, AFTER THE TRA- DITION OF MEN, AFTER THE RUDIMENTS OF THE WORLD, AND NOT AFTER ChRIST. r I ^ JL HE /Vpollle, in this chapter, faithfully warned the believing Coloffians againft a corruption of the doftrines of Chrift, and a departure from fimplicity in his worfliip^ He referred particularly to the Pagan and jewilh fyflems, by which the church was, H 62 CORRUPTIONS at that time, greatly endangered. The con- verts from each, were attached to their pecu- Jiar opinions and ufages, and endeavoured to incorporate them with the Chridian fyf- tem. Though the Apoflle made all due al- lowance foi the prejudices of education, and infifled that a difference m fentiment and praftice, ought to be no caufe of breaking communion among profeflbrs, yet he con- flantly vindicated the purity of the gofpel; declared that the Jewifli rites and ceremo- monies were abolifhed, and thatthofeof the Gentiles were improper and prejudicial. Both thefe are comprehended under the terms philojophy and vain deceit^ (lie tradition of men, and the rudiments of the world. He points out particularly in the following ver- fes, fome of thefe things ; fuch as p^'efcribing certain meats and drinks, obferving holy- days ; and generally, all the commandments and dodrines of mew, whatever comes under the name oiwiU-worfiip, or, as it is expreffsd OF CHRISTIANITY. 63 in the text, was not after Chriji ; that is, had not the fandion of his authority. It is to be lamented, that notwithftanding the frequent injunctions of the apoftle, many in every age have difcovered a difpofition to make innovations in the Chriftian reli- gion, and not only to obferve thefe them- felves, but to enforce them upon others. This has had a moft pernicious eiTeft, by drawling men off from real piety to external fhow or bodily fervice; and by reprefenting Chriflianity in an unfavourable light. To this as well as to civil eftablifhments of religion, which I lately difcufled, are we in part to afcribe the alarming progrefs of in- fidelity in the world. If fo, my brethren,, it is a fubjefl which nearly concerns us. In- fidelity is a fign that fom.ething is wrong in- refpeft to the profeffors of Chriflianity^ They cannot fuccefsfully combat the gianty until they lay afide their forged and heavy armour, and meet him with the fimple wea- pons of the gofpel. 64 CORRUPTIONS I SHALL, firft. give abriefview of the cor- ruptions of the Chriftian religion, and the occafion of them. Secondly, I fliall fhow what ought to be the only rule for the con- du61 of Chrillians, and urge the neceffity of their complying with it. I. As to the corruptions of the Chriftian religion, they began very early. In the days of the apoftles, was the foundation laid of Romifh fuperftition and tyranny. 2 he myf- tery of iniquity, fays Paul, doth already zvork. In the firll three centuries, v/hich are reckon- ed the pureft, many fefts arofe, propogating their peculiar tenets, and numerous ceremo- nies were introduced into public w^orfhip. Auguftine, who lived in the fourth century, complained, that '' the yoke under which *^ the Jews formerly groaned, was more to- *' lerable than that impofed upon Chriftians *^ in his time." The occafion of thefe corruptions was, firi% the different defcriptions of the profef- OF CHRISTIANITY. 63 fors of C hriftianity. They vv^ere colleftcd, as has been faid, from among the Jews and Heathen ; and could not be eafily perfuaded to renounce thofe fentiments and praflices to which they had been long accuftomed. Among each of thefe exifted like wife diffe- rent fefts, which made a ftill greater mix- ture and confufion. The Jews were divid- ed in their opinions and modes of life ; and the Pagan philofophers did not all embrace the fame fyilem. Probably, from that cele- brated fe6l among the Jews, called the Effenes, who affefted folitude, retired from the duties of focial life, were very auftere in their manners, did the church of Rome copy the monaflic life, and in procefs of time, found an amazing number of nunneries, convents, and monafteries. With thefe are naturally connected, celibacy, penance, and a great many fuperflitious rites. With the Jews were introduced the obfervance of cer- tain days ; and the opinion was foon main^ tained, that the Chrifiian prieflhood was come in the room of the Jewifli; and entitled 65 CORRUPTIONS to the like honours and privileges. This opi- nion helped toward the form of their eccle- fiadical government, and was a fource of wealth and power to the clergy."^ On the other hand, the Gentiles contri- buted their (hare of innovations. The)- had their philofophical notions, their feaft days, and their ceremonies of worfliip, which they fought to reconcile w^iih Chriltianity. By mixing falfe philofophy with the pure doc- trines of the gofpel, arofe the famous feft of the GnoRics, of which there were various branches, each holding doflrines contrary to reafon and the fcripture. Hence were . *Mofheim in his ecclefiaftical hiflory fays, '* That in ** confequence of this opinion, the /^//7j.Oj confidercd ihcm- " felves as invefied with a rank and character fimilar to '* thofe of the l/igh-frlejl among the Jews, while the prcf-' <* byters reprefentcd the f riffs, and the deacons, tlic ** Lcvltes. The errors- to which it gave rife were many ; ** and one of its immediate confequcnces was, the erta- *"* blifhing a greater difference between the Chrillian *' paflors and their fieck, than tlie genius of the gofpel ** fcems to admit." OF CHRISTIANITY. 67 occafioned warm difputes conceriting the perfon of our Saviour and the Holy Trinity. Not cont^ented with what was revealed, but intruding into things which they had notfeen, vainly puffed up by their firjhly minds, they advanced the moft ftrange and often the. xnofl contradi6lory doftrines. It Is necefTary, however, to remark here, that the early corruption of Chriftianity, the different fefls and difcordant fentiments of its profefTors, are arguments of no force againft its divine authority. 1 here were a number who zealoufly aflerted the truth ; and even though they differed in many things, yet they were generally united in the great effentials of relicrion. No more is intended C/ than to fhow the occafion of this difference ; that cufloms introduced and tolerated in the church, from the unavoidable circumflan- ces of mankind, were afterwards continued and eflablifhed when wholly improper, and at lafl abufed to the great injury of true re- ligipn. 68 CORRUPTIONS Again, We are to afcribe corruptions in the church to the pious intentions of men. The defire which they had to gain over the Jews, and to recommend the Chriltian reU- gion to the Heathen, made them bear with their peculiarities, and fubmit to a worfliip agreeable to their tafle. Mankind are ex- ceedingly attracted by external appearances, and the worfhip of Chrift was fo plain com- pared wath that of the Jews and Heathen, that ChriPiians were induced to conform to thefe. They faw not v/hat would be the confequence of this conduct ; nor reflefted that it is infinitely fafer and eafier to prevent innovations than afterwards to reform them. To a pious intention are we, no doubt, to afcribe many things in the praftice of Chrif- tians, which have funk into the groffefl fu- perftiiion. Whence has proceeded the infli- tution of feilivals, and of faints days, but from a defire to perpetuate the memory of certain great events, and from a veneration for the apofiles and martyrs? Whence the adoration of the elements in the holy, fup- OF CHRISTIANITY. 69 per? No more, perhaps, was defigned at firft, than to exprefs their great reverence for the ordinance, by kneeling when they received it. Whence the ufe of crucifixes, and the fign of the crofs ? No doubt to keep alive in the mind, the bloody death of our Lord and Saviour. Thefe, with other things which might be mentioned, were foon abuf- ed ; men annexed them as neceffary appen- dages to their worfhip, and placed their whole dependance upon them. How dan- gerous to make the fmallefl addition to the inftitutions of Chrift ! We may think that we are promoting his caufe, while v/c are doing it a real differvice. Again, Many of the corruptions in the church are to be afcribed to priefls, who were filled with an ambition to increafe their own wealth and influence among the people. After the Chriftian religion received the fupport of civil government, and its mi- nifters were raifed to dignity and honour, it rapidly declined from primitive purity. The I 70 CORRUPTIONS Apoille, vvhen fpeaking of the myller}^ of iniquity as working in his day, fays. He zoho now ietteth will let, until he be taken out oj the zvay ; and thenjhall that vjicked he revealed. It is commonly underllood, that what hin- dered the growth of the v/icked one, was . pagan Rome. When this came to be ruled by a Chriilian emperor, was over-run and deltroyed by barbarous nations, and again conquered and formed into a new empire, Antichrift became vigorous, and grev/ up to a monftrous ftature. Form.er errors were then confirmed, new ones were introduced, and ecclefiallics vrere diilinguifhed chiefly by their pride and licentioufnefs. They found ceremonies in worfliip, pageantry in drefs, and flatelinefs in deportment, ufeful to dazzle and keep in fubjeftion an ignorant multitude. Every thing was fplendid and {how^y. Tlieir churches were fuperb and decorated with images. The garments in which the priefls officiated, were variegated and cofdy. The (ervice was a ftrange fuc- cefiion and mixture of ceremonies. No lonfcr was to be difcerned the minifler of the meek and lowly jefus ; no Ion- OF CHRISTIANITY. 71 ger the divine fimplicity of his wordiip. To increafe the revenues of the church, doc- trines were invented, fuch as indulgencies and purgatory, which brought into the cof- fers at Rome immenfe treafures. It may not be improper here to enumerate fome of the articles which were at lad adopted, and are at this day profeiTcd by the church of Rome. They maintain the fu'preme authority and infallibility of the Pope ; the doftrine of purgatory or an intermediate {late of punifhment in the other world, out of which fouls are to be delivered by maffes and prayers; the invocation and worfhip of the virgin Mary and departed faints ; the wor- fhip of images ; they perform prayers and the fervice of God in an unknown tongue, and lock up the fcriptures from the people ; they maintain the doarineoftranfubftantia- tion, withhold the cup from the laity, and affert the repetition of Chrifl's propitiary facrifice; they inculcate that the dueadmi- niftration of the facraments depends on the intention of the minifter who officiates ; they 72 CORRUPTIOxNS fuperadd to the word of God feveral apo- chryphal books, not of divine original, aijd likewife oral tradition; they hold the doc- trines of auricular confeffions, of a bank of merit, and of indulgencies ; they have fifti- tious {lories of miracles and faints ; pilgri- mages, penances, procefTions-— But, enough! The blood runs cold at the mention of thefe things, fo oppohte to fcripture, and infult- ing to the human underflanding. Never could fuch a fyflem have been embraced, had not men been given up to Jlrong delu- fions, that theyjiiould believe a lie. Thou haft permitted it, moft high God, and thou art juft and righteous in all thy ways ! In thine own good time, thou flialt confume that wicked one with thefpirit of thy mouth, and Jhalt dejlroy him with the bnghtnefs of thy com- ing ! Need we now wonder, my brethren, that infidelity (hould prevail in popifii countries? If they exercife their reafon at all, m^uft they not fee that abfurdities and contradifiions cannot come from above ? Was it not to be OF CHRISTIANITY. 73 expefted that the philofophers in France, viewing the Chriftian religion to be the fpiritual tyranny which was there eftablifh- ed, would, when opportunity offered, break it to pieces and ftamp it with their feet? We can eafily conceive that men may be well inftrutted in the arts and fciences, poffefs much worldly wifdom, and be extremely ignorant as to religious principles. They have never given religion a fair examina- tion. They have never feen her in her na- tive beauty, dripped of paint and falfe co- lours. They have feen a fury belch forth imprecations, and carry v/ar and bloodlhed round the world, but not a gentle maid clad in fimple attire, with attractive fmiles, and prefenting to the nations the branch of peace. We conclude then, that it is not fo much religion which they oppofe, as what has been fubftitutcd for it ; or rather, having always feen this religion in connexion with civil power, prefcribing articles of faith and m^des of worfhip under fevere penalties, draining the purfes, and lording it over the confciences of men; and not conceiving that 74 CORRUPTIONS it admits of a reform, and can exifi in an- other condition, they have totally and def- perately rejeded it. While this is faid, let lis remember, that the original rife of infi- delity is to be fought in the blindnefs of the carnal mind, and the depravity of tne car- nal heart; thd.t t/ie 'natural vi'an receiveth not the things of the fpirit of God ; for they are foolflinefs unto hivi ; neither can he^ knoza them, becaifethey arefpiritually a f earned J^^ However extenfive and powerful the effecls of the Reformation vfere, yet a great part of the world continues to be inflaved * An anonymous writer, defcribing the condition of religion in France, fays, very juftly, " Inquiiitive men *' had fearched for truth, and aftonilhed at the monftrous " abfiirditics of tb.e national religion, their minds llarting " from, the extreme of fuperftition, vibrated to the extreme "of fcepticifm. Becaufe they found religion, clothed '' with a garb of fantaftical human artifices, they rejeded *' her as a creature of huiPian invention, pronounced her ** cerem.onics a farce, and derided her votaries." Infidelity is no new thing in Prance ; it has long prevailed ; but of kte, has had a greater opportunity of fhowing itfeif. It prevails in all countries where hierarchies are ellabliflied. OF CHRISTIANITY. 