- 
 

 Sanftuary Waters ; or , the Spread of the 
 GofpcL 
 
 A 
 
 SERMON, 
 
 PREACHED BEFORE 
 
 The MafTachufetts Baptift Mifiionary 
 Society, 
 
 AT TUE1R 
 
 ANNUAL MEETING, 
 
 Boston, May 28 , 1806 . 
 
 BY WILLIAM COLLIER, A. M. 
 
 rASTOR OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH IN CHARLESTOWN, (MASS.) 
 
 The profits arifing from the fale of this Difcourfe •will he applied 
 to the ufe of the Society. 
 
 . Bofton : 
 
 PRINTED AND SOLD BY MANNING AND LORINO. 
 
 June, 1806. 
 
AT a Meeting of the Trustees of The Majfachufetts 
 Baptijl Miffionary Society, holden in Bofton, May 29, 1806, 
 Voted — That the thanks of this Society be given to the 
 Rev. WILLIAM Collier, for his Sermon delivered be- 
 fore them the laft evening, and that he be requefted to 
 give a copy for publication. 
 
 A true Copy from the Records : 
 
 THOMAS BALDWIN, Sec'ry. 
 
MifTionary Sermon. 
 
 EZEKIEL xlvii. 3, 4, 5. 
 
 AND WHEN TIIE MAN THAT HAD THE LINE IN HIS HAND 
 WENT FORTH EASTWARD, HE MEASURED A THOUSAND 
 CUBITS, AND HE BROUGHT ME THROUGH THE WATERS} 
 THE WATERS WERE TO THE ANKLES. AGAIN HE MEAS- 
 URED A THOUSAND, AND BROUGHT ME THROUGH THE 
 WATERS } THE WATERS WERE TO THE KNEES. AGAIN 
 HE MEASURED A THOUSAND, AND BROUGHT ME THROUGH} 
 THE WATERS WERE TO THE LOINS. AFTERWARD HE 
 MEASURED A THOUSAND } AND IT WAS A RIVER THAT I 
 COULD NOT PASS OVER : FOR THE WATERS WERE RISEN, 
 WATERS TO SWIM IN, A RIVER THAT COULD NOT BE 
 PASSED OVER. 
 
 EZEKIEL began to prophefy about the 
 middle of the Babylonifh captivity. His predic- 
 tions were generally delivered in the fymbolical 
 language, and then explained in the alphabetical 
 or plain language. This method was ufually 
 adopted by the prophets, and is one caufe of the 
 obfcurity of prophecy. It cannot be fuppofed we 
 fhould underhand the prophecies, while we are ig- 
 norant of the language in which they are written. 
 
 An acquaintance with the manners and cuftoms 
 of the eaft,*and with oriental literature in general, 
 is necefiary to a correct knowledge of the fym- 
 
4 
 
 bolical language of fcripture : and we do not 
 think it extravagant to fay, that this would enable 
 us to underhand with equal facility the predic- 
 tions of the prophets, as a knowledge of any for- 
 eign language enables us to tranflate it into our 
 mother tongue. 
 
 At firft view, efpecially when we confider the 
 perfpicuity of the gofpel, we do not always fee 
 the wifdom of God in this obfcurity ; it is necef- 
 fary, however, to the government of free moral 
 agents, and the fulfilment of prophecy. In proph- 
 ecy there are certain characters delineated, and 
 many of the circumftances attending its accom- 
 plifhment marked with minute exactitude and 
 precifion. A previous knowledge of thele cir- 
 cumftances, in their defigned application, would 
 often prevent the fulfilment of the prediction. 
 Had the Jews underftood the prophecies refpeCt- 
 ing the humiliation of Chrift, would they have 
 cried, “ Away with him, away with him ?** Had 
 they forefeen the divine vengeance, would they 
 have been the voluntary actors in fuch a tremen- 
 dous fcene ? Would they have imbrued their 
 hands in the blood of the Son of God ? When 
 thefe very murderers wefe convinced from the 
 fcriptures whom they had crucified, they cried 
 out, under the molt poignant conviction of the 
 enormity of their guilt, “ Men and brethren, 
 “ what fhall we do ?” Even an apoftle feems to 
 become their apologifl ; “ Brethren, I wot that 
 “ through ignorance ye did it, as did alfo your 
 “ rulers.” 
 
 There are other prophecies in which a degree 
 of obfcurity is neceflary to their accomplifhment. 
 In the 17th chapter of the Apocalypfe, we have a 
 
5 
 
 remarkable prediction refpecting the Roman hie- 
 rarchy, announced in the fymbolical language of 
 the ancients. If the Roman pontiff had under- 
 ftood this prophecy, would he have fulfilled a pre- 
 diction in which that communion is depicted in 
 fuch fhameful and degrading characters ? Would 
 he have inferibed myjtcry upon his tiara ? the very 
 word written upon the forehead of the whore of 
 Babylon ! 
 
 The obfeurity of prophecy, then, fo far from 
 being any ground of cenfure on the divine gov- 
 ernment, is for the intereit of the church. By 
 this mean her defigns are concealed from her ene- 
 mies, and the Chriftian warfare carried on with 
 certainty of iuccefs. 
 
 Little were our enemies aware, when they kill- 
 ed the Prince of Life, that his death was the fal- 
 vation of Tinners ; that he died according to “ the 
 “ determinate counfel and foreknowledge of 
 “ God that his doctrine was to be the weapon that 
 fhould demolifli the ftrong holds of Satan in the 
 hearts of the children of men, and that principal- 
 ities and powers were to be fpoiled by the crofs 
 of Chrift. 
 
 It becomes us, therefore, to admire and adore 
 the wifdom of God, in bringing good out of evil ; 
 to fearch the prophecies for truth as for hid 
 treafure, and to look to the man in prayer, who 
 had the line in his hand, and explained to our 
 prophet the vifion, and whofe prerogative it is to 
 guide his difciples by his Spirit into all truth, that 
 he would open our underftandings that we might 
 underhand the feriptures. 
 
 The prediction of which the text is a part 
 begins at the 40th chapter of this book. The 
 
 / 
 
6 
 
 fcene of the vifion was a very high mountain in 
 the land of Ifrael. There was a temple prefented 
 to the view of our prophet, the glory of which 
 far tranfcended that of Solomon’s. Its different 
 apartments and various fervices are defcribed. 
 This temple is the church. While Ezekiel was 
 taking a particular view of the building, he faw 
 the waters gently flow from the fouth fide of the 
 altar, which gradually increafed into an impafTable 
 river. 
 
 This river is a fymbolica 1 exhibition of the in- 
 creafe of grace in the heart of every Chriftian, 
 and of the progrefs of the gofpel in the world. 
 “ Living waters fhall go out from Jerufalem ; and 
 “ the Lord fhall be king over all the earth. In 
 tc that day fhall there be one Lord, and his name 
 c< one.” Grace in believers is “ a well of water 
 €C fpringing up into everlafting life.” 
 
 In explaining the text, and applying the truths 
 it contains to the prefent occafion, we fhall en- 
 deavour to illuftrate fuch obfervations as naturally 
 rife from the fubjecL 
 
 I, The firft obfervation which naturally rifes 
 in our minds is, that the fprcad of the gofpel is in ex- 
 act conformity to the infinite and eternal plan of its 
 Divine Author. 
 
