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PUBLIC LIBPARV
A8T0R,
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THE
BRITISH PULPIT:
CONSISTING OF
DISCOURSES BY THE MOST EMINENT LIVING DIVINES,
ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND IRELAND;
ACCOMPANIED WITH
PULPIT SKETCHES
TO WHICH ARE ADDED,
SCRIPTURAL ILLUSTRATIONS; AND SELECTIONS ON THE OFFICE, DUTIES.

AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHRISTIAN RHNISTRY.
REV. W. SUDDARDS,
nECTon or oiiace
cuoii':'*
SEVENTH
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11
CANAL STREET,
aiarkf-t street.
1845.
THE NEW YORK

PUBLIC LIBRARY
50
<yC
A8T0R, LENOX AND

TILDEN FOtJNOATlONa.
1t08
Entesed according
to
Act of Congress,
W.
in the Cleric's Office of the District
UJ:iA!SCTt PS!) BT
L.
JOHNSON,
in the
year 1836 by
SCDIARDS,
Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvani^-
INTRODUCTION,
The
work has been induced
editor of this
to enter
cation at the request of several ministers and
who
denominations of Christians,
upon
The
publi-
different
desirous of increasing their
are
knowledge of the productions of ministers of Jesus Christ

Britain.
its
members of
original cost of English publications, the
in
Great
additional
expenses of importation and duty, together with the difficulty of

making a desirable selection, render the purchase of them, in many
cases, altogether impracticable.
least with regard to sermons,
ing has been commenced.
To
obviate this difficulty in part, at
this series of
How
specimens of British preachprove satisfactory, time
far it shall
must determine.
The
editor, in his selections, has not confined himself to
any section
of the Christian church, but has freely gone Pinong all denominations
who maintain the essential principles of the Reformation. This has
been done to encourage a spirit of liberality, to induce the reader to

approve and imitate every thing scriptural, holy, and excellent, whereever it may be found and to show tliat while good and wise men maij
and do differ upon points which arc minor in religion, they are still
;
It cannot be
all agreed in the great leading truths of Christianity.
expected that the editor should be willing to be held responsible for
every sentiment which the sermons may contain, ranging as he has
done
in his selections through so
many denominations
at the
same
has been, and will K" his constant desire and care to keep from
these pages every thing that he conceives acrimonious in. spirit, offensively controversial in character, or fundamentally unsound in doctrine.
time,
it
With perhaps half a dozen exceptions, all the ministers whose sermons arc contained in this volume arc still occupying scenes of usefulness in the vineyard of the Lord. The prophets, however, do not live
for ever
witlim the last three or four years Jidani Clarke has gone
to his rest:
Tiichard IVatsnn has gained the prize; Robert Hall has
left his painful
toil;
JVilliam Thorpe
and Joseph Hughes has slept

livi'il
to serve
in
is
death.
and loved to advocate
still
Elishas are treading in the steps of these
numbered with his fathers;

But the cause which they
remains; and hundreds of
tlieir
departed Elijahs.
they be baptized with a double portion of their
spirit.
May
INTRODUCTION.
Of
the ministers
whose
portraits
accompany
this
volume,
cessary here to say much, as sketches of them, and
many
it is
unne-
others, are
While Episknowing that the amiable, pious, devoted, and

laborious Daniel Wilson is a member, a minister, and a bishop of their
church, similar feelings of pleasure are doubtless experienced by Presbyterians in their connexion with the talented Chalmers
by the
Methodists in regard to the laborious and eloquent Newton by Baptists towards the (late) profound and pious Hall
and by Congregationalists over the liberal and polished Raffles.
Any of them would be an
given in
this,
or will be given in succeeding volumes.
copalians feel pleasure in
honour
to
any country,
to
any
age, or to
any Christian denomination.
The zeal of our British brethren in the cause of missions, and their
mode of bringing its claims prominently and frequently before the
people of their charge, is seen in many of the sermons in the present
volume and the hope is indulged that the exhibition may be encouraging to such among ourselves as are arousing themselves to this work,
and cheering to those who for years have been actively devoted to it.
The emigrant from Britain may probably find on these pages sermons by men under whose ministrations he sat when in his native
They will remind him of scenes which neither time nor disland.
;
tance can obliterate from his mind, and will convey to him the pleasing
tidings that the doctrines of the New Testament continue to be preached
in their freeness and fulness, in that land
still
where
so
many
of his kindred
reside.
Some
of the following discourses have been taken down by the "pen

writer" at the time of delivery others of them have been
ready
of the
published by their respective authors but not knowing in every case
which came under the former class, no distinction has been made.
From the editor's acquaintance with many of the ministers of the gos;
pel in Great Britain, and the arrangements which he has made for a
supply of proper materials for such a work, he hopes to present succeeding volumes, should the sale of the present justify a continuance
of the publication, with increased claims to the favcârable regard of the

Christian community in the United States.
To
facilitate
the labour of reference, two indexes wi\l be prefixed to

first giving the name of each minister, in alphabetical
each volume, the
order, the subject of his sermon, and a reference to the page on
which
the second, an arrangement of the texts, according to the

order in which they are recorded in the Bible, with the preacher's
it
begins
name, denomination, and the page. To these will be added a table of

contents, which will guide the eye of the reader to the various points
treated on by the respective preachers.
INDEX
ALPHABETICAL ARRANGEMExVT OF PREACHERS.
PHEACHER.
Anderson, J., London
AjSDERSoj^,J.,FIelensburgh
Baird, G.
Beaumont,
J.
Bennett, J
Benson,
BiNNEY,
The Influence of revealed Truth

The Withered Leaf
On
E.
Blackburn, J
the
The
353
To the Young
The Resurrection of the Dead
The Madness and Folly of Religion
The Excellency of the Holy Scriptures
470
Worship delineated
476
Christian
Brown,
The Cause and Character

Ministers,
Calcutta, Bishop of
A
G
Clarke,
Ambassadors
339
314
196
of Religious Joy
.7.
120
farewell Discourse
77
Immortality of the Soul
40
The
The
Clayton,
Lawyer
inquiring
429
inconceivable Greatness and incomprehensible
Goodness of God
Collter,
W.
B.
489
Missionary Efibrts founded upon the Principles and
387
Claims of Revelation
The moral
Gumming, J
Dillon, R.
Dixon, J
East,
Fabrar, A.
Influence
we
exert after
Death
....
456
Life a Journey
373
Neutrality in Religion impossible
233
The Progress
lOS
God's Care
of Sin
for his
The
Foster,
Living without God
Glorification of the
a2
323
People
Fletcher, J
J
409
330
for Christ
Christ the Life of his People
Bunting, J
Chalmers,
293
Duty
497
Judgments of God
Christian's
Brodie,
BuDD,
PAGE
IGO
srBJECT.
.
Word
of
185
God
....
173
5
INDEX.
(3
PnElCHF.R.
SrnjECT.
'
GcNN,
Hall,
The Blessedness
Hamilton, R.
W.
Harvev,
Hughes, J
Irving,
James,
Jay,
Le
J.
W.
Bas, C.
London, Bishop of
Macconnel, T.
Melville,
Newton,
Noel, G.
Motives
in
R
T
Raikes,
Raffles,
178
127
The
152
true
Use
of
Knowledge
of Impenitence
The Nearness of Death

The Power of Religion on
in the
An
human
of
W.
A
R.
Thorpe,
J^Wardlaw, R
Watson,
Williams,
W.
B.
God
167
53
.
436
important Inquiry
Way
The
17
of Salvation
444
of Samaria
250
463
Discipline
206
only Alternative
the Being and Perfections of
God
281
The Sword of the Spirit

The Character of religious Zeal
The Prevalence of Infidelity and the Signs of the Times
The Influence of the Love of
The Testimony of the Spirit
27
67
INIoral
Thomson,
403
Sinclair, J
Taylor,
Time
Christ's Invitation and Promise
On
Intellect
Man
The Lepers
308
Gospel of Christ
Simeon, C,
114
216
370
the
Sherman, J
100
238
of the ancient Servants of
Christ the only
J.
Origin, Universality, and Consequences of the
The Fulness
Sommerville,
The Authority of Christ's Teaching

The Destiny of Man
The vicarious Sufferings of Christ
The
Styles, J
90
Resignation to the Divine Will
Glorying
256
Apostasy of
Philip,
of Giving
Fidelity to Christ enforced
The Example
Parsons, J
PAGE
346
380
Missionary Objects essential to Success
The Nature and Consequences

The Sacred Oracles
Lessey,
........
The Glory of the latter House

The Duty of early Seeking Christ
Grant, J
Ephraim's Idolatry and
Winchester, Bishop of The Importance of
true
its
Wisdom
139
265
225
Christ
Consequences
483
299
....
420
147
INDEX
IT.
BIBLICAL ARRANGEMENT OF TEXTS.
TEXT.
FREACHER.
Deuteronomy xxuc. 29.
,' J.
Joshua xxiv. 15
1
Samuel xx. 3
2 Kings
1
J.
160
Sommerville, Congregational,
206
T. Macconnel,
vii.
J.
Chronicles xxix. 15.
J.
ii.
W.
Psalm
xii. 6.
Psalm
xlviii.
Psalm
Ixiii. 1
.....
14
cxiii.
Psalm
cxix. 130
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
xii.
Hughes, Baptist
127
B. Collter, Con
387
J.
Blackburn, Con
196
J.
Styles, Con
281
A. Gonn, Presbyterian
380
G. Clayton, Con
489
27
Bishop of Winchester.
T. Lessey,
444
373
H. Melville, Ep
13
iv.
R. C. Dillon, Episcopal.
Psalm
370
Sherman, Con
Job xiv. 14
Psalm
PA&E
AnoERSOiJ, Methodist
147
Me
216
Isaiah xxvi. 9
G. H. Baird
293
Isaiah Ixiv. 6
J.
Anderson
497
Hosea
iv.
17
W.
W.
W.
Hoaea
ix.
T. Binney, Con
Jeremiah xxxvi. 32.

Daniel
llarrfrai
44
ii.
ii.
J.
Matthew
v.
Matthew
vii.
Matthew
xi.
MatUifW
xii.
Mark x 21
47
29
29
30
265
Coil
B. Williams,
Ep
420
314
316
Grant
H. Raikes,
C.
238
Jay, Con
Thorpe,
W. Le
Ep
Bas,
436
Ep
114
250
Ep
Me
C. Simeon,
J.
Dixon,
J.
Bennett, Cun
232
.
470
INDEX.
S
TEXT.
FBEACHEB.
Luke
ix.
Luke
X.
2528
A. Clarke,
John
iv.
21, 23
R. Brodie
John
xiv. 6
Acts
viii.
62
J.
463
429
476
T. Raffles, Con
W. Brown.
39
Romans
i.
Romans
ii.
Romans
v.
12
Romans
viii.
Romans
xiv. 16
16.
15, 16.
1 Corinthians v. 14, 15.

1 Corinthians xv. 3.
Corinthians xv. 35.
2 Corinthians
iv. 4,
Galatians
iv.
Ephesians
ii.
Ephesians
vi.
178
53
J.
A. James, Con
100
J.
Parsons, Con
67
Me
299
R. Watson,
R.
W.
R.
Wardlaw, Con
Hamilton, Con
Bishop of London
C. Benson,
12
J.
J.
E. Beaumont,
J.
Bunting,
J.
Fletcher, Con
1.
10
T. Chalmers, Pr
vi.
12
G. T. Noel,
xi.
J.
i.
Me
353
120
185
40
Ep
167
Gumming, Pr
456
A. E. Farrar,
108
Me
322
E. Irving, Pr
152
Bishop of Calcutta
Jude 20, 21
Revelation
483
T. East, Con
Peter v. 7
2 Peter
139
Me
i.
15
ii.
A.
10
<'
330
173
R. Taylor, Pr
iii.
i.
402
iii.
James
Foster, Bap
W.
17
225
308
Pr
A. Thomson,
Colossians
Hebrews
339
...;..,.
H. Budd, Ep.
18
iii.
R. Philip, Con
2 Thessalonians
90
Ep
Colossians
Hehrews
409
Me
R. Newton,
...
v. 20.
Galatians
2 Timothy
17
,
R. Hall, Bap
Acts XX. 35
FAGE
Ep
Me
Sinclair,
Harvey
77
.
256
.
.....
GENERAL INDEX TO SUBJECTS.
Page
APFECTiifG ANECDOTE
Appeal
Richmond.
Wilson.
to sinners
to the impenitent
to the undecided
369
87
James.
106
Sommerville.
209
young men
Binney.
320
Thorpe
275
Ascension of Christ
Jo-wett.
204
Atheism, character
of.
Foster.
character of
Styles .
174
228
Thorpe.
266
to
Antichrist, reign of.
in France
demoralizing consequences
of.
of.
285
Irving.
146
Anderson.
164
Blackburn.. 196
315
Binney
authority of the
character and contents
Styles
Cummin^.
Bible, a divine revelation
a written revelation
283
459
the result of disastrous influences
Authors, responsibility
Styles
of.
committed to writing
^!/'
destro3-ed
Juy
JMelville
by some
enlarges the
mind and strengthens the
intellect
has been wonderfully preserved

has undergone severe scrutiny
Anderson.
164
199
man
164
Anderson.
not to love the
shows a want of
weapon
to
and
superior to
all
166
Taylor.
487
Collyer.
to read the
human
God
151
29
36
JMeh'ille ,
compositions
J]felville.
JMelville.
36
Taylor.
487
481
270
274
the Bword of the Spirit
Brodie.
guarded against
Thurpr.
Britain, accumulated guilt of
Thorpe
Christian benevolence of
Vol. I.
197
Blackburn
the most precious gift of
l)e
161
inderson
and all-important truths
teaches ancient history
Bigotry to
241
Anderson.
reveals mysterious
which
enemies
sanctity of the
spirit in
Jay-
charity
oppose error
outlives the attacks of

propt'r
37
-.Melville.
taste, patriotism,
240
28
Blackburn.
influence on the intellectual, political, domestic, and reUgious condition of
man's condition bereft of the
240
201
confirmed by antiquarian research and philosophical discoveries. .Blackburn.
. .......
10
I'ase
204
Joivett.
Christ, ascension of
Le Baa
a teacher
Dixon
atonement of
114
233
475
a sutlicicnt atonement for sin

cares for the bodies of his people
claims
linffles
on man
of,
design of his appearance on earth

died for our sins
divinity
of,
variously attested
21
JIavvey.
257
Philip
406
Blomfitld.
309
Raffles
24
divinity of
JVilson .
divinity of.
Dixon
86
.
233
405
form of appearance
Philip
great mercy of.
Wilson
85
Jiinitiiiff.
120
justification
mode
through
of preaching
promises of mercy made by
Raffles
17
Simeon
253
Simeon
250
source of Christian graces and duties
Bunting.
122
source of ordinances and future glory
Bunting.
123
God
Raffles
sinners invited to
the only
way
to
the soul's physician
time
of,
incarnation
Christian, adheres to the doctrines of revelation
19
Chalmers.
47
Philip
Jlarvey
402
259
278
fVilson .
avoids sin
conduct of the true
Bi7iney.
maintains the honour of Christ
Harvey
consistency
necessity of consistency
319
260
64
JVev)ton.
necessity of
Bunting
consistency
Beaumont
Beaumont
necessity of
places his affections above
126
361
359
privilege to enjoy the witness of the Spirit
Watson.
30
required to pay his vows.
Harvey
261
.*
responsibility attached to^privilege

strives to attain great degrees of
hoHness
worship described
means of glorifying God
Raffles
22
Wilson.
78
Brodie.
476
Hall.
179
pleasure arising from
Hall.
180
benefits of.
Hall..
resembles the benevolence of Christ
Hall.
181
connected with reward
Hall.
181
Hall.
Christian benevolence a
practical
economy
of.
not Judaism
Wilson.
Grant
82
56
Xe~.vton .
Christianity, doctrines of.

doctrines and duties
requisite to
80
81
350
428
Contrasts in man's future condition
Death, abohshed by Christ
Chalmers.
43
certainty of.
Inderson.
.'iOO
uiuttei*
of nntiripntion
nature of
Hughes.
Lessey
130
222
..
,
.
..
,
H
Page
Death, nature of
nearness
of.
of an aged believer
Jlmlerson.
498
Mucconnel.
Dobson
371
LeHsey
of the soul
ravages of
spiritual
369
223
Chalmers
Parsons
40
72
should produce low views of earthly good
fluff he.',
130
should stimulate to exertion
Iliitfhes
131
the result of sin
Parsons
71
universality of.
Parsons
72
James.
108
Sumner.
148
East.
109
Depraved heart the source of
evil
unwilling to receive instruction
Depravity of the times occasioned by the popular reading of the age
Duties to the
Dying
by wicked associations
East.
109
by the theatre
East.
ll'
afflicted
regrets
Ephraim's idolatry
punishment
Ethiopian
Humphrey
Wardlaw
126
119
Williams
421
IHlliams.
424
Jiro-wn.
410
Eunuch
familiar illustration of.
Famine
in
God, care
people
for his
of,
in nature
inconceivable greatness
judgments
80
383
Sherman
Samaria
goodness
Cecil.
Jfilson
Faith, nature of
of.
Farrar.
324
Farrar.
323
Clayton
490
293
liuird.
of.
love of
spiritual nature of
444
If'auir/,..
307
Jirodie.
Clayton
478
491
Simeon
250
Dixon
234
worship
unbounded goodness
of.
Gospel, a system of remedies

contents of the
duty to spread the

energy of the, connected with prayer
26
Flitcher.
191
ItaJJles
23
glad tidings
'
glad tidings
Xciulon..
motives of the
llaffles
54
J\'ewton
59
triumphs of the
liajjlca
25
triumphs of the
Melville.
27
triumphs of the
Xe^vtnn.
60
triumphs of the
Fletcher.
universal adnptiition of the
A'cM'ton.
Heaven, Christ
the; l)liHs of.
contrast between earth and
degrees of glory in
exercises of.
figures
employed
to rojjrcscnt
03
124
Jiuntinff.
367
Beaumont.
Hunting.
188
24
Heaumont.
356
Beaumont
-i^'t
..
,,
.
.
12
Pago
Heaven,
Beaumont
Beaumont
fricndsliips of.
perftTtion of character in
Heathen, deplorable condition
Impenitence, nature
of.
94
James
101
102
281
fearful malignity of.
Thorpe
268
inexcusable
Thorpe
267
by Christianity
of.
Influence exerted after death

fall
Coliyer,
387
Thorpe
266
Cwnmutff
Edward
of the Rev.
dimming.
Jesus weeping
Mason.
Harvey
Judgment, solemnity of the
Knowledge, connected with pure happiness

dangerous
when unconnected with
distinction
between wisdom and
man's preference
often perverted
revelation
to earthly
and abused
parental feeling concerning religious
power and uses
of.
man
457
460
177
263
Sumner.
149
Melville,
37
Irving.
153
Irving,
159
156
Sumner.
147
Irving.
152
Irving
Anderson
160
Lawyer's inquiry
Clarke
429
Man, a compound being
Lessey.
217
Foster
280
Huglies
the strong desire of
for
averse by nature to religion
changes when he becomes religious
70
Lessey.
219
views
Sumner.
148
ignorant without the gospel
Raffles
20
dissolution of his frame
forms
false
Williams
34
44
216
425
to
inderson
502
pristine condition
Parsons
71
pristine condition
Lessey
219
intellect associated
with morals
when
pardon ofiercd
without
left to
himself.
God
subject to bitter afflictions
unwilling to be reproved
Mercy of God
in
redemption
Ministers, ambassadors
are
dignity of
watchmen on
Lessey.
loves the present world
miserable
Melville,
Chalmers
loves the present world
129
Parsons.
depravity of
Stt/les
design of the advocates of
various Idnds
358
355
prostrated
Irving
Hamilton
James
occasional associations
its
Infidelity,
of.
Foster.
175
Anderson.
499
Williams
420
Parsons.
174
Budd.
331
372
the walls of Zion
ascribe all success to
God
charge, compared to a ship's crew
Parsotis
ibb^ Jean
329
237
,
...
13
Cummin^.
Cumming.
Ministers, danger attends a lofty intellect
popularity
460
H'ullon
292
duties of.
liinney
316
endeared to their flocks
Wardla-w
226
exhibit their subject, not themselves
Ec. Rev..
280
Herbert.
215
liinney.
317
457
184
life
important to
influence
of.
influence
of, after
^.
Cumming
death
instruct from house to house
Sumner
preach Christ
J^'ewton,
113
precepts to
Garrick.
462
Heed.
255
t^ responsibility of
/- should aim to proflt
Con, J\fag.
all
faithful to their
Jias
118
IVardhiiu
228
Fletcher
Le
192
willing to bear hardships
JVardlaiv.
229
use scripture language
Chalmers
255
330
prayed
to
whom
Master
for
a curse
young men
to be
after
Budd.
Le Jias
Cumming,
sent
the servants of Christ
wicked
death
educated for the
Hall.
117
457
barriers to
success
HaJJles
Melville.
character
Hamilton
must be mingled with devotion
party singularities to be avoided in
labour
success to be followed up
worldly excitement to be avoided in
worthy
of a
generous confidence
efforts
deserve the support of the
94
96
Hamilton.
98
Hamilton.
96
Hamilton
97
Cullyer.
399
CoUyer.
397
91
Hamilton.
Hamilton
opposition to
on the decrease
24
345
young
nobility of
Hamilton.
Missions, appeal to the friends of
90
379
Money, axioms respecting

Moral
183
408
Missionary candidate
effort
224
should be above suspicion
Ministry,
460
dignity of calling
holy
t,
discipline
Paganism
Parents' influence after death
Patience in suffering
Siriclair
Jl'alson
463
205
Cumming.
458
J\t'oel.
170
JK't-wton.
53
a furious persecutor
Fletcher.
185
converted to the faith
Fletcher..
minister and hero
^''ewton.
Paul a proud Pharisee before conversion
Penitence, genuine
Prayer, connected w
ilh
a minister's succesa
honours the agency of (lod
03
James..
101
Cumming.
Press, mighty influence for good or evil
importance of
185
45.'
Fletrhrr.
191
Fletcher..
190
Foster.
119
.. ..
..
.
.
GENERAL INDEX TO SUBJECTS
14
Pago
Prayer, true character
of.
Providence, recognition
Pulpit Gallery,
I.
II.
III.
of.
Wilson.
83
Foster.
75
Rev. T. Chalmers
J.
Parsons,
(late)
50
York
75
Fletcher, vicar of
J.
Madeley
88
107
112
IV. (late) Bishop Latimer
V. Timothy East, Birmingham
VL
(late)
Robert Hall,
Vn.
(late)
Bishop Wilson
VIII.
137
138
Hon. and Rev. G. T. Noel
X. William Jay, Bath
XL
XII.
XIII.
(late)
307
367
Raffles, D.D., Liverpool
W. Bengo
XIV. Robert
248
Henry Martyn
Thomas
Collyer,
Philip,
D.D
400
407
Maberly chapel
Religion, comforts of
Sommerville.
demands the homage of the mind

insufficiency of natural
amiability of character
neutrality impossible in
presents great subjects to the
mind
strengthens the powers of the mind

Resurrection, a pure doctrine of revelation
influence of the doctrine
Satan
Wilson
Sommerville
JMelville
of ancient
be resisted by the
Word
of
God
the service of
Benson
Benson.
339
342
340
344
39
99
J\roel.
169
JVoel.
Taylor.
167
485
Sommerville.
208
origin of
Parsons.
108
68
1
James.
duration and nature
105
103
inflicted
Souls perishing
bondage and adoption
Temple, dedication of
greater glory of the latter
Temptation
to be resisted
Tilieiias, reflections at
10
104
and proportion of
justice
69
East.
progress of
Spirit of
Parsons.
when
81
34
32
diffusion of
of,
473
207
East.
Sin, beginnings of
punishment
J\Ielville.
Chalmers
example of the
to
Hall.
in the
Rousseau and Byron
trial
395
Benson
Benson
instantaneous and universal
men
116
Collyer
great change at the
re-union of good
Le Bus.
Bennett.
natural
Saints,
214
212
Sommerville.
danger of delaying attendance to
more than
72
195
IX. Joseph Fletcher, D.D., Stepney
Sher7na7i.
452
Watson
300
Grant.
Grant.
East.
Joivett.
347
348
1
12
321

Trinity, doctrine of the
Tract, benefit of a religious
the executioner's
15
Wilson
Parsons
Trumpet
War,
horrors of
Whitfield's preaching
Youth, favourable
to religion
Zeal, religious, should be conscientious

intelligent
prudent
consistent with moral integrity
under the influence of charity
86
443
159
Collycr.
146
Hume.
113
Jiennett.
471
Thomson
139
Thomson
149
Thomson .. 1 62
.
Thomson
Thomson
143
144
InERE stands the messenger of truth there

The legate of the skies! his theme divine,
!
His
stands
office sacred, his credentials clear.
By him
Its
As
the violated law speaks out

thunders ; and by him, in strains as sweet
angels use, the gospel whispers peace.
Cmoper.
The Pulpit, whether we view
it
with the eye of the Legislator watching
for
the
welfare of the state; of the Learned, jealous for public science and taste; of the
Moral Philosopher, anxious

weighing every thing
tian,
for the virtue of the
The
it
pulpit has spoken all languages, and in all sorts of style.
filled
It
tlie
worst of men.
collected from authentic history, there
It
preponderate
God
to save the souls of
COLI,ECT FOR
Lord Jesus Christ, who

thy
way
a fair balance,
it;
so
much do
benefits
the advantages
at
wisdom, a wisdom and a power by which
men.
thy
first
wisdom
Holy
IN
ADVENT.
coming didst send thy messenger
make ready thy way by
of the just, that, at thy second
Spirit, ever
it
R. Rohinson.
THE THIRD SUNDAY
found an acceptable people in thy sight,

the
But on
would be no proportion between the
to
prepare
before thee, grant that the ministers and stewards of thy mysteries
likewise so prepare and

to the
has
In a wôrd, evangelical preaching has been, and yet continues
to be, reputed foolishness, but real
pleaseth
It
has proved in some hands a trumpet
and the mischief which mankind have derived from

it
has partaken of
has been zTseat of wisdom, and a sink of nonsense.
by the best and
of sedition, and in others a source of peace and consolation.
of
It
customs of the schools, the theatres, and the courts of all the countries whero
has been erected.
been
or of the devout Chris-
the Pulpit must, in every
Eclectic Review.
light, appear an object of vast importance.
all the
community;
in the balance of eternity;
who
may
turning the hearts of the disobedient
coming
livest
one God, world witliout end.
to
judge the world,
we maybe
and reignest with the Father and

Ara?n.
16
THE
BRITISH PULPIT.
SERMON
I.
-REACHED ON BEHALF OF MISSIONS AT GREAT QUEEN STREET CHAPEL, LONOOX
BY THE REV.
^^
T.
Jesus saith unto hin,
RAFFLES, D.D. LL.D.
lam
the tvay.''^
John xiv.
6.
"Never man spake like this man." heart, he unfolded the foundation of moral
Such was the testimony of persons who obligation in the bonds that bind the
could not, for a moment, be suspected of creature to the Creator. He taught the
paniality,
and who
never have
had not been
''^'ould
uttered this eulogy if
it
wrested from chem by an admiration, the

expression of which they were utterly
unable to puppress. " Never man spake
like this man;" and so you would have
Never
said i/you had heard him preach.
mortal had such doctrines to deliver, and
never mortal taught in so solemn and impressive, yet so tender and affectionate
a manner.
The philosophers of antiquity they

skimmed the surface of things they
only
talked about the loveliness of virtue and

the odiousness of vice; they speculated
and purity, and perfection ot

He threw a strong and
steady light upon the regions of futurity,
and surrounded his hearers with the dread
transactions of the judgment-day, and the
enduring realities of the eternal world.
" Never man spake like this man."
So Nicodemus thought, when, in reply
to his complimentary address, he laid
down the fundamental doctrine of his
gospel, and said, " Verily, verily, I say
unto thee, except a man be born of water
and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the
kingdom of God." So Nathaniel thought,
when casting at him his mild and piercing eye, he said, " Before that Philip
spirituality,
the la-wfcof God.
about the immortality of the soul, and the

life beyond the grave, and professed to called thee, when thou wast under the
look forward with mingled hope and fear fig tree, I saw thee."
So Zaccheus
to an hereafter concerning which none thought when he climbed up into the
could speak with satisfaction or with cer- sycamore tree, because Jesus was to pass
And as for the scribes and phari- that way ; and he turned unto him and
tainty.
sees, who sat in Moses's seat, they only cried, " Zaccheus, make haste, and como
down; for to-day I must abide at thy

cum- house."
So Peter thought, when ha
brous mass of rites and ceremonies, by would have reproved his Master; but the
which his dispensation was distinguished, Lord turned and looked upon Peter, and
Bophislicatcd and polluted the purity of
his morality by their adding to the
innumerable traditions and enactments of said, "Get thee behind me, Satan: thou
own. But this man he went at art an oflence unto me; for thou savourest
once to the spring of action in the human not the things that bo of God, but thoso
3
Vol. I
17
b3
their
THE BRITISH
18
PULPIT.
No but it was the power

beaming upon the understanding.
mask of hypocrisy by which they sought
it was the power of truth making its
to impose upon the people, and exhibited way to the conscience
it was the power
their character in all its true, and odious, of God speaking to mortals by his Son.
and disgusting colours, and thundered And though eighteen hundred years haveout tlie anathema, " Woe unto you, scribes rolled away since he exercised his perthat be of
man."
pharisees thouirht,
So the scribes and
when he
took off the
their
mandate.
of light
and pharisees, hypocrites how can ye sonal ministry on earth, and uttered the
escape the damnation of helH"
So language of our text, yet, by the preach-Pilate thought, when in reply to his ques- ing of his gospel, he speaks to you this
tion
half, perhaps, in veneration, and day, and he demands that the testimony
half in scorn, "Art thou a kingV he an- he delivers shall be received alike in the
swered, "Thou sayestthati am a king." understanding and the heart; "I am the
Thou hast announced my true and proper way."
dignity; I am a king; but my kingdom
But what does he mean? The way to
I lead no conquer- what]
is not of this world.
The way to whom? In what:
!
ing armies to the battle, I press not for sense is Christ the way ? My brethren,,
thrones and palaces, through fields of car- to answer these questions shall be the" To this end scope of our present discourse; and when.
nage, and seas of blood
was I born, and for this cause came I into I have put the answers in, I shall endea-the world, that I should bear witness unto vout to found some pleas on them for the
great c-ause which we are "to advocate
the truth."
with you this morning.
No matter where no matter when
:
This interesting declaration of the dino matter what he said whether in the
temple, surrounded by the doctors of the vine Redeemer cccurred in the course of
law, hearing and asking them questions, a conversation wYich he had with his
or whether on the deck of the .vessel, disciples, in which ho informed them of
his approaching deparluie out of this
surrounded by the fishermen of Galilee
or whether in the towns, and cities, and world, his going to the Father, and that
villages of Judea, healing the sick and the world should see him no more.
And'
raising the dead or whether at the tribu- he spoke as though he took it foi granied
nal of Pilate, the object of contempt and that they perfectly understood his meanscorn " never man spake like that man." ing, "Whither I go ye know, and the
There was a power, and an authority, and way ye know." But Thomas who, more
an influence in all he said that none could than all the rest of the disciples, seems to
gainsay or resist. The grabbling scribes have been remarkably under the power of
heard him, and they were confounded. unbelief Thomas said, " Lord, we know
The haughty pharisees heard him, and not whither thou goest and how can we
The frantic demo- know the way?" We do not understand
they were abashed.
The thy meaning; explain thyself; and let us
niac heard him, and he was still.
diseased heard him, and he felt impulses know precisely what is the drift of thy
;
of health beat in all his veins. The dead

heard him, and broke his silence and rose.
" Never man spake like this man." And
yet the power and authority with which
he spoke was not that which thrones, and
it
sceptres, and diadems could confer
was not the power and authority of racks,
and gibbets, and dungeons it was not
discourse.
And from
this
the Saviour
takes occasion to speak of himself
more
as the way, the divinely appointed way, the all-sufficient way, the
at
large,
sole, the exclusive
ceptable approach
way
of a sinner's ac-
God, " I am the

and the life; no man
to
way, and the truth,

Cometh unto the Father but by me."
the power and authority of the princes Thus you have a key to unlock the meanand potentates of this world, who send ing of the Saviour in the words of the
their conquering armies to enforce their text, and thus you perceive the drift and
command, and
hurl the thunders of their
cillery against
all
who
dare to resist
*'
scope of our present discourse.

The language of the Redeemer,
my
WAY
CHRIST THE ONLY
OF SALVATION.
19
man, in tortures, and toils, and pilgrimages, and

a distance from God. oft-repeated prayers as he drops the san-
brethren, evidently implies that

his natural stale,
is at
primeval state of inno- dals from his bleeding feet, and as the
cence and purity, needed no such way as lash resounds from his agonizing limbsthis
he needed no intercessor between still he must crj^, " Wherewithal shall I
God and man, no mediator, no atoning come before the Lord, and how shall 1
He approached to God imme- bow myself before the high God ]" This
sacrifice.
diately, and communed with him without is the language of the savage, in his deadreserve, even as a man communetii with ly incantations at the shrine of devils.
His spirit felt no dread, his This is the language of the sage, in all
his friend.
heart was agitated with no terror; he his researches after wisdom, and in all
heard the voice of the Lord God in the his literature and philosophy. This ia
shades of the garden, in the cool of the the language of the papist, in his penances
in his conday, and he flew with gladness to meet and invocations of the saints
him ; for he recognised in its tones the fessions and fasts. This is the language of
voice of his best friend. Ah, how altered the pharisee, in his close adherence to the
is the scene when guilt pressed heavy on rites and ceremonies of the particular
his spirit, and shook him with dread fore- church to which he may be attached. All
utter one cry, all breathe one intense
bodings of the wrath of an avenging God
Then a sight was seen, and then a voice anxiety, all express one ardent desire
was heard, such as those peaceful and and the desire seems intended to ascerto devise some way
tain some principle
holy bowers had never witnessed before
Adam,
in
his
the person of
man
Ma- by which the burden of guilt may be reMaker's moved from the conscience, and man ob-
fleeing from his
and arrested by his

" Adam, where art thou ?" And he tain pardon and peace with an offended
But there is only oneway, one allsaid, " I heard thy voice in the garden, God.
" I sufficient way, one divinely-appointed way,
and I was afraid." " Why afraid
hid myself because I was naked." " Who and that way is announced to you in the
told thee that thou wast naked 1
Hast text, " I am the way, the truth, and the
thou eaten of the tree whereof I com- life no man cometh unto the Father but
manded thee, saying. Thou shalt not eat by me."
of it for in the day that thou catest thereWill you allow me then, my brethren, by
of thou shalt surely die?"
the induction of a few particulars, to enAnd, my brethren, a similar conscious- deavour TO ILLUSTRATE THE ReDEEMEr's
ness of guilt, a similar dread of punish- MEANING, AND SHOW YOU IN WHAT REment, has pressed heavily on every human SPECTS Christ is the way.
ker's voice
call
.spirit, from that period to the present

1st. Man being ignorant of God, Christ
hour; and man, in all his tribes, and is the way the only ivay to an acquaintthrough all his generations, in one form ance, (f sufficient acquaintance, with his
or other, has never ceased to utter this character.
"Jesus saith unto him, I ana
piercing cry, " Wherewithal shall I come the way, and the truth, and the life
no
before the Lord, or how shall I bow my- man cometh unto the Father but by me.
self before the high God
This is the If ye had known me, ye should have
language of the Jew, as he turns from his known my Father also and from hencevile abominations and bis ineflicicnt sacri- forth ye know him, and have seen him.
fices.
When rivers of oil have flowed, Philip saith unto him (he caught at the
and oceans of blood have been shed
language). Lord, show us the Father, and
when the cedars of Lebanon liave burned, it suflicetli us. Jesus saith unto him,
and the cattle upon a thousand Iiills have Have 1 been so long time with you, and
been immolated still he must inquire, yet hast thou not known me, Philip V*
' Wherewithal sliall
Have I yet to tell you have )'ou yet to
I come before the
Lord ?" For the burden is heavy on his barn that the fairest, the brightest, the
heart. This i ^ the language of the paiân, loveliest, the most perfect exhibition of
in his Bcvere austerities and self-inflicted the character of God, is in my person,
THE BRITISH PULPIT-
20
my ministry, my miracles, my doctrines,

my mediatorial work. He that hath seen
me hath seen the Father and how saycst
to
thou, then, "
the light of his glory shine in the face of
Show
us the Father?" In
perfect harmony with this declaration of
the Divine Redeemer is the language of
St. Paul, when he says, " God, who com-
manded
the light to shine out of darkness,
you had never heard this teacher

God if God had never spokea
you by his Son if you had never seen
that if
sent from
Jesus Christ
and
if
you had never con-
sulted these lively oracles, your concep-
Deity would have been as
tions of the
gross, and the character of your worship
in our hearts, to give the would have been as horrid, as

knowledge of the glory of pagans.
2d. Under the condemning
Where 1 In the face of the sun,
hath shined
that of the
light of the
God."
shining in the fulness of his strength ]

in the splendours of the starry firmament,
in all the glories of a brilliant light]
the pure face of nature,
its
vast and
in
infi-
God^s violated law, Christ
and
is
sentence of
the
way
to
hy virtue of the
infinite merits of his atoning sacrifice. You
may come to God without an atoning
recunciliaiion
to peace,
sacrifice for sin

but, if you do, you may
and the sweet interchange of day and be crushed beneath the weight of his
night 1 No ; but " in the face of Jesus avenging arm, and Avithered by the lightChrist," " the brightness of the Father's ning of his indignation and wrath. The
glory, and the express image of his per- beamings of the Shechinah under the law,
son."
in the most holy place, were mild and
And what, I ask, has man ever disco- gentle emanations to the high-priest, when
VBBed with accuracy, with certainty, of he approached, once a year, with the
the character of God, apart from the reve- blood of the appointed sacrifice but, if
lation that Christ has made 1
Has he he had dared to come without blood, or
ever discovered the unity of his nature, with the blood of any other victim than
the immateriality of his essence, the uni- that which was appointed for the purpose,
versality of his presence, the purity of his the rash and impious mortal would have
character, the rectitude of his government, perished for his temerity, and the Shethe spirit of his law ? No never, nevochinah would have darted on him conhe never has, he never will, he never cgji. suming fire. Why else was the wretched
"Witness the ten thousand times ten thou- Cain rejected, and given over a prey to
sand pagan deities their gods of marble the demons of remorse and despair ? Why
and of wood that crowd the pantheon, else did the earth open her jaws, and inthat swarm in the mythology of the pagan gulf Korah, Dathan, and Abiram'?
Oh,
world, wrought of materials the most there is a justice to be satisfied there is
base, and into forms and shapes the most a justice to be satisfied, in the case of man,
monstrous, the most obscene, the most infinite in its requirements, inexorable in
absurd, that man's polluted, degraded its demands
Every victim immolated
imagination can invent. Witness those upon the altar was only efficacious as it
wild, those horrible, those monstrous was offered up in faith on the great sacriconceptions of the Deity, that scare the fice for sin. Of such magnitude was the
imagination of the wisest and the most offence that was committed, that there
venerable men ; and those deeds of dark- was only one victim that could meet the
.ness, of cruelty, and of pollution, which requirements of justice
the infinite, thy
are perpetrated by man as a part of his eternal Son of God. He was set apart,
âcceptable worship, and as under his ex- and set up from everlasting, both as the
press and positive sanction and command. victim and as the priest. He was anointOh, when on these missionary festivals ed with the holy oil ; he arrayed himself
our
we tell you of the sad condition of the in the garments of his priesthood
pagan world, and write the melancholy degraded mortality the vesture that was
Amid the
stories of their sufferings and their crimes, shortly to be dyed in blood.
you can scarcely give credit to the recital astonishment and the admiration of cheBut, you may be assured, my brethren, rubim and seraphim, and the morning
nite varieties, the revolution of the sun,

CHRIST THE
WAY
0?<LVr
stars of light, he left the royal mansions
of the celestial world, and came down to

our polluted earth he engaged in the
he pressed
functions of his priesthood
forward to the high object of Mount Calvary
and there, nailed to the accursed
tree, as a spectacle to angels and to men,
bowed down beneath the mighty load of
human guilt, he saw every type, every
OF SALVATION.
21
gions of the untrodden desert, or to the

summit of the inaccessible mount or
whether they
deeply buried amid the

abyss of the ocean or whether they
slumber peaceably amid the hum, and
bustle, and
tumult of the crowded
lie
city
not a
solitarj^ particle essential to
the identity of the bodies of
all
his fol-
lowers shall ever be lost; but he will

shadow substantiated he saw every guard it with a sleepless care, and the
trumpet of the archangel will gather topromise and every prophecy fulfilled
he saw every attribute of Deity harmo- gether again, by the magnetic power
nized and illustrated in the great scheme which first created the fair system of this
of human redemption he was dying to stupendous universe, all the myriads of
accomplish, and with the voice of Clod atoms of which this s}'stem is composed.
he cried, "It is finished! and gave up How he will do it is a matter that never
the ghost."
And then the vail of the troubles me. 'Tis only a fool who asks
temple was rent in twain from the top to the question, " How are the dead raised
the bottom by an invisible hand, to indicate that the
way
of access
was opened
to the eternal throne, that mortals, guilty
mortals, might approach and
am
the
way."
Cut
3d.
"
live.
off
from our
inheritance in
heaven, hy reason of our apostasy from God,

we have a glorious resurrection and eternal
life
by Christ^s resurrection from
When man
the dead.
of p]den
was closed, and the cherubim, with a
double flaming sword, was placed to
guard the avenues to the tree of life, lest
rebelled, the gate
he should put
live
for
forth his
But,
ever.
hand
to eat,
when Jesus
and
died,
life was rolled back again, and

the cherubim sheathed his double flaming
eternal
sword in the Redeemer's breast. Hear

him, brethren hear him, amid the ravages
of mortality; hear him, amid the dying
of j'-our kindred; hear him, amid the melancholy symptoms of your own approaching decay hear him and rejoice " I am
the resurrection and the life (saith the
liOrd); he that believeth on mo, though
lie were dead, yet shall he live
and whosoever liveth and belicveth in me shall
never die." "This is the will of him
tliat sent me, that every one which seeth
the Son, and bcliovetii on him, may have
everlasting life
and I will raise him up
;
and with what body do they come!"

brethren, I had not seen the lovely
up
If,
my
and divine character of spring burst, as at

the present season of the year, from the
coldness and the torpidity of winter if I
had never seen the ripened harvest waving in the wind, and waiting for the
reaper's sickle, from the grain that was
committed to the earth, and which, to all
human appearance, had perished beneath
the clod
if I had never lifted up my eyes
to the starry firmament, and contemplated
suns, the centres of other systems in magnitude and beauty far surpassing ours, all
sprung into being by the fiat of God's
will, and preserved in perfect order by
the exercise of his omnipotence
if I had
never contemplated my own frame the
structure of
my own
wrought
ments of nature if,
in short,
curious
exquisitely
in
frame, so
the deep retire-
I had any
doubt as to the divinity of Christ, or the
being of Christ, I should look with trembling apprehension to the day of death,
and distressing anxiety to the promise
resurrection morning.
But, as it is, I
know that he who built this body at first,
can be at no loss for power to bring it
again into loveliness and glory from the
desolations of the sepulchre, and fashion
it like unto his own glorified body, from
at the last day."
the wreck and ruin of the grave.
The ashes of the saints, my lirethnn,
Thus, my brethren, I have endeavoured
are the care of Christ; liis eye is on their to illustrate the litMh-eincr's declaration
sleeping dust; and whether tliey be scat- in the text, and have directed the attentered to the winds of heaven, to liie re- tion of this assembly to Jesus Christ as
;

THE BRITISH
22
but, ore I proceed to
PULPIT.
must be sealed, and, in the silence of

you must listen to your doom,
derive from and receive your sentence, " Depart, ye
the only way, the iiviiirly appointed

way, of a sinner's acceptable approach to
God
lip
despair,
have chosen an argument, an cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for

the devil and his angels :" for " he that
believeth not the Son shall not see life ;
now lies before us, may 1 be ])ermitted
nay, in the faithful and conscientious dis- but the wrath of God abideth on him."
But our deep and profound attention,
charge of the duty with which, as a
preacher of the gospel, I am intrusted, my bretliren, is now demanded by a
can I do otherwise than pause, and put world lying in wickedness ; and we must
it to every man's conscience in this as- address ourselves this day once more to
sembly, whether he has embraced the THE GREAT ARGUMENT BY WHICH WE
way thus consecrated for a guilty world, STRIVE TO EXCITE YOUR SYMPATHIES,
and, by faith in the atoning sacrifice of YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS, AND YOUR PRAYERS,
Christ, secured his own individual and IN AID OF THE MISSIONARY CAUSE.
O how gladly would I retire from the
personal acceptance in the sight of God ]
IMy fathers and brethren in the ministry service, the weight and the magnitude of
will, I know, justify me, and approve the which wellnigh overwhelms me, and liscourse I take, when I say, I will not seek ten to the more powerful pleadings of
to move your sympathies in behalf of some able advocate from among the many
perishing millions in pagan lands, till I devoted and honourable men by whom I
have first pressed the inquiry home upon see myself surrounded. But I am here
yourselves on each one in this congre- at 3'our bidding, I cast myself upon his
gation. Dost thou believe on the Son of aid whose cause I dare to plead; and,
God ? No matter what thy age, thy sex, resting on the thousand promises adapted
thy rank, thy station, thy condition in to an occasion like this, I spurn with
society, Dost thou believe on the Son of boldness the dark suggestions of despondGod? Is the mediatorial work of Christ ency and unbelief.
The time has gone by, my brethren,
the exclusive ground on which you build
for eternity?
If it be not, you must when any thing like novelty can reasonaperish ; and your ruin will be the more bly be expected in a Missionary Sermon
tremendous by reason of the advantages and I rejoice exceedingly that it has. The
you have enjoyed, the warnings and ad- ncvclty of the subject has been for ages
monitions you have buried in oblivion, or the scandal of the Christian church ; but
the fair and specious profession you have that scandal has now, happily, been rollmade. Oh, it would have been better for ed away. Christians of every denominayou that you had never been born, or that tion have become familiar with the mighty
you had been born in the rudest, wildest subject.
It is no longer the matter of
the topic
appeal, in behalf of the rreat object that
where the name of doubtful speculation, or of the divided

where a Bible opinions, that it once was. The army of
was never seen, Avhere the foot of a Chris- the living God is enrolled it has become
tian missionary never trod, where the a living mass of the Lord's detachments
solitude of nature,
Christ
was never
heard,
the troops have advanced far into the

never dawned, than that you should hear goodly land, and they have taken possesof Christ to despise him, and to reject sion of many fair and promising regions
him, and to trample on his blood
And we,
for in the name of our Immanuel.
how can you escape 1 I shall press the my brethren, who stay at home and watch
question. How can you escape?
What for the issues, have only from time to
mountain will cover you what rock will time to recount to you the victories won
crush you what refuge will shelter you by their peaceful armies, to beat up for
what, subterfuge will avail you?
By fresh recruits, and levj'^ new contributions
what arguments will you triumph and on jôur willing benevolence and zeal.
prevail?
"How will you escape if It is for this that you hold your annual
light of a sabbath, a Christian sabbath,
you neglect so great salvation?"
Your
festivals in this great metropolis,
and
we
CHRIST THE ONLY

in the distant provinces of the
WAY
empire,
OF SALVATION.
ways,
and
the
23
unrighteous
man
hia
thoughts ; and let him return unto the

Lord, and he will have mercy upon him;
the pious Jews in ancient times strength- and to our God, for he will abundantly
ened the bond the bond that was more pardon.". The chief excellency of the
than filial affection to Jerusalem, by gospel, my brethren, is that it is precisely
their annual visits to the temple, so we adapted to the condition and the necessity
may rekindle our liberal zeal, and renew of man, under all the possible circumThe
to one another the solemn pledge of de- stances of his existence upon earth.
and our brethren in every village,

hamlet throughout the country;
in
every
that as
simply this every

need the gospel, and the gospel is adapted to the condition of every creature.
Every creature
is guilty; the gospel announces pardon.
Every creature is ignorant; the gospel
comed the glad tidings of salvation.
The cause in which we are engaged, sheds the light of divine illumination
my brethren, is infinitely worthy of a de- upon the darkened understanding. Every
the gospel directs
votion like this, inasmuch as that every creature is wretched
other to which men have consecrated him to the true source of felicity and joy.
Every creature is polluted; the gospel
their energies in comparison with it
say 171 comparison with it I care not unfolds a fountain open for sin and unEvery creature is diseased,
"whether it be the cause of philanthropy, cleanness.
or the cause of philosophy, or the cause and dying from the dreadful malady of
of patriotism but every other in compa- sin ; the gospel points to the true soveannounces the balm of Gilead
rison with it dwindles in utter insignifi- reign balm
Hence, he
cance, or is not worthy of serious consi- and the physician of souls.
deration at all: for what is the body to who has it in commission to preach the
the soul ?
and what are the interests of gospel may ever be at work, and wherever
an empire, and the passing, perishable, he meets a human being, with that hulie has a mesfleeting concerns of time, to the enduring man being he has to do.
sage with him he has a story of redeemrealities of eternity]
Ponder, then, my brethren ponder this ing love to tell him ; and there is no
day again the great object of missionary exception at all, constituted by man'?
his rank,
enterprise. Contemplate it as an object so colour, or kindred, or clime
simple that a child may comprehend it an or station, or condition in life.j It adobject so sublime that the purest seraph that dresses alike the monk and the libertine
the widow in her cottage and the peaburns before (he eternal throne would deem
sant in his barn
the criminal at the bar
it his highest honour to be intrusted with
the great commission, and xuould Jly with and the judge upon the tribunal
the
the rapidity of lightning to execute it.
It philosopher in his studios' and the poet in
the beggar on the dunghill
is simply to preach the gospel to every his reveries
creature.
And what is the gospel it and the monarch on the throne ; and he
its
preaches? I say its very name is glori- that rejects it does it at his peril
ous; and, wherever there is a tongue to glad tidings must bo welcomed, or the
proclaim it, it must awaken emotions of man must perish.
the liveliest gratitude and joy.
Ponder, brethren, ag-ain, I beseech you
It is
news good news good news to man
since how glorious is the message
good news to all good news to men which I have to deliver to mankind pon
sunk in ignorance and sin good news der the groutuls nf encouragement with
from Hod. It is a proclamation of par- which yoH are presented in the publication
don from the King of kings to his rebel- nf the message to the world. 'I'hey are so
lious subjects
from (lod to the human al)un(lant that I scarcely know where to
race; and the first sentence of the procla- begin.
In the first place, the preaching
mation is, " Let tlio wicked forsake his of tiie gospel is a divine inttilutiuti. It it
votedness to this great cause and year
after year thus at the altar of God swear
that we will not forsake it while there is
a single human being upon the face of
the earth who has not heard and wcl;
state of the case is
creature
is
in a condition to
THE BRITISH
24
PULPIT.
a human device the langûaoê of the cursed tree, the heaving of the solid
Saviour is most distinct and unequivocal
ground, as in the throes of an untimely
*' Go ye into all the world, and preach
birth
the darkened heavens at high noon
the gospel to every creature." This is
the rending of the rocks
the raising
enough for us we want no more than of the dead, proclaiming him to be the
With this assurance we can meet Son of God. But it was only for a seathis.
the sneer of contempt, the serpent of mason that he bowed to the empire of death,
lignity, and the loud laughter of derision. and condescended to remain a captive ia
know that the instrument is mean, the grave. He burst the bars of the
tomb ; it was not possible that he could
and in itself altogether inadequate.
know that it is an earthly vessel, in be holden of them and he rose to ascend
which the heavenly treasure is contained. up on high. Amid the greetings and
wonder not that the wise and pru- shoutings of cherubic and seraphic attend-^
dent of this world account it the foolish- ants, and the morning stars of light and
ness of preaching. But if the instniment glorified spirits of the just made perfect,
were even meaner than it is, and God he entered the celestial world, and took
still condescended to employ it, he could his seat at the right hand of God, and
make it mightier than all the influence grasping the sceptre of universal empire
that may be exerted against it, and demonhis double right, by creation and by
strate, in a Avay the most humbling to his blood
he sways it over, and is overthe pride of man and degrading to human ruling continually the afl'airs of this infe-glory, that the foolishness of God is rior world, that he may establish the
wiser than man, and the weakness of security of his church, accomplish her
God stronger than man.
destined trophies, and set up his throne
Ponder again the dignitij and glwy of in the hearts of the millions, the countless
Him in whose cause you are engaged, and millions, he has ransomed in his blood, j
by whose authority you act. { It was in
The success, my brethren, which has
immediate connexion with this great com- already accompanied the preaching of the
mission that the Redeemer declared, "All gospel, arid the trophies which the cause of
power is given to me in heaven and in Christ has hitherto achieved, furnish atwther
earth."
And it was not a vain boast. ground of confidence in connexion with the
Witness the credentials with which he niissio7iary enterprise. I That there are
was furnished, and the many proofs he difliculties we are quite ready to ackno\vhad of the divinity both of his person and ledge; we are by no means anxious to
of his mission.
Three times was it conceal them, as it respects their number
attested by a voice from heaven
know something
once at or their magnitude.
his baptism, when the heavens opened, of the obstinacy and perverseness of the
and the Spirit descended like a dove and human heart something of its deeprested upon him
once at his transfigura- rooted and bitter malignity against God
tion, when the displays of his godhead something of its decided and desperate
beamed so glorious through the veil of hostility to every thing that is pure and
his humanity, that the disciples were holy; we know something of the terrific
enraptured, and wist not what to say; forms which this bitter enmity assumes
^nd once, when so terrible was the voice, in pagan lands ; something of the invethat some said it thundered, and others teracy of habit
something of the power
that an angel spake.
Do you want fur- of a system, whose institutions and
ther proof?
See him imparting the light whose principles are wrought in the very
of day to the sightless eyeball, giving texture and frame-work of society ; and
tone and vigour to palsied limbs, ejecting we know how hopeless would be the
demons from their distressed victims, effort to undermine and overthrow this
tiot
We
We
We
'.
We
stilling the furious tempests,
state
the dead
deeply rooted,
and raising
and even in the season of his
deepest ignominy and extremest suffering,
when he
bled in agony upon the ac-
of
things,
so
firmly
by the mere
settled, so
effort
of
human ingenuity, of human skill, or by

While, however, the
an arm of flesh.
;
!;
CHRIST THE ONLY
WAY
OF SALVATION.
statesman and the philosopher pour con- salvation

tempt on our undertaking, and reiârd it despised
as the extreme of fanaticism and folly,
29
were the meanest and the most

among men
gatherers,
fishermen, tax-
tent-makers.
Against them
occupy ôund on which they never power lifted up her arm, and authority
stood, and we have resources at our com- promulgated her edicts ; bigotry mustered
we
mand on which they never

Is
"
Who
art thou,
her hosts
calculated.
intolerance pointed her enrnity
Lord ]
persecution opened her dungeons, forged
great mountain ? Be- her fetters, reared her gibbets, kindled her
any thing too hard
for
the
Zerubbabel thou shalt become a

plain."
Only admit that the cause is
God's, and that the arm of Omnipotence
is guaranteed on its behalf, and all our
fears are given to the winds.
He may
indeed, for the trial of our faith, and the
exorcise of our patience, in the accomplishment of his purposes, seem to delay
but though it should ever be remembered
that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one
day; though in a manner to humble our
pride, and to convince us that in this great
undertaking our confidence must be
reposed exclusively in him, he may suffer us sometimes to endure disappointment, yet, as to the final issue, we can
no more doubt than we can doubt the
fore
at the peril of imprison-
ment and death,
at the risk of all that
fires
men
and yet
are accustomed to hold dear
these
devoted servants of the cross went forth
they scattered the seed of the kingdom;
they nourished the seed they scattered
with their blood ; it was rendered, by an
from heaven, prolific

and,
growing a very great tree, it speedily
filled the earth with its foliage and the
influence
'
luxuriousness of
And
'
hear,
its fruit.
my
brethren,
hear the
pledge and promises of those triumphs
which the gospel is yet destined to
achieve, and which it must achieve, ere
the
predictions of ancient times are

accomplished; that the knowledge of the
Lord shall cover the earth as the waters
return of the seasons, or the rising of the cover the sea.
Then, Juggernaut shall
morrow's sun.
Men talk about the bow before the cross ; then, the Shasters
mighty fabric of eastern superstition, and of the Brahmin, and the Koran of Mahoabout the power of prejudices, and about met, shall be torn in pieces, and their
the fascinations of caste, as though these fragments scattered to the wind. Then,
things were omnipotent,
and to mere every pagan idol, every pagan altar, every
human strengtli they are ; but mighty as Mahometan delusion, every popish suis the fabric, though it be consummated perstition, shall be crushed beneath the
and cemented by the veneration and prac- wheels of the triumphant car.
Then,
tices of ages and generations, and though tiie cities of Pekin and Canton shall send
it be def|)ly rooted in ail the natural appeforth their teeming populations to bid the
tites and passions of the human breast, Saviour welcome.
Myriads of voices in
yet, if (iod put his hand to the work, heaven shall respond to myriads on earth
and employ liis almighty power, "The' and the anthem shall be heard like mighty
strong shall be as tow, and the maker of thunder rolling the universe of God,
it as a spark ; and they shall both burn
"Hallelujah, hallelujah the Lord God
together, and none shall quench them." Omnipotent reigncth !" Visions of glory
There is no species of opposition, my Bright anticipations of the future Shall
brethren, over which the gi spel lias not they ever be realized ?
They shall, they
already triumphed, and over which it is mu.il. God hath spoken it, and he cannot
not still destined to triumph.
Can you lie; and to the declaration he has set U>e
conceive of diiricultics more formidable seal of an oath ; and, because ho can
than those which pressed around it in the swear by no greater, he has sworn by
first age of (Jliristianity.
All the rank, himself, saying, "."Purely every knee shall
li-arning, power, influence, eloquence, how tn me, and every tongue confess that
wisdom, and pliilosopliy of the world I anj God." I
were overthrown by it, tliough its abet
Must I plead, and must I plead witli
tors, itn supporters
the first heruldi i.f V"ti this great cause t
Let your count*Vol.
4
C
'
'
;:
THE BRITISH
26
nances respond. Tell me, do you need

argument to convince you, and strong
appeals to excite you 1 Are you not conscious of the miseries of millions of your
PULPIT.
ishness and solitude, and thus steal to
heaven alone. No but he gave you this

book in commission, in trust, that you
might give it to others and he sent you
millions sunk in all the degra- the gospel, that, having drank yourselves
species
dation of paganism, wallowing in its deep and refreshing draughts of the cup
?
of life, you might hand it round to the
pollution, and agonized by its tortures
Must I appeal to you on the principles of perishing millions that are within your
,-
common
of
life
if this
Iniinanity?
If this be the bread
that is to feed a starving world
be the sovereign balm that
is to
nay,
will not designate him so
And
reach.
is
there a
man
is
there
a creature that calls himself a man, for I

in this
who
up and ask, "
assem-
Who
heal and to sooth the moral maladies and

wounds that infect our nature if this be
bly,
the only light that can conduct man

through the darkness of this world to
climes of felicity and bliss beyond the
grave, can you have it, and the power to
impart it and imparting it to others will
by no means impoverish yourselves
say, where is your claim to a spark of common humanity if you can withhold your
hand, monopolize the precious boon, and
every man, whether his

black or white whether he
speaks your language, or one you cannot
comprehend whether he dwells here or
at the antipodes
I say, every man is
your brother and your neighbour, and if
you can reach him, and enlighten him,
and save him, can you refuse to do it ?
If you do, God will plead against you
my
will rise
neighbour, and
Every man
skin
who
my
brother
is
is
is
moral want ] I appeal will take the injured brother's part for
on the ground of common justice. I do the voice of his blood will cry to heaven
not merely appeal to you on principles of against you from the ground.
Go, I beseech you, and be prompt and
benevolence, to move you by the multiTime is
plicities of their miseries, but I plead liberal in what you do this day.
upon the ground of common justice. It rolling rapidly on men are perishing
"I am every moment in ignorance zealous misis a debt you owe to the world.
a debtor, says the apostle, both to the sionaries need supplies, and the wants of
Greeks and to the barbarians both to the a perishing world need to be satisfied
wise and to the unwise ;" and you are as and we look to your benevolence and zeal
much a debtor as he could be. God gave that their cry may be answered, " Come
let others perish in
book that you might mo- over and help us !" I cease to plead
and the gospel, that you let the collection now be made. Arise,
God, AND PLEAD THINE OWN CAUSE
anight press it to your bosom in your self-
you not
nopolize
this
it,
SERMOx\
II.
THE POWER OF REUGION ON THE HUMAN INTELLECT
BY THE REV.
XATE FELLOW AND TL'TOR OF
H,
ST. PETEr's
MELVILL, M.A.
COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, AND MINISTER OF
CAMDEN CHAPEL, CAMBERWELL.
" The entrance of thy words giveth light
Psalm
There
is
no point of view under which
the Bible can be surveyed, and not com-
mend
itself to
it
giveth understanding to the simple."
cxix. 130.
thinking minds as a won-
earthly legislation, any more than
by the
tyrannizings of earthly might, that you
may look to bring speedily round the
derful book, and a precious.
wished-for result.
down
nery
Travelling
waste of far-off
centuries, it brings the history of times
which must otherwise have been given
up to conjecture and fable. Instructing us
to us across the
as to the creation of the magnificent universe, and defining the authorship of that
rich
furniture,
tellectual,
as
well material as in-
with which this universe is

minds from those
alone.
is
The
Christianity,
effective machiand Christianity
Propagate the tenets of this
reli-
gion, as registered in the Bible, and a
mighty regeneration will go out over the

face of the long degraded community.
We
need hardly appeal, in proof of
this assertion, to the records of the effects
of missionary enterprise.
You
are
all
aware that, in many instances, a great

vague and unsatisfying theories which change has been wrought, by the labours
reason, unaided in her searchings, proof faithful and self-denying men, on the
posed with respect to the origin of all savage clans amongst which they have
things.
Opening up, moreover, a sub- settled. We omit, for the present, the
lime and simple system of theology, it incalculable advantages consequent on
emancipates the world from degrading the introduction of Christianity, when
superstitions, which, dishonouring Deity another state of being is brought into the
by the representations propounded of his account. We consider men simply with
character, turn vice into virtue, and so respect to their sojourning upon earth;
banish what is praiseworthy from human and we contend that the revolution effectsociety.
ed in temporal affairs should win, even
And thus, if you kept out of sight the from those who prize not its disclosures
more important ends subserved by the in regard to eternal, the warmest admiradisclosures of the Bible, there would be tion for the Bible. There has succeeded
no single gift for which men stood so to lawlessness and violence, the beautiful
indebted to the Almighty as for the reve- scenery of good order and peace. The
lation of himself in the pages of Scripture. rude beings, wont to wander to and fro,
The great engine of civilization is still alternately the prey and the scourge of
the written word of the Most High.
Ami neighbouring tribes, have settled down
if you visit a tribe of our race in the lowand
to the quiet occupations of industry
St
depths of barbarism, and desire to gathiring iheinselves into villages, and
bring up the debased rrealuri'S, and place plying at the businesses of handicraft or
ibem on their just level in the scale of agriculture, have presented the :ispect
exi.<tence, it is not by the enactments of
of a well-disciplined society in cxchan^
27
stored,
it
delivers our
TIIK BRITISH PULPIT
28
for lliat of a rovinjj and piratical horde.

And when adislriol which has heretofore,
setting
both morally and physically, hcen
ish
little
bolter than a desert, puts forth, in all its

outspread, the tokens of a vipforous culture,
and the sahhath-hell
summons from
collates a smiliufr population,

linked toirclher hy friendship, and hap])y in
all the sweetnesses of domcsstic charities;
8catter(>(l
them
to
If the
truths.
grasp and measure those
human mind grow dwarf-
and enfeebled, it is, ordinarily, because left to deal with common-])lace

facts, and never summoned to the effort of
taking the span and altitude of broad and
The understanding
lofty disclosures.
will gradually bring itself
down
to iho
than a man,
dimensions of the matters with which

alone it is familiarized, till, having long
been habituated to contracting its powers,
the IJihle as a revelation from (iod, he

refuse to admin! and esteem it as a nohle
panding
why,
the infidel nuist he somethinjr less

if, with all his contempt for
it
shall lose, wellnigh, the ability of exthcun.
Hut if it be for the (nlargement of the

engine for uplifting humanity from its
mind, and the strengthening of its faculdeep defrradations.
lint wo wish rather lo draw off your ties, that acquaintance should be made
thoughts from what the IJible has done with ponderous and far-spreading truths, it
for society at large, and to fix them on must be clear that knowledge of the Bible
what it effects for individuals. It fol- outdoes all other knowledge in bringing
lows, of course, that, since society is the
aggregate of individuals, what the Bihle
does for the mass is mainly the sum of
We
deny not that

round such result.
great effects may be wrought on the pea-
santry of a land by that wondrous diffudoes separately for the units. An sion of general information which is now
effect upon society presupposes an effect going forward through the instrumentality
on its component memhers in their in- of the press. It is not possible that our
dividual capacities; it being impossible penny magazines should be carrying to
that the whole should he changed except the workshop of the artisan, and the cot-
what
it
the change of
by
Now we
its
tage of the labourer, an actual library of
parts.
are persuaded, that there is
varied intelligence, without producing a
no book, by the perusal of which the universal outstretch of mind, whether for
mind is so much strengthened, and so good, or whether for evil. But if a popumuch enlarged, as it is hy the perusal of lation could be made a Bible reading
We deal not yet with the population, we argue that it would be
the l}ii)le.
case of the man who, being under the made a far more thinking, and a far more
teachings of (Jod's Spirit, has the truths
intelligent pojiulation, than
it
of revelation opened up to him in their

gigantic and overwhelming force.
shall come afterwards to the consideration
of the circumstances of the converted
become through
its
We
we
confine ourselves, for the present, to

require
those of the unconverted.
nothing hut an admission of the truth of
Scripture; so that he who reads its decla-
Wo
them as
he would those of a writer of acknowledged veracity. And what we contend
rations, and statements, receives
that the study of the I?ihle, even when

supposed without influence on the soul,
is calculated, far more than any other
study, to enlarge the mind, and strengthen
the intellect. There is nothing so likely
to elevate, and eiulow with wcw vigour,
is,
our faculties, as the bringing them into

contact with stupendous truths, and the
the turning
will ever
attention
on simplili(Ml sciences, and abbreviated

If I desired to enlarge a man's
should like to fasten it on the
truth that God never had beginning, and
never shall have end. I would set it to
the receiving this truth, and to the grappling with it.
I know that, in endeavouring to comprehend this truth, the mind
will be quickly mastered, and that, in
attempting to push on to its boundary
lines, it will fall down, wearied witli travel, and see infinity still stretching beyond it. But the cflort v ill have been a
grand mental disci])line. And he who
has looked at this discovery of (Jod, as
made to us hy the word of inspiration, is
likely to have come away from the contemplation with his faculties elevated, and
histories.
mind,
THE POWKR OF RELIGION ON THE HUMAN INTELLECT.

same
tho
?.t
tirno,
vifrour, alU(!(l in
no
humblod
with
di'irwo,
so that a
arrofâiicc;,
20
mind a hundred-fold more

ex|)anded, and a hundred-fold more eletions with a
by the study vated, than if ho had giv<!n his time to

of a Hii)lo truth; and tiie man, whilst the exploits of (Ja;sar, or poured forth his
strcnfrth(Miin<r his mind by a nii<r!ity ('X- attention on the results ot" machiiKiry.
We speak not thus in any disparageercisc, will hav(! Icarnful tlio hardest, and
the most useful, of all lessons, that intel- ment of the present unparalleled eflorta
will havo
b(!f;n
jronerattul
to make knowledge accessible to all

know- classes of our community. Wo aro far
enough from underrating such cITorta;
lect is not omnipotent, but that tho fêat-
cst
wisdom may
be, oftentimes, the
ing ourselves i<rnorant.
Wo
are not,
you will observe,
referrinpf
and we hold, unreservcidly, that a vastand
may
be wrought amongst
to the Bible as eontaininjr the food of the
a beneficial effect
and as teaehing man what he must

learn if he would not p(;rish everlastinfjly.
We are simply ariruiiig that the briniriufr
men to study the 15ible would be the go'u\<T a vast deal
furtluir towards makintj
them stronnf-minded, and intellectual, than
tho poor through the well-applied
soul,
the
on
dispersirifT
amontrst them treatises
the subjects
all
The
braces.
The
which
it
many
book
ia
rank of philosophers
who goes patiently
the
round of unvaried
a mechanic,
toil,
is,
uncon-
owner of faculties which,

nursed and expanded by (education, would
have enabled him to electrify senates,
and to win that pre-eminence which men
award to the majesty of gcuiius. There
arise occasions when, peculiar circum-
sciously, the
treats; the dignified simplicity
its
on points tlie mostintercislinrr to creatures

conscious of iumiortality ; all these conspire to brin<r round a rtisult
to tho first
many
for the in-
sublimity of tho topics of
whoso every moment
and
manner of handlinfr them; the

EoMeness of the mysteries which it developi'.s; the illumination which it throws
of
a peasant,
agency
In the mind of
bestowed on wringing from the soil a

scanty subsistence, there slumber powers
which, had they been evolved by early
discipline, would have elevated their
which philosophy em- possessor
Uible, whilst the only book
for tho soul, is tho best

tellect.
of vigorous instruction.
slaiic(!S
which we up
aiding the developement, the pent-
talent struggles loose from the tram-
mels of pauperism and the peasant and

mechanic, through a sudden outbreak of
mind, start forward to the places for
But,
which their int(dlect fits them.
tellectually.
We think that it may be ordinarily, the powers remain through
reckoned amongst incredible tilings, that life! bound up and torpid; and he, thereconverse should bo hrdd with the first fore, forms but a contracted estimate of
parents of our race; that man should the amount of high mental endowracnt,
stand on this creation whilst its beauty who reckons by the proud marbles which
was unsullied, and then mark the retinue cause the aisles of a cathedral to breathe
of destruction careering with a dominant tho mcsmory of departed greatness, and
step over its surface
that ho should be never thinks, when walking tho village
admitted into intercourse with patriarchs church-yard with its rude memorials of
and prophets, and move through scenes the fathers of tho valley, that, possibly,
peopled with tho majesties of the Kternal, there sleeps beneath his feet one who, if
and behold tiio (Jodhead himself coming early taught, might have trod with a
down into humanity, and working out, in Newton's step tho firmament, or swept
the mysterious coalition, the discomfiture with a Milton's hand tho harpslrings
of the powers of darkness
oh, wo reckon Wo make then every admission of the
it, we say, amongst incrfuJiblo
things, power which there is in cultivation to
that all this should be permitted to a enlarge and unfold the human understand
man as it is perinitti-d to every student ing.
Wo nothing (question that mental
of Scriplure and yet that he should not capacities are e<iually distriluited amongst
coiiie back from the ennobling asaocia- jdiirercnt classes of society and that, if it
upon as actual and necessary,

namely, that the man who should study
the IJible, and not be benefited by it
spiritually, would be benefited by it niinsist
c2
THE BRITISH
30
were not
for
the
adventitious rtrcum-
stances of birth, entailing the advantages
PULPIT.
fascinate him, if he look not beyond' the-
present area of existence.
In
all
the
wide
of education, there would be sent out range of sciences, what science is there
from the lower grades the same propor- comparable, in its sublimity and difficulty,
tion as from the higher, of individuals to the science of God 1
In all the annals
by
distinguished
the energies of ta-
all
of humankind,
what history
is
there so
lent.
curious, and so riveting, as that of the
And thus believing that efforts to disseminate knowledge may cause a general
calling forth of the mental powers of our
population, we have no other feeling but
that of pleasure in the survey of these
infancy of man, the cradling, so to speak,
efforts.
this
It
is
we have
indeed possible
our fears
that,
and
of
you may draw him away
from the Bible, which has heretofore

been specially the poor man's book, and
thus inflict upon him, as we think, an intellectual injury, full as well as a moral.
Where
will
lawgiver from whose edicts

may be learned a nobler jurisprudence
than is exhibited by the statute book of
Moses ? Whence will you gather such
find a
by sending vivid
a throng of publications to the fireside of

the cottager,
of the earth's population]
you
power of truth
by the march of Christianity, when apostles stood alone, and a
whole world was against them? And if
there be no book which treats of a loftier
science, and none which contains a more
interesting history, and none which more
illustrations of the
as are furnished
now in hand, we thoroughly discloses the principles of

only uphold the superiority of scriptural right and the prowess of truth why then,
knowledge, as compared with any other, just so far as mental improvement can
when the alone object proposed is that be proved dependent on acquaintance
of developing and improving the thinking with scientific matters, or historical, or
powers of mankind.
And we reckon legal, or ethical, the Bible, beyond all
But, in the argument
won for other books, must be counted the grand

by the taking two illiterate engine for achieving that improvement;
individuals, and subjecting them to two and we claim for the Holy Scriptures
that a fine triumph might be
Christianity,
different processes of
mental discipline.
the illustrious distinction, that, containing
Let the one be made familiar with what whatsoever

is
styled
general information;
other be confined to
information.
what we
And when,
let
call
the
Bible
in each case,
is needful for saving the soul,

they present also whatsoever is best calculated for strengthening the intellect.
Now we have not carried on our argu-
ment to its utmost limit, though we have,

you come to inquire whose perhaps, advanced enough for the illusreasoning faculties have been most im- tration of our text. We might occupy
proved, whose mind has most grown and your attention with the language, as we
expanded itself, we are persuaded that have done with the matter, of Holy Writ.
the scriptural study will vastly carry it It were easy to show you that there is no
over the miscellaneous, and that the ex- human composition, presenting, in any
periment will satisfactorily demonstrate, thing of the same degree, the majesty of
that no knowledge tells so much on the oratory, and the loveliness of poetry.
So
intellect of mankind as that which is that if the debate were simply on the best
furnished by the records of inspiration.
means of improving the taste of an indiAnd if the grounds of this persuasion vidual, others might commend to his
be demanded, we think them so self-evi- attention the classic page, or bring fordent as scarcely to require the being forward the standard works of a nation's
mally advanced. We say again, that if literature; but we, for our part, would
you keep out of sight the concern which chain him down to the study of Scripture
man has in scriptural truths, regarding and we would tell him, that, if he would
him as born for eternity, there is a gran- learn what is noble verse, he must hearkdeur about these truths, and a splendour, en to Isaiah sweeping the chords to Jeruand a beauty, which must amaze and salem's glory; and if he would know
the process has gone on a fair portion of
time, and
^f
THE POWER OF RELIGION ON THE HUMAN INTELLECT.

what
is
powerful eloquence, he must
stand by St. Paul pleading in bonds at
Agrippa's tribunal.
It suits not our purpose
push further
But we think it right to

impress on you most earnestly the wontlie
books
in the
wide world were assembled together, the

Bible would as much take the lead in
disciplining
understanding,
the
directing the soul.
as
we
Living, as
in
do, in
days when intellectual and scriptural are

set
and
down, practically, as opposite terms,

it seems admitted as an axiom that to
civilize
and
intelligent,
are things
to christianize, to
make men
make men
religious,
and
to
which have no necessary nor
even possible connexion, it is well that

we sometimes revert to the matter of fact
and whilst every stripling is boasting
that a great enlargement of mind is coming on a nation, through the pouring into
all itsdwellingsa tide of general information, it is right to uphold the forgotten
position, that, in carincr for man as an
immortal being, God cared for him as an
intellectual, and that, if the Bible were
but read by our artisans and our peasantry, we should be surrounded by a far
more enlightened, and intelligent, population than will appear on tliis land, when
the schoolmaster, with his countless
magazines, shall have gone through
it in its length and in its breadth.
But up to this point we have made no
direct reference to those words of David
which we brought forward as the subject
of the present discourse.
illuminated, or strengthened, through acquaintance with the contents of Scripture.

thus vindicate the truth of our text,
We
to
this inquiry.
derful fact, that, if all
31
Yet
all
our
when
religion,
properly and strictly so
called, is not brought into the account.
We
prove that the study of the Bible,

it does not terminate in the conversion of the soul, will terminate in the
clearing and improvement of the intellect.
So that you cannot find the sense wherein
it does not hold good, that " the entrance
of God's words giveth light, it giveth
understanding to the simple."
But we now go on to observe that the
passage applies with a vastly greatet
force to the converted than to the unconWê will employ the remainder
verted.
of our time in examining its truth when
the student of Scripture is supposed also
the subject of grace.
It would seem as
though this case were specially contemplated by the Psalmist, there being something in the phraseology which loses
otherwise much of its point. The expression "the entrance of thy words,"
appears to denote more than the simple
perusal.
The light breaks out, and the
understanding is communicated, not
through the mere reading of thy words,
;"
but through the " entrance of thy words
the Bible being effective, only as its truths
pierce, and go deeper than the surface.
And although it must be readily conceded
that the mere reading, apart from the entrance of the word, can effect none of
those results which we have already
ascribed to the Bible, we still think the
chief reference must be to an entrance
when
Tomarks liave tended to their illustration, into the soul, which is peculiar, rather
rhe Psalmist, addressing himself to than to that into the understanding, which
his God, declares, "the entrance of thy is common.
may also remark that
words givttb light, it giveth understanding the marginal reading of the passage is,
We
to the simple."
perceive that,
Now
you will
wVen taken
at
once
in its largest
signification, this verse ascribes to
the
Bibln precisely that energy for wliich we

liavc contended.
The asaerlion is, that
iho entrance of God's word gives light,
and that it gives also understanding to
"the opening of thy words giveth light."

If we adopt this translation, which is,
probably, the more accurate of the two,
we must conclude that the Psalmist
speaks of the word as interpreted by
God's Spirit, and not merely as perused
by the student. It is not the word, the
bare letter, which gives the light, and the
the simple; just as it has boon our endeavour to show that a mind, dark through undcrsUuiding, specially intended
but
want of instruction, or weak through its the word, as opened, or applied by the
powers being either naturally poor, or Spirit. Now, in treating the text in this
long unexercised, would become either its more limited signification, we have to
;
THE
33
BRITISH PULPIT
first of all, with a fact; and socondly, A man will not become more of an aswith the reasons of that fact. The fact tronomer than he was before, nor more ol
is, that, on conversion, there is given to a chemist, nor more of a linguist.
He
man an increased measure of understand- will have no greater stock of knowledge
The reasons of this fact arc to be than he before possessed of subjects
ing.
looked for in another fact, namely, that which most occupy the learned of his
conversion results from the entrance, or fellows. And if he would inform himopening, of God's words. It will be for self in such subjects, the man of religion
our profit that we consider attentively must give himself to the same labour as
both the fact and the reasons. And, first the man of no religion, and sit down, with
of all, as to the fact that, on becoming a the same industry to the treatise and the
man of godliness, the simple becomes grammar. The peasant, who becomes
not the philosopher simply because his
increasingly a man of understanding.
Now it is, we believe, commonly ob- mental powers have been undisciplined,
served by those who set themselves to will not leave the plough for the orrery,
examine the effects of religion upon differ- because his understanding is expanded by
Education might give, whilst
ent characters, that a general strengthening religion.
of the mind is amongst the usual accom- religion will not give, the powers the
paniments of piety. The instances, in- philosophical bent. But there is a wide
deed, are of no rare occurrence in which difference between the strengthening the
a mental weakness, bordering almost on mind, and the storing it with information.
We may plead for the former effect
imbecility, has been succeeded by no
inconsiderable soundness and strength of without at all supposing the latter though
do,
understanding.
The case has come withwe
shall
come afterwards
to see that in-
in our own knowledge of an individual formation of the loftiest description is

who, before conversion, was accounted conveyed through the opening of the
to say the least, of very limited capacities,
but who, after conversion, displayed such
power of comprehending
difficult truths,
and such
them
that
men
facility in stating
to others,
of staunch and well informed
minds sought intercourse as a

Something of the same kind
privilege.
has frequently been observed in regard to childThe grace of God has fallen, like
ren.
the warm sun of the east, on their mental
faculties, and, ripening them into the
richness of the summer, whilst the body
had as yet not passed through its spring
time, has caused that grey hairs might
be instructed by the tender disciple, and
brought a neighbourhood round adeath-bed
to learn wisdom from the lips of a youth.
And, without confining ourselves to instances which may be reckoned peculiar
Bible, and that, consequently, if the impartment of knowledge be an improving

thing to the faculties, an improvement,
the most marked, must result from conversion.
But we confine ourselves,
present, to the statement of a fact.

assert that, in all cases, a
man
is
at
We
intel-
lectually, as well as spiritually, advan-
taged through becoming a
He
man
of piety.
will have a clearer and less biassed
His views will be wider,

more correct. His under-
judgment.
his estimates
standing, having been exercised on truths

the
most stupendous, will be more com-
petent for the examination of what is

difficult or obscure.
His reason, having
much liesbeyond herprovince

much within, will give herself
learned that
as well as
to inquiries with greater humility and

and extraordinary, we would assert that, greater caution, and therefore, almost to
in all cases, a marked change passes over a moral certainty, with greater success.
the human mind, when the heart is reAnd though we may thus seem rather
newed by the influences of God's Spirit. to account for the fact than to prove it,
We are not guilty of the absurdity of let it be remembered that this fact, being
maintaining that there are supernaturally an effect, can only be established, either
communicated any of those stores of in- by pointing out causes, or by appealing
formation, which are ordinarily gained to experience. The appeal to experience
oy a patient and pains-taking application. is, perhaps, the conecter mode of the two

<And wc, therefore, content ourselves with
saying,
who have
those
that
33
which inspired writers were commissioned to make known.

Thus the
truths
watciiod
character most narrowly will bear out the
question before us is reduced to this

opening of God's what connexion subsists between believword is followed, ordinarily, by a surprising in the heart the words of God, and
ing opening of man's faculties. If you having the understanding enlightened
take the rude and illiterate labourer, you and strengthened ]
statement,
that
the
will find that regeneration proves to
him
a sort of intellectual, as well as a moral

renovation.
There y/iall generally be no
Now our great difficulty is not in finding an answer to this question, but in
arranging and condensing our material of
We
would, first of all, remind

in tb village who is so reply.
sound, and shrewd, and clear-headed a you that the truths, which have been
man, as the one who is most attentive to commended to the belief, are the most
And if an indi- sublime and spirit-stirring of all that can
the salvation of his soul.
vidual have heretofore been obtuse and engage the attention of mankind.
They
unintelligent, let him be converted, and are the truths of eternity, and their
there shall hereafter be commonly a dimensions correspond with their dura-
ploughman
(juickness and animation
whose prime business
it
so that religion,
is to
shed light
tion.
And we feel that there must be an
amazing demand upon the mind, when,
upon the heart, shall appear, at the same after long years of confinement to the
thrown fire into the eye. petty affairs of this perishing state, it is
Wo do not, indeed, assert that genius summoned to the survey of those unand talent are imparted at the new birth. measured wonders which crowd the platBut that it is amongst the characteris- form of the future. I take a man whose
time, to have
tics
of godliness, that
the
scale
makes
it
elevates
man
in
of intellectual being, that it

him a more thinking, and a more
and
inquiring,
creature,
that
more
it
both
discriminating
rectifies
strengthens the mental vision
guilty of no exaggeration, if
we
for this as universally true;
and
not more
than
we
and
are
contend
this, if
asserted in the
this, is
statement, that " the entrance of God's

words giveth light, it giveih understand-
ing to the simple."
Hut we are now,

t.)
in the second place,

consider certain of the reasons of this
feet.
more
What
there in the entrance, or,
is
strictly, in the
words, which
may
opening, of (iod's
account for so
begin by remind-
fairly
We
has been engrossed by commerce, and whose thoughts have been

given wholly to the schemings and workattention
ings of trade.
when
May we
the grace of
God
not affirm that,
takes possession
of this man's soul, there will occur an

extraordinary mental revolution, and that,
brought round by the magnificence

of the subjects with which his spirit has
too,
newly grown conversant! In place of

oceans which can be fathomed, and weighed, and measured, there is an expanse
before him without a shore.
In place of
carrying on intercourse with none but the
beings of his own race, separated from
him by a few leagues of distance, he

sends his vessels, as it were, to lands
singular a result 1
tenanted by the creatures of a more gloing you that the entrance, or opening of rious intelligence, and they return to him
God's word, denotes the application of freighted with a produce costlier, and
truth to the heart and con- brighter, than earthly merchandise.
In
science by that Almighty agent, the Holy place of acquaintance with no ledger,
Ghost. Hence a saving, influential, be- save the one in which he casts up the
lief in the disclosures of revelation is the debtor and creditor of a few
fellow-worms,
scriptural
distinguishing property of the individuals

referred to in our text.
Anil in iiujuir-
ing, therefore,
how
understanding
is
arc to proce<;d
on tho supposition
is
endowed with
Vol. 1.
it
comes
to pass that
given to the simple,

real faith in those
liiat
there arises before him the vast volume

of doomsday, and his g-.izings are often
on the
final
balance sheet v(
th<
human
demand
we
population.
he
whether you think it possible, tii.it there

should he this overpowering accession to
mighty
And
we
sini|)ly
THE BRITISH
34
PULPIT.
the objects which occupy ihe mind, and
money, you will ordinarily find him, in'

every respect, a narrow-minded being.
His intellect, whatever its natural capacities, will embrace
little or nothing
the nature of things, be so contracted as beyond modes of accumulation, and will
Can grow practically unable to overpass the
that which deals only with one.
that be a large understanding which is circles of profit and loss.
It is just the
yet that the mind itself sh* uld not grow,

and eiilargo, and strengtlien 1 The mind
which deals with both worlds cannot, in
conversant with nothing but the scenery

of a finite existence ; or, rather, if heretofore the understanding have grasped
nothing but the facts of an hour and a
same
if
tion.
"We hold
a maiv's love be fixed on reputa-
it impossible there should

be enlarged views, when those views
centre in one's self.
There may be lofty

and far-spreading schemes ; for ambition
can look upon a world, and think it too
place a scarcely measurable enlargement small for its marchings. But so long
if eternity and infinity now be gathered as those schemes are schemes for the
within its spreadings ] Besides, there will aggrandizement of self, they may take a
league, and these have appeared to crowd

it to the full, must there not have taken
be a sounder and corrector judgment upon

events and probabilities, when reference
is always made to the first cause, than
when regard is had only to second causes.
There will be a fairer and more honest
deliberation, when the passions are under
the sway of divine promises and threatenings, than when there is no higher
creation for their sphere, and yet require

to be described as pitiful and niggardly..
mere account of the might and vastness
principle, that a heart
no mark of an ample mind thai it

filled with an unit.
And many a
philanthropist, labouring quietly, and
unobtrusively, for the well-being of a
solitary parish, or neighbourhood, has
thereby proved himself a larger hearted,
restraint than the ill-defined ones of and a larger souled, creature than an Alexhuman honour. So that it would seem ander,boundless in his graspings; andthat,
altogether to be expected that, on the too, upon the clear and straight-forward
of the
truths,
which the mind
acquaintance with
into
is
introduced, the
It is
can be
one's-self, is a
which holds only

narrower and more circum-
mind scribed thing than
send forth latent and unsuspected powers, or even shoot up into a

new stature which shall put to shame its
former dwarfishness. Thus the opening
of God's words is accompanied, or followed, by the rousing up of dormant
The sphere, which the sandenergies.
itself will
anothr-r
which contains
a multitude of our fellows.
The
truth is
that all objects of love, except
God, are
smaller than the heart itself. They can
only fill the heart, through the heart being
contracted and narrowed. The human
soul
was framed,
in its first creation, lo
that wideness as to be capable of enjoy-
ing God, though not of fully comprehendfill, is required to dilate,

and take in immensity. The arm which ing Him. And it still retains so much
plucked a leaf, or lifted a pebble, must of its glorious original, that " all other
strive to wrench up the oak, and raise the things gather it in and straiten it from its
mountain. And in striving it strengthens. natural size." Whereas the love of God
The mind, employed- on what is great, not only occupies it to the full, but, inasgrain seemed to
becomes
itself greater
busied with what
Let
much
as in
its
broadest enlargement
narrow
it is
God, this
the man, therefore, have been even of love, as it were, doth stretch and expand
weak mental capacity conversion will it, enabling it to hold more, and giving
give something of nerve and tone to that it, at the same time, more to hold. Thus,
Besides, it is a thing worthy since the converted man loves God, and
capacity.
your remark, and so obvious as scarcely this new object of love demands amplito be overlooltfd, that all love, except the tude of dwelling, we contend that, as a
love of God, reduces and contracts the consequence on conversion, there will be
soul.
If a man be a covetous man, fast- extension of the whole mental apparatus.
ening the might of his affections upon And if you find the man hereafter, as we
is bright, it
becomes
itself brighter.
still
infinitely too
for
THE POWER OF
UELIGIO.V
ON THE HUMAN INTELLECT.
35
you will find him, exer- can truth make with the intellect, when
cising a corrector judgment, and display- there is something in its character which
And what do
ing a shrewder sense, than had before opposes the inclination
time seemed in his possession, you have we infer from these undeniable facts?
only to advance, in explanation of the Simply, that whilst the moral functions
phenomenon, that " the entrance of God's are disordered, so likewise must be the
Simply, that so long as the
words giveth understanding to the sim- mental.
heart is depraved and disturbed, the
ple."
But we may state yet more strongly, mind, in a certain degree, must itself be
and also multiply our reasons why, on out of joint. And if you would give the
becoming religious, the simple man should mind fair play, there must be applied
become more a man of understanding. straightways, a corrective process to the
Let it just be considered that man, whilst heart. You cannot tell what a man's
are bold to say
a being, in every respect, disorganized.
understanding is, so long as he continues

" dead in trespasses and sins." There
Under no point of view
is
left in his state
of natural corruption,
is
is
he the crea-
ture that he was, as fashioned, originally,
a mountain upon it.

It is tyrannized
over by lusts and passions, and affections
and appetites. It is compelled to form
He can
after the image of his Maker.
no longer act out any of the great ends of wrong estimates, and
his creation; a total disability of loving
conclusions.
and obeying the Almighty having been

on him, by his fore-father's
apostasy. And when this degraded and
ruined being is subjected to the saving
operations of the Spirit of God, he is said
to be renewed, or remodelled, after the
long lost resemblance. The conscience
becomes disquieted and this is conviction.
The heart and its affections are
given back to God and this is conversion.
Now we do not say, that, by this great
moral renovation, the injuries which the
fall caused to the human intellect are
as truth
fastened
It is
to arrive at wronor
not allowed to receive
what the carnal nature has an
interest in rejecting as falsehood.
And
what hope, then, is there that the intellect

will show itself what it actually is 1
It
may be gigantic, when it seems only
puny respectable, when it passes for
despicable.
And thus we bring you back
again to the argument in hand.
We
prove to you that a weak mind may be
so connected with a wicked heart, that to
act on the wickedness would be going
Oh,
far towards acting on the weakness.
;
downfall of man's first parent the

could pot be shivered in its moral
shall assert that the moral improvement features, ana remain untouched in its inWell has it been said that
is just calculated to bring about an intel- tellectual.
lectual.
You all know how intimately possibly "Athens was but the rudiments
mind and body are associated. One plays of Paradise, and an Aristotle only the rubNevertheless,
necessarily repaired.
fatal
we image
wonderfully on the other,'so that disease bish of Adam." But if there be a moral
of body may often be traced to gloom of renovation, there will, from the connexion
mind, and, conversely, gloom of mind be now traced, be also, to a certain extent,
proved to originate in disease of body. an intellectual. And hence, since at the
And if there be this close connexion be- entrance of God's words the man is re-
tween mental and corporeal, shall we newed in holiness, we have a right to

suppose there is none between mental expect that he will also be renewed in
and moral 1 On the contrary, it is clear understanding. If additional mental cathat the association, as before hinted, is pacity be not given, what he before posof the fltrictest.
What an influence do sessed is allowed to develope itself; and
th' passions exercise upon the judgment!
this is practically the same as though
How is the voire of reason drowned in there wt-rc a fresh gift. If he receive not
thf cry of impt'tuoiis desires
To what actually a greater measur^fundi-rslaiuU
absurdities will the understanding give ing, still, inasmuch as>the stern embargo
assnnf, when the will has resolved to whirh the heart laid on tlm intellect is
take us their advoracy
How little way mercifully removed, he is, virtually,
!
THE BRITISH
36
PULPIT.
under the same circumstances as if a new own, it is evident that I occupy, practiThus, with all cally, the position of one to whom has
portion were bestowed.
the precision which can fairly be required been given an increased measure of underin the interpretation of such a phrase, standing; and what, consequently, is to
we prove that, since man is elevated in prevent the simple man, whose rule of
the scale of intelligence through being life is God's word, from acting in all
raised from his moral degradation, we circumstances, whether ordinary or exare bound to conclude with the Psalmist, traordinary, with such prudence, and
that "the entrance of God's words giv- discretion, and judgment, that he shall
eth light, it giveth understanding to the make good, to the very letter, the assertion, that "the entrance of God's words
simple."
have yet one more reason to ad- giveth light, it giveth understanding to
vance, explanatory of the connexion the simple?"
We
which we
set ourselves to trace.
You
obsv^rvc that the entrance, or the opening,
Now
it is
not possible to gather into a
single discourse the varied reasons
which
of God's words denotes such an application to
might lê given for the fact under revie\v.

the soul of the truths of revelation But the causes already adduced will
on the life serve, at least, to show that the fact is by

should a no moans unaccountable ; but that, on the
man who lives by the Bible be, practi- contrary, the connexion is so necessary
cally, possessed of a stronger and clearer between spiritual improvement and intelunderstanding than, apparently, belonged lectual, that amongst the accompaniments
to him ere this rule was adopted?
The of a renew-ed heart we may justly reckon
answer may be found in the facts, that it a clearer head.
become
that they
is a believer's
wisdom,
to
influential
Now, why
and conversation.
duty, whensoever he lacks
ask
it
of God, and a be-
liever's privilege never to be sent
away.
In
all
empty
those cases which require
the exercise of a sound discretion, which

present opposite difficulties, rendering
decision on a course painfully perplexing,
who is likely to display the soundest
judgment?
self, or
the
another
man who acts for himwho seeks, and obtains,
We
direction from above 1

plead not for
rash and unfounded expectations of a
divine interference on our behalf.
simply hold fast to the promises of Scrip-
We
ture.
all
And we pronounce
peradventure, that,
it
if
to
be beyond
the Bible be
true, it is also true that they who have

been translated from darkness to light are
never left without the aids of God's
Spirit, unless they seek not those aids,
or seek them not earnestly and faithfully.
If I have known the entrance, or
the opening, of the word of our God, then
I have practically learned such lessons
" lean not to thine own underas these
standing ;" " iu all thy ways acknowledge
We desire, in conclusion, to press upon

you once more the worth of the Bible^
and then to wind up our subject with i^
word of exhortation.
Of all the boons which God has be^
stowed on this apostate and orphaned
creation, we are bound to say that the
Bible is the noblest and most precious.
We bring not into comparison with this
illustrious donation the glorious sun
sustenance Avhich is
poured forth from the storehouses of the
earth, nor that existence itself which
allows us, though dust, to soar into companionship with angels. The Bible is
the developement of man's immortality,
the guide which informs him how he
may move off triumphantly from a contracted and temporary scene, and grasp
light, nor the rich
unbounded splendour, eterhome.

It is the record which tells us that this
rebellious section of God's unlimited
empire is not excluded from our Maker's
destinies of
nity his lifetime and infinity his
but that the creatures who

surface, though they have
him, and h"shall direct thy paths." basely sepulchred in sinfulness and corAnd if I am not to lean to mine own un- ruption the magnificence of their nature,
derstanding, and if I have the privilege are yet so dear in their ruin to Him who
of being directed by a higher than mine first formed them, that he hath bowed
:
compassions
move upon
its

down
the heavens in order to open their

graves.
Oh! you have only to think
fear,
for
37
example, that the intellectual
benefits of scriptural knoAvledge are well-
what a change would pass on

our race,
if
the aspect of nigh entirely overlooked ; and that, in the

the Bible were suddenly with
efforts to raise the standard of mind, there
drawn, and all remembrance of it swept is little or no recognition of the mighty

away, and you arrive at some faint notion principle that the Bible outweighs ten
of the worth of the volume. Take from thousand Encyclopaedias.
And we are
Christendom the Bible, and you have fearful on your account, lest something
taken the moral chart by which alone its of this national substitution of human
population can be guided. Ignorant of literature for divine should gain footing
the nature of God, and only guessing at in your households.
We fear lest, in the
their own immortality, the tens of thou- business of education, you should sepasands Avould be as mariners, tossed on rate broadly that teaching which has to
a wide ocean, without a pole-star, and do with the salvation of the soul from
without a compass. The blue lights of that which has to do with the improvethe storm-fiend would burn ever in the ment of the mind.
W'e refer to this point,
shrouds and when the tornado of death because we think ourselves bound, by
rushed across the waters, there would be the vows of our calling, to take every
heard nothing but the shriek of the terri- opportunity of stating the duties which
fied, and the groan of the despairing.
It devolve on you as parents or 'guardians.
were to mantle the earth with a more than There is a sense in which it may be
Egyptian darkness it were to dry up the affirmed that souls, those mysterious and
fountains of human happiness it were to imperishable things, are given into the
take the tides from our waters, and leave custody of ever}'^ father of a family. And
them stagnant, and the stars from our we are persuaded that if there be one
heavens, and leave them in sackcloth, thing on this earth which, more than
and the verdure from our valleys, and another, draws the sorrowing regards of
leave them in barrenness ; it Avere to make the world of spirits, it must be the system
the present all recklessness, and the of education pursued by the generality
future all hopelessness, the maniac's of parents.
The entering a room gracerevelry and then the fiend's imprison- fully is a vast deal more attended to than
ment, if you could annihilate that precious the entering into heaven and you would
volume wliich tells us of God and of conclude that the grand thing for which
Christ, and unveils immortality, and in- God had sent the child into the world
structs in duty, and woos to glory.
Such was that it might catch the Italian accent,
is the Bible.
Prize ye it, and study it and be quite at home in every note of the
more and more. Prize it, as ye are im- gamut. Christianity, indeed, is not at
mortal beings
for it guides to the new variance with the elegancies of life
she
Jerusalem.
Prize it, as ye arc intellect- can use them as her handmaids, and give
ual beings
for it " giveth understanding them a beauty of which, out of her ser;
they are
to the simple."
vice,
VVe have now only space for a brief

word of exhortation, and we ask for it
your closest attention. A minister, if he
would be faithful to his calling, must
mark tlie signs of the times, and endeavour so to shape his addresses that they
may meet, and expose the prominent
wage no war,
Now we
utterly
We
destitute.
therefore, with accomplish-
ments, any more than with the solid

acquirements of a liberal education.
are only anxious to press on you the necessity that yo make religion the basis
admit, in all its
of your system.
We
We
breadth,
the
own knowledge
truth
of the
saying,
that
power. It is power ay,

Neither
day, there !* a strong disposition to put a fatal power, and a perilous.
aside tlie Bible, and to seek out other the mi;xht of armies, northe scheming
agency in a(Tf)mp!iH!iing results which of politicians, avails any thing against
God hath a{)pointed it to efTcct. We this power. The schoolmaster, as we
errors.
tiiink that, in
our
is
TUK BRITISH
38
liav(!
already hinted,
is tlie
grand onrrine
for rev()liit,ionizin(r a world.
Lot kiunvledjre bo g-onorally diflusod, and tlio fear

of (I'od bn kept in tho back ground, and
you liavo dono tbo same for a country as
if you bad laid tii(! gunpovvdor under its
very institution; tli(>re needs only tiie
igniting of a nratcb, and the land sliall be
strewed witb^tlio fragments of all that is
glorious and venerable.
But, nevertheless, we would not have knowledge
chained nj) in the college and monastery,
because its arm is endowed with such
would not put forth
sinew and nerve.
a finger to uphold a system which we believed based on tho ignorance of a population.
only desire to see knowledge
of God advance as the vanguard of the
host of information.
are snre tliat
an intcllewtual must be a mighty pea-
We
We
We
But we
are equally sur(! that an

and a godless, will demonstrate their might, by the ease with which
they crush whatever most adorns and
elevates a kingdom.
And in speaking to
you individually of your duties as parents,
we would bring into the fanuly circle the
principles tiius announced as applicable
santry.
PULPIT.
own in the things of eternity, why,

children have perhaps learned the
Church Catechism, and they read a chaptheir
tlie
tor occasionally
on a Sunday afternoon
may avoid the mistake into

whit-h, as we think, the temper of the
times is but too likely to lead you, wo
And
that
yo
would have yôu learn, from the subject

which has now been discussed, that, in
educating your children for the next life,
you best educate them for the present.
give it you, as a truth, niade known
to us by God, and, at the same time,
demonstrable by reason, that, in going
through the courses of Bible instruction,
We
there
is
better mental discipline,
whether
an adult, than in any of the

cleverly devised methods for opening and
strengthening the faculties.
say not
for a child or
We
that the stu(^' of Scripture should exclude
other studies, or be substituted for them.
Natural philosophy is not to be learned

from Scripture, nor general history ; and
we would not have such matters neglected.
But we say that scriptural study
should be, at once, the groundwork and
companion of every other; and that the
mind will advance, with the firmest and
to the national.
We want not to set most donunant step, into the various
bounds to the amount of knowledge departments of knowledge, when familiarwhich you strive to impart. But never ized with the truths of revelation, and aclet this remembrance be swept from your customed to walk their unlimited spreadminds, that, to give a child knowledge ings. If parents had no higher ambition
"without endeavouring, at the same time, than to make their children intellectual,
to add to knowledge godliness, is to do they would act most shrewdly by acting
your best to throw the momentum of the as though desirous to make their children
giant into the arm of the idiot; to con- religious. It is thus we apply our substruct a machinery which may help to ject to those amongst you who are parents
move a world, and to leave out the spring or guardians. But it applies to all.
which would insure its moving it only call upon you all to observe that, in place
towards God. We would have you shun, of being beneath the notice of the inteleven as you would the tampering \\ith lectual, the Bible is the great nourisher
an immortality deposited in your keeping, of intellect. We require of you to bear
the imitating what goes on in a thousand away to your homes, as an undeniable
of the households of a professedly Chris- fact, that to care for the soul is to culti.tian neighbourhood,
Wê will not yield the
the children can pro- vate the mind.
nounce well, and they can step well, and culture of the understanding to earthly
they can play well ; the mother proudly husbandmen. There are heavenly minisexhibits the specimens of proficiency in ters who water it with a choicer dew,
painting, and the father dwells, with an and pour on it the beams of a more brilair of delight, on the progress made in liant sun, and prune its branches with a
Virgil and Homer but it' you inquire kinder and more skilful hand.
We will
how far these parents arc providing for not give up reason to stand always as a
intellectual,
We
THE POWER OF RELIGION OF THE HUMAN INTELLECT

priestess at
altars of
liuman philosophy. vShc hath a more majestic temple

to tread, and more beauteous robes wherein to walk, and incense rarer and more
fragrant to burn in frolden censers.
She
does well when exploring boldly God's
visible works.
She does better, when
she meekly submits to spiritual teaching,
and
tlie
as a child, at the Saviour's feet;
sits,
made a pilgrimage to his tomb.

They thought he had sown the seeds ot
death
moral revolution ; but even Rousseau himself lived long enough to mourn
over the failure of his own schemes; and
a great
in his
retirement
striking to remark
" the entrance of God's words giveth

understanding." And, therefore, be ye heedful
the young amongst
you more especially that ye be not
ashamed of piety as though it argued a
career,
light and
was he heard
to curse
the humanity he had so idolized.
for then shall she experience the truth,
that
39
wanting those who worshipped him as

an idol while he lived ; and after his
It is
how, ere he closed his

he became sick of a world he had
vainly attempted to reform
and renouncing the brotherhood of his species, loudly

;
proclaimed that the race was incurably

tainted with disease
What Rousseau was in prose, Lord

Byron was in poetry. Not that he atener of reason, that the march of mind tempted to rrform a world, of which he
which leaves the Bible in the rear, is an seldom speaks but in the deep derision
advance, like that of our first parents in of a heart which despaired of jt; not on
feeble capacity.
asmuch
Rather be assured,
as revelation
for-
the great strength-
is
Paradise, towards knowledge, but, at the
account of
same
tiiat
time, towards death.
which
its
ungodliness
whole head was
BV DR. CHALMERS.
Thus
far
have
we
explained the doc-
a doctrine which
an original proneness
trine of original sin;
affirms that there
to sin in all
that
all
men
men,
is
in virtue of
are sinners.
which
it is
This principle
and therefore feebly recogeloquent expounders who

would tolerate impiety, if there were force
enough in their own powerful and patheis feebly felt,
nised by
tic
many
appeals, to school
and cruelty, and fraud
away
;
and
selfishness,
who
We
have
they nauseate as Methodism.
seen how bitterly they have been disappointed ; and how they have poured out
this disappointment on their disciples.
is
not
But he saw
that
"the
and the whole

heart faint;" that the deadly virus had
totally pervaded it ; and he gave back to
th(? world, from his own breast, a refiected
image of the guilt which troubled and
deformed it. We should have liked to
seen him led to the source of this moral
disease; for though hid under a veil of
apparent mysticism, it would seem as
if, in
his wild and frenzied career, liis
imagination caught a glimpse of that,
which he never thoroughly understood.
under- "Our
take to tutor the species, apart from what
it
calls forth the bitterness of
his adjurations.
ROUSSEAU AND LORD BYRON.
for
life is
sick,
a false nature
'tis
not in
Tlie harmony of things; this hard decree,
This nneradicahio taint of sin,

This boiinilloss ii|)as, this all-blasting tree
Wliose root is earth
wHiose leaves and
branches ho
;
The skies, which rain ihcir plagues on men

Rousseau was one of these writers. He
like dew
may be said to have abjured (Miristianity
Disease, death, bondage all tlio woes wo
but from the bower of s('nsil)iiity and rosee,
mance, h(^ sent forth those a|)pcals, which And worse, the woes we see not wiiicli thril
were to recall a wandering race to primithrough
tive innocence.
He plied all Europe Th' imiiu'ilii'ahlo soul, with lioart-ochcs cv
new."
with tiie spells of a most passionate and
CIIILDE 1L\K0LD.
fascinating eloquence and there were not
;
SERMON
ni.
IMMORTAUTY OF THE
BY THE REV.
'
He
and brought
hath abolished death,
T.
life
CHALMERS,
and immortality
2 Tim.
The men of this earth carry on their
designs and their doings just as if on earth
Each
they were to live for ever.
upon his own earthly objects
intent
heart
so occupied with
is
its
so
to light
through the gospel."
10.
gether that does not, in the fleeting history of
its
inmates, give the lesson of

Is it a house'?
Death
their mortality.
every
enters unceremoniously there, and, with
rude hand, tears asunder the dearest of

Is it a town?
Every
our sympathies.
every countenance speaks such

deep and over anxiety after some favourite
yet earthly ambition each individual is
schemes
i.
D.D.
earthly
own
is
SOUL.
year death breaks up
its
families, and the
society of our early days is fast melting
decidedly embarked, with all his away from us. Is it a market place?
powers of attention and perseverance, in Though at the end of twenty years I see
some earthly undertaking, that surely one a crowd as busy and as numerous as bewould think that can be naught of a tri- fore, these are new faces which meet me,
fling or temporary nature which either and new names which fall upon the ear.
The aspect of the concreates or keeps up so mighty a stir Is it a church 1
so
among
our species.
less true that all the
And
yet
busy
activities of all
it is
not the
these people have their upshot in forgetIt is not the greatness or the
fulness.
durability of the object
which has
called
forth the effort and the strenuousness of
men
it is
the folly of men that uges
to the pursuit of paltry
objects
folly
which
them
and evanescent
overlooks
the
gregation
is
changing perpetually
and in
time another people will enter

these walls, and another minister will
Is it the country at
speak to them.
little
large
On
every side
we
see a shifting
population; another set of occupiers to

the farms ; and other names are annexed
to the properties.
But
this is
viewing the subject
at a
Every assemblage of objects

And think
invested them with the characters of eter- is composed of individuals.
nity
a folly which all the demonstrations of the numbers that must have suffered to
of experience have been unable to rectify, accomplish the cliange which I have now
and which, after the mighty sweep of set before you. Think that each of these
countless generations from the face of our individuals carried in his bosom a living
arithmetic of our
little
years, and
has
distance.
world, reigns with
unquelled
strength
over the human heart, and finds the men

of the present day as unwise and as infa-
principle, and that principle is
now
to all
appearance extinguished that each felt

as warmly and as alive to the world as
Death is a theme of perhaps any who now hears me, and that
tuated as ever.
mighty import, and every variety of elo- this world the stern necessity of death
quence has been exhausted on the magni- forced them to abandon for ever that
There is not a each was as feelingly open to pain and
tude of its desolations.
place where human beings congregate to- fear, and that the forebodings, and the
40

IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL.
agonies of death
reluctance, and
came upon all of them that each had
the
hopes, and plans, and wishes to accomplish, but that death forced them aw ay,
and they arc all buried in forgetfulness
along with them. " All is vanity, saith

the preacher ;" and it is death which
stamps this character on the affairs of the
throws a mockery upon
some
41
and unalterable necessity

along with it, and of none more strict,
more unfailing, and more widely extensive in its operation than the law of death.
of
fixed
In the wide circuit of things does there

exist no high authority that can abolish
this
law?
no power
that can overthrow
mighty
death, that can grapple with this
conqueror and break his tyranny to pieces ?

never saw that being, but the records
it frustrates the wisest plans,
is human
and absolutely converts them into noth- of past ages have come down to us, and
All the ecstasies of pleasure, all we there read of the extraordinary visiter
ingness.
the splendours of fame, all the triumphs who lighted on these realms where death
of ambition, all the joys of domestic ten- had reigned so long in all the triumphs
Wonderful enterderness, all that the eye can look upon, or of extended empire.
world
it
that
all
We
the heart aspire after, ihis,*ihis
death
is
their
prise
He came
Vast
to destroy death.
undertaking
He came to depose nature
Our fathers who strut- from this conceived immutability ; and a
it annihilates all.
ted their little hour on this very theatre, law which embraced within its wide
were as active and noisy as we the loud grasp all who live and move on the face
laugh .of festivity was heard in their of the world, he came to overturn ; and
dwellings; and in the busy occupations he soon gave token of a power commenof their callings, they had their days of surate to the mighty undertaking. That
nature, to whose operations we are so apt
labour and their nights of painful anxiety
the world carried on it the same face of to ascribe some stubborn and invincible
activity as now
and where are the men necessity, gave way at his coming; she
who kept it up in their successive gene- felt his authority through all her elerations ?
Tiiey are where we shall soon ments, and she obeyed it.
Wônderful
follow them ; they have gone to sleep
when the constancy of nature
period
but it is the sleep of death their bed is a was broken in upon by him who estacofTin in which they are mouldering
the blished it
when the Deity vindicated his
garment which they have thrown aside is honour, and the miracles of a single age,
their body, which served thwn through committed to authentic history, gave evilife, hut is now lying in loose and scat- dence to all futurity that there is a power
tered fragments in the little earth that they above nature and beyond it.
What mofe
claim.
unchanging than the aspect of the starry
And it does aggravate our hopelessness heavens and in what quarter of her doof escape from death, when we look to minions does nature maintain a more silent
the wide extent and universality of its and solenm inflexibility, than in the orbs
ravages.
see no exception
it scatwhich roll around ns ? Yet, at the comters its desolations with unsparing regu- ing of that mighty Saviour, these heavens
larity among all the sons and daughters broke silence
music was heard from
of Adam.
It perhaps adds to our despair their canopy, and it came from a congrewhen we see it extending to the lower gation of living voices, which sung the
animals, or behold the lovely forms of the praises of God, and made them fall in
vegetable creation dissolving into no- articulate lantruage on human ears. After
affecting termination
absorbs
all,
We
thing.
It
carries to our observation all the
iriimiitahilily of a general
law;
we
can
hiok for no mitigation of the incorrigible
this, who can call nature unalterable 1

Jesus Christ hath abolished death, he has
reverse the process
madt! perpetual invasion upon nature's

constancy, and she never in a single in-
of nature, nor bid her mighty elements to
stance resisted the word of his |iower.
no power, then, superior

to nature, and which can control it?
To
us a law of the unirerse carries liie idea
"
distr'tiiper
retire.
we cannot
Is there
Vol. I. C.
What manner
disciples,
of
"even
obey him I"
man
is
thisV
the winds and
Philosophers love
d2
said his
the sea
to
expa-

THE BKITISH
42
and they tell us of the laws of the

animal and tiie vcgetriblekinodom. Tlicse
laws may prove an impassdble barrier to
us, but in the hand of the omnipotent
Saviour they were nothing he reversed
or supported ihem at pleasure he blasted
and what
the fig tree by a single word
to us was the basis of high anticipation,
tiate,
under
he made man the subject of
He
his miracles.
restored sight to the blind, he restored
speech
head
this
let
me endeavour
and fulness of the
the sufficiency
with
light of the
gospel.
Then,
First,
in regard to the physical
mind. An argument for its

immortality has been drawn from the consideration of what we should term the
physics of the mind, i. e. from the consistate of the
deration of
properties
its
when
is re-
it
dumb, he restored motion garded as having a separate or substanand to crown his triumph tive being of its own. For example it
to the
to the palsied,
not matter, and
over nature and her processes, he restored

he laid down his own
life to the dead,
has been said the spirit

therefore
must be imperishable.
and took it up again. The disciples

gave up all for lost when they saw the
champion of their hopes made the victim
of the very mortality which he promised
to destroy.
It was like the contest and
but it was only to make
victory of nature
He
his triumph the more complete.
fess that
we
life,
traveller e'er returns"
is
We con-
see not the force of this rea-
Wfe
soning.
are not sure of the premises,
and neither do
we apprehend how
conclusion flows from them.
We
the
think
ourselves familiar with the subtleties and

scholastics that have been uttered
this subject
they are
dence on which
we
we
coming event,
or
factory
entered
" That undiscover'd country from whose bourn
No
to contrast
the insufficiency of the light of nature
PULPIT.
nor are
upon
us far from satispersuaded of it by evito
rest our belief in
coming
state,
futurity that lies before us.
any
of the
We cannot
He broke asunder the have the force of practical evidence on

But he did.
mighty barriers of the grave; he entered those abstract and metaphysical generali^nd he reanimated that body which ex- ties which are employed to demonstrate
pired on the cross, and by that most strik-
ing of
know
all
testimonies he
given us to
that he hath fought against the
of death, and hath carried
But man
achieve his
wants
iias
power
to
immortality, he also
light to discover
it.
to
be persuaded that
it
shall indeed sur-
vive the dissolution of the body, and shall
it.
not only wants
own
law
the endurance, or ratlier the indestructibleness, of the thinking principle, so as
its consciousness and

powers on the other side of the grave.
separately maintain
That such, Now,
in spite of every appalling exhibition to
in
the
recorded fact of our Sa-
viour's resurrection,
we
see
what we
might call a more popular, as well as a

state of man, is not brought to light by more substantial and convincing arguThe text indeed says as mucii, ment, for the soul's immortality, than any
reason.
in saying that " it is brought to light by thing furnished by the speculations we
It represents the great truth have now referred to.
To us the one apthe gospel."
as groped by nature, and only made clear pears as much superior to the other as
by revelation it seems to cast discredit history is more solid than hypothesis, or
on all the arguments of science, in behalf as experience is of a texture more firm
of a future state and just for want of a than imagination, or as the philosophy of
sufficient basis in the evidence of philoso- our modern Bacon is of a surer and juster
phy, on which to rear this noble antici- character than the philosophy of the old
pation, it would rest and establish it schoolmen.
Now, it is on the fact of his
wholly on the evidence of faitii.
own resurrection that Christ rests the
In the farther prosecution of this dis- hope and the promise of resurrection to
" If he be not risen from the
all of us.
course, let me
I. .Advert to what may he called the phy- dead," saith one of the apostles, " we are
of all men the most miserable." It is to
sical state and
n. To the moral stale of the mind ; and this fact that he appeals for the foundation
the contrary,
is
really to be the ultimate

and the hope of immortality. To every
cavil and to every difficulty he opposes
43
them
; but though
remote from the hearing of every earthly
living population above
argument that Christ sound, yet shall the sound of the last
This was Paul's argument, and trumpet enter the loneliness of their dwelling, and be heard through death's remotest
it has descended by inheritance to ns.
We have received the testimony we caverns. When we open the sepulhave access to the documents we can chres of the men of other times, the fragtake a view of the unexampled evidence ments, the skeletons, and tlio mouldering
which has been carried down to us in the of bones, form indeed a humiliating specand in opposition to tacle but the working of the same power
Tehicles of history
all which fancy or speculation can muster which raised Jesus from the dead shall
against us, we can appeal to the fact. It raise corruption to a glorious form, and
is not a doctrine excogitated bv the inge- invest it in all the blush and vigour of
" So is the resurrection of
immortality.
it is a docnuities of human reasoning
trine submitted to the observation of the the dead; it is sown in corruption, it is
this as a sufficient
has risen.
human
senses. It
not an untried experi-
is
lived on our
ment; while Jesus Christ
made it repeatedly, and with

uniform success, upon others ; and in giving up his body to the cross he made it
upon himself. One who could carry an
experiment such as this to a successful termination, has a claim to be listened to;
and he tells us, by the mouth of an apostle, that the fact of himself having risen
bears most decidedly upon the doctrine
that we shall rise also ; " for if we believe
earth he
raised in incorruption
honour,
weakness,
body.
who
sleep in Jesus shall
God
bring
with him."
Let it be remembered, before we conclude this head of discourse, that the word
is rendered "
made of none
which
also "
abolished death, or
is
Jirst or
effect."
"
He
made death
hath
of none
Tiie latter interpretation of the
effect."
word
abolished," signifies
certainly
more applicable
temporal death.
He
to our
has not abo-
it is
For
sown in disit is sown in

power it is sown
it is
raised in glory
raised in
a natural body,
it
is
raised a spiritual
this corruptible
incorruption, and this mortal
So when
immortality.
must put on
must putoa
this corruptible
have put on incorruption, and this

mortal shall have put on immortality,
then shall be brought to pass the saying
that is written, death is swallowed up in
shall
victory."
There is much need that we be habitureminded of these things, for in truth
that Jesus died and rose again, even so
they
it is
ally
we
almost constant forgetfulness

region of sense and the
region of spirituality are so unlike the one
live in
of them.
to
the
The
that
other,
there
is
positively
nothing in our experience of the former

which can at all familiarize our minds to
And then,
the conception of the latter.
as if to obstruct the flight of our imaginations onward to eternity, there is such a
dark and cloudy interceptment tiiat hangs

upon the very entrance of it; ere we can
realize that distant world of souls, we
ness and rapidity as ever. I'his part of must press our way beyond the curtain of
the sentence is not abolished, but it is the grave
we must scale the awful barrendered ineffectual. Death still lays us ricado which separates the visible from the
in tlie grave, but it cannot chain us there invisible
we must make our escape from
to everlasting forgetful ness; it puts its all the close, and warm, and besetting
cold hand on every one of us, but a power urgencies, which in the land of human
higher than death will lift it off, and these beings are ever plying us with constant
forms be again reaniinatiHl wiili all the and powerful solicitations, and force our
w.irnilli of life and of scntimiMit.
The spirits across the boundaries of sense to
churchyard lias been called the land of that mysterious scene where cold, and
and silent it is indeed to them meagre, and evanescent spirits dwell tosilence
lished temporal death
it still reigns with

;
unmitigated violence, and sweeps off each
successive generation with as great sure-
who occupy
it
the Sabbath-bell is no
longer heard, nor yet iho tread of the
gether in some
hensible
mode
unknown and incompre-
of existence.
THE BRITISH
44
We
know not if there be any other tribe

of beings in the universe who have such
a task to perform. Angels have no death
to undergo
there is no such affair of unnatural violence between them and their
final destiny
it is for man, and for aught
that appears,
it is
for
man
alone to fetch,
from the other side of a material panorama
PULPIT.
and any portion of their futurity, however

distant; and it appears only of man, that
him to drive a breach across that

which looks so impregnable; and
so to surmount the power of vision as to
carry his aspirings over the summit of all
for
it is
barrier
made known to him.

proceed to our next argument
for the immortality of the soul, let me
only remark, as a strong practical proof
of the necessity of something higher and
that vision has
Before
hems and encloses him, the great and

abiding realities with which he has everlastingly to do
it is for him, so locked
in an imprisonment of clay, and with no more influential than the mere power of
other available medium than the eye and reasoning upon the subject, how stronghj
that
him
a lively and realizing sense of the
wedded tve are to the things nf sense and of

time, in spite of every demonstration, how-
things which " eye hath not seen, nor ear
ever affecting, that is given of their vanity.
the ear,
som
heard"
man
it is
it
for
is
for
up
to light
in liis bo-
man, and perhaps
for
alone, to travel in thought over the
ruins of a mighty desolation, and looking
It is
it is passing wonderful,
should abide in such an abstract
wonderful,
we
that
state of insensibility,
and that
in the face
wreck of the present world by of all experience, and, I may add, of all
which he is encompassed, to conceive arithmetic.
For the average of human
that future world in which he is to expa- life is numerically known
and should
tiate for ever.
But harder achievement there be an overweening confidence to
perhaps than any, it is for man in the ex- carry our hopes beyond this average, the
ercise of faith, to bear that most appalling maximum of human life is numerically
to
the
of
all
contemplations, the decay and the
dissolution of himself
to
think of the
time when his now animated framework,

every part of which is so sensitive and so
dear to him, shall fall to pieces
when
the vital
is so
final
warmth by which
at present
it
thoroughly pervaded, shall take its

departure, and leave to coldness and
abandonment
all
that is visible and lovely
of the present structure when these

lilnbs with which he now steps so firmly,
and that countenance out of which he
now looks so gracefully, and that tongue
with which he now speaks so eloquently,
and that whole body, for the interests and
preservation of which he now labours so
assiduously, as if it were indeed immortal
when all these shall be reduced to
one mass of putrefaction, and shall crum-
ble, like the coffin
which encloses him,
into dust.
as
Why, my friends, to beings constituted

we are, there is something so foreign
and unnatural
wonder
in death, that
if it scare
away
we
the
those scenes of existence to

the stepping-stone.
are not to
mind from
which it is
Angels are not so
circumstanced there is no screen of darkness like this interposed between them
known
and to balance the uncertainty

whether our days on earth may not great;
ly exceed the average, there is an equal
uncertainty whether they
There
may
not greatly
no point from
its origin downwards at which death may
not lay his arrest on the current of human
short of
fill
existence
it.
is
and, as if the whole domain of
society were his
own, does he go
forth at
large from one extreme to the other of it;
nor
is
there a single portion of the terri-
tory on which, with free and unfaltering

footstep, he
yard
we
may not enter.
In the church-
see graves of every dimension.
is far more densely

peopled by young than by old proving
that through all departments of life, whether of age, or of youth, or of infancy, the
arrows of this mighty destroyer flee at
random. Parents have oftener to weep
over their children's tomb, than children
have to carry their parents to that place
where lies the mouldering heap of the
generations that have already gone by.
So that we have the clearest light both of
arithmetic and experience on the subject;
and one would think it superfluous to
hold any parley with the understanding
on a topic on which the proof is so ovei>
This land of silence

powering.
Why, it may be thought,
should we be so anxious for urging a
truth which may safely be left to its own
evidence, or take occasion strenuously
and repeatedly to affirm what none is able
to deny ?
And this is just the marvellous
45
neighbour in the dust, he remains buried,

as it were, in the concerns of the world,
and will betake himself again with an
eagerness as intense and unbroken to its
concerns and companies as before.
We
which binds him

anomaly of our nature which it is so to earth, no power within the compass of
difficult to explain.
In the face of all this nature is able to disenchant him that arevidence, and in utier opposition to the gument will not
that instances of morjudgment extracted thereby, there is an tality in his own dwelling will not; that
obstinate practical delusion that resides sermons will not; and the evident ap
most constantly within the heart, and proach of the last messenger to his own
rules most imperiously over the jud"-- person will not
and it is indeed a most
ments of the vast majority of our spfiies. affecting spectacle to behold, with the
It is not that we are incapable of all in- warnings and the symbols of a dissolution
affirm that, of the spell
fluence from futurity
that sets almost the
whole of human
for it is the future *hich so speedily awaits him, that h

gain of the present adventure, or the fu- just hugs more closely to his heart when
ture issue of the present arrangement, or on the eve of being taken away from his
the future result of the present contrivance, treasures for ever.
Give me then a man
But
tivity a going.
it is
ac-
the future death,
and the future condition on the other side

of
it,
to
which we
We are
are so strangely insen-
who
is
actually alive to
Uip,
realities of
and the inference from all is, that

another power than that of the intti\enco
faith
of nature over
the
feelings
of
natuie
must have been put forth to awaken him.

bustle, and eagerness of most intense ex- There is not, W'ithin the compass of all
pectation, about the events that lie in the that is visible, any cause conpetent to the
intermediate distance between us and production of such an effect on the human
death, and as blind to the certainty of the spirit.
The power which awakens him
death itself, as if this distance stretched to a sense of spiritual things cometh from
indefinitely onward in the region of anti- a spiritual Creator.
There is naught in
cipation before us, or as if it were indeed the world that is present, which can bring
an eternity. There is a deep sleep into a human soul under the dominion of the
which our world has been lulled, as if by world that is to come. And although one
all the powers of fascination, from which would have thought that the follies and
it should seem impossible to awaken us.
fluctuations of time would have been suffiNor do we now expect of any utterance cient to wean men from a portion so evanof the brevity of time that it will awaken escent and unsatisfying, and to point them
you.
For this purpose there must be the to the things of eternity, yet it would apsible.
all
in
the glow, and the
putting forth of a force that

ral
tion
is supernatuand the most experimental demonstra-
we know of this
torpor of the human smil
that
necessity,
is
pear not; the loss and desolation wiiich

attach to the life of sense, and the certainty of all itcan
command being speedily
about death, and totally swept away, these will not of

and the temerity wherewith it stands its themselves germinate within the man the
ground amidst pathetic and plain exhibi- life of faith. This wondrous phenometions of it.
are never more assured non of our nature convinces me of the
of man, that he is wholly sold over to the doctrine of regeneration
that there is no
captivity of tiiis world, than in witness- power short of tliis which can spiritualize
ing the strong adherence of his heart to us
that ere our affections can be set on
it under the most touching experience of things tliat are above, an influence from
the
We
its
vanity
than
onipticd he
is
of
in
perceiving
all his
how
earthiiness,
and ilia*
un- above must descend upon us
whe- before we become alive to the deliglits
ther he goes from business to burials, or
back again from burials to business than

in observing how, after having buried his
and glories of the upper sanctuary, tliero

must come down from that sanctuary the
light and .hcpowcr of a special revelation.

THE BRITISH
4G
PULPIT.
more satisfactory arcfument than ments. These have been drawn by phiwhich is fomuiod upon the reasonings losophers from the moral state of the
of j)hiloso|)iiy, for this doctrine is to he mind, and more especially from the profar
that
gressive expansion whicli they affirm to

belong to it. Still we fear that, in retional grounds as to the immortality of spect of this argument, there is no expethe soul, we would say, study the histo- rience to support it. There is a beauty
found
fact of the resurrection of
in the
Christ.
To
satisfy yourselves
upon
ra-
evidence for the truth of tiiis fact.

argument of nature for tlie
rical
The
phijaical
we do
confess in man)' of their represenBut beauty is only for them that

It is a cruel mockery for the
sit at ease.
man who is stretched on the bed of death,
tations.
doctrine is grounded on certain obscure

reasonings about the properties and indestructibleness of the mind ; the physical and has in his view the dark ocean of
Yes, we have
and talk eloquently too,
on of the high and triumphant progression
truth, that Christ has actually risen
of his virtues and of his
the creu'it of this specimen, and witii all of the good man
the authority that is given by a miracle prospects and of his death being a genof its beso stupendous, rests the doctrine oC the tle transition to a better world
The moral arguing the goal where he reaps the honourageneral resurrection.
ment again of nature for the soul's im- ble reward that is due to his character
mortalilj is furnished by the sense which as being little more than a step that leads
Ay, this
is in all spirits of God's justipe, and of him to a blessed immortality.
his yet unsettled controversy with sin. is all very fine, but it is the fineness of
In the moral argument of Cliristianity poetry. Where is the evidence that it is
We see it not. Why so cruel an
again the doctrine is revealed in connex- real 1
why cross
ion with the doctrine of the atonement; interruption to the progress ?
this awful and mysterious death ?
why
it rises every day in strength and in assurance in the experience of the believer, is the good man not suffered to carry on in
who feels in himself what nature never his triumphant progress? and why comes
a growing meetness of spirit and this dark and unintelligible event to be
feels
character, which forms at once the prepa- interposed between him and the full acYou may
ration and the earnest of the inheritance complishment of his destiny 1
which awaits him. In order to get at the choose to call it a step, but there is no
physical argument of Christianity, you virtue in a name to quell our suspicions
have to study the historical evidence for
it bears in every circumstance all the
argument of C/iristiamly n^n'm is grounded

on the truth, the historically established
annihilation and despair.
hea-'d
them
talk,
the truth of Christianity, considered as a

In point of fact, howreligion of facts.
marks of a termination.
ever, this rational conviction will do very
ease
little
in the
way
of bringing you under
the power of things unseen and things

eternal.
I believe we are never effectu-
fortitude giving
way
We
to the
see their
power of
we see them withering
dis-
into feeble-
what has been called

man, we see the weakness
ness, and, instead of
the dignity of
and the
fretful ness
we
of age
see the
power but by the body bending to the dust we see it exand this tended in all the agony of helplessness
study of the moral argument
moral argument can only be drawn from and pain, and yet we must call this a trithe internal evidence of Christianity in umphant procession to eternity
We ob-
ally brought under this
opposition to the external evidence.
The
serve the emission of the last breath, but
moral argument never can be appreciated whether the spirit is extinct, or has fled
adequately, but by those on whom the in- to another region, nature tells us not.
ternal evidence of Christianity has pro- We call upon the philosopher to reveal
duced its right impressions. But before the mystery of death we ask why the
we proceed to consider strictly this argu- good man has such an ordeal to undergo?
ment, let us attend to how it really stands
why, like the angels, does he not floQin the theology of nature
for natural rish in perpetual vigour ?
and how shall
theology also lays claim to moral argu- we explain that universal allotment, with

lMMOKTAI,l-r\ OP
HE SOUL.
'
all
alTeclliig
Its
accompaniments of
47
we
should conceive death to

be utter annihilation. But distinct from
the death of the hody, there is what may
be called the death of the soul. not a
the senses,
re-
Death,
morse, and agony, and despair!
my friends, gives the lie to all such speculations of all such moralists but it only
gives evidence and consistency to the death which consists
;
The
statements of the gospel.
doctrines
of the New Testament will bear to be

confronted with the lessons of experience.
They attempt, no relaxment, and no palliation
tlicy
announce the truth
in the extinction of
consciousness, for the consciousness of
not a death
guilt will keep by it forever
its
;
in all its
which implies the cessation of
feeling, for
that feeling will continue to the last,though

:
severity; nor do they attempt to
strew
flowers around the sepulchre, or throw a
the teeling of intenscst suffering
not a
sense of (lod will be
expunged, for the sense of God's offended
death by which
all
upon it and agonize

through all eternity. He who underthis spiritual death
goes this second
does not thereby cease to have life, but
he ceases to have the favour of God,
deceitful perfume into the rottenness of countenance will prey
the grave.
my case,
Were
a physician to take up
and speak lightly of my ailment,
knew
consuming disease
was lurking and making progress within
me, I should have no confidence in him
I should like him to
or in his remedies.
see tlie malady in its full extent, that the
medicine applied may be such as to meet
and to combat with it. Now, Christ, the
physician of souls, has taken up our disease in all its magnitude. There is no
covering or concealment thrown over it.
while
that a
it
which
he
happiness he
better than life
is
true, but
it
the
is
hope and from
lives,
it i^
of an exile froir
life
lives, but
hopeless distance frorr
God is at
the fountc"^ of living waters.
enmity towards him, and in his own hear
in a state of
it is
there is enmity towards God.
This,
a*
that thing of triumph, to those void of
enjoyment; it is
the death of every thing which belongs
to a right moral state of existence.
If
this sense verily the soul is dead, though
alive, most perfectly alive, to the corro
Christianity and beyond the circle of
sions of the
Their account of death accords with our

experience of
death
is
just
What
it.
what we
they
tell
us of
feel it to be.
Not
its
least, is the death of all
worm
never dies;
tliat
influence, that nature says, but a thing of this sense there has been a
and horror, and unnatural viois weak enough to be

carried away by the false and flimsy representations of sentimentalism, must be
led to believe that each man who dies is
only sinking gradually to repose, or wingBut
ing his way to an ethereal world.
the Bible talks to us of the sting, and
pangs, and terrors of death and what we
feel of the shrinking of nature, proves
that it has experience upon its side. And
those passages are particularly deserving
our attention in which death is spoken of
in its mor?.l and spiritual bearings. Death,
as it appears to the eye of the senses, is
hut the extinction of the life that we now
distress,
lence.
He who
live in the world

is
revealed to us
in
but that <iealh which

the gospel
is
the eflVct
and ronse(|uence of sin sin is the root

of the mischief, and it is a misrlijef which
its life,
though
of that
ing-s
all
Temporal death
in
to the scorch
never quenched
such a case is only the
is
portal to sorer calamities.

shall die
but
All
who
sir
this is not the conclusior
of the sentence
but
all
shall live in torment.
who
Now
die in sir
it
promise
well for our Saviour's treatment of

placed himself at
chief, and then
thi*
were
the source of the mis
sore malady, that he
liath
hath^ as
made head
combated the
it
ngiiinst
it.
radical force and viru
lence of the disease
he hath probed
principle he
it
the bottom, and has grappled with sin

its
origin and
taken
it
ir
awake
which
fire
quenching of
away;
in
its
for,
t'
ir
ha*
by the sacrifice of
liimself upfin the accursed tree, he ha'

e'Kpiatrd
its
guilt,
and by the eperntior
of the Spirit in the heart of the believe
Had h'
hi- is rooting out its existence.
Scripture n-presfnis as Htr(tfiiiM!,Mn mag- only put logcihrr the fraginnils (if my
nitude and duration far beyond the ken of body, and recalled the soul to its former
the senses.
Had we no other ken ilian tenrmont he should have done nothing
THE RRITISH
48
PULPIT.
It loosens the
sin, both in its power and condemnation, petent to awaken this.
would have claimed me as its own, and spirit's bondage by transforming the as-
in appalling banishment from God
it
should
have stepped in with an immortality, but

an immortality of despair. But the author of the orospel has swept off the whole
tribe of combatants, and has made a decisive charge at the very heart and princi-
pect of the divinity from the face of an
enemy
who
tion,
we
moment on that
state of so of a
which He
Formerly the man
new
to
immersed
ing
and who upholds

his conscience be at all awake
who made
or, if
in deepest oblivion
in reference to that
all
The
now awakened
character.
emancipates him.
either
it changes the
and this affec-
which it occupies, subordinates the

whole man, and so utterly changes his
sensibilities are
and unconcern,
from the central, the commanding
distance and alienation from
was
moral system, as to make a new creature

of him.
The faith of the gospel is something more than the formation of a new
have only habit it is the germ of a new heart, and
receives him,
to reflect for a
a friend
place,
ple of the disease.

To estimate aright the new moral existence into which Christ ushers every
sinner
to that of
sinner's hatred into love
believer's
to objects
which before he was morally dead. In

other words, he now becomes alive to
on a
new
Be-
other objects, he
all,
theatre of contemplation, and he rejoices
expatiates
in other scenes and

he than before; he has
to a
true sense of the holiness of the law,
in
other prospects
lost his relish for
must view the lawgiver with feelings of what he formerly delighted in, and he
dread, and discouragement, ani jealousy. now delights in what he formerly had no
There is a wide field of alienation be- delight; if he is not ushered into life for
tween him and his Maker, and the fear- the first time, he is at least ushered into
he undergoes preful apprehensions of God's displeasure a new state of things
towards him engender in him back again ferment from the animal to the spiritual
There life; and this life, with the immortality
additional dislike towards God.
IS no community of affection or fondness for which it is a preparation, is not only
between them and pierced as he is by a made clear by the gospel, but faith in the
ponviction of guilt which he cannot es- gospel may be said to have created it.
cape from, he imagines a scowl on the

an awful barrier
aspect of the Divinity
of separation by which he is hopelessly
and irrecoverably exiled from the sacred
presence of the Eternal. His Spirit is
not at ease he is glad to find relief, in
the day-dreams of a busy world, from
those solemn realities, the thought of
which so often disquiets him; it seeks an
opiate in the things of sense and of time,
against the disturbance
which
it
finds in
the things of eternity; and so cradled is

he in this profoundest lethargy, that
while alive unto the world, he
is
dead
unto God.
We cannot imagine a greater revolution

produced
upon this distrust or apathy being done
away. When, instead of viewing God
with fear, or shrinking from the thought
of him, the sinner can calmly gaze on his
reconciled countenance, and be assured of
the complacency and good will that are
graven thereupon. Now, a simple faith
in the heart than that
which
is
in the glad tidings of the gospel is
com-
Now
all this is
He has
the doing of the Sa-
exposed the disease,

and he has brought to it a radical cure.
I cannot trust the physician who dwells
upon the surface of my disease, and
throws over it the disguise of false colouring.
I have more confidence to put
in him, who, like Christ, the physician
of my soul, has looked the malady fairly
has taken it up in all its exin the fiice
tent and in all its soreness
has resolved
it into its original principles
has probed
it to the very bottom, and has set himself
forward to combat with the radical elem^ts of the disease. This i? what our
Saviour has done with death he hath
bereaved it of its sting he has taken a
full survey of the corruption, and met it
in every one quarter where its malignity
It was sin which caused the
appeared.
disease, and he hath extricated it
he
hath put it away
he hath expiated the
sentence
and the believer, rejoicing in
the sense that all is clear with God, serves
him without fear, in righteousness and
viour.
fully
IMMORTALITY' OF THE SOUL.

holiness, all the days of his
The
iife.
sentence is no longer against us ; we behold the Saviour, and the sentence upon
.himself
" he bore
our iniquities in his
sustains him,
49
the merit of the exalted

It is not a sense of his owa
Saviour.
it is
righteousness that gives peace to his conscience, it is the righteousness of Christ;
"he who knew it is a hope of being found in him, and a

no sin became sin for us, that we might sense of the forgiveness which he has rebe made the righteousness of God in ceived through his hand. In a word, it
him." The sentence is no longer in force is Christ who resolves the mystery it is
against us, as the vSaviour has cancelled his presence that pours tranquillity and
it.
He has done more than this he has joy among such scenes of distress; it is
not only cancelled the guilt of sin, he has he who dispenses fortitude to the dying
destroyed its power he reigns in the man
and while despair sits on every
heart of the believer
he sweeps it of all countenance, and relations are weeping
its corruptions
around liim, he enables him to leave them
he takes it up as it is
he makes it such as it sliould be he all with this exulting testimony, " O
brings the whole man under a thorough death, where is thy sting
O grave,
process of sanctification, so that while he where is thy victory !"
own body on
the tree"
he adds one Christian grace unto

when he dies, he rejoices in
hope of the coming glory when he stands
at the bar of judgment, he is presented
holy and unblamable in the sigiit of
God and his Saviour. In the whole of
lives,
another
his treatment,
see the skill, and intelli-
gence, and superior conduct of a physi-
who
cian,
is
where the
up
and knows
malignity lies
to the disease,
force of
its
who
has a thorough insight into the properties cf the mischief, and has reached
forth an adequate remedy to counteract it
who
to abolisli death,
has directed
strength of his attack against sin,
tlie
which
its origin
who has averted the condemnation of sin, by an expiatory sacrifice
and who has destroyed its power
and influence by the operations of that
mighty Spirit, whereby he can break
is
down
the corruptions of the
human
heart,
and subdue it unto himself.

This is no matter of mere idle declama.tion; there is many a minister of Christ
who could give you experience for it.
He can take you to the house of mourning, to the chamber of the dying man.
He can draw aside the curtain wliich
covers the last liours of the good man's
existence, an<l sliow you how a good man
can die. He can ask you to bend your
car, and catch the last fallerin^' accents
of praise and piety.
Wlial luonneth that
midst of snlVcrin^ that liope

in th' midst of approai'liinr dissolution
that elevation in tlie midst of cruelest
joy
in the
agonies?
It
Vol. 1.-7
is
not his
own merit
tliat
While we hold
prospect to those
out this
who
triumphant
entertain the over-
tures of reconciliation, we would urge all,

even those who have not yet been visited
with a spirit of concern and inquiry, to
bestow one single thought on the great
practical importance of the subject. The
very sound of such words as life and death,
judgment and immortality, should reduce
you to sacred ness should set you to the
work of serious reflection on this subject.
We have the vantage ground of your own
experience on which to stand while we
endeavour thus to urge you. For your
experience at least tells you thus much
that the time that is past, when you look
back to it, appears as ii" it were nothing;
and you may believe from this, that the
time which n to come, will come as
quickly, and appear as litlie, and as unworthy to be sulTered to tempt you away
from eternity by its pleasures, which are
but fer a season, as the period of your life
that is already gone.
The
very
moment
of your final farewell, if you arc not previously cut sliort by death, which is a
very pi ssible
thing,
that
moment
will
crme, and old age will come, and the last

sickness will come, and the dying bed
will come, and the last look you sliall
ever cast upon your relations will come,
and
tb<^
agiMiy of
llie
parting breath will
you
bo
eyes
of your weeping relations will come, and
ilie eofliu that is to enclose you will rome,
come, and
ilie
lime that
will
slretelied a lifeless corpse before tiie
and
lh.l
hour when
tlio
company assem-
THE BRITISH
50
PULPIT.
Mr. Chalmers, how-
bles to carry you to the churchyard will
the divinity class.
come, and
are put
ever, did not neglect the peculiar studies
into the p;rave will come, and the throw-
more immediately ro(juisite to qualify

him for the important and varied duties
ing
ill
whrn you
tiuU luomciit
of the earth upon
come on
it, all
ever)' livinir creature
all
will
who now
hears me. And in a few little years the

minister who now addresses you, and
each one who now listens, will be carried
to their long
home
now
all
this will
come.
Yes, and the day of reckoning will come

and the appearance of
the Son of God in heaven, and his
holy angels around him will come; and
the opening of the books will come; and
the appearance of everyone of you before
the judgment-seat will come; and the
solemn passing of the sentence which is
to fix you for eternity will come
and if
you refuse to be reconciled to God in the
name of Christ, now that he is beseeching you to repent, and if you refuse to
turn from the evil of your ways, and to
do and to be what your Saviour requires
you to be and to do, I must tell you what
the sentence is, " Depart from mo, ye
;
cursed, into everlasting
fire,
prepared for
the devil and his an<rels."
In d\ie course he
of the pastoral care.
was
licensed as a probationary preacher,
time as an assists
he obtained a presentation to the
living of Kihnany, over which cure he
was regularly placed in 1602. This is a
considerable port town on the northern
shore of the Frith of Forth which, from
its situation, afforded ample scope for
ministerial diligence.
Mr. Chalmers
spent some years here, w-ithout attracting
and
after serving a short
ant,
any particular notice beyond the bounds

of his parish, or producing any visible
reformation in it upon the principles and
manners of the people. His studies in
fact were more directed to political econo-
my
than to practical theology as his first

performance evinced.
It will
seem extraordinary to most persons, that
;
literary
man
of learning, regularly educated for
and holding a benefice

such a country as Scotland, should
have the spirit of religion to acquire,
the
ministry,
in
after exercising the teacher's office in
THE PULPIT
NO.
GATiliUnV.
D.D.
P'ofessor of Diihiky in the University of

Etlinburgh.
"
warrior in the ChrisiiaTi
some
field
ihe sword he couUl not wield."
COWTER.
years.
The case
however, though truly lamentable,

no means singular.
1.
THE REV. THOMAS CHALMERS,
Who never saw
large parish for
is
During a course
by
ot
on several branches of theologj*^,

connected with certain articles which he
had engaged to write for an Encyclopaedia projected by Dr. Brewster, he began
to suspect the correctness of his former
studjf
views of the Christian religion. In following up this doubt, he soon discovered

the reason
why
his
preaching against
viê had been so ineflicacious.
At Kil-
This celebrated ornament
of the church many he laboured for more than twelve

and of letters is a native of the ccunry of years, and after his removal to Glasgow,
Fife, Scotland, where his ancestors have where he had been invited to take charge
long been distinguished and respected
as of the Zion church, he published an adAfter receiv- dress to his former parishioners, in which
ing a grammatical education in the coun. he gave an account of the great change
try, he removed to the college of Edin- that occurred in his ministerial conduct
substantial agriculturists.
burgh, where he was marked as a diligent

student; but did not evince any extraordinary vigour of intellect. Though des-
while
tined for the ministerial office, he rather
the
it'sident
among them.
istering t the Zion
years. Dr.
After minchurch about three
Chalmers was transferred to

more exionsive charge of St. John's
preferred the lectures of Professor Robi- parish, in Glasgow, where he continued
son, who filled the mathematical chair, to to labour with the most beneficial effect
those of Dr. Hunter, who presided over for several years, until he accepted the

chair of moral philosophy in the University
whence he and
of St. Andrew's, from
was removed
in
1828
to the professorship
of divinity at Edinburgh.
The popularity of this eminent divine
not an ephemeral admiration, gained
is
by
gifted and
51
most powerful men,
(jualified
for
raised
great service
to
up
the
church of Christ; but they are very different in their style and character of mind.
As to the use of the English language
and purity of composition, Mr. Hall, the
most elegant writer of his day, stands

His confessedly vastly superior to Dr. Chal-
the art of an insinuating address, or
the glare of a specious eloquence.
appearance in the pulpit is rather repul- mers, whose corruptions, neglects, invensive than inviting.
The inflexibility of tions, and bad taste, make his finest dishis features
his small pale eyes nearly courses at times unintelligible.
But this
half closed
his tone, at the commence- is an introductory and very inferior point
Scotch accent
and almost
ment, low,
more so by
his broad
his As to power of mind, I should

made much Chalmers the more daring and
drawling
utterance, naturally rough,
his
gesture, though earnest, not remarkably
expressive his action, often inelegant

and unappropriate, may almost prejudice
a stranger against him. But he must be
a very superficial observer, a very careless and insensible hearer, whose attention is not soon arrested and fixed.
The
eye kindling into unusual brilliancy the
countenance beaming with intelligence
the whole
man
labouring to give utterance
mighty conceptions
to
all
force
the
think Dr.
vigorous,
and Mr. Hall the more delicate and acute

reasoner.
Dr. Chalmers is bold ; Mr.
Hall beautiful.
Dr. Chalmers seizes
one idea, which he expands by amplification and reiteration through a discourse j
Mr. Hall combines and works up a
variety of arguments in support of his
topic; never loses sight of his point;
touches every subject briefly, and with
exquisite taste ; and leaves an impression
upon the mind more

but perhaps not
soft,
much
more pleasing,
less powerful, than
Dr. Chalmers
hearer to conf(!SS the preacher's power,
his great contemporary.
and
gives only one or two projecting truths,
to feel that
he
the presence of a
is in
and leaves his subject confessedly incom-
master-spirit of the age.
The
Chalmers is generally plete his sermons arc composed of many

thought to be in his mighty power for separate thoughts slightly linked to one
illustrating the external and internal evi- another; and like the reaches in the madences of Christianity, and the identity jestic course of the Rhine, which succeed
of the whole system with the principles each other by breaks, and expand upon
forte of Dr.
of sound philosophy. From the pulpit

and through the press he has proved, most
clearly and triumphantly, that all which
is sound and true in philosophy leads to
religion; that all which has a contrary
tendency is, by the showing of philosophy herscdf, false and hollow.
Having placed a portrait of Dr. Chalmers in our group at the commencement
of this volume, and associated him with
the late Hev. Robert Hall, we will close
this sketch by an
from the
article
" Church of Ireland Magazine," in which
these two eminent men are placed in juxtaposition, written, it has l)een thought, by
the present bishop of Calcutta.
"To
roMPAiiE Mr. H\T.i. with anoGENlirS OF OUR AOE, Dr.

difficult, and perhaps an
ther SPt.KNDID
Chalmers, is a
invidious task.
They
aro both
highly
the eye with extraordinary beauty
when
you enter them, but are succeeded by a

narrow flow of the stream at each interval, his sermons are a succession of bold
and magnificent truths wrought out with
strength, and then loft by the preacher,
that he may pn-ss on to the next mighty
idea.
Mr. Hall's sermons are a beautiful
whole;
less daring in the general parts,
but more closely connected ; coming on/

the mind with greater conviction, and
expanding his one important subject at

once before the view ; as the wide and
fair lakes of Switzerland spread their
varied, and complete, and connected beau
ties before the eye of the spectator.
Dr.
Chalmers, in short, is more inipassionotl,
Mr. Hall more sublime; the one declaims,
other argues; the first storms the
mind, tho second charmi it and unfold* all
the
THE BRITISH
62
4ts sympathies.
for tlio
])()iiiihir
Dr. Chalmers
oar
is
adaptrd
his hohl and rcdte-
ratod statements, his ovcrwhelininij tide
of words,
imairery,
liis
projectinnr
his small
and
number of
striiung
distinct
thoughts enforced in various dilVerent

forms all make him the ])reacher for the
crowded popular auditory. Mr. Ilall is
;
the preacher for the scholar, the student,

the metajjhysician, the man of elegant
education, the fastidious proud despiser

of spiritual religion, the pretender to a
philosophy not thoroughly fathomed. His

inaster-mind, his acute insight into the
very inmost soul, his candour towards
minuter graces whicii fetter Mr. Hall,

and limit his efforts, and have left him,
after fifty years of public life, the author
of far ftnver works, and those works of
less extent and less general importance,
than Dr. Chalmers has produced in one
fourth portion of that time.
In
THE NEXT
AfiE, it is
Hall's publications
possiblc Mr.
may fetch up
thc
way
he appears to have lost in the present.

All his practical writings will live, and
exercise a powerful sway over the public
mind, when many of Dr. Chalmers's may
have done their work and been forgotten.
Had Mr. Hall more of thc bold and intre-
his opponents, his infinite reverence for

Holy iScripture, his cautious conclusive
pid character of Dr. Chalmers; would he
argumentation, his delicate and sublime

bursts of imagery, his superiority to ])arty
would he devote himself

tion of some great national
feelings and interests, ensure the atten-
the
and fix the conviction, of every competent and unprejudiced hearer.

"As to USEFULNESS, thc palm must be
conceded, for the present age, to Dr.
would he disregard more his own
tion,
PULPIT.
write with less anxiety and refinement
interests
of
to the
prosecu
topic, touching
morals and religion;

feel-
do good in a transitory
world ; there is nothing which he might
not be capable of eflccting, under God's
Chalmers: he is more bold, more deci- blessing for no man of the present age
sive, more capable of frequent efl'ort, more has gained the ear, and fixed the love
ready to commit his unfinished composi- and admiration of his countrymen more
tions to the press, more negligent of thc than Robert Hall."
ings, in order to
SERMON
GLORYING
IV.
THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST
IN
BY THE REV. ROBERT NEWTON.
"
tam
not
ashamed of the gospd of
C'hrlff
Jo
it is
that bdicvclh."
Man
is
a creature of pa.ssion, as woll
as of reason
admit that the

former, and
and
althouîrli
wo
readily
latter is far superior to the
tliat
it
gives a distinctive
peculiarity to our species, yet,
still
the
the
power of God unto
Rom.
i.
salvation to every one
10.
ing grace consists in rectifying every

is wrong in our passions, giving
them the proper direction, and bringing
thing that
them under
tlie
controlling influence of
truth and of religion.
movements and sensibilities of our speBehold, in the particular case of

which come, under the general de- greatapostle of the Gentiles, these
the
scription of passion, form a very essen-
are
cies
servations
are
You
exemplified.
ob-
and a very important part of our aware there was a period in his history
nature.
when he courageously contended for his
It is, however, my friends, a fact no own imaginary excellencies, and for the
less evident than it is lamentable, that abrogated rites and ceremonies of the
human passions are awfully nervcrted Mosaic economy, while he was at the
and depraved by sin, that they have same time ashamed of Christ and of his
taken a wrong direction, and arc too gospel. Actuated by a zeal at once the
generally exercised in direct opposition most intolerant and the most blind, he
This remark haled to prison all he could find who
to their original design.
will hold good in its application to the called on the name of Jesus ; not being
gencjral passion of shame of wiiich the ashamed to consent
indeed he did conThis is a passion which sent to the death of the first Christian
apostle s|)oaks.
was originally designed by the Author martyr; nor did he blush to witness that
of our being to act the part of a sentinel, horrid deed.
to give a sensible and salutary ciieck
But see what a complete reverse ot
and alarm, in case of any approach to- character converting grace effected,
tial
wards the ])recincts ot lolly or of crime.

But so totally is this principle blindi'd
what a mighty moral revolution
in all his
and feelings, and sayings, and

and perverted, that vve too frcriuently see doings. The recollection of his former
human beings glorying in that of which prejudices, and errors, and cruelties
they ouglit to he, ashamed, and we see covers him with confusion ; ho blushes
them ashamed of that iu which tiiey ought with shame at (he remembrance of them ;
to glory ; we hcc them pursuing unblnsh- and although CJod, for Clirisrs sake, had
ingly the paths of folly and of sin whilst forgiven him, he never could forgive
they are ashamed of the way of holiness, himself. But no longer is he ashamed
of Christ, and of the gosi>el.
Where, of Christ, and of the gospel
" What
however, converting grace takes place, things," .says he, *' were gain to me,
those I counted loss for ('lirist.
a beneficial change is produced,
Yea,
change so real, ho deep, so extensive. doubtless, and I count all things but loss
that old things are done away, and all for the excellency of tiie knowledge ot
One part of the ('hriat Jesus, niy liOrd." Not only do
things bpcomo new.
change cflTccted by the power of convert- wo now behold the Jew become a Chrislliinkings,
53

THE BRITISH
54
PULPIT.
tian,bulwe behold the persecutor become " he that hath the Son hath life." And
an apostle, and avoAving himself the will- although this dispensation of truth, of
obscurely unfolded under earlier dispensations of the church,
my
divine Master
" For
once, but I
city.
in
life
hath " abolished death, and
and immortality
to light
by
if
we
do not greatly mistake the
makes
of the term " gospel," he directly and
immediately means by
salvation
for it is
to
who
Now,
Christ,
brought
apostle in the very frequent use he
the imperial
ashamed of the gospel of Christ

the power of God unto salvation
now made fully-
the gospel.'')
am not ashamed" I was

am not now " I am not
it is
manifest by the appearing of our Sa\iour,
for
was somewhat
grace, and of salvation,
ing and courageous advocate of that faith

which he had formerly madly destroyed.
" So, as much as in me is," he says, " 1
am ready to preach the gospel to you that
are at Rome also;" I have preached it
in other places
I have preached it " from
Jerusalem round about to Illyricum ;" and
now I long to bear the same testimony
by a
you cur reasons
every
it,
the doctrine of
\V e give
crucified Jesus.
for this.
When addressing the Corinthiaa

one that believeth."
Let us mark the nature and the ground church, the apostle explains the sense in
of this avowal, the profession which the which he uses this passage. " Moreand the reason for it over, brethren, I declare unto you the
apostle makes,
gospel which I preached unto you, which
which he assigns.
ground of also ye have received, and wherein ye
I. The nature and the
THIS AVOWAL. He professes himself " not stand ; by which also ye are saved, if ye
ashamed of the gospel."
keep in memory what I preached unto
^What is the gospel 1 The gospel is you, unless ye have believed in vain.
It was an- For I delivered unto you first of all that
good news, glad tidings.
nounced by the angel who proclaimed which I also received, how that Christ
the Saviour's advent, " Behold, I bring died for our sins, according to the Scripyou glad tidings of great joy," The tures." Now, that was the very essence
gospel announces the best tidings that of the gospel in the apostolical sense o!
ever were published, the best news to that expression " Christ died for our
which mortals over listened, news of sins according to the Scriptures." Had
salvation, tidings of a Saviour who is he used the term in the vague and geneChrist the Lord, light for those that are ral sense in which it is employed by
in darkness
pardon for those that are some, had he intended nothing more by
guilty mercy for those that are misera- " the gospel," than the unity of the
ble
bound
liberty for those that are
salvation for those that are lost
divine nature, the doctrine of divine pro-
vidence, the immutable and everlasting
life for
The gospel comprehends the whole scheme of redemp-
between right and wrong,

between vice and virtue, the doctrine
those that are dead.

tion
consisting,
indeed,
of
distinctions
and
was
rati
himself,
This
is
that
rule
men
by " the gospel," he would never have

dreamed of saying he was not ashamed
of them.
^ It
was not
at these things that the lite-
of the da)' scoffed and derided ; no,

no,
it was at Christ crucified,
that doc-
world unto
the record,
golden
would
not imputing their trespasses
unto them."
of equity
" As ye
should do to you, do ye
also to them likewise ;"
had the apostle meant nothing more than these things
and of precepts, and of promises, and of

threatenings, and of ordinances, which
we are not about to detail this evening.
But we call the gospel a system, because
it consists oi various parts ; and yet, all
its parts may be resolved into the one
grand doctrine of redemption and salva" God
tion by our Lord Jesus Christ.
in Christ, reconciling the
of the immortality of the soul, the great
doctrines,
yes,
trine
so revolting to the pride
of our
Christ crucified was to

and of all that is recorded this is the fiillen nature.
sum, " God hath given to us eternal the Jews a stumbling-block ; and foolishlife, and this life is in his Son;" and ness to the pride of the haughty Greek.

GLORYING IN THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST.
Aye, and
preacher
very hour the Christian

discourse on the doctrine
to this
may
he
may
55
spoken by the Lord when he exercised

his personal ministry in our vv-orld, but
preach on the doctrine of eternal providence,

he may
preach on the soul's immortality, and
man's moral accountability to the God
he may lecture as long
that made him,
as he pleases on the golden rule to which
we have already adverted, and men will
infidels and semi-infiapprove of this
dels will signify their approbation but
the moment he begins to speak about the
in his appropriate character as the
doctrine of salvation by the atoning sa-
to this early manifestation of this
of Deity,
crifice of Jesus,
and
then they begin to
and
to sneer,
scoff,
to deride this as the
mes-
senger of the covenant, the angel of Jehovah ; all those rays of light, those
beams and tints of mercy, that illumined
the early dispensations,
the star of Jacob
came from
Christ,
yes, just as certainly
as the bright effulgence of evangelical
and truth with which we are surrounded, bursts from Christ, the glorious
Sun of Righteousness. And, in addition
light
news,
good
in the fulness of time, in the exer-
cise of his ministry, he published
it
as his
own, and delivered it in his own name,

ihe apostle merely referred to these and by his own right and autliority
he
things, he had never dreamed of saying, has also signed it with his own hand, and
" I am not ashamed of the gospel :" but, sealed it with his own seal and lie has
by " the gospel," he referred to the great authenticated his signature and liis seal
doctrines of the cross and in reference to with signs and wonders, and divers mirathem he says, " I ain not ashamed of the cles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to the will of God.
gospel of Christ.",'
And, besides this, he adds, in immeMy friends, the gospel is divine, it is
Jesus
diate connexion with the text, " For, from heaven, and not of men
Wherein ? In this gospel,
therein"
Christ is its author. And it is not only
" For therein," in this gospel, " is the the good news of Christ coming from
righteousness of God revealed from faith him, but it is the good news concerning
By " the righteousness of him for this gospel is the good news ot
to faith."
God " he does not mean the essential Christ concerning his person, his works,
foolishness of folly.
I say, therefore,
had
of the divine nature, but he

means, God's method of constituting a
sinner righteous in his sight, which is
only through faith in the merits of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
Now this gospel, this good news, is
emphatically the s;ood news of Christ.
Those who published the good news
were careful to inform those to whom
they addressed it, that it did not originate
with themselves, that they had received
of the Lord that whicli llicy declared to
the people. Not only as a Divine Person
had the schcmn its origination in the
inmost mind of God our Saviour, but by
him, as the great Mediator between God
and man, it has been revealed. Tiiat
his atoning acts, his saving benefits, his
He-
truth; they embraced tlieni, died in faith
rectitude
expression in
brews
is
is
tlie
true to a
gtsnerally
epistle
to
the
Which
at first be-
be spoken by the Lord, and was

confirmed unto us by them that heard
Now,
it
Take these things

what have you left
behind Â^xamine those different editions

of the gofepel, if I may so express myself,
which have been put forth at different

periods of time, and under different dispensations of the church, and you will
That first
find they are full of Christ.
edition in the patriarchal age, though
somewliat obscure, contained
certainly
many promises
of a deliverer,
who was
he might save ; tliat great

deliverer was Christ, the promised seed
to sutTer that
was
that
; and
promises obscurowere, and were persuaded of tlieir
to bruise the serpent's iiead
the patriarchs
ly, as
it
saw
lliesc
in the promised Messiah wlio was to

Speaking of come, and anticipated by failli the bene-
to
him."
out of the gospel, and
much wider extent than
understood.
the gospel, ho says, "
gan
kingdom, his glory.
did not
first
begin
to
be
fits
of
If
liis
death.
you examine
tliat
edition
of
gospel contained in the writings of
Uibruw
prophets, you will
find
iho
tlio
much
THE BRITISH
56
PULPIT.
concerning the illustrious personage who

was to appear in our world, who was to
establish a kingdom, who was to extend
his conquests and his triumphs, and whose
Lot us ask four questions here.

Of what is this spoken ? Of the gospel^'
of Christ.
As though the apostle had'
said, I am not ashamed of its doctrines.
kingdom was to have no end. Then this Are they not all wise 1 Are they not all
illustrious person was to suffer in order important? Are they not all instructive?
And who was this Are they not all of infinite concern to
that he might reign.
but the Lord Christ, to whom all the proevery human being. What is there in
the gospel of Christ to make a wise man
phets bare witness 1
fÂnd if you examine that splendid and blush ? The more carefully and prayerimposing edition of the gospel contained fully you examine them, the more you see
in the INIosaic ritual, there is much gos- their excellence and feel their importance.
What find you there 1 You As though the apostle had said, I am not
pel there.
find types and shadows, and signs, and ashamed of the precepts of the gospel.
symbols, and figurative representations. Are they not all holy, and just, and good,
Of all these types, Jesus Christ was the and benevolent? What is there in any
of these shadows he was precept of the gospel of Jesus Christ of
great antitype
of these symbols Christ which a good man can be ashamed ?
I
the substance
am not ashamed of the threatenings of
was the thing signified.
And then, if you examine the last and the gospel. Though some have repreperfect edition of the gospel contained in sented them as harsh and severe, they are
the narrative of the evangelists, Avhatfind all righteous, and they are all holy they
you 1 You find a most interesting history are all intended and directed against sin,
a history of Christ his birth, his life, and are all calculated to promote holiness
his teaching, his ministry, his death, his and happiness. They are, therefore, only
resurrection, his exaltation to his king- modifications of the goodness and love of
dom. You find doctrines the doctrines their great Author. I am not ashamed of
they contain
of Christ; you find precepts the pre- i\\e promises of the gospel
cepts of Christ; you find the promises the very things we want. Are they not
the promises of Christ; and you find rich ? Are they not admirable and various?
are they
the ordinances the ordinances of Christ; Are they not sure and certain ?
every thing in the gospel is full of Christ. not " yea and amen" in Christ Jesus ?
Christ is also the end of the gospel. What is there in the privileges and pro-
Every thing
in the gospel is designed to

conduct men to Christ, that they may
know and love him, and believe in him,
and resemble him, and love to honour
him. Remember the record given of that
extraordinary
star
attention of the wise
which arrested
men
the
in the east, and
which they followed till it conducted

them to the very spot where Jesus Christ
was. Every thing in the gospel is to act
the part of that star.
If
we
fix
our eye on
mises of the gospel to make a Christian

blush ? I am not ashamed of the ordinances of the gospel.
It is true, the}'^ are
few in number, and very simple in their'
nature ; but they are highlj^ significant
they are full of meaning, and are efficacious whenever they are properly dispensed and advocated.
I am not ashamed of the gospel as the
gospel of Christ, its divine Author,
frhongh meanly born in Bethlehem
we though for him there was no room in the

and love him. What is inn though born in a stable, and laid
A cloud in a manger though the reputed son of a
the gospel without Christ?
without water; a shadow without a sub- carpenter though when he came forth
from obscurity, and entered on his jniblic
stance a body without a spirit.^
Now, says the apostle, " of this gospel ministry, he had not where to lay his
though he was persecuted, though
I am not head
of Christ I am not ashamed ;"
confused ; it does not make me blush ; I he was crucified, though he suiTered and
am not discouraged by any thing in the died though all this was true, yet he
rose triumphant as a God, and by his
gospel.
it, it
will conduct us to Christ, that
may know him
a;
;;

resurrection from the dead
was
declared
so
various,
57
so powerful,
with all his

and learning, and supeingto the Spirit of holiness. He is, there. rior talents, this man, so signally and
fore, the Prince of Life, the Conqueror of pre-eminently qualified to examine any
Death, the Lord of Glory, the Captain of thing in order to ascertain its merits or
our salvation ;' and I am, therefore, not demerits,
this great man, with these
ashamed of him.
great powers, here avows that he is " not
By ii'kum }s this spoken? "/ am ashamed of the gospel of Christ!" And
not ashamed of the gospel of Clirist." who art thou that art arrogating to thyselt
And who am I? Is this the language of lights superior to St. Paul, and art affectto be the
Son of God with power, accord- acquired

1
abilities,
some
individual
whose
ing
early prejudices,
to
find things in
the gospel
which
and biases, and impressions, were all in make thee blush ] Blush, indeed, for
favour of the gospel 1 And is he so com- thyself; and, if thou canst not do this,
pletely fettered by these prejudices of others will blush for thee.
Hide thy
education and habit, that he is absolutely diminished head in the dust
What
incompetent fairly and dispassionately to thfju affecting to be ashamed of the gospel,
examine this gospel 1 Nay, my friends, and such a man as St. Paul not ashamed
you know the reverse of this was the fact of it It would be a good reason for thee,
you know that all this man's prejudices, were no other to be found, rather to glory,
and early habits, and impressions were because St. Paul gloried in this gospel.
directly and violently opposed to the gosLet us ask a third question. To whom
pel, that he was " exceedingly mad was this spoken?
To whom was this proagainst tliis U'ay," and that he was preju- fession made ] To some rude, and remote,
diced, and so full of blind, intolerant zeal, and barbarous, and savage, horde ?
to
that, when he was persecuting the friends men without any kind of cultivation, or
of the gospel, he thought he was " doing science, who were absolutely incompetent
God service." And yet, such is the con- to examine into that concerning which
viction that he has of the divinity and this man avows he is not ashamed ]
Is
efficacy of the gospel of Jesus Christ, that it so ]
No, my friends ; this proposition
all his prejudices and early impressions was addressed to those who dwelt in the
were entirely destroyed and he avows imperial city this avowal was made to
himself not ashamed of the gospel " 1 the Komans, the inhal)itants of the capital
!
am
ashamed of the gospel
city of the world,

of Christ.'
Rome, the seat of unilanguage of versal empire, the residence of statesmen,
some individual, with a warm heart, and poets, and artists, and historians,
indeed, but with a very weak head
and ])hilosophers the seat of science and
man of a very slender understanding
literature, where lived men the splendour
man capable of being carried away by of whose genius shed a lustre on the
strong impulses
who can examine no- imperial city that commanded the admi-
not
Who am
I?
Is this the
ready to believe every thing

without any learning or science ^
thing, but
Is
man
it
so
is
We
know,
the contrary to
my
friends, that just

It is this
tliis is tlie fact.
man, emphatically
tlic
f^reat
the
^re(tt
apostle of the Gentiles, a most extraordi-
nary man;
p(riia|)S
he was one of the
greatest of ail the great men that the

great God over made.
How lofty his
ration of the world.
Here
is
a sort of implication here, as if
some one had
said, St. Paul has gone

round about, from Jerusalem to lUyricum,
talking about Christ crucified ; but when
he is at Rome, he will change his voice
he will blush to talk about the cross of
Christ then ; he will blusli to talk about
the cross of Christ among philosophers

how and sages. He will then begin to say
penetrating, how comprehensive
What fine things about the Supreme Hoing.
a mind he had
And then his learning, He will begin to harangue them on eternal
how various and profound
too,
how providence, on the immortality of the soul
powers of
intellect!
how
keen,
I
beyond his contemporaries

And yet but not a word will he say about th&
this man, with all these natural talcntH, cross of Jesus Christ.
!).> they say so?
Vol. 1. H
far
THE
58
BRITISH PULPIT.
He will prove the contrary. I will let gospel while I have

every one know, as lliouoh St. Paul said, ashamed of it when I
when I
Rome,
get to
that
life
I will
not be
die.
avow him
Now, for a profession like this, such a
him man must have had some good reason to
will
there: I will not blush to talk about
my
and, stand-
assign, something to justify the profes-
ing side by side with the philosophers

and the sages, I will announce something
that is of infinitely more importance than
any thing they ever conceived. I am not
ashamed of the gospel, though in the
service of the gospel I endure toil, and
I am not ashamed
insult, and obloquy
of the gospel, though in my attempts to
propagate it, I may be in perils often, " in
it]
Does he say, "I
ashamed of the gospel of Christ"
because it is true ] Had it been false, he
would have blushed to own it. Does he
say, " I am not ashamed of the gospel ot
there
I will take
stand
perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in

perils
by mine own countrymen,
in perils
the heathen, in perils in the city, in
by
perils in the wilderness, in perils in the
among
ea, in perils
I
am
false brethren :" still
not ashamed.
What was
sion.
am
not
it is true, but
important] Had it been a
frivolous thing, he would have been
ashamed to go about proclaiming it. Does
he say, " I am not ashamed of the gosOn
pel," because it is Christ's gospel ]
Christ," not only because
because
it
is
the admission that the gospel

Christ,
it
follows that
comes from
no more
we have
reason to be ashamed of the gospel, than

of Christ,
author;
its
it
follows
that
whatever comes from him must be

worthy of him. Another reason, howSome
philosophy of language ; and they know- ever, is assigned " I am not ashamed of
that, in this peculiar form of speech, there the gospel of Christ,/cjr it is the piwer of
is great emphasis, great meaning, more God unto salvation, to every one thai bethan appears on the face of it. " I am lievcth.^^ Not only in point of theory is
"
am
not ashamed of the gospel."

who hear me may understand the
not ashamed of the gospel."
It is
equal
it
worthy the approbation of every well-
most courageous and triumphant constituted mind but, in point fo fact,

avowal of the gospel as though he said. brought to the test of experience, it is the
So far am I from being ashamed of the power of God unto salvation to every one
to the
gospel, that I
pel; so far
make my boast
am
of the gos-
from being dishonoured
by
the gospel, that the gospel
my
greatest glory,
my
honour,
is to
me
my crown.
that believeth
a good reason this.
In this general view, there are two or

three things to be noticed.
The
first
is,
the divine
energy of the
power of God." /What is

thing in comparison with the gospel. this power ] There was, you are aware,
Had he learning 1 Yes, he had, and knew a marvellous power, which marked the
As though he had
its
said, I despise every
I despise all
worth.
my
learning, in
gospel: " the
first
promulgation of the gospel
the
men
Had he who announced the good news were enacomparison with the gospel.
Yes, he had, and knew its bled to authenticate the tidings they
science]
use. I despise all my science, in com- published, by performing many illustrious
parison of the gospel of Christ. Had he miracles. Now there seemed a peculiar
talents 1
Yes, and of a very high order. fitness in this, under the then existing
I despise all my talents, in comparison circumstances. It is very true that, when
with the gospel. I will bring all my ho- they preached the gospel to tlieir counnours to the foot of the cross, and say, trymen, the Jews, they had the Jewish
" God forbid that I should glory, save in Scriptures to appeal to, and they reasoned
the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." I out of the Scriptures, proving from them
am not ashamed of the gospel when I am that Jesus was Christ. But what could
I am not ashamed of the gos- they do when they went among Greeks
at liberty
am not and Romans ] There were no Jewish
I
pel when I am in bonds
ashamed of the gospel when I am among Scriptures to which they could appeal,
and, therefore, it seemed peculiarly
I blush not to acknowledge it then
its friends
I am not ashamed of the fit, the great Author of the gospel should
among its foes
5^
There are two senses in which the gosby investing them

with extraordinary powers, enabling them pel is the power of God, independently
accredit these men,

to
work miracles
in confirmation of the
of the power to work miracles.
The gos-
message. They preached the gospel; and pel, as a system of divine truth, is the most
then they proved that the message they powerful thing the world ever saw.
How
delivered was from God, by healing the powerful in its authority
It comes
!
sick, cleansing the leper, giving sight to
the blind, raising the dead

all these
purpose
You
performing
miracles and mighty deeds, on

to authenticate their
are aware that
many
message.
expositors,
Him whose
clothed in the authority of

will is law, and
How
whose power
powerful again in
is
absolute.
evidence
Is it not attested by all the evidence of
which, from the nature of the subject, it
is capable 1
How powerful in its moits
and many Christian preachers, have thus

interpreted the energy of which the apostle tives
Oh, how stirring are the motives
here speaks. However, with all deference of the gospel
How powerful in its
to very high names, I beg to state that I influence
What powerful representado not think that the apostle here princi- tions does it present before us of the evil
that odious and abominable thing
pally, if at all, refers to miraculous powers. of sin
The apostle is here speaking of a power which a holy God hateth
How power!
was
a power
that
universal
among
again, in
representations of the
beauty of holiness
lovely, and
believers
ful,
its
every one that

How
no evidence that attractive, and powerful, and moving, in
work miracles was given to its displays of the mercy of God, of the
"
that reaches
believeth." But there
the power to
all
to
is
every believer in the primitive church.

There were some churches, which were
highly distinguished in this way the
church of Corinth, for example; but it
does not appear that all had this power;
of
of the torments
love of Christ, of the joy of religion,

the felicities of heaven,
How does it address those two

movers of the human mind and character
hope, and fear
fear of the evil
all did not heal the sick, all did not raise w-e have to experience
hope of the good
the dead. The apostle is here speaking we have to receive.
It connects eternity
with time, it is a powerful hammer to
of a power that is universal as faith
of hell
" unto
salvation.*'
every believer was under the influence of

this power, but every believer had not
the power to work miracles the apostle,
therefore, does not refer to this. Besides,
he is speaking of a power connected with
salvation; and I confess I do not see the
connexion between the power to work
miracles and the conversion of a man's
soul.
I think the two things are essentially distinct
and I think there may be
the one where the other is not. Read St.
Paul's epistle to the Corinthians, and see
how I am there borne out in this remark.
How many had the one who were sadly
deficient in the other
And does not the
apostle suppose
and, under the influence
of plenary inspiration, he could not have
supposed a thing that could not have
ha|)pened
he supposed that a man may
have the powtrto work miracles, and even
to remove mountains, tliough his lieart
may be destitute of vital piety whereas,
he is here speaking of a power that is
great
break the rocky heart in pieces it is a

powerful fire to penetrate into the inmost
recesses of the human mind.
There is, however, a still higher sense
in which the gospel is the power of God.
I know the gospel is truth
and, therefore, it is powerful ; simple truth
and,
therefore, more powerful ;. divine truth
and, therefore, most powerful of
And we must
bute too much
all truth.
take care w-e do not

to the
mere
attri-
letter of
the
gospel, to the mere sentiments and ideas
The gospel is the power of

God, because it is the ordinary instrument
whereby the energy of God, the Holy Ghoatf
is communicated In the hearts if men.
The
gospel is the dispensation of the Spirit,
of the gospel.
and the Spirit

and,
wiicrc
is
a dispensation of power;
tlio
gospel
is
faithfully
preached, the Spirit of power is present;

so tliat while tiie word of the guspel falls
on the ear, and the ideas of
tiie
gospel
are conmiunicated to the underslandiiig,
the
power of
the
Holy
(ihost touches ths
THE BRITISH
60
PULPIT.
Think, then, of this universal opposiheart and the conscience, and the gospel
comes " not in word only," though it tion think of the feeble instruments em-
does come in word, "but also in power, ployed think of what the gospel had to
in the Holy Ghost, and in much do, and the wide extent to which it
travelled and triumphed, and say, was
assurance."
Take into consideration the/or follow- not this the power of God ? On what
ing circumstances, and try to ascertain the other principle can you possibly account
and
_;
greatness of that power that marked the for the fact, that the gospel, under such
circumstances, did thus triumph ^
propagation of the gospel.
first
In the
opposition which it
contend with.
Every thing rose
had
in
to
my
Ah,
place, the powerful, comhined,
first
and universal
friends
the power of God.
oppo- that
if I
and the gospel is still

I confess to you all,
did not believe the gospel
still
to
power of God, I should utterly

the bad passions despair of any such effects.
One man
sition affainst the gospel
dices of the people, all
all
the preju- be the
cannot change the heart of another. Not

not the ideas
people, the craft of the people being in the language emplo)êd
danger yea, and the civil arm, too, lifted communicated ; oh, no there must be an
the power of the Lord
up, and the Avhole world in arms against energy divine
must be present, and that power must
the gospel.
Then, again, the feeble, and slender, and apply the truth ; and, therefore, we see
(humanly speaking) incompetent instru- the power of God still manifested. \Take
ments employed. What, was a considerable an instance now.
On Sabbath evening last but one, in
army sent forth in full equipment, with
of the people,
all
the institutions of the
fire
and sword,
to
dragoon the nations into the town of Devonport, a poor, besotted,

careless old man
an old man-of-war's
No, my
a profession of Christian faith 1
friends, the weapons of their warfare were
no way by which
coercion can travel and arrive at a man's
mental error cannot be cut to
mind
These men went
pieces by the sword.
twelve simple, artless men penforth
nyless and powerless ; with nothing but
simple truth to publish, and in that name
to conquer the world ; the world being up
in arms against them wherever they go,
and yet the world conquered by them
Think, in the next place, ivhat the gosIt had to produce a moral
pel had to do.
renovation ; it had to illuminate the
not carnal.
There
is
mind, to sanctify the heart,

the
life,
to
make
all
to regulate
things new.
do
not wonder, then, that these were said to
be men
who "
turned the world upside
man,
believe
came
into
the
chapel,
and those who knew him best, believed he

had never spent five minutes in his life in
thinking, " What am I]
Whither am 1
Have
saw a
crowd, and he thought he would
going]
I
Is there another world 1

a soul as well as a body ]"
He
large
He
try to get in.
tempt; and
the preacher
it
succeeded in the
at-
pleased the Lord, though
drew the bow
an arrow that
at a venture,
and an arrow
that pierced that old sailor's inmost soul,
and to stick fast there ; he was judged ot
all
he was condemned of all ; the tears
began to gush from those eyes that had
scarcely ever wept before, and he began
As he returned home, he wept,
to sigh.
and said to a person, " I cannot rest till
God has mercy on me ; my conscience
to direct
hit,
but the moral

down." Yes, indeed
world was wrong side up. And yet it condemns me: I am guilty; I am perishing; what shall I do ]" And the pertriumphed.
Think of the extent of the triumph. To son told me, the following evening, that
such an extent did they carry the gospel he was still pleading with the Lord, dethat the language which the Psalmist termined not to rest till he found redemp;
uttered,
in
reference
bodies,
was applied
quests
of
" Their
line is
these
Now, I ask
the heavenly tion in the blood of Christ.
extensive conyou, what was tliat but the power of God ?
Take another instance illustrative of the
by the gospel
to
to the
men
gone through all the earth, power of the gospel.

Here is a Pharisee (the Pharisees were
and their words to the end of the world."

not peculiar
to the
Jews of
time
old
there are Pharisees under the Christian
name and
rig-hteous
garb,
who
think themselves
and despise others,) here
is
an
and, in the pride of his heart,
many
years, " Stand by, for I
Many
holier than thou."

affected to thank his
not as other
men
am
a time he has
Maker
was
that he
no drunkard, no
pro-
a time has he said, " All these things

have I kept from my youth up." He has
erected for himself, by his own skill, and
by the might of his own arm, a lofty
superstructure of self-righteousness, and
thinks the materials of it very sound, and
considers himself perfectly secure in
it.
with
and what is the gospel in
the gospel
such a case 1 It is a conductor to convey
the lightning, not from it, but to it.
Struck by the lightning of heaven, the
power of God, this superstructure of selfrighteousness is shivered to atoms, and
all the props, and pillars, and dependencies of the Pharisee are broken to
pieces ; and there you behold him on his
knees, with uplifted hands and contrite
this is brought into contact
;
heart, for the
first
time in his
61
hand of the Majesty
on high, where " he ever liveth
to
make
intercession for the transgressors ;" and
"he
life,
all
is
able to
save to the uttermost
that
of sin, from the pollution of sin, and from

the penalty due to sin.
Now,
saying,
!"
" God
be merciful to me a sinner
What is this ? This is the power of God.
The gospel has not lost its power the
gospel is still accompanied by the influence of the Spirit. Here lies our strength
The gospel is
here lies our hope.
powerful to wound, and it is powerful to
heal ; it is powerful to pull down, and it
it
is
is powerful to build up again
;
the gospel not only unfolds this
its length, and breadth,

and glory, but it becomes
the instrument of communicating the sal-
salvation in all
Many and
fane swearer, no Sabbath-breaker.
Even
to the right
come unto God by him." He

he has been saves from sin, from the guilt and power
old man, now, grey in his Pharisaism
saying,
up
tuie
fulness,
has to unfold. Look at the man

saved by the gospel ; his mind is
enlightened, his will is subdued, his
conscience is washed from guilt, his
affections are sanctified, his life is formed
according to the precepts of the gospel
he becomes, not physically, but spiritually
and morally, a new creature. He is saved
from darkness to light; he is saved
from bondage to glorious liberty ; he is
saved from sin to holiness ; he is saved
from misery to happiness he is saved
vation
who
it
is
see
Look
man, and
happy change that has taken
and ask by what this is produced T
from death
to life.
at this
the
place,
By the gospel of Christ. Shall we, then,

be ashamed of iti of the gospel of
that makes men
Christ, that saves men
wise, and happy, and holy in themselves
the gospel of Christ, by the power and

influence of
which vice
is
subdued, so
who was a drunkard is become

sober, and he who was a swearer fears an
oath, and he who was dissolute becomes
chaste 1 And by what means was this
By the gospel of Christ.
effected ?
The gospel of Christ has done more to
make men holy and happy in a few weeks
that he
powerful to kill a man's self-confidence,

and it will save " with all '.he power of or months than all the boasted systems
And, therefore, the of philosophy and science put forth by
an endless life."
apostle speaks of Ihe saving efficacy of the sages of Greece and Home could ef" it is the power of God to fect in ages. They could not bring the
this gospel
salvation." The salvation of the gospel inhabitants of an obscure village to live
is a salvation from sin.
Man has sinned according to their views of moral science.
all have sinned ; and, because all hav(!
But oh, what does the gospel accom
I do not wonder that not a man
sinned, all are guilty ; and, because all plish!
are guilty, all are obnoxious to punish- durst accept the challenge of St. Paul
Where is the
ment. But Jesus Christ is the Saviour; "Where is tlio wise?
:
ho came
into tlio
world
to
save sinners;
to save sinners he lived, to save sinners
he died,
to
save sinners ho rose from the
dead, to save sinners he took
human
na-
scribe
Where
is
the disputor of this
world 1" All, where are you now ? Vou

you
laughed at mo and the gospel
thought 1 was a foolish man, and had no-

THE BRITISH
62
but the foolishness of folly to proBut where are the elements with
thin<T
claim
which you were
renovate mankind
to
PULPIT.
the heart to Christ; there
submission ofthe will
must be the
to Christ
the close
and there must

be the embracing of the Saviour with all
determination of the will
"Where are the victories you have won 1

Where are the trophies of your triumphs 1 the affections of the heart. Thus man,
If you have conquered to this extent, point believing with the heart unto righteousus to the countries tell us where the ness, confession is made with the tongue
a man of them has a unto salvation and, my fellow-sinner, if

But St. Paul could point thou " confess with thy mouth the Lord
to many nations which had been subdued Jesus, and believe in thine heart that God
by the gospel to the obedience of the raised him from the dead, thou shalt be
Not
countries are.
word
to say.
saved :" according to thy faith it shall be

done unto thee in every step of thy religospel is the power of God to every one gious progress, and in the way of spiritual
not to every one that hear- attainment, it shall be done according to
that believeth
Thus believing becomes a
eth ; it is one thing to hear the gospel, and thy faith.
settled habit ; and thus the Christian lives
it is another thing to believe the gospel
On this point, by faith, and is saved by faith.
so as to be saved by it.
Observe the impartiality of this " 7b
our individual, personal salvation, hangs
faith.
Let
it
be observed, however, that this
"
that believeth"
to every one
be-
evcrij
one that believeth
to the
Jew
first,
every one that be- and also to the Greek;" for "unto the
lieveth the gospel to be of Christ, to be Gentiles also hath God granted repentwhat it professes to be and who gives ance unto life." A' To every one that
full credence to the testimony that " this believeth," without respect to condition
is a faithful saying, and worthy of all whether they are high or low, whether
acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into they are rich or poor, noble or ignoble.
the world to save sinners ;" and that There is not one salvation for a rich man,
no, it must
there is no other name given amongst men and another for a poor man
whereby they may be saved.
be by faith, simple faith in Christ Jesus.
I know that some people, very incau- " To every one that believeth," without
tiously, as it seems to me, undervalue respect to colour; for souls have no disGod has made and
this ; and I have heard persons say it is criminating hues
know it is redeemed by his blood all nations that
nothing to believe this.
something. A man may be saved from dwell on the face of the earth ; to every
infidelity who believes the gospel to be one, therefore, from the fair European to
true, and who believes Jesus to be the Afric's sable son, it will apply ; from the
Son of God. Still there are those who everlasting snow and frost and ice of
tell us that they believe the gospel is of Greenland and Lapland,to the paradisaical
the islands that lie on the bosom of the Southdivine origin, and yet are not saved
credence which they attach to testimony ern Ocean. The gospel, being a universal
does not exert any influence on their remedy, will operate in every temperahearts or conduct; they are living " with- ture, from the frigid to the torrid zone;
out God in the world ;" their faith does and, wherever it is truly received, it
lieveth
To
what?
We
not come up to the apostolic standard.

What believing in order to be saved is,
works effectually in them that believe.

" To ever}' one that believeth," without
we
regard to circumstances;
are told
when he
by
St.
says, "
lieveth unto
Paul
With
in another place,
the heart
righteousness."
man
He
not say with the head merely, or with the

understanding ; I know the understanding
will perceive that
Christ
am
a sinner, and that
Christ there
is
in
Jesus
neitiier
but Christ
is all, and in all."

one that believeth" without regard to language or tongue. The
nor free
/''
To every
period shall come when the gospel shall

be published, and when the gospel shall
There must be the dedication of be embraced by all the languages of this
the Saviour
is
stop here
\\(H\
for
Greek nor Jew,

does circumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bopd
be-
if I
but
I m.ust
not
do, I stop short of salva-

bahbling world
What
a miracle
6?
was made; had he been
a coward in the service of his Master, the declaration of the
which took place on the day of Penwhen the apostles of our Lord in text had never been recorded had himselt
a single monnent received the knowledge and his colleagues been cowards, they
that
tecost
of languages they had never studied in had not gone on in the face of opposition,
way and received the power and insult, and danger, and death ; but,
to give utterance to their sentiments most when persecution arose, every one of them
the ordinary
which
say, " None of these things move

me, neither count I my life dear unto
thians, and Medes, and Elamites, the myself, so that I might finish my course
dwellers in Mesopotamia and in Judea, with joy, and the ministry which I have
Cretes and Arabians, and others which received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the
correctly
and
fluently
was a could
greater miracle still; so that these Par-
are mentioned,
all
heard
the apostles
speak every man in the language wherein

he was born that is, the language spoken
in the country of their birth
the wonderful works of God.
Think you that this
was not designed by Providence to be a
sort of earnest and specimen of what will
assuredly take place when, by means of
Bible institutions and missionary ctTorts,
the languages of the world shall have the
word of God rendered
into
them (and
into
a large portion has it already been rendered) and the word of God preached in
those languages
so that not only European and American, but Asiatic and African, and those that dwell in the remote
gospel of the grace of God."

one instance in which Paul
know but
was nearly
overcome and that was when his courage

and his heroism were nearly overpowered
by the sympathy and tenderness of his
;
friends, recorded in the Acts of the
The
tles.
preached,
preaching;
servant of
AposLord had
the
and Jesus had blessed his

he had given his servant
seals to his ministry, and they
were his
Ah, but he must leave
spiritual children.
them
I'he
work, and
And what
the apostle.
mean ye
heart 1"
was hard
work
parting
overcame
" What
their tears all but
said he
weep, and to break mine

can face danger; lean look
to
I
islands of the sea, shall hear Christ and
my
the apostles, and Moses and the prophets,
declare the
enemies
in the face
hesitate not to
and
imprisonments await me I can go to the
the redemption and salvation of men.)
stake for the sake of the gospel ; I can
Now, see how all this bears on the pro- endure all this ; but these tears overcome
" I am not me
" What mean ye to weep, and to
fession made by the apostle
declare the wonderful works of
God
gospel, though stripes
in
ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is break mine heart?" No; he remembered
the power of God to salvation to every one whose servant he was; he remembered
that believeth."
Had it been a power- the high office he sustahied and, sumless thing, the apostle would have blushed moning up all his courage, rising above
;
to have been identified with it; had it

been powerful to destroy, and not to save,
he would have been ashamed to own it;
had it been designed for the benefit of a
few individuals, the apostle would never
have laboured for its propagation. But,
when he says it is llie power of God, not
the tenderness of friendship, he exclaimed,
"
am
ready to go bound
to die for the
name
to
Jerusalem, and
of the Lord Jesus!"
But who are the men who are ashamed

of the gospel
in
heaven wlio
Certainly there
is
is
no being
ashamed of the gospel;
angels are not ashaniful of the gospel

he says, " the suflVrings of (Christ, and the glory
" It is the power of (Jod to everyone that that should follow," were the tilings which
" the angels desired to look into." 'I'ho
believeth," good reason had lie to say
good reason liave we also to say, " I am redeemed of Atlain's race that are lialnot ashamed of the gospel of (Mirist."
lowed and made meet for heaven, and
Let us learn from liiis subject the evil if who havt? obtiiined admission there they
to destroy, but to save
when
rcliîon^
it.
ct)U<urilirr, anil lulic
If the apostle
avowal
in the text
care
to
avoid
are not
ashamed of the
<rospe|
they are
had been a coward, the attrihnting to the gosp*-' the gl'iry of co

would never have been ductini; them to thj' 'o^sed inhcrilano*
'
THE
^4
Where,
of light and love.

find those
Do you
who are ashamed
BRITISH PULPIT.
then, do
we
of the gospel
Where
is
the
philosopher
that
is
ashamed of the God of nature? And

shall you and I, then, be ashamed of the
any of the beings in the inwould he ashamed of it could God of grace ? Ashamed of the gospel
Where is the Jew that is
it be preached to them as the instrument of Christ!
Would not every eye ashamed of Moses 1 And shall the
of salvation'?
glisten, and every countenance beam with Christian and the Christian minister be
ashamed of Christ]
God forbid
attention 1 Ah but their doom is sealed
Their harvest is past! Their summer is Ashained of Christ! No, no! let me be
ashamed of myself, (much reason have I
ended
They cannot be saved
Where, then, do we find those who are for that), but never let me be ashamed ot
Ashamed of the gospel no
ashamed of the gospel ? Why, if they Christ
can be found any where, they must be let me be ashamed of the world, but
found on earth they are nowhere else. never, never let me be ashamed of the
tliink
fernal world
Can we
find
any among the truly wise,
the truly good, the truly useful, the truly

holyl 1 know no such person.
Who
gospel of Christ!
Learn,
my
friends, the necessity of con-
See
ashamed of the gos- the consistency of this profession of the
pel! Why -the men who ought to be text " I am not ashamed of the gospel
ashamed of themselves! What! ashamed of Christ; it is the power of God to
of the system of divine truth a system salvation to every one that bclieveth."
that is full of goodness, and benevolence, How do you sustain and justify that proand holiness a system so worthy of God, fession ] Is there harmony between your
profession and your actions 1
Do you
so adapted to the circumstances of men
Ashamed of the gospel of Christ! No, who say you are not ashamed of the gosno
Let the proud, haughty infidel be pel realize its eflUcacy ? Can you assign
ashamed of his gloomy and degraded this as the reason why you are not ashamed
system, (if system it may be called,) a of it because it has saved you from sin,
system which degrades man into a kind saved you from all unchristian tempers,
Are you
of rational animal, making him the inha- dispositions, and desires !
In vain do
bitant of a body which, when it has ashamed, my dear friends?
answered its purpose, for any thing he you say you are not ashamed of the goscan tell to the contrary, must be laid in pel, unless you have this reason to give
darkness and in death, and man must " it is the power of God to salvation."
cease to be. Is this the dignity of human Have you so believed as to be saved ?
nature 1 What was the case with respect Have not some Christian professors need
There is a want
to one of those blood-stained infidels in to be admonished here.
this metropolis, eight or ten years ago 1 of harmony between the words of the lips,
At the fatal spot, just before the men and the works of the lives ? You are not
were sent out of time into eternity, with ashamed of the gospel, and yet live in opnot ashamed of
a levity and impiety that outraged all position to the gospel
decency, he exclaimed at the last mo- the gospel, and yet violating the precepts
ment, " We shall soon learn the secret," of the gospel. Not ashamed of the gosTo learn the secret but to learn it when pel of Christ! But the gospel of Christ
"
my soul, come not is ashamed of you. Not ashamed of the
it is too late
are the
men
sistency in
your religious prcftssion.
that are
unto their assem- ministers and friends of the gospel but

mine honour, be not thou united !" the ministers and friends of the gospel are
Not ashamed to conLet ashamed of you
Ashamed cf the gospel of Christ
thou into their secret
bly,
the wicked profligate blush at his deeds

of darkness that will not bear the light,
and which he will not bring to the light,

lest they be made manifest; but never
let the Christian blush to own the holy
gospel. Ashamed of the gospel of Christ
fess
Christ crucified before
men
but,
unless you are speedily changed, and

saved by the gospel of you yes, of you,
will .Tcsus Christ be
ashamed before
Father and his holy angels.

give you repentance unto life!
his
May God

GLORYING
IIV
THE GOSPEL OF
As the opospel of Christ is the power of

God to salvation to them that believe, let
those who have through grace believed, and
have realized the saving power of his gospel,
zealously and practically acknuwledge their
make
obligation to
it
knoivn
to others.
/It
is
CHRIST.
65
the range of our mortal vision
could we
see the dismal spectres of superstition

ting before our eyes
could
we
flit-
behold
six hundred millions of our fellow-beings

in the lowest moral
and mental prostra-
tion, buried in ignorance, iiithralled
by
How
superstition, loaded with guilt, polluted
How rich a treahas it not done for

us
How it has blessed us, and saved
us
But we have it not for ourselves
merely not for our personal benefit exclusively
we have it for others, to bless
others as well as ourselves. There is a
sense in which every Christian minister,
and every Christian believer, as well as
St. Paul, is a trustee allowed of God to
be put in trust of the gospel, intrusted
with the gospel for the benefit of those
who have it not. Therefore, you are the
debtors; and in debt you remain till you
impart to them the gospel of God. Can
it be tliat we feel this power, enjoy this
with crime, without God, without comfort, without hope

Oh, this would give
our mercy that
we have
reat a blessing' is
ure is
it
it
the gospel.
And what
would give
would give
our exertions and we should
intensity to our feelings
fervour to our prayers
liberty, participate in these blessings our-
selves, and be unconcerned for those

aje destitute
Can
who
j
I
am in the road
how
it
What can we do to send them " words

whereby they may be saved
What
can we do to send them tlie word, " the
entry" of which " giveth life]")
As
the gospel
power of God,
its
"
let
identified with
is
us expect
i*ur efforts
the
for
propagation
What
day,
to be crowned with success.

a noise," said a person the other
" what a noise they make about

and Missions what a noise
their Bibles
they
make about sending
their missionaries
their Bibles and
pagans
the
to
are consuming, and
and
what
money they are expending

Ah," said
he, "but they will find human nature to
Lord myself, be just what human nature always has
to travel there alone
to
heaven,
Can
can be.
The
religion of
the gospel is essentially diffusive in its
nature, dilTusive as
the
it
be that I am saved of the

and have no concern that mj^ fellow-sinners should be saved ]
I profess to yon
see not
vigour to
this
this
be ready to ask ourselves and one another,
what time they
be that
it
and wish
breadth of the
been, and will leave the world just as bad

And if I had the same
views of Christianity which he enteras they find it."
suppose I should sit side by side

with him, and come to the same conclutained, I
sion.
But I fearless!}' assert there is one
however con- single word in my text which lays prosIracti
before, tli(>y are now expanded trate every thing that can be urged against
and drawn out; we wish our fellow-men missionary exertions, urged in thewayof
to become our fellow-subjects in the king- objection, by cold indiifereiice, by freezing
dom of heaven; we wish them all to be- avarice, by chilling doubt, or b)' impious
come partakers of "like precious faith unbelief: it is this one word power
witli us," and to be " fellow-heirs of the " the power of God." 'Oh talk no more
same iiopc." Our gracious Lord says. about the power of p'rejudicc, talk no
" Freely ye have received, freely give." more about the power of ignorance, talk
Wliy, we have given sometliing; how no more about the power of superstition,
earth
and,
in |)roportion
brought under
its
as our hearts are
influence,
il
little!
We have felt somrthing; but how

We have praj'ed now and tlien;
and passion, and caste
feeble have been our prayers
text infinitely greater,
admit these are
power in my
power that can
llow little has been done by the profess- triumph over all Uie powers of earth and
Here is a power that can overcome
ing Christian world for the evangeliza- hell.
tion of tin' pagan!
Oh, could we take the power of sin here is a power that can
our post of observation where the prophet subdue iht! power of passion
lii're is a
could the whole length and hre;idlh |)()wer that can break the power of prejustood
of the valhy of dry bones come within dice; and here is a i)o\vrr that can snap
Vol.
9
little!
nil,
how
great powers
but there
is a
aa
THE BRITISH
66
PULPIT.
Well, now, my Christian friends, to

" the powerof
the chains of oppression,
God." Let this simple but powerful en- contribute in any way, in any iegree, to
gine be applied, and what shall be the realize such a consummation who is not
|
result
It will
pull
down
strongholds,
solicitous
Ashamed be
the man,
who-
who
can ever think on this

J'or such an
subject without emotion
thing that exaltolh itself against the know
ledge of God, and will bring every thought object can any sacrifice be too painful^
My
into captivity to the obedience of Christ. can any labours be too abundant 1
Yes, let this engine be applied to the friends, you have come up together as the
cast
down
imaginations, and every high
ever he
is,
friends of the gospel, as the friends of

very centre of idolatry and superstition,
You are
let its props and its supporting pillars he Jesus, as the friends of men.
but seized by the grasp of truth, and they come here to contribute in aid of the funds
will very soon rock to their base, and tot- of the Wesleyan Missionary Society,
ter to their fall their whole fabric will be society that already employs some two
broken, and the dust thereof driven before hundred and twenty preaching missiona-
ries, or
the winds of heaven.
And what
Why,
then,
my
Christian friends'?
then shall be seen rising up every
thereabouts, in different parts of
the world,
society that has already
numbered among the members of the

Christian church some forty-three thousand persons, gathered into the fold by
where, in beautiful proportion, the fair

temple of truth, a temple whose porticoes shall stand wide open, that the heavy the zeal, the labours, the prayers, the
laden and the weary may have free access, faithful preaching, and the holy living,
and there find repose, a temple whose by God's blessing, of these ministers,
ministers shall say to every inquiring society that has schools connected with
come in, thou blessed its missions, where some five-and-twenty

wherefore standest thou thousand are instructed in the momentous
without ?" a temple where people of verities of our common Christianity.
and what a proevery colour, and of every language, and What a work is this
of every clime, shall harmonize and com- minent place are you taking, in the provimingle together in the delightful service dence of God, in this great work of evanMany voices from
of Christian worship, adoring and bless- gelizing the world
ing Him who is the Maker and the Re- many hundred tribes are saying, " Come
deemer of them all, a temple whose over and help us: give us of your oil, for
And can you
altars shall flame with the love and the our lamps are gone out."
What! have you oil, and will
gratitude of a redeemed and renovated refuse]
world for it shall come to pass that in you not pour a portion into their lamps,
every place, " from the rising of the sun, which have gone out, that they may be
even unto the going down of the same, kindled afresh 1 Will your lamps burn
my name shall be great among the Gen- less brightly'? Oh, no The more you
tiles, and in every place incense shall be communicate, the more you shall receive
soul,
of
" Come
Lord
the
in,
my name, and a pure offermy name shall be great among
offered unto
ing
for
fresh supplies of the oil of the sanctuary,
and
your
'
the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts."
brightly.
lamps
will
burn
far
more
SERMON
THE
ORIGIN, UNIVERSALITY,
V.
AND CONSEQUENCES OF THE APOSTACY

OF MAN.
BY THE REV. JAMES PARSONS.
'
By one man
sin entered into the wnrld,
and death
hij
that all have sinned."
How vastly important is it that we

should entertain correct views with regard to the position and the character of
Mistakes with regard
the moral world
to the construction and the movement of
the material universe may sometimes,
perhaps, be entertained without giving
!
sin
and
Rom.
so death passed
upon
all
men, for
v. 12.
able retribution.
How much
of valuable
revelation, for instance, is comprised ia
the
words which have been selected as
What important intelligence

comprise as to the various phenomena which we observe to be constantly taking place around us, with
the text
does
it
but mis-
regard to the governmentof the Almighty
takes with regard to the mural universe,
and the everlasting destinies of mankind!

What reflection it is adapted to inspire
rise to
either
any considerable injury

in
its
attributes, its laws, or its
never can be indulged

without producing effects which, in their
consequences, are most mischievous and
most deadly. To these perilous mistakes, it must be observed, man in all
ages is prone in consequence of the depravity of his nature. The practice has
been exemplified in past ages, and it is
exemplified now; and were there no
guidance, no influence except that which
arises from his own mind, the uniform
and unbroken dominion of falsehood
lesponsibilities,
what improvement
it is
calculated to pro-
duce
If, my Christian brethren, on
your own minds the facts and principles
which are contained in the announcement
before us, along with those other statements to which they refer, produce their
due impression, it is unquestionable that
the eternal welfare of your souls will bo
secured.
If, on the other hand, these
facts and these principles be despised
and rejected, it is as unquestionable that
those interests will be in- danger that
would prevail, attended by all its conse- you will be abandoned to the empire of
quences of unmitigated misery and sor- falsehood, and have no prospect before
row.
you except that of agony antJ unmitigated
The value of the record of divine truth, horror, from which there is no possible
my Christian brethren, from this circum- redemption.
stance, will doubtless a[)poar to be unFrom these views let us now proceed
speakable and infinite.
ilhistrates to meditate on the important statement
It
and comprises every principle respi-cting of the apostle that, " by one man sin enwliirh man may desire to be informed, tered into the world, and death by sin,
and which is a.ssociaterl with the preserva- and so death passed upon all men, for
tion of his interests and welfare.
Its nar- that ail have sinned."
ratives and doctrines, its precepts and its
The immediate connexion in which the
promises, its threatenings and its warn- text appears will not require any thintj
!
ings, all tond to our ultimate happiness
like preliminary explanation
as the subjecLs of the moral governm.'nt
fore proceed to
of God, and as the
will
licirs
of an unchanjfc-
now be
wo
ihero-
observe that your attention
directed,
67
.TllK bUlTISlI PULPIT.
68
I.
To
'B}' one
tho origin and clifTusion of sin
man
and death hy
mm,
ho put the man he had formed.

out of the ground made the Lord
there
And
death passed God
sin entered into the world,

sin,
and so
to
grow every
tree that is pleasant
and good for food ; the tree

II. To the origin and dilfusion of death, of life also in the midst of the garden,
" As by one man sin entered into the and the tree of knowledge of good and
world, and death hy sin, and so death evil." With regard to the latter it is
passed upon all men ; for that all have said, "The Lord God commanded the
man, saying, of every tree of the garden
sinned." And,
shall mention those reflections thou mayest freely eat but of the tree of
III.
by which our views of the combined ori- knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt
gin and ditVusion of sin and death may not eat of it."
Here,
will observe, then, was the
be duly and savingly sanctified.
the particular commandment of
I. We have from these words to notice law,
which must be viewed as being in conTHE ORIGIN AND DIFFUSION OF SIN.
" By one nexion with an important general design,
1st. As to the origin of sin.
showing the risfht of God to command
man sin entered into the world."
Sin, my brethren, you are aware, ac- showing the obligation of man to obey
cordincr to the admirable definition of and showing also the responsibility and
Scripture, is "/Ae transgression of the law.'''' the final account which man must render
The law is that rule which has been issued to the Almighty for his conduct, as a ruler
and imposed by Almighty God, as the and as a judge. Satan, that fallen spirit,
supreme and sovereign ruler of the uni- who by disobedience had been hurled
verse, for the unqualified and perfect from heaven and heavenly glory, animated
obedience of his intelligent and immortal by malignant hatred to God and to holicreatures, whether in thought or action ; ness, we are informed, became the tempter
and any want of conformity, in our prac- of Adam and of the W'Oman whom God
tical deportment, to that law, either in had given him as a helpmeet, that he
thought, or in action, is truly and emphati- might induce them to disobey the law
cally sin.
It will, of course, be under- under which they had been placed, and
stood that the " one man" by whom sin thereby introduce transgression and sin.
entered into the world was Adam, the The manner in which the enemy assumed
His history is the form of a serpent in the fell attempt
first parent of our race.
connected with the important and moment- is strikingly recorded, as you will find
ous fact before us, and is given to us in by referring to the third chapter of the
upon
all
to the sight
for that all have sinned.''''
We
û
method the book of Genesis, " Now the serpent was

w'as em- more subtle than any beast of the field
phatically created, as we are informed, which the Lord God had made.
And he
after the image of the Almighty, in right- said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said,
the sacred
Scriptures in a
most succinct and
clear.
He
eousness and true holiness, having in his

nature no one stain of impurity to mar
the dignity and grandeur by which he
had been invested. In that state he was
placed in the garden of Eden, a fair, embalmed, and lovely spot, which had been
enriched, by the grace and mercy of
Jehovah, with every thing that could
minister to delight and joy. Itv that place
of residence we behold, also, a test of
obedience, by which might be ascertained
and discovered the relation existing between the creature and the Creator.
are hence informed that, " The Lord God
planted a garden eastward of Eden; and
We
)'e
shall not eat of every tree of the gar-
And
den?
the
woman
said unto the ser-
We may eat of the
fruit of the trees

but of the tree which is in
the midst of the garden, God hath said,
Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye
touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent
said unto the woman. Ye shall not surely
die
for God doth know, that, in the day
ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be
opened ; and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman
pent.
of the garden
saw
I
that the tree
was
was good
for food,
and
pleasant to the eyes, and a

tree to be desired to make one wise, she
that
j
it
MAX
THE APOSTACY OF
69
took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and

gave also unto her husband with her, and
mal sensual appetite, because they saw

that " the tree was good for food, and that
Here, you observe, Avas the

first act of transgression, an event which in its mighty
consequences changed the path of nature,
and whose mighty consequences also
will not only be felt throughout the whole
duration of time, but also throughout the
duration of eternity.
That in the transgression of our first
parents, of which we have now given a
it was pleasant to the eyes"

ingratitude,
because they turned against that mighty
God who had sustained them, and who
had spread around them every enjoyment
for their free and full participation, and to
he did eat."
entrance
here was the
whom
they were indeljted for life, and

and all these things.
My
Ciiristian brethren, you can now imagine
hapjjiness,
one peculiar reason for their rejection.

Do you not observe that the carelessness
brief survey, there was a transgression and the levity of which we have been
of vast and heinous amount, is a truth speaking, ought, and is to be, condemned
which cannot be too deeply impressed and repudiated with horror? The guilt
upon our minds. There are some among of the first transgression is now palpably
the false friends or open adversaries of apparent before us in all its horrible enora transgression which overthrew
revelation, who have been inclined to treat mity
it with carelessness and levity, and have and betrayed every existing relationship
sometimes inquired I quote their own between the creature and the Creator
language " What mighty offence could a transgression which hurled a foul insult
there be in the eating of an apple 1"
In against every attribute of tlie everlasting
answer to the ignorant skepticism upon God. What, we would ask, what would
which such an inquiry is founded, and have been the consequence had vengeance
What would have
also for the purpose of settling in your been fully inflicted ]
own minds those views which ought con- been the consequence had the Almighty
stantly to be impressed, a few observa- consigned the transgressors to punishment without one solitary hope of redemptions must be made.
Let me remind you, then, as we have tion, and beaten down to primeval nothing
already stated, and do now repeat, that the whole of the globe which had been
the particular
command
of the Deity,
with regard to the forbidden fruit, must

be viewed as being in connexion with an
important general design ; and that the
regard which was paid by man to that
particular commandment was a kind of
pledge with respect to all the relations
existing between the creature and the
Creator, so that as long as the commandment was obeyed, all those relations
would be observed, and when it was
broken, tlir ii all those relations would be
violated.
Disobedience could not but
produce, and disobedience did produce,
tliose emotions and feelings, which in
tlicir
naturn were thoroufjiily corrupt.
There was, for instance, unbelief there
thus stained and polluted
But you
will
observe,
2d.
That while the apostle introduces
one fact as to the origin of sin, another is

also comprised with regard to its diffusion,
"all have sinned," all men, in every
country and in every age of the world.
It is, my hearers, of inexpressible importance that we should admit tlie important fact involved in the statement of
the apostle, and also affirmed by him
throughout the whole of tlic chapter, and
in different parts
of his writings, that alt
sinners in consequence
of tlie transgression of Adam. Tiie transgression of our first parent did not end
with liimself it was not merely personal
men
are sinners
was ambition there was sensuality

it was transfirabie to his posterity, and
there was ingratitude.
Unhcllrf, because was to descend like an heir-loom, entailing
they denied the right to command and tiie misery and corruption, to remain as long
" By one man's
penalty tliat existed
amhilion, because as the world sliouhl last.
they aspired to bo as gods, distinguishing betwiM-n good and evil
sennualili/,
bccausa tluy wibhcd to gratify mere ani-
languanc of tho
"many were made sinmrs.
disobedience"
same writer
As
it
is
it
is
the
impossible that mi evil tree ehould
THE BRITISH
70
PULPIT.
was impossi- may perchance have been formed by leamfirst parent

ing, by institutions, by education, by
had become corrupted by those evil dis- example, or any mode of testimony or inbrino" forth
when
ble,
pood
fruit,
so
it
the nature of our
posilions which he acquired
consc-
in
quence of his transgression, that one of

his descendants could enter into the world
except as being a partaker of corruption
Each, then, of the children of
also.
Adam enters the world with a polluted
nature, or possessing what we term urigi-
terest
whatever
yet
this
one fact remains
invariably and unalterably the same, that
man everywhere
is
Yes.
a sinner.
my
brethren, cast, west, north, south, from

the tropics to the poles, ancient and
;
710/ sin.
mo-
scenes of civilization and

philosophy, scenes of ijrnorance and barbarism, all bear but one stamp, the stamp
dern
times,
This important doctrine, you will ob- of moral
evil,.: the
stamp of transgression
The charges of Scripture

serve, appears to be indicated in one of against God.
the early narratives of Scripture, where upon this important subject are without
Adam
his
is
own
said to have begotten a son " in
likeness, after his
exception, and without limit: "j?// flesh
own image," has
corrupted his
" There
apparently in contrast to the fact staled

of himself, that he was formed " after the
likeness of Cod," and notifying the de-
way upon
is nnrtp that
the earth."
docth good, no, not
" The heart of the sons of men

them to do evil." " There
grading tendency which had been intro- is none that unflerstandeth, there is none
The that seeketh alter Uod. They are all
duced and perpetuated by guilt.
same doctrine has been affirmed constantly gone out of the wav. they are together
become unprofitable; there is none that
in various parts of the sacred writings
one."
is fully set in
'
I speak to-night to an individual who

denies the fact of original sin existing in
If
human
nature, let
me remind him
of the
There
the in-
following statement.
is
quiry of Job, " Who can bring a clean

Not one."
thing out of an unclean?
There is the inquiry of Bildad, " How
docth good, no, not one. Their throat is

an open sepulchre
Avith their tongues
:
they have used deceit; the poison of asps

is
under their
lips
whose mouth
of cursing and bitterness
is full
their feet are
destruction and
to shed blood
misery are in their ways and the way
of peace have they not known there is
no fear of God before their eyes. Now
swift
can he be clean that is born of a woman

There is the confession of David, " Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in we know, that what things soever the
There law saith, it saith to them who are under
sin did my mother conceive me."
that every mouth may be stopis the statement of Christ, " That which the law
There is ped, and all the world may become guilty
is born of the flesh is flesh."
the asseveration of the apostle, " The old before God."
:
man
is corrupt,
lusts."
Now,
The statements and quotations which

now been offered, I trust, will be
according to the deceitful

that original sin,
which
is
have
thus distinctly and solemnly mentioned

to us in the inspired writings to be a notorious fact, always produces practical
considered as amply satisfactory to verify
transgression.
Hence
the
vidually possess a conviction of the fact,
children of the
first
sin
and that you
ex-
full
it
is,
man, by
that
whom
entered into the world, alike and
emplify
all
in tl.emselves unbelief, ambition,
the application of the text.
That you,
my
may
hearers, for yourselves,
intereets,
make a
and
to
your
own
own
circumstances,
what in this service I would eaVnaim at, and what I do most anx-
sensuality, and ingratitude, with all their
is
estly
enabled to
application of the fact to your
vile brood of crimes, and exhibit these as
having the uncontrolled empire of the

human heart. It is a solemn and affecting consideration, but one which must be
thoroughly and distinctly stated, that
whatever modification there may be in
human character, whatever modification
may be
indi-
iously and most fervently desire.
yourselves,
You
without exception, are the
possessors of a corrupted nature.

You
indulged in many a
yourselves have
thought,
and
transgression
many
a deed, of flagrant
against God.
You
your-
THE APOSTACY OF MAN.

selves have spurned alike the Almig-hty
and his law ; and while you depart from

him you are given up and abandoned to
the domination of sin. Think not, my
friends, to lull your consciences by making statements with regard to imaginary
excellences form no false excuses. The
language of earnest and solemn confession
becomes you, " unclean, unclean !" " Behold I am vile, what shall I answer thee ?"
"I acknowledge my transgression, and
my sin is ever before me." " Father, I
have sinned against heaven and in thy
sight, and am no more worthy to be
" God be merciful to
called thy son."
me a sinner." Such is the language that
becomes you, and if in spirit you use it
not, you are living in the worst state of
spiritual captivity, and are passing forward to the consummation of remediless
and eternal woe.
As we have now endeavoured to explain to you the origin and diffusion of
sin, by the structure of the text we are
;
called to consider
world, and death by sin ; and so death

passed upon all men, for that all have
1st.
^^
With
shalt thou eat of
it all the days of thy

thorns also and thistles shall it bring
forth to thee and thou shalt eat the herb
of the field.
In the sweat of thy face
life
shalt thou eat bread,
the ground
for
dust thou
till
for out of
art,
it
"The wages
my
What,
regard to the origin of death,
and unto dust shalt thou
There w^s the entrance of
return."
death.
thou return unto
wast thou taken
of in
is
death."
and
comprehended in the
sentence of death announced to, and inflicted upon, Adam, as the result and
friends,
is
the proper
natural quality so
penalty of his transgression against the

law 1 That corporeal death was included,
will not for a single moment be denied
much more was comprehended, on

principles, we are called
that
evangelical
thoroughly
and
solemnly
to
believe.
Viewing the phrase, to die, in the

thrown upon the subject by the
light
prin-
by
the evangelical blessings with which the
gospel
life
is
connected, "justification unto
eternal life"
it
as comprising, and our
be regarded
is to
must
knowing it to
comprehended
first
therefore be regarded as
"death by sin."
Man, you are aware, was purposely
foimed by the Almighty with a susceptibiiity of being affected by the prospect of
reward, and by the fear of punishment.
Obedience was connected with the one,
71
of the tree of which I commanded thee,

saying. Thou shalt not eat of it; cursed
is the ground for thy sake : in sorrow
ciples of the gospel, and especially
The ORIGIN AND DIFFUSION OF DEATH.