75 hff the tyranny of Rome ; and even in that part which came out from her, and proteil- ed againft her errors, much remains to be corrected. The improper mixture of civil and rehgious concerns which exift in Euro- pean countries, loudly call for amendment, and in too many churches they are far from the original fimplicity of the ChrilMan reli- gion.* — I proceed now. * A chief reafon why foms churches at the Reformr^tlon. did not make greater advances towards purity, was the af- fiftance which thcv received from civil G:overnmcnt. Thcuah in thofe places where kings and princes were the princi- pal promoters of the defiL^n, a change was made in religion with the lead confufion and irregularity, yet the genius of the court intermixed itfclf with, and in fome inftances prevailed over that of the gofpel. Both the government and worfhip of the church were too much adapted to tlie model of the civil conflitutions, and made fubfervient to the vievvrs of princes. This was the cafe in Sweden, Den- mark, and England.. In other places, where the civil . power was employed in crufhing the R.eformatlon, though it was attended with blood and confufion, yet we find more purity of government and fimplicity of worfhip. The Jleformers v/ere for making no accommodation with Anti- chrill J they were for retaining none of her fuperflition ; 76 CORRUPTIONS II. To (how what ought to be the only rule for the conducl of Chriftians, and to urge the neceffity of their complying with it. The only rule ought to be the holy fcrip- ture. Whatever is clearly contained in this, or can be fairly inferred from it, is the uner- ring itandard of faith and pra£iice. To the law and to the teftiinony : if they /peak not according to this zvord, it is becaufe there is no light in them. This was the fundamental principle of the Waldenfes in the twelfth century, for which they fuffered fo much ; it is that in which the reformed churches are agreed, and according to which the Re- formation was conduced. Though a diffe- rence has arifen about the interpretation of fcripture, yet it is that to which they pro- tliey refolved to believe nothing but what the fcripturc taught. This was the cafe in Holland, Switzerland, France, feveral parts of Germany, and in Scotland. Thus, what feemed a difadvantageous, was a moft happy circumilance. The unnatural connection between the church and the flate muH ceafe, before rtligiou become entirely pure. OF CHRISTIANITY. rjrj fefs to appeal, and would they be fatisfied wiih this alone, the moft happy confequen- ces would enfue. What is there befides, ou which we can depend? Shall we have re- courfe to oral tradition? Wefhould remem- ber how feverely our Lord reproved the Pharifees for their traditions, which they held to be of equal authority with the writ- ten law% and thus imie void the coimnind* merits of God, We fhould remember that from traditions have fprung the great cor- ruptions in the Romifli church. In the early ages of the world, when the life of man was lengthened out, and the fame man faw many fucceffive generations, truth could be hand- ed down by tradition ; but when mankind multiplied, and their age became an hand- breadth, the wifdom of God faw meet to in- fpire holy men to commit to writing the things of our everlafting peace. Tradition now, is not only unneceflary, but it is be- come unfafe and impure. K 78 CORRUPTIONS Shall wehave recourfe to the comments of the fathers, and the praftice of the primi- tive church? Thefe are likev/ife iinfafe. At no time can we find a perfecl model. It has been already fhown, that in the apoftolic age, errors crept in, and which the apoftles re* proved. Valuable as the works of the fa- thers are, we muft follow them no farther than they followed Chrifi ; valuable as they are, we have to admire more the purity of the lives of the fathers than the purity of their do61:rine and worfhip. Would we now adopt fome of the opinions of a Tertullian, or an Origen ? Why not ? Eecaufe we be- lieve them to be contrary to the word of God ? 1 his is the fure ftandard by which v/e muft try all things in religion. Of thofe who make additions, God afks v/ith awful authority, Who hath required this at your hands ? If then the written word be acknowleds^ed to be the only rule, where is found the v;ar- rant for many things held facred by foine OF CHRISTIANITY. 79 Froteftant churches ? To inflance, at pre- fent, in the fingle article of holydays, is there any command for the obfervance of them ? May we not infer from the words of the Apoflle to the Galatians, that the obfervance of them is will-worlliip. ) e obfcrve, fays he, days and months, and times, and years. It is a truth, that the year, to fay nothing of the day in which Chrift was born, cannot be fixed with certainty, notwithftanding the deep and laborious refearches of the learn- ed. Is not this an evidence that it never was defigned to be kept as an anniver- fary? It may be objefted to our own church, that (he authorizes the obfervance of cer- tain days ; but whoever reads our conftitu- tion lately publifhed, may be convinced of the calumny. In the article concerning them, are thefe remarkable words ; '' Wiih " regard to feall days, upon which, befides *•' the Lord's day, it has been cuftomary to *' abftain from labour, and toaffemble in the '' church, it is refblved, that we muft be 8o CORRUPTIONS '' contented with the Lord's day alone. The '' iifual ful^efts however, of the birth of *•' Chrift, of his refurreftion, and fending of '' the holy fpirit onay be handled, and the *^ people be admonifhed, that thefe feaft days *' are abjl^fJiLdJ^''' Thefe words, taken from a fynod, held at Dordrecht, and incorporated with our conftitution, maniiefts the pru- dence and piety of our forefathers ; that it was proper to meet prejudices and prevent idlenefs by preaching on thefe days, while the people w^ere informed that the)/ were aboliihed; and that, when circumftances would admit, ought to be wholly neglefted. The impropriety of obferving days of this fort, appears from our having no rule to guide us. We know not where to (lop. If w^e obferve one day, why not another ? Why not Good Friday, or the day of our Lord's crucifixion, as v;ell as the day of his birth and refurreftion ? Thus we nnglit go on * S':e explanatory article, 67. OF CHRISTIANITY. 81 multiplying them, until we made every day in the year a holyday. Befides, the obferv- ance of fuch days is attended with real evil. It will be found in experience toleflen a re- gard for the Lord's day, and to promote fu- perftition. Inflead of preventing, it en- courages idlenefs. People are taken off from their daily bufinefs, and the time which is not fpent in church, is fpent in vifiting, feaft- ing, and other ways pernicious to the per- fons themfelves, and to the fociety at large. Were the church once to pay no attention to them, the people would foon forget to diftinguifli them as days of wandering and diifipation.'^^* * It may be qiieflicned whether the drefs of many of the Clergy, does not call for a reform ? Whether it is not an imitation of the Jewifh and Pagan priefts, and con- trary to the fimplicity of the worlhip inftituted by Chrift? If the miniftry of the gcfpel be committed to men of like paffions with others, v hy not to men of like habit ? Why fhould they ufe a parti' ".lar drefs, when in the performance of their facred office ? " It m::y perhaps be faid," fays Mr. Booth, in his Eifay on Carid's Kingdom, " Clerical ha- 'J bits are indifferent and harir.lejs things, except i^hin 82 CORRUPTIONS In this country, my brethren, v^here there never can be any eftabhiiiment of particular forms, where every thing is open to free dif- cuffion, and no authonry will pafs current but facred writ, corruptions will gradually vanifh, and truth be triumphant. 1 hofe w^ho v^ould encourage divihons and diilinc- tions, will find their truR. Tufpidersweb, The various denominations will approach nearer to one another, having no worldly induce- ments to feparate, and finding no fupport but from the pure oracles of God. We hail the aufpicious day ! External pomp and fplendor are the ftratagems of ambitious '* ihey are impofed. But if fo, the idea of impofition be- " ing excluded, the canonical drefs of a Popifli pried, the ** red hat of a cardinal, and the triple crovv^n of a pontiff, *' may all be juftined : for, in theinfelveSj they are eqiially ^* harmlefs as the gown, the furpUce, or the band." Again, he fay?, " When any minifter thinks of magnifying his *^ office, by pompofity in the pulpit, he betrays his igno- ** ranee relating to the nature of that kingdom in which " he profeiTes to be an officer." I will not difpute about thefe things^ they are not cBcntial ; but a minifter would appear more humble, be niorc dignified, and ufe- fjl \7itli0ut them. Of CHRISTIANITY. 83 kings and priells, but not the profperity of the true church. This, the glorious Head will fecure, by qualifying perfons eminent forholmefs and zeal, and accompanying their labours with his blefling. The exceUen- cy of the power will appear to be of God and not oj men: The revolutions abroad will, we hope, prove fatal to every fpecies of tyranny, and ditfufetrue light into the darkeft regions of the earth. The means indeed are dreadful. The news of blood and carnage fhock the feelings of our nature ; and yet the viftims which have been offered up on the altars of tyranny are ftill more dreadful. In what are called the Crufades, undertaken by Po- piih princes, to recover the land of Paleftine from the Mahometans, it is computed that above two millions of people were deflroy- ed. At the taking of Jerufalem alone, above feventy thoufand Muffelmen were maf- facred, and all the Jews were coUefled in- to one place, and burnt together. In the war againft the Albigenfes^ on account of 84 CORRUPTIONS their religious principles, it is computed that no lefs than one million of them were flain in France alone. At the maffacre of Paris, under Charles IX. on Bartholomew's day, 100,000 Proteftants were butchered in France, in the fpace of one week. In what is called the rebellion in Ireland, under Charles I. 150,000 Proteftants were murder- ed. To tell all the deeds of tyranny, would form a tale moft frightful and horrid. It has ftrewed the earth with the bodies, and crimfoned the ocean with the blood of men. Where are the maffacres of this day to com- pare with thele which have been mention- ed ? And thefe are but a fev/ fpecimens of that wretched fyftem which is upheld by the tears, and the groans, and the blood of millions of human beings. Thefe were not the w^orks of a lawlefs mob, the fury of which is fudden and (hort, but the refult of a deliberate and fixed plan, executed by the powers which then were, fpirituat xvickednejfcs in high places-, and God is now o F C H R I S T I A N I T Y, 85 vifiting the iniquity of tJie fathers upon the children, * It is incumbent upon us, my brethren^ when fuch are the figns of the times, to earnefily contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the faints ; to conform ourfelves, and to pray that others may be conformed to the pure doSrines of Lnrift ; and that every objeftion to his holy religion may be removed. Let us efpecially pray, that God would pour outhisfpiritto the re- vival of his people, and the converfion of L * Who does not dlfcern the hand of Providence in re- markably avenging the malTacre of Bartholomew's day, and the revocation of the edi6l ofNantz? In brintjing fearful deftrudion on thofe very places where once blood- thirftyperfecutors drank the bloodof the faints ? " Lyons," fays one, " is recorded in early hiftory, as the fpot where " a company of martyrs glorified God. Lyons is now " devoted, and its name crafed from the memory of man, «* Paris once ftreamed with the blood of the Hugonots^: « Paris hath fmce been dyed with the (laughter of that «' court and clergy, which inftigated the unutterable *^ deed." ^ 86 CORRUPTIONS finners ; that the power of Chriftianity may be feh by all men ; and deftruftive wars ceafe unto the ends of the earth. O ! when fhall mankind learn their true interefl ! When (hall they live together as brethren of the fame family, and embrace as expeftants of the fame falvation ! When (hall that pro- mife be fulfilled, that the wo If JhaLl dwell with the lamb, and the leopard Jhall lie down with th kid; and the calf, and the young lion, and the failing together, and a little child Jliall lead them! Fulfil it, moft merciful God, for thy Son jefus Chrift^s fake. Amen. DISCOURSE IV. ESSENTIALS of RELIGION. I. JOHN V. I. Whosoever eelieveth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God. XT is evident from facred hiftory, that the confeffion required of the firft converts to Chriftianity, was very brief and comprehen- five. To profefs their belief, that Jefus was the only Redeemer of the world, was reckon- ed an evidence of their fmcerity, and gave them a right to the privileges of the church. Such a profeffion is declared by the Apoftle 88 ESSENTIALS John to be the great teft of the Chrifiian character. Whofoever believeth that Jejiis is the Chnjl ; that is, whofoever acknowled- ges his unfeigned belief that Jefus is the MefTiah, the perfon ordained and fent to fave finners, is born of God ; that is, bears his image, and is entitled to his favour. This phrafe is ufed in three other parts of this epiille, and in all of them fignifies no lefs than a fpiritual change, and that rela- tion which believers Hand in to God. See the 3d chapter and 9th verfe; Whofoever is horn of God doth not commit Jin, The 4th chapter and 7th verfe ; Every one that loveth is born oj God, 1 he 5th chapter and 4th verfe ; Whatfoevtr is born oj God overcovieth the world. The Apoflle mentions in thefe places, the fruits which flow from a faving change effefted by God, and exprefifed by being born of him ; and in the text, faith in Jefus as the Chrift, or appointed Saviour, is afferted to be an evidence of the fame bleffed change. It will be fhown, in the proper place, what is nriplied in this faith. OF RELIGION. 