>"^ o<^±**,^C \j' \J*^S'V'^ \J^^*\o'>^ %;^R^y \J^^\ fpr^'vv '*:i^^^^- ^'V^^%"- ./Vi^^\ oo^.i^j;;^ /W*/ VlP\^** \/W/ vWabitants compoMnc. said fcoeiety in Thoma.ilon. i " ' ° • Eelioid the Lord doth take away— the mi<.htv mm the man of war, the honorable ma, ! "brcoun.:' lor, and tlic eloquent orator."-l,SAlAH. "" " (I'rinted by Bab.-on and lin- it.) AUTJIOU-rf NOTE, The following Sermon is submitted ta the Dres=i upon the urgent and repeated request of a Commit- tee cliosen by the Society at Thumasto>,, who he" rd U from the pulpit. It was writte)i in much haTte and m a very mhrm etat,,. of liealth. But it i" no^ aSbn "' Tb"^' ;'"","'■ ^"■'^^"•''^'^' to maU^a ^ aittiations. llic charac er of Gener il FCN'OV ■,, tempted in tile close of the Discou 4e I am scM;sibh ' js nut complete and perfe.. ; though tie Xt.he iK're giveu, so fu as they go. I believe are « ie j Hnma.i misoii, houevci-, could not aigue llic pi-ob.'ibiliLv and sii'^'-e^t the hope o_t iinmorlalily." The tho!jrie> and reusomn-g of (lie widest philosophers could never iurnish convincin./ evi- dence, that we .should live bevond the gi-ave._ To ascertain and prove this most intere«tin<; and important truth, the assurances of divine inspiration ancUhe display or divine r^owerSvppeur o have been necessary. It was requi- site tha a doctrine, so full of consola- tion and so useful in morals, should be sanctioned by that D.inir, whose ubilitv none can deny and w/^a^e promise none Hill doubt. established, then, by the interpositions [ot divine wistioin and power Tiie christian rolioion is attended and sup- ported by such interpositions. Divine power was extraoydinarily everted divme mtellio-ence and mcrcv are cr- traordinarily displayed in cVerv part 01 fins orj-aeious disjjensatiou. Proph- cacs and miracles: doctrines, novel comprehensive and consolino-; preceptsi l)ure and perfect ; the character of its autlior incomparablv superior to that of any merely human beinarent of thl l"e'i»mS.'=""'"'^' '''''''' '' P--"^ «"-"-g n-uvx^rse. At the period foretold by in- r.EVELATIOXxn., 9:7; <;■ 10,7,. ' ''Tro'' «Vm,-^ ^' "^L»- ^>» ^O A GREAT MULTI 11 O'., MIlKlI .NO MAN COLLD NUMBER, OF ALL AND PALMS IX THEIR HANDS; AND CRIED WITU A LOFD VO.Or., ..AV1N«, SALVATION TO OUR TUe'laM^b'?' ""^^'^ '-''''-^ ■"'" -r^KO-^E AND L.NTO 'It is by the chris.ian revelation only, that we have satisfactorv evidence of 'a fntiire and immortal state of existence, iliis IS Uie fullest assurance, that we shall exist alter the present, mortal I scene is c osed ; and expre^slv declares, thai all the sincerely virtuous, "(hose who lear God and work ri-hteousness;" will be exalted to unspeakable -/lorv I and Iciicuy in the heavcnlv world * i It IS true, indeed, that "all other svs terns ol religion, which have been forin ed or adopted by mankind, have incu spn-ed prophets for centuries bcfor6 the event ant with the singular and won- utul yet pertect character, which had hten desci'ibed, the Son of God appear- ed 111 human flesh. Though he piisess- iity, self-denial and disinterested bci>cv- oleiice. Ills exalted virtue and sootle^s P^nty of character; .he gracious doc- tunes and ho y precepts of'his reliirion ; dePl'Iv )"•' "•\"'i'''^^'i''^ liepcrlonned icclaie his divme missiun and i,i-ove him to have been filled \ri(h the wisdom .and spirit of God. The great truths and he best doctrines of nalnrai relig- ion, he hilly conlirme.l; And l„. nuio'i olhetv^ respecting the nature and bene- Its uMus mediation, most important to I be known by a sinful world. Afiei ! having voluntarily submitted to dea'h ,...