 The man who attended Ezekiel, and explained 
 to him the myfteries of this vifion, was the Lord 
 Jcfus Chrift. This is the man in our text, who 
 had the line in his hand, and went forth eaftward 
 and mcafured a thoufand cubits , and the waters were 
 to the ankles. Again he mcafured a thoufand cu- 
 bits ; the waters were to the knees. Again lie 
 mcafured a thoufand ; the waters were to the loins. 
 Afterward he mcafured a thoufand , and the waters 
 
7 
 
 were rifen into a river that could not be palled 
 over. The waters flowed exactly according to 
 the appointment of the man who had the direc- 
 tion of them, or in plain language, the gofpel 
 fpreads exactly according to the eternal plan of 
 the great Head of the Church. 
 
 My brethren, if we are favoured with the gol- 
 pel, while fo many millions of the human race arc 
 involved in heathen darknefs, we ought to afcribe 
 it to fovereign mercy. It is becaufe C.hrift hath 
 meafurcd a thoufand cubits for the waters of the 
 fandtuary to flow this way. 
 
 It would not be a difficult tafk to illuftrate this 
 fentiment by realbn and the fitnefs of things ; to 
 fhew its harmony with the attributes of God, and 
 that a contrary pofltion in its necefiary and cer- 
 tain confequences was atheifm, a denial of the be- 
 ing and perfedlions of Jehovah. But as we are 
 now addreffing an aflembly of profeffing Chrif- 
 tians, we fhall appeal to the Bible for the illuftra- 
 tion of our doctrine. 
 
 When the tabernacle was to be erected in the 
 wildernefs, the Lord called Mofes into the mount, 
 and gave him an accurate plan of the building, 
 with directions to make every part of it accord- 
 ing to divine pattern. The children of Ifrael were 
 employed in preparing the materials for the build- 
 ing ; and when Mofes compared their work with 
 the original plan , and found they had done it ac- 
 cording to the commandment of the Lord , he blefled 
 the people. 
 
 When God had given David, who was an emi- 
 nent type of Chrift, reft from all his enemies round 
 about, he put it into his heart to build an houffi 
 for the ark of the Lord. The delign was ap- 
 
8 
 
 proved by the prophet, though he was not fuffered 
 to carry it into execution, becaufe he had been a 
 man of war. David, however, made preparations 
 for the temple, which were very ufeful to Solo- 
 mon, who fitted all the materials fo exactly ac- 
 cording to the plan which was given from heaven, 
 that when the building was eredted, it went up 
 without the noife of axe or hammer. 
 
 As the tabernacle and temple were built accord- 
 ing to divine pattern , fo is the church. Chrift is 
 “ faithful in his houfe, whofe houfe are we, if we 
 tc hold fait the confidence and the rejoicing of the 
 “ hope firm unto the end.” 
 
 The perfonal miniftry of Chrift: and his apoftles 
 are a farther illuftration of the fentiment now un- 
 der confideration. 
 
 The Mafter himfelf has told us on one occafion, 
 that he was not fent but to the loft fhcep of the 
 houfe of Ifrael. 
 
 Although it was comparatively a light thing 
 for God to fend his Son into the world to fave 
 the Jews, and he was fet from eternity a light to 
 the .Gentiles, and defigned for the falvation of 
 the Lord to the ends of the earth, the waters of 
 the fanctuary fcarcely flowed beyond the bounds 
 of Judea, till the man in our text, who had the 
 line in his hand, meafured a thoufand cubits eaft- 
 ward, the direction in which moft of the Gentile 
 nations lay from Jerufalem. 
 
 When Chrift fent out the feventy difciples, he 
 gave them but a limited commiflion ; they were 
 direfted not to go into the ways of the Gentiles 
 or cities of the Samaritans : after his refurre&ion 
 their commiflion was enlarged. It is true they 
 
9 
 
 were to begin to publilli falvation at Jerufalem, 
 but they were not to end there ; the commiflion 
 is unlimited : “ Go ye therefore into all the world, 
 “ and preach the gofpel to every creature : he that 
 “ bclieveth and is baptized (hall be faved ; but 
 u he that believeth not ilia.ll be damned.’* 
 
 The miniftry of the apoftles will exemplify the 
 fame truth : all their travels were according to 
 the appointment of Chrift. The angel of the Lord 
 directed Philip toward the fouth, unto the way 
 that goetli down from Jerufalem to Gaza, which 
 is defert. And the Spirit faid unto him. Go near, 
 and join thyfelf to the chariot of the Ethiopian 
 eunuch. 
 
 When Paul and his companions “ had gone 
 “ throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, 
 “ they were forbidden of the Holy Ghcft to preach 
 “ the word in Alia. After they were coma to 
 “ Myfia, they allayed to go into Bithynia : but 
 tc the Spirit fiffered them not. And they, palling 
 w by Mylia, came down to Troas. And a vilion 
 tl appeared to Paul in the night j There flood a 
 “ man of Macedonia, and prayed him, faying. 
 
 Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And 
 u after lie had l'een the vilion, immediately we 
 “ endeavoured to go into Macedonia, alfuredly 
 * c gathering that the Lord had called us for to 
 fC preacli the gofpel unto them.” This paflage is 
 full to our purpole. Here we fee, that the heralds 
 of falvation, notwithftanding they had juft receiv- 
 ed a commiflion to go forth into all the world, 
 and preach the gofpel to every creature, were 
 forbidden of the Holy Ghojl to preach the word in 
 Afia : and when they were difpofed to go to one 
 
 B 
 
10 
 
 people, they were miraculoufly directed to an- 
 other. Jefus Chrift directed the courfe of his 
 apoftles ; and does by his providence, word, and 
 Spirit, {till dire<ft the travels of all his miuifters. 
 
 II. The gofpel is to go forth from the church. 
 
 The waters of the fanctuary proceed from the 
 
 temple at Jerufalem. “ Out of Zion fhall go 
 “ forth a law, (i. e. the gofpel,) and the word of 
 “ the Lord from Jerufalem.” 
 
 In conformity to this fentiment, focieties are 
 formed, and miflionaries fent forth, from the 
 midft of our churches, <c havmg the everlafting 
 “ gofpel to preach unto them that dwell on the 
 “ earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and 
 “ tongue, and people, faying with a loud voice, 
 “ Fear God, and give glory to him ; for the hour 
 “ of his judgment is come : and worfhip him that 
 “ made heaven, and earth, and the fea, and the 
 “ fountains of waters.” “ Out of Zion, the per- 
 <c fection of beauty, God hath fliined.” 
 
 III. The gofpel, with all its bleffings, flows to 
 us through Chrift. 
 
 The waters of the fanctuary came from under 
 the fouth ftde of the Altar. Sanctuary waters, 
 or the gofpel, literally flowed to us through 
 Chrift, when “ one of the foldiers with a fpear 
 “ pierced his fide, and forthwith came thereout 
 <c blood and water !” 
 