8g If wc attend likewife to the declarations of faith which are recorded, we will find that they principally embraced this great truth, that Jefiis was commiffionedby God for the falvation of men. The words of Nathanael were. Rabbi, thou art the Son o; God ; thou art the King of Ifrad. I beUcve, laid Martha, that thou art the Chrifi, the Son oj God, which Jh.ould come into the world. The confeffion of Peter, which Jefus commended, and upon which he hath built his church was. Thou art the Chnjl, the Son of the Living God. Agreeable to this, are thefe words of the Apollle Paul : If thou f halt confefs with thy mouth the Lord Jefus, and fialt believe in thine heart, that God hath rafed him from the dead, thou fhalt be faved. Nothing more than a confellion of this kind, was required of perfons at their admiflion into the church.* * *< In the earlieft times of the church," fays Mofheim, in his Ecclefiaftical Hitlory, "all who proteived firmly « to believe that Jefus was the only Redeemer ©♦'the world, "and v/ho, in confequence of this profefHon, promifed to ** live in a manner conformable to the puruy of his holy 90 ESSENTIALS On the remarkable day of Pentecoft, when three thoufand fouls were added, we are informed, that they that gladly received his word were baptized. What was his word? His fermon turned on this fmgle point, to prove that Jefus whom ihey had crucified, was the Meffiah foretold by the prophets, and that God had raifed him from the dead. This was what he urged them to believe, and upon the profeffion of which they were baptized. It was on this point that Philip inflructed the Ethiopian, li^ preached unto him Jefus ; and w^hen the Ethiopian defired to be baptized, Philip /aid, If thou believejt zoith all thine heart, thou mayejL And he anfwercd and f aid, I believe that Jefus Chrijl is the Son of God. Upon this he was bap- tized. What was the anfwer of Paul and Silas to the anxious queiiion of the jailor. Sirs, what muf I do to befived? They faid^ <' religion, were immediately received among the difciples '^ofChrift. This was all the preparation for baptifm " then required ; and a more accurate inftrudion in the "doctrines of Chriflianity was to be adminiftred to them *' after their receiving; that racrauncnt." OF RELIGION. gt believe on the Lord Jefus Chrijl^ and thou Jhalt be faved, and thy houfe. He believed, and was baptized, he and all hisjtraightway. It appears, my brethren, from thefe fafts, that in the earliefl times of the church, the confeffion of faith was fliort, and chiefly con- fined to an acknowledgment that Jefus was a divine perfon who came from God, to teach and to fave fmners. This acknow- ledgment, was the flrongefl: evidence of fin- cerity, when we confider the prejudices of both Jews and Gentiles, and the dreadful perfecutions to which the followers ofChrift were expofed. Afterwards, w^hen Chrif- tianity became more general, and its pro- feflbrs enjoyed peace, when different fe6is arofe and errors crept in, the church found it neceffary to be more particular and ex- plicit in the confeffion of her members. For a long time, however, the articles of faith were few. What is called the Apoflles creed was once generally confidered as a produc- tion of the Apoftles. It is now thought, upon better examination, to have been com^ 92 ESSENTIALS pofed later, and not all at once ; but to have been gradually increafed according to the exigencies and circumftances of the church. It is, perhaps, the beft creed ex- tant in the world ; fufficiently long to com- prife the effential truths of religion ; and fo fliort as not to introduce fubjefts of doubt- ful difputation. Though the church has a rigrht to de- clare the fenfe in which (lie underftands holy fcripture, and the moft beneficial effects have flowed from human compilations of doftrines, confeflions and creeds, yet it is not to be denied that thefe have been car- ried to an extreme, and been the means of corruption and abufe. The abufe has been the great reafon why it is become fafliion- able to decry them ; and though the abufe of a thing will never be an argument that it is not good in itfelf, yet certainly, it is a powerful reafon for Chriftians to correft whatever is amifs. OF RELIGION. 93 Public creeds or confeffions, having been fo much abufed, are oppofed by fome from the purell motives. The arguments which they advance are, indeed, very fpecious. The two ftrongeft are, that human compo^ fures of this fort, derogate from the fuihcien- cy and plainnefs of fcripture; and that to require an unreferved affent to them is an arbitrary invafion of private judgment* Thefe may be fhortly anfwered by faying, that confedions are not intended as a fublli- tute for fcripture, but only as declarations of the fenfe in which it is to be underftood ; and that every fociety has an undoubted right to demand of its members an explicit declaration of tl^^ir faith. Thofe who re- fufe to comply, cannot with reafon complain of any impofition, being at liberty to with- draw and conneft themfelves elfewhere. It is certainly more reafonable that the will of the fociety prevail, than the will of an in- dividual, or of a few who choofe to diffent.* M * This matter is juftiy ftated in the <^ Preface to ths <•< Contlitution of the P.eforraeti Dutch Church.'* 94 ESSENTIALS One great defign of confeffions in the churches, is to give a fair account of the doftrines which they maintain. This was *' Wherever fuch explanations conftitute a bond *' ot union wholly voluntary, and unattended with *^ civil emoluments or penalties, they cannot be confider- '' ed as an infringement upon the equal liberties of others, ** or as fixincT boundaries and terms of communion ini- "' mical to Chridian charity. The unerring word of '■^ God remaining the only ftandard of the faith and wor- ^* fhip of his people, they can never incur the charge of ** prefumption, in openly declaring what to them appears "to be the mind and will of their divine Lord and ^' Mailer. See farther Mr. Graham, in his " Review," &c. *^ Articles of faith are not intended to give an account of ** what the fpirit oi Goi\ fays. He hath done this him- ** felf in the fcriptures. But they are defigned to ajcertain " what a fociety believes to be the meaning of what God *' hath already faid, many ages ago. Some may probably '^'exclaim — Is any church infallible? Is the creed of any ** fallible fociety to be reckoned a ftandard of truth ? V/e "* anfwer, — No ! The Bible, the Bible alone is the reli- '' gion of Proteftants— of Chriitians ! Yet the public con- ** feiTion of any church is the public ftandard to her own '* members, of that Jenje in which (he underdands the «* fcriptures." OF RELIGION. 95 efpecially neceffary in the firft ages of Chrif- tianity, and after the Reformation. It pre- vented the doftrines from being mifrepre- fented and calumniated. Confeflions tend alfo to fhow how far all churches are agreed, to ftrengthen one another, and to promote a profitable correfpondence between them. They are, befides, fubfervient to the mainte- nance of purity, and are ufeful compen- diums or furamaries of the Chriftian faith, by the means of which the young and the ignorant are the more readily inftrufted. It is not therefore the ufe, but the abufe of creeds which needs correftion. The principal abufes of creeds appear to be thefe ; the arming them with force by incorporations ; and the extending them fo as to include articles unfcriptural, or non- effential. In either of thefe cafes they admit of but a lame defence. In the firft, they are miferably perverted, become merely po- litical engines, and infringe the rights of confcience. They are no longer true deck- q6 essentials rationsof the faith of the church."^ Again, by extending her articles too far, the church excludes from her communion thofe whom file ought to receive. This laft is an abufe which may exift where there are no incorpo- laticns. has not been fufficientlv attended to, but which requires our ferious confidera- tion. The elTential doClrines of religion are comparatively few. The only difficulty is * *^ Some chcrches»might be named, whofe incorpo- *^ rated articles are ftriflly Calvinian : yet the man who *' v.xuld fay, that either the body of the laity, or even the *^ majority of the public teachers are Calvinifts, ViOuId *^ expofe himfeif to general laughter. Had the apologies ^' and creeds of the ancient churches, or of the reformed *' churches at the asra of the Reform.ation, been as far ^^ from exprefhng tlieir real religious principles, they '^ would have been defervedly treated as nefts of prevarica- '' tion and hypocrify." «* Should a Chriftian of Ge- " neva read the doctrinal articles of the church of Ene- ** land, and compare them with the modern fermiOns of the <' bifliops, and the greater part of ecclefiaflics in that *' church, would he not be tempted to form^ fentim.ents " very difadvantageous to their honedy and uprightnefs?'* ■ Craham» OF RELIGION. 97 to determine what they are; and yet until tbi.«. be done, Chriftians cannot have per- fect communion together. 1 he additions wl ich have been unwarrantably made to the doclrines and worfliip of Chrift, and wh ch have been fupported by civil efta- bliiriments, hinder Chriftians from coming to an underftanding on this head ; and un- lefs thefe be removed,union and communion in the church are hardly to be expefted. Unfhackled as we are in this favored chme, it becomes us to return to firil principles, and feek direSion of the fountain of all wif- dom. By the efientials of religion are to be un- derftood, thofe things which are neceflary to be believed and praftifed in order to fal- vation; thofe things without which a per- fon cannot be faved. — Let me remark here, that a perfon may believe a number of doc- trines, and comply with certain modes of worfhip, v/hile at the fametime, he does not hold them to be the efientials of falvation. If he dods, then he muft exclude every one 98 ESSENTIALS who does not believe and praQife exaftly as he does. You and I, my brethren, have received a certain fyllem, we are verily con- vinced, that it is founded upon the unerring word of God, we teach it to our children, and are ready to give a reafon of our faith to all men ; but this is totally different from maintaining our faith and praftice in all their parts, to be the only road to heaven. No man of lefs pride and arrogance than the Pope himfelf will pretend to this.* There are only thefe three ways which occur to me, by which we can judge what are the cffentials of religion : * Every perfon who is acquainted with the Author^ knows that he profeiTes to believe thofe doctrines called Calviniftic. He was inftrufted in them when a child ; heftudiedthem in riper years, under the moil approved mafters ; he has maintained them in the pulpit, and from the prefs. But he would rfckon himfelf to be indeed def- titute of a Calvinifiic fpirit, and to have received the grace of God in vain, did he fet up his faith as the flandard of all others, and rallily condemn thofe who cannot be- lieve precifily as he does.— Ye wlio are of a different pcr- iuafion, let one v.-hom)'e deem of the/? r/t7(?/^y the union of the AfTociatc and Reformed Pefbyteries under the name of ** The AlTociate ** Reformed Synod ;" to the union of the Prefbyterian Churches and the Congregational Churches in Connedi- cut \ and to the brotherly corrcfpondence between the Prclbyterian, Scotch Prefbyterian, and Reformed Dutch churches ; of all which, fee more in the Appendix. THE CHURCH. 