^,^ ,__^^^ ^11^ '" obeiiience to the will of his Father eafxl thedoctriiie of the linnlori'aHtv'of i !" ^'leetnate (lie purposes of his grace' the soul, nil, 1 i.f n <-„f„,... ...,- .. • . i ne arose trium])haiitly from the ' the soul, and of a future state of retri- bution. And may no: this be ju.tlv considered as proving, liuit the doctrine IS a.^reeable to the reason, the appre- hensions and the expectations of man- kind? and 1 1 • . - -•- - ^rave ascended up into glorr. Surelv 1 -II we must acknowledge"that •• thi"s ' was ii,eS,n,of God.; --He is exalted ! -o le a Pnnce and a Saviour, at the nghMiand of the majesty i„ the ilea v- , tail) e.xpfciai.)!] of a stiiic ol' c'.\i-iciice. "Alld wiiy sllOuJi] lliiny incredible, lljai iliedeiul?" Ceitaiu]^ liiiitc power, who ci-fiip.v 111 the heaven I v world. None will seek and serve him in vain. With impartial eye he views the \<-.VMe ftim- ily of mankind. They are all his off- 21, i sjiring. And in whomever there is sin- cere piety and prevailing moral good- ness; whoever resist and overcome evil; whoever conquer unruly passions and habits; these he approves "and loves. Jle beholds with api)i'obation the wid- ! ow's mite, as well as ihe more extensive^ charity of the opulent ; the honest sin- cerity and humble worship of the io-iio- rant savage, as well as the more°en.| liglitcned and improved virtue of those ! favoiTd with llie <,fo>pcl.* And he will ble-s anil reiminerate them all. — Thou^di no human biting can really plead per- soiifd merit bclbre God, or' claim a title to lulu re glory and liappiness, (as all are imperfect and sinful, and will re- ceive, not of debt, but of grace,) yet, tho>e whose sincere desire and endeav- oi- it is to conform to the will oi heaven, will be admitted into the society of the blessed above. In the heavenly world, all the virtuous and good, who have ever lived on earth, will be collecteil into one glorious and blissful societ}'. " They shall come from the east aii(i iVom the west, from the north and from the south, and shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the king- dom ol God.-"' Should it be objected, that this can. only apply to those who Ivave lived \i\ chiislian countries and have believecf' thogosijci; and, tlieretore, that it docs not appear, as suggested, that anv ot the heathens will be >aved — it migli't b.,' said in reply, that the great sin of inll- delily corisisis in d is regard in. :j: and op- po-iiijr ihc evidences which God has given those who enjoy the gospel; that all who are saved, will be accepted by divine grace through the Saviour; thai all [lious and upright heathens, such as were Abraham and Cornelius before they received supernatural instruction, have the sjjirit, if not the name ot chris- tians; and, that being of this disposi- tion and character, they belong to the kingdom ot the Kedeeuier, and will be owned and blessed bv him at the last day. This ceie.stial company will not onl\- be exceedingly numerous, but unspeak- ably happy. It will be composed whol- 1;. of virtuous spirits, delighting in God, and in wiiom he will also delight. It will be their sublime and blessed em- ployment to contemplate new manifes- tations of the divine wisdom and good- ness, and to unite with hosts of angels '■_ in praising and gloiifying him who sitteth upon the throne of the Universe and (lie Lamb forever and ever." — The laculties of our minds, it is reasonable to .