".^s by one man sin entered into the
II
sinned.
parents
have comprised, all that is

in spiritual and eternal death
that is to
say, the debasement of human nature consequent upon its awful alienation from
God the total and absolute withdrawrnentof the divine friendship and favour
the agitation and gloomy terrors of the
conscience at the prospect beyond the
;
and disobedience was coimected with the

other; and thus the greatest and most grave
the consummation of all this by
powerful of all possible motives was put the entrance of the immortal soul into a
in action to aspire to that which is good, state of changeless retribution, wliere it
and to the avoidance of tliat which is evil. is to suffer the vengeance of the Almighty
Now, death was an ordained penalty, or without mitigation, unchangeably, and
a penalty presented to us as the result of for ever. You can easily imagine what
transgression.
When Adam was ))laced would be ihf I'luolion of the transgressors
in the g-arden of Kden, he was informed in Kden, when they first awoke frcun tlie
that he was not to eat of the tree of for- slumber of intoxication t( the full conbidden fruit, and it was added, " For in sciousness of the change* which liad
the day that thou oalest tliereof, thou passed u|)i>n their being. 'J'hc voicn of
shall surely die."
And when he stood thunder yi-t reverberating its peal, " Thou
'
in the presrnce of God,

he had insulted, lie was thus addressed, ' Hecause tliou hast hcarkiMW il
the
unto the voice of
dull,
as a transgressor
shall surely die"
whom
\\vj al iht"
tliy
wife, and hast eaten
nature, as
if
shudder-
sentence, lieaving ariuiud
aUnos|>horo beciunin^j
and heavy, charjfed
tliick,
them
and
willi the cle-
'
THE BRITISH
72
ments of disoaso
tlioir
own bodies
para-
lyzed and enfocbled with the infirmity

and corruption that was to usher in the
awful and mysterious consummation of
mortality, and tlieir souls ajritated with
the prospect of eternal woe, when they
PULPIT.
is x\\e
man
fuU-fcroivn
wisdom and
of power
in the
maturity of'
there are the aged
bending under tlie decrepitude and infirmity of long-protracted years. The me-
which the allotment
thod in
is
suffered
The convulsions of nature war
varies.
coming and tremendous famine accident disease, slow and sudOh, den. And yet, my brethren, amid the
infliction of the miseries of hell
how bitter would be their self-reproaches, variety of modes, and the variety of seacontemplated
tlie
how
bitter their g-roans,
how
bitter their
Mournful, mournful indeed, was

mournful to them, and mournthe day
ful to unborn millions, when death entered into the world by sin, and when
first was heard the triumph of the kincr
of terrors, as he issued from the dark
tears
sons, the path
is
but one and the same..

many avenues
the one narrow house,
All these things are but so
leading
down
to
which has been appointed
for all living;
and never should the subject of death be

reviewed by ourselves, and never should
the subject of death be pondered by ourabyss, and came to the territories of earth, selves, without viewing it and pondering
Sin, the intraversing and marching over them, to it in connexion with sin.
claim them as his own. It is a tremen- variable antecedent death, the invariable
dous fact, that we should never forget, consequence! Sin the cause; death the
The demerit of the one proas to the origin of death, that death was effect!
ducing the desolation of the other! Ye
by sin.
2dly. There is a corresponding fact, children of mortality, forget it not
apyou will observe also with regard to the prove it and apply it. Sin formed the
" Death passed upon volcano, the earthquake, the hurricane,
diffusion of death.
the pestilence which mows down the
all men, for that all have sinned."
Sin
And so it follows in a subsequent verse, population of cities and empires
" Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam inflicts every pang! Sin nerves every
Sin stains and blanches
to IMoses, even over them that had not death-throe
Sin weaves every shroud
sinned after the similitude of Adam's every corpse
Sin digs every
transgression, who is the figure of him Sin shapes every coffin
By the offence of one, grave
Sin writes every epitaph
Sin
that was to come.
judgment came upon all men to con- paints every hatchment! Sin sculptures
Sin feeds every worm
demnation." In Adam all die ; all men every monument
are sinners, and therefore against all men The waste and the havoc of centuries that
Corporeal are gone, and the waste and the havoc of
the penalty is still standing.
death, that event which separates the centuries yet to come, all reverberate in
soul from the body, and which then dis- one awful voice, " Death has passed upon
!"
misses the body as the victim of putre- all men, for that all have sinned
Spiritual death, my brethren, which
faction, to moulder back to primeval dust,
is a penalty which has been exacted and consists, as we have observed, in the
must be exacted from all the sons and alienation of the human heart from God,
daughters of Adam. What man is he and which the apostle has emphatically
that liveth and that shall not see death 1 described in the second chapter of the
" We must all die. and be like water spilt epistle to the Ephesians, as being " dead
on the crround, which cannot be gathered in trespasses and sins," constitutes the
up again." " Rich and poor shall go down state of every man by nature. Every
to the grave, and worms alike shall cover man, in consequence of that slate of spiritthem." It is appointed unto all men once ual death, is also in peril of proceeding
The as;cs at which the allotment to receive the recompense of it in the
to die.
There is the child at agonies of death eternal. It will be obis suffered vary.
the mother's breast, or in the nurse's served upon this important subject, that
arms ; there is the youth in the spring- there cannot be the least question or
there doubt: " For (says the apostle) as many
tide of gayety and buoyant spirits
;
THE APOSTACY OF MAN.

as have sinned without law,"
without being
say,
that is to
ever!
placed within the
worm
external domination of the written
79
What was
What was
fang but sin?
its
law of that gave
that gave to that
it
What was
" as many as have sinned

the Almighty
without law shall also perish without
law and as many as have sinned in the
law" that is, with the knowledge of the
" shall be
written revelation of God
judged by the law. For not the hearers
of the law are just before God, but the
doers of the law shall be justified. For
when the Gentiles, which have not the
law, do by nature the things contained in
the law, these, having not the law, are a
law unto themselves, which show the
to you, as clearly as possible, the
work of
division of the subject, and
the
law written
in their hearts,
its
it
that gave to that blackness
What was
shadows but sin]
gave
to
The
voice
that torment its
It
was
Man would
it
woe but
that
sin
from the abyss uttering one
is
wild cry, "

SIN
it
to that fire its intensity but sinf
sin
sin,
il
was
sin
it
and therefore
was
man
/nust suflTer I"

There is a rigid equity
between the one and the other. " Death
has passed upon all men, for that all have
sinned."
We have
now,
my
brethren, presented
we
second
proceed,
III. To MENTION THOSE REFLECTIONS

bearing witness,
meanwhile accus- BY WHICH OUR VIEWS OF THE COiMBINED
ing, or else excusing one another; in the ORIGIN AND THE DIFFUSION OF SIN AND
day when God shall judge the secrets of DEATH MAY BE DULY AND SAVINGLY SANCmen, by Jesus Christ, according to my TIFIED.
" By the
gospel." My hearers, attend
We confine ourselves to two
1st. It becomes us to perceive and to ladeeds of the law there shall no flesh be
justified ;" then they must be condemned. ment over the exceedins; sinfulness of sin.
"All have sinned, and come short of the
Man thinks but lightly of sin in his
glory of God." If then you have come state of nature he thinks not of its enorshort of the glory of God, you must be mity, and he only calls those actions sins
lost it cannot be denied, nor be disputed. which are palpably violations of the laws
Theft
I tell to every man now present, that he subsisting between man and man.
falsehood
fornication is a sin
is guilty of sinning against the Almighty is a sin
drunkenness is a sin murder
that if there be no intervention of mercy is a sin
but with regard to the affecso mighty and so majestic as to satisfy is a sin
the disbelief of the divine testithe demands of justice, to quench her fire, tions
and sheatlie her sword if there be not mony the forgctfulness of (iod, the
mercy, free, boundless, omnipotent, and withdrawing of the desires of the heart
eternal, every human being will stand away from him who is the fountain of
their conscience
and
also
their thoughts the
before the judgment-bar of
God
to receive
the sentence of his condemnation.
must be banished
for
He
ever from the pre-
sence of the Lord, and from the glory of

his power ; and he must go down to those
abodes of torment wliero there are agonies
unspeakable and inconceivable
whore
tlie smoke of torment ascendoth up for
ever and for ever,
(io, my hearers, to
the brink of eternity, contemplate in imapiiiafion the scenes of* tliat horrible pit
whii'h the word of revelation has presented to your view
contemplat(! the
worm that dieth not contemplate the
fire that has been prepared for the dovil
and his angels conti'inplatc the blackness of darkness contcmplatf' the smoke
;
of
tfirni'Mit
Vui..
that ascendelh
1. 10
up
for
ever and
living waters to the vain and transitory

concerns of time these, which are the
these
sources of all other transgressions
he deems but as pardonable, or |>erhaps not

Let me, my hearers,
as transgressions.
speak plainly to individuals possessed of
an imnu)rtal spirit let inc remind you
that sin is not to be contemplated in its
heinousness, so much as it exists and is
seen in the relationship between man and
man, but in fhr relationshi|) between man

and God. "Sin is the transgression of
If God lias commandetl you
the law."
if God
to be holy, then impurity is a sin
has cnmmanded you to l)elieve, tlien un-
is a sin
if (Jod has conmiandod
you to love him with all your In-art, and
all your soul, and all your strength, ihco
belief

THE BRITISH
f4
to love pleasure, or love the vorhi more
than God,
and he who is impure,

uiihelicviu^-, he who is a lover
is
sin
he who is
of pleasure, or of the world, or of profit,
is playinor with tlie very fang of the
tempter, and standing in the way of tiiat
serpent whose hreath is poison, and
PULPIT.
righteousness unto eternal
Lord."
Ciirist our
thrown
gloom
life,
"What a
by Jesus
veil is thus
an otherwise tremendous
happiness we can now
believing and receiving this
over
What
enjoy
in
one emphatic phrase

" But where sin
abounded, grace did much more abound.
That as sin hath reigned unto death, even
whose hite is death.
BeholJ, my brethren, the exhibition of so might grace reign through righteousOh, ness unto eternal life, by .lesus Christ
the exceeding sinfulness of sin
It only requires that the
|)onder, and seek for the influence of the our Lord."
Spirit of God, that its depravity in this guilty sinner should believe on Christ,
respect may be exhibited more clearly and he receives the imputation of his
than ever; and never be content with your righteousness, and is forthwith absolved
Tiew of that " which brought death into from doom. Natural death he yet must
!
the world and
view
it
as
all
our woe," but as you
Ht views
it
who
is
of purer
eyes than to look on iniquity, who can

only look upon iniquity with detestation
and abhorrence, and whose voice has proclaimed, " Oh, do not this abominable
thing which I hate !"
2d, and lastly. We are called upon also
to admire the riches of that divine mercy
which has provided a remedy against an
evil which is so dreadful.
The very same being against whom the
transgressions of the human race have
been directed, has himself been pleased
to condescend in mercy and in his eternal
love to provide a method by which the
giiilty may be pardoned, and sanctified,
and saved.
Read the statements con-
tained in the chapter from which
we have
" But God commendth his love toward us, in that while we
were yet sinners, Christ died for us. For
if through the offence of one many be
dead, much more the grace of God and
he gift by grace, which is by one man,
Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
And not as it was by one that sinned, so
B the gift: for the judgment was by one
condemnation ; but the free gift is of
many offences unto justification. For if
By one man's offence death reigned by
one ; much more they which received
abundance of grace, and of the gift of
ghteousness, shall reign in life by one,
esus Christ. Moreover, the law entered,
But
iiat the offence might abound.
vhere sin abounded, grace did much more
ound that as sin hath reigned unto
eath, even so might grace reign through
selected our text.
suffer
the agonies of dissolution he yet
the food of
his flesh must still become

worms, and lie beneath the
cloven clay
till
must endure
the trumpet of the arch-
angel shall sound
;
but the flesh itself
and the immortal spirit
be emancipated from a scene of suffering
and of sorrow by death itself, that it may
shall rest in hope,
be transmitted to higher regions, wiiere

the inhabitants themselves, pure as God
is
pure, cast their crowns at his footstool,
crying with a loud voice, "Alleluia, alle-
Lord God Almighty, who is, and

was, and is to come I"
here God himself is with them, and is their God,
where death has no dominion, and where
God himself wipes away all tears from
their eyes
Matchless mercy, that tells
us of the reigning of grace
Matchless
mercy
its praises shall be the companion of our health
its praises shall be
the companion of our sorrows
its praises
shall be with us in the hour of dissolution, when the body is about to depart to
the dust
its praises will form the one
theme of our song amid the hallelujahs
of heaven; for what is that song?
!Salvation unto God who sitteth upon the
throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and
luia,
ever!
It
obvious,
is
my
brethren,
might easily expand the

subject
but
we
that
latter part of
am desirous
to confine
our
my-
self this evening to the fall and corruption
of
human
nature, in order to bring
more
succinctly before you the subject of his

renovation.
This brief statement, therefore, in allusion to it shall suflice for the
present
THE APOSTACV OF MAN.
My
brethren, here are
(he evil of sin,
down
of water to cool your tormented

tongue, even that would be denied ! Sin-
by the grace of God, have
already been delivered.
whence
streaming down from the glory of the

skies.
You now have the prelibation of
the happiness yet to be revealed. In this
sanctuary let there be the confession of
that to which you owe it, " By the grace of
God I am what
it
am."
At
your grand desire
the
God
same time
to join in the
aspiration of thanksgiving, "
one
Thanks be
unspeakable gift!"
assembly now
congregated who are yet " in the gall of
bitterness and in the bonds of iniijuitj'."
There are sinners, sinners impenitent
sinners unenlightened
sinners alienated
from God sinners unforgiven and in all
their danger.
O ye, whose consciences
are not yet stirred up with feelings of
genuine contrition, who are yet following
a course of pleasure and transgression
Avhich you count the god of your joys
and your happiness, let me request your
What is your condition 1 Acear.
cursed
for cursed is every one that
unto
There
for this his
are others in this
continueth not in
can dwell with the everlastingburnings ?"
all
things as
it
is
us
It is
on the
up and
rise
tell
impossible, and your silence
name
Flee,
from
then,
Lay hold on
in the gospel
the
the hope
Believe
of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and you shall be saved

The great reno
vating change must be wrought, or the
hell will be yours
I have brought you to the point where
I will deliver but one single sentence by
way of connecting what I have advanced
this night with what is j'et to follow,
" Marvel not that I say unto you, ye must
be born again ye must be horn again."
As you are born again, the evil of youi
transgressions will be removed, and you
shall stand in confidence and faith, awaiting the end of your existence
the salva
tion of your souls.
!
May the eternal Jehovah prepare you,

without exception, for the infliction of
that temporary death which all must suffer
May he awake you from death in
trespasses and sins, and save you finally
from that death which is changeless and
!
eternal
Amen.
TBZI FUZ.PIT G.AXIiRV.
written
book of the law to do them and

you are under the dispensation of the law
cursed in your basket and in your store
cursed in your goings out and in your
comings in; cursed in your sitting down
and in your rising up cursed in the closet
and in the field accursed by tlie condemnation of God
AimI what is the end 1
in the
him
If there be one, let
condemns you
wrath to come
of the countenance of set before you
God
be
"Who
part,
ye were digged, and look up to the rock

whence ye were hewn. See what ye were,
lying there exposed to the curse; and see
what you are now, when standing on the
elevation of mercy, having around you
the spotless robe of the Redeemer's righteousness, the light
you one question before we

amongst you can dwell with
the devouring fire?
who amongst you
ners, I ask
look
C/n-istians,
of the pit
into the hole
75
many who from drop
NO.
II.
"
By him
Its
iho viohued law sjipnks out
thunders
As angels
and by
liim, in strains as
the territories of the grave
Behold the scene of punishment reserved

them who know not God, and who
obey not the gospel of Christ! There
will you be, beyond the hope of mercy
and of grace. Imagine the agony of
dwelling where the tidings of this gospel
never shall bc' heard again. Think of the
for
sweet
use, the gospel vvliis|)ers peace."
Look over
THE REV. JAMES PARSONS, YORK.
._
COWPER.
Thi: Rev. James Parsons is a son of the

Rev. Kdward Parsons, who for forty-
late
the pastor of Salem

Yorkshire.
The son
was originally destined for the law, to
which profession he was regularly arti
chd during the latter part of his term
eight
years was
Chapel,
Leeds,
which he spent
in
London he was
a inoin-
comi)ani(insliip of the fiends, of the black-
ber of the Athenian Society held in the

Temple, and was looked upon as a youn(f
ness of
man
tlie pit,
-80 that
even
of the nnniinghd liorrnrs

if
you could ask
for
one
of extraordinary talents, and ascalru-
latcd to rise in his profession.
The
dciil^
THE BRITISH
76
PULPIT.
Though Mr. Parsons occasionally

wields the terrors of the law, and presents
was over the tomb of a parent," he says, before his hearers a sinner riven with the
"and amidst reflections which concen- thunders and scathed by the lightnings of
trated on that melancholy spot the recol- the Almighty's vengeance, his favourite
of his mother, however, awoke in his
" It
train of serious thoughts.
mind a
evidently the fulness and free-
lections of the past, and the anticipations
subject
of the future, that led him to think on his

The lessons of childhood,
destiny."
taught by a voice for ever hushed, seemed
to rise in accents of louder importunity
from the grave, and determined him to
relinquish all the brilliant hopes of rising
all the prospects of
in his profession
ness of the divine mercy
legal and literary ambition and wealth,
and to dedicate himself to the ministry.

This purpose being approved by his
is
he appears more
anxious to subdue than to terrify to win
by gentleness than to conquer by force
and when he proclaims the willingness
of Jehovah to have mercy upon sinners,
however numerous and aggravated their
crimes, he rises to more than usual eloquence.
That he is not a mere .speculator, but
:
an experimentalist in religion, may be seen

he entered a theological institu- from the following passage from a sermon
tion, where he continued until October, delivered by him to the young, in which,
1822, when he took the ministerial over- while speaking of the vast superiority of
father,
sight of a congregation in the city of
York.
There he has continued
to the
present, preaching Clirist crucified as the
He
the pleasures of religion to those of earth,
he says, " Allow
whom
life is in
me
to
speak to you, to
a measure untried, as one
who
himself can give the testimony. I

speak that I do know, and testify that I
have seen and I speak what it is certain
others could testify too.
I have been in
different courses, and have sought for
enjoyment in different paths.
I have
sought it in mirth, and gajêty, and amusements I have sought it in plans and purposes of ambition, and in the imagination
of schemes of w'orldly aggrandizement
and honour I have sought it in the occucism, yet he shows by his mode of con- pations of study, conversing on the page
ducting his discourse, that he is fully of history with generations that have
acquainted with the subject, and, without gone, or mingling in the magic enchantpedantry is enabled to draw from the ments of poetry, or attempting the more
stores of learning both ancient and mo- laborious pursuits of intellectual inquiry;
dern both sacred and profane all that and I have sought it in the service of God,
tends to illustrate the text from which he And here the craving appetite has found
and ^f re the restless and anxious
is preaching; yet it is done in such a its food
Like
manner that the most illiterate can under- heart has found its peace and joy
stand him.
His illustrations are lumi- the philosopher of old, but in an applinous, eloquent, and highly scriptural his cation far more exalted, I can say, ' I have
appeals to the understanding, the confound it! I have found it!' in the ser
and if I served
science, and the heart, forcible, command- vice of God I am happy
ing, consecutive, solemn, and on some him more I should be happier still.
To
occasions irresistible. He is aware of be as once I was, I would not for all the
the value of climaxes hence he generally gold of every earthly mine, or all the
succeeds in fixing the attention, while gems of every ocean cave. I come forth
his last illustration, his last argument, his in the service of God to proffer the same
last appeal, being always the most forci- boon to you, that thus we maj'- together
ble, remains deeply lodged in the mind of rejoice with 'joy unspeakable and full of
only hope of sinners.
is
a yearly
London, having a month or six

Aveeks' supply to give annually to the
Tabernacle chapel, built by the celebrated
Whitefield. His visits to the metropolis
of England have always attracted overwhelming congregations, and there is
reason for believing that his labours have
been greatly blessed. His biblical knowledge is said to be extensive, and though
in the pulpit he seldom descends to critivisiter to
the
liesurer.
glory.'"
SERMON
VI.
ifarelDell discourse,
DELIVERED BY THE
RT. REV.
DANIEL WILSON, A.M.
BISHOP OF CALCUTTA,
TO HIS PARISHIONERS, AT ST, MARV's, ISLINGTON.
" But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying for the Holy Ghost,
keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal
life."Jade 20, 21.
There
is
Lord Jesus Christ :" and having described

and miseraimportant, not ble end of such profane abusers of the
nothing more important than
to maintain a consistent, elevated tone of
practical piety.
only because
it
This
is
is
that kind of religion
in fearful terms the character
gospel in the verses preceding the text,
most glorifies God, edifies our neigh- we have the prediction of the apostle as
bour, and brings comfort to our own to the appearance of such seducers
minds, but because it is the only means " But, beloved, remember ye the words
of securing ourselves against the seduc- which were spoken before of the apostles
ti'ons of erroneous teachers
of our being of our Lord Jesus Christ; how that they
mockers in the
^ preserved amidst the snares and tempta- told you there should be
tions of the world and of Satan
and of last time, who should walk after theii
These be they who
introducing us into God's heavenly king- own ungodly lusts.
dom. Kor is the diflTiculty loss than the separate themselves, sensual, having no*
\hat
And
importanc^ of maintaining this high tone
the Spirit."
of practical tcligiou. Nothing is so difficult as to act up to a toly, wise, scriptural

standard of rel'iîon.
To a Christian,
duces his main exhortation in the words

which 1 have read, and in which he ap
nothing is so difficult as to rise above the

habits and feelings jreneraMy prevalent in
the evils he had been deploring, in an
the day in which
most
wt
live: in fact, like
valuable attainments, it is
difficult in proportion as it is important.
otlier
pears to
me
then the apostle intro
to point out a
elevated and unvaried
remedy
tone of spiritual
religion centred in the love of
This
is
for all
God.
our subject, in pursuing which
we shall follow our apostle.

view, I have thought vhat the
First, IN niiiECTiNO vnvn attention to
subject presented to us in tlio wnrds of THE main point IN WHICH A TUL'LY ELE
In
tiiis
my
text (which is precisely thai which I VATED AND CONSISTENT PRACTICAL REM
have intimated), would not be an inap- GION CONSISTS THE LOVE OF (lOD " KEEI
propriate one on the occasion of my tak- YOURSELVES IN THE LOVE OF GoD."
ing farewell of my beloved flock and
SeCOIuIll/, WK SHALL CONSIDER THE CHIKJ
parish.
MEANS OK ATTAINING THIS MAIN POIM
FAITH
Tlie apostle is exhorting the primitive WHICH THE APOSTLE RECOMMENDS
:
converts to contend
teachers
who had "
against
the
false
crept in unawares,
and turned the grace of CJnd into laseiviousncss, and denied the only God and our
AND PRVVER: "BUT YE, BELOVED, UlILD

INO IP VOURSKI.VES ON VOl'R HOST HOLY
FAITH, PRAYINO IN THE IIoI.V GhoST."
And
this will lead us, in ibu /n.W place,

*J
77
THE BRITISH
78
TO CONSIDER THE INSPIRING ENCOURAGEMENT WHICH HE PRESENTS TO ANIMATE US

IN THE PURSUIT TO WHICH HE INVITES US,
ANn THAT IS ETERNAL MFE " LOOKING FOR
THE MERCY OF OUR LoRD JeSUS CiIRIST
UNTO ETERNAL LIFE."
And now may God be pleased to assist
us, that our minds may be calm and collected, that we may be preserved from
the great danger of looking for any blessing from the occasion itself, from the ex-
PULPIT.
nation of thc
discovt'T that
Holy
hc begins tohis apostasy consistcd in his having an alienated,

cstrangcd, and apostate heart; and by degrees he discerns what claims Almighty
God has on his creatures' hearts what
Spirit,
main point of
tlic
infinite perfections the
Almighty posses-
which constitutes the just object ot

what infinite benefits
he has moreover bestowed, which increase
ses,
his creature's love
those original claims of the divine excelcitement of feeling in itself; this, that, lency. He perceives by degrees that he is
or the other circumstance of itself. None bound to love God, because God is the best
of these things, nor all of them, can im- of beings, because he has been to him the
part any solid blessing; it is only when most munificent of benefactors. But espe-
we
look through them, and above them,

God and Saviour of all, that we
to the
cially the love of
God,
in the gift of a
Saviour, to die for guilty man,
fills
the
can hope for any blessing from this or penitent with admiration, and draws forth
any other discourse addressed by a min- deep convictions of his guilt, in never havister of the gospel to such feeble creatures ing loved this God, who hath so loved the
world. In this way he comes back to his
as men.
In considering, then, the importance of God and Father and in proportion as his
;
maintaining a high and scriptural tone of mind is rendered peaceable by the applipractical piety, let me, with our apostle, cation to his conscience of the atoning
blood of Christ, and a sense of the fordirect your attention,
in proportion as
First, TO THE MAIN POINT IN WHICH giveness of his sins
THAT ELEVATED TONE AND STANDARD OF
there
is
established something like a tran-
PRACTICAL PIETY CONSISTS AND IT IS IN quil state of mind by the operations and
THE ARDENT, UNDECAVING LOVE OF GoD influence of redeeming jjrace, so the man
the
IN THE HEART. " BuT YE, BELOVED, KEEP begins to love God, and in this begins
YOURSELVES IN THE LOVE OF GoD." Pcr- sum and substance of his religion. He
severe, guard your hearts from decays in who loved every thing but God, ujw loves
main affection keep up a high and God above every thing, and every thing
genuine flame of holy love to Almighty in subordination to God. " God is love,"
God continually and unfeignedly, in all is now the doctrine, and sum, and sub
language " God
its principles and all its affections and stance of the penitent's
is love; and he that dwclleth in love
consequences, in your souls.
Man was made to love God and to glo- dwelleth in G(xt, and God in him."
This now becomes the object of his
Adam in paradise loved God
rify him.
perfectly, and found in that love his hap- pursuit, his continual aim, the point to
that
When man
piness and his honour.
fell,
which
his viTfilance is directed, the topic
love, with an idolatrous attachment, car-
of his vigilant thoughts and meditations.

He ai.ns to have such a sense of God'?
nal and sensible objects, external nature,
love to him, as
he
lost his love to
God
and he began
to
may
bind his soul to
God
leading him to serve him, to

glory, fame, liis family, his children, him- desire to please him, to delight in him as
The sum of the moral law is, " thou the source of felicity, to find all his hapself.
shall love the Lord thy God Avith all piness in him, to walk under a sense of
the secular concerns of
thine heart, and
all
life,
ambition,
thy soul, and
strength, and all thy
mind
all
thy
in return
iiis
favour, to enjoy the light of his coun-
when tenance, to rejoice and

God in God as his exceeding
;" and
solace himself in
joy.
He desires,
brought back to
true contrition and brokenness of heart, so far as he can fulfil his purpose of mind,
and the mist and confusion hovering over to feel no pleasure but in communion with
a fallen state are dissipated by the illumi- God, in the conviction of his presence
the penitent
is
A FAREWELL DISCOURSE.
79
entering- his soul, in the society of his holy
every thing else will go on right: but if

people, and in every expression that belove decline, if the heart be open to every
comes him as boing under infinite obliga- evil, if the understanding be ungarrisoned,
tions to divine love.
With these views as it were, and the love of God be absent
he seeks to render a moral obedience to from the heart and affections, then the
the ten commandments, the fulfilment of first seducer finds it an easy prey
and
every relative duty, and the conscientious then, if those arise that creep in unawares
discharge of all his various obligations. and turn the grace of our God into lasciviEvery thing, in short, that leases God is ousness on the one hand, or deny our only
a part and parcel of the love of God. " He Lord God and our Lord Jesns Christ on
that hath my commandments and keepeth the other, the heart has but little guard
them, he it is that loveth me." " This it has but little from the education of early
is the love of God, that we keep his com- instruction, and the remains of conscience.
;
mandments."
What an amazing blessing is a national
Again The avoidance of all that dis- church
It upholds all the doctrines of
pleases God, the mortification of inward the gospel, ,and all the framework of
;
and outward sense, the separation from Christianity, and does not leave us to
the world which extinguishes the love of the moving sands of human p issions. It
God, so that " if any man love the world, is well if the man bo kept in the way at
the love of the Father is not in him"
all, by the sacraments and by the means
separation, I say, from the world, in its of grace ; but without the love of God he
amusements, vanities, companions, max- has no inward guard. You will ever find
separation,
I repeat it the that those who go away into any of the

from the world, the love of superstitious novelties, corruptions, folwhich constilutos of itself enmity to God lies, and extravagances of any particular
all this is included in the love of God.
day, are those in whom the love of God
This, in fact, as you have heard mo de- is declining in the heart ; and be it rememclare, brethren, from my lips I trust a bered that our own day is not different
hundred and a hundred times, is the sum from others, and that what we observe is
of all ndigion.
That which was the sum merely the last edition of Satan's follies;
of natural religion before man full, was for they have been continually published.
the love of God
that which constitutes From the very first moment that the
heaven is the love of God, and the whole authentic book of God came out into the
of the gospel, as I shall presently have world, Satan's surreptitious editions have
occasion to show, is a remedial dispensa- been ever attempting to palm themselves
tion to bring us back to that which we upon the church.
lost, the love of God.
Then it is in this way, brethren, tha*
This prepares us
for that wliich nothing but tlie l)l()od of we are to keep ourselves: "Keep yourChrist and the power of the Holy Spirit selves in the love of God."
Let nothing
can prepare us for the perfect love of else satisfy you never let the world draw
God in heaven.
you ofT from this high ground; labour to
Again; The elevated tone of a scrip- rise higher and higher in the scriptural
tural piety centres here, that you kcp love of God, in this principle, in its proper
ims, spirit
third time,
yourselves
"keep
yourselves,
beloved,
till it comes
commandments, and has
effects, in all its experience,
God." Guard against those down to

declines which are perpetually coming its fruit
in the love of
the ten
iu
holy lives, righteous conduct
on
watch, lest the flame languish and
expire; guard it with a holy jealousy, as
upright demeanour, and a loving, gracious

temper temper and spirit forniod by the
the prii-sts did the
love of God.
scriptural, consistent, evangelical piety in
There are many, beloved

go some hMiglh in religion, but do no'
come up to ibis point, nor do they aim ni it
the heart and conduct.
Then;
Hen'
is
on the altar of old.

the great secret of miintaining a
as our hearts are.
above
all
fin;
If
wc
things, and
Our
religion
really Invo
walk
is
God
iu his love,
tiiat
are,
it is
to
be feared, too
are coiiUmiI with the
ni
my
conunon run of
tha*
reli-
gious feeling and evangelical practice, bul

THE BRITISH
80
never think of
up
risinnf
examine
to the real stand-
ard of iScriptwre in the prevailing, supreme
love of
God
indeed,
keep the
Young
" Keep your- have you ever thought
in the heart.
It is,
their hearts, will find themselves
in this state.
God
people.
in
ask you,
youi lives, seri-
ously and practically, of proposing this
selves therefore, beloved, in the love of
God."
Pl'LPIT.
who ean main point as the end of your religion ?

The Chris- My prayer this morning is, to gain every
alone
feet of his saints.
within the hearing of this
tians are described in the beginning of
heart that
the epistles as " the preserved in Christ
voice, to the love of
is
God ; and if there be

any present destitute of it, however opkeep us from falling, and we are kept by posed, however they may resist, howhis power through faith unto salvation. ever prejudiced, however ignorant, here
But still we are to keep ourselves. That is the object I have in view this morning,
Jesus."
It is
God
only that
is
able to
is the
way that
Scripture puts things.
We
to put
them in the way of discerning what

main scope of practical religion,
are to be diligent in the use of all the ap-
is
pointed means, to be active as reasonable
and then of beginning to seek it. And I

have another design, which is, that all of
us who have any measure of this sacred
affection may have it kindled to a brightei
flame ; that we may be humbled in the
dust under the petty measure of our habitual love to God that we may be preparing and seeking more and more to know
ourselves.
From henceforth to your
dying hour " keep yourselves in the love
and accountable creatures. " He that is

born of God sinneth not; but he that is
begotten of God keepeth himself, and
that wicked one toucheth him not." " As
the Father hath loved me," says the Saviour, " so have I loved you
continue
ye in my love" that is, keep yourselves
"continue ye in my love. If ye keep
my commandments, ye shall abide in my
love ; even as I have kept my Father's
commandments, and abide in his love."
Now, brethren, how far have we acted
on this great principle during the course
:
of the ministry
which
is
now
the
of
God."
But you
the
will naturally ask.
appointed
chief methods
terminating
sin like ours,
means'?
what
What
are
are
the
by which,
we
in a world of
can pursue this high
attainment?
This is our Second point.
The chief
my
MEANS OF ATTAINING THIS HIGH AND LOFTY
private instructions, in bringing you up STANDARD OF PRACTICAL PIETY, and tllCSe
to this point, of receiving and understand- zxefuith and prayer
faith, as to the paring in what essential religion consists'? ticular doctrines of revelation on which
I apprehend, take the world in general,
the gospel rests
prayer, as to tlie strength
thoy know not what the love of God and consolation of the S])irit which the
" Building up yourmeans nor what it is to have the heart gospel promises.
filled with it ; nor what is the standard selves in your most holy faith, praying
in this particular part of our Lord's vine-
yard
How
have
succeeded, and
brother ministers, in our public and
]
far
Scripture proposes.
selves with
They
satisfy
them- in the Holy Ghost."
some mere carnal expression
Kcligion in the heart of
God
man
is
here
compared to a building, the foundation of

the moral governor and God the judge; which is faith in Christ.
That is the
but as to any distinct and practical idea of foundation of heavenly truth which fiiith
the love of God in the operations of his embraces and builds ujion as the foundagrace upon tlie heart; the holy flame of tion of that spiritual edifice laid in the
human heart by regenerating and sancticontemplation of his divine excellences
This faith is not a mere
the memory of his mercies
the labour to fying grace.
keep the heart by prayer, by meditation, by assent, a more historical notion, a mere
Becret devotion, by the study of the Scrip- agreement with a national creed, a mere
tures, as well as by the sacraments and not qpposing certain practical truths, but
the means of grace, they are totally igno- it is a spiritual, holy affection, wrought
Whjf, there are many before in the heart by the blessed Spirit. " He
rant of it.
of admiration of God's goodness
us, I cannot but fear, if they will honestly
that hath received his testimony hath set
A FAREWELL
to his seal that
God
"With God
true."
is
DISCOURSE.
81
that corruption and alienation of the
man believeth unto righteous- heart which is enmity against the scrip" For by grace are ye saved tural character and government of God
ness."
through faith, and that net of your- the false estimate of virtue and religion
prevalent in the world; the vain and inselves :"
the faith is not of ourselves
" it is the gift of God," Unto you it is sufficient sparks and spangles, as it were,
given on behalf of Christ to believe on of piety, of wliich the world glories and
the .heart
The
by an boasts, all this revelation lays open and

straightway as the makes known as the disease.
It comes
foundation of the divine building in the as a faitliful physician, and instead of
soul.
The whole revelation made by Al- skinning over the wound as the empiric
him.
doctrine thus received
obedient faith
is laid
mighty God to man in his word is that

which faith embraces, seizing, grasping,
and then applying to its proper purpose,
There is the foundation of the spiritual
would do, and as
all false religions do,
probes
Christianity
the
corrupt
sore,
opens it to the very bottom, deepens

and puts the patient to increased pain
the
building.
moment
but
it is
in order to
it,
foi
pour in
But this faith more especially relates the heavenly balm, to begin an effectual
and a permanent cure, to raise to health,
to two great points of revealed religion
the fall and the recovery of man.
What to vigour, to peace, to joy, to soundness
is
your Bible
It
contains the
the recovery of man.
What
is
fall
and
fall and the recovery

W'hat are the great means by
which all the operations of God and the
designs of benevolence are to be accomplished? By the knowledge of the fall
and the recovery of man.
Natural religion is the love of God. I
pel
It
"?
The
in future life.
doctrine of the fall
may, indeed, be overstated, and so may
the cfos-
contains the
of man.
every thing else. It may be so put, in

the heat of controversy, as to appear to
deny man's responsibility the faint remains of moral feeling which he possesses the duty of exciting him and urging him to act as an accountable being
the capacities of restoration which still
not the religion hang about him but in its genuine scrip-
mean by natural religion,

that man can practice in a fallen state,
b :t that which was adapted to man before
the
down in the Holy

down also in the arti-
laid
Bible, and as laid
and results from the primary cle of our own church upon original or
fall,
quality of his nature

tion
tenor, as
tural
that
essential rela-
between such a creature as man, and
birth sin,
it is
essential to the entrance of
all trutli.
Till this is learned, nothing is
such a glorious being as God in every learned ; but the moment the penitent sinpossible circumstance in which their ner begins to discover his state by nature
relation may vary.
That is an intelligi- as a transgressor, not merely against. his
ble meaning; Bisliop Butler and all the fellow-creatures, not merely from the
greatest writers use tiie expression, " na- miserable consequences of sin, not merely
j
tural
religion,"
in
that
sense.
revealed religion is all the system,

I
am now
truth, all
going
tlie
to
Then because he
which and
feels the lapse of rectitude,

the disappointment of hupe, hut be-
mention, of revealed cause he has sinned against God, because

of re- liis heart is apostate and in rebellion
the remedy for bring- against his Maker, and his Hcdeenicr,
particular Kchenic
dtmption, which is
ing man back from the fallen state into
which lie had lapsed, and for raising him
again partially in this world, and com
and
'
liis
name
of Jesus, hold
gospel
plftcly in another, to (he love of (iod for
Lord, that niomiiit the man is

T<ll niin of the
i)n'pareil for the gospt-l.
to ills
iip
the light of the
now dnrkcned and benighted
which ho was formed, and without which soul btcanse the vain, llowery vision,
ho ran neither bo happy lure nor here- and the niairical arts of Satan, have \iocn
'
after.
now \tingtiis|uMl and the man ferU tho
Man is ruined by sin; the wrath of Al- darkni ss in which he i-^gropintr: till him
mighty (iod in wliich he lies by nalure; now, that i\w Son of (Jod canif down
the evil nalurf of sin as comtuitled against fr iiu heaven to nconeile the world untc
Vol..
I. 11

THE BRITISH
82
himself, not iinputing their
unto them ;"
tell liim
that
trespasses
" God so loved
the world, that he gave his only-begotten
Son, that whosoever belicvclh in him

should not perish, but have eternal life ;"
proclaim to him pardon and free gratuitous acceptance and adoption into the
family of God by the imputation of the
righteousness of Jesus Christ received by
faith, and in proportion as that faith in
PULPIT.
tian is, that
he
building up himself on
is
his "
most holy faith."

Mark " most holy faith
!
;" for there is
no part of this faith that does not savour

of holiness.
A man must strangely pervert the
whole before he can turn
it
to
lascivionsness, wantonness, and a worldly
The most awful

when it is done,
life.
world,
case in the whole

is
uniting an evan-
and an
ungodly life.
Awful is the unnatural
commonly takes a considerable period, commixture. It is turning our "most
(every thing lasts best which goes on holy faith" into the gall, and poison, and
slowly and surely fits and starts do lit- wormwood of the unrenewed heart, and
tle good in any thing, and least of all in in this way the love of God goes out in
the penitent's mind
is
gelical creed with a worldly heart
strengthened, which
You may
religion,) in proportion, I say, therefore,
the soul.
as the penitent becomes a
means contribute
little
strength-
ened, the doctrine of a crucified Savicur,

the glory of his person, the infinite love
of his death, the salvation by grace through

faith in his atoning blood, will be the ap-
propriate medicine of the broken heart,
so will he cherish love to God.
man
fall
begins to build well.
When
this
well laid, and you must dig

deep to lay it, superficial convictions, and
foundation
is
slight sandy foundations will not do
easily see
how
the end.
Here
the
is
and here is
the scaflolding, and it is only through the
medium of such means that you can build
up yourselves in your " most holy faith."
All attempts to bring men to love God by
is to
be
built,
The mere
and the doctrine of the

recovery of man in the redemption of our
Lord .Tesus Christ, and by the operation
of the Holy Ghost, answer to each other
as the impression answers to the seal, line
by line, and feature by feature. The corresponding parts of revelation, all that
regards the fall of man, and then all that
regards his recovery, respond to each
other line by line, feature by feature, even
as the impression answers to the signet
by which it is made, and you will easily
assume, that upon this foundation the
doctrine of the
the temple that
to
declamation, by philosophic subtleby dwelling upon some parts of the

divine character,
as you read that some
of the German writers did by dwelling
merely upon the amiablencss, the benevolence, and the goodness of the Deity,
without any distinct respect to redempSuch was
tion, are futile and ineffectual.
the error into which the mystics, Fene'on,
for instance, and other contemporaneous
ties,
writers, in a great measure,
fell.
They
looked to the end, but did not consider

the
tion
means the atonement the redemp the propitiation of the Son of God,
work which he wrought on

which is the centre of revealed religion, the centre of essential and
all
the great
the cross, and
when primary
religion.
And when men
set
comes but the foundation being themselves to work on this footing of

well laid by the instruction of ministers, their own power, own duties, own perthe help of the primary teacher the Holy formances, preparing themselves forfaitii,
Ghost, much prayer, the sacraments, and seeking the loveof God, it is worse than the
all the means of grace, the man begins Egyptian bondage, in which the Egyp-
the storm
to build
up himself
joy, in peace.
meekness,
knowledge, in
in love, in
in lowliness of heart, in
Here the building begins
to rise, and here he goes on building
by
himself
all
"most
holy faith."
his life
means upon
While others
this
up
his
are
building up their houses, raising their

mansions, beautifyingtheiroutward structures
the character of the sincere Chris-
compelled the Hebrew captives to

the bricks without straw and necessary means. It is all the mere pageantry
and sophism of Satan if the gospel be left
out.
If this be not made the prominent,
tians
make
the chief
means of our ever coming
to
the
love of God, our building up ourselves,

there is no building up ourselves on our
" most holy faith"
in
Christ Jesus.
83
But this is not the only means. We we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh
must not think we can do these things by intercession for us with groanino-s which
faith merely as an act of our own, or with
cannot be uttered," that we pray with tlie
out God's assistance. We must not think heart. Then the love of God grows apace
that any system, however correct, can
then declines are presently remedied
I
'
then we keep ourselves in the love of God

of God. No; we must remember, that
^then errors and novelties, and those
unless wo pray mucii for the Holy Ghost, who would turn the grace of God into
all is dead in our religion.
Not all the lasciviousness, and all these things Jose
grace of Christ not all the wonders of their seductive charms. There is no room
Bethlehem not all the unutterable ago- for them in the heart, because it is full of
nies of Gethsemane
not all the mysteri- the love of God, and the man's hands are
ous death of the cross can save the soul full of building up himself in his "most
without the Holy Spirit. "Praying in holy faith," and he is "praying in the
lead to our keeping ourselves in the love
the
Holy Ghost"
keep the heart
is
as necessary in order
God's love, or to bring

it there, or to recover it if it be at all
declining, which it frequently, I was going to say almost always is, more or less
" Praying in the Holy
in our hearts
Ghost'' is as essential as building up ourto
in
Belves in our "most holy faith."

For,
beloved, remember prayer is the breath
of the soul
prayer is the link between
miserable
prayer
man and
his merciful Creator
Holy Ghost," and he has more than

enough to do. It is those that stand idle
in the
market-place
whom
Satan masters,
and renders the objects of a d^mgerous,

novel, and corrupt influence in the church ;
and, therefore, it is in the use of these
means that you are preserved. You have
the whole structure of religion
you have
you have all the
all the doctrinal duties
means of grace you have all the sacraments you have all the various methods
which Almighty God has appointed for
by which all our

desires are conveyed, and flow upwards diffusing the blessings of Christianity,
as it were to God, and all his benefits ana faith and prayer, doctrine and devotion,
is
the channel
preaching and adoration
blessings are conveyed, and flow downwards to us, and therefore it is thac we
must pray much in the Holy Ghost.
Formal prayers will do no good. "This
people draw near to me with their lips
and with their mouths." They show me
much
love, but their heart is
gone
after
means
Holy Ghost; in .act, such is our

weakness, that we can Kit just pray aright
with the Holy Ghopt. What are we withWe are without
out the Holy Ghosti
love
without meaning in our prayers
without humility without fervour without importunity
without spirituality. It
is a carcass dead, and even offensive,
without thd inspiring Spirit that makes
life, and pivcs health and animation, and
religion
efTicacy to ail
the
pre-
you are persuaded of the magni-
as
tude, and loftiness, and pre-eminence of

that in which the sum and substance of
out the
felt
itst^lf
consists
No man
ever yet
God
that did
the value of the love of
not cling pretty closely to the
which
is to
it
means by
be brought into, and kept
alive in, the heart.
is
And now, dear brethren, upon this

branch of our subject, are you as cordially agreeing with me, and as deeply convinced how dependent we are upon the
covetousness.
Dear brethren, we
cannot pray with fi'rvour, witn simplicity,
with humility, with perseverance, with-
are
served in the heart.
their
these
means by which the love of God
And
this is the real
foundation of a consistent ardour in the

church of that devotional habit in our
own heart which it so pre-eminently tends
to nourish
of the
content with his
fruitful ('hristian
own
minister,
place, or eiiurch, and the
the parts of our Christian
iiis
being
own
means of graro
him by the God of Providence,

way he is fir moro
likely to prosper than by beinij like iha
aupplic.ition in the Spirit"
it is when
'the .Spirit helpeth our infirmities, for wandrring stars, now iicre, now thoro,
vre know not what wc should pray for as first under one and then under another iframe.
It
is
when, as the apostle says,
we pray always with
all
on"ere(l to
knowing
prayer and
that in this
,THE BRITISH PULPIT
84
structor; and thus
religion
is
all
the sap and life of pondence with the traitorous passions in
evaporated, and a dangerous
our
own
hearts.
Satan has the advantage
very often suhstituted for the in his work, for he knows there is a traitor
our remaining corruption.
in the garrison
real scriptural, scber piety of the gospel.
And therefore you should pray, beloved, There is an affinity between Satan's temp-
excitement
is
Holy
tations, the world's seductions, all kinds
Ghost
in this
of errors, and the remaining disorders and
word
is
church, and wherever God's

preached, may be maintained
corruptions in our understanding, affec-
that the doctrines of faith and of the
undoubtedly it is essential to the efficacy of all the other means of grace that
there should be the preaching of the word,
because God has appointed it as the living
organ, the life-stirring trump that is to
blow up and to convoke the assemblies of
the Lord ; and because all other means
for
will too frequently sink into the
mere opus
operatum, a mere formality, if there be not

the living minister to quicken
to arouse
up the hearts of men

to call the ungcxUy to the Saviour,
whatever he may have to endure in rousto
awaken
to stir
ing the attention of a careless world, and

ia reviving, as far as he ca-n, the tone of
tion, will,
we have
and conscience, and therefore
all
these to battle against.
not plain sailing;

that
may
it is
It is
not a mere thing
be learned easily.
Brethren,
there is no getting to heaven in an easy-
manner;
at least, I never found it out.

Saviour teaches me, that " strait is
the gate," and then when wê get in, " narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and
few there be that find it." As soon as
you enter the way, Satan sets out, the
spiritual adversary ; and he stands across
the path, as it were, to resist you, so that
My
it is
natural to ask.
What encouragement is
THERE 1 What is there to cheer the
And it is a singular comtoTt to HEART AND TO FORM A COMPENSATING MOreligion.
my own mind to know, that in the years TIVE FOR ALL THIS EFFORT'? ThERE IS
that have passed,there has been a rapid rise MUCH, AND IT is no less than eternal
throughout our beloved national church t.IFE, " looking for THE MERCY OF OUR
of this genuine spirit of godliness and L^RD .Tesus Christ unto eternal life,"
piety, of evangelical doctrine and faithful
The endless fruition of God, the preadministration of the sacraments in and sence of that God which constitutes life in
sober,
scriptural,
spiritual,
Thirdly,
evangelical
throughout her clergy. I feel, as to my itself, v.'hich is eternal life, is our encouown honoured parish, the most complete ragemenv The life we now live is a kind
mind in the ministers who of death-lite life. It is a doubtful life

have been appointed, and who will conit is a flickeiing flame, as it were, which
There wants sometimes seems to almost expire, and
tinue to labour among you.
only the mutual prayer, " praying in the then it seen>sto start up again into brightHoly Ghost," in order that your doctrine ness. This 'iife is a brief life it is an
and faith may be kept pure and enlight- uncertain life vt is a mingled life, a great
satisfaction of
God may be the part of it lies in Jhe valley of humiliation

great object to which they are directing and in the shadow of darkness.
But that
your endeavours, and an elevated tone of life deserves the name it is that life
ened, that the love of
religion the blessed result.
which consists
But you will say, with such a system

of means to be employed, and so great a
point as the main object of religion, is
there any inspiring and adequate encouragement to cheer us up under the whole ?
What is the inspiring hope] What is
love, and fruition of
we have
in the y^^rfcct
God
knowledge,
that
life
which
never to end, never to abate in intensity

of enjoyment.
Conceive of that idea,
is
never to abate in intensity of enjo3'mcnt,

but always to go on augmenting and augmenting in larger measures of the vision,
knowledge, love, and communion of God.

Fur though I apprehend pfrfection as to
many fiery trials to pass through we the measure of our capacity will be vouchhave much to endure from a world lying safed even immediately after death, and
in wickedness, and which has a corres- when the resurrection restores these mor-
the comfort
tions to
for
meet with
in life
divers
our
afflic-
faith
has
85
bodies and kindred spirits, yet I con- last, give me the prospect of the object
ceive, also, tiiere will be a continual pro- accomplished, and then the soul reposes
gress in the capacities of enjoyment, an itself and solaces itself in God. That is the
augmentation in all the means and inlets principle, I apprehend, upon which God
tal
of knowledge, the visions

extacies
of
of love, the
has constituted the
communion capable
joy, increased
human mind.
of great exertion
if
We are
we have but an
with God throughout eternity. I conceive adequate prospect.

That is the stimulus
that Satan, from the moment of his fall, upon which we are continually acting.
has been augmenting in his Satanic capa- All our pursuits, all our schemes, all our
cities, in his deteriorations, alienations,
mercantile speculations,
distances, and so on
our efforts to advance

science, all the nights and days spent by
philosophers in the examination of the
and
apprehend discoveries,
every saint will be in the opposite state,

ever increasing and augmenting in that
eternal life upon which he will enter.
This eternal
life,
close of the love of
beloved,
God
ourselves upon earth.
in
is
the natural
which we keep
It is
nothing more,
in fact, than that love developed
it
is
all
our maritime
all
physical sciences and arts, what is the

stimulus to these varied occupations'?
Every party is animated by the pleasures

of discovery and by the hopes of success.
How much
more when these principles
nothing more than the sweet and fragrant of our nature are sanctified by that which
bud fully brought out to its bloom.
contains all philosophy and all science,
are to eternity what we make ourselves and every thing that man has ever devised,
in time, taking the expression " make and are animated by the brightest prosourselves" with its proper limit, and pects beyond the grave
It is in this way
remembering always the grace and sove- we are sustained, " by hope we are saved,"
We
reignty of God.
eternity.
The
Time is
love of
the seed-plot for
God now needs
by hope we go
on.
Tiie separations, and
and unmanly and excessive sorrows, which depress the Avorldly heart,
griefs,
only to have its surrounding impediments

removed, and its inward principle deej^- that sees all dark, of course, beyond preened, and there is eternal life, the present enjoyment, are not removed from the
sence of God flowing in upon it; and this Christian, but alleviated, rendered tolerablessed hope and the glorious appearing ble by the mighty power of those Chrisof the great God and our Saviour Jesus tian principles, which, when they enter
Christ unto eternal life, is just the encou- the heart, rule there, are not subject, and
ragement we want. This world is not to subordinate, and petty servants in the
last for ever.
These changes and sepa- heart, but are sovereign there, and rule
rations are not to be repeated without in- supreme.
termission ; it is only for a short time,
But mark, it is " the mercy of our
and then we shall all be swallowed up, Lord Jesus Christ." Mercy, that is what
'That mortality might be swallowed up we first pray for mercy ; the mercy of
of life." " Looking for the mercy of our our Lord Jesus Christ, who died upon the
Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." We cross that is the blessing we next pray
must look from the storm when it beats, for. The mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ,
from the creatures when they disappoint who gave his Holy Spirit to sanctify the
us, which they constantly do it is meant church, that is the next blessing we pray
they should, they are not capable? of doing for. The mercy of our Lord Jesus (^hrist
any thing else; and it is only just in set- in all the subsequent events of life, the
ting lightly by them, and just letting them trials of life, the sorrows of lilo, the preslightly into the heart, and keeping tin- sure of ilccliniiig age, the torrent of troublii
heart in the love of (Jod supp'Mirly, that that every now and then bursts across our
we have th% real enjoyment of tin; crea- way, ovcrllows all the banks, and iiumdates as it were the Sf>nl
ture.
then it is the
And then it is in this way that we are mercy of our F<ord Jesus' Christ <>f which
kept and jjo on looking fur this mercy. we stand in need. And iu this fr.uno wo
Give me nlief at last, give mo peace at come up to ht'aven'n gates. You must
11
THE BRITISH
86
PULPIT.
heuven a contrite blessing," then that Saviour is as the

you never can look for the mercy apostle tells us he is, " the great God and
of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. our Saviour Jesus Christ;" or as the
The very last step taken in this world apostle says in this very epistle, " denymust be tiiat of joy and consolation, occa- ing the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus
come up
to the gntes of
sinner, or
Christ;" or as the apostle says in another

" Jesus Christ who is God over all
sionally indeed of lively hope, but of contrition
and penitence
for sin, or else
you
place,
Dear brethren, the

cannot come into the condition in Avhich blessed for ever."
alone you can enter heaven, looking for doctrine of our Lord's divinity with that
' the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto of the personality and Deity of the Holy
Let those look to merits Ghost, (who is described in Scripture
eternal life."
who can find any on which to rest ; let as coming, as guiding, as sending, as
those look to their own works who think being grieved, as consoling, which are as
they have enough to build upon ; let those much personal acts as any of our Relook to their own sufferings and sorrows deemer's acts were personal,) is as clearly
who have got any to show; but let us, revealed as is the existence of God. And
knowing our unworthiness, and the mise- then, in the text, we are commanded to
rable character of all our best services, " pray in the Holy Ghost ;" and he that
us look to the " mercy of our Lord prays in the Holy Ghost, acknowledges
The by his language the divinity of the Holy
Jesus Christ unto eternal life."
mercy, the act of mercy probably the Ghost. Then you have in the doctrine
apostle may refer to that act of mercy of this day's solemnity the blessed and
which is the last we shall want, when at adorable Trinity the Three-One, the
the bar of Christ, standing with an assem- Trinity of the Godhead in the mystery of
bled world, nothing but the mercy of our the divine glorj^, which I know not how
Lord Jesus Christ can adjudge us eternal to explain, and which I would not atlife.
It is therefore,.! apprehend, to the tempt to explain, and which the Bible
merciful sentence, the last act, the great does not require me to explain, because
conclusion of the whole scene of our duty, it tells me, " great is the mystery of godBut
to which we are here looking, " looking liness, God manifest in the flesh."
for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ all the objections I ever had the misfortune to hear against the doctrine of the
unto eternal life."
Trinity were mis-statements of facts, misI pause here to direct your attention to
the divinity of Christ implied in this lan- apprehensions of argiiments, and a plain
guage. What am I to do ? To look for denial of the common language and obvithe mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. ous meaning of the Holy Ghost; and by
Then is he no better than myself? Is he these artifices I could prove any thing,
only a man 1 To entertain such senti- set aside any act of parliament, change
ments is blasphemy ; but I trust it is only any one of the ten commandments, and
in the most intense ignorance that they make the whole Bible out a nullity. The
let
No, brethren
have been formed.

to look to
him
emergencies,
in all
if I
am
to
my
if
am common-sense
interpretation of the Bible

involved in the faith which believes
that God speaks to man in the language
struggles and
is
say with Stephen
in the article of death, " Lord Jesus, receive

spirit ;" if with St. Paul I am to
of man, ihat
by man
it
may
be received.
But to return. It is in tiiis temper that

my
pray to my Redeemer that the thorn may we are to " look for the mercy of our Lord
be taken out of my flesh (thrice did the Jesus Christ unto eternal 'ife ;" and it is
in this way that we have abundant encouragement to inspire our languid hearts,
the power of Christ might rest upon him) and such is the elevated tona of religion
if in heaven I am to sing that blessed to which, with the apostle, I would vensong, " worthy is the Lamb that was slain ture to exhort you. Such is our privilege,
to receive power and riches, and wisdom such the sum and substance of our duty,
and strength, and honour and glory, and to walk in the love of God, to keep in
it
might be taken from
him, and he gloried
in his infirmities that
apostle pray that
87
grow in the lovo Aim high. He that darts his arrow to

of our God and Saviour. Such are the wards the heavens, will reach a greatei
means placed before us for the attainment height than he that turns it on earth. Let,
rthat holy blessed frame, to
of tbis great object, namely, faith apprehending all the works of God in Christ
Jesus, and prayer poured out before him
at least,
be high
the power of the Holy Ghost.

And
such is the encouragement to cheer the
drooping heart, " looking for the mercy
of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."
The whole hangs together, and there is a
correspondence in the magnitude of the
end, and in the magnitude and fitness of
the means ; and there is a correspondence
in the brightness of the encouragement.
No man can read the text, and understand
it, without saying, " these are the words
life
no
let
our aim
all its
am-
plitude be the object of our pursuit, the

means of grace, the diligent instruments
by
of eternal
our standard be high

let the law of God in
we employ, and the looking for the mercy

of our Lord Jesus Christ, our strong encouragement.
Secondly,
this is the
Now
soul.
all
those
let
all
be
convinced that
only religion that can save the

this includes the
whom
conduct of
have now the pleasure,
though a painful one, yet the pleasure to

address, on this occasion. Let the highest
not be satisfied with less attainments ;
let the lowest not despond at the first be-
mortal pen ever dic-
tated such a sentiment."
ginnings
let all be convinced that there

no other religion. There is no other
all of you not to be satisfied with any thing bridge thrown over the bottomless abyss
.below this in your future course if life. of the world's misery but Jesus Christ,
Aim, I pray you, beloved, at further pro- and him crucified: there is one religion,
gress in this divine and heavenly religion. and but one.
Sceptic, you will find at last
pjxamine yourselves. Is this my religion 1 that your vain reasonings are the mere
And now,
brethren, let
me
First exhort
is
If it be, am I growing in it ] am I advanc- ignis fatuus of a corrupt understanding.

ing in it 1 am I going forward in it ? am I You will find, believe me, that a penimore and more increasing in love to God 1 tent's heart, that one tear dropped over
If I have fallen into decay, am I coming your Bible for your sins, is worth all the
back? Perhaps half the Christian bre- metaphysics and all the speculations by
thren that hear me may feel the note, when which the head is lifted up and inflated,
and the heart hardened.
it is touched, vibrate in their own hearts.
ICorldly profesBeloved, if you have in any measure fal- sor, there is no other religion will do.
len from God, or in any measure declined, You cannot have the world and God at
will you come back, will you begin again once ; you cannot have the love of the
to build up yourselves in your "most world and the love of God in the same
holy faith," to pray in the Holy (ihost, heart at the same time. It is contrary to
and keep yourselves in the love of God, the nature of things ; as much so as it is
looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus in physical science fon two !)odies to fill
Christ unto eternal life ] He that is satis- the same space at the same moment.
fied in a low and doubtful state of Chris- I'ain prifcssors of evangelical truth, who
tianity, has no Christianity at all.
There fornj a large class at the present day, and
is no such thing; there is no religion that will be larger, it is Satan's art wlien the
is not a growing religion, a vivacious, gospel is widely |)reached and spread, to
augmenting, increasing religion. There induce us to rely upon luilional a|)priibamay be a sickening religion, but it does lion, to hang upon that doctrine, t(j mako
not deserve the name; until it attains religion consist of this and that charity
something of health we can express no this and that feeling, this and that circuni
hope, and wi; dare not poison you by (lat- stance
to build up yourselves b(>causo
;
we
tery.
billing to this or that siu-iety, or aro
O, my
improve- doing this or that good tiling.
on my brethren, this is not the love ef < ioil and
own heart and let, my beloved friends, lei it is nothing but that wliirli will prepare
nothing short of this standard satisfy you. yuu for lie;veii, ;iiiil iiotliiinr but faith in
Let, therefore, this be the
ment
that
first
will venture to leave
THE BRITISH
88
PULPIT.
a crucified Saviour that can over build

you up in your " most holy faith !"
you may make the prayer in your own

breasts.
O, my God is there one that
me commend
Is there a
has not made the prayer?
heart so hard that it has not seized the
moment to aspire after grace and salva-
Therefore, earnestly let

all that
have not yet ascertained this great
point, to take the friendly admonition, the
one who desires to dis- tion 1 No I so trust thy mercy, that I

charge his last duty, not merely by affec- cannot think there is one from the youngtion and the most sincere vi'ishes, but in est to the oldest that hath not addressed a
honest endeavours to save every soul he prayer for the love of God and in that
can ere he embarks, as it were, for another persuasion, beloved, I bid you farewell.
world. And therefore 1 must come to thy It was said by a great master of history,
I
(I don't know whether these are his words,
conscience, sinner, wherever thou art,
cannot find thee out, but God has thee but they contain his sentiments,) Farvi
last accents of
undor the glare of his eye
Thou
at this
moment
loquunlur,
affeciiis
quivering in thy seat at this

instant, though 1 know thee not
Take
the friendly warning, and escape
Flee,
art
magni
tacent.
Little
griefs speak, great ones are silent.
you fareyou my most heartfelt

I pray thee, from the wrath to come
acknowledgments for all the kindness
Flee to the Saviour ere it be too late
and attention, and more than ministerial
Begin real religion
Renounce thy wine, affection, Avhich you have rendered to
thy harlots, thy lusts, thy pleasure, thy me. I also desire to beg J'our forgiveness,
merely human science, thy poetry, thy each of you individually, if you be pre!
say, therefore, in bidding
well,
return
ohilosophy, thy ever)' thing that stands
way
and when you have

received the love of God )''ou will use
only what is lawful in any thing. O,
in the
to
heaven
remember it is not what I sa}' sayeth

not God the same? Is not God love'?
If an earthly parent require the love of
sent, (or if not, I desire
it
may be reported
every parishioner,) of any unintentional

errors, offences, mistakes which I must I
know have committed. I Avould likewise
solemnly return my thanks, most of all,
to Almighty God for his mercies to me.
And " A'o'," hreihren, " unto him that is
to
if the love of a friend be the able to keep you from falling, and to preonly essential quality of friendship -if a sent you faultless before the presence of his
benefactor look for gratitude, I appeal to glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise
your common sense, I appeal to the tri- God our Saviour, be glory and majesty,
bunal of conscience if it be not hardened dominion and power, both now and erer."
by profligacy and habits of vice, which Amen.
desolate conscience, and leave it like
his child
seared and callous flesh

conscience,
if
if
there be a
feeling in the sinner, shall not the

that
made
THE PULPIT
CA-XiZiERir.
there be any thing of moral

NO.
God
thee have thy supreme love
III.
Shall not the Redeemer that died for thee
claim and possess thy affection

Shall
not the sanctifying Spirit see thee praying for his grace 1 Shall not the love of
God be paid to thy heavenly Father, thy
heavenly friend, thy divine benefactor 1
Yes! O, may the angels of Christ take
THE (late) rev. JOHN FLETCHER,
"?
up the
tidings to his throne that every
sinner here
is
beginning
to
repent! Yes;
Vicar of Madeley.
W. De La Flechere was
born at
Switzerland, on the 12th of September, 17'29. In March, 1757, he entered the ministrj' of the Episcopal church,
and with an uncommon degree of pastoral
J.
Nyon,
in
formed in the fidelity, and ardent piety, amidst much

Let each one put weakness of body, discharged with almost
up to the throne of mercy this ejaculation, a])ostolic zeal and earnestness the varied
" Lord, give me thy grace, and may I be- duties of his office, until August, 1785,
gin this heartfelt religion !" I pause that when he expired in the triumphs of faith.
I pause while the desire
breast of every sinner.
is
has been recorded of him, that when
vicar of Madeley, as often as a small
congregation could be collected, which
was usually every evening, he preached
to them.
He visited every family in his
It
parish that gave
him
sation and prayer;
access, for conver-
and no hour of the
night, nor severity of the weather, pre-
cluded his attendance on the sick.
He
interrupted the nocturnal revellings, then
common among
his
young
parishioners,
admoniand braved the firy of the colliers,

amidst their savage orgies and inhuman
sports. At Coal-brook Dale and Madeleywood, two hamlets in his parish, distant
from the church, he preached alternately;
and erected, chiefly at his own expense,
two buildings for more convenient worAt his church he preached twice
ship.
every Sunday, besides catechizing children ; and often repeated his services, in
by his solemn but
tions
affectionate
the evening, at places considerably distant.
In his efforts to do good he mani-
fested a zeal and perseverance rarely seen,
and was frequently rewarded with a success as striking, as the

to obtain
it.
poor
means employed
collier,
now
living
as he
89"
saw him, to run home with
all
speed,
and close the door before Mr. Fletcher

could reach it and thus, for many months
together, he escaped his deserved reproofs.
The holy man, however, still persevering
in his attempts, on one occasion outran
this determined sinner, and obtained possession of his house before him. The
poor man, awed by the presence of his
minister, and softened by the persuasive
kindness of his manners, was greatly affected, and received those religious impressions which soon ended in a thorough
change of his character.
Another of his parishioners, who is still
:
living, relates the following characteristic
circumstance
When a young man, he
was married by Mr. Fletcher, who said
to him as soon as the service was concluded, and he was about to make the
accustomed entry, " Well, William, you
have had your name entered in our regis" Yes, sir, at my
ter once before this."
baptism." " And now, your name will
be entered a second time. You have no
doubt thought much about your present
:
step,
in
and made proper preparations

" Yes,
different ways."
many
for
it
sir."
" Recollect that a third entry of your

name, the register of your burial, will,
his life he was exceedingly profligate, sooner or later, take place. Think, then,
and that Mr. Fletcher frequently sought about death, and make preparations for
opportunities to warn him of his danger. that also, lest it overtake you as a thief
" For," added the poor man, "he used in the night." This person also is now
always to run after such wicked fellows walking in the ways of the Lord, and
as 1 was, whenever he saw us, in order states, that he often adverts to this and
that he might t.ilk with us, and warn us." other things which his serious and affecBeing aware of his pioiis vicar's inten- tionate pastor found frequent occasion to
tions, this collier was accustomed, as soon say to liini.
at
Madeley, and upwards of eighty years
of age, relates, that in the former part of
Vol. I. 12
H 2
'
SERMON
VII.
MOTIVES IN MISSIONARY OBJECTS ESSENTIAL TO SUCCESS.
BY THE REV.
R.
W. HAMILTON.
" Let not, then, your good be evil spoken of."
The
of Christian missions
question
occupies,
my
l-eloved hearers, a very dif-
mind
which
ferent position in the public
in our
current history from that
it
for-
Statesmen do not necessarily, as at the first, denounce it; philosophers do not necessarily denounce it;
travellers do not necessarily deprecate it.
It does not, as of old, invariably provoke
mercantile clamour and political alarm.
Contempt has become more calm, and
calumny has learned to impose a restraint
merly obtained.
upon
The
itself.
old outcry
is
spent; the
has obeyed the sound of retreat " the stout-hearted are spoiled ; and
none of the men of might have found their
fierce onset
;
hands."
course
Insinuation
poison,
subtle
and
still
crawls
secretes
its
but the invective and menace
which once
filled
our legislatures,
our
which
high debate, and were
by popular tumult which
tribunals, our schools, our marts
were heard
verberated
in
re-
a tone to polite letters, and an

expression to outrageous vulgarities
these, with a few exceptions, which stand
related to a system whose moderation can
never be more than affected, and whose
.gave
enmity
it is
impossible to allay or subdue

ebullitions have
these more boisterous
The adventurer,
wellnigh died away.
the speculator, the infidel, the bigot, must
now avail themselves of other expedients,
and have recourse to other weapons.
The missionary enterprise has secured
to itself no small portion of secular respectability
disposed
its
to
indirect
many who arc now

homage on account of
They have, indeed,
results.
;
there are
do
it
no sympathy with
90
its
nobler aims.
That
Roi|^. xiv. 16.
almost nothing in the estimation

(and only any thing
because of its accessary and incidental
character with respect to the particular
department of his benevolence and zeal)
the burning surface, the elaborate ornament, the productions of the soil
these
form the scope and the reward of all their
exertions the soul, the object of our care
the salvation of the soul, the prize of our
ambition, have no points of attraction, and
no ground of admiration for them. How
could they value in others that which
they in themselves do not aj)preciate ?
How could they desire for others that
which they do not seek for themselves %
which
is
of the Christian
But there
its
reptile
and
to
in
their
which
are accidents to our cause,
our progress, which are levelled
understanding
inferior
are congenial to their tastes.
spoils
The
subserviency of missions to literature and

in arranging languages whose
science
name had
not hitherto been heard

in
supplying knowledge touching mythologies which had hitherto been screened
from every curious eye, and fenced from
every intrusive footstep in marking,
with a very accurate geography, the chart
of rivers and oceans, states and countries
in collating facts which sustain the

most important conclusions and systems
in physical truth
the favourable influ-
ence of missions in providing security

for persons, and infusing confidence into
barter, as well as opening new fields, and
establishing fresh interchange, by accustoming the savage to social institutions
the grandeur of the very scheme of missions taking hold upon the imagination,
and of the mind, as the nearest possible
MOTIVES IN MISSIONARY ENTERPRISE.

approach to disinterested virtue, embodying that which had been hopeless as a
the cervision, and baseless as a dream
certain, as it is
tain success of missions
seen in a thousand peaceful trophies of
civilization, inild manners, and enlightened principles these great issues have
surrounded missions with a considerable
share of favour, and have adjudged to
Ihem a character even of renown.
The enmity of the human heart is what
precedent and principle, and commends

itself to every holy sentiment and affection
er
of the souls of the heathen in their un-
ever was against the revealed history

of free mercy, and the^strict purity of
Christianity.
But some of its stronger
consequence of these circum-
some of
gospel of Christ, and of " the powin you mightily ;" think
which worketh
computed millions, in their unfathomable

woes and it will then be easy to convict
the most generous of selfishness, the
most disinterested of indifference, the
most susceptible of apathy, the most devoted of disaffection, the most liberal of
parsimony, the most constant of fickleness, the most active of supineness and
Should we not study a delicate
sloth.
and a sensitive consistency 1 What man-
it
stances, have been remitted
think of your professed subjection
to the
efforts, in
91
by martyrs; think of the manner in

which it approves itself to every holy
lists,
its
have been dropped. At

least, it never can be made a charge
against us that we are engaged in an un- ner of persons ought we to be 1
tried invasion, in a rash experiment.
We We do good by communicating it
have the results before us, and that charge We are employed in an effort and a sysis reduced to silence, if not put to shame. tem of well doing.
But let us clothe
are truly thankful that we can refer ourselves with the things that are amiable
to an effect which runs within the range and of good report.
Let us shun the apof worldly prepossessions
but chiefly' pearance of evil ; and, though certain that
we rejoice over the deeper process into it is a good, let us preclude the possibility
which the unrenewed mind cannot enter of that good being " evil spoken of."
hid treasure, which the hopes and You will allow me, therefore, my bresympathies of the world can never make thren, to give the following discourse a
the consequences that a solemn practical bearing and character.
It shall
its own
Avilder frenzies
We
that take a part in be left to others to raise more delightful

seem to have reached a
missionary operations. This thing is not themes.
done in a corner ; they are a city set upon a crisis ; we ought now to come to a pause.
What is the genehill, and every shadow cast from it is ob- What are we doing]
served ; tliey are the light of the world, and ral impression of what we have done ]
every wavering of the flame is noticed. There may be inconsistencies amongst
Their language is extensively quoted
those who profess themselves the friends
treaty attaches to all
We
their deportment
is narrowly watched
they have to pass through a fearless scru-
of the Christian enterprise of missions;

there
Myriads of eyes
eyes which stand out
tiny heated sevenfold.
may
ful are the
be inconsistencii^s, and " faith-
wounds of
a friend."
There
with suspicion, with jealousy, with distrust, with resentment, with rage.
Hence
no doubt in our own mind as to the

genuineness, as to the reality of the beneficence itself; but let us not give any
arises the necessity of the greatest caution
occasion to them
are
upon them
is
who
see!;
occasion by
and prudence, as well as of tlie greatest which tiiat beneficence might at all come
frankness and intrepidity.
Ought we not under suspicion. .Some of these incon* to walk in the fear of the Lord, because sistencies shall now be stated. I throw
of the reproach of our enemies]"
myself upon your candour many of you
Hut W(! would rather make this a per know the hrarl of a stranger; and, wliilst
sonal induc( menl and reason arising out I will endeavour to feel as little as possi-
hie a stranger amongst you, reliive that

high calling; think of almost irrepressible sense of ostrangemont
the estimate! which lia.s been fixed upon by your candour and by your pniyirs.
of the subject
lime purpose,
itaelf.
Think of
its
sub-
its
it
<cccssively
by apostles, by cvungc-
">
arr incoruiatcnt tf/im the truth ive
THE BRITISH
92
PULPIT.
propaâle anions^ others ive do not receive under foot the Son of God, while you
hold him up to the notice and the alleand experience ourselves.
Create any great system of efforts, and giance of the world.
To whom can we compare this generamany are blindly carried away by it. All
I
facilities will
be given to
it;
There were builders of the ark

were sunk beneath
it when it rose upon the bosom of the
floods.
There were donors of the tabernacle who were as lepers thrust beyond
the camp, or as blasphemers, stoned without relief. There were artificers of the
temple who never there left their offerings,
and never there! worshipped their God.
Have you thought of that meeting which
awaits you 1 For it is possible that you
have been at work, and that your good,
liable to be evil spoken of, is nevertheless
these will
tion?
whose
be the weight and sanction of example ;

the very symptoms of proselytism and
party will
command
its
influence
the
machinery is thrown into play the eddy

is seen sweeping round within the vortex
and how many are there who are blindly
and insensibly hurried onward by the
stroke of the one, or drawn in by the suc;
tion of the other
Apply these considerations

sionary apparatus.
This
is
to the
mis-
scheme of
labours most expansive, most complicatThese labours

ed, and most i)enetrating.
floating corpses
good.
The
heathen, perhaps, shall ac-
knowledge you in a future age they

shall acknowledge you, at the judgmentseat, as the instruments of bringing them
to the knowledge of the Saviour, to that
knowledge which is life eternal. Me-
embrace each sex, each condition, each

They stand like the cherub with
class.
outstretched wings and with human
hand, showing how far they can extend
their power, and with what particuIt
larity it can be applied by them.
is impossible that any now can allege the
excuse, " No man hath hired me." We
thinks that Avith the strong instincts of
know even as ye are known.

Methinks that they now approach you,
have a chain by which to transmit the and that they call upon you to receive
What
faintest spark; we have a channel by their grateful acknowledgments.
which to pour the smallest drop we have is their language T " We owe to you that
you who were in
a distributive power by which our efforts we are in Christ
You heard our cry,
are so stimulated that they may tell upon Christ before us.
gratitude they
the world.
sands
who
Therefore, there are thou-* and fled to our relief; j'ou

enter into this
scheme with and sent
We do not
denounce their sincerity. " Come, see
my zeal," said Jehu, "for the Lord;"
but it is subjoined, " Jehu took no heed
to walk in the law of the Lord God of
Israel ; for he departed not from the sins
pleasure and with fervour.
saw our misery,

Take these
for its alleviation.
harps, and tune the songs; take these

are
crowns, and pay the tribute."
Why
you rooted
to the spot 1
Why
are
your
Why
eyes cast down upon the ground ?

does your tongue cleave to the roof of
your mouth 1 Why do you refuse their
of Jeroboam, who made Israel to sin." advances, and decline their solicitations ?
And yet, what is more audacious in folly, Why gathers on that face that paleness ?
more impious in irreligion, than to build Why scares your ear tliat shriek 1 The
heathens whom you have saved see,
thatwhicli you continue to undermine 1
to heal that which you continue to in- they fly to their heaven as the doves to
Mark their ecstacy listo reconcile that which you con- their windows.
flame ?
The door is shut, and
to cleanse that which ten to their song.
tinue to agitate]
you continue to defile 1 to enforce that i/ou staiid without ; the guest-chamber is
which you continue to supersede 1 You filled, and you are not within the assemmake a mock of sin, and warn men against blage is complete, and you are not comprethe harvest is passed, the summer
it you desire, professedly, that " the ends hended
of the earth may see the salvation of our is ended, ern// ymt are not saved!
God," and neglect the great salvation;

you tear down that which you avow yourBelves intent upon building up you tread
;
IVe are inconsistent, secondly,

violate
the
transactions.
when we
solemnity due to missionary

They who have suitably pondered
them, who have taken their place and
part in them, have always confessed that
they were very auspicious to a growth in

grace, and very confirmatory to the establishment of the heart in grace. They
have confessed that they were profitable,
in every respect, and to all
" profitable
for doctrine, for reproof,
for
instruction
in
for correction,
righteousness."
He
who
bears the aromatic plant will surely
with
all its horrors.
There
93
a confusion and an indefiniteness Avhen we speak of the pagan world,

is
It is not a li<^ht cure of souls

it is not a
small plantation reclaimed from the wilderness: we are to make the little and
the scantling disappear, and the untold

and the incalculable numbers burst into
sight
continuous,
waves of
successive as the
the sea, all rolling on, and all
dying away upon an unseen shore.
And
what is our feeling 1 Is it that of pity ?

betray its fragrance; and he who has There is nothing of lightness in the ingrewrought upon the gem |nd the gold will dients that form that emotion: there may
carr)-^ away with him some of the brilliant be placiditj', but that is its strongest form
pity is thoughtful, and pensive, and sad.
filings, some of the precious dust.
Bat it may be asked. Have we not Oh, let not our " good be evil spoken of"
allowed, too frequently and too largely, by our betrayal into any thing that is light
a spirit of flippancy, and almost of levity, or trivial, or unworthy of the theme.
Let
to encroach upon this sacred theme ? us be solemn as Jesus when he upbraided
We have not been mollified with all its Capernaum, and tender as when he wept
circumstances, and have not been stricken over Jerusalem. Let us be overwhelmed
is
world
in
a world
a painful spectacle
misery with the thought of human
in rebel-
an appalling sight. Could the

traveller, as he explores the vestiges of an
sense of
human
misery, as
guilt,
when
and the
the
man
upon his face in Gethsemane, with strong cries and tears.

ancient city,
its fallen theatres, its bro3dly. Our good may be evil spoken of
when we form a partial and an unequal
ken aqueducts, its crumbling temples
could he explore these in a listless spirit ? estimate of what is near and what is disCould the philanthropist tra.verse the tant in the'condition of the human family.
wards of a lazaretto, and the cells of a
Prejudice governs us all. As the huprison, in a careless and sportive vein ] man mind rejects two classes of emotions
Could tke negotiator address the disaf- equally strong, so the human conduct
fected and the insurgent in jocular tones rejects two courses of equally intense
and terms 1 Could the high-priest, when, activities. We may not, perhaps, regard
on the great day of atonement, he went, tlie one object too strongly but, in con
and not without blood, into the holiest of sequence of not regarding aright, either
all, strike the dulcimer, or rejoice in the may receive from us the most unmerited
dance ? Should not our spirits be better treatment. Hence, therefore, there springs
disciplined]
Should not our accents a necessity, in all our Christian labours,
lion
is
of sorrows
fell
tremble, and the very fashion of our

countenance change ?
follow the
long procession of eternal death ; and
should we not be as the mourners going
about the Rtreets ] We watch the commencing symptoms of the second death
and should we not shudder while the
We
of a
well-regulated
consistency,
of a
Let our judg

ment be warmed by our feelings, but let
our feelings be regulated by our judgment.
Fix your eye, my brethren, on youi
There are thousands, there
native land.
worm which never dies begins to tmcoil arc millions, besotted, embruted, surand to gnaw 1 We observe the earliest rounded by a light which never, enters
kindlings of the pit, and almost, like tlir ni them, addressed by n power wliich lias
will) ap|)roach its mouth, are scatiied with
no ascendancy over tlicin. In many rethe l)!.i-it; and while the numberless vic- spects their condition is most wrctchid,
tims are sinking into it, should not great because they have an accriuntability they
fear come upon the church, and as many an^ witliin the light, and the In pe is set
before them ; and yet tin se <\\v w iihin
as hear of those things ?
nicely-proportioned zeal.
.*
THE BRITISH
94
PULPIT.
they perish
Tlicy less valuable spirits which throng the

at our door.
kinsmen according- majestic strands of the Severn, or lie on
Let
to the flesh arc we to spurn tlicm in tlie the banks of the Avon and the Ex.
magnificence of our project, in the com- not the near engross the distant; and let
prehensiveness of our scheme ] Should not the distant out-dazzle the near.
4thly. Otir good may be evil spoken of
we not remember that disciple, of whom
when the due relation beiioeen effort ana
it is recorded, " He first findeth his own
brother]" Should we not think of that devotion is forgotten.
There is a devotion that becomes selfcounsel given to him that was restored,
" Go home, and tell thy kindred what great ish it is indulgent and indolent; it is a
our sight
are our brethren, our

;
things the Lord hath done for thee,and
how
he hath had mercy upon thee?" Ought

we not to dwell upon the memorable
" Beginning at Jerusalem ?"
instruction
Cast your eye, my brethren or rather
your mind upon the vast tracts of pagan
superstition.
You cannot tell what is the
darkness which broods over them, for
you cannot
there is no contrasting light
judge the dimensions of their misery, for
there is no standard of relief or consolation.
Clirist has not been named among
them
know not that there is a Holy

they are without hope in the
they
Ghost;
Wliat misery
world.
a precipice
is
their
is their lot
eternity
What
And,
in
how must we think of

them, when they have not so many mismany
respects,
sionaries
in
among
the united phalanx
we
have, perhaps, in some

favoured district of our beloved land
them
all
as
All souls are equal.
It
may
be that
is a diversity in original faculty, as

well as in acquirements and in endow-
there
ments; but there
is little
difference in the
capacity to suffer, and there
is
no
differ-
Some
ence in the capacity to exist.
spirits may present a broader surface for
but none a stronger texture for bein these they are alike, whether
ing
the drudging slave in the mine, or the
evil,
:
it is a contempladream. It will hear of no sacrifice

on no pretence will it be disturbed it
wraps itself in luxuriant ease, and it is
cloistered from all strife and danger
like the bird which seeks the crystal
fountain, sits in its solitary calm, and
desires nothing but to muse the shadow
of its unruflled beauty. There is an exertion which becomes arrogant and profane.
It is an ostentatious bustle ; it is
an impious usurpation, it is an artificial
and mechanical frame. Its axe and its
hammer send their jarring notes through
the most secret and retired recesses of
the sacred shrine; and it may be compared to the eagle-bird, rising into the
firmament, and gazing upon the sun, with,
unshrinking eye and with untiring fire.
Now, devotion and exertion must be
blended. " Stand still," said the legislator, " and behold the salvation of God I"
But what said the answer of God unto
him ? " Why cryest thou unto me %
Speak to the people that they go forward."
They were to see that salvation ; but that
salvation was to be realized in connexion
with human agency not by standing
still, but by going forward
and they sang
the praises of their God.
And so the
apostle teaches us that we should labour
always " not slothful in business, fer-
passionless quietism;
tive
monarch flaming with the jewel it may

supply whether the outcast who has not vent
;
a burial-place, or the possessor of
many be
whether him whom all spurn

and avoid, or the favourite of fortune and
But our "good will be evil
of fame.
spoken of," if we do not regard men as
men ; if we allow the alien to dispel all
thoughts of the naked, or the naked to
estates
Our devotion must not
in spirit."
and intermittent; our exertions

must not be casual and accidental ; we
must endeavour to unite the two. Think
of the apostles they gave themselves to
the word of God and to prayer, and they
ministered unto the Lord ; but, having
fitful
received the gift of Pentecost, what were

There the acts they performed, and what were
cannotbe more valuable spirits than those the achievements they consummated %
which throng the shores of the Ganges, Look at angels high is their contemplaprofound is their study ; wrapt in
tlie Indus, and the Nile ; but they are not tion
dispel all thoughts of the alien.

awe
and they veil their

;
faces with their wings; but they have
their errands and commissions, and " he
makes his angels spirits, and his ministers
a flaming fire :" they are swift to do liis
Look
will and to hearken to his voice.
at the Son of God and the Son of man
the temple trumpet over called him to the
house of prayer each festive season witnessed him among the pilgrims; he spent
whole nights in devotion ; but he " went
about doing good." Let us, therefore,
determine to pray, in order to sanctify
our exertions; and to exert ourselves, in
order to authenticate our prayers.
Let
us take heaven by force, by tlie means of
the one; and earth by force, through the
means of the other. Let us, by the twofold instrumentality, prove that we are
sincere for God, and sincere to men.
Let
us lift up our hands, and let us stretch
fnrtli our hands.
Let us have hearts
filled with bravery, and let us carry herosilence
is
their
loved, deposited on the altar,
and hallowed by the sacrifice.

5thly. Our good may be evil spoAen ff
when we encouratê worldly excitement.
There is a hostile principle in particular maxims, views, opinions, sensibilities,
usages, institutions, which tlie world is
made to present. This is the comprehensive term employed by Scripture and
;
epithet after epitlict of disgust
out upon
that
intoxicating: and
tiie
is
It
becomes
us,
my
brethren, to disengage
ourselves trom such a snare, by maintaining the consistency of our character
beauty of holiness
in the
we
of our principle, as
the firmness
are not our
own
and the strictness of our motive, with our

spirit serving God in the gospel of his
Son, Oh, let us not throw round so hallowed a cause, so sacred a work, any of
this meretricious spirit: let us not seek
to please, any more than we seek to
oiTend.
Gthly.
Our good may
he evil spoken of
when we
entertain light impressions of the

eternal future of the heathen.
We have been told that many travellers

and discoverers have been sometimes discredited, when they inform savage tribes
that the
toils
reason
for
incurring
and dangers was
to
their
all
trace a river's
source, or to ascertain a planet's trans-
And we have also been told

while our missionaries have obtained
credit for their enterprise and their motives, they also have been upbraided
because their errand took not a firmer
poured
that,
hold, and are asked
how
it
is that their
announcements receive a more speedy

ception.
Our
upon
admission
this
re-
institution can alcne stand
the certain as well
as the tremendous danger of the heathea
world.
are told
We shall be told of their natural religion,
most subtle and
of their roamings in the forest, and their
principle.
that its incitements are
ling in
We
which mission.
ically to the victory the standard
we have
Off-
and a worldly aggrandizement, and a

worldly policy, and a worldly precaution ?
He, who came
travel-
greatness of his strength, did
burrowings in the wood. We shall be told

of their simple and their artless lives, of
their kind and hospitable hearts; and so
for a time, we may have been deceived by,
shadow and when he

it was not a phantom
that he conquered.
Happy are we, when, but we have now learnt to understand, the
in imitation of our Master and Founder, fictions of a Le Bos and a Choo Loo.
We
we can make such a di claratioii is this, shall he told of their conscious law bullet
" We have not received the S|)irit of \.\\v it be also told, that that law which they are
world: this is the victory which over- unto themselves they have broken and
comelh the world, even our failli."
they have the dread consciousness runnot grapple witli a
overcame the world,
Ihil are notu^ of
our reliijious institu-
ning through
\.\\v\r
spirits that they
who
Are do these things are worthy ffdeatli. We

none of iheni conformed to such a model 1 shall be told ef tlieir consistent worship,
Is there nothing of fashionabli- excite- and of their classical systems of religion ;
ment, nothing of sentimental feeling, for it is not, in the estimate of men, f
notjiing of evasion of truth, no sup|)res- point of any moment, whether homage
sion of evidenee, no endeavour at cllcct'! rises from this earth to the atlultenr and
tions tinctured with such a spirit?
Is there nothing like a worldly culculution,
to Iho
murderer, or lo Jehovah, Uic
Holj
THE BRITISH
96
We sliall be told
One.
of their ignorance
of Christianity ; and we know that they

Uul
are not condemned for its rejection.
what does Christianity suppose concern-
rULPIT.
attire of Christianity,
away when
threshold
she
that
which she will put
passes
it is
the
celestial
only the scaffolding
and the platform, quite distinct from the

building: and that, when it is complete,
in a fallen state, and in a perishing di- the scaffold and the platform will be done
wonder not that in our cololemma; and that, unless he believes, he away.
must perish, and not have everlasting nies party denominations are found ; and
life and that if he does perish, he perishes even in flags over which our flag does
under the sanctions of an immutable just- not wave, not annexed to our crown, it is
^justice bound up with all the obliga- no less probable that the stranger there,
ice
the exile from his beloved home, should
tions of the primeval law.
Perhaps it may be said that no other cleave to some fondly cherished scheme,
motive could ever enter into our mission- and to some dearly-remembered distincary operations and perhaps for a time tions. But all this is inferior to Chrisnone other did ; but then, this is the very tianity itself; all this is very likely to
motive given to our modern philosophy embarrass the opening mind and the deand theology. Charity is said to be the veloping judgment of the heathen convert.
perverted errand ; and we are asked whe- As far as possible, let the river, in its
That
ing any heathen]
that heathen
is
We
ther
we
can conceive, or whether it is

should be the only
credible, that that
my
most distant and ample streams, lose the

particular impregnation of its source
let
we
the banners of the universal host, while
should be made judges one of another

then are we judges of the law, and not
he will redoers of it. God is judge
spect his character and we affect not that
morbid piety and jealousy concerning his
they retain their particular devices, most
Alas,
errand.
brethren,
that
character,
which would represent him as
more censorious than we
We
are ourselves.
Make
missionary operations any question of civilization

make them any question of comparative
therefore say,
prominently exhibit the royal emblazon-
ments common
remember
tJie
to
that, if
opinions, if
them
all.
we would
wd would
We
must
gain upon
obtain the suf-
of the heathen world, it is quite

necessary that we give them pure religion,
frages,
and undefiled.
In the mean time
of
it.
let
us
make
the best
Jarrings there are abroad
and
founded make them the mere instruments for smoothing and turning the path,
although it winds to safety and to bliss
and immediately the business will corne
to nought, and they will reject it as a
needless waste, and as a meaningless
sometimes, though very faintly, they may

be heard abroad. There is diversity, but
there need not be difference ; there is
diversity, but there need not be collision.
If we may not possess the colourless ray
of the virgin light, let us rejoice in the
prismatic hue ; if we cannot possess the
transparent diamond, let us be content to
build up our foundation with precious
superfluity.
stones of divers colours.
advantage, or of ameliorated state giving an increase of light already sufficient,

and a confirmation of hope already well
7thly. 'Our good
and
to be evil
is liable to be
spohen
party singularities
nf,
when
into
traduced
ive obtrude
our missionary
scheme.
The names
sects
are
You remember
the inter-community of the heathen world
they did not quarrel over their religion:

"They helped everyone his neighbour,
and each said to his brother, Be of good
of denominations and of courage. So the carpenter encouraged

;
they are self- the goldsmith, and he that smootheth
convenient
hammer him
defining and intelligible; they save very
with the
much
anvil, saying. It is ready for the solder-
time, and prevent considerable cir-
that smote the
But let us remember that ing; and he fastened it with nails that it
which distinguishes those who alike should not be moved." Let us no more
hold the Head, and love the Lord Jesus contemn nor blame each other, though
but strive, in
in sincerity, is but the earthly guise and blamed enough elsewhere
cumlocution.
that
MOTIVES IN mSSIONARY ENTERPRISE.

offices of love,
how we may
other's burdens in the share of woe.

8thly. (Jur good in evil spoken
liable
to
when we
nf,
97
of opinion so monstrous, interpretations

of Scripture so extravagant, crudities of
each
ligliten
and sentiment so disgusting, claims of
become the object of detraction,

disparage or make light of the
infalli-
so atrocious, simulations of inspiration so indecent and profane 1

If there
bility
missionary character iisef.

By these operations, a school has been
formed in which greatness has built itseJf
a house, with heroism of purpose, and
be such a thing as religious insanity, we

certainly have of late been favoured with
dint of courage, and lovely and sublime
prised
some of its strangest
enthusiasm and zeal. We love to think

of such men, and we think that nothing
is too great to be conceded to them, and
that no honour is too vast to be devolved
upon them. But is it not very possible that
sometimes to such men we give a servile
rank, a grudging support, a supercilious
patronage"?
much
Do we
our agents
not
deem them
whom we may
contortions, the
if error,
most
And can we be
fantastic babblings.
enthusiasm,
if
if
sur-
some
some absurdity, spring up in

weeds in the wastes
so recently redeemed
demons returning
to the dwelling which has been so lately
visionary, if
our churches abroad
emptied, swept, and garnished

the heaving of the storm only just now dispelled,
rocking of the ocean just allayed.

would be better to turn from them,
and to turn from ourselves let us think
of all the wildnesses of extravagance in
the
Cut
too
employ,
it
whose purposes we may counteract, and

whose will we may control? I know the churches of Galatia and Corinth, and
there must be law
I know there must then say whether we ought in fact to
be arrangement I know there must be speak harsher of those who may have
some authority, and some deference. gone astray under circumstances of pecuBut I remember how missionaries have liar temptation, where character could
not have been well formed, principle well
sometimes been dealt with and spoken of,

and then contrast this with the conduct
of the generous Paul who had such a
claim to command, and who was so likely
lie wished Apollos to ])roto be rigiit
ceed in a particular course, and to do a
particular work; but Paul was satisfied
when he found that " his will was not at
settled, or feeling well disciplined.
all
to
come."
member
IMy brethren,
let
may
Again. Our good
when ice
be evil spoken of
anticipate results from missionary
labours untenable on scriptural ground.
There has ever been a hope of some

reversion, and some improved
This
order of things awaiting mankind.
has lighted u]) the dying eye, and strength-
brigiit
us re-
ened and fortified the sinking heart, of the

Philosowisest and the best of our race.
phy has clung to it poetry has almost
made it its own the pythoness spoke of
and the sibyl wrote
it upon her tripod
ed their lives for tiie sake of the Lord it on her rnystic leaf: from Delphi these
Iêt us, rather tiian dictate to promises went forth ; and men have been
Jesus."
them, or offer any diaparagement of their ahvnys twuglit that there is a halcyon
characters and their motives, bow down period coming when all their wrongs
before the men of such minds, and seeX shall be redressed, and the presages of
Christianity consevirtue be realized.
more the happiness of such hearts.
Olhly. Our good may be evil spoken tf crates this hope ; it seems to wind around
in this missionary connexion, when we it the best yearnings and fibres of their
liemember what the gospel is:
adopt hanhtr rules respecting our distant bosoms.
Thereforo
proselytes than obtain in our churches at it is complete, it is whole.
antici|)ate nothing that will innovate upon
home.
VVo have deviations, we liavo irregu- its cliaraetiT, nothing that will displace
any upon earth

worthy of a generous confidence, worthy
of a large discretion, worthy of a delicate
tenderness, worthy of a cordial esteem, it
is these devoted men who have " hazard-
larities,
fanatical
that if there be
wo have
wild fanries,
superstitions.
we
liave
Wiiat age
or
ib< |)rescnl
It is its
claims, or
iionour that
what land ev<r yet witnessed speculations! Bervation; nor can
Vol. I. l.t
it
its
presen' glorii*.
cometh
wo
1
find
not with obit
with any

THE BRITISH
98
Therefore "if they shall

say unto you, UehoM, he is in the desert;
go not forth behold, he is in the secret
observation.
chambers; believe it not." Whatever is

the consummation, it must be true to the
principles and the promises of our reliAnd there are visions, without any
gion.
visions of glory, which
disputed points
stretch away to the utmost bounds of the
there
everlasting hills
are ages of peace
shall rise with the last syllabic of
which
We
recorded time.
wait no other arrival
of the day that shall cover our earth with

we want no other
thorns and with briers
covenant
we
the stones, and with the
witii
want no other
with trees of the
Lord's right hand planting we want no
other trees of life but those whose leaves
beasts of the field

period but a world
filled
we want
are for the healing of the nation
no other new heaven, no other new earth,
but that in which dwelleth righteousness.
Tell me, then, of such a millennium as this
contained in these words, supposing them
to be addressed to the world at large
:
" Ye
are our epistle written in our hearts,
read of all men."

" Ye have
obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered to you."
Mark
them which walk so, and paradise is restored, and Eden is regained.
Lastly, Our good may be evil spoken of
if we do not follow up our success.
We have made a lodgment; and there
are those who have gone up to the high
known and
PULPIT.
thrust at the cause of Christianity, that'

all
the past has been an idle dream, and
that
now we
tion to
care not to give substantia-
it.
my
Such,
brethren,
the series
is
which
of
have endeavoured to impress on your minds;

endeavouring to show you, that though
you are doing good, yet that that good is
liable to some imputation, and that it must
bo so done as to avoid and to resist all
such imputations. 1 congratulate you on
the results of your former benevolence,
which have reached me in a distant part.
We in a distant part, our pastors and
teachers, have rejoiced in your good, and
in our behalf that that good could not be
evil spoken of.
But it is necessary to
persevere; and never are we in so great
danger as when we imagine all danger is
escaped. Therefore, look well to your
motives, look well to your plans, look
well to your exertions ; and especially let
not the charge of any thing new be
brought against you. True, the subject
has again and again been canvassed
made the subject of hundreds of disShow
courses, addresses, and epistles.
practical observations
that
was
it
made you
principle that
and show
it;
ciple
characterizes you in
Desert
it
you will
es-
no want of prin-
pouse
it is
deserting
it.
You may have
not.
suffered as other cities have suffered, as
other towns
still
suffer;
yet neverthe-
places of the
remember there is something you

may withdraw from self something you
aid
may
field, and they call on us to

them, or they must perish in the
There
breach.
is
a harvest, and
it
bends
less
when
though
assemam ashamed.
retrench from indulgence

I
speak
to
such
a Christian
own
fruitful weight; it invites bly, I declare that to beor I

and the wind begins to moan,
1 rather will make my closing appeal
and the air to chill ; and in a little time to those who received one in the earlier
you who have
the summer will have passed ; and where part of the exhortation
thousands of hands should gather the long heard the gospel, ami have heard it
spoil, and thousands of voices should in vain
lulled into sleep by the very beswell the carol, there is seen, at immense seechings of mercy, as well as by the
intervals, solitary labourers, standing very thunders of denunciation.
You
breast high, marked by the hopeless im- have had line upon line, precept upon
You ask us what is the fate of
practicability of their work, and by the precept.
alas
cheerless silence of their sphere of labour. the pagan
we can only say " the
under
its
the sickle
We
are committed to Christianity
are committed to
Christianity;
is not
give
we
worth a
way we
;
all
who
wo
are opposed to
declare virtually that
final
exertion
declare, as
if
it
wicked
cruelly
God,"
wlio have
in their
knowledge,
the nations that forget

not liked to retain
now we and who have
we thus
shall be turned into hell, willi all
God
not only done evil things'
themselves, but have
had pleasure
inr

MOTIVES IN MISSIONARY ENTERPUISE.
them
that have done them.
This
is
fate of every heathen who dies in unreAnd how

pented and unibrgiven sin.
shall he call on Christ as a Saviour of
whom he has not heard 1 How shall he
But as to your
hear without a preacher ]
fate
if there be any thing like a veil
as
99
ON THE RE-UXIO.N OF GOOD MEN
the
IN A
FCTUR*
STATE.
Ik the mere conception of the re-union

of good men in a future state infused a
momentary rapture into the mind of
Tully
if
an airy speculation, for there is

it had little hold on his
reason to fear
convictions, could inspire him with such

and he delight, what may we be expected to feel,
who runneth may read. You who have no who are assured of such an event by the
cloak for your sins you perish like true saijini^s of God! How should we
Nadab and Abihu, before the mercy-seat; rejoice in the prospect of spending a
you perish, like the inhabitants of Jerusa- blissful eternity with those M'hom we
lem, bathed with a Saviour's tears. You loved on earth, of seeing them emerge
perish, but you wade through the blood from the ruins of the tomb, and the deep*
of the cross in your journey to hell and er ruins of the fall, not only uninjured,
you sec the form that hung upon it, and but refined and perfected, "with every
you hear the voice that spake from it; tear wiped from their eyes," standing
and that form shall ever haunt your eye, before the throne of God and the Lamb.
and that voice shall ever haunt your ear, What delight will it afford to renew the
while for eternity you are tormented with sweet counsel we have taken together, to
Yours is the recount the toils of combat, and the labour
the devils and the damned.
retribution of incensed mercy, and wearied of the way, and to approach the throne
forbearance, and exasperated love. Yours of God, in company, in order to join in the
yours symphonies of heavenly voices, and lose
is not the retribution of the Jew
is not the retribution of the pagan; yours ourselves amidst the splendours and fruiit is not
tions of the beatific vision
is a retribution all your own
even the retril)ution which is allotted to
To that state all the pious on earth are
the devil, thougli you share the everlast- tending; and if there is a law from whose
ing fire with the devil and his angels. operation none are exempt, which irreNo there is a pang in it which you your- sistibly conveys their bodies to darkness
self have inflicted; there is a peculiarity and to dust, there is another, not less cerin it which you yourself have infused. tain or less powerful, which conducts
And rnethinks that pagans and Jews, and their spirits to the abode of bliss, the
the devils themselves, as they see you bosom of their Father and their (Jod. The
tossing in the fire
see you sinking from wheels of nature are not made to roll
pulf to gulf, and from deep to deep, will backward ; every thing presses on tobe glad to escape the agitation of your wards eternity from the birth of time an
rage be glad to escape the fierce upbraid- impetuous current has set in, which bears
over his
tinctly,
it
is
to yours,
written
it
is
written dis-
signally;
be glad to escape the

iolent, the overwhelming terrors of your
eye.
Like the spectators of the mystic
liabylon, they will "stand afar off, for
ings of your voice
fear of your torment."
How
shall
you
escape if you persecute, oppose, jeerl

No, no: how shall you escape if ymi
nef^lfcl Kii ip-eal salvnttim ?
May God add
his blessing.
Amen and amen.
all
the sons of
nable ocean.
men towards
that intermi-
Meanwhile heaven
tracting to itself whatever
is
is
at-
congenial to
nature, is enriching itself by the spt ils

of earth, and collecting within its (rapacious bosom whatever is pure, permanenr,
its
and divine, leavini^ nothing

fire
to
slaves of c>jncupi8ccncc.
(>
for the last
consume but the objects and

Hall.
Uia
SERMON
VIII.
THE NATURE AND CONSEQUENCES OF IMPENITENCE.
BY THE REV.
J.
JAMES
A.
OF BIRMINGHAM.
and impenitent
'But, after thy hardness

wrath,
heart, treasuresl tip unto thyself wrath against the
revelation of the righteous judgment of God."
and
You will very naturally and very justly

conclude, that, if the sermon harmonize
with the spirit of the text, the preacher
with your
himself and you,
The man that can
forbid that he should
trifle in the situation he now occupies, and
in presence of the scene by which he is
now surrounded, must be as incapable of
impression from objects truly sublime, as
does not intend to-night
God,
mercy
to trifle
implied they do
treasure in heaven
Rom.
it)
ii.
that
hell.
they lay up
of the wicked
in the text, that they lay
day of
5.
it is
said,
up treasure in
After the hardness and impenitent
heart that they possess
that is, according to their hard and impenitent heart,

they treasure up unto themselves wrath
against the day of wrath.
This language was primaril)'^ addressed
to the Jews.
The apostle intended to
he would be forgetful of the object which impress them with the idea that all the
brought him to the pulpit, and unmindful interpositions of God on the behalf of theii
of his responsibility to Him that sent him nation, through every period of its history,
there.
Listen to me while I very plainly was designed to lead them to repentance
unfold and enforce the meaning of the but, instead of complying with this detext ; and it shall be my endeavour that sign, they were wilfully ignorant of it
nothing in the mode of representation they were obstinately impenitent and unadopted on this occasion shall stand be- believing; and, instead of being melted
tween the truth and your consciences.
to repentance by the riches of mercy,
The love of money may be said to be they hardened themselves by unbelief and
the ruling passion of the great portion of impenitence, so as to expose themselves
mankind. How eager are their desires
to the wrath of God.
Viewing them in
how great their efforts how ingenious their collective capacity, as a nation, the
their plans
how unwearied their indus- text received its accomplishment when
try, to lay up wealth
And yet, as they the Romans came and burnt their city and
brought nothing into the world, so neither temple, and carried into a miserable capwill they take any thing with them when tivit}' all who survived the slaughter of
they leave it. All tho, fruits of their la- the siege ; and so great, so unparalleled
bour they must leave behind them ; and, was the misery endured by Jerusalem
unattended by any thinj but the results during that awful period, that, to quote
of their conduct, enter into the presence the language of Josephus, " it seemed as
of the all-searching, the all-seeing God. if hell had been let loose to consume them
But there is a sense in which it may be with all its fires, and curse them with all
said all men are laying up treasures in its plagues."
But these sufferings were
souls.
in
to
eternity.
Of the
righteous
it is
said they
are laying up treasure (or, at least, they
are exhorted to do so, and therefore
it is
only the type of that misery which, as

individuals, they endure in the unseen
world. It is to this more especially the
100

NATURE AND CONSEQUENCES OF IMPENITENCE.
lanâge
101
on tried hy the pure and perfect law of God:

not merely some general notion, taken up
tent; and I design, under the first head of by education or from others, that we are
discourse, to consider the nature tf impeiu- not quite perfect, and that matters are not
ience ; and, in the second place, the penal altogether with us as they should be but
it is founded upon, and necessarily imconsequences of it.
of the text refers.
the case of
all
that
is,
of
all
It bears
'
the imperii-
'
we
plies, a clear view of our sinful state as

" After transgressors against God's laws tha*
thy hardness and impenitent heart;" or, we have broken them a thousand and a
In
place,
first
tlie
are to consider
THE NATURE OF IMPENITENCE.
*'
thy hard and impenitent heart."
hard heart
same
the
is
thousand times,
deed.
as an impenitent
one, and an impenitent the
same as a hard
is
When
concerns.
this,
where there
true penitence, there is a consciousness
that
religion has the
in reference to other
thought, word, and
we are deservedly under the wrath of

God, and the curse of that law which out
sins have violated.
The man who is not
prepared to admit that he has sinned to
this extent, to such an extent as to be un
der the wrath of God, condemned to die
Mard-heartedness in reference to
same meaning as it has
heart.
in
Connected with
we
speak of a hard-hearted man in reference to his conduct to his fellow-creatures,

we speak of one that has no susceptibility
the man who is
to impressions of pity, no feeling for the and deserving of hell
misfortunes of others one that is not not prepared to admit his sin to this exten*
is not convinced of sin, and can have no
moved by the sight of another's wo ;
Connected
in short, one that is without feeling for penitence on account of it.
the distresses of the human race. A hard with this clear view of his sinful state,
heart in reference to religion means the and that, in consequence, he is exposed to
same thing, only the object is changed. A the wrath of God, and under the condemin connexion with,
heart destitute of feeling in reference to nation of the law
religion means a mind that has no clear and in addition to this, wherever there is
views of sin, a heart that has no convic- penitence there is alarm.
The man is
tions, no emotions of grief on account of startled in his indifference, awakened to
its transgressions in the siglit of God. see his awful condition, and that, unless
There are various degrees of hard-heart- something be done, he must perish, and
edness. Some are given up to what is perish eternally. It is impossible the
called total ami judicial ohduracy.
There mind can be at ease, carelesslj' inditTerent,
are no gleams of conviction in their judg- without the emotion of fear, that is, in a
ment; there are no emotions of grief for state of penitence. Connected with this,
their transgressions in thrirhearts. Others there is an inf^cnuous disposition to confess
are only partially hard-hearted.
In this sin to God, without extenuation, without
sense of the phrase they do occasionally excuse, without self-defence. There is
relent ; there are moments when the mind no penitence where there is a disposition
Beeras to begin to perceive its awful con- to palliate, and to think well of ourselves.
dition in the sight of God, and when the On the contrary, penitence causes a man
heart begins in some measure to feel its to smite on his breast, saying, *' God bo
But these seasons am transient, merciful to me a sinner !" Pcnitenro
dangers.
'
and give way
in reference to sin, and pardon,
implies i^rirf for sin, mourning over it.

And again, penilence implies flrfj.tposi/iW
nal
to forsake nin,
predominant indilTerence
and eter-
to
as that which is exceedingly

him by wiioni it is indulged.
Hence you observe the nuaniiig of tho
life.
Hut perhaps we
this Huliject
if
we
nature of pmilence
a neg-ative term,
Btaiid
it
if
we
hateful to
shall better understand
consider what
;
we
fi)r
is
the
expression when he distinguishes between sorrow ami repentance:

" (indly sorrow worketh n-pi-ntance
apostle's
impenitence being
siiall
clearly uii(1<t-
take a viw of
its
positive
that ni'odelh not to be rept-nied of.'

Penitence mranH, then, a rlrar vino ^yiThal in, where there is (jenuinr ffrirf for
our depraved nature and tûilly coiulurt aa Hiii, it mIII produce an entire change of
nature.
THE
103
mind
it;
BRITISH PULPIT.
and ouglit most solicitously to seek forgiveness, yet he may go on offending
against God, trampling under foot every
one of his precepts, caring nothing about
the matter; as if Jehovah were that only
being in the universe whom it should not
grieve us to offend.
It is a great contempt
of the /fifty (f God, that, after we have
trampled it under foot, and accounted it
an unholy thing that then we should
have no grief for the injury we have done
And, moreover, a want of penitence
it.
marks a total rejection of the whole scheme
If we liave no
cf mercy in the gospel.
brokenness of heart, if we arc not brought
in rrfcrcnce to tlie object that grieves
Mill produce hatred to sin, and a
it
resolution to forsake
And
it.
there will
be no true repentance \vhere there is not

connected with \t faith iji the Lord Jesus
Christ, as the only way by ichichsin can he
fur (riven.
Now, my
hearers, this is penitence
and
impenitence means, of course, the op])oThe man wlio is jiot consite to this.
vinced of sin the man who is not alarmed

who does not see that he is under the
wrath of God, and deservedly exposed to
who does nut grieve over
eternal misery
his sin
wlio does
who does
not hate and forsake it

depend on the Lord Jesus
to humble ourselves in the sight of God,

Christ for salvation such a man is im- we are not in a state of mind that at all
penitent ; he is hard-hearted towards God, prepares us to receive the gospel ; we are
and every thing connected with religion. neglecting the great salvation ; and are
Now, there may be this impenitence, adding to all our other sins contempt of
this hardness of heart, where there is the Son of God in his mediatorial capacity
much that is morally amiable in the con- and work.
not
duct of those
to
My
whom I am now referring.
you
friends,
will perceive, then,
Towards their fellow-creatures there may that the want of penitence is a most awful
be much genuine pity, much tenderness crime it comprehends every aggravation
of spirit, much benevolence towards men, of iniquity. The impenitent man is go;
and yet not one spark of penitence in the ing on, adding sin to sin and this is the
We have heard of many link that binds him to an unconverted and
sight of God.
It is of great importance
of the most lovely of their species who sinful state.
;
yet appear to be altogether in the dark that
represent this matter, because the
with respect to their spiritual condition latter j)art of the subject is to state to you
.^who have no conviction of sin, no the punishment, the consequences that
genuine penitence ; but are living in the WILL FOLLOW UPON IMPENITENCE and, as
most confirmed hardness of heart. Per- they are very terrible, it should be manihaps you may not see the guilt of this fest that the sin that will bring them is
;
want of penitence
but
it
this
equally great.
hardness of heart
Now turn your attention first
really contains in itself every ag-
to the time
gravation that sin admits of. There is, when the punishmefit will be inflicled. And
for instance, rehelliun against the authority before we proceed, let me entreat you,
cf God, who commands men every where my dear hearers, to ask yourselves the
There is great insult offered to question, " Have I yet been brought by
to repent.
God: for in proportion to the excellence the Spirit's teaching and grace to true
of any being whom we may offend, should

be the promptness of our mind to confess
How
the offence and mourn over it.
prompt, then, should we be to hasten to
the footstool of the divine throne, and
confess the sins we have committed
penitence, or
not
my
am
I still
impenitent
Is
heart hardened, insensible to abid-
ing impressions on religious subjects?

If so, I am the very person whose punish-
ment the preacher is about to describe."

you are the man you, whoever
Just so
against the infinitely blessed, glorious, you are, who are still destitute of "repentSo that the man without ance towards God, and faith in our Lord
and holy God
I
penitence
is
living in a state of aggravated
insult against Jehovah
ought
as
if,
though he
be very sorry for the very smallest offence against bis fellow-creatures,
to
Jesus Christ."
"^rhe
time
inflicted.
we
die
we
when
It is
this punishment will be

very true that the moment
enter into heaven or hell.

NATURE AND CONSEQltENCES OF IMPENITENCE.
103
mankind consider' of Jesus Clirist." There slidll be at that

this so frequently as they ought tliey step day not only a revelation of (iod and of
Death is the most Jesus Christ, but there shall be a revelaat the article of death.
awful catastrophe that can happen to us ticn if man. Millions of saints shall come
but the most awful event out from their obscurity, and shine forth
in this world
that can happen in this world is as no- as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.
thing compared with what is to follow. Millions of flaming but hypocritical proWe are all just as near to heaven or hell fessors shall stand at that day unmasked.
vSilcnt and unheeded goodness shall be
if this night we die,
as we are to death
we sink to the torments of lost souls, or brought tolight; secret and encrmcuswick
Oh, the deeds
rise to the felicities of redeemed ones. edness shall be exposed.
But neither the happiness of the righteous that shall then be brought to light Oh, the
nor the ])unishmcnlof the wicked is com- secrets that shall be made manifest in the
God grant, my hearers,
At the morning of the day of revelation
plete at death.
resurrection the body is to be reasscciated that there may ccme out nothing in that
with the spirit; and then the whole man day that shall fill you and me with dis-
.am not
quite sure that
is to
.
enter on his endless career of torment
or of bliss.
may
God grant that we may have nothing to be brought frcm behind the veil
of secrecy which we shall blush to hear
!
Observe how it is spoken of: " Tlie

There w ill be a reveday (f wruth.^'' The day of judgment will in that awful day
be to the wicked nothing but a day of lation (f secrets then all the secrets of
wrath all they see, all they hear, all they men's history. Sinner, thou that art now
/eel, all they anticipate, will be unmixed screening thyself from public gaze, carryI
wrath.
.
was
he to thein as the deluge

and unbelieving in
It will
to the impenitent
the time of
Noah.
They saw
the foun-
deep breaking up, and

the windows of heaven thrown open ; they
heard the strange uproar, and felt themselves in the midst of the wild confusion
of a dissolving world, as it must have appeared to them and in every thing around
them, in all they saw and heard, they belield nothingbut awful justice, fearful and
indescribable vengeance.
So will it be
with the wicked, the ini|)enitent, in the
day of judgment; it will be a day if
tains of the great
wrath.
a day ofrevchiiiim
will be in every view
we
take of
and so
it.
it
There
will be a revelation if God, in the wisdom

of his plans, in his mercy to his people,
his justice of the
punishment of the
that
guise
most dexterously wrought
mask
shall serve thee nothing in the
of revelation
it
shall be torn
thou shalt appear as thou
But the
day
away, and
art.
text speaks particularly of one
the rcvelattun if rightkind of revelation

eous jud<smenl that shall come on the u-icked.
There will be a revelation of judgment
itself.
The punishment of the wrath of
God
now revealed
is
unrighteousness of
partial revelation.
know
page
ungodliness and
partially on the
of Scripture against
eternity to
It is called
in
ing on thy career of iniquity behind a dis-
all
men
Ah
but
it is
we must
only a
go to
the secrets of eternity.
Never, Christian, will the greatness of

never, impethy felicity be revealed
nitent sinner, never till the day of judgment will the greatness of thy iniquity be
revealed.
But this is not all it is the revelation

be a revelation if
Jmus Christ. The long-agitated question of r/"i;/i/f(/t/."i judgment ; a complete nianiwill then be finally and for ever settled. f( station of the justice of Grd in the puThere will be no question who he is no nishment of the wicked. Now we know,
more shall it be doubted that he is the that terrible as the curse of the wicked
we know, that though tlure is a
{Treat (Jod and our Saviour Jesus Christ. will be
No Socinian in that day shall (|uestinn lake that burnetii with fire ami brinistono
we know, thai though prnfane men and
his divinity no blaspheniing infidel shall
wicked.
There
will
deride
thm.
power and
in
pressly railed
lie shall be
great glory
'
revealed
and
it is
in
ex-
the day of the revelation
infidels
mock
at the justice of (Jod in the
|)unisliinent of the wickiti
God
is
just; ami the
men
we know that
that
mock now

THE BRITISH
104
shall see that
God
to
it
is
a rigliteous thing with
There
punish sinners.
shall be
PULPIT.
it
is
threatened, and the wicked sport
with the threat; but then it will be fell

wrath that shall reach the spirit. This,
this will be the state of the torment of the
no infitiels in hell there shall none go

from the jiulorment-seat impeachintr the
Every man, however wicked in eternity. God has access
justice of God.
terrible his sentence, will carry with the the mind he can make his displeasure
:
seed of his jninishment, the conviction

that it is not more than his transgressions
It will be manifested before the
deserve.
So that, while the righteous shall
world.
be
felt;
ment the
wrath
he can rack the roul, he can

spirit.
inflicted to
We
are told
it
to
to
tor-
will be
manifest the greatness
way of punishment.
Kings sometimes give unusual
righteous shall be exalted to glory before solemnity to executions, to strike terror
the universe when Christ shall come to into the hearts of their enemies, and to
be glorified in his saints; so shall the show what stores of vengeance are at
be honoured before the world,
of the divine power in the
wliile the
their command.
The punishment of the
wicked he punished before the universe
and while men admire the power and the impenitent will show God's power in the
mercy of God in the salvation of the right- way (f wrath.
:
they
yes,
the power and the justice of
It will be everlasting wrath.

It is a
quenchless fire, a worm that never dies.
that same God in thy punishment, as thou What must it be to endure the unmitigated
shalt sink beneath the wrath of him that wrath of God for a moment, for an hour,
for a week, for a year, for a century, for a
dooms thee to perdition.
Next, we are to consider the nature rf thousand years, for a million of ages
the punishment. " After thy hardness and But if, at that distance, there should be
impenitent heart, thou treasures! up one gleam of hope appearing through the
If it were the vista of darkness, hell would cease to be
wrath." Whose wrath
wrath of an angel, or of an archangel, hell ; hope would spring up and the very
there would be something tremendous in idea of the termination of torment would
sustain the soul under it. But oh, eternal
But it is the wrath of God. Oh
it.
To look
there is something in that idea more ter- wrath! jBrcr/as//7jg vengeance
through eternity, and see no resting-place
rible than the imagination can compass
To be
Solomon tells us that the " wrath of a under the extremity of torture
king is as the roaring of a lion." But obliged to cry out, How long? and to rewhat is the wrath of a king to the wrath ceive no answer but ''for ever .'" And
of God? What is the wrath of Nebu- after millions of ages have past, and the
chadnezzar, with his heated fiery furnace, question is again asked. How long? still
seven times hotter for the Hebrew mar- to receive no answer but ''for ever .'" Oh,
tyrs that were cast in, to the wrath of my hearers, my hearers you know what
God 1 What is the wrath of Darius, or it is in this world to have the heaviest
the counsellors of Darius, and the den of affliction lightened by the influence of
hungry roaring lions, compared to the hope, the darkest scene cheered by a ray
wrath of God ? But, perhaps, it may be of hope. But think, I beseech you, think
of a state of suffering where hope will go
said that it is only a taste of his wrath
not a drinking deep of the bitter cup. The out, and leave you to the bitterness of
Scripture says wrath will come on the despair /oc ever
This wrath is said to be wrath to come,
wicked to the uttermost: it will be unNolo God, even in the and because it is to come, sinners will not
mixed wrath.
case of the wicked, blends mercy with believe it ; because it is to come they tliink
judgment then mercy will retire the cup it never will come. But do take God's
eous, they will admire

will admire
sinner,
will be all vengeance, unsweetened
drop of mercy.
consider that it
Oh
let the
it
will come.
petually drawing near.
It is
It is per-
nearer to
Omnipo- those who are impenitent this day than it

it will be nearer
It will was last Sabbath-day
merely threatened. Now to-morrow than it is to-day. It is com-
is
the wrath of
tence, the wrath of Omniscience
be wrath /e//, not
by one word do believe
impenitent
NATURE AND CONSEQUENCES OF IMPENITENCE.

beseech you take warning
And
it does come it will heunpitied
suffering-.
Divine connpassion now stands
by you ; the Saviour stands with his grace.
If he was here he would be ready to drop
tears of compassion over the impenitent
and unbelieving. But in the day of your
punishment there will be no pity "he
will laugh at your calamity, and mock
when your fear cometh." This, then, is
the punishment that shall come on the
wicked and impenitent.
But there is another circumstance yet
to be mentioned, and that is, the proportion of the pu7iishntent.
In the Hebrew
Scriptures the idea o( hope is set forth by
treasure: rve use the word generally only
in reference to what we account precious ;
but in the Hebrew writings any thing that
is accumulative is accounted
treasure.
Hence, we read of the treasures of wickedness.
The expression " treasurest up
ing
then,
when
wrath," seems
be put in opposition to
the expression in the foregoing verse
" the riches of his goodness." What an
idea ! Treasures of love ! Heaps of wrath
And you
to
will observe, the sinner
sented as the author of his
ment; there
is
capricious; he
The
own
is
repre-
punish-
nothing arbitrary, nothing

the author of it himself.
is
idea conveyed
is this
that
there
is
105
down at night, he is richer (if I

apply the term) in vengeance in
another world, than when he arose in the
morning. He is continually deepening
and darkening his hell he is continually
adding to the weight of the fetters which
he
lies
may
him down
will sink
pit.
It is
into the bottomless
no hyperbole,
it
is
no forced
expression, to say, that there will be multitudes
who
will lament in eternity that
they had not been in hell sooner, before

they had been permitted to go such
lengths in sin.
And
then, as this propor-
tion will be according to the sin

ted, so
it
will be according
abused and neglected.
The
commit-
to the
rich
mercies
man com-
mits greater sin than the poor man, the

wise than the unlearned they sin against
:
more light; they abuse greater means of

doing good.
But of all the men with
whom God will deal most severely ia
judgment, and in reference to whom there
will be more accumulation of wraih, is
the man that has lived all his days under
the preaching of the gospel, and been favoured with religious advantages. The
sins of the poor heathen are light compared with his; and the punishment will
be light too. Every broken Sabbath adds
something to the weight of wrath ; every
neglected sermon adds something to the
weight of punishment; all the checks of
conscience, all the remonstrances of
friends, all the advice and prayers of pa-
an accumulation continually going on as

long as ho sins. Do let me again entreat
you to think of this that whatever an
impenitent man is doing, he is heaping up rents, will be taken into account in that
wratli.
Ho maybe getting wealtii,but he day, and will all tend to increase the heap
is treasuring up wrath. He may be getting of wrath.
fame, but he is treasuring up wrath.
Now, my hearers, do consider the
He
maybe formingpleasingconnexions,but he misery that will come ort the impenitent.
is treasuring up wrath.
Every day he is And there is great reason to fear, to use
adding soinithingto the heap. Kvery oath the striking language of a distinguished
the swearer utters, there issometliing more American preacher
there is i/reat reason
gone to the heap of wrath. Every lie the to fear that tliere arc many in this assemliar tells, there is something more gone bly, and listening to tliis discourse, who
to the treasure of wrath.
Kvery act of will be the Kubjccts of deep misery to all
uncleanness that the lewd man commits, eternity. Who they are, where they sit,
there is something more gone to the ac- what they may be thinking about, we do
cumulation of wrath.
Kvery day he lives not know. They may be at ease ; thry
in sin, the book of God's reineinbranee may be flattering thenjsdves tiii-y shall
debits to his account,
Tlure is a weigh- escape; that matters arc safe with them;
tier treasure of wrath for the impenitent but lliey are hastening on to this iiiisem-
llioro was yesterday; tliere ble state.

If we knew, said he. that thrro
more to-morrow, if he continues was iul one such soul in this assembly,
It wc could tco
impeniteiil, than there is lo-dav.
Wlwii what an awful thoujrlit
to-<lay, than
will be
Vol..
I. 14

THE
106
him, what an awful
siglit it
BlilTISn
would be! then, believe the awful threatening
man whom we knew was ôing
to eter-
nal misery, and would certainly endure

it
ell
PUUWT.
might the whole congregation
it
true, or is
it
" The wicked

Is
it
true, or is
not true, that
Is
God has
said,
shall be turned into hell 7''^

it
not true, that Jesus Christ
up a bitter and a lamentable cry over will say to the wicked, in the last day,
him. But, alas instead of there being " Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlastonly one, there are doubtless many who ing fire, prepared for the devil and his
Is it true, or is it not true, that
will remember this sermon, to all eter- angels?''^
It would be a wonder if Jesus Christ has said, " Their worm dieth
nity, in hell.
some of the congregation were not there not their fire is not quenched ?" Oh, if
before this year were out: and it would it be true, believe it!
Turn from the
be no wonder if some, now in health and profane men who would convert the
energy, were there before to-morrow morn- threatenings of Scripture into matters of
Close your ear against the
And let the impenitent heap up as ridicule.
ing.
long as they may, if they continue im- sceptic, who would throw a doubt on the
penitent, they will soon be there: their reality of the threatenings of God's word.
damnation lingereth not their destruction Will he not punish the wicked 1 Then
will come swiftly and perhaps suddenly why has he said it?
Is there no hell?
upon them. Some, doubtless, that you Then the Bible is a fiction Christ was
once knew, and who were as likely to an impostor, and the apostles partakers
set
and deserved perdition

no more than yourselves, are already past
hope their agony is begun, their despairing course commenced. But you are tolive as yourselves,
Is there no hell? Then

no heaven no hereafter no
judgment-seat. I entreat you believe the
of the delusion.
there
is
Oh, the madness,
threatenings.
mad-
the
night in the land of the living in the ness I will not give up the term, and
house of God within the reach of mercy use a milder the madness of that man
within the reach of hope.
Oh, what that spends all the time that God's mercy
would those poor, despairing, lost crea- has given him to flee from hell, by pertures give for one such opportunity of suading, or attempting to persuade, him-
you enjoy
none
I say, attempting
persuade himself, for he has not done
Reflect, I beseech you, on your it.
Is there no trembling ?
to you ?
Is there no
condition.
Disprove the fact that you are midnight voice, no spectral fear ? Is there
sinners, and the subject has nothing to do no palpitation of heart at the sound of the
with you. You may go carelessly away knell, or the sight of an open grave?
salvation as
And now, my
self there is
this night!
hearers,
what
shall I say
to
you may say, these terrors ap- Why tremble at death ?

Why that
ply not to me ; the thunders of the law anxiety of mind to persuade yourself that
But, I beseech there is no hell?
roar harmless over me.
Because in spite of all
you, consider that you are sinners. I do thy bravado thou fearest that there is.
to-night:
not say that any of you are profligates ; I

do not say that you are immoral ; but I
say that you have broken the law of God.
You are sinners; you are under the condemnation of the law, and are in danger of
perishing.
Do
take up that cry, "
am
Oh, believe that there is for

step towards escaping it.
!
this is the
Go home
first
to-night believing that
God
is
as true in
his threatenings as he is true in his pro-
mises.
It is
yet wrath
ful portents are in
No
/o co7?ie.
fear-
gloomy
the sky; no
lost, a miserable sinner."

Then believe comet glares upon it with portentous
the threatenings of God's word denounced light, from the u])per regions of the atagainst sin.
You must have faith you mosphere ; no convulsive throes heave
must believe it. You must first believe the ground beneath thy feet. There is
Christ waits to be gracious his
the law, before you can believe the gos- mercy
You must believe you are a con- blood cleanseth from all sin. To-night,
pel.
demned sinner, before you can believe in to-night betake thyself, O sinner, to
Begin to-night bow thy knees
Christ, as a Saviour of the lost; or you prayer
<:an
never believe
to salvation.
Oh,
do.
to-night.
Thy
heart
is
hard
know
it
NATURE AND CO^^SEQUENCES OF IMPENITENCE.
107
one that can soften it. Thou

canst not repent
Thou must repent
and Christ has been exalted to his throne
ness of his temper, the simplicity of his

heart, the sincerity of his understanding,
to give repentance as well as remission
they were delivered, and render them
but there
is
Tu-night, begin to-night:
of sins.
gave
most amusing productions of that age,

to us, perhaps the most valuable.
As A faithful court preacher he excelled.
" Bishop Latimer, having preached a
sermon before Henry Vlll. in which he
and,
touched on some topics displeasing to

his majesty, was commanded to preach
again the following Sunday, and to introduce an apology for the offence he had
thou continuest
After naming his text, the Bishop

commenced his sermon
Hugh
when Latimer, dost thou know to whom thou
impenitent and unhand, when thou
still
is at
wilt curse the day of thv birth
given.
thus
it
when
Amen.
THE PULPIT
'
art this
who can take away thy life

thou offendest; therefore, take heed
that thou spoakest not that which may
lent majesty,
if
But then, consider well,

Latimer, dost thou not know from
displease.
Hugh
comes whence thou comest, and upon whose message thou art sent]
Even by the Great
God, who is all-present, and beholdeth
all thy ways; who is omnipotent, and
G.A.I.IillR-fi'.
as inconceivable, as
will be intolerable
day to speak ] To the high and

mighty monarch, the king's most excel-
thou wilt curse the hour in which thou

didst ever hear a gospel sermon; but
chief of all thou Avilt curse thine own
folly, under all the poignancy of remorse,
for neglecting the invitations of mercy,
and continuing in sin.
God in mercy
preserve thee from this misery, which is
now
when
now
the
trifle
no longer come to a parley. Thou art

not happy: thou canst not be. There is
conflict in thy bosom
there are warning
voices thou must hear, and checks thou
must feel.
Oh, come, come to the
Saviour
Except thou repent, thou wilt
perish and believing in Clirist thou must
be saved.
But if, after this invitation,
believing, the hour
and vigour to his sermons
life
it
able to cast both hod)/ and soul into hell
together
BISHOP LATI.MKR.
Hugh Latimer was
born in the year
1170; when fourteen years old he was energy.

sent to
Cambridge
at the usual
time he
therefore, take heed, and deliver
thy message faithfully.'

" He then proceeded with the same sermon he had preached the preceding Sunday, and confirmed it with redoubled
court
was
The sermon being

full
ended, the
of expectation to
know
the
and entering into fdte of this honest, plain dealing Bishop.

priest's orders, was remarkably zealous After the dinner the king called liatimer,
By the influence and, with a stern countenance, asked him
in defence of popery.
and exertions of Mr. Thomas Bilney who iiow he durst be so bold lis to preach in
Falling on liis knees,
favoured the reformation, Mr. Latimer this manner]
was led to examine the corrupt features Latimer replied, ' That his duty to his
of the Romish church, and at the age of God, and to his prince, had enforced him
fifty-three, became a decided jjrotestant, thereunto; that he had merely discharged
and was as active in supporting and propa- his office and conscience in what he had
gating thn reformed doctrine, as he was bespoken, though his life was in his majesThe king raised the worthy
fore in efforts to destroy it. He, more than ty's hands.'
anv other man promoted the reformation prelate from his knees, emhr.iced him,
by Ills preaching. The straight forward and exclai:ned, Ulessed bo (Jod that I
"
honesty of his remarks, tlin liveliness of have so honest a servant!'
He died at the stake, with Bishop Ridhis ilhistr;tions, his homely wit, his racy
manner, his manly freedom, the playfui- ley, October 15, 1555.
took his degrees in
arts,
'
SERMON
IX.
THE BEGINNING, PROGRESS, AND END OF
SIN,
OR THE HISTORY OF
TRANSGRESSION.
BY THE REV.
EAST
T.
OF BIRMINGHAM.
"
Then when
lust hath conceived,
it
bringelh forth sin
forth death."
That
James
and
i.
sin,
when
it
is finished, bringetk
15.
The beginning of sin.

" The heart is deceitful above all things,
alarming, is generally acknowledged. If and desperately wicked." This is the
we go among the lower or the higher or- source of all evil from hence all evil
ders if we associate with the young or the takes its origin.
Before the act can be
aged, the rich or the poor, we find our- committed, the purpose must be formed
selves approaching a considerable degree in the breast which takes time, design,
of moral corruption.
Public morality is deliberation.
Seduction, theft, perfidy,
no longer a fine, vigorous, blooming tree
drunkenness, injustice, murder, the popubut it is smitten, and its health is gradu- lar vices of the day, require design,
ally falling away.
We employ our pa- arrangement, decision. Lust must be
rental and ministerial influence to ward conceived before the act can be peroflf the impending evil, yet one after anformed.
other is brought to ruin. If the course
There is the seducer! His victim is not
were as honourable as it is disreputable
dragged to the altar at once
no ; ^he
if it led to peace as it does to misery ; must form a thousand artifices, he must
we need not wonder at its influence on lay innumerable plans, he must make new
the heart.
But when we consider its professions, &c. And " lust when it hath
awful tendency, we are astonished and conceived, bringeth forth sin."
affected to see what it has done, and is
There is the thief! He sees what he
doing, among the race of man. Those wants, or knows where he can get it.
who have advanced far in this course, He forms and arranges plans with his
corrupt and corrupting, frequently attri- companion.
The place, the time, the
bute all the evil to the Author of all good. circumstances are agreed upon. They
But, " let no man say when he is tempted, go forth, and " lust when it hath conI am tempted of God: for God cannot be ceived, bringeth forth sin."
tempted with evil, neither temptcth he any
There is the perfidious ! The man who
man but every man is tempted when he is in possession of all the secrets which
is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. have been committed to him by his friend,
Then when lust hath conceived, it bring- and goes about to betray him. It is true,
eth forth sin and sin, when it is finished, the fear of reproach and disgrace keeps
bringeth forth death."
him back from his purpose for a time ;
In calling your attention to this subject, but actuated by lust he goes forth, and
I propose to consider Ike beginnins:, the at once sacrifices his friend, and his own
Thus " lust when it hath conprogress, and the end nf sin, in ike history honour.
this
the general state of society in
kingdom
is
First.
becoming more and more
and
experience of Ike transgressor.
108
ceived, bringeth forth sin."
;;
PROGRESS OF
drunkard! How cautiously
lie puts the cup to his lips!
He tastes
the liquor, and professes to dislike what
has overcome thousands.
He tastes
again,
and again, and again
the habit is established.
Regardless of his
own happiness, of the happiness of home,
of the happiness of those he has sworn
to protect, he indulges in it habitually,
" Lust when it hath conceived, bringeth
Mark
to
the
SIN.
swear
was
No;
he
cared not for
God
because it was dishonourable'?

for this he cared not!
But he
heard his child swear
he turned pale,
and he abandoned the practice. If, then,
it
there
is
this anxiety to
and good,
make men wise
evident that evil must have

preparatory course before it can be
its
perfected.
1.
it is
Let us consider,
One
The causes brought
produce
forth sin."
109
No
this.
into operation to
is
See the artful, ensnaring man! How

The POPULAR reading of the age.
he entangles his victim till he has got his This is denominated a reading age. If
property within his grasp.
And how we have not now many giants of literadoes he act] Alas! he who in youth ture, there is yet much intelligence difAvould not touch any thing which was fused throughout all classes of society.
not his own, by having it in his power, By means of the National, the Lancaswishes to possess it, and at length, ruins trian, and other schools, an appetite for
another, while he dishonours himself. knowledge is excited ;
and it is likely
Thus "lust when it hath conceived, to be supplied. But, alas alas the
bringeth forth sin."
press of Britain teems with publications
Observe the murderer! This crime is which are calculated to do immense misvery rarely committed but after cautious chief.
The author is a sceptic ; he
plans.
Here are two individuals; sud- aims to throw down the barriers of virdenly they quarrel, and the life of one is tue
he exhibits vice in the most pleassacrificed to the other.
ing colours; he throws much wit, skill,
This is dreadful
but it is nothing compared with delibe- and address, into the character of his
rate murder.
The murderer, in this case, hero. And while the young man takes
fixes on time, on place, has the weapons it up to pass away a leisure hour, he imin his own hands, &c.
O how dreadful! bibes the scepticism it contains ; and if
The sun rises and sets as usual, but for he does not actually rise a sceptic, he is,
the last time as it respects the unfortu- at least, prepared to become one.
nate victim
He retires, perhaps, to rest
Associations, also, are a cause. Ashe hears the footsteps of one he knows sociations with those who have made some
not; and, ero he can inform himself, he advances in vice, A young person who
" Lust when it has had something like a pious education,
falls to rise no more
liath
conceived, bringeth forth sin." feels respect for goodness and for good
Notice,
men. He regards the Sabbath, and the
Secondly.
The progrrss which it means of instruction; he" is often deeply
MAKES IN ITS INFLUENCE OVER THE HEART and powerfully impressed by the terrors
AND CHARACTER OF MAN.
or the glories of the world to come.
But
All who have studied human nature let him go abroad into company, and if
with the Scripture in their hands, must he be not innlantuncously disgusted, as
confess that no man becomes suddenly virtue would be if surrounded by the
wicked. God has made man naturally vices, his ruin, if not sudden, is inevicovet the welfare of those on whom his l(d)le.
Relaxation is necessary after the
wtlfare depends.
Kflbrts are therefore labours of the day: evening parties arc
employed to make them wise, and virtu- forincil some place is chosen where they
ous, and good.
Parents who are them- may spend their time together.
And
selves corrupt arc generally anxious that what is the name of that place ?
How is
tlifir children
Rhould be virtuous and it situat< d ]
Where dos it rear its head !
religious.
1
onco knew a swearer who Where stands its base? Shall we call
Buddcnly abandoned the practice. \\ liy T it the TWKRN
you have hit the nain0
was it because God commanded him not And then cards are intrrHluced
" \\ ell,

THE BRITISH
no
And
and do you forbid cards 1
sir
would you abolish places of innocent reAs I would
sort?
Yes, sir! I do, sir
!
not
let
my
child touch a jewel, if
it
had
been on the finger of a man infected wîth

the plague; so I would not suffer that
which may end in an association with
It is the
devils and damned spirits
fruitful source of almost every evil.
!
You
once thought, but you do not now.

Pardon me; I sometimes mistake, evenin the pulpit; you do think; but with
what pain
2. Let me show how
!
"
vance.
It is often said
of these
places, [lohere some Christians go before
familif prayer
mend
!)
that they are schools to
the genius, and exalt the heart
that there the vices are portrayed in
all
more captivat-
ing even than they appear in real life;

that there they learn to speak elegantly
and correctly, &.c.
Sometime ago, I
called to see a mother; she was in distress ; she not merely wept, but wept
" What is the matter
aloud.
" O my
child!" and she wept again. "O my
child is just committed to prison !" and
" O my child is just
she wept again.
committed to prison, and I fear he will
never return to his father's house !" and
then she wept again ; and with all my
firmness I could not forbear weeping too.
I was afraid to ask the cause ; I did not
need ; for she cried, " O that theatre
he was a virtuous, kind youth, till that
theatre proved his ruin I"
This was her
testimony, and it was the testimony of
there
ad-
and
when
sin,
it
it
is
No man
At first
must be awful violence done to the
When
conscience.
the child of religious
steps over the
first
line
which
separates good from evil, conscience con-
the book
forsaken and he
demns, conscience alarms
is
closed with disgust and thrown at the
companions
feet
their hideous characters, and the virtues

attired in all their beauty,
finished, bringeth forth death."
even from the pulpit of parents
the present day.
these principles
lust hath conceived,
can become suddenly wicked.
Christians, and
auotlier cause.
When
bringeth forth sin
its interests are
IS
PULPIT.
Though
advocated by some êmi-
The THEATRE
are
breaks away from the charm which is

about to overcome his better principles
and his finer taste. Y'ês it is hard work
to force himself into the circle of damnation.
Here is conscience with its reproaches here is the recollection of his
father's prayers, and his mother's tears
here is the appalling dream by night, and
here is the waking reality of the morning
I
here
is
with
God
here
is
the devil
here
is
and heaven with

all its glories
But when you have once
gone into this moral contamination; when
you cast off the fear of man, no one is
astonished, because previously to this
you have cast off the fear of God. And
when you glory in your shame and when
you take a letter from your mother, and
hell
all its terrors,

!
turning hastily to the part which informs

you of the health of the family, throw it
away, and say to your associates, " Well
the young man himself.
if all
I have had another lecture from my mopersons who attend these places loved ther, but I have disregarded it" when
home, and respected the conjugal charac- you can drag yourself for half an hour to
ter, and cultivated domestic order, we hear a minister to whom you have been
might wonder at such a catastrophe. But accustomed, that you may hold him up
no; there is no domestic order, there is to ridicule; then then then let me tell
no morality. It was but the other day you, you may sin with comparative ease!
that a bird of the air, or something else, It was difficult at the first, but now, now
whispered in my ear to put this question you may go on and take your rest. God
to such persons
Do you go bifore prayer may not awake to vengeance; but the
or after?
If after, how do you frame state of that individual is most alarming,
your petitions'?
you fortret it altoge- of whom he has said, " Let him alone !"
ther that night
O tell me, young man, Conscience, let him alone! Visions of
tell me honestly, if these things have not tlie night, cease to scare him with your
an influence on your heart.
You once awful forms
Instances of goodness,
prayed, but you do not now.
You once charm him no more! Appalling effects
read your Bible; but you do not now. of vice, cease to alarm him
O yes you
Now,

PROGRESS OF
may
then bless the triumphs of your
notions; you
may
new
then hail the effects of
the principles you have embraced
believe me, believe me, there
SIN.
Ill
sin caused the purpose to be executed,

and when finished, it ended in the death
the party
O how does sin
devotees to dreadful accidents,
and to alarming diseases
I read in my
But of most of
an end
coming! "When lust hath conceived,
it brinojeth forth sin; and sin, when it is
finished, bringcth forth death."
Notice,
not live out half their days."
therefore,
ton, the intemperate, the lascivious
The end
Thirdly.
is
of sin.
" Mark the perfect man, and behold
man
is
peace." If I were to consult my taste,

and the predominant feelings of my own
heart, I should proceed to describe the
man which
am
is
peace.
not so inured to danger, as to laugh
at the
storm
no,
would rather go
the calm than into the
its
Bible,
"bloody and
son, the debauchee,
the upright; for the end of that
end of the good
subject
into
tempest; no,
deceitful
these
all
men
The
men
shall
glut-
per
shorten
And why is this 1 Do they

be damned before their time?
Why] Do they wish to hasten to the
judgment-seat? They sin against their
their days.
want
to
own
selves,
becoming
rotten
crime,
in
and by awful strides they force their passage to the flames. " Sin, when it is
bringeth
finished,
chose to-night
death."
forth
to proceed, I
If I
could exhibit
would rather go into " the chamber where before you the emaciated state of the
the good man meets iiis end," and " mark body, and the rapid influence of disease
the upright man, whose end is peace." to produce this effect
but the time tells
The apostle said on one occasion, " I am me that I must advance. Sin bringeth,
in a strait betwixt two ;" and on this occa2. The death of the soul.
And what is
;
sion
cide
I
1
perplexity.
feel
Shall
How
shall 1 de-
proceed according to
usual custom, and having announced
that?
cannot
soul to die?
There are some

cannot describe
will.
tell.
for a soul to die eternally
" Sin, when
What
tell.
cannot
{\mHhe(\, Ijrfniêlhforlk dcatk.''^ Firs/,
plan, abide by itT

it is
my
my
facts,
:
is
for a
is it
cannot
tell.
believe,
some
there are
it
What
which
truths to
which I assent, that I cannot explain.

One ministerial qualification I do not
will be this extraordinary peculiarity possess;
I do not know, I do not want
connected with the soul, that it will be to know, I had rather sink down into the
dying without ever being extinct; that it grave without knowing, how to describe
the death of the body.
of
l/ie
soul.
Second/i/, the death
Both must die
but
there
will ever be living in misery, and ever
the feelings of a soul as
under the sentence of condemnation

" Sin, when it is finished, bringcth forth,"
the body.
sentence, indeed, stands recorded against
asked several persons, " Where is my

And I shall never forget the
father?"
emotions of my mind when my eye again
caught a glimpse of my father! And
why do I mention this? Hecause I nni
it
do not want
passes from
to
know
the
condemned soul as it passes

1. T/ie death if the body.
The awful through the valley of the shadow of death.
Bcntence denounced against sin was, " In 1 do not want to know how a soul conthe day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt demned feels, as it enters- the regions of
surely die."
And this sentence, with the lost! When a little boy, I went out
two exceptions, has been executed on all with my father; he was busily employed,
that have lived. '* Death has passed upon and I was lost.
I can remember someall men, for all have sinned."
This thing of my emotions I burst into tears
feelings of a
God, as well as against the

most malignant transgressor. But there
is a natural tendency in sin, to hasten
tiiis end.
I have lately read an account
of sotne persons who chose to spend the
Sabl)alli on the water.
The party went
out in a boat, the boat upset, and most of
tlieni |)iTislu"(l
O what a transition
What an illustralion of the text
Lust
the saints of
conceived
liio
idea of violating a Sabbath,
I can employ an iiiuslmmore natural. When y<'n are condemned, when you are banished from (he
not aware that
tinn
presince of the Loni, and frr)m the glory

finti yourselves
of his power, you will
LOST
Hut you will nut be permitted
lit*
THE BRITISH
112
consolation
Father 1"
of askintr,
" Where
is
my
PULPIT.
thou art fallen lower than the lowest!
Stop instantaneously
"lie is Stop at once
there, in heaven
he is your Judge, he If sinners entice you to go where you
has banished you, justly disdaining to have promised, and where you have been
before consent not.
Let them laugh as
admit you into his presence for ever !"
'Then WHEN LUST hath conceived, it they may go not yield not to be
BRINGETH FORTH SIN; AND SIN, WHEN IT damned for compliment. "7/" sinners entice thee, consent thou not.^^
If you will
IS FINISHED, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH."
The consequences of transgression not believe me, believe what God sa3'S,
which extend themselves into the eternal "Then when lust hath conceived, it
world, as far exceed the powers of con- bringeth forth sin and sin, when it
ception, as the eternal state of the happy. is finished, bringeth forth death."
" Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nei- My dear, dear known or unknown friend
ther have entered into the heart of man," or brother, possessing with myself a dewhat God hath reserved for them that sin praved nature, exposed to snares most
insinuating and destructive, let me beagainst him
the
1. Mlow me io make an appeal to those seech you, when you retire from
who are invested with parental authority. tabernacle to-night, pray to be kept from
Beware, lest by connivance, and Avith- the evil that is in the world. But besides
holding due restraint, you become access- prayer, do one thing as most effective to
I give resist temptation, and to purify the heart;
ories to the ruin of your children.
apply to the Lord Jesus Christ to be
it as my decided opinion, that many parents may trace up the ruin of their child- saved through faith in his most precious
Till you do this, you will strive
ren, to a lax system of domestic govern- blood.
ment. Therefore, my friends, while I against the power of sin in vain.
Your time is gone. If I had consulted
would not have you become domestic
tyrants, I wish you to exercise due disci- my own convenience, I should have displine.
And endeavour to make home your missed the congregation before. But I
Let fathers will trespass still longer to say, "This
cliildren's happiest place.
and mothers live in harmony and peace, IS A faithful saying, and WORTHY OF
and you will find your reward in the vir- ALL ACCEPTATION, THAT JeSUS ChRIST
tue, if not in the religion, of your children. CAME INTO THE WORLD TO SAVE SINNERS,
Loolc by faith to the
2. Let me warn the young against the EVEN THE CHIEF."
danger of yielding to the first temptation. efficacy of his death, and then you will
have a power to resist evil, while its in*' I think, notwithstanding all that you
have said to-night; and wiiat our venera- fluence will cleanse you from all impure
ble friend Mr. Wilkes says from time associations, and make you " partakers
to time; and what the departed Hyatt OF THE DIVINE NATURE."
so often said I think that I have strength
enough to resist temptation. I have no
PUI.FIT GilI.I.ZIRV.
doubt but I may just look at the world,
NO. V.
and taste of its pleasures, without being
REV. TIMOTHY EAST,
THE
suppose
Then I
overcome." Indeed
Birmingham.
you have acted on this persuasion ? Then
Then I
I suppose you did it slily 1
suppose when you asked the other night
I love a plain serious preacher, who speaks
to spend an hour or two with a friend, for my sake, and not for his own; who iteeks
you went to Vauxhall, or to Sadler's my salvation, and not his own vain glory.
Fe.nelon.
Well then let me ask you a
Wells
Did you meet the eye of your
question.
Mr. East preaches to a respectable
parent as formerly? Did you join the
family circle as usual % Did you sleep independent congregation at Birmingham,
and also visits London every year as one
Ah, my friend
as soundly as before 1
Stop, ere of the Tabernacle preachers, where hia
Stop, ere thou art ruined
The answer
;
will be,
THE
TPIE PULPIT GALLERY.

sermons and labours are valued and upproved.
He
is
the reputed author of the
Evan-
113
Stop, Gabriel, stop, Gabriel !

Stop ere
you enter the sacred portals, and yet
carry with you the news of one sinner
converted to God.' He then, in the most
simple, but energetic language, described
'
Rambler, a series of papers so

called, and which are vi'ritten to enforce
the practice of pure and undefilcd religion. what he called a Saviour's dying love to
They were republished in this country, sinful men ; so that almost the whole
Avith some slifrht alterations, by the late assembly melted into tears.
This address
venerated and pious Dr. Bedell, and have was accompanied with such animated yet
Al- natural action, that it surpassed any thing
had a considerable circulation.
though there is not in them that depth of I ever saw or heard in any other preachthought, and profound knowledge of hu- er." Happy for the church would it be
man nature, which distinguish tiie essays if all its ministers were so heartily enof Johnson, yet they display considera- gaged in their work as to feel for souls
ble power of observation, and many of as VVhitlield did
the sketches of characters and scenes
PREACH CHRIST.
evince a great felicity of illustration and
gelical
talent for easy narrative.
As
a preacher Mr. East
is
variable
Our hearers need only examine how

we preach Christ, to form an idea how
far we are evangelical.
Shall we glory
some of his sermons are very excellent,

and even eloquent; others are said to be in the beauty of our composition in the
" flat, stale, and uninteresting." At times flowers of rhetoric in the force of orahe gives a degree of energy to his state- tory in the harmony of periods and
ments which commands breathless atten- leave the cross out as unfashionable'^
Shall we glory in
tion, and few men are equally successful Thus did not Paul.
in the example of Christ
in making a deep impression by the de- the teachings
and not in the cross of Christ also?
livery of a few sentences.
When this is
See! he is going into
the case his voice is full and solemn, his So did not Paul.
action appropriate, and his whole manner Greece, the eye of the world
and what
strikingly illustrative of his zeal to win did he do?
"I determined not to knowany thing among you, but .Icsus Christ,
souls.
and him crucified."
He is going to
iiume's account ok Whitfield's preaciiino. Rome, the imperial city
among sages,
An
intimate friend of the infidel
Hume,
asked what he thought of .Mr. Whitfield's

preaching; for he had listened to the
latter part of one of his sermons at Edinburgh. "He is, sir," said Mr. Hume,
" the most ingenious preacher I ever
heard.
It is worth while to go twenty
miles to hear him."
He then repeated
a passage towards the close of that discourse which lie heard. " After a solemn
pause, he thus addressed iiis numerous
audience:
'The attendant angel is just
about to leave the thrfslihold, and ascend
to heaven.
And shall he ascend and not
bear with him tht; iiev/s of one sinner,
among all this multitude, reclaimed from
the errcirs of his
"
'I'o
ways V
lifted
give the greater elTcct to this ex-
u|)
with
Vol..
ho stamped with his loot,

his hands and eyes to licaven.
gushing
I. Ij
tears,
poets, legislators, and states-
men.
Will ho not there change hi^
theme? Will he not there talk of tiie
" Supreme being eternal providence,
destiny," A;c. ? No. " I am not ashamed
of the gospel of Christ, for it is tlie power
of
God
unto salvation,
to'
every one that
Jew first and also to

And when he heard that
helieveth, to the
Gentile."
Galatians were about
O what
were
liis
to
conceal
feelings!
cried
aloud,
llio
the
the
cross,
They were
sun out of the firmament,

and what would they have left but darkThe cross
ness, desolation, and death !
of t^hrist is liic grand luminary of tho
about
fjospel
to blot the
system, from which all

life, and innurnce.
derive light,
rlanialion,
and
generals,
its
partii
All elso
and God forbid that wo

is darkness;
should glory in earth or in heaven, in life
or in death, 8ave in I'hrisi our crucified
Lord
Hcv. Iloberl Stwton.
SERMON
X.
PREACHED AT THE PRIMARY VISITATION OF THE BISHOP OF LONDON.
BY THE REV. CHARLES WEBB LE

RECTOR OF
'
The
ST. PAUl's,
BAS,
SHADWELL.
taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."
He
first
sight of the contrast here pre-
might appear somewhat

remarkable and strange. The scribes, it
might be said, and the doctors, and the
wise men of Israel, taught as having auThey sat in the chair of Moses
thority.
they seized upon the key of knowledge;
and when obscure and humble men dared,
for an instant, to question their judgment,
they were always ready to turn upon
them and to ask, "Dost thou teach us?"
sented to us
Matt.
saith the iradilion, I
men whose
vii.
29.
have heard
praise and
it
fronr
whose glory ar*

teacher of Naza-
Not so the
The language of the scribes was,
Thus said the men of ancient daj^s; but'
the language of the son of Mary was,
in Israel."
reth.
" Verily, verily, / say unto you ;" and

men were filled with amazement, that
one reared amid the care and the toil of
an obscure craft, should come forth and
teach them with that authority which
neither scribe nor prophet had ever taken
to himself; and who told them that if
thus, it may be thought, we too,

teach with authority. A propliet could
scarcely exact obedience with an air of they did his sayings, they should build
and tliat if they did themloftier command ; nay, many a prophet upon a rock
was received with far less honour than not, they should build upon the sand, and
And
these masters of Israel.
Jerusalem,
know, paid implicit obedience
we
to the ac-
be at the mercy of the tempest and theflood.

When they heard these words
their souls were bowed down, as it were,

" she stoned the prophets, and slew them with the hidden majesty which might
not be withstood, and the people were lost
that were sent unto her."
In order, tlien, to enter into the spirit in wonder at the thought, that virtue and
of this contrast, we must remember, that power should go forth from the lips of
cents of her scribes and her doctors, but
if the
scribes
their authority
spoke as with authority,

not their own but bor-
was
one
who had
never approached the schools
of the wise, and of the scribes, and of th&
rowed from the great names that went disputers of this world.
At lengtii the King of glory threw off
before them. It belonged not to their
present chair, nor to their office, but rested the fashion of a servant, and ascended up
upon tlie learning or wisdom of ancient on high, and sent down gifts for the undays. The school would be deaf to the thankful and the rebellious; and "ha
words of the scribes, if they spoke not of gave some apostles, and some prophets,
the traditions of the fathers, and the m-\x- and some evangelists, and some pastors
ims of the sages of old. Even the light and teachers, for the perfecting of the
of the synagogue, the illustrious Illel saints ; for the work of the ministry ; for
himself, as
we
are told,
might teach
wisely and learnedly, but he tanglit

wholly in vain, unless he upheld the
d6ctrines he advanced by adding, " Thus
114
the
How
edifying of the
did
body of Christ."
their ministry?
Did they call up the wisdom of former
days to avouch the truth of their sayings 1
these
fulfil
THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST'S TEACHING.

Did
115
upon the may be led to doubt whether Christ oi

strength of the schools or of the syna- Plato were the master.
gogue
Did they fly for aid to the deLet us pass onward to darker times.
they
lean
support
for
"i
crees of the doctors or of the sages, while
The season was advancing when
tJ*3
were delivering the oracles of hea- splendours of truth were overshadowed

the words of eternal lifel
Did by a still more disastrous eclipse; for
not, like their divine Master, speak while Plato held and defended the empire
authority 1
Did they not speak like of Christ, Aristotle, it may be said, for
men who were conscious that their au- ages usurped the supremacy over the
thority was delegated to them from church.
It is not my purpose to cast
Ciiristl And what was the effect ? Why, presumptuous disparagements on the stuthey went forth, the people strengthening pendous labours which established and
their hands, and they confounded the maintained the dominion of the schools
wisdom of man, by that simplic-ily and (for the toil of a whole life would scarcely
foolishness of preaching which moved suffice to estimate rightly and duly those
they
ven
they
with
the scorn of the Greek, and excited the

Jew ; but which, in truth,
hatred of the
was
the
power
God and
ot
the
wisdom
of God.
prejudices of subtlety ;) but when we

survey the gigantic appeals to the law
which the7 for centuries were heapinoup when we think of the weariness and
Apostles, and prophets, and evangelists, are now no more; but pastors and
the painfulness to
teachers have always been
that the wây of life was not so much a

steep and narrow path as a dark and bewildering labyrinth ; when we think on
left
the
to
churcii in their several orders and degrees.
what manner have they discharged
In
men 1
their
the spirits of
which they condemned

men, and when we reflect
Have
these things do they not force one ques-
they always spoken as with auUiorihj?
Do they not impel us to

these be the works of men who
are the disciples of him that spoke with
authority and not as the scribes?
Can
these be the works of men devoted to the
sacred
office to the
souls of
Have they always spoken

less to
men having
do with flesh and blood than with
the eternal and invisible

versal church
The
Head of the
some time
majestic
to
uni-
history of the church
furnishes, on the whole, a
plexing answer
W'hich
as
somewhat
this question.
per-
commanding
became her
celestial
simplicity
origin, but
policy and false deceii soon conspired to

make a spoil of her, and, like the first
traitor,
upon us?
ask,
Can
pure,
For came
the church spoke with that
and
tion
they betrayed her with a kiss.

her to give her glory to
They induced
of
omnipotent wisdom that

from God and returned to God
serene,
forth
that truth which confounded the

great and the wise, but proclaimed comfort to the poor and liberty to the captive?
Can
men who were

him that came to make a high
way for our God, " wherein the way-faring man and the simple should not go
these be the works of
followers of
anotlier than her rightful
Lord, and they astray?"

her that the plain word of
But this is not all, nor is it the worst.
God often spoke in a manner unworthy If Plato were seated by the side of Christ,
of the nature and the excellency of God, and if Aristotle well nigh thrust him from
whispered
and
to
that, therefore,
divine honour
if
it
would tend
the subtlety of
to the
man were
his throne,
what
shall
we
clothed himself with the
say of him
who
name and
title
unwrap the integuments of Jesus, and yet plucked out the heart
wliii-h
<lisguised
its
hidden wisdom. of "the truth as it is in Jesus?" What
Under this treacherous discipline she be- shall we say of him, who when Ged had
came at last almost too much ashamed said, " Ye shall not eat of it nor t( nch if,
of the siMi()le words of eternal life to lest ye die," dared nevertheles.s to say,
called
in
to
" Ye shall not surely die 1" 'I'hink, I

would beseech you, for a m ment, of
before the footsteps of apostolic men were the sermon on the mount, in which wo
well effaced from iho earth, we sometimes have words spoken with authority word*
speak ihiMu with authority

is,
that
if \vc listen to
and hence
it
her doctrines, even
THE BRITISH
116
PULPIT.
which mere man never spake -words would fail were we to attempt to describe
which come home to tlie heart, and bring the evils that crept into the chair of learning, when once a breach was made in the
it into captivity; and then thinlv of the
mystery of iniquity which grew up into bulwark of authority which our preaching
deadly strength in that fatal school whtcli derives from the example and dignity of
;
beguiled the souls of
men from
plicity that is in Christ.
see what
it is
You
the sim-
Him who
Why
will then
to desert the artless style
of confidence and of authority in proclaiming the oracles of God. You will then
perceive the difference between the sayings of one who spake to the world those
thinfs only which he heard from the
is
taught not like the scribes.

it that 1 now invite you,
my
revered and honoured brethren, to meditate
on the footsteps and on the dangers
which have hence befallen the cause of

truth
Why,
but because
be unseasonable
for
us to
it
never can
call to
mind the
wherein we stand toFather, and the sayings of them who took wards <3iod and man ; and because such
cpmisel of the devices and of the desires recollections never can be mni-e seasonof man's crafty heart. You will thus able than when we come together as a
discern between the power and wisdom consecrated brotVievhood, the ministers
which binds the strong man, and which and stewards of the manifold mysteries
The occasion is one which calls
spoils him of the armour wherein he of God.
trusted, and the ignominious craft which upon us, with the voice of deep solemnity,
parleys with the strong man, and which to reflect that we are not ihe teachers of
enters into stipulations with him, till be a science, but the messengers of the Lord,
has time to collect his might, to turn the ambassadors of .Tesus Christ, the serupon his adversary, and to lead him cap- vants of him who taught with dignity,
With autho- and power, and majesty unutterable.
tive according to his will.
rity from heaven the Saviour declared, Our commission is not to recite the
that better were it to enter into.life halt words and sentences spoken by wise and
and maimed, than to be cast whole into thoughtful men, but to give utterance to
direct relationship
With the subtlety that became the oracles of heaven.

fire.
Theology may well indeed be called
the father of lies, the disciples of Leo
have told us that we may well enter into ihe mistress and ihe queen of sn'ences: for
life with whole and proper limbs, and not all the sciences are bound to do her homonly so, but that we may carry thither age, to bring presents unto her, to honour
hell
the adulterous eye, and the voluptuous

heart, and the
and the
hand thatworketh
feet that are swift to
cent blood.
It
was thus
iniquity,
shed inno- their brightest things.
that they belied
the Lord, and turned his truth into a lie.

How, but bedid they effect this ]
cause they were unfaithful to the majesty
How
of the divine word, and contemned the

speaking of it in simplicity and with au-
Hence it was that in their hands

became a medium through which the
lusts of men might be accompanied with
serpenlile craft, and whereby they might.
thority.
it
it were, fall away from the grasp of

God's eternal and undefiled law. Hence
as
it
was
were
that the schools of divine
converted
where each
man
into secret
her with their frankincense, with their

treasures, and with all their pleasant and
wisdom
chambers,
offered incense to the
All this is nothing more than a reasonable service due
from the intelligent faculties of men towards her, and it should be the matter of
her peace and joy. But when she speaks
with her own voice, it is a voice like that
which proclaims " Glory to God in the
highest, on earth peace and good will towards men" it is a voice like that which
issued from the excellent glory, and proclaimed to the world the beloved of the
Father, in whom he was well pleased
Whenever
this voice calls
upon us
it is
the duty of reason to answer and to say,
" Speak, Lord,
But
it
is
for thy servant heareth.''
not the business of reason to
abominations of his heart, and learned to start forward in obedience to the call
believe that there might be concord bewith an impetuous step, and to rush head
The time Ion ^to dark and perilous extremities.
tween Christ and Belial.
THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST'S TEACHING.

It is her province, in obeying the call, to
and
advance with measured and sober pace,

same voice should
calling.
lest peradventure the
again be heard to sajs "Thus far shalt

thou go, and no farther for behold thus,
and thus also, it is written.'''' If reason
had been content thus to learn and thus
what unhallowed
for
man
to
read
honoured brethren,
we
are ser-
that taught with authority,
and that consequently our instructions in

general
strivings miirlit
to the
must consist not so much of
The
of testimony.
tjuisition as
dis'
of
our teaching should, indeed, be allection-
and mild
ate
dogmatical,
tire
spirit
avoiding every thing that
we are to speak
confidence which
is
is
holy
derived from an enwitli that
simplicity of deference to the written
We
word.
are to testily repentance to-
wards God, and
faith in
our Lord Jesus
The language of doubtful disputation becomes not the prophet who is

declaring the oracles of God. The lanChrist.
guage of angry controversy becomes not
Where would have
Him
vants of
church of Christ!
Had this spirit of humble and holy dogmatism prevailed, whore would have
been the mountain loads of controversy
which have so long oppressed and buried
the graces cf the gospel ] Where would
have been the mysticism which transformed the throne of religion from the
Where would
heart to the imagination?
have been the insane presumption which
ascended to heaven to unfold the volume
of God's decrees, and to bring them down
have been spared
my
Let us then,
steadfastly keep in mind, that
to teach,
117
her ministers act fully up

to the genuine dignity and spirit of their
to see that
man when
a sinful
he
is
delivering the
been the impiety which made the eternal

Son of God to sit down with Confucius
and Socrates ? Where would have been
the strife which for ages has distracted
and divided the church of Christ!
Where would have been the self-sufficiency which delighted in raising a circle
message of God to a fallen world but the

language which does l)ecome him is that
He
of steadfast and serene peroration.
that spread in time to a vast circumfer-
come, and hath given us an understand-
ence
of
devouring
heresy
would these things have been,

isters of the truth
"
We
the
know
we
whole world
are of
lieth in
apostle,
God, and that

wickedness.
that the .Son
of
God
is
we may know him that is true."

What though the winds of false doctrine
ing, that
min-
had always been con- should be
tent simply to teach with authority
that
And we know
Where
if the
warranted to say with the
is
what heaven,
let loose
from every quarter of

honour of the
to fight against the
church what though a feverish thirst

from supreme authority they had learnt.
I have said that the remembrance of should come, as undoubtedly it has come,
these things can never be unseasonable, upon the intellects of men, so that many
and that it never can be more seasonable a hand shall be stretched forth to the tree
than wlien we are gathered together at of knowledge while the tree of life shall
what should these signs
the call of our spiritual governor and be passed by
Wliy is it that we are here this tell us but that we are fallen upon days
father.
day, but that as iron sharpeneth iron, so when the word of authority must be
may each man sharpen the countenance uttered with no faint or languid voice?
of his fri<nd and brother in the Jjord
If we would iiave it hearl by the people,
that wc may rencnv our vows, and think it must be uttered as if it came forth from
of the ties and bonds that are upon us, a heart in which tho truth of (Jod is enIt must sound like the rhapsody
that we may (rladden him wlio liatli the grafted.
care antl rule over us
lhati)y our willing of llie sancliiiiry inhal)ited by him that
Wc aro
obedience wc may strengtiien Ids heart sitteth between the ciierubim.
and his hands in the exrrcise of his sacred accustomed to liear much of the perils
that we may listen to his voice

office
as to the voire of one wliosn functions
number him among thf! angels of the
that
array
themselves against the bul-
warks of our '/ion, lint the sound of the

warning should speak to us only ol in-
and it
church of Christ, whoso province it is to creased faithfulness and zi-al
guard from injury the church's doctrines, should admonish us not to pass round the
;
'
THE BRITISH
118
PULPIT.
towers of our fortillcation to number them ended. In order that the authority of
It divine truth may have something of om
with pride and indolent security.
should lead us 1o adorn and strengthen nipresence throughout the regions which
them, so that all who look up to them profess to receive it, it hath been, as you
may say, " This is a city whose walls know, the wisdom of ancient days, to
gates are separate these regions into portions and
are salvation, and whose
to districts, and to assign to each its pepraise."
The object ot
It is, my brethren, indeed, a cheering culiar and local minister.
thought, that Christians form a royal this arrangement, of course, is manifest
priesthood to the whole human race, and to the whole world. It was that the
that Christian ministers are the priest- spiritual wants of men might not be cur-
hood
to
this
holy generation. It is althink that Christian
ways encouraging to
people are the elect of God, that the

Christian clergy are the chosen of his
choice, the elect of his favour.
would
all this
But what
avail if those that are in-
vested with the sacred oiTice of the minwere to cease to magnify that office
to which the}^ have been consecrated.
istry
How can they better magnify that ofhce

than by showing that it is an otTice which
hath taught their own spirits to live in
an
perpetual communion with heaven
office which hath taught them to glory in
the things that pertain to their own infirmity, and to go forth strong and boldly,
power of God
words of
would perhaps bet-
in the majesty and the
But
which it
become me to listen
exhortation,
ter
will cease from these
to
than to deliver.
sorily or irregularly supjjlied, but that the
might be disthat while

through the land
some portions of the household of God
had the bread of life, in fulness and abundance, there might not be others left to
perish for lack of knowledge, and to sink
under a famine of the word of God. Our
establishment, therefore, naturally looks
with something like distrust upon a wandering and restless piety which stretches
beyond the boundaries appointed for its
In the estimate of our church
exercise.
the voice of spiritual authority can no
where be heard with such effect and blessedness as within the sphere of each man's
appointed duty. It is Avell known to her,
that something like a passion of excitement will secretly mingle itself with the
holiest motives, and she is loath to leave
living waters of salvation
tributed
men who need the eternal interests of her children to

them, that if the principles which, perhaps, resemble the
words of eternal life are to be spoken emanations of an electric element more
with authority, they should be uttered than the steady influence of the solar
with lips that would seem to be touched light. It may be well for us to recall
and pervaded by the fire of the altar. I our thoughts occasionally to this wisdom,
stand in the presence of men who need that hath marked out to each the limits
not to be told that nothing can so effica- of his ministerial usefulness. The preciously silence the thunders of a Boaner- sent age is somewhat adverse to sobriety
ges as the slightest suspicion among the and order, and deligliteth in the out-pourpeople that faintness hath come upon the ings of an irregular and excursive energy.
spirits of his brethren and fellow workers The church is cautious of stretching forth
You all know well that her hand to sanction this method, lest,
in the Lord.
nothing can strike the tongue of authority perchance, evil and confusion should bewith so dead a palsy, as the very thought gin it, and it should, ultimately, cause
of unworthiness in them to whom the the voice of authority to fail. Where, let
power of authority is committed. You me ask myself, can a minister speak the
well know that the majesty of truth her- words of eternal life with such dignity
self hath not always more power than the and power as in the place where his worth
righteousness and the sanctity of them is known and his usefulness is felt. To
who are called to be ministers of the what shall we liken the labours of one
who wanders sometimes into the territotruth.
One moment more, and my words are ries of other men, but to a river which
I stand in the presence of
not that
we
should
tell
DYING REGRETS.
through
embankment,
119
in peace through its own channel, whose

course is marked by green pastures, by
valleys filled with corn, and by trees tliat
rise up to knowledge with the increase of
without the influence of true religion, it

is in their power to bestow
still it is
pleasure that is gone with each passing
moment, and leaves the soul at last drearily desolate, and unprovided for the
prospect which lies before it.
He has
" received in his lifetime his good things,"
and all must be left behind liim he has
lived without God, and wiiliout God he
must die; his life has been faithless, and
God.
his death
breaks
chance
to
be lost
its
in a
per-
morass, or to waste
channel 1 And to
itself in an unfruitful
"what shall
one
who
we compare
the practice of
gives himself entirely to his
local ministry, but to a stream that glides
must be hopeless he has laid

himself treasures on earth, and
tabouks, may god of his infinite mercy there is no treasure reserved for him in
GRANT
heaven ; he has said to his soul, " Thou
hast goods laid up for many years ; take
thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry ;"
DYING REGRETS.
and when "his soul is required of him,"
Oh if the soul, when tremblinôn the he feels himself "a fool ;" he "came in
verge of eternity, when the last fibre of with vanity," and he departs in darkness.
That such may
be the fruit of your
up
for
the thread of life is parting, can only look It is the everlasting existence by which
backward with tormenting regret, and it is followed that stamps importance on
forward with more tormenting doubt and the life of man. Should a man double
What a state for an immortal

despair!
and accountable creature to feel the torturing conviction, that he has been trifling,
or worse than trifling, all his days ; that
he has thrown his life away on " vanity,"
and has nothing
left
life (though
with our narrow span of three-score
years and ten, it might seem a little eternity) would stillbcvanity, if itwere spent
without reference to the endless duration
Dr. Wardlaw.
as the result but that is beyond it.
" vexation of spirit ;" that it is

make provision for the world
the age of Methuselah, his

to us,
too late to
to come,
IMrORTAXCE OF rRAYER.
and which is just opening to him in all its
darkness and all its unknown terrors;
It is perhaps visionary to expect an
that he has finished and sealed the unusual success of religious concerns,
' senseless bargain," (oh
how bitterly unless there are unusual omens. Now, a
does he feel it to be so !) of " eternity for most cmphatical spirit of prayer would be
bubbles;" that he has bartered and damned such an omen and the individual who
his soul for the " pleasures of sin," and should solemnly determine to try its last
the worthless nothings of a world that possible eflicacy, might probably find
has passed away from him
It is not himself becoming a much more prevailnecessary that a man should have " seen ing agent in his little sphere; and, if the
no good," or should have had " no power whole, or the greater number of the discito enjoy" his " riches and wealth and ples of Christianity were, with an earnest,
honour" and family, in order to his feel- unalterable resolution of each, to combine
ing their emptiness in his latter end, when that heaven should not withhold one sinhis soul is absorbed in one grand concern, gle iiiduenre, Vhirh the very utmost
and longs for a peace and a hope which elTorts of conspiring and persevering
tliey are inrapable of imparting.
Even supplication would obtain, it would he a
though he had derived from tliein througli si^'u that the revolution of the wcrid was
Foster,
life iho whole amount of pleasure wiiich. at jjand.
;
'
SERMON
XI.
CHRIST THE LIFE OF HIS PEOPLE.
BY THE REV. JABEZ BUNTING,
Chrisf, our
"What
think ye of Chrisf?"
life.
was a
question cnrc addressed by our Saviour

to the unbelieving Jews, who vainly at-
Col.
It is
iii.
D. D.
4.
not said merely that he lives in us

we live by him or through him
or that
but to
make
the subject
more
instructive
and emphatic, the apostle says, " Christ

Let us apply this sentiIS OUR LIFE."
ment.
First, To THE RELATIVE LIFE OF THE
of our principles, the rectitude of our con- Christian his life of pardon and justifiThe an- cation. We are all naturally dead in law,
duct, the safety of our souls.
swer which we ought to return is conthat is, our natural state is that of guilt and
We ought to say, transgression, one in which the law has
tained in the text.
*' Christ is our life.''''
Any thing in our already pronounced us dead. For, as the
principles, or experience, or conduct, body without the soul is dead, so the soul
which contradicts this grand principle is that is destitute of the life and favour of
dead to all the
so far dangerous. There are many scrip- God, is spiritually dead
This
tures which go to prove the vitality which purposes for which it was made.
subsists between Christ and all Chris- sentence the law pronounces against all
Sometimes, to represent the near- sinners. If this is our state, we are as
tians.
ness of this union, it is illustrated by that good as dead ; we are doomed to death,
which subsists between the vine and tlie and tlicro remains only the execution of
In
"branches, and then we learn that Chris- the sentence to complete our misery.
tians are grafted into Christ, and so this state Christ finds us all, and underenabled to bear fruit to him. Sometimes takes to become " our life.'''' When the
tempted to entanj/ie him in his talk. By

examining what ariswer we can in sincerity and truth return to this question,
"we might at once ascertain the soundness
the figure of
tl
foundation
is
employed
the foundation which God has laid in

Zion ; and then his people are represented
God by
him, and then growing up into a holy
temple in the Lord. Sometimes Christ
is spoken of as the head, and then Chrisas living stones, consecrated unto
tians are instructed that'
"They life and strength from him derive,

And by him move, and in him live."
But
in the text this doctrine is stated in
terms yet more emphatic. " Christ is"

Everything. You cannot be
Christians, you can perform none of its
duties, enjoy none of its recompenses, but
in proportion as " Christ is i/our life."
what]
120
is truly awakened, the first inquiry

" What must I do to be saved
One
of the most important inquiries which can
possibly be presented is, " How shall
soul
is,
man be just with God ?" The Scripture

simply and plainly says, " Believe on the
Lord .lesus Christ, and thou shalt be
saved." It tells us, that he "himself
bare our sins in his own body on the
tree ;" that " all we like sheep had gone
astray," but that the Lord laid on him,
Christ, " the iniquities of us all."
And
was such infinite merit in his obedience unto the deatli of the cross, that God,
though just, is ready to become a Saviour.
It is not by tvorks of law that we are thus
there
saved, restored
to
render this possible.

the law would require absolute, perfect,
unbroken obedience.
by
repentance that
vour.
we
Nor
situation.
it
merely
LIFE OF SANCTIFICATION AND HOLINESS.

For our death by sin is not only a death
are restored to fa-
Repentance, indeed,
coming our
is
is
121
To the Christian's actual
Secondly,
highly beproper
in law,
but a true and proper alienation

from him who is the life of all his intelligent creatures. Sin has not only exposed
It is quite
that sinners should be sensible of the

enormity of their conduct, and that they
should confess and forsake it fully and for
ever ; but repentance cannot atone for sin ;
the atonement is to be found in the sacri-
us to future misery: the dreadful punishis already begun

the present state
ment
by it. Though we are

out from all hope, yet we are
fice of Christ, and that alone.
In order
from actual communion with
that we may be justified, this atonement
so from holiness.
There must,
must be laid hold on, and it is thus laid therefore, be a restoration to puritv; for
hold on byfuith.
ever,
by
We are justified,
only imtrumentuUy
faith
Christ Jesus, meritoriously

is
the object on
which our
deeply
not shut
shut out
God, and
how-
this, also,
by
because he
death
,-
faith relies.
affected
is
we
are indebted to Christ
his
the cause of our sanctification
is
Jesus Christ gave himself for us that he

might have a right to purify us.
We
It
remarkable how strong tiie Scriptures

are on this point
whatever view they
take of the blessing itself, they always recognise Jesus Christ as the author of
the blessing; they always direct us to
Jesus Christ as the mediator through
were Satan's lauful captives for we bad

sold ourselves to him; and till Christ
bought us out, we were not properly rescued from his dominion. The death of
Christ is the power by which he sets us
whom
Spirit is the age7it
is
the blessing flows.
free
Sometimes
spoken of as a release
from the curse of the law and then we
are told, that " Christ hath redeemed us
from the curse of the law, being made a
curse for us ;" for it is written, " Cursed
is every one that liangeth on a tree."
Sometimes it is spoken of as including
deliverance from wrath, and then they are
careful to tell us that it is " Jesus who
delivercth us from the wrath to come."
this blessing is
and, as his death is the cause, so his

,-
and he
is
emphati-
cally called the Spirit of Holiness.
word
tion
"
"Of
the model
He
is
am made clean by thy icord''

own will begat he us with the
truth."
The purity of Christ is
his
word of
His
the instrument of our sanctifica-
is
and
rule of our sanctification.
the great pattern to which
we
are to
be conformed. The Holy Spirit works

according to this great exemplar.
He
sets before him the purity of the Saviour

and his aim, so to speak, is to make us
like Christ
that as he was, so we may
say, "Without shedding of blood there be in the world, and that we may be able
is no remission ;" but " Christ shed his to walk as he also walked.
what a
blood as a remission for the sins of many." high and glorious calling is the ChrisThey sometimes speak of this blessing tian's! How much more sublime than
under the notion of acceptance into the the standard which the men of the world
favour and family of God ; liut they are generally propose
sure to tell us that we are accepted thus
We are purified in proportion as wo
in C'hrist the beloved.
They speak of it believe in Jesus Ciirist; not by poring
as an achnission to a state of security in over our own corruptions
not by conopposition to a state of danger; but they templating our own weakness, but by
represent this as enjoyed only by fleeing looKing unto Jesus; by depending upon
for refuge, to lay bold on C'hrist, the hope him to restore us to iiis own image
to
set before them in tlie gospel.
Thus, prejiare us for his service upon earth to
whatever view they give us of this grand lit us for his glory in heaven,
blessing, we perceive that they never overHut Jesus Christ is the life of our sanelook this truiii, tlr.it Christ is the source liliealion, not only as it respects the way
of all. Thus Christ is our relative life. by which we are made holy, but as it rBut we apply tlic sentiment.
He is ilio
spccts holiness in the detail.
Sometimes
represented as the remission of a penalty incurred, and tlien they

it is
Vol. I. IG
THE BRITISH
122
life
of
Christian gracps
all
tian duties
1.
of
all
Jesus Christ
These
of
all
Chris-
ments of the world, the flesh, and th(*

where Christ is not the life of the
Christian ordinances.
devil,
af all CJirislian
soull
is the life
proceed from Christ,

and tend to Christ, and determine un
Christ.
They have all a value in proporgraces.
PULPIT.
all
Christians are said to
newness of
life;" and this
lopes itself in
all
new
"walk
in
devethe various acts of godlife
new life and walk is

connected with Christ, included the right management of the
and brintr us, at every turn, into contact thoughts and tempers the proper governwith Christ. Faith Christ is the life ment of the discourse due conduct toHow can it possibly exist, wards God and man. Are Christians in
*)f this grace.
Faith any degree what they ought to be? It is
if it have not Christ to rest on?
cannot rest on peaceful or joyous feelings because they are made like Jesus Christ.
on regular and consistent conduct ; these Is the Christian's conversatio?! holy, and
are all the fruits of faith, not the founda- does it minister any portion of benefit to
In this
liness.
tion as they are
to
Faith gives life to good works
holy tempers to joyful affections; but
Christ must first be the life of faith then,
and then only, faith gives energy to all
tion.
who
much
those
hear him
It is
because there
it,
in what
what he has done in what he
has suiTered
in what he waits to do
Faith is called look- and what he expects in gratitude to be
the fruits of faith.
ing to an object; the object of faith is done to and for him. Are the actions of
;
Christ.
Faith
is
called the reception of
gift; that gift is Christ,
and with him
Hope Christ is the life of

all good.
hope. If we have hope, it is because Ave
Our
are quickened together with him.
anchor is cast within the veil, and it is
both sure and steadfast; but if Jesus, our
forerunner, had not entered there
first for
us, all attempts to cast our anchor there
had been altogether
in vain.
Love
is
so
he
is
of Jesus Christ in
the Christian holy
of the
They
are so in virtue
Christ is his life and strength ; hence, all

he does is directed to the glory of Christ.
3. Jesus Christ is the life of Christian
ordinances.
Christian graces will not be
maintained with vigour Christian duties
will not be performed with regularity, if
we do not continue to implore and enjoy
the divine infiuence, through the medium
of the various
thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word ; for mine eyes have seen
Paul, you well know,
thy salvation."
counted all things but loss for Christ
and was ready to suffer the loss of all
things, if he might but win Christ, in
winning whom he thought he had won
Christ was the life and soul of the
all.
ruin.
means of
these ordinances, Christ
is
grace.
the
life.
Of all
They
would be all wells without water, if he

were not conveyed through them in his
spiritual
and comforting influences.
What
sacraments, if Christ be not the life

of them ?
If people are content with the
outward sign, and do not seek after the
thing signified, they may become the
means of spiritual delusion and eternal
are
What
is
Baptism, but a figurative
representation of our moral pollution
an
ordinance which brings to our very eyes
this truth, that unless Christ wash us, we
can have no spiritual part in him a rite,

by the observance of which, we put in
our claim to be acknowledged by him,
and to rejoice in the blessings of his love 1
What
all Chris-
power of Christ resting upon him.
Jesus Christ is the object of supreme regard to every genuine Christian ; so it has
been in all ages, however dim the light
Yet,
the individuals may have enjoyed.
in proportion to the degree of knowledge
which they possessed, they rejoiced in
Simeon, when he embraced the
Christ.
Saviour, seemed to be fully satisfied with
life; he had no remaining wish as to this
world, and he said, " Lord, now lettest
joy of these ancient saints.

2. Jesus Christ is the life of
in
is
the Sacramerit of the Lord^s SupIt derives all its
per without Christ?
tian duties. This is anotlier important significance and interest from its bringbranch of practical godliness. But where ing us into the presence-chamber of Christ,
will you find these duties attended to, and what is it but the communion of his
spite of all the temptations and allure- body and blood]
What
123
and remission of sins." If we preach

not he the chief object of the Christian's morality or holiness, the grand elementary
are
prayers without Christ ?
Is
we may be more like

him that we may have a deeper interest
in him ]
Jesus Christ is the Great High-
supplication, that
principle is love to Christ.

" Talk they of morals
The grand
morality
is
O thou bleeding love

love to Tliee
!"
" having the golden censer," to

whom there is given " much incense, that
But it is not merely because he is the
he should offer it with the prayers of all principal subject of preaching which
saints, upon the golden altar which is makes preaching nothing without him,
before the throne."
but because the very commission to preach,
What are thanksgivings without is derived immediately from him. He said
Offerings which God will re- originally, and he still continues to say,
Christ 1
ject, as he rejected the sacrifice of Cain. " Go ye into all the world, and preach the
Cain presented a thank-oiTering ; but it gospel to every creature." To every true
was accompanied by no recognition of a minister of the gospel it may be said, as
Saviour there was no blood-shedding
it was to the first apostles, " Ye have not
Cain's was chosen me"
therefore, it was rejected.
as some men choose physic,
the religion of nature, about which some and others law, and others philosophy, and
But others trade all this is quite out of place
persons make such a mighty fuss
God rejected it. If sin be not confessed, when applied to the kingdom of Christ,
if forgiveness and purity be not suppli- in which Christ claims to be actual and
cated, the religion of nature is an abomi- absolute king
" Ye have not chosen me,
priest,
nation in the sight of
God
The
have chosen you, and ordained you,

of sinners, the way of salvation through that ye should go and bring forth fruit,
Christ, is the only religion that suits us. and that your fruit should remain."
Our praises and thanksgivings will never
From Christ is derived also the power
be accepted, but as they are presented in to exercise the ministry with fruitfulness
and through Christ.
and effect.
And this is another reason
And what is preaching without Christ why preaching is nothing without him.
!
religion
but
"?
Indeed,
is
it
not
the
gospel
that
is
preached ; it is not good news, if Christ

be not the subject of it. He is the principal theme of all evangelical minidrations
" We preach not ourselves, but Christ
Jesus, the Lord"
we declare " the un-
From him
which
derived
is
all
unction
that
any time accompanies our ministrations.

As the clouds from which
the rain descends have not that rain in
themselves, but derive it from the sea and
various moist places of the earth, and
searchable riches of Christ." There may having thus received, are able to disperse
be a great difference as to the form in abroad ; so all the efficacy of the gospel
which these truths are presented
yet which is preached, is derived from Jesus
Christ must ever be the centre in which Ciirist, who is the overflowing fountain
all the lines of truth meet.
If we preach of all that is good and holy. Hut, " Christ
the law, it is to show you your need of is our life."
Ciirisl; for" by the deeds of the law shall
Thirdly, As it respects the promised
TiO flesh living be justified." If we preach
RESURRECTION AND GLORIEICATION OK THE
the torments uf hell, it is to induce you to BODV, AND THE KIXAI. EXALTATION OF THE
make haste to Christ, lest those torments BODIES AND SOILS OF HIS PEOPLE TO END-
at
If we preach the joys of

encourage you to come to
Christ, that he may give you a title and a
meotness for those joys. If we preach
faith, it is a faith of which Christ is the
object, the author, and llie |)(rfccler. If we
preach nprtilancc, it is lliat you may go
overtake you.
hrnvrn,
it is
to Christ,
to
whom "God
Prince and a Saviour,
hath exalted as a
to give
repentance
Kvcn wluMi Christ

LESS BLESSEDNESS.
has become our life relatively, as it respects our justification, ;ind our life really,
as it respects our sanctification, it is still
an awful fact, that " the budy is dead bc-
Though when
cans(! of sin."
restored to sjiirilual
a tem|)le of the
theless dead
life,
Holy
and, so
tiie
the body
(Jhost,
far,
it
soul
is
become^
is
never-
remains for a

THE BRITISH
124
time under tlie divine displeasure, on account of sin. This is God's badge,
whicli he has attached to transfjression.
He who carries a body about with him,
him a proof
carries about with
Lord
is
PULPIT.
In assurance of hope,
We
to
Jesus look up,
Till his banner, unfurl'd in the air,
that the
righteous, and that he will not let
And
p'rom our graves
we
And
is
fly
up
cry out, " It

to
shall see.
he '."
acknowledge him there.
Further In reference to that eternat

go unpunished. " The body is dead,"
" because of sin ;" but that glory to which we shallfinally be exalted
same body has the assurance of life here- Christ is the life of this also. He is " the
" All power is given
after
for it is to the whole man that the Lord of heaven.'''
promise of eternal life is made. Jesus to him in heaven'^ "Angels and princiChrist has promised that he will restore palities are made subject to him" "he
Christ has the keys of death and of hades"
it to vigour and immortal youth.
" he both died and rose again, that he
is the author of this life,
1. As his power is the agc?rt to effect this. might be Lord both of the dead and of
He himself will perform this miracle for the living." As the king of heaven it is
it is a miracle.
It is not because there his prerogative to admit others into that
remains in the body some latent principle world. Hence we find that the dying
of life to be wrought upon Scripture con- Stephen said, " Lord Jesus, receive my
They spirit." There was no admission even
tradicts tills philosophic notion.
for a dying martyr into heaven but
tell us plainly, that it will be a miracle
Christ must fora miracle resembling that of the resurrec- through Jesus Christ.
Now, if the re- mally agree to the admission of his peotion of Christ himself.
surrection of Christ was a mere vegetative ple before that admission can take place.
sin
at
present,
,-
resurrection, Christ
was
not really dead,
no proof of his
divinity.
In order to prove the divinity
of that operation, we must admit his real
and his resurrection
is
and absolute death. When the soul is

separated from the body, no life remains
and no life will ever come into it, but
what Christ puts into it " who shall
change our vile body, according to the
working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." There is,
therefore, no latent principle of life to as-
sist the operation
mighty power, and

by Christ.
it is
the effect of Al-
that
power put
forth
// is his to
assign
to
each of his saints
and occupation in heaven.

" In my Father's house are many mansions 1 go to prepare a place for you."
From this it is clear that the kingdom erf
their proper place
Christ extends to heaven ; and all that is

connected with the bliss and glory of
heaven will be dispensed b}' him.
His presence mainly constitutes the bliss
It is by him, and through him,
nf heaven.
that all the glory of heaven is made
known.
All the saints will shine by a
glory
their union to
Christ will be the instrument of their
reflection of his
realizing the promised bliss

and it is
Because his raised and glorified body through this medium alone tliat they can
will he the model to which the bodies of his enjoy the vision of God. Paul knew this ;
" He will hence he said, " I have a desire to depart
people viill be conformed.
change our vile bodies, and fashion them and to be with Christ, which is far better."
To be by Christ in heaven he esteemed to
like unto his own glorious body."
3.
Inasmuch as his appearance the be far better than to be in Christ on earth,
second time in the clouds with glory tvill be even under the most favourable circum;
2.
for our resurrection. He toill stances.

have good reason to think that the
appear again in power and great glory,
and at this his coming we shall live we degrees of heavenly glory will be regulated
shall then all be summoned from our by the degrees nf nearness and intimacy to
dusty-beds, " meet the Lord in the air, Christ to wiiich we may have been preand so shall we be for ever with the viously exalted. It is true, that on this
the signal
We
Lord."
subject the Scriptures speak but little;

more by
hints than in detail.
much we may
this
learn, that there will be
degrees in glory
from another
But
'
One
star in glory
star
;
resurrection of the dead."
difTereth
so also
The
is
the
saints,
126
you following Christ

ness
Oil
and not your

to
come
way
of holi-
Christ be only your light

you have heard and read
first thing you have to do
///V,
The
in vain.
is
if
in the
to
God, and confess your
made like angels, and wicked waste of former opportunities

you must obtain pardon for the past, beamongst these we know there arc degrees
Ave are told, will be
we
fore you can hope for future good. There

and powers." There is a supe- are many who go to hell after hearing the
riority, and of course there is also a rela- gospel for years.
It were better to go to
tive inferiority.
The chimerical equality hell from the grossest darkness of paganfor which some so foolislily and zealously ism, than thus turn your knowledge to no
This hearing, this knowledge
contend, in the world and in the churcli, account
has no place even in heaven.
may is a talent which you are required to ocreasonably infer, that in proportion as we cupy. If you neglect to improve this
are like Christ, and near to him, we shall light, or if you resist it by the indulgence
shine.
All the stars of heaven shall of worldly tempers, or vain and foolish
shine with great lustre, but those will conversation and conduct, it will greatly
shine the most brightly who most resem- aggravate your doom that you have had
ble Christ, and who are most near to him light.
unto them who have the key
of knowledge, and do not use it to open
who is the Sun of righteousness.
Thus have we illustrated and proved the door of truth There are many among
this great gospel axiom, that Christ is all our congregations, who, when the gospel is put into their hands, that they may
the life of his people.
1
This subject addresses itself most pow- open the door to pardon and salvation,
We turn the key the wrong way, and actually
erfully to the hearers of the gospel.
learn from it what is the design of the lock themselves out. What madness can
various exhibitions of Christ in the equal this ? To hear the word of life, and
preaching of the gospel.
Christ is run on to death, without pardon, without
preached, to the end that he may be your any effort to obtain salvation
O be
Preachers labour in vain, hearers careful not to make this perverted use of
life.
Let not that bring you down
listen in vain, if there be no communica- the gospel
tion of life.
When a man of common to hell which was designed to raise you
understanding listens to a plain, faithful to heaven and holiness. So it will be if
preacher, if lie be not grossly inattentive, you do not connect fhith with your hearhe must derive some light; his under- ing, and if obedience do not prove the sinstanding must he informed.
But this ac- cerity of your faith.
cession of knowledge docs by no means
2. To earnest seekers of salvation this
answer the end of preaching. This ordi- sul)ject affords
much encoura'j;cment.
nance is not intended to make you perfect When you think of your numerous
theologians.
You may be able to defend wants, you feel shocked, and are ready
every article of the Christian faith; there to say,
n;ay not be a speck in ;ôur orthodoxy,
" I want
alas wliat want I not ]"
and yet the great end of preaching remains
unaccomplished; forCiirist is life as well You want pardon you want purity
as lifiht.
Wiiat effect has been produced you want strenglii you want a lively
by your former hearing ? Has Christ be- liope of glory n.vi all this is in Christ.
come your life ] Is the sentence of death Secure Christ for your life, and you will
read of "thrones, dominions, princi-
palities,
We
Wo
reversed, or does the wrath of God still

abide upon you, because you have not
fled for refuge to lay bold on the hope set
before you
And has
Christ become
have
riglit;
liio
all.
And
Christ
tcorld
is
Christ
God's
is
every sinner's
world
gift to the
which was the object of
pity, shared the effects of his pity.
his
Chris*
your real as well as your relative life ] is therefore every sinners rii;/il and if
Do you rejoice in purity of heart 1 and arc you rccciva him, you have all that can
;
THE BRITISH
126
PULPIT.
DUTIES TO THE AFFLICTED.

your present safety and etercareful that you use Christ
In the discharge of parochial duties
for all the purposes for which he is offered the sick and afflicted will have the strongto you.
est claims upon your time and attention.
3. Let Christians learn a lesson from this Let these claims always be held sacred.
subject.
Be grateful. You see how Wait not to be sent for. Hasten to them
much you oavc to him ; you cannot be as soon as you know that they are in disChristians without him.
He gave you tress. And while on your way to the
life, but he gave it you at a great cost!
sick chamber, or the house of mourning,
It is by his stripes that you are healed
lift up your soul in prayer to God, that he
he died that you might live.
O what will put thoughts into your heart, and
thanks then are due to him.
words into your mouth that he will enable you to be faithful, and bless your visit.
" Too much to thee I cannot give,
If the sickness be severe, let your remarks
Too much I cannot do for thee
be few and direct, and your prayers comLet all thy love and all ihy grief
monly short; but let your calls be freGrav'n on my heart for ever be!"
quent.
When there is imminent danger
Be consistent as well as grateful. in the case, study not to conceal it; but
" Glorify him in your urge upon the sick man the infinite imLive to Christ.
bodies and in your spirits which are his. portance of immediate preparation for
You must identify yourselves with all death. If it is one of the sheep, or one
that belongs to him
his cause must be of the lambs of Christ's flock, who is
yours, his people yours.
You are re- about to be called home, and is rejoicing
quired, as Christians, not only to live in the prospect; talk of heaven, of deliveto Christ, but to live like him, to live the rance from sin, of the excellence of Christ,
life of Christ.
We do not sufficiently of the glory of God, and of the songs of
consider the height of our calling ; we are the redeemed.
not careful to live up to the standard. As
If it is the dying bed of an impenitent
Christians, we ought to live the life of sinner to which you are called, and he is
Christ over again
the removal of his stupid ; O, if it be possible, sound a note
bodily presence was no doubt a great loss of alarm so deep, that it shall awake his
to the world
but mark how the gospel slumbering conscience; and at the same
repairs this loss.
Christians are to be time so affectionate, that he shall thank
made like Christ, that they may be his and love you for your faithfulness. Hold
substitu'tes, and become to the world what no fellowship with that cruel affection
he would be were he still upon earth. wnich conceals from a dying friend his
are called to be his visible represen- danger, or which cries, " Peace, Mhen
conduce
nal
life.
to
Be
We
tatives; every Christian
is
a sort of Christ,
resembling him, going about doing good,

strengthening the weak and defenceless
bearing testimony meekly and mildly
against evil, doing good in every possible
;
way.
Then
is no peace."
If the dying sinner
alarmed, and his transgressions are at
least set in order before him, beware that
you do not comfort him too soon. Many,
I fear, have been destroyed in this wr.y.
there
is
be seen that Christ The law was doing its work, and would
Let us set about this have brought them to the cross of Christ,
work immediately in our families and in but for the pains wliich were prematurely
our neighbourhoods, with more prayer taken to convince them that their sins
than we have ever yet done, and there- were forgiven, and that all was safe. Refore with more success.
joice in it, if you have good evidence that
Be useful. You may have to contend a sinner has been plucked as a brand from
with difficulties, to encounter enemies, to the burning at the very close of life; but
make struggles, but you shall be ulti- in your preaching and conversation lay
mately successful. May God grant you very little stress upon a death-bed repentDr. Humphreys,
this grace.
ance.
is
will
indeed our
life.
it
SERMON
XII.
RESIGNATION TO THE DIVINE WILL.

OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH OF THE LATE REV.
R.
HALL, D.D., PREACHED AT
BROADMEAD CHAPEL, BRISTOL, MARCH
BY THE REV.
J.
6,
1831.
HUGHES,
OF BATTERSEA.
" All the daijs of
We
appointed time will I wait,
are assembled on an occasion
no ordinary
the
my
whole of
its
vast range, has not of late,
furnished
a more affecting
than
which
that
of
Mortality, through
interest.
we
monument,
now
are
invited,
urged, and, indeed, compelled, to contem-
May God
plate.
priate feelings
inspire us with appro-
voice from the sepul-
chre, and from heaven, bespeaks profound

attention, and,
accordance with
in
it,
several impressive views, opening before
a reflecting mind, call for deep solemnity,

prostrate submission, tender condolence,
warm congratulations, and (orvent pr.iyer.

Many more things are recommended by
that
inlerestiti'/,
voice
nspccially
our
own and
sublime, and
pathetic
renewed concern
for
others' spiritual safety and
If these be duly cherished, the

and estimable friend, who lived
vain, will not have died in vain;
till
my
change come."
reverence, as his fellow pupil,

lieparted friend
was
in
the seminary, even at that early period
in
of his si)lendid course.
we shall, one after another, be

prompted, at least in a personal rtference,
to say
though wcepinir " 1 would yv
should understand, brrthren, that the
things whieh happem^d unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the
<rospel."
Assuredly such
ful disi<T[i
of
God
indicted here.
is
in
Oh,
the holy and merci-
most cordial reception.
My thfse and
may be accom- my reluclancn on
similar considerations
that
other crounds to appear
it
jdislntd, in respect to us, to
in general
Nor can I adwithout emotion to a subsequent

period, during which it was my lot tfl
occupy, with an incompetency (|uite hu
miliating, the very saMie department o^
It may also
labour and responsiliility.
be added that the distinguished indi
vidual, whose removal we deplore, ncvef
faili^l to indulge me with a prompt and
vert
the stroke so recently
esteemed heanirs, and
God
what our
the sanctuary, and
gifted
but
liv. 14,
As the result of that stroke, a task haa

devolved on me, honourable indeed, bu*
far too arduous for my mental strength,
on which it presses. I speak not this
from false humility, or with the mean
and worthless hope of securing a courteous contradiction ; 1 speak as a man
claiming no superior eminent talents, oj
Christian worth, is bound to speak.
The
fact is, F could not, without making an
ungracious sacrifice, turn away from a
re(]uest preferred by the bereaved family,
and supported by the representatives of
the bereaved congregation.
In addition
to this circumstance, looking back nmre
than six and forty years, I cannot lightly
welfare.
not in
Job
to
you
all,
my
the cause of
before you this morning has

thoush not altogether destroyed,
olTicially
been,
yet
materially
diminished.
Instead,
\'21
THE BRITISH
128
therefore, of dwellinfr on conscious inability, I will
proceed
vice, assured that
in
the present ser-
avows
indifference to such a prospect
must
surely be pronounced either a hypocrite,
you will exercise can- an
dour, and be anxious to enjoy the divine
PULPIT.
monster.
idiot, or a
Yet,
in this field
where may we expect to reap

satisfaction 1
Pagans have toiled here
of inquiry,
approval and blessing". As to the portraiture which it were unavailing to require with laudable diligence and solicitude,
of me, I would not easily resign the hope being scarcely less anxious to kindle a
that it will bo delineated by the pencil of few sparks of hope into a bright and
some accomplished master. 'Jliore is an

ambition which is not only lawful, but is
encouraged by that sacred Spirit, who at
the same time, would have us to recollect
these words " Be clothed with humility
:
for
God
resisteth the proud, and giveth
grace to the humble."
Fain would
I,
particularly at this in-
steady flame than our modern sons of

darkness are to witness and promote their
How superior in
extinction.
we
do
Plato,
these
They
the contrast
necessarily account a Socrates, a
and a Seneca! Still

could only reason well.
ascended not above the regions of
a
Cicero,
sages
happy conjecture and high
probability.
teresting hour, be inspired with an ambi-
All the certainty of our existence in an-
do good and, if that heaven-born

predominate within me, then
shall I accost my fellow mourners in a
right spirit; and He, who alone can infuse it, will, I doubt not, prosper my
elfort, and so award me a prize, in comparison with which the plaudits earned
by literature, philosophy, and eloquence,
are but as sounding brass and as a tinkAlas those plaudits are
ling cymbal.
always dangerous, and often fatal.
Death preceded by intense pain, the
silent, solitary, perhaps needful, monitor
of the deceased, with slight intermissions,
from his youth to more than mature age
death has at length been com.missioned
to despoil your circle, my brethren, of a
costly victim, who sunk under the blows
of that ruthless assailant, wliose flesh has
and
in consequence seen corruption,
whose form we shall never, while sojourning here, behold again.
If a man die, shall he live again 1
shall he not utterly perish, and become
other world
tion to
principle
must be gathered not from

argument, but from information ; and tliat
information none, except " the high and
lofty One that inhabiteth eternity," can
impart.
He, however, in language more
or less full and distinct, has spoken of
invisible and lasting realities.
In making a transition especially from the Old
Testament
to
the
exhibited with so
ness that
as
New, the subject is

much additional clear-
if all
the previous discove-
had been mere varieties of shade

we are taught by an apostle to say, " Life
and immortality are brought to light by
ries
the goapel.''''
The
he
great question, " If a
live
again
may,
man
trust,
die, shall
be
now
numbered among questions which have

received a satisfactory answer. Such an
admission is sure to be made by all who
consider the Bible to be a communication
from the supreme Being: with others,
enter this day into no discussion.
It remains for me to illustrate the words

What a relief first read, and then to remind jôu afresh,
an eternal desolation]
must it be to entertain an opposite view and more specifically, of the dispensation
of the case to feel assured that this which has brought hither so immense a
wreck, so far from being total and irreme- multitude, and will elsewhere rivet the
diable, can, in no degree involve, as it sadder minds of so many afl'ectionate
regards a servant of God, the unspeaka- hearers. " All the days of my appointed
bly more glorious part of his compound time will I wait, till my change come."
and marvellous nature which we denomi- So spake Job, a man whose excellency
The relief would in anti- and affection were alike proverbial. He
nate the soul.
Let
cipation, be comi)lete had we equal spake as it becomes us to speak.
authority to believe that the body also us, with the evangelical economy before
shall live again, and share with the soul our eyes, expatiate on his determination,
immortality.
He who and adopt it too.
felicitous
i^s

RESIGNATION lO THE DIVINE WILL.
What,
'
then,
is
the nature, and
the due influence, my fellow Christians,

of our prospect as thus referred to ? " All
the days of my appointed time will I
wait,
till
my
We
129
How
what kingdom of God."
sharp the con-
how
how im-
and pungent the sorrows

and diffusive the heavenly light
flicts,
portunate the supplications
come."
have the prospect of
the purposes
cliange
how
rich
how
stronor
rich the comforts
a how warm the gratitude how exemplary

the whole character, when, under the reMany changes are incidental to human generating agency of the Holy Ghost,
beings, but there are three which stand fallen creatures justly reckon themselves
to be " dead, indeed, unto sin, but alive
out with prominence above the rest.
One extraordinary change occurs when unto God, through our Lord Jesus
human beings become 7-atiuhal. During Christ:" "being born again, not of corI.
CHANGE.
infancy they are conscious of sensation,

but unconscious of reflection. Hence, at
they learn
that period, they say nothing
nothing; they neither hear nor transgress
any commandment; they are not in a
Gradually, however,
state of probation.
and in a manner which entirely eludes
our notice, the thiidcing faculty, and all the
Childpassions, develope themselves.
ren listen to sounds, articulate, and conYoung persons read, write, and
verse.
learn a language or an art.
A little afterwards they go into business; they provide
for their families ; some being condemned
to the meanest drudgery, and some, like
him whom you once delighted to call
your minister, shining in the annals of
fame, the admiration of the age and the
country which they contributed to adorn.
Let it not be forgotten, my hearers, that,
as reason strengthens, all persons become
more and more amenable both to God and
to man.
A change more momentous occurs
when iiuman beings become relii^tous.
ruptible seed, but of incorruptible,
word of God, which
for ever
After
by the
liveth and abideth
!"
all,
the great consummation is
reserved for the time
become
immortal
when human beings
the
subjects
of
change of which the being made first

tional, and then religious, are but the
rain-
dispensable preparatories.
"This corruption (my Christian brethren) must put
on incorruption, and this mortal must pu'

on immortality." Then will the term of
our minority expire, and we shall receive
our best inheritance. Then shall we go
to another world,
munion
invisible.
with
and have Joyful com-
exalted
such
far
FAen never
e}'e, such mu-
of
offered such beauty to the

sic to the ear, or
thus
spirits,
The garden
fruit to the tasle,
as will delight the inhabitants of those
more glorious regions. They are " before the throne of God, and serve him day
and night in his temple and he that sitteth on the throne shall fhvell among
them. They shall hunger no more, neiThis change is requisite for those, uni- ther thirst any more neither shall the
For the
versally, who have not already experi- sun light on them, nor any heat.
enced it. Its necessity arises from the Lamb, which is in f.'io midst of the throne,
hereditary contagion which corrupts the shall feed them, .ind shall lead them unto
race and taints us all
whether we have living fountains of waters and God shall
rendered ourselves obnoxious to our ac- wipe away sH tears fron> their eyes."
quaintances, or have conciliated their They wiio ascend from the eartii, thither,
:
good will and aflfection whether we are trmin'onned as well as translated. No

have been profligate or moral whether residue of sin cleaves to them in their
we have neglected sacred ordinances or wont'ers of delight. Hence it is writt(>n,
.lutwardly observed lliern.
We are as- " '\\\vy are without fault before the throne
And, ag-ain, " Christ loved the
siiri'd, by an inspired writer, tiiat " if any
ol God."
jnaii be in Christ Jesus he is a new crea- clinrrh, and gave himself for it; that ho
old things are passed away and iiiiglii sanctity and cleanse it with the
ture
behold all things have becomo new." washing of water by the word that he
What says Clirist hiniselfl '* Kxeept a niiglit present it to himself a glorious
man be born again he cannot see the, church, not having spot or wrinkle, or
Vol. I. 17
THE
130
any
and
sucli
\.hin<j;
but that
it
BRITISH PULPIT.
sliould be holy
Is
however, merely the soul of a
it,
believer in Jesus Christ that enters the

kingdom ] Must its ancient partner the
body,
lie
always
in the dust, or
roam
in
a separate and less splendid province of
No, for the apostle,

the divine empire'?
foretellinir its resurrection says, " It shall
be raised
in
Shall such counsels

be enforced? How fares it with
us when we have in prospect either what
is most common in the troubles of the
token
need
witliout blemish."
power;" and, using an
its arrival.
to
most exquisite
world, or what
is
gratifications
The
sultject is
in its
adhesive
claim is felt to be irreborne into our parties

it
haunts our solitude; it steals our slumit
absorbs us
sistible;
My
epi-
bers.
sub-
change
its
is
it
brethren, that all-important
which
mortals, he calls the body that shall be

so raised, " A spirilual body." I close this
I pray that our attenbe duly turned

had long secured the attention of our departed friend :
his mind was solemnly familiar with it.
the body
statement, relative to the change which

is to undergo, with another quo-
his discourses and conversation will
from the same apostle, " Our conversation is in heaven ; from whence also
we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus
Christ; who shall change our vile body,
that it may be fashioned like unto his
glorious body, according to the working
whereby he is able even to subdue all
most prompt
thet never before applied

stance, and even
now
to
that
inapplicable
among
tation
tion
to
may
You who most remember
the strain of
be
he spoke,
to testify that
time after time, "as seeing him that is

invisible," and as under a vivid impression of those serious subjects^death,
judgment, and eternity.