135 more than the dream of a few not thorough- ly awaked out of their fleep? * It is to be confeffed, that obflacles in the way of union Ilill remain, principally arifing from the millakes, prejudices, and interells of men ; but thefe will he deftroyed by in- creafing bght, and efpecially by the pre- valence of the power of religion, whenever * Wc fee verified in this country, thefe words of Mn Graham, in his " Review," 5cc. ** Take away from the <* diocefan bifhop, all that incorporations give him, — his " title, his extravagant revenue, his fecular authority, and ** his confequence as a peer ot the realm, none of all " which the Chriftian religion gives him ; and he will be ** left fo naked, fo like one of his own Prefbyters, that " even the moft fnarling advocate for parity will not bark '^ at him. It is civil authority only which befiows upon " him all that raifes him above the Apoflolical Bifhop, <* whom Paul alfo calls by the lefs dignified title of Pref- ** bytcr."-— The grcateft difficulty as to a connc(51ion be- tween Epifcopalians and Prefbyterians, appears to be a re- maining prejudice with a few on one fide, about the mode of ordination. The Prefbyterians are liberal on this fub- je(^; an inPiance of which they gave, by admitting into their pulpits that extraordinary and eminently ufeful man^ the Reverend Mr. Georee White field. 236 U N I T Y OF it fhall pleafe God to pour out his Spirit up- on us. It is time now to anfwer fome of the objeflions v/hich are broijght againll an union of different defcriptions of profelTing Chriflians. 1, It is faid, that fpecial advantages re- fult from their divifions ; fuch as, that they watch over one another, and provoke one another to greater zeal and fidelity in the propagation and prefervation of the truth. 'I his objeftion proceeds on the fuppofition that difunion is no fin, and is not forbidden in the word of God ; for, if it be a fin, no advantages which Providence is pleafed to bring out of it, can juflify it. But I have enaeavoured to fhow, that it is defiruftive of the unity of the church, and forbidden by the divine command. Befides, thofe who make this objection ought to put in the ba- lance with the pretended good, the evils which enfue. They ought to weigh the triumph which the (eparations of Chriflians give infidels, the cojitrafted and uncharitable notions v/hich they beget among profefTors THE C H U R C H. 137 themfelves, and the bitteruefs, wrath, envy- ings, and flrife which they occafion. Let it be added, that the advantages which are mentioned, can all be better enfured by a ftate of union: There will be the fame watchful care, and drift attention to truth among the members of the church. There ever will be redrefs for herefy and imm.oral praftice before the proper judicatories, un- lefs we can fuppofe that Chrift fliall be with- out witncfTes in the world. There will be greater certainty for the prefervation of purity in the whole body by union ; for if the pure feparate, what is to become of the impure? They will be as fait zvkzchkas loft its favour and is good for nothivg, but to be cafl out, and to be troddxn under foot cf men.^ * " Dr. Hopkins, in his Trcatifc on ti- Millennium, fpeaking of the opinion, '' that difference in religious fen- *' timents and modes of worfhip, is attended ^^ith no in- ** convenience, but is rather defirablc, and advantageous ; ^* and that all the union required, or that can take place, " is that of kind aifed'^ion, love and charity," fiiyr, *' Such ^* fcntiinents ::s thefe are not agreeable to reafc n or fcrin- 158 U N I T Y or O Another objeftion to union is, that it is imprafticable, becauie of the variety „of opinions and culioms among the feveral de- nominations. To invahdate this, it has been {liOWUy that uniformity is not neceffary. Hardly two perfons can be found in the world, who are agreed in every point of re- ligion. There is indeed frequently fuch a diiagreemenc as to render communion im- ^^ ture." Hs thinks, that in the Millennium, '* there will ^^ be a great and general union in the belief and pracflice " oi the truth ;" that men will " be united in fentiments ^' and praclice, fo as to form a beautiful, happy union *' and harmony; which will put an end to the variety and " oppofition of opinions and practices which now divide " profefTmg Chriiiians into fo many feels, parties, and *' denominations." So far as he means that they will be united in great and leading truths, live in harmony and com.munion together, he is undoubtedly right ; but whe- ther there will be entire uniformity, is a queflicn. In my opinion, it is not neceffary. There will be different capa- cities and different degrees of light then as well as now ; but, when under the povvcrful influence of the Spirit, there "tvill be mutual forbearance ; they will inquire and be taught ; whereunto they have already attained, they will w?ik by the fame rule, thev will mind the fame thins:. THE CHURCH. 139 poffible ; for inflance, when perfons differ in articles which they fuppofe to be funda- mental or neceffary to falvation. There is again fuch a difagreement in important doftrines and external forms of worfliip, as to render an union in the fame fociety improper, while there may be fome general intercourfe eilabliflied, and occafional com- munion admitted. But wnth refpefi: to all thofe, whofe differences are of lefs mom.ent, though they may be exceedingly various, yet there is nothing to hinder them from be- coming full and constant members oF the fame church. We can conceive likewife of a bond of union, and each denomination re- main at the fame time diilinft. A perfeft union even among thofe moft nearly agreed, is what no one w^ould think, in the prefent ftate of things, either advifeable, orpoiTible, There is a middle way between a total coa- lition, and a total feparation. — The famous Synod of Dort was compofed of divines not only from the United Provinces, but alfo^ from England, Scotland, the States of Bran- denburgh^ Switzerland, Geneva, the Pali- 140 U N I T Y o i tinate, Bremen and Embden. How vener- able the council! How beneficial their pro- ceedings ! Jefus the head of the church, ap- proved their deiigns, and fuccecded their la- bours. — Let me repeat, that a perfect union or incorporation, is wdiat no vrife man would think either practicable or necelfary ; but that one might be formed, and tlie peculia- rities of every denomination be preferved inviolate. This is fubmitted as my opinion; and if condemned by wifer and more ex- perienced, men, let it be charitably called an error of the head, and not of the heart. Let the righteous Jviite me, li^Pialt be a kind- ncfs ; and let him reprove vie, it fhall be an ex- cellent oil, zoJdcIi fliall not break riy head. I plead in my juftincation the opinion of the good and the wife who have always lament- ed the divifions of Chriflians, and at diffe- rcnttimes ufed their moft Ilrenuous exertions to heal them. Attempts v^ere made at the Reformation, and attempts liave been miade fincc, but tiicy v/ere made againft frrincipa- titles andpG-coers. and therefore, proved un- fsiccefsuil. THE CHURCH. 141 It is difficult to fay, how far union ought to be extended, or what ought to be the pre- cife form of it ; but there can be no hefita- tion to fay, that a much nearer union among feveral denominations in this country, than now exifts, is defirable and attainable ; and will, probably, in due time, be effefted. We may judge of the form by precedents before us; and it is not vain to think of fome bond of union between churches ftill more unlike to one another.* S * The correfpondence between the Dutch Reformed, the Aflbciate Reformed, and the Prefbyterian Synods, be- gan in 1785, and was continued until 1790. The plan was firft propofed by fome of the minifters of the Dutch church. Delegates from each of thefe Synods met annual- ly in Convention, which pofTefled only powers ofcoun- fel and advice. Here was a bond of union. The reafon of a failure was, perhaps, becaufe the bond was not the mod proper ; at lead:, I am unwilling to afcribe it to any other thing. The Reverend Dr. John Mafon,than whom few men had a more accurate judgment, and a more honeft heart, was defirous of the continuance of the correfpond- ence, and hoped that much good would refult from it. I \Yi\\ be excufed here, in paying a fraall refpedt to theme- 142 UNITY OF There has been a federal union of the flates in civil government, and why not like- wile of the churches ? The time is expefled when nations will learn war no more, and why not a time when all the members of Ch rifts church throughout the world, fhall embrace in love? America has been the lirft in eftablifhing civil liberty, may we not hope that flie fhall be the firft in difarming mory of a man, who was my neighbour and my friend, whom I knew too late, and of whofe value I was hardly ienfible, until I experienced his lofs. Tin6lurcd at firft with a few European prejudices, they foon vanifhed in the American clime, and his excellent underflanding ripened and mellowed into Chriftian forbearance and liberality. He had prudence without cunning, cheerfulnefs without levity, dignity without pride, friendfliip without ceremony, charity without undue latitude, and religion without often- tation. He refts in peace, far beyond the cenfure or the npplaufe of mortals. Difappointed in the profpe6t of an union between the denominations mentioned, he is gone to join the general affembly and church of the firft born, where all is harmony and love. The congregation which he ferved have cre6led a handfome monument to his me- mor}', but the moft honorable monument, is the place he holds in their hearts, and the lafting efteem of ail who knev/ him. THE C H U R C H. 143 infidels, by exhibiting Chriflianity pure and undefiled to the view of men. Greater op- portunities are afforded to us, than to any other nation, and let it be faid with the ut- moft ferioufnefs, that if we improve them not, God may contend with us. We have fuffered already by his judgments, and it be* comes us to inquire into the caufe of them. To me, it has appeared that one caufe of the divine anger, is the want of a difpofition to union; and that to this may be afcribed the withholding of divine influences in the adminiftration of ordinances. Our peculiar circumftances call for a peculiar condu6l. The arguments for a ftate of difunion which would be juft in another country, are totally inapplicable in this* It is worthy of our attention, that before the defcent of the holy Ghoft at Pentecoft, the difciples were all with one accord in one place. How loving and united were they! All v/as ferene like a fummer evening*, when xht found came from heaven as of a rufiing mighty wind, and it filled all the houfe zvhert 144 U N 1 T Y OF they werejitting. Is there not reafon to be- lieve, that did Chriftians endeavour more for a fpirit of union and love, God would com- mand a bleffing ? That this would be a token of the near approach of thofe happy days which we warmly defi re, and have long expefted ? — Suffer me now, my brethren, to turn your attention to fome prafiical im- provement of what has been faid. 1. We may learn the great depravity of human nature. This is the bitter root from which contentions fpring. Our Saviour, well knowing how mankind would abufe the riches of his goodnefs, foretold what fhould happen on this earth ; that offences Ihould come ; that he fhould fend fire on the earth ; that inflead of peace there fhould be rather divifion ; and that thofe of the fame houfe fhould be divided. Can there be a ftronger proof of a difordered nature, than that the greatefl good fhould be made the occafion of fin, the means of our recovery abufed to our own deftruftion? When we confider the diOeDfions of even great and THE CHURCH. 145 good men, how hard to remove their mifun- derftandings, and reconcile or bring them to a proper temper ; when we conhder how- much pride, obftinacy, and felfifhnefs there is in human nature, we muft lament, the ruined ftate of man, and exclaim with the Pfalmift, that I had wings like a dove ! for then -would IJly away and be at rejt, Lo then zooidd I wander far off, and remain in the wilder- nefs. 2. Learn from the imperfeftion of which all are partakers, to think charitably of thofe who differ from us. Various are the capa- cities and opportunities of men, and various the prejudices to which they are liable. Since the grace of God is not confined to any particular way, who are we that we Ihould arrogate to ourfelves the right of de- termining in matters of religion ? Let the Pope folace himfelf with his own infallibi- lity, but feek not you to difpute the chair with him. Shall we rejeft thofe whom God receives ? Rather let us court their friend- fhip, walk in fellowfliip, forbearing them., as 146 U N 1 T Y OF -^^e expeft forbearance. You, my brethren, are of the fame denomination, you are agreed in doftrine and form of church-go- vernment, and you fliould be knit together in love. Chriftians need frequently to be ^xhorted to love one another. Our Sa- viour and his Apofiles dwell m.uch upon this; and no v.x>nder, for there is much of lieaven in it, and it ftrongly manifefls the power of godlinefs. The more true love we have to one another as members of the fame fociety, the more will our hearts be enlarged to embrace the whole family of Chrift. 