-uppose, and is clearly intimated in 8cr;i)!uie, will be greatly en arged in ; the luture state; and we'shall be per-! Xew wonder- and disjdays of [)i-ovi- deuce will probably be inadc lo ns, to exalt our admiring and adoriu"^ thoughts, and to giatify and delight ouT- souls. Many mysteiies in the divine conduct will be cxi)lained to our en- lighiened comprehension; and the rich- es of ledecming love be more fullv un- derstood. These will be perpetual themes of praise, and inexhaustible sources of gratitude and joy. The sa- ci-ed song, which will I'esound througii the celestial mansions, will be, " bless- ing, glory, honor, and salvation to God the Father ar.d to his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who has redeemed us by his blood, out of every kindred and tongue, and people and nation." This great company of glorified be-, ings represented to be thus serving and , praising God in heaven, it is also'^to be observed, were pui'e and righteous. Ami it is agreeable to the whole current of in.-pired scripture that those who are admitted into the heaveuly world and panicipate in its spiritual" joys, will be holy and vir'uous beings. 'The idea is suggested in our text, by the expres- sion " that they were clothed with white robes." This ap[>arcl was an emblem of i)ersonal purity awd holiness, through the sanctifying iiiflnence of the gospel, and of the iuTerest they had in the redemption of Christ; by whose mediation and atonement those who be- lieve and repent are considered as inno- cent or righteous in the sight of heaven. God has appointed Jesus Christ to be a Saviour, and a propitiation for the sins of (he world; on which account, the penitent and faithful are offered pardon ami favored with tlie influences of divine grace to renew and sanctifv them for the pure joys and the exalted services of heaven. It is the blessed dc- j sign of the gospel to deliver us from the ; power of sinful lusts and habits. It I'uriushes peculiarly powerful motives I to turn us from sin to lioliness, and to [ render us pure in heart and lilc. ['•Know ye not," says the apostle, "that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God." In that blessed mansion all is holy obedience, peace, devotion and love. An inheritance there is prepared for those only who mitted to see and know inore of the| overcome temptations and subdued perlections, works and wisdom of God. their evil and corrupt affections. The\ This senteuco, perhaps, is capable of miseon- arc described as victorS haviuq Vn^ms ^ III tlicir hands. They are those wiio "u have conquered their spiritual enemies, «nictioii. It wa« only intended to convey the idea /;, //.^;,. ;,.,„,/,, tliat the sincere and virtuous even among lieaUien ' "«" nanUs. would be saved; Not tliat ourliuly religion does '^:%f}:t:'i!^:^:^:'.^rf^}}?'^<,^i!^^''^y'^'v^'<'^^^ii^^t the trood fi-hi of faith purify our conduct; Nor tliat a hoiv ifle upon clu,,- tian principles is not most pleasing and .icceptable to God. And it lias been observed before, that rea- son was not a sufljcient guide to trutli and virtue, Wliere Uod intends to call luany children to glory we believe he will prepare tliu way for the introduc inaintained their integrity amidst sur- rounding corruption. " \Ve pei-ceive, then, that the christian religion furnishes us both with encour- tionofthe gospel. 'Yet we consider it rationallind agemcut and COUIlSCl, tO live above^VliO scriptural, that those heathens who are careful in ,,",^.. 1,1 . i '-"""="^ ')'"-'"* '-'"^'-'*/- mc then- enquiries and consdentlot^s in their mac'iic ,''"' ^^ <^eny OUrSClvCS all Uulawfu will find iTierey at the great d.iy through the atoni:,- Pleasures and indulgences, and to con , blood of the Kedeerucr. , " form to the precepts of heavenly wis. doin. And certainly, this world is not to be considered chiefly as a state of en- joyment. It is not our permanent p'aco of abode. We are here pilgrims anoi sojourners, as were our fathers befoie us.