2. The prospect of our change may be
viewed also in connexion with our estimate
of all earthly good.
things unto himself."
God may have brought within our reach

Let me describe the influence of
THIS PROSPECT the influence which it many pleasant and profitable things; and
ought to have on every spectator tlie as yet we may not, like Job, have been
influence which it liad on the patriarch, forced with terrible emotions, to witness
who said, " All the days of my ap- their departure. What, then shall they
pointed time will I wait, till my change make us blind and insensible to the
Shall we revel heedless amidst
future?
come."
The
1. The prospect of our change may he the diversified changes of others?
viewed in connexion with the general cur- claims of religion, and the dictates even of
II.
rent
(if
our thoughts.
mere reason, prescribe another course ;

for riches, and health, and fame, and
of a creature's friendship, and all beside which can ren-
Job reckoned on a great change, the

result not of accident or
energy, but of a divine declaration. He

believed that the time for its taking place,
as well as the change itself, was appoint-
der a sublunary portion valuable, and life

itself are held by a precarious tenure.
Let us, therefore, while retaining our

upon it several possessions, and in them the elewere, in his apprehension, so numerous ments of external prosperity, rebuke in
and vast, that he appeals to have been oiliers, and chiefly in ourselves, that extenacious of the theme, as one which he travagant attachment and reliance which
was scarcely willing to dismiss for a would imply a conviction that their worth
single moment.
Accordinglj, he in- is pre-eminent, and their duration sure.
tended in our text to renew the distant Let us use them like those who know
anticipation of it, not only in soine of that they are but secondary things, and
those of his own day, but througlût things which may take their flight toevery successive age. Let us, my bio- morrow. Let us regulate our minds not
ed, and the interests dependent
the consciousness of their

fto much by
from the interrup- existence as by the foresight of their retions of business and the enjoyments of moval, waiting all the days of our appointthat change
society, that by faith we may gaze on ed time tii our change come
the stupendous scenes which shall be- which shall' at once unveil the throne of
thren,
habitually refer to that eventful
crisis,
and often
retire
131
heaven, and cast all the glories of this death. In our supplications, let us be
world into perpetual oblivion.
fervent, copious, and unwearied
still,
3. Again. The prospect of our change however, presenting them in the name of
may be viewed i?i connexion ivith our in- Jesus, our advocate within the veil.
dividual exertions and supplications,.
Then
The sum
ed
is,
of all the inquiry thus awaken" Wiiat must I do to be saved ?"
Whence comes
we
be brought into closer and

with his Father and our
Father, and be made more and more
" meet for the inheritance of the saints in
shall
closer union
it that language so befiting a degraded, condemned, troubled, and light."

dying race prevails so little ] It is surely
4. The.prospectof our change may yet
no slight evil to be the enemy of God, further he viewed, in connexion with all
the slaves of Satan, and the heirs of hell. our intervcnini; pains and distresses.
How pitiable are all they who remain in Job's case was severely complicated.
such a case
The more pitiable if insen- His mind, his body, and his circum!
sible of its horrors, and consequently in-
disposed to cry.
Who
will direct
me
to
demanded the pity of all around

him. Adverting, liowever, to his expected
change, he seems to have subsided into
stances,
means of emancipation!
my brethren, must be followed a temporary calm, and
the
Inquiry,
have resolved
and
the style of self-complacency, as though fear, he would cultivate patience and subwe claimed some particles of merit, or mission. This is one of the constructions
nor which may fairly be put on these words,
could, in the least, expiate our guilt
in the style of self-confidence, as though " All the days of my appomted time will
we could, in any wise, repair the ruins I wait, till my change come." May we
of our desolated nature. Our exertions, not naturally suppose that your late minexcruciating as his agonies often
if acceptable and availing, must emanate ister
from a deeply fiupressed sense of worth- were often repeated these words, and in
lessness, sel<înisery, and danger, issuing the sense here attributed to them
Let
in faith, and penitential sorrow, and us, while "we groan, being burthened,"
watchfulness, and self-discipline, and imitate him.
Let us chide every tendency to complain of Him, "in whom we
humble trust, and pious activity.
If inquiry must be followed up with live, and move, and have our being."
exertion, faith must also be followed up Let us be comforted witli reflecting how
are all dependant few are the years which shall revolve
with supplication.
on God for every thing; more especially before this scene of tribulation shall be
for a valid title to an inheritance above, annihilated.
and for the hearty assurance of an admis5. Finally. Theprospect of o>ir change
Let us wait, in these various may he viewed in cowiexion with all that
sion there.
wnys, until our change come. No sooner is t^rand and jntjful.
shall we fix our minds intently on the
Immediately after Job had uttered the
sacred volum'^ than wo shall find that text, he said, "Thou shalt call, and I
there is forgiveness witli God, his adora- will answer thee: tliou wilt have a desire
ble Son having su(T(!red the just for the to the work of thine hands."
IJiit he
unjust, that by the sacrifict! nf himsplf rose to a higher elevation, when he said,
h(> might put away sin
we sliall find "I know that my licdccmor livelli, and
that through him wc have access, by one that lie shall r.latid at the latter day upon
up with corresponding exertions, not
in
to
that, instead of yielding to fretfulness
We
Father.
Spirit,
to
volume
that describes and urges the ex-
ertion in
nate
tlic
which
the
tliis
strivings
It
is
the sacred
inquiry must termi-
of
our
lives
wrcstlitig with principalilirs an<l
the
diMii
lusts
i!
the
earth:
worms
shall
the
through
powers
anil
of ungodliness and worldly
and though after
the
obedience,
seek for partnership
ven by violence
tlio
kingdom of hea-
being faithful unto
confiflenco, giving
'
tin;
the intercession of our
the taking of the
my
skin,
destroy this body, yol in my (Icsli

see (iod."
Let us, my brctlin'n,
"
in
ail
this
atononicnt,
hi>j!i-|triest,
triumphant
diligence to niak*
our calling and election sure," by adding
THE BRITISH
132
to our " faith, virtue
; and to virtue, knowand to knowledge, temperance

and to temperance, patience ; and to patience, godliness ; and to godliness, broand to brotherly kindtherly kindness
ledge
ness, charity."
Then
shall
wc
joyfully
aid each other, at every renewal of our

our moral atmosphere will
intercourse
become purer and purer
as
we approach
the land, the inhabitants of which shall

never say, " I am sick" and at length
an entrance shall be ministered to us
PULPIT.
which placed him high in the first class

With but
of the most admired writers.
a small compass of voice, the character
of his ideas, their lucid order, his happy
choice of expressions, the melody of his
tones, the rapidity of his utterance, the
fire
of his eye, and the ardour of his feel-
ings,
drew from our
lips,
and from oui
which can be neither controverted nor suppressed, " This

hearts, the testimony
is
eloquence
Had
this is eloquence
indeed T^
speak in
abundantly into the everlasting kingdom the senate, or to plead at the bar, with a
few exceptions, he would have eclipsed
of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
But God gave him a
It is now my duty to request your par- every competitor.
Not most certainly of
ticular notice to the dispensation which better promotion.
has clothed this assembly in the attire of that kind to which avarice and ambition
mourning. The voice of our departed aspire, but that which infinitely exceeded
friend has been sounding in the public all that was ever reached by her most prosHis Saviour " counted
ear for almost half a century, and will perous votaries.
sound through the nation for ages yet to him faithful, putting him into the miniscome. A more eminent man seldom oc- try," and thus honoured him with the
cupies the sphere of human agency. His weighty, yet delightful commission, " I
reasoning powers were of the highest send thee amoiigthe people, to open their
To him it was given, if I may so eyes, and to turn them from darkness to
order.
speak, to penetrate subjects as by a mo- light, and from the power of Satan unto
mentary intuition, and to fetch into view, God, that they may recti ve forgiveness
soon after he had commenced his search, of sins, and inheritance among them
those deeply hidden treasures of the intelto the discovery and the
display of which most men, even of ac-
which
me."
must have employed
in the
lectual mind,
it
been his destination
are sanctified
by
to
faith that is in
My
esteemed hearers, attend rqe now

survey and estimate of Mr. Hall
an elaborate process. According to the as occupying the department, in which,
best import of the term, he gave the im- through the influence of divine grace, he
pression of his being a profound meta- shone to the greatest advantage and that
physician, who, had he thought it proper not for his own sake merely, but for that
May you especially that are
so of others.
to pursue the science of the mind
would probably young, cherish into a devout and firm
great was his acumen
have been rivalled by few, and surpassed purpose, as it regards yourselves, the
by none. Sound judgment, and finished recollection that he could say, with Obataste, and rich imagination, accompanied diah, " I feared the Lord from my youth."
with real, unaffected piety and earnest- It was before he had attained his sixteenth
ness, together with touching pathos, per- year, that he publicly professed the relivaded his compositions in general, and gion which continued to be the guide,
rendered those, particularly of a religious and the stay, and the ornament of his
He had all the truly Christian life. There are Bany
nature, inimitably grand.
attributes of genius
that rare and mas- who, as if the Creator stood low on the
as if his service were
terly faculty which it is more easy to list of claimants
appreciate than to define.
His erudition perfect drudgery and as if he might be
was that of the elegant scholar. He had neglected with impunity, pass the meriformed his style on the purest models of dian of life without the least care to honGreece, Italy, and his native land. He our or to glorify him, or even to be ac-
knowledged
talent,
took pains with it, and wrought it into

that force, and beauty, and plainness,
cepted in his Son.

that
At length,
it
may
some, satiated with the world's luxu-

lies
some oppressed by disappointment
some
stung with remorse, and dreading

judgments, tender him a few
quivering sparks a fragment or two of
time the mere wreck of what they once
"were both in body and in mind, as they
approach, doubtful and tremulous, the
dark confines of eternity. How different
was it with our departed friend
He
began his pilgrimage and warfare at the
very dawn of life's cheerful years. Some
present may recollect and will appreciate
the joy, which must have quickened into
an enlivened warmth of gratitude, of the
God's
fiery
truth requires
me
to
133
of one who said
add
emphasis, which my heart venerated,

not, in your discourse, overlook so
opportune an occasion of pressing a life
of thoughtfulness and piety on the
v.'ith
"Do
young."
It has been intimated by me, that in
becoming a Christian minister Mr. Hall
not only obeyed the divine will, but entered upon the môst useful, and therefore
the noblest, career.
I had not such an
acquaintance with his spiritual history,
at that period, as would enable me to
speak concerning
with minuteness, or
it
The
heart of his excellent and gifted father on in positive terms.
pleasing proba-
the day which witnessed the baptismal
bility,
recognition of such a son's surrender and
abased himself, as a perishing offender,
however,
is
that he had previously
Are none before the Holy One of Israel that heof you, in such manner, at least, as con- had believed in .Jesus to the saving of the
science dictates, found substantially walk- soul, and that he was moved with coming in his steps. A portion of you, who passion for a world lying in wickedness.
acknowledge Him to whom you are in- That he was afterwards, at least, strongly
debted, could furnish me with an answer, marked with these characteristics, there
which I pray that God would make uni- can be no question. He belonged to what
dedication of himself to God.
versal.
Why
should not
all,
during the
is
called the evangelical school, a school
vernal season of the moral year, discover,
which, owing
amidst the gardens of Zion, those fair

blossoms, which, cherished by the dew
of the Holy Ghost, and the rays of the Sun
of righteousness, shall expand till the
"Weeks of an abundant harvest arrive that
harvest of which so sweet a specimen
has lately been conve3'ed from earth to
heaven. Allow me this morning, to advance a pica for God. Indeed, he is worthy to be adored, and trusted, and loved,
and obeyed. O that I felt towards him
what it becomes me to feel, and had ability
and leisure to express myself accordingly
But I advance not a plea for God alone I
am also your advocate. Come and join
yourselves to him in an everlasting
covenant. He waits to receive you
already his paternal heart melts o\ er you
and, on your first apprnacli, ho will smile,
and declare, " From tiiis day will I bless
you." Did it once enter the mind of him,
whose voice and countenance will, in this
vale of mortality, arrest your attention
no more did it once enter into his mind
to regret that ho was loo early in avouching the Lord to be his Gfxl ?
Accept my
lisions of
tribute of afTectionate solicitude thus cordially,
though
at the special instig-ation
to the speculations
modern
exactly described as
years ago.
thirty
and col-
partisans, cannot be so
it
might have been

it may, and it
Still,
be represented as the depository of

expositions and confessions in
which the protestant churches, according,
will,
those
at least, to their respective
acknowledg-
ments, are mainly united. It asserts, in

plain language, the corruption of human
nature
the divinity of Jesus Christ, and

Holy
together with the
of the
Spirit
vicarious pains and sorrows of the former,
and the renewing influence of tlie latter.

venerable and bold Archbishop
Leighton announces the system well, in
language which has long since been made
common, and which marks it distinctly.
He says, " It lays low the sinner, exalts
the Saviour, and promotes holiness."
I
speak it to the credit of .Mr. Hall, that
The
lie
know,
asi
t/ic()lii<rical
spcculalor,
where
having arrived, through

divine assistance, farther and farther,
after reasoning appeared to fail, he reto
slop
joiced to
tliat,
sit
a huniblo learner at the feet
that he shrank from scholastic

subtleties and that he was too wise, too
of Jesus
modest, and loo scriptural,
to
attempt
TIIK lUUTIJSlI rULIMT.
):)!
hi'Cdiiiiiii; llic loiiiiilor, iir llic fiicliDiis
tron, ol
was
sod.
As
in nritaiii
Need
remind you of his humility, his
\\v
simplicity, and his imporlunily
been
af-
He
capal)!)', after ull
finncd
|)ii-
a hihllcul critic
tiral
and on
tlic
tlirowinjjnuicli addilional
Iras
gathered up himself to
conlincnt, oi the strength of
onobscnrc
li<{lil
his
own
God, and
to
\\\
take'
priiyer.
hold of
enjoy
benefit and that of all
it
for
others.
Perhaps wo could have no view of him

more striking, and mori; conducive to our
most cncrirclic and, in his .idciiilttcldrcniics improvement, than when we saw him
from till' ])iil|)il, lio did indeed speak as drawing nigh to the throne of the heathe oraele of (iod, and held u|) truth in venly grace, and heard him imploring
its eiK'onra<j[mercy there. What a spectacle for the
itssidenm
its interestinfT
There, in eye, what sounds for the ear, of min who,
inif, and its alarniinjr aspects.
a style peculiarly his own, ho Avariied, without a tenth jiartof his talent or of his
passajrt's
and
ex/io.iilitr
111'
dis|tnti(l dDClrincrt.
was
As
clear, ])irs|)irn()us,
an
and
relinked, and remonstrated.
'I'here,
disclosed the enonnity of sin,

ties, its
windings, and
its
its
he
varie-
wortlilessness.
There ho nnfolded the richness of divine
virtue, think
it
useless to pray and need-
less to re|)i'nl
In the divided state of (Hirislendom

necessarily
show our
we
respective prefer-
Hedid. Mr. Hall was decidedly

ences.
he a J'rolestitnt dissenter but who has more
constantly renewed his purpose to expa- warmly eulogized the "Liturgy of the
His expressions
tiate on Jesus Christ, as our wisdom, and established Church'?"
riijliteousness, and sanctificalion, and re- are these, " I believe that the evangelical
demption. I have no donbt that many purity of its sentiments, and the chastened
have been com|)elled to acknowlcdjre that fervour of its devotion, and the majestic
the gosjiel had no charms for them, or simiilieity of its language, have combined
none that conrinered their sceptical indif- to )>lac.o in it the very first rank of uninHe was an unference and carnality, before they beheld spired compositions."
compromising Baptist, but he resj)ected
it throuijh the medium of his illustration.
The simple text of the IJible, when he the rights of conscience. He conceded
was the reader, was elucidated 1 had al- that liberality which he required and exmost said, more than by the extended ercised. Ho recoiled from the thought
commentary of an ordinary man. lie of augmenting, as he would have deemed
quoted well; so that, like a celebrated it, tlie ritual peculiarity of so small a defemale writer within your own circle, nomination into a barrier that should
grace, the boanties of holiness, and the
felicities
of our eternal home.
'I'liere
and a preacher of hijrh reputation in a exclude from sacramental fellowshij) the

iieiirhbouriiicr city, he has oftmi impressed
members of every denomination besides,
me with the beneficial dexterity which when a Howe, an Owen, a IJaxter, a
may be evinced in detaehiiijr portions of Wesley, a Whitfield, a Doddridge a
the Bible, so as to set them like " apples Walts, were entreating to be admitted.
So, on the other hand, it is to be lamented
of pold in pictures of silver."
The cxDrdiitins of his discourses were that such a saint and such a jircacher as
conducted deliberately, and not without he was, should have been disi|ualilied,
His tlii'isiotis either by law or by convention, from visita dejrree of hesitation.
were always natural, and nearly always ing wherever a sanctuary was prepared
simple.
He kindled as he |)roceeded, and a congregation was eager to receive
him. At the end of each Sabbath he retill, borne upwards on the winirs of seraphic deliifht, he seemed as if he could turned to bless his household ; and day
spare only a siiiirle planco even for bis after day, whether at home or abroad, his
beloved lloek, and that for the purpose of advice, his synipatiiy, his bounty, and
stimulatiiiif them to share with their pas- his spiritual gifts, awaited those who had
tor in the joy of their common Lord ; and need of what it was in his power to comthat moment he sliul the book and finished municate.
1 have remarked with some surprise,
liis discourse, leaving them to regret that
not unconnected with admiration, that
lie had flushed it so soon.

RESIGNATION TO THK DIVINE WILL.
135
had beaten vehemently upon bis earthly

nor at Bristol, was lie understood to fre- tabernacle without destroying it; ao-^n
quent, with an undue zest, the society of and again it was, as it were, repaired, bo
the learned or the opulent, notwithstand- as to continue, though incommodious,
ing he must have met the eager invita- yet tenantable by its immortal occupant.
tions of all who were qualified to enjoy At length, after only four years spent
the feast of reason. That he was es- here, he heard the voice of the dispensateemed hy a Mackintosh, add such men, tion, which said, " These ;;re your last
some of you arc aware. Disease, 1 am public labours. Your warfare is all but
sensible, tends to lesson the literary ap- accomplished.
One stroke more and
petite for fame; yet, if the love of iame your tabernacle shall be dissolved ; and
had been his unconquerable passion, it thou shalt be elevated to thy destined
would have overwhelmed the banks state, among the spirits of just mfen made
within which prudence and piety sought perfect."
In the course of his illness,
to confine it.
He had an early passion, when the nature of it did not interfere to
but it was generous and sacred, and hence prevent, he showed where his thoughts
he condescended to men of low estate. were. That he had embraced the gospel
It was enough for him that he perceived was manifest by signifying, in a whisper
there the fruits of the Spirit, and he im- to his dearest relative, his need of Christ,
mediately attempted to accelerate their and his reliance on him.
growth for immortality.
Now i turn to you, his deeply afflicted
From this adulatory account are there sisters, and to you, the still more deeply
no deductions to be made on the score of afflicted widow. You have* lost much,
failings]
He, decidedly, would have but you mourn not without encourageexclaimed, "Yes, and they are serious ment, from the pleasing recollection, and
and many." He had his failings, but the more pleasing hopes, that to him "the
your candour traces even these admix- bitterness of death is past." He is contures, in part to his temperament, and in scious of no sin
he endures no pain he
part to the very source of his eminence. fears no evil.
He is where and what he
The gay and satirical strain of his juve- would be, and shall be for ever and ever.
I trust,
nile communications
the exuberance of You cannot wish to recall him.
that wit which was dignified and pure, however, that you are following him
as well as original, and his occasional that you will be comforted from stage to
vehemence of expression, sometimes de- stage, and finally be united to him n>ore
generate from the energy with whicli he intimately and more happily than could,
wielded the sword of the Spirit against under the most gratifying circun. stances,
the army of the aliens. There were a have been permitted here.
few points of singularity, and, now and
I am not unmindful df yii, the survivBereavcii of so good a patJu-n, a want of precision in minute ar- ing orjyhans.
rangements. Attaching, however, chiefly rent, what can you do]' I would recomto his early years, were they not resolva- mend you
contemplating (lod, who is
ble into those habits of sublime abstrac- most wise, most mighty, ami most mercition which are scarcely compatible with ful
from this timi>, if never before, to
a full measure of attention to the affairs say, "Thou art my Father, thou shalt bo
Were the indiand usages of common life ?
the guide of my youth."
As to his reluctance to become an /- vidual wliom you liave so much reason
thnr, and so to cxtrnd the sphere of his to love and veniTale ag;iin to call you
usefulness, he was, indeed, physically around him, would he not allure, rncou
disabled; and the ground which he wouhl rage, ami admonish you to choose (iod [o
h.ive preferred was, in his opinion, and your Father, and serve him with a per
.Ml *errels,
according to his nuxlest estimate, pre- feci heart and willing mind ?
occupied by bis superiors.
all liearlM, all understaiulinir**. i"'l i" ll<"
Wh.ilever he was, it has pliMsed (mxI imaginalionsof the lliou-ihtsare open and
to remove hiiii from us.
Many u Htorm naked before him. "If thou aovk hin.
neither at Cambridge, nor at Leicester,
THE
136
BlilTlSIl
PULPIT.
he will be found of thee, but if thou for- not a right to do \\ hat I will with mine
sake him lie will cast thee off for ever." own?" Walk as Mr. Hall did, closely
Many a prayer has been and will be and humbly with God. Take heed unto
offered on your behalf; and the substance
you may be the children

of God, the members of Christ, and the
Then,
heirs of the Iviiiirdom of heaven.
instead of bein<r mentioned as samples of
that degeneracy which so often stigmatizes a minister's children, you will love
one another you will prove comforts to
your surviving parent you will rejoice
you will elicit the friendly
the church
attestation. Thy son and thy daughters
Is there
are worthy of their parentage.
not already found, in more than one of
you, some good thing towards the Lord
of them
is,
that
yourselves and to your doctrine. Search

the Scriptures.
Serve your generation
according to the will of God.
Be strong
hord and in the power of his might

and keep in view the assurance given by
our Lord's apostle, "When Christ who
in the
our
is
life
appear, then
shall
him
also appear with
shall
in glory."
we
You
may be wanting in those accomplishments which rendered Mr. Hall one of

the
phenomena
his depth, his

burning words but
of the age
sublimity, his mental vigour, his breath-
ing thoughts, his
you may hope, by the divine aid, to approach him in sanctification, in kindness,
God of Israel 1
Next I appeal to you, the members of in devotedness to God, and in a concern
You may also
this church, and the rest of the stated con- for the salvation of men.
gregation.
When recollecting what I hope to make an effectual display of
have either known or seen recorded of the truth as it is in Jesus and, singling
Mr. Hall, Dr. Ryland, Dr. Evans, Dr. out some of the great assembly that
Hugh P^vans his father, and Mr. Fawcett, shall be converted hereafter, it may be
I rehearse the ministerial progress of five yours to exclaim, " Behold, here am I,
;
such men as have seldom presided in and the children

uniform succession over any one of our me."
churches.
Tliankfully resign
what the
whom
thou hast given
All Christian ministers are impressed
Many of them feel
universal proprietor has demanded. Main-
by
your oneness with the Saviour.

Treasure up the things which your late
Be anxious to
pastor has taught you.
deepen the impressions which he has
made. Tremble at the idea of being lost
after so long an attendance on such means
of gr*ce and salvation, and pray that
ever)' succeeding reference to the name
of Hall may conduct you to that of the
chief Shepherd, may bring a reinforcement to your faith, to your charity, to
your spiritual-mindedness, and to your
holy zeal. As it regards your loss, may
God supply all your need, according to
his riches in glory by Christ .Tesus.
As for you, my esteemed friend, once
the delighted and admiring colleague of
him whom you will serve in the gospel
no more, you will, I am persuaded, seri-
as though, in parting with this one bro-
tain
ously repair
to the
And
solemn event.
had parted with many. They

the dreary cliasm produced
by the ascent of his triumphant spirit,
and ask despairingly, Wlien will it be
They
filled as it was before he left it]
are dispersed through a diversity of religious connexions, but they were wont to
claim him as a fellow member with them,
applying to him the encomium first applied to another minister, " Such he was
as every Christian church would have
rejoiced to have adopted."
Some have never heard him, but they
have read his printed productions, and in
them they recognise the illuminated and
strenuous asserter of divine truth, or they
have heard of him as a preacher who
ther, they
look
down on
scorned the tinsel of heartless eloquence.

have sunk in the
most important kind of reputation as they
everlasting spring of Various individuals
consolation.
office,
this
you, the candidates for the sacred

now of tiie finest specimen
deprived
of ministerial address, I mourn with you,

but justify him who hath said, "Have I
have advanced in years, or have suffered

shipwreck even within sight of the harbour but you have perceived that his
doctrine and his example shone " more
;
THE PULPIT GALLERY.
137
and more unto the perfect day." So may seeing the pleasure of the Lord prospei
in his hand.
.it be with you
In 1803, Mr. Hall was again afflicted
A document has been prepared by the
medical friend to whom, under God, he and obliged to suspend all public duty;
owed so much mitigation of pain in the but his mind having regained its accuslast days of his life; and it is so minute tomed powers, he was subsequently inand interesting that I can only lament its vited to become the pastor of the Baptist
having come into my possession too late church at Leicester, which offer he acHere he laboured for more than
for the use which miglit have been made cepted.
of it on the present occasion. On read- twenty years beloved by his flock esing it, I was distressed to think of the teemed by the inhabitants of the town,
but I and revered by the clergy of the estatorture which agitated his body
was proportionately relieved by his calm- blished and protected churches.
In the year 18-25, Dr. Ryland the preness and serenity of mind, and by his
tender but solemn allusions to Him who, sident of the Bristol academy, and pasamidst the pangs of crucifixion, cried out tor of Broadmead meeting, died, when
in agonies resulting from a bitter source, Mr. Hall was unanimously chosen to
" My God, my God, why hast thou for- succeed him in both offices. A sense of
saken me !" and also his most refreshing duty, after due deliberation, induced him
persuasion that all would soon be well with to accept this arduous and important post.
How he was esteemed and loved, and
him for he would soon be with his God
The church, at large, could ill spare him what were the opinions formed of him,
!
but he is happy. May every preacher,

who had tiie opportunity of appreciating
him, and may all here, and elsewhere,
that ever had the privilege of his acquaintance or ministry, follow him as he
followed Christ, and be associated with
him in the service and the bliss of eternity.
Amen.
THE
PTTZiFIT GAImTjURTT.
NO. VI.
THE REV.
llOBEItT
HALL, D.D.
L/Ue I'aslur of Broadnwatl Meeting, Drislol.
during the last years of his life, may be

seen by the following extract from a letter which appeared in tiie Bristol Journal,
a few days after his decease.
" To consign in silence to the weekly
record of death the sudden removal from
our world of a man so pre-eminent in
whatever has the strongest claim on intellectual, moral, or religious, admiration,
would leave, we feel, a degree of reproach
on that city wiiich has been blessed and
honoured by his presence during the last
five years of his invaluable life.
On such
an occasion, were we to hold our peace,
the very stones in our streets would cry
Robert Hall was
a son of
tlic
Rev. out
Robert Hall, a Baptist minister, and was

born at Arnsby, in Leicestershire, in the
year I7(il. At tlie ago of seventeen, Mr.
Hall entered himself a student at King's
college, Aberdeen, where he liiglily dis-
against us.
By this melancholy
event a star of the first .magnituile anr
splendour has been eclipsed; and death
has seldom claimed a richer spoil. To
speak of this incomparable man in language proportioned to his merit, is far

tinguished liimself.
In bis twentieth beyond the pretension of ibis hasty meyear, he took bis degree of master of arts, morial bis just eulogy would reijuire an
and becauje assistant to Dr. Kvana in the eloquence like that which his generous
labours of iIh; Urislol Academical Insti- s])irit had so often displayed at the grave
tution, and in the exercises of the pulpit. of departed excellenci-; like that with
At this tiuio he was visited with a severe which be has ropresenled the feelings of
aflliciion, which for a season, suspended the nation on the death of the Princess
:
bibours.
In ijio year 171) I, ('hariottithe feelings of Leicesti-r on
he brcuni- the successor of Roberi the (lealh of Mr. Robinson or thow of
Robinson of (înibridge; and soon aftr Bristol on that of Dr. Ryland; an t>\<^
his seftii-JUfnt, Iv had the sutisfucliun of quence like that whirl) has so lon^, an4
Vol. I.
M -J
Iiis vahr.il)b>
THE
1^8
BKITISII PULPIT.
nere so lately, charmed into admiriiifj striking by his ability to command them,
who hung upon had he wished, with his tongue and with
attention the thousands
his
lips.
The
tones
of that hallowed
oratory haunt us at this
Combining the
his pen.
intellect of a
moment with a Pascal with the oratory of a Massillon,

soon die away
he retained through life a transparent
mental edho that will not

but alas the living voice, or another like
In the subit, will be heard no more
lime and boundless themes of religious
contemplation, this sacred orator, this
Christian Demosthenes, triumphed, as in
an element congenial with the amplitude
and grandeur of his mind. His preaching (it may be truly said, and, now that
he has ceased either to preach or to hear,
said without impropriety) was as far
superior, in magnificence of thought and
:
simplicity and sincerity, as inimitable as

the wonders of his reason and eloquence;
while all his endowments were embalmed

and crowned by a seraphic \ncty. But
praise is useless here
all
the churches
:'
'
his praise is in
so long as genius, hal-
lowed and sublimed by devotion, shall

command veneration, the name of Robert
Hall will be remembered among the
brightest examples of sainted talent and
above all, his record is on high :' he has
expression, to ordinary preaching, as the passed from a state of protracted suffering
' Paradise Lost'
is superior to other poe- into that glory to which he had long and
try.
It was, if such an image may be fervently aspired, and which he had often
allowed, like harmony poured forth by a portrayed witii the vividness of one who
harp of a thousand strings. But he has had caught an anticipating glimpse of the
himself
unconsciously
portrayed
it
in
his exquisite remarks on the preaching of
'
beatific vision.
'
Ilis saltern
You have most of you Munere.'

Mr. Robinson
witnessed his pulpit exertions on that
spot where he was accustomed to retain
a listening throng, awed, penetrated, delighted, and instructed, by his manly,
:
unaffected eloquence.
him without
was the man
Who
ever heard
feeling a persuasion that
of
it
God who addressed him,
or without being struck
by the perspicu-
ity of his statements, the solidity of his
thoughts, and
the rich unction
of his
]
It was the harp, of David, which,
touched by his powerful hand, sent forth
more than mortal sounds; and produced
an impression far more deep and permanent than the thunder of Demosthenes, or
the splendid conflagrations of Cicero I'
spirit
The energies of this great spirit were

consecrated,
concentrated in devotion
;
through a long course of years, to the religious benefit of man, and the glory of a
redeeming God. The intellectual sublimity and beauty of his mind were in
perfect harmony with the moral elevation
and spiritual grace of his character. The
singular humility of his heart, the remarkable modesty and afTability of his deportment, presented an affecting contrast to
the splendour of his genius ; his conscientious and unearthly indifference to fame
or
acoumulen
donis, et fungar inani
"
'
emolument was rendered the morel
T.
U.
WILSON
Late Bishop of Sodor and Man.
This eminent
prelate
meek
was venerable
in
deportment, his
face illuminated with benignity, and his
heart glowing with piety like his divine
His
Master, he went about doing good.
ear was ever open to the tale of woe, and
his hand ready to relieve. His palace was
Hospitality stood at
a temple of charity.
his gate, and invited the stranger and
beggar to a plenteous repast. The day
he devoted to benevolence, and the night
His revenue was dedicated to
to piety.
the poor and needy: and, not contented
with relieving the wants, and mitigating
the woes of mankind, he was solicitous,
by precept and example, to conduct his
little flock to the kingdom of heaven.
He died in the ninety-third year of his
age, and the fifty-eighth of his consecration, justly revered and lamented by the
whole island ; while his grave Avas watered with the tears of those whom his
bounty had supported, his benignit)' had
gladdened, or his eloquent piety had
turned into the paths of righteousness.
his aspect,
in his
SERMON
XIII.
THE CHARACTER OF RELIGIOUS
BY THE REV.
'
It IS
good
A.
to be zealously affected
I TAKE it for granted that the good thing

here nientionnd is true religion ; and I will
not suppose that any of you are alarmed
at the idea of religious zeal, nor that you
think it injurious or inconsistent.
And I
will suppose that you consider it as a
character which essentially belongs to a
disciple of the Saviour
and that when
we say, a zealous Christian, we speak
with as much propriety as when we say,
a zealous friend, a zealous patriot ;
that
it is a grace of the Christian life
and
that it gives to all other graces of the
Christian character their highest tone,
and their liighost effect. But while zeal
:"s a3 necessary in religion as in any other
;
THOMSON,
ZEAL.
D. D.
always in a good thing."
Gal.
iv. 18.
all these things we cannot

are in danger only
be ton zealous.
on the other side we cannot go beyond
due bounds and those who are so continually cautioning their friends against
being too zealous in religion, are persons
who are themselves uninfluenced by the
How can we be too zealSpirit of God.
church, that in
We
:
ous to become Christians indeed, or too

zealous to obtain a mectness for the eternal
kingdom of God
But we
shall not
dwell longer on this point.
There
attended
as
are,
however, many things
to, in
as possible.
efficient
Though
to
be
maybe
order that our zeal

it
cannot
be too great in its degree, yet, in order

pursuit which is difficult; yet religion, as that it may adorn the Christian character,
and that it may produce its intended
it is superior to all else, and as its difficulties are inconceivably greater, it is of effects, our zeal must be regulated by
greater importance to be zealous in reli- certain principles and maxims ; that it
gion than in any thing beside. There may not be injurious, but acquire a promay, indeed, be exceptions; as when it per tone, and boâde useful to ourselves
operates for opinions in religion only or and to others. The want of judgment in
and not the whole
for a part of religion,
or in the use of
means which religion

But it is most evident
docs not sanction.

that it cannot be excessive
rected
means, and
1)0 /oo
tion
in its
zealous
in
not be
ing
di-
own
We cannot
spirit.
made
Ucdcemer who died
or in glorifying the (lod wiio
f>r
it is
working out ourown salva-
serving
in
tin-
for us to procure our
nity
when
a right object, and by right
to
tiio
we
o\ir
redemption
we
can-
zealous in ])reparing for etercannot b(> too zealous in assist-
ffllow-creatures
immortal souls.
We
save their
be satisfied,
to
may
some who have exercised
it has brought
bad reputation ancl by their recklessness they have hindered their own
progress in Christianity, and prevented
their usefulness to those around them.
By putting our zeal under proper direction
ami management, we shall not only add
it
into
to its ardour in our
own
particular case,
but bo beneficial in any place where

influence pervades.
OUK ZKALKORTKIK
I.
BK
KEAI,
There
is
ASn
RKI.Uno.V SHOl'I.D
roNSCIKNTIOl'.S
ZEAL.
a zeal of nympathi/, which
awakenetl
ila
is
by the zeal of others with
We
from the ixainple of Christ, and from the

example of his disciples, and from the
whotn we
example of the best men
assume the same aspect which they wear
in the (Miristian
spirit
we
a-ssociate.
rnlch
follow what they be'în
.11)
their
we
THE BRITISH
140
we share
in the credit which they obThere is a constitutional zeal a

warmth, an ardour, whicii enters into all
we say and do which pervades all we
engage in and which induces us to undertake what others would tremble at.
tain.
And
there
is
of sentimentality,
zeal
when
PULPIT.
within, and what

it
to
our
own
we
are anxious to provo
consciences, and to
Him
who sees what passes within.

And now, my friends, are you zealous ?
Do you think yourselves so ? Are you so
esteemed by your fellow-men ? Do not
imagine you are so, because men are satis-
throws a sort of romantic glow over our

object, and which leads to exercises which
are too often the language of the passions; and which are too loose, and too
random, to produce a decided effect. And
there is a zeal of affectation.
It has no
with you, or because you have done

that is accounted good.
Be not
satisfied with this ; but examine yourselves
see that you have real, heartfelt
zeal.
Seek to be renewed in the spirit of
your minds. Be strong in your faith in
that system which has God for its author,
and salvation for its end. Meditate on all
counterpart in the affections of the heart.

coupled with indifference, and even
on
all it
with
of
value to every
which
will not influence us
are looked at in their plain form
tilings
which
It is
hostility, to the cause
it
affects
to
It courts attention; like Jehu, who

took Jehonadab up into his chariot, and
drove through the streets to Samaria, say-
serve.
ing, "
Now,
Come,
see
my
zeal for the
wrong
all this is
!"
this is, properly
speaking, not zeal in religion

not the thing in view
Lord
religion is
fied
much
whicli that religion requires you to believe
its
commands you to do. Think

human being. Pon-
der on the misery

Reflect on your
it
own
stoops to relieve.
personal guilt and
danger, and cordially embrace the salvait reveals.

Dart your views and
thoughts forward into eternity, and let
every feeling be roused, and every pas-
tion
; and let reand your zeal for it, be as firmly

in those who thus exercise it. The zeal united in your hearts as they are in the
of sympathy, for instance, is only that of Avill of God.
a soldier, who, though himself a coward,
II. Our zeal for religion must also
is urged on to battle by the example of BE
INTELLIGENT, ACCOMPANIED WITH
the general who is at his head. The zeal KNOWLEDGE.
There is no subject on
of constitution is a mere animal warmth, which we ought to be zealous, if we are
and is no more allied to our spirits, than ignorant of that with which it is converare our arms or our feet.
The zeal of sant. In such case, it may do injury insentimentality does nolêciprocate with stead of good.
Zeal is a feeling of much
religion, as it is found in men who have potency
its exercise is strong, and may
not religion. It must have some power- be resistless ; so that it requires to be
ful excitement, and dies away when that operated only as to what is good.
If it
And the zeal of affectation is, in be employed in what is evil, it may do
is gone.
fact, hypocrisy
and is not more con- great injury by its success; if it be emdemned in Scripture than it is odious in ployed in what is good, the result may be
itself, and pernicious in its consequences. greatly beneficial.
We must, therefore,
The zeal that is proper, is a fair demon- be well acquainted with what it proposes,
stration of what is felt within us. It seeks and also with the means by which it is to
not the eye of man, but acts under the be brought about. We must not speak
keen, all-searching eye of God. It is in- of religion in its more comprehensive
fluenced by what is real and true ; it is fed term, but by a particular examination of
by the real and great blessings wiiich its component parts. We may say that
Christianity has to bestow ; and then it it is religion in general we are anxious to
becomes a constituent part of our charac- promote to propagate it in general to
ter
it becomes a part of our duty
be zealous for it in general. But it is
it
constitutes a portion of our blessedness. only as we correctly understand its imIt maintains its dominion in our souls; port, that we can be zealous in believing,
and it appears without what it is really in loving, in obeying, what it reveals and
religion
no desire
to
wish for
promote its interests
there is no
sion called forth into exercise
ligion,
RELIGIOUS ZEAL.
enjoins.
We
may
else be only pursuing'
all their zeal,
however warm.
If they would be zealous so as to profit

themselves, it becomes them, with all
a sliadow instead of the substance, and

devoting to error what is due to truth
alone.
And, even if we know its nature,
what will this avail, if we be ignorant of
the proper means to spread it ]
may
prove injurious and, though we only intended good, nothing but evil may arise.
must take care that our minds be enlightened on both these subjects that we
may well understand the nature of Christianity, and the best modes of making it
available to the great purposes it is designed to effect.
humility, to go to the fountain of knowledge to obtain all that information by
We
which
it is
God's will they should come
How many of our Roman

Catholic brethren, for instance, are exer-
to salvation.
We
warmest zeal ; but they are ignorant of the only true guide the word
of God.
They are directed falsely by
cising the
Many
141
exercise of
those
who
should giiide them.
Their
zeal is zeal for the infallibility of
human
the traditions of men, for

will-worship, and for all the
councils, for
instances might be adduced to
trifles, for
this.
Paul says of his countrymen, absurd mummery of superstition. The
boar them record, that they have a zeal persons of whom I now speak, with sin-
prove
*' I
cerest pity for their ignorance, have the
of God, but not according to knowledge.''''

You see that he testifies to the sincerity
same feelings and passions in common

of their zeal, and to the general goodness with ourselves ; but they have not received
of that as to which their zeal was em- the truth in its purity ; and while we
behold them so zealousfor all the fooleries,
ployed ; and yet they were quite wrong
went for nothing ; or, rather, it in the belief of which they have been
served to increase their delusion, and to brought up, it well befits us to take warn" For they being ing by their example, and to avail ouraccelerate their ruin.
ignorant of God's righteousness, and go- selves of all the truth which God has reing about to establish their own right- vealed, and all the records of his saving
their zeal
In proportion as we are mistaken

on the subject of religion, and mistaken
desirous of being saved, and that accord- as to the means of its propagation, will
ing to the will of God, but they were misbe the injurious nature of that zeal which
taken as to the way of salvation as to we cultivate in ourselves, and which we
the nature of that will ; they wished to be aim to promote in our fellow-men.
And, to be impartial, I will adduce in
saved by their own works; they were
further illustration, the treatment which
strang'^rs to his righteous mode of saving
they depended on tlie ceremonial observ- has been given to that sect, and to the
ances of the Mosaic ritual, instead of members of that sect, as to their civil and
eousness, have not submitted themselves

to the righteousness of
God
;"
grace.
they were
coming in the way of mercy which God religious capacity.

had provided for the redemption of the two points are not
world by our Lord Jesus Christ. The should be and there
;
'
sired.
was not peculiar
if
we dare
may be in
Wo
the same thing is to be feared

our own day, of whose sincerity
not doubt.
their
Zeal4)ua as they
own way,
extension, they are right in acting aa
Jews ihry do and

of many in wliich I most
to the
yet, as that is the
act the
I
thouglit as they do,
suppose,
gion,
of,
should
simply
and make
tliat
Ijecause they are educated in,
certainly do not,
same.
wrong profession
way, they cinnot obtain any good by the
they
because wo know that they

have a system of religion which wo are
If tlie persons who
quite sure is wrong.
are thus zealous against them, believe
that they shall bo exposed to danger by
lliat
lliis
as
often a zeal exer
privileges,
much
And
is
cised against them, that they
salva-
and at the very time they liad so

zeal, Paul was pouring forth his
earnest prayer "that they might be sai-cc/,"
that tliey might be led aright, and
brought to obtain the salvation they de-
tion
,
believe that these
sejrarated
may never
possess a greater extension of their ciVi-
consefjuence was, they could not be ex-
empted from wrath and obtain
a very bad syst< in of reli
for this,
and
for
no other rcasoa
THE BRITISH
142
we
degrade and to disfranchise

system. This zeal may
be very sincere, hut it is not zeal according to knowledge. I believe that tlie system of popery is bad that it is prejudicial to the spread of knowledge and the
cause of true religion tiiatwe should do
and lliat it is
all we can to beat it down
wrong for any man to be cold or chary in
all
ought
^"ho
of persons are
to
acting against
it
comes
still, it
prudence without
zeal..
aside
they see religion as the one thing
And
needful.
my mind, that this docs not form
all
Those to whom I now allude, arc chiefly

ymivg persons they are all alive to the
power and excellency of the gospel their
ordinary judgment and feelings are laid
liold that
PULPIT.
in the struggles of their
souls to escape the evil
them
and
which threatens
in their desires to obtain the
which has been wrought out for

them and in their anxiety to snatch others
from the ruin which awaits them and in
salvation
clearlj^ to
a disquali-
fication for the enjoyment (f civil privileges ; and that zeal against the system is
the alacrity with Avhich they proceed in

the course of obedience; and in the joy
not incompatible with a willingness for
with which they look forward to the glory

which awaits them
there is a warmth
very way to do them good, to open their and impetuosity of feeling which makes
minds, and to remove those barriers which them wonder how any who feel what they
have hitherto prevented free inquiry. feel, and know what they know, and who
What is perilous at one time may he safe see what they see, should set any bounds
at another
and 1 believe that our zeal to their zeal. While we rejoice in all
the increase of those privileges
and that
this extension of their privileges is the
against the system shall be greater and
these, as proofs of real religion,
we
yet
by granting an extension wait earnestly for the period when their

of civil liberties to men who have been zeal shall become tempered with pruunder the influence of early prejudices dence, which shall he at once their safeand education, and who have too fre- guard and their impetus, and enable them
quently been borne down by the ungener- effectually to accomplish the very object
ous restrictions of a selfish policy.
In which they propose.
more
effective,
saying
mean no
this, I
offence
We
only
should be careful to adopt those
measures which are best in themselves,

I only contend that our zeal in religion, and most likely to accomplish the object
we propose. This is what we call Prumust be zeal according to knowledge
Prudence does not damp our
and that in order to have it according to dence.
knowledge, we must go to the Scriptures, zeal, but enables us better to accomplish
which alone can enlighten. For want of our own object. It teaches us to bring
crave the liberty which
this,
we
find
men
grant to others.
own
our zeal into action at those times which
zealous in asserting
dogmas which have no foundation but
most seasonable and in that manner

which is most likely to produce the greatare
in
and which have

no more reseml)lance to truth than the
most absurd fictions of pagan mythology.
If any of i/oii, my brethren, have hitherto been zealous without light, be zealous now, and repent, f^xamine the Scriptures ; and let your zeal be directed to a
worthy end, and exerted in the use of
their
suitable
heated fancies
means
then shall
yourselves, and useful to

III.
There must
it
all
be useful
est quantity of good.
And
as
it
teaches
and nothing else, we should cultivate

it with all humility, and practice it with
It is said of the good man,
all diligence.
that " he will guide his affairs with discretion ;" and surely, if he should do this
in all his concerns, he should do it espeIt Avas predicted of
cially in religion.
this,
to
Christ,
around.
be prudence in
the was
whose zea/ was so strong that it

consume him, that he should
said to
EXERCISE AND MANIFESTATION OF OUR RE- " deal prudently ," and it is added, " he
shall be exalted, and extolled, and be very
LIGIOUS ZEAL.
I am well aware that many
Christian people are afraid of this
they high ;" and what was thus his own conSoloare afraid that it springs from indifference duct, he presses on his followers.
They are all zeal mon, who was a very wise man, has said,
to the great cause.
without prudence ; just as another class " Reprove not a scotner, lest he hate thee
KELIGlOLrS ^KAL.
14?
But we spake of true religion and if in

himself shame."
And a greater than your zeal you act contrary to moral inteSolomon has said, " Give not that which grity, it is not true religion: you may think
is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your so, but you mistake.
True religion emlest they trample braces the whole will of God
pearls before swine
and, as
them under their feet, and turn again and moral and responsible agents, it is not
rend you."
Persecution is what the more necessary that we should seek a
Christian is told he must expect; and he lawful end, than that we should seek the
sometimes seems more ready to cope with gaining of that end by lawful means. It
it than avoid it, lest any should doubt his
is never right to do wrong that good may
sincerity.
But Jesus Christ has taught come. Christianity in our own hearts
us tliat we should not provoke this, nor cannot be supported by that which is in
avoid the ordinary means of safety. itself contrary to its own nature and ob" Behold, I send you forth as sheep in ject. A deliberate or systematic disobethe midst of wolves be ye therefore wise dience to any one command of God, is conas serpents, and harmless as doves.
But trary to the very design of the holy God
beware of men. When they persecute who gave us his gospel to make us holy.
you in this city, flee ye into another." We must " abstain from all appearance of
The Christian feels deeply concerned for evil," and do that which is pleasing in
the honour of God, and is sometimes the sight of God.
he
reproveth a scorner, g-etteth to
tliat
to imagine that the profane and the

A striking instance of this false zeal is
wicked should be swept away by an act furnished by the conduct of the Pharisees,
of violence
but Christ did not so; and in the days of our Lord. " Ye say, who-
ready
go into
soever shall say to his father or his mother,
the field to gather out the tares, he has
it is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest

be profited by me, and honour not his
father or his mother, he shall be free."
should desire
lest his followers
" Nay
to
while ye gather up the

tares, ye root up also the wheat with
said,
lest
them."
The
zeal of Paul
was
great
it
led
him
meet every hazard to encounter every

danger; he was "instant in season, out
of season ;" he stood constantly prepared
to make a sacrifice of his life.
Yet he
was prudent; he practised himself what
he advised
" Walk in wisdom toward
them that are without ;" " Let not your
good be evil spoken of;" cautions these,
which, while they check no zeal, are
to
salutary to those
so,
would be
who,
if
they did not act
less excellent in themselves,
You
These men were very zealous in making

vows as to the temple of God, and in devoting property to that efToct; but at the
same time tiiey kept back that which was
due
to the
support of their parents, and
thus brake the
fifth
commandment.
Our
Lord would commend love and zeal manifested to his house ; but he condemned it
when done at the expense of dujy. He
could not but be displeased at their pretending to please him by what was diame-
opposed
trically
to his will
and had the
Pharisees been acquainted with the word
had they depended less on the

men and the teachings of the
but at the same time you cannot bn too scribes, and more on the pure word of
prudent in the means you adopt to pro- God ; they had not so mistaken, nor pre
mote it and at the same time that this tended to honour God, while they diso
will enable you to abound in all the fruits beyed his will.
This is one instance
of rigbti'onsnoss, it will cause you to be only
but it cont.iins the princii)Ie wo
instrumf ntal in making others safe and would impress upon you.
(Mirist has
happy.
here taught us that our zeal is uusouiul
IV. TiiK Exrnc'isE of Cmhistian zeaf. and unavailing, when it |)rosecute8 its
MUST AI.WAVS roNmsT WITH MOIIAI, I.NTE- objects by wrong means. It is not rxcos
We Haid at the first ibat you can- sive, but altogether wrong; it is not zeu!
ORiTV.
not be too zealous to obtain religion; and for true religion.
It requires, not to be
this particular may seem to contradict it. regulated in its ardour, but to be chunked
and less useful toothers.
cannot be
too zealous in obtaining personal religion
of CJod
traditions of
THE BRITISH
144
PULPIT.
To please God by break- ever bad things seem at present. By the

ing his will, and to save the soul by an exercise of this disposition, we shall conact of disobedience, is one of the strangest ciliate the hearts we are anxious to win
Charity will
ideas that can possibly enter into the to the obedience of Christ.
sublime our zeal ; it will enable us to use
jnind of man.
If you, my brethren, have had such a the means with greater effect, and bring
in its object.
them to bear on the circumstances and

if, you have disregarded honesty
zeal
and sincerity in search of religion ; if you situations of those whom we wish to
have acted under the influence of the benefit.
This charit)', however, does not require
sentiment, that " we may do evil that
good may come ;" if, under the idea of us to mingle the wicked and the right;
making
the
word of God known more eous;
to im.agine there is holiness
where
something there is only sin or to suppose that men

which is not God''s word if, in attempting are the servants of God, when they are,
This
to promote the truth of God, you resort to in fact, the servants of Satan.
means which God does not approve ; O, would be but imbecility; and it would
extensively, you put up luith
it
" be zealous, and
repent
,"
and be assured,
accompany
injure others, because
it
would lead them
without compunction, the

your zeal, you can never prosper, be the very things they ought to avoid. Some
object you aim at never so great and well there are, of whom we cannot speak but
with aversion, or of their practices but
conceived.
Here, however, is
V. Our religious zeal must be under with abhorrence.
THE INFLUENCE OF CHARITY. Great room for the exercise of charity ; in qualithings are said of charity ; and while to fying the circumstances which have given
he destitute of it, is to be destitute of the rise to the evil, and in finding room for
chief ornament of the Christian charac- aiming at their conversion, whatever may
And while
ter ; so to have it and to exercise it aright, be the nature of their case.
is to have the heart purified and made charity will lead us to pity them, and to
meet for God. And charity is of vast im- aim at their salvation it will prevent us
portance to religious zeal. If we have it from confounding with habits what has
not, we shall take no pains to do good to only originated in mistake, and from keepthose around us; if we see them in dark- ing at a distance from that which only
ness and in danger, yet, not loving them, waits for the exercise of Christian exerwe shall make no effort to do them good tion and instruction, to make all proper
whereas, if we have charity towards them, and Christian. Charity, therefore, so far
we shall do them all the good we can. from checking our zeal, prompts us to the
And when we are zealous for their good, immediate use of proper means, and gives
then charity comes in to mould it into a those means their due effect.
If we be zealous for religion, we shall
better form, and to bring about more effectually the end we propose to accomplish. be zealous for charity, which is an essenthat without this integrity to
to
practise,
If
we have
and
not been taught to love God,
to hate sin
to hate sin,
we
when we
because
him who firi^ t loved us

meet with those who are opposed
love
plans of
God and
his salvation,
to the
we
are
apt to think harshly of them, and would,
by one
them out at once. Such

unwortliy the professors of the
act, cast
We
part of true religion.

therefore
exhort you, in the exercise of your zeal
for true religion, for the sake of others to
invest your zeal with charity.
I would
tial
especially enforce this on those
who have
but lately been brought into the ways of

God. You are apt to consider your for-
mer associates as bad persons ; you are

and even ready to consider them as outcasts
wretched men are, the more anxious from God's favour, and as something too
should we be to bring them into the ways vile to be mended or saved. 0, my friends,
We should exercise the consider that it is but a very little while
of Christ.
charity that " hopeth all things ;" and since you also were " in the gall of bitter-
a zeal
is
gospel of Christ.
hope
that a
The more
sinful
change may take place, how-
ness and in the bond of iniquity ;" you
I;
'
RELIGIOUS ZEAL.
145
from " the horrible " out of a pure heart, and a good con-pit, and the miry clay;" and if God had science, and of faith unfeigned ;"
it redealt with you as you deserved, you had gards purity as the object which it is to
been plunged into the pit of destruction. promote and secure it is " out of a good
It was by no merit of yours that you were conscience,"
a conscience renewed
saved.
Many of you were in the same a conscience trembling at God's word
state as those on whom you now look with a conscience zealous for his will in all
supercilious scorn. Think that they, also, things; and it proceeds from " faith unare but just rescued
may
be saved as well as you
and even
outstrip you, and be taken to the realms of
feigned,"
faith in the truth of God, on
which it places its unalterable reliance.
Such is the charity of the gospel ; and
while you are strug^gling, toiling,

and fighting, here below
O take heed under the guidance of this, religious zeal
.Be zealous, be very zealous, to avoid your assumes its fairest character, and obtains
former evil associates, that with them its greatest success. Very different is
you may not be carried down the stream the charity of the world
all soft and
of ruin ; be zealous, be very zealous, in mild,
a forgiving spirit, a good disposiurging on your course in the path that tion, and a generous hand. They have
leads to heaven ; but let charity also have no charity but that which, from the fear
its perfect work.
Be zealous to save of doing what is disagreeable, looks on
them; be zealous to bestow on them a the righteous and the wicked with equal
boon richer far than any other they can complacency; w-hich, out of kindness to
receive.
Let them see that you love the sinner, encourages, in fact, the sin he
them; give them no proofs of resent- has committed; and which, rather than
ment or hostility. So act and speak, that put on a frown which might disturb his
they may see you have not forgotten happiness, will let him pursue the course
" the rock from whence you were hewn, of danger
and which, rather than distress
and the hole of the pit from which you him, will let him go on, provided he goes
were digged." Let them see that your on smiling and happy, to his ruin
^' heart's desire and prayer is that they
And so with regard to peace. There
may be saved." Let them see that you is much puling and whining after this in
If by any word or action we
Avill gladly do all you can to serve them, the world.
consistently with your duty to God. Let break in upon the harmony which is only
bliss,
purchased by what is subversive of divine

if we do any thing of this kind,
" O, all this is very
that of which tlie apostle speaks so beau- they say directly
tifully, when he says, it " sufforetii long, true ; the thing is much to be lamented ;
hilt do not you kindle war among us
and is kind; envieth not; vauntetii not
let us abide in peace!"
itself, is not puffed up, doth not bt'have |."t us alone
them see
that yours is not the zeal of sus-
picion, or of ill will, but the zeal of charity;
trutli;
itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is Brethren; this is not the .peace of ihe
it is
gospel
it is the peace of delusion
not easily provoked, tliinketh no evil
This cannot promoto
Tojoicelh not in inirfuity, but rejoice/h in the peace of death
the truth; bearctli all things, b(?Iie/oth the cause of God in your own souls, nor
all things, hopelh all things, enffureth all advance the glory of d'od in the world
around. " The wisdom liial is from above
tilings."
and we are
men, and holiIt is loo much the practice in the world at ness ;" and, without these, " no man shall
''As for such as turn
present to wish for ciiauity and pi;ack. see the Lord."
Hut tlif charily so greatly in vogue is a aside to their crooked ways, the Lord
shall lead thnn forth with the woikers of
.spuri(,u.i charily, and not the charily of the
hut peace shall be upon Isnud ;"
iniriuity
gospel of Clirist.
It is true, indeed, thai
But let me not be misunderstood.

do not inculcate zeai for charity In/ ilsr/f.
is
fimt pure, tiie.v peaccahlr ,"
to
" follow peace with
tdl
it
" liiinkclh no
that
it
rcjoicelli
'*
evil ;" but
rcjoicelh
in
Vol. I. ly
l/ie
not
in
truth ,"
it is
inicpiily,
it
is
but
cliaritv
in
i
who
sock to do bis will, and

no guile. Away, then, with
this false peace, anri charily, and xcal
upoti
also true
those
whom
is

THE BRITISH PULPIT
146
Be
zealous for the truth; "let all your

but romemin charity,"
deeds be done
on coming forth to take its place among

revealed, the heavens, and the
things
on which it earth, and nature, through all her chamBeyond

are zealous bers, gave it reverent welcome.
for peace, let it be in connexion with that what it reveals, the mysteries of the fuTo gain it acceptatruth, without which there can be no ture are unknown.
peace.
Let truth be established let it tion and currency, the noble army of marber that truth
should
rest.
is
the basis
And while you
be placed on the throne on which it

should reign, and then there shall be
Tliev, peace is our watch-word
peace.
Peace with all men peace in all
things and peace for ever
:
tyrs testified unto the death.
it
There was
a time
tence
is
Its
every sen-
charmed with the power of God,
is
powerful to the everlasting salvaIrving.
tion of souls.
when each
general
first-born in
pavilion of their peace.
and
divine revelation
The
heaven made
the day-star of their hopes, and the
assembly of the
revela-
HORRORS OF WAR.
word of God had an introduction into this earth, which neither perWhen war is aAvakened, the judgments
mitted men to doubt whence it came, of God are abroad in the earth. Thus
If, at the
nor wherefore it was sent.
have we seen to-night a people distin-
tion of the
giving of each several truth, a star was

lighted up in heaven, as at the
birth of the prince of Truth, there was
not
guished
for their religious
their prosperity,
from
all
and
privileges, for
for their separation
other nations, devoted to destruc-
done upon the earth a wonder, to make tion because of their transgressions. Let
her children listen to the message of us learn, that whenever the sword is
The Almighty made bare permitted to devour, it is to chastise the
their Maker.
his arm, and, through
mighty acts inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity.
shown by his holy servants, gave de- War is horrible in its nature and in its
monstration to his truth, and found for
among
it
a sure place
of
human knowledge and

But now the miracks
the other matters

belief.
of
eflects.
separates the dearest and the
It
closest connexions of
battle renders
God have thousands
human
nature.
One
thousandsofwives, widows:
of children, fatherless
ceased, and nature, secure and unmolested, is no longer called on for testimonies to her Creator's voiê.
No
thou-
sands of parents, childless: thousands of

See,
spirits ruined beyond redemption
pressing into yonder slippery, impurpled
burning bush draws the footsteps to his field, throngs of all ages, seeking their
presence-chamber ; no invisible >oice own among the dead
In this disfigured
holds the ear awake; no hand comet.h couiivenance the cliild discerns with diffiforth from the obscure to write his pur- culty tlie features of his father.
In that
!
pose in letters of flame. The vision is mangled body dwelt the spirit which was
shut up, and the testimony is sealed, and the îrop and the glory of yonder silvery
the word of the Lord is ended ; and this head, now bowed down over it in silent,
solitary volume, with its chapters and unspeakable sorrow.
There the widow
total of all for which
heaven made 59 many
visits to the earth, and the Son of God
himself tabernacled and dwelt among us.
Tlie truth which it contains once dwelt
undivulged in the bosom of God ; and,
verses,
is
the
sum
the chariot of
washes
wounds of her husband with

And how few of that dreadful
list of slaughtered men were fit to die!
Surely w-ar was let loose upon the world
the
her tears.
as a curse, in
Collyer.
ilie
just anger of
God.
SERMON
XIV.
THE IMPORTANCE OF TKUE WISDOM.

PREACHED FOB THE PAROCHIAL SUNDAY SCHOOLS, AT
BARNABAS, KING SQUARE,
ST.
ST. Luke's,
BY THE RIGHT REV.
SUMNER
DR.
BISHOP OF WINCHESTER.
" Take fast
The
had
oj instruction
contents of this passage
instruction
is
let
her not
show
go : keep
that
not here used for acquisition
her,
for she
thy life."
is
from the words of
Prov.
my mouth
love her take
not
iv. 13.
forsake her
fast hold of instruc-
of knowledge or intellectual enlargement,

but that it is synonymous with wisdom,
understanding, heavenly teaching. It is
tion, let her not go,
introduced in a manner singularly strik-
which, though it cannot be gainsayed, is

not necessary and indispensable. They
ing and affectionate
" Hear ye children,
not the style of
who
the instruction of a father, and attend to
are the
give you
his son's soul is at stake
For
and only
perishing for lack of knowledge
good doctrine
I
was my
For
forsake not
my
father's son, tender
law.
beloved in the sight of my mother. He

taught me also, and said unto me, let
thine heart retain my words; keep my
commandments and live. Get wisdom,
get understanding, forget it not; wisdom
is
the
principal
thing,
and,
with
all
Take
fast hold of instruction
go; keep
1.
The
therefore,
thy getting, get understanding.

;
let
her not
her, for she is thy life.''

first
thing that strikes the mind
is
forcing with decent seriousness a truth
know
understanding.
This
keep her."
some cold advocate, en-
words of a
be not led
diably lost
if it
and taught
in the
Would
father
in
feels that
danger of
irreme-
in right paths,
ways
of wisdom.
were such a heart
that there
us in these matters
Do we
selves any of this stirring anxiety
we
eagerly watching for the
in
feel for our-
first
Are
ray of
divine light to illumine the heart of our
the first stirring of the waters,

denoting the presence of the angel of
mercy, and the gracious provision of God
Arc we
for healing the diseased soul.
child
on the perusal of this passage, is the ex- pointing to instruction as the essential
treme earnestness which the wise son of good which is to he first gotten, and
David displays in pressing his advice. wrestling in prayer for the blessing which
There is- an urgency in his language, is to give it elTect? Do we look around
which if employed on a 8ul)ject of less us, first into tlie hnsom of our own famij)aramoMntcon3c(iuence, would !)(? deemed lies, then into that larger circle which
importunate.
Hn recurs again and again God has providentially placed under our
ill the most foreihie terms to his favourite
inlluence, or within our reach, to see
topic, and shoots arrow after arrow at the whetlier its youngiT members are childsame mark, lliat the sliafLs may not be ren of (Jod led by his grace ruled by
livinjf
instructed by lii^ wonl
sped in vain, or launched into the air at his will
' Get wisdom,
Hrethren, wo have a heavy
a venture.
get underin his fear 1
Rich and
standing ; forget it not; neither decline responsibility in this respect.
147
THE BRITISH PULPIT
148
poor,
tlic
incur
it.
hereafter,
highest and the lowest, alike convert, but as a vanquished enemy, inThus it is
It would be a fearful thinrr capable of further resistance.
when some poor
lost soul shall
with the doctrine of
man
stand at the bar of God's jiidtrnient, to
The
hear him put
either disputes
in
the plea of justification
*'No man cared
for
my
soul," and then
was we ourselves
who withheld from him that Messed
knowledge which might have made him
that it was we who
wise unto salvation
were verily guilty concerning our brother,
in that we saw him groping in the depths
of spiritual darkness, and lent him no
lamp to guide his feet into the way of
Our earnestness in the discharge
life.
to be conscious that
it
it
in
natural
human
corruption.
loathes the doctrine, and
it
altogether, or qualifies
such a manner as
to
make
palatable to the pride of the

heart.
Man
is
it
less un-
unrenewed
i-epresented as liable to
temptation, instead of being prone to evil

continually ; weak and infirm of purpose,
instead of unable of himself to think or
do any good thing; fallen, indeed, and

imperfpci, but not as our church represents him, in accordance with Scripture,
very far gone from original righteousness,
of this duty will doubtless be in propor- and while yet unregenerate, dead in tresHe passes and sin. Thus it is with that cartion to our sense of its importance.
who values not his own soul, will unques- dinal article of belief which has been
tionably have little concern for the souls emphatically denominated the test of a
of others. He who desires not instruc- standing or a falling church' justification
tion for himself, will not care to impart it by faith ; we are slow to admit it in all
to the rising generation around him. its scriptural integrity ; we embrace it
Measure your own state, brethren, by this partially, or indistinctly, sometimes vircriterion
try your hearts by this test. tually, though without confessing it;
None can be indifferent to the eternal sometimes with an open and distinct
welfare of others, but those who have not avowal, we mix up with the merits of
yet learnt, by the experience of their own Christ our own supposed works and deindividual case, that God desireth not the servings, and compile for ourselves an
death of a sinner, but rather that he should imaginary system, neither law nor gospel,
turn from his ways and live.
but partaking of both, and enjoying the
So it is also with
2. The text suggests, secondly, the privileges of neither.
naturally
natural alienation of the heart from in- the doctrines of grace.
struction. It does not receive it willingly. look to ourselves, and not to God
we
It does not retain it, if received, without rely on our own innate power, and not on
difficulty.
This is strongly intimated by that effusion of spiritual strength which
the earnest language of the sacred writer
is shed abroad in our hearts through the
"Take fast hold of instruction; let her Holy Ghost. It is not until after repeated
not go; keep her."
experience of our own helplessness and
We
That these
reiterated counsels are not
need not demonstrate.

Folly ig bound up in the heart of a man.
He cleaves to it as to an hereditary possession, endeared to his mind, and congenial to him, and divine grace alone can
eradicate the evil.
How reluctantly does
the understanding submit itself to divine
truth
How unwillingly does it surrender its own preconceived notions and
favourite prepossessions.
Take, for insuperfluous,
inability that
we
learn to stay ourselves
on an everlasting arm, and are taught the
prcsumptuousness and miserable
folly of
self-confidence.
To
is
correct all false views of this kind
the promise of that instruction of
the text speaks.

or, in
But suppose
which
jt effected,
other words, suppose that the
Holy
God, through the medium of the

preached or written word, or by a blessing upon some other means of grace, has
Spirit of
any of the great doctrines of the enlightened the heart, and given it a true
the heart will embrace none of view of the way of salvation and of God's
them without a struggle. It disputes, as dealings with mankind, another difficulty
it were, each step of the ground, and
arises which renders the energetic lanyields its conviction, not like a willing guage of the text no less seasonable.
stance,
gospel
THE IMPORTANCE OF TRUE WISDOM.
We
are disposed to fall from the truth
which we have once

nipt
its inten;rity,
stable, carried
waver and he un-
away with every
We
vain doctrine.
by day,
received, or to cor-
or to
hlast of
need renewing- day
temptations overcome us, or
lest
wax
the love of heavenly things
cold, or
the ])leasiires, or the cares, or the troubles
make shipwreck of our
of the world,
faith.
If the hands flag, as those of Closes, the
149
men's bosoms! How would the

shipwrecked sailor prize a compass in
the midst of an unknown ocean
How
would the pilgrim watch the rising of
some well remembered star to guide his
feet in his wanderings through a trackless
wilderness
How would the fainting
traveller be revived in his journey through
of
life to
the desert at the sight of
some well of
water, springing forth in
the midst of
enemies of our salvation take advantage rocks and sands, and jjroviding needfu'
and if the lips cease relief when tlie whole Tiead is weary and.
to worship in prayer, Satan enters into the whole heart sick
What the comthat which should be swept and garnished, pass would be to the sailor, or the star to
fit for the temple of the Holy Ghost, and
the pilgrim, or the well of water to the
our last state becomes worse than the traveller, is the precept in the text to the
first.
Hence the wise man's repeated soul of him that thirsts for divine instrucinjunction, "Take fast hold of instruction.
Vainly would he wait for direction
tion ; let her not go; keep her."
Though from other teachers. As there is but one
she flee thee, 3'et abide thou in her pur- good, so there is but one wise. Would
suit though the heart struggle to be freed he ask the sensualist what is life?
He
from her bands, yet suffer not thou its would tell him, " Let us eat and drink,
escape though the old man within, and for to-morrow we die." Would he ask
the world witliout, conspire to make her the covetous man?
He would tell him
teaching of none effect, yet submit thou that to lay field to field, and to heap up
thy will, and understanding, and affections, many good things in store, and to multito her influence
ply the sum of his possessions,
" Take fast hold of her
this is
let her not go; keep her."
life.
The ambitious man would tell him
to prevail against us
The
3.
last clause of the text resolves
the wliole question into a simple and intelligible i)roposition.
"Take
ter to a point.
struction,
....
Dost thou desire
now
is,
istence
It
fast
she
for
to live
brings the matis
hold of inthy
not the
life."
life that
the transient and ephemeral ex-
of
corruptible
body, which
wilhcretli like the grass, and fadeth as a
flower
when
day?
in
hut
in that
never ending stale,
a thousand years will be as one
Then take fast hold of instruction

obtaining her thou hast secured tiiy
that life consisted in the increase of ho-
nours
his
the worldly man
earthly
in the
pursuits and
success of
proji^cts
the
lover of pleasure in the satisf.'.ction of his

heart's desire, and in drinking to the dregs
the cup which
ordered
seems so sweet to his disBut the language of
palate.
very different. "To be car" Hethatliveth

is death."
in pleasure is dead while he liveth."
On
the other hand, "Take fast hold of in" I wisstruction
for she is thy life."
Scripture
is
nallj'-minded
dom dwell with prudence
whoso
findetli
me, findelh life, and shall ol)taiii favour

And here I may remark the succinct- of the Lord."
ness anil plainness of Scripture, where
There is, indeed, in tliat word life, a
the great truths which are necessary to comprehensiveness which cmiveys the
" Uepent and fulness of joy to the penitent soul. When
salvalioii aro concerned.
bo cunvfTled, and your sins shall be blol- the heart has been roused to a kiU)wle(lgo
" Helievo r)n the T-oril Jcsus of its danger in an unreiu'wed state, and
U'd out."
" Hy the sinner sees for the first time the preChrist, and ihou sh;iU be saved."
prare are yo saved, through faith." cipice on which ho stands ^judgment
" Take fist hrdd of instruction, for she is before him, pollution and guilt in all his
thy life." O that men would listen to actions, and no mediator to stand belwiva
th(! words of tl)e heavenly teacher, which
the whole
himself and bin offended tJod
object, for she is thy life.
thus strikingly bring
home
the business
impossibility of atoning for his sin, or of
n3
THE BRITISH
150
PULPIT.
I should
satisfaction for the past, is pressed yet the greater the difficulty,
with awful conviction on his mind. The rather have said, the impracticability of
individual superintendence,
the
are such
final consequences of ungodliness
opened to his view. He sees written more urgent is the necessity for it, the
making
upon the wall, in characters as distinct

as those which terrified the court of King
Belshazzar, " the wages of sin is death."
What would be the state of such a man
Those deep and
williout the gospel?
searching
convictions
of
sin,
more prejudicial the want of
it.
We all
know what
scenes of vice are found in

the crowded streets and lanes of too many
the temptations
a district round us
which
are spread for every age
the pe-
which the young, and

poorer class more especially,
which, culiar dangers
to
under the teaching of the Holy Spirit those of the

It is a fearful
are rendered so salutary to the soul, are hourly exposed.
would lead to nothing but despair, with- thought to reflect how many perish for
out an acquaintance with the Saviour. lack of knowledge, even in a Christian
That bitter repentance which makes the land how many souls are lost through
sinner loathe himself, and humbles his that brutish ignorance, which is the paproud heart even in dust and ashes, rent of every sin. To one who feels these
would be hopeless and uncdifying, if things deeply, who has a compassion for
there were no knowledge of that fountain perishing sinners, and longs to see them
opened for sin and uncleanncss, wherein rescued from tîeir perilous state, it is,
whosoever washeth, though his sins be indeed, a comfort to know that there are
as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow Christian houses opened, and Christian
though they be red like crimson, they teachers at hand, who will train up a
But how is the scene child in the way he should go, and lead
shall be as wool.
changed, where the lips of the preacher him, while yet a little one, to the feet of
Not that I would be understood
of peace has delivered his gracious mes- Jesus.
Let him that is athirst come, and to infer that all these poor children, who
sage.
whosoever will, let him take of the water are the objects of this charity, are indeed
of life freely. " I will cause breath to taught of God, or that they have all
" He chosen, through divine grace, that better
enter into you, and ye shall live."
that hath the Son hath life."
This is part which those embrace, who have
indeed instruction which brings peace it taken fast hold of instruction. No, brefirst abases the soul, and then purifies it; thren ; this would be much to expect
it teaches the nothingness of all earthly
and experience, I fear, would be far from
confidence, and the insufficiency of hope warranting such a conclusion.
But I
resting on an arm of flesh, and then brings trust we may hope, that there will be found
the inquiring penitent to him who is able among them many a Lydia, whose heart
and willing to save, and will in no wise the Lord has opened, and w-ho has attendcast out whosoever cometh to the Father ed to the things that have been spoken
through him. " Come unto me all ye unto her. I trust there are not wanting
that labour and are heavy laden, and I among them, those who love the Lord
Jesus Christ, and who have learnt to
will give you rest."
After what has been said, brethren, you know the value of his salvation, and the
will not doubt that it is chiefly on the preciousness of his promises.
If there
ground of its religious advantages, that I be but one such, what a glorious reward
am desirous of seeing that institution for would that one soul be, for all the selfwhich I am desired to plead, receive your denial, all the labours of love, by which
cordial support.
In so populous a parish you W'ill contribute, according to your
as this, I need not tell you that it is im- means, to support, and, I trust, to perpetupossible for the steward of Christ's mys- ate, this useful charity in this populous
teries, who, in the providence of God, has neighbourhood.
Bear with me, brethren, if I press this
been placed over you, to extend his jirivate ministrations into the family of each duty on you in a manner somewhat more
of the poorer members of his flock.
And
urgent than
is
usual.
cannct forget
'.*'

HOW TO READ THE
that
are
was
It
very place where
in this
now assembled,
that
was
first
we
called
upon to exercise my episcopal functions,

by setting apart this building for a temple
to the Lord, where his word might be
BIBLE.
151
"secret things which belong to

Some float for ever on the surface
of admitted truths, fearful to rise above
the level over vvhich they have hovered
from the first moment of consciousness.
those
God."
These resemble those birds which feed

upon the insects dancing on the water,
It was here that for the first time I sepa- who never rise into the air, but always
rated, in virtue of my office, from all pro- skim the surface of the lake, on the borand
preached,
praise and
might be
oflered in the
fane and
common
supplication
name
of Christ.
uses, this house, as a
ders of vvhich they received
life.
Others,
house of prayer for worshippers in spirit on bold, adventurous wing, rise into the
and in truth. Nor iiave I had small plea- trackless regions of mystery, till they
sure in learning that the vSunday-school sink from the pride of their elevation,
Thes?, by
which has been since connected with this perplexed and exhausted.
church, and for which I plead this day, aiming at too much, lose every thing
appears to have been favoured, in an emi- Because they have attempted unsuccess
fully to investigate that, which God has
been pleased to put out of the reach of
human comprehension, they will not believe any thing
they embrace a system
come acquainted with them more inti- of universal scepticism. So Noah's dove
mately in their capacity of teachers. I beheld on every side a boundless expanwould bid them go on in their labour of sion of waters and whether she rose or
love, with patient and steady zeal, in the sunk, was equally bewildered, and found
name of the Lord. I would call on others no rest for the sole of her foot. There is
who are like minded to come and do like- one point of difference, and that is, that
wise to lend their aid in the furtherance she returned to the ark; but those whom
of this interesting work, and to be fellow- we have described, too often are found to
labourers in preparing the hearts of the turn despisers, who wonder and perish.
young, through divine grace, for the But the Christian is bold in investigating
spiritual harvest.
May He who is the all that God has submitted to his re-
nent degree, with the divine blessing.

of those who hear me, its advantages are doubtless known personally.
Some, I trust, there are, who have be-
To many
Lord of the harvest, prosper the undertaking

May he bless the means provided, whether by your personal teaching,
or by your pecuniary contributions, with
a rich and abundant increase.
!
thing leaning
on Almighty energy, and relies with implicit confidence upon the written word.
So the eagle rises boldly into the air,
keeping the sun in view, and builds hei'
searches, attempts every
nest
THE
SPIRIT
I.N
WHICH THE BIBLE SHOULD

BK READ.
Consult
it
divested so (at as possible
of prejudice, and with a sincere desire

both to attain improvement and to search
oit the truth. The investigation which
we recommend, lies
upon a rock.
We would
not have you, with the in-
active and supine,
always coast the shore:
with the infidel venture into the

boundless ocean, without pilot, or comexposed
pass, or ballast, or anchor
nor
equally to the quicksands, to the rocks,

to the whirlpool, and to the tempest: but
equally between that

which slumbers for ever over we are desirous that, like the Christian,
things acknowledged, and that impetuous you should boldly face, and patiently
temerity which relying on its own pow- endure the storm, with the Bible as vour
ers disdains assistance, attempts a flight compass, hope as your anchor, God as
beyond the precincts of lawful subjects, your pilot, and heaven as your country.
and with licentious boldness pries into J)r. Colli/er.
inactivity
SERMON XV.
THE TRUE USE OF KNOWLEDGE.
BY THE REV.
'Add
There
to
nothing to which
knowledge, temperance.
men
the folly
require
opened more than

of admiring knowledge upon
their eyes
have
own
is
to
account.
E. IRVING, A.M.
They look upon
to
its
all sorts
of hook-making and book-learning as the

stamp of superiority, and give to it an
instinctive reverence
whereas, books are
but the words of men, and may as often

be termed foily as declared wisdom, and
may promote vice as readily as serve virAnd he 'hat hath written a book,
tue.
hath but offered himself to our acquaintance, but hath made no advancement in
And bookish men, that
our approbation.
is, those who accumulate an immensity
of knowledge and learning, which neither
nourisheth themselves nor edifieth others,
are objects of pity, not of admiration
being in mind what those are in body
who have gathered on themselves a load,
burdensome to themselves, and unpleaAnd until the good
sant to beholders.
sense of men doth discriminate amongst
learned men as it doth amongst unlearned
men, the learned will continue to assume
to themselves that importance and pride
which more than countervails their superior knowledge, and brings them into a
state less favourable for spiritual advance;
So in
tlian the ignorant vulgar.
our Saviour's time, the wise and prudent
could not understand that which was
ment
plain to babes
because the learned, in
the sufficiency of their knowledge, could
For the
not stoop to spiritual things.
same reason, they scorned Paul in the
Areopagus, as
fool
if
whence he
152
he had been a prating

testified that their very
Peter
6.
i.
knowledge had made them ignorant of

God, and deaf to the invitations of the
gospel.
Now,
being convinced knowledge inage produceth the same effects of'

swaying the mind out of that humility
which is essential to the learning of
Christ that this is the true reason whyyour men of knowledge keep so muchaloof from the simple doctrines of the
cross, it hath seemed good to our minds
to examine this a little, and to ascertain
this
by what means those here present may

be guarded from increasing their pride
with their knowledge, and how they may
promote their wisdom as they increase
In which undertaking,
their knowledge.
to divest knowledge of an honour which
doth not merit, in order that we may/
with Solomon, transfer it to wisdom, we'
it
feel as if
we were
entering in to despoil a
holy place. For knowledge, albeit much

abused, is a pure and holy possession
compared with every other of which we
can boast. Beauty fades, strength languisheth and fame is inconstant as the
veering winds
fortune changeth
every
moment, and riches take to themselves

wings and flee away like an eagle toAvards
heaven; the appetites all grow dull, the
eye grows dim, and the ear deaf to dulcet
sounds, and all things ebb and flow, and
But knoware lost and soon forgotten.
knowledge almost defies these
ledge
changes and fluctuations to which all
human possessions are doomed. It is a
!
thing so purely one's

the
power of man
own
to take
it
it
doth so defy
from us ; it

doth 90 forecast in the mind, and procreate itself independent of all power and
strength of man; and it can so little be
bought with money, or be by a royal road
approached and it so inhabiteth the mind
within, and defieth the world without;
of
whom
153
nature
So
holdeth her chiefest
which
beautifies the
face of the country, with all
which makes
charms.
that all
the city magnificent
all
that adorns our
all that makes our persons comely to look upon all that fills
and it is so little subject to the fluctua- the market-place with wares, and varies
tions of fortune, and the wasting power the occupation of human life, are the
of time ; it is on all hands in so much re- works of knowledge, without which men
;
quest
so necessary
to the illustration of
things old, and to the propagation
prise, to the administration of government,
and the practice of every art; knowledge

so eagerly sought after by every power
which striveth for the mastery in human
were a few scattered
of savages, fighting with
things new, to the prosecution of enter-
is
dwellings, with
tribes
brutal
of roving
creatures
mastery of the woods and caves

where they dwell.
Ay, and though
every thing we now behold were swept
with the besom of destruction, nature
stript of her decorations, and art divested
of her resources, there is such a life-giving power in this immortal faculty of
knowledge, that she would, in a few
for the
governors seeking men of knowledge to write them into favour, and their
opponents seeking men of knowledge to
write them out of favour; and the vender years, bring again the beauties of nature,
of every ware seeking men of knowledge and re-invent the resources of art, and
affairs,
and even every cover the earth with her beautiful flowers
exalt its praise
amusement, except bear garden and prize- and pleasant palaces.
fighting barbarities, being upheld by
Knowledge is the support of greatness,
knowledge, and every projected measure which otherwise would die with the age
advocated by knowledge: these, the that gave it birth. And a good book of
accomplishments of knowledge, are so former ages is a treasure which the interto
advantages so manifold, that vening time hath striven in vain to stifle

to adore, and pro- it hath survived the things which were
fanation to decry it.
Then, moreover, brought into existence along with it; and
knowledge doth so beget in those who if it be a good book, it hath the probapossess it, such fortitude and firmness of bility of living to an unlimited age. In
mind ; it so arms him around with divine short, there is no end to the praises of
armour even like the goddess of know- knowledge.
ledge whom the ancients fabled to have
These excellent qualities and manifold
sprung ready armed from the forehead of powers of knowledge, God hath endowed
Jove so that a man of knowledge seems it withal, in order that men may fall in
as great in rags, as a man of power, or a love with it, and pursue it; and being
prince in his castle.
Adversity cannot properly applied, it constitutes wisdom.
splendid,
its
seems ignorance not
it
man of knowledge; the con- But knowledge is not wisdom of itself;

man cannot abash him, and the nay, knowledge does not imply tiie practhroats of man cannot force him to recant
it doth not
tice of godliness or of morals
he retires to his secret place, and sum- imply even the existence of the common
mons in his spiritual counsellors he ex- decencies of life. For knowledge and
amines, he writes, he justifies himself, learning in the greatest plenty may dwell
he publislielh to tiie world, and all his with wickedness an folly. A man may
crusli the
tempt of
nnemica are at once conffiunded ; or if be familiar with all tho truths of science
they wish to make head a<r.iinst liim, they
he may be held a cnnsummate master,
iiuist sfck men of kiK)wlr'dgp, ff)r it can and even discover fresh truths, and invent
be ovfTthrowu by nothing but itself.
new methods of discovering truth, and
Then agiin, knowledge is tlie mother yet he may bo a mere novice in the fulof art and beauty knowledge is the jiand- filment of the duties which every one
maidcn, (if I may ho speak,) who attireth born into the worlii is called by his Mathe charms of nature, if not tho muihor ker to enjoy.
IIo may be learned in all
Vur.. I. JO
THE BRITISH
154
erudition, and \veU vorsod in all the

records of antiquity, and yet never acquaint his principles with true knowledge.
As
there
world,
many
are
wliich a
in
handicrafts
man may
in
the
reach the
improvin<r
highest excellence without

his morals or religion, so in the world
of intellect or science, there are
PULPIT,
in
in working iron, or brass, or wood,

making cloth or apparel, as that a man
is
wise, or good, or praiseworthy, because
good
he
is
good
in
ancient or
modern literature,
knowledge
or because he is great in the
of the three kingdoms of nature, skilled

in the art of criticism, or erudite in
many
the
history of the world.
departments in which men may stand

without being advanced in
There
is
a blind admiration of science
unrivalled,
and learning on
any one of the attributes of a wôrthy or

He may be the first of wits,
noble mind.
and the worst of husbands. He may be
tlie first of scholars, and the most dissipated of men. He may be the most entertaining of travellers, and the most heart-
which
it
its
own
account, upon
builds a self-importance,
and
whicli affects disdain toward the honest
mechanical
occupations
of
But
life.
were taken oflT from

the private life, and mutual intercourse,
and public character of these learned men,
He may be the first of they would be found as empty of greatless of friends.
poets, and a very ruffian in civilized ness, far more full of envy, and deception,
He may be the finest moralist, and hypocrisy, than those honest callings
society.
and the greatest profligate the writer of they affect to despise. Ay, if the morals
surely, if the blinds
of a university, or the quarrels of litera-
the finest sentiments, and not possessed
of household feeling.
who
have met
ture, or the pitiful vanity and self-complacency of these sciolists in knowledge,

were exhibited, it would be as shameful
a picture as ever knowledge hath sketched
from the market town, or the inmost reBut far, far from us
cesses of the city.
be the vulgar office of satirizing any thing,
first-rate
moral
perception, like creatures of the vegetable
kingdom. Naturalists have I met with,
who appeared to soar above a good and
glorious action, but would have died contented with the occupation of their lives,
could they have discovered some plant,
mathematicians
or
some
were, in
especially a thing of which we think and

by the have spoken so highly as we have of
And there are knowledge. But it is our part to show
insect, not discoverable
vision of man.
natural
all
men who spend
how
their lives in arranging
it
stands related to Avisdom
manu- is inferior
seeing any thing worthy converted
cabinets, and deciphering ancient

scripts, wîthout
to
w isdom, and how
into
wisdom, and
of pursuit or admiration, or doing any
thy of the approbation of
thing to extend their pursuits, in the

present or eternal world.
verted into wisdom.
Wisdom
witliout
how
it
may be
it
is
not woi-
men
until con-
knowledge
theie is
and can be none: all thought without

one of these pursuits in themselves; for knowledge, is but guessing: all conduct
there is not any one of these pursuits of without knowledge, is but a venture.
science and learning from which good Hence, in Scripture, knowledge stands
But it is our in a high place. "This is life eternal,
hath not accrued in the end.
It is
not our intention to ridicule any
intention to show,that stores of knowledge
may
be acquired in them, the highest

elevation may be reached in them, without any approximation to wisdom, without improving the spirit of the character,
so as to
of the
is to
that
come.
first
step to
affairs,
wisdom; and,
in
common
a knowledge of the world
servedly
placed above
all
other
is
de-
know-
But knowledge of God is not

knowledge of the
These are handicrafts of the world upright dealing; something else is
make
life
know me the true God." Amongst

the ancients, " Know thyself," was the
to
it
better fitted for the office
now
is,
and of that which
we may so speak, and those

apply to them are handicraftsmen
and you have a good reason to infer that
a man is wise and noble because he is
intellect, if
who
'v'
ledge.
religion, neither is a
required.
Knowledge doth but
furnish
out wisdom, being the light which guides
us to the storehouse which supplies
Wisdom
is
knowledge applied
it
to right
THE TRUE USE OF K.\OWLEDGE.

and wholesome
155
Riches do not the learned, then knowledge
uses.
is degraded to
be the servant of vanity. If it be pursued
in order to use authority and power, then
knowledge is degraded to be the servant
a liberal-minded or generous man,

although riches are necessary to contri-
make
But if riclies
to a generous man.
be pursued from a mere love of accumu- of ambition. If it be pursued to come at
if place, pension, or reward, then it is most
lation, which is not very frequent
riches be pursued from a love of gratifi- of all degraded to be the servant of mam-
bute
which is very frequent or if riches be pursued for the

sake of influence, which is far more frequent then they do not make a liberalminded or generous man. So the appetite
mon. It may serve pleasure also, and

doth most frequently serve pleasure in
your pursuit of books and entertaining
for
knowledge may lead into many direcaway from wisdom; and therefore
it becomes necessary, while you acquire
knowledge, to weigh the ends for which
you are acquiring it.
There is a love of knowledge for its
own sake which should be encouraged.
The mind hath a dislike of ignorance, as
difficult
tions
by God's help, now
cation or evil tastes,
discourse.
But
make
to
the ends of Vvisdom
is
serviceable to
it
a most noble and
undertaking, which
our part,
it is
to set forth.
As wisdom consisteth in the promotion

own well-being, and the well-being
of our
of other men, the desire of knowledge,
seems
to
it
me, should be prompted by the
feeling of our
own unhappincss
that
is,
our want of well-being, and the sight of
And of these
give the preference to the former
the eye hath of darkness, or the limbs of unhappiness around us.
The mind
confinement.
loves to look on
two,
the lightof truth, and to roam in the free-
the well-being and unhappiness of our-
dom
selves.
of
This
faculties.
its
especially
is
As
the case in the beginning of our years,

and it is appointed for the best ends. As
is
children will not be at rest, but, by cease-
or in mind, hath a
nobody knows
motion,
less
for
ends, acquire the ready use 'of
far as the soul of
what can be found.
remedy,
To
find
vince of knowledge.
all their
man can
reach,
it
if that
body
remedy
out
the pro-
a rule, that every evil, whether in
it
is
Whatever
evils,
by an innate therefore, pursue us, let us gain knowFor the evils of

restlessness, tries itself in every way, ledge to remove them.
and ought no more to be hindered than the body there is a class of men to proEduca- vide the cure, to whom it is belter to trust
the body oight to be confined.
Law, again,
tion should be to the mind what exer- than to seek for ourselves.
cise is to the body
an instrument for looks to the evils which come to our outdeveloping its powers and, tiierefore, ward estate. But every one is left to find
limbs; so the mind
in youth,
many
for
years, various food should be
presented to tbe mind
some
ment,
piety.
is
memory, some
to tlie
much
And
employed
to
it
affection,
is
actively
but by-and-by,
tlie
ed
is
directed to
some
to
some
it
when
labour, so
useful end.
i,
that
knowledge begins
the servant of wiailnm, or
llu'
to
be
servant of va-
nity, or tbr sirvant of ambition, or the servant of wciilth, according as you use it. Il
it be pursued in order to get a name among
the
evils
soul, his inward
man.
him-
for
Let each man, therefore, look into

and see from wiiat quarter unhappiness invades him let iiim, by knowledge,
and having found it
find out the remedy
Then knowledge
out, let him apply it.
Next, let a man look
l)ecomotii wisdom.
around him on the unliappiness of others,
beginning with those who most nearly
concern himself; and extending as far
outward as his time and fellow-feeling
Let him direct his faculties
will go.
how he may remedy those evils which
afllict his brethren; then let him apply
the remedies wliich his knowled<;f hath
discovered.
This, also, is wisdom.
\S hen a man hath removed the evils that
;
slrenglb of the mind should be direct-
Now
liis
it
a measure of strength hath been aciiuired,

both of body and mind, as tiie strength
of the body
himself remedies
afilict
self,
necessary studiously to
any end
to
which
to the judgand much to
so that a child
so
out for
to the fancy,
in putting forth its abilities,
not then
direct
some
THE
156
afflict
BRITISH PULPIT.
mind, and
himself, and done his endeavour to
remove those which
afflict
the
men
in his
life,
Ah
neighbourhood ; then let him see by what

means he can increase his spiritual enjoyment, and the spiritual enjoyment of
those around him. Let him acquire and
apply this knowledge, and then all his
knowledge will be wisdom.
to the perishing of the
not of one, but of thousands

!
better
little
is
the
etemaP
man who makes
his knowledge, his divine knowledge, a
stepping stone to distinction, and who

cannot proceed onward, unless he hath a
crowd of admirers to applaud him. Such
a man is preparing for himself, sooner or
As the knowledge you have, or may later, a bed of thorns he is making of
acquire, both from the word of God and himself a butt for others to aim their
other quarters, is the noblest thing you shafts at ; and many a venomous shaft of
call your own, if it be turned to these satire and censure shall stick sore in his
accounts which I have set before you so loins before he reach the much courted
it is
the most vain, the most proud, the
This
place.
most domineering, and I may add, the

most unhappy of all your possessions, if
not employed in rectifying the diseases
of your soul and your condition, and the
souls and conditions of others. There is
is
degradation.
His
life
will be jarring and contentious, his peace
broken, his character laid bare, his pri-
vacy invaded, his quarrels set before the

world he shall have no mercy from his
competitors, and shall find no sympathy
not a character under the sun so despica- from the spectators of the fray. And if
ble as the man who sets out with the inhe reacheth the courted seat, it is not till
tention of making his knowledge a step- his temper is soured by competition,
ping stone to fortune and favour to live when he is fit only to play the tyrant, and
by his wits, as it is termed to honour the not to enjoy his place.
Knowledge hath a state, a prerogative
tastes and foibles of the public mind.
It
on which she needeth not to insist. Her
is a base calling, the basest of all callings
and it hath upon the mind that is given state is to walk surrounded by contemup to it, the most degrading effects. It plation, calmness, and truth; her prerogais a most degrading traffic, inasmuch as tive is to dispel prejudice and ignorance;
the humours which it studies, and the and her deference is the noblest gratitude
prejudices to which it ministers, be not of those whom we have brought out of
These are the proin the petty accommodations of the out- darkness into light.
ward man, but in the opinion of the in- per state, and prerogative, and homage of
ward man, which determines not only knowledge ; but for a man of knowledge
our present, but our future destiny. It to claim and sue for external marks of
doth set up to sale, conscience, integrity, honour is to cast the crown of glory from
and counsel, and all the high moral and his head, and to humble himself into a
intellectual endowments of the mind, mere man of power it is to exchange the
which, like the gift of God desired by ethereal nature of his calling, for the vulSimon the sorcerer, cannot be purchased gar attributes of place and of office. Nay,
with money ; and it is sacrilege to steal nothing will bear the character of a wise
them. If we would avoid as a tainted man up nothing will set the possessor
man if we would sequester from the of knowledge in a state impregnable to
common charities of life the abandoned all his enemies, and honourable to himwretch, who, for a bribe, in a public court, self nothing but that he hath an eye to
hath sworn the liberty or life of a fellow his own deliverance from evil ; and not
man tell me, what form or measure of his own alone, but of the whole world.
detestation and abhorrence doth that man Let us take the gain and honour which
merit, who, in bearing his w"itness before flow in upon us, and pray to God for
the great tribunal of the world, doth for a economy to use the gain, and humility
higher bribe suppress and falsify the to bear the honour. But never, never let
knowledge and the convictions of truth the man of knowledge deal out the treawhich God hath implanted in his soul
sures of his mind at the bidding of a purdoth so to the enslaving of the common chaser, lest he sell over to his earthly
:

157
Lord for strength, and to the word of the

whereby he holds on heaven. Neither Lord for knowledge ; and he should keep
let men whose g'ifts and accomplishments himself what he can from every occasioa
he should part company from
are imperfections, and whose highest of ofi'ence
honour and ambition is to be humble, the profligate, idle, and profane, and comcourt preference when they consider of pany with the most honest men he can
what weak and sinful creatures they are find he should banish all books which
the brothers. Let a man pursue wisdom cover such vices with the gloss of sentiand help his brother out of his sins and mental in.agery, or the glory of splendid
imperfections, and then he shall con- success
he should form acquaintance
stantly be moved on by tlie sight of their with the writings of noble men, of virtuimperfections, and rewarded by the feel- ous men, and of religious men; and he
ting of their imperfections removed.
He should inquire after such treatises as may
dwelleth not on what he hath done, but beget a love, and encourage a pursuit of
on what remaineth to be accomplished things lovely, and of good report. So,
He looks not on the things that are be- by diligence, he will convert the knowhind, but on the things that are before. ledge of the remedies of his diseases into
His reading, his thoughts, his conversa- the cure of those diseases, and so grow
tions, are all bent to know his imperfec- into the condition of a wise man.
For
tions, to find out a remedy, and to drsco- being clear of youthful lusts, which war
ver the cure ; and the remedy is no sooner against the soul, you should suflTer fear
from a fretful, inquiet temper of irritafound, than he endeavoureth to apply it
bility, of sensitiveness from pride humand so knowledge becomes wisdom.
Therefore, men and brethren, I entreat bled, from vanity mortified, from ambition
each one of you, that whatever knowledge beaten back, from policy outwitted, or
any one possesseth at present (and there expectations defeated. Then you know
is no one without a large store of know- the remedy, the only remedy, that is in
putting your fractious rebel nature into
ledge compared with total ignorance)
we exhort you to convert that knowledge discipline of God. You know that reliinto wisdom, by devoting it to the remo- gion should be to the thoughts within the
val of the evils and troubles which afflict breast, what the queen bee is to the hive
their parent and their mistress ; for
ourselves.
Consider yourselves on all
Bides ; observe where you are afilicted. upon the loss of religion, as upon the
Each one will find a number of evils loss of the queen bee, there ensueth wild
under which he is groaning, and whereby disorder and troubles no stirring inhe is disgraced. Apply this knowledge dustry no security of abiding counsel;
to the removal of wicked habits, such as but on the contrary, certainty of discord
swearing, and lying, and drunkenness, and desolation.
and chambering and hypocrisy. There
Now, I shall not say that every one
is no one of you so untutored as not to knoweth that religion hath such virtues
know the remedy for these things. The over the troubled breast but of tiiis I am
deliverance cometh from the Spirit and sure, many there be present who both
word of God, by the use of those means know and are convinced of it, and do yet
of prevention which God hath put within turn their knowledge to no account of
our reach. Then use this knowledge and wisdom or of happiness, by regulating
yon shall be wise use it not, and you themselves according thereto.
Those
shall be twice condemned; according to wlio have fear of their double punishment
that saying of Jesus Christ, ' If I had in sinning against light and the peace of
not comn and spoken unto them they had their troubled spirit, I charge not thus to
for
not had sin, but now they have no cloak abuse their precious information
for their sin."
which information heatiien lands cry ia
Whosoever, llion, is so afflicted with vain to heaven with the voice of all their
wicked propensities (wliich are the dis- sufferings, and of all their sorrows.
Oh! that men would forego their laeases of the soul) should apply to the
|)art
that intellectual and
spiritual part
THE BRITISH PULPIT
158
mentations over fortune, and hopp, and

wo:ldly happiness, shipwrecked in this
unhappy work!; and pliickinn^ from their
bosom the key of knowledge, which rusteth there unused, would apply it, in the
strenofih of God, to unlock the pates of
immortality and blessedness.
Then
it
should come to pass that the kingdom of

heaven would bring all things in its train
hope
for
better
things
would
that
brighten over the darkness of present loss-
ambition,
heavenly ambition, would

fire the heart to the quest of immortal
crowns and everlasting thrones; and the
voice of self-approbation, sweeter than
the shouts of an applauding people, would
make all joyful within the breast; and all
the roughness of temper would sweeten
and soften under the keeping of a good
and happy heart; and out of ruins a temple would arise, w'ith songs of everes
grave and
thoughtful
These
are
the
opiate draughts which, being persisted in,
bring on rugged disease, and plant despair.
Take
to
counsel, take to ministry
talk to the world about
you
where peace and contentment have their dwellings where
wretchedness and misery have their howling abodes.
Gather knowledge from
facts around you
see where quiet evenings and healthful mornings shine
(not
with midnight dance and morning revels)
go round and see take not my word
for it
go round and see where hollowof counsel
learn and discover
heartedness dwells, and foul pretence,
puppetry of human nature

You shall find it to be
where religion, and wisdom, and gravity
have been hooted out of doors. These
guardian angels of men must be banished
first, and honest sentiment must learn to
lasting joy.
The knowledge that religion hide its head in shame ; solemn truth
hath such a powerful wand to regenerate must be. thrust down into the earth; the
abject nature withal, lieth, I say, in many name of God must be taught to turn agist,
a wounded and sorrowful breast it lieth or to deepen an execration, or to fill up
unremembered, it lieth unblest; even as the frequent chasms of poverty-stricken
the key of promise lay in the bosom of discourse, before these gay allurements
Hopeful, while he and Christian were can be got up, to which the world in its
confined in the dungeons of Doubting wisdom carries a dejected countenance,
castle.
And if, like him, you will pluck stricken mortally.
it forth, and use it for your salvation, be
Whenever these scenes occur to you,
assured that nothing more would remain brethren, read for their cure and removal.
to set you at liberty from the bondage of Get knowledge
search the word of God
ait such troubles.
dig the wells of knowledge beat the
There are many here present, I am sure, fields of knowledge for a remedy. Rest
who feel oppressed with the grievances not till you have found diseases like your
of disappointment and unrest; but not own, brought under by the chief physiacting from this remedy which resides in cian.
For this, let libraries be ransacked
the gospel of .Icsus Christ, they seek
not for light and airy speculations,
their refuge in idle reading, or in laughter which, however graceful, yield no happicreating amusement, or in gay and flaunt- ness
which, however amusing, afford
ing vanity in the world of fashion and of no spiritual gain.
Be at charges with
taste.
Oh, brethren ! these do but cheat your soul as with your body. If any
the short time, they do but chase the im- pain seize your body, you straightway
pending waves; even as the mariners, submit to confinement, to pain, and to
when the leak is making, and the ocean cruel operations. But when the mind
is sucking down the ship the wretched languisheth, when the mind is deformed
men, bursting control, hasten to kill by unseemly vice, which we strive to
thought with intoxication to the wild hide, and which is odious to our own
dance of terror. Away, away, from these thoughts, we seek for no medicine, we
the worldly cures
they are no remedy. consult no man's skill in spiritual cures;
Away, away, with gay company away but we give ourselves up to random inwith levity away with boisterous wit, fluence, yea, rush into the snare where
and ridicule, and contempt of what is we caught the foul infection, as if we
and where
hold
its
range.
THE EXECUTIONER'S TRUMPET,
159
loved what we hated, and delighted in how worthy should we become by the
what cost us sorrow
grace of the Spirit of God
How sincere
It is shameful to see how the know- were
our intercourse how frank our
ledge that appertains to our peace lies in communications how close our commuour mind like nursery tales, despised and nion with God
how constant our appliChristian men have secrets cation to the treasures of his wisdom and
disregarded.
I
to convert earth into
heaven, and to oc-
grace!
Do
me
let
advise you, fellow
cupy the soul with the enjoyment of hea- Christians and fellow men,
men have secrets
to take this
chase subject into your serious thought, and to

away every form of evil that assails us make your present knowledge instrufrom the deep beneath, and unbinds us mental to your peace by acting thereon;
from every carnal and earthly passion, to to select your books with a desire to grow
people the soul with thoughts of the in tlie image of God, and shine in the
world to come, and to make the wihlcr- beauty of holiness. Then shall you inness of human life to rejoice and blossom crease in wisdom as you increase in years,
ven.
Christian
as the rose.
But these
to
secrets are post-
poned by every transient current story, to

every idle romance, to the wildest fancies,
and to the wickedest wit. They are to
the ear like waste sounds they that utter
them must season them with something
savory, with something harmonious and
melodious, in order that they might find
acceptance.
And the book that holds
them lies as a sable messenger of guilty
tidings.
Meanwhile, the song of sweet
sentiment, and the voluptuous poem are
hung over with delight; and the dramatic
tale is devoured, and the story of ancient
times is unrolled, and the daily sheet of
news is reached with hungry impatience,
and every form of knowledge within the
limits of fancy and folly hath a joyful
And what serveth merry
welcome.
songs
what serve adventures of unreal
and pass your life in blessedness, and

become, when you depart, as the angels
of God, whom you shall know even as
they are known.
THE executioner's TRUMPET.
Jerome used to say, that it seemed to

him as if the trumpet of the last day was
always sounding in his ears, saying.
" Arise, ye dead, and come to judgment.'"
The
generality, however, think but
little
of this awful and important period.
Christian king of Hungary, being very

sad and pensive.
gay
courtier,
Iris
brother,
was desirous
the cause of his sadness.
"
who was a
knowmg
of
" Oh, brother,"
have been a great sinner against God, and know not how tc
stories?
what serve all the paltry acci- die, or how to appear before God in judgHis brother, making a jest of
dents and incidents of political and ment!"
fashionable life?
"They ivhik the time it, said, "Tliesc are but melancholy
away." Do not be afraid of that, it will thoughts." The king made no reply;
!
said the king,
soon come to an end. They give the

seal to knowledge, they kindle party
feuds, and awaken hell within the breast
of a man ; and they sport away the spirit
of a man with dreams and fantasies, of
whi<"h, ihougli he live a thousand years,
he shall never realize one.
but
it
was
the custom of the eoimtry,
tliat
came and sounded a

trumpet before any man's door, he was
if
the executioner
presently led to execution.
The
king, in
the dead of night, sent the executioner to
sound the trumpet before bis hrolber's

door ho hearing it, and seeing the mesOh, what a sight, if with one consent senger of death, sprang into the kinyf's
we sought into the troubles of our spirit, presence, beseerbing to know in what bo
ami gave ourselves to reason, and tiiiiik- liad oflendeil. * Alas! brother," said iho
And
ing, and conversation, in order to amend king, "you have neverofTt nded me.
one another; every one dwelling at home is the siijlit of my executioner so dreadin his own broast^-evrry one inhaling ful, and shall not I, who have greatly
stores of vital kiiowli'dge to purify and nirnided, fear to l)e brought befure tlie
'"
awaken his Hpirilual life! How wise, judginonl-Sfial of Chrittt
;
SERMON
TIIE APPROPRIATION
XVI.
AND INFLUENCE OF REVEALED TRUTH.
BY REV. JOHN ANDERSON.
"
The Kcret things belong unto the Lord our God

us and to our children for ever, that we may do
The
knowledge
deture of
is
human
soul
it
this law."
man
what
Deut.
xxix. 29.
Such were
by a prophet of
God, who well knew what was in human
nature.
He saw this spirit stirring in
the views
is
By
words of
limited and
natural to
implanted within
man by his almighty Creator: but, as
of a finite and deit is in the hands
praved creature, it may be perverted, and
the
hut the tJiings which are revealed belong unto

all the
is
allowed.
entertained
he beheld
God
it
rising in opposition to
and he meets this disto this desire, God maintained his do- position, and says, " The secret things beminion over man by exciting this desire, long unto the Lord our God."
My brethren, I solicit an interest in
the tempter succeeded to allure man from
G'>d, and ultimately destroyed his peace. your prayers, that God's blessing may be
While, however, we are allowed to upon us while I appear before you to adfor, says
seek after knowledge, it becomes neces- vocate the cause of mankind
sary that Ave should be kept within due my text, " those things which are revealed
limits ; especially as man seems disposed belong unto us and to our children for ever,
to carry his pursuits beyond those limits. that we may do all the words of this
law." Waving, then, as Ave ought to do,
It cannot, surely, appear unreasonable,
ought
to
be directed.
setting
bounds
the will of
that .Tehovah should
the consideration of the things that be-
have his arcana

which
long to God, let us attend to our
that there should be a region into
own
he retires in his own sovereignty a re- rights. Let us regard, first, their characgion into w'hich no finite mind can pene- ter; and secondly, the validity of our
trate, though it is confessedly full of the claims to them.
First, Let us attend to the character OF OUR RIGHTS.
"The things that are revealed.''^ This
He would trench the sacred enclo- was originally spoken of that portion of
this.
sure of Deity, and invade the prerogative truth which was at that time committed
But as that outline of truth
of heaven. This, however, is not to be to the Jews.
tolerated for as " the secret things beluii!^ is more than filled up in the gospel, we
unto (Jod," we should aim to submit our need not apologize for applying it to the
minds to this economy. And let us aim whole system of truth and grace which
God does us no harm by this is made known to us in the gospel of
to do this.
most interesting
objects.
The
history of
our nature has divulged the sad fact, that

man does not approve of a restraint like
arrangement; we sustain no injury. God Jesus Christ. They are called ^^ revealed
has manifested his mercy, by revealing things.'''' I love this designation ; for,
1. It conducts us to //e mysterious nato us subjects which are more suited to
ture of our rights.
oui capacities, and concealing only those
They
are revealed
which we cannot comprehend. We ex- things; they are not the result ot human
pose ourselves to imminent danger, while reasonings, however deeply pursued
we step over the line between what is however long continued. They are reI
160
a;
REVEALED THINGS.
vealed things
things, therefore, of a di-
Now, they
God ;" then, They
vine and mysterious nature.

are called " the purposes of
161
they be revealed, let us remember that

God only could reveal them and he has.
;
are
truly
revealed, or
manifested
" the mystery of his will :" at one time, things. The world has been the scene
"the deep things of God;" at another, of divine manifestations from the be<în" the will of God ;" and again, " the wis- ning. The Bible is a history of maniof God in a mystery." Paul, when festations. Faithful men have been raised
speaking of it, gives us this compre- up from time to time, for the express pur" How- pose of making known the will of God.
hensive summary of its nature
beit, we speak wisdom among them that There is nothing which man knows about
nothing in reference to his present
are perfect: yet not the wisdom of tliis God
world, nor of the princes of this world, condition, or his future state nothing
but we speak the which respects the great salvation
that come to nought
nowisdom of God in a mystery, even the thing which is dear to us, as sinners but
dom
hidden wisdom, which
God
what has been communicated to us by

which none God himself, from the beginning until
This revelation began with the
of the princes of this world knew; for now.
had they known it, they would not have first man; it travelled down through a
But as it is variety of dispensations and at length
crucified tlie Lord of glory.
written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, it was perfected in the everlasting gospel,
neither have entered into the heart of man, according to that memorable record
the things which God hath prepared for " God, who at sundry times and in divers
them that love him. But God hath re- manners spake in times past unto the
vealed them unto us by his Spirit for the fathers, by the prophets, hath in these
Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep last days spoken to us by his Son."
So
things of God." Now this should ever that whether we look at the various modes
be understood by us as constituting a fair of communication whether we listen to
ordained be-
fore the world unto our glory,
character of the things that are revealed
the voice of
that they were the proceeds of the infinite
God
in the garden
or turn
our thoughts to dreams, and visions, and
temporar)' revelations
or think on insti-
intelligence of Deity
that they are surrounded by ineffable grandeur and mj^ste- tutions that are more permanent we learn
rious glory
that they come forth to us, that God has had communications with
not as the results of human reason
that man
and all that man knows bears upon
they are revealed to us in infinite mercy it the character of a divine revelation.
by God himself made known to man, And I love this character; for,
who else mOst have groped in darkness,
3. It points out the transcendent imand have perished for ever. And this portance if them. They are "revealed"
character of revealed things applies to things.
O, if we look at these things severy part of gospel truth. If we look parately if we think of God of Christ
at the being and attributes of God
our Mediator
of the gospel
of the
trinity in unity
the God-man Mediator
Spirit to apply its truths
if we consider
his sacrifice and atonement
the effects the influence of these things on manof faith in that atonement the doctrine on the illumination of his understanding
of a future resurrection
and all, in fact,
the rectitude of his spirit
the purity
that is called revelation
we shall see iiow of his conduct the peace of his conmuch they are above tiie level of mere science we should from all these catch
human intellect, how truly they are styled a portion of evidence, which, when accuthe mysterious things of (Jod, and how mulated, would form a mass convincing
evidently they all bear the mark and and nvernf wering.
Can we reflect on all
character of divinity.
are revealed!"
Hove
"The
things that
this designation
because,
2. It
in
the
the im])<)rtant results of
tion
f^lon/ of their
manifestation
If
our
For instance, what cleamesji

to them!
If G'od speak
marks our religious immunities imparted
Vol. I. vJl
all
immu-
nities b( ing regarded as a divine revela-
benefit of
is
thus
for the
man, we may be sure ho will
o2

THE BRITISH
162
PULPIT.
mannnr. What with divers miracles and gifts of the

imparl to thorn! They Holy Ghost, according to his own will."
O, bnitliren, let us look at our rights
are not the doubtful deductions of human
of enlarged and immunities, thus distinguished
thus
of gigantic intellect
reason
No: they are a re- '< revealed ;" and if you have a spark of
stores of erudition.
if you have any ability to invelation from God. It is to this cause we intellect
if you are at all capable of
trace the failure of all other hypotheses, vestigate
speak
in
an
inlelliaîble
certainty AofS
it
failed, because comparing things that dilTer; then will

they wanted the essential character of a you cheerfully, gladly, willingly, give
What grandeur, the palm to your religious immunities, *
revelation from God.
have heard much of " the rights
too, does this imprint on our rights
They have features of simplicity, it is of man ,-" a great deal has been said and
however splendid; they
true, but of dignity also.
God
They
are the
speaking to men
God himself, bringing the charter of our
God, proprivileges in his own hand
claiming his will concerning us, from the
word of God
written on the rights of people and the

rights of princes
but, without
denying
that these rights have their importance
which should never be

from them there are no rights
And from the moment which concern us as immortal creatures
!
excellent glory
We
an importance
taken
as men destined to live for ever

as
God caused his voice first to vibrate
on the ears of man in all the promises those which are made known to us by
he has made in all the predictions which divine revelation. These are the rights
his prophets uttered, in the voice of the to which the text refers ; those rights
narbinger of the great Messiah in the which have been revealed by such a
/oice of Christ himself when he sojourned grand apparatus of means, and all of
that
,)n
our earth, and in the voice of
we
all
his
which are characterized by so much gran-
have proof deur, simplicity, importance, and auI say again, if we are capable
.hat all our privileges are characterized thority.
jy all that is great
by all that is digni- of comparing the various objects that are
Nay, what authority is imparted to presented to our minds, we shall rejoice
ried.
The reve- to hear that " the secret things belong
them by this circumstance
lation of God
Yes; this was what all unto the Lord our God: but the things
the hypotheses which have been made which are revealed belong unto us." And
knownto men wanted namely, authority. we will endeavour to ascertain.
Secondly, The validity of ouk claims
But our privileges are revealed, and they
bear the stimp and seal of the King of TO THESE IMiMUNlTIES.
They " belong unto us ;" so it is said
kings and Lord of lords. They are all
marked as announcements to man of the in the text. But what is the ground of
Wherever our claim to the things that are revealed ?
will of the everlasting God.
we turn, "Thus sailh the Lord" vibrates It cannot be natural to us, considering us
on our ears; and we fall down and adore, abstractedly, as men. It is true, indeed,
while it is said, " Therefore we ouglit to that there began to be a system of icvegive the more earnest heed to the things lation and communication from the first,
which we have heard, lest at any time we to sinless and innocent man. But the
For if the word things which are revealed to us contain
should let them slip.
spoken by angels was steadfast, and every much, certainly, which was not adapted
transgression and disobedience received a to man in his first state. This revelation
just recompense of reward, how shall we could not belong to man, then, as he was
escape, if we neglect so great salvation \ creat'.^d. And though we are siniiei-s, and
which at tlie first began to bespoken by this revelation is made to us as sinners;
the Lord incarnate! and after still, the fact of our sinfulness could give
the Lord"
no claim
its authority had b'ên thus established, us no claim to such a revelation
" was confirmed unto us by them that to a revealed God to a revealed Saviour
to a revealed heaven
to a revealed imheard him; God also bearimr them witNo ; we can support no claim,
ness, both with signs and wonders, and mortality.
ipostles
and preachers
^>?>
REVEALED THINGS.
How
either natural or meritorious.
then
vSimpl)'
simply
are these things ours 1
because of the sovereign will of God,
That will has been employed in reference
163
Nor
point.
posing that
there any reason for sup-
is
blessings will extend to
its
the brute creation
though good men have
entertained such an idea.
All these things
Guided by infinite wisdom, are ours, because "the word which was
prompted by infinite love, its determina- with God, and which was God, was made
tions have issued in the birth of a Saviour, flesh, and dwelt among us
so that we
to
us.
and, through him, in the repurchase of beheld his glory, the glory as of the only
our former inheritance. It was given to begotten of the Father, lull of grace and
ushy God himself: first, in promise then

in the oath by which he confirmed that
truth."
But, besides this, we have other and

In proof
grounds of claim.
that the things that are revealed belong
promise ; ultimately, in the gift of Christ

and this gift of Christ himself was the
pledge that all which God had promised
should be ours. God " spared not his
own Son, but delivered him up for us
all," and will therefore, "with him,
freely give us all things."
We take our
stand here, then we have a right to these
things because God has bestowed them
on us, in covenant by his mercj' by
free donation.
Looking on the world in
its hell-deserving condition, while travelling on to damnation, he entered into
gracious covenant with Christ, and all the
world " for there is one God, and one
mediator between God and man, the man
Christ Jesus
who gave himself' a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."
Jesus Christ was not merely t/ic fountain
of revelation, but the head hy his voluntary sacrifice of himself in vJur behalf, he
acquired a right for us; ?J revelation and
collateral
unto us,
find j;tiem
r-S'<l'"?
'"
we
light
which it brings to
incompetency met by the power
all
of the gospel
God has
it
life
and
those
who
listen
raised to the level of intelligent
7b
We
to
and
appeal further,
legitimated means if their

transmission.
God has not left the trutiis
2.
iinkimwn, whê shall we find a people

that can lav-''^''" t" tiieso things equally
with oors'ives ? He by whom they were
bought, 'S " bone of our bone, and flesh
of our <esh," the Son of God and the Son
Christ is ours, and the things
nf m'n.
vhirh reveal him are ours; llie sun is
piirs, and all the rays of that sun are ours ;
thr founUiin is ours, and all its streams
are ours; " I']mann(l, God with us," is
ours; and hence all else is ours also,
Hevehilion itself does not warrant any
its
the
redeemed men.
licaven, or
the
of revelation to themselves, to m:ike
tlieir
own way, and subdue the world to cbedience. Men may talk of the force of truth,
and say that it is great, and must ultimately prevail ; yet truth, in order to it9
final triumph, has to conlei;d with ail the
corruptions of the
human
not left the truili to find
making provision
to the
and
beings for
all
the
means
h'art,
its
d'rd has
way, without
for its coniiiiuniration
whom
it
was designt
wliirh he hasempliycl
cast a light upon the fact that they lielong
truths.
but us. There is no intimation that it

was designed for a superior race of beings,
beam upon
darkness chased by light

its
Saviour uncertainty
find
met by
done away by
pljnets discovered or
other heinus to lay claim to
but the light
guilt
there
all its
''
let
forms a collateral argument that the things

revealed belong to them.
This is not
theory, but fact.
Wherever the gospel
is borne, on whatever wind of heaven,
the inhabitants
minds, let but the truth be revealed

to them, and it finds something in the
heart, and conscience, and understanding,
which responds to it; something which
formed, whether
would appeal,
their astonishing adaptation to
tlieir
blessings becamrours.
Now, among all th= creatures
circumstances.
To
our
There is, in this respect,
a striking connexion between the mercy
announced, and the state of human beings.
Take a piimmary of revealed truth, and
bear it to human beings wherever you
1
to us.
Where
the truth elTecIs the con-
version of an individual, that individual
though men makes the chance known to another; a

have often speculated curiously upon this church is formed ; the mcnibers of tlul
hut rather on the contrary

THE BRITISH
164
PULPIT.
defenced city a ruin ;" the truth which

emanated from God has been preserved,
and has shone brighter and brighter. The
stream which, at the first, bubbled up at
church arc removed in various directions ;

and tiuis God causes his truth to make its
way throughout the whole earth. Again
God has not left his truth to float on the
stream of tradition, liable to be injured or
impaired; hut has given it the tangibility,
:
the foot of the eternal throne, has rolled
silently on, increasing in majesty as it

passed along, gathering strength from the
ness, of- a turitlcn revelation.
God has very means employed to obstruct its
caused his will to be recorded in a writ- course; now gliding unseen through subten form, and so handed down from man terraneous channels
then proceeding,
What shall I say of a standing softly and slowly, like the waters of
to man.
vtinistri/, to explain and enforce these Shiloah
and anon bursting forth like an
various truths in the hearing of men from American cataract, and rolling on with a
time to time 1 What shall I say to the mighty rapidity, bearing down before it
injunction given to parents to teach these each opposing barrier ; declaring to the
things to their children ; " that the gene- astonished children of men, that while
rations to come may know them, who "all flesh is grass, and all the glory of
shall arise and declare them to their chil- man as the flower of grass, the word of
shall
say
the certainty, the palpable-
dren; that they may set their hope in

God, and not forget the works of God,
the Lord endurcth for ever."
but keep his commandments."
pelled to exclaim,
have stood upon
Iv^jok at
the nature of these divinely instituted

means, and say, if you hr.ve not proofs
of
all
We have seen an end
"
perfection !"
While men
com-
brink, and been
its
it
still
flows on, fer-
and blessing all its banks. "The

that the things which are revealed belong word of the Lord by the gospel is still
I refer you,
to man.
preached," furnishing a miraculous proof
3. To the luonderful preservation of these that " the things wiiich are revealed beHow wonderfully has God taken long unto us." And what if I conduct
things.
care to preserve his truth pure and un- you, in further proof of this point,
adulterated, notwithstanding the preva4:.
7'o the influence
of these things upon
the nature of man.
lence of error the tyranny of passion
I often think on what
tilizing
and the cruelty of persecution. Think of

the numerous foes that have been raised
pagans, who have
against the truth
aimed to destroy it, and papists, who have
monopolized it. Think of popes and of
devils
of some who have held fast the
key of knowledge, and others who have
would havs been the state of the world,

if these thuffs had not been revealed.
0, brethren,
truth
makes
A, B,
ov^ living in the light of this

it
and
xg
familiar to us as our
make us forget the

condition of those w.q are destitute of it.
O, what a region app^ximating to that
;
tent., to
according to their own fan- of hellwhat a wilderneig of sorrow and

do we see, but God himself of wo would this nation vâve been if
holding the charter of our liberties in his God had never illuminated '4; ^vith his
This may be inferred from
own hands, and causing even the fire of revelation
persecution to induce us to retain our the state of those who have but ^ portion
grasp of his revelation more firmly. of this truth, in comparison with 'Jiat of
What has not died away ? Nations and those who are altogether destitute ot it.
corrupted
cies.
it
What
empires
have
been
overthrown
the
Look
at the influence of the things that
thrones of princes have been undermined

they have fallen, and great has been the
are revealed on the intellectual
Philosophers and their systems

have vanished away. The world has
been one continued scene of change,
but the word
alteration, and destruction
While
of God has remained the same.
whole nations have passed away ; while
tions in
fall.
"the
city
has become a heap, and the
tical
the
domestic
the
the
religious
poll,
rela-
which men stand.
On the intellectual condition

The things that are revealed have
the sphere of knowledge.
expanded the
intellect,
not changed the heart.

to refine,
where
it
of men.
enlarged
Religion has
even where it has

It has a tendency
does not save.
I will
REVKALED THINGS.
not undertake to say what have been
16:
with singing unto Zion, and everlasting

and the joy upon his head.
its
on science, and literature,

" The things thai are revealed T'' Who
liberal arts ; but it isenoug-h to offend one,
to see the votaries of intellect and litera- can thus trace their influence, (and this is
ture strutting in peacock dignity, when it a mere sketch,) and not see in all this a
could be clearly proved that all the know- strong, clear, satisfying proof that God
ledge which they possess is derived from designed all these things for us ? and not
the things that trre revealed. The)' have say with pleasure and gratitude, " the
stolen fire from the altar of God, and have secret things belong unto the Lord our
but the things which are revealed
astonished others, while they have never God
been ingenuous enough to confess the belong unto us and to our children for
]"
theft. They have paraded in pomp before ever
My brethren, if these be our rights, and
their fellow mortals, forgetting that the
fairest feathers which they have ever if our claims can be so supported, should
worn have been those plucked from the we not next ask, how dots it become us to
effects
But
bird of paradise.
have had nothing
for this,
they would
We are certainly not to
use these rights?
they would have been
hold them in ignorance of their nature

we are not to suppose that they are given
If God had not spoken from

heaven, and revealed his will to men,
they would still have been in gross intellectual darkness.
nothing.
merely to distinguish us from those by
whom we
They are
promote our indiviWhat shall I say of its political influ- dual benefit. If this revelation be sealed
ence ] What has not revelation done for with the broad seal of heaven, and presented to us in an intelligible form, how
the establishment of genuine liberty
From the mountain of revelation, the ought we to aim at knowing the things it
that what it reveals may be
sweetest breezes of freedom have been contains
wafted.
The tree of liberty, beneath enjoyed on the one hand, and obeyed on
are to search these divine
whose ample shadow we have lived, and the other
by whose fairest fruit we have been fed, oracles, till their force is felt on our hearts,
was sown by God himself in his revela- and their import treasured up in our recolare
surrounded.
surely given to us
to
We
Highly, greatly as God
lias dis-
tion; and
lection.
made known.
tinguished us by these rights, this will

only issue in our aggravated wo, if wo
it owes its elevation and grandeur entirely to the truth which he has
Think of
name
the
its
And
relation.
of liome;
names of
walking in the ways of

Let us not be hearers of the
let us not be content with
truth only
looking at the "perfect law of liberty,"
and admiring it merely; let us look and
admire, but let us also " continue therein;"
sliould be found
influence on the domestic
sweet
that is
all
that is connected with
fatlier, child,
master, servant;
all
that
in
darkness.
the
all
husband, wife,
considered
is
desirable to meet with in our intercourse
with men,
other;
is
God has
in
our
communion
witli each
that
so graciously
O God who but
made known
rclii;ious state of
we may
imt be forgetful hearers, but
" doers of the Ji'or/-."

Again: If these be our rights, and if
they belong to our children, and to our
derived from the things which
men.
Look upon the
to
man.
children's children,
what care should we
transmit them uilhmit corruption to

often read
been the influoncc of tliy trutii upon the the succeeding generation.
mind of man 1 It Iras poured a flood of of the entliusiaslic ardour of those who
who have not
light upr)n liie darkness of tlic underslaiul- have advocated our rights
!
thyself can
tcdl
take
wlial has
to
We
merely thundered in the senate, but have

and
shed their binod on the scaflold
and satisfarlton in disappnintment
it has
affi)rdtil direction in perplexity, and suj)- while W(! have seen these martyrs in the
pnrt in ftchliiiess
it has revealed
that cause of civil liberty, and martyrs in the
lieaven, where tlie Christian shall rest cause of Christ, thus fi-arlessly and freely
from his labours, when ho shall return yielding up their lives, how have we
iiig
it
has given patience
in
aflliciion,

THE BRITISH
166
them for a sign upon thine

hand ; and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes and thou shalt write
us, them upon the posts of thy house, and on
admired, nay, almost envied, the men who

to manifest such zeal and paBut why did ihey act thus ?
triotism
were able
!
that we, and
those
who came
after
PULPIT.
shalt bind
might enjoy those liberties which ihey thy gates." Thus giving the greatest
esteemed more valuable than liberty or publicity to them, that the generation to
and shall not we transmit them to come might know them, and seek after
life
our children, and to those that may come God, and love him and serve him with all
;
after us,
"that they also
may
set their
hope in God, and keep his commandments 1"

It is for an instiThis is your work.
tution which is designed to carry these
purposes into effect, that he who addresses you has now to plead. An incompetent pleader he confesses himself;
but one
who
feels that
whole energy of
something like the
zeal should be thrown
into his subject, while
he has
plead the
to
You arc called
their hearts.
And while we understand
these things, and find them to be
joy and
there
all
are
truths of
our desire,
so
many
all
our
us be glad that
advocates of these
let
We live in a day in which
God.
is made to pure and unbut as the truth has outlived all the efforts of the prince of darkness, and gathered strength from the very
much
opposition
defilcd religion
opposition which has been

shall still
made
to
it, it
be so to the end of time.
It
has defied all the sophistries of Hume,

care of the children of the poor some of and the eloquence of Gibbon, and the
them your neighbours and some not in vituperations of Voltaire, and the inuenorder that you may give them a portion of does of Rousseau, and the blasphemy of
education. A great deal has been said Paine; and when all their names shall
about education a great deal has been have been written in the dust, or appear
said loosely, a great deal foolishly, about on the roll of history as awful instances
Education may be, and in some cases of depraved intellect and perverted talent
it.
the TRUTH shall stand unsullied and
but a Christian education
is, a great evil
and this is your work is that by uninjured before God. And while all that
which you may serve your generation, the malignant heart of the infidel prompts
In no other him to, shall have failed of its effect, and
your country, your God.
way can you turn education to a good died away, the truth shall give its sufaccount, but by teaching them the truth frages for the welfare of men to the very
ends of the earth Christians shall say,
of God.
speak to you in language sound- " Come ye, and let us walk in the light
ing from the throne of heaven in lan- of the Lord; for the mountain of the house
guage addressed to you through the me- of the Lord shall be established in the
dium of the Jewish lawgiver, surrounded top of the mountains, and shall be exalted
by the congregated thousands of Israel. above the hills, and people shall flow
" Hear, O Israel the words which I unto it; and they shall beat their swords
command thee this day shall be in thine into ploughshares, and their spears into
heart.''''
This is to be our first care; and pruning-hooks."
" thoxi, shall teach them diligently unto thy
May God further, by your means, and
cJiildren; and shalt talk of them when by the united means of all Christians,
thou sittest in thine house, and when thou this glorious consummation, and fulfil
walkest by the way, and when thou liest the truth of the text in your experience.
down, and when thou risest up and thou Amen.
rights of children.
to take
We
SERMON
XVII.
THE EXAMPLE OF THE ANCIENT SERVANTS OF
BY THE HON. GERARD
T.
NOEL, M.
GOD.
A.
"
'That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promisei
Heb.
vi. 12.
every degree of comfort, and every

mitigatioa of evil, which we now enjoy,
is the free and gratuitous gift of grace.
In this fallen world every thing good

acquired with difficulty, and retained
with danger. Many fatigues, anxieties,
and sorrows, make up that amount of
effort which realizes even the objects of
In spiritual and heaearthly ambition.
venly pursuits, the same labour is essential, and the same peril attends enjoyment;
but then that enjoyment is not subject to
evils,
is
We
are criminals in a slate of
condemna-
and forfeiture ; but as such we are the

The proobjects of God's compassion.
tion
mise of mercy consoled the first transgresand this promise has been always
sors
guarded from oblivion, and in every sucThese are ceeding age has become the source of
the same ultimate forfeiture.
The great value of
objects of pursuit, at once of high intrinsic hope to the world.
this promise respected a Mediator, by
excellence, and of perpetual duration
but still they are difficult of acquirement. whom the tremendous effects of sin are
In reference to this difficulty of attain- averted from the penitent. Repentance,
ment, the apostle requires that we be indeed, and the renewal of the heart to
' not slothful, but followers of them who holy love, are among the most valued
;
conferred by
During many a long year
blessings
through faith and patience inherit the

promises."
Let us with God's blessing contemplate
here, in the
I.
The
first
mediator.
promise of
pardon, and peace, and eternal life, was

made known to a very limited number of
mankind but when at length the Media-
place,
impokta.nt fact, that
this
this
many of
OUR fellow-Christians have through

FAITH AND patience INHEUITED THE PROMISES OF God; and
II. The value of their example to
tor
came
other than
human flesh, who was none

"God over all, for ever blessed ;"
in
and when he had finished his work of

mercy and of atonement, he eommissioned
his disciples to go into all tlie world, and
OURSELVES.
I. Let us first consider the assurance
to tell the tale of mercy to every creature ;
of the apostle, that manv have attained to preach the assurance of remission of
the PROMISES of GoD.
sins through his name, and tlie restoration
To those who are familiar with the of all, and more than all to man, of which
" I am come, that
Scriptures, I need not say that every tiling sin had robbed him.
good and productive of liappiness in this they might have life, and that they might
world, is tlie free gift of (Jod.
By this I liave it more abundantly." Sinre the d;iy
do not simply mean that the original grant in wliii-li lliis commission was given to
of life, with all its bli^ssings, was to us a the disciples, llionsands and tens of ihoufree ben'fit from God ; but beyond this, san<ls, in various countries, have believed
that sin, having deprived us of that benefit, the promises of (Jod, and thrntigli Christ,
and exposed us to the most aggravated tiie great subject of these promises, have
1G7
i
'
'
THE BRITISH
168
found rest unto tlicir souls. They have

relied on his ellieacious atonement. They
have been renewed by his Spirit, comforted by his grace, borne triumpliantly
through the perils of the world, and wc
doubt not have reached that perfect security and joy which is prepared for those
who have been faithful unto death.
PULPIT.
" Out of many a

depth they called upon God;" amidst
many a swelling wave they besought him
corrupt propensities.
to
them
lead
to
" the rock which was
higher than they."
Thus they endured
a great " fight of affliction," and patiently
way
held on their
expecting no rest on
knowing
that if "they endured

to the end, they should be saved ;" and
earth, but
Surveying then the crowded pathways

of human life, and marking the guilt, and they were saved. They were led forsorrow, and degradation which is every ward by hope, and it " never made thera
whore apparent, it is a high consolation to ashamed." It was to them " the helmet
think of the clear escape which these at of salvation," and it " covered their
made from suffering and sin. heads in the day of battle."

II. But let us, secondly, consider the
These have actually inherited the promises. They " sleep in Jesus." They VALUE OF THEIR EXAMPLE TO OURSELVES.
least have
" with Christ."

They are made
"perfect in love." They are placed beyond the hazards and the pains of this
lower world.
It is however very material to remark,
that the attainment of the promises was
the result ''oi faith and patience." It was
no light struggle which they were called
Oftentimes against the evito endure.
dence of external sense oftentimes amidst
the scorn and contempt of men, they
clung to the sayings of God. Exposed to
the most cruel temptations, they yet believed the record of God, and through the
aid of his arm of strength, they rendered
are
him
to
the sacrifice
claimed
his
at their
would be found
the
They
believed
that
ultimate
felicity
in allegiance to
him
That ye be not slothful, but

them wlio through faith and
end.
followers of
patience
inherit
some shades
the promises."
With
of difference, ive are substan-
placed in the same circumstances

with those who now "rest from their labours."
We inhabit, as they did, a world
of sin and sorrow, with hearts prone to
tially
yield to the one, and to repine against the
We
other.
are
surrounded with inces-
sant temptations, exposed to fearful ene-
mies, allured by sense, indisposed to act
which his wisdom by
hands.
assurances,
" And we desire," says the apostle, " that

every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto
faith,
ready to prefer present advan-
tage to future recompense.
We
need, as
they needed, pardon and peace with God ;
in reconciliation through the great atone-
the denial of the flesh; in purity of affec- ment
the renewing influence of divine
" the setting our affections upon

of God, and in the fellowship of the Spi- things above ;" the guardianship of
rit." They learned by this faith to esteem Christ; the victory over the world; the
the " reproach of Christ greater riches patient allegiance which is " faithful unto
possess the same assurances
than the treasures of Egypt;" to "seek death."
a city to come, whose builder and maker with them, of the certainty of attaining
is God;" to confess themselves to be these great and enduring blessings.
All
tions
"
in the grace of Christ, in the love
grace
We
" pilgrims and strangers upon earth,"

and to expect the trials which belong to
resolution, the endurance
such.
hibited,
Nor were such

momentary.
sity
of faith
few
or
These men found the neces-
for patience
"They
trials
li.?.
well
as
for faith.
the strength, the courage, the faith, the
we
which they ex-
require, and are
invited to
God's hand. No single promise connected with tiie great victory

over sin, death, and the world, is repealed.
These promises still live upon the pages
of revelation, like beacon lights to direct
the feet of the wanderer through the wilreceive, at
had respect to the recompense of

reward ;" and with that reward in view,
they " endured many a cruel mocking,"
many a bond, many a dreary captivity, derness of time.
To us then, thus situated and exposed,'
and many a severe struggle with their own
ANCIENT EXAMPLES.
the example of the godly men of those
elder days is of unspeakable value. The
'
169!
my fellow Christians, painfully

conscious of our own inherent weakness?
Are we,
Have we
precepts of Scripture are very valuable;

the promises of God are very refreshing;
already discovered by bitter experience the deceitfulness and desperate

wickedness of our hearts'? Have we, in
but the imbodying those precepts, and

the accomplisliment of those promises, in a life of varied occupation, and repeated
the actual victory and salvation of God's calamity, and incessant struggle, found
servants, are yet more stimulating and no single spot where we may repose in
effective to our support. They give actual quietness and safety 1
Have we, after
evidence of the practicability of godliness. innumerable failures, perceived that in
They
are trophies erected in the
enemy's ourselves there
monuments of a courage, and

country
constancy, and a success, calculated to
refresh the weary and the faint, who are
combating in tlie same noble strife, and
are anxious to win the day.
have indeed the high and bright
example of the great Captain of our salvation, "who endured the cross, and despised
the shame ;" and he ever lives before our
eyes, at once the model, the leader, and
the source of victory. But it is still auxiliary to our efforts to ascertain the efficacy
We
of his strength,
who
lot,
like
in
the actual result of their
once confided
ourselves,
in his
were
name. They,
once
Avorldly, selfish, inconsistant,
united unto him, they
of a " divine nature."
depraved,
weak;
but,
became possessors
They adopted
the
cauise of truth and righteousness as their
own.
They
linked their sympathies and
their lot to those of their Master.
They
clung to his prineiples, and made them

the luminous way-marks to their own
They estimated the things of

time by the standard \v hieh he had erected,
and they were borne away from the decision of his law, by no current of human
conduct.
opinion, nor
by any costliness of present
They
sacrifice.
consecrated
lived for eternity.
They
God's
glory.
their
all
to
He permits us to discern our own insufiiciency,thatwe may rely u|)on his strength;
he gives us the sentence of death in ourselves, that we may be incessantly indebted to him for life and vignur. Throngli
him we
"bo made nmre
shall
querors," for "
in
sceptre of rebellion lies brr)ken at the toot
not
in their life,
cut off."
and hope
then at any time harassed by
temptation, and beat
Vol. I.2-2
con-
they have entered into
was
down by
conflicts
all
Satan and the world are
of the cross.
rvr
tiian
power is in his hands.'*

" He has overcome the world."
'I'lio
expectation
rest.
AYe
in-
will glorify himself in our redemption.
their death, ami
wisdom, nor
love of Christ constrained them, and

they thus judged, " that if one died for all,
then were all dead
and that he died for
all, thai they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him
that died for them, and rose again."
They continued in this temper, and " their
They had peace
neither
constancy and double-mindedness, and

mistrust and folly ?
Are we wearied with
repetition of efl'ort, and repetition of disappointment ]
Does the combat seem
almost vain, and the full victory as far
removed as ever from our hearts 1 It
may, under such circumstances, consoleand strengthen us to trace the footsteps
of our fellow combatants, and to hear the
history of their conflicts.
They went
through the same difficulties, and endured
the same fatigue.
The sword was ever
in their hands, and they expected rest,
not on earth, but in heaven.
They were
militant here to the last sigh they drew.
They cast their aching eyes towards the
future glory, and then threw themselves
afresh into the battle, and fought their
way to Zion. Oh let it be recollected,
that he who upheld their faith and patience, "is the same yesterday, to-day,
and for ever." Salvation is of grace, and
God has connected the manifestation of
his own glory with our ultimate rescue
from ail the severities of our condition.
Let then our weakness, our guilt, our
inconstancy, produce humility, but not
" Greater is he that is for us,"
despair.
tiian those " who are against us."
He
The
patient
is
tegrity, nor truth, nor faith, but rather in-
Those
who
have
viiiKiuishcd
foP8.
reached
higher world, fully compre*
llio
THE BRITISH
f70
hend his victory.
triumph
Let us wait, and
we
Struggle.
and the cause
The
fully attest the
is
result of the victory will
wisdom of
let
us lay aside every weight, and the sin
which docs so easily beset
us, and
worthy the run with patience the race which
share their conviction and their
too shall
rULPIT.
the strife.
let
is
us
set
before us."
It
may
further confirm our confidence to
have already remarked, that every remember, that if we shrink from God's
thing valuable requires a struggle. "They trials, we expose ourselves to those of our
cannot stand on neutral
do it," says the apostle, " to acquire a enemies.
If, like Jonah, we refuse in any
corruptible crown, but we an incorrupti- ground.
Let not then our expectations be instance the service of the Lord, we so
ble."
inconsistent. Let us not be s/o^/z/'u/. We far talce up the service of sin and Satan.
are, indeed, little aware of the real nature Now, while their ultimate wages are ruin
of our spiritual dangers; but then we are and death, their immediate results are
as little aware of the value of eternal feli- affliction. Remorse, and shame, and selfcity, or of the might and compassion of contempt, and the " grieving the Spirit,"
our gracious Saviour and Redeemer. We are the unavoidable results of wilfully derequire to increase our knowledge and our serting, in any degree, the standard of God
faith.
We require to become "pa/iVni" and of truth. Oh, better far, my fellow
It is ours to con- Christians, to combat still with pride, and
followers of the saints.
template more steadily eternal realities; passion, and ease, and worldliness ; better
to examine more closely the records of far to go down into the grave with many
our religion; to search more deeply into a wound, and with our faces turned to the
the character of God to expand our S3'm- heavenly world, than to lull ourselves for
pathies over the whole surface of heavenly a fatal moment amidst the dreams of sentruth
to gather courage from God's pro- sual joy, only to wake amidst the terrific
mises ; to ply the throne of mercy with images of bitter contrition. " Yet awhile,
incessant prayers ; " to quit ourselves like and he who placed us in this scene ot
men ;" " to be strong in the Lord, and in conflict will call us forth from the strugthe power of his might ;" to raise the up- gle ;" yet a little while, and he that " shall
I
We
hand of resolution,
lifted
off the olTending
deny ourselves
to take
in order to cut
member
in short,
"
to
up the cross, and
to follow Christ."
This
come
come, and will not tarry :" for

" that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto
" Who then art thou that
salvation !"
will
to those
would not walketh in darkness, and hath no light,

" through let him still trust in the Lord, and stay
much tribulation we must enter into the upon his God." " Hast thou not known ?
kingdom of God." God ma)^ call us to Hast thou not heard that the everlasting
years of toil, and faith, and patience. We God, the Lord the Creator of the ends of
may be often ready, like Jonah, to fly from the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary ?
duty like Joshua, to lie upon the ground He giveth power to the faint, and to them
like David, after many that have no might he increaseth strength
in despondency
an heroic effort, to cry, " I shall perish by even the youths shall faint and be weary,
the hand of Saul ;" or, like the once in- and the young men shall utterly fall but
trepid Elijah, to retreat into solitude, and they that wait upon the Lord shall renew
exclaim, " what good shall my life do their strength they shall mount up with
mel" But, like these saints of old, let wings as eagles; they shall run and not
113 also rally again to the spiritual combat. be weary, and they shall walk and not
is
indeed a struggle.
disguise the truth, that
it
is
God
refreshed their fainting spirits, and
faint."
But while we are looking to the elder

cannot save, nor times for high examples of courage and
Let of allegiance, it ought likewise to be our
his ear heavy that it cannot hear."
us then " not be slothful, but be followers anxious endeavour to offer similar examhe will refresh ours likewise.
is not
shortened that
" His arm
it
of the saints." "Seeing we are compassed

about with so great a cloud of witnesses,
ples to others in our

tience.
It
ought
to
own
faith
and pa-
be our prayer, that
ANCIENT EXAMPLES.
may
shine" with steady bril- just consideration, and live in habits of

It ought watchfulness and prayer
There are, however, those who are callrot to content us to receive good ; it ought
who are yet giving the
to be our generous effort to do good. ed Christians
Many generations may yet succeed us in strength of manhood, or the growing dethe struggles of life. With tliis reference, bility of age, exclusively to the pursuits
it ought to be our desire to cheer and to
of pleasure or of gain; and the young
**our light
liancy upon the path of others.
invigorate those
than ourselves.
who
are feebler in faith
mark
in
such a
fatal
example of
earthli-
ncss which they too well love to follow.
Now such men are the abettors of a system of sin and of delusion which, if pursued, will rob them eternally of God's
have adopted a decisive course of desire regard and of their own peace. I would
and of pursuit. I would say to such. My earnestly say to such, " Has the gospel
brethren in ('hrist, you are on the Lord's of Christ hitherto exerted no benign inThrough grace you have remem- fluence over your souls ? Has the Reside.
bered your vows of youth, and the early deemer's love carried no healing balm to
sign of the cross upon )'our foreheads. It your bosoms ? and is the disease of sia
is your desire to be faithful to the obliga- still raging unhealed, and has nowiVtbeen
tions under which Christianity has placed solemnly felt, much less expressed, for a
you, and to evince yourselves to be good cure? And it may, perhaps, aggravate
"soldiers of the cross, fighting manfully your guilt that you are parents, or the
under the banner of Christ, against the guardians of others. For what example
world, the flesh, and the devil." Upon are you offering to your children ? You
these principles, are you then examples have never felt towards them the godly
Their
to those who are but commencing the con- solicitude of Christian parents.
flicts of life?
Are your maxims of con- conduct towards God their spiritual
duct the clear and recorded decisions of character, has never been the subject of
God ? Is your estimate of truth and error solicitude dear to your hearts. You are
derived entirely from the Scriptures'? Is still careless of your own souls, and are
the honour, the glory, the cause of Christ, still walking before your children in the
asdear to you at one moment as at another? broad path to destniction. Your examples
Are you growing in his grace, and know- have never drawn them one step towards
ledge, and love ?
Your lives are no friendly beacons
Is there with you no God.
false shame before the world ? No flinch- to warn them of evil, and to illuminate the
ing before the frown of man
no compro- way to true felicity. But think, my bremising of truth amidst the bold claims of thren, how awful must be the wo ultifalsehood ?
Are you seeking, with con- mately due to him who shall use the
sistent effort, the full salvation of your authority of age, the counsels of maturity,
souls? and is Josus Christ, in very deed the lessons of parental influence, or the
and reality, your honoured Master and attractions of fond affection who shall
your gracious friend ? Is it your joy to use these advantages as instruments of
uphoUl tl>e wavering, to animate the timid, moral power aiâhiKt the honour of God.
to encourage the faithful servant of your and airat'iisf the spiritual diameter of his
Lord ? Have you given up every faculty children? On the other hand, think of
of body and soul in holy consecration to the blessing which lie shall receive, who,
Him who shed his blood for you ? Are under the benign teaching of heavenly
you advancing towards the close of life, wisdom, shall prefer the interests of the
as a light to the iieniglited, a staff to the soul to those of llio body ; the s])iritual
weak, an oxnniple to the ine\|)erience(l wellare of his ofl'spring to their earthly
and ibe timid? Are you " followers of fortune?
Kslimate his eternal recomLet
me
speak then, in conclusion,
to
those who, through the grace of God, have

taken their place in the world, and who
God and the Lamb;" humbly anxious to pense who shall be<|ueath to his t-jiihlron,
be found " faithful oven unto death ?" in his (lying hour, thi! rich nieinori.ils of
Give these iiueslions, 1 beseech you, their his faith and hope, and who shall dusceoii
THE BRITISH
172
grave the honoured servant of

Christ, the firm " follower of those who,
through faith and patience, inherit the
promises !"
into the
PULPIT.
what hesitating delivery

or no action
and with
littlo
he rarely fails of beinghiglily

interesting, and frequently rises to very
considerable energy.
His general strain
is remarkably mild and persuasive
sincere and affectionate.
His rank and connexions in life attract the attendance of
GAXiIiERV.
many of the rich and great; and before
NO. VIII.
them he dwells on the vanity of the world
THE HON. AND REV. GERARD T. NOEL, A.M. with the emphasis of one who feels that
Curate of Richmond, Surrey.
the fashion of this world passeth away.
In the success of those institutions
"There is a beautiful symmetry in the reli- which have for their object the glory of
gious character of such of the evangelical God and the salvation of man, Mr. Noel
clergy as I have had an opportunity of know- feels peculiar interest, and in their behalf
ing.
The graces of piety are conspicuous in is ever ready to plead, while he never
them brotherly kindness and charity tender- shrinks from bearing an unfaltering testiness and humility tlie disposition that leads one mony against false philosophy, and all
" Against
to esteem others better than himself; a pains- corruptions of true religion.
taking benevolence that can work without any these systems," said he on one occasion,
;
THE PULPIT
impulse but that of
its
own zeal,
much
lently, patiently; a habit of
munion with God
in prayer,
steadily,
si-
would
fling
back into
and the continual
the torch of divine revelation, and leave
or
practice to the decision of the Scriptures, are
the distinguishing features of the brethren of

I
that
the caverns of superstition, and ignorance,
application of every question of doctrine
whom
" the systems
com-
secret
speak."
Bishop McIlvaine.
the world in darkness, I will never with-
hold
I
my voice of reprobation.
No, while
an arm to lift
will use both in this holy and blood-
have a tongue
up,
to speak, or
less conflict."
The Rev. G.
T. Noel is the son of

Sir Gerard Noel, Bart, and the late Lady
Barham. He completed his education at
Trinity College, Cambridge, where he
graduated about 1802. Several years ago
he was presented to the vicarage of Rainham, in Kent, where he carefully instructed the people in the way of right-
Mr. Noel was one of the earliest, and

has proved himself to be one of the warmest friends to the great effort of Missionary
been willing to link
hand and heart with the good of every
name, to extend the kingdom of Christ.
In a sermon preached more than twenty
years ago, he said, " Blessed be God for
the things which we now hear, and the
enterprise, and has
eousness, exhibiting a fine example of things which we now behold. Never did
To the rich he such sounds of concord vibrate on the
discharged the duties of his office with an Christian's ear.
The spell <f party is
piety and benevolence.
which they will broken ; and the deep rooted antipathies of

ever have reason to be thankful ; while education have been torn up. A mighty
the poor and the afflicted will long remem- revolution of religious sentiment, strik
ber with gratitude his deep sympathy, ingly designating the finger of God, has
and his unwearied exertions to promote taken place ; and tranquillity, long banaffection and fidelity for
ished from the world, has been, I had

Mr. Noel as a preacher is evangelical almost said, miraculously restored. The
and eloquent. In his sermons there is a wretched situation of millions has come
happy union of doctrinal, experimental, up in remembrance before us; and every
and practical religion an eager desire to hand is lifted up to spread that gospel
convince his hearers of their nothingness, whose prophetic testimony has gone forth
and of Christ's all sufficiency. Without that the kingdoms of the world shall beany peculiar advantage of person with a come the kingdoms of our God and of his.
weak voice with a plaintive and some- Christ."
their spiritual and temporal advantages.
SERMON
XVIII.
LIVING WITHOUT GOD IN THE WORLD.
BY THE REV. JOHN FOSTER.
"Without God in
We have
often occasion to
wonder
the world."
ii.
that too, in a world
knows
of actual
brief expressions, descriptive
Eph.
there
12
where the human creature

a mighty and continual
is
conditions of men, do not strike us far conspiracy against his welfare.
do not convey more our

thoughts, and awaken more emotion. For
be said " At
example Suppose
more
forcibly
to
it
We fall
unspeakably below the true and dreadful

emphasis of the expression, even after
we have given our utmost aggravation to
to
even this moits significance. And still it is but the

ment, a great number of human beings description of an actual condition; and
This is a positive fact. should not each one be intent on having
are dying !"
But what is it to die T What would it good assurance that it is not his own conappear if I were with the dying man ? dition
this very time, this hour,
What
if I
number are
were
in this
following
But a great
very situation. Think
in the act
It
may be
instructive to consider a
lit-
mind this descripapplicable; and what a wrong and
what
tle to
states of
from the world. tion is

calamitous thing the condition is in all
of them.
need not dwell on that condition
of humanity in which there is no notion
revert to things on earth, let it be said, of Deity at all
some outcast, savage
'Enemies to tJod." "ttiere is a prodi- tribes souls destitute of the very idea
or " Without God Not one idea exalted and resplendent
gious army of such
what a descrip- above the rest, casting a glory sometimes
Think
in the world."
tion
and applicable to individuals with- across the little intellectual field
It is
If it had been without 'as if, in the outward world of nature,
out number
the spirit
friends, siioltor, or food, that would have they had no visible heaven
been a gloomy sound. But wilhoul God nothino- to jro out to, beyond its clay tewithout IIiM
(that is, in no happy re- inemcnt, but the immediately surrounding
lation to him)
who is the very origin, elements and other creatures of the samo
support, and life of all things
without order. Think of a rational, and intellihim who can make good flow to his crea- gent nature, debased, in these remote sectures from an iiiflnity of sources ; with- tions of the universe, to so melancholy
out him whose favour possessed is the bixt, Ian extreme
the stihlimesl, of all dcligiits, all triumphs,
The adorers of false gods may just b
all glorirs ; without him who can confer named as coming under the (lescrij)tion.
an eternal felicity; williout IIiM but There is, almost throughout tlic race, a
how is he lost
Wliat do tliose under so feeling in men's minds <ftat lulouâ to
sad adrslitution value and seek instead of the Divinity: but think Imw all manner
him ! What will any thing, or all things, nfobjcela, real and imat:inary, have been
be worth in his abaenco 1 Without him, supplicated to accept and al'surb tiiis feeitheir flight
And suppose it to be said, " A multitude

of human beings are now in heaven I"
And again, (another solemn fact,) "A
vast number arc now in hell !" But, to
We
'J
17J
THE BRITISH
174
PULPIT.
God might not take it upon him ; all it contains, and all its acts,
must therefore be in a solemn relation to
have been willing to fill the world
the universe, with gods, and do homage him ; and every thing in my spirit and
to them all, rather than acknowledge, and conduct should acknowledge that relaadore, and love " the blessed and only tion ; that relation is to be maintained in
Potentate ;" and a confirmed negation of such a manner as that I may be in harthat
him to the mind and the heart of man is mony and conformity with him
the curse indicted in return by all these relation constitutes the law of good and
an utter inaptitude to evil and fixes an awful sanction on the
infernal fallacies
difference ; in an endless series of things
conceive the very idea!
that there is such a being, and that I
It is too obvious almost to be worth
noting, how plainly the description ap- belong to him, is a reason fur one thing,
the thought of him
plies itself to those who persuade them- and au;ainst another
We may is to be associated with all these things,
selves that there is no God.
believe some of them, on their own testi- and its influence is to be predominant
mony, that they have attained to this de- Thus and thus I think, and wish, and
to them there is no Su- will, and act, because there is a God.
liberate opinion
ing, that the true
Men
preme Intelligence in the universe. Mind Now, for me to forget or disregard all
would evidently be the glory this, is to remove myself as far as lean
spirit
*"
a superlatively preof all existence

cious and noble kind of being, in r'omparison with which all others are unspeakably insignificant. And then one Supreme
Spi7-it, self-existent, and the author of all
;
existence, W'Ould be the transcendent ob-
from God
that to
tical
me
to cause, as far as I
there
is
no God
am
it is
able,
a prac-
conformity to the atheist's specuLet such a man ask him-
lative unbelief.
my
"If I proceed thus, ought not

opinion to be that of the atheist ?" And
self,
ject of every admiring, adoring, and delet each man examine and judge whether
voted sentiment. But to the atheist there there he not many things in his soul and
is NOTHING in the place of that which is his life which require this opinion in orAnd let us
der to his being consistent.
the supremacy of all existence and glory
The Divine Spirit and all spirit abolished, all examine ourselves whether we live
he is left amidst masses and systems of under a prevailing, powerful, all-pervad!
matter without a first cause ruled by ing sentiment of God; or whether the
chance, or by a blind mechanical impulse thought of him be light, remote, uninfluof what he calk fate ; and, as a little com- ential, and very often absent altogether.
wish we could describe with disposition of atoms, he is himself to take
his chance for a few moments of con- tinctness several of the ways or forms in
scious being, and then be no more for which this disregard of God is seen to
And yet, in this infinite prostra- prevail. For one, we are placed amidst
ever
tion of all things, he feels an elation of the amazing scene of his works, extend-
We
intellectual pride
But we have
ing on
to consider the text in
an
from the point where we

beyond any thing loe can dis-
all sides,
stand, to
f;ir
in such a
infinitelj'
to h.s, tinctly conceive of
with a most diversity that eternal duration will not
settled belief of the Divine existence, sufnce to take account of all ; having
they may be " w ithout God in the world." within one day, one hour, one instant, opeThis is too truly and sadly the appli- rations, changes, appearances, to which
application
and
to
men
much more important

in general
for,
cable des(;ription when this belief and

object do not maintain habitually the
ascendant influence over us over the
its
the greatest angel's calculating faculty
would be nothing
and
all
manifesting
design, order,' beauty, sublimity, utility.
whole system of our thoughts, feelings, Such is the scene to be contemplated.

That there is But now, while our attention wanders
purposes, and actions.
such a being
claims
is
a principle that evidently
over
it,
My
gard
it
to interfere in
very existence
is
every thing.
from him, and depends ing of
or fixes on parts of
but as
itself]
if it
it,
do
we
re-
were something exist-
Can we glance over the
LIVING WITHOUT GOD.

and into the wilderness of worlds
in infinite space, without the solemn
thought that all this is hut the sign and
proof of something infinitely more glorious than itself?
Are we not reminded
" 7'/ttA- is the production of /(/s almighty
power that is an adjustment of his allcomprehending intelligence and foresight
there is a glimmer, a ray of /t/.s beauty,
his glory
there an emanation of his benignity
but for him all this would never
have been ; and if, for a moment, his pervading energy were by his will restrained
or suspended, what would it all be then ?"
Not to have some such perceptions and
thoughts, accompanied by devout sentiments, is, so far, to " be without God in
earth,
scheme of
ently of ///m.
j
175
and happiness independThey do not consult his
counsel or his will, as to what that scheme

should be in its end or means; tiiey will
have a plan of pursuits and well-heinff

to please themselves, without much inquiry or caring whether it be one that
he will approve;
perhaps slightly wish
life
that
it
me:
couhl please
Ijoth,
but
Hhull please
it
and that 1 covet, and the

other would be the very summit of happiness
no matter whether he has signi-
this I like,
'
And then the

confidence of realizing, on such apian,
fied
a more excellent way.
his favour, his b'essing,
is considered as
not absolutely indispensable
"we can
men who
be happy, leaving him out of the account

the probabilities (the presumptions rather)
of life, health, and success are in our fa-
scientific
vour, according to the crdinafy course of
And that there should be

can survey the creation with a
enlargement of intelligence, and
the world."
then say, " there is no God," is the most

hideous phenomenon in the world.
things, and
Again, the text is applicable to those

who have no solemn recognition of God's
all-disposing government and providence
who have no thought of the course of
things but as just " going on'''
going on
some way or other, just as it can to
whom it appears abandoned to a strife
and competition of various mortal pow-
our
ers
call
we will embark on this; for

we can do without him if
schemes fail, we can but turn to him
the present
at last."
So He
deluded
man goes
after
with
it,
all
and the
scheme, and
his might, "without
is
forgotten
into his
God."
But if a ^rief illumination of
truth might glare out upon stich a man,
and his schemes and prospects, what
amazement and horror Avculd seize him,
or surrendered to something they to find himself tiius impi us!y emjdoyed
general lavs, and then blended with
thus presuming to work out for inm-
chance ; who have, perhaps, a crude Epi- self a cliief good of his existence, carecurean notion of exempting the Divine lessly, independently, and in defiance cf
Being from the infipjte ttiil and care of Flim wiio is the sovereign good! in efsuch a charge ; or tliink they see things fi'ct saying "1 will make trial whetiier
managed so u'ro/j^', that tlierc cannot be a they were nut in the right who were reconstant interference of sovereign power proaclied with loving and serving the
and wisdom who do not discern and creature more than the Creator, who is
understand the indications manifested in blessed forever."
some instances, and have no faiih with
The text is a description of those who
respect to the darker parts of the system
have Init a sli<rht sense ef universal
who, with respect to their own lot, feel accountabieness to (Jod as the supreme
themselves as committed to an unaided authority ; who have not a crnscieilce
struggle and fi<jlit with difficulties, ene- constantly looking an(i listening to hint,
mies, and accidents and who have no and testifying for him ; wiio rrcerd ;-s if
habitual trust or hope \\t the providential this world were a province absolved fr; ni
wisdom and care. If (Jod it in the world tiie strictness of his domijiim and his
with an all-pervading providence, liiose laws; who i/v7/ not pprehend thai there
w!io do not acknowledge it really and is his will ami warning affixed to every
practically are " without him in the thing; wlio will not sulmiissively iisk,
world."
"What dost thou pronounce rii thisV*
The
who
text is a description of all those
are
forming and
pursuing
their
To
he insensible to the divine character
vuj
Lawgiver, rightful authority and Judge,

UVING WITHOUT GOD.
176
the
is truly to be " without God iu
world ;" for thus every emotion of the
soul and action of the life assumes that
he is absent or does not exist. This in-
necessarily (shall
we
traneous to the soul
express
they
it
so ?) ex-
may commu-
nicate with
it, but they are still separate

and without it ; an intermediate vacancy
sensibiiity of accountableness exists al- keeps them for ever asunder, so that the
most entire (a stupefaction of conscience) soul must be, in a sense, in an inseparaBut in many others ble and eternal solitude that is, as to
in very many minds.
But God, on the contrary,
there is a disturbed yet inefficacious feel- all creatures.
inoand might not some of these be dis- has an all-pervading power can interposed to say, " We are not ' without God fuse, as it W'cre, his very essence through
can cause himin the world,' as an awful authority and the being of his creatures
judge; for we are followed, and harass- self to be apprehended and felt as absuch an intercomed, and persecuted, sometimes quite to solutely in the soul
misery, by the thought of him in this munion as is, by the nature of things,
character: we cannot go on peacefully in impossible between created beings ; and
way our inclinations lead ; a portena formidable spectous sound alarms us

the
encounters us, though we still perThe cause here is thvit men wish
to be " W'ithout God in the world"
would, in preference to any other prayer,
tre
sist."
implore him to " Depart from us, for
we
thus the interior central loneliness
the
banished by a
perfectly intimate presence, which imparts the most affecting sense of society
a society, a communion, which imparts
life and joy, and may continue in perpetuity.
To men completely immersed in
the world this might appear a very absolitude of the soul
is
knowledge of his ways."

They W'ould be willing to resume the en- stracted and enthusiastic notion of felicibut to those who have in any meaterprise of the rebellious angels, if there ty
were any hope. " Oh, that He, with his sure attained it the idea of its loss wôuld
judgments and laws, were infinitely far give the most emphatic sense of the exaway !" To be thus ivith God is in the pression, " Without God in the world."
The terms are a true description, also,
most emphatical sense to be without him
without him as a friend, approver, and of the state of mind in which there is no
patron
each thought of him tells the habitual anticipation of the great event
desire not the
soul
who
it is
that in a very fearful sense
it is
that
it is
who
of going at length into the presence of
never
God absence of the thought of being

with him in another world of being
with him in judgment, and whither to be
with him for ever ; not considering that
He awaits us somewhere, that the whole
movement of life is absolutely towards
him, that the course of life is deciding in
what manner we shall appear in his prenot thinking what manner of
sence
without, and
it
can be without.
The
description belongs to that state
of mind in which there is no communion

with God maintained or even sought with
no devout, ennobling
cordial aspiration
no conscious
converse held with him
reception of delightful impressions, sacred influences, suggested sentiments
no pouring out of the soul
in fervent de-
sire for his illuminations, his
compassion,
fiict
consciousness, w^hat emotion
garding
no earnest, penitential, hopeful

pleading in the name of the gracious In-
present state of existence that
no
solemn, affectionate dedino animation

and vigour obtained for the labours and
warfare of a Christian life.
But how lamentable to be without God
Consider it in one single view only
tercessor
cation of the
whole being
it
not
re-
as the grand purpose of our
his forgiveness, his transforming opera-
tions
what
that will be, W'hat experience,
we may
dwelling in his presence.

One more, and the last application
attain a final
we would make
God
of the description,
who, while professing
those
in
their thoughts
to
is to
retain
with a religious
which they
acknowledge him according to
Thus
that of the loneliness of a human soul in their own speculations and fancy.
All other beings are many rejecters of divine revelation have
this destitution.
!
regard, frame the religion in

are
to
ON JESUS WEEPING.
professed, nevertheless, a reverential homage to the Deity but the God of their
:
177
only a few
moments before he exerted his

miraculous power in raising Lazarus from
dead
when, meeting the afflicted
and relations of his deceased
mode of their religion entirely arbitrary. friend, and beholding the extremity of
But, if revelation be true, the simple their distress, he instantly caught the
question is. Will the Almighty acknoiv- soft infection, and lamented that calamity
and as a man, which he was about to relieve
ledge your feigned god for hinisef?
admit your religion to be equivalent to as a God. The Jews, it is true, who
that which he has declared and defined ? were spectators of this solemn scene,
If he should not, you are " Avithout God imputed these tears to the tenderness of
in tiie world."
This is unavoidably the private friendship. " Behold," say they,
condition, also, of those who reject any how he loved him."
thing which he has declared essential to
It was the distress of his afflicted discithe relation of being in peace and accept- ples and friends that opened the sacred
ance with him. If, in order to this rela- fountains of his sorrows with these he
tion, there be, as we believe, an appointed " groaned in spirit, and was troubled ;"
substitute, sacrifice, and atonement, then with these he " wept."
It was even
faith was to be such as their sovereign
reason chose to feign, and therefore the
the
sisters
the rejection of
tliis
the connecting
medium between man and
God, and the one
constitution abolishes
more than
this
it was a sympathy with

mankind in general, ever
the afflictions of
from the common causes of morhave their breasts wounded with

faintly exhibited
of the grave and for- sorrows of this piercing sort, without
midable import of the text. We intended alleviation, and without redress. May
briefly to add a few practical exemplifi- not we (if we can do it without presumpcations of the bad and miserable etfccts tion) suppose that some such benevolent
of such estrangement from God, as seen reflections as the following, at that moin youth
in the active, busy occupa- ment, arose in his compassionate mind ?
tion with worldl}' concerns
in general " How many, alas
how many of my
Such
are
without the other.
liable,
tality, to
social converse
is
the general illustrations
in
times of temptation
and sorrow
And now,
surely, this is not the state for us to be
content with ?or one hour ; for us who
are cast for a slwrt period upon a scene
of vanities, dangers, and ruins, with a
nature full of want, helplessness, and disorder ;
content with this destitution,
while He in here, the almighty power
While we can find him, accost him, and
importune him, let us implore him not
to permit our spirits to be detached from
liirn, al)andoned, exposed, and lost; not
to let them be trying to feed their immortal fires on transitory sustenance, but to
attract them, exalt tiiem, and retain tliem
in situations of affliction
age
old
in
and
death.
in
in his
communion for ever
The Son of God shed tears ; not those

wliifh spring from partial or |)rivate grief,
for
gi'iierons, social, sympatliotic tears

it is
well
known
Vol. I. '^3
that this otlusion of
his divine tenderness
was poured
and in the same dreaddegree, at a time when I, their Saviour and their friend, am removed from
after be afflicted,
ful
this
call
to
Father's
answer
must not dry
now am with
forth
providence forbid
weep when
they shall
their tears.
Present as
shortly
shall
jiower, to
these children of affliction,
my
consoling those sorrows with
which
They
upon me, when the general
my
laws of
mo
scene of thinsrs
terrestrial
shall
wlunn
lly
pity,
by
remove
shall they
for
my
com-
Who
fort and succour in my ahsonce ?
then shall heal the woo/ids of groaning
friendship, of brotherly, filial, or conjugal affection
Bo
the tears,
their future iialm: K^t
ON JKSUS WKKPINQ.
but
future followers, like these, shall here-
my
now
shed,
disciples yet
unborn feel their salutary influence. Faith

shall apply I'u'.n still fresh to their bosoms, and liny shall rest assured that ho
who onco wept with their afllicted brethren upon earth, shall ever compassionate their
own
calamities in heaven.
3/0-
SERMON
XIX.
THE BLESSEDNESS OF
PREACHED
IN
GIVING.
BEHALF OF THE BAPTIST ACADEMY AT BRISTOLy
BY THE REV. ROBERT HALL,
"
Rcmcmhcr
the
words of
the
Lord
This
is
how he
Jesus,
receive."
Acts
part of that very tcucl ing and
said, It is
D.D,
more blessed
to
give than to
xx. 35.
no record of the kind, except this one,,
by the apos- which mentions the blessedness of giving,

appears that he above that of receiving. This shows us
affecting disfovirse deliverod

tle
Paul at Miletus.
was anxious
It
Epliesus; but not
to visit
opportunity, he sent thither
finding an
and there he took a final

leave of them, under the persuasion " that
for the ciders
We
great uncertainty of tradition.

should have known nothing of this saying of Christ, but for the apostle Paul;
which shows us how improper it is to
ihe
they should see liis face no more." The depend on tradition for the support of
this discourse are indicative of important doctrines, when we cannot
the fervent piety which animated him
know one word of the Saviour's teachings
and none can read them without the con- but as it is recorded. Those who build
words of
"in simplicity and godly

wisdom, but
\y '^hs grace of God, he had his conversJuion in the world."
He rises above all
sinister and worldly views, and shows
that V" was actuated in all things by the
He refers, in the words
purest^ motives.
viction,
that
ySincprity, not with (leslily
partly on the
tradition,
word of God, and partly on

partly on a rock, and
build
partly on the sand
partly on the truth of
God, and partly on the tradition of men..

'I'hat system is to be suspected, which
has not for its basis the word of God.
]3ut not to detain you by such remarks,
of Uie Vpx'' to a declaration of Christ. though the words of the text naturally
He Vad\|hown them, both by precepts lead to them, I pass on to illustrate, and
and by bisvown example, how they ught explain, and enforce this seeniing para" to suppcrtV the weak;" and he exhorts dox of Christ.
them to ' rcniember the words of the
To say that" it is more blessed to give
Lord .lesus, liW he said, It is more than to receive," may certainly be con(
blessed to give
ferring
them
memhraiicc,
to
tffvjn
it is
communicated
addressed, in
to
receive."
In re-
words fcr their rebe supposed that he
ili^j^,
to
whom
he
the conrsXof the "three
therri
tovthose
years" durii<g whirh hfc\xercised his

ministry amongs'. them.
iKis remarkable that there is no other pv^sage in
which any words of cur Lord are recorded,
but this solitary one.
written
in
178
Except
wlrnt is
the four evangelists, theffc is
and a paradox to
;
which men are slow to assent. Very
few act on this principle most Christians, I fear, are of another mind
and
though they would not pronounce the
words to be folly, yet they do not admit
their proprietj', tliey do not act under the
conviction of their truth and importance.
To embrace every opportunity with eager-
sidered as a paradox
ness, to seize every opportunity that pre-
sents itself for giving,
is
far
from being
THE BLESSEDNESS OF
many who
the conduct of very
GIVING.
179
bear the high distinction.

I
He who
seeks to in-
of Christ.
I propose to assign crease the means of doing this, feels pleaSOME reasons, therefore, why " it is sure in his very exertions. Nor is it at
MORE blessed TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE." all wrong for persons to seek to increase
name
As
to the blessedness of receiving,
quite unnecessary to say one
word
various wants of mankind lead

rally to see this.
But "
it is
all
to enlarge their
possession
the
of the good things of this world, that
natu-
they may be able to relieve others. A

moderate desire of increasing wealth is a
source of industrious exertion, without
which all art and science would soon de-
woj-e blessed
to give, than to receive," for the follow-
ing reasons
their property
it is
:
Every Christian will regulate cay, and all that is good and excellent in
by its tendency society fall back into ruin. There are
and it is certain that few men but are actuated by a constant
to glorify God
nothing tends so much to glorify God as desire of improving their circumstances;
First.
his desire of happiness

;
the exercises of charity.
generally
Justice
law
is
speaking, a
demanded
and he
who
is
This indeed
popular
is,
virtue,
demanded even by
merely just will not
which
which
to
is not enforced by any human law
bestow when and where we have no prosexcite admiration.
demanded
is not
But
charity,
the exercise of
to relieve the heJpiess,

pect of return
and to rescue the oppressed, and to supply the needy: and to do all this when
:
no particular motive seems
to
enforce
it,
generally considered as the highest
is
be foun<^
that the most distinguished instruments
of glorifying <Jod in society, have been
the most bpnevolent and kind. Ttie very
branch of moral vinue.
It will
dispensanon r)( alms is a soun-e of pleasure, and has much to excite us to it.
But if we be the servants of Christ, we
shall see that, by relieving distress, by
aiding various institutions of kindness
and benevolence, we are capable of doing
much more g>od, and of bringing much
more dorv
co iiim,
than in any other way.
and to indulge this, to a certain extent, is

good
and to stop when they have acquired enough tor the supply of their own
physical wants, would put an end to the
improvement of society. This is sancGod assured
tioned by the word of God
tiie Israelites repeatedly, as a blessing on
their industry, that he would make them
"plenteous in good things, and in the
fruit of their cattle, and the fruit of their
ground,-" that he would "open the heavep^ to give them rain unto their land in
due season ;" that they should " lend
and not borrow ;" that they should be
" the head and not the tail ;"
that they
should hr. " above and not beneatli ;"
that they should, in a word, not be under
obligations to those around them, but
:
beneficial.
We
are informed that
"the
hand of the diligent maketh rich :" that

" the man who is diligent in his business,
shall stand before kings; he shall notstand
before
mean men."
And
at
the
same
time Solomon dexilares, that idleness leads

to want, and beggary, and rags.
He,
men are capable of judging of this therefore, who has the ability to give,
and we see how fit is the motive which has received a peculiar favour at the
All
our Saviour uses, " Let your light so

shine before men, that they may see your
works, and glorify your Father

which is in heaven." " It is more blessed to give than to receive,"
good
Secondly. Jlccause to give implies
hands of (iod
he has a talent put into
his hands of the most valuable kind
Tie
rises superior in rank and station to him
who is in a state of indigence and want.
:
And
this is a desirable state
power any nobleness
mind
he
who
has
would surely
and ahundance whereas to receive im- rather resemble the sturdy oak, which
plies weakness and want.
To have stands erert amidst all the storms, than
power to have the means, not only of the parasitieal plant, which creeps and
8clf-enj(iymt>nt, but such an abundance as clings to all around.
The <rradual into supply the wants of others; to "sup- crease nf properly, as the fruit of indnstry,
port such as are weak," as the apostle is found to be most conducive to virtue
expresses it, may be justly regarded as a and social order. If such a man keeps
;
of
; ;
THE BRITISH
180
in view, at the
God
if
same
he does
all
PULPIT.
joyed at the greatest distance, and
time, the glory of
most remote period.
that he can to be
The
at the
future recol-
him he is right lection of benevolence will give you pleamoderate desire of success sure, and pleasure of such a kind as shall
which enables him to experience the render the apostle's doctrine easy to be
blessedness of giving. As another rea- understood ; " He that dwelleth in love,
dwelleth in God, and God in him." "It
son, I mention,
beneficial to those around
to indulge that
Thirdlij.
The. pleasure Ihal resulls
the act of giving.
The pleasure of
171^ is circumscribed.
It consists
from
Fotcrthly.
of re-
perfectly well
the gift
we
to
give than to receive,"
Because,
receiD-
ceiving a certain portion of money, or
what
more blessed
is
what
bestow,
is
while
we know
the full
amount of
in relieving pressing
low and selfish kind want, and in satisfying painful desire,

of pleasure it springs merely from the there is much higher blessedness, of the
enjoyment of a certain portion of the fruits extent of which it is not so easy to conelse.
It is a
of the earth
it is
physical and transitory.
The man who
ceive.
gives
is improving
advancing in
But the pleasure of giving, from a pro-
his
per principle,
excellence and in moral virtue.
is
of a very high order
it
is too pure, too subtle, too refined, to
own
character:
he
is
While
doing good to others, he is increasenjoyed by vulgar minds. It is of two ing his own excellence he is rising farit consists, first, in the testimony
kinds
ther and farther above the contagion of
of a good conscience. It shows that wg that disease which is spreading around,
are rightly employing the gifts which in those that regard not the glory of God.
God has imparted to us. "The good He is proving himself superior to those
man," it is said, " is satisfied from himwho live only for themselves, and regard
self:" and never are we able to rise above not others.
His soul rises above what is
ourselves so much, as when we art con- low, and mean, and sordid ; and mingles
scious that we have contributed to the with the most pure, most sanctified, most
happiness of those around us. But be- holy part of tlie creation of God. There
sides this, there is a peculiar and specific IS no school in which to learn the practice
pleasure in giving. It is the idea of of virtue with such faci'iity, as in the exmingling in the sorrows, and partaking ercises of benevolence. Those who are
in the joys of others. He who gives, de- the most truly benevolent, are making
in the smile the swiftest advances in that "holiness,
lights in the good he does
of contentment which brightens the coun- without which no man can see the Lord ;"
tenance ; in the glow of gratitude and love and he who is labouring from a proper
which he is sure is felt in the heart; ho motive to do good to those around him
feels himself connected with those around who is sacrificing his. time, his talents,
him.
are so formed, that we feel his property, to promote the benefit of his
much pleasure and delight in beholding fellow-creatures, is rising nearer to an
the flowers with which we ourselves imitation of God than any oiber. Look
have decked this moral garden. The at those who have been the most trulyconsciousness that we have done good, benevolent, and you will see this. The
lights up " the human face divine," and Christian religion is of a practical tencauses a glow of ineffable joy in our dency it is an imitation of Him who,
" It is more blessed," by far, " to throughout his whole life, "went about
souls.
give than to receive." It is like the doing good." The man who gives, then,
blessedness of the Deity, who can only is " more blessed" than he who receives
give, and who receives nothing.
Do not he is preparing himself for that glory
imagine, therefore, that when you are which is in heaven; he is laying up for
:
he
be
is
We
upon to give to a poor fellow creano

you do yourselves a meanness
you rise in the scale of happiness and
called
ture,
of dignity above those who withhold.

And this is a blessing which may be en-
liimself a portion in another world,

that state
filled
where every vessel
shall
in
be
with the glories of immortjility for
ever and ever.

Fifthly.
"
It
is
more blessed
to give
THE BLESSEDNESS OF
than to receive," because in giving we are
resembling God, and Jesus Christ, the
high pattern for our imitation, God and

his eternal Son delight in giving ; and we
We admit,
are called to resemble them.
indeed, that there is an infinite disparity.
have nothing to give but what we
have received: we can create nothing:
in giving, we merely change property, or
remove it from one place to another.
But God can give only. Our limits, too,
are greatly circumscribed.
How small
a portion of any particular kingdom, or
of the world, can any philanthropist, any
liberal-minded man visit by his bounty
but God can do good in every place, and
to an unlimited extent.
We know not
whether what we do may be productive
of good or of harm
we can give only
what affects the body ; the mind may be
still left in a state of pain and sorrow.
But God can give all that is needful he
can relieve the soul as well as the body.
There are blessings of grace which he
has to bestow blessings which all need,
blessings which none should refuse, blessings which are sure to do good.
Yet,
with all these deductions, it is not too
We
much
man who
to say, that the
deliglits
181
perfect,
even as your Father which
heaven
is
perfect."
And what
is
was
in
the
example of Jesus Christ when on earth?

He was always giving: giving food to
the hungry
eyes to the blind
health to
the sick
to bless
pardon
to the guiIt}^
He came
every man, "by turning every
man
from his iniquity." And he is continually opening the fountain of blessedness

which springs up in his soul, and has
ever been blessing mankind. The more
we do this, the more nearly we resemble
Christ, the more we " adorn the gospel
of God our Saviour."
By this will all
men know that we are disciples of Christ.

The world never knew any thing of betill Jesus Christ came.
Amand envy, and malice, and deceit,
and wrong, and injury, were well known
but not true charity, till Clirist came " to
nevolence
bition,
seek and to save that which v.'as lost."

Every Christian will delight in going
forward in the imitation of this great
pattern.
Sixthly.
GIVING.
The
blessedness of giving is
because,
;
superior to that of receiving
under the dispensation of grace, to give

aright will be connected wit/^ an eternal
reward. Let no one be surprised at this.
example of ibc charac- We are told plainly that there shall be

" He that receivter of God.
When we hear ,Iob say, " I an abundant reward
delivered the poor that cried, and the eth a prophet in the name of a prophet,
fatherless, and him that had none to help shall receive a prophet's reward; and he
him. I brake the jaws of the wicked
that receivelh a righteous man in the
and plucked the spoil out of his teeth. I name of a righteous man, shall receive a
was a fatlicr to the poor I was eyes to righteous man's reward. And whosoever
the blind, and feet was I to the lame. shall give to drink unto one of these little
The blessing of him that was ready to ones a cup of cold water only in the name
perish came upon me
and I caused the of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he
widow's heart to sing for joy:" we shall in no wise lose his reward." It is
seem to be reading an account of the ac- said also, " Give, and it shall be given
tions of some being of a superior order. unto you
good measure, pressed down,
Yet he was a man of like passions with and shaken together, and running over,
ourselves.
When we see a man who is shall men give unto your bosom. For
continually giving, we see one who is with the same mrjisuro that ye mete
acting like fJod we see a faithful steward withal, it shall he measured to you again."
of tlie in.mifold bountips conferred upon
We are told that " he shall have judghim. Tlius wn aim to be perfect as he ment without mercy that hath showed
is perfect, who " makclh his sun to rise no mercy;" and that "mercy rejoicelh
on the evil and on the good, and sendeth against judgment;" and that "blessed
to give, is a living
rain on
will
thr?
just and on the unjust."
recnllrct,
that while
calls u|)on ns to imitalo (Jod,
part of his charactiT.
You
our Saviour
it is
in this
are the merciful, for
mercy."
rewards
they shall
obtain
of the high
to bo bestowed on benevolence,
Scripture
" Be ye therefore assuring us that
is
thc^y
full
who have done

THE BRITISH
182
enter into
good
shall
And
all this
is
cverlastinnr.
life
quite consistent wilh the
doctrine oi justijkutivn by faith: for it is

certain tliat no gifts, however splendid,
can be pleasing
to
God,
by a man who
sented
if tliey
is
be pre-
not justified.
are the gifts of a rebel, of a rebel
They
if
who is under sentence of death
man were condemned to die as a rebel,
:
a
it
PULPIT.
"an offering and a sacrifice to God of a

swcd smellini^ savour " God accepts this
imitation of Christ on the part of his peo
from any virtue there
pie, not
but from the virtue there
whom
is in
is in
they are united, and through
they ever will be blessed.
them,
Christ, to
A-tid
whom
the re
wards which God will bestow upon such

are of a kind which could not possibly
be connected with merit in them. They

include peace and consolation of soul in
promises of future allegiance, would the present life, and the future vision of
they could not change his charac- God, and the full enjoyment of holiness
avail
He will say to all
ter from that of a rebel to tiiat of a faith- and perfect bliss.
ful servant; his private virtues, however those who have aimed to be useful upon
numerous, could not be taken into the earth, " Well done, good and faithful
Enter ye into the joy of your
account. All men are rebels against servant!
God and "by the deeds of the law can Lord." O, the unspeakable blessedness
is certain
fliat
no acts of obedience, no
to those around him, no
kindness
gifts of
no flesh living be justified." No acts

which we may perform can atone for sin,
But, if
or render us acceptable to God.
the Most High has graciously promised
if he has assured us
to bestow pardon
that all who will lay down the arms of
their rebellion shall be pardoned and re-
stored to his favour, then those
who
and may confidently hope for the testimonials of his approbation. Then the
majesty of heaven may receive their services services from those who are reconciled to him, but not from those who are
;
a state of rebellion.
We must first
receive the forgiveness of sins
come
we must
him by
the blood of the cross ;

approach him through Jesus
Christ alone, and alone by faith obtain
must begin
pardon and renewal.
here we must be justified by faith; and
to
When the
all
according
when He will
works
to their
righteous shall find that all
have vegetated and brought

abundant fruit, what joy and blessedness shall take possession of their
But they have performed these
souls!
are actions with regard to the glory of God,
" Eye
ap- and with a desire to please him.
ob- hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have
thus pardoned and reconciled may

proach to him without fear ; they may
tain from him the assurances of his favour,
still in
of giving in that great day,
bestow upon
we must
their virtues
forth
entered into the heart of man, the things
which God hath prepared for them that

love him."
I would apply this doctrine of the
blessedness of giving above that of receiving, very briefly, by simply exhorting
those
who
hear
me
lo act
on this principle.
Be assured that He who said this will

make it plainly out in /the experience of
Christ and his precious blood, God will

accept the free-will offerings of such.
Determine to give rather than to

Learn to consider yourselves
as " not your own, but bought with a
price ;" and aim to " glorify God in your
bodies and in your spirits, which are
God's."
The great means of having it in our
power to act on tliis principle is to prac-
The
tice
We
then, being justified by faith, you
hope
for
acceptance.
Through
doctrines of justification
by
may
Jesus
faith,
all.
receive.
economy.
Those who
give their
and the free grace of God, are never for minds to it will find their means multiply
a moment lost sight of by enforcing the far beyond what they could themselves
Frugality opens a variety ot
performance of acts of charity ; and let expect.
me remind you, that God loves the dis- sources, furnishes a number of means ot
There is scarcely an indiposition to do good
the wish to act for well doing.
the benefit of others.
He loved i^ 'n his vidual who has it not in his power to do
own Son; and He who offered himself good all may so act as to have " to give
up for us and our salvation, presented to him that needeth." None are ex-
THE BLESSEDNESS OF
GIVING.
183
and some, evangelists ; and some, pas

The tors and teachers; for the p(!rfeclinjr of
eluded : the duty, the blessedness,

confined to either rich or poor.
is
not
apostle says, " Let him that stole, steal the saints, for the work of tlie ministry,
-HO more but rather let him labour, work- for the edifying of the body of Clirist;
'ing with his hands the thing that is good ;" till we all come in the unity of the faith,
not merely that he may supply his own and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
necessities, but " that he may have to unto a perfect man, unto the measure of
|
give to him that needeth." The apostle the stature of the fulness of Christ." Nc
taught also that the poor should act so man can possibly ascertain the effects of
frugally, as not only industriously to sup- this gift: Christ is by this means making
,ply their own wants, but to be able to millions to rejoice in his truth
millions
.give to others. If, indeed, we consult of wanderers have been reclaimed
mil
vanity
if lions have been converted froin the erroi
if we are guided by fashion
we give way to covetousness if we in- of their ways and long as they exist will
dulge in vain show if we follow the

course of this world, we shall never have
to give to others.
A mean and avaricious
disposition will ever keep pace with the
love of splendour and of show
but if we
endeavour not to seek the things of the
world
if we remember not to " seek
;
great things for ourselves ;"
we
if
con-
sider that "all that is in the world is not

of the Father, but of the world ;" if, as
Christians, we aim to rise above it,
we
shall always find ample means of doing
good ; and he who anxiously wishes it,
will always find himself able to advance
the interests of his neighbour.

But there
must be frugality, or it will not be possible that our aims to do good will be car-
any extent.
And while we aim to do good, generally, to supply the bodili/ wants of our
ried to
fellow-creatures,
let
us
remember
there are other objects still nobler.
that
lie that
provides instruction for those around him

does more than he who supplies food
;
and he that supplies them with spiritual

knowledge docs still more; and he who
provides and prepares agents to impart
this spiritual knowledge, does the highest act of benevolence of which wc can
conceive. And this is the very object
we have in view in this service it is to
support an institution, hi/ which youn^
:
And what is to be
means of perpetuating this good ?
Most of those who are called by God, are
called by a holy ministry.
The gospel
is still "the power of God to salvation to
every one that believeth." And, in the
they bless his name.
the
present very advanced
state
of society,
none can be fully qualified for this work

without much preparation. Time was
when God raised up men who shone most
brightly, without the -aids of human learning: there have been some who have
risen high, and been eminently useful.
In our own denomination we have known
a Bunyan and a Fuller, who rose to a
gigantic height.
But these were by no
means common cases they were exceptions
they are not to be regarded as
precedents
we are not to expect such
men to be raised up every day. While
education is going on generally throughout society, we must keep pace. There
is
scarcely a congregation now to be
found in the remotest part of the kingdom,
;
in
which there
are not
some men who
able to comprehend, and

sider and
examine what
who do
are
not con-
is said.
need not say one word to induce you

to acknowledge the importance of this
you know well the necessity of academiI
cal institutions.
That
for
which
iiave
one of the most

men are filled for the work (f the ministry. ancient; and, without wishing to depreThis must be considered as benevolence ciate any similar institution, I would say,
of the liighest order.
Surely we never that it is at least oqir.il to any in existso imitate Christ as when we are aiming ence. The students have all the assistto send out the great gift which lie lias ance of a library which is not excelled by
ever given to men. " When ho aaccnd.-d any in the kingdom, and are aided in their
up on liigh, he gave gifts unto men. He pursuits by learned and pious men. In
gave some, apostles ; and some, prophets
consequence of building, a debt has beer
the honour to plead
is
THE BRITISH
184
contracted, which has placed the trustees
them
in great difficulty, and prevented
from receiving as many young men as

might otherwise be accommodated. They
make a strong appeal to you, while thus
struggling with great difficulties, and
while aiming to raise up a number of men
who shall speak to the people the words
You have lately had
of eternal life.
many demands made upon you, and much
has been said to excite you to benevoBut "be not weary in welllence.
doing:" we expect no large proportion of
a scanty portion of your
your property
abundance, without much exercise of selfdenial, is all that is needed to attend this
application.
You will do nobly on this
occasion, if you only part with a small
portion of your superfluity and you will,
no doubt, be willing to do this, anxious
;
to
experience the blessedness of those
who
give
you will delight
to lay
up
for
yourselves those rewards which he has

graciously promised to bestow.
Remem-
ber
God bus put
the " treasure" of his
gospel into " earthen vessels," " that the

excellency of the power may be of him."
" How
preacher
shall
they
And how
hear
without
shall they preach
except they be senti" And how can

they be duly prepared, unless you furnish
the means ?
If Christians withhold the
means, the church of God must cease ;

places of worship must be shut up
immortal souls must be neglected. But you
will not allow this you will come " to the
help of the Lord against the mighty ;"
you will not look at the weakness of the
;
instruments, but remember that
'tis
the
cause of God. They may be feeble but

they are such men as Christ employs in
going forth " conquering and to conquer."
They form thatarmy which He is leading
forth, who hath " on his vesture and on
;
name written. King of kings,

AND Loud of lords." They are " the
his thigh a
called, and chosen, and faithful,"
whom
PULPIT.
Let us listen to him who says.

more blessed to give Ihan to receive ;"
and he who has said it will make it good,
in an abundant recompense to all who
thus have studied " to adorn the gospel
of God our Saviour."
earth.
"
// is
RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION FROM HOUSE TO

HOUSE.
The Bishop
to
of Chester, in his charge
the clergy of his diocese, on "indi-
vidual instruction," observes that "without this, little permanent effect will be
produced by any ministry; and, with it,
a minister who 'is comparatively feeble
in the pulpit, will be more useful than
the most eloquent, who confines himself
to the pulpit alone."
After dwelling at
some length upon the value, and, indeed,
the absolute necessity, of thus teaching
" from house to house," the bishop considers the important inquiry, " Who is
sufhcient,
'
physically' sufficient for these
and candidly acknowledges,

what every unprejudiced mind must at
once confess, that, " in our larger parishes,
things'?"
it is
not possible for the strength or ac-
tivity of the clergy alone to provide for
such individual instruction."

proceeds
to
show
He
then
that this difficulty can
only be sufficiently combated hy the aid

of the laity ; " Let the minister of a populous district, using careful discrimination
of character, select such as 'are worthy'
and of 'good report,' and assign them

their several employments, under his
directions; they may lessen their own
labour, by visiting and examining the
schools ; by reading and praying with
the infirm and aged; by consoling the
fatherless and widows in their afflictions ;
and pursuing the many nameless ways
by which it is in the power of one Christian to benefit and relieve another :"
in the appendix, the Bishop gives an
outline of the plan of two or three
district societies, where this system of
jlay instruction has been tried, in densely
-populous parishes, with very consider-
he will employ to accomplish his designs

and he who despises these ministers as
mean and contemptible, would despise
and contemn their Master, if he were upon able
effect.
SERMON XX.
THE GLORIFICATION OF THE WORD OF GOD.
BY THE REV JOSEPH FLETCHER,
" Finally, brethren, prar/ for
ns, that the
even as
it is
word of the Lord may havefree

with you."
The apostle Paul, in this solemn and

impressive injunction, asserts the dignity
he describes it to be the
of the gospel
word of the Lord ; and he who recorded
the injunction well knew its claims to
the
way
to
Damascus
and
be glorified,
was
mercy or
powers and of those

he either an
passions, he
fitted
angel of
a destroying
to
demon
to
He was
approaching the spot destined

be the scene of unrelenting hostility
against the disciples of the cross ; but in
the midst of all his anticipations a marvellous effect is produced, on which he
had never calculated, which was, there-
high and sacred designation. He

had first heard the word of the Lord in
circumstances of strange and mysterious
On
course,
1.
iii.
the rest of his race.
to
this
interest.
2 Thess.
direction of those
power
D.D.
its
reached his heart, and it

proved to be indeed the power of God to
his salvation.
He was then engaged in
an enterprise of fearful resentment against
first
fore, strictly
a miracle of mercy
a devia-
from the ordinary and established

course of the Divine procedure in the adthe disciples of the despised Nazarene. ministration of his mercy. A voice from
His interests at that time were all on the heaven reached his ear a more powerHis converful voice reached his heart.
side of his prejudices and his passions
a mistaken conviction of duty giving sion to the faith of Jesus was inslanlaThe power of prejudice instantly
force to the one and authority to the neous.
He felt, as by the stroke of
withered.
other.
All the ardour of youthful feeling, all lightning, the force of evidence and the
It was not merely an
the energy of powerful talents, all the power of truth.
influence of the high and distinguished effect produced on his understanding in
connections that surrounded him, and all the way of rational conviction it was an
the effect which he was able to produce effect produced on his heart by the power
It was liien he
on the minds of others, were devoted at of sanctifying mercy.
it was
that period to one object, and that object received the word of the Lord
tion
was
then that
the utter extermination of the Chris-
He was
man
all
the sentiments of astonish-
ment, and conviction, and penitence, and

by that deep humiliation, and instant resolution,
hardihood of nerve, by that passion of and undaunted decision, were combined
character, that he could do nothing by and involved in one prayer, " JiOrd, what
halves.
No one could have looked at wouldst thou iiave me lo dol" and iiis
fiim without at once receiving the im- whole life, from that memorable moment,
pression, tlr.il in whatever cause he enwas a practical commentary on that first
tian cause.
by
characterized
that ardour of temperament,
Ho could
to whatever object he was devot- prayer.
would concentrate an<l absorb the " One tfiim; I do.''''
gaged,
ed,
it
powers, and the force

liiat, according
to the objict wliich ho ropirded, and iho
strengtli of all
of
all
And while
IiIh
bis passions, and
Vol. ]. J
|)r(iv(d
the
say,
fiict
enipiiatically,
of his conversion
the truth of the gospel, the cha-
racter founded
on that rh.ingp, and

185
y -J
re.

THE BRITISH
186
PULPIT.
was
the best possible connected with the aggrandizement ahd

tendency and the influ- the objects of the present passing state,
ence of the gospel. His conversion ex- could it be said that he was influenced
All the orhibited a decisive and invincible proof by personal considerations.
of its divinity ; his character exhibited dinary motives which we connect with
an equally decisive and invincible proof the usual acceptation of the phrase, as
of its holy, its spiritual, and its heavenly derived from the connection and the objects, the possessions and the interests, of
tendency.
Read, then, my brethren, the his'ory the present state, had no power over the
observe the va- heart of this holy man. It was to him,
of this astonishing man
rying circumstances in which he was therefore, a matter of perfect indifference
placed, the extended scene of his labours, whether he was a slave or a free man
whethe privations to which he submitted, the whether he was sick or in health
unparalleled energy pervading all his ac- ther he was rich or poor.
He possessed
tions, and exhibited amid all his suffer- an independence of the highest order, of
and you will find one principle the sublimest philosophy, in relation to
ings
lying at the foundation of all this struc- all the accidents and all the external cirone mighty cumstances of his present history, and
ture of moral excellency
spring giving its powerful and uniform looking forward to eternity, he felt a reimpulse to all the actions of his life. alizing sense of the value of the soul, and
Whether you find him at liberty or in was conscious of the claim of that imbonds amid the court of Areopagus, or perishable truth which God had commitamongst the barbarians at Melita whe- ted to him as a sacred deposit; and to
suiting from
it,
illustration of the
ther you find
him proclaiming
j)ropagate that truth, and to prorAote its

and the savage, or the liigh and holy objects, was the very end
Athenian and the Roman, you find one for which he lived, and moved, and had
great object before him, giving animation his being.
to his motives, consistency to his characThere was nothing political in the obter, concentration to his efforts, and, un- ject he regarded, and yet, in a certain
der the mighty power which wrought in point of view, it was morally impossible
him, success to all his enterprises. That that the object could succeed morally
one object was, that the word of the Lord impossible that the principle on which
might have free course and be glorified.
the apostle laboured, and by which he
That object, in one respect, was not was governed, with a view to the promoj)ersonal.
True, indeed, personal inte- tion of the object, should have free course,
rests were deeply involved in the views and operate on the minds, and passions,
and the anticipations by which he was and characters of others, without ultiinfluenced.
He could not possibly for- mately producing even political results.
get, in this respect, his personal interest. He knew that superstition and idolatry,
He had received a commission to proin all their varied forms and monstrous
claim the word of the Lord and the f\iith combinations, were as ill adapted to proStrange events connected mote the present interests of the human
of the Saviour.
with his conversion, and always associ- race as they were in direct opposition to
ated with every recollection of it, would their spiritual welfare and their eternal
and no doubt, therefore, the
deeply fix upon his memory, and his con- felicity
science, and his heart, the responsibility comprehensive, the prophetic mind of the
involved in his commission ; and he could apostle looked forward to the period when,
say, therefore, " Wo be to me if I preach by the might)' power of the gospel, the
not the gospel." True, he felt a personal altars of idolatry should be overturned,
interest in the gospel, because all his own the whole fabric of society* should be
hopes, all his own consolations, were de- newly formed, and the systems of idolaBut in no sense which try should be annihilated, and every prinrived from it.
"would convey the idea of any thing that ciple opposed to the true interests and
was selfish, or interested, or secular, or general felicity of the human race should
the truth
to the barbarian

THE GLORIFICATION OF THE WORD OF
crumble into dust before the withering
power of heavenly truth before the might
and majesty of the word of the Lord.

And, my brethren, in the same view of
the subject we may contemplate even in
a certain sense not in the minor and petty and contracted acceptation of the term,
but in the more large and liberal view of
it
we may contemplate that the success
of gospel efforts shall have the most
powerful influence on the destinies of
prayer before us.
friends,
would
when
the
his Christ
the whole world shall

kingdom of our God and of
we
teresting,
which we
are this
in the sanctuary.
'
day gather-
Most
you
you have in-
to j'our
the most
mind
the
important
most
in-
ends to
the anxieties, and the requests, of this
ed together
voutly do I
whom
of this apostolic injunction as the topic
the end for
dear
which all your efforts have been directed'?

Could one voice utter the feelings, and
of the gospel, the glorifying of the word

of God.
My brethren, I have chosen the subject
of our present reflections, because I conoeive it to be peculiarly appropriate to
my
look forward to this as
the legitimate result of the very object to

which the apostle refers us the success
unite with us,
would embody
on the condition of empires, on

the state of nations ; for we look forward
become
What, what,
the request in which
is
with you in holy fellowship, in hallowed

anticipation 1
what is the prayer which
tlirones,
to a period
187
vited, in the services of this day, to share
what
GOD.
de-
church and congregation, to all the

churches and all the pastors of this vicinity, of this metropolis, and even of
our whole country, in the length and
breadth of it, what would be the language of that request] " Brethren, pray
for us, that the word of the Lord may
have free course, and be glorified." And
we assemble, my beloved friends, to assure you that our hearts correspond with
yours in the request which you have thus
presented ; and we would unite our supplications and combine our sympathies
with yours, and re-echo, from the inmost
recesses of our minds, the apostolic injunction, " Brethren, pray for us, that the
word of the Lord may have free course,
and be glorified amongst us, and glorified
in every part of our country, and glori
fied throughout the world, even as it is
with you."
This apostolic injunction brings before
with the church and

congregation that will henceforth assemble within these walls, on this auspicious
day, and on the results to which their
prayers, and their liberality, and their
long-continued arrangements have led
them, and by means of which we are this
day permitted, with other churches and us,
other congregations, to share with them
L The great object ok Christian
in their felicity, to be helpers with them DEVOTION.
in their joy, and to unite with them in
The object is strikingly represented in
solemn and fervent supplications to the the i)liraseology of the text, and it conFather of mercies, and the God of all sists,
comfort.
What, my beloved friends, is
1st. In the free and unimpeded circula" Pray for us, that the
the cud for which you have erected this liun if the gospel.
spacious edifice ?
Why have you sought word of the Lord may have free course."
this ampler territory for the proclamation
There are impediments to the progress
of tiie truth, for tbe administration of the of the gospel
mighty im])cdiments to
word and ordinances of the most high its progress. They may all of them, inGod? What have been the impelling deed, be resolved into one hiuderances,
motives by which, as a church of the and hiuderances are overcome in every inHediemer, you liavc been influenced in stance in which the word is the power of
all the arrangenunls and all tin; liberality
God to salvation. Hut the impedimenta
tlial have tcrniinatcd in tiiis day ?
Tin-re an- imare variously manifested.
I trust,
my brethren, lliat witli eacli individual pfdinnnts to the gospel in tJie spirit of
member of the church and congregation persecution in the prevalence of ilolathere is a principle acconhiiit in spirit, try and superstition
in llie puwer of
and sympathy, and feeling, with the Antichrist in tlic cflecls of infidclily
rejoice,

THE BRITISH
188
PULPIT.
inconsistency and the corruptions them to pray that the word of the Lord
by which the Christian church is itself might have free course, he taught them
degraded ; hut all of them, however va- to pray that whatever hinderances existed
ried, may be resolved into one, the oppo- in the inward opinions, in the feelings, ia
sition of the heart to the power, and vir- the prejudices, in the pride, in the natuIt was, ral scepticism and unbelief of the heart,
tue, and influence of the gospel.
therefore, with peculiar propriety, my to its admission and to its triumphs,
And he could not
friends, that the apostle taught the be- might be removed.
lievers of Tlicssalonica to pray that the possibly look back on the state of his own
word of the Lord miglit have free course. heart, on the impediments to the entrance
in the
He
alludes, in this injunction, to the
of the
word which existed
in
that heart,
and to the wondrous energy by which the

word had free course, overcame, subdued,
the purpose of gaining the honours of the and conquered it, without feeling that
Olympic prizes, or obtaining some perish- every recollection encouraged him to conancient sladium, or race-course, on which
persons were employed in running, for
ing crown, some fading distinction, which fidence and perseverance in his hallowed
which the honours of work.
But, my brethren, it was not enough
It was requithe world might confer.
the applause and
have contemplated the

and the unimpeded circulation of the
gospel, the removal of all external impediments as a great and important end;
but he looked upon these as subservient
there
site, obviously requisite, before
could he the successful progress of such
as were engaged in running this race, that
every impediment should be removed
that crooked things should be made
that rough places should be
straight
made plain that the valley should be
therefore, applies this
The Son
of
God
some other end. "Pray for us,

word of the Lord may have
the
that
free
course and be glorified."
What,
for
then,
is
it
for
the
word of the
demand,
The
apos-
Lord
imagery
to the
in the next place, our consideration, in
unimpeded movement.
gospel.
to
made low
and thus a way should be prepared

tle,
free
exalted, and the hills should be
their
for the apostle to
is
to be glorified 7
will thus
illustrating the object of Christian
riding forth
and those
employed in preaching it may well be
considered, in a certain sense, as running
a race, employed in a most important
and honourable competition. But there
must be the removal of all the hinderances
in the chariot of his gospel,
devo-
tion.
It would not, my friends, in your estimate be enough, if in every part of our

country, and in every government and
kingdom under heaven, the most unreIt would
stricted freedom were enjo3'ed.
which exist in the state of feeling, in the not be enough for you that all the diffiprejudices, in the opinions, in the cus- culties and all the impediments in the
toms of mankind, by means of which op- way of the evangelization of the world,
position in various forms is presented to arising from persecution, from idolatry,
the power and the influence of the gos- from anti-christian superstition, from the
When the apostle, therefore, taught systems of infidelity and of every other
pel.
the Thessalonians to pray that the word outward cause, were removed. It vrould
of the Lord miglit have free course, he not be enough for you that in every part
was, in fact, teaching them to pray for of our land, in every part of our world,
the progress of the cause of liberty he there were edifices, spacious and elegant
was, in fact, teaching them to pray for like your own, in which assembling
the march of truth and knowledge be- thousands might unite for the great purIt
cause he knew that liberty, and truth, poses of worship and fellowship.
and knowledge, in relation to all the ob- would not be enough for you that, on
jects that could occupy the thoughts and principles connected with the simplicity
attention of men, would be ultimately and spirituality of the gospel, kings were
subservient to the progress and the tri- every where nursing fathers, and queens
;
umphs
of the gospel.
When
lie
taught
nursing mothers, to the church, and that

GOD.
189
the power and s{)lendour of rank, autho-! of the cross, the weapons of their hostirity, and government, were every where lity, and to consecrate themselves to the
subservient to the progress of the truth, service and honour of the divine ReEven all this moral machinery, erected deemer.
upon ihe very best principles throughout
Oh, my beloved friends! it is the acevery part of the world, would not real- complishment of these objects which
1
would not realize that

which you are taught to pray in this
All this would not
apostolic injunction.
meet the glorifying of the word of God
ize your objects
furnish the answer to the

prayers, and the devotional anxiety, and
the earnest solicitudes, of this day.
I
alone can
for
for,
my
friends,
know
too well the heart of
my
beloved
the glorifying of that and esteemed brother, the pastor of the
word is inseparably connected with its church assembling within these walls,
being made the power of God to salva- not to know that whatever falls short of
tion
is inseparably connected with that the realization of this object will not
influence by means of which the under- satisfy him.
If within these walls sinstandings of men are enlightened, the ners are led to feel the energy of heavenly
hearts of men are renewed, and sinners truth piercing their consciences, alarming
are turned from darkness to light, and their spirits, leading them to inquire,
from the power of Satan to the power of What shall we do to be saved 1 if those
God, receiving forgiveness of their sins, who are driven in from accident, or curiand an inheritance among them who are osity, or even base and unhallowed motives, should, though they came to scoff,
sanctified.
When then, my friends, may it be said return to pray if the arrow of conviction
that the word of the Lord is glorified ] should enter the conscience and subdue
In pointing out the instances which may the heart if the rebel should be brought
be viewed as accomplishing this object, to submit to the authority of the ReI am sure that I am stating what you will deemer
if thus, from Sabbath to Sabregard
my brethren, the members of bath there should be transmitted from
this church and congregation, you who this sanctuary, to the realms of purity and
know any thing of the power and influ- bliss, the glad intelligence that another
ence of the gospel as that which alone and another prodigal is brought to the
can realize and accomplish the objects liouse of his Father, another and another
for which you are now assembled.
The sinner led to repentance, and thus there
word of the Lord is glorified when it is should be fresh joy in heaven, and the
the medium of spiritual renovation, when harps of angels should be again attuned
its supreme authority is felt and recog- to louder notes of joy, and the Redeemer,
nised by all who profess to receive it
looking from his elevation, should be sawhen its discoveries are cordially received tisfied while witnessing the triumphs of
when its injunctions arc practically his gospel, and rcapinnr the rewards of
regarded
when its holy influence is ex- his humiliation
these will be the ends
emplified in the tempers and in the con- which alone can accomplish the object
duct of those who profi-ss to receive it. of Christian devotion, that alone can
The word of the Lord is glorified when realize and consummate the true end for
that word becomes the law of all your which you are this day gatlu red together.
thoughts, the rule of all your actions, It is, my brethren, that the word of the
the autliorily to which you submit with Lord may be glorified.
Yes, it is gloriiniplicit deference, the principle mould
fied not only when sinners, by the energy
ing all the elements of your nature into of God's Spirit making it cflVctual, are
Bubjection to itself. 'I'he word of the Lord turned from darkness to light, but it is
is glorified when, by means of tliat word, glorified when those who receive it exsiniifTS arc. guided to the refuge of mercy, omplify its spirit and adorn its doctrine*,
prirk'l to the heart, am led to exclaim, walking worthy of their high vocation,
" \N hat Hhall we do to be saved 1" and proving that the gospel is the power of
are conatrainod to cast down, at the foot
Ciod to their salvation.
THE BRITISH
190
Mark,
mark
the apostle pressed this very object on

the attention of the believers in Thessalonica.
" Brethren, pray for us, that the word

Lord viay have free course, and he
therefore, iny beloved brethren,
the devout solicitude with which
Tlie gospel had been
among them
glorified
it had had free course, even

though persecution scowled ; it had had
free course, by turning them from idols
it had
to serve the living and true God
had free course, for their characters proved
their election, and exhibited the evidence
that God had written their names in the
book of life and thus the gospel, triumphing in their hearts, and displaying
;
was
PULPIT.
nf the
glorified:'
The connection between prayer and the

success of the gospel is one which involves many important principles.
We
may
often find
it
difficult
connection, but the word of

ly asserts
it
prove the
God
distinct-
the history of the Christian
church demonstrates
all
to
the
it
feelings of
true believers give the inward
stration of the reality of
it.
doubts the efficacy of prayer

forgotten to pray.
No
demonone ever
he has
till
The moment
man
is
under the influence of practical sceptideed the power of God to their salvation. cism in relation to prayer, that moment
But he was not satisfied witii what had the power and spirit of prayer have lost
been effected he looked forward to still their predominancy and their influence
greater and more important results, and over his mind.
Prayer is the first indito these very Thessalonians we find him cation of spiritual life
prayer is a decisaying, in tlie language of deep and earn- sive evidence of the advancement of that
est solicitude, " We give thanks to God life
prayer is the barometer to determine
always for you all, making mention of the elevation and depression of the spiyou in our prayers, remembering, with- ritual principle. In proportion as we feel
out ceasing, your work of faith, and la- the power and spirit of prayer, in that
bour of love, and patience of hope, in our proportion we shall be ready to perform
Lord Jesus Christ." He calls upon them every good word and work. And why,
to pray that God might count them wor- my brethren 1
Because,
1st. Prayer honours the afrency of God.
thy of their calling, and fulfil in them
all the good pleasure of his goodness,
Prayer moves the hand that moves all
and the work of faith with power. When things. If we have the ear of God, we
God's word is glorified when the work are sure of the hand of God. If the spiof God is carried on with power when rit of supplication be poured out upon us,
in the unity of the Spirit, in the liberality the very consciousness of that feeling and
of feeling, in the exercise of holy charity, energy is itself the pledge of success.
in the consistent deportment of those who God himself is the Author of that good
name the name of Christ, God is glori- and perfect gift. Whatever leads to God
fied
it is then, my friends, that we see
comes from God, and whatever comes
beautifully accomplished the meaning of from God leads to him.
He has not enthe prophetic testimony, "Instead of the joined upon us the duty of prayer, bethorn shall come up the fir tree, and in- cause he is unwilling to accomplish tho
stead of the briar shall come up the ends for which we pray.
He has not enmyrtle tree and it shall be to the Lord joined it upon us, because there is uncerfor a name, for an everlasting sign that tainly in his plans and purposes.
He has
shall not be cut off."
Such, my brethren, not enjoined it upon us because there is
are the objects of Cliristian devotion any thing like dependence on his part as to
which the apostle has brought before us our entreaties as if he would grant that
in this solemn injunction.
to our fervour which he would not g.rant
13ut, while llie text reminds us of tlie in any other circumstances
as if he were
great ol)jects of Cliristian zeal and devo- moved, as we are moved, by fervent suption, I rem.irU,
plications.
God is not a being of parts
II. It t.NJoiNS TUF, nuTY of fervent or of passions
he is the same yesterday,
PRAYER IN ORDER TO ITS ACCOMPLISH- to-day, and for ever. But, though " his
UE.VT.
thought moves on his undisturbed affairs"
-its
practical effects in their lives,
in-

of one mind and none can
though his counsel will stand,
^thong-h he
him
turn
is
and he will do
all
his pleasure
it
is
as
3d.
We
because, in
all the institulio
in evcrif aê,
and in
dual
hope, and charity, and
anxious inquirer
in
all
its
practical
godli-
various manifestations,
191
see the connection
much his pleasure to have connected

prayer with the accomplishment of his
own design as any other species of moral
agency. He who has made faith, and
ness,
GOD.
is
proved,
if thediurch
the ki.itori/ if indivi-
believers, the spirit if praijer is inva-
riahlij connected
with success.
No
one ever prayed for himself that

did not succeed.
Let this encourage the
let this tranquillize
troubled spirit in this assembly,
the
who may
God hath
sometimes be led to fear that

not heard, and will not answer, his supplications.
Oh, persevere in prayer,
whatever your present doubts, whatever
your misgivings, whatever your fearful
whole matter of this connection into no- apprehensions, whatever your painful
thing hut liis own will and his own de- and overwhelming anxieties
Oh, let
termination, it would be enough.
He not the enemy of your souls let not the
essential to present happiness, and
es-
your everlasting welfiire, has,

for the very same reason, made prayer no
less essential to the accomplishment of
those ends ; and could we resolve the
sential to
who
who
is
the Sovereign of the universe,
he whose
temptations of Satan
let
not the enjoy-
ments of the world let not the deceitblessing is life evermore, and can com- fulness of your own hearts, cause you to
mand it if lie please has a right to com- relax in prayer
If you have not at
mand tile terms on which the blessing once all the comfort and all the confishall be enjoyed; and he has connected dence that you would wish to enjoy, conIt with prayer, because prayer honours
" Be instant in prayer
tinue to pray.
his agency
it is the solemn recognition
pray without ceasing;" and you will
of it it brings the mind at once into that find, sooner or later, that praying breath
posture, that attitude, before the majesty will never be spent in vain.
Can you,
and mercy of the .Most High, that leads brethren, refer to any Christian church,
us to feel that in his sight " we are noon which the spirit of prayer descended,
thing, and less than nothing, and vanity." that was not a successful church ?
Can
Unless his power worl: with us, and hi/ you mention any individual believer, the
us, all our resolutions, and all our doings, head of a family, who was really a man
will be totally inofTectual. And, therefore, of prayer, who did not succeed in the
2dly. Prayer is necessa-ry, because it most important objects that lay nearest
is expresslij enjnined
enjoined hy tin most his heart ?
Can you tell me of any who
explicit rcvcluliini on the nubject.
have ever, really and sincerely, approachGod has said, " Ask, and it sh-.iU be ed the throne of mercy, and sought a
given you ; seek, and ye shall find ; knock, blessing from the eternal throne, accordand it shall be opened unto yon." " For ing to the will of God, and sought it in
all these things will I be inriuired of by
fiith, and yet have not received it?
My
the bouse of Israel, to do it for them." friends, there is much of practical i.nfiNay, we find Jehovah putting liimself lelity amidst all our professions. We
into ih*? very attitude of entreating, and talk more of prayer than we really praccalling upon us to give hini no rest till !ic tise in rcfiTonce to it.
We may di'fend
shall arise, and have mercy on Zion. the duty on the ground of unanswerable
And he calls bis church bis remeni- argumeul we nny it-fer to the f ict which
brancor.
They are to appear before him the liisi'iry of ibe eluireh in all ages Ins
for the very purpose of putting bi:n in illuslr.ile !, that God is ibi- hearer of
is
the source of all good
reme:nl)rance
not that be forgets, or is
unwilling to bestow not that his purposes ran ever change, but bccausi lie
lias thus connected llie spirit and duty
of prayer with ihc accumplidluncnt of his
The
own
him, and pray for
dcsi'tns.
prayer; but what
and for others,

apostle
fell
wo
is
nc.^d,
the
for ourselves
sjiirit
of
the iinportutec of
pr.iyc-r.
it,
and
ihirefore did he enjoin \ipoti the I)eli<'ver3
of Thessalonira that they would pray for

all
connected with
him

THE BRITISH
192
PULPIT.
placed him
it is the prayer of the apos
work of preaching tlio
word of the Lord mii^hl bo tie to the church over which, by divine
Oh, let tlie history of the authority, he was commissioned to preit is the prayer we present to you
past ages, encourage you, my side
frns-
in the great
pel, that the

gJorifiod.
church,
in
friends,
This
the spirit of prayer!
to
will be to your
own
pastor, and to all
churches
mingling our supplications with those of
our beloved brother at the throne of the
heavenly mercy, and we say to you,
^'Brethren, pray for us."
The minister
is encouraged in his work who knows
that his people are thus engaged.
Like
Closes on the mount, he is upheld by the
hands of prayer. The man goes through
the labours and the toils of his pastoral
duties, and the various engagements of his
office, who is surrounded by devout men
who bear him up in their affectionate rethis day, as the united pastors of
connected witii him in the ministry of

the word, the most delightful evidence
of the reality of your faith, and the sinThis will be
cerity of your devotion.
evidence which God himself will acYou never
knowledge and approve.
knew eminent usefulness secured without an eminent portion of the spirit of
What is it that has embalmed,
prayer.
in the history of the Christian church,
the illustrious names of Brainerd and
Martyn, and others of modern times, who membrance in private retirement in the
stood before us arrayed in the beauties family circle. When you meet for prayer,
of holiness, and Avho are lights thrown if you knew how much of the true comon our path to guide us onward, and to fort, of the holy courage, of the sacred
animate us in the Christian pilgrimage] joy of the Christian minister is connected
What was it that distinguished those with the spirit of prayer for him and for
men? The spirit of earnest, fervent, the success of his labours, you would
persevering prayer.
When we see our never be weary in well doing in this replaces of worship crowded at the period spect you would never forget him. You
when we meet for prayer when we see would not remember him nor would he
the arrangements of social

possible,
made
to
as far as
life,
adjust themselves to
the period agreed upon in the church for
when
united
made
the object, the
see
religion
commanding
which every thing
to
we
prayer
object,
else is subservient,
both in the arrangements of the family

and the world, then will the church arise
from her lowly
state of degradation
then
will slie put on her beautiful garments,
God himself will have arrayed her

with salvation then will be the precursor that he himself is about to aiise, and
pour out his Spirit in rich effusion on the
church and on the world and then will
come salvation; and the kingdoms of the
world will become the kingdoms of our
God and of his Christ, and he will reign
for ever and ever.
The duty of prayer is
for
enjoined,
4thly. Because those engaged in pro-
moting
this object, ivko
view, whose
it,
ojfice it is
have
it
directly in
peculiarly to regard
have especial claims on you.
" Bre-
thren, pray for I's."

It is
the prayer of the Christian minis-
ter to the
church over
whom God
hath
be anxious that you should remember

him on the ground of any merely personal and selfish considerations but he is
anxious you should remember him, because in proportion to the degree of youi
zeal, and sincerity, and constancy in this
work, you will listen to him with affechis doctrine will distil as the
tion
dew,
drop as the rain on the tender grass,

and your hearts will be open to receive
and
the inorafted word.
The man who comes
sanctuary in the spirit of captious,

capricious feeling, desiring to make a
to the
man
an offender for a word,
is
one
who
has not presented for his minister earnest

supplication.
The man who
is indiffer-
and unmoved, who sits before the

pulpit altogether unconscious of the importance and authority of the truth presented to his notice, and hears as though
he heard not that man has not the spi
rit of earnest and fervent supplication.
there
If he had, there would be vitality
would be deep and affectionate interest
there would be earnest concern to profit
faith would be mixed with what he
hears there would be a riffht construeent
THE GLORlFICATIOi\ OF THE WORD OF GOD.

tion put on every explanation given, and
193
which has been secured.
success
the
while there would be a faithful regard to You have too high a standard of characthe authority of God's word, as the only ter, and motive, and principle, brought
rule of doctrine and precept, still there before you, to feel self-conipl-acency
you
would be that humility, that teachable- know that every statement of the truth to
ness, which is always found connected which you are accustomed to listen is
with spiritual success, and with social intended to abase you before God to
;
produce the deepest personal humiliation
edification.
But
depends on the spirit of

and, oh, for that humiliation that eleGod is to be honoured in vates the standard, both of your efforts
this sanctuary by his assembled people
and of your hopes
Still, humiliation
if you are to comfort the heart of your does not forbid gratitude ; and abasement
pastor
if he is to succeed in the hallow- before God, on account of our personed work to which he has devoted himself, al short-comings, and our multiplied
you must enter into the spirit of this apos- transgressions, is not incompatible with
tolical injunction, and pray for him, that thanksgiving for what he has done hiththe word of the Lord may have free course erto, in us or by us.
And if in any meaand be glorified. Your own interest is sure the word of the Lord is glorified
intimately connected with it.
And reif the church of God is enlarged if those
member, brethren,
are brought into connection with the
5thly. And finally on this point, that in church, who not long before were walkvrijporlion to the spirit of prayer, really and ing in paths of folly and of sin
f there
honestly cherished, will yoxi, be prepared to are continued and repeated acknowledginanifid the spirit of activity, of liberality, ments before God, and the church is conand (f Christian zeal.
stantly saying, " These, where have they
Holy constancy of prayer will regulate been, and who hath begotten me these?"
and if, as the effect of these additions,
all the motions of the inward man, and
all the actions of the outward mnn ; and your hearts are continually rejoicing in
you will be holy in all manner of conver- the progress of the truth, in the conversation, in proportion as you walk humbly sion of sinners, I may say to my brethren,
with God, take hold of his strength, and " Pray for us. that the word of the Lord
maintain a daily corR-spondcnce with may have free course and be glorified,
heaven, and live not to yourselves, but to even as it is u'ith you^ Bios God and
take courage.
Be not satisfied with the
Him who died for you and rose again.
But this apostolic injunction, while it past be not satisfied with the present
all
this
prayer; and
if
brings before us the great objects of but be concerned that in all other churches,
Christian zeal, and enjoins the duty of in every place where the name of Jesus
prayer in order lo tlu'ir accomplisliment, is recorded
under every pastoral admi-
in the
HI. Place, nEFERSTo known instances

OF SLCCESS, as A GROUND OF ENCOURAGE-
where the
truth is proclaimed,
and the ordinances of the Kcdeemer are
administered, the word of the Lord may
nistration
MENT. ^'Brethren, pray for us, that the be the power of God to salvation may
wurd of the Lord may have free course and be glorified among you, and in like muiibs f^lorifted, even as
I
out
am
confitlent,
intending
it is
my
to
uith y>t/."
brethren,
liiat
awaken any
feelings
whatever allied to self-complacency on

your part, much less which could sul)ject
the speaker to the charge of adulation, 1
may with humble confidence and devout
gratitude
make
in the text,
the appeal of the apostle,
to liio
church of ('hrisl be-
me. You, I am
taught by your past-;'
Vol,. I. 23
fore
pcrsua<ie(l, are
lo
among
ner glorified
with-
not
be satisfied with
How
was
it
others.
glorified
lievers at Thessalonica'?
fied
by
faith
hope
by
lity.
many
tin*
'I'lie
out into
it
was
church
rality of the
among the beIt was glori-
glorified
by the
by the
libe-
jiatienci*
of
selt-donial of their libera-
word through them sounded
ail
turned
the surrounding region, nnil
from
dumb
idols
to
serve
the living (Jod through their instrumentality.
Pray that the word of the Lord
'
THE BRITISH
194
PULPIT.
opening service shall be sO'
may have
Oh,
as
followed witii the blessing of the Most

High that some hardened spirit shall be
it
why
free course every where else,

has been glorified amoiiir you. And
did the apostle thus refer to known
instances of success as a ground of enFor two reasons. Jls an

couragement'?
illustration of
what God can do, and as a
pkdsê of what God will do.