3. Let me earneftly urge upon you, the neceffity of union to the Lord Jefus Chrift by faith. This is the only mean of uniting you in heart to one another, and of fecuring your eternal happinefs. There is no other refuge but Chritl, from the avenging wrath of God. Be careful and diligent now in your application to him, tliat fo you may live and reign with him hereafter. — When death is near, and you look forward to an avrful THE CHURCH. 147 and boundlefs eternity, it is not your having belonged to fuch a focicty, it is not your having been called by fuch a name, will afford you confolation. Hoy/ much lefs will the recoUeftion of variance and ftrife with your brethren, or that you harboured the fpirit of party, and purfaed contentious meafures ! Let us often examine our fenti- ments and praftices in the profpeft of eter- nity, and afk ourfelves, How they w^ill ftand the teft? Were we to die this night, would we have the teflimony of our own confcien- ces, and meet the approbation of our Judge ? Death may be near, even at the door ; and the opportunity be loft, either of doing the good which we had intended, or of rectify- ing the evil which we had done. * Lastly, How unfpeakably pleafant is the heavenly ftate ! There all the redeemed of the Lord fhall dwell for ever together, and be made perfect in love. There fhall meet thofe of different perfuafions, thofe who could not join in worfhip here below, and who perhaps mutually caft each other i4§ UNITY OF out. There they (hall no longer doubt each other's fincerity, no longer be filled wi'h prejudices and miftakes, no longer the great adverfary excite differences between them ; but they (hall love as children of the fame Father, and be joint heirs with Chrift m glory. O glorious church, with- out fpot or wrinkle! O abode of unutter- able delight ! Eye hath not feen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived thy tranfcendent excellence! Raife your thoughts, ye faints, from this wearifome, quarrelfome w^orld, to yonder place of refl ! Behold the blefled inhabitants, without a difcordant note, fing the fong of Mofes and the Lamb ! Do you afpire to join them? Remember, that no unclean thing can ever enter ; that a divine temper mud be cultivated on earth ; that if ever we fee God we muft be like him, and GcD is love. ^>5 ^ DISCOURSE VI FALL OF ANTICHRIST^ * DANIEL vii. 25. And he shall speak great words against the MOST High, and shall wear out the saints OF the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand, until a time and times, and THE dividing OF TIME. H AVING begun there difcouifes with a few remarks on the fulfilment of the pro- pKecies, I ihall conclude them with fome farther remarks on the fame fubjeft, T 150 FALL OF It is generally agreed by all Protefiant interpreters, that the pov/er defcribed here by Daniel, is the fame which the Apoflle Paul Cdilhihevian ^^?i, and which Johnin theRe- velation calls the beajl and the falfe prophet. It is likewife generally agreed, that by thefe is meant Popery, or the idolatrous and tyrannical power of the church of Rome. The defcription is fo drawn as not to admit of a jufl application to any other.* * Bsfides that the defcription will not fuit any other than the church of Rome, the number of ths beaji agrees exaclly with her. Hh number is Jix hundred^ three/cor g and fix. If wc take the Greek y^oid Latelnos, x^q Latin or Roman, (as the Wellern church was called) and the Hebrew word Ro7nilth, which fignifiesthe Roman king- dom, we will fincithat each contains the number 666. Lambda - 30 Refch - 200 Alpha - I Vail - 6 I'au - 300 Mem - 40 Epfilon - " 5 ■ Jod - 10 Iota - - ^^ . J^^ " ^^ Nu - , 50 * 7>.au - - 400 Omicron - 70 Sitrfna - 2oo -666 ^66 ANTICHRIST. 151 The deftruftion of this power, which has fo long oppofed the reign of Chrift, and worn out the faints, is clearly foretold, and confidently expefted.- We have feen it gradually rife to an enormous ftrength ; we have feen it as gradually decline; and from thejigns of the times, the vials of divine wrath will foon be poured out, when it {hall be faid. It is done. It is likewife remarked as a very fmgular circumftancc, that the title Vicarlus Filii Dei, which the Pope has af- fumed, makes the fame number, V 5 I - - I c 100 A R 1 - - I V 5 S- - - F I - - X L 50 I - - i I I D - 500 E r I I 666 i52 FALL OF With refpeft to the time of the fall of Antichrift, interpreters have differed very widely. It cannot be fully known until the event has taken place. That God intended it to be in a meafure hidden from us, ap- pears from the anfwer which was returned to ilie inquiry of Daniel ; And 1 heard, but I underfcoodnot : then f aid I, Omy Lord, what fiiallbe the end of theje things ? And he faid. Go thy zoay, Daniel; for the words are clofed up andfealed till the time cf the end. We may not therefore rafhly, or curioufly in- quire into this matter, farther than we are warranted by what God hath been pleafed to reveal.** I (hall ftate the opinion which is * " The folly of interpreters," fays Ifaac Newton, in his Obfervations on the Revelation, *' has been, to foretel ^' times and things by tliis prophecy, as if God defigned to " make them prophets. By this rafhnefs they- have not ^^ only expofed themfelves, but brought the prophecy alfo ^* into contempn The defign of God was much other- ^* v/ife. He gave this and the prophecies of the Old ^^ Teftament, not to gratify mens curiofities by enabling ** them to foreknow things, but that after thry were ful- ^'' filled they might be interpreted by the event, and his " own providence, not the interprf ters, be then maniiefi- e d thereby to the world." ANTICHR 1ST. 153 moft commonly received, and humbly offer fome reafons why the fall of Aniichrift, and the glorious days in the church which are to fucceed, may be expefted, at leaft in ^part, much fooner. The continuance of Popery is expreffed in the text, by a time and times, and the di- viding oftinu; and again, in the 12th chap- ter and 7th verfe, by a time, times, and an half. In the Revelation, the 11th chapter and 2d verfe, it is faid, that the Gentiles Jliall tread underfoot the holy city forty and tvoo months; and in the 3d verfe, that the two witneffesfiall prophefy a thoufand tzvo hun- dred and threefcore days, clothed in fackcloth. In the 12th chapter and 6th verfe, it is faid, that the woman who fled into the wildernefs fhould be fed there a thoufand tioo hundred and threefcore days; and again in the 14th verfe, are the very words by which the dura- tion is expreffed in Daniel ; a time and tir/ies, and half a time. In the 13th chapter and 5th verfe, it is faid of the bead, ihsit power 1 n A F A L L o F 3-x Xij.is given unto him to continue forty and tw(> months, ALi. thcfc numbers are allowed to be the fame, and each of them tofignifyone thou- fand two hundred and fixty years ; for a time is a year, and a time and times, and the dividing oj time,, or half a time, are three years and a half, and three years and a half ^reforty-ttoo months, d.ndiJorty4vJO months are one thoufand two hundred and f.xty days, and one thoufand tv:o hundreds andfixty days are, in the prophetic flile, one thoufand two hun-^ dred and fixty years. This is the period which is fixed for the continuance of Anti- chrift. It may be remarked, that we are led to give this interpretation of times and days from the language in other prophecies which have been fulfilled ; and that a month was then reckoned to confift of thirty, and a year of three hundred and fixty days. The great difficulty, my brethren, is when to date the commencement of the thoufand t.v;o Irandred and fixty years. Some have ANTICHRIST. 155 dated it fo early, that time has fliown their miftake ; fome fo late as to remove the ful- filment to a great diftance ; and fome agaia have chofen a middle path. The opinion which prevails moft, is, that thefe years are to be computed from the year 75S, or at leaft, not earlier than from the year 727. This is the opinion of Bifhop Newton, and of feveral who have written before and fmce ; and according to which the down- fall of Popery is not to be expefted until about the two thoufandth year of Chrift, above two hundred years from this time. Let us examine this opinion. It is found- ed. First, On the neceffity of the Pope be- coming a temporal prince, or uniting in himlelf the civil and ecclefiallic powers be- fore he could be called a horn or kingdom, and before he could anfwer to the defcrip- tion of the beafl in the Revelation. On this it may be faid, that though he might not have been fettled in his civil do-- 156 FALL OF mmion until he revolted from the Exarcli of ylaveniia, and (hook off allegiance to the Greek emperor, or even until Pepin king of France, made him prince over a large terri- tory, yet he had long before a great in- fluence in the temporal affairs of the Roman empire. He was declared univerfal bifhop in the year 606. If the 1260 years be reckoned from that time, they will end in the year 18SS, which carries us 72 years hence. 1 he Pope had certainly greater power be- fore the days of Pepin, than he has now, and has had for a long time, though he is fuppofed to be ftill on the throne. If then his power be now fo fmall and continually declining, what good reafon is there for al- ledging that his reign did not commence when the power was greater? If he now exifls^ furely he muft have exifted when his influence was more powerful and extenfive. At his firfl appearance he is called by Daniel, a little horn, which is defcriptive of him as not having yet enlarged and efta- blifhed his dominion. He is (aid, after- wards, to zoax exceeding great, and when he o o ANTICHRIST. 157 had arrived at his fuH growth, we find him called in the Revelation, a bead with two hornsy and with ten horns. If we look as far back as the third cen- tury, we will find that Popery had made confiderable progrefs. " The Bifhops," fays an approved hiftorian, " affumed in many " places, a princely authority, particularly " thofe who had the greateft number of " churches under their infpeftion, and who *^ prefided over the moft opulent affemblies* " They appropriated to their evangelical " funftion, the fplendid enfigns of temporal " majefly : A throne furrounded with mi- " nifters, exalted above 'his equals the fer- ^' vants of the meek and humble Jefus, and '^ fumptuous garments dazzled the eyes and " the minds of the multitude, into an igno- *^ rant veneration for their arrogated autho- " rity.*" It was about the middle of this century, that Stephen the bifliop of Rome^, U * Mofheim. 158 FALL o ? afpired to a fuperiority over all the other bifliops. Reckoning from this time until the Reformation, we will find 1260 years. Luther arofe in the year 1517, from which if we deduft 1260, it will leave 257, the very year in which Stephen ufurpedthe pre-emi- nence, and which was in fome meafure yielded to him. A LATE v/riter on the Revelation ^^ fays, that the 1260 years mufl be reckoned to begin fome time between the year 500, when the weflern and eaftern churches firfl fepa- rated, and the year ^53, when the reign of the Goths ended ; when Narfes took Rom.e and their dominions in Italy from them, and eftablilhed the exarchate of Ravenna. If to the 500 we add the 1260 years, it will bring us to the year 1760 ; the time when the Jefuits began to feel the refentment of the kings of Europe, and which foon afterward effe£led their diflblution. Thefe men who '^ Dr. Lar.t^don. ANTICHRIST. 159 contributed much to the fupport of the Papal throne, were expelled Portugal, France, Spain, and Sicily, between the years 1759 and 1767, and the order was entirely fuppreired in 1773. The fuppreffion of convents, and the feizure of their revenues, the checks which the courts of inquifition have received, and the liberty of confcience which has been given to Proteftants, might be mentioned as fo many Heps, fmce the foregoing date by which the power of the Romifh church has declined.— If to 553 we add the 1260 years, it will bring us to the year 1813, about 19 years from this time ; and furely, if we confider what has been tranfafted in Europe for a few years paft, and the prefent appearances, Antichrift may at that period be almoft totally deftroyed. From ail this, it would appear, that no precife time can be fixed from which to reckon thefe years ; that they may have fe- veral beginnings and ending; ; that, as An- tichrift rofeby degrees, fo he will fall by de- grees ; that, if we begin at the earlieft date, # i6o F A L L o F the end of the period will bring us to the beginning of his fall ; but that if we begin at the lateft date, then we will be brought to his complete deftruftion. Though it is probable that the prophecy will at laft be fulfilled in fome event more vihble and ftriking than all the preceding ones ; that the vefligcs of Popery may continue for a long time ; and that it may be near the two thoufandth year of Chrift, before the church enjoys the greateft profperity ; yet there is reafon to believe that preparatory events are much nearer, and that even w^e may fee a day of the Son of man. After the deftruc- tion of Antichrift, there are other events expefled, and which v/ill require time to accomplifh before the church look forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the fun, and terrible as an army with banners. That the beginning of the reign of An- tichrift may have different dates, and his fall be efiecled at different periods, until his final and dreadful ruin, we are authorifed to fay fromfimilar prophecies and their ful- ANTICHRIST. i6t filment.