— The gospel does not, in fact, re- quire us to treat worldiv goods wiih contempt, nor to bo insensible to the common blessings of life. The boun- ties of providence should be received with gratitude and enjoyed with cheer- fulness. CurisLianity is" not answerable for the voluntary severities of supersti- tion, nor the absurd practices of enthu- siasm. This divine system would con- duct its votaries in the patiis of sobrie- ty and virtue to the realms of future As a I'atriot — few indeed in our coun- try could justly claim merit or recouni services superior to his. With those heroes and statesmen, who in the mem- oi-:ibie period of 1775, made a brave and decided stanil in defence of civil libcrtv HO- motives coukl have operated but tliose which were perfcctlv pure and paiiiotic. Among these n]eriLoriou> cnuraclers, (ieneral Kxox holds a dis- tinguished rank. From the first mo- |"t;nl lo the close of that defensive and Jaw ul contest, which terminated in the establishment of our freedom as an in- dt'pendent^ republic, he bore an active and conspicuous part. He possessed, J" a hioh and llatterin'^ de .i..y.a„d i„„„o,.,ali,v. A. ti.-same Icc^.'^ ZtlS V^SHiulJl^iJ;: Tin-s divine religion i^ all our salva- on and all our hope: Let us propose i ^. '^""staut rule of life. Would ■spirit, which appeared in some parts oi nliich threatened the countrv with the nio.st calamitous events. And bv the we (lerive consolation from its'nromiscQ lien. nrw.v-„i, i '." "•-■■-• ^^"^ uviue find share in its ollered gra.^^ we must f as on- ' ■ ''^ c:!iaracter. he was selected conformitv to its be careful to live in iiuJy precejits. The doctrines of chrisiianity do al^o administer great consolation to those vho mourn the death of virtuous iS me.andlnends. For such, we mourn ot a= lho>e who aiv without hope. In H^appearstheunspeakable benefit of iL gospel, when compared to the svs- ^'■"s oi n.tidelity or fatalism. It ;^'"PIS not, indeed, to stille the at- /' well qualified to fill a responsible and important oflice in the federal .gov- ernment; whicii under Providence'has wolf.., *; >;'f"''""ci't of our political ueiiuie and happnipss. But in the character.s of a soldier and 'U-.>ii)an, he did not lose the more .01 d and amiable virtues of the man Ine bland and gentle afiections of hu- lyanity had lull possession of his sou! T^,!'wv'\''^'''^*\"\^'l« of tenderness. li..,,^^r, '— '-^v., lu -line Hie emo- J T/,« .wir ,-•" '"'V'^ "' luiuieri \^^:f 'u'::r. ^'^ ''^^. ^^^'^^ ^^- ^ valuable \ ^ '1' ^,?.1 f 1^''"'^^ distressed were |J>iend. But it greaTlv sooths and miti I ^a|esoi.r grief; by assuring us^thaUhe to share in his coinpassioir^anrcharih^ :^;'slic'in:: !k ''"'^ "'' ''^''' ^^' ^- or ev recent death "is so deeplv ' huBclued rhe intimate aG<]uaintance-a.ul Sen , cadil\ join me in classin-Miim ai u„ Itliose characters »rA. /..a-" Se S^ good in their den, and genZuo- among those who have dese^ d'we ?of ilit'ir country and mankind. I'ew men have possessed eniTil ,.nr... pride and insolence. jJut both in dis Posilion and manners, our depa.li^i fiKMHl was entirely exempt from this common irailty. Mildness ^ver bea,! dn,h„ countenance; -on his tongue veie the words of kindness;" and em i- f-V'-yl generosily ahvavs 'marked lis ;"lcrcourse .with his fellow-men. T e poor he never oppressed; the more ob- Ill Ilis political characLei', we should be U!iju-.t did we not give him the praise oj' candor and moderation. Though de- cided in his opinions and undisguised