 IV. The fpread of the gofpel is a gradual work. 
 
 The kingdom of heaven, or gofpel difpenfation, 
 
 like grace in the foul, may be compared to the 
 growth of corn, which the earth bringeth forth 
 of herfelf ; “ firft the blade, then the ear, after 
 “ that the full com in the ear.” It “ is like to 
 
11 
 
 ** a grain of muftard-feed, which a man took, and 
 “ fowed in his field : which indeed is the leaft of 
 « all feeds ; but when it is grown it is the great- 
 « eft among herbs, and (in the eaftern country) 
 “ becometh a tree - f io that the birds of the air 
 “ come and lodge in the branches thereof/’ It 
 * c is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and 
 “ hid in three meafures of meal, till \he whole 
 il was leavened.” Or, it is like “ a handful of 
 “ corn in the earth, upon the top of the moun- 
 “ tains ; the fruh thereof fhall (hake like Leba- 
 “ non.” Thus the gofpel, like the river in our 
 text, from fmall beginnings, will gradually fpread, 
 till “ the parched ground fihall become a pool, and 
 “ the thirfty land fprings of water.” 
 
 The whole plan of redemption is not made 
 known to the children of men at once, but open- 
 ed to us by degrees. It was revealed to our lirft 
 parents that the feed of the woman fhould bruife 
 the ferpent’s head. This is a very general prom- 
 ife, and they had but vague and inadequate ideas 
 of the bleflings which it contains. Afterward it 
 was revealed to Abraham that Meiliah fhould 
 fpring from his loins : and then to Jacob, that he 
 fhould be of the tribe of Judah ; and fome inti- 
 mation given of the time of his advent. After 
 this it was made known to David that he fhould 
 del'cend from his family. The exact time of his 
 birth was pointed out by Daniel ; and the place 
 where he fhould be born by Micah. 
 
 Ifaiah appears to have had clearer and more ex- 
 tenfive views of the gofpel than any of the proph- 
 ets of the Old Teftament. It was revealed to 
 him that Chrift fhould be born of a virgin. He 
 pointed out the voice that cried in the wildernefs. 
 
12 
 
 “ Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make ftraight 
 “ in the defert an highway for our God. Every 
 “ valley fhall be exalted, and every mountain and 
 “ hill fhall be made low: and the crooked fhall 
 “ be made ftraight, and the rough places plain : 
 “ and the glory of the Lord fhall be revealed, and 
 “ all flefh fhall fee it together : for the mouth of 
 “ the Lord hath fpoken it.” 
 
 Ifaiah clearly defcribed the perfon, offices, and 
 work of Meffiah ; pointed out his fufferings and 
 death, and the glory that fhould follow. He faw 
 the waters flow out of the fide of the Altar : 
 he beheld them rife to the ankles, to the knees, 
 to the loins, and into a great river that could not 
 be palled over ! In profpect of happy gofpel days, 
 he exclaimed, with an enthuftafm not unworthy 
 his fubject, “ O Zion, that bringeft good tidings, 
 “ get thee up into the high mountain ! O Jerufa- 
 “ lem, that bringeft good tidings, lift up thy voice 
 “ with ftrength ; lift it up, be not afraid : fay 
 “ unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! How 
 “ beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of 
 “ him that bringeth good tidings, that publifhcth 
 “ peace ; that bringeth go6d tidings of good, that 
 “ publiflieth falvation ; that faith unto Zion, Thy 
 “ God reigneth. Thy watchmen fhall lift up the 
 “ voice, with the voice together fhall they ling ; 
 “ for they fhall fee eye to eye when the Lord fhall 
 “ bring again Zion. Break forth into joy, ling 
 “ together, ye wafte places of Jerufalem ; for the 
 “ Lord hath comforted his people, he hath re- 
 “ deemed Jerufalem. The Lord hath made bare 
 “ his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and 
 “ all the ends of the earth fhall fee the filvation 
 “ of our God.” 
 
13 
 
 All that is contained in thefe animated predic- 
 tions will be realized in the latter day glory of 
 the gofpel. 
 
 'l'he hopes and expectations of the church were 
 fixed on the coming ot Chrift. For this they car- 
 neftly prayed, and patiently waited. They look- 
 ed forward to this period with glowing anima- 
 tion. “ I have waited for thy l'alvation, O 
 “ Lord.” 
 
 All that was done before the coming of Chrift, 
 was but preparatory to the work of redemption. 
 The great events in providence had an ultimate 
 reference to his advent, and the eftablilhment ot 
 his kingdom. The rife and fall of the four great 
 monarchies of the world, was to make way for 
 the ftone cut out without hands to become a great 
 mountain, and fall the whole earth. The law 
 was a difpenfation of types and fhadows, prophe- 
 cies and promifes, involved in the darknefs of 
 Indian, Perfian, and Egyptian hieroglyphics: but 
 the gofpel is a difpenfation of light ; perfpicuitV 
 is one of its prominent characteriftics. Chrift is 
 the light of the world. The minifters of this dif- 
 penfation do not, like Mofes, put a vail upon their 
 faces. “ But we all with open face, beholding as 
 “ in a glafs the glory of the Lord, are changed in- 
 f c to the fame image, from glory to glory, even as 
 “ by the Spirit of the Lord.” Hence the prophet 
 calls upon Zion, “ Arife, fhine ; for thy light is 
 “ come, and the glory of the Lord is rifen upon 
 “ thee.” 
 
 Great progrefs has been made in theological 
 knowledge and real holinefs fince the coming of 
 Chrift. His difciples are better informed, with 
 
14 * 
 
 regard to the nature of his kingdom, and the 
 means by which it is to be eftablilhed in the world, 
 than they were at the commencement of the gof- 
 pel dil'penfation. “Ye are the light of the world ; 
 “ the fait of the earth.” 
 
 The vifible progrefs of the gofpel fmce the 
 Chriftian era has been gradual. The firft gofpel 
 church was formed by our Saviour himfelf at Je- 
 rufaiem. At his afcenfion their number was about 
 one hundred and twenty. At fome periods, the 
 fpread of the gofpel has been apparently much 
 more rapid than at others. In a very fhort time 
 it fpread over Judea and Samaria, and the greater 
 part of Italy and Arabia j and we are confident it 
 will continue to fpread, until it extends to the 
 uttermoil part of the world. “ Thy way fliall be 
 “ known upon earth, and thy faving health among 
 “ all nations.” 
 
 If the time prefcribed for thefe exercifes per- 
 mitted, it would be proper here to notice the dif- 
 penfation of the Holy Spirit,* on whofe omnipo- 
 
 * l'he difpenfation of the Spirit may be confidered, both 
 with regard to his ordinary and extraordinary gifts : this 
 was fpoken of in prophecy, Joel ii. 28, 29. : it was foretold 
 by John the Baptift, “ He fliall baptize you with the Holy 
 ** Ghoft, and with fire.” 
 
 Chrift directed his difciples to tarry at Jerufalem until they 
 were endued with power from on high. “ And when the 
 “ day of pentecoft was fully come, they were all with one 
 “ accord in one place. And fuddenly there came a found 
 tl from heaven, as of a rufhing mighty wind, and it filled all 
 “ the houfe where they were fitting. And there appeared 
 “ unto them cloven tongues, like as of fire, and it fat upon 
 “ each of them : and they were all filled with the Holy 
 ** Ghoft, and began to fpeak with other tongues, as thC Spirit 
 “ gave them utterance.” 
 
15 
 
 tent energy the fuccefs of the gofpel depends ; 
 but we can only fay, the extraordinary effufion of 
 the Holy Spirit at the feaft of pentecoft, opened a 
 new and moll aftonifhing feene, and promiled the 
 univerfal triumph of Chriftianity. About three 
 
 The jirjl thing worthy of obferv;itiou, in this wonderful 
 event, is the time when it took place ; “ when the day ot 
 “pentecoft was fully come:” at this time Jerufalem was 
 thronged with people. A vaft number of rtrangers who 
 came to the feaft, on their return home would relate what 
 they had feen and heard ; and thus prepare tire way for the 
 iprtad of the gofpel among the Gentiles. 
 