* With regard to the deftrucliou of Babylon, and the deliverance of the Jews from captivity, which is evidently alluded to in the Revelation, as a type of the op- preflion of the church of Rome, neither the captivity of the Jews, nor their reftoration was done all at once. It was foretold, that the duration of the captivity ifliould be fe- venty years, and that after feventy years God would deftroy Babylon. But this pre> diftiOn had reference to different beginnings and endings. It was juft feventy years from the firft captivity, in the fourth year of Je- hoiakim, when Daniel and many other Jews M^ere carried to Babylon, to the decree of Cyrus, giving leave to the Jews to return, and ordering that the temple fhould be re- built ; and it was feventy years from the deftruftion of Jerufalem and the temple, to the publifhing of the decree of Darius, by which the building of the temple was com- * The Author is indebted for this and feme of the fol- lowing fentiments, to Prefidcnt Edwards and Dr. Hop- kins. In one or two places he has ufed the fame wordv*;. 102 F A L L o F pieted, and the Jews reftored to their former ftate. In like manner were the prophecies concerning Babylon fulhlled ; far though they had a principal reference to the def- truflion by Cyrus at the end of the firft fcventy years, yet there were other things not fulfilled until the fourth year of Darius, which was at the end of the fecond feventy years. Kav^ we not then rcafon to conclude, that the 1260 years of the captivity of the church of Ghrift in fpiritual Babylon^ v/ill have different becrinnino^s,^ and con- fequently different endings ? That as the tyranny of the church of Rom.e gradually rofe, fo it Vv-ill gradually fall ; and that from each remarkable advance, there are 1260 years teas remarkable fucceflive events, by which the power of the beaft iliall decline, until it be utterly deflroyed?* * Mr. Thoinas Pain?, in his ** Age of Reafon," al- ledgef, that the prophecies in the Bible, are " fo equivo- " cal, as tc fit almju any circumftaDCe that might happen ANTIC HRIS.T. i6> Seconoly, The opinion that the fall of Antichrifl: is ilill at .a great diftance, is founded on the interpretation of the pro- phecy refpefting the flaying of the two witnefles. This, it is alledged, is fome event diftinft from their prophefying in fackcloth^ is not to take place until the expiration of the 1260 years, and remains yet to be ful- filled. *' afterwards," I cannot now follow him on this fubjeC^, Whatever may be faid of the writings of this Author on politics, he was furely unhappy when he commenced divine. He has difco\ered, and indeed confelTed fuch ignorance of the facred Scriptures, as renders him not only unworthy of truft, but fubjefts him to contempt. There is nothing new in his performance, fave the bold and indecent manner. ' His character gives it a temporary popularity ; but it mull: foon fmk into infamy, and carry his own name along with it. It can do no harm except to the young and fuperficial. In the virtuous mind it will excite fentimcnts of abhorrence, and the Deift who has read a little, will blufh to fee his caufe fo miferabiy handled. It has already called forth fome animadverfions and probably will more. Indeed it is provoking to fee theChriftian religion, after having withflood the roarings of the lion, infulted by the brayings of the afs. 164 F A L L o F This was partly confidered in the firft difcourfe. It appears to me probable that this has been already fulfilled, or that it cannot be fulfilled in the way which has been expefted, or that it is now ful- filling. The death and the refurreftion of the witneffes are applicable to feveral events which preceded the Reformation; particularly, their death may fignify the mofl cruel perfecutions and maflacres of Chriflians about that time, and their refur- reftion, the Reformation which fpeedily fol- lowed. Perhaps there is no reafon to con- fine this part of the prophecy anymore than the other to a precife time. The witnefles were, at feveral times, remarkably (lain, and as remarkably arofe. But, if it remain to be fulfilled, in what way fhall it be ? Is it agreeable to the deal- ings of Providence, that the church, after her deliverance is begun, fhall be brought un- der a mere cruel bondage than ever? Is it probable from the prefent circumfl;ances of the world, that ignorance and barbarifrn ANTICHRIST. 165 fhall return, and the arm of Popery be nerved anew to inflift the horrid blow? Then fhe would kill not tioo, not a fmall number of witneffes, but a great multitude. The Proteftants were thought to be once equal in number to the Papills. Such a perfecution can beexpefted only by the reftoration of the old fyftem in France, and the univerfal prevalence of def- potifm in the world; an event at which the generous mind recoils, and which is, from all appearances, highly improbable.* The X * That There is danger from the meafures purfued in France, of introducing m age of barbarifm, appears to me a groundlefs apprehenfion. To judge by what has hap- pened in former ages, we muft ccnfider the difference of circumftances ; we muft fee whether the ia6ls which we compare are exa6itly p;rallel or not ; otherwifc we will draw an improper conclufion. Superficial and unphilofo- phical reafoners, who thought themfelves wonderfully wife, ufed to prate about our conteft with Britain, and al- ledge that we could not fucceed, or that if we did, we would foon quarrel among ourfelves. But all thefe have bf^en faife prophets. In Qiort, hiftory furmi'hes no pre- i66 . FALL OF Pope is only the ghoil of v/hat he v/as. The kincTS will cover him wiih finews and fieili no more ; yea, the time will come, and now^ is, when the kingsJJiall hate the church of Rome, called the whore, andfliall make her 'defolate, and naked, andJhaU eat herjlejli, and burn her loithjire. May we not rather conjefture, that the prefent growth of infidelity, the low and ge- neral decline of rclig:ion throughout the w^orld, together with the awful calamities commg upon thofe nations v;hich have the iviage of the heajf-, is tiiat dark and difmal time which good men have expefted from the (laying of the witneiles, and their dead bodies lying in the Rreet?— The pious and cedents of the revolutions in America and France.— Equally abfurd is the opinion that the old fyftem can be reftored in France. Is it not flrange that the Britifli na- tion fhoiild either wiili or attempt it ? She who has gio- lied To much in her liberty^ and in being thought the bul- wark of the Reformation? "One would think, that by this tim.e, Ihe would be at leafl tired of endeavouring to h'nid people im cil cajcs i^-hatever. ANTICHR 1ST. 167 learned Archbifiiop Udier was deeply afieft- cd with a fad perfecation which he firmly believed w^ould come upon all the Proteltant churches in Europe. The outward court he explains to fignify the formal Chrifdan, the Gentiles, w^ho are to tre^id it under foot, to fignify the Papif.s, and he gives it as his opinion, that as this perfecution v/ould be xh^jharpeji, fo it would be xh^jhoriejl ; and that there would be this great difference between this lad and all the preceding per- fecutions, that in the preceding the moft eminent andfpii'itual minijlers and Chrijlians generally fuffered, but this laft would take away only the grofs hypocrites and formal ■ profejfors. His Vv^ords are indeed remark- able ; and, except that he ufes the word perfecution, and feems not to have thought cJ' any other calamity but this, or thai it cout4 come from any other quarter than from the Papifs, may be called prophetic. The outward court, that is formal pro- feffors, thofe who maintain ecclefiaflica! i68 F A L L o F eftablifliments, and have turned the Chriftian religion into worldly policy, are treading un- der foot ; not by the Papiits, but by thofe whom the monRrous ftrudure of Popery has aroufed to tear it down. The imerpreta- tion feenis to be verifying as far as ii refpecis. dreadful fcenes of diiiref> to befal thofe na- tions where civil and fpiritual tyranny reigns. No reformation is likely to take place. Pharaoh v-nll not let the children of Ifrael go. It appears to be the decree of heaven that he ihould not, until involved in utter deIlru6iion. The church and the flate are fo interwoven in their governments, that they muft be melted down, in order to be feparated and cafl anev/. — There is one thing, my brethren, to comfort us, that the calamnty will be fiiort. After three days and an half, that is, after fome fnort fpace of time, the witneiTes will revive and the church become profperous. A great part of France v/as once Protcflant. She was early and illuftrious in the Reformation. Her Vv^alls have been broken down and her dorv obfcured by Popifii tvranny. Now ANTICHRIST. 169 God in his good pleafure;wiil build her up, and make her more glorious than ever. Thirdly, The opinion that happy days in the church are not near, is founded on the old tradition of both Jews and Chriflians, that at the end of fix thoufand years from the beginning, the Millennium will com- mence ; that as God created the world in fix days, and refted on the feventh, fo the feventh thoufand years from the creation will be the babbath or reft to the church. It is faid, that as there w^re 2000 years, before the lavv^, and 2000 under the law, fo there will be 2000 under the gofpel, and then ' Chrift will reio^n with his faints. Admitting this to have ail the Vv-eight it ought to have, there may be great profpe- rity in the church long before that time. It is to be remarked, that the Jews began the celebration of their fabbath on the evening preceding. From evening to evening fliail ye celebrate your fabbath. If the one be a type of the other, then the Millennium will J 70 F ALL o F begin in the latter part of the fix thourand years. There will be the evening, the dawn, and the gradual advance of the day, until the fun afcend the meridian. Though the full {plendor wll not be until two hun- dred years hence, yet we may fee the even- ing and the dawn. It is faid, that it is al- ways darkeft juft before the dawn. It is now dark, and ii grows darker. Often vapours hover round at the approach of morn, and exclude the rays of light. Thick vapours now hang on the horizon. " The morning '•lowers, and clouds *heavily bring on the ''day, the great, the important day, big with " the fate" of the Pope and Papal Rome. m Besides, the deftruftion of Antichrift is an event which is to precede the Millennium, After civil and religious tyranny has ceafed, fome time will be ncceiTary to compofe the differences between ChriPdans, to preach the gofpel to the heathen nations, and to ac- com,plifh the reftoration of the Jews. All thefe conflitutc the highcf^ ft^?ndor of the ANTICHRIST. 171 Millennium, and may not be until tv.^o cen- turies hence. As thefe events neceffarily re- quire time, it is alledged farther, that they will not probably come to pafs very foon. This is the Last thing which I fiiali confider. We cannot fay with certainty, hovv^ rapid the progrefs of truth will be, or how far one ^vent will contribute to haflen another. Hitherto the progrefs of truth has been flow; but with every advance its fpeed may be increafed. The light of the moon Jhall be as the light ofthefun, and the light ofthejun JJiall befevenfold, as the light offcvcn days, in the day that the Lord bindeth^ the breach of his people, and healeth the fir ofe of their wound. When the Chriflian religion is maintained in its primitive purity, and the profeffors of it are united among themfelves, it will be recommended to the Jews, and be fucccfs-^ ful am.ong the heathen nations. The con- verfion of the Jews will, probably, be very fudden. From thefe expreffions, blindnefs in part is happened to Ijrael, zz\^ a vail is 172 FALL OF upon their heofrt^ we believe that this will be the cafe. Whenever this happens, whether they only acknov/Iedge the true Mefliah, or w^hether befides this, they return as a nation to their ov;n country, who can tell the effeft Vv^hich it will have upon the Vv' hole world? We are affured that their return will be lije from the dead ; it will be the means of con- firming the faith of the Gentiles, converting thofe who ftill remain in darknefs, and pro- ducing a moil happy change in the church. Where is the infidel v/ho after this will dare to lift his head ? The feparation of the Jew^s from all other people, has been a long and conftant evidence of the truth of revelation ; but their conv^fion to the Chriflian faith muft carrv conviciion home to every bo- fom. The circumftances of the v/orld at this day might be mentioned as being favour- able to the ditTufion of true knov/Iedge. Commerce between nations is very exten- five. The calam.ities w^hich will fall upon fome nations vrili brin?: them at lad to fe- ANTICHRIST. 