May I not say to some who are members of the church of Christ here, Is there
any case of depravity, of opposition
to
the truth, of ignorance of vital interests,

greater than that which you yourselves
once exhibited? Look upon the history
of your own conversion ; consider how

the arm of the Lord has been made bare
in turning you yourselves ; how the word
if this
subdued
to
some
careless hearer brought
experience anxious
solicitude
some
wanderer restored to the paths of wisdom

and of peace there will indeed be rea-
son to rejoice in the recollection of this'

day.
It will be hallowed in the future
remembrance of the church, and even
with thanksgiving through eternity. Are
there some connected with the congregation, especially assembling together with
this
church
are
any brought by
there
services of
other circumstances to the
who have been living without

was glorified in bringing you to the Re- God in the world ? You are asking, perdeemer how the ministry of God's ser- haps, why all this excitement why this
why this conmanifestation of liberality
vant was honoured in your conversion
this day,
that others, by the same power, in cern to enlarge the place of worship, to
connexion with the same \ruth, may be increase the number of hearers, to bring
led to the feet of the Redeen.er. There more within the sound of the gospel, and
is nothing which God has done tViat does the administration of the ordinances of
not encourage the hope of a still greater God ? Ah, my friends you have never
manifestation of his power and of his yet reflected on the value of the soul
mercy ; and there is nothing that we are you have never yet reflected on the danwarranted to expect him to accomplish ger to which you are exposed you have
Pray
The
that he has not already effected.
power that is requisite to convert the
himself is not greater than the
power that has converted your heart, and
turned you, from being enemies, to be his
friends, and led you to the obedience of
the truth as it is in Jesus. Therefore the
apostle, you perceive, reasoned on this
ground to encourage the believers at
Thessalonica to pray. Ho knew that the
experience of divine energy in their own
conversion warranted the most enlarged
lie knew they
expectations of success.
could not refer to themselves without
world
to
never yet considered eternity in all its

appalling realities you have never yet
asked, " What shall we do to be saved ?"
you have never

of mercy.
yet fled to the refuge
you Kad, there would be no

surprise.
You would not wonder at any
effort, or any possible demonstration of
If
zeal, or devotedness, or 'charity, in pro-
moting the object for whic'n we are this

day assembled; and if there Vad been ten
thousand times more zeal and liberality
displayed, still you could feel no astonishment, if you had ever felt the value
of the soul. The very feeling of surprise

thinking of what the mighty grace of that the professors of religion manifest
God had effected, and therefore he in- any solicitude, or make any efforts, for
dulged in all the confidence of future tri- the objects connected with the truth of
umph. Expect great things, and then

you will attempt great things.
The subject, my brethren, demands inquiry. Has the word of the Lord been
glorified in you?
I would not pass by
the opportunity which the first service of
God in this place presents for making a
direct appeal to those before me whose
consciences tell them that they have not
yet received the truth in the love of
it.
God, the word of God, the honour and
God
the glory of
an
'
indication
that
that
very feeling
is
you have never yet
thought about your own eternal destinies,

I beseech you to remember that the word
of God must be to you the savour of life
unto
life,
ber that
or death unto death.
if
are rejecting
ity here,
Remem-
you are not receiving

it
it,
you
that there is no neutral-
no middle state
arid
conditioa
THE PULPIT GALLERY.

Here
you
are either for
We
him.
God
eventful
live in
or against
times
we
NO. IX.
live in times that are bring-ing principle

to action
ing
we
men
oliaracter of
KEV. JOSEPH FLETCHER, D.D.
live in times that are try-
that are exhibiting
the
195
THE PULPIT GALLEHY.

Of
true
Stepney.
men, whether thry are the
Dn. Fletcher was born in Chester, in

God
whether they are the friends of man, or the year 1784. In his native city he obthe enemies of man
and it becomes each tained a classical education, and in his
individual, capable of reflection, to look eighteenth year was removed to Hoxton
In 1804 he went to the Uniat passing events, and to consider what College.
will be their future results
and, above versity of Glasgow, and remained about
three years, preparing himself for the
all, to look forward to the period when
friends of God, or the enemies of
among the dissenters. In 1807,

he graduated, taking the degree of A.M.
the destinies of thrones, will be nothing, and was ordained to the pastoral charge
and less than notiiing, compared with the of a congregation the same year. He
value of an individual immortality. Yes, shortly afterwards became divinity tutor
big as present events are with the fate of in the Dissenters' College at Blackburn,
empires, important as are the results of at the same time discharging the duties
pending circumstances in the present conof a pastor over the Independent church
dition of nations, all these results, and in that town.
In 1822 he received a call
all these events, are less than nothing from the church at Stepney to become
and vanity are hut as the shadow of the their minister, which he accepted. The
morning are but as the feverish dream university in which he graduated has not
of night
are but of momentary insigni- been inattentive to his preaching, his prinficance, when compared with the immor- ciples, his character, and the manner in
tality of one individual hearer of the gos- which he spends his time.
In 1830 he
pel this morning.
Your salvation, your was honoured by the Senaius Academicua
individual salvation, my friends, is of of the University of Glasgow with the
the secrets of all hearts shall be revealed,
ministry
and when the convulsions of empires, and
more consequence than the state and the diploma of Doctor in Divinity.
condition of the whole inhabited globe,
The preaching of Mr. F. is distinguishHis appearas to every thing secular, and as to every ed by various excellencies.
thing temporal
His capacious
for "what shall it profit ance com.mands respect.
a man if he g:\m the whole world, and forehead, his eloquent and expressive eye,
lose his own soul?
or what shall a man unite with the seriousness and solemnity
give in exchange for his soull" I then of his deportment, to convince every at:
turn your attention to your own salvation,

and would lead you to ask Is this word
of the Lord glorified in me 1
Is this word
of the Lord glorified hi/ me ]
/obey-
Am
ing the gospel of
God
state of the Christian church
of ihe
His voice
erful
is
the
world support our
prosconfi-
there
good, and occasionally powis easy and graceful ;

chaste and impressive; and
his diction
his action is
Let this subject encourage hope. The

word of the Lord shall be glorified for
the purposes of the Most High
the proluises of iliR everlasting covenant
the
jiects
tentive observer that he is about to hear

an intelligent, eloquent, pious sermon.
is
an impassioiu'<J glow about his

wiiicli causes the hearer
whole address
to listen
diums
with eager attention.
His exor-
arc pertiivnt. and often striking,
his arraiigemcts simple and luminous;

his conr!u.si.>ns pointed and energetic.
His wli'le sermons are indicative ef a

ye mind richly turiiished for the ofhce of thfr
Steadfast, uiunovoahlc, always abounding i,iiiii>try. I'V retirement, meditation, and
in tlie work of llie Lord, furasmurh as ye
nr:iv<r; and are well calculated to inform
know that your labour is not in vain in !lie judgment, to convince the conscicnct^
the Lord."
and to lead to the Saviour.
deliee.
Tiie subject enjitim
actU'iti/.
"
I3e
SERMON
XXI.
THE EXCELLENCY OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.
BY THE REV.
The rvords of
tlie
Lord are pure words : as

times."
J.
silver tried in
Psalm
It was once said to our blessed ]\Ias" Thou bearest witness of thyself,
ter,
and thy witness, therefore,

and some may be prepared
not true;"
is
to say,
"
You
quote a text commending the Scriptures

from the Scriptures themselves ; and,
as the Scriptures
commend
BLACKBURN.
themselves,
a furnace of earth purij'ed seven
xii. G.
wrote these books thus claim high authority for what they wrote, and plainly
assert that they were under the influence
of the Spirit of God,
what
to write
On
is
who
inspired
them
here contained.
the subject of inspiration I
am
dis-
posed to admit that it is not necessary

we should suppose that they had the
such a commendation does not come

with much force to our minds."
We same degree of inspiration in all cases.
would cite what the Scriptures say to One degree of inspiration was necessary
you, brethren; but we are anxious this io foretell future events, and to reveal truths
evening to discuss the question whether professedly unknown among men ; and a
they are excellent or not, and shall only lesser degree of inspiration was necesadopt these words as supplying a conve- sary to narrate facts which the writers
nient mode of advancing what we have saw, and which it was only necessary
to state.
that they should be guided by the Spiri<-
Now,
I.
writings
in our text I perceive

holy description of the sacred
;
and,
of
God
to record
in
the best possible
we say they were

under the influence of inspiration, we do
manner
so that, while
not mcDn to assert that it required the

same degree of inspiration to write the
I. A HOLY DESCRIPTION OF THE SACRED
Proverbs of Solomon or the gospel of St.
WRiTiiTGS.
They are called in our text, Matthew, as it required to reveal what
II.
striking illustration of the scru-
tiny they have endured.
We
have,
"The
words of the Lord."

Here, then, we have a description,
should be the fate of nations centuries to

come, and what should be the way of
1st. Of their high authority.
This is salvation for those who were perishing
plainly perceived throughout the whole without a Redeemer.
But we perceive
of these books. We find that the men that all the men who wrote claim a high
who wrote these books say, " The Spirit authority for what they wrote. They
of God spake by me, and his word was W37e honest men they were holy men,
upon my tongue"
"Thus saith the who loved purity men who commended
Lord" " The burden of Uie word of the integrity and uprightness in all their
Lord" " All Scripture is given by in- writings; and one cannot conceive that
spiration of God, and is profitable for men who thus advocate holiness, who
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for

instruction
men
the
in
righteousness."
of old spake as they were
Holy Ghost."
in
Now,
those
"Holy
declare that liars, and adulterers, and all
unjust persons,
moved by wrath of God
men who such pure
shall
men
come under the
who
could write
morality themselves, were at

the
same time guilty
of a detestable fraud,
and were imposing upon those who should

read their writings the idea that this morality had come from God, when they
it we know
You may be ready
gathered
not where.
to say, " Yes, these

good men might have a consciousness
that they were under divine influence,
are
see them
the
we
we
We
cannot
know it?
cannot enter into their
state of mind; and therefore, though
they have stated that their writings are
how
but
to
word of God, how
our
own
satisfaction that
Now,
case?"
shall
we
attest to
such was the
friends, our text supplies
197
among
printed and circulated
the opera-
classes of society, and they have

been taught to regard it in that light, that
the Bible is the most immoral book ia
the world.
And the way in which it is
proved is this
they cite the different
texts which contain accounts of grossly
immoral actions, and then they say, " See
tive
what an immoral book the Bible is !"

because it records these immoral actions.
But the question
is.
Could the Scriptures
have given a faithful portraiture

nature without having recorded
tions ?
Do you say that the
impure and false, because it
of
humaa
such acmirror is
faithfully
us not only with the high authority of exhibits the distorted features and the
crooked frame of some unhappy cripple
2dly. With their inherent sanctity: for who may gaze upon it ? The mirror is
the text says, " The words of the Lord pure, the glass is true, but the object reThey possess an in- flected happens to be ugly and di'formed ;
are pure words."
herent worth and it has justly been said and thus the deformity is not in the glass,
that as but in the subject of which it treats.
that every word of God is pure
metals are made free from the alloy by
Now let me entreat you to remember
the action of fire, so the Scriptures are that the slander to which 1 have referred
free from all insincerity, all error, all de- is put down at once by asking the questhese books, but
ceit, all
may
defilement.
And, my
Are not
friends,
tion,
In
what
style are these acts record-
and for what purpose are they writrequirements just? are not all their preten ? Are these unholy transactions that
cepts holy ?
are not all their statements are recorded in this book written in a
reasonable? May we not say that the flowing, ample, descriptive style in the
Scriptures are indeed " holy, just, and style of a Scott or a Byron, with finely
good?" And when we remember that, enriched and glowing terms, to impress
from the last book of Moses to the last the facts upon the imagination, and to
book of John, a period of fifteen hundred make them lay hold of the feelings of the
years rolled on so that from the time heart ? Are they not detailed in plain,
appeal to you.
all
their
ed,
Moses laid down his pen, to the time short sentences things called by their
that John laid down his pen, fifteen hun- right names
and so called and stated
dred years had elapsed
that they were that the reader, instead of loving the
that
written in dillercnt countries, under dif-
circumstances,
ferent
guages; and
yet,
now
in
difierent
lan-
that the writings
compare
till
to
if
you
nature to deter
such a
bl(!33nd
show you that there is no alloy

here of error, no albjy here of insincerity,
no alloy here of ungodliness.
as must
man
man
sit
down
contain nar-
it is
made
it is
men from
be
palatable
nno thing; but
describe the depravity of
and luminous harmony of depravity,
doctrine, and of precept, and of promise,
is to
they are
our corrupt nature,
spiritual
things, studying one book with another,

will find sucii iiarmony of sentiment,
if
ratives of depravity, and these are to
wrought up
things with
write a book which
to
are brought together in one book, if you

spiritual
Oh
thing, hates it?
human
practising that
another; and
let
any man
look at the word of God, and see whether

those records are not intended to make
such as peruse them, not in love with

vice, but with virtue, and not to pnictiso
know, frit-nds, it has been de- iniquity, but to aspire to holiness. Wo

by some unblusliing infidels, in may appi-al to the fact, to prove the purity
that those who
this city, that the Uiblo is the most im- of the sacred volume
moral book in the world. It has been have studied it most, those who are most
But
clared
THE BRITISH
.98
with
jamiliar
under
whom we
Bociety
all
it,
find
most
to
exemplify
our fallen nature
tion.
my
friends! our
modern
infidels
who
lived in
be restored to rec-
and holiness.
titude
such an appeal there can he no contradic-
Oh,
may
These are things

about which natural religion has never
been able to supply us with satisfactory
information.
Philosophers may speak of
the social and puhlic virtues; and to
are not so candid as those
punishments the pardon of sin by a

Mediator tiie means of grace by which
most completely
the
influence, are the very class of
its
PULPIT.
godliness, and speak of
we have
what man's duty
the eighteenth century. Rousseau could

say, " I will confess that the majesty of
is
the Scriptures strikes me with admiration, as the purity of the gospel hath its
turn their hacks on the rising sun, and
to observe,
say,
notice,
Their intrinsic worth: for
who
a light our philosophy
the light spread on

borrowed from the luminary on which they have turned their
backs.
But
all
is
natural religion never
was
able to teach man, with certainty, that
3diy.
"See what
the landscape
would
often had occasion
they are like individuals
gives !" whereas
my heart.
Peruse the works

of our philosophers, with all their pomp
of diction how mean, how contemptible are they, compared with the Scriptures
Is it possible tliat a book at once
so simple and sublime should be merely
Oh, that he had
the work of man]"
been enabled to answer the inquiry to the
saving of his soul
Having thus noticed the high authority
and inherent purity of the Scriptures, I
influence on
but, as
was a future state of rewards and punishments; natural religion never taught
man that he might expect, with certainty,
the pardon of sin through a INIediator; nathere
tural religion never taught
man
that there
were spiritual influences with God by

which he could restore to rectitude and
our holiness our fallen nature. If you feel
"The words of the Lord are the stirrings of immortality within you
pure words as silver tried in a furnace if you be led to ask yourself, What is to
of earth, purified seven times." The late become of me when my body dies and
who can answer that
celebrated Bishop Horsley read the pas- spirit departs 1
" The words of Jehovah are question but he who believes the Bible ]
sage thus
hen you feel that you are a sinner bepure words, silver essayed in a crucible of earth, gold purified seven times." /ore God, and ask yourselves. How can
Thus the Scriptures are compared to the your sins be forgiven 1 who can answer
finest silver and gold ; and this opinion that question but he who believes in the
of their intrinsic worth has been enter- Bible ?
When you feel temptations wartained by some of the most distinguished ring against your characters, and against
David says concerning your interests, and against your souls,
servants of God.
the Scriptures, " More to be desired are and you ask. How can we be delivered
from the power of temptation 7 who can
they than gold, yea, than much fine gold
sweeter also than honey, and the honey- answer thatquestion but one who believes
And in the one hundred and in the Bible? And those who read,
comb."
nineteenth psalm, and seventy-second mark, learn, and inwardly digest the
text says,
verse,
we
find
him saying, "The law of
thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver."

Now, why do we see the sacred writings spoken of as being as precious even
as gold and silver?
Because they speak
of God in a way most reasonable, and
they describe the state of man in harmony
with our own experience of its truth.
They speak of religion in a way that satisfies man upon the most anxious questions
a future state of rewards and
truths of the Bible, are those
who
can
answer these questions to the joy and

rejoicing of your heart.
Now, I hope I have shown some reasons for asserting the high authority, and
the inherent sanctity, and the intrinsic
worth, of the sacred Scriptures ; and I
proceed to notice,
The sxniKiNG ilu'strations of

SCRUTINY THEY HAVE ENDURED
WHICH OUR TEXT SUPPLIES.
" The
words of the Lord are pure words: as
II.
THE
j

.silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified
seven times."
Here you perceive
that there is a refer-
199
made
for their use.

Thus two hundred
and eighty-seven years before our Lord
and Saviour came into the world the Old
searching process of a refiner,

by which the presence of an alloy of copper, or any other metal, is detected in
Testament was translated into Greek;

and what is called by the learned the
the gold or silver; and
by the seventy, which
ence
to the
all
the copper, or
Scptuagint
that
is,
the translation
made
a Greek trans-
is
existed between two and three

hundred years before our Lord appeared
And as the precious metals are thus on earth. Now, this book is extant to
searched by the action of fire, and the art the present day ; it is to be found in all
of the refiner, so the word of God has the libraries of the learned throughout
been searched. For allow me to say that Europe; and this historical fact at least
though you may hear those who declaim shows that the Old Testament existed
against the Bible say tliat it is the book nearly three hundred years before Jesus
of priests and people have been led by Christ came into our world.
But, then,
priestcraft all their days, and take the in reference to the five books of Moses,
Bible because they are told it is a good there happens to be other proof.
The
book yet I will show you, before I close five books of Moses, or what we call the
these remarks, that the word of God has Pentateuch, were translated, or' rather expassed under a scrutiny like that of fire, isted, in what is called the Samaritan,
and that it has come forth as gold seven which is supposed to be tlie original
times purified. And this part of the sub- Hebrew tongue. When Judah and Israel
ject will lead me to talk on matters separated, in the reign of Rehoboam, the
which are not ordinarily introduced into Israelites went to Samaria, and took with
pulpit discussion, but which are interest- them what they call the Samaritan Fening and valuable, because they inform luteuch, while the tribe of Judah kept the
By their going into Babylon
the minds of those who are inquiring book also.
the character was altered
upon such topics. Now, I will say,
but the SamaIst. The sacred writings have been the ritans kept their Pentateuch in its origisubject of scrutiny
and investigation. nal state. Thus you perceive that there
There have been men in this city who have been two distinct copies of the Penhave possessed impudence enough 1 do tateuch ; and as the Samaritans on the
to stand up before one hand, and the Jews on the other,
not qualify the term
an audience of the inhabitants of London, were very bitter the one against the other,
and assert that the Bible was a book ma- and the Jews had no dealings with the
nufactured by priests in the dark ages, Samaritans, it was like two angry clients,
and at some lime they know not ex- each of whom was keeping tiie counterpart of a bond, the one not allowing the
actly the name, the date, or the place
but at some period this book was intro- other to have any thing to do with it;
duced into circulation, and imposed upon and, when both these documents come
into court, they are found to agree with a
the public.
Now, it is very providential for the harmony which proves their value and
When we come to compare the
Christian cause that there is abundant truth.
evidence to put tliis down. In the firsn Pentateuch of the Samaritans with the
place, it is known by profane history that five books of Moses which the Jews posthere was sueii a man as Alexander the sess, tile variations are unimportant; and
Ctreat, wlio built the city of .\lexandria the one thus confirms the other in tlio
And there hapin Egypt, and who was anxious to en- most inliTosling way.
couragi! liic learning of the known world. pened to live such a man as Josephus,
He was anxious that the Jews who dwelt who was a very learned Jew. This Join Alexandria, as well as tin- (irccks, and stplnis was acquainted with the Roman
who spoke the (J reek language, should cniprror Titus Vespasian, and wrote, for
lead, or
any other baser metal, is searched

from the pure ore.
lation
out and extracted
havu a
translaliun of the
Old TcMtumLiil the use of
the
Romans,
a history of hi
THE BRITISH
200
own
Greek.
country in
In this
work were
a catalogrue of the books which

the Jews regarded to be sacred books;
and there we have the list of those books
there
is
that are found
The
list
was
in
the
God has been
Old Testament. ment IS concerned, and nothing faulty has

in this book been found in it.
Then
ment.
of the
who
as
the
^Vhy
it
happens,
Christian fathers, writings both in
in
which they quote the
New
Testament, both the gospels and

epistles ; so that those who have read
and consulted the Greek and Latin fathers have declared that the whole body
of the gospels and epistles might be gathered from them, if the New Testament
were to be destroyed. Now it is most
important to think that there is so much
of the Scriptures mixed np with the writings of those great men who wrote in the
second, third, and fourth centuries that
there is to be found imbodied in their
writings, as insects in amber, preserved
from age to age, the substance of the
New Testament. This might be said in
reference to more recently published
works. If all the puritan and noncon-
property of the Christians as well as the

Jews. Now you know that the Christhe Jews did not agree, and
consequently there was a mutual jealousy
between them just as I have shown you
existed between the Jews and the Samaritans.
In consequence of this jealousy
the Christian doctors looked sharply after
tians and
the Jewish rabbles, that they did not

alter the text; and the Jewish rabbles
taken place, the Jews would have said,

" You have altered the text it is not so in
our books." Thus you see that, by the
mutual jealousies of Jews and Christians,
the Old Testament Scriptures have been
preserved to the present time in an uncorrupted state; so that, when efforts
were made, a few years ago, to get a
new edition of the Hebrew Scriptures,
eleven hundred and fifty Jewish manuscripts were compared, and the variations
said, very providentially, that
early period,
was estabecame the
looked sharply after the Christian doctors, that they did not alter the text; because, if the Jewish rabbies had altered
the prophecies respecting Christ, the
Christians would have said, " You are
corrupting God's word, to show that the
Messiah has not come;" and if, on the
other hand, the Christian doctors had
been meddling with the text, to make it
appear that the advent of Christ had
Testa-
pastors and bishops of churches at a very
After the Christian religion

blished, the Old Testament
have
New
Greek and Latin, which exist to the present day, and which were composed by
Testament.
the
us look at the
there are writings called the writings of
desire to invalidate
Old
condemn them.
of
let
How do I know that the books

New Testament have existed from
the time they profess
to scorn the foolish quib-
blings of those
facts
tried, as silver tried in
furnace of earth, so far as the Old Testa-
circulated
he will laugh
These
This shows that the word of
the sense.
j
antiquity
so unimportant as scarcely to affect'
within eighty years of the Lord's death,

and circulated, as far as manuscripts
could be circulated, throughout the Roman empire. Hence the Old Testament
evidently is not a book of yesterday.
The Jews have been scattered all over
tlie world during the last eighteen hunand you have only to step to
dred years
the neighbouring synagogue, and ask the
chief rabbi how long the parchments and
documents they have have existed, and
the
PULPIT.
formist works that
were ever written

were collated, I have no doubt that you
might gather out of them a large portion
of the New Testament.
As they interwove a large part of the New Testament,
so these fathers did the same; and thus
we see that the writings must have ex-
isted at that time, or else they could not
have been quoted.
which
Then
there are things
are called ancient versions, that is,
translations of the
New
Testament made
very early period. There was the

Syriac translation, made in the second
century; then the Coptic, supposed to be
at a
made
there
in the third or fourth
the Armenian,
century; then
which
is supposed to have been made about the same
time.
is
Now
these are
so
many
proofs
word of God has been preserved

as a genuine document; and, when you
that the
201
think of that fact, you have a clear proof not inconsistent with our theories of the
And, my dear earth. There are, indeed, many physithat it is not a forgery.
friends, I cannot resist the feeling which cal considerations which render it probaI
ble that the motions of the earth may have

been slower during the time of its formaed, for many years, that man who, under tion, than after it was formed, and, conGod, was made the instrument of settling sequently, that the day, or period between
this question, by his most laborious re- morning and evening, may have been insearches
mean the venerable Dr. definitely longer than it is at present.
I
Lardner, whose waitings contain a store- If such a hypothesis is at all admissible,
house of evidence in favour of the credi- it will go far in supporting the opinion
bility and genuineness of the Christian which has long been maintained on this
subject, by many of the ablest and most
Scriptures.
But there is another order of scrutiny learned Scripture critics. The deluge,
through which the sacred Scriptures have one of the grandest natural events described in the Bible, is equally confirmed,
passed ; and that is,
2dly. Antiquarian and scientijic research. with regard to its extent and the period
at this
you
moment comes
over me, to remind
that in this very place there preach-
The
Bible, as
you know, contains much of
its
by a careful study of
phenomena observed on and
occurrence,
that relates to the creation of the world,
the various
and the changes which have passed upon

our globe; and there are multitudes of
individuals who have affected to be very
profound on these matters, and have supposed that they have found, by the discoveries of science, that the books of
Moses were only old wives' fables, and
deserved no credit. I am anxious, therefore, to quote to you the words of an
eminent scientific gentleman
I mean
Professor Jameson, of Edinburgh.
He
is not a clergyman, but a layman.
He
undertook the editing of an edition of
Cuvier's Theory of the Earth; and he
makes these remarks in the preface, on
the subject of the scriptural account of
the creation:
"Although the Mosaic
account of the creation of the world is an
inspired writing, and consequently rests
on evidence independent of human observation and experience, still it is interesting, and in many respects important,
to know that it coincides with the various
near the earth's surface.
phenomena
observable
in
human
The age
of the
most important insatisfactorily determined by an
race, also a
quiry, is
and the
pretended great antiquity of some nations,
so much insisted on by certain philosophers, is thereby shown to be entirely
appeal to natural appearances
unfounded."
These
a distinguished
are the opinions of
naturalist,
occupying a
professor's chair in Edinburgh, and edit-
ing one of the works of one of the most

distinguished naturalists in Europe,
is
recently dead.
of God's w'ord
Here
is
scrutiny of science,
and science doing homage
mony of revelation.
And so we may say,
ence
who
the scrutiny
to the testi-
not only in refer-
to scientific pursuits,
such as geolo-
gy, but in respect to geography, and the

customs of the East.
The Bible de-
many of the usages and customs

which have existed among the people
where the book was written. Now, our
the mineral countrymen, and other Europeans, have
scribes
kingdom.
The structure of the earth, visited those countries, they have exand the mode of distribution of extrane- plored those regions and we have some
ous fossils or petrifactions, are so many of the most respectable testimonies the
direct evidences of the truth of the Scrip- testimonies of laymen, and some of them
ture aceouiit of the formation of the earth
not believers in revelation
who have
and they might be used as proofs of its declared that they found the Bil)Ie, espeauthor h iviiig been inspired, because tiie cially the New Testament, the best guide
miiieraldirical facts discovered l)y modern to Palestine; and that, by the statements
naturalists were unknown to tlie sacred therein contained, tlipy found better di;
historian.
Even
six days of
ilic
Vol. I.'JC
the periods of time, the
Mosaic description, arc
rections than they derived from any other
source.
And
so
we may speak
in refer-
THE BRITISH
202
PULPIT.
ence to the labours of antiquarians. on a summer's morning, so the light of

There was a time when the infidel piiilo- Scripture has appeared more glorious
sophers of Europe affected to have a when compared with the feeble tapers
great perception of the blow that was to
De given to revealed religion by the dis-
be made from
one of our own
Christian missionaries has. mastered the
Chinese language, has produced a lexi-
closures which
Chinese
should
Now
literature.
con containing
all
the
words of
that ex-
traordinary tongue, and has o])ened up
which the human
intellect
parts of the world has
Now
lit
in
various
up.
will quote to you, as I have
already done, the testimony of another
layman on
this subject, and that one shall

be the testimony of our own countryman,
so eminent for oriental literature and good
morals I allude to Sir William Jones.
And, with all this He says, "The Scriptures contain, indedone, have they found any thing that can pendently of a divine origin, more true
oppose the testimony of Scripture 1 Have sublimity, more exquisite beauty, purer
they found one " rnusty record" that can morality, more important history, and
their literature.
all
put down the wise and faithful sayings finer strains both of poetry and eloquence,
And then than could be collected within the same
Oh, no!
of sacred writ?
Egypt was to be a mighty source from compass from all other books that \vere
whence we were to derive information to

There was the
put down revelation.
mysterious zodiac, which was supposed
to settle the Mosaic chronology for ever,
and to show the world was 1 know not
All these things are explained ; and, instead of yielding any thing to
help the infidel cause, it has yielded every
thing to help the Christian cause. Belzoni, in visiting the tomb of Zammas,
found a representation of the Jews held
in captivity, marking the truth of what is
contained in the Kings and Chronicles
Avhat age.
concerning the triumph of that monarch

over the Jewish people.
ever composed, in any age, or in any
The two
idiom.
parts
of
which the
connected by a
chain of compositions which bear no
resemblance, in form or style, to any
that can be produced from the stores of
Grecian, Indian, Kussian, or even Arabian learning. The antiquity of these
compositions no man can doubt ; and the
unrestrained application of them to events
long subsequent to their publication, is
a solid ground of belief that they were
genuine productions, and consequtntly
Scriptures
inspired."
tion
consist are
Now
this is not the declara-
some uneducated Christian mibut it is the deliberate judgment
of
might say, also, that the word of nister,

has been tried by a third order not of the greatest oriental scholar, perhaps,
only by these critical investigations, and our country has produced
a man whose
statue adorns our own cathedral, and
"by these antiquarian researches, but,
3dly. Bi/ philosophical and moral discowhose name will live as long as British
veries.
As I have already said, all the literature continues. This man declares
philosophy of China has been opened, all that the Bible contains more true sublimithe learning of the Hindoos has been ty than could be found in all the other
opened all the simple children of nature books that were ever composed in any
Now the testimony of
in the islands of the South Seas, and the age or country.
inhabitants of South America, ever knew another individual to prove this shall be
all the people of Africa ever knew, has from the writings of Chateauliriand, the
all been brought to light; and what has most distinguished member of the French
He says,
"been the result of the combined disco- literati of the present day.
veries of the human mind in reference to " The productions most foreign to oui
Why, we have manners, the sacred books of the infidel
morals and religion 1
found that they have been poor that nations, the Zendavesta of the Parsees,
they have been unsatisfactory that they the Vidan of the Bralimins, the Koran of
have been confused and, as the light of the Turks, the Edda of the Scandinathe sun appears more glorious by the vians, the Sanscrit poems, the maxima
glimmering of the gas-lights in the streets of Confucius, excite in us no surprise
I
God
THE EXCELLENCY OK THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

we find in
all
my
Oh,
these works the ordinary
friends!
they have all

chain of human ideas
some resemblance to each other, both in
tone and ideas. The Bible alone is like
general knowledge
none of them ; it is a monument detached

from all the others. Explain it to a Tartar, to a CafFre, to an American savage
put it into the hands of a bonze or a der-
Promoting
vise
by
they will
it
fact
all
authors, living at pe-
lam
Useful
Know-
thankful to the Society for

Religious Knowledge, for
putting forth penny, six-penny, and shil-
you
ling publications, inviting
them; but
short
is
which borders on the mira- ing
Twenty
culous.
be equally astonished
am no enemy to
am thankful to the
Promoting
Society for
ledge;
I
I
203
me remind you
let
to
read
that time
that the opportunities for read-
are but limited, and that this, the
greatest and the best of books, this
book
which is " a light to your feet, and
posed the sacred books and though they lamp to your path," which guides you in
are written in twenty different styles, yet the way to heaven, and in the way to
these styles, equally inimitable, are not immortality, invites you to peruse it
to be met with iu any other performance. And shall it lie upon your shelves, cover
The New Testament, so different in its ed with dust, untouched, forsaken 1 Le*
com-
riods very distant from one another,

;
from the Old, nevertheless par-
spirit
takes with the latter of this astonishing
me entreat you, then, to form the habit of

reading some portion of God's word every
day to remember that this blessed book

these are not the testimonies of can, by the Spirit, enlighten your minds
they are the testimonies of lay- Oh, then, cry, " Lord, open my eyes, tha
originality."
Now
priests
men
of men who have
part of the globe, and
travelled in every I may behold wondrous things out of thy

who have become law !" If you come to it with a teacha.
acquainted with the literature of
all
na-
and what they, as scholars, pronounce concerning this book, we, as

tions
Christians,
good
are
Spirit of
able
The
confirm.
to
God has made
it
to our
souls the foundation of our hopes, and

the solace of our days.
ble mind,
it
you
you
struct
will supply
consolation
mind from
form
tlie
blessed
shall find that
it
will in-
in the clearest morality
tha*
you with the most blessed

that
will transform you*
it
sin to holiness
that
it
will
foundation of your hopes of

Let me entrea*
immortality.
After having shown you, as I have you, then, to remember these words o
thus attempted to do, that the word of the Redeemer he who is able to save
God has been tried by a threefold pro- sinners " Search the Scriptures," said
come out of the furnace like

gold seven times purified, I would make
a personal appeal to you, and say. Mow
cess, and
is
it
that
you venture
book as
this
God
it
put
to neglect
God has
such a
preserved
it;
into the hearts of our pious
ancestors to translate
it;
God put it into

own time, to
the hearts of men, of our

print
so extensively, by the labours of
it
the Bible Society, that
vidual
now every
indi-
may
possess, at the smallest possible price, the word of God in his own
tongue.
This book
dcclaretl
ui
our
now
invites your attention.
Son of God, "
them ye think
and these are they
for in
life,
wliich testify of
me."
Should there be any one here disposed

to take up this book to trifle with it, !e
me quote to him two lines from a poem
penned by one of the greatest geniuses
that have adorned our empire, and whose
intellectual light has just been lostto-us
He
says, in a beautiful
little
poem on
th
Bible,
"
is
text to bo pure as silver, tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times; and
ihis book
the
ye have eternal
Bolter lind
Who
God
reads
lie
lo
no'er bpcn
doubt,
who
grant that you
iieve and to
obey
bom
reads
may
Amen.
to
scorn."
read to be-
THE BRITISH
204
PULPIT.
Whom
he loveth, "he*
loveth unto the end :" and as they are to
see him no more, they shall be of those
and Lazarus!
THE ASCENSION.
humiliation of the Son of God
rapidly to a close.
The
who
was now drawing
see
him the
last.
It is
one of the
had "accomplished his decease at manifold proofs of the Saviour's kind

Love him, brethren, as that
Jerusalem :" he had risen victorious from affection.
and, during forty days, he pious family did, and you shall see greater
the grave
He
"The secret of the

things than this.
convincing them, "by many infallible Lord is with them that fear him, and he
proofs," that he was indeed restored to will show them his covenant."
2. He solemnly blesses his disciples.-^
There remained but one more thing
life.
that for which he had prayed, He had by his deeds been blessing them,
to be done
" And now, O Father, from the first moment of their acquaintin .John xvii. 5
glorify thou me with thine own self, with ance with him ; for he had converted
had been living among his disciples
their souls,
the glory which I had with thee before

the world was." This prayer, as you
have heard in
" ascended up
he might fill
Head
my
text,
was
far
above
all
all
fulfilled
he he now does
The text
last glorious dis-
ply to himself the Saviour's blessing!
shut .... for fear of the Jews ;" and
was
much more
desirable then,
so.
was now
Redeemer
of the
a suitable place from which

He had conversed
with his friends at .Jerusalem, "in an
inner chamber," " when the doors were
selects
to take his departure.
secrecy
prosper them.
If
gifts that blessing included,
The last acts

He
But
by an express outward
you would know what

you may see
them fully enumerated in John xvii. he
could ask no greater he would ask no
less
than are there recorded. " Neither
prayed he for these alone, but for them
also which should afterwards believe on
him through their word." Happy believer
who can by faiih see those hands
of love still stretched over him, and ap-
over his church for ever.
ON earth.
1.
it
heavens, that act. With uplifted hands, he calls on his

Father to protect, comfort, sanctify, and
things," and become
sets before us,

I.
and had instructed them in
the things relating to his kingdom.
The
it
if
play was not intended for malicious Pharisees, for unbelieving Sadducees and
Evidence enough had been
Scribes.
given to them, and more would hereafter
be added. The public ministry of Jesus
ended with his great sacrifice ; and what
remains of earthly intercourse shall be
devoted exclusively to his friends. He
therefore " led them out" from Jerusalem, " as far as to Bethany."
It has been argued that this could not
May
for I
such be your privilege and mine

that he whom thou, Lord, bless-
wot
est, is
blessed indeed.
He
3.
ascends
up
At
to
length,
heaven.
Here was
St. Luke, in another

no imposition !
place, tells us that the act was done
" while they beheld." My text describes
the
circumstantial
order
of the
event.
" He was parted from them" literally,

" he stood aside from them ;" both to
prevent interruption, and that all might
" he
see the whole transaction. Then
was carried up ;" moving towards heaven
in full view of the whole party, till, at
length, " a cloud received him out of
Carried 1 by whom ?
By
their sight."
hosts of invisible beings " angels that
be the town of Martha and Mary because that Bethany was two miles from
Jerusalem whereas the apostles are said
to have returned from this sight only "a
that is to say,
sabbath-day's journey"
one mile. But why may we not suppose
that he first visited the town of Bethany, excel
;
in strength, that
do his command-
even if he did afterwards return part of ments, hearkening to the voice of his
For now was fulfilled that
the way, before he ascended up to hea- word."
ven 1 The supposition is far from being which was spoken of the Lord by David
" The chariots of God are twenty thouimprobable; and, if such were the fact,
what
He
a touching circumstance
was here
cannot forget Martha, and her
sister,
sand, even thousands of angels

is
among them,
the
Lord
as in Sinai, in the holy,
::
THE ASCENSION.
205
Thou hast ascended on high, behold them " continually

place.
thou hast led captivity captive." Doubt- praising and blessing God
for
turning, in visible form, to comfort the

disciples with a promise, that he would
hereafter
heaven.
come again
in like
manner from
we
believe that
As, therefore,
lieve that he is " gone into
we
ignorant worshippers,
grace,
may
yours also be.
ship, in hearing the word, in the holy
communion
case with you.
the redeemed of
AFTER HIS DEPARTURE.

1. They worshipped him.
The appointed
that!
What though
heaven ....
subject unto him."
first acts of
others gain no blessing in public wor-
made
The
different their
angels, and authorities, and powers being
II.
how
Yet such,
views, hopes, and feelings
such, by divine
brethren, as theirs were
be-
rose from the dead, so also do
he
temple,
that is, at every appointed service.

were angels assisting on the
we find two of them re- Surrounded as they were by formal and
less there
occasion
in the
!" continually
Remember
teachers of the
need not be the
yet this
Only look up
the temple, and he
will
to the
make
Lord
a
it
Bethel to your soul. "In the breaking

of bread" Jesus himself shall be " known
of you,"
if
by
faith
you seek him.
O,
Christian religion " worshipped'* Christ

it was their very first act after they had
then "enter into his gates with thanks-
ceased to behold him. And do not suppose that it was merely some respectful
such as is meant
inclination of the body
be thankful unto him and bless his name.

For the Lord is good ; his mercy is ever-
in
our marriage service.
No it was
giving, and into his courts with praise
and his truth endureth to

Rev.J.Jowett, .A.M.
lasting;
all
generations."
holy adoration, as to the invisible God

PAGANISM.
and accompanied, doubtless, by such
The dead are not always forgotten by
words as Thomas was once permitted to
use without censure " My Lord, and the pagan negroes they resort annually
my God !" Had they given such honour to their graves, and offer food and liquor
A negro moto the two angels, they would have met to their departed relatives.
with a rebuke like that which St. .John ther in Jamaica was known, for thirteen
afterwards received under similar cir- years, to make this annual visit to the
grave of her daughter, and, in an agony
.
cumstances " See thou do it not
worshipping of feeling, to offer her oblation. Thus

We reJesus, they did worship God ; and were " they sorrow without hope."
worship
God
But
I"
in
therefore blameless.
2.
Theij were filled V)ilh joy
O how
great joy.
spect the strength of the affection; we

lament its downward, earthly tendency
all
with joy." Whence this dilTerence ? It

was because Jesus had now opened their
understanding to discern the mystery of
his sulTorings and his glory. The Comforter, moreover, I am inclined to believe,
was immediately sent down with his
sanctifying influences
although for his
miraculous gifts they had yet to wait ten
days longer.
3. In the use nf appointed means they
aought and expected his gifts of grace.
In
Jerusalem were they to receive the "promise of the Father;" therefore they at
steal
"
Now
oaco returned
thither.
On
tlieir arrival,
mother were
the thoughts of that poor
from what they had once

I go my way to him
that sent me; and because I say this,
But
sorrow hath filled your heart."
now, when he dues this, they are "filled
dilTcrent
anticipated
grave with her child, and the only

object of that unabated love was the mere
in the
dust of a dissolved frame.
thenism
Such
is
hea-
Melting and mournful thoughts
over the recollections of the beChristian mother too, and time
reaved
has no power to dry up the fountain of

her tears ; years may pass away, but the
memory of the forms over which she has
hunw with maternal fondness suffers no

decay; it keeps its place to the last hour
But, when
of the most extended life.
she thinks of her children, she thinks of
them as
in heaven, not as in the
grave;
and, urged onward by this hope tiirough

her remaining pilgrimage, she hastens to
embrace them again

(ioA.ll. IVutson.
in the
kingdom of
SERMON
XXII.
THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE.
BY THE REV. JOSEPH SOMMERVILLE,

MINISTER OF ST. JOHn's CHAPEL, GLASGOW.
" Choose ye this day
whom ye
There are few delusions more fatal,

and yet more common, than that of per-
will serve."
Josh. xxiv.
propensity
tastes,
and
to
15.
consult
favourite
their
to gratify their sensual incli-
sons labouring to negotiate a treaty be- nations, too vehement to be relinquished.

The demands of religion they hold to
twixt the service of sin and the service
of holiness, striving to reconcile the be inconsistent with the requirements of
claims of Christianity with the claims of worldly pleasure; they feel themselves
the world, to make compatible the ho- to be too much curbed and fettered by
mage due to the Creator with the obedi- the laws of the gospel, and they will not
ence and slavery required by the creature.
yield to the crucifixion of every corrupt
Such individuals
affection, exercise that abnegation of self
profess to entertain a
and sin, or make that entire and unconDeity ; they acknowledge their ditional surrender of themselves to the
readiness to submit to the obligations of influences of the truth, and to the power
piety; they own the legality of the divine and life of godliness, which, nevertheless,
authority; they evince an indefinite love they must acknowledge to be their suand longing after the spiritual privileges preme duty and highest interest.
and pre-eminences of the saints; and it
In this dilemma, they labour for an
would afford them the highest satisfac- accommodation of matters they pant for
tion, when the storms and conflicts of a compromise of principle ; they become
mortality are past, to be landed safe on solicitous to adopt a system of half meathe shore of paradise, and to be introduced sures; they are fain to see an alliance
to the perfect beatitudes and triumphs of struck between the objects of sense and
veneration for the perfections and worship
of the
immortality.
a harvest of felicity;
for the
attaining to so brilliant a
of glory, they are willing to forego not a
few temporal conveniences, and to submit to not a few sacrifices of ease and
coarse
indulgence
terests of time
purpose of nity
consummation
to cultivate
certain
principles, and to prosecute a particular
course of conduct; to abstain from criminal pursuits, and to practise various restraints and personal mortifications.
At
between the inand the interests of eterwhile they are most desirous to
the things of the spirit
For the sake of reaping so invaluable
unite, in their
own
persons, the opposite
and distinctive characters of a friend of

God and a friend of the world a disciple
of Christ and a votary of Belial ; and they
strain to secure the enjoyments of carnality, while they would not fall short of the
recompense of righteousness. In a word,
the
all
summit
of their ambition
is, to
reap
the advantages and delights peculiar
two conditions
the same time, they feel their habits of
to the
sin to be inherent and inveterate
and a state of grace a state of unregeneracy and a state of conversion to live on

amicable terms with the adherents of both
addiction
to
selfish
and
constitutional
indulgences, violent and inordinate
206
their
their
state of nature

THE
ONI-Y ALTERNATIVE.
God
207
parties; to maintain a kind of see-sawing
foes of
between the votaries of dissipation and

to aim at once
the children of holiness
to " fear the Lord
for earth and heaven
and to serve their own gods ;" to have all
the combined happiness which the grati-
of Christ, or the
adversary
on no account can you, in

belong to an equivocal race,
or occupy an intermediate or middle
which Chriswhich immortal-
for
position.
In
ity can supply.
many
cases of every day
trality is not
my
friends,
it
avowed despisers of the

you must be enlisted
this question,
the felicities
But surely,
either on .Jehovah's side, or on that of his
fications of sense and time can afford, and
tianity can minister, and
either the devoted servants
great salvation
to inherit all
would be a
able.
only lawful, hut
many
In
neu-
life,
commend-
questions of intricate
superfluous waste of time and arguments,
solution, and difficult interpretation, im-
demonstrate the impossibility
plicating the reputation, the property, or
of uniting things so essentially distinct
happiness of our fellow-men, where the

evidence is dubious, and almost equally
to stop to
and discordant
what
ciling
at variance
is
in their natures
of recon-
so absolutely and perfectly
of harmonizing
of amalgamating
balanced,
it
may
wisdom and
interests so
ment
be the dictate at once of
discretion, to hold the judg-
cision.
In
composed of many different races of men,

discriminated by a thousand graduated
and to come to no dedomestic feuds, in private

dissensions, and in the fierce collision of
stormy passions, it may be often advisable to stand neutral, and to take part with
neither set of combatants, seeing inter-
shades of spiritual character and situation,
ference
may
totally dissimilar
ments,
in their
ele-
very essence, of utter and
eternal contrariety.
Though
the population of this globe is
Spirit
all
the church and the world
unbelievers; those
death
spiritual
those
who
who
tend to
irritate, rather than

exasperate, rather thai
to allay, animosities; to foment, rather
comprehended by the
of God under two divisions only
yet are they
in suspense,
to
believers and
reconcile
than
to
to
heal, divisions.
But
it
is
far
are in a state of otherwise in matters of religion, and in
and condemnation, and
are in a state of spiritual
the high interests of immortality.
Here
no reserve can be admitted

no demur or
and reconciliation ; children of God, and debate sanctioned no discreet caution
children of the devil ; heirs of grace, and allowed
no indifference tolerated; for
heirs of wrath; those who are in Christ in this case, every motive, as it is most
Jesus, and those who " lie in the wicked obvious, must be urgent and immediate,
one."
that you make an option, that you choose
Between those two great and opposite your side, and that you resolutely, and
classes, there is, even in this present life, inflexibly, and for ever, adhere to it.
"a great moral gulf fixed," so that they
As you have, then, been constituted
who would pass from the one socifty to moral agents, left to the freedom of your
tne other, are unable; and the broad lincj own wills, with a capacity to choose and
of separation and seclusion cannot, on determine for yourselves, we ask you, H
any account, be violated. "He that is the language of the text, "whom yoti
not with me," says Christ, "is against will this day serve?" And in propound'lif(
me."
"
No
servant can serve two mas-
tcrs; for either he will hate the one and
ing
to
you
this question,
it is
the farthest
possible from our intention to insinuate,

that we regard it as one of small import,
love the other; or else he will hold to the

one and despise the other. Yc cannot or of trivial or temporary moment, which
serve (iod and mammon."
Be assured,! may he evaded, disregarde<l, or post|)enrd
'
then, that in a in;itter of such
infinite; m<i- wiiliout great detriment or hazard to you

ment as this, it is impossible you can he et< rnal interests. On the eontniry, wo
any thing else than exclusivrg, or can, avow, that wo consider this question as
'
with any deirri>o of safety or consistency, one of Iranseendant consequence, and iisland in doubt orinc<rtit)ide.
You must, finite magnitude, proposed, not as the
of necessity, he either the friends or the! Sjiibboleth of a party, but as the grand
i
THE BRITISH
208
PULPIT.
and paramount concern of all that it emwhatever can, to an immortal

be most dear and vital being
spirit,
auspicious or fatal to all bis hopes for
eternity, productive to him of unmeasured
be the incurable fatality of your nature, the

invincible hardihood and intractability of
your mind, your confirmed regardlessness
of every consideration of glory, happiness,
We
the highest claims of tenderness, gene-
braces
benefit, or of incalculable disaster.
and
self,
and your utter insensibility
to
do unequivocally and solemnly avow, that rosity, and gratitude, then choose the
embark in the basest
the one side of the alternative is life, that service of idolatry
thraldom to which Satan can degrade his
the reverse of the alternative is death
be the veriest slaves of your
that paradise is on the one side, and per- votaries
the most dethat the one choice own natural corruptions
dition on the other
lays the foundation of an empire of feli- voted martyrs to the servitude of that
city and of glory, greater and happier a iniquity, whose fruit is shame, and whose
wages is death. If you have been smitthousand fold than heart ever conceived
while the other decision will impregnate ten with judicial blindness of eyes, and
an infinitude of existence with lamenta- seared hardness of conscience; if the
In making your great enemy of souls has, by the potency
tion, wo, and despair.
option, too, in this matter, you must stand of his sorceries, and by the brilliancy of
You his enchantments, so fascinated your
solely on your own responsibility.
must of necessity be a party in this case, minds, and so debauched your hearts, a3
tD your own eternal shame or renown, to to make you stumble at every step, and
jour own enduring bliss or misery. The receive erroneous impressions from every
very nature of the case precludes the object; if, in the science of spiritual
adoption of all coercive and compulsory arithmetic, you discover such a stultifiIt rests with yourselves to cation of intellect, and incapacity of moral
measures.
determine, on which side the scale shall discrimination, as to prefer a life fleeting
preponderate.
The decision is committed
shadow, to an existence of infinite

;
if you deem the pampering
of the appetites, and the gratification of
the propensities of the " vile body," as
as the
your own hands. The whole is left

to your own discrimination and choice.
Nothing remains for us but to make the
proposals.
Like advocates, we can do
no more than state the case and plead the
You, the judges, sit and hear it
cause.
tried, must weigh and sum up the evidence, return the verdict, and by that de-
duration
termination stand or
ovcfbalance, in your estimation, the purest
into
We
fall for
ever.
of weightier consideration than the im-
provement of the powers, and the assurance of the well-being of
dying
spirit;
if
the
the
never-
most evanescent and
unsatisfying of animal
indulgences far
and the sublimest of celestial ecstacies ;

if flames and torments unutterable have
ides of the alternative specified; and, in deeper charms for you than triumphs and
Ihe second place, to advert to the particu- transports inconceivable ; if you wish to
'ar time when this election is to be made. be the " greatest architect of ruin" that
ever existed, the destroyers of the largest
I. We are to submit to your choice one
of the two sides of the alternative pro- amount of righteousness and felicity
posed.
And the first particularized, is which the world ever beheld, then declare yourselves at once to be the devotees
the tragical or fatal side.
If you listen to no other but the dic- of ungodliness, and the heirs of wrath.
tates of your own carnal and unrenewed Plunge headlong into every excess of
cast away from
inclinations; if it seem good unto you to criminality and frenzy
follow the popular current; if you are you the last desire and hope of salvation ;
determined to exhibit the last excess of pronounce boldly and fearlessly the decimadness and wretchodness, and to be sion, that you have "judged yourselves
guilty of the most daring and atrocious unworthy of everlasting life;" and say in
submit
propose, then, in the

for
first
place, to
your adoption, one of the two
'
deed of self-destruction which
it is
pos-
sible for a creature to perpetrate; if such
a spirit betraying an equal defiance of

the thunders of divine judgment, and the

"rleadings of divine compassion,
tlie
Lord
we know
that
after
W ho
his voice
not the Lord, neither will
serve him; for
and
we should obey
"
them
we have loved
we go."
we
strangers,
will
you greatly prefer the pleasures and

if it have
If
pursuits of a present world

attracted
gards;
if
and satisfied your fondest rea predilection for its degrading
209
most solemn warnings and cautions

that have been enforced upon you; and
you may, with reckless despite, spurn at
the most powerful safeguards which reason and revelation, which law and conscience have created, for averting the
catastrophe of your endless destruction,
and for shutting you up to the enjoyment
" Chooseyou
of everlasting redemption.
the
this day," that you will not pause at the

commission of any iniquity, however
darling and dominant passion of your flagrant; that you will not quail for the
soul, then see that you adore no other consequences of any conduct, however
idol than the world
that its spirit and irrational or revolting that you will commaxims be identified with all your ply with every invitation to sinful indulsentiments, and tastes, and mental opera- gence
and that you will not avoid even
tions
and tirat you permit no other ob- the last extremes of delinquency. If the
slavery,
-and
its
ever fluctuating frivolities,
its
ruinous excesses, has become the
ject to interfere with its claims of affection, or to dispute
with
it
service of darkness and unrighteousness
the rights of have for your taste the highest attractions,
supremacy. >See, that you bow impliand without control, to all its pernicious, demoralizing manners; that you
permit its pageants and its pomps, its
trappings, and its airy nothings, to intoxicate your imagination, to steal away your
senses, and to cultivate a vulgar admiration.
Let it be farther proved and procitly,
claimed, by every principle of character.

by every syllable of speech, and by every
feature of external deportment, that you
then embark your whole soul's aflections

labour in it zealously, and
in that cause.
Let no scruples
labour in it incessantly.
damp your ardour ; let no fears or difficulties cause
you
to flinch or
swerve one
hair-breadth from the road that leads to
hopeless and inevitable perdition.

all
Let
the combined considerations of pru-
dence
and
silence;
all
self-interest
be
awed
the ties of dutj', and
all
into
the
obligations of generosity, be disclaimed
unceremonious and unscrupulous and dissolved let no eloquence of love,

assuming an unlxninded no solicitations of friendship, no menaces
making fashion of wrath, and no promises of richest
license of folly and vice
your only law, the flesh your only god, mercy have efficacy to move or to melt
your hearts. Let neither the terrors of
and pleasure your onlv pursuit.
In " walking in the counsels and in the hell alarm nor the hopes of paradise allure
Let neither the eternal compassions
imagination of your Aeart," you may, if yon.
re the
"votaries of sin
it
90 please you, violate with remorseless
of the Father, the expiring tears and ago-
established rules of piety
nies of the Son, nor the "ex|)ostulations
scorn
all
the
and virtue ; you may smile with con- and beseechings of the Spirit of grace,
temptuous disdain at the maxims of an- be able to unnerve or soften, or to drive
cient wisdom, at the sobrieties and the you from the career of folly, self-willedgodliness of former days.
You may ness,and contumacy, on which you have so
applaud and imitate every thing, merely boldly entered, and along which you may
oecause il is of foreign importation, mo- be advancing with fearful and portentous
dish and current, however vicious in celerity.
If you choose this day to give
principle, and however contaminating in yourselves up to the thrall of your turbuits tendencies.
You may also overleap lent passions, and to become the slaves
all the ordinary barriers which divine of all ungodliness, then drown every
wisdom and grace have erected, to fence rising conviction, strangle in the birth
in
the
way
them from
of transgressors, to prevent
thems(dves over
the verie, into the bollofuless abyss that
yawns, beneath; and you may deride all
Vol..
preeipit;\ling
'J7
all
boding apprehensions, and
forecaslings of the future.
all
gloomy
Let the re-
proofs and the reproaches of the divine
word, the rebukes of an outraged law,

THE BRITISH
210
PULPIT.
other
that you may

;
God's service to be at once your
dignity and delight, apply with fervent
assiduity and perseverance to the renovating and purifying fountains of the
spirit of holiness.
Let there be no oscillation in your will
no vagueness in your
appliances and expedients of exuberant

grace in all their rich variety, and con-
purposes, but be distinguished for the

exclusiveness with which you attach
fall blank
and bluntless on the soul, and be scornfully repelled, even as the surges of the
chiding main are indignantly thrown back
and churned into spray, on the impregnable ramparts of an iron bound strand.
yourselves to the cause of religion, on
the pleadings and the pathos ot a still

importuiinle gospel be utterly contemned ;
and lot the tender expostulations of pious
relatives, the frequent
and urgent admo-
nitions of the ambassadors of Jesus, the
appointments and the discipline of a corrective Providence, with
all
the
centrated union of moral force,
of a moral transformation
feel
which so many mighty and great
inter-
ests are depending.
If you desire to be Christians, be so in

deed and in truth. God is not to be
mocked. Let your intentions be une2. But if you choose, as we trust in quivocal, your declarations overt and
God you will, an opposite course if you avowed, your life unambiguous, and your
Let every
prefer, as we pray heaven you may, the character above all suspicion.
service of Jehovah to the service of Satan feeling, and word, and action, be distinctthe pleasures of holiness to the plea- ly indicative of the cause you have essures of unrighteousness if the dedica- poused, the side for which you have
tion of yourselves to the worship and arrayed yourselves, the sanctified society
enjoyment of the Almighty have more with which you consort, and the illustriattractions for you than devotedness to ous heritage which you have chosen. Let
the vile slavery of the world if you give no earthly objects divide and distract your
a preference to felicities that are uncloy- attention from the prosecution of every
ing and unperishable, to flashes of mo- holy aim., and from the attainment of
mentary hilarity, and to bursts of carnal every moral perfection. Let no solicita^nd obstreperous merriment, then stand tions of folly or pleasure allure you from
hot for a moment in fatal hesitation, but the cross of Jesus, no proffers of reward
fange yourselves at once under the stand- or recompense from any quarter seduce
ard of the cross, and resign yourselves, you to a compromise of principle, breach
U'ithout reserve and without condition, to of engagement, or violation of fidelity.
to If you have enlisted on the side of the
(he faith and obedience of the gospel
the love and service of God, your Saviour great Mediator, and taken the oath of
and Sanctifier. Be assured, that if vital fealty to his service, then see that you(Christianity be to you any thing, it must live on terms of intimate and devx>ted
be your all in all. If salvation be a pearl, fellowship with him ; that there be an
it is one of infinite price, and you must endearing interchange of all tender ofl5ces
feel it to be your primary duty and super- and sympathies between you ; that you
lative interest to sell all, to relinquish are powerfully attached to his person, to
fortune, life itself, if required, and the his righteousness, to his laws, and to his
inheritance of a whole material universe, people; that he habitually lives in your
did you possess it, in exchange for a thoughts, in your confidence, in your
treasure so inestimable
a prize so far affections, in your hopes, and through
above and beyond all calculation. If you your entire and undivided being; that
are sincerely desirous to have your guilt you are his true and trusty followers, and
cancelled, your persons accepted, and that your hearts are fast and faithful to
your title to the immense and inexhausti- every imjiression made upon them by his
ble benefits of salvation secured beyond word and by his power, by his Spirit and
Let it be demonstrathe possibility of alienation, cling with by his providence.
avidity to the divine and all-sufficient tive that the Saviour reigns paramount
righteousness of the Redeemer; and if in your souls that you yield implicit
you are truly solicitous to be the subjects submission to every tittle of his will
;
211
model of your ing to another and eternal country', to the

perpetual imitation and that his com- enjoyment of a fortune, splendid and
Tiandmeniis the standard of all your holy sublime as are the stars, and enduring as
Let it be thereDbedience. Let it be farther apparent, is immortality itself.
that you bear a close resemblance to fore distinctly evident, from your whole
Christ in all his moral imitable attributes, conversation, appearance, and accoutrein piety and patience, in meekness and ments, that you are on a journey
let the
humility, in heavenly-mindedness, and sandalled feet, and the girt loins, the
in universal sanctity.
If you profess lights burning, and the staff" in hand, beyour faith and attachment to the gospel, speak your character, profession, and purLet every thing bear attestation to
if you avouch yourselves to be the ser- suit.
vants of the living God, then let all the the fact, that you consider you have a
distinctive and discriminating evidences work to execute of great difficulty and of
that his character is the
of that illustrious relationship. beam forth

bright and conspicuous from
the
inner
temple of the mind let all the characteristics and divine excellences of the renovated man be brought out into warm and
vivid manifestation in your history.
Shun the very appearance of evil ; let sin
be dethroned both in your heart and in
Tour life.
Abjure all communication
with the world, in its spirit and in its
;
pleasures,
in
principles
its
and
in
its
infinite importance, on the issue of whicl

the whole burden of the destinies of end
less ages is staked, and therefore you

cannot permit your attention to be for a
moment diverted away from this one
grand and all-absorbing business of your
or your faculties to be engrossed by an inferior object; that you

arc the citizens of another world, with
high prerogatives, refined tastes, and ex-
existence,
moral sensibilities, and
quisite
cannot
" Taste not, touch not, handle

not," the charmed poisoned cup which it
mingles and proffers to intoxicate the
senses, to bewitch the reason, and to
provoke criminal desire. Hold no dallying with its follies, no flirtation with its
vanities, make no concession to its demands, but keep a retired and separate
walk; maintain towards it a distant and
studied reserve.
And farther, make no
secret of the election j'ou have made, and
the interest to which you have sworn in-
with vulgar debasing indulgences; but

must act up to the dignity of a celestial
pedigree, and to the nobility of a divinenature, and must walk, speak, and deport
yourselves in every respect, as becomes
the heirs of God, the kings of heaven,
and the high priests of eternity
n.
are in the second and last
place, briefly to advert to the special time
when this option is to be made, and this
violable constancy.
decision
practices.
instant to
avow your
Hesitate not for an

sentiments, to assert
the character you are determined to sus-
therefore stoop to be detained

or
amused with
levities,
by
trifles,
or entertained
We
The
come
to.
text specifies and limits
present hour
to this
fleeting
it
to the
moment of
you arc resolved, by existence. " Choose ye this day whom

the exalted ye will serve."
In every relation and
motives from which yon profess to act; condition of human life, we know how
the noble ends you have in view, and the much depends on the cultivation of favourglorious destination on which your ambi- able junctions, and the improvement of
tion is devotedly centred.
Let your pro- propitious moments. The greatest revofession, your principles, and all ynur lutions that have taken place, the most
actions clearly and unequivoeally testify, splendid vieteries that have been won,
that you consider you have no intrinsic and the most permanent conquests that
interest, no inherent or permanent portion, have been achieved, have all <lrpei)ded
in the richcB, honours, or possessions of upon a jutiicious estimate and critical
tliifl earth
that you estimate yourselves application of time.
In this point of
tain
the
affic'ctions
the grace of God. to cherish
in
no
nthi
capaejty than that of short
lived strangers,
sage through
making
its
a precipitate pas-
territorifs,
and hastcii-
view, even minutes are of incalrulablo

value, seeing the most imporlant Imnsaotions that
have illustrated and signalised
THE BRITISH
212
If it
the world have hingrcd upon them.
be true, what a writer has observed, " that
possible to live a thousand years in

a quarter of an hour," it holds still truer,
that a few minutes lost or improved may
decide the complexion of our whole desA single hour devoted
tin)' for eternity.
to the best purpose may suffice to reverse
the entire existence of an immortal spirit,
it is
as
was exemplified
ing malefactor
in
the case of the dy-
who was suspended by
the
PULPIT.
of lethargy and carnality on

:
which
this
reluctance, and even aversion to practical
Every day's
Christianity is grafted.
delay is augmenting the power, and consolidating the dreadful influences, of ini-
quity over you, entangling you deeper

and deeper in the pollutions and snares
of the world, in widening the breach between you and God, in piling up fresh
materials of ofl'ence and condemnation,
and in making your case proportionately
hopeless and desperate. " Choose you
this day whom you will serve," because
if you do not now comply with the pacific overture's of redemption, embrace God
as your only portion, and his service as
your only delight, another offer of life
Redeemer's side, and in that of the three

thousand souls converted by a few brief
sentences spoken by the apostle Peter;
while it is a position of equal verity, that
ages, even illimitable duration itself, will
be altogether ineffectual in neutralizing
or remedying the deplorable consequences may never be made
to
you, another op-
of talents wasted, privileges abused, precious opportunities frittered away, during
portunity of exercising sating repentance
the flow of a few winged months of this
cumstances
may
not again be afforded.
Many
may
cir-
conspire to defeat or
mortal existence. You may, therefore, frustrate so blessed a consummation the
be this very moment within an hour of exceeding deceitfulness of sin, the illuendless ruin or everlasting salvation. sions of a present evil world, the absorbAnd does not this serve to convince you, ing cares of business, the pomps and
that the present time
may be
this very
day
this
amusements of
life,
severe bodily weak-
sudden dissoand just as you are going on deintellectual, spiritual, and interminable bating the point, wishing to speculate a
êing are intrusted ; when you may be little longer on the subject, continuing to
()uilding a superstructure of dignities and alternate between what you shall choose
felicities on a scale the most magnificent, and what you shall reject, the door of
or be entailing and perpetuating all the grace may abruptly close, your last hope
unbearable and aggravated miseries of a may be wrested from you, and your doom
violated law and a despised gospel.
sealed for ever.
In fine, " Choose you
very night
ture to
the knot or conjunc-
which the whole issues of your
ness, mental imbecility or
lution
day whom ye will this day whom you will serve," because
you do not now cast time is rushing to its conclusion with
yourselves into the arms of divine com- every man and woman of this generation,
passion, repose unlimited faith in the with ominous and precipitate speed and
merits and mediation of the Redeemer, when the curtain of death falls upon you
and " repent as in dust and ashes," your
and it falls often suddenly, and gene-
"Choose ye
serve," because
this
if
keeping this vital question in a state of rally when least expected, and on those
suspension and abeyance can only be the who are worst prepared for it it will remeans of multiplying all the difficulties veal the fallacy and the inefficiency of
that lie in the way of your salvation, and the whole stock of those subterfuges and
probably defeating or preventing the ac- shifts, palliations and excuses, which
complishment of it altogether. Procras- mark in all the unregenerate so strong a
tination may stave off", but it can do no disposition to evade and parry off", from
more than simply stave off", its own imme- Sabbath to Sabbath, and from month to
diate crisis.
This faltering and demur- month, and from year to j'ear, the united
ring can only tend awfully to increase force of arguments amounting to moral
the perils you brave, and the hazards you demonstration in favour of immediate
run, to charm reason and conscience to faith and moral reformation.
On the day
sleep, to nourish and confirm those habits I of solemn reckoning and retribution, will
THE
OJ\LY ALTERNATIVE.
not be an agâvating feature In the

guilt of many, that they were ever form-
it
restricted
213
and circumscribed to
this re-
volving, fleeting hour. The gospel laning vague and undefined plans of amend- guage of invitation and promise to sinners
ment, but never carried them into effect; is ever couched in the present tense and
that they were ever making magnanimous it does not hold out one distinct hope or
lesolves, but never executing them ; ever pledge that its calls, if unanswered or dison the point of joining themselves to the regarded to-day, will be repeated to-morLord, and yet consuming their whole ex- row, or at any future time. Its voice is
istence in worshipping and doing sacrifice never to be heard but in the accents of
to the idols of time; and will not the precipitation and despatch
its messages
severest doom be reserved for " those of love and forgiveness to perishing crimislothful and undutiful servants," who nals are all sent by an express, while it
knew their Master's will, but did it not; exhausts the vocabulary of denouncement
"who, when required to go and work in and condemnation of every form of parley
go, but went and truce, of tampering and temporizing.
the vineyard, said,
;
We
notl"
and criminality
in
is
equal hazard
every moment's delay,
in a business so critical and so
moment-
ous as the restoration of the soul to God's

favour and image, and the insurance of
its eternal well-being, we would, with
all earnestness, press it upon you as your
first, your predominant, and your ultimate
interest, to give yourselves to God now,
to give yourselves to God wholly, and to
give yourselves to God for ever. This
is your paramount obligation, your supreme interest, your distinguishing honour.
inculcates, in the most urgent and

peremptory tone, " Flee from the coming
wrath.
Hasten your escape from the
stormy Avind and tempest. Escape for
thy life, look not behind thee, neither
stay thou in all the plain
escape to the
mountains, lest thou be consumed. Now
is the accepted time, now is the day of
salvation."
Again, he limiteth a certain
day, saying, in David, " To-da)', if ye
It
Seeing, then, that there
It
involves also the only infallible
hope of your
Exhort one another
will hear his voice.

daily,
while
while
it
is
called to-day."
read of nothing relating to faith,

repentance, and salvation, which is not
spoken of as
critical
and hazardous in the
The gospel, extreme, if deferred to some future and

remedial economy ad- indefinite period
and while every me-
final salvation.
while it unfolds a
mirably adapted to all the diversities of
our most necessitous and destitute condition, and is replete with blessings of the
first magnitude, and of thericliest variety,
and wiiich blessings are gratuitously
tendered to all, as they were purchased
for all, and are needed by all, has nevertheless revealed and bequeathed them to
the human race upon the express understanding that they meet with an instantaneous and cordial reception: while no
excuse will be sustained, and no apology
admitted, on any ground or pretence
whatsoever, for hesitation or delay, which,
in every case, is held in Scripture equivalent to a disparagement, or actual
dis-
claiming, of the whole generous and gracious proposals.

The entire word of
nace
is
levelled, and every admonition is
pointed, against faltering and procrastination, every gospel blessing is proffered,

every distinction and pre-eminence of
salvation is pledged, and will infallibly
be conferred upon those who yield compliance with its pressing summons, and
who immediately accede to its treasures
of grace, which are on a scale of magnitude and glory that transcend all cost and
all calculation.
"Turn ye to the strong
hold, ye prisoners of hope; even to-day
do 1 declare that I will render double

unto you. Ye stand this day all of you
before the Lord your God, that he may
establish you to-day for a people unto
himself, and that he may be unto you a
God, as lie halli said unto you." If you
will tiiis day, then, " Choose tlic Lord to
be ynur (Jnd," we proffer to yeii, in his
name and by his authorilv, tliat you shall
from beginning to end, is

and specific on the point of
tho present, and that only, being " man's
day ;" and all its overtures of mercy are be presently installed
inR])irntion,
most
And
we
defiiiilr
in
tiie
possession
THE
214
BRITISH PULPIT.
of all the benefits and immunities of the

Redeemer's purchase without deduction
and without qualification tliat you sliall
instantaneously emerge from under the
dark shadows of the fall, that miglity and
mysterious eclipse of humanity, into tlie
elTulgence of the light, and the plenitude
;
of the joy, of a renovated, heaven-born

;
and the silent tide of oblivion
nature
shall instantly close
ever over
for
all
your past and greatest sins; and you

shall be immediately admitted witliin
the privileged circle of the redeemed of
the Lord, shall have discerned to you the
prince of honours, and the meridian of
felicities ; that your brow shall be encircled with a double diadem of life and
righteousness
that a patent to all the
and the illustrious dignities of the

nobility of the heaven of heavens, shall
be made out for you, which nothing in
time or eternity can alienate or rescind ;
that paradise shall unlock for you its
everlasting gates, and the soul of grace and
godliness be poured into your expanded
hearts; and you shall behold the interminable future through a vista of brightest
hopes, and inherit a name immortal in the
records of glory; and while you continue
on earth your spirit shall be bathed in a
flood of heavenly bliss, and from habitual
communion and intercourse with the
titles
Godhead, prayer
shall swell into praise,
praise into adoration, and adoration into
rapture
Awake,
then, awake from this delirium

and trance.
Rouse from this extre^me
and passive torpidity of soul, and shake
off the inexplicable stupor that has fallen
upon your
spirits.
Be alive
to the affect-
ous and sustained application in contendlife ; and

any good feeling and
conviction be now at work, that you fan
the holy flame, and entirely resign yourselves to the divine impulse; for oh! the
course of many of you is now almost run,
and your life hangs by a single hair, and
the term of grace and opportunity is wear" Wo unto us, for
ing rapidly away.
ing for the last great stake of
we beseech
you,
the day goeth
if
away
shadows of
for the
God
knows what the next hour may develope, and on what new perils each successive morn may break.
The sunshine
is fast fading away
the storm is brewing,
the evening are stretched out;" and
only
and will quickly burst: every moment's

delay may cost a life, and a solitary spark
may
ignite the train of an endless confla-
All things have
gration.
suffice
now come
this is the very brunt
of your eternal fate.
Now
is
and
with you.
momentous
This
solicita-
the solemn and
is
juncture,
crisis
the ultima-
tum of gospel remonstrance and

tion
to a
Half measures will no longer
point.
when you must
secure or lose your everlasting interest
redemption
when your answer to the grand question must be clear
and categorical, affirmative or negative
for yet another hour and the high game
of time is up with you, and the last stake
will be played for good or evil, for life
or death, for two worlds, of ecstacy or of
agony, through the utmost range of an
unbounded existence. You have gone
in the great
too far
now
to recede.
The
passes of
insuperably barred. You are too

deeply and personally implicated in this
flight are
matter ever to retract.
You
are shut up,
your destinies, spiritual and eternal, are concentrated within this narrow
verge.
Escape is impossible; you are
hemmed in on every side, and your last
ing realities of your perilous situation

sit not a moment longer in silent and abstracted musing, but precipitate your
escape from impending disaster and death,
and hasten this mighty question, so long
and
pending, to an immediate and final adjustment.

do entreat, that all other
cares and avocations be for the time suspended, and your whole faculties bent to
the furtherance of this one grand concern
we implore, that all other interests, being
immeasurably inferior and subordinate,
immediately, and on the spot, surrender

at discretion to the proposals of amnesty
and tenderest clemency; consent to be
pardoned and redeemed, to reign in life,
to flourish in renown, and to be crowned
with endless felicity ; or to be condemned
as renegades, taken with the weapons of
rebellion in their hands, and adjudged to
never-ending shame and punishment.
We
overwhelming
be silent before
this
est of the soul
we call upon your
inter-
strenu-
all
retreat is cut off.
Either, then, you
must
A HOLY LIFE IMPORTANT.

And
let
the truth be branded into your
215
yourselves into the everlasting and outstretched arms of the once suflering and
whatever conclusion
whether you slain, but now the ascended and lifemake your option this day or not, the cir- giving Redeemer, who is beseeching you
cumstance will assuredly not prevent the by all the overflowing compassions he
transit of this day into the womb of the has manifested for you, and by the ten
However lightly you may hold, thousand claims which he has estabpast.
and however wantonly you may riot lished upon your admiration, confidence,
away, the successive winged hours of and obedience, that ye come to him,
this poor mortal span, the loss of each that ye may be justified, renovated, and
And let the trumpet of goshour is an important abstraction from the glorified.
scanty remnant of a most fragile and pel mercy, as it vibrates with thrilling
fugitive life.
Your hesitancy and delay transport through your frame, be corwill not retard for one moment the sun, dially and joyfully responded to; and
"which has mounted the heavens this let its tenders of love, and oblivion of
morning, from going down at his ap- all guilt, be more grateful to you, than
pointed time your dreaming and yawn- the proclamation of life to the condemned
ing away of this brief term of grace will malefactor on the scaflfold; its purifying
not preclude its rushing to its conclusion and refreshing fountains, more welcome
even if than streams in the desert to the parched
with equal and portentous speed
the very existence and happiness of the and prostrate caravan; and the discovery
whole universe were suspended on the of its splendid heritage of rest and glory,
phenomenon, the shadow upon the dial- more delightful to your eyes than the
plate would not go backward this evening sight of harbour to the sea-sick and temby one degree and were it to be the pest-beaten mariner
inmost heart, that
you
at
arrive in this case, and
means of averting the whole catastrophe

of your immortal doom, time would not
stop for you one wave of its unstaying and
!
flee,
infallible
gospel.
then, to the sovereign
and
refuge set before you in the

Avail yourselves of the noble
all-officiont remedy instituted by God

your deliverance from wrath, and restoration to his friendship and moral likeness improve and apply for your perfect
salvation, the admirable and incxliaustible provisions of infinite wisdom and
and
for
everlasting
grace.
doest do quickly."
" And what thou

Put not the question
of heaven or hell, bliss or misery, salvaone hour longer in
tion or destruction,
quarantine, but bring
"
to live well,
because
the virtuous life of a clergj'man
resistless tide.
Oh
A HOLY LIFE IMPORTANT.
WILL be sure
it
to a
summary
and solemn bearing. Give in, this very

instant, your submission to tlic overtures
of reconciliation and peace; expedite
your escape to the broad and imperishable Hock of ages, that rears its head
aloft, far above the surrounding surges,
for the protection and security of exposed,
shipwrecked sinners.
Helnrn like the
dove, after wandering over llie fare "f
the earth, seeking rest and finding none,
to the ark of your salvation.
Throw
is
the
persuade all
that see it to reverence and love, and at
And this
least to desire to live like him.
I will do, because I know we live in an
age that hath more need of good examples
And I beseech that God,
than precepts.
who hath honoured me so much as to
most powerful eloquence
me
call
to serve
him
to
at his altar, that as
by his special grace he hath put into my

heart these good desires -and resolutions;
so he will, by his assisting grace, give
me
ghostly (spiritual) strength to bring
the
same
liim, that
to
good
my
elTect.
And
beseech
humlilc and charitable
may so win upon
life
others, as to bring glory
my Jesus, whom I have tiiis ihiy taken

be my master and governor and I am
so proud of his service, tliat I will always
observe, and obey, and do his will ; and
always call him, J'sus my master; and
to
to
will
title
always contemn
my
any
upon
birth, or
or dignity that can be conferred
me, when I shall compare them with my

titlf i)f being a priest, and serving at the
Herbert.
altar of Jesus my master.
SERMON
XXIII.
THE DESTINY OF MAN.
BY THE REV. THEOPHILUS LESSEY.
"
Then
shall the dust return to the earth as
gave
it."
it
was: and
Eccles.
the spirit shall return unto
God who
xii. 7.
" God speaketh once, yea, twice, but the future
he is allowing his imagination

amidst scenes that are distant
and yet neglects his immortal future,
Elihu. It was true then ; it is true now
the voice of God is not listened to by a and is careless about his deathless spirit.
Certainly this must proceed from a
He speaks
careless, thoughtless world.
through various means ; not only by the moral cause ; it does not proceed from
We are not surinstituted ordinances of the sanctuary, any physical defect.
and the regular ministration of his holy prised at the improvidence of the brute
man
regardclh
it
not,"
is
the languatre
ot"
:
Word
to expatiate
he speaks by the dispensations of creation: they live by instinct; they are

intended to ruminate on present scenes,
Man is distinguished from the brute crea-
He speaks in the calm

his providence.
and serene dispensations of rnercy and
;
he speaks in the storm and in the tion by his capacity for reflection and
we must, therefore, trace
tempest: but how are they disregarded anticipation
this unaccountable neglect of man to a
Thoughtless man
by us
And yet, my brethren, man is not es- moral cause. It proves that a calamity
it
has happened to him, that he is a fallen
sentially inattentive to future things
is not characteristic of man to live for the creature ; a perverted heart, a depraved
present alone he is distinguished from mind, have turned him aside; he is not
the inferior orders of the creation by his what God created him.
Nothing, my brethren, more certainly,
attachment to futurity. He is a prospective creature, looking forward, taking a more affectingly proves that man is sold
prospective view of what may be sup- to the captivity of this world than his
posed to be his situation and circum- regard for it, his unconquerable adherAnd ence to it. You cannot break him off:
stances at some remote period.
even with reference to the separation of no power but the Omnipotence that called
his mysterious nature in this world, death him into being can dissolve the chain that
becomes the subject of arithmetical calcu- hinds him to earth no pestilence walklation
almost every thing valuable is ing in darkness, no calamity befalling
insured.
Man strives to set up a security his species, no distress happening toagainst the consequences of his own dis- himself: he is proof against them all.
he indulges in sorrow
solution ; he takes care that all his title- He loses a friend
deeds are valid ; he takes care to make for a moment or two, and it passes away;
his will and provide for his posterity, he returns from the burial of his friend to
and especially for his posthumous repu- his business, and plunges into it with a
The whole
tation ; he links his feelings with remote total indifference to futurity.
he is carefuturity ; he anticipates what the coming world is moving all around
generation will think concerning him. less ; or, if he is at all alarmed by some
He is there going out into the profound of fearful manifestation of Divine provi-
love
216
THE DESTINY OF MAN.
21T
The
royal preacher here pronounces the

Several things are predestiny of man.
only the alarm of a brute gazdence,

ing for a moment and we may indeed
apply to too many the humiliating lanit is
sented to our consideration in the declara-
guage which David employs with refer- tion. First, the compound nature of man ;
ence to himself: " So foolish was I, and he consists of a body and a spirit. Seignorant;
The
was
condly, the resolution of that material

Thirdly, the
to its original dust.
as a beast before thee."
some circumstance body
report of a gun, or
return of the immortal spirit to
of danger, will cause the oxen to pause

they forget it, and they graze
and gaze
great
its
Creator.
First, we are taught by the text, the

So it is with man for a moment
he may be agitated and affected, and then COMPOUND NATURE OP' MAN. He COUSistS
he sinks into a lethargy, and remains in- of two very different natures, two very,
Oh, how ne- different principles a mortal body, and
sensible to eternal things.
During this earthly,
cessary it is that there should bo a perpe- an immortal spirit.
life these two principles are mysteriouslytual voice to remind man of his mortality
God has instituted the Christian minis- united in one; so that man lives as a
He was so formed by.
try and though that ministry is designed compound being.
we have an account of his
to bring forth evangelical truth, to place the Almighty
creation in brief, but clear and simple
it in a clear and conspicuous light, and
bring it home to the conscience with fear- language. " So God created man in his
in the image of God created
ful and impressive manifestations, yet it own image
he him." This could not refer to the
is often powerless.
The subject presented by the text is material part. For God is a pure spirit,
one of a most solemn kind. Some sub- and all we know of the essence of God is
and the spirituality
iects, in order to be understood, must be that he is a spirit
death requires no explana- of his nature forms the basis of all those
explained
consetion ; "the living know that they must attributes in which he is arrayed
Some subjects, in order to be be- (jucntly no modification of matter can
die."
lieved, must be proved, must be argued, bear any resemblance to the Divine Being
must be confirmed death wants no argu- We must look to something more than
ment there it is. Some subjects are not matter for the traces and features of Di-
again.
sufficiently interesting to obtain attention
"The
phere, presses on
all
bosom and conscience

certainly as I live
live
death
come home
as
is
a subject
to
every man's
must
die as
certainly as
you must die: a few years will
you
re-
we
read,
Lord God formed man of the dust
of the ground, and breathed into his nos-
that should
Therefore
vine resemblance.
they are interesting to a certain class, not

to all classes ; they press with peculiar
weight on certain individuals they do
not touch others: death, like the atmos-
the breath of life ; and man became

a livinsr soul :" God breathed into him
trils
'
the breath of
which
life,
constitutes
principle in
existence
his
man which
organs,
ternal
man
that principle in
that
operates on ex-
and which pervades the

God breathed into
material system, his
" There is a spirit .in man and

into him.
know not when; the inspiration of the Almighty giveth
perhaps the " then" may be very near
them understanding." Therefore it is an
perhaps tiin momentous hour may be intellectual life: it is a life capable of
approarliing
"Then shall the dust re- thouHit, volition, and affection. The
turn to the earth as it was
and the spirit material part of man, that which meets
shall return to God who gave it."
Oh, the eye, is that with which we are best
may wc he assisted in our meditations on acquainted. Its growth is vegetative;
this passage
Our thoughts now rumi- that is, it is preserved in existence by a
move
this large
eternity.
mass of human beings
"Then"
nate on solemn subjects
and I earnestly
pray that we may be assisted to disengage our minds from all earthly and trivial concerns
Vol. I.28
;
kind of involuntary means: God's car

preserves the creatures he has made.
It
on
would bo very delightful
liic
wisdom and
llie
to
goodness of
dwel.
God
THE BRITISH
218
PULPIT.
and the structure of the material system, fluence on our minds. All the excellence
and to show how exactly all the organs of man resides in his immortal spirit:
in that system are suited to the operations there is no abstract excellence in the
of the indwelling- spirit.
We cannot have body; just as there can be no abstract
a more delightful manifestation of the excellence, no abstract intellectual or esbenevolence of the Divine Being than in sential excellence, in any combination of
But matter. From our association with matthe structure of the human body.
as ter we are in danger of terminatiiig our
still though so exquisitely formed
the inspired writer says, " fearfully and views with the material system.
This
wonderfully made" it is mere matter, is the dangerous tendency to which that
which has been combined under the form- class of men are exposed who study phythe nature of their research has
ing hand of .Tehovah with exquisite skill. siology
It is impossible to go into an examination often led them into materialism ; they
of the internal structure, or the external have denied that there is any spirit in the
organs of the body, without perceiving body; they have altogether lost sight of
that there was a presiding intelligence the lofty and glorious distinction between
over the whole; that God knew what mind and matter ; they have employed
kind of spirit he was about to lodge in their inventive powers to discover other
" Every house," says causes for intellectual and moral phenothe habitation.
the apostle, "is builded by some man; mena than those which the Scriptures
but he that built all things is God." The direct us to. They have represented man
human body is very frequently termed a as nothing more than one of the clods of
house, a tabernacle. How do we know the valley ; they have ascribed all the
that every Rouse is built by some man ] mysterious functions of vitality to the
Because it displays everywhere the signs peculiar organization of the material sysof contrivance there is intelligence and tem.
wisdom displayed in the whole.
This is very affecting, indeed because
So
when we take up the human tabernacle, God has so wisely constructed the human
we see the wisdom, of God everywhere system that it is admirably adapted to all
manifest in adapting the particular struc- the functions of the spirit. It is not the
ture of the organ to the operation of that eye which sees ; it is not the ear which
spirit which was to perform its functions hears.
The organization will remain the
through the aid of such organization.
same till dissolution, till the putrefaction
But still we cannot avoid coming to of this piece of matter takes place ; there
the humiliating thought that it is dust: will be the same exquisitely beautiful
it is subject to the laws of matter ; it may
formation of the eye, the same adaptation
decay by age ; it may be injured or de- of the ear the same system through the
stroyed by force there is no dependence whole but there will be no power ; the
on its continuance ; it is frequently out eyes will not see, the ears will not hear.
of order; it is perpetually evincing its The fallen jaw, the cold marble face, the
fragile and transient nature.
How fre- senseless expression, prove that the vital
quently are we the painful subjects of principle is gone. " Let me bury my
those evidences of mortality which sur- dead out of my sight." It no longer posround us, and which exist within us
sesses any thing excellent it is a vile
The seeds of mortality are sown in the body. Let the rich, and the great, and
soul of this earthly tabernacle ; the seeds

of mortality are lodged in this dust, beau-
remember this. Let us value

those things that belong to the eternal
spirit ; let us value those truths which
the noble,
as it maybe: they are vegetating,

they are growing, they are shooting out relate
tiful
in different directions, the fruit is hasten-
ing to maturity, tlfat is, death.

Yes, we say that man is dust. This
is humiliating and, if it could be brought
home, it certainly would have its due in:
to the inner
When
man.
the powers of the understanding
by divine grace, they are

and even when they are not
sanctified they excite our admiration, but
with our admiration we mingle pity.
are sanctified
ennobled
THE DESTINY OF MAN.
We
see a
human
its intellectual
spirit
219
an imagination
ployed
shadowing
blessedness
which employs good
faculties only in relation
that should be
em-
forth celestial
in
and
has spiritual
a will that should
genius of the highest order ; he is a poet, ever be ready to hasten on the errands
he is an orator ; he has attracted atten- of God, and attach the individual to the
affections, modifica
purposes of God
tion and admiration to himself: but, alas
the blaze of his genius expires in the tions of that will, that should run in pertomb. His genius is not consecrated at fect harmony with the will of God
Oh,
the footstool of the throne of God
those yes, it was a spirit breathed from God;
amazing powers which render him a kind it was God's own offspring: it was a
of intellectual phenomenon are hastening divine emanation ; it was a ray from the
to set in darkness: and there is an end inexhaustible fountain ; it was man formof him. Some are ready to say
(my ed in the image of God. Oh, how fallen
brethren, we must not give way to the and how inglorious now
He
to the present state of things.
But
mere poetical scntimentalism of the day)
the glorious gospel of the grace of
God repairs' the ruined house; it raises

up the fallen nature of man; and it gives
to the clayey tenement again a happy and
immortal spirit. Remember that the best
that there is nothing about him, bright

and brilliant as he may be, that will survive the dissolution of his earthly frame
those powers that are producing such an
astonishing effect, those powers that are
throwing out the brightness of intellectual
discovery, that are applying themselves
in purple
to the investigation of scientific truth
in the
those powers that are employed in the
however separated and distinguished from

whatever may be your situation in life, however you may disgrace
or adorn it
you are dust, you are hasBut there is a spirit
tening to the dust.
that will survive that dissolution
and
that spirit forms the proper dignity and
glory of man.
The royal preacher teaches us the resolution OF THIS MATERIAL PART OF MAN
INTO ITS ORIGINAL DUST. " TllCU shall
construction of curious machines
powers that are so lofty, and

and wondrous will pass away
those
striking,
into the
darkness of the bottomless pit and all

the dignity and glory, and all the majesty
of the intellectual principle sink into the
grave, and lower than the grave.
I tell
you, seriously, that thing in man will
;
survive
dears
him
man
:
is
to
high and noble dignity.

Yes, there is a spirit in man; and, oh,
how noble is that spirit, contemplated
apart from the desolating influence of sin
contemplated before it was touched
and tainfeil by the virus of iniquity contL'm])lated when it shone in the beauty of
its original form, when it was prepared
by God to reflect his own imago, and endued with an understanding that was to
expatiate in the opening manifestations of
divine trulli ; an understanding capabU' of
perpetually new combinations of intellectual beauty and glory
an understanding
that qualified tiie favoured being for intercourse with the eternal fountain of lift;
with powers connected with that understanding a memory that should be a
treasure of
all
that
was excellent and
Think
however clothed
linen, however decked
the deathless spirit.
you
are dust,
and
fine
insignia of dignity and royalty,
yovir fellows
which enGod, that wiiich endears

angels, that which gives him a the dust return
that deathless spirit
him
to
part of
of this
to the earth as
it
was
and the spirit shall return unto God who

gave it." How difficult it is to prevail
on man to contemplate his own dissolution
It is a subject studiously avoided ;
!
and yet it is to man of all subjects the

most solemn, the most solemnly and intensely interesting.
There
is
no point of view
man can be contemplated

to
his spirit
struction
in
which
that will give
admonitory lessons of
more powerful, more
in-
practical,
and more permanent, than the study and

his decontemplation of his dissolution
Tiiis dissoluparture from this world.
tion may be preceded by the infirmities
of old
age,
according to the beautiful
deseriptiiin of the royal preacher in the
verses preceding the text: " In the day

when the keepers of the house shall trem-
;:;
THE BRITISH
220
ble, and the strong
men
shall
bow them-
selves, and the grinders cease because
PULPIT.
common
in the
and ordinary signification
But we are told explicitly

"the wicked shall not live out half
of the term.
they are few, and those that look out of that

windows be darkened and the doors his days." Visit the regions of silence
go and explore the recordsshall be shut in the streets, when the and death
sound of the grinding is low ; and he on the tombstones in the opposite ground
go into any receptacle for the dead, and
shall rise up at the voice of the bird
and all the daughters of music shall be you will find that death comes on all
also when they shall be ages, that death is not to be kept off by
brought low
No
paafraid of that which is high, and fears any circumstance whatever.
shall be in the way, and the almond tree rents bury children, perhaps, oftener thaii
How many
shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall children bury their parents.
the
bebe a burden, and desire shall fail

cause man goeth to his long home, and
the mourners go about the streets or
ever the silver cord be loosed, or the
golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher
be broken at the fountain, or the wheel
broken at the cistern then shall the dust
and the
return to the earth as it was
spirit shall return unto God who gave it."
This beautiful imagery may be distributed into throe parts the first is allegorical
the second literal; and the third
again is allegorical. The middle verse,
"Also when thoy shall be afraid of that
;
which
is
high," &c.,
is
certainly literal
denotes the tremulousness, and the

apprehensive character of old age. All
firmness is gone; every thing produces
it
a palpitation, a trembling the individual

becomes the subject of highly nervous
irritability; there is general weakness
and debility he is sinking into the grave.
In the former description there is reference to a frequent simile a house and
There is a striking disits inhabitant.
tinction between the habitation and the
;
inhabitant.
You perceive the
exact adap-
tation of all the imagery to the relation
ust appear, and a blight comes over them,

and in the very bud of being they return
to
to
dust again
How many just grow up
entwine themselves round the affec!
tions of their parents, to be the delight
of their eye, the desire of their hearts
and just when they arrive at that age in

which friendship is formed, and love is
matured, and the parent is already living
over again in his child, and the child is
enjoying the maturity of the friendship
death touches the child ;
of the parent
he drops, and the parent mourns, and
Rachel weeps for her children, because
they are not.

I am aware that all this
may be given you, and
representation
yet no effect-
made on )'our minds.

Strange to say, that while all men neg-
ual impression be
lect
own mortality,
human race is the
the mortality
their
of the
subject of po-
etry and eloquent discussion.
We have
a great deal of sentimental description of

this kind.
want you
to feel that
are obnoxious to the stroke
you
there is the
Are you dust? Yes, you know

you cannot resist the evidence. Your
point.
it
material frame, that is nourished, cheered,
which the spirit stands to its decaying warmed, and invigorated by the atmostenement. And, oh! experience will bear phere your material system, that is unme out you, my brethren, are witnesses der the government of material laws^
in
of the decaying nature of your earthly your material system may be deranged
tenement: you already begin to feel the and disordered, and the operations of it
hand of time, the hand of disease, bring- may be impeded your material system
ing on dissolution. There is dulness in is dust. You know that: and what is
Why, it is to mingle with the
the law ?
the ear, there is feebleness in the step
Here is a law th.it cannot be rethere are all the indications that the ha- dust.
Your death is as much a part
bitation is about to drop, that this taber- versed.
nacle of clay is about to sink into its na- of your physiology as your growth, as
your nourishment you are as certain to
tive dust.
But how few live out half their days, return to dust as that you are made of
even though they are not wicked I mean dust. It is vain to attempt to ward oflf
THE DESTINY OF MAN.

There
the stroke.
is
a law, "
The
dust
We
shall return to the earth as it was," a law

which has never been interrupted in its
course but in two splendid instances, and

it will not be interrupted either
there is a law that
for you or for me
boars us all to the chambers of death.
certainly
221
thing not only solemn, but deeply mysterious in death.

lift our souls to the
Great Spirit, to the abstract Spirit, to that
who only has immortality in its

and absolute signification, to that
Spirit who only is absolutely and essenSpirit
strict
tially spirit
our minds are overwhelmed,
and we come down, and sink, oppressed

with the contemplation of the Infinite
Being, till we endeavour to relieve ourselves by the contemplation of created
the Divine Being has not been intending spirits. And when we have gone through
to produce powerful impressions on our all the various orders of spirits, we feel
minds by such sudden interpositions. the mystery, as well as the majesty, of
have had our friends with us one the subiect.
What is a spirit 1 Philosophy tells us
hour, and they have been separated by
the veil that conceals eternity the next it is something distinct from matter.
hour almost while we have been talk- Matter can be examined, can be analyzed:
matter is known to possess certain posiing with them they have disappeared.
Elaborate description tive qualities solidity, extension, divisiI3ut I forbear.
Philosophy will go
I would never indulge bility, and so on.
is out of place.
in mere poetical excitement on subjects into the examination of matter, and the
which are so deeply solemn. You have laws of matter; and almost the whole
.not only the evidence within you, but encyclopedia of science is confined to the
around you. Sacred be the feelings of range of material existence. Astronomy
jnourners
I would not intrude into the expatiates amidst those huge masses of
hallowed spot. There is a grief which matter that move in solemn and silent
dust shall return to the dust as it
was. Dissolution may take place suddenly this has been the case very frequestion whether
quently of late.
The
We
We
pomp over the surface of the beautiful

a stranger must not intermeddle with
there is a grief into which even friend- canopy above. There is the region of
;
ship cannot be admitted ; there is a grief astronomy, with all its sublime, and all
too solemn, too sacred, to be approached its glorious conceptions ; but it is mateven by friendship; and kindness itself ter, and subject to the laws of matter
may be persecuting, may be obtrusive.

Many of you and I cast my tlioughts
back
to the
commencement
of
my
minis-
for all the
bodies
movements
regulated
are
of those mysterious
by certain
laws,
And when
wiiich do not touch spirit.
many of you have had
to mourn you have said all you can about the cenyou have asso- trifugal and centripetal forces, when you
ciated, whom you have loved, with whom have gone far into the arcana of these
you have taken sweet counsel. They wonderful subjects, you have only touchthey are not in that pew ed matter you have not found a single
are not here
where they used to sit, and meditate, and law or principle that touches spirit. \ ou
worship, and pray. They are not willi come down you range over the surface
and though you may he acthat household, gladdening it by their of the earth
presence, and guiding it l)y their wisdcm. quainted with every thing, from the cedar
They are not in that room where you so tliat is in Lebanon to the hyssop that
try here
over friends with
whom
frequently sat with them.
found,
fi)r
turned to dust
resolved
Tliey are not
(lod has taken them.

;
ii\to its
They
are
springeth out of the wall,
it is
matter vegetated
in
matter
matter
diversified
You come to chemistry you

forms.
examine the various minerals, and so on;
God wIid you go into the bowels of the enrth, and
the mortal part has been
original grains of earth,
and tlio spirit has returned to

explore its various strata; it is still matgave it.
Let us hasten to lake tlio last view of ter. Let us pursue philosophy, and folthe subject Thk return ok the spirit low it into its dnepesl recesses, whether
TO its Gkkat Creator. There ia some- lofty or profound ; let us go liirough liie
t2
;:
THE
222
whole range of science
You
it
BRITISH PULPIT.
material.
is
take up the mysterious body of
man
not
life
sense,
and therefore
is
the privation of
death, in this
life.
But
this
let its anatomy be is a very meagre definition after all.

be dissected
What is death 1 It is the separation
displayed to us, its mysterious structure
unfolded it is only the science of mat- of the immortal spirit from the mortal
let it
part: it is quitting the lodgment; it is

have loosening the silver cord ; it is opening
treatises on the powers of the human the door, and letting the inhabitant go
mind ; and we are told of perception, of out; it is spirit leaving matter, and going
intelligence, of volition, and of the va- to the dust; the spirit is no longer there.
rious attributes that distinguish spirit The spirit was there; precious was that
from matter. What is spirit T Nobody spirit in your esteem; beloved was that
Mi/ spirit
Why, spirit by your spirit; you held with that
can tell. Tlio spirit
spirit the most delightful intercourse. But
it is the seat of thought; it is the region
of intelligence ; it is the throne in which now lift the napkin from the dead man's
all affection is seated; it is the centre face; now gaze on that countenance.
It
ter.
What
Tell me.
spirit?
is
We
whence
issues
able to man.
all
Ghost takes up
pours forth
his
man
agree-
there that the
Holy
that renders
It is
his abode
light
breathes his influence

erts his
power.
And,
it is
is
it
it
is
my
there he
there
he
there he ex-
brethren,
it is
no blood circulates
no sensations thrill through those
nerves ; no soul beams in those eyes it
is fixed, it is settled
there
is
You might
matter.
marble statue
as well talk to a
may be
speaks not.
a marble statue
beautifully chiseled, but
it
You might as well expect some return

from the painted picture
the canvass
I have told you there is something ex- seems to look and breathe ; it is matter.
cellent in the material combination even. So with the dead body; the spirit is
But what gives to the eye its force, its gone and then the question is. Where
beaming benevolence, its charming intel- is it gone 1 Gone to God the spirit is
What renders the eye the returned to God who gave it.
ligence 1
Oh, how full of thought is this repreavenue to the mind 1 What constitutes
the eye the opening through which a sentation
The spirit is returned to God,
thousand delightful sensations pass to to account to God. It is a responsible
What is it that forms the ear spirit it has to deal with God God's
the mind 1
to listen to the discourses of wisdom
to eye is upon every step of its progress
the tender, and impassioned, and cheer- God's ear is listening to every thought,
ing tones of friendship to the full mi;- and every word. Oh, my brethren, where
lody of music ? What renders the heart shall I find language to express the treinstinct with kindness, that qualifies the mendous responsibility of the soul that is
hand to impart charity, or give the ex- thinking, and feeling, and purposing, and
pression of friendliness 1 What animates speaking, and acting in reference to that
and nerves the feet 1 What breathes, and judgment ? God will call me to account
glows, and lives in this portion of dust? and the moment the spirit has quitted the
and that spirit shall very body it passes, perhaps, to a previous
It is the spirit
soon quit the body. Now, this is death. judgment. I am not now going into the
We have been told that philosophy, in question of an individual or general judgits attempts to define every thing, has ment: certain it is that the destiny of
attempted to define death. It is the ne- each spirit is fixed at death, and that this
the spirit, after
all,
that constitutes the
man.
or the privation of life. is an anticipation of that eternal destiny.

no definition.
The term Therefore it is I wish you to conceive of
"death" cannot be applied to any thing the solemnity of the spirit passing into
which has not had life. You never think the immediate presence of God.
The
of applying it to a stone, or any thing spirit returns to God
and then of course
So far it is clear all hope of mercy terminates; the probathat is not animated.
and distinct; nothing can die that has tion is at an end. The present is the
gation of
Why,
life,
this is
'
THE DESTINY OF MAN.
grace.
God is employing here
means which he hath devised
olive-branch will never more be held

out for the acceptance of the sinner
The soul will go to receive its doom.
those
all
223
The
probationary state; and, as a probationary state, it is enriched with means of
but
to bring
But
our spirits back. " God so loved the

world as to give his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth on him might
nestly
ing.
not perish, but have everlasting life."
of the body implies the absence of con-
The whole economy
of redemption
is
God, who hath done

of influence
his Spirit strives
way of
way
with men
;
his holy, his benevolent, his wise Spirit,
meets the
man
spirit of
downward
man in its
in its
progress, meets the spirit of
The
death
Because the spiConsciousness cannot reside in the body, and

therefore the death of the body implies
But the
the absence of consciousness.
death of the soul does not imply the abcontains
rit
the
all in
ho-
why 1
sciousness: and
the
in
all
now doing
hesitate.
you the subject is too affectThere is the death of the soul, as
well as the death of the body.
display of God's love to our fallen spirits.

propitiation, is
pause
tell
consciousness.
the
sence of consciousness. It is not anniit is a perpetuity of existno

hilation
it is consciousness rendered the
ence
and strives
with him, and reasons with him, and de- source, the element, (;f unutterable agony.
bates the matter with him. Now is the It is consciousness that fixes the eternal
course to the bottomless
time for conviction

contrition
nov)
now
tended
now
the time for
is
the time for earnest
is
heart-examination
prayer
pit,
now
is
the golden
the time for
sceptre
may
the vilest sinner
ex-
is
touch
it
and be reconciled. The rainbow of mercy

appears ; and, however dark the storm,
the rainbow is there.
Now is the precious opportunity
I may obtain mercy.
This probation-time will make all the
diflerence
between
make
the difference between an eter-
all
hell
and heaven
will
nity without glory, and an eternal prospirit is gone,

to
God
Do
But when
of damnation.
fundity
just as
not
tell
over with
it is
it
mo
it;
it
the
goes
quits the body.
about any thing
Remember,
article of death.
the
in
the soul
is
the seat of sin, and the seat of holiness

the soul has the character
body
it
is
not
tiie
it
not the
is
of the
dissolution
earthly system that can alter the character of the soul
character with
tho soul carries
it.
If
it
its
destruction of that individual.

the absence of feeling
has a darkened
a
judgment, a reiiellions will, and

unholy ulTi'ctions, it will go direct to (iod
with all these. Awful! Awful
"He
It is
not
the feeling of
it is
God's wrath, a feeling of absolute despair,

a feeling of all that
which
dition,
That soul
the
is
is
horrible in that con-
the death of the soul.
will live to beifr the
Lamb,
to feel
wrath of
the corrosions of the
worm live to endure all that

mysterious punishment which is reserved
for those that will not have Christ to
When you gaze on a
reign over them.
dead body, think on the departed soul.
But, oh, how consolatory is the thought!
If the spirit has been justified, regenerated, and sanctified, it will reiurn to the
return
eternal fruition of God in heaven
It will be a dissoto he for ever happy.
deathless
lution
from that body of corruption which
has been a clog, a weight, a hinderance.

How little we know of the disembodied
spirit!
How little do we know of the
of
susceptibilities
own emerged from
\in(l(rstandiiig, a corrupt imagination,
often followed in
But we
spirit.
the
that
spirit
world
thought the
this
VSe
has
have
flight of the
feel that
])crverlpd
" TiiC (lend lire like llie Hliirs \\y diiy,
Williiirawii Iron) inorliil rye;
IJiil, iioi
him be filthy still he

let him be unjust still."
SpirilH
It is all over.
The sounds
VumikIi
never hxvwV. on
tlie
that
that
is
is
filthy, let
unjust,
of nierey will
wailing, and
ing, and the gnashing, of
tiie
III
eMiiicI, lliey hold llieir
tliiry iliroiiph
CriPin iKiiiilnge llius
iiiiiidHl
way
ihr sky.
set frre
inimcimiiy."
yell-
bottomless
The mercy of the Lamb will be
pit.
changed into the wrath of liie Lamb
tlie
They
are in glory, they are wiili (hrist;
tliey arc
separated for ever fn
leMiptatioii3
and
trials
ni
of this
all
the
mortal
THE mUTISH
224
The journeying
scene.
spirit
the right to do
returns
after the toil of
his journey he enters his Father's house,

he takes his seat at the tal)le ; universal
joy circulates through the happy family
it
Angels
Born
sing,
into the
man
'A child
dead
is
to the
it
is
would do it? Is there one

durst do it?
There is not I am
that
is
not
there is not one of all
these hundreds, there
born!'
is
not one of
all
these thousands, that dares say, before
God, "I
brother greet,
the soldier, the hardy vete-
who
cessive campaigns,
Oh,
shall not die to-night."
may we
Oh, prebe prepared

pare
(may God speak it home to your
hearts I)
prepare to meet thy God
" Blessed are the dead that die in the
yea, saith the
Lord from henceforth
Spirit, that they may rest from their labours and their works do follow them."
then,
throne of love,
has endured the fatigues of sucwho has worn his

armour constantly, and used his sword
manfully, and kept the shield of his faith
steadfastly, and finished his course gloIt is the triumphant soldier
riously.
stepping on the neck of his last enemy,
and shouting as he rises, " O death,
where is thy sting ]
grave, where is
ran,
authority to
I the
!'
Place him at the Saviour's feet."
Yes,
had
to
there one that
world above.
They our happy

Bear him
is
were
if I
sure there
" Mortals cry, 'A
it,
summon any one in

this congregation who durst do it, to rise
and say, before God and this assembly
"I am sure I shall not die to-night" is
do
he arrives at home. Yes, after the toil,

and peril, and fatigues of his journey
for here he is a pilgrim
PULPIT.
AIM AT PROFITING ALL.
REMEMBER some ycars ago to have

heard a young minister, who was settled
I
in
a small obscure town, preach a serat an association meeting, which
mon
He
returns to God; he was richly adorned with the graces of

he takes the victorious finished composition.
He was afterpalm, and waves it before the throne ; he wards asked by a senior brother whether
takes off his armour, he unbuckles his he preached such sermons at home
and
breastplate, he removes his helmet, he ha-\ing answered in the affirmative, " And
thy victory]''*
lays by his sword
lays aside his shield
God
clothes
him how many of your people," it was said,

"do you think can understand you?"
with a robe of salvation, and he walks

with those who are before the throne.
Yes, it is the weather-beaten mariner
he has endured many hardships, many
dangers now at length he has weathered
every storm ; he is now entering the port,
no more to be dashed on the surface of
the troublous ocean, no more to feel the
surges beat against him. Angels M'elcome him ; he lands on the shores of immortality to be for ever with Jesus.
It is
the spirit returning to God.
Oh, my brethren, why do we trifle
with eternity
Why will you thus put
'rom you everlasting lifel
"Then"
"Then !" Oh, there is a mystery in that
:
"?
"About
five or six," he replied.

The
avowal produced, as might be expected,
among men of piety and experience, a
mixed emotion of grief and indignation.
Nor can we conceive of a more gross and
than that of a
pleasing
himself, and a few fond admirers, by
revolting
inconsistency
Christian pastor and
teacher
picking flowers and weaving pretty garlands, when the sheep of his flock are
ready to perish for want of being properly
watched and fed. What! will a man

who has assumed an oflice of deep and
awful responsibility spend his time, his

strength,' and his ingenuity in courting the
word
When will it come to me 1) muses, and canvassing for literary ho"Then shall the dust return to the earth nours, when the souls of his charge are
Lord, when?
as it was."
God will not many of them rushing, unprepared, into
tell you when.
Very soon, perhaps
eternity
shameful prostitution of the
perhaps very suddenly. And if I wtre noblest function
Con. Ma<r. 1826
to look on this congregation, and had I
!
SERMON XXIV.
THE INFLUENCE OF THE LOVE OF
CHARGE DELIVERED TO THE REV. JOHN
REID, OF
CHRIST.
GLASGOW, ON HIS ORDLNATION
AS A MISSIONARY,
BY THE REV.
DR.
WARDLAW,
OF GLASGOW.
Mv
DEAH VOUNG FrIKND,

have this evening been set apart
to the most responsible duty which can
devolve upon you. We trust the divine
presence has been with us now ; and, in
answer to our united prayers, we hope
his blessed presence will be with you.
You
You may
well say, as did Moses of old,
" If thy presence go not with me, let me

not go hence." The work to which you
have devoted yourself requires the exertion of all your mental and intellectual,
of all your moral and spiritual powers.
It is one from which an angel might
slirink, and yet one, the duties of which
may, tlirough the divine agency, all be
You may
performed.
confidently
assured that though impotent
rest
in yourself,
died for them, and rose again." (1 Cor. v.

14, 15.)
"The
love of Christ constraineth

Deeply did this ambassador for
To him to livo
Christ feel this motive
was Christ; and he had no wish to live
another hour but as this was the case.
His one desire was that Christ might be
us !"
magnified both
in his
and
life
in
his
death.
What I now wish to impress on your

mind is this The indispensable necessity OF LOVE ToChRISTINORDERTO A FAITHFUL DISCHARGE OF THE DUTIES THAT DEVOLVE UPON vou. Theloveot'Chiist love
:
to the
divine Saviour
in all the
characters
which the gospel reveals him love to

him for all he is, for al' he has done, for
in
and the variety so great, that there is

some difiiiculty in fixing. There is one
topic, however, very appropriate, and
this love belongs to

;
This is most plainly
tai'ght in such passages as these, " He
that loveth father or mother more than
me is not worthy of me he tliat loveth
which
his
you
shall yet be
On such
mighty througli
sul)jt'ct tlie field is
harmony
own mind
contained in the words
be in
with the feelings of your
mean
will,
that
trust,
which
is
(Jod.
so ample,
full
of the apostle Paul, when assigning a

reason for the zeal and perseverance of
he has promised
every
Christian.
own
of me."
life
more than me
"Grace be with
is
not worllij'
all
thai lovo
our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity." If

any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ,
him be anathema maranatha." The

whom you serve is pleased with
ministry, he says, " For the love of no service but that which springs from
liimsrlf and his colleagues in the

till!
all
work of
let
Mast(;r
however,
Christ constrainelh us; because we thus

judge, that if one died for all, llu'n were
and that ho died for all, that
all dead
your atlimtion, but
those which live should not hnneeforlh
liar to the njjtce if the
lire unto themselves, but unto
Vol. L'20
him which
love.
It
is
not,
Christ, in general, that
to this lovr to
would now
call
to that ir/iich in peen-
ChrisHan ministry
which you have now taken upon you.

))',
THE
226
BKITISII PULPIT.
glorious in your eyes, and you will do
"Without love to Christ, all its services

nre worse than worthless ; diso[visting as
the zealous professions of a hollow friend-
all
incongruous as the outward

whitenia<r of a sepulchre full of rottenThis love to Christ is important
ness.
made
ship, and
you can
make him
to
glorious in the
eyes of others.
I rejoice in
in
the great progress you have
those
qualifications
literary
which will enable you to interpret the

word of God not that these will do
on a variety of accounts.
alone
if you would interpret thai word
I. This will render studv pleasant.
Your sentiments and habits show that you with success, you must have this sacred
:
consider study as necessary to a missionary in India as to a minister in Britain.
word of
great object of study is the
The
God
all else is
valuable only as
it
enables
stimulus of love, love to
word delighteth
Him whom
that
The
genius
of different dispensations, the gradual
unfoldings of the divine mind, the relatioi\
to
honour.
Of which one part of truth bears to another,

word Christ is the chief subject, the the connexion between the privileges and
sum, and the substance. This is like a duties of the gospel, the grand design of
golden thread running througtiout the the Holy Spirit in the entire communicaNow, love to Christ tions of his will all these must be duly
wliole of revelation.
regarded, and will become, as it were, a
^vill lead you to trace out this thread in
Let me not be mis- facility to you in translating the Scripall its various parts.
In this
taken
I moan not to recommend that tures into any new language.
you
to explain
and understand
this.
tills
department of labour the men of God

with whom you are now associated have
page and in every line of Scripture ; this spent much of their time in preparing
argues weakness rather than love, I the instrument they have met with much
may you, my dear young
would allow no rule of interpretation but success
poor, though well-intended
pretation
which
mode
Christ
finds
of inter-
every
in
that
whifh leads
Blind and
to ascertain
what
is
the
of the Spirit, and which
tvill
beyond
will not allow to go
And
it.
especially as a translator of the Scriptures
friend,
using
meet
witii the
same success
in
it
II. Love to Christ will endear to

YOU the members of his flock.-^You
must be borne cannot love Christ without loving his

mind by you ; you must make your people. All these are the purchase of
translation say what the Spirit of God his agonies, the objects of his dying love,
into foreign languages this
in
says in the old language.

truth is to set forth the
To
and you must
\vave a general
acquaintance
wit.h
tliat
You
yon may
preach the
mind of Christ;
and correct
whole, in order
properly explain any part.
the
will do this with delight
love him whose
when you
name has become
"as ointment poured

Wherever the word rfocs admit of
own
soul
vill be delighted to find Christ
to
your
forth."
it,
you
and even
Uio most distant glimpse of him will give

any part of it deep interest. The histolies, the institutions, the doctrines,
the
prtcepts, the promises, the predictions of
the word, will
and they are all precious in his sight.

He has shown his love to them by the
"I am
price which he gave for them:
the gcod shepherd
the good shepherd
"How
triveth his life for the sheep."
think yel
If a man have an hundred
sheep, and one of them be gone astray,
doth be not leave the ninety and nine, and
goelh into the mountains, and seeketh
And if so be
that which is gone astray 1
that he find it, verily 1 say unto yon,
he rejcicelh more of that sheep, than of

the ninety and nine which went not
astray."
Love
to
Christ will
make you
have a zcsl in propor- earnest in your endeavours to contribute

lion as you find tliem have reference to to the joy of the good Shepherd in the
him; as they speak of his coming, as recovery of those that are lost. You will
they explain his truth, as they illustrate constantly hear in mind, that every memhis salvation, as they reveal his glory. ber of his flock, however lightly esteemed
If you love .lesus Christ, all that relates by some, is redtomed, not with " corruptto
him
all
will have a
charm
he will be
ible things,
such as silver and gold, but

.T

CHRIST.
227
with the prpcious blood of Christ, as of| be slow to give offence, and slow to take
a lamb without blemish and without it. Endeavour to have written on your
spot." They are the objects of a lovej heart the sentiments contained in two inwhich makes him identify their interests spired passacres; the first is in the epistle
with his own "Inasmuch as ye did it, to the Ephesians: "I therefore, the
or did it not, unto one of the least of these prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye
my brethren, ye did it, or did it not, unto walk worthy of the vocation wherewith
me." If you love Christ, you will fear ye are called, with all lowliness and
all indifference to his.
And this will meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing
exclude all party spirit: you will love one another in love ; endeavouring to keep
them, not as partizans, but as Christians, the unity of the Spirit in the bond of
for Christ's sake.
The relation of be- peace." The other is the language of
lievers to Christ is independent of time James " Who is a wise man and endued
and place and our love to them should with knowledge among you ? let him
be the same in nature, as it is in obliga- show out of a good conversation his works
tion, in all the world around.
How beau- with meekness and wisdom. For where
tifully is this love exemplified in the case envying and strife is, there is confusion
of the apostle who once " breathed out and every evil work. But tiie wisdom
threatenings and
slaughters" against that is from above is first pure, then
tliose
who
became
eager
bare the
name
of Christ
as tender in his love as he
He
was
peaceable, gentle, and. easy to be entreated, full of
mercy and good
fruits,
without
Listen to his language partiality and without hypocrisy.

And
to the Thessalonians ;
"
were gen- the fruit of righteousness is sown in
tle
in his hate.
among you, even
We
as a nurse cherisheth
being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have

imparted unto you, not the gospel of God
only, but also our own souls, because ye
were dear unio us. For ye remember,
brethren, our labour and travail : for
labouring night and day, because wc
would not be chargeable unto any of you,
we preached unto you the gospel of God."
" Tiierefore, we were comforted in your
" We were comforted over
comfort."
you, in all our affliction and distress, by
your faith for now we live, if ye stand
fast in the Lord.
For what thanks can
we render to God again for you, for all
the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes
before our God ; night and day praying
exceedingly that we might sec your face,
and might perfect that which is lacking
in your faith."
And many other portions
breathing the same spirit might be
her children
so,
quoted.
reference to those
remember
that I have spoken of love to
Christ, ybr what he
he has done.
1.
You
is,
as well as for
Now if you
what
love Christ,
him in geneLike him in his
will study to be like
ral personal character.
devotion to God, in his benevolence to
men, and in all those holy virtues which

adorned his character, and in which he
has left us " an example that wc should
follow his steps." I cannot too deeply
impress the vast and unutterable importance of decision and consistency of chaI cannot
racter to a missionary abroad.
speak aright of the mischief which may
be
done
by
inconsistent
Clirisiians
how much more will
the mischief be increased if this inconsistency

be seen in those who should exhibit all
The
the purity and tnilli of the gospel
abroad
but
Christians exiiibirrd their own conduct as a proof of tlio divine origin of

O what a strong hold on
Christiniiity.
feelings of men had
tliP opinions and
first
Let mo remind you of the peculiar necessity of cherishing this sacred principle
in
peace of them that make peace."

HI. Love to Christ will constrain
YOU TO IMITATE HIS EXAMPLE. YoU will
whn
operate in the
same field. Union is strength disunion

is more than weakness, for it not only
checks combinr-d rffnrt, it throws a dangerous Btumhiing-hlock in the way.
* Let all your things bo done in charity :"
:
they
who
Mon was
could say,
" For our exhorta-
of deceit, nor of uncleanness,

nor in guile but as wo were allowed of
nf)t
God
to bo put in
even so
wc speak
trust witii the go.spel,

;
not as pleasing nieOf

THE BRITISH
228
but God, which trieth our hearts. For

neither at any time used we flattering
words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetNor of men
ousticss, God is witness.
soujrht we glory, neitlier of you, nor yet
of others, when we might have been burdensome as the apostles of Christ. Ye
and God
are tvtlnescss
also,
how
holily,
and justly, and unblamably we behaved

ourselves among you that believe as ye
know how we exhorted, and comforted,
and charged every one of you, as a father
doth his cliildren, that ye would walk
worthy of God, who hath called you unto
What men
his kingdom and glory."
saiv gave weight to what they heard the
character of the preachers accredited and
:
recommended
the
truth.
consistency or success can he
With what
recommend
PULPIT.
2.
He
You
will imitate
him
also
officially.
and he shows that

" Belove in the care he takes of them.
hold, the Lord God will come with strong
hand, and his arm shall rule for him
behold, his reward is with him, and his
work before him.
He shall feed his
flock like a shepherd he shall gather the
lambs Avith his arm, and carry them in
his bosom, and shall gently lead those
" I am the good
that are with young."
loves his people
shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his

life
The
for the sheep.
because he
is
hireling fleeth,
an hireling, and careth not
1 am the good Shepherd,

and know my sheep, and am known of
mine." Such is the official character of
Christ, the " chief Shepherd :" such is
for the sheep.
his tender care of his followers and peo-
who shows ple. Let the love of Christ constrain

that it has no effect upon his own mind 1 you to go and do likewise.
IV. If you love Christ, you will be
Or how can he enforce it, who himself
holds it in no practical regard 1 The FAITHFUL TO HIM. Attachment secures
heathen may well say, " If such are its fidelity. Jesus himself, when he took
the truth of
effects
us]
God
others,
to
upon you, what good will it do

Physician, heal thyself!" Hold
the truth in love to Christ, and let your
The aposto him be seen.

when writing to Timothy, says, " Let
no man despise thy youth;" he does not
here mean that you are to assert and
resemblance
tle
maintain your dignity
make
it
that
you are
to
evident you will not be despised
with impunity
that
upon him, was faithfrom a principle of love ; and the same

may be said of his apostles. If you love
Christ, it will influence the great theme
of your ministry.
You will determine
" not to know any thing among men, but
Christ, and him crucified."
Jesus Christ
will be the grand sun around which you
his important charge
ful
will delight to
make
all
the lights of truth
any dare to despise revolve, and from which they will derive
you they shall be made to smart for it
all their glory.
Christ will become the
no, nor would you attempt it. There is very essence of your ministry the founno such thing as commanding respect by dation of all its doctrines, the source of
insisting on having it
the way to be reall its enjoyments, the spring of all its
spected is to be respectable, the way to duties. If you love Christ, you will be
be beloved is to be amiable. Those who faithful also as to the object of your mincomplain most of want of love among istry. Jesus sought not his own glory,
their brethren, are those who repel love but the honour of his heavenly Father.
by their own behaviour. The sensitive The apostles sought not their own honour
plant of love shrinks back from their rude or emolument, but the will and glory of
touch, and then they complain of that very him that sent them
they were actuated
sensibility.
The way to iiavelove is not in all by love to Christ: "We preach not
to demand it as a right, but draw it forth ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord and
hy amiable conduct and hence, when the ourselves your servants for Christ's sake."
apostle says, " Let no man despib?, thy The object of Clirist, in coming into the
youth," he fully explains his meaning world and suflTering, was " to seek and
" but be thou an ex- to save that which was lost;" and if you
by what follows
ample of the believers, in word, in con- love him, you will be anxiously faithful
Tersation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, to this object.
It is miserable when any
But if you lore Christ,
other object is preferred or followed.
in purity."
if

The
was
end
be your end
salvation of souls
doing his work
let
it
his
in
]
in
CHRIST.
229
ary to set his face as a flint aînst all

opposition; it will enable him to endure
work or else, instead of all sufferings to submit to all depriva

hearing him say, " Well done, good and tions, to make all sacrifices for Christ's
faithful servant!" you will bring upon sake.
Fo!, my dear son, begin by mak
yourself a curse, and not a blessing. If ing a sacrifice: you feel it to be no small
you love Christ, you will be faithful also thing to leave parents and friends and
in the manner in which you discharge associates.
I know what is due to home,
your duty. So it was with Christ him- and 1 know well what violence must be
self.
Remember his words " I must done to the feelings. This you have felt;
work the works of him that sent me, but you hear him who says, " He thai
while it is day: the niglit cometh when loveth father or mother more than me is
no man can work." " My meat is to do not worthy of me ;" and you say, " Heathe will of him that sent me, and to finish ven calls, and we must go !"
You are
his work."
He never remitted his zeal, aware that difficulties and trials are before
or abated his ardour till his great object you you have counted the cost; you go
was accomplished, till he could look up forth, not knowing the things that shall
publtshinrr that
'
heavenly Father, and say, "I have

on earth
I have finished the work which thou gavest me to
do."
V. Love to Christ will make service A PLEASURE, AND HARDSHIPS IN IT
LIGHT. All is done cheerfully which is
done from a principle of love. " I delight
to do thy will, O God," said the Saviour.
This delight sprang from love, love to
his Father, and love to his people ; a love
which had heights and depths, lengths
and breadths unspeakable, and whicii
shall be unspeakable through eternity
itself.
He knew well what he had to do,
the bitterness of the cup he had to drink,
the complicated sufferings through which
he must pass ; yet, he shrank not from
Love urged him on, and love
his work.
Amidst all his trials and
sustained him.
difilcuhies he failed not, neither was discouraged, for love still led him on. Let me
to his
glorified thee
love will
exhort ydu then to love him
strengthen you for duty, it will sustain
:
but anticipating evils both

I can only speak of
those evils as an ear witness ; but you
have had intercourse with those who have
been on the spot, and can tell you of them
from their own experience.
Let love to Christ, then, possess yom
heart.
With the living impetus of this
love you may go through fire and water.
befall you,
physical and moral.
We
read of the ancient Christians that

they rejoiced in being counted " worthy
to suffer for the name of Christ;" here is
a noble spirit for you
not only patient
in suffering, but rejoicing that
in the spirit
they were
Emulate
worthy to suffer.
" Behold,
the spirit of Paul
considered
go bound
unto Jerusalem, not
know-
ing the things that shall befall me there:

save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in
every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

But none of these things
move me, neither count I my life dear
unto myself, so that I might finish my
course with joy, and the ministry which
I have received of the Lord Jesus to tes-
you in conyou in danger. O tify the gospel of the grace of (Jod."

what drudgery it is to work where love "What mean ye to weep and to break mine
is not
The galley slave, chained to his iieart] for I am ready not be bound only,
you
in
flict, it
trial, it
will s\ipport
will succour
oar, is not so
minister
Christ
in
pitiable an object as is a
who works
his heart.
witliout
Love, on the con^
trary, exhilarates the iieart,
up the active eye,
it
love to
it
will light
will give elasticity
but also to die at Jerusalem for the name

" I count all things
of the Lord Jesus."
hut loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom
:
have sulTircd the loss of
all
things,"
and was he weary 1 No ;" and f/'> count

them hut dung, that I may win Christ."
Yes, and it will make hariLthipn light. This is the attainment of love, of steady,
Love will induce the Christian mission- 'ardent, devoted attachment. Seek to be
to all
the powers, tone to
poses, and vigour to
all
all
the pur-
the actions.
THE BRITISH
>30
PULPIT.
with this, nnd it will make every would send down the promised showers
yoke easy, every burden li^ht.
of his blessing. Then shall you realize
VI. If vou love Ciiuist, you will the beautiful imagery of the prophet;
\Vc CaiHlOt " you shall go out with joy, and be led
VALUE HIS APPROHATION.
filled
bear the averted countenance of those we

The frown of a friend or a father
love.
goes to the inmost soul. If we love
we shall
seek his approving smile

as our highest reward, and dread his
frown as worse than death. If he smile,
a frowning universe cannot alarm you ;
Christ,
the mountains and the

break before you into singing,
with peace
forth
hills shall
and
all
the trees of the field shall clap
their hands.
Instead of the thorn shall
come up
fir
and instead of the

the myrtle tree."
The master whom you serve holds out to
the most ample encouragement.
if he frown, the smile of all around will you
" It is a light thing to be Paul was in affliction, but he had resort
not avail you.
judged of man's judgment; for he that to prayer ; he " besought the Lord thrice,"
judgeth you is the Lord." Not that you and he received the animating answer,
are to be IndifTerent to the opinion of " My grace is sufficient for thee
for my
brier
the
shall
tree,
come up
others, for your usefulness depends
much
strength
is
made perfect in weakness." On
on your reputation. The same apostle that grace you have already expressed your
thought it "a light thing" to be reliance, and you may rest assured that
judged of man's judgment, was very He will never leave yon nor forsake you.
careful to " provide things honest in the
Let this love of Christ, then, be your
sight of all men," and to " have always grand motive.
Say with Paul, " The love
a conscience void of offence towards God of Christ amstraintth us ; because we thus
and man." But there must be no tempo- judge, that if one died for all, then were
rizing for the approbation of men you all dead and that he died for all, that
must aim in all to please God. Let it those which live should not henceforth
be your prominent aim to approve your- live unto themselves, but unto him which
self unto him, that at last you may hear died for them, and rose again."
This is
that voice sweeter than the music of an- a principle which time and place cannot
gels, sound in your ravished ears, " Well affect; a principle which the missionary
done, good and faithful servant, enter into may carry with him round the globe, and
the joy of thy Lord."
cherish alike on tropic sands or amidst
VII. If you love Christ, you will arctic snows.
CULTIVATE intercourse WITH HIM BY
And now, my dear son, " I commend
FERVENT PRAYER. Our Saviour taught you to God, and to the word of his grace,
that " men ought always to pray and not which is able to build you up, and to give
to faint;" and this precept he enforced you an inheritance among all them which
by his own example. But this is not are sanctified I"
what I now mean. All power is his; all
Let me now say a word or two to the
who
grace
You
is
his; in
and thus
to
all
fulness dwells.
enjoy his smile and embrace
You
his blessing.
by
him
are to cultivate intercourse with him,
will prepare for duty
Our blessed Master, when his

was melted to pity by the sight of
multitudes scattered "as sheep hav-
hearers.
heart
the
ing no shepherd," said,
"The
harvest
you will consider this, and this truly is plenteous, but the labourers are
alone, the means of your going on pros- few
pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the
perously.
With him alone is the residue harvest, that he will send forth labourers
of the Spirit and without that Spirit no into his harvest.'' Do we obey this mangood can be done. The wilderness and date 1 Is it our prayer that he may choose
this:
the solitary place, instead of being glad

for you, will remain an arid waste ; and
suitable instruments
barrenness and desolation will still present itself to your view.

When you go
forth, look up to him who ascended on
high and received gifts for men, that he
will act in all things concerning
to
them
suitable
his
own
infinite
And
after
we have
that
he
may impart
dispositions
that
he
them as
wisdom may
direct ?
thus professed to com-
mit the cause to him, shall
we
shrink

back
if
he ventures
limits of our
member
to
come within
the
own circle if he chooses a

own family] No! this
of our
would surely be unworthy our character.
To the fathers and mothers, brothers

and sisters, by whom I am surrounded, I
need not say there is a struggle on the
present occasion, and many circumstances
which should call forth your Christian
sympathy. This would be t!ie case if
our young friend stood alone ; but he goes
not alone; he takes with him one who
has claims on your deepest sympathies.
I dare not trust myself to speak further
on this point than to say, never were
parents more attached to a child, never
did child hold parents more dear!
we
are called
to sacrifice
these natural
Our joy on
the present occasion should
231
be thought a greater honour to be connected with an embassy which has in

view the adjustment of certain rights and
misunderstandings between earthlystates,
than a connexion with that embassy
which has for its object the establishment
of universal peace between heaven and
it
earth
is
Brethren, the kingdom of Christ

:
how long shall it be
not of this world
kingdom act up
and show that they are
not of this world
that theydo not shun the
cross
that they account Christ and him
crucified their highest dignity and glory 1
Let parents enforce these principles on
ere the subjects of this
to their principles,
the
hearts
But young who
sensibilities at the shrine of the cross.
CHRIST.
of their children.
are strong in the
Let the
word of
come forward. Let the love of

Christ constrain them to live no longer
to themselves, but to him.
Let us all
Christ
greatly exceed our sorrow: grace should
seek to have Christ as our Saviour our

triumph over nature and we should example in time, our hope in death, our
account it our highest honour to be able joy in eternity.
-May the Lord be with you
thus to advance the divine glory. My
May He
friends, we are too worldly.
We catch who holds the winds in his fists, and
with the greatest eagerness at any situa- measures the waters in the hollow of his
tion for our children which may advance hands, give you a safe passage over the
their temporal interests.
We should be seas May he preserve you safe in
glad to place any of them in the retinue foreign climes
May he give you many
of royalty, or in the train of an ambassa- souls to be your joy and crown of rejoic
To that day
dor; and instead of shedding tears of sor- ing in the last great day
row at seeing them quit their native the connexion of the text leads us " foi
shores, we should exult in the thought we must all appear before the judgmentof the high honour to which they were scat of Christ!" There may you and I,
advanced. And is it indeed true, that a my son, and all that are present, stand
Christian parent shall feel sorrow when accepted in him and enter into his Joy!
his child has set his heart on becoming Whether we are again to meet on earth,
a missionary to the heathen T Sliell a He alone knows in whose hands are our
but when you ô hence,
blush overspread the cheek of such a life and breath
Shall he go in the strength of that passage so full
parent when this is the easel
now
feel as if something had taken place to of encouragement, where the ^L^sler who
which he is indeed constrained to submit, says, " Go ye and teach all nations;"
but in which he does not delight ? Bre- adds, " And lo, I am with you ahvay,
thren, these things ought not so to be!
Shall a Christian parent have his heart
more
set on the acquirement of worldly

wealth for his rhiidren, than on the acquirement of " the imscarchable riches of
Christ 1" Shall ho atlacb more importance to forming a part of tin; nliiiue of
an rarllily sovereign, than i)cing attached
to his service
who
has the
name
on his vesture and on his thigh,

or KINGS, AMD Loud or lords ?'*
written
*'
Kim;
Shall
even unto the end of the world." The

eye that never slumbers or sleeps will
watch over you. You cannot go where
His power acts independently
he is not.
His purposes cannot
of lime an<l place.
be contravened even by the ruthless arm
(Jo, in his name
And though
of death.
seis may roll between us, and continents
sever, we sliiill still be one in nature and in
grace and when we meet, it shall he in insiparablu union and in everlasting peace.
!
SERMON XXV.
NEUTRALITY
RELIGION IMPOSSIBLE.
IN
BY THE REV. JAMES DIXON.
" He that
me
not with
is
is
against
me ; and
he that galhereth not with
Malt.
The
xii.
evident doctrine of our text, bre-
You
there is no allowed
ground
thren, is this
that
nor authorized relicrious neutrality
that
will
:
this
be neutral
is
quite
which so many
Christ the Saviour;
it is
scattereth ahrocid.'
taking
is
and that neutral

our day aspire,
in
not possible to be attained.

;
high
dear brethren, the gospel
does take high ground

state, to
that
say,
my
very man, in a religious point of view,

is for Christ the Saviour, or else against
and
me
30.
for if
we
We cannot
are not decided,
W3
impossible to find a middle state.

The are the sport of misery, we are hinderances
proposition may be stated in other terms, to the benefit of others, we are a prey to
but the meaning is the same.
are temptation, we are the victims of Satan.
all here in a religious station, or we are And as, in a neutral state, it will be im-
We
We are all
not.
gospel, with
possible for us to be happy, so in this
here in the train of the
it will be impossible for us to be

and communion, and purity, and saved: for in the last day it will not be
peace, and hope;
or we are in darkness, enough to be almost Christians, or to be
in an undone, a ruined partly saved ; we must be found altogether
misery, impurity,
state.
We are either in the state of a on the Lord's side. " He that is not with
religious man, with his sanctified under- me is against me ; and he that galhereth
standing, his submissive will, his renewed not with me scattereth abroad."
I ob^
all its
light,
attendant blessings of state
fervent devotion,
his
heart,
tender
his
serve,
still
First, That those who are not with
under Christ in discipleship, and in the prosin, having no affection for God, or zeal fession OF faith, are against ChRISTj
Either we are children of AS the disciples of another master,
for his glory.
God, and possessed of the rights, and AND IN THE DISOBEDIENCE OF UNBELIEF.
There is a very popular phrase in use
immunities, and expectations of that relation
or else ve are aliens from God, among us, and that is, free inquiry
outcasts from our Father's house and we all claim for ourselves " /Ae right of
charity, his
glowing zeal
we
or
are
in a state of darkness, carnal, sold
Thus we
family.
are either cherishinga free inquiry.''^
Now,
if
by
this
you mean
we
the right of every person to exercise his
are cherishing principles of unholiness
opinion in religious matters, uncoerced
principle of devotedness to
And
God
we are
promoting human
or
and unmolested by any human, any civil

happin ss, power then I should sajr that every such
and increasing the sum of piety and reli- person has a right to the liberty he claims.
gio.-i ; or we are against Christ, in the
If you mean that every man has a right
way of the happiness of men, stunting the to the use of the Scriptures, unrestricted
progress of Christianity, and dangerous and unrestrained
why, I should say
that every man has a right to possess that
to society wherever we go.
and
sin.
Christ, in
then,
either tvith
232
#-

NEUTRALITY IN RELIGION IMPOSSIBLE.
book which
faith,
is to
be the directory of his
and the foundation of
right; and that the
all
that
is
power which would
prevent him from using the Scripture is

an antichristian power, opposed to the
Or
things, that his
valuable
But
that
the
233
death
was
constituted
these were but circumstances.

which rendered the atonement of
;
Saviour
infinitely
and
efficacious
available for a world of sinners,
is
be-
by cause that atonement was the atonement

It was the touch of
free inquiry, or right of judgment, you of the Son rf God.
understand the rightof every man to enter Divinity that rendered it a complete and
into such a portion of the Christian church perfect work.
It was the Godhead of the
then I Saviour that rendered the atonement of
as seems most proper to him
should say, he certainly has a right to the Saviour infinitely perfect and infichoose that system of church government nitely powerful. My brethren, there was
which he pleases he has a right to do an intrinsic value and worth in that atonethis as an Englishman and a Christian; ment of the Saviour, because it was perand to do it without any coercion or mo- formed by a divine person incarnate,
lestation whatever. But does it not mean, independent of all the accidental circumjust and proper rights of man.
if
sometimes, a right to exercise his own

opinion, independently of all authority
whatever? And is it not evident that
stances,
such a man assumes a right to have a

And I say that no man has a right
The man
to have any god whatsoever.
who worships human intellect is an idolater ; and he who bows not to the authority
Christ says,
of God is just such a man.
" He that is not with me is against me :"
reign
god?
the text evidently puts in for Christ the
claim of regal authority and power. Here

two or three questions must be put.
The ext nt of the Saviour's authority

must be one of these questions. Examine
this in support of the discipleship
and
obedience of faith which we claim for

him. Now, the extent of his authority
will depend on his personal character
and his personal glory. If our Lord be
possessed of absolute divinity and glory;
if
he claim
divinity;
all
the perfections of absolute
then,
must extend
conceive, that divinity
itself to
every thing belong-
him. For instance.

It must fîve to his atonement the claim of
It is not merely because our
efficacy.
Saviour became incarnate
was born in a
ing
to
assumed an humble character

had not where
not
becansc!
was " despised and
of
men" gave himself up
malice of
was from
his
and charged with
not
manger
to lay his licid
it is
rejected
lie
to tlie
foes
nal,
led
tril)unal to tribu-
inicjuity
it is
if I
may
so term them, of his
sufferings and death.
trate this
that
What
is it
think
can
makes
illus-
a sove-
worth twenty shillings'?

Not
merely because the head of the reigning'
sovereign is stamped upon it not merely
because it is ornamented round the edge
no ; if I understand rightly, at least this
is my argument,
the sovereign is worth
twenty shillings intrinsically, though it
had no head stamped upon it, though it
had no ornament around it, because it
has iôld in it to this intrinsic value. Brethren I say the same as to the atonement
of our blessed Saviour his personal worth
gave a value to all his mediatorial acts,
independently of all the circumstances
which took place. This idea is highly
consolatory
it is consolatory to every
sinner, if the atonement possess such
value, then tiiere is something to stand
against all the sin and uncleanness of
which he has been guilty ; for, if all the
sins which have been, and which will be,
committed, were collected together and
put upon one person, there would be infinitely more merit in the Saviour than
there would be demerit in the sinner,
though all this sin rested upon him.
Consequently, there is in Christ more
merit than tiiere can be demerit in every
This is highly consolatory the
sinner.
merit of (Christ is infinite; and if it bo
infinite, it must be universal.
;
because he was led tt) Calvary, and there

Tiien, also, the divinity of the Saviour
drank the bitter cup, and there was cruci- must extend itself to the Aini;ilom <f the Safied on the ignominious tree
viour.
And this will render it stable it
it was not
because of any, or because of all these will make it powerful and it will lead it
Vol. I. 30
V 2
:
THE BRITISH
234
to universal triumph.
for the preservation
cannot account
and
stability of tiie
(Christianity, except as I
system of
see
rests on tlie divinity of its author.

author be divine, and if he have
himself lived in its institutions, and if he
that
If
it
its
have stamped his own divinity upon those

;
why, then, they must be
preserved, as well as the system with
which they are connected. The system
has had to encounter innumerable difficulties ; it has been exposed to many -an
alarming storm ; and I attribute its preservation amidst all these storms and
difficulties, to the stamp of its own
divinity which its author has impressed
institutions
PULPIT.
the promissory part is stated in the form
of promise; the doctrinal part
is
stated in
the form of doctrine; the preceptive part

is
stated in the form of precept; and so
on.
The
question
any thing binding
is,
whether there
in all this.
Now,
if
is
an
instrument should come into our possession concerning an estate, would not every
part of that instrument, if it were legally
stamped, be binding]
history in
it
it
it was purwas the gift of the

was the reward of va-
And
there might be descrip-
chased, or whether
king, or wiiether
lour or merit.
tion in
it
There might be
as to whether
it
the various parts of the estate,
and in what it consisted, and how it was

bounded. And it might speak of duties ;
bility, but efficacy, to all its institutions. of duties which the possessor would have
It is intended to enlighten those who are to perform, both in reference to the estate
in darkness
to raise those that are dead itself, and to various persons connected
And there might be privileges
to with it.
to rectify those that are disordered
purify the unclean
to restore those Avho mentioned ; its possessor might be a peer
are miserable to a state of felicity.
And of the realm, or be entitled to hold some
how can you account for the fact that they high office. But whatever parts it might
are thus enlightened, and raised, and contain, the whole instrument would be
blessed, except in the fact, that the di- law, the possessor would not be allowed
vinity of Christ lives in these institutions, to make choice of a part he must take it
and gives them these effects
And how all, Avith all its particulars and provisions,
My
shall we account for the extei\sivn of reli- or he must renounce it altogether.
gion in the world ? It is said that Christ brethren, we have no real right to make
shall have " the heathen for his inherit- a selection, as it regards our religion ; we
ance, and the uttermost parts of the earth must receive it, and receive it entire, if
Now, how do you we would preserve the character of honest
for his possession."
expect religion to rise above all false sys- men. There is history in the gospel,
tems, and to see every thing that is op- the history of the birth, and life, and
posed to it levelled in the dust] How, miracles, and sufferings, and death, and
except Christ be a divine person, and ex- resurrection of Christ; and there is description
adescriptionof all the excellent
cept his divinity live in his system]
The doctrines of religion, to have any and important privileges which belong to
influence, must rest on authority of the those who embrace it; and there are dochighest order; and if they bo from God, trines; and there are precepts. But /Ac
they will have this authority. And though whole is law and if I neglect to take it
upon
it.
And
this gives, not only sta-
it is
not the fashion, allow
me
to say that
as such, I
am
guilty.
If
God mark
out
obliged to be a believer in for me a certain course of duty, and I

Christ ; and that he who is not 7vHh Christ neglect to walk in it, I am guilty; and if
in the exercise and obedience of faith, is he hold out privileges to me, and I negagainst Christ in the exercise of disobe- lect to enjoy them, 1 am guilty. I am
guilty alike of not embracing what is
dience and unbelief.
must be with Christ, as it respects offered, and of not performing what is
Now, the question required and " he that is not with Christ
his claims upon us.
here is, whether the gospel comes to us in is against him."
Yuu must also examine the nature of ike
There are various parts
the form of law ?
It is a
in the gospel, it is true: the historical dispensation under which you live.
question with some, how far this is bind
portion is stated in the form of history
every
man
is
We
*f
When Adam was
was
235
by grace, by grace only, that you can

be saved. Neither can we co-operate in
When he was placed in paradise, every procuring salvation for others.
can
breeze that fanned him, and every object no more co-operate with Christ, in savintr
by which he was surrounded, tended to the souls of men, than we could be with
promote his happiness. Now my argu- God, in forming the creation. When the
ing.
created, he
it is
created with gigantic powers of mind.
We
ment
Adam was
mind sketched out the plan of

no other mind could co-operate
service.
And what are ive? As Chris- with him, for there was no other mind in
tians, we live in the midst of an abun- existence
it was God's plan, and
his
dance of means and privileges; and we alone. When he deigned to create the
are bound to see that the state of our ex- heavens and the earth, there was no voliis this,
that
obliged to
render to the Creator a regular and equal
eternal
creation,
perience, and the state of our obedience,
tion of
agrees with
there
our state as to privilege.
any other will
was no
to assist
other will
to
him,
foi
associate.
What am
When
then
make angels happy,

and to make man happy, there was no
assistant by him
the benevolence was
all his own.
And when he marched forth
from the silence of his own eternity, and
I to be no wiser than the heano purer than the heathen ] no happier than the heathen ]
Brethren, I am
bound, if I am an honest man, to attain to
those higher degrees of experience, of
happiness, of obedience, to which I am
called by the gospel I profess to have
embraced, and the dispensation under
which I live. And " he that is not with
Christ is against him."
He that is not
with Christ in the obedience of faith, is
against Christ in the disobedience of unbelief.
I pass on to a
Second observation. Those who are
!
NOT WITH Christ
in the purpose and

DESIGN OF HIS DEATH, ARE AGAINST ChRIST,
IN DEFEATING THE PLUPOSE AND DESIGN OF
HIS DEATH.
Theirs/ purpose of the death of Christ
was, to make an atonement for our sins
the second was, to give repentance and pardon to guilty men ; the third was, to r/ia/ce
he determined,
in the fulness of
his benevolence, to
" Let there be light," and " Let

be a firmament," and "Let the
earth bring forth," and last of all, " Let
there be man," and all came at his bidsaid,
there
ding; why, there was no person standing

;"
to assist and say, " Yes, let us do so
it was
all from himself
it was the
work of divinity alone. And so as to
by
the wondrous scheme was

scheme of God alone; the profound
thought, the amazing plan, was of God,
redemption.-
the
and God alone. When the .Saviour gave

himself to the mighty task of redeeming
us, he stood alone, and " of the people
there was none with him."
Then, it will be asked, how can we be
meet for the g/ori/ if heaven. Here it will with Christ, as to the purpose of his
be necessary to distinguish between the death? Why, by enjoi/mcnt and particiexecutive and meritorious part of our pation, I did not create this earth but I
redemption, and the jiarticipation and en- can live upon it.
I did not form the
;
joyment of
beauteous landscape which stretches

around me; but I can survey it, and enwas alone, and none were with him. joy its beauties.
I did not create the
There never was, there never will be, fruits with which the earth abounds; but
another being who could take part in the I can taste their sweetness, and receive
work of atonement.
None can be ivilh nourishment from them. I did not create
Christ here: none can be with him in his the atmospiu re but I can breathe and
it.
It is certain, that in
the
executive part of our redemption, Christ
sufferings, none in his merit.
take
all
and laj
nothing
You may
he obedience of your whfde lives,

it
upon his cross, and you add
to the merit of the cross;
it
is
and admits of no addition. With

respect to the value of the atonement,
there can be no addition, no co-opcmlion
infinite,
live in
sun;
it.
did not create the glorious
i)ut
can walk
in
its
light.
did not plan this revelation; but

profit
by
discoveries.
its
state of
it.
;
did not
can
work
can enter into the

did not prepare the blessing
out justification; but
of adoption
So
I
but
can be
ado|)ti'd.
did
THE BRITISH
236
not compose the charms of holiness; but

I can wear all its beauties.
I did not
which bath foundations
prfepare the city
but
can rise
to the
New
Jerusalem.
or form those crowns of glory
God's grace and blessing,
but,
by
can gain an
entrance to those mansions, and triumph

that
nance, a judging, thinking mind

these he is not a man.
you
in
belong
It
without
accidental
is
one
to
sect,
or
another; whether you have adopted this

creed, or another
whether you have en-
tered this church or another
Christ
Hal,
is
not an accidental,
but
it is
love in
an essen'
Men may
of Christianity.
Thus we may be with about many
glory.
parlakingof all the blessedness

of his redemption and those who are not
thus " U77A" him, in the purpose and deChrist
PULPIT.
whether
I
did not furnisii those mansions of bliss,
in
things, but they
differ
not
Christians if they do not love the Saviour.
If a man does not love Christ, he is not a
are
Christian, be he what he may besides

and if he love Christ, he is a Christian,
be what he may besides. This is an esdeath.
sential principle he who has it is a good
We maybe against Christ in defeating man, and he W'ho has it not is not a good
the purpose of his death, in various ways. man.
First, By rejecting it altogether, in a spirit
may be " against" Christ either
Secondly, By embracing a by enmity or by indifference. Some are
of infidelity.
him, in
defeating the purpose and design of his
sign of his death, are
''against''''
We
system irhich does not contain any of its

grand principles. Thirdly, By rejecting
it
in a
way
of careless tmconcern.
gether
regards
as
it
connects with
system which
it.
is
all
Some
full
which has nothing
Christ
grates harshly
positively
upon
His
their ears,
name
and sinks
What!
heavily upon their hearts.
that
name which is the joy of the Christian's

an idle tale, and heart; which lights up his countenance
that Christianity with rapture
which is the ground of his
delity rejects the death of Christ
turns into ridicule
Infi-
against
alto-
profess to love a
of morality, but
do with the cross.

Their system resembles the summers of
the North ;
there is light enough in the
hemisphere, but there is not warmth
enough in the sun to clothe the fields with
verdure and the trees with plenty
there
to
hope of
Is there a
bliss for ever'?
existence, to
whom
being
name
is a
source of uneasiness and distress
I fear
so
I fear there are many of our species,
in
this
*?
in
whose
hearts the very
name of Christ
rouses up every bad passion.
We
may
be " against" Christ negatively, by indifference ; for coldness of heart is impiety,

is light, but there is also sterility.
That and stamps the characters of those who
system of Christianity which has no are guilty of it as enemies of Christ.
cross, no dying Christ in it, may have
Finally, Those who are not with
light enough, for aught I know; but it Christ in gathering, are against him
has not in it that heat which melts the in scattering abroad.
heart, and causes the profession of ChrisThose who are not promoting his cause
tianity to be verdant, and prolific in all by religion, are scattering it by irreligion.
the fruits of grace. Save me from a Chris- Jesus Christ designed to gather all men
tianity that has no cross in it, no bleed- to himself; and in this work we may all
co-operate.
ing Saviour
Talents of every order, pro:
Thirdly, Those who are not with perty, rank, influence, exertion, may all
Christ in the affections of the heart, be brought into action here and when
ARE against him IN ITS ENMITIES, AND IN Christianity goes on as it should, you
;
ITS INDIFFERENCE.
The
affection of the heart is an essen-
and not an accidental, circumstance

in true religion.
It is an accidental circumstance whether a man be short or tall,
white or black, fat or meagre, and so on ;
but it is essential to his being a man that
he have an erect form, a human countetial,
will have talent, and rank, and influence,
and exertion, on his side and all belonging to the church of Christ will be devoted to the promotion of his designs,
and the cstablis'hment of his universal
;
empire.
But, you will say,

that, if
we
how
does
it
appear
are not aiming to promote this

cause,
we
are scattering
thren, there
was
a time
it
abroad
when
Bre-
the greatest
adversary this country ever had prepared

his armies and his flotilla, and lifted up
his hand, and declared that our rights, our
property, and all that we had, should be-
art
237
and long experience to sail upon the

what knowledge and prudence does
seas,
call for, to pass over, happily, the sea

of this world, where tempests never cease
it
Alas
who
can think, without sensible
grief and bitter tears, that the
helm of
and that he would feed the these vessels, which contain such preavarice and cupidity of his followers in cious wares as cost no less than the blood
this very city.
You remember, many of Jesus Christ, should be committed,
of you are old enough, I remember well, ordinarily, to men of so little experience,
that one of the finest pictures that was that they are not only ignorant of the temever seen was then presented to view. pests, shelves, and banks of this terrible
Nearly the whole population of the coun- sea, but even have not the strength or
try declared that it should not be, and industry to guide their own little vessel
And these inestimable
stepped with eagerness into the ranks, to back to the road
come
his prey
themselves for repelling EngJand's foe.

Well but some did not do so.
What then 1 Were they against E ngland ]
Yes ; they were
they were against
her constitution against her rights
against her comforts against her privileges
against her happiness
against
the interests of her children. And had all
been left to them, and had all acted as
they did, England had fallen a prey to
her haughty foe.
Brethren, Christ is
engaged against a powerful foe ; and
those who gather not with him, scatter
and those who do nothing, are injuring
prepare
his cause.
Neutrality here,
is
opposition.
those
they will not trust with a purse of
riches are freqiiently intrusted to
whom
twenty pieces.
And when the
who would not even then
lose their courage to see themselves sailing amidst so many hazards, and with so
little success 1
How many stupid ones
fall out of the vessel
how many imprudent ones get out to sail apart in shallops
how many desperate ones throw
themselves over, and abandon themselves
fifteen or
pilots are able,
to the fury of the
what
griefs,
waves
What disquiets,
and what trouble
for
the
poor pilot
He must run on all sides to
reach out his hand to those that fall. He
must exhaust his lungs, in trying to call
!
upon us all to do something for

the honour of our divine Lord.
We may those who flee away. He must even
not all be able to engage equally, or with frequently throw himself into the sea,
the same effect
but we must all take to recover those whom the waves swalour stand, and do something for the great low up. If he watch not, the fall of the
first will be imputed to him.
If he be
cause.
silent, he will have to answer for the
flight of the second.
If he fear labour and
THE minister's CHARGE COMPARED TO A SUIP's travail, he will be accused of the other'a
It is laid
CREW.
Parishes are holy ships, whose curates

are
tiie pilots,
and eternity the port they

to.
If it need so much
must guide them
despair.
If, in
a word, he
want vigilance,
strength, and courage, he will be guilty
of as
many bloodsheds
perish.
as he lets souls
Entretiens de VAbbc Jean, ^c.
SERMON
XXVI.
THE SACKED ORACLES.

PRIACHED WITH REFERENCE TO THE CIRCULATION OF THE SCRIPTURES BY THE
BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.
BY THE REV. W.
"
Then
roll, and gave it to Baruck, the scribe, the son of Neriah : who
mouth of Jeremiah, all the v;ords of the book which Jehoiakim, king of
the fire : and there were added likewise to them many like words."
Jer.
took Jeremiah another
wrote therein,
from
the
Judah, had burned in
xnvi.
JAY.
32.
" Surely," says David, " the wrath of into the fire that was on the hearth."
shall praise thee,
Lord." This Vain rage would this hinder the execuis, indeed, far from being the natural de- tion of the threatenings ?
Nay, it could
man
sign and tendency of
it.
In this sense
not prevent the infliction of them.
Jere-
the wrath of rnan worketh not the right-
miah is ordered to take another roll,

eousness of God. But his wisdom and " after that the king had burned the roll,
power are infinite and by his overruling and the words which Baruch wrote at the
providence he causes the expressions of mouth of Jeremiah, saying. Take thee
;
human rage to conduce to the display of again another roll, and write in it all the
his own glory, and thus turn the curse former words that were in the first roll
into a blessing.
The Bible abounds which Jehoiakim, the king of Judah, had
with instances of this and a very strik- burned." Nor was this all the roll, in;
ing exemplification ccmes before us this

morning. Jeremiah was commanded to
stead of being eventually destroyed or
injured, was even enlarged and improved.

words which had " Then took Jeremiah another roll, and
been denounced against Israel and Judah. gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of
This he did by means of Baruch, who Neriah
who wrote therein from the
not only transcribed the roll, but read it mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the
in the court of the temple of the Lord, book which Jehoiakim, king of Judah,
the people standing underneath.
Micha- had burned in the fire and there were
write in a
roll all the
added besides unto them many like ivords.^*

the
Let us rise from hence to some general
iah heard him, and related the substance

to the princes
who were assembled
in
house of the king. reflections, observing,

They therefore sent for Baruch to read it
First, The importance of having the
to them.
'I'hey heard it with trembling word of God committed to writing.
and fear, and agreed to tell the king. The
Secondly, Taking some views of those
king immediately ordered Jehudi to go who would destroy the Scriptures. And,
and fetch the roll. " Now the king sat
Thirdly, Showing how many things
scribes'
chamber,
in the
in the winter-iiouse in
the nintli
month
which seem
likely to injure revelation,
and there was afire on the hearth burning have even proved its advantage.
And it came to pass, that
Many of you will remember that a year
before him.
Avhen Jeliiidi had read three or four leaves, ago, I promised to preach on a Scripture,
he cut it with the penknife, and cast .it bearing on the importance of the British
238
THE SACRED ORACLES.

and Foreign Bible Society, the Sabbath
immediately preceding the annual meetNow this is the very Sabbath and
ing.
by divine permission and assistance I
shall endeavour to redeem the pledge.
None, unless by perverseness of mind,
can view this as an act of hostility and
;
controversy,
when
it
is
only the fuljibnent
of an engagement, announced when I could

have no apprehension from a system con-
much
taining so
of active opposition to an
which millions of my fellow

countrymen agree to be the glory of the
land, and which I consider (for I need
not be ashamed of my country) to be the
glory of the country in which I live.
" All scripture," says the apostle, " was
given by inspiration of God." " Holy
men," says Peter, " spake as they were
moved by the Holy Ghost." But says
institution
Dr. Watts,
"The prophets' pens succeed their breath,

To save the holy words from deatli."
But we have only to do with the comthe MIND AND WILL OF GoD
MITTI.NG of
239
perly the true meaning of a case. It is

proverbially said there is no believing one
half of
what we
hear.
What
should
we
have known of the history of our own

country without written documents 1 A
number of
may have reached us

they might have been
altered in the lapse of years
and therefore the earliest part in the history of
facts
orally, but then
every nation, previous to the acquisition

of written records,
bulous.
Let
me
is
always deemed
fa-
place another illustration before
you which comes nearer our subject.

All mankind once had a divine revelation.
The family
was
of Noah saved from the flood

the original of all the nations of the
globe; but this family possessed divine

qualifications, and, therefore, as the
mem-
bers spread they carried along with them

these discoveries.
Hence, long after
their dispersion, we find, not only in
Judah but
in other places, some knowledge of the true God; as we see in the

case of Balaam, who came from Mesopo-
knowledge
And hence, to this day, there are

found in all countries some obscure religious rites. These are not, as some ima-
of ikem must be preserved
and extended.
Without the knowledge of them they
gine, the result of reason, but they are

the remains of revelation, the lingering-
cannot be felt, they cannot be acted upon,

they cannot become the rule of our conduct, nor the source of our consolation.
Therefore says the apostle, " How can
they believe on him of whom they have
not heard
Therefore says God, " By
beams of
TO WRITING.
purposes.
This
First,
is
important for two
because
the
knowledge shall my righteous servant

justify many."
Tliercfore prays the
liis
"That thy name may bo known

on earth, thy saving health among all
church,
nations."
And,
secondly,
tamia.
the sun that has gone
and, therefore,
down
remarkable that, in
proportion as you go back and trace the
lime of its selling, you find these beams
more clear and strong. The remains of
it
is
the original revelation are thus found in

the heathen world
not only in some apprehensions which they have of a Supreme

Being above them, and of something like
a future state, but peculiarly in the article
because ihrrc
of S(7cr7y?ce, (an institution which is perwas no way ofpreserving and extending thix fectly unaccountable unless we suppose
knoioledgc to be compared to this.
Thus, an original appointment,) and also in the
both
with regard to cxtensivencss and
security. Scripture surpasses oral tradition.
We
all
know,
affairs of tho world,
by repented
persons
otherH
who
se.'in
how
relation.
in
tho
comfion
a thing is altered
Thorn arc some
never regard accuracy at all

incapable of it.
Some from
lack nfmcuiory, and others from fervency

of feeling, add circumstances: and it is
known how
press loo much or
well
a single turn will extoo little to define pro-
division of time by sevens.
vations of the
moon would
The
obser-
lead peo|)le tc
distinguish times into months, and the

observation of tho sun would lead them
it into days and years; but
no ono conceivable tiling from
which it can bo imagined why people
divide time by sevens, unless it is the
to distinguish
there
is
divine institution of the Sahlinth.
Hut now what was derived from

source
Where
il
this
was nnrecordud
it
THE BRITISH
240
PULPIT.
became more and more indistinct and have been obtained from the pen, a hunThis was natural and unavoid- dred or a thousand can be obtained from
but in the family of Abraham, and the press. Thus the sacred volume has
able
in the nation of the Jews, it was other- become the property of thousands and
There revelation was, after a millions who otherwise must have been
wise.
corrupt.
:
while, committed to writing^: thus it becameyZarerfand certain thus appeals could
devoid of
be made to it, and mistakes could be corThe original copy was

rected by it.
kept in the ark of the Lord. Every king
of the Jews, when he came to his throne,
What
was commanded to transcribe it

own use. At every public festival
ble of such an action as .lehoiakim,
But
pass on to the second thing.
think you of those who would

DESTROY THE ScRIPTURES 1
YoU Seem
to shudder at the very proposal
you
wonder that any person should be capa:
for his
who
cut to pieces the divine roll and threw
was
it
it.
to
it
audience of into the fire. About one hundred and

all the people.
This would keep up an seventy years before Christ, Antiochus
acquaintance with it. The pious would caused all the copies of the Jewish Scripof course soon multiply copies, and they tures he could find to be burnt and three
brought forth and read
in the
would lend
to
their
friends.
hundred and three years after, Dioclesian,

by an edict, ordered all the Scriptures to
be committed to the flames; and Eusebius, the historian, tells us he saw large
heaps of them burning in the market-
or read these transcriptions
relations,
You
see
and neighbours, and

we do not know at
present the origin of alphabetical charac-
This seems very easy and familiar,

you who use it without reflection but
to those who think, and have been accustomed to account for things, it has proved
so difficult and wonderful, that Gilbert
Wakefield has written an essay to prove
that it must have been originally a divine
communication.
But we have only to do now with the
Writing has answered a thousand
uses.
ters.
to
I knew a man a few years ago,

very near Bath, who had a pious wife
This
fond of reading the Scriptures.
offended him ; and one day he snatched
it from her hand, and thrust it into the
This
fire, and consumed it to ashes.
shocks you but did you never hear of Vol-
place.
valuable purposes.
It
larger of commerce
has been the
and Paine, and Taylor, (the devil's

chaplain,) and other lampooners and retaire,
vilers of the Bible,
re-
who
have, by their
deeds, more than betrayed the wishes of

Men may be restrained
their hearts'?
has been the enit has enriched the

world with the spoils of time it has
multiplied innumerably the treasures of
knowledge by means of it men have
secured and communicated their acquisitions, and made the discoveries and improvements of one age and nation availThe highest
able for those of another.
source of friendship
it
from burning the book but every wicked

man on earth, be assured, is an enemy to
it.
Men make the book their enemy, and
then they are enemies to the book, and
hate it because it does not prophesy good
Mr. Wilherforce told
of them, but evil.
me that when he called on Carlile in the
honour that can attach to writing is that prison, and took out the Scriptures, he
by means of it the words of eternal life said, "I'll hear nothing from that book.
have come down to us unimpaired. And How can you suppose that I can bear that
For if that book be true, I am
as Dr. Watts says, in the words we have book 1
miserable."
been singing,
Let us take four views of those who
"The bright inheritance of heaven
are enemies to the Bible.
;
Is
We
by the sweet conveyance given."
The first regards the taste ff those who

deny its authenticity. Without referring
immediately to its doctrines, how much
the very writing itself that
is there in
What sublimity
deserves admiration!
shall only add that this blessed
instrumentality
was completed by
the
discovery of printing; by which, machinery becoming a substitute for manuscript,
where one copy of
the Scriptures could
is
I
there in
some passages
what unity
in
THE SACRED ORACLES.

others
what
nature and tenderness
in
all
I wish I had time to furnish you
with specimens, but we have not you
may find enough of them in Simpson's
Plea for Religion. But let me ask if ever
!
there
was
a person
who
could read, with-
most admired characters in heathen

avowedly indulged
What has
out being deeply affected, the narrative
the
of the history of Joseph, of
lands
tlie
resurrec-
tion of Lazarus,
and the farewell of Paul
to the elders of
Ephesus]
Here we
We
are led back
How
raised this tone of morals'?
the system itself been changed]
are
supplied with articles to be derived from
no other source.
241
banishing polygamy, and confining

divorces only to cases of adultery 1
How
is the wretched being shunned, and detested, and thrown on the very dreo-s of
society, who is only suspected of the
abominations, in the practice of which
in
tives and prisoners are
now
not put to death
How they are
in cold blood.
to
has
Cap-
attended to
much earlier than other historians and provided for

If after a battle a
reach.
Here we see earth rising out of single common soldier now was put to
chaos we see the earth drowned we see death, or maimed, or sold into slavery,
periods
it
renewed and re-peopled.
every nation would resound with earnest

shameful inhumanity. Where now are the bloody
Surely those
which are
found in the book of Genesis who would
not wish to admire and preserve them ?
But the Vandalism of infidelity would
fling them all into the fire, and fix our
precious pieces
protestations against such
of antiquity
gladiatorial rites
which furnished such
delicious entertainment, not only for the
men, but the women
in
Rome
When
eyes oa the darkness and dreariness of we look around us, (blessed he. God !) we
two thousand years ago.
One would see asylums for indigence, and disease,
imagine that the description which the and all kinds of ivretcliedness ; /sere for
Bible gives man of his soul, of his capa- the groping blind I'/fre for the deaf and
there
city for endless improvement, of his im- dumb; here foe heJpless orphanism
What benevolence
mortality, of his being the peculiar care for wrinkled age.
of Deity, might fall in with his love of was seen in the pagan world ? Produce
greatness
one might suppose that men one instance in which the philosophy of
would wish they were true tljat they Greece or Rome ever established an in:
would be sorry
to learn
firmary or an hospital.
The Bible also describes
they had no higher
destination than to eat, and to drink, and
But no
such is the self-abasement and voluntary degradation of tliosc

wretches, that they would strip man of liis
nobler part, and throw into the flam;
that would render it important and glorious, that they might feel in them tht
brute triumphant, and that they mi(,'ht
graze by their brethren in the field, saying, " Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow
to sleep.
we
view
thesp
men
Now I am
ful
servants.
becomes
It
damns
a tyrant, and
the prince that
it
damns
ject that dares to be a rebel.
munity and it
were to imbibe
say that no complaining
as to
their palriolisni, or their rei;ard to public
good.
the sub-
Thus
|)rovidcs forthe welfare of all in the
die."
Secondly, let us
all social and

and enforces them by the
most awful sanctions. It denounces the
wrath of God upon unkind husbands and
upon scolding wives upon negligent
parents and upon disobedient children
upon grinding masters and upon unfiiith-
relafive duties,
anihorii;ed to
is
easy
to see that if all
its spirit,
in
it
com-
there
our streets;
would bo
would
all
the advantages of crivilization are princi- be order and subordination; the wilderpally to bo ascribed lo the influence of ness and the solitary place would bo
Wherever the Scri|)tures glad, and the desert would rejoice and
revelation.
blossom as the rose. What can wo thiMJc

of men that would destroy a system that
thus conduces in every way to the public
When Hume himself was asked
weal 1
whclhcr he thought it heller ("or servants,
mean marriage and children, and tradesmen, and the
have prevailed, they have stemmed the

fierceness of the population, and the malice of th(! multitude, far more than all
What have they not
civil ordiiiimces.
done in puril'ying and blessing the very
spnng-iioad "f society
Vol. I.31
THE BRITISH
242
common
people to believe the Scriptiirrs

tlieai
0, says he, to be-
or to disbelieve
PULPIT.
Wliatdo you think of the human being

would take away the Bible, dash
that
this only cup of consolation from the

that would pull down tlie
us view the enemies of the parched lip
Bible, thirdly, with regard lo their charity only refuge to which the polluted sinner
and compassion. I have not time to prove can escape frrm the stcrms of life \h?.t
that this earth is the heir of evil, that would deprive him of a resource to which,
man is born to trouble as the sparks fly by and by, ihere will be an entir enjoy-
them
lieve
Then
let
The common resources to ment, and tbat gives him the consciousmen apply in these cases are mise- ness of present support'? What can you
comforters, and physicians of no think of a man that would do this, while
upward.
which
rable
yea, they add to the evil ; they

;
are not only vanity, but vexation of spirit.
value
But
in the
ment,
midst of
dismay,
all this
Christianity
comes
in
disappoint-
all this
all
these distresses,
among us
to heal
the broken heart, and to bind up all their

wounds. It comes and says to the afllict-
" In
he knows that be has nothing to substitute

in tbe room of it, and knows that if the
thing be a delusion, it is a solace which
can be obtained in no other way 1
Wê, therefore, view these men once
more as to their guilt. Tliis may be
fairly determined frcm their doom.
We
do not determine their deem ; this has
been decided by a Being who knows all
things, and who will judge the world in
righteousness.
He has said, " How can
world ye shall have tribulabe of good cheer, I have

overcome the world." It says to the
wretched, " Come nnto me, all ye that
labour and are heavy laden, and I will ye escape
give you rest." And it has this recom- tion ]" "
mendation the recommendation of experi- damned."
ed,
tion
tiiP,
but
ye neglect so great salvathat belit veth not shall be

Against which, as unreasonence : there are thousands that have made able, the infidel protests, and claims that
The7-e is one who can say, the criminal be the judge of the law and
the trial.
turning his eyes upward, "In the multi- the judge of the judge. " Oh," pay srnie,
tude of my thoughts within me thy com- " we are not accountable for our belief!"
Another wipes To which we answer that if we are not
forts delight my soul."
his eyes and says, " Unless thy law had accountable for our belief, we are acccuntbeen my delight, my soul had almost ablc for nothing ; for all cur actions spring
dwelt in silence." Here is a child return- from belief; and infidelity does net arise
ing from the funeral of a father., now froirf want of evidence, but frcm want of
buried in the same grave with his mother
inclination.
We may judge of the moral
he opens the twenty-seventh Psalm, and disposition of a man frcm the nature cf
reads, "When my father and my mother ilic things he apposes.
In proportion as a
forsake me, then the liOrd will take me m-.'ji is holij he is adverse to sin
in proup." Here is a husband dying, and sees portion as a man is sirfulhe is adverse to
his wife and children unprovided for, every Uiing that is holy.
Is the Bible,
weeping by him ; but he hears a soft then, noi distinguished by holiness'? lis
voice, " Leave thy fatherless children, I promises ^re holy; its commands are
will keep them alive ; and let thy widows holy ; it requires holiness of life aid
Why tio men dislike this beck 1
trust in me."
I one day, at Ohiey, met heart.
with a good man who had been long deaf. Why do they lofe darkness rather than
He said to me, " For more than sixteen light] Eecawse iheir deeds are fvil.
years I have not enjoyed the pleasure cf If the aim and the design of the {"ciiphearing a single sermon ; but I am look- tures be to cleanse us from the filthincFS
ing forward and looking upward for my of the flesh, "perfecting hohiiess in the
if
He
fear of the
comfort
"
and hear, and know,

desired or wished below;
every power find sweet employ,
There
All
And
shall
see,
-In that eternal
world of joy
,"
mine
why
Lord"
it
is
easy to deler-
man opposes
ibis
he who
destroys the principle of all gocd actic ns
would destroy, if he could, all gocd
actions themselves;
and his disposition
THE SACRED ORACLES.

says unto God, " Depart from us, we
desire not the knowledge of thy ways
24S
and some also of good will :

the one preach Christ of contention, not
and cause the Holy One of Israel to cease sincerely, supposing to add aflliction to
before us."
my bonds but the other of love, knowing
As there is nothing, therefore, that im- that I am set for the defence of the gosWhat then 1 Notwithstanding,
plies so much wickedness, so there is pel.
nothing that tends to so much wickedness, every way, whether in pretence or in
as the removal of the Scriptures. And truth, Christ is preached ; and I therein
this is the design of these men.
The do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice," The
door would then be open to all manner of periods of suffering have been always the
iniquity
and every check and restraint most glorious for Christianity ; the brebeing removed, temptation would be thren have been- united and endeared the
always triumphant. If you think them more to each other; the Spirit of glory
guilty who would rob a fellow-creature and of God has rested upon them ; their:
of his wealth, what can you think of sufferings have arrested attention and in-'
those who have robbed their fellow-crea- duccd sympathy; the witness of their
tures of the unsearchable riches of Christ ? sufferings has been found to be impressed,
If they arc guilty who have ruined their and they have been led to inspire the
produce such
health, or their reputation, or their busi- principles that would
Therefore the blood of the marness, what can we think of those who effects.
would poison their minds and would de- tyrs was always considered the seed of
And this is the churches ; and the mor<i they were
stroy their souls for ever?
and oppressed, the more they inultiplied and
their wish
this is their endeavour
God will give them credit for their design, grew. Dr. Watts, all poet as he was,
and
strife
and judge them according to their works,

and according to their wishes for they
may be ûilly without being succes/^ful.
This leads us to notice.
Lastly, Some things which seem likely TO INJURE REVELATION, AND WHICH
YET PROVE ITS ADVANTAGE.
In this number we first rank ihe attachs
cf the infidel on its divinity. What jias

been the consequence of all his opposition
What? Why,
and able
zeal in
its
diffusion
brought forth in its

favour; for inquiry is always friendly to
truth, as darkness and concealment are
articles
number we
place, secondly, the
who would
not wish to join
with him in the
che'ce !)
ther have been
tlê
"I would
ra-
author of Alleine's
to the unt^jnverted than the writer

of Milton's Pa-'adise Lost ;" but that was
What did the enea prison production.
Alarm
mies of
so
many
religion get
by confining Bunyan
y^?rs in jail at Bedford
There,,
almost inspired, he wrote those works

which 'v'ill continue to incommode the
powers of darkness to the end of the
\v.jr!d.
In this
number we rank,
and parlies
thirdly, the
sprung up
These have amazingly alarmed some good men; and irt
divisiotjs
among
friendly to error.
In this
said, (and
its
that have
professors.
have added terror

they have talked of danger, not
who suffered as an evil-doer untJ !)onds; remembering tiiat in a thousand cases
but he says the, " the word of vJod is not variety is compatible with unity. The
Bufferings of
its
Here we have
followers by
persec-^t'<i'^-
the testimony of an dpostle
their lamentations they
to grief;
And says he to the Philip- differences which subsist amongst all

would ye shouH understand, those who hold the head do not affect the
they are only so
that the things which hav happened unto oneness of the church
me have fallen out ralhtV ""to tbe further- many branches which form one tree so
many members which form one body.
ance of the gospel
?> that my bonds in
Christ are manifest <i all the palace; and Hy these they have always proved stimumany of the brclh^^n in the Lord, waxing lations to each other; tliey have awakened
and
confident by mv bonds, arc much more and increased emulation and ze.d
bold to speak the word without f(;ar. religion lias always been upon the wliole
Some, indeed, preach Christ even of envy a gainer by theiu. Thus the scparatioa
bound."
pians, "
TIIR
244
BIimSH PULPIT.
between Paul end i5arnabas caused ihc

gospel
when
to
flow into opposite channels,
otherwise
fined to one.
it
Avould have been con-
The same may be observed
of ihe dilTercnce between Luther and Calvin, and also
cases ; they have become an effectual

check on each other, and have proved so
many vouchers of the integrity of the
Scriptures, and of the copies of the Scriptures, and have prevented spoliation and
between Wesley and Whit- expunctuation.

opportunities have
There is only one thing more
Thus new
and that
been offered for the display of liberality, is, l/tefai/ings of its members. It would
and candour, and mutual forbearance, seem impossible any good should arise
which sameness and uniformity would from these to the cause of the gospel.
have made not only needless, but impos- W'e therefore, say, " Woe to the world,
sible.
It has been found farmore import- because of offences,"
because thereby
ant for Christians to love one another, and the way of truth is vainly spoken of; by
to exclaim, " Grace be with all them who these the enemies of the Lord are made
love our Lord .Tesus Christ in sincerity," to blaspheme. And, as to such characthan to peep together tlirough the same ters as these, we sometimes wish they
key-hole of opinion. And then the differ- would not mingle with our assemblies, or
ent parts of the Scripture have also, in that they would come here and get the
conse(\uence of these divisions, been pe- benefit which the Bible affords.
And
culiarly attended to one party has argued yet what is the fact?
No tlianks to
for the doctrinal part, another the practi- themselves
even these scandals have
cal, anothet the disciplinarian; and, in been overruled for good.
These scandals
consequence oC these, no part has remained were foretold by the Scri])tures; and,
unexplored or unheeded.
therefore, they are pledges of their truth ;
But I am well aware there are some these have shown that the gospel is divine
differences of a nôre important kind. and almighty
because it can bear to be
Truth is one and the same in itself; and, betrayed from within as well as assaulted
therefore, if men entemin opposite opin- from witliout.
The excommunication of
ions on it, they cannot be all rio-ht. I do these persons has always strikingly
not believe in the harmlessiness of error shown the purity of the church, and that
and heresy ; I am persuaded hey always they cannot bear those that are evil
affect injuriously, not only Uie welfare, while the true professors have been led,
but the safely, of the individiial who is by these instances, to fear, and tremble,
misled by them. But, if we vifcvr these and pray; and ministers have held them
things as we now do
if we consider the up as warnings to others, and have said,
consequences as ihey affect Christiaifiiy " Let him that thinketh he standeth take
it is obvious that even these have
itself
heed, lest he fall." Thus the Scripture
been overruled for good that even these^ lives through all ; and the very things
as they have risen up in parties and divi- *iat seemed likely to destroy or injure it
sions, have been a salutary check on each âve proved the means of its benefit.
Oa the ground of this subject, thereother, and that each has prevented the
possibility of interpolation and expunc- fore, ^nd in conclusion, by way of
If Trinitarians, improTtment, we bring forward three.
tion as to the Scriptures.
for instance, had been disposed to intro- admonitvuis.
Tiie first's. Be persuaded of the stahility
duce passages favourable to their system,
the Arians would have been sure to have to the cause u/ revelation. Never let your
discovered them, and exposed them. hearts tremble for the ark of God. Give
As, on the other hand, had the Arians up your fears-_they are unworthy or
endeavoured to suppress any passages groundless. The-hurch of Christ is not,
field.
favourable to the divinity of God our

Saviour, the orthodox would have been
cannot
sure to have detected them, and to de-
be, in danger.
Upon this rock,''''
says he, "1 will .tuild my church."
The unbelief of man âll not make the
claim against them. The same may be

flaid of advocates and opponents in all
effect.
<'-
word of God, says the
Men may
aposile, of
none
oppose the Bible, they
THE SACKED ORACLES.

may burn
the Bible, but they cannot de-
245
thing; and he
shows
his
care
of
the
" Heaven and earth church in those perils and difliculties

shall pass away," says the Saviour, " but which seem likely to destroy it.
He
my words shall not pass away." " My could do without these, but he will do
word," says God, " shall not return unto now as he did originally to display his
stroy the Scriptures.
me
void
I please, and
whereto
and
all
grass.
accomplish that which
perfections, he will cause light to flow
shall prosper in the thing
out of darkness, and beauty out of deformity, and order out cf confusion.
sAn//
it
it
" All
sent it."
the glory of
The
man
flesh is grass,
as the flower of
grass withereth,
and
the
Secondly, Apply Scripture to your

use,
and apply
it
away but the word

of the Lord endureth for fuer." Thus
ten aforetime,
we
ing, that
we through
secutor, died, smitten of the angel, be-
of
Scripture
cause he gave not God the glory but it

is immediately added, "The word of the
Lord grew and multiplied." The waves,
my brethren, may roar and dash; but
"These
flower thereof falleth
read in the Acts, that Herod, the per-
it
has been given.
the
own
purposes for which

" Whatever was writwritten for our learn-
to the
was
patience and comfort
might
things,"
says
have
the
hope."
evangelist,
"are written, that you may believe on

the name of the Son of God, and that, believing, you may have life through hie
while they beat against a rock, they break name." You are only trifling with this
only themselves. The devil in our day sacred book, unless you make it the
but don't you think means of leading your feet into the way
is deceiving many
God is at work too ? Has he not all his everlasting. You have seen men destroy
enemies under his control, and under his the Bible, but the Bible can destroy you,
subserviency ]
O yes The thunders and with the surest of all destructions
that terrify will purify the air, and show- too. The Bible is the most awful thing
ers will fall upon the earth.
I have freyou ever met with in your existence and
quently been struck with the resemblance having come in contact with the Bible,
there is between the times and circum- you can never shake off the efiect; it can
stances of Luther, and the day in which never be removed no, it will always adwe live. He was not opposed only by here to you; to eternal ages it will stick
the papist, but by some of the reformed to you in the way of remembrance, and
church, and suflTered not only from foes, in the way of accusation. Yes, " the
but from friends. Then he was torment- words which I have spoken," says the
ed with the prophetical party, witli their Saviour, " will judge you in the last day."
dreamings and forebodings in the name To what purpose, therefore, is it, that
of the Lord. Then there were some who you hear, unless you receive the word
pushed his principles into Antinomianism, which is worthy of all acceptation unand turned the grace of God into licen- less it brings you to the Saviour, to the
;
Then he had
tiousness.
to
encounter the
foot
of
with
respectable
Saviour's cross
the
you will not confound these enables you
Anabaptists
unless
it
him
knowing in
to give yourselves
up
to
denomination of as poor perishing sinners,

who only differ whom you have believed. Oh embrace
from us in tiie article of baptism; but he its proffers obey its commands follow
had to encounter these levellers, these its examples, and suffer them to govern
opposers of civil magistrates, who burned you in your worship, in your lives, in
down the houses of the rich, and destroyed your calling
Bind it about your neck ;
the
Christians
now
living,
And
upon tlie tables of your heart

withstanding these oppositions continued, that when you walk it may lead you, that
the caiise prevailed, and tiio cause came when you sleep it may keep yon, that
out of all in triumph. I am persuaded wlien you awake it may talk with you.
this will lu' the case now.
Bo not faith- Pursue it speak highly of it recomless, but Ix'lieve.
God shows his govern- mend it to others. And,
ment of the world in those confusions
Thirdly, lie concerned for the spread and
which seera likely to unhinge every diffusion of it. \Vh:\i can you impart to
the castles of the great.
yet, not-
write
it
15
TiiK BRITISH rri.riT.
216
any of j'our iVUow-iTcaturos t-quul to tlio nents were completely put to flight. As
bread and water of eternal lifol And the field was to bo the world, no jirivate
you cannot complain of your want of and sectarian combination could reach the
grandeur of the design. Com|)reiiension,
means and encoura<jement in exertion.
Tiiis naturally leads me to take notice therefore, and universal co-operation wero
of the British aiul Foreisjn Bible bôcict.y, required; and these were obtained. By
whose annual meeting wo shall presently the simplicity of its merits the institution
13nt to use the words of the was formed for action and for business,
announce".
lalo Mr. Hall, on a similar occasion "A and accordingly, soon the little one bespeaker can never bo so dissatisfied with came a thousand ; and the annual report,
any thing he can deliver, as when ho at- which at first consisted of three or four
tempts to commend an institution which, pages, soon became a large octavo volume.
by its own nuu-its, is so pre-eminently The example of the melropolis was folexalted above all eulooinm," It is hardly lowed by the cities, and towns, and viliun"essary to remark now, that there was lages, through all the land and other couna necessity for such a society all at the tries soon imitated the exam])le of oui
:
acknowledged the necessity of it own and auxiliary societies contributed

with regard to t'oreign parts ; but there their aid from the east and from the west,
were some who ilenied the necessity of it from the north and from the south.
The advantages that resulted it would
Avith regard to the lunne department, ]iresuming that IJihles were to be found in bo needless to enumerate. It did more
But the in- to harmonize the religious world than
all, or nearly all, families.
vestigation served to show the awful stale any thing had done before or could have
Nothing had occurred as yet
of destitution in which thousands here done.
were found. I can only nu^ntion now the capable of funiishing a ground for all to
case of Wales Bibles in the Welsli lan- stand upon who professed themselves to
guage were so scarce that it was no un- be Christians; and I know of nothing
common thing for several families to that could have been found by which to
possess one Bible as their joint stock ; gain the good will of all, except that
and so they used it alternately, by the which now struck the minds of a pious
week or by the month. I\Ir. Ciiarles, a few namely, that as all professed to repious clergyman of the church of Eng- gard the Bible as the book of God, all
land, soon made known their wishes, and could unite without compromising their
provision was made for them and I well particular views ; unite, not in any eccleremendier his saying, that when the peo- siast'cal or religious object; but unite
ple of Bala learned that the first load of only to gain resources for the circulation
Bibles and Testaments was coming toof the Bible, which was to be dispersed
wards the place, a multitude of them went without note or comment. I no more
forth to meet the vehicle and, taking out doubt than I do my own existence, that it
the horses, they drew it themselves into was Cod who put this desire into so many
the market-place, and there, in a few hearts i/inl God who, as the Liturgy of
bours, they disposed of all the copies. the church of England beautifully exSome kissed them, sonu^ pressed them to presses it, is " the author of peace and
their bosoms; the children ran home de- lover of concord"
t/iat God who tells us
lighted, and the labourers carried them in his word that one of the seven things
into the fiidds in order to read them at which he supremely hates, " is he that
their homely meals to refresh their toils.
soweth discord among brethren."
Tlie reception it met with at first was
And what danger, what evil could rejust that which was to be looked for.
It sult from all this 1
As nothing was to
received opposition from the party which be circulated but the word of God, truth
is liigh church in name, but popery in must have been a gainer, and error must
spirit; bvit even this was overruled for have been a loser by such a measure.
good
the opposition not only purified, The parties could not engage in tliese
but fanned the holy flame and its oppo- exertions without benefiting themselves.
first
THE SACRED ORACLES.

Here were statesmen and senators, and
247
probably magnified. Let others, therefore, (whose motives we feel no disposi-
drawn forth to
Bible was the tion to question,) see that all their memreligion of Protestantism, and to ex- bers are free from all blemishes and errors,
press their attachment to it. And I am and whether they include as co-partners,
fully persuaded that one of the causes of any, who in any way, are enemies to the
that remarkable movement of a religious cross of Christ, or enemies to the Triune
nature, which has taken place in so many God. It is easy to triumph bciore the fight.
the nobles of the land,
all
proclaim publicly that
thi;
of the upper ranks in society, was the

operation of the British and Foreign Bible
Never was
Society.
there such an aggrc-
and
while mil-
of talent, religious principle,
gate
was then engaged
piety as
behalf were constantly olfered in private, at the family

altar, and in public worship; and when
lions of prayers on
its
Untried institutions can afford to be very

but we plead
promises
for a society, which has borne the burden
and heat of the day tlidt has laboured
liberal in their
now
more than an age, exposed
for
to
every kind of observation. Let others,

at the end of so many years, and after
expending so many millions, and after
accomplishing so much good at home

and abroad let them show themselves
Him who ac- as free from every thing objectionable ;
liim in spirit and in truth
cepts the principle of devotion where the and we hope there will be enough found
Till then,
If nothing that will bid them God speed.
fiirmalily may be wanting.
more express could be done at the public we might say, " Let not him that girdeth
meetings, it was owing to the peculiar on his harness boast himself as he that
they met, there was the prayer of the

heart to Ilim thatseeketh such as worship
and there is no
some exigency,
by some difficulty; it cannot do every
thing it cannot accom])lish every thing.
nature of the society

society but
putteth
limited by
is
I
I
am
off."
it
hope
sure
would not speak uncharitably;

I prayed this morning to be
preserved from that spirit; yet
cannot
Supreme Being looks but speak, when that dear and beloved
down and smiles, and says, " She hath object is misrepresented. I remember to
have read of some one who was dumb,
done what she could."
There is no doing good without giving that when set upon by robbers, and seeing
our institu- his father likely to be assassinated, he
rise to some incidental evil
It is not
tion therefore never considered itself per- made an effort and spoke.
fect.
And when we consider the number merely choice that induces us to be advoIt is
enough
if
the
of
of
its
its
agents
the iiun\ensily and distance

what wonder, some
operations
who had
if
been wishing for
its
halting,
we are compelled to be advocates ;

;
are not only misrepresented, but we
are attacked by those who differ from us.
cates
we
may
with men, without being
But,
discovered a failure or a mistake]
when these unfortunately occurred they
Tiiey
were always immediately
There are some of you who cannot feel

as others; some of you are young, and
rectified,
and
pledges given against their recurrence.

No society could do more no reflecting
mind could require more. Let those who
expect perfection, remember it is the
templed
fight
to
take
those
ftannot feel as
women.
captive silly
who
witnessed the
We
commencement
not
of the inslilution.
can look back and remember the inex
pressible pleasure we experienced, attached as wo were to the Scriptures,
According to our Saviour, a man may have

a beam in his own eye, while he is endeavouring to pull a mole out of his bro-
purpose of the
(listril)ulion of the word of the Almighty.
We cannot forego our recollection of il9
easiest thing in the world to find fault,
and object; that censoriousness
always the best food
ther's eye.
is
for humility.
Those who cry out
for per-
when we
learned thai a society
formation, of
its
fection will bo sure to be judged by no
ing of
themselves; every failure in

them will bo minutely keniu>d, and most
wise and good

sence of Deity
lax rule
was
to
bo
eslablisbi'd, solely for the
spread, of
the attendance of
its first
all
meeU
that
of the obvious
of the hours
that
fVIt
was
pre-
seemed
THE BRITISH PULPIT.
248
heaven upon earth

temple of Janus was. shut
^when there seemed to be all peace, and
no discord amontr religious parlies when
each seemed to shout, " Glory to God in
to us like hours of
hours when
THIS PUZiFIT GAZiZiHRlT.
tlie
NO. X.
the highest, on earth peace, good
THE REV. WILLIAM JAY,

Minister of Argyle Chapel, Bath.
will
towards men" and when we felt and

exclaimed, " Ecliold how good and how
pleasant a thing it is for brethren to dwell
together in unity
It is like
Would I describe a
Were he on earth
down
the precious
ointment upon the head, that ran
preacher such as Paul,

*
1:
would express him simple, grave, sincere

In doctrine uncorrupt
in language plain.
I
upon the beard, even Aaron's beard that

And
went down to the skirts of his garments
And
the
dew
as the dew of Hermon, and as
that descended upon the mountains of
Lord commanded the

evermore."
Who can call all this to mind, when
thinking of this institution, and not exclaim, " If I forget thee let my right hand
Zion
for there the
blessing, even
life for
plain in
manner
decent, solemn, chaste.
Cowper.
natural in gesture.
Born
of
humble
proof, that talent,
parents,
when
Mr. Jay is a
good
directed to a
end, is sure to be crowned with success ;

and when united with piety, to obtain
that fame " which God and good men
forget her cunning, if I prefer not ihcc have consented shall be the reward of
above my chief joy," Can we forget the those whose published labours have admany channels of blessing in which this vanced the benefit of mankind." Taken
institution has descended
the number of from the patriarchal occupation of a shepother societies to which this has given herd, Mr. Jay left his fleecy charge for
rise ?
that the world is indebted to it the more important care of instructing
for one third of the copies of the sacred men in their spiritual duties, and, for upvolume which it now possesses ] that, wards of forty years, he has been the firm,
under the blessing of God, the society has eloquent, and consistent preacher of the
translated the Scriptures into one hundred doctrines of Christianity.
His popuand sixty-three languages and dialects, larity, which was always considerable,
in one hundred and fourteen of which it is nearly as great now as when he first
had never appeared before 1 that seven burst upon the notice of the religious
millions of copies of the word of God world; a proof that his talents have not
have been diffused through this country been impaired by exertion, nor his useand in foreign parts ] Oh, my brethren
fulness diminished by age.
be not betrayed into an improper spirit
The appearance of Mr. Jay is by no
and language. Display the meekness of moans prepossessing; his contracted foreyour IMaster.
Excuse what will bear head, large eyebrows, and a habit of deep
palliation, and forgive what will not. thought, have given to his countenance,
" Bless, and curse not." Remember that when settled in repose, an almost repulJesus, when reviled, reviled not again
sive air; his eye looks out from beneath
when he suffered, he threatened not but its covering with a suspicious glance,
committed himself to him that judgcth and seems to read the thoughts of others;
righteously.
But be not discouraged
hut when he begins his discourse, his
your noble cause is going on in the great- face becomes animated, his forehead loses
ness of its strength
thousands and mil- its contraction, and his eye beams with
lions are tending it with their heads, and unwonted lustre.
It is then we may obthoughts, and pens, and persons.
Be serve, "the mind, the music breathingr
thankful for v.-hat has been done, but still from the fvice."
His voice is full, deep,
tet your motto be, go forward.
Now, to and melodious and when its rich tones
God the Father, God the Son, and God fall on the ear, it is impossible to with\he Holy Ghost, be ascribed all honour, draw the attention, and his power of
and glory, and dominion, and power, for modulation is such, that the pronunciaever and ever!
Amen!
tion of a single sentence often impresses
THE PULPIT GALLERY.

on the memory yet there is no art
visible, no affectation, no desire to produce any things like a theatrical effect.
His action is, in general, elegant and
forcible ; sometimes it is, however, too
rednndant.
He seems to despise studied
forms and attitudes, and is more desirous
to impress the heart than please the eye.
As an orator, he is entitled to great praise ;
Brinsley Sheridan said of him, (and who
so capable of forming a correct opinion 1)
itself
249
characteristic
imitates the
and
in this
Mr. Jay wisely
example of the founder of
the Christian religion; for Christianity

is simple in its structure, its precepts, its
doctrines, and
its
requirements.
Mr. Jay has not been the meteor of the

moment, or the comet of the season. On
his first entrance into the Christian
min-
istry, his talents attracted universal notice,
and he has been able to keep his hold on

public favour undiminished to the present
" that he was the most perfectly natural time. He did not exhaust himself by
his first efforts, nor was he anxious to
orator he ever heard."
As a preacher, he is excelled by few court popular applause. He wisely withthere may be, indeed, some, whose elo- drew early from the dangerous fascinaquence is more commanding, whose grasp tions of crowded cities, and in retirement
of mind is more powerful, whose imagina- has cultivated his talents, increased his
tions are more vigorous ; but yet, in all knowledge, and matured his experience
the requisites that constitute a good in divine things.
So that his preaching,
preacher, few will be able to surpass him. while it commands attention from the
His discourses are regular, without being young, is eminently fitted to cheer and
formal; and eloquent, without being ex- support the old.
Mr. Jay has appeared before the pubtravagant his language is always correct
and nervous his fancy is rich, but he lic as an essayist, a writer of sermons,
seldom gives way to the sallies of the and a biographer. He has chosen a subimagination; there is but little of rheto- ject for his essay, which, though of the
rical flourish in his appeals ; his is the greatest importance to the welfare of
eloquence of the heart ; the warm and society, is generally shunned by most
impassioned statements of a man fully preachers it is marriage ; and surely
convinced of the truths he utters, aVid when we consider that the sacred obligaearnestly desirous to impress others with tions of this holy estate are but little
a sense of their importance. He succeeds understood, and but seldom enforced from
best in the tender and pathetic, and there- the press or the pulpit, some praise is due
fore his appeals are generally successful. to him who ventures to dwell upon a
He knows that the judgment may be theme calculated at once to arouse the
often convinced, and yet the heart remain attention and improve the mind.
His
untouched by sympathy
he therefore sermons are distinguished by a rich tone
addresses the feelings, and, through them, of evangelical piety, a strength of reasonthe heart, as the more powerful mode of ing, depth of thought, arid simplicity of
His short sermons for famienforcing an attention to truth ; but he language.
can ascend to the dignity of argument and lies will long be held in veneration and
expostulation, and lead the judgment esfeem.
His biographical sketches are
captive at his will.
It is almost impos- what all biography ought to be, a faith;
sible to give a general idea of his preach-
ing; simplicity
Vol. I. 32
is,
however,
its
prevailing
ful record
trayed.
of those
whose
lives are por-
SERMON
CHRIST'S INVITATION
XXVII.
AND PROMISE TO THE WEARY AND HEAVY LADEN
BY THE REV. CHARLES SIMEON,
"
is
Come
unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and
It is thought by many that the gospel

a mere system of doctrines, which may
be received without
benefit,
"without loss.
no such thing.
and
It is
and rejected
The
I will give you
first
rest."
Matt.
xii.
28.
we must
certainly in-
place. Those
who groanea
the heavy laden

clude, in the
under
A.M.
burdens of the Mosaic law.

The ceremonial law, as you know, required a great ntultitude of ritual observances, which, to those who saw not their
the
wish you all to remember

this, for it will give you an insight into
the gospel beyond all other things that typical use and tendency, must have apcan be conceived in so short a space the peared frivolous and arbitrary and even
gospel is a remedy a remedy for the to those who had some insight into their
miseries which sin has brought into the proper meaning they still were an irksome
gospel
Man
world.
undone
is
a sinner, and he
is
utterly
the gospel introduces a Saviour
exactly suited to his necessities, and sets

that Saviour before us under every figure
that can unfold his excellencies, or endear
him to our souls.

Under the Old Testament our blessed
Saviour
shadowed
is
forth as the brazen
task, an intolerable burden.

From this
yoke, however, the Messiah was to deliver them.
He was to annul the old
covenant, with all its ceremonies, and to
establish a new covenant in its stead.
When, therefore, our Lord declared him-
self to be the Messiah, he invited to

all
who were weary and heavy
serpent, that healed those
who were dying
the Mosaic law, and assured
from
city of refuge, to
the
him
laden wîth
them that
yoke which he would impose upon
which the man-slayer might resort with them was, on the contrary, light and
perfect safety
as a sacrifice, which re- easy.
There is, however, a further refermoved the sinner's guilt. Looking into ence,
the New Testament, you will find there
2. To those who laboured under temporal
our blessed Lord represents himself as afflictions.
their
wounds
as n
hread for the hungry, drink for the thirsty,

a physician for the sick, and, we need
mention no more than this, as a kind and
hospitable /nend, who invites to him all
that are w'eary and
heavy laden. It is in
that view he speaks to you, by my mouth,
at this moment and I wish you to attend
;
to these three things
The characters invited.

II. The invitation given.
III. The promise with which
I.
many
it is
en-
invited.
Under the description of the weary and
250.
trials
and
common
as not to be subject to
In fact, such
afllictions.
life,
very few persons
perhaps,
who
very
icw,
that
are here present, and have been join-
ing in the thanksgiving which is offered

in our liturgy to God
have been able to
it,
or can utter
it
at this
moment,
from their hearts, " We thank thee, O

God, for our creation !" " For our creation !"
The characters
are such strangers to the
mankind
are the calamitous incidents of
utter
forced.
I.
None
lot of
many would be glad
never been
born
when the hand
of
if they had
but more especially
God
presses heavy upon
;
I
CllKiI-S liNvilAliOn AP<U

us, and
we
feel the
Now,
weight of multitudi-
nous afflictions, we are ready to hate our

very existence, and to choose strangling
Scarcely a week passes,
rather than life.
in this great metropolis, but you hear of
persons so bowed down under affliction,
of one kind or other, that
tiiey
destroy
own lives.
Now, it is highly
their
their
in
UOMl&E.
251
these subsequent
views open
wounds afresh, and make them feel
what
a hopeless condition they are,
they have
till
peace through the

blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus
Then they groan and who is i
Christ.
under the weigh*
that must not groan]
of indwelling sin, which drew from the
mouth and the heart of the holy apostle
obtained
probable that many

our blessed Saviour ad- that acknowledgment, " O wretched man
And
dressed had drunk deeply of the cup of tliat 1 am who shall deliver me
is there
sorrow, and, for their encouragement, is there such a person here]
of those
whom
promised that, whatever

whether in mind, body,
or estate, if only they would come to him,
they should find a relief from them all
or, what would be of equal value, they
should have support and comfort under
And, to every person
their pressure.
who is under affliction here before me, I
declare, in the name of God, that, if you
come to the Lord Jesus Christ, you shall
experience a rest which the whole world
But doubtbesides can never give.
less, we must principally understand by
therefore,
were
he
their trials,
this term,
3.
Those ivho were oppressed with a sense
of sin.
Though
all are sinners, yet all do not

weight of sin, because they do
not know to what tremendous evils it has
brought them. They do not consider the
wrath of God. They do not consider
am almost afraid to utter the word the
damnation of hell. They do not consider,
they will not consider it. Wiien they
bcffin to be afraid of their ungodly state,
and to see what a holy God they have
sinned against, and how great and terrible
a God he is, then they do begin to tremble,
lest his wrath should be poured forth
against them, and consume them utterly ;
and then they have recourse to somewhat
J'eel the
of repentance, somewhat of attendance to

his ordinances, and by that means obtain,
just for a
souls.
they
little,
an insecure peace
to tlieir
Hut, after a very little season,

from their backslidings, and
find,
their utli;r incapacities, that this does not

satisfy an
awakened
soul.
They
find
they need sometiiing more, and that no

outward cliange of tlirirs can avail thoni,
for their present peace, and their everlasting happiness.
one groaning under the burden of sin?

is there one trembling at the view of
God's wrath ] is there one desirous to
obtain peace to his soul 1
That is the
very person for whose relief the Lord
Jesus Christ came into the world, and
that is the person whom I am addressing
at this very moment, in the name of my
Lord and Saviour,, " Come unto me, and
thou shalt find rest unto thy soul."
But, in order to enter more fully into
the import of our Lord's address, we mus*
proceed to consider,
" Come
II. The invitation given
unto me."
Now, by the expression, " Come unto
me," you will immediately see that our
Lord docs not mean to invite the multitude
nearer to himself, for they were already
round about him. The meaning of his

words was, as he himself explains. Believe in me; or, in other words. Come
unto me, in the exercise of faitii,and hope
and love.
Now, in order that 1 may set thisbefoiQ
would take a great liberty I woul

to you our Saviour's words a
though they were addressed immediately
by him to you. Instead of saying merely,
" Come unto me," 1 would say, conceive
of our blessed Lord as addressing you
thus, whilst I merely paraphrase his
" Breliiren, to imparl rest to you
words
all is the very end for which 1 came into
the world and I would that every one of
you, that seeks rest in me, should come
to me at this very moment, and receive
Turn not away from me as
at my hands.
You see me, a poor man,
an impostor.
turn
not having where to lay my liea<l
you,
unfold
not
you
away from me
tiial I
am
as an impostor,
the true Messiah
il"
tiie
tell
per-
rllE BRITISH rULI It.
252
son desiynalod in
all
your prophocios
tlie Father
the person sent to you from
obedience
and
at
unto
death.
Farther
comprehend the heights, and
Strive to
Go not to the vanities depths, and lengths, and breadths, of my

of this worUl to seek rest in thein ; for love which passcth knowledge, and let a
they can never give it you. It is not to sense of that love constrain you to walk
be found in them; it is a gift vhich none with me, to depend on me, and to delight
this very niotnent.
but myself can bestow upon any human

being. Farther Keep not away from me,
under an apprehension that you can make
satisfaction for your own souls, or that
you can cleanse yourselves, by any means,
from your iniquities for yon never can
have redemption but through my blood,
nor can you ever subdue your lusts but
by my all-sufficient grace; neither delay
to come to me on account of your unworthiness, as if it were necessary to bring
:
some meritorious
also in seeing
Now,
me."
this I conceive to
be the true in>unto me."

Come in faith, believing that I am indeed
able and willing to save.
Con.e in hope,
notwithstanding all that you have ever
done amiss, however great it be. Come
in love, and be driven not by a fear of
condemnation, but by a sense of the excellency of my character, and by all the
port of the words
wonders of
My dear
my
" Come
love.
I affirm to every
me, every one one who is Aveary and heavy laden, whatof you, just as you are, w'ith all your sins ever his burden be, that he is to consider
upon you with all your shis upon you. these words as addressed to himself, at
Do not stop to heal yourselves imper- this very moment, by the Lord Jesus
fectly, but come instantly to the physi- Christ, as much as any of those who
Come, and receive all my bless- attended his personal ministry had it adcian.
Nay, more, to every
ings freely, without money, and without dressed to them.
Come in faith, believing that I individual soul is it addressed, as though
price.'
am able to save to the uttermost all that it had been personally addressed to him
come unto God by me, and believing that alone.
my
service as the price of
No; come
favour.
brethren, this
to
'
able.
Then let us, my brethren, hear our
Come, blessed Lord's address for it is He who
Let your expectations be speaks, by the mouth of a poor unworthy
also, in hope.
enlarged.
Ye are not straitened in me, preacher let us hear him, at this mobut ye are straitened in your owm bowels.' inent, saying, " Come unto me." Hear
Count up all the blessings of time sur- him with his dying breath upon the cross
vey all the glories of eternity stretch
behold him bowing his head in death,
am
as willing to save as I
Come, every one
am
of you, in faith.
'
utmost ask
your imagination to the

all
that eye ever saw, or ear ever heard, or
heart ever conceived, and I will not only
grant all your requests, but do for you
'exceedingly abundant above all that ye
Open your
can ask or even think.'
mouths ever so wide, I pledge myself
Moreover, come in
that I will fill them.
love.
Be
by mere
not like persons driven to me

and influenced by
necessity,
with his dying breath, saying,

unto me." Follow him to his
throne of glory, and there behold him
stretching out his hands, and saying to
you all, " Come unto me." Let us all go
to him, with one accord, with one heart,
with one mind, and that without delay
Let us fly to him, every one of us, " as
and,
"
Come
doves
to the
Now,
windows."
might be wanting
that nothing
to
nothing but the dread of hell ; but con- give efficacy to his invitation, consider,
in. The promise with which it is
template ray character as the Son of the
" And I will give you rest."
living God, who has become incarnate ENFORCED
The world are glad to see us in our
for you, and for the salvation of a ruined
world. Meditate on my kindness, too, prosperity, and when we can participate
bosom of my Father, in
emptying myself of all my glory, in order
to take upon me all the guilt of your sins,
and to expiate them by my own sacrifice
in leaving tlie
in their
pleasures
versity,
when want and
but, in the
trouble
day of ad-
come upon
us, they are but too apt to lessen their

rcjpards,
and to grow weary of our com-

CHRIST'S IJWITATIOM
plaints.
Not so our blessed Lord
what that earnest is yourselves. The

peace which he will give is an earnest, is
a foretaste
a blessed foretaste
of the
felicity of
heaven
itself.
But we must extend our thoughts yet

even to the rest which remains
for the people of God.
Now that was,
doubtless, most eminently in the Saviour's
mind nor can any thing short of all the
farther,
be a support to their
253
laden soul, are called in Scripture an

bids earnest of our inheritance. You all know
to
PROMISE.
his
conduct is altogether different. He

us come to him in the time of trouble.
He, instead of turning a deaf ear to our
requests, assures every one of us, " I will
give you rest." I will give ynu rest : how
What do the
suitable his promise
weary and heavy laden desire ! I will
suppose them to be bowed down under
temporal afflictions what do they desire,
what do they wish for, but something to
soothe the anguish of their rninds, and
something
AND
glories
and
felicities of
portion of those
faint-
who come
heaven be the
to
him aright;
ing souls ?
Now, my brethren, the Lord
never shall you have less than
Jesus Christ administers this to every glories and felicities of heaven.
person that comes
by the
to
him
administers
He
rows altogether spiritual?

peace
to the
says, "
I
am
speaks
cheer, he of good cheer,

O what is it that
thy salvation."
Yes, brehe hath spoken to the soul

thren, he discovers to the wounded soul
!
the sufficiency of his blood to cleanse
farther add, that this is a true
faithful saying,
wounded conscience, and
He of good
it
from the guilt of sin, and the efficacy of

his grace to subdue and mortify our lusts.
Yes, he gives to all who wait upon him think of the Saviour
what nothing
in all the
the
and
and worthy of all acceptation.
Was there ever one person, from
the beginning of the world, who ever
came to the Saviour in vain ? Was there
ever one that did not experience his truth
and faithfulness ? It is true, many perhaps come to him without experiencing
this rest and peace, and all these promises
below. But why
They did not come
in faith, hope, and love, and have been
only impelled by terror, and would never
1
it
by the comAre their sor-
aid of his grace, and
munication of his Spirit.
now
all
They
universe besides
listen to the
if it
were not
for hell.
suggestions of despond-
can ever supply a firm and stable hope ency, and they live under the reigning
of pardon and peace, of holiness and glory. power of unbelief.
No wonder, thereWhatever other blessings should be of- fore, that they do not find that rest which
But if they only go
fered to the soul, they would be all de- their souls desire.
spised ill comparison with these.
That to him aright, there is no guilt, however
which I offer you in the Saviour's name great, that shall not be removed from
this day is bread to the hungry, water to their consciences, nor any earthly trouble
the thirsty, and health to the sick. They which they shall not be able to support
are exactly suite<l to your necessities
with comfort; yea, to rejoice and glory
the very tiling that you need.
in it.
If, under any cloud \yhatever, they
And now, I ask, can any thing be more go to the Lord, as the apostle Paul did
precious than this to the believing soul ] with the thorn in the flesh, and cry reYou see how suitable it is. Mark how peatedly and earnestly to hini, they shall,
precious the word which is used in my like the apostle, bo enabled to rejoice in
text, "I will give rest."
This means their trials and tribulations, and glory in
vastly mure than a mere exemption from ihern. They shall certainly find that the
labour ami trial. The true import of it keenest of tlieir sorrows are in fact sources
implii's rcfrcshmont
that kind of refresh
You remember what St.
of triumph.
ment whicli a strong and sincere belief Paul says, " Therefore I take pleasure in
affords.
How sweet is peace to a believ- infirmities, in reproaches, in' necessities,
ing penitent! It is peace that |)asscth all in |)ersecuti(jn3, in distresses, for Christ's
understanding; it is joy that is unspeaka- sake for when I am weak, then am I
ble and gloriiiUH.
My dear brelliren, the strong." Then I say this to all of you ;
communiiralioiis of liis Holy S|)irit, which if you will but go to the Saviour in the
he will impart to the weary and heavy way he rci{uircs, you shall find all ihii

THE BRITISH
254
rest to
your souls
rest in time,
Now
lot
to
me
I fear there are

felt
my
upon
many
to
who have
congratulate themselves
An exemption
it.
present
aright the burden of sin, and
wlio are ready
from earthly trou-
ble is a ground of self-congratulation, but
not so an exemption from the sorrows of

a contrite heart.
is
You remember
that
it
the broken and the contrite heart which
God
the other hand,
seek
will not despise
but he will despise
We
many
are tempted'
their duties, in their per-
rest in
address myself to two or formances
three descrii)tions of persons.
never
On
and glory
in eternity.
rULPIT.
but remember,
brethren, that
can give peace
it
to a
is
beseech you,
Christ alone
wounded
him yon must receive
soul.
as a free,
it
who
From
unme-
rited gift.
And
would say
weary and
you draw nigh
to Christ in his appointed way, and the
Lord and Saviour will draw nigh to you,
with all his promised blessings, and he
shall pour them in rich abundance into
your weary and heavy laden souls.
then
heavy laden
to the
soul, only do
may think that we

every other.
I trust that, in this assembly, there is a
have no need of this; we may, like the
pharisee, boast of our own goodness, and, third description of persons
those who
like the elder brother, refuse to join with have obtained rest, and can set their seals
the poor penitent.
But, if so, like the to the truth of what I have said, and can
pharisee, we shall go without pardon, add, "I was a weary and heavy laden
while the publican is accepted and, like sinner, bearing the wrath of God. I came
the elder brother, be excluded, while the to the Saviour my burden has fallen off
returning prodigal is filled with peace and at the foot of the cross, and I have obDear brethren, I tell you from Al- tained peace to my soul." O that that
joy.
mighty God, that you must sow in tears may be the state of every one amongst
ever you would reap in joy

you must you
Now to each person I would say, you
go out weeping, bearing precious seed,
and then you shall come at last rejoicing, must remember that this, so far from exempting you from an obligation to watchbringing your sheaves with you.
But I trust there are some who are seek- fulness, slionld bind you to tenfold diliing rest some who have begun to pray gence in the ways of God. Look at the
in secret
some who have smitten on words immediately following iny text,
their breasts like the publican, aid are " Come unto me, all ye that labour and
crying for mercy. Now, then, il lliere are heavy laden, and I will give you resU
be such a one here present, let him in Take my yoke upon you," (and then he
particular attend tome.
Mybrothtr, my confirms it again,) " and ye shall find rest
ajjlidcd brother, there are two things unto your souls."
Mark by this he
against which you have to guard
the shows that submission to his holy will,
if
and obedience to his commandments, is

as necessary to the rest of the soul as an
Now, there are many persons who are affiance in his name. You cannot come
apt to despond. They think their burdens to him for pardon, and neglect the sancYou cannot have peace
are too heavy to be removed, their guilt tity of your soul.
But I ask of in a way of sin and the finding of peace
too great to be forgiven.
you, whom it is that our Lord invites ? in the Lord .Tpsus should bind you to the
The weary, and the heavy laden. Whom utmost possible exertion in the ways of
one
is
other
against se'f-righteotis hopes, and the
is
against desponding feelins;s.
not holiness.
does our Lord except? Not one
And then I say, if there be such a one
one! "Come unto me, all ye that are
and I trust there are man}' who enweary, and heavy laden." I pray God
I say, my dear
that every one of you, my brethren, may joys the peace of God
" Come brother, let this be your daily care, to
be included in this number.
ye that labour, and are heavy
take Christ's yoke upon you, and to con-
laden," and whatever be your sins, what-
form yourself in all things to his mind

and will. Even supposing his yoke were
unto me,
all
ever your burdens, " I will

icsl."
give you
ever so heavy,
it
would be reasonable:

CHRIST'S INVITATION
AND
PROMISE.
255
when should the more readily take the cautions

yoke of we give; and that, in commending to
that you should take it

he has delivered you from the
sin, and all the weight of that yoke which
you deserve. But I tell you, and I tell
you from sweet experience I tell you
that his yoke is easy, and his burden is
There is not one of his commandlight.
ments that is grievous " his ways are
ways of pleasantness, and all his paths are
paths of peace." If any of you will come
to the Saviour, and walk with him in
obedience to his holy will, you shall find
that in a dying hour it shall be verified in
you " Mark the perfect man, and behold
the upright; for the end of that man is
peace." Follow the soul into the climes
of bliss, and there you shall be found in
Abraham's bosom yea, in the very bosom
of God
Now I have endeavoured to spread before you, with the utmost possible simplicity, what I conceive to be the entire
gospel, having opened it, as it were, in
all its parts.
I speak as a dying man,
looking soon for my own departure ;* and
I pray God
I speak to you as dying men.
that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
may be poured out upon you, as upon the
day of Pentecost; and that you may come
to him this day, and believe in him, and
experience salvation come home to your
souls; that thus you may live in holiness, die in peace, and reign in glory for
evermore.
The Lord grant a blessing to every soul
amongst you, for Christ's sake
Amen.
upon you,
OFFICE INCREASES PERSONAL
TIIK MINISTKP.IAL
RESrONSIfllLITV.
them
it
the great interests of their salvation,
should be endeared
tions as
above
all
own
our
to
affec-
price.
Can we conceive of a more exasperated

case of folly and of crime than the reverse
of this?
A man who, by profession, is
denouncing the world, but,
ing
who
in heart,
the object of his idolatry
it
is
mak-
A man
pressing on others the importance
of their redemption, and
own
neglecting his
knowingly
is
A man who osten-
tatiously avows himself to be the servant

of God, but who, in fact and in principle,
is only serving himself; and professes to
God
serve
may
only that he
more
serve him-
effectually.
O,
laugh, if angels tremble,
it is
self the
sisfht
if
at
demons
such a
Rccd.
USE SCRIPTURE LANGUAGE.
Hold up your
face,
my
brethren, for
the truth and simplicity of the Bible.
not
ashamed of
its
phraseology.
It is
right instrument to handle in the great
work of
calling a
human
soul out of dark-
ness into marvellous light.
Stand firm
and secure on the impregnable principle,
that this is the word of God, and that all
taste, and imagination, and science must
give way before its overbearing authority.
Walk in the footsteps of your Saviour, ia
the twofold office of caring for the diseases
of the body, and administering to tho
wants of the soul

the
former
and though you
though
the
is
may
patient
fail
in
may
never rise and walk, yet, by the bless-
ing of heaven upon your fervent and effectual endeavours, the latter object
your privilege to find in your professional duties every tiling conducive

to your particular salvation.
Unlike
other men, your very vocation is to
prayer, to watchfulness, to heavenly contemplation, and spiritual exertion.
It
mit;ht well bo expected, that while we
It
Be
the
may
the soul may be lightened of

anxieties the whole burden of
diseases mny be swept away
may bo
sins are
of good cheer, because
given and the right direction may be
he gained
its
all its
it
its
for-
impressed upon it which will carry it torward in progress to a happy eternity.

are thus exercised for the benefit of Death may not be averted, but death may
others, it should be beneficial, in a siiper- bo disarmed.
It may bo stripped of its
lativf degree, to ourselves
that in teach- terrors, and instead of a devouring enemy,
;
ing DtliiTs,
ourselves;
we
siiould
thai
in
become
the wiser
it
may
warning others, we umph.
b<!
ii;iilrd
as a
Dr. Chalmers.
messenger of
lii-
SERMON
XXVIII.
FIDELITY TO CHRIST ENFORCED.
PREACHED
IN
THE RELIEF CHURCH, EDINBURGH,
BY THE REV. ALEXANDER HARVEY.
'
The
Be
tliou faithful
unto death, and 1 will give thee a crown of life.''
visions unfolded to our contem-
plation in this book of sacred prophecy,
The
first
the glorified
Rev.
ii.
10.
scene in the vision exhibits

Redeemer arrayed in all the
most sublime and captivating overwhelming splendours of Divine maThe curtain which conceals jesty, and walking in the "midst of the
futurity from human inspection is lifted seven golden candlesticks."
This attiup, and the persecuted apostle, in his tude denotes the minute inspection he
the tender care he
lonely banishment, has a magnificent dis- takes of his church
closure made to him of what was to be exercises over her and the rightful claim
hereafter.
The dispensations of Provi- he has to the supreme regard of every
dence, which relate to the church, are one of her members.
The unrivalled
minutely unfolded. The trials she would dignity of the Saviour, and his high title
have to encounter, and the sea of tribula- to the supreme adorations of men and of
tion through which she should have to angels, are demonstrated by the authority
pass before she should enter on her mil- wliich he possesses over the visible and
lennial rest, are distinctly foretold.
The invisible worlds, the minute knowledge
revelation is not indeed given in plain which he has of every circumstance conlanguage, but under the more striking nected with the personal history of the
form of hieroglyphical symbols. Like a humblest of our race, and the awards of
panoramic exhibition, one scene after an- judgment, by which the changeless conother comes in rapid succession into view, dition of every order of rational intelliand one symbol after another arrests the gences shall be fixed.
are of the
description.
In the epistle to the church in Smyrna

he describes himself as the " First and
scene unveils a portion of the history of the Last," as he who " was dead and is
He assures her members that
the church till she is seen far in futurity alive."
completely triumphant over all her inhe was well acquainted with their " works
attention of
the
tlie
revelation
astonished
is
apostle,
complete; and
till
eacli
Then the curtain drops. of faith and labours of love" that he

Divine revelation closes. The heavens knew the sacrifices they had made for
the violence with which they
are shut, never to be opened till the Son his sake
of man shall come to judge the world in had been assailed by the emissaries of
the bloody persecution they had
righteousness. The symbolic writing is Satan
And endured and the accumulating trials to
not destroyed.
It is in our liands.
veterate foes.
it
becomes us
ercise
attentively, and in the ex-
of fervent prayer, to watch
the
evolution of events, under the firm conviction
that the
amazing
realities,
which they would yet be exposed.
But,
instead of shrinking back from the thick-
ening
conflict,
he
encourages them to
of hold fast their integrity, retain their cou-
which these were but the types, either rage, and dismiss their fears. And he
have been, or shall be unfolded, on the urges them to unflinching steadfastness
in the course on which they had entered,
theatre of the world.
256

by the assurance of a glorious reward,
and a splendid triumph at hist. But he
conceals from them none of the sufferintrs
tliey might previously be called to endure.
He assures them that, before they
to fidelity
successful
to seal
glorious
How
issue of the conflict.
crown
You, my friends, are not exposed to
the same severe trials, losses, and suffer!
the re-
be
glorified
is still
I.
solemn exhortation
and,
H. A gracious assurance.
Both of these topics claim our serious
attention.
And may the Spirit of all
grace aid the speaker, and impress his
hearers with a deep sense of the vast importance of the subject, that each of us
may, during life, with ceaseless aim,

seek after glory, honour, and immortality.
L The SOLEMN EXHORTATION
ascend to heaven from the
to
scaffold of death to receive the martyr's
is still
saying to every one now present, " Be thou faithful unto death, and
1 will give thee a crown of life."
'J hese words contain,
viour
their testimony with their blood,
and as
a church, they might expect an extended
term of tribulation; but, amid all their
sufferings, they were not to darken, by
cowardice, their bright hopes for eternity.
All their losses and pains will be
much more than compensated by the
sure
the prize of immortality
won and the
Sa-
is certain
is still to
The bloody sword would remain unsheathed. They might anticipate bonds
and imprisonment, torture and death. As
might be called
the confessors of former
The promise
ages.
ward
257
same mducements
are held out to you as those
conflict, the
which cheered on
could hope to obtain the promised crown,

they might expect increased hardships.
individuals, they
same
the
dc/nands
" Be thou faithful

unto death." Fidelity is the duty here
enjoined.
The meaning of the term is
our consideration.
level to the understanding of every one,
and therefore does not require any lengthin .Smyrna.