 As Chrift was crucified at one of the great Jewilh fefti- 
 vals, fo was he glorified at another. Now he was again juf- 
 tified by the Spirit. 
 
 Secondly. The Holy Spirit defcended when the difciples 
 u were all with one accord in one place.” Where union, 
 harmony, affection, and fervency in prayer and other devo- 
 tional exercifes prevail in our affemblies, there Jefus will 
 defeend in the influences of his Spirit, and take up his abode. 
 
 Thirdly. His defeent was fudden. God is a fovereign fri 
 the gift of the Spirit. The finner is arrefted fuddenly : the 
 church is comforted unexpectedly. 
 
 Fourthly. “ There came a found from heaven, as of a 
 « rufliing mighty wind.” The gofpel, accompanied with 
 the influences of the Holy Spirit, will bear down with the 
 force of a rufhing mighty wind all oppofition to its progrefs. 
 
 Fifthly. “ There appeared unto them cloven (or divided) 
 “ tongues, like as of fire.” This denotes the different gifts 
 of the Holy Spirit, particularly the variety of languages tlie 
 difciples could fpeak with propriety and facility, although 
 they had never learned them. The confufion of tongues at 
 Babel, deprived all the nations of the earth but the Jews of 
 the knowledge of the true God. The gift of tongues at 
 Jerufalem was the mean of communicating the knowledge of 
 the true God, even Jefus Chrift, to the Gentiles. 
 
 The appearance was 'like as of fire. The Holy Spirit, in a 
 gofpel miniftry, quickens dead tinners, purifies the conference, 
 illuminates the underftanding, and warms the heart. 
 
 % 
 
16 
 
 thoufand were added to the church in one dav.* 
 In, a few days their number was increafed to live 
 thoufand ; and additions were daily made of luch 
 as fhould be faved. This is the coming of the 
 kingdom of heaven with power. 
 
 The ordinary operations of the Holy Spirit are 
 {fill neceffary to the fuccefs of the goipel. “ When 
 “ he is come, he will reprove the world of fin, 
 “ and of righteoufnefs, and of judgment.”' Paul 
 may plant, and Apollos water, but it is God who 
 givetli the increafe. 
 
 In tracing the progrcfs of the gofpel, how re- 
 markable it is, that the very calamities which befel 
 the church contributed to her enlargement. 
 
 When the dilciples, except the apoftles, were 
 fcattered abroad on the account of a violent per- 
 fection, they “ went every where preaching the 
 
 word. Philip went down to the city of Sama- 
 “ ria, and preached Chrift unto them. And the 
 “ people with one accord gave heed unto thofe 
 “ things which Philip fpake, hearing and feeing 
 “ the miracles which he did. And there was 
 “ great joy in that city.” 
 
 * It is generally fuppofed thefe were all concerted under 
 one fernion, preached by Peter ; but we tee nothing in the 
 hiftory which neeeilarily confines die whole fuccefs of that 
 day to this zealous apollle ; his difeourfe no doubt was more 
 copious than the difeourfes of the reft of the difciples, and 
 would be of more general ufe to the church in future ages, 
 and therefore is recorded in the holy icriptures ; but it Ihould 
 be remembered, they were all tilled with the Holy GliolU 
 and fpake with other tongues. 
 
 It has been fuggefted by feme, who are eminently diftin- 
 guiflied in biblical criticitm, whether the addition of three 
 thoufand does not feem to be mentioned by the facrcd hifto- 
 rian rather as the aggregate fuccefs of all the difciples qb 
 that day than of any one individual. 
 
17 
 
 The Samaritans were a kind of mongrel Jews. 
 The fpread of the gofpel among them was a dif- 
 tinct thing from the calling of the Gentiles. It 
 was necellary that the word of God fhould firft 
 be preached to the Jews ; “ but (fays the apoflle) 
 ec feeing ye put it from you, and judge yourfelves 
 “ unworthy of everlalline: life, lo, we turn to the 
 “ Gentiles.” 
 
 The converhon of Saul, of the city of Tarfus, 
 was an important acquifition to the caufc of truth. 
 This zealous and faithful preacher of righteouf- 
 nel's, in union with leveral of his brethren, trav- 
 elled over the greater part of the then known 
 world, and inllrumentally planted churches among 
 almoft all the nations of the earth. 
 
 The calling of the Gentiles was frequently a 
 fubject of prophecy. “ I have fet thee for a light 
 “ to the Gentiles.” 
 
 But in tracing the progrefs of the gofpel, a very 
 formidable enemy arrefls our attention ; an ene- 
 my which filled an infpired apoflle with amaze- 
 ment : a community of profeffmg Chriflians drunk 
 with the blood of the faints ! This enemy is the 
 little horn fpoken of by Daniel ; alfo called the 
 man of fin, myflery of iniquity, antichrift, Baby- 
 lon, a woman fitting upon a fcarlet coloured beaft ; 
 this is the apocalyptical beaft riling out of the 
 fea, with feven heads and ten horns. 
 
 During this awful apoftafy, the witneffes of 
 Jefus prophefied forty and two months clothed in 
 fackcloth. Thefe witneffes were killed, that is, 
 fdenced, by the church of Rome, though not 
 buried. “ Their dead bodies lay in the ftreet of 
 “ the great city, which fpiritually is called Sodom 
 “ and Egypt, where alfo our Lord was crucified ” 
 
 c 
 
18 
 
 afrefh in his members, “ three days and an half.”* 
 This was the loweft time the church ever faw, 
 or ever will fee. 
 
 “ The fpirit of life from God entered into them 
 “ (the witneffes,) and they flood upon their feet ; 
 “ and great fear fell upon them which faw them.” 
 
 This was the commencement of the ever mem- 
 orable reformation in the 16 th century. Princi- 
 ples were then imbibed and propagated by Zuin- 
 glius, Luther, and other reformers, which will 
 never ceafe to operate, till an all-wife and gracious 
 Redeemer is pleafed to uflier in the millennial 
 glory of Zion. The waters of the fanctuary now 
 begin to rife ! 
 
 Events have occurred, and no doubt will occur, 
 dark and myfterious. The work has often been 
 
 * The lewdnefs of Sodom, the darknefs of Egypt, and 
 their cruel oppreftion of the ancient people of God, render 
 thefe places ftriking emblems of the church of Rome. With 
 Tegard to the time the dead bodies of the witneifes lay in the 
 flreets of the great city, learned men have offered different 
 interpretations. Some underfland it literally, and refer it 
 either to the period which elapfed from the death of Pallicka, 
 the la ft Bohemian martyr, to the appearance of Zuinglius 
 and his cotemporaries, at the beginning of the reformation, 
 which was juft three years and an half ; or to the flaughter 
 of the Albigenfes and Waldenfes in the year 1686, who ap- 
 peared again in 1690. But we have no objection to tire 
 interpretation of thofe who refer it to “ a certain limited 
 time.” If by the three days and an half be meant the fame 
 period of time as one thoufand two hundred and fixty days, 
 or forty and two months, propriety requires a change in the 
 fymbols. It would be lhocking to our feelings, to fay a dead 
 body lay in the ftreet of the great city one thoufand two 
 hundred and fixty days or forty and two months, when three 
 days and an half would be as long as it could be preferved 
 from putrefaction. It is faid of Lazarus, when he had beea 
 dead four days, “ By this time lie ftinketh.” 
 