173 rious refleaion ; and thofe w^ho efcape from thefe calamities to dillant countries will carry with them the principles of religion, and prepare the way for its propagation. la fnort, all things confidered, we have reafon to believe that fcenes fhall foon be difclofed highly interefting to the church, and inti- mately connected with her moft glorious ftate upon earth. . This fubjefl: affords ground to Chriftians for fupport, for prayer, and for encourage- ment in their endeavours to advance the in- terefts of religion. ^ 1. It affords ground for fupport. In times of public diltrefs, and when iniquity abounds, it keeps the mind from fmking to look for- ward to what is foretold concerning the profperity of the church, and which wnll certainly be fulfilled. The fulfilment may be delayed, we may be miftaken as to the time and manner, but the counfel of God ftandeth fure. We know that he hath fre- y 1 74 F A L L o F quently interpofed for the relief of his church at the feafon of her greatelt need. God is in the inidjl of her ; Jlie Jhall not be moved: God JliatL help her, and that right early, 2. It affords ground for prayer. Whe- ther we immediately expefl a night of dark- nefs and aiiliflion, or whether that the day will foon break, we fliould be much and earnellly engaged in prayer. This is a duty to which we are efpecially called; and were different denominations to appoint times, and to join in one fociety for that purpofe, it would be a token for good. Why fhould we be to one am)ther as heathen-men and publicans? All who are fincere, mean the fame thing, and they have one common in- terefh By uniting in prayer, not only at the faip.e time, but in the fame ailembly, tliey would offer a facrihce acceptable td God, and he would pour out a bleffing.* * When this was ready for the prefs, there Vw-as handed me " an invitation to the miniriers and churches of every ANTICHRIST. jy^ Pray for the peace of Jerufdein : they fhall profper that love thee. Peace be xoithin thy walls, and profperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions fakes, I will now fay, Peace be within thee. Be- ^' Chriftian denomination throughout the United States, " to unite in an attempt to carry into execution the '* Humble attempt of Prefident Edwards to' promote ex- " pUcit agreement and vijihle union of God's people in ^^ extraordinary prayer for the revival of religion, and '* the advancement of Chriji's hijigdora on earth,'' ^c. This invitation came from a number of minifters af- fembled at Lebanon; and in the execution of the plan it was propofed, " that the minifters and church*es of every *' Chriftian denomination fhould be invited to maintain " public prayer and praife accom.panied v^nth fuch in- *< ftrudtion from God's holy word as might he judged '* proper, on every frji Tuefday of 'the four quarters of " the year : beginning with the firft Tuefday of January *' 1795, at two o'clock afternoon, if the plan of concert " {hould then be ripe for a beginning — and fo continu- " ing," Sec. This plan I mod heartily approve, and confider it as a token for good. It would have happy eifecls too, if thofe of different denominations, where it is convenient, would affemble together, or foriu themfelves in-to focieties for prayer. lyG FALL OF caufe ofthehoiife of the Lord our God, I toiU feek thy good. Lastly, We are encouraged by this fubjeft in the ufe of our endeavours to ad- vance the caufe of Chrift in the world. No Chriflians have fo much in their power as we have. We enjoy peace and religious liberty? For w^hat hath God given us thefe ? Why were we feparated from the old v/orld, before it was diflrafted and torn with the prefent wars ? In our former con- nexion we mult have been expofed to great rnoleflation, and what is w^orfe, we mull have taken part in a deteflable war. Now w^e fee tyranny, receive his death-w^ound, and have nothing to fear except that the monfter in his defpairing and convulfive throes in- jure our infant republic. If amendments in our national conftitu- tion be neceffary, experience will point them out, and wifdoni will direcl to feek them in the mode provided by the conflitu- tion itfelf. If at anv time an a6l deemed ANTICHRIST. 177 unjuft and opprefTive be paffed by the le- giflature, the voice of reafonable pediioa and remonftrance will be heard ; or, if not heard, there will be redrefs in a change of the reprefentation, whenever the majority of the people fignify their pleafure. No greater fecuritycan bedevifed than by con- fiding the power to reprefentatives freely chofen. The laws are thus enafted by the people themfelves, and every juft ground of complaint is removed. If a fmall part of the community be permitted to refill the execution of a law, nothing but anarchy and confufion will enfue; for it is an eftablifhed principle in all free governments, that the will of the majority ought to prevail. May we not hope that America (hall flill be pre- ferved from foreign invafion as well as the more dreadful evil of internal difcord, and exhibited as a pattern to other nations? Is not here the treafure hid in the field? The woman fed in the wildernefs ? While other nations improve on our form of civil go- vernment, may we not indulge the fond hope of drawing the plan and fetting the lyS F A L L OF example of a Catholic church? Whoknow.^ but it is to begin with us, and the influence to be extended abroad? Who knows but thofe corruptions and divifions which have fo long difgraced Chriflians, fhall here be buried for ever, and that many of us fliall fee for ourfelves this gleam of light pre- vious to the effulgence of day? L^od hath put the precious opportunity into our hands/O that he may put it into our hearts I The union of profeffing Chrifiians here can give civil government no alarm, for they difclaim all interference, and afK nothing but the enjoyment of unalienable rights.— But if, O thou moft High, it is thy will that during our abode below, we mufl weep at the remembrance of Zion, and hang our harps upon the willows, hear our prayers^ countenance our endeavours, and when we have fulfilled thy pleafure on earth, bring as to jf^^^n v/itii Chriil in heaven. APPENDIX. ■■^Zi^-' JL HE fentiments contained in the fore- going Difcourfes would, probabIy,have been publifhed in the form of effays, had fuffi- cient leifure been allowed from the duties of the pulpit. Nothing, however, which tends to reprefent Chriftianity in a juft light, and to promote the general v/elfare of the church, can be deemed unfuitable in a minifter to deliver to his people, and for them to hear. While the eifential doclrines and precepts of religion are the great themes of a Chriftian preacher, he ought to give his hearers enlarged views of that fpiritual fo- ciety of which Chrifl is the Head ; and to i8o APPENDIX. teach them the relation which all believers fuftain to Him and to one another. Such views will dellroy a contrafted and uncha- ritable difpofition, increafe in eftimation the glorious plan of redemption, and advance true morality and happinefs. It has appeared to me that God in his providence is removing in other countries, the obftruftions to the purity and fuccefs of the gofpel ; that he has already, in a great meafure, removed them in this country ; and that, therefore, we are called to improve the opportunity in reclifying whatever is amifs, and in reltoring, as far as v/e can, union among the profeffors of religion. The necelTity has appeared the more urgent from the late prevalence and impudence of infidelity. Some v/ill fay, that v/e ought to contend for every thing held and praclifed in our churches ; but, in my opinion, if we would effectually defeat the adverfaries, we mud choofe only fuch ground as is tenable. Some will fay again, that if we once begin to relax, v;e know not where we APPENDIX. 181 will flop; that we will be led away far from the truth, and religion will then Ian- guifh and die ; but, of this there can be no danger, if the leading dodrines be pre- ferved, and mutual forbearance exercifed. To ftrive about the peculiarities of denomi- nation, is bigotry and not orthodoxy, it is party fpirit and not a holy zeal. There are doflrines, however, which cannot be furrendered without totally over- turning the Chriftian religion. The exa- mination of Mr. Paine's Age of Reafon, by Gilbert Wakefield of England, I confider as having a more pernicious tendency than the Age of Reafon itfelf If Chriftianity be what Mr. Wakefield reprefents it, it is not worth defending, and indeed it is incapable of defence. When I find him afferting, that ** to acknowledge Jefus Chrift to be God, '' and the holy Spirit to be God, is a funda- " mental violation of all theology;" that *' the immaculate conception of Jefus by Z iS2 APPENDIX. *•' the holy Spirit conllitutes no effential ar- '' tide of his creed;" that " the whole fable '•' of the devil and his angels, with all its «' terrific appendages, has been gratuitoufly *' fabricated by the fons of fuperflition ;" that " the tranfacfions recorded in the Bible '^ are, in a variety of inftances, to be con- '' fidered in the fame light with thofe of all *^ other hiftories ; namely as aggravated and *' difguifed in a thoufand inltances ;" and when I find him joining with Mr. Paine in fneering at the hiftory of Jonah ; I cannot but confider his defence of Chriftianity weak, if it may not be called infidious. It is in vain to difpuie the foregoing points with him, becauie we know not what parts of fcripture he receives, and what he re- jecls. In fiiort, I have been exceedingly difappointed in this performance, and hold the author, as a divine, in much the fame eftimation with Mr. Paine himfelf ; for it appears impoffible to draw a line betw(!en his plan and downright deifm. Chriftianity ! Thou art fafe from all the attacks of open APPENDIX. 183 enemies, and the more dangerous v/ounds of pretended friends. If ever thefe lines come to the fight of Mr. Wakefield; they v/ill let him know, that though with him, i con- tend for the rights of man, believe that re- formation in the church is neceflary, and am oppofed to all national eflablifhments of religion, yet I would not for ten thoufand worlds, in removing the " incruftation" in- jure the " diamond." — I (liall now fubjoin a few things on the fubjecl of union which could not be conveniently Inferted in the difcourfes themfelves, and which would have too much burdened the notes. As to union I will be afked. Is it de- firable? Is it practicable? And how far ought it to extend ? Or, what ought to be the precife form of it? Though thefe quef- tioas are anfwered in the difcourfes, yet it may be proper to be a little more expli- cit. 1. Union is defirable. This is nofingu- lar opinion of mine. It has been received i84 APPENDIX. from the beginning. In the hiflory of the church, we find that the wifefl and bell men have ever wiflied and attempted to accom- phfh union. At the Reformation. much pains were taken for this purpofe; and in Great Britain, meafures have been purfued to accommodate difierences between the conformifts and non-conformifts. The de- fire of brevity will not allow me to point out the particular inftances. The nature of the church, the frequent injunclions of holy writ, and the benefits refulting from union, all confpire to fiiow that it is defir- able. The ufe which infidels have ever made of the divifions of Chriflians, loudly call upon us to rem.ove this great of- fence. 2. Union is praflicable. It is not prac- ticable in fome circumllances, and the hin- derances of it have been mentioned; but thefe are now removed in this country, ex- cepting our own prejudices and imaginary interefls. It is tertainly prafticable^ bccaufe APPENDIX. 185 it has been efFefted between different deno- minations, and exifts at this very day. 3. I SHALL anfwer the queftion, How- far union ought to extend, or what ought to be the precife form of it, by dating* the plans which have been already adopted. Before I mention what has been done in this country, let me mention the unity which is preferved between the Dutch and Walloon churches in Holland. On account of a difference of language, the national fynod of Dort determined in Art. 51. " that " the Dutch and Walloon churches fhall have " their diftinft confiftories, claffical affem- blies, and particular fynods." Art. 52, runs thus; ". It is notwithltanding judged proper '' thatin thofe cities where the abovemen- ^•' tioned Walloon churches slyc, fome minifters '-'and elders of both defcriptions fhould *' affemble together monthly, in order to '' preferve unity, and mutual good corref- '' pondence, and as much as poffible, ac- "' cording to circumftances, with counfel to i86 A P P E N D I X. " aflTifl each other." Here we fee churches having dillinft judicatories, maintaining a general bond of union ; feme from both affembhng together at ftated times, for the exprefs purpoie of " preferving unity/' and *•' with counfel to affift each other." The famous Anod oF Dort thought union de- firable, and they have given us, in this cafe, a wife and practicable plan ; have fliown us that churches may be connefted and enjoy a friendly correfpondence, while in other refpetts they remain entirely diflinci. Thofe who w^ouldimprefs on our minds the idea, that to form an union it is necefiary to blend or mix the denominations together, either do not underfiand the thing, or waih lo miileadthe unwary. Ik this country, an union of the AiTociate and Reformed Prefbyteries took place in the year 1781. The difference between thefe denominations v.as very inconfider- able, and they formed a perfeft union un~ dcr the name of " The Aifociate Reformed '• Svnod;' Reaf:3nable as this union was. APPENDIX. 