It has an obvious
But, as the adherents of the ened explanation.
"captain of salvation," you must en- reference to the proper and conscientious
dure hardships as good soldiers of Jesus discharge of every duty which we owe
Christ.
While you are in the world you as moral, social, and responsible beings.
will have to fight the battles of the Lord. So long as one incumbent, especially reThe enemies of your souls are still as cognised duty is neglected, the claim to
ings, for the sake of Christ, as the church
hostile
to
the
spiritual
welfare of the
friends of Christ as ever, and as full of
malignity against your glorious leader.

C/ircumstances are indeed changed. The
world is now more formidable in its
smiles than in its frowns, and more destructive by its allurements than by its
And Satan's
terrors.
(liirerent.
policy
is
likewise
Instead of appearing in
native deformity to
with more cunning he
now
his
all
work on your
fears,
And
entire fidelity is forfeited.
in
this
unhappy condition every individual of

our species is placed.
But it is not in
we
this extensive sense that
consider
design to
discourse; but as descriptive of what the disciples of Christ

it
in this
owe
to him as their Saviour and Lord.

His claims to their fidelity .are unaliena-
ble and just in themselves,
nised to be so by those
but recog-
who assume
liis
name, and solemnly profess their attachgarb of an angel of light.

Instead of ment to his person and cause.
Viewiiioenipl.>ying his agents to light up the the exhortation as delivered by the gloriburning
|)ile,
puts on the
and use instruments of
ture to a|)pal the followers of the
tor-
Lamb,
Redeemer
fied
aud induce them through terror to aposhe ratiitir endeavours to gain them
tif
over to his cause by
ment
tatize,
flatteries.
Still
you
wrestle not against flesh and blood, but

against principalities, against powers,
*'
against the
worlil,
r;
lers
high jihuM-s."
Vol.
of the darkness of this
against spiritual
I.:!.'!
wickedness
in
Aiul whih- you maintain
to
his
followers,
we
re-
mark,
1st,
That Christians are urêd
in their
the
to the
pn fissions
Saviour.
to Jideli-
of personal allarh-
The
claims which
Son of d'od has on the
faithful
ad-
herence of all his followers are so many

and powerful as to defy enumeration.
The
infinite glories
of his divine person
the intrinsic and manifested excellences
V 2
THE
258
BRITISH PULPIT.
and the fully known to the Son of God before he

his mediatorial character
amazing undertaking whicli lie executed entered on his mediatorial undertaking, or
ior man's salvation, exhibit him to every came on the benevolent errand of saving
believer in a light the most attractive and souls from the second death ; and yet he
of
impossible for one who willingly came, and pressed forward with
he has been rescued a holy impatience to the hottest of the
from impending destruction by the gene- conflict, that he might overthrow, for
rous interposition of another, to refrain ever, the enemies of our salvation, and
from cherishing towards his benevolent work out for us an eternal deliverance.
there is a grandeur and sublimity in
deliverer the most grateful emotions. O
And surely every sentiment of wonder the love of Jesus, harmoniously blending
amiable.
It
knows and
<
is
feels that
and glowing attachment must rise to its

highest exercise, when the redeemed sinner remembers the unparalleled love and
boundless compassion of Jesus to guilty
men, and the striking proofs which he
gave of these. When our race must have
perished for ever had he not interposed,
he became their surety. He came forth
from the bosom of his Father, where he
was venerated and adored by all the heavenly hosts, and appeared on our earth in
the " form of a servant." Though he had
made the world and all its inhabitants,
yet, when he came to it, he found no birthplace but a stable, and no cradle for his
And he was
infant head but a manger.
not ignorant of the reception with which
he would meet before he appeared among
men. He knew that penury, toil, reproach,
and persecution would be his constant atthat every obstruction which
tendants
earth and hell could throw in his way, to
impede his benevolent enterprise, must be
encountered
that in the execution of his
magnificent undertaking he would have
to bear the ingratitude of men, and the
attacks of devils
the fury of the
powers
of darkness, and the wrath of offended

heaven that in the fulfilment of his cove-
nant engagement wi<h his Father to save

sinners, he must pass through scenes,
and sufferings, and conflicts, such as
never were before exhibited, nor endured,
and never shall be again. The sun suffered a miraculous eclipse to conceal the
terrors of the hours during
which Jesus
hung suspended on the accursed tree.

And the signals which announced the
won, and salvation complete,
were the loud voice of the expiring Sa-
victory
all that is winning and attractive,

which cannot be correctly appreciated
with
without exciting
in
believer a
the
tri-
umph
of the most pleasing yet indefinaIn the love of C hrist there

ble emotions.
is every thing which is best fitted to pro-
duce love
in return.
The
vastness of
its
immeasurable depths the inand the disintenseness of its regards
extent
its
of
terestedness
calculated to
its
make
are
sacrifices,
well
the deepest impres-
sion on the soul of every Christian.
Now, my
friends,
you profess
to
have
appreciated the character, the work, and

the excellences of Christ, and to be
You have
avowed your attachment to him in the
most solemn and public manner, and you
are bound by every consideration of duty
influenced by love to him.
and consistency habitually to act under

the constraining influence of love to
Christ. The pulse of this heavenly affection ought to beat strongly
and steadi-
ly within you, so long as your heart retains its natural
warmth.
Your
love to
Jesus must not blaze like a meteor, but

burn like the sun. No combination of
external circumstances must quench the
pure flame of heavenly affection to the
Saviour.
Providence may frown, friends
may disclaim you, or, like the leaves in
autumn, may drop into the grave health
may depart the languor of disease and
the fell grasp of death may paralyze your
faculties ; but whatever you may have to
encounter from the attacks of enemies
without, or su fife r from within, endeavour
never to allow the ardour of your love to
So long as it is in vigorous exercool.
cise, it will bear you up over every ca-
You will not hesitate to suffer

is finished," rend- lamity.
ing rocks, supernatural darkness, and a for Him who did so much for you. Seek
Now, all this was then to have your love fed with the holy
great earthquake.
viour, exclaiming, "It

oil
authority of Christ, and of fidelity to his

tliat you " may
comprehend with all saints cause. Those who would persuade you
the breadth, and length, and that you ought to attach no importance
of heavenl)' influence,
be able
what
is
to
depth, and heio^ht, and to know the love

of Christ, which passeth knowledire, that
your creed, provided

watch over your conduct,
to the articles of
you keep
strict
ye may be filled with all the fulness of are to be avoided as poisoners of the very
God." Then shall you evince the reali- springs of moral action. They do every
ty and intenseness of your afl'ection to thing in their power to infuse into the soul
your Saviour, and prove your fidelity to one of the most certain elements of spiritTheir own crude opinion,
him. And as his love to you was not ual death.
cooled by the indignities he endured, the when once embraced as a practical princiagonies he suffered, or by the grave in ple, proves fatal to all correct morality. It
which his sacred body for a while lay is indeed possible for a man of bad prinentombed; so "neither death, nor life, ciples, occasionally, to do an outwardly
nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, good action, but it is impossible that it
nor things present, nor things to come, nor can be so estimated by the Searcher of
height, nor depth, nor any other crea- hearts. Though thousands of his fellows
ture shall be able to separate you from applaud, the righteous Judge will conBut as a general maxim it
the love of God which is in Christ Jesus demn him.
holds true, that as a tree is known by its
our Lord."
2d. The exhortation calls on Christians fruits, so are a man's principles by his
to be
faithful in their adherence
doctrines if revelation.
to all the
Correct views of
divine truth are essential to the formation
of the Christian character.
" The truth"
instrument which the Holy

Spirit employs in regenerating and per-
is the great
fecting believers, and for fitting
them
for
conduct, and the converse of this state-
ment
is
equally certain.
Be
not then
any one doctrine of revelaHold fast the form of sound words
indifferent to
tion.
which
truth
are contained in the oracles of

contend earnestly for the faith
once delivered
to the saints.
You
can-
the services and enjoyments of the bless-
not surrender the smallest portion of di-
ed on high. Divine truth is the lamp of

heaven, by which the dark soul is illuminated, and the footsteps of tlie Christian pilgrim directed in his way to the
promised rest. The Bible is the mirror
in which the moral deformity of our
hearts is most strikingly reflected, and
the beauty of holiness most attractively
vine truth without hazard to your spiritual

welfare.
And if through ignorance or
displayed.
Tlie doctrines of revelation
unbelief you neglect, overlook, or abandon any of the peculiar doctrines of

Christianity, the consequences
awfully
You must
fatal.
may be
not shape your
religious principles by the prevailing

opinions of the world, but by the word
of God.
To
give up in complacency to
well understood, and cordially believed, the enemies oi Christianity, or in courinfluence every spring of moral action, tesy to the spurious liberality of the age,
and give an impulse to right conduct. any of the doctrines of the gospel, is toTo insinuate error into the mind is like prove a traitor to Christ. You must be
casting poison into a fountain.
The decided in your adherence to every truth
streams which issue from it become pes- contained in the Bible, and determined
to hold it fast though you should stand
tiferous, and impregnated with death.
Consistency, safely, and fidelity
It must be of vast importance, then, alone.
you must never bo
that you form accurate views of those require this of you
ashamed even of those doctrines against

he which the wit of the scott'er, the reason-
doctrines which the Spirit of the living
God
lias unfolded, and whose truth

demonstrated by the most splendid
minicles, and i)y other eviden^'o no less
ha.s
satisfactory.
worth of any
To
estimate
truth taught in
to betray an utter
.iglilly
tiie
the
Bible,
want of respect
is
for the
ings of the rationalist, and the contompl
of the |)rofano are most bitterly directeiL
You must
take your stand at the foot of
the cros.s, grasp
it
as the standard around
which you must valiantly
fight,
and take

THE BRITISH
260
PULPIT.
his nostrils.
The wall of fire which
Redeemer has reared around his own
the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by Zion, is not deemed sufficient for her
whom the world is crucified unto me, safety, but the visible arm of earthlyand I unto the world."
power is sought as a substitute. As the
sworn subjects of the Prince of Peace,
The text calls on Christians,
3d. To be fail/iful in mainlaining the you are bound to vindicate his insulted
royal (nilhurilij of the Saviour, and his honour, and assert the supreme authority
Headsltip over his church.
Jesus was fore- of your King. It is treason to Jesus to
told by the prophet as a priest on his allow a usurper to enter his sacred prothrone, intimating very forcibly that he vince, and dispute with him his authoriwould unite in himself the offices of a ty, or claim a homage which is excluking and of a priest that while he would sively his dtie.
come in all the meekness of a lamb to be
The conduct of all the worthies of forslain, and in all the compassion of our mer generations loudly calls on you to
great High Priest, to offer up himself a imitate their heroic example.
The cruel
as your war-ery the
words of
" God
should glory, save
forbid that
inspiration,
in
is in
the
sacrifice,
and
to bear the infirmities of
would come likewise
his people, he
in
majesty and authority of a king to

his church, and to throw
over her the shield of his own omnipo-
the
threatening of an arbitrary despot
alluring influence of voluptuous music
all the
the
legislate for
ship
tent
of an idolatrous wor-
the prostrate knees of sycophantish
multitudes
burning
the
statute
plain,
are of universal obligation, and bind
nor secure their ignoble compliance with
what they regarded as

Every man chose to be cast into the
as the lowliest individual.
commanded
and tojudge
prove
to
study them for himself,
for himself.
all
things
ter the
fast
offend his
fully
let
in
are
U)
all
indis-
to
or
without daring arrogance, issue an authoritative interpretation of any passao-e

of sacred Scripture, and enforce it upon
the conscience of another. To your own
master you must stand or fall every one
of you must give an account of himself
to God.
One is your master, even Christ,
and all ye are brethren.
Hut though these statements are as
reasonable as they are scriptural, they
have been sadly overlooked, both by individuals and churches. The authority
of Christ has been set aside by human
enactments, and the sacred territory of
conscience invaded.
His own bloodbought church has been torn from under
his own almighty protection, and put
under the patronage of man, whose breath
Daniel
sinful.
lion's den, brave
the loss of worldly honour, and encoun-
The commands
hold that which

good
every man be
persuaded
his own mind
addressed
criminately
whom revelation
comes. No man, no class of men no
counsel, assembly,
parliamentcan,
is
furnace,
book of the church.

They are and appalling on the other, could not
perfect, and easily understood. shake the courage of the Hebrew youths,
as firmly the greatest monarch on earth

is
fiery
These laws are con- seven times heated, combining, as they

Bible, which is the only did, all that is alluring on the one hand,
protection.
tained in the
They
showy pomps
rage of a despotic king, rather than

God, and wound his conscience.
Reverence for the royal authority of Jesus

led many, in former days, to the scaffold
and the stake. Scotland, too, has had
her martyrs in the same noble cause.
Our natal soil has been watered with
sainted blood.
it
their
those
The
individuals
who
call
own, and claim kindred with
who
resisted every
human encroach-
ment on the authority of Christ, and yet

tamely surrender their religious liberties,
and allow men to legislate for the church,
dishonour the cause with which they
ckdm alliance, and are traitors to the
Saviour.
Whatever, then, it may cost
you, maintain the exclusive authority of
Christ over his church, and over the con" Be faithful
sciences of his followers.
unto death."
But your loyalty
to Christ must not

While you contend for his
prerogatives, you must yield yourselves
stop here.
up wholly
tuted
to
his service.
ordinances
to
be
He
has
insti-
observed, and

FIDELITY TO CHRIST ENFORCED
be obeyed. His authority
attaches alike to every one of them.
To
neglect the one, or disobey the other, is
to forfeit all claim to the character of a
Christian, and to incur his ri<rhteous displeasure.
His will must be your rule
his glory your end
his ordinances your
delight
his favour your life, and his
smile your heaven.
Then, when he
comes, bringing his reward with him, to
give to every man according as his work
shall be, he will say of you, " Blessed
given laws
to
are they that do his
commarumenfs,
that
261
may cost you, do not hesitate

for one moment to make it
])resent pleasacrifice this
sure, secular advantage, worldly friendships, are less than nothing when put in
the balance with the salvation of the soul.

Give yourselves cheerfully to the work
of the Lord
enter with holy ardour
stern resolution on that course
and
which ap-
peared to you so desirable from a communion table or the borders of eternity let
;
your language be, "

Christ; nevertheless
but
Christ liveth in
am
with
crucified
live; yet not I,
me; and
the life
they may have right to the tree of life,

and may enter in through the gates into
which
the city."
me, and gave himself for me."

But if you, in opposition to all your engagements and professions, abandon the
The
exhortation requires you,
4th.
To
lemn vows.
paying your
be faithful in
so-
Many of you have come un-
der the most solemn obligations to devote

yourselves to the service of God. His
vows
upon you. They are registered

in the book of his remembrance, and you
are
now
live in the flesh I live
the faith of the Son of God,
to
conceive
possible that, instead of
it
enlisted into the
coming an inhabitant of
salvation,
eternity, or
when
by
loved
Saviour's cause, how dreadful must be

your eternal condition, and how terrible
your doom
Does it not now make your
blood run cold and stagnate at your heart,
never can deface the record, or recall the

sacred transaction.
It shall remain indelible till it be exhibited before an assembled universe, and read in tlic hearing
of countless multitudes.
Whatever may
have been the character of these transactions, whether in the shape of resolutions,
promises, subscribing with the hand unto
the Lord, or seating yourselves at the
communion table, they are for ever binding upon you.
Whensoever they may
have been made whether when you
were first awakened* to see your guilt and
danger as a sinner, or when the earthly
house of your tabernacle seemed dissolving, and you had the near |)r()S])ect of be-
who
rising from your graves with joy, to join
the myriads thronging to take their place

on the right hand of the Judge, you may
be called out of your prison-house to be
dragged as a perjured traitor to receive
the condemnation you have merited ; and
instead of obtaining the
crown of
life
as
the reward of fidelity, to be given over
custody of death and hell, to be

tormented for ever witli the devil and his
angels as a cowardly desertei from the
cause you had sworn to defend T
into the
The
text
5/A.
To
commands you,
be fuil/ful unto death.
you made a profession of

it
army of
was
When
religion,
and
the Ca|)tain of
not for a short cam-
Having put on the

Lord Jesus (Christ, you are henceforth to
have no fellowship with the untVuitful
burned within yo\i for benefits received, works of darkness having set out in
and mercies enjoyed it matters not wiiat your way to heaven, you arc not so much
may have been the time or circumstances as to look back you are to press on toin which you vowed to be the Lord's
wards the mark for the prize of the high
his claim to your services is unquestion- calling of (Jod in Christ Jesus.
You are
You cannot set it aside. You are not to use your religion as you do your
able.
bound to glorify him in your bcdics and Sal)batli attire. It must be worn as your
your spirits, whicii are his.
habitual garb
you must be clothed with
Give up, then, my dear friends, the it. Alas there are many who make a
surrounding the sacramental board,
witii
paign, but for
life.
the affecting symbols of a crucified Saviour in your iiands, or when your hearts
sins you vowi-d to forsake
company you
abandon
resolved to sliun
the
wiiatcvcr
profession of religiim
ignorant of
its
who
an-
utterly
great principloH, and have

THE BRITISH
2G2
PULPIT.
Rivers of human
folt its sanctifyinrr power; they pnt are deemed too great.
on a profession as an upper garment to blood have flowed in the cause of ambicover the native deformity of an unre- tion, and in forcing a way to a throne
generated heart, and to impose on their and after its honours were secured, how
fellow-men. Hence it is that so many transitory its possession, and harassing
The glories which dazzled at
they did not count the cost its cares
apostatize
before they entered on their undcrtakinjr, a distance, like the lovely hues of the
and they are not able to finish. So in- rainbow, vanish, when grasped, like the
adequate arc their conceptions of the real meteor, which emits a temporary flash
excellency and vast importance of reli- and is then quenched for ever. And yet
gion, that thoy will not surrender a single with what breathless eagerness and intemporary gratification to secure the eter- cessant toil are such honours sought by
the children of men
The competitor
nity of glory which it promises.
It is vastly different, however, with the in the games of ancient Greece submitted
genuine Christian: he knows the truth, to a long period of previous training befeels the power and experiences the joys fore he presented himself as a candidate
never
of religion ; his attachment to it strengthens with time, and the more he knows of
it incorit the higher does he value it
porates all its benign influences with
every faculty of his soul, and deepens
the features of its own lovely image on
'J'he service of Christ is to
his heart.
;
delightful than all the vanities

Rather than desert the
of the world.
cause of Christ he would cheerfully sufIt is the power
fer the loss of all things.
of religion and the presence of the Saviour that throws the serenity of heaven
him more
over the martyr's countenance amid the

the keenest
fellest blasts of persecution
tortures of the rack

at the stake
and
The same holy
the hottest flames
the most cruel death.

support the
influences
dying saint under the gathering infirmities of decaying nature and the struggles
of dissolution.
Ilis pains increase
strength sinks
his eye closes
relaxes
his
his grasp
his
his pulse stops
of life
the dews of death are on
breath departs
his clay-cold cheek, but his sainted spirit
as it fled left fixed on his pale countenance
image of peace, and took its flight,

attended by ministering angels, into heaven to receive " the crown of life."
tlie
Attend now to the gracious
II.
as-
surance.
'
will give
Here
you a crown of
life."
Isi.
The
,ir//"/
"A
crown of
life."
the highest object of earthly

ambition, and the possession of it the
to obloftiest pinnacle of worldly glory
is
tain
it
no
toils,
queror
was
struggles, or sacrifices
to
crown by which the conbe rewarded in the pre-
sence of applauding thousands of his

But between this crown
countrymen.
of life and all the glory and honour of
As
this earth there is no comparison.
eternity surpasses time, as heaven trariFscends earth, so does the celestial crown
which the Saviour shall place on the
heads of all his faithful followers in the
midst of an assembled universe.
It is a crown of life, and this is indicative of the pure, lofty, and endless enjoyments to which it introduces. It is when
the struggles of mortality are over, and
the conflicts with corruption, and all the
enemies of your spiritual welfare, are
over, that this supreme felicity shall be
Escaped from the wreck of a
obtained.
decaying body, your immortal spirit shall
be the eternal inhabitant of a deathless
world. You shall appear as one among
the countless myriads who shall surround
the throne of the Lamb, wearing crowns
of life as brilliant and unfading as your
When a few earthly monarchs
own.
meet to deliberate on the destinies of
nations, how do the chroniclers of this
world's transactions summon up all their
powers of description and of flattery to
magnify the importance of the rare ocbut the vastest assembly on
currence
earth, the most splendid concourse of the
monarchs of earth, dwindle into utter insignificancy when compared to the meeting of all the ransomed of the Lord in
heaven every saint shall have in his
hand a palm of victory, in his mouth a
;
notice,
crown
for the laurel
263
song of triumph, and on his head a crown circumstances associated in our minds
of life.
Contemplate through the me- with death which render it truly appaldium of prophecy the multitude, which ling. The pains, the griefs, the dying
no man can number, arrayed in white conflict, the shroud, the coffin, the dark
robes, and listen to their lofty song. grave, and the consequent corruption.
With united voice they sing unto him The very thought of being torn from this
that loved us, and washed us from our warm and living world
from kind friends
own
sins in his
blood, and hath
made us and endeared companions, rends
kings and priests unto God, and to his

Father, to him be glory and dominion for
ever and ever.
On
2d.
ike glorious giver.-^lt is Christ
bestow the crown of life.

Those who are to wear it have not won it
by their own prowess, obtained it by
their own merit, or inherited it by their
natural birth.
It is given freely by Him
by whose blood it was secured, and
by whose munificence it is bestowed.
to
is
What
shall be the emotions of the re-
deemed when they receive

ble gift from
Him who
this inestima-
created the hea-
vens, formed the earth, and gave
life
to
every order of animated being

How
shall their hearts glow with unutterable
emotions when this royal diadem of immortality shall be placed on their heads
by Him whose toilsome life and excruciating death procured it for them
With
one simultaneous burst of gratitude shall
they cry, "Thou hast made us kings and
priests unto God, and we shall reign with
!
thee."
It is
beyond the power of ima-
how
înation to conceive
when
those hands,
still
tree, shall
they shall
feel
bearing the print
was
of the nails by which he
accursed
fixed to the
hold out the crown
as the glorious token of his victory

them, and of their victory through
him. When " on the tross he spoiled
principalities and powers, making a show
of them openly
and when he vanquished
death, and him that hath the powt;r of
of
life
for
death, that
fleem
too
is
Kternily will
the devil.''
short
to
show
forth
all
his
w/tic/i
l/iis
praise.
Reflect,
On
3(/.
crown
lite
$nlemn period at
shall be bestowed.
The
forward our expectations

pcrioil
ahall
of dissolution,
l)e
in the
gospel to the departing Christian, recon-
him
cile
and secure
to all these,
for
him
a glorious victory over the king of ter-
Meditate,
who
the heart.
But the bright prospects unfolded
oblaiiuMl.
to
when
text dirt^cts
the soh-inn
this
reward
'I'his a<lvai\lage is
culiar to Chrislianilv.
Tiicre
tire
pe-
inanv
rors.
down
At death
the conquering hero lays
his crown, and leaves all his worldly-
glory behind him.. He has no communion with those who herald his praise,
sculpture on his tomb the paltry symbols
of royalty, and with these emblems of
which keeps a
monarch's dust from the mass of mankind, who tenant with him the regions
rule distinguish the place
of the dead.
triumphs.
But
at
Then he
death the Christian
puts off his armour,
and receives his crown.

His conflicts
terminate, his enemies are for ever defeated, and death is swallowed up in
Instead of death killing the
immortal inhabitant, he has merely pulled
victory.
down
the frail tabernacle in
which
it
was
imprisoned, and allowed it to escape to

When
glory, honour, and immortality.
we remember that it is the deathless spirit
that thinks, feels,
and enjoys,
we
are
some measure prepared to imagine the

happy and glorious transition which takes
place when a redeemed soul passes from
in
time into eternity, leaves an emaciated

and putrescent body to dwell with kindred spirits ; and is scv.ert;d from weeping friends to behold the face of Jesus.
How great its transport when the music
of heaven, the songs of angels, and the
glories of eternity burst on its enraptured
cars and astonished vision, and when it
makes its first attempt to join in harmony
with the countless throng, who are celebrating the triumphs of redeeming love.
But the crown of life shall be given
in a more solemn and public manner to
every believer at the resurrection of the
just. The transactions of ilie day of judgment shall be awfully and inconceivably
grand.
Imagination staggiTs under the
load of magnificent images by wliich its
THE
264
dread
are
occurrences
Scripture.
When
BRITISH PULPIT.
represented
in
the last sand has dropt
commence.
Hell shall remain to be the

prison-house in which the ungodly shall
from the hour-glass of time, then shall be tormented for ever with the devil and
Heaven shall remain to be
the whole system of nature begin to give his angels.
The sun shall grow dim, the the endless habitation of the righteous,
way.
moon become as blood, the stars be when they shall dwell with Jesus, and
quenched by the brilliancy of a more glo- all holy beings, and cast their crowns at
Tlio vaulted arch of heaven the feet of him whose death saved them,
rious light.
shall open, and the mighty Judge appear and sing without ceasing, " Worthy is
in his own glory, in the glory of his Fa- the Lamb that was slain to receive power,
ther, and attended by all his angels. and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and
The archangel shall herald his approach, honour, and glory, and blessing salvaand blow the trumpet which shall an- tion be to the Lamb that was slain."
In conclusion, I call on you to continue
nounce the commencement of the last
Then shall the throne of judg- faithful to Jesus in defiance of every opassize.
ment be set, and the books be opened. position, even unto death. Every motive
The graves shall give up the dead that which is fitted to operate on a rational
are in them, and the sea the dead that are being is presented to you in the word of
Then the living shall be changed God. The Bible speaks to your hopes
in it.
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and to your hearts, to your desire of hapand all the generations of men shall meet piness and your dread of suffering, to
in one vast assembly, in the presence of your hope of heaven ana your horror of
Oh! could 1 secure for you a refaithful and fallen angels, to receive their hell.
changeless doom.
Methinks I see the petition of that vision which John saw
great white throne
the universal Judge when in banishment for the word of God,
the mighty throng; there you shall and the testimony of Jesus, it would prostand
there I must appear.
At that duce a powerful impression on your mind.
dread tribunal we must meet face to face, Were the heavens now to open and disand give an account of all our privileges, close the glories of its inhabitants, their
and of this evening's service. Then the number, their songs, their palms, and
sentence shall be pronounced, which shall their crowns, how would you long to join
never be removed. Hear it, ye faitliful their company and share their blessedfollowers of the Lamb, "Come, ye bless- ness. These objects you cannot see by
ed of my Father, inherit the kingdom pre- the eye of sense, but faith can penetrate
pared for you from the foundation of the within the veil, and realize all the visions
world." Then shall ye receive the crown recorded in this book. While you read
of life, and be admitted into eternal glory. it in the exercise of fiiith you hear their
Hear it, ye neglecters of the great salva- lofty anthems, you behold their glory,
tion, and tremble at your awful doom. you listen to their welcomes.
And the
" Depart, ye cursed, into everlasting fire voice of the glorified Redeemer falls on
prepared for the devil and his angels." your ear and rouses all your dormant
" Then shall the heavens pass away with energies.
Your failing courage is rea great noise, and the elements melt with vived, and your staggering purpose is
fervent heat, the earth also and the works confirmed.
You hear him saying, " Be
that are therein shall be burnt up." Ihou faithful unto death, and I will give
Then an eternal order of things shall thee a crown of life." Amen.
SERMON XXIX.
THE PREVALENCE OF
INFIDELITY,
AND THE SIGNS OF THE
TIMES.
DELIVERED
BY THE LATE REV. W. THORPE,

OF BRISTOL.
" In those days shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and tht
kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever." Dan. ii. 44.
At
the close of our last lecture,
when subsequent
tory, down
inquiring into the moral and religious
periods of their eventful his-
To
to the present day.
this
character of Great Britain, your attention
cause, principally,
was
schism and the captivity of the ten tribes,

the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, and the captivity of Judah in
Babylon the final dissolution of their
state, both civil and ecclesiastic, and aL
the slaughters, massacres, famines, and
fixed
upon the British possessions
in
the East Indies, and on the melancholy
scenes even
now
exhibited in that im-
mense portion of the British empire.

Without further introduction, let us
now
return to our own coasts, and seriously consider the awful prevalence of
infidelity in our own country.
Infidelity
is the highest insult that man can offer to
the all-wise Creator for, " he tliatbelieveth not God," says the apostle, " has
:
made God
a liar."
This
sin
was
a prin-
cipal ingredient in the original transgres-
Our first parents did not believe

sion.
the Divine threatening, " In the day that
ye
eat thereof ye shall surely die."
They
did not Ixlieve that the threatened penalty
would
lie
carried into execution, or
that their disfibedicnce
would he imme-
diately fiillowed by a state of misery and
death entailed upon themselves and all

their posterity.
Tlnis infi(h'lily brought
ruin on the whole world. Afterwards, the
tremendous (",itastro|)he of the deluge,

overthrow of So(lf)m and (iomorrah,
apostasy of
tiie
tii<*
heathen nations from the

judgmenls inllieted on
the liouse of Israel from the time of their
departure out of Egypt, through all the
Vol. 1. :n
tlie
truth, and all the
is
to
be ascribed the
unparalleled horrors of their siege.
Hence
also their dispersion in infamy and bond-
age as witnesses of the truth of Christianity to all nations whither they are scattered, and to warn them lest they also fall
under the same example of unbelief.
Hence, too, their judicial blindness and
hardness of heart, and all the sufferings
of their long and painful captivity.
See,
then, in the history of this people, one
truth
that, in the si^/il if God, iufidelili/
is the most horrid crtine of which man can
be guilty.
Soon
after the establishment of Chris-
tianity in the world, infidelity or
atheism
hideous front even in the bosom
of the Christian church.
Denying tho
Father and the Son
" the only living
reared
its
and true (Jod, and Jesus Christ whom he

hath sent," is branded by the apostio
John with the name of .y/i^V/ir/ji/. In the
closing vision of Daniel
that,
when
it
was
foretold
the reign of papal superstition
;JG5
THE BRITISH
266
was hastening
cal
to its
power should
downfall, an atheisti-
rise
up
amontir the papal
kingdoms, and spread ruin and desolation

all around; which should endure only for
and the
a short time, comparatively
learned commentator, Faber, has clearly
proved that this power can be no other
:
Modern
than atheistical France.
infi-
sprung up at the dawn of

the Reformation ; it was the venomous
spawn of the mother of harlots, and destined to be the terrible scourge of its own
delity, indeed,
But as the commencement of the
parent.
prophetic era
is
dated from the acts, not
of individuals, but of states and civil go-
vernments, the reign of atheism did not
commence
actually
until a
the world, declared itself atheistical, and,
having denounced the Son of God as an

impostor, and Christianity as a fable,
passed a decree that the faith of the
French nation consisted only of two articles
that God is nature, and that there
except, indeed, atheisis no other God
tical gods, or the imaginary gods of an
and that death is
atheistical government
The monster. Antian eternal sleep.
christ, in his full development, his most
detestable and most awful form, then
commenced
likely to surprise, allure, and beguile the
imagination
poem
his dreadful but short-lived
in
a fable, a tale, a novel, a
and broken hints
in interspersed
remote and
in
oblique surmises
in
books of travels, of philosophy, of natural

history
in short, in every form except
that of a professed and regular disquisition."
Since Paley wrote his Moral
Philosophy, the fatal poison has increased
in strength, in virulence, and in extent of
influence, beyond all comparison.
It has
descended from the higher, through the
middling, down to the very lowest, orders
of the community.
I say the description
of the body politic of the Jewish nation
is here perfectly exemplified, " The whole
whole nation, head
for the first time since a nation existed in
PULPIT.
whole heart
sick, the
is
is
faint;
and from the crown of the head to the

sole of the feet there is no soundness, but
wounds, and bruises, and putrifying
Are not these
sores."
toms
are
they
frightful
not indications
proaching dissolution
some, open and
Infidelity appears, in
avowed
sympof ap-
and, with unblushing effrontery,
denying the^God of heaven, and threatening

it is
existing establishments; in others

disguised and concealed, but not so
all
much
so as not to be sufficiently noto-
rious in
lative
its effects.
and practical
In
some
infidelity
it is
specu-
unmasked;
reign, as the last scourge of the guilty
in others the unbelief of the heart is easily
nations in the hands of the Almighty.
discernible in
From
its
pernicious fruits in their
and manners. It is to be found in

circulated through whole kingdoms, with churchmen and dissenters ; in men of
the force and the rapidity of lightning. moral decency and of open profligacy%
From that time, also, infidelity and po- It is embodied under three forms, principery have been joined hand in hand in dia- pally, or three negative positions, the
bolical confederacy against all the exist- whole of which shake the foundations of
ing establishments of the British empire. Christianity, and close up the heart
The continental nations exhibit, to this against the admission of the gospel.
day, one collected and putrid mass. of the First, a denial of the attribute of divine
abominations of popery, mingling with justice, and consequently of the atonethe blasphemies of atheism. Nor has our ment of the Son of God, and the Scripture
own country by any means escaped the doctrine of future punishment. Secondly,
that period the poison of infidelity
pestilential contagion.
Infidelity infects
lives
a denial of the superiority not only of pro-
over popery,
the bar, the army, the navy, the senate,
testantism
the cabinet, the church, universities and
tianity itself over
but of Chris-
Mahommedanism, Hin-
;
the departments of literature, dooism, or any other religion that only
philosophy, medicine, legislature, and secures the ends of civil government.
even theology. The press groans under Thus, it is often said that all religions are
"Thelurkingpoisonof unbelief (says equally good. And, finally, in a denial
it.
Paley, in his Moral Philosophy) has of the responsibility of man for what he
colleges
been served up
in
every form that
is
believes, even to the
God who made him,

SIGNS OF
THE
s though the creature had a right to

think against the Creator.
If these negative positions be once admitted, wliat becomes of the authority
the admothe promises
the doctrines
nitions
tlie
denunciations, and
God
sanctions of the word of
the
all
TIMES.
267
overwhelmed.
Let any sober and candid
inquirer only read such writers as Paley,

Leslie, Berkeley, Fuller, Chalmers,
and
which the immense importance the inquiry demands
others, with that attention
on whatever
Moses and we
side the truth
safely leave
him
may
lie
form his
to
own
No man ever seriously sat

and the prophets, Jesus Christ and his judgment.
down to investigate the evidences of
apostles, were all impostors, and Chris
tianity itself is a cunningly or a clumsily Christianity, with any degree of attention,
devised fable. And yet these infidel senti- or with but a moderate share of candour,
ments, or sentiments like these, are che- without rising from the investigation with
rished by many who speak favourably of the full conviction of its divine origin ;
who attend places of Chris- and no man ever yet rejected the gospel
Christianity
tian worship, both within and without the who had not a wicked reason for il,
pale of the Established Church, and who which in the judgment of the Searcher of
-would feel themselves insulted and scan- hearts is w"orthy of everlasting condemnadalized if they were charged with infi- tion ; and thus fully justifying the awful
delity yet the charge is too just infidelity sanctions by which its claims are guarded
" He that believeth not
is marked upon their brow, intermingled and enforced
with their intellectual system, and oozing shall be damned;" "He that believeth
not is condemned already, and the wrath
up in their language and conversation
in their habits and in their conduct they of God abideth on him."
Unbelief, or the rejection of the Son of
may be orthodox in their head, but they
And when we con- God, is more inexcusable now, in prafessed
are infidels at heart.
;
sider St. Paul's
which hath
definition of the
the promise of eternal
faith
as
life,
Christians, than
it
was
the .lews
in
who
persecuted and nailed him to the cross
he appeared as " a man of sorthat faith is the demon- rows," in a form so humble as to disapto the Hebrews
the fond exstration of things not seen, and the sub- point all the expectations
stantial impress of the truth and of the pectations they had long cherished of the
With
for it renders temporal grandeur of the Messiah.
reality of things hoped for
distant and invisible tilings as really in- regard to the multitude, and even the
fluential upon the heart and conduct as heads, of that nation, what they did
against the Lord Jesus was merely the
though they were present and visible
when we consider the effects of this holy result of ignorance. "For if they had
made
in
the eleventh chapter of the epistle
for then
principle, as exemplified
in
the ancient
church, and described by the a|)ostle in a

and,
subsequent part of the chajitcr
;
finally,
when we compare
these effects
with the present state of things, either in
the church or in the world,
we may
W(?ll
known
it,
(says the apostle,) they would

glory."
not have crucified the Lord of
Their
ignorance,
indeed,,
was
wilful
they shut their eyes, they closed
their
hardened their hearts ; for this

was inexcusable;
and, therefore, wrath came upon them to
ears, they
reason, their unbelief
if the Son of man should even now

come, would he find faith on the earth 1 the uttermost. But unbeliivers in the
that is, all who do not receive
Alas! alas! we have not faith even as a prtucul day
grain of mustard seed.
Your infidelity is the Lord Jesus (Mirist as the Son of God,
:ihs()lulely inexcusable.
All its strongest " made unto them of wisdom, righteousarguments and its impertinent cavils have ness, sanclification, and re<lemption," rebeen fairly and triuniphanlly n filled, on ject him in his glory and majesty, though
the arena of controversy and all its insi- exalted to bo a Prince and a Saviour;
dious sophistries have been detected and and many who deny the Ciirislian
exposed, beyon<l all recovery, a thousand fiiilli do it wilfully, against the rational
ami all its advocates, of every conviction that Ue is botii Lord and
times
Inexcusable, then, is Uicir
class have been baflled, confounded, and Christ.
ask,
THE BRITISH
268
unbelief, and fearful will be their
con-
demnation.
Nor has
the avowed infidel,
who
?2orns
shadow of
and the great ob-
bearinrr the seal
pressed on every pag-o
he
has not only
the most unquestionable testimony of the
what
is
is to illustrate
malignant nature, and ruinous tendency, of unbelief, either in an individual

the
and thus to warn his countrymen of the calamity with which they
were going to be visited for their rejection
of divine authority im- of the Son of God.
The Hebrews pro-
apolor^y for his unbeconduct: for, not to mention

the internal evidences of Christianity
lief or his
truth of
struction of Jerusalem
ject of the inspired author
the very profession of the Christian name,

the least
PULPIT.
revealed in the gospel
history, but iimumerable proofs, strong
and incontrovertible, which could not be
known to those who believed on

when he was in the world such,
or in a nation
fessing Christianity, to
dressed, and for
whom
whom
it was adwas immediately
it
intended, were violently attached to the

ceremonial law. Whilst some of them
regarded it as eternally binding on the
church, because of its divine appointment, others pressed the observance of it

ample, as arise from the literal accom- as necessary to justification and salvation.
plishment of many illustrious prophecies They were, therefore, in imminent danger
in the propagation of the gospel through of apostasy from the faith, and acting in
the whole extent of the Roman world by disobedience to the Lord Jesus, in those
the feeblest instrumentality
in opposi- days of vengeance which were near ap;
Christ
for ex-
tion to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the
eye, and
all
opposition
the
and philosophy, and genius of
the Augustan age
opposition
the
persecution of kings and emperors, and
armies and
with
the
human
proaching,
by remaining
at
Jerusalem for
the inveterate prejudices of the sake of the temple service,
heart
in
to all
learning,
in
their
to
that, too,
a ra-
when
the
by the Roman
to the mountains
city should be invaded
army, instead of fleeing

for safety in
command.
obedience to their Lord's
The
therefore, is to
design of the apostle,

this danger,
warn them of
and the final consequences of unbelief and

any conquest attended with the con- apostasy from their profession, and of any
pidity never before or since exemplified

in
fused noise of the warrior, and of garments rolled in blood ; in the unparalleled
overt acts in disobedience to the
Son of
calamities that befell the Jewish nation at
God. And how did he do this ? He did

it by various arguments drawn from the
the last siege of Jerusalem
superiority of the gospel to the legal dis-
among
persion
all
in their dis-
nations, and their mira-
culous preservation to this day as a distinct people from all the nations among
whom
they are scattered
of the old
doms
Roman empire
ness of the Father's glory, the Creator
and Preserver of the universe the Lord

of angels, and the object of their worship ;
and pro- from his ineflâble condescension and love
into ten king-
begun overthrow of papal
superstition, and
in the partition
and, finally, in the rise
gress, and the
from the divine majesty of the

Founder of Christianitj' as the bright-
pensation
Mohammedan
delusion.
The
infidel has either examined these

evidences of the truth of our holy religion,
or he has not.
If he has riot, he is inexcusable for his negligence ; if he has, his
in
assuming the nature of man, that
that nature he mifjht

for
man's
his
iniquities
mediatorial
make
in
reconciliation
from the dignity of
character, as the
great
obstinacy can be resolved only into the
prophet of the church by whom God hath

spoken to us in the latter days ; as the
King of Zion, the sceptre of whose king-
enmity of the carnal mind against God
dom
and, in either case, his unbelief
shall stand for ever
inex-
is
is
a right sceptre, and
and
whose throne
as the
High-
cusable, and his condemnation will be
priest of our profession, a priest conse-
tremendous.
crated for ever after the order of Mel-
From
mark,
niti/.
the inexcusableness of infidelity,
in the
The
next place,
its fearful
epistle to the
malig-
Hebrews was
written only a few years before the de-
; from his superiority to Moses,

Joshua, and every other heavenly mes-
chizedec
senger, however exalted, whether

or divine
human
and, especially, from the tran-
SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
269
hearken to him who spake on earth, (allud

ing to the promulgation of the law from
mount Sinai,) how shall ye escape, if ye
them amongst the altars, priests, sacri- refuse to hearken to him who now speakwhose voice shook the
fices, and ritual observances, of that mag- eth from heaven
iiificent dispensation, which he shows earth, (at the delivery of the law,) but
was preparatory only to a more glorious who hath now declared, I shake not the
dispensation. This short statement con- earth only, but heaven also, (the political
tains, in fact, an epitome of the whole of heaven of the Jewish nation.)
If they
that wonderful epistle, and upon these who despised the law of Moses, died
argfuments, the apostle proceeds to illus- without mercy, before two or three wittrate the horrid nature and the damning nesses, of how much sorer punishment
consequences of unbelief, whether in an shall ye be thought worthy who have
Now, in the trodden under foot the Son of God, and
individual, or in a nation.
guilt of this fearful sin. Great Britain is counted the blood of the covenant an undeeply involved. Her guilt, in this re- holy thing, and do despite to the Spirit of
spect, has been accumulating for upwards grace."
This is the guilt involved in
Upon the same ar- unbelief. Again, we know who hath
of a thousand years.
gument he founds the following admoni- said, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay."
tory exhortations, which are equally appli- And again, "It is a fearful thing to fall
which apply with as much into the hands of the living God." And
cable to us
force to us as they did to the Jewish na- again, it is written, " the Lord shall
tion.
Hear them they are the practical judge his people."
scendant superiority of his priesthood to
that of Adfiin, and his successors in office
and on this l)ranch of the subject, he leads
part of the epistle
to the
Hebrews, of
was
Brethren, this interesting epistle
much im-
the last alarm rung in the ears of the
portance to the church, as the sun in the
Jewish nation by an offended and departing God, before he poured out his wrath
in the destruction of their city and temple
which Luther
said,
"It
is
of as
heavens is to the whole world the world

could do as well without the sun as the
church of Christ without the epistle to
" Therefore, we ought
the Hebrews."
the
last voice of departing yet lingering
mercy, before he closed the gates of salto give the more earnest heed to the things vation against them. May tliis loud alarm
that we have heard, lest, at any time, we be heard, and this tender, perhaps the last
should let them slip. If the word spoken tender of mercy, be received by the itv
by angels was steadfast, and every trans- habitants of the British empire!
gression and disobedience recei ed a just
Every blessing that God bestows upon
recompense of reward ; how shall we man or upon a nation involves a degree
escape
if
which,
we
neglect so great salvation
began to be spoken
by the Lord himself, and vas afterwards
confirmed unto us by signs md wonders,
and divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy
(ihost. Now is the accepted t'me, now is
at the first,
of responsibility in exact proportion to
its
magnitude.
Let us, then, upon this principle, examine the degree of guilt contracted by this nation.
Long has Britaia
enjoyed the light of the gospel
the richest boon the (iod of heaven everbestowel
theday of salvation." You remember that u|)on a nation. Long lias she been fj^
the vials of wrath were tiien about to be voured with the visil)Ie protection of j
jioured out oti Jerusalem.
' Now is the
national providence, and with a series of
accepted time, now is the day of salva- wonderful and remarkable inlerposiliona
tion.
To-day if ye will hear his voice, of tlie Divine favour. Witness the early
harden not your hearts, lest he swear in introduction of the gospel to our forehis wnjth that ye shall not enter into rest
fathers in the apostolic age, and, probably,
and BO much the more, as ye see the dav by an apostr)Iic minister.
Witness the
approaching. Take heed, brethren, lest iiuniber of biirnini^ and shining lighU
there be in any of yon, an evil heart f>f which burned and shone in Britain, even
unbelief
(Jod.
in
apostatizing from the living
If they escaped not
who
refused to
during
thf>
darkest ages of popery.
such
ness OUT early separation

-z2
as
Witft
was
THE BRITISH
270
from
the church of
Rome.
Witness
the defeat of the Spanish Armada, effected not by human agency, hut almost entirely
ture.
by the winds, and elements of naWitness our deliverance, in a
subsequent reign, from the attempts of a

gloomy tyrant to enslave both body and
mind, at the glorious revolution of 1680
a revolution brought to pass without
the hazard of a single battle, and almost
without the shedding of a drop of blood.
Witness the declaration of rights and the
PULPIT.
on the Gentiles
them
when God
for the sin for
shall
visit
which Jerusalem was
ovprthrown
Like Jerusalem, only a few years before the cup of trembling and death was
put into her hand, Britain has been highly
honoured in sending forth her missionaries to preach the gospel as a witness t&
all nations; but, like Jerusalem, too, she
has rejected the only sacrifice, refused to
hearken to him that spake from heaven,
neglected the great salvation, trodden
under foot the Son of God, counted the
!
which our liberties

were for the first time enrolled in a char- blood of the sacrifice as a common thing,
ter, and stand, as we fondly hope, on an and done despite to the Spirit of grace,
everlasting foundation.
These are bright and thus incurred severer punishment
pages in the annals of our country, on than the despiser of the law of Moses,
which our forefathers wept with fond en- who died without mercy. Great indeed
thusiasm, and of which they often spoke have been her privileges, and great and
with exultation and joy as they were ac- manifold are the grounds of the Lord's
customed to bring out their massive family controversy with her.
While empires
T)late on great festive occasions.
But the and continents, dense with population,
formation of Bible and Missionary Socie- into which her adventurous sons have
ties was reserved by the peculiar care of penetrated in commercial enterprise, have
Providence, according to prophetical inti- been involved in moral darkness more
mations, for these latter days, to adorn palpable than that which Egypt once felt,
the concluding part of the reign of George the glorious light of the gospel has been
If unto whomsoever much is shining upon her coasts, through the
the Third.
given of them much will be required if clouds of her iniquities, in noon-day
act of settlement, in
how aggravated
But, oh
has been the criminality of those who,
the mercies that have been received and amidst the glorious shining around them,
abused, Britain has reason to dread the wilfully shut their eyes against the heafull weight of God's indignation.
Oh, what a weight of guilt
She is venly light
On what naJeeply involved in the guilt of those na- has been thus contracted
tions who refuse to kiss the sceptre of tional grounds, then, can we hope that
Messiah the Prince, and which he will the cup of trembling shall not be put into
break in pieces with a rod of iron like a our hands, when we are so expressly told
in the guilt of those na- by the God of heaven that all the kingpotter's vessel
tions who refuse to believe the gospel of doms of the world that are upon the face
Christ, and who shall be destroyed with of the earth shall be made to drink of
" Ye shall certainly drink of it, as I
an everlasting destruction, when he shall it ?
And will
be revealed with his mighty angels, in live, saith the Lord of Hosts."
:laming fire, taking vengeance ; and if the not the justice of God be vindicated in
the guilt of sin be aggravated in proportion to the
number and
brightness.
the magnitude of
sufferings inflicted on the
Jewish nation
the seed of Abraham, the friend of God,

and "
beloved (as the apostle
us) for the Father's sake" which
tells
still
is
never said of the Gentiles in their last

contest with the Romans, and especially
the infliction of his righteous judgments

upon this guilty nation 1 Yes, verily
Our contempt of his authority, in not
hearkening to the qualifications which his
word requires from those who are intrusted
!
with the administration of our public
af-
were so fairs, and the sceptical indifference of our

terrible as to make the ears of all them rulers in the regulation of their decisions
that heard it tingle, how tremendous may according to the rules and precepts laid
in the last siege of their capital,
we
not fear will be the calamities inflicted
down
in the
Holy
Scriptures, and in sub"
SIGNS OF
THE
TIMES.
we
271
of the cup of God's wrath,

which shall be filled to the brim, when
drink
sei viency to the glory of God, bear witness

against us.
Tiie groans of our oppressed
countrymen the magnitude of our na-
great Babylon comes up in remembrance
tional debt, principally contracted in fight-
before God.
But it is not merely on the ground of

our oppressed and enslaved colonial po- the guilt of our national policy that the
pulation, whose united cries have entered justice of God will vindicate its honours
the ear of the Lord O'od of Sabaoth, bear in the infliction of these awful judgments*
ing the battles of popery
witness against us.
the groans of
The
guilt of our
The
corruptions of society in general are
alarming in the extreme. Moral disease

tries and the unnumbered murders com- of a deadly dangerous nature has overWitness the chicanery
mitted in India, under the visible protec- spread the land.
the frauds and impositions in
tion of the British government, bear of the law
witness against us.
The incalculable every branch of trade, and the aggravamultitudes of human beings Avhom we tion of our commercial iniquity as conhave butchered for the gratiiication of our nected with the colonial system. Because
ambition, and the extension of our domi- of swearing, profligacy, drunkenness, and
mourneth.
nions
in connexion with the corruption Sabbath-breaking, the land
of our hierarchy
the myriads of immor- Impurity and prostitution, perhaps accelerated by the Malthusian theory of popui
tal souls siiJving iuto perdition, llirough
the unfaithfulness of ungodly men ap- lation, and by the sophistries of political
pointed to the ministry for worldly and economists, have awfully increased, and
colonial system, and the obscenity of idola-
purposes, bear witness against
political
us.
The
reign of Antichrist herself, for
whose re-establishment we lavished blood

and treasure, again admitted to national
countenance, bears witness against a land
which
from
earlj^
among
her pollution
which early
tion, her
clearly that the
thraldom,
now the
and
nations
glowed
in
the
indicate to
obviously declined, and impurity seems
in like a flood.
which once deep penitent
who
Where
her contamination
bosom of Cranmer,
WMiere
is
that
holy zeal foi

Christ, that entire separation from th^
world, and the dread of its spirit an<j
spirit,
that
is maxims, lest the heart should not be righi

by with God, which so eminently distin-
we were distinguished among the

1
Where is that holy zeal that
wiiich
vital religion ha^
coming
zeal
of God's dear saints

purity from
reason
power of
her usurpa-
hath so often dyed her garments in the

that
of
her domina-
characterized our oj)position to her
blood
human
shrine
and
testified against
is
orifice the authority of revelation at th
the nations escaped
blasphemies, and
Where
tion.
Infidelity, worldlj
still increasing.
mindedness, hypocrisy, fanaticism, pharisaicism, antinomianism, licentiousness!
ever ready to s
and a false liberality
are
Lati-
mer, Bradford, and others, amidst the

flames of Smitiificld ]
Where is that
lender aflfcction which a grateful nation
guished our holy men in former times ?

In the Established (Church the clergy
are quibbling about titlics with their pai
rishioners, and the parishioners with tliei^
clergy.
The property of the church iS
assailed on every hand with a violenc
and a perseverance, and is defended b
the clergy with a tenacity and a vigourj
unknown in former ages ; and the whojfl
establishment seems to be reeling to itg
once cherished to the memory of those

martyred heroes, to whom she owes all
her civil and religious liberty?
While
these things have been forgotten by the
multitude as a vision of the night, the fall.
In the dissenting interest many
governnienl lias been employing tiie ener- congregations are dissatisfied with theii
gies of all Kiirope in support of the power pastors, and pastors with their congregawhich i>roughl them to the slake.
Multitudes of churches are destitions.
The more intimate our connexion witjj tute of pastors, and multitudes of pastors
that power the more deeply we are infect- are destitute of churches; and, llirough
ed with that infidelity with which she is the whole dissenting interest, there seems
lainted to the core
the more deeply shall
a general
moveinenl from one end of the
Tim BRITISH
272
kingdom
to
The
another.
PULPIT.
students of sense of continued imperfections.
But
prophecy seem desirous of consigning what says the faithful and true witness ?
" Thou knowcst not that thou art
their opponents to perdition, and their
opponents charge the students of prophecy wretched, and miserable, and poor, and
with madness; while the monster infi- blind, and naked and because thou art
delity is looking on with a Satanic grin. lukewarm, in the midst of all thy ostenThe convulsions of the church, in fact, tation and splendour, I will cast thee out
exactly correspond with the convulsions as an abomination." The bare supposiof nations. All things indicate that we tion that this may possibly be the case
are on the eve of
some
fearful crisis.
The should make us tremble.

If, then, we deeply ponder and
love of the world in the church has nearly

extinguished the love of God, and the
visible
line
of separation between the
church and the world is withdrawn. All

the features of " the last times," delineated by the spirit of prophecy, are visible
Even
and prominent in the midst of us.
seriously
reflect
upon our daring carelessness of
human
life
our
infidel indifference as to
the worth of immortal souls
upon
guilt of our colonial system, like a
the
mighty
Colossus bestriding the whole world
our participation in the abominations of
by Indian
upon the diffusion of

through all orders of the comtegrity, of principle, does the gazette munity, and the general rejection of the
gospel by the nation upon the sin of
prove, and even common honesty
But the worst feature of our day is the our national administration, and the awwant of a due sense of the evil, or of pro- ful state of things, whether in the world
per feelings with respect to the declen- or in the church, oh, what a weight of
boast of our Bible Societies, guilt from national transgression stands
sion.
" Shall I not visit for these
and Missionary Societies, and, certainly, against us
Shall not my
they are the brightest ornament of the things, saith the Lord 1
day. In this light I have regarded them soul be avenged on such a nation as this 1"
hope, but it
ever since they were established ; and We fear and tremble.
God forbid that I should say a word to is against hope ; for can we hope to
damp their glorious ardour, or check their escape 1 It is an observation that canBut is not be too often repeated, or too deeply
generous flow of benevolence
there not in these departments too great a impressed upon the mind, that the worst
prevalence of the spirit of pharisaism ? feature of our case is the great ignorance
Do we not sound a trumpet through the of our real character, which generally
land, and spread our phylacteries, too prevails, and the torpid indifference which
wide, if not in the synagogue, at least on is manifested to our state of danger.
And do not these things There seems to be a fearful anxiety on
the platform 1
remind us of the awful charge alleged by the part of some men who ought to know
the faithful and true witness, whose eye better, and perhaps do know better, to
is as a flame of fire, against the degene- conceal both from the nation and the
rate church at Laodicea, which some of church the prediction of those calamities
the balance of the state is sustained
impurity of motive.
What
want of
in-
idolatry
infidelity
We
We
our best expositors have considered as a

type of the last state of the church uni-
which will certainly precede the millennium. But how will such men escape
immediately before he appears in the charge of blood-guiltiness at the great

judgment: "Thou sayest thou art rich, day of the Lord] Will this ward off a
versal
and thou hast need of nothing ]" Is not single blow, lengthen out our tranquillity
language of our annual reports, for a single day, or lighten the weight of
Whether men will
our platform exhibitions, and even our God's indignation ]
this the
fire-side conversations
The benevolence
of the age, the spirit of the age, the spi-
common topics
we forget that genuine piety is modest,
rituality of the times, are
but
retiring, contrite,
hear or whether they will

lipngeance of
God
is
forbear, the
denounced against
these lands, and will assuredly be exe-
Great Britain is one of the ten

and humble, under a kingdoms symbolized by the ten toes of
cuted

SIGNS OF
THE
the great and terrible image that must be

broken to pieces together, and with the
ten horns of the fourth beast
which
shall
TIMES.
273
population, of righteous
men
in
Judea
only a few years before Jerusalem was

destroyed 1
You have not surely forgot-
be destroyed and committed to the flames, ten that three thousand were converted to
unles^ unless a degree of reformation, the obedience of the faith in one day, five
of which there is not the remotest expec- thousand the next day, nmltitudes, both
of men and women, whose numbers are
tation or probability, can be effected. Is, then, the case of Great Britain cer- not mentioned ; that a great company of
Is there no avenue by priests were also converted ; and that God
tainly hopeless 1
which she may escape
this vast
that
to believe
whose dominions
Are we really still continued to add to the church not

empire, upon as we add to the church now, ten, twenty,
the sun never sets in his
diurnal or annual courses; and

Jluence
or thirty at most, at our church meetings,
and which is considered a surprising

more extensive, reaching, number but multitudes, daily, of such
is still
common
as from a
whose
i?}-
centre, to all nations,
whether barbarous or
civilized,
must
in-
as should be saved
tins, the
and
that, besides all
word of the Lord was mighty,
1
Is not the invoking and prevailed through Judea, Samaria,
prayer of the righteous man availing with and all the regions beyond Jordan. And
God 1 Does it not move the hand that how holy and dignified was the character
evitably perish
moves the universe? Doubtless! But, of these first Christians under the Pentehowever fanatical such a sentiment as the costal effusion of the Holy Ghost ] How
following may appear to the purblind eye superior to the most eminent Christians
of infidelity, it is unquestionably warrant- of the present day
They continued
ed by the Holy Scriptures, that, when a with one accord in the apostle's doctrine,
guilty people have filled up the measure and in breaking of bread, and holy sacriof their iniquity, prophets and righteous fice, and in praising God. They had one
men are forbidden by the God of nations heart, one soul, one common property;
to intercede for them, and he has plainly and even the heathen were constrained to
told them that he will not hear them. say, " See how these Christians love one
!
And did their prayers or their

persons prove the security of their beloved
But city and nation ]
them; for I will not hear thee.
13ut will the Judge of all the earth dewhen Abraham was pleading on behalf of
Thus he
pray
said to Jeremiah,
Thou
shaltnot another !"
to this people, neither cry to
the cities of the plain, did not the
of
all
the earth wait
the signal
Abraham
for
for
Judge stroy the righteous with the wicked 1

gave " That be fiir from me, saith the Lord."
his servant
and assure
only ten righteous men
destruction,
if
tliat
till
me
could be found in Sodom, the whole city

should be spared for their sakes ?
May
An
Noah and his family

windows of heaven were
ark was built for
before
the
opened, and the fountains' of the great

deep were broken up. Zoar was prepared
number of righteous men for Lot before the Lord rained fire and
which our country nourishes in her bosom brimstone on Sodom and Gomorrah. A
prove her security 1 I bless God that place of safety in the mountains of Judea
not, then, the
there
not only ten, twenty, thirty,
was prepared for the devoted followers of

but a large number of Jesus before Jerusalem was laid in ruins
righteous men this day in Britain, who, by the Roman emperor, to which they
instead of boasting of the spirituality and fled, in obedience to the Lord's command,
the religion of our land, actually sigh and and escaped tlie fate of their unfortunate
cry for the abominations that are done in countrymen.
And, in like manner, some
it; and who are weeping between the ark of salvation
some Zoar at a safe disare
forty, or
fifty,
porch and the
altar,
saying,
"0
Lord, spare
the remnant of thy people, and give not

thine heritage to reproach."
But was
there not an equal or rather a much larger
number, especially in proportion to the
Vol. I. 35
some
tance from the outpouring of wrath
shelter upon the mountains
some refuge
some asylum
shall be prepared for the

pure and the regenerate, to which they
shall flee and be safe.

THE BRITISH
274
and you insist

benevolence which
Britain has ori(]finated and still so ably
supports her Bible Societies and her
Missionary Societies, and the benefits
which, by their agency, she has conferred,
and is still conferring upon the heathen
I candidly
world, prove her security.
But you
that
still
(lony it;
Christian
the
confess that
was once of
this opinion,
and I called these excellent societies not

only the brightest ornament, but the
strongest safaruurd of our country ; and
they are still dear to my heart, and command any service I can render them,
however feeble it may be, to the utmost
extent of my ability. But can they admit of a comparison with the apostolic
church at Jerusalem, and their godlike
institutions, of which it is said, " that the
PULPIT.
Jerusalem,
tell
us that the gospel had!
come
all
the
into
world
(the
Roman
world) and had been preached to every

creature under heaven (under the political jurisdiction of the Roman empire) ]
Once more.
Will the benefits, invaluable and immortal as they are, which
we
are conferring
tions, admit, for a
upon the heathen namoment, with the com-
parison of the gift of a Saviour
I say
of a Saviour
Ike gift,
which Jerusalem con-
And yet the holy

and her children
sent forth into a long and terrible captivity.
As before Jerusalem was destroyed, a way was prepared for the
church of God in the Roman empire, so
before the vials of wrath are emptied upon
the fragment, or the whole kingdoms of
multitudes of them that believed were of the empire, a safety-place must be preone heart and one soul neither said any pared for the church beyond its limits.
man that aught of the things that he And is not this the great work which the
possessed was his own ;" and if they Bible Society and our Missionary Sociewere possessors of lands, or of houses, ties are now executing under the protecthey sold them and brought the price tion of a special providence ; and when
thereof, and threw it into one common this purpose is executed, may not Britain
treasury for the relief of the brethren, and be destroyed, as the Babylonian, the PerHow sian, the Macedonian, and the Roman
for the furtherance of the gospel 1
contracted is the benevolence that charac- empires were destroyed, when the end for
terizes the church at the present day, which God had raised them up was achowever excellent in itself, and however complished 1
When the machine has
creditable, when compared with that of done its work, may it not be broken or laid
the mother of all the churches, walking aside 1
But how long will it be to the end of
under the influence of the Spirit of holy
love po.ired down upon her without these wonders 1 Is the great and terrible
measure 1 Will the labours of our Mis- day of the Lord near at hand ] Is this
sionary Societies, however creditable, the crisis of the nations, and of Britain's
bear a comparison with those of the apos- destini(>s 1 A miraculous degree of iiupitles and their fellow-labourers planting ration is necessary to enable any man to
where 1 not only in Judea, answer these questions positively in the
the gospel
in Galilee, in Samaria, and in all the re- affirmative, and as I make no pretensions
gions beyond Jordan not only in lesser to such inspiration, it behooves me to
Asia, Greece, Italy, the then great thea- guard against such a presumption. "The
tres in the world but northward as far as Father holdeth the times and seasons in
Cesarea southward, as far as Ethiopia; his own power." " Secret things belong
eastward, as far as Parthia and India; to the Lord our God and the things that
and westward, as far as Spain and Great are revealed belong to us and our chilBut as he has been pleased to
Britain, according to the united testimony dren."
of all contemporary historians, both civil lay before us several chronological proand ecclesiastic, whose testimony is fur- phecies, doubtless with some wise and
ther confirmed by that of the apostle to gracious design, it is our duty to examine
the Gentiles, who, in his Kpistle to the them, and see whether, by comparing
them among themselves, and with the
Colossians, wrote only a few years
ferred
city
upon the world
was
laid in ashes,
about seven
before
the
destruction
of
general train or system of prophecy, and
SIGNS OF
THE TIMES.
275
John the Baptist and the

which, though its existence is inguard, and to encourage the faithful ser- comparably the most important, includes
vants of God to bear up with patience the closing scene of his life and death.
under the trial of their faith, which we They have, moreover, proved that the
are told is much more precious than gold, spirit of prophecy foretold the year, the
though it be tried in the fire, and shall be month, the 7veelf, the day when the Mesfound to praise, and glory, and honour, siah should be cut off, not for himself,
at the appearing of our Lord Jesus but for the transgression of the people ;
when he should finish transgression,
Christ
The spirit of prophecy informed Daniel, make reconciliation for iniquity, bring
that at the time of the end, the very crisis in an everlasting righteousness, abolish
which we have supposed to be near at the Jewish sacrifices, and confirm the
hand, many shall be purified and made covenant of redemption.
white, but that the world shall go on to
Three prophetic years and a half, or
do worldly. He further observes, and 1260 years, are frequently mentioned by
the passage is very remarkable, that Daniel and St. John, as the period that
" none of the wicked shall understand should intervene from the full dominancy
these events when they come to pass, but of papacy, until the second coming of the
that the wise shall understand them, for Messiah to destroy the man of sin, to
the secret of the Lord is with them that break in pieces the papal kingdom, and
with the
sig-ns of the times,
something-
may
not be discovered to put us on our
fear
him."
Seventy prophetical weeks,
his precursor,
third,
to establish his millennial
kingdom
As
in its
or 490 years, according to the chronologi-
meridian brightness.
were to intervene
from the going forth of the commandment
to restore and to build .Jerusalem to the
Jirst advent of the Messiah, and the prophecy was well understood by the Jewish
nation.
At the time of his appearance
every eye was awakened, and every ear
these lectures is not a learned or critical

analysis of chronological prophecies, but
falliHlily when the mysterious 1260 years

commenced whether in the reign of the
was
attentive, both in the land of Jude
tyrant Phocias
and
in all the
cal prophecies of Daniel,
sided, to
mark
nations where the
Jew?
re-
the signs that immcd.^tely
indicated his coming.
And
not
'"ly so,
prophecy had been (ransjated

into the Greek language, vfiich at that
time was universally read nnd universally
but
this
understood.
general <'X|)ectation of his
the object of
rather of a practical nature, as will be
is
seen frrm ihe last lecture, I shall not presume to say with a confident tone of in-
according to the opinion

of Faber and other writers of high authority; or in the reign of Justinian, as
mentioned by Freer, and Irving, and other

respectable writers
throne
was seen
or not until the papal
in its full
growth and
full
development, when the Itoman pon-
tiff
was made
a secular as well as a spi-
appearance prcvailcc^ tliroiigh the whole ritual sovereign in the reign of Charleworld. Here, then, is a numerical pro- magne, according to the opinion of Bishop
phecy one of iHe most mysterious pro- Newton, Sir Isaac Newton, and other
It would
phecies in the v hole book of God, but writerr, of very êat authority.
yet it was plainly understood before the seem, from many prophetical intimations,
for the that when the 1260 years have run out
event pret'lcted came to pass
whole wi>rld was in expectation of its ful- their course, or very soon after it, the man
filmeW. The learned Medeand Prideaux of sin must be destroyed, the kingdom of
havv clearly proved that Daniel, or rather the papacy broken to pieces, the Ottoman
th' interpreting angel of the remarkable empire overthrown, and the sacred seed
ôphecy, not only
foretold the precise

lime of the Saviour's advent, but that he
divided the history of his life into three
distinct
periods;
spent in obscurity
the firt
of
Abraham be
restored to the land of
But the man of sin is not

yet destroyed, the papal kingdoms are
of which he not yet broken in pieces, the Ottoman
their fathers.
llie grrotut comprefuipire is still standing, the seed of Abra;

hends his personal ministry, and that of ham arc slill scattered among iho nations;
!;
THE
270
we may
BRITISH PULPIT.
has there been such a deep and intense
attention paid to sacred prophecy, as
within the last thirty or forty years. Yes
therefore, I think, conclude that
the mysterious period
is
not yet fulfilled,
and that a great work yet remains to be

done on the theatre of the world. Recent the seals are being removed the signs of
events, however, espscially the late revo- the times are throwing light upon the
;
the
lution in France, the concussion of the
prophetical dates
continental nations, and the sudden and

almost instantaneous change of public
arc reflecting their liglit
opinion, both in this country and through
prophecies lend their radiance also to the

stock of general information; and all
of the times;
Europe, prove that the Supreme Ruler

of the nations may accomplish, and very
probably will accomplish, a great work
all
prophetical dates
upon the signs
the general or descriptive
together form a concentrated body of ligiit,

wiiich
those
in a short time.
is
quite conspicuous to all except
who
Among
are wilfully blind.
these signs or various precur-
In correspondence with the chronological prophecy, several signs or prognostics
sors of the appearance of the
are given us as harbingers announcing the
coming
speedy coming of the Son of man, " Learn

(says our Lord; a parable of the fig tree ;
when his branch is yet tender, and putteth
forth leaves, ye know that summer is
nigh so likewise ye, when ye shall see
know
that the
We have entered
make
it
known
the
the times
\-<ith
the numerical prophecies, we may know

with certainty when the day of the Lord
The great
is advancing rapidly upon us.
and broad outlines of prophecy are open
man who is exercised in the study

of the prophetic writings, even long before the events are fulfilled but the smallto the
refer to
the
times, the
places, and the circumstances of their accomplishment, are faint, are less distinctly
and the Saviour of the world has

been pleased that a considerable obscurity
should rest upon the prophetic dates, until
defined
the consummation
is
new
era in the
its
until
hath
in his public ministry, yet
which
revolution has be-
he shall come whose right it is,"

plainly told us where all these
it was not given

mighty revolutions shall terminate^ in
Son himself, to the destruction of the man of sin, the
by comparing the signs of
er lines,
affairs
of man cometh although

to
upon
march ; the great wheel of human

has turned round, nearly so at
least, in our own time ; and He who hath
said, " I will overturn, overturn, overturn,
gun
kingdom
eth the day or the hour wheTcin the vSon
commission
present concussion of the na-
history of the world
of God is nigh at hand." Although the

Father keepeth the times and seasons in
his own power although no man know-
in
The
1st.
Son of man
kingdom, witness,
tions.
all these things,
in his
breaking in pieces of the papal kingdom,

the overthrow of the Ottoman power, the
conversion of the heathen nations in their
n'ot.ional capacity, and finally
transporting thought
in the triumphant eslaUisMnent of the millennial kingdom of
our beloved Redeemer.
!
3d. The smallness of all the provinces

of the Oltoman empire, with the convulsions
of the papal kij.gdoms, is another sign of

the nearness of tha* great day.
Popery and Mor.aramedanism

tho
westen scourges of the
church of God rose about the same time
and about the same time, according to
eastern and the
drawing near. Thus prophetic intimation, they
the interpreting angel informed Daniel

that the prophecy should be closed up
common
3d.
wi'J fall in
one
ruin.
The fearful progress
of
t-nfidelHj/
and sealed till the time of the end, when is also mentioned as one of the signs of
the book was to be opened, the seals were the nearness of the great and terrible day
to be removed, the prophetic dates to be of the Lord.
Daniel foretold that, when the ruin of
developed, many were to run to and fro,
and prophetical knowledge was to be in- the papacy was hastening to its close,
creased. The period here foretold is that an atheistical power should rise and dc
according to its will, exalting and mag.
very period in which we are now living
for never since the time of the reformation nifying itself above every God, speaking

arCNS OF
THE
TIMES.
277
These are the leading features of the

marvellous things or blasphemies against
these are the
the God of gods, and that it should pros- last days, of the last times
per until the lime of the indignation de- characteristics of these days and of these
termined should be accomplished. And times ; we therefore are living in the last
have we not seen an atheistical monster days of the last times, and may consearising out of a putrid, corrupted mass quently expect the speedy appearance of
of matter in these latter days pushed and the Son of man in the glory of his kingdom. "When the Son of man comes,
goaded on by infernal ferociousness
;
breaking down the thrones, and overturning the altars, of pagan superstition
stalking among the nations with portentous strides hovering around every thing
sacred and divine, shaking their founda-
crucifying the Son of God as an

impostor speaking marvellous things
(says the Lord,) shall he find faith on

Such an interrogation, from lips
earth
so sacred, on a subject the most awful

that could drop from human lips, certainly
implies the strongest negation.
"
When
It is
as
Son of
man comes in his glory, the faith of God's
against the God of gods, blaspheming his elect will scarcely be found amongst
The apostle of the Gentiles,
name, denouncing his excellencies, and men."
tions
and
pestilence
Tolling
death
through
though he had
when speaking
said,
the
of the breaking off of the
Europe and the world 1 Then the reign Gentiles, or the unnatural branches, from
of the last enemy, I mean the last politi- the true olive for their unbelief, and the
cal enemy, of God and man, is come nor re-ingrafting of the Jews, the natural
the branches, into their own olive tree, of
Avas the restoration of the Bourbons
which the Abrahamic covenant is the
temporary re-establishment of popery
;
us that "God, who hath concluded the Jews in unbelief, hath also
sent government of France he is inibodicd concluded the Gentiles in unbelief; and
in full power, and ere long will discover afterwards that he will have mercy upon
his impious and his singular character. both, and that there shall be a re-ingraft-
the late expulsion of Charles the tenth

any interruption to its reign. In the pre-
Under
his reign
blessed be
The
tell
God
we
it is
are
now
living, but
but of short duration.
apostles Paul, Peter, and Jude, forethat in the last day, in the last times,
perilous times
mockers
siiall
come;
shall
arise
atheistical
and ask, " where
is
the promise of his coming !" deriding the
second adventof the Lord .lesus, willingly

ignorant of the deluge; boasters, proud,
blasphemers, high minded, traitors, incontinent, despiscrs of those that are good,
presumptuous, self-willed, defierce,
spiscrs of government, speaking evil of
dignities, overbearing, boasting of " the
root, tells
Jews and the Gentiles,

Redeemer shall come to Zion
away ungodliness from Jacob ;
the receiving of the Jews shall
ing both of the
when
the
and turn
and that
be as life from the dead
world."
The
state of things is
to the
now
Gentile
rapidly ad-
vancing towards this awful state of

lief, which made the great Bossuet
unbo
who
a man endowed with powers of the

highest order, though a Roman Catholic ;
in his modest, admonitory, and most astonishing exposition of the eleventh chap-
was
ter of this epistle to the
Romans
and
the
only rational exposition which has ever

say " Let the Catholic
ries"
but never able to come to the yet been offered
knowledge of tiie truth rcsisters of the church, let all Christian churches, let the
truth, reprobate conctrniiig the faith, men heretics of every name (by which ho
march of
intellect
and
scientific discove-
of corrupt minds, proinisiiig tiie world

while iluy themselves are the
means Protestants) read
this
chapter,
and tremble fur the calamities thai are

For my own part, I
slaves of corruption
in short, infidels coming upon lliem.
and atheists, denying the Father and the never read it, but I tremble to the c.ilr
Son the finly Lord God, who made the of my being."
The propagation of Ihr gospel in
I til.
heavens and the earth, and Jesus ('hrist,
whont he hath sent to be the Saviour of hcalhrn land.H biyonJ the liniils >/ the papal
liberty
Ihe world.
empire,
to
prepare a ifny for the ehurch of

THE
278
BUITISII PULPIT.
kingdoms of ihe empire are place among that wonderful people, and
and annihilated, is another the eager expectation which they cherish at
sign that indicates that the day of God is this moment of the coming of the Messiah,
at hand.
is
another sign that he will speedily
God,
b.'forc the
broken
to pieces
The
gospel of the kingdom (says our
Lord) must be preached

as a witness to
all
world
you will
in all the
nations
not,
observe, for the conversion of
nations,
all
make
his appearance.
small remnant of the seed of Abraham, "according to the election of grace,"
has been of late years converted to the
glorious and vast accession to the
tliis
liiiigdom of our
ment
Redeemer
is
Christian faith, like the gleaning of the

an achieve- vine after the vintage, only here and there
in reserve for the millennial
but as a witness to
this witness has
all
nations
made
and,
age
when
the circuit round
a berry on the uppermost bough.

tian
churches, expressly of
Chrisconverted
Jews, have been formed and are
still
the world, then the end of the age, or of forming in this country, on the continent
'the present slate of things, shall come. of Europe, and in the heathen world.
My
brethren, fix your attention upon the
operation of Bible and Missionary Societies, their
union and co-operation.
serve their progress,
mark
The Jews
Ob- and,
their success
in
Poland, where they exist in
great numbers, are formed into armies,

it is
said, are the finest soldiers in
Europe, are commanded by
officers,
gene-
from kingdom to kingdom, from region to rally, of their own nation; and they freregion, and see in them the symbolical quently assemble in their synagogues for
angel of the apocalyptic vision flying in fasting and humiliation, and united supthe midst of heaven, shaking eternal bless- plications to the God of their fathers with
ings from his wing, and having the ever- their faces turned towards Jerusalem the
lasting gospel to preach to all that dwell ruins of the temple
according to the imupon the face of the earth. This remarka- port of Solomon's prayer, under the very
ble sign moving with speed and majesty, general persuasion that the days of their
in the spirit of universal charity, indicat-
tedious captivity are hastening to a close,
ing the coming of the Lord,
and that
is
visible to
you will look into the

book of Revelations, you will find that
this symbolical angel takes wing just before the day of the Lord, and, it is a remarkable fact that these noble instances
all
nations
for, if
their
various kingdoms in the eastern world,
came
when
ple received
kingdom began
to
shake
will A'ery speedily turn
an earnest expectation of the speedy coming of the Messiah is as intense as that

which preceded his first advent, when he
of Christian benevolence originated in

Great Britain at the momentous crisis
the papal
God
again the captivity of his people.

la
Germany, in Poland, in Russia, and in
to his
own
him
people, and his
own
peo-
not.
under the visitations of divine wrath.

Within the last twenty or thirty years
Yes, it was amidst the raging madness of scarcely two hundred Jews were to be
atheism, and the horrors of anarchy and found in Judea, but at this day there are
revolution, that these societies arose with upwards of twenty thousand, and their
placid dignity, combining, as they grew, number is increasing every year; indeed,
the talent, the wealth, the influence, the the whole nation, especially in the east,
energy, of countless myriads of various seems to be at this instant, while I am
nations and all denominations of Chris- speaking to you, on the move towards
tians, in one single effort to rescue the Palestine.
All these things speak aloud,
heathen world from the bondage of cor- as if the voice of God were telling us that
Brethren, the finger of God that prophecy is now goingr to be fulruption.
has here marked this sign of the com- filled which says that, after the children
ing of the Lord ; for " it is the Lord's of Israel have been for many days (and
doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes." many days they have been) without a
5th. The deep interest that has of late king, without a sacrifice, without a priest,
years been awakened to the Jewish nation, without an ephod, without teraphim
afthe extraordinary movements now taking terward shall they seek the Lord their God
t'.
SIGNS OF
THE TIMES
279
and David their king, and shall fear the these the state of the church herself, as to
Lord in his goodness in the latter days. the expectation of the return of her Lord,
"The throne of David, be it remembered, is accurately described "'I'hen that is
was the throne of the Messiah the ever- at the time of his coming then shall the
lasting, absolute dominion promised to kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten
David was the dominion of the Messiah. virgins, which took their lamps, and
Such is the great subject of all the pro- went forth to meet the bridegroom. And
phecies, and especially of our text. The five of them were wise, and five were
present state, therefore, of that extraordi- foolish.
They that were foolish took
nary people is another indication that the their lamps and took no oil with then:
restitution of all things, and the second but the wise took oil in their vessels with
their lamps."
advent of the Messiah, is at hand.
Mark what follows,
Once more. The infidel insensibilUy of " While the bridegroom tarried they all
the world, and th"; torpid indifference of the slumbered and slept.
And at midnight
church, to th .ligns nf the limes, forms also there was a cry made. Behold, the bridea distinct subject ff prophecy.
groom cometh go ye out to meet him."
With regard to the world we know that The whole visible church, hypocrites and
the day of the Lord shall come upon it as real Christians alike, are represented as
a thief breaking into the house at mid- sinking into a death-like slumber, from
night so that while they cry peace, peace, which they are only aroused by the sudden
sudden destruction cometh upon them, outcry and annunciation of the coming of
and they shall not escape. As in the day the Judge. How exactly is this descrip-
when Noah
entered into the ark they ate,
they drank, they builded, and planted, and

knew not, until the flood came and sv^'allowed them up, so also shall it be in the
day wherein the Son of man cometh. As
in the day that Lot departed out of Sodom
they ate, they drank, they builded, and
planted, and knew not till the Lord rained
down fire and brimstone from licaven and
destroyed them all, so shall it be in tlie
day wiierein the Son of man shall be
revealed.
He was
not revealed at the
destruction of Jerusalem, and the

revelation
the very
is
employed when
it is
word
Thus
it
was
witli
the infidels before the

the infidels in So-
it
infidels in Je-
tlius it
will
destroyed
infidels in
Rrckless of the fudancing round the

altar on wliich they are just going to be
immolated ; for thu' day shall come as a
snare upon the whole earth.
But let us look for the last sign within
these latter times.
ture, they are victims
the sacred enclosure of the church if Cod.

it is very remarkaiile, is the
This, also,
subject of prophecy.
promise of
the
is
since the fathers
coming
his
fell
asleep
same word that is continue as they were."

" He shall be does the omniscient Jesus
thus was with

was with the
dom
rusalem when Jerusalem was
and thus
be with the
it
said,
revealed from heaven with flaming fire."

flood
tive of the present state of the Christian

church
And she will slumber on, though
a thousand righteous Noahs should ring
the alarm in her ears
she will still slumber on; for the word of God cannot be
" Blessed are those servants,
broken.
whom the Lord when he comes shall find
watching." But many prof(!Ssing Christians, alas
have assumed a very different attitude, and have actually joined with
atheists and scoffers in asking, " Wliere
Our Lord commu-
nicated sevf-ral parables to his disciples
concerning his second advent.
In one uf
for
all
things
How
clearly
foresee
and how distinctly does he

awful state of the church
this,
foretell this
But
must now hasten
Upon
the whole,
we
to
conclude.
learn tliat the signs
'f the times shed their light upon the mysterious dates of prophecy, and the Jiiysteri-
oua date if chronological prophecies shed

upon the signs if the times. Tho
their light
concussions of the nations

the simultaneous shaking of the Ottoman and papal
empires tiu? prop;igjition of the gospel

beyond the limits of the western Roman
ein|iire
ment
in
the stale of feeling and excite-
the Jewish
the
and the
cliureh the
nation
insensibility of the world
infidel
ileaih-
slumbers of the
midnight cry which has recently been raised,
like

THE BRITISH
280
and
is
now
del worhl
ringinnf in the ears of the infi;iiid
the sleeping church
all
indicate that the mysterious 12G0 years,
PULPIT.
matter of the utmost ease for them, for

such as you, to enter on the happiness of
the
religious
life.
Some
little
obstruc-
surmounted, one light spring made,

" When you see these and you regain the walks of Eden
Did
their course.
If you did, what unacthings, know that the kingdom of God is you believe it?
nigh at hand." " No man knoweth the countable caprice, what pure wantonness
day nor the hour when the Son of man of perversity, could it be that withheld
Cometh," yet, from the signs of the you ? Or, if you were induced to make
times, and the chronological prophecies, some short attempt in the way of experiwe may know with certainty that it is ment, did you not wonder how it should
happen, by a peculiar untowardness in
rapidly approaching.
But I must conclude. It would be idle your case, that these youthful qualities,
so congenial with piety, and so easy to
I could not acquit myself to my own
conscience, to you, or to the bar of God be resolved into it, did nevertheless prove
were 1 to lead you in speculating into obstinately repugnant to the union ] Did
if
not past, are, at least, nearly run out
tion
prophecy without having a view to prac- you not think. Why, then, this aversion
tical purposes.
It is trifling with the sa- to read the Bible, or to retire for serious
cred Scriptures unless we bring a part of meditation and devotional exercise, or to
them to bear upon the conscience and any act of duty to be done simply in obeBut the declamation
upon the conduct. Whenever the tide of dience to God ?
death shall arrest us, there will be an end which you had heard was idle rhetoric,
of the world, and all the kingdoms there- or wretched ijrnorance.îôs/er.
of, as far as
in them.
we
are personally interested
Our own
salvation is the great
concern of each individual, and, in connexion with this, the interests of our
beloved country. May God grant to us
his blessing
Amen.
!
LET YOUR SUBJECT, NOT YOURSELF, BE PROMINENT.

I NEVER heard a man who succeeded so
well in averting the attention of his hear-
ers
MAN BY NATURE AVERSE FROM
the
RELIGION.
from himself to the subject. Like

priest under the Jewish hierarchy,
he disappeared in the cloud of incense

His positions,
Religion, it is acknowledged, brings that himself sent up.
its pains; just because it comes from though strong and important, were clothheaven to maintain a deadly conflict in ed in language whose peculiar and provithe soul, with principles and dispositions dential felicity it is, that it is universal
which are rebellious against heaven, and language ; the language which genius
destructive to the soul itself.
Nothing reverences and ignorance understands;
can be more thoughtless or vmknowiiig the language of the poet and of the phithan the strain in which some have in- losopher, of divinity and of the heart, the
He spake
dulged in the recommendation of it, as if language of the Scriptures.
You as a father to a wayward child, as a judge
it were all facility and enjoyment.
have possibly heard or read graceful to a criminal to confess and be forgiven,
periods of descant on the subject, repre- as a guide to a wanderer to return and to
senting to young people especially, that rest. After he had descended from the
their unsophisticated
principles, ihdr |)u]pit, though the thunder of his elolively perception of the good and the quence was hushed, his countenance
fair, their generous sentiments, their un- spoke still, and his visage retained the
contaminated aflections, are so much in brightness of that light and holy elevaunison with the spirit of piety, that it is a tion. Eclectic Review.
SERMON XXX.
ON THE BEING AND PERFECTIONS OF
GOD.
PREACHED
BY THE REV.
" This
My
God
is
God for
our
the mechanics
brethren,
great metropolis,
it
is
my
DR. STYLES.
ever
of this
province to
commence
a course of lectures, especially

designed for your instruction in the highest branches
of practical knowledge
and
ever."
Psal.
xlviii. 14.
standing, and in which you are likely ta

be misled by persons more pretending,
but not less ignorant than yourselves; or
who, if they are better informed, aim only
at some selfish or sinister object of their

which can possibly engage your thoughts, own, which they hope to realize by makand which has, therefore, the most urgent ing you their dupes and victims. They
claims upon your serious and devout con- attempt to dazzle your imagination by
The
sideration.
character of the times
which you live is highly favourable to

your mental culture. It has raised you
in
to a state of intellectual
unknown
eminence, hitherto
classes of the
to the
which you belong, and
this, as is
you with
the ardent hope of improving your social
Already you begin to
condition.
feel
knowledge is power; but this just

axiom of philosophy you are in great
danger of employing against yourselves,
that
of misapplying to
to
reason by sound principles.
design
and
is
inform your
Their grand
not to reform but to revolutionize,
to try the
most visionary experiments,
commu- which cannot be attempted without sub-
perfectly natural, has inspired
nity to
wild theories, rather than
verting every government upon the face of

the earth, and destroying the whole sys-
tem of
but in
social order, not only in its frame,

its
principles.
chaos
sary preliminary to their new
Whatever
a neces-
is
creation.
must give place to an edifice of society which is to be built in

purposes subversive of perfect contempt of the former architec-
your own happiness and injurious

best interests of society.
As
to the
yet,
the
knowledge you have acquired has merely

awakened the thinking faculty, and raised
you from the slumbers of ignorance.
Your minds are partially illuminated
with science, but you have scarcely attained to the grandeur of its higher principles, or to a rigid adiierence to tiiat
course which would secure to you all the
is,
ture, on the principles of a
demoralizing
necessity from which the oratory and the

altar are to be excluded, whose materials
are to consist, not of inmiortal
men, but
of mere machines operated upon by uncontrollable circumstances ; these circumfirst created by the redoubtable projector of the sublime absurdity.
You will, my brethren, in a moment
stances to be
perceive that I here refer to the new

The scheme of society, which among your
things which you best understand you own class especially has obtained so
ktK)W l)Ut imperfectly you an; but learn- many supporters. Of its author I know
Were it not for the atheism
ing their rudiments, and from these your noliiiiig.
benefits
of
its
practical
results.
attention
is
diverted
to other
subjects,
an<l
VoL. 1. 36
which
which b
the conseijuent materialism
which you have not the means of under- disgrace the
entire system, and
2 A 2
281
THE BRITISH
282
maintains are essential to its success, I

should pronounce liim to be an amiable
whose imagination, darkened
enthusiast,
by
the evils of the social state, and per-
PULPIT.
new scheme
in the
of society.
attentive perusal of one of

rate expositions,
as far as
it
we
From an
most elabo-
its
learn that
it
renounces
regards recognition and wor-
petually brooding over them, can devise
ship, every religion, true or false, that has
no remedy but a perfectibility incompatible with the nature of that state, and
which can never be even approached
without the agency, which he not only
I mean
disregards, but utterly contemns
ever obtained in the world
that of true religion.
We admit, with
the
the face of society
is
new
sand blemishes, and that

pulsation
irregular
whole head
is
its
fitful
ajid
indicates
that
the
sick and the whole heart
With them we
faint.
political,
theorists, that
deformed by a thou-
feel that effectual,
and moral remedies must be
applied, or that a convulsive dissolution
of the whole frame of civilized
not be long averted.

tell
them
their
that
But we
we have
life
can-
fearlessly
no confidence
empirical nostrums
we
in
not
dare
intrust a nation's weal in the crisis of its

fate to those
nature,
evils
who
leave out of their cal-
of human
who would remove from those
culations
the
the
inherent evils
most
effectual
restraints that
ever have been imposed upon them under

the
considerations
and the hopes and
furnished
by
fears inspired
piety,
all
proscribing
reference to God, both as the Creator
and the Supreme Ruler of the universe.

it ridicules every idea of rewards
and punishments that as character is
formed for the individual and not by him,
he has no responsibility, is neither the
object of praise nor of blame
that com-
That
munities as well as individuals are the

mere creatures of a circumstantial necessity controlling
them
spite of themhope of improving their condition and emancipating

them from the calamities which degrade
and oppress them, must arise from the
operation of a new and totally opposite
class of circumstances
and this mighty
revolution they are to achieve for themselves.
That is, those, who from their
very nature, must be the passive victims
of whatever circumstances surround them,
and which it is affirmed, they have no
moral power to resist, are suddenly to
assume a supernatural and independent
selves
and
in
that the only
energy, and instead of being carried along

heretofore, with the stream of destiny,
by the as
consciousness of accountableness and the

sublime realities of a future world.
they are to roll back the tide which had

threatened to ingulf them, and this not
for the purpose of securing their moral
My brethren, if we could imagine so

preposterous an idea as a company of liberty, but simply that they may become
atheists inflamed with a generous ardour as passive as before, the creatures of a
for the public good, their bosoms over- necessity which, though it affords them
flowing with philanthropy, and that phi- a greater sum of present enjoyment, still
lanthropy assuming the form of the most degrades them below the level of intellidevoted patriotism, could we with safety
appoint them to be the restorers or the
guardians of our social happiness 1 Men
who entertain principles at variance with
gent and accountable beings.

Now,
allowing for the sake of argument, that
those which mankind in general regard
rous enthusiasm
as sacred and fundamental, take great

delight in their propagation.
If atheists,
the co-operative system is fraught with

all
the advantages
from
we
it,
which the most genemight hope to derive
maintain that
it
is
utterly
therefore, had the formation of the public
impracticable on the principles of atheism

which its author assumes ; but that these
mind, or
and
if
the political and civil institu-
tions of their country
were under
their
clirection or subject to their control,
we
may
be perfectly certain that the negation

of a Deity would stand pre-eminently
forth in all their

all their policy.
works and distinguish

This happens precisely
greater advantages
still
may be more
than realized on the principles of that

religion
which
which he impiously
rejects,
and
founded on the being and perfections of God, as partially displayed in

the works of nature, and more extensively
revealed in the Holy Scriptures.
In
is

positions,
illustrating these
suaded
I shall
am
per-
ensure your candid atten-
tion.
GOD.
283
body be not a cause, and

your eyes another, you cannot see him;
cause.
if
If his
his voice and your ear be not causes,
The very assumption of atheism by an you cannot hear him; if his mind and
individual who seeks to be distinguished as yours be not causes, you cannot underIn a word, without admitthe benefactor (f society, and who proclaims stand him.
himself the enemy of its existing institu- ting the connexion between cause and
tions, ought to awaken distrust of his vten- effect, you can never know that he is
But
ial capacity, as well as excite disgust at his arguing with you, or you with him.
the sophistry which leads to atheism
moral depravation.
Atheism, wherever
sult of
astrous
it
exists, is the re-
some peculiar conjunction of
An
influences.
atheist
unhappy victim of a mental
is
dis-
the
obliquity, of
denies this
ing,
first
which
rational
hending the laws of evidence and the
principles of right reason.
ter.
There are certain principia on which,

with a few exceptions, all men are agreed.
all
between cause and effect. By cause is

meant that something, be it what it may,
which produces existence, or any change
of existence, and witliout which the existence or the change could not have been.
It is universally admitted that we have
no knowledge of any existence, or any
change which has taken place without a
The human mind, under whatcause.
perversioi^
and
But the source
investigation.
of atheism
head ; and
foundation of all reasoning, concerning being and events, for instance, is a

supposed or acknowledged connexion
mental
utterly disqualifies for sober
a strange perversion of the understanding,

vliicli renders him incapable of compre-
The
principle of all reason-
and betrays a
is
the heart rather than the
a moral phenomenon of
most portentous and appalling characit is
of depravity, bearing
It is the child
the worst features of
known by
tree is
its
parent.
its fruits.
Reason never produced such a monster

as atheism
it is
to be traced to the in-
disposition of the heart to
acknowledge
He
the existence of the Creator.
that
hates the control and dreads the inspect-
ing judgment and retribution of his Maker,
alarm
no God.
To me there is something fearful and
even terrific in the state of mind which
finds no refuge from anxiety and
so safe as the belief that there
is
can delight in the renunciation of the

Deity, which can derive satisfaction from
ever circumstances of culture or neglect, the feeling, that the infinite Spirit is gone,
has acknowledged in the clearest manner, that the only solid foundation of virtue is
and in every way of which the subject is wanting which can enjoy pleasure in
susceptible, the inseparable nature of this renouncing that system of doctrine of
learn it from experience, which a God is the great subject, and that
connexioti.
and in two ways by the testimony of train of affections and conduct of which
our senses, and by the inspection of our he is the supreme object. The idea of a
own minds. We cannot realize the fact, God seems essential to every pleasurable
We
nothing in common with the rest of mankind, and no absurdity can be greater
than to alt<mpt to argue with him. Indcctl he cannot pursue an argument on
w ithout it we
and sublime emotion
can conceive of nothing glorious, and
nothing delightful. And could it once
be exploded, in my view, it would diminish to insignificance the range of thought,
The aband the circle of enjoyment.
sence of God would cover the face of
and he that
nature with funereal gloom;
the subject witliout a practical refutation
sho\ild
thai existence or change can take place
without a cause.
by denying what
The man who
begins
is so self-evident, discovers an incapacity to reason.

He holds
of the principle he assumes.
In speaking,
he fNhibits hiinxrif as a cause of all the

words uttered by him, and of the opinions he
Jttct
would communicate, and,
in iho
of arguing, admits you to be a similar
make
the
discovery,
according to my apprehension, would bo
at once and for ever the most miserable
being in the universe. He would evince
first
fatal
no eagerness to communicate the dismal

on the contrary, he would envy
fact;
THE BRITISH
284
PULPIT.
existence, and that he
is formed for thisworld and no other. He is the creature

of death
but he has no inheritance beraged their hope.
Now we ask with confidence whether yond the grave and as he is to acquire
an individual who cannot discern that no property, to rise to no distinction on
God exists, or that he requires and de- earth, hopes and fears are to have no inserves any homage from his creatures, fluence in restraining his passions or vices
his destiny is comprised within the
who knows not how to reason on the
plainest facts, ought to be regarded as an narrow limits of threescore years and
and the character which he acquires
oracle, when he approaches the terra inten
cognita of a new order of things conjured in his passage to the tomb is not his own.
i)ut of his own imagination, the principles It belongs to other influences for which
of which have never been submitted to he is irresponsible, and over w^hich he
the process of induction which experi- has no control.
Now, my brethren, what estimate can
ence cannot explore, nor science illumine.
What judgment are we to form of his we possibly form of a man who underunderstanding, who renounces faith to takes to govern the moral world without
become the dupe of the most absolute a God, who would form a moral characcredulity ?
For we fearlessly maintain ter without motives, who would limit the
that there is no absurdity which the liu- existence of the human being to the preman mind in the very spirit of extrava- sent state, and who proposes to construct
gance has been capable of inventing, the whole fabric of society on the princiwhich the denier of a God has not made ple of such exclusion and limitation?
With whatever professions he may apan article of his creed.
The dogmas of atheism are the most proach us, must we not instantly shrink
melancholy exhibition of weakness which from him as the worst enemy of his spehas ever degraded the human understand- cies ? If he could even banish all the
its spontaneous evils from the world, which he ascribes
ing.
Its eternal series
universe of worlds and beings, the result to its tyrannical governments and antiof motion and matter and all produced social institutions, if at the same time he
and continued as they are by a physical annihilated the fear and the love of God,
necessity, to the utter exclusion of intel- the dread of retribution, and the expectaligence, and the moral perfections which tion of enjoying the divine favour after
infinite intelligence implies, have been death, mankind would be infinite losers
unanswerably proved, not only to be false, by the change, and might justly curse
but to be impossible. What then can their benefactor, for procuring for them
we think of the mental capacity of him the temporal advantages of a perishing
who goes quietly on with his faith in Avorld, during a few fleeting years, at the
these hypotheses, and resolves to believe expense of all that is ennobling to their
in defiance of demonstration and impossi- intellectual, their moral and immortal
his fellow-creatures the pleasant delusion
which sustained
their virtue and encou-
But
bility.
it
is
in his character of a
nature.
But
this inversion of the order
is impossible ; you might

expect the seasons to revolve,
principles necessarily operate to the de- and the earth to bring forth all its wondrous and useful productions without the
struction of his hopes.
have already intimated that the light and heat of the great luminary of
philanthropist and a remodeller of the
of Providence
whole frame-work of
as well
society,
that
his
We
co-operative system excludes all considerations of a Deity, as forming the
character
that
religion, and
degrades
it
utterly abrogates all
we may
man from
human
either in his individual
ness without piety
or piety without that
sense of accountableness which springs
his high rank as a

at
from the conviction, that the principles,

motives, and volitions which form his
to believe that
character are essentially his own, irre-
the same time teaches

is
man
or social capacity should possess happi-
it
add, that while
responsible being in the universe,

there
day, as that
him
it
nothing greater than himself in spective of
all
outward circumstances.

ON THE BEING AND PERFECTIONS OF GOD.
which can no
further control his destiny
to society."
than as he voluntarily yields himself up

In support of this very
to their influence.
285
In these sentiments the supauthor of the co-operative
and
system perfectly concur. With respect
unqualified assertion, and we make it as to a belief in the beincr and moral governbroadly as the strength of human Ian- ment of God, one of their writers obguage will admit we proceed to show serves, " We attach no importance to the
that The legitimate consequences (if atheism belief of doctrines that are inexplicable
arc appalling and demoralizing impieties, as man does not form his own character,
and that the co-operative system, assuming it is injustice and cruelty to visit him
atheism for its basis, is utterly opposed to with punishment even the robber has it
the nature of man, and the very existence not in his power to govern his own actions
the motives by which he is impelled,
cf society.
Mr. Burke has profoundly remarked, have been produced by the circumstances
" that man is by his nature and constitu- under which he has been placed, acting
tion a religious animal
that atheism is upon his peculiar organization
and as
against not only our reason but our in- tliis applies to all men without a single
stincts, and cannot last long."
This was exception on this principle the w^hole
written during the fury of the French system of rewards and punishments must
revolution
when, as in one day, a whole fall to the ground." Such is the moral
nation threw off the restraints of religion, philosophy on which the new scheme of
and avowed in the face of civilized Eu- renovating society is founded. Let us
rope that they were a community of athe- for a few moments examine it as a matter
ists.
The prediction in the latter clause of of reason, and trace the principle to its
the sentence was soon fulfilled.
It is pos- just consequences ; and then, let us conporters
some of the advocates of the template its actual operation in those

scheme we are reprobating may endeavour cases where it has been brought to the
sible that
to shield its author
is
from the imputation
successfully
but do
impossible the grand pre-requisite
of atheism
to
to
the application of his principles, is that
the communities formed by
have no
religion,
atheists
have
necessarily
him
shall
no God. The French

expressed what is
fully
implied in this preliminary
experiment.
test of
The only
this
either
is,
character under
which man
or can be placed before us, ac-
cording to this system, is that of a mero

automaton, with a principle of what is
called life superadded, which life however confers no moral power, but leaves
its
subject to be as necessarily impelled
During the reign of Robes- to action by the circumstances in which

pierre, the convention, in one of its most he is placed, as the puppet is moved by
popular and authentic papers, makes the the springs and wires that compose its
following announcement. *' Provided the actuating machinery. This is an essenidea of a Supreme Being be nothing more tial fundamental doctrine of atheistical
than a philosophical abstraction, a guide materialism, and is inseparably connected
to the imagination in the pursuit of causes with all its forms.
This doctrine, Miraand effects, a resting-place for the curi- baud, the atheistical oracle of the present
osity of inquiring minds, a notion merely day, has publicly avowed and defended.
speculative, and from which no practical He unhesitatingly says, that "Every
consequences are to be applied to human thing is necessary that it cannot be
stipulation.
life,
there can bo no great danger in such
an idea; but if it is to be made the foundation of morality, if it is to be accompa-ied by tbe sujjposilion that there exists
a God,
who
presides over the affairs of
the worl<i,and rewards and punishes
on earth, according
some
of
to
speculative justice,
there can be no opinion
we
more prejudicial
it
is
that all the beings
behold, as well as those which escape
our sight, act by certain and invariable

laws.
In those terrible convulsions that
sometimes
men shake
for their actions
principle
otherwise, than
their
agitate
political
societies,
foundations, and frequently
produce the overthrow of an empire, there

is not a single action, a single word, a
single
thought,
a single will, a single
THE BRITISH PULPIT
286
passion in the agents, whether they act

as destroyers or victims, that is not the
remotest apprehension of law or government, merit or reward, can such a doctrine dignify him with personal worth,
inspire him with the love of rectitude,
delight him with pleasurable emotions
derived from the present, or the future,
or the past, or produce in him any desire
necessary result of the causes operating

that does not act as of necessity it must
act, from the peculiar essence of the heings who give the impulse, and tliat of
the agents who receive it, according to
the situation these agents occupy in the to promote the common good, the general
moral whirlwind." And he further adds, happiness 1 Assuredly not. " Men do
" Man's life is a line that nature com- not gather grapes of thorns nor figs of
mands him
to describe
upon the surface
of the earth, without his ever being able

to swerve from it even for an instant.
He
born without his

organization does in no
is
thistles
the
same fountain cannot send

sweet." Allow
forth biUcr waters and
me to strengthen the position I have thus

own consent; his assumed by a quotation from one of our
way depend upon ablest writers on Christian theology
:
" Personal worth is all dependent on the

tarily ; his habits are in the power of existence of laws and government formed
those who cause him to contract them
by one who has a right to enact the forhe is unceasingly modified by causes, mer and administer the latter
a right
whether visible or concealed, over which founded on the relations which he sustains
himself; his ideas come to him involun-
he has no control, which necessarily
re-
hue
to
his
manner of acting
He
is
good or
happy miserable wise or

without his
ish reasonable
bad
or
fool-
or irrational,
will going for any thing in these various
This is the doctrine which Mr.

has adopted and moulded into his
system. The principle which he acknowledges has wrought all the evils and misestates."
Owen
ries
to
those
mode of existence, give the To

his way of thinking, and determine and
gulate his
which prevail
in the present order of
things, in his hands is to erect a
new
macliinery productive only of virtue and

felicity.
whence
But how
is
is
this to be achieved
the intellectual
and moral
who
are under his government.
these relations also must the
laws
government be conformed in
such a manner as that, and that only,
shall be enacted which requires the conduct suited to these relations, and promotive of general and individual happiness.
In the same manner must be
directed the rewards, punishments, and
administrations.
But on the scheme
which disavows the being, or that proscribes the recognition of a God, there is
no such ruler and no such right to rule;
there are no such relations, and no such
the
Rectitude, the sum of personal

worth, consists in rendering voluntarily
duties.
power
to be derived, which is to battle that which others have a right to claim ;

with a blind and inexorable necessity, but on this scheme no claim can be
which acts without intelligence, and in founded and none exists. There is, theredefiance of every tiling like moral govern- fore, nothing due
of course no duty can
be performed and no rectitude experiment in the universe ?
Can the principle which degrades man enced ; hence that high, unceasing, and
to the humblest possible level of intellect- refined enjoyment which attends the
ual existence at the same time illumine sense of rectitude can never be found by
and expand his mind can that which the atheist." Where rectitude or moral
renders him unsusceptible of moral obli- principle is discarded, nothing remains
gation elevate him to the dignity of virtue as the impelling principle and the guidcan the doctrine which tells him that ing rule of human conduct but appetite
he is insulated in all his interests, and and passion. And what must be the reDisorder, crime, and misery!
these the interests of a mere animal, that sult?
he is united to his fellow men only by If this scheme be true, all men ought
time and chance, that he is born merely to undoubtedly to be governed by it. What
breathe, to eat, to drink, to sleep, to pro- would become of such a world and of the
pagate his kind and to die, without the atheist himself in the midst of such a
;
Ors
THE BEING AND PERFECTIONS OF GOD.
287
We
may confidently ask, in blished, let us see how a government

what possible way can atheism secure the formed on his favourite principle of atheIf we grant that istical necessity, and intended to rule a
well-bein<r of society.
world
people professing the same creed, would

be found to conduct itself what would
be the character of the ruler and the governed in reference to each other and the
the being of a Deity operates as a very
on
slight restraint
vice,
individual
in
where the character has become
cases,
utterly depraved, yet
its
general influence
must be mighty, interwoven as it is with

the whole civil and social economy of
man. It must act powerfully as an incentive to good, and as a check to whatand it can only fail in parever is evil
relations subsisting
Dwight has
absence of all that would impose

restraint on wickedness and under the
active operation of all that can stimulate
depravity, he observes, " Rulers would
feel no sense of rectitude, possess no
virtue and realize no moral obligation.
To all these things their fundamental
principles would be hostile, and would
render the very thought of them ridiculous.
God is the only acknowledged
source of obligation, but to them there
would be no God, and therefore no such
Conformity to His laws is
obligation.
the only rectitude but to these men there
would be no such laws, and therefore no
But wiiat offences against himself or

fell ow-c .eat u res, may not an atiieist
his
perpetrate with conscious impunity, with-
What
proteetion can his principles afford to confiding innocence and beauty
deter
W hat shall
him from dooming an amiable and
lovely wife to penury, to desolation, and an

hat shall make seducuntimely grave 1
tion and adultery criminal in his eyes, or
induce him, when she is in his power, to
spare the victim of unhallowed and guilty
passion 1 What can he know of honour, of
justice and integrity"? What friend will he
what enemy will he not purnot betray
What lawless
sue to utter destruction ?
gratification will he not indulge when its
indulgence does not compromise his per-
Who, we may
those that set the decencies of
better words, passion and appetite,

dictate all
by the histories of Caligula, Nero, and

more thoroughly,
Heliogabalus, and
though still imperfectly, in those of Danton, Murat, Robespierre, and their associWho would be willing to see such
ates.
a tissue of madness, cruelty, misery, and
horror woven again ?"
de-
laugh at virtue, and riot in

epicuriean debauchery ?
Are they not the
baso apostates from God who boast of
and write themselves athedis<rrace and the scandal

of the country that gave them birth.
From the specimens of atheists which
the world has seen, some faint idea may
be formed of what an atheistical community would soon become; soon would
it be transformed
into an image of hell
aiul distrust, jealousy, wrath, revenge,
murder, war and devastation overspread
the earth.
In the midst of millions the
alhiist would find himself in a desert.
His situation would l)e that of a hermit,
their impiety,
"The subjects of such a government

would at the same time lie in the same
manner under the influence of the same
doctrine.
Their conduct would accord-
own
his eharaet<r that of a fien<l."
ingly be an exact counterpart to that of

their
rulers.
every
man
Rinht would
titrer.
tained, could
lu-ilher
be acknow-
it
nor exist.
be done
with
safety.
Whatever was hated would, so far as

Hut as safety would permit, be hunted and de-
new sriieme of society

loud and violent in his eondemnatiou
stroyed
bi'tray, to
uf
all
civil
change
Whatever
was coveted would bo sought and obfelt,
is
(existing
Appetite would
into a swine, and passion into
ledged, nor be
the aullmr uf the
system of
the conduct of these rulers.
nature of a government directed by

passion and appetite we know imperfectly
fiance, that
ists to their
in
would
The
ask, are
life at
Convenience of course, or
rectitude.
sonal safety?
Under such
not overcharged portraiture.
Dr.
an
ticular instances of atrocious obduracy.
out regret and without a blush
between them
furnished us with a dark but
to
deceive,
maim,
to
to torture,
overrearh,
and
to
to
hutcher,
governments and every would bo the common employment and

polity which is esta- the common sport.
The dearest and most
1

THE BRITISH
288
venerable relations would be violated byincestuous pollution; and children, such

of them I mean as were not cast under a
hedge, thrown into the sea, or dashed

against the stones, would grow up without a home, without a parent, without a
The world would become one
friend.
vast den, one immeasurable stye, and the
swine and the wolf would be degraded
by a comparison with
Such, my brethren, is the reasoning,

fair and conclusive, from principles to
But we
their legitimate consequences.
come now
to a fearful practical illustra-
As
tion of this reasoning.

infidelity for ever,
and
to
if to
silence
stamp upon
it
the brand of everlasting execration ; the

Governor of the world, in his inscrutable
wisdom, was pleased

polished and refined
permit the most
to
among
and have attempted to dispose of humai)

happiness according to their own doctrines and wishes, is that of /Va?jce, since
the beginning of the revolution.
If we
consider this government as established
over a nation, educated for ages to the

belief and obedience of
the civilized
nations of the earth to reduce atheism to

practice, to bring its principles to bear
many
doctrines of
Christianity, and retaining, as to a great
majority of the people, the habits formed
by
inhabitants."
its
PULPIT.
that education, the state of that nation
beyond a question, that all

have said is true without exag-
will evince
which
geration.
" France during
this period has
been a
theatre of crimes, which, after all preced-
ing perpetrations, have excited in the

mind of every spectator, amazement and
The
horror.
miseries,
suffered
by that
single nation, have changed all the histories
of
mankind
the
preceding
sufferings
of
and have been

enhanced and multiplied, without a preupon the social state, and to exhibit the cedent, without number, and without a
The kingdom appeared to be
tremendous result. In mercy, however, name.
he limited its duration for a short sea- changed into one great prison ; the inhason only was it suffered to perform its bitants converted into felons; and the
It soon destroyed
common doom of man commuted, for the
dreadful tragedies.
itself, while it displayed before the uni- violence of the sword and the bayonet,
verse its scroll of blood, on which was the sucking boat and the guillotine. To
written lamentation, and mourning, and contemplative men, it seemed for a seainto idle tales,
the knell of the whole natior
Atheistical philosophers seized

!
the power of legislation and government;
they talked of the perfectibility of man,
son as
and promised to their deluded votaries a

golden age for them and their regenerated
species.
The pledge was given, and
fairy scenes were delineated with all the
glow of an excited imagination another
The human race,
paradise bloomed.
freed from tyranny, oppression, and crime,
were described not merely as innocent,
But how
but virtuous and immortal.
the short space often years, not less than
woe
was
its
if
tolled,
and the world summoned
execution and
its
funeral.
to
Within
human beings are supposed to have perished in that single

country by the influence of atheism.
Were the world to adopt and be governed
by the doctrines of France, what crimes
three millions of
would not mankind perpetrate

agonies would they not suffer 1"
what
After this, will such men as Mr. Owen

and his coadjutors ever efface the impresAtheism, under sion from our minds, that atheism, whatthe pencil of truth.
ever disguise it may assume, is an inhua co-operative system, began its career
the experiment was tried, and we have man, a bloody and ferocious system,
the result before us, as a warning and a equally hostile to every useful restraint
calamity the most fearful that the offended and to every virtuous affection ; leaving
Majesty of heaven could in mercy and in nothing above us to excite fear, or around
us to awaken tenderness, it wages war
vengeance give and inflict.
Its first
Dr. Dwight has eloquently observed, with heaven and with earth.
" the only instance in which infidels of object is to dethrone God ; its next to
was
row
all this realized 1
must again
bor-
any description have possessed the su- destroy man. With such conviction, the
preme power and government of a country, enlightened and virtuous inhabitants of
ON THE BEING AND PERFECTIONS OF GOD.
289
Great Britain, and you, my brethren, the splendour from all that is fair, subordivery sinews and strength of your native nates to itself all that is great, and sits
land, will not surely be tempted to your enthroned on the riches of the universe.
fate by the rhapsodies of men, without This idea, illustrated and explained in an
infinite variety of forms in nature, is augrelifjion, and without a God.
Mr. Owen tells you, that the remedy mented with a moral grandeur, and shines
of all your ills is co-operation, as opposed with an infinite glory in the pages of
divine revelation.
Co-operate by all means
to competition.
In both it is brought home to our hearts
but on principles true to your nature, your
let Cinis- with irresistible power; and produces a
interests, and your happiness
v.'elcome character in those who sincerely entertain
tianity be cordially received
its blessings to your hearts^place your- it in some humble measure, resembling the
be perfections of the Great Being who is its
selves under its wholesome regimen
His natural attria community of Christians, and when all original architype.
shall know the Lord, from the least to butes, such as eternity, spirituality, omthe greatest, there will be nothing to hurt nipotence, wisdom, omnipresence, and
nor to destroy " the wolf shall dwell infinite goodness, inspire adoration and
with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie furnish all the elements of a sublime and
while the impressive
down with the kid ; and the calf and the elevated piety
young lion and the fatling together; and manifestation of his moral excellencies,
a little child shall lead them. And the his holiness, rectitude, truth, and mercy,
cow and the bear shall feed their young as the Governor and Saviour of the world,
ones shall lie down together and the operates to the production of principles
lion shall eat straw like the ox.
And Avhich renovate, dignify, and exalt the
the sucking child shall play on the hole human being, placing him under an influof the asp, and the weaned child shall ence which supplies his understanding
put his hand on the cockatrice' den." with the most valuable knowledge his
The being and perfections of God, as the conscience with the most delicate sensimoral Governor of the world, are the bility his will with the purest and
foundation of this glorious system of mightiest motives his affections with
the noblest objects
and his whole sphere
truth, of righteousness and mercy.
Let us draw a hastij sketch of Us ten- of existence with duty and enjoyment.
On the principle that " the character is
dency to ameliorate the human condition,
formed for the individual and not by him,

man must indeed become the creature of
gone, and your attention necessity, and thus what may be properly
is wearied, and on this part of the subject termed influence as opposed to this necesI must, for my own sake and yours, be sity, is entirely foreign to his nature.
Tliis 1 should regret, if in looking But on the Christian principle, that every
brief.
over the syllabus of lectures, I did not character involves pers^mal responsibility
perceive, that this topic must be again in its formation, the idea of a moral indiscHSsed, und(>r another aspect indeed, fluence instilling its motives, impressing
but in such a form as to fill up my outline its features, and controlling its destiny is
and supply my deficiencies.
most welcome to the heart; and this
My brethren, the idea best suited to moral influence is exerted with a perpo
the glorious faculties of the human mind, tual energy on the individual who cor
and which can it most worlliily cherish, is dially receives and reverentially adores
fts it is
applicable to the present state of the
human famili/.
Your time is
the idea of a Deity, which, unlike every
we
Beinp- of
iiifiniie
perfection and glory-
ble of continual expansion, enlarges with
his Governor
liis Sanctt
his Creator
his CJod.
The character rises and
ficr
our intellectual powers, ranges
tliroiijjrli
is
space, stretches beyond all
limited
other with whicii
all
are familiar,
is
capa-
duration, ami which, to use the words of
an eloquent
Vol..
Christian
I.37
orator,
borrows
under his transforming instruggles against temptation, sin, and folly, in the vale of tear*,
become successful, because they are
sustained
fluci.ce.
The
2B
THE
290
PULPIT.
BFilTISII
animated by the inspecting eye of the he could otherwise have never conceived,,
Divinity ; and the fueble creature, armed he casts his eyes abroad into the universe,
There he
witli tlie omnipotence of heaven, is more which that Being has created.
than a conqueror.
Miglity are
tlie
tri-
beliolds an
endless train of intelligent

'
umphs
of principle over passion, and of minds, reflecting with no unhiippy lustre
What
beauty and glory of their Maker.

checii to vice is likewise furnished bj' From the pre-eminent dignity of the archthe consciousness in the bosorn of the angel, through the glowing zeal of the
sinner, that there is an Alinijjhty Judyê, seraph, and the milder wisdom of the
from wliose presence he cannot hide him- cherub through the high endowments of
self a Being that surrounds his paih Moses, Isaiah, and Paul, down to the
and is acquainted with all his ways'? humble but virtuous inhabitant of a cotLet this impression be once felt, and the tage, one spirit lives, and breathes, and
piety over the worhl.
powerful
the
pleasures of vice lose
all their
captivating
actuates in
all,
and that
spirit is divine.
charms, the heart sickens at temptation.

" God is /iv," irradiates the darkness of
the night, tears off the cowl of secret villany in the face of day, and so alarms
the conscience, that imagined crimes are
destroyed in embryo.
Each wears, and exhibits, in his own

manner, and that manner a deliglitful and-
Bui it is the injluencc of these sublime

sentiments upon society, upon man, in his
All are the subjects of virtuous affections
state of civil
displays, by
ini^
compact and association, that
malMcss
contrast, the dei^rad-
and d moralizing character of atheism.

viewed
We have shuddered as we have
the scene of guilt and desolation opened

to us
by
this foul
spirit,
the dark and
useful one, the image and beauty of JehoAll, though of different magnitudes,
vah.
diffuse a real light
one star different
all
are fitted
to
all
from
are stars,
though
another in glory.
admire
and adore, to
glorify and enjoy their Creator
all
are
formed, and disposed voluntarily, to fill

up their existence of doing good, with
promoting individual enjoyment, and incrpasing
universal
happiness;
all
are
bound together as children of one God,

and brethren of each other, by love, the
abyss of sin and ruin, where no soliwhere no ray of hope bond (f perfection. Every one, therefore,
or comfort trembles through the profound is lovely in the sight of his Maker.
To this universe of minds the Chrismidnight; let us, now, though but for a
moment, refresh the wearied sight by tian believes, that the Creator, who is of
glancing over the moral world, on which course the rightful lawgiver, has given
the " Sun of Rigliteousncss" for ever laws for the direction of its members,
shines with healing in his wings.
Here, which require perfect conduct, and ensure
at the head of the vast chain of moral to it perfect happiness.
These laws exbeing, reaching like Jacob's ladder from tend to all the thoughts, words, and
earth to heaven, sits on the throne of in- actions alike, and regulate each with unTheir obligation is,
finite dominion, the God of Abraham, the erring propriety.
God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, the God and is acknowledged to be, divine;
of all who, like them, believe, worship, notiiing can sunder, nothing can lessen it.
In Him, the This, instead of being a source of regret
and obey their Creator.
self-existent and infinite mind, the Chris- to him, is his delight; for what these
tian beholds, unceasingly, an object of laws require is better tlian any thing else;
boundless sublimity, grandeur, beauty, and more frauglit with self-approbation,,
and loveliness; commanding by the dis- worth, and enjoyment. Of course, in all
closure of his cliaracler, and exhausting, the relations and situations in life, as a
all finite admiration, coni|ilacency, love, pTrent or a child, a neighbour or a friend,
and praise; expanding every view, refin- ^1 magistrate or a su!)ject, he feels himing every affection, and ennobling every scU*, on the ono hand, irresistibly obliged,
From the immediate contem- and, <..n the other, entirely delighted, to
attribute.
plation of this glorious Being, raised to obey tl.vîr dictates.
final
tary virtue gleams,
a superiority and distinction, of which
As
theê dictates reach every morzJ.
GOD.
291
of error and prejudice, and associate
it
in every situation, and with
spect to every action, they provide, of with the evil powers that are at war with
cannot
course, and universally, for that conduct, the best interests of man.
in every being which is commendable use, we cannot invent terms sufiiciently
re-]
being,
We
Here an immovable foun- strong by which
and desirable.
to
express our indigna-
peace within, for dignity tion at the prostitution of genius. The

of mind, for real and enduring enjoyment, talents of an atheistical and profligate
in the recesses of solitude, and for the writer, if they are of the first order, will
endless train of duties and blessings, no doubt ensure to him a species of imnecessary to the happiness of society. mortality ; but who would covet it ?
ruler, formed in this manner, will go- Who that is not lost to every sentiment
vern only to bless. " Subjects of the of moral dignity would not deprecate it
same character will obey, because recti- as a dire misfortune 1 To occupy through
dation
is laid for
tude demands their obedience, and be- all time the bad eminence which vice
cause their obedience will ensure the hap- assigns to her most powerful agents, to
piness both of themselves and their be the oracle of every impious witling"
rulers."*
If it be objected to this vision, who is unable of himself to construct a
to be the text
that it belongs only to the imagination, sophism against religion
and has never been realized, we beg to book of quotation to the impure of both
;
observe, that to effect all this is the immediate tendency of the system, that
amidst ten thousand counteracting influences, it has achieved the greatest good
to society ; that it is a moral system, and
that just in proportion as it has ever prevailed, have been the number and magnitude of the evils it has banished, and
the benefits it has conferred. Wherever
it has been truly welcomed, it has produced unmingled good ; human depravity
and guilt, wlK'never they have triumphed,
they have triumphed in spite of it, amidst
its remonstrances and determined Jiostility.
In fact, it is the only antagonist
of evil in the moral world ; while ii'ndelity
is its
patron,
its
principle, its -soul
and energy.
people, rising in their intellectual

when they
character, and at the morccnt
are
making
their transit fr-Jm ignorance
knowledge, and fr^ 'he degradation

of brutes to the digny ^f tliitiking beings,
to
arc peculiarly exposed to intellectual delusions, to f:ill,-.iou8 theories and ruinous
seductions, from the paths of truth and

happiriosH; snd their greatest danger is to
be appn
lu'ndcd from the dazzling splen-
dours </ perverted ginius, and the wild

dognuis f)f spurious philanthropy.
sexes,
who would throw a splendid
ment over
their di baucheries
to
refine
stimu-
late the already too preceoicus depravity
of youth, and the prurient lasciviousness

of anticipated dccrepiti'de ; instead of
brightening the heavens as a star, to fall

upon the earth, tc be in reality only a
putrescent mass of shining corruption,
emittinf a pewifercus lustre, and then to
These are the exclusive
perish forcer!
triumph*' of prostituted genius, this ila
fearfu' destiny.
<
Vd rather be the wretch that scrawls

nonsense on the walls;
Its idiot
The
gallant bark of reason wreck'd,
poor qiicncli'd ray of intellect
With slabber'd chin and rayless eye.

And mind of mere inanity;
Not quite a man, nor quite a brute,
Than I would basely prostitute
My
To
powers
build
to
servo the cause of vice.
some jowcll'd
frnmrd
edifice
So
fair, so (bid,
To
please the eye and taint the heart
with such
art.
That he who has not (xiwer lo nhun,

Comes, looks, and feels )iini>'eir undone."
But the spurious philanthropists, these

most powerful coadjutors of iho
are the
theoretic
infidel.
They
principles into active
life,
bring out hi3

'i'rue
philan*
moment at work among our people,

watching every dawn of mind, that they
thropv aims at amelioration, not destruction it does not dazzle with the promise of
a distant visionary good that is to bo pur-
may
chased
Uoth these insidious
obscure
it
spirits arc at this
with the disculorations
DwighL
ruin uf
by anarchy, massacre, and tha

a whole genemlion of bumiLn

THE BRITISH
292
applies the remedies of parliamentary commissioners be seriously
beings; but
it
principle
does good
it
PULPIT.
in its
immediate
Of all
pondered.
the manufacturing dis-
which they had visited during a

by the moral expansion of its useful- season of unexampled distress, Lanark
was the most demoralized and the most
ness.
Be not deceived, my brethren, when wretched. The unhappy co-operatives
the enemies of your God, and the consti- had gained nothing by their compact but
tution of your country, approach you with a community of unsatiated appetites, exexpressions of aff'.'cted concern for the cited passions, disappointed liopes, and a
sphere, and extends that sphere simply
tricts
Thinic not that

well-being of society.
they are tender hearted, because they
have nothing but douce humanitc in their
reckless disregard of the future.
mouth.
Even
the assassins and butchers
These
practical lessons, I trust, will
not be lost upon our people, who, instead
of hunting after novelties and yielding to
of the French revolution, and the very
the seducing spirit of the age, will stand
worst of them
in the
too, could talk in raptures of
restoring parents to
their children,
children to their parents, relations to

other, and
man
to society.
"
and
each
way and ask for
the good
is
i\\\is
find
the old paths,
way, and walk
where
and
therein,
rest to their souls.
ever sus-
pect," says one who belonged to their

school, and who is very probably an atheist, " I ever suspect the sincerity of a
man whose
distourse abounds in expressions of universa\ philanthropy." Nothing is easier vhan for a person of some
THE MINISTRY A DIGNIFIED CALLING.
When
the celebrated George Herbert
informed a court friend with his resolution to enter into sacred orders, he endeaimagination to raiê himself to a swell of voured to dissuade him from it, as too
sentiment without ti.e aid of one single mean an employment, and too much befeeling in the heart.
low
his birth, and the excellent abilities

and endowments of his mind. To whom
he replied, It hath been formerly judged
that the domestic servants of the King of
he writes for the human race, lis heart heaven should be of the noblest families
bleeds for the distresses of the human on earth. And though the iniquity of the
race, and in the midst of all this he scnis late times have made clergymen meanly
Rousseau, for
in-
ever babbling bJiout his genera

humain, his human race, ;nd his ccEur
animaul et tendre, tender and lov'ncr heart;
stance,
is
his unfortunate children to the poor house,
valued, and the sacred
the receptacle of misery.

In the instance of our modern martyrs
Contemptible
it
name
of priest
yet I will labour to make

honourable, by consecrating all my
;
who
encounter reproach and learniag, and all my poor abilities, to

ridicule, opposition and scorn, and all for advan<êthe glory of that God that gave
whose laws they them, knowing; that I can never do too
the good of mankind
would abrogate whose monarchs they much for him, *ât hath done so much
would dethrone whose intellect they for me, as to make me a Christian. And
would extinguish and whose account- I will labour to be like my Saviour, by
i.bleness they would destroy: what has making humility lovcÎ in the eyes of all
all their boasting come to, and what are men, and by following A,e merciful and
to
humanity,
Let Lathe results of their exertions 1

nark speak rather let the report of the
meek example of my
Walton.
dear lesus.
Isaac
SERMON XXXI.
ON THE JUDGMENTS OF GOD
PREACHED
BY THE VERY REV.
BAIRD,
G. H.
D.D.,
PRINCIPAL OF THE UNIVERSITY, AND SENIOR MINISTER OF THE HIGH CHURCH, EDINBUKGB-
\Vhen thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitantx of the world will learn righteousness."
Isaiah xxvi.
I BEGIN,
that
my
friends,
9.
these accompanying one another
with remarking
by the term "judgments of God"
and the punishment.

But, my friends, there are
the Scriptures sometimes denote the decisions, whether favourable or adverse,
the sia
many
cases
where the precise object of the divine
which God passes upon the conduct of visitation is unknown and invisible to us.
men. But more frequently this phrase is In many cases the Lord holdeth back his
employed to denote the effect of such deface in his dealings with his creatures,
when they are unfavourable to

denote those remarkable punishments by
which the Almighty chastises the wickedness of guilty individuals, and the
crimes of guilty nations. In the course
of God's providential procedure we often
see his judgments; we see misfortune
and distress following so closely and visibly the conduct of men, that we can have
no doubt whatever concerning the connexion tliat, by his appointment, subsists
between them. Thus when poverty, like
an armed man, rusheth on the prodigal
when a failing of eyes, and trembling of
joints, and rottenness of bnnos afHict the
cisions,
sensualist
when a dissolution of
all
and sprcadeth a cloud of darkness over

it
men behold the effects only of his interposition, without perceiving the particular end for which these visitations were
produced. For instance, in the material
world we sometimes witness famine, and
the raging tempest, consuming all and
blasting the hopes of men
and so it is to
this day in our land.
At other times we
behold a terrible pestilence thinning, by its
:
ravages, the numbers of the people.

in the
the
the suggestions of our
constitution
own
hearts, that
these also are the scourges of nations
Almighty. We are at
the same time but seldom able to point
out the individuals whose sin these judgments were sent more immediately to
the hands of
punish.
tlif
The individual sufferers, liko

men u|)on whom the tower
the eigliteen
more guilty
however,
be overlooked, that the promiscuous calamilica which hap|)en to them, if they
293
2 B '2
which the Almighty of Siloam
has imposed on man, and on the world in

which man is placed, and wliero ho acts
and wo feci no surpriao when wo sco
And
life, too,
do wc not often see deep distress brought

on the inhabitants of whole kingdoms
through political revolutions and war?
Now, we know from the Scriptures, and
moral bonds that uphold governments

sweeps from a once high place among
the nations an ungodly, and profligate, and
efTfininalo people, we see in such cases
an obvious relation between sin and punishment between the sin and the judgment of God passed against it. They are
connected as cause and efTrel by the original
establishments of social
fell,
are often not
than other people.
Let
it
not,
THE BRITISH
294
PULPIT.
do not come as piinisliments, conic in fiil maintcnuncp of their condition. But,

divine wisdom as salutary goiicral warn- above all, we can trace the watchful pro-
God in the history of our race

can trace the watchful providence
ings, or as improving tests and trials of vidcnce of
we
their faith, or as exercises of their forti-
tude and patience. In all such cases it of God communicating to man, at his first
would, tlierofore, be rash and uncharita- formation, the instincts and powers reble to interpret particularly, and with required for the new condition he was to
we can trace the watchful proviference to individuals, the views of divine fill
judgment when affecting a multitude. dence of God mingling men in society,
It is enough fur us to know that these and adjusting their talents to the situajudgments, whatever be their kind, what- tion which each of them has been destined
ever be their nature, or whatever their to fill in it and, through a most complidegree, are instruments of God's govern- cated series of arrangements, we can see
ment of his moral and rational offspring, the watchful providence of God render-
and that the inhabitants of the earth may ing men, in their respective spheres, the
learn from them lessons of righteousness. instruments of promoting the destined
This is the view, you will remark, in and ultimate perfection of our race.
which the text represents the judgments
Now, to a man capable of reflecting on
of God to our consideration; and, there- these marks of divine government, the
fore, in conformity with the pious pur- Almight}' surely presents an object most
pose for which we arc assembled this worthy of unbounded veneration a Being
day, I shall endeavour to suggest, briefly, whose mercies in all things are conspicutwo of the righteous lessons which the ous, and who has an unquestionable title
judgments of God ought to teach us.
to receive from his rational creatures the
In the first place, tiie judgments of God, worship and homage which he requires.
whatever their form, and whatever their But, alas my brethren, while things obdegree may be, when they are contem- serve their ordinary course, how seldom
plated by an enlightened and devout mind, do we permit our thoughts to rise from
are found powerfully to excite within it them to the power by which they are consentiments of warm piety and deep devo- ducted 1 Alas alas the beauty and betion toward that God from whom these nignity which our Father in heaven has
judgments proceed.
My friends, that spread around us in the world, where he
God continues to govern the world which has given us our situation, detain our athe has made, and that his rational sub tention on themselves, without suggestjpcts owe to him reverence and obedience, ing the source from which they flow.
are truths which scarcely admit of doubt. Nay, that very order, that very regularity
God has impressed so visibly on all his which is the effect of his present power
works the signature of that unceasing and care, lulls our mind asleep, and rencare which he exercises for their pre- ders us insensible to the workings of his
servation, that we have only to open our hand.
It is, in truth, only when the geeyes on his works and behold it. When neral order of events seems to be sensiwe look up to the heavens which his fin- bly interrupted it is only when the elegers have framed
when we see the sun, ments composing the world and the frame
and the moon, and the stars observing of divine government seem to jostle, as
order and regularity in all their move- it were, against each other it is only
ments, we are at once convinced of the when the pillars that support the society
powerful superintendence and energy of of men are suddenly shaken or broken
their Creator
and when we turn our down or when some public or personal
view to this earth, we meet every where misfortune crosses the path of life, that
indications of a similar kind.
It is by the the thoughtless multitude
and, alas are
energies of his hand that all the things of we not all to be considered too much
this world are maintained, each of them members of the thoughtless multitude?
in their due season and proportion, and it arise to reflection, and feel the presence
is upon him they depend for the wonder- of their God.

ON THE JUDGMf:NTS OF
My
friends, there are various principles

our constitution, by which the judg-
GOD.
295
judgments is a means of moral reformation for which we are accountable. They
ments of heaven contribute to a salutary are chastisements which, after all gentler
eflTect upon the minds of a thoughtless methods have failed, our gracious Father,
world.
Unexpected revolutions, either desirous of our reformation and eternal
in the natural or moral world, naturally safety, employs, and employs reluctantly,
arrest our attention.
They demonstrate,
most sensible manner, to our consciei\ces our own weakness, and the incompetency of our powers either to produce or control the changing events
around us; and to every mind that is not
totally enfeebled and darkened through
corruption, such revolutions suggest with
in the
as the last efforts to recall us to the paths
of obedience.
we
And
if
we
return not
if
harden our hearts more and more,

what must be the consequence
You all
know what must be the consequence.
This consequence may follow, and follow
most certainly under the divine government it will, that our wickedness must
be avenged by signal calamity. The destill
powerful
iSupremc Ruler, they alarm our fears at nunciations made by the mouth of Isaiah
his displays, and awaken all those sen- must come
This " people turn not to
timents
(this is at least their natural him that smiteth them, neitjier do they
tendency, or ought to be their constant seek the Lord of hosts. Therefore the
effect)
of humility and penitence which Lord will cut off from Israel head and
form the beginning of a pious and devout tail, branch and rush, in one day; for
temper.
And I would especially call through the wrath of the Lord of host-s is
your attention to this view of the case, the land darkened, and the people shall
that we learn from Scripture that this is be as the fuel of the fire
no man shall
not only the tendency of the divine judg- spare his brother."
(Isaiah ix. 13, 14.
ments when rightly improved, but often 19.)
the very purpose for which they were
From these remarks, my friends, it will
sent by the providence of God.
The appear that the divine judgments have as
early record of Moses proclaims, repeat- their first and general purpose, whatever
edly, that strange punishments came upon their kind and form may be, to rouse the
irresistible force the notion of a
the disobedient.
may
And why?
That
the
attention of sinners to the proofs of divine
and do no government, and to recall them, before it

more their ini(iuities. The plagues were be too late, from their sleep of inconsidersent upon Kgypt that the Egyptians ation, and from the criminal practices of
might know that God is the Lord. When irreligion and vice. These purposes of
Sennacherib was pursuing his severe con- the divine judgments which we have
quests, and wickedly railing against the affirmed in so many portions of Scripture,
God of Israel, an angel of the Lord slew and which so heavily aflliet our land, let
in one night a h\indred and fourscore us carefully improve.
Let us remember
and five thousand men. And why ] It that, amid the calamity that is commitpeople
hear, and
feel,
that all tin; kingdoms of the earth ting its ravages among our brethren, all
might know that he is the Lord God, is the doing of the Lord; and considering
even he alone
And the psalmist in that, let us then, with habitual and awful
express terms asserts the general propo- revertMice, bow before him in submission
sition, that fJod maketh himself known to his will.
by tlin judgments whirii he exeeuteth,
Hut, my l)rt'tbren, the judgment which
and Biiarelh the wicked in the work of iiis has, by the divine permission, visited our
f)wn liunds.
land, and which has this day brought us,
was
If,
then,
my
beloved ('hristivm friends,
judgments of (iod be both
professing humiliation, to the house of
a judgment as appalling in ita

designed lo awaken us to the ways of his elfects as it is novel in its rireumslances
providenre, liow should we lai)our to re- not only powerfully impresses the genegard and im|)rove them
Never let it be ral lesson of righteousness, wiiieh all the
tlie
fitliMJ
;ind
prayer
forgotten
that
ihc
provalonco of these
divine judgments arc calculatud
to
do,
'
THE BRITISH
296
but with a
and a loud voice reminds
fatal
PULPIT.
Ye opulent ye professional
whom I have now alluded let
the dying.
us, in the second place, of this other pe-
men,
culiar lesson, the uncertainty of life, and

the necessity and wisdom, therefore, of
not the unfounded and insane prejudices,
instant preparation for a Christian deatli

For, my friends,
of peace and hope.
what judgmnit has ever taught so widely

and so alarmingly the truth that we know
not what a day or a night may bring
What judgment has ever so terforth'?
rified the land with the similitude of the
psalmist " thou turnesl man to destruction, and sayest. Return, ye children of
men. Thou carriest them away as with
they are as a sleep in the morna flood
ing they arc like grass which groweth up.
In the morning it tlourisheth and groweth
in the evening it is cut down and wilh-
Yes,
ereth."
my
brethren,
how many
are the dwellings around us, where the

inmates, healthy and light-hearted when
the sun arose, have, ere the sun descended, given the dust to dust, and their spirit
to
Oh! how alarming
God]
to unpre-
pared and sinful men is a fate like this

No time is there for review no time for
no time for making assurepentance
rance of peace with God. Who prays not
earnestly at this moment for himself from
God, of thy good
"
a fate like this
!
mercy save and
deliver
me."
O,
my
brethren, confine not your feelings to a
to
I must term them, of some ignorant

and misguided individuals damp your
ardour, or relax your efforts, in your god-
as
like work of well-doing.

All that are
enlightened and generous approve and
applaud
and even the ignorant will
;
shame, as they ought, for

while it
is yours to enjoy, above all the praises ot
men, the gracious approbation of your consciences and your God.
eventually
feel
their uncharitableness and folly,
But
still,
again the startling question
recurs, under all that opulence and
me-
have contributed to
from our gates, are our
dical labour and skill
ward
off the evil
houses,
ask again, are
we
ourselves for
the future, with entire certainty, secure
from the desolating disease, and that

frightful rapidity with which it hurries
Never let it be
its victim to the grave ]
forgotten that opulence and medical skill
are but secondary means and causes, and
that their efficiency depends on the influential co-operation and blessing of our
heavenly Father. Let, then, our devout,
let the
sincere, and ardent aspirations
devout, sincere, and ardent aspirations of
every inhabitant of our city ascend to him
let us thrust our tears and supplications
Let them have before the footstool of bis throne, before

a permanent and practical influence on the great Mediator, that he will be pleased
The disastrous slill to be around us, and deliver us from
your hearts and lives.
inroads of the pestilential malady into tlie our threatening dangers and troubles.
But then, my people, let me impress
bosom of our own city have hitherto been,
through the divine forbearance in mercy, on every conscience and heart, if we hope
brief
momentary prayer.
among
spared
ns.
;
No
and as
but
who
will say for success to our supplications, that it is

say that not enough that in a momentary feeling
our persons are for the future secure] of devoutness we lift our hearts to the
Signal benevolence has been manifested throne of the Most High, but we must
for averting the mischief by the opulence carefully add to our supplications the ac-
comparatively limited
that our dwellings
who
will
labour of love has been

to the professional
bers of the healing
art,
mem-
they have by their
ceptable incense of penitent hearts and
holy lives
for thus only, let
us be as-
sured, can our hope be on rational and
conduct most richly deserved the grati- safe grounds. What is the language of
If it has any
tude of their fellow-citizens, and have Britons here this day]
won for themselves indelible reputation. meaning, it is that you believe in the
They have won it by the fearless expo- great truth of the constant superintendif it
sure of their own persons to the perils of ence of God over human affairs
infection in the discharge of their hazard- has any meaning, it is that he, by the ge;
ous duty,
unwearied and watch- neral tenor of his laws, manifests favour

beds of tlie diseased and to the godly ; but that he does, and ever
in their
ful toils at the
ON THE JUDGMENTS OF
will,
by the unchanîn^ principles of his highest
GOD.
297
to the lowest, learn this precious
book of God. Believe in

him with the heart
This is the effecttons has any meaning, it is that you arc unto righteousness.
conscious of much evil-doing that you ual way to be taken by every individual
truth from the
evil accordincr to
government, reward the
Christ, and believe in
If the languaore of Bri-
his iniquities.
deplore
it
in
own
your
personal case
who wishes
to obtain the
diminution of
and that you resolve

it
hereafter
cease from doing
to
that you resolve
to
be stead-
and immovable, always abounding

in the work of the Lord, which steadfastness and immovableness, and abounding
in the work of the Lord, may justify your
confessions here, and procure your acceptance in the day of final account.
fast
Now,
surely, never
was
there a louder
on Britons than there is this day, to

adopt this language in the sanctuary, and
Let all ranks
in all their future conduct.
call
among
us, therefore, as the best prepara-
tion for stopping this calamity
as
the
best preparation for that death which,
some other cause
not this calamity,
speedily bring upon us

repent and reform
all
men
let
will
men
let
if
all
of every rank
consult this book of God, which explains
the divine
land
judgment now ravaging our
by every individual who wishes
to
obtain for himself a ground of peace in

the prospect of that death
which
its
ap-
may
bring to him, but which, at

Let
all events, must soon come to him.
it be the business of all men to consider
proach
what
beseech the grace of

and to enable them to
follow after holiness, without whicii they
can never please nor see God.
God
faith
to
My
is
bestow
to
it,
brethren, these are the
are the
the
these
means
cherishings and actings of faith
means by which you may make
yourselves, as
have said, instruments
of good to the public, and by which you

may make yourselves ready for the hour
in
which the Son of man

surely, any long
Now,
shall
come.
detail or remark'
which alone can explain is unnecessary to convince you that for

it bears the stamp
the hour of the Son of man coming, the
let all consult this most important duty which a mortal has
of divine religion
book, and learn what the terms are on to discharge, is in the command to make
which Cod is willing to fr)rgivc the sin- himself ready. O, my brethren, how dener
what the terms arc on which they lightful will it be to you how delightful
can receive the assurance in their minds will it be to the friends that may surround
of their being heirs of that salvation which your dying couch, if you shall be one of
the Redeemer came to accomplish. They those sainted men who, having been tried
so clearly, and
with authority, because
will
find
that there
is
only one
way
in
wiiich the sinner can hope for forgive-
with tribulation, tried
to the
end of your
earthly career by the world and seduction,
shall be ready, at the call of your (Jod, to

no royal road to any resign its enjoyments, and, standing on
particular science.
So in the chair of the verge of eternity, shall be solaced with
truth, the teacher of religion is called on a conscience void of oflfence, when reflectto tell the people that there is no privi- ing on the past, and refreshed with the
ness.
It
was
said to a person of high
rank that there
is
leged road to heaven

road
prjculiar
reach
it
to tin;
peculiar
that there is no
prospect of an everlasting kingdom in the

The ministers of religion are
by which the high may lieavens

exclusion of
rf>ad l)y
tiie
poor
no
which the poor may reach
it
to the exclusion of tiie
is
the gale,anrl narrow
high
is tiie
"
Strait
way, which
called to furnisii consolation to the dying,
and they sec them in various conditions

But they will
of character and feeling.
tell you that eye cannot behold a more
sublime, or more instructing, or edifying

is but one
and one way, ihrougli which every spectacle than the deathbed of a good
living HnnI must rise to heaven
man full of humble confidence in (Jod^
if to heaven he risi' at all anri that is throngli faith rejoicing in the approbation of his own
triumphing over the fears of the
in Jesus Christ, and ihrougii that holiness heart
and singing, when he thinks himwliicii foll6ws lliat faith
if that faith is jrrave
Icadelh unto life;" but there
pate,
genuine.
Vol.
Let
38
all
ranks, then, from
llio
self standing on its very verge,
'* I
am
THE BRITISH
298
now
PULPIT.
tlie time of
around us in quest of those whom but a
have fouirht few moments we saw with delight on the
a good fight; I have finished my course; stage of life, the companions of our
I have kept the faith
henceforth tliere is youth, the f. icnds of our bosom, the chillaid up for me a crown of righteousness, dren perhaps whom nature designed to
wliich the Lord, the righteous judge, be props of our declining years, whither
shall give me at that day ; and not to me have they gone 1
A voice from their
only, but to all them also that love his grave pierces the heart of the thinking
soul, and calls on us all to be ready to
ap|)earing."
My dear friends, if this dignified termi- follow them. Listen, then, to this warnnation of our earthly trials be an object ing voice.
It accords with the dictates
we desire to gain if the state of our souls of universal experience every change
if in our condition reminds us of its truth
at death shall decide our eternal fate
the hour of our departure from time shall infirmities, as they draw upon us, tell
be the hour of our passage to happiness that the hour of our departure cometh.
or misery everlasting, I put it to your un- In this, the day of a merciful visitation
derstanding, if you will reflect, how care- in this, our present escape from the dreadfully, how intensely, how incessantly, we ful malady, let us attend to the things that
should prepare for its approach. Because belong to our peace
let us cherish the
we do not see it, we are apt to flatter our- dispositions, and hopes, and habits, the
selves that it is far distant.
But need I remembrance of which may cheer our
tell you, my mortal brethren, that you departed spirits
let us learn lessons of
were born to die ? If, at this solemn mo- righteousness from the judgments of God
ment, a heavenly messenger should delet us lay up for ourselves treasures in
scend from the sky, and announce the heaven, and then when our Lord comes,
time of your departure, as to an ancient whether he come in the first watch or in
was done thy sickness shall be unto the second whether this day or to-mordeath
this week shall be thy last week row
whether in the hour of our woron earth even this night thy soul shall ship or in the hour of business whether
be required of thee who among you when we are asleep or awake he will
would be ready for this message of terror ? find us ready. No painful retrospect will
Alas what tears of affliction would run disquiet our consciences
no anxious
down our cheeks at the remembrance of forebodings terrify our souls. If we lead
our sins what prayers we would give the life of the righteous, we shall die
ready to be ofTored, and
my
departure
is at
hand.
their death
for a short prolongation of our trials
we
shall depart like
them,
what thoughts would we have of those and be with them and our works shall
we left behind what solicitude would be follow us unto the habitation of our heavenly Father.
felt to finish our work of sanctification
I only add, and let all join in the prayer
But is an angel from heaven necessary to
;
Do thou, O God, to whom belong the

days issues of life do thou stand by us in our
that are gone, and the ages that are past, dying moments
support our feeble limbs
what has become of the multitude that in their passage through the dark valley,
filled them ]
Let us look around in quest and receive them into their everlasting
of those in our own time let us look rest, for Christ's sake. Amen.
tell
us that
we
are mortal
pointed days are few
As
that our ap-
for the
SERMON
XXXII.
THE TESTIMONY OF THE
BY THE LATE
"
cf
toe
For ye have not received
adoption, whereby
we
the spirit
are the children of God."
Rom.
RICHARD WATSON.
Ri:V.
of bondage again
cry, Abba, Father.
The
but ye have received (he Spirit
disposition, concerned as to their state,
making the strongest efforts to please

God what do you say of them 1 The
in the
fear
of persons exceedingly serious in their
apostle allows that
; and he speaks in the

person, as if there had been a time
when he was of that number thono-h
first
gospel into ac
He proved
tual and personal experience.
to
Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that
viii. 15, 16.
You are most of you familiar with the

argument of the apostle in the preceding
chapters of this epistle an argument of
the utmost importance, and which affects
the gêat foundations of our faith which
carries all that there is of established and
confirmed doctrine
SPIRIT.
however, he speaks
that is not very clear
world were guilty before God in the first person, and no doubt repreGentile, differing as they sents a class of persons.
And he shows
did in religious principles, in this respect in the chapter preceding this, that even
stood on the same ground
that ererr/ in this state of mind, when men are under
mouth is slopped ; there can be no justifi- the influence of the Spirit of God concation, no palliation, no boasting; every vinced of sin, the Spirit opening their
mouth is stopped, and the whole world eyes to discern the spirituality of the
is guilty before God.
And if guilty, then law, and inspiring them with tiie strongunder condcnmalion, under the penalty est di.staste of sin, and earnest desire to
of the law, under the penalty of death, be delivered from it he shows that even
liable to an eternal separation from God in this state the law can do nothing for
and happiness.
them tiiat it gives them the knowledge
The nirxt step which the apostle takes of their sin, and the knowledge of their
i.s
to show lliat the law of .Moses, as aj sin only; and that, though man consents
particular revelation of law, as a moral to the law that it is good, and strives to
law, furnished no means of justification' fulfil it, still he feels himself bound
ho
before God. This he proves from one finds a principle of corruption in his flesh
great principle, which is exceedingly which obtains the victory over every resoobvious, that by the law is the knowledge lution ; and so, at last, after repeated
of sin; and, therefore, the office of the struggles, he comes to the issue, and cries
law as to the guilty is to give them the out, " O wretched man that 1 am who
knowledge of sin, to convict them of it, shall deliver me 1" acknowledging that
and to show the penalty to which they the deliverance must come not from liimHow, then, can juslifica' self, but from without. Here, then, the
aro exposed.
tion come from the law ^
Its sole office gospel comes in ' I thank CJod, through
as to the guilty is to give them heart- JcBus Christ, my Lord," says the apostle,
rending knowledge of sin, and to reveal that ho is delivered. And then he tells
the conviction of this to all eternity. us, that there is no rondemnation to thera
to those who
But, it may be said, thcro are a number that arc in Christ Jesus
that a//
///e
that
Jew and
'
'
Tlin BRITISH PULPIT.
800
him, resting on him as their fies, so to speak, the genius of the law,
believing as to be justified, and calls it the spirit of bondage; calls it
and to be virtually united to him tiiore so, because there was that, they tell us, in
is no condcnination to them; the power the law, which naturally produces a servile
uneasiof sin is broken, and they walk not after spirit a servile dread of God
ness with respect to the future a want
the flesh but after the spirit.
The apostle then goes on to speak of of confidence even in all their services.
I doubt the fact.
the great and glorious privileges of all Brethren, I doubt that
true believers ; and, among the rest, he When the apostle tells us that he was
or quite alive in
introduces the one that is mentioned in alive without the law
that they are not only recon- his own mind, before the law was brought
the text
not only justified freely by home to him in its convincing energy, as
ciled to God
have
fled to
sacrifice
so
his grace, and brought into this state of reveaied in its spiritual meaning by the
fellowship and friendship with him but Spirit of God, he was not the subject of
they this servility not the subject of this

and that bondage not the subject of this fear
this is no matter of doubtful inference of nor had any of the Pharisees who were
We have an instance of
their own, from premises which they may unawakened.
wrongly lay down, or an inference so this in the case of the publican and Phaconducted that they may be mistaken in risee in the temple. The publican had
the spirit of bondage indeed ; but the
it; but that God himself shows it them
are certainly persuaded
that they
are passed from death unto
that
it is
the office of the
God, called
tion
life
Holy
Spirit of
in the text the Spirit of
and that He
it is
who
adop-
assures them
Pharisee, pressing boldly forward, justi-
himself before God.

It cannot,
be the meaning that the spirit
fied
therefore,
of this glorious truth.
of bondage
ject hefore us.'
genius of the law, because
This is the subneed not say it is one

deeply interesting to us all ; to know not
only that our sins may be remitted, and
that we may pass into the family of God
but to know that we may be graciously
assured of it from God the Holy Spirit
that it
that this assurance may be alive
may shed abroad its comforting and halI
lowing influences in our spirits continually

and that it shall be to us the blessed
is
the personification of the

all
those
who
were under the law would thus have

been affected by the bondage; and, since
the Pharisees were the most anxious to
obtain justification by the law, they
would be most under the influence of this
spirit, if, indeed, it were merely the personification of the genius of the law.
By
tle
the " Spirit of bondage" the aposmeans the Holy Spirit the Holy
pledge and foretaste of the assurance we Spirit in his convincing operations ; for
shall have of God's eternal favour, when it is his office to convince the world of
we see him in his glory, and when he sin. When he brings a man into that
speaks to us even from his throne. The state, that he consents to the law that it
Let is good that he would do good, yet hassubject, then, is of importance to us.
us attend to it let us endeavour to mark his eyes open to discern all his defects,
let us earnestly press into the and groans under a weight and burden
its nature
enjoyment of it, if we have not received it from which he cannot relieve himself,
and let us rejoice in the additional con- and under the power of a chain which he
and when he is brought
firmation of our faith, if, by the blessing of cannot break
God, we are now able to call him Father. into the state described by the apostle,
Let us, in the first place, ofller a few and says, " O wretched man that I am J
EXPOSITORY REMARKS ON THE TERMS OF who shall deliver me!" then he has reTHE TEXT. This is necessary to prevent ceived the Spirit of bondage unto fear.
The next term is " the Spirit of adoperror and misconception.
The first term which needs explanation, tion." Some suppose that this means
is
'
the Spirit of boiulaire."
indeed,
What may
the genius of the gospel personified, be-
mean by that? There are, cause there is something free, and liberal,
some who tell us that he personi- and hopeful in the whole character of
the apostle

TFIE
Christianity
that the Spirit of adoption

this character of Chris-
which
is the effect
TESTIMONY OF THE
SPIRIT.
301
slaves of sin, that
you;
is
not the language for
moment you
but the
believe in
men, allaying their Christ, and become a child of God by

But we faith in him, you may call him Father
fears and raising their hopes.
can easily prove, brethren, that the apos- with unfaltering tongue. Since you have
tle cannot mean the genius of the gospel entered into the condition of cliildren, you
by the expression, but the Holy Spirit may use the language of filial confidence
tianiiy .produces
in
because, observe, in the next
liiiiiself;
clause, " the Spirit itself," or himself, or
same
that
" beareth witness with
Spirit
our spirits, that
we
God."
rendered more clear by
This
is
are
and
filial fear.
worthy of notice that the apostle

adds, " the Spirit of adoption whereby we
It is
the children of cry Abba, Father," intimating to us that
the parallel passage in the epislle to the
"And
it
impossible to call
is
filial
because ye are sons,

God hath sent forth," not the genius of
adoption.
the gospel, but " the Spirit of his Son
racter,
Galatians,
God Father with
confidence, but by the
Spirit
Whatever measure
of
of
the
we may
receive in any other chaonly by the Spirit, as the

into your hearts, cr)ing Abba, Father." Spirit of adoption, that we can call God
And it is necessary that we reIf the Spirit of hki Son is the Holy Spirit, Father.
then is the Spirit of adoption here men- ceive this Spirit to the existence of this
Spirit
it
is
God, whose filial confidence, and to the authorized use

he has brought of this filial confidence.
us under a sense of bondage, and made
Having made these remarks on the
us sensible of the need of deliverance at terms of the text, we may secondly conthe hand of Jesus Christ, to seek it from sider THE OFFICE OF THE TWO WITNESSES
him to give us, in some way or other, that MENTIONED IN THE TEXT. " The Spirit
tioned the
Holy
particular office
is
Spirit of
after
blessed testimony and assurance of our
adoption into the family of

are the children of God.
God
For
that
we
this rea-
son, and in reference to this particular
he
office,
The
is
called the Spirit of adoption.
term
thinl
is
".îia," which
in
tors say, that the reason

in
the
why
that
was
Jew and Gentile were

God Father by
privileged to call
the term
Syriac language, and
then expressed in the (Jreek,
mate
not merely
to inti-
equally
the gos-
io
witness with otir spirit^''

our spirits, which it must
do, but along with our spirits
seems
that
the proper interpretation.
Thus we have
two witnesses
Spirit of
the Holy
God,
and our own spirit. It is important for

us to mark the distinction, and to know
There may be
what many commenta- the
" Father."
interpreted
some meaning
was used
is
itself beareth
office
of both.
Let us remark,
in
the
subject if their testimony
are the sons of
of the Spirit
awakened
is
to a
first
it is
place, the
" that
wo
God."
This testimony
not that we have been
sense of our fallen condi-
was no difference at all, tion that we have truly and heartily

that a very conbut that whoever believed, whether Jew repented us of our sins
or Gentile, entered into this common sideriiblc number of moral changes have
pel
that there
privilege; and that the believing (Jeiilile
was
as
much
a child of
God
as the believ-
taken place
that in
in
many
our affections and desires

we love that which
respects
ing Jew.
However, there is more prowe once hated, and hate that which wo
bably an allusion to the prohibition which once loved. All these things do in effect
was well known among the Jews and take place, more or less, preparatory to a
But then
others, that no slave was allowed to call man's justification before (lod.
tlie master of the family Abba, Father;
the office of the Spirit of adoption is not,
that was the language of a child, not a let it bo observed, to assure us of iheso
slave, and the apostle, therefore, repre-
sents this aH the great privilege of (Miristians, that they are
no longer servants,
no longer slaves; in that rondilion you
cannot call God Father. A the bond
various moral changes, and then to lead

us to conclude that, bncnuse of these
moral changes having taken place, we ara

iho children of God ; but the oh, eel of
the simple object of this
this testimony
2C
niE BRITISH PULPIT
302
testimony of
that
we
tlic
some witness
God
no rule by which
witnoss
Spirit, is to boar
are the cliildren of
to
give
we
to ihc great fact tliat
are
the children of God.
Let us observe,
it.
And
why
then
judge of
to
when God
accepts
my
he forgives
my
but he forgives
sin
the acting of his
faith,
own mind,
it
by
of which he
next place, that makes no revelation to man. The method he has appointed by which it shall
A competent wit- be conveyed to the heart of man for his
in the
the Spirit is the only witness that can give

direct evidence to this,
ness,
but the only competent witness.

spirits do not give evidence to
comfort
How
Our own
this fact;
it
is
the Spirit of
testimony of the Spirit.

testimony is revealed, or the
is this
this
God which manner in which
exclusively gives direct evidence to it.

So far as there is a direct testimony to
is difficult to
it is
to
describe
be communicated,
and it is not at all
necessary for us to be able to describe.

have nothing to There are various ways, probably, and
do with it; they are not competent to de- various degrees of confidence, by whicli
pose upon it; that is confined to the Spirit this great fact is communicated to man.
of God. Let us only consider, in order However it be, whether it be by any imto illustrate this, that the act of pardon pression, or by whatever name you may
takes j)lace upon our believing in Christ. call it, it is that w'hich amounts to a tesWhenever God accepts our faith when- timony, that which amounts to a witness,
ever our faith is that which he requires which puts away the doubt.
For why is
of us, then is a man justified from all a witness called in, but to clear up some
things; he is forgiven and admitted into doubt 1 For what purpose do we bring
the favour of God.
But then, this is an witnesses but to come at the knowledge
act which passes in the mind of God. of some truth 1
Now, whatever be the
Who can be cognizant of that actl It is means by which the Spirit may commuvery true God might give us a special nicate the truth, the great thing is comrevelation of it; or he might commission municated
in ways, perhaps, somewhat
an angel to assure us that our sins arc all different, but all coming from the same
But he has not pleased to do Spirit some persuasion, some assurance,
forgiven.
the fact, our
own
spirits
this;
it
is
not his
way
to
some conviction of the fact, that I am

now, through the mercy of God in Christ,
give a special
revelation as to this fact; nor
is
his
it
method to send an angel to assure us of a child of God that Christ has loved
IIow then does man become acquaint- me, and given himself for me.
it.
ed with it 1 The text informs us it is
Then we have the icitness of our own
" The Spirit beareth witness
the office of tlie Spirit, who knows all spirits.
things, and searches the deep things of with our spirit."
The Spirit of God
God. The spirit of a man does not know alone can bear direct witness to the fact
the spirit of another man
we cannot of our forgiveness and adoption wh)',
search our own spirits. The Spirit of then, are our own spirits brought to bear
God, however, says the apostle, knoweth testimony to that ?
Certain it is that
:
"the deep things of God."
And when where
of forgiveness takes place,
this act
the Spirit of God is there can be

no darkness; he makes himself manifest
in
by his own
pursuance of his own bencvolentwill and

the office whicli has been assigned to him
ful
light, as a voice
which
souls cannot be deceived by.
faith-
There
economy of our redemption, can be no delusion where the Spirit of

but there may be impresto renew, and becomes the God renews
Holy Ghost unto us. He only, therefore, sions which men may mistake for the
in the great
he hastens
can be cognizant of the fact whether or impressions of the Spirit of God ; and
not the act of forgiveness has taken place. therefore, our own spirits should be a
For the promises are general ; our names guard against a delusion of this sort: inare not written in these sacred pages
asmuch as where the Spirit of God dwells
whether
liave so believed as to
come up
respect
it is
not for
me
to
know
have
must necessadwell as the great Author of our

regeneration
as the source of all holy
as the Spirit of adoption he
to tlie requisitions of the gospel in this
rily
!

feelings and principles.
Tliese are in-
SPIRfT.
303
voice shall ever prevail
whatever
separable the one from the other. Where he shall ask he shall receive and that
the Spirit of God dwells he dwells with he shall be encouraged to ask by the preWhen he comes and vious assurance that God his Father can
all his graces.
These are
takes possession of a believer's heart, deny him no good thing.
there he is also, and must necessarily be, great and unspeakable blessings, but not
And our own attainable, say they. Well, then, brethas the Spirit of holiness.
spirits, x;onscious of these moral changes, ren, if they are not attainable, the state
of these holy principles and affections, of good men under the New Testament
come to the conclusion that we have dispensation is far inferior to the state of
received the Spirit of God. Now, the good men under the Old. And, if that
witness of our own spirits to the fact that be an absurdity, then the notion from
wc have received the Spirit of God that which it springs cannot be held. It is
those impressions of assurance which no neiu thing in the world. The first
have given us so much comfort are not man that ever offered a sacrifice in faith
delusive, but are from the Spirit of God obtained the testimony, the witness, of
Enoch walked with
himself the witness of our own spirits his acceptance.
is a direct testimony to this fact
but only God, and was not, for God took him
an indirect witness to the fact of our and before he was translated he had this
Now,
adoption. Thus we have a direct and an testimony
that he pleased God.
that
what was peculiar in the case of Enoch?

In the third place, we proceed to con- He was a sinful man, like ourselves and
sider a FEW ERRORS CONNECTED WITH THIS deserved as little at the hands of God.
DOCTRINE. I trust it is clear to all that, There is nothing in the experience of that
upon our believing in Christ with a peni- man, or any of the great men mentioned
tent heart, we are justified before God
in the Old Testament, but what may bethat the knowledge of that great act of come (allowing for the particular circumpardon of which only the Holy Ghost stances of their case) substantially and
can take cognizance is communicated to generally, the experience of every man
us by the Spirit of testimony and that that has faith in God. Look at the chaindirect witness.
from that springs up
confidence, and
filial
racter of
Abraham
see the
filial
confi-
use filial language, and call dence that he had from the moment God
God our Father. But there are some counted his faith for righteousness. He
errors connected with this important doc- was styled the friend of God; and every
the
power
to
action of his life showed that he knew

be noticed.
no cerlainty nf God was his friend. When David so
our being now in a stale of salvation
(Imt affectingly prays in his penitential psalm,
this is an unattainable blessing.
A great " Restore unto me the joys of thy salvaand unspeakable blessing it is acknow- tion," did he not recollect joys of salNot,
ledged.
For w'ho can fail to acknow- vation previously experienced ?
trine that
The
ledge
sinful
ought
to
first is, tliat there is
it
an unspeakable blessing
man should
look up to
tiiat
that lie should be enabled to

use such language as this
"0 liOrd, I
will praise thee thougli thou wast angry
wilii me, thine anger is turned away, and
confidence
surely, a salvation
which
related to
any
God with outward
deliverance; for the very nature

of the psalm, and the circumstances under
which it was composed, force us to con-
clude that the expression
'
tin*
joys of
thy salvation," refers to that holy state

of mind, and friendship with CJo<l, to
Behold, God is my
and not be afraid !" which he had been previously introduced,
that the n\an, unworthy as he is of the and which thus sprean so much joy
least of (lod's mercies, having llie access through his spirit, arising from the assuof a child to iho throne of lli>' heavenly rance of hi^ being an object of llic divino
These were the joys lh;it had
grace, may go with filial confidence, and fivoiir.
ask, and rtnîve whatevi^r blessings he been williered by his sin; and lor iho
may need in time and eternity that his rcstoruliun and revival of those joys ho
thou coinfurlesl me.

salvation
will trust

THE BRITISH
304
So many other passages showi

was the case with {rood nieni
prayed.
that this
And
PULPIT.
perfectly inconsistent with the idea that
there shall be a doubt lianging over the
I am accepted with God.

be a dispensation more glorious, and if Take all this that it is impossible for
we know that the Spirit of Cod has this us to attain such an assurance as shall
particular office, and bears this particular give us a general degree of peace, and
character of the Spirit of adoption, we save our spirits from anxiety and fear.
are not to conclude that we are placed in But then they tell us there is a great dan-
under the old dispensation.
if
ours' fact whether
nferior, but in superior circumstances, ger (if fanaticism if we teach the doctrine
even, to the saints of the Old Testament that this knowledge is communicated by the
dispensation, with respect to the comfort-
able assurance of our being
We
may
now
accepted.
but, in all its stages,
therefore,
say also that this notion, that in this
no such assurance is attainable, is contrary to all the words of Christ and his
apostles.
We do not mean to say that
the assurance may not be in a different
degree. It may be accompanied with
admixtures of doubt; it may be, in the
first instance, far from being a strong
assurance
direct impression
which gives comfort, and
it is
that
it
way:
and impulse if God ; and
much more
is
safe to proceed
since, they tell us,
God
has said that as many persons are his

children as bear certain characteristics,
we must examine
ourselves to discover
whether these are found in us and, if

we find them in us, we may come to the
;
conclusion that
we
God
in this safe
way
and
it
is
we
that
are the children of
and rational
comfortable
gain a
per-
and peace, suasion of our being adopted into the

to the soul.
In all its degrees it enables family.
Well ; we allow all that is very
man to call God Father. When our plausible but then, what are we to do
Lord says, "Come unto me, all jê that with the text, and other texts 1 Men may
but are we
are weary and heavy laden, and I will make plausible theories
give you rest"
can such words be recon- bound to receive the Scriptures or not]
rest,
ciled with the idea of our being in a state
of uncertainty as to whether
cepted of
God
uncertainty
we
are ac-
Remember what
implies
remember
implies
this
God
my
friend or
am
that
that
it
And
are
we bound
or not?
ask,
to interpret
what
we
are
them fairly
to do with
the text on such a theory as this

apostle speaks of the Spirit of
The
God
as the
whether Spirit of adoption what meaning has

enemy. I am that ? And then he tells us we have not
uncertain whether his wrath abides upon received the Spirit of bondage unto fear,
me unmitigated by any merciful pardon but the Spirit of adoption, whereby we
and that the Spirit
or whether he secretly regards me, though cry Abba, Father
he has not manifested this, with compas- itself, that same Spirit, the Spirit of adopbe
uncertain
my
sion and kindness.

certainty whether
this
day or not
It
is
shall
therefore,
uncertainty whether
matter of un- tion, the

live through with our
it is
matter of
die under the curse
of God, or under his smile whether I

to be happy or miserable for ever.
Uncertainty as to our acceptance with
am
we
Holy
Spirit,
spirits,
and
to
are the children of
bears
testimony
our spirits, that
God.
That
is
the
we come to the knowledge of the fact.

And what is it that
you can invent another ? What is it that
process by which
you can conceive of another? I put it to

you whether you are to form your reliif the man be awakened, and the mind be gious opinions from Scripture, or by your
Take that passage in
serious, that, if this be the only state into own imaginations 1
which our religion brings us, mitigated the Galatians, " Because ye are sons"
by some degree of hope is it possible because ye are adopted and accepted into
" God hath sent forth
that Christ himself can give us rest'? the family of God
" Come unto me, all ye that are weary," the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, cryhowever, he says, " and I will give you ing, Abba, Father." Why, you cry Abba,
And the very idea of a spirit at Father, according to this tlaory, by virrest."
rest, a spirit in a state of quiet repose, is tue of your own discovery it is your own
God
implies
all
this; and is
it
possible,

reasoning and inference that cry out in
the
SPIRIT.
same
305
faith that brings us into this
Abba, Father. Will you take state must maintain us in this state. We
we must be laying
that voice of your own judorment, instead must watch and pray
of the blessed voice of the Spirit of God aside every weight, and the sin which
fighting the good fight of faith,
in his character of the Spirit of adoption 1 besets us
Let us go a little nearer this objection. if we will lay hold of eternal life; and all
There are certain fruits of the Spirit, it this from the beginning.
Then there is another rrror that Ihis
is said, by which we are to infer that we
And what are coniforlablc assuru7Ke and persuasion of our
are the children of God.
If you examine you will adoption is the pi-ivileiê imly if some emithese fruits'?
That I believe is a very
find that several are such fruits of the nent Christians.
Spirit as must necessarily imply a pre- general notion.
There is no authority
vious persuasion communicated to us by for it certainly in the book of God. This
God himself, and a previous persuasion blessing is as common a blessing as parit is put on the same ground, it is
of our being in the favour of God. We don
have a catalogue of these fruits, " The offered in the same general manner. And
fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, I would say the whole of that objection is
gentleness,
goodness, grounded on some secret idea of some
long-suffering,
temperance; against moral worth some idea that holy perfaith, meekness,
such there is no law." " Love" now sons may attain to this by a merit of their
you would say this doctrine leads us to own, but others cannot. Brethren, none
say a man must examine whether he of theae gifts are bestowed, but as they
has love to God "joy," whether he has are the purchase of the blood of Christ;
joy in God; "meekness," whether he and they are all parts of the great salvahas got meekness; " goodness, fidelity, tion held out to you, however unworthy,
temperance," and if he has all these, he without money and without price.
is to conclude that he is a child of God.
I would say of that error to which I
Why, is it not most obvious to you that have already adverted, that respects the
it is absurd to look for such a fruit of the
direct impulse of God on the mind,
Spirit as love to God our reconciled Father that I wonder any man
I wonder there
your
spirit,
till
we
/enow
or peace,
him
till
as our reconciled Feather
we know
that
we
are at
peace with himl Therefore these fruits

of the Spirit are the fruits of the Spirit
of adoption previously bestowed ; and
you cannot expect to find such fruits, and
never will find them, independently of
the previous assurance that God is reconciled to
man
you
in Christ.
The moment
pardoned he receives the Spirit of

adoption, and he immediately can call (ied
his Father, and he can love him, and be
at peace w ilh liiin, and rejoice in hini.
Then we notice another error. Some
is
many
are so
persons, generally speaking,
serious and excellent persons,
who
afraid of a doctrine of that sort, and
associate with
it
it
are
would
ideas of fanaticism.
Is
not the universal doctrine of the book
God ] That God should dwell with

men that he should make the human
of
heart his
man
into
not this
tion
spirit?
temple
that
he should
ti-.ke
communion with himself is

the glory of the new dispensa-
Is not this all consistent
And you
lose
all
with
its
these gran-
all these hopes of man, in u base

and wretched fi'ar, by which you make
persons confmiiid thin amuraiire of present yourselves subservient to the silly infidel
acceptance with an usatiraure of final salva' philosophy of the world.
Let us think
The one is Vf-ry distinct from the belter things lei us think nobler things
lion.
other; for the last I find no authority in
lei us enter iimre fully into the chiiWe may live in the racter of ihi- Christian dispensation, and
the book of God.
comfortable assurance llr.it we are accept- know that while, on the one hand, (his
that God
ed of fo(l hut that conveys to ns no cer- grarul Iriith is revealed to us
tain aSHurance that wo kIi;\II finally be dwells in man, and man is called to
Wi- must slill walk by the same dwell with (iod, and to walk with him
saved.
deurs,
rule
we must
Vol. 1. 39
ft
still
mind
the
same things;
in Secret, sensible, vital
'Jc2
fellowbhip and
THE BRITISH
306
PULPIT.
that, wliile this is acknowlodtfed to resist those impressions, and to turn

one of the glories of our religion, it is not deaf ear to these awful warnings,
union
possible for a
man
The
rightly under-
that
subject applies itself to those
a*
who
have a burdened conscience. How many

an occasion of folly or of sin that there of you desire to call God, Father? How
is a sanctity in it as pure and delicate as many of you have heard of this blessing,
the glory of tlie doctrine itself and that, and perhaps' have been waiting for it?
wherever the Spirit of fJod dwells, there And what is the reason that you have not
must be all the fruits of the Spirit and been brought into this state? How is it
that every man must know, unless he be that you are not rejoicing in the mercy of
that you have not received the
wilfully ignorant, that it is only those your God
stands
it
to
convert such a doctrine into
who
are led by the Spirit of
God
that are
Spirit of adoption
Have you
the sons of God.
Examine
earnestly desired it?
the fact.
Has
it
Let us conclude the whole by a few been a special object of your prayer?
Have you learned the art of waiting upon
practical observations
In the first plaice, this doctrine may God, keeping your spirits in a waiting
well turn the attention of those of you to! frame? Have you been looking out for
your own condiiion, who have an assu- God ? Have you been fully persuaded
rance in your minds, with respect to your that this is your Christian privilege and
Do you recollect this is a blessreliorious state, that you are under the calling?
ing to be attained by simple trust in
''ill living caredivine displeasure,
'' ^"]-eat salvation.
Christ; that you must plead the merit of
lessly, and necrlef'^
Am I addressi.y ' ^'' '^^ ^^S the divine his atonement? And do you know that
^^^^'"that those
-ou can- mere trusting will not do ?
presence? You^""^
not have heard th^"^*; """j" "'^!en as you who really trust will plead and pray?
have without knowingj^y ^ ^Gr religious When once you get the faith that pleaJs,
that y"^ ^âve no good and prays, and waits, it is not long before
state is not rigl.t
hope through grace that you are not God will hear your earnest pra)'er, and
founded on a rock that were you called say unto you, "I am your salvation."
The blessing is
into the presence of God you would re- Now look up to him.
And purchased you are sinful, and you need
ceive the summons with dread.
and cannot, therefore,
yet, alas! with this assurance, with this the heavenly gift
inward persuasion and conviction in your be better prepared for it. All things are
minds, how carelessly you hear how ready; come to the marriage. There is
:
you immerse yourselves
the business
the blessing of pardon, free justification
and pleasures of this life how habitually

do you restrain prayer before God and
how presumptuously do you depend on
before God, with the Spirit of adoption,-
in
the exercise of his mercy at some future

time! I beseech you, brethren, by the
whereby you
There is grace
call
God your
Father.
your acceptance
in the gospel
I warn you against resting
It cannot be, that these imshort of it.
offered to
mercy which has spared you till this day, pressions shall continue with them in all
God has begun a good
that you no longer live in this state. their strength.
Turn to God confess your sin before work in you, and awakened you to a senseGod let the weight of your case rest of the meaningof thisgreatchange. You
on your conscience fly to his mercy must follow on to know the Lord, and
-remember all that has been said, and must determine to wait for him, as those
otherwise
all you have hnard, from time to time, of who watch for the morning
his infinite willingness to pardon all tliem those impressions will become weak, and
that return to him
and carry this weight by and by you will lind you have grieved
with you no longer.
ICnter into rest
the Spirit of God, and that he has depart-
from you. God is pleased that you

with him and increase not the weiglii should take hold of his strength. Jacob,
of your future punishment, by continuing when he discovered that he was wrestling
take hold of
God
that
you may be
at peacr-
'"1

THE PULPIT GALLERY.
307
with the angel of the covenant when he the word of eternal life. He appears to
found he had got hold of a heing who have formed his religious character chiefly
could bless him, he grasped him the on the model of Brainerd ; and as lie
more powerfully, and would not let him equalled him in his patience, fortitude,
go.
God is well pleased with your ear- humility, and love, so he strictly renestness ; take hold of the same conde- sembled him in his end.
Both, nearly
scending angel of the gospel covenant, at the same age, fell victims to a scries
and say, " 1 will not let thee go unless of intolerable privations and fatigues,
voluntarily incurred in the course of their
thou bless me."
Let those who have the Spirit of adop- exertions for the propagation of the faith
of Jesus.
And though their death was
your not a violent one, the sacrifices they made,
blessing.
Turn from the world, and and the suflerings they endured, entitle
claim the communications of his grace, them to the honours and rewards of a
the sanctifying influence of God the protracted martyrdom.
Their memory
Spirit.
Take hold of his infinite mercy, will be cherished by the veneration of all
and out of that fulness we sliall receive succeeding ages ; and he who reads their
them, and grace for grace; until at last lives will be ready to exclaim, "//ere ia
we enter on the great inheritance above, the faith and patience of the saints."
and see him in his glory for ever and
tion recollect their privileges.
ren, then heirs, iieirs of
God
If child-
this is
ever.
GOD
God
THz: PTJZ.FIT
c.ai.z<z:ii7.
NO. XI.
nSTIMONV TO THE CHARACTER OF UENRY

MARTY.V.
BY THE LATE REV.
The
R.
HALL.
religious public have lately been
favoured with a
ricii accession to the recorded monuments of exalted piety, in

the life and religious experience of the
lamented Henry Martyn. It is delightful
to behold in tlie history of tliat extraordi-
nary man, talents, which attracted the

admiration of one of the most celebrated
scats of learning, consecrated to the honour of the cross an enterprising genius,
;
in the ardour of youth, rpliiK|uishing the
pursuit of science and of fame, in orih'r
and a
Schwartz.
Crowned with the highest
honours a university could bestow, we
see him quit tlie luxurious shades of
academic bowers, for a tempestuous ocean
and a burning clime, for a life of peril
and fatigue, from which he co<il(l expect
no other rrw.ird i!inn liie heroic pleasure
of cuuununicaling to perishing millions
to travel in tiie steps of a Brainerd
is
love
13
all
LOVE.
his
perfections and
procedures are but so many modifications

of his love.
What is his omnipotence
but the arm of his love'?
What his om-
medium through which

he contemplates the objects of his love?
What his wisdom but the scheme of his
love ]
What are the oflêrs of the gospel
but the invitations of his level
What
the threatenings of the law but the warnings of his love] They are the hoarse
voice of his love, saying, " Man do thyself no harm."
They are a fence thrown
round the pit of perdition, to prevent rash
men from rushing into ruin. What was
the incarnation of the Saviour but the
niscience but the
richest illustration of his love
\V hat
were the miracles of Christ hut the condescensions of his love ? What were the
sighs of Christ but the breath ef his love?
What were the prayers of Christ but the
What were the

pleadings of Jiis love?
tears of Christ but the dew-drops of his
What is this earth hut the theatro
love?
love?
What is
heaven but the Alps of his mercy, from
whose summits his blessing.^, flowing
(If)wn in a thousand streams, desceml to
for the display of his
wat'T ati<l
its base 1
his church siluaied at

Dr. IVaugh.
rr-fresh
SERMON
XXXIir.
ON THE VICARIOUS SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST.
BY THE
RT. REV. DR.
BLOMFIELD,
BISHOP OF LONDON.
'For I
delivered unto you first of all that which
according
"
I also
received,
to the Scriptures."
The words which
ascertained
first
but
are here rendered

of all," are otherwise interpreted,
it
how
Cor. xv.
that Christ died
by that stupendous miracle ;

would have been to the conscious
and mean, amongst the chief things or

principal doctrines of the gospel.
It is
sinner a
life
sence of
God and an
not very material which of the two sentences we attach to the expression ; for
the words which St. Paul had delivered
Whatever comfort
to the Corinthians, first in order,
tians,
which was made sure by the

its
resur-
root in his cruci-
he had not died for our sins,

again would not have established the fact of our justification; life
and immortality would indeed have been
fixion
for if
his rising
308
of seclusion from the pre-
immortality of wo.
is to
be derived from
the reflection, that the resurrection of
Jesus Christ from the dead is the earnest

were no and assurance of our own, derives all its
doubt considered by him to be first in importance they were the foundation, on

which the whole superstructure of Christianity was to be raised.
The great and
astonishing fact that Josus Christ died
for our sins, as an essential and vital truth
of the gospel revelation, occupies every
where the most conspicuous place in the
preaching of the great gospel which he
himself describes as being emphatically
the "preaching of the cross."
So entirely does the whole fabric of gospel
truth appear to him to rest on this one
foundation stone, that he speaks of it as
being the one needful and sufficient point
of knowledge for the Christian minister;
" I determined," he says, " not to know
any thing among you save Jesus Christ
and him crucified; God forbid that I
should glory save in the cross of our
Lord Jesus Christ." The hope of Chrisrection of Jesus, had
for our sins
3.
efficacy frojn the truth that he died
our sins.
It is
only through this
for
medium
that the prospects of the eternal world

can be contemplated without apprehen-
man, it is this considerawhich enables us to view the

attributes of God with complacency and
comfort, and diffuses over them a sweet
and attractive view of love. The suffersion
by
sinful
tion alone
ings and death of our Saviour Christ are

indeed a most interesting and important
subject of inquiry, as evincing his perfect
sincerity and
his
own
devotedness, and proving
entire conviction of the truth of
what he taught and we
by no means
viewing the benefits which have been derived
by us from that wonderful act of condescension and goodness. But if we go no
;
are
to lose sight of this consideration in
farther than this,
we
of the whole truth
stop very far short
and our notions of

that part of the Christian economy, which
the apostle held to be of primary and vital
importance, will be miserably defective
and inaccurate. If the death of Christ
was nothing more than his last and most
;
decisive attestation of the
truth of hi*
THE VICARIOUS SUFFERINGS OF

teaching, it was a mere historical fact involving in itself no peculiar doctrine,
fact, of -which St. Paul could not have
been ignorant if he had ever heard the
name of .Tesus; and yet he says that lie
received it, that is to say, by revelation
CHRIST.
309
silent as to the great object
which was
to
be achieved by the voluntary death of

Christ, the prophets of the Old would
have furnished an explanation of that
act of humiliation and mercy, calculated
to satisfy all
our anxiety, and to animate
our hopes
and
make
the subject of that revelation being, not

simply the fact that Christ had died, but
all
that he had died for our sins.
affordingacompleteand sovereign remedy
Again, had our blessed Lord submitted

to a painful and ignominious death, only
for the purpose of establishing his own
veracity, and setting a seal to the truth of
the message of holiness which he had
proclaimed, it might indeed have been
for sin.
said of Him, considering how deeply, the

best interests of mankind were involved
message, he laid
mankind,
for their improvement and for their instruction; but in no intelligible sense of
the word could it be said, tliat, he died
"died for
for their sins; the particle/or
being in the original a word
their sins''
in the belief cf that
down
his life for the sake of
which
signifies on account of; evidently
implying, that as s/j caused the death of

Christ, so the death of Christ was to be
the cause of God's forgiving sin.
The
expression "/r our sins," cannot reasonably be taken in any other sense than this
in expiation of our
sins
as in the
fifth
chapter of the epistle to the Hebrews;

" Every high priest taken from among
men, is ordained for men in things per-
may offer both

and sacrifices for sins." But the
concluding words of the text arc (juite
decisive, as to the sense in which Jesus
Christ is declared, by the apostle, to have
" 1 delivered unto you
died for our sins.
taining to God, that he

gifts
first
of
that
all
which
also received,
how
that Christ died for our sins according to
to
dispensation appear in
its
the gospel
true colours, as
That the prophets
distinctly an-
nounced the connexion between the sufferings of Christ and the salvation of
mankind is a fact pointed out by St. Peter, of which salvation he says: "The
prophets have inquired and searched
diligently,
who
prophesied of the grace
which should come unto them searching

what or what manner of time, the Spirit
of Christ, which was in them, did signify,
when
it
beforehand the suffer-
testified
ings of Christ and the glory that should
follow."
More
particularly in the great
and evangelical prophet, the doctrine of

the atonement is clearly and unequivocally marked out, that wc should find in
his glorious foreshadowing of gospel
truth, a sure and immovable fcurdation
for this vital doctrine
and even if it had
not been seen, as in fact it is, so interwoven with the whole texture of apostolic
teaching, every attempt to separate it
would lacerate and mutilate the Cliristian
system, and leave it disfigured with an
open inconsistency.
Let us hear it:
"Surely he hath borne our griefs and
carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem
:
God and afflicted.

he was wounded for our transgression, he was bruised for our iniquities:
the chastisement of our peace was upon
him, and M'ith his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray ; and
him
stricken, smitten of
Ihit
upon him the iniquity

For the transgression cf my
people was he stricken." No Christian,
Scriptures.
In these prophecies, there- it is to be presumed, will dispute that
fore, we may expect to find, not merely these prophecies relate to the sufferings
tho declaration, that the Messiah, the and death nf the Messiah; and will any
anointed one, should die, but some inti- one, whither a (^lirisiian or not, deny that
mation of the manner in which his death the sufferings are described and are spoken
should be connected with tho sins of of as expiatory, undergone by one person
mankind and surli in fart is the charac- in tlie stead of other-, and for the purpose
ter of tiiese predictions.
Had tho writers of redeeming ihcm from tlieconsiquenccB
What is the commentary
of llie New Testament been altojrelher of their sins.
the Scriptures," that
the Lord hath laid
to the prophecies,
of us
is to say, according
concerning the Messiah, which are contained in the Jewish
all.
tup: BlilllSH PULPIT.
310
upon
of the apostle
affecting prophecy
St. Peter;
tliis
Hear
subliino
the
and
account, sin-offerings,
words of ings
" Christ also suffered
or
trespass-offer-
but those sacrifices went no farther
for us,
than to procure a remission of the tem-
leavinor us an example, that ye should
poral punishment due to those offences;
who
in
consideration of them, God being
who, pleased to withhold his immediate judgwas guile found in his mouth
when he was reviled, reviled not again ment which had been denounced against
when he suffered, he threatened not; but offenders. But it was impossible that
committed himself to him that judgeth such offerings could, by any intrinsic
righteously: who his own self bare our worthiness of their own, make amends
sins in his own body on the tree, that we for sin, or appease the righteous Judge
being dead to sin, should live unto rightof mankind that could only be effected
eousness
by whose stripes ye were by a sacrifice of a very different kind, of
healed." The prophet says, " For the which those were merely the shadows
transgression of my people was he smit- yet they were the shadows, and therefore
ten."
The apostle says to the Romans, they resembled the substance as to their
*' He was delivered for our offences ;" and
outward appearance, especially in one
follow his steps
did no sin, neitiier

:
" lie gave himself for

Again, the language of Isaiah
is, " The chastisement of our peace was
upon him." St. Paul tells the Ephesians,
" But now in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes were far olf are made nigh by the
blood of Christ." " He was led as a lamb
remarkable feature, in the shedding of

blood:
"Almost all things," says the
apostle, in the passage above referred to,
" are by the law purged with blood ; and
without shedding of blood there is no
remission.
It was therefore necessary
that the pattern of things in the heavens,"
to the slaughter," is the prophetical dethat is, the things under the spiritual
scription
" Ye were redeemed," says dispensation, " should be purified with.
the apostle, " with the precious blood of these
for Christ is not entered into the
Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish holy places made with hands, which are
and without spot."
Were there any the figures of the true; but into heaven
doubt as to the bearing of this prophecy itself, now to appear in the presence of
upon the doctrine of satisfaction and God for us nor yet, that he should offer
atonement, it would be removed by the himself often, as the high priest entereth
express prediction of the angel solemnly into the holy place every year with blood
for then must he often have
delivered to Daniel
that the Messiah of otiiers
should " finish transgression and make suffered since the foundation of the
an end of sin, and make reconciliation for world :" that is, since the IMosaic disiniquity."
If therefore, my brethren, pensation: "but now once in the end of
Christ died for our sins according to the the world hath he appeared to put away
This
Scripture, he died in expiation of those sin by the sacrifice of himself."
he died to reconcile man to God. then is the reasoning of the apostle, as
sins,
But the Scriptures of the Old Testa- the expiatory sacrifices under the law
ment set forth the expiatory nature of offered year by year continually, were
Christ's suffering and death; not merely effectual, by God's gracious appointment,
in express prophecy, but in the imagery to procure remission of the temporal
of type and shadow. It is to this more punishment due to offences under the
so the sacrifice of Christ
particularly, that St. Paul refe s in the Mosaic law
passage which I recommend to your most and his precious blood shed upon ihe
serious and careful perusal, as most com- cross, offered by him once for all in the
pletely establishing the doctrine of the heavenly sanctuary, is effectual to the
to the Galatians,
our sins."
mean the ninth and tenth remission of those penalties which are,
Under the law, offences from the nature of eternal justice, due to the
committed in ignorance, or though inad- sins of all mankind, for which it is imposvertency, might be expiated by certain sible that the blood of bulls and of goats
sacrifices, which were called, on that could ever be taken as a commutation.
atonement,
of Hebrews.
THE VICARIOUS SUFFERINGS OF

After such testimony as this,
dispense with
"well
all
we may
further argument,
CHRIST.
311
of the perfect law of holiness,

by the
promises of reward, nay, by the prospect
of immortality, if 1 am at the same time
That Christ died for our

AND SECONDLY, That He died for our assured of what my own reason and consins according to the Scriptures.
This is, science too plainly suggest to me, that
in truth, the point to which all the Scrip- obedience, complete, unvaried obedience,
tures directly or by implication tend,
is not within my power, and that, if it
this is the centre to wliieh all the lines were possible for me to do all that God
to prove FIRST,
sins,
of Christian verity verge

fied to take
away
Christ cruci-
the sins of the world,
according to the pre-determined council

of God; foreshadowed, hy his Holy Spirit, in prophecy and type; carried
into
effect by the unwilling agency of those
who rejected and despised him. If the
death of our Saviour Christ had not been
a real and complete expiation for the sins
of mankind,
had not efl'ected an atonement, that is to say, tiie reconciliation of
men with God, the whole system of
Scripture might have been deprived of
its characteristic beauty, and enervated of
its strength.
The apparatus of prophecy,
of type, and emblem would have wanted
its corresponding reality under the gospel dispensation
the revelation vouchsafed, by the Holy Spirit, of the nature
of the divine attributes, the law of holiness, and the sinfulness of man
while
they enhanced and magnified the glory of
requires of me,
should
be an un-
still
profitable servant, deserving of no thanks,
and no recompense?
to
look
come
for,
\Vliat then have
knowing how
infinitely short
such a sinless, though unproI am compelled to

acknowledge w'ilh shame and confusion
I
fitable
to
obedience'?
my
of face, that
sins are
than the hairs of
my
more
in
number
The
head.
gospel
without the atonement might certainly
contribute to my j)resent ease and comfort, by regulating my actions and desires and it would promote the peace and
well-being of society, because it incul;
cates the duties of forbearance and love
but
would not remove the load of
it
which
lies
so heavily on
of a just and holy
diminish, for
number of
would not
it
my
God
me
in
guilt
the sight
although it might
could never do away, the
actual
suffice to
transgressions,
it
calm the pangs of
remorse, it would not mitigate the horrors

God, would have blotted out the hand- of the parting hour, without the fair pros-
writing of ordinances.
The
viour Christ
lineas;
pect of deliverance from
incarnation of our Lord and Sa-
it is
is
the great inystery of god-
a mystery in
itself,
but
it
is
a mystery of godliness only when viewed
the
wrath
to
But admit the doctrine of the
come.
atonement, and the gospel at once appears,

as it was described by the angel who
heralded the birth of its divine author, not
connexion with its end,

the death of only " Glory to God in the highest"
an ali-sufTicient Mediator.
His doctrines but " On earth peace ;" peace between
were the emanation of perfect wisdom, man and God, Christ reconciling man
holiness, and love ; and they proceeded unto God by the cross, having slain the
from his love in all the persuasiveness of enmity thereby. Tlu> gospel is indeed
reality;
the works which he did testi- the glory of God ; but it is from the cross
fied the truth of his declaration, that he alone that it beams with a healing revivin
was
Son of (iod; and it was placed ing light. The brightiu'ss (if his presence
all dispute by the most won- would be una|i|)roa(-hable and intoleral)le
derful of his miracles,
his resurrection were it not shrouded by the veil of suffrom Iho dead. Therefurc of the truth of fering linmanily, in the person of iiis inthe
beyond
divine authority, and
carnate Sou, (lying for the express pur-
paramount obligation on tlie consciences of mankind, I can entertain no

doubt.
Hut in what respects am I a
gainer by the ligiil which lias thus been
shed on the whole of the promises of
pose of bringing us near to (i(,d.

For
" now in ("lirist Jesus, ye who smncliinrs
his religion, of
liis
its
God,
by
the instruction they liavu given
were
far
ofl"
are
made nigh
l>y
the lilnod
by the
merely of the gospel, nor by the
revelations of the gospel, nor by the ordi-
of Ciirisl."
prece|)t3
Ii is
not, tiieret'orc,
THE BRITISH
312
nances of the church, that sinners are

brought nigh unlo Cod, but by the blood
of Christ: and the precepts, and revelation and promises and aids of the gospel
all were in evidence of the efficacy
which we derive from the shedding of
On
ihat precious blood.
ture stands the

It is the
whole
this superstruc-
spiritual
PULPIT.
God's
of
providence, especially
springs of love and holiness which were

action
in
before
sire to look,
and
The
source of humility, the object of

of God's mercy.
in
the
not the only mysterious features of God's
The moral state

mystery throughout, a mystery respecting which reason must be
content with the light which revelation
casts upon it; and even with that light it
can only be viewed "as through a glass
darkly." For what can be more mysterious than the origin of sin and evil in the
world 1 A question on which all the
powers of human reason have been exerted without success, which no man pretends to consider as clear and easy of
comprehension ; and if the origin of sin
and evil be mysterious, w-hat reason have
take our stand
we
if
this
we
dealings with mankind.
relinquish
to-
If Christ died not for our sins

to the
not a
full,
Scriptures
if his
death
and sufficient
perfect,
sacrifice and oblation for the sins of the

world, then is our preaching vain, and
but if it was, we
;
assurance which alone can
satisfy the desires and appease the anxieties of a conscious sinner; we have an
advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ,
and he is the propitiation for our sins.
your
have
faith is also vain
that
Well,
it
may be
said,
the words of Scripture
we
admit that
seem
to
who
can bear it?"
man
we
to
My
we cannot believe
surpasses the grasp of our reason;
cannot understand it; "it is a hard
is
conclude that
What
its
remedy should
you believe the Scripto them the ordinary

rules of interpretation, nay, if you do not
torture and disfigure them for the express
it, it
saying,
of
favour not be mysterious
your supposition, but
we
which alone made that
so infinitely meritorious, are
recede
according
was
one of
ground then, as believers
which holds the whole system
gether.
is
we
one hair's breadth from

that
probably
expiatory sacrifice of Christ, and
expiation
this
this
them.
temple.
key
On
foundation of the
his divine nature
gospel,
the
but there are some of the divine

councils into which even the angels de-
world
faith, the principle of sanctification, the

to all the treasures
with
the secrets of redemption, those hidden
tures,
right
brethren, if
and apply
have you to expect that nothing should

be proposed in holy Scripture for your
belief, but that which you can thoroughly
comprehend 1
Undoubtedly you can
comprehend the fact that Jesus Christ
purpose of getting rid of the mystery,

(and even then you cannot blot it out
from the blessed gospel,) you cannot fail
to perceive the word " atonement," writ-
did die for our sins, although you may be

wholly ignorant of the mode in which his
sult then
ten therein in characters of light.
Con-
your ow-n conscience; go down

into the chambers of imagery, unravel the
propitiation was effectual, and of the rea- secrets of your heart, see what they are.
sons which moved the supreme arbiter of and what they ought to be, and what of
the universe to accept that wonderful themselves they never can be, and you
mode of reconciliation. The Scripture will wish the doctrine to be true. Emnot only proposes to us the doctrine of brace it cordially, and with prayer for the
the divine Redeemer, but it proposes it increase of your faith, and you will soon
expressly as a mystery a great mystery
feel the force of the exclamation, " Oh
thus primarily excluding it, as to its wretched man that I am, who shall demode, from the legitimate province of liver me from this body of sin and
reason, and classing it among the things death ?"
Once convinced of your own
Avhich are to be believed, simply and ex- sinfulness and insufficiency, you will
clusively, because (Jod has revealed them readily admit that it is indeed "a saying
to us.
No doubt it would gratify the worthy of all accoptation,that Jesus Christ
pride, and satiate the curiosity of man, to came into the world to save sinners."
be made acquainted with all the reasons
But then is it not an awful as well as

THE VICARIOUS SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST.
313
That our great

Still less can we conceive it possible
an acceptable saying 1
intercessor and surety hath put away sin, that any person could really believe the
tliat he vital doctrine of the atonement who negis indeed a joyful announcement
hath done so by the sacrifice of himself, lects the ordinance appointed by the
is a subject of endless wonder and grati- Great Atoner for the express purpose of
tude ; that expiation could not otherwise keeping alive the remembrance of that
be made, is a truth above all others cal- crowning act. " Do this in remembrance
;
not merely your master, your

culated to exhibit the exceeding sinful- of me"
ness of sin, its hatefulness in tlie sight friend, your instructor, but of me your
of God.
Let each man apply that truth Saviour. Let this remind you not merely
of my sojourn upon earth, of my teaching,
to his own case, and say
It was for me
but of my death, my
that Jesus died upon the cross it was for of my miracles
me that he endured the contradiction of body broken, and my blood shed upon
sinners ; it was my sin bowed down his the cross for the remission of your sins ;
and not yours only, but the sins of the
holy head with sorrow in Gethsemane
planted upon his brow the crown of thorns
whole world.
hands and his feet; nay,

those very sins which, day by day, and
hour by hour, I am committing, and by
which, as far as in me lies, I render those
sufferings and that death of none effect.
Can any contemplation be more awful
than this?
Can we imagine a more
powerful discouragement to sin ? And if
it be less effectual to us than it ought to
be, it is because we are not sufficiently
alive to the twofold sense in which Jesus
nation
pierced
his
Is
it
too strong a
say, that the
to
condem-
neglect of the
Lord's Supper is a practical denial of the

atonement] Blessed Jesus, Saviour of
the world
can we behold thee stretched
upon the cross, enduring shame and
agony for our sins, shedding forth that
precious blood with which thou hast redeemed us on the cross, upheld under all
thy sufferings by the desire of saving us
miserable sinners from eternal death
can
we contemplate this spectacle, and yet
Christ died for our sins. He died to re- contemn and refuse the consecrated symdeem us not only from the penalty of sin, bols of that body so broken, that blood
but from its power, by opening a way for which was so shed for our sins *
Oh
the Holy Spirit into the soul of man, and send thy Holy Spirit to pour into our
purchase glory to God, by the renewal of souls those gracious influences, by which
" Christ," says St. alone we can realize to ourselves the
sinners to holiness.
Paul, " hath redeemed us from the curse blessed fruits of thy cross and passion,
of the law, being made a curse for us." strengthening our faith, subduing our inBut the same apostle tells us that, " He ordinate affections, and animating our
gave himself for our sins, that he miglit hopes with clearer and clearer prospects
deliver us from this present evil world." of that glory, in which we shall stand
But then a deep, heartfelt, abiding sense, around the throne, and join in the trinot merely an historical belief, but a cor- umphant hymn which shall then be raised
dial and joyful acquiescence in tiie truth, by all the redeemed of the earth
" Worthat Christ has redeemed us from the thy is the Lamb that was slain to receive
curse of the law, also delivers us from its power, and honour, and riches, and wispower; for it cannot be that such a con- dom, and strength, and glory." " Hlessviction stiould take place in tlic soul, with- ing and honour and glory, br to Him that
out prayer, and meditation, and drawing sitlclh on the throne, and to tiic Lamb for
its aifeclions and desires towards God.
ever and ever."
!
Vol.
I.
9D
SERMON XXXIV.
THE MADNESS AND FOLLY OF RELIGION.
DELIVERED TO MEDICAL STUDENTS,
BY THE REV.
"
The prophet
ts
BINNEY.
T.
a fool, the spiritual
man
is
mad."
Ilosea
ix. 7.
SHALL not detain you by any minute among them, and be permitted to deceiv
them to their destruction that these protion of this lano-uage
suffice it to say, phets should be fools and fanatics, though
that it is capable of two senses, accord- the infatuated multitude should confide
ing; as you regard it as the cause, or as the in their counsels
and that thci/, however
venerated and obeyed for their spiritual
effect, of the "days" of " visitation" and
cf " recompense," mentioned in the pre- pretensions, should only resemble the oracediniT clause of the verse.
If you take cles and soothsayers of the heathen, of
it to describe the cause of that visitation
whom it is said by Isaiah, that God " turnor judg-ment which was coming on the eth their wise men backward, changeth
land, it will then mean that the prophets their knowledge into folly, and maketh
and spiritual men, or men inspired by the their diviners mad."
Spirit, and commissioned to address the
This last sense is perhaps the more
people with the authority of God that probable of the two but, as the iking
they had actually been accounted fools described** in the first actually occurred
and madmen that they had been ridi- among the Hebrews, whether intended in
culed and scorned as " vain babblers"
this passage or not, it is in allusion to
that their messages had been treated with that that we shall be guided in our obcontempt, and themselves with indignity servations this morning. " The prophet is
I
criticism on the exact and literal applica;
and
that, therefore, Jehovah, who had

thus been despised and insulted in the
persons of his own prophets, had determined to punish the offenders by bring-
ing upon them some terrible visitation.

If you take it, in the second sense, as
describing the
effect
of this visitation,
it
mean that those who had long

been disobedient to the divine voice, as
addressed to them by the commissioned
servants and in the " true sayings" of
God, should at length be given up, as an
appropriate punishment, to the influence
of strong delusicn, that they might bethat men, pretending to be
lieve a lie
prophets, and falsely laying claim to intercourse with the Spirit, should arise
314
will then
a fool, the spiritual man is mad^ Such

was both the feeling and the phraseology
indulged in by many of the Jews, in relation to the very men of whom they had
every evidence that they came from God.
It
sometimes meant the utter rejection of

message, and was intended to ex-
their
press an absolute disbelief of the matter

of
their
meant
testimony
and
it
sometimes
and
a disapprobation of their zeal,
Avas intended only to censure the
warmth
and earnestness of manner with which

they enforced what was admitted to be
true.
Tiie phrase was also sometimes
employed to stigmatize the penitent and
the spiritual
obedience
to
among
the people, who, in
conscience and to truth,
THE MADNESS AND FOLLY OF REUGION.
315
man, the absurdity of his office, and the

God according to the representation of mental weakness of his own character,
one of the propiiets, " He that departeth let us notice w'hat he is, and what he aim
to accomplish.
from evil is accounted mad."
Now, something similar to all this
The Christian prophet is the publir;
Human expositor of a book whose claim to b
takes place among ourselves.
nature is the same now in this country considered a divine revelation has bten.
that it was in the land of Judea three admitted, after prolonged research, by th
abandoned
their follies
and returned
to
master-spirits
by
weakness of the men who
cither enforce them with earnestness or
who follow them with fidelity. "The
ridiculing the
is a fool, and his disciple is

This is its language; and this
proud and petulant conclusion this judgment pronounced without examination
and without thought, settles the matter,
it should seem, for the passing moment
raises the mirth of the young, the volaaffords them the ratile, and the vain
tional and dignified satisfaction of laughing at the weakness of the man who has
courage to be virtuous and preserves
them in the enjoyment of the very laudable liberty of making themselves as con
temptible and as wicked as they please
Let us proceed, then, to examine the
tanittj and the u-jWo/h of conduct like this
l)y examining the madness and the folly
with which it wars. "The Christian
preacher is a fool, and the ('hristian dis-
preacher
of everj
sants
of various education
kind and measure of intellectual ability
and who lived scattered over a period ot
Air
this
gard, the discoveries of revelation, or
mad."
of every age
men who
have been distinguished by splendid genius
varied capacity
pure and elevated
profound and diversified acquiintellect
sitions
a book whose pretensions are
supported by several distinct processes
of argument, each, separately and alone,
amounting to moral proof; the whole,
when combined, approaching to something like positive demonstration. This
book is the most singularly constructed
it consists of a num
of any in the world
her of small tracts, about sixty-six, the
composition of above thirty individualspersons of all classes, from kings to pea
thousand years ago. Its dislike of God

and of his servants is the same. Its pride
and affectation of superiority is the same.
It still has a high conceit of its capacities and powers, and it expresses that
conceit by despising, as unwortiiy its re-
more than a thousand years and yet

book, thus composed, is always con:
sistent with itself
has a beginning, a
it is evidently a
whole i it is the realization of the idea of
one mind, executed by a number of others,
who, like the labourers and masons under
direction of an architect, could liave had
no conception of the completed appear-
middle, and an end
it
;
ance of the edifice upon which they were

employed, but who laid stone upon stone
ciple is mad."
The man who "walks in blind obedience, until the whole stood
in the Spirit," and the man who "con- forth in its sublimity and perfection.
verts liini from the error of his way," are This book contains in it the best account
of the origin of the universe, and the best
interpretation of the present ap|iourance8
considered alike to be imbecile or insane.

Such, it is not to be denied, is the real
who
and man. It teaclies the

theology; it reveals a God,
perfi ct in all
the worldly and irreligious among its spiritual in his essence
the creator
professed recipients, who deride the ha-! natural and moral attributts
it prescribes
bits and the principles of the pious.
(1 governor of the world
Let
us examitie it.
a worship suitabh; to his high and holy
" The prirj)hil is a fool,^^ The Hebrew character, and directly tending to improve
term, " prophet," signifies, in Christian and to elevate that of his worshijipers.
sentiment both of the
infidel,
of the
rejects
earth
the truth of Christianity altogether, and of sublimcst

I
one who ex- This book accounts for, and all along
and promulgates proceeds upon, the fact of the npostnsy
and in this sense wo use it and sinfulness of man
a fart illuntnited
the gospel
here.
To judge, llicn, of the folly of the by all history, confessed and Imicntcd by
phraseology, a prraclior
pounds the
}>cri|>lures,
THE
316
BRITISH PULPIT.
sciousness.
It proposes a plan of mercy,
and reveals means of restoration, pre-
which it is the duty of the

prophet to illustrate and enforce.
Let us next observe how he does
this.
It is his business to imbibe a por-
cisely adapted to this condition of our
tion of tiiat exalted spirit
which meets at once the fears

and apprehensions prompted by guilt,
and the weakness and corruption flowing
from depravity. This book sets before
the view of its disciples the higliest pos-
every page of this extraordinary recordto come forth, from time to time, and address himself to his fellows in the accents
of love and with the eloquence of the
moralists of
nature
all
agos, and corroborated by
the principles of morals on
basis;
Christian
standard of excellence
sible
principles of
observation and personal con-
personal
it
sanctions
heart; he
man
enforces them
higliest
is to
carries
farthest
happy and guilty
it
great princi-
exiiibit the
simplicity, seriousness, and alTection
the firmest
by the
them to the
is to
ples of religious and moral truth, with
places
it
which pervades
take
him
as he finds
made
with a
intelligence
extent; and encourages obedience by the
of contradictory impulses
most
ception of right, and a bias to
affecting and powerful motives.
In
he
an unup
per-
wrong
" sowing the wind, and reaping the whirltains, it exhibits a perfect model of all wind ;" he is to reveal to him a system
that is dignifying and beautiful in charac- which precisely meets the necessities of
whose
the principal personage
ter
life it
con-
his nature, and he is to carry
and, in the history of every other
individual, nothing is recorded but
it
out,
when
be received, into all the most

exalted forms of personal character and
social virtue.
He is to inform the ignorant, rouse the sluggish, animate the desponding, encourage the active, and com-
what professed
to
has a tendency either to stimulate to obedience, or to deter from transgression.

Filially
for time would fail me to enumerate all the distinguishing peculiarities of the volume in question
this book fort the distressed ; he is to warn the
reveals a future world in such a manner impenitent, rebuke the inconsistent, teras carries with it the stamp of divinity, rify the vicious, expose the hypocritical,
both by what it says and by what it does and denounce the ungodly he is to do
all this
and more than this in a way
not say
it descends to no minute and
curious descriptions ; the speakers and wonderfully adapted to the nature of man,
writers seem to exercise the most singu- and to the actual and unavoidable condi-
lar control over the
fancy and imagina-
tion of the great
mass of the species
:^
when touching upon topics the most men are to be congregated together, and
tempting to men pretending to familiarity ihere, while in a manner passive, without
with the invisible and the future there any severe demand upon their faculties,
is a solierncss, a calmness, and a grandeur they are to be made familiar with the
tion,
sublimest conceptions to be interested

and impressed by the liviug voice to be
urged to aspire after the glory and happiness of another world, while they are
taught all that it becomes them to be in
about their discoveries of the worlds that

are not seen, just fitted to affect us with
solemn delight and salutary

is
nothing
to
provoke or
terror; there
to satisfy
imper-
tinent curiosity, or to degrade the subject
This simple and

by which the Christian
make his truths tell upon the
the ridiculous and the mean; there is

every thing, however, to render the representation what it is intended to be, and
which falls in with the evident design of
relation to the present.
the whole communication
at
by
peculiar modf,
prophet
is to
condition and the character of society, is
namely, an
instrument for promoting the greatest improvement of which our nature is capable, and tlie iiighest happiness for which
once suited
ture is
made
instrument
to
man
as
man, whose na-
be affected by such an
and it is suited to the nuto
merous cliildren of labour and of toil,

who must depend upon strong impresit was made.
Such is a description and, permit ine sions from without for vivid and extento remind you, a very, very imperfect sive conceptions of religious truth and
description
of that wonderful book, the
religious duty
THE MADNESS AND FOLLY OF

Such
the Christian prophet in his
is
his
furniture,
office,
and his aims.
'
RELIGION.
poor themselves.
317
It is
by the preacher
that the purest principles of conduct are
If
would be easy to show kept before the view of the mass of the
that his influence upon society has been people
that they are impressed upon the
always and immensely beneficial I mean moral sense, and made to exert an influtime permitted,
it
of course when he has continued to be

what he was at first, and what he is intendcd to be by die system to which he
belongs neither degraded to the condi-
tion of a political drudge, nor raised and

corrupted into that of a prince and a potentate.
It
was the voice of
the preacher
that shook the gods of the ancients from
the heaven they had usurped
that
ence in the formation of character. It is

by the preacher that an element of consolation, contentment, and joy is made to
go forth and to diffuse itself over the
hearts and the habitations of the children
of
toil
tune.
and poverty, of sorrow and misforIt is by him that the guilty are
called to penitence, the penitent led to
com- pardon, and the pardoned
pelled them to vacate their thrones and
joy and peace
in
filled
believing."
"with
In short,
their temples, and to relinquish the ty- to see what is actually effected by the
ranny they had so long exercised over preacher, and to be assisted in calculating
the heathen world.
It was the Christian the amount of good for which society is
preacher that introduced a new stream of indebted to him, only imagine that the
ideas into the human mind
ideas that whole race of the Christian prophets
gave to morals a higher tone, and to reli- were extinguished that their places of
gion a positive existence.
It was the instruction were closed
that their voices
efforts of the Christian preacher that were never heard, and their influence
changed the character of nations and the never felt: imagine either that they were
complexion of literature. Even in the not succeeded by any public teachers at
dark ages, when he had become indolent. all
that the whole people were left
vicious, silent, and corrupt, it was by without any thing whatever in the form
him that the lamp of knowledge was pre of oral instruction; or imagine that the
served from being totally extinguished ; preacher was universally succeeded by
it was by him that it was trimmed and
the advocates of the modern coarse and
fed, and brought forth to guide and to vulgar infidelity; and then fancy what
gladden the nations, when he aroused would be the consequence the consethem from the sleep and the superstition quence of this change to the virtue and
of centuries. It was by the voice of the hai)pincss of the nation
and say, say if
preacher that religion was reformed; it you can, tliat you could contemplate that
was by the erudition of the preacher, and result with any feelings but those of meby the effect of his agency on the public lancholy and concern, if not, indeed, with
mind, that the revival of learning wa.s ajiprehi'iision and terror.
accelerated and encouraged.
1 now ask the question, but I shall not
In our own
country it was by the Christian preacher stay to attempt to answer it 1 shall leave
it was in consequence of the spirit prothat principally to yourselves
I ask
thn
muled by his religion, and the influence question, Is the prophet a foul ? (Jan you
exerted by his office, that civil liberty really believe it?
Can you pntind to
was saved that the tree was planted believe it? When you have brc-ught beand nourished, under whoso shade we fore you all that he profr-sses to be, and
repnso, and whose fruit wo gather; and, all that he alleiiipts to accomplish
when
in the present day, I do not iiesitato to you think of what lie has done, and of
affirm that it is the preacher who exerts what he is dniiig
can you seriously iinilo
the griatest inlliiencn on the positive virtue and happine9 of the nation ; it is by
either in the dipreciation of his preten-
him
upon one side
that every society
is
advocated, and
every agent encouraged, that aims at the

moral education of tho children of the
poor, or tho religious advantage uf the
sions, or in ridicule of his office!

all
I'hico
the evidence in Riippurl
of the divinity of tho book which tho
preacher
is to
expound, and all ihe fiiria

immense and benciiciaJ
illustrative of his

THE BRITISH
318
influence on
societ)''
and place, upon the
other, the incredible propositions
PULPIT.
national interests and secular professions.
which The
politician, the poet, the painter, tha
of science and of literature, or, what

and the state of feeling he must is more to the purpose at present, the
possess wlio could view the second with physician and the surgeon, who give
contrast the themselves to the science and the philocoldness and indifference
that of the sophy of their profession
who enlarge
eharacter of both minds
preacher and that of his opponent con- its boundaries, unravel its mysteries, and
these men are
trast them as to their intellectual condi- promote its advancement
tion and moral properties ; and determine spoken of with rapture for the extravafor yourselves luhich of the two is best gance and eccentricity of zeal which they
consume on the promotion of their faentitled to the epithet in the text.
" The praphel is a fool,'''' This lan- vourite pursuits ; they are thus spoken of
lie
must of necessity believe who
the
man
rejects
first,
guage might be further
by the very men who, when
illustrated, not as
mere
tithe
the sentiment of the infidel objector, but
of such zeal appears in the professors of
man who professes himwhp is offended by
a science in comparison with which every
as that of the
other sinks into insignificance, are ever
self a Christian, but
and
enthusiasm with ready to express their pity, in the lanwhich the preacher exhibits his theme, guage of contempt the prophet is a fool,
and urges its acceptance. On this, how- or the preacher is mad ! Now, conduct like
To
ever, we shall merely remark, that either this is just any thing but wisdom.
on the admission of the truth of what the use a familiar comparison, which, with
preacher promulgates, or on the suppo- your professional predilections, you will
sition of its falsehood, but with the ad- readily understand, it is like the feeling
mission that the preacher himself believes of a man who, on seeing the successful
it to be true
in either case the charge of application of medicine in suddenly raisimbecility and folly must rest with the ing an individual from the bed of sickman who could make such admissions, ness, and bringing him forth into society
and yet be willing to witness, in the ad- in vigour and in health, should fix his
vocate of this truth, or this supposed admiration, 710/ upon the skill of the phytruth, any thing but the most fervid zeal, sician who had restored the patient, but
the
earnestness
and impassioned enthusiasm. Intheestimation of the preacher, he is in possession of the grand secret by which alone
humanity can be permanently benefited
that secret which God himself has revealed, for the very purpose of saving an apostate species, and restoring the harmony of
the world
he believes that the highest
happiness of the present life, and the
very possibility of happiness in the next,
upon the
skill of the operatives
who
se-
lected the fashion of his coat, or the figure
of his shoe.
j
Any
extravagance, in fact,
on the subject of religion
is
more
rational
and more dignified than indifference and

any folly is tolerable and innocent but
that which admires the enthusiasm often
absurdly devoted to present interests and
temporary claims, and condemns that
which belongs to the eternal, the infinite,
depends on the reception of the truth and the future.
It is time, however, to advance to the
which he is concerned to teach; he who
considers that this must be the feeling of illustration of the second clause, "the
i\\9 Christian prophet, on the supposition
spiritual man is mad."
" The spiritual man is mad!''^ This
of ills moral sincerity, instead of wonder;
we
ing at the warmth with which the duties

office are occasionally discharged,
will rather
wonder
at the
apathy by which those
who
tameness and
sustain
too fr-qnenlly distinguished.
it
virtue,
who
indeed
fess himself a Christian,
be distinguished for much that is amiable

in manners, and excellent in character.
are
7i//ws2-
asm
is
This
and
is
methodist
a term employed in a good sense,

used to describe the feeling with
which men often devote themselves to
man of
may proand who may
take to be the lansruajre of the
mere secular
of the
is
his language in allusion to the

,
that
is,
to the consistent disci-
one who
pie of the preacher
carries hi

THE MADNESS AND FOLLY OF REUGION.
principles into practice, and
by the
distinguished
habits of the religious
who becomes
peculiarities
and
life.
In order to judge of the justice of the

epithet, let us take the lowest form of
men
est form of the

let
tlie
of spiritual attainment, and the high-
men
of secular virtue, and
us ascertain ivhich rf the two deserves

to be admired and approved, upon
319
by which the spiritual

distinguished, and for which he
racteristics
man
is
is
ridi-
culed and stigmatized as deserving the

contemptuous application of the epithet
in the text.
Observe, then, in the next place, the

conduct and the character of the man by
whom
this epithet is so freely
bestowed.
This man you may suppose to be as exthe principles of enlightened and purified cellent and distinguished, in the moral
reason.
Tlie spiritual or religious man and intellectual properties of his characmay be one of but little grasp of intel- ter, as it is possible for a human being to
lect, with limited abilities, circumscribed be.
He may possess genius, talents, and
knowledge, and even distinguished by sensibility ; he may be amiable, honourasome mental weaknesses, which excite, ble, and benevolent; may have acquired
in those who know his worth and respect the highest rank in his proftssion; he
him most, deep and durable regret; yet, may be loved for his modesty, and venewith all this, he is sincerely and consist- rated for his worth
yet, with all this,
ently a Christian
that is the point, he is he may be chargeable with such immense
sincerely and consistently a Christian
deficiencies of character as amount lo
that is, lie is conscious of sin, and he nothing short of that very 7)iad7iess which
therefore indulges the feelings of conhe attributes to others.
There is another
trition and repentance: he desires for- world as well as the present
a world for
giveness, and he seeks it by humble which, though professing to expect it,
most
faith in the propitiatory sacrifice; lie
sensible
fore
of
and
depravity,
asks the influence of
which the Scriptures reveal
is
that
to purify his
he is convinced of the existence of God, and the claims which he

has on his veneration and regard, and he
aflections
this
man has made no
preparation
there
God, but he neglects him perhaps

Spirit profanes his name, and dishonours his
he there-
therefore cultivates the habit of devotion,
is
He
sabbaths.
professes to
Bible, but he never opens
believe the
it
to believe
but he practically rejects him

to have committed sin, but he never
repents of it
to expect death, but he
lives as if he were immortal.
He sajjs
that he believes there is a heaven, but to
be fitted for its enjoyments excites none
in Christ,
and studies to honour him by conscientious obedience; he is ignorant, and he

therefore aims at enlarging his acquaintance with truth, by the daily perusal of of his solicitude that there is a hell, but
tlie written word
he believes the pro- lie makes no cflbrts, in humble accordance
mises of Scripture, he therefore pleads with the dictates of revelation, to escape
them in prayer, and confides in them in the penalty it is intended to inflict. Now,
practice; he considers liimself as ad- let any person of common sense just revancing rapidly to eternity, and hence he flect for a moment on the characters in
lives in diligent preparation for the cir- question, and let him honestly say tt/iich
cumstance of death; he reads of heaven, (f the two is to be "accounted nii'd ;"
and of hell, and he is anxious to be fitted he who, with all his ignorance and WHâkfor the one, and to escape the other; he ness, is alive to the sublime relaticns he
finds himself required to glorify Cod, liy sustains to eternity
or he who, what-
acting uniler the inlluenee of religious

molivpB, by the exercise of f.iilli, and by
benevnifdt
and
n-gard
to
the
inti
and powers.
Such
arc a
may
be
liis
abilities,
is
cnnfiiiing
them to the concerns and the advant.iges

rests of of a moment, and losing the disiinclii is
in hum- of that eiidlesR existence which, all tlie
he attempts all tiiis

ble di'pcndenci' on divinn assiatiiiice, and
yet with watrbfulness and vigour in the
voluntary employment of his faculties
others
ever
few of the cha-
liin<', lie
nal
|>rofesscs to expect
(iod has detrnnined
telling us that lo the

to
The
tlie
man who
eter-
matter, liy
cares only
be rich in relation to carlh, whethci
THE BRITISH
320
PULPIT.
wealth or in talent, sepa- the habits of a pious family still about

from religion, that to that man, the you, let nothing shamt you out of their
ihal consist in
rate
;
if any ifyuu have
begun to feel the pernicious influence of
The subject niioht be further illustrated evil communications, break instantly with
by taking an individual who, after years the criminal seducers if any <f you have
epithet of
''
ftwl''''
cabulary of heaven
is
applied in the vo-
continued cultivation
passed in moral insensibility, or criminal

indulgence, should suddenly be affected
by religious truth, and should rise into
We
the character of a religious man.

might take such a person, and, consider-
proceeded
absurd career of
scepticism or of vice, be persuaded to
far
the
in
return, in spite of the insane ridicule
may
any
you
receive from your companions; if

(f you are scouted as saints, and have
ing the scorn, and ridicule, and laughter

with which he would be assailed by his
to sustain indignity or
former associates, we might contrast his

conduct with theirs his who awakes, as
it were, to the voice of reason, and to the
suggestions and impulses of his better
nature
and theirs who continue imbruted
in the bondage of the flesh, degraded and
chained by the slavery of the senses.
The thing, however, is too absurd to be
patiently pursued ; for the impure and
be not discouraged ; remember that on

your side are the wise and the virtuous
of all worlds
the excellent of earth, and
the perfect in heaven ; if any
(f you are
disposed to think lightly of the Holy
steady attachment to
contempt
God and
for
to
your
truth,
Scriptures
to neglect the instructions of
the Christian preacher, and
to associate
weakness and fanaticism

recollect that the probability is that you
the profligate to talk of the madness of are very ignorant of the subjects on which
the man who breaks from their confede- you are about to dare to dogmatize
that,
racy, and to laugh at him as if he had by doing so, you will only betray to the
religion with
company of philosophers,
would only
excite one's indignant con-
forsaken
tempt,
if it
were not
that the poor idiots
are entitled to compassion.
The
or the hatred of such characters
is
ridicule
always
to be considered as approbation and praise.
To
turn from iniquity, and to be accounted mad, is the way to be regarded as

rational and wise by the angels in heaven
-^those sages of eternity, who understand the nature and the province of intellect, and who rejoice over every sinner
intelligent
which
your intellectual poverty, and,
more galling perhaps, expose yourselves to the commiseration and

pity of the pious.
Let me beseech all ot
you to fortify your minds against the
dangers of your position, by studying;
both the Christian evidences and the
will be
Christian record
make
it
a point of con-
science to attend regularly on the ordi-
nances of Christian worship; and ever

cultivate
reverential
regard
to
that
Being of whose wisdom and benevolence

that repentelh.
For those who, thus you witness so many proofs in the probeing led to repentance, become " wise gress of your studies; forget not that He
unto salvation," and for those who are knows the wants of the mind, and has
honoured to be the instruments of pro- provided for those wants, just as he
moting this result for both are reserved, knows the wants of the body, and has
by the mercy of God, some of the high- provided for them
that, with this view,
est honours which eternity can confer
he has addressed to you the gospel of hi
"They that be wise shall shine as the Son, and commanded you to receive it,
brightness of the firmament; and they because he knows that you have need
that turn
many
stars, for ever
to
righteousness as the
and ever."
I would urge upon those

have the privilege to address, the
important lessons which the present subject involves, and wiiich they will readi-
In conclusion,
whom
ly detect.
If
parental roof,
both of the pardon of sin, and the renovation of your nature ; by repentance and
faith seek the enjryment of these incomparable blessings blessings withcut
which you may certainly be successfi 1
in
the world, but can never be properly
any <f youhzve just left tlie prepared for leaving it and leave it you
and have arrived here with must, whether prepared for the tremen;

THE MADA'ESS AND FOLLY OF
dous transition or
not.
And now, one Tracing,
beseech you, then, by
by the
recollections
of your father's house
by
you
at
country of the Gadarenes
all
the feelings you possess as sons and as
brothers
321
a glance, the margin of this

simple lake, on the opposite or eastern
side, the eye rests on the inhospitable
word in relation to a subject on which

one word will be sufficient, and then I
have done.
RELIGION.
to
But
day.
this
a mother's
like this,
is
awakens
viewing a scene
the remembrance of ONE
the tenderest emotions
retain
inhospitable
that wiiich
in
who, formerly, so often passed this way;

a sister's pure and angelic affection as and never passed without leaving, by his
you desire to be respected, and ought to words and actions, some memorial of his
Here, or in
desire to be worthy of respect
as you divine wisdom and love.
would wish to possess, in future years, this neighbourhood, most of his mighty
internal serenity in looking back to the works were done; and in our daily relihabits of the present period
in the name gious services we have read, with the
of God
by the reality of judgment, of most intense interest, those passages of
heaven, and of hell
by all that is author- the gospt^l which refer to these regions.
itative in truth, and all that is tender in However uncertain other traditional geofriendship, I beseech you ^'to Jlee youth- graphical notices may be, here no doubt
to interrupts our enjoyment in tracing the
ful /usis that war against the soul .'^^
This, and no
Study, in this respect, to maintain a cok- Redeemer's footsteps.
intense and irrepressible anxiety, and by
science and a character void of offence
other, is the sea of Galilee
'
in its
dimen-
should judge, resembling exactly the size of the isle of Malta, about
twenty miles in length, twelve in breadth,
and sixty in circumference. Here Jesus
sions, as
to erect yourselves above yourselves, and
to exercise, by reason and religion, an

abiding control over the appetites and
passions!
let the man govern the aniSup- called the sons of Zebedee, from mendmal, and let God govern the man
plicate gracious aid to assist and to ing their nets, to become " fishers of
Here he preached to tiie multistrengthen; and, as Ihumble and consist- men."
tudes crowding to the water's edge, him-
hi. Son, aim at the attainment of elevated excellence, and seek

for glory, honour, imtnortality, and eter-
ent disciples of
self putting off a
Simon
little
from the shore in
But there is not

now a single boat upon the lake to renal fife
mind us of its former use. Yonder, on
REFLECTIONS AT TIBF.RIA3.
the right, must have been the very spot
The composure which came over my where, in the middle of their passage
feverish spirits at this hour was inex- from this side toward Beihsaida and
I laid myself down
Capernaum, the disciples were affrighted
prt'ssii)ly refreshing
at seeing .lesus upon the water
iijion the ground, and, resting my head
w hen he
poii a stone near me, drew a little cool- gently upbraided the sinking faith of
Peter's
boat.
when he said to the winds and

waves, " Be still!" and the sweet serefrom the scene around me adiloil much to nity which now rests upon the surface iy
my enjoyment. At a great dislancn to the very same stillness which then sucHere, (inally, it was that Jesus
the north was the mountainous horizon, ceeded.
on the summit of which stands Safet, appeared, the third lime after his resurglistening with its noble castle: it is not rection, to his disciples, (John xxi.) and
improbably supposed that our Saviour put that question to the Zealous, backhad this spot in lis eyf, and directed the slidden, but repentant Peter, "Simon,
attention .of his disciples to it, when lie son of Jonas, lovesl thou mel"
one
Baid, "A city that is set on a hill caimot question thrice repealed
plainly denotbe hid ;" for it is in full view from the ing what the Saviour requires of all who
ness from the soil
of relleclions
while the simple train
Peter
which naturally sprung up
Mount
of Heatiludes, as w'ell as from this
place
and, indeed, seems to
mil
the country round to a great extent.

Vol,.
I. 41
profess to be his
command
1
nnd followed up by
that
solemn charge, " Feed
feed
my
sUcf^f.^'JowrlCa
my lambs
Jirs.
tit
.Syria.
SERMON XXXV.
GOD'S CARE FOR HIS PEOPLE.
BY THE REV.
"
opinion
He
A. E.
careth for you."
FARRAR.
Pet. v. 7.
by any
This appears to us to contain an awful

upon God. We deny not, that
a thinking man, contemplating the grandeur of his Creator, may, for a moment,
the government of the world he has be tempted to question the individuality
formed, represents it as abandoned to the of his attentions. Led by the discoveries
sport of a blind and uncertain chance. of science, the imagination may travel
If ever
enteitained
human mind was
fraught with more than

ordinary absurdity and cruelty, it is that
which, excluding the divine Be'iag from
For were
nite
it
possible to conceive that
Wisdom knows
supremely happy
that,
infi-
not our affairs; or

in
himself,
the
of unbounded love does not concern

himself about them ; could it be credited,
God
that of
world
him who
is
"fills all things," the
we gazed upon
we might exclaim
empty, while
the fatherless void,"

as Paul did, under a supposition not more
are of all men
abhorrent to truth, "
'
We
reflection
fiom world
to world, and system to system, amidst the still increasing magnificence of the divine formations, until our
earth
becomes an indiscernible speck,

and appear to bear no more proportion
to the
other productions of creative energy, than a sihgle leaf to the foliage of
widely extended
Amid the
forest.
expansion around, we may
feel ourselves dwindle into nothingness,
and with somewhat of the hesitancy of
a
illimitable
most miserable."
There is, however, another sentiment unbelief, may ask, "What is Twan, that
upon this subject, which, if more feasible, thou art mindful of himT' But, be it
I remembered, that little and great are disis not less scripturally incorrect.
allude to the theory which represents the tinctions of finite minds, which vill bear
Almighty as " full orb'd, in his whole no correctapplication to the divine Beino';
round of rays complete," and only con- and when we consider, that he " filleth
descending to afford mankind some all in all," that he is at the same moment
every where, no object can be too miniate
for his attention ; and while he " hangs
controlled by certain immutable laws, the earth over the empty space," and
which admit not of one peculiar or bene- wheels planets in their orbits, he, with
volent attention. Infidels and semi-infi- no less regard, superintends " the flutter-
general and undefined regards ; and his

government as a mere meclianical agency,
dels have attempted to derive support to ings of the bee," and directs the smallest
such views from the consideration of corpuscle of blood that flits through the
In veins of the smallest animalcule.
man's comparative insignificancy.
I am not prepared to say the subject of
the flowery numbers and classic styles of
a particular providence involves no diffipoetry, we have been taught
One is, the apparent disorder
culties.
"
The
universal cause
Acts not by partial, but by general laws,

He sees with equal eye, as Lord of all,
hero perish, or a sparrow
fall
Systems or atoms into nothing hurl'd.

And now a bubble burst, and now a world."
322
many providential arrangewe are incompetent to

because we cannot embrace the
that exists in
ments
judge,
but of this
whole circumference of the divine proceeding. The mighty chain of his deal-
GODS CARE FOR
HIS PEOPLE.
323
ings seems often intercepted and broken

but when we are enabled to trace up the
"falleth not to the ground without his

notice."
He "feedeth the young ra-
concatenation of causes and events to

to look along
their ultimate tendencies
the line to its termination, every thing
vens;" he
will
demonstrate
the
perfection
of
all
present, "
we know" guage of
The infinite combina- "Take no
At
divine agency.
only " in part."

tions and workings of the admirable machinery, which, to the eye of the artist,
may seem
to us
but when,
in the light of eternity, and with an eye
strengthened by the vision of God, we
look through the perplexing movements,
are
"careth for oxen."

"The
wait upon him, and he giveth
them their meat in due season." Incomparably beautiful in this view is the laneyes of
simplicity
itself,
mere complicated confusion
every thing will appear honourable
wisdom and benevolence
to the
our Lord
to
his
disciples.
thought what ye shall eat;

consider the ravens ; they have no barn
nor storehouse; yourFather feedeth them.
And Avhy take ye thought for raiment?
Consider the lilies of the field ; they toil
not, they spin not; and yet I say unto
you, that Solomon in all his glory was
not arrayed like one of these.
Your
Father clotheth them." But the arrange-
Him
who, in ments of Providence, like the dispensaadoring wonder, we shall perceive, "hath tions of grace, concern more immediately
done all things well" " Clouds and man.
of
darkness are round about him ; but justice and judgment are the habitation of his
throne."
Every difficulty, however, with which
Him God has made capable of knowing and loving himself.

In the visita-
for us that the doctrine of a particular
meet him he can recognise his

Father; and through the channel of benevolent communication made to him, return
to the source of all his blessings.
And
man needs the most effective expressions
providence
of divine attention.
this subject is perplexed, gives place to
the authority of
is
God
and
it is
sufficient
pre-eminently that of the
On
Scriptures.
this point,
no words
tions that
Immortals, standing
on the brink of eternity, and yet ignorant
of the events of the next hour; capable
of celestial enjoyments, but placed in circumstances inimical to their attainment
surrounded with enemies, and incident to
a thousand unseen calamities ; miserable
indeed were your lot, my brethren, if left
need be more explicit than those of the

text
"He," that is God, " careth for
YOU." They are adduced as a motive
for " casting all our care upon him ;" and
it is impossible to
conceive a motive
more obvious and persuasive.
But I
purpose to give them a distinct conside- to struggle alone with your difficulties.
ration as a truth of general practical im- I know we are unwcn-'.hy of the divine
portance.
Let us irKjuire to whom they attention. Though "/ê careth foi- you "
nfcr ? Whether the truth they state can be some of you arc thoughtlessly unconcalabliiihed? and luhat improvement should cerned about/////!. Suppose not, however,
that Providence waiteth upon your sins,
be made if the doctrine ? And,
First, To WHOM do these words re- continuing imponit.'nt; every part of his
fer 1 Not to the inanimate, but rational word dcnounccth wrath against you, and
creation
to man.
your final doom .mist be inevitable and
There
cares for
is,
indeed, a sense in which
all
God aggravated
his creatures, animate and
Ho " maketh the outgoings

of the morning and evening to rejoice."
He covers the fields with abundance.
inanimate.
perdition.
Yet Providence
co-operating with grace to save you.

In what period hath God left himself
is
"without witness, doing good, sending

rain and fruitful seasons, and filling men's
He " crowns the year with his goodness." hearts with food and gladness?" To
He bj-ams forth in lh: spring, and ap- w hat part of the world hath he not gon
proaches us in the bounties of sunmicr, forth in expressions of beneficence and
and loads us with tlio profusion of autumn. mercy shining in the splendour of tlie
During the stormy wintt-r, the insignifi- sun, instructing by the pale glory of the
cant sparrow chirping on the hedge, moon, and twinkling in llio stars 1
;
'

THE BRITISH
324
PULPIT.
" Day unto day uttcrolh speech." In osily ? But God has expended upon beliiivcrs wonders of wisdom and goodness:
tiling, the Lord is lookinjr after the
he has done more he has made them mirainterests of man.
But the persons more immediately con- cles of mercy and can he cease to feel
every
interested in their welfare?
in our suhjcct, are described in a

preeedin<T part of the epistle, as "called
cerned
tliis
was
Redeemer
topic,
Similar, on
the reasoning of our adora-
" Are not five sparrows

two farthings? and not one of
but are now the people of CJod which them falleth to the ground without your
had not obtained mercy, but now have Father. Ye are of more value than many
obtained mercy." " Being born again, sparrows."
This is not a subject involving the least
not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptIt is revealed in the most
ible, by the word of God which liveth uncertainty.
We have but to turn
and abideth for ever." "Elect accord- explicit terms.
ble
out from darkness into marvellous light;"

"which in times past were not a people,
sold for
ing to the foreknowledge of God the

Father, through the sanctification of the
Spirit."
This is designatory phrase-
over the pages of the holy writ, to perceive
it
shining in
all
the radiance of
Let us examine a
Here is one " Fear not
ology, which needs no explanation. But few passages.
if there be any circumstances in which Abram; I am thy shield, and thy exceedPerliaps, you say,
the consolation of the subject may be ing great reward."
But "they
peculiarly claimed, they are those of this concerned Abram only.
suffering.
Of the persons primarily inthat are of faith are Abram's seed, and
Well ;
terested in the text, the apostle says, " If heirs according to the promise."
need be, ye are in heaviness through here is another. "The Lord's portion is
manifold temptations;" and intimates, his people, Jacob is the lot of his inheritHe found him in a desert land,
that further and severer trials awaited ance.
them. "Think it not strange," &c. How and in the waste-howling wilderness; he
soothing must it have proved to persons led him about; he instructed him; he
As an
so situated, to read, " Casting all ifour care kept him as the apple of his eye.
eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth ovei
upon HIM, for HE careth for youy
her young, spreadeth abroad her wings,
" His saints are lovely in his sight,
taketh them, beareth them on her wings,
He views his children with delight,
This,
so the Lord alone did load him."
He sees iheir hope, he knows their fear,
you say, refers to the Israelites; recollie looks and loves his imago there."
lect, however, that " the things which
divine illumination.
Our next inquiry is. Whe- happened unto them were examples."
THE TRUTH THESE WOUDS STATE, We will turn to the book of Psalms
Secondly.
ther.
" The eyes of the Lord are over the rightCAN BE substantiated'?
And, happily, on a point of so much eous, and his ears are open to their
" Like as a father pitieth his
conseriuence, we hre not left to mere con- prayers."
Had we no express declaration children, so the Lord pitieth them that
jectures.
on the subject, we might, indeed, safely fear him for he knoweth whereof we are
and an inference, made, and remembereth that we are but
rest it upon deduction
On this pleasing subject, the
the most obvious, drawn from the most dust."
simple premises, would immediately offer prophet Isaiah is equally evangelical as
" Fear thou not,"
itself; an inference from the divine in- upon every other.
" I am
Shall not the Maker care says he, in the language of God
terest in us.
Does the potter form his with thee. When thou passest through
for his works 1
vessel that
it
may be
pieces by the
touch
it?
first
fire, I will be
with thee; the flames shall not kindle
the water and through the
instantly dashed in
rude hand that may
Does the
artist
employ
his
pains and skill in constructing a curious

piece of machinery, and then abandon it
to the sport of a blind or
malevolent curi-
upon thee, neither shall the floods drown*

thee.
Can a woman forget her sucking
child, that she should not have compasYea, they
sion on the son of her womb ?
GOD'S CARE FOR HIS PEOPLE.
may
yet will
have
hands ;
not forget thee.
graven thee on the palms of my

thy walls are continually before me." I
" Then,"
will make one quotation more.
says Malachi (and they were bad times
in which he prophesied,) "Then they
that feared the Lord spake often one to
another, and the Lord hearkened and
heard them ; and a book of remembrance
was
written before
him
for
them
that
and thought upon his

name. And they shall be mine, saith
the Lord in that day when I make up my
jewels and I will spare them as a man
feared the Lord,
spareth his
These
own
son that serveth liim."
Old Tes-
are all passages from the
tament
New,
the
in
this doctrine, like
that of immortality, shines
still
more
re-
and it may be enough to state,

that the sermons of our Lord, and the
fulgently
epistles of his apostles, are in perfect co-
incidence with the language of our text,
most
and
prove
explicitly
God
that
*'careth for us."

Is it asked, do the divine proceedings
correspond with this language
ap-
We
"?
The
truth derives the
most
illustration and confirmation
from
peal to facts.
ample
experience.
for
A few
The
selection.
itself is in the
you
instances
me
it
is
suffice
that presents
first
Old Testament.
anticipate
may
And
here
the history of
Joseph. The foolish predilection of Jacob had rendered Joseph obnoxious to his
brethren's hatred
when
sent to the fields
of Dothan, where they fed their flocks, to

inquire after their welfare, the unnatural
men
seized the opportunity of revenging
the preference of their fatiier upon the
innocent object of
his
"Joseph was
into
sold
affections
Kgypt."
and
To
conceal their crime from the aged patriarch, they dyed Joseph's coat in the blond
of a kid, and set forward towards the
vale of Hebron, the family residence.
I
this
have
we
325
found
know now whether
be thy son's coat or not?" " It is my

" Joseph is withson's coat," said he.
out doubt rent in pieces ; some evil beast
hath devoured him ; I will go down to
the grave unto my son mourning."
His
tears were scarcely wiped, his wounds
were not yet closed, when his sons returning from Egypt, where they had been to
purchase corn for the support of their
families during a famine, informed their
it
younger brother,
Benjamin, returned with them into Egypt,
the governor would sell them no more
corn.
The prospect of this second loss
was more than Jacob could well bear.
" How was it that ye dealt so ill with
me, as to tell the man ye had yet a brother'?
Joseph is not, and Simeon is not,
and now ye will take Benjamin away.
All these things are against me, and 3'e
will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave !" .Stop, Jacob! God
" carelh for thee." " Joseph is yet alive,
and is governor of Egypt." And when
a few weeks after, Jacob had embraced
the long-lost exile on the plains of
Goshen, he heard the same from his own
lips
" God hath sent me before you,
to save your lives by a great deliverance."
An instance may be selected from the
New Testament; the case of Peter himHis enemies had put him in prison,
self.
and waited but the lapse of Pentecost to
glut their malice in his blood; but
"prayer was made of the church without
ceasing to God for him." And the very
night before he was to have been brought
out to the people, an angel of God, specially appointed for the purpose, roused
him from his sleep, sna|)ped his fetters,
and " delivered him from the will of
Herod, and from all the ex|)ectation of
father, that unless their
I see
him in
the people of the Jews."
Jacob ascend the street, after the angel's departure
tlie bill, look wistfully toward Dothan,
looking this way and that, and asking
and then, as if boding some ill, retire "Is it not a dreaml
Am I awake 1'
thoughtfully to his home.
At length, At length, arrived at the liouse of hi
the ten sons make their appearance; he friend, John Mark, just as the little
casts over them his incpiiring eye, and sorii'ty were rising from their knees, &c.
has scarecly asked for Josepii, wlu-n they liieir prayers were turned into praisi-s, as
produce the blood-stained robe, and, with ihf-y gazed upon liim, supposing it to
all tilt' apathy "f guilt, slate, " IJchold,
have boon his angel, I hear liim exhort-
seem
to see tlie venerabli;
'J
THE BRITISH PULPIT
326
ing, " Cast all your care upon him, for

he careth for you."
Let us refer to history. Were the hisory of the church well written, (but nothing is worse written,) it would be so
many records of (Jod's kindness. A few
striking instances of it have been pre-
served.
One
shall serve for quDtation.
In
that period of Christian barbarism, render-
ed infamo\is
in a
neighbouring country by
the revocation of the edict of Nantz,
when
the blood of the saints was shed without

measure (since then God has given that
nation blood to drink)
some
of those
the point has been established
though
little more at large into

His care extends to
Your property. This may, indeed, be
generally, enter a
particulars.
but
and
little,
ing, because
for the reason I
God "careth
for
am
assign-
you ;"
for
" the cattle upon a thousand hills are his,"

and so are " the wool and the flax, the
silver and the gold," and he has promised
to " withhold no good thing from them
that walk uprightly."
But little as it
may be, without him flames shall not
consume
it,
thieves shall not steal
bankruptcies waste
it.
it,
nor
In proof of all this,
persons employed in the diabolic work of I need only refer to the well known
persecuting to death, under the name of history in the first chapter of the book of
" There was a day," says the hisheretics, their unoflending neighbours, Job.
were sent
in
pursuit of the celebrated
Du
Moulin, a minister of eminence among

the Protestants. They had long sought
for him in vain, when at length they
traced him to a house, and followed
immediately his steps into it. Every
corner of this house they searched, an
oven excepted ; which he who can employ on the designs of his mercy an
insect as well as an angel, had rendered,
"when
torian,
the sons of
God came
to
present themselves before the Lord, and
Satan came also among them. And the

Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest
thou 1 Then Satan answered the Lord,
and said. From going to and fro in the
earth, and from walking up and dowa
And the Lord said unto Satan,

it.
Hast thou considered my servant Job]"
He needed not information, but he would
by means of a despicable spider, the se- have the avowal from Satan's own lips.
cure asylum of his servant. A web just " Then Satan answered the Lord, and
thrown over its mouth prevented scrutiny, said, Doth Job serve God for nought?
and thus Du Moulin was preserved
God Hast thou not set a hedge about him, and
" cared for him."
about his house, and about all that he
You say these instances are extraordi- hath on every side]" Observe these
TMry.
True what then may we not words, " a hedge" impenetrable even by
in
expect when his care can be evinced by

ordinary means
But why do I appeal
to Scripture, and to history]
Are none
of you instances of this care ?
What say
youl Methinks, if the decorum of tliis
service admitted, one would rise and say,
"?
" The Lord
me
is
my
shepherd
he
maketh
down in green ])astures, he

leadeth me beside the still waters."
Another would add, " He hath led me
by a way that I knew not he hath made
to
lie
crooked things straight, and rough places

plain before me."
And a third would
and before Satan could touch

one of Job's camels, or even a single ewe
lamb, God must make a breach in this
hedge
And is he not a hedge round
his people now ]
He is ^^ a wall of fire
round about them, and the glory in the
midst of them." " He careth for"
Your families. Is it necessary to prove
the ark, where a
this]
I appeal to
shameless Ham is floating among the
wrecks of the deluged world, preserved
the devil
for the father's sake.
I refer to
the his-
" Hast thou here," said the

state, referring to some particular deliver- angel who was about to inflict righteous
ance, " In that day the light was neither judgment upon Sodom, " Hast thou here
clear nor dark, but it was a day known to any besides, sons in law or daughters?
the Lord, not day nor night ; but it came Get them out of this place; for I can do
to pass, that at evening time it was light." nothing till ye be come yonder."
I refer
" He careth for you."
; but there
is no need to multiply
We may carry the subject farther, and evidence. " The mercy of the Lord is
tory of Lot.
;
!
GODS CARE FOR

upon them that
fear
ration to another."
a religious ancestry
HIS PEOPLE.
him from one gene- upon you
To trace descent from

is
a greater honour,
a greater happiness than to be able to
look up through a long genealogical line

of nobles and heroes, to loins enthroned.
sockets
327
;" the eyes are sunken in their

the faded visage is hectic and
The children, the wife stand

around weeping; but I open the Bible,
and read, "Precious in the sight of the
wan.
Lord
the dealh of his saints."
is
Here
Children of religious parents why are the care of the most tender friend becomes
you spared and blessed ? Why are not unavailing. Even Abraham is heard to
some of you in hell ? You had praying, say, " Give me a place that I may bury
holy, exemplary parents, and God " cared my dead out of my sight."
But God
!
We
for" them ; and as he loved the tree, he " careth" even for their dust.
may
has extended mercy towards the branches. cherish an affectionate remembrance ; the
And though those branches have been little tokens of their esteem we may
long barren, when justice has threatened fondly review ; the books they scanned
their excision, he has interposed, and we may read with fresh interest we may
said, " Destroy it not; a blessing is in it
even go to the grave, and weep there,
;
for
my
servant's sake,
them
all."
Why
is
will not destroy
Dave you repeat the question.
the fruitless branch spared
father's prayers, a mother's tears are in

it.
Parents
you have perhaps wept,
prayed, and waited, until you at length

despond.
After most consistently dis-
charging your duty, you appear to have

laboured in vain. But " though your
house be not so with God, yet hath he made
with you an everlasting covenant, ordered
in all things and sure."
What, if the
principles you early implanted be effaced,
and your children having plunged headlong into crime, seem callous to reproof;
is their case therefore, hopeless 1
Behold Manasseh, immured in prison in
Babylon, the iron entering into his soul
He is reflecting on the sins of his life,
and the " guide of his youth ;" he prays,
" O God of my father !" and the Lord is
entreated of him.
He " careth for" your bodies. " The
very hairs of your head are all numbered."
Pain may invade, sickness waste the pale
frame, but " in all your aflliclions he is
afllicted."
If the sun of your prosperity
be darkened by the thickening tempest,
and during the storm your friends desert
you; here is "a friend born for adversity ;" a friend that "stirketh closer than
a brother ;" a friend whose language to
you is, " I will never leave lliee, I will
never forsake thee." But, " dust thou
art, and unto dust thou shalt return."
And what is bo humbling as a dying
"Whilst busy meddling memory,

In barbarous succession, musters up
The
past endearments of our

Tenacious of its theme."
But they "
they
are dead
shall
we
shall
softer hours,
go
to
them
They
not return to us."
" we cannot bring them back."

but God can, and he will do
it; for " he that raised up .Tesus from the
dead, shall raise us up also by Jesus ;" and
are dead
JVe cannot
not a particle necessary to our identity

shall
be forgotten or
Our
lost.
and nohigh des-
souls are his chief care;
thing so
much
requires
Its
it.
stamps the soul with incalculable

and its moral condition designates
it an object of pity.
A few years only
have elapsed since our souls were lit into
being
but they are destined to burn on
for ever;
and through eternity blaze
among cherubim and seraphim, or darkly
twinkle amid the gloom of infernal night.
tination
worth
"
The sun
is
but a spark of
fire,
transient meteor in the sky
The
soul,
immortal as
its sire,
Shall never die."
But every human soul
is
darkened by
ignorance, polluted by sin, and enslaved

by Satan^ " shapen in iniquity." " And
wilt tliou turn thine eyes to look
upon
such a one?" Brethren, he //. done it.

Already have you felt ''the bright shinHe
ing of his countenance" upon you.
ie/7/doit.
All his other care
is
subser-
Cares he for your property,

scene ? There the strength is prostratol, for your bodies, for your families ? Their
and tho flesh wiuitcil
the hones "Blare connexion with your sut4l raises them to
;
vietit to this.
THE BRITISH
328
PULPIT.
Want you more evi- may succeed another, as wave impels

dence ? Behold the price at which he wave. In the misconduct of relatives,
has redeemed your souls; " not corrupt- in personal sufferings, in secular embarible things, but the precious blood of rassments, you have continual cause of
Recollect the pains he has solicitude.
Christ."
You sometimes look tremtaken to make them his own. Advert to blingly along the vale of death but amid
the precious promises on which he has all, bear this upon your mind, "He
caused them to ground their trust. Look CARETH FOR vou."
" Happy are the peoforward to that "exceeding and eternal ple that are in such a case yea, happy is
weight of glory" which he has prepared that people whose God is the Lord."
and tlien read the
This doctrine has a moral bearing, and
for their enjoyment
Yes he will we may deduce from it our duty. I seltext, " he carethfiir youy
purify them fully to himself, and pre- dom think of the text, without associatHe will " keep ing it in my mind with a passage in the
serve them from falling.
that which we have committed to him," Old Testament, and which forms part of
and, finally, "present us faultless before a history which is soon told. The prothe throne of his glory." And,
phet Elisha, in his itinerating labours,
that pre-eminence.
Thirdly, What is the improvement visited Shunem.

Here' he was heard by
THAT should BE MADE OF THIS DOCTRINE ] " a great woman," whose heart became
I cannot enter
into
this
inquiry at any
with the truth
penetrated
and nothing
could more naturally follow, than the de-
length.
It is highly important that we ascertain sire to entertain the honoured messenger of

whether or not we are interested in this doc- salvation. In concurrence with her hus-
We
have said, many are careless

we have restricted the text
to those who have attached themselves
to his interests; who "know God, or
rather are known of God."
And should
not your Jirsl improvement of this subject be a serious inquiry into the concern
you have in it? Are you illuminated]
Born again 1 Have you "obtained mercy ?" Are you sanctified by the Spirit
through belief of the truth 1 To such
who can satisfoctorily reply to such questions, I would say, " Hail
ye higiily
favoured of the Lord." "He careth for
you," who is infinitely wise, knowing the
end from the beginning, and what, among
trine.
about God
all possibilities
of occurrence,
is
best for
band, she immediately prepared a
chamber
for the
One day, when he

to his servant,
little
prophet's accommodation.
"
visited there, he said
Go
who
Shunemite,"
call the
presenting herself at the prophet's

door, he addressed
" Seeing thou hast
cared for us with
all this
care,
what
shall
be done for thee 1" She had looked for

no remuneration, nor would she accept
any.
admire this; but
the prophet's
gratitude
hast cared for us with
done
shall be
applying,
Come,
in
my
thou
care,
what
all this
for thee
this
also admire
" Seeing
Who
]"
language,
is
not
God
to
humbly, in
your name, propose the question, " Seebrethren, shall
ing thou hast cared for us with
you: who is infinitely powerful ; doing

"according to his own will among the
care, xchat shall be done fur
armies of heaven, and the inhabitants of

earth ;" making " the wrath of man to
praise him, and restraining the remainder," and who, therefore, cannot be
thwarted in his attempts to serve you
who has already manifested his beneficence
in a thousand acts of kindness, and emboldens the expectation of future mercy, by
the recollection of past.
Your circum-
You
replies,
"
My
thee
all this
He
me thine hearth
What, every corner
son, give
say he has
it.
Let us put the question again

" Seeing thou hast cared for us with all
this care, what shall be done for theel"
He answers from the excellent glory,
" Cast all your care upon me" " Cast thy
burden upon the Lord ; he will sustain
thee." Ask you again, what shall be
done ? He has " left us an example that
stances may be afilictive ; your comforts we should do as he has done."
He hath
may have been shed around you like the " cared for you" cared for your fellow
leaves by the winter's frost ; one trouble creatures; he has cared for your bodies^
;
of it?

CARE FOR HIS PEOPLE.
GOD'S
and " the poor ye have always with you,

and when ye will, ye may do theoi good."
Here
is
the orphan,
"
whom
Throbs
And
*
For
to soft
no mother's bosom
sympathy, and fond alarm."
you
to drop
329
your opposition, and apply
And why not now ?

him for mercy
For now is the accepted time, now is the
day of salvation ? Trifle, and you are
But I must conclude
undone
May God add his blessing
to
yonder,
The wretched widow
forc'd in age, for bread,
Tostrip the brook with mantling cresses spread

To pick her wintry fagot from the thorn.
Then
seek some nightly shed, and

morn,"
" Make
mon
to
weep
SERMON.
till
Let
the
yourselves friends of the
of unriorhteousness."
THE MATTER, MANNER, AND SPIRIT OF A
mam-
And " when
the matter be weighty and grave,
method plain and
clear, the expres-
sion neither soaring on the one hand, nor

too familiar on the other.
Some men
are
what contempt they draw on

by their coarse and homely allu-
not aware
Son of man shall sit on the throne of

religion
King shall say unto you,
sions, and the silly and trivial proverbfs
Inasmuch as ye did it to the least of
Nor should our
they make use of.
these my brethren, ye did it unto me."
expressions be too soft or effeminate, nor
lie has cared for your souls, and by the
the
his glory, the
character of that care, presented this as
our pronunciation
Religion
is
affected
a rational and
or
childish.
manly thing;
recommend it
Away with
the noblest, best charity.
and we should strive to
your sickly sentimentality, your " phiwith the greatest advantage. But, above
lanthropy born in a dream, bred in a
all, let us study a zeal and fervour, as,
novel, and living only in profession."
flowing from the deep sense of the thing
Brethren, souls are perishing, and we
we speak, and being regulated with prumust endeavour to save them. We have
dence and decency, may be fittest to reach
" freely received," we must " freely
Xh&hearts of the hearers.
We
"The
vulgar,
must sigh and weep, but we

that commonly sit under the pulpit, (as
The gospel must
the excellent Herbert speaks,) are genebe preached, and we must aid its promulrally as hard and dead as the seats they
gation. We must "join hands with God"
sit on, and need a mountain of fire to kit>to make a miserable world live.
And,
The best way is, to preach
dle them."
"
known,
let it be
that
he which convertthe things first to ourselves, and then freeth a sinner from the error of his way,
quently to recollect in whose presence
shall save a soul from death, and shall
we are, and whose business we are
give."
must
also pray and act.
hide a multitude of sins."
Before we part, may I speak a word to

you wfio are not fully interested in this
subject ?
How great your loss how danBut there is yet
gerous your condition
God has watched over your inhope.
fancy, and brought you to manhood.
He
has raised you out of afflictions, and daily
supplies your wants: and shall not "his
" As
goodness lead you to repentance
!
the Lord,
I live, saith
in the death of liim tliat
have no pleasure
dieth."
He has
" God so loved
done more than swear it.

the world, that he gave liis only begotten
Son, that whosoever belicveth on him
should not perish, but have everlasting
life."
() that this love might constrain
Vor,.
1.
42
doinof.
Scousal-
ASCRIBE ALL SUCCESS TO GOD.
Though we had the tongues of angels

though we had strength of intellect to
;
grapple the most sublime and mysterious

topics ; though on the wings of meditation we could spring from the boundaries
of this world, and liold converse with the
skies ; though with the most command-
ing eloquence, we could roll like the

thunder, or bo soft and sweet as the
music of the spheres
still
we must
dis-
still
we must say,
claim all praise;
" Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but
Parsons.
unto thy name give glory."
2 E 2
SERMON XXXVI
MINISTERS, AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST.
PREACHED AT
ST. BRIDE's
CHURCH, LONDON, FOR THE CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
BY THE REV.
<
JVoto then
we are ambassadors for
H.
BUDD,
M.A.
God did
beseech
Christ, as though
Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."
Six thousand years of anguish and of

are rapidly rolling away, and
every Missionary Anniversary becomes
more interesting. The world is rising
from a state of torpid neutrality as to the
groans
The Bible
producing a decided and universal impression.

The three groat divisions of the Christian
effect of Missions.
is
church, the Greek, the Latin, and the Protestant; the Jews, yet beloved for the
Father's sake
the
Mohammedans,
Otto-
man, and Persian and the immense poall these

pulation of the pagan world
L The
fields of spiritual culture
prove that the
share has not been applied in vain. The

produce, indeed, has not been in all cases
alike encouraging but all demands a decided advance, and a fearless and persevering application of the remedy which
God has so eminently placed at your
restoration
of
a lost
Christian minister's designa-
n. The dignity of his character..

HL The subject of his embassy.
IV. The application of the subject
to
our present purpose.
And now, " Be thou
Lord,
exalted,
so will we sing and

thy strength
Here is
praise thy power."
First, The Christian minister's de-
in
signation.
He
is
sador
is
the representative of his prince,
negotiate his affairs.
sent to
chiefly to consider
The
I.
" we
An ambas-
an ambassador of mercy
are ambassadors for Christ."
disposal, for the
v. 20.
tion.
you by us: we pray you
2 Cor.
He
has
two things.
Christian minister has to con-
sider the character of those to whom he is

sent.
He is not sent to kings or princes
to the noble
dent
and
neither
is
rich, the refined or pru-
he sent
to the poor, the
slave.
He
But " is not the Lord gone out

What, then, has the minisbefore us 1"
labourer, or the
do but to stimulate your energies to

corresponding exertions and to urge you
by a more ardent faith, and a more active
charge ; but he says with Paul, "

know no man after the flesh." It is the
soul, the immortal soul, that is the subject of his charge; and whether it be
found in the palace or the mansion, the
streets or the highways, the night cellar
or the peasant's cot, all need to be alike
told
You have a soul to be saved
Neiliier is he sent to men as exhibiting
world.
ter to
charity, to the application of the great
remedy God has provided

reveal
its
for the
healing
May He by his Spirit

power to us
May we have a
of the nations
revelation of "the righteousness of
from
of
faith to faith !"
life to
our
own
dwell in the
arth
May
it
souls, and to those
remotest
regions of
In the text are contained,
330
God
be a word
who
the
tliem
all,
is
sent to
as the general subjects of his
We
the
riicer
man
is
is
One
distinctions of character.
one
one is
civilized, another is learned;
respectable, another
is
less so
331
amiable, another is repulsive these may his embassy vain. He has mistaken the
If the disease, and what wonder if the remedy
all be alike destitute of Clirist.
man be decidedly " in Christ," he is " a fail 1 He is ignorant of the character he
new creature ;" and now his distinction is sent to benefit, and what wonder if his
Here, then, is
is, " Old things are passed away ; behold, embassy be unavailing"?
Nor yet is the firm foundation of all useful efforts on
all things are become new !"
he sent to men as exhibiting the broader the part of the gospel minister ; a deep
distinctions of character
whether civil- conviction that man is a sinner against
History, experience, the word of
ized or savage, learned or illiterate, in God.
this state of society or the other, in this God, the character of Christ, and the feelclimate or the other; not to the elder son, ing of the plague of his own heart, all g
proud in comparative innocence ; or the to prove to him that he is a perishing sinyounger son, lost in profligacy and ner, and that he is sent to perishing sinmisery: the natural disposition of both ners with this embassy " Be ye recon:
no inhe- ciled to God!"

" All things"
rent spirituality in either.
It is evident, then, that such a minister
that tend to spiritual life "are of God," cannot be the ambassador of the law.
is
alike enmity to
God
ithere is
who by a method of his own, suited to The law demands strength, and the sinevery variety of human character, " hath ner is weak ; the law demands unceasing
reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ." obedience, but the sinner disobeys in all
If, then, he be sent to no particular the law never did, nor can, make the imcondition of men, to no peculiar distinc- perfect perfect.
In paradise, it proved
tions of character; under what character that man could not stand in his own
is he to address mankind ? simply as sin- strength
and it was not given on Sinai
ners. This is the universal character of because man was holy, but to restrain
man. " God hath concluded," shut up unholiness its numerous precepts multitogether, "all under sin."
"All have plied sin and aggravated the offence.
sinned, and come short of the glory of " By the law is the knowledge of sin,"
;
" sin
God."
for
revolt,
Apply
All are rebels, guilty of foul

found in open warfare against
their God.
"There is none that doeth
good ; no, not one." Neither natural,
nor moral, nor artificial distinctions make
any difference here man, everywhere, at
all times, under
all circumstances, is
found a sinner against God. You may
collect specimens of earth from diflerent
:
countries;
you may decompose them;
but though they may ditTer in certain

properties, they all agree in one,
they
are material and perishing.
of rebels there
may
In an
army
is
the transgression of the law."
the rule of the law to a rebel in
arms, and it is the exhibition of his offence, and the occasion of its repetition
or if he be conscious of the majesty of the
authority he has violated, and the perfection of the law he has broken, this consciousness, without any idea of mercy,
plunge him into despair, and

him with the justice o.f liis punish-
will only
terrify
Let the law act as a pioneer to
ment.
prepare the
member
way
be every variety of the law, but of Christ
character, but they are
of the law, and to
man where you
fect
will
but
all rebels.
Find
shape him as you
let
that he is not the
make
He
freedom."
is
the minister re-
ambassador of
to restore the love

its
service
" per-
not the magistrate,
the line and plummet of civilizayet no perfection of art, or attainment of science, can make him less than
a sinner a rebel against his (Jod ! It is
with his politic rule he is not the slatesman, with cabinet devices ; he is not the
legislator, with his civil code ; he is not
the prudent man, with his subtle schemes
man, then, " dead in trespasses,"

corrupt and impotent; to man, "without
God in the world ;" to man, the Jll/ivist
suasion
may, by
tion
to sinful
he
is
not the orator, with

;
he
imagination
is
;
liis
powers of
not the poet, with sublime
he
is
not the
man
of feeling,
ambassador is sent; and if ho with his tenderness and melting sympaaddress man in any character short of thy; he is not Moses himself, fresh from
communion with God, his countenanc*
thi.i, he fails of his purpose, and makes
that this
"

THE BRITISH
332
shining, and the tables yet
finger of
God
warm
with the
not one of these, not all of
these combined in one, will suit the cha-
whom
he
SINNER, that he
racter to
the
is sent.
sent
is
;^
It is to
not the partial,
not the impoverished,

but the ruined not
man hurt by
but
man dead
not man be
mended, but new made not
be
sin,
to
sin
in
to
but to be created.
fied,
cleanseth from
a
new
this,
"
nature.
Thy
delivered to the soul
and the work
sins are forgiveu
thy faith hath saved thee ; go in

peace." Let this message be effectually
thee
recti-
principle not
Let the worst

and he has at once
sin."
all
to
known to the world must be applied; a

message never thought of by man must
be brought a message suited to him as
e miserable sinner
a message of mercy
from his offended God, which can cleanse
the guilt of sin from his conscience, and
subdue the power of sin in his heart.
" Behold," then, in the sublime language of Isaiah, " behold !" not a prince,
him with an unmeasured proclamation of

mercy
"The blood of Jesus Christ
man, sinner but accept
but the total sinner

to
PULPIT.
is
own
clined to its
those of
man
is
The
Spirit,
soul
is
in-
best interests, and to
and
due exercise of
by the Holy
done.
it
has power for the
This
all its obligations.
the Christian minister's designation:
he
is
an ambassador of mercy
herald of grace.
fur
"
This
Christ.''''
We
is
he
When
just the character
who
that our church expects in us,
her ministers.
is
are ambassadors
are
she sends us forth,
her words are these ; " Consider with

yourselves the end of your ministry toof wards the children of God, the spouse and
a statesman, a legislator, the wise, the

moralist, the orator,
poet, the
tl-ie
man
not Moses himself, but the

Saviour adapted
the sinner " my
" whom
vant" my Son, made
feeling
no,
to
"mine
eth"
in his character of
elect, in
my
my soul
whom my
not philosophy,
pects of us as the result of our ministra-
Mediator
but that the people should be

brought to " ripeness and perfectness in
Christ." And do our attainments equal
her requisitions ? The habits of life, our
tions,
soul delight-
chosen Redeemer, in whom

man with complacency.
looks on
It is
or morality, or refinement, that she ex-
flesh,
uphold"
body of Christ."
ser-
" I have put my Spirit upon him" the own hearts, the bias of education, the
power to restore the souls of men to my very moral atmosphere by which we ar.e
image. " He shall bring forth judgment" surrounded, are all against us. All these
righteousness,
"
to
the Gentiles."
have just suited his character to their

wants. His meekness shall condescend
to their frowardness, and cause him to
adapt himself to their greatest weakness.
" A bruised reed shall he not break, and
the smoking flax shall he not quench ;"
the perfection of man shall be in him.
" He shall bring forth judgment unto
truth ;" a righteousness which supplies
every defect shall be in him. And as his
meekness suits the infirmities of men, his
perseverance suits their unwillingness,
their contempt, and rejection of him.
" He
be discouraged,"
and
" the isles," the heathen, " shall wait for
his law"
a law of pity and of grace. It
is a Saviour man wants
not a legislator,
or philosopher, but " the Prince of Peace.
It is mercy meeting correlative misery ;
pardon pronouncing peace. God meets
man as a miserable sinner, and meets
shall not fail, or
but go on
till
men
are fully justified
''^
claim to be substitutes for Christ; they

are the false Christs, which exclude the
genuine Christ from our own hearts and
And
those of the people.
shall
we
retire
from such a world as hermits ? or rather,

shall we not retire, with Paul, into Christ,
and seek to be found only in him ? As
surely as we,
who
are the clergy, are
with the Spirit of Christ, so surely

shall we be eflicient ambassadors and
faithful missionaries.
Let us be but missionaries for Christ a<Ao/nf, and missionaries for Christ abroad will not long be
wanting.
And never let the missionary abroad
forget his designation.
He is an " amfilled
bassador for Christ."

his
thority,
Here
comfort, his
security, his reward.
And
is
as his
an "ambassador for Christ," so

voice be, "
Lord
will
his au-
support,
his
title is
let
his
will go in the strength of the
make mention
of thy right-
eousness, even of thine only."
Consider.
333
The
dignity of his charac- not with enticing words of man's wisdom

but in the demonstration of the Spirit;"
His voice is that of his Master his and why 1 " that your faith should not
" As stand in the wisdom of men, but in the
entreaty is that of his Saviour.
though God did beseech you by us, we power of God." Brethren, where is the
pray you in Christ^s stead.'''' The dignity fastidiousness, and refinement, and exof his office is such, that we cannot mag- quisiteness of our modern pulpit herel
His subjects He debases the man, that he may raise
nify it beyond due bonds.
the minister ; he exalts Christ on the deare not those of nature or of providence
these are the business of men who are pression of self; he elevates the Spiril
occupied in the affairs of time and sense. upon the ruins of the flesh. Oh, the
True, he is in the flesh, but he must live meanness of man, that would borrow a
"by the faith of the Son of God." His spark from nature, to light up the horizon
Oh, where is the man who can
affairs are spiritual, and connected with of grace
the
eternity. (_His voice may be feeble, but take the crown from his own head
it is as the voice of God
the voice of crown of reputation, of talent, of power,
God in its most winning form ; for it is of excellence and lay it at the feet of
the voice of God incarnate
thou alone
of Christ Christ, and say, " O Jesus
Secondly,
ter.
worthy ]" O may Christ be elevated

this day, and self destroyed
and may
himself of Christ still incarnate in the

person of his minister as Christ still in
the flesh, inviting men to be reconciled to
God. And the feeblest minister who is
art
man
We
highly?
office too
sioned by
God and by
arc
Christ.
" Be thou exalted,
Lord, in thine
own
Let the man be thus merged in the miand he rises to the highest dignity
of his office.
For " we preach not our-
though God did beseech you by us,
we pray you in Chrisfs stead."

How, then, is it possible to magnify
our
from every heart
strength !"
faithful to his charge, is entitled to say,
"As
this prayer proceed
nister,
commis- selves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and

" Let a ourselves your servants, for Jesus' sake."
The highest
so account of us, as of the ministers
of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries
dignity of the minister of
be the servant of all then he

of God;" as instruments of spirituality; adapts himself to the case of all whom he
as " workers together with God.". Who beseeches in Christ's stead. The dunare the four beasts, or living creatures, geon of the malefactor
the weakness of
before the mystical throne of Christ, but childhood
the fatuity of age
the obstithe ministers of the church, by whose nacy of ignorance
the repulse of savage
vigilance, activity, and piety, the church's ferocity
the opposition of malignant barinterests are to be promoted ]
Are they barism and the cutting sneer of the nonot stars in his right hand ? arc they not minal professor he is prepared to meet
the jewels of his crown ] for " the mes- and to conciliate.
He becomes " all
sengers of the churches" are " the glory things to all men;" he beseeches, he soChrist
is to
of Christ."
But
is
licits,
the minister is elevated as the
depressed
nister rises.
as the
man
is
His aim
is to
save the
for this he cannot suffer
or stoop too low.
The deepest
humiliation of the Saviour
was when he
too
seen as
soul
he prays.
man immortal
sinks, the mi-
His excellency
much,
viewed distinct from talents and endured tlie death of the cross; and this
The most distinguished was also his liighest, his richest exaltaminister on record was the most jealous tion. Till' minister resembles his Lord,
" And I, brethren, and his richest dignity is humility. " If
of human attractions.
when I came to you, came not with ex- any will he groat among you, let him be
cellency of speech or of wisdom, declar- your minister." " Ami ho took a child,
ing unto you the testimony of God for 1 and set him in the midst of them." There
determineil not to know any thing among is the minister of Christ! the ficlinjr of a
you, but Jesus Christ, and hiiu crucified. chilli is his proper feeling.
If such be
And my speech and my preaching was tiio designation, and such the dignity of
he
is
acquirements.
THE BRITISH
334
the minister of Christ,
we
are prepared to
Thirdlij,
This
this
we
can conceive of as pos-
" But God commendeth his love

to us, in that while we were yet sinners
Christ died for us." While we were yet
rebels, with the weapons in our hands,
God said, even at such a moment, " It is
peace." But mark the mode in which
this love is displayed
a mode which
shows the strictest regard to justice, in
connexion with love the most attractive.
The subject of his embassy.
is, the
reconciliation of a sinner to
" Be ye reconciled
You
sible.
to
God." His
subject is suited to the state of men :

' Repent ye, and believe the g-ospel."
are a sinner, but
God
is
reconciled
you.
Mediator is appointed ; a Mediator who

has the rich expression of all the perfections of the Godhead.
Abstract excel-
lence and perfection, essential wisdom,
power, holiness, infinity, no creature can

conceive of. But in the second person in
lieveth in Jesus."
receive the boon
we
All
"be
ask
is this
ye reconciled
Ours is a message of mercy we

do not ask you to reconcile God to you,
either by your repentance or your faith,
else we should drive you to despair. He
has prepared all this for you, and we invite
you to ask for it. We do not ask you to
that he has done
reconcile him to you
already, by a way in which he is at once
"just, and the justifier of him that beto
PULPIT.
friend
consider,
God
the Godhead,
we have
a revelation of the
perfections of Godhead,
comprehend
which we can
and
" the word,"
guilty sinner will reply, " But who expresses the Divine mind
the Son,
what must I do to be saved ] My sins who represents the Father the Image
are numerous
How deep is their dye which portrays his resemblance the
how long have they been persisted in impression of his excellence, the brightWhat satisfaction must I make 1 " What ness of his glory. Here, then, we see
good thing shall I do, that I may have him as disposable grace. The Father
eternal life ?"
To these efforts, which contemplates man in him in him he
contain an opposition in terms, God in chooses man before time ; and in him, in
mercy says, " Come now, and let us rea- time, he orders his election, conversion,
son together." And this reasoning shall justification, sanctification ; and at length,
consist of one argument only, which shall by glory, crowning this tissue of grace.
meet all you can urge in opposition
Thus " God was /? Christ, reconciling
believe, and
God"
The
to
our
live.
own
sufficiently for his glory
good.
Christ
is
free
pardon
a pardon for
all
your sins,
the world unto himself, not
however many, great, or long persisted

" Though your sins be as scarlet,"
in.
their trespasses unto
and glaring as scarlet under the

noontide sun, " they shall be white as
snow; though they be red like crimson,"
of a deep and blood-red dye, habitual and
inveterate, " they shall be as wool."
sin, that
plain
Boundless mercy
inconceivable love
unfathomable grace
Free pardon, and
!
made him
ness of
to
be sin
we might
God
in
imputing
For he hath
us, who knew no
them.
for
be
him."
made
the righteous-
Here
is
the " great
mystery of godliness ; God was manifest

in the flesh !"
Embrace, then, the love
of the Father
2.
The
Kmhrace
the grace of the Son.
grace of his person.
In no other
1st.
way
complete reconciliation
This, then, is can the sinner of himself approach God.
our message
" Be ye reconciled to God." The sword of flame turns every way to
All things are ready, and wait your ac- keep him back from the tree of life, and
ceptance.
Be ye reconciled to God the the blaze of Sinai fills him with terror.
Father, Son, and Spirit.
Man cannot approach to God; God there1. Embrace the love of the Father.
Re- fore approaches to man in his Son. Jesus
conciliation originates here.
All are sin- comes, and in his person unites the huners; and it signally illustrates the rich- man and divine nature he dwells at Naness of his mercy, that he loved us" when zareth, and has " a local habitation and a
we were dead in sins." There is some- name." He lives, acts, thinks, as we do,
thing plausible, something that wê can yet without sin he faints, weeps, agocomprehend, in a man dying for his nizes, groans, dies !
And is this tko

335
Saviour and my reconciliation," and you can say, "My

Infinite?
God! 2d. Embrace the grace of his beloved is mine, and I am his." I close
work.
United to his person by faith, here by gathering up all in one expression
you are also united to his work. Faith
" The grace (f the Lord Jtms Christ, aiid
identifies you with Christ, from the stable the love of God, and the communion if the
at Bethlehem, up to his throne on hiu^h. Holy Ghost, be with us all and with every
You are quickened in him suffer in him soul in the remotest corner of the worldj
now and for evermor ! Amen.''"'
are crucified with him
die in him
If such is the Christian minister's derise in him, and ascend together "in heavenly places in Christ." .3d. Embrace signation, dignity, and work
if his aim
the Son in his offices.
All grace is in be to make known the blessings of the
him for the supply of all your wants. Do gospel of reconciliation ; it seems obvious
your souls droop under a sense of sin ] to ask, since there is so much " balm in
Go and spread it before him who is at Gilcad," and so able a " physician there,
It is he,
my
once the victim of the priest on the cross

of Calvary. Are you weak and languid
in prayer before God 1
Go to him who is
your glorious intercessor. Do you want
wisdom and knowledge

" hid all the treasures
In Christ are
of
wisdom and
why then is not the health of the daughter

of my people recovered V
Why, in this
nineteenth century of Christianity, why
has the gospel of reconciliation produced
such feeble, such contracted efiects] We
need not go far to solve this question.
The world is not reconciled to its God,
knowledge ;" and he will teach you. It

is
the book of grace which reveals because so little of this reconciliation is felt
the meaning of the books of nature, of in Christendom itself , and so little is felt,
providence, of glory.
Do you want re- it is to be feared, not because it has not
pentance, ttie conquest of lust, power over been received, but because it has not been
every temptation ? Christ is " a Prince
and a Saviour," exalted for this purpose.
His sceptre can sway every sin, and beat
down every enemy under your feet. To
live by faith on the offices of Christ, is
richest experience
Christ and on Christ,
tlie
to live
is to
by
faith
by
receive " out
of his fulness grace for grace."
Embrace
3.
The
"
the fellowship of the Spirit,
Spirit dispenses the grace of the Son.
He
shall glorify
me," says Christ; "for
he
shall receive of mine, and shall show

unto you
all things that the Father
hath are mine." The excellencies of the
it
Father aie deposited in Christ, to be bestowed by the Spirit. The Father is the
source of grace
the Son is the dcpositori/
of grace
grace.
marts of commerce and population ? Is

it at Rome
at Constantinople
at Alexandria'? Doubtless, each had its Clement
its Chrysostom
its Athanasius; but
the candlesticks are removed, and the
gospel is not preached. And if the question be asked, why is Christendom sunk
into Socinian and Infidel corruption?
I
can only answer, because the gospel of re-
conciliation is not preached .'^
But let us ask also, does the gospel of

aduari/ of reconciliation produce what it ought in
Does the sauvity of this goshis to enlighten, to quicken, England?
the
Spirit is
tlic
It is
cThe history of the church

abounds with unchristian errors ; and
where we find the gospel of reconciliation
preached, it is rather mentioned as an exception to the surrounding error.
But
where is the gospel ? Is it at ihe great
preached!
pel prevail in ourmanners, or the severity

you with the earn- of the law? Is there the kindness, the
est of heavenly glorv.
meekness, the conciliation, the reconcil" Be yo reconciled, then, to God." ing spirit, the holy courtesy, of a people
to restore, to exalt, to comfort, to purify,
to uphold, and to seal
What
simple,
a rceonciliulion
full,
free,
Christ, Jehovah
is
his fulness, and in

tion
To know
joy of the soul.
How
here!
is
and complete
yours yours
all
his
powe^
this, is the
very
You have "
In
in
all
to salvalife
and
received the
in
whom
exalted
self is dethroned, and Christ

is
is
there the forbearance, and ten-
derness, and clemency, of a people reconciled to (Jod, and saved
by mercy
llnre not rather the excessive claim
or is
and
rigorous exaction of duty, which speaks
i^
THE BRITISH
336
PULPIT.
Are our chil- " Be ye reconciled to God." The high

the severity of the law?
dren trained, not as the children of pro- est is not above our care ; the lowest is
mise, but of nature] At the baptismal not below it. It is not enough that they|
not children required to
font, are
fulfil
are moral, that they attend our ministry:
not enough that being solicited and

warned, they decline and reject: we act
It is not for
Is education the demand of duty, or the for souls, and for eternity.
Are we us to be angry, to be baffled, to retire disencouragement of privilege]
aiming to maice men better by clemency ] gusted, fainting, despairing we want a
a benevolent boldness
or is it not rather by the application of mind like Christ
a spirit undaunted, that will go on
law and punishment? Are the acts of
our legislature mild and clement, or aw- hearing of no refusal, and not resting till
Are the resolutions of they are saved. We want to be filled with
ful and terrific ?
to have Christ in our studies, in
our Cabinets mere temporary expedients, Christ
are they our pulpits, in our hearts, in our whole
or wise and liberal treatments?
in short, we want the misrot rather suited to punish for offence, intercourse
than to allure to obedience? If, then, sionary zeal, that we may accomplish the
England stands in
this be the complexion of things among missionary ^wrpose!
s, in this nineteenth century of a perfect need of missionaries herself at this very
gospel, it is the most important question hour, as well as any part of the heathen
world.
And it has been long my firm
we can ask to ourselves to the world
to the empire of conviction, that it is in vain to expect an
to the glory of God
promises made for them, without the application of the promises made to them ?
'
it is
'
Christ
to the
honour of the Spirit
to
what
made
a greater
gospel reconciliation
in
answer
this question
tsking another;
Church of England
Is
the
will
Shall
do
by
it
pulpit of the
a pulpit of the
law
or
the gospel, of reconciliation or of terror?

Which is its character ? " Lord, revive
l,hy
work
in
the midst of the years
the midst of the years
make known
remember mercy
\\ralh
!"
We
may
common
but she asks the communication of our
what? "Christ
Christpreach
by Christ and recommend
She requests
grace.
As we
crucified."
Christ
live
we
in
race of mankind.
have
feel
a benefit to the
Yes
whole
the ministers of
They
England stand on high ground!
very hour, the ministers of tlie

Do I need an apology, my reve-
arrived at,
are, at this
Lnsllt/, The application of the subject TO our puesent purpose.

^^ Now then."
Will my reverend brethren in the viimstry allow me, first, to
Christ has suffered, and
address them?
has entered into his glory. He has been
lifted up on the cross; he is lifted up to
glory and he now waits to be lifted up
For this purpose he has
in every heart.
appointed us his ambassadors, and requires us to lift up his person, his work,
his offices, as the one unceasing subWe are to be Misject of our ministry.
sionaries to those around us, on the vast
world.
important concerns of their souls.

are to address all ranks, from the king to
the peasant, and all characters, whether
oioral or profane, and to say to them all,
The world
ground.
refuse the decisions of our Cabinets,
Christ, so are
We
stand on no
in
'
supply of Missionaries for foreign
service, till
the reason that society in
is
land has not
vance
efficient
we who are ministers of the

Eng- church become Missionaries at home. As
practical administers of the Church of England, we
the success of the Missionary cause
rend friends
I
am
If so, I find
it
in
my
text.
an " ambassador for Christ;" and
-"
beseech you " in Christ's stead."
2. I would address myself to my Missionary brethren. I am not disposed to
consider your work as different from our
own. You leave, as Abraham did, your
home, and go out, not knowing whither
you go. Herein we differ; but, in addressing a Christless world, we differ but
little.
Gross superstition false deities
senseless
ignorant
you may have
savage
eye
of
counter: but we have
devotion
refinements
sensuality
idolatry
to en-
brutality
the lust
idolatrous
false
to
what
to
is
and
wrong
over-civilization
encounter at home.
the
-^
If
you have

337
barbarous idolaters to address, we have withhold 1 " Shall he not with him, also,
the devotees of a more dangerous idolatry. freely give us all things'?"
O Christian
Self and Christ are every where opposed. parents! if you have never felt that bless!
by means of an ignorant ing as yet, may He, who has given his own
by means of a Son for us, give you that faith to-night,
corrupted refinement. An " ambassador which, in surrendering your children to
for Christ" is alike needed
the qualiHca- God, divests you of all painful anxiety for
tion is the same both for ministers at them, and makes your happiness secure,
home, and for missionaries abroad
4. I must address /AeyftMng-.
they
We look
must " put on the Lord Christ."
chlcftij to you for our supply of MissionIf Satan reigns
idolatry, he reigns also
3.
address parents.
we have
If
Christ has conferred this chief
a aries.
Missionary College, we want a Missionary

nursery also.
If you are Christian parents, you have already devoted your
children to God ; " to fight under the ban-
honour upon you. How infinitely is this

beyond all the other objects that caa
stimulate your ambition
In all the others,
you are useful for time: in this you labour for eternity. Is holiness the truest
happiness ] is usefulness the brighest
honour ? is the work of saving souls frona
sin, and guilt, and wrath, the most worthy zeal and energy'? Then is this work
of a Missionary superior to all others,
How poor are the achievements of Greek
and Roman youths, recorded on the page
of history, and celebrated by poets, com!
ner of Christ, against sin, the world, and
and to continue Christ's faithand servants unto their lives'

end." In the teeth of this engagement,
are you seeking for them wealth, honour,
Are you seeking the gratidistinction?
fication of what you have vowed to renounce, or coveting what you have promised to suppress? or are you withholding!
them from God, to whom you professed pared with the labours of Paul
the devil
ful soldiers
to devote
them
We want
" Oh,
of such resignation.
man
the dying Haliburton to his son, "
many sons
as
we
not exainples
Heber also, who sought, above
!" said
if
and
may
all
besides,
the good of others and the glory of their
had
your
as there are hairs in
not say of Brainer-l, of .Martyn, and of
God?
would bestow them all to God. I

5.
I address the great congregation.
would rather have you a Missionary and Remember how you are encouraged to
a martyr than a monarch !"
And said the support this great work. I speak not of
mother of the Wesleys, " Had I twenty Bi<)lc Societies or translations or Mishead,
them going sionary colleges or of agents sent out to

as Missionaries, and should rejoice tli.it Mahoinmedans and Jews; I speak not
they were so employed, though I should particularly of any institutions established
never sfê them more !" And what is said to benefit the bodies or the souls of men,
'* N"W I
and to spread the name of Clirist throughin commendation of Abraham ?
know that thou fearest God, seeing thou out the world but I speak of-Me union of
hast not withheld thy son, tiiine .tnlij son, all l/iese at the present moment, as augurfrom me." And what are we who are ing better and more glorious days at hand
sons,
should be glad
to see
'
now
the
here but the fruits of that very act of Tlie prophecies are accomplishing
we are part of his prayers of the church for six thousand
faithful oberlience; for
spiritual
we
God HO
seed, and blessed in him.
sliall
carry the rXimple
"
lovi'd the
he
iiiaile
.No;
it?
neither
world, that"
lUiiintained
-
f these,
were the "so," the

love.
He "so
still
loved
it?
nor
Or years
higher
wliati
blessed it?
all
of these,
iiitenseness of his
it,
that he gavft
liis
only bi'gotlen Son, that whosoever believelh in him should not perish, but havn
are receiving their
made
prayer
may be
whole earthevanprinciples are spreadii\g

amidst
the praise of the
gelical
the pressure of the limes, funds are not
withheld
selves
God
missionaries
the work
for
are oflering
them
ri-coiielliation
lo
proclaimed, and the world listens

and surress is by no means want-
is
to it;
And if He " spared not ing. The heathen

ami, remembering
/its onlif Son," what can his love now
VoL.'l. 3
everlasting litV."
answer
presenting, that .lerusalem
is still
are crying out for help;
that
2F
" the weapons of
THE BRITISH
338
PULPIT.
our warfare are not carnal, but mighty pared with the cause of Christ, and his
through God," let us take courage, for glory in the earth.
But is this ain Do we not want a
surely " the Lord is gene out before us."
Let us remember also our ob!igat{o7is. greater manifestation of faith of Chris" Freely we have received, freely let us tian holiness of humility of love of
deadness to the world
of less display ia
Remember what you were
give."
person, in furniture, in habits, in dress
Six hundred
millions of human beings are still sunk in
darkness, and cry, " Come over, and help
us !" Among these are more than a hundred millions of your fellow-subjects.
Remember the value of but 07ie soul, possessed of an eternal duration, and deprived
of the glories of salvation during that
eternity
Remember how little has been
done, and how much remains to be done
Remember where you live, and when you
live
in England, and in the middle of
the nineteenth century of Christianity
remember, too, why you live and aim to
honour Christ, and glorify God. Remember that " the whole creation groaneth
and travaileth in pain together until now,
waiting for the manifestation of the sons
And remember that, with
of God."
abundant promises of the Spirit's influence, God has eminently committed to
you the gospel of reconciliation to a lost
world.
But are we prepared for this holy work ?
Allow me here to speak plainly and une-
in
enlightened in the world.
We want a bolder avowal in
quivocally.
the family the

the magistracythe
the cabinet above
"I am Christ!" We want
our personal religion
in
social circle
lature
legis-
but,
all, in
the
for
pulpit,
that zeal, that boldness, for the glory of
Christ crucified, which shone in Cranmer,

and Ridley, and Latimer, and Bradford,
and Philpot, and
others, the martyrs of
the Reformation.
Let us
live
and preach
as they, and their success shall be ours.
We want unity also
both in the Esta-
blished Church, and in the church of

at large.
God
should hail the union of
all
human
it should be
Let the consciences of'
Is all, in these respects, as
men
all
of
God
Here
want a Christian education
also.
our mischief!
W'e
the root of
is
all
have virtually forsaken the Bible, " the

fountain of living waters ; and have hewn
out for ourselves cisterns, broken cisterns
that can hold no water."
We give six
days to Mythology, and scarcely one to
the Bible ; and then wonder that things
are as they are.
At the baptismal font
we vow
regard to the souls of our chil-
dren, and then devote the
whole of our
attention to their temporal interests
And
then, of course.
We
want Missionaries. Why ? Only

the wants we have already
named a bolder avowal of the gospel
consider
among
unity
cation.
If
people of Christ
a Christian eduhad these, we should have
the
Christian conversation
we
Missionaries, and the world might soon

rejoice in the salvation of God.
In one word, brethren, are you ^^reconciled to
God ?"
If so,
God and
you have given your
he has your hearts,

he has your all; your affections, your
children, your money, your talents, your
faculties of body and soul, are all His.
Your prayers, your praises, your aspirations
all in nature, all in grace
are His.
Do you love mankind, your friends, your
children, yourselves?
Love Christ, and
hearts to
if
you show the best love to ihem serve

Christ, and you serve them
advance the
cause of Christ, and you advance their interests also.

Christ, and all connected
with Him, are alone immortal.
Your
money must pass away your friends
"
reply
We
But
fix'J his
word, his saving power remains,
and all seeming differences Thy realm

for ever
would appear "trifles, light as air," comreigns."
selfishness,
the efforts of the people of God, as a proof your children

your estates yourselves
that God was indeed at work.
The love must pass away "the world passeth
of Christ can alone effect this.
Let the away, and the lust thereof:"
love of Christ be paramount to
among the darkest of the nations remember what you are perhaps the most
:
lasts,
thy
own Messiah
SERMON
XXXVII.
THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD.

BY THE REV.
BENSON,
C.
AT TEMPLE CHURCH.
"But some men
will sai/,
How
are the dead raised

1
Of
and with what body do
they come
?"
Cor. XV. 35.
which the gospel will be hereafter
will be no disease to weaken,^

and no death again to dissolve the connexion which will then be once more
formed. The Grecian and Roman philosophers might have some faint notion of
a compound of matter
and that the same being who
on earth is fnithfiil to his Saviour will,
in heaven, be glorified by that Saviour;
that he who disbelieves or disobeys his
Lord's will, in the same form in which
he sinned in this state of pilgrimage, be
condemned to everlasting and unavailing
anguish in the appointed state of retribuThis was the promise of Jesus to
tion.
his followers; and to illustrate and confirm that promise, he himself burst the
bands of death, and showed himself alive
a future state, in which the soul would
after his passion to his various disciples,
all
the doctrines
has broujrht
to light,
when making known and
and immortality which is

purchased by the merits of the sacrifice
of Jesus Christ, the most inexplicable to
to us that life
human
reason
is
that of the resurrection
from the dead, the reunion of the body

and soul in another and a better world,
where there
either be
happy
or miserable
according
to the
merits of the being in
for ever,
whose vile tabernacle it dwelt on earth.

But that future state was to consist, in
their view, not of another union to the
body, but
in a
complete and permanent
separation from the bondage of the flesh,
from
pain,
and
They looked upon
and decay.
body as the prison
suffering,
the
and the degradation of the soul ; and conceived its only hope of felicity to be
placed in an emancipation from its dungeon of earthliness. Nor have the deists,
in the latter days, ever conceived a doctrine of a different kind
they have deemed it necessary to disembody the spiritual
part of man in order that it might be
:
happy
for ever.
Ihit the doctrine of Christianity is
of a
spirit
and after forty days ascended visibly

with his body into the heavenly regions.
He had declared to them, not only that
where he was they should be also, but
as he was they also should become.
Now, they had beheld him mounting up
into heaven ; into heaven, tlieretore, they
themselves, also, were to obtain an entrance.
They had beheld him carrying
up thither the body in wiiich he had
walked with them, and talked with them,
durinor the course of
iiis
earthly ministry
with the same body therefore with which

with the
they had accompanied liim
same eyes which had looked on him
with the same cars that had heard him
and with the same hands that had
handlod him, thoy themselves were to
follow him into the heavenly places, and
promises to man a become tlie companions of angels, princiIt was a glorious

perfection and an eternity of happiness palities, and powers.
doctrine; and, convinced of its truth by
both in body and soul
it tells the disciple of the gospel that as ho is now so ho every necessary testimony to their sensci^
different charartcr;
it
339

THE BRITISH
340
and every reasonable reliance upon the

Saviour's words, they went forth and
preached Jesus and the resurrection, as
the two fundamental principles of the
But it was one
rclicrion of the gospel.
of the most wonderful and unexpected
doctrines, and many who embraced the
faith of Christ were yet often dwelling
on its singularity; and, with a vain and
useless effort to clear up the whole mighty
mystery, were often asking the questions
of the text, and confounding both themselves and their teachers, by demanding
how the dead shall be raised up, and
with what body shall they come.
It is not to presume to answer these
inscrutable questions in the fullest extent
that
have chosen these words
for the
subject of our present consideration.
event alone can
tell
The
us the means and the
mode by which God
will operate this
PULPIT.
while the faithless and impeni-
spirit;
tent,
the extortioner and
adulterer, the
worldly-minded and the lover of pleasure

and folly, will be left to slumber on for
ever in the unconsciousness of the grave.
The wicked sometimes hope that, but
they cannot hope with any foundation
Scriptures,
in the
.ill
that are in their
graves shall hear the voice of the Son of

man, and shall awake; some, indeed, to
some to everlasting
"There will be a
says the apostle, " both
everlasting glory, but
shame and contempt.

resurrection,"
of the just and
And
of the unjust."
while the bodies of the saints shall inherit the kingdom prepared for them from
the beginning of the world ; the flesh of
the ungodly shall rise to live for ever
likewise, and living to find for ever the
worm that dicth not, and burn for ever in
the lake of fire prepared for the devil and
astonishing renovation of the whole human race and, in a question so confess-
his angels.
edly beyond the reach of man's present

faculties, it is far better to leave the solution of the wonder to the appointed time.
militudes, doubtless they are similitudes
But there
one sense in which every

-Christian may be allowed to adopt the
questions of the text; and that is in the
scriptural sense.
Every one may, and,
if he duly esteem and make it his study
and delight, he will and ought naturally
to inquire what the Scriptures themselves
have taught us concerning the manner
is
Whatever be the meaning of these
si-
of an anguish of a most fearful nature
an anguish which will

both upon the
bodies and upon the souls of the ungodly.
Remember the recompense due for the
and doubtless
fall
at
the
it is
resurrection
misdeeds of the body when united

spirit.
bear
well that
engraven on our
thought
It is
because
the
we
to the
should ever
memories
Bible,
this
when
it
speaks of the resurrection, speaks so

and the order in which the dead shall be constantly, and so much more copiously,
raised up, and the nature of that body of what will be the fate of those who are
with which they will come out from saved through Christ, than of those who
their graves.
This is the information are lost and condemned, that we may be
which we may legitimately seek and I liable to lose the awakening recollection
will, therefore, in the remainder of this of what horrid sufferings will then fall
discourse, endeavour to lay before you a upon the wicked.
few of the leading and undoubted cirThe second assurance which we derive
cumstances which may be gleaned from from the word of God concerning the
the different portions of the apostolic manner of the resurrection is this that it
writings concerning the resurrection of will be instantaneous as well as universal.
the dead.
At one time at one sound by one act of
The first point which is most forcibly almighty power, the whole mass and mullaid down is. The universality of this re- titude of sleepers shall awake.
Death
union of the body and soul. It is not a does his work of desolation by successive
favour reserved only for the redeemed changes
his conquests are slow and
who will be called out from the cham- gradual and generation after generation,
bers of the dead to enjoy, in body and and man after man, are bowed down at
spirit, the reward of that obedience which his unwelcome bidding.
But the Lord
they have paid to God both in body and of life will declare his superior and irre;
341
might, by breaking at once the of rising again. Those who are alive
bonds of all who have been the conquer- and remain on the earth as its inhabitants
or's captives.
and it is clear that some must so live
It is not because the first
parents of the human race were the earli- and remain when the general resurrection
shall none of them sleep, as
est who tasted the bitterness of dying, takes place
that they will therefore be the earliest to other men have done, in the dumb forgettaste the sweetness of reviving.
It is fulness of the grave ; but they shall all be
not because Abraham and Isaac, and the changed; a change will pass over them
prophets, are dead, and have mouldered equivalent to death and the resurrection,
some thousands of years ago, that they but death and the resurrection they will
Avill therefore spring up from the dust not literally know.
Nor will even this
with a proportionable priority of time, wondrous and momentary change hapbefore all their children who have since pen to them until all the rest of mankind
fallen victims to the same law of mortal- have been revived into everlasting existity.
There is one and but one hour ence.
appointed for the sea to give up the dead
The whole process of this singular
that are in it, and death and hell to give operation is distinctly recorded in the last
up the dead that are in them, and the verses of the fourth chapter of the first
" This we
forest and the wilderness, and the sepul- Epistle to the Thessalonians.
chre to restore the bones of the bodies say unto you by the word of the Lord"
which were intrusted to their keeping. mark how solemnly he brings forward
In that hour the patriarchs and prophets this statement
" This we say unto you
of the world, before and after the flood
by the word of the Lord, that we which
the kings and the subjects of Babylon are alive and remain unto the coming of
and Rome the disciples of Moses and the Lord shall not prevent," or go before,
of Christ, however separated from each "them which are asleep.
For the Lord
other by the diflerence of time and place, himself shall descend from heaven with
by the first birth, will spring up in this a shout, with the voice of the archangel,
second generation the sons of the same and with the trump of God and the dead
day, contemporary children of the gene- in Christ shall rise first then we which
ral resurrection.
"For the trumpet shall are alive and remain shall be caught up
sound," says the apostle, " and the dead together, to meet the Lord in the air
shall be raised incorruptible, irn a moment, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
in the twinkling of an eye, at the last Wherefore comfort one another with these
trump." In a moment, in the twinkling words." It is a wonderful scene which
it is a wonderful
of an eye, at tiic last trump, the whole those men will behold
valley of dry bones will be revived; bono thing to which they will be subject. And
will come to his bone, and sinews bind an imagination, even of the dullest cast,
them, and flesh cover them, and spirit can scarcely helj) forming unto itself some
be breathed into them; and they shall all picture of the strangeness of the event,
become, what they once were, living, and the awfulness of the feelings with
moving things all at the last trump, and which it will be contemplated.
not one shall be wanting.
are in search of truth and profit,
IJut " behold," says the apostle, to not of ideal representations
and having,
whom we are indebted for almost all our therefore, seen in some measure how the
dim conceptions of the future world, dead are raised having seen thai there
" behold, I show you a mystery," a cir- will be a contemporaneous resurrection
sistible
We
cumstance which reason could not have of the bodies of all the dead, both of the
attained, and for which we are wholly just and of the unjust, in one appointed
indebted to the revelation of the Spirit of day ; and that, after all the dead have
That mystery is this: All will been niised, there will next pass a change
Ciod.
not sleep;
oner,
nil
i>ul
all
all
who
arc dead will rise at
will not die, and, therefore,
will not be placed uiidt
the necessity
on the bodies of the living; let us proceed to examine with what bodies the
dead will
rise,
and with what bodies the

2 v'2

THE BRITISH
342
PULPIT.
which make it useless and it is a state

of wounds and bruises, and putrifying
In its most beautiful state the
First of all, then, we are taught that sores.
at the resurrection there will be a modifi- body has some uncomeliness, and its best
cation in the bodies, or rather in the attri- honours fade and depart with youth, and
butes of the bodies which we bear with turn into the wrinkles of wretchedness
us on the earth: for, as all flesh is not and age. But it will be raised in glory
the same flesh, but there is one kind of the glory of unblemished righteousness,
flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, ano- and the unspotted loveliness of a perpeso tual spring and also in the ethereal and
ther of fishes, and another of birds
It
also, says the apostle, is the- resurrection eternal charm of an angelic purity.
of the dead. As the nature of the living will be without spot, or wrinkle, or any
body of one class of created beings dilTers such thing, a delight to every eye that
from the living body of another class of looks upon it; walking like our first
created beings, so also does our present parents in the paradise of God, naked,
body of clay differ from that with which but not ashamed without one dishonourwe shall be clothed when brought forth able member, without one dishonourable
from the grave to an eternal existence. infirmity.
Our body, when it dies, is sown as it
The nature of this change in general the
apostle thus describes
" The Saviour, had lived, in weakness, in utter inability
when he shall appear, will not only call to labour without wearjness in any work,
up our vile bodies from the grave, but so however good or great. The body is in
change them that they shall be no longer its power unable to fulfil the grand and
vile, but become like unto his own glo- lofty desires of the understanding; weak
rious body, according to the mighty work- it is to obey the holier aspirations of
ing whereby he is able to subdue all the soul. The mind museth upon many
living will be caught up into the air to
meet
the Lord.
things to himself," Nor is the apostle

content with this single and general intimation on the subject he has pursued it
into a variety of the most interesting par-
and strength the

in its musings.
The spirit searcheth even the deep things
of God
but the languid incapacity of
he has given us every degree

of information which it is necessary to
the sluggish flesh is unable to sustain the
weight of
possess.
many
ticulars
Our body, when

the
it is
first
place, " is
it
dies,
sown
he
tells us, in
in corruption :"
the heir of death, the daughter of the
earth, and the sister of the world
a ves-
with the principle of dissolution bound up in its very essence, and

the sentence of mortality written on its
sel of clay,
things in
its
activity
body weigheth down

;
its
desires.
The mind can do
things; but the weakness of the
body hindcreth.
It circumscribes my
longings after wisdom checks me in
my pursuits after truth. I would go and
find wisdom in the uttermost parts of the
earth
my body is weak in motion. I
would search for hidden treasures day
and night my body is weak in watching.
1 would penetrate the deepest mysteries by the energy of unbroken meditation
my body is feeble, and its feebleness must be renovated. It is the same
also in my pursuits of holiness.
Suppose the mind forms the image of a great
and godly enterprise for God's glory and
brow. It is to be raised in incorruption,

without the possibility of being either
crushed by violence, or worn away by
suffering, with the germ of life planted
in its centre, and springing up into a continual renewal of its vital powers, free
from the decay of death, unchanging and
unchangeable.
man's welfare then the living portion
Our body will, it is added, be sown " in of strength fails, and the heart faints, ere
It is a body which hath its half the task of holiness has been acshameful and less honourable parts, as complished. It is a feeble and unready
well as its more noble and dignified mem- instrument of the will, ever disappointbers.
It is subject to deformities which ing our best wishes, and leaving our best
make it hideous to losses and defects ideas unfulfilled. But it will not ever
dishonour."

be thus.
sown
power
It is
in
weakness
it
will
glory
so
343
also shall be the resurrection
its capacities of ac- of the dead."

Blessed be the Lord .Tesus, that he
and endurance of motion will fly
from one end of heaven to the other at the hath inspired the apostle to make known
bidding of our good intentions, and feel no to man these circumstances for had we
decay of strength, never be weary in well- not known them, had we been left to
doing, and never sink under the bur- imagine that any single portion of the
folly and infirmities of this life would
den.
Lastly, says St. Paul, the body that have clung to us in another life, we
dies is " sown a natural body," the source should have looked on the one doctrine
of all fleslily natural lusts, and the seat of the gospel with dread rather than joy.
of all earthly natural passions. But the It would have been a melancholy prosbody of the natural man is not subject to pect to have thought that in eternity we
the law of God, neither indeed can be; should have borne about with us a body
for the flesh of the natural man lusteth subject in the slightest degree to our prealways against the Spirit, and mindeth sent wants and weariness.
Yet that
earthly things.
But it will be raised a may, perhaps, be a portion of the punishspiritual body
spiritual, and therefore ment of the wicked in a future life.
And
holy in all its feelings, desires, and wants
be it well remembered that in all that
the ever living, never failing instrument Scripture saith concerning the changes
of obedience to the will of the spirit.
of the resurrection, it speaks only of the
There is but one other particular to be bodies of the redeemed it passes over
mentioned, and that is, that though the what will happen to those who will then
body of every redeemed Christian will at stand at the left hand of the Lord with a
the resurrection be risen up, the glory carelessness, a sort of contemptuous siwill not be equal in all.
The stars in the lence for them. Therefore we are still
firmament on high shine not all with an left to apprehend that there will be no
equal lustre, or with an equal force: the ameliorating change wrought upon their
beams of some are faint and feeble the bodies by the resurrection, save the
.glow of others powerful and bright; yet change from mortal to immortal. They
the shining of them all, however pure will then, if that be the case, still be the
and powerful in the darkness of night, is victims of all the suflerings, sorrows, and
Jest before the coming splendour of the wretchedness of this earthly state; and
When the sun they will carry with them, as their evergreat luminary of day.
rises on the earth, the stars got them lasting curse, an incorruptible corruption
away together, and their beautiful brighta weakness too strong to sink into disAnd thus solution perpetual dishonour lusts that
jiess is perceived no more.
also will it be, as we are taught by the cannot find exercise^diseases that have
apostle, with the bodies of the saints no hope of death.
This will be their
when called from the grave to walk their portion, to drink for ever the miseries of
everlasting rounds upon the face of God's earth with the eternity of hell. Nad conheavenly firmament. Some will have a trast of their own thorns in the flesh and
liiglier and better glory, and some will
the glorified and sanctified bodies of the
have an humbler bliss. The glory of the redeemed.
most glorious of all the stars will dwinSuch arc the answers that Scripture
dle, decay, and fall disregarded in the enables us to give to the questions of the
presence of the superior excellency of the text ; such the manner and order in which
liOrd Jesus, the sun of righteousness, the we are taught the dead will be raised ;
ruler of llie heavens and everlasting day. such the boiiios with which we may exSo arc we taught by the apostle Paul pect they will rise. What, then, is the
when he says, " that as there is one glory lesson of profit wc may derive from this
of the sun, and another glory of the moon, consideration 1
'I'he first is that of a warning to pre.and another glory of the stars; and as
one star diflerelh from another star in pare for this awful change. If there will
(be raised in
tivity
THE BRITISH
344
PULPIT.
be indeed a rising again both of the just all other fleshly lusts of the eye, the
and of the unjust and if even after death tongue, and the body. Why, what is the
the body as well as the soul will be made hope of the resurrection which I shall
What is the nature of the change
to inherit the reward of its deeds, how- see]
holy should we become in all manner of for which I am to prepare 1 It is that
conversation and godliness. For it is no this poor pitiful frame, this tabernacle of
half measure of retribution which we clay which I bear about with me here on
shall receive
the
same being
the
same man
that sinneth,
and
flesh
in
my
earth, the source of
spirit shall
tain
my
of
pains, the foun-
sorrows, the seat of disease,
We
have and the heir of death it is that even this

wretched frame shall spring up from its
to calculate the amount of our punish- dust, throw aside its dishonour, forget its
ment or our recompense. We know well weakness, be purified from all the dregs
what it is to rejoice in the days of our of its earthly corruption, rise from the
youth, in the sunshine of the heart, and dead, ascend up into heaA'en with Christ,
We who is gone before; and there stand, the
the energy of the bodily powers.
be
eternal misery or joy.
in
here, therefore, a rule and a line by
know
equally well what
it is
which
fellow of angels, before the throne cf God.
sickness
in
Glorious hope
though it be but
fora single night, the anguish of a wounded spirit united to the pains of a diseased
body. We have only to extend the duration of these enjoyments or sufferings
from time to eternity and, behold, we
have before us a picture of Christian
letribution such as will, and such as is
most of all adapted to work upon our
minds and hearts intelligible in its nature, and therefore powerful as a motive
not vague nor imaginative, and therefore
and sorrow
to endure,
What
mysterious exaltation
reward, then, shall
givjp to
the
Lord for his mighty marvellous lovingkindness to this earthly body?

These
eyes, if they be admitted into heaven,
will look upon the holiness of the Lamb
will see the brightness of his glory
marvel at the majesty of his Deity and
almost be blinded in the excessive glories
of the heavenly host.
Sb.all I, then, fix
these eyes upon the vain and unholy ob-
jects of the earth
And
shall
I fill
them
with intemperance, cruelty, lust, and so

another peculiar class of unfit them for the contemplation of the
this doctrine more parti- spiritual splendour of God's unblemished
neither visionary nor curious.
But
there is
duties to Aviiich
cularly persuades
and there
is
culiar class of sins from
which
especially guards us
mean
one pe- purity

it
more
These
ears
they
the sins
to the
and duties of our fleshly members. "I

beseech you, by the mercies of God, that
ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable to the Lord." So speaks
the redeemed
the apostle, alluding more particularly to
ing accents of the charmer
that great
mercy of having our
changed, that
it
vile
then, from
them away,
most
occupation, and bid them
shall I turn
this
their holiest and
honourable
drink in with greedy readiness the tempt-
who would
me
from the ways of righteousness'?

Or shall I let them nnhallow my
soul by being open to the deceitfulness
of that philosophy which would take
away my heart, and destroy its delicacy
body charm
should be like to the
glorious body of Christ, which he calls,
especially, the redemption of the body,

is, truly, no other doctrine which
can so forcibly exhort to the mortification
of our members which are on the earth.
There
And you
are hereafter
harps of the angels, to

hear the unceasing songs of gratitude of
to listen
by listening
ing, and
to
the voice of wit and jest-
licentious
thoughts'?
Shall I
Paul continually using take the meml)ers which are predestined

" Mortify therefore your members"
it
to the holy office of serving befcre God's
he has just been speaking of our being unblemished throne, and make them the
raised from the dead
" mortify therefore members of a harlot, the instruments of
your members which are upon the earth
uneleanness, and the slaves of vice and
fornication, uneleanness, inordinate affec- licentiousness ]
Shall this tongue which
tion, evil concupiscence, idolatry"
and lis hereafter to cry out with all the saints.
find St.

" Glory and blessing, honour, and praise
34&
comparatively forgotten.
He
be for ever and ever to the Lamb that hath heard tidings of distant provinces
sitteth on the throne"
shall I degrade over which superstition rolls her chariot
my tongue by lying, by deceit, by licen- wheels, red with the blood of human
tious conversation
intended
for a
all
are
Shall that which
blessing in heaven, be
on earth the instrument of cursing ?
he
hath listened to the recital

tribes and multitudes
passing into eternity, darkly and cheer-
sacrifice
is
made which speaks of

i
Shall
these hands, which are to be lifted up to
Icssly as the beasts that perish

he hath
holy place, be taught the spread before him the map of the world,
of wickedness, of theft, and mur- and he hath dissected it into moral pvirtider, and cruelty, and revenge on earth 1 tions, and he hath wondered and he hath
Shall these organs of life, which are to wept, when taught that Christ, who died
eat and drink in the presence of the Lord, for the sins of the dwellers in every land,
be corrupted with gluttony and drunken- is known and believed on only in scanty
God
ways
in
his
]
Shall any one part of that body
which shall hereafter converse with angels, which hath been honoured with the
indwelling of the Divinity which now
rules in heaven
shall that body be con-
ness
and scattered districts, and all this hath

agitated and convulsed his spirit
all this
hath conspired to annihilate the ties of
former citizenship, to link him in brotherhood with the benighted and degraded of
into a temple of God's worst

enemy, and of man's worst enemy, and
the worst enemy of all that is happy and
good the prince of darkness, the author
verted
of misery, and of
and
all that is
and guilty, and
miserable,
his race
and he snatches up a banner,
and emblazoning thereon simply the name
of Jesus Christ, leaps upon the waters,
and hastens to erect the standard amid
polar
snows
or arid sands, in the valleys
and on the mountains of secluded and

God forbid.
The body is to be the scarce accessible domains.
Lord's; and, as the body is to be the
.In unregenerate minister !
there m^y
Lord's, let it glorify the Lord.
Let me be such a thing. An unregenerate misbe doing while I can, and as long as I sionary
I dare not, (knowing that the
can.
Fasting is hard ; yet, if meat offend heart is deceitful above all things, and
vile,
to
be despised
my
God,
will eat no meat as long as I desperately wicked,) I dare not say there
he require chastity, I will give cannot be such a thing; but certainly it
it.
If he ask temperance, I will check would be in no slight degree dilTicult to
my appetites if purity, why I will even determine the motives which actuate an
close my eyes, lest they should look on unregenerate missionary
to develope the
the cause of temptation.
In all things, secret springs of a conduct so opposed to
since God has given us such a glorious all the dictates and desires of a carnal
hope, I will endeavour to sanctify myself, spirit and if it be a positive case that a
through grace, for the great end of my man, not converted himself, should en-
live.
If
callmg, the entire devotedness both of gage, by the surrender of whatsoever is

my body and soul, that both my body dearest to the natural heart, in the work
and soul may be fitted to stand up in his of converting others, we have a new case
holy presence, being justified, washed, to add to the catalogue of anomalies and
and glorified by the blood of my Saviour, phenomena whose solution must be left
Jesus Christ.
amid the hopeless desiderata of moral
science.
I can suppose no other princi'
CIIRISTIAX MISSIUNARY.
|)lo actuating a minsionnry, save zeal foi
MISSIONARY arises amongst his fel- the name of our Lord Jesus (-hrist; he
lows almost like the denizen of another is not a missionary unless this principle
iiome, and country, and kindred, arouBo hiui and nerve liim.
sphere
Melville.
Vol. 1.
11
SERMON
XXXVIII.
THE GLORY OF THE LATTER HOUSE.
BY THE REV.
The glory of
this latter
GRANT.
J.
house shall he greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts
in this place shall
I give peace,
saith the
God having called Moses to a conference with him on Mount Sinai, imparted
to him specific and minute instructions
Lord of
presence
hosts."
Hag.
ii.
and
9.
" shall be thy rereward."
In-
numerable passages might be adduced,
for the building of a tabernacle, or pavi-
containing the same allusion to the translacent column, the internally illuminated
lion in the wilderness,
cloud, the glory, the presence of Jehovah.
as
the peculiar
habitation of the divine glory.
glory
is
By
this
here meant the Schechinah, or
bright cloud, emblematic of his
imme-
presence and protection, which

hovered over the Holy of holies. When
it was appointed by God that the army,
or host of the Israelites, should march
from one station in the wilderness to andiate
This portable
ple in
all
accompanied the peoand after

the promised land, it was
tent
their journeyings;
their arrival in
pitched in Shiloh, a city situated on a

hill,
in the tribe
name
of which
of Ephraim, and the
was prophetic and
typical.
remained for many years, till in

consequence of the vileness of the sons
other, this luminous column or glory, of Eli, the ark of the covenant was taken
slowly rose into the air, and moved bein battle, and carried into the cities of the
As this ark was the encasefore them in silent and mysterious ma- Philistines.
jesty, till it arrived at the stage where ment of the gem, the chief article of furthe camp was to be pitched, when it niture in the moveable temple, being that
stooped again upon the mercy-seat, and on which the divine presence rested, the
thus gave the signal to halt. When the disconsolate widow of Phineas gave to
fiery pillar rose, the whole multitude her posthumous child the name of Ichabearing the ark, amidst the announce- bod, signifying, that "the glory" or
ments of trumpets, and the waving of divine presence, " was departed from
emblematic banners, set forward singing Israel." On the restoration of the ark,
and shouting, in the first words of the and on the taking of Jebus, David erected
" Let God arise, a tabernacle, not like the former, made
sixty-eighth P.salm
let them of pillars and boards of acacia wood, set
let his enemies be scattered
And in sockets of silver, but rather resembling
also that hate him flee before him."
Here
it
when the mist-robed intelligence the a tent, in which the recovered ark, the
divine presence stopped the army obeyed pedestal and vehicle of the " glory," was
the notice, and welcomed the descending deposited on Mount Zion with the songs
Jehovah, as they deposited their burthens,

with the words, " Return, O God, to the
many thousands of Israel." Hence God
is said to be the leader of his people
hence in the promises which Isaiah makes
to Israel, if they will turn unto God with
a fast of sincerity and charity, it is said,
*'Thy righteousness
shall
procession typically representing the ascent of the Messiah, the
King of
glory,
into heaven, after the conquest over his

spiritual enemies.
Having thus introduced
now
the subject, I
and
compare the two permanent buildings
the divine WHICH SUCCEEDED.
And
go before thee,
and the glory of the Lord"

346
and dances of religious exultation.
shall
in the First place, consider
tHE GLORY OF THE LATTER HOUSE.
347
Secondly, The prophecy relative to celebrate the holy ceremony with vocal
and instrumental music
THE LATTER.
David, in his zeal for the honour of
" When the harp awoke,
;
God, was grieved, that he himself was The cymbal clang'd,

accommodated in a palace of cedar, while
pet spoke."
the divine presence dwelt within curtains
and he
made
accordingly
the deep-tongued trum-
When
preparations
he had offered a sublime prayer,
magnificent and durable temple. and immolated a prodigious number of

God, however, would not permit him, a victims.
a
for
man
of
war and of bloodshed,
to
accom-
plish the undertaking in person, but
was completed with
it
his costly materials
subsequent reign of his son, Solomon, the peaceful and the magnificent.
in the
By
the
building of this stately edifice,
hewn from
consisting of stones
the quar-
Then Salem spread her suppliant arms abroad,

View'd the descending flame and bless'd the
present God."
"
The
personal Jehovah descended his

which filled all the house,
radiant cloud,
as an
emblem
of his taking possession of
and he likewise appeared in a vision

ries, and cedar from the forests of Lebaof the night to Solomon, whom he assured
non,
that he had chosen that place for a house
^ For here fair science nursed her infant fire,
of sacrifice, and a home where his honour
Fann'd by the artist aid of friendly Tyre
Accordingly
his glory, should dwell.
Then tower'd the palace, then in awful state St. Paul, in speaking of the Israelites,
The temple rear'd its everlasting gate
distinguishes them to those " to whom
it;
No
workman's steel, no ponderous axes rung.

Like some tali palm the noiseless fabric
sprung
Majestic silence
By
of this permanent
important promise
and fully performed. It
then that the Israelites were con-
structure,
was
was
!"
building
the
say, an
faithfully
firmed in the rest which they enjoyed
pertaineth the adoption, and the glory,

and the covenants, and the giving of the
law, and the service of God, and the proAnd in his epistle to the
mises."
Hebrews, he describes the first or legal
covenant, as having a ta])ernacle, and
candlestick, and table, and show-bread
in the sanctuary, or holy place ; and within the second veil, the holiest of all, having the ark of the covenant, and over it,
the cherubim of " glory'''' covering the
and journeyings; and

afforded of the Sabbath and repose of heaven, to be enjoyed mercy-seat.
after all their toils
was thereby
a type
by
the soul after
its
tabernacle, the bodily
frame, shall have finished
through the dreary wilderness of life.

For we know," says the apostle Paul
to the Corinthians, "that if our earthly
house of this tabernacle," that is, our
l)ody, a perishable tabernacle of the im*'
mortal spirit ; if this, I say, were dissolved by death, " we have a building of
God, a house not made with
liands, eter-
our souls
bo clothf'd with an incorruptibhand permanent body, fashioned after the
is,
shall
likeness of
('lirist's
When Solomon
glorious body.
dedicated unto
God
this gorgeous edifice, rich with gold, sil-
ver,
wood
brass,
;
was erected
ness.
It
subsisted
first
in the wilder-
upwards
of
four
hundred years, when it was utterly demolished by Nebuchadnezzar, king of

Babylon, who carried the Jews into his
own country; and where they remained
in captivity during seventy years, fiftyeight years only from the destruction of
At the end of that period,
the temple.
Cyrus, king of Persia, who had recently
made himsilf master of Babylon, permitted the Jews to return to their own country, (agreeably to the prophecy which had
announced him by name,) and restored to
them the sacred vessels and utensils of
and olive divine service, which Nebuchadnezzar

had carried away as spoils. In the
and molten sea, second year, subse<|uent to the return of
precious stones,
when he had
finished all its courts,
and porticoes, and altar,

he had assembled many priests
when
edifice
wanderings pitching of the tabernacle
its
nal in the heavens ;" that
This
nearly five hundred years after the
to
the
first
great detacbmei.l of
Jews
inta
THE BRITISH
348
PULPIT.
Judea, they betran to clear away the ruins sly antagonists of Christianity, assailing
of Mount Moriah, and to lay the founda- it under the mask of liberal friendship
tions of a new temple, which the Scrip- and rational support, have contended for
The young the entire re-construction of the temple
tures call " the latter house."
men on this occasion rejoiced at the idea of Herod thinking that they might thereof worshipping, in a fane of their own, by obtain a sidelong hit at the veracity
the God of their fathers, whose praises of prophecy, which, as we shall immethey had heard in their captivity, but diately see, declared that the Messiah
whose grandeur they never witnessed. should come to that second temple of
But the old men, who fifty-eight years Zerubbabel. But in this attempt they
before, remembered the temple of Solo- have entirely failed, it being clearly
mon standing in its venerable magnifi- proved by their opponents that Herod
cence, nice an ancient oak, whose trunk reared his temple on the yet standing
is enveloped with moss, and who foresaw foundations of the temple of Zerubbabel,
that poor captives had neither funds nor though crumbling in the decay of nearly
;
materials in evil days, and after a long
period of misfortune, to build a structure
would at all vie with the splendour

and extent of Solomon's architecture and
that
decorations,
aloud
instead
so that, as
of
we
rejoicing,
learn in the
wept
book
of Ezra, the people could not discern the
noise of the shout of joy, from the noise

of the weeping uttered by the ancient
priests and
Levites,
To
fathers of Israel.
and chiefs of the

cheer on the eman-
cipated captives to the work, in this state
of mingled exultation and despondence,

God sent the word of a glorious prophecy.
' Who is left among you," exclaimed the
venerable Haggai, " that saw this house
in her first glory

is it
thing spiritual.
Now, in certain spiritual respects, the

now 1 mere splendour of the second temple was,
comparison of it so far from being greater, very much in-
how do ye
not in your eyes in
six hundred years.

But were it otherwise we cannot suppose, that so grand a
prediction as that announcing a glory of
the latter house which should be greater
than the glory of the former, had no further reference than merely to the superior
architecture of Herod's temple, though it
had pinnacles glittering like stars, and
massive marble stones, and a vine of gold
and jewels, and a sculptured porch, de-"
scribed by Josephus, as when touched by
the sun, resembling a hill of snow.
Its
superior glory, notwithstanding these
splendours, must have rested on some-
see
it
strong, O Zerub- ferior to that of the temple of Solomon.

and be strong,
We have it upon the authority of Jewish
Joshua, son of Josedeck, the high-priest; tradition, that the second temple when
and be strong all ye people of the land, finished was deficient in five particulars,
saith the Lord, and work ; for I am with which had all conspicuously added to the
you." "The glory of this latter house grandeur of the first. One of these was
shall be greater than of the former," and the original ark of the covenant and the
I will fill this house with glory, " and in mercy-seat, with the two tables of the
this place will I give peace, saith the law, and the pot of manna, and Aaron's
rod that budded, and which had all been
Lord of hosts."
Now what were the circumstances conveyed into Solomon's temple from the
WHICH FULFILLED THIS PREDICTION. Let primitive tabernacle of the wilderness,
this be our second point of consideration. and were the most sacred of Jewish anti-
as nothing] yet
now be
babel, sai*h the Lord
Disputes have arisen among divines, quities. These were lost in Babylon,
whether, the temple built by Herod the and never restored. It is usually supgreat, about forty years before the birth posed, indeed, that an ark or chest was
made for the temple of Zerubbabel after
of Christ, was an entirely new erection
or a restoration of the temple of Zerubba- the fashion of the first ark of the cove'
bel, retaining the foundations of that edi- nant, and that Ezra's corrected copy of
a
fice, and even a porch which yet remained the Pentateuch was therein deposited
of the former temple of Solomon. The circumstance rendered probable by what
;

brooded
therein
the
which the second
was
Li fact, four years after the superstructure
Schechinah,
the
emblem and envelopment of the present

Jehovah, was certainly nowhere to be
Again, the urim and the thumgems on the high-priest's
breastplate, which in some way gave out
oracular responses, was either no longer
in the second temple, or no longer posfound.
mim,
the twelve
sessed
its
oracular virtues.
fourth particular in
temple yielded
349
Messiah, the King of Zion, meek and

bringing salvation, cometh, riding upoa
a colt, the foal of an ass; and there shall
be a fountain opened in Jerusalem for
sins, and for uncleanness
and the shepherd shall be smitten, and the sheep shall
be scattered and they shall look on him
whom they pierced and he shall be sold
for thirty pieces of silver, and given to
the potter."
Let Malachi reply, " Behold I will send my messenger, and he
shall prepare the way before me and thp
Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly com*
to his temple, even the messenger of the
covenant, whom ye delight in
behold
he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.'
modern synagonrues which have

we
all a little coffer, wherein some valuable
manuscript of the law is laid up. But
whether the cherubim, whose wings
formed the mercy-seat, were absent from
the second temple or not, that which
see in
in glory to the first,
on the altar, which had of Herod was fully built upon the founcome down from heaven to consume the dations of the temple of Zerubbabel, the
was introduced into that
first sacrifices both of Moses and Solo- infant Jesus
mon, and was preserved without being temple; and again, in his twelfth year,
ever extinguished even down to the pe- when he reasoned with the doctors ; and
riod of the burning of the temple of afterwards twice, when he expelled the
buyers and sellers from his Father's
Nebuchadnezzar.
And the last point of inferiority con- house as desecrating that house of
that of the
fire
sisted in the spirit of prophecy, which,
prayer.
It is clear, then, that the presence of

though it remained in the three prophets,
Haggai, Zachariah, and Malachi, while Christ is the grand circumstance which
that
the second temple was building, yet for verified the prediction of Haggai
ever afterwards ceased during five hun- the glory of the latter house should be
dred years, until Anna, Zacharias, and greater than the glory of the former.
Another point in which the glory of the
John the Baptist, announced, like morning stars melting into a dawn, the actual latter house was greater than the glory
of the former was the court of the Genarrival of the Sun of righteousness.
What circumstances, then, we return tiles. The temple of Solomon had only
two courts that of the pries" and that
to ask, verified the prophecy of Haggai
The Gentiles were
that the glory of the latter house should of the Israelites.
be greater than that of the former, seeing considered as profane, and unless conthat it was comparatively so mean a build- verted, as wholly adopting tiie .Icwish
ing,
religion, disregarded and despised.
respects.
not precisely
and inferior in these five important

Let Haggai himself reply
' For thus saith the Lord of hosts
yet
once, it is a little while, and I will shake
the heavens, and the earth, and the sea,
and the dry land ; and I will shake all
riations, and the desire of all nations"
He who should be desired and expected
by all nations, both Jews and Gentiles
"shall come; and I will fill this house
with f^liiry, saith the Lord of hosts."
Let Zachariah reply " The man whose
name is the Branch (the branch out of the
root of Jesse) shall bear the f^hry ; and
shall sit and rule upon his throne ; and the
;
known
the captivity the
was enclosed
after
at wh.it
It is
time after
court of the CJentiies
but, wlien built, pri bably
the translation of the Septuagint,
hundred and ninety years before

Christ (which witii the dispersion of the
Jews spread abroad an arquainiance with
two
tiie
sublimities of
tiie
outer court admitted
consideration
The
among
publican,
the
true religiim) this
all
men
to a certain
the chosen people.
Ethiopian eunuch,
Cornelius, and olhera, were what
is
called
jirosclytes of the gate; admitted within
Iho golden gate of Siisa,and worsliip|)ing
2G
THE BRITISH
350
God
the one
in the court of the
Gentiles
This was a step towards
at Jerusalem.
the further admission of the nations into

the entire covenant of peace, through the
blood of him who entered within the
great or inner veil, threw down the chel,

the middle wall of partition between the
and second courts, beyond which it

had formerly been death for the Gentiles
to pass, and brought them near which
were before time afar off, and made both
first
PULPIT.
we may, with
strict propriety, apply the

moral of this whole dissertation to our
own minds.
have now, after a con-
We
returned by tho
siderable interruption,
God,
blessing of
to
our
offer
united
prayers and praises in a temple, never

aspiring, but alwa)'S decent
tatiously
not osten-
but not grudgingly
splendid,
mean ; and at this time restored from

decay, and beautified in the glory of
its
its
We are not assembled, how-
simplicity.
one. This was also foretold by the prophets, both before and after the captivity,
ever, to admire
and recognised by the aged Simeon. " I

will give thee," saith Isaiah, " for a light
protestantism, though duly regardful of
to the Gentiles, that thou
salvation
to
ends
the
mayest be
of
the
my
earth,"
" And from the rising of the sun," said

Malachi, " to the going down of the
same", " my" that is, Christ's name
"
be great among the Gentiles."
shall
And
wardly
or to boast of
it,
we
but
it
remember
are to
out-
that
decent externals and modest decorations
though mindful that man

senses are the
windows
is
beingwhose
of his soul, has
lopped off the gaudy trappings of popish
We
superstition.
Christianity
gion of
is
remember
are to
that
not like Judaism, a reli-
pomp and ceremony, and
multi-
paganism, a
arts, and the
Christ came, as a light to lighten

the Gentiles, not less than as a glory unto
plied
the people of Israel.
powers of genius, the chisel of the sculp-
Now
as this admission of the Gentiles
new
festivals;
not
like
religion wherein the fine
tor,
the ode of the poet, the combinations
covenant,
of instrumental music, the trillings of
tended to liberalize the minds of the Jews,

so on a more contracted scale, ought it
not less to teach the different persuasions
of Christians to regard each other with
due toleration and indulgence and making a prudent reservation of their own
various voices, the stated procession, the
into the privileges of the
scattered
the blaze
flowers,
of
many
lights, or the costly frankincense of

bia, are directed to excite the fancy
Araand
which lulls the

draws away attention
the passions to a pitch,
conscience, and
views and principles, to unite in senti- from the conduct; but a religion of chaste
design, and like the yet uncorrupted moments and deeds of charity.
Thus we see that it was altogether in ther of mankind
a spirituA sense, that the glory of the
" When unadorn'd, adorn'd the most"
latter house was greater than the glory
A religion of the mind and of the heart
of the former.
sacred
Jerusalem, the
city,
is
once
a religion of convinced reason, and con-
a religion
a religion
more ruined, the temple has been again fiding faith and sober feelings
of simplicity and sincerity
It was rased to the ground, and
buried.
even salt was sown where the plough which teaches that God is a
had been dragged over the site of its that they who Avorship Him
One
foundations.
left
upon another
predicted.
The
stone has not been
even
as our Saviour
arch of Titus at
Rome
Him
and in truth. In this

grand point to be acknowledged by us is this that however
ship
in spirit
here
humble the
candelabrum,
cially in this place.
its
sacred
ark, its
silver
and
view, then, the
bears memorials of its plundered treasures its seven-branched and golden
Spirit,
are to wor-
edifice
God
dwelleth,
that the light of his countenance
is
espe-
The grand duty
to
trumpets, which were all deposited in be attended to, and object to be devoutly
the heathen temple of peace, and ulti- wished is, that in this temple God may^
mately lost in the destruction of the west- week after week, be more fervently and
frequently worshipped, that Christ may
ern empire.
Yet
there are
still
two senses
in
which be more and more
in our thcughts, that
351
near to the Father in his God) was symmetry and grace.

Its
nouse and to the Son at liis altar; and purity was whiter than the Parian marble,
thus by a now nativity or presentation of and its elements of durability surpassed
wc may draw
Jesus, in this our comely building, more
than by any outward adornment,
may
the
wood of Lebanon. In all that

was no imperfection, it was
the cedar
edifice there
glory of this second house be greater than
the
that of the former.
work of creation.
This leads me
to
consider the second
and climax, and masterThe mighty Architect

himself approved of it, and saw and definishing
it was good.
He then ceased
from his labour of six days. He hallowed a Sabbath, that that temple of his
own, the human soul, might be consethe bodily frame illumined by the soul, crated.
He entered into it, and dwelt
under the figure of a temple, as being, there, and filled it with his presence and
both of them, the residence of Jehovah.
his influence and even daily descending
Yet their gross understandings, taking from on high, he favoured it with his
every expression literally, accused our communications and his oracles.
Lord as a blasphemer against their holy
and chief, and last sense in which the

subject may be applied fijûratively to
ourselves.
It was not a thing unnatural
among the Jews to consider their persons,
clared that
place,
when, predicting
his
own
death
" Blessed
thrice
But, ah!
how
blessed days,
short,
he said unto them

Bless'd as the pleasing dreams of holy men.
"Destroy this temple, and I will raise it
But fugitive like these, and quickly gone."
up in three days. Ilowbeit he spake of
the temple of his body."
This figurative The fiend, the author of evil, crept into
idea is more fully developed by St. Paul, this holy temple, and undermined its
strength, and tainted its beauty, and
and applied to the disciples of Christ
" Know ye not that ye are the temple of spoiled its ornaments, and made it a prey
and
resurrection,
God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth

If any man defile the temple of
God, him shall God destroy for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are."
And, again, " What, know ye not that
your body is the temple of the Holy
Ghost, which is in you, which ye have
For
of God, and ye are not your own ]
ye are bought with a price therefore
in you.
glorify (jod in your body, and in your
And, once
which are God's."
more, "And what agreement lialh the
temple of (iod with idols 1 for yc are the
temple of the living God; as God hath
said, I will dwell in them and walk in
them; and I will be thrir God, and they
shall be my people."
Tiiis temple of
spirit,
human
Eden, was
the
heart, as
it
built, not
stood originally in
only after the plan
dictated by the will of (;o(l, but by
himself,
afl' r
ihc conception of
liis
Gtd
own
wisdom, after the model of his own image.

Fair was it in its prnportiins, and goodly
in its 8lrnclurc.
F.very column (every
principle) was strength
every capital
(every disposition) was moral beauty
;
every ornament (every feeling and every

thought being accordant to the will of
to its bunded enemies.

A smiling allurement, and a glowing persuasion, the foe
without and the foe within, completed
the downfall of this beautiful building.
Its columns became frail, the worm consumed its cedar beams, the mouldering
walls admitted rain at every fissure; it
was condenmed to destruction., and sin
sin was the conquering Nebuchadnezzar
who left it in desolation and dec'ay. But
an edict went forth for a restoration of
the edifice.
The rubbish was cleared
away, the walls arose, the beams were
braced, the pillars were strengthened, a

cement was applied to the chinks, which
might in some measure keep out the assailing elements
and such adorning
been,
yet
beauty,
some
left
and
traces
resemblances
was
what had
alTorded, as though interior to
of pristine
of
original
excellence.
Here
too,
however, under
all
these dis-
advantages, a visitant makes his appearance, who renders it true, as of the .second
temple at Jerusalem, that " the glory of
this latter
house shall be greater than (hat

*' Lift up your heads, O
of the former."
ye gates," ye valves of the human heart.
352
and the
Who
is
KiiifT
the Lord of hosts, he

glory "
THE BRITISH
PULPIT.
come in.
The Lord,
knowledge of it thrives best in a pracLaying out here is a means
the
of glory shall
King of glory?
the
The same
is
the
tical course.
King of of gathering
the
same which
in
influences,
liis
by
to
an hearty endeavo\ir
communicate, is one
the greatest helps to our proficiency.

that
in
by
means you
this
come more
the likeness of flesh entered the temple

He, who
of Zeruhhabel and of Herod.
row
in
do good, and
divine presence, that
veiled in a golden cloud, filled of old the
temple of Solomon
to
ot
So
are likely to be-
able pastors of the church,
make you.
means
for when you
than private studies alone can

Particularly
his Spirit, is
with his disciples always, even unto the

end of the world.
Receive these influences, brethren, in
the temple of your souls. Behold he,
the Messiah, stands at the door of his
living temple, the heart of man, and
knocks. He might force his way, but
to
will be an excellent
it
help you in preaching
are well acquainted with your people's

cases,
you
upon.
An
will
nish you with as
study.
know what
to
hour's conversation
As he
much
preach
Avill fur-
matter as an hour's
will be the best physician
and lawyer, so, he will be the best divine,

he does not he treats you as willing be- who adds practice and experience proporOpen unto him, and tionable to his studies whereas that man
ings he knocks.
though in even the humblest mansions, will prove an useless drone, who refuses
in the breast of the poorest disciple, with God's service all his life, under a preand let men's
reference to outward splendours, he will tence of preparing for it
condescend to come in unto you and the souls pass on to perdition, while he prechurch, the spiritual temple of the living tends to be studying how to recover them,
God, and each integral part of that church, or getting more ability to help and save
;
as a wing, a chamber, one of the many

mansions of that temple, will be like the
them.
Baxter.
spouse of the King of glory, all glorious

PERSONAL PIETY.
Prepare to sanctify the Lord
not my sermons be the children
Let
God
Spirit
of
let
the
God in your hearts,
brain, but the travail of my soul,
dwell in you, and this self-dedication, of my
that I may serve my God with my spirit in
this spiritual worship, will be a far better
the gospel of his Son ; and as a true vessel
consecration, than wealth, and pride, and
pagan magnificence, could furnish forth of the sanctuary, have within me a savour
pour out to
with the cattle on a thousand hills, yea, of that water of life which I
It is a doleful thing to fall into
others.
oil.
with rivers of wine and
But, oh
hell from under the pulpit.
within.
how
INTERCOURSE WITH THE PEOPLE.
Methinks
all the other
would willingly exchange

knowledge I have, for one
it is
glimpse more of God and the
life to
dreadful
Doth not
my
is it to
drop thither out of
it
heart tremble to think, that
possible for me, like the unbelieving
spies, to coast the
come. commend
it
heavenly Canaan,
and yet never
to others,
to
to
Now, by frequent serious conversation possess it myself! that whilst I preach

about everlasting things, by diligently ^0 others, I myself may be a cast-aivay !
instructing and catechising your people, Lord, let me exalt thee in my heart, as
you will gain more of this kind of know- my chiefest good in my life, as mine
utmost end ; and preach so eflTectually to
ledge, than can be gained by other means
and thus you will really grow wiser than my own soul, and to others, that I may
;
those
way.
who spend their lime in any other

As theology is a practical science,
both save myself,

I
Swinnock.
and them
that hear me.
SERMON XXXIX.
THE CHRISTIAN'S DUTY.
BY THE REV. JOSEPH
E.
BEAUMONT.
" Seek those things that are above."
While
irrational creatures,
by the con-
concerned
the present moment, it is incum-
life
Col.
iii.
1.
with importance, by calling us
to con-
relationship to that state of rest
stitution of their nature, are
sider
only
and blessedness in heaven, which is the

ultimate design of the Almighty concern-
for
bent on
man
to
consider his relationship
its
to a future world, and to prepare for and
ing his rational
enjoyments, as being those

only which are adapted to his wide-ranging capacity and interminable existence.
The reality of a future and superior
which the human mind will be carried to

the highest pitch of improvement, and in
which all the might of the human facul-
anticipate
its
been clearly revealed to us not

to supply matter and occasion of curious
and idle speculation but to influence our
conduct and affections, our life and conversation ; to throw a sacred and immortal radiance over this present scene of our
being, through which men too generally
pass without thought, and from which
they retire without hope.
recorded of Socrates, that he
It
is
l)rought men down from heaven to earth;
tlr.it is, he drew the attention of men from
the stud^ and contemplation of the heastate has
venly bodies, to the consideration of the

nature and end of man, tlie duties and re-
offspring;
state
in
thus improved, will find appropriate

and delightful exercise. How fitted is
the revelation of such a state to awaken
the attention and enkindle the desire of
every living thing that is heir to immorAnd how effectually were the
tality
first Christians encouraged by it, to endure all that trial of cruel mocking and
scourging, bonds and imprisonment, tortures and death, to which they were callAnd what
ed for righteousness' sake
will so detach our hearts from the low and
ties,
sordid vanities of earth
guard us from
its
what
will
so
intoxicating and i)ollut-
ing pleasures; what will so sustain and
its keen and varied

sorrows; and, in short, what will so enatherefore,
to have brought down
ble us to possess our souls in patience
philosophy from heaven to earth.
But of under all that wo have to do, and all that
j.-sus Christ it may be said, that he we have to suffer, in this the house of our
brings us from earth t) heaven he teaches pilgrimage, as the continual thought, the
us a divine philosophy; raises man from bright prospect, the well-assured hope of
things seen, and temporal, and earthly, to the glories that are at God's right hand ?
tilings spiritual, heavenly, and eternal,
Hence the inspired writers are constantly
lie liath entered the heavenly places, and directing our thoughts to heaven instructwe are invited and entreated to follow. ing and exlmrting us to elevate our alfecThere is no subject to which the .Scrip- tions to the things that am abovo. Listen
lations of
men in
was said
this
exhilarate us, amidst
Socrates,
life.
tures
more
than
thi-i.
V..L.
freijuently solicit our attention
They
1. 15
constantly stamp this
of the apostle ii the words

of the text: " Sonk,"
with improssivo
to the entreaty
2 o 2
3 J3
THE BRITISH
354
PULPIT.
Man, by searching, cannot find out

and aflcctionate solemnity and earnestness
he calls upon us to "seek those things God or heaven ; by his own penetration
Our remarks shall turn and unaided sagacity, he can neither find
that are above."
out what God is, nor where he dwells;
on,
The things themselves to which neither his true nature, nor the palace in
I.
which he unveils his beauty and glory.
reference is here made ;
II. The conduct enjoined in relation to Life and immortality are brought to light,
but only by Christ Jesus in the gospel.
them; and,
III. The motives which should impel From this source alone we derive all our
just and appropriate, all our pure and inus to this conduct.
I. The sublimk object to which the fluential conceptions, on this momentous
EXHORTATION OF THE APOSTLE RELATES. and lofty theme.
Owing to the thick veil that sin and
By " the things above" we understand
the future blessedness, perfection, and mortality have spread over our mind, we
glory of believers in heaven. In this ex- know, even with the revelation that
planation,
we
are supported
by the
latter
God has
graciously favoured us,
comparison of what
little
be known.
which the words of the text lie. " Seek Such is the darkening, and debasing, and
those things that are above," " where," debilitating influence of the clouds and
adds the apostle, " Christ sitteth at the fogs of earth, and sense, and sin which
Now, at the right now envelope us, that of heaven, its duright hand of God."
hand of God, as the sixteenth Psalm ties and exercises, its felicities and glories,
Besides, so
teaches, are transcendent joys and eternal "we know but in part."
" At thy right hand," ex- much has not been revealed as to gratify
pleasures.
claims the devout prophet, " there is ful- the entire of our curiosity, or satisfy the
ness of joy and pleasures for evermore.'''' whole of our anxious wishes and desires'
These, then, arc; the things above, even in relation to the future and celestial state
those which are at God's right hand, the of man. The fact itself of the heavenly
mighty joys, the august exercises, the blessedness of saints is abundantly clear ;
transporting pleasures, of an eternal but wherein consists the blessedness, of
part of the verse and of the sentence in
in
how many
is to
composed, what
it, what is
as they differ on the nature of present its length, and breadth, and height ; what
happiness, and on the way and means of mind can fully conceive, what tongue
heaven.
Men's views
attaining that
differ
which
concerning future,
is
future.
Some
merely as a continuation of
being, from which is excluded all pain,
and want, and sorrow ; a mere negative
heaven. Some regard it as consisting in
the active and uninterrupted exercise of
their present senses and faculties; the
full and free indulgence of their present
tastes and affinities, inclinations and dea Mohammesires, habits and pursuits
dan heaven. Others, stretching somethink of
it
what
parts
is
it
various ingredients enter into
adequately declare
made known
to
Yet
sufficient is
answer the merciful pur-
poses of our Father in heaven, and to

meet the pressing and affecting necessities of his human offspring, whilst journeying on through the shadows and wildernesses of earth and time and heaven
and eternity themselves must disclose the
rest.
Yes, happily for us, enough may
be seen through the interposing cloud to
:
awaken
regard, to stimulate attention, to
in an extension of kindle desire, to rouse our criminal
and
throw the
and sensibilities, with a vast augmenta- stillness of a solemn awe over ^^r minds
tion of new means of gratification and en- in the midst of the gayest and busiest
joyment. All our real knowledge of it is scenes of this world, and to start, and
gathered from Scripture and whatever is quicken, and sustain us in a career of
not drawn from revelation, or is at vari- new, and upward, and holy conduct.
ance with its testimony on this subject, The eye of faith beholds the land afar
off, sees the King in his beauty, and gazes
18 not to be regarded.
further, place
all their
it
pleasurable faculties, perceptions,
destructive apathy
enough
to
355
new
Jerusalem.
on the glories of the
How gracious and condescendincr are
out a sigh, without an imperfection, and

without intermission; where hymns of
many
which the Scrip-
praise, hallelujahs of salvation, and ho-
of the aspects in
tures exhibit the heaven of the believer.

It is held forth to our
sannahs of redemption, uttered by blest

view as a banquet, voices without number, ever sound before
where our souls shall be satisfied

more the beauties of Jehovah's
As
bright with the
for ever-
the throne.
face, the
divine glory, filled with the divine pre-
mysteries of divine grace, the riches of

redeemioglove, communion with God and
the Lamb, fellowship with the infinite
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, being the
heavenly fulness on which we shall feed.
As \ paradise ; a garden of fruits and
flowers, on which our spiritual natures
and gracious tastes will be regaled,
through one ever-verdant spring and
golden summer a paradise where lurlis
no serpent to destroy, and where fruits
and flowers shall never fade and droop,
nor drop and die.
As an inheritance ; but
then an inheritance that is incorruptible,
undefiled, and that fadeth not away, the
sence, streaming with divine beauty, and
As
inheritance of the saints in light.
kingdom
whose immunities,
felicities,
and glories are splendid and vast, permanent and real, quite overwhelming indeed
a temple
peopled with shining monuments of

divine goodness, mercy, and grace.
In further contemplating the celestial
blessedness of believers, let us very
briefly notice,
1.
T7ie perfection nf character they shall
exhibit in heaven.
We
shall then, indeed,
partake of God's nature
awake up with
holy,
bo fully
satisfied.
be holy as he is
his likeness, and so
It is
impossible for
All that
sin or sinners to enter there.
above
The
throne
is
holy
the temple
the services are holy
is
are above are holy.
is hoi)', all that
is
holy
the songs are holy
the inhabitants are holy.
There
is
no
In one sense Chris-
imperfection above.
now, and here they are

but which of all them is
to our present feeble imaginings.
As a there that does not lament his short-comcountry ; over whose wide regions we ings, his errors, that does not feel himself
shall traverse in all the might of our surrounded with manifold
infirmities.
nntried faculties, and in all the glow of God's salvation now experienced is a
new and heaven-born energies, discover- salvation from sin, so that it has not donow have fellowing and gathering fresh harvests of intel- minion over us.
ligence, satisfaction, and delight.
As a ship with the Father and the Son, and
city; whose walls are burnished gold, therefore walk in the light; and, if faithwhose pavement is jasper, sardonyx, and ful to the grace, and light, and means,
onyx; through which flows the river of that are imparted, sin not.
But still
life
the inhabitants of which hunger no there are many frailties in us, many things
more, thirst no more, sicken no more, iij our character, which are positive imtians are perfect
perfect in kind
We
weep no more,
is much that God has

heaven there shall be nothing which God will have to pity on the
feel perfect
contrary, he will admire us
complacency and satisfaction in us. We
shall be free from wrinkles and spots;
have no fadings, or faintings, or blemishes, but shall be without any such thing.
In heaven are the spirits of just men made
On earth how oft we have io
perfect.
his feet.
As a buildinf^ that has (Jod lament the wanderings of our mind, the
for its maker, immortality for its walls, irregular emotions of our physical frame,
and eternity for its day. As a sanrtitnry
the faintness of our desires, the coldness
die no more a city, where

no need of the sun by day, in
which there is no night at all, and of
which the Lord God Almighty is the
light, and the Lamb the glory.
As a
palace; where dwells the Lord our righteousness, the King in his beauty displayed
his beauty of holiest love in the
eternal sunshine of whose countenance
bask and exult the host that worship at
there
is
perfections
to pity;
but
there
in
where
in
our
the thrice-holy divinity, enshrined
of our love.
own
shall
manuel,
is
nature in tho person of Im-
worshipped and adored, with-]
" attain,"
Oh
that
the thought, that I

I
shall
" be perfect,"
that there will be nolhinii in
mc unwor-
THE BRITISH
356
thy to
my
God,
or unlike
my
Redeemer,
or unsuited to the pavilions of immortal

beauty and glory " Ilim that overcometh
!
will
make
a pillar in the temple of
my
PULPIT.
our minds at all, and probably

never enter the imagination of most men,
even among Christians. Yet if we read
the Scriptures with attention, and believe
strike
God, and he shall go no more out; and I what we read, w'e must clearly discern
that both the number and the variety are
will write upon him my new name."
The inhabitants of heaven
2. The exercises in which they shall he immense.
Ease, it is commonly thought, serve God day and night in his temple.
engaged.
to complete and
necessary to repose
uninterrupted repose; and heaven itself is
imagined by many to be a scene of inacis
tivity, a region of utter
quiescency.
Ease
not real happiness,
is
not even an ingredient in happiness.

This kind of heaven one thus characwould be death
terized and composed
it would be exemption
rather than life
from pain rather than positive bliss. Anit is
services of those
who
in this life
fill
numerous ; and are so entirely varied, that no

But two actions among them all are alike.
analogy and revelation are against this

sentiment.
The
up
their duty, are certainly very
How
multiplied then
must be the actions
involved in a service which night never

interrupts
of a mind and a body which
are never wearied, and of an existence
That they are

which knows no end
endlessly varied is unanswerably evident
from the consideration, that no two beings
gels, those natives of heaven, those miin the creation, and no two events in the
nisters of God's presence, not only know- providence of God have been found exbut do his pleasure. And are we not actly alike. Variety is a standing law of
!
taught to pray that our divine Father's

will may be done on earth, even as angels
created existence and providential dispensation,
and throughout eternity will be
do it in heaven] The Scriptures have the great means of disclosing to the intelevery where spoken of the employments, ligent universe the glorious thoughts and
as well as of the happiness of heaven, in purposes treasured up from everlasting in
the most exalted terms. Let us not for- the omniscient mind. Instead, therefore,
get that to act in the service of God, and of being a tame, dull, monotonous, spiritto communicate good to others, consti- less existence, immortal life is a state of
tutes, according to the Scriptures, one intense energy, vast design, and vigorous
vast and glorious division of celestial action, in which to know and to love, to
blessedness. Both of what we are to be, do and to enjoy, will form a combination
and what we are to do, many things are of dignity, glory, and happiness, transAll
said of a highly interesting nature ; and cending every earthly conception.
from these, when we compare them with this, also, will expand, and rise, and imdiligence and attention, a great multitude
prove for ever.
of other things, deeply interesting, may

be derived by irresistible inference. For
instance ; those who obtain immortal life
are said, by our Saviour, to be equal or
This view may tend to moderate the

surprise and the sorrow, that seize and
possess the common mind at the early
deaths of eminent Christians, and zealous,
and laborious, and gifted, and successful
<
This one declaration

angels.
They are snatched
opens to us a wide field of inquiry and young ministers.
conclusion ; and assures us, that whatever away from the most active and important
angels are or do, or are exhibited as being services, and we are apt to think that
or doing in the Scriptures, we also shall they are gone into darkness and silence,
But the things and have sunk into torpor and inactivity:
substantially be or do.
which angels do, together with their at- but could we trace their flight, and distributes and circumstances, are, as exhi- cern the lofty, and energetic, and valuable
bited to us in the Scriptures, very numer- exercises in which their freed spirits are
ous and very great and these irresistibly now occupied in some of the bright fields
infer others which are great and numer- of eternity, the wide regions of their
ous also. The number and variety of Maker's universe, and their Redeemer's
like to
.events
which make up our system, hardly
heaven, our wonder at their departure

hence (even when at their best estate, or
in the very efflorescence of all their youthand our
ful ardour) would moderate
îef, free from the bitterness of dissatis;
faction,
would flow on
in a current less
357
ness on their heads ; and sorrow and sighing, and clouds and shadows, and storms
and tempests, having for ever fled away,
they shall abide under a cloudless sky, in
regions of eternal bliss.
In this land of
their captivity they may hang their harps
deep and powerful. O they are not lost,

though their sun has gone down while it upon the willows, and, yielding to the
They have but set, to our sorrows which fill their hearts, forget to
is yet day.
apprehension, indeed, prematurely, be- sing the Lord's song; but in that land of
neath our horizon, to rise again bright accomplished promise and finished hope,
pJTiiets in the hemisphere of celestial their harps shall be ever in their hands,
glory.
and the high praises of God in their
3. The happiness of which they shall par- mouths, to fill with their transports of
ticipate.
All the religious experience of gratitude and joy the palace of their king
earth affords but a faint emblem of the and their God.
If every step here is
bliss of heaven.
Tlic delight that Chris- through a vale of tears, there it is through
tians now experience kindles into rapture a land of pure delight.
In the house of
at thought of the richer delight that their Father above, they shall hunger no
awaits them above.
Among the chil- more, nor thirst any more ; neither shall
dren of God in heaven (all happy) the the sun light upon them, nor any heat.
degree of happiness may vary ; for it de- And if any recollection of former sufferpends upon the capacity of enjoyment ings remain, it will serve only to enhance
possessed by each, and this again upon their enjoyments, and augment their wonimprovement of character, and of talent, der, as they view the intricate mazes
and of trust, and therefore they who have through which divine wisdom conducted
prepared most for heaven, will be most them. Our happiness will be made comhappy in heaven. Saints in heaven are plete by beholding the brightness of the
perfectly happy, because perfectly holy. Father's glory, in the vision of which we
Here they taste of the streams that flow shall rejoice with joy unspeakable; by
from the infinite fulness of their Father the presence of our Lord and Saviour
and their God ; there they will have come Jesus Christ! Yes, there we shall see
to the fountain itself.
Here they receive, Jesus shall behold the God-man, our
now and tlien, a bunch of grapes from the Friend, our Priest, our Sacrifice, our All.
better Canaan
there they will have-full Then we shall love in return for all his
and free access to the tree of life that is infinite love; and bless and worship him
in the paradise of God.
Here they obtain with a growing adoration, and dilating
an occasional glimpse through the entan- gratitude, for ever and ever.
It will, inglement of the wilderness, and through deed, be heaven to see our Jesus' face
O
the mists and fogs that hang over Jordan, the infinitude of our bliss !whcn we shall
and see the green fields, and the golden see Him as He is, and love with a passion
harvests, that wave luxuriant and vast on like his
O that exquisiteness of joy !
the other side; there they will possess the those gusts of pure perennial bliss, which
vineyards and well-springs of a perpetual the saints of God will experif;nce, in sink<Ianaan.
Here they are sometimes reing praises and songs of deliverance to
vived by sweet odours, waftid over from God and the Lamb for ever!
O what
llu' miiimtains of spiers that lie on the
rapture to ho engaged in penetratinsf the
oilier side the lions' dens an<l leopards, mysteries of Providence ; in listening to
Ir.iunt-*, among which
they at present tlie music of the spheres, and the juhiico
there, every peril is |)ast, and having entered through the gates into the
city, all is peaee, triumph, and pcrt'eetion.
l)as3;
of the universe
in
gJixing with untold
ecstasy on the face of liod and the
Lamb,
and deriving from him, who is the sea of

Here they have many a Irotiblcd, many a light and love, fulness of joy, and plea" Mut i\ve hath not
stormy, and many a cloudy day; there sures for ovrrmore
they shall have everlasting joy and glad- scon, ear hath not Jieard, neither hath It
!
THE BRITISH
358
PULPIT.
II. The conduct enjoined in relation

entered into the heart of man to conceive,
what God hath laid up for them that love to these things. We are told by the
apostle that we should seek them.
him."
1. This implies or supposes belief of
4. The fn'cnds/iipfs tee shall share there.
Man is constituted to be happy in so- them. Let us attend for a moment to the
ciety.
Place' him in solitude, and how- evidence that proves the actual existence
ever exciting and felicitous are his circum- of a future state. Those who have just
stances in other respects, he will wither conceptions of the perfections of God,
and pine away. But above, we shall be will admit the possibility of it. He who
with the many that shall come from the gives us existence on this side the grave,
|
and west, and north, and south, and

down with Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob. The entire heaven of angels, and
the whole host of the redeemed, we shall
have sweet and improving fellowship
The wise and the good,
with for ever
the great and the pure, the benevolent and
active from every region, will be our companions and associates, with whom we
shall live, and love, and know, and obey.
through one eternally enduring day. Of
it on the other side.

He who
has bestowed life in time, can impart it
through all coming eternity.
can give
east,
shall sit
Numerous
all
the afllictions to
there
is
which we
considerations
indicate
high degree of probability concerning a

future slate.
Every man has a power of
thinking and \yilling, of desiring and abhorring ; feels that he possesses within
himself a soul, (deathless life,) an active,
conscious, immaterial principle or nature.
|
And though
this
body,
in the
are liable,
it
has
is
its
present residence
perfectly distinct and
none so painful as the death of essentially different from the clay taberAnd, oh! what a consoling nacle in which it is enshrined, and which
our friends.
balm
is
the doctrine that
we
shall, in the
is
life,
and therefore
its
in
the
existence
will not be involved or implicated in the
tabernacle, any more than a sun

crushed by the fall of an old
house through which it is passing. The
strong desire of immortality, too, is an
argument for it. Why should God universally implant a desire he never meant
fall
essential to its manifestation
present
realms above, be restored to their fellowship.

This doctrine is involved in many
passages of Scripture in the account of
in the language of
the last judgment
David on occasion of the death of his inin the parable
fant child by Bathsheba
in the conof the rich man and Lazarus
solation which our Saviour gives to the
in the aspenitent sinner on the cross
surance administered by the apostle St.
Paul to the Thessalonian believers, that
they should be his joy and crown of rejoicing in the presence of our Lord Jesus
Christ at his coming and in the same
apostle forbidding them to sorrow for
such as had fallen asleep as though they
had no hope of being united with them,
and of being together with the Lord and
of
beam
its
is
This desire shows design.

of divine government
The justice and wisindicates the same.
dom of the Governor are covered with
dark and impenetrable clouds, if the history of man is merely confined to the
present world, and closes altogether with
to gratify
The
present
mode
time; for vile men here are often exalted,

and holj- men are depressed. One event
often befalls
opposite characters.
The
which the sacred wri- common consent of mankind is in favour

Some kind of belief in a future
of it.
ters make of the word sleep for death
simile which would be flagrantly incor- state, and in some sort of future happi-
in the general >ise
ness, is very general.
rect if our recollections, our friendships
Even
in
the na-
were not renewed in a fu- tural uninformed mind, there are strong
And, in general, the same anticipations of futurity. And the idea
ture state.
doctrine is taught also through the whole of the savage, that after death he goes to
book of the Revelation of St. John. Hap- some green and blooming island across
and
py
affections,
the deep, to dwell with the Great Spirit,
prospect, that exalts friendship into
religion
be above
What
blest society there will
appears to us to be the remains of tho intuitive
impression originally stamped on
359
the human mind, as an evidence of its the vast importance of these things might
immortality.
But why do I say that a lead to the conclusion, that the duty here
Why do enjoined is not likely to be forgotten or
future state of bliss is possible ?
We are not neglected. We might imagine that all
T dwell on its probability?
led to this conclusion as a mere matter of that was necessary on this subject, is just
reasoning as an affair of analogy ; as a to convince of the importance of these
thing to be inferred
I take up my Bible things, and then leave the mind to its
and say, there is positive certainty of it, own natural sense of what is due to its
a certainty, drawn, not from the fair interests, in order to secure the proper
operations of reason, but from the sure, line of conduct towards the things thus
and strong, and steady lights of revela- exhibited. But how different all this is
tion.
The testimony of God in his word from what we know to be the fact. When
clears away every doubt concerning it, we call to recollection the earthly bias
and opens- to us the realities of that eter- which men have taken, and the downward
nal kingdom in which he reigns.
The tendency by which they are, since the
;
Scriptures
amply unfold
show us
immortality, and
fall,
the throne and
them of the necessity of
judgment-seat of the Eternal; they disclose to us, with awakening and irresistible emphasis and clearness, the-mausions
of the blessed, and their dread alternative,
the prison of the wicked.
See this revelation in the Old Testament.
Enoch was
translated, that he should not see death,
and was not found, for God took him.
The Hebrew patriarchs

country.
The patriarch
characterized,
the doctrine of
desired a better
it
proper to remind
is
which
the course
the apostle calls " looking at the things
which are not seen and eternal

the things that are above."
seeking
You may be
exposed
to the secularities of life, and

unless you indulge and cultivate the up-
ward tendency so emphatically expressed

in the text, they will fix you down to the
low level of earthly and every-day existence.
You must attend to the leading
Uz knew
that course of thought and inclination, by

Moses which your mind is characterized. The
had respect to the recompense of the re- thoughts must be turned in this lofty di"ward.
David believed he should see rection
I say thoughts, for it must not
God's face in righteousness, awake up in be a thought about heaven now and then
in his flesh
of
he should see God.
his likeness, and be satisfied.
Daniel
declares that they that sleep in the dust
awake and come
shall
Isaiah an-
forth.
merely, with long and frightful intervals

between, but toward the things above the
attention
must be much
We
directed.
nounces the jubilee of the dead the

morning of their manumission " Awake
and sing, ye tliat dwell in the dust."
And another Old Testament oracle triumphantly proclaims that " Death is swallowed up in victory." But the .V w Teslami^nt abounds in this class of evidence.
one main and

essential article in the great business of
life, for although there is a time for every
thing, you are not to exclude religion from
its pre-eminence
you are not to confine
it, as a sacred and hidden mystery, but to
be seen and meditated at certain occa-
TfiiTc, life and immortality are l)rought
sional periods, but rather to dilfuse
meridian light, and stand confessed

most vividly before us. There, indeed,
from bfginning to end, God hath promised
a colouring through
to
etornal
life.
Matt.
v. 8.
Luke
xii.
32.
must
feel that religion is the
the
'J'hus
life.
things above,
higliest
of
eulogy
to
all
it
as
the substance of
palriarcljs
whose
sought the
piety
say, that
it
is
the
" they de-
Matt.
XXV.
clared
thon
to
country," so fixed was their attention to

saered and heavenly things.
Then let us
thus seek them; by a constant and instarvtaneous religion seek the tilings that are
There are things above,

seek them, suppose that yon
havp a belief of them that you doubt not
:
their existonee,
their
reality,
their cer-
tainly.
2.
murh
It
implies that altentinn nhmilil ht

They must be
dirccttd tnwnrdnthfm.
minded^ us wmII as beliovud.
I'hu fact of
above.
that
3.
we
plainly that they smi'^hl a better
To
seek them must signify also
are to,
Set our attachment
upon them.
Set
THE BRITISH
360
your
affections
on
ifiings above, it is
in the verse after the text.
added
PULPIT.
of the then greatest empire in the
tal
The import world.
So should we feel and act in reference

of this exhortation is, that we are to admire and love them, as well as believe to the Jerusalem that is above ; the new,
and contemplate them. It may be ob- the heavenly Jerusalem. To the true bejected to this view, that the regard which liever this world is a desert, dry and barwe are now directing to be paid to things ren ; and though there may be here and
future, is inconsistent with the attention there a spot which seems to present invitwhich is due to the interests of the pre- ing verdure, and to court his stay, he
It is, however, certain, that lingers not, but presses on, for he feels it
sent life.
Christianity enjoins no opposing duties, is not his rest, because it is polluted and
precepts. he casts a solicitous look beyond its barincompatible
prescribes no
;
Whilst we are commanded
God
to render to
the things that are God's,
we
are at
the same time charged to render to Caesar

the things that are Cssar's.
where
ren sands, to the land of promise,

are his
And
home,
his treasure, and his heart.
his greatest
Whilst we the current of
burden of grief
is,
that
his affections should ever
be interrupted, or that their fervour should

be repressed, for a single moment, by
diligent in business.
Can it be thought the trifles and vanities of the passing
Thus having his heart in heaven,
that he who is passing through a wilder- scene.
ness, in a state of banishment from the his feet are ever moving thither ; for when
scenes and fellowships which he holds acting and enduring under the impression
most dear, should not often think with and expectation of heaven and heavenly
emotion of the delights, and securities, things, his step is firm in the road that
and sweet societies of a permanent and leads to things above.
And when the
affections are not only lifted up to, but set
congenial home 1
The history of the Jews, when in Baby- upon them, neither the length, nor the toil,
Ion, is an illustration of the conduct en- nor the difficulty of the way can greatly
joined in the text.
Did they, whilst impede the progress thither.
living in Babylon, surrounded with its
4. Diligent and persevering exertions, in
absorbing bustle, and engaged in its ac- order to obtain them belief of the things
tive business, forget the land of Israel, that are above awakens attention to them
are directed to be fervent in spirit serving
the Lord;
we
are instructed also to be
and disregard
it
in their hearts'?
their recollection of
it
No;
was most vivid and
deep and practical, ardent

and constant; and is described in language beautiful, fervid, and impressive.
Hear theiraffecting complaint,Ps.cxxxvii,
"5y the rivers of Babylon there we sat
down ; yea, we wept when we remembered
Zion ; we hanged our harps upon the wilaffectionate,
lows^
One
of these captives
is
repre-
sented as expressing himself in the following words " If Iforget thee, oh Jeru;
salem,
let
my
right hand forget her cun-
;
if I do not speak tui II of thee, let my
tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth ; if I
prefer not Jerusalem to my chief joy P^
Their hearts, then, were in .Terusalem,
though they sojourned in Babylon. The
dust and stones of Jerusalem, and the
rubbish of its temple and its towers, was
ning
attention to those things gives rise to desires after the possession of
them
and
these desires, in their turn, give birth to

exertions, in order to secure the attain-
ment and possession of them. He who

knows what the workings of affection towards any object are, knows well that his
exertions to secure and attain
in proportion to the affection
with which he regards
Now
that
all that
we
it
are just
and desire
it.
re(|uire in religion is,
you act consistently
that
you regard
the things proposed to you with an atten-
and
importance and that you exert yourselves
to attain them, with an ardour, and an assiduity, and a perseverance, proportionate
tion corresponding to their suitability
;
Seeking
must imply the
use of those means which are prescribed
to their
desirableness and value.
the things above, then,
to them tlian all the magnifi- in Scripture, and the observance of those
cenco and splendour of the greatest capi- ordinances which have been instituted by
dearer
;;
361
our Lord and Master, as helps on the way

heaven.
And what are the means
lively will be your apprehensions of the

necessity of holiness, and the more strenu-
whereby we
ous and constant your pursuit of it:

" Not counting myself to have appre-
to
are to hold fast, and hold
out, and hold on,
answer,
we
till
obtain
them?
and prayer, accompanied by
hended, this one thing
the reading of the word of God, and a

devout meditation thereon, together with
I do, forgetting
those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are be-
a diligent and earnest attention to the in-
fore, I press
stitutions of grace and the ordinances of
of the high calling of
faith
toward the mark
for the prize
God
in
Christ
These are the means, the con- Jesus."
religion.
of which, followed and crowned with the
III. Some motives or considerations

WHICH SHOULD IMPEL US TO THIS CONDUCT,
blessing of God, will lead you through
especially those
the low vale of
bourhood of the text. Be persuaded to it,

Front, a regard to consistency of con1
duct.
Consistency is that agreement that
every part of a man's conduct should have
to the character which he sustains and
the profession that he makes. Sometimes
it may be difficult to be consistent; but
generally, from the very harmony that the
part we have to perform has with our
character and principles, there is a pleasure and satisfaction in its performance;
scientious, diligent, and persevering use
humble
love, to the para-
unfading and eternal.

Yes,
only that we can walk in the
way of life and peace the road that leads
to heaven and God.
The shield of faith
dise that
it is
by
is
faith
that alone whereby we are able to

quench the fiery darts of the wicked one
and to overcome the world. Its influence
alone can sanctify the character and purify

the heart, and give substance and evidence
that
and eternal
And
the things
only by prayer
it is
for
can be kept alive and active, and
faitli
in the
neigh-
is
that are above.
lie
to things not seen
which
holds true, that what symmetry is

bodily frame, that consistency is to
it
to the
become omnipotent, as it was with Moses the moral character of an individual. And,
to whom what Aaron and Ilur were, (hold- whether from some original fitness in the
ing up
hands when Israel fought nature of the things themselves, or from
his
against Amalek,) prayer
is to faith.
And some
arbitrary associations that take place
mind, that which
the ordinances of religion stretch the arms
in the
of faith and fan the breath of prayer, and
not hard to be discovered.
feed and inflame our desires and longings
representation of ideal character this is
after the lieavenly worship.
It is in
them studied and attended
their holiest influence.
you
Even
to; and
ered and broken, the effect
Faith
ground of all your

hope, the spring of all your joys; and
prayer, in union with faith, will bring
Cliristdown from heaven to be your staff
of dependence and your rod of defence
for of yourselves you can do nothing.
Faith will lead you to feed on tlie bread
of God
tiie manna from above;
and
prayiT will draw around you the atmoKphero of heaven, out of which you will
will lead
consistent is
in the
whenever
the laws of association are violently sev-
that our characters receive their best im-
pressions
is
disappointing.
to the
far as
it
Without
is
painful and
Fiction pleases, only so
corresponds with real character.

this consistency there could be
no uniformity in the
human
would be unnatural,
disjointed, harsh, in-
jurious, unlovely
character; all
one great moral chaos;
a sea of things mischievous, monstrous,

and offensive. Sdidiers running away in
battle
judges violating those laws which
they were sworn to maintain and defend

a man, distinguished by wisdom and pru-
derive lliose influences of grace that shall

sirrngthcn and comfort you for the rest of dence,
You may have
the way.
tribulation,
tion
The
but
it
yea through
is
the
way
to
erudition and sagacity, giving

himself up to the most ridiculous, and
absurd, and degrading follies; a man
bowfd down with a multitude of years
and their accumulated infirmitifs, em-
pass through
niucli
to the
tribula-
kingdom.
you advance on the road,

become; and tin i)arkingin the most extensive, laborious.
nearer you come to heaven, tho more and speculative ent>rpri8cs of worldlj
farther
the humbler will you

V(.L.
1.
IG
II
THE BRITISH
363
business, are
all
inconsistencies
they
are palpable and monstrous incongrui-
rish a sense of the advantages, privileges,

and immunities of his high destiny, and
to
ties.
PULPIT.
walk Avorthy of
his exalted avocation.
he a member of one vast and holy

family ? then he must adhere to the principle that animates and actuates the
whole, or he will interrupt and disturb its
harmony and perfection. Is he in Christ?
then he must abide in him, and so bring
forth much fruit, that his God and Father
may be glorified. In short, is he a child
of God, and an heir of glory ; is he risen
many other motives to holy conduct, bewith Christ ? then he must seek the things
sides that which arises from the desire that are above, where Christ sitteth.
What should we think of him that is
and the obligation to maintain the consistency of their character but they do heir to a great monarchy, collecting and
not overlook the all-compelling argument arraying himself in the rags and tatters
in favour of such conduct, which grows of a pauper 1 and yet such conduct would
out of their new state and character. "If," not be as inconsistent as ours is, if we
should consays the apostle, "ye be risen with prefer earth to heaven.
" You who were sider it as an act of meanness, in one posChrist, seek," &c.
dead in your sins and the uncircumcision sessed of unbounded affluence, to be colof your flesh, hath God quickened together lecting every straw, and gathering all the
with Christ. If then," he argues with refuse that he could find % and yet such
irresistible point and force, if ye be thus conduct would not be as inconsistent as
changed, and " are risen with Christ, ours, who profess to be risen with Christ,
The distinction between their is, if we seek the things below, and not
seek,'''' &c.
present and their former state is not a dis- the things that are above. And is there
tinction without a difference, but a dis- any thing in the riches of earth that can
tinction so great as to be set forth in the for one moment be compared with the
Scriptures under images and illustrations things that are above
the riches of a
blissful eternity 1
Is there any thing in
of the most decisive and striking nature
the honours of this life that can for a sinthey are turned from darkness to light
gle instant be put in competition with
they have passed from death unto life
they have gone forth out of the pit, and that glory which is to be revealed in the
emerged from the dungeon they are saints'?
Is there any thing in the pleacreated anew, and born again
in short, sures of time that can be balanced with
' they who were dead in sins, are quick- the joys that are at God's right hand
ened together, and are risen with Christ." the pleasures in his presence for ever-
And
be thought less inconsistent

in a disciple of Christ and a child of God,
to be eagerly grasping after the vanities
and fortunes of earth, at the same time
that his heart, and his home, and his treaThus,
sure are professedly in heaven 1
in religious character, there is a consistency which is imperative, beautiful, and
advantageous. No doubt Christians have
can
it
Is
We
From
so great a difference of state,
it
is
more'?
Seeing, then, that you look for
expected that the greatest difference of such things, what manner of persons
Every view of ought ye to be in all holy conversaconduct should follow.
the Christian's character given us in the tion
2. On account of the reasonableness of
Scriptures, shows us the importance and
Is the duty itself, I would enforce it upon
necessity of consistency of conduct.
!
he set forth as running a race'? then his you.

And let me ask, can there be any thing
eye must be upon the prize, and he must
press towards the mark of it with all pos- more reasonable than that, among the
sible diligence and earnestness.
Is he multiplicity of things which press upon
held up as a combatant ? then he is never and court our attention, we should seek
to be without his arms, never to sleep those that are most excellent and most
upon his post, or to relax in his energies, enduring? The things that are below
until all the field is won, and proclaimed the riches, the pleasures, the honours, the
won. Is he a citizen ] then he is to che- business, the bustle, and whatever else
363
world can give all

eartnly things are gross and unsatisfactory, hollow and vain, blighted and nnildewed, and cannot constitute the felicity
of man, being neither suited to the spiritual nature nor to the immortal duration
of our souls; they can neither satisfy us
while we live, nor preserve us from death,
rays of light fall on it, glitters in all the

colours of the rainbow ; but whilst we
nor accompany us into the other world,

nor contribute any thing to our happiness
morning, but in the evening its beauty

and its odour are gone like the shadow
that flings itself for a moment across our
like a vapour
path, and then declineth
that appeareth and is quickly dissipated,
and we see it no more, so rapidly the
things that are beneath consume and flee
away. O " what shadows we are, and
what shadows we pursue." No shadows
we are not, " though shadows we pursue."
O let us elevate our thoughts
from time to eternity, and transfer our
All beaffections from earth to heaven.
low perish in the using, but the things
that are above are so lofty and pure, so
sublime and godly, so real and true, that
the very desire of them gives the mind an
elevation, and a strength, and a purity,
which in themselves are most improving,
most grateful, valuable, and important.
But perhaps it may be objected against
the reasonableness of the course which
this short enduring
And
there.
wards our
why
why
if
they can do nothing to-
real
and appropriate felicity,

so eagerly seek them
we
should
set our hearts
upon them
gourd
ao-ainst
but, ere the next day's sun, has utterly
withered
women
'i'hey
the dead
risen,
bowed down
it is
Let our hearts ascend
above.
where our happiness and our

treasure are.
If the things among which
thither,
we
grovel for the food and light of our

imperishable nature, had a mouth and a
tongue, and could speak to us, they would
say, "
Why
as though
cravings.
look ye so earnestly on us,"
we
Christ's place
not on us,
could satisfy your immortal
Are we
we
in
in
God's stead
heaven's room.
like
its,
the
Jlower,
that
fragrance in the
they seek the living among

our happiness is not here, it is
to the earth
sitting over our Saviour's
sepulchre, with their faces
away
blooms and sheds
that seek for happiness in carthlythings are

like the
is no more
like the
which casts its cooling shade
the vehement noontide heat,
gaze, bursts, and
in
Look
are but things seen and
the chemist we are now enjoining, that to require a

look for the philosopher's stone among person in one situation to be continually
the dust of the streets, or hope to elabo- directing his anticipations and prepararate the elixir vitae from the polluted wa- tions towards another and a future one,
Thisobjecter of a stagnant lake, as we expect to is impracticable and absurd.
find among the things below the bliss of tion arises either from ignorance of the na-
temporal.
As well might
>
our undying spirits.

God never put it
rnto them: and nothing can be to us more
ture and influence of religious exercises

and pursuits upon man's present and sothan God intended it.
In our pursuit of cial state, or from wilful perversion of the
the things of this world as our chief good, truth.
So far is the duty enjoined from
we are following after vanity, hunting a being incompatible with a due regard to
shadow, pursuing a fallacy.
And why the just interests and engagements of the
should we bestow our thoughts, our de- present life, that a proper attention to
sires, our longings and affections, upon them is secured by religious principles;
these unreal and fallacious, low and mean for it is by a patient continuance in wellthings, when there are incomparably bet- doing that we are to seek for glory, hoter ohjents to fix
them upon
nour, immortality, eternal
Besides, the unreasonableness of seeking ihifigs beneath will appear still more
life;
not
by
visions and rev'ries, seclusions, and ab-
stractions ; not by an idle and voluptuous

from their shortness and transitoriness. senlinientalism.
The fashion of this world passeth away,
It is trtie we have seen the diseiplesof
hut the things which arc above abide the church of Rome thus unfitting and
and endure for ever and ever. Like the indisposing themselves for the appropriate
htbble that is blown, and that, when the and necessary avocations and duties, and
I
THE BRITISH
364
PULPIT.
interconrse of social and civil life, under having promise of the life that now is, as
pretence of deeper devotedness and higher well as of that which is to come. ReliAll things
sanctity, and of cultivating closer and gion " is our life," even now.
more
uninterrupted
But
things above.
of religion
what
this
written
is
man
traditions of
is
it
communion with work

this
is
the abuse
being wise above

is
substituting
for the
the
which
is
the best calculated to promote
Vox when the thoughts and
affec-
are educating for futurity, and
tions are set on things above, they are
prepare
placed on their proper object, they are

attached to their appropriate centre, and
the use and end of education

for scenes
in setting our affec-
present welfare and immediate com-
fort.
Here we
To be engaged
tions on things above is that very exercise
commandments our
of God.
together for good to them that love
God.
and situations,
is to
for services
and
engagements that are future and distant. the result must be rest of spirit, inward
tranquillity, satisfaction, and harmony.
it considered unreasonable and improper in a parent to inure his child to the So that, independent of our prospects in
thought of the future to lead him to an- futurity itself, were we merely to consult
Is
and qualify him for actSurely not. Is

ing his part well in it]
it wisdom and kindness in him to discipline and educate his child, and so to preticipate
pare
it
to
fit
him for his coming manhood? The

knows that his child will not re-
parent
our true interests in the present state,
must be induced
to
the apostle from the singularly

fluence
which
dition of the
it
we
obey the direction of
happy
in-
exerts on the actual con-
mind.
Whilst our thoughts and
affections are
main a child that he will outgrow child- set on the things above, worldly prosnood, and stretch into maturity, and he perity will not greatly elevate, nor worldly
cannot endure the thought that his child adversity much depress ; the one will not
is to become a man, and not be Jilted for intoxicate, the other will not destroy.
manhood. No more is it unreasonable The Christian's great treasure knows no
His most valuable possession
in an expectant of immortality to seek for decay.
n preparation for immortality reason says is not liable to the contingencies to
that the heir of eternity should labour to which all earthly things are subject.
Dismal He is hastening to an incorruptible inhebe made meet for eternity.
thought! to plunge into eternity unfit for ritance, a kingdom that cannot be moved.
:
it,
without
capacity for
wards.
any relish
its
for its
joys, or
And
duties, or title to its re-
"A hope so much divine

May trials well endure."
then be ready for eternity, for
such an hour as we think

not.
O let it not surprise you unawares, You, who know that you have in heaven
that are
let it not overwhelm you in a state of un- a better and enduring substance
prepared ness. To make preparation for sure of a place at Cod's right hand
mansion in the skies a bower in parait is the strongest reason, the highest wisdom, the truest philosophy, the deepest dise a seat in glory a repose in AbraHence we ham's bosom an asylum, a refuge, a
science this is true religion.
you, that
are exhorted by the inspired teachers to house, a shelter, in eternity
lay up treasure in heaven, ^nd forbidden are going to the general assembly and
to be cumbered and troubled about many church of the first-born, to the innumerable company of angels, to Jesus the Methings.
should be promptsd to this on diator of the new covenant, and to God
it
comcth
in
We
account
3.
from
of,
77te present
if.
to the general rendezthe Judge of all

advantages which result vous of the just, the gathering of the called, and faithful, and chosen, you can
;
a wise appointment of God, duty afford a few trials by the way. You can
and interest are joined, and as we attend smile at the transient storm, rememberto the one so the other will be promoted. ing the haven for which you are bound
Godliness is profitable for all things, Your little bark may feel the dash and
By

fury of the storm, but her anchor is cast
within the liaven, and she will outride
the billows, and defy their
am
glory."
ven
365
may
behold my
the presence of Christ in
that they
It is
The heaven
rag-e.
believer has cast anchor in heaven, and
may
where
make
that will
so rich a hea-
it
you, you saved
to
Have
sinner.
from the storms of you not enjoyed his presence in some

You that favoured seasons on earth, and have not
life, he cannot be a wreck.
are trees of righteousness, the planting- its manifestations been most sweet and
of the Lord, may bend before the blast exhilarating 1
If such are the strea.ns,
as it whistles and howls around you, what must be the fountain 1
If such the
but you shall not be broken by it. Let glimpses, what will be the full and
winds blow and tempests roar, they will unclouded gaze 1 Times of refreshing
take away nothing but leaves the tree even now are from the presence of the
is safe, and can neither be shivered nor Lord ; what will be the high felicities of
torn up, being fast rooted by the throne his heavenly presence
If communion
of God; and the fruit it bears is to life with him (through media) be so delighteternal.
So we hear the pious of every ful that it supplies our souls with heaage expressing and solacing themselves venly food, and our seasons of its enjoyamidst the fluctuation of surrounding ment are the bright spots of our journey
circumstances, and the depression to to the upward house, what must it be to
which it gives rise. David exclaims, sit at his feet in glory, to gaze upon that
" though the mountains," &c.
Habak- face of his that shineth lil<e the sun in
kuk "Although the fig tree shall not his strength, and to hold intimate and
blossom, neither shall fruit be in the unbroken fellowship with him whose
thoufrh he
suffer
fail,
smile irradiates the whole paradise of
no meat; the
flocks shall be cut off from the fold, and
there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet
I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in
the God of my salvation."
Paul
" I
reckon that the sufferings of this present
time are not worthy to be compared with
the glory that shall be revealed in us."
All believers may say, " We are cast
God
This is all we desire to be
with the L(/rd
this the summit of our
wishes
True, we read of the splendour of the palace of the Almighty King
of the golden streets, the jasper pavement, the angel choirs, the swelling chorus of eternity but this word, " we shall
be ever with the Lord, be where Christ
vines
the labour of the olive shall
and the
fields shall yield
.'
sitteth," conveys to us more of heaven

sorrowful, than all the metaphorical emblems of it,
down, yet not destroyed
yet always rejoicing patient in tribu- august aud gorgeous, delicious and delation, yet rej'iicing in hope."
The lightful as they are It was this that made
who
Christian can bear the loss of those things
John,
perish in the using, knowing that he

has bags which wax not old, riches that
never decay, a treasure in the heavens
unfading and eternal.
as he sal at meat, say, (1
th;it
1.
Above all be entreated to seek the
things above, becrmae they arc the scene in
which
(^hrisl
dwells.
This
is
Now
are
we
John
iii.
2,)
the sons of God, and
it
doth not yet appear what we shall be ;

but we know that when he siiall appear
we
shall be like
him,
for
To Him
we
shall see
heaven in
the argu- one thanksgiving joins, saying, " Wor-
with which the apostle enforces

the injunction.
There is Christ in his
rest and glory; and where he is will
you not seek to bo also ? And is it not
rafint
the object of his affectionate
"
leaned on the breast of Jesus
solicitude
him as he
thy
is
the
is."
Lamb
that
all
was
slain
to
re-
power, and wisdom,

and strength, and honour, and glory, and
And do we not feel solicitblessing."
ous to go up on iiigh, that we loo may
swell the music of adoration and grati-
ceive riches, and
you may be with him in his glory ?

Hear that pniyer from one whom the tude which is rendered iiiin there 1
Father hfiarrth always, and exult in what Surely it is all our desire to behold
you hear: " Father, 1 will that tiiey also llu Lamb" upon the throne, and to join
whom thou hast given mo bo with me in that immortal song which ascribeii
that
2h
THE BRITISH
366
PULPIT.
him that wliich is so justly his due. your resemblance to the mind and chnSeek the things above, then, fur there racter of the Lord Jesus Christ and particularly see how far your profession and
Christ sittdh.
how they answer the
5. Finally, be admonished by the con- conduct agree
to
sideration of the dreadful alternative ivhick

must inevitably follow the neglect (f this
you seek them not, you will

be excluded from them for ever. If you
are not preparing for heaven, you are for
hell,
if you follow not holiness, you
cannot see the Lord. If you refuse to
seek the things above, you are seeking
It is
death in the error of your ways.
only to those who have given diligence
to make their calling and election sure,
that an entrance can be ministered into
the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and
duty.
If
Prepare, then, to
Saviour Jesus Christ.
one
to
the
Since the original
other.
many
publication of Christianity
objections against
it
are the
that have been ad-
vanced by its enemies. We have reason

and evidence enough to satisfy the inquiries of the philosophical, the argumentative, the learned, and the critical; and
not one of those objections which are
founded on argument, and learning, and
philosophy, and criticism, but has been
most satisfactorily and triumphantly answered, over and over again. But that
w hich has reference to the subject which
has now occupied our attention
the ob-
meet your God, for if you do not he jection which says that Christians are so
will meet you as a bear bereaved of her worldly, so selfish, so avaricious, that
whelps, and W'ill rend the caul of your there is no difference between them and
heart.
O then, as you would not lie down those that make no profession, and that
make your abode
in sorrow, nor
in
the
the former are just as earthly, and as se-
flames of hell, nor dwell where the bowl-
cular,
ings and wailings of damnation
objection,
fill
the
place with noise more dreadful than ten
thousand thunders, nor be fastened upon

by a worm that can never be shaken
off, nor
consumed by a fire that can
never be quenched ; as you would not
be undone and lost for ever, O seek, I
entreat, I beseech, I conjure you, by all
that is delightful in heaven, and by all
and as feverish as the

I
say,
is
and set aside.

Here it is,
that the Saviour is wounded
of his friends.
latter
this
not so easily answered
my
brethren,
in the
house
an
It is difficult to find
answer to this allegation, and I summon

you and myself practically to refute it.
If we have been thus culpable and injurious, let us be so no more: let us be persuaded, and entreated, and exhorted hence-
by the authority forth to walk not as other Gentiles walk,

of God your Maker, and by the love of in the vanity of their minds but to live soChrist your Redeemer, and by the striv- berly, righteously, yea godly, in this preings of the Holy Ghost; by the necessi- sent world. Let us maintain such a walk
ties of your immortal spirit; by the ap- and conversation as not only shall bring no
proach of death, and the solemnity of reproach upon the worthy name whereby
that is dreadful in hell
and the tremendousness of we are called, but such as shall prove

all I pray you to seek the beneficial and ornamental, influential and
useful let us remember that the cause of
things that are above.
In conclusion. I think I may say that Christ is committed to us in the world its
I am set free from the necessity of fate and fortunes are, in some sort, in our
making a stated application by the tenor hands, and it is for us to uphold and to ex-
[judgment,
eternity
by
let us see to it that its brightitself.

I trust, how- tend it. And
you have made inquisition into ness is not sullied, nor its progress impedthe matter as we have proceeded, testing ed, through our personal inconsistency and
youT characters as the professed disciples impurity; and to this end let us be constantof Christ by the views that have been ly " looking for that blessed hope and the
supplied.
Examine well the foundation glorious appearing of the great God and
of your hope
ascertain the reality of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ."
of the discourse
ever, that
THE PULPIT GALLERY.
THE
PUIiPrr
GALLERY.
367
In December, 1820, Mr. Raffles
was
Oft did he caution the too thoughtless tribes
Laws, by the Scnaiua

Academicus of the Marischal College and
University of Aberdeen, from whence hs
had previously received the degree of
His testimonials on
Master of Arts.
being created a doctor were signed by the
Dukes of Sussex and Somerset, as graduates of the same degree in the English
Against each sin that easily besets
universities.
created Doctor of
NO. XII.
THOMAS RAFFLES,
REV.
"
faithful pastor.
The
heart; and
LL.D.
Ever was he seen

In admonition warm,
oft,
more anxious than
their
sires,
Taught the surrounding
innocents,
His friendly smile, the lesson
to
who
Dr. Raffles has been the author of se-
be good.
Memoirs of
cer
Poi.WllEELE.
May 17, 1778,

Christchurch, Spitalfields, London, where his father was an
eminent and hicrlily respected solicitor.
Dr. Raffles was born
in
the
The
parish of
early part of his education he receiv-
ed at Peckhain
in
useful and
veral
loved
Surrey, under the Rev.
M. Ready, from whence he removed
is
important works
his
the life and ministry of Spen-
a beautiful piece of biography
his
Tour through France and Switzerland is

often used by travellers through the romantic scenery of Savoy. The doctor
has also published two volumes of Lectures on the doctrines and duties of the
Christian religion, and sundry discourses
delivered on public occasions.
His talents as a preacher are of the
which attend hia

which is felt for
While him by the members of his church, and
gistry, in Doctors' Commons.
at school he was introduced to the Rev. the universal esteem with which he is
Dr. Collyer, who, perceiving his great regarded by all classes of'society, are the
situation in the
predilection
encouraged
the doctor's
academy
at
for
it,
Bishop of London's
the
ministry,
to a
re-
strongly
and, in conformity with
advice, he returned to the
Peckham, and entered upon
first
order: the crowds
ministry
the
affection
best tributes to his talents and his virtues,
and the briglitest and best rewards he

for, or desire, on this side of
can hope
eternity.
We close this sketch with an extract

from a work by the Rev. Calvin Colton,
lie entitled " Four Years in Great Britain."
inerton, which took place in 1801.
rrinaiiied there rather more than four On Mr. Colton's visit to England he
in the
years, and on leaving the college was or- landed at Liverpool on a Sunday
dained to the pastoral ofTice over the Con- evening of the day of his debarkation ha
grejTitjonal church at Hammersmith.
went to Great George street chapel to
Mr. Raflles continued in this scene of attend divine service, and heard the sub-
a course of preparatory studies, previous

to his
admission into the College at Ho-
The
man and
labour for two years, when, in conse- ject of this sketch preach.
following
quence of the melancholy event which

depriv(;d Liverpool of the excellent and
lamented Spencer, he was invited, with
other ministers, to supply for a few
weeks the bereaved church. In Novemht^r, Hll, Mr. R. preached on three Sab-
the occa-
baths
in
Newinglon chapel, Liverpool,
and shortly after reoeived an unanimous

call to bi'come the pastor of the congregation lain under Mr. Spencer's charge.
This invitation was accepted, and in the
April following be look up his residence
in I.iv<'rpo(d, which has been the scene
of his active labours ever since.
is his
sion
account of the
"At the a])poinled hour a clergyman

ascended the pulpit, knell, and offered
a custom most befitbis silent prayer
ting and impressive, but not practised in
America, except by two denominations

and then, opening iho Bible, he read iho
twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew with
and pathos nf expression,
From the
and subduing tones.
first opening of his lips he seemed moved
from his inmost soul.
I could have imagreiit pirrlinency
in silvery
gined, though ignorant of
llio
cause, thit

THE BRITISH
368
the deep fountains of feeling wore opened

within him, and that some mi<rlity sympathies were workinor there, and 1 tluHijrht
too that the conprefjation wore ready to be
PULPIT.
ocean
haven of eternal
to the
rest,
and
then applied himself to the proper themo

of his text,
application to his hearers,
in
and in view of the mournful event which

with him in feolinp but still I knew not had suggested il^' Be ye also ready.'
" I had heard of Dr. Raflles, and enter'Is that Dr. liafTlesI'
the occasion.
He
said I in a wliisper to the "gentleman on tained a high opinion of his powers.
my right, as the preacher began to read. is unquestionably an eloquent man ; and
Yes, sir,' was the answer.
After the a man of good sterling sense, of pure
usual introductory services, and a prayer taste and sound discretion; he is sure to
which breathed the soul, and seemed be pertinent; and in these attributes, and
communion with the skies, a fellowship others akin to them, great. He demon;
with heaven, and
fitted
well to raise the
strates a perfect honesty.
It is his
full
heart that wished to be with God, the
soul that speaks out, and no one doubts
Therefollowing text was announced

for in an hour that
fore be ye also ready
ye know not the Son of man cometh.'
Take, then, a theme like the fate of the

Rothsay Castle, and give it such a man,
'
it
all
feel
it;
and
this
is
eloquence.
'"Nearly twenty years have rolled before an audience whose acquaintances

away since I have had the pastoral charge and dear ones perished there, and let him
of this congregation,' said the preacher,
(and these were his first words after
reading the text, ) ' and never have I
been called to mingle my tears with the
my
bereaved of
charge, in any instance,
ill-fated
And
tle.'
doom
voice of
first
all
the story in the outset
He
the simple
did not begin a great
way
off,
and deliver a lecture on the abstract truth,

till
as
his hearers
it
were
tired of a discussion,
too apt to be the fashion on such
is
bvit he told the simple story

;
exordium of his sermon.
He
occasions
as
the
briefly
noticed
the
character of those
whose sudden and awful death they lamented traced the pathway of their spirits through the stormy waves of the
;
and none
occasion,
was
together,
such a
scene, and in the light of Christianity
late
here, at the end of the
all
with
they stand connected
of the Rothsay Cas-
opened to
me, and I felt myself at once a mourner
with the mourning, and was ready to
claim a full part in the deploring enactment of that solemn hour. For I had
passed in full view of the scene of death,
and had heard the story for the first time
that very day.
Three members of Dr.
Raflles' church, Mr. Lucas, his wife, and
their daughter, were of the number who
perished
and that evening it had devolved on the pastor to stand up before a
sympathizing people to tell the story, and
try to impress them with the practical
lesson of the awful event; and he did
story.
as
And
sentence, the secret
tell
probation and the judgment
pri-
work of death so astounding to

vate and public sympathy as in the
for a
and
bring heaven and earth, time and eternity,
who
there
1
can hear can be indifferent.

indifferent on that
were none
dare to say.
man
It
was
not the
Man
only gave a
palpable utterance to the voice of God.
" In the midst of the sermon, and at a
moment when the minds and hearts of
alone.
the audience were entirely captive, under
the guidance of the preacher, and with
him meditating on death, judgment, and
abstracted from earth, and rapt

thought of a coming world a sudden,
protracted, and apparently an expiring
groan came from a distant part of the galleries, reaching every part of the house,
and penetratingf every heart. It was a
startling, thrilling expression of distress,
auginented a thousand fold by the circumstances. The self-possession of the
preacher, however, in a measure quieted
the apprehensions of the audience, by
statins 'hat it was a person taken in a fit;
and the individual having been carried
out, after a pause of two or three minutes
the doctor proceeded.
What was the
real cause of suffering I know not.
But
the shock at such a moment
when the
feelings of the audience were under the
highest excitement, and borne away by
the most powerful sympathies for the
dying and the dead, and forced to think
eternity
in
'*^--
THE PULPIT GALLERY.

of future and eternal events
was
abso-
369
brighter, the spirit of the gospel
expands
and diffuses itself through all the facul"Occasionally in the progress of the ties and affections of his mind, so as it
sermon the doctor was exceedingly pow- has never done before; and a conviction
his thoughts and manner, and the of the divinity of his principles, the safety
erful
tones of his voice, all befitting each other. of his state, and the grandeur of his prosThe interest of the occasion was itself pects, srets to be more and more impressand when the amen was pro- ive and absorbinor; till, at length, every
intense
nounced, thai perfect stillness which had bystander feels himself to be quite on
lutely nppallinfT.
reigned for the hour, excepting only the

speaker's voice, was succeeded by that
heaven; or says
the verê nf
bour,
Mark
the perfect
to his
neigh-
man, and behold
the
singular bustle which an instantaneous upright, far the end nf that man is peace ;
change of position in every individual of or ejaculates the fervent prayer. Let me
a great congregation, after having been
die the death of the righteous,
long chained by eloquence in fixed and

motionless attitudes, prodaces."
last
end be
like his.
Dobson,
and
my
let
AFFECTING ANECDOTE.
By
DEATH-BED OF AN AGED BELIEVER.
There
more sublime and
a certain burst of water into one of
the Newcastle collieries, thirty-five
men
and forty-one lads were driven into a disresting spectacle than the death-bed of an tant part of the pit, from which there was
aged and consistent believer. It is inde- no possibility of return until the water
is
not a
inte-
should be drawn
scribably interesting to listen to his last

conversations, and to mark the heavenly
off.
While
this
was
though all possible means were

aspect of his countenance; it is unutter- used, the whole number gradually died,
hen
ably grand to observe with what tranquil from starving or from suffocation.
and fearless composure he sinks to the the bodies were drawn up from the piN
rest for which he has been prepared by seven 'of the youths were discovered in a
Among
the influence of a lively faith, and by a cavern separate from the rest.
course of uniform and exemplary godli- these was one of peculiarly moral and
effecting,
whose
daily readi.tg of
ness; and, while contemplating such a

scene, it is almost impossible not to com-
religious habits,
with the glorious sunset of an

autumnal evening. Tlir> light of Christian experience and character, reflected
by the venerable saint as he approaches
the close of his career, seems to throw
mother, when l;e came up from his labour, had formed the solace of her lonely
After his funerni, a sympacondition.
thizing friend of the neclected poor went
pare
the
it
sacred
Scriptures
to
his
widowed
and wbilp the mother show

ed him, as a refic of her son. his Bible
worn and soi/ed vi(h constant perusal,
to visit her;
back a hallowed radiance upon all its

preceding stages ; a hope full of immortality triumphs over every doubt, and
puts to flight every fearful appnhension,
whereby his soul may have been aforetime beelouded
his enjoyments interrupted
or his usefulness in any measure
he happened to cast his eyes on a candlebox, with whirh, as n miner, he had been
furnished, and which had been brought
up from tie pit with him; and there he
disrovered the following affeeling record
counteracted; the felt presence of a di- p( tliptilial affection and steadf;ist piety of
In tlie darkness of the snffovine Redeemer gives energy and anima-j the youth.
tion to his voice, impart.s a more than calijig pit, with a bit of pointed iron, he
iiiortal lustre to his eye, and gihl.-f the had engraved on the box his last meschamber where h(! languishes ^vitli the sage to his mother, in the.se words :
plorie.s of a better world ; and in propor- Fret not, my dear mother ; for we were
tion as ho neara the moment of ilepart- singing and prai'-ing flod, while we had
IMoiher, follow (>v(\ more than I
ure, hi<nif)ral greatness becomes ii\creas- time.
Joseph, be a good lad to God and
ingly apparent evidence that all is well did.
with him,
Vol.
for eternity
1. J7
grows brighter and
mother."
SERMON
XL.
THE NEARNESS OF DEATH.
BY THE REV. THOMAS MACCONNEL.
"There
is hut
a step between
me and
That solemn
and startling event,* the

which sits deep
on every countenance, and speaks impressively to every heart in this numerous
assembly, calls loudly upon us all to shake
off our drowsy disregard to death, and
rouse us to the serious and salutary task
of numbering our days. The shepherd
numbers his sheep ; the miser numbers
serious consciousness of
his gold
the general
numbers his
sol-
and the sovereign numbers his

subjects
but we omit to number our
days. Is this because our days are of
diers
death."
Sam.
In prosecuting
xx. 3.
my
object I shall ob
serve,
I.
That
this
solemn assertion -was seem
inghj true concerning David.

II.
That
many now
III.
it is
really true with regard to
And,
living in the world.
That
it
may
be true with regard
to
some here present.

concerning
I. It was seemingly true
David. His affecting story is soon told.
When, owing to Saul's disobedience of
God's orders, the Spirit of the Lord de
parted from
him
an evil
spirit,
of
which
less value than sheep, or gold, or soldiers,
kind there are many, came upon him, and
or subjects'?
a horror of great darkness brooded over
Certainly not; but because
we
have no disposition
a work. It is true that
to
number Oiys
to
come, while
that
we
to so necessary
we
are too prone
we presume
arc yet
criminally neglect to
number those which
distempered imagination;
Royalty
as it has not unfrequently been,
splendid w-retchedness and magnificent
his
was now,
misery.
Music was recommended
to dis-
gone by, and
pel the oppressive melancholy, and the
which, correctly speaking, only are ours.
upon guilty mortals, who
son of Jesse was named as a superior performer on that sweet and ancient instrument, the harp. He was introduced
played, and pleased. After tliis, and the
slaughter of Goliath, he was taken into
great favour, and became Saul's armour-
but
bearer.
are
momentary exclamation
at the swift-
ness of time, a passing shock,
most part,
like that
all
we
is, for
tlie
the effect pro-Juced by events

are assembled to improve,
are any thinoprepared for the awful summons.
The
Returning from the field of batand of victory, the beautiful women

of Israel chanted his praises, in strains
tle
tal
necessity of preparation for our morexit is now forced upon our attenlior.
by
this dispensation of Providence.
Tnore laudatory than those in
perfectly identified with the text

is
but a step between
This
It is
" There
me and
death."
which the
monarch was eulogized. Saul was offended, and from that day he watched Da-
David to Jona- vid with nnslumberinef jealousy ; struck

than, whose father was now, with un- a javelin at his unsuspecting and defencewearied assiduity and savage detepmina- less enemy, whom, having missed, he
hunted now like a partridge on themoun^
tion, seeking to take away his life.
is
the declaration of
Wreck of the Rothsny Costle steamboat,

in which about ninety persons were lost.
370
tains, determined to kill him.

Surrounded by numerous enemies eager to slake
THE NEARNESS OF DEATH.

their cruel tliirst in his blood, he exclaim-
when
371'
the earliest
sunbeams play upon'
ed in his extremity to Jonathan, his only their pillow, turn away from the oppress"As the Lord liveth, and as thy ive glare, and long for the .evening, are
soul liveth, there is but a step between slowly dying; they are given up by their
me and death." But this was not cor- physicians, and their decease daily exrect ; there were many steps between him pected ;
" there is but a step between
and dissolution.
He lived many years thein and death."
after this composed many psalms fought
2. Go into the gloomy cells of confriend,
many
entered
battles;
into
many
alli-
ances; wept over the deaths of Saul and

Jonathan his son, in a matchless monody
;
ascended the throne of Israel ; died full

of riches, and honours, and years; and
Solomon his son reigned in his stead.
This teaches us how liable we are to
be wrong in our judgments.
can
only judge from appearances; therefore
"we should draw all inferences of importance with caution. Yet this judgment of
We
David's, perhaps, was the instrumental

cause of his preservation. It made him
How many
cautious.
evils,
which we
dread and prepare for, never come upon

us
And how many, that we never had
!
the slightest idea
of,
overwhelm and con-
found us
Thus Providence sports with
our calculations; "man knoweth not his
appointed time, but is like the fishes insnared in an evil net," &c. &c., says
!
Solomon.
" Safety consists not in escape
From dangers of a frightful shape

An eaniiqiinke may be bid (o spare
The man ihai's sirangled hy a liair;
;
II.
The
text
is
rralh/ true concerning
now
It is
in the world.
calculated that nine hundrt'ii miilijns of
individuals
men
miglit be fr)und in both hemisphrrcs

of the inhabited glob;'. It is computed
that one individual dies every
Time
treads a
How
triic it is,
man
to
moment.
death at every step.
life
the lamp, spending the little time that

remains to them in devotional exercises
"
;^
there
but a step between them and
is
death."
Look
at the combatants that are

preparing for deadly battle
their
country's cause palpitates at their heart,
and burns on their tongue. They are
buckling on their armour; but they will
never unbuckle it. They are destined to
3.
now
the
struggle.
"There
fall
in
step
between them and death."
but
is
Listen to the cries of those mariners"they are going up to the

heavens, and now down to the depths."
4.
in distress;
The
is unmanageable; her hold is

with water; she is sinking; the
poor wretches are climbing to the shrouds.
" There is but a step between them and
death."
5. View those men of apoplectic struc-
ship
filling
How
precarious the hold they have

Fresh and hale one minute the
How true it is, with renrard
next dead.
to same rnen, that " there is but a step
I)etween them and death !"
ture.
Found oftcnrst in wliat least we dread,

Frowns in the storm with angry brow,
But in the sunshine strikes tlio blow"
whose
must pay
coming
morning: see them, by the dim light of
criminals,
the forfeit of their crimes on the
of
Fate Rltals along wiih silent iroad.
Bome
demned
life
III.
The
declaration in the text 7/joy
be true with regard to some of us.

Let
us make good our ground at every step.
1. Sentence of death has been passed
on all men, "because that all have sinned." Death, which in poetry is called
the king of terrors; in philosophy, the
negation of existence
in infulelitv, annihilation; in law, capital punishment; in
;
plare, look at the
theology is the "wages of sin."

In
Adam, our federal head, we all fell and,
when lie was sentenced to die, we his
preat number of the nick scattered over

the face of this weli-peopled world. The
descendants were sentenced also. ** In

Adam all die, and in Christ shall nil be
poor emaciated invalids who, during the

wparisoino watchis of the sleepliss night,
long for the dawning morning, aiid who,
made
step between
1.
Let us,
then, that
" there
is
but a
manv and death."

in the first
alive."
sentence
they
in the
We
read the record of our
Scriptures, which, though
be tliousands of years
old
jet.
THE BRITISH
372
though
ho
it
now
PULPIT.
six thousand since the
judgment was pronounced
THE CHRISTIAN WATCHMAN.
yea, though
The
Christ has died for the sins of all who

them extracted the
yet all tins does not avail
sting of death
seasoiis
for,
be best enforced.
believe, and has for
This sentence has never heen
2.
pealed.
It
rc-
has not become obsolete; it

page of an al-
is not like the antiquated
faithful
when
watchman watches
best inculcated, and particular
when
tunilies
for
may be
duties may
peculiar doctrines
He
watches
instruction
for oppor-
may be most
wisely imparted, consolation most affec-
most
tionately administered, conviction
powerfully deepened, reproof most disSentence of death may be, and often is, creetly given, and sin most strongly conHe watches for providences,
in secular affairs, commu/ftZ; but not so demned.
Neither youth, nor beauty, nor under which the minds of men, being
here.
talents, nor piety, nor usefulness, nor ac- softened, alarmed, or excited, may be
complishments of any description, can most deeply impressed with truth, most
manac of
It is in daily force.
past time.
procure a commutation of the equitable

may and do get a respite,
sentence.
We
but never a reprieve.
But
3.
'
this respite is not for
length of time.
It
moment
only from
is
to
any given
frugally extended
moment.
Those of
you, my brethren, who have been raised

up from the very borders of the grave, in
answer to the prayers of the church,
yours is only a respite , and that for no
stated length of time.
respited crimi-
easily prompted to duty, or
ually roused to exertion.

at the altar of
God
wôrld, the flesh,
most
effect-
Having sworn
eternal wâr against the
and the devil, he watches
continually lest the secret seductions or

the open assaults of these spiritual foes
should distress or destroy his people.
He is always on his watch-tower, and he
No enemy can apwatches in all things.
proach the camp without an alarm being
sounded.
we
The most faithful minister may well

may, then, be true of some of fear that among the people of his charge
us, that " there is but a step between us there will be found, at the last day, some
Who knows to the con- wicked man whom he had not faithfully
and death."
Who can assure us of a moment ? warned some backslider whom he had
trary 1
Then make provision for what may occur. not tenderly admonished some hypoYour house viay be buri't down you crite whom he had not skilfully unmask-
nal
do
knows
not.
the length of his respite
It
have insured it. Your property may be ed some contemner of God whom he
you have put it under lock and had not fearlessly withstood. Well alss
stolen
;
key, bars and bolts. You may takt cold

from the night air; you have fortihbd
But you mubi die.
yourselves against it.
Where is your preparation and provision
for it]
Do you
provide against proba-
and neglect certainties 1 Do you

provide for the body, and neglect the
Do you provide for time, and
Boul 1
leave eternity to provide for itself]
" Will you first think seriously of your
bilities,
may
he fear lest there should be found

day of account some ignorant soul
whom he had not plainly instructed
some sorrowful spirit whom he had not
gently comforted
some weak brother
w-hom he had not seasonably strengthened
or some thoughtless wanderer
whom he had not diligently reclaimed.
What, then, may t>e the dread, and what
certainly will be the doom, of the blind,
in the
judgment for or the ignorant, or the dumb, or the greedy,

think seriously of or the sensual, or the slumbering watchto the idle shepherd that
your mercies when you are about to leave man?
themV By the preciousncss of your leaveth the flock ! the sword shall be
sins
when you
them
are going to
Will you
first
Wo
the certainty of- death

the solemnity of judgment and the approach
of eternity, we call upon you to prepare
Amen.
to meet your God.
souls
upon his arm, and upon his right eye;

his arm shall be clean dried up, and his
right eye shall be utterly darkened.
wood.
Co-
SERMON
XLI.
LIFE A JOURNEY.
BY THE REV.
"For we are
is
DILLON.
and sojourners, as were all our fathers ; our days on

and there is none abiding." 1 Chron, xiix. 15.
strangers before thee,

are as a shadow,
This
R. C.
the testimony of an old man, of
who had
who was
the earOi
present
derive
plans
no
improvement
human life is; from that wisdom which the failure of

capable of summing up the their former plans might teach them
total, because he had made himself mas- they glide through the world, forgetful
ter of all the items of the account.
The of the past, and careless about the future;
young man, indeed, could give the sum
and at the close of life have gained but
one
and
seen what
but so different are the colours of life as

we look forward to the future, or backward upon the past, that he could give it
only prospectively. David gave it retrospectively. He had not merely tasted the
cup ; he had drank it. He had come to that
period of his existence on earth, which
led him to consider death as a merciful
dismission from a long and distressing
warfare, and as opening a door for him
into the mansions of his Father's house
above.
He had outlived many of his
friends, his children, and his comforts.
Most of those ties which had connected
him with life had been broken and lie
was standing on the borders of the grave,
just waiting the commission that would
join him to the departed multitudos of
little
more
they had at
and judgment than,

commencement. It is not
solid sense
its
surprising, therefore, that from the expe-
of such persons the young and

inexperienced should gain but little inall expect that knowledge
struction.
should be the consequence of a long life;
rience
We
turn, therefore, with sorrow and

from those who appear not to have
grown wiser as they have grown ohler.
And unwilling, as we are, to deny to the
aged that veneration and reverence which
their privilege obtains, we had rather
trust our own eyes in the journey of life,
than yield to the guidance of those who
have lost their way.
But among those aged travellers we
He had not
are not to number David.
mingled with the world to no purpose;
former ages.
Hut this is not only the testimony of he had seen it in all its varied forms;
an old man it is the evidence of one who and, in coming to the conclusion of the
could estimate life. There arc persons text, he had been guided by a long and
and
we
regret,
whom all the advantages of experi- observant experience.

And bo it remarked, moreover, that
ence are thrown away. Solomon says
that, " tho'igh thou shouldost bray a fool this is the testimony, not only of an old
in a mortar among wheat with a pcslle, yet man, and a wise man, but of a great man.
will not his foolishness depart from him." It will be remembered that David was a
Such persons go through life with such monarch, an absolute monarch and this
torpid indi(Teronce, that none of its occur- consideration gives peculiar Cucv to his
Had it been made by other
rences, wliother prosperous or adverse, testimony.
leare any trace on their minds. Their men, we mijjht have lliought to escape from
373
2 I
upon
THE BRITISH
374
such a melanoholy conclusion. Had we

been told by one whose experience was
but little, that we are only " strangers
tind sojourners, that our days on the earth
are as a shadow, and there is none abiding," we might have considered him as
PL'LPIT.
appeared
be more at
to
home
close of David's life,) he
than at the
is lookinsr
upon
the past, and the last scenes of his history,
and having spread the world
amount before him when he looks

total
this
this
is
the
sum
in its
at the
" We
are
giving utterance rather to the feelings of strangers before thee, and sojourners, as
our days on the
discontent than the confidence of persua- were all our fathers
sion ; and as speaking not so much of the eartii are as a shadow, and there is none
general state of human life, as of his own abiding."
:
share, and his
own
situation.
But the
There are two points
character and eminence of David leave

no room for subterfuge; we are compelled
in the further
sideration of this verse on
which
conshall
engage your attention.

First, We have here a description of
admit his conclusion, because of the

soundness and the validity of the premises.
He had witnessed the extremes
of life.
He had been a shepherd boy
and this may account for his delightful
adoption of a shepherd and his flock, that
occur so frequently in the Psalms ; and
he was raised from that lowly condition
to the summit of all that is great and
illustrious in society.
He had in his
possession whatever power and riches
could confer; every power and delight
which others possessed he had authority
to summons, or wealth to purchase ; and
all that royal prosperity could supply
was accumulated upon him. He had
found, liowevcr, that the splendour of royalty could contribute very little to the
promotion of happiness, could promise
him no security from the vicissitudes of
life.
High though he was placed above
to
HUMAN
LIFE.
And
An inference
Secondly,
of Christian
DUTY.
First,
HUMAN
We have
life
here a description op
Our passage
a pilgrimage.
through life is represented in Scripture

under a variety of striking and expressive images.
Sometimes it is compared to
an arrow flying through the air, which
quickly strikes the mark it aims at sometimes to a race in which we soon arrive
;
sometimes to a
growing in the
field,
and to-morrow cut down and
withered.
But there is, perhaps, no
figure by which the Christian state on
earth is more frequently described, or
more aptly illustrated, than by that of a
journey.
The other figures give us an
at
common standard of earthly prosperity,

he knew that he was still in the sphere of
the destined
goal
flower,
which to-day
idea of
some
is
particulars only in the life
of man, to assist his progress to his des-
the
tined end
but a journey seems to comand that the highest point of prehend all its usual circumstances reits orbit extends not beyond the region of presenting the whole world in all its disclouds and storms, by which he was at tinctions, rich and poor, wise and foolish,
young and old, all journeying to their
all times liable to be invaded.
Nor was he a stranger to the difficul- everlasting home. In the common jourfor the only neys of the world some are long, and
ties of domestic affliction
son of whom, we are told, he was pas- marked, and crossed, with a great diver
others, again, are
sionately fond, and whose life seems to sity of circumstances
have been bound up in his own, was the short, quietly performed, and passed
only son who took up arms against him. without any particular occurrence.
So
Yes, brethren, David knew, from expe- with the journey of life. Some are prerience, that in every department of human served to toil through the various stages
felicity there is a void
and that in the of childhood, youth, and manhood, and
most prosperous life there is some corner old age ; others, again, have completed
their journey ere the noonday brightness
possessed by sorrow.
Now, therefore, at the age of three- beams upon them and some in tlie morn
score years and ten, at the height of pros- ing of their days.
But the resemblances
perity, (for the Jewish nation had never are almost too numerous to be told.
humanity
'
LIFE A JOURNEY.
Hence, however, Christians are styled
" strangers and sojourners."
Now
a stranger,
the opposite to a
Christian
need not
home
tell
station
you,
is
and the
travelling through a strange
is
country, in which he
commanded
is
to
execute his work with diligence, and pursue his course homeward with alacrity.
The fruits which he sees hy the way-side
he gathers with caution ; and he drinks
of the stream with moderation.
He is
thankful
when
the sun shines upon his
progress, and his
way
is
pleasant; but
if
way
be rough and the weather stormy

he cares not, he is but a traveller and
you know if, in an earthly journey, the
the
375
the Arabs,
who
pitch their tents in the

evening and strike them the next morning.
In the epistle to thfe Hebrews, a
men
of venerable
list
"These
all
ceived
the promises,
them
afar
of former days
died in faith, not having reoff,
but having seen

and were persuaded of
them, and embraced them, and confessed

that they were strangers and pilgrims on
You
the earth."
was
will recollect that such
the confession of the good old man,
Jacob, upon a question put to him by
monarch "And Jacob said

The days of the years of
my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty
years few and evil have the days of the
the Egyptian
unto Pharaoh,
of my life been, and have not

of attained unto the days of the years of the
habitation life of my fathers in the days of their pil-
accommodation of the inn be not entirely years
what we wish, we bear
it
easily,
it is
consequence, it is the
only of a night, in the morning we are
gone. And so it is with the Christian
he is prepared for vicissitudes but he is
little
And such
grimage."
life,
is
our
was Jacob's
as
Oh, brethren,
life.
we
that
travelling to a better country, a country
could embrace this grand sentiment "this

is not your rest."
Your life, brethren,
of unclouded light and undisturbed seren-
at
ity.
He
finds, also, that
modations
to
disposed to
when the accom-
be given are poor, he
loiter.
He knows
is less
also, that
to the very end of life his journey will be
through an enemy's country, where he

has multitudes to oppose him; that his
way is beset with snares; temptations
crowd around him to betray him from his
course, and to check his spiritual advancement. He knows the very atmosphere
of the world induces drowsiness; so that,
to the very last, it becomes him to be circumspect and collected.
Frequently,
therefore, does he examine the progress
he has made, whereabouts he is, how
he has got forward, and whether he is
travelling in
a right direction.
the longest,
unless the end
a short journey, and
is
is
fectual journey.
regarded,
"
We
it
and sojourners, as all our fathers were."

It is no new thing in the character of
David's life; he was that, only, which
all his fathers had been.
And we too,
brethren,
may
in all future
assure ourselves that
what it has been to generations past,

" Our days are as a shadow." \Vhat is
a shadow 1
Let a man look back on his
own life, and he will get the answer to
the question
let
him take
a serious
and then give
in his
evidence
our days on the earth are as

is none abiding,"
will be the amount of his testimony.
fathers
the church this morning,
some of
gladdened by success
at another the
clouds hovor too many over his head, he
is disquieted by doubts and damped by
disappointments.
of the writer of the text
let
in
a skelcii
of the
Christian's
expression
is
borrowed from the usage of
" we
were all
and
are strangers and sojourners as
a shadow, and there
Such
and
impartial retrospect of his former history,
Some- our
journey throu{;h life. He is a "stranger," and, as David describes him further, he is a " sojourner."
This last
life,
periods, will continue to be
times his progress appears to be considerable, at other times it is slender; and at

nil times it is less than he wishes.
At
one time he is cheered with hope and
;
an inef-
is
are but strangers
Let
me
appeal to the older persons
them
in
the age
tell
us,
themselves, what it is.

And will you not say, dear brethren, that
it has been a shadow?
What has been
i/ra?pe<i
what has been obtained ?
I
hope of none of you it may he said, that
he has sown to the wind and reaped the
or
rather
tell
whirlwind,
stance,
know how
you know how
make it submake it sub-
to
to
THE BRITISH
376
stance; but are you doing
an
itl
one
tliinpf
PULPIT.
a select
company of pious
friends;
it
was
and
not a sentiment formed in the stillness
being clotl\#d in the mantle of his spotless

righteousness; and having all your iniquities cast behind Jesus' back into the
depths of the sea. That one thing will
give substance to this shadow, and will
furnish something to grasp in the flittings
of retirement, as he was writing in an

animated strain on some topic of religion,
and when the unfettered mind might be
allowed to give full utterance to the fervency of his devotion but it was a public
confession, made before a full convention
of all his people, his princes, and his son,
who succeeded him. To some modern
minds, and according to the low standard
of present Christianity, it might have
been deemed more prudent to have withheld from so grave and solemn a subject
is
of
needful
interest
in
Clirist,
life.
Now, supposing
were not
was
our days on the
eartii
supposing our
shadowy, then
as
permanency then there would
a
shadow
as substantial
life
it is
it wants
be deeper regret at parting with it than
But how, before his own son, now rising into life,
that which we even now feel.
if all were substance instead of shadow, and especially from before a convention
how would it answer the purpose of spiof the whole nation. But David was not
ritual discipline 1
Unsatisfactory as its a man, like some of you, to shrink from
He
happiest department is said to be, its a bold avowal of religious truth.
pleasures are too apt to corrupt our hearts. was one of those eminent and fearless
How awful, then, would the conse- saints, who deprecated the thought of not
quences be did it yield us more complete being honestly explicit; or to consult the
enjoyment! If, with all its trouble, we wishes of a court or a kingdom, at the
are declared to be too much attached to expense of sincerity ; and, therefore, lie
it, how entirely might it have riveted our
cannot refrain from declaring publicly
affections if no trouble had been mingled what he felt cordially and deeply imwith its pleasures if all its shadows had pressed with, the vanity of all sublunary
God, therefore, has things, and so utters the heart dictated
been substance!
mercifully tinged all sublunary things confession " We," monarchs as we are,
with vanity on purpose to make us feel and thou, monarch though thou soon wilt
that this is not our rest, that here we are, be, "we are strangers and sojourners beour days on the earth are as a
if we may so say, not in our proper place, fore God
not arrived at our true home. If, there- shadow, and there is no expectation from
Do you think, then, brethren, that
fore, we expect to find any substantial it."
when David's pilgrimage below had
happiness on earth, we pursue a phantom
we increase the agitation and unhappiaess touched upon its close, and he turned
of life by engaging in a chase entirely aside his eyes from scenes of mortality,
" For we are strangers and it was to him any subject of regret that
fruitless,
our days on the earth are as he was permitted no longer to remain on
sojourners
a shadow, and there is none abiding." earth, that he was taken from all his
riches and enchanting pleasures, and for
I must remind
Life is so with all ranks.
you, that this is the confession of a mo- ever to quit that world, of whose grandeur
Oh
narch, who had given to him power, a he formed so conspicuous a part 1
crown, a sceptre, splendour, and domi- no, other objects occupied his mind ; other
nion ; and yet, all was shadow, and thoughts engaged his attention, and will
he says, too, "there is none abiding." continue to engage it for ever all things
The literal translation of the word became changed in a moment, and,
' abiding" is, there is no expeclntion
"our viewed from the pure and ineffable light
days on the earth are as a shadow, and of the heavenly regions, the lustre of a
there is no cxpectalion."
Life is so diadem is scarcely visible, majesty itself
shadowy tliat nothing can be expected emanates a feeble and a sickly ray, and all
ranks and conditions of men appear to be
from it.
Now I wish you to mark, brethren, but so many troops of pil<rrinis in differthat this confession was not made before ent journeys, toiling through the same
LIFE A JOURNEY.
Tale of tears, and distinîshed only by
different degrees of rank.
So much,
tion of
then, touching a brief descrip-
human
and
377
we meet with
strange usage in oui

journey, which convinces us we are not
at home.
It is not because we are sel
dom warned
life.
Let us hasten, in the second place, to

gather from it an inference of ChrisTiAN DUTY. And it might scarcely be
pupposed, although any thing might be
supposed of human nature in an unsancti-
knowing ourselves to be
but strangers and sojourners, and that all
our days on the earth are but as a shadow,
we should go through the journey of life
with no concern about its termination.
fied state, that,
or reminded, that our journej
must shortly end
for every funeral bell

;
every opened grave, every symptom ot
decay within and of change without us,
teaches us that we are but "strangers
and sojourners, as were all our fathers:
our days on the earth are as a shadow,
and there is none abiding."
Now if any other event of far inferior
moment were ascertained by evidence,

which made but a distant approach to
thoughtlessness, indeed, is the that which attests the certainty of another

most astonishing phenomenon of nature, world had we actual assurance, for exand shows what a wreck the mind ample, that after a very limited, though
has suffered. Our great God has made uncertain period, we should be called to
man a prospective creature and he gives emigrate unto a distant land, whence we
proof of tliis prospectiveness in every were never to return, the intelligence
action of his life.
He has endowed him would fill every bosom with solicitude,
with a capacity of comparing tlie present it would become the theme of our tongue,
with the past, and also of anticipating the the anxious topic of every conversation ;
Tills
And
we
and we should avail ourselves, with the

utmost eagerness, of all the means of intion on scenes whicii are yet remote ; wc formation respecting the prospects which
are capable of carrying our views, and await us, in that unknown country much
taking our inquiries, to a period much of our attention would be occupied in
more distant than the limits of our present preparing for our departure, we should
existence; we are capable of plunging cease to consider the place we now inhainto the depth of future duration
and of bit as our home ; and nothing would be
identifying ourselves with the sentiments considered as of moment, but as it bore
and opinions of the distant ages. How upon our future destination.
How
is it, then, that we find it so difficult to strange is it, then, that with the cerprevail on men to fix their attention on tainty that every man of us possesses,
that other world, that real future exist- of shortly entering into anoliier world,
tncn, which reason assures us is probable, we avert our eyes as much as possible
which tiie Bible teaches us is certain, from the prospect, that we seldom
and to whifh all the thousands of man- permit it to penetrate us, and that the
kind arc tnivelling every moment?
How moment the recollection returns we hasfuture.
thus
it
is,
too,
are per-
petually dwelling with anxious rumina-
is it th;it
the pi^fessod followers of
cspfcially,
who descended
Him,
from heaven,
w ho came
ten to dismiss
sion
Is
it
it
unwelcome
as an
forth from the Fatlier to conduct us there, are so indisposed to turn

their thoughts and contemplation to that
volume which we profess
unchanging
possible to obtain of that
state of Ix iiig
on which they
intru-
not surprising that the very

to
recognise as
the record of our immortality, as the sole
depository of whatever information
?
It is not because
try, the map that
much enchanted with the should be sullV-red
country throuph which we arc journey- opeiUHJ, unread, and
are so shortly to enter
will
we
to lay beside us
are
so
ing, as to he innnpa))le of diverting our
allrntion from
it.
This may be the case,
howiver, with some of the congregation,

hill it is nut HO with all ; for wc are continually disquieted by diaappoinlmenls
;
to.
who
there
dors not
is
guide us to
we had known, and
not one
know
it,
un-
altogether unattended
liut, brethren, if
surely
it is
unknown coun-
it,
in
this
houso
the Hible to be the
only unerriiif^ road book to that land to
which w are
travelling,
oh
why
after

THE BRITISH
378
consulting it in the closet, if, at least,

you do consult it there but I am not
speaking to those who do not consult the
Bible,
for, I say, if
we acknowledge
be the only unerring road-book
why,
after consulting
the morning, do
we
it
in
forget
it
to
it
to
heaven
the closet in
when we
set
out on our journey; and not only neglect

the directions it affords, but pursue con-
own
trary paths of our
Oh, dear brethren,
now
devising.
let
me beseech
you,
that a kind Providence has permit-
ted you to pass over the old year and to

begin a new one, to remember that you
its
PULPIT.
pleasures and occupations are regarded
as ultimate objects, is at once corrected,
when viewed
connexion with a boundand whatever may be their

intrinsic value, they rise into dignity and
importance when considered as the seed
of a future harvest, as a path which, how
narrow and obscure however, leads to
honour and immortality.
Nothing is
trivial which is referred to such a system ; nothing is vain and frivolous which
has the slightest bearing on such an awless eternity
in
ful reality.
As you value, then, dear brethren, the

"pilgrims and sojourners, that all eternal welfare of your souls, bethink
your days on earth are only shadows." yourselves this morning whether, in your
Oh, do not act this year, at least so much journey to another world, you are walkof it as you may be permitted to see, as ing in the narrow way, choosing God for
you have, perhaps, in years that are your Father, and the Redeemer for your
past as if the pleasures and occupations elder brother or whether you are hastenof the present life were matter and sub- ing on in your thoughtless career, in the
Restance, and as if those of heaven were broad road that leads to destruction.
dreams and shadows. But let your de- member that on earth all is shadow ; but
are
Oh be careful
is substance.
and eventful journey, on which
velling through the earth to the kingdom we have all set out, that none of the pleaof their reconciled Father who is in hea- sures and occupations of this life assume
ven, and who are anxious to " depart and such magnitude, as to intercept our view
There is, verily,
be with Christ, which is far better ;" and of the final prospect.
whose chief care is to journey on that no abiding, no expectation, in any thing
narrow road which will conduct you or from any thing that we meet with in
portment this year, at
least,
be like that
of citizens of heaven,
who
are only tra-
safely to the promised land of rest.
endeavour
to
Oh,
all
beyond
in the great
our passage through
life
but the one thing
display more of the mind of needful.
Let me implore you, then, dear breChrist as you draw nearer the throne of
Christ, and then you shall share in the thren, to raise your affections above the
glory of Christ. As heaven is your perishing things of earth, to those things
which are above. Plan for eternity, and
home, there let your affections be.
To those in church, who may be for- choose the unchangeable God as your faward in the journey of life, I would say, ther, knowing that you have here " no conand, oh,
may
the
Holy
Spirit of
God
without whom all descriptions of human

life, and all inferences of Christian duty
oh, may that
will be utterly powerless
Holy Spirit cause the saying to sink
down into your heart, that, shadowy as
is your life, eternity will turn the whole
into substance.
Every action, every
word, every thought will be weighed on
the day of judgment, and will be substance in the scale, cither for your condemnation or acceptance ; he that is
unjust will be unjust still, and he that is
lioly will be holy
adheres
to the
still.
The
vanity which
world in every form, when
come a city
which hath foundation^, whose builder
and maker is God." Let the Lord Jesus
tinuing city, but seek one to
be your leader and guide; under his con-
duct immediately set out, if you have not

yet begun the journey to the heavenly
Jerusalem
you
you
and
in
due time he shall bring

King, where
to the city of the great
shall continue, not for a year only,
and where all your shadows

be changed into substance even
that glorious inheritance of the
but for ever

shall
unto
saints in light,
which
is
undcfiled, and fadeth not
And
to those
who
" incorruptible,
away."
are desirous to g3in
LIFE
A JOURNEY.
fresh strength for the remainder of their
would say, come now to the

table of the Lord, where wisdom shall be
journey,
dispensed
strength
come
who
who
to those
to
this
those
the
are ignorant, and
are weary, yea,

Sabbath of a new
first
8.
379
Persons of real worth are sometimes
money,
Then John answered,
destitute of
I
Silver and gold have
none."
9.
in
year, with enlarged expectations, relying
True enjoyment
is
not to be found
wealth.
"
He
that loveth silver shall not be satisfied
on the unsearcliable riches of Christ; and with silver."

10. Every man should punctually disaccording to your faith in the ordinance
charge his pecuniary debts.
so shall it be done unto you.
"
Owe
no man any thing, but
to
love one
another."
SCRIPTURE AXIOMS RESPECTING MONEY.
Giving
1.
is
surest
way
scattereth,
and
the
to
PIETY GIVES NO EXE.MPTIO.N FROM SUFFERING.
get-
ting.
"
There
is
that
is
the sovereign proprietor of
yet
in-
crease th."
God
2.
money.
The silver
A GOOD man is by no means exempt

from the danger of suffering by the crimes
of others
even his goodness may raise
him enemies of implacable malice and
restless perseverance the good man has
never been warranted by heaven from the
;
mine, and the gold
is mine."
treachery of friends, the disobedience of
both for our children, or the dishonesty of a wife;
own, and for that intrusted to us by he may see his cares made useless by
'
3.
We
is
are accountable
profusion, his instructions
others.
"
What
ceived
hast thou, that
thou hast not
re-
?"
There is judgment required

charitable beslowment of it.
" Do good to all, but eipecially to the
4.
in the
house-
hold o( faith."
5.
There are few mischiefs that are not
remotely or intimately connected with

covetousness.
"The
love of
money
is
the root of
all evil."
defeated by
perverseness, and his kindness rejected
by ingratitude; he may languish under

the infamy of false accusations, or perish
reproachfully by an unjust sentence.
A good man is subject, like other mortals, to all the influences
of natural evil
his harvest is not spared
by the tempest,
his house
nor his cattle by the murrain
flames like others in a conflagration ; nor

have his ships any peculiar power of resisting hurricanes;
#iis inind, however

body subject to innuminister to self-indulgence, while the merable casualties,
of which he must
interests of religion can be promoted by
always share the dangers and the pains;
means of it.
he bears about him the seeds of dis" Wo to ihem that live in ceiled houses,
ease, and may linger away a great part
6.
Money
ouglit
not to be
made
to
elevated, inliabits a
while the Lord's house

7.
The
poorest
is
not built."
man may
thing with acceptance.
"This poor widow hath given
all
under the tortures of the gout

groaning with insufferable anguish, at another, dissolved
in listlessncss and languor.
Johnson.
of his
give a some-
she had."
life
or stone; at one time
SERMON
XLII.
THE DUTY OF EARLY SEEKING
CHRIST.
PREACHED
BY THE REV.
A.
GUN, A.M.
TO SABBATH SCHOOL CHILDREN, IN GLASGOW
"Early will I
You know,
little
children,
seek thee."
Ps.
Liiii. 1.
who spake compared with
Jesus.
He
is
God's
was David, the king of " unspeakable gift," and men or angels
Though he was a great king, cannot rehearse his excellencies. He is
Israel.
and had many things to occupy his at- " the Day-star from on high, and the Sun
tention, he yet considered God to be the of righteousness," from whom proceed
these words.
It
He could not light and warmth, and every comfort and

be happy without God. But you know blessing.
And what are some of those blessings
the Lord is a great God, and to be feared
and had in reverence of all that draw near which God is ready to bestow on those
unto him and, therefore, you must seek who seek Christ 1
1. The pardon of sin.
God through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Every one of us, young and old, needs
"VN'hen John the Baptist saw Jesus he
pointed him out to his disciples as the to have his iniquities blotted out. The
" Lamb of God, which taketh away the word of God informs us that we are born
sin of the world."
John i. 29. 36. And in sin, and brought forth in iniquity; we
when his disciplae heard this, they fol- are the children of wrath, and liable to
chief object of his desire.
lowed Jesus.
Jesus turned and saw them

following him, and said unto them, ver.
Now, David and
38, " What seek ye ?"
John's disciples were seeking the same

thing; for sinners, as we are, cannot approach the glorious presence of Jehovah
but as he is revealed in the Saviour.
Some of you little children may be inclined to ask,
I.
Why
yo\i should
seek Christ'?
Lord Jesus Christ
destruction.
You know
that
when God
destroyed the people of the old world,
because their wickedness was great on

the face of the earth,
little
you were drowned, along

rents
and friends
children like
witli their pa-
and this shows us
that little children are sinners as well as
God, who is a just God,

would not punish them if they M'ere not
And if you think on your own
guilty.
others; for
hearts, and consider your own conduct,

do you not feel that )'ou do many thmgs
with all the perfections of God. He is which are wrong ? Have you not been
the chief among ten thousand, and alto- thinking your own thoughts, and speakgether lovely. He is the brightness of ing your own words, and doing your own
the Father's glory, and the express image works, on this holy Sabbath 1 This is
of his person.
He is called in Scripture sin, and you need to be forgiven your
"the pearl of great price" that is, nothing iniquity. How much should you and I
IB 60 valuable in heaven or earth as to be desire to obtain the happiness of which
You know
is
that the
a very glorious Being.
380
He
is
adorned

David speaks
in the thirty-second
psalm
Blessed
forgiven,
381
that the blood of Jesus cleanseth from all

And, little children, what peace,
sin.
he whose transgression is
Blessed
sin is covered.
is the nnan unto whom the Lord imputeth
not iniquity, ard in whose spirit there is
no guile."
can do nothing for ourselves. I
will tell you a story about the Rev. Da*'
CHRIST.
is
and comfort, and hope, and jcy does it

produce in the mind, even in the most
distressing circumstances
1 have reed
about a dying soldier and a dying officer.
whose
We
The
soldier
was wounded
at the battle of
Waterloo, and carried by his conpanicn

vid Dickson, a good minister that was to some distance, and laid down at the
once in Edinburgh. Being asked, when foot of a tree, where his companion, at
on his death-bed, how he found himself, his request, read to him a few verses of
he answered, " I have taken my good the Bible, upon which he said, "1 die
deeds and bad deeds, and thrown them happy, for I possess the peace of God,
together in a heap, and tied from them which passeth all understanding."
both to Christ, and in him I have peace." little while after one of the officers passed
He felt that he could do nothing for him- him, and, seeing him in a very exhausted
self.
When he inquired, like the prophet state, asked him how he did. He anMicah, (vi. 6, 7,) " Wherewith shall I swered him as he said formerly to his
come before the Lord, and bow myself companion, and then expired. The ofShall I come be- ficer was soon after mortally wounded,
befoi^ the high God 1
fore him with burnt-offerings, with calves and when surrounded by his brother ofof a year old ]
Will the Lord be pleased ficers, full of anguish and dismay, he
with thousands of rams, or with ten thou- cried out, " Oh I would give ten ihou^
sands of rivers of
first-born for
my
oil
Shall
give
my
sand worlds that
possessed that peace
which gladdened the heart of the dying
transgression, the fruit
of my body for the sin of my soul ]" He soldier whom I saw lying under the tree.
found that none of these things could be I know nothing of this peace
I die
" There is no name given miserable for I die in despair !"
of any avail.
under heaven among men, by which we
Now, little children, you must seek
can be saved, but the name of Christ." Jesus, that you may have your sins for!
on the given, and that you may live at peace

of with God, and die in safety and in hapvarious devotees and priests how he piness.
might make atonement for his sins; and
2. Another blessing which Christ gives,
he was directed to drive iron spikes, suf- and for which you should seek him, is
ficiently blunted, through his sandals, and holiness.
on these spikes he was directed to place
You know, little children, that God is
liis naked feet, and to walk about four "glorious in holiness," and that lie says
hundred and eighty miles. If, through to each of us, " O do not that abrminabje
read lately of a certain
Malabar
coast,
loss of blood, or
who had
man
inquired
my
weakness of body, he thing which
was
obliged to halt, he might wait for

healing and strength.
He undertook the
in
journey, (for what will
and
pride, and
that
God would
awakened
get rid
not a
sense of sin, attempt to

of the burden of it ?) and while he
to a
halted under a large shady tree, where

the gospel was sometimes preached, one
of the missionaries
came and preached
in
hearing from these words: " Th

blood of Jesus (Mirist cloanseth from all
While he was preaching the man
sill."
Our
thing."
person,
his
to
opened
Holy
The
!
are
unckan
impurity.
We
rr<|uire
create in us a clean heart,

s|)irit
within us.
Now,
Christ cleanseth the souls of those that
come
'
We
hearts are full of malice,
and renew a right

!
soul hateth !"
his sight "altogether as an
the
for sin
Spirit
is
people of
whieh has been

and uncleanness; and his
fountain
sent to sanctify the soul.
who, like the (\ rin" washe<l, and jiihtified,

the name of the Lord
{.lod
thians, liave been
rose up, threw off his torturing sandals,' and sanctified in

and rrii'd out aloud, "this is what I Jesus (liriHt, and by the Spirit of our
want," and ho becaine a lively witness, Gud," aic able to sing " uniu Him that
THE BRITISH
382
loved us, and hath washed us from our

own blood." When a person
is brought, like the apostle Paul, to glory
sins in his
in nothing but in the cross of the
Lord
PULPIT.
ledge,
I
3.
shall
Jesus Christ, the world is thereby crucified unto him, and he is crucified unto the
world. I will tell you a story on this
Mr. Marshall, author of the
subject.
" Gospel Mystery of Sanctification,"
having been for several years under dis-
" By the grace of God
am what
am."
The
now
only other blessing which I

mention, that you shall get by
seeking Christ,
is eternal life in heaven.

one of the psalms, "The
Lord is a sun and shield ; he will give
grace and glory."
He gives grace here,
It is said, in
who seek
him, and, by the power of his grace, he
tress of mind, consulted Dr. Goodwin, subdues sin in the soul ; and he wil)
an eminent divine, giving him an account give glory hereafter, in bringing every
of the state of his soul, and particular- one of those whom he pardons and puriizing his sins which lay heavy on his fies to heaven, to be ever in the presence
He is
In reply he told him he and enjoying the favour of God.
conscience.
had forgot to mention the greatest sin of saying to you now, " Come out from
all
the sin of unbelief, not believing on among them, and be ye separate, and
the Lord Jesus Christ, for the remis- touch not the unclean thing and 1 will
sion of his sins, and for sanctifying his be a father unto you, and ye shall be my
On this he set himself to the sons and my daughters, saith the tord
nature.
You know that Moses,
studying and preaching Christ, and Almighty."
eminent holiness, great though adopted into the family of Phato
attained
peace of conscience, and joy in the Holy raoh's daughter, and exalted to the honours of Pharaoh's kingdom, preferred
Ghost.
If you, little children, wish to be made joining himself to the Lord's people, and
holy, as God is holy, that God may have to suffer affliction with them, than to enpleasure in seeing you, as olive plants joy all the treasures of Egypt, and all
trained up beside the water-courses, you the pleasures of sin for a season, that he
must seek Christ, and wait on him for might have the dignity of being numhis Spirit to sprinkle you with his peace- bered among the children of God; and
speaking and purifying blood. You have we read that he did so because "he had
great need of being made holy, and it is respect to the recompense of reward."
in forgiving the sins of those
a difficult thing to
know
it is
hard flinty rock.
compared
make you
holy.
You
a difficult thing to break the
in
Now, your
hearts are
Scripture to the adamant
and the more

holy you become, the more you will feel
your want of holiness. I will tell you
what Mr. Newton, an excellent minister,
and
to the
nether millstone
You know,
little
children, that there
two places beyond the grave, to

other of which we must all go.
Christ was on the cross there were
are only
one or
When
two thieves crucified, one on either side

of him; one of them repented of his sins,
and applied for help to Christ, saying,

" Lord, remember me when thou comest
once said when reading the text: "By to thy kingdom," and the Lord answered
He him graciously: "This night shalt thou
the grace of God I am what I am."
Ah be with me in Paradise." Had not he
said, I am not what I ous^ht to be.
how imperfect and deficient! I am not felt his sin, and applied to Christ and
what I wish to he ; but I abhor what is obtained mercy, what would have become
?
He would have shared the fate
evil, and would cleave to that which is of him
good. I am not what I htrpe to be ; soon, of the impenitent thief, in being abansoon I shall put off mortality, and with it doned to destruction ; as soon as death
Yet, though I arrived, he, like the rich man of whom
all sin and imperfection.
am not what I ow^hl to be, nor what I we read, would " lift up his eyes in hell,
wish to be, nor what I hype to be, I can being in torment," instead of being, like
!
am
not
slave to sin and Satan

ily
Lazarus, carried to Abraham's bosom by

what I once was
and I can heart- the angels of God.
Little children, it is a fearful thing tojoin with the apostle, and acknow-
truly say
CHRIST.
383-
hands of the living God. sions. I imprinted on my daughter the

God is a consuming fire to all who do not idea of faith at a very early age. She
seek him in Christ Jesus. The wrath of was playing one day with a few beads,
God abideth on each of us, unless freed which seemed wonderfully to delight her.
from it by Christ. You can know some- Her whole soul was absorbed in her
what of the dreadful effects of God's beads. I said, My dear, you have some
You remember that once Christ, pretty beads there.' ' Yes, papa.' 'And
curse.
when hungry, passed by a fig tree, upon you seem vastly pleased with them.
which there was no fruit, and Christ Well, now, throw them behind the fire.'
curscd the tree, and it withered away. The tears started into her eyes
she
How terrible if the wrath of Christ should looked earnestly at me, as if she ought
You have heard that the to have a reason for so cruel a sacrifice.
fall on us!
devils in hell were once angels in heaWell, my dear, do as you please: but
ven ; but, as soon as they sinned against you know I never told you to do any
God, his wrath was poured upon them. thing which I did not think would be for
And, oh! what a change took place on your good ;' she looked at me a few moThey were cast into that lake of ments longer, and then, summoning up
them
fire and brimstone which was then pre- all her fortitude, her breast heaving with
pared for the devil and his angels, and the efiort, she dashed them into the fire.
the wicked people who will not seek ' Well,' said I, 'there let them lie; you
Christ to " deliver them from the wrath shall hear more about them another time ;
"The wages of sin is death, but I say no more cf them now.' Some
to con)e."
but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ days after I bought her a boxful of larger
Jesus." A little boy, on his death-bed, beads, and toys of the same kind. When
was asked where he was going'? He I returned home I opened the treasure,
answered, to heaven. Being farther ask- and set it before her; she burst into tears
'These, my child,'
ed why he wished to go there] he an- with excessive joy.
swered, because Christ is there. And said I, 'are yours, because you believed
being again asked what he would do if me when I told you to throw these paltry
Christ should leave heaven 1 he replied, beads behind the fire ; your obedience
But now,
I will go with him whithersoever he has brought you this treasure.
my dear, remember as long as you live
goeth.
These, my young friends, are gifts what/ai//i is. I did all this to teach you
worth the seeking, and 1 hope some of the meaning of faith. You threw your
beads away when I bade you, because
you have been excited to inquire,
II. How you are to seek Christ, so as you had faiih in me that I never advised
you but for your good. Put the same
to find him.
" With- trust in God ; believe every thing that he
1. You must believe in Christ
Whether you underout faith it is impossible to please God." says in his word.
Some of you know the questions of the stand it, or not, have faith in liim that he
"
Shorter Catechism. "What is faith in means your good.'
Faith in Jesus Christ is
Now, little children, remember what
Jesus Christ ?
fall
into the
'
'
a saving grace wlierel)y we receive and

rest ujion him alone for salvation, as lie
is
offered
to
must believe
us
in
tures about Christ,

lliem to the
said in the Scrip-
who
is
"able
uttermost wlio
God by him."
You
gospel."
the
all llial is
You must
of Clirisl, and believi; in
feel
liini
to
save
and put it in practice, for with.,

you cannot be interested in
Christ, or have any of the blessing!)
which are treasured up in him.
faith is,
out
2.
faill)
In seeking ("hrist, you
must pray
to
come unto him.

your need
to the sav-
Althougli
God knows what we
rrqniri>,
yet that does not supersede the necessity
I will tell you a very

of our imploring the bhssing needed l)y
which you may learn ufl. God knew what Solomon needed ;
" (-'hildren," says but he said to him, "Ask what 1 shall
the nature of faith.
When the blind bigi^r.
Cecil, " aro capable of very early impres- give thcc."
ing of your souls.

pretty story, from
THE BRITISH
384
was on
earth, and its top in heaven, upon

which the angels of God ascended and
Bartimeus, heard Christ passing hy, and

he cried, saying, "Thou Son of David,
have mercy on me," Christ knew well
what he needed, and what he wished ;
descended. By prayer Daniel shut the

lions' mouths, so that they could not
hurt him when he was cast into their den.
yet he put to him the question " What

wilt thou that 1 sliouid do unto thee."
By
Again, when the children of Israel were
God
in the land of their captivity,
mined
that at the
PULPIT.
prayer
Samson shook
temple, and destroyed
By
contained.
deter-
end of seventy years
the Piiilistines'
the
idolaters
prayer Peter
was
it
deli-
vered from prison, for the church interceded with God for him, and the angel
of the Lord was sent to rescue him from
" Pray, therefore,
his perilous situation.
be restored to their own

country; but he said, "yet for all these
things 1 will be inquired of by the house
of Israel to do it unto them."
they should
without ceasing."
3. You must seek Christ by studyProbably some of you, little children,
and some persons who are grown up, ing the Bible, and by hearing the gospel
may be saying that they cannot pray. preached.
The Bible is God's book. It tells us
This will be no excuse, for God has promised to instruct those who wish to be of God and of Christ, and of every thing
You know that
taught to pray, just as Christ taught his which we have to do.
disciples to pray in those interesting the apostle Paul commended Timothy in
words which I hope you all know, and that, " from a child he knew the Scripwhich have been appropriately called the tures, which are able to make wise unto
Lord's prayer. " Our Father which art salvation, through faith that is in Christ
I will tell you a story about an
in heaven," &c., as you will find them Jesus."
Ht
recorded in the sixth chapter of Matthew, Irish boy who loved the Scriptures.
at the ninth verse.
You can easily re- was one day going to one of the Bibl'
member such a prayer as that offered up schools, that is, a school where they arb
ly the thief on the cross "Lwrf, remem- taught to read and to understand the Biber me when thou comest to thy king- ble, for in many schools in Ireland they
dom ;" or that of Bartimeus " Jesus, are not taught to read the Bible and in
thou Son of David, have mercy on me;" many schools in this country they are not
cr the prayer of the publican, when he taught to understand it, although they may
:
went up with the Pharisee

to
pray
rer."
"God
remember a
to the
be merciful to
be able to read
temple
me
was met by
a sin-
On
it.
his
way to school he
who was not
a popish priest,
so averse to the Scriptures as most of his
story about a Hot-
who was under deep convictions brethren are. The priest asked the boy
sin, and who did not know how to what book it was which he carried under
tentot
cf
pray, being present at family worship at

his master's house,
y.ray
was taught how
by hearing the parable of the Phari-
see and the publican read.
prayer &f the Pharisee
was
While
a good
man
here
is
arm]
"It
boy.
"What
"The
last will
Christ
the
read, the poor
Hottentot thought within himself,

is
his
to
to claim
nothing for
me
title
when
the master
of the publican
came
"God
be merciful to
me a sinner" " This suits me," he cried

' now I know how to pray ;" and he
;
continued to put up that prayer until he

found mercy. Prayer is the key to heaven.
By
that there
it
Klijah shut up the skies; so
was
neither
dew
nor rain on
the land for a long space of time.
By
prayer Jacob placed a ladder, whose foot
the
the property therein
"
What
"A
" Where does that king-
did Christ leave you in that will ]"
;"
to the prayer
to
replied the boy.
but
a will, sir," said
and testament that Jesus

me, and to all who desire
left to
"This bequeathed,"
is
will I" rejoined the priest.
kingdom,
dom
sir."
lie?"
ven, sir."
"It is the kingdom of hea" And do you expect to reign
"Yes,
as a king there'!"
heir with Christ."
"And
sir,
as joint-
will not every
person get there as well as you ?" "No,

sir: none can get there but those that
claim their
title
to that
ground of this will."
kingdom on the
The
several other questions, to
priest
which
asked
the
hoy

gave such satisfactory answers as quite
"Indeed," said he,
him.
" you are a good little boy take care of
the book wherein -God gives you such
believe what he has
precious prcnciises
said, and you will be happy here and
But when you read the word
hereafter."
of God, little children, remember that you
cannot understand the wondrous things
of God's law until your eyes are opened
by the Spirit of God. You must pray to
God for his Spirit to enlighten you in the
knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
You remember that, when Hagar and
her son Ishmael were cast out from the
house of Abraham, the child was ready
to perish for thirst, and that, although
there was a well of water near at hand,
she knew not of it until the Lord sent his
angel to point it out to her. Therefore
you must wait upon God for his Spirit.
And when attending the house of God,
which you should always do with your
parents and friends, you ought to listen
astonished
what is said, as if addressed alone to

you; and you should be praying for an
interest in what is declared by the mito
nister from
the Bible.
The
next story
should instruct you how to act when listening to what is preached. A little girl
once heard a minister preaching from the
text, " He shall feed his flock like a shepherd
He sliail gather the lambs witl>
his arms, and carry them in his bosom."
Isaiah xl. 11.
And when asked about
the sermon, she said that she was wish;
ing, all the time the minister
was one
ing, that she
-jf
was preach-
Christ's lambs.
Mr. Patison, the minister, said to her,

What a happv J'ay would it be in Bristo
filreet, had all .riy hearers been employed
in a similar .iianner."
CHRIST.
If Christ is
1.
seek hijn at
better.
he
is to
near.
385
worthy
you should
that
the sooner you do so the

you are to seek him while
all,
And
be found, and call on him while

He is as deserving now as ever he
was, or as he shall be at any future time.

And "now is the accepted time." "Today," saith the Lord, " if ye will hear
my voice, harden not your hearts." A
time may come when he shall not be
found, though sought.
You have heard
of the
foolish
virgins,
that
when
the
Bridegroom came they were not ready to

go with him into heaven, though earnestAnd
ly wishing to get admission there.
you remember what is told us of Esau,
that in consequence of having sold his
birthright, the blessing
was
also denied
him, although he earnestly sought

tears.
Your
it
with
more tender now

they are " harden-
hearts are
than they will be after
through the deceitfulness of sin."

Felix, when Paul
is dangerous.
reasoned of righteousness, temperance,
and judgment to come, trembled, and
answered, "Go thy way fur this time;
when I have a convenient season I will
ed
Delay
for thee;" but /his expected time

never arrived. And you know the history oC the young ruler who came to
Christ) saying, " What shall I do to inWhen he heard that
herit eternal life]"
he must leave all, and follow Christ, " he
call
for he was very

proving that " the love of
money is the root of all evil ;" and that
" it is easier for a camel to go through a
went away sorrowful,
rich"
thus
needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter

kingdom of God ;" and that we
into the
should seek Christ before "the mind is

fully occupied with other things, which
Therefore
will not easily be dislodged.
you must seek him early. But,

for seeking him
2. Another n-as'^n
early is, that you may die very soon, and
And, oh
he.iring (Jod's blessed word.
have found (-'hrist, your friends
if you
little children, wliat a privileg" have you
in having such excellent teachers to in- will be comforled.
Do you know, little children, that
form you how you are to seek Christ
Th;s
bv
the
is
faith,
way you
liy
are to seek Christ
prayer, by reading and
But, probably,
ilren are
to sft'k Christ,
enough
some of you
litllo
chil-
thinking that you are too young

to
and that
seek him
it
will bo time
when you
Atid this leads ino to ronsider
gel older.
IjrKtfly,
in. 'l'\u' aJvaiituiê of scckinf; llim

Vol. I.
19
earli/.
about one-third of
(Mirist,
and
all
the rliildren born
Now,
if you do not seek

him bcfop* you die, you
h<<avon.
I remcminT rend-
die in infiinry
find
cannot go to
ing a story about a little girl at Portsea,
who died at nine years of age ; and on*
2 K
'
THE BRITISH
386
day in her illness she said to her aunt,

with whom she lived, " Wlien I am dead
I should like Mr. GrifTm to preach a
sermon to children, to persuade them
to love Jesus CMirist, to obey their paTents, not to tell lies, but to think about
I have
dying and going to heaven.
been thinking," said she, " what text
2d
I should like him to preach from
Kings iv. 26. You are the Shunamite,
Mr. G. is the prophet, and I am the Shu-
When I am
PULPIT.
that "
wisdom's ways are ways of plea-
santness, and all her paths are peace."
God's favour
ness
is
dare
pleasant
world."
V you may
the child
I
am
sure
it
say,
'
dead,
It
is
well.'
will then be well with
me,
and his loving-kindlife.
Some people
would lead you to think otherwise than

the word of God says of a religious life.
Matthew Henry, the author of the excellent commentary on the Hible, left this
as his dying testimony, " that a life spent
in the service of God, and communion
with him, is the most comfortable and
say you will be grieved, though you

need not. The prophet will come to see
you, and when he says, ' How is it with
namite's child.
is life,
belter than
life
that any one can live in the
You know,
little
children, that
misery in the
world; and that if you seek Christ early,
you will be kept from many sins into
which those who seek not Christ are liasin is the cause of all the
be in heaven, singing the ble to fall, and which, when set in order
You ought to think it before them afterwards, will force them
praises of God.
well too." Mr. G. accordingly fulfilled to say, " a man may bear his infirmities,
the wish of this pious child. And, chil- but a wounded spirit who can bear]"
for
dren,
shall
you die
if
early, after seeking and
how happy
your
friends whom you have left behind be in
the assurance of your being blessed in
There was once an infidel and
heaven
profligate youth, who had disregarded
finding
Christ,
will
'.
And
the longer you have received Christ,

and the greater your advances in the divine life, the more "meet will you be for
the inheritance of the saints in light;"
the higher degree of glory you will be
We
are told in the

capable of receiving.
fifteenth chapter of 1st Corinthians, that
" there is one glor)' of the sun, and anoThe subject of discourse was, ther glory of the moon, and another glory
them.
ike heavenly slate ; the nature of the hap- of the stars, for one star differeth from
piness, employment, and company of t"li another star in glory ;" thus intimating
spirits of just men made perfect, were îiathewho soweth sparingly shall reap
beautifully and affectingly described. sparingly, while he who soweth bounti"While the whole congregation were in fully shall reap bountifully."
Though
ecstacy, the parents of this youth were all the inhabitants of heaven will be
the pious instructions of his parents, but

who one day went to hear a sermon with
When they came home, the

son asked why they were sad during the
sermon, as they wore known to be good
people. The mother answered, that her
sorrow arose from the fear that the son of
her w'omb and of her vows should be ba-
happy,
nished at last from the celestial paradise.

This cautious admonition, sanctioned by
the father, found its way to tlie youthful
heart of her child, and issued in his con-
now made
in tears.
we
are
taught to believe that
there will be companies of the redeemed

encircling the throne of God at a nearer
at a more remote distance; that by
divine appointment the station on hiirh
and
will be assigned according toihe progress
image;
that
in
conformity to the divine
Abraham
the father of the
and David the man according to

God's own heart, and John the beloved
disciple of our Lord, and such as have
version.
3. The only other reason I will urge been long in Christ, will be placed in a
for your seeking Christ early, is the in- more advantageous position than the thief
crease of hajipiness, here and hereafter, on the cross, and such like, whose corvversion was instantly succeeded by his
which will be thereby secured to you.
I never read of any one that repented introduction to the paradise above.
May
of seeking Christ too early.
You are to God bless his word, and to his name be
come to Christ for happiness. God says all the praise. Amen.
faithful,
SERMON
XLIII.
MISSIONARY EFFORTS FOUNDED UPON THE PRINCIPLES AND CLAIMS OF

REVELATION.
BY THE REV. WILLIAM BENGO COLLYER,
'
Ask of me, and I shall give
thee the heathen
for thine inheritance, and
earth for thy possession."
Fourteen years have elapsed
Psal.
ii.
D.D.
the uttermost parts
of tht
8.
who
bear the heat and burden

are looking round them
missions, on one of thess grand anniver- for other labourers, when they shall be
Most of those summoned to repose. Under all these
saries, in another place.
for whose encouragement the present circumstances, their attention and their
service is appointed, and who in its an- hopes are fixed upon you ; their desires
since I
and those
had the privilege of pleading the cause of of the day now,
nouncement, were justly designated as

forming " the future hope of the society,"
were then in the thoughtlessness of childhood many of them in the helplessness
of infancy; and some of them unborn.
Those who then were not, have received
a being upon which immortality is impressed and of that existence, the conv
mencement of which was as yesterday,
there can be no close
upon it the destinies of eternity are suspended ; and tlieir
final character must be fixed within the
limits of a life, the duration of which is as
;
and their prayers alike concentrate in the

rising generation ; and in the existence
and multiplication of juvenile auxiliary
missionary societies ; in the increasing
interest which the youth of both sexes
take in this great cause in the multitudes
of young persons, who throng their sanctuaries on these occasions, they receive a
most gratifying and convincing pledge,
;
that their
most enlarged expectations will
be realized.
The advocates of Christian missions
are now called upon to occupy ground in
it is necessome respects difTercnt from that which

Those who then they wore required at that time to main-
uncertain to the individual as

sarily short in itself.
thought, and spake, and understood as

children, have put
have
away
passed from the
childish things
dawn
day,
and
have
began
to
Infidelity lay at the foot of Chris-
It had prov.^ked a combat, to which

was not t-qual it had girded on its arthink mour wiili boasting, and was stripped of
of con-
sciousness to the brightness of intellectual
tain.
tianity exhausted, a/id apparently expir-
imr.
it
It had entered liie field

seriously, as we trust, for themselves, it witi'i disgrace.
while they have consecrated their earliest wit'i confidence, and called the world to
energies in a combined attempt to on;ct Hitiiess its triumphs. The world obeyed
inslrumentally the salvation of ethers. the call, and beheld its defeat. The
Time has, in the mean while, bceii effecc- principles which opposed religion, desoing changes not less important in other lated Europe, and disorg^mized society.
quarters.
The fathers of tlio society Amidst ronvulsions which threatened to
others destroy the foundations of social order,

fallen asleep
dcjwn under the weight of iho noble institutions for tltc pmniolion
many who then were vigorous, of the gospel arose, and proved tJic divi-
have many of them
ve oowed
ei\rs
lave dusccadeJ
far into the vale
of
life
nity of thoir origin,
by
tJicir
superiority
387
THE BRITISH
388
to
of
PULPIT.
human contingencies and independence and efforts are founded upon

human politics. Covered with shame, pies and claims of revelation.
and religion
went
forth from conquering to conquer.
The
the princi
have spoken of the principles of

as presenting missionary obadvocates of missions had then to plead jects and requiring missionary efforts;
its cause with professors of Christianity and I mean by its principles, that which
themselves with men who, admitting the term implies, not an incidental
the authority of revelation, stopped short thought, not a collateral circumstance,
of its grand design or who were fettered not an insulated position, not a subordiin tiieir judgments by the chains of a nate intention; but its original postulate;
party spirit; with those who, granting the grand truth which it assumes as
the ultimate triumphs of the cross, forgot essential to the whole system ; the great
the means presented for its advancement; end for which it was given, to which it
and who, while they denounced as en- invariably conducts, in the security of
thusiasts the men who expected success which alone it is consummated.
only in obedience to the divine command,
The plan of salvation has been ever
with astonishing inconsistency sat down upon this sublime scale from the first
to wait for indefinite signs and tokens. promise.
If we are to consider the sen
Now we are called to another mode of tence passed against man's seducer in the
defence, not, however, neglecting the shape of a serpent, as any thing beyond
former.
Still the appeal must be to the a legendary tale if it related at all to the
oracles of God
the only warrant for our luin and redemption of the fallen creature,
infidelity
retreated,
1.
revelation
expectations the only
breathes that spirit of hostility to the
rule for our operahas revived, produces in the most popular shape its often
repeated sophistries, and demands of
us, not only that we should make good
our cause as Christians, believing the
inspired volume, but that we should
establish the validity of our
claims
upon the support of society upon independent principles, arising out of the state
of the world, and the remedies which
it
we
propose to apply to its acknowledged evils, and which they profess to

hold ill contempt and derision. Even
enemies of man to the conquering Redeemer, and thus holds out a provision of
mercy to the whole human race, without
from
distinction of clime or colour, of
But
tions.
infidelity
thib
<?hullenge
we
shall
not
shrink.
powers of darkness, and pity for the human race, which give birth to missionary conceptions and vigour to their exe" I will put enmity between thee
cution.
and the woman, and between thy seed
and her seed it shall bruise thy head,
and thou shalt bruise his heel ;" if it
imply any thing whatever in relation to
this momentous subject, by opposing
:
seed to seed,
it
subjects all the spiritual
name
or nation, through that complete victory
must show you
your object which he obtained upon Calvary, when

prin- he bowed his head, amidst the sympaciples and claims of revelation ; this will thizing throes of nature, and cried, " It is
form an exposition of the text.
finished !"
The covenant with Abraham,
II. I shall contrast these principles and
whatever peculiarities were attached to
claims with the infidel pretensions and it in reference to his immediate posterity
objections of the day
to these you v.-ill as a people, and their distinction from all
be constantly exposed in prosecuting your others, in its sublime and spiritual import,
noble design.
related to all the world.
This is not the
I.
and
efforts
are founded
that
upon the
III. I shall
press upon your attention
the rising generation, and their incalcu-
time to prosecute the inquiry, in all the

bearings of which it is capable, or it
would not be difficult to prove, that what-
lable importance to missionary success
ever
the peculiar obligations devolving upon
this is the great and practical object of the
was peculiar to them was ultimately

designed for the universal benefit of man
present meeting.
that
I.
must show you
that
their
election
your object separation from
all
as a people
nations
their
their perfec
MISSIONARY EFFORTS.
dispersion over
all
countries
and
promised and certain restoration; are

parts of one great plan,
Providence
is
which the
all
Thence arose songs of triumph in the

Psalms and in the prophets, which St.
eternal
carrying on for the con-
summation of the redemption of the

world
that these are ohvious links in
the golden chain which binds earth to
heaven. These might possibly be dismissed as speculations; and to establish
their claims to the important rank whicii
they hold in the general system, would
Paul has quoted, at once
own
of his
require lengthened discussion
389
pledges, under an imperfect and limited

dispensation.
their
ministry
in justification
among
the Gentiles,
and as predictions of the purposes of

mercy being carried into effect, in all
their boundless provision, finally, among
all
nations
" Now I say that Jesus
Christ was a minister of the circumcision
but to the
simple and comprehensive terms of the
promise, in which the covenant is expressed, no reply can be made, and no
doubt can be pretended, if words are to
be literally understood, and if the autho-
for the
truth of
God
to confirm the pro-
mises made to the fathers; and that the

Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy ;
as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, ard sing
unto thy name. And again he saith. Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.
And
again. Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles i
and laud him, all ye people. And again,
Esaias saith, There shall be a root of
Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over
of the record containing them be

admitted, " /n thee shall all families of
the earth be blessed :" this is the first
rity
form of the prediction, when he promised

him posterity but when he received his
Son from the dead as in a figure, after his
;
the
Gentiles, in
him
shall
the
Gentiles
had laid him upon the altar at the trust." " Brethren," he adds, " I have
divine command (the very act of obe- written the more boldly unto you in some
dience itself being the sacrifice of all his sort, as putting you in mind, because of
human hopes, and the restoration of his the grace that is given to me of God, that
child an act of divine goodness) it was I should be the minister of Jesus Chris!
told him, " In thy seed shall all the nations to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of
of the earth be blessed." In the same God, that the offering up of the Gentile,
form the covenant is renewed to Isaac, might be acceptable, being sanctified by
This beautiful pasafter the death of his father; and this re- the Holy Ghost."
newal of the covenant to Isaac in tlie sage contains almost every thing that the
same terms, clearly proves that the pro- scriptural argument demands on the part
mised seed looked beyond himself. To of missions. Why was he "bold to put
Abraham's posterity at large it could them in mind" of the purposes of salva8carc(dy be imagined to apply, if we ex- tion relative to the Gentile world ] bepect the position to he borne out by facts. cause he was writing to Gentiles the
St. Paul has decidedly applied and limit- Romans, who could have no claim to the
ed the promise to Jesus Christ, and we divine promises, had they not been of
rest satisfied with his authority.
But, universal import; and if to them these
whether or not we consider the inter- promises extended, on the wame principles,
change of the terms, "families" and and for the same reasons, they lie open
"nations," as implying the domestic in- to all nations. This argument ought to
fluence of ('hristianity, clu-rishing in its weigh the more powerfully with us, bebosom our home afTrclions, or as explain- cause we ourselves, who endeavour to
faith
send the tidings of this salvation to

its reign
from families, until it wins empires, the others, have received them on the same
compfphonsivo character of its dominions grouufl, lieing Gentiles; and once, before
must bo admitted when the covenant in- the introduction of Christianity into our
cludes " // nations;" and to deny its highly
favoured country, as deeply
ing the gradual fiiiargcmf-nt of
is to cramp its goplunged in idolatry, ignorance, barbarity,

defame its spirit, and to abrogate and impurity, as the most unenlightened
engagements, oven in their earliest or heathen people to wiiom we can send
missionary aspect,
nius, to
its
THE BRITISH
390
our
missionarit^s.
Tliese
Gentiles he
became the instrumpnt of convertinrr, hy

" ministerinCT the gospel of God" the
only method adopted by the institution to
which you belontr. The success is attributed to " the Holy Ghost;" and " ac-
ceptance"
influence
"
evinced by his " sanctifyingr"

ministering the gospel of God,
is
up of the Gentiles might

be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy
Here are the objects the means
Ghost."
the end the presiding power all introduced. What more can be desired as
missionary functions'? And if St. Paul
that the offering
PLLl'IT.
and " the desolate"

and
" the Gentiles" are to be " inherited."
spoil ;" " the barren"
are to " break forth into singing,"
The
gracious influence is to diffuse itself

abroad on every side, until the moral and
physical world are hushed into undisturbed tranquillity.
These
triumphs
were
anticipated,
pledged, and
in
resurrection.
Then he began
part manifested at his

to associ-
He then
proved himself to be " the faithful witness;" he stood manifest, "the first begotten of the dead ;" and he began to
assert his dignity as " the Prince of the
ate
his
inseparable
titles.
found conclusions so irresistible as these,

Sixty years had
in passages so isolated, and of a charac- kings of the earth."
ter so general, what encouragements may scarcely elapsed before the conquests of
we not derive from larger and more distinct the gospel had so consociated them, that
prophecies and promises, confessedly they met upon his glorious head, at whose
bearing upon the conversion of the heathen feet even the beloved disciple fell down
world, to which your attention must now as dead ; and under their authority,
be directed, and of which the text is one. adorned with their majesty, went forth
The satisfaction which Jesus felt, amidst the last revelation which God has made
After having shown himself
his dying agonies, arose from the con- to man.
templation of this great result " As alive forty days by many infallible proofs,
many were astonished at him, (his visage he appointed his disciples to meet him
was so marred, more than any man, and at the Mount of Olives. " And Jesus
his form more than the sons of man,) so came unto them, saying. All power is
shall he sprinkle many nations the kings given unto me in heaven and earth."
shall shut their mouths at him; for that For what purpose was this delegated
which had not been told them shall they authority ] and to what end did he apply
" Go, ye, therefore, and teach ah
see, and that which they had not heard, it ?
This prediction is nations." In whatever variety of expresshall they consider."
quoted in exact connexion with the apos- sions his last charge was given, as retle's reasoning first recited
"As it is corded by the different evangelists some
written, To whom he was not spoken of, more copious than others, but all consothey shall see and they that have not nant with themselves one principle was
heard, shall understand ;" and he makes it invariably produced as the sum and subthe rule, and the reason of his conduct, stance of their commission: "repentance
" in preaching the gospel, not where and remission of sins were to be preached
But the prophet in his name among all nations, beginning
Christ was named."
shall be his own interpreter
" He shall at Jerusalem ;" and that this principle
see of the travail of his soul, and shall be was to be observed by those who, in sucsatisfied."
What satisfaction can arise cessive ages, should enter into the labours
out of these agonies, either pleasing to of these first preachers of Christianity, is
the heart of God, or recompensing the clear, from the promise which guarantees
unknown anguish of tlie sufferer] " By its success " Lo, I am with you ahvays
his knowledge shall my righteous servant even unto the end of the world." 'i'he
justify many, for he sliall bear their ini- obligation to exhibit salvation to nations
quities."
And when this sacrifice shall yet unsubdued by the gospel, is therehave been made, what shall follow? fore as binding to us as it was upon them;
" The great" and " the strong" shall " be since, if any commission to preach the
divided" as his " portion," and gathered gospel belong to men in the present day,
under the wings of his victory, " as a or in any subsequent to that of the apos-

MISSIONARY EFFORTS.
ties, it
must be charged with the condi- "
tions of the original commission, neither

tliat
391
better things than these."
troubles or his triumphs
commission, nor its obligations being or his subjects
any where repealed.
If
we
must hold
it
with
all
its
tions and appointments
maintain the
perpetuity of the Christian ministry,
we
all
But an
sovereignty.
and these con-
would be absurd
enemies
to his
human
nor could they to any mere
primitive inten-
In giving them this commission,

spirit.
and pronouncing upon them his blessing,
*' he was parted from them, and taken up
into heaven, and a cloud received him out
of their sight," The eye of prophecy
followed this glorious flight " lie hath
ascended up on high ; he hath led cap-
To David's
to his
person or his office

the parts of this Scripture cannot
apply
stitute the very essence of the missionary
interpretation
in the face of
dered absolutely impossible
have any reverence
to
which
it, is
ren-
those
who
for the authority of
the Scriptures, or pay any respect to the
We have
apostolic exposition of them.
been accustomed to consider the apostles

as endowed with miraculous gifts for the
infallible explanation of the Old Testa-
ment
anS as partakers of the same spirit
com-
to us, therefore, the
tivity captive;
he hath received gifts for
of prophecy
men;
rebellious also,
mentary has equal claims to inspiration

with the text. The assembled and per-
for
the
that the
Lord God might dwell among them."

He went to take possession of that domi- secuted
disciples,
their
in
memorable
and to exercise that authority of prayer, signalized by the accompanying

which he spake to his disciples, and the visible symbols of the divine presence
natureof it is here explained. The whole and approbation, applied tiie opening of
spirit of the passage, and the general this psalm to the united hostility of
structure of the terms, evince that the " Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Genblessings thus to be distributed, were not tiles and the people of Israel, against the
to be limited to an action, but were to be Lord and against his Christ ;" thus claimuniversal in their diffusion
the end of ing for Jesus the Messiahship, and apour Lord's ascension thus according witii plying to the Messiah, and not to David,
nion,
that of his resurrection, and both with
the prediction, in the very words in
missionary objects.
We have followed him to his mediatorial throne
he is seated as " King upon
his holy hill of Sion;" the " decree" is
" declared ;" the Messiah is proclaimed
'The Lord hath said unto him, Thou art
my Son ; this day have I begotten thee."
But he is " a pried upon his throne," and
still sustains an otHcial character.
To
him, as such, the promise is made
' Ask of me; I shall give thoe the
heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of tlio earth for thy possession."
Hostilities against his empire
are supposed and denounced ; a rule of
judgment, as well as of mercy, is included ill his reign; and mon irchs are
required to pay homage to his sceptre.
It were absurd to imagine th it this magnificent language could bo li uitcd to the
affairs ami the throne of David, to either
it
.'lis
'
diiriculiies or iiis victorio<.
An
allu-
uttered.
refers the prediction to
to
to
the glory of his
and the writer of the epistle

the Hebrews applies the same words
Jesus, as declaring the peculiar and
resurrection
mysterious nature of his filial relation,

and his superiority over angels and all
These representations
created power.
We know noare with us conclusive.
thing of those who interpret Scripture by
of their own invention, or
authority with their
its
reasons and imaginations; with us
rules
balance
either
true
or
false,
or
inspired
who
own
it
is
unin-
wo cleave to this principle

consequences. 'I'he text, so
explained by the inspired writers themselves, obviously relates to the final and
These
future triumphs of the Messiah.
s|)ired,
with
all
and
its
objecis form iho substance

ci'ssion.
mg
so far as
spirit, tu
Paul, quoting
second
sion to ihi'seinay be fairly ad nitted ; and

they are inlrodueed to conduc the believ-
Jew, under thu propheli'Ml
which
" the
psalm" by title, applies the words,
"Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee," expressly to Jesus, and
was
<if
his inter*
The work which was

it
could
finisbod
be cuuiplclcd
upoQ
THE BRITISH
392
earth, and
was declared
be so
to
PULPIT.
hard
froin the
to
be understood, relative to tha
is
revolutions of empires and the eventful
pleaded before the throne. It is the business of the Redeemer the one great
work in which he is engaged, and in
which he will be occupied until all the
benefits of the salvation which he died
to purchase, shall be secured according to
characters of the closing ages, one object
cross, is carrying on in
heaven, and
the tenor of the covenant declared.
was distinct, the most glorious of all, and

which all the mysterious machinery
was subordinated it was "the word of
God," " clothed with a vesture dipped
to
blood," followed by "the armies of

heaven," " smiling the nations with the
sword of his mouth ;" for this is the weapon by which he achieves his victories,
and wearing his triumphant name, befitting his universal empire, and his resistless conquests; "written," now, to be
read another day by the assembled universe
" King of kings, and Lord of
lords."
I have now redeemed my pledge,
to show you that your object to evangelize
the world is founded upon the principles of
revelation
the grand truth which it assumes, and upon which it proceeds, being
in
Tliis
constitutes the basis of his mediatorial
kingdom. " He must reign until all enemies are put under his feet." " But now
we see not yet all things put under him.
But we
see Jesus,
who was made
a little
lower than the angels, for the suffering

of death, covered with glory and honour."
To his many crowns, must be added that of
the regenerated world and then " cometh
the end ;" when having subdued all opposition, and " put down all rule, and all
authority, and power ;" having completed
the conquest of the universe, and accomplished his mediatorial commission, he
shall " deliver up the kingdom to God,
even the Father. And when all things
shall be subdued unto him, then shall the
Son also himself be subject unto him that
put all things under him," and shall mark
it by this solemn and public surrender of
this delegated sovereignty, no longer
necessary to his ransomed and perfected
church, and as from the beginning, even
from everlasting, the triune Jehovah.
" God shall be all in all," in whose pre-
that to all nations the blessings of salvation are to be ultimately extended

this truth is held in
its last
page,
is
all
in eternity,
cease to be.
and
its first to
represented as originating
in eternity before
summated
view from
Here,
time, and as con-
when time
shall
argument,
upon the authority of inspiration, and on
the part of those who believe it, the misin point of
sionary question rests, as to
its object.
But we mentioned the claims of

revelation, as bearing upon your efforts,
2.
in connexion with this unquestionable

sence the redeemed shall find eternal joy object. These must be scriptural also,
receiving ever new displays of his both as to their extent and their means.
love, and ever admiring the glorious mysTheir extent may be measured by the
teries of his ineifable nature.
principles already established ; and reveJohn foresaw the accomplishment of lation claims for Christ, empire absolute,
all
those things,
nity,
when
the veil of futurity,
some instances, even that of

was drawn aside before him.
and, in
religious, universal
eterj
As
though these concurrent declarations had

been all too little to give due effect and
"I
will
give thee
the heathen for thine inheritance, and the
uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession."
The harp of prophecy has been struck

assurance to the grand design from age to age ; its strains are too sweet
contemplated in the visions of the Al- and too elevated to be mistaken for mortal
mighty, he beheld him upon whose bosom music. It has sounded louder and louder,
he once leaned but so transformed, that and its notes have risen higher and higher,
sufficient
were overcome, and the

splendour of the mounrt of transfiguration
it has mingled with the chorus of

heaven; and celestial lyres have been
was but a Hiint shadow of the insufferable hushed to listen to its melody; angelic
brightness of uncreated glory, in which spirits have desired to look into the mysthe risen Redeemer then revealed himself teries which it celebrated, and the glories
to his beloved disciple.
Amidst things which it foretold. Rising amidst the
all his faculties
until
MISSIONARY EFFORTS.
393
mountains of Judea, it reached Greece be effected before the end shall come
and Rome, in broken and indistinct With us, it is always time to obey an exechoes; and the strains of Isaiah were press command, always time to labour,
imitated by Virgil, who caucrht them the time of duty is clear
" Secret things
through these imperfect reverberations, belong to the Lord our God."
The
The subject of the prophetic song was place, the way, the measure, the end of
always the triumphs of the Redeemer, our individual exertions, of our respective
lay no stress upon particular inter- destinations, are all with him, and we
pretations of imagery employed by the cheerfully leave them there. We renounce
prophets, whether the renewed face of the again speculation to grasp certainty^
earth, and the subdued ferocity of beasts " The glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
of prey, and the extinction of natural ani- and all flesh shall see it together: for the
mosities in the animal creation are to be mouth of the Lord hath spoken it."
considered as figurative or literal ; as reSuch is the extent of scriptural claims
lating to an actual transformation of the for Chrisf, and from you it claims corresface of nature, or only to moral changes, ponding duties.
It re(\mxes fait k in these
or to both, as is not improbable ; for all promises, without which your principles
was perfi'ction once, and it is in the power will be unfixed, your perseverance uncerof the Being who works, to restore them ; tain, your labours uncheered, your sacriit is not for us to decide.
We adhere to fices unrewarded. The great part of the
the obvious principle
the groans of the courage, zeal, and triumph of primitive
whole creation must be heard the pro- Christians was disclosed by the apostle
mises of God must be fulfilled the ruins John. "This," said he, " is the victory
of the fall must be repaired ; the Messiah that overcometh the world, even our
must reign, and his empire is in the bo- faith." It recommends prayer.
Even
som ; it controls the passions it is an Jesus is to ask " Ask of me, and I will
empire of peace; it thus distinguishes give thee the heathen for thine inherititself from the kingdoms of this world.
Surely it becomes us to follow
founded often in violence, supported by such an example, and to fill the sails of
cruel and desolating wars, and pouring the vessels which bear our missionaries
through their hundred gates armies as to foreign shores, with a spiritual gale of
'* And
destructive in their career as imposing in unfeigned supplication.
this is
their external grandeur.
It is clear that the confidence that we have in him," said
the spirit of the religious reign of Jesus an inspired writer, "that if we ask any
is " glory to God in the highest, on earth thing according to his will, he heareth
peace, good-will to men."
And when us and if we know that he hear us, whatsuch is its spirit, and tho moral influence soever we ask, we know that we have
corresponds, and all things shall be subor- the petitions that are desired of him."
dinated to it, it is easy to conceive, not We cannot doubt that in praying for mismerely that incalculable benefits shall re- sionary success, we ask according to his
sult to society, but that physical changes, will, because we ask according to his
unimaginable in the present state of promise. Activily must blend with dethings, will take place upon the face of sire; for "the soul of tlve sluggard desirnature itself, arising from this moral trans- elh, and hath nothing." This is a serformation.
We will not, however, suffer vice which the young peculiarly may
ourselves to indulge in speculation, while render to the cause of religion ; the heart
wo contend for the right of empire claimed may remain to age, but not the hand; tho
by revelation for the Saviour.
love to the cause, but not tho energy to
Wo enter into no calculations relative aid it. " I write to you, young men, beto times and to persons, to the years cause ye are strong," said one over whose
which must revolve, before the latterday. '"'ad ninety winters had passed, cliilling
already dawning upon us, shall reach its his blood, but unable to freeze his affecmeriilian, or as to which anli-christian ti' ns.
Kinploymont r.f the prescribed
powers must fall ; and wlml changes must nuui is called for. The wicked one Is
Vol. I. :)0
'
We
THE BRITISH
394
PULPIT.
" consumed with tho Spirit of the entertained, as though " they were the
Lord's mouth, and destroyed with the people, and wisdom must die with them,"
Use no un- and all who venture to differ from their
brightness of his coming."
hallowed weapons, neither force nor fraud, dogmas, to hesitate before they risk eterneither philosophical expediency, nor hu- nal interests upon bold speculations and
man policy. You do not need them, for unsupported hypothesis, or to suppose
The weapons the possibility, and admit the existence
the cause rejects them.
to be
which have vanquished so many are pow- of a written revelation of the divine will,
"and the were either fools in understanding, enthuerful enough to subdue all
weapons of our warfare are not carnal." siasts by constitution, knaves by design,
Trust to the simple preaching of the gos- or, upon the most candid construction,
pel, in faith
narrow
may
their opinions, irrational in
upon its author: scorners

laugh now, as they did in the days
preach
of the apostle, who said, "
Christ crucified, to the .Tews a stumblingblock, and to the Greeks foolishness; but
to them that are saved, both Jews and
Greeks, Christ, the wisdom of God, and
Personal devotedthe power of God."
ness to God is required at your hands, and
He only who has
will crown your work.
learned the value of his own soul can
We
in their conceptions, illiberal in
their creed,
be formed of that man's sincere concern
and unphilosophical in their conclusions.

Do not suffer yourselves to be moved by
hard names, bitter words, and scornful
revilings.
Do not mistake sophistry for
reason, ridicule for argument, assertions
for proof; nor be daunted by the bold assumptions, and the high tone arrogated
by the opponents of revelation, and of
your efforts as founded upon it. Bring
the pretensions of both systems to the test
let that test be plain matter of fact, and
not doubtful disputation
let the facts be
deduced from all parts of the world, and
from all ages of time; let them be examined in their uniformity and consistency,
and then it will be soon and easily seen
and demonstrated who has effected most
for the world, in point either of moral cul-
who
ture, or of substantial happiness, the phi-
justly appreciate the worth of the souls
He
of others.
his
own
only
salvation
who
is in
earnest for
can persuade others
that he feels a real interest for the salvation of the
human
race.
the divine law, that a
It is
man
required by
should love
his neighbour as himself, but not more
than himself.
What
opinion, then, can
for the conversion of the heathen,
has never inquired after his own ] His losopher or the missionary.
Challenge, then, their pretensions, and
passions may be touched, but the missionary cause relies only upon principles. produce your own. They tell you of the
These are its claims upon your efforts, sufficiency of natural religion, and of the
and those the indisputable sanctions deficiency of a written revelation. They
which the Scriptures afford your object; tell you, that as all men must be supposed
and here we could be content to rest the to be interested in a revelation of the
divine will, if it be conceded to exist,
cause.
(and this is at least an admission of the
But it will be necessarj',
n. To contrast these principles and consistency of missionary efforts with the
claims with the infidel pretensions and belief of such a revelation,) it ought to
objections of the day. Necessary, because have been written w ith a sunbeam upon
these will meet you in every step of your all lands, or inscribed on the face of the
Christian and benevolent career will be orb of light himself, that he might daily
urged upon you as oracles of wisdom, and present it to all nations in his unwearied
Upon their own showing, that
as a new discovery of truth, as though journey.
the human mind had received a sudden which is demanded has been done, and
illumination, and the intellectual and (to give them all the advantage of the
moral world were going to make a new argument) has been done by natural reliexperiment, of the success of which, from gion, and not as yet by revelation. If, as
the fitness, beauty, and propriety of its they assume, natural religion is a suffiprinciples, no reasonable doubt can be cient revelation, and no other is necessary,
MISSIONARY EFFORTS.
395
has been written with a sunbeam upon stained with gore, and foul with crimes
not depicted by Hincy, but demonstrated
it has been inscribed from the
;
beginning' of the creation upon the face by fact; by facts drawn from all climes
facts which
of the glorious orb of day. What is the and from all generations
What has natural religion effect- even infidelity has not the effrontery to
result ?
ed in any, in every age] in any, in every deny.
"The heavens declare the
But, reason was to have rectified these
country?
glory of God, and the firmament showeth errors reason is another goddess of their
forth his handy-work ;" but " the world idolatry ; reason \Tas to sit supreme, enby wisdom knew not God ;" they "wor- shrined in the light of natural religion,
shipped and served the creature more than the arbitress of human destinies. To her
the Creator ;" they fell down to the hosts was intrusted the key of knowledge, to
of heaven; or "changed the glory of the unlock and dispense the riches of the
incorruptible God into an image made universe.
She was to be the architect,
like unto corruptible man, and to birds, rearing a structure of happiness and of
and four-footed beiftts, and creeping virtue under which man should repose, and
things." Now call for natural religion, a temple of religion in which he should
and she shall answer you from the depths worship. She was to be the polar star
of the forest and the summits of the moun- upon which, fixing a steady eye, be
tains ; from the sea, and from the shore
might safely sail over the stormy sea of
from the crowded city, and the unculti- life, and find a port of rest at last. But
vated desert; from the hut of the savage, the light of the star is obscured ; the
every plans of the architect are marred the key
and the dome of the monarch
where her altars are planted, and her wor- of knowledge is mislaid the arbitress of
Her influence and her man's fate is dethroned. How is it she
ship maintained.
footsteps may be traced on the face of has lost her high prerogatives, and sufthe whole earth, in barbarous rites, revolt- fered her authority to be overthrown?
she is iming superstitions, and disgusting obsceni- She is more than dethroned
ties
and in all the forms of idolatry, prisoned ; she not only no longer rules
from the feathered gods of the islands of she is the mere slav'e of the passions.
the South-sea, to the misshapen logs of How is it that she has fallen from her pinShe was beguiled by
Africa, up to the three hundred and thirty- nacle of glory ?
it
all lands
three thousand of deities of philosophical

India.
Would you
see her in her
Bid her come forth she apgarments rolled in blood :"

" the battle of the warrior with confused
noise" rages around her; children drop
into the fires kindled to her honour; human victims are slaughtered on the altars
raised to her praise, or crushed beneatli
the ponderous car upon which she sits
enthroned.
Around her, dying cries and
agonizing shrieks mingle with loud acclanmtious and frantic songs
lier look
withers the country, and dep()i)ulates the
This is natural religion, not as she
city.
came from the haiuls of God, the witness
of his eternal power and Godhead, but as
she is flefdrnied by the passions of men,
and debased iiy thc-ir corruptions; not as
person?
pears "
<rcature.
Yet
this
fallen
religion,
him
by the things that

made, even his eternal power and
Godhead, so that they are without excuse." But when men " became vain in
their
and depraved
natural
things of
are
the ima'jr' of the invisible Creator," but
as the idol of the
invisible
the creation of the world are clearly
seen, being understood
in
"
"The
sense.
own from
imaginations,
was darkened
sentence
acquit,
punish.
!
foolish
their
heart
and professing themselves

to be wise, they became fools."
But, conscience was to have prevented
these disorders, and to have laid restraints
upon the passions. Conscience was to
have ruled as the vicegerent of heaven in
Conscience was to
the human bosom.
have sat as judge upon iiuman actions.
Conscience was to have been a witness
Complicated and
in all moral questions.
important was its office, to judge ami to
witness both, to accuse or excuse, to
or
Conscituice
nel of the soul,
to
was
restrain
to
or to
be the sonli-
keeping guard over ths
THE BRITISH PULPIT
396
imprisoned passions. But the judge was

corrupted on the bench, and the sentinel
Reason and conslept upon his post.
science were cither unequal to their
We
charge, or unfaithful to their trust.

can account for these things on the prin-
they are evils which

proud to acknowledge,
arising out of a doctrine which he detests.
Man is a fallen, therefore a depraved creature ; and the moral corruption extends
over all the faculties of his soul, and has
poisoned all the springs of his present
Therefore his corrupt passions
being.
predominate over all his intellectual and
ciples of revrlation
infidelity is too
moral powers, and hold the noble spirit

For this the
in ignominious bondage.
gospel has provided an effectual remedy ;
and this remedy you are sending by your
But
malady so far as posthe remedy altogether.
missionaries to the ruined world.

infidelity denies the
sible,
He
and rejects
indeed compelled
to allow these
moral irregularities.
But, philusophy is to counteract them,
and to restore the reign of natural religion,
of reason, of conscience and of virtue.
Were Greece and Rome, then, barbarian?
Were they ignorant of philosophy ] or
was the experiment not made? It was
not in a desert, surrounded by savages,
but in the centre of Athens, encircled by
philosophers, that Paul stood amidst the
monuments and upon a mount of idolatry,
although a court, and the highest court
is
of justice, evincing
how
the civil government
was with
closely allied
their de-
basing superstitions, and pointed

altar inscribed,
"To
the
to
an
unknown God."
'
acknowledging them as masters,

and adopting their system ; men, who if
they now lived, would be ashamed of
their professed scholars 1
If among such
men, natural religion, and reason, and
conscience, and philosophy, all proved
too unequal a guard against the passions
of a corrupt nature, and to a guide absolutely insufficient through the mazes of
ignorance to the throne of God if in such
hands the grand experiment altogether
failed, what further pretensions have the
modern philosophers, the opposers of revelation, and ,the deriders of missionary
efforts, to advance?
They will not dare
to tell you that it has been denied either
time or space
it has been made nearly
six thousand years from the fall of man,
to the very hour in which I am addressing
you ; it has been made by the intellectual
giants of the olden time, as well as by the
infidel pigmies of the age in which we
peal,
live.
They
will not dare to
tell
you, that
the results have ever been different from
those which
we have
stated.
not dare to deny, that such
is,
They
will
at this
mo-
ment, the aggregate of the experiment now

trying, among all states, whether savage
or civilized, which revelation has not
reached.
disdain to contrast the intel-
ectual and moral influence of Christianity
wherever it extends, with the scenes of

horror and degradation to which I have
but I demand of j'our infidel opponents to explain, if they can, by what
fatality, or by what chance (and they
shall choose their philosophical school in
deciding the question) it occurs, that
their efforts, to elevate the moral condition of man, have never succeeded, and
that those of Christianity have never
alluded
Such is the true character of every altar

which reason and philosophy, and natural
religion, unaided by revelation, have failed ?
You have examined their prctcnsior,s,
raised, although all do not bear the same
inscription.
These are the altars which and stated your own now let them proyour missionaries are hastening to over- duce their strong reasons, and you shall
throw, to plant the cross in their place, fearlessly face the objedions which they
and to proclaim to the poor idolater, commonly bring against your object and
;
'whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, your efforts.

They tell you
him declare we unto you." And is it not
to men like these, the mighty minds of to he disturbed:
that the viorld ought not

that is, that the usurpa-
who sought after trutli,but tions of sin and of sorrow, which have
because they lacked the guid- been permitted during thousands of years,
ing ray of revelation is it not to men like should be established by prescription,
these, that infidels of the present day ap- and that a revolted universe should never
departed ages,
missed
it,
MISSIONARY EFFORTS.
be summoned
the sceptre of
them
to return to the
its
mercy and
Tell
lawful sovereign.
307
more than change the heart of

But Christianity has efthe worshipper.
fected this, and it has been done by tho
very means which they despise: that
which they presumptuously called "the
shrine, any
you are not the troublers of

nations
but that their contentions and
wrongs arise from the lusts which they
cherish, and which you are anxious to foolishness of preaching," has proved the
Tell them that which may power of God. The scorn and derision
remove.
silence their apprehensions as to the issue. turn upon their own heads ; for " the
foolishness of God is wiser than man;
It is only to look at the world as it is;
worse it cannot be made ; better it may and the weakness of God is stronger than
be.
But who can look at the world as it man."
They assert that our designs are sinister,
is, lying in wickedness, and broken with
We have heasorrow, without a relenting- heart and a our own efforts injurious.
melting eye] without looking up to the ven and earth to refute the falsehood.
Father of the family of man, and praying, Heaven, in the sanction which it has
"Thy kingdom come ; thy will be done given to the efforts earth in the benefit
on earth as it is heaven," and without which it has received from them. To so
calling into exercise all the exertions foul a calumny it would be a degradation
to make any other answer than to appeal
which the expressed desire demands ?
They tell you that your resources are to the principles which we inculcate, and
inadequate ; the means which you possess to point to the effects which they produce.
that
;
they speak for

are not proportionate to the end which They require no defence
you contemplate. Reply to them, that themselves.
When, having exhausted all other obyou do not proceed upon human calculathat this departure from the ordinary rule arises not from fanaticism, but
because the rule does not apply to an ordinary subject; the cause is not your own,
and the success is not your own ; that
you use the means prescribed by him
whose interests you labour to advance,
and that you cheerfully leave the result
with him. Show them that by these despised and confessedly disproportionate
means the triumphs of Christianity have
been hitherto secured ; and that what has
been effected is a sufficient guarantee for
whatever remains to be done. Your external moans are, indeed, limited; but
your hidden resources are eternal and
jections, they conclude that the thing is
inexhaustible.
jections
tions
They say
and
that yours
is
the
wild dream
the contemptible effort of fanaticism.
impossible, there are
two
such an assumption.
as
regards the Being
it
clear
It is
indeed, impossible with
their
own
blish
it
all
to
whose work it is.

man; and
It is,
God
answers
presumptuous,
vain labours sufficiently esta-
but
not with
God; "for with
things are possible."
It is irra-
what has
be done again and the
history of the church in all ages, the slate
of our own country, nay, our own hopes
tional
fo^Reason
been done,
replies, that
may
and principles, establish the possibility

of that moral change which Christianity
effects upon human nature, and the cer-
Such are the obwhich the opponents of revelation
tainty of its success.
usually bring against missionary objecta

efforts, and you perceive of how
and
Before they venture to pronounce upon small weight they are when laid in tho
your pretcnsiona, they ought to blush for balance of truth.
III. And lastly, I detain you a few mothe practical defeat of their own in every
age.
Foint thotn to the desolated temph^s mrnls longer to press upon your attention
of superstition and cruelty to the forsaken tlie peculiar obligations devolving upon
;
altars,
where
luiinnn blood flowed
to the
the rising generation, and their in(;alcula-
missionary
success.
abolished and infamous rites of h(<athen
l)le
importance
worsliip, and
them, that while philoso-
Tho
application of these ohviou-^ princi-
these, it could not remove

couhl not stay the effusion of in-
plr-s
must be
ti-U
phy denounced
theni
it
All
tlif
to
left to
yourselves.
obli nations ^fiirrally utotid, nro
nocent blood, nor cloanao thu polluted peculiarly prcued upon you.
When
the

TIIE BRITISH PULPIT.
398
prophetic eye of the psalmist beheld the your early consecration to the cause of reliYou are now in the spring of your
expiring Saviour upon the cross, distin- gion.
guished the manner of his death, and its age, in the flower of your beauty ; devote
cruel circumstances, saw the soldiers di- yourselves to that Saviour, for it is he
viding his garments and casting lots for who calls; who clothed you with grace,
his vesture, heard the insulting taunts of and girded you with strength ; who gave
the priests and of the multitude, and even symmetry to the frame, and intelligence
his own dying complaint of desertion, he to the understanding ; his hand fashioned
he died to
you, his Spirit inspires you
raise the body which must soon decay to
anticipated also the glorious results of this

sacrifice, and the universal empire which
should arise out of
it.
Then
immortality
his eyes
to
renovate the faculties of
were turned upon the importance of the the spirit which will become incumbered
rising generation in connexion with the by the infirmities of its frail tabernacle,
extension of his cause.
As
in a state fitted to their
to the result,
grandeur;
to re-
"All the ends of the world shall deem the soul from destruction, and to
remember and turn unto the Lord and all give expansion to all its intellectual grasp
Come, and dedicate the firstthe kindreds of the nations shall worship in eternity.
for the kingdom is the fruits of your existence to him, who will
before thee
he
said,
Lord's, and he
is
the governor
among
the
ripen
it
into everlasting glory.
The voice of nature sanctions the demands

means, and the espeYour fathers are passing
cial influence of the young, he added, " A of religion.
the sacred phalanx that once stood
seed shall serve him ; it shall be accounted away
They shall so firm is broken the ranks that occuto the Lord for a generation.
nations."
As
to the
come, and shall declare his righteousness pied the front of the battle are thinned
unto a people that shall be born, that he the fragment of a clay remains alone to
the veterans who yet keep the field. They
hath done this."
You possesa advantages superior to those called upon you to fill the vacant spaces;
who preceded you. "Other men laboured, upon you, noble youths, to be baptized
and ye have entered into their labours." for the dead upon you to receive the coSo said Jesus when he pointed out to his lours of the cross from their dying hand ;
upon you to stand last amidst the shock
disciples fields white unto the harvest
which patriarchs had ploughed, prophets of battle, while the trumpet that blows an
sowed, and martyrs watered with their onset for you, sounds the signal of retreat
blood.
"I sent you to reap that upon for them. Buckle on your armour, and
which ye bestowed no labour." This, take courage by their example, who die
my young friends, is your position and with their harness on, and when they fall,
If the toil de- write, "I have conquered," upon their
this is your advantage.
It was thus that Paul the aged
volves upon you, so does the experience shield.
youthful Timothy
the
of those who went before you in this encouraged
arduous enterprise. They sounded the "Watch thou in all things, endure affliction, do the work of an evangelist, make
alarm in the ears of a slumbering world
For I am now
let the awakened nations now wait to full proof of thy ministry.
Besides which, ready to be offered, and the time of my
receive your testimony.
when personal labours abroad cannot be departure is at hand. I have fought a
I have finished my course
I
Tendered, your prosperity, your talents, good fight
your influence at home, may all be bene- have kept the faith. Henceforth there is
The harvest of the laid up for me a crown of righteousness,
ficially employed.
world is ripe the ingathering belongs to which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall
you, and to those who shall follow you. give me at that day and not to me only,
The present generation has sown in tears, but to all them also that love his appear;
although not altogether so ; the future ing."

The hopes of the world are fixed upon
generation shall reap with unmingled
you ; and the cries of hundreds of millions
joy.
There is peculiar beauty and fitness in of immortal spirits poured in upon your
MISSIONARY EFFORTS.
399
Cometh." You are about to occupy the

cries are raised, with a confidence corres- place of your fathers, and your children
ponding with the promise of your years. will hereafter occupy yours.
Do the
Age may be dull, and grow indolent; but ravages of death appal you 1 It is true,
youth is active, and cannot excuse itself ministers and missionaries are not im
from employment. Avarice is cruel, and mortal, but their cause is its friends are
is sometimes thought to be the vice of like the foam of the billows which the
ag-e ; but youth is generous, and for you tempests scatter ; but it resembles the
to be covetous would be unnatural ; to be eternal flow of the ocean, rolling its fulparsimonious in such a cause would be ness upon the most distant shores.
O ye heroic spirits, who have met
criminal. Sparc nothing ; time, property,
by fire or the
talent, influence, labour, prayer; bring all, death in all its forms
and lay it upon the altar which " sancti- wave, by famine or the sword, by climate
fieth both the gift and the giver;" and or oppression, from the beginning of the
who have stood
before which eventually " every knee creation to this hour,
firm amidst all danger, undismayed by
siiall bow."
It is possible that persecution, unterrified by your adverYitu must succeed.
discouragements will arise; it is certain saries, spirits of martyred missionaries, who in all ages have suflTered for
it
that difficulties must be encountered
ear.
These hopes
are cherished, and these
is
probable that disappointments may be

Fear none of these things; you
felt.
may be compelled
you can
never be conf[uered. If the magnanimity
of a senate couid thank a vanquished
general because he did not despair of his
what cowardice is ours, fightcountry
ing under the banner of a captain always
victorious, if we should faint, because the
battle waxes hot, or the advantage seems
to balance for a moment between the contending hosts, or the campaign is prolonged beyond our expectations. To the
to retreat;
timid pilot
who was
afraid to launch into
the deep at the bidding of Csesar,

frightful
tempest raged
when
" Fear nothing,"
ye
could
it
down
is in
to
Jesus
our
attend
fortunes."
his fortunes, for
from right-
call,
if
we would
summon you here to tell those young

champions for the cause for which you
expired, from what fountains ye drew
your resources, and what rewards now
recompense your labours. But it cannot be ; you rest from your toils, and
even the cause of religion must not
interrupt your repose.
To thee, then,
holy and eternal Spirit, by whom these
were what they were, we appeal thou
art ever present
may a double portion of those influences by which thou
didst honour them, rest upon those young
and ardent minds, devoted in their re;
And you who
vessel, not Jesns and
blameless Smith
" you carry Caesar and his

are embarked speciive stations, and
the missionary cause, carry in your the same service, and
said the hero,
in
the truth as
eous Abel
rations that shall
in
their
ipon
day, to
the
gene-
follow them, until all
witii
him nothing is contingent ; but shall be consummated ; until the SaJesus and his interests, interests so dear viour shall appear the second time, withto him that he died to secure them ; and out a sin-oflTering, unto salvation ; and
he who sails with you can rebuke the when he shall rise from his throne of
tempest, and instantly there shall be a judgment, the shouts of the myriads of
threat calm.
Docs the lapse of time ef- the redeemed shall overpower the thunfccl you 1
It is true, "one generation ders which destroy the material universe.
passcih away, and another generation Amen.
THE BRITISH
400
PULPIT.
ably elegant and polished, and there is a

rich vein of evangelical piety running
through all his works.
THE PULPIT GALLERY,
As
THE
REV.
WM. BENGO COLLYER,
D. D.
a preacher, he
is
excellencies
of
varied
admired
for the
discourses.
his
They are equally removed from vulgar cant
"I venerate the man whoso heart
Whose
liaiuls
whose
are pure, wliose
is
warm,
His voice
and high flown mysticism.
and melodious, and his action remarkably elegant. The tender and patheis soft
doctrine and
life
tic
Coincident, exhibit lucid proof
That he
is
are his forte.
With
honest in the sacred cause."
a mind stored with
learning,
COWPER.
classical
memory, perfect
and a knowledge of Scrip-
a good
and
self-possession,
ture language, he illustrates his subjects
few men who have obtained
with such an easiness of manner as to

curiosity and secure attention
neither art nor labour is visible in his pulLike Jeremy Taylor, he
pit exercises.
His name has always been able to attract does not confine himself to a dry exposia numerous congregation, and for a long tion of a text, but ranges over all nature
series of years his labours have been de- and art for new and striking images, and
servedly honoured by the Christian world. this is done without affectation, so that
He is one of the few who have been able the poorest and most illiterate can underto withstand the seductions of popular stand him, and the learned cannot be
applause, and to keep on the even tenor offended.
There
are
a greater degree of celebrity, or who have

exercised a more powerful influence upon
others, than the Reverend Doctor Collyer.
awaken
Occasionally, he ascends to the dignity
of his way, notwithstanding the flattery

And few have been so much
of friends.
exposed to the temptation of vanity.
of argument and expostulation, and his
Praised alike by the learned and ignorant, by wealth and fashion, by royal
and noble friends, it is a sure proof of his
geniiine piety, that amidst such libations
language then becomes bold and animated,

and his manner ardent and impassioned.
His eloquence is like that of the school
which immediately succeeded the orations
of Cicero,
correct, polished, elegant,
he has continued humble.
where,
With
all
sects of true Christians, the
if
there w-as
taste, there
was
still
to
little
offend the
less to call for the
vehement emotions of mighty passions,
doctor appears to be on terms of cordiality

and friendship. The bisliops and clergy
struggling to imbody in action the vari-
of the Established Church, his own and

other denominations, equally venerate his
character, and applaud his published la-
ous duties which the orator enforced upon

the people.
Yet this may be imputed
more to the taste of the age than to the
The
bours.
list
of subscribers to
his
lectures proves his acquaintance with the
and literary world

and names are found there which it is
This at least
honourable to mention.
shows that his merit is sterling, that his
piety is sincere, and that his works are
religious,
political,
valued.
As
an author, although he cannot claim
the palm of originality, yet his researches

his accumulation
his various learning
of interesting facts
his
presenting old
fault of the preacher.
The theology of the Doctor is drawn

from the Bible; and to that sacred source
he on all occasions appeals for the truth
of his statements.
He
does not, how-
ever, despise the aid of learned
where
their
sentiments
are
men,
in
but,
unison
with truth, he readily adopts them. This

gives greater variety to his preaching.
He
is
most
at
home when dwelling upon
the consolations of religion

his talents shine forth, and
here, indeed,
the poor and
and familiar trutlis in a new and striking wounded in spirit are refreshed under his
maimer, entitle him to rank high as a ministrations. When detailing the love
His style is remark- of our Saviour, when he exhibits his suftheological writer.
THE PULPIT GALLERY.

ferings and death to accomplish our sal-
eclipsing
401
light in its surpassing ra-
all
So it grew
'which indeed is
vation, he triumphs over the coldness of diance.
scepticism and unbelief, and

heart with pious emotion.
The
warms
the
life
always kept in full exercise his pulpit

and the press bears testimony to
his unwearied exertions to promote true
religion.
Besides his seven volumes of
lectures, which contain many new and
ingenious arguments in support of Christalents,
when
seeds;' but
all
has been one of devoliis

tion to the cause of God and man
great popularity as a public teacher has
Doctor's
seed,
have come,
but
not
'
as
maturity shall
its
birds of the
liie
nations of the earth
all
repose under
as the fountain rises,
air,'
shall
shadow.
its
mustard
the
the smallest of
So
it
find
rose
spring of
liv-
ing water gushing forth ; but now it

is a river, the streams w hereof make
glad the city of our
fulness
of
time,
God
and
;'
healing
its
in
the
waters
kingdoms of
more powerful than the thunder, to which science
great many single sermons, and other can easily point out the bounds as-
flow over
shall
a vast storehouse of curious and

interesting facts
he has published a
the
useful works, all tending to increase and

multiply the disciples of Jesus.
The following is a specimen of his
style, from the last volume of his Lectures
he is spoaking of the progress of
signed
tianity
-'The beginnings were mi-
raculous, but the close shall be inconceiv"Who, that had seen the little band
able.
ofbrothe-'S issuing from their
upper cham-
ber, in all the simplicity of their charac-
unarmed, unpatronized, could have
ima!,Mned
all
the
voice
Its
is
the gospel.
ter,
world.
tiiat
the throne of the Caesars
power, and veil its glory

before them ; and that the stupendous
structure of paganism, reared by philosophy, cemented by habit, and upon wliich
state policy had built its power and autliority, should vanish like a morning
Yet so it was,
cloud as they advanced 1
tihould feel their
so went forth the word of salvation, as the
and
it
softer than the gale
is
summer's evening: it would

seem as though the universe were constructed to convey its sound into all
of
the
it was
whispered in the east,
and rolled round to the west it is repeated in the west, and rolls back to
lands
the
east.
It
is
gentle
the
as
spring
shower, and as fructifying

the wilderness and the solitary place is glad because
of it, and the desert rejoices and blossoms
as the rose.'
It is
'
all-embracing, vivify-
ing, enlightening, supplying, controlling,
the sun
as
and
but the sun has his period,
shall sleep in the clouds forgetful
'
of the voice of the morning.'

peat,
what
for
end be
But,
1
we
re-
It is all-
heaven to
no niglit
the Lord God and the Lanib are
glorious
which
shall the
it
and eternal
as
where
leads
the
there
is
day breaks its first beam distinguishing the light of it;' where 'the nations of
itself, by its purity, from the lamp of the redeemed
they
shall walk ;' and
but shall reign with the Redeemer for ever
reason and the torch of philosnpliy
wherever it poured its meridian splendour, and ever. Amen."
;
Vol. I. 51
9l9
SERMON
XLIV.
THE FULNESS OF TIME.
BY THE REV. ROBERT PHILIP,

MABERLEY CHAPEL, KINGSLAND.
"
But when
under
Gal.
of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made
redeem them that were under the law, that me might receive the adoption of sons."
the fitlnesn
the law, to
iv. 4, 5.
You remember, and it is a very pleasing recollection, that the first promise of
a Saviour was given under the very tree
where our first parents sinned and fell.
And, when you consider that four thousand
years elapsed between the giving of the
promise and its fulfilment,the question can
hardly escape being asked, why was the
He intimates that there was the same

propriety in delaying this, as there is io
not allowing a minor to possess the property of an heir.
Now,
say, that the
long as he is a child, differeth

nothing from a servant, though he be lord
of all ; but is under tutors and governors
until the time appointed of the father.
heir, as
Why Even so we, when wê were children,

fulfilled 1
was Christ born at so late a period of tlie were in bondage under the elements of the
world ? Why was Christianity not intro- world " but when the fulness of the time
duced sooner? Infidels have often said, was come, God sent forth his Son, made
with a sneer, "If Christianity is so valu- of a woman, made under the law, to reable, why was the world without it so deem them that were under the law, that
long] Why were four thousand years we might receive the adoption of sons."'
allowed to pass away without its intro- Intimating that at any earlier period it
duction'?"
Now, when you hear this would have been as unwise to have sent
objection started, you may say in reply, his Son into the world, as to make any
Christianity came thus late into the world, young man master of his own property
promise so long being
he came of age.
in order that infiiels miirht have no excuse
till
for their unbelief. The Son of God came

no sooner, because men were not before
subject.
qualified
to
examine his claims, or
to
judge of his pretensions. God delayed

till the world was fitted, by
its population, and by its general state,
the blessing
to receive Clirlstianity.
illustrate
this fict
particularly
Let
it
we
It
will tend to
consider more
what we have just
us, therefore,
staled.
I.
time'^
Let us consider
this
no period before " the fulness of

the incarnation of Christ have
would
been so proper, all things considered.
So
regarded the redemption of the

soul by his blood, the coming of Christ
far as
it
could neither be too soon nor too late

the blood of Christ would have been a
atonement, whether shed at the

or at the end of the world.
Tiie virtue of tliat atonement depends on
his divinity, and could not have less eflisufficient
benfinning
considkr thk wisdom and proi.

priety of deiiavino the fulfilment of
the promise of curlst until what cacy, be prosented when it would. But
Paul here calls " the fulness of considering the coming of Christ as a
whole, taking into account his doctrines.
TIME."
403
THE FULNESS OF
his
his miracles, and so on,
would
TIME.
403
not in those dark ages.
O, how would
have scoffed and triumphed, if
Christ had made his appearance then!
the antediluvian age, or at the time of the Infidels would have said that he made his
flood because there was no man then liv- appearance purposely at a time when the
ing able to have written an account of it, world was peopled by barbarians
by
or to have written so as to have interested weak, ignorant, credulous men
His
Even Noah could coming, therefore, was reserved for the
all ages of the world.
not have benefited mankind in this re- great Augustan age.
spect, as a writer.
If he had written to
The period oi four great monarchies
suit us, it would not have benefited the wculd have been equally unfit for the
life,
it
have been untimely at an earlier period.

It would have been untimely, during
infidelity
men
War was then so

if he had written so coming of Christ.
would have been of no much the trade, and dominion, and rule,
But by not appearing in the so much the passion of men, that the relicivilization r.nd letters had gion of Christ would not have gained the
of his age; and
as to suit them,
use
to us.
Avorld
till
it
or, if it had, infidels

spread to a very considerable extent, the public attention
facts were all carefully examined anJ would have said that Christianity was
recorded ; and the New Testament is the invention of the Nimrods, the Nebu;
made
to stand
out beyond
all
chadnezzars, and
other writ-
day;
ings.
The
period
from
a mere
other tyrants
political
scheme
of
the
to bringr
own power, and to

views of despotic governments.
place the church beyond the reach
the people into their
the Jluod to the tine of
suit the
Moses wou\d not have been so suitable;

because then the world's population was
comparatively small, and, for the most
part, uncivilized.
It wou-fd have been
unwise to have sent the worid's Saviour
when there were but /ew tJ see him, and
But
to
of their shafts of ridicule and scorn,
God
delayed the coming of his Son to the

chief period of peace, of civilization, of
philosophy, that was ever known in this
say, of our world.
but few to appreciate him.
And if you have not turned your attena man of great genius, who resides in an
obscure village, or immures himself in tion to this subject, and considorod why
solifude, what a pity it is that he is placed four thousand years were suffered to pass
the Saviour appeared, I
in a situation where his talents are buried away before
where there are none to appreciate his would remind you that the people of
excellencies! And when we consider the ^/rf were not really losers by the delay.
sublimti doctrines ; the salutary precepts; They had not the same degree of light
the oeiieficial example; the pro|)itious that subsequent ages were blessed with;
miracles; the whole life of the Son of: but they had tlie same unqualified profiod, we may well say, it would have misc that whoever looked to the Lamb
been a piiy they should have been given of God who was to be slain, should bo
sooner, when they were intended to suit saved.- They were assured, that when
the wholi! population of the civilized the Messiah should come, he would make
world.
ample atonement for the sins which had
The time from Moses to the Prophets been coumiitled under the first covciinnl;
would have been too soon.
Then the and that all who believed should have
Jews were not sufficiently familiar with the full benefit. And hence the npr<8tle
the grounds of the great salvation.
They says, in the eighth chapter of his ejusllo
understood them, indeed, but very imper- to the Komans, wliat applies, not only to
We
fectly al the lime Christ
came
would
iliey
morc! imperfectly
stood
thi'rn
when they were
how much f/.i, but more especially to those who h;id

have under- lived before his coming, the history of
:
just
come whoso experience
it
mnv
b!
said
lo re-
bondage of Kgypt, with all cord

" Whom he did foreknow, ho
the associations wbieh their mituls had aUo did prr^rstitiatr to be cnnfnnucl lo
M.>rcovrr, w liom
fonned in that land of gross idolatry. It the image of his Son.
was wise it was kind, that Christ came he did prcdcalinale, ibem he also called;
raw out of
the
THE BRITISH
404
and
whom
fied
and
he called, them he also justiwhom he justified, them he
also glorified."
Now,
tiioufjh
this ap-
PULPIT.
religion of Christ
is
were submitted
to the
saw and it
puny wits of
scrutiny the world ever
first
passing strange, that the
plies to the state of believers in the pre-
our day should stagger the opinion of any
sent age,
conduct of Cod towards the ancient believers.

So that they were no losers
man, when thebrighlestgeniusesof which

Roman philosophy could boast, were not
able to shake the system they attacked
by
The
it
is, in
the delay of
fact, Ihe histori/
Christ's
of the
incarnation
thoy were ])ardoned and renewed, and

finally admitted into heaven, \ipon trust
Hence the writer to the

Hebrews intimates that Christ had to
make atonement for the sins of the first
or sufferance.
religious
enabled
men
to
state of the
make such
world, also,
a scrutiny.
If
you read the Eclogues of Virgil, and examine them with the prophecies of Isaiah
before you, you will find the representations of the poet to be almost verbatim
covenant, that they might be ratified in

the state into which they had eiitered, on
the ground of faith in him who was to
with the language of the prophet. And

the writers of that age were well able to
do so:
for Ptolemy Philadelphus had
come
been careful
in
due time.
to
secure translations of all
The Augustan age (the period in the principal Hebrew writings and the
which Cffisar Augustus lived, known in learned were all able to have access to
history as the Augustan age) was empha- them.
Hence the Jews so often cavilled
2.
" the fulness of time ,-" and, nf all

periods, the best (f time for introducing
Christ and his system.
aboBt our Saviour
iically
1st.
examine the claims of

Christ.
Both Jews and Gentiles were
then qualified to detect an impostor, if
Christ had been an impostor. They had
POLITICAL motives to urge th-^m to this.
The Jews were under the Roman power.
and had not another hope of deliverance
but from their Messiah. He was as a
and they were prestar in their horizon
pared with the greatest nicety to scruti-
If
to
many
" thoube the Christ, us

" Art thou
the Son of God V
The world was then prepared
thoroughly
they saw so
marks of Messiahsldp in him, that they

sometimes said, " Tell us who thou art ;"
tell
plainly ;"
Uie Christ,
My
brethren, tliose are not questions to
be settled
were
ir.
settled
the present century
completely
they
settled, in the
centuries ; and though the enemies

of Christianity had hlUheir emperors and
first
philosophers to put
|
not able to put
it
it
down, they were
down
for a
moment!
us not be robbed of our confidence,

or startled by the objections and sarcasms
0,
let
On the
Roman government was
other hand, the of vain and foolish men.

Pûl has
very jealous of stated, in the text, that it was "the fullosing any portion of its power; and they ness of the time" when Christ appeared.
also would scrutinize the claims of Christ, The collision of systems, and of poli'.icians, and disputants, have only rubbed
till they saw clearly that his kingdom
was " not of this world." The literary the diadem into brightness; and^weare
character of that age also led them mi- not about to surrender its glories to any
The of the puny scoffers of our day
nutely to scrutinize his claims.
nize his claims.
2d. The world was then fully able to apcelebrated philosopher, Cicero, had previously introduced the system of argu- preciate ihe doctrines of Christ by comparison
mentation which doubted and disputed and by contrast. They might not be able
met with ; and would admit nothing to appreciate them spiritually ; but they
without proof. If Bolingbroke, and Vol- could do so by comparison and by conInfidelity says, why did not Christ
taire, and Hume, and Gibbon, had lived trast.
Had he come a century
then, they could not have brought greater come sooner?
talent into the field than then existed. sooner, philosophy would have contended
In
Christianity then threw down the gaunt- that she had entire empire over men.
let, and boldly dared philosophy to inves- the wisdom of God she was allowed to
tigate her claims.
"These things were try her strength ; and she was at length
not done in a corner." The claims of the compelled to hide her head in her own
all it

shade,
when
Christ came, and said, "I
AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE

At
LIFE."
his
the time Christ came, the doctrine of
could not root
it
human mind.
out of the
dear, and the love of

to be readily given
life
Life
was
up; and
too
too ardent,
at the precise
when immortality was

and men were sick of the
period
for,
idea
its
was
so longed
doctrine of
gospel
Little did the
the doctrine of sacrifices
fully under-
gospel to track its way over the

known world
Little did they think,
when they reduced their language to rule,
that that language should be the means
of defrauding their own temples, and of
dethroning their own gods
But so it
was ; and there was no period but that
when it could have been introduced so
suitably.
Hence, Paul says, " When the
fulness vf the time uas come, God sent his
the
in
were taken up with eagerness by the

heathen. At the time that Christ came,
the doctrine of vicarious sacrifices was
most popular, and the oflVring of those
The
of Jupiter blazed incessantly
but
are only hints on this in-
may
tend to
throw some light on a very important

question in reference to Christianity, and
they may tend to furnish the minds of the
young with an answer to those infdcls
who ask, sometimes, with a triumphant
had, indeed, began to dethe Jewish temples, but they
sacrifices at its highest pitch.
These
teresting subject; but they
They
stood.
cline
was
reception ;ind dillusion.

think, when ihey
Remans
were forming their Appian ways, and

opening their new roads, that they were
forming and opening paths for the feet of
"brought
life and immortality to ligiit."
This
hope of the heart became one of the
strongest motives to induce men to embraie Christianity. At that period, too, Son."
annihilation, Christ came, and
its
Cod did not send

world was properly
thus
the
till
prepared for
immortality was expunged from their

creed, and the practice of suicide had become most popular. But though philosophy could blot the doctrine of immortality
from the creed,
405
And
of the world.
sneer,
"
Why
was
late into the w-orld
altars
they
this
question,
that Christ
it
?"
came so
you are asked
If
my young
friends, turn
you, and say,
found that " the blood of bulls and of " Just that you, sir, might have no excuse.
goats could not take away sin." And at Mightier geniuses than you have exam-
blazed in vain
the precise period
those
who
when
sacrificers
tired of their round
offered
them
round
became
phy
sin
tianity
by the sacrifice of himself."

solemn crisis, when philoso-
men
the
way
and that
was proper
at the
very time
when
do so when they had

all the facts and circumstances of the case
before their eyes." Thus the wisdom
and goodness of God ordained it, that our
system might have firm footing, and that
our hopes might have a stable foundation.
Let us,
IL Consider THE ma- nek oe his incarnation.
" When the fulness of lime was come,
it
at this
failed to teach
man who asks
ined into the claims of Christ and Chris-
of offerings, at the
very moment when hope was about to

give up the ghost, Christ came "to put
away
Yes;
to the
of hap-
whirh had so
were al)()iit to be
piness, and the sacrifices
long been confided in

put away, then ('hrist came to teach men
the way of life and salvation, and then was
his i)lood shed to ransom men by thousands and by millions.
God
to
sent forth his
.'son,
made of a woman,
was l/ic brsi fur made under the law."

Lfie rcvflutiim nf Christ and his i;nsprl, hc1. " (Jod sent forth his Son, made of a
causr Ihrti the irnrtd wfis prepariil fur the woman," There is something very pefxtrnsiitn if Chrislidiiily.
Had Christ culiar in this expression, "made of a wocome into our world sooner, Christianity man;" it is generally said "
of a
3.
77/c .fjuûftan a<ê
Wn
could not have been so well propagated. woman ;" it is only in reference to Christ
Wi- know, from our own exprrience and that the word " made" is usetl. The fact
observation, frntnetbinu of the truth of is, that tlio wordn would liave been iin
tliis.
ties
Our
Hitile
absurdity, hnd Christ been the son of Jo-
and Missionary Societill our commerce
wirr not formed
had linked
this nation
with
all
the nations
|>h.
I
in
The language
agrees w
ith
nature, because the fact of
nothing
which
il
THE BRITISH
406
PULPIT.
comprehend, there are yet in it features

of grace and glory which the simplest
On the same may understand. Angels sang on their
to any other but Christ.
principle it was said, " the word was visit to Bethlehem, and the mysteries of
7na(/ey/esA ;" what would you think if I the incarnation did not prevent their song
were called to baptize a child, and were and shepherds did so too, and its mystesolemnly to tliank God that the child was ries did not prevent their song.
2. He was " made under the law.^^
"made of a woman," or that it was
" made flesh ]" You would consider it That is, he was made in the same relaa strantre mode of expression, and would tion to the law, which we as sinners stand
bound to obey it, and also to bear
naturally say, " Why what else could it to it
he " magnibe made of?" But we must not dwell its curse. This Christ did
speaks
miracle.
out of naturo,
is
The
is
altogether a
exprpssion will not apply
law" by his perfect obedience,

and he " made it honourable" by bearing
on this point.
fied
the
something peculiarly striking

" God sent forth his Son" its curse, and preventing it from being a
To me there is curse to us.
into the world as a child.
HI. CoNSIDEK THE GREAT DESIGN OF
something very delightful in the idea that
the Saviour was first presented as an in- HIS INCARNATION.
Why it proves at This was two-fold " to redeem them
fanl in our world.
that were under the law, that we might
once that his errand was one of mercy
There
is
in the fact, that
it
is
an affecting illustration of w'hat
said in the gospel,
" God sent not
his
is
Son
receive the adoption of sons."

1.
"To redeem them
that were
under the
condemn the world," law.^^ " To redeem them" from what ?

else he would have come as a man of war, My friends, from the curse of the law,
arrayed in all the attributes of power and and not from the obligation of it. The
of terror. But he came as a babe and death of Christ would not have been an
this was permitted, that you and I, who atonement, if it had set aside the law as
into the world to
are parents., might

and delight in his
feel
as
much comfort a rule of life

when we and destroyed
;
nativity, as
own first dear infant in our

arms. God has thus given a pledge in
the very sweetness of his infancy, how
blessed his errand to the world was
He sent him also in humble life. It was
said to the siiepherds, " Ye shall find the
folded our
this
would have disgraced
the law, instead of magni-
fying and making
death of Christ has
it
honourable.
made
The
the law a rule
working, and has abolished it as a

covenant of works.
are not redeemed
from the curse of the law, if we reject the
obligation of the law.
That man has not
babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying faith, whatever he pretends to, who
in a manger;" and in similar circum- makes void the law:
that faith is not
stances of poverty we find his whole life. the "faith of God's elect," if it make
And why 1 Wîiy to show that the poor- void the law of Christ; and while a man
est and humblest are welcome to him, pretends to do the will of Christ, if I hear
and to all his benefits. Had he been born him deny the authority of the law, and
in a palace had he dwelt among tlie rich declare that he has nothing to do with it,
and great the poor might have feared to I turn at once from him to the apostle of
approach him. But he took the lowest the Lamb, and he says, " Do we make
!
for our
We
scale in society, that the humblest, the
void the law, through faith
God
forbid
most dependent might not yea, we establish the law;" and then I
fear rejection when they came to him. know which side to choose.
But all are not redeemed from the curse
Hence, he sent the plainest, the simplest,
the most unlettered men, to see and to of the law who acknowledge the obligaworship him at his advent; though he tion of the law. If there be a man here
sent also, some great and wise on the who tries to obtain redemption from the
same errand. This teaches us that while gospel, by obedience to the law, that man
My
there are mysteries in the incarnation of understands neither law nor gospel.
the Son of God, which angels cannot fellow sinner, if you are concerned about
poorest, the
Now
your object.
the law
" Christ
for ricrhteousness
is
every one
to
unless you go to
ftol,
justification before
You
God.
obey the law too much
The Jews
we
am
sure those
is
emotions
know how
Now
when you and
are set fast here,
oversight
arises from an
we cannot /ec/
it
till
we
the
believe
fact
The Rev. Robert

tion at Liverpool, at
sided
for refuge
fled
we
Bometbing
to
the
satisfy
it is not by
word of (Jod for
us, but by taking
the divine testimony as
it
his action
is in
delicate terms to
convey the awful
and speaks as one having authoriHe evidently

and not as the scribes.
studies divine truth fur himself, and examines "systems of divinity" by ihe unlie does
erring standard of holy writ,
not seem to bo one who would tolenito
error because of its nntiquily, or because
it has been sanctioned and approved by
office,
ty,
or warrant, to be-
are to expect rtimfort.
denunciations of the gospel to the tender

He
consciences of well-bred sinners.
clothes himself in the- dignity of his
the sons of Ciod ;" and
looking beyond
tones
As a preaclier, Mr. Philip is distinguished by his bold and energetic proclamation of what he conceives to be the
He appears neither solicitous to
truth.
ascertain whether his doctrino be palatable to his hearers, nor does he study nice
are
warranted to believe that great statement,

that " to as many as believe on him, to
enme
its
general appropriate.
Christ
to
believe this, then
them gave he power,
re-
God who
we
which place he
years, and taught the people
rather shrill in
it
that he is a child of
has
many
with success. What circumstances occasioned his removal to London, and settlement at Kingsland, we do not know.
Mr. Philip in person is rather tall, and
inclined to corpulency. His face is pleasing, his forehead high, and denoting imaginative power ; his voice is weak, and
is.
word of God says

If
Philip was former-
ly minister of an Independent congrega-
The and
it.
God;
and then
REV. ROBERT PHILIP,
the anxiety connected wiih them.
great
it,
we
Maherley Chapel, Kingslaiid
children of
enjoy
if
a right
NO. XIV.
!"
and
THZ: FT7I<PZT GAI.I<ZIR7.
word, they are of the children of God, of

the adopted of God, who have fled to
Christ for complete redemption. I know
well, by experience, how many agitations
a serious mind feels after it becomes acOften is it
quainted with the gospel.
said, "Ah, I have imt the spirit of adoption
I am not able to say, Abba, FaI have been earnestly looking and
ther
groaning for this spirit; but I have not
yet felt that which warrants me to say, I
am a child of God
who have felt such
it;
we have
are truly happy.
not the adoption nf nations.

had this for a long series of
ages; "t<. them pertained tht a fftption,

the promises," and so on. Bui, this left
them, at any moment, liable to be cut off.
No; he says, "the adoption of sons,^^
that we might be part of the divine family, and have an interest in all its blessings.
I cannot now dwell on this interesting point; but I would say, in one
alone.
we are
we come to
to believe that
cannot and then
look for justification to Christ alone.

2. " That we might receive the adoption
Mark the peculiarity of the
cf sons.''''
language
are to search for
that warrant there,
find
but you must
God we
of
mind
him for
that believeth ;" and relief to your
you cannot
407
the Bible, and not out of it, that we are

the end of to look for our warrant.
It is in the word
salvation, a justifyintr ritjhteousness is
stands, that
we
know
my
If
in
eminent divines.
His imagination is pi>wTful ; henco
and depend on him alone for llint salva- his language is figurative, ;ind hid ertion, I am warranted to believe that 1 mons iibound with vivid and intereslinj
am a child of (Jod ; and I n>ay spend my piclures. His judgment is good, and hi*
lifo in looking for it elsewhere.
It is in taslo has evidently been impruved by
conscience that
vatiDU that
be found in ('hrist alone,
is to
need
silvalif)n, tlie sal-
'

THE BRITISH
408
PULPIT.
and reading.
lie appears
well acquainted with the human heart,
not only as it is delineated and exposed
the
in the Scriptures, but as
that their personal comfort had been sus-
observation
it is
seen in the
more aggravated woes of Claremont
and, by an instantaneous movement, the
whole
community seemed
to
discover
development of its affections in society. pended on the princess. 'One dead' in

This gives him experience to detect its every family could not have excited more
latent wishes, and to counteract its evil
propensities,
by substituting
general consternation."
high and
noble motives to action, instead of low

and worldly cares.
THE MISSIONARY CANDIDATE.
AN
ANECDOTE.
His ideas are sometimes very original,

A PIOUS young man, who was desirou
and his whole discourses very far re- of devoting himself to the work of the
moved from the tame generalities of com- ministry among the heathen, and had
mon-place preachers.
Viewed in this been recommended with that view to the
respect, he is certainly entitled to rank Committee of the London Missionary
high amongst his contemporaries.
Society, on undergoing the usual examiThe following is a specimen of his nation, stated that he had one difficulty
style, selected from his sermon on the he had an aged mother entirely dependent
death of the lamented princess Char- upon an elder brother and himself for
:
lotte
maintenance
and, in
case of that bro-
" Aware, as I was, how the doleful

tidings must affect a devoted and intelli-
liberty to return to this
gent people,
mother were
could not have conceived that any thing short of a universal

earthquake, or the blast of the archanstill
gel's trumpet, would have produced the

gloom and consternation which now sur-
round us.
Britain the
And who that contemplated

week before this calamity,
and saw her vast population labouring
in
still living, to
be at
his
if
contribute to
Scarcely had he made this

ingenuous statement, when a harsh voice
exclaimed, " If you love your mother
more than the Lord Jesus Christ, you
will not do for us."
Abashed and conthe young man was silent.
Some murmurs escaped the committee;
founded,
was directed
was taken
nothing could divert them from gain or

gaypty
as if every individual felt only
for himself; who that saw this could
proposal
have named any event, not miraculous,

which, in a moment, in the twinkling of
an eye, would banish mirth from all the
gay, and composure from all the serene;
make the merchant lay down his pen, and
the mechanic his tools
unrobe the bride
of her ornaments, "and the bridegroom of
his attire
turn the house of feasting into
a house of mourning; and command a
pause to pleasure and business, like the
shaking among the dry bones in the valley
of vision
Such a shock was inconceiv-
unaffected
to
country,
her support.
their respective spheres of action, as if and he
he should wish
ther's death,
On
to retire
while his
into consideration.
his being again sent for, the venera-
ble chairman, (Ur.
Waugh,)
in tones
archal benignity of mien, acquainted

that
the
of
kindness, and with a patri-
committee did not
selves authorized
to
feel
him
them-
accept of his ser-
vices on a condition involving uncertainty

as to the term; but immediately added,
" We think none the worse of you, my

good lad, for your dutiful regard. to your
aged parent. You are but acting in conformity to the example of Him whose
gospel you wish to proclaim among the
heathen; who, as he hung upon the cross
able froTn natural impulse.
Sleep de- in dying agonies, beholding his mother
parted from the fatigued and the thought- and the beloved disciple standing by,
less for a time ; honour and wealth seemed said to the one, Woman, behold thy son ;'
to be insipid ; the orphan forgot his ex- and to John,
Behold thy mother.' My
posure, the widow her desolation, and good lad, we think none the worse of
the widower the ' w'fe of his youth,' in you."
;
'
'
SERMON XLV.
THE CAUSE AND CHARACTER
OF RELIGIOUS JOT.
BY THE REV. WILLIAM BROWN.
'And
he went on his
In the preceding context
some
sented with
we
are pre-
brief notices concern-
ing the distinguished individual to
words
these
more
way
We
refer.
are
whom
presented
particularly with an account of his
conversion
God, an account which,
to
though very short, must, I should think,

be deeply interesting to every Christian.
Attached as a proselyte to the Jewish
church, he had travelled, it should seem,
no less a distance than from Klhiopia to
Jerusalem, for the purpose of worshiping
God
witiiin
veil,
and
that church's consecrated

according to her appointed
ritual.
The object of his journey being
thus accomplished, he was now on his
return, it appears, to the court of Candace,
the queen of his native land, to
whom
he
acted in the capacity of chambcrlaiti or

treasurer;
and
while
homeward way, we
prosecuting his
he was profitably
rejoicing.'"
er, or
Acts
viii. 39.
as to the design of his sufTerings,
or as to the persons for
whom
he suffered.
His mind, accordingly, appears to have

been upon the stretch for further informaand suspecting, propassage which he had
been reading in Isaiah had reference to
some vital points on which he was yet
ignorant, his soul would most likely be
seized with certain painful anxieties^
which would not be easily allayed, either
by the attractive beauty of the surrounding scenery, or by the attentions of his
official retinue, or by the reveries of his
tion on the subject;
bably, that the
own
imagination.
was at this crisis, my friends, that

he was accosted by the disciple Philip,
It
who,
in
obedience to the angel of the

left Jerusalem for the
Lord, had recently
very purpose, and soon overtook him by
Unattended and unintroduced,

immediately
Scriptures.
The Bible, we learn, was entered upon his commission, by one of
opened before him in the fifty-third chap- those delicate questions, which, withoi>t
ter of Isaiah; but to him, in his circum- revolting the feelings of this nobleman,
stances at that time, it was a dead letter was yet sufficiently explicit to show, that
and a sealed book. That impressive proas the stranger who addressed him was
phecy respecting our Redoemor's sufTer- evidently acquainted with his anxieties,
ings was read by him with little under- so he had in all probability the means ia
standing and with little emotion
Tlie subhis power to relievo them.
it
might, perhiips, ho somewhat interesting st queiit part of the narrative, my friends,
" Philip," it is
to his n:itural feelings, indeed it CjiiUI dv'clarea to us the issue.
employed
in
find
perusing the Old Testament
the way.
this faithful servant of Christ
scarcely
f.iil
that
it
bo so, but then
to
have appeared
and obscure.
to
him dark,
He
referred to
eillier
Voi..
must
perceived, no doubt,
something of more
usual imporlaiico; but

idea
it
unintelligible,
lie
tiian
had no accurate
an to the dignity of the sulfcr-
L5,5
"opened his mouth, and began at

same Scripture, and preacheil uiilo
said,
iho
him Jesus."
The remaining
events of
interview now f(jllowed each other in

rapid succession; in slinrt, the sermoo
th!
was blessed and
sanctified
the person to
4U3
TIIF.
410
whom
it
was
BRITISH PULPIT
adtlrossod believed and
the
Philip the
was case
of
tlie
individual in the text affords
Lord caught us a most striking and appropriate exameunuch saw him no pie. Though born and educated an idolaway
more, but " he went on his way rejoic ater, he was successively brought first
within the pale of the Jewish church, and
ing."
In order, however, to give the greater ultimately to a participation of Christian
though raised to an elevated
unity and simplicity to our subsequent privileges
observations on this subject, they may rank in a foreign court, he did not persuitably be comprised, I think, under the mit the splendour of his station to dazzle
and delude him into a forgetful ness,
two following general heads.
either of God, or of his own spiritual
I. The character and condition of
though surrounded on every side
safety
THE PERSON REJOICING.
with all that could tempt him to sinful
II. The CAUSES of his joy.
In reference, then, to the condition and relaxed habits, the whole of this
AND CHARACTER OF THE PERSON REJOIC- narrative, I humbly submit, plainly intiING, the first observation which naturally mates that the care of his soul was his
occurs to us is, that he was a person nf principal concern, and that, though occuauthority and rank. It has frequently and pied with the high causes and occupavery justly been remarked, that among tions of state, he was still more particuthose who cordially embrace the gospel, larly engrossed with the far higher conAnd while all this
there " are not many wise, not many cerns of eternity.
mighty, not many noble ;" and it must be tends most powerfully to discredit the
confessed that the remark, taken as a excuses of those, who presume to plead,
Spirit of
baptized
tiie
general proposition,
one.
It
is,
no doubt, a true that they are so immersed in business aa

my brethren, to have little or no leisure for religion, it
must be confessed,
that as worldly
wisdom
1o pursuits which,
if
is
gion, are at least foreign to

its
often addicted
not hostile to
its spirit,
interests, so lofty genius,
is frequently prostrated to
reli-
and
we know,
many
ignoble
purposes; while high station, on the

other hand, instead of being turned to
advantage in proportion to its facilities for
usefulness and for improvement, is often
employed in subserviency to a mere secular ambition, or the gratification
serves also most distinctly to
show
us,
by a prudent distribution of time, and

by a proper improvement of opportunities,
there are no conceiveable situations and
no conceivable pursuits, whatever be their
magnitude and importance, which may
that
not be ably and honourably performed in

due subordination to those other and
higher duties devolving on us all in relation to an eternal world. These and these
of the only should have a permanent place in
this and this only should

form the paramount object of our lives
But although this be unquestionably true and this was pre-eminently the case with
as a general proposition, it by no means the distinguished individual here alluded
He had high temporal duties to perexcludes, you observe, particular excep- to.
tions
on the contrary, it is the peculiar form, and he did them well ; had he left
glory of the gospel, that it has no spiritthem undone, or had he performed them
Destined for only in an indifferent manner, it is
ual moDopoly among us.
universal diffusion, as we know it to have scarcely possible, I think, that he could
been, it is indeed a grand and compre- have maintained that respectability of
hensive scheme of redemption, which is character, and that popularity at court,
fully and freely offered to as many as are by which, very likely, he obtained leave
willing to receive it
and as God, we and leisure to visit the city of Jerusalem
know, is no respecter of persons, so he on this occasion. On the contrary, (that
occasionally calls to a participation of his is, on the supposition of his having been
grace, individuals of every rank, of every an idle and inefficient functionary,) the
probability is, that he must have resigned
country, and of every age.
Now, of this very fact, observe, the the seals of office, before he could have
minor passions and
inferior propensities
of our nature.
our affections
THE CAUSE AND CHARACTER OF RELIGIOUS
ÔY.
41
but the fact is, sion, and the consistency of his character
he retained the one and he accomplished was altogether such, my brethren, as not
his worldly avocations were only to claim our respect, but even to
the other
attended to, in subordination to, and in deserve our imitation. To repudiate the
connexion with, his spiritual observances. religious opinions in w^;ich a man has
undertaken
ttiis
journey
been educated from his youth,
His piety kept pace with his patriotism ;

while he honoured his queen, he did not
omit to fear God ; and according to the
measure of light, which was then vouchsafed to him, we find from tliis passage
that he undertook and travelled a very
considerable journey to worship in the
Jewish temple, agreeable to the faith
which he professed.
Now you will observe still further, that
the Kthiopian alluded to, besides having
been a man of rank, and in office, was a
person nf very firm and decided character.
Born as he was in a country where the
worship of the true God was little known,
and still less attended to, it is more than
probable, as I have already hinted, that
he had been educated in heathen idolatry,
and that his mind had been early imbued
with all those deep and inveterate prejudices which usually adhere to the votaries of an ancient superstition. It appears
however from this narrative, that in this
case the prejudices in question had been
'
a contemporaneous multitude.
to
have bound and warped his
affections, he resolutely forsook the reli
became a
Whether this
sentiments was effected
gion of his native land, and

convert
to
Judaism.
have
speculations
Even
carried to
l)cen
greatest length, and
in
the
where freedom has
been permitted with longest and largest

liberty, even there the toleration that is
usually extended to difference of opinion
on all other subjects, is usually withheld
from him who abandons the religion of
his country
the man who ventures to do
so is generally covered with odium and
with disgrace ; he is regarded, for the
most part, as an offensive excrescence on
the face of society, which must be removed by all means, by foul or by fair,
and which is sometimes corrected by the
strong arm of the law.
But if such be the feeling of the enlightened, and tiie professedly liberal, and
the worldly wise, what might we expect
from heathen, from uneducated, savage,
barbarous heathens, in circumstances
Attached to their
precisely parallel 1
;
those ties which might naturally be
supposed
step
nations the most enlightened, where moral
effectually overcome, and that in spite of

all
is a
which it is at all limes painful to take,

and which it is sometimes dangerous to
avow. On the one hand he is fronted
and opposed by the venerated example of
his ancestors, and he is out-clamoured on
the other by the voice and the violence of
by the convictions of
by a respect for the Divine
copy of the Scriptures, which we find he character, but by a blind and sensual
was now reading, or by the ministrations fnnaticism, which is generally stronger
of some unknown but not uiihonoured than both, it is natural to suppose, that
preacher, or by his intercourse with those openly to discountenance their superstiJews who were accustomrd to travel tion would only be to olTeiid their prejugreat distances on the enterprises of com- dices and to provoke their rage, undisme roe whether he was converted to ciplined as they are to any thin|^ like
Judaism by the instrumentality of any close, |)atient, or consecutive reasoning;
one of tliette circumstances, or by a con- they know of no argument to support
currence of them all, is a point which it their opinions but the argument of physichange
in
his
instrumentally by his liaving jjrociired a
idolatries, neither
reason, nor
is
not very ejsy to determine, and of no
great
is
moment
to
he ascertiiined
the fact
certain, that he abandoncil idolatry
Ix'camn a
wh.tt
professor of Judaism.
wish more particularly
to is, that
Hubsequently
to
to advert
this
conversion, the firmness, and
and
Bui
IiIh
first
the deci-
cal
power, therefore, before tln-y can outman of firm and dccidt-d cliaraeand of superior faculties, and of beltrr
reason a
ter,
information
than
sessed, they must

to ashes,
from
its
they
first
tiiemsrlves
nf
all
pos-
consume him
and they must ndense that spirit

mortal bondage, which ihty
'
THE BRITISH
412
found
it
impossible, by any milder means,

all tliis,
by
bias,
by the hope of preferment, by
the patronage of the great, yet
to silence or subdue.
Applying
PULPIT.
tberefore, to the mat-
ter before us, there is no reason to suppose that the conduct of the African Ethi-
we
find
he was moved by none of these

things
he had appointed a higher standard of duty, he followed the dictates of
that
own conscience and if, in such circumstances as thrse, he yet maintained a

the apostasy of their distinguished coun- decided and unshrinking profession of his
tryman, would be at all different from Jewish principles, his conduct in this
the conduct of other nations, in circum- respect is eminently fitted to minister to
Indeed, it our instruction, and is full of reproof to
stances precisely parallel.
may be questioned very much, whether many, and is replete with instruction for
It teaches us, my brethren, that if
the superior rank of this convert would all.
not give a greater shock to their preju- our religious profession be attended with
dices, and a darker and a deeper charac- difficulty and danger, even though it
ter to their fanaticism.
Of this, indeed, require from us an abridgment of comfort,
there can be no doubt at all, that if in our and sacrifice of character, still it is oui
own land any of the functionaries of go- imperative duty to persevere ; nor are we
vernment were openly disavowing, syste- to conform to this world in its practical
opian idolaters, in reference to the conwould conceive it,
his
version, or, as they
matically dishonouring, the religion of the
idolatries, in its sinful pleasures, or in its
country, then the elevation of his rank,
guilty and unlawful pursuits, even though
and the extent of his influence, would

only give a greater aggravation to hie
crime; and his deprivation of liberty, of
office, and of character, would be deemed
they
all too little
to atone for
be sanctioned by custom, even

though they be hallowed by antiquity.
In the case of the Ethiopian there were
many temptations on every side, if not to
the guilt of his forsake his profession of Judaism, at least
apostasy.
What may
to
conceal
it.
But with us, blessed be God, brethren,

been the precise
treatment which this Ethiopian nobleman there is little or nothing of the kind.
met with, on abandoning idolatry and The terror of making an open confession
embracing Judaism, we cannot presume of our religious fidelity, and our religious
positively to say. These, at all events, are profession, is in the present day scarcely,
the probable difficulties he would have if at all, experienced ; nor are the outto contend with
these the sacrifices he ward ordinances of religious worship conwould be required to make these the fined any longer to Jerusalem, as in the
temptations which assuredly he would time of this nobleman, who travelled so
have to resist. In the face of all these far to attend them. Instead of requiring
things, however, we find that he made an us to perform long and laborious pilopen, an honest, and undisguised profes- grimages to procure the means of grace,
sion of his new sentiments; and if, not- and to attend upon the ordinances of the
withstanding this, he still retained his church, it has pleased God in his abunofficial appointment and royal favour, and dant mercy, to bring them to our very
his popularity at court, it just shows us, door, and we can sit each man under his
my brethren, practically, though our reli- own vine, and his own fig tree, and none
Let us, theregious profession should expose us to dare to make us afraid.
many perils, and dangers, and opposi- fore, improve the day of our merciful
let us hold fast the beginning
tions, and difficulties, those difficulties, visitation
let us hold
perils, and dangers may, after all, be of our confidence to the end
overcome by real force of principle,- and fast our profession, and be strong in the
Lord, and in the power of his might, and
by a genuine integrity of character.
Though this distinguished person was, in the humble confidence and assurance,
no doubt, strongly tempted to conform to that if we confess Christ, and that if we
if we confess
the superstitions of his country in a vast act up to our profession
variety of shapes, by early predilections, Christ, and remain steadfast to the end
have
TSE
we
shall with
him possess
all
AND CHARACTER OF RELIGIOUS
him overcome, and with
things.
JOY.
413
might have been flattered by the

cavalcade which accompanied him, the
his pride
In reference, however, to the character time, in his estimation, was all too preand condition of the person alluded to in cious to be wasted on any such trifles ; at
i
me
remark, in the this moment, neither Jerusalem, with her

third place, on this part of the subject, lofty turrets, which he was leaving bethat he was not only a man of rank, and hind him, nor nature with her eastern
a person of firm, and decided, and con- loveliness; no, nor chariots, nor horsesistent character, but he was also aser/ous men, were of any present interest to him;
and diliiênt inquirer. If it be a fair cri- his soul was occupied with infinitely
terion to judge of a man's attachment to higher concerns, his mind was directed
this passage, allow
religious
sacrifices
to
knowledge by the exertions and to a nobler subject of contemplation, his

which he makes to obtain it, heart was engrossed, in short, in perusing
then the sincerity of the Ethiopian noble- the Scriptures of truth.

man must be beyond the possibility of
Now, the improvement that
doubt.
Previously to the time alluded to suggests to us, is as obvious as
all
this
imhe must have acquired, portant. If, in the adorable sovereignty

unquestionably, a very considerable ac- of divine grace, we have been brought
quaintance with the Jewish economy; into circumstances, and favoured with
out not being content with the informa- opportunities favourable for our advanceit
is
in this passage,
tion
he had already obtained, he had
ment
tra-
velled no less a distance than from Africa
in
spiritual
things, let us imitate
the diligent searching of this Ethiopian
who was employed in consulting

word of God. Let us improve the
Far from indulging in that capricious and precious moments as they pass, let us
superficial kind of inquiry, which origin- prosecute our religious inquiries with an
to
Jerusalem
to
more
obtain
now he was engaged
in
and even convert,
reading the Bible.
the
earnest purpose of heart, and with
ates in no better principle than curiosity,
and which subsides
the
moment
humble dependence on the
that
Spirit.
an
Instead
he appears, on the of resting satisfied with the measure of

man in solemn knowledge to which we may have already
and sober earnest. A man, bending the attained, let us throw oflTour listlessness,
whole power of his faculties to the appre- and set ourselves thoroughly and instanthension of divine truth, and in prosecut- ly to peruse this blessed book with more
ing this great object, his investigations diligence, and with more interest, than
were at once diversified and laborious; ever we have hitherto done. If, in this
not confined to general statements, or to way, we follow on to know the Lord, we
partial views, but steadily and diligently have in the text, you will notice, an endirected to the whole counsel of God
couraging precedent to show, that we
noi even when he had visited Jerusalem, shall indeed know him, that our labour
and had engaged in the worship of the shall not be in vain, .and that our
ternplc- did he permit himself to rest sa- inquiries shall be savingly blessed.
And
tisfied with his previous attainments, or whatever be the temptations to which we
with the tiiaching of the Rabbles, priests, may bo exposed, whether the allurements
and scribes. Anxious as he seems to of worldly society, or a fondness for unhavo been, my friends, to make still fur- profitable reading, or an undue attachthcr improvement in knowledge, he rement to iho luxuries and to the pride of
solved to inquiin for himself, ho deter- life, or a grovellmg propensity for base
mined to receive no second-hand state- and degrading indulgence; oh! let us
meats, he consulted the oracles of truth, remember, that as in the rase of this noble
direct ho went to tlie fountain-iiead. individual who was now leaving JerusaEven when silling in hitt very chariot, leni in his carriajjo, so the charid of limo
when returning homo, when his mind i.s rapidly rolling; us along; therefore, it
niigiil 1)0 nalurally occupied in refliriing in our titity, like him, to read and to think
on the scenes which ho bad left, when by iho way that armrdinjj to the swiftprinciple
is
satisfied,
contrary, to have been a
THE
414
BRITISH PULPIT.
ness of its motion we arc, like him, pro- have been immediately consequent on his
portionably receding from the earthly final separation from Philip; and as beLike him, then, let us avail our- lievers usually dcliglit in the society of
side.
those by whom they have been spiritually
even thoufrh it benefited, his conduct may seem to betray
may present itself in a form little calcu- either a callousness of feeling or deficilated to conciliate our carnal pride, re- ency of gratitude; and it may perhaps,
memberino^ the beautiful example set us be thought that the circumstance of his
by this distinouished person, who, when having quitted such a valuable instructer,
the humble Philip came up to him, when ought rather to have excited on his part
he interrupted him in his reading, was so an emotion of sorrow, and that had he
far from repel! insr such an intrusion, that dropped a tear at parting, it would have
he received it with humility ; he listened been at once a credit to his sensibility
to his instruction without any feeling of and a better proof that he rightly a|/prepride, or distrust, or suspicion ; he even ciated the nature and extent of his obligaIt must be
confessed, indeed,
invited him to come up into his chariot, tions.
that to see Philip caught away from
and to expound to him the word of God
he condescended to be as a little child, his view by a sudden and miraculous
and to receive with meekness the in- interposition, was of itself fitted to ingrafted word, which was able to save his spire him with the most solemn and reverential ideas
and when to this it is addsoul.
Oh, dear brethren, ' go and do like- ed, that the person so removed was one
wise ;" receive the word of truth as it is to whom, of all others, he had been inoffered to you, in whatever form, so as it debted, and to whose company he must
be the truth. In one word, believing in have attached associations of the tenderthe Lord Jesus Christ as this Ethiopian est kind ; then the rejoicing of this Ethiselves of every opportunity for receiving
instruction that niay
ofl'er,
did, let us follow his
example by making opian nobleman may, perhaps, appear to

some persons to indicate either that he
had set no great value on what he had
a profession of our faith

by not concealing our principles by not being ashamed
avow
to the church and to

sooner had he received
this instruction, than he exclaims the
very first opportunity that presented,
" Here is water, what doth hinder me
If we know
from being baptized ]"
recently heard, or that he felt so confident
ing our customary places in the church,

not merely by associating with God's
the Ethiopian's joy on
to
ourselves
No
the world.
of Philip's former instructions, as actually
pursue his journey without requiring

aid, and without deploring his absence.
But though this objection may,
perhaps, very readily present itself, there
Christ, let us confess him before men, is really nothing in it to entitle it to much
and he will confess us before his Father consideration. It is founded entirely upon
in heaven ; and let us confess him not an imperfect acquaintance with the pracmerely by attending to the ordinances of tical effects of divine grace, nor can
religion, not merely by being seen keep- there be a doubt that the vindication of
people, but confessing him by joining his

visil)le
his
church, by doing this according to
own command and
of his name.
in
may
possibly appear
sometvhat unnatural and even
According
tliis
occasion
may
be triumphantly grounded on the simpliTo supcity and sincerity of his faith.

pose, indeed, that he was unawed by the
remembrance supernatural interposition of God in rewe are en- moving Philip fr^m his view, or that he
the rejotcing nf this dtstitigtii sh-
ed foreigner
his
In that case
couraged to hope that we shall partake

of the blessedness of the Ethiopian, and,
like him, " goon our way rejoicing."
To some
to
to the narrative
to
be
unlovely.
given to us,
the gladness of the Ethiopian seems to
felt
no regret at the loss of his spiritual
instructer,
is, in
point of fact, a gratuitous
is nothing in
and though it
may be true that notwithstanding both of
these events he actually did go on his
way rejoicing, this fact only proves the
assumption, which there

this narrative
power and
to justify
the efficacy of those doctrineB
THE CAUSE AND CHARACTER OF REUGIOUS
JOY.
415
which he had recently embraced it only ward ingenuousness, " How can
proves that the nrift of fuith which he had some man should guide mel"
Now, my friends, in such a
received, had had the double effect, not
unless
state of
only for preparing hina for extraordinary ignorance as this, there can be no doubt,
think, that to his reflecting and intelligent mind, the worship, the forms, and
a spiritual privilege it only proves, in the ceremonies of the Jewish church must
short, that though his present circum- have appeared extremely perplexing and
stances may appear to us sufficient to dark.
In the absence of that light which
overwhelm him with the most painful has been thrown upon them by the gosregret, yet that the grace given to him pel, the only consideration that could
manifestations of the divine power, but
of consoiinnr him even under the loss of
more than adequate to counterba- commend them to his judgment, that of

such feelings, and to fill his rendering obedience and adoration to one
whole soul with absorbing emotions of infinite and eternal Spirit, was incompagratitude, and with an inexpressible feel- rably more rational than to countenance
was
far
lance
all
the absurd idolatries of Ethiopia; but, so
ing of joy.
But
this, I trust, will
appear more evi-
far as the
grand question of his
own
per-
acceptance witli God was concerned, he WIS, in reality, not one whit
the CAUSES OR RRASONS OK HIS JOY.
In more forward than before, and, as long as
the first place, it may be inferred that he he was ignorant of the Saviour, in whom
will go on his way rejoicing, on account all the Mosaic ceremonies and all the
dently by considering at greater length
the second division of our subject, namely,
sonal
of the new information he had obtained.

Though previously to the period alluded
Scripture promises were to be fulfilled,
to
in
passage this eminent person

some time been a convert to the
this
attachment
his
was,
in
to
the
Hebrew worship
form of
truth, only a different
had for
superstition, which, though less revolting
Jewish religion, the probability is, that to a cultivated mind, was in his case
his attachment to Judaism was little less equally powerless, as well for pacifying
than simply giving it a preference above the conscience as for purifying and reIn the providence of
the gross and absurd idolatries of Ethio- newing the heart.
pia, and that his acquaintance with it God, however, the period of his spiritual
was limited entirely to a knowledge of darkness was now brought to a close by
his having recently received a clear exhiits forms and ceremonies, without any
direct perception either of tiieir spiritual bition of the divine Redeemer, from
moaning or of their ulterior end. During whose sacrifice the Mosaic ritual derived
Philip,
his late visit to Jerusalem, his usual inall its efficacy and all its worth
tercourse would be confined very proba- we are told, "preached unto him Jesus;"
bly to the scribes and to the Pharisees, and in wliat did sueli preaching consist?
who constituted at that lime the liii,'her Was it to tell him that God was a bving
orders of Jewish society, and from tliein, of infinite mercy, who would overlook his
wu know, he would derive no other kind sins and short-comings, and who would
of ififormation than that which related regard such obedience as ho might bo
exclusively to the ceremonial ritual, iho competent to render as constituting a
only cfftyu of which would bo to fortify meritorious title to tho divine favour?
him more and more in his si-lf-depond- Was it to inculcate upon him that obsicrcnco, and iu his spiritual pride.
It is vanco of external riles, and that veneratrue, I acknowledge, ho did indeed pos- tion for vain traditions, which conr.lituled
sess a ropy of the Old Testament Scrip- 80 exclusively the religion of the Ph.iriWa.s it to ti-ll him,
ture!*, but thou that hb could neither un- secs und scribes?
;
derntand nor apply ihoni, is sufficiently

evident from hid own aokintwledginent;
for
when
Philip inquired of him, " Un-
derstindeBt thou
what thou
readcHtr'
be replied, with a frank and straight-for-
in the
absence of a confiding
faith,
and a
perfect cunfiirmity to iho Divine will, the
Lord wnuld bu satisfied wiiii ii Hincpre

but a perfocl obedience on hii pari ? No,
my
brulhron, no such thing; to " proach

THE BRITISH PULPIT.
416
unto him Jesus," was to set before him

earnestly, and clearly, and faithfully, the
infinite holiness of his nature, the {juilt and
malignily of sin, the deep depravity of his
own heart, the awful curse under which he
laboured as a guilty and condemned creature, as well as his absolute need of a
Saviour, and then to follow up those
statements with a broad, full, and clear
exhibition of the only method of the sinner's justification, not
by the works of
the law, but only through
faith
in
righteousness and the blood of Christ.
Now,
this
is
the
Nor was the joy experienced upon such

an occasion in any degree peculiar to
the Ethiopian.
It is, indeed, the common happiness, generally speaking, of
every believer, who has been made to
participate, like
divine grace.
Christian
is
him,
From
in
the
the
riches
moment
of
that the
enabled to look to the Sa-
viour with that undoubting confidence,
we
fully and firmly believe in his perfect

atonement for sin from the moment that
he seeslmmanuel exalted to his mediatorial throne in the heavens, as an advocate

for his people, and as dispensing those
observe, as such preaching as

seldom unaccompanied with a blessings which he died
to
purchase
we find in the case before us from the moment he feels the divine influwas made abundantly efiectual, in ence come over his soul with an enlighten-
blessing, so
that
it
opening the eyes of this Ethiopian's un- ing, and quickening, and convincing, and
derstanding, and in opening up to him the transforming power from that blessed
glory of that mystery which had been moment he is a new creature.
He sees
hid from generations, "God manifest in that the work of his salvation is accomthe flesh." In the course of one single ser- plished independently of himself he is
mon, it appears, this distinguished Ethi- no longer under the dread of death, or the
opian found himself not only convinced fear of hell, or the pains and penalties of
of sin and summoned to repentance, but the law he is filled with joy and peace
reconciled to his heavenly Father through in believing, and he abounds in hope
faith, and blessed in a very considerable through the power of the Holy Ghost.
degree with the gracious influence of the Instead of fretting, and murmuring, and
Having been previously, then, repining under the divine dispensations,
Spirit.
in a state of ignorance, of perplexity, and he rejoices in the divine goodness, and
doubt, having been in a state of distrust he submits with acquiescence to all the
respecting his spiritual condition, and his appointments of his heavenly Father.
personal acceptance with God, he saw Instead of turning away from the world
now in Jesus, whom Philip preached to with disgust, as a scene only of turmoil,
him, the very Saviour whom he needed, and misery, and sin, and instead of clingand the only Saviour that could give any ing to it unduly on the other hand as his
comfort to him. From the thraldom of only and ultimate portion, he regards it
.lewish rites, therefore, he now emerged as his appointed place of probation, as
into the glorious liberty of the church of his appointed place of discipline and trial,
God ; and instead of continuing any long- where his capacity is to be cultivated
where he is to redeem (he
er as an alien and an outcast, he now re- and improved
ceived, in great mercy, the privileges time
where he is to receive grace to
of an adopted son. The rejoicing, there- prepare for a future and eternal world.
fore, of this eminent individual, you will Like the Ethiopian nobleman, he goes on
n:itice, was not without a just and direct his way rejoicing, even though his mind
cause.
He had found a physician for his may occasionally, as undoubtedly it somediseased soul
he had found a balsam for times will, be overshadowed with sorrow
Ills wounded conscience
he had received and with doubts, it is only like a passing
light into his darkened mind
he had cloud which leaves behind it a purer atfound in short, a great and precious boon, mosphere, a warmer sun, and a brighter
and he gathers a varied revenue of
wiiich, while it purified and cheered his sky
earthly course, taught him to look for- enjoyment from nature, from Providence,
ward with hope, and bri;r|itcned his pros- from the words, and works, and the ways
and he is constrained to the dis
pects for eternity.
of God
THE CAUSE AND CHARACTER OF RELIGIOUS
JOT.
41T
charge of duty, not by a feeling of terror,

but from a principle of love
and he is
enabled to look upon God, not as a slavemaster driving with the lash, but as an
affectionate parent whom he delights to
honour from a high sense of obligation,
and with a happier spirit of alacrity.
In the second place, we may infer that
the Ethiopian went on his way rejoicing,
on account of his recent admission to Chris-
by which he might make

advances in knowledge, and
tian privileges.
attainments in holiness.
him in the face of hia

dependants, in the face of his countrymen, in the face of the world. He rejoiced in his baptism, in short, because it
resolution to serve
In obedience to the di-
vine appointment,
it
was, you know, the
practice of the primitive preachers of the
gospel to introduce
new
converts into the
bosom of the church, by administering to

them the ordinance of baptism. That
Philip had already instructed this new
disciple respecting the
nature and
the
obligations of that initiacory sacrament,

evident from the fact, that tlie proposal
is
to receive
originated with
it
the Ethio-
paved the way for his admission into the

remaining privileges oi Christian discipJeship,and because it gave him a pledtre
of those gracious influences of the Spirit
further
still
higher
still
And here I would observe, my friends,

with reference more particularly to the
solemn ordinance of the supper which we
have in prospect, that, though in the subsequent ages of the church's history, and
more advanced stage of the Chriswe, being admitted to
baptism in our infancy by virtue of our
in the
tian dispensation,
conjunction
with
professing
Christiaa
parents, have at that early period of life

neither the capacity nor the means of
" Here is water," said he,

" what doth hinder me from being bap- .making a Christian profession in the
tized T'
And Philip said, "Ifthoube- same way as the Ethiopian had; yet we
pian himself
mayest."
are not, on that account, the less favoured
on the Ethiopian replying, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of
God," " he commanded the chariot to
with equally appropriate opportunities of

for what the ordinance
of baptism was to him, the sacrament of
the supper is to us.
If, therefore, on
lievestwith
all
thine heart, thou
And
stand
stiJl
and they went both
down
into tho water together, both Philip and
the eunuch, and he baptized him."

Now, my brethren, the administration
of Jhis sacrament to the individual in

constituted, I doubt not, one of
the principal reasons of his joy, and a
<|!ie3tion,
Not
rational one too.
that either he or
would regard
his teachers
this ordinance
not
any mystical, or
he attached
superstitious
miraculous,
not
he mistook the mere sign
thing
not
ho considered
as essentially necessary to salvation
to
that
it
or
virtue
that
for
believing in the Lord Jesus, he felt anxious to take the fust opportunity of testifying the sincerity of his faith by conformity to the Saviour's will,
in the initi-
atory ordinance of baptism
how
strong
irresistible is the reproof,
which
and
how
his conduct, in this respect, otTers to those,
who, though outwardly professing it, and

even inwardly cherishing the same faiih
with him, have hitherto neglected to rjiv*
a similar testimony in the conformatory
ordinance of the supper.
which was only
To believe in the Son of (;od with full

purpose of heart, and yet to continue in
appointed symbol, the rejoicing of his

was based upon more enlightened
vlifying ordinances, is in reality a prac-
signified
that
that to be regeneration
its
the
a similar kind;
the habitual
heart
principles, and
ground.
becauHO
He
it
established
rejoiced
afforded
in
him the
upon firmer
his
baptism,
first
opportu-
tical contrniliction in
the express will of

in
liis
Fledeemer.
his baptism, because
it
He
for
sented him with a sacrament by which he
Vol.
I.
53
while
it
is
violation of an
pre-
could seal his adherence to the raiise of

Christ, and by which ho could testify lus
terms.
It
is at
any
an eviilenco of a very inadequate

estimate of religious duty, and of a very
imperfect conformity to the divine will
rate
nity since his conversion of conforming to
rejoiced
neglect of those solemn and
obviouo you livi* in the

express command, " f)o
this in remembrance of me," it is a( iha

same time a neglect of one of tho nppoinlcd means, iu llio use of which God ia

THE BRITISH
418
PULPIT.
benevolent scheme, as it certainly

would be the ground of many a fervent
others is fitted in its very nature and prayer.
How much more ardently would
design to encourage our Christian profes- those views and designs be strengthened
sion, to revive our languishing graces, to within him, now he became enlightened
promote our personal holiness, and to with the truth of the gospel, now he be-
especially pleased to meet, to bless, and

edify
to
liis
people, and which
of
all
increase the divine light in our hearts and
came admitted
in our minds.
of
into the liberty of the sons
God, now that
his heart
was enlarged
any of us be in such a with all the kindly sympathies, and chacondition as this, it becomes us to pause rities, which the gospel of Clirist never
and ponder well the culpable incongruity fails to impart. Accordingly, it is stated
of our conduct, and if, in sincerity of in ecclesiastical history, though it is
heart, we do believe in Christ as our only impossible to avouch for the fact in the
liope, all our salvation, and all our desire most satisfactory way, it is recorded that
if we do feel that in some humble mea- on his return home into Ethiopia, he was
sure we put no confidence in the flesh, the means, under God, of planting a
but trust implicitly in his precious blood, Christian church ; and depend upon it,
and in his perfect righteousness, it is at my brethren, that the very moment we
once our privilege and our duty to mani- arrive at a clear, and full, and personal
fest our faith, and to evince our gratitude appreciation of divine truth, it is like
by joyfully obeying the commands of the good seed in the soil, it must germinate,
Redeemer, as this Ethiopian nobleman and quicken, and disseminate itself
If,
therefore,
did, in earnestly desiring to receive the or-
dinance of baptism it is our duty in like

manner, in the holy ordinance of the supper, to give a public testimony that we
are one with (.'hrist in that ordinance
which he has
instituted as a festival for
his people's refreshment, and as a

rial
of the Saviour's love.
throughout all the influences which we

have, in our family circle, in our immediate neighbourhood, and in the society in
which we live. It is the very nature of
the grace of the gospel, when it is received into the heart, to extend its influto others
it is the very i>alure of
the grace and love of the gospel to desire
memo- ence
But in the third place, we may fairly to impart its influence to those in v-hom
conclude that the Ethiopian went on his we feel an interest, or with whom ve
way rejbicing, on account of his augmented may come into contact; and this ha
means of usefulness.
Occupying, as he been the case, not merely with the Ethibut with
did, a high and responsible place in the opian alluded to in the text
civil administration of his country, as be- many other Scripture characters; look at
ing chamberlain or treasurer to the queen, David, for example, when he exclaimed,
"Restore unto me the joys of thy salvait may naturally be supposed that he
Avould be proportionably zealous, not tion, and uphold me with thy free Spimerely for his temporal welfare, but also rit ;" what did he immediately rejoin,
To a as a natural and necessary consequence,
for his spiritual improvement.
mind like his, it is not unlikely that the " then will I teach transgressors thy
idolatry of Ethiopia would be considera- ways, and sinners shall be converted unto
bly distressing, not so much as it was a thee." Therefore, when we receive the
proof of the intellectual degradation of truth in the love of it, and in all its prachis countrymen, as because it afforded a tical and purifying power, one of its very
lamentable evidence of their moral and first cflccts on the soul, will be to lead us
spiritual degeneracy.
Even under his to take a dei p, and tender, and aflTectionate
former profession as a Jew, before he was interest in the condition of our fellowconverted through the ])reaching of Phi- creatures; and therefore, knowing this to
lip, it is highly probable, I think, that the be the case, is it not clear to a demonabolition of idolatrous worship would be stration, when the Ethiopian thus saw
to him the cause of many an anxious his way to usefulness opened up, he felt
thought, and, perhaps, the object of many his means of usefulness were extended

THE
when
CAUSF.
AND CHARACTER OF RELIGIOUS
his spiritual information
creased
when
he
had
was
imparted
in-
To you who have

truth, in
that
JOY.
419
neither received the
the love of
it,
nor are livinir
according to the grace of the gospel to

you who are contenting yourselves with
light to others, which he had enjoyed him-
would be one
of the grounds of his rejoicing, and that a mere pharisaical profession, a name to
he would " rejoice with joy unspeakable, live, while in reality you are dead to
you who are acting the hypocrite among
and full of glory]"
That you, brethren, may go on your men, and palming a cheat upon God, I
way rejoicing, let it be your constant and have no such exhortation to give; for
anxious care to cultivate a holy nearness " there is no peace, saith my God, to the
'unto God, a close living with God, a firm wicked." In your experience you must
and unwavering faith to comply with the already have found, if you will speak out,
will of Christ; to seek to be crucified that a life of sin and a life of joy are altounto the world, and to have the world gether incompatible. Then 1 would ask,
crucified unto you, and never forget that why will you persevere in that way;
that way, broad and apparently beautiful
it is sin alone and unbelief which can
wound the believer's conscience, or damp though it be, which leadeth down to deOh, pause, I beseech you,
Let it be as ardent struction.
the ardour of his joy.
in your case, as it was in the case of the before you proceed another step in unbeEthiopian let the exercises of faith and lief and iniquity, before you permit anholiness produce a glad heart and a cheer- other Sabbath to pass without pausing
ful countenance
and in order that you to consider of your actual condition in
may exhibit religion in an amiable and the sight of God, guilty and condemned
practical view
in order that you may under his law, without hope and without
pause and consider before you proexhibit it for your own comfort, and for faith
the encouragement of others, I would say, ceed another step, which, for any thing
in the language of the apostle, " Rejoice you know, may precipitate your ruin, and
in the Lord alv/ays
and again, 1 say, seal for ever your doom. The free offer
rejoice."
Rejoice if you have been made of an unconditional pardon is once more
self, is
it
not clear that this
made unto you. Believe, then, the testimony of God concerning the only Saviour,
rejoice in
a partaker of the grace of (iod
that you have been delivered from the
re'earful pit, and from the miry clay
joice in the access which is opened to
you of daily communication between
Jesus Christ; and if you receive that

Saviour, as he is offered to you in the
gospel, as all your portion and all your
hope if you receive him as having
earth and heaven, to a throne of grace,
wrought out an everlasting right.'ousness,

with which he is willing to clothe you,
as having made a perfect atonement for
through the merits of Jesus Christ, in

the rent vail of the Redeemer's blood
rejoice in tlio privileges that arc opened
up to you as the professing people of
sin, whose provisions and benefits he i

God, admission to his table, association willing to impart to y.'ci.thcn, my brethwith his people, fellowsliip with the ren, you also mav take part with tho
and instead of being
saints, and all tiie iiigh and coimtU-ss pri- Kthiopian nobleman,
sorrow, you may go on
rejoir.- in the pre- in sadness and in
vileges of the church
cious blood of ('hrist, which clean^nth vour wny rejoicing; and so, when you
from all sin rejoice in the agency and come Co tho end of yonr journey, an en
work of the Spirit, which is given to you trance shall bo ministered unlo you into
kingdom of our Lord and
to be your comforter, your eniighloncr, the everlasting
and your
sanctifier.
^âviour,
Jesus
Christ Amen.
SERMON
XLVI.
EPHRAIMS IDOLATRY, AND
ITS CONSEQUENCES.
PRKACHED
BY THE REV. W.
B.
WILLIAMS, M.A.
AT MARBtEUF CHAPEL, CHAMPS ELYSEES, PARIS.
"
Ephraim
is
joined
to his idols: let
Israel ?"
him alone."
Hosea
iv. 17.
" Let us alone," say they

you preach, " Prophecy unto us
prophecy deceits, (only
phet, who had done an act of kindness in smooth things
the path of duty, when, in boldly reprov- do not call them so ;) say nothing to us
ing him for his guilt, he likewise warned as to the state and condition of our souls
"
that shall torment us before the time.'
" Art thou he that troubleth
said the fretful
Ahab
to the faithful pro-
nor heart.
or if
him
of his danger.
But thus
it
is
'
in every age, that the
Nay, such
is
the infatuation, that, not-
messengers of God have almost always

found ." hatred for their good-will," and
contempt and scorn, indignity and out-
withstanding the Scripture invariably represents those souls as morally defiled,
rage, as the return for their benevolent
dead,
incurably diseased,
yea,
as
spiritually
endeavours.
and drawing near to the bitter

pains of an everlasting death, (and them-
flatter,
selves acknowledge all this in their for-
Could they condescend to

sought they only how to please,
<lare they cry, " Peace, peace !" to all
who listen to their speech, and admit the
necessity of their labour ; no doubt but
the reception of their message would be
very different, from what it really proves
strange, however, as it may seem, and
while, in other circumstances, persons
:
mularies of devotion, and not un frequently

feel this " witness of death in themselves," from the aspic poison of the old
serpent preying on their vitals, and rankling in their veins,) they will rather
die.
of their complaint, than have their consciences disturbed upon the subject
And sometimes
will prefer upright dealing to deception

of any kind, and submit to temporary
desire
inconvenience and present suffering, in

order to their future good, in spiritual
man
they have what they
as in the days before the flood,
God's Spirit does " not always strive with

;" even long-suffering itself has beea
exkausted and the despisers and mock-
concerns it is precisely the reverse ; here,

as the apostle predicted, " men will not ers, -who so much the more presumed
endure sound doctrine ;" in other words, and hardened their hearts, because God
they will bear with cold ethics, and " the waited to be gracious, have been either
calm terms of mild philosophy ;" they suddenly destroyed, or given over to imwill not object to legal tencis, and will penitence and insensibility
a state, if
be content to rest in lifeless foims: but possible, yet more dreadful (as will be
for " the truth as it is in .Tesus," and as it shown presently), though its sorrows
intimately affects themselves ; for a reli- should be more remote.
The precise period, or closing of what
gion that shall probe their consciences,
and control their life, they have no ear has been called " the day of grace," being
;
420
EPHRAIM'S IDOLATRY.
mercifully concealed from man,
its exist-
ence can form no rule or guide for his procedure hence a Simon Magus, tliough
" in the gall of bitterness," and under the
strongest of all bonds, is yet to be exhorted to " repent;" for, until the night of
death arriv'cs, we believe that the greatest sins may be forgiven.
Who, meeting
even an Iscariot rusliing from the judgment-hall, would have said to the traitor,
*' Now there is no hope ]"
Wlio Avould
not rather have said. While life exists, O
let not hope expire
Wretch as thou art,
" a Saviour to the uttermost" can relieve
in circumstances though atrocious, and
horrible, and peculiar, and unparalleled,
and indefensible, and degraded, and desperate, and damnable as thine
But whatever be tlie dismal cloud, the
more than midniglit or Egyptian darkness involving such sad scenes, our state,
thanks bo to God, is not thus wretched
and forlorn ; yet be it remembered that
every day of vanity and dissipation, of
trifling xmconcern, and " neglecting our
great salvation," is an approximation
towards it ; for it is a " provoking Jeiiovah to swear in his wrath that we shall
not enter into his rest ;" and to say to us
in effect, individually, what was once
said nationally, " Ephraim is joined to
IDOLS LET HIM ALONE."
There are doubtless many ways of
:
we might expound
421
therefore, for the ten seceding tribes, and,
as
is
more generally expressed,
large,
at
the terms
for Israel
being confessedly
synonymous.
Now, whatever iniquities were common both to the kingdom of Judah and
of Israel,
it is
certain that this last
most especially prone
was
and
which, in part, may be accounted for
from the circumstance of their having
excluded themselves from the temple service at Jerusalem. To gratify them for
their supposed loss in separating from
the house of David, and fearing the consequence of their again mingling with
to
idolatry
their brethren, their crafty leader set
an idol worship in their coasts
which association
up
and to
or symbolic adoration
of the creature, together with the Creator,
(notwithstanding their severe disci-
pline in the wilderness,) they appear to
have been exceedingly addicted
"to
wit, the calves that were in Dan and

Bethel :" a repetition this of the molten
calf
which Aaron made
Horeb, and
bondage on
the god Apis,
in
the remains of an Egyptian
their minds, in regard to

and a blind reverence to Osiris and
the
tutelary
which
divinities
their ancestors
of the
Isis,
land
in
had so long so-
journed.
Though
imitate
here, again,
we
do not exactly
" the children of Ephraim"
in
our
the
general disposition and desire, and per-
words, and then deduce the doctrines;

or we might ciualify, establish, and improve it; or it might l)o proposed in va-
haps stand directly o])posed to them in

these outward and leading particulars,
let us not from hence conclude that there
can be no need of our being cautioned
treating the text
rious different lights for inference or dis-
cussion
to
we
confine ourselves, however,
two goneral and leading
particulars, in
order to a direct application of the subject

to ourselves ; and in tliis attempt may (Jod
against their abominal)le sin
nor vainly
imagine, because all of us assembled hero

this day are professedly Christians, and
worslii[)pers of the oiit- true Jehovah, and
(ihost succeed it by his bless- have just heard and avowed our belief in
and obedience to the second commandConsider we.
First, The sin ok Epiiuaim; and, .SV- ment, that wn are necessarily divorced
eondhj^'Ywy. punishment that kom.owei). from idols, and the haters, and enemies,
"Ephraim and demolishers of all false gods: true,
I. The in of Ephraim
IS JOINED TO IDOLS."
Uy " Ejihraiiii," if a man plaen at once "the stumblinjjin tliis phico, we are not to undtTsland bloek of iniquity before our face," wo
the flinglt! tribe so called, and to which become olVendetl, and are ready to tminJeroboam, llin Hon of Nebat, tliat great ple it and liim indignantly heiieath our
inciter to evil, belonged ; but the whole ic'pt: if he should ni>n' an iiii.nje on a
the
Holy
ing!
of the nation
who
liad
revolted from |{e-
hoboam, the son of Solomon
it
staiidd,
l)ublir pedestal in
any of our Hquan<8 or
plains, though the Htnlue bo of gold,
3N
wo
THE BRITISH
422
PULPIT.
overthrown
and will be seen farther as a prevailing, a
any other constitutional, a besetting, and a most
For, ah who hath never
kind, will take a diflerent form, or bear abhorrent sin.
another name if they will take our level, yielded that love, fear, duty, fidelity, preand first stoop, that they may rise, and ference, zeal, and confidence to something earthly, which heaven alone should
serve, that they may henceforth frovern
" Ephraim, that silly dove," falls into claim ? Shall we, dare we, prevaricate
the net of the skilful fowler, and gives with Ephraim, and say, respecting this,
them all they ask. Admitted once into " I am pure from sin ?"
" Ephraim is joined to idols .'" and
the human heart, that temple of the Deity,
how soon, " when sitting in the place of true it is of many, whether called IsraelGod," are they " worshipped as God !" ites or Christians, in this and every place.
Obtaining the citadel, who ever dreams Far be it from us to contend for the searc content that
but
sliould be
it
like these, or of
if deities
of dispossessing of his stronghold him

who ever is to us a strong man armed,
and who keeps his prisoners in what may

be termed a state of peace, though slumbering on destruction's brink] a peace
resulting from the absence of thought,
the torpor of feeling, and the assistance
received from his auxiliary, the world ;
and which arises from the delusion of its
promises, the delirium of its dreams, the
intoxication of its pleasures, and the infatuation of
its
at present into
detail as to these several
mark
is
that,
all
selves, in principle or practice
to
and least of
all
his
become any
it
in
which he
is
but no supposed, though mistaken

;
tenderness to others should render him
indifferent
or
treacherous to his trust.
and
to ourselves,
in
would
anathemas on the land
generally speaking, idolatry
represented
we know,
preacher of the gospel to abuse his liberty

of preaching it, by hurling the thunder of
must be
may be
us to be censorious as
the peculiarities and failings of others;
too, it is forbidden
We
it
are
disposed to be cynical our-
sufficient to re-
mind,
We
the formality of the Pharisee.
not at
any leged
objects to the
sight, offerings to the sense, and opiates

to the
anchorite, the superstition of the scribe, or
not a subject, but only a stranger privi-
pursuits.
Without entering
clusion of the hermit, the rigours of the
Scripture
as
being
member
that
faithful to you,
we
my
though here
brethren,
;
and re-
cannot, dare not sink,
being outward and inter- commute, transfer, or even lessen, beand retired; and that it does cause we are here, one particle due to our
not consist chiefly in acts of religious ho- heavenly King, any more than that we
mage. Whether in open or private devo- owe to our earthly sovereign. Reside
two-fold,
it
nal, public
we where we may, we are not less Bribe also idols in our tish.
then, or how, can we be less
"
families, idols in our houses, we had al- Christian 1
cannot go where God
most said idols in our churches; all is not ;" and whoever reigns, " we have
which are neither of wood, nor iron, nor another king, one .Tesus." Suffer me,
brass, nor stone
there are found, too, then, my fellow-christians, and my felidols in our legitimate callings, permit- low-subjects, to ask of you this day,
In " Who is on the Lord's side, who V*
ted relaxations, and enjoyed pursuits.
tion,
we
are sure that there are idols in
the heart
there
Why
may
We
a word, " loving and serving" the creature more than the Creator is idolatry,
"whatever be the object on which that supremacy is placed, and that preference be
shown. Hence covetousness and sensuality (Eph. V. 5. Phil. iii. 19) are classed
under the degrading term equally wîth
the genuflection of the body, or the more
Whose
whom
harness have you girded on, and

you serve % Can any thing
is it
be more palpable (we repeat it) than that

" the multitude follow evil," or any thing
more plain than that we are forbidden so

In proof, what are the societies
to do?
in which our countrymen, (answering in
the text to Ephraim,) j'ea, so many of
abject prostration of the superior faculty them are enrolled ?
Who are the perof mind.
sons with whom they more intimately
Il is, then, a present and existing evil. associate, and where are the places in
EPHRAIM'S IDOLATRY.
which they feel themselves most delightspeak not now of
ed and at home ?
any spot distinguished from the rest it
does not become us to select " Chorazin,
est idolatry
Belhsaida, or Capernaum ;" but we might

say of these, and we may assert of every
gospel.
either distinguished
Greece, or disgraced Home, would be
more acceptable to thousands than the
pure and self-denying doctrines of the
We
metropolis especially, be
For though we find no employDemetrius and his craftsmen to

polish the "silver shrines of the goddess
Diana," have we no agents to whom this
kind of traffic may refer?
What, though
no fanes arise to Jupiter Olympus, nor
do any seek shelter beneatli the aegis of
Minerva; yet if we find men saying " to
ment
meridian that
its
423
which
Home,
what a prelate of our own church (Bishop
Watson) observed, (and the thunders of
of Judca, or London, or Paris, or
for
a Bossuet, and the tears of a Fenelon,

would have attended him,) that " every
such great city is the hot-bed of vice, the work of their hands, ye are our
and the sepulchre of virtue the grave of gods;" if we see them turning with disthe noblest feelings, civil, moral, and re- gust from the Scriptural embassage of
peace, and scarcely troubling themselves
ligious."
And who, standing on some eminence, to frame an excuse from attending "the
and but noticing the heat and turmoil of marriage supper of the Lamb ;" if they
the day, and not least on this most holy will openly profess they discern no beauday, ordained to be the Christian's rest; ty in the graces of the Spirit, and discowhose spirit but must be "stirred up," ver no melody in the praises of Zion if
33 was St. Paul's at Athens, at seeing there be contempt poured on all Chris;
tian mysteries, and they
places so populous, so elegant, so exalt-
who
so strive oi
sometimes so higli- serve are considered as hypocrites, or bily favoured too, almost " wholly given to gots, or fanatics, or fools, then can wo
And equally, perhaps, in the doubt that those very men who now drink
idolatry !"
sight of the omniscient Being with those in the very spirit, adopt the verj' terms,
who erected an altar to the unknown God, and pursue the very vices by which pawas distinguished, would be
or to Israel of old, when they "joined ganism
ed, so renowned, and
among the
to Baal Peor, and ate the

meat-offerings of the dead !"
themselves
first
to
agonize
for the
garland
the Isthmian games, to seek advice

from the Pythian oracle, to water anew the
in
^'Ephraiin is joined to idols ,-" and it is

both a natural and captivating sin ; we laurels of the god of war, and to listen
mean by it one which falls in so easily entranced to the lyre of Apollol
" Ephraiin is joined to idols ," and this
with our inbred and corrupt propensities
" the evil heart of unbelief, and that so is itself a besetting sin, especially in a
In ancient
readily deparleth from the living Ciod." strange and foreign land.
Evidences of what this abomination that times we read that the "sons of God"
maketh desolate really is, have been al- were ensnared by " the daughters of the
ready given we only add, ourselves will land" through which they passed; as, in
many were "
afford further proof of the witchcraft and
after-<late,
stubbornness of idolatry, whenever we

become at all unchristianized, and unchristianized we are if, forgetting onr
enchantresses
baptismal
and
ties
all
vow
to
"renounce the
devil
his works, the |)onij)S and vani-
of this wicked world,
anil all
reason to
("ear
(if
beguiled by those
Miilian ;" and
is
there not
that there arc those (pro-
fessed (.'hristians too)
who
in
like
man-
the sin-
ner
"have made shipwreck of
faith,"
and yielded hero to those temptations

which heretofore they had the fortitude
Not 80 much that the ti'ni|<tahere or in to resist?

according lo tions were really greater, but bir.m-.'
the gospel, but forsake the (Jod of our the restraints were fewer, and f rin. r
fathers, and the sanctuary of our (lod. aHHistances were distant and removed.
In fart, by so doinir, men are already pre- And, ah! (to the younger part of my nupared for every evil work ; nor can it, we liitory I more tlirectly address myself)
ful lusts of the llcsh,"
any other place, we
eitlier
live not
think, bn-a queittion but that the gross-
if
any of you should heru throw up
ilit
THE BRITISH
424
reins on the neck of your impetuous desires, how bitter will be the regret, even
should any discipline hereafter reclaim

But the more usual result is, that
the bank being broken down, the inunda-
you
and that you will proceed

Thus, if
"adding ini(|iiily to sin!"
Ephraim be joined to idols, after their
So tliat neither meridols they will go.
tion follows,
cies vouchsafed, nor blessings manifold,
nor vengeance threatened, nor visitations

dire, nor heights of exaltation, nor lowest depths of wo, have ever aroused them
from their fatal slumber, dissolved the
enchantment on their senses, or burst the
fetters on their mind
Rather have not
such shut to the door of their prison-house
!
more
(or, as a late high-priest of fashion
" have drawn up

the blinds of their carriage, and determined to sleep the remainder of the journey") the better to shroud themselves
in darkness, and shield themselves from
interruptions? or, having "eaten and
drank, and rose up to play," have they
not taken " the sackbut and psaltery, and
sackbut and flute," and issued forth with
modern arts or " antique pomp and pageantry," that, as "at Tophet of old,"
the melody of the strains may overpower
the cries of the expiring victim, and the
elegantly rendered
it,*
PULPIT.
with " the sickness that destroyeth at

noonday," gorging even the voracity of
death, and more than peopling "the
house appointed for all living;" and for
this war hath also depopulated their
crowded cities, and desolated the once
fertile plains, while pale famine, in its
rear, hath exterminated the small residue
of what " these locusts had spared."
All these things happened unto them because He was wroth and they were, as
the psalmist expresses it, " the blasting
;
of the breath of his hot displeasure."
And when these " woes are past," say

ye with the uplifted trumpets, and the
full-charged vials of the Almighty's
wrath, (Rev. viii. 2 ; xvi. 1,) is there yet
" another wo to come ]" Supposing all
your visitations over ; is it possible for
us to conceive any thing to exceed the
visible and felt judgments of an almighty
God
effect,
Yes
there
is,
as to its ultimate
a "sorer punishment for sin," a
sadder proof of righteous indignation, and

something more, perhaps, to be deprecated than the heaviest inflictions of his
hand.
And what
is
that
It is
ing of his heart, the saying,
the clos-
"Do
strike, alarm, or threaten; chastise
not
him
him not over into the will of

but give him up (which is
worse) give him up to his own heart's
not; give
his enemies
splendour of the drapery may conceal the

deformity of the image.
lusts, and to follow his own desires ;"
" Ephraim is joined to idols ," and it is give him up to himself. ^^ Ephraim is
a most horrible and destructive sin
All joined to idols: let hi.m alone !"
sin, indeed, is abhorrent and dangerous;
shall notice,
but this has of all others the heaviest
II. The JUDGMENT upon Ephraim, oi
!
We
sentence, as
has the least excuse
so the PUNISHMENT of his Crime.

Ephraim for this
In its primary signification, the text is,
one thing form a continued commentary perhaps, to be understood as an admoniof this truth.
For this the divine arrows tion to Judah not to hold any familiar
it
that the inflictions upon
have so often been sent abroad ; for this

the firm earth hath been shaken to its
centre, hath opened her mouth, and such
numbers of its inhabitants have gone
down quick into hell, wickedness being
among them; for this "the floods have
lift up their voice, the floods have lift up
their waves," and overwhelmed those who
thought thoy stood beyond its highest
mark ; for this " the pestilence hath often
walked in darkness," and hand in hand
*
Lord Chesterfield.
finem.
Vide his Letters, ad
intercourse with idolatrous and backslid-
ing Israel, similar to the injunction of

our Lord to his disciples, respecting the
scribes and Pharisees in his day
" Let
them alone; they be blind leaders of the

blind," &c.
But
sider
it
is
the
of most importance to conwords (what, in fact, they
eventually proved to be) as a sentence of
and which still hangs over

once highly favoured nation. God
hath left them alone, and with an hitherto
impenetrable "veil upon their hearts,"
dereliction,
this
EPHRAIM'S IDOLATRY
for
now approaching to
As a people
a long night,
425
Angels ! let him alone.

Stand no
longer " in the path of this son of Bozor,
near two thousand years.
who
they have " dwelt alone, and not been

numbered among the nations:" tribes of
so loveth the
wages
of unrighteous-
Let not his foot be crushed

"the wandering foot and weary breast," against the wall, but let him reap the
Let him pro
ye have no country, no place to call your harvest that he soweth.
home Yet, O Israel, though " thy house ceed " as the ox to the slaughter," and as
be left unto thee desolate," gross as is the fool to the correction of the stocks
thy ignorance, inveterate as is thy pre- let his way be dark and slippery, and let
judice, incurable as seems thy blindness, his steps lake hold on hell.
And thus those sacred watchers heard,
stubborn as is thy pride, and invincible
thine unbelief, yet thou, even thou, " wilt and answered, and obeyed, who had
not be left alone for ever :" there is hope hitherto attended in the temple at Jeruness."
and great shall be the salem.
in thy latter end,
all
thy children
To
The
historian of the
Jews
relates,
that a little before its final overthrow
peace, and high will be the privilege of

ourselves, however, as
we are show-
tering,
who "by
night stood in the house
soWmn mid-
ing, the subject has an aspect, and the
of the Lord," that at that
threatening has a voice no less than to
night hour, strange voices were
the Jews.
by
Titus, and while the priests were minis-
heard
within the holiest place, when no forms

were seen, and where no human agency
and
notwithstanding,
For,
far from leaving

cannot be forbidden us to might enter. And that they said, " Let
think or say, God hath not dealt so with us go hence !" intimating- that now their
any other nation sometimes indeed, dis- angelic guard was fled, and " Ichabod,
ciplining us by afllictions, but far more their glory, was departed."
considered as a nation, so
us alone,
it
him alone. Adverse

ye are esteemed when
often "kind heralds sent in love," ye
shall no longer call him " in the day of
Break not upon
adversity to consider."
the slumber of his soul ; let him no more
be scared by visions, nor disquieted by
dreams; let no terrors make him afraid,
nor corrections make him humble, nor
disappointments keep him safe. Let him
alone to pull down his barns and build
greater, and interrupt him not in the reLet him
(|uiem he is singing to his soul.
alone to " prosper upon the earth, and
Let him
gain riches in possession."
alone to riot by day in the palaces of
luxury, and repose at night in the pavilion
of magnificence. Let him alone to " crown
himself with rose-buds, and chant to the
sound of the viol, and boast himself, that
to-morrow shall be as this day, and yet
more abundant."
him
It I
Mitiislcra of the sanctuary!
" Moses and Aaron aniciig his
alone.
priestfl, and Samuel among his propbetB."
And to you it iialh been so spoken
" I'haraoh'H heart is hardrned ;" thrrofore ye may ny to him at your lust inlrrview, "Thou hast well (or Uulj) Baid;
Frovidcnccs
generally following us with mercies, and
"drawing
Yet and
us by the cords of love."
from these very
circumstances,
feel inclined to strengthen
false security,
we
we
if
ourselves in a
upon
shall but bring
ourselves increased punishment, as
tiie
added culture of the vineyard of the Lord

of hosts appears to be the assigned cause
why
"its hedge also should be broken]
down," and why "the clouds" from

above were forbidden to communicate
their invigorating influences.
(Isaiah v.
3 G.)
Let him alone
The phrase
is
evi-
dently elliptical, and leaves something to

be supplied. It is addressed to some one
whom
or more, but to
Baid.
It is
expressly
s])oken to intelligences
not see, and
it
is
lieard
is
not
ai-ctiin|ilisliin(r all
Suppnst)
Vol.
it
iinid,
:l
of
we do
and attended
to,
whom we
have no
kiiowledsre
invisible agencies and unearthly furins! Suppose we stand amidst
llur hallowi'd circle and obedient hosts, and
notice only such as we cither know or
have been iiislructed to consider or pirsoiiify as the inatrunienls of the Aimi^bty's
purpi)se, hearkening to liie word, and
))r()bably, l)y those
'
his will and pleasure]
let
afflictive as
2li2
TJIK BRITISH PULPIT.
426
for I will see thy face no
again, "
How
And
more."
long wilt thou mourn for

have rcjcctpcl liiin from he-
Saul, seeing I
ing Iving of Israel 1 And Samuel came
no more to see Saul until the day of his
death !"
And though with the prophet, they
cannot cease to mourn for " the ungodly,"
and (not having received an injunction so
particular and express) we must continue
Even for a season we find, that

heart of David, lately so tender, troubled and smote him when he offered the
things."
tiie
least indignity to the worthless Saul,

only because he had been the Lord's
anointed, now, " let him alone" lor many
months under those complicated crimes,
remembrance of which so embittered
the
the remainder of his days.
Many
other
characters
agencies
or
might be introduced, had not our time

dient, to resist the gainsaying, no less been already much exceeded
such as afthan to invite the unworthy, and entreat fectionate friends, pious relatives, honoureven the rebellious yet if the holy and able feelings, &c. We only add, and it
to
warn the unruly,
to reprove the disobe-
blessed Spirit of
God
shall cease to strive
with man through these appointed means ;

if God himself deny his aid, though the
arrows of conviction should still continue
to be discharged in a rich profusion, and
the sword of the Spirit be wielded, and
we should still cry, the sword of the
Lord and Gideon, these weapons will not
enter between the joints of the harness,
nor penetrate the shield of the mighty
The trumpet of our jubilee may not cease
to sound, but the captive will not be
awakened from his slumber, nor leap to
lose his chains
The alarm in Zion may
still be heard, and the wind that shall
shake the mountains, and the fire that
can rend the rocks, may attend it but if
the Lord be not in these, oh, who shall
!
may
include the means of grace.

Ordinances! let him alone. Ye mountains of Zion, and whither the tribes go
up to worship, and thou little hill Her-
mon
Mizar among the
or
be ye
rest,
henceforth to this hypocrite in heart as
which there
the mountains of Gilboa, on

shall be no
Or when
dew.
ously descend on others,
what Gideon saw,

dry
Let the
it
let it
shall copi-
be
to
him as
that his fleece continues
fruitful
land
become a
wilderness, and to him let the well of salvation be without water, and the cloud
that returns have neither refreshment nor
rain
Need we seek
We
for
instances to
once for all,

and beyond all this, to the head-astounding and heart-appalling malediction on the
make the sinner tremble ; what shall sacrifices of Doeg and of Judas " And
bring him from his cave, and " covered let his prayer be turned into sin." Ps.
with his own confusion," as with a man- cix. 7.
tle ?
xVnd now, my Christian brethren, withEspecially, when, under circumstances out enlarging further, you cannot, melike these, we suppose the interdiction to thinks, but come to this conclusion, that,
be addressed to what is put within the what some seem to have been labouring for
man as well as what stands without the all their lives, and others venture only to
citadel ; for we conceive it spoken, too, desire (for it is the secret wish of many a
illustrate this
refer,
to
what has been aptly termed God's
vicegerent in the breast.
It
heart)
him
alone.
some way
that in
or other, they
could sin decently and yet with more impu-
And
bler checks
proceed to greater lengths, with feeand fewer fears ; that, instead

of this being a consummation devoutly to
be wished, we have proved it to be the
nity
let
is,
has been
said,
Conscience!
the
deputy hath heard, and answered, and

acquiesced.
It hath retired
from its
post, it hath demolished its reverberating most dreadful calamity that could possiand, to adopt the strikecho, it hath lost its former voice. Thus bly befall them
Felix found conscience let him alone for ing words of a modern author, it may
;
often as he heard,
it
trembled only once.

is
should seem that he
eventually be "worse than instant death

and an immediate hell, because the longer
longer sin; and the longer
life, the
Or, like another deputy, henceforth it

" a Gailio, caring for none of these course of sin, the heavier curse !"
And
EPHRAIM'S IDOLATRY.
this
witness
is
true, for
the award
is
it
Already are several

excellent men of different denominations
labouring in the word and in doctrine,
and through the good providence of our
God, and his putting it into the heart of
" a brother, whose praise is in all the
of the heaped-up wrath against the day

of wrath, and the curse upon the Amorite,
whose
On
iniquity is full.
the one hand, then, let none rejoice,
consequence of any truce with their
in
afflictions,
any victory over
churches," for "devising liberal things"

(the Rev. Lewis Way,) you, my respected hearers, are here supplied by the
their fears,
or any exemption from their former ap-
prehensions, unless
it
scriptural grounds.
And,
On
arise
from truly
regularly and episcopall5'-ordained min-
the other, let none despair, because
they are so troubled and perplexed

that since Jehovah
seems
to
isters
though
we
it
is
rustic minstrelsy, as well as of her clois-
should not be condemned with the

world. " Correct me, then, O Lord, but
not in thine anger; rebuke nie, but not
thy hot displeasure."
Say any thing of or

him alone.
Psalm
vi.
ters pale, her lofty temples,
in
we
may
full-
rejoice
her religious privileges, as a land of
that treasure, even the glorious gospel,
to thy servant, rather
not sit beneath a cloud
all,
Bibles, and for her so signally possessing
3.
which alone ennobles what is mean, and

consecrates what is exalted.
Show,
then, that you remember them still
Say, with the devout psalmist, " If 1 forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand
forget her cunning
if I do not remember
Therefore, and to conclude, that our
while
and her
voiced choir; but, and above
tJian let
meditations
neglect not
turn not
fant schools, her villages spires, and her
that
we
in
away from
such a service ; " forsake not the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is." Let it not be said that
you have left your religion (if you had a
religion to leave) on the other side the
channel. The land of your fathers you
cannot forget; you are no doubt pleased
with the recollection this day of "the
sound of her church-going bell," her in-
are but chastened, surely
in a strange land.
must such advantages;
O, no the convictions of
sin, when under the influences of his most
holy and gracious Spirit, are preparatory
to sweetest consolations from the same.
Despair of salvation by any other way
than through the atoning blood and justifying righteousness of our God and
Saviour, is the day-spring from on high
visiting us, and which always dawns on
the darkest hour of our former night! O,
if
own establishment, and

do "sing the Lord's song,"
of your
may and
or
have a con-
troversy with them, that therefore he
hate them.
427
a glorious harvest.
congratulate real Christians on
the happy choice they have made, and

exhort all to walk worthy of the high and
holy prefession into which tliey have thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of
been called, we will not renounce all hope my mouth ; yea, if I prefer not Jerusaeven as to this Ephraim, no, not wliere lem above my chief joy." Ps. cxxxvii.
otherwise his stale might siem most 5, C.
Here we thought to end. But where
dangerous. So far from it, that were the
We must tresreference made (wiiich it is not intended have wo left Kphraim ?
that it should be made) to ourselves only, pass yet a very little longer, and however
as Hritish subjects, and members of that otherwise, as much ag-ainst our will, as
pure and apostolical part of Christ's it can be against any of your wishes for
church established in the IJrilish realm, 1 concerning this very Kphr.iim, we will
bless Go<l for liin very different and cheer- not despair, but rutlier h(i|ie that, " at
:
evening time it may bo light to him !"

For we know that he who 8pnk> from
arc Sinai, ever speaks to us from Calvary;
least a tliat he long "whets his glittering h ord,"
ing prospect this day seen, and in this very

place, from what myself witnessed, above
We
three-and-lhirty years ago!

warranted to hope that already at
sheaf or two are suffered to intimate, that
one day, even these fields (the ChampH
Elysccs) will bo white unto
a future
and
before
lie
gives
it
leave to smite
n8 hit
distant thunders threaten, that his nearer

,
lightnings
may
not barm.
TIIK BRITISH PULPIT.
428
If one of these children of
Ephraim be
here present, though " grey'hairs be upon

him," and he is thus old in sin, it is a
we
proof,
even he
trust, that
not left to
is
himself, or to reap the wajres of his
God
forbid that he should
And
end may he especially bless

application of the subject,
work
this
final
by permitting
terms
Go yd again, (we think we liear him
Israel,
say,) and proclaim my words
"
thou hast destroyed thyself, but in mc is
thy help found" " how shall I give thee
sion of
its
Ephraim] how
Israel
How
Admah
how
shall I deliver thee,
shall
make
My heart
seems
yet again, (he
my
my
servants plead,
to all
Let
my
my
ministers attend,
dispensations teach, and
ments strengthen
say
to
new zeal, and armed
his hosts,) clad with
with fresh power
Zeboim 1
my repent-
is turned within me,

ings are kindled together !"
Go
as
thee
shall I set thee as
Spirit strive,
my
appoint-
Therefore, " go yet
" seed-time and harvest, shall not

but continually teach mankind.
7'he voice of judgments shall sound
abroad, and the lessons from my mercies
like
fail,"
will be obeyed.
Freachers of
to this
and sanctioning the transferring or inver-
up,
my
icord
" Watchmen
on the walls, give me no rest until 1 establish Jerusalem," and restore again the
outcasts of Israel
resume your stations,
plead and weep between the porch and
altar.
Intermit not your labours, neither
be weary of your work. " Go yet again,
and preach the preaching that I bid you."
Erect the glorious standard, unfurl the
!
bloodstained banner, bear aloft the con-
Set the trumpet to your

proclaim the gladly solemn sound
Seals shall be given to your ministry,
and souls awarded for your hire
And thou. Conscience ! Be thou " sprinkled with atoning blood," to keep thee
pure ; active in thy office, and faithful to
thy trust preserved from evil, and preWhile to the worshippared for bliss
" I have not
pers in Zion it is also said,
secrated sign.
lips,
again."
forsaken the place where mine honour
Ye angels ! who excel in strength, go

to your encampments, as Mahanaim, or God's host, and " having ministered, still do minister."
Ye who so
exult over the returning prodigal, ye shall
rejoice over
the repentant Ephraim.
Again shall Gabriel sing, and Raphael
strike his golden harp
Earth, earth, earth ! hear ye the word
of the Lord, in all my providences, which,
dwelleth
return
go up to Bethel, that I may

meet and bless thee there. Let not the
fire upon mine altar be extinguished, nor
the symbols of my presence be any more
withdrawn but let refreshing from the
same be vouchsafed, and the inscription
:
read on this and every sanctuary erected

the
to
glory
of
my name Jehovah
Shammah the Lord thy God

" To whom," &c. Amen.
!
is
there."
CONTRASTS.
There was
strange
pomp and
revelry
In the chieftain's splendid hall

Sweet song gay dance and minstrelsy
At
Pride kindled in the noble's eye,

" What power shall dare endeavour
To mar our bli.is guests, pledge we high,
Our pleasures live for ever!"
In the peasant's lowly
fare,
Were
keen
pain,
suffering
The
the inmate's daily
sting,
lot.
Faith cheered the peasant's humble breast," Poor though I be

whenever
1 think of yonder heavenly rest,
I feel I'm blest for ever!"
end never?"
shrieks of millions loud replied,
"These pangs endure for ever!"

saw the countless, happy throng
In the blissful regions high
cot,
and sorrow's
lost.
" Shall this distress
Ther^ was gloom, and want, and
Hard
remorse which ne'er expires,

of the deathless
Grief fdlcd my bursting heart, cried,
Despair
The worm
the gorgeous festival.
saw the lake of quenchless fires,

And souls on its billow tost,
White robes gold crowns and lofly song

With their harps in harmony.
Hope brightened at that dazzling sight
" Shall a\ight from heaven sever?"
And myriads sung " Our peace, joy, light
And
glory, last for ever."
SERMON
XLVII.
THE INQUIRING LAWYER.

BY THE LATE REV. ADAM CLARKE,
LL.D.
and templed him, saying. Master, v:hat shall I do to

What is written in the law 1 how readest thou ? And he
answering said, Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soid, and
with all thy strength, and with all thy mind ; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him,
Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shall live." Luke x. 25 28.
"
And,
behold, a certain lawyer stood up,
inherit eternal life
He
said unto him.
You
see that our blessed Lord has put
he it was that now conversed with them. They had beheld his
miracles, and were convinced that " in
him dwelt the fulness of the Godhead
bodily," for none could do what he did,
who had not unlimited power. They had
heard also the words that dropped from
the Messiah
row compass: and
in such plain words,

impossible for the very plainest
Christian not to understand the meaning
that
of
it is
it.
words
And
yet there
is
a depth in these
that requires the deepest attention,
and the exercise of the most extensive

So it is, indeed, with all the
powers.
words of God ; and especially with those
in which he sums up our duty and our
interest, our prosperity in this world, and
our glory in that which is to come. If
these words be correct, we may judge at
once of the spirit in wliich we should
and though we may supreceive them
pose the words to have been used by a
captious person, yet it must be remembered that the words were not framed by
new
ner, has incorporated with his gospel.

I. Let us look into THK CIRCUMSTANCES
,
CONNECTED WITH THESE WORDS.

Wo find that our Lord was nearly
alone, or engaged in private conversation
with his disciples. He speaks as one
struck with the astonishing provision
made by God for thf welfare of mankind
and it was well known to him, for it was
through liim that .such provision had hi-en
made, and hu was now cngagi-d in giving
" And
Instructiuiis as to tliat provision.
;
he
said, iilessod are ihu uyus
which sou
and especially that

which was conthe Old Testament, but
lips;
commandment,
tained indeed in
|
which had now come

it had not come to their
that they should love
of
their
powers
to
them
fathers
God
witli
in a
way
namely,
tlie whole
and also, that they
should love one another.

And yet, my friends, our eyes and mir
ears have been
'
tlie
words of the Most High; and words

which Christ, in the most solemn man-
gracious
his
that person, but are a quotation of
They had seen
the things that ye see I"
the creed of a Christian into a very nar-
more blessed
still
We
have heard more of the nature of the dispensation of blessedness, and of the salvation of hundreds and millions of souls
by means of that dispensation, than tbcy
Many things were afterever heard.
wards made known to them, of which
they had no previous conccplinM ; and it
appears iis though it wore necessary that
only general outlines of trulK ahould be
given them, till ("Christ had filb-d up the
scheme of prophecy, till ho had ofTiTod
himself as the great atonement, till ho
had opened tlie kingdom of heaven to all
believers, and till his Spirit ii.id bicn
sent down in such copiousmss .\a had
ni'vor boforo been known in any ago of
the world.
439
THE BRITISH
430
He
men
tells
them that'-kini^s and
p^roal
desired to see these things, and did
PULPIT.
be taught those things which were not lobe learned even under his own ministry.
" A certain lawyer,'''' it is said, " stood

not see them ; and to hear these things,
and did not h( ar them."
And I have up," &c. The word " lawyer" is not
it means a
often been much aflcctcd wliile reading understood by most readers
what Peter says on this subject. He in- man who was well acquainted with the
timates that the prophets were sent to law of Moses, and all the rites and cerepublish glad tidings which should be monies connected with it; and also with
made known to the nations of the earth. all those laws and instructions which
" Of which salvation," he says, " the were added by the chief doctors of the
prophets have inquired and searched dili- Jewish church. They knew not only the
gently.
Searching what the Spirit of precepts of the law of Closes, which was
Christ which was in them did signify, written, but also all the particulars of the
when it testified beforehand the sufferings oral law, that part which was supposed
of Christ and the glory that should fol- by the Jews to have been delivered by
low."
And the part that affected me God to Moses, and by Moses to Aaron,
most was this; that they understood that and by Aaron to his sons, by word of
"o< unto themselves, but unto us they did mouth ; and which the Jews believe to
minister" those things, when they pro- exist in the Mishnah and the Talmuds.
claimed the coming of .Tesus Christ, his The lawyers had not only to tell the peopassion and death, and the glory that ple that there were such and such laws ;
should follow his manifestation in the they had also to unfold their true import.
flesh.
So that with all their wisdom and For this purpose, the book of Deuteroall
their inquisitiveness, though they nomy was given
this teaches plainly
knew enough for their own individual the spirit and design of the law containsalvation, they had not that full revela- ing, as it were, a second edition of that
tion which we enjoy.
And the apostle law-. The letter of the law was first
goes on to say, " Which things /Ac angels given and then the book of Deuteronomy,
desire to look into."
The original ex- to illustrate and show the spiritual meanpression is very strong; it is a stooping ing of that law
and it is remarkable,
down towards the object, so as to take among other things, that the rite of cirthe full advantage of the strongest sight cumcision was interpreted, in that second
an opening and expanding of the pupil edition, in such a spiritual way, that all
of the eye as far as possible.
It is ex- who attended to it were reminded of the
pressive of their desire to have the most necessity of having all that was impure
distinct conception of the things which and unholy removed ; so that the seeds of
God had revealed, and was about to holiness might be well rooted, and abunreveal, to the world.
So that we compre- dant fruit be brought forth to the praise
hend the scheme of salvation, and all and glory of God.
that is necessary to our individual salvaI have observed that this man is often
tion, in measures beyond what was known spoken of as a captious person
as one
to them.
Well, then, may a preacher that lay at the catch, and wished to entrap
say to a congregation of believing Chris- our Lord. But I believe that scheme
tians, Blessed are your eyes and your ears, had long since been given up. The Jews,
for you have seen and heard such things generally speaking, were convinced that
as prophets and kings had not seen and he was " a teacher come from God ;" and
heard ; and you have had such views of that all attempt? to entangle him in his
God's love in its extent, and in its power- talk would be utterly vain. The opinion
ful influence on the souls of men, as none I have referred to is entertained of this
ever had before, and I am apt to think lawyer, because it is said that he " stood
up, and tempted" Christ.
But that word
were not felt by any of those good men
God having reserved these full displays means also to try to examine to ascerfor the time when his Spirit should be tain how far his knowledge and his piety
poured out, and the followers of Christ went; how his temper would bear out
:
431
I should rather conceive of suppose, because a man cannol pronounce

and so on.
lie the shibboleth of their creed, that his
hi"} 3iS a humbi'e inquirer after truth.
^s^s one of the most important questions inquiries proceed from a guilty hard1
who knew
had an immortal spirit, who was
man
and indifference of heart.

I have
many such things said, and I pity
they display but
'scions that he had sinned against his those who say them
Maker, and who knew that he could not little of the spirit of Christians. "What
cleanse that impure fountain from whence shall I do," said this man, "to inherit
The very words show
eternal life 1"
the various streams of evil had flowed
I think it quite impossible that such a that the mind of the man was enlightened.
man could ask such a question in a tri- He knew that he must have meetness for
He said, that eternal life, or he could not inherit
fling or in a captious manner.
" Master, what shall I do to inherit eter- it ; that, if he would inherit it, he must
nal life ]"
My brethren, have you a more first be one of the family that it belonged
important question to put to your God ? only to the children ; and that, if he were
" Master, I acknowledge thy wisdom
not of the family of heaven, he could not
I
" What
submit to thy authority. I come to thee, inherit the kingdom of God.
though I am a teacher, and have to ex- shall I do to inlierit this lifel I am conplain the law to the people.
I declare scious that I cannot have it otherwise; it
my willingness to come to thee, that I must come to me in consequence of my
fhich a
Jile
could ask,
that! ness
con- heard
,
my
being united to the family I know that I

do not belong to the family, in a way of
And, mark again: he speaks as one natural holiness, or by having walked in
who knew that there was an eternal state ; all the statutes and ordinances of the Lord
that in that eternal state his immortal blameless; I know that I have sinned,
spirit might be wretched or happy ; and and come short of the glory of God, and
that, in that state, the misery must be ex- that 1 can only have this title to the intreme, and the happiness also extreme. It heritance of eternal life in the way of
was, therefore, very important to know adoption. I want, therefore, to be taken
how, in that state, a man might have the into the family, to be associated with it,
may
learn the
way
of salvation for
immortal soul."
happiness of which heart could not con- incorporated into it, and share the kindceive
and escape that wretchedness and ness and love of the Father of this family."
misery which, from being eternal, must This is what wo call adoption when, in
consequence of the merits of Christ, who
be extreme.
But let us not look at this man merely, died for sinners, and was given for the
salvation of men, he who believes is ac1 have a right to believe this of >/iiu also.
;
You
arc
seriously
iiKjuiring,
would
counted one of the family of (Jod, receives
What shall I do to inherit eternal the forgiveness of his sins, and has the
Spirit of .holiness implanted in his heart.
1
I know
1 am a creature of a day
what an hour may bring forth I am a Such persons (Jod puis among the chil-
hope, "
life
not
mere tenant at will under the supreme dren, and tiiey become interested in all
govenorof the creation I cannot bear the the promises iJod has made to such.
though", of dwfdling in eternal burnings
Observe: this man does not ask," What
What shall I do to inherit eternal life ]" shall I Miere to inherit rlcrnal life 1"
Objections \\avo been raised against And yet, if some hi..l found him using
this man, becaus; he said, " What shall these words, how would they have been
Wo?" "Oh, yes!" say a certain class struck with wonder at his correctness and
of people, " he was a work moni;rr
wisdom! "It shows," they would sny,
lie
wanted to nirril eternal lifcl" And who " that he was well aware of his own state
warranted them to Hay so 1
Ueforo perthat ho knew well ho could do nothing;
:
Hons
makn such
objections as these,
it
and therefore he asks,
W hat
sh.ill
*<-
examine care- lifvr ?" Hut I believe thai if he hnd don

fully tli"ir Hibles, and endeavour to asso, he would have spoken incorrectly.
certain their meaning; and not hastily to And who is ho that daros intiimt.-, ih.it
would be well
for lliern to
THE BRITISH
4S2
"What
he meant
No
shal
do
to merit it?"
the souls
How shall I go about if? I

myself eternally undone if I get not
this meetness ; and how shall I obtain
it?" We often use the words in this
way and the language denotes illumination of mind, and intention of heart.
" What shall 1 do? I know that I must
nal lifel
it;
is
not framed for
at
flê.
its
heaven
and what means shall I use to

Now, if we
shall I act ?"
enjoymerUs,
in such a
it may be a
happiness is
The being
place would be hell to him

tu the blessed,
but
its
of a nature that he cannot enjoy.
How
it ?
mind
his
but the reverse.
get
astound ea'
really, if an unregenerate man could enter

heaven, he would have no heart for it
feel
have
wiched,
and tumble themselves headlong into ti\i.

pit of corruption ; and because they wer
not prepared for happiness, they would\
plunge themselves into misery.
And
no such idea ever entered into this man's

No he came to the teacher, and
he says, " What shall I do to inherit eterheart
of the
what they saw, would immediately
will venture to pledge myself, that
PULPIT.
The
question, then,
is,
how
are
we
to
be regenerated ? How are we to get this

we should say, " Believe on the Lord title this meetness for eternal life ? Our
Jesus Christ" " Lay hold on the hope Lord answers, 1. " What does the law
" Let the say ?" and 2. " How dost thou underset before you in the gospel"
wicked forsake his way, and the unright- stand what the law says on this point ?"
were
man
hear a
to
inquiring in this way,
man
eous
we
his thoughts."
And
all
this is necessarily implied in the
pared
to fix
thou read
answer
made by our Lord to this man.

H. And now, brethren, are you
What
does thy Bible say, and how dost

What are thy views and apit ?
How dost
prehensions on this subject?
"
this
are fully justified in saying; and all
thou suppose thyself to be concerned in

The man most intelligibly
all this ?"
pre-
answered, " IVtus
your minds fully on that an-
it is
written
thus
un-
am aware that it requires much derstand it Thou shalt love the Lord thy
reasoning much argumentation and im- God with -all thy heart, and with all thy
pressive speaking, to get a man to enter soul, and with all thy strength, and with all
swer
'
thy mind and thy neighbour as thyself.'

This I understand to be the highest priviI say, then, we lege, the bouriden duty, of a rational creabut he does not feel it.
And our Lord said unto him,
are all on the verge of eternity ; we must ture."
soon " die, and be as water spilled upon "Thou hast answered right; this is the
and design of any
fully into the scope
He
particular subject.
hears the truth,
the ground, which cannot be gathered up
sum, the substance, of all true religion; this

"sinned and come do, and thou shalt have this eternal life."
In
short of the glory of God ;" and we may He was " willing to justify himself."
be assured, that if God has given us a this he showed the ardent working of his
time of probation, and we do not use it to mind towards this title, this meetness for
the end for which God has given it, we eternal life. He could not bear the idea of
again."
shall,
We
have
all
being destitute of this.
without doubt, perish everlastingly!
And
not a vain thing, therefore.
again, our hoping and trusting that the
It
this
is
what a
difficult
We may see from
thing
it is.
humanly
speaking, for the Spirit to bring us to see

to the very last we are
our real state
prone to indulge a hope that our case is
inheritance will be ours, can do but little

good ; we must have a right to the inhe-
God's hea- not so desperate as the representations of

we must the gospel seem to imply ; it is long behave it by adoption and this can be alone fore we can be brought to see and feel
through the endless mercy of God in that we are totally lost. He was ready
Christ.
Right and meetness are both and "willing to justify himself; and he
ritance, or Ave shall never see
ven.
We have no natural right
necessary.
There was a good thought in said unto Jesus, And who is my neighwho a few hour ? I know my God, the Being whom
the mind of a strange man,
years
ao-o
flourished
imagined that
this world,
in
all souls,
would go
to
this
when
heaven
I should love with all my heart, and soul,

and mind, and strength ; and who is this
but that other being, whom 1 should love even as
city.
they
;
He
left
433
Our Lord then gives would sink into its primitive state that
him the little history which is generally state out of which God called it by his
known by the name of " The good Sama- omnific word. And if God had not supritan ;" and leads him on to concl ude what ported and upheld all according to the
was his real state, both in reference to counsel of his own will, rnen could not
I love
myself?"
have had that suitable food and clothintr,

in the various climates, with all their vaNow further, brethren ; for there is rious temperatures, with which ti ey are
much remains behind. Here is a Being so blest. God made and supports all ;
set before us in these words, who is called so that wherever a human being is found,
" God"
" the Lord" Jehovah
the that human being owes his life to God,
High and Holy One and so on. He is and his continuance in being to that great
the Creator of the earth, and of all crea- Preserver.
Even in redemption, it is imtures.
He is the Sovereign, who pro- possible to conceive of greater favour on
duced all things by the word of his power, the part of God. There we see the proofs
and who upholdeth all things by the same of his mercy in pardoning our sin, and so
word. He is your Creator; and he is on ; but I will not say that this is greater.
also the great cause of your preservation. It was a proof of his love, that he created
He is the self-existent the Eternal the beings capable of holding converse with
independent.
All that is made is pro- himself; and when man fell, that same
duced by him, and depends upon him ; power and love which created him formand therefore all should acknowledge ed a plan for preserving and saving him.
his God, and in reference to his neigh-
bour.
him as the source of all, the Creator of Hence Christ was made manifest in the
body and soul, the Preserver of both. As flesh, and became " man with men" not
your Creator, he has shown the riches of a prophet, not an angel, not a seraph, but
and he a being such as God had never before
his wisdom and power in both
has shown his benignity and kindness in made ; to manifest the highest effects of
preserving you.
You are not to forget his eternal power, and to display the
to think on him in reference to his oion highest benefits that could be possessed.
infinite excellencies and perfections: but He comes into the world, and teaches
you are not now called upon to take these men what God only could have revealed
views of him but rather to consider this and exercises a power which God only
sacred Being, so incomprehensible both could exercise, and which God could not
to men and to angels, in reference to your- communicate; for an omnipotent being
selves.
He is your Creator; the cause to appoint an omnipotent dtkgate is impossible ; because he who delegates it
Ho is your Supi)orter;
of your being.
upholding all things by the word of his must cease to be omnipotent, and so cease
In God, as
power. There is not a morsel of bread to be infinite and eternal.
;
that
you
eat,
which comes not from him
as the Creator and Preserver.
He
the Creator, therefore,
of infinite skill and
alone
we
se.e
the proofs
power and we behold

;
" causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, his unrivalled beneficence, in his meeting
and herbs for the service of man." He and supplying all the wants which his
When we come to
alone produces the rich varieties of fruits creatures may feel.
and of vegetables for the benefit of man. consider the redemption <3f man, wo heHe alonecauses the same soil to produce at hold, indeed, a greuter extension of tho
once verdure, and odours, anil fruitfulncss. divine love but we discover no new feelHe alonn causes the sun to shine; and
whatever we ascribe to its influence in
Now, on this very consideration is escausing trees and plants to grow to matu- tablished the command before us, "Thou
this very
rity, his power givfts the sun that ability. shall /"!( tho Lord thy ('od
And whatever it may have cf)ntrihute(l to neini.', who is thy Creator and Pri'server."
the comfort and support of man, all comes And if a sense of the highest obligation
from him alone and if for one moment he is allowed to nfTect those who are under
were to take his hand from that sun, it that obligation; if we should love that
;
Vol. 1.
20
THE BRITISH
434
Being whose kindness
commands have
that
is
eternal
source of
whose
so great
is
reference to an
and whose
blessedness
all
object
favour
is
the
then there
is
in the command, " Thou shall love

Lord thy God^
But what does this mean ? I believe
reason
the
man
not one
in ten
thousand, or in ten
I have studied
million, can explain this
the subject most closely, and I cannot

express its meaning ; I cannot explain the
feeling of love; I cannot explain the way
which it is produced the mode of its
internal operation
the way
catches hold
which
in
in
the powers of the mind.
it
in
which
it
seizes on all
It
is
an affec-
PULPIT.
2.
This love does not consist
mere
in
we
should be led into numerous errors all the affections and desires of the soul might be taken up in
heavenly raptures, to the neglect of grand
and important parts of Christianity. This
induced a good man, who differed from
us in many points, to say, " What will
feeling; else
avail in the sight of the Most High, togo and fall down upon your knees before
him, and to look up to him and say, O,
how excellent thou art, how pure, and
how glorious
Here let me worship and
adore thee
Here let me gaze for ever
it
in
admiration
Once feeding
of
thine
excellencies
the hungry, or clothing the
which ought to go out naked, or visiting the sick, would be inafter God; which should confess him to finitely more acceptable to God, and avail
be supreme which should lead us to able in his sight, than all the idle adoraHow, then, is
give up our souls and our bodies, with all tion you can offer him !"
the love of the heart to be proved 1 Why,
their powers, whatever they are, to him
thus giving him evidence that we are not it is added, " Thou shalt love the Lord
tion of the soul
" with
thy
altogether insensible of our infinite obli-
tvith all thy soul,^^ or rather,
gations.
This means, not only that the

whole of our life should be employed in
the service of God, but that the life itselt
all
life.''''
Love has been defined as a disposition

of mind which leads a person to he intensely
satisfied loith the object of his affections,
Now, if this can be said of love to man,
should be dedicated to God; that it

should be given up to him, to employ it
how much more may it be said of love to as he may see fit; and that we should
God. This Being has all that I can pos- be ready to finish our life in his service,
should it be required. It is on this prinall good, all kindness, all
sibly want
I want this ciple alone that there ever was a martyr
perfection, flows from him.
Being for my portion ; and if I can have in the church they " loved not their lives
him for my portion, I want no more. unto the death," but freely yielded them
Here I can rest; and if I can say, " Thou up, when they were called to do so for
Wê are not, at this
art my portion, O Lord !" this is the the sake of God.
the high- moment, very far from the place where
highest word that I can speak
est word that ever was spoken by mortal many of our forefathers and foremothers
man.
The conviction that he must be suffered in this way, at a stake, which I
such, or that we are lost, is much but to have seen, though the complaisance of our
feel that he is so, this is a great thing times has induced us to take it away, beindeed
Then, " thou shalt love the cause it seemed a reflection on the cruelty
of our ancestors ; but at a stake in SmithLord thy God,
1. With all thy heart ."
Whatever can field, in the midst of flames, many yielded
'
be called by the name of heavenly
feel-
their lives to
Him who was
the object of
and the Father of their spirits.

all included here.
All divine breathings, This is the very principle of martyrdom
all holy and benevolent purposes, all in- they dedicated their lives to God, and
tense adoration and delight and this feel- gave those lives up when it seemed neing must be supreme it is the love of the cessary not only when they were called
Love has all here, and to die in the common way, but when their
whole heart.
leaves nothing behind. All the hopes, death seemed to be required by peculiar
and inclinations, and desires, relate to circumstances.
ing, holy aspiration, spiritual wishes, is
their love,
God, and are regulated by him. But then,
3.
Fut forth
all
thine energies
love''
THE INQUIRING LAWYERthy strength." There is

a great force in thought: sometimes it
will lead a man to go from one place to
another, to accomplish a particular ol>ject
at another time, all the various powers of
God "with
the
man
all
will he gathered up, and all will
chamber
to
435
chamber,
that are set up
;; :
to see
the
images
will reveal to thee all
that is abominable
and then I will tell

famish all the false gods
but thou must make an effort thou must
loathe these abominations; thou must
thee that
I will
be brought into a focus, as it were, to act cast away these idols to the moles and to
on a particular point and the man, fear- the bats. Thou must give them up not
ing neither men nor devils, will trample as a sacrifice to thy God, that is a most
Satan under his feet, and serve his God awful idea but give them up to God,
alone.
Now, put forth all the energies that they may be burned and destroyed
of your minds thus in God's service be for ever. Thus God condemns them as
rot cold-hearted in God's work.
If the " a spirit of judgment," and deslrotjs them
devil can ever love, he loves such men
as " a spirit of burning."
and considers those as the most valuable
Then it is added, " Thou shall love thy
supporters of his cause, who, while they neighbour as tliyse/f." Mark
it is
not
profess to love God, put forth their said. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as
strength for every thing but the service thy God. This is interesting there is an
of God.
Be careful, then, to exert all intensity of thought and feeling in referthy powers of body and soul in the ser- ence to the love of God, that it would be
vice of the Lord thy God. Then,
evil, unholy, sacrilegious, to apply to our
" Love fellow-men. I am very glad that those
4. Thou hast a mind also.
God with
all thy
that gate
of the soul, by which
The mind is thoughtless and profane words, which it

God was once very common to apply to woadmits that light by which the judgment men, cease to be employed. To answer
is able to decide positively and rightly. wicked ends, and to delude them in many
Thou shalt keep this gate open to receive cases to their ruin, poor women were set
mind."
which alone can teach thee up in the place of God, and worshipped
what is also of high accordingly. This is nearly laid aside.
importance, thou shalt put out what is " Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thynot proper or profitable.
0, how much self." ' Love worketh no ill to his neighlumber have we laid up in that reposi- bour; therefore love is the fulfilling of the
tory
how much trash that is unprofita- law." But what love do I owe to my
ble
how much impurity that we are neighbour? I owe him the love o( equity
afraid to mention
Labour to get rid of
of succour
of benevoleiKC of charity.
all this.
One of fhe finest effects of the I must aim to do him all the good I can
Holy Spirit's influence on the human to advance his interests; to sympathize
that
light
what
is
right; and,
mind,
is
in the
communion
expressed
in that fine
service
by the
tkoti^htH nf our hearts
of thy
Holy
Spirit, that
sentence
" Cleanse
the
inspiration
we may
perfectly
love thee, and wortliily magnify thy holy
name."
O, go
God,
to
that
Bo
may
in his joys
and sorrows ; to promote his

thy neighbour as thyself:" whatever thou wouldst wish him
to do for thee in ignorance
in weakness
in sorrow
in want
that
in dangi-r,
do thou fur him ; thy turn may be next.
welfare.
"Love
And
thy mind
God says that he
will " purge away the filth of Zion, by
the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit
the
of burning."
Creator, the Judge of
cleanse
Jigiil into
In other words,
thy soul
will pour
will load thee from
again,
therefore
we
God
is the Father of all

should love as brethren of
same family.
alike before him.
He
is
all
the Lord, the

;
and
all
are
SERMON
XLVIII.
AN IMPORTANT INQUIRY.
BY THE REV. HENRY RAIKES,
A. M.
CHANCELLOR OF THE DIOCESE OF CHESTER.
"
What do ye more
than others ?"
It has sometimes been asserted that

was a difference, a difference which
was capable of being perceived, a difference which it was important and necessary to mark, between the statements of
divine truth which are contained in the
several parts of the New Testament.
In agreement with this notion, the gospels have been held up in distinction to
the epistles. The discourses of our Lord
have been described as differing in tone
from the writings of his apostles. A separate and peculiar character has been
ascribed to each, and the excellencies of
one have been used to depreciate the gloMoral truth has been
ries of the other.
claimed for one, doctrinal accuracy has
been ceded to the other ; and though it
might seem hard to say how one of these
qualities could be separated from the
other, or how truth could be independent
of itself, the pride of human reason has
endeavoured to avoid the homage which
was required by faith, by professing an
earlier attachment, a more implicit devotedness to moral obedience; and by as-
there
Matt.
v. 47.
In other cases, an
attempt has been made to represent the
instruction contained in the gospel narratives, as more simple and appropriate
than that which is laid down in the epissins of the world."
and that portion of Scripture, from

is taken, the sermon on
the mount, has been described as includtles
which our text
was necessary for man to

need not shrink from the
Let but this portion of
conclusion.
Scripture be interpreted as it ought to be ;
let it but be read with that spiritual mind
and that eye of faith which is necessary
and we may admit, that all that is needful for man to know may be discovered
and discerned in it, or at least may be
deduced from it. But f)ecause the experienced eye may perceive in one part of
Scripture the forms of that wisdom which
ing
all
know.
is
that
We
specifically revealed in other places,
it is
neither wise nor dutiful to reject the
;
nor if one part of revelation supposes or anticipates the remainder, can
that be & reason why the part should be
used to supersede the whole.
residue
But we are also told that there are difwhich was

which was ferences in men which require a different
doctrinal.
To favour this subterfuge the mode of teaching; tiiat there is a childmorality of the gospel has been held up hood in the spiritual life which requires
to the admiration of the world by those milk for its nourishment, as well as a
who shrink from belief in its doctrines manhood or maturity of life which reand men have acknowledged in our Lord quires strong meat
and it is asserted
" the teacher sent from God," who could that the former species of nourishment is
not or who would not perceive in him the to be found in the simpler statements and
Lamb of God which taketh away the plainer exhortations which are contained
serting a preference of that
practical in statement to that
'
436
AN IMPORTANT
IXQl'IRY.
437
man may be overwhelmed by truths

which he meets with, and which his reathankfulness and praise, that our Lord son is unable to comprehend
while the
" taught the people as they were able to child, who reads in faith and in the spirit
It is there said
in the gospel narratives.
undoubtedly, and it should be read with
wise
bear it;" that he adapted his instruction of prayer, shall be made " wise unto salto the state of his hearers, and communi- vation" by what he learns.
cated the truths which he came to teach,
The text before us, the text to which
in the way of gradual disclosure.
Some- your attention is to be drawn, presents
thing of this process we may probably an instance of this sort. It contains an
perceive in the tone of his discourses
appeal which might be made with pro-
we may think of the re- priety to the simplest hearer of the simcorded statements of those discourses, plest gospel truths; an appeal, which
such, we may confidently suppose, would we might make to any one, who had but
have been the character of his ordinary the slightest acquaintance with the eleteaching.
ments of religion and still it is an apBut little does he know of the word peal, which I humbly believe may be
of God or of the power of God, who can made with profit to the most enlightened,
doubt the possibility of combining the the most advanced Christian. It is an
simplest moral truth with the .profoundest appeal, which rises with the condition
of making the person of the hearer
doctrinal verity
and which grounded on
taught " wiser than his teachers ;" and the perpetual and necessary connexion
of " perfecting praise even out of the between privilege and duty, follows
mouths of babes and sucklings." In the man through all the degrees of his adAvisdom of God it is easy to accomplish vancement; and reminding him at every
that which seems impossible to man. stage, "of the rock from which he was
He, who in the twilight of the morning hewn, of the hole of the pit from which
opens that flood of light which is to he was digged," subdues the pride and
spread the splendour of noon over the self-sufficiency of his nature by the mehe, who encloses in the infant morials of his dependence and responsiworld
and whatever
the germ of those talents which are to
bility.
once
It is to this text then I have now to
and conscious that
concealed the very glories of the Creator beg your attention
of the universe in the child Jesus; he, it involves an application of truth most
can surely give instruction in a way, important and most extensive, I entreat
which shall adapt itself to every state of the prayers of those who hear me, that
man ; can form hut of the same material the weakness of man maybe supplied by
milk for babes, and strong moat for those the teaching of the Spirit, and that the
of maturer age; and olVer in his word a word may be blessed to all our souls.
" VV'hat do ye more than others 1"
spiritual manna, which sliall bo suited to
"wield the reins of
empire; he,
who
the
taste,
as
well
as
adapted to
Thus spake our Lord,
the
at
that time, to
truths
who professed themselves his fol

who had come to him out of
lowers
Judea and Galilee; who had expressed
presented of the simplest character and
a rosnlntion to renounce the sins of their
wants of all who fisod upon it.

Let it be admitted then, that
memorable discourse there are
those
in this
life, and to live as his disciples,

" soberly, righteously, and godly in this
The appeal he nmdo
present world."
Buppost'd that onr Lord adilressed him- was founded on a principle which no man
in the simplest form.
former
Tiint hinders not,
but that trnths of the profoundest nature

may be likewise found there. Let it be
ventures
self on this occasion to a multitude of simple and uninstructt'd hcan-rs, and "spake
as they could bear it." That hinders not.
to
impugn
that
increase of
knowledge, larger measures of conviction, involve the necessity of more exact

that much is reijuired Irom
but that the moat advanced (Jhristian obedience
may find room for meditation, and ini- him to whom much has bern given and
provement in the words ; or that th" that increase of means implies increasQ
'
2oJ
THE
438
This
of responsibility.
truth,
RRITISII PUI.PIT.
simple as
seems, bears on itself the marks of

It extends to every degree of
eternity.
The
It belongs to every age.
state.
Jew, just awakened from the darkness
it
which covered
who had "
had,
it
dim
all
light of
human
is
true,
walk by
but
the
reason, darkened
by
the exhalations from the corrupt na-
ture of
man
and
it
was by
this faint
and
feeble help they endeavoured to discern
seen things
amidst the tumult of the world, the es-
his people, heard
and the apostle,
They
splendid sins.
a faint and clouded light to
then
it
which it was not lawful for man to utter," sential differences between right and
and wrong. But to the guidance that they
might have heard it afterwards
The
each might have bowed under the sense had, some of them were faithful.
of a responsibility which they could not natural affections were not extinguished ;
The Christian child feels its a sense of truth was felt the excellence
deny.
and in the
power now when a mother's exhortations of purity was admitted
and tiie midst of general defilement and wretchare based upon its application
Christian minister must not hope to soar edness, the eye dwells with wonder on
above its reach, however elevated he some bright spots of disinterested integ;
may
be above others
in spiritual or intel-
lectual advancement.
As such
then I would use
it first
in re-
ference to Christians generally, in refer-
ence to all those who profess the gospel

of Jesus Christ, and are in name and privileges considered as his disciples ; I
would use it first in this sense, and say
to all who hear me, " What do ye more
than others'?"
If God has chosen you from all the
nations of the world, to be a peculiar peo-
rity
and
how
it
warm
was
affections,
that they
and marvels
who knew
so
little
should do so much.
If then we turn to a Christian community, and find men satisfied with those
external observances which self-interest
suggests as expedient; if we find a nominal disciple of Jesus Christ dwelling
with complacency on the soberness of
his habits, on the integrity of his dealings, on the warmth of his natural affections
may we
not say to such as these,
by the did not even the heathen so 1 Do we not

name you bear, and the knowledge you hear of well ordered societies, and atpossess, and the covenant relations in tached families of the charities of parent
which you stand, in addressing you as and child, of husband and wife, of sove"a chosen generation, a royal priest- reign and subject, among them 1 Nay,
ple to himself; if
we
are justified
:"
do we not hear of integrity and temperhood, a holy nation, a peculiar people
If God has opened to j'ôu things hidden ance, of exemplary self-denial and emifrom the foundation of the world ; if your nent purity of conduct among those who
eyes see, and your ears hear, the things had never enjoyed the light of gospel
which prophets and kings desired to see truth, or been encouraged by the promise
and did not see, and to hear and did not of eternal life ; and if this be so, what do
hear nay, if we may say to some, " eye ye more than they 1 What do ye, who
hath not seen nor ear heard, neither hath have received so much, and who have
heard so much ; what do ye more than
it entered into the heart of man, the things
which God hath prepared for them that others ? What does this Christian coun:
him ; but God hath revealed them try, this Christian family, this Christian
unto us by his Spirit :" If we are permit- husband, this Christian father, this Christed to address a Christian congregation, a tian son, offer in his conduct, which
might not find its parallel in Greece or
Christian people, in terms like these
among those who never heard
then must we not add ; if God has done Rome
so much for you above all the other chil- the sound of the gospel, nor tasted
dren of Adam, what do ye more than they 1 the sweetness of Christian privileges?
Are
In the heathen world, amidst much Are you sober 1 So were they.
So were they. Are you
that was evil, much that was loathsome, you honest 1
there were not wanting " things lovely tender in domestic relations, faithful to
So were
and of good report." They had their trusts, diligent and useful 1
love
AN IMPORTANT
And
'they.
practice
is
your standard of Christian
INQUIRY.
439
limited to these cold morali-
the boast of our church to have cleared

the doctrine of justification from those
impulses of natural
erroneous views which the pride of hu-
if
ties, or to these
feel-
What do ye more than others," man reason and the hardness of the heart
or how do the children of light differ of man had formed upon it.
We rejoice
in asserting that " we are accounted
from the children of darkness
"
ing,
"?
would carry the application of the righteous before God, only for the merits
doctrine farther.
I would carry it next of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, by
to Protestant Christians, to members faith, and not for our own works or deI
Nay
of the church of England, to those who

conceive that by the reformation they
have shaken off a yoke of bondage, have
servings."
regained their spiritual privileges, and
doctrine, and very full of comfort."
are restored to the liberty, the glorious
delight to trace innumerable rays of truth

concentrated in this statement of our
liberty of the children of
ing
the
traditions of
God.
men
In rejectin
assertion, and say,

fied
by
making church
Scripture the test to which every state-
" God
faith
and
more, we repeat the

" That we are justi-
only,
to
is
mark
shown
most wholesome
the
way
in
We
which
be just, and yet the

ment of truth is to be brought ; in taking justifier of them that believe on Jesus."
the word of God, the pure and undefiled But, my brethren, what is the result of
"word, as the rule we are to follow, we this doctrine, and what is the effect
seem to have struggled into light, to have which this knowledge of the grace of
Do we see the hearts
recovered the free exercise of reason, God produces 1
and to have left the regions of darkness of those who profess this doctrine, bowed
down with a sense of the mercy that has
behind us.
If this, then, be the case with regard visited them ] Do we see our Protestant
to privilege, with regard to knowledge, congregations worshipping in silent awe
how stands the case with regard to prac- at the grace in which they stand, and
tice
if
men
If the tree is
known by
its fruits
look for grapes on the vine
if
is
to
in wonder at the freeness of the

bounty, which has thus offered to those
who believe, that which no labour of
man could have obtained, no merits of
man could have purchased ] Do we see
around us, do we feel within us, that
lost
they expect good fruit from the vineyard

which boasts a goodly stock; what may
they not expect from a church, which
has thrown off the trammels of darker
ages ; from a church, which has reverted peace with God which is named as the
to the earliest standards, and which is privilege, the inheritance of those who
"built on the foundation of apostles and are justified by faith ] And is this faith,
prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the which we name, and name with reason,
as the charter of our hopes, as the ground
chief corner-stone ]"
We
purer
may
venture to
faith,
a clearer
assume that a of our confidence, a faith wiiich overview of divine comes the world, which sanctifies the
produce a purer practice, a

higher moral stamlard just as ignorance
and error gradually but surely lead to
truths, will
alTections,
by
tlie
We
and proves
works wiiich
itself to be of
it
God
does within us
wo would not
say, that those from whom we have
superstition, idolatry, and vice.
If God then in his mercy has vouch- withdrawn, and who have not obtained
safed to us a light which is denied to those advantagt!S wo enjoy, are destitute of fruits of the Spirit.
We know
other nations
if we see the truth, and
dare not assert,
hold the truth, while others hardly see,

or hardly hold it; what do wo more
than they 1
What fruit can wo show of
'
the privileges bestowed
or
how
liavo
that
for
devotednoss
God and
beautifully
and
love
zeal,
for
exemplified in
the church of Itnnie.
that
lovo
man, have beea
Wo
members of
know that iho
we improved the talent that has been piety of those, whose views of that graca
of (Jod whicli bringelh salvation, were
committed to our trust 1
To take ono instance out of many, it is indistinri and cloudy, has often been
THE BRITISH
440
PULPIT.
burning some degree, be made by man

work and transgressions he has committed.
We mourn over their error.
labour of love has been glorious and
shining
found
brightly
We know
strongly.
and
though they knew but
great,
love which
is
little
made known
though they saw not
of that
us
to
and
the freeness of
all
the grace to uliich thoy trusted for redemption, they have loved much in re-
we" see their error, if we

mourn over the blindness which has happened to them in this respect, and wished
that they were even as we are ; if we
feel that in knowledge of the will of God,
in acquaintance with the mysteries of his
nature, and the riches of his grace, we
stand immeasurably above them ; what
do we jTiore than they 1 What has been
But
turn.
for
the
that their
if
We de-
nounce theirdistictions asunscriptural and

false.
We can see the dishonour done to
God;
wrong
the
offered to the Saviour;
the ruin of the soul, in the application of

their system.
We
can see that the real
character of sin, as an offence
God,
lost sight of
is
by
against
this statement.
We
can see that the value of the Redeemer's sacrifice is depreciated by the
terms on which forgiveness is offered.
can see that the wholesome horror of
sin is diminished by this representation
of its character, and that the soul is encouraged to expose itself to dangers by
We
the means of recovery which are offered.

can see all this, we can condemn the
deeper views ; or how have we shown
by our works, the character of that purer error under which they live, we can show
its consequences
but what do we more
faith by which we walk ]
Again, as Protestants we have re- than they 1 In what respect does our
nounced the vain distinctions which have clearer knowledge, our purer faith reguknow no dif- late our practice 1 or in what degree does
been imagined as to sin.
the result of our clearer light, of our
We
We
We
ference between mortal and venial.
believe that
all
and while we know that there
is
raise
it
above theirs
Is
self-denial
is
sin,
for the greatest sin in the blood of Christ,
we
it
more exercised ?
are the wanderings
pardon of the heart and the affections, those in-
unrighteousness
lets
of evil, those occasions of falling,
more assiduously watched, more dilifor the least, without it. Instead of trust- gently controlled ? Does the graver view
ing ourselves, therefore, with confidence we take of sin lead to more of godly vigito the snares of Sat-an, and venturing on lance against its delusions, to more of
godly sorrow for its influence, among us
actions of any questionable character
we act as men who are not ignorant of than among others 1 or is not sin comhis devices, and who know the danger mitted as boldly, as presumptuously
that belongs to the slightest deviation committed by those who believe that the
from truth. We are taught to " abhor blood of Christ was shed for its forgivethat which is evil," however extenuated ness, as it is by those who think that
by circumstances, and however trivial in they may purchase absolution for its
appearance. We have known that God commission ]
Alas why are we enlightened by the
requires the whole heart, and the whole
mind
that he accepts no divided ser- light of truth, if we are not to see the
vice
is satisfied by no external homage ways of truth more clearly ] why are we
dare not promise ourselves impunity
or outward form
but seeks " those to
enabled to see the deceitfulness of these
worship him, who worship him in spirit distinctions which have been imagined
and in truth."
by others, if we are not to maintain a
There are others whose views are dif- more holy walk, a more heavenly converferent
who
assert a distinction in the
we find no authoand who lower its
nature of sin, for which

rity
in
Scripture
character by imagining that
power of men
that
to
alms-giving
forgive
it
it
is
who
in the
think
may do away with
iniquity, or that a satisfaction
may,
in
sation
or wliy are
others, if
we
are
we
to
know more
than
not to do more than
they do
But again, we believe

one mediator between
the Lord Jesus Christ.
God has
sent
him
that there is but
God and man
We
believe that
forth to be the propiti-
AN IMPORTANT
INQUIRY.
44
whole world, so employed in carryino- the li^ht of

whosoever believelh in him should truth to those nations that are yet in dark-
ation for the sins of the

that
not perish, but have everlasting
ness
life.
There are some who deny this doctrine.

If we were ignorant of that value which
There are others who, by dividing the the soul of man derives from the gospel
honour of the work, extenuate and de- history; if we did not know that it was
grade it. There are some who, denying redeemed, not with corruptible things as
the mediatorial office of our Lord, know gold and silver, but with the precious
him only
as a teacher sent from
God
who, with a pcrverseness worse than
blood of Christ;
if
we did
not thus admit
as the great article of our creed, a doc-
that
of Judaism, put this grace from them, trine which proves the inestimable value
and wilfully and ungratefully reject the of the soul by the price paid for its reêatest token of the love of God for man. covery; Ave might be justified in our inThere are others, who ascribe to our diffi,>rence to the spiritual state of others,
Lord only a part in the work which be- and might say " Am I my brother's
longs to him.
Who associate theasrency keeper?" Or, if we were satisfied by a
of others with his, and either address mere external profession if we conceived
him through their mediation, or imagine that the performance of certain forms
that their intercession is to be combined constituted religion, and placed men in
with his. The mercy of God has deli- the way of salvation; we might be convered us from these errors.
In Jesus tented to behold our own population noChrist we see " the Lamb of God that minally Christian, and might take unitaketh away the sins of the whole world." formity of profession as a substitute for
In him we delight to trace that perfect unity of spirit.
But we are raised above
sufficiency for the work which is ascribed these errors.
We have received the
to him, which alone gives reasonable truth as it is in Jesus.
We know that
confidence to our faith, and makes hope without Christ the man is lost; and that
an anchor of the soul both sure and stead- " except a man be born again, he cannot
;
see the kingdom of God."

This we
what the have received; this we profess; but
Socinian does not see, or what the Ro- " what do we more than others ?"
manist only sees imperfectly, what do we
We hear of multitudes living without
more than they 1 What ctTect has bei^n God in the world. We see our own
produced on our hearts and lives by this brethren perishing from lack of knowclearer vision of the Redeemer's glories? ledge.
In the mean time, wo know the
fast.
But
If
we
if
we
thus see in Christ,
look to Christ as our only refuge
freeness of the gospel call, the blessings
come, where is our that are promised, the grace that is given ;
diligence in making our calling and elec- we know all this, we profess to Itelieve
tion sure ill him ]
If we believe that all this, and yet, "what do we more than
there is but one mediator between God others 1"
But there is yet another application of
and man, the man' Christ Jesus, why is
he not more openly confessed 1 If we the subject which tin- pri-senl occasion
believe that his is the only name whereby prompts, and to which I turn with still
we may receive health and salvation, dceprr feelings.
We contcni|)lalti the
why are we not more zeahjus for the enlight in which a (^lirislian walks, the adlargf-ment of his kingdom ; why are wr vant;igts ho possesses in means of grace
not labouring with greater ililigence to and knowledge, beyond all that was eubring others to the knowledge of the sal- joyed before
and feeling the connexion,
vation that is in him 1
Why is it not ihn nectsitary connexion, between priour object, |)ersonal as wcdl as public, to vilego and duly, we are drawn lo ajik
extend lip! inlluenco of the gonpel 1 the queHtion ' wh.il do yo moro than
from the wrath
to
Why
are not
the resources of this
Protestant kingilom devoted to the one
others t"
Redeemer's
lijjlil
Vol..
cause, and
3G
our
commerce
In the CTXHo of I'roiest.inl,

tthiuiug
mure
clo.irly
wn
hoo that
and more du-
THE
442
men
we
BHITISII PULPIT.
tinctly than
on other
drawn from
the source of Vi^ht in
we
Scriptures;
sion
more
and arguintr, as
increase of
see
specific,
in
see
it
tiie
when we survey
labours,
office, its
the
its re-
sense
to a clearer
of duty, and a higher tone of practice, we

are compelled to compare the standard
we see in them, with that which is maintained in the world around them, and to
ask again, " what do ye more than
others'?"
If the
fill
nature of our
sponsibilities ;
the consequences that
it leading to a profesand more distinctive ; must follow its discharge towards others,
the former case, from and towards ourselves
no language
knowledge
men who heard
John the Baptist
are called to
seems suited
but that of the prophet, when he shrank

with terror and dismay from the duty he
was called
of God."
grace
" But our sufficiency is

that " we have this
know
man ;" and while we feel that his

may be magnified in our infirmiwe dare not yield to the impression
not of
wilderness were
ordered to bring forth fruits meet for repentance

If the men who heard our
blessed Lord were directed to deny
themselves, and to take up their cross
If those who
daily and follow him
have been admitted into the church of
Christ have promised to renounce the
If every
world, the flesh, and the devil
increase of light shows us more of the
sin there is in man, and of the holiness
there is in God ; and every Christian
privilege comes charged with its propor-
to.
We
treasurain earthly vessels, that the excellency of the poAver may be of God, and
the preaching of
in the
to the feelings of our hearts
ties,
which might deter us from the work;

nor refuse an office in which we may be
the means of adding glory to his name.
Having believed then, we speak. Having received mercy,
pensation of
the
we
faint not.
gospel
is
A dis-
committed
Christ must be preached ; the

world must be warned ; and whatever
may be our sense of our own unworthincss, our message, as ministers of the
gospel, must be delivered, and prayers
then, what shall and tears must testify to the sincerity
tion of responsibility
become of us, who are called to minister with which it is urged. And it will not
know him
in the word, and who have offered our- be delivered in vain
selves to others as messengers from God who hath said, " I will never leave thee,
:
unto us.
We
to
man 1
nor forsake thee."
Wo is me, for I am
We
remember the
undone because word which says, " Lo, I am with you

;"
I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell always, even unto the end of the world
in the midst of an unclean people ;" were and while we remember that whatever
the words of Isaiah, when he saw the be the hand which planteth, or the hand
Lord in his glory, and looked on himself that watcreth, it is God that giveth the
as the messenger whom the Lord would increase
we need not doubt the success
send.
Such also must be the feelings of of the message, on account of the weakvery one who thinks of the ministry ness of the messenger by whom it is
"
of the gospel, and contemplates himself

as the instrument employed.
And yet we know, that when a live
coal from the altar had been laid upon
uttered.
But
let that
weakness be what
it
may,
consciousness of infirmity, of unfitness be what it may

if ever it happen,
that that live coal from the altar, the re-
let the
was altered,
his feelings were changed.
The lan- membrance of him who is the propitiaguage of despair became that of confi- tion for our sins, be laid upon our lips,
dence and hope and he who just before as it was upon the lips of the prophet:
ever happen, that the words
recoiled from the office proposed to him, if it
exclaimed at once, " Here am I, send are heard by us which were heard
by him; if it be said, " Lo, this hath
me !"
the prophet's lips, his tone
And
We
thus
know,
it
is vc'v.h
us,
my
that of ourselves
brethren.
we
able even to think the thing that
are not
is
right;
and when we dwell upon the charge we
touched thy lips, and thine iniquity is

taken away, and thy sins purged ;" if a
God be shed abroad

by the Holy Ghost, which
sense of the love of

in our hearts
;;
AN IMPORTANT
he hath given us
The
or to hinder us.
then constrain us
did so
who
much
for
there to check
is
love of Christ will
Zeal for him
us
much
suffered so
come every
what
who
gratitude to
for us
We
other feeling.
shall re-
before
men; and
him
like the apostles,
shall give with great
we
443
he ascertained that he was the son of a

highly respectable and pious individual
and that he had left the paternal roof in
him order
will over-
joice in the privilege of confessing
INQUIRY.
to
avoid restraint.
course
of
licentiousness had
brought him to the

borders of the grave, and he was now
anxious, having obtained the pardon of
his Maker, to secure the forgiveness of
power our witness
his father.
TJie gentleman went, accordLet us look then ing to the directions of the invalid, to the
from ourselves, where there is so much father, and introduced his business with
to dishearten, so much to dispirit; and him in the following manner: "You
let every eye be fixed on him in whom have a son I believe, sir.'"
" Mention
of the Lord Jesus.
are
hid
all
the
and knowledge.
treasures
of
Let us think
wisdom him
little
of
not to
me,"
" he has been
said the dejected father
for a
long time
my grief,
and.
what we may be able to do for him, but shame, and sorrow he will bring down
think much of what he has done for us. my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave."
:
Let us lose sight of our own insufficiency

"I have seen him," said the gentlein considering the largeness of his mercy, man.
""When'?" inquired the father,
" A very short time since,"
the greatness of his power; and while anxiously.
we thus give ourselves to him who calls replied the gentleman; "he is penitent
us; though we be the least of all saints, for his conduct, and his only wish is to
yet to us may be the grace given, to obtain your pardon."
They hastened
preach to others the unsearchable riches together to the house where the wanderer
of Christ.
had found a resting-place.
When the
door was opened, the sufferer lifted up
BENEFIT OF A RELIGIOUS TRACT.
his head, and as he perceived his father,
At an Auxiliary Tract Society held in his eye glistened with the hope of rethe neighbourhood of London, the follow- gaining his favour, and his tonorue ejacuing interesting anecdote was narrated by lated the desire of his heart. The event
proved that his hope was not fallacious,
the Rev. Edward Parsons
" A member of parliament, now entered nor his plea for forgiveness in vain. The
:
mto
was
the habit of appro-
father ran, like the parent of the prodigal
priating the early hours of the Sabbath
son, to embrace his long-despaired of but
his rest,
in
messen- repenting child. The son again repeated

one occasion, as he his hope that he might, in addition to the
called at a house which he had visited pardon of the Almigiity throujjh a crucifor the purpose of leaving a tract, he was fied Redeemer, receive the forgiveness of
told by an elderly fenialo, whom ho liad his parent; this request was iininediately
before seen at this habitation of misery, granted, and they both wept together.
to the distribution of these little
gers of mercy.
On
young man up-stairs wished to see The feeble constitution of the young man,
him. Ho was introduced accordingly to however, was not able to bear so much
a room at the top of the house, where he excitement; he fell from the embrace of
found the young man stretched on a bed his aged parent, and then once more liftof sickness.
After some conversation ing his eycH to heaven, he closed them
with him respecting the state of his mind. again, and expired.
that a
SERMON
XLIX.
THE LEPERS OF SAMARIA.
BY THE REV.
SHERMAN,
J.
BEHALF OF HOME MISSIONS.
IN
to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold
OUT peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief wilt come vpon us: now therefore
come, that we may go and tell the king's household." 2 Kings vii. 9.
" Then they said one
The
circumstances which dictated this
delay his design till the next morning,

were the following.
on account of a prophecy which Elisha
Ben-hadad, the king of Syria, with a nu- delivered, contained in the first two verses
"Then Elisha said,
merous army, had besieged Samaria, the of this chapter.
Thus
capital of the kingdom of Israel.
It ap- Hear ye the word of the Lord
brief conversation
pears that the siege
was continued
so
Jong, and under such distressing circumstances, that the most awful consequences
began to rage in tlie city. Such was the
high price of all kinds of provisions, that
as much as ten pounds were given for an
ass's head, unwholesome, unsavoury food;
and a pint of corn, taken from the crops
of doves collected from the neighbouring

was sold at the rate of twelve
country,
shillings a pint.
Hunger had
so blunted
the sympathies of nature, that mothers

had killed and eaten their own children ;
and the resources of the
city
were now
in such a dreadfully exhausted state, that
an entire surrender, or total destruction,

must be the necessary sad consequences.
Jehoram, instead of reproving himself
for his own wickedness, and confessing
to himself privately that he was the great
cause of all the miseries which Samaria
was now
enduring, laid the fault upon
most
Elisha, the
country had
patriotic
friend
the
Lord, To-morrow about this

time shall a measure of fine flour be sold
for a shekel, and two measures of barley
for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.
Then a lord on whose hand the king
leaned answered the man of God, and
said. Behold, if the Lord would make
windows in heaven, might this thing bel
And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it
saith
the
with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof."
In the afternoon of the same day four

men suggested to one another the
expedient of going out to the camp of the
Syrians, and seeing what had become of
the army, or what was the state of the
leprous
They were outcasts from

they were devoured by the lethey were under the ban and
Syrian's force.
society
prosy ;
and therefore
curse of God and man
any thing that happened to them, they
thought, could not make them worse.
And, therefore, " they said one to another. Why sit we here until we die?
:
and he determined, therefore, to kill him.

For this purpose he If we say, we will enter into the city,
went to his house and previous to the then the famine is in the city, and we
execution of that purpose he determined shall die there and if we sit still here,
Now therefore come, and
to hear the prophet for himself.
Utter- we die also.
ing some impious, abominable, and blas- let us fall unto the host of the Syrians :
phemous expression, he was induced to if they save us alive, we shall live^
444
;

and
if
they
As soon as
commenced
us,
kill
it
began
we
to
grow dark they ledge
their operations,
know-
God has blessed a variety of inproceeding dividuals, by his rich providence, with a
on their journey; and, to their great astonishment, when they arrived at the
camp, they found no man there for the
Lord had gone out before them, and
caused the Syrians "to hear a noise of
chariots, and a noise of horses, even the
noise of a great host and they said"
that is the Syrians
" one to another, Lo,
the king of Israel hath hired against us
the kings of the Hittites, and the kings
of the Egyptians, to come upon us.
Wherefore they arose and fled in the
twilight, and left their tents, and their
horses, and their asses, even the camp as
it was, and fled for their life."
When
they had satisfied themselves, by going
to the extreme end of the camp, that it
was not a stratagem of the enemy, they
then went, first into one tent, and partook
of the luxuries of life that tiie Syrians
had left behind ; and entered another, and
took of the gold and silver, and concealed
it in the earth.
And after they had thus
satisfied themselves, they began to think
" We have been into
of their friends
the Syrians' camp, and we have now got
their money, and we have had their food
our spirits are refreshed, and our bodies
are nourished, by that of which we have
foretaste of the rich provision of grace
and mercy, which makes happiness

abound on earth, and fits souls for ever-
445
shall but die."] millions, are perishing for lack of
Thousands are every day

perishing for lack of knowledge ; and
lasting glory.
must perish, if the bread

be not sent. Now we, like the
favoured lepers, have found out a plentiful supply to enrich ourselves, and feast
the world. Thanks be to God that some
few efforts have been made to supply the
world with this provision
But their
wants are infinitely beyond all the supplies we have sent them.
iSIillions are
crying, and are praying for this bread of
life
and not only millions of the heathen,
millions more
of
life
whose case
constantly presented to our
is
view, but millions of our
own
bre(hret%, in
and hamlets, and towns of your

own country, with your own blood running in their veins, where many of your
relatives dwell ; where some of you have
villages,
friends, servants, children,
And
siding.
these dark
relations re-
parts
of the
though not like the habitations of

cruelty in the heathen world, are yet full
of vice, and misery, and ignorance, to
almost an abounding extent and the object of my standing before you this evenpartaken ; but there are our poor bretliren ing, is to " provoke you to love and to
in the city ; there are our wives, and our good works ;" and to endeavour to " stir
children there, and there are vast num- up your pure minds by way of rcmembers there dying of hunger.
We do not brance," to exhort you to " add to your
well to ait here this day is a day of faith virtue," and to your virtue still
good tidings; we have reaped the advan- greater liberality than you have been actage of coming out; we have partaken customed to show to this great and neof the bounty of God in this extraordi- cessitous cause which now presents its
nary way if we tarry until the morning claims to your notice. And may I espelight, and be so ungrateful to divine Pro- cially, in entering upon the subject this
vidence for the blessings that are con- evening, beg the prayers of this congreferred upon us, some mischief will befall gation, that I may be so assisted in layus.
Come, let us rise up and go into ing its claims before you, that your hearts
and expanded, and
the city, and tell the king's household may be opened
tlie good tilings of which we have par- (^hrisl's name bo honoured and glorified
earth,
this evening.
taken."
My
(Miriatian
brethren,
tho
present
Tho
text, then, describes tho limes in
which wo
live "This day is a day of jrood

somewhat HJmilar to that in which Sa- tidings." Tho toxt reproves our iuilifTermaria was placed wiien these lepers ut- ence to tho miseries of others " \N o <to
tered thoso words.
The armies of Satan not well." Tho toxt pronounces our puand of sin surround it; the people, by nishment if we dulay to send them hoip
state of
tliu
worhl
is, in
a spiritual sense,
;;
THE BRITISH
446
PULPIT.
method which curses upon his head. He engaged in^

the mighty conflict: and, as smoke is
First, then, the text describes the times driven away, so he drove them away.
" This day is a day Our God arose, and he scattered all his
IN WHICH WE LIVE.
And
the text suorgests the
Ave ought immediately to pursue.
enemies.
of good tidings."
And
is it
not,
my
dear brethren and
a day of good tidings
sisters,
are the peculiarities of the day in
we
are called to live
What
which
There are these

first of which
four peculiarities in it; the

I will
now mention
that
Jesus Christ
has ohtaineda complete conquest over all our

enemies.
And
cial truth
which
this is the great

is
published
pel of Jesus Christ.
and espe-
in the gos-
Sin, and the world,
and Satan, like a mighty army, with
all
were arrayed against

The justice of God which we had
It is true that
Christ in this
dying he " destroyed

death, and him that had the power of
death, and delivered us, who through
fear of death were all our lifetime subject to bondage."
It is true that he died
but in dying he " put away sin, by the
sacrifice of himself."
It is true that he
died ; but he proclaimed the victory with
"It is finished:"
his dying breath
" Be of good cheer, I have overcome the
world." It is true, friends, that he died
conflict died
but
in
their leagued friends,
us.
offended, appeared in dreadful
"But justice quenched

In Jesus' vital blood
its
flaming sword
;"
majesty
and until satisfaction was and the law was magnified, justice was
made to divine justice, mercy itself could satisfied, God was well pleased, and sinnot spare or pardon. The wrath of God ners were saved. And now the host of
was revealed from heaven against all heaven and the church of Christ may
ungodliness and all unrighteousness of sing " Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah !
men ; and all our sad expectation con- the work is done ; the conquest is made,
sisted in tribulation and anguish, misery salvation is brought in ; and the blessand wo, which were ready to fall upon ings which were so much needed for my
our heads. Now we had to engage these soul, are all ready to be procured, to be
hosts ; we had to go out against them, bestowed, through his dying atonement."
these armies which surrounded us as they So that " this is a day of good tidings."
did Samaria.
We had no champion, we Moreover, " this is a day of good
had no individual who could protect our tidings" because Jesus Christ has procured
cause; no army went out against them. an ample provision for all our necessities.
Like Samaria, beloved, when we beheld The spoil is ours the glory is his. The
our condition, we were all alarm and all conquest was made by himself, and
dismay and, as in the case of Samaria, through that conquest all the benefits of
the victory was wholly of heaven, so it is salvation are now amply provided and
in our case: Jesus, from the height of amply presented to our use.
And what
the throne of his majesty, beheld us
are these blessings 1
My brethren, our
pity moved him to compassionate our enemies had robbed us of peace, of joy,
case; love, which had heights, and of communion, of justification, of holibut this day is " a
depths, and lengths, and breadths, un- ness, and of heaven
against us
known, and which passeth knowledge, day of good tidings ;" Jesus Christ has
brought him from heaven to earth in our restored that which he took not away.
flesh.
In that flesh he dwelt for thirty- Whatever scarlet and crimson sins have
been committed, in the gospel he has
presented a full, and free, and everlasting
pardon. If pride, and passion, and pretered the bloody field; and sin and hell judice had corrupted the soul, and beopposed all its force against him. The come its grief, in the gospel is presented
wrath of God seized and fell upon him a fountain opened for sin and for uncleanin all its awful majesty justice demand- ness.
If condemnation arise from the
ed of him the debt which we had con- law, to terrify the spirit that knows not
tracted ; and the law poured forth all its how to justify himself before Gad, Christ
three years in our world, in the form of a
servant; and, as the Captain of our salvation, single-handed and alone, he en-
the gospel has presented
" unto
him with a years
and upon
all them that believe ;" for there is no
difference.
If hostility to God and his
service be the plague of the man's heart,
and oppose the message he constantly
hears, Christ has brought and has preached tranquillity ; for " we have peace with
God through Jesus Christ our Lord."
If heaven be desirable, and its glories be
coveted, and the hope of attaining it be
lost to any spirit here, " this is a day
of good tidings," my hearers, for the way
righteousness that
is
all
ed
447
that are past
provision; this
tidings" for you
welcome
is
Come to this bless"a day of good
when you
to all the
are heartily
boundless grace of the
great Provider.
But there is another point connected

with this good tidings, and that is this :
many of us who
participate in the provisions
that Jesus Christ has led
are present
to
And this makes it " a day of

good tidings" to us. Blessed forever be
his holy name, that not a few of us have
tasted that he is gracious, and that we
to the holiest of all is made manifest, can put our hands to our heart, and say
through the rent veil of the Redeemer's that the ample provisions of his love
flesh.
Beloved, the gospel is a table have not only satisfied, but done more for
spread, where all the spiritual wants of us than we could ask or think.
We take
sinners may be supplied here, in abun- up the language of Scripture we delight
dance, are found the bread of life, the to know that " we have passed from
water of life, the fruits of the tree of life, death unto life, because we love the breand all other blessings connected with thren," We know that " all things work
And may I ask this vast together for good to them that love God,
life eternal.
congregation this evening, Have you, to them who are the called according to
" We know whom we
dear hearers, satisfied yourselves at this liis purpose."
Is there any unconverted spirit have believed, and are persuaded that he
table?
here, who, yet c#ivicted of its own guilt, is able to keep that which we have comis earnestly desirous of the blessings mitted unto him against that day." " We
This is know that the Son of God is come, and
which the gospel imparts ]
hath given us an understanding, that we
B. Home Missionary Society; and we are
about to plead for home ; and where can may know him that is true and we are
I better plead than here, dear hearers, in him that is true, even in his Son .Tesus
We know that his " flesh is
and tell you the gospel is for you, and Christ."
the blessings of the gospel are for you, meat indeed, and his blood drink indeed."
and the ample provisions of boundless We " know the grace of our Lord Jesus
grace do invite you, do welcome you, to Christ, that though he was rich, yet fol
our sakes he became poor, that we
come and partake of them largely ?
through his poverty might become rich."
"O all ye hungry, starving poor,
" We know that, when he shall appear,
of his love.
Behold the royal
feast.
we
And let your longing appetites

The rich provision taste."
"This day
I
am
is
a day of good tidings :"
sent on a message from the bounti-
Provider of this feast: "Come, for

now ready." See, my
dear hearers, the Master is at the table
ful
all
things are
the provisions are spread
seated; hut .Mary's place
ihem
the guests are

is
empty
La-
him
shall be like
him as he is."
this happy state
for
we
shall see
Now how came we in

How came we feel-
ingly and experiinentaiiy to
know
these
" not unto us, O

heavenly truths 1
Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name be
the glory, for thy mercy and for thy
truth's sake."
Beloved, the four leprous men exemplify our condition.
Like them, we were
that sit at the
cast out of the congregation of the sainl-s:
not yet amongst
the burden of your inolhor's prayers ami
like them, we wore loathsome in our own

eyes: like them, we were infectious to
our neighbours: like them, we were under till! ban and curse of (Jod
but, liko
hopes, and your fathcr^s expcctatioos fur
these
tarus
is
not one of
table with liim; .John
his discijilcs.
is
Havt- not you,
friends, wlio hoar
mo
my young
this evening, l)crii
leprous men,
ho
filled
us
with
THE BRITISH
448
views of our own misery, made us diswith the state in which we

were, raised a spark of hope in our bosoms, that for us there might be hope,
and that we might, as we could not be
in a worse condition, be better, by appliAnd you
cation to his mercy and grace.
contented
we
PULPIT.
live
that
Jesus
Oirist has opened
channels for the publication of these good

tidings to others.
This day may be em-
"a day of good

Will you indulge me, my dear
hearers, by reflecting a moment on the
contrast of this day and the days that
who hear me this evening, recollect that have preceded us and let us see whether
the day in wliich we live must necessa- this day be not " a day of good tidings."
Who Formerly the Scriptures were not comrily be "a day of good tidings."
brought you to London ? Who placed pleted now the canon of inspiration is
Formerly the Scriptures were
W' ho fixed closed.
you in such a situation 1
you, young man, in that counting-house, not translated now we have the Bible,
where the first sermon you heard should not only closed as it respects the canon,
be made evidently the power of God to but we have it translated in our own and
your salvation ] O methinks I see your numbers of other languages. Formerly
the saints looked forward for a Saviour to
mother taking her last farewell of you
for an
and as you went away from the door, come we behold him arrived
she lifted up her voice and said, " God atonement to be made ; we behold it finfor a righteousness to be wrought
bless thee, my son, and make the God of ished
thy father the God of thy life." And out; we behold it brought in. FormerGod has answered that prayer; and this ly, my brethren, what impediments had
O it the primitive disciples, in the publication
is "a day of good tidings" to you.
was he who, by the operation of his Spi- of the gospel, in the governments under
which they lived ; our government, blessit
rit, applied divinely to your heart
was he who brought you to listen to its ed be God, if it does n Jr patronize, does
voice it was he who ordered the visit not oppose; and under the sanction of
of that friend who put that book into this government we can carry our gospel
your hand who suggested the visit to every where. Formerly, wherever it was
phatically called, indeed,
tidings."
such a house, or such a family, or such a preached, the exertions of our brethren
temple for his worship, and there made were always impeded by desolation and
the gospel instrumental to your everlast- war; but now we are at peace; there is
no port shut against us; missionaries
ing good.
Now, I say, behold the change; you may be sent to every place.
At this time God seems to be going
who were once leprous souls are become
forth, and shaking the very nations, stirrich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom
you are satisfied with marrow and fat- ring up the minds of men to an earnest
ness ; and your mouth praises him with desire for happiness; a certain something
joyful lips
you who were afar oflf are they feel they want, a general buzz and
brought nigh by the blood of Jesus cry over the whole world for a certain
Christ and though the day may be dis- something; and although individuals may
not know exactly what they want, yet
tant, yet cleansed, exalted, justified, and
:
you shall one day arise to the

is, and see him, and be
like him, and be with him, and shall
change your lamentations for hallelujahs,
your pilgrim's staff for the palm-branch
of victory, and all your distresses for
everlasting pleasures.
O " this day is a
day of good tidings." " Bless the Lord,
our souls, and all that is within us
bless his holy name."
a certain anxiety for the
way
glorified,
there
place where he
leads them to glory, happiness, and eter-
my
is
that
which the gospel so amply supthey are throwing off the

shackles under which they are groaning,
and are crying for Christ and the gospel.
Twenty 3'ears ago the public press was
nal life,
plies.
Now
the vehicle of slander against the saints,
and against the Bible, and against Christ;

but now newspapers, with very few ex-
another
ceptions, are constrained to be the public
point connected with the day in which
and avowed advocates of the kingdom of
But,
brethren,
there
is
mean
Missionary Society the Bi-
The Missionary Society
Christ.
London
the
now
of
449
strip her
its
house
furniture,
at
Ashby-de-la-Zouch
order that another
in
house of God might be erected in another

others, which were begun with a hand- part, and the salvation of the gospel of
ful of praying men in Mr. Hardcastle's God made known to the sons of men.
My dear hearers, let it also be rememcounting-house, and rose in the world by
little and little, like the cloud that the bered that, notwithstanding the difficultprophet saw, now rise majestically, like ies, and the sacrifices, and the distresses
the sun, and are scattering light, salva- connected now with home and foreign
tion, joy, and peace over the whole world. labours, God is raising up both his serAgain, the petty jealousies and distinc- vants and handmaidens, very willingly
tions amongst Christians, wiiich so hin- and joyfully to take this work.
I cannot
dered and impeded the work of conver- but also look at the immense improve
sion, are wonderfully softened down, so ment in our own land, as indicative of
When Mr.
that they now seem to vie with each God's favour in this day.
other who can do the most good, and Rowland Hill first commenced his exerwho can most extend the gospel of our tions in country places, how different
Lord Jesus Christ.
In our own land was the spirit and temper of the times.
light is spreading in every direction. When he first went forth to preach the
The pulpits of the established church, gospel at Devizes, he told me that two
which many years ago were not so filled individuals endeavoured to waylay him,
as they now are, now we see are filling and with an oath swore he should not
in every direction with wise, holy, zeal- preach the sermon that evening, and that
ous, devoted, and powerful men.
The they would take away his life some siny)opulation of our country, which was gular circumstance attended his emanciPersecution
formerly sunk in the grossness of igno- pation from their grasp.
rance and darkness, are now with some has ceased to a very great extent, and
ble Society, and the Tract Society, and
which we
exceptions
show
are
now
shall
God
afterwards
by which they can
attain
to
know-
the
is
for the
placed in those situations
is
giving
facilities in
every direction
There
publication of his truth.
hardly, perhaps, a village or town in
whole kingdom where the gospel canmake its way.

is putting it into the hearts of wealthy These are facilities which we could not
men to erect places of worship. One in have expected or dreamed of thirty years
your own city has built perhaps as many ago.
ledge of
truth, in
t!)e
hundreds of public
places, from the servants of Christ.
the
God
not, at this present time,
And
as eleven or twelve; another has built
one at Bristol
one is built at Westonsuper-mare and churches, too, without
parliamentary grants, are erected by the
munificence of individuals in various parts
of the world, and the glorious gospel of
the blessed God is preached in these
ttiat
God
is
all
making
these things,
this
"a day
we
facilities
for
not say that,
difficulties
of
the
is
it
not a mar-
vellous thing, connected with the present

day, that the subscriptions to the various
societies increase
and, above
all,
that a
greater spirit of prayer for the outpo\iring

oftiie divine intluence on the rliurrhes,
sec
ami
of good
all
the exertions connected with mis-
home
sionary and
tilings," by opening channels, and grant

iig
may
various individuals, yet
Notwitlistandiiig the dinTicullies
connected with
the
times, and the pressure of the times upon
places.
then, brethren,
nf)twithstaiuling
iho great
the publication of his
labours, connected with
work of God, should be more
which unrjuestionably never ex- amply excited among the churches, is

The days of the Countess evidently a token for goo.l ? This day is
I bless
of llunlingJon arc in some respects re- indeed "a day of good tidings."
She, from her own hearty (iod I was not born a century back; I
vivel agiin.
truth,
isted
before.
desif, and love
lor the
spread of the gos-
thank (Jod
have lived
to see H.l.'i
for
It warms
of good tidings."
for the sake of building a chapel; and land chcofs our hearts to see (Jod going
pnl of Jcûa,
would now
Vol. I.S7
sell
her Jewels
it
is
"a day
'-J
-'
THE BRITISH
450
out before us, causing a noise in the

and making the enemy fall before
canrip,
us, and
making way
for his servants to
penetrate the dark recesses of the earth,

and claim his people for himself.
I
that
pass on, in the second place to notice

THE TEXT REPROVES Ol'R INDIFFER-
PULPIT.
comforts, and the luxuries of our own>

personal enjoyments, without remember-
ing that our brethren were perishing for

lack of knowledge.
Certainly, then, " we do not well.'*
For,
first, let it
be remembered thatu-AzVe
mind, we dis-
this disposilion exists in the
ENCE TO THE MISERIES OF OTHERS. " VVc honour ovr chnrader. What is our chado not well this day is a day of good racter? If we have believed in Christ,
;
This may appear a very strange

connexion with the foregoing statements
but a very
that I have made, brethren
little explanation will, perhaps, alter your
opinion.
It is true that the Lord Jesus
has graciously opened channels, and given facilities for the publication of his
tidings."
gospel
that
but, beloved, is
equally true
it
we have embraced them 1

me to put this question
"Will
you
very se-
allow
riously, beloved, to your consciences, and

to
my own
Has
conscience,
evening
this
the Lord Jesus gone out before us,
and granted
facilities for the publication
we
God ; we are united

our elder brother, and we are
under infinite obligations to his boundless love, inexpressible obligations to his
are the sons of
to Christ,
gracious care and love to us.

Now all
he asks us, in return for his love to us, is
to love him in return

not to be ashamed
of him; to establish his kingdom, and to
give ourselves up to his service. And
who would think the

knew the blessedness
service
Who
this proposition
terms hard that

of this Master's
would even think that

were too much to request
of souls so deeply indebted to his love
we embraced them 1 and to his mercy ? To us, and to us only,

Have we seized these openings ] Have he has deputed the honour of instrumentwe, as he has opened, entered into the ally bringing home to his fold our kinof his truth, and have
breach, planted the standard, and claimed

the territory for
him
No
cases this has not been done.
in
dred and our countrymen.
many vows
Alas
my
mouths
to
Beloved, our
we have opened our

the Lord, and we cannot go
those of us who are accus-
upon us
are
brethren, if every conscience brings the
back.
All
subject to bear upon
tomed
to visit the table of the
itself,
and proposes
" Have
these questions to itself
I seized
member
our
vows
there.
Lord, re-
How
oft
our
the efficiencies which Christ has offered
hearts have been deeply impressed with
me
the love of the Lord Jesus, and
make known
to
love to
my
the bounties of his
my
kindred, to
neighbours,
said, as
we have
we have
departed from his house,

the Lord's
my time is his ; my
to the world
each of us must be " I am
condemned to-night. " Have I made any talents are his; my property is his; all
sacrifice commensurate with the object, that I have is his: my Beloved is mine,
and
am
And our prayers witmuch as our vows.

dom my first, my earnest, my prime re- We have said, " Thy kingdom come ;"
quest?" Alas, brethren we are all con- and did we mean it? Did we mean that
demned. What have we endured, comhis kingdom should come when we so
pared with Christ's sufferings for usi said? Yes, we meant that his kingdom
What have we given that we could not should come; but without any great iiwell spare 1 W'hat have we ever made crifice on our part: or else we ha\e
of sacrifice for the service of the Lord slighted our prayer.
If we withhold our
Jesus Christ?
Beloved, we are all in persons, if we withhold our property, if
the same condemnation
we are all con- we refuse to establish his kingdom in the
victed and condemned.
We have satis- earth, let us relinquish the name of Chris-
or equal to the prospect that was open
before
mel
Have
made
Christ's king-
and
his."
ness against us as
fied ourselves
of the gospel
with the precious provision

;
but, to a great extent,
we
does not belong to us.

we not only dishonour
our character, but we disobey Chrisfs com-
tian
have forgotten our perishing brethren.

"We have tasted, alas the ease, and the mand.
!
it
But, secondlj^
Our prayers have been, " Lead
;;

me
into thy truth,
God
art the
what
of
and teach me,
my
wilt thou have
salvation :"
me
for
thou
45i
" By me" the fishermen and tax-gatherer
"Lord, converted thousands.
do ]" has been
And
it is
his plea-
choose the weak things of

our cry. Now this is his instruction
the world to confound the mighty, and
"Go ye into all the world, and preach the weak things of the world to bring to
the gospel to every creature, beginning naught the things that are. Let, thereat Jerusalem."
Go tell the world my fore, no hearts be discouraged in their
love, but begin at Jerusalem ; begin at village exertions, in their visitations
your own homes ; begin where the peo- around their districts, either with tracts,
ple shed my precious blood begin where or with the opportunity in society round
the man lives that nailed me to the tree
us our friends, our neighbours, and the
begin where the soldier resides that poor too, in speaking for Jesus Christ.
pierced my side
let the virtue of my You may not speak so eloquently as an
cross, and its salvation, be seen by those Apollos
but if you can say one word for
who were my murderers and my foes your Master, for the Prophet that is in
that is, begin at Jerusalem, begin at Israel, as the little captive maid did who
home.
can tell but tliat God may give that word
Now this is not an arbitrary com- an efficacy and blessing, which the greatmand of the Eternal, my brethren, but a est efforts witiiout his blessing would not
very necessary answer to your prayers, effect ?
to your most earnest wish.
There are especial and great encourageYou have
prayed that his kingdom may come; and ments resulting from such a thought as
now he is opening his way, that his king- this, to an extended exertion. Where
dom may come, for you to embrace the shall we find men for the purpose? This
opportunities that will be the means of is the great, the last, tiie only questuin
establishing that kingdom in the world. that we should ever propose to ourselves.
It is the very work in which you delight, The great question that commends itself
according to your own profession in your to our especial notice is. What has Christ
best moments at the footstool of divine commanded 1
What is the work ho
mercy, tliat you have earnestly desired would have us do ? We are to go and
every thing that has now happened ; and labour, and leave the rest to him. Suclaljour is ours.
cess is jiot ours
then you have sung that hymn
He has
the gold and the silver in his possession ;
" Now will I tell to sinners round.
and as he raises up friends for different
What a dear Saviour I have found
institutions, he manifestly proves that he
I'll point to his redeeming blood,
has the hearts of all in his hands. O,
to
sure
to
still
And
was
All this
but
it
say, Beliuld the
God."
to
dear Christian friends, there
perfectly sincere at the time
must be carried out
The command
sincerity.
the promise
we
way
is
is
to
prove
its
our warrant
our encouragement
of liberality
live
want
to sec
is a branch
extended. I
of the Chris-
say that many

pfthe church "do not well."
How many rich members have we, to
whom it H'ould be no sacrifice each to
support a missionary?
Christ's comthink
may
tian friends
and
disobedience to Christ's
commands, how can we expect his blessing]
do not well :" the text re- mand
proves our indifference.
If our hearts preach
if
in
"We
is,
" Go
into all the world,
gospel
and
eveiy creature."
say, we are too weak and unworthy to be " \N'liy," says the rich and wealthy proengaged in tho work, then I hear him fessor, the member of tho (-hrisilm
saying, " My grace is sufficient for thee
chiirch, " I cannot go."
True, l)ut then
my strengtli is perfected in thy weak- sow can go by deputy; and why not
ness." ' Hy me," says the leper, " ho have your deputy in a heathen land 1
saved Samaria ;" and "by me" the little Why not have your deputy at home?
captive maiil, in her master's kitchen, Why not have him circulating the knowthe
to
was
soul,
tho
and
means of saving her master's ledge of

healing
her
master's
body.
the
tho gospel around your city; in
village
where you were born,
an<i

THE BRITISH
452
perpetuate the memorj' of Jesus Christ

there, in the very place where you your-
PULPIT.
had been sent tliem. Now what should

our grief, beloved, be to see souls brought
every hour to the brink of hell, and know
May I beg to press this

self cannot go]
upon the attention of Christians 1 How that, if they die, they must fall therein,
much more noble, how much more dura- and to reflect that we have used no adeble the monument would thus be after quate means to succour and save their
Do you believe it, my brethren,
the decease of the individual, to have a souls
!
man
of
Cod
jiublishing- Christ's salvation
that there are five millinns of your
countrymen,
brought up in poverty, perhaps,

brought up; but who came to this great
city, or went to other places, and God
to attend
Avas
blessed him, and caused his riches to increase
bit of
either
own
or else they are not in the ha-
hearing the gospel at
all 1
Do you
how much better would it be to believe that factl If you do, I will tell
monument inscribing his name, you this that, supposing thirty years to
have a
and telling of deeds that few, perhaps,
ever saw.
But
who
have not the

means to attend public worship that is,
there are not places of worship for them
in the spot where, perhaps, that person
pass on to notice, in the next
the text pronounces our

PUNISHMENT IF WE DELAY. " If we tarry
till the morning light, some mischief will
place, that
befall us."
I will not detain you, my
beloved, long in proving a point which I
believe you will
all
subscribe, that
some
mischief will certainly fall on the heads

of those who, knowing their duty, do not
be the duration of one generation, then

there are one hundred and sixty-six thousand of your own countrymen dying without Christ every year and there are four
hundred and fifty of your own countrymen dying every day without the knowThis
ledge of Christ and his salvation
is an appalling fact, my dear brethren
but can you look calmly and coldly on
this,
ye that love Christ 1 Is it a mat
;
ter of indifference that
these individual*
should pass into eternity, without an)

chimerical but it is plain, and certain, effort on your part to pluck them as branda
Esther felt when
and awful. Yet I cannot suffer this op- from the burning?
portunity to escape, brethren, without the decree was issued against her counstirring up your minds by way of remem- trymen ; and she sighed and mourned
brance.
Let me just therefore remark over it ; and she said, " How can I en-
fulfil
it.
It
is
not doubtful,
it
is
not
we
de-
first,
our
that the Scriptures assure us, if

lay, three things shall befall us
eyes shall see the destruction of our kinsecondly, our souls shall want the
joys of Cod's salvation ; and thirdly, our
dred
conduct shall receive the condemnation

of Christ.
If we delay this work our eyes shall see
the destruction of our kindred.
When our
beloved Lord had used all efforts to evangelize Jerusalem, by preaching, by miracles, by residing amongst them, by va-
rious conversations,
and
yet,
their misery affected his heart
after
;
all,
he could
rot look upon them without tears.
Many
times he wept in his prayers ; but there

are two scenes only recorded where he
publicly wept the one was at the grave
of Lazarus, his dear friend
and the
.other was when he looked over Jerusalem, and saw the people perishing people who had discarded the prophets that
:
dure to see the evil that shall come upon

my people? How can I endure to see
my kindred
And
cannot you say the same 1
There is, however, another point to
consider.
The evil that shall befall us
shall be this
our souls shall want the joys
And tell me, my dear
of Godh salvation.
brethren, let your consciences speak to
yourselves candidly this evening, what
have you ever lost by obedience to Jesus
the destruction of
Christ?
Begin )'our calculation in his
When have you
house this evening.
denied yourself any of the luxuries of
life, and perhaps a few of its comforts?
When have you unflinchingly taken up
your cross in obedience to his commands ?
W'hen have you made the greatest sacrifices to his cause, and endeavoured to
his commands?
I ask,
he not repaid you with his " favour,
follow out all
Has
which
is
better than life," and
made your

camp
453
cup overflow with spiritual blessings?

Has he nof? And when you have neglected his cause, and put earth first and
heaven last ; when you have cherished
the luxuries and comforts of life in your
heart, instead of Christ's cause and his
service ; when you have put self above
Christ, and held the salvation of your
souls indifferent, thinking of your business, of your activity in life, or of your
family, or of your neighbourhood, or of
your honour have not the chariot wheels
of devotedness and duty dragged very
heavily] Have you found communion
with Christ so sweet then as formerly,
when your first love burned on the altar
Have you not found the
of your heart ?
ordinances of God without that refreshment which you previously hadl Have
you not walked in darkness, and had no
light ?
I put it thus, beloved, to your
consciences, seriously and affectionately,
this evening, whetlier that passage is not
" He that knoweth my commandtrue
ments, and keepeth them, he it is that
and I will love him, and my
loveth me
Father will love him ; and we will come
and make our abode with him." All our
and their oppressed brethren

might fight their own wars, and endure
their own perils for them.
And what
was the consequence ] A vuice from
heaven said, "Curse ye Meroz; curse
ye bitterly the inhabitants of Meroz ; because they came not to the help of the
Lord, to the help of the Lord against the
mighty."
They were not opponents;
but our Lord has stated precisely in the
same terms " He that is not with me is
consciences testify, brethren, that this is

true: and therefore this mischief shall
that, if we act not up to our
befall us
God can pour upon
convictions of the pressing duties which

are claiming our attention in Christ's
the
me."
against
Neutrality, beloved, is
here quite impossible
we
or the other;
we
are one thing
are Christians, or
we
are enemies to Christ.
Let us, therefore, see, brethren, that

And the
live up to these privileges.
we
in another case, the

kind of punishment such individuals often
" Receiving in themselves the
receive
apostle explains,
recompense of their error, which was

meet." They "received in themselves
the recompense of their error, which was
meet." Can there be a greater punishment than to be given up to an indifferent, covetous, hardened state of mind 1
O, to have it said to a man, " Let him
alone," must, of
the
all
See
side hell, be the worst.

fied in
Judas
see
terrors
which
an individual on this
it
it
exempli-
exemplified in Saul
Let us
Demas.
it exemplified in
dread the brink of such a precipice, the
sec
approach to such a fearful state as this.

" From all hardness of heart towards our
con- sufifering, miserable brethren, good Lord
cause, our souls shall want the joys of
God's salvation.
Again our conduct
ahall receive the
demnation of Christ.
last day.
That
is
refer
now
to the
so plainly spoken
of,
needs no illustration " Inasmuch

as ye did it not to one of the least of
But I now
these, ye did it not to me."
advert to the state of mind which indilTerence to Christ's cause brings; and to the
dishonour which even now it casts upon
that
it
God. The inhabitants of Meroz did not

help the encmi/ ; they did not oppose the
enemy ; but they stayed at home while
their brethren wore engaged in war, and
:
deliver us."
But, beloved, we hope better things of

you, and things that accompany salvaYour very
tion, though we thus speak.
presence here this evening intimates a
You have come, it is

contrary spirit.
true, with the earnest desire to hear what
might be said, relative to the various
openings which are about to be made, or
which arc making, or which are already
made, for the spread of the gospel of
Jesus Christ.
many
In
cases, perhaps,
were going out against the enemy, thry the want of the knowledge has been the
quietly look' d on. There was no oppo- result of the want of liberality on your
The subject, perhaps, has not
sition, lliere was nothing directly oppo- part.
site in llieir conduct.
enlly looked
at
the
No;
llujy indilTcr-
i)een
sufiicienlly
war; they neither and you have not
sent supplies of tnoncy nor treasures into
You
are saying
presonied
bi-forn
you,
therefore thought of
this
it.
evening, "Jesus,

THE BRITISH
454
shall I do to show how much I love

thy charming name 1" The text would,
in the last place, suggest the conduct
WHICH you ought TO ADOPT UNDER PRKSENT CIRCUMSTANCES. " Let US go," the
text says, "and tell the king's household." And, brethren, let us go and carry
the gospel to our poor brethren and sisters
in Enirland that are perishing for lack of
Beloved, our brethren are
knowledge.
perishing; and will you be kind enough
what
this evening to look steadfastly at their
condition.
merely
do not wish you
to look
exterior; their drunken-
the
at
ness, and their vices, and their prodigali-
very distressing: but I

wish you to look further than these
things ; I wish you to look at the cause of
and the cause of all this is, that
all this
they are without God, and they are withty, are, perhaps,
out Christ, and they are witiiout hope in

If tliey would go, as they
the world.
should go,
cause of
Christ, the
to
would
their evils
all
instantly be banished.
They
are famishing not for bread made

of the finest of the whe, t; our flax, our
wool, and our wine they want not: and
they were dying of famine, if they had

but Christ's love in their hearts, why
famine would only be a nearer road to
if
immortality
across the
way
would be
it
iield,
going
like
instead of going the long
round by the road.
But they
are
perishing for lack of the bread of life;

are dying for
want of the water of
are thirsting for pardon, and they
life
know
it is to be had.
And though
some of them, perhaps, reject it and
when your missionaries go to their doors,
and say, " We come to tell you about the
Saviour," they say, " We do not want to
not where
we want
PULPIT.
you it is his throne. Do you pity

him the less because he is under a delu-
tells
Ono; the
; because he is ignorant]
very circumstances of the poor maniac
sion
awaken your tender sympathies, and you

pour over him, on account of his ignorance and his delusion, your warmest and
most tender feelings. I have sometimes
been at a funeral, where the dear infants
have lost their dearest earthly relation
their tender mother; and I have seen
them pleased with their black clothes,
and playing with them, and running about
the room with apparent delight that they
and
had got these new habiliments
many a sigh from the company present
had issued from the mouth as they said,
"Ah, dear little children! you do not
know what you have lost." Do you pity
them the less because they are ignorant,
because they do not know the value of
No: you
the person they have lost]
sympathize with them, and pour out your
souls in prayer for them.
And this is the very case with our
countrymen; many of them reject the
and that
truth, and despise the truth
very consideration should awaken the
tenderest sympathies of your heart, to
send them more fully the gospel of our
God.
O beloved, they are perishing;
they are perishing for lack of knowledge ;
and that should awaken j'our sympathy.
Why, you have sixty agents in your
work and you have four hundred villages ; and you have about thirteen thousand hearers and you have four thousand Sabbath-school children. I bless
God that you have but when you think
that there are many villages, and many
stations, where, for the compass of twenty
miles round that station, it is impossible
:
you nor your

" Let them to hear the word of life preached, let it
alone in their ignorance 1" That be far awaken your sympathies, and your earnest
from you. Look at that maniac does he desires, and your liberalit)" too, to send
ask you to come and help himl Does them the gospel. O let us tell them that
he beg you to take off his fetters'? Does the victory is gained that the pardon is
he say, "Set me at liberty]" No: he offered, that salvation is presented, and
dances in his chains; ho calls his fetters that Christ bids every sinner come and
his ornaments; he looks out of the win- partake of the bounties of his love and
dow of his cell, and he talks about his his salvation for ever. So shall you
inheritance
he lifts up his walking- have, dear hearers, " the blessing of them
stick, and tells you it is a sceptre
he that were ready to perish" come upon
points to the seat on which he sits, and you.
hear
it;
doctrine :"
will
neither
you
say,
455
It suggests, in the second place, that ard of the cross upon the soil, and claim
we should go and tell of these glad, tidings, it for me]" Why, because our hearts
Success is cer- are cold and because our souls do not
because success is certain.
What though many of your dear listen to the glorious tidings of the contain.
missionaries, who toil night and day in quests of that Saviour, which are now to
the work, have not had the extended en- be presented upon the earth.
;
Dear hearers, when you tiiink, then,

couragement of their heart's desire which
will you give up] that success is certain, that every guinea
you could wish
Brethren, the London Missionary Society you give to the cause of God shall be, as
spread the table of the gospel, with

its
all
provisions, for fifteen years in Ota-
were, a seed dropped

the very mite
given into the treasury, shall go towards
it
and not one soul was converted by furnishing the gospel of God to the poor
known and the miserable among your own counto the missionaries, during that time. trymen
whilst you think Christ has
But the day of Christ's power was to bound himself, by oath and promise, to
come lo, a nation, as it were, was born bless every effort made ; let this stimuin a day: a revival took place; God late you again to renew your efforts,
heite,
the preaching of the gospel, as was
came down, dispersed
all
the mists of again to desire that the glory of the
darkness, and pointed the sinners' conscience to the salvation.
crease:" not
come
only his
"He must inkingdom shall
but he must increase
" he shall
see of the travail of his soul, and shall
may
may
be revealed, that
Lord
your kindred
all
see his gospel.
Finally, brethren, let us fnrnish this
gospel to our countrymen, for our opportunities are vanishing.
Time
is
hasten-
be satisfied :" he " will pour out his Spirit ing on ; health is inconstant; the fiishion
upon all flesh, and all flesh shall see the of the world passeth away. This, this
salvation of our God."
If we had been is the only time we can use our strength,
Give,
entirely defeated in this cause, defeat in and talents, and time, and money.
this would be better than success in any therefore, this evening, as if this were
other.
But we are not defeated. It is the last act of your lives; as if you were
true that now and then a little drop of about to stand at the bar of Jesus Christ,
divine influence descends on the congre- and to be judged for the deeds done in
Let the truths that you have
gation, and our brother is pricked to the the body.
and now, at
heart ; and our sister feels the power of heard impress your mind
the truth
and our mother is awakened the cry of this one hundred and sixty
to seriousness; and our father comes thousand who are annually dying, and of
home with conviction on his conscience; the five millions who are without the
and our neighbour is alarmed for his gospel, and the four hundred and fifty
But presently a greater work than daily who are waking in eternity without
state.
this shall be seen: when the Spirit of God and without hope ; now, whilr their
God shall be poured out from on high, cry is ringing in your ears, and while the
then numbers shall wake and cry out, Spirit of God is speaking through his
" What must we do to be saved ]" Bre- word, now arm yourselvt-s agaijist all
thren, your heavenly Leader has gone up selfisiiness, and ag;iinsl all covetousness,
before you: he has taken all the princi- and let the love of Christ take an entire
pal places, all the forts and towers of the hold of your spirit, while you say,
enemy and he bids you, " Follow me :"
" Awnko, my dormant zoal
for ever flame
lie says, "Tiiere is inucii land yet to be
:
possessed ;" and he calls on you, and

says, " Why arc yo slack to go and partake of this land; why are yo slack!
Why
With
(cnoroii oriioiir fur
Ami thou my
immortal
lioud.nnJ heart, and
oiil:
liuiuls,
nil.
do yo not go up and plant tho stand- Spend and bo ipcnl
in ervico lo divina."
nnd
SERMON
L.
THE MORAL INFLUENCE WE EXERT AFTER DEATH.
BY THE REV.
"
He
GUMMING,
being dead yet speaketh."
There
in its
J.
can be no question that the

primary import, refers to the
lleb.
A.M.*
xi. 4.
text,
Every churchyard speaks
faith
thrilling accents than the senate
often far
more
house of
and accepted sacrifice of Abel and that the congregations of the living.
Holy Spirit conveys the important
No fact is more self-evident, or more
truth, that the departed son of Eve pro- universally admitted, than the text; and
claims a useful and healthful lesson, even no fict withal is more generally disrefrom the chambers of the tomb namely, garded by the living. Do not the saythat the blood of Jesus our sacrifice is the ings and doings of your departed relatives
ground of all our hopes and acceptance, often arrest you in the busy stir of human
and that by him alone, as the living way, life, and, according to their tone and chais there access to the Father.
But we racter, supply you with fresh incentives
may fairly depart from the personal and to holiness and religion, or to godlessspecific idea involved in the text, and preness and impiety 1
Do not their words
sent it as one of those general and great often eclio in ihe cells of memory 1
Do
principles which have a bearing on all
not their features and their forms start
a lesson to the living, and a truth con- into bright contrast with the darkness of
cerning the dead. Every son of man, as actual absence, and light up the chambers
well as Abel, " being dead yet speaketh." of imagery with early recollections 1 Do
Every man that plays a part in the great not the sounds of the one, and the sight of
drama of human life, leaves, at his de- the other, reach your hearts, and tell upon
parture, an impress and an influence, your resohitions, your actions, and your
more or less extensive and lasting. The hopes'? And, just in proportion to the
grave of the peasant and the mausoleum width of the sphere in which the departed
of the prince, are alike vocal. The sepul- moved, and the strength of intellectual
chral vault in which the scion of royalty and moral character they possessed and
was laid the other day, as well as the developed, will be the duration and the
cold, wet, opening of the earth in which plastic power of that influence they have
the way-side beggar was buried, utters left behind them. A son, for instance,
audible and actuating oratory.
From trained to maturity under the affectionato
every one of the dead a voice is heard, in superintendence of a religious mother,
some circle of the world's inhabitants, breaks loose in the days of his manhood
which the knell of their departure does from all the restraints and ties that bound
not drown
whicli the earth and the green him to the ways of pleasantness and peace,
sod do not muflle
which neither deaf- and wounds the heart of his parent, and
ness, nor distance, nor any tiling that man brings her gray hairs with sorrow to the
may devise, can possibly extinguish. grave. In after years, and in the far-ofl
* Occasioned by the dealli of the Rev. Ed- land of his prodigality and guilt, early
impressions look forth from his memory,
ward Irving, A.M.
;
the
456
MORAL INFLUENCE EXERTED AFTER DEATH.
45T
from beneath the wreck and rubbish by side of the portrait ; and were the influwhich they are covered, and rivet his ence left behind by the dead universally
thoughts on the past. In this stilly hour of this stamp and character, then would
the ghosts of departed scenes of innocence men be throughout their biography like
and peace flit before him, and the voice of visitant angels of mercy passing athwart
his heart-broken mother rings amid his our miserable world, distilling balm and
heart's emptiness, and she " being dead scattering light among men's sons
or as
yet speaketh" from her grave, with an transient gales from the spicy lands of the
emphasis and effect which she could not East, or glorious meteors arising in rapid
command while she sat beneath her own succession amidst the moral darkness of
roof, and beside her own hearth.
A re- the earth, imparting light and fearlessaction takes place in his conduct, and all ness to its many pilgrims, and this would
by the instrumentality of the holy conver- be bettered by every successive generasation and unblemished worth of her tion, till it arose and expanded to its milwhose lips are closed in death, and who lennial blessedness and peace. But alas !
" being dead nevertheless speaketh" for if many of the dead yet speak for God,
her God, his truth, and his glory.
and for the eternal welfare of humanity,
Or we may vary the illustration, and many, many also speak for Satan, and
adopt that of a departed minister of Jesus. ply after, as before their death, the awful
His tongue was ever eloquent in the cause work of sealing souls in their slumber,
of piety and eternal things, and his life and smoothing and adorning the paths
;
was
the exact counterpart of his creed
that lead to eternal death.
Just reverse
we have drawn. Suppose

mother we have alluded to was
the echo of his preaching, the legible and
the portraits
the living illustration of
sermons.
that the
many
one that forgot, alike and altogether, the
Under such
all his
a ministry as this,
re-
mained impregnable to the claims of eter- claims of her God, her soul, and her faminity, " dead in trespasses and sins." ly; and, both by her example and her
When he has been gathered to his fathers, tuition, fostered the evil passions which
and the voice that sounded the trumpet are indigenous to our nature. What is
of alarm and of battle has been hushed in the language in which she " being dead
the silence of the tomb, and the fingers yet speaks
What is the influence she
that were taught by .Jehovah to fight, and leaves behind her ]
It is the same voice
to wield the sword of the Spirit, are that comes from her home and her grave :
nerveless in death
often there comes "Let us cat and drink, for to-morrow we
from the pastor laid in the grave, a more die:" and often and again will her evil
persuasive and melting eloquence, than maxims be quoted, and her wicked life
there
tlie
came from
appealed
the pastor standing in
wrapped
in
a more
his winding-sheet,
ini(juity.
successful sermon, than from the herald
of Jesus robed in the

nisterial
character.
emblems of
Deep often
incentives to sin, and en-
works and ways of
in the
She
is
of her character
dead, but- the contagion

is
alive.
Her form
is
beneath the earth, but her voice is still

heard to the extent of its sphere, and the
spec.'ro of her immoralily stalks among
his miis
to, for
couragement
pulpit; and from the lierald of Jesus
the
appeal that comes from his grave, and
and touching the discourse those that were attached to lier in life
which "he being dead yet speaketh." and, just in proportion to the many amiaHis example lingers behind iiim the im- bilities of her ciiaracter, will be ihr depth
perishahlr of liis nature walks amotitj his and duration of th(> ini|)ression made by the
flock, visiting tiioir homes, comforting the vices of her character.
Or we may pass
mourner, warning llic careless, and teach- to the higher platform, and quote iho
spirit-stirring
ing the ignorant, and continues to stand

in the pulpit which the living man occupied, and
"to reason of
rigliteousness,
and It'inperanrc, and juilgmiMit."

This, my Christian brethren, is the
Vol. I. 58
Let us suppose that
('hristian minister.
his creed and bis conduct
cilable antagonists
were irrecon-
that he preached
a devil thai
like
a ser;(|)h, and lived like

fair,
preached so well thnt

2
it
was a
pity
he
hm
THE BRITISH
458
ver
left
the pulpit, but lived so
ill
that
he ever entered it. O how

destructive the sermons which he " being
Every godless
dead yet speaketh !"
hearer he has left behind him will appeal
to the doings of his deceased minister for
a sort of license to his conduct, and indulgence for his sins ; and the unhappy
it
was
man
a pity
will destroy
during his
more
after his
life.
PULPIT.
dying influence which genius can exert

by reason of that great discovery of modern times
the printing-press.
The dis-
covery of printing is the finest illustration

of my text; and well may we remark in
many texts which to us apweak or obscure, are waiting for

greater advancement in human discovedeath than ries to be brought home to us in all their
weight and their fulness. By means of
passing, that
pear yet
printing, man may speak to all kindreds,

dead yet and tribes, and people, and tongues, and
Thus our sins as well as make his voice be heard, with simultanespeaketh."
Thus we exert a ous power, beyond the Atlantic waves,
our virtues survive.
posthumous influence which adds either and upon the shores of the Caspian sea,
an impulse upon the advancing chariot of and amid the population of E urope. Nay,
salvation, or throws stumbling-blocks and he may speak to accumulating generaobstacles in its way. These last charac- tions after his death, with all the freshters are like baleful comets that traverse ness and force of personal eloquence.
our canoj)y for awhile, leaving behind Printing gives to man a sort of ubiquity
them pestilence, and plague, and mildew and eternity of being: it enables him to
or, like the fell simooms of the desert, outwit death, and enshrine himself amid
wafting moral death and desolation to a kind of earthly immortality. It enables
every scene which they visit. It is for him to speak while yet dead. His words
these reasons that we urge every one to that breathe, and thoughts that burn, are
read the lives of illustrious martyrs, and imbodied and embalmed ; and with him
apostles, and saints, who "being dead thousands hold profitable or hurtful comyet speak," in behalf of all that is holy, munion till time is no more.
If, then, we are loudly called upon to be
and honest, and of good report; and it is
for this reason especially that we would careful what we speak, and what we do,
warn every man, and teach every man, to we are doubly warned to beware what we
be very jealous of his life and his doings, throw into the press, and invest with a
not merely on account of the present power to endure, and a strength to pass
generation, but of generations yet to every sea, and to visit every people.
come, over which his influence for good Every day as it dawns is adding to the
powers, and resources, and expansibilior for evil may extend.
We have hitherto spoken of the influ- ties of man and, if every day docs not
ence for good or for evil which men leave also add a larger amount of moral and rebehind them in the immediate circles of ligious principle to regulate this growing
their friends and acquaintance ; but there power, then, in the end, will the huare other ways in which men may speak man race attain a giant's strength, but
Our polito many generations yet to come, as have an idiot's skill to use it.
Thus
the
the departed sinner, as well as
departed saint,
" being
tical power is increased ; our numerical,

if they had a voice which could
be heard from the rivers to the ends of the and therefore physical, power is inearth.
I speak not of the lettered tomb- creased; our resources are immensely inour skill has enabled us, by
stone, which is the voice of many of the creased
dead speaking, after they are gone, to the steam navigation, to bid defiance to tide,
pilgrim that is wending his way to Zion ; and tempest, and time ; and our improvenor of monuments erected to commemo- ments in printing are now so vastly mulrate illustrious worth nor of legacies and tiplied, that we can give body and form
bequests to the cause of religion, which to every word that falls from the lips of
make the name of the donor to be men- man, and circulate the speech that was
tioned with reverence and respect after addressed to a few auditors yesterday to
therehe is gone but I speak of the almost un- the utmost ends of the globe.
loudly as
We
MORAL INFLUENCE EXERTED AFTER DEATH

want much a commensurate increase
of religious principle, and need more liian
ever to be reminded how and what we are
Never was the text so true as it
to do.
fore
the nineteenth century
;
never did
being dead yet speak" so exteneively, so long, and so loudly.
is in
men "
If any earth-born joys are admitted as

visitants
amid the
the
celestial choirs,
joy that springs from having written

saving and sanctifying worksj is the
sweetest that reaches the hearts of the
saved. And I can fancy a Baxter, a
Newton, a
Scott, a Rutherford, rejoice
with exceeding joy when the angels that

minister to them that are to be heirs of
salvation, bring word that, in consequence
of the "Awakening Call of the Unconverted," or " the Force of Truth," or the
" Letters from the Prison of Aberdeen,"
some sinner has been aroused from his
lethargy, and made a partaker of grace,
and mercy, and peace. And if, as we
believe, any poignant recollections from
this side " the bourne whence no traveller
returns," reach the memories of the lost,
not the least bitter will be the remem-
459
joy or sorrow to the denizens of eternity.

Often and again will the great and the
wise that are in glory, wish that their
pens had been more employed, and their
faculties put more to the stretch ; and
often will the lost in hell wish, that when
they wrote, their right hand had forgotten
its cunning, and the sun refused them his
light, and the press cast out their works
still-born, and consigned them to Lethean
streams.
Thus
have laid before you the mighty

which emanates from the dead,
and the many channels, through which
I
influence
that influence
may
continue to flow forth
upon the living, for generations yet to

come. I am now anxious, as a watchman upon the walls of Zion, to improve
passing occurrences, and,
all
among
rest at this time, the death of one
has
made
a deeper sensation
among
the
who
the
religious public, than any other minister
since the days of Luther and of
who being
Knox,
dead speaks volumes

mean the death of the Rev. Edward IrvHis name is now perished from the
ing.
catalogue of the living upon earth, but
and
brance of having written volumes which found, I am sure, in the book of the living
I believe he has gone to the
are circulated by every library, and sold on high.
by evCry vender, in which the founda- bosom of his Father and his God, where
tions of morality are sapped, and the his sincere, but grievous misapprehenyouth of our world poisoned throughout sions of many great truths are for ever
He held, I know, the alone
the whole range of their moral economy. done away.
O it will be the sorest sting of that worm foundation Christ Jesus, and adorned the
which never dies, and the most agonizing doctrine he professed by every Christian
pang of that fire which is never quenched, virtue ; and while the " hay, and straw,
that their name, and their creed, and tiieir and stubble," he built on it are all conprinciples after them, gather converts on sumed, he himself shall be everlastingly
!
earth,
and carry
desolation to liomes
fell
that had otherwise been happy, and cor-
ruption to hearts that had else beat high
with philanthropy and piety. To speak

in many tongues and in many lands, long
after they are dead, is a source of deep
joy to tlie holy ones that arc saved ; and
to speak in many tongues and in many
lands, after they arc dead,
is
it
seems
And
to co;ne out, that the intel-
lectual and seicnlific discoveries of every
day, are preparing
mat-
nitlier aildilional
ter of do(;p p.iin to the lost, or of intense
joy
to the ransomeil.
When
came
first to this
great metro-
Mr. Irving a friend when

I had none besides, and in his session
much spiritual and religious comfort. I
was in the habit of spending many Saturday evenings along with a few ministers
polis, I found in
of England and Scotland, in meditations

a source of on the (ircek Testament; and when I
the bittcreat sorrow to the damned.
thus
secure.
Knowlmlgn
is
only power for good or for evil, but
not
it is
remember the
child-like simplicity, tho
of mind, and the

kind hospitality of that great and pnod
man, I cannot but grieve nl the awful
eclipse under which he came, an<l the
striking humbleness
early
tomb he has found.
the grave,
have reason
Ho
is
gone
to
to biliovc, willi

THE BRITISH
460
a broken heart.
tinued to adhere
However much he
con-
and
enthusiastic notions lie broached, he could
not yet shut his eyes to the awful discoveries made concerning the conduct of
to the unscriptural
some of his professedly inspired followers.

Conceive men daring to declare that they
were inspired by the Holy Ghost, and, in
PULPIT.
But
the doings of his audience.
knew and
his calamity that he
well the greatness of his genius
it
wastoo
felt
and this
made him fancy he could
penetrate the
arcana of eternity in virtue of his intellectual prowess, and gather to his bosom
flowers that bloomed not for man upon
make known a geography

be known hereafter only.
earth,
and
virtue of their pretended inspiration, or-
which
is
daining apostles, evangelists, prophets,

and, all the while, living in the grossest
Like the eagle, he soared too near the sun,

and was struck blind. He was misled
by sparks of his own kindling. Had he
been but a retired and ordinary parish
minister, how happy had it been for Ed-
commandments. In
was enough to break
violation of the ten
these things there
that good man's heart; and if
we com-
bine with these facts the various tribunals

at
which he has stood
his
dissociation
and exile from the temple in this city,

which the credit of his name had reared,
and in which (as he himself most pathetically said) his babes were buried
his
deposition from the office of the holy ministry in that church, whose battles he
had often fought and whose walls he
dearly loved
we can see more than adequate maierid to bring him to the grave
in the prime of manhood.
He set out on
the Christian ministry like some warship, with streaming pennants, and with
majestic way
but the storms beat, and
the waves arose, and prudence was driven
from the helm, and, perchance, the seven
to
ward Irving
swimmer
But so
it is
the strongest
drowned, and the strongand the foremost warrior most fre-
est
is first
quently slain.
Here
is
a lesson for
It is not in this
the
in
men
of great parts.
case that grace
is
needed
inverse ratio of our intellectual
The
strength.
greater our intellect
the greater our need of grace to guide
The
strong
man
is,
it.
has most need of discre-
and the rich man of prudence. Let

be your fervent prayer, that the powers
you have derived from the Creator may
be incased in grace derived from Christ
Jesus your Redeemer. Here also is a
tion,
it
men
lesson to
of moderate talents.
Envy
spirits that are before the throne ceased to
not the lofty minds of the eloquent and

the able
the higher you rise, the greater
breathe upon the sails; and battered, and
is
tossed, and rifted, she
foundered amid
rocks and shoals. I left him when I conceived that he had left truth ; but still,
never did
cease to esteem the man, and
earnestly to pray for his recovery.
It is
because " he being dead yet speaketh"

more important lessons than any of the
dead I have known, that I bring his character before you this day.
Let me, in
dependence on divine grace, enumerate a
few of the lessons, "he being dead yet
speaks" to the ministers and people of
Christ.
1. He speaks to us strongly on the danger that environs a hfly intelkd. No man
ever possessed a mind of higher range,
your
ber, that
the blessing of the
stronger than
God
of Israel,
was
Goliath
without it. Our warfare is not with intellectual, but with spiritual arms.
The
only desirable gift is the grace of God.
2. " He being dead yet speaketh" of
ilie
dangers of ministerial popttlarily.
Never yet did obscurity destroy ministerial usefulness, but often has it been impaired and neutralized by the poison of
the popular breath.
He who is gone had
often and again among his audience, the
crowns and the coronets of the world
the wise, and the rich, and the illustrious ; and the matter of wonder is, not
that he should have fallen, but that he did
and a greater power of fervent and impressive oratory.

None, with the ex- not
the
strength of
to arrest the
much sooner. It would be well

who spare no condemnatory language when they speak of him who is
and gain the hearts, and mould
gone, would but think, that if they had
ception of his illustrious father in Christ,
Dr. Chalmers, was so able

attention,
Let us rememDavid's weakness, backed by
liability to fall.
if
fall
those,
MORAL INFLUENCE EXERTED AFTER DEATH.

etood in his place,
would have
their fall
is,
that the
461
whole inspiration of the word
oeen more speedy, and more disastrous. of God was clean at issue with those
He became giddy from the eminence to views which Mr. Irving broached respectwhich he was raised ; and after staggering the humanity of Jesus. As to the
ing awhile, he fell, a warning to all never claims to miraculous powers, never were
I defy
to forget that " by grace they stand," claims so wild and preposterous.
wherever and whatever be the niche them to produce one single mstance of
miraculous power. The miracles of our
which they occupy.
But there is an especial admonition Lord and his apostles were so palpable,
from his tomb lo our comrregalions. His that men never disputed their supernatupeople almost idolized him they listened ral character, but declared that they were
to him instead of listening to God ; and either from God or from Satan ; but, in
therefore the Almighty taught them, by the present day, the miracles said to be
bitter experience, that man is not to receive wrought are such miserable failures, that
the glory that pertains exclusively to Je- the question is among themselves whether
;
hovah.
never was minister-worship so

and never, I trust,
;
remembered more
will the lesson cease to be
by generations
Doubt is
Nothing should be
they really be miracles or not.
condemnation here.
signally punished
yet to come.
men
satisfactory to these deluded
than the fact, that, a fortnight before
tlie
being dead yet speaketh" re- death of him to whom we allude, one of
specting the danger of seJf-sufficiencij and the gifted persons, speaking (as he proare, by no means, fessed) by the Spirit, prophesied that
se'f-confidence.
"
3.
He
We
prepared
to
assert,
verdict of their leader
the
that
would not
And what
die.
What
is tiie
the inference]
others is to determine the nature of our
fact]
own
God
pressed this single incident lately home

to the conscience of one of the deluded
decisions on the
;
word of the
and we are not prepared
living
to assert,
that any national or individual church

infallible;
we must
all
stand or
fall
is
me
Jeremiah had
if he erred,
Newman-street surely
people, and he told
is
by
that
prophesied falsehoods, and,
what we ourselves have thought and the prophets in

But had license to err. So indeed they had.
done, not by what others have said.
when the whole voice of Christendom is So infatuated are these fanatics that, rather
lifted up against an opinion which we than humble themselves to see the absurwhen martyrs have seal- dity of their views, they will lot go their
ha'ê cherished
ed by their blood, and apostles have

preached to the death, and reformers liave
proclaimed in every land, that one proposition is
belief in the inspiration of the
dations
God
from the Scripture, and the other
in direct opposition
surely becomes a
to
statements,
its
bow
of
all
our
May
Cliristianity.
deliver us from a spirit of self-con-
fidence and self-sufficiency, and lead us
it
young and inexperienced
to that
happy temperament which stands
neither in receiving wholesale and unexa-
divine, to doubt, to pause, to give away.
we
word of
the living God, and shake the very foun-
mined the opinions of men, nor in rejectinf and despising them as less to be
Above all,
ject the weight of the testimony of the depended on tlian our own.
wise, the holy, the ancient. The whole let us ever feel that dependence on the
Church of Scotland decided, through her Spirit of God 'which is our greatest
venerable assembly, that the views of strength and security.
4. " He being dead yet speaketh" reMr. Irving, respecting the liumanity of
Christ, were unscriptural
and yet he specting Ih-. danger if leaving truth, even
persisted in his adherence to his former in the amalleat degree, and pnfrrin<i opistatements, and pitched his own judgment niium Himp/i/ hecausc thetf are nnvel. 'I'liere
ng.iiust tliat of iho most venerable, and is but one slraiglit and true way, while
Because
dixit of any,
are not to
we
to the ipse
are not therefore to re-
c'lrned,
church.
and holy fathers of the Christian

I do feel, that next to ihi; Bible,
ihiTo are a ihnusaiitl false.
wn
wo are to honour
llio
church.
But
tlic
fact
In
tliit
wny
pious and (he illustrious

dead have walked, and found peace and
find that the

THE BRITISH
462
way
this
we
so clear and well-defined that
is
nnay rest assured, whatever scintilla-
tions
of
unobserved
truth,
before,
we
bring to the view of men, these must
be on the surface only. The great truths

of the Bible were, perhaps, more distinctly seen and grasped, at the dawn
of the Christian era, than in these
We
latter days.
may
place in
may
illustrate,
and
its
we
stronger light, the great
articles of a standing or a falling
church ;
but find other and hitherto undiscovered
and essential truth, we never can. Take
care, then, of deviating from the path of
truth by an inch.
If once you leave
that consecrated and beaten way, you
know not to what darkness and error you
may eventually come. You then follow
the ignis fatuus
of
human
and
and lamp
fancy,
lose the only light to the feet,
you lose the thread that

leads through the mazy labyrinth of
human
away on a wrong
you
to
the path
PULPIT.
and the discovered iniquity of"

them let the mockery of miraculous power they exhibit, and the
lying prophecies they utter, prove to
these deluded mortals that their church
is a refuge of lies, and, with a few sincere and holy exceptions, a sanctuary for
hypocrisy, fanaticism, and sin.
To us, who have escaped these delusions, the dead would speak
do not suppose that, because you have the form of
godliness, therefore all is well
do not
suppose that a sound creed is universally
connected with a sanctified heart. Remember heart and life heresy is much
worse than head heresy. Remember that
to no purpose will you say, " Lord
Lord !" if you have not done those things
which he has commanded.
May the
fanatics,
others of
Holy
Spirit enlighten our
minds
to see
the truth, and sanctify our hearts to feel
and
to follow it!
start
life
scent.
garrick's precepts to preachers.

dead speaks powerfully on
The celebrated Garrick having been
this subject.
He started some wild varequested by Dr. Stonehouse to favour
garies on the millennium, and laid these
him with his opinion as to the manner in
down as axioms in Christian doctrine
which a sermon ought to be delivered, the
but he stopped not here ; one wild notion
English Roscius sent him the following
was hatched after another, till the un-
He who
is
happy author was
lost in a
maze
of con-
Had he been spared,

doubt not but that he would have retracted his errors, and returned to the
good old ways of scriptural and solid
inquiry.
As it is, let us learn from
the dead the lesson which the Almighty
has not seen meet to allow us to learn
from the lips of the living that it is an
evil and bitter thing to forsake the plain
and the long-established ways of truth.
And now, could he revisit them whom
he has led astray, O how fervid and
fusion and error.
I
how
earnest would be his exhortations

abandon tlieir wild and unscriptural
creed, and return to the church of their
fathers, the mother from whose breasts
Ihey first drew the sincere milk of the
word, and by whose hallowed altars
they were nurtured and fed.
O, let the
to
confessed hypocrisy of
some of these
judicious answer
"
MY DEAR PUPIL,
" You know how you would
speak
feel and'
concerning a friend
imminent danger of his life,
in a parlour
who was
in
and with what energetic pathos of diction

and countenance you would enforce the
observance of that which you really
thought would be for his preservation*
You could not think of playing the orator,
of studying your emphasis, cadence, and
gesture you would be yourself; and the
interesting nature of your subject impressing your heart, would furnish you with
the most natural tone of voice, the most
proper language, the most engaging features, and the most suitable and graceful
What you would thus be in
gestures.
the parlour be in the pulpit, and you will
not fail to please, to affect, and to profit.
Adieu, my dear friend."
:
SERMON
LI.
ON MORAL DISCIPLINE.
BY THE REV. JOHN

MINISTER OF
"
No
tion,
PAUL's EPISCOPAL CHAPEL, EDINBURGH.
ST.
man, having put his hand
to the
plough, and looking back,
Luke
We are taught
this
in Scripture, to regard
not only as
God,"
"
fit
for
the
I.
II.
bore,
we
shall illus-
Both kinds (f discipline are necessary.

Both are often painful and myslC'
tual.
Let us, then, begin with the consideration of the
first
analogy, viz. That the
discipline in both cases is necessary.
of this ge-
is
occasion,
III. Both admit of no delay ; and,

IV. Lastly, Both are frequently ineffeC'
occupations
One branch
neral qualification, or fitness,
come, are various and im-
On this
rious.
kingdom of
its spiritual
kingdom of God."
ration for eternity.
suited to its moral excellence, as
well as ready for

and enjoyments.
the
only of the most remarkable

and interesting points of correspondence
between the state of a child in preparation for manhood, and of man in prepa-
ness for the inheritance of the saints in

light ;" or, according to the expression
text,
for
trate four
trial, to ascertain our fitness for

another life, but also as a course of preparation to acquire that fitness ; a school
in which certain tastes, and sentiments,
and habits, are to be formed, and certain
capacities matured, by which we are to
become, as St. Paul expresses it, " worthy
of the Lord," or endowed with " meet-
the
is fit
62.
portant.
course of
in
ix.
for the life to
world not only as a state of probabut of discipline
SINCLAIR, A.M.
child, on bis first production into the
world,
by
is
by nature
totally incapable of
our Lord himself, distinctly brought before us, viz. firmness and consistency of
kind of moral courage,
character
a
manhood.
This incapacity pervades equally his phy-
which, having undertaken a great object,

pursues it constantly and pcrsevcringly,
without looking back.
Our present purpose, however, will be
not merely to confine our reflections to
this one particular branch of fitness for
heaven, but generally to examine the
whole subject of moral disci|)line, showing its analogies with that natural discipline, by which men are prepared, in ibis
life, for their several pursuits and occupations throughout society.
The analnijifs
between infancy, as a season of eduration for riper years, and the present lifo
stitution.
the pleasures and pursuits of
sical, his intellectual,
and his moral con-
In each of these respects, ho

must bo properly qualified, by a series
of changes and developments, before ho
can undertake the business of inaturer

His body must be brought, by
years.
longconlinucd nourishment and exercise,
Ills
to manly strength and consistency.
intellect must, by observation, instruction,
and reflection, bo gradually ripened and
His moral faculties, at

matured.
wliolly dormant, cannot be roused to
full
he comprehends sufTiriently
Iho relations in which he stands, boib to
his Creator and to his fellow rreatarca,
activity,
first
till
103
THE BRITISH
464
PULPIT.
sown in weakness, it is raised in power

This nnfitness of child- it is sown a natural body, it is raised a
hood for duties and occupations to which spiritual body. There is a natural body,
and there is a spiritual body. And so it
it has not yet been trained or disciplined
is very forcibly and distinctly remarked is written, the first Adam was made a
upon by St. Paul, in an illustration fami- living soul, the last Adam was made a
" When I quickening spirit.
Howbeit, that was
liar to every scriptural reader
was a child, I spake as a child, 1 under- not first which is spiritual, but that which
is natural, and afterward that which is
stood as a child, 1 thought as a child
but when I became a man, I put away spiritual. The first man is of the earth,
earthy
the second man is the Lord
childish things."
As is the earthy, such
Similar to this, my brethren, would be from heaven.
and as is
the unfitness of man for a crown of glory are they also that are earthy
in the kingdom of God, were he not pre- the heavenly, such are they also that are
pared by the intermediate probationar)' heavenl)'. And as we have borne the
He is as image of the earthy, we shall also bear
discipline of the present life.
unqualified, without such preparation, for the image of the heavenly.
This corthe employments of the blessed in heaven, ruptible shall put on incorruption, and
The changes
as a child is for those of full grown this mortal, immortality."
here described, as being necessary to
manhood upon earth.
This incapacity, first of all, \s physical. create fitness in the body for inlieriting
His body is of such a structure as to be the kingdom of God, correspond precisely
incapable of enjoyment, or even life, in an with our progress from the weakness and
abode wholly different from that which it imperfection of childhood, to the strength
now inhabits, and from which alone it is and full proportions of mature age.
naturally adapted.
Hence, alluding to
Thus far the necessity of a physical
our present bodily constitution, as gross, improvement or alteration has been exaThe same necessity may be inimperfect, and unsuitable to the heavenly mined.
state, the apostle says, " Flesh and blood ferred, respecting the developments of
cannot inherit the kingdom of God, neither the understanding. Some analogy seems
doth corruption inherit incorruption." probable between the intellectual growth
For the removal of this unsuitableness, of the infant mind, and the intellectual
proper methods and opportunities are preparation of man for the society of
appointed by the divine Author of our superior beings in the world of glory.
frame. Certain processes of gradual tran- On this subject, however, we have not
sition must be undergone.
Life, death, the same degree of scri{)tural information
the grave and the resurrection, are all of as has been given us respecting the adthem but so many stages in our progress, vancement and glorification of the body.
each of which ])repares the body for the St. Paul seems, indeed, to touch upon
together with the duties which those relations involve.
next that follows, and

pare it for immortality.
St.
Paul
is
all
of wliich pre-
The language
of
He compares
comparing our degrees of knowledge in

this life, with our improved knowledge
the hereafter, he says, " Now we see through
the dissolution
and reconstruction of our bodies

several changes of a seed
to
dead, wither-
ed, decomposed, and afterwards reviving,
with other properties as a

which thou sowest," he
quickened, except it die ;
thou sowest, thou sowest
So
that shall be.
of the dead;
raised
it
is
also
is
sown
in incorruption
dishonour,
as necessary for our

adaptation to the immortal state, where,
here again illustrative of our
statement.
is
some mental change,
it
is
raised
"That
plant.
says, "
is
not
and that which

not that bod}^
a glass darkly, but then, (that
mature immortal
I
know
in
part,
even as also
is, in
state.) face to face
but then shall
am known."
height of intellectual stature
mind may ultimately
the
now
know
To what
the human
arrive, is impossi-
the resurrection
ble for our present limited capacities to
in corruption,
conceive.
it
is
sown
in glory
it
it
It
would be as absurd
for us
describe the latent powers and facul-
in
to
is
ties
which may be unfolded,
in our exal

MORAL
DISCIPLINE.
it would
be for a child to estimate the depths of
reasoning with which the future philosopher will pursue his calculations.
We now come to the most important
respect in which discipline, tem])oral and
spiritual, is necessary, and in which the
tation to celestial existence, as
state of childhood is again analog-ous to
There
that of Christian probation.

necessity, as
we
is
observed, for a vwral
preparation, as well as for the physical
and
to
465
God
dwell with
Redeemer
be
to
for
ever with
company in
heaven. In order to dwell with God
in
order to be happy in communion with him,
his
to join the
by the exercise, throughout eternity, of

praise for his perfections, and of thanksgiving for his mercies, piety must have
been habitually cultivated in this temporal, this
In order to be
initiatory state.
with the
purest and holiest of created beings, unitfitted
intercourse
social
for
And the momentous ed in the bonds of perfect spiritual affecwhich gives superior interest tion, without the smallest taint of envy,
intellectual.
distinction,
to his moral progress,
is,
that
it
can, to a
great extent, be effected in the present
hate, or selfishness, the Christian aspirant
must have
subdued,
first
in his
course of
We
earthly fellowship with his brethren of
cannot, indeed, by the mere exertion of
this world, the influence of every baser
our will, prepare our bodies for a glorified

condition.
Neither can we raise our in-
gress in the attainment and
Much depends upon
life.
tellect
to
ourselves.
eminence
angelic
but with
passion, and
heaven
is,
ourselves
find
still
Let, therefore,
by the grace of God, important
within the power of us all.

our Lord declares, we are
taking thought, to add one
stature of our bodies;" and
Although, as
unable, " by
cubit to the
although
we
truth,
dom
and benevolence of our Creator, to

continual approaches, moral/i/, towards fitness " for the kingdom of God."
the practice
my
the
brethren, this
all
necessity of piety
and charity, or, in one word, of holiness,

with a view to fitness for the kingdom of
God, be continually present to your minds.
Beware of superficial and inoperative
Christianity.
Add to your faith virtue.
more unable, " by

expand our minds Remember,
taking thought," to
into a comprehension of all mysteries,
and of all knowledge; yet, "by taking
thought," we are able, through the wis-
in
of that "charity which never faileth."
respect to virtue and religious conduct,

fitness for
must have made some pro-
that besides a
iille
to
future
happiness through the merits of your

Redeemer, you must be moreover qualified
to enjoy that liap})iness.
Besides being
redeemed and justified, you must be sanc-
You must read, and learn, and

study the word of revelation, and put
This
This fitness, now to be explained, cor- your knowledge into practice.
responds exactly with the moral training knowledge and this practice must not be
which prepares the heart in childhood for partial and varinble, ostentatious and
the duties of more advanced age. The Pharisaical, but must be consistent, prochild, without such moral training, could gressive, universal, and sincerely influnot be trusted. To be admitted safely encing your dispositions, tastes, and
Destitute of these qualificainto society or domestic life, he must feelings.
acquire previous habits of obedience, tions, the claimant for heavenly blesseddocility, and submission to authority
ness will be found wanting, however
make
habits
of justice,
trutli,
lifcd.
plausible his pretMisions, and, like the
and charity
habits of attention, industry, and self-con-
individual in the text, will he unfitted for
trol.
These moral requisites, it must be

obvious, are yet more indispensable for
(lod's
admission into the
second circumstance of analogy

between chihihood considered as introductory to riper years, and the present
Man, considered here below,
beings.
the
infancy of an
must be
society of celestial
trained to
in
to the ])nro
and holy character of that community

above, which he aspires
1
59
kingdom.
immortal existence, life regardetl as j)reparatory

higher degrees of mo- come, is, that the discipline
ral excellence, in proportion
Vol.
11.
to.
His aim
is
is
often painful
cliihl
and
for the life to

in
both cases
mi/slrriinis.
placed under wise and prudent
guardianship,
is
subjected to treatment
;;
THE BRITISH
466
often grievously irksome to him,
which acute and lingering diseases,
quite unable to account for at the

time of its infliction, however useful or
he
is
necessary he
may eventually
find
it.
distasteful,
patience
bad
propensities within, and from without bad
provocations of injustice, of treachery, of

oppression; the facility, above all, of
acquiring evil habits, and the difficulty
His mental faculties are

which he finds of removing them these various evils
and considers useless. His under God's providential government, pre-
suppression.
into
losses, hard-
ships, and privations, infirmity and
His example, wicked suggestions, and the
appetites are under troublesome restraint

his passions under severe control or
forced
PULPIT.
application
during sickness
is
grievously
sent to our maturer years an aspect not
by the use of remedies to which he

would prefer the disease, and which he
less revolting
finds himself incapable of understanding
of our childhood.
or perhaps in health, his manners, looks,
versity,
tried
in early
and incomprehensible, than

days the restraints and corrections
we
In the gloom of ad-
are visited with disquietudes
words, and gestures, must submit to and searchings of heart in respect to the
watchful and vexatious superintendence, design of our Maker in creating us, and
of which no account or explanation is to the prospect of our future destiny.
satisfactorily given. Above all, his sinful We are tempted at such trying seasons, to
tendencies, engendered by hereditary cor- allege that greater tenderness and indulgruption, his selfishness, his pride, anger, ence should be expected from God; and
or obstinacy, must be checked and over- that a course of life, less imbittered by
come. Reproofs, remonstrances, and even suffering, and less exposed to snares and
chastisements, must be reiterated, which hazards, would be more compatible with
he cannot possibly reconcile with parental our relationship as children of the univerAt length, sal Father. We ask, in ignorant impakindness and indulgence.
however, he attains to manhood, and is tience. Why subject us to discipline at
presented with a very different view of ain If discipline is to "fit us for the
the pain- kingdom of God," why not at once create
things. The mystery clears up
ful discipline is accounted for
his corn-
us in that state of fitness
Why
not at
communicate the character which,

education are discontinued. He perceives by a painful process, is now slowly and
he con- uncertainly matured ]
their importance and necessity
The best reply to such interrogatories,
fesses that a contrary system of neglect,
or of unlimited indulgence, would have my brethren, would be to put into the
either brought him to an untimely end, or mouth of a child the corresponding queswhy, before entering into comhave presented him to the world an ob- tions
ject of mingled pity and disgust, diseased merce with the world, he is placed in a
plaints and repinings at the severities of
once
and infirm, ignorant, headstrong, and un- preparatory condition, and is not rather
teachable, a burden to himself, and a born at once in man's estate, with all his
powers, bodily, as well as mental, in their
nuisance in society.
To these questions
Analogous, my brethren, to this whole- full development ?
some process of education and tuition, and of impatient youth, the answer of his innot less painful nor less mysterious, is structers is obvious. " You would, in that
the discipline by which, in this world, our case, be as completely unqualified for the
heavenly Father prepares his moral off- life of mature age, as an idiot the most
spring for the world to come. " Whom solitary recluse, after a life of separation
loveth he chasteneth, and from mankind, brought suddenly into
the Lord
scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." society, would be better able to conduct
The novelty of your situation
Similar, also, to the murmurings of child- himself.
hood are the sentiments of doubt, and would distract you with astonishment,
suspicion, and distrust, excited by the apprehension, curiosity, and suspense. A
unsearchableness of his judgments. The long period would elapse before you would
misfortunes and casualties, and vexations so far be familiarized with yourself and
with the objects around you as to engage
of every kind, incident to humanity
;
MORAL
DISCIPLINE.
any rational pursuit. Your language

(suppose you capable of speech) would
be offensive from your want of habit in
adapting it to the taste and sentiments of
others ; your manners, for the same reason,wouldberudeand forward, impetuous
and insupportable. Your ignorance, too,
of every useful art, joined to your inaptitude for acquiring knowledge, would render you incapable of earning your subsistence.
In every valuable respect, you
in
would come
forth into society a helpless
creature, unformed, unfinished, utterly deficient,
and unqualified
us,
and
we
not
which corrected
we gave them reverence

much rather be in subjection
;
Father of
ly,
flesh,
for a
spirits,
live
for they, veri-
few days chastened
their pleasure
we might
and
shall
to the
but he, for our
us, after
profit, that
be partakers of his holiness."

third analogy to be considered
The
III.
has reference to procrastination, namely,

that as growth in childhood, and progress
towards man's estate, must he begun im-
mediately from the hour of birth, so also

our preparatory discipline for immortality
mature admits no delay.
that
for
condition into which you
467
own
thers of our
The
rashly thrust
yourself, without the requisite information
infant is no sooner born than
begins to breathe,
to
he
take food, and to per-
and experience."* The incapacity we form whatever vital functions are essential
have just described of a supposed human to his nourishment and preservation. No
agent attempting to engage in human long time elapsesbeforehis nature prompts
without the natural preparation him to that activity and restlessness so
of childhood and of youth, may illustrate remarkable in children, and so importantly
what we have reason to believe would be contributing to their growth and advanceman's unfitness, without the discipline of ment. As soon as his tongue is able to
affairs,
a previous
life, for
the society and occu-
articulate, his
boundless curiosity, amidst
Such an intruder into a universe of entirely new objects, invites

the heavenly mansions would find him- him to ask continual questions, by which
pations of heaven.
self as
awkward and unprepared, and
as
not only his faculty of speech
if
but his understanding ripened and in-
into the pre-
formed. These, and many other processes,

mental and corporeal, the new formed
human creature begins in infancy without
incapable of comfort or enjoyment, as
he had been born
full
grown
sent world.
However
painful
then,
however mysterious the

which we are subjected in
my
brethren,
discipline
to
this life, let us
place implicit confidence in the
wisdom
procrastination, and
carries
is
perfected,
on without
intermission through the several stages of

childhood and youth ; taking daily food
and goodness of our heavenly Father. The and exercise, and, by new inquiries, addtendency of all the sorrows and privations ing daily to his stock of knowledge, till
that we can suffer, is to foster in our hearts he reaches manhood, and then, at length,
the very dispositions, the very fitness, in the full maturity of all his faculties, is
which we must cultivate for the kingdom admitted to the intercourse, employments,
of God.
Adversity, as St. Paul informs and pleasures of rational society. Hut this
us, not only tries, but produren virtue
not
only ascertains our capacity for eternal
progress, physical as well as intellectual,
unless
commenced
at the proper j)eriod,
would be attended with constantly inlight affliction, creasing difficulty, and would at last
which is for a moment, wurhcth for us a become impossible. Thus, if the child
fiir more exceeding and eternal weight fif should not begin at once, and regularly
glory." Indeed, our whnhi argument for continue taking food and exercise, his
resignation undir thn painful and myste- body would either perish, or be stinted ia
happiness, but increases

worketk patience; our
it.
"Tribulation
rious discipline wliich prepares, or (as
would
rather phrase
it)
its
growth.
educates us for early
life
If he neglected practising in
his faculty of speech, the orpan
nSy be summed up in the would soon lose in pliability, and beconie

Or if, farther,
words of tlie same apostle to the He- unfitted for articulation.
brews, " Furthermore, wo have had fa- he Hhould omit to use this faculty for pur-
heaven,
Se Biahop Duller'* Analogy.
poses of inquiry,
if
he should delay
all
THE BRITISH
468
PULPIT.
Study and observation during infancy and paratory discipline is, in both cases,
youth, while his memory is retentive and often ineffectual.
Of the children born into the world, a
his habits susceptible of improvement,
the powers of his understandiing, thus very small proportion ever reach maturity.
continually dormant, and never called The far greater number are, by various
into waking exercise, would every day causes, brought to an untimely end ; perbecome more sluggish, and be at last inca- haps by inadvertency and folly of their
own ; perhaps by the violence and oppable of development.
These simple and acknowledged facts, pression of others ; perhaps by accident,
with regard to the present life, should lead by sickness, or by premature decay. The
Tis naturally to anticipate corresponding same observation may be extended to the
facts in connexion with our discipline, lower animals, and still more forcibly to
preparatory to future immortality. That
discipline, to be successful, must be early
plants, the seeds of
ways exposed
which
many
we can
are in so
to destruction, that
must not be delayed. The scarcely find one seed escaping among
augmented rapidly by each the millions which fall away and perish.
Our These millions appear absolutely lost and
successive act of procrastination.
evil habits and propensities are daily more wasted, so intent does nature seem on
to be effectual,
difficulty is
confirmed the longer they continue in bringing one plant
Our
operation.
vicious practices strike
the loss of any
to maturity, as to
number
for that
think
purpose
And yet
deeper root into our nature, our resist- comparatively insignificant.
ance to the impressions of religious truth those seeds or germs which are premabecomes continually more inveterate. turely destroyed, and those which hapFamiliarity produces indifference, until at pen to attain full growth, were at first
old age created, equally and indiscriminately,
change of character is almost capable of the perfection at which so few
hopeless, and then follows death, which arrive.
Facts like these, my brethren, within
extinguishes all capacity of farther growth
or progress, and renders change of charac- the knowledge and observation of every
ter impossible. The best practical deduc- human being, suggest a question the most
tion from the foregoing statement is awful that can enter the human heart.
powerfully made by Solomon, "Whatso- Does the spiritual world present similar
ever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all phenomena to what we have here remarkthy might for there is no work, nor deed in the natural ] Is there in the case
vice, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the of man, considered as an immortal being,
This life is any thing analogous to the profusion and
grave, whither thou goest."
the only time allowed us to prepare for apparent waste exhibited in the works of
the next. No second opportunity can be nature around us 1 As the seeds of plants
hoped for. As, my brethren, there is no are designed for vegetable life, so is man
Is that
state granted to man of second youth, in designed for future happiness.
which the errors of the first might be re- design often frustrated ? Are there many
deemed ; so after death, there is no second who never reach the perfection for which
life on earth, in which we might com- they were created, and who are finally
length, as years advance, and
draws
on, a
of immortality. rejected as unfit for the kingdom of God?

must it lie." Delay In short, are there few that he saved?
In making answer to this question, the
not, then, preparations which are indispensable preparations which every day conclusion to which we must arrive,
are more difficult to be made prepara- whether we look around us in society, or
tions which cannot at last be made at all. consult the oracles of God, is most appalIV. There remains one more analogy ling. We see few appearances warranting
between infancy as an introduction to a belief, that the discipline tc^hich men
manhood, and the present life as intro- are subjected in this world produces the
mence again
'As
the race
the tree falls, so
ductory to
life eternal, viz.,
that this pre-
effects intended
on the contrary,
we die-
MORAL
DISCIPLINE.
469
cover fearful indications that the present tremendously significant.

They more
state, so far from eventually proving- a than warrant our assertion, that as a child,
school of virtue, proves to the greater though certainly designed to attain the
number, through
perverseness, an
their
natural perfection and maturity of
Circumstances
calculated for their moral improvement
circumstances calculated to produce in
them dispositions fit for heaven, seem
rather to have an opposite effect, and to
hood, oHen
actual school of vice.
of reaching
man-
stead of exciting gratitude to God, in-
and comes
to an untimely end; so, in like manner,
man, considered as an immortal being,
under discipline to prepare him for the
perfection and felicity of heaven, falls
shortof heavenly blessedness in numerous
and terrific instances, and is ruined,
flames self-confidence. Adversity, instead
finally, totally, irretrievably.
strengthen them in sin.
Prosperity, in-
fails
it,
of working acquiescence in the divine
There
will, confirms impatience and irritability.
distinction
The
namely, that the failure of the child in
contemplation of other men's dis-
however, one most important

be carefully kept in view,
is,
to
makes more impenetrable the heart reaching manhood is often caused by cirwhich ought to have been softened. In- cumstances which he neither can prevent
creased acquaintance with religious mo- nor control; whereas the failure of the
tress
tives, continually withstood, turns half
man
compliance into habitual opposition.

These alarming reflections are rendered
more alarming by corroborative statements in the word of God. AVe all are
well acquainted with the solemn admonition of our Lord, " Many are called, but
few are chosen."
all know what he
added in confirmation of that often repeated warning, " Many widows were in
by himself
to attain eternal life is
by
negligence, his
own
lasting happiness
ance of
all
own
his
always caused
folly, his
own
Ever-
perverseness.
offered to the accept-
is
the trials and temptations
incident to the present world are designed
mature
to
We
us that character which
in
shall qualify us for the next.
ance, above
all,
of the
Holy
The
assist-
Spirit, the
author of all holy desires, is vouchsafed

days of Elias, when the us, that we may pass through those trials
" The
heaven was shut up three years and six and temptations with success.
months, when great famine was through- Spirit is given to every man to profit
out all the land, but unto none of them withal." If, therefore, we reject, or if we
was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city fail to profit by the precious gift, the fault
Israel in the
of Sidon, unto a
And many
woman
lepers
that
were
in
was
widow.
is in
Be
Israel in the
by
days of Eliseus the prophet, and none of

them were cleansed, saving Naaman the
Syrian." To the same effect is elsewhere
the declaration of Christ, " Broad is the
way that leadcth to destruction, and many
there be that go in thereat; narrow is the
way that leadeth unto life, and few there
be that find it." Of the same fearful import is the language of the apostles,
wavering Christian
Strive
exert every faculty you possess, to enkr
you, shall seek
that
far many, I say unto

is, shall use some
feeble efforts, to enter in, but shall not be

able.
First, secure a
title
to future
hap-
by believing on the name, and

relying upon the merits of the Son of
God, and then proceed with strenuouspiness,
ness, with courage and perseverance,

under the guidance of God's Spirit, in
Be
the discipline of holy preparation.
STREMoi's, for you see that \vr:ik endeavours are iinavailing.
Bk roi kaokois,
for God will not suffer you to be tempted
above that ynu are able. Bk pritsrvERINO, for " No man, having put his hand
And
St. Peter, as a caution against sluggish-
ness and indifference, points to tlie ark

of Noah, ifherct'nfiw, he observes, Ifial is,
eif^ht oulii, were saved from the waters.
when an entire world was overwhelmed.
Understanding these texts in the mildest
sense whieli they admit of, wi- find them
instructed,
the counsel of your Redeemer.
in at the strait gale
"Though the nunibrr of the children of

Israel," says St. Paul, " be as the sand of
the sea, nremnani shall be saved."
ourselves.
to the |)lmigh,
the
and looking back,
kingdom of (iod."
J
11
is fit for
SERMON
LII.
ADDRESSED TO THE YOUNG.

BY THE REV. JAMES BENNETT,
'
Then
Jesus, beholding Jam, loved him,
You know, my
and said unto him. One thing
D.D.
thou lackest."
Mark
x.
21
young- friends, that a
have a very kind and gracious judge in

this person who here weighs you
and I
shazzar, when in the midst of a royal shall show you how kind, and considerfeast, and surrounded by festivity and ate, and impartial he is
for I shall enapparent security, was suddenly disturbed deavour to point out to you the two scales
by seeing a mysterious hand the hand of of this balance, and show you, first, what
God writing upon the wall, in letters of is in the scale that is favourable to you ;
light, these remarkable words,
" mene, and, secondly, what is in the scale that is
MENE, TEKEL, upHARSipJ^j" and you are unfavourable for you see that my text,
aware that a certain inspired prophet, an on the one hand, declares that " Jesus
certain proud and prosperous king, Bel-
infallible interpreter, explained the
young man ;" while,

he declared to him " one
mys- beholding, loved
the
" Thou art weigh- on the other,

and art found wanting." thing thou lackest."
Our Lord Jesus has come this night, preI. What is there in the scale that
senting himself to you, weighing a young IS FAVOURABLE TO YOU ?
man in the balance, and pronouncing him
If I had nothing else to say but that
wanting. What if the flame which is- God has been very gracious to our fallen
sues from the lamps in this place were race that he has so loved the world as
all to fly off, assuming upon the wall the to give his only begotten Son, that whosoform of letters, and, when you came to ever believeth upon him might not perish,
look at these letters of light, you saw the but have everlasting life that the Son of
word TEKEL, and you recollected the God has assumed our nature, has trodden
meaning for the prophet had told you upon the same earth on which you tread
it signified
"Thou art weighed in the
that he breathed this air that you
balance, and art found wanting?"
breathe
that he went about continually
If I present Christ to you to-night thus doing good, and, at length, poured out
weighing a young man and pronouncing his precious blood upon the cross for our
salvation
him wanting, do not think it unkind
that he commissioned this to
happy had it been for Belshazzar had he be proclaimed to every creature, and intaken the warning that had been given vited all men to come unto him that they
him ; for that very night Belshazzar was might be saved and that his own Spirit
slain: and who knows but this night accompanies this proclamation,
and
you may die? Well will it be for you breathes upon the minds of men for their
if you take the warning, and, before you conversion and salvation
you would say,
die, recover from that state in which you this is, indeed, a weight in the scale in
are wanting, and be found accepted before our favour.
But our text speaks of some
God.
peculiar regard that Jesus had to the
I would, then, remind you that you young man here
for that he was young
470
terious
ed
words
to
mean
in the balances,
TO THE YOUNG.
471
There are though they are but natural excellencies,

they are objects of complacency and apfavour; they may be comprehended un- probation. When our Lord sees in youth
The first is, a sort of open frankness, different from
der the three following
many of the qualities of youth are favour- the cold, cautious, cunning reserve of an
"another evangelist assures us.
several peculiar things that are in your
able to religion, and as such Christ re-
gards them
the second
is,
that
many
old practised sinner, Christ prefers the

of frank, open, bland spirit of the youth to
the words of the sacred Scriptures are
the serpentine spirit of an aged sinner;
favourable to the hope of your conversion,
and, although
and as such you ought to regard them

and the third is, that many of the deal-
spiritual, yet Christ
God confirm all these hopes, and

should inspire you with the most earnest
desire to enjoy the same blessings.
1. There art many of the qiialilies of
youth which are favourable to religion, and
as such Christ regards them.
When he
saw this young man coming, it is said
" he loved him," though he pronounced
him wanting, and the young man went
away sorrowful. Yet Christ loves whal
is good, as far as it goes, though there
may not be that spiritual good which is
the object of his complacency and of his
moral approbation, and which will secure
our everlasting salvation. When Christ
looked abroad upon this world, he viewed
all the works of God with complacency
and benevolence. If he saw the lily of
the field, he beheld its delicate beauty
if
ings of
he saw the lark mounting upward to the

*' The
sky, he saw it with pleasure.
Lord rejoiceth in all his works ;" his
it is
somethir.g natural, not
has a regard for
That
a natural excellence.
affection
dency
which children
to contract
bosom
receive what
their
give
kind and amiable, and to
warm
reception, all
with the Saviour's

mind, it suits his own open, kind, and
aifectionate bosom.
And that tendency
to receive a testimony
that readiness to
receive what is told them, and not to suspect lies upon every lip, but to be disposed, until they find things false, to believe
them true, even that also, which is the
natural temper of youth, is an excellence
for if sin had never entered we should
never have formed a conception of any
body deceiving us. Now, it is very true
that, with all this simplicity of the dove,
we ought to unite the wisdom of the serpent; but if we cannot unite them
if
they must be separated, as they too frequently are give us the dove, take who
will
said
went.
to
Now,
the serpent!
this spirit in the
our Lord
young man, and
universal rrame, thus wondrous
it
saw
was
his eye a pleasing sight as far as
The
retentive
memory
hold of the truth and kce])s

ihy works, Almiglily Father,
open
to
this is quite congenial
benevolent heart delighted to see the

beauty and glory which God had dilfused
over the works of his hand, and he
"These arc
Thine thin
that ten-
give out their hearts to
to
is
a friendship
a frank and
it
feel
as
it
warm
tender,
makes youth
also, in our
fit
it
fast, that
for the learning time,
eye, a
Saviour's
it
that lays
was
pleasing
fair.
Thyself
how wondrous
sight, rendering, as
then!"
it
Well, the Saviour who saw the
lily and
heard the lark with pleasure, never could
look at spring in thv countenance of youth
without tltat comprehensive approi)iilion
Now,
all
religion.
heart
these things are favourable to

Religion asks for your open
religion asks
for a believing
that can confide in a friend
who
whicli he fdt towards the material w(jrks.
truth,
The glowing countenance
Religion calls for the faithful
of youth, the
sparkling eyo, the bounding limb, the

overflowing spirits, the warm afl'ections,
the retentive
memory,
the ardent imagi-
nation, the burning zeal,
rous daring of youth
have
their
mind a
does, the
sort of secure storehouse for truth.
tlu!
all
rharmH, and, as
noble, gene-
these things
far as
they go,
and does not wish
to
mind
tells thu
deceive you.
memory
up divine truth, and remembtT9 Jesus Christ, who, of the seed of

David, was sacrificed for us.
that stores
2. There are tfDrJ.i in

promises in the holy book
liarity
favourable
to i/iju,
the Scripture
that art pecu-
and should
inspire

!!
THE BRITISH
472
PULPIT.
your hope. With what delight does the of this opinion are utterly ignorant of reHe ligion. They know no more of what
holy man adduce these words!
seems to pour out all the stores of sacred religion is than a blind man knows of
light and colours.
Precisely the reeloquence to trace the old age to the life
you see it wrinkled,
old, decrepit, peevish,
down
grave ; and
hut that you may hearken to
for what?
the voice which stands at the head of it
" Remember now thy Creator in the
stooping, going
to the
days of thy youth, while the
come
not, nor the years
evil
days
draw nigh when
I have no pleasure in
them." How large a part of the book of
Proverbs is addressed to the young
" Hear, O my son the instructions of
thy father, and forget not the law of thy
mother." How many have been touched
and they
to the heart with these words
" I love them
are fit to touch the heart
that love me, and they that seek me early
shall find me !"
This one assurance,
thou shalt say,
that
God has
a peculiar regard to those
him early, is a most delightful

encouragement to the young. When our
Lord Jesus is described as a shepherd, he
What
gathers the lambs in his bosom.
a world of affection and delight does this
your Redeemer
open to your view
seeking, and feeding, and nourishing,
and delighting in the affections of the
He carries them in his bosom,
children.
and warms and nourishes them in the love
of his own heart. There is nothing like
this said to encourage any one to put ofl'
that seek
verse of this
know
the opinion of all
is
They
religion.
who
say that youth
Look at
the proper time for religion.
is
the
where the gospel is

by works
proclaimed, and where religion is
is
placed in external forms and ceremonies
there you will see at prayers none but
the old and decrepit; but look at those
congregations where the gospel is preached, and where the nature of spiritual rereligious societies
not preached, where salvation
ligion is understood, and
ped
in spirit
and
in truth
God
see at prayers the young;
proportion of those
is
worship-
there you will
who
and a large
join together in
voluntary associations for prayer to the
mercy-seat of
The
fact
derstood,
is,
God
where
it is
are
young people.
religion is truly un-
regarded as the ornament,
the glory, the bliss of youth
so that the
possessed the better. And*

where religion is not understood, and a
earlier
it
gloomy
there
it
is
superstition is substituted for

is
the better.
it,
very natural to say, the later
Now, let me remind you that

God confirm his words.
the works of
Perhaps not one in forty is converted

age of forty ; and perhaps ninetynine out of a hundred who know any thing
after the
of real religion are converted somewhere

what is said about twenty. This is a solemn consideration, let me attempt to impress you
to encourage the young to come to Christ
The fact is, that there is not one word in with it. Suppose you had fallen into a
all the Bible that is specifically intended dream, and you thought you saw an imto encourage persons to defer religion to mense plain crowded with persons of all
every ages, from the young and the middle-aged
the time when they grow old
thing is said against this. But there is to the old and decrepit; and you saw the
much to encourage you to embrace reli- Saviour of sinners descend in all his majesty and glory, and passing through this
gion when you are young.
3. Remember that, as the word, so the crowd, taking more from the ranks of the
works of God his ivorlts of grace conyoung, fewer from the ranks of the mid-
religion to old age
but, oh,
firm these tki )igs that are said, so earnest lij, dle-aged, and much fewer still from the
A large part of those aged, conducting them to a gate, and adto encourage you.
who
is
are ignorant of religion think that
a thing only for old age
when men have grown
it
very proper
old, but
very unfit
them while they are young it does

not sit well upon young people; and they
for
are, therefore, for deferring
Now, you
it
to old age.
will observe that all
who
are
mitting them within, on which

ten this inscription
"
was
writ-
Strait is the gate
and narrow is the way that leadeth nnto

;"
life, and few there be that go in thereat
suppose, on waking in the morning,
you were to tell this dream to an aged
friend, and he was to say, last night
;;
TO THE YOUNG.
dreamed exactly the same dream, and saw
exactly the same representation
a few
old people, more in the middle life, but
the great body of those that entered in at
When
the gate of life were young men.
I awoke, said the old man, I trembled as
the aspen leaf, and the bed shook under
me, and I thought I was come to that
473
nothingin nature, considered in itself,

that is spiritual, holy, worthy to be apis
proved of the moral governor of the world,

or that will stand the scrutiny of the last
day. " In us, that is, in our flesh, there
dwelleth no good thing."

has nothing but what
mine
it
is
Mere nature
Exa-
sinful.
into the very core, and
it
will all
when it was too late to be be found wanting for there is not in our
And would you not say, I fallen nature any real love to God, any
converted.
was glad when I awoke for the greater genuine love of holiness, any true hatred
time of
life
of sin, any real
part of those that are converted are con-
verted at the happy period of
Well,
life.
my young
a dream.
all
It is
my
friends, this is not
who
what is truly lovely, spiritually amiable

and good, are wanting in us. So that,
whatever excellence there may be in your
youth, and whatever your earthly parents
may approve in you, there is nothing,
where there is no holiness, that the holy
law of God can approve. You sometimes
may, perhaps, have seen the corpse of a
departed friend, and if you have seen
more than one you may have observed,
in some instances, a redness on the cheek
that even sickness does not remove, and
that attends them even to their coffin.
Now, that flush upon the check will
make a corpse look pretty, and sometimes
the corpse will look so pretty that the
friends will hang over it with delight,
and kiss tlie cold cheek that seems to
rppel the token of affection but, after all,
are converted are converted in
There is nothing, indeed, to cut

off any from hope
but such is the fact
read the history of those who have become real Christians, and you will learn
youth.
God touched their hearts

while they were yet young. And when
you find exceptions you look upon them
as a rarity, a wonder of grace, and you
say, happy is it for you that you have
escaped that fearful ruin that generally
comes upon those who put off religion to
that the grace of
old age.
But now, my dear young friends, I

would turn to the second part of the sub-
And
ject.
shall
endeavour
to
point
out
II.
What
is
in
the scale that
remember
is
AGAINST VOU.
" One thing thou lackest," says Christ
and that was the one thiiiir needful; for
" he went away sorrowful." There are
three things in
tiiis
corpse;
may have
1.
The
first
tliis is
as amiable
is
young people,
that nil thnt
in
merely
is
There
and hopeful
not grace,
2.
it is
not true virtue or holiness.
amiable and
indeed, as far as
it
in
It is,
is
a second consideration, and
that all Ihouc things that
may
ajtpear
lovely. If they are tint sanctlfitd
by religion, will become
goes, jileasant to the
Now that
a weight in the scale against you.
at allrealli/ vahinhle in God's sight.
in mtlure
yet,
the cheek of the rose
which God pronounces yours.

is
nor
It is
it
with the heart of the corpse. " Dead in

trespasses and sins" is Ihe character
opposite scale that are
aminhi'c
i it
only the loveliness of a
wiiatever excellence you
and,
unconverted,
against you.
upon
All these things, that are the essence of
the solemn, serious,
fact of the case, that the greatest part of
those
reliance of soul
time of Christ, or any desire for God's glory.
hostile.
To
ho
eye, and better than the opposite sort of frank and generous, unsuspecting in your
Thnt openness of mind,
mind, exposes you to receive whatever

error may he presented to you, and makes
credit a report, that retentive memory, you in danger of becoming the prey of tho
that liouniling, ardent spirit, that noble, designing infidel.so that vou mav hearken
generous 7.eal which youth feels, when to lua sperinuslies,an(l swallow the gilded
undertaking any thing, to do it thoroughly bait, and be for over taken in the snare,
well
all these are, indeed, lovely in ilieir 'I'liat readiness of mind thnt you have to
way but they are not religion. There receive a report, and to treasure up what
GO
Vol. 1
*J n 'J
things.
that
frankness of disposition, that readiness
to
THE
474
BRITISFI PULPIT.
you hear, may make your memory the between good and evil, and a conscience
You may to have warned you of your danger, and
storehouse of all impurity.
recollect what is foul and filthy, and so having had faithful counsels and every
if you die in your sins, how
filling the chambers of your memory, it opportunity
may render your mind all that is loath- melancholy is the consequence! Then
some to the eye of him who searches the that glowing countenance blooming with
heart,
and
who
will
make
finally
the
My friends, remember besides this that

you xcill not always he young. You are not
so young now as when you entered this
place of worship while you are watching
my lips you are drawing breath, it is going out into the empty air, and shortly
you will breathe it all away it will be
gone; well then, remember, if you grow
;
old without religion, the peculiarities favourable to religion in youth are gone.
Instead of the frank ingenuous openness
of the unsuspecting youthful mind, there
will be the close, cold, suspicious one
the heart shut up against and impervious

The warm and feeling
to the truth.
now
youth,
withered and decayed, sinks

the darkness and gloom of
the grave, and the blackness of darkness
down
scrutiny.
into
all.
and everlasting
Then
that
fire
warm
gathers around you.
imagination, that once
painted to itself fairy scenes of future
feli-
be left to riot in all the dreadful

conceptions of everlasting misery
what
city, will
must be
spend an eternity of agony

Then the memory that might have been
the treasury of divine truth, and stored
up God's gracious words, will only recal
all your opporall that will torment you
tunities and advantages, and all your own
perverse abuse, neglect, and rejection of
them all. Oh, why must all the flower
Why
of youth go down to perdition?
must the spring be blasted, and everlastit
to
was so ready to receive

what was amiable and kind, will now being winter wither the soul 1 Why must
come cold and chilled as the ices of the that which should have been consecrated
The memory, that once was so to Jesus be for ever the subject of divine
poles.
breast, that then
quick
to receive
and faithful
to retain,
wrath
and he
that
might have been a
become treacherous and slippery, so rose-bud in the Saviour's crown his diabe a withered weed
that you will forget what you heard yes- dem of salvation
All those qualities that were cast out to everlasting abhorrence and
terday.
Remember, my dear young
once so favourable to religion will be ex- rejection ?
changed for all that is most unfavourable. friends, how soon these sad reverses may
And if you defer religion in the days of happen. You are aware that young chilyour youth, how soon may you become dren frequently sicken, and sometimes
Have you ever known
the aged sinner, who says " the days are die suddenly.
come when I have no pleasure in them !" one on whom consumption has seized!
3. But let me entreat you to remember, There may indeed have been a hectic
in the last place, that, if the grace of God flush upon the face, but there was the
prevent not, all the promises of youth may glassy brightness of the eye which intiFor youth mated that all was not right within.
perish in everlasting despair.
is not immortal; though you are young They told you they were getting better;
now, you may die while you are young, they fancied it; but you saw that the get-
will
and if you are still waiting, and refusing

to embrace Christ and give up yourselves
to him, while you hesitate, death may be
deciding, and while you may be saying,
" not to-day. Lord Jesus to-morrow,"
death may be saying, " not to-morrow, but
ting belter existed only in their imaginations,
for
that they
grave.
disease
every one else could perceive

were sinking down into the
Remember
is
that this
the disease of
deceptive
young persons.
And let this warn you of the danger of

be re- deferring religion until sickness comes
And if this should be upon you. It is terrible that that very
quired of thee."
the case, and you die unregenerate, unfor- disease, the most likely to arrest you,
given, having come to years of account- may be the one you may die of, and you
that is, in your
ability, having an understanding to judge may die getting better
to-day
this night thy soul shall
TO THE YOUNG.
Dwn
apprehensions.
Oli, then,
hear the
voice of the Saviour, now inviting you

and saying, " Come unto me, all ye that
labour, and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest!"
Now
let
me
entreat
you
to take the fol-
475
you leave your friends soon upon

it
earth,
will be to depart and to be with Christ,
which
is far better.
This is the consummation of the felicity of true Christians,
to be with him where he is that they may
behold his glory. Amen.
lowing COUNSELS,
1.
Never think you
are too
young to be
"
converted, and forgiven, and saved, and
given up to God, while you know that

you are not too young to sicken, to die, to
heaven or hell.
2. Never take up with any thing short
of true religion the entire change of the
heart by the power of the Holy Ghost
the true and full forgiveness of all your
sins by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.
For only this sort of religion will do you
any good.
3. Never be satisfied with having religion
seek to abound in it. Not merely
be judged, to go
to
to be alive, but lively
for, if religion is
worth any thing, the more you have of it

the better seek to have as much of God's
image as can possibly be enjoyed upon
;
earth.
4. Let me remind you that
pose you should study your
for this pur-
own
easily
besetting sin, especially the sins of your
be
warned against them
watch
your efforts to
oppose and destroy them, and ask by the
grace of God to keep yourselves unspotted
from the world.
5. For this purpose form a rule, lay
down a plan for life, laying out every day
as it ought to be spent, and as you will
wish you had spent it when you come to
die; for this purpose read daily the Holy
Scriptures
consult aged and experienced
Christians, and ask them how they would
advise you to conduct yourself before
youth
against them
strain
all
God.
6.
Lebanon
Wherewithal
selves, but to live usefully as well as

safely.
Do
as
much good
as you can in
the world, and as you arc
yoimg, and
have an influence upon the young, seek to
wean them to the knowledge, and love,
and service of Christ. It is a sad tiling
to leave the worlii before w! liave done
any good in it. Kxert yourselves, then
and, if you have a short race to run, you
will bo a ([iiick
sii/,t,r
of the cruwei.
If
come
shall I
before the
Lord, and find acceptance with the mosf

high God ] is a question, the solutiop
of which must be of the greatest im-
portance to a sinner.
" All have sinned,"
say the Scriptures, and thou,
among
my
soul,
But the same Scriptures

assures us, that by an irrevocable law of
heaven, no sinner can draw near to God,
the rest.
so as to find acceptance in his sight, but
on the ground of an atoning sacrifice,

which, according to the law, was to be
laid on wood, and burnt together with it.
But where is such a sacrifice to be found ?
and where the wood to burn it] The
text tells me, " Lebanon is not sufficient
to
burn, nor the beasts thereof
Lebanon,
high and extensive, the range often thouLebanon, celebrated for the
sand beasts
variety, beauty, largeness, and durability
of its trees; Lebanon, with all its numerous herds, and lofty cedars, could not
sufficient for a burnt-oflTering."
furnish a sacrifice sufficient to atone for
wood enough
the sin of our souls, nor
consume such a
to
Yea, the cattle

would have been re-
victim.
on a thousand hills
nor could our first-born, the fruit
of our body, liave atoned for our transgressions.
The redemption of the soul
jected
is
precious, and nothing that sees corrup-
could
tion
shall
Lastly, seek to live not for your-
not sufllcient to burn, nor tht
is
beasts thereof sufllcient for a burnt-oflering.'
equal
look
it
in
value.
Whither
shall
Where
I flee
for
help] Come, my soul, from Lebanon;

look from the top of .*<lienir, Mermon, and
all
the
Look
hill,
the
celebrated mountains of Judea.
to the place of skulls, the
with
cursed tree;
despised
the place of
pouring out of ashes :" the ])lace
its
where the carcases of criminals were indignantly thrown, as the ashes, the refuse
Thtre you will find a full
your question, filling you with
of society.
answer
jieaco
to
and Joy
in
believing
it.
SERMON
LIII.
CHRISTIAN AVORSHIP DELINEATED.
BY THE REV. ROBERT BRODIE,
'
Jesus saith unto her,
Woman, believe me,
nor yet at Jerusalem, worship
the
Father
the
;
We
this chapter, that,
went
for a
our Lord
the disci-
supply of provisions into
the town of Sychar, while he waited at

Jacob's well in the immediate neighbour-
hood.
in truth
for
is,
this
mountain,
vihen the true vmr-
the Father seeketh such to
commence- hour cometh when ye
when
was passing through Samaria,

ples
and
and now
worship
iv. 21, 23.
are informed, in the
ment of
hour cometh when ye shall neither in
but the hour cometh,
shipper shall worship the Father in spirit
him"John
A.M.
As he
rested there in the heat of
the day, fatigued with his journey, a Sa-
maritan woman came to the well to draw

water, from whom he requested that she
w-ould " give him to drink." This re-
shall
neither in
this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem,
ship the Father.
But the
wor-
true worship-
pers shall worship the Father in spirit
and
I.
in truth."
Let us consider the negative descripwor-
tion of the character of Christian
ship
what
1st. It is
None
it is
not.
not sectarian.
present will suppose that I use
which
manner and spirit it is often used, as descriptive of those
of the country to which his dress and who separate, however conscientiously
accent bespoke him to belong, for the from the established forms of the religion
Jews had an implacable enmity towards of their country. The attribute of Christhe Samaritans, filled her with a surprise tianity which I have in view, is directly
which she did not attempt to conceal. opposed to the narrow feelings which
The surprise was increased on hearing this application of the epithet indicates.
the answer given to the question so much Rightly interpreted, it describes a chaagitated between the two nations, and racter not confined to any one class of the
quest, so
little
the epithet sectarian in the sense in
in the
which, on discovering his prophetic cha- professors of religion, but extensively

At the period to
racter, she put to him, Whether Gerizim prevalent among all.
or Jerusalem had the preferable claim as which my text relates, it was not, as the
a place of worship. Instead of assigning Jew wished to maintain, exclusively apthe superiority to either, an exclusive plicable to the Samaritan, nor is it now
claim was denied to both. This accords exclusively applicable to the advocates
with the representations which the Scrip- of dissent. He is the sectary, and he
tures every where give of the liberal spi- alone, who would introduce into religion
rit of the Christian system, in conformity the principle of monopoly, who neither
to which the disciples of Christ are, at sees nor wishes to see any thing good or
this moment, assembled in so many dif- praiseworthy beyond the limits of his
Sectarianism is in
ferent places, under such a diversity of own denomination.
outward circumstances, with the same the mind rather than in the outward act.
expectations of acceptance.
There may be no separation from others
The appropriate beauty of the house of in the one case, where there is, and where,
God is the beauty of holiness. "The unless all moral distinctions are to be
476
CHRISTIAN WORSHIP DELINEATED.
477
confounded, there ought to be a separa- In the former this feeling was strengthtion in the other.
To assert that we are ened by the misapprehension or pervernot justifiable in withdrawintr from the sion of the divine direction given to his
communion
of those
whose
religious prac-
forefathers,
" Unto
the place
which the
and principles we deem unscriptu- Lord your God shall choose out of all
ral, would be to represent protestantism your tribes to put his name there, even
But our be- to his habitation shall ye seek, and thither
itself as a criminal schism.
nevolent regards may be cherished to- shalt thou come, and thither ye shall
wards those from whom we conscien- bring your burnt-offerings ; and there ye
tiously separate.
Though to us they shall eat before the Lord your God."
appear to err, charity will lead us to hope To the most scrupulous observance of
tices
that,
in
many
cases, the errors are not
this injunction,
no criminality could
at-
would have been highly prereligious sincerity.

In this world we sumptuous to have offered sacrifice, or to
" see darkly as through a glass." Even have observed any of the annual festivals
wilful, and not inconsistent with general
tach.
inquiring minds, with equal degrees of

candour and zeal for the truth, may, in
religious matters, arrive at very different
conclusions.
Party distinctions, as such,
and separate from the motives in which
they originate, and by which they are
sustained, are of no importance in the
sight of God
and experience shows that
they are but equivocal tests of character.
In communions the farthest removed from
elsewhere.
the purity of scriptural requirement, sin-
It
The
error
lay in ascribing
an efficacy to the place independent of

the character of the worshipper.
An
same kind, but with less to

was adopted by the Samaritan.
He could not say that there was any di-
error of the
justify
it,
command directing to the choice of

Gerizim, as being particularly suited to
the offices of religion.
He could say,
however, that tradition pointed it out as
the spot on which Abraham and Jacob'
vine
may had worshipped. And he attached to it,

be foimd. In communions, on the other on this account, a sanctity equal to that
hand, whose principles and forms are ad- which the Jew claimed for the temple at
justed with a professedly scrupulous re- Jerusalem. That the same superstitious
gard to the divine injunctions, there may spirit should still be seen among the vobe little of that spirit which imparts to taries of false religion, is natural. The
them their chief value in the sight of! Hindoo, performing iiis weary pilgrimGod. An exclusive religion can never age to the temple of his idol divinity, and
Christianity reveals the Mohammedan offering a similar tribute
be a scriptural one.
the way in which guilty creatures can be to the tomb of his prophet, are spectacles
reconciled to God, and every one who, which the spirit of their respective sysin faith and penitence, has received the tems would have led us to expect.
But
proffered remedy, and whose faith ope- what shall we say to opinions and usages
cere though misguided worshippers
rates as a purifying principle, stands ac-
e/iually superstitious
among
the profes-
whatever sors of Christianity ]

What shall we
misapprehension in reganl to subordinate say to the religious value which was forpoints he may still cherish
and to what- merly, and is still, attached to a visit to
ever uncharitable judgment ho may on the local scenes of our Saviour's miracles,
this account be exposed among men, and sufferings, and death 1
What shall
themselves equally fallible and imperfect. wo say to those religious pilgrimages
Neither in this mountain, nor yet at which are made to spots far less remarkJerusalem, shall men worship the Father. able 1
In what light, I might add, are
Hut the true worshippers shall worship we to view the religious veneration which
the Father in spirit and in truth."
is sometimes paid to consecrated buildce[)tcd in the sight of heaven,
'2d.
It is
not liKal.
ings!
An improper estimate
I.. _....-!.
I
to be attached
..
to
of the im|)ortanc>
.;_-M
was
Jew and Samaritan.
1
particular places
alike the error of tho
It
is
proper,
where
praelicablu,
that particular edifices should be approI
'
priuted to the worship of (Jod
but no
peculiar efficacy belongs to these places.
THE BRITISH
478
Even
Zion, with all its svihlime associaand solemn remembrances, has now
ceased to be sacred. It is on the spirit,
not the local situation, ot' the worshipper
" Neither
that his acceptance depends.
in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem,
But the
shall men worship the Father.
true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth."
tions,
PULPIT.
and for which, when wanting, it can be

no substitute. " Neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, shall men
worship the Father. But the true worshipper shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth."
II. Let us consider the positive description of the character of this
worship.
1st. It is Hpirilual.
not external.
The mere homage of the lips, were it
mere forms of religion a very known to be so, would not be accepted
undue importance was attached, both by by one man from another. The language
Jews and Samaritans. This was espe- of insincerity, however flattering, is justcially the case with the former.
There ly considered as disgusting in the com3d. It
To
was
is
the
a conformity to the divine require-
mon
intercourse of
And
life.
it
cannot
Jewish surely be less so when it is presented to

priesthood, and a splendour in their tem- an omniscient God.
Even at a time
ple services, which could not be claimed when local and external worship was in
The improper spi- its fullest operation, there was evidence
for the rival system.
rit which these tended to cherish is too sufficient that something more was necongenial to the depravity of the heart to cessary to acceptance.
No language
be confined to a particular period or peo- could convey a more striking idea of the
ple.
A dependence on mere outward ob- immensity of the object of worship, and
servance, and, when it is possessed, a of the spirituality required in the worglorying in ritual splendour, are equally shipper, than that employed by Solomon
" Will
the error of the superstitious part of the at the dedication of the temple.
professors of Christianity.
The same God indeed dwell on the earth ? Behold
boastful terms in which the Jew was ac- the heaven, and heaven of heavens, cancustomed to speak of the one, are still not contain thee, how much less this
employed with reference to the other. It house which I have builded
Similar
may be justly questioned, however, whe- to this was the language which, through
ther these services are entitled to the very Isaiah, was employed by God himself.
lowest species of merit which has been " The heaven is my throne, and the earth
claimed for them that of being adapted is my footstool.
Where is the house
to impress the imagination, and whether that ye build for me, and where is the
it is not at first only, and on the minds of place of my rest 1
To this man will I
ments
in the constitution of the
strangers, that this
effect
is
produced.
look, even to
whose forms of worship contrite

are most simple, who have least of what word."
It is not those
him
heart, and
It is
that
who
is
poor and of a
trembleth at
my
nevertheless true that, in
may
be called the poetry of religion. It one respect, outward observances had,

presented to the mind, rather under the former economy, a value altothan the forms exhibited to the eye, by gether independent of the character of the
which the imaginative faculty is culti- worshipper. Being intended to prefigure
is the truths
and introduce a higher dispensation, they

answered an important end, even when
no spiritual qualities were possessed, and
The supplications of penitence, the hu- no spiritual benefits were received by the
At the time when our Lord held
mility of faith unfeigned, the confidence oflierer.
of Christian hope, and the love of God this conversation with the woman of Sa-
vated.
Protestant peasantry will, per-
haps, be found, in this respect, to have

the vantage ground over a Catholic.
in the heart, are the sweetest sounds, and
maria, the
sacrifices,
the most delightful sight, and the most observed with
all
which were
still
the nicety of ceremo-
exquisite feelings which can enliven our
nial precision,
But they are impressions

"which a pomoous ritual cannot impart,
ginal typical sijnificancy, though, in a
devotion.
had lost none of their
great majority of instances,
it
ori-
was cus-

torn, not intelligent piety,
the observance.
which
dictated
But no such secondary
adventitious value belongs to the rites of
The age
Christianity.
tutions
is
of typical insti-
all
outward observances are worse than useIt is not merely the rising incense
and the bleeding victim, even the bended
knee and outstretched hand, if inward
principle is wanting, will be only a so" God is a spirit, and
lemn mockery.
they who worship him must worship
him in spirit and in truth ;" in spirit, as
opposed to forms ; in truth, as opposed
to shadows,
less.
ages has been the predospirit of idolatrous worship.

This was the necessary consequence of
the circumstances of the worshippers.
With no higher illumination than unassisted reason, conscience tells us that we
are sinners.
Unassisted reason, however, cannot impart to us the certainty of
in all
And
if
the certainty of this
not possessed, there is nothing to ex-
is
But
in regard to the
that being as clearly promulgated

;
under the Jewish economy as it now is
under the Christian. Accompanied, how-
the
as
ever,
information
many and such
most as prevalent as that of
in
was reserved
so
awe was
love.
for Christianity to
It
merge
these sterner attributes of the divine character in those that
were more
attractive,
and, by one patent word, to dispel every

vestige of terror from the minds of the
It is not in the relation
of
a king, sovereign, or master, that you are

called on to approach the Divinity, but
endearing relation of a father

seeks only the happiness of
his spiritual offspring, and whose character has been rendered palpable by the
in the
father
who
engaging attributes of Him who is " the

impress of his person." Fear is in this
way supplanted by love, and a filial, not
a slavish, spirit pervades our devotions.
clude the tormenting dread which must

the inseparable accompaniment of
the consciousness of guilt.
was with
striking displays of sove-
reignty and power, the feeling of
3d. It
be
is,
indistinct and imperfect.
was no obscurity
there
worshippers.
2d. It is fdial.
forgiveness.
might be
Unaccompanied by fact
passed.
the devout feelings of the worshipper,
Terror
minating
479
specting the doctrine of forgiveness. In

respect of the mode of it, iheir conceptions
is
universal.
Simple and
spiritual
in
their nature,
no place where the observances

of Christianity may not be performed,
and performed with acceptance.
The
proofs of this are coeval with its origin.
How unlike to the spacious halls and
This feeling there
accordingly, strongly depicted in the
outward features of idolatry.

Its ceremonies have been principally deprccalory,
or intended to avert punishment.
The
sanguinary rites of Molocii, so often referred to in the Old Testament Scriptures, and in which liuman victims were
the offering, have been widely prevalent.
Of this revolting character were the
is
the lofty arches of the Jewish temple

the upper
the
first
tomed
to
room
was
which the members of

Christian church were accusmeet! Yet it was there that
in
the principal prediction respecting
New
Testament limes was fulfilled that what

was spoken by Joel, and reiterated by a
druidical rites of our forefathers in this
island.
Of the same kind are the religious rites of many heathen nations at greater prophet, was verified.
"Sudthis day.
Nor is this the character of denly there came a sound from heaven,
the riles only. The very hideous forms as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled
of their idols (those whioh have been all the house where they were sitting.
brouglit from the South Sea Islands are And there appeared unto them cloven
an examplf) arc a striking testimony to tongues like unto fire, and it sat upon
the fart that terror
is
each of them."
the predominating
feeling in the religion of those
who
destitute of the light of divine revelation.
The same
feeling,
though
Bmaller degree, rharactcrized
Not
ed people were
of the Jews.
in
tln>
much
uncertainly re-
inforioi
in the prison of IMiilippi,
the isle of i'atmos
worship
But
cfiMi
to
and of John in
it
fortnor of these cases ihal the
that that highly privileft in
How
accommodations of the upper room

were the circumstances of Paul and Silas
the
are
was
in
the
devout exercises of these holy priaonen> were heard
THE BRITISH
480
by God,
in
bonds
PULPIT.
by tbeir companions land, any more than it is necessary, acwas in the latter case cording to the literal import of some other
as well as
;
and
it
that the privileges of the seraph were

conferred on the saint, that the veil was
predictions, that
worshippers of the Father have been similarly situated in regard to outward

accommodations, we doubt not but their
fice.
all nations should be asworship in the ancient capiremoved from the beloved disciple which tal of the Jews. When these wandering
concealed things future, and things ce- outcasts shall look, with penitence, to
"We admit that Him whom their fathers pierced, their
lestial from his sight.
In
these things occurred in an age in which predicted restoration will be effected.
the administration of religion was in some whatever place, or under whatever cirrespects supernatural, but there was no- cumstances they are, they may then be
thing peculiar to that age in the accept- said to be worshippers in Zion, and to be
Spiritual in
ance of the services of these primitive inhabitants of Jerusalem.
confessors.
This was in no degree con- their nature, their thanksgivings shall be
nected with the religious character of the " as incense," and the lifting up of their
place.
When in later periods the true hands as the evening and morning sacri-
services have been equally pleasing in
the sight of heaven.
the circumstances in
placed
was
the
Far different from

which you are now
lot, at
sembled
"
for
By foreign streams they'll cease to roam,

Nor weeping think on Jordan's Hood
;
In every clime they'll find a home,

In every temple see their God."
a former period, of
Theirs was
land.
" Neither in this mountain, nor yet in

Jerusalem, shall men worship the Fareligion of churches," or even "the reli- ther; but the true worshippers shall wor
gion of barns." It was on many occa- ship the Father in spirit and in truth."
1st. In the exercises of God's house
sions the den and the cave which responded to the sounds of their devotions. let us guard against a superstitious spirit.
The gross superstition of the Jew and
But these devotions, springing from faith,
and hallowed by suffering, mingled with Samaritan, to which the text refers, is
the hallelujahs of angels, and the anthems not the error into which, at the present
the godly in our
own
not " the religion of cathedrals,'' or "the
of the spirits of the just. Nor are these time, we are most likely to fall. It may
remarks to be confined to periods of per- be presumed that there are few or none
secution, or to the religious services of present who adopt the opinion that any
those who were its victims. We doubt circumstances of local character, or any
not that there are thousands at this mo- forms of ecclesiastical consecration, can
ment engaged in the undisturbed ob- possess or impart any spiritual efficacy.
servance of the same ordinances with All of us, however, are in danger of layourselves, in places which have been ing too much stress upon the mere exsubjected to no forms of ecclesiastical ternals of religion. -A very undue imconsecration, and which have not been portance is often attached to the mere
even exclusively appropriated
exercises,
as
whose
to religious
services will
come up
outward act by which

into
"a memorial before God." And the There

we mistake not the meaning of at the
period, if
prophecy,
is fast
approaching when the tized,
universal character of Christian worship
will be
still
farther and
ple to
whose
local religious predilections
are
are initiated
Christianity.
many who would be shocked
idea of a child remaining unbap-
who would
feel
no compunction in
for the spiritual
offspring.
lusive
we
of
profession
the habitual neglect of
more strikingly citude
illustrated in the restoration of that peo-
the
is
all
practical soli-
interests of their
Equally unscriptural and dethe confidence
which
is
fre-
tions, respecting that restoration, that the
quently derived from participating in the

ordinance of the supper. To that ordinance it is too common to apply the lan-
own
guage, and with the language the ideas,
our text specifically refers. It is not necessary to the fulfilment of the predic-
Jews should
literally return to their
481
this purpose it must be something

more than an outward observance. " Bothis than in any other divine appoint- dily exercise profiteth little."
The mere
ment and that this is necessarily con- participation of bread and wine is not
nected with the mere act of observing it. comnuinicating. The fact which was in^^hese are opinions which the mode of tended to be exhibited in this conmiemoits celebration, and the instructions which rative rite must be nmembered.
'I'he
accompany it, have not always a ten- scene of Calvary must be realized. The
dency to counteract. The diflerence is death of Jesus, not so much in its tragic
palpably striking between the language and sentimental as in its religious and
of those wlio speak of high communion doctrinal aspect and interest, must be
Strangers to these
sabbaths, and the phraseology which de- present to our minds.
scribes the commemorative rite by the feelings, you are symbolizing with the
simple designation of " breaking of condemned practices of the church of
You liken a religious ordibread," and which classes it with "the Corinth.
of a popish ritual, and to suppose
there
is
tliit
for
a higher degree of acceptance in
and fellowship, and

need not say which of the
apostles' doctrine,
prayer."
VV'e
nance to an ordinary meal.

" discern the Lord's body."
You do
not
3d. In the exercises of the house of

No greater benefit
it is safer to adopt.
can be derived from a formal observance of God let us guard against a bigoted spirit.
The devotional language and feelings
the supper than from a formal observance
of any other institution of the gospel. of the first Christian worshippers were
The religion of the soul is the soul of re- eminently catholic. It was not on those
ligion.
If the heart is not right, no ordi- churches only to which the pastors minisnance, however scriptural, can be accept- tered, on which they invoked blessings
able.
If tlie heart is right, it will give a from on high, but on "all that in every
value to every ordinance of divine ap- place called upon the name of Jesus
Christ, their Lord."
come short of
pointment.
2d. In the exercises of God's house the Catholicism of their language, and
two
We
let us
To
the
guard against a/orAHfl/

the importance of
sealing ordinances
what
spirit.
are termed
of our
religion
still
of
more of the Catholicism of

In none of the services of
rit.
God
is
this deficiency
more
their spithi>
house
discerni-
nothing disparaging is intended in the ble than in that which of all others reremarks which have been now made. (p'ired the prerloininance of opposite
If the fence, as it has been
Baptism, whether administered by im- feelings.
mersion or effusion, whether an adult or sometimes called, wiiich it is customary
an infant is the subject of it, is an im- to draw round a sacramental table, had
By the application to been intended to exclude none but those
pressive rile.
the
body of
tliat
element whicli cleanses
from natural defilement, it exhibits to the

eye the necessity of the spiritual purification of the soul, and points to the religion, of which
nance, as
it
is
the introductory ordi-
being the
instrument in the
who were wanting
in the principles,
tem-
pers, and conduct essential to the char.icter
of the Christian,
it had been well.

cannot too frequently, or too earnestimpress on persons of this description
We
ly*
that
th(>ir
commcmor.uion of our
lio-
hand of the .Spirit of cfFectiug this purifi- deemer's death is unwarranted.

The
"Sanctify tlietn through thy free communion for which we contend is
cation.
truth; thy word is truth."
The lessons not to be confounded with a pniniiscudii.i,
symbolically inculcated in the ordinance iiuliscriniiiutle communion.
But it is not
of the supper are not less important, to the irreligious and immoral liiat iho
'i'hn doclrino which It shadows forth sentence of exclusion has been confined.
and iinjiresses on the mind are of the In some cases it has ix-en evtendi-d to all,
life
of godliness.
It
is
calculated to af-
however
oxci'liont their
cliancttT,
who
deeply with the evil of sin, the had not the sectnriiin imprcHs of llie ndIt is time
love and condi'scensioii of llio Saviour, miiiiHtralor of the ordinance.
Hut that usages so unsuil<d to our coniniuand our obligations to serve him.
feci us
Vol. I. Gl
TIIS BRITISH PULPIT.
482
But this spirit ill becomes us who are

com- called to " the adoption of sons" who
rion exercisrs should be abolislietl and
The
forgotten.
table at whicli you
memorate your redemption
is
not yours.
It is not tlie table of a sect or of a party.
It is the
Lordh.
It
was
the dcsi<rn, as
it
bear not the thunder of an introductory

economy, but " the still, small voice" of
The trembling
a subiimer dispensation.
apprehensions which would bo appropriate in approaching a throne of judgment,

befit you not in approaching a throne of
grace.
Least of all do they befit you in
best exercises in which more than in any other
to the Christian brotherhood.
they prevail
the exercises in which are
fulfil the intentions of the Divine Apwe add equally displayed before you the symbols of your
pointer of this service
to the pleasure and profit to be derived redemption, and the pledges of your forfrom it, when these brotherly feelings are giveness. It is joy, not terror, which on
indulged; when, dismissing every bi- such an occasion becomes you ^joy, that
goted and sectarian sentiment from our " the flaming sword" has been removed
obvious tendency, of the ordinance

of the supper to cherish unity of afiection
to make us feel while we outwardly recofrnise the ties which bind us
is the
We
we view
hearts,
saints"
it
as " the
communion
when our Christian
of
affection is
as wide as the terms of acceptance

when we can say, with the same sincerity
from the entry to the celestial paradise

that we have not " a high-priest who
cannot be touched with the feeling of our
infirmities ;" w'ho on earth suggested the
apology fir his disciples, "the spirit is
willing, but the flesh is weak," and
whom we can approach in the confidence
that, at his Father's right hand, he is
with which tiie words were originally

uttered, " Grace be with all who love the
Lord Jesus Christ." You are insulting,
instead of honouring your Redeemer, if
you can approach the ordinance of love still making it for us.
Imagine not, my brethren, that the
without love in your hearts if you can
raise your walls of partition and separa- possession of this filial confidence is the
tion in the very act of commemorating an property only of a privileged few of the
event which was intended to break them children of God, and that there must be a
to introduce the faithful of

every place, and of every name, " through
one Spirit unto the Father."
4th. In the exercises of God's house
long course of religious services before

you can be entitled to appropriate the
promises on which this confidence is
us guard against a slavish spirit.

In those who have no revelation to assure them of forgiveness, the spirit of
on the footing of merit to do

shall never enjoy the privilege.
down, and
let
terror
and bondage
expect.
In
is
what we
some periods of
are led to
their history
themWhen Sinai exhibited the awful

selves.
appearances which bespoke a present
Deity, when the cloud rested on it, and
the thunders rolled, and the lightning
played on its hoary summit, we do not
wonder that the spectators should have
it
was not
trembled.
snrjjrising in the .lews
When
a similar manifestation
was made to Elijah, in the cave on Horeb, it was natural that he should cover
his face with his mantle.
Equally natu-
was it, though it was only

that when the Lord appeared
ral
in
vision,
to Isaiah,
on a throne high and lifted up, he should

have exclaimed, " Wo is me, for I am
Ddone ; for I am a man of unclean lips."
founded.
hil)ition
and
If
we
wait
till
we
are entitled
The
we
ex-
of the divine mercy to sinners,
to backsliders, as well as others, will
authorize you to appropriate
mediately, though
])enitence,
and
in
dience, that the
made, and though

tice
this,
it
is
them im-
in the spirit of
the intention of obe-
appropriation
it is
of obedience that
only
it
in
is
to
be
the prac-
can be scriptu-
maintained. Take then to yourselves the comfort which the invitations

rally
and promises of the gospel are so well

fitted to impart; and when, in the devotional exercises of this house, you draw
near to the Great Object of worship, in
the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, let it
be under the elevating and encouraging
recollection that it is to " his Father
and your Father, to his God and your
God."
SERMON
T II E
WOUD
OF THE SPIRIT.
BY THE REV. W.
" Take the sword of the Spirit, which
Many and
the word of
important are the uses which

God serves, and many and
interesting are the views in
exhibited to us.
It
which
LIV.
it
is
R.
TAYLOR, A.M.
is the
word if God."
season of doubt and difllculty; the Unm

and the Tlivnimim, by which we may inquire of Go'l, and have the
the instrument of and the path of duty
is
Epli. vi. 17.
made
way
of truth
clear and plain
our conviction, and conversion, and sanc- before us. It is the casket which contains
and consolation, and growth in the pearl of great price \.\\e field in which
grace. By it we are wounded, and healed, the gospel treasure is hid the gulden urn
tification,
and enli^htened,and revived, and strengthened. It is the Jire which consumes our
dross, and burns up our refuges of lies.
It is the hamr)ier \v\\\c\\
hearts, and
flinty
contrite and plia-
It is the incorruptible seed
ble.
we
breaks our
makes them
that life is
by which
this life is
shall flouimplanted in
without decay throughout eternal
rish
ages.
It is the/'wc/
which
is laid
of wonder
the testamentary deed in
which
the benefits of the Saviour's purchase are
by which bequeathed
by which
our souls, which
are born again
up the hidden manna. It

is the record of Jehovaii's promises; the
refîster of his dealings and of his works
in
to
us
and
so, the charter
of
our inheritance, the bond which secures

our enjoyment of it. It is also, as we
here learn, the weapon by which we over-
come
all
the enemies that
would oppose
the sincere milk by
us in our Christian course, and would
which, as new-born babes, we are nougrow up unto the stature of

It is a lamp unto
perfect men in Christ.
the
our feet and a U'^ht unto our path
prevent us from reaching the promised

land.
They overcame him, (it is said of
those who are before the tJirone,) they
overcame the encrny hy the blood of ihe
sustained on earth
rished, and
li'^ht
which discovers
to us
the path to
glory, honour, and immortality;
makes known
to us the
way
of
which
life,
the
narrow way, the way everlasting; the

lamp which guides our steps through the
wilderness, whicli shows us
liin
dangers
Lamb, and by the fisWof
liieir
testimony.
the Christian's stoord, a weapon

which he must have ever ready, which ha
must have ever girded by his side, that
It
is
he rnny be prepared at all limes to make

it. as occasion serves.
Take the
use of
with which on every hand we are beset, sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
and so enables us to ;iv((id them. It is (Jo.l.
The sword of the Spirit. The reasons
the mirrnr in which we behold tlin glory
of llio Lord, on wliich we have a delinea- why the won! of (lod is thus nanu'd,
Tiiey are two
tion of the person, and the personal beau- mii'^t bo very obvious.
ty, and evceilenre, and suitableness of chiefly.
1. The Spirit of God is its author, the
the Lord of glory; an'l in contemplating
which, we ar<^ clianged into the same im- maker of tiiis awonl. It was he who
In plain terni^,
age, from glory to glory, even as by the framed and polish>d it.
It l^ the ortule to it wan he who trHtified in tint propliels
Spirit of tlie Lonl.
which wc may iiavo rc'cuurso in every and aposUvt; it was lie who moved Uicat
483
THE BRITISH
484
PULPIT.
and taught them the appointed instrument of bringing hia

Let this dispose agency to bear, that it possesses this
us to value this weapon, it is of heavenly power. On this very account it is, that
manufacture. Satan's darts are forged in it is quick and powerful and on this achell, and are impregnated with its fire. count, it is here fitly styled the sword of
This is a weapon which has come down the Spiri/, not only the sword of his
from heaven, the workmanship of him, hy framing, but the sword which his power
whose fingers the heavens and all tlic renders effectual.
This sword of the Spirit, this weapon
host of them were framed. The ancients
feign, that some of their warriors had been of truth, we are here directed to la/ce and
provided with heavenly armour armour use, as a chief part of our armour in the
which was proof against every mortal Christian warfare. For discovering how,
weapon. This every Christian warrior and for what ends, we are to do so, it
may be well for us, in the first instance.
really has.
2. It is the sword of the Spirit, be- to consider it as made use of by the great
cause it is his agency which makes it Captain of our salvation.
speak and
to
what
to write,
say and record.
to
effectual, and because by it, as an instrument, his agency is brought to bear on the
soul,
the ministration of the Spirit,
it is
Some
and
that our surety should be assailed
God
it
is
called quick
is
called
the serpent, as well as by Satan as the
We
Would you
because
plied
itself a
it
call a
sword
inef-
did no execution in
was not made use of or apsay that it was in

powerless weapon, because it must
cases -where
it
Would you
laid hold of, and pulled out of the scabbard, and wielded by the arm, ere its
power can be manif^csted ? surely not.
be
Now let
the
word of God be but embraced
and made use
of,
and
it
is
invariably the
power of God unto salvation,

riably made effectual for the
of those glorious ends which
it
is
inva-
prodviotion
it
was
in-
tended to produce. It is not from any

defect or powerlessness in it, as some
would insinuate, but from our not applying and using it, that these ends are not
always
brought
by the
assailed by Satan as
devouring lion. Hence we are told that

Jesus was led up of the Spirit into the
wilderness, to be tempted of the devil.
In this season of trial it was, as you
fectual
should be
is
It
who
tempter,
indited
never so called by
it.
It is spoken
of invariably as a word of life and light
and power, it is spoken of as a sharp
two-edged sword. Why then, it may be
asked, is it so often ineffectual ?
answer, properly speaking, it is never ineffectual.
tri-
persons call the word of
a dead letter.
the Spirit
means
of bruising the serpent's head and of
and
it
powerful, hence
life.
as a part of his suf-
spirit
Hence
power.
was necessary
umphing over him, and for other important ends in the scheme of our salvation,
ever accompanied by his Almighty
it is
It
ferings in our stead, necessary as a
effected.
Let
the gospel
be
power be but tried,

soon be manifested what power
to bear, let its
know,
this
sword of the
Spirit,
which
our victorious leader then wielded, and
by which he put the tempter to flight.

" Thus it is written," was his answer to
each insinuation urged ; and to that answer Satan could not, and durst not reply.
He could not abide the edge of this
sword. Satan, you will remember, never
attempted to answer our Lord's quotation
He received that at once as
of Scripture.
a defeat; and instead of urging further the
temptation, in answer to which the quotation was made, he straightway had recourse
In this latter way,
to anuther temptation.
indeed, he tried his utmost might, he had
recourse to the most powerful weapons
he could use, hut he found them utterly
He found that not the slightest

impression could be made; yea, he found
himself answered, in each case, in a way
ineffectual.
that precluded further attack.
He
found
sword turned to him, by

In ascribing to it this which his own weapons were broken,
it possesses.
power, we exclude not, of course, the and before which he was himself comagency of the Spirit of God.
On the pelled to fly.
But Christ did more than repel Satan's
contrary, we say, that it is because it is
and
it
will
the edge of a

THE SWORD OF THE
attacks, and
make
liirn
retire
defeated
SPIRIT.
485
cannot stand before it; and therefore it

may well be a terror to him, when he sees
him, who is most mighty, girdinor this
sword upon his thigh, and coming forth
to use it with his glory and with his ma-
from the contest. He carried war into

his dominions, he attacked his strongholds and destroyed his works, on his
cross he bruised the serpent's head.
By
his death he destroyed death, and him jesty.
Now this sword, which the Lord himthat had the power of death, even the
devil,
defeated his master-device, and self, the glorious leader in the spiritual
procured deliverance for the captives who warfare, made use of, and does still make
were under his power. Tiiis deliverance use of, in the ways we have declared, we,
he now in his exalted state applies and who call ourselves his followers, the solrenders effectual. It was not enough that diers of Christ Jesus, are after his example
he procured for his people a title to de- to make use of also. We are to take and
liverance; he must, and he does, by the use it, as he did, for repelling Satari'a
power of his might, by the putting forth tmiptations, and fur actually destroying
of his strong hand, and of his outstretched his works,
arm, grant them actual deliverance from
1. When Satan comes to assault us,
their state of bondage.
Now this sword we are, as Christ our great pattern and
is the weapon which he wields for this example did, to take the sword of the
purpose. This is the rod of his strength, Spirit, which is the word of God, and
which he sends out of Zion, and by which with that weapon to oppose him. It is
he makes a willing people in a day of his surely for our instruction and imitation, as
power. By this he continues to bruise well as for our encouragement in thinkthe serpent's head, for by this he rescues ing of his triumph, that our Lord's consinners from his power.
By this he test with our great adversary is so mimakes Satan quit his hold of them, and nutely recorded. Yes, as in his conquest,
brings them from darkness unto light, he has given us grounds of rejoicing, seeand from the power of Satan unto God. ing he conquered for us, so in the manner
By this he still goes forth conquering and of his conquest, he hath left us an exto conq\ier; and with reference to tliis, ample, that we should follow his steps.
may we address him in the Psalmist's He has shown us in what way we are to
words: "Gird thy swo d upon thy answer Satan, anri with what arguments
O most mighty, with thy glory

and thy majesty ; and in thy majesty ride
prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right
hand shall te;icli thee terrible things,"
terrible things to thine enemies, while
salvation is brought to thy redeemed.
These ever go tngcther. The day of vengeance, said Christ, is in my heart, and
the year of my redeemed is come.
The
day of Christ's death was peculiirly this;
but so also is the day in wliicli his word
is glorified, and sinners, by believing it,
thigti,
My
are saved.
friends, little as
we may
we
are to repel his solicitations.
are not to reason with him, but to
recourse at once to the law and to the tes-
Satan can abide our reasoning,

we contend with him
on that ground merely, ho will soon bo
able to overpower us, he will soon succeed in taking away this armour in which
timony.
nay, most likely, if
we
trust,
in Itirning
it
against our-
he cannot away
With whatever violence he comes
light and purity of truth
word of God, the sword of with.
the Spirit,
is
the terror as well as the
and
But the word of God he cannot

abide.
This sword of the .Spirit, wielded
in the hand of f-iith, compels him to withdraw. Darkness is his element, and tho
selves.
tliink of the
it
We
have
against
us,
though, as the prophet ex-
torment of hell.
When Christ sent out presses it, lio comes in like a flood, yet,
if tho sland.ird of the Spirit of the Lord
his seventy disciples armed with it,
sent then> forth preaching tho gospel of l>e raised up against him, be is instantly
What Inve
tho kingdom, he said t) them on their re- Mriven buck with confusion.
turn, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from wo to do then, hut to endeivour to beheavcn. Satan knows that his kingdom 'come well acquainted with this tried wea2 8-2
THE BRITISH
48G
much
PULPIT.
that opposed to the old man, the seed of the

using serpent yet remaining in the soul. Now
In plain terms, to increase in our it is only the new man, the new nature,
it.
linowledge and faith and love of the word which, in itself, however weak it may be,
of God, and to be mucii in meditating on is essentially and only holy which is
That is his workmanits declarations and commands and pro- related to Christ.
mises, that we may know how we ought ship, and it is renewed after the image of
pon, and to be
in
we may become ready
exercising
and expert
it,
in
to answer Satan when he comes to assault
and seduce us.

2. But we are to aim, not merely at the
repelling of Satan's attacks, but at the
Christ
positive destruction of l)is power.
came
and
in
works of the
to destroy the
this also,
we
devil
are to be followers
of our glorious Head.
We
are to tate
him
The
old man has no

connected with
the serpent; it is part of his seed, and is
that which is to be destroyed.
It is as
possessing a niw nature, that any indivi
dual becomes a combatant in this holy
war and it is as possessing a new nature,
that he becomes at all connected with
that created
it.
relation to Christ.
It is
We Christ as his head and his Lord and it

works is as possessing a new nature, and not as
of the devil, wherever they exist, by possessing a new nature and an old, that
he has any conformity to Christ, or that
every means in our power.
First. In an especial manner, and in the any resemblance between him and Christ
and it is because the new
first instance, "we are to aim at the de- is to be traced
struction of these works in ourselves. This nature is the reigning principle in the
our allotted part in this holy war.
are to aim at the destruction of the
is a chief
and an essential point
in wliich
enemy
soul; because the individual, in speaking
of the old man, can say, not I, but sin

from ours. He came as the holy One of that dwelleth in me it is on this account,
God, to destroy sin in others but he that in his personal character, he is ranked
knew no sin himself. He was manifested with the seed of the woman, and not with
but in him was no the seed of the serpent. The analogy
to put away our sin
sin.
He was manifested to destro}^ the between Christ and believers consists^
works of the devil, but, yea for that very not in the resemblance of their whole
reason, it was necessary that the devil moral constitution, but in the resemblance
should have nothingin him. The contest of the new nature implanted in them, to
between him and Satan was a contest be- his. To assert dilTerently were to assert,
tween light and darkness, between holi- ttiat the Son of God was manifested in
ness and sin. On the one side, sin in all our nature and as the head of his body the
its malignity, on the other, holiness pure church, to the end that he the head might
and unsullied as the light of day, or rather be conformed to the members, instead of
as the light which surrounds the throne the members being conformed to him.
of the Eternal, in which is no darkness We speak, you will observe, not of esSay not that this destroys the sential humanity, in which respect Christ
at all.
analogy between the head and the mem- was in all things made like unto his brebers, as if his warfare and theirs were thren but of holiness or sinfulness of nathus made of a totally different character. ture, in which respect, he was not made
There is a close analogy notwithstanding. like unto them, but they are to be made
Do but consider how the case is. There like unto him.
My friends, this is the prize of our
are two great combatants, Christ and
Satan, the holy One of God, and the high calling, to be made like unto the
When Christ rescues a Son of God, to have our nature assimilated
wicked one.
to have the hum-an nature as it
sinner from the power of the enemy, and to his
implants a principle of holiness in his exists in us, conHirmed to what it was,
In him it existed in more
heart, then a contest, similar to the mighty and is, in him.
one which he carries on with Satan, than its original purity. The purity of
commences in that heart. The new man, the snow is not to be compared with its
the creation of Christ's Spirit, becomes unsullied spotlessness, as it was assumed
Christ's contest with the
differs
'
'^
THE SWORD OF THE
Now to this
and maintained by him.
we are to aspire and, though it belongs
;
to the Spirit of Christ
that
of
SPIRIT.
our
497
fellow-sinners
Spirit, wliu
In
we
are Christ's, dwells in us also
to
Truth
contending for.
carry us onward towards this state of per-
commanded
to
fection, and to purify us,
taining
We
even as Christ
Avas pure, it belongs to us to make use of
the means that are appointed, and which
he blesses, for promoting this end. The
Spirit works by means and instruments,
and he works in us to will and to do.
sin
to
we are to use this

an object orth the
are exhorted and
opposing rrror
was on him without measure, and who, sword.

if
from
God.
it.
is
We
contend earnestly
in
main-
are to resist, if need be,
even unto blood.
Error, on
the other
be dangerous in its
tendency and consequences, we are as
earnestly and as strenuously to oppose.
Error as well as sin is of the devil. It
hand, especially
if it
Now the word of the gospel is the great is a chief work of the devil, a chief work
means of our sanctificalion, " sanctify of his kingdom. It is one of the works
them through thy truth
thy word is which Christ came to destroy, and which
;
"
Now
ye are clean through the we, therefore, as his followers, are to

word which I have spoken unto you." seek to destroy also. And how are we
Let us make use of this word, then, for to do so 1 Not by carnal weapons, not
promoting our cleansing; or to return to by railing accusations, but by the sword
the metaphor in our text, let us take the of the Spirit, the weapon of truth. This
sword of the Spirit, that wc may slay the is tiie only weapon of attack with which
remaining corruptions of our hearts, that the Christian soldier is to gird himself,
we, through the Spirit, may mortify the in fighting the battles of his faith. He
deeds of the body, tha* we may crucify has nothing to do with any other. He
the flesh with its afTections and lusts. need not regret that circumstance, howOh there is much of the seed of the ser- ever ; for this is the most powerful he can
pent, many of the works of the devil use.
He may say of it, as David did of
within us ; and nothing but this weapon the sword of Goliath, "There is none
will destroy them.
As it was by the like it." Let error be but met by an exmanifestation of the Son of God, in our hibition of the truth, and it cannot iniinFor a time, indeed, it
nature, that a death-blow was given to tain its ground.
truth."
Satan's cause, and the destruction of his may rear its Gorgon head, but the truth
works secured so it is by the manifesta- must at length prevail. It is the nature
and of liglit to dissipate darkness; it is the
tion of the Son of God in our hearts
what is the sword of the Spirit, the word nature of light to make itself, and every
;
thing else, manifest: and so it is of truth.

by the Let truth be cl arly exhibited in opposimanifestation of the Son oC God in our tion to error, and error most fall before it
like Dagon before the ark of the Lord.
hearts, by the sword of the Spirit applied
to our corruptions, that these corruptions, It can be maintained, by those only
these works of tlie devil, are destroyed who do not como to the light, or who
within us. Let us make use of this wea- voluntarily shut their eyes.
In aec/tin<r the convrrsion if sinners^ as
pon then for this end.
2. But the works of the devil, wherever in contending against error, this same
they appear, as well as in ourselves, arc weapon of truth is to be employed. The
to be the object of our opposition and our conversion of sinners is a principal mean
Wherever they appear, we arc of Satan's defeat, a principal mean of proenmity.
to aim at ihr-ir destruction, and, for this moting the ends of that warfire, in wiiich,
of truth, but just a manifestation of Christ
and
a revelation of his glory
it
is
sword
word of God.
In this point of view wo mcrilion two
cases particularly in wliich this sword
used by us, in opposinir
to bo
is
error, and in socking the conversion
we
pnr|)OHC, to take to ourselves the
if
of ihf Spirit which
gaged
is
the
are (Jhrist's soldiers,
we
hivt* en-
of promoting the glory of (iod, the
destruction of sin, and the advancement
of liolini!SH and happiness.

Of ccnirsa
every true soldier of (/hrisl Jesus seek*
these ends.
lie is anxious for the glorj

THE BRITISH
488
PULPIT.
of his Lord, for the prosperity of his king- even as his enemies, he regards us.dom, and fir additional trophies to the " Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the
power and riches of his grace. He is Lord, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants
thereof, for they came not up to the help
anxious for the triumphs of of the Lord
to the help of the Lordy
.
holiness.
He is anxious to see his fel- against the mighty."
But have we espoused Christ's cause,
low-creatures, who are deluded by Satan,
anxious
sin.
for the destruction of the reign of
He
is
and carried captive by him at his will, or are we desirous of espousing it of

rescued from his thraldom, and numbered fighting under his standard, and following
among the followers of the Lamb. Now whithersoever he leadeth us, let us take
this sword of the Spirit, as we have the following directions and encouragealready observed, is the instrument by ments in doing so ; and, in giving these,
which these glorious ends are effected. we conclude.
Shall we not seek then to make use of
Let us know our own weakness. Let
it in this view, as we have opportunity?
us not expect to vanquish our enemy, let
Shall we not arm ourselves in such aeon- us not presume to go and meet him, in
test, and for so glorious an end 1
And our own strength.
shall we not pray and endeavour, that
Let us watch the motions of our enemy.
others may be incited and fitted to go Let us beware of indulging security, for
forth thus armed also against the common he is active and subtle and powerful.
enemy. If we wish to make any triumphs Let us watch especially the movements
in this warfare, or rather if we desire to of the party he has still within ourselves.
be instruments in any way, however fee- Let us keep our hearts with all diligence.
ble and despised, of adding to the triLet us keep our eye fixed on our gloria
umphs of our Redeemer, let us seek to be ous leader.
Let this be our motto,
instruments in bringing this sword
the " Looking unto Jesus," looking unto
sword which he who is most mighty him as our guide, our strength, our degirds upon his thigh
into contact with liverer.
our fellow-sinners around us; and let us
Let us keep in view the glorious prize
feel honoured in any, even the slightest set before us, the conqueror's crown.
instrumentality, that may be granted us " Be thou faithful unto death, and I will
in producing that end.
give thee a crown of life."
For encouraging us in this warfare, let
For these important purposes then,
even for repelling Satan's temptations, us reflect that, if we have reall)' taken
and for destroying his works in ourselves part in it, our enemies are God's enemies.
and others are we to take this weapon, Therefore we may trust, that he will be
and all the other weapons of the Chris- with us therefore we may trust that they
tian warfare ; and so to fight the good shall be destroyed.
Let us reflect, that we have to do with
fight of faith, and to lay hold of eternal
life.
My friends, there are but two par- an enemy who has been already conquerwhose head has been bruised, whose
ties in this warfare, and to one or other ed
Oh which side power has been broken, whose strongof these we all belong.
have we espoused. Believe it, there is holds have been stormed.
Let us reflect, too, that this conquest
no neutrality. If we are not for Christ,
we are against him. If we are not fight- has been achieved by our Kinsman-Reing under his standard, if we have not ac- deemer, and for our benefit.
And lastly, that he has promised us protively and warmly espoused his cause,
we are his enemies, we are fighting tection and support promised to deliver
against him, we are opposing the inte- us from every evil work, and to preserve
and in that light. us unto his heavenly kingdom. Amen.
rests of his kingdom
SERMON
LV.
THE INCONCEIVABLE GREATNESS AND UNSEARCHABLE GOODNESS OF GOD
BY THE REV. GEORGE CLAYTON.
"
Who
IX lihe
unto the Lord our God, who dweUeth on high, who humhleth himsc/f
things that are in heaven

the
needy out of
people."
Psalm
and
the dunghill
cxiii.
in the earth
;
thai he
He
may
set
raiscth
up the poor out of
to
him with princes, even with
behold
t/ie
and
lifteth
the princes
of hit
the dust,
8.
This psalm contains an animating ex- language of the psalmist: "Bless the
my soul, and all that is within
God and give him the Lord,
bless tlie Lord,
glory due to his name. This is a ser- me, bless his holy name
hortation to praise
vice,
my
delightful; and
obligation
who
my
brethren, at once reasonable and
it is,
indeed, of universal
not only incumbent on those
are visibly em|)loyed in the
imme-
soul, and
Is
fits."
it
not,
forget not all his bene-
my
brethren, refreshing
forward to the time when, by the

copious effusion of the Holy Spirit in all
among whom the name of God is mento look
God, but incumbent on

tioned, and by whom his benefits are parall, at all limes, in all places, and in all
periods of the world's existence. There- ticipated, his praise shall be sung even
fore, says the psalmist, " Praise ye the from the rising of the sun to the going
Lord, O, ye servants of the Lord, praise down of the same ]
In order to incite to this needful and
ye the Lord, from this time forth and
diate service of
evermore. From the rising of the sun

unto the going down of the same, the
Lord's name is to be praised." It certainly may be considered as one of the
deepest and darkest features of our fallen
nature, ami an humbling evidence of the
corruption which is to be found even in
the best of men, that we should be generally so reluctant to engage in a work,
pleasurable and profitable, honourable to
God and edifying to others. Although
pleasurable occupation, the psalmist ad-
duces two great motives, both of them

derived from the attributes of the Divine
Nature. The one, the greatness and ma
jesty of God ; the other, the goodness
and mercy of G'od; and these are set
forth before you in my text in admirable
combination. We shall, however, consider
them
distinctively,
that
is,
sepa-
rately from each other; for there is that
the greatness of God which might

overwhelm us with fear and in nibling,
eloquent in our complaints.
When we and fill us with dismay and dread, if wo
were not to associate at the same lime in
detail our miseries, how lluent, how vo
lublo, how little at a loss to detail liic our conlem|)lalion8 that view which ho
aggravation of our sorrows but when we has given of his goodness and mercy in
come to tliiiik of our miseries, how much (brisl Jesus our Lord. " VN ho is like
of hard work have wo to warm our cold unto the Lord our God, who dwellrih on
who humbleth himself to behold
hearts, to set them in tune for tin' prai.sr high
we are reluctant in our praises,
we
in
are
of
God
need
how much of excitement we

enjoyment how absnlultly
to
li"
its
requisite is
Vol.
it
L G2
that
wu should adopt
the
llu! tliintrs
arili.
that are in luaven and in the
He
dubl, and
raiselii
lifteth
up the poor out of the

needy out of lli
489
liiu
THE BRITISH
490
he
may
him
PULPIT.
with
represrnted to us as a place of superla-
princes, even witli the princes of'tiis peo-
tive elevation, rising far above our utmost

thought and the largest stretch of our
" He dwelleth on high,"
imagination.
far above all principality, and power, and
might, and dominion, and every name
dunghill, that
set
ple."
1 INVITE YOU TO MEDITATE BRIEFIîrSt

LY ON THE INCONCEIVAULE GUEATNESS OF
THAT God WITH WHOM YOU HAVE TO DO.
Secondly To consider his matchless that is named.
In the next place consider his infinite
AND 1NC0MPREHENSI15I-E GOODNESS.
Tuirdly To inquire what are the superiority to the greatest if beings and the
PRACTICAL LESSONS WE MAY LEARN FROM greatest <f things, "The Lord is \\Wh
THE UNITED DISPLAY OF BOTH.
above all nations, and his glory above
May God seal inslructioa on every the heavens, and he must humble himheart, and make us to become acquainted self to behold the things that are in heawith the only true God, and Jesus Christ ven and on earth. " This is ascribing unwhom he has sent.
utterable superiority to God over the
1 INVITE YOU TO THE CONTEM- greatest of beings and the greatest of
First
PLATION OF HIS GREATNESS.
things.
There is something in national
We should look unto "the Lord our greatness made up of numbers, rank, in-
God who
on high, and who

to behold the things
heaven and on earth." Condvvelleth
and arrangement of
telligence, the order
must humble himself
civil
that are in
and splendid armies, the councils of the

kingdom guided by the wisdom and by
sider, first, the place of his

*'
He
dwelleth on high.""
superiority to
and of things
all
;
"
habitation
Secondly, his
the greatest of creatures

for
he humbleth himself
to behold the things that are
Of
his liahilalion.
might of those who occupy seats of

power and of authority. " God is above
the
all
nations,
all
nations in his sight are
but as the drop of the bucket, and the

small dust of the balance, and he taketh
We must be
up the isles as a very little thing, and

Lebanon is not sufficient to burn for him,
careful not to assign to the Deity any

specific local limits; for
fleets
in hea-
done
ven and on earth."

First
economy defended by mighty
God
is
and his essence every where
a spirit,
diffused.
and
him less than

Then consider the
nations are before
all
nothing, and vanity."
we ascend up into heaven, he is there heavenly bodies which roll over us in

we make our abode in the abyss, he is splendour and in brightness. Look at
there
if we should take the wings of the the sun, whose golden beams you now
If
if
morning and
fly to the uttermost parts of participate and enjoy

think of the moon,
the earth, even there his hand would up- walking in her brightness; mark the
;
hold us, and his right hand would sustain

us.
But, with great propriety, heaven,
planetary system;
see the innumerable

hosts which spangle the firmament of the
clouds, and consider all these suns as
and the heaven of heavens, though they

cannot contain God's essence, are repre- systems
sented to us as the place of
iiis
diate abode; there his glory dwells, and
upon the inhabitants of
that world, the

angels of light and the spirits of the just
made perfect, the emanations of his inexpressible majesty are continually poured
therefore they are said always to
fortli
behold the face of their Father.
This
:
heaven
is
called the high and the holy
cannot
and
that all these stars are only
imme- so many worlds
and then carry your

thoughts higher still, and remember that
God has set his glory above the heavens,
the clouds are the dust of his chariot, and
;
the stars and suns are the

his feet
then
you
pavement of
will see he is under
the necessity of stooping even to observe

the things that are done in heaven, as
you have expressed
it
in the
hymn which
you where it is; but introduced the discourse:

I can tell you wherever God's presence
" Siill might he fill his starry throne,
is, especially in the immediate manifestaAnd please his ears with Gabriel's song.''
tion of it, there is heaven ; for heaven is
God, and God is heaven. It is always But oh he must stoop to listen to those
place.
tell
THE GREATNESS AND GOODNESS OF
GOD.
491
songs, and the purest and loftiest angel

that stands in the presence of God is so
needy out of the dunghill, that he
removed beneath him, that he must

bend his throne to see and hear the worship of the cherubim and seraphim. How
much more must lie stoop, then, to behold the things tliat are done on the earth,
princes of his people."
him with
set
far
princes,
even
with
Was
sold
for a
the
not this
exemplified in the case of Joseph,
was
may
who
slave into the land of
Egypt, condemned under a false accusaan ignominious prison, where his

things of the greatest interest things feet were hurt with fetters, and the iron
that in our view swell into the mightiest entered into his soul
and yet God reimportance; all these he cannot notice membered him, raised him from the dust,
without an amazing step of condescen- took him from the dungeon, gave him the
sion, so high is his elevation, and so un- second chariot in the land of Kgypt; and
utterable is his grandeur.
This is a wide they cried, " bow the knee, bow the
theme, but a theme at which we might knee !" before him ; and only in the
labour from the commencement of our throne was his great master greater than
tion to
Was
lives to the close, without exhausting the
he.
subject, and without having gained even
in
a thousandth part of that knowledge of

God which stands connected with his
immeasurable greatness " Who can by
searching find out God ]
Canst thou
find out the Almighty unto perfection'?"
man
not this singularly exemplified
the case of
knee
Hannah, who was a wo-
of a sorrowful
in
all
spirit,
who
bent her
the urgency of importunate
prayer, lying in the dust at the footstool
of divine majesty; and, ere long, her

sorrows were chased away, the dark
Therefore I pass on.
clouds which enveloped her broke asunSecondly To notice his matchless der and departed, and gave way to the
GOODNESS.
bright shining of a clear and cheerful day,
This will appear in the description of so that she herself adopted this very song
my text that " He humblelh himself to of praise which is recorded in the lanbehold the things that are in heaven and guage of the text ? I might refer to Ruth
on earth. He raiseth up the poor out of the Moabitess, whose history is but an
the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the illustration of the doctrine of my text.
dunghill, that he may set him with 1 might refer to Shadrach, Meshach, and
princes, even with the princes of his Abednego, in the province of Babylon.
people." But I shall apply these repre- I might refer to Daniel and his remarkasentations to three distinct provinces of ble history, and to the Virgin mother
The first is, to the herself, who, though of royal descent,
tlie Divine agency.
ministrations of his kind providence es- was found in a condition of extreme pobut she was raised out of the dust,
pecially in favour of the poor and op- verty
Secondly, the manifestations and lifted from the dunghill, and had
pressed.
of his grace to our fallen and ruined the distinguished honour of giving birth
Thirdly, in the revelations of to the .Messiah, so that she said, * My
nature.
his kingdom when time shall be no soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour; for
more.
First
we apply this representation to ho hath regarded the low estate of ills
There handmaiden ; for, behold, from honcothe mi lUHtraliiJiiH i>f his providence.
me
is,
forlh all generations shall call
which
mighty hath done to me

great things; and holy is his name."
'I'imn would fail mo to lell of tin" p;irlieular instances in which the language of
be assured, a parlieular providence

notices all individuals, and which
regulates and superintends their concerns.
The greatest is not above the notice of
Cod's eye, nor the meanest beneath it
' For are not the hairs of your head all
numbered 1 Are not two sparrows sold
for a farthing, and not one of them is for" He raisfth up
gotten before (Jod."
Ahc poor out of iho dust, and
liflvlh the
For ho that
my
blessed.
is
text has been practically fullilled, in
which (iod has taken iho poor from ihe

dust, from cottages of obscurity, from
thatched roofs, and from places of cxtreme dupresaiuu and gloum, and " placed
THE BRITISH
492
them
witli princes,
his people."
So
even the princes of
that, as a doctrine of
PULPIT.
Then
consider, I pray you, not only
the general
providence, and as an illustration of God's
grace
.band in ordering the affairs of his provi-
and
scheme of our recovery by
through the humiliation,

and death, and burial of
dential kingdom, we may consider that the Divine Kedeemer, but consider the
the language of the text is most apt and manner in which this salvation is applied
just.
Secondly,
let
us apply this
festations of his i^race:
"
to the
man
He hath remem-
as a sinner
suflfering,
by the sovereign and gracious operations

maniof tlie Holy Spirit. Now you will perceive that, generally, the poor are evan-
bered his nation's low estate, for his merWhat was the
cy endureth for ever."
condition of
divine,
when
the
gelized
" Hath not God chosen the poor
of this world, rich in faith and heirs of

the
kingdom ?"
The
objects of his spe-
eye of God contemplated his recovery, cial favour are generally found among
and the bowels of his compassion melted those who, of all others, seem least likeover his misery 1 It was a state of the ly or fitted for the distinction which he is
greatest possible degradation, the lowest pleased to put upon them.
Look at Mary
dust was his abode
no dunghill can Magdalen see her brought to the feet
adequately represent the deep depression of Jesus, bathing those feet with her
and utter ruin in which, by reason of sin, tears, wiping them with the hair of her
we are all found. And how, I ask, was head, and then following Jesus into the
our elevation from this state of degrada- wilderness. Oh, how truly is it written :
Why the eternal " He humblelh himself to behold the
tion and ruin effected 1
Son of God took upon him our nature in things that are in heaven and in earth
the lowest circumstances of its degrada- he raiseth up the poor out of the dust,
tion ; he became a poor man, was born in and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill,
a stable, laid in a manger at Belhlehem, that he may set him with princes, even
worked at a menial occupation, lived a with the princes of his people !"
life of dependence, and was at last indebtLook at Saul of Tarsus breathing out
ed to charity for his grave. It was by threatenings of slaughter. Oh, what a
this stupendous act of condescension that state of wretched depravity was his heart
our Lord redeemed us from the curse of found in when the message of Jesus arGod, saved us from our bitter wo, and rested him in his course! he heard a
raised us to sit together with him in hea- voice, he saw a light, and he fell, tremvenly places. Oh, how astonishing the bling, to the earth, exclaiming, " Lord,
humiliation of the eternal Son of the Most what wilt thou have me to do?" The
W'ell may it be said by the apos- degraded persecutor (for man never apHigh
tle, " He made himself of no reputation, pears in a more degraded form than when
and took upon him the form of a servant, he persecutes the church of Christ) beand was made in the likeness of men
came an ardent believer of the faith which
and being found in fashion as a man, he he once laboured to destroy
and he
humbled himself and became obedient says, " Howbeit, for this cause I obtained
unto death, even the death of the cross." mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might
See the Lord of life and glory bowing show forth all long-suffering, for a pathis head upon the accursed tree, while he tern to them who should hereafter beexclaimed, " It is finished !" See him lieve on him to life everlasting." Therelaid even in the dust of death, and refore he could say: "It is a faithful
maining under the power of the grave, for saying, and worthy of all acceptation,
a time darkness his curtain, and his bed that Jesus Christ came into the world to
the earth
Wôndrous dispensation of save sinners ; of whom I am the chief."
"Though ye have been among the pots,
mercy
yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove
" That ihy eternal Son should bear
covered with silver, and her feathers with
To take a mortal form
yellow gold." The depth of human deMade lower than the nngels are,
pression, in a moral and a spiritual sensev
To save a dying worm !"
:
GOD.
493
êxemplifies the wonderful depth of the
point of enjoyment, with
Divine humiliaiion and the Divine good-
patriarchs, with
ness.
apply this io the revelaGod has done much
with the noble army of martyrs, with the

confessors, and with those who in every
age have been distinguished for their life,
for his people in the application of the
their love, their holiness, and their zeal.
Thirdly,
tions of
we
eternity.
the
the venerable
inspired
great blessinirs of salvation to them here;
We
but " eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,

what he hath prepared for them that love
him" in the world to come. My brethren, assist me by your meditations to
at thy right
draw
jects of one inconceivable
nal
which hides eterthings from our view. Think of the

aside the curtain
fulfilment of this
morning of the
representation
resurrection,
in
the
wben from
abodes of dust, and from houses of clay,

God shall call the slumbering remains of
his people into life, and warm them into
activity, and clothe them with beauty,
according to the mighty power whereby
he is able to subdue even all things unto
himself.
"Thy dead men shall live together, with my dead body shall they
Awake and sing, ye that dwell
arise.
are ready to say.
But there
hand
prophets,
The meanest
place
infinitely too
high.
is
no mean place there;
is
all
will be princes, all will be sitting at one
common
rable
there
table,
and
all
satisfaction.
may
will be the sub-^
and incompado not deny that
be degrees of glory arising out
of the physical and moral capacities of

I can hardly conceive that
an infant dying in its infancy shall be
found in the same scale of precise enjoy-
our nature.
ment with
St. Paul or St. John, with a

Watts, a Doddridge, a Hall, a Porteus
but though, in the very nature of things,
there may be gradations as to the peculiar measure of enjoyment, every mind
will be full of purity, full of bliss, and
in the dust, for thy dew is as the dew of full of glory
as full as it can hold^
herbs; and the earth shall cast out the while it will be stretching forth, by the
dead :" " For the trumpet shall sound, enlargement of its powers, to the still
and the dead shall be raised incorrupti- larger enjoyment of an object whose exFor this cellencies can never be exhausted, and
ble, and we shall be changed.
corruptible must put on incorruption, and whose boundless extent will admit of a
this mortal must put on immortality. constant and eternal progression, both in
So when this corruptible shall have put knowledge, resemblance, and enjoyment.
Now what an amazing discovery will
on incorruption, and this mortal shall
have put on immortality, then shall be this be, when we shall see heaven openbrought to pass the saying that is writ- ed, and when we shall see poor, degraded,
ten, Deatli is swallowed up in victory." ruined man "taken from his dust, and
Then will he " raise up the poor out of r.iised from his dunghill, and made to sit
the dust, and lift tbo needy out of the with princes, even the princes of immor-
dunghill," that he
throne of the
may
set
Lamb, and
him on the
him
tality."
encircle
with a diadem of glory.

Consider the associations of that great
day, when all the redeemed of the Lord
fihali meet from the cast, from the west,
from the north, and from the south shall
be gratliercd together in one holy, happy,
harmonious throng, all crowned, nil enthroned, all adorned with bright garments
of shining lustre and spotless purity, and
shall wave palms of triumph, and join in
tho everlasting song of " salvation unto
Tliero the humblest and
the Lamb."
meanest believer shall find hiinsilf on an
equal footing, in point of locality, and in
In
what pr\ctical
conclusion,
les-
sons MAY we LKARN from TMK COMBINKD

OR ASSOCIATED DISPLAY OK THE GRKATNESS AND GOODNESS Of fioD.
my
\n the first place,

fix
on our minds a
sii^nificnnee, meaiineaa,
will go
away from
this subject little

find that
liigli
it
is
brethren, let
it
own inand vilenats. You
ilcrp sense
if our
the contemplation of
benefited, unless
fitted
to cast
you
down every
thought, and every proud imajjinait levels your own preleuHions
lion, unless
unless you are led
with
tho duHt, anil
Ironi
the contemplation of (Jud'H great-
ness to learn tho lesson of your
'JT
own
lit-
THE BRITISH
194
PULPIT.
who conduct themselves there in an

uudevout manner, and who retire from
the house of God to forget where they
have been and what they have been doing.
elevation and excellence of the blessed " Keep thy foot when thou comest to the
God you then sink down in the dust of house of God, and be more ready to hear
self-abasement, and say, as Job said, " I than to offer the sacrifice of fools."
tleness, did I say,
your own nothingness.
ty,
Contrast yourself for a moment with the

great Ohjpct you have been contemplating; think of the majesty and glory, the
have heard of thee by the hearing of the How would you conduct yourself in the
ear, but now mine eyes sceih thee; presence of an earthly superior?
What
wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in measure of awe would you feel, were you
for I am to be introduced to the sovereign of these
dust and ashes." '
is me
undone, for mine eyes have seen the realms, or to find yourself associated with
King, the Lord of Hosts." Oh, what a the concentrated splendour of all the
self-annihilating subject is this
what a princes, powers, and potentates of earth?
blow to all those self-preferring, self- And yet who are all the powers, princes,
exalting, self-endearing thoughts which and potentates on earth, compared with
are prone to take possession of the plat- that great and glorious God into whose
form of the human heart
I am sure, if presence you enter in every prayer you
you rightly understand the subject of this offer, during every sermon you hear, and
afternoon, there will be little room left every religious exercise in which you
for self in your meditations and prayers. join?
should go from this subject smiting
My dear young friends, there is always
our heart, and acknowledging that we great danger lest the youthful heart
are less than nothing, and vanity ; saying should not be impressed with a sense of
in the language of our old poet,
the majesty of God in the solemn exer-
Wo
We
cises of his
"
The more thy glories strike my eye,

The humbler servant I shall die."
work
dear children
this
man,
O woman,
subject!
learn thy place from
Remember
that thou art
only like an indivisible fraction of this

great world
which we
inhabit, and that
when compared with God you are lost.

Where are you 1 The atom which now
sunbeam is less consideracompared with the mass of this solid
globe, than you compared with jôur relation to the great and glorious God.
floats in the
ble,
Secondly, the
contemplation of this
combined display of God's greatness and

goodness should promnie reverence in worship.
Brethren, if God must humble
himself to behold the things that are done
in heaven and earth
if he is thus exalted above all beings, and above all things,
however great then surely we ought to

worship him with reverence and with
godly sincerity. " Great is the Lord and
greatly to be feared, and to be had in reverence by all'those who are round about
him." Men cannot think aright of the
greatness and grandeur of God who enter
into the sanctuary with trifling and levi-
therefore entreat
hear
me
you
children of
our weekly schools, and children of our
Sabbath schools
who
greatness of
always
to consider the
God whenever you come
into
and whenever you take

his name on your lips, and remember to
make a distinction between the house of
God and all other houses the day of God
and all other days the worship of God
and all other employments; for he is not
to be mocked, and if he sees a light and
trifling countenance, and if he observes a
light and trifling mind in his presence,
he regards it with displeastire and abhorrence.
Let us, then, in all acts of worship set the Lord before us in all his
superlative elevation, majesty, and grandeur, that we may worship him reverent" For to that man will I look, and
ly
with him will I dwell, who is of an humble and contrite heart, and who trembleth
at my word."
Thirdly, let this subject nourish in our
bosoms confidence towards God, as well as
holy reverence in our dealings towards
him. His goodness is equal to his greatness, and he has provided means whereby
that goodness shall flow down to guilty
his
presence,

honour
GOD.
495
tending that one event happeneth alike to

Therefore let all, and that every thing must be resolved
ter and his perfections.
me say to you, have faith in God ; con- to certain chances and accidents; and
sider his condescension ; let it encourage thus they endeavour to deprive us of a
man, with
infinite
to his charac-
your approaches, consider the ministra- truth which is most full of consolation
consider the and godly relief, under all the trials, diftions of his providence
consider the ficulties, and conflicts of this lower world.
manifestations of his grace
Then, My brethren, God is indeed so great
future revelations of his glory.
my brethren, repose your spirits as in " that he humbleth himself to behold the
for " he taketh the things that are done in heaven and in
the bosom of God
He bestows his thoughts upon
poor out of the dust, and lifleth the needy earth."
Go to him with all the poorest of his intelligent creatures:
out of the dunghill."
your indigence and destitution, with all yea, the meanest, the irrational ones, and
your moral degradation and pollution, every insect that wings its way through
with all your hopes and all your fears, the air, and every flower that is clothed
and cast your every care and burden upon with beauty and brightness, owes its exhim who careth for you. There is no istence and support to the immediate
case in which you are warranted to de- agency of the perfect will of Providence.
spair of God's gracious succour and sea- Let my text establish your minds in the
sonable help; there arc no measures of conviction of this truth.
So with regard to the eflUcacy of prayer,
depression to which the arm of his mercy
and there arc no measures which arises out of this great principle.
will not reach
of public exaltation to which that arm

may not conduct you. Believe, there-
God with
all your heart; trust

your concerns. Remember
that you cannot expect too much from
him who is so great ; neither can you
hope for too much from him who is so
good. " Why art thou cast down, O my
soul, and why art thou disquieted within
me ? Hope thou in God, for I shall yet
praise him who is the health of my coun-
fore, in
him with
all
tenance and
Fourthly,
doahts
my God."
let this
scepticism,
iif
subject scalier those
and
Can
I
believe that
am an atom
God
hears
my
prayer
of dust so inconceivably
minute, in comparison with the great in

terests of his
kingdom and government-
will he listen
to
my
Will
my
Will hf
voice?
my
attend to the breathing of
prayers
'
solitary notes attract his ear or
Yes, when you aie

his heart?
most alone, most despised, most in ttie
dust, yea, when you feel yourself as upon
the very dunghill, you may say, " pooi
move
though I am, despised and forgotten, ye\

God, my God, forgets me not."
those hesitations
of infidelilijf which are too indusfrioiis/i/

I
spread ainonf^st us al the present day.
would mention two points
in
" lie
For
is
safe,
whom
and must succeed,

tlio
Lord vouchsafes
to pload.
connexion
the minute observation which Then put your cause into tiin hands of
with this
God's providence takes of the affairs of the great Intercessor^^mploy iiim offer
men, and the efficacy of believing prayer. your praise to the Divine Majesty, and
"Ob," says the sceptic, "do you think you have the pledge of (tod's grealno.ss,
you am of sufTicient importance in the vast and the pledge of (lo'ds goodness, that
chain of cause and clTect for Deity to be- you shall in no wise be forgot. The estow a thought or care upon you 1 (Jod is frtro I say, away with the doubts of scepso great a being that he cannot find room ticism, and away with all insinuation of
" Lord, 1 bcdieve, iielp thou
in the vastncss of his heart for your inte- unl>elicf.
your concerns, for your sorrows, mine unbelief."

Kifliily, li't the contemplation of tiiis
your wtd fare." This has l)ecn a favourite topic with infidelity in every pe- snbjerl kindle In our hrrast a hi-^h and uit-
rests, for
for
riod
of
lini'^.
The men
of ibis school
l)lr
umhitinn;
not that sort of aml)ilion
which inflames the desires of worldly

doctrine of a particular providence; con- luca who are in the pursuit of worldly
li.ive attem|teil to
destroy our fiilh
in tlie
THE BRITISH
496
good,
who
are seeking to climb the steep
PULPIT.
its fire,
and
it
teaches every Christian to
which is to introduce them to make every Christian's happiness his

sublunary honour and distinction; but own. Therefore we shall, I am sure, be
seek that honour which cometh from God infinitely happier than we are, if we could
alone.
Oh, pray that he may set you act up to this great principle if we could
among princes, even the princes of his rejoice with them that rejoice, and weep
kingdom
Seek the honour of a church with them that weep; and when we see
acclivity
with the friends and
the poor raised out of the dust, and the
followers of the Redeemer, and then you
needy taken from the dunghill, and set

with princes, even the princes of God's
relationship
here
will be associated with
them
in
the splen-
dours of the future resurrection, and in

the glories of the coming immortality
people,
Oh
that
of
all
we may
not, preferments
home,
--honours
tiiat
shall never, never
perish, and an inheritance incorruptible,

undefiled, and that fadeth not
"
This
my
is
Guided by
*'
For they
away
glory, Lord, to be
saints,
shall
and near
come from
to thee."
the east and
the west, and the north and the south,
and shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac,

and Jacob in the kingdom of God."
Finally, let this subject
awaken
after
dishonoured
fade
that
should rejoice and be exceedthe poor prodigal comes
When
he has wasted his substance,

his character, and nearly
ruined his soul for ever, instead of grudging his reception and envying his entertainment, let us rather break forth into
songs of joy and gladness, saying, " This
my son was dead, and is alive again ;
was lost, and is found." This is the benevolence of the spirits in heaven ; for
they tune their harps afresh when a sinner is converted, and when a soul is
raised from the dust, from the natural
apostasy of man, and made to sit with the
princes of his people in the present joys
of communion with the church on earth,
and anticipating the future joys of the
church triumphant in heaven.
Let us
warm our bosom's gratitude at the contemplation of this great subject, and anticipate the period when we shall be introduced to the city and fellowship of
heaven, and shall see those kings, and
prophets, and righteous men who have
gone before us in the path of glory, and
are now enjoying the rest that remains to
the people of God.
aspire to these noblest
distinctions
we
ing glad.
both
our grulitude, and our anticipations of the

Gratitude for the revelation God
future.
has given of himself, of his purposes,
and of his grace gratitude, if we ourselves have any thing answerable in our
experience to that wliich we have been
hearing this day
gratitude that we observe in the transactions of God's providence, and the economy of his grace, a
minute fulfilment of all this in the cases
of others.
For charity envieth not; and
lie wlio is the subject of heaven-descended
charity will be doubly blessed, because
he will not only be happy in those gifts
" In such society as this
and distinctions which God has imparted
My weary soul would rest
to him, but he will be made happy by
The man w ho dwells where Jesus is
the gifts and distinctions which he sees
Must be for ever blest."
imparted to others.
Envy is the child of
hell; and whenever it takes possession
God grant us all such a dwelling place,
of the human bosom, it makes that bosom through the countless ages of eternity,
a hell: Christianity goes to extinguish for Christ's sake. Amen.
SERMON
LVI.
THE WITHERED
LEAF.
-BY THE REV. JOHN ANDERSON,

HELENSBURGH.
We
all
do fade as a leaf; and our
iniquities like the wind, have taken
us away."
Isa. Ixiv. 6.
Spiritual instructions are frequently condition and our own is there any analoconveyed to us in the Scriptures by images gy? Is the condition of nature in any
drawn from natural objects. In no book respect symbolic of our own ] It is. The
are the objects of nature more frequently prophet in our text takes up a withered
introduced, for the explanation, the en- leaf, and, entering with it as it were into
forcement, and the illustration of truth, an audience of his countrymen, addresses
than in the book of God. To the eye of them in these words " We all do fade as
A withered leaf, then, is this
the inspired writers nature seems to have a leaf."
unfolded itself as one vast book of sym- day to be our preacher. What are some
bols, from which they read lessons to of the truths it proclaims, and in which
man adapted to the various Junctures of it is wisely adapted and mercifully inlife.
This book of symbols may be said tended to instruct us? It instructs us in
the the following
to have four chapters or heaves
1st. The frailty and shortness of life.
spring and the summer, autumn and win-
ter.
So far as the present year is concerned, the lessons of the spring, and the
are ended
summer, and the autumn,
its
What
object in nature
withered leaf adhering

thread, and
single
is frailer
to the
than a
bough by a
ready to be carried
away by the first and feeblest breath of

The fields that a short while ago were wind. Not more frail, however, is the
wavintr with their golden produce, are now withered leaf even, than is man that is
Consider him in inthe skies that were born of a woman.
barren and bare
sunny and warm, are now cloudy and fancy what object more frail than a huthe infant in the cradli*
the flowers that, wet with dew, man weakling
cold
solemn lesson the winter
is
now
reading.
winds, broken
their spicy fragrance on the

in their st>-m,
are
now
fast
and bruised
the trees of the
and the fudd are
in their leaves,
turning into dust and disho-
nourable ashes
fo'iige
shed
leaviis to the sun, or
opened their
now
leaves
their
fresh and green,
wood
stripped of their
that
were
lately
now withered and brown,
ground, while the few

that remain upon the branches seem but
to will for a ruder blast when they also
hall bo carried away. Such is the conare falling to
tlio
dition of the natural world
Vol. I. 63
between
this
the babe at the breast
Is it not the very

type of all weakness and all frailt)' full
of wants, yet without the smallest power
to supply them or to make them known ;
!
dangers which he does not

which, if ho did, he could not
control!
If others do not feed him, he
must perish of hunger if others do not
give him drink, he must perish of thirst
if others do not clothe him, be must perish
of cold.
Surely on the whole earth there
is not a creature more frail and mora
helpless
Consider him in the pride and
T '2
497
exposed
to
foresee, and
THE BRITISH
498
vigour of manhood
even in this period

of life, how like a leaf wasted and driven
When he imagines his
by the wind
mountain stands strong, and that nothing
can move him when he exalts himself
as a god, how weak, indigent, and insufficient
subject to every breath and to
Is lie on the sea 1
every blast
see how
him where they will
:'ts waves whirl
see how the winds
Is he on the land 1
scorn his bidding, the storm how it mocks
:
his prospects, the hurricane
how
it
lays
PULPIT.
and like
for ever.
it
you will soon be carried away

If you shall be more deeply
impressed with these truths this day than

you have hitherto been; if you shall form
a truer estimate of your condition than
you may have hitherto done ; if you shall
be instructed more fully in, or be impressed more deeply with, the frailty and
shortness of life, this leaf will not have
faded and fallen, nor shall we have discoursed from it to you this day, in vain.
But not only does the withered leaf instruct us in the conditions of life, it instructs us also in the conditions of death;
and this it does,
First.
In the nature of death.
A leaf that, having withered on the tree,
has fallen to the ground, is a separated, a
disunited thing.
It is disunited from its
parent tree, it is separated from its sister
dwelling in ruins! thus, even when

standing, is he not liable to fall
when
rich to become poor
when strong to become weak 1 In life is he not every moment liable and ready to die 1 Thus poor
is man in his best estate
thus sure is it
that " each man is vanity."
Consider
him in old age is the withered and wasted leaf of winter more withered or more leaves. Such is death. It is a separawasted 1 His eyes how dim, his ear how tion, a disuniting ; it is the separation,
dull, his limbs how shrunken, his breath- first of all, of the soul and body.
As the
ing how short and how difficult; how union of soul and body constitutes natural
like a walking shadow, a living death
life, the separation of soul and body conthe evil days have come upon him, he is stitutes natural death. This separation
fallen into the- "sere and yellow leaf !" every man living must undergo
fatal to
Such is man, in infancy, manhood, and man is the neglect of this great truth.
nor is he thus frail, but how Neglect it not, my brethren
old age
when you
shortlived as well as frail
To denote see a leaf separated from its parent tree,
the shortness of man's existence, it is Je- let it remind you of the separation that
remy Taylor, we think, who remarks that must one day take place between the
the wise men of the world have contended, body and the soul ; let it remind you that
as it were, who should denote its short- you shall not always, as you now do, see
ness by the fittest figures. By one it is through the medium of the eye, and hear
likened to a shadow^; by another to the through the medium of the ear, and think
shadow of a shade; by another to a va- through the medium of the brain. There
pour; by another to the swift ships; by is a spiritual world
to that world you
another to the eagle that hasteth to its belong in that world as pure spirits you
prey ; by another to the weaver's shut- shall exist ; on the verge of that spiritual
the day casts it to the night, and the world you are at this moment standing
tle
night to the day, till the web of life is upon it you are soon to enter; in that
spun, and cut from the beam of time. world you shall continue to see, but not
By the prophet it is compared to a leaf. through the medium of the eye ; you shall
Short is the duration of a leaf: such, how- continue to hear, but not through the metiis
ever, is the
life
duration as
it
fading
is
in its kind.
of
man
as
frail in
its
short in
its
texture and
In the withered leaves,
dium of the ear; you
shall continue to
think, but not through the
brain
then
medium
all that is in this
of the
world as to
you the lust of the flesh, and the lust of

strewing your path, see, my brethren, the the eye, and the pride of life, shall come
emblem of your condition. Think not to an end. Now, if it should be the case
more highly of yourselves than you ought that your happiness is now consisting in
look to that withered leaf; like it the seeing of the eye, or the hearing of
to do
you are frail, and like it you are fading, the ear, or the gratification of the senses
then, that at this season of the year are
THE WITHERED
LEAF.
499
n the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the a harvest of life eternal. But not only
if your hap- does death separate the soul and the hody,
eye, and in the pride of life
'
piness consists
in,
and
is
dependent on
it
separates and disunites us from our re-
what is material, what is to become of lations and our friends. Very mysterious
you in that world that is spiritual 1 If and deep, as you know well, is the affecyour supreme happiness consist in aught tion we cherish for our relations and kinsthat is earthly, in what shall it consist, men according to the flesh. Do we hear,
when the world in which you are to for example, of the sickness of a parent or
dwell, and you yourselves shall no longer

be of the " earth earthy," and when from
all that is earthly, its possessions and its
enjoyments, you shall be torn away for
ever ]
If your happiness is connected
with time, and the things of time, in
what will you find happiness when time
and the things of time shall be no more?
Think of this, ye who are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God ; think of
this, ye who are seeking and finding your
chief enjoyment in the pursuits and the
pleasures of this passing and this perishing world. Hear it, men and brethren
take it from my lips as the word of God,
that a happiness springing from, and ending with time, is no happiness it has
the show, but not the substance ; it is a
happiness that might content us if we
were mortal only, but is no portion for an
True happiness is an
immortal soul.
a child, of a sister or a brother with

what eagerness and trepidation do we
hasten to their bedside; with what inter-
we gaze on their wan and wasted

countenances;
how anxiously do we
watch the progress of the disease; with
what pure delight do we witness the first
dawning of recovery On the other hand,
when we often look but look in vain, when
it is but too plain that they are dying,
how does our heart sicken and die And
when at length death has completed his
prey when the eye is broken from whose
look of love our heart drew its sweetest
solace ; when the spirit of the beloved
object has fled, and all that remains to us
is the cold, silent, and inanimate clay,
est do
how dreadful
the
is
whelmed with
blow
a sorrow
We
we
bear, and the bitterness of

are
wanting
to express.
are over-
can scarcely
which words
In our journey
through life, many are the clouds which

darken our path, and many are the events,
But what is the tendency of which is to bruise our
like himself, is everlasting.
this true and everlasting happiness 1 in spirit and to break our heart ; but there is
what does it consist 1 In "doing the no event so solemn and so sad as that
will of God." A life spent in doing which converts our homes into a house of
the will of God, is a life of happiness; mourning, and stretches one of our nearest
a life spent in contravening the will and dearest relations on the bed of death.
of God, is and must be a life of essen- Yet, all painful as this event is, it is one
Into such a life, a life of which we may expect to meet, and to meet
tial misery.
simply doing the will of God, now, my which wc should at all tinus be prepared.
brethren, now that you arc, and while you Among the mourners, of whom the earth
are in the body, enter; for into tliis life is full, how many arc at this moment utterthere is no entrance in the world to come. ing the language of the orphan chihiren of
Of good or evil in the world to come iht-rc Jerusalem language " evi-ry letter of
is no first choice; sucii a choice must be which seems written with a tear, and every
made here and the choice tliat is made wdhI of which seems the souml of a bro:"
" We are orphans and fahore, is the choice that is ratified iiere- ken heart
You are now either doinir the will therless, and our mothers arc as widows."
after.
of God, or you are doing your own; if you How many fond parents, during the past
are doing your own, you are sowing to the year, have seen thiir bright and beautiful
abiding happiness; the true happiness of
an everlasting being is a happiness that,
flesh,
and shall of the flesh reap a harvest

if you are doing the will of
of corruption
God, you are sowing
to the Spirit, aiul of
the Spirit and in the Spirit you shall reap
laid in the dust,
and are now
left to
woop
over not only the flower of their flock,

How many
hut the last of their rare !
husbands have 8tooH by the bed on \\h'\r}\
THE BRITISH
500
the mother of their children lay dying

How many wives lately hlessed with the
husbands of their hearts, are now lonely
!
PULPIT.
you shall be
stirred
of the duties you
means of the
up
to
such a discharge
owe one
to another,
reflections to
which
by
this
Sec that band of withered leaf may give rise, we shall

and sorrowful widows
mourners how powerful is the claim they have no cause of regret that we have
directed your attention to this topic on
have on your sympathy and your tears
yet, while you " weep with them that this day.
!
them only, but weep
weep," weep not
for
for yourselves.
Sad,
condition
is
it
true, is their
but in that condition see, my

emblems of your own.
brethren, the
What
they are now, that
all
of you will
It is not enough, however, that we direct'

your attention to the death of others, let us
direct it to your own.
By this withered
leaf,
you
are instructed not only in the
nature, but in the certainty of death.
may be soon. ChilNothing is more certain than the fading

of the leaf: equally certain is death.
soon lose your parents
fond parents, you may soon lose your When we speak of the certainty of death,
children
your hearths now bright with we speak, it is evident, not of its certainty
the sunshine of their happy faces may as to time, or manner than these nothing
soon be darkened ; your halls now vocal is more uncertain.
The seasons have
with their joyous voices may soon be their time of coming and going, and we
silent.
Husbands, you may soon lose know when they will come and go ; the
" the delight of your e)'es ;" and you hap- passage-birds have their appointed time,
py wives, ye may be soon lonely widows. and we know when they will come and
Such being the case, what influence ought when they will depart the leaf has its
the knowledge of this to have upon your time to flourish and its time to fade, and
conscience and your conduct? surely, if we know when it will flourish and when
permitted to excercise its legitimate influ- it will fade. It is otherwise with death :
ence, it will excite us to an immediate " Man knoweth not its time."
I am old,
be
at
some
dren, you
time, and
may
and
faithful
owe one
discharge of the duties
we
to another, as parents or children,
as husbands or wives.
in this matter, thy
"Whatever, then,
hand findeth
to do, that
thy might and all thy diligence, for there is no knowledge, work, or
device in the grave, whither thou art fast
going. If, then, you who are children,
shall be stirred up to honour, from this
day henceforth, your parents more highly
than ever you have yet done ; and if you
who are parents shall be stirred up to perform those sacred and solemn duties you
owe to your children, more faithfully in
all time coming, than at any time past
if the husband will be stirred up to a more
faithful discharge of the duties of a husband, and the wife to a more faithful discharge of the duties of a wife ; so that
when the sad and solemn hour of separa-
do with
all
which
come, amid
coming to all, has

blackness and its bitterness, there shall be no root of regret and
remorse in the remembrance of the past,
and in reviewing the history of that rela-
tion,
is
tionship which
now been
surely
its
by the hand of death has
severed for ever
if,
we
say,
said Jacob, yet I know not the day of my

death equally uncertain is death as to
the manner of its coming.
Amid all this
:
uncertainty, however, one thing is certain
death
itself.
What
is
our
deed, but a constant dying
life, in-
a death in
life.
The moment we begin to live, that
moment we begin to die. I am dying
while I now speak, and you are dying
while you hear

lengthen
we
life,
live, the less
we
every breath
we
we
take to
and the more

have to live
thus
shortens
it;
These you may

think are stale and common-place remarks.
We confess they are: frequently have
do
fade as a leaf.
they been made, and frequently have they

been heard ; yet, frequently though such
remarks respecting death and its certainty
have been made, how few of )'ou have
even yet given it that consideration which
paramount importance demands!
its
Though day unto day utters speech
though night unto night teaches man
knowledge
though in every new-made
grave that meets our eye ; though in
every newspaper that we read ; though
in every funeral procession we are sum;
THE WITHERED LEAF.

moned
to attend, or that
we
see dragging
slow and sable length along our

though in every funeral bell that
;
tolls the departure of another and another
to the tomb ; though all nature enters, as
it were for our sakes, once every year into
a state of death ; though at this moment
every sound that meets the ear, and every
sight that meets the eye, is eloquent of
death ; though in all these we have solemn
utterance and stern assurances of our approaching dissolution; yet how few of
us realize this approach, so as to consider
and to provide against its issues
Every
under
501
its full
influence: and that the
its
ledge of death's certainty and
streets
solemnity
species of arithmetic
we
that of counting our days
of
economy we
will learn, but

;
every species
will study, but that of
setting our house in order, seeing

die and not live.
So
we must
certain is death,
it
so
may
may you
issue in life's
seek and
find,
know-
death's
sanctity,
and so help you
God.
Again, while this "withered leaf" init instructs us
structs us in the certainty,
also in the universality of death.
We
all die,
must, said the

and be as water
That we must
ing to prove
all
woman
of Tekoah,
on the ground.
die requires no reasonspilt
it for us to apSince the birth of

human beings have been
sufficient is
peal to experience.
time,
how many
born into time 1

Time still continues,
but where are those who, during its past
ages, have, with their names and their
actions, filled its records
of time
still
The stream
continues to wind, but where
might be thought that the first and great are those who have dwelt upon its banks?
concern of all must be to provide against We have mighty forests, and crowded
its approach and its issues
yet there is cities, but where are the hands that plantnothing of which we are more forgetful
ed the one, or that built the other? We
yea, this very certainty of death, instead have books written many centuries ago,
of fixing it in our thoughts, seems to but where are those by whom they were
make us but the more eager to escape written, and those whose actions or whose
from its consideration, as if our not think- lives they record ? Like an aged mother,
ing of its approach would alter its nature, the earth still remains, but where are her
or delay its coming. My brethren, are we children? our fathers, where are they
in our senses'?
Will our blindness to and the prophets, do they live forever?
danger diminish or prevent danger? Will We have all occupied a portion of the
we not die, because we never think of past, but where are those who occupied
dying] Surely we cannot think this; it along with us ? Where are the busy
you cannot but know that death is ad- hands, and where the burning hearts
vancing, and that every effort you make where are the gleaming eyes where are
to exclude it from your thoughts, does in the melting voices ; where are tiie "old
To know familiar faces ?" Ah the busy hands are
effect but bring it the nearer
;
our danger, believe

first step of safety ;
it,
its
issues,
evitable, is the highest act of
prud(Mit
man
the
to prepare for its ap-
proach, to provide for
The
my brethren, is
when
in-
wisdom.
forcsecih the evil, and
it is the simple only that

Let the forepass on, and arc punished.
warnings of nature, then, be your forearmings; let not this season pass by un-
hideth himself;
improved
listen to the voice of nature.
The voice of nature is the voice of God

God speaks to us from tlic dust as well as
!
and if hitherto you have

lived as men wlio were not to die, live
from the
p.ilpit;
henceforth as
men who
are
to die
in
the full foreknowledge of the fact, live
motionless
the burning hearts are cold;
dim; the melting

and the " old familiar
faces are gone."
Lover, acquaintance,
and friend, have been removed into darkness.
A thousand times has that dark
and dream-like past been peopled with the
living
living forms and living voices;
and a thousand times has it been emptied
again.
A thousand times has the earth
brought forth (-liiidr<>n, and a thousand
limes liaa she been bereavrd
the grave
has received thorn, and the grave will reccivi' us
the grave tliat ncrivos all
the gleaming eyes are
voices are silent
grave that
never says. It
tlio
is
is
never satisfied, and that
enough
thus,
THE BRITISH
502
Like leaves on trees the race of man is found,

Now green in youth, now withering on the
PULPIT.
and everlasting forfeiture of God''9

it exposed us to his wrath
ground.
and his curse, not only through all this
supplies
age
following
Another race the
life but through all the life that is to
They fall successive, and successive rise
come has it dug a dishonoured grave for
So generations in their course decay
our bodies has it kindled an intolerable
So flourish these when those have passed away.
and an everlasting fire for our souls ; has
In conclusion, as the text instructs us in it wrought us all this wreck ; has it
the nature, certainty, and universality of proved to us the source of so many and so
mighty woes ; and shall we love it ; shall
death, it instructs us also in its cau.se.
Were we to enter into a country almost we live in its love ; shall we live willdeserted of its inhabitants ; were we to ingly under its power ; shall we not
witness on every hand villages and towns rather hate it, weep over it, forsake it %
fields, that had been ripe Has God provided a salvation for us;
laid in ruins
even unto harvest, trampled down and has he proclaimed and proffered it to us
soaked with blood wells choked up, a salvation from its guilt, its pollution,
and rivers polluted with the bodies of the its power, its curse, its very being ? How
entire
favour; has
.?lain
the
erections of
human
ingenuity
tion
come
made
the scene of such terrible calamities'?
When we
we
should
dismantled and overthrown we would

naturally ask. How has all this come to
pass ; how has this beautiful country be-
regard the offer of this salva-
made to the most abandoned

and the most depraved, the most worthless and the most wicked of mankind
;
an
to
offer
them
irrespective of all merit,
witness the earth, in like manner, with its three kingdoms, the vegetable, the animal, and the rational, full of
and all condition of any personal having,

and of any personal doing an offer of
corruption, decay, and death, and contrast
should
it
as originally full of health, and beauty,
and
life
standing as
we do
in a
world
intended to be a region of life amid the

chambers of the dying, and the sepulchres
of the dead ; it
has this come
natural to inquire,
is
How
pass ; how has pain

entered into the region of pleasure; sorrow into the region of joy; decay, corruption, and death, into the regions of beauty
and
life
*?
to
Why
is it
that we,
who were
created in the image of our Maker, do
" fade
Why
as a leaf?"
is it
all
that w-e are
born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward ?

Why is our sure and sad inheritance sufThe anfering, and sorrow, and death ?
swer
to these questions, the solution of
these difficulties,
'
Our
iniquities,
is
contained in the text;
like
the wind,
have
taken us away."
These
are the consequences of
sin is the cause
which
these are the wrecks of
a beautiful and blessed world, of Avhich

In what light, then,
sin is the author.
Has it corrupted
are we to regard sin 1
all that was pure ; has it defaced all that
was beautiful in this lower world ; has it
filled all things with the seeds of decay
and death ; has it brought us under the
Christ's salvation for Christ's sake.
we
moment
treat?
it is
Should
offered, that
we
How
not, the
moment accept
and that with all the gratitude and the

joy a boon of such a kind, provided for
and proffered to persons of our character,
and in our condition, is so well fitted to
produced Is it to be conceived that it
should be treated otherwise % Is it to be
conceived, not that it should be rejected,
but that it should not be received, with
See yon crithis gratitude and this joy ?
minal on the scaffold the preparations
of death proceed. A messenger, proclaiming his errand lest he should come
too late, forces a way through the crowd.
A pardon a pardon! resounds from every
voice.
When that sound reaches the ear
of the criminal, how does it affect his
heart ?
When a sealed pardon from royalty is unfolded, is put into his hands,
how does he regard it, how does he treat
See how
w'ith apathy, with neglect 1
it
he clasps his hands; see the hues of life
returning to his cheek ; see the wild but
joyful light that sparkles in his eyes ; see
how his heart heaves see that look of
wild and delighted wonderment, as if he
feared that the sights meeting his eye, and
the sounds meeting his ear, were the
it,
a;
THE WITHERED LEAF.
503
most guilty may be pardoned; the

most depraved may be renewed the most
don received which restores the criminal lost may be saved. This salvation arc
to a suffering, sorrowful, and short exist- you willing now to accept
this salvaWith how much tion as a whole, and for Christ's sake?
ence in this world.
greater eagerness and gratitude ought You now must either accept it, or reject
not to accept it, know this, is to reject
that pardon to be accepted, which re- it
sights and sounds of a delusive dream
Thus
eagerly, thus gratefull)^
is
the
the par-
Yet, to how it. The consequences of this rejection

us to life eternal
many has this pardon been offered in vain! are you willing or prepared to abide 1 It
By how many is the salvation of the gos- is a common saying, that " it will he all
stores
a salvation provided by the love of

God, purchased by the blood of Christ,
and applied by the love of the Spirit
salvation which redeems us from the
pains, the pollutions, and the punishments of hell, which exalts us to the digby how
nities and the glories of heaven
one a hundred years hence."
many
but
pel
is this
spised
hitherto has
hitherto has
it
may
You
salvation neglected and de-
it
been neglected
been refused by you.- Yet
be accepted
for yet it is offered.
you may be willing

you are depraved, and
remain depraved you
you are willing to re-
are guilty, and
to remain guilty
you
it
are willing to
are lost, and lost
main. Yet, however, God is not willing

yet he has not ratified your choice ; yet
Ay, ay,
it
will be all one as to the honours and the

distinctions of time
it
will be all one as
glimmer and glory all one whether

you have been rich, or whether you have
been poor; a// one whether you have been
a wandering beggar, or a crowned king
to its
when a thousand years hjive come

and gone, will it be all one whether that
thousand years has been spent amid the
sanctities and the glories of heaven, or
amid the pollutions and the pains of hell ?
Oh, no, that will not be all one. As it
will not be all one then, neither is it all
one now; for, according to your " sowing" here, will be, and must be, your
" reaping" hereafter.
THK IND.

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V

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THE kl:w York]

DISCOURSES BY THE MOST EMINENT LIVING DIVINES,

ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND IRELAND;

SCRIPTURAL ILLUSTRATIONS; AND SELECTIONS ON THE OFFICE, DUTIES.

THE NEW YORK

A8T0R, LENOX AND

Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvani^-

work has been induced

cation at the request of several ministers and

desirous of increasing their

knowledge of the productions of ministers of Jesus Christ

original cost of English publications, the

expenses of importation and duty, together with the difficulty of

least with regard to sermons,

ing has been commenced.

obviate this difficulty in part, at

specimens of British preachprove satisfactory, time

editor, in his selections, has not confined himself to

been done to encourage a spirit of liberality, to induce the reader to

in his selections through so

Tiichard IVatsnn has gained the prize; Robert Hall has

left his painful

and Joseph Hughes has slept

and loved to advocate

Elishas are treading in the steps of these

numbered with his fathers;

they be baptized with a double portion of their

cessary here to say much, as sketches of them, and

While Episknowing that the amiable, pious, devoted, and

or will be given in succeeding volumes.

copalians feel pleasure in

any Christian denomination.

of the following discourses have been taken down by the "pen

of the publication, with increased claims to the favc^arable regard of the

the labour of reference, two indexes wi\l be prefixed to

each volume, the

order, the subject of his sermon, and a reference to the page on

the second, an arrangement of the texts, according to the

name, denomination, and the page. To these will be added a table of

ALPHABETICAL ARRANGEMExVT OF PREACHERS.

The Influence of revealed Truth

The Cause and Character

Immortality of the Soul

inconceivable Greatness and incomprehensible

Missionary Efibrts founded upon the Principles and

Neutrality in Religion impossible

Living without God

Christ the Life of his People

The Nearness of Death

the Being and Perfections of

The Sword of the Spirit

Christ's Invitation and Promise

of the ancient Servants of

Christ the only

Origin, Universality, and Consequences of the

The Authority of Christ's Teaching

Resignation to the Divine Will

Fidelity to Christ enforced

Missionary Objects essential to Success

The Nature and Consequences

The Glory of the latter House