ill liis conduct, he could not truly be denominated the zi'alot of party. Even his enemies, (if enemies he ' had, oi those wiio knew not his wortli) will not deny him the^merit of impartiality and ■ magnanimity. It is not, however, to be dissembled, that he was a warm ad- vocate for the principles and measures of our beloved WAsiiiNCiTox, and for those of the friends and admirers of that sainted Patriot. And with this convic- 1 tion, it was impossible for a man of his sincerity and gfreatness of mind, to be guilty of any temporizing- conduct, or of a change of opinion for the sake of popularity or promotion. He was one of those ''rare cliaracters, icho prefer the pnhUc good to the 2^ub/ic favor. And with those who can distinguish the features of the sincere patriot, "his civic virtues and services will ever be hi^-hlv appreciated. " ' To the amiat>le Qualities vou ai"°^ ^ ^'^xf '■'^I'o^i^"^ and de- vout aflee ions. But to his friend^ if 1 ei} to Uod. He was not oiilv a firm believer in the nalaral and moral a-tr bi|tesot the Deity, which ^J^no^^^ | ' glit admit, and in his oveiTuling LrI 'til peivadiu- providence: Bat a?wa s expro.ed a warm sense of his denend ' , uppiiiess From various conver^a I |o..s, winch I have had with hmtol ' e.e subjects, it is my settled 00,^1"- tion, that he received the -ospel as a di- "e system and tliat his heart waV u armed and inlluenced bv pious aflcc- 1 tions. He had a strong "belief of the ' immortality of the soul:* Andwouldl S'dHi-'i'.'n"''''^"^''^''^^'"^^-^^^'^'"-«ti-''' and delight the prospect of intollcctual empo\menls and glories in the future world. ile sincerely respected the ministers and institutions of our holv religion^ t'l.u!!.\''.^.^''^''','''l '? P'-^vide 16^ the I this — ....v> i.....m,n, vjuaiiiics and moral **"^> '■"' i^-'i.ci uons, 10 excellences of General Knox, which ' ''^'t''"':"- Mipport of the '^ospel i„ have already been enumerated, we may Pj^^-e were great and unremitted Bv JUS ly add his prevailing disposition to , ''].^ Ji'J^'i'al donations to erect this hou«e piety. With much of the manners of »/ religious worship and to remuner'te he gay world,_and opposed as he was , t''^ labors o^ the preacher ; and b h ! to all suspersition and biVotry, he might h-:^t'mplary conduct in attendinr. the sei *A.l do ^,iot recoil c-ct that it has been noticed in .'"""^ f Jr^.^^ Oil the Sabbath, he gave full proof ol his sincere attachment to the feacred cause of Christianity. The in- ;; 'Jta.Us of this town hn-e done honor to themselves by the respect thev have ^bown (0 his memory, and the sorrow expressed at his decease. Thev have^ 'Hith lost a most liberal friend "and b^Mi- etactor. children, most of -.vlurm-di^r in Infan^T""^^^^ ^'"^ ^'^i"'"^.'^'' ''"^^ UlC losS of his' brothers was an officer in our rcSionary 4^^ ^ bereaved family_who can esti- future eminence. And no ollicxT ontr-rnri ,-,^ ^'H ,. j i, ^. '^"^"' Pai'takers of his faVor ^!P^^y'j^'^\^!<^ -- -^^'.i;"th[;c<^?:;:;^°r ^vi^!^^^I''sri^,f=:!l'^J^_-t-ted from ,.« any biographical remarks of Gen. Knox, I canno" relrain from mentioning in this place, histi Hal i,iJ v h.B mo« affectionate and assiduous attentions to V »c'■'« fe'i en ntcl ^'urd , v'i 'r''^" V"^'"''- ''"^ ^"ho e.gn oppression and slavery ; and his ,,ntw,,,;^",\!^^i ' of e:ich Hole w,V ' '-'"''"^' '"='•• l" the rational bein-s are recorded iu the annals of oui coun ,? ""' *^"■'^^-C'^..ai^t' in h:^'",rof ^.^'".Pr"^''^ niigrating ami W 98 >^'^ *"^% •ilrC.** C^. V" ,..^.lZ "^f^- .'^'^ .*•' • " " A.'- "■^ n" .<*:•' ■a. V ^«^, 40. 1 » ■:,■:, -J. ^J*-** -V' ^ V .• %/ %<^^ o '^o' r^o^ .v^ ^^ H^;^