187 there were a few who would not unite, but formed themfelves into a feparate fociety, and have fince imported an acceffion from abroad. At the head of this fchifm^ as is frequently the cafe, were fome minifters, I think two, v/ho are induftrious in making profelytes, and confole themfelves with the notion of keeping faith alive on the earth. The union between the Affociate Reform- ed, the Dutch Reformed, and the Prefbyterian Synods, began in the year 1 785. The bond of union, was a convention, c6n(ifting of dele- gates from each of the churches, to meet once every two years. This convenlion poffefTed only the power of counfel and advice. Hav- ing met once every year until the year 1790, thd convention has been from that time dif- continued. Here again, we find three de- nominations judging a brotherly correfpon- dence to be defirable, and adopting a plan for its execution. Though it has been fuf- pended, yet there is no reafon to believe that union was impracticable, or that fome bet- ter plan might not have been devifed. The i88 APPENDIX. three churches are fo nearly alike in doc- trine and form of church-government, that there is nothing external to hinder the bell underftanding, and the moft friendly cor- refpondence between them. Much more fuccefsful has been the ac- commodation of a greater difference be- tween the Preibyterian church and the Con- gregational churches in New England. The clergy of thefe formerly held an annual con- vention, which was interrupted by the con- fufions of the war. It appears by the printed extracts from the minutes of the General Af- fembly of thePrefby terian church^that in 1 790 they expreffed a'' peculiar dehre to renew and *' flrengthen every bond of union between «« brethren fo nearly agreed in doftrine and '' forms of worfiiip as the members of the *' congregational and prefbyterian churches '' evidently are," and refolved to invite the congregational churches to renew their cor- refpondence. The Afiembly farther ap- pointed a committee to take the moft cf- feaual meafures for obtaining the propofed APPENDIX. 189 obje6t. In 1791, this Committee reported progrefs, and *' propofed three modes of ^' correfpondence for confideration, viz. " ift. By letter from a committee of thi^ ^' body, with a committee of the gene- *' ral affociation of Connefticut. 2d. By re- ^^ viving a convention fimilar to one which " fubfifted between thofe bodies before the *^ late war. 3d. By fending delegates reci- '^ procally from each body, who Ihall fit in *^ their refpe61ive meetings." Another com- mittee was then appointed to confuk with minillers from the New England churches, " and to determine on fuch plan of cor- " refpondence and intercourfe as (hall ap- *^ pear eligible." In the mean time, this meafure was laid before the General Aflb- ciation of Connefticut, that they might be ' prepared to meet with the Committee. In 1792, the plan agreed upon in a convention of the two bodies, was reported and adopt- ^ ed, the printed extraft of wjiich is as fol- lows ; A a 190 APPENDIX. '' Considering the importance of union and harmony, in the Chriftian church, and the duty incumbent on all its paftors and members to afFift each other, in promoting, as far as poffible, the general intereft of the Redeemer's kingdom ; and c.onfidering fur- ther, that divine Providence appears to be now opening the door for purfuing thefe valuable objefts, with a happy profpeft of fuccefs, " This convention are of opinion, that it will be conducive to thefe important pur- pofes — *^ Th A T dijlanding committee of correfpond- ence, be appointed in each body, whofe duty it fliall be, by frequent letters, to communi- cate to each other, ^\^hatever may be mutual- ly ufeful to the churches under their care, and to the general intereft of the Redeemer's kingdom. " That each body fliould, from time to time, appoint a committee, confifting of APPENDIX. 191 three members, who (hall have a right to fit in the others general meeting, and make fuch communications as fhall be direfted by their refpeftive conftituents, and delibe- rate on fuch matters as (hall come before the body; but fhall ^have no right to vote. • " That effeftual meafures be mutually taken to prevent injuries to the refpeftive churches, from irregular and unauthorifed preachers. " To promote this end, the convention judge it expedient, that every preacher, travelling from the limits of one of thefe churches into thofe of the other, fhall be furniflied with recent tejtimonials, of his re- gular flanding and good charafter as a preacher, figned by the moderator of the Proibytery, or afibciation, in which he re- ceived his licenfe, or, if a minifler, of his good flanding and charafter as fuch, from the moderator of the Prefbytery, or alfo- ciation where he laft refided, and that he fiiall, previoully to his travelling as a igs APPENDIX. preacher into diftant parts, further receive a recommendation, from one member, at leaft of a {landing committee to be hereafter appointed by each body, certifying his good qualifications as a preacher. " Also, that the names of this ftanding Coramittee (liall be mutually communicated; and alfo that every preacher travelling, and recommended as above, and fubmitting to the flated rules of the refpeclive churches, fhall be received as an authorifed preacher ofthegofpel, and cheerfully taken under the patronage of the prePoytery, or afTocia- tion, within whofe limits he fhall find em- ployment as a preacher : And, "That the proceedings of the refpeftive bodies on this report, be communicated to our brethren of the congregational and pi-ef- byterian churches throughout the dates." These two denominations have afted on this plan until the prefent year, when we find this amendment propofed on the part APPENDIX. ig^ of the General AfTembly of thePrefbyterian .church : *^ On motion, ordered, that the *' delegates appointed from the General Af- " fembly to the General AfTociationof Con- *' nefticut propofe to the AfTociation, as an " amendment to the articles of intercourfe " agreed upon between the aforefaid bodies, '^ that the delegates from thefe bodies, re- " fpeftively, fhall have a right, not only to '' fit and deliberate, but alfo to vote, in all " queftions which fhall be determined by *^ either of them." This amendment, I am informed, has been cheerfully agreed to, on the part of the General Affociation of Con- nefticut. Here then is another plan of union; one which appears to have been digefted with great care, bears evident marks of wifdom, and is found happy in its operation. Du- ring the whole negociation, no fecrecy is obferved, but their tranfaftions are publifli- ed to the people, that they might know and judge. The greateft care is taken to pre- vent the introduftion of irregular preachers^ 194 APPENDIX. and the tv/o denominations repofe fuch con-* fidence in each other, ttet minifiers duly re- commended, are refpeftively received into their pulpits. There appears no fufpicion, that bane of friendfhip ; no faying, Stand by thyfelf, come not near to me, for I am holier than thou. They feem to have remembered what the Apoflle John has faid concerning a certain Diotrephes; / xorote unto the church : but Diotrephes, teho loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, receivethus not. Wherefore if I come, I will remember his deeds zvhich he doeth, prating againfl us with malicious words. The minifters receiving one another refpeftively into their pulpits, and the delegates having a right refpeftive- ly to vote in the judicatories, will draw the bands of love clofe, and the union promifes to be beneficial and lalling. It is in vain to fay, that we are united in love, when we have no confidence in one another; and no man will be long pleafed in attending a judica- tory, when he has no fhare in managing the bufinefs. APPENDIX. i(>5 Perhaps the above plan is what fiiould have been adopted by the Dutch Reformed, the Aflbciate Reformed, and the Prefby- terian Synods. Their union has hitherto failed, becaufe they have not come near enough. Let me repeat, that a blending or mixing of the denominations is not necef- fary ; but furely, if we love one another, if we be agreed, we ought to teftify it in fome proper manner. A convention was only a previous ftep, and no other fteps being taken, it naturally ceafed. Why fhould Chriflians come together, unlefs to promote harmony and fellowfhip ? If they meet only to tell their mutual jealoufies, and to con- tend for matters of feparation, they Vv^ill part worfe friends than when they met. Let me fay once for all, that the difference be- tween thefe denominations is fo trifling, or rather it is nothing, that they may, and ought to unite in fome general bond ; while each denomination may remain diftinft, and every fociety enjoy the labours of its own minifters, retain its eflate, and whatever privileges and peculiarities belong to it. Jf ig6 APPENDIX. fuch an union, however, be efFefted, it muft be on a different plan from what has yet been attempted. It mufl be on the planlaft ftated; for it is the greateft abfurdity to think of union, while men will hold no Chriltian and minifterial communion with one another. It is but juftice to fay, that the Prefbyterian minifters, whenever oppor- tunity offers, invite the Dutch miniflers in- to their pulpits. The Author has repeated- ly preached at the invitation of Prefbyterian miniflers when abroad, and has been earnefl- ly invited by a minifter of the Affociate Re- formed church ; but in no inflance has he thought it expedient to return the compli- ment, though well affured that the miniflers ofthefe perfuafionsare as orthodox and zea- lous as thofe of his own. Where is brother- ly love? Where is union ? Should not fome correfpondence in this refpeft be efla- bliHied? I SHALL produce now an inflance of union far more extenfive than any v;hich has been mentioned ; I mean " The- New- APPENDIX. 137 York Society for projiiotingChrlflian know- ledge and pieiy." This fociety confifts a.t prefent of not lefs than feven different de- nominations, viz. Epifcopalians, Methodill- Epifcopalians, Prelbyterians, Dutch Prefby- teri^ns, Scotch Prefbyterians, Lutherans, and Moravians. According to the confti- tution, " perfons, of all Chriftian denomi- *• nations, may be elefted members." It may be faid, that this is an union of individuals and not of churches. But are not churches compofed of individuals ? Are not heVe per- fons of various fentiments united in one body; and why may not the union be ex- tended? Befides, the fociety may be called a church. The meeting is opened and clofed with prayer. Th^ objeft of the in- ftitution is " to diftribute the holy fcriptures *' and other religious books among the '^poor; to alTifl miffionaries in diffufing *' gofpel knowledge;' &c. Wherein does the objeft of a church differ from this ? And if it. does, can\ve fay, that perfons may form a focial union to promote Chriftian know- B b 198 A P P E N D I X. ledge and piety among others, and not among themfelves? Is not here a joint en- deavour to "advance the interefts of the '' bleiTed Redeemer's kingdom?" It is likewife remarkable, that the mem- bers of this fociety fabfcribe what is equal to a confefTion of faith. By the 7th Article of the conftitution, they are " to procure " and difperfe fuch trafts as tend to incul- ^' cate the doctrine of the facred Trinity; '' the depravity and condemnation of man- " kind by original and aftual fin ; their re- **' covery by the m.eritorious life, fuffbrings, '" and death of the adorable Redeemer; the ^•' fancliiication of the foul by the operations '' of the holy Ghoft ; the bleffings and effi- " cacv of the facraments of the Chriftian '' church; the necefTity of holinefs of heart *^ and praflice; the certainty of a future '' flate of eternal hapoinefs or miferv," &c. Kere is a good confefhon, and proves what I have aflerted, that the generality of Chrif- tians are agreed in all the effential articles of faith ; and that were they to confine APPENDIX, 199 themfelves to thefe, and not unwarrantably extend them, a foundation for union would appear. I WOULD add fomething more, I would addrefs bo,th clergy and laity on the fubje6l of union, but this Appendix is already too long. As to fome denominations which have been particularized, it is my unlhaken opinion, that they ought to unite ; and I think that even an union of greater extent is delirable and pra8:icable ; yea, that it will in procefs of time take place. A general convention might be propofed and the at- tempt made. Prejudices and interefts may withftand it for a while, but they mufl: at laft yield to reafon and truth. I have deliver- ed my fentiments with great freedom and fincerity. They may not efcape animad- vferlions, and that too from fome with whom I fiiould deem it an unhappinefs to differ. I have no party purpofe, no worldly intereft to feek ; but having believed, I have there- fore fpoken. Great as my attachment is to 200 APPENDIX. the denomination to which I belong, and ever fludious to promote their fpiritual be- ne^r, I confider them as part of the Catho- lic church, and all the faints as one body in Cknjl, and every one members one ofanother* T PI E EN r>. ^.J.* 4/-'*;: '-^,-< m, 1C Ji