19 
 
 retarded, and in fome inftanccs apparently retro- 
 grade ; but this is only apparent. 
 
 As men, we are often filled with defpondency ; 
 but as Chriftians, our hearts glow with an anima- 
 tion akin to the ardour of angels, in profpeft of 
 the profperity of Zion. We fully believe that 
 reformation will fucceed reformation, till every 
 corner of the globe {hall be illuminated with the 
 rays of the Sun of Righteoufnefs. 
 
 Here we muft be permitted to fay, the glorious 
 revivals of religion we have witnefled in our own 
 happy land, and the news of the triumphs of 
 grace which have faluted our ears from foreign 
 climes, are aufpicious precurfors of the coming of 
 the Son of Man. Brethren, have our churches 
 ever feen any thing like the prefent day fince the 
 16th century ? We have witnefled almofl; another 
 pentecoft : happy feafons of refrelhing from the 
 prefence of the Lord ! 
 
 Before we conclude this article, it is of impor- 
 tance for us to diftinguilh between the real and 
 apparent progrefs of the gofpel. 
 
 The apoftle fpeaks of fome “ having a form 
 “ of godlinefs, but denying the power thereof: 
 “ from fuch turn away.” 
 
 The converfion of Conftantine the great, in 
 the 4th century, has been thought an aufpicious 
 event, efpecially as it delivered the church from 
 one of the moft violent of the heathen perfec- 
 tions.* But it has been doubted by learned and 
 
 * If heathen Rome has flain her thoufands , papal Rome 
 has flain her tens of thoufands. The fufferings of the churchy 
 during the firft three centuries, were great under the heathen, 
 but were much greater in the fubfequent centuries, under the 
 papal emperors. That idolatrous and apoftate community 
 
V. 
 
 20 
 
 good men, whether it were any advantage to real 
 Chriftianity. The number, affluence, and eafe of 
 the church were greatly increafed, but their fpir- 
 ituality and piety did not increafe in the fame 
 proportion. 
 
 The converlion of Clovis I. a pagan king of 
 France, in the 5th century, is fubjecb to the fame 
 fufpicion. On his baptifm at Rheims, more than 
 three thoufand of his fubjecb followed his exam- 
 ple. “ But,” fays an elegant writer, “ they con- 
 “ tinued the fame in their morals after their con- 
 <c verfion as before. When the church opened 
 “ her doors, and delivered up her keys, to thefe 
 “ new converts, fhe gained nothing in compari- 
 “ fon of what fhe loft. Such Chriftians, in a long 
 <c fucceffion, converted Chriftianity into fome- 
 44 thing worfe than paganifm. They elevated the 
 44 church into a temporal kingdom, and degraded 
 44 temporal kingdoms into fiefs of the church, 
 
 may truly be reprefented as “ drunken with the blood of the 
 faints.” Nearly three millions of lives have fallen a facrifice 
 to papal perfecution. All this “ blood of the faints, with 
 6 ‘ the blood of the martyrs of Jefus,” is required at the hand 
 of ecclefiaflical eftablifhments. Perfecution, in fome fliape or 
 other, is an infeparable concomitant of every fliade of “ law 
 religion.” 
 
 “ My kingdom,” fays Chrift, “ is not of this world.” His 
 fpiritual empire is in the hearts of his difciples. Chrift, as 
 the head of the church, is a fpiritual monarch. Our confi- 
 dence of the eftablifliment and fupport of his kingdom is not 
 in an arm of fieflr, but in the omnipotence of our King. “ The 
 weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through 
 God.” The kingdom of Chrift “ boafts not of that external 
 “ pomp and grandeur which conftitute the pride of earthly 
 “ empires, but is illuftrioufly diftinguilhcd by a glory peculiar 
 “ to itfelf, infinitely fuperior ; and never is its beauty more 
 defaced than when men attempt to embellifti it by th$ 
 *' fplendour of fecnlar magnificence.” 
 
 
21 
 
 « They founded dominion in grace, and they ex- 
 “ plained grace to be a love of dominion. By 
 “ thele means they completed that general apof- 
 “ tafy known by the name of popery ; which ren- 
 “ tiered the reformation in the 16 th century 
 “ elfential to the interefts of all mankind.” 
 
 The prelate of Rome, in order to repair in fome 
 meafure the lot's his revenue fuftained by the re- 
 formation, fent a vaft number of million aries into 
 heathen countries, wlio have with great pomp 
 announced the fuccefs of their millions in China, 
 Egypt, AbytTinia, Ceylon, Japan, and other places. 
 But thofe faid to be converted by papal miiliona- 
 ries, do not forfake their former principles and 
 practices : and proteftant millionaries declare thefe 
 Chrijlians are greater enemies to true religion than 
 the heathen themfelves. This fad may teach us , 
 that the profejjion of Chri/lianity without the power , is 
 no real accejfion to the caufe. 
 
 The church of Rome thill purfue the fame pol- 
 icy. A miffionary fociety has lately been formed 
 in that communion, which has fent out five hun- 
 dred millionaries.* O that thefe were all evan- 
 gelical and experimental preachers of the word ! 
 
 V. The gofpel contains fublime mylleries. 
 
 The waters of the fanctuary are unfathomable. 
 Chriftianity can never be reduced to the ftandard 
 
 * The condutf of the church of Rome, in this inftance, i,s 
 worthy of imitation : and fo far from being any ground of 
 obje&ion to the formation of mifllonary focieties in proteftant 
 churches, ought to ftimulate to greater exertions. It is wor* 
 thy of remark, however, that while the revenues of the for- 
 mer are augmented by mifllonary exertions, it is a primary 
 object with the latter, to fend the gofpel to the deJUtute, and 
 fupport our mifilonaries by an appropriation of property al- 
 t*ady in oar pofleflion. 
 
22 
 
 of human reafon. The doctrine of the facred 
 Trinity, the divinity and incarnation of Jefus 
 Chrift, the work of the Holy Ghoft in regenera- 
 tion, the method of juftification by one who him- 
 felf was made a curfe, and that we Ihould live by 
 one who died, are myfteries of godlinefs ! Thefe 
 are fome of the deep things of God ; the un- 
 fearchable riches of Chrift : things that angels 
 defire to look into. 
 
 VI. It is the prerogative of Chrift to explain 
 the myfteries of the gofpel. He is the man who 
 led our prophet through the waters of the fanc- 
 tuary : he taught his difciples : he guides them 
 into all truth : he reveals to them the deep things 
 of God, by his Spirit. 
 
 VII. The gofpel affords comfort and encour- 
 agement to thirfty fouls, and to anxious awakened 
 finners. This is that “ river, the ftreams whereof 
 make glad the city of God.” 
 
 VIII. The gofpel will have its courfe, and final- 
 ly fpread over the world. 
 
 Men may as well attempt to arreft the courfe 
 of nature, as to ftop the progrefs of the gofpel. 
 Vain and prepofterous are all the attempts of infi- 
 dels and enthufiafts to divert the courfe of this 
 river. Equally regardlefs of the fubtlety of world- 
 ly philofophy and the rage of free-will fanaticifm, 
 it rolls on with undeviating majefty, infinitely 
 fuperior to the Oronoke, Amazon, La Plate, or 
 Mifiifippi, pure as the river that proceeds, not 
 from the thrones of earthly defpots, but from the 
 throne of God and of the Lamb. 
 
 Chrift fpake with authority when on earth : and 
 his gofpel, attended with the irrefiftible energy 
 of the Holy Ghoft, is ftill triumphant. “ I will 
 
“ pour water upon him that is thirfly, and floods 
 “ upon the dry ground. 1 will pour my Spirit 
 “ upon thy feed, and my bleffing upon thy off- 
 “ fpring ; and they Jhall lpring up as among the 
 “ grafs, as willows by the water-courfes.” 
 
 In the improvement of our fubjecl, we (hall be 
 obliged to pafs over in filence a number of ufeful 
 reflexions we intended to make, and conclude 
 with a few obfervations immediately connected 
 with the occafion on which we are convened. 
 
 1. We are naturally led to reflect upon the 
 remarkable out-pouring of the Holy Spirit upon 
 Zion, for thefe ten or twelve years paft. Juft 
 before the commencement of the aftonifhing tri- 
 umphs of the gofpel to which we refer, infidelity 
 had reared its hideous form, and with a confidence 
 equalled by nothing of the kind but its impudence, 
 was making the moft rapid ftrides in Europe and 
 America. Amidft the political earthquakes which 
 convulfed the kingdoms of this world, and the 
 eccleiiaftical concuflions which agitated the Roman 
 hierarchy, and threatened its utter deftruction, 
 together with all religious eftablifhments, (which 
 fhews the folly and danger of the unnatural con- 
 nexion between the church and ftate) the enemies 
 of Chriftianity fondly and vainly anticipated the 
 fpeedy overthrow of all religion. They publifhed 
 deiftical books, formed focieties, eftablifhed cor- 
 refpondencies, and even began to threaten the 
 followers of Immanuel. Good God ! thy chil- 
 dren fpread their caufe before thee in the fanctu- 
 ary ; they plead, what wilt thou do for thy name’s 
 fake, if thou doft now confound the hopes of 
 Zion ; they plead the promifes to thy church, and 
 to thy Son $ they plead thy covenant, thy veracity, 
 
thy blood ! Thou haft heard, thou haft anfwered 
 from heaven, thou haft fcattered the enemy, thou 
 haft difarranged all their plans, and fpread confu- 
 fion and dilgrace through all their ranks. “ Sing, 
 “ O heavens ; and be joyful, O earth ; and break 
 “ forth into finging, O mountains : for the Lord 
 “ hath comforted his people, and will have mercy 
 “ upon his afflicted.” While the enemy was 
 coming in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord 
 lifted up a ftandnrd againft him. 
 
 2. The miflionary fpirit which has attended 
 this work, and the formation of fo many million- 
 ary focieties, give the reformation a Angular char- 
 acter, and render it peculiarly impreffive on the 
 public mind, efpecially of the pious. 
 
 Whenever the Lord has poured out his Spirit, 
 and granted a feafon of refrefhing to his children, 
 it has always infpired them with love to the pre- 
 cious fouls of their fellow men, and with ardent 
 deftres for the fpread of the gofpel. When we, 
 dear brethren, were brought to tafte the precioul- 
 nefs of Chrift, was it not the flrft and moft ardent 
 defire of our fouls, that others might experimen- 
 tally know the happinefs' there is in religion? 
 Hence, Chriftians have aflbeiated, at different 
 times, for miflionary purpofes : but nothing fo 
 general has ever been known at any former pe- 
 riod. Now afl'oeiations are formed, not for the 
 fpread of a particular party or fe<ft, but of the 
 common falvation. 
 
 What but the power of God could have infpir- 
 ed fo many evangelical minifters and churches 
 with one fpirit, and have engaged them to direct 
 all their energies to the accomplilhment of one 
 grand object, the fpread of the gofpel ? This cir- 
 
25 
 
 cumftance alone is fufficient to convince every 
 candid, unprejudiced mind, that it is the work of 
 the Lord. 
 
 3. The vifible fuccefs which has attended the 
 preaching of the word, and means of inftru£lion* 
 among the heathen, is worthy of obfervation, and 
 calls for gratitude and praife j and is an encour- 
 agement to greater exertions. 
 
 The inhabitants in the new fettlements, and 
 Indians in our own country, are favourably dif- 
 pofed towards the gofpeL The voice of an evan- 
 gelical miniftry is heard in the wildernefs, crying, 
 “ Prepare the way of the Lord, make ftraight in 
 “ the del'ert a highway for our God.”* 
 
 * The fuccefs which has attended the labours of that ven- 
 erable, zealous, and faithful fervant of Jelus Chrift, brother 
 Elkanah Holmes, in the employ of the New York Miffionary 
 Society, among the Tufcarora and other Indian nations, for 
 thefe three years pall, is deferving of refpedtful and grateful 
 notice. Some things have occurred peculiarly trying, and to 
 the eye of human reafon difeouraging : but thofe very circum- 
 ftancCs, which once wore a gloomy afpeft, have been fublervi- 
 ent, under divine direftion, to the increafe of light and convic- 
 tion among the Indians. “ He taketh the wife in their own 
 “ craftinefs, and turneth the counfels of the froward head- 
 “ long.” “ The wrath of man fha.ll praife him, and the 
 “ remainder of wrath he will reftrain.” 
 
 Among the Tufcaroras, fix or eight give good evidence 
 that they experimentally know the truth as it is in Jefus : and 
 more than feven-eighths of the nation are decidedly in favour 
 of the gol'pel, and warmly attached to their miffionary. Their 
 external reformation is very apparent : they are defirous to 
 exchange their barbarous cuftoms, for the fciences, arts, 
 maxims, and manners of civilization ; and their heathen 
 fuperftition for the gofpel of Jefus Chrift. They ufed to be 
 intemperate, but now it is a very rare circumftance to fee 
 one of them intoxicated with fpirituous liquors. 
 
 O 
 
26 
 
 The miffionary plans and exertions of our breth- 
 ren on the eaftern continent, are ftill more exten- 
 sive, and certainly not lefs promifing than in our 
 own country. 
 
 The Lord’s day is religioufly obferved among them. They 
 give their punctual attendance on the word : they behave 
 with great propriety on fuch occafions, and Men with tender 
 folicitude to the inftrudtions of the gofpel. They have a fchool 
 eftablifhed among them, and two meeting houfes eredted, one 
 in the Seneca and the other in the Tufcarora village, by the 
 legiflature of the (late of New York. In fhort, things are 
 in a very favourable train of operation among the Tufcaroras, 
 and fome tokens for good among other tribes of the north- 
 weftern Indians. 
 
 The pagan part of the Stockbridge Indians have recently 
 renounced idolatry, and joined the congregation under the 
 care of the Rev. Mr. Sargent, a worthy miffionary, in the 
 employment of the focieties “ for promoting Chriftian knowl- 
 “ ledge ” and “ for propagating the gofpel among the In- 
 “ dians and others in North America.” 
 
 The Macedonian cry is heard ftill farther to the weftward. 
 The temporary excurftons of the miffionaries fent by this foci- 
 ety and the Shaftlbury Aflociation, have been greatly bleffed, 
 to the comfort of God’s children and the awakening of care- 
 lefs, perilliing finners. In the north-weftern territories of the 
 ftate of New York, and in fome parts of the province of 
 Upper Canada, appearances are very encouraging. Within 
 thele three years paft, two churches have been conftituted up- 
 wards of an hundred miles beyond Fort Niagara. 
 
 The people are uncommonly anxious to enjoy the bleffings 
 of a preached gofpel : they prefs the miffionaries with the 
 moft urgent importunity to vifit them again, and come and 
 bring their families, and live among them. In Ihort, there 
 are hopeful appearances, in almoft every diredtion, of churches 
 arifing, if the neceffary affiftance can be afforded to thofe 
 who are aftcing the way to Zion with their faces thitherward. 
 
 When we compare thefe appearances with the fcripturcs, 
 we lliall not be thought enthufiaftic, if we are led to believe, 
 that the prophet had the very places in view where our mif- 
 lionaries have travelled, when he exclaimed, “ The wildcmefs. 
 
27 
 
 The ifles of the fouth fea wait for thy law. 
 India is enriched with the treafure of the gofpel ; 
 and Ethiopia llretches out her hand unto God. 
 44 And I law, and, behold, a white horfe ; and he 
 44 that fat on him had a bow ; and a crown was 
 44 given unto him : and he went forth conquer- 
 44 ing, and to conquer.” 
 
 4. The converlion of a number of the Jews, is 
 an aufpicious omen. O when {hall the pofterity 
 of Abraham walk in the Heps of the father of the 
 faithful. A number have already become Ifrachtes 
 indeed. 
 
 The London Millionary Society have directed 
 their efforts towards this devoted and long for- 
 faken people. Under the patronage of this noble 
 inftitution, Mr. Chriftian Frederick Frey, whom 
 we hail as a brother in Chrift, and fervant of the 
 moll high God, has commenced his million ary 
 labours among the Jews. 
 
 At firft he was attended by hundreds of his 
 brethren and kindred according to the flefh. The 
 young people were candidly difpofed to hear 
 him ; but the old people were fo enraged, and 
 difeovered fo much of the fpirit of their fathers 
 toward the Saviour, crying, 44 Away with him, 
 44 away with him,” that, if they had had it iu 
 their power, brother Frey would have {hared the 
 
 ' ■ • * » 
 
 “ and the folitary place (hall be glad for them ; and the def- 
 
 “ ert lhall rejoice, and blofTom as the rofe.” 
 
 It is a remarkable circumftance, that our mifllonaries, who 
 have travelled into thofe infant fettlements, publifhing the 
 glad tidings of falvation to the deftitute inhabitants, have 
 been greatly bleffed in their labours, and favoured with un- 
 common manifeftations of the divine prefence. “ Lo, I ant 
 “ with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” 
 
28 
 
 lame fate as his Mafter did among them — cruci- 
 fixion ! His fituation became fo perilous, that he 
 was obliged to be attended to his place of worfhip 
 by a guard. At length a decree was palled in all 
 the fynagogues in London, that no Jew Ihould 
 infult his perfon or attend on his miniftry. The 
 rich, who violated this decree, expofed themfelves 
 to a line of one hundred pounds ; and the poor, 
 to excommunication. This rendered his fituation 
 fafe, but his meetings were thinly attended ; a 
 few, however, regularly give their attendance, 
 and feem to be inquiring, Is Jefus of Nazareth the 
 true Meffiah ? 
 
 Now that remarkable prophecy in Zechariafi 
 begins to be fulfilled ; “ I will pour upon the 
 “ houfe of David, and upon the inhabitants of 
 “ Jerufalem, the fpirit of grace and of fupplica- 
 <c tions ; and they {hall look upon me whom they 
 “ have pierced, and they (hall mourn for him, as 
 
 one mourneth for his only fon, and lhall be in 
 « bitternefs for him, as one that is in bitternefs 
 “ for his firft-born.” The Jews fhall be brought 
 in with the fulnels of the Gentiles. 
 
 5 . When the Lord is about to accomplilh any 
 great event, he raifes up and qualifies fuitable in- 
 ftruments for the work. It is with pleafure we 
 fee fo many of our young brethren ftirred up to 
 devote themfelves to the miniftry. The harveft 
 is great, but labourers are comparatively few ; 
 pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harveft, that 
 he would thruft forth more labourers into his 
 harveft. 
 
 6. The tranflation of the Bible into fo many of 
 the oriental languages, and arrangements that arj 
 
29 
 
 making to tranflate it into others, and the proha- 
 hility that it will loon be tranflatcd into all the 
 languages in the world, will no doubt greatly con- 
 tribute to the fpread of the gofpel. “ Let men but 
 “ read and underftand the fcriptures, and they 
 “ cannot but be Chriftians,” Exert yourfelves, 
 brethren, to promote the circulation of this belt 
 . of books, the book of books.* 
 
 7. Brethren, be not unmindful of the hand of 
 the Lord, in raifing up fo many friends to fupport, 
 by liberal contributions of their worldly fubftance, 
 the inflitutions, plans, and important undertak- 
 ings, which have been deviled and executed by 
 JVliflionary Societies. The lilver and the gold are 
 (the Lord’s. Surely it muft be of the Lord, that 
 the people offer after this fort. Not only the rich 
 and opulent, but Chriftians in every grade of fo- 
 ciety, are contriving ways and means to promote 
 the glorious caufe, by their prayers, and to honour 
 the Lord with their fubftance. 
 
 8. The tottering condition of the Roman hie- 
 rarchy, and all ecclefiaftical eftablifliments by civil 
 law, the flames of revolution which have burft 
 forth in fome parts of the Ottoman empire, are 
 precurfors of the deftruction of the eaftern and 
 weftern antichrift ; and announce the approach of 
 the Son of God, to fet up that kingdom which is 
 not of this world. 
 
 * The author would take the liberty to fuggeft the utility 
 of forming a fociety in this country, fimilar to “ The Britifls 
 “ and Foreign Bible Society fuch an inftitution might be 
 attended with incalculable advantage to the fouls of men, 
 and contribute much to the profperity of Zion. The Bible 
 is a book, to promote the circulation of which, Chriftians of 
 all denominations can mod heartily unite. 
 
30 
 
 Chriftians, enter into your chambers, until the 
 indignation be overpaft. Happy Ihould we be 
 could we allure you, that the pur poles of God 
 were to be accomplilhed without the pouring out 
 of the vials of his wrath upon the nations of the 
 earth. But the oppofition of the enemy we ex- 
 pect will make necelfary the interpofition of Heav- 
 en by the molt awful and diltrelling judgments. 
 “ Violent difcafes require violent remedies.” But 
 let no Chriltian Hand afar off for fear of her tor- 
 ment, and weep and lament for her, faying, “ Alas, 
 “ alas ! that great city Babylon, that mighty city ! 
 “ for in one hour is thy judgment come.” But 
 rather “ rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye ho- 
 “ ly apoltles and prophets j for God hath avenged 
 “ you on her.” 
 
 9. We have feen the good effects of miflionary 
 affociations upon our own churches. By this mean 
 our Chriltian acquaintance has been greatly en- 
 larged. Connexions have been formed and cor- 
 refpondences eltablilhed among many of the difei- 
 ples of Jefus, who, ten years ago, had never heard 
 of each other. Our anniverfary feltivals are pre- 
 cious feafons. When we hear of the triumphs of 
 the gofpel in diftant lands, our fouls are refrefhed, 
 our faith is ftrengthened, our hope confirmed, our 
 love inflamed, and our devotions animated. 
 
 10. It is worthy of obfervation that the out- 
 pouring of a miflionary fpirit upon Zion, and the 
 late aftonilhing revivals of religion, and exertions 
 that are made both in Europe and America to 
 fpread the gofpel among the heathen, are almoft 
 wholly confined to thole denominations of Chrif- 
 tians, who hold the do&rine of fovereign diftin- 
 guilhing grace. 
 
31 
 
 This providence feems to intimate, that thefe 
 are the doctrines which will finally prevail and tri- 
 umph until theybecome univerfal in millennial day. 
 Thefe are the do&rines which uniformly tend to 
 humble the creature, exalt the Saviour, and pro- 
 mote holinefs in the hearts and lives of all who feel 
 their influence ; which bring glory to God, and 
 honour his grace ; and upon which he has been 
 pleafed to put a peculiar honour in every period 
 of the church. 
 
 O ye minifters of the everlafting gofpel, ye her- 
 alds of falvation, fuflcr a “junior brother” to ex- 
 hort you, “ earneftly to contend for the faith 
 “ which was once delivered to the faints.” The 
 glory of God, the love of Chrift, the worth of 
 fouls, and the high refponflbility attached to the 
 iacred work, animate our zeal, and conftrain us 
 to be faithful. We preach and you hear for eter- 
 nity ! 
 
 Chriftians of every defcription in this afTembly, 
 we exhort you to ftand faft in the faith, and care- 
 fully maintain good works. Let your converfa- 
 tion be in heaven ; from whence we look for the 
 coming of the Lord Jefus Chrift. Walk worthy 
 of the Lord, unto all pleafing. It is in vain for 
 your minifters to contend for the glorious doc- 
 trine of grace, unlefs profefTors demonftrate to 
 the world, by the holinefs of their lives, and the 
 unblamablenefs of their converfation, that thefe 
 doctrines teach us to deny ungodlinefs and every 
 worldly lull, and to live foberly, and righteoufly, 
 and godly, in this prefent world. We live, if ye 
 ftand faft in the Lord. 
 
 Brethren, do we fufficiently realize, that we 
 are to prepare the way for the coming of the 
 
Lord ? And, although we may not live to fee the 
 temple rife in all its fplendour, like David let us 
 diligently collect and prepare the materials for the 
 heavenly building : remember thefe were of great 
 ufe to Solomon* Our labours may be of incalcu- 
 lable advantage to pofterity. 
 
 Under former dilpenfations, the Lord raifed up 
 certain characters to prepare the way of his com- 
 ing. His firft advent was announced by the voice 
 of one crying in the wildernefs. But the church 
 as a body is to be the harbinger of his fecond 
 coming. Yes, brethren, by our prayers, by our 
 tears, by our lives, and by our labours, we are to 
 “ prepare the way of the Lord,” and to “ maker 
 “ ftraight in the defert a highway for our God.” 
 
 When Jefus was about to celebrate his laft paff- 
 over and inflitute the holy fupper, he fent his dif* 
 ciples before him, who made ready for his coming. 
 The virgins all trimmed their lamps, and went 
 forth to meet the bridegroom. The church as a 
 body will rejoice in the approach of redemption, 
 and cry, “ Hofanna, bleffed is he that cometh in 
 “ the name of the Lord.”' Some chara&ers will 
 unqueftionably be much more diftinguifhed than 
 others, but this will be according to the meafure 
 of the gift of grace given us in Chrift, which will 
 appear in our different talents, zeal, and piety. 
 
 Brethren of the fociety, on a review of this fub- 
 je<5f, in connexion with fo many happy circum- 
 ftances attending the celebration of this anniver- 
 fary,and the pleating intelligence we have received 
 of the progrefs of the gofpel in every quarter ot 
 the globe, have we not reafon to be encouraged 
 in our mifiionary labours ? Let the fuccefs which 
 
33 
 
 has hitherto attended our plans, animate us to 
 greater exertions. Diligently perfevere in the 
 ufe of thofe means which appear to be fo evident- 
 ly owned and blefl'ed by Heaven, for the enlarge- 
 ment of the Redeemer’s kingdom in the world. 
 And while we fervently pray that Zion may be 
 made an eternal excellency, and the joy of many 
 generations, let us al'pire, with meeknefs and hu- 
 mility, to the honour and happinefs of being 
 workers together with God ; knowing that our 
 labour is not in vain in the Lord. 
 
 If there be any in this afi'embly who are thirft- 
 ing for the waters of life, let me fay to you — 
 Salvation flows in abundance from the Altar ; 
 a voice from Calvary addrefles you ; the blood 
 and water from Immanuel’s fide fpeak — Come 
 unto me and drink. 
 
 On the other hand, if there* be any who care 
 for none of thefe things, we folcmnly warn you to 
 prepare to meet your God. Sinners ! the progrefs 
 of the gofpel is an alarming confideration to you ! 
 Every reformation you hear of, harrows up your 
 conl'ciences, and fills your minds with horror ! 
 The return of the waters of the red fea was not 
 more fatal to the hoft of Pharaoh, nor the deluge 
 more awful to the inhabitants of the old world, 
 than the triumph of the gofpel is to you ! While 
 the believer with holy enthufiafm cries, “ Come, 
 « Lord Jefus, come quickly you in amazement 
 will call “ to the mountains and rocks, faying. Fall 
 “ on us, and hide us from the face of him that fit* 
 « teth on the throne, and from the wrath of the 
 
 « Lamb.” “ Behold, now is the accepted time ; 
 
 “ behold, now is the day of falvation.” 
 
 £ 
 
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 While we rejoice in the profperity of Zion, one 
 alarming reflection irrefiftibly rufhes into the 
 mind. It is not whether Jefus Chrift will have a 
 church in the world ; this is certain ; “ Thy people 
 “ Jh all be willing in the day of thy power but 
 whether God is not about, in his holy providence, 
 to remove our candleftick out of its place ? Do 
 we hear of the converfion of the heathen ? Who 
 can tell but the patience and long-fuffering of God 
 toward us are exhaufted, and he is about to tranf- 
 fer a gofpel miniftry and all our precious religious 
 privileges, to nations who will make a better 
 improvement of them, and render him the fruit 
 of his vineyard in its feafon ? We leave this fol- 
 emn thought to your meditation. 
 
 It is incumbent on the fpeaker in the clofe of 
 this difcourfe to mention, that the collection now 
 to be taken is for the ufe of the Miflionary Society, 
 In order to excite you to this duty, we need not 
 expatiate on the bleflings of a gofpel miniftry ; 
 nor caufe the fympathetic tear to gulh from your 
 eyes by detailing the wretchednefs of thofe who 
 are perilhing for lack of knowledge ; nor refer 
 you to the example of primitive or modern Chrif- 
 tians. We Ihall only point you to the example 
 of one who has great influence in this afiembly ! 
 Behold the man ! He came not to be miniftered 
 unto, but to minifter, and to give his life a ran- 
 fom for many. Brethren ! “ ye know the grace 
 “ of our Lord Jefus Chrift, that though he was 
 f c rich, yet for your fakes he became poor, that ye 
 ‘‘ through his poverty might be rich.” Amen